Spectre: Sorry for the long wait! But hear me out, I may be going for an ambitious venture to which I will try and blend Clone Wars Season 7 and of ROTS as a means to make a connection. Also, this may also sound ambitious, but I intend to feature Anakin vs Obi-Wan at May 4th, so I will try to double my efforts firsthand.Take note, that the Anakin is denied the Rank of Master scene will be skipped but they would have their own reactions later on in the chapter.

And by the Force! More than 300,000 page views, nearly 900 favorites and 1,000 followers! The number of the Faves and Tags even superseded Remnant Watches the Multiverse and this is the second one!

Chapter 31: Interlude 2.0 Part 4

After watching the startling revelation about the truth of the Master of Darth Sidious, the Jedi Council continued to watch as they witnessed Anakin's meeting with Palpatine, feeding him with praises of his capabilities that were warmly accepted by the Jedi Knight. Some members of the Council recalled the young Jedi Knight not getting much respect for his deeds, though some such as Yoda, Kit Fisto, Shaak Ti and Plo Koon had appreciated Anakin's deeds for the order and saw great potential in him.

However, most of them, including the absent forms of Oppo Rancisis and Coleman Kcaj, didn't give Anakin much respect for him and were always cautious of him and of his abilities, which may have serve as a basis of turning to Palpatine, who treated him no less like a son. And the others could see where they were going up against.

And then this happened...

"Oh, Chancellor—" Anakin broke into a smile of disbelief.

"There is no one more loyal than the Jedi, sir—surely, after all this time—"

But Palpatine had already turned away. He lowered himself into the chair behind his desk and kept his head down as though he was ashamed to say this directly to Anakin's face. "The Council keeps pushing for more control. More autonomy. They have lost all respect for the rule of law. They have become more concerned with avoiding the oversight of the Senate than with winning the war."

"We are already spreading thin throughout the Outer Rim to deal with Separatist Strongholds. What does he mean we're not trying to win the war?", Plo Koon questioned in a inquisitive tone.

"Could be a way for him to persuade Anakin...", Obi-Wan began before he sighed. " And likely because of the Jedi's current position within the Senate"

"If I recall correctly, wasn't the Senate the one who began assigning Jedi to do what they wished was best for the Galaxy?", Kit Fisto spoke out in concern to which caused everyone to look at him. "But I could be wrong..."

"With respect, sir, many on the Council would say the same of you." He thought of Obi-Wan, and he had to stop himself from wincing. Had he betrayed a confidence just now?

Were these honest warnings, out of concern for him? Or had they been calculated: seeds of doubt planted to hedge Anakin away from the one man who really understood him?

The one man he could really trust...

Some members of the Council began to get wind on what Anakin was thinking: he thought that the Council was trying to cause a rift between him and the closest thing he had to a father, which of course was not a good sign.

Based on Anakin had been expressing his own resentment of the order internally, most of them thought he would simply shrug it off by accepting it as the will of the force. Or the fact that he will eventually get over it and continue his duties.

But apparently, it granted different results...

"Oh, I have no doubt of it," Palpatine was saying. "Many of the Jedi on your Council would prefer I was out of office altogether—because they know I'm on to them, now. They're shrouded in secrecy, obsessed with covert action against mysteriously faceless enemies—"

"Well, the Sith are hardly faceless, are they? I mean, Dooku himself—"

"Was he truly a Lord of the Sith? Or was he just another in your string of fallen Jedi, posturing with a red lightsaber to intimidate you?"

"Anakin had his reasons to doubt Palpatine is a Sith Lord if he never sensed anything on him firsthand", Shaak Ti stated with uncertainty. " Especially to the fact that we couldn't even sense him either..."

"Skywalker's mindset and his emotional attachments are what could have Palpatine used against him..." Mace theorized, as everyone could see that as an actual possibility.

If a certain Senator of Naboo is involved...

"I..." Anakin frowned. How could he be sure? "But Sidious..."

"Ah, yes, the mysterious Lord Sidious. "The Sith infiltrator in the highest levels of government.'' Doesn't that sound a little overly familiar to you, Anakin? A little overly convenient? How do you know this Sidious even exists? How do you know he is not a fiction, a fiction created by the Jedi Council, to give them an excuse to harass their political enemies?"

"The Jedi are not political—"

"In a democracy, everything is political, Anakin. And everyone. This imaginary Sith Lord of theirs—even if he does exist, is he anyone to be feared? To be hunted down and exterminated without trial?"

"Being a Sith Lord is not a crime for a very long time...", Depa recalled. "So that alone is not enough to convict him, or else the Senate will view this as a coup attempt by the Jedi"

"The Sith are the definition of evil—"

"Or so you have been trained to believe. I have been reading about the history of the Sith for some years now, Anakin. Ever since the Council saw fit to finally reveal to me their... assertion...that these millennium-dead sorcerers had supposedly sprung back to life. Not every tale about them is sequestered in your conveniently secret Temple archives. From what I have read, they were not so different from Jedi; seeking power, to be sure, but so does your Council."

Everyone's eyes widened in realization after recalling the last few scenes altogether.

Darth Plagueis and his power to cheat death using Sith techniques.

And then the Temple Archives.

Palpatine was basically telling Anakin that the power to cheat death is within the Temple Archives, and he knew that the Jedi Knight would want nothing more than to gain access to its knowledge to save his wife from death.

But there is a catch: he needed the rank of Master to gain access.

"The dark side-"

"Oh, yes, yes, certainly, the dark side. Listen to me: if this'Darth Sidious' of yours were to walk through that door right now—and I could somehow stop you from killing him on thespot—do you know what I would do?"

Palpatine rose, and his voice rose with him. "I would ask him to sit down, and I would ask him if he has any power he could use to end this war!"

"You would—you would—" Anakin couldn't quite make himself believe what he was hearing. The blood-red rug beneath his feet seemed to shift under him, and his head was starting to spin.

"And if he said he did, I'd bloody well offer him a brandy and talk it out!"

"You—Chancellor, you can't be serious—"

"Well, not entirely." Palpatine sighed, and shrugged, and lowered himself once more into his chair. "It's only an example, Anakin. I would do anything to return peace to the galaxy, do you understand? That's all I mean. After all—" He offered a tired, sadly ironic smile. "—what are the chances of an actual Sith Lord ever walking through that door?"

"Mind games...", Mundi observed with a visible frown. " And he is playing it well with everyone around him. Including the Jedi..."

"I wouldn't know," Anakin said feelingly, "but I do know that you probably shouldn't use that... example... in front of the Jedi Council."

"Oh, yes." Palpatine chuckled. "Yes, quite right. They might take it as an excuse to accuse me."

"I'm sure they'd never do that—"

"I am not. I am no longer sure they'll stop at anything, Anakin. That's actually the reason I asked you here today."

"Forgive my words, but is he really telling Anakin that we are stupid enough to accuse him of being a Sith Lord simply because he knows the Sith?", Kit Fisto inquired the entire chamber. But unfortunately none can provide him the answer.

He leaned forward intently, resting his elbows on the desk. "You may have heard that this afternoon, the Senate will call upon this office to assume direct control of the Jedi Council."

"He can't do that!, Saesee Tiin exclaimed.

"The Senate may have boldened since they are technically higher than the Jedi...", Luminara suggested.

Anakin's frown deepened. "The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?

"They will report to me. Personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct this war; we've seen this for years. Now that this office will be the single authority to direct the prosecution of the

war, we'll bring a quick end to things."

Anakin nodded. "I can see how that will help, sir, but theCouncil probably won't. I can tell you that they are in no mood

for further constitutional amendments."

"Yes, thank you, my friend. But in this case, I have no choice. This war must be won."

"Everyone agrees on that."

"I hope they do, my boy. I hope they do."

Inside his head, he heard the echo of Obi-Wan, murmuring relations between the Council and the Chancellor are...stressed.

What had been going on, here in the capital?Weren't they all on the same side?

"I can assure you," he said firmly, "that the Jedi are absolutely dedicated to the core values of the Republic."

One of Palpatine's eyebrows arched. "Their actions will speak more loudly than their words—as long as someone keeps an eye on them. And that, my boy, is exactly the favor I must ask of you."

The Jedi raised their eyebrows in anticipation. And what would that be, Palpatine?, Obi-Wan thought.

"I don't understand."

"Anakin, I am asking you—as a personal favor to me, in respect for our long friendship—to accept a post as my personal representative on the Jedi Council."

The Council were baffled at the Chancellor's request, and they began to voice out their own opinions about it. "This is against our norms in whoever takes a seat within the Council", Saesee proclaimed.

"Given that one of the seats is empty, he saw this as an opportunity to put in Anakin as his messenger", Plo Koon mused, especially to fact that the seat has been empty since the death of Master Even Piell.

Anakin blinked. He blinked again. He said, "Me?"

"Who else?" Palpatine spread his hands in a melancholy shrug. "You are the only Jedi I know, truly know, that I can trust. I need you, my boy. There is no one else who can do this job: to be the eyes and ears—and the voice—of the Republic on the Jedi Council."

If considering Anakin's would-be position within the Council, why do I have the feeling that we are going to commit another blunder about it, Obi-Wan thought, not even thinking that he had nothing to do with it either...

"On the Council...," Anakin murmured.

He could see himself seated in one of the low, curving chairs opposite Mace Windu. Opposite Yoda. He might sit next to Ki-Adi-Mundi, or Plo Koon—or even beside Obi-Wan! And he could not quite ignore the quiet whisper, from down within the furnace doors that sealed his heart, that he was about to become the youngest Master in the twenty-five-thousand-year history of the Jedi Order...

But none of that really mattered.

Palpatine had somehow seen into his secret heart, and had chosen to offer him the one thing he most desired in all the galaxy. He didn't care about the Council, not really—that was a childish dream. He didn't need the Council. He didn't need recognition, and he didn't need respect. What he needed was the rank itself.

All that mattered was Mastery.

All that mattered was Padme.

This was a gift beyond gifts: as a Master, he could access those forbidden holocrons in the restricted vault.

He could find a way to save her from his dream...

He shook himself back to the present. "I... am overwhelmed, sir. But the Council elects its own members. They will never accept this."

The Council members looked at one another. Logically speaking, the Chancellor had not jurisdiction on whoever is placed onto the Jedi Council, and Anakin knew this as well.

"I recognize that the Chancellor has made its decision, but given that this decision is against our norms, I would rather elect to ignore it", Mace voiced out his disapproval of the Chancellor's offer to Anakin.

"But after all of Anakin's deeds and of his contributions within the order, shouldn't he be granted the rank?", Kit Fisto inquired. "He is the Hero with No Fear"

"Skywalker does not meet the sufficient merits in obtaining the rank of master", Mace firmly reasoned out. "His Padawan not being made a Jedi Knight being a primary reason why"

"And why do you think Ahsoka left in the first place?", the master of Soresu glared at the Korun Master whose face remained firm at the snide remark.

"Master Kenobi, please calm yourself", Luminara intervened, seeing that this conversation won't get them anywhere. "We are aware that the Council has its fair share of errors that we wish we could have corrected. One of them included my own Padawan"

Mundi cupped his bearded chin. "However his position as Palpatine's representative would prove to be an advantage for the Jedi. He could spy on to the Chancellor's dealings"

This only outraged Obi-Wan further and he spoke up, barely hiding his dismay and his anger. "And do we have to wonder why Palpatine managed to get him under his thumb?", he hissed with such venomous tone that even surprised the other masters present.

The Council continued to watch, seeing Anakin's conflict along the way. When they watched as Anakin was ultimately accepted within the Council but denied the rank, they could sense his outrage towards the Jedi Order.

Which was further intensified when Obi-Wan revealed the Council's request for Anakin to spy on the Chancellor, which is clear that Anakin was against it and they could see that this increased his distrust and resentment to the Council further.

And then they have received word that Grievous was hiding at Utapau, something that Anakin mentioned that the Chancellor had asked him to lead the campaign, a decision that was ultimately vetoed by the Council and instead, Master Kenobi was chosen, since his form in Soresu would be excellent against Grievous given to his own previous encounters with him.

"I suppose denying him the rank and appointing him as a spy to the Chancellor is the best course of action?", Obi-Wan sarcastically asked, while noting his own inability to help his apprentice when denied the rank.

"Changing topic at the meantime...", Plo Koon interjected as a means to keep things under control. "Given that Master Kenobi is on his way to Utapau, shouldn't we be concerned as to how we had not known that Grievous was hiding there?"

"Palpatine sold out Grievous...", Mace simply said. "His usefulness to him has ended as he did with Count Dooku"

"In addition, Master Yoda is on his way to Kashyyk", Luminara added, also noting her presence within the planet to support the Wookies. "But then this would leave Master Windu in charge of the Jedi at the meantime..."

The last of the hovertanks whirred up the ramp into the sky-shrouding wedge of the assault cruiser. It was followed by rankupon immaculately regimented rank of clone troopers, mar-shaled by battalions, marching in perfect synchrony.

Standing alongside Obi-Wan on the landing deck, Anakin watched them go.He couldn't quite make himself believe he wasn't going along. It wasn't that he really wanted to go with Obi-Wan to Utapau—even though it'd be a relief to pull out of the political quagmire that was sucking him down. But how could he leave Padme now? He didn't even care anymore about being the Jedi to capture Grievous, though such a feat would almost certainly bring him his Mastery. He was no longer certain he needed to be a Master at all.

Through the long, black hours of meditation last night— meditation that was often indistinguishable from brooding—he had begun to sense a deeper truth within the Force: a submerged reality, lurking like a Sarlacc beneath the sunlit sands of Jedi training.

Somewhere down there was all the power he would ever need. So no, it wasn't that he wanted to go. It was more, inexplicably, that he wanted Obi-Wan to stay.

There was a cold void in his chest that he was afraid would soon fill with regret, and grief. Of course there was no chance at all that Obi-Wan wouldn't go; he'd be the last Jedi in the galaxy to defy an order of the Council. Not for the first time, Anakin found himself wishing that Obi-Wan could be a little more like the late Qui-Gon.

Though he'd known Qui-Gon for mere days, Anakin could almost see him right now, brow furrowing as he gently inclined his head over his shorter Padawan; he could almost hear his gentle baritone instructing Obi-Wan to be mindful of the currents of the living Force: to do one's duty is not always to do right. Concern yourself with right action. Let duty take care of itself.

Yoda wondered for a moment, how things would have been different had Qui Gon lived to train Anakin, given his own Maverick nature would surely fit Anakin's mindset. While Obi-Wan is by means a good teacher to Anakin, Qui Gon proved to be a better mentor, since both shared one thing in common: their constant defiance of the Jedi Council.

But he couldn't say that. Though he'd passed his trials many months ago, to Obi-Wan he was still the learner, not the Master. All he could say was, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Obi-Wan was frowning as he watched a clone deck crew load his blue-and-white starfighter onto the assault cruiser's flight deck. "I'm sorry, Anakin. Did you say something?"

"You're going to need me on this one, Master." And he could feel an unexpected truth there, too—if he were to go along, if he could somehow bring himself to forget about Padme for a few days, if he could somehow get himself away from Palpatine and the Council and his meditations and politics and everything here on Coruscant that was dragging him this way and that way and sucking him under, if he could just tag along and play the Kenobi and Skywalker game for a few days, everything might still be all right.

If only.

"It may be nothing but a wild bantha chase," Obi-Wan said. "Your job here is much more important, Anakin."

"I know: the Sith." The word left a bitter taste in Anakin's mouth. The Council's manipulation had a rank stench of politics on it. "I just—" Anakin shrugged helplessly, looking away. "I don't like you going off without me like this. It's a bad idea to split up the team. I mean, look what happened last time."

"Given our experiences Anakin, you have to be more specific", Obi-Wan warmly mused, that experience becoming all too familiar over the years.

"Don't remind me."

"You want to go spend another few months with somebody like Ventress? Or worse?"

"Anakin." Anakin could hear a gentle smile in Obi-Wan's voice. "Don't worry. I have enough clones to take three systems the size of Utapau's. I believe I should be able to handle the situation, even without your help."

Anakin had to answer his smile. "Well, there's always a first time."

Obi-Wan said, "We're not really splitting up, Anakin. We've worked on our own many times—like when you took Padme to Naboo while I went to Kamino and Geonosis."

"And look how that turned out."

"All right, bad example," Obi-Wan admitted, his smile shading toward rueful. "Yet years later, here we all are: still alive, and still friends. My point, Anakin, is that even when we work separately, we work together. We have the same goals: end the war, and save the Republic from the Sith. As long as we're on the same side, everything will come out well in the end. I'm certain of it."

Those words however, prove to be giving an ominous feeling to both Obi-Wan and Yoda. The other masters could not help but admire the brotherhood these two shared, proving themselves to be the most formidable duo during the Clone Wars.

"Well..." Anakin sighed. "I suppose you could be right.You are, once in a while. Occasionally." Obi-Wan chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Farewell, old friend."

"Master, wait." Anakin turned to face him fully. He couldn't just stand here and let him walk away. Not now. He had to say something... He had a sinking feeling he might not get another chance.

"Master...," he said hesitantly, "I know I've... disappointed you in these past few days. I have been arrogant. I have... not been very appreciative of your training, and what's worse, of your friendship. I offer no excuse, Master. My frustration with the Council... I know that none of it is your fault, and I apologize. For all of it. Your friendship means everything to me."

The said master could not help but smile brightly like a proud brother of his former apprentice's words. He had grown so much ever since taking him under his wing after Qui-Gon's death, and seeing him realize those mistakes completely exemplifies on how Anakin had evolved from a Padawan to a Knight.

Master Yoda, Kit Fisto and Shaak Ti could not help but agree on what Master Kenobi was thinking, and their proud expressions proved to be evident as such.

'He certainly has his own way to express his thoughts and of his growth...', the other masters thought to themselves, perhaps realizing that they may have created a miscalculation at denying him the rank. If they had given him more time...

Obi-Wan gripped Anakin's mechanical hand, and with his other he squeezed Anakin's arm above the joining of flesh and metal. "You are wise and strong, Anakin. You are a credit to the Jedi Order, and you have far surpassed my humble efforts at instruction."

Anakin felt his own smile turn melancholy. "Just the other day, you were saying that my power is no credit to me."

"I'm not speaking of your power, Anakin, but of your heart The greatness in you is a greatness of spirit. Courage and generosity, compassion and commitment. These are your virtues " Obi-Wan said gently. "You have done great things, and I am very proud of you." Anakin found he had nothing to say.

'So will Master Qui Gon...', Obi-Wan internally added for himself.

"Well." Obi-Wan looked down, chuckling, releasing Anakin's hand and arm. "I believe I hear General Grievous calling my name"

Obi-Wan began to make his way to the Vigilance before turning back and smiling at him.

"Good-bye, old friend"

Those words caused the Jedi Master's heart to crack, the weight of the emotions that he felt causing it to do so feeling as if it won't be the same again if he saw Anakin again, and he just couldn't picture the grown Jedi Knight and the mechanical monster of a Sith Lord to be one person.

The others felt an ominous feeling within themselves, sensing as if something was wrong but could not point out what it is

"May the Force be with you."

All Anakin could offer in return was a reflexive echo. "May the Force be with you." He stood, still and silent, and watched Obi-Wan walk away. Then he turned and slowly, head hanging, moved toward his speeder.

At the planet of Mandalore, Ahsoka Tano ws surrounded by Shadow Collective super commandos, wit Maul stepping from the shadows. The corpses of her Clone Troopers were scattered around, with Vaughn's being the one beside her.

"We have returned to where Padawan Tano had left of...", Shaak To said in utter curiosity. "But why?"

"Perhaps it could be a pivotal moment regarding Sidious", Plo Koon theorized. "If we can capture Maul, then perhaps he could be able to provide information that Dooku could no longer provide.."

"Ahsoka… Tano, is it?", Maul mused. "I can't say yours is a name familiar to me"

"Well, I know you", Ahsoka non-chalantly countered.

"Yes, I imagine we have several mutual friends.", the Zabrak remarked before he chuckled, causing Ahsoka to strengthen her guard.

"I wouldn't put it that way",.

"Of course not", Maul retorted in a sardonic tone. "But I'm afraid your way of thinking is behind the times"

Seeing her opportunity while the Zabrak was pre-occupied, Ahsoka activates a beacon on one of her bracers, which was received by Rex.

"It's her. Come on! We'll trace the signal", the 501st Commander rallied his men and they began to race towards her location.

"I was certain that Kenobi would have come himself", Maul recounted in a rather disappointed tone. "Perhaps bring his loyal foal. Skywalker, is it?"

The Jedi widened their eyes in realization. Did Maul really start a civil war because of his rivalry with Master Kenobi? But what really makes them wonder, why does he appear to be interested in Anakin as well?

"Master Kenobi had a more important engagement"

"Indeed", Maul agreed. "I wonder… The moment may be upon us"

He looks above as if he was expecting that something was about to happen, causing Ahsoka to follow his gesture, confusion setting in.

"Why you?", he was beginning to sound miffed at her presence. "Why did Kenobi send you?"

"You underestimate her too much", Obi-Wan remarked, noticing her growth and is confident that she would be able to stand her own against Maul.

"Why don't you surrender, and then we can both go and ask him?", she sarcastically offered.

"My surrendering, well, that would be pointless", Maul reasoned out. 'For if I am correct, soon the Jedi and Republic will no longer be the controlling interest in the galaxy.

"And who will be? You?", she countered.

"No. Darth… Sidious."

"But given that they are following the Rule of Two, would that mean that Maul no longer had any association with Palpatine whatsoever?", Shaak Ti questioned.

"If memory serves well, I think Maul has his reasons as why he wanted Kenobi and Skywalker to come", Kit Fisto tried to come up with his own conclusion. "With the purpose of killing one or the either..."

"It may be both..." Mace came up with his own conclusion. "He was trying to thwart Sidious' plans"

At the moment he uttered those words, Rex and his troops entered the area and open fired, causing a few Mandalorians to be shot in the ensuing chaos.

Without a second thought, Maul pulled out his saber staff and attempted to cut down Ahsoka, but the Togruta quickly anticipated this and blocked his attempt before Maul ignited the second hilt of his lightsaber, defensively parrying the two blue blades that Ahsoka held.

"Not yet", Maul sneered as he pushed back Ahsoka with the hilt of his lightsaber. Grabbing Rex using the Force, he heaved the Clone Commander towards Ahsoka, leaving them disoriented for a moment. Seeing his chance, Maul made a run for it along with his men.

"Come on!", Ahsoka called out, rallying Rex and the others to the tunnels but by this time, Maul and the others had escaped. "We lost them..."

"Why does it seem that Maul had a clue regarding the plans of Sidious?", Luminara wondered, a thought that is shared by many.

"Trying Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker, he was", Yoda surmised. "Trying to stop Sidious, he is"

"By eliminating both men I suppose", Saesee added to Yoda's theory.

Within the Throne Room of the Palace of Sundari, Bo-Katan Kryze, Ahsoka and Rex were briefing Obi-Wan Kenobi via a hologram while Clones of the 332nd Company and Nite Owls stood guard around the perimeter. Befote them, An astromech droid was projecting the hologram of the map Sundari for them.

"There are a small number of firefights still happening in sector 11", Bo-Katan pointed out, carefully calculating their chances. "But for the most part, your clones have been as effective as promised. Still, without Maul in custody, this could all fall apart quickly. We must capture him before he escapes"

Ahsoka looked uneased. "He mentioned a name, Darth Sidious"

"Who is this Sidious?", Bo-Katan asked.

Obi-Wan spoke up. "I do not know much, but I will share with you what the Council suspects."

Bo-Katan looked at Obi-Wan, wanting him to give a full explanation while Rex turned off the hologram of Sundari, motioning the astromech to leave them.

"Darth Sidious is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the Clone Wars and played both sides of it from the beginning. I first learned the name from Count Dooku, though any chance of learning more about Sidious from Dooku has been lost", Obi-Wan explained, causing Ahsoka to quirk an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because Count Dooku is dead", Obi-Wan answered, his tone grim. "Anakin killed him while rescuing the Chancellor. With Dooku gone, we've lost a vital link to understanding the mystery of Darth Sidious. If you can capture Maul, he may be able to provide the missing pieces to this puzzle"

"Just like what Master Plo had said", Kit Fisto recalled the Kel'Dor's statement.

"Given how things had ended up for both the Republic and the Jedi, it may have been too little or too late", Mundi reluctantly remarked.

"Then send me more men", Ahsoka suggested.

"Unfortunately, I cannot", Obi-Wan replied. "I'm being sent to hunt down General Grievous on Utapau"

"What about Anakin? Maybe he can reinforce us"

At this, Obi-Wan looked unsure for a moment before he turned his sights at Bo-Katan and Rex.

"May I speak to Ahsoka alone for a moment?", he requested. Bo-Katan and Rex leave the two, though it was clear that they were hesitant. Once they were out of sight, Obi-Wan returned is attention to Ahsoka.

"Anakin is on a special assignment by order of the Jedi Council", he began, and Ahsoka was quickly suspicious at that

"What kind of assignment?",

"He has been instructed to observe the Chancellor and report his findings."

Now Ahsoka was incredulous at the statement. "Observe? You mean spy. They told him to spy on the Supreme Chancellor? Why?"

"We owe our allegiance to the Senate but not its leader", Mace sternly stated. " Especially if the leader's term had long expired, which in turn says a lot",

"The Senate has allowed the Supreme Chancellor to remain in office long after his term has expired. The Council wants to know what his true intentions are"

"The Chancellor has been a great friend and mentor to Anakin", Ahsoka reasoned out. "I can't imagine he is happy about this"

"Even little 'Soka did not find the Council's decision to be a suitable option", Plo Koon observed her dismay.

"She was Skywalker's apprentice after all", Luminara stated.

"No. He is not. So perhaps it's best that you do speak with him."

She maybe the only one capable by this time..., everyone thought as it was clear that Anakin's trust within the Council was depleting.

Now Ahsoka is uncomfortable. "And what? Defend the Council's actions? I hardly think I'm the best person for that"

Obi-Wan looked at her hesitantly with a pang of guilt. "Ahsoka, the Council isn't always right. That's why I'm asking for your help"

"Failed we have...", Yoda admitted, having realized all the errors that the Council has committed over the years. And those errors, along with their flaws were exploited by Palpatine.

"Sorry to interrupt, but there's been an attack", Rex interrupted, to which Obi-Wan nodded before turning to Ahsoka.

"You had best go"

Ahsoka nodded and prepares to follow after Rex.Before leaving, she faces Obi-Wan one last time.

"Tell Anakin...", she pleaded.

"I will", Obi-Wan promised.

The screen shifted up to a citadel attached to the side of a cliff within the planet of Utapau. Inside the citadel was a number of people who sat at a conference table hearing the briefing of General Grievous..

"With the death of Dooku, it makes sense that Grievous would become the Separatists..." Mundi began. "And Palpatine purposefully leaked his location to the Council"

"He was sold out like his own master, per say", Windu added.

"It won't be long until the armies of the Republic with track us here" Grievous proclaimed to the attendees. "I am sending you all to the Mustafar System to the Outer Rim"

"Isn't that the planet where Vader had taken up residence?", Kit Fisto said in intrigue.

Above them, was a Boga Lizard being ridden by a hooded figure as it ran down the walkways, completely undetected by the Separatists.

"And this takes place as soon as Master Kenobi had spoke to Padawan Tano", Shaak Ti pieced out.

"It is a Volcanic planet. You will be safe there" The Cyborg explained but this didn't sit well with the collaborators. "Safe?!" Nute Gunray exclaimed in disbelief. "Chancellor Palpatine manged to escape your grip, general!" The man pointed out to the cyborg. "Without Count Dooku, I doubt your ability to keep us safe!"

"Perhaps we should secretly ready a fleet en route to Mustafar", Mace suggested on behalf of the Council. "This may be our only chance to intercept all of the Separatist leaders at once"

"I vote that we do", Mundi raised hand in support, followed by Saesee, Plo and the rest of the Council.

"Be thankful, viceroy, you have not found yourself in my grip!" Grievous warned the Neimodian. All in the meanwhile the hooded figure watched from above as they argues amongst themselves, as the hooded figure revealed to be Master Kenobi.

"Your ships are waiting" Grievous said, as he escorted them out of the conference area. Kenobi watched from above as he planned out his next move. Obi-Wan discarded his outer robe and jumped down below, landing gracefully and facing the turned back form of Grievous.

"Hello there!"

Spectre: Gotta end it here! Stay tuned for the next and you guys can pretty much get the gist of where I'm going!