An order tarnished.
Ahsoka was found guilty of treason and murder and has been sentenced to death. Anakin was unable to find the true culprit. How will Anakin respond? What will be the consequences of such a betrayal?
Ahsoka stood on the pod, her hands restrained, and her arms trembling. Fear and a sense of betrayal clouded the room. Hundreds of senators, Jedi, and other spectators all awaited the final verdict.
The chancellor stood, a tablet in his hands. Ahsoka couldn't hear the first words that emerged from his mouth; her mind was muted by the relentless emotions that bombarded her. The only word that she could hear was the final one muttered by the old man.
"GUILTY"
The crowd immediately began to murmur. Obi-Wan looked towards Master Yoda in a deep sadness, but also with a touch of disgust. The old Masters head bowed, and his eyes collapsed shut. Master Plo Koon almost let out a small tear but remained composed. Master Windu sat coldly without any hint of compassion.
Tano's world froze. He second it had taken to utter that fateful word had felt like a year. A gush of emotions struck her as her heart rate accelerated and her breaths became heavy. Her vision blurred as water fogged her sight. She tried to keep some sense of composure, but some tears still broke through this resistance. The pain of betrayal ripped across her like a lightsaber striking her down. She thought to herself with a great sadness:
'Anakin. Where are you'
Anakin POV
Anakin has still been scouring the underworlds of coruscant in search of Ventress, but to no avail. A large billboard lit up and its light blinded Anakin momentarily. Once he had regained his vision, he looked back towards the large screen; on it was an image of Ahsoka with a large red text under her face saying "GUILTY".
"No…No… NOOOOOO" He cried out in a flurry of anger as he fell to his knees. His fists clenched with a ferocity he had not experienced since his mother's death.
Ahsoka POV
The chancellor began to speak up again.
"Ahsoka Tano. You have been found guilty of a most heinous crime. You have betrayed the republic that you swore to protect, you betrayed your order, and you are a murderer. There can only be one punishment fitting of such vile transgressions….DEATH"
Those words silenced the court room. No-one dared make a sound. Obi-Wans hands and legs trembled as that final word echoed though his soul. The guilt built up within him and his heart pounded in slow but powerful beats.
The grandmaster of the order remained in deep thought unable to bring himself to look towards the girl he had failed. Obi wan saw Yoda in this moment of weakness, and for the first time in his life gave a glance of disgust at the weakness of the grandmaster. But he was more disappointed in himself. He had failed to protect her, and now she would die.
Padme ran to Ahsokas side and immediately grasped her in her embrace.
"Im so sorry." Padme apologised profusely with tears raining down her cheeks, "Ill find a way…" Clone troopers grabbed the senator and began to drag her away.
"No, no, let me go. Ahsoka" she pleaded and cried.
The spectators onlooked in shock at the senator's outburst
Ahsoka was still unable to speak.
The chancellor continued,
"The sentence will be carried out by firing squad tomorrow morning".
Ahsoka was grabbed by 2 clone troopers and escorted out of the court room. All eyes still gazing towards her.
Anakin POV
Anakin continued to watch the live stream being presented on the screen, and as the chancellor pronounced the sentence:
"DEATH"
The word shook Anakin to his core, his entire body began to shake in a fiery rage. His hands twitched violently as his blood boiled. He slowly picked himself up from the ground, his legs still shaking uncontrollably, and a burning tear clawed down his face. His hand placed against his lightsaber and shaking – resisting the urge to ignite it and lash out against everyone around him.
'The Jedi will pay' his mind growled.
He made his way to his ship, and as he walked, he heard the chancellors final declaration
"The sentence will be carried out by firing squad tomorrow morning".
This further fuelled his rage.
I have to do something quickly.
He reached his ship and set course for the court building.
Upon landing, he was greeted by commander fox and several of the Coruscant guard.
Anakin spoke first, with an unrelenting rage in his voice,
"I am here to see my Padawan…. WHERE IS SHE BEING HELD" his voice raised at the end?
Skywalkers voice elevation startled the commander.
"I'm sorry sir. I am under strict orders from the chancellor to allow nobody to see her. That includes you. You will have the chance to speak with her in the morning before her execution" Commander fox stated.
"I wasn't asking" Anakin coldly responded.
"I'm sorry general. I cannot let you enter". Fox responded. This time with a hint of fear in his voice as he gulped. Fox and the other clones raised their blasters.
"I'm sorry sir. It's time for you to leave" Fox added.
Anakins rage now began to boil over. He, in one swift move, ignited his lightsaber and cut the troopers blasters in half before using the force to push them into a wall – unconscious.
Anakin strode past the unconscious troopers and into the court building. He knew where the cells were, so he marched unheedingly there, ignoring anyone who attempted to speak to him. He had only 'asked' earlier as a formality.
WINDU POV
The council were still leaving the court buildings. Very few words were said whilst they attempted to take in what had just happened.
A light beeping sounded on Windu's wrist' The master clicked it, and commander fox appeared. The commander had just awakened from his recent encounter (he wasn't out for long)
"General. We have a breach. Skywalker just attacked me and my men and he is going after Tano"
"Get as many men as possible you can to the detention block and put the facility into lockdown. I'm on my way." Windu replied without hesitation.
The master glanced at his fellow masters, however, only Master Mundi went with him. The others stood in their place refusing to speak up. Kenobi's eyes closed, conflicted. On the one hand, he wanted Anakin to break Ahsoka out, but on the other he didn't want anyone getting hurt in the process, or Anakin getting himself arrested.
ANAKIN POV
Anakin arrived at the detention block; however alarms began to ring. Clone troopers staffing the area raised their weapons at Anakin.
"General, stand down!" commander blay, the commander in charge of the detention block, ordered.
"That's not going to happen. I don't want to hurt you, but I will If I must. Just let me see my Padawan" Anakin spoke, more composed this time but still with some anger in his voice.
"I said, stand down!" The commander reiterated.
Anakin ignited his blade and pointed it at the commander.
"Let me in!" he now spoke with more passion and fury in his voice
The commander began to fire stum shots, and the other troopers followed suit. The chosen one effortlessly deflected these before slashing the commanders' weapon in half and kicking him to the ground. He then used the force to redirect the blaster of one trooper, whilst still blocking incoming shots with his other hand, to fire stun shots at all his comrades before pushing that final trooper into a wall.
He entered the cell block, disarming a couple more clones who got in his way, and he made his way to the cell Ahsoka was being held in, however, to his surprise there were 2 temple guards also guarding the cell. They ignited their yellow double blades and stood in a defensive position.
Anakin didn't hesitate. He reached his hand out and grasped one of the guards in a force choke. The other guard attempted to attack Anakin, but before he could, Anakin tossed the first guard into the second one causing them both to crash into one-another and fall to the ground unconscious. He unlocked the cell door.
"Ahsoka" Anakin spoke.
"Anakin!" Ahsoka gasped, "How are you here? I thought no-one was allowed to visit".
"About that. We need to leave now. We can discuss the details later" Anakin hurriedly replied.
Ahsoka hastily excited the cell to the sight of the 2 unconscious guards and clone troopers.
"Don't worry. They'll wake up" Anakin reassured but with a grin.
Ahsoka picked up one of the guard's lightsabres and split it in half and placed it at her waist. She began to speak, "I'm glad you came. I was scared I wouldn't see y…"
"SKYWALKER" A voice boomed, interrupting Ahsoka
Anakin and Ahsoka turned their heads to see Windu, Mundi and over a dozen clones.
"Go Ahsoka. Ill cover you" he told his padawan, whilst igniting his blade towards the Jedi.
"I won't leave you" Ahsoka replied.
"Go now before it's too late. That's an order. I'll be right behind you" Anakin commanded.
Ahsoka nodded sadly and ran the other direction. Anakin stood his ground, blocking any attempt by the Jedi or clones to get to Ahsoka.
"Anakin. Stand down now!" Windu ordered.
"Never" Anakin rebutted.
Windu made a strike against him which was effortlessly deflected.
"Don't make me do this Skywalker" Windu continued
Anakin didn't reply. Instead, he lunged at the master, and they engaged in several more exchanged strikes. Neither side was really trying yet, however Anakin had to take things to the next level if he wanted any chance of beating Windu. He took a few steps backwards before closing his eyes and fists tightly. His arms clenched and a moment later he let out a massive force gust which blew back all the attackers… except windu. He had prepared for the blow by putting up his own force shield, and when Anakin was weakened from the force move, windue took the chance to use the force to push Anakin into a wall. Anakin slumped conscious, but weak, against the wall. His lightsaber had fallen from his hands. He tried to lift himself up, but before he could a stun blast hit him.
Several hours later
Anakin woke up. His vision blurry and his body aching. His arms tried to wriggle but were unable to as with his legs. Once his vision had been restored, he glanced around and sae he was lying in a bed, but his hands and legs and been chained down using force resistant cuffs. Windu approached him.
"What you did today was incredibly reckless. You have been officially placed under arrest for assaulting republic officers" The master informed.
"I don't care what happens to me. At least Ahsoka is alright" Anakin replied
"That isn't true. She was recaptured shortly after she left you. She is still scheduled for execution tomorrow morning." Windu said coldly and lacking empathy.
Anakin's face dropped. This time, rather than anger and rage, it was sorrow that overcame him. She was going to die and there was nothing he could do to save her. He was tied down in force proof cuffs. Once Windu had left, he tried everything in his power to break free of the chains. He mounted all his force power, but to no avail. He tried for hours, growing weaker and weaker, but he refused to give up. However, eventually, he grew so weak from his continued attempts that he eventually lost consciousness.
The next morning
Anakin had regained consciousness, and was still restrained to the bed, however, now there was a screen placed in from of him. The screen turned on, and his worst fears were realised. He saw a live stream of Ahsoka being escorted by clone troopers to the firing post. There were dozens of onlookers, including the Jedi council and some senators. By now Ahsoka had accepted her fate and she walked calmly to the post and didn't resist as she was secured to it. The chancellor was also in attendance and spoke up,
"Ahsoka Tano. We are here today to carry out the punishment that has been set forth for your crimes against the republic. Have you any final words before sentence is carried out?"
Ahsoka stayed silent for a moment, before opening her mouth and uttering the statement,
"I am one with the force and the force is with me".
The spectators didn't know what to make of such a statement. A few moments later commander fox spoke up.
"Men, ready weapons"
"Aim"
Padme, Bail organa, Obi wan, Plo Koon turned their heads away in the final moments, refusing to watch. Padme was crying a river of tears, whilst Bail and the others had looks of sorrow.
"Fire"
…
The sound of blaster fire broke the silence which was quickly followed by the sound of a body crashing to the floor.
Anakin shrieked in pain, as tears erupted. His hands and legs violently shook but were unable to break through the restraints. Now his blood truly boiled; his body heated up rapidly and his heart rate exploded.
Windu, the council, and all those responsible would pay dearly for this.
An hour later A clone commander entered the cell and announced.
"General Skywalker, the chancellor has officially pardoned you for your assault in the court building. You are to be released immediately. He understands your emotions and doesn't believe that punishing you would be right."
The clone commander unlocked the restraints. An hour ago, Anakin might have killed the commander right there and then out of rage, but now was just silently left the cell, he would get his revenge, but now was not the right time.
Anakin made his way to Padme's apartment and as soon as Padme saw Anakin's ship, she ran to him and they embraced in a long hug. Both still had visible tears dripping. After a few minutes Anakin began to speak,
"Padme, I'm sorry, but there's something that I need to do. I'm going away for a while, and I don't know when I'll be back"
This took Padme slightly aback, and she stepped backwards before asking softly, "Where are you going?"
"I cannot support the Jedi, or the republic anymore. I need to exile myself for some time, so that I can try and find some peace, but I need to go alone" Anakin responded.
Padme understood the first part, but she couldn't understand why he had to exile himself alone.
"Padme, I promise that it'll all make sense eventually. I can't explain exactly what I'm goung to do, because I don't even know yet, but I know I have to do this. There is something else. I need you to give this holo-recording to the council" Anakin added, reaching his hand out to her.
"Ani, you know I will support anything you need to do. Just please be safe. I'm worried about your mental health after what has happened. Please don't do anything else reckless. I know you had to do what you did to help Ahsoka, but it's over now and I don't want you to get hurt as well. I don't know what I would do If I lost you as well." Padme replied heartfully.
The 2 continued their conversation for a short while, before Anakin gave a final kiss, made his way back to his ship, and left.
Council POV
The ambiance in the council had been sombre. Very little had been said since the execution, and most members were deep in meditation. This tranquillity was broken by the council doors opening to the sight of senator Amidala.
"Senator Amidala!" Kenobi spoke first with a bit of shock, "What brings you here?" He questioned.
"Anakin has asked me to deliver you a message. Understandably so he didn't want to tell you face to face." Padme replied
This remark made a couple council members such as Windy and Mundi slightly agitated.
She placed the holo on the floor, and a full-size recording of Anakin appeared.
(The contents of the recording will be in the next chapter)
Anakin POV
Anakin's ship excited hyperspace, and he flew towards a fleet of separatist capital ships. A message came to Anakin's ship.
"Identify yourself or be shot down" the sound of a battle droid said.
"I am Anakin Skywalker, and I am here to surrender to Count Dooku".
Authors notes:
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story. Please let me know what feedback you have. The council's message will be in the next chapter. Some parts I did gloss over such as certain people's reactions, some conversations and details of battle sequences doe the purpose of time and length. Thich chapter was designed to set up the story, and later ones will include more details.
And just a cryptic clue: not all is as it seems. Take that as you will.
