Obi Wan checked the hangar bay and a couple of clones guarded his only escape from the planet. He still didn't believe the men he trusted had turned against him. Perhaps they were all experiencing a corruption similar to the situation with the Jedi Tiplar's execution but it couldn't be possible.

He had sensed hundreds of Jedi falling to those Mandalorian clones. Maybe, someone had a button to the Jedi Orders execution the whole time and they did not find out, even with the malfunctioning of clone trooper Tup’s brain.

The guards were summoned to another location and he took the chance to rush to Grevious’ starfighter. The half-droid half-organic creatures body has been removed from the place but he could still see the bodily fluids tainting the area. He wasted no time. He entered the ship, fired up the engines and jumped into deep space before the Vigilance could even detect the craft.

He sent out an emergency code to any other Jedi out there. His knuckles grasped the steering tightly, when he realised that he might be the only one in the entire galaxy. An audio transmission came through and he heard a particular Alderaani accented voice. “Master Obi Wan Kenobi, we have received your transmission.”

“Senator Organa.” he acknowledged with a sigh. “My clones have turned against me and I have barely escaped with my life.”

“There have been several similar ambushes throughout the galaxy.” Bail Organa spoke, “Several Jedi had been murdered by their own clone troopers.”

“Tell me, senator, were there any survivors?” he asked, hoping the answer would be an affirmative one. Surely he would not be the only one, but he will keep on fighting if he was.

“We have rescued Yoda, but no one else, yet. We will send to you our co-ordinates.”

Obi Wan hummed and punched in the codes into the nav-computer. He was puzzled on why the Jedi starfighters usually don't come with their own hyper drives. He pulled the lever and went into hyperspace.

In the darkness of the Force he could 'see' specks of light which looked like stars. There was still hope.

* * * * transition * * * *

The Separatist leaders were gathered in the young, volcanic planet of Mustafar. The blue hologram of Sidious was in contrast to the environment outside. The ray shields protected the building from the flowing river of molten rock and metal below it. Industrial droids harvested any flowing piece of precious metal or element from the rivers, to be used for the Separatist army.

“The plan is proceeding as you have promised, my lord.” Nute Gunray spoke to the hologram.

“You have done well, viceroy.” The monotonous voice of the Sith Lord replied. “When my apprentice Darth Vader arrives, he will... take care of you.”

The Neomoidian bowed in consent and ended the transmission, happy that he would be rewarded handsomely.

* * * * transition * * * *

“How many other Jedi have managed to survive?” Obi Wan said, inside the halls of the white Alderaani architecture of the ship.

“Heard from no one have we,” Yoda replied, walking next to the Jedi Master. Obi Wan grimaced; he wanted news better than that. The light still existed in the Force and he was sure there were more.

“I saw thousands of troops attack the Jedi Temple,” Organa added, ”That's why I went looking for Yoda.”

He stared at Bail. They had been betrayed, but by who? “Have we had any contact from the Temple?” he asked.

“The Jedi Temple beacon sent a retreat message.”

“Request all Jedi to return to the Temple, it did.”

Obi Wan looked at Bail, knowing that other surviving Jedi might fall to the trap and be destroyed. “We then we must go back,” he said.

Master Yoda understood, nodding. “Suggest dismantling the coded signal, do you?”

“Yes master. There's too much at stake,” he replied, turning towards the grandmaster. The green Jedi nodded in agreement. “And a little knowledge might light our way.”

Once the ship reached Coruscant, Captain Colton called in for the Senator. “We're receiving a message from the chancellor's office, sir.”

“Send it through.” He gave the permission. This would be great to obtain information about the current situation.

“Yes sir.” The pilot pressed the receive button and on the screen appeared Baron Papanoida.

“Senator Organa, the supreme chancellor requests your presence at a special session of Congress,” he informed.

“I will be there,” the senator replied.

“He will be expecting you,” the blue faced alien said, before ending the transmission.

Bail turned to the Jedi, his body stiff. “Could be a trap,” he guessed.

“I don't think so,” Kenobi commented, looking at the planet below and then to the man. “The chancellor will not be able to control the thousands of star systems without keeping senate intact.”

“If a special session of Congress there is, easier for us to enter the Jedi Temple it will be,” Yoda spoke, already planning ahead.

* * * * transition * * * *

The yellow delta starfighter appeared out of hyperspace and landed on the northern hemisphere, where the Separatists control bunker was. The cockpit opened and a hooded figure hopped out and walked into the base. The lava flowing out of the erupting volcanoes reflected the Sith’s eyes as he walked inside.

Once he entered the conference room, the clueless CIS leaders welcomed him.

“Welcome Lord Vader, we've been expecting you,” Rune Haako spoke.

The Sith apprentice gave no reply and with a wave of his hand, closed all the blast doors in the room. The puzzled politicians withdrew in fear when the Sith plunged his red blade into Rune's chest and then moved to kill all the others.

The security droids were no match for the Sith who crushed them with the Force and threw them towards San Hill. Trapped under the pressure, he yelled at him to stop before he was beheaded.

During the action, his hood fell off, prompting everyone to gasp in shock.

“You're Anakin Skywalker!” Wat Tambor exclaimed, “This is impossible! You are neither a Jedi nor a Sith.”

Vader didn't give any expression from his pale face but pointed his lightsaber at the Separatist leader.

“I never was him,” he said and choked him to death. Poggle the Lesser attempted to fly but Vader Force pulled him into his saber.

“Enough, Lord Sidious promised us to leave us in peace,” Nute pleaded.

“The transmission was garbled, he said he'd leave you in pieces,” the young Sith said and killed him.

Shu Mai fell upon her knees and joining her hands pleaded, “Please. Lord Sidious promised us a reward.”

The cold stare from Vader offered her no consolation. Her pleas didn't enter his mind and he crushed the brass binding and machinery that fitted her entire body. All the CIS leaders were dead, and he had completed his mission.

* * * * transition * * * *

The padawan gradually gained consciousness, feeling a wrapped bandage across her head and a cast on her left arm. A throbbing pain was felt from her bruised lekkus. She was tired, and then remembered what had happened. She abruptly rose, thinking that she had been captured, but she saw a metal ceiling with similar metal walls.

Exhaustion overtook her and she collapsed onto the hard bed. She checked for the holocron, relieved when it was still on her belt. A young man approached her, who probably heard the noise when she collapsed.

“Do not make sudden moves, master Jedi, please,” an unfamiliar voice requested her.

Ahsoka massaged her forehead to ease the pain with her right hand, and then turned to look at the man.

“What...where...who are you?” she asked, studying the youth.

“I am an unemployed doctor and you are in my apartment. I found you unconscious on the ground so I took you in. I have also heard that the Jedi are traitors of the Empire as decreed by the Emperor but I don't trust it,” he answered.

“Traitors? Emperor? Empire?” She was perplexed by the use of the spoken words and paused. “How do I know I can trust you?”

“To answer your one-word questions, the Jedi were deemed traitors after Master Windu's assassination attempt, and Emperor Palpatine has reorganised the Galactic Republic to the Galactic Empire,” he replied, handing her a bowl of mush. “And to answer your last question, I have faith in the Jedi Order, when no one would. You see, a Jedi helped me become who I am today. Without his help, I don't think I would be here.”

“Right...” Ahsoka sceptically commented and took a spoonful of the food. “And you are willing to risk your life?”

“I don't think...”

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow as he tried to explain. “Look, a patrol had already searched this place and this apartment is the last place anyone would think you'd be here. There's no problem.”

She reached out with the Force and found no faults in him.

“Well then, thank you,” she said, and smiled at him.

She relaxed and sighed. Ahsoka was still sick but her physical health didn't matter, she must get out of Coruscant. She still couldn't believe she used to fight alongside one of the Dark Lords of the Sith. Ahsoka couldn't describe how she felt about it; she was partly petrified and also relieved that she had discovered about him.

She tried to get up but again couldn't. The young doctor advised her to rest, and to have patience for her injuries to heal. She reached out to the Force to help her heal her wounds faster and checked if her master was still alive. She sensed Obi Wan on Coruscant.

No other Force user could sense him as he shielded himself but considering her bond with him, she could easily break through. No matter Shaak Ti’s warning, her master was at the Jedi Temple so there she shall go. But soon, she was getting impatient, essential time was passing by so she used the Force's help to heal herself. When she could stand, she put on a disguise and grabbed her stuff.

“What are you doing?” he asked her, surprised seeing that she was rebelling against him, though her injuries have not healed.

“I'm fine now, so I presume I can leave. ”

“But –”

“I'm really fine, if my legs can heal that fast, by tomorrow I would be okay, trust me,” she said and pleaded.

“Okay, you can leave,” the doctor replied with a sigh, “but be careful not to get noticed and do not apply any force to your left arm.”

“Yes, I will heed your advice but if you really against the Emperor, you must leave the planet,” Ahsoka responded as she left the apartment.

* * * * transition * * * *

When Yoda and Kenobi began approaching the Temple, robed-figures surrounded them. “Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, we are relieved to see you safe,” one of them acknowledged.

Obi Wan rolled his eyes and turned to the one who had spoken. “You clones can make a great impression of the Jedi,” he sarcastically commented.

The troopers removed their costumes and started firing at the two Jedi. They ignited their lightsabers and deflected the bolts towards their sources. Obi Wan slashed across the chest of one of them and then cut off a clones blaster and Force pushed him to the wall.

‘What a clumsy weapon!’ he thought as he deflected another bolt. Master Yoda flipped around, taking out every trooper with just one strike. With the very last clones, he unleashed a Force wave which immobilized every hostile in the area.

As they sheathe their lightsabers, they entered the main hall which has been littered with Jedi corpses.

The decorated walls which looked glorious in the past had been contaminated with carbon markings and blood. The statues of ancient great Jedi were taken down and destroyed, with their remnants dirtying the floor. They were horrified at the sight and went to the High Council Room to check whether anyone had survived but all they found were the bodies of younglings and Jedi Master Shaak Ti.

If not for his years of training to control his emotions, Obi Wan would have broken down then and there. He removed his hood and stated, “Not even the younglings survived.”

“Killed not by clones they were,” Yoda spoke, pointing at a body. “This padawan, by a lightsaber he was.”

Obi Wan kneeled and examined the corpse. Master Yoda was right; there was a long mark on the chest instead of one round burnt mark.

“Who?” he inquired, looking at the wise, experienced Jedi, “Who could have done this?”

Yoda shook his head, not being sure. They both sensed a presence behind them, who answered, “It was Darth Vader.”

They both turned around and sighed in relief when they saw Ahsoka Tano, standing there alive, but injured. Obi Wan moved for a hug but he reconsidered when he saw the cast.

“What happened to you 'Soka?” he asked, using the Force to heal her arm.

“The entire Temple was attacked, by clone troopers and a Sith Lord.” She replied.

“Vader.” Kenobi acknowledged, “Do we know him?”

Ahsoka hesitated and shuddered. “Yes, we do know him.” She said with a melancholic tone, “He is Anakin Skywalker.”

Her master stared at her in shock, and dropped her arm which he had been healing, “Anakin? Him? Vader is... Anakin? It can't be. I...We trusted him. He was our ally! How can that be?”

“Tricked you he has, Master Kenobi.” Yoda responded, heartbroken by the treachery, but treachery was the way of the Sith. Vader had got them when they were vulnerable; he got their trusts and exploited their weaknesses.

Obi Wan looked away from them and Ahsoka comforted her master by putting her right hand on his shoulder. “I'm sorry Master, I know how you feel; I was afraid.”

“He tried to kill you, didn't he?” Master Kenobi said, “Just like he killed the younglings.”

“I'm fine now master. Enough of this, we must focus on the task at hand.”

“Yes, kill the Sith we must, after alert the remaining Jedi, we do.” Yoda stated and the three stated walking towards the archives.

* * * * transition * * * *

The scarlet background matched the scattered blood all over the Mustafar Separatists base. The annihilation of the CIS Council is complete. Vader was outside contemplating on his decisions. The molten lava river flowed beneath the base, with industrial droids drawing precious metals from the continuous rivers of burning stone. Another volcano erupted, adding more smoke and debris to the atmosphere.

Vader felt a hint of regret. He could have had the perfect life with his wife. He could easily overthrow the Emperor but Padme was against all of what he had done, she would never forgive him. A sob escaped him. But Sidious promised power and he knew power is the only law. He ignored his previous thoughts and went inside to transmit a message to his Emperor. He hated that man, he made his life a hell ever since he was kidnapped but with the death of his mother, he had no choice but to stay.

* * * * transition * * * *

In the main holocomm centre of the Jedi Temple, Obi Wan reached deep into the recall beacons mechanisms and altered the message to warn the remaining Jedi to stay out of Coruscant. As he worked, he can't help but feel pain, guilt and foolishness. He and the entire Jedi Order had had suspicions that Skywalker was a Force-sensitive. Apparently, they had not acted quickly enough.

The Sith had destroyed the entire Order overnight; he shouldn't have trusted him, none of them should have. He should’ve allowed the Separatists to destroy him whenever they had the chance. He closed his eyes, pausing momentarily from his work. No use crying over spilt milk is there?

He had been useless during this attack. He was just lucky he made it out alive. It had not been fortunate for others. His universe had change overnight and he could not adapt quickly enough. He'd barely even moved on from Satine or Qui Gon; both victims of the Zabrak. If he could not handle this situation properly, was he even worthy of surviving?

“Master Kenobi,” his apprentice snapped him out of it. “You must stop.”

Master Yoda sighed. It was a desperate situation, the Order has been weakened and the light is dim. “Destroy the Sith, we must.” He spoke, hitting his walking stick on the floor.

”We must all face the Sith.” Obi Wan said, “I suggest moving on the Emperor, Vader is just an apprentice and –”

“Master Kenobi.” Yoda replied, “Let your feelings influence you. You must not.”

Ahsoka added, “How about we split up? I will attack Vader while Master Yoda and Master Kenobi face Palpatine.”

“No.” Yoda retaliated, “I sense the immense power within Vader. If you face Vader alone, a painful death you will experience.” Yoda looked at Obi Wan who nodded. “I understand, master.” He accepted sullenly, “Padawan Tano and I will face Vader and Master Yoda will kill Darth Sidious.”

They all agreed on the strategy. When Master Yoda left through the door, the two investigated. “How will we find him?” Ahsoka questioned. “Master Kenobi, you were the closest person to him, could you know anything?”

“No padawan, I doubt he has anyone other than Sidious himself.” Obi Wan replied, then he remembered an incident, when he caught Senator Amidala and him displaying an act of affection secretly. “But I might know...” he stated, more to himself while stroking his beard.

“Master?”

“Ahsoka, you search up the holosecurity cams whilst I go on a visit to a friend. Be careful else any clone could catch you. Also, find yourself a lightsaber.” Obi Wan instructed, before he darted out of the door. Ahsoka shrugged with the sudden behaviour of her master and checked out the recent recordings on a console.