Chapter 168: The Jedi Who Knew Too Much

Courage begins by trusting oneself.

Recap: Terror at the Temple! The Jedi Temple is in disarray after a vicious terrorist attack. Anakin Skywalker, Storm, Twilight Sparkle, and Ahsoka Tano set out to find the truth of who was really behind this horrendous catastrophe. Their investigation led them to discover the true saboteur, Letta Turmond. Now the Jedi attempt to return the Temple to normalcy. But first, Master Yoda must give a eulogy to the fallen Jedi warriors.

With the bombing of the Jedi Temple, many people suffered. And many died as a result. Among them were some Jedi as nearly every Jedi was gathered about as they stood in a group. They all stood before Master Yoda as the Grand Jedi Master gave a small eulogy speech for all to hear while walking among the caskets.

"One with the force, they are. And our job it is to remember that we will. In time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we. But temporary vessels, our bodies are. And we shall all find ourselves here in time. A moment of silence, I ask, to remember and to move on."

Everybody put their heads down and did as Yoda said, allowing a moment of silence to fall as they honored the dead. As Ahsoka and Twilight were mourning the dead, they noticed Barriss beside them as she was deeply grieving. As if this eulogy affected her on another level.

"You were close to one of them?" asked Ahsoka to her friend.

"Tutso Mara. We trained together. He taught me how to hold my lightsaber correctly." said the Padawan of Master Luminara.

Twilight put her hand on her friend's shoulder to support her friend's loss.

"I'm sure he's in peace, knowing he taught someone as talented as you before passing away. Carry on his memory," stated the princess as Barriss smiled at her friend.

"Live for the living Jedi, we must. Live through us, forever they will," said Yoda as he gave some final parting words to the dead.

The Grand Jedi Master banged his cane on the floor. The caskets were then lowered below and sealed. A small porthole was shown as a pillar of light shot up.

The eulogy ended as our group of heroes decided what to do next.

"So what happens to Letta now?" asked Ahsoka.

"The bomber has been moved," said Admiral Tarkin as he walked with the Jedi after the eulogy.

"Moved?" said Twilight as she was stunned to hear that.

"Where? Why should she be moved?" said Ahsoka.

"The Republic military has taken her into custody," said Tarkin.

"But why? This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?" responded the Padawan.

"Clones were killed, Which makes this a terrorist attack. A military matter. An attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate."

"Admiral Tarkin is right.

"Letta isn't a Jedi. It's not for us to be judge and jury over a citizen
of the Republic."

"Huh, never knew you were one to kiss ass, Anakin," said Storm as the two glared at each other rather fiercely.

"If Letta's guilty, she's guilty, And she should be dealt with," said Ahsoka as she stood before the group.

"Calm down, Ahsoka. Remember, revenge is not the Jedi way," said Anakin to his apprentice as she made a face.

"The evidence seems clear, Ahsoka. Nothing will ever change," said Barriss to her friend, hoping to help her see the points being made.

"The Chancellor feels very strongly that the Jedi be removed from as many military matters as possible. You yourselves said that you're peacekeepers, not soldiers," stated Tarkin.

"I hope Chancellor Palpatine knows what he's doing," said Ahsoka with some venom toward Tarkin.

"I assure you that he rarely does anything without a strategy," said the Admiral.

The elevator he called for beeped as the doors opened, and he stepped inside.

"I have many things to attend to, Masters. Good day. Ahsoka. Twilight." said Barriss as she began to walk down the hall to the left.

"Go. Be with your friend, Ahsoka," stated Anakin as he could see that the girl was grief-stricken by the loss of her friend and urged his Padawan to be there for her in this time of need.

She nodded before going after Barriss. Leaving Anakin to get on the elevator with Tarkin.

"In ways, she is still very young," sighed the Jedi Knight.

"Indeed," responded Tarkin as the doors closed.

Storm and Twilight were left as the pair had other things to do. The princess looked down the hall and wished Barriss the best of luck to get over the death of someone she cared about.

"You thinking about joining them?" asked Storm as he noticed Twilight's gaze.

"I wish I could. But I have guard duty. I'm supposed to wait till they come for Letta to transport her." said Twilight, as Celestia had assigned her the duty after capturing her.

"I see. Well, in that case, good luck, Sparky."

"Thanks," said Twilight as she hoped to kiss her partner on his cheek but was already gone before she could finish her sentence. The girl looked sad as she remembered Celestia's talk about Storm dragging her down. The Jedi Knight made her way to the cell.

With Ahsoka, she had managed to catch up with Barriss.

"Company?"

"Sure," smiled Barriss to one of her best friends as they walked alongside each other.

"Every time I think about this, I feel conflicted. It's hard not to let feelings turn into attachment and pain."

"Ahsoka, have you ever wondered if it was right to ignore your emotions?" asked Barriss.

"My Master would say, "Our struggle as Jedi is to move past them."" said the Padawan.

"You make it sound so easy," sighed Barriss.

"No, it isn't easy," chuckled Ahsoka lightly. "But it's possible. Like, when we were stuck inside the battle tank on Geonosis with Twilight. It was hard not to be afraid. Still, we got past it. And I guess we'll get past this."

"You've always been capable of seeing things clearly," said Barriss.

"I guess I've fooled you like I have everyone else," chuckled the girl as it got Barriss to lift her spirits just a little bit.

Just then, her comlink began to beep as she answered it.

"Yes, Master."

"Ahsoka, we're needed in the war room. It appears the Separatists have mounted another attack," said Anakin.

"Coming, Master," said the girl as she ended the call and looked to take off before turning to Barriss. "Look, I have to believe that one way or another, this woman's going to pay for what she did."

"You shouldn't keep your master waiting," said Barriss with a nod, understanding Ahsoka's intentions.

The Padawan then ran down the hall to the room as Barriss left.

In the war room, many of the Jedi Council were listening to Obi-wan as his hologram appeared in the middle of the room. The Jedi Master was telling the group about the incoming attack.

"We've uncovered a Separatist plan of attack. We shall travel to the Anoat system here, then move across to Saleucami."

"So far out of our way?" questioned Master Windu.

"Unfortunately, we must avoid these neutral systems," responded Obi-wan.

"Excuse me, Master Jedi," said Admiral Tarkin as his hologram came up beside Obi-wan.

"Yes, Admiral," responded Luna.

"Commander Tano. Your presence is requested by prisoner Letta Turmond."

"The prisoner from the hangar bombing?" clarified the Padawan.

"Why is she asking for Ahsoka?" asked Anakin as he, too, found that hard to believe.

"Not exactly sure. But Commander Tano is the only person the prisoner will speak to," stated the Admiral.

"I'll report back with whatever I find out," said Ahsoka as she left the room.

"That was weird," said Storm as he stood beside Anakin, curious about what had happened.

Ahsoka arrived at the facility housing the prisoner. The girl walked through the door as she approached the security room window.

"Yes?" said the clone in charge.

"I'm Commander Tano. Letta Turmond requested to see me," stated Ahsoka.

"A lot of innocent people died in that blast. Good job capturing her," said the clone to the Jedi as she made an uneasy expression. "All right, scan her."

The scanners began to scan the girl, looking to see if she had anything on her.

"What's going on here?" said Twilight as she appeared from the door connected to the security room. "Ahsoka?"

"Hey, Twilight."

"What are you doing here?" asked the princess through the window as she was on duty to guard the prisoner until they came to get her.

"Apparently, Letta asked for me to speak with her," answered the Padawan to her friend.

"Huh? That's... interesting. I wasn't informed." said the Jedi Knight. Just then, the scanners went off as they picked up some objects on Ahsoka's body.

"Leave your comlink and lightsabers here," instructed the clone as he pointed to the small dropbox in front of Ahsoka as the girl did. The door opened, and he came out with several clones flanking him. "Follow me."

"Hold on, I'm coming as well. I'm interested in what she has to hear," said Twilight as she also dropped her lightsaber and comlink into the box and followed the clones and her friends. The princess hoped to get some answers about this mysterious request.

The clones led the girls to the cell where Letta was; they opened the door, and the two entered.

"What do you want, Letta?" asked Ahsoka as she made her presence known.

The prisoner was about to respond when she noticed Twilight was also present.

"I only asked for you."

"Yeah, well, I didn't know you requested to speak to Ahsoka. So that means you still haven't told us everything you know. And that means you're in more trouble than you think. So... if you want to get your guilty conscience off you, now would be a good time to tell us everything. And I mean everything." stated Twilight as she crossed her arms.

Letta sighed as she couldn't argue with the princess' points.

"I was told if I ever needed help, you were the Jedi to contact."

"Give us a minute, please," said Ahsoka to the clone as they closed the door behind the girls, allowing some privacy. "You don't have much time, Letta. So I suggest you get whatever you have to say off your chest."

"The idea of feeding Jackar the nano-droids was not mine," confessed Letta.

"Why are you saying this now? Why didn't you reveal this before?" asked Twilight as she could have been given a lighter punishment to face and not be locked up here, waiting for trial.

"Because my life is in danger," revealed the prisoner. "The person behind this will be able to get to me. Unless you know the truth."

"Huh. What's the truth?" asked Ahsoka.

"A Jedi. A Jedi showed me how to create the bomb and how to put the nano-droids in," said Letta.

"What? No. No! Why would a Jedi do this?" asked Twilight, not wanting to believe the prisoner who said that a Jedi caused a terrorist attack and killed their own kind.

"There are some citizens of the Republic, like myself, who believe the Jedi Order is not what it used to be. The Jedi have become warmongers. They've become military weapons. And they're killing when they should be keeping the peace." said Letta. "One of these Jedi agreed with us. One of you wanted to make a statement and was willing to attack your own order to do it."

"Who?" said Twilight.

"If you protect me, I will tell you because it is obvious to me that I have been set up."

"Letta, you have to tell us who is behind this," said Ahsoka, knowing that the future could depend on this.

"It's-"

Before she could get a word out, Letta suddenly began to choke.

"Letta!" shouted Ahsoka.

"Letta!" said Twilight as well.

The two girls saw her being lifted into the air as she was being choked out.

"Letta!" called out Ahsoka with her arms up.

On the camera, what was happening in the cell was picked up by the clones.

"Prisoner health critical. Holding cell 173," said the computer.

"Commander Fox, the prisoner!" shouted one of the clones.

"Follow me," said Commander Fox as he grabbed his weapon and ran to the cell with some clones behind him.

Inside, Letta was still in the air, choking.

"Letta!" shouted Ahsoka.

Soon, she dropped to the floor as the Padawan checked on her. At that moment, the door to the cell opened as a clone rushed in and bent down to check on her as Commander Fox looked at the Jedi.

"I... Don't know what happened," said Ahsoka.

"Commander, we had nothing to do with this," said Twilight, trying to convince the clone they weren't responsible.

"Commander, she's dead," said the clone checking on her as he found that Letta's vitals were gone.

"I can't say I blame you, Commander Tano. But all the same, you're under arrest," said Commander Fox, pointing his blaster at Ahsoka, who raised her hands.

"I... No, no. I did not do this," said Ahsoka.

"Commander!" said Twilight, trying to help her friend, but it was useless.

After being apprehended, Ahsoka was put in a cell. A little while later, Admiral Tarkin arrived to discover what had happened. The door to Ahsoka's cell opened; Twilight was leaning against the wall as the girl had come to talk to her friend. They noticed the man entered as Ahsoka got up from the bed.

"Admiral Tarkin, I don't know what happened. I went into the room with Twilight to talk to Letta, and she said she was afraid of a Jedi," said Ahsoka as she noticed the hat in the Admiral's hands as it belonged to Letta. He then threw it away.

"You don't have to tell me anymore, Commander Tano."

"I don't?"

"No. There are recorders in every room," said the Admiral as he showed the footage of Letta being choked out while the girls were in the room. "Curiously, the sound isn't working on this one. It seems the Jedi she was afraid of was you."

Twilight gasped at what Tarkin was instituting.

"I did not kill that woman!" said Ahsoka, defending herself.

"You were the only one there, along with Ms. Sparkle, who, if memory serves, was to guard the prisoner till we went to fetch her. And went into the room with you, as only you were requested. Clearly, you disobeyed that order and stood by as your friend murdered a terrorist and did nothing to stop it. That makes you an accomplice and guilty by association." said Tarkin as Twilight was also in trouble.

"What? I..." said the princess as she couldn't believe what the man was saying.

"I know that you were upset when this woman was taken into custody by the military," said Tarkin as he ignored Twilight's attempt to respond and turned back to address Ahsoka.

"That means nothing," exclaimed Ahsoka.

"I beg to differ," responded Tarkin.

"It was someone else, Admiral. Someone we didn't see," said the Padawan.

"You know that is very difficult for me to believe. This is a secure facility. We do not have just anyone running about." said Tarkin, as he didn't bother to believe the girls were innocent. "And if there was someone else. Why did you not sense them? Especially Ms. Sparkle here. Considering she's a higher Jedi than you."

Twilight was stunned as she couldn't respond. Nor could Ahsoka.

"Arrest her," said Tarkin as he gestured toward Twilight.

Some clones began to take the princess away to her own cell as the doors shut behind her; Ahsoka was sad, knowing she dragged her friend into this when she had nothing to do with it.

It didn't take long for word to get out about what happened in the Jedi Temple, especially for a certain someone.

"Storm! Get back here, young man!" yelled Luna to her student.

"I'm gonna see Twilight! She needs me!" said Storm as he couldn't believe the bullshit that Tarkin said about her being an accomplice and arresting her.

"You will not go anywhere! This does not concern you!" said Luna as she stood before her student, not allowing him to leave the Temple to check up on Twilight.

"I need to see her. I can't abandon her."

"Don't let your personal feelings get in the way! I'm warning you, my student!" yelled Luna. "I've tried to be patient with you, Storm. I've tried my ass off with you. But you continue to let your relationship with Twilight get in your head. I've had it up to here with you! She's not worth it! Listen to me!"

Storm growled at what his Master said as he didn't want to listen.

"I need..."

"I will make sure that you face the ultimate punishment if you disobey me!" said Luna as she warned her student that she would not defend him to the Council and leave him to suffer their ruthless wrath.

"Am I understood?" said Luna.

Storm growled as his anger boiled at Luna for denying him to see Twilight. His fist bawled as he could feel his emotions starting to lose control. Eventually, he stopped.

"Yes," mumbled the boy under his breath.

"What was that?!" shouted Luna.

"I said..." Storm said, not looking at Luna.

"Look at me when I am talking to you, young man!" demanded Luna as she forcefully grabbed his arm to make him look her in the eyes to address and show respect to her.

"Yes," said Storm, staring at his teacher.

"Yes, what?!"

"Yes... Mother," responded the teen.

Luna let go of her son's arm and kept her glare. Storm mumbled as he turned, resulting in Luna slapping the back of his head as he walked a few meters away. The boy grunted and groaned as he brought his hand up to rub the spot where Luna smacked him as he felt a bump.

"Childish," scoffed Luna at how her son was acting rebellious.

Celestia was shown walking toward the facility as she walked with a purpose. The door opened as the Jedi Master approached the window as Commander Fox spotted her.

"I demand that you release my student immediately!" shouted Celestia to the clone.

"I'm sorry, General. But our orders..."

The clone didn't finish as Celestia slammed a piece of parchment against the window. The Jedi Master then slid the paper into the dropbox and allowed the clone commander to look it over.

"You are to release her into my care! Her record is wiped clean! She has no association with Padawan Tano! All crimes against her are dropped and forgotten! And you will not speak or recall this happening!" said Celestia.

"Release her," said Commander Fox, almost immediately after just skimming through the paper given to him by the Jedi Master regarding Twilight.

Twilight sat in her cell as she curled her knees against her chest and buried her face in them. The princess was trying to stay strong and not cry as if to show a sign of weakness. But it was hard. Just then, the cell door opened, and she saw some clones. Soon Celestia was shown as she entered.

"Celestia!" called out Twilight as she ran at her teacher and buried her face into her.

"Shh. It's alright, Twilight. You're safe now." Celestia said softly as she hugged her star pupil.

"Master..." said the girl as she let some tears flow.

"Shh. It's okay. Don't worry. You're safe."

Twilight was relieved to see that this nightmare was coming to an end. Celestia took hold of her hand and began to walk out of the cell with Twilight. The princess looked at her Master as it felt like when she was little and how she often looked to her teacher for guidance, but also for the caring mother she often was.

Twilight smiled as she exited the cell with Celestia and began to head out. Commander Fox gave the Jedi Master, Twilight's belongings as the princess noticed a parchment as she passed by. It was on the corner of the desk; she didn't get a good look at it, but she noticed something that stuck to her. The thing Twilight noticed was a seal. Not just any seal; it was a seal she was too familiar with.

"Master..." said Twilight looking at her teacher, but Celestia kept looking straight ahead, not wanting to talk until they were far away from this dreadful place and her apprentice was safe back in her care and the rest of the Jedi.

Storm was in the library as he sat at a table. The boy looked over the recording and saw Letta being lifted up with Ahsoka having her arms up. The video showed that the Padawan was using her powers to choke out Letta, but it was tough to decide. However, Storm was more concerned with Twilight as he couldn't believe that Tarkin had her arrest. Eventually, the boy sighed as he put his head down.

A second later, a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. The boy felt the touch as he turned his head, and there was Twilight as she looked at her partner.

"Twilight..."

"Hey," said the princess.

"Twilight!" exclaimed Storm.

The boy pulled the girl into his lap as the pair looked at each other. Their faces were close as they pressed their foreheads against each other. The two sighed and closed their eyes, relishing each other's presence.

"I was... worried about you. I tried to help. I tried Twilight. But Luna..."

"Shh," said the girl as she pressed a finger to Storm's lips to silence him.

The boy looked at the princess in his arms as her smile made his heart skip a beat. The girl leaned in and kissed her partner on his cheek before pulling away to look at him and stroking his cheek.

"It's alright. I understand," said the teen.

"Well, you're safe now. And that's all I care about," said Storm, as he was glad Twilight was no longer locked up.

While Twilight may have gotten off, Ahsoka didn't have the same privileges as the royal princess. And Celestia wasn't the only one who wanted to check on their student.

"I said my Padawan is in there. Now, step aside!" shouted Anakin to Commander Fox behind the window, as he wanted to see how Ahsoka was doing and talk to her.

"General Skywalker, Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one be allowed in there," said Commander Fox as he had orders to obey, and unlike Twilight, Ahsoka had no lifeline to help her.

"I don't care what she's accused of. Let me in!" growled Anakin as he started getting angry.

The nearby clones began slowly approaching the Jedi Knight from behind as they could see he was getting rather restless.

"Sorry, sir. The Admiral's orders stand. This is now a military operation and under his jurisdiction." said Commander Fox.

Anakin's fists bawled up as he felt his anger taking control. Eventually, he began to walk away as he kept his scowl slowly. As for his student, she was in her cell, trying to get any possible sleep.

The Padawan was tossing and turning as she tried to get some rest. She eventually woke up and opened her eyes. Ahsoka got up from her bed and coughed before making her way to the sink and splashing water on her face. From the corner of her eye, Ahsoka noticed something out of her cell as it lay on the floor.

"A key card. Master, I knew you wouldn't let me down," smiled the girl, thinking Anakin must have found a way to help her.

She used her Force powers to grab the keycard and slotted it into the slot as it unlocked her cell. She walked up the stairs and looked about the hallway to see if there was anything else or anyone nearby.

"I wonder what you have planned," muttered the Padawan as she began to head toward the checkout.

As she was heading toward the entrance, she came to the entrance hall and noticed the gates were all turned off. In addition, the clones nearby were all laid out and unconscious, as if someone or something attacked them. The girl walked past the bodies as few stirred and groaned in pain.

"Oh, no. This does not look good," said Ahsoka as she kept walking. Some objects were at the end of the gates, on the floor. "My lightsabers." Ahsoka noticed her weapons along with her comlink as it was currently beeping. She grabbed her lightsabers and put on her comlink, and answered.

"Hello? Who is this? Why are you helping me?" The Padawan spoke into her comlink, hoping to get some answers. All she got was static.

At that moment, the door inside the office next to her opened, as in came Commander Fox.

"What's going on here?" demanded the clone as he saw Ahsoka and the unconscious clones behind her.

"It wasn't me," protested Ahsoka.

Commander Fox immediately pushed the alarm button as the room lit up in red, and a loud siren rang throughout the facility. Ahsoka began to run as she looked to escape.

"Alert! Alert! The Jedi prisoner has escaped." Commander Fox informed the entire facility of Ahsoka's escaping.

In the Temple, Storm and Twilight were looking to retire for the night as the boy was walking the princess to her room. He'd told her how he heard the news about Tarkin having her arrested as he wanted to see her but was denied by Luna. The girl told her partner it was okay, as she didn't want him to get in trouble with his Master.

"By the way, Sparky? How'd you get out?" asked Storm.

"Celestia... she... freed me," responded the girl.

"How?" wondered the boy.

"Because... my fath..."

Before Twilight could finish, Storm's comlink began to beep.

"Yes?" answered the boy.

"Storm. This is an emergency. Commander Tano has escaped prison." said Luna.

"What?" said Storm as Twilight gasped hearing that sudden development.

"Your orders are to capture and detain her. No objections!" stated the Jedi Master to her student. "Understood?"

"Yes, Master," responded Storm in a serious tone as he ended the call.

"Storm..." said Twilight, wondering what her friend might do to Ahsoka.

"I gotta a mission, Twilight. I'll be back," said the teen as he began to head out of the Temple to track down the escapee.

In the facility, many clones patrolled the place, searching for the missing Jedi. Ahsoka was currently running down a hall as she looked to turn the corner coming up; instead, several clones appeared, and she changed her course quickly.

"Commander Tano, stop!" shouted one of the clones as they chased after her with their weapons.

They all turned the corner as the group stopped, and one slammed their fist into the nearby wall panel. They pushed a button to close the blast doors, but Ahsoka slipped through before they were sealed shut.

"She's heading north in the prison corridor. Cut her off!" contacted one of the clones to the rest of them.

"Copy that," said Commander Fox as he was near the Padawan.

At the same time, Storm, Anakin, and Rex were in a speeder as they approached the place. Ahsoka was still running, trying to get through all the blast doors before her as they began to seal. She did several standing front flips in a row before lunging forward and rolling through the final blast door just as it closed. Commander Fox emerged from the corner of the hallway on her left as she returned to running.

The clone gave chase to the Jedi as Ahsoka came to a section and saw three dead clones that lay before her.

"Oh, no," said the girl.

She didn't have time to lull it over as Commander Fox came around the corning guns blazing as he tried to hit the Jedi. Ahsoka took off as she ran down the hall and to the right, just as Commander Fox stopped to look at the dead clones on the floor and inspect them.

"The suspect has killed three clones. Code red. If you see the target, shoot to kill!" shouted Commander Fox as Ahsoka was now a threat that needed to be dealt with.

"Belay that order, Commander Fox," said Anakin as he, Rex, and Storm came around the corner.

"She's killed troopers," argued Commander Fox to the clone at what Ahsoka did.

"I know Commander Tano. She would never do something like this," said Rex as he defended the girl.

"Then who did?" demanded Commander Fox.

"Quiet!" said Anakin as he stepped forward. "Ahsoka! It's me, Anakin. Stop running."

The Jedi Knight shouted as his voice echoed throughout the halls. Ahsoka heard that as she came to a halt to catch her breath. The girl heard her teacher's voice as many things flooded her mind.

"You can't help me, Master. Someone's setting me up!" said the Padawan as she shouted to make her voice echo back to her Master.

"I believe you, Ahsoka," responded Anakin with a genuine look.

"But no one else will," said the girl as she took off again and disappeared around another corner.

"Keep searching until we find her," ordered Storm to Rex and Commander Fox. "I'm sorry, bud. But I got a job to do." said the boy to Anakin as they glared at one another. Storm had to follow orders, his orders from his Master. He quickly took off in the blink of an eye as he raced down the hall to pursue Ahsoka.

"Rex, call security. Tell them we need to search the entire base. Now!" ordered Anakin, wanting to find his student before Storm found her.

"General Skywalker has just issued an all-points bulletin on Commander Ahsoka Tano. She's killed three clones and should be considered armed and dangerous," said Rex as he spoke into his comlink and notified the entire facility.

The entire base was nothing but movement. Clones ran about as even their machines and vehicles were moving, as they looked to use their excessive force to apprehend Ahsoka.

"The prisoner was just spotted in the east wing, cell block 1218-11," said a clone as he and a group ran in the halls and made many turns.

They disappeared around the bend as Ahsoka dropped from the ceiling a moment later. She saw the group disappear as she looked about to see if any more were coming before she kept on running. Emerging from the corner, the group of clones headed was Storm. The boy looked both ways before heading down the path Ahsoka went in.

The facility door opened as a group of clones with some Massiffs headed into the courtyard. Emerging from one of the sides was Ahsoka as she silently snuck away. She hid behind a pillar, noticed a clone with one of the Massiff, and quickly hid behind the statue. The animal began to sniff as it, seeing if it could smell the girl; it seemed to pick up her scent as it growled and barked as it pointed where she saw. The clone turned to look where the animal was barking, as nothing was there.

"Come on, grizzler. There's nothing here," said the clone, giving the creature a whistle as he followed the soldier away.

The top of the statue was shown as Ahsoka managed to jump at the last second and was out of sight. She saw the group walking away as the doors opened, and Commander Fox and his group came out and spotted.

"There she is!" shouted Commander Fox as he pointed at the top of the statue when they walked out. "Quick, stop her before she gets to the ship!"

Ahsoka quickly jumped to a wall in the middle of the courtyard and ran along on top of it. The clones on the ground were giving chase as many fired at her. She jumped off, landed on the other side, and continued running. One of the battleguns spotted her and began to open fire as it left a trail behind her. Storm heard the sound of blasters as he began to run. The Jedi Knight turned the corners quickly and sharply as he was zeroing in on the small window at the end of the hall he was coming up on. With one push-off, he crashed through the glass and tumbled to the ground below as he rolled through. He looked up and saw Ahsoka a few meters in front of him.

"Ahsoka!" shouted Storm as he turned on his lightsaber and began to chase her.

The girl was looking to head toward a ship, but the guns noticed that and blasted it just as she was about to reach it. It created an explosion that sent the Padawan back and tumbling to the floor. She recovered as the clones, and Storm were about to catch her; she got up, ran, and jumped down with Storm in pursuit.

"Commander Fox, hone in on my position!" said Storm as he let the clone know he was right on Ahsoka's tail.

"All right, don't lose her. We'll be right there," said Commander Fox.

"What's going on?" asked Anakin as he and Rex appeared.

"We've found her. She's heading towards the industrial pipeline," said the clone.

"Set weapons to stun. I want her alive!" yelled Anakin as they began to run.

Ahsoka was heading toward the pipeline as Storm was meters behind her with his lightsaber out. The yellow light frightened the girl as she saw her friend looking to capture her. Some clones nearby began to shoot at the Padawan as Ahsoka turned on her lightsaber to stop and deflect them momentarily. She continued running as Storm was on the walkway behind her while several clones were on the other walkways as they were shooting at her.

Ashoka hopped onto some railings and slid on them before leaping off and bouncing left and right as she climbed the stairs. Storm did the same, copying the girl's movements with better precision and acrobatics as he closed the distance between them. Ahsoka stopped momentarily to block a barrage of stun shots from clones shooting at her from quite a distance on another railing before continuing to run.

Anakin, Rex, and Commander Fox were running toward a gunship as several more took to the air to pursue Ahsoka.

"Do not shoot to kill. Do not shoot to kill! Try to box her in. Don't let her escape. Tell me what you see, Oddball." said the Jedi Knight to the pilot, hoping to get an update on what was happening with Storm chasing his Padawan.

"She's moving west along the central viaduct," said the pilot as he noticed Ahsoka stopping occasionally to block stun shots.

The gunship honed in as they flew alongside the Jedi running along the tanks.

"All right, we got her now," said Oddball.

He opened the doors to allow the clones to begin firing. They were firing stun shots as Ahsoka was running. She moved her arms about to deflect the stun shots and twisted and twirled her body while running to give her more space to breathe. Though all the energy she was spending blocking and flipping allowed Storm to get closer and closer.

"This will knock her off her feet," said a clone as he pulled out a rocket launcher. He bent down and aimed the weapon to pull the trigger. The rocket hit the area in front of Ahsoka and sent her tumbling over the edge as she managed to grab on with a single hand.

Some clones spotted her and opened fire. The Padawan pulled herself up and jumped a great distance onto a tank. Storm jumped and landed on the tank and stared down the girl. Ahsoka put her hand out to grab one of her lightsabers on the walkway, where she was knocked off into her hands. She turned it on and jumped again to continue running as Storm did.

She was looking to run up the stairs before her as a gunship got her to stop. Lights were shining on her face.

"Not so fast, Commander!" said the pilot.

Ahsoka looked to return the way she came but halted as Storm was there as he was backed up by the clones. In seconds, the girl was now surrounded and had tons of blasters all aimed at her, with her friend in front of her with his lightsaber on. Behind Storm at the top of the stairs arrived Anakin as he looked at his student with a look. Ahsoka saw that before jumping as Storm quickly did so to avoid losing her.

"Ahsoka!" shouted Anakin as he saw his student continue running as shots were fired.

She landed on a tank, quickly cut a hole, and dropped in. She looked up to see Storm and took off as the boy dropped in and began to chase her. Soon, clones began to drop in individually as they supported the Jedi Knight.

The chase was now in the sewers as Ahsoka was looking to escape. Tons of clones patrolled the many ways hoping to find her. She fell once into a puddle before quickly getting up as Storm closed in on her. Somehow, the Padawan gave the Jedi Knight and the clones the slip as she ran down a turn. However, Anakin came to the same cross-section as he closed his eyes and focused. He sensed his student and went down the path she took.

The girl kept on running as Anakin was on her trail. The Padawan came to an outlet of the sewers as she halted. The outlet was an opening that led to a vertical shaft; she looked down below to see how far it was.

"Ahsoka, what are you doing?" said Anakin as he was at the end of the pipe and walking toward his apprentice.

"You didn't even try to come and help me," said Ahsoka.

"They wouldn't let me in to talk to you."

"You could have if you tried.

"How would that look, Ahsoka, huh? Forcing my way in would've made you look even more guilty!" stated Anakin as he and his student were shouting.

"I'm not guilty!" cried Ahsoka as she had enough. She had enough.

"Then we have to prove you're innocent. The only way we can do that is by going back!" said her teacher.

"I don't know who to trust!" shouted the girl.

"Listen, I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka. Never. But you need to come back and make your case to the Council." said Anakin as he tried to show Ahsoka that he was on her side and wouldn't let any harm come to her.

"No. I'm not going to take the fall for something I didn't do!" yelled the Padawan to her Master.

"I am ordering you to put down your lightsaber and come with me now!" yelled Anakin at the top of his lungs. "Trust me."

"General Skywalker, where are you?" shouted Rex as his voice indicated that he and the clones were nearby and about to find them along with Storm.

"I do trust you. But you know as well as I do that no one else will believe me," said Ahsoka as a passing ship descended behind her. She looked at it before turning to her Master. "Anakin, you have to trust me now."

"Ahsoka, I do trust you."

"I know you do," said the girl as she raised her hand to stop him from approaching her. "Wish me luck."

The Padawan turned as Rex appeared behind Anakin and ran toward them. The girl then jumped as she began to fall. Anakin, Rex, Commander Fox, and Storm looked out of the outlet as they saw Ahsoka free-falling down the shaft. She managed to land on the ship she spotted earlier as she looked back up at her Master. Anakin had a sorrowful expression, seeing that his student was now on the run.

Storm backed up, and he began to run.

"Storm, don't!" shouted Anakin as he tried to get his friend to stand down.

The boy didn't listen as he bulldozed over Anakin, knocking him down as he jumped. The Jedi Knight had a mission to do as he would not disobey Luna's orders again. He fell as he was looking to go after Ahsoka; the boy tucked his limbs in as he gained momentum and soon landed perfectly on the ship as Ahsoka saw her friend. Storm stood up and glared at the teen.

"Why do I always get stuck with these jobs?" muttered Storm as he stared down. "You said so yourself, Ahsoka. Running means you know more than you're letting on. So what is it? What are you not telling us?!"

"I don't know! I had nothing to do with killing Letta!" shouted the girl.

"And you think this is gonna help your case? This makes you look even more guilty. You're a criminal now. Wanted!" shouted Storm. "What are you gonna do?"

"I've decided that I need to look for answers. But I can't find them if I stay! I can't trust anyone. Even you!" said the Padawan.

"I understand where you're coming from. Even I have to admit, something still stinks about all of this. Just come home, and we'll see what we can do."

"No. It's for the good of everyone," said Ahsoka as she had to run away.

"But how do you know that?" responded the boy. "Everybody thinks they're right..." Storm grumbled that last part to himself as he didn't like saying that.

"This is right," said Ahsoka.

"They're gonna incarcerate you!" yelled Storm. He then gasped as Ahsoka drew her lightsaber and turned it on. The Padawan took a battle stance as she prepared to fight her close friend.

"Please... please don't hold back, Storm. Promise," said Ahsoka as she he had a job to do.

Storm growled and grunted as he looked at Ahsoka.

"What's your problem!" yelled Storm as he got angry at his friend. "You... think you can do whatever you want! Well, I'm sick of it! Alright, fine then! Go on, you just keep on running!" The boy turned on his lightsaber and looked ready to duel against Ahsoka. "But I'll always be there to bring you back!"

The two Jedi stared down each other as Ahsoka, for a moment, hesitated about fighting her friend but had to fight for her life. The girl charged, as did the boy, as their blades clashed and met in the middle. Both swung their lightsabers while standing as they exchanged blows and strikes. Ahsoka went for a high kick as Storm ducked and twirled and looked to attack the Padawan from behind as she blocked while holding her lightsaber backward.

Storm stood over the girl, towering over her with strength and power. Ahsoka went for a low sweep as Storm flipped over, landed, and quickly turned to fend off an attack from the girl. Ahsoka went for a scorpion kick Storm caught it, flung it back, and delivered a vicious knee strike; it caught the girl as she came back up and fell back. The Padawan felt the pain from the strike by her friend as Storm began to stalk Ahsoka.

"You can't beat me, Ahsoka. I'm much better than you!" said the teen as he told the Padawan that she didn't stand a chance in a one-on-one duel against him will all his experience.

The boy then went for a downward stab as Ahsoka rolled out of the way. She popped up, and the two clashed their blades again as their faces were close to each other and glared. The two Jedi continued to fight as their ship descended even deeper.

Author's Note: Things are escalatingeven more quickly. Ahsoka is now on the run from her friends. However, you have to wonder, how was Twilight able to be let go and freed of all charges and no associationat all. What was that piece of paper and seal she saw that allowed her to be free? And Storm has his own orders, to capture her at all cost and he's committed to that job fully. Safe to say, the friendship between all of them will be tested.