Chapter 62 - Casting Judgement
Author's Note: I do not apologize. :')
~ Amina Gila
Aniya Skywalker
"Knight Skywalker and Padawan Tano, serious charges have been levied against you." Yoda is the first to speak, "How plead you?"
"Not guilty, Master," Ahsoka and I answer immediately, in unison.
"I would never take the lives of innocents. The values of the Jedi are sacred to me," Ahsoka continues.
"With all due respect, Masters," Anakin cuts in, "As Ahsoka's master, I am responsible for the charges you're levying against her. Her failings are mine."
"Is this a confession, Skywalker?" Windu asks coldly.
I glare at him. I can't help it. How can he dare to – "Neither Ahsoka nor I committed any of the crimes we have been accused of," I declare firmly, "We are being set up."
"So you claim, but there is evidence to the contrary," Mundi replies, "You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. Can you explain this?"
"Someone used the Force against her," Ahsoka answers.
"When I was there, I sensed a dark presence nearby, but I couldn't pinpoint it," I add. "They were... elusive, much like the Sith Obi-Wan and I encountered on Mandalore."
The Council exchanges glances. Do they even believe me? Something is telling me that some of them – if not most – do not. I hate the feeling of helplessness building inside of me. It's like back when Anakin and I first came to the Temple, only a million times worse. Whatever they decide here and now in this meeting will determine my fate and Ahsoka's. I know far too well where this can lead if I'm not able to convince the Council of our innocence, even as I try not to think about it. We could be executed, by the very same organization I've dedicated my entire life to.
"Which brings us to Ventress," Plo speaks up, "Can you explain your association with her?"
"We had a mutual understanding," Ahsoka answers, "I thought she was helping us."
"We ran into her unexpectedly. She was a bounty hunter, trying to turn us over to get the bounty," I explain, "We convinced her to help us instead."
"Did she help you acquire the nano droid weaponry found when you were apprehended?" presses Mundi, "The same devices used in the bombing of the Temple?"
"No!" I snap, "We were following a lead, to somewhere that Letta used to go before the bombing happened." Hopefully they won't ask how we knew that. There's no way I can tell them that Anakin was talking to us this entire time. They're obviously already extremely suspicious of him, and I'm not going to risk making that any worse.
I don't understand. I already knew the Council didn't trust us, but I didn't realize it went this deeply. From the looks they keep giving each other, it's like they don't even believe me, or they're carefully picking apart every word that I do say to make it seem more like I'm guilty. That's what I hate about word games.
"We were set up and deceived as you are being deceived now!" Ahsoka exclaims.
"The question is, Padawan Tano, who is deceiving us? Ventress, you, Knight Skywalker, or someone else?"
"We are not deceiving you!" the Togruta cries.
"When we were at the warehouse, someone else attacked us. That's what caused the fire. Whoever it was, that's the person behind everything. I'm certain of it," I declare.
"Ventress?" Obi-Wan guesses, leaning forwards. It's the first time he's spoken. I realize.
"No, I don't think so," I reply, "They didn't fight the same, but they have her lightsabers, whoever they are."
"We need to investigate this further," Obi-Wan declares, looking at the other Masters, but none of them react.
"Any evidence we could have found about this has already been destroyed with the warehouse," Windu asserts.
"If you fought someone there, how could you not determine their identity?" demands Mundi suspiciously.
"They were masked!" I protest, "And my sense was... clouded."
"Clouded by the Dark Side these things are, Knight Skywalker," Yoda replies, "Dangerously clouded. But not just surrounding you, surrounding many things in these times." Why?! It's like none of them are even paying attention to what I'm saying. It's like... they already think they know what happened and won't listen to any arguments to the contrary. No. This can't happen.
"You've already made your decision, haven't you?" Anakin yells furiously from below, "This meeting is just a formality!"
"Reached a decision, we have, though not in total agreement, are we."
My head snaps up to meet Obi-Wan's gaze, who looks away, but not before I can at least somewhat read the look in his eyes. My stomach plummets to the bottom of my boots. Somehow, I already know what they're about to say.
"It is the Council's opinion that Knight Aniya Skywalker and Padawan Ahsoka Tano have committed sedition against the Republic," Windu announces, voice as cold as ever, "And thus, they will be expelled from the Jedi Order." What?! Finding us guilty, yes, but throwing us out of the Order? They – how? How can they do this? It doesn't even make sense, because we tried, and – and why? Ahsoka's pain crashes into me, flooding our bond until I think, maybe, that's the only thing left in life there is to feel.
"You can't do this!" Anakin shouts, jolting forwards, only for the Temple guards to block his path with their lightsabers. I feel his pain, too, and Alema's. Their betrayal screams as loudly in the back of my head as my own.
Mundi continues calmly reciting our sentence as if they aren't ripping apart my entire life, and Ahsoka's simply because they can. "Your Knight and Padawan statuses 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 trial and whatever punishment they will set for you. Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order."
The crushing betrayal strikes me like nothing I've ever felt before. I tried, I tried so hard my entire life to be a good Jedi... even if there were often conflicts with the Council. I knew they didn't trust me, but I never imagined it could go to this level, to the point that they would throw me out.
I don't understand. Tears sting my eyes, even as I furiously blink them away. I won't cry here, not in front of the very people who destroyed my entire life without a second thought without bothering to listen to what I had say.
I want to scream at the unfairness of it all, but I couldn't even find the words to express it if I could find my voice in the first place.
The platform Ahsoka and I are standing on is lowered back to the same level as Anakin and Alema and one of the Temple guards steps forwards, yanking off Ahsoka's padawan braid.
I briefly raise my head enough to look at Anakin and Alema. I can't remember the last time I've seen Anakin so devastated and completely broken, and Alema looks furious and close to tears.
I don't have time to say anything to them as Ahsoka and I are led away, cast aside and abandoned to our fate like we never meant anything to the people who were supposed to be like our family.
I don't think I've ever felt so empty and worthless in my life.
**w**
Anakin Skywalker
I find myself standing outside the Chamber of Judgement, Alema still at my side. I feel detached, lost, distant. This can't be happening. It doesn't make sense, and it's not even possible.
All of my sisters' pain is screaming through our bonds so strongly, only magnifying my own emotions three-fold, if that's even possible. I didn't even realize until this moment it was possible for a betrayal to run this deep. Everything I've ever known my entire life, everything I've ever believed in and fought for is completely shattered.
If someone ran me through with a lightsaber, I don't think it could hurt much worse.
"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan appears at my side, resting a hand on my shoulder, "I tried to convince them not to, but the Senate demanded it, and they wouldn't listen."
"I know," I whisper.
"What do we do now?" asks Alema quietly, her voice shaking.
"Someone needs to represent them in front of the Senate," Obi-Wan says. I don't know how he's managing to maintain his composure right now when if I can feel his anger burning so fiercely.
"Padme can do it," I suggest, struggling to think past my raging emotions. I need to focus. Aniya's and Ahsoka's lives are on the line right now, which is exactly what's making it so hard to think at all. "I'll call her now."
Once that's taken care of, we need to get back to investigating. If nothing else, at least we can find proof of who did this. If we can track down the real culprit, the Senate will be forced to listen. It's all we can rely on, because I know if the Jedi won't listen, the Senate will be worse.
"The Council wants you to remain at the Temple, Anakin," Obi-Wan asserts quietly.
I didn't think the betrayal could cut deeper than it already did, but somehow it does. Yes, Windu flat out said that he thinks I'm involved, but now that they're literally taking measures that will stop me from doing anything to even help my sisters...
"I can't do nothing!" I snap, though the heat in it isn't directed at Obi-Wan, "I have to go."
"Do it quickly, then," he advises with a sigh, "Before they get suspicious of your whereabouts."
I leave Alema behind with Obi-Wan, before going to call Padme. She agrees to come over immediately, despite having been in the middle of some important meeting.
While we make our way to the prison, I take the time to pull myself together with the iron willpower I need to have every time something unthinkable happens, something that makes me think everything will stop. I felt the same way when my mother died, I realize, and I need to focus if I'll be able to move fast enough. Forget how devastated I am right now, forget how I feel. It doesn't matter, not if I'm focusing on the best – and only – way to save my sisters. Will the Council come after me too? I wonder. Windu already implied, and... they might. They certainly might. It means I'll have to move as fast as possible to get this done.
Aniya and Ahsoka are sitting side by side on the ledge in the corner of the cell when Padme and I step inside; I'm a bit surprised they were left in the same cell. Likely for convenience. Both look as devastated and lost and broken as they feel in the Force.
"Padme has agreed to represent you before the Senate," I relate.
"I will do everything I can to prove your innocence," Padme promises, smiling sadly. She crosses the room, moving to sit next to Ahsoka.
"Whoever's behind this was right at the warehouse before the clones showed up. Didn't any of them see anything?" Aniya asks.
"No, none of them reported seeing anyone else there," I sigh, "But I know where I need to start." And I need to move quickly.
"Wait, where are you going?" Padme calls as I turn to head out of the room, "You can't leave now."
"Yes, I can," I correct, "I have to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Keep me updated. I'll see if Obi-Wan can find Ventress; I'm supposed to be staying at the Temple."
I'm hardly even surprised when I run into Aayla Secura almost as soon as getting back. She was obviously waiting for me. "Skywalker," she greets, expression grave and maybe there's actually a hint of understanding in her eyes. It's hard for me to tell. "Where have you been?"
"I need to find who's really behind this," I reply without answering. There's no time to deal with this right now. My sisters are already going on trial.
"I can help you however I can, but remember that you must remain at the Temple," she replies, a hint of... something in her voice that gives me the impression she already suspects that I didn't. I can't stop the flare of anger that rises in me at the words. We knew each other well, back when we were both still padawans, even if she was much older than me. Is she suspicious of us, like everyone else?
Still, I suppose my irritation with her probably isn't entirely justified. She's only doing what the Council told her to do. Her presence doesn't mean that she believes it. Would it matter if she did anyway? It's not as if the masters I once trusted – looked up to, at least – believed in us.
"Good thing that at the Temple is where I need to be," I reply stiffly, hurrying off down the halls. Time to find Alema and go pay Jinx and Barriss a visit.
**w**
Ahsoka Tano
I can still hardly believe what things have come to in the past... has it only been a few hours? I thought I was a part of that Order, but every last one of them abandoned me, except Anakin. Not even Master Plo stood up for me at all. Why? I wonder desperately. The Order has always been my family. I don't remember anything from before. When I need them the most, and the moment there was even a mere question, they turned on me.
Now Aniya and I both have charges of treason hanging over our heads. Maybe I ought to be a little more optimistic considering the severe lack of evidence, but after what the Jedi did, I don't have hope that the Senate will treat me any differently.
I scan the large Senate room as Aniya and I are led to the center of a railed platform in the middle of the room, both of us in stuncuffs. Along the balcony far up above, I can see the Council members sitting, watching the proceedings. The burning sense of betrayal rushes through me at the sight of them, and I pointedly look away. I need to focus. I can't afford to get distracted, not now. Even so, I wonder if they haven't predetermined the verdict, also.
Padme and Tarkin enter opposite sides of the room, moving to their designated positions. Up above, the on the podium at the front of the room, the Vice Chancellor steps forwards. Palpatine has excused himself from the proceedings under the grounds of his personal friendship with Aniya. It makes sense, I suppose.
"Aniya Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano," Mas Amedda's voice rings out, "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 strides to the edge of the railing, staring arrogantly at us. "Former Knight Skywalker and Padawan Tano, I shall prove that you were the masterminds 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."
Dread twists inside of me all over again at the words. Yes, I already know that execution is the normal punishment for treason, but to actually hearing it like that...
"Look at the facts," Padme asserts, stepping forwards, "Letta Turmond called Ahsoka to her cell to reveal the name of the true mastermind behind the bombing of the Jedi Temple. Aniya accompanied her out of concern because of the unusualness of the request. Letta told them that she was afraid. She told them 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 or Aniya 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 either of them. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Jedi."
"Well said, Senator Amidala," Tarkin retorts, "However if they are innocent, then why were they seen conspiring with known Separatist terrorist, Asajj Ventress?"
"Ventress set us up!" I exclaim, "My master will prove that."
"And where is your master?" he asks snidely.
"He's trying to find the real murderer," I shoot back.
"Then maybe he should be looking at you."
I glare at him but opt to remain silent. We need to argue on facts, not throwing insults around. He's already convinced of our guilt, and he's not looking at facts.
"When Ahsoka and I were in the Underworld," Aniya speaks up, "Ventress attacked us, planning to turn us in but we reached a mutual understand so we could continue working towards finding who is really behind the terrorist attack on the Temple."
"Yet when you were apprehended, you were found at the very sight where the nanodroids used in the bombing must have been being stored."
"That's generally how investigating works, Admiral," she states dryly.
"But coincidentally enough, when you were found, the entire warehouse was burning. Most of it was destroyed before the blazes could be contained. It is clear that the fire there was set deliberately, in an effort to cover up any evidence that could still be used to trace the crime back to you," Tarkin insists.
"When they were at the warehouse, they were attacked by a figure in Ventress' bounty hunter disguise," Padme declares, "Whoever this was, intentionally set the place ablaze."
"I find this hard to believe, when none of the clones saw anybody else there when they showed up," Tarkin replies.
"She took off right before the clones showed up!" I snap.
"So you claim. There are too many coincidences here," he argues.
"Aniya and Ahsoka were injured when they were apprehended. The wounds showed the clear signs of an extended fight," Padme declares, "As evidenced from their visit to the Healers at the Temple after their arrest."
"They were in the Underworld for an extended period of time as well as fighting and killing clones back in the facility. These injuries could easily have come from that," Tarkin suggests.
"We were not the ones who killed those clones," Aniya replies stiffly.
"You were spotted right next to their bodies immediately after the wounds had been inflicted," insists Tarkin, "It is clear that one or both of you used a Jedi mind trick to convince the clones to unlock your cells, and then cut them down along with any other clones who interfered on the way."
"How, exactly, would we have 'cut down' the clones with lightsabers that we currently didn't have with us, Admiral?" Aniya snaps.
"You had the clones bring you your lightsabers, of course."
"They why didn't Fox hear before?"
"Regardless of how it happened, the fact remains that you two were the only ones there when the clones were found dead."
"Which brings us back to what I told you from the very beginning," Aniya retorts, eyes narrowed, "I told you already that when Letta was being strangled, I sensed another elusive Dark presence."
"So you claim," Tarkin says, "But not even former Padawan Tano has confirmed that as of yet."
"I don't know how much you know about the Force, Admiral," Aniya continues, "But Ahsoka is only at padawan level of training, while I am a Knight."
"And it has long been known that Aniya is one of the strongest Jedi," Padme cuts in, "Her senses are more attuned than Ahsoka's."
"The facility is the one of the most secure on Coruscant. No one could be there without authorized access. We do not have just anyone running around. Your claim is impossible," Tarkin retorts.
"So you say, and yet the sound wasn't working on the cameras to the cell with Letta died in," Aniya replies, a hint of humor in her tone. I have no idea how she can find this amusing. I just lost the only life I knew, and so did she. "If an error as major as that was present, how can you know there wasn't a security breach elsewhere?"
"Is there any visual footage of what happened the night of the escape?" Padme inquires, "Surely there should be cameras that would have recorded them killing the clones."
"Let's not forget we weren't on the planet," Aniya adds. "We were on separate missions on opposite sides of the galaxy, when it happened."
"If they were planning something, especially together, as you claim, someone with them should have heard something about it, such as Master Kenobi, yet he knew nothing. Aniya and Ahsoka have loyalty dedicated their lives to and served the Republic for years."
"That means nothing," Tarkin insists, "No one suspected Krell or Dooku to turn traitor either."
"You still haven't explained what happened to those recordings," Aniya reminds him flatly. Murmurs are running through the assembled Senators now, and though I can't make out any words, I can dare to hope, for at least a moment, that their opinions might be turning in our favor. Maybe.
Just then, the door at the far end of the room abruptly slides open, interrupting whatever Tarkin was about to say in response. I spin around, eyes widening in surprise at who's standing there.
**w**
Alema Syndulla
The betrayal is still screaming through every inch of my mind as I sink down onto the couch in my apartment with Aniya. I don't understand any of this. They didn't even listen to what they were saying! They basically admitted to having already made up their minds before even bothering to look into the evidence.
Ever since everything with Krell, I have had some... questions about the Order, but I would never ever have expected the Council to fall to a level like this. And... I've lost my master again, the only one who (unlike the Council) tried to help me when I was with Krell. Yes, they had no way to know, so I shouldn't be angry with them for that, but I don't care about being fair right now. They took my master and my sister, my best friend of my entire life, from me and threw them into the street for something they didn't even do.
Tears sting my eyes, and I don't bother stopping them from falling. I don't even know how I can stay here any longer, part of an Order that doesn't even care about us at all. I know I'm not being fully rational right now, but I don't care. I don't know what to do. I've never felt so lost in my life. Part of me really doesn't want to stay, but at the same time, even after what they've done, the Order is still my life. I can't walk away. I wouldn't have anywhere to go anyway.
I don't know how long I've been sitting there when Anakin finally calls, telling me to come meet him in the hall to Jinx's apartment. "It has to be either him or Barriss," Anakin tells me quietly.
Reasonably I know he's right, but I don't want to believe it. How could that even be possible? They're both my friends. I trusted them. Ahsoka and I both did. They were the only ones I thought I could always rely on other than the twins and Ahsoka, and now...
You trusted the Council too, a dark voice in the back of my mind whispers.
I don't know what to think anymore, about anything, but I wish everything would stop hurting. The anger and betrayal gripping me are almost smothering – momentarily worse than my constant depression back when I was with Krell – and I don't know how to deal with it. Especially not when I need to keep moving right now.
Jinx opens the door almost as soon as we knock, letting us inside. "I'm sorry about what happened," he says, giving me a sympathetic look. I only nod in response, not trusting myself to speak right now.
"What happened when you were going to the warehouse?" Anakin inquires, getting right to the point.
"I got there before anyone else did," he explains, "I started looking through the warehouse, and stumbled upon some of those nanodroids, the same type that were used in the Temple bombing. Then, Master Plo called, and asked me to come join him in the search. I had to explain to him where I was and tell him briefly about what was going on. I wasn't sure if it was safe to tell you over Jedi communicators." I suppose that is a fair assumption, and probably an accurate one, as well. If he mentioned anything about us trying to help them, or communicating with them and another Jedi overheard, we'd all be in huge trouble.
"What'd you do then?" I query.
"I went to stay a short distance away from the warehouse to wait," he replies, "It wasn't long later that there were explosions and a fire started inside. Then security showed up."
"You didn't see anyone else showing up or leaving?" Anakin presses.
"No, I didn't," he answers, hesitating a moment before asking, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not anymore, no," I sigh, turning to go. We need to find out who's responsible, and we only have one lead left. We're running out of time.
We slip back into the hall again, this time heading for Barriss' apartment. I don't even know how to feel about this. Could it really be her? How could she do something like this? At the same time, if she didn't, then who did? Even through my tumultuous thoughts, I don't miss how Anakin pauses, or the slightly sorrowful expression on his face. It makes my heart pound faster, because I can only think of one thing that could possibly mean, and – and I can't bear to think about it. Barriss couldn't have done this, could she?
"Alema? Master Skywalker?" Barriss greets in slight surprise as we enter. Anakin crosses the room, reaching out a hand and calling her lightsaber – which was sitting on a table in the corner – to him with the Force, turning it over in his hands as he inspects it.
"We need to talk to you," he replies.
"What can I do for you?" she queries.
"You were following Jinx to the warehouse. I want to know what happened," Anakin declares.
"I didn't show up until the clones were already getting there," she responds, "I hope I'm not in any trouble."
"No, it's no trouble," Anakin assures, "Did anyone see you there?"
"I don't think so," she replies, "By the time I got there, I realized I was already too late, so I returned to the Temple."
"Well, this leads us to a dead end," Anakin sighs. Though something about the way he says it gives me the feeling that he's trying to lead the conversation somewhere. If I didn't know him so well, I would never have picked up on it. "The only other thing we know is that they were with Ventress."
"I thought she was the one they said was behind this?" Barriss wonders.
"So, they suspect," he responds, "But I think they're wrong."
"But if it isn't Ventress, who could it be? Surely not either of them," she frowns, taking a few slow steps backwards across the room. The movement is perfectly innocent, but it still sets me on edge.
"No, it wasn't them either. But there's only one way to find out." Anakin suddenly ignites Barriss' lightsaber, swinging it towards her. Blood red blades spring to life in her hands, clashing with the one in Anakin's hands.
I don't think being impaled by those lightsabers could hurt worse than the wrenching betrayal that rips through me at this moment. Maybe I suspected, but I would have truly believed –
"Funny, those lightsabers belong to Ventress," Anakin snaps, as they exchange a flurry of furious blows. "You should've gotten rid of them."
"I think they suit me," Barriss spits back.
Something in me snaps, and every bit of the pain crushing me turns into a raw, blinding fury. "I trusted you!" I all but scream, whipping out my lightsaber and lunging at her, "You betrayed me! You betrayed all of us!" She spins one of the ruby blades aside to block Anakin's blow, the same second swinging her other one around to block me with her other hand.
"I've learned that trust is overrated," she hisses back.
I rain blows down around her furiously, hardly caring that I'm drawing on the Dark Side. I kick her back and Anakin jumps forwards to swing at her again before she can lunge at us first. "You're a traitor!" I snarl.
"The Jedi are the traitors! The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence!" Barriss yells, just as Anakin throws her right through the door. She lands out in the hall and jumps to her feet, turning to sprint away.
Both of us spring after, and I swing blindly for her head when we catch up. She whirls around, meeting my blow, then pulling back and hastily parrying Anakin's next one. He steps back a moment, withdrawing and igniting his own blade in his other hand as he moves forwards again.
"You kill a bunch of people for fun and frame your best friend for it," I spit, "Very nonviolent."
The Mirialan doesn't have a chance to respond, too busy furiously struggling to keep up with the attacks we're throwing at her.
"Surrender Barriss!" another voice suddenly calls out sharply.
I look up, startled, to see Aayla Secura stalking towards us. Where'd she appear from? She ignites her own lightsaber holding it ready in front of her.
Barriss Force-jumps back, gaze darting between the three of us for a moment, obviously realizing this a fight she's never going to win, before she spins on her heel and takes off down the hall. Only two for two Temple guards to step into view, activating their own blades. "Cease hostilities," they order.
She spins around, running for the large window nearby. Anakin catches her with the Force, throwing her into the column near the wall before she can reach it. She immediately starts trying to push herself up again, only to find all four of our lightsabers leveled in front of her.
"You are under arrest," I snarl, glowering down at the person that had once been my friend.
Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2
You can find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (which is our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes; we also advertise our SW gift exchanges on there)
And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA
Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6