BERSERKER INFINITY

by Blitzkrieger

SPOILERS:What if Leo had never killed his old Master Pong Krell, what if he never turned to the Dark Side, what if Krell was taken Prisoner back to Coruscant to stand trial and Leo never gave up his feelings for Ahsoka and joined the Separatists. Destiny could be changed light and dark could find balance, Sith Lords would never rise and those who died could be saved by what if.

2. The Dark Woman

Thank you guys for your interest, another reason I'm writing this is because there are some of my favorite episodes in seasons 4 and 5. Some things we'll see

- Leo becomes a gladiator in the Zygerrian Slaver Arc

- He stays with Ahsoka and the Rebels on Onderon

- Maul/Savage V. Obi-Wan/Leo

- Misadventures of the Padawan Pack

The Dark Woman

UMBARA

Airfield

Leo stood in the command tower over the air base, he could see the 212th land their reinforcements among the dead bodies of the Umbaran Militia scattered and piled together to make way for the Republic troop transports. Leo looked down at the thousands of dead Umbarans, the militia had charged the outnumbered clones so confidently in taking the base Leo was unsure if he should feel pride in the clones or shame in slaughtering such a noble enemy. The Umbarans hadn't asked for this war, they hadn't invaded or expanded beyond their own system, they stood their ground against the full might of the Republic, the Jedi and clone army without droids now brought to their knees by peacekeepers. Leo felt the cuffs weigh heavy on his wrists like they belonged there for more than just using the dark side. They made the Republic fight for every inch of Umbara, they made the clones and Leo pay for every step they took, every breath they made. This wasn't like Ryloth where he fought for liberty, for democracy or like Geonosis, where they declared war first building the droid army no, this wasn't liberation or justice. Even at the end when every part of their world was overrun they charge their batteries without any fear.

Even when he tried to use his battle meditation they had something he couldn't defeat, not even his power could stop them if not for the air strike they would have been overrun. Even then was it worth it, how could the Jedi, how could he be part of this? It filled him with such rage, pain, deeper than any blade could cut his eyes burned yellow making him shut his eyes, the dark side taking him. He couldn't even hold it back anymore he could feel the power be dampened by the handcuffs but part of him wants to break them off, to run.

"Leo…"

The voice was soft, like a whisper unsure of what he was looking at, Obi-Wan was standing in the doorway of the elevator lift looking at Leo. The tattered green robes with burnt out holes in them, the broken lightsabers in Obi-Wan's hand given to him by Captain Rex, Obi-Wan wasn't sure of who this white haired boy was but also, when he heard his Master's voice his voice cracked "Master… please…." he turned slowly, his eyes not green gold with a dark side used, there were tears in his eyes "Help me."

THE RESOLUTE II

Above Umbara

The rightful General of the 501st battalion had returned to his ship and his men, Anakin Skywalker was standing in the hanger with his padawan Ahsoka Tano, word had been sent to Coruscant of heaven everything that had transpired without delay the Council had sent Master Windu and a squad of temple guards with him. The sentinels stood behind Windu arms crossed ready to use their weapons at the drop of a hat as the hanger doors opened and two Republic fighters escorted a single Republic transport into the hanger. When it landed the doors opened followed by a sullen facedObi-Wan walking out followed by Cody, Rex, Tup, Fives, Appo, Boil and a dozen other clones guarding Pong Krell walking out head held high high and behind him still handcuffed was Leo. The moment the Jedi saw the others they all had a mix of emotions, Windu glared at Leo, stone faced the jedi masters brown eyes analyzing the boy as if he were a threat. Anakin looked surprised in his eyes but kept his face calm taking a breath out his nose and Ahsoka's jaw went ajar eyes wide he almost walked forward to the prisoners before Anakin grabbed her shoulder.

"Master Windu, I have the prisoner- the prisoners." Obi-Wan was reluctant to say it pluralized despite the truth.

Windu and Anakin focused on Krell, Anakin looked furious up at the traitor but Windu remained calm "Pong Krell you stand accused of high treason against the jedi and the Republic, you will be taken back to Corusc-" "Save your breath my old friend, we both know what's going to happen to me, just take me to a cell already." Pong interrupted

Windu took one step toward Pong and stood off against him, the tension was "Get this traitor out of my sight."

The Temple Guards all ignited their lightsaber pykes and pushed Krell away towards the brig, letting him walk on his own before they stopped. Looking at Leo who stood there waiting, he slowly started to follow when Anakin held up his hand "Master Windu?"

"Skywalker?" Windu asked.

"Given the circumstances, Krell's plot against the Republic, my men and our entire Campaign on Umbara I'd request leniency for Padawan Rock, Captain Rex along with testimonies from all the members of the 501st and 212nd said without Padawan Rocks selfless bravery we wouldn't have captured Pong or taken Umbara." Anakin said in Leo's defense, but before Windu could answer him Pong laughed.

Showing his fangs Pong snickered out "Yes boy, tell them how selflessly you gave yourself to the dark side to defeat me but was too much of a coward to kill me like a real man." Leo's face scrunched up and he stabbed his nails into his palms, his anger rising.

"Take him away." Windu ordered.

They watched Pong walk off still laughing "And what of my padawan Master?" Obi-Wan asked Mace.

Leo looked up at the brown eyes of Windu waiting for a verdict "This is something I can't judge without the Council or can we take lightly the danger he poses now, I can feel the dark side in him for the safety of the crew he must be be placed in the brig, for his own as well." Windu said.

Looking at his Master and Leo's Anakin asked "Obi-Wan?"

"… We have to take him back to Coruscant, and let the Council decide if that means under armed guard so he does it." Kenobi agreed, Ahsoka wanted to shout in defiance at what she heard but she couldn't. She knew she had to respect the master's choice even if it wasn't what he wanted.

Captain Rex stepped forward "General Skywalker, permission to escort the prisoner." The other Jedi could tell Rex wasn't asking this because he thought Leo was a threat but rather from one soldier to another.

"Granted Captain." Anakin said before Leo gave his friends one last look before was taken away. Anakin gave him a confident nod of approval, even pride, Ahsoka: she was wide and filled with a mix of emotions as if she wanted to say something. But Obi-Wan was walking away back to Leo.

When the prisoners were gone, Windu sighed, knitting his brow with his fingers "Padawan Tano, please report to the bridge and inform the Admiral we'll be returning to the Capital immediately." Windu asked Ahsoka to glance at Anakin who shifted his head to signal her to do as she was told.

When she was out of the hangar, Anakin beamed at the Master "You disagree with my choice to keep the boy a prisoner?"

"I think we both know the answer, despite what just happened on Umbara, what is it about Leo that you think is such a threat?" Anakin asked him.

Mace faced him "'Despite what happened, Skywalker, you saw them both, Krell and Padawan Rock have turned to the dark side, the Jedi can't ignore the threat they pose, regardless of what he's done."

"It was Leo and the clones who stopped Pong, he could have killed him but he couldn't have killed Grievous and he didn't at that time either, that should tell you all you need to know about where Leo's heart lies to the force." Anakin pointed out.

"Even so, the dark side has corrupted him. I won't ignore the fact he stays to protect the airbase, without it we could still be fighting on Umbara, but the fact remains that a fallen Jedi is something we can't ignore." He reminded the young knight.

Anakin fumed "I'm not asking you to ignore it, I'm asking you to show him some compassion and stop treating him like an enemy."

Windu paused, thinking on it "Very well, in return I ask you to remember who your padawan is, not him." That was all he said before he walked off, leaving Anakin in the hanger alone. Already knowing what he needs to do, he went in search of Obi-Wan who he found soon after sitting on a crate hand on his head.

"How could you just let them take him?" Anakin asked, still mad.

But when Anakin saw Kenobi's face the hostility subsided "Master?" Anakin asked, he'd never seen Obi-Wan so unsure.

Getting to his feet Obi-Wan straightened his robes and fixed his hair "I know what you're going to say Anakin, how I should have said something for Leo, argued with Windu."

"Yes, Leo needs you now more than ever." Anakin urged him as Obi-Wan passed him by. Anakin grabbed his arm stopping him "He needs us."

Pulling away with a jerk "I've done everything I can for Leo, but this is different— different from Mortis, Leo has always had problems with his emotions given what Pong did to him as a child. He has to come to terms with this on his own, facing the darkness within ourselves is something every Jedi has to face; and Leo is facing his right now."

"Yes he needs us, but he needs us to let him learn to stand on his own two feet like a true jedi." Obi-Wan said.

Down in the brig Leo was put in a cell as far away from Pong as possible, the besalisk was suspended in an anti force prison. Leo on the other hand was given a cell where the clones walked him to the door. "Hold on Commander." Rex said before he took off the restraints when the Temple Guard saw this they stepped toward them.

"Cease this, the prisoner must be contained." The temple guard told Rex.

Rex took his helmet off looking back at the Temple Guards "He's going in a cell isn't he?" Rex asked, the other clone who'd fought with Leo to capture Krell quickly stood between him and the Temple guards.

"Cease hostilities." The lead guard said, putting his hand on his pyke hilt.

The clones didn't budge, it looked like a fight was about to break out when a commanding voice snapped "Enough." The clones and Temple Guards saw Ahsoka standing in front of them both. "If Commander Rex says the prisoner is secure, then he is, Captain, take him to his cell." Leo walked into the cell as Ahsoka stood between him and the Temple Guards.

"You forget yourself young one." The Temple Guard said.

"Actually considering we're on a Republic warship and I'm a Commander, I think your the one who forgot?" She asked the Temple Guard.

The guard's expression was probably an embarrassing one under his mask, "We will remain to guard the prisoner."

"Your right, Pong Krell will need guarding. I'm sure Captain Rex and his men are more than capable of guarding Commander Rock." She locked horns with the Temple Guards who eventually walked away back to guard Pong on the other side of the detention level.

When they were gone Ahsoka smiled up at Rex "Rex, why is it whenever Skyguy and I are gone you guys get in trouble?" She asked.

"Believe me Commander, we don't like it either…" he said smiling before he frowned "Commander Rock has been through a lot, maybe you should… you know?"

Ahsoka blinked at him confused "What-?" Rex leaned in "Ashoka, he needs you." He whispered. Rex rarely broke protocol and when he did, using her name it wasn't something she took lightly. Ahsoka nodded and walked to the door letting it open she walked inside as Rex made his way to the brigs control console turning off the camera. Waxer was beside him and noticed it and Rex raised his finger to his lips to hush him before Waxer could ask anything. The identical clone looked at Rex before his jaw started to gap and he let out a silent gasp, his mouth bigger than a docking port. Rex pointed at Waxer and dragged his fingers across his own lips before Rex dragged a finger across his neck telling Waxer 'zip it'.

Inside the cell, Leo looked up at her on the bench/bed standing. He opened his mouth to speak but Ahsoka moved first before he could process it, she had him back on the bench, her arms around him pulling him into a tight hug. Instinctively he hugged her back pulling her close the two could feel their hearts beating against their chests. "… I thought I'd never see you again." Leo whispered into her ear. After everything he'd faced on Umbara, all the hardship and pain he could feel, all of it melting away her soft touch, strong embrace and warmth chasing away the dark side.

"It was him, Pong, he was Primus the whole time." Leo said up to her.

"What, really so we did it… we stopped the vision, you stopped it." She said leaning back. A wave of relief had come over Ahsoka knowing the vision they'd shared on Mortis wasn't going to happen, but she could see it wasn't enough for Leo. She could feel his breath on her neck, his exposed arms against her back, leaning back she ran her fingers through his white locks. The firefly orange turned into a snow white "Your hair Leo… look what happened to your hair." She said looking at him, their faces close. She cupped his cheek and when her skin touched his Leo closed his eyes as if he were feeling the touch of dawn on his face from a long cold night.

Opening his eyes she looked into the dark gold pools of the dark side looking back at her "Leo your eyes."

"I don't know how to change them back- I can't change it back." He said wondering how she'd take seeing him as a monster of darkness. But Ahsoka didn't see anything other then the same boy she'd met all those years ago, even though his hair was white and eyes gold she could still see him unscared, red haired and emerald eyed boy she'd come to l-

The door to the cell suddenly unlocked and the two padawans broke off the embrace sliding down the bench just in time for Anakin to see them sitting arms length apart, not suspicious at all. "Ahsoka, good you're already here." Anakin said, walking into the cell with Rex and Waxer.

He knelt down in front of Leo, "Hey Rusty how you feeling."

Leo gave a half hearted smirk "Trying out some new product in my hair sir, don't think it's my color."

Anakin returned his smirk with a sad smile, "Going to need that optimism, I'm not sure what's going to happen to you when we get back to the Temple, but both Captain Rex, Waxer, Fives and the men who were with you on the airbase have agreed to testify in favor, but for now thats all we can do."

"What?" Ahsoka asked, standing up.

Leo didn't look as confident as Anakin "General Skywalker I don't understand."

Anakin took a long hard look "The situation is beyond complicated Leo, Pong's treachery, you're history with the dark side but you coming back to us, surrendering yourself to the Jedi shows you trust in the Council's wisdom and hopefully their mercy."

"… and if they aren't merciful?" Leo asked.

CORUSCANT

Jedi Temple

It was dusk at the sector of the Capital, a thick haze was over the city, glazing it in wet dew and steam rising from the lower city. The same Republic transport that had brought Leo and Pong onto the Resolute was being escorted by both Anakin and Ahsoka in their Jedi starfighters back to the Jedi Temple. The hanger doors opened and the ship slowly flew in landing with it's jedi escort on each side, the transport gate lowered with the Temple Guards walking out with both Leo and Pong prisoner "There's no going back now boy, they'll be tightening the noose around your neck do right after mine." Pong said.

Leo didn't say a word "Silence." Windu said in front of them as the Temple Guards escorted them out. Anakin and Ahsoka got out of their ships quickly with Obi-Wan following them out into an empty hanger. There was nobody in the hangar except for Cin Drallig, the temple head of security, another squad of Temple Guards followed by a half of the Jedi Council. Kit Fitso, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Eeth Koth Master Yoda and so on. The Temple Guards had formed in a circle with their lightsaber pykes opened in a ring of yellow light.

Leo hid his eyes from the light, feeling it hard to look at as he was led toward the Master's "Pong, how could you after everything we've been through." Plo said to the besalisk.

"Hmm, no temple workers, no other jedi in the hanger you haven't told anyone have you Masters?" Pong said, still smiling.

The Masters eyed him with scrutiny, Cin stepped forward "Their weapons?" He asked, Windu walked up holding both of Pong's double bladed lightsabers, giving them to Cin.

"And the apprentices?" Cin asked, the way he said apprentice and not padawan stung at Leo.

Windu held up the severed lightsaber "Heavily damaged, probably beyond repair we should destroy it and the crystal."

"Please no!" Leo said loudly, he nearly ran at him before the Temple guards crossed their lightsabers over his neck he stopped before they could cut his skin.

Anakin held out his hand "Allow me to hold onto it." Anakin offered.

"That won't be necessary, it will remain with Temple security, Temple Guard escort the prisoners to where they can await their trial." Cin said, taking the broken lightsaber. The Temple Guard led Leo and Krell away, Ahsoka watched Leo's back go further and further away still dressed in his torn and burn robes.

"They could at least give him a new pair of robes?" Ahsoka said.

When the hanger doors closed behind them, the other jedi and council members stood there "Master Kenobi, we should go discuss this with the Council, immediately." Mace said "yes." Obi-Wan said following Mace before Anakin walked around the Council members standing between them in the door.

"Masters, wait." Anakin said getting their attention "Before you cast any judgment, please I have recorded testaments from the men who helped capture Krell, please take a look at them." Leo held up a holodisk and offered it to Cin. Cin took it and nodded gratefully to Anakin.

Plo Koon spoke "That is what we will discover Skywalker, we are aware of the sacrifices he made on Umbara, but the fact remains he used the dark side many times before now we know it was not some idle threat but something Krell taught him."

"That may be, but ever since he became my student and Obi-Wan you can't deny that Leo is better than ever, if he had truly fallen to the dark side he would have killed Krell." Anakin argued.

Obi-Wan looked at Windu "Peace Skywalker, take this matter seriously we do, the welfare of all jedi we seek to secure the boys included." Master Yoda said.

"But we must be unbiased, if Rock has been corrupted, who knows how many other jedi in the order could be." Mundi said.

Ahsoka's face twisted "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked.

"The battle meditation Rock uses, there were reports long ago of a jedi who inadvertently used a similar ability to draw on the living force of other beings to grow stronger and influence their minds, though she was exiled she returned years later it is something we must consider." Mundi said.

"What if Leo somehow has somehow been manipulating us all into being his friends, that's ridiculous?" Ahsoka said all eyes on her now, a padawan challenging a Jedi Masters authority.

"Your padawan is awfully close to Rock isn't she?" Windu said, eyeing her.

Anakin got between him and her "We've shared more battlefields with Leo and Obi-Wan then most jedi, we're loyal to each other and we know that he's a Jedi." Anakin said, crossing his arms.

"We will know that soon enough Skywalker, we have sent for an expert." Mundi said.

Anakin and Ahsoka looked at one another "An expert?" Anakin asked.

"Exactly." A woman's voice said.

Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan looked around the hanger for the woman who spoke but nobody's lips had moved. Obi-Wan recognized the voice "I can't believe you sent for her?"

"Her who?" Ahsoka asked.

There was a giggle in the air as they sensed someone new in the hanger, "Who?" Ahsoka asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head "More of a what really if it's who I'm thinking of." Obi-Wan said, looking around.

"Oh Obi-Wan that hurts, and here I thought we were still friends." The voice said before both of the pieces of Leo's broken lightsaber floated off of Cin's belt and across the hanger there they saw a hand take the lightsaber. Following the hand came a baggy brown sleeve of a woman wearing a snug dark faded purple tunic that went up to her neck, a face of pale skin with shoulder length silver hair and matching purple eyeliner and lipstick. Her tunic went down past her legs with slits on the side for her tan pants to move and two lightsabers at her hip with a jedi belt, a jedi, one Anakin and Ahsoka had never seen before.

"Skywalker, Padawan Tano allow me to introduce the Order's leading expert in dark side research and lore, the Dark Woman." Mundi said.

"Dark Woman, what kind of name is that?" Ahsoka asked as she walked forward.

She looked at the blade's damaged hilt, "A name is something that keeps us unconnected to the force, I gave mine up as a sign of dedication, padawan… whatever your name is." She flicked her fingers at Ahsoka ignoring her.

"My lady, what did you think of the prisoners?" Windu asked her.

The Dark Woman stopped her examination of the broken double bladed lightsaber, she closed her eyes and sighed "Krell is gone, he's surrendered to the dark side his pride, anger and under all that fear."

"Fear, hmm ironic, in his younger years Pong was fearless." Plo said, shaking his head.

"And the boy?" Mace asked her.

The Dark Woman tapped the lightsaber against her glove palm "hmmm, harder to say there is darkness he walks the edge of the knife, a razor's edge the dark side pulls at him but he's fighting against it the only problem is, I sense the harder he resists the stronger it gets I'll have to examine him further."

"Examine him further, are you saying Leo's sick?" Obi-Wan asked her.

She looked at Leo's master before she said "The dark side like the light side are not diseases one contracts with Master Kenobi, but this is unlike anything I've ever seen." She said,

"Then we leave it in your capable hands, for now we must prepare for Pong's trial." Koth said to the other Masters, all of them nodding.

They watched the Masters walk out of the hangar and into the temple, till Ahsoka and Anakin were left with the Dark Woman. She looked at the two of them up and down "Problem?" Anakin asked.

"No, I've just heard so much about the new lineage of Qui-Gon's students." She said.

Anakin looked suprised "You knew Qui-Gon Jinn?" He asked.

The Dark Woman smirked, "I knew a lot of former jedi, maybe we'll both know this Rock as a former jedi too." She said with a wink before she suddenly vanished right in front of them.

"How did she-" Ahsoka asked startled.

"I've heard stories of the Dark Woman, that she had force powers some Masters considered unnatural, and her students always… problem children of the order?" Anakin said over to his padawan.

Ahsoka wondered where the Dark Woman had gone, but more so what would happen to Leo.

Elsewhere in the temple, the Guards were escorting both Pong Krell and Leo through the temple hallways, early as it was the Temple only had a few Jedi awake at that hour. Every one of them stopped to gawk at the two prisoners, Krell missing all four of his arms, Leo his robes still in tatters and the stark contrast to his white hair against his dark demeanor. "You can sense it can't you apprentice, the fear, you can practically smell it coming off them."

Leo said nothing, trying not to be goaded. "They will kill us, we must find a way to escape the apprentice only together do we have a chance of survival."

"Stop calling me that." Leo whispered, more a growl.

"Why you are my apprentice, I trained you since birth, your skill, your strength of will and your power, they are gifts I gave you." Pong reminded him.

Leo glared at him baring his fangs "All you gave me was pain."

"And look at you now, stronger then ever break free of those restraints free us."

"Silence." The lead temple guard said turning around hands behind his back, "Separate the prisoners we will not have them colluding." The Temple Guard said.

Krell glared at him "They cannot stop us apprentice, the dark side is stronger and they know it."

"Stop it!" Leo shouted getting the Temple Guards attention, and other jedi nearby "Stop calling me that, I'm not your apprentice, I am not!' Leo had to be held back by three Temple Guards with their bare hands keeping him from attacking Krell even though he was still cuffed.

"Focus on that anger apprentice, let your hatred flow." Krell taunted smirking the whole time Leo was dragged away kicking.

Down the hallway, the Jedi Knight Selene was watching in total shock at what she'd. Turning here heels she ran down the temple hallways word already spreading like a wild fire to the now waking Temple of Jedi "What, Pong Krell?"

"The Rock boy too?"

"I could feel the darkness enter the temple, fallen jedi here?"

"How could the Council not foresee this?"

"A master and apprentice, something must be done."

The words and rumors flew faster than she could run, even in the temple gardens where Jinx and O-Mer were speaking with Barriss did a padawan come up to tell them. The three padawans all sharing looks of different attitudes O-Mer was in disbelief, Jinx wide eyes Barriss frowning closing her eyes in disappointment. In another part of the temple, Aayla had overheard two jedi talking about it as they walked by.

Anakin and Ahsoka were walking together trying to come up with a plan "We should try to talk to Master Yoda, I know he didn't train Leo like the rest of us because he cares for every jedi." Ahsoka said, thinking of a plan.

"Not a bad idea, but he has to think of what's best for the Order?"

"What about Obi-Wan, why hasn't he said anything yet?" Ahsoka asked.

Shaking his head and sighing "I'm afraid not, Obi-Wans insisting that Leo has to face this alone."

"Alone, but that's crazy you saw that witch the Council has against Leo." Ahsoka asked her Master, stunned that Obi-Wan wouldn't help him.

"We can't force Obi-Wan's help, he's part of the Council, anything we ask of him could put him in a tough spot with the rest of the Council." Anakin pointed out.

Ahsoka stopped letting Anakin walk on alone before he turned around "I don't like it anymore than you do."

"Don't like it, it's not fair, we have to do something?" Ahsoka asked.

"There's nothing we can do, the Council has to investigate and soon… make a judgment whatever it is." Anakin said turning around hands behind his back, "Don't let your attachments cloud your judgment." Anakin said, hiding the shame on his face trying to be a good jedi master. He started to walk leaving Ahsoka alone before she paced back and forth trying to think trying to come up with a plan when she heard thundering foot steps.

By the time Selene's had reached the two she was out of breath.

"Ahsoka- Ahsoka… oh so many stairs." Selene said, fixing her black hair and standing up straight.

When she had caught her breath "I just saw him, Leo and Master Krell, these rumors can't be true, what's happened?" She asked.

"Nothing good I'm afraid of Selene." Anakin answered.

"I don't understand?" Selene asked.

Ahsoka was about to speak but found it hard to explain "Master K-… Krell betrayed the jedi, he tried to undermine the Republic's campaign on Umbara, but Leo stopped him but… but's somethings happened to him he didn't have a choice when he fought him and he… he's been corrupted by the dark side."

"I saw… I saw him, I felt so much…" She took a moment to gather her thoughts "What can I do to help?"

She shared an unconfident at Selene. "She's not the only one." They looked behind Selene to see O-Met, Jinx, and Barriss

"Jinx, O-Mer?" Ahsoka asked.

The cerean and twi'lek nodded "What better way to square our debt?" Jinx asked.

"Also because he's our friend and we stick by our friends, right?" O-Mer said back to Jinx, "Meh." Jinx said.

Down in the deeper levels of the Temple, Leo was locked in a windowless room; there was a single bed, a meditation mat on the floor and a small corner of the room walled off for private use. He was sitting on the bed, hands still locked when the door opened. Obi-Wan walked into the room and Leo stood up smiling "Master, am I glad to see you." He said smiling.

He approached Obi-Wan but the Master stopped him "You're in a serious situation Leo, the Council preparing a trial for Pong Krell, you'll have to give a statement."

Leo nodded furiously "Yes, yes of course whatever you need but Master I need to talk-" "You should rest before then." Obi-Wan said, turning around.

"Master, wait, please I need to talk to you-" Leo chased after him but the door slammed shut behind him before Obi-Wan walked. Leo banged on the cell door with his cuffs "Master- MASTER!" He snapped banging on the door. Leo fell down on his knees shaking his head getting up he paced back and forth in the room before he sat back down on the floor looking at the door.

It opened soon after, Leo looked up to see the Dark Woman walk in. Standing up he backed up against the wall "Who are you?" He asked.

"A jedi, like you." She said walking while holding something, Leo was surprised to see a fresh pair of dark green robes and fresh brown pants, on top of it was a tray of fresh cooked food still steaming with two canisters of liquid water by the writing on it. She set the clothes and tray down on the bed and stood taking a step back.

Leo looked at her blue eyes and she at his yellow ones "I thought you may be hungry, need a fresh pair of robes too?" She gestured to them.

"… Thank you?" Leo asked.

She nodded, "We can talk later, when you're more well rested, Leo." She said holding her hand up, Leo heard a click from the cuffs before they fell onto the floor.

"W-wait I need to keep these on." He said picking them back up but they flew out of his hands into the Dark Woman's slender fingers.

"I think you've worn them long enough Leo." She said in the doorway "Eat, rest, I'll come to see you later." The Dark Woman said before she left Leo alone in his room.

The Dark Woman walked down a long narrow hallway into another room with various cameras all watching the different closed off rooms. There was a monitor where a Temple Guard sat "I never thought we'd have to use these lower levels again?" Luminara said as Mace, Yoda, Ki-Adi and Kit were standing in the observation room looking at Leo as he started to eat the food and put on the new robes. "You shouldn't have taken off the restraints." Mace said.

The Dark Woman strode in tossing the cuffs away "Want to go put them back on?" She asked.

"Dark Woman, nobody doubts your wisdom but your methods have always been… unusual?" Luminara said.

"Afraid this is an unusual case, Masters." She put a finger on one of the console buttons chasing the monitor to Pong Krell's cell where the fallen Masters had four Sentinels surrounding him arms crossed as he knelt down in meditation.

She looked at Pong with a stern emotionless face "And Pong?" Mundi asked.

"We all knew what lurked in Pong after the Stark Hyperspace War, and you all made that great choice after." She said glaring back at the Council Members. Mace held his hand up before she could continue "That matter is closed, we look to the future of our Order now, we should prepare for the trials agreed?"

The Dark Woman cleared her throat "I still need to examine the boy."

"Examine him?" Mundi asked.

She nodded "You continue to treat the padawan as a threat, he'll react like he's a threat."

"What do you mean?" Master Mundi asked.

The Dark Woman rolled her eyes groaning "I need more time, the boy is afraid, feels alone. I gave him food, new clothes, took off the cuffs with the hope that next time I go back in he'll talk to me and give me his side of the story."

"We already know the story, Pong betrayed the Republic and Rock used the dark side to defeat him. He's already taken his first steps down the path to the dark side, once that step is taken the dark side will dominate his destiny forever we know this." Mundi pointed out.

Master Yoda said nothing, only tapping his cane with his claws "Master Yoda what do you say?" The Dark Woman asked.

"Speak to the boy you will, quickly turn over the traitor to the Republic we must, to face justice for treason they will."

Outside the Temple, a Republic Gunship was flying to the Jedi Temple, holding it was none other than the pompous Republic officer. Tarkin, his gunship set down on the outer landing pad of the temple, a brisk wind had picked up ruffling his hair and military uniform. Thick light gray clouds raced across the sky over the speeder lanes letting in small shimmers of sky above. He had a large detail of red and white armored clone troopers with him as he approached the temple entrance. Wearing a smug look over his face like a child about to receive gift he'd long waited for. Already there at the door waiting for him was Cin Drallig and his Temple Guards steadfast in his way hand behind their back. "Captain Tarkin, we've been expecting you." Drallig said eyeing the troopers with suspicion "Only you."

"It's actually Admiral now Master Jedi, I'm afraid you know my name but I haven't had the pleasure Master…?"

Drallig replied with a bow "Cin Drallig, head of the Jedi Temple Guard, I oversee the all aspects of the temples security and defenses."

"Then allow me to make your position easier, you may graciously turn over the prisoners into my custody so that they may be prosecuted for their military tribunal." Admiral Tarkin offered hand out as Cin glared at him.

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait Admiral the Council is preparing to hold their own trial for the traitors, to discover their true motives." Drallig replied.

Tarkins smirk disappeared into frown "Master Jedi need I remind you, the accused are responsible for the destruction of military assets, sabotage, and treason against the Republic you have sworn to protect. And in this time of war your Temple is serving as a military instillation therefore your fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Supreme Chancellor who has asked me personally to handle this affair, Jedi or not they will face the consequences of this their actions ."

Cin was unfazed but the threat "Indeed they will, after the Council has decided their fate."

The stand off grew tenser with every second that passed, "Are refusing a direct order Master Jedi?"

When Cin said nothing, the Admiral held up his hand as if to signal the clones to attack when Anakin pushed through the Temple Guard "Admiral." Anakin said as he got between the two groups. The sight of Anakin seemed to calm Tarkin and he lowered his hand signaling his troops to stand down.

"General Skywalker at last a Jedi I can reason with, will you please tell your fellow Jedi to turn over the prisoners?" Tarkin inquired.

Anakin smirked at Cin and gave him a wink before he turned back to Tarkin, "Forgive Master Drallig he like you, takes his duties very serious, please come inside once the Council has finished with Pong Krell he's all yours." Anakin said leading Tarkin inside.

But as his clones started to follow Cin blocked them "The troopers stay outside."

Scoffing at the extra precaution Tarkin said "Very well."

Tarkin followed Anakin into the Temple out of the brisk wind, dusting himself off Tarkin sighed "Thank you General Skywalker, I wish more jedi would be more compliment to the wishes of the Chancellor like you are."

"We serve at his bidding, please follow me the Jedi Council will be more than happy to speak with you." Anakin said leading him down the hallways of the temple to the war room where the Masters were discussing multiple things, Leo, the situation on Umbara and so on.

When Anakin walked in he saw the Dark Woman speaking with Obi-Wan, when everyone noticed him and Tarkin. "Generals, Masters greetings I've come at the Chancellors request to investigate the matter." Tarkin said before Anakin could introduce him, Tarkin walked down the steps of the war room like he owned the whole temple.

"When can we expect the prisoners to be transferred into Military custody?" He asked.

The Masters glared at him suspiciously "The Council has yet to decide their fate." Windu said to him.

"Hmm then I suggest you hurry before the Chancellor is forced to take direct action, these traitors cannot be allowed to lounge in their palace any longer."

"I assure you the prisoners are not lounging about Admiral, this is a serious matter and a jedi one." Windu reminded him.

Tarkin frowned upon hearing the answer "Yes, a Jedi matter but also a Republic Military one, the public's lack of faith will be strained even more when they learn you are not cooperating with the Military on this matter, protecting traitors such as these." He said hiding a veiled threat.

"We are protecting no one, return to the Chancellor tell him that we must first conducto our own investigation once we determine Krell and Rocks guilt, you can have what's left of them." Windu said, walking right up to Tarkin and staring him down.

N "Tarkin didn't even flinch, "I will relay your message, Master Jedi." Tarkin softly nodding at him "I'll see myself out, I hope I don't have to come here again." Tarkin said walking out of the war room.

"Tarkin and the Chancellor have no place in this." Luminara said behind Windu.

"Respectively Masters, I disagree we should cooperate fully with the Chancellor's office and the Military, we are generals and commanders aren't we?" Anakin asked.

Windu looked back at Luminara frowning "As much as I hate to admit it, Skywalker makes a good point, Dark Woman, how much longer till your assessment is complete?"

The Dark Woman was already heading to the door "Not long, I'll have all I need to know by tonight." She said before she walked out.

Anakin noticed Obi-Wan leaving too, quickly catching up to him Anakin started to walk with him "How are you holding up?" Anakin asked.

"I'm… unsure Anakin." Obi-Wan said back, Anakin noticed the Dark Woman disappearing around the corner "What did the Dark Woman want to talk to you about?"

"She asked about Leo, what kind of padawan he was." Obi-Wan said plainly as they passed by a set of jedi statues all embodying the different lightsaber forms.

Anakin wondered how Leo was doing in the dungeon "And?"

"And what, I answered her honestly Leo is a dutiful padawan, a dedicated swordsman, honorable to a fault and a powerful jedi in his own right but he's doubtful." Obi-Wan said.

"Doubtful?" Anakin asked him, "Leo is still afraid of his own power as the Council is, he lacks your and Ahsoka's confidence but he was gaining it slowly he was doing so much better the harshness of the war and what Krell did to him, I only hope she can help him." Obi-Wan said.

Anakin didn't like the answer "You're his Master, you should help him and so should I."

"We must let the Council have their way, Anakin, this is what they warn about the dangers of attachments, it can cloud your judgment. I believe Leo can overcome this. He needs our faith, not our help." Obi-Wan said sternly.

Meanwhile inside the Temple library Ahsoka, Selene, Jinx, O-Mer and Barriss were brainstorming ways to help Leo; they were all sitting or standing around an open table. Ahsoka at the head to her left Selene arms crossed and O-Mer hands on the table clapped together. The right was Jinx's feet on the table and Barriss sitting with no right hands under the table "Think, what else can we do, we've done our best to stop the rumors Leo turned to the dark side?"

"But Ahsoka, you heard my Master, Leo used the dark side to defeat Krell you saw his eyes, those are Sith eyes?" Barriss warned her.

"Personally I think the new look it's cool." Jinx joked, propping his hands behind his head "So wizard."

Selene rolled her eyes "Maybe a petition, something about asking for leniency or a vote?" Jinx suggested.

"The Council will wipe its-" "Jinx." Barriss snapped at him.

The twi'lek rolled his eyes "Hey I'm just being realistic, I want Leo out of trouble just as much as you do."

"That remains to be seen." Barris mumbled.

This got everyone's attention "Barriss?" Ahsoka asked.

Standing up quickly and slamming her hand on the table "How many times does he have to fail before you realize he's no good." Barriss snapped. Everyone was speechless at the outburst from the often serene and calm padawan "He uses the dark side more than any jedi, ignores the Council, disrespects their wisdom and you think the order would still be better with him?" Barriss added.

"Whoa, take it easy Barriss?" Jinx asked.

"Take it easy, he's a brash, insolent, prideful jedi who was bound to betray us sooner or later." Barriss told the twi'lek.

Selene stood up "He didn't, Pong did and the Order needs to know that."

"He embraced the dark side, other jedi have to use violence like he does to win battles and invade worlds, if you want to keep that… that kraven in the order do it without me." Barriss said, standing away from the table and walking to the exit. Ahsoka followed her to the exit, grabbing her arm.

"Barriss, what's wrong?" Barriss pulled away, not looking back.

Ahsoka watched her friend walk off before she ran after her, "Barriss, Barriss talk to me?" Ahsoka grabbed her arm again and she turned around.

Eyes on the floor she lifted them to Ahsoka "You remember how he was after Geonosis, Ahsoka he's a lost cause."

"I do, how can I forget we all almost died. I know he can be a bit rough around the edges but Leo's a jedi just like us."

Blinking in disbelief she pulled away "Like us, Leo isn't like us Ahsoka he wasn't trained here in the Temple, he never worked with Master Yoda as a child it's probably why he's so crazy."

"Barriss I… I can't afford to think like that, he's my friend you both are." Ahsoka said putting her hands on Barriss's shoulder "If you were in trouble like this, I'd do everything I could to get you out of it."

"Ahsoka-" "Please, Barriss, I need your help." Ahsoka begged.

Barriss looked into the sincerity in her friend's eyes "I'll… I'll try.'

The padawans walked back to the table to brainstorm some more, "Any ideas yet?" Ahsoka asked.

"Maybe?" Selene said.

"Let's hear it?" Ahsoka asked.

O-Mer stood up "Jinx came up with it really, each of us has had an experience with Leo, as Jedi, if we can show the Masters or just Master Yoda he needs a second chance. He already saved Jinx and myself."

"Kicked the pride out of me." Selene said.

"Saved Barriss too." Jinx said but, Barriss didn't seem thrilled about helping still.

Ahsoka thought about it for a few seconds "Worth a shot, but which Master do we go to, Windu has had a chip on his shoulder about Leo since he got here?" Selene said.

"Let me speak with Master Plo, he's known me since I was a youngling. If anyone on the Council will listen to us, it's him."

Meanwhile, down in the Temple Dungeons Leo was wearing the new robes he'd cleaned up a bit and was looking at himself in the mirror at his white hair, still unsettled by the appearance. The door pinged before it opened and the Dark Woman walked in, she saw the food she'd brought had been eaten to the bone.

"Feeling better?" She asked.

He stood there fidgeting "As well as I can be?"

She smiled walking in and looked at him "Can we talk?" She asked.

"About what?" Leo asked her.

The Dark Woman touched a finger to her chin "Hmm, what could a random jedi Master come down all the way to a set of dungeons the Order hasn't used in a century to talk about with a jedi padawan touched by the dark side?" She asked.

Leo gave a half hearted laugh seeing where she was going with it "What do you want to know?" He asked.

"Let's start with you Krell, he was your master for how many years?" She asked, sitting down on the floor, Leo sat down with her and leaned on the cell wall.

As he sat down he answered "Since I was fourteen, after that I was Skywalker's intermediary then to Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Kenobi's told me about you, he's very fond of being your Master." She said,

"And I'm not worthy to be his padawan." Leo said back to her.

She squinted "He says you do this a lot, why are you so hard on yourself Leo?" She asked.

Leo paused "I don't understand, I've defied him multiple times, the Council, and now…" he held his hand up to his face, yellow eyes and white hair "This." He hissed.

"Oh stars a stubborn padawan how will the order survive, no I sense this is from Krell not you or Kenobi." She said scratching her chin. "Tell me when Krell was your master what would he do when you made a mistake?" She asked.

Leo shivered at the thought "He's making men train harder, he'd… remind me how worthless I was and how I wouldn't ever be a jedi, a lot." Leo said.

"Hmmm, he put that voice of self doubt in your head." She said,

"What?" Leo asked.

She held her arms out one hand open the other closed "You were raised and trained by Krell, for that I'm sorry you never got a chance to emotionally develop like you needed as a child and the constant negative reinforcement you received is a constant threat to your mind." She explained "On the other hand, the training under Kenobi and Skywalker has shown me you've had massive improvement on your emotional state."

"My emotional state?" Leo asked.

The Dark Woman nodded "Yes, now do you hate Pong for what he did to you, do you hate the Masters on the Council for what they've done?"

Leo thought on it, "When I fought him, it was almost like when I was fighting Master Windu in our duel, they both wanted me to get angry to lose control, I was able not to when I fought Master Windu."

"But with Krell?" The Dark Woman asked.

"It wasn't as much as losing control as it was, sharing it?"

The Dark Woman leaned in "Expand?"

"The force was calling to me, the light and the dark… I wasn't sure which one I used but when I saw myself afterwards I knew it was the dark side, and I'm ashamed of that."

Sitting up she asked "Why?"

"Because I instinctively went to the dark side, Pong's teachings worked. I was always going to fall to the dark side." Leo looked at the floor and the Dark Woman searched his feelings in the eye of the force.

"The dark side is in you, it's in all of us Leo but how we use it is what matters, you had every chance, and reason to kill Pong, but you didn't why?" The Dark Woman asked.

Leo looked up at her "Because that's what he would do, what he wanted." Leo frowned just thinking of it "I gave him everything when I was his student, he'll get nothing from me now."

"So you didn't kill him out of spite, is that it?"

Head going back and forth he shook it, "No, if I killed him I'd become the very thing he wanted to be, Pong would live on in me as his sith name…"

"Sith name, Pong had a Sith name?" The Dark Woman asked intrigued, "Yes, Primus."

The Dark Woman scratched her chin "Interesting, more so that this is what you were afraid of, you were afraid yes?"

"We both were, I was afraid if I let Pong escape all the people he'd hurt and Pong… Pong was afraid of whatever new power he thought was rising."

"New power?" The Dark Woman asked, more curious than ever "Master Krell said he betrayed the jedi believing that something would destroy the Republic, that the jedi would all die. He said he'd foreseen it."

The Dark Woman leaned back folding her arms over her chest "The force and the future are heavily linked, always in motion, always changing; nobody knows the future for certain."

She held her and up and revealed a small coin, it was old, a colorless gray metallic coin with two sides one had the sigil of the Jedi order on it, the other a way a circle with a ring around it and four tri spiked ends, "Just like a coin, you can flip it in the air and not know which side it will come down on." She said flipping it in the air "but." She caught the coin in the air with the force, she sent it toward Leo letting it float "Those with the means to act on it, can change the future but only if they've brave enough." She dropped the coin into Leo's hand, letting him hold onto it. The metal was strange; it was light but strong at the same time.

Getting to her feet she dusted herself off and walked to the door "Your trial will be tomorrow." She said,

"What's going to happen to me until then?" He asked.

The Dark Woman stopped just outside the door "Whatever you act on I suppose?" The door shut and Leo was left alone with their coin.

Elsewhere in the Temple, Ahsoka and the padawans were walking through the hallways when Aayla Secura spotted them, she was with another padawan a tall iridonian padawan with beige yellowish robes and brown pants, he was taller than Ahsoka but slightly shorter than Aayla showing he was still very young. "Padawan Tano." Aayla said from behind.

Her and the other Padawan's, along with Selene, turned around "Master Secura?" Ahsoka asked.

"I heard you and these padawans were hoping to appeal to the Council on Leo's behalf?" She asked.

Ahsoka nodded "We are Master, we're on our way to meet with Master Plo."

"Ahsoka, I understand your desire to protect your friend but what he did on Umbara was dangerous." Aayla warned.

Jinx snickered "Oh is being a jedi not dangerous anymore?"

"The point is, you'll need all the help you can." She said holding up her hand to introduce the other padawan "This is Tyzen Xebec, he was Master Ropals padawan." Master Ropal had been the rodian jedi master and Keeper of a Holocron of force sensitive younglings names and locations, "Tyzen, right we met before?" Ahsoka said as he stepped forward smiling.

"Yes, you had kind words for me then, and you and Padawan Rock helped bring back my Master and his murderer to justice here on Coruscant, I think it's time I honored that." Tyzen said.

Ahsoka nodded with a smile before she looked at Aayla "Are you coming to Master?"

"For moral support Ahsoka, but I believe the Council should have the final say." The padawans looked to Ahsoka and she shifted her head to the side "Thank you."

Later, they found Plo Koon standing in one of the training rooms that had been sealed off for them to meet, walking in Plo turned around "Lil'Soka, are these them?"

"Yes Master Plo." Ahsoka said walking in at the front of the group "They all think Leo should be given a second chance, by the Council if you just hear them out."

Stepping toward them, Plo locked his fingers together over his chest "Very well, who'll go first?"

O-Mer couldn't wait to jump at the question "I will Master, my friend Jinx and I, we we're trapped on Wasskah with other padawans who'd been captured, we'd given up hope until Ahsoka and Leo showed up."

"We were cowards, to afraid to act, or even try to escape until they showed up, Ahsoka kept our spirits alive and Leo stood his ground to remind us we were more than cowards, we were jedi." Jinx said hands on his hips.

Plo eyed them seeing if they were meaning what they said "Indeed?"

Selen held her hand up "Master Plo, when I first met him I thought he was just another padawan but he proved me wrong, he showed me just because I was older, that I was already set to take the trials there was still much to learn. You remember our lightsaber duel right, how it kind of got… out of hand?" She asked.

Plo snickered "I do, quite the commotion."

"Yes, well that commotion it humbled me, helped me remeber there's always someone out there training still, I carried that with me when I faced my trials to become a Knight." She said as she looked at Ahsoka then back at Plo.

"A noble sentiment, what of you Padawan Offee?"

Barriss was silent, she opened her mouth but nothing came out then she took a breath "Leo and I may not always agree, but when it comes to a Jedi dedicated to serving the Republic, I can't think of anyone other than Leo." She said quickly.

Plo watched her carefully unsure if she meant it "And you Master Secura?" Plo asked.

"I have nothing to say yet, but Padawan Xebec does." She said turning it over to the iridonian boy, he nodded "Ropals padawan, yes I still mourn him."

Giving a slight bow Tyzen answered "I have mourned him, now I wish honor him, Padawan Rock and Tano were instrumental in bringing back both Master Ropals remains and the killer to Coruscant, even when he didn't have to Rock chased down the killer and when he was taken prisoner he refused to let himself be used as leverage going as so far to let himself be captured by sith."

"Yes, it was a traumatic experience for the order as a whole." Plo said returning his gaze to Aayla "I sense you have something to say Aayla?"

"I do Plo, I've watched Leo from afar, he's struggled with the dark side for many years I witnessed what Krells' cruel teachings gave him on Maridun but seeing how he's grown, how he was brave enough to come back to us for help means we should at least try instead of exiling him." Aayla said to the Kel dor,

Plo nodded at her "Thank you for your testaments, I will carry this with me to Rocks trial tomorrow, but you must know the Council will do what's best for the order Lil'Soka."

"That's why you need to let him stay, Leo would die before he hurt the Jedi. He loves being a jedi, it's all he's ever wanted. If you take that from him he'll… he'll…. I don't know what he'll do, but it will destroy him, Master." Ahsoka said trying to come up with the best reason she could think "Is that your only reason you wish him to stay?" He asked, sensing there was more.

Ahsoka did her best to hide her emotions "Leo and I promised we'd always come back for another, always Master."

"Ver well, I will consider it, you have all shown yourself a credit to your fellow Jedi. Be proud for when we jedi are united, we are invincible." Plo said dismissing them. The jedi bowed before walking to the exit, Ahsoka followed them but Plo said "Not you Lil'Soka."

She stayed behind, waiting till the others were gone "Master Plo?"

"Beware of your feelings Lil'Soka, they do you credit but they can also do you harm." Plo said his back to her looking out the window.

"Master Plo I-" "No, go now I must prepare for the trial." Plo said before she walked out the door.

Krell

Leo woke up to the sound of the door opening, he looked at the entrance and saw it was wide open getting up he poked his head out looking down the hallways. They were empty stepping out Leo stepped on something looking down it was an access key, picking it up he wonder who'd open the door for him, left the key. Then he wondered what this was, was someone trying to hell him escape, was it Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka? He slowly started to walk down the hallways thinking this was a dream at first. But when he made it to the elevator and pressed the key to the door it pinged and started to lower. When it opened he took one last look to see if anyone was following him before he got inside and let the elevator rise.

In the observation room Mace, Cin, Yoda, Obi-Wan Luminara, Kit, Adi, Plo and the Dark Woman watched him on their monitor, "I'll alert the Temple Guards." Cin said as Leo made his escape.

"He hasn't even made it to the hanger yet?" Plo said to him.

"But he left his cell, he's already making a run for it?" Mace pointed out.

The other Jedi didn't say anything all of them wondering what his actual master thought "Obi-Wan what do you think?" Luminara asked.

"I think… we need to wait and watch as the Dark Woman suggested."

Mace and the other masters watched the Dark Woman with keen eyes "How you convince us this was a good idea, is beyond me?" Adi said beside Kit.

"You want to see where his loyalties lie, we'll see soon enough besides I assume you already have temple guards posted at every exit and the hangar?" She asked looking at Cin, his silence already confirming she was right. "So for now Sewist and watch, see what he does where he goes."

So they did, the cameras follows Leo in the elevator and up onto the higher levels of the temple before they opened into the darkened hallway. Moon and city light fell through the windows of the temple cloaking the bronze and alabaster pillars in a thin hue of blue and yellow. Walking out into one of the grand halls the temple was sound asleep. No Jedi in the corridors no droids cleaning the interior also walked forward passing by the statues wondering what was going on. He passed his a window before he saw someone behind him spinning around there wasn't anyone there, looking back at the window he saw it was his own reflection. But he didn't recognize himself, the white hair still alien to him and now the glowing gold eyed or a sith starring back at him. It was I'd the darkness was consuming him inside and out, and he hated it. Walking up to the window his reflection starring back at him with a malevolent glare. How stupid could he be to walk out of the cell, no no no, he had to go back. But why should he, why not make a run for it he could go to the hangar doing a ship and get of world. Or maybe he could find another way out into Coruscant's undercity start a new life, at least the none of his friends would have to suffer for his mistake, but where? Where would he go, the Jedi would look for him they'd hunt him like the Sith in the old stories, what if they sent Anakin and so Obi-Wan after him. He couldn't even fight the. If he wanted to, not them never the two men who believed in him so much. Oh stars what would this do to Obi-Wan if he left, running away like a coward but if they were going to exile him what was the point?

No no no don't think like that, focus

This is all Krell's fault- everything was his fault making him like- like this!

He was so angry, he couldn't control it even as he clutched his hands into fists he didn't notice the small volts or force lightning coming out of them before he smashed his left fist into his own reflection, cracking the glass.

But it wasn't Krell's fault he was here, he was the one standing there outside the cell.

Not Krell.

He was the Jedi who stopped the Umbarans from taking the airbase back.

Not Krell

He was the Jedi who came back to the Temple, turning himself in to the Jedi, his people.

Not Krell.

He was Leo Rock, not Krell.

Turning around he looked at the elevator still open, he took a step toward it when he stopped. There was something he had to do first before he went back, something he'd regret for the rest of his life if he didn't make it right.

In the control center the council members and the Dark Woman saw Leo run down the hallways, moving fast and silently. "He's running, Cin alert the Guard." Mace accused.

"As you wish Master Windu, we best go to if he gets a lightsaber it may get messy." Cin said walking out the control center with Mace, some of of the other Masters followed. Masters Yoda, Adi, Plo ad Obi-Wan, stayed with the Dark Woman watching Leo run down the hallways, not to the hanger or to one of the exits.

"Strange, he's going deeper into the Temple?" Adi asked.

The Dark Woman smirked before Leo slipped around one corner the camera changing and then, he was gone.

"He's disappeared?" Plo gasped looking at the other Jedi.

"Where are you going Leo?" Obi-Wan asked.

Leo slunk through the gateway into his destination, passing by the identical doors to the one he was looking for he knocked on it gently to make a noise but not a racket. No answer he hit the door again this time harder before Ahsoka opened her padawan dorm room to Leo. Her eyes half awake she yawned in her dreaming robes a light pair of maroon garments consisting of a top robe and ankle high pants "Leo…" she yawned before she realized he was right in front of her"LE-" he covered her mouth with his hand pushing her inside before he held up a finger to his own lips to shush her. Her room was the same size as every padawan dorm, a small table holding her lightsaber and a matron the floor.

When he shut the door he took his hand away "~Leo what are you doing?" Ahsoka and whisper shouted at him.

"I had to see you." He whispered back.

"Wha- I mean what are you doing out of your cell, did the council let you go?" She asked.

He shook his head and shrugged at the same time "I don't know, I just saw the door open and an access key on the floor."

Slapping her forehead "And you left, Leo do you know what this is?"

"What what is?" He asked.

"Leo, it's a it's a trap." She shout whispered.

His jaw dropped and he grabbed the side of his head muffling a scream "I knew it but- but it doesn't matter, I was planning to go back anyway but first I had to see you."

Ahsoka gawker at him confused "Why?"

Looking into her eyes he slumps his shoulders and ran his fingers through his hair taking a breath "Because if they do end up exiling me, I just wanted to say… I wanted you to know…"

"Know what?" She asked.

At first he didn't say anything, the air was silent but tense between them, the halo of light coming out of the shades was dim but even in the darkness they could see each other. Taking a step toward her he took her hand and held it tight "I wanted you to know I don't regret our kiss."

Looking into her eyes she opened her mouth to say something "That I don't regret the feelings I have for you either, it's why I came back what- why I didn't run, I can't bare the thought of not being close to you Ahsoka, because I-" before he could finish Ahsoka grabbed his face kissed him. Eyes wide Leo leaned into her closing his eyes, to savior every second of it from the softness of their lips, the warmth, time almost felt still before they pulled away. Ashoka had her hand on his chest and he on her arms the two of them together in silence, the only sound was their hearts beating "Whoa…" Leo said, "yeah…" she said back looking up at him her eyes soft before they widened.

"… L-Leo your your eyes?"

"I told you I can't change it back I-" "Not that they're green."

Leo looked at the window reflection, the black of night was starting to turn into dawn and sure as night would become day his eyes were back to emerald green, the color in his face was back to but his hair, still white. "But my hair?"

"Who cares it's just hair." she said hugging him also hugged her back squeezing tightly "Oh stars you got to get back to your cell."

Leo nodded "I have to go." Leo walked to the door but she grabbed him from behind and turned him around kissing him one more time "For luck." She then pushed him out the door. Leo stood there outside the door and looked at it smiling and on the other end, Ahsoka was too. Making his way out of the padawan dorms he could see the sky colors changing through the windows but it wasn't dawn yet. He'd already risked one last chance maybe a second one wouldn't hurt.

The temple Guards were already scouring the temple for him, half the council had joined the search when Obi-Wan was in the upper levels looking when he stopped by a staircase leading to the outer training grounds. Sensing his presence Kenobi ran up the steps into the outer courtyard where Leo would often train and saw him sitting on the edge of the wall watching the sunrise. Slowly walking up behind him Leo one he was there but didn't look around "You didn't run?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I thought about it, but then I'd never be able to see this view again." Leo said getting up, when Obi-Wan saw his face back to normal he smiled.

"There he is." The Jedi Temple guards led by Cin and Adi came barreling out of the temple towards them, Leo held up his hands showing he had no intent to resist. "Take him back to his….. cell." Cin ordered he to seeing Leo's green eyes. Adi was speechless as Leo walked by her with the Temple Guard taking him back inside.

The three Masters stood there "How, the Jedi teachings say no one can come back from turning to the dark side?"

"Do they now?"

Adi, Cin, and Obi-Wan looked up to see The Dark Woman sitting in the courtyard tree "Did you do something we don't know about?" Adi asked her.

Dropping from the tree the Dark Woman stood there smug "Maybe, but you'll never know."

"How did you know he wouldn't run away?" Cin asked him.

The Dark Woman walked off the courtyard wall "I didn't, but you should know masters only guilty people run."

Later that day, Leo was walked down a long hallway with two Temple Guards escorting him to the trial, he made it to small room outside the trial hall and sat down on a bench. The Temple Guards stepped away near each entrance and watched him before Leo saw the door open. It was Anakin walking in "Leo."

"Gene- I mean, Anakin." He greeted.

The knight slowly walked over and sat down beside him arms resting on his knees, he looked argue force dampening cuffs on Leo's wrists. "Extra precaution." He said holding them up.

Anakin met his eyes and noticed Leo's eyes had returned back to green, his face was less pale and his eyes no longer dark "Your face, it's back to normal how?"

"I…" he started to blush not sure to tell Anakin or not "Found my way back to the light?"

Anakin let out a big sigh of relief and patted him on the shoulder, "I knew you'd find your way, this will help you I know it."

"Are you so sure, maybe the Council will finally expel me?" Leo asked.

Anakin frowned at him "Can't afford to think like that Leo."

"Whatever happens, I'm at peace with it." Leo said, this wasn't what Anakin was expecting he sat unsure of what he heard.

"You could be expelled from the Order Leo?"

Leo nodded "Maybe, but thank you."

"For what?" Anakin asked him, the ceiling above them started to open signaling the trial was about to begin "For being my brother."

As the ceiling opened the doors to the trial room opened again, Pong was escorted with double the Temple guards Leo had. Anakin glared at Pong and when Pong saw Leo's normal eyes he looked disgusted. "Pathetic, you could have had the dark side at your side and you turn your back on it."

Anakin stepped forward "Someone should really shut you up Krell and it think-" "This trial is called to order." The ceiling had opened all the way and the Temple guards pushed Krell onto a platform that rose up from the floor and surrounding him in small standing seats was the entire Jedi Council.

"Pong Krell." Master Yoda said over him "Stand accused you do, treason against the Republic, turned to the dark side you have how plead you?"

Pong stood up straight and said "Guilty."

The Jedi didn't react they just glowered down at him from on high "Turn your back on the Jedi way you have, why?"

"Because the Jedi are weak, lead by you fools who could have won this war three times over but you lacked the will." Pong professed proudly.

Windu spoke next "You don't deny any of your crimes. Do you even regret your actions as a Jedi-" "Oh enough already, enough of your inane speeches I do not recognize the authority of this Council, or any power you presume to have over me or any jedi, pass your sentence and be done with it." Krell barked up at the assembly.

The council members stood there quietly observing him "Very well, in light of the testament of your former padawan of your betrayal, Pong Krell you are hereby stripped of the your as Jedi Master, as a General in the Grand Army of the Republic and exiled from our order on the charges, the corruption of a padawan, committing acts in the name of the dark side and the deaths of countless innocent troopers, treason against the Republic, you will be given over to the Military courts to decide your fate. The sentence is death."

"Cowards, you already know the sentence but you're to afraid to pass it yourselves, just like the boy and that's why the Jedi are going to loose the war, afraid of your own power— I HAVE FORSEEN IT!" Krell shouted up at the Council as the platform lowered him down "YOU NAIVE FOOLS, ALL PF YOU WILL DIE DESTROYED BY A POWER YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT-" when Pong's platform hit the floor the Temple guards grabbed him pulling him back Ashe cursed the Jedi "THE REPUBLIC WILL FALL AND THIS SHRINE OF A TEMPLE TO YOUR PRIDE WILL BE YOUR TOMBS, DAMN YOU DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!" Krell shouted while being dragged out kicking and screaming he looked at Leo.

Leo watched with the other Jedi, "Leo Rock please step forward." Leo did as he was told walking onto the platform before it rose up to where along had been. "

"Padawan, we sense the darkness in you has become distant but even as it appears to have faded on the surface this Council must know what happened to bring you back to the light and we must decide if you are to remain in the order." Ki-Adi asked from up above. Leo looked at him with his green eyes and then Obi-Wan trying not to think of the kiss. Should he tell them? About how the two felt, how it was the reason he came back her touched her love, knowing then she'd be in the same boat as him or worse.

He hesitated to answer "We asked you a question, padawan?" Luminara asked

Leo snapped to attention "I… I…" he tried to think of the words "I surrendered."

"Surrender, explain?" Master Yoda asked him.

Leo gazed into the grand masters eyes "Masters, I've fought my entire life as short as it is, when I was a youngling Master Krell would drill me in combat every day, so when I fought him I used everything he taught me, everything I could to defeat him and lost myself to the dark side like he always wanted… but here, in this place my home I know I don't need to fight anymore, I was safe." Leo explained while the Masters listened.

"Here I am surrounded by all the things I didn't have with Pong, patience, kindness, respect, a master and friends I don't deserve who always see the best in me. Even when I can't, against that no dark power can win." Leo said smiling at the mere thought of the people in his life who've helped him become a better person.

The masters all shared different expressions, Obi-Wan turned his head down at his padawan, their eyes meeting and nodded. "Well said padawan." Master Plo said turning to the other council members "Pongs corruption was almost absolute, but I believe as long as Rock is as true to himself as he claims his allies to be he should remain in the order."

"Seconded." Master Adi Gallia said.

Master Yoda looked around the chamber "Opposed are any?" Everyone was waiting for Mace to say something. To object or argue against it as he often did but he kept his tongue still before the verdict came "Padawan Rock, overcome great hardship you have honored yourself and honored the Jedi teachings you have, ever wary a Jedi must've against the rp as of the dark side outside these walls and within himself. Remain a Jedi in the order you shall ,under Master Kenobi continue to walk the Jedi path you will, this trial is adjourned." Yoda said, waving his hand over Leo the handcuffs falling off his wrists, a weight was lifted off his shoulders as the platform lowered and to the floor before the lights turned off.

The ceiling closed above his head and also turned to Anakin, both smiling "So what do you want to do now that you're a free man?" Anakin asked.

Outside the trial chamber, Ahsoka and the other padawans waited outside for the verdict when both Anakin and Leo came out; they saw the lack of cuffs or Temple guards. "Yeah you guys are stuck with me."

"YAHOOOOO!" Jinx shouted running at him with O-Mir following him the two boys tackled Leo to the ground in a hug the only way boys could, the girls and Xebec coming up from behind smiling. O-Mir ruffled Leo's hair and Jinx through his arms round him as he hugged them both. Selene held her hand up and he grasped it firmly in a strong shake before he looked at Barriss and Xebec nodding.

"Who are you?" Leo asked.

"Tyzen, a friend." Ashoka said as she was the last to approach them. They each had a special look in their eyes.

Stepping to her he said "Knew I could count on you."

The two hugged "Now and always." She said before they separated.

"What are we waiting for? Let's celebrate!" Jinx patted him on the back and they all walked off together as friends, except Anakin who stayed behind watching the younger Jedi to be kids.

Elsewhere in the Temple, Mace was walking in the temple halls looking around when he saw the Dark Woman standing in front of an old Jedi shuttle, it had faded red paint and showed signs of worn damage and overhauled repair. The Dark Woman was standing in front of a stained glass window of a Jedi wearing long blue tunic and beige sleeves, the stained glass window Jedi had brown hair and fair skin with multiple colors around his . "He's staying isn't he?" She asked him not to turn around.

"He is, but you know he's a threat." Mace told her.

"Everyone's a threat Mace, it's how you respond that makes them threatening." She said turning around.

Mace was unsatisfied with the proverb "Oh lighten up already, yes I sensed the dark side attracted to the padawan but think for a second if you actually expelled him from the order?"

"Think for me more than Dark Woman?" Mace asked.

Groaning the Dark Woman tossed her holo pad on a crate "Very well say you got your way, Leo Rock is exiled, kicked out from the only people he's known to be 'his' people. Outside these walls the padawans know very little of the real galaxy than what's taught to them by us. So where does he go, who knows but the galaxy is a dangerous place and he's a trained force user what's to stop him from using what he's learned."

"We'd watch him, carefully." Windu assured her.

She scoffed "In the middle of a civil war, say you do but eventually you'll loose track and without the friends he has here that dark side will grow more and more friendly, I would say in less than a year he'd forge a new lightsaber and ."

"You're saying if we had exiled him we'd inadvertently create the very thing we're afraid he'll become." Mace said as the droid rolled up to them beeping to let her know the ship was ready.

She rolled her eyes "Pretty much."

"But as Jedi we must constantly be on guard." Mace said staunchly as she walked up the ship ramp.

"You do that Mace, but not the padawans, they're just kids, let them be young for a bit longer." The Dark Woman said walking away "And remember what we talked about, if you want to make sure he doesn't let that anger consume him, you have to do your part."

Mace hesitated to answer "And you're sure it will work?" He asked.

"Have I been wrong yet?'' she asked, "Teach him the seventh form of Mace." She said walking away without stopping "Will you agree to join the war effort?"

The dark woman laughed as her feet turned invisible "Not a chance." She waved him goodbye before she disappeared.

Beneath the temple, Pong was alone, he was held down by anti force shields on his knee in the Jedi temple lower levels awaiting transport to a republic facility where he'd be put to death. The door opened but Krell didn't even look up till he saw a pair of green boots in front of him, raising his head he saw Leo standing in front of him. He stood over Pong looking down at him "Come to gloat?" Pong asked.

"I let you live." Leo said.

"If you can call what remains life." Pong growled looking at the floor.

Leo tried his best to not get angry "Why?"

"Why what?" Pong asked.

"Why did you train me, if you hated me so much?" Leo asked him.

Pong held his head up "I never had a choice, you were forced on me by the Council."

Leo glared down at him "Then why keep me, why didn't you just drop me at an orphanage or sell me to slavers if you hated me that much."

Not saying a word Leo didn't figure he'd get an answer, part of him didn't care "Fine, die with it because finally I'm free of you, whatever part of you that's in me is gone, and the rest will die with you soon enough." Leo said, turning around to leave.

He opened the door and outside Obi-Wan was waiting before Pong said "As long as you call yourself a jedi, I am part of you."