Chapter 28
The Jedi Who Knew To Much
CORUSCANT
The Dancing Rancor
"To the 703rd the Republic's newest, toughest, fiercest Legion!" Jax shouted holding up a cup of dark liquid as the recently returned battalion held up their glasses to join him in the toast "TO THE 703RD!" The clones all said in their black and white armor all cheering. They clones had gathered in one of the many cantinas on Coruscant for some reprieve to celebrate their victory over the Separatists on Rendili. Jax was on a table surrounded by his brothers but before they could drink he held his cup "To General Rock who led us to victory!"
"GENERAL ROCK!" The clones all shouted even, Dogma and Alpha were there but sitting at the bar watching them celebrate "Look at him, shiney's finally their armor dirty ready to take on the galaxy." Alpha said holding a bottle as other clones watched them. The bar was filled with other clones in different armor, some just white others with blue and green stripes, even a few of the Coruscant Guard.
Jax held up his cup again "And last but not least… to our brothers who aren't here." Jax said raising his cup one last time, pouring some of it out others of the 703rd followed him pouring out their drinks "But they wouldn't want us to mope around, so let's drink!" Jax said hearing a resounding cheer as the clones toasted to the night downing their shots.
"That Jax is an optimistic one." Dogma said.
"Takes after you Dogma." Alpha replied sipping his bottle while Dogma turned back around "Hope he doesn't."
"You're still not over what happened on Umbara are you?" Alpha asked him.
"No not that, I'm just worried that is about General Rock, you heard what happened at the Jedi Temple, six Jedi dead." Dogma said.
Alpha sighed "Hmm lot of died already don't worry, General Rock will be fine." Alpha said, taking another bottle. Behind them Jax and his brothers were all toasting again talking and laughing, some were showing off some new scars. Others were gathered around a twi'lek woman covered in tattoos who was doing one of the clones up with ink on his forehead the others laughing as he had a skull tattooed on his cheek.
Some of the 703rd who had to much started to wobble over to a jukebox in the corner before he tripped landing on a table with red armored clone troopers. The table flopped their drinks all over them making the clones furious "Watch it you grunt!" One of them shouted.
The drunken clone got up "Oh uh… sorry brothers I…" the drunkard saw their red armor all stained with pink alcohol and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Something funny shiny?" The Shock Trooper asked him as his two fellow shockers grabbed him.
"Hey, hey- I'm only fooling." The drunk clone said when Jax saw the shock troopers holding their brother.
Dogma grabbed Alpha by the shoulder "Who are they?" Dogma asked.
Jax turned back "Hmm Coruscant Guard, Shock troopers, they mostly handle protests and riots here on Coruscant."
Jax downed another shot before walking over "Hey turn'em loose it was an accident." Jax snapped with other black armored clones joining him with nasty looks. Even though they were all the same face they had different battalions. The Shock troopers turned, letting go the drunkard and focusing on Jax, the lead one smirking.
"Hmm so this is the 703rd, a bunch of shiney's with too much lip?" He said.
Jax crossed his arms scoffing "Huh, and let me guess red armor, boos never been of Coruscant or Kamino ah the cushy Coruscant Guard, must be nice getting to beat up civilians every day?" Jax snapped.
"Watch it rookie, you're on our turf." The shock trooper said, behind him a few more tables of Shocktroopers got up to join him in a fight looking like it was inevitable. Jax gritted his teeth "The way I see it, copper is that we just saved you form being a real soldier and your turf from a million battle droids so why don't you buy us all a round?" Jax said, smirking the 703rd laughing. The shock trooper didn't take kindly to that, and got ready to strike drawing his fist back before suddenly Alpha appeared grabbing the troopers arm "Enough." He told the Shock trooper.
The Arc Trooper starred daggers into the shock trooper making him lower his arm "Yes sir." He said coldly back to Alpha.
Dogma came up next "All of you back up now." Dogma ordered.
Jax and his brothers started to return to their side of the bar after the Coruscant Guard let go of the drunk clone who Dogma escorted back to their lines. When they were gone Alpha focused back on the Shock Troopers. They glared up at the veteran clone who crossed his arms "Go." Reluctantly the Shock Troopers obeyed leaving the bar.
JEDI TEMPLE, the Following Day
Leo's Quarters
Leo lay in his bed, tossing and turning in his bed, the force was a great gift to many but some gifts can be curses, some dreams can become nightmares.
First there was darkness, then the sound of footsteps echoing on the stone floor, a long pair of feet walked down the hallway.
"You have no idea what you've unleashed."
"All this will bring is death and destruction."
"There's no turning back, only forward."
Then like the ignition of a rocket, a lightsaber was drawn scraping across the wall melting the rock leaving a scar of lava as it walked. The lightsaber was white as the stars with two smaller blades spouting out the sides for a cross guard. But then the lightsabers color changed it went from blue, to red, to green, gold, orange, purple, every changing form ever evolving.
"The light, the dark, you've twisted them."
"How can you do this, to us, to your family!"
"It's not to late, you can still stop this madness"
The arm holding it was armored, the rest of the wielder's body covered hidden under the protective metal. A dark cape flowed behind them as they walked out of the stone, Starfighter flew past him as frigates and freighters soared around like a murderer of crows.
"IS THIS WHAT WANTED!"
"YOU WERE MY BROTHER!"
"THIS IS NOT THE JEDI WAY!"
Forcewieilder felt the sun shine down on him, he was covered in the blood of his enemies and friends, burn marks were still blackened on his armor and the lightsaber he held was raised to the sky to hear a roar of countless cries.
"No, but it is my way."
Before the force wielder was an army, their army's great and powerful it was, machines of war were gathered around a host of a thousand worlds. Trandoshans, Twi'leks, humans, Mandalorians, Rodians, species no one had ever seen. Among them great beasts and animals were mounted by the soldiers, dragoon's on the back of massive wolves. Felucian warriors with ropes tied around the mouths of rancor. Surrounding the army was a sea of fallen cruisers and piles of white armored troopers piled high. The victorious army holding their helmets and weapons above their heads to humiliate the dead. Then a massive warship the make and model never beheld to the eye flew over the force wielders when they raised their lightsaber to the sky and the army welcomed it beginning to chant.
"...Long…."
"...Live…."
"...The King…."
Leo awoke from his dream in a cold sweat, he kicked off his blanket to rub his forehead the vision of the mysterious king, one he hadn't had since his time as Dooku's apprentice when he laid siege to Dathomir. It had returned, what had she said to him something about the future, he could barely remember it. There was so much anger, so much darkness it all felt foggy hazy.
A knock came on his door "Sir Rock, the ceremony is about to begin." The voice of the temple guard came through the door and Leo looked over to see his robe and lightsaber already folded ready to be worn.
Later, the Jedi had gathered in one of their temples most sacred halls to commemorate the dead, Leo, Ahsoka and Anakin many other Jedi and even some non-Jedi stood in silence in the Temple Pyre room as Yoda gave a eulogy to the six fallen Jedi laying on stone beds. This hall was larger than the others, with steps and spots for the mourners to gather, a sea of brown hooded robes surrounded the main floor where Master Yod stood in front of the dead.
"One with the Force, they are and our job is to remember that we will, in time, also pass on." Yoda eulogiesed as Leo scanned the crowd of mourners. Among the non jedi were Admiral Tarkin, Senators Amidalla, Organa, Chuchi and others. Among the Jedi even under their hoods Leo could see Jynx and O-Mer across from him. It wasn't hard given that Jynx had his lekku and O-mer his large cerean forehead sticking up next to Master Mundi.
"Luminous beings are we, but temporary vessels, our bodies are and we shall all find ourselves here in time a moment of silence, I ask, to remember and to move on." Yoda said.
"You were close to one of them?" Ahsoka asked Barriss who stood beside Ahsoka.
"Tutso Mara we trained together he taught me how to hold a lightsaber correctly." their friend replied sadly.
"Well... if you need anything I'm here for you." Ahsoka said to her longtime friend with a gentle smile.
Leo said nothing, he only listened "Thank you Ahsoka." she said, looking like she felt a bit better.
"Live for the living Jedi, we must. Live through us, forever they will." the Grand Master spoke solemnly before tapping his cane on the ground. The six were lowered into the floor before closing off as beams of light shone towards the ceiling, signaling their journey to becoming one with the force had finally come to an end. All the Jedi bowed their heads as did the others who'd come to pay their respects before others began to depart leaving the funeral procession. Leo watched them all go except for Master Yoda who stood silently in front of the six beams of light. After the funeral Leo had caught up with, Ahsoka and Anakin along with Tarkin and Barris walked out of the Pyre room together and through the hallway. "So what happens to Letta now?" Ahsoka asked her Master, but Tarkin answered
"The bomber has been moved." Tarkin replied.
"Moved? Where? Why should she be moved?" Ahsoka asked the Admiral.
"The Republic military has taken her into custody." he replied cooly.
"But why? This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?" she asked.
"Clones were killed, which makes this terrorist attack a military matter; an attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate." he explained. "Admiral Tarkin is right." Anakin said, reluctantly agreeing with the Admiral and much to Ahsoka's surprise.
"Letta isn't a Jedi. It's not for us to be a judge and jury over a citizen of the Republic." Anakin said before Ahsoka ahead and stopped them from continuing forward.
"If Letta's guilty, she's guilty, and she should be dealt with." she replied coldly looking to Tarkin.
"Calm down, Ahsoka. Remember, revenge is not the Jedi way." Anakin reminded gently.
Leo crossed his arms under his robe thinking to himself "Something to say General Rock?" Tarkin asked.
"You should know, when we apprehended her Letta alluded things were in motion we couldn't understand, she could be working with others and not alone, the Jedi and the Senate have made many enemies." Leo told him.
Tarkin cocked his brow "You would know all about being an enemy of the Jedi and the Senate?"
"My time with the Separatists has given me foresight Admiral, knowing where one's adversary is their weakest is paramount to victory isn't it?" Leo asked Tarkin "For example, pride and vanity are a great weakness." Leo said looking at the other Jedi watching them go.
"Are you referring to the Jedi, the Senate?" Barriss asked him. Leo glowered down at the floor "The Republic has stood for a thousand years, so have the Jedi, we've rested in our cradle of power, on our laurels how can we not see people like Letta to begin to hate and fear us when peacekeepers are turned into warriors." Leo asked him.
Anakin shook his head "You're overthinking it Leo, Letta acted alone."
"The evidence seems clear, Ahsoka. Nothing will ever change." the Mirialan Jedi said before Tarkin took a few steps forward. "The Chancellor feels very strongly that the Jedi be removed from as many military matters as possible." he said pressing a button to summon the elevator in front of him before turning back to face them.
"You yourselves said that you're peacekeepers, not soldiers." Tarkin said to the. Ahsoka gave Tarkin a disgusted look that matched Leo's own ire "I hope Chancellor Palpatine knows what he's doing." Ahsoka said, glaring at the admiral.
The elevator began to rise with Tarkin smiling at her "I assure you that he rarely does anything without a strategy." Tarkin replied smugly as the elevator dinged and he entered it.
"I have many things to attend to, Master. Good day." Barriss bid them before walking away. "Go. Be with your friend." Anakin said, gesturing to Barriss with a nod.
The Togruta nodded before catching up to her friend as Leo looked at the two girls in front of him then to Anakin. He entered the elevator with Tarkin "Coming?" Anakin asked him.
"No, I have to see something." Leo said when he saw O-Mer and Jynx down the hallway.
Anakin nodded "Of course." He said before Leo walked away.
"In ways, they are both still very young." Anakin said, sounding a bit exhausted. "Indeed." Tarkin agreed. as the elevator closed.
Leo approached both O-Mer and Jynx still wearing their baggy robes "Sir Rock." O-Mer said bowing respectively "Don't you start, it'll inflate his ego."
"Jynx, how I missed your sunny disposition." Leo said, smirking as Jynxi gave a wink and a smile "We heard about your victory on Rendili, how Tarkin was given the credit but you led the counter attack." O-mer said in praise.
Jynx just rolled his eyes when O-Mer added "They're calling the battle the Valley of Death."
"O-Mer is calling it that, he's even writing a poem, what was it droid to the left of them, droid to the right of them, into the Valley of Death charged the-" O-mer hit Jynx on the arm cutting him off "Shut up you jerk." O-Mer said blushing.
Leo snorted out a smirk "You never told me you wrote poetry O-Mer?"
"Just a hobby really, I'm not very good." O-Mer said sheepishly.
"No one ever starts out good at something, even prodigies, it's good to to focus on such hobbies?" Leo said back to him taking his friend's shoulder in his hand.
O-Mer smiled at him, while Jynx smirked rolling his eyes "How are you two holding up?" Leo asked them.
Jynx just shrugged and scoffed cold as usual "Truth is we'd been away from the temple so long, neither of us knew the Jedi in the bombing, not like Barriss that is, poor girl."
"Then we should go see her, let her know we're here for her." Leo suggested, O-Mer nodded and Jynx thought it over his tucked in lip thinking it was a good idea "I saw them going to the lunch hall, shall we?" Jynx asked, holding up his hand.
Meanwhile Ahsoka had caught up with Barriss down the hallway "Company?" Ahsoka asked her.
"Sure." Barriss replied softly.
The two girls walked together in silence for a few moments "Every time I think about this, I feel conflicted." Ahsoka said confiding in her grieving friend "It's hard not to let feelings turn into attachments and pain." Ahsoka said thinking back to the funeral, imagining if it could have been her Master there, Barriss, Obi-Wan or even Leo.
Barriss listened to her "Ahsoka, have you ever wondered if it was right to ignore our emotions?"
Ahsoka's mind flashed back to the evening before today, when Leo and Ahsoka kissed embracing their emotions, she could steel feel his lips on hers. Her heart racing the rush of adrenaline, the feeling of freedom letting it out into that kiss "Ahsoka?" Barriss asked again.
"... my Master would say 'Our struggle as Jedi are to move past them'." She said quoting Anakin's own teachings to her. Barriss looked forward to walking alongside her before she spoke up.
Eyes straight the miralian girl said "You make it sound easy?"
"No it isn't easy trust me… like when we're stuck inside the tank at the battle of Geonosis, it was hard not to be afraid." Ahsoka said walking past some Younglings being escorted by a training droid. "Still you and I got past it, and I guess we'll get past this." Ahsoka said smiling at Barriss warmly, trying to let the girl know her friend was.
"What about Leo?" Barriss asked.
Ahsoka felt her cheeks flush her white tattoo marks almost disappearing "W-what about him?" She stuttered "Leo was there too on Geonosis, I still remember what he said inside the tanks."
"How when he was afraid he let go, focused on his lightsaber on what he needed to do to survive do you think he still thinks that?" Barriss asked her.
Ahsoka flustered avoiding her gaze "I… I don't know, ever since Leo's redemption he and I we…" Ahsoka couldn't hide her smile "We're doing fine, but what he believes in is complicated you'd do better asking him yourself."
"Asking me what?" Leo said as he and the other boys appeared behind Barriss and Ahsoka.
The girls turned around to see them standing there "Jynx, O-Mer?" Barriss said seeing them.
"Barriss, we wanted to come check in on you." O-Mer said walking up and taking her hand in his own "Do you need to talk?"
Barriss looked away from the cerean warm brown eyes smiling "No, thank you, Ahsoka has done the job."
"See she's fine." Jynx said throwing his arm around O-Mer "You worry too much O-Mer." He said before pushing O-Mer down and giving the cerean a twi'lek noogy. The padawan quickly shoved him off "And you don't worry enough my friend." He said fixing his top knot that Jynx had pushed out of place.
Barriss giggled "It's been so long since we've all been here together, in one place." She said everyone smiling at that seeing the clouds over her head disappear.
The calm silence lingered for a good time before Barriss spoke again "Perhaps you could all join me in the Hall of a Thousand fountains, I was going to meditate and I would enjoy the company?" She asked.
"Isn't the point of meditating to detach oneself?" Jynx asked but O-Mer returned the twi'leks knuckle attack with a elbow to the ribs "What he means is we'd love to."
"Ahsoka, Leo?" Barriss asked looking to them "Lead the way." Ahsoka said smiling.
In a few minutes the padawans and Leo entered the great Hall of a Thousand fountains, the grand garden green house was filled with plants and vines, the large pond with waterfalls flowing down into each of the smaller pools around it gave a rushing and relaxing sound to all who heard it. But when the padawans arrived they saw the hall had already been taken by another party of young jedi. The younglings of the crucible were gathered around by the pond in some sort of contest "What's this?" O-Mer asked.
"Ugh, I hate Younglings." Jinx said seeing them.
The padawans approached to see the youngling clan of Ganodi, Katooni, Byph and Gungi were looking at both Zatt and Petro who were balancing on their hands upside down using the force to lift some rocks around them "H-How many?" Zatt eyes closed, asked with three stones around him and four around Petro.
"Petro's in the lead." Katooni said.
"N-not for… for long." Zatt said shifting to one hand and lifting up two stones with his free hand holding himself up with the other.
The other younglings cheered and clapped "Interesting training method?" Barriss said. Katooni spun around her face lighting up "Padawan Tano." She said with glee.
"Katooni, what is this?" Ahsoka asked.
The tholothian looked back at the two boys then at the torgurtan "Oh uh… Petro wagered he could stand on his hands longer then Zatt, so Zatt doubled down saying he could lift more rocks with the force and then they started arguing now whoever loses has to do the other one's laundry for… a week?" She asked Gungi who gave a cheerful bark back.
"Oh two weeks." Katooni said holding up two fingers.
Petro looked over at Zatt and saw he was in the lead, moving to one hand the crowd of young jedi expected Petro to grab more stones with the force when instead he lifted up one of the flowers with the force and moved it over to Zatt's green nose. The green skinned nautolan felt the pollen enter his nostrils and shook his head before he sneezed so hard he fell back into the beach alongside the pond all the stones falling to the floor.
Letting out a triumphant laugh Petro rolled back onto his feet "Looks like I win."
"Cheater!" Zatt said getting up and rushing to tackle Petro.
"I didn't cheat, you never said we couldn't try to knock down the other." Petro said, throwing him off him "That's just cheating anyway!" Zatt snapped.
The padawans all laughed at their squabbling mostly among Jynx and O-Mer, "Shouldn't we stop them?" Ahsoka asked Leo "Really, it's so entertaining." Leo said before they heard Petro yelp. Zatt had torn up some of the grass of the garden throwing dirt in his face, Petro responded with a sudden force push flinging Zatt all the way into the water.
"Youngling!" Barriss snapped suddenly rushing in.
Petro got to his feet "What, he's a nautolon he's fine down there." Petro said running to the edge of the water "Come out Zatt I'm not done with you yet."
"Even so, you should never use the force in anger." Ahsoka said, walking up behind them. Before Petro could apologize, Zatt popped his head out of the water and squirted a stream of water out his mouth at the back of Petros head making the other younglings giggle. "Alright that does it." Petro said.
"Petro-'' before she could stop him Leo grabbed her shoulder "Hold on, this could be interesting?" Leo said watching with eager eyes.
The younglings and padawans wathced Petro hold his hand out and focus on the water, it started to churn and bubble and soon a large glob of water appeared floating out of the water above it and inside like a fish in a bowl was Zatt stumbling around inside "Look what I caught." Petro stammered his hand shaking.
Zatt locked his eyes like daggers into Petro and through the water he said "-Catch this-" the jedi watched Zatt draw back his own hand and grab a piece of the water he was in with the force. An orb of water flew out directly at Petro who ducked. The water soared over him and hit Leo right in the face soaking his white hair and shoulders in water. Everyone froze at the Jedi Knight getting splashed in the face with water by a youngling even though it was an accident.
"Now you did it." Petro said as Zatt stood there in the water having been dropped by Petro.
Leo wiped his face clean of the water and looked at Zatt and Petro standing their sheepish hands behind their backs. Ahsoka couldn't hold it, she snorted out of her nose before bursting out into laughter. Both O-Mer and Jynx followed her, then Barriss and then even Leo laughed as he grabbed an orb of water out of the lake and threw it at Jynx splashing him.
Jynx's smile faded but O-Mer's just grew louder "You think that's funny?"
"No I think it's hilarious, you always were a wet bag." O-Mer said before he felt Jynx use the force throw some water at him.
Next were the younglings, Zatt grabbed more water and threw it at Petro who tossed water back, but Zatt dodged and it hit Katooni. The rodian ganodi was splashed next by Gungi and then the water flew around the younglings in all directions, Byph had even summoned up a small pool of water over his head and was chasing Gungi with it. Before Ahsoka pressed her fingers to her lips whistling to get their attention like a school gym teacher calling class to order.
"Alright that's enough." Everyone looked at one another then looked at Ahsoka with malicious smiles and Ahsoka the only one dry besides Barriss started to back up "Oh no, don't even think about it." She said before she felt like someone poured a bucket of water right on top of her.
Ahsoka turned around to see Barriss hand raised and laughing, she had suck punches or in this case sucker drenched Ahsoka in the water. "Okay you wanna play dirty." Ashoka said summoning up some water of her own from the pond with the force and threw it at the still laughing Barriss soaking her blue cowl with water.
The duel of water erupted into a full scale battle of padawans versus younglings hurling the force water balloons at one another splashing and playful screaming erupted across the garden annoying every jedi who came there to meditate in peace. Leo was by the pond throwing water at everyone left and right making a small geyser of water rise before flinging it at O-Mer who through water back at him with the force, Leo dodged but Ahsoka took it against her back shivering at the feeling it brought over her bare skin.
Turning around she locked onto Leo like she was in her Starfighter and ran up pushing him back into the pond. Leo reached and grabbed her hand pulling her along with him. The two of them fell into the water with a great splash and sunk beneath it, even though they didn't have goggles or helmets the two of them were close enough to see the both of them were smiling.
It was as if the terrible tragedy at the temple had never occurred, that they were just young kids playing again like they used to. Only they weren't kids anymore, and they didn't feel the same way anymore, deep under the water and running out of air they decided to share. Ahsoka grabbe Leo's white hair and pulled him into a smiling kiss under the water spinning around in it.
Up above the water fight had come to a pause "They've been under their a long time?" Katooni asked, washing out her sleeve of water.
Both Leo and Ahsoka resurfaced then gasping for air "They live again." O-Mer said holding his hands up "Praise the force."
"Oh shut it." Jynx said, taking off his tunic and ringing it free of water.
Out of breath, and mostly winded, their younglings and padawans sat on the ponds beach letting the sun through the greenhouse warm them. Ahsoka approached Barriss who was sitting down on one of the benches ringing out her head dress before using her hand to take the more stubborn peace's of water out of it and dropping them into the grass before putting it back on.
"I sense your feeling better?" Ahsoka asked sitting next to ear.
Barriss looked back with a sincere smile "You've always been able to see things clearly."
"Guess I fooled you like everyone else." Ahsoka said when her comlink beeped.
"Ahsoka come in." Anakin contacted Ahsoka as hologram of Obi-Wan stood in the middle of the holotable in the War Room. "Yes, Master." she said. "Ahsoka, we're needed in the War Room. It appears the Separatists have mounted another attack." he explained.
Leo overheard it while he was speaking with Zatt and Petro.
"Coming, Master." she replied before cutting off she said before turning to Barriss."
"Look I have to believe that one way or another, that this woman is going to pay for what she did and we'll move on, together Barriss." Ahsoka said getting up.
"You shouldn't keep your Master waiting." Barriss insisted bowing to Ahsoka so she could go.
Leo looked to the younglings "I should go too." He said with Barriss noticing Leo quickly following her.
A few minutes later and after a quick change to dry clothes, Ahsoka ran into the room before Obi-Wan started to speak. "We've uncovered Separatist plan of attack. We shall travel to the Anoat system here, then move across to Saleucami." Leo and Anakin's former master said, pointing to one planet than the other. The War room was circular in design around a large holotable that Obi-Wan's hologram was standing on. Screens and monitors surrounded it on the walls with doorways leading out into the rest of the temple.
"So far out of our way?" Windu asked. "Unfortunately, we must avoid these neutral systems." Obi-Wan replied, gesturing to a small group of planets before a hologram of Tarkin suddenly appeared.
"Excuse me, Master Jedi." he said, apologizing for the intrusion.
"Yes, Admiral." Windu replied, gesturing for him to continue as the Admiral turned his attention towards Ahsoka.
"Commander Tano, your presence is requested by prisoner Letta Turmond." the Admiral informed her. "The prisoner from the hanger bombing?" she asked, sounding a bit surprised. "Why is she asking for Ahsoka?" Anakin asked. "Not exactly sure. But Commander Tano is the only person the prisoner will speak to." the Admiral replied. "I'll report back with whatever I find out." Ahsoka said to the Council before leaving.
Leo watched her go then returned to the meeting, but his thoughts were taking him elsewhere; he still couldn't shake the vision, the roaring army chanting, crying out in joy at the sight of their leader at their king.
Anakin took note of Leo's distracting state "You alright?" Anakin whispered to him.
"I… I had another vision this morning, it's troubling." Leo said.
Anakin looked back at the other Masters too busy listening to Obi-Wan to notice the two knights speaking in secret "About Your family?"
"No, I think it may be connected to what's been happening at the Temple." Leo said in a hushed tone back to him.
Anakin crossed his arms and looked to Master Yoda, "You should speak with Master Yoda, he's much better at helping interpret these visions he helped Ahsoka when she had visions of an assassin threatening Senator Amidalla."
"Anakin, Leo am I boring you?" Obi-Wans hologram asked up on the table.
Anakin and Leo looked at one another quickly thinking the same thing "Systems away and he's still scolding us." Anakin grumbled "No Master please continue."
After the war meeting was finished, the Masters went their separate ways, Leo following Master Yoda to his meditation chamber high above the rest of the temple pressing the alert button on the door. It woodshed open and Leo saw Master Yoda sitting there in meditation, the blinds drawn with rows of light coming in through slits stacked on top of one another. "Leo Rock, brings you here what does?" Master Yoda asked slowly, turning around on his seat.
The seats were flat and cushioned with metal around the rim, Leo bowed in respect before him "Apologizes for the interrupting Master, but… I seek your guidance. I have had a vision, one that I had when I was..." Leo trailed off.
"When an apprentice of Count Dooku you were?" Master Yoda asked him.
Leo nodded at him, Yoda held up a claw ushering Leo to take a seat across from him, the green robed Jedi did so sitting across from Master Yoda.
"This vision you have, to me describe it?" Master Yoda asked him.
"They are strange Masters, ever changing… but remain the same; they are of war, suffering, death and sovereign."
Master Yoda's ears perked up "Say you sovereign?"
Leo looked at him intently leaning in "The first vision came to me during a… task Count Dooku sent me to, we were attacking other dark force wielders the Witches of Dathomir, in the final assault a witch cast a spell on me I had almost forgotten it there was so much anger, so much death that day…" Leo said, shaking his head back and forth.
"Yourself calm you must be, powerful the lies of the dark side are but again haunted by this vision you are?" Master Yoda asked him again and again Leo confirmed it with a slight nod.
Yoda waited for him to say more "They are of a great army, calling, rallying to a King."
Master Yoda scratched his chin "In greater detail, continue?"
Leo closed his eyes recalling the visions "There's a battlefield, clone troopers piled in mountains of corpses…. an army unlike any other gathered to defeat them, not droids but men, beasts and more a Jedi leads them, a Jedi they call King" Leo said coldly.
Master Yoda's eyes glared at the word Jedi and King "A Jedi King, never has there been?" Master Yoda said adamantly.
"In what you see, this warrior leading the army you are?" Master Yoda guessed.
The knight's eye cracked open snapping to Yoda "No." he said firmly to Leo.
Inside him Leo felt something, something he had felt on Mortis when he faced the celestial, the terror of his first vision of Primus who turned out to be him. "How… how is that possible?" Leo asked.
Master Yoda hummed to himself "Great influence I sense you have in the Republic, lead, follow others will. Know this the Council does."
"Me, a leader?" Leo asked confused "I am General yes, but only by merit of rank I have no desire to lead a great army." Leo said, shaking his head, looking at his boots "I would never take up arms against the Republic, against the Jedi you said it yourself there's never been a Jedi King."
Master Yoda Scratched his chin deep in thought "Ever changing the future is, know not it's true course do any."
Leo looked up to him "Then why do I see these visions?" Leo asked.
"Connected to the attack on the temple you believe orchestrated these attacks you think this 'Jedi King'?" Yoda asked him.
Turning his head back and forth "No, we would have sensed it as a force wielder of this much power, influence, surely he could not hide an army this scale led by a Jedi?" Leo asked.
"Jedi leading armies, not always what we were…" Yoda looked at Leo and sat up straight "Hmmm." Master Yoda hummed to himself.
"Master Yoda?" Leo asked again "Hmm." Yoda looked up, seeming older than he actually was at that moment.
"Master are you alright?" Leo asked him.
Yoda was silent for a long time "A great toll this war takes on us all Rock, fallen many Jedi have." Yoda said looking at the blinds
"You trained most of them, didn't you all of them almost, but not me." Leo said.
Master Yoda sighed "Not you, Leo Rock." Leo could see the deaths of the six jedi in the bombing had taken a great toll on the Grand Master, Leo's own problems could wait for another day. He slowly got up and stood from his seat "Thank you for seeing me Master Yoda, I'll reflect on what you said and leave you in peace." Leo said bowing.
Yoda said nothing, he let Leo walk through the door so he could mourn in silence.
REPUBLIC MILITARY DETENTION CENTER
Meanwhile, at the Detention Center Ahsoka had arrived at Letta's request approaching the entrance to prison, instead of the white armored clone troopers the clones there had red paint on their armor. Holding shock staffs at the door when Ahsoka approached she saw they wouldn't let her pass so she walked up to the glass window where an Arc Trooper was waiting.
"I'm Commander Tano, I'm here to see the prisoner." Ahsoka said to the Arc Troope, behind his red painted helmet he nodded "She killed a lot of people in that attack, good job catching her." He said before looking to his men.
"Scan her." He ordered.
Ahsoka saw the clones scan her and three pings come up, one on her wrist the other at her hips "Leave your comlink and lightsabers here." He said opening a slot under the window. Ahsoka did as she was asked letting them take the weapons for security purposes "Follow me." The Arc Troopers aid before
The Padawan and clones enterd the cell where Letta was waiting, the doors opened and Ahsoka walked in seeing the murderer sitting their curled up against her legs.
"What do you want Letta?" Ahsoka asked harshly
"I was told If i ever needed help you two were the Jedi to contact" she said fearfully looking up at the clones and Jedi.
Ahsoka could sense her fear and turned to the Arc Trooper and his men, "Give us a minute please" Ahsoka requested the clones as the closed the door.
"You don't have much time Letta" Ahsoka said walking up to her "So I suggest you get whatever you have to say off your chest." Ahsoka growled. Letta stood up scratching at her arm.
"The idea of feeding Jakar the Nano droids was not my Idea" Letta confessed.
The young Jedi watched Letta with unwavering suspicion "Why are you saying this now?" Ahsoka asked
"Because my life is in danger!" Letta said walking up to Ahsoka before she paced around her "The person behind this will get to me unless you know the truth."
"Then what's the truth?" Ahsoka asked when Letta sat down on the cell bench.
"A jedi" Glenda replied "a Jedi showed me how to create the bomb,and how to but the Nano droids in" Ahsoka felt a pang of realization run through her.
"Why would a Jedi do this?" Ahsoka asked, shocked.
"They're are some citizens of the Republic who believe the Jedi order is nor what it used to be!" Glenda said the Jedi have become war mongaloars… weapons and should be killing when they should be keeping peace." Letta said to her "One of these Jedi agrees with us, one of you wants to make a statement and is willing to attack your own order to do it!" She told Ahsoka.
The fear was practically dripping over her "If you protect me I will tell you, because it is obvious that I have been set up." Letta told her.
Ahsoka walked up to her kneeling in front of her reaching for Letta's hand "Letta you have to tell us who is behind this" Ahsoka demanded
"It's-" was all Glenda could say before she was lifted up into the air as if she was being force choked, Ahsoka stepped back hands in the air watching helplessly.
"Letta!" Ahsoka shouted as she tried to get her down but then she fell to the ground dead as the clones rushed and checked on her. Ahsoka was on her knees in front of Letta looking her over confused at what had happened.
"Commander Fox, She's dead" one clone said to him.
"Can't say I blame you Commander Tano'' Fox said, taking out his blaster pistol pointing it behind AHsoka's head "But you're under arrest" When clone pointed his gun at the Jedi's heads, Ahsoka raising her hand in a confused terror "Wait… I… I didn't do this."
LATER
Anakin was standing outside the entrance to the detention center speaking to Commander Fox "I said my Padawan is in there. Now step aside." Anakin ordered Commander Fox, his patience running out.
"General Skywalker, Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one be allowed in there." Fox replied as Anakin clenched his gloved hand into a fist raising it up ready to punch through the glass and strangle the Commander.
"I don't care what she's accused of. Let-me-in." the older Knight practically growled, pressing his index and middle mechanical fingers against the reinforced glass between threateningly. Fox made a gesture with his head and the two shock troopers guarding the door activated their electrostaffs as they moved up behind the two Jedi, ready to escort them out by force if necessary. "Sorry, General the admiral's orders stand. This is now a military operation under his jurisdiction." Fox replied coldly.
The Knight glared at him before turning around to see the two clones with the shock staffs ready to use them even on a Jedi. Anakin almost reached for his lightsaber "What's going on here?" Someone at the entrance said.
Leo was standing their "I was telling General Skywalker this is now a military operation under Admiral Tarkin's jurisdiction." Fox said to him as Leo walked up.
"Right, 'General' Skywalker, we are part of the military right?" Leo asked his hand moving to his own lightsaber. Another door to the entrance opened and two more clone troopers came out with shock staff "Not in this instance General." Fox growled showing his resolve to the two battle hardened Jedi Knights. Leo glared at him and then looked to Anakin as if waiting for him to make the next move, if there was to be a fight Leo would wait for Anakin to start it. "Another time Leo." Anakin said, turning away from the glass.
Both Jedi walked to the exit heading to a speeder parked outside the detention center "So what do we do?" Leo asked him.
Anakin paced back and forth in front of the center "We'll go directly to the Chancellor?"
"What, but you heard Tarkin said, the Chancellor wants the jedi removed from the military." Leo repeated to him, Anakin held up his hand "Tarkin said that, I've known the Chancellor for years if anyone can talk to him it's me." Anakin said getting into the speeder. Leo joined him sitting in the passenger seat Ashoka would usually sit in.
"If we do this we should be cautious, Tarkin will sure to have eyes in the Senate." Leo pointed out as Anakin powered up the speeder "What do you mean?" He asked.
Leo crossed his arms "Tarkin's ambition knows no end, I think he doesn't just want the Jedi out of the military, Tarkin wants to be the Military and he could use Ahsoka to do it." Leo pointed out as they took off.
Meanwhile, in a cell of her own Ahsoka, sat helplessly looking at the floor feeling terrible. How could she not sense the danger around LEtta, she just died in front of her and now she was being blamed for it. The moment only got worse when Tarkin entered their cell.
"Admiral Tarkin,I don't know what happened I went to talk to Letta and she said she was afraid of a Jedi" Ahsoka said standing up as Tarkin walked in looking her over, he stopped in the middle of the cell pulling his arms behind his back revealing Letta's hat.
"You don't need to tell me anymore Commander Tano" Tarkin said as he threw Letta's hat to the side. Then pulled up a hologram of Ahsoka, arms up out stretched and it looked like she was the one force choking Letta in the air.
"It seems the only Jedi she was afraid of was you." Tarkin revealed turning off the hologram.
The young Padawan looked shocked "I did not kill that woman!" Ahsoka said
"You the only one there!" Tarkin said pointing a finger at her " I you were upset when the Military to her away." Said providing a motive.
"That means nothing!" Ahsoka said as Tarkin got closer to her face,this was making "It was someone else,some we didn't see." Ahsoka said, protesting her innocence.
"That is very difficult for me to believe" The Admiral said "This is a secure prison,we do not have just anyone running about,and if there was someone else,why did you not sense not sense them?" Tarkin asked as Ahsoka backed up from him speechless.
Tarkin stood up straight drawing back his arm, he didn't say anything next instead he turned around leaving Ahsoka in her cell. She sat down and started to feel sleepy, she hadn't had much time to sleep last night and today had taken its toll on her. She laid down on the cold hard bench feeling a wave of exhaustion rolling over her before she started to fall into a deep sleep.
Ahsoka saw herself on a distant world in a sea of golden grass, the wind made the tall thin reeds dance around her legs while she walked. She had a calm sense about her fingers being tickled by the grass, bare footed as she walked through deep rich soil. She was following someone, someone she cared for.
The sun was setting in front of her bright enough to hurt her eyes just barely to where she could barely see her charge. Whoever she was following was running in front of her, but Ahsoka walked watching the figure run while they were swinging something in their hand like a sword. Pointing and yelling happily waving a stick in the air jumping up to a rock before they stopped.
A large ship flew overhead and landed in front of them, the sky turned dark and a great shadow cast over both of them as the occupant of the ship rose out. A dark black shadow with a helmet and glowing red eyes breathing out a respirator-
When she awoke, her mouth was dry and flakey, getting up she coughed walking over to her cell sink to get some water. But as she leaned over to get a drink she saw the cell door was open but the laser wall was still burning bright red, hot to the touch. But what she did see was a key card lying out in the open at the edge of her cell.
"A key card?" Ahsoka asked
A smile spread across her face "Master, I knew you wouldn't let me down." She said thinking only Anakin could have left such a surprise for her. His tendency to break the rules making him the likely culprit. Raising her hands to the air she used the force to lift the key card and slid it through the control on her door to let herself out.
"I wonder what you have planned" Ahsoka said, making sure the coast was clear, when she saw it was clear she ran to the entrance and saw all of the coruscant guard clones had been knocked out.
"Oh no, this does not look good?" She asked out loud seeing them strong across the floor but alive. She moved down the hall walking over the unconscious clones who started and grunted in their sleep "My lightsabers" Ahsoka said as she picked them up.
She picked them up and noticed her comlink was there too, putting it on the green light of an incoming transmission appeared "Who is this, why do you belong to me?" She asked when out of the back room from the detention center came Commander Fox, the second he saw Ahsoka he practically jumped out of his own armor.
"What's going on here?" Fox asked, reaching for his blasters, "It wasn't me." Ahsoka said but Fox rushed for the alarm, smashing his fist on it. Red lights flashed and sirens blared alerting the entire base to the escaped Ahsoka. She broke off into a mad sprint out the entrance door to the public section of the base hallways while Fox's voice echoed from the coms "Alert, alert, the Jedi prisoner has escaped!"
Ahsoka ran down the hallways turning around the corners remembering her way in so she could find the way out. Jumping over some droids in her way she turned another corridor but was blocked by a trio of shock troopers. Spinning around before they could shoot her one of them shouted "Commander Tano, Stop!"
Ahsoka ran away from them, her speed being advantageous to their armor weighing them down, but as she ran down a hallway one of them smashed an alert alarm "She's heading for the north corridor, cut her off."
"Copy that." Fox said already on the hunt.
Outside the base, both Anakin and Leo had turned around from their chance to get to the Senate Tower where Captain Rex was waiting for them "Got here as soon as I could General." Rex said when the two Jedi got out.
"Come on Rex, we need to hurry." Anakin said running into the base pushing past the Shock trooper guards, Leo following them from behind "I don''t like this." Leo said.
Inside, the base Ahsoka was running as fast as she could jumping and diving through the closing blast doors till she was in the clear for a moment. Panting she tried to catch her breath when she saw Fox appear from around a corner. Sensing he wouldn't hesitate to do his duty she sprinted down the other way Fox shot on her trails when she tried to lose him down another hallway she stopped in horror. Three clone troopers, maybe the same ones who had stopped her escape were dead at her feet, lightsaber scars still burning in their flesh.
"Oh no, no, no." She said before Fox came around, the sight of dead clones at her feet, his brothers. The training took over and Fox drew his blaster pistols opening fire on her, his rage making him lose focus so that he missed.
She wouldn't get a second chance, Ahsoka fled the scene down another hallway while Fox stopped. Kneeling to see if they were alive he knew better Fox raised his comlink "Suspect has killed three clones, code red, if you see the target shoot to kill."
"Belay that order Commander Fox." Anakin barked coming up behind Rex and Leo. Leo's jaw dropped when he saw the dead clones, next to the Arc Trooper.
"She's killed troopers!" Fox argued, gesturing to the three dead clones on the ground.
"I know Commander Tano. She would never do something like this." Rex starkly protested up to Fox.
"Then who did?" Fox asked, frustrated.
"Quiet!" Anakin ordered before taking a few steps forward sensing Ahsoka was near."
"Ahsoka! It's me, Anakin." he called out, letting the echo of voice find her.
"Stop running." he called out again after a few seconds of silence, his voice carrying down the hallways.
"You can't help me, Master. Someone's setting me up." her voice echoed back.
Leo rose up "It has to be that Ahsoka would never turn on the clones." Leo adamantly agrees with Rex.
"I believe you, Ahsoka." Anakin said back across the base.
"But no one else will." her voice echoed
Leo looked to Anakin and felt Fox watching him "I do!" Leo called out.
Ahsoka stopped before she ran again, "But please stop running." Leo called out. Ahsoka reached up and felt her chest, a terrible pain running through it. She forced herself to ignore the emotions she was feeling and retreated down the hallway both Leo and Anakin could sense she was running away, away from them.
"Keep searching until we find her." Anakin ordered as he turned around to the three behind him. "Rex, call security. Tell them we need to search the entire base. Now." he said before taking off down the hallway, Leo right behind him as Rex called it in.
"General Skywalker has just issued an all points bulletin on Commander Ahsoka Tano, she's killed three clones and should be considered armed and dangerous." Rex said begrudgingly.
Clones started to flood the base, squads of six or more all carrying blasters fanned out in every corridor and hallway. Ahsoka slips by them using the ceiling and vents to escape to the main entrance opening up, a squad of clones going out with large canine like beasts with big noses. The main entrance to the base had crimson banners on towering polls on each side of a monument of clone trooper statues lining them. Making sure she would stay down wind of them she saw one turn around sniffing. One of them sniffed her out, doubling back and barking at her before she leapt up to one of the clone statues as rain began to fall on them.
But just when she thought she was clear Ahsoka heard "There she is, stop her before she gets to a ship!" It was Fox and a squad behind him who had spotted her coming out the main entrance.
Ahsoka jumped off the statue head and ran down the wall monument, the clones chasing after her before she leapt off. Cannon fire from one of the turrets opened fire on her but she was always ahead of it so instead it blasted the speeder both Anakin and Leo came in and she was trying to escape.
After Rex caught up, the three made their over to Fox and few other shock troopers standing by the ledge that overlooked the industrial pipelines. "What's going on?" Anakin asked the commander. "We've found her, she's heading towards the industrial pipeline." he replied before he, the two Knights and two arch troopers ran after Ahsoka who was fleeing the shock troopers outrunning their stun shots before she had to turn around and whip out her lightsabers to deflect them.
The blue stun rings splashed against the yellow and green laser swords while she ran down the pipeline walk ways sliding down one the slick rain helping her do it.
"Set weapons to stun. I want her alive!" the Anakin ordered. "Do not shoot to kill. Do not shoot to kill! Try to box her in. Don't let her escape." Anakin ordered when he saw gunships flying overhead. to the two gunships with searchlights attached flying overhead.
Leo started to run up next to him "Anakin, what are we doing this Ahsoka."
"She's scared, on the run, we need to talk her down." Anakin told him "Then pull the clones back, the more we chase her the more she'll run!"
"You don't know here like I do." Anakin said when Oddball flew overhead in his gunship.
"She's moving west along the central viaduct." Oddball said over the groups coms. "All right, we got her now." he said a few minutes later after she jumped down onto another walkway. The Bombay doors of the gunship next to Oddball opened flying down and a full squad of clones fired on her. An onslaught of stun rings flew at her, she could only dodge so many and deflect others before one of them took out a rocket launcher blasting her off the catwalk.
She dropped her lightsabers caught off guard by the blast before she jumped onto another fuel cell using the force to get her green one unsure where the tanto had fallen. Running down another hallway she was almost clear of the base when Oddballs gunship cut her off. Doubling back she came into a lower area around the catwalk a dozen shock troopers blocking her escape, surrounding her.
The four caught up not long after that to see Ahsoka cornered in the middle of a platform, clones surrounding her on all sides and the gunships aiming their searchlights on her. Ahsoka looked at Anakin suddenly before she saw Leo, in that moment Anakin felt something, a connection, but not to him, not her Master she was looking at Leo and him back at her. A bolt of lighting struck behind them echoing across them and Leo whispered "... run."
Ahsoka leapt out of the trap flying over to one of the pipes "Ahsoka!" Anakin shouted. He could sense that it pained her to ignore him as she cut a hole in the pipe with her remaining saber before dropping in. A few clones rappelled down the hole first and the four weren't far behind her turning on their lights, Anakin ran toward the pipe she cut in but Leo looked at the large pipe seeing it went down into the underground drainage system. Looking at the pipes he saw a massive hole in the ground that would lead to the undercity, instead of following Anakin and Rex.
Leo ran toward one of the gunships getting on it "Take me to the undercity entrance." Leo said the gunship flying him ahead of everyone, he jumped out when they came to four massive pipes emptying out into a massive pit filled with ships and transports coming out of the lower levels. Leo ran down the pipes hoping to cut Ahsoka off or get to her before the clones. Ahsoka sprinted down the pipes letting the force guide her, Anakin followed the clones who were trailing her when he stopped sensing the clones were going the wrong way. SLipping through fans wading through the rain water Ahsoka kept her distance following the smell of fresh air when she came to another junction and saw Leo.
She came to a skidding halt kicking up water, Leo stopped too looking at her. He could feel the fear from her, the uncertainty her hand tightly on her sheathed lightsaber, Leo opened his mouth but closed it. Slowly he took a step back and gave her the right of way "Down this hall, two lefts then a right you can make it through to the Undercity that way." He said back to her, Ahsoka was speechless.
Leo gave her a firm nod "Go, I'll hold off any clones if they come this way." He said.
"You believe me?" She asked walking up to him.
"Of course I do." Leo said "But the clones don't, there isn't much time." He said as she walked past him he stepped past her taking out his lightsaber and turning it feeling someone was coming. Ahsoka looked back a t him and turned to come up behind her and wrapped her arms around his waist pulling him into a hug. "Come with me, please."
Leo placed his hand on her wrist "I want to, but you need someone on the inside to help prove your innocence." He said, pulling her arm off and facing her. "Barriss." Ahsoka said.
"We can trust her, you can come with me then?" Ahsoka asked him.
Leo shook his head "She's only a padawan, but I will talk to her." He said pressing his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.
"What do we always say when things get tough?" Leo asked her as he cupped her cheek, she took his hand on her own feeling the warmth from his touch.
"That we'd always come back for each other." She said closing her eyes "Now..." He said leaning in giving her a kiss "and always." She said breaking it.
She nodded looking into his green eyes before she fled down the pipe and Leo waited for who was coming. It was none other than Anakin who had been running through the labyrinth of pipes and fans. He halted seeing Leo who turned on his lightsaber "You know she's innocent." He said firmly.
Anakin looked at Leo, slowly raising his hands "I know she is, but running and now this makes everything worse." Anakin said slowly, taking a step.
The Berserker raised his lightsaber ready to fight, Anakin stopped "Leo… listen to me, your emotions for Ahsoka are clouding your judgment."
Leo didn't answer him, Anakin took another step "I won't fight you, we can help Ahsoka but only if we do it together."
"You and I are the only ones she can count on right now." Anakin added taking more steps toward him, Leo held his lightsaber firmly up until the point was inches from Anakin's face. Leo looked Anakin in the eye, the man's words sincere and his actions showing it, Leo sighed, turning off his lightsaber "Alright, this way."
Taking off fast they made a few more turns before seeing her jump through a fan in a short but bigger pipe then back into a smaller one that led directly to an Underworld portal. "Ahsoka, what are you doing?" Anakin asked as he and Leo stopped fifteen feet from her.
Ahsoka looked at Leo again, Anakin took note "It's okay Ahsoka.." Leo said walking up next with Anakin.
"You didn't even try to come and help me." she suddenly snapped at Anakin.
"They wouldn't let me talk to you." Anakin defended. "You could have if you tried!" she snapped before they took a few steps towards her.
"How would that look, Ahsoka, huh? Forcing our way in would've made you look even more guilty." the older Knight reasoned.
"I'm not guilty!" she yelled. "We can prove you're innocent the only way we can do that is by going back." Anakin tried reasoning again.
"I don't know who to trust." she said. Leo's heart ached at the emotional pain Ahsoka was feeling and even though he wanted to be beside her like he should be, helping Ahsoka her way instead of Anakin's would put him in deep trouble with the Council and Republic. "Listen, I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka, never." Anakin promised.
"You need to come back and make your case to the Council." Anakin pleaded.
Ahsoka shook her head furious "No. I'm not going to take the fall for something I didn't do!" she yelled pacing and pointing her hand to the ground ready to take her stand, even against her Master.
"I am ordering you to put down your lightsaber and come with us now!" Anakin yelled, his patience wearing thin. "Trust me." he said more gently.
"Generals, where are you?" a clone's voice echoed through the pipes as they heard the sound of water splashing getting close. "I do trust you. Both of you. But you both know as well as I do that no one else will believe me. "Anakin, you have to trust me now." she replied softly.
"Ahsoka, I do trust you." he said taking a few steps towards her before held her hand up. "I know you do. Wish me luck." she said before jumping out of the pipe just as Fox and Rex caught up. The four ran to where she had just been and watched her freefall before landing on a freighter that was descending into Coruscant's Underworld. They watched her till she was out of sight, Anakin looked over his shoulder at the clones "Leave us."
When the clones walked back into the pipes leaving Anakin and Leo, "Back to the Council?" Leo asked, Anakin answered him by grabbing Leo by the neck and smashing him into the pip wall with his mechanical arm. Leo grabbed onto his glove feeling his feet love the pipe floor raising him up against it.
"If-she-dies-." Anakin started to say when he forgot Leo may be younger than him, he may be less experienced but he wasn't the little padawans he used to be. Leo held out his hand blasting Anakin back into the other side of the wall, they both drew their lightsabers "You think I like this anymore then you do!" Leo shouted at him.
Anakin held his lightsaber up "You let her escape." Anakin barked.
"Because she's innocent, she's afraid just like you said and right now she needs us." Leo said back to him "No, she needs me, she doesn't need you ever since you came back she's been off balance, confused and it all draws back to you what have you done to her?" Anakin accused
Leo looked shocked, lowering his guard "What have I done to her?" He asked, sheathing his white lightsaber "What have you done!?" He shot back.
"You go on about how Krell and Dooku fell to the dark side, say you know the good jedi from the bad, but the second you cornered Letta you threatened her without a second thought." Leo pointed out "We offered a chance to come willingly, begged her, but she ran."
"Fear is not the weapon of a Jedi, no matter the excuse." Leo said, Anakin thought back to it and other times when he had let his anger and frustration weaken his Jedi resolve "And are you?" Anakin asked him.
"Am I what?" Leo asked him angrily.
Anakin lowered his lightsaber "Are you still a Jedi." Anakin said turning his lightsaber off clipping it to his belt and looking up at Leo, the anger was subsiding from his eyes "I…. I just want to help her."
"Then we help her, together." Anakin said up to him holding out his hand, Leo nodded and took it "Now let's go, the Council is waiting."