Anakin and Obi Wan were sparring in one of the training rooms overlooking the city.

Anakin and Obi Wan were at a distance from each other, each with their lightsaber at the ready.

And then, Anakin rushed forward and clashed blades with his master.

He swung aggressively, forcing Obi Wan backwards, but then Obi Wan swung round and Anakin had to move backwards to avoid a strike meant for his head.

Obi Wan said, "You are too aggressive Anakin, be mindful. A Jedi's goal is to defend life, not take it."

Anakin raised his lightsaber once more and lunged towards him, but Obi Wan dodged and Anakin nearly fell forwards. But he managed to straighten himself.

They stood, with their backs facing each other.

Anakin spoke, "Mercy doesn't defeat the enemy Master."

With that, he swung round and attempted to strike, but Obi Wan ducked and brought up his blade against Anakin's even as the latter continued, "Which is why you're going to lose."

They broke off the lock and Obi Wan stepped back, holding his lightsaber at the ready, but Anakin charged forward and put him on the defensive.

Obi Wan expertly defended himself from Anakin's blows, but at one point, he was near the wall of the training room.

Even as he held his blade against Anakin's, the latter said, "Admit you are beaten."

Obi Wan held on and then managed to push the lightsaber up.

Anakin swung downwards but Obi Wan expertly ducked and moved behind Anakin.

Anakin swung round and continued to strike repeatedly against his master's blade, pushing him back towards the other side of the room.

Even as Obi Wan knelt down and held his lightsaber in a block, Anakin pushed aggressively and the lightsaber flew away from Obi Wan's hand.

Anakin smirked slightly and said, "There, your weapon's gone. It's over."

Obi Wan said in a slightly grave tone, "Your need for victory, it blinds you."

And even as Anakin turned away in disappointment, Obi Wan suddenly cartwheeled forward and stood up.

Anakin turned around, raising his lightsaber, but Obi Wan struck Anakin's arm with his hand, then quickly moved and elbowed him in the back.

Anakin staggered slightly, and it was enough for Obi Wan to use the force to summon Anakin's lightsaber to his hand.

Anakin looked at Obi Wan dumbfounded even as the Master held the still ignited lightsaber.

"Anakin", Obi Wan gently reprimanded him, "You're a great warrior, but you'll need to prove yourself as your undoing."

Anakin had a sad look on his face upon hearing that.

Obi Wan deactivated the lightsaber and handed it back to Anakin saying, "Until you learn to overcome it, a Padawan you will still be."

Anakin, clearly humbled by the experience, looked down as he heard that.

Obi Wan smiled at his apprentice, clearly proud of him and affectionately patted his shoulder.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and the Jedi Master Kit Fisto walked in.

"Obi Wan, Anakin" Kit Fisto cried out, "Did you hear about what just happened?"

"Master Fisto," Anakin asked, "What's happened?"

Kit turned to Anakin and replied, "A senator from Christophsis has just been killed! His apartment here blew up barely a few minutes ago!"

"What?!" Anakin and Obi Wan cried out at once.

"I'm not joking," the Nautolan said, "I can literally see the apartment still smoking! Look!"

With that, he moved over to the viewport and pointed in the direction of a not so far away apartment building, where smoke was rising from one of the topmost floors of a building not too far away.

Anakin and Obi Wan looked on in shock.

"Who could have done such a thing?" Obi Wan said.

Kit Fisto replied, "That remains to be found out. Some anarchist probably."

Unfortunately, none of them knew what was to come.

This was only the beginning.


That evening, in the industrial sector…

Darth Sidious stood in a hangar even as a figure with a mask covering the mouth and nose, wearing a headdress, and armed with a blaster at the hip, plus other weapons including a knife, approached him.

The figure, a bounty hunter by the looks, neared him and said in a feminine voice, "My lord, it is done."

Sidious asked, "And is the senator dead as I asked, Zam Wessel?"

"Yes my lord," replied Zam Wessel, "There's no way he could have survived that explosion. He was literally surrounded by the bombs I was told to use."

"Good," Sidious said, "And the evidence?"

"Planted as you said," came the reply.


Meanwhile in the council chambers…

Grandmaster Yoda of the Jedi Order was sitting in his chair, with a grave look on his face.

Seated alongside him were Mace Windu, the High Master of the Order, and Shaak Ti, a Togruta Jedi Master. The other masters assembled were Plo Koon, Ki Adi Mundi, Sasee Tiin, Coleman Kcaj, Eeth Koth, Even Piell, Depa Bilaba, Adi Gallia and Oppo Rancisis.

Yoda spoke first, "Grave, the news of the senator's death is. Even more so, what was discovered."

Mace added, "It seems that whoever the assassin was has some agenda in mind. He or she left a mark in the place."

He moved to the middle of the chamber, pulled out a holo projection device, and turned it on, to reveal a picture of black human skull markings on the floor, walls and ceiling of the destroyed apartment.

Mace added, "We also discovered a grenade which luckily had not gone off. It was not even set to explode. It contained the exact same markings. Whatever it is, it can't be good."

Shaak Ti spoke, "Eight years ago, Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan Kenobi confirmed that the Sith had returned, and soon after that, Obi Wan's master was killed by Darth Maul."

Plo Koon said, "Perhaps the Sith have started some sort of plan into motion, to destroy the Republic."

Yoda said, "Right you may be, feel the same way, I do."

Sasee Tiin asked, "Who could have done such a thing?"

Mace replied, "We shall see. And we will find out and bring him to justice."


Early the next morning…

Obi Wan had been sent on a mission to another planet, and Anakin had been told to remain behind. Not having much to do, he had decided to go on a flight in a speeder.

Barely twenty minutes after he had left, there was an explosion in the Jedi Temple hangar.

When Anakin got back, he found many knights and masters all gathered around the scene.

Some of the ships in the hangar were burning, but luckily, the rest had been spared that fate, as the explosion had not been a very big one, but it had still killed quite some Jedi knights.

Anakin ran towards the circle of masters and asked, "Masters, what's happened?"

Mace Windu turned to him and sternly spoke, "Skywalker, get back to your quarters at once, and please lead the other Padawans and younglings with you out of here."

"But Master…" Anakin protested.

"Listen," Shaak Ti kindly explained, "There was an explosion here just a few minutes ago. We cannot risk getting you or any other padawans or younglings injured."

"Alright Master," Anakin replied, "I understand."

With that, he, along with a few knights, ushered the other padawans and younglings out of the hangar.

As soon as they were all out, Kit Fisto looked at the black ring of debris and ash that had been created from the explosion and suddenly noticed a holoprojection device in the middle of it, seemingly undamaged.

He summoned it to his hand using the force and turned it on, to see the same black skull mark.

It remained the same for a few moments before suddenly changing into what looked like a masked bounty hunter.

The bounty hunter spoke in a feminine voice, "The work is going on as planned. The Jedi are incompetent to keep the peace in the galaxy, as you said. Soon, the Jedi Order will fall, and so shall the Republic, at our hands, dear Padawan."

"Padawan?!" Some of the masters cried out.

Mace Windu had a grave look even as the recording ended and the holoprojector turned off.

He said, "You know, I think it's possible that a Jedi has started this."

Shaak Ti asked, "Who could have possibly done such a thing?"

Mace Windu replied, "I don't know, but it had better not have been a Padawan. That message may be a setup for all we know."


Two days later….

Anakin and Obi Wan had been trying to help the masters and some other knights locate the traitor, but so far, had not succeeded.

Some more senators and influential people had been killed in bombings, due to which Jedi knights had been assigned to protect senators who would most likely be targeted by the mysterious terrorist.

And currently, Anakin and Obi Wan were standing right outside the apartment of the senator of Corellia, Garm Bel Iblis.

Obi Wan knocked and the door opened.

Senator Garm Bel Iblis, a somewhat middle aged man with long hair and a mustache which was beginning to gray, opened the door.

"Good evening Senator," Obi Wan greeted, "We are the Jedi that have been assigned to watch over you."

"Good evening Master Jedi," Iblis greeted politely, "I appreciate your help greatly."

"With all that has been going on," Anakin stated, "We really hope we can catch the terrorist and turn him in."

Iblis replied, "Well, I'm sure he will be caught soon enough. Now why don't we…"

He trailed off upon suddenly noticing a sniper blaster being pointed at him, from right outside the window.

Instantly, Obi Wan stepped in front of the senator and barely managed to ignite his lightsaber and block the incoming blasts while Anakin raced towards the window, now broken.

The terrorist, the same one in the recording that Mace Windu had shown the Jedi knights two days before, straightaway took off in her speeder, but not before Anakin had managed to jump on.

The speeder shot away, with Anakin clinging on to it.

"Oh blast!" Iblis shouted, "That kid's going to get himself killed!"

"I'm going after them!" Obi Wan cried out before running out of the apartment. Iblis ran after him.

They rushed into a parking lot nearby and Iblis pointed at a blue and white speeder with no canopy and cried out, "That speeder's mine, and it's good and fast. Let's use it!"

They jumped into the speeder, with Obi Wan at the control column, and promptly took off.

Meanwhile, Anakin was having a hard time hanging on to the speeder, with Zam Wessel trying to throw him off with every twist and turn she could make.

At one point, he managed to just make it to the top of the speeder, and pulling out his lightsaber and igniting it, plunged it through the canopy.

Zam in desperation, pulled out a small blaster and tried to shoot the boy from down below. Although she didn't manage to land a harmful blow, she managed to cause him to drop his lightsaber, sending it stories below.

The lightsaber fell through the air, only to be caught barely by Obi Wan, who along with Iblis was not far away.

Iblis looked up and said, "We must be close by."

Obi Wan muttered, "I hope he's not doing something stupid."

Anakin had somehow managed to grab the assassin's hand's, and as she struggled against him, trying to shoot him, she ended up blasting her own controls, causing the speeder to plummet down.

At the last minute, Anakin managed to grab the joystick and pulled backwards, causing the speeder to level out before crashing onto a platform right in front of a club.

Even as the speeder skidded along and hit a wall, Anakin held on, but ended up getting knocked off.

Even as he slowly got up, holding his side in pain, Zam Wessel crawled out of the flaming speeder and made a run for it.

Anakin instantly began to pursue her. Even as she ran through the crowd, Anakin followed her, determined to pin her down.

Obi Wan and Iblis landed nearby and began to pursue them.

Eventually, Zam entered a heavily crowded section of the club, or rather not so heavily crowded, as it was still daytime, and before she could make another move, she found herself being grappled by the Jedi Padawan.

Anakin struggled to hold her even as she fought against his grip.

He caught sight of her face, and noticed the way the look of her cheek changed for an instant.

He realized something.

This was a changeling.

He suddenly found himself kicked in the groin, and before he could do anything, the bounty hunter freed herself and pulled out her blaster to shoot him.

However, at that moment, a blue lightsaber suddenly sliced the hand which should have used the blaster to shoot the boy.

Even as Zam let out a cry of pain, Obi Wan swiftly grabbed her by the shoulders while Iblis knelt down by Anakin and asked, "Are you alright lad?"

Anakin got up slowly and replied, "A bit shaken but okay. Was not expecting that blow."

Obi Wan motioned to Anakin and Iblis, who promptly followed him and their prisoner out of the club and towards the waiting speeder.

A short while later, Anakin and Obi Wan were standing in front of the doors to the Council Chambers, waiting to be called in to give their report.

Obi Wan spoke a little sternly, "Anakin, that was reckless what you did! You could have been killed!"

"I had to go after her Master," Anakin said, "If I hadn't, we'd have lost her."

Obi Wan reminded, "You lost your lightsaber in that scuffle. How many times have I told you, this weapon is your life?!"

Anakin said, "I know Master, but you were able to beat me without one the other day anyway."

"That was different," Obi Wan said, "You are not even a fully trained Padawan. You still have to control yourself. Although, I have to admit, you do make a good point with having to adapt without a lightsaber should the need arise, but you must not lose it. The enemy is not going to spare you just because you're unarmed. You nearly got yourself killed!"

Just then, the doors opened and the duo were summoned.

They walked in and saw the entire council looking at them, waiting for an explanation obviously.

Mace Windu started, "To start with, it is a good thing that you were on time to save the senator of Corellia. And you caught the terrorist. Now, we would like you to give us a full report of the incident. Please explain, Knight Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker."

Obi Wan and Anakin explained what had happened, although Anakin had to stop himself from groaning due to the boredom of having to stand and listen.

Finally, Yoda spoke, "Hmm, disturbing it is, that already a good number of people have been killed. Suspect more of it, I do. Question her, we must."

Shaak Ti added, "And given that Kenobi and Skywalker were involved, I suggest that they handle it."

Mace replied, "I agree. Any objections?"

There were none.

Yoda said, "Adjourned, the council is. Leave, you may."

Even as everyone stepped up to leave, Mace came up to Anakin and said, "Skywalker, the way you handled the situation was extremely risky. You lost your lightsaber once again, just like so many other times. I have told you this many times, 'never lose your grip on your lightsaber'. And you keep on losing it again and again. You need to keep that in mind. I highly suggest you take this as a lesson. Remember what your master and I have been saying several times, understood?"

"Yes Master," Anakin replied.

Mace gave Anakin a stern look, but nodded in acknowledgement and patted him on shoulder before leaving.

A few minutes later, Anakin and Obi Wan were eating in the cafeteria.

Anakin grumbled, "I wish he would stop rubbing that in my face!"

Obi Wan said softly, "Anakin, he's just trying to remind you of something that you should remember. I know he's hard on you, but he means well. He just happens to be strict."

"I know," Anakin said, "But I just wish…."

He sighed, not knowing what to say.

Obi Wan said, "It's okay Anakin, whatever happened happened. There's no need to get so tense about it. Just take it as a lesson. That's all."

"Okay," Anakin said, "At least I don't feel as angry with you as I feel with him. I mean, you're the closest thing I have to a father."

Obi Wan smiled and said, "I have to admit, you're the closest thing I have to a son, and a baby brother."

Anakin smiled and both ended up laughing as memories of Anakin's childish pranks as a ten year old came to their minds.

Obi Wan said, "You were so naughty back then. I will never forget the time you replaced Master Windu's robes with pink ones."

Both of them laughed at that.

Obi Wan then said, "Anyway, one of us has to interrogate the prisoner."

Anakin said, "I can do it."

Obi Wan frowned a little and said, "I'm not sure you should. There's something wrong I feel."

Anakin replied, "Master, I assure you, I'll be careful this time."

Obi Wan replied, "I don't have a good feeling about you going."

Anakin insisted, "Master, I really can do this. I promise I won't get angry and start hitting her or something!"

Obi Wan sighed and said, "Alright, if you're sure about it. But I still feel you should not go."