Anakin POV:

I continued grabbing onto Obi-Wan, hugging him tightly as if my life depended on it. And maybe it did. The faint ringing in my ears drowned out the noise around me, making it seem like buzzing static. I didn't know what people were saying, but I can't imagine that it's anything good.

Their words don't matter, though. (y/n) can't be dead, I won't believe it. The mere thought of her death, and never being able to hold her and kiss her anymore is enough to push me over the edge. The Chancellor said that she ended her own life. If that's true, then I failed. I swore to her that I would protect her, and I didn't.

The Chancellor spoke over all the commotion, "My dear citizens, do not let this perilous attempt cause you any fear. I can assure you that every last Jedi will be dealt with accordingly for their treachery."

Obi-Wan released me from our hug, and looked up at the Chancellor in utter disbelief, "How can you make an accusation like that without any evidence whatsoever? You cannot make a decision until the Jedi have gotten a fair trial."

"But the Chancellor would never lie!" A random Senator shouted from the crown above us.

He nodded, "I can assure you all that I would never orchestrate my own harm just for the intent of deception." His words drawled out almost wickedly, chilling me to the bone. And I don't just mean metaphorically; I physically felt colder as he spoke, which only added onto my confusion, Through tear filled eyes, I could see everyone looking around at each other in disquietude. They were clearly considering his defense, even though like Obi-Wan said; he has no evidence at all.

But I realized, with a pang of defeat, that it didn't matter, because he's one of the most powerful leaders in the world. He has the ability to easily persuade people over to his side, to make his arguments seem like the only logical explanation. Whether true or not, people will naturally fall to his defense since they believe they've been able to trust and count on him in the past. So the question would then be, who would not believe him?

A part of me was convincing my own mind that Chancellor Palpatine, beloved by everyone, could never be so vile as to lie about something like this; (y/n) attempting to kill him, then killing herself, after revealing a plot by the Jedi to overthrow him?

When that last part was thrown out, I could tell that every single Jedi had no idea what he was talking about. We still don't know where (y/n) is, or how Palpatine became so deformed, but the one thing that I am sure of is that something isn't right about his intentions, no matter what he says.

"I always knew the Jedi were corrupt!" Someone shouted spitefully.

"We are not corrupt, we have no clue where any of this is coming from!" Shaak Ti spoke back to whoever shouted, with pain in her voice.

Wiping the tears from my puffy cheeks, and attempting to push down my overflowing emotions, I turned to Obi-Wan, "We need to get out of here and find her." I demanded quietly.

"How?" He questioned uncertainly. "I want her to be alive just as much as you do. But with this potentially fraudulent claim, as well as her disappearance, it's quite difficult to know where we would even start since now an array of possibilities have been opened to us."

I sighed, feeling helpless as his words sank in. I hated feeling helpless, and it doesn't help that we also hardly have a way of finding answers to these growing questions. If (y/n) is alive, we have no idea where she could even be. As of now I can't feel her signature, which either means that she's not close by, or something far worse.

I gazed up at the political crowd, trying to desperately think of a solution, when my eyes landed on Padmé. She was looking right at us, and urgently gesturing to the entrance of the room where we all came in. I looked back at her confusedly, before realizing that she was directing us to leave that way.

Hesitantly, I looked around to see if anyone was watching. But they were all looking at the Chancellor for whatever his next decision was going to be. I nudged Obi-Wan backwards towards the entrance, "Let's get out of here before the welcoming committee isn't so welcoming anymore."

If we're going to leave now, then we'll need to get past the half distracted guards at the front. Obviously as Jedi, we could easily take them. But if we did that, we'd be causing a scene which is the last thing we need right now.

He stopped in place as I was pushing him and looked back at me in surprise, "We cannot just leave, what about—"

"Just go." I commanded, rolling my eyes at his instinctive desire to follow rules.

As usual, he sighed in annoyance and reluctantly let me push him through the crowd. Some people gave us confused and even accusing looks, but they were still too busy focusing on whatever motivational speech the Chancellor was now giving.

I used a quick Jedi mind trick to get past the guards, and then continued dragging Obi-Wan out the way we came. I was surprised that we were able to get out so easily when the Jedi are practically on 'trial' right now. But my assumptions must've been correct; people are so drawn to those who have great influence over them, that sometimes they hardly notice anything else.

I saw Padmé coming through another doorway, Elijah close behind. They both looked extremely distressed, and disregarded all formalities once more as they practically ran over to us.

I quickly walked up to Padmé, "What is going on?" I demanded. "The Jedi are not plotting against the Chancellor; none of us have a clue where he's coming from."

She sighed and shook her head sadly, crossing her arms, "Based on the accusations he's making, I think I have an idea of how this is going to end. A crime of an assassination attempt is enough for him to throw every last Jedi into prison, and then execute them for treason."

Treason? No, none of this is right. Everything was normal up until today. And nothing about this situation is adding up correctly. I know something is off but I just can't figure out what.

She looked up at me, and in her sweet hazel eyes I saw pure sorrow, "Anakin.....(y/n) isn't
gone, she can't be gone. Right?"

Her words caused Elijah to close his eyes, and turn his head away. Though, I didn't need to see him to know that he was hurt by this.

My heart clenched as I remembered that they're both friends with (y/n). The blunt claim that the Chancellor made about her being dead much have shaken them up, just as it did to me.

"I don't know." I answered dejectedly. "I want nothing more than for her to be alive and well, but we don't know where she would even be. None of this makes any sense." I turned around and slowly paced back and forth, running my fingers through my hair in stress.

"Okay, okay." Padmé held her hands out in a calming gesture, "We have to consider all possibilities. Assuming she's alive," She eyed both me and Obi-Wan seriously, probably to remind us that the likelihood of her death could still be true, "I know for certain that if anyone can find her, it would be you two."

I stopped pacing, and Obi-Wan placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to look over at him. "She's right. We know (y/n) better than anyone." He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. I gave a small smile on return. Even through this day of the most trouble and uncertainty I've ever faced, Obi-Wan still has the unfailing ability to comfort me. And he knows through our bond that I'm grateful to have him as a friend; as a brother.

Elijah turned back towards us, wiping his cheek, "I'll never forget when (y/n) saved my career, and how she was kind to me when no one else was." He went over right beside Padmé and stood tall, "If you're going to look for her, then count me in. I'll do whatever I can."

I nodded gratefully at his commitment to this, and looked beside me to see Obi-Wan also smiling in admiration to his so called 'not boyfriend'.

Padmé nodded confidently, "Right. That being said," She moved in between Obi-Wan and I, and fast-walked down the hall. "Follow me. Our first priority is getting out of here, now."

The rest of us looked between each other, baffled at her abrupt departure. We then followed closely behind in sync, upon hearing commotion in the auditorium. "And where exactly do you plan for us to go?" Obi-Wan asked. "There aren't very many places here where we can hide."

Padmé glanced back at us while still walking, a smirk appeared on her face, "I never said we were staying on Coruscant, did I?"

I nodded in understanding, "So where are we going? You're not going to lure us into a dark alleyway and murder us, are you?" I half-joked, chuckling nervously.

She rolled her eyes in amusement and turned her head back forward, "Don't be ridiculous, Anakin. I'd never murder anyone in a dark alleyway."

My eyes widened in shock, but I quickly felt relief settle into my chest when I heard her giggle.

"Padmé, you nearly gave me a heart attack." Obi-Wan sighed in exasperation.

We exited the building at a brisk pace, and Padmé led us over to what I assumed was the area where all the speeders were. The area forming around us was beginning to look like a compound.

"Ah lighten up Obi-Wan, you're not old enough yet to be having heart attacks." I smirked, "Or are you?" I countered my own joke as he and I used the force to throw all the guards against the walls, knocking them out so we could get to the speeders.

Obi-Wan chuckled while using his lightsaber to deflect laser beams shot at him by another guard, "These insults are coming from the man who has failed to grow any facial hair."

I gave him an offended look, while he just shrugged as if saying 'You had that coming.'

"Do you two always banter like this?" Elijah asked, looking between us.

"It's kind of our thing." I smirked, looking at Obi-Wan as I spoke. No matter the situation, whether we were at the Temple or on a mission, he and I always had our banter moments. Both Padmé and Elijah are going to be witnessing a lot of that from now on.

Thankfully, making matters easier, we found an actual ship in the back of the compound area that was more than big enough for all of us. The inside of the ship was cold, and it reminded me of the literal chills I got when Palpatine was talking. I'll have to talk to Obi-Wan about that, but first we need to get to wherever it is we're going.

"Where to, Padmé?" I asked while preparing to fly the ship.

Obi-Wan and Elijah went to the back room of the ship, to do what; I do not want to know. After Obi-Wan's little buddy said hello today, I have no doubt that he and Elijah's relationship isn't as innocent as it was when they first met. I almost laughed; this side of Obi-Wan is probably the most surprising thing in existence.

Padmé sat in the co-pilot seat next to me, "My lake house on Naboo. I don't go there often, and typically I only go there for emergencies. And right now, this is an emergency." She sighed and smoothed out her purple dress. "Our first priority is making it to Naboo, which will be the easy part, I assume." She glanced up at me, "Our next task is finding (y/n), and I'm not sure how easy that will be. But Anakin, we also need to ensure that the other Jedi aren't executed. They're innocent." Her eyes became glassy and vulnerable.

One of the many things Padmé is known for is standing up for those who don't have anyone to stand up for them. She does everything in her power to see that the innocents are freed, and the guilty are locked away. Her goal is to give a voice to the people who haven't been given one.

These are some of the few reasons she is so well respected in the world of politics, only now, it seems respect for the Chancellor has outweighed that for anyone else by a long shot.

The mention of (y/n) sent a pang to my heart, and I desperately tried to push my pain down. Ever since the declaration of her death, I've wanted to just sob and lay under the covers of my bed. I let a few tears slip back at the Senate building, but then did everything in my power to push down those emotions so we could formulate a plan. I also kept reminding myself over and over that there's no proof of her death.

And considering the other bogus claims Palpatine made, I wouldn't be surprised if he made up her death as well. For what reason, I still don't know.

I placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder reassuringly, "You're right. They are innocent. And if we find (y/n), she'll be alive to tell everyone that Palpatine's accusations are false."

That was my hope, at least. Easier said than done, but, all we can do is hope that one; (y/n) is alive and unharmed, and two; we can end up freeing the Jedi, and exposing Palpatine for his lies.

(y/n) POV:

"Ahsoka?" I asked, only half confident it was her in my broken and bruised condition. For all I know, I might actually be dead and this could be some twisted purgatory that the force threw together for me.

She smirked from above me, and gently placed her palm on my forehead before removing it and putting what felt like a damp towel there instead. "The one and only." She responded as she keenly gazed at whatever injuries I must've adopted.

Holding my body upright so I wouldn't fall, she helped me while I attempted to sit up. I hissed as I tried straightening out my back, because a searing pain shot through my spine.

"Be careful." Ahsoka instructed, "You got beaten up pretty bad, but I had just happened to be flying a speeder when I noticed you free falling. So thanks to me, you'll live to see another day." She chirped pridefully.

"Great." I mumbled sarcastically, wiggling around to find a comfortable sitting position.

Her cheerful expression dropped at my dull response, and was replaced with one of both hurt and confusion, "You don't sound too happy about it."

I looked up at her and sighed, shaking my head, "I don't know how I feel. But if I'm being honest; I might have been better off dead, as depressing as that sounds." I paused for a moment, feeling my heart clench as I spoke my next words, "As far as I'm concerned, the Jedi want nothing to do with me anymore. And as long as Palpatine knows I'm alive, he won't stop hunting me until he succeeds in killing me."

Now that I know he's a Sith—considering how ruthless and powerful they are—he'll stop at nothing until he finds me.

Ahsoka's brows furrowed instantly at my last sentence, "Palpatine as in, Chancellor Palpatine? Why is he hunting you? And why do you think the Jedi want nothing to do with you?"

Thinking about all of those questions gave me a headache. I shook my head, scrunching my features as I felt myself being consumed by a river of emotion. A single tear streamed down my scratchy cheeks, followed by another, and then another.

"Are you—Oh." She interrupted herself as she bent down to lol at me, and placed a hand on my back, "I'm sorry if I made you upset. I'm just confused, is all." She rubbed my back hesitantly, probably unsure of how I would react.

I sniffled and wiped my nose without looking at her, "No, you didn't do anything. It's just....life has been hard recently, and no one has been there for me. I've had to face these troubles alone, and this is where it got me." I gestured to myself, referring to the condition I was in.

I was so tired; physically, mentally, and emotionally. When I thought things couldn't get any worse, and even when I thought they would get better, I was bitterly proved wrong. Now I have nothing left. The only life I've ever known is gone, and now I have to live the rest of it either in hiding or on the run.

I should've died when Palpatine threw me off of that building. Death would've brought peace, taken away my burdens that the universe has placed on me. And now I have to live with them for the rest of my days until I die for real.

"Hey." Ahsoka spoke softly, snapping my attention to her from my grim thoughts. "I'm here for you. Right here, right now. So when you're ready, why don't you start from the beginning, and we can go from there?" She offered with that signature friendly smile I was always used to seeing on her face.

For the first time in what felt like forever after these long, painful weeks, my heart glowed. "Why are you being so kind to me?"

My question probably sounded a little skeptical, and that's because I was afraid. I was worried that this kindness would be short-lived, and that I would just end up being hurt and abandoned like last time. I don't ever want to go through that kind of pain again, so the idea of opening up to Ahsoka is admittedly scary.

She smirked and sat at the edge of the bed I was laying on, straightening out the sheets to make room for herself. "Because I know what it's like; to be left alone, abandoned, and to feel like the whole world is against you. It's not exactly a great feeling," She chuckled wryly, "But I still know that feeling. And in case you've forgotten," She placed her hand over mine, "You're my friend. So I'll be the listening ear that you haven't had."

I remembered then, with a swell of gratitude, that she does know how I'm feeling. We both have been struck down and deserted when we needed our people the most. Her unfair trial seems like it was so long ago now, and I remember not understanding how Ahsoka could have left the order without even looking back.

But now I do.

I smiled at her and began telling her my story, leaving out no details, and putting no filter on any of it. Ahsoka deserves to know it all, and I can take comfort in knowing that for once, someone understands what I've been going through. That's all I've needed for the longest time.

(a/n): Thoughts? I hope this one wasn't too boring, I had some writers block since it's sort of an 'in between' chapter, if that makes sense lol. But anyways I'm glad to have finished it and I hope you all like it❤️