Chapter 4 - Trial

Anakin's combing through the streets with his boys when he gets a sudden call. There's suspicious activity on one of the levels, something about a fire starting. He gets there in time to see that Aayla and her group of clones are already there. Bly stuns Obi-Wan before he can try to run again.

Anakin sprints over, crouching next to him. He looks rather beat up though where those injuries came from, he's uncertain. He'll be alright for now but Anakin doesn't know what's going to happen when he gets him back to the Temple.

Bly's searching the warehouse area behind him.

"Nano droids," he reports, looking up from one of the crates.

Anakin's heart lurches. It sounds like Obi-Wan found something but he doesn't think anyone's exactly going to see it that way. It looks bad. He's scared to know what that's going to mean.

But all he can do is carry him back to the ship, and call to give the Council the report about what happened.

There are Temple guards waiting for them as soon as they get back to the Temple. They take Obi-Wan immediately, before Anakin even has the chance to talk to him. Ahsoka's waiting for him, expression tensed.

They don't really get the chance to talk, not that there's much to say anyway, before they hear that Obi-Wan's being taken to the Chamber of Judgement. Anakin tries to get into the healer's wing – they take Obi-Wan there very briefly, to treat his injuries – but they won't let him enter because they're all treating his former master like he really is the Dark Sider that he's accused of being.

And it's beyond frustrating because Anakin needs to know what happened himself. He manages to catch up with Obi-Wan when the guards leading him through halls to where the Council is waiting. He's in binders which look so jarringly wrong, and he looks exhausted and miserable.

"Obi-Wan," Anakin calls, even if the guards are pointedly keeping him back.

He perks up a little but he still seems too worn for anything else. "What?"

"Just... explain to them what happened. They should... understand." That's the most he can really offer.

The Council should be able to sense the truth. Master Yoda, at least. Anakin might have issues with them sometimes but he knows they're trying and they'll definitely be trying their hardest in something like this. It's all he can believe now.

Obi-Wan nods to him, the doors clicking closed behind him.

They aren't going to let him in because he's not his master so for now, all he and Ahsoka can do is wait outside. Ahsoka's pacing back and forth impatiently and it's all Anakin can do not to join her. He has a very bad feeling about this and he doesn't like it at all.

**w**

This is not how his investigation was supposed to end. Obi-Wan thought he knew what he was doing. Ahsoka had called him about with the information to go the warehouse and he had, but then a masked Darksider who must have been Ventress had attacked him there. Well, that's the last time he's ever trusting one. Not that he had trusted her but still.

He tries to remember Anakin's reassurance as he stands in the center of the room, looking up to where all the top members of the Jedi Order are standing but it's unnerving anyway. He doesn't even know a lot of them and he's never been in front of the Council before. And he has no idea if they think he's guilty or not. Guilty of killing other Jedi – he doesn't know how they could possibly think that but the fact that he's here at all is terrifying. A Jedi shouldn't be scared. He's supposed to be calm. He hasn't been able to find any calm at all since this all started.

Maybe that really is why Qui-Gon never took him on a mission before. Maybe he's not ready to be a padawan yet. Or to be a proper Jedi. Or –

"Padawan Kenobi," Yoda speaks, "Serious charges have been levied against you. How plead you?"

He wishes he wasn't alone in here, that Qui-Gon or Anakin even were here too. "Not guilty, Master," he says firmly, "I would never break the Jedi Code." He's never once talked to the Council before and he can't make any of the nervousness crawling inside of him go away. And he definitely never expected his first meeting with the highest people in the entire Jedi Order to be like this.

He just needs to talk to them like he would any other master but what if he says something stupid? What if he messes this up even further? What if –

"There is evidence to the contrary," Mundi replies, "You were alone with Letta Turmond when she died. Can you explain this?"

"Someone did something with the Force. I don't know how. I didn't see anyone. I didn't even know that was... possible," Obi-Wan supplies. It sounds lame but it's the truth.

"Which brings us to Ventress," Tiin says, "Can you explain your association with her?"

"I didn't know who she was but she attacked me on the street and said she was going to turn me in. I was trying to investigate and I needed help so I talked her into giving me a ride." He shifts uncomfortably, at having to admit that he asked a Dark sider for help. That he knows looks bad but... He can't really lie about it either.

"So she took you to that warehouse," Mundi says suspiciously, "Did she help you acquire the nanodroid weaponry found when you were apprehended, the same devices used in the bombing of the Temple?"

They're not listening to him and his panic swells up full force before he can try to control it. He shouldn't be scared but he can't make it stop anymore. He can't think clearly or – anything. "No. I only got there because I was trying to investigate."

"And how did you come of this knowledge?"

Obi-Wan freezes.

He can't implicate Ahsoka in something so incriminating. He's not going to get her in trouble. Just like he and his Initiate clan never got each other in trouble for playing pranks, but just all played stupid. This is far more serious, though, but – "I did some research on places Jackar went to," he says, trying to think of a way to dodge this, "And someone attacked me there. I think it was Ventress. She set me up. She must have started the fire at the warehouse to cover up the evidence but fled before security arrived. Didn't anyone see anything?"

The other exchange glances.

"You were the only one found there, Padawan Kenobi," Windu replies, "So the question remains, who was trying to cover something up? Ventress or you?"

What – !

"It wasn't me!" Obi-Wan insists desperately.

"But you have yet to say anything to prove otherwise," Windu says.

What do they want him to say?! "I already explained what happened. Ventress must have gotten into the prison to kill Letta and gotten ahead of me to kill those clones in the facility."

"And she followed the exact path you were taking?" Mundi asks.

"She must have. I don't understand either."

They exchange glances again.

"Is that all you have to say?" Windu asks.

Obi-Wan nods, heart pounding. He doesn't know what else he could say. "Once the clones attacked me, I didn't know what to do but run. I thought I could find answers on my own."

"Reached a decision, we have," Yoda says finally, "Though not in total agreement are we."

Already?

He holds his breath, waiting.

"It is the Council's opinion," Windu starts, "That Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi has committed sedition against the Republic and thus, he will be expelled from the Jedi Order."

What - ?

His heart jerks up, staring at them in wide-eyed horror and disbelief. They can't – what?!

The rest of the words seem to come in from far away.

"Your padawan status will be stripped from you and you shall forfeit all rank and privileges within the Grand Army of the Republic. You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await your trail and whatever punishment they will set for you. Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order."

This isn't happening. It can't be. The Order is his home. He's always been a Jedi. Always was meant to be.

And the Council is always right. They're always supposed to be right. They wouldn't be leading the Order itself if they weren't, but – but –

And they just threw him out. And now he's not a Jedi anymore and they just – Why? He wants to say something more but no words come and the guards are already leading him away.

Sometimes after becoming a padawan, he feared that he was failing as one because this was never what he was meant to be and if the Council is willing to throw him out of the Order, then maybe that's somehow true. Maybe –

How could they do this? They've always been right, or that's what he's always been told. They don't make mistakes, not serious ones at least. Not this. But they did now. They threw him out. And whether he was meant to be a Jedi or not, he's not anymore.

**w**

Something's wrong. Anakin can sense it more and more with each passing minute. He's never sensed Obi-Wan this upset before and then the doors open, the guards leading him out. He barely looks up at them as he passes.

Anakin's blood runs cold.

No, no.

Ahsoka's tense, rigid, next to him.

Council members start coming out into the hall after him.

"What happened?" Ahsoka demands, going up to Plo.

Anakin's grateful she's even able to find her voice right now.

"He has been... expelled from the Jedi Order for the Senate to put on trial," Plo replies and he sounds a bit apologetic but that does little to stop how it feels like Anakin's heart is pounding in his ears and he can't – believe this.

"What?" Anakin demands, even if he shouldn't be backtalking a Council member and he knows that. But – they threw Obi-Wan out of the Order. As though they couldn't even sense what was wrong. Did they even hear what he had to say? How could they do this? He thought they would make the right choice, even if he'd been so afraid. But this – isn't. And he has no idea how they could have done this. They threw his master out of the Order.

Force, he misses his Obi-Wan.

They probably wouldn't have done the same if it had been his master as himself, but he doesn't know that. He doesn't know – anything anymore. He doesn't know how to trust them with anything at all anymore. Not after this.

"The Council was not in agreement but we had little other choice," Plo replies. He doesn't seem happy but all Anakin can think about is that the Council threw Obi-Wan out.

"But he's not the one who did it!" Ahsoka bursts out.

"The Senate demanded it. They'll investigate what really happened."

That may be true but it doesn't mean... anything. They still went along with it.

He moves off down the hall, numb with shock.

Ahsoka appears at his side moments later, about as devastated and angry as he is himself. "I didn't think bringing him back was a good idea but I never thought that – they'd do this." Ahsoka's been questioning the Council for a long time, he knows. He can really see why now. It's not that he hasn't himself. It's just... He knows it's not his place. But now...

"We have to find who's behind it," he says firmly, "We can't wait for the Senate to investigate. But... we don't have many leads."

"That's not fully true," Ahsoka blurts, practically squirming.

He frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I... umm... Obi-Wan called me while he was on the run."

"You... never mentioned that."

"I thought I could help find a clue. I asked Barriss to help me. She's the one who found out about that warehouse. I was going to call you but then I heard Obi-Wan had already been found." She looks sheepish.

Well. He can't really blame her for taking that kind of action though it may have ended differently if he'd known about it. But right now, he's just grateful it gives them a lead But Barriss... found that. Something about that has him uneasy right away. "How did she know about the warehouse?"

Ahsoka shrugs. "She told me she'd do some digging. I never asked for the details."

"Is there anyone else she talked to?"

"I don't know."

"First, we need to talk to Padme to see if she'll represent Obi-Wan," Anakin decides, mind whirling. If the Jedi won't help, then he and Ahsoka will do this themselves. Even if he can't begin to speak of how bitter he feels about this. "I'll find Ventress to see if it was her. And... we need to talk to Barriss. We know a Jedi did this and – "

Ahsoka stiffens. "I can't Barriss would ever do something like this."

"I'm not saying it was her," Anakin assures but he's suddenly afraid that there is something to that. "But we have to be open for any possibilities. Maybe someone else spoke to her or maybe she knows something."

"I can talk to her," Ahsoka volunteers.

Anakin nods, even if he's wary. "Just... be careful. Be discreet with what you say to anyone."

**w**

Ahsoka hasn't been this angry at the Council in a long time. Not since one of the last times they were being completely unfair to Anakin for something that she had done by accident. But she can't believe they did this. If the Council wasn't able to see that Obi-Wan was innocent, she's afraid to know what else they aren't seeing.

What does that actually mean for what the Jedi have become? Anakin says they're just adapting to the times but... what if this really isn't what they're supposed to be doing? She can't see any of the Order the same anymore.

She doesn't want to be what she is and maybe – maybe there's a doubly good reason for that.

Anakin's final caution is unsettling her, though.

It's true that Barriss is the only one who should know anything and she doesn't understand.

Her and Anakin went to talk to Obi-Wan briefly in the prison cell. He thought Ventress attacked him. It was definitely a female, whoever it was. Something's off. And the Council doesn't even care to bother looking into it.

She knocks on Barriss' door and the Mirilian calls for her to enter.

"Ahsoka? It's good to see you," her friend greets, standing, "I heard what happened."

"I still can't believe the Council did that," she says, frustrated.

"I was surprised too," Bariss admits.

"But I just don't understand," Ahsoka goes on, "How did someone know to go to the warehouse? Right then?"

"Wasn't it Ventress who attacked him? She was right there," Bariss points out.

"Maybe," Ahsoka agrees, "But if it is, I just hope my master can track her down. How'd you find out about the warehouse?"

"I thought I should check into places Jackar used to visit. That seemed the most reasonable of everything I did find," Barriss replies.

It makes sense. But something's –

She doesn't know.

Something's nagging at the edges of her senses. A soft ring into the Force, of something in pain. It's like –

"Is something wrong, Ahsoka?" Barriss asks.

She shakes her, turning to scan Bariss' room. "I don't know. Something's –" The feeling is growing stronger and she moves closer to where it's coming from.

Barriss crosses the room towards her. "What is it?"

Except Ahsoka's eyes are already falling on something hidden in some kind of vase on the floor.

Her blood runs cold.

Those are lightsabers. And she'd recognize them anywhere for how many times she fought Ventress. It's the red kyber crystals that she feels. She thinks she only sensed them because of how hyperaware she's feeling right now. Ahsoka flicks out a hand, yanking the lightsabers to her. "Where did you get these?" Her heart is pounding. This can't be happening. It can't be.

Barriss' eyes narrow. "You shouldn't have asked that." Her lightsaber springs to life in her hands and she jumps at Ahsoka. The Togruta swiftly swings up her lightsabers to block Barriss, the betrayal cutting through as sharply as though Barriss ran the lightsaber through his heart.

Barriss kicks Ahsoka back into the wall, sprinting out the door. Ahsoka tosses Ventress' lightsabers to the ground – fighting with red is too unsettling – collecting her own to her hands as she runs after, jumping Barriss. "How could you?" she yells, anger bubbling up wildly in her chest.

"I didn't have a choice," Bariss yells back, bringing up the blade to block hers.

"You bombed the Temple!" All that death and pain and – she felt the screams in the Force left from the bombing, when they investigated it.

"It's the only way to make anyone listen!"

"Listen to what?" she hisses, swinging for her head but Bariss swiftly blocks her, hurling her into one of the pillars. Pain lances through her back and she tries to push herself up, only for Bariss to jump for her head. She barely ducks missing her head get taken off.

"The only thing the Jedi Council believes in is violence. The Republic and Jedi are falling. And no one will see that!"

Ahsoka's been thinking that herself for so long but that doesn't excuse this. "That doesn't excuse what you did!" She pushes herself up, leaping at Bariss again. Even if it hurts so much to be attacking her friend. She has to stop her.

But Barriss is drawing on the Dark Side as she fights. Ahsoka can feel her fury and she's not holding back at all. She nearly slashes Ahsoka's arm open, flinging her into the wall again in a moment of distraction, before going for her head.

Only for an unseen force to catch her, flinging her into the wall.

Anakin's running down the hall, breathless.

"Master!" Ahsoka rasps, pushing herself to her feet, "It's her."

Right on time to stop Barriss, but that does little to stop the ripping betrayal in her heart.

**w**

In the end, Anakin shows up with the person who really committed the crime before it's too late – Barriss Offee. Obi-Wan remembers Ahsoka saying that she was her friend. He has no idea what to think of that. Jedi falling was pretty much unheard of, from what he remembers.

But so was people being thrown out of the Order.

He's been a Jedi all his life and now he's – not. And he doesn't understand why everyone believed he was guilty. Why – any of this. There were wild moments he questioned if this was where he belonged, especially after his Initiate clan went on to become padawans he and he was left alone, but now he... can't stop thinking about it.

He feels sorely out of place and uncomfortable as he's taken back to the Council chambers. And he has never once felt out of place at the Temple but he does now. He's supposed to respect these people above anyone else and they just threw him out.

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

The apology was expected but Obi-Wan has no idea how to feel about the Council making this kind of mistake in the first place. They shouldn't be able to do that but they did. How is he supposed to just – forget that?

"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence," Mundi says.

"It was an uncomfortable course of action," Windu goes on, "I would have preferred if this could have remained an internal Jedi affair but the Senate was insistent. We couldn't take action that would put us in opposition to them."

That...

So that's why they did it?

Even though they knew it was wrong?

He can understand that they needed to push the Order's relationship with the Senate and whatever politics are involved in that over him, but that doesn't mean he... knows how to feel about it. He doesn't understand how this could have been right. Unless it's because his place in the Order really is... in question.

And he's surprised they're telling him this at all but there's moments they treat him like someone he never remembers being and others that they treat him like any other padawan.

"This was a great trial for you," Windu says, "We understand that the Force works in mysterious ways and because of this, you have become a greater Jedi than you would have otherwise."

Has he?

Is this really supposed to make him help find his place in the Order? Then if it is, why does he feel even less like he belongs here than he ever has? He misses when he was an Initiate, when everything was simple and made sense.

"Back to the Jedi Order, you may come," Yoda tells him.

But... he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to just come back as though nothing went wrong when that's not true. He doesn't even know if this is where he belongs, if the Council was willing to do this – even if he knows it wasn't personal. It doesn't change how much he's struggled with being a padawan or – anything else.

But what would he do? Leave?

Walk out into the street with nowhere to go when this is the first mission he ever had, the first time he ever left the Temple? And yet what other choice is he supposed to make? He doesn't even have a master to come back to at this point.

"I need time to – to meditate on this," Obi-Wan blurts, squirming, despite how much he hates having to meditate, "Before I decide."

The Council exchange startled looks.

"You're sure of this, Obi-Wan?" Windu asks. Something about the tone speaks of familiarity, like... of the time he evidently knew him well from being on the Council. But that wasn't enough to stop him from thinking him guilty.

"Yes, Master."

He doesn't know how else to get an answer, even if he...

What he needs most is to talk to Anakin which he can't do here.

"Stay at the Temple until reach a decision you do, you can," Yoda replies, ears drooping.

He nods half mindlessly, practically fleeing the Council chambers without another word.

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