Chapter 2

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka flew their starfighters to the clone barracks, each of them anticipating how the clones would take this outcome. No doubt they are not going to be happy about this, but the three were certain of their decision. It was a good thing for Ahsoka to have Anakin and Obi-Wan by her side, especially her old master, but she was extremely grateful for Obi-Wan's support. It just goes to show that Obi-Wan cares about her more like an uncle, then just being her grandmaster and continuing to proceed with his training.

They were now flying through Coruscant streets on their signature starfighters. All of them were silent and were weaponless. Each of them knew that they are still Jedi, even Ahsoka, and would have to get weapons and materials. They can probably build new lightsabers and then they shall go back into war. None of them wanted to truly leave the Republic, but each of them realized that they cannot be Jedi anymore. The three former Jedi finally arrived at the barracks, where their loyal men are doubt now in.

As the starfighters descended on the outside of the barracks, each of them gotten out of the speeder, along with their protocol droids. Those were loyal droids that they had served with for some time and they will not allow other Jedi to take them. They have proved to be used to them throughout the war and each of them liked their droid.

Although it was going to hurt the three former Jedi to leave behind these men who they served with since the beginning of the war, the three knew it had to be done and that there was no choice in the matter. Unless the Council acknowledged their mistake, there is no chance they are going back.

Before they can make any further movement, a gruff voice ringed out that stopped the three former Jedi in their tracks.

"General Skywalker, General Kenobi, Commander Tano?"

Turning around, the three saw one of the most loyalist clones in the 212th, Boil. At the sight of them, the trooper removed his helmet and showed his face which had a beaming smile. His joyful expression made the three feel horrible and pangs of guilt starting to burn up as they realized that this was going to be the last time they see them. Each of them can only imagine how Rex and Cody would feel about the Jedi they have followed for nearly two years is leaving the Jedi Order.

"Hello, Boil," Obi-Wan greeted sadly with a small sad smile appearing on his face. Boil didn't notice the look of distressed on his General's face as they thought that each of them would return on the battlefield sooner or later.

"Hello, general," Boil greeted back respectfully before turning to Ahsoka and smiles at her. "Nice to see you are alright, sir. I'm sure that you will be back on the battlefield soon enough."

Before, one of them can say something, one of the clone troopers who had personally escorted Ahsoka out after her trial, Fives, approached the three Jedi and gave them a look of uncertainty. Fives then looked towards the Togruta who seems to be slightly scarred and he had felt a little bad for Ahsoka. He decided to give a salute to her, in which she returned a few seconds later.

"Sir, what is going on?" Fives asked, now looking towards Anakin who seems to be remarkably quiet, clearly deep in thought, which is a surprise, considering the general never been one to remain silent. General Skywalker has never been one to be thinking as well.

"We have left the Jedi Order," Anakin elaborated, his eyes now returning to one of his men, which shocked the loyal clone trooper from the 501st. Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ahsoka Tano have all left the Jedi Order. Each of them was war heroes, but they have left the Jedi Order.

"What? Wh..." Then his eyes landed on Ahsoka who stood beside Anakin and Obi-Wan. She was shorter than the other two, heightening up to General Skywalker's shoulder. His eyes landed into Ahsoka's eyes. "Oh, I see." He finished, his eyes filling with something, and they can sense the pain in the usual strong will clone. They all cared about their Jedi followers.

By the look on Boil's face, he was also surprised as well. General Kenobi had done the 212th good but now they're all going to leave just like that. Cody and Rex have proved to have an undying loyalty to each of them. Who would lead them into the battlefield now? Amid battles for the last two years, most of the Jedi treated them like obstacles and tools, but Kenobi, Tano, and Skywalker always treated them like human beings. Sure, Anakin and Ahsoka have more loyalty by Rex and the 501st then Obi-Wan, but Obi-Wan cares for his men as well, despite what that damned Jedi Council said.

Out of all of the arc troopers, she felt closer to Fives, the only other who she was closer to more was Rex. Fives were usually a joker and someone who is extremely loyal to Ahsoka. It was cleared that he'd liked Ahsoka as a sister and commander and finds her to be a sweet girl who didn't deserve the treatment by that Tarkin. Anakin didn't doubt that Rex and everyone in the 501st wanted to ambush Tarkin and beat him dead.

"I can't leave her, Fives," Anakin said regretfully but firmly, indicating to Ahsoka who still stood motionless. They had thought this was a joke until they looked down and wanted to see their lightsabers hilt back, but they knew it was true by their lightsaber hilts being gone from where they would usually rest on their holsters.

Anakin vowed that he would never leave his men behind but he quickly realized that Ahsoka was the most important to him. He had doubted this was going to be a long goodbye, for they would likely see each other again. They would never grow too trusting of the Republic but will like to maybe form a new system. Besides, they have to still fight against the Separatists, so they don't continue to spread terror and horror across the galaxy. The Republic and Jedi Order may have been thriving to darkness, but the Separatists and Sith are even worst.

Darth Sidious is still out there. He infiltrates both the Republic and Separatists Side and is shifting both sides of the war, and the Jedi have been attempting to track him down. Each of them wondered if Darth Sidious is one of the prime reasons why this Republic has shifted, but there are many Senators and close supporters of the Grand Army Of The Republic. With this Darth Sidious out there, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka need to find him.

"Gather some in the 501st and 212th, we need to tell them of this important information, do not give the information we have just tell you," Anakin commanded, finally ready to tell them all at once. Both clones nodded and went into different directors to no doubt assembled their battalions leaders and known troopers and bring them each together.

All the while, each of the former Jedi was thinking about what to say. This was going to be a hard assignment. Both battalions are not yet aware of their Generals and Commander leaving the Jedi Order and the Republic as a whole right now.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka soon went to a table and sat down. It was all awkwardly quiet for the moment until a voice interrupted the silence. "You two don't have to leave with me, the Republic needs you, the Jedi Council needs you." Ahsoka insisted, staring at both who have aided in her training.

Despite Anakin being her permanent teacher, Obi-Wan would have assisted where he is needed. Ahsoka has grown to grabbed a few traits from him and became a slight negotiator, but the disobeying part came from Anakin. Anakin had a massive influence on her and that was only proven by the Council's disappointing looks to whenever Ahsoka thinks of ideas and disobey orders.

"Snips, we don't care about the Jedi Council nor the Republic's needs." Her old master spoke, at last, just taking one look at his own former master and noticing the look from Obi-Wan that indicated that he was agreeing with Anakin. The Jedi Council was not there when she needed them.

It felt like an hour when the clones finally gathered around. To their luck, it was clones who each of them had known from either their own experience or stories they would have shared.

As the clones took their respectful seats around the three Jedi, Anakin's eyes fallen over each of the faces of the various troopers assembled. Rex was there of course, as was Fives, and Jesse, Kix, and Tup. Anakin has fought alongside them more than once and trusted each of them more than anything. He knew they would be displeased with these new revelations about how they left the Jedi Order, but he was ready for it.

Obi-Wan also scanned his men and saw it was three whom he also trusted the most. Cody was sitting beside Rex, along with Boil, and Wooley. They, too, have gone into battle with him and it would be hard to inform them of the information.

When they all had finally taken a seat, conversations begin to spark about what this meeting could be about. Some thought it was about a new mission of some sort, and others thought it was just a routine checkup, but then again there would have been many more members had that been the case.

When the conversations and ideas started to die down, the three former Jedi looked at each other, mentally telling who should be the one to explain, and Anakin decided to do it, trying to keep his voice calm and peaceful, as well as steady and professional. The last thing they needed is for the troops to see the pain in their generals and commander for leaving the Jedi Order.

"I'm afraid that, as of the last hour, that all three of us have left the Jedi Order, and is how we're not Jedi anymore. As of tomorrow, likely, we would no longer serve the GAR. The Council offered her a chance to rejoin the Jedi Order, but what Master Windu had said about this being her great trial is what forced us over the edge."

The 9 clones around the three former Jedi had different sorts of reactions. Cody seems to be cracking his fist together, trying to keep the rage from the trooper boiling up. Boil's eyes were flashing with rage about thoughts he could do to Tarkin and others on that Council for driving the three Jedi away. Wooley was trying to keep himself from shouting curses in all directions. Jesse looks like he was about to break something, and once more pushed over the edge would be all that he will need for him to snap alas. Kix's eyes were directly on Ahsoka, feeling horrible for her while trying to contain the barely controlled rage. Fives punched the table and nearly broke it; none of them can reprimand him for that.

Rex's eyes tried to stay firm but horror was clearly on his face. The Captain had high respect and loyalty to Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka. He had served with them more than once and he didn't want to follow anyone else besides Anakin and Ahsoka. Screw the Republic! They're growing even more corrupted anyway! Now, they have chased three of the finest Jedi away.

"No..." Rex mouthed slowly, pursing his lips and glaring at no one in particular.

"What?" Anakin asked, hoping that his Captain wouldn't snap at him, Obi-Wan, or Ahsoka.

"No!" Rex shouted, standing up abruptly and flipping the table over, surprising even his brothers and the Jedi. "I won't serve with no one besides General Skywalker, General Kenobi, or Commander Tano!"

"Rex..." Anakin started, but the Captain was not going to give up.

"Most of those damned Jedi treats us like machines, whereas General Skywalker and Commander Tano treat us with respect and like human! Screw this Republic!" Rex's voice boomed like it never did before, even around his brothers. Anakin was shocked by that because Rex was always a calm and loyal soldier. Had it been two years ago, Rex may have not said such things, but each day loyalty would increase by the 501st.

"I agree," Cody spoke alas, allowing himself to be known yet again. Each of them was surprised, beside his men. Cody was always a man by the books especially when it comes to the Republic, unlike Rex who would only be loyal to Skywalker and Tano. Cody was not as loyal to Obi-Wan as Rex is loyal to Anakin and Ahsoka, but still he cannot imagine working with someone else besides General Kenobi.

"I don't think..." Ahsoka finally speaks after a long moment of remaining silent, still complementing about Anakin and Obi-Wan accompany her.

"Do not even try to protest, sir," Rex said determinedly, interrupting her from speaking any further. "We serve you and General Skywalker, we will not allow another Jedi to lead us down into battle, especially one who tries to treat us like machines more than men. That damn Jedi Council betrayed one of their own. They will betray us as well."

Ahsoka sighed and sagged her shoulders as she went lower directly in her seat, not even bothering to protest against the Clone's Captain, who she'd served with many times throughout the Clone Wars.

"Rex, you serve the Republic. War is in your veils. We cannot strip you of that." Anakin tried to speak up to remind the Clone of what he has been around his whole life and not wanting to strip him of his life. The Jedi Knight was speechless that the Captain is willing to leave the Republic behind and accompany them to this broken brutal galaxy. They weren't even sure where they should go.

Rex was not going to bend the knee and give up just like that.

"No, sir, we are not working with another Jedi. Remember what happened to General Krell." Rex paused for a moment to allow himself and the other clones in his battalion to reflect with anger. Rex clenched his jaws and bitten his lip to prevent himself from saying something that he would regret before continuing to speak. "We clones worked with you three for nearly two years. If they are going to turn against Commander Tano, then we shall also leave this Republic. I am not going to leave behind our Generals and Commander, nor is anyone in the 501st."

"Yes." Cody again agreed with the 501st Captain. "This is our choice. If our General shall leave, we'll follow, even if it involves leaving the Grand Army of the Republic."

Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan sighed in defeat. They desperately wanted them to stay behind but they knew there is no way to convince them. Rex and Cody have many differences, but they have something similar; as do their men. One of their similarities is that once they say they are going to do something, they'll do it without hesitation. Even if they try to run away without them knowing, Rex and Cody would be right on them alone with hundreds of men. They can have their starfighters but the clones would have star destroyers on their back.

"Very well," Anakin spoke after exactly two minutes, knowing there is no way to convince them. "Me, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka have to go to one more place then we'll meet up..." The former Jedi thought about where to go since he was stumped.

"We will meet up on Dantooine." Obi-Wan finished for his former Apprentice. "There, we shall discuss the next plan."

The clones nodded as the three former Jedi begin walking to the doors and opened them, only to their amazement to see many men who got into formation and salute. The three smiled softly, even Obi-Wan, at the sight of seeing the loyalty and respect and gratitude each of those men has for their Jedi companions... well formally their Jedi companions. The three are no longer Jedi. Each of them has left and chosen to set on their destinies. Their destinies may have originally to be Jedi Masters on the Council someday, and being the next generation of the Jedi, but no longer did they cared and would not forgive the Jedi so lightly.

Anakin had one more place to go since it is time to tell them the truth. He cannot leave the Order without the most important person in the entire galaxy towards him. The Jedi Knight never expected this day to come - at least not until the end of the war, but Anakin knew that no more deception can be made.

Arthur's note: The next chapter will have truths to be revealed from Anakin as if Ahsoka and Obi-Wan don't know ;).

Also, what colors do you guys think Anakin Obi-Wan's lightsabers should be? Ahsoka's lightsabers would be white like in Star Wars Rebels. Anakin and Obi-Wan would have different colors from their lightsabers. In retrospect, I'd thought about colors like outside of the Order, pink, orange, or even black and brown. I had never seen a Jedi wield a black saber before, so maybe it will be something new. Of course, I'm not sure and need help. Ahsoka's color is already decided. Votes will be declared in the next chapter or the one after that. I want different lightsaber colors for each of them, so their lightsabers will be different meanings.

I'm also going to give them co names of some sort. They will be like fulcrums but not to the Republic. They also will find some armor that would suit them better. Although, some find Padmé leaving the Republic is out of character for the young Senator. I don't think so though. Padmé would see how dark the Republic has become. About my plans... I'm looking forward to those concepts. They will be arcs of some sort because I want to make my missions and have them discover a few things. In the process of making this story, I want to make something new and form a new system.

Grammar mistakes will be less frequent now. Though there are going to be a few of them from time to time, I have Grammarly now and it's helping me. I have made edits in the last chapter as well. Also, Rexsoka will be seen in this story, if you are wondering. Originally, I was thinking about Lux for Ahsoka, but after rewatching half season 1 from getting my package of Clone Wars from eBay today, I ship them more then I do back then. Luxsoka is a decent ship but I'd much prefer Rexsoka after the clips and season 1. I can't lie, I haven't been able to watch season 1 to 5 as a whole for a bit so it would be refreshing to learn more things than many years ago.