"I'm just very disappointed that this is being brought up again."

"There's proof," Soph insisted. She felt Echo at her side, steady and supporting her. He knew just how emotionally draining it had to be for her and stayed close by. He knew she wouldn't reach for his hand, but he also knew the ability to do so if she needed was likely comforting to her. "Master Yoda looked at my mind and he found the same damage that Obi Wan found years ago."

"I still stand by Soph," Obi Wan said firmly. "As unbelievable as it may sound, Ezio Egan did use Sith mind control on her."

"True, this is," Master Yoda said. "Seen it, I have."

"I just don't think there's enough proof," Master Krell shook his head. "I can believe that the mind control was used - and I'm very sorry that it was - but Egan did not do it."

"He did," Soph said firmly. Her voice shook slightly. "Why would I lie? It's been years and the absolute last thing I want to do is discuss this with you again. No one believed me the first time, so why would I open myself up to the same ridicule as before?"

"I had hoped you'd moved on from this," Master Grey said, sounding disappointed. "You must be stronger than the hurt from your past."

"Then help me heal it," she requested. "Help me handle Ezio. He threatened me today. With him here, I do not feel safe in the temple."

"And safe, the temple should be," Master Yoda said, looking out across the Council. He shook his head and humphed. "Believe me, do you not?"

"It's just extremely improbable," Master Injaye told them. "A nine year old could not have possibly learned such an advanced, dark skill at such an age. He's grown to be an incredible and light Force user. Perhaps you are not."

Soph sucked in a short breath. "What are you trying to say?"

"I suggest a vote," she said, looking out across the Council. "A vote to remove Soph-Katarina's title of Master due to the growing darkness within her. We cannot allow ourselves to be swallowed up with her."

Soph's eyes widened. They turned to Master Yoda, who looked furious. "Master-,"

"Remove Master Sizre from this Council, we will not," he said firmly.

"And I respect your opinion, of course, Master, but I believe Master Injaye is correct - we cannot allow this behavior. Can you not feel the darkness?" Master Krell wondered.

"Darkness in all of us, there is," Master Yoda said chidingly. "How we handle this darkness that matters, it is. Reached a fork in the road, Master Sizre has. Decided yet, the direction is not. Patience, we must have. Support, we must give her."

"I'm not sure that's a risk we can take," Master Injaye said. "Palpatine already slipped past us because the darkness of this war blinds us. We cannot allow Soph-Katarina to worsen the already dire situation at hand."

"Soph has done more to end this godforsaken war than you have," Obi Wan said, trying and failing not to snap at her in defense of his old padawan. "She's the entire reason we even know about Palpatine."

"And she had him arrested without telling us first. Her actions speak to her distrust in this Council," Master Krell said. "A Jedi that distrusts this Council should not have a place on it."

"I concur," Master Grey nodded firmly. "We aren't moving to expel her from the Order entirely, but perhaps if we temporarily revoke her title, it would give her the time to bring herself back down the path of the light."

"Are we seriously considering removing the title she earned for once again speaking out against a dangerous individual?" Obi Wan looked around. "This is ridiculous."

"I agree," Master Secura shook her head. "Soph has earned her place on this Council. If Master Yoda is certain of what he saw, we should not call his testimony into question when he only repeats what was said years ago. There is proof of her claims and you would stare at it and deny it. This is not the Jedi way. I am truly appalled at the apathy amongst this Council."

"I believe it's time we put it to a vote," Master Windu sighed. "Soph, if you and Echo could give us a moment."

"Of course, Master," she bowed her head and quietly led Echo out of the room. When they got out, she started walking immediately. Her speed caught him by surprise and he had to jog for a second to catch up with her.

"Soph, stop."

She didn't stop and she didn't say anything. He kept following and, when he caught up with her, he reached out and grabbed her hand. She spun to look at him and he nearly stepped back when he saw the dark look in her eyes. "What?"

"You can't run from this," he said carefully. "In fact, running might be more dangerous."

She knew what he meant - they could run into Ezio at any time. She hated that she knew he was right. She stood there, her hand in his, breathing and calming herself for a long moment. He stayed there, squeezing her hand lightly in support, and waited patiently until finally, she let out a slow breath. "I'm sorry."

"You don't deserve any of this," he said softly. "You deserved better than what you've had, Soph. I'm sorry."

She wasn't sure why his words hit her so hard. It might've been the fact that no one had ever told her she hadn't deserved it. At the time, there was no time for comfort as Obi Wan had worked tirelessly to protect her. Standing in front of her was the man that was continually healing her, and she felt a strong wave of gratitude wash over her.

"Guys, what's going on?" Cutup asked as he ran up to them with Droidbait. "What's wrong?"

Soph laughed bitterly as the situation hit her again. "They're trying to revoke my title of Master. They don't believe us and they're claiming I'm getting dark and that I'll worsen the darkness among the Council if I stay on it."

"What the hell?" Cutup stared at her. "Seriously?"

"I knew they wouldn't believe me," she said softly. "I knew this would make things worse."

"I'm sorry," Droidbait said, frowning. "Shit, I'm sorry, Soph. This is fucked."

"All I've really done is destroy my own life trying to get justice. I just- I don't understand. I don't get why they don't believe me. Ezio doesn't…"

"He doesn't deserve this protection in the least," Echo said, rubbing her arm gently. "It's going to be okay no matter what. I'll make sure of it, Soph. You're going to be okay."

"You don't know that."

"I know with absolute certainty that I'd do whatever is necessary to protect you in every way - physically and emotionally," he looked down at her and she saw how much he meant what he said. The surety in his eyes left her feeling a little better - she'd be okay with him.

"What happens if they revoke your title?" Droidbait wondered. "Are you no longer a Jedi?"

"No, no," she shook her head quickly. "I'll be a Knight again. Still a Jedi, still a General, but they'll have stripped me of every honor I've earned. Ezio has made all of my accomplishments pointless. How the hell am I meant to help people if he's sabotaging me at every possible moment?"

"He won't continue to do so," Echo said darkly.

Soph's response was cut off by her comms beeping. She answered the call and wasn't able to even say hello before she heard someone speaking.

"Come, youngling," she heard. "I need your assistance."

"I'm sorry, sir, but my Master ordered me to stay here," Ahsoka said. "And if I don't keep working, I'll be in a lot of trouble."

"I can ensure you won't be," he comforted. "If you'll just follow me-,"

"I can't."

Soph was already moving. She tugged Echo along behind her and let Droidbait and Cutup follow, as well. She practically ran through the temple toward the archives. When she got there, she put herself between Ezio and Ahsoka. He'd grabbed the padawan by her arm and was tugging her to the side. Soph smacked his hand hard, forcing him to drop Ahsoka. "Get the fuck away from her, Ezio."

"What am I going to do? She's practically a youngling."

"I was a youngling when you did it to me," she snapped. "If you touch her ever again, I will gladly do unspeakable things to you, damn the Council. You will never hurt her, do you understand me?"

"Why would I hurt her?" he shook his head. "You need to relax, Little Soph. Your padawan is perfectly safe, and you need to back off. I can't promise what'll happen if you don't."

"Master," Ahsoka looked between them with wide eyes. "Should I call for help?"

"No," Soph answered, staring at Ezio. "He won't be doing anything."

Ezio raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"The Council knows what happened to me," she said as bravely as she could. She took a breath and prepared the lie she was going to tell. "Right now, they're discussing the situation and the path forward. You're never going to hurt me again, and you're sure as hell going to stay away from Ahsoka. This is between us - don't bring her into it."

"Well, I believe you're the one who brought her into it," he disagreed. "By taking her on as a padawan, you put her in danger from your enemies."

"So you're admitting you're my enemy?"

"Because of what you did to me, not your ridiculous claims," he said, staring at her like she was an idiot. "I did nothing to you."

"You controlled me!" she snapped. "You hurt me without a moment's hesitation. Hell, you threatened to kill me."

He looked surprised. She figured he hadn't known she could remember that. "You're delusional, Soph."

"Master, are you sure you don't want me to get help?" Ahsoka wondered, concerned.

"'Soka, I think you should leave for a moment."

"But Master-,"

"Ahsoka, go."

Reluctant and scared for Soph, Ahsoka walked away, glancing back as she moved. Soph waited until she was out of sight before speaking again.

"I mean it, Ezio. Touch her, talk to her, even look at her, and I will destroy you, do you understand me?"

"I think you should come with me," Ezio said, staring at her darkly. "It would really be in your best interests."

"I'm not leaving my men," she denied.

Ezio stepped closer, getting far too much into her personal space, and lowered his voice. "You want the truth, Soph? The truth is, no one will ever believe you. I'm protected - you are not. So listen when I say this- I will tear her to pieces if you do not follow me alone. Do anything to me and someone else will do it for me."

Soph's chest tightened with terror. She couldn't let Ahsoka be hurt. She was supposed to protect her padawan, not let her be hurt because of Soph. Fear filled nausea rolled through her, but she nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

"Soph, no," Echo said, reaching out for her. "No."

"Find Ahsoka," she said, gently removing his hand from her arm. "Do not let her be hurt."

"Soph-,"

"That is an order, Echo. Protect Ahsoka. Send Fives after us if I'm not back in ten minutes."

He nodded shortly. "Of course. Just… be careful."

"I will be," she promised. "You're good?"

"I'm good," he confirmed quietly. "I'm good, Soph."

"Okay," she nodded firmly. "I'll see you in a bit."

He hesitated for only a moment before he turned and waved Droidbait and Cutup forward. "You heard the general- move!"

She waited until he was gone before following Ezio to an empty classroom. After he closed the door behind him, he turned on his heel and stalked toward her. She backed up, panic gripping her chest, until her back hit a wall. He towered over her, staring down with hatred in his eyes. He put his arms on the wall on either side of her to keep her there. "You're going to stop fighting me. You're going to cooperate, or I'm going to kill everyone you love - starting with that clone that you're in love with, Echo."

Soph blinked. It was a lot to take in - the threat processed first, but quickly, her attention shifted to his last words. "I'm not in love with him, Ezio."

"Oh, you love him," he disagreed. "It's very obvious. He loves you, too. You should be released for that alone."

"Ezio-,"

"We're going to be friends again," he decided. "Show the Council that things are better. You're going to take the heat off of me, do you understand?"

"I'm not doing anything," she snarled. "I'm not helping you."

His hands shifted to press her against the wall by her shoulders. Using the physical contact, he pushed aggressively into her mind without warning. She tried to fight back, but with the damage that had been done so recently, it was nigh impossible to fight him. It didn't take long before that feeling she hadn't felt since she was nine slipped into her - forced calm and obedience. "You're my friend. You're going to do some things for me. Firstly and most importantly, you will come to me alone every time you come to the temple. Understand?"

"Yes," she said, her voice quiet. She was still trying to fight it, but she felt the order sink into her like a virus. It spread through every piece of her being until she knew she had no choice but to do it. It was a horrifying feeling that she'd forgotten. She wished she'd never felt it again.

"I assume you have told those closest to you the truth."

"I have," she confirmed.

"And I'd assume they'd never believe it if you told them you were wrong."

"They wouldn't."

"Then you will distract them," he decided. "You will put bombs in the weapons room on Kenobi's star fighter. Set them off while you're still on board. You're going to make sure you get hurt doing it."

"I will," she agreed, cringing inwardly as she did.

"Return to the Council," he instructed. "Tell them it was a lie."

"My Master won't believe it. He'll know."

"And if he causes problems, you will kill him."

Everything in her screamed in desperation - she couldn't. Obi Wan was the closest thing she'd ever had to a real, true father. He was the first person after the mess with Ezio that had made her feel safe and continued to do so. Despite the way she wanted to scream, cry, fight her way out of the order, she nodded sharply.

"Good. Now, return to your men. Oh, and Soph?"

"Yes?"

"If you ever threaten me again, I'll kill you in the most painful way you can imagine."

She knew he wasn't lying. The dangerous, unstable look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. He'd never been the person she'd thought he was, she was certain of it. It had been an act, and she knew he'd never be caught.

"Go," he told her sharply. He stepped back to let her go. She moved forward and pushed past him, hitting him with her shoulder as she moved. When she did, he grabbed her arm so tightly within his hand that she knew it would bruise. Before she could steady herself, he reached up and slapped her across the face. He pulled her close and stared down at her. "Never do that again, or you'll receive far worse than a slap."

She silently cursed the tear that rolled down her cheek. She said nothing, simply waiting until he finally dropped his hand and released her. Without a moment's hesitation, she bolted from the room.

"Echo," she said, her voice shaking as she spoke into her comms. "We need to leave."

"Okay," he agreed. "I'll come find you. Ahsoka's safe, she's with Hevy in the archives."

"I'm in the classroom," she replied quietly. She could practically hear his silent concern.

"I'll be there in two minutes."

Trying to keep her mind occupied and figure out how to avoid his questions, she counted the seconds as they passed by. True to his word, Echo showed up after two long minutes. He didn't hesitate - he strode over to her and immediately pulled her into his arms. She shook in them and felt tears fall.

"I can't," she said quietly.

"I'm not asking," he whispered into her hair. "You know I'm here. You know I'll do anything. No matter what he did or does, you'll be safe."

She wanted to tell him that others wouldn't be, but she simply couldn't. The very thought of it sent pangs of pain through her whole being. Still, he was right. She did know all of those things. Standing in his arms with tears running down her face, she tried to slow her breathing.

Maybe, with Echo there, they'd figure it out. Maybe they could stop it.

Force, she hoped they could stop it.

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