Hello everyone! I wanted to thank you all so much for your support! Your reviews warm my heart! I promise to do my very best to write the rest of the story up to your expectations!
On a side note, I go into unknown territories in this chapter, because I have a debate between the Council's members. I only know about 5-6 of them. If you feel that some of them are out of character, I'm sorry.
Even though it is a long chapter, I hope you will enjoy it. Have a nice day! xox
Anakin let out a frustrated sigh looking up at the ceiling. He had been tossing and turning recklessly in his bed for the last hour and a half. Everything attempt at sleeping seemed to fail miserably tonight. The covers up made him feel too hot, but he shivered when they were down. When he was on his left side, his body pleaded him to turn on his right side, and when he did, it screamed back for his left side. Sleeping on his back made him wonder about every aspect of his life while sleeping on his stomach made him feel bored. With pillows, and without them. He tried closing his eyes, pleading the Force to send him to sleep. Even the Force seemed like it didn't want him to have a good night sleep. He reached for Obi-Wan through the Force, maybe he had difficulties sleeping too?
As he felt his mind slowly invade the one sleeping at the other end of the apartment, Anakin found nothing but agitated slumber. He sighed. Obi-Wan was sleeping through a nightmare. Given the events of yesterday, Anakin could say he was not surprised.
But on his account, unlike Obi-Wan, he knew his sleep wasn't disturbed because of the trials. Anakin was nervous. Today would be the day where Master Windu and Yoda would propose the attachment reform to the High Council of the Jedi Order. Today, Anakin and Padme's future would probably change forever, along with their two babies.
If the reform passed today, Anakin would be able to live his love with Padme openly. Their years of hiding would be over. Also, he would be able to be more present for the kids. And deep within his heart, Anakin hoped that Obi-Wan would be able to find someone to take care of his wounded heart.
If the reform didn't passed today, Anakin and Padme would have to continue hiding their love. If his relation with the Senator was discovered during the debate and the Council decided not to pass the reform, he risked to be expelled. He only hoped that Master Windu and Yoda would speak for him if that situation presented itself.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to lie on his back. Closing his eyes, he started to think about Padme. Her smile, her long curled hair, her lips all the way to her hips, her breast… Sighing contently, Anakin moved his hands up and down his chest. Her soft kisses, her naked skin under his fingertips, he gentle moans she did when he made love to her. Anakin suppressed a moan himself, sliding his hand down, down, down…
Nah. Not even feeling for this. Blast it.
Giving up any idea of sleeping for the moment, Anakin sat in his bed and stared at the door while pondering his other options. He already had tea last evening. Unlike his Master who seemed to live on the kriffing thing, one cup per week was more than enough for Anakin. He wasn't hungry either, so a late night snack wouldn't solve anything. And he couldn't just barge at Padme's apartment at the time of the night, especially not with the babies asleep. Well, if they were sleeping at all.
That's when the idea popped in his mind. One time, Obi-Wan gave him something on a particularly rough night: heated blue milk. Anakin had fallen asleep within the next hour. Yep, that sounded like a good plan. Slowly rising up from his bed, he made his way to the kitchen.
The room bathed in a small, gentle light. Anakin liked it, it felt relaxing. He was going towards the fridge when his glance met with Obi-Wan's door. It was only partially opened. Anakin could not remember if Obi-Wan ever closed his bedroom door, to sleep per say. Like he did often when he was still a child, Anakin went to the door and peeked inside, making sure his Master was okay.
The only light in the room came from on the windows which the curtains failed to hide. In the darkness, Anakin slowly saw his Master, his eyes adjusting to the absence of light. Anyone who didn't know his Master would say that the man was sleeping peacefully. He was sleeping on his back, a hand on his stomach, his head turned towards the door. His chest rose and fell evenly. But Anakin could see the slight frown on his Master's features. It gave away how distressed his slumber was at the moment.
Lowering his eyes, Anakin went back to the fridge and got the blue milk. He poured some in a pot that he placed on the heating pan. Waiting for it to come hot, he leaned his back against the counter island in the middle of the kitchen. As he stared at the pot, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning to the sound, he saw his former Master slowly walking in the kitchen, rubbing his eyes with his left hand. His shoulders were hung down, his usual perfectly placed hair were messy and his eyes were red from exhaustion.
Anakin gently nodded to him. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I woke you up?
Obi-Wan looked up and his eyes met his former Padawan. "No."
Anakin could perceive sadness in his voice. "You didn't scream this time."
"No."
"...And you don't want to talk about it."
"No."
Anakin went back to his pot. He gave up the idea of trying to talk his Master out of his nightmares years ago. It was no use, the man simply didn't want to share those with him. He just buried them deep within his heart. Anakin would never understand that. While he retrieved the pot from the heating pan, Obi-Wan sit on one of the counter island chair, still rubbing his eyes. Looking at his exhausted Master, Anakin poured the warm milk into a cup and placed it in front of Obi-Wan. The bearded man certainly needed it more than him right now. He would simply heat more for himself.
Obi-Wan looked down on his cup, a small smile building on his lips. "Oh… Thank you, Anakin." He gently said, slowly sipping on the hot liquid. "Nightmares too?"
Anakin shook his head, putting more milk to heat. "No, actually, I just can't seem to find sleep. Guess I'm pretty nervous for today..."
Obi-Wan put his cup back on the counter, gently playing with it in his large hands. "Nervous, how come?" He asked.
Anakin shrugged, sighing. "I don't know, I just feel like so much in on the line. If me and Padme could stop hiding, it would lift a pretty heavy burden off my shoulders. It'll be better for the kids, too. I really hope the reform will pass." He declared, looking at his feet.
Obi-Wan smiled gently. "Have hope, Anakin. If it is meant to pass, it'll pass. It will be the will of the Force." He declared in his sleepy voice.
Anakin nodded. He was right. They had to trust the Force. Suppressing a yawn, Obi-Wan rubbed the tight muscles in his neck with his right hand, trying to release the tension there. Anakin noticed when he took the first sip out of his milk.
"Let me, Master..." He said, putting his cup down and placing himself behind Obi-Wan. After warming up his hands, he placed them on his Master's neck. Obi-Wan sighed and abandoned himself to his former Padawan's care. Anakin's fingers started working on the flesh, rubbing and pressing at all the right spots. At one point, he placed his palms on each side of his Master's neck, and made large deep circles with his thumbs.
"Dear Force, Anakin, where do you learn all this?" Obi-Wan whispered in the bond, his eyes closed from contentment.
Anakin chuckled. "Special gift of mine, I guess. Now go back to sleep. We'll need all our energy today." He suggested, yawning. He was beginning to feel tired himself.
"Quite right. Goodnight, my friend. And thank you." On this, Obi-Wan went back to his room, settling in the comfort under the covers. Anakin took no time jumping in hi own bed, and this time sleep came fast.
He was awakened by the sound of his comlink. Yawning and rubbing his eyes, he took the metal plate placed on his bedside table and pressed the blue button. "Skywalker, here?" He said, sleep still caught in his throat.
"Good morning, Master Skywalker! Sleep well, you did?" The voice of Master Yoda filled the room.
Anakin chuckled. well, obviously the sleep was still well present in his voice. "Yes, thank you Master Yoda. How can I be of service?" He asked.
There was a pause before Yoda answered. "One last thing I must confirm, before the Council meeting. To the Healing Ward, you and Master Kenobi must meet me. see you in one hour, I will." Yoda declared, his voice sounding serious.
Anakin frowned. He was sure they had plenty of evidence to present to the Council. But if Master Yoda thought it was necessary, it must be important. "Very well, we will. Skywalker out." He said, pressing the button in the comlink and rising up from the bed.
As he predicted, Obi-Wan was already up when he reached the kitchen, sipping on a cup of tea. Looking at the fridge, he noticed he wasn't very hungry. Maybe he would skip breakfast this morning…
"Oh no, you won't. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Obi-Wan scolded in his mind. When Anakin jumped from the intrusion and turned to him, Obi-Wan had a smirk on his face.
Anakin sighed, resigned. Even he didn't like to admit it sometimes, his Master, once again, was right. He needed to be absolutely focused today. Opening the shelf, he grabbed a peanut bar and started chewing it. "Good to see our bond is still growing stronger, Master Yoda contacted you as well?" He asked, realizing how empty his stomach was afterall.
Obi-Wan nodded and rose from the couch to wash his cup in the sink. "Yes, he did. I wonder what kind of horror he'll put us through today. With Master Yoda, you never know-"
"What kind of idea 900 years of wisdom can produce." Anakin finished, knowing exactly what his Master would have said.
Obi-Wan looked annoyed. "That's my line, Anakin."
The younger Jedi laughed. "I know."
The Healing Ward was one of the most peaceful place in the Temple. It was there that every Jedi could heal their bodies and soul. It was ruled by Jedi healers who were assisted by countless medical droids. Like the rest of the Temple, beiges and blues were decorating the walls, the floor and the ceiling which were bathed in a comforting warm light. It was bright enough to let the healers do their job but dim enough to let the patients rest.
When Anakin and Obi-Wan arrived at the entrance, a Master Healer brought them to one of the operating chambers situated at the back of the ward. It was there that the most critical surgeries were performed. Countless lives had been saved in those rooms. Countless lives had been lost, too. Unlike the rest of the wall, white was the leading colour in it. The smell of bacta flinched under their noses, too. A single metal table was placed in the center of the room among several machines that could perform miracles if handled correctly. On the side of the room, medical supplies was stored. Gauzes, bacta patches, healing crystals and syringes. Lots of them. At their sight, Obi-Wan got tense.
Anakin sensed it. "I don't think they are going to actually operate on us, Master." He said, trying to reassure the older man.
"Right he is, Master Kenobi. Brought you two here for more privacy, I did." Master Yoda said behind them, making the two Master jump slightly. The green little Jedi sure knew how to enter a room undetected…
Automatically, the two Master turned back and bowed to him. "Back to business." Yoda declared, and Force called three cushions. He invited the two other Jedi to take a sit, and they did. Anakin frowned. Taking a seat, with Master Yoda, in the middle of an operation room, for privacy. Something stunk about that plan.
Yoda turned to Obi-Wan, who was still a little bit tense from all the needles flashed in his face. "The time you faked your death during the Clone War, do you remember?" He asked him.
Obi-Wan's face darkened. "You mean the time I had to deceive almost every friend of mine? Yes, I do." He declared. He still had the scar in his heart from the time Anakin hated him for lying to him. And the one on his arm after Satine, his best friend, threw a vase at him out of fear when he came by to tell her the truth. He was supposed to be dead, afterall.
Master Yoda turned back to Anakin. "Sense him, could you? After falling from the building he did?" He asked, pointing a finger towards Obi-Wan.
Anakin closed his eyes. All he could remember from that night was chaos. How the sniper just came out of nowhere and how quick Obi-Wan was gone. He remembered his anger, his fear and mostly, his sadness. He had lost his brother, that night. "I… I don't really know Master. All I can remember is that I couldn't believe what was happening. His heart wasn't beating, he wasn't breathing, nothing. But even though he was mostly gone physically and in my mind, there was still something present, a small piece of him that wasn't gone yet. But Ahsoka kept telling me he was gone, so I thought it was me going crazy..." Anakin recalled. At his side, Obi-Wan lowered his eyes. He felt sorry he caused such pain in Anakin's heart. But it was for a good cause.
Master Yoda nodded. "My point exactly, Master Skywalker. Sense Master Kenobi when he took the vitals suppressor, the others could not. But you could."
Anakin and Obi-Wan stared at each other for several seconds. The vital suppressors were one of their best weapon. Any Jedi who took them would be dead to the world for about 2 hours. They sent the Jedi into a deep hibernation trance, which stopped their basic vital signals. A Jedi under the influence of those pills was impossible to contact, both physically and mentally. But Anakin could sense Obi-Wan. That really was a first in the Jedi Order.
Master Yoda got up from his cushion and Force called a little cup which he presented to Obi-Wan. It contained a little dark blue pill. Obi-Wan took it in his hands, not sure if he should take it or not.
Master Yoda turned to Anakin, who was also staring at the pill. "Since confused you are about your memory, recreate the scenario, we will." He declared. He then gestured Obi-Wan to take place on the operating table.
Once the bearded Master was comfortably installed, he swallowed the pill. His vision became blurry and his eyelids became to heavy to keep them open. He felt himself fall.
Anakin looked at Obi-Wan as he seemed to be falling asleep. Slowly, he could feel his mental bond with his Master breaking apart. Everything was so silent in his head. He felt truly alone. Anakin panicked. Obi-Wan was gone! He put a hand on his chest, trying to calm himself.
"Master Yoda, he's… he's gone! I can't feel him!" He shouted.
Master Yoda pointed his wooden cane at the panicking Jedi. "Calm yourself, you must! Even if failing, this experiment is, still wake up in two hours, your Master will." He scolded. "Concentrate..." He added, sitting in a meditating position in front of the operation table.
Deep in his mind, Anakin slapped himself. Panicking in front of Master Yoda, great plan, Ani! Let out the breath he was holding, he sat in the same position as Master Yoda, concentrating. If he could sense a single glimpse of his Master, he would do it.
Anakin concentrated for what seemed like hours. His mind was navigating into nothingness. Maybe he had been crazy back then afterall. When he was about to give up, a small presence appeared in his mind. It was barely noticeable, but it was there! Anakin flew his mind right towards that presence. As he concentrated more and more, he recognize his Master's personal Force signature. Anakin laughed out loud, relief all over his face.
"I… I sense him, Master! He's there! Barely, but there!" He shouted happily.
Yoda groaned beside him. "Sense him, I cannot. Gone for me, he is."
Anakin sighed. His Master's presence in his mind felt good. He got so used to his presence over the years that suddenly losing him felt like a hole in his head. "Master! Can you hear me?"
"He...the...A...ki..."
Anakin smiled, recognizing the traditional 'Hello there' his Master usually said when he greeted someone. "Oh Force, Master I can hear him!" Anakin said, careful to keep his concentration.
Master Yoda chuckled. "Impressive, it is. Sense him, I still cannot. Come back from his trance, he soon will. A damp cloth and a glass of water, you should prepare. Not good, he will feel." He declared, raising up from his position on the floor.
Anakin didn't argue. He rose and prepared what Yoda asked him. Looking at Obi-Wan, he noticed the older man's skin had turned slightly gray. He didn't like the sight. It was like his Master was dead all over again. Seconds later, Obi-Wan woke up, gasping for air. Anakin rushed at his side, the damp cloth in his hand. "Welcome back, how do you feel?" He gently asked, rubbing the cloth on his Master's forehead.
Obi-Wan coughed, feeling the room spin around him as oxygen made its way to his brain again. "...Terrible, thank you." He tried to sit up, but his body told him otherwise, urging him to stay down and fighting to keep his breakfast in. "Okay, not happening." he groaned. At least colours started to come back on his skin…
Anakin gave some water to his former Master, who took it gratefully. "Y'know Master, you answered me at one point. Do you recall any of it?" Anakin asked, sitting on the edge of the medical table.
After he drank the water, Obi-Wan kept his lips shut tightly, as if preventing himself to throw up. Those vital suppressor pills were very effective in some situations, but they left some very nasty side-effects behind. Fortunately, they didn't last for long. When the nausea retreated, Obi-Wan felt comfortable to speak again. "Strangely, I did sensed you Anakin. My body was flowing into nothingness and then I heard your voice. I didn't thought it was possible. For what I recall, last time I woke up right after I took the pill, even though the two hours were over." He said, trying to rub his headache away with his fingers.
Anakin turned to Master Yoda, who seemed lost in his thoughts while he stroked his chin. "If I may ask, Master Yoda, why are we doing this?" He asked, the question burning on his tongue.
Master Yoda looked up. "In time, you will know, Master Skywalker. Now, switch side, you will."
They did the experiment again, except this time, Anakin took the pill. Obi-Wan didn't panicked at Anakin's sudden absence in his mind, but you could see it disturbed him. Also, Obi-Wan could sense the presence of his former Padawan a lot faster, putting it on the count that the boy was louder in real life. And still, Master Yoda couldn't sense Anakin.
When the side effects weren't effective anymore on Anakin after he woke up, Master Yoda dismissed them, reminding them of the Council's meeting after supper.
Anakin was sitting at the edge of his Council chair. Rubbing his palms discreetly, he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He was nervous, but focused his energies trying to hide it. Master Windu and Master Yoda were standing in the middle of the circular room, where a round display was installed. Probably to flash the proofs, Anakin told himself.
"Relax, my friend. The Order needs this. I doubt they will refuse it." Obi-Wan whispered in his mind. When Anakin turned to him, he was looking back and gave a reassuring nod.
Master Windu spoke. "Good evening, dear colleagues. After the recents events of the War, our Order is weaker than ever. Master Yoda and myself come before you with a proposition to help overcome our loss in number. I know some of you may look at our proposition negatively, but we have on our hands several proofs if you have any doubts. We are here this evening to propose a reform on the 73rd commandment of our Jedi Code concerning attachments." He declared, placing his hands behind his back.
"Outrageous!" Master Tiin shouted from his chair. "Attachments are well known to lead one to the Dark Side. Our code has been the same for a thousand years and it should stay that way."
"Aye!" Master Kolar agreed.
Anakin flinched. Well, that was starting well.
Master Plo Koon, on the other hand, called for order. "Gentlemen, please, I'm sure that Master Windu and Master Yoda have good reasons to ask that reform. We have to admit that our numbers have been cut greatly because of the war and, to protect our Order, we must at least consider any reform that could make it stronger." He said, his deep voice as calm as ever.
"Aye." Declared Master Fisto and Master Shaak Ti.
Master Muni stroked his chin. "And how did you come by the idea that reforming our attachment rule would make us stronger, Master Windu?" He asked in a gentle voice.
Mace nodded. "We have two scenarios that lead us to that hypothesis. First, we have a member of our Order that almost fell to the Dark Side at one point. But it seemed that his attachment to a close one helped him refuse that path instead on leading him towards it." He explained.
Master Kcaj lifted his chin. "Those are just simple declarations, how can we prove it really helped him?" He asked.
Master Yoda stepped forward. "Sensed it that night, I did. Great disturbance in the Force, his fall to the Dark Side was. But even greater disturbance it was to feel him come back to the light." He said, leaning on his wooden cane.
Anakin tried hard to keep his head up and bottle his feelings. He knew too well they were talking about him when he struck down Darth Sidious.
"Impressive." Master Mundi whispered. "I don't recall any Jedi coming back from the Dark Side like this."
"Indeed" Master Shaak Ti agreed. "If attachments really did helped him overcome the Dark Side, maybe they will be useful to us after all."
Master Tiin shook his head. "I disagree. This is only one case in many. He could have been lucky, for all I say. the Dark Side is dangerous, we must not take any risk towards it."
Master Windu turned to him. "That is exactly why we made took some tests and find some proofs. To make sure this was not, as you say, one case in many. Perhaps you'll be more open after you hear our second scenario..."
Master Tiin gestured him to proceed. He may disagree with a reform for now, but his Jedi philosophy thought him that every idea deserved to be listened to. Master Windu nodded and continued. "Our second scenario concerns Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker. I think we can all agree that they are the best duo our Order can put on a battlefield..."
All at once, every head in the room turned toward the two Masters. "Indeed" Master Fisto said. They share a really deep connection, it makes them stronger."
Master Yoda nodded. "Exactly our point, Master Fisto. That extra strength we need, in the Order."
Master Plo Koon nodded. "So you are suggesting that we… remove the attachment rule? That we allow them among our members?" He asked.
"We are proposing to allow them, but under some strict rules. If Master Tiin is right about one thing, is that attachment, when not handled correctly, will lead to the Dark Side. We must stay far away from that." Master Windu explained. "Master Mundi, you said you didn't recall any Jedi coming back from the Dark Side, maybe this section will interest you." He said, turning to the Master Jedi.
Master Mundi lifted his chin, intrigued. Master Windu turned on the display and continued his explanations. "We needed to be sure that attachments came really overcome the Dark Side. But since it is unlikely any of us will turn soon, we corrupted the mind of one of our members with Dark thoughts for several days."
Master Shaak Ti nodded. "Yes… but I think Master Yoda is the only one capable of doing it without falling to the Dark Side, is he not?" She asked, pointing the green Master.
Master Windu nodded. "Indeed. He was the one to proceed with the ritual."
Master Yoda chuckled. "Not easy it was, to turn him to the Dark side. Very powerful his mind is."
On the display, a hologram footage appeared. You could see Obi-Wan and Anakin on it, facing each other. Obi-Wan lowered his eyes to the floor. He had no desire in looking at himself in that state.
Master pressed 'pause', right before Obi-Wan started choking his former apprentice. "As you can see here, we have Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi, whose mind was being assaulted by Master Yoda with Dark Force energy. " When he pressed 'play' again, the hologram of Obi-Wan started to Force choke Anakin, making every other Jedi in the room gasp. When the hologram ignited its lightsaber, the real Obi-Wan looked away in shame.
The others looked at the hologram as Anakin struggled on it. Suddenly, you could hear on it: "Obi-Wan… P-Please!.. I… I love you!" The hologram Obi-Wan let his lightsaber fall on the floor while kneeling in shock. It was when the hologram Anakin joined his Master in a tight embrace on the floor that Master Windu stopped the footage.
"What is interesting here it that even after Master Kenobi dropped his weapon and let go of Master Skywalker, Master Yoda was still assaulting his mind. Master Kenobi came back from the Dark Side by himself, even though his mind was still clouded by it, after Skywalker expressed affection towards him." Master Windu declared, really hoping this argument would pass within the Council's members.
It seemed like it did, as the others requested to see the other proofs. Master Yoda pressed on a button placed under the display, and the round plate turned upside down to reveal the two mandalorian granite boards Obi-Wan and Anakin worked on yesterday. When Yoda explained to the rest of the Council that they were able to damage the boards without Force powers and with the help of attachment, some of them became speechless.
"How can this be?" Asked Master Fisto, fixing the boards.
"How can we prove then didn't use their Force powers?" Master Kolar snapped. "The boards are indeed damaged before our eyes, but one could easily lie about this..." He added.
Anakin sighed, glad Master Yoda thought about the chips from the beginning. "We had Force detecting chips implanted in our necks when we agreed to go with those tests. If either me or Master Kenobi would have used Force powers to do this, they would have known. There was no point in lying." He replied, slightly annoyed.
Master Windu smiled. Without the chips, he doubted the Council members would have believed what they just saw. "Master Skywalker is right. The chips were automatically sending data in a datapad that I kept with me at all time. If you wish to see proof of this, the datas are available in the Temple's Archives." He declared, giving his datapad to the sceptical Master.
"Allow me..." Asked Master Shaak Ti, rising up from her Council chair and walking toward the display. Putting a hand on one of the boards, she closed her eyes, getting focused. Nodding, she did the same with the other board. "I can confirm. I do not sense any Force energy on those boards whatsoever. They were damaged by brute force only. Incredible..." She said, sitting back in her chair.
Master Tiin, on the other hand, seemed uncomfortable. "Master Yoda, Master Windu, I understand your point on a certain level. I recognize that the Order is in need of stronger forces to make up for our losses in the war. But you are telling us attachments are making the Jedi more powerful. Isn't the rise of power the ultimate goal of the Dark Side?" He asked.
Master Windu pinched his lips. Yes. Yes, it definitely was. The thirst for power had brought many Jedi to the path of the Dark. But they had determined trials. If the reform was to pass, any Jedi who would want to get approval for a relation would have to pass by those trials. The trials of the force and the trials of the mind.
"Can you tell us more about those trials of the mind?" Master Mundi asked, getting intrigued.
Master Windu gestured to Obi-Wan, asking him to speak. The bearded Jedi nodded and spoke. "As you well know, the main reason why our Code banishes attachments is that they can bring us to choose the life of our loved ones over the greater good. As we say, we must not sacrifice a thousand lives just to save one. So me and my former Padawan here passed, as Master Windu said, trials of the mind. We were both assigned a specific task in the cybersimulation chamber while it assaulted our minds with hallucinations about our worse fears concerning attachments." Obi-Wan shook his head slightly as images from his trial came back to his mind. He was sure he'll continue to have nightmares of poor Meila screaming for his help. "Trust me when I say it was not easy."
"I agree." Anakin said. "But on the other hand, it reminds us that we swore our lives to the Republic and that it will always come before our hearts. Any Jedi who fails to accomplish this trial should not be granted permission for attachment." He declared. Obi-Wan looked over at Anakin and a small smile builded on his lips. He was proud of him.
"So, if I understand, any Jedi who wishes to be granted permission for attachments should pass by those trials. I like the idea, it is very similar to a Padawan's trials. If a Padawan can accept failure of the trials and accept another path, I don't see how a Jedi couldn't accept failure of those trials of attachment. We have been trained to accept our destinies since we were mere younglings." Master Fisto said, smiling. He started to hope that this reform would pass. He truly wished to steel Master Secura's heart.
"I must disagree on that." Master Kolar declared, his voice dominating the room. "Even if we swore to the Republic, the fear of loss will overcome us, as it did for many Jedi before us. We will fear for them, we will miss them when we are on missions. It will make us angry, miserable, and it will lead us to the Dark Side. That, unfortunately, is something that we cannot change!" He said, fierce.
Anakin felt his heart sink. In a way, Master Kolar was right. This was the argument they feared. If the Council decided to settle on that idea, the reform would never pass.
"For this matter, I solution, I have." Master Yoda declared, a smile on his face.
Master Windu turned to him, surprised. He didn't recall Master Yoda speaking about this. "You do?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Master Yoda reached in his pocket and took a small, rusty holocron from it. Walking towards the display, he put the holocron in the middle, making it float. "In the deep sections of the Jedi Archives, I have found this. An ancient Jedi ritual it is. Lost for over a thousand years, it was." He said.
Anakin and Obi-wan looked at each other. With Master Yoda, you never knew.
"Connects two individuals by the mind, this ritual does. Share the same mind, they do. A marriage of the mind, it is. Same kind as the Padawan-Master bond, but stronger, it is." Master chuckled. "Truly wonderful, the Force can be sometimes."
This time, it was Master Windu who was skeptical. "Do we have proofs that this...ritual…even works? We are talking about a thousand years old ritual here."
Master Yoda laughed. "Developed the bond between them, Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi did. Without knowing, of course. Their Padawan-Master bond, instead of disappearing like it should, stronger it became." He said, pointing to the two Masters.
Through their bond, Anakin burst out laughing. Obi-Wan shot his head towards him, but the younger Master had a straight face. What in the stars was he laughing about. "Now, what is it my friend?"
Anakin had a hint of a smile when he answered to his Master. "Oh I'm sorry, Master. It's just the way Master Yoda said it. I mean, our minds are married."
Obi-Wan shook his head lightly. "That's not even funny, Anakin! And certainly not the time." He scolded.
"Oh, I'm sorry honey..." Anakin said and then laughed even harder.
When Obi-Wan turned his gaze back to the Council room, he noticed they were all looking at them. Master Yoda was walking towards Anakin, a piece of paper in his hands. When he received it, a look of pure confusion appeared on his face. Master Yoda turned to face him. "Remember your Kroïdu, do you, Master Kenobi?" he asked.
The ancient Kroïdu language. Obi-Wan learned it when he was still an initiate. At the time, younglings like him had a choice between several languages to learn. The rest of his group chose Nubian and other very current languages. Obi-Wan, as the curious little child he was, requested permission to study the Kroïdu language. It was composed of some really complicated symbols, so complicated that it disappeared in time. The only remains of that language remained sealed in the Jedi Archives. When he asked to study the language, his teachers granted him permission to do so, at the condition that he would also learned the Nubian language. He did, along with several others. Today, Obi-Wan could proudly tell that he was fluent in 7 different languages.
So when Master Yoda asked him about it, he couldn't help but smile. "It might be a little rusty on the edges, but I do remember it, Master." He said, wondering what Yoda was planning to do with that knowledge of his.
Master Yoda smiled, turning back to his chair. "Great! Now, translate the text from Anakin's eyes, you will!" He commanded, chuckling.
Some of the Council's members were on their toes. They knew the Kroïdu was difficult to translate while looking at the text. Now, to translate it from someone else's point of view, that seemed close to impossible. But Anakin and Obi-Wan apparently shared the same mind. Maybe this would be different.
Obi-Wan looked over at his former apprentice. No wonder he was confused looking at the text in front of him. Anakin looked panicked, though. "What the kriff, Master? I don't even speak that langua- whatever that is!" He whispered in their bond.
"Just send me the images, I'll do my best..." Obi-Wan replied, closing his eyes to help him to concentrate.
The symbols appeared in his mind. Thank the Force, it was only 2 sentences. He read them aloud in the Core language. It was easier that he thought. Nodding, Master Yoda went to Anakin and took the paper back. He then walked to the display and placed the text in a slot on the side. Seconds later, an hologram of the text appeared in the center. Some of the Council members flinched at how complicated the text seemed. Smiling, Yoda pressed a button, and the text translated into the Core language, revealing the exact words Obi-Wan just said a minute ago.
"Incredible..." Master Plo Koon whispered, not believing his eyes.
"Indeed!" Master Shaak Ti exclaimed.
Master Kolar was in awe, too. But he still had one thing to ask. "Master Yoda, how does this...bond... solves our fear of loss problem?" He asked, concerned.
"That bond, forever, it remains. Even with one of the two individual dead." Master Yoda declared. He now explained how he tested that theory with Anakin and Obi-Wan, with the help of the most powerful vital suppressors he could find. He also explained that the holocron mentioned that the ritual could be performed between a Force Sensitive and a Non-Force Sensitive.
Master Windu stood in the center of the room, beside the display. "With all those proofs in our hands, I think it is time that we cast a vote, dear colleagues." He commanded. In order to pass the reform, they needed to have approval from 80% of the Council's members. "All of those in favor, raise your hand."
First, Master Windu, Master Yoda, Anakin and Obi-Wan raised their hands. They were followed closely by Master Plo Koon, Master Shaak Ti, and Master Fisto. Master Tiin shook his head. He would never approve this. Master Mundi, after a time of reflexion, raised his hand too. Master Kcaj declined. All heads turned to Master Kolar. The reform would pass if he approved. If not, the project would be abandoned. Anakin felt himself becoming really nervous. Master Kolar didn't seemed to love the idea from the beginning.
But surprisingly, he raised his hand too. "Aye!" He shouted.
The reform was approved.
That evening, every single Jedi was standing in the great hall of the Temple. Younglings, initiates, Padawans, Jedi Knights and Masters. Master Windu was standing in front of the stage, with all the Council members standing behind him. Right in front of Master Windu, the large book of the Jedi Code was placed, opened at Commandment 73. He was to read the commandments of the new reform to the entire Temple.
Attachment shall make a Jedi stronger if handled correctly.
Any Jedi who wished to pursue attachment, with another Jedi or any other life-form, shall pass by the Trials of Attachments beforehand.
Only Jedi Knights and Jedi Master may pursue attachment.
Any Jedi who fails those Trials will not be granted permission for attachment.
A Jedi who succeeds in those Trial will need the Council's blessing afterwards.
A ritual, a marriage of the mind shall be performed between the two individual, Force sensitive or not.
Any Jedi who pursues attachment without passing by the Trials, after failing the Trials or without the Council's blessing will be expelled from the Jedi Order.
Any Jedi who puts the life of a loved one before the greater good shall be expelled from the Jedi Order.
"Tonight, my brothers and sisters, is the beginning of a new Era for the Order. With the reform, the Order shall become as strong as it once stood. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Order 74!" Master Windu declared to an applauding audience.
The paper he was holding, containing the commandments, lit up and went to place itself on top of Commandment 73 in the Jedi Code.
Anakin was running. He had difficulties to contain his joy. They didn't need to hide anymore. When he reached the hangar, he jumped in his personal cockpit, flying towards Padme's quarters.
When he arrived, the babies were already asleep. Padme was standing in front of a window. Anakin didn't think twice and went to kiss his wife passionately. Padme, under the sudden assault of her lips, smiled and laughed. "Well, you certainly look good. What's going on?" She asked, caressing Anakin's cheek.
Anakin smiled, tears of joy appearing in his eyes. "Would you marry me again?"
