Chapter 11 - Order 66

Author's Note: In which... the Jedi fall. I'm so sorry. ;-;

To Guest: :'(

~ Amina Gila

No, no. This wasn't supposed to happen. Obi-Wan wasn't supposed to be here.

He was supposed to be away – somewhere he'd be safe. Maybe he's a traitor to the Republic, but Anakin knows no matter what Palpatine says – even if it's true – he can't let Obi-Wan die. He can't.

"Master Kenobi," Sidious greets smoothly, or maybe there's actually a hint of... smugness? in his voice, but Anakin is panicking too much to analyze it.

"You're a traitor, Chancellor," Obi-Wan growls, a look of fury burning in his eyes that Anakin's never seen before.

"I'm afraid you are the traitor. You and your entire Order," Sidious replies.

Obi-Wan's expression only darkens, and he ignites his lightsaber. "We can take him together, Anakin."

Force, he thinks – Of course, he thinks Anakin and Ahsoka are here to fight Sidious, and Anakin knows Obi-Wan will never listen to their reasoning. This wasn't supposed to happen. The very sight of Obi-Wan here is making him question everything he just did, but he can't back out now. He can't. It's... it's the only way to save Padme and his child, and what the Jedi are doing is treason. Most of all, if they tried taking out Sidious now, he's curtain they'd still fail, and then...

"I think not," Sidious retorts, with no small measure of satisfaction, "He is no longer blinded by your Order. He sees through the lies of the Jedi. He knows how you have been excluding him from the Council and your treasonous plans."

Obi-Wan's gaze jumps to Anakin, and he pointedly avoids it. "What is he talking about?" Obi-Wan demands.

Anakin can feel Sidious' eyes on him again, and – he knows what he has to do, but he doesn't know that he can. "He is right," he says, the words coming out quieter and shakier than they were meant to. It feels like sealing his fate, almost like he's choosing Palpatine over Obi-Wan, but he isn't. There's so much else at stake here. That doesn't mean he wants anything to happen to his former master, but this – this isn't in his control, and that's what scares him so much.

"What?" He sounds shocked and confused but it rapidly morphs into even greater anger. He feels the instinctive urge to back down, as he always does, but he can't do that. Not this time. The Dark Side has filled him with a power he's never felt before, and it makes it easier.

"Your Order has fallen, Kenobi," Sidious mocks, "Even now, the clone forces march on the Temple. The Jedi will be destroyed."

Anger flashes through Obi-Wan eyes, and he abruptly moves forwards, towards Sidious.

No, no – His mind freezes in denial, because he can't have to make this choice, he can't –

"Anakin," Sidious says, and he knows what it means.

He has to do this. He has to. Even if he and Ahsoka joined Obi-Wan, there's no way they would win a fight against Sidious. Not when all the other Jedi died. And even if they did, then they'd all be guilty of treason, and then Padme and his children would die.

Anakin ignites his own blade, blocking Obi-Wan's.

The look on his former master's face cuts him to the core. and it scares him. He's seen that look on his face before, but it was never directed at him. "Anakin, what are you doing?" he demands, his fury obvious in every word.

"This is treason," Anakin replies, his voice oddly empty. It feels like he's shutting down; it's too much to process. "He is the Chancellor."

"He's a Sith!"

"Don't let him deceive you, Anakin," Sidious urges.

Obi-Wan pulls back, slashing at him again, and Anakin blocks it. They trade a few blows, though each one may well as well have hit him for how much this hurts.

"How can you do this?" he demands, angrily, slashing at him again, "I never would have thought you'd put your loyalty to him over the Jedi."

The words hurt more than he could say, and the Dark Side responds to it immediately. "The Jedi committed treason," Anakin retorts, a little more firmly.

"You're letting this Dark Lord blind you," he hisses, throwing up a hand. It sends Anakin skidding backwards a few feet, nearly throwing him off-balance. When he straightens, Ahsoka is crossing blades with Obi-Wan.

They need this to stop. They need this to end. If they could just arrest him or something, they could figure out what to do from there, but it's obvious Obi-Wan won't stop. Anakin can't stop to think or... he doesn't even know what he'd do anymore. He runs forwards, joining Ahsoka.

They don't have the chance to talk anymore. Obi-Wan isn't holding back as he fights them, and Anakin changes onto the offensive to avoid letting him hurt Ahsoka.

He doesn't have time to feel as he throws himself into the fight, and maybe that's for the best because he can't deal with it. They've fought before but never to hurt the other. He still wouldn't, and maybe way inside, he can't believe Obi-Wan would actually hurt him seriously either, but he can't deny that there's a part of him that's scared. He knows his master will do whatever he deems necessary for the Jedi, and that hurts. Most of all, it feels like he's betrayed Obi-Wan, that he'd deserve it if he hurt him, and –

He thinks it's thanks to having Ahsoka here, and that Obi-Wan has already been fighting for hours when he finds a slight slip in his defenses, and takes advantage of it instantly, throwing Obi-Wan back, and crossing his blade above him before he can get up again. He calls Obi-Wan's lightsaber to him, so he can't take it back.

There's a look of burning fury in Obi-Wan's eyes, and it feels like... like everything of their relationship was just completely destroyed. He'll never forgive him for this. Force, Anakin will never forgive himself for this, but he doesn't know what else to do.

"Finish it, Anakin," Sidious orders, and for a moment, his heart almost stops.

His head snaps up, to look at the Sith Lord. He can feel him in all his Sithly glory, the Dark Side hovering around him sickeningly, sending shivers through him. "M – master, I –" He pointedly does not look at Obi-Wan as he addresses Sidious like that. It feels wrong. That title should only go to Obi-Wan, but in the end, this was his only choice.

"He is an enemy of the Republic," the Sith hisses.

"You destroyed the Republic," Obi-Wan snaps.

"I am rebuilding it into something far more powerful that will never fall. The galaxy will finally have peace. But they never will until the Jedi are gone," Sidious continues.

"I can't," Anakin protests, looking down. Suddenly, everything he just did feels like a terrible mistake – actually he knew that from the start – but there's still no other choice he could have made. And he needs to convince Sidious not to do this, but he doesn't know what to say or do or – "Please –"

"If he's arrested, he won't be a danger," Ahsoka cuts in, stepping forwards.

Sidious looks more than a little displeased, and the child in him immediately wants to hide. Palpatine has never hurt him before though that was before Anakin knew he was a Sith. He almost feels like a different person entirely now, but Anakin can't believe everything between them was a lie.

"We will discuss his fate later," Sidious hisses, finally, "There is no time for this." He pushes a button and moments later, security guards enter the room, cuffing Obi-Wan and dragging him out.

Anakin watches them take him, panic still clawing at him. Are they going to hurt him? Are they going to – If they do anything to him, there's nothing Anakin can do. They're on opposite sides now, but somehow, it leaves Anakin with even less control than before. He can only hope that Sidious will keep his word.

"I want you both to go the Temple," the Sith declares, "Do what must be done. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. Only then will you be strong enough in the Dark Side to save Padme."

**w**

This is all so, so wrong, but it feels like there's nothing Ahsoka can do to stop it. The Jedi have this coming. They betrayed the Republic and their principles. They don't deserve this, but it will happen either way.

And... the people who need her most are her mother and little sibling.

She has to believe that, or she's going to stop moving right here and now. Anakin has always stood by her – and the only time he almost didn't was because of the Council. And they tried to get Anakin to take the fall for their treason, to be killed instead for their actions.

There is no other choice. There isn't. (She has to believe that.)

She moves numbly as they get the clones ready, and head down for the Temple.

The last time she was here on these Temple steps, she was leaving the Order after what they did to her, after they showed how truly corrupted they were. Perhaps their destruction has been inevitable.

All she can hear is the sound of marching feet as they, with she and Anakin in the lead, march up the steps, into the building she once called her home.

They've fought a million battles before, but this is different. It's against the very people she once considered her family.

She's turning her back on everything she used to know.

Actually, she already did.

She lets the power of the Dark Side rush through her, washing away as many of her questions as she can as they move forwards. She lets herself remember every time the Jedi hurt her and Anakin over and over and over again. She lets herself feel every ounce of anger and bitterness she's felt towards the Council all these years. (That doesn't mean everyone should take the fall for it.)

They move forwards methodically, as though it's just some other mission.

They block of all the exits and then move inside.

She stays next to Anakin as they make their way through the halls. They head for where all the top Jedi Masters are, the most powerful ones who the clones will have a problem with, and deal with them one at a time.

It's effective, because it leaves the clones to deal with everyone else.

The first Jedi fall to her blades, and she forces herself not to freeze up at the sight of it – at the blood on her hands that will never go away.

They have to do this. They do.

It's easier after the first few, or maybe it's that she refuses to let herself feel anymore. The Jedi betrayed their principles. They had it coming. Maybe Barriss was right. (Does she really believe that?)

"What about the younglings?" Ahsoka asks, pausing in one of the halls. She can hear the sound of blaster fire, feel the death hanging heavily in the air like she's never felt before. She only ever destroyed droids. Fighting people was... rare.

Anakin is quiet for several long moments. "Sidious expects us to eliminate them as well." It comes out quietly, and she can feel his muted desperation, his pain, his own self-loathing at what both of them have done.

But they can't stop. It makes her hate Sidious most of all, but this would happen either way. It's only a question of who they try to save – a few Jedi or their own family. It's an easy choice, but it's still tearing her apart. "We can't kill them. None of this is their fault," Ahsoka objects.

"It will be far worse if they fall into Sidious' hands."

"Worse than dying?"

"There are many things in life that are far worse than death," he replies quietly, firmly. "I – I could never do that to another."

It's probably been hours, but Sidious shows up eventually, joining them in killing the remaining Jedi.

It's near sunrise by the time everything is over.

(Force, what have they done?)

**w**

Everything is falling apart, and Padme has no idea what to do. She doesn't even know what happened. All she knows is that the Jedi Temple is in flames, and Anakin and Ahsoka are gone. And she can only imagine where they went.

They could – they could...She doesn't bother to hold back the wave of tears that hits her. Her adopted daughter and husband could die, and – Only hours ago, everything was fine. Perfect, like a fairytale, almost. But now...

She doesn't know how long she's been standing there before she finally sees a ship approaching. Hope flares inside of her, even as her heart pounds, her mind playing out the worst possible scenarios of what could've happened. Through the darkness, Anakin and Ahsoka step out.

She runs over to them, hugging them both. "Are you alright? I heard there was an attack on the Jedi Temple. You can see the smoke here."

"I know," Ahsoka says, quietly.

"I'm fine," Anakin promises, "I came to see if you and the baby are safe." Ahsoka hovers next to them, expression pinched. There's a strange air about her... about both of them, that wasn't there before, but with everything that happening, it's not surprising.

"What's going on?" Padme queries.

"The situation is not good. The Jedi have tried to overthrow the Republic," Anakin responds.

What?! "I can't believe that!"

"At first, I couldn't either," Ahsoka replies.

"I saw Master Windu attempt to assassinate the Chancellor myself," Anakin explains.

That doesn't make any sense. She doesn't understand. How could the Jedi do this? It's all so confusing, and it's worse that Anakin is being dragged right into the middle of it. "What are you going to do?"

Anakin looks down, turning away and taking a few steps across the landing platform.

"We can't stand with the Jedi if they're doing this," Ahsoka replies, steely, but there's a note of... pain? in her voice that Padme doesn't miss.

"I will not betray the Republic," Anakin replies finally, turning and approaching her again, "I stand with the Chancellor, and with you."

But – "What about Obi-Wan?" she objects.

Anakin and Ahsoka exchange silent glances. "I don't know," is all Anakin says, though there's an underlying note of desperation there, which almost makes her wonder if they know or suspect something more that they aren't saying. She doesn't take the time to consider it, though. If it's important, they'll tell her.

None of this makes any sense. She doesn't understand. "How could this have happened?"

"I want to know the same thing," Ahsoka replies quietly.

Padme draws in a shaky breath. She doesn't think she's actually been this afraid before in a very long time, maybe ever. Except probably when the Trade Federation invaded Naboo. Everything she ever knew has been thrown into chaos, and she can't shake the feeling it's only about to get worse.

"We should leave," Ahsoka interjects quietly, looking to Anakin.

"Where are you going?" Padme frowns.

"The Chancellor has given us a very important mission," Anakin explains, "The Separatists have gathered in the Mustafar system. We're going there to end this war. Wait for us until we return. Things will be different. I promise." He steps forwards, pulling her into his arms again, and she returns the hug fiercely.

"Wait for me," he requests as he pulls away, and two head for the shuttle.

She can only hope that Anakin is right. Things will definitely be different. Nothing will ever be the same again. She watches as the shuttle takes off, flying away and disappearing into the endless lines of traffic, all of which is moving as though this is just another typical day. Like they're all oblivious to everything that's happened.

Another wave of tears hits her, and she lets them fall.

**w**

Anakin never wanted Ahsoka here in this. He might be willing to sacrifice himself, but she should never have been here. What was he even thinking, bringing her along when they went to find Palpatine? His Padawan Fell, and – he can't believe he was willing to let her do that. What is wrong with him?

How could he have let her do any of that? Maybe someone had to, but he could have done it alone. It's too late, though. She's here and Fallen, and nothing can change what either of them did.

He doesn't know what to do. He's never been so lost and alone and confused in his entire life. He always had someone to go to for help, but now he only has Ahsoka, who is as lost as him. It's Anakin's duty to care for her, anyway. He's torn between taking out Sidious the moment they ensure Padme will live and... doing nothing. Sidious betrayed him, but Anakin also owes him loyalty.

Anakin might be able to save Padme, but he wasn't able to save Ahsoka. He failed her, and nothing he does or says now will be able to change that.

"What are we going to do?" Ahsoka's voice breaks him out of his thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

"About Sidious," she clarifies, "He's... He's still the one behind the war. Behind everything."

They don't know that with certainty, but it's a safe guess. "He will help us save Padme," Anakin answers slowly. After that, he doesn't know. He doesn't know anything anymore.

They get to Mustafar not long later. Anakin remembers it from the last time he was here with Ahsoka. The orange glow enveloping everything somehow fits it perfectly. He remembers the intensity of the Dark Side from before too, but this time he lets it rush through him.

"Wait with the ship," Anakin tells Ahsoka as he climbs out.

She frowns. "Why?"

"I can handle this myself." He doesn't need to bring her into this too. It was enough with the Jedi. Dealing with the Separatists isn't nearly as bad, but still. He should never have brought her into any of this.

She seems reluctant, but doesn't argue, so he goes in alone.

It doesn't take long. There's only a few droids to defend them, and the rest fall easily. It's close to a massacre, but these people are the ones who helped start the war. They're responsible for the death of billions of people, just because of their own greed. They do deserve it. (Even if the Jedi didn't, and even if dealing with it like this isn't the right way.)

He contacts Sidious when he finishes, before stepping outside, moving to the railing, staring out at the rivers of lava below. The enormity of everything he's done feels like it's smothering him, and there's no one he can go to for help. The Jedi would have been destroyed either way, and he had to do this for his child, for Padme. But he didn't have to drag Ahsoka into it, and...

There's no way out.

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