I'm going to be two chapters in relation to Episode 20 of season 5. When season six begins, I will resume writing. This is the first part of the story. Expect there to be a period of inactivity while I wait for The Clone Wars to resume. When The Clone Wars end, I will see if I can continue or if that is the end.

Chapter 4: Expulsion & Trial

Starkiller stood in a corner of the dimly-lit room while Ahsoka sat just a few feet away. Like Ahsoka, he was in cuffs, which he could easily break free from, but there was no need to. He would make himself more of a target. He had already been arrested for being an "accomplice," something he did not like, but couldn't change. Ahsoka's master, Anakin paced, keeping a close eye on Starkiller. He didn't blame the Jedi. The dark side of the force could be sensed by any Jedi and Anakin probably thought that he tried to turn his apprentice to the dark side. Seeing no reason to make Anakin's assumption more sure of itself, Starkiller bowed his head and closed his eyes.

"You're not helping," Ahsoka said to Anakin.

Anakin groaned. "I'm sorry, Snips. I just…I just don't know what to do."

Starkiller mentally chuckled to himself. Snips? That was a funny nickname for her.

"It's okay. I don't either," she answered.

A low ring sounded. Starkiller turned to look at Anakin and Ahsoka. They looked at each other. They stood up. Anakin guided Starkiller towards the platform. Ahsoka stood next to Starkiller. Two guards stood on either side of them both. The platform slowly ascended. As they entered the trial chambers, Anakin and the two guards stepped off the platform, but Starkiller and Ahsoka remained where they were on the platform as it continued to rise until they were in view of the Jedi deciding the case. Starkiller looked over each Jedi Master. He could sense the force strong within all of them. He could tell that they felt the dark side within him. Each master eyed him, and he looked back at them, feeling no need to hide or deceive them in any way. He could not hide anything from them.

"Padawan Tano," said Master Yoda. He was the master Starkiller saw earlier on the hologram. He was green and he looked very old, but there was no denying he was a strong Jedi Master. " Serious charges have been levied against you. How pleads you?

"Not guilty, master," Ahsoka said with a small shrug of the shoulders. "I would never take the lives of innocents. The values of the Jedi are sacred to me."

"There is evidence to the contrary," said another master. He had a large head. Like the first one that spoke, he looked old, but not quite as old. Apart from the large head, he looked exactly like a human. "You were alone with Letta when she died. Can you explain this?"

"Someone used the force against her," Ahsoka said.

"Which brings us to him," Another master, who wore a face mask, motioned to Starkiller, who looked up. "Can you explain you accociation with him? The dark side is strong within him."

"Starkiller found me. He's just as clueless about this as I am. He has been trying to help me."

"And did he help you acquire the nano droids you were found in possession of," another master inquired. He was one of the two human Jedi Masters. He wore a look of seriousness. He looked like one that was about getting to the bottom of everything. "The same type that was used in the bombing of the temple?"

"No. I was set up, and deceived, as you are being deceived now."

The master said nothing for a moment, then he said, "The question is, Padawan Tano, who is deceiving us? Starkiller, you, or someone else?"

Ahsoka still held firm. "I am not deceiving you. Starkiller is not deceiving you either would say it was Ventress. She "helped" me as I tried to find out who was deceiving, but I can't be sure. My sense is… clouded."

"Clouded by the dark side, these things are, Padawan Tano," Yoda said. "Dangerously clouded, but not just surrounded by you. Surrounding many things in these times."

"You've already made your decision haven't you?" Starkiller and Ahsoka looked down to see an outraged Anakin. "This meeting is just a formality."

Yoda sighed. "Reach a decision, we have, though not in total agreement, are we."

Mace Windu spoke next. "It is the council's decision that Padawan Ahsoka Tano has commited sedition against the Republic, and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order."

Ahsoka looked up with a look of shock. Starkiller continued to look up at the masters.

"You can't do this," Anakin shouted angrily.

As the platform began to descend, the Masters continued. "Your padawan status shall be stripped from you and you shall forfeit all ranks and privileges in the Grand Army of the Republic. You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await you trial and whatever punishment they set for you. Henceforth, you are banished from the Jedi Order."

A guard walked over to Ahsoka and pulled her padawan braid from her. She cast a momentary glance at it.

Starkiller, once again, found himself standing in a dimly lit room with Ahsoka. Even though no punishment had been made against him, it was clear that Jedi Council were issuing the same punishments for him to be turned over to the Republic courts. Still, he felt confined again, and it made him uneasy and angry. With some effort, he had to calm himself down. Ahsoka sat in silence with her head bowed.

The door opened and Anakin stepped forth with a human woman. As they stepped through, a red field appreared over the doorway. Ahsoka's face lit up. Starkiller remained where he was, staying out of the conversation.

"Padme has agreed to represent both of you before the senate." He cast a look of distrust and uncertainty at Starkiller, who looked Anakin in the eye, making it clear there was nothing he had hidden.

"I will do everything I can to prove you both innocent, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka looked back. "I am almost certain that the person behind is Ventress and you know I wasn't working for her."

Anakin looked at his former padawan. He then looked again at Starkiller, who was very attentive to their conversation. Although the dark side of the force was strong within him, he was not exhibiting normal sith behavior. Maybe he wasn't all that bad, but just the same, Anakin couldn't know for sure.

"She was at the warehouse, in the room. We fought," Ahsoka continued. "But she got away. Didn't any of the clones see anything?"

Padme turned to Anakin, who replied, "No, none of the clones reported seeing Ventress at the scene. I thought you said Ventress left before you went into the warehouse."

"That's what I thought too, but she attacked us when we got inside. I'd know her red lightsabers anywhere." Ahsoka wore a look of anger.

Anakin and Padme both looked at her, then Anakin said, "Well, if that's your only lead, then I know what I have to do."

"Wait," Padme called to Anakin. "Where are you going? You can't leave now."

"Yes I can. I have to find Ventress and get to the bottom of this."

Anakin turned to leave. The shield parted for him.

"Until we hear rom Anakin," Padme said. "Let's work on your defense."

Starkiler stood in front of both of them as Ahsoka sighed. "Forgive me if I'm not optimistic. I thought I was part of that order, but everyone except Anakin and Starkiller has abandoned me. I'm not holding out much hope that the Senate will treat me any better."

Padme cast a worried look at Starkiller, who looked at her, giving a look of confusion. He didn't know what to do. Padme nodded and began to think of the defense.

Starkiller, while remaining silent, also was trying to piece together what he knew. So far, Ahsoka had been accused of murder and the bombardment. The only "clue" that she got was from Barriss, her friend, who told her about the warehouse. When Ahsoka asked how she got this information, Barriss simply said, "I told you I would do some searching." That was a vague answer. It seemed like she was avoiding the question. What if she was? Could she be involved in this, or the one behind all of this? Not that it mattered. Nobody knew of her involvement anyways. All the evidence pointed to Ahsoka and Starkiller. Starkiller silently made a mental note to address this possibility to the Senate, if allowed to.

There may be three parts. I will write as I see fit. For now, I will try to post another chapter by the end of next week. I have no idea when The Clone Wars will be resuming. Also, comment, favorite, and follow. I really appreciate the support I've been given throughout this story. I'm sorry if this chapter was not creative enough. I will get to more creative ideas in time as the story progresses. Peace!