Quick Author Note: Hello there! I'm sorry I've been so lazy as to not include any author's notes (I publish on multiple fanfiction sites), but here we are now :) I just wanted to take a moment to thank my readers for enjoying my stories, I love writing for these characters and your feedback is everything to me 3 I hope you enjoy this latest installment... we're gearing up for the Barrisoka wedding as well as part 3 of this AU trilogy. I also wanted to point out that "Isadora" is the Seventh Sister and that Barriss has the Fulcrum symbol tattooed on her arm ;) Anyhow, I'll see you all in the next update and until then, may the Force be with you!
Chapter 19: The Trail of Quinlan Vos
"I'm one with the Force and the Force is with me..", Luminara repeated internally to herself with every deep breath she took. It's an ancient Jedi legend that whenever a warrior was in dire need, the Force would provide some sort of comfort. As a revered Jedi Master, Luminara is finely attuned to the invisible mystery that surrounds her and all things, living or not. However, from the moment Quinlan assaulted and sedated her many weeks ago, a shroud of darkness threatens to keep Luminara away from the light she loved so much. It's like she and the Force were the closest of friends and then one day that friend was ripped away from her and Luminara was just left with a deep wound in her very soul. With her husband and daughters far away, Luminara was once again left to fend off her inner demons in silence.
Considering how delicate the situation was between her people and the entire galactic political system, the Master Jedi had to stay composed. No one outside her loved ones can know of the war that raged within the new mother. In her mind's eye, Luminara imagined her deceased friends were watching over her and her family as they are just moments away from defending the very future they all fought so hard for. For Anakin and Padme. For Luke and Leia Skywalker. For Ahsoka and Barriss. For her daughter Aurora Kenobi. For her marriage to Obi-wan.
Ever since Anakin proclaimed his desire to defeat Sidious for his family on their journey back from Mortis, everything changed. It's almost as if all the death and destruction was necessary to blaze through the path they were never supposed to follow. There were numerous things Luminara wished she could change, but if there's one thing she wants more than anything else; it's for the fighting to finally cease. What the Mirialan wouldn't do for her peace of mind to return. A gentle hand was then placed over Luminara's clenched fists, her nails digging, threatening to break the skin.
"Luminara?" Padme quietly said as Anakin returned to the seat beside her.
"Yes?" whispered said woman, her eyes not leaving the sight of the defendants down below. From a distance Obi-wan can be seen meeting her stare with an equal amount of heartache.
"Are you sure you want to sit through this? There's no shame in going back home…" Anakin says sincerely, his face apologetic.
Luminara slowly shakes her head, "I have to do this...I have to be strong for them...there's no walking away from what we've done."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Anakin.
"I mean that we were never destined to have the life we had now. We made a choice on Mortis and in return we paid the price for our freedom," Luminara began to say, her voice wavering, "And I don't regret that choice, but if I had the strength to go against a Sith lord at the expense of nearly an entire race, then I also have the strength to fight for our children's future."
The couple pondered over their dear friend's words, before Padme answered with, "I think I understand what you're saying. You and Anakin are similar in that there's no use in trying to sway your decision, so we will just remain beside you. Just don't hesitate to alert us if you need a break."
Luminara turns her head to give a genuine smile to the pair, "Thank you...I do feel less afraid being in your company."
"And that's how it will be Luminara, forever and always," Anakin smiles in return before finishing with, "I was unable to save my mother, but for as long as I shall live, I will protect the mothers in my life with all my power."
Luminara's solemn expression softened at the young man's vow before turning to see Depa, Caleb, Isadora, and Ventress enter their balcony. The trio knew the Jedi were going to be present, but no one knew the infamous ex-assassin would be joining. Anakin quickly stood up, his natural arm shielding Padme and Luminara from view.
"Ventress, what are you doing here? I hope you're not here to mess around, this is family matter….," Anakin says lowly, his eyes hardening to which the blonde woman waved away.
"Easy Skywalker, I'm only here to offer support. Can't say the same about you, but I respect Kenobi and it would be foolish of me as a Force wielder to not know what the future holds," Ventress explained before looking to Luminara, "Nice to see that you have recovered Mama Kenobi."
Not being in the mood to banter, Luminara merely nods her head. Anakin was not so relaxed but before he would fire a reply back, Depa raises a hand.
"Master Skywalker, it's alright. Have you forgotten that it was she and Isadora that saved you from burning to death on Mustafar?"
Anakin's jaw slackened and turned his heel to sit back down, "I apologize Master Billaba, forgive me Ventress, I'm just worried for Luminara."
Padme grins at her husband's humility and wraps an arm around his shoulders. The quartet then proceeded to sit in the seats behind the trio with Isadora sitting next to Asajj and Depa wedged between Isadora and a disappointed looking Caleb. Luminara winked at the boy, knowing all too well the frustration one can feel when pining away for another. Caleb blushed in response and touched Mirialan's shoulder, "Please don't worry Master, we're all here for you no matter what will happen."
"Thank you Padawan Dume…" Luminara responds warmly, feeling the knot in her stomach grow tighter, "It feels like I'm back in the early stages of pregnancy with the nausea."
Padme chuckles lightly and pulls the woman closer to her, "I'll hold your hair back if you do get sick."
"And Anakin will clean up the sick!" Isadora declared with a smirk.
With a raised finger, Anakin retorted back, "Nope! You lost the last round so you're still the designated cleaner Green!"
Isadora sighes and crosses her arms, "Skywalker, you won one time over a week ago, let it go."
The conversation ended there as Bail Organa stepped forward atop the enormous platform that overlooked the prisoner and defendants peering below. Adorned in the proper attire for his position, the Supreme Chancellor revered the audience with arms wide open before making his grand declaration, "Good morning, my friends. I welcome you all, the jury, fellow politicians and sentients alike to a trial of great significance to us. I insist that you all make yourselves comfortable," he says before taking on a grim expression, " We are here today to determine whether or not former Jedi Master Quinlan Vos is truly deserving of his imprisonment for the attempted murder of Lady Luminara Kenobi and her infant daughter Aurora Kenobi. It has come to the Republic's attention that on a morning like this, two standard months ago, Lady Kenobi alongside her former Padawan learner Barriss Offee, were sedated and abducted from their home by the hands of Vos. Vos then took the Jedi to a Corusanti medical center where an unsolicited ceresean surgery was performed on Kenobi, leaving her to bleed out on the surgical table. According to witnesses, Barriss Offee and Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano, Vos had intended to murder the newborn shortly after her mother's death, following the orders of the now deceased Sith by the name of Maul."
Despite Organa being careful with his reaccount, the words struck each Jedi in the same manner Palpatine did with his Sith lightning. From atop the stands, Luminara was holding back unshed tears with each exhale, while Anakin's eyes flared yellow once more in Quinlan's direction. Down below Obi-wan gripped the handrail on the podium he was standing in with white knuckles, avoiding the prisoner's smirk directed at him. Barriss, on the other hand, met Quinlan's dark iris with her own gold flecked blue ones.
Sensing the negative energy brewing within her lover, Ahsoka grips Barriss's shoulders.
"Barriss love, you need to control your rage. We cannot afford to lose our cool."
Tensing up, but not looking away from Vos, Barriss mumbles back, "Fine, but trust me when I say that I'd love nothing more than to break his neck."
Ahsoka's eyes widened at the comment, "You wouldn't!"
Barriss's head whipped around to met her fiancee's look, "You weren't there in the beginning when he was torturing her. I can never unhear those screams or unsee my Master being thrown around like a toy. He handled her like an animal...I hate him!"
The venom and truth in Barriss's words made Ahsoka's heart sink, "Barriss…"
"Just hold my hand and let me seethe Ahsoka. I deserve the right to mourn," Barriss blurts out, reaching for Togruta's hand.
Ahsoka takes the shaking green hand without hesitation, knowing that had it been Anakin or Padme on that surgical table, her anger would be tenfold of what Barriss currently felt. Holding a hand was the least Ahsoka could do for all the times Barriss had to be the one with the level head. The young woman looked to see Obi-wan still looking to Luminara high above, the look on his face heartbreaking. The older man's fear was palpable to any Force sensitive within range. She may be able to heal now, but Ahsoka knew there were just some wounds she can't fix. Oh, what she would give to end their suffering!
"May the Force be with us, Riyo. I'm counting on you…" thought Ahsoka as Bail directed his attention to the Pantorian Senator.
"Senator Riyo Chuchi of the Galactic Senate of the Republic will be representing the Kenobi family, while Grand Admiral of the Republic military Moff Tarkin will be representing Quinlan Vos. Does either representative have any questions before we proceed?"
Both Chuchi and Tarkin gave each other a look before shaking their heads at the Chancellor.
"Excellent," Bail nods as he sat in his large chair, "We now shall hear the testimony of the defending party."
With an exhale, Riyo raises their anti-grav circular platform to where she can address the jury, "Citizens of Coruscant, as the Supreme Chancellor has stated, I am Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora and I've come before to speak on the behalf of the Jedi, the very heroes responsible for the peacetime we get to enjoy today. As my fellow Senators can recall, the Jedi Order has long served the Republic as peacekeepers. It is we who have asked these valiant warriors to step in when peaceful negotiations failed or when danger threatens to disturb our daily lives. Millions upon millions of sentient lives have been saved due to the efforts of the Jedi and even though the Clone Wars may forever haunt us, we cannot forget that it was the Jedi I am defending today who ended that war. Before Organa, there was Sheev Palpatine, a confirmed Sith lord who managed to climb the ranks of our government to seize power and initiate the Clone Wars. Who knows how much longer that dreadful war could have lasted had it not been for these heroes?"
"Despite the controversy that came with participating in such an awful dispute, the Jedi still proved their loyalty to us and sacrificed nearly their entire race, their family, to give us the life we now live. I can speak from personal experience that had it not been for the Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker, my homeworld would most likely still remain in a civil war amongst our moons resulting in more lives lost and for what purpose? That very well could have been the case for many other worlds out there! In my short time with these people, I have learned so much about selflessness, courage, peace, justice, and love. The Jedi, in essence, live to serve others. So I'm sure you can imagine how awful it must have felt for both the Skywalker and Kenobi family to have their lives and reputations threatened by evil forces neither you or I could ever comprehend. Forces that want to destroy the innocent lives of children born from the ashes of what has been taken from my friends!
What crimes have they committed to deserve such heinous behavior, especially from one of their own? I don't believe anyone in this room would be in favor of murdering newborns or looking down upon the sanctity of marriage these Jedi hold so dear. Don't these heroes deserve all the happiness that is available to us? We all serve for the greater good in our own ways, but the Jedi have carried the heavy burden of maintaining order within an entire galaxy for far too long."
So, I ask humbly, my dear jury, to please search within your heart for mercy. The murderous actions of one man should not take away what these Jedi have done for us. They deserve to restore their religion and they deserve a chance of a quiet, domestic life, just like you and me. I can assure you all that we can expect nothing but a brighter future with the help of these men and women."
A round of soft applause filled the auditorium at the conclusion of Chuchi's speech, to which she bowed respectfully before lowering the platform back to its starting position.
"Thank you Senator Chuchi, for your opening statement. Admiral Tarkin, please come forward and present your cause," commanded Bail, following the older man with watchful eyes.
With a sniff to the audience and a glace to the observing Jedi above him, Tarkin began his speech with a drawl, "As bold as it was for my opponent to say such kind things about the Jedi she clearly cares about to a glaring fault, I'm afraid that I must start by fact checking everything Senator Chuchi has said."
Everyone's breath hitched at the opening remark, yet Tarkin did not react, "Citizens of the Republic, I want to start by saying that I come from a long line of leaders who have served their people with honor. For many years now, I have followed the footsteps of my ancestors by commanding our military when the peace is disturbed. Unlike these Jedi, neither my actions or my family's actions have ever left a devastating legacy of bloodshed and terror. Now I know what some of you may be thinking, Admiral Tarkin, how could these alleged peacekeepers be so deadly? To be perfectly honest with you, I'm not sure, but what I do know from my time working alongside the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars is that neither I or my family have ever witnessed so much death and destruction by the hands of these sorcerers.
"Have we forgotten as a society how many planets, how many homes, how many lives...Male, female, children, have been lost because of a quarrel with the Jedi Order? Chuchi is right in that the former Supreme Chancellor was a Sith lord who was responsible for creating a war that never needed to be fought. But, still the Jedi engaged in the fight, not a single one of them with all their sage wisdom and great power, could see through the lies and deceit and bring Sheev Palpatine to justice before any lives could be spared. Ending the war was the very least these people could do for all the horror they have helped spread across the stars. I'm sure I was to ask how many of you have lost a loved one due to the war, the number of raised hands would bring any good hearted person to their knees."
"So no, my dear friends and colleagues, I will not be stupid enough to sympathize the people who get to sleep at night with the blood of billions on their hands. I don't have the power to stop an enemy in plain sight, they do. For as long as the Jedi shall live, there will always be an opposing force that will use innocent sentients like you and I to bring attention to yet another endless battle. I truly believe that the galaxy would be a much safer place, if there was no such thing as a Jedi or a Sith. Both are too dangerous to exist, but alas they do and thus we must act.
I cannot and will not ever respect the man I am speaking for today because of his affiliation with the Order, but I can reason with his motives. Some of you may not know that the Jedi live by a very strict Code. They were never to marry nor were they ever allowed to procreate for their power could be a potential threat. Light side, dark side, it's all the same. At any moment, these people can snap and kill any one of us in this room. And why stop here when they can overpower any planet and seize complete domination. What would you do with that kind of power?"
"Quinlan Vos was trying to do the right thing. It's a shame these supposed "selfless" Jedi did a very selfish thing and married even though that goes against their ancient culture. After all, there's a reason why the Republic got to savor a thousand years worth of peace. There were no offspring capable enough to change our reality for the worst. And now there is a child out there with that kind of power. Better yet, there's a child out there whose parents are most likely mentally unfit to care for the baby. Quinlan Vos only wanted to put his oldest friend Luminara Unduli and her unwanted offspring to rest for the sake of our futures. Unfortunately, it seems there's only one Jedi left that seems to care about the legacy his people died for."
At this point, all the Jedi were seeing red as Tarkin's words were more offensive than anything the late Sith lords have ever said to them. Obi-wan's finger was itching to activate his lightsaber so that he could cut the man that just disrespected his wife and daughter. Not to mention that Luminara was addressed by her maiden name instead of her married name. Right now, the dark side of the Force was tempting to the bearded Jedi Master, but the rational part of him knew that he needed to stay silent, unlike his apprentice who was standing erect in the balcony, saber in hand.
There were no words to describe the hatred that was pouring out of Anakin Skywalker's pores. Nothing would make him happier than to cut up the man that threatened to tear up his Master's family. Tarkin didn't mention his twins, but he might as well have. Whenever a Kenobi is threatened, so is a Skywalker. Anakin can feel his own Padawan's eyes on him, pleading for him to not do anything rash. Even Padme was furious as she tightly held a now broken Luminara. Tears were now free falling from the violet eyes as Luminara cupped her face with her hands, not wanting to see the watchful eyes of strangers who could be judging her.
"That bastard says another word against Luminara and Force help me, today will be the day I commit to murder," Anakin promised himself, waiting for Tarkin's speak up once more.
Ahsoka Tano has never been more torn keeping the love of her life centered while praying her Master doesn't do anything stupid in a heated moment. Barriss's breathing has become elevated and shallow, her nostrils flaring in anger at the Grand Admiral. Of course, Ahsoka is just as appalled and furious about what has been said, but also knew they couldn't prove what he was laying down either.
"Barriss, I'm begging you to please calm down. We know what that sleemo is saying is complete Bantha poodoo, but we can't cut him up! He's trying to provoke us!" Ahsoka pleaded, rubbing her beloved's back.
Barriss says nothing as she places a palm on her lightsaber hilt, causing Ahsoka to panic more, "Dearest…", Ahsoka begins to say before nearly choking, seeing Barriss's golden eyes. In a split second, Ahsoka pulls Barriss into a tight embrace, her fists pressing down against the Mirialan's erratic heartbeat and begins to whisper into Barriss's ears, "I'm one with the Force and the Force is with me….say it with me baby, don't go dark on me please...do it for Luminara, do it for Aurora, do it for me, your future wife,...I'm one with the Force and the Force is with me…"
It took quite a few rounds of repetition, but eventually, Barriss was able to calm down, her vitals dropping as she felt the warm embrace of Ahsoka's Force signature envelop her.
"Thank you Ahsoka…" Barriss breathed as she relaxed into Ahsoka's hug.
Meanwhile, just as Tarkin began to lower his platform, he raised an index finger to the audience, "Oh...and one more thing… You see that "peaceful Jedi" up there? Just moments before this trail began, Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker assaulted my cilent by throwing and pinning Vos against a wall and threatened him."
Anakin's lightsaber dropped to the floor as several heads turned in his direction. Shock and disapproval was apparent and some audience members began to shout obscene phrases in his direction like "How violent!", "Some peacekeeper!", and "Hero, huh?"
Padme shot up, her eyes beginning to well up with tears of her own, "Damn it Anakin! How could you?!"
Saying nothing, Anakin looked to see Obi-wan glaring at him with Ahsoka and Barriss just as disappointed. Behind him, everyone but Ventress looked to their palms, completely stunned at how quickly the tide had turned on them. Anakin then turned his head to see Luminara looking absolutely broken in her chair. The look of betrayal in her amethyst eyes was enough for Anakin to buckle down and touch the hem of her dress, "I'm so sorry Luminara...I'm so sorry."
All Luminara could do was close her eyes and focus on her breathing. If Tarkin was going to claim that she and Obi-wan were "mentally unstable", then she wasn't going to prove him right by losing control. Luminara loved and respected Anakin very much, but in the moment, her heart tore in two on the poor timing of his heroics.
Bail stood up and with both hands motioning the crowd to stand down, "Please my friends, calm yourselves. There is no need to get riled up. Thank you Admiral for your opening statement, but let us re-focus on the task at hand. Senator Chuci, your first witness?"
"Your excellency, I'm asking Barriss Offee to testify," Riyo answers, turning to help the aforementioned woman up to her level. To everyone's gratitude, the Mirialan appeared more subdued.
"Very well, Miss Offee, please tell the jury your personal account of what happened," said Bail, sitting back down.
With a quick glance up her Master, Barriss looks to the jury, "Good morning, I'm Jedi Knight Barriss Offee and I was Master Lumiinara's student. I am also a healer, I have studied and completed extensive medical training during my time with the Jedi Order. Despite what some may say…" Barriss says, her eyes darting to Tarkin, "Quinlan Vos's actions are inexcusable regardless of politics. Though I was not awake when Vos first attacked my Master, I was able to see evidence of physical struggle when I awoke from unconsciousness. Multiple, enormous bruises were all over Luminara's body, the worst of them being in her throat area and midsection. It doesn't take someone like me to know such injuries pose grave health risks to both mother and child."
"Furthermore, I believe Luminara and I were drugged with sedatives well over the amount that should ever be administered to a pregnant woman. I suspect I was given the same amount and for someone who wasn't carrying a child, it took hours for me to find the strength to lift my own head up. I can only imagine how Luminara must have felt and I wasn't the one being tossed around and slammed onto a surgical table…"
Barriss took a moment to wipe away the tears that started to leak from her eyes before pressing on, "I apologize, it's just hard for me to think about the woman who is a mother to me being stripped down to nothing and cut open mercilessly by a droid. It is highly irregular for cesarean surgeries to be done by a single medical droid. Cesareans are a delicate procedure that requires a team of sentient doctors and nurses for the birth to be successful and that is not what Luminara got. Aurora came into our world in the most barbaric manner and even though my Master had every right to be hysterical, she used all her energy to keep me grounded in the most traumatic hours of my life."
The girl then moved her head to look at the entire audience, "I don't care who you are and where your values lie. Whether you hate the Jedi or not, but no one and I mean no one should give anyone praise for abusing and attempting to kill a mother and her child!"
Ahsoka beamed with pride at Barriss while holding onto Obi-wan's hand as he quietly cried into the crook of his elbow. It was the man's first time ever knowing what exactly happened to his wife during the birth and the truth was more gruesome than the Jedi ever wanted to hear. Tarkin, on the other hand, was not impressed.
"Might I ask Miss Offee a question ,Supreme Chancellor?" Tarkin piped up as Quinlan continued to smile at everyone's pain.
With a sigh, Bail nods to the older man.
"Miss Offee, I've known your Master Unduli to be quite a powerful Jedi. I would suspect a student of hers would be equally as powerful. So indulge me in this, what prevented you from helping your Master if the abuse was that intense for you?"
"Because your friend there had me tethered to a wall with cufflinks designed to restrict any Force wielder. Perhaps that equipment came from your quarters? Restraining people like me would be within your job description!" Barriss spat back.
Tarkin let out an icy laugh, "Oh my dear, don't be so naive to think that myself or anyone under my jurisdiction had anything to do with your family drama. I do believe the Jedi kept a supply of such equipment, I doubt Vos was able to find some without my help."
Before Barriss could retort, Tarkin raised a palm in her direction, "No further questions. Clearly, the Jedi do in fact have their limitations, carry on."
Barriss's eyes narrowed to slits as she glanced back to Bail, "I'm finished as well, Supreme Chancellor."
Failing miserably to not look sympathetic to the young woman, Bail turns to Tarkin, "Your defense?"
Tarkin steps aside to allow the still smirking Quinlan to take a stand. The prisoner allows himself to lock eyes with Luminara, who looked just as defeated as she did when he jammed the needle into her jugular. Quinlan's voice overshadowed the growls rumbling from Obi-wan's throat as he feigned a saddened expression to the jury, "My friends...as you can see I'm just a man who clearly has strong feelings for a woman that betrayed me and my Order in every which way. I've been friends with Master Luminara since the tender of five and up until now, it has been a beautiful friendship. I've always admired how Lumi adhered to our sacred Code even though she harbored feelings for a man that wouldn't spare her a second glance. It is I, who have stood by her throughout the many trials and triumphs in her training and work as a Jedi. I love her and I always will even if she has turned her back on me with another man. It is the Jedi way to forgive after all, but alas, it seems times have changed."
"Barriss is right in that my treatment of my dearest friend wasn't the best. But I am no doctor, I am no healer. That's not where my talents are. I was merely just a heartbroken man who just wanted to end the love of my life's suffering. There is no telling how deadly our future may become with a child of two powerful Jedi Masters now living. You don't have to empathize with me, my friends, I'm perfectly alright with spending my days rotting in a cell, but let me ask you this? Are you prepared to deal with the possibility of an evil greater than any of the examples we've seen in all of time? If you care to do some light reading, look into the great Jedi/Sith war, that tale will look like a children's story in comparison to what we may be dealing with within the next two decades. I promise you, even if the child were to devote her powers in favor of the light, there will be an adversary to meet her in the darkness."
As soon as Quinlan finished his monologue, the lights went out causing a roar of confusion amongst the crowd. All the entryways in the hall hissed and locked shut and red emergency lights turned on, giving the room an ominous glow. All the Jedi instantly sprung into action, igniting, and brandishing their lightsabers to look for a threat.
Obi-wan, Barriss, and Ahsoka stood back to back, scanning the levels while above the rest of the Jedi formed a circle around Luminara and Padme, who upholstered her blaster from her belt. Waving her yellow saber towards the now snickering Quinlan Vos, Ventress says to herself, "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Everyone please stay calm! There appears to have been an electrical surge, I'm having my outside resources working on the issue as we speak, please remain in your seats, we will continue momentarily!" Bail cried out, hoping to ease the growing fear that thickened the air.
"Something tells me this isn't mere coincidence…"Obi-wan says dejectly, staring at the green hue he knows to be Luminara.
"Well, there's no way this could be Quinlan's doing, right?" Ahsoka asked aloud, her lightsaber glowing white.
Barriss looks at the Togruta's weapon in awe, "When did this happen?"
"Mortis, long story, I'll tell you later, do we have eyes on Luminara?" Ahsoka hastily replies to which Obi-wan and Barriss say "Yes", in unison.
High above, Anakin's patience with the day grew thinner by the second, "Padme, how often were there "electrical surges" during your meetings?"
"There weren't," Padme firmly responded.
Suddenly, the room grew cold, cold enough to where everyone's breath was visible. For Ahsoka and Barriss, it was a chill neither of them have experienced since their perilous medical supply run from Geonosis.
"Great…"Ahsoka shivered, "Let me guess the cooling unit is fried too?!"
Obi-wan then fell to his knees.
"Obi-wan!" Ahsoka cried as she and Barriss dropped down to the man's level.
"What is it?!" Barriss questioned, placing a palm to the man's forehead, "Obi-wan, you're burning up!"
A chorus of cries from above then forced Ahsoka and Barriss to look straight up to their friends above, "Luminara!"
"MASTER!" screamed Barriss, seeing the Jedi's silhouettes crouching down to presumably Luminara's fallen form.
"OBI-WAN!" shouted Ahsoka as the man passed out on the floor.
Barriss immediately turned to seek out Quinlan Vos, who judging by his shadow, appeared to be in a meditative state, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
The uproar of panicked voices in the room were immediately silenced as a bone-chilling, raspy, unrecognizable voice began to echo, "Hush now, my friends...for Quinlan Vos speaks the truth...With great power comes great responsibility...The Jedi before you have bestowed a great danger to the Republic… But fear not...In time...I shall finish what others have failed to do in the past...It's time for the Jedi to end... and soon, my friends, a new, glorious Empire shall be born...No more shall innocents have to rely on misguided sorcerors that have proven time and time again how deadly their existence can be to the galaxy...One day...Only peace and prosperity will remain...I will see you all soon, until then...it would do you all good to reevaluate your choices."
Obi-wan blinks his eyes open to see that he was no longer in the Senate hall, but rather he seemed to be on a star ship of some sort. No different than where he was before, Obi-wan shivered at the chill in the air. There was nothing but silence within his new surroundings. Instinctively, the man reached for his lightsaber only to find his weapon to be missing.
"Papa?" a small voice called to him, causing Obi-wan to turn to see a little girl that looked to be his daughter. The girl looked to be no older than ten years old and to Obi-wan she was the spitting image of Luminara of when she was that young, save for the hair and skin color. Obi-wan felt as if he was looking into the same fearful eyes he remembered Anakin having at that age as the child's body was trembling.
"Aurora?" whispered Obi-wan as he kneeled down to cup the girl's now wet face from the tears that were spilling down her pale cheeks.
"Papa, where's mama? Where are we? I want to go home!" Aurora cried as she nuzzled herself into Obi-wan's chest. The man was devastated at what his "child" was saying as he wrapped his arms around the girl, instinctively rubbing the girl's back.
"I don't know sweetheart, but we'll find her and we'll go straight home, I promise…," Obi-wan croaked out, tightening his hold.
"I'm afraid that is not an option…" Quinlan's voice says, causing Obi-wan to pick his daughter up and turning to see his former friend, cloaked in all-black, his dark hair starting to grey, "Hand her over to me Kenobi, it's over."
"Oh I don't think so! Where are we and what have you done with my wife!?" Obi-wan yelled, Aurora hiding her face on his shoulder.
"Ben…" Luminara's voice then said, as she appeared beside Quinlan's side.
"Luminara.." Obi-wan sighed as it felt like the wind was being knocked out of him at the sight of her. Like Quinlan, Luminara was dressed in all black that hung loosely on her extremely thin form. Her usual violet eyes were glazed over, her face sunken in. Streaks of white coated her usual black hair, it was as if she was aging at an alarming rate.
"Give her to me dearest, I've missed her so much," pleaded Luminara, her bony hands reaching for the child.
"What's happened to you? Take my hand and let's go home darling, let's be a family, let's run away and never look back!" Obi-wan proposed, his voice trembling like the hand he was offering to her.
Luminara winced, "Ben...there is no home to go to...please my dear, don't you love me? Why are you keeping our child away from me!"
A just as sickly looking version of Barriss then stepped from behind Luminara, "Obi-wan please...give a mother her child back...it's over."
"Master?" Aurora piped up, her grip tightening on Obi-wan's robes.
"Ben, please…"Luminara purred, taking a step forward.
Obi-wan closes his eyes and rapidly shakes his head, "No one is taking anyone because none of this is real, this is merely a vision, you can't touch us!"
"Oh...but I can…." a snake-like voice boomed, sending shivers down Obi-wan's spine.
"PAPA!"
"AURORA!" Obi-wan bellowed as he saw that his child was gone as well as Quinlan, Barriss, and Luminara.
The world around him went dark before Obi-wan found himself on an island. The metallic floor he was just standing on seconds before was replaced with green grass and instead of walls there were gentle breezes of sea air as Obi-wan observed the deep blue sea that surrounded the landform he was on.
"Obi-wan…" a familiar voice says as the Jedi turned to see belonged to Qui-gon Jinn.
"Master…" breathed Obi-wan, his body relaxing, "Where are we?"
"A sanctuary long abandoned by the Order, one could argue that this is the birthplace of the Jedi," Qui-gon replies, stepping forward to lay a comforting hand on his student's shoulder, "It's time the Jedi returned home, my boy."
"And that would be?" pressed Obi-wan.
"Ach-to… it's a planet not found on any star map and it is undetectable to anyone but a Jedi. It is vital you and Anakin move your families here as soon as possible, it's too dangerous for the children or any Force sensitive child to be anywhere else," Qui-gon explained with urgency, "The New Order must reside here, if we are to survive. The Sith have a place of their own like this. That's how Maul was able to hide for so long before the children were born. Unfortunately, a great evil has been unleashed and it will stop at nothing to get ahold of little Aurora or any Jedi for that matter."
"Master, I don't understand. How are we to go somewhere if we don't know how to get there?"
Qui-gon chuckled, "Well how have we've been able to get our information, son? Has your apprenticeship taught you nothing?"
Obi-wan scratches his beard thoughtfully, "A holocron…"
"Indeed, seek out Jocasta Nu and I assure you, you'll have everything you need," nodded Qui-gon as he began to walk away.
"Wait, Master!" Obi-wan calls out, extending a hand, "Who is behind all this? How could there be another Sith lord when we've defeated all of them?"
With his back still turned to the younger man, Qui-gon shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Just when you think you understand the Force, you find out you don't."
"Must you always speak in riddles?" Obi-wan groaned, causing Qui-gon to laugh once more.
"One day you'll understand my Padawan. But for now, go to your wife and daughter and please heed my request. It's going to be alright Obi-wan, nothing can harm you all if you take precaution," Qui-gon comforted as he began to dematerialize, "We shall meet again, my boy."
Luminara's head was painfully throbbing as she opened her eyes to see Quinlan Vos knelt before her. The woman wasted no time standing up and backing away, her lightsaber drawn in hand, "Stay the hell away from me Quinlan!"
As usual, Quinlan looked hurt hearing the rejection, "Lumi…"
"You don't get to call me that anymore! The Quinlan I knew and loved is gone...that man could never be as vile as you!" Luminara shouted, activating her lightsaber.
"That man was weak my dear, I did what I had to do to-" Quinlan began to say before dodging a swing by Luminara.
"Enough with those lies! You do not love me and you were not showing me mercy! You claim you wanted me put out of my misery, but let me fill you in something. If you wanted the Luminara you knew dead, well then congratulations, you've officially killed her. The moment you injected that needle into my neck was the moment Luminara Unduli was murdered. Now, I'm Jedi Master Luminara Kenobi, mother of two, wife to Ben Kenobi, and if you think for a moment that you have any chance of killing that woman, then you are dead wrong!"
"I will never join you, I will never go dark, I will never stop finding the light. I will live to maintain the peace, my family and I have fought so hard for. You've made your choice and now you will sleep in that bed. Should you ever escape from your prison and should you ever seek me or my family out, I promise you...It will be me that you become afraid of. My daughter and Anakin's children will bring back the Order and the galaxy will remain at peace with or without you!"
Furious, Quinlan draws out his lightsaber and points to Luminara's chest. Luminara smiles, "Go ahead and strike me down, do your worst Vos."
As the man let out a cry and advanced to strike, Luminara raised her green blade close to her face and recited to herself, "I am one with the Force and the Force is with me…"
Then, Luminara jolted awake back to reality with a gasp, her comrades crowding over her in worry.
"Oh Luminara!" Padme whimpers as she throws herself to embrace the woman.
"What's happened? Are you alright Luminara?!" Anakin asks, wrapping his arms around the duo.
To everyone's amazement, Luminara smiles, "I've never been better!"
"What?!" The Jedi responded in total surprise.
Luminara raises herself up, as the lights return to their white hue and the doors hissed back open, heat returning to the room. Below she sees the relieved faces of now awake Obi-wan, Barriss, Ahsoka, and Riyo. Quinlan on the other hand was fuming as he raised a finger to Luminara.
"Mark my words Luminara, you will listen and you will submit. Your daughter is as good as dead!"
The entire room then began to boo and shout their disdain for the man.
"Murderer!"
"Traitor!"
"Lock him up!"
"How dare he say that about an innocent baby!"
As Bail Organa calmed the audience once more, the Jedi allowed themselves to grin at the change of heart. As the jury continued to express their non desire to hear Tarkin out, the trial was then put to a premature end. Neither Obi-wan or Ahsoka had to speak for Luminara's behalf as the court unanimously decided that Quinlan was to be sentenced to life in prison.
As the prison guards began to escort the angry Quinlan Vos out of the room, he made a final threat to the three Jedi that were now smirking at him, "You'll pay dearly for this, all of you!"
Barriss chuckled, "Oh, Vos I'm counting on it. I would love to give you a taste of your own medicine."
"And don't think she'll be doing that alone!" winked Ahsoka, pulling Barriss close to her.
"I second that. Looks like I still get to leave with the girl, old friend," Obi-wan adds smugly, "And trust me when I say that you will never come near my wife and daughter again, you'll never find us and even if you did, I will be waiting for you."
"I will destroy you all! You hear me?! I will end you Kenobi!" Quinlan fires back before the guards finally push the man out of sight.
Obi-wan feigns a fearful look, "Now where have I heard that before?"
Ahsoka, Barriss, and Riyo shared a laugh before making way to reunite the rest of the group.
After Bail made the proclamation of starting an investigation as to who the mysterious voice belonged to, the trail was adjourned and at long last, justice has been served.
Luminara has never ran faster as she sprang herself into her husband's open arms just outside the entrance of the Senate, her body vibrating in laughter as a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
"I'm so proud of you love, so incredibly proud…" Obi-wan breathed into her ear before pulling his face back to kiss Luminara's waiting lips, "How are you feeling?"
"I feel whole again, Ben. It's like I can finally take a deep breath again!" Luminara replied gleefully before commanding, "Now kiss me some more Master Kenobi!"
With ease, Obi-wan picks his wife up in bridal style as is requested. From afar Barriss grinned from ear to ear at the sight.
"She's finally found peace again," says Barriss as Ahsoka grabs and kisses her hand.
"Yeah, I can feel the Force radiating off her, I wonder if her passing out has anything to do with it?" Ahsoka says thoughtfully, placing a finger to her chin in pure Obi-wan fashion.
"We'll have to ask, but until then...why don't we go ring shopping for you?" suggested Barriss with a peck to Ahsoka's cheek.
Ahsoka beamed, "I'm good with that, let's get out of here!"
Just as Obi-wan did with Luminara, Ahsoka picks up a giggling Barriss and uses the Force to spring towards their parked speeder.
"Okay lovebirds, break it up, we've got children to go back too," chided Anakin to the still kissing Kenobi couple.
"I do hope you've learned a valuable lesson today Anakin," scoffed Obi-wan putting Luminara back down.
"Oh, trust me Obi-wan, he won't be hearing the end of it!" Padme interjects with a light nudge to her husband.
"I really am sorry Master, Luminara…"Anakin apologized before Luminara placed a finger to the man's lips.
"I will hear none of it, you did what you felt in your heart you needed to do and I'm grateful for it. All that matters now is that Quinlan is locked away and we don't have to worry about the public coming for our children," Luminara affirms warmly, giving Anakin a kiss on the cheek.
Anakin smiles at the gesture, "Well in that case, anyone want to grab some drinks to celebrate?"
"NO!"
Isadora returns to her apartment to see a beautiful bouquet of white lilies laid out on her doorstep. Mirialan picks up the arrangement carefully as she pulls the notecard that came attached. A small smile pulled on Isadora's lips as she recognized the handwriting to be Caleb Dume's that read,
"Isadora,
Sorry again for making a fool of myself at the party. That's not the man I am and I promise I was only trying to impress you. Master Billaba has always warned me about not listening to my heart and trusting my instincts. So, like the good Padawan I'm supposed to be, I figure I'll try again.
Would you do me the honor of being my date at Ahsoka and Barriss's wedding? I swear I won't pull any stupid moves nor will I expect you to reciprocate the feelings I have for you. I just like being in your company and at the very least, I would like us to be friends.
Feel free to burn this note and flowers if you want to. There would be no hard feelings! Only answer if you genuinely want to be my dance partner. If you do, then I hope you enjoy the flowers, they remind me of you."
Sincerely,
Padawan Dume
Isadora holds the note to her chest and takes a moment to inhale the sweet scent of the lilies. Her cheeks blushed at the knowledge that there was someone out there that was thinking of her. The irony of it all was that lilies were always the woman's favorite flower and Isadora knew for a fact that Caleb Dume did not know that.
"Okay, Caleb...I accept."