Chapter 57 - Framed

Author's Note: I love how we've been building up to this for so long, and no one has caught the foreshadowing. xD (At least not that they've said.)

~ Amina Gila

"Further evidence has come to light," Krennic announces. Obi-Wan doesn't know what he's about to say, but he... doesn't have a good feeling about it. "A warehouse was discovered where the nano droids were manufactured, and upon closer inspection, traces of Padawan Skywalker's DNA were discovered at the site."

What?!

That's – It's impossible. There's no way that could be true. "Can we see this... evidence?" Obi-Wan can't help asking, even if they aren't technically involved in the investigation right now. There's no way it can be real.

"There is no reason for that, when the investigation is securely under Republic control," he replies.

"Still part of the Order, Padawan Skywalker is," Yoda objects, "A fair trial he will have, in accordance with Jedi tradition."

"I'm afraid that the Senate believes an internal Jedi trial would be far too biased. You have been asked to expel Anakin Skywalker from the Jedi Order so that he may be put to a Republic military tribunal where he will receive a more impartial judgment."

What?!

He wants them to throw Anakin out of the Order?!

That is... from a legal standpoint, a perfectly reasonable request, but it carries an entirely different meaning for a member of the Order. And Anakin... Obi-Wan does not want things to go that far.

"Act as we deem necessary, the Council will," Yoda replies before Obi-Wan can object, and the call ends.

"Surely we cannot do what Krennic suggests," Obi-Wan objects, "We cannot expel Anakin. We know he's innocent."

"We do not know anything for certain," Shaak Ti reminds, gently but firmly. "I do not want to believe him guilty, but the Admiral is right that we cannot give him an unbiased trial."

He hates to admit that that's true, especially given that he'd be one of those presiding over the trial. "I still cannot believe the evidence Krennic claims to have found is... valid," he insists, "I have little doubt that this is... a set up." But who could be doing that and why, Obi-Wan has no idea.

"Likely," Shaak Ti agrees, "But disputing this could be seen as an act of opposition against the Senate, and a needless one."

"We cannot do something we know is wrong," he argues.

"For as undesirable as it may be," Shaak Ti replies, and Obi-Wan loathes that he knows she's right, "We must sacrifice him for the greater good of the Order."

He feels sick, but she is right, and there is nothing else he can do. It already feels like he's lost Ahsoka, even if she's still alive. He can't imagine losing Anakin, too. But at the end of the day, they are meant to be Jedi above all else, no matter how much the risks and requirements of it can hurt them. He just never thought it would cost him Anakin.

"To the Chamber of Judgment, summon Tano and her padawan, and in our decision, may the Force guide us," Yoda murmurs, gravely.

The words feel like they're sealing the doom of... everything, really. Certainly, of whatever's left of his relationship with Anakin. He just knows something is going to go very wrong, no matter how much he can try to tell himself that the Republic definitely will find him innocent. That's... not the point, anyway.

(Nor can he entirely ignore the tiny voice in his mind reminding him of how this is... the second time the Council's making a decision he can't agree with – even if maybe he should, because it's for the good of the Order – and it's going to cost him Anakin again.)

**w**

The silence in here is maddening, as is how Anakin's cell is tinged with red from the ray shield. He hates being in closed spaces like this. It's making him think about when the Trandoshans got him, and... things on Zygerria from before then.

He doesn't want to be trapped in here even a second longer, but there's nothing he can do but wait. Ahsoka never came to see him, though he doesn't know why. Unless she... wasn't allowed to. It's a murder case, after all. The rules might be different.

The only one who came was Krennic, incessantly questioning him and giving very little answers. He wishes he just knew what was happening.

But he's not expecting answers in the form of... the Coruscant guard and several Temple guards showing up, to take him back to the Temple for... trial?

Ahsoka's waiting for him in the room outside the Chamber of Judgment. "Ahsoka, what's happening?" Anakin asks, shifting nervously as he glances around the darkened room. He has no idea if it's made to look foreboding or what, but he has a very bad feeling about this.

She hurries to his side instantly, touching his shoulder. "They wouldn't let me in to talk to you. Krennic insisted that control of the investigation be given over to the Republic. I don't know what the Council is going to do." There's a distinct note of bitterness in her voice, which he entirely agrees with.

He doesn't understand how things could have fallen this far, how someone could have framed him so well without Ahsoka or at least someone having found some sort of lead. It just... doesn't make any sense. And why would someone do this? And the real killer – the person who bombed the Temple – is still out there, and Anakin has no idea when, or even if,they will be found.

The Temple guards finally signal for them to come in, and they move to the platform that rises into the chamber itself. The Council members are seated further above, and he can feel all their eyes on him. It's... somehow worse when Ahsoka has to step aside, leaving him in the center of the room alone.

For a moment, his gaze darts to Obi-Wan, just for... some kind of reassurance, maybe?

Except, his former master doesn't meet his gaze for more than a moment before glancing away. That's... very unusual, and it hurts and sets him more on edge at once. Something's not right.

"Padawan Skywalker, serious charges have been levied against you," Yoda speaks, "How plead you?"

"Not guilty, Master," Anakin replies, struggling to find some semblance of calm. It's hard. "I am loyal to our Code." For as hard as that sometimes can be.

"There is evidence to the contrary," Shaak Ti speaks up. "You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. How can you explain this?"

"There was someone else there. I sensed them nearby," Anakin objects, "I don't know where they were. I told the clones to search, but they... must not have found anyone."

"Nano-droids were found in your quarters with Knight Tano," Tiin says, "How did you acquire these?"

Anakin freezes. "What? I – I didn't..." he trails off, confused, scanning the room. Whoever framed him must've been going far deeper into it than he thought. It was intentional. "That's not possible," he manages finally. "Not unless someone else put them there."

"How they got there is still in question," Obi-Wan speaks up, finally. At least they're still questioning it. But that... might not mean much.

"And yet, there was evidence that you were present in the warehouse where the nanodroids were manufactured," presses Tiin.

What?

"I – I don't even know where they were made," Anakin protests, scrambling to recollect himself. He's totally caught off-guard by everything they're saying, and he thinks that would be obvious enough. He has no idea what they're talking about. Whyis someone trying this hard to frame him? It doesn't make sense – it's not like there's anything special or noteworthy about him. He's just a padawan. "I never..."

He doesn't even know what to say that wouldn't sound like rambling excuses, and he loathes it. He ought to at least be able to construct some sort of cohesive argument, but the knowledge that someone did that just... he can't...

"You know this is a set-up!" Ahsoka snaps, stepping forwards, "You should actually be investigating this, not interrogating him about things he obviously doesn't know anything about."

He's never felt quite so relieved to have her come to his defense before. Normally, hearing her talk to the Council like that would make him uncomfortable, but right now, he's just... glad they're not all looking at him.

He's scared and entirely confused, because this doesn't... why would someone do this? To him?

"There is no question this goes far deeper than we have determined yet," replies Tiin, "But are we being deceived by your padawan or someone else?"

"You've already reached a decision, haven't you?" Ahsoka practically growls, "You're just holding this excuse for a trial as a formality."

Anakin looks to Obi-Wan instinctively, silently begging for some sort of reassurance that her accusation be false – it can't be true, can it? The Council wouldn't do that, would they? They make mistakes, but they rarely do things that are blatantly wrong. Obi-Wan just looks away, though.

"Reached a decision, we have," Master Yoda replies, "Though not in total agreement, we are." There's a strange amount of sorrow in his voice, and that's when Anakin just knows.

Yes, it's true. Everything Ahsoka said, that he didn't want to believe.

Ahsoka herself breathes in sharply, hissing faintly, and Anakin can't tell if it's more from shock or rage. Probably both. In her place, he'd be feeling both. Now? He's just numb.

"The opinion of the Council, it is," Yoda begins finally. He... does not look happy, but it doesn't change that – that they're doing this, and Anakin can only listen with a numb sense of dread at what he's about to hear. "That committed sedition against the Republic, Padawan Skywalker has. Expelled from the Jedi Order, he will be."

Expelled.

They're – they're throwing him out?!

Ahsoka's furious exclamation is drowned out as Yoda keeps talking. Anakin feels like he can't breathe. He can't believe they're doing this. How could they... Why?!

"Stripped from you, your padawan status is. Turned over to the Republic courts to await trial, you will be."

He is clearly unhappy about it, and that's the only thing keeping Anakin semi-calm. The platform he's on lowers as Yoda says it. He can feel Ahsoka's shock and rage, and Obi-Wan's regret, and it's...

The Temple guards escort him outside the chamber, as though he's a dangerous Sith or something. Ahsoka is close behind, radiating barely contained fury.

"I'll find who's doing this. Don't worry," she promises, fiercely.

Anakin only nods. He... knows she will. But that doesn't mean it'll be soon enough. And it won't change that – that he's not even in the Order anymore. He's not her padawan anymore.

"Wait," a voice calls before the guards can lead him away. Everyone pauses to see Obi-Wan approaching.

Everyone except Ahsoka who practically flies at him. "What the kriff is wrong with you?" she snarls, "Or the Council? How could you do this? You claim to protect people, and you won't even take care of your own?"

Anakin senses the flare of hurt, followed by anger. Under any other circumstances, he'd either interject, or make himself scarce to avoid the ensuring argument.

"Do you truly believe I supported this decision?" Obi-Wan retorts, sharply, "This is what the Senate demanded."

"So you just do it? Just because they said so?!" she yells.

"They will give him a fair trial," he replies, steely.

"Like you did?" she spits.

Obi-Wan gives her a hard look, circling past her and approaching Anakin instead. "Anakin," he says. The anger in his voice is gone, and he sounds more regretful now.

He nods, unable to meet his gaze. He doesn't think he can handle talking to anyone right now.

"I came to tell you that the Senate demanded your expulsion. It – it wasn't a choice we wanted to make. Any of us."

Anakin nods, though he doesn't think he even fully understands it. He also does, though, because the Council would never hesitate to sacrifice him for the greater good. It's... it's part of being a Jedi, and he understands that, even if it hurts.

But mostly, he's just in shock, because he has always been a Jedi, and yes, he's considered leaving but he never... expected it to be like this.

Obi-Wan lingers a moment longer, as though considering saying something, then decides against it. Maybe because the Temple guards are right here, or... He doesn't know. But then, they're leading him away again, and he can only follow numbly, to... whatever fate is going to await him now.

**w**

For once, Padme can't blame Ahsoka for storming into her office looking like she's about to commit actual murder. Given that her padawan was just thrown out of the Order, it's hardly a shock. She was there when the Senate made the demand, insisting that the case be turned over to Republic control, but she never expected it to go this far.

She doesn't see how they could even believe such flimsy evidence in the first place, although she is speaking from the point of view of someone who knows Anakin personally, even if not very well.

Yes, they have a reason to question it – legitimate ones, too – but they need more. Evidence of sightings or the like, primarily, especially when everyone who knows Anakin knows how kind he is.

"Ahsoka," Padme greets her immediately, "I heard about the expulsion."

"They just threw him out," Ahsoka rants, tensed and angry. This is genuinely the first time that Padme remembers seeing Ahsoka angry about something she entirely relates to and can understand. "My padawan. After everything he did for them, like he meant nothing. And he – he doesn't even have anyone to defend him."

"I will do it," Padme replies immediately, as she'd been thinking from the start. If it came down to it, she would, without second thought. "I know about this, and I know Anakin. I believe in his innocence. The Senate has to listen to reason in this case. They just need someone to show it to them."

Ahsoka scoffs. Bitterly. "As if they've ever listened to reason, Padme."

"They do," she replies stubbornly, "We have to believe in that, and in democracy."

"I don't see either anymore," she answers, bitterly, "I can't believe in something when I don't see it."

"You believe in the Force," Padme states, and yes, she knows that is a little different, but the point still stands.

"Maybe," Ahsoka concedes reluctantly, "But that's different. I feel it. It's a part of me."

"I will defend Anakin," Padme repeats, because she thinks Ahsoka needs the reassurance. "I'll go talk to him in the prison now, but we still need more evidence. We need to find the real killer, and until we do, my arguments may still be overruled."

"Whoever it is, they won't get away," Ahsoka promises fiercely.

For all her struggles with the Jedi, it's clear that, on some inner level, she does still care about them, and that's... somehow relieving. Or, at the very least, she cares that the Temple was bombed.

She might be losing herself, but not entirely. Not yet, anyway.

**w**

Ventress gets on the case the moment Ahsoka calls her in, and she's not surprised about that. The former Sith assassin clearly has quite a soft spot for Anakin, which Ahsoka completely understands and relates to, even if she's still mildly surprised about it.

She does some digging on her own while waiting, but she's not really getting anywhere. It's only making her more upset, if how she feels right now can even be called 'upset'. She's never been this furious before, and for an outraged moment, she thinks she can almost understand why someone would go as far as they did with the bombing – though, she's not being fair because it's not as if the top members of the Order who should be making different choices where the ones hurt by that. Except Mundi.

Nor does it make doing something like that right, but... She's just never been this angry before.

It's been far too long, getting dangerously close to when Anakin's trial is starting, when she finally gets a call from Ventress.

"Found what you were looking for," she says, an unusually serious note to the flippant way she often talks, "But I don't think you're gonna like it. Pretty sure you've worked with that one in the past."

Her blood runs cold as she pulls up the footage Ventress collected from a few security cameras near the warehouse. Yes, they illegally hacked into people's private security to get it. No, she has no regrets.

But how could someone she know have done this? Who could –

The hooded figure is moving discreetly through the streets, trying to conceal where they're headed, but they turn their head a little too far just once. Enough that she can get a shadowed view of their face.

It's –

What. No way.

Ahsoka hastily sends the hologram through facial recognition just to make sure, and it pulls up a 100% match to Ferus.

What?! How – why –

It doesn't make sense. Why would Ferus,of all people, do something like that? Or... maybe it makes more sense than she thought. He's been growing more angry and bitter throughout the war, and Kalifa's death because of Mundi's stupidity... Not to mention Mundi was nearly killed, and Ferus specifically mentioned seeing him entering the hangar before the bombs went off.

Was that intentional?

She could almost understand, but why is he framing Anakin for it?! That's what doesn't make any sense. Besides, she thought she and Ferus had some level of friendship. Why would he –

She's going to get answers now. Though, she still stops to give Barriss the report before heading off, just in case she needs back up in the fight. The Mirialan promises to come over, and Ahsoka doesn't wait, immediately heading to Ferus' quarters.

"Ferus," she says sharply, stalking into his room when he opens the door.

"What's going on?" he asks, frowning.

"I know what you did," Ahsoka snarls.

"What are you talking about?" She doesn't know if she imagined the momentary look of fear before he quickly hid it.

"Was this about your padawan?" she demands.

"What would she have to do with this?" The sudden fury and grief around him pretty much answers it, though.

"I have the proof, Ferus. You can't hide anymore. You should have been more careful. And you shouldn't have framed my padawan, who was also your padawan's friend. How could you do this?" She doesn't really want the answer, to hear the excuses, but still.

"I would have thought," he throws back, drawing his lightsaber, "That you, of all people, could understand why I did it. The Jedi Council understands nothing but violence, and this was the only way to show them that they're wrong, that they aren't doing what they're supposed to."

"What does Anakin have to do with that?" she growls, her own blades hissing to life.

"He's their Chosen One. If they thought he went dark, it might actually wake them up."

A snarl of fury escapes her as she lunges at him.

**w**

Anakin still feels... totally in shock as he's taken before the Senate. Padme is representing him, and he'll thank her for that later, but right now, he's just numb. At least she's doing the speaking for him, because he doesn't think he'd be very capable of that right now.

The trial's barely gotten started, though, when the doors to the Senate chambers suddenly open, and Ahsoka, Barriss, and a group of Temple guards stride in, with Ferus in the center.

"We've found the real perpetrator," Ahsoka says, sharply. She feels cold and icy now, in a way that would scare him if he... didn't understand it. "Tell them, Ferus."

He –

Why would he have done this?! Of all people, Anakin never expected it could've been one of Ahsoka's friends. Why?!

The Knight glares, and Anakin feels numb to it all as he watches. This was Kalifa's master, and even if Anakin never much liked him, he still... was someone Anakin thought he could trust. Probably. "The Jedi have fallen from their way," he says finally. "They are responsible for this war, and they're spreading it instead of ending it, or helping the people who truly need them. My padawan was lost because of their mistakes. And my attack on the Temple was an attack on what the Jedi have become. The Republic is failing. It's only a matter of time before it shatters entirely."

The words... are truer than Anakin wants to think about, even if that justifies none of what Ferus did.

"Take him away," Palpatine orders.

And... now, he's free.

He's taken back to the Temple, to the Council chambers. The charges have been dropped. It's... over, but it's also just begun. He doesn't know what's going to happen now, but he knows one thing. Nothing can be like it used to be. Not anymore. Not when he can't believe in what the Jedi are doing anymore. Hasn't for a long time, but now...

He understands that they were willing to sacrifice him for the greater good, and he could never have issue with that. It's the way they are, but that doesn't mean it's always right.

"You have our most humble apologies, Anakin. The Council was wrong to accuse you," Plo says.

"I regret things came this far, Anakin," Obi-Wan adds, sincerely.

He doesn't doubt it, but it doesn't take the sting away, even if it's not Obi-Wan personally that he's upset at for this.

"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence. This is a true sign of a Jedi Knight," continues Tiin – the very same one who was pushing along most of his so-called trial in the first place.

"Rarely can we understand the ways of the Force, and this trial has led you to become a greater Jedi than you would have otherwise," Shaak Ti adds. She's trying to sound soothing, he knows, but Anakin still doesn't believe her words.

Has it?

This once, he actually wonders if they're right, just not in the way they're thinking. Because it made him realize that even if he believes in the Jedi way, he can't believe in the path the Order is walking any longer.

"Back into the Order, you may come," Yoda offers.

They're asking him back? It... makes sense, but he can't immediately say yes. He doesn't belong here. Maybe he never did. And he can't imagine going back to pretend things are like they used to be. He doesn't want to leave, but at the same time, he does. "I need some time. To meditate on it," Anakin answers finally, quietly.

"What?" Obi-Wan objects, taken aback, "Why –"

"Then time, you will have," Yoda interjects.

"Thank you, Master," he replies, turning to go. He... should talk to Obi-Wan later. About his decision. Ahsoka, too. But first he needs to be certain it's what he's going to do.

**w**

Jinx and O'mer were off planet when it happened, and it's a couple days before they manage to get on a holocall all at once. Barriss is still here, having requested to stay until they could talk. From the weighted look in her eyes, Anakin thinks he already knows her decision, but they don't talk about it with each other yet, not until the others can be there.

He doesn't feel safe at the Temple anymore, not even in Ahsoka's apartment, and he loathes it. A small part of his mind wonders if the same would be true about Obi-Wan's, the place where he spent so much time with his former master, but he doesn't really want to know.

He hasn't been there since right after the Festival of Light, and Anakin doesn't really want to change that. He doesn't know if he has the heart or strength to.

"We heard what happened," O'mer says, grimly.

"Everyone has," Jinx adds. "Are you alright?"

"I do not know what to do anymore," Anakin admits, shaking his head. There's no use claiming he's alright when he's very obviously not. "I don't know if I can come back. But I don't want to leave you, either."

"I don't want to stay anymore," Barriss replies, with a conviction than almost surprises him, given what she was once like, "I've seen how far they've fallen. If they were willing to expel you like that, what will they be willing to do next because the Senate said so?"

"I've been thinking about it even more since Kalifa died," confesses Jinx, "And I'm not sure there's any other path for us."

"Are we really going to do this? Leave?" O'mer asks.

"Do you want to?" Anakin queries, "It is not a choice to make lightly. If... if you did, we could go to Naboo. I'd stay with my mother for a while. I want to keep helping people, but I don't know if we're truly doing that in the Order."

"I do," Jinx says, firmly, "When we get back..."

Anakin nods.

A certain feeling of finality settles over him, as he looks between the other three. They're all going to leave, to walk away together. This is the only life he truly remembers, but he's about to leave it behind.

Maybe that's not a bad thing, but it suddenly fills him with longing. He's going to miss Ahsoka and Rex and Cody and Obi-Wan – who's he's missed constantly since the Festival of Light, but he doesn't know what to do about that – but he can't really stay either.

Not anymore.

That doesn't mean it's an easy decision to make, but he knows it's what he has to do.

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