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You worked assiduously to find proof. Both Anakin and yourself combined a partnership to find evidence that would clear Ahsoka’s name from the so-called terrorist conspiracy charges. Deep in your heart you knew Ahsoka would never betray the Republic or the Jedi and commit treason. She was Snips; the one who saved your life countless times in the battlefield. The one who would have your back, even if it meant going against Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Prior to offering your services to Anakin, you couldn’t conceive how the Council could agree to cast Ahsoka out of the Jedi Order. Your disbelief on how little they trusted one of their own struck you hard, far worse than you could have imagined. It angered you so much that Obi-Wan could feel it radiate from your entire being.
“Mind your emotions, Master Y/N. We need to keep a level head and follow the Republic laws”, Mace verbalized as his steel gaze turned your way.
This was not the first time he had directed you to keep your sentiments in check. Other times, you nodded and said nothing more but this, this was different.
“This is Bantha fodder and you know it. Ahsoka would never betray the Jedi or the Republic.”
“Clear thoughts must have you, Master Y/N. The decision stands as it will.” Yoda expressed.
Your eyesight turns to Obi-Wan, who stays soundless instead of coming to your defense. That exasperated you even more.
“Then so be it. I will find the evidence to clear her name since everyone in the council is afraid to stand up for what the Order truly symbolizes.”
As you rise from the chair and ready yourself to step out of the Council Chambers, the next sentence ignited your wrath even more.
“Going against the Council’s Order is punishment for being demoted from your position.” Mace stated as a matter of fact.
As you casually reared your head towards Mace, the firmness in your voice didn’t waiver for a second. “Then so be it. If it means that I trade my life for Ahsoka’s or even give up my position as Master, let the Force wield it as it deems worthy.” And with those last words spoken, the doors to the chambers closed behind you.
Thinking back on the events that led you to now, Anakin interrogates Ventress. She details the encounter with Ahsoka and you could tell that Ventress is being honest.
“If you are lying, I will kill you myself, Ventress.”
You place your hand on Anakin’s right shoulder which makes him turn to look at you. “She is telling the truth, Anakin. There are no lies in her words.” You squeeze his shoulder lightly to reassure him you were both on the right path to the truth.
He gives you a slight nod, glances back to Ventress one more time and turns to leave.
“How do you know I am speaking the truth?” Ventress spoke as she eyed you suspiciously.
“You could have turned her in any time but you didn’t, regardless of your situation or hers. Or you could have simple killed her just for the hell of it. In both cases, the opportunity for you was open but you chose differently. That is how I know; you are speaking honestly.”
“Pfft, Jedi. Always reading between the lines that are not there.”
You bow to Ventress, as courtesy. “May your journey bring you peace, Ventress. And may the force be with you.”
You rush to catch up to Anakin as your destination takes you to Bariss.
Both Anakin and yourself interrupt Chancellor Palpatine just as he was about to render the conviction of Ahsoka, placing Bariss front and center to the audience to confess for the crimes she committed. You glared at Tarkin, who directed a scowl towards you, as he walked away from the court proceedings.
You run to Ahsoka to give her the hug you have wanted to share from the very beginning of this ordeal. You felt the shift in the force, mostly coming from her. Her demeanor had changed and this unsettled the pit of your stomach. This entire situation shattered her and it would shatter you as well.
While holding your friend close, you push Ahsoka a little back to look her in the eyes, while you gave her a nod for reassurance. She pulls in to hug you once again, this time spilling tears she didn’t know she was holding.
In the aftermath of this ordeal, Ahsoka refused to come back to the Order. As you and Anakin follow her outside the temple, Anakin stops Ahsoka to ask a reason for her refusal to return.
Looking at both of her friends, she confessed she couldn’t come back, knowing painfully that people she trusted, didn’t trust her. Those words, broke your heart to a million pieces. Ahsoka had every right to feel this and you couldn’t blame her.
“I trusted you always, Snips,” reaffirmed Anakin.
“As did I,” you declared. “We never doubted you once.”
Ahoska looked at Anakin and then turned her sights to you. “I know and I will never forget this, but I have to figure this new path on my own.”
She turned around and walked down the steps of the Temple disappearing from both your sights.
You clenched your jedi robes, near your heart, and turned to cry on Anakin, who held you until your sobs quieted down. As you pulled away from your friend, you gently placed a hand on his left cheek, caressing it softly. You walked back to your quarters and enclosed yourself for days to come.
When you finally remerged, it had been a couple of days. The Council had decided to let you settle your emotional state of mind before deciding on any follow up discussions. You headed towards the Jedi garden to meditate.
As you meditated, your thoughts were in shambles; you couldn’t settle the force to provide you a clear path.
In the background, occupied by your inner thoughts, you failed to notice the person that followed you in the shadows only until he was closer.
“Stop concealing yourself like a Jawa thief and cease trying to read my force signature.” Your tone was flat, emotionless when the words spilled from your lips.
Obi-Wan sighed in defeat and came out of the shadows.
“Why have you hid yourself from me?”, inquired Obi-Wan.
You exhaled slowly and rose from your meditation pose. You were terrified to look at him knowing your resolve will melt, if those icy blue eyes stared deeply into your dejected eyes.
“There was nothing to share or to discuss.” When you finished speaking, you turned around to face the man you loved.
“This hasn’t been easy for any of us, but you must understand this was Ahsoka’s greatest trial”, the words fell as if it was rehearsed.
“BULLSHIT and you know it.” The anger was seeping thru your veins like molten lava.
“Darling, I don’t want to fight with you on this. The council has decided not to demote you knowing full well the force was your guide. It will be all right and we can continue to fight for this war to finish.”
Obi-Wan took a step towards you but you took 2 steps back, to avoid being close to him. The words coming from his mouth wasn’t what you wanted to hear and he knew it.
You didn’t perceive the tears that were sliding off your cheeks until you felt the drops in your clenched hands. It woke you up to the reality of the situation.
“Do you love me, Obi-Wan?” words escaping your mouth before you could detain them.
Obi-Wan was surprised by this sudden question, yet he would not answer you.
“There are 2 simple answers to be given. Neither will lead me to the dark side or light side of the force. Be honest with yourself and with me.”
You noticed the contrition showing in Obi-Wan’s face, deciding how to reply without relinquishing his heart in the process. You missed counting how many heartbeats it took him to provide the deathblow to your soul.
“I’m sorry I can’t love you the way you deserve.” Those were the words Obi-Wan had elected to choose as his response to you. Words that dealt the defeat to your heart.
Wiping your face from the tears that you shed, your resolve was clear as the starry night skies of Naboo.
“I believe what you meant to say is, ‘I’m sorry I can’t love you the way I love Duchess Satine’. Am I on the right path, Master Obi-Wan?”
Obi-Wan recoiled away from your rebuttal, searching to challenge your response but the words didn’t find a way to be released from his inner soul.
“Thank you Master Obi-Wan, for everything you have given me. I will forever be grateful to the force for placing you in my path of life.” As you spoke the words, you bowed to Obi-Wan and made your way out of the Garden.
Obi-Wan didn’t follow you out the garden understanding fully well what had occurred. He broke your heart and there was no way mend it. He would give you time to heal and maybe you can be friends, once again. Yet, what Obi-Wan had not perceived was this would be the last time he saw you in the Temple.
A few days later, while Obi-Wan and Anakin were away on a mission, you informed the Council that you would be departing the Order. Soft spoken murmurs occurred in the meeting but you paid no mind to the idle talk.
“The Jedi Order has lost its path and I fear that if this is not corrected soon, we will meet our demise.”
Little did you know how true those words would take fruition later on in the future. You didn’t allow any of the Masters the opportunity to talk, since you strolled out of the Council Chambers one last time.
You left a note to a few of your friends, which included Padme, Rex, the clones under your command and even Anakin. To Anakin though, you left your Jedi robe, hoping he would cherish it as much as you did. As you left the Jedi Temple, you wouldn’t permit yourself to turn around to see your home for one last time.
‘No, this is for the best’ were your thoughts and you never gave into temptation.
A few days later, upon the return of Obi-Wan and Anakin, they were both summoned to the meet the Council, as soon as possible. Both men thought nothing of it but something inside Obi-Wan gave him a bad feeling.
“Sad news deliver to you both, we must,” was the greeting of Master Yoda.
Obi-Wan scanned the room, noting all chairs were occupied with one exception, yours.
“Master Y/N has left the Order,” Plo Koon announced with sadness in his voice.
“What!?” exclaimed Obi-Wan coming to the realization that your last spoken words were laced with a farewell.
Anakin was too shocked to say anything, which made him turn and run towards your once living quarters. He couldn’t conceive the truth behind the news the Masters gave, but as soon as he opened your quarters, the truth stared at him front and center.
Anakin fell to his knees and gave into shedding tears.
Obi-Wan wasn’t far behind following the same route as his former padawan, when he encountered the same scene; emptiness in your quarters. He couldn’t comprehend why you didn’t share your feelings or doubts, but little by little Obi-Wan realized how incredibly foolish he had been.
Obi-Wan comprehended now the phrase, “You never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” He ran away from your empty quarters and found directing himself to the Jedi Garden’s to the one particular spot that you would always be: in front of the crystal pond.
Obi-Wan fell to his knees and began to cry.
Sometime later in the future, prior to Order 66…
Anakin and Obi-Wan made their way to the Venator Star Destroyer upon receiving the message from Admiral Yularen, noting the urgency of the message.
Upon arriving at the bridge, Anakin asks Rex, “All right Rex, what is so important that you had us brought back here?”, having a hint of slight annoyance in his tone.
There were 3 figures that appeared on the holo table, two were easy to distinguish. Clearly one being Ahosoka and the other Bo Katan Kryze, but the third figure remained hooded under the robe.
Ahsoka, turned around to greet Anakin. “Hello Master, it’s been awhile.”
Both Anakin and Obi-Wan were taken aback by the face that greeted them. Ahsoka nodded to them and turned to face the third person.
You gradually lowered your hood to disclose your face to the captive audience.
“Greetings, Anakin. Greetings, Master Obi-Wan.”
The sense of hope glimmered once again inside Obi-Wan. Where the journey will take you both, was yet to be determined by the force.