Not long after Ahsoka was captured, the Jedi Council convened in an emergency session, knowing that decisions had to be made as quickly as possible. They knew that Tarkin would be pressing for Ahsoka to be turned over to the Republic for an independent trial and they also knew that with public sentiment turning against the Jedi, they had to act tactfully to protect the order. Obi-Wan sighed as the debate raged. He knew that no matter how hard they argued, the decision had already been made for them. He was a realist. He knew that ultimately; the council would turn Ahsoka over to the Republic. It was only a matter of time until that truth became reality.

The meeting was interrupted by a hologram message. The council quieted as Tarkin appeared, his nose up, looking down on the council that he detested with every fiber of his being. Without waiting for permission to speak, Tarkin said with authority, "The Senate requests that Ahsoka Tano be indicted for acts of treason against the Republic."

Yoda, whose expression rarely showed any emotion, glared back at the admiral with narrowed eyes. In as angry a tone as Obi-Wan had ever seen the old master muster, Yoda replied, "A fair trial, Padawan Tano will have in accordance with Jedi tradition."

Tarkin rolled his eyes before responding, "Ah, yes, Jedi tradition. I'm afraid, Master Yoda, that the Senate believes that an internal Jedi trial would seem biased. Therefore, the Senate asks that the Council expel Ahsoka Tano from the Jedi Order so that she may be put to a Republic Military tribunal, where she will receive more impartial judgment."

Obi-Wan knew this request was coming, but he was caught off guard at how quickly Tarkin was pressing for their throat. He had hoped that they would at least have a few days to organize a defense and find evidence that would free Ahsoka of all charges in a court of law. Trying to find a line of defense, he asked, "And who would represent Ahsoka in this tribunal, Admiral?"

Tarkin didn't take the bait. "That would be up to the Council, General, but I would recommend someone outside the Order."

Obi-Wan nodded, defeated. "Of course."

Mace Windu said, "The Council will act as they deem necessary. Thank you, Admiral."

Obi-Wan desperately tried to garner what support for Ahsoka that he could, his caution now thrown to the wind in support of Anakin's padawan. "Surely we cannot do what Tarkin suggests. We need to stand together with Ahsoka."

Ki-Adi-Mundi replied, "And yet there's evidence that she is indeed the mastermind behind the attack on the Temple."

Daack Khaar shook his head, he too trying to find a way to defend Ahsoka as another master told both he and Obi-Wan, "She was found in possession of nanodroid explosives. This alone is enough to convict her."

Mace Windu sighed, not wanting to hurt Master Kenobi, nor wanting to turn over Ahsoka to the republic for independent trial. He knew exactly how well Ahsoka would do with all of this evidence lobbed against her in a court of law. But, unfortunately, the writing was on the wall. "I understand your sentiment, Obi-Wan, but if the Council does as you suggest, it could be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate. I'm afraid we have little choice."

Yoda nodded. "To the Chamber of Judgment, summon Skywalker and his Padawan, and in our decision, may the Force guide us."

Anakin had not left Ahsoka's side since she had been brought back in by the Republic forces on Coruscant. He had stayed by her cell, comforting her, bringing her food and water, and coordinating with Padme to try and garner what little information and legal knowledge that he could find to help her. He did his best to comfort her, but when they were summoned by the Council to Chamber of Judgement, the hair on the back of his neck began to stand up.

They arrived and were greeted by silent Jedi Sentinels. The door to the foyer closed behind them and the four Sentinels took their positions to the entrance and exit, two at each door. Ahsoka took a seat on the bench, thoroughly defeated, but Anakin paced, not able to sit down and calm himself. Ahsoka watched him for a couple of moments before commenting, "You're not helping."

Anakin shook his head and stopped pacing, taking a seat next to her. "I'm sorry, Snips. I just-I just don't know what to do."

She nodded and replied, "It's okay. I don't either."

A sound rang out, signifying that the Council was ready for the pair. Ahsoka and Anakin stood up and walked to the middle of the room, where an ornate turbolift awaited them. Anakin stepped back as Ahsoka stepped onto the center of the turbolift, flanked by two Sentinels on either side. The lift rose, the ceiling opened, and they spun up into the chamber that was surrounded on all sides by the Council in judgement seats. Ahsoka alone continued up, half of the turbolift stopping at the floor with the Sentinels and Anakin, who watched helplessly.

The lift stopped with a clang, the echo sounding out across the room. After a moment of silence, Yoda began to speak. "Padawan Tano, serious charges have been levied against you. How plead you?"

Ahsoka strongly replied, "Not guilty, Master. I would never take the lives of innocents. The values of the Jedi are sacred to me."

Master Mundi stated, "There is evidence to the contrary. You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. Can you explain this?"

Ahsoka, already beginning to fall apart at the mention of the mounds of evidence against her, hesitantly replied, "Someone used the Force against her."

Plo Koon, although pained to do so, asked, "Which brings us to Ventress. Can you explain your association with her?"

"We had a mutual understanding. I thought she was helping me."

Windu angrily asked, "Did you she help you acquire the nanodroid weaponry found when you were apprehended, the same devices used in the bombing of the Temple?"

Ahsoka vehemently shook her head in denial. "No! I was set up and deceived, as you are being deceived now!"

Windu replied, "The question is, Padawan Tano, who is deceiving us? Ventress, you, or someone else?"

Ahsoka shook her head, beginning to fall apart at the seams. "I am not deceiving you. I would assume Ventress is, but I can't be sure. My sense is clouded."

Yoda said, "Clouded by the dark side these things are, Padawan Tano. Dangerously clouded, but not just surrounding you, surrounding many things in these times."

Anakin, who had been listening silently, heard the tone. He heard the accusations. He saw the looks on the faces of members of the council. He snapped, angrily yelling, "You've already made your decision, haven't you? This meeting is just a formality!"

Yoda sighed and replied, "Reached a decision, we have, though not in total agreement are we."

Master Windu said, "It is the Council's opinion that Padawan Ahsoka Tano has committed sedition against the Republic, and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order."

Ahsoka's head began to bow at the acceptance of what she had figured had been coming all along, but at the revelation of her being banned, her head snapped up, her eyes wide and filling with tears. Anakin screamed in rage and charged forward, stopped only by the blades of the Sentinels. "You can't do this!"

Master Mundi continued, "Your Padawan status will be stripped from you, and you shall forfeit all rank and privileges within the Grand Army of the Republic. You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await your trail and whatever punishment they will set for you."

One of the Sentinels stepped forward, grabbing the Silka Bead Padawan braid, yanking it off her head and breaking the chains. Her eyes closed, tears pouring down her cheeks, as she heard the final, ringing condemnation. "Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order."

Ahsoka was quickly escorted to a small landing pad, where a prison shuttle was waiting to take her to the Republic's maximum security prison on Coruscant, further rubbing salt in the wound of Anakin, who was in fury that the decision had been made before his Padawan had ever had a chance to testify. He was kept roughly ten feet behind her as she walked forward in electro-chains, but as she was about to board, he called out, "Wait!"

The Sentinels and clones escorting her stopped. Anakin waved them off for a moment and said, "Please…let me have a moment with her."

They silently obliged. Anakin put his hands on her shoulders and said, "I'm going to find out who did this, Ahsoka…I promise."

Ahsoka didn't say a word. She simply leaned forward, putting her head on his shoulder. In that moment, Anakin realized that she didn't need planning. She didn't need revenge. She didn't need any of that. What she needed was the loving embrace of someone who still believed that she was innocent. Anakin wrapped her up in a tight hug, both Master and Apprentice spilling hot tears. Ahsoka's voice choked up as she asked, "Master…why is this happening to me?"

Anakin choked up himself before replying, "I don't know, Ahsoka…I don't know…"

Ahsoka's tears spilled even faster as she said, "Master…they're going to push for the death penalty…"

Anakin could barely speak, he was crying to hard at that moment. He managed to choke out, "It's going to be okay, Ahsoka. I promise."

Commander Fox gently tapped Anakin on the shoulder and said, "Sir, we have to leave."

Anakin took a deep breath and nodded. He and Ahsoka broke their embrace. He put his hands on her shoulder and said, "Keep your head up."

She nodded. "I will, Master. I promise."

"And remember…"

She nodded. "Above all, no matter what, always do what is right."

He nodded, squeezed her shoulders, and said, "I'm proud of you, Ahsoka."

He took a step back and Fox walked forward, gently grabbing Ahsoka and escorting her up the ramp and into the craft. Moments later, the ramp closed, the engines engaged, and the craft was lifting up and into the Coruscant sky. Anakin stood there as the rest of the small crowd drifted away, watching the transport disappear into the skyline.

Moments later, he saw a familiar craft begin to emerge from the Coruscant skyline. The Rogue Shadow dropped out of the sky and gently landed on the landing pad, the ship hissing smoke as it slowed its systems and began to shut down. The landing was quickly marked by the lowering of the ramp, where three figures emerged. Anakin quickly recognized Revan, who was being carried by Alex Roth and an unfamiliar woman. Anakin stepped forward to help, quickly recognizing that Revan had seen better days. Roth shook his head and said, "Get a gurney. We need to get him to a bacta tank as quickly as possible."

Anakin nodded and turned to where Ahsoka would be to tell her to find a gurney but was momentarily at a loss as he realized his apprentice was not next to him. After a brief moment of confusion, Anakin called out to a clone, "Get a gurney for Master Revan!"

"Yes, sir."

A gurney quickly appeared. The woman and Roth, who supported Revan on either side, managed to gently lay him on the gurney. Revan managed to open his eyes at that moment and weakly ask, "Anakin?"

Anakin nodded. "Yes, Master?"

"Ahsoka…something terrible…"

Revan drifted off, his eyes shutting as his head rolled. Roth shook his head and said, "He hung in there with Maul and Sidious as long as he could. It will take some time for him to recover."

Anakin looked over at him. "We heard about your plan. Are you sure you made the right decision?"

Roth shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know…"

Anakin looked over at their new companion and took stock of her. Something about the woman seemed so incredibly familiar. He couldn't put a finger on it, but he was absolutely certain he had seen her somewhere before. Noticing the inquisitive gaze, Roth said, "Anakin, our situation has become a bit more…complicated."

Anakin nodded. "I suppose it has something to do with her?"

Roth nodded. "It seems…as though Sidious manipulated the force bond that Revan and Bastilla once shared."

Anakin sucked in a tight breath. "You mean…"

Bastilla broke her silence, nodding. "Yes…I'm Bastilla Shan."

The afternoon and evening was a long one for both Anakin and Padme. Anakin spent as much time as he could meditating in private, hoping to find calm and through that calm, find a way to help Ahsoka. But it was to no avail, as Anakin's fury and penchant for quick action left him pacing with purpose more often than finding inner peace as he tried to meditate and call on the force. Padme, similarly, was busy, although in a much different way. Padme poured over her holobooks, pouring through whatever legal proceedings and prior decisions by the courts that she could use to try and get Ahsoka off the trial. After all, there was little evidence to be argued and most of it supported the conclusions of Tarkin and the Republic officials, not Ahsoka's account of what happened.

When the pair arrived back at Padme's apartment that evening, both were exhausted. They ate in silence and then collapsed into bed before a single word was said. Anakin finally shook his head and said, "I can't believe that this is happening."

Padme nodded and leaned on her husband's chest, running her hand along his torso. "I'm sorry, Ani. I don't know what else we can do."

He looked over at her. "Can you defend her?"

Padme sighed. "Ani…it's not looking good."

He sighed and squeezed her shoulder as he felt a tear slip onto his chest. "I know, my love. I know…"

She looked up at her husband as he sighed and said, "She's the little sister that I never had. I love her, Padme. And I can't stand that there's nothing I can do to help her. I know that she's innocent. But I can't prove it…"

Padme whispered, "Trust the force. You will find a way to help her. I know that you will. And so does she."

Anakin whispered as tears began to fall, "I can't fail, Padme. I can't lose her…"

Ahsoka was whisked away to the Republic's maximum security prison that was placed in the depths of the military complex. They were taking no chances with the young Togruta padawan, clearing an entire cellblock and maintaining a full squad on hand to watch Ahsoka at all hours of the day. This was yet another punch in the gut to Ahsoka, knowing that the Republic that she loved was prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep her confined. The trial, she knew, was one that the Republic would use to win the war on the public relations front. And with public sentiment turning against the Jedi…it wasn't looking good for her.

She was constricted in solitary confinement for a day before she saw another person walk into her cell. However, luckily for her, it was two of the people that she loved most in the galaxy. Anakin and Padme walked into the cell and Anakin gave her a hug before telling her, "Padme has agreed to represent you before the Senate."

Padme nodded and said, "I will do everything I can to prove your innocence, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka shook her head angrily and said, "I am almost certain that the person behind this is Ventress, and you know I wasn't working with her! She was at the warehouse in the room. We fought, but she got away. Didn't any of the clones see anything?"

Anakin followed her every word and began to feel a sense of confusion. Distantly, he replied, "No, none of the clones reported seeing Ventress at the scene…I thought you said Ventress left before you went into the warehouse?"

Ahsoka nodded. "That's what I thought, too, but then she attacked me when I got inside. I'd know her red lightsabers anywhere."

Anakin, now positive that there were missing details that made little sense, nodded and headed for the cell door. "Well, if that's our only lead, then I know what I have to do."

Padme looked up at him. "Wait, where are you going? You can't leave now."

Anakin turned his head back and sharply replied, "Yes, I can. I have to find Ventress and get to the bottom of this."

Padme sensed the unrest and anger in his voice, but she also realized that he was removing himself form the legal proceedings. Anakin had a heart of gold and was dedicated to those he loved, but he also hated being out of the loop and unable to contribute anything of substance. Knowing that the legal world was not one that he thrived in, Padme didn't take his leaving to heart and based on the nod from Ahsoka, she didn't either. Padme took a seat next to her, squeezed her in a hug, and then said, "Until we hear from Anakin, let's work on your defense."

Ahsoka sighed and dropped her head. "Forgive me if I'm not optimistic. I thought I was part of that Order, but everyone, except Anakin, has abandoned me. I'm not holding out much hope the Senate will treat me any better."

Anakin was quick to leave the prison and head for the sector where Ahsoka had been running around before heading to the warehouse, knowing that the warehouse would be a dead end. No evidence would have been left behind; Anakin knew. Whoever was setting Ahsoka up had long since thought through the contingencies and covered every angle, Anakin was coming to find. And he was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, it wasn't a clear-cut betrayal by Ventress. This wasn't her style. Reaching out with the force upon reaching the sector, Anakin quickly identified a recognizable flicker of fear. Anakin headed up and began to track the signature, staring down at the street as he did so.

It took another day, but Ventress had returned to the streets that she had come to know well, walking through them with a quiet confidence that came from knowing she was capable of handling her own. Her pace slowly died, however, when she felt an all too familiar presence. She quickened her steps, sliding into an alley as she tried to evade Anakin, not noticing that the cloaked man had leapt from building to building following her. As she prepared to run, her escape route already plotted in her mind, she heard the whisper of rushing wind and feet slam onto the ground. Without even turning, she snarled, "Anakin Skywalker."

He snarled back, "I know you're behind all of this."

She quipped, "Prove it."

She leapt up for a bridge above her head, Anakin following her as he ignited her lightsaber. She managed to get in a kick as he landed, sending him flying into a wall, but he caught her punch, cracking bones in her hand before he swung a lightsaber at her head. She pulled two metal beams towards her in defense and feebly begged, "Leave me alone."

She jumped up, going up two platforms before standing to engage the enraged Jedi. She swung the makeshift blades at him, but they were quickly cut away. His already slim patience gone, Anakin grabbed her with the force, choking her before pulling her towards him and beginning to choke her throat with his own hands. He demanded, "Tell me what happened."

She choked out, "When I heard your little brat was on the run, I thought she might bring a large bounty."

Anakin pushed her head over the edge of a steep drop back to the floor, holding his lightsaber blade at her throat. "Bounty?!"

"I was going to catch your pet and turn her over to the authorities, collect whatever bounty was due."

Anakin, now feeling even more confusion, pulled her back from the ledge and withdrew his blade. As she coughed for breath, he asked, "What stopped you?"

Ventress replied, "At first-I admit-I was just interested in the money and a little bit of revenge, but then I realized your fallen Padawan and I had a lot in common."

Anakin snarled, "How dare you compare yourself to Ahsoka?"

Ventress snarled back, "It's true! My master abandoned me, and that's exactly what you did to her, you and your precious Jedi Order."

Anakin's gaze fell as he realized that not only was Ventress not the one who was to fault for the attacks, but that her accusations were true. They had failed Ahsoka. And there was no doubt that it could cost Ahsoka her life.

Revan had come into the Jedi Temple Medical Clinic in rough condition. The healers, fearing the worst if he was not treated with both bacta and the force as quickly as possible, slipped him into a force-induced coma for a couple of days, leaving Revan to fight within his mind as Sidious tormented him with visions of his past. Finally, however, he was pulled out of the coma and awoke a day later to find himself in a small recovery room adjacent to the medical bay. As Revan's eyes fluttered open, he took stock of his surroundings. Roth and Bastilla were both asleep in chairs near the foot of the bed that he was lying in, with a medical droid off to the side clicking about as he worked on something for Revan's treatment.

Revan slowly sat up, gasping as he did so. The sound of air hissing out was noticed by Bastilla, who awoke at the sound of her husband attempting to return to the land of the living. She smiled, stood up, and walked over to him, bending over and giving him a kiss as he tried to sit up. They stayed in that moment for what seemed like an eternity, simply thankful to be back in one another's presence again.

Bastilla finally broke the kiss and asked, "How are you feeling, my love?"

Revan winced as Bastilla gently guided him back down onto the bed, but he managed a smile and said, "Better now that I have seen you."

She blushed and said, "Revan, a millennia later and you still now how to embarrass me."

Revan smiled as he reached out and squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry, love."

Bastilla squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead before caressing his cheek as she took stock of him. "Darling…are you sure you are alright?"

Revan shrugged. "I mean…I guess Roth could have gotten there a little bit sooner."

Bastilla sighed. "I'm sorry…"

Revan shook his head. "Don't be. I should be thankful. After all, It did bring me you."

Bastilla ran her fingers along his face, outlining his jawline and cheekbones, checking every bump and bruise. She brushed the hair out of his eyes and in that moment, as the two locked gazes, she felt her eyes well up with tears. Revan gave her a concerned expression and asked, "Bastilla? What's wrong?"

She smiled through the tears and managed to reply in a choked-up voice, "I…I never thought that I would get to see you again."

Revan bowed his head. "Bastilla…I am so sorry…I made a mistake. I never should have left you behind."

She squeezed his hand. "All that matters is that we are here now."

The heard a rousing behind them and saw that Roth was beginning to stir from his sleep, himself taxed from the rough journey and fight against the dark side and with his past on Malachor. Roth managed to pull himself up from the chair with belabored effort and slowly walked to the side of the bed, squeezing Bastilla on the shoulder before standing next to Revan. "Are you alright, Master?"

Revan closed his eyes and nodded. "I am now. But it'll take a little bit of time to recover. Those two were persistent in their assault."

Alex nodded. "I would imagine so, Master."

Revan opened his eyes and asked Roth, "Ahsoka…is everything alright?"

Roth shook his head. "I suppose it is time to catch you up, Master. But it isn't good…"

When the court began to convene, it was at the Republic's military complex, not at the civil courts outside of the Rotunda, further worrying Ahsoka. She was escorted into the tribunal by two clones that were members of the Coruscant guard and was joined by two more at the end of the long catwalk as she stepped onto the lift that would bring her to the center of the room. She saw a door open to her right and caught sight of Padme, donning a long black gown that was both regal and elegant, her steps strong, her head held high. Ahsoka smirked at the sight of her friend. She knew that she wouldn't be going down without a fight. However, the sight of Tarkin walking into the room to her left with a haughty, evil sneer on his lips was unsettling and quickly brought Ahsoka back into reality. She looked up and saw Chancellor Palpatine, flanked by two Red Guards that were becoming much more common to be seen alongside the Chancellor in place of the Senate Guard. He looked down on her and boomed, "Ahsoka Tano, you have been charged with sedition against the Jedi Order and the Republic itself. This court will decide your fate. Prosecution, you may begin your arguments."

Tarkin nodded and sneered at her, "Former Padawan Tano, I shall prove that you were the mastermind behind the attack on the Jedi Temple and that once your accomplices carried out your orders, you eliminated them one by one. When you are found guilty, I ask the court that the full extent of the law be brought down upon you, including penalty of death."

Ahsoka's eyes widened and she stepped back, gasping in spite of herself. No matter how much she had steeled herself, no matter how hard she had tried to maintain her composure, to hear that her death was being laid out in front of her shocked her to her very core.

Anakin continued to interrogation of Ventress, drilling her with question after question, hoping to ascertain the true cause for her involvement with Ahsoka and whether what she had claimed was true. She continued to tell him, "After I left the warehouse, after I left your little Padawan alone, I was walking away, and I thought she came up behind me to talk more. But I was wrong. Someone came out of nowhere and hit me from behind. Not just anyone can sneak up behind me. It had to be another Jedi."

Anakin shook his head. "I don't believe you."

She leaned against the bannisters as Anakin bent over the railings, holding on as his only lead slipped away before his very eyes. "Believe it. Whoever you're looking for has my lightsabers. That's how you'll know you've found the criminal."

Anakin shook his head and closed his eyes, furious that he had reached a dead end. "Well, this leads me to a dead end. You're the only one Ahsoka had talked to."

Ventress leaned forward and earnestly replied, "That's not true!"

Anakin whipped his head back around to his hated enemy, clinging to every bit of hope that he could muster. "What do you mean?"

"Your Padawan contacted the Temple. She spoke to someone named…Barriss! That's why we knew to go to the warehouse in the first place. It was this Barriss that told us to go there."

Anakin, now satisfied with another lead, leaned forward towards her to levy a threat before leaping off the platform. "If you're lying, you're dead."

She cackled in response as he disappeared. "Such promises."

Padme argued passionately, her urgency something that the government didn't get to see very often. She was passionate in all things, but her fervor in defending Ahsoka was on a level that few could comprehend. She pushed the court, "Look at the facts. Letta Turmond called Ahsoka to her cell to reveal the name of the true mastermind behind the bombing of the Jedi Temple.

Letta told Ahsoka she was afraid. She told her the mastermind was a Jedi, and before she could reveal the Jedi's name, Letta Turmond was strangled to death by way of the Force. Why would Ahsoka kill Letta with a method that would so obviously tie the murder to her? A Jedi may be responsible for the murder, but that Jedi is not Ahsoka Tano. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Jedi!"

Tarkin began to clap mockingly. "Well said, Senator Amidala. However, if she is innocent, then why was she seen conspiring with known Separatist terrorist Asajj Ventress?"

Ahsoka interrupted him. "Ventress set me up! My master will prove that!"

Tarkin sneered, "And where is your master?"

Ahsoka, who had listened to Tarkin assassinate her character for hours, snapped, "He's trying to find the real murderer!"

Tarkin, sensing an opening, replied with equal fury, "Then maybe he should be looking at you!"

Anakin arrived at the temple and quickly made for the residential rooms, masking his presence in the force as evenly as he could. He quickly tracked Barris with the help of a Sentinel, finding her to be in her room. He managed to calm himself, not wanting to betray outwardly that he knew she was somewhat involved in the framing of Ahsoka. He didn't totally suspect her. After all, Barris couldn't betray her friend. Or at least, Anakin didn't think that she could. But as he pressed a button to notify the young Jedi of his presence, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Something was off about this whole mess. And he had a feeling it was about to open up before his eyes.

Barriss called out, "Enter."

Anakin stood with his hands behind his back as the door opened before walking in, striding purposefully. He took a stand next to the shrine she was meditating in front of and said, "Barriss, I need to talk to you."

Sbe nodded as she stood up. "Master Skywalker, how can I help you?"

Anakin pulled Barriss's lightsaber up with the force, bringing it to his hands and beginning to inspect it, the words of Ventress ringing in the back of his mind, his hair still on end, his senses still crying out that something was amiss. "I was told that you spoke with Ahsoka before she was arrested. What did you say to her?"

Barriss shrugged, responding evenly, "We've been friends for a long time. I was only trying to help her. I hope I'm not in any trouble."

He shook his head. "It's no trouble. I just need to know what you told her and if you told anyone else."

She shook her head as Anakin turned around. "No, I thought I had a clue for her, but I really couldn't tell her anything. Who told you I spoke to her?"

Anakin's suspicions were beginning to surge. He looked into her eyes and saw fear, saw her slithering back, heard her voice begin to crack. She was hiding something. And Anakin was beginning to feel the stirrings of fury inside his soul. Finally, he responded, "Ventress…She told me."

Barriss, her voice heightened, asked, "Ventress? Isn't she the one Ahsoka says is really behind all this?"

Anakin nodded, holding the lightsaber in his hand. "That's what Ahsoka says, but I think she's wrong. Ventress thinks someone else is involved."

Barriss's voice began to crack. "And you believe her? Who else could it be if not her? Surely not Ahsoka."

Anakin shook his head again as he took stock of the Jedi that was breaking in front of his eyes. And he knew. He replied, "No, I don't think it was Ahsoka either. I think both Ahsoka and Ventress are telling the truth, but there's only one way to find out."

Anakin drew the lightsaber and swung around at Barriss, stopping just short of slicing her neck. However, she fell for the ploy, throwing her hands back and summoning Ventress's lightsabers to her hands. Anakin snarled, "Funny. Those belong to Ventress. You should've gotten rid of them!"

Barriss gave Anakin an evil smile. "I think they suit me."

The two began to slice at one another, Barriss trying to dodge the heavy strikes of Anakin before he slammed into her chest with a solid kick. She went flying into the hallway, rolling onto her back. Barriss took off in a dead run, charging for the landing pads, knowing that escaping was her only option now.

Chancellor Palpatine, who had watched the trial unfold in silence, allowed for both sides to get in a final testimony and closing arguments before standing up to speak to the jury that was represented in the room. He was quiet for a moment and when he began to speak, he was succinct and to the point. "I'm sure many of you look at this former Jedi and think, "Surely she cannot be this murderer or saboteur that they speak of." And yet think of all the times we have been fooled by the Separatists and how they have infiltrated the Republic and ask yourself, "Is this yet another Separatist scheme?" Another way to rip the Jedi, and subsequently all of us, apart."

He sighed and then said, "Return to your chambers to decide the verdict."

Ahsoka dropped her head as the jury walked into the rear chambers and Tarkin disappeared into his own chambers. Padme walked over to Ahsoka as the lift returned from the center of the room to the catwalk. Padme said, "Ahsoka, you did well. Your testimony was clear, you stayed strong, and you didn't let Tarkin walk all over you. I'm proud of you."

Ahsoka lifted her head and asked, "Padme…they're going to condemn me…aren't they?"

Padme sighed and squeezed Ahsoka in a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Ahsoka. If I could-"

Ahsoka nodded. "I know, Padme. I know."

Anakin caught up to Barriss in one of the open hallways that rounded the edge of the temple. They struck back and forth, with Anakin quickly asserting his dominance. He was stronger, faster, and more adept in the ways of the force. As they dueled, Anakin pushed her off and said, "Ahsoka trusted you, and you betrayed her!"

She snarled back, "I've learned that trust is overrated. The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence."

The two shared multiple parries and strikes as Anakin activated his own saber, bring four blades, two red and two blue, into the fight. Barriss managed to catch him off guard on an upper strike, pushing him back towards the wall and giving herself an opening to flee. However, as she turned to flee, she saw that both exits were blocked by Sentinels, who stood with their yellow double-bladed lightsabers activated, prepared to strike at the rogue Jedi. She charged back, thinking on her feet. She cut open the glass window and jumped out onto the overhanging ledge that looked out over the rest of the temple. Anakin charged after her, yelling out, "Barriss!"

Anakin engaged her once again, their four lightsabers twirling with one another in a deadly dance. She managed to get a brief upper hand, pushing one of his sabers to the ground as he locked with hers and twirling her back leg around, kicking Anakin in the jaw and sending him flying over the edge of the overhang into the courtyard nearly fifty feet below.

Anakin landed in a daze, Barriss's lightsaber gone. A youngling yelled to him, "Look out!"

He looked up to see Barriss flying down towards him, both lightsabers ready to strike. He managed to ignite his blade and block hers, his brute strength the only thing that prevented her blades from pushing his own. He pushed her up, kicking her off. He rolled away from an overhead strike and reengaged her, blocking strikes and going on the defensive for a moment until he caught an opening. Finally, however, he saw her slip her guard with her off hand. He threw his hand out, grabbing her wrist, bending it back, and forcing the lightsaber from her grip.

She tried to throw a strike at him with her one remaining blade, but Anakin easily caught it and pressed down on her, staring down on her as he pressed his vertical blade down, forcing her own blade closer to her eyes. In desperation, she threw him off and struck again, but he quickly forced her blade to the side and went on the offensive. He struck quickly, landing blow after blow to her sides to soften her up before forcing her down and pounding down on her blade with numerous heavy strikes. She managed to push him off once more and leapt in the air, but a furious Anakin simply held up his hand, catching her in the air midstrike and tightening a grip around her throat before throwing her back towards a tree, slamming her back against the tree with no ability to move. He pushed forward, fury radiating from his expression has he held her in a deathly tight grip.

After a short hour of deliberations, the jury returned and handed a verdict to Mas Amedda. He declared, "The members of the court have reached a decision."

He handed the holopad to the chancellor, who quickly read it. Ahsoka closed her eyes and bowed her head, prepared to meet her fate, as the chancellor said, "Ahsoka Tano, by an overwhelming count of-"

Anakin burst into the room at the head of four sentinels and a chained Barriss. He interrupted, holding up a hand and demanding, "Chancellor!"

Palpatine sharply responded, "I hope you have a reason for bursting into our proceedings, Master Skywalker."

He nodded, walked forward to the end of the catwalk, and said, "I'm here with evidence and a confession from the person responsible for all the crimes Ahsoka has been accused of. Barriss Offee, member of the Jedi Order and traitor."

There was stunned silence in the room. The Jedi looked amongst one another in shock, while Tarkin glared at the new enemy, his gaze joined by a furious Palpatine. Ahsoka looked over and asked, "Barriss, is that true?"

A furious Anakin, his voice dripping in hate, demanded, "Tell them the truth."

She stepped forward and yelled, "I did it because I've come to realize what many of people in the Republic have come to realize, that the Jedi are the ones responsible for this war, that we've so lost our way that we have become villains in this conflict, that we are the ones that should be put on trial, all of us! And my attack on the Temple was an attack on what the Jedi have become, an army fighting for the dark side, fallen from the light that we once held so dear. This Republic is failing! It's only a matter of time."

Anakin pulled her back with a rough grab. Palpatine demanded, "Take her away."

Anakin turned his head towards Ahsoka and managed to giver her a small smile, which she gratefully returned. Finally, things were as they should be. The criminal had been captured and Ahsoka had been redeemed. Everything would be okay.

The council reconvened in their chambers not long after the final verdict was passed down, freeing Ahsoka of all crimes and laying the groundwork for her to return to the order. All gathered, prepared to apologize, justify, and then accept her back into the order. As soon as she appeared, Anakin walked forward and gently grabbed her by her shoulders. He said, "Ahsoka, I am so sorry about everything."

Plo Koon nodded. "You have our most humble apologies, little 'Soka. The Council was wrong to accuse you."

Master Khaar nodded and said, "You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence. This is the true sign of a Jedi Knight."

Mace Windu finished. "This was actually your great trial. Now we see that. We understand that the Force works in mysterious ways, and because of this trial, you have become a greater Jedi than you would have otherwise."

Yoda nodded. "Back into the Order you may come."

Anakin stepped forward, standing in front of her. "They're asking you back, Ahsoka."

He held out her Silka beads and said, "I'm…asking you back."

She stretched her hands forward towards them, but shocked all in the room by closing his hand with hers and shaking her head, tears flowing. "I'm sorry, Master, but I'm not coming back."

She turned around and walked off, the heads of all in the council chambers dropping. Anakin stood there for a moment, frozen in shock. Finally, after a few long moments, he chased after her. Obi-Wan stepped forward to help, but Plo Koon put a hand on his shoulder. "He needs to do this alone."

Anakin finally caught up to Ahsoka as she walked out of the temple and headed for the exterior landing pads. He yelled, "Ahsoka, wait! Ahsoka, I need to talk to you!

She finally stopped walking and turned around to face him as his run came to a halt. He leaned over towards her and begged, "Why are you doing this?"

She snapped, "The Council didn't trust me, so how can I trust myself?"

He replied, "What about me? I believed in you! I stood by you!"

She nodded and earnestly replied, "I know you believe in me, Anakin, and I'm grateful for that. But this isn't about you! I can't stay here any longer, not now."

Anakin shook his head and passionately argued, "The Jedi Order is your life! You can't just throw it away like this. Ahsoka, you are making a mistake…"

She nodded, her head dropping as she turned away from her master, tears falling down her cheeks. "Maybe. But I have to sort this out on my own, without the Council and without you."

Anakin closed his eyes in defeat and bowed his head, Anakin facing back towards the temple, Ahsoka facing out towards the rest of the world. He quietly whispered, "I understand…More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the Order."

She looked back towards him one last time. "I know…"

His eyes widened in shock as his padawan began to walk down the stairs and out towards the galaxy, walking away from everything she had ever known and the master that loved her more than he could ever express. As she disappeared down the stairs, Anakin felt as though his limbs had been severed and he had been stabbed through the heart. "I failed you, Snips…I'm so sorry…"

Through the onset of tears, he quietly whispered, "Goodbye, Ahsoka."

Will their departure be forever? Will someone save the two from themselves? Could this be the end? Or could it be a new beginning?

I have a pretty good feeling these two will see one another again. The question is how will that be…friend? Or foe?

Read and review! Glad to be back, guys.