Last Hope

by The Wasp1995

Immediately after the fall of Ben Solo, Luke Skywalker has exiled himself to the planet of Ahch-To to live out the rest of his days in shame and to end the Jedi once and for all. But when offered a chance to undo all of the horrible events of the past, Luke takes it and embarks on one last hero's journey to create a future that never was. Time Travel fic

44. End of the Clone Wars 2- Desperation

Greetings, fellow acolytes.

Alright, so as a general rule I try to keep chapters around 10,000 words or less. That rule has been broken. There is a lot of stuff going on and some of it will make you go 'AHHHH' (not kidding).

So just sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy. It's a long one. And I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Ask me any questions, and leave those reviews! Reception seemed a bit muted last update so I hope people aren't getting burned out.

"When you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on."- Theodore Roosevelt

Chapter 41. End of the Clone Wars Part 2- Desperation

The scenario in front of the Sith Lord could not have been more ideal. Resisting the urge to lick his lips, even laugh out of sheer triumph, Sidious turned on the charm.

"My dear boy whatever is the matter? I've never seen you so distressed."

He invited Anakin in, treading slowly and carefully showing concern over the young man's troubles. Of course, he already knew the cause of said trouble. How ironic that Padme Amidala should be on death's door via his design.

"It's the Senator, sir," Anakin answered despondently, puffy eyed and struggling emotionally. "I was there when she lost consciousness…I feel like I'm losing it."

"Quite understandable, quite understandable," Sidious commented with a solemn note in his tone. "A dreadful affair. She is a remarkable woman. An excellent Senator and a dear friend. Early intelligence I have received indicates this is a vile, desperate act carried out by the agents of Count Dooku. The Senate is meeting at this hour to grant me the authority of securing our democracy. This attack will not go unpunished, I promise."

But Anakin Skywalker had not come to him due to politics. No, this was far more personal. The Sith Lord awaited the proper opening.

"Chancellor, I must confess, I haven't been completely honest with you about some aspects of my personal life. Knowing who to trust has become...difficult lately. But you've looked out for me the moment I stepped foot on Coruscant."

He swallowed, terror and fear practically emanating from desperate blue eyes.

"I've only told one other person this...sir, Senator Amidala and I are married. We have been for nearly three years."

Sidious again feigned ignorance. Better to act as though it were a pleasant surprise.

"Anakin, I had no idea. Though this certainly explains your mood."

"I apologize for my display. A Jedi should have better control than that."

The Sith placed a comforting hand on Anakin's upper back, feeling the young man's fear, regret, and growing indignation. He was ripe for the picking.

"No need to apologize. If I may also be so bold, I understand why you couldn't be as forthcoming with me about the situation. Or with the Jedi for that matter."

Anakin shook his head, a dark glance passing over the scar he normally wore so handsomely.

"They'd just kick me out. We aren't allowed to marry."

"Regrettable the Council would take such an action. Marriage between a man and a woman is entirely natural. Rest assured, I am doing everything within my power to save her life. Top medical specialists are currently attending her bedside."

"It's not enough," the brunette dismissed. "They don't know what's wrong with her."

Sidious could sense the burning question practically begging to escape Anakin's lips.

"Sir...you once told me a story about a Sith who could stop people from dying….do you know anything more? Any detail that might be the key to saving her?"

He was close, oh so close. But it wouldn't be that easy. Despite the deep seated doubt, Anakin remained confused and still attached to his old sense of self and commitments hung around like a dead carcass spoiling a dinner party. A test of the boy's loyalty was in order. To be a Sith, one had to prove they were willing to sacrifice anything and anyone.

"I am afraid I don't know much more than that, Anakin," Sidious lied. "I am not a medical practitioner."

"Please, Chancellor. It would mean a great deal to me."

Sidious pressed the advantage, knowing full well the Jedi would do whatever he asked of him by now.

"Of course, my friend. I shall do so right away. But…in the meantime, there is a small favor I must ask of you, Anakin. I hope it is not inappropriate to ask given the health of your wife."

"No, sir. Anything."

The Sith's smile widened farther into a contemptible smirk.

"It seems we are two of a kind. Just as you cannot rely on the Jedi to save Padme, I too cannot rely on them in matters of the state. A clone trooper, one of your own in the 501st I believe, attempted to assassinate me only a half hour ago."

Anakin's shock was priceless.

"This is the first I've heard of it. What happened? Who was it? Do I know them?"

"An ARC trooper…" he paused and put a thumb on his chin, pretending to have difficulty recalling the name. "'Fives' I believe it was. Out of nowhere he pulled out a blaster and nearly shot me in the head."

"That's...awful, sir. But Fives would never do something like that. He's a loyal soldier and one of my best men."

"Believe it to be true, Anakin, there are wanted holoposters of him everywhere. But the plot runs deeper than you know. I have ordered the Jedi Council to find and bring this clone to justice. Unfortunately, I believe they may have brainwashed him into performing such a violent act."

Anakin gazed down at the red carpet flooring, digesting those harsh words.

"I know the Council is flawed but...I never thought they'd be capable of something like that."

"It gets worse, my boy. I can confirm that the Jedi are indeed influencing certain Senators in an effort to subvert democracy and take control of the Republic. By the end of tonight, I shall be assassinated."

"But-"

"Search your feelings, Anakin... the Jedi can't be trusted. You know this better than anyone."

Anakin's gaze switched back to Sidious's, taking on a determined even ruthless character. The deep blue raged with the ferocity of a thunderstorm, yellow flashes of lightning symbolizing the power that could no longer be held at bay.

"What must I do?"

"It is crucial to prevent this trooper from injuring himself or anyone else and stop this plot in its tracks. I want you to track him down and bring him to justice. If there is resistance, if anyone tries to interfere in your mission…you have my permission to do as you see fit."

The Sith gazed into the boy, sending subliminal waves of the dark side, small, incremental, but powerful, into his mind and soul. He made sure to keep his mask of affability fully intact. Just a little bit longer and it would be cast aside.

"We can solve this together, dear boy. I have access to the best doctors all across the galaxy. I will even contact my acquaintance on Scipio. There is every possibility he might know more."

There was no hesitation or mercy in the Chosen One's reply as he notched one more step in embracing the darkness he'd once sworn to destroy.

"Thank you, your Excellency. I won't let you down."

Darth Sidious internally backflipped with glee. The boy was essentially his to mold now. Could the truth have been revealed? Perhaps, but where was the fun in rushing such a beautiful moment whilst torturing his prey? When the Jedi inevitably disobeyed the order to eliminate the clone, it would be the final piece to fit into the puzzle of the Grand Plan. And the best part? Watching the boy they believed to be the Chosen One become the primary engine of their destruction.

"Yes," he said with his back turned towards the window. Blue eyes flushed yellow. "I know."

---

In the center of the grand hallway at the Jedi Temple, Master Yoda stowed away his personal transmitter. He inhaled a breath and found his center. In doing so, he also found an old friend.

Qui-Gon. Need your advice, I do.

The Force chuckled. Light pierced the black veil of darkness.

'That's something I never thought I'd hear you say.'

Yoda almost lamented Qui-Gon's propensity for impudence.

"As cheeky in death as you were in life, old friend."

'I did warn you about the Sith those many years ago.'

"Proven right, you were." The Grandmaster was exasperated enough to be past the stage of pride. "And see why you did not serve on the Council, I do."

'I do not serve the light to win some sort of cosmic game, Yoda. I turn toward it because it is the light.'

"Do what is right," Yoda repeated from a day earlier.

'Yes. You have already changed a great deal, my friend. Your interaction with Senator Organa proves that. But there is one more task that needs completion.'

"Sidious." The answer rolled off the tongue as harshly as a forbidden word in another language. "My destiny or someone else's to face him?"

'Destiny is often what we make of it,' Qui-Gon mused, giving the abstract viewpoint first as he often did. 'But make no mistake. I believe in Anakin and I believe in Luke. The Skywalker family will need help before the end.'

"They are not the only ones in need of help."

Qui-Gon quickly guessed who he was referring to.

'Master Windu's mind is nearly overthrown. Bloodshed may be spilt on this Temple for the first time in over a thousand years.'

"Any way there is, to avoid such an outcome?"

'Instincts, Yoda. You are the greatest teacher this Order has even seen. Follow them, and you will find a way.'

Yoda allowed a quiet calm to pass through his bones, as though the spirit of his old friend passed through him in a comforting embrace. Then the Force went silent.

"Converse with you again, I shall, my old friend."

He drew another breath and slowly hobbled to the main war room. The pandemonium plaguing the Temple had finally been reduced to a satisfactory level, but disquiet hovered throughout the esteemed walls. The halls of healing were filled with so many upset younglings, the healers could barely keep up. All classes, activities, and exercises were canceled for the day as the Temple Guards tried to restore order.

It pained him so. To see the students under his care, their innocence so violently assaulted by a man, a vile creature, who cared so little for humanity he had long ceased to be a part of it. But they were not the only ones under siege. The Council too, required assistance.

When he finally entered the room, the swoosh of the automatic doors revealed the Council already in session with Shaak Ti in full view at the center of the holotable.

"You're absolutely sure?" Ki-Adi Mundi pressed, golden eyes wide and his white eyebrows raised up an extra notch on his dome.

"There is no doubt." Yoda felt Shaak Ti's inner disappointment. "We, the members of this Council tasked with keeping balance in the Force, have failed to keep our enemy from ascending the highest ranks of the Republic."

The Grandmaster said nothing, allowing the Force to guide him as Qui-Gon advised. He would know the right time to speak.

"What did the Chancellor do?" Saesee Tinn inquired.

"I felt a great darkness inside him. A venomous malice the likes of which can scarcely be described. He entered the mind of clone trooper Fives and tried to break it."

The pause that followed was one of the darkest in Jedi history. Plo Koon broke it soon after.

"To break someone's mind is a supreme act of evil. It would confirm what this body has yet to accept. That Palpatine is the Sith Lord behind this war."

"I don't understand." Agen Kolar, the least tenured member of the Council, sounded shaken. "How could this happen?"

"Perhaps that is a question for later," Depa Billaba said, one of the few who maintained an air of calm despite being light years away. "For now, survival is paramount. We must set up a defense of the Temple."

"Let's not lose our heads just yet," Ki-Adi Mundi cautioned as he was wont to do. "Sidious is but one man and would be incapable of defeating all of us in a…" he faltered as the pieces came together at last. Yoda sensed the exact moment where the Council's collective self assuredness broke apart. A sad experience but a necessary one. Even Mace Windu was rendered speechless.

"It would seem that Luke and Obi-Wan were telling the truth," Plo Koon rumbled. "Emergency powers, the inhibitor chips, Order 66, the clones…it has all served one purpose. To bring us down."

"Skywalker." The Grandmaster picked his moment to speak. "Bring him to the dark side, Sidious seeks. The last piece of the puzzle he is."

They harkened to him despite his short stature, appearing as a giant might among little people.

"To destroy Sidious, our only option is. Another chance we have been given, and we cannot waste it. Save Skywalker and his family, we must."

"So where is he?" Mace Windu sounded as severe as ever, angry even. "Where is Anakin and his supposed time traveling son?"

"Mace, this is not the time." Adi Gallia had already foregone formal titles, her own patience wearing thin.

"So am I to understand that four of my Jedi Knights have all gone rogue in some form or fashion? Ahsoka Tano is missing. Obi-Wan refuses to attend Council meetings. And Skywalker is running into the arms of a dark master. Is there anything else that I've missed?!"

Gallia flinched. Windu almost never raised his voice, even while under stress. His anger began to amplify. He began to speak as though conversing with some other entity. A living Shatterpoint.

"A Sith Lord operated under our noses for years," he mumbled, pressing a finger to his head. "We're on the verge of extinction. It all leads back to one…just one…the distraction. The Bane of the Jedi."

No one, not even his allies on the Council knew what in the name of the Force to do or say. Thousands of years of history prepared the Jedi Order for battle against the Sith, but not each other.

"I…" Windu stopped and shook his head like an Eopie bothered by flies. "I vote to remove Yoda's both in authority as Grandmaster and as senior member of this Council. I vote to remove and keep him under surveillance until the crisis has averted."

If the Korunian, the legendary Head of the Order, expected allies to rush forward in support he was sadly mistaken. Shock, disbelief, and trepidation, but not a single nod or murmur of agreement.

Ki-Adi Mundi took a tentative step.

"My friend, you do not look well. Maybe-"

The flash of an amethyst blade caused the entire room to jump, save Yoda, who only stared in immense disappointment at the Head of the Order. The Force around him darkened into something vengeful and unbalanced.

"Grandmaster Yoda, submit or I will have no choice but to make you."

Everyone in the room tensed. The Force pulsed with waves of incredible power. No one, not even a seasoned Master, would dare challenge Master Yoda. Only a singular person had the raw power. And he'd gone mad.

To everyone's surprise, Yoda did not respond in kind to the challenge. He merely pointed his gimmerstick.

"Come under the influence of the dark side, you have, Master Windu. Gone, your sanity is."

"I am doing what's necessary to save the Order from those who would destroy it."

"Master Windu, that's enough!" Shaak Ti's hologram shouted. "Think about what you're doing!"

This prompted several Council members to intervene, but Yoda issued a three digit hand to stop them.

"Alone, will I face this gauntlet."

"Master Yoda, please! This is not the Jedi way," Ki-Adi Mundi pleaded like a child.

"Grandmaster of the Order, am I. But more important things there are than titles."

Yoda dropped his plain, gray-brown robes and ignited his emerald blade in a show of power and defiance.

"Serve the light, I do not, for the purpose of winning a game. I turn towards the light because it is the light. Because it is the right thing to do."

Mace Windu rushed his former friend and equal. Purple and green flashed before the Council's eyes.

---

A BARC speeder zoomed through the smoggy, brown, center of what was once the industrial heartland of Coruscant. No traffic existed to stop him from going top speed. No soul or being would have tried regardless. The Chancellor's curfew had already settled in. Luke Skywalker cut through the rain, robes soaked, hair dripping, visibility decreasing with each passing minute.

It mattered little. A Jedi did not need to see to get around.

Thoughts of Ahsoka refused to leave his mind. Thoughts of Anakin added a double layer of anxiety on top of the already enormous pile of stress he struggled to carry. Old demons laughed and jeered. 'It's your fault' they taunted in a tone that sounded far too much like Darth Sidious. Or maybe it was Ben Solo? Vader? They all blurred together to form something ugly and wretched. He'd heard it too many times to remember properly.

But unlike in the future, unlike the times where those infernal mental creatures caused him to undertake terrible decisions, he simply accepted their presence and pressed forward. For once, the Last Jedi did not run away. If armageddon was to come down upon them, he'd face the blazing inferno head on.

Veering downward into a thicket of pipes, warehouses, and smokestacks, Luke projected the full well of his personal power, a supernova of light shining like a beacon in the Force. A star in the black shadow of night for all to follow.

He tried desperately to find Ahsoka amongst the darkness, her signature was so familiar by now, graceful, cool, and pleasant, finding her would be simple once he located it.

But seconds turned into minutes, minutes stretched in an unbearable agony. Luke felt sure she was somewhere around here, or as reasonably sure as one could be. If Sidious took Ahsoka offworld, Dooku's words were officially prophetic. A sacrificial lamb in the battle against evil…

Don't think like that. Keep going.

Dagobah training kicked in with renewed determination. It also wasn't lost on him that he once left the planet and Yoda to save someone at the potential expense of the galaxy. He began to believe that this brand of impulsiveness ran exclusively in the Skywalker genepool.

The speeder's built in holo transmitter began to beep and Luke already had a premonition of who it was.

"I hope you're going to tell me where Ahsoka is," he said to Dooku's hologram, zooming by yet another row of warehouses.

"Then this conversation is going to leave you disappointed."

Luke blew a piece of wet hair out of his face.

"Then why are you calling?"

"To offer you a deal: the entire Confederate government, including Viceroy Nute Gunray on a silver platter."

"And what's the catch?"

He knew there would be. Dooku may have renounced Sidious but that didn't make him ethical.

"I prefer to think of it as a fair exchange. The Republic receives an entire board of war criminals, I am granted immunity."

By the sands of Tatooine, he did not have time for this.

"I'm not the right person to barter with Dooku," he said a little too bluntly. "That's up to the Jedi Order and whoever is Chancellor after Palpatine."

Dooku growled. "Master Luke, do you know why I left the Jedi Order all those years ago?"

Luke didn't know every in and out of Count Dooku's story, but he could guess having witnessed more than one Jedi fall to the dark side. He humored the old man.

"I'm sure you're going to tell me whether I want to hear it or not."

"Corruption," Dooku said instantly. "Not from a monetary or political standpoint but a personal one. They grew fat off the nectar of their own success, choosing to remain stagnant instead of heeding my warnings about the coming darkness. Complacency over wisdom, arrogance over knowledge. The Jedi Council wields more power than you realize and yet they refuse to use it for the betterment of the galaxy."

Luke abruptly screeched his speeder to a halt underneath a metal roof on one of the side streets, shielding him from rain. His blue eyed stare bore right through the hologram.

"This isn't anything I don't already know. And just as the Jedi chose complacency, you chose to focus entirely on your personal grievances. If you truly wish to put principle over power, then help us."

"I have already given you and Kenobi valuable information. Did you not inform the Jedi Council?"

When Luke hesitated, the Count's semi permanent frown turned into a scowl.

"Somehow from your lack of response, I sense they either did not believe you or have found some other creative method of avoiding the problem. How predictable."

"Master." Luke noticed that Dooku's hard heart tended to soften when reminded of his prior title. "I will make sure that your contributions are known once this battle is over, but that can't happen unless we remove Sidious the right way. We need concrete, durasteel evidence linking his Sith identity to the person of Sheev Palpatine. Can you provide that?"

The old man nodded just that little bit despite the sour disposition.

"I can."

"Send it to them. Confess. Expose the monster to the entire galaxy and turn yourself in."

Dooku said nothing at first. For once, Luke couldn't read his expression or mood.

"I once believed in doing things the 'right way'. Time and again that has proven to be a fool's errand. What makes this scenario any different?"

"Because this time… I'm going to make sure the same mistakes aren't repeated."

It was an odd response and Dooku at first didn't know what to make of that proclamation. Until clarity spread across his imperious face.

"I think we understand each other, Luke Skywalker."

The Last Jedi sensed, from billions of light years away, he indeed understood the warmth of this realization offering just a bit of comfort from the heavy rain above.

"I have managed to bribe my former apprentice, Asajj Ventress, to locate Miss Tano. If anyone can find her, she can."

"Very well." A brief ripple, not dark but rough around the edges like a jagged rock, dropped into the Force. Ventress was an able warrior and assassin. Following her might lead to Ahsoka.

"Master Skywalker."

Dooku bowed low as he spoke but there was an ember of rage in his eye.

"Sidious must die if there is to be a tomorrow."

Luke revved up his speeder and soaked the water from his robes.

"Master Dooku, I have no plans to let that bastard live."

---

Ventress never liked Cad Bane. From his grimy, sneering voice which carried a cybernetic quality right down to that stupid hat which probably over compensated for something. A dangerous opponent. A worthy one. But there was no love between them.

"Where is she?"

Holding the Duro in Force vice grip in the middle of an abandoned industrial back alleway, she squeezed harder and harder, watching as Bane continued to squirm.

'I'll…never…tell…you."

Ventress dropped him in a puddle on the ground, coughing and sputtering. Technically it went against the code of the Guild to assault another bounty hunter like this. But the code served more as guidelines than actual rules and she was no stranger to breaking them.

"What do you care what happens to the Jedi brat? You hate them," Bane wheezed.

"Let's just say I got paid a little extra tonight to do a good deed."

He spat on the ground. She shrugged off the insult.

"You know something Bane, I have no idea why the Jedi always had such a hard time with you."

"Jedi lack nerve," he snarled at her.

"True…" she said while inspecting her nails. Bane used the last of his strength to draw his weapon and fire twice, both of which were deflected by two crimson lightsabers. "...but I don't."

Ventress slammed him back against the alley wall and this time his wide brim hat fell to the ground. The toughest bounty hunter in the galaxy wouldn't give up that information easily or willingly. But even someone like Bane could crack. You just had to hit hard enough in the right spot.

Standing him up, she ripped out one breathing tube while clawing the other around his throat. The more discomfort he felt, the better chance at success.

"Where is Ahsoka Tano?"

She waved her wand and pulled at his mind, which balked but did not budge.

"No," he growled.

"Where are they keeping her?"

"I…won't say."

Ventress hadn't tapped into the dark side fully in quite some time, but she did now, concentrating all of her power into compelling Bane to give the correct answer.

"Where is she?"

The hiss was accompanied by a further pull, which now felt more like a tear. Bane yelled and hollered against the compulsion, but Ventress knew he was weakening.

"Tell me, Bane. Where does Darth Sidious keep his prisoner? Where?!"

"Get out of my head!"

Wriggling like a worm caught on a hook, the Duro tried to escape his torture. She did not let him do so.

"You will tell me the location of Ahsoka Tano. Now."

"Warehouse…13…the Works…one klick…east."

Something snapped in Bane's skull. He slumped to the ground in a drooling heap, moving little and murmuring inane babble. Ventress pressed a hand to his head. Fried. A few wires short of a full circuit board. He would learn to feed himself again and talk in complete sentences. Eventually.

She hurried back to her ship, armed and anticipating whatever grisly evil she might face at warehouse 13. Her experience as an apprentice to a Sith taught her that much.

---

Though they'd fought together side by side many times during the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Captain Rex were not what most called a 'natural pairing'. Serving under or with different people with different philosophies, one favoring a more standard approach, the other following the unorthodox, off the cuff tendencies of Anakin Skywalker. Yet the two found themselves involved as a dynamic duo, united in a race against time and evil.

Scouring Coruscant, Obi-Wan had managed to procure a smaller, two person vessel with a cylinder shaped, vertical body, the top hatch being the cockpit while the bottom was designed to fire the weapons system. But the last thing either wanted was a fight and certainly not with the Coruscant Guard, who's reputation for ruthless tactics preceded them.

"Of all the crazy things I've done in the past three years, this might be the craziest. And yet General Skywalker isn't here."

"You still have me. I may have a reputation for being a stickler but I'm more than willing to break a few rules in the name of a good cause," Obi-Wan said.

Rex chuckled at that remark.

"Cody's the same way, actually. Even though he'll never admit it."

"Small wonder he and I get on so well. As I recall you used to be pretty by the book too."

"That young, bright eyed Captain didn't know better," Rex spoke frankly and bluntly. "It's ironic really. The Kaminoans told us the most honorable thing we could do as soldiers was obey orders. In reality, the most honorable actions I've ever taken were the times I disobeyed them."

That statement hit so powerfully, neither man spoke for a moment. Layer upon layer of intricate, shattering irony piled on with each passing revelation in the true meaning of the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan may have known the entire truth due to Luke, but Rex was far from stupid and could understand the larger pieces at work.

"You'd think an ARC Trooper dressed in full regalia running around empty streets would be easier to find," Obi-Wan said as they passed by the entertainment district filled with theaters, shops, clubs and adult viewings. Normally, they'd be packed with the youth of hundreds of different species, but tonight they were silent as the grave.

"If I know Fives, and I have for a long time," Rex mused to himself. "He won't be dressed in his standard uniform. More than likely he's found a way to disguise himself."

"I believe it."

"He is an ARC Trooper after all," the Captain said with some pride in his voice.

"The Coruscant Guard have multiple probe droids at their disposal, however. We'll need to move quickly to beat them in the search."

"I actually have an idea. I'm going to contact Echo and see if they've caught wind of him. They're best friends. I'll punch in a code designed to ask if they've spot checked their gear. It's a protocol we created for emergencies."

"That's actually quite clever," Obi-Wan said, impressed.

"General Skywalker and I used to do it all the time during long missions. Especially when he uhm...you know…"

"Desired to talk to his wife?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Rex answered truthfully, not bothering to hide the fact.

"Don't worry. I've known about that for quite awhile. Forgive me, but you and Anakin are terrible liars."

"To be fair, Cody's mentioned your involvement with Senator Kryze...in not so many words. We clones see and hear a lot."

Obi-Wan sighed, steering around another corner of a massive intersection, trying to ignore the increasingly large pangs of guilt stemming from the handling of their respective secret romances.

"There is much that I must account for. Including several shortcomings on my part with my former padawan."

I just hope Anakin can forgive me. And that it's not too late to reach him.

As Rex typed in the code on the comlink, another thought occurred to Obi-Wan, one he wanted clarification on.

"Rex, you didn't show the Chancellor the inhibitor chips during that ill fated meeting."

Down below, he could see the Captain hold up the encased bit of evidence which confirmed the question.

"No, sir, I did not."

"May I ask why?"

"It was something you said while on the ride back to Coruscant. About Order 66. I know for a fact only the Senate and the Chancellor can make a military call like the one Tarkin ordered."

Rex's face took on an expression of extreme self doubt, even cynicism.

"I remember Umbara when we were betrayed by General Krell. It was the moment Fives and I began questioning the whole thing: the war, our purpose, and what would happen to us afterwards. As much as I don't want to believe that everything we've fought for was for nothing, these inhibitor chips aren't a coincidence."

Obi-Wan felt his respect rising even further for the distinguished captain if such a thing were possible. He was truly a remarkable man and a lot smarter than many gave him credit for, as clones were often looked down upon by the citizenry.

"After what happened at the Medical Facility, there's no way I can trust the Chancellor. General Skywalker always loved him, but General Luke won't even go within ten feet of wherever he is. And…pardon my saying so sir, but one is a better judge of character than the other from what I've seen."

"None taken. General Luke has good instincts. He's disliked Palpatine from the beginning. Anakin is…complicated," Obi-Wan said with a sigh. "He gravitates towards anyone who offers praise, which is understandable given his past."

The clone said nothing to that, preferring to respect his former superior's privacy. But a com from Echo saved him from the awkwardness of the conversation.

"Echo, where are you?" he asked quickly.

"Well General Skywalker isn't-"

"Fives, Echo. Have you seen Fives?"

Echo dropped the prestenses and cleared his throat on the other end.

"I saw Fives at 79s, sir. Was just about to tell you. Jesse, Hardcase, and I went out to grab a drink before curfew and he approached me in the refresher. Was wearing a shock trooper's uniform. Told me he solved the conspiracy going on against the Republic and the Jedi."

Yup that sounds about right, Obi-Wan thought to himself dryly.

"Did he mention anything else? Like where he was headed?"

"As a matter of fact he wants to speak with you. Says you saw the whole thing that happened with the Chancellor."

"Where is he now?" Rex asked urgently.

"I don't know, sir. He couldn't stay long, but he did give me the coordinates. I'll send them to you now."

The blue screen in front of the cockpit lit up, pinpointing Fives's location.

"He also wanted me to mention something else: come alone. You're the only person he trusts."

Rex saved the coordinates in his own link, jaw clenched with determination.

"Believe me, we're not telling anyone. And Echo?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Round up anyone you can, grab a transport, and get over here as soon as possible. We're going to need a ride over to the Jedi Temple."

"Understood."

"And one more thing. Keep this under wraps. Don't take any orders from anyone except for myself or other Jedi."

"Sir."

Obi-Wan began rubbing his beard as his mind began formulating a plan.

"I noticed the Chancellor wasn't a part of that group," he told Rex.

"If someone's trying to use these chips to destroy the Jedi and frame Fives, then we're the only ones trustworthy with this information."

Once more Obi-Wan felt tempted to tell Rex the truth, but he didn't need to. He suspected the clone might already know.

---

The second Echo's comlink fell silent, he turned to his drinking companions, Jesse and Hardcase.

"We've gotta go."

"What? Why?" Hardcase raised his beer, showcasing how important it was. "I'm still drowning in suds over here."

79s still had a lively atmosphere despite the curfew, as members of the military were exempt from the lockdowns. Raucous laughter, conversation, and drinks were aplenty. But to Echo the atmosphere seemed tense, suppressed. It suddenly became very apparent to the ARC Trooper that he, Jesse, and Hardcase were the only troopers in the entire bar with their chips removed. Everyone else was a ticking time bomb waiting to be set off.

"I just talked to Captain Rex. He and General Kenobi are going after Fives."

"Wait, how do you know that?" Jesse asked.

"Because when Fives cornered me in the refresher fifteen minutes ago, he gave me coordinates. Rex told us to bring back up and a shuttle."

Jesse cocked an eyebrow.

"Back up? Who? Almost everyone in this joint still has an inhibitor chip. And Fives is a wanted fugitive with a target on his head that says 'shoot to kill'."

"We could always radio in some of the boys at barracks," Hardcase said with a shrug.

"That'll take too long. And Kix is still working around the clock removing chips. We need another option."

"So who else then?"

Echo scanned the room, and by some miracle he found one. Four distinct, unmissable troopers tucked away in the back corner of the bar.

"I think I have an idea."

Jesse and Hardcase looked at each other, but said nothing, following their brother for now.

Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Crosshair were clearly not in the mood to talk or be bothered. Only when Echo and company approached within two feet of their table did they give any sort of acknowledgement.

"Boys," Hunter said, raising his glass as a form of greeting. "Hope you're having a pleasant evening."

Echo didn't quite know how to put it delicately, so he got straight to the point.

"We need your help."

Hunter shifted in his chair while Wrecker grunted. Crosshair, legs propped up on the table gave a dismissive scoff. Only Tech didn't look uncomfortable.

"With what?"

"One of our brothers has gone missing. Someone you might remember. ARC Trooper Fives."

Hunter didn't look unsympathetic but going on a search party was the last thing he felt inclined to do. Echo could tell.

"I'm sorry to hear that. But unfortunately, it's not our problem. We're due back to Kamino soon."

"Do you not care about one of your own?" Jesse accused, almost offended.

Crosshair began snickering, devoid of any warmth or genuine humor.

"It's amusing you believe I should care about a reg simply because we share the same DNA."

"We're brothers," Jesse shot back, taking an immediate dislike to Crosshair. "All of us. He could be killed."

"If he dies, he dies. Especially since he's a traitor."

Hardcase snarled and pointed a finger.

"If it wasn't for him, you'd be nothing more than a droid with meat you stupid fuck."

Wrecker and Crosshair stood up, sloshing beer on the floor, while Jesse and Hardcase raised their respective fists. Only the timely intervention of Echo and Hunter's cooler heads averted disaster.

"Whoa, easy fellas. You two, stand down."

The two larger enhanced clones growled, still spoiling for a fight.

"That's an order."

When Hunter used that sharp of a tone, they listened. Echo bade his friends to cease their own hostility and let him do the talking.

"Look, I'm sorry about your friend. I really am." And this time Hunter really did sound regretful. "But in case you haven't noticed, the war is almost over. We're not looking to do anything stupid for a medal."

"This isn't about accolades," Echo argued back. "This is about the fate of the galaxy."

"He's not wrong," Tech said, jumping in for the first time. "I've done some theorizing myself. If what the Jedi said is correct, the probability of a Sith Lord controlling the Republic is very high indeed. At least ninety eight percent."

Wrecker scratched his head.

"What's a Sith Lord?"

"A very bad person," Jesse quipped.

"Look." Hunter cut through the devolving conversation. "You want the honest truth? Our squad hasn't received the kindest treatment from regular clones. We've had to fight and survive in our own way while getting constantly looked down upon. It's not much of an incentive."

"You helped us on Kashyyyk," Hardcase pointed out.

"That affected everyone involved," Hunter deftly retorted. "We do what we do, and we're damn good at it. But whoever runs the galaxy doesn't matter to us, because as far as I'm concerned, it's never given us a reason to care."

Echo knew he was losing them and any argument might fall on deaf ears. But he had to try nonetheless.

"Let me be the first to apologize for any mistreatment you suffered from our brothers," he said. "That was wrong. I know what it's like to be considered a joke. To have people jeer and threaten you with maintenance duty….but you're wrong about the galaxy."

He gestured around the room.

"Look at this place. You know as well as I do that every single person in here besides ourselves is little more than a slave and they aren't even aware of it. What happens when those chips kick in? What happens when the Sith find out you've removed yours?"

"We're super soldiers," Crosshair said, chewing on a new toothpick. "We'll figure something out."

"Maybe, for a little while," Echo reasoned, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. "More than likely you'd be fugitives. Outlaws constantly on the run. Just like Fives is right now. And if we don't do something, every one of us, every single clone who doesn't obey, could suffer the same fate.

I'm not saying you need to care about every person in the entire galaxy. But only by standing together will we see a brighter day for ourselves and our brothers."

He offered a hand to Hunter, but to his surprise, it was Tech who stood and shook it first.

"We may not agree on everything, but I do believe in what you stand for," he said. "And I know that my squad does too."

They turned to the rest of the Bad Batch who, spurred on by Tech's show of faith and companionship, followed suit. Even Crosshair, who didn't shake anyone's hand, but was moved just enough to not voice any dissidence.

"I guess we're with you," Hunter said, the hint of the smallest smile playing around his lips. "I guess it's also a good thing they towed our ship back to Coruscant."

"You have a personal ship?" Hardcase blurted out.

This time it was Wrecker who hammered the point home.

"Oh yeah! The Marauder's a beauty. Full weapons system and everything."

Hardcase cracked a lopsided grin.

"I think I'm beginning to like you guys."

---

The coordinates given to them by Echo led them to one of the many underworld portals on Coruscant, Level 1325, Hangar I9, a random garage, completely indistinguishable from the others that bordered it.

"I do hope Fives thought this through," Rex muttered as he jumped out of their ship. "If any one of those probe droids saw him, we'll have a full fledged dog fight on our hands."

"We will cross the bridge when we get to it," Obi-Wan said calmly. "Let's just ensure he's alright and help him to understand we're on his side."

They entered the warehouse, the doors of which had been left ajar. A small amount of light peaked on through, giving just enough visibility to see fifty feet inside with only vague shapes of machinery, boxes, and other random stacked materials marking an otherwise empty space.

"Fives?" Rex called out.

There was no answer but Obi-Wan could sense someone hidden among the junk along with a great deal of anxiety.

"He's here," he remarked aloud. "No doubt about that."

"Fives?" Rex again called. "It's us. General Kenobi and myself."

The ARC Trooper's reply echoed out shakily.

"R-Rex, General. E-Echo gave you the right coordinates."

"He did."

"And...and you didn't bring anyone else with you?"

"No one's here but us."

As they drew further into the confines of the warehouse, Obi-Wan lit his azure blade in order to get a better sense of where they were going.

"How do I know you're not going to take me back...to-to...him?" Fives asked, voice practically trembling.

By now Obi-Wan had pinpointed Fives's precise location towards the end of the hallway. He had every intention of calming the clone, and lamented that Sidious must have terrified him out of his wits for the normally tough, rational veteran to be acting in such a skittish manner.

"Rex saw everything. We're on your side."

"And-And…h-how do I know that to be true?"

Fives now emerged, except wearing a stolen officer's uniform and pointing a stolen blaster straight towards them.

"Put the blaster down," Rex said, making no move to reach for his own. "That's an order, soldier."

"I'm not going back to the Medical Facility," Fives continued to insist. "He's trying to kill me!"

"And that's why we're here," Obi-Wan told him evenly. "To prevent that from happening. We would never let anyone harm you."

"Put down your weapons. Show that you trust me."

Obi-Wan nodded at Rex to comply. Fives may have been frightened but he was at least coherent enough to carry a strong sense of survival. Once they did so, their friend did the same, tossing aside the DC-15 and running towards them, relief and terror in his eyes.

"General, sir!" he said, collapsing into both of their arms. "Thank goodness, I knew I could count on you."

"Steady on, Fives. It's alright."

"You don't understand, sir," the ARC Trooper said in desperation. "I'm wanted. The entire Coruscant Guard is after me! I had to be sure it wasn't a trap."

"It'll be a cold day in hell before I let any of my brothers get hunted down like an animal," Rex voiced firmly, helping Fives to sit down on a lone box.

"Kill...Kill the Jedi...that's what he wants…" Fives kept murmuring to himself, sounding a bit like Tup. He was shaking like a leaf on a tree.

Obi-Wan bent down on one knee and placed a hand on the side of the clone's head whispering one of the classic Jedi meditation mantras.

"The Force is with me and I am one with the Force….The Force is with me and I am one with the Force…the Force is with me I am one with the Force…"

Slowly but surely, the pulse slowed, shoulders dropped, and Fives's breathing steadied as the dark poison infecting his mind drained away into the Force, Obi-Wan acting like a conduit.

"My head...it feels like it got smashed with an LAAT."

"Your headache is no ordinary one," the Jedi explained. "Only a person well trained in the dark arts can use that kind of mind manipulation."

Fives looked up at his leader and General, a deep seated pain arising within golden, hazel orbs.

"General, you have no idea how deep this conspiracy goes. The Chancellor he...messed with my head somehow...he told me everything. That's why I tried to kill him. He's...evil."

"You mean…"

Rex didn't need to finish, the implication sinking in fast.

"Yes, Captain. He's behind the creation and implementation of the inhibitor chips. He is the Sith Lord."

Obi-Wan knew this information already and gave only a hardened, stoney faced reaction. Rex looked as though he was the one who needed to sit down.

"This is insane," he whispered.

"No, Rex. The work of a highly cunning, cruel, and devious mind, that however heinous, is perfectly sound. The machinations of Darth Sidious," Obi-Wan explained. "We must get back to the Temple immediately."

Almost as soon as he uttered those words he felt another presence, an angry, confused, desperate tower of energy overwhelming in its power, recognizable to him anywhere.

"We have to go now," he said urgently.

"But-"

"There's no time to expound further. We must leave here!"

However, he was too late. Another silhouette of a taller, imposing human male entered the room. Though too far away to make out properly due to the darkness, Obi-Wan didn't require proper vision to acknowledge who it was.

"Anakin," he said aloud.

Ominous footsteps echoed multiple times before coming to a stop about twenty feet away. The eyes weren't yellow just yet, but the Jedi Master could feel all of the pain and rage currently guiding his former padawan's thoughts and actions. Thoughts of Padme and any action it took to save her.

Oh, Anakin, I'm sorry I've failed you. Please don't give in to the darkness now.

"Obi-Wan," the brunette's spoke in a deeper tone than usual. "Hand over Fives. Immediately."

"Sir?"

The look on the clone's face was one of confusion. Obi-Wan sensed that Anakin was not here for a casual chat and did not move.

"There has been a misunderstanding, Anakin," he tried to reason with him.

"No misunderstanding," his former padawan spoke again in the same deep, menacing tone. "Fives tried to assassinate the Chancellor. Now I'm bringing him to justice."

"Sir, if I can explain-"

"You'll get your chance to explain in court," Anakin cut him off harshly. "Make it easier on yourself and come with me. The Jedi coerced you into doing this. It'll be an easy plea."

"No one coerced me except the Chancellor himself! He's a killer!" Fives shouted defiantly. "He's the one who put the chips in our heads! He's going to wipe out the Jedi!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the brunette dismissed out of hand. "But I do know that the Chancellor is incapable of such actions, and I am tired of people trying to convince me otherwise."

He took another five steps forward, a small gleam of light casting over his normally handsome face otherwise shrouded in darkness.

"Don't oppose me, Obi-Wan. Do the right thing."

Anakin held out a black gloved hand, practically begging his former master to join him. But it was a path, a way that Obi-Wan could not follow. Jedi did not deal in absolutes.

No, I will not fight him as I did in those memories. The whole reason Luke came back was to prevent him from turning, not play into Sidious's hands.

He could tell that his best friend, despite being swathed in toxic emotion, had not formally declared his allegiance to Palpatine just yet. There was still time.

"Anakin much has happened since we last saw each other on Mandalore. I can sense you are troubled in more ways than one. Please, calm down and let us talk."

"The time for talking has passed. Now is the time for action. And I will not abide by treason. You either stand with me or against me…now hand over Fives."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and exhaled a regretful sigh. He'd tried to avoid this scenario as much as possible. He took a glance over at the lightsaber he'd carefully set down only a few minutes prior, flexing his hand in preparation.

"I will not."

"Very well. Rex, arrest Fives and bring him back to the landing dock. I'll handle my former master."

It took a great deal of courage and moxy for the Captain to say what he did next.

"I'm sorry, sir. But I'm afraid I won't be obeying that order."

The outright refusal from his former second in command, the one he'd served side by side for so many battles as a brother, clearly hurt Anakin. But the moment of pain flickered like a candle in the wind, replaced by cold emptiness.

"Then you leave me no choice."

The room flashed blue as Anakin's lightsaber ignited.

"Rex, Fives," Obi-Wan warned. "Get out of here now."

"We're not leaving you, sir."

"Don't argue! Get back to the ship!"

But it was too late. Anakin charged like a starved reek and then leapt twenty feet in the air. Rex and Fives dove out of the way in time while Obi-Wan summoned his own blade just in time to block the first strike.

His former padawan pressed forward, going high then low, strikes coming down in such rapid succession only a master of Soresu could possibly hope to block them. They reached the end longitude of the warehouse with Obi-Wan backed into a slight corner but the master used deft footwork and a nifty duck in order to avoid being pinned.

Anakin continued the attack, attempting a lightning fast spin move followed by a vicious strike to overpower Obi-Wan, who anticipated his former padawan's signature power play and parried it. He kicked out against the shin.

"Agh!"

The tactic only worked for a moment before the two engaged in their fierce duel, leaving the two clones dumbfounded as to what to do, practically mesmerized by the scene in front of them. They'd seen Jedi fight plenty of droids, but each other? It was an entirely different game.

"We have to help somehow," Fives insisted.

"You heard General Kenobi, we have to get out of here! General Skywalker probably intends to kill you!"

"It's not his fault. The Chancellor must have brainwashed him!"

They both had to step aside once more as Anakin leapt through the air attempting a strike at Obi-Wan's head. The Jedi Master remained unfazed, striking out, blocking two more attempts before attempting a disarming twist that failed to dislodge the saber out of his hand.

"Fives-"

"We leave no man behind! That's what we're taught in training. We'll find a way!"

Rex nodded, knowing their personal code took precedence over anything else.

"You're the ARC Trooper. What do you suggest?"

"A distracted Jedi is a vulnerable Jedi. Come on."

The two fanned out grabbing their respective blasters and began circling the two Force wielders, hammering away with neither one able to gain any kind of ground. A yin yang of push and pull customary of the ultimate attack versus the ultimate defense.

Fives signaled Rex by twisting his ear, tapping his nose, then the forehead, a double chop in the open palm, followed by pointing down two fingers. It was a secret maneuver they designed if they ever encountered Count Dooku but its effectiveness equally applied to all who used the Force.

"General!"

Both Jedi turned at the sound of the familiar title but it was Anakin who failed to catch on. Rex feigned shooting a blaster shot that clearly missed while firing a secondary blast up at the adjacent piping which sent sparks flying into his vision, temporarily blinding him.

Seeing the opening needed, Fives fired a merciful stunner which Obi-Wan ducked. But Anakin, using power not previously seen, redirected the shot back towards Rex, hitting him squarely in the chest.

Raising his hand, he slammed Fives back into the wall and everything went black.

---

It was easy enough to infiltrate the warehouse undetected. But the Force presence inside was weak. Exceedingly weak. Tano probably had some kind of restraint but a Jedi of her caliber and her captors might emanate a stronger signal.

Careful to make no sound and staying close to the shadows, Ventress watched a grisly scene unfold. Her restrained quarry thrashed around like a wild animal, surrounded by a cloaked gang of miscreants some of whom were chanting a strange yet familiar language…

ur-Kittât.

She'd only heard her former Master speak that tongue in passing and was never taught it herself, but the dark resonance, the elegant cruelty, could not be mistaken for anything else.

Ahsoka continued to squirm, hissing and snapping like a Gooberfish fish fighting against a rival. But the device constraining her gave little room for movement. Black and blue veins stretched across from the base of her chest all the way to her montrals. It was discomforting to the naked eye.

Ventress moved closer and as she did so, realized these wannabes, whoever they were, had little to no Force sensitivity at all. Easy prey. Even so, they might be armed or have some other device capable of maiming. Especially if they served the Dark One.

"You are so close. Why deny yourself the power of the dark side?" the leader oozed.

Ahsoka, angry beyond measure but resisting the temptation, lashed back.

"Shut up!"

"She is almost ready," the leader said, as if her defiance confirmed their success. "Give her the final dose."

A large syringe filled to the brim with black liquid was brought forth and it sparked a degree of indignant rage in Ventress she'd not felt in a long time. Crimson flashed in the center of the shadow. The cult and its leaders turned.

"Who are you? A messenger from Lord Sidious? A fellow acolyte?"

The fear was evident in his voice and she smirked. But only for a half a second. Hatred welled inside her, far more than they could ever inject into Ahsoka Tano.

Quick as a flash, she slaughtered the cult with ease. One by one, using every means at her disposal to kill them with prejudice, as one might rid a household of an infestation. There was no mercy and no second thought. Their screams meant nothing to her. They deserved it.

Settling into a calmer state and remembering the perils of tapping into the dark side for too long, Ventress approached the captured Jedi with the intent of liberation. Even at close proximity, she could not sense Ahsoka's feelings but she remained cautious.

"Tano. Are you still with us?"

No answer. Ahsoka's head rolled and her lips pursed almost as if she wanted to say something. Ventress grabbed her face and turned it twice. At least there was a pulse. Against better judgment, she snapped open the restraints with a quick wave of the Force.

"Tano-"

Like a roaring nexus she leapt out and tackled the Dathomirian to the ground, who managed to push her off with a kick. Ahsoka landed acrobatically but not before summoning her lightsabers on the table to the left, which ignited green.

Then she turned around. Ventress couldn't sense her in the Force before, she definitely could now. Two, wild, feral yellow eyes stared back at the Nightsister. And they intended to kill.

She attacked, twirling and slashing with such ferocity, it nearly overwhelmed Ventress, who had to considerably step up her own defense.

"For the love of…stop attacking me, you idiot! I rescued you!"

But the words smacked against a wall of madness and Ahsoka attacked again.

"I didn't know you had this in you, Tano."

The Togruta had been tricky at times to deal with as an adversary but nothing Ventress couldn't handle. Skywalker and Kenobi were the real opponents. Whatever those goons had injected into her contained serious amounts of…something. Something that caused a person to fall straight to the dark side? Where had she seen that before?

Tano roared and slashed with a devastating uppercut which knocked her off balance. She brought a red blade just in time to stop a killing stroke. Two fingers were enough to throw Ahsoka backwards and give breathing room to figure this out.

Dooku had paid enough money to live on the resort plant of Niamos for three hundred years. Why not just kill the brat and be done with it? It would be easier, and she had no incentive or attachment towards Ahsoka Tano.

Her crazed opponent snarled and flung forward again. Ventress blocked her strikes more easily this, deftly maneuvering away from a deadly swing. Ahsoka became steadily more erratic and vicious in her attacks and they began to lack any sort of strategy or form.

She felt the dark side whip around Ahsoka like a storm of pure insanity, goading her to destroy everything in sight. No, this was not a case of someone willingly embracing the dark.

Ahsoka hacked one lightsaber out of her hand and she was forced to retreat with a backflip. Now she really felt tempted to end the Jedi's life.

But knowing someone had corrupted her into this savage beast that couldn't even form complete sentences, that this was the root of the same evil who corrupted her…it arose just enough compassion to resist outright murder. Taking a deep breath, Ventress did something not done since the days of being a Jedi with her first master.

She let go of hatred. She rejected the dark side and stowed away her sole lightsaber.

Ahsoka leapt again but this time, Ventress was ready. She caught her hands and gripped tightly, pressing down hard at the underside of the wrist. The lightsabers dropped to the floor in a cry of pain. She shoved the Jedi back and pushed with the Force.

One wall slam later, Ahsoka Tano was out cold.

Ventress took a moment to catch her breath before a larger, much more powerful presence made itself known. Only this one didn't loom , instead an inexhaustible light shone powerfully in the Force, casting a glow on all who came within its rays.

"Who's there?" she called out.

A figure, shorter than expected, emerged and removed his head to reveal a middle aged man with five o'clock shadow, dirty blond hair and a handsome face remarkably similar to Skywalker's, except lined and tired.

"I do hope you weren't too rough with my friend," he said somewhat cheekily. In a matter of seconds, he was by Ahsoka's side, placing a calm hand on her forehead.

"Don't worry, I didn't kill her."

She'd never been so happy to see a Jedi, even as he said nothing and began muttering words into the Force.

"You look like Skywalker's long lost relative."

The blond man stopped and and gave a dry chuckle.

"Something like that."

---

Rex and Fives being cold cocked presented problems for Obi-Wan, namely being forced to fight Anakin alone. But both soldiers also knew the truth (more or less) about the war and its connection to the dark side. For someone who'd known Anakin the longest, practically raising him since childhood, he failed to reach him in the most critical moments of their relationship, including now.

A veteran of the most consequential galactic conflict in over a thousand years, he could keep up physically, with someone sixteen years his junior, albeit one he trained and knew intimately. That didn't make the situation any easier.

Obi-Wan's greatest offense was his defense, allowing opponents to either overextend themselves or commit mistakes he could exploit. Anakin offered no such luxury. He was the greatest pure swordsman and athletic specimen of the Jedi Order, his strikes fierce and precise. Any error could result in a deadly injury or worse.

Anakin struck out as Obi-Wan parried the blow, ducking down and coming to block a horizontal shot aimed at the torso. He moved his feet quickly, incorporating well placed, deliberate swings designed to catch the six foot two wrecking ball off balance, which created its intended effect.

But Obi-Wan wasn't really trying to fight his best friend and brother. Deep down, Anakin felt the same.

I need to disarm him somehow.

An elbow caught the auburn haired Jedi in the face. Staggering back, he moved about the warehouse, allowing the brunette to press as much as he liked before an overzealous swing left him vulnerable. His kick caught Anakin in the side, causing a grunt of pain, which only served to anger him further.

The sheer strength of Anakin's blows caused him to buckle ever so slightly which allowed him to sweep the leg. Obi-Wan moved backwards to avoid being knocked off balance but he could not recover in time to stop the Force wave that sent him tumbling to the ground.

Quick reflexes saved him from the worst. A second later, Anakin crashed his lightsaber against his own, attempting to overpower his former master once and for all. Obi-Wan used the forward weight to escape the jam, kicking the brunette backwards with a swing of the leg.

Soon both men were back on their feet and resumed their duel, neither being able to get the better of the other, the sword of Djem So unable to penetrate the shield of Soresu. Obi-Wan avoided a mighty swing and blocked another, scissoring his blade, twisting, then slamming it down against Anakin's, who stumbled backwards. which required every ounce of strength to match his former padawan's. Using the sustained leverage, he forced Anakin to stumble past him which only served to piss him off further.

Anakin used the Force to send a box towards Obi-Wan from behind which was promptly sliced in half. He tried again, but the redhead somersaulted in the air, avoiding it, forcing Anakin to do the same. The momentary lapse in concentration allowed Obi-Wan to leap up and try an attack of his own. The combined clash of their lightsabers was so great, their respective blades seemed to creak and groan from the pressure.

As neither would give, the two Jedi tried to use a Force push against each other: an action and an equally opposite reaction personified in two beings. The unstoppable force versus the immovable, unyielding object. Neither would give…

…until the resulting explosion of power caused them to skid back twenty feet apart from each other.

This is going to take all night at this rate.

Breathing heavily and returning to his feet, Obi-Wan took advantage of the brief lull in the action to remember his training. To observe instead of fight and feel out the situation. While Anakin may have appeared to have betrayed them, he could sense conflict, a great deal of it related to their own relationship. The eyes, filled with pain and fear, were still their usual blue, his posture unsteady, symbolizing insecurity.

He saw that Fives and Rex were still knocked out cold, further complicating matters.

I do hope Echo is close by with the ship.

Deciding to use a different tactic than the other version of himself did, Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and stood up straight, gesturing with both hands. He would bring his brother back. All he had to do was talk to him.

"Anakin, I'm tired of fighting."

"That's too bad because I'm not."

"And look where it's gotten us."

He even clipped it back to his belt as a sign of good faith.

"What has happened to you? Why are you upset?"

"I don't want to play these head games, Obi-Wan!" Anakin yelled, pointing his azure blade directly at his former master. "You wouldn't understand!"

"Palpatine is manipulating you, Anakin. He is trying to turn you against us in his quest for domination over the galaxy."

The brunette scoffed.

"All I see is a man jealous of the fact that the Chancellor has been more of a father to me than you ever were. He's trying to save the Republic!"

More than ever the phrase 'from a certain point of view' came into play. Obi-Wan did not physically react to those hurtful words, instead interpreting them as best he could. Judging by the lack of yellow in Anakin's irises, Sidious had not yet revealed his true nature or attempted to fully sway him to the Dark side. But he must have promised something in the way of rescuing Padme.

That's what he's really saying. The Chancellor is trying to save Padme while we would simply punish him for having a wife in the first place.

It was time to fulfill his promise to Satine. No more secrets, no more lies.

"You are emotionally in turmoil because you fear losing someone you love," Obi-Wan correctly deduced.

"And what would you know of love?" Anakin spat. "You're the ultimate Jedi. Committed to the rules of the Order to the very end."

"Not as committed as you might think."

"What do you mean?"

Good. He had Anakin's attention and curiosity. Now to drive the point home.

"Because for the past four months I have been secretly in a relationship with Satine. On Mandalore I realized I was in love."

That certainly gave Anakin pause.

"You're…with Satine? I know I teased you about her but I didn't think you actually…"

Obi-Wan almost smiled. That certainly sounded more like the Anakin he knew.

"Yes. And I have learned much in that time, especially about the nature of love. It is not something to be ashamed of but embrace. We can help you, Anakin. Together, we shall reform the ways of the Jedi. Your marriage will remain intact and Padme shall not die."

But evidently that had been the wrong thing to say as his former student's eyes darkened once more at the reminder of his wife.

"Who told you about that?"

"Anakin, what does it matter?"

"Who told you?!" he almost screamed. "How do you know?!"

"I've known for years!" Obi-Wan said exasperatedly. "You and Padme aren't exactly subtle. I tried to ignore it for both of your sakes but that was the wrong approach."

Anakin, however, continued to be stuck in his own head, expression becoming angrier by the second.

"It was Luke, wasn't it? He's been a traitor from the start. Speaking lies. Turning everyone I love against me!"

"Luke has been the one helping you from the beginning, haven't you noticed?" Obi-Wan said, almost begging the brunette to see sense. "The connection between him and all of us? It's not a coincidence."

He took another step forward in an effort to finally close the gap between them.

"Anakin, we...I am not your enemy. You are my brother and best friend. I will not abandon you. Come back to the Temple. It is not too late."

Fresh tears began spilling down Anakin's cheeks as he lowered his lightsaber. Similar to the duel on Mustafar, he seemed to resemble the fearful little boy on Tatooine, pleading for help...before transforming into Darth Vader as that haunting memory came back once more.

I HATE YOU!

That would not happen a second time.

"Anakin, don't be afraid. I'm here," he said softly, holding out his hand.

"The Jedi can't help me, Obi-Wan."

"I swear to you, we can."

The Chosen One seemed almost ready to take it and rejoin his brother.

"I...I…"

---

Rex awoke, clutching his head painfully.

"Damn it," he groaned.

He quickly scanned the surroundings as his vision slowly returned. Realization hit harder than the bump he'd received earlier as everything flooded back.

The Chancellor is trying to kill the Jedi and General Skywalker has been brainwashed

Cricking his neck slightly upwards, he saw that Obi-Wan and Anakin were no longer fighting but talking at the end of the warehouse, far enough for them not to notice him. Gazing back over, he saw Fives still unconscious about ten yards away.

His comlink began beeping and he answered it straight away.

"Captain," Echo's voice came over on the other line. "I've been trying to reach you for five minutes. What's going on?"

"Echo," he whispered as quietly as he could. "How far away are you?"

"Less than a klick, sir. Should be there in a couple minutes. I got the backup you requested."

"When you arrive, prepare to use flash charges. Set weapons to stun."

"What? What's going on?"

"No time to explain. General Skywalker is here and he's attacked us."

"Are you serious?"

"As I said, no time to explain," Rex interrupted. "Just have the boys locked and loaded. We'll grab Fives, General Kenobi and head back to the Jedi Temple."

"Copy that, sir."

Slowly but surely he crawled his way over to Fives, aware he had probably thirty seconds tops before the rest of the 501st made their entrance.

That's it General, just keep him talking, he thought, taking a brief glance at the two Jedi, still conversing with each other.

"Fives...Fives wake up."

He double tapped the ARC Trooper's face lightly.

"Wha...what's going on?"

"The rest of the squadron is showing up any second. We have to move."

"Ugh my head."

Too late, the sound of a gunship landing along with the clicks of blasters could be heard outside of the warehouse.

"They're in here!" Jesse called out. "Come on, men! Flash charges on the double!

That caught the attention of both Anakin and Obi-Wan, who were too late to react. Rex and Fives looked at each other as the clanking of the charges echoed throughout the warehouse.

"Uh oh."

An enormous *BANG rang out, amplified by the warehouse temporarily deafening everyone in the room, distorting reality itself. Three smoke detonators were then tossed by Echo which shrouded the room in a cloud of vapor.

"Take the left flank, I'll watch the right. Grab Rex and Fives now!"

Despite not being able to see more than a few feet in front of him, Rex soon saw a trooper with a familiar Republic insignia on the front of the helmet.

"Jesse!"

"Rex! Come on!"

He quickly picked up his brother while Echo and Hardcase did the same with Fives. But they weren't the only ones who'd come along. Clone Force 99 swung into action covering the front as flashes of blue could be seen through the smoke.

"We got you covered!" Hunter yelled. "Go!"

"Fall back to the ship!" Jesse shouted.

The clones raced back to the landing dock, but it was not the end of the scrum. Emerging from the warehouse, Obi-Wan and Anakin had resumed their dueling once more.

"You turned my own men against me!" the brunette spat furiously aiming a blow to the head which Obi-Wan parried.

"That's not true!"

"And you used my dying wife to distract me from a sneak attack!"

"Anakin I meant every word-"

"I'm done listening to you, Obi-Wan!" the brunette snarled, tears still staining his eyes. "I'm done!"

Rex observed the terrible scene but had no time to digest it as each member of the squad boarded The Marauder one by one. Tech was already in the cockpit, ready to take off at a moment's notice.

"We have to help the General!"

"Which one?" Crosshair asked, confused.

"The one who's not trying to damn well kill us!" Hardcase yelled back.

"There's no time, we have to take off! Circle back around!"

The gunship raised itself slowly in the air, temporarily leaving the Jedi to their duel.

"Hard right! Hard right!" Rex ordered. "We have to get as close as possible!"

Hoping Obi-Wan recognized what they were attempting, the pilot slowly lowered itself just above the level of the platform. Thankfully, he did. Anakin pressed forward with ferocious strikes and attacks, but the redhead wasn't trying to win, instead allowing himself to be pushed back towards the edge of the platform.

Anakin aimed one last blow but missed as Obi-Wan flipped through the air and landed perfectly on top of the Marauder. For a half second, it appeared they were safe but it was not to be. The ship soon began to stall.

"What are you doing? Get us out of here!" Jesse yelled into the cockpit.

"The controls aren't working. I don't understand!" Tech cried out, as the system board started beeping in rapid succession.

They soon realized why. Anakin, in a desperate, furious bid to prevent them from leaving, used the Force to prevent the heavy gunship from taking off. Soon, they began inching backwards towards the platform.

"I didn't realize Jedi could do that!" Echo cried out.

"Who cares?!" Fives yelled. "The point is, he's doing it!"

Only Jedi of a certain caliber carried the ability. Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, prepared to fight Anakin once more if need be.

But Captain Rex had other ideas.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Reluctantly switching from stun to lethal, he whipped out one of his blaster pistols, aimed and fired. The blast hit Anakin's cybernetic wrist breaking the Force hold.

"Go! Go! Go! Go!"

The ship sped away back to the surface, leaving nothing but a trail of fear, anger, and regret.

Fear at what was to come next.

Anger over perceived betrayal.

Regret that the Chosen One, the Jedi Order's greatest Knight, had been lost.

---

When Ahsoka finally came to, she saw she was on top of one of the abandoned warehouses overlooking the vast ecumenopolis. Dusk had overtaken the skies, but before any comment was made, her stomach rebelled and a stream of black liquid exited the mouth.

"Better out than in."

Coughing, she was relieved to see Luke administering some kind of patch to her arm.

"What-what happened? Where are those creeps?"

"Dead."

He moved out of the way as she vomited again and had to resist retching. It tasted terrible.

"That's disgusting," she moaned.

"Sith poison," Luke clarified for her.

"Sith poison?"

Luke grimaced.

"Nasty stuff. Only seen it a few times, but it acts like a biological toxin. Sets off chemical reactions in the body that break down the midichlorian's ability to resist the dark side, inducing rage and other negative emotions."

Ahsoka's memory was hazy as images filtered in and out rapidly, causing her head to hurt.

"Don't strain yourself. They injected a huge amount into your bloodstream, enough to potentially overdose. I removed the vast majority of it but you need to rest. I've already called a private cab to bring you back to the Temple."

"What happened?" Then another notch of panic hit her and she sat up. "Luke, how long was I captured for? What day is it?"

"Easy," he said, lying her back down. "I don't know how long but one rotation at least. A lot has happened in the last twenty four hours."

He proceeded to explain that Fives was a fugitive, Padme had been poisoned, Anakin had gone missing and the dark side's growing power spurred on by Sidious. Luke had to sum it up faster than normal. The seconds on the clock ticked too fast.

"So in other words, we're stuck in some serious Bantha shit."

"Neck deep."

For as long as Ahsoka knew Luke, he had a plan for everything. Knowledge of the future notwithstanding, he was a clever man, creative, and almost always made decisions from a rational, centered state of mind. But before he could respond his transmitter lit up.

"Is it Anakin?" Ahsoka asked hopefully.

"Obi-Wan," Luke corrected.

He pressed the accept button and the blue image of his first master came through.

"Obi-Wan, are the clones at the Temple? Have you found Anakin?"

But the downcast look on the bearded man's face reeked of misfortune.

"Unfortunately, not," he answered. "There have been multiple snags…I see you have Ahsoka. Is she alright?"

"Never mind me." The Togruta waved off her own discomfort. "What happened?"

Obi-Wan proceeded to explain, bit by bit, second by second the misfortune that played out: Palpatine's manipulation, Fives' status as a fugitive, the confrontation with Anakin, the last of which nearly sank Luke's heart into oblivion.

"Then he's fallen."

Obi-Wan was quick to assuage those fears.

"Not completely. There was no mention of Darth Vader and I did not sense him totally embracing the dark side as he did in your memories. However, make no mistake, Anakin is on the brink."

Luke knew him to be correct. Someone of Anakin's power turning would cause a deep shift in the Force felt by all throughout the galaxy. That shift had not yet happened….yet.

"He must be headed towards the Chancellor's Office," Luke surmised.

"Wait, I thought Sidious was at the Grand Republic Medical Facility " Ahsoka said, a bit behind the times. Obi-Wan was quick to bring her up to speed.

"He was. Now he's going back to the Executive building where he no doubt intends to seize control over the entire Republic and issue Order Sixty-Six once we fail to comply with the execution of Fives."

He gave an unintentional dramatic pause before continuing.

"Luke...the hour is upon us. What happens tonight, dictates the fate of the galaxy. You must find Anakin before he is lost to us completely."

He didn't need to expound on potential consequences. Midnight drew closer and the big hand would soon strike twelve, each second ticking closer and closer.

"I know," Luke agreed without any delay.

"I'm going back to the Temple to try to convince any Council member who will listen to join us in the fight against Sidious. At this point, a confrontation is inevitable."

Luke deflated. That's exactly what Sidious wanted. But it seemed they were cornered with no moves left to make. Kill or be killed whether legitimate in the eyes of the law or not. It was as sound a plan as any they could scrounge up at this stage.

"This is it then," the Last Jedi murmured, by now completely resigned.

Obi-Wan gave one more sign off.

"May the Force be with you both."

"And with you, Obi-Wan."

The transmission ended and the two Jedi were left to shoulder the ponderous weight that now fell squarely on their backs.

That weight nearly caused Luke Skywalker's knees to buckle, the temptation to curse and shout at the sky rising exponentially. Where had he gone wrong? Why were things happening the same way all over again and yet his prior knowledge completely useless? Ahsoka must have sensed it because she reached over, grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"Luke, it's not over. You're not wrong to be worried, but focus is essential."

"I should have told him from the start," he barked at himself, clenching his cybernetic hand. "Like a fool, I tried to beat Sidious at his own game and look where it got me."

"Luke-"

"No, Ahsoka." He sensed her attempt to make him feel better and refused to allow it. "I was scared. Scared that I'd be thrown into the nuthouse. Scared that Sidious might find out too soon, scared what my father might say or do if he didn't believe his own son."

Scared of screwing up all over again.

He kicked a stray rock on the ground over the edge of the warehouse roof.

"I thought I was following the Will of the Force. I thought I was doing things the right way."

He felt an electric vibration in the cosmos unlike anything experienced before. The dark side grew stronger but something beyond it also moved. As though two enormous galaxies were slowly colliding against each other in a nebulous explosion. The Force stretched into an unnatural contortion, groaning under the weight of the power causing it to bend into its present shape. Ahsoka noticed it too but did not quite understand the sensation.

"What is it?"

"My presence here is disrupting the very fabric of time itself," he said quietly, looking out into the distance full of skyscrapers and speeding vehicles, the coming of night looming over them. "I came back to fulfill a second chance, to help the galaxy, and yet nothing I've done has made a difference."

"That's not true," Ahsoka insisted. The small bit of poison lurking inside her veins caused uncomfortable prickling sensations on her skin, but it paled in comparison to the pain Luke must have felt. "Without you there is no second chance. Think of all the good you've done: saving Master Gallia, proving my innocence, helping the clones, removing the chips…the list goes on and on."

"It's not enough."

Luke couldn't avoid Ahsoka's gaze, now rid of any lingering yellow-red veins. They asked the question, without the need to say it aloud. 'What are you really afraid of?'

"My sister is being made inside the womb. If I fail and she dies...this will all be for nothing. My entire family...gone. The galaxy itself…ripped apart by a paradox."

Ahsoka, feeling stronger by the minute, sat up fully and wiped the tears that cascaded from the blue eyes she had come to adore.

"They aren't gone. No one is gone. Pull it together. You haven't come this far to give up. We're not abandoning this fight and I sure as hell am not abandoning you or your family."

Luke sometimes had to remind himself how amazing Ahsoka Tano was and why preventing her from leaving the Jedi Order proved to be one of the best decisions he'd ever made. She drew close, using her limited but returning power in the light to soothe his troubles. A blanket of warmth in the Force against the cold shroud of the dark side, which by now, had reached its apex.

"Does lightning naturally occur on Coruscant?" Ahsoka asked aloud.

"Not like that."

The subsequent rumbling of thunder only magnified the size of what lay in front of him. It called to Luke Skywalker. Urging him forward. A peculiar whisper not unlike what he experienced in the World Between Worlds. Luke tapped into this power, atuning himself to the Force beginning a short lived but powerful mediation.

I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.

He repeated this even as Ahsoka watched in complete silence. This wasn't the dark side. A stream of light pierced the dark veil and Luke recalled his time on the planet of Ahch-To, his purpose, his unwavering belief that a new future could emerge by undoing the past, and the people he loved. This was for them.

He saw the smiling faces of Yoda, Obi-Wan, his mother, Han, and Leia. Standing above them on a great cliff facing a vast, roiling sea was his father, troubled and alone. Luke sensed his conflict just as he had so many years ago in a prior lifetime, the desire to do good clashing with the seductive evil that Anakin never truly bested.

'Turn around father. Look at me.'

And he did so. Luke reached out his hand, pleading for him to take it. But Anakin only stood as a statue, unblinking and unmoving. Then he was swallowed by the power of two twin suns. One star was dying…its bright yellow luminosity fading to a dead, crimson glow as it set into the west, while the other steadily rose to take its place. In between sat a cold, black night which threatened to consume the setting sun whole. The rising sun raced forward to catch up…to cast its light over the land and assist its twin.

'Sun sets

In twilight one must die

A sacrifice

The other destined to survive.'

Lightning struck alongside thunder and the mask of Vader flashed before opening his eyes to Ahsoka shaking him.

"Luke!"

He broke from his trance and stood up. The vergence in the Force was felt by all. He was sure of it…and what he needed to do.

"I have to face him, Ahsoka. I have to face my father."

"What are you talking about? Weren't you going to do that already?"

Luke saw how confused the Togruta looked and figured the vision he just received was visible only to himself. He proceeded to explain.

"Shortly after my arrival into the past, a New Prophecy was discovered. It spoke of a hero that would save the galaxy and in the process change fate. But one of us has to sacrifice themselves in the process."

Ahsoka soaked this in with reactionary alarm.

"No! Luke, that's not right. Saving Anakin doesn't mean you have to die."

"It's me," the Last Jedi said with the strength of a man who has accepted the inevitable. "It was always meant to be me. That's why I was sent back. That's what's led to this moment."

"Don't be a martyr!" Ahsoka's shout failed to hide the tears in her eyes. "This isn't…for kriff's sake Skyguy Junior, why are you throwing your life away like this?"

That last bit of poison was still working its way out, but Luke heard the purity in that. She was still seventeen after all, mature for her age, but with much to learn and much to see. He saw the magnificent Jedi Master she would eventually become and had to resist a smile as it reminded him a great deal of Leia's reaction on Endor.

"I've made my bet in life, Ahsoka," he said softly. "You know that. Whether it's today or a year from now, my fate is sealed. It was sealed the minute I came back here. But Anakin's is still in motion. He has a chance to live a life that was cruelly taken away from him. And I'm going to make sure he gets it."

The self correcting timeline. They'd discussed it a few times in the past. For Ahsoka, the abstract theory didn't compute in the throes of emotional desperation.

"I'm coming with you," she finally said, understanding that Luke would not be swayed.

"No." And again Luke said with such gentle firmness she didn't argue. "You're in no shape to fight Sidious. I need you to go back to the Temple. Do what you can to mount a proper defense in case the worst comes to pass. We need every ally possible."

Sheer numbers could beat Sidious in a duel, but Anakin was a different story. He had to do this alone and for once, Luke didn't fear the prospect of facing his father or Palpatine. The wise words of Master Yoda, so carefully imparted, echoed in the Force.

Faith in yourself.

An enormous hug enveloped his body. The Last Jedi returned Ahsoka's show of affection, struggling not to cry just as she was. Each pair of blue eyes found each other.

"I'm going to miss you."

It was his turn to wipe her tears away.

"It's like you said: No one is ever truly gone. Remember that."

Eventually and inevitably, they broke apart. The Togruta watched Luke hop on his speeder and drove off towards the domed Executive Building to the east. One thought was on his mind as the storm continued to rumble.

I'm coming, father.

---

Alright, I'm glad I got this in before Memorial Day weekend. The next chapter will be up in two weeks.

We have four more parts to go before the big climax is over. Part 3 is done. Part 4 and 5 are in progress. Part 6 is written.

Rock on!

~The Wasp