Chapter 41 – Before You Go

Author's Note: I'm sorry. *sobs*

To Guest (1): As I've said before the Dark Disciple arc won't happen on-screen, and it won't be talked about since we didn't know anything about it at all when we wrote this part of it. :) It's fun to think about what the characters might think/do during it though. xD

To Guest (2): Yeah, I think I've heard that about Plo, too, and given everything with Dooku, I can't fully blame him for thinking Ahsoka might actually be guilty. ;-;

To Guest (3): Yep. And as for how Theseus and Athea will feel/react to what happens with Ahsoka... you'll see. ;)

To Guest (4) (who reviewed chapter 1 and will never see this): You're thinking about CW Anakin who is not truly Anakin imo, since he doesn't at all behave the way Anakin really did in the PT. PT Anakin (canon Anakin for me) would feel like that. As I said once before, "Anakin has very legitimate reasons for how he feels. It would be like your parents who didn't want you in the first place going and adopting someone as soon as you move out. It feels like you're being replaced and your parents didn't care. That's not an unreasonable reaction or feeling to have."

To Guest (5): Weeeeell... I can't say much about this, because spoilers, but as Dark Disciple isn't included, Athea won't be thinking about anything that happens in it... for one reason or another. ;)

Thank you all so much for reviewing! :D:D:D

Also, I just need to scream that I am so proud that someone on ao3 has started a fic that was inspired by this one! I just cannot express how happy I am that someone found this fic so awesome (hopefully lol) that they decided to write something inspired by it. If you see this, thank you. You're awesome. ^-^

~ Amina Gila

"How are we ever going to find Ventress down here?" Theseus wonders as he and Anakin make their way through the busy streets of the underworld. As soon as Anakin left Padme at Ahsoka's cell to discuss the trial, the two of them headed out to the same level that Ahsoka was first spotted on with Ventress to begin with. If she's still here, she's likely going to be around somewhere on this level.

"When I look for her, she's easy to sense," Anakin replies as they keep moving, "She's close."

Anakin pauses in the middle of a walkway between two buildings, and moments later, an all too familiar figure walks into view down below. She suddenly pauses in her tracks, obviously sensing them.

Anakin jumps off the ledge, landing a short distance behind her. Theseus follows. "Anakin Skywalker," she greets, slowly turning around.

"I know you're behind all of this," Anakin snarls, lowly.

"Prove it," Ventress shoots back, whirling around and leaping onto the top of a nearby building.

Anakin ignites his lightsaber, jumping onto the building. Theseus jumps after him, only for Ventress' boot to promptly collide with his stomach. He stumbles back with a grunt, nearly falling over the railing. Anakin swings his lightsaber at her, and she ducks out of the way, punching at him. He shoves her back and his blade slashes through one of the poles near the walkway.

She doesn't draw her lightsabers, which is strange. Theseus ignites his own, just as Ventress flips over their heads and snatches up two pipes. She's planning to fight them with those? Where are her lightsabers? Did she lose them?

Theseus doesn't take the time to ponder it and lunges forwards, cutting through one of her pipes. Ventress swings the other at them, and Anakin lops it in half. He throws her back into the wall behind them, hard enough that the faintest fracture lines seem to form. Or at least, Theseus is pretty sure they weren't there a second ago.

Anakin raises his other hand – expression darker than Theseus ever remembers seeing – and Ventress' hands promptly fly to her neck as she's lifted in a Force choke. It should probably bother him more than it does, but he's too furious to care. If she's the one who did all this and set up Ahsoka, he'd be more than happy to kill her himself.

Anakin yanks Ventress over to him with the Force, wrapping a hand around her neck. "Tell me what happened," he growls.

Theseus aims his lightsaber at the Nightsister, in case she tries something, even if it's quite unnecessary. He has the overpowering urge to hurt someone right now, and he stubbornly refuses to give in.

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

"Bounty?" the boys repeat in unison. Ahsoka had a bounty on her? Theseus isn't really surprised, but it makes him even more angry.

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

Anakin lets go of her, and she stumbles a few steps away, coughing as she tries to catch her breath. "What stopped you?" he demands.

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

Anakin's expression darkens further. "How dare you compare yourself to Ahsoka?!"

The Nightsister whirls around, glaring at them. "It's true," she snaps, "My master abandoned me, and that's exactly what you did to her. You and your precious Jedi Order."

Anakin flinches back as if struck but doesn't argue.

"Anakin didn't abandon her," Theseus snaps, glaring back at Ventress, "Why do you think we're here?"

"What happened then?" Anakin queries, getting back to business, and Theseus notices something about him that seems far calmer now. He's withdrawn into himself again, and it's jarring to see. "When you took Ahsoka to the warehouse?"

"I dropped her off there like she wanted me to. That was my part of the bargain," she answers, "But after I left the warehouse, after I left your little padawan alone, I was walking away and I thought she came up behind me to talk more, but I was wrong. Someone came out of nowhere and hit me from behind. Not just anyone can sneak up on me. It had to be another Jedi."

If that's really true... No, that doesn't make sense. If Ventress didn't attack Ahsoka, then who did? "I don't believe you," Anakin objects.

"Believe it," she shoots back, "Whoever you're looking for has my lightsabers. That's how you'll know you've found the criminal."

"How are we supposed to find two lightsabers that could literally be anywhere in the galaxy and with no leads at all?" Theseus asks rhetorically. This doesn't give them a lead. It only explains why Ventress doesn't have her lightsabers, and it's an explanation that actually does make sense.

"This leads us to a dead end," Anakin sighs, leaning against the railing. The hopelessness is back in his voice, even if it's only obvious to Theseus because he's known him so long, "You're the only one Ahsoka talked to."

Ventress seems to consider that for a moment. "That's not true," she objects, "Your padawan contacted the Temple. She spoke to someone named Barriss. That's why we knew to go to the warehouse in the first place."

"Barriss?" Theseus breaths incredulously, horror instantly washing over him. He remembers distinctly the way he felt the Dark Side around her yesterday, when she and Ahsoka came to see him in the healer's wing.

It would make sense for Ahsoka to contact one of her best friends from the Temple who'd actually be able to help her. They may not have any actual proof against Barriss, but somehow, in that moment, he knows. It was Barriss who did it. He's certain. It just... rings too right in the Force for it to be anything else.

"It was this Barriss that told us to go there," Ventress repeats.

Theseus exchanges a look with Anakin. They won't be finding anything else out here. "If you're lying, you're dead," Anakin threatens, before jumping off the walkway back to the ground below.

"Such promises," Theseus hears Ventress muttering as he jumps after.

"We need to go talk to Barriss," Anakin declares as they head back through the underworld to they're waiting speeder.

"I... I think it might be her who did it," Theseus begins after a moment, "When I saw her in the healer's wing yesterday, I sensed the Dark Side around her."

Anakin stills. "We'll have to face the possibility," he says at last. "She may have Fallen."

He nods. "And she'll be on guard as soon as she realizes why we're there." His anger is boiling again as he thinks about it. How could she do something like this? Ahsoka trusted her! She was one of her best friends. Regardless of why she's turned on the Jedi, how could she do something like this to Ahsoka? Whatever happens, he's not letting her get away with what she's done.

He's not really surprised that Barriss is in her apartment when they show up, and immediately lets them inside. "How can I help you?" she inquires as they slip into the room.

Theseus can feel it again, the faintest traces of the Dark Side around her, even if it's well shielded. It's definitely her. Any questions he might have still had are gone now.

Anakin casually crosses the room, picking up her lightsaber from where it was lying on the floor as he does. "We were told you spoke with Ahsoka before she was arrested. What did you say to her?"

"We've been friends for a long time. I was only trying to help her," Barriss replies, and only the months of training after Mortis keep Theseus from snarling at her. "I hope I'm not in any trouble."

"It's no trouble," Anakin assures easily. It's remarkable how well he's keeping himself under control. "I just need to know what you told her and if you told anyone else."

"No," she answers immediately, "I thought I had a clue for her, but I really couldn't tell her anything." That right there is a lie. She told them to go to the warehouse. She's obviously trying to cover up something. "Who told you I spoke to her?" Fishing for information now herself? Or is she trying to distract them? Well, it's not going to work.

"It was Ventress," Theseus replies.

"Ventress?" Barriss echoes, "Isn't she the one Ahsoka says is really behind all this?"

"That's what Ahsoka says, but I think she's wrong," Anakin answers evenly. "Ventress thinks someone else is involved."

"And you believe her? Who else could it be if not her? Surely not Ahsoka?" The Mirialan takes a few steps back towards the wall on the other side of the room. What is she up to?

"It was not Ahsoka," Theseus practically snaps.

"I think both Ahsoka and Ventress are telling the truth, but there's only one way to find out." Anakin suddenly ignites Barriss' lightsaber, swinging it at her. Blood red blades instantly spring to life in her hands, and she spins them up to block it. Theseus recognizes the hilts instantly from the times he's fought Ventress throughout the war.

"Those belong to Ventress. You should've gotten rid of them!" Anakin growls.

"I think they suit me," Barriss shoots back.

"I actually agree, traitor," snarls Theseus, purple blade hissing to life in his hands as he lunges forwards. His anger is burning furiously now, and he lets it fuel him as the Mirialan parries his and Anakin's blows.

Anakin kicks her across the room, throwing her into the door. Theseus jumps at her, bringing his blade down for her head before she has the chance to stand up. She hastily blocks him, shoving his blades aside before she leaps to her feet. Anakin lunges for her again, and she whirls to block him with one of her lightsabers, trying to fend off Theseus with the other.

The fight would be easier if the room they were in wasn't so small, but it's already obvious who has the upper hand here. "Ahsoka trusted you and you betrayed her," Anakin growls.

"I've learned that trust is overrated. The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence!" she spits, and Theseus throws her into the wall. She drops her lightsabers as she lands on the floor, looking up to find blue and purple lightsabers leveled at her throat.

**w**

Barriss' words at the Senate are still ringing through Theseus' head when he's standing in front of the Council along with Ahsoka and Anakin. That the Jedi are responsible for the war, that they've lost their way, that they're an army fighting for the Dark Side, and that the Republic is falling.

Despite what she did, and how furious he'll always be with her for it, he can't deny the truth in her statements. Almost everything she said was true, at least to a point. The Jedi should be doing things differently, to help end the war instead of continuing to fight it like this, even if Theseus isn't entirely sure what. All the politics have never made much sense to him.

There's no question that the Jedi have lost their way. If they hadn't, the Council would have thought twice before throwing Ahsoka into the street. He doesn't care why they did it, or that the Senate demanded it. It doesn't change how much it shows how corrupt the Order has become, for them to do something like this. This betrayal hurts far worse even than the Hardeen incident. That was for a mission, at least, so maybe, maybe it could be justified. (No, it can't be.)

But this... this – He knows the Jedi are on the wrong path and he wanted to help them. Now he's beginning to think that Revan was right after all. Maybe it is too late to do anything about it. What that means, he has no idea. But whether he's furious with the Council or not, it still scares him.

In that way, they are fighting like an army for the Dark Side, even if it's nothing like Barriss is making it sound. Or is it? Is the Sith in the Senate that's presumably playing the war from both sides – if Dooku's words are to be trusted – have so much control over the Jedi? Does Barriss know who it is?

As for the Republic, is it falling? The war certainly has taken a turn for the worse, and it's not doing either side of the galaxy any good.

The door to the Council room abruptly slides open and Ahsoka walks out. She doesn't look his way, just walks off, gaze fixed on a point at the end of the hall.

The first thing that hits him is confusion, until he realizes that she still doesn't have her braid. Oh no. It's happening too fast for Theseus to process the implications of it. Wait – is she – what – This can't be happening.

"Ahsoka?" he utters finally, but she doesn't reply, silently disappearing around the corner.

He glances back at the Council doors, then takes off after her. He doesn't understand. What's going on? Or maybe it's just that he doesn't want to understand. He doesn't want to let the implications of this sink in, because how could Ahsoka be about ready to leave? Ready to walk away from the Order, from her life? Shock and horror pulse through him, strongerthan anything he's ever felt before.

He can understand it, and that's what makes him even more scared that what he's assuming is right. The Council ripped away everything she worked for. It makes sense why she wouldn't want to come back, after what they did. But if she's leaving the Order, that means she's leaving him, Anakin, everything... everyone she ever knew. No, he can't be about to lose her now, his best friend in his entire life. He wants to believe that his mind is jumping to the worst possible conclusion, but...

"Ahsoka!" By the time he catches up to her, she's already well on the way out of the Temple.

Finally, she stops, turning to look back at him. "What... happened?" he asks finally. There's so many things he wants to know, so many questions he has, he doesn't know how to put any to words.

"I can't stay here anymore, Theseus," the Togruta says quietly, looking up to meet his eyes. He can see the pain from the betrayal still burning within them. "Not after what they did."

Any slim hope he was still clinging to that this might not be the end completely shatters. She's going to leave. He... can't even accept the implications of it. The one person who's always been there, other than his mother, is Ahsoka. He's known her as long as he can remember. He doesn't even know what a life without her around would be like. "Ahsoka..." he breathes, suddenly unable to find any words to even try and express himself.

"I can't," she repeats, "I... I need to figure this out by myself."

"But leaving?" he protests, desperation slipping into his voice, "You've lived here your whole life! You don't know anything else."

"I'll figure it out," she replies, "This... it isn't the place for me anymore. Not now."

He doesn't even know what to say to that. After everything she's been through because of the Order, of course, she wouldn't want to come back, but he doesn't want to lose her like this. If she leaves, will he ever see her again? He takes being separated from her all the time because he knows he will eventually see her again, but now... he doesn't have that reassurance anymore.

That doesn't matter as much as how she'll be gone, on her own, surviving out there in the galaxy. He has faith in her, he knows she can take care of herself, but... this is the end. "I thought we'd stay together forever."

"So did I." Somehow, that manages to hurt even more. "I'll miss you," Ahsoka admits, "But I can't stay here."

"I... understand." He holds out his hand to her, and she takes it. His mind is spinning, unable to comprehend that this is the last time, because she's going to leave. This is goodbye, their final goodbye. Force knows when – or if – they'll see each other again. "When the war is over," Theseus promises, slowly. "I'll come and find you."

"Thank you." Ahsoka squeezes his hand one last time, and he imprints the feel of it into his mind forever, before she pulls away and steps back.

"Ahsoka?" another voice suddenly calls, and they look up to see Anakin hurrying towards them. He looks and feels even more devastated than Theseus is right now, and it hurts. The Force is swirling around him, until he's practically the epicenter of a storm of pain and grief.

"Why are you doing this?" Anakin asks desperately as he finally catches up to them. There's something almost broken about how he says it.

"The Council didn't trust me, so how can I trust myself?" Ahsoka protests.

"What about me?" Anakin asks pleadingly. "I believed in you. I stood by you!" He looks closer to shattering than Theseus has ever seen him before. It's somehow even worse than it was when they thought Obi-Wan died.

"I know you believe in me, Anakin," she answers quietly, unable to meet his gaze, "And I'm grateful for that. But this isn't about you. I can't stay here any longer, not now."

"The Jedi Order is your life. You can't just throw it away like this. Ahsoka, you are making a mistake."

"Maybe," she utters, turning to look away from them, "But I have to figure this out on my own. Without the Council... and without you."

Somehow, the words only manage to cut deeper than it's already hurting, maybe a reminder all over again that this is really the end. His best friend in his whole life is about to leave, and he doesn't know when, or if, he's ever going to see her again. He can't even imagine what that's going to be like. Waking up every morning knowing that he'll never see her again, that –

A defeated sigh escapes Anakin, and he turns to look back at the Temple behind them for a moment. "I understand," he says quietly, "More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the Order."

Does he? While Theseus had noticed how much Anakin questions the Order, he never actually thought that Anakin would want to leave.

"I know," Ahsoka murmurs, looking over her shoulder one last time before she turns and starts walking away for the Temple steps. She doesn't look back.

Theseus watches her go, disappearing into the setting sun, unable to believe this is really happening. He doesn't know what to do, how to feel about any of this. Ahsoka is gone. She just left him, left them, forever.

It feels like something irreparably died in this moment, something they'll never get back. He misses her terribly, even if she disappeared from sight only seconds ago. How could this have happened? Only days ago, everything was fine, and now...

Caleb is dying, Ahsoka is gone. What's next?

Part of him wants to cry, but he doesn't think he even could. And part of him just wants to... scream and do something very violent. This would never have happened if the Council had trusted Ahsoka a little more, the exact moment that she needed them the most. She's gone because of them. And... if not for what they were becoming, Barriss probably wouldn't have taken the actions she did, which means Caleb would still be fine. Maybe it's not fair for him to blame them for all that, but he can't entirely help it. He can feel the Dark Side calling to him, more strongly than ever, and he doesn't refuse it.

Many long moments drag by before he finally looks up at his padawan brother. Anakin still stands equally motionless, the crippling pain and loss he's feeling somehow managing to totally eclipse Theseus'. Yes, Theseus and Ahsoka were best friends, but Anakin raised Ahsoka. Even if they were close in age, she was almost like his daughter. She was his child. Theseus doesn't even want to imagine how he must be feeling right now. The three of them... it often felt like they were the only ones left together after the Hardeen incident, and now it's just the two of them.

The sun is slowly sinking below the horizon, letting night envelop the planet in a way that seems strangely symbolic. It's as though it's setting on the last period of light that's left in their lives, before everything plunges into darkness.

Somehow... Theseus thinks it might be true.

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