"I never know what to feel coming back to this place."
Ahsoka's words should have shocked Anakin. Being back at the Jedi Temple, he'd have once thought she'd feel happy and warm, full of delight at being back at her home.
Now however, after everything that had happened between Ahsoka and the Order, he didn't blame her one bit, and if he was telling the truth, he didn't know how he felt being back here either. The Temple had never really been his home. Padmé was, and before that his mother.
"At least you're not collapsing like the rest of them. That's a good thing, right?"
"True. But what makes us so special? Why aren't we susceptible to whatever has attacked the Temple?"
"No idea Snips, but that's what we are here to find out."
"Fingers crossed we do."
"Hey! It's us! Do you doubt our ability?"
"With you involved Anakin things have a tendency to go wrong somehow!"
"I resent that Ahsoka! Obi-Wan is the magnet for trouble."
"Well he must have passed it down to you then."
"And then I passed it on to you!"
"Touche."
Pleased that once more they had fallen into their standard comradery, Anakin allowed a smile to come to his face as he led the way to the Temple entrance. The duo had taken Ahsoka's skycar from the Senate building to the Temple, parking it on the same level as the entrance to the Temple itself, saving the hassle of ascending the hundreds of stairs.
As they walked, Anakin mulled over their meeting with the Chancellor. Palpatine had mentioned something about a Sith Shrine, and gave orders to Ahsoka to find out if it really did exist. If it did, then no doubt they were all in great danger. Sith had a nasty habit of constructing doomsday weapons after all. Chances were that something similar was responsible for the current state of the Temple.
If a Sith Shrine did exist somewhere underneath the Temple, why had the Jedi Council hidden such a thing from everyone else? Surely it would be safer for them all to know? They might have even been able to take precautions against it, or destroyed the shrine altogether!
Still, all of that was based on the existence of the shrine in the first place. It could turn out to just be a myth.
"General Skywalker. Commander Tano. Good to see you both."
The sudden voice of Captain Rex broke Anakin out of his internal thoughts. In the time he had deliberated the shrine's existence, he and Ahsoka had crossed the large plateau towards the Temple entrance.
Rex stood there, a pair of Clones behind him, standing where the Jedi Temple Guards would normally be.
"Rex! Good to see you. Not been killed in one of the General's crazy schemes yet then?" Ahsoka called out from beside him, the speed of her footsteps increasing for a moment as she moved towards the Clone Captain, one arm extended, a gesture that Rex copied in an instance. Moving towards the Togruta himself, Rex's hand grasped Ahsoka's arm in a gesture of greeting the two had developed over their time together.
"Ha! Not just yet Commander. Though the boys sure do miss your more stable form of command." Rex replied, the smirk on his lips matching the one Ahsoka had on her face. Anakin was glad to see that despite their time apart, Ahsoka and Rex still had the bond they had formed. He knew that he could always rely on them both.
"Well maybe one day I'll join you guys for a campaign again. Fingers crossed one of my missions crosses over with yours." Ahsoka replied, letting go of Rex's arm in the process as Anakin came to stand by her side.
"I look forward to the day Commander Tano." Rex answered, nodding at Anakin as a greeting.
"Is the Temple secure Rex?" Anakin inquired, eyes surveying the perimeter. Several more Clones were on patrol around the edge of the Temple entrance, some dressed in the colour scheme of the 501st, others the familiar grey of the 104th and yellow of the 212th. It seemed that Rex had put out the call for help to more than just his own men, not that Anakin was surprised. The Clones present were fiercely protective of their Jedi Generals.
"The Temple is indeed secure Master Skywalker. I commend your strategy." A new voice, one that was modulated by a helmet, hit his ears. From behind Rex, a tall figure dressed in Temple Guard armour and robes emerged, his posture imposing and defensive. It appeared that not all of the guards had been rendered unconscious by the attack.
Anakin began to reply before the Temple Guard moved into action first, moving towards Ahsoka and offering her his hand, one she took in response without hesitation.
"Good to see you again Agent Tano. I pray we have a less chaotic mission this time."
"You and me both."
"Hang on…. how do you two know each other?" Anakin interrupted, confusion in his tone. How was it that Ahsoka suddenly knew a member of the Jedi Temple Guard? And how did he know of Ahsoka's title of 'Agent'?
"I accompanied Agent Tano on a recent mission to apprehend a fugitive of the Republic. She proved herself a formidable force that day." The Temple Guard answered Anakin's question instantly, flooding Anakin's mind with thoughts.
No doubt the fugitive in question had been Barriss, which meant the Temple Guard was likely present when Barriss…
"Formidable maybe, but we still didn't complete the mission to the best extent." Ahsoka's voice was soft, an element of despair hidden deep beneath it. Whilst the Temple Guard clearly did not pick up on the subtle change of her tone, Anakin did, and from the expression on his face, so did Rex.
"Be that as it may, the Chancellor was pleased with our end result. That is all that matters in the end. Now come, Master Windu is expecting you."
"Oh joy."
Ahsoka let out a laugh at Anakin's reply to the Temple Guard, something Anakin had been hoping for. He didn't like seeing Ahsoka so down.
The Temple Guard too made a sound beneath his helmet, one that was somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. Clearly he was no fan of Windu either.
This time, the trip through the halls of the Temple was very different. There were much fewer unconscious Jedi laying around, and those that were were slowly being identified by the legions of Clones that now protected them.
Across the way Anakin spotted Commander Cody helping lift an unconscious Padawan off of the floor, before moving to join a pair of his brothers who were supporting an older Jedi, likely the Padawan's Master.
"We've been helping those we can, taking them to their quarters and the Halls of healing, but so far we've not been able to identify what's caused this. Kix is stumped, naturally!" Rex explained as they moved through the halls, moving to make way for a pair of troopers carrying a pair of unconscious Jedi in the process.
"We all are Captain. Whatever this is, it is a force outside of medicinal control." The Temple Guard said and he continued to lead them, moving through another series of hallways that were now devoid of any unconscious bodies.
"I still don't understand why some of you have been unaffected. The vast majority of the Jedi in the Temple have been." Rex spoke again, voicing the ongoing question that was running through Anakin's head. Why weren't they affected?
Before anyone had a chance to reply however, the Temple Guard turned another corner, leading the group into a larger open room.
Windu stood to one side, conversing with a hologram of a female Twi'lek, one that Anakin recognized as Aayla Secura. The Twi'lek Master was off planet the last Anakin had heard, and was likely being informed by Windu not to return to the Temple in the meantime. Anakin wondered just how many other Jedi had been informed of the situation, and what their reactions to it had been.
"Oh no. Look who it is! 'Mr Important Temple Guard' strikes again." A new voice broke Anakin's train of thought, drawing the attention of the group.
"By the Force Bil would you stop with the mocking already!" The Temple Guard replied, his voice near enough a snarl, but one that was oddly enough laced with humour.
"Ah you know me buddy! Can't do that." Bil replied, before moving away from the group to allow them to approach Windu, who had finished his own discussion with Aayla.
Anakin watched as Windu approached, nodding at the Temple Guard first, who took that as a sign of being dismissed, before turning his attention to Ahsoka.
For several moments, the Jedi Master's eyes bored directly into Ahsoka's, the duo engaging in what seemed to be a staring contest. Through the Force Anakin could feel Windu's distrust in her, and likewise Ahsoka's lack of faith in him.
As much as he agreed with Ahsoka's cautious nature, Anakin knew that they would need to work together to solve this riddle. Distrusting each other would get them nowhere.
"Tano."
"Windu."
Anakin didn't miss the way Windu flinched at the lack of his 'honorific' before his name. Clearly the Jedi Master was still having difficulties accepting that Ahsoka had chosen to leave the Order. She had no reason to call him 'Master' any longer.
"I'm glad to see you operational. We will need all the help we can get."
"Likewise. This issue affects the Republic as a whole, thus it is prudent that we work together to resolve it."
"Are you here of your own desire, or did the Chancellor send you?"
"I'm here because Anakin asked for my help, though the Chancellor is aware of the issue and would like frequent updates of our progress."
"I see."
As much as Anakin wanted to interrupt and help Ahsoka, something stopped him. The way Ahsoka spoke to Windu, the level of professionalism and dignity she held far exceeded anything he had ever taught her. She had evolved from a rash and reckless Padawan to an experienced leader in her own right. She could fight her own battles now, even against less than friendly Jedi Masters.
Anakin couldn't have been prouder.
"Do we have any more information about what happened General?" Rex's voice broke the tense stand-off between Human and Togruta. Windu shifted his face away from Ahsoka's, something that the Togruta smirked at briefly before returning her own expression to one of neutral professionalism.
"I am sorry to say we do not Captain. Whatever this is is a force to be reckoned with." Windu replied, his expression grim and his signature in the Force troubled. The very idea of something worrying Mace Windu put Anakin even further into the feeling of unease that he had since the start. Windu, for all his flaws, was usually one of the first to find a solution to any problem. If this was out of even his depth, then they were in deep trouble.
It was times like these that Anakin really wished they had the support and wisdom of Master Yoda to guide them. Alas, that was not an option.
"So far we've examined several unconscious Jedi to see if this was a biological weapon of some kind, such as a nerve agent, but we've come up with nothing that suggests it could be." A new voice joined in, the one that belonged to the Dowutin Knight Masana Tide, who had somehow managed to sneak up on the group despite her towering figure.
"So if it's not a biological weapon what is it? If it affected the Order this fast it must be potent." Ahsoka questioned, her own tone now grim and full of concern. Part of Anakin wanted to tell her that it would all be alright in the end, but again, the voice in his head stopped him. Ahsoka was a grown woman now. She didn't need him fawning over her.
"You're not wrong there. Unless this is some really clever scheme by Dooku and we have a traitor in our midst I think we can even rule out Seperatist involvement in this issue." Masana replied, shrugging her shoulders in the process, a sign of frustration at not getting anywhere quickly.
"Yes this is beyond the usual operations of Dooku and his minions. Something isn't right here." Bil chimed in next, tone much the same as the rest of the gathered group.
"You don't say Bil. Maybe you should retire from the Jedi and become a private investigator. You seem to have a knack for noticing the obvious after all."
"Very funny Masana. I suppose you'll become a dancing girl then?"
"Urgh no! Gross dude!"
"Back to the situation at hand?" Windu interrupted the banter without hesitation, earning a reluctant nod from Masana and a roll of the eyes from Bil. Anakin very nearly laughed at that alone, and through the Force he could feel Ahsoka was in much the same state
"Yes Master Windu. What's our next step then?" Masana said, fully refocused on the situation at hand, the early humour around her fading away instantly.
"For now we must continue any research we can and ensure the safety of the Temple. Captain Rex and his fellow troopers have the Temple on lockdown, do you not Captain?"
"Yes General. We've got the Jedi's back just as we always do." Rex replied, saluting in the process, something that was met with a nod of appreciation from Windu.
"If I may Master Windu, I would like to voice a suggestion." Ahsoka's voice returned to the discussion suddenly, her expression one of deep contemplation.
If she was going to ask what Anakin thought she was going to ask…
"Speak your mind Agent Tano." Windu's response was oddly polite considering the tension between them, but either way Anakin was glad to see that he wasn't letting the past get in the way of the present.
"When Anakin and myself reported this issue to the Chancellor, he made a comment about a legend he had heard of regarding the Jedi Temple, and more importantly what could be buried deep beneath it."
Windu's expression was very nearly picture worthy. At the subtle mention of the possibility of there being something buried deep beneath the Jedi Temple, his brow was suddenly raised and alert, his signature in the Force cautious and filled with dread.
Anakin almost couldn't believe his eyes. If Windu was acting like this, was it possible that…
"And what legend is this Tano?" Windu's voice was cold and harsh all of a sudden, as if he was trying hard to hide something. Surely it couldn't be true? The rest of the Order would have known if there was a Sith Shrine buried deep beneath them… right?
"The legend that there is a Sith Shrine below the Jedi Temple. The Chancellor seems to be under the impression that could be the source of your problems." Ahsoka did not relent, her own voice now adopting a tone similar to Windu's. She had clearly picked up on his sudden shift in attitude and was trying to pressure him into revealing the truth, whatever that may be.
"You should not believe everything the Chancellor tells you young one." Windu replied, his eyes narrowing at Ahsoka as he spoke.
"Don't patronize me!" Came Ahsoka's response, earning a look of surprise from all the other gathered Jedi. Hearing Ahsoka snap in such a way was not uncommon for Anakin, especially in their first year together, but it was still always a surprise to see. She was usually such a nice person, but then Anakin supposed the nicest people were always the scariest when angered.
"Tell the truth Master Windu. Are the legends true?" Another voice interrupted, the one belonging to the Temple Guard who had escorted them to Windu to begin with, boomed across the room. The tall robed figure moved to stand beside Ahsoka, his masked face staring at Windu's own. Anakin could almost imagine the Guard's eyes boring into Windu's skull.
"There is nothing to tell."
"Then why the hesitation Mace? Something you are not telling us?" Masana spoke next, a look of annoyance on her face, one that Windu returned with what Anakin would call a look of guilt. The Council Member was hiding something big.
And from the way multiple people were now pressuring him, it was clear he was not going to be able to stay quiet for much longer.
Choosing that moment to voice his own inquiry, Anakin spoke in the gentlest tone he could manage. They still needed to work together after all.
"Master, if there is a Sith Shrine buried beneath the Temple, we need to know. It could be the source of this problem. Are the legends true? Is there a Sith Shrine buried beneath the Jedi Temple?"
Windu did not answer immediately. His expression and Force signature screamed 'guilt' to everyone in the room, and they all could tell it. If someone had told Anakin that one day the pressure would get to Mace Windu of all people, he'd of never have believed them.
But then he'd have never believed them if they told him he'd one day have a Padawan who would become a sister to him in all but blood, one that he would be broken without.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Windu released a sigh of frustration, one of his hands coming up to lay across his own face before confirming Anakin's worst fears.
"It's true. The Shrine does exist."
Author's thoughts
Oh look... another dialogue world-building centric chapter. How boring. Come on SirLoozElite! Get to the action already! You're letting everyone down!
Kidding... kidding... hopefully at least. XD
In other news. Holy moly this story has hit 50 chapters! What am I doing with my life?! Hopefully it doesn't get to 100! I don't know if I'll be able to last that long! I feel like I'm running on fumes as it is! XD
This chapter was fun to write, especially with all the teasing between different characters, as well as the various tidbits of irony included too. If only they all knew in the long run what was going to happen huh? XD
Now, I know a lot of you wanted Ahsoka to flaunt her rank above Windu as teased last chapter, but I chose to go for a different route here instead and have him confronted by everyone else instead. I wanted to show the divide that is beginning to grow in the Order between the Council Members and the various Knights and Masters under them. By having Masana, Bil and the Temple Guard do the questioning, hopefully it helps to show that not everyone is happy with the Council's leadership and decisions. Considering who the three mention Jedi become in canon, it shouldn't be a great surprise that they dislike Windu and his policies.
But also, I didn't just want to make Windu an outright bad person. He is actually a good person at heart, one who only wants what is best for the Order and the Republic. He just has a more aggressive way of going about it. I suppose you could say he is the 'bad' good guy of this story arc! XD
So aside from that, I don't really have much to say. The action ramps up soon, I promise. Plenty of darkside chaos to come once we reach the Sith Shrine itself. XD
As usual, thanks to my beta reader 'ArrinSnyders' for all his help.
Next time round Windu is forced to reveal the truth about the Sith Shrine, and Ahsoka reports to Palpatine.
As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
dragonfox123: Thanks. Hope you enjoyed it.
Mysterious Guest One: I'm actually several chapters ahead in first drafts. Just a case of getting them to my beta once I'm ready and then working with him to get it ready for publishing. Hope you didn't mind the lack of authority being flaunted. I felt this was a better option.
Erukat: Good grandpa guy Palpy strikes again. His interest in ancient history is paying off it seems! XD
Oh boy... is Windu in for a fun time. He's gonna need a vacation after this is over! XD
Firewing's Scepter: Palpy has got a bit of a dream team here hasn't he? I wonder what his plan is... if it even is his plan? XD
Glad you liked the chapter. Hope this one was just as good. XD
The Gnomist: Ha! You're not wrong there! Let's just hope it doesn't come to that though. XD
Cat-Gods-Of-The-Cat-People: No... they were right to be upset over it. I was simply hoping that they would not verbally attack anyone for having a different opinion to them. Clearly I expected too much. That'll teach me to be optimistic huh? XD
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. It might have been short, but it was necessary to advance the plot, as was this one. Still, glad you liked it. :)
Slade01: Don't worry about the complaints stuff. It's in the past... hopefully.
I hate to disappoint you, but for now Palpatine is on the sidelines. However, there will be more and more of him as the story progresses, including several scenes from his perspective, so his thoughts are coming soon. It just might be a while yet. Hope that's ok? :)
Dressyone02: I think a lot of the hate for Windu probably stems from Ahsoka's trial and his treatment of her and Anakin. Aside from that he is fine and I do like him, so you can expect some badass Windu to come. But for now he is just the odd one out in this arc, and it makes sense story wise for people to dislike him.
He's a good guy really. He's just in a bad situation at the moment trying to lead a rag-tag group of Jedi that don't really like him on an important mission.
matthewbarcus31: Thanks. I'll try my best.
rosellashipper43: That line was meant to spark ideas of Order 66 to mind, so nice catch. I'm glad you liked it. Inserting those little hints and teases and references is always great fun for me, especially when people call attention to them.
Honestly, my anger at Rex has faded now, though I'm still annoyed by the direction they took with it. Not 100% happy, but content enough to still like Rex and keep him involved as a mainstay.
It's funny you mention MMPRPINK, because I do know that author actually. We are friends (I think) on Tumblr and interact frequently. Hell our stories have even crossed over once or twice via mentions! Talk about a small world huh? XD
tf330129: Doing my best! XD
RyanSquad: Glad you are enjoying the story thus far. Hope it keeps being good for you.
As for what I did... it's a long story, but simply put, I wasn't happy by Rex not removing his chip in Clone Wars and snapped as a response. I've calmed since then, but some people took it badly and got a bit hostile with me as a response. No one's fault though, not unless they continue to attack me.
TaitanoRules555: Probably not. I'm happy with it here, as it is bigger than just the Clone Wars. Honestly it works in either place, but I chose here for some reason that escapes my mind now. XD
1saaa: Oh you are gonna like this arc... I hope. Lots of mystery inbound. XD
Palpy is just up to his usual tricks with this arc. The question is though, is he truly responsible for whatever has happened? Or is there something else going on here?
That said, as usual, your speculation has some merit to it. How much though, I shall not say just yet! XD
As for your comment... that is not arrogant or imposing of a view. That is simply stating the obvious. I've got no issue with people disagreeing with what I wrote, I just don't appreciate the hostile comments they feel the need to leave. Alas, clearly I am at fault once more. Perhaps I should have just left well enough alone. :)
Siphon 117: I'm glad you are enjoying the story at least, despite my nature as a bad person.
I understand and accept your views about my own reaction. I agree that I did overreact to it, and perhaps went a bit too far, but in the end of the day nothing can change that now, and I will live and accept that.
Rex's role in this story will not change. I've known his role for a long time, and he has a very important character arc later on. I don't want to change it, and I'm not going to, because at the end of the day, my issues with his character enacting Order 66 are not down to him, but down to a writers decision. It is thus unfair of me to punish him for that.
I have had a plan for this story from day one. I knew the ending before I even typed the first word. The ending has not, and will not change, it is just a case of getting there. Small elements might change along the way, but the fate of each character will not differ from my original plan.