Preface

This story completes a trilogy of sorts. This will be the third story I've written that relates to the so-called Ahsoka Fugitive Arc. My first story, Walking Away from the Edge, features an alternate universe where Ahsoka chooses to remain a Jedi, only to have the events from Revenge of the Sith immediately follow. My second story, Aftermath of an Injustice, accepted the arc events as-is while speculating on what could have happened right after Ahsoka walks away from the Jedi Temple. This story is my first fix-fic. Although I wrote this nearly a year after the original episodes aired, I liked the idea of rewriting the final three episodes so that Ahsoka could remain a Jedi in one or more future seasons of the show. Finally, I have the chance to do this.

One noticeable difference with this story is that I tried to give the chapters more of a look and feel of actual Clone Wars episodes, down to the opening epigraph and narration starting each chapter.

I originally wrote this story in 2014 and reformatted it later that year. In 2015, I added this preface and further reformatted this story to be more consistent with my current writing style.

Acknowledgments

Very special thanks to The Walt Disney Company for all Star Wars characters and concepts.

"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."

—Marcus Tullius Cicero (as quoted at brainyquote·com)

Summary: After the arrest of suspected bomber, Letta Thurmond, the Jedi are eager to question her and learn more about the attack and the motives behind it.

But first, the Jedi must take time to remember those who died in the explosion.

As Master Yoda finished his eulogy, six beams of light pierced the floor and penetrated the six caskets holding the Jedi killed in the temple bombing. Everyone in attendance looked on somberly as the caskets lowered into the cremation chamber. Afterwards, everyone departed in silence—partly out of respect for the deceased and partly out of shock. The attack had taken its toll on everyone.

Out in the hallway, Barriss called out, "Ahsoka?"

Anakin turned and face the young Jedi. He told Ahsoka, "Go ahead and talk, but keep it brief. The council wants the two of us to continue questioning Letta."

"Yes, master," Ahsoka replied. She then turned to Barriss and asked her, "What's wrong?"

"Ahsoka, I understand what Master Yoda was trying to tell us. But, is it really a bad thing to mourn those who've fallen?" Barriss asked in reply.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we're supposed to control our emotions and let go of them. But it just seems like it makes us cold and uncaring. I knew one of the Jedi. Tutso Mara and I trained together as younglings. He taught me how to hold my lightsaber properly. To let go makes me feel as if I'm being asked to forget about him."

"I don't think it's wrong to recall fond memories such as that. I think the key is not to let our grief and memories hinder us from moving forward."

Barriss smiled and said, "I'm glad someone else feels the same way. Master Luminara would probably think I wasn't behaving like a proper Jedi if she knew how I felt."

"Don't worry, I won't tell her. But I better go. I don't need the council scolding me for being late."

"Me, too. I've got to return to the Halls of Healing and treat more of the injured."

Ahsoka and Barriss shared a quick hug before they parted ways.

Anakin and Ahsoka prepared to enter the temporary interrogation room. It had transparent walls so that everyone present could observe and listen to the interrogation. Admiral Tarkin's sudden arrival surprised Ahsoka.

"What's he doing here?" she asked.

"What I'm doing here is observing the interrogation. The bombing injured and killed clones, so she's facing some serious Republic charges. In that case, I'd have jurisdiction over her," Tarkin replied tersely.

"Whatever," Ahsoka muttered under her breath as shrugged her shoulders. Both Anakin and she entered the room.

"Back for more, Jedi?" Letta stated softly.

"Your troubles are only beginning. You may have thought killing some Jedi would be no big deal. But you could be facing Republic charges as well. You killed civilians and clones, too. Or didn't you think about that?" Anakin replied. He clenched his prosthetic hand into a fist. Despite the heinous nature of the bombing, he had to keep his composure with the Jedi Council seeing and hearing everything that happened.

"What I don't understand is what you gained from this. You're a nobody. I never even heard of you before we captured you. And after this, everyone is going to remember you as the crazy lady who stupidly bombed the Jedi Temple—unless you were hoping to appear on Coruscant's Dumbest Criminals," Ahsoka added.

"Ahsoka, that's enough," Anakin chided her.

"You two can't see it, can you? The longer this war goes on, the more the public looks at you Jedi less favorably. How can self-professed peacekeepers fight in a never-ending war? But, I didn't do it for me. Someone else suggested the idea. One of your own," Letta stated.

Anakin looked on in shock. Did Letta just implicate a Jedi as the bombing mastermind? Outside, the news startled everyone observing.

"Tell us who it is!" Ahsoka demanded.

Letta appeared frightened. "I... I can't. There was two of them. One of them threatened me if I told anyone," she finally answered.

"We can make sure you stay safe for now. If you don't tell us, you'll take the fall and most likely be executed. Do you want to die while the others get away with murder?"

Letta took a deep breath. "It was ..." she begun to say before she floated into the air and grabbed her throat. It appeared someone was Force-choking her, but who?

"Letta!" Ahsoka cried out. She tried to break the invisible grip that held the prisoner and slowly throttled the life out of her. Unfortunately, whoever choked Letta had a stronger command of the Force than Ahsoka did. Before Anakin could react and help Ahsoka, it was too late. Letta fell to floor dead."

Outside the interrogation room, Tarkin grew furious.

"Did you see that? The padawan did it to her. She never did like me, so she's taking it out on a prisoner. You've got to do something!" he exclaimed.

Anakin, hearing the admiral's rant, opened the door. "I know we don't always see eye to eye, Tarkin, but Ahsoka didn't do it. She was trying to save her. So was I. Are you going to accuse me, too?" he asked.

"Of course not. But she was too impatient and took matters into her own hands! Besides, you're her master, you're naturally going to side with her."

"Excuse me, admiral, but as an outside observer, just as yourself, I saw nothing out of the ordinary from Padawan Tano," Obi-Wan said.

"Yet another Jedi protecting one of their own," Tarkin muttered.

"Meet, the Council, shall. Discuss the situation and reach a decision, we will," Yoda interjected. As he left for the council chamber, the remaining council members trailed behind him. Tarkin did as well, even though he'd have to wait outside the chamber.

"Wait here, you two," Obi-Wan told Anakin and Ahsoka.

Ahsoka looked down at the ground. "Master, you know I didn't kill her," she said, half-pleading.

"I know you didn't. Trust me, I know," Anakin replied. He didn't want to tell Ahsoka he knew first hand how it felt and looked when he Forced-choked others. But he sensed no darkness or evil from Ahsoka during the incident.

"I just hope they believe me."

Inside the council chamber, the situation produced a spirited debate.

"Nobody else could have killed the prisoner. So, Tano had to have done it. It's the only logical explanation," Ki-Adi Mundi said.

"Are you sure? Everyone present observed nothing out of the ordinary. Ahsoka made no gestures of any kind that would accompany such an act," Obi-Wan replied.

"I agree. There's no way Ahsoka would do such a thing. Granted, Skywalker may not always be the best teacher for her, but such a terrible act is out of character for Ahsoka," Plo Koon told everyone.

"Dangerous times, these are," Yoda said softly. Everyone's attention focused on the diminutive Grand Master.

"Growing, the anti-Jedi sentiments are. Unfavorable, our perception becomes. Dangerous, this is becoming. Still, decide Padawan Tano's fate we must. Vote, we shall," he added.

All the council members voted whether they felt Ahsoka was responsible for Letta's death. As the last vote was cast, Yoda looked at the tally curiously.

"An interesting result, this is. Evenly split, we are."

"Master, there are eleven people here. How can it be evenly split?" Kit Fisto asked.

"Vote not responsible, five of you did. Find her responsible, five more. Abstained, one did. Deadlocked, the council is."

Everyone looked at each other, suspicious of each others' votes.

"What happens now?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Relieve the padawan of duty and confine her to quarters we must. Investigate, we will," Yoda promised.

"Obi-Wan. As much as I hate to say this, if Padawan Tano is found responsible after the investigation, we'll have no choice but to hand her over to Tarkin," Mace Windu said.

Obi-Wan stroked his beard reflectively. "Let's hope we can clear her and do so quickly," he replied.

Ahsoka sighed. Being restricted to her quarters frustrated her, especially with two temple guards and a clone guarding her door.

"Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this. You'll be out in no time," Anakin said.

"We'll see," Ahsoka replied. As the main door shut behind Anakin, she remained unconvinced that anyone would believe her claim of innocence.

Anakin walked down the hall and found Obi-Wan and Plo Koon talking.

"Masters, we have to work to clear Ahsoka. Time is of the essence," Anakin stated.

"Obi-Wan and I agree with you. I just wish I knew who else voted in Ahsoka's favor," Plo answered.

"I think Master Ti would be one of them. Tarkin's comments didn't seem to persuade her at all," Obi-Wan said.

"I'll contact her and see if she can do some research for us."

"I've got to go, too, masters. I have an idea as well. It may take all night, but it's the only chance we have to get a definitive answer," Anakin stated.

"Very well, then. Go do what you need to, then. Master Plo and I can handle things from here," Obi-Wan stated.

As Anakin left, Plo told Obi-Wan, "I just hope we're right. If not, this could be worse than when Dooku left the order to become a Sith."

Obi-Wan nodded. The last thing the Jedi Order needed was another public relations nightmare.

Elsewhere, Anakin found the investigative droid, Russo-ISC.

"Russo, thank the Maker you're still here. I need your help," he said.

"Forgive me, but didn't you already find the temple bomber?" Russo asked in reply.

"We did, but something else happened. My padawan is accused of murdering the suspect, even though she didn't. I'd like you and your team of droids to go to where the interrogation room was and investigate. If anyone can find evidence and be objective about it, it's you."

"You're exactly right, there. I'll bring some of my droids and we'll comb the area and review all the logs and data we can access."

"Thanks, Russo. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. If there's anything I can do to help..."

"Master Skywalker, it's late and you need rest. We don't need any help. I'd recommend you sleep."

"I can't sleep until I get to the bottom of this. I guess I can go get some caf in the dining hall."

Later that night, Ahsoka rolled over in her bed for the umpteenth time. Although her confinement lasted just a few hours, the stress took its toll on the teen. She couldn't sleep and the idea that any of the council members thought she would kill a murder suspect unnerved her.

Who voted against me? And, who abstained? she thought. The person that abstained might have voted in her favor, meaning she might not be restricted to her quarters. However, the same person could have voted that she was responsible for Letta's murder, leading to her own arrest.

Somebody has it out for me, but who? I'd suspect Tarkin, but he's no Jedi—and he can't Force-choke people. But who else could it be? Something definitely doesn't add up here. she reasoned.

Ahsoka stood up and went into the refresher room. As she rubbed her eyes, she grabbed and drank a small glass of water. In addition to her confinement, the Jedi Council jammed her commlink signal to prevent her from communicating to anyone. But, this also precluded her from asking anyone to help her. In addition, it appeared the council filtered her HoloNet access. Slowly, Ahsoka pondered an idea. Maybe it wasn't the best idea given the circumstances, but it seemed to be the only real alternative.

She quickly changed into her outfit. Surprisingly, nobody asked her to surrender her lightsabers, so she clipped those to her belt. She had no intentions to use them on anybody inside the temple. Thankfully, her idea would help her keep that promise, if it succeeded.

Ahsoka quietly used the Force to open the vent grating inside her quarters. It looked like a tight fit now that her montrals were longer and stuck out more, but she felt sure she could sneak out that way. Using a well-timed Force-leap, she entered the grate with some room to spare. Another Force gesture helped her re-secure the grate. Although she wasn't sure how the vents were configured inside the temple, she was sure that using the Force would help her find the hangar bay with her ship. From there, she's do her own investigating and start in the underworld again. With Anakin, she had found clues at Letta's apartment, so she'd start there—even if she didn't yet know what her next move would be.

A few minutes later, she successfully made her way into the hangar. But, have they sensed my disappearance? she thought. She prepared to run to her ship when she nearly knocked over Jocasta Nu.

"Oh, excuse me, Madame Nu," Ahsoka apologized.

"It's okay, padawan. Where are you off to so late?" Jocasta asked the teen.

Hoping to say something the elder librarian might believe, Ahsoka answered, "I … I'm doing some more investigation of the temple bombing. I think I might have a lead. I want to check it now before anything happens to the evidence."

"You padawans have such exciting missions these days. I wish I had such excitement when I was your age. Good luck, and may the Force be with you."

"Thanks, Madame," Ahsoka replied before running off to her ship. There, she took off and made her way back to the underworld.

Anakin sat half-asleep in a dining hall when his commlink chimed.

"Master Skywalker. I have something you'll want to see," Russo-ISC stated on the other end.

Anakin jumped up as if he had taken a refreshing power nap. "I'm on my way!" he yelled. Thankfully, a few overnight staff members were the only individuals in the hall. Arriving to meet Russo, the sight of Obi-Wan and Plo also waiting surprised Anakin.

"What is it?" Anakin asked anxiously.

"We found something peculiar. But, if it's accurate, it's proof Ahsoka couldn't be behind Letta's death," Obi-Wan replied.

Russo-ISC pressed a button and played an enhanced video log. Even though there was no audio, it replayed Anakin and Ahsoka's questioning of Letta. All of a sudden, a blurry area appeared in the corner of the screen.

"Can you do something? The picture's fuzzy." Anakin said.

"That's what we found, Master Skywalker. Watch carefully while I magnify the view several times," Russo-ISC stated as he flipped his eyepiece.

Anakin looked carefully. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't imaging things from his lack of sleep. It appeared as if he was seeing the outline of someone's body.

"It looks like somebody is hanging on the ceiling. But who has transparent skin?" Anakin asked with noticeable confusion.

"I don't think it's someone transparent, Skywalker. If I'm right, it appears like it might be a shape shifter of some sort," Plo replied.

"A Force-sensitive one?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief. The only shape shifter he could think of was the former Zam Wesell.

"I can't speak for species, of course, but this does confirm that some sort of shape shifter was hanging around during your interrogation," Russo-ISC replied.

"This is great news! We have to tell the council. This proves Ahsoka didn't kill Letta. Russo, thanks a lot. You were a big help like I figured," Anakin exclaimed. Both Obi-Wan and Plo sensed his relief.

"Naturally," Russo-ISC replied indifferently.

"I'll assemble the Council. You and Obi-Wan go tell Ahsoka the news. With this footage, I'm sure it will remove any doubt as to Ahsoka's innocence," Plo replied.

Anakin and Obi-Wan returned to the former's quarters. The temple guards quickly stood in front of the door.

"Only Master Skywalker may enter," one of them stated.

"That's fine. I can wait," Obi-Wan stated.

Anakin ran into his quarters. "Ahsoka, we found proof of your innocence! The council is about to meet and you can rejoin me again soon," he said. However, he panicked when he didn't receive a response.

"Ahsoka?" he asked again as he checked her room and knocked on the half-closed refresher room door. He reached into the Force and suddenly ran back out into the hall.

"Obi-Wan, she's not here," he said.

"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan asked. He turned to the temple guards. "You stood watch the whole time, right?" he asked.

Both guards nodded silently. "I did, too," the clone added. "She never even opened the door."

Anakin looked inside the quarters again. As he adjusted the lights, he noticed a small screw on the floor.

"Now where did this come from?" he asked out loud before he looked up. "Umm, Obi-Wan, I think I know what happened. Look," he added before pointing to the ceiling.

"Ahsoka escaped through the vents and our guards had no idea?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief.

"Apparently so."

"Even you weren't that disobedient. You really need to talk to your padawan. This isn't going to look good when we see the council."

"Do you really have to tell them?"

"You're right, Anakin, I'll just tell them nobody knows where she is. That will certainly help her look innocent," Obi-Wan replied sarcastically.

Anakin shook his head.

The temple guards looked on in disbelief as well. Surely, they would be disciplined for their failure to keep Ahsoka confined to her quarters.

"While it's good to see proof of Padawan Tano's innocence, it's disturbing to know she sneaked out of custody and is who knows where," Master Windu stated.

"She's only doing what's natural for us. When we feel cornered, especially in the wild, we do whatever we can to get out of the situation," Shaak Ti said.

"Perhaps, but if it wasn't for this new evidence, she'd certainly look more guilty now," Saesee Tiin replied.

"A two-fold mission, we have, first thing in the morning. Identify and capture the culprit, we must. And bring back this lost child … before it's too late," Master Yoda told the council.

As Anakin and Obi-Wan returned to their quarters, Anakin remained anxious.

"We've got to find her. I don't know what Yoda means by 'too late,' but we need to find her before something bad does happen."

"Anakin, she'll be okay," Obi-Wan replied. He stopped and placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I know I tease you about passing some of your less-than-ideal traits to her, but Ahsoka can take care of herself. She proved that when she was kidnapped by the Transdoshans," he reminded Anakin.

"I suppose you're right, Obi-Wan. But, I'll still feel better when she's by my side and I can tell her she's innocent and we can prove it."

"Get some rest, Anakin. We'll work on finding her in the morning. I promise."

Anakin nodded before reentering his quarters. The idea of Ahsoka missing unnerved him, but Obi-Wan was right that he'd need his sleep so he'd be read for the mission to find his missing padawan.