War with no end in sight ! As the struggle between the Republic and the Separatists intensifies, the number of Jedi keeps dwindling at an alarming rate ! Soon, there will too few Jedi Knights to help keep the Peace ! Chaos will surely rip the Galaxy apart should the Jedi Order fall ! After a fruitless search on the distant Outer Rim planet of Seelos for a rumored Separatist Super Weapon, Anakin Skywalker, accompanied by the 501st Legion, return to Coruscant for much needed rest…

Aboard a Republic Shuttle, orbiting Coruscant

Anakin sat alone in his cabin, clutching his head every few moments, sweating profusely. "What is going on ?! I've had bad headaches before, but this one takes it to a whole new level ! Could it be because of my lack of sleep during the recent mission ?"

His door whooshed open, revealing Captain Rex, holding his helmet under his arm. "General, we're about to land on Coruscant."

Anakin raised his head, trying not to show any signs of discomfort. "That's great, Rex ! I know that everyone will appreciate the downtime earned after this stint of a mission ! I mean… why would we be sent on a wild Bantha chase ?! We've scoured the planet so many times and we haven't found any trace of that rumored Separatist Super Weapon !"

Rex sighed in response, looking down on the floor. "I wish I knew, General. Probably spotty advice that slipped through the Republic's spy network. At least, we did make an effort to look thoroughly."

Anakin coughed slightly. "Ugh ! And worst of all, we had to endure a dust storm during our search. I'm pretty sure that I've probably swallowed a bit of it unintentionally."

Rex took a good look of his superior. "Now that you mention it, General… You don't look well. Give me a minute and I'll comm Kix. He'll check you up in a flash."

Anakin refused the offer. "Kix is resting, Rex. Don't wake him up on my account. It's probably just my lack of sleep that causing me to look like this."

Rex bowed respectfully. "If you insist, General. I guess I'll be seeing you in a few days." He turned around and left off to gather with the clone pilots.

The Republic Shuttle landed in the Jedi Temple's Hangar. The Clones hopped out and went off to get some much needed rest and nourishment. Anakin, on the other hand, hid his discomfort and walked slowly towards the Healing Wing of the Temple.

"Something's up ! It can't be mere lack of sleep that makes me feel so… Augh !" As he neared the infirmary, he began to stumble and lose his balance. "No ! No, no, no, no, NO ! I can't give in to panic ! I'm not losing control ! I won't !"

Jedi Healer Vokara Che heard sounds of retching and stepped out of the infirmary. "Skywalker ?! What is happening to you ? Quick, let's get you on a bed and give you a proper scan !" She quickly laid him onto a bed and activated a medical droid to begin scanning for signs of infections.

Aboard a Jedi Cruiser, orbiting Florrum

Clones were going about their usual business amid the surprise "visit" of Weequay Pirate Hondo Ohnaka and some of his gang. For once, he had actually done something good : Delivering Ahsoka Tano and a group of Younglings into safe hands. The pirate leader tried to convince Obi-Wan Kenobi that he had done a "rescue mission". Thankfully, the Jedi Master was no fool and knew that Hondo had previously attacked the Crucible in an attempt to steal the Youngling's recently acquired Kyber Crystals. Unexpectedly, he was forced to ally himself with Ahsoka when General Grievous took over the planet and destroyed Hondo's stronghold as a result. As Hondo left to board Slave I, he gave a nod and wink to the Tholothian Youngling, Katooni. She had managed to convince Hondo to not run and abandon Ahsoka and the others, when they were separated during the escape from Grievous and his forces.

As the Younglings were brought to the mess hall, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka met in the Jedi Master's private cabin.

"He didn't do anything to you, did he ?"

Ahsoka looked down. "I'm not sure, Master. It's very possible they might have "touched" me while I was unconscious. How else could I explain this hand-like smear on my garb ?" She pointed to her left breast.

Obi-Wan crossed his arms, displeased. "Hopefully, that's all they've done ! Even then, this is unacceptable ! I'm glad that I didn't hand over one single credit to him ! A "rescue mission", he said ?! The nerve !"

She tried to look at the positives. "At least, he did bring us here safely, Master. If he hadn't shown up, Grievous could have…" She stopped mid-sentence and winced in pain. "Hm ?! What am I feeling ?"

Obi-Wan winced as well, pain definitely showing on his face. "Anakin ! I sense he's in great pain ! It's going off in waves through the Force."

Before they could continue their conversation, Obi-Wan's comlink beeped constantly. Answering, he was greeted with the hologram of Master Yoda.

"Return both with great haste to the Temple, you must." He looked at the two with saddened eyes. "Fallen gravely ill, Skywalker has. How much time he has left, we do not know. To see you both one last time, he requests." The hologram fazed out.

Ahsoka gasped in horror. "What could have affected him so badly ? I've never heard of him being in such a state !"

"Then, we will honor his request." Obi-Wan activated his comlink. "Commander Cody ! Make immediate preparations for lightspeed ! We must reach Coruscant as soon as possible !"

Cody nodded. "Copy that, General ! You'll be there in record time ! Cody out !"

In record time, the cruiser landed in the Temple Hangar. The Younglings were ushered to their sleeping quarters while Obi-Wan and Ahsoka raced to the Healing Wing. Arriving to the infirmary, they saw Vokara Che and Luminara Unduli attempting Force Healing on Anakin. Master Windu and Master Yoda stood to the side, looking at the struggle.

"What in the Force happened ?!" Obi-Wan blurted loudly.

Master Che turned to him, a horrified expression on her face. "During his latest mission on Seelos, I suspect that Skywalker contracted a peculiar virus during a dust storm. It's not only malicious, but also extremely resistant ! All medications I've administered have been rejected. Even my combined Force Healing with Master Unduli has no effect ! I've never seen anything like it ! I'm afraid the virus is slowly but surely killing him. His vital organs are beginning to fail. It's only a matter of time…"

Master Unduli suddenly stopped to use her Force technique. "There is nothing more we can do for him, I'm afraid. Thankfully, this virus is not contagious. It will die when Anakin will be… cremated."

"This is a dark day for the Republic. Anakin has always shown great resilience, I never thought an alien virus would be the cause of his death." Windu remarked.

"Leave the two of you to bid him farewell in private, we will. Come, come." Yoda bowed his head and ushered the others to leave Obi-Wan and Ahsoka alone with Anakin.

Obi-Wan knelt before his former Padawan and held his hand with his. "Anakin… I'm so sorry. I've failed you."

Anakin coughed in response. "Don't beat yourself up over it, old man. I took the mission, unaware of the risks. I've only myself to blame." His breathing became more labored by the minute.

"You won't hear it again, so I might as well say it : Anakin, I'm proud of you. Proud of how far you've gone through your journey as a Jedi. It's truly unfortunate that the Healers can't eradicate that virus through any means. You've done well in training Ahsoka. Take comfort in that."

Anakin weakly squeezed Obi-Wan's hand. "Thank you, Master. I know that I've been a difficult Padawan at times. I guess now I ought to say that I'm sorry for causing such grief in the past." He began to wince in pain. Obi-Wan chose to leave him and Ahsoka alone. Anakin took the opportunity to comfort her. "Ngh ! Snips… My beautiful Snips… Come on over… Arg !" She walked over to him.

Ahsoka, unable to hold her feelings like Obi-Wan, began to feel tears prickling at her eyes. "M-Master… I… I don't know what to say… I know that I've also caused you trouble in the beginning. And for that, I'm sorry." She knelt and hugged him.

Anakin shushed her, reaching out and caressing her back. "It's Ok. It's ok. You're… gonna… be … fine. You've grown so much since we've first worked together back on Christophsis. You've always been wiser than me. Heh, I think you've taught me more… Guh ! Than I've taught you… *Cough* *Wheeze* I would've loved to be there at your knighting ceremony…"

She raised an eye marking. "Huh ? Do you really think I'm ready for the trials ?"

Anakin squeezed her hand. "I know you are, Snips. I've got… nothing more to teach you. Ngh ! Ack !"

Sensing his pain getting more intense, she turned her head away. "Anakin… I'll miss you so much. I can't believe you're leaving us all… It feels like we've known each other a lifetime…"

Anakin was nearly out of breath. "Ahsoka… I… I need you to do something for me… Please…"

She squeezed his hand with hers. "Of course, Master. You only need to ask."

He whispered to her montrals. "Tell Padmé that I've loved her. She… she'll understand… Please look after her… for me…"

After Anakin whispered that last word, the life monitor flatlined, echoing a strident beep. Reality hit Ahsoka like a wall of durasteel. Her Master, had just died, but not before confirming her biggest suspicion : He was indeed in a very personal relationship with Senator Amidala.

She wiped the tears off her face. "I'll watch over her, Master. I promise you, no harm will come to her. Rest in Peace, Anakin Skywalker." With that, she left to meditate in her Master's now empty quarters.

Surpreme Chancellor's Office

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was caught up in another debate with various Senators, Padmé Amidala being one of them. Once he felt Anakin's death through the Force, he winced slightly and nearly stumbled off his chair.

Padmé rushed over to him. "Chancellor, are you all right ?"

Palpatine had to resist to allow his shock and disappointment through his face. "A slight dizziness, child. No need for concern." He looked over to the others. "Please excuse me, everyone. What were you saying ?"

Senator Organa voiced his opinion loud and clear. "We must find a way to end the conflict through civil means. Too many Clones die every day on the battlefield. And too many Jedi Generals have lost their lives needlessly at the hands of General Grievous !"

Papatine rose from his chair. "Unfortunately, the Separatist have rejected diplomatic efforts time and time again. I'm afraid that the war will only end once Count Dooku and General Grievous are stopped. Only the Jedi are capable of this. We must put our faith in them and in the valiant Clones that risk their lives daily for us. I believe that victory is nearing in our favor."

Once the Senators left the Chancellor's office, he was left alone with his thoughts. "Skywalker to have perished ? HOW ?! Now my plan is in turmoil ! I must find another worthy prospect to replace the ageing Lord Tyranus… There must be another Jedi that I can trick into serving me and become my main enforcer… I will need help to eradicate the Jedi Order… for good."

Happy New Year, everybody ! I'm pretty sure that this AU is a first on this site. Now that Anakin has died, the Council will need to decide on what to do with Ahsoka. Her biggest challenge will be to reveal to Padmé about her husband's passing. How will she take it ? Probably not very well. In this AU, it should be noted that Padmé is already pregnant with Luke and Leia, as opposed to later during the events of Revenge of the Sith. Will Palpatine be able to acquire a replacement so quickly ? You'll find out in the later chapters. Feel free to leave a review.