Aayla was one of the first visitors, coming to see me with a sad expression as I rose to stand and greet her. "Do not feel sad, Aayla. This was the only way."
"You are admitting guilt for a crime you did not commit to save a padawan who is on the run." She told me with a strong tone, the voice cutting sharply as I exhaled. "Always you have been calm and dignified, able to keep your emotions and feelings controlled and in balance, but for Ahsoka Tano, you may be throwing away your life."
"I do not see it as a sacrifice. The Force will decide what is to be done with me. If I am to die, then I shall die, but if it wills me to live, then it will find a way to prove both mine and Ahsoka's innocence." In frustration, Aayla reminded me that I had confessed to the crime, which meant that there was very little chance that unless there was overwhelming evidence to contradict my words, I would be tried for treason against the Republic. "Then we had better the hope that the Force will provide that overwhelming evidence." Making a face, Aayla came towards me in order to draw me into an embrace, the both of us holding one another.
"You must know that not everything you say makes sense. There is great debate on your confession, it is not understood why you would choose to kill the clones and free Ahsoka Tano instead of admitting yourself sooner in order to secure her release." Nodding my head, I was already beginning to think of ways to smooth out such errors. "And the evidence is purely circumstantial. There is very little to go on, but I fear the Senate will condemn you regardless, along with the padawan once she is captured." Aayla warned me so I sat down once more in order to process these past few days.
"Tumultuous are these times. To be so set against one another, with no trust to comfort ourselves." It was a depressing thought, though Aayla comforted me that not everyone had forsaken me, and that with some luck, Anakin and Master Plo will be able to find Ahsoka and discover the truth behind everything. Hope was something in short supply as of now, so I did not cling to it too dearly. When Anakin finally did find Ahsoka, her situation was only made worse when she was caught in the presence of nano-droid technology, only further incriminating her in the case as she was brought to be held also, though I was not allowed to see her. Instead I reached through the Force, and upon touching her presence, I murmured her name softly with all the warmth and reassurance I could muster, hoping that she would know that she was not alone.
It was not long before the Senate demanded that we both be handed over to them to stand trial for the accused crimes, but upon learning that the Jedi Council had voted to cast out Ahsoka, stripping her of her rank and Padawan status, I could only feel hurt, betrayal and anger towards them. This Council made a mockery of the Jedi Order, and deep down it made me feel that I wish I had made the statement that they were wrong to be in this war, as it had only made every subsequent decision by them all the worse. It took masterful focus and meditation to keep myself from revealing these dark thoughts, and maintaining calm as Ahsoka and I were brought together in the same prison cell under guard of the Republic.
"Theca!"
"Little 'Soka." I breathed with relief as I was forced into the cell, rushing down in order to meet her as our arms jumped to encircle one another. "I am so sorry, little one. I tried to protect you, but our situation does not look good. They are determined to blame someone for this mess, and it appears you and I are the ones chosen to take the fall."
"Master Theca, you shouldn't have incriminated yourself by confessing to something you didn't do! Why would you do something like this? If you knew I was innocent, then why not just let me prove it?" Ahsoka demanded emotionally, looking at me with fear for the consequences of my actions so I smiled to her softly, taking the crown of her head in my hands in order to tenderly draw her nearer and place a kiss upon it.
"Because I trusted you to find that truth, and clear us both of the accusations. It is not your fault you were betrayed, Ahsoka, I just hoped that by taking the blame on myself, the Council would see your innocence in the matter. I foolishly believed that they would choose the right path, but I fear they are so altered, they would not know the truth even if it were to stand directly before them." Running my hand down her face to smooth away her tension, I had her sit down beside me and placed my arm around her, bringing my hand to rest against her crown as she brought her head to my shoulder. "We must put our faith in our allies now. Your master, my close friends, they will not see us delivered injustice."
"This is all my fault, if only I hadn't got caught, I could have found out the truth by now. You've been expelled from the Order too, you sacrificed everything for me. Your life, your position, you've thrown away everything. How am I supposed to repay you for something like that?"
"You are worth it, Ahsoka. I would do anything for you." I told her honestly before hushing her gently, stroking her head before beginning to sing as she settled against me. I sang the song I used to sing to her as an infant, and all the way growing through her youngling years. It was the only song I remembered from Pantora, one that had been sung to me and had somehow kept deep in my memory. It was an old song, one of the oldest of my culture, and sang in the language my people used to speak many eons ago. It was soft and lulling, meant to hush a child to sleep and bless them with pleasant dreams for the night. It was something that proved mine and Ahsoka's closeness which went beyond a former tutor and aspiring Jedi.
After the song ended we stayed grouped together in quiet solitude, awaiting our fate until Anakin arrived with Padmé, entering our shared cell together. "Padmé has agreed to represent you both before the Senate." He informed us as I moved to stand, giving the senator a grateful nod as she spoke.
"I will do everything I can to prove your innocence."
"I am almost certain that the person behind this is Ventress, and you know I wasn't working with her. She was at the warehouse, in the room. We fought, but she got away. Didn't any of the clones see anything?" Ahsoka questioned desperately but Anakin was unable to deliver good news, as none of the clones reported witnessing Ventress at the scene, before Anakin then questioned, believing that Ahsoka had said that Ventress had left before she had entered the warehouse. "That's what I thought too, but then she attacked me when I got inside. I'd know her red lightsabers anywhere."
"Well if that's our only lead, then I know what I have to do." Anakin decided swiftly, turning in order to leave though Padmé insisted that he couldn't leave Ahsoka at a time like this. "Yes, I can. I have to find Ventress and get to the bottom of this."
"Be mindful, Anakin." I advised him, lifting my hand to signal that he should hold for a moment. "I do not believe that everything is as it seems. As much as it may appear to be Ventress masterminding this scheme, I suspect that the root is far deeper than the surface. Anyone can wield another's lightsaber, or implicate another in their bid to remain undiscovered, as we have seen with Ahsoka. Trust your instincts, and do not be so hasty with your temper. Anger will not solve this mystery." I guided him, giving the best assistance I could as I was helpless to do otherwise. "I wish you luck. At the very least, the truth shall clear Ahsoka's name." Taking in my words, Anakin nodded curtly before leaving, leaving Padmé to approach us sympathetically.
"Until we hear from Anakin, let's work on your defences."
"Forgive me if I'm not optimistic." Ahsoka sighed softly as I placed my hands behind my back and stood to the side, observing the two of them quietly. "I thought I was part of that Order, but everyone except Anakin and Theca has abandoned me. Abandoned us." She gestured towards me and herself as I agreed silently, casting my eyes to the floor. "I'm not holding out much hope the Senate will treat me any better."
"The Senate will give you justice, you have my word. The evidence against you is mostly circumstantial and seeing as Master Theca has…claimed…the more serious crimes as her own, then we should be able to get you free, Ahsoka. It is your case which is more troubling." Padmé said to me, lifting her hand in gesture. "Having confessed willingly, the trial is more a formality than anything in order to decide your punishment. Unfortunately, the consequences could be severe, if the opposition push for the maximum punishment…" Quickly sending Padmé a look and shaking my head, I silenced her from revealing what could happen to me should I be made guilty of the crimes.
"What? What's the maximum punishment?" Ahsoka demanded quickly so I waved a hand.
"Lifelong imprisonment. It wouldn't be so bad, little 'Soka. At the very least, I will be able to have a long rest. Come, we should begin making preparations. We have a defence to build." Gathering the both of them together, Padmé began her work in discussing exactly what had happened, gathering our statements though for the most part I was silent as I had no intention of retracting my confession until I could be certain that Ahsoka would walk free. I could tell that she was anxious, but she held it together well, and when the time came for us to appear before the high court of the Senate, we stood together side by side, our restraints being administered to our wrists before being walked out of the cell. "Do not worry, little 'Soka. I shall not allow anyone to hurt you. You will be free by the end of the day."
"What about you?" She worried, so as we entered the lift, I smiled and reached over in order to press my forehead against hers, gazing into her large blue eyes.
"Wherever you go, so shall I be."