Chapter 1: A Twist Of Fates
Skywalker was bemused that Letta Turmond summoned Ahsoka originally, but Anakin had a feeling that something was going to happen and decides to go in her stead. She was an anti-war activist whose radical beliefs in the bombing of the Jedi Temple, but he had fed the Nano droids to her husband, the man she was supposed to love and spend her life with.
The young man hopes that this war wouldn't cause a similar fate between him and his wife, Padmé Naberrie Amidala. Anakin doubts it, he loves her too much, and she loves him, there is no way he'll break her heart like that. She's the light side variant of Anakin, the only person who is truly keeping him sane and having him fight in the war. If she had told him to leave the Order, he will do it just for her. Ever since his mother died, he didn't care about no one as much as he cares about her.
Yes, he loves Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, but Skywalker only has a brotherly and sisterly bond with them. Ahsoka is the only Jedi he truly trusts now, his trust in Obi-Wan and the entire Council has been shaken. With this Temple bombing, doubt both outside and inside of the Order is beginning to increase. Secretly, Anakin is beginning to doubt the Order.
Master Yoda presides over a funeral for the Jedi killed in the Temple bombing. Ahsoka notices Barriss Offee deeply grieving, and Barriss tells her that she had trained with Tutso Mara, one of the dead Jedi. Afterward, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Barriss walk with Admiral Tarkin. Tarkin reveals that Letta Turmond, the perpetrator of the Temple bombing, was moved to a military prison because since clones were killed in the bombing, the situation was now a military one. Ahsoka tries to argue, but Tarkin tells her that he wishes for the Jedi to remain in a few military matters as possible.
Barriss then excuses herself from the group, and Anakin allows Ahsoka to go with her as he and Tarkin head to the Chancellor's office. Ahsoka catches up with Barriss, and the two talk about the bombing and the war, reminiscing about the time they blew up the Geonosis droid factory. They also delve into emotions and how Jedi should use them when Anakin appears and summons Ahsoka to a war meeting.
Ahsoka finds herself at odds with Tarkin and seems to distrust him. Anakin doesn't know why she despises Tarkin, he's a great Governor and Admiral, and Anakin finds himself agreeing with him. Sure, he can be a jerk and ruthless at times, but Admiral Tarkin is someone who gets results and can succeed in missions. More men like him can surely end this war and bring peace back to the galaxy. There is a reason why the Supreme Chancellor likes Tarkin very much, and Anakin trusts the Supreme Chancellor with his life.
During the meeting, Tarkin enters with a summons for Ahsoka. He tells her that Letta Turmond requested to speak to her, and Ahsoka grudgingly complies... until Anakin decides to go into her place. Anakin knows that he's supposed to not always cover for Ahsoka, but he is still overprotective of her after two years, and will never allow someone so dangerous, especially feeding Nano-droids towards her husband. A Nano-droid was a type of microscopic droid small enough that it could be implanted into an individual's bloodstream. If anything, she can have a small one that didn't been cleared of her when she was arrested and can place it on Ahsoka without the Togruta knowing.
He will rather die or be place in harm's way than having her be placed in harm's way. Whatever she can tell Ahsoka, she can tell him. After all, while the Togruta is very powerful than most of the Padawans her age; even some Knights wouldn't be able to stand against her. She'll be able to match Master Shaak Ti someday since she proves to be a fast learner.
As he landed his starfighter at the massive complex building for Coruscant, Anakin walks inside of the prison where he'd sense a faint dark presence burning through him. It was enough to make one staggered, but Anakin didn't stagger, for somehow, it felt natural. The young apprentice is so used to feeling darkness, for it is always surrounding the Jedi, including the Temple inside of their walls. Different darkness burned up through him, feeling like it is slowly crawling up his bones, inwardly consuming him.
"I'm General Skywalker. My apprentice has been summoned to the prisoner, but I'm coming in her stead," Anakin explained calmly, sensing their confusion at him being there through the Force.
The clone seems hesitant for a moment but nodded as he looks through the list of requirements. Luckily, Anakin contacted them that he was going to interrogate the prisoner so they will just have to clear him, Fox remarked. "A lot of innocent people died in that blast. Good job to you and Commander Tano for capturing her."
"I shall aware Commander Tano of your praises, Commander," Anakin informed him, knowing that Ahsoka likes to be praised for her actions and will likely want to hear it from a Clone Commander, other than Cody. Cody was usually the by-the-books at times but he has enough freewill to disobey orders when they're wrong like Rex.
After a minute of allowing Skywalker entrance, the Commander nods and tells him, "All right, scan him." One of the Clones begins scanning him with a few buttons, checking him for any weapons that be of harm to himself, the clones, or the prisoner, proving that this is a highly secured prison. "Leave your comlink and lightsaber here." He saw Fox opening a case and motioning to it, making Anakin placing his lightsaber hilt into it. "Follow me."
Anakin did as he was ordered, knowing that he abides to listen to his order currently. After all, Fox is practically in charge of this entire prison and likely interrogated the prisoner. Hopefully, Anakin will never have to face charges by Fox or the Republic, for that wouldn't be a good experience for him. After all, he did earn the Republic countless victories after countless victories. As Anakin walked down with Fox and his men, he wondered what Letta had wanted with Ahsoka, but he'll just spread the message towards her and the Jedi Council when this is done.
As the door opened, Anakin walked in to see the pathetic sight of the bomber sitting on a stool, pure hatred coming across his face, the coldness was starting to wrap itself around him. If anything Anakin wanted nothing more then to make her stand trial and executed. However, Anakin will not be judge, jury, and executor in this case, for that is not his place. Anakin was known for being someone like that which usually causes the Jedi Council to frown at him, but they do not have the guts to expel him.
"What did you want with Ahsoka, Letta?" Anakin demanded bitterly, wondering if he had made a mistake of coming here in Ahsoka's place. Whereas Anakin is known to snap like a stick, Ahsoka has more self-control and can take many blows, thus why she will probably be a better Jedi then Anakin ever hoped to be.
"I was told if I ever needed help, your apprentice was the only Jedi to contact, but since you're her master, I guess it will do," Letta answered nervously, seeming afraid of something... or someone. These are troubling times so Anakin partly cannot blame her.
"Give us a minute," Anakin ordered Commander Fox and other troopers, making them silently nod and walk out, closing the door behind them. Anakin crossed his arms across his chest, glaring directly at Letta with the fire burning in his eyes. "You don't have much time, Letta, so I suggest you get whatever you have to say out already or I'm leaving."
Letta seems to be looking around for a moment before staring back at Anakin, "The idea of feeding Jaker the Nano droids was not my idea." She admitted almost shamefully.
Anakin felt the urge to rolled his eyes, having heard pathetic excuses like this before, but deciding to not dismiss the idea. Plus, he can sense the actual truth coming from her with the addition of a disturbance in the Force. It was almost as if the dark side is growing stronger around the cell, it was stronger then outside of the cell. Why did Anakin not known exactly was coming from? It wasn't selfish and anger like the Jedi always said the dark side is, but more of regret and fear, making Anakin starting to wonder what was here.
"Why are you saying this now and not to the authorities?" Anakin demanded harshly, feeling himself on the verge of snapping, due to secretly getting tired of so much deception from these kinds of people. At this point, the young man was not sure if he believes her. She is the type of person who will say anything to save her skin and keep herself from accepting prison.
"Because my life is in danger!" Letta exclaimed, clutching her head, showing how afraid she was. "The person behind this will get to me unless you and your Council know the truth and protects me!"
Surprised, Anakin furrowed his brows towards her, asking, "Then what's the truth? You are the type of person who will say anything to protect your skin, Letta! Don't you dare try to lie to me because I can sense your intentions! You'll say anything to avoid prison, but if you are telling the truth-"
"A Jedi!" Letta revealed, interrupting Anakin and pointing towards him with her index finger, "a Jedi showed me how to create the bomb and how to put the Nano droids in.
Not believing her, Anakin felt his hands clutching up into a fist. "Why would a Jedi do this?"
"They're some citizens of the Republic who believed the Jedi Order is not what it use to be!" She yelled, throwing her hands up in the air, clearly getting annoyed with Skywalker not believing her. "The Jedi have become warmongers, weapons, and killing where they should be keeping the peace! One in your ranks agrees! One of you wants to make a statement and willing to attack your own Order to do it!"
"Who?" Anakin asked, feeling like he was getting progress, though he'd wondered what happened to the Jedi Order. Certainly, there are rebellious Jedi who are starting to sway away from the opinions of the Jedi Council, but none of them seem to sense it nor do the rebellious ones seem to want to become murderers.
"If you protect me, I will tell you," Letta replied hopefully, wondering if Skywalker can secure her better than Tano.
After all, Anakin is the Jedi Master of Ahsoka Tano, meaning that he's far more powerful and can protect her. Thus, she will explain it to him because whereas Tano is a mere Padawan, the Jedi Knight is the very Hero with no Fear, winning many battles and sending droids back, giving the Republic endless victories while the Council sits in their Council Chambers.
"Letta, you have to tell us who's the Jedi behind this," Anakin commanded, knowing that she was telling the truth, but feeling something very dark peering closer and closer, nearly completely consuming him.
"It's..." She was unable to speak further, for something grabbed hold of her through the Force, getting seized in a chokehold, making her yelp with agony and tries to seize the attack on her neck. Quickly, Anakin's senses were up as he tried to bring Letta down or block the attack through the Force, but he can only scream the woman's name as he watched helplessly her getting killed.
"Letta!" Anakin shouted as he continued to tried to get her down, using the Force to sense where the attacker location, but he cannot place his senses around it, which only further pisses him off. As the woman let out a last desperate cry, her neck was snapped and she dropped limply on the floor. Anakin hopes the Clones will be here soon, due to the alarms of the attack that likely caused them to abandoned their poses. The second they entered, she was already dead on the floor with Anakin standing over her, trying to examine the crime scene. "I don't know what happened!"
One of the clones that were checking over her seemed to try to find some way to save her life, but it was already too late. "She's dead, Commander." He informed Fox.
"I can't say I blame you, General Skywalker, but it's all the same, you're under arrest," Fox said coldly, sighing, as he pointed his blaster towards Anakin's back, knowing that there was no one else in the crime scene.
"Commander, General Skywalker would never do something like this," Thire replied in his defense, knowing General Skywalker and fighting beside him before. Whereas Skywalker's motives are questionable and confusing at times, Thire knows that General Skywalker was one of the heroes who will win this war. Skywalker is a good man who only wants to end the war and bring peace and serenity across the galaxy.
"The evidence points towards him as the murderer of this woman and possibly is the Jedi bomber, Lieutenant, we'll have to see what the Admiral thinks," Fox responded before placing him in cuffs firmly like he was a criminal instead of their General.
"I didn't do this, Commander! It's not what you think!" Anakin shouted desperately, now feeling like the woman who he briefly was supposed to interrogate. Fox ignored him, but Thire and a few other men seem to be compassionate and holding guilt for him. He can sense Thire's intentions of treating him well and having a talk with the Admiral.
Nightfall has descended over the Executive Building on Coruscant, and everyone was either out on dinner, about to fall asleep or going back to their home planet after a long trip on Coruscant. Many senators were returning to their homes after long days in office, wanting to return to their kids or spending the nights with their wives, thinking the war is just one day closer to the end, when in reality, unbeknownst to them all, a Sith Lord, their very own Chancellor who is supporting them and gaining their trust for the war, Chancellor Palpatine, is slowly influencing the entire Senate.
Chancellor Palpatine sat in his office, anger seeping off of his appearance, showing the clear sign of the dark side.
Whereas he should be at the Jedi Temple, preparing for sleep, the Chancellor sensed Skywalker elsewhere. He's at the facility where Letta Turmond is being held accountable for the bombing of the Jedi Temple and he continues to see Skywalker in a cell, which meant Palpatine's personal clone commander, Fox, might have singlehandedly just destroyed his plan. If Fox had foiled the plan of converting Skywalker, he'll kill the clone in point-blank after his rise to power.
The doors opened, and in walk Admiral Tarkin, who had somewhat a worried look on his face, knowing the bond between the Chancellor and young Skywalker. The Chancellor had a plan for Skywalker and Tarkin didn't want to face the wrath of him after ruining a chance of his prized pupil. Whereas the Chancellor can be kind and wise to the public, the old man was dangerous just by his words. Whenever Tarkin is around the Chancellor, he visibly had a stinging pain in the back of his head when he was outraged.
"Admiral Tarkin, why is Skywalker constrained in a prison cell?" Chancellor Palpatine asked with barely contained rage, turning to face the Admiral, his face bore of anger.
"Skywalker has just choked the prisoner, Chancellor, he is dangerous and is being placed under supervision. There is a security camera that proves this." Tarkin responded nervously, feeling the edges of a twist in his gut which suddenly grown stronger. "Shall I warrant of his release and fight for his innocence?"
Palpatine thought about the entire case for a minute. He was about to accept it and find other ways to groomed Skywalker, but there is a new plan forming inside of his head. If Skywalker is convicted and the Jedi Order expelling him from the Order, Skywalker will be valuable for Darth Sidious to reach. Not only Palpatine was a smart man, he'd considered alternatives and different outcomes. With life in prison, Palpatine will be able to reach him occasionally and cause him to hate the Jedi and kill them and at last, execute Order 66.
"No, push for it. Do not push for the death penalty, however, make sure he gains life in prison." Palpatine declared, giving the clone his orders because there is no way the Jedi Council wouldn't find it odd that Skywalker is not convicted. At least, he will be able to spare Skywalker from the death penalty to ensure his years of grooming won't go amiss.
Palpatine's plan may have changed, but Order 66 will possibly be executed earlier.
If only Sidious knew that things wouldn't go exactly as plan.
In the Facility, Tarkin went to see Anakin with two guards, who was in a prison cell. He knew that the Supreme Chancellor had an interest in Skywalker, but Skywalker supposedly murdered the woman. While he did have respect for the man, the law comes first and is more important than one Jedi. Besides, the Chancellor wanted him to stand trial.
"Admiral Tarkin, I don't know what happened. I went into the room to talk to Letta, and she said she was afraid of a Jedi." Anakin admitted, silently wishing that he wasn't here.
"You don't have to tell me any more, General Skywalker," Tarkin stated coldly as he threw Letta's hat to the side.
"I don't?" Anakin asked curiously, but with a tinge of hope is in his tone, hoping that he wouldn't be stabbed in the back like he was by the Jedi Council with the Rako Hardeen incident.
"No," Tarkin replied and took out a device that showed Anakin 'Force choking' Letta. "There are recorders in every room, curiously, the sound isn't working on this one, it seems the Jedi she was afraid of was you."
"I did not kill that woman!" Anakin snapped defensively, feeling like he is wrongfully being accused of something that he didn't do.
"You were the only one there," Tarkin commented coldly. "I know that your apprentice was upset when this woman was taken into custody by the military. How can we be so sure that you didn't share her views?"
"That means nothing. Where is this attitude coming from, Tarkin?! I thought we were friends, why are you stabbing me in the back?! Plus, my apprentice and I are different people! We have different views, Admiral!" Anakin replied desperately, hoping the slime won't get the wrong idea and thinking he's selling Ahsoka out.
"I beg to differ; usually young ones get their opinions from their Master and you're her master," Tarkin responded cruelly.
"It was someone else, Admiral, someone I didn't see!" Anakin protested angrily, glaring at the traitorous slime, who he had previously thought was a friend.
"You know that is very difficult for me to believe, this is a secure facility, we do not have just anyone running about." Tarkin reminded, grabbing Anakin by the chin in a weird way. "And if there was someone else, why did you not sense them? After all, you're the Hero with no Fear, known for gruesome manners."
Anakin frowns and sneers, feeling betrayed by someone who he is supposed to trust and feeling the urge to strangle the man right then and there. The traitor shall pay for his accusation against him. Tarkin was just like the rest of them, the corruption was clear from his features.
Unable to fully contain his rage, Anakin grabbed his arm and twisted it over his head, causing the man to yelped out of agony, satisfying Anakin, who now had a cold smile on his lips, ignoring the guns that were being pointed at him now.
"Don't ever touch me like that again, Admiral or I will break your arm..." Anakin hissed coldly, as Tarkin pulls away, trying to keep the fear hidden. He knows Skywalker is known for brute methods and can easily kill him right then and there.
As Tarkin walked out with the two troopers, Anakin had wondered if there was a way to prove his innocence. While he does snap at times, Anakin will not murder an innocent woman. He'd hoped Obi-Wan and Ahsoka would come to break him out of this prison. Then again, Tarkin likely doesn't want any visitors so he can testify against him. If they cannot break him out, he will have to go on the run and find evidence to prove his innocence.
Arthur's note: Anakin doesn't get a break in my stories, but I had thought of this after wondering what it would've been like for Anakin outside of the Order and eventually on Mandalore. I'm a person known (or so I hope to be known) for creative ideas that'll do something that no one had ever done before.
He'll receive similar treatment to Ahsoka, but a few more people will believe him. This been stuck on my mind for one month now and I couldn't hold back anymore.
Of course, I'm going to continue with my other stories but this story idea couldn't give me a break and distracted me many times.
In reality, the painful journey that Ahsoka went through should have caused her to become angrier and be touch by the dark side, but in the end, she was able to let go.
Sadly, Anakin won't be able to let go as easily as Ahsoka did which is why he'll further be challenged by the dark side of the Force and will definitely not be Palpatine's apprentice. What's the fun in having him still turning to the dark side (at least as Palpatine's apprentice) and have him going down a similar journey to 1 through 6? I want to go into other alternatives and outcomes with him because why repeat the course of him turning to the dark side and redeeming at the end of the story by Padmé or Luke and Leia?
The Jedi were hypocrites, yes, and that is what I want Anakin to understand. I love Grey Jedi Anakin Skywalker's stories, and this Temple bombing experience will deeply scar him and lessen his hold on the light side.
I'm possibly going to have this as a trilogy like this first part with 12 to 15 chapters with Anakin struggling to prove his innocence. Then in another part, some events of season 6 happens like a certain clone finding out the truth, and in another part, Mandalore and Revenge of the Sith.
May the Force be with you all always.