Hello all. Thank you all for the reviews; I'm glad this story is liked. Well, here is chapter 7. Ahsoka is taken into treatment and its Anakin's turn to tirade the council.
The Order Redeems: Chapter 7 – Anakin Makes a Play
It had been over twelve hours since they had left Ahsoka's shack on Shili, but finally, the Jedi Shuttle landed in the temple's docking bay. Obi-Wan Kenobi was relieved; Ahsoka was still conscious and seemed to be slightly happier than before. There was no doubt in the Jedi Master's mind however that Ahsoka had weeks, maybe even months of medical care and counselling ahead of her. After all that, he reasoned, it was extremely likely that Ahsoka would just go back to Shili and Obi-Wan couldn't blame her in the slightest.
Anakin Skywalker walked down the ship's ramp carrying Ahsoka. The ordeal that his former apprentice had gone through had sickened him but had potentially saved him. Her visions of Palpatine had broken Anakin free of the darkside and he was eternally grateful. It is for this reason that he had come to a decision. In a quiet moment on the ship, away from Katooni and Obi-Wan he had contacted his wife Padmé. He explained everything to her, including the fact that Obi-Wan now knew of their marriage. Sickened by the rape of Ahsoka, Padmé had finally agreed to Anakin's plan.
Katooni followed her master down the ramp and she was extremely relieved to be back at the temple. This mission had proven itself to be far harder than she had ever thought and far more emotional. At that moment, she began to understand why her master had been so attached and why the mission had been so important. Far from being dangerous, her master's attachment to Ahsoka had saved Ahsoka's life and maybe, just maybe brought her back into the Order although Katooni was being realistic; she knew that was unlikely, but she was hopeful.
In the time it had taken for a gurney and a healer to meet them, Ahsoka had drifted off to sleep, her lack of food sapping her energy. Anakin placed her on the gurney and then turned to his Padawan. "Katooni, can you go with the healers and watch over Ahsoka please? I need to know she's ok. I need to speak to Master Kenobi about something."
"Yes Master" Katooni bowed and followed the healer, taking one of Ahsoka's hands in her own.
"Anakin" Obi-Wan was suspicious "What do you want to talk about?" This was unlike Anakin; he was usually at his happiest with a lightsaber in his hand not talking.
Checking around, making sure no one could hear them Anakin answered "I've been speaking to Padmé Master. I can't do this anymore." Anakin gulped; he knew Obi-Wan would initially jump to conclusions.
"Anakin, you're not leaving after all this. Please tell me that's not the case" Obi-Wan was distraught.
"Master, I'm not leaving, but I am going to change this code and the council. I can't keep Padmé and me a secret any longer. I saw what secrets have done to Ahsoka's mental health. She will be in therapy for weeks. " Anakin began to tear up as he mentioned Ahsoka.
Obi-Wan was full of worry "Anakin, surely you're not going to tell the council about your marriage?" Anakin nodded. With wide eyes Obi-Wan continued "You'll be expelled Anakin. Why?"
"Because the council need to see that their precious code has almost brought the destruction of the Order instead of keeping it safe. The council need to see that they are so obsessed with keeping to a code that stops us being human that they have forgotten how to be Jedi in the first place." For the first time in his life, there was no malice or darkness in Anakin's words; he had come to this decision purely because he believed it.
Obi-Wan had to agree; he had come to the same conclusion himself. "I agree Anakin. The code needs to change, but why sacrifice yourself?"
"Master, it's the code that led to the council's coldness and lack of trust that forced Ahsoka away. How many more Jedi will they cast off for the sake of the code and public perception?" Anakin put a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder "I know they will probably expel me Master, but I'm doing this for all Jedi, so what happened to Ahsoka doesn't happen again. We need to be able to love, to feel so we can help and understand people better. I know you think I'm just thinking of myself, Padmé and Ahsoka Master, but I'm thinking of everyone. Every sentient being in this galaxy should have the right to feel and love; even you Master." Anakin was thinking clearer than he ever had in his life.
Obi-Wan was stunned; Anakin had never created such a reasoned argument before. Obi-Wan could sense that Anakin was not being selfish, he really was considering everyone. Obi-Wan realised that Anakin was right; the council's lack of compassion over the false accusations against Ahsoka must not happen again. The council must learn trust.
Obi-Wan sighed "You're right Anakin. I know myself what it's like to love, but have the code get in the way. There are times I wonder if Satine would have made it if I'd been allowed to be with her. I'm proud of you for this decision Anakin; you must have learnt it from Ahsoka, I certainly wasn't good enough to teach it you. I'll speak out in your defence Anakin."
"Thank you Master."
"Anakin, promise me one thing" Obi-Wan pointed straight at Anakin. "Promise me you will make them expel you if they rule against you. Don't walk out; make them make the decision. They will learn nothing if you walk."
"Yes Master and can you promise me one thing?" Anakin asked "Promise me you will train Katooni. I don't want her suffering."
"Of course Anakin" Obi-Wan agreed "Well, best get this over with I suppose." Both Jedi left the docking bay and headed for the council chamber.
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Anakin and Obi-Wan entered the council chamber. They noticed that many of the council members were present, though strangely, Master Windu was absent.
"Greetings Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker. A successful mission you have had yes. Shocked we were about Palpatine. Ahsoka's rape tragic that was" Master Yoda was trying to be happy, but his feelings told him something was about to happen "but something to tell us you have young Skywalker." It was statement rather than a question.
"Yes Master" Anakin paused for second; building up the courage "Masters, I have come to this council today to make a confession. A confession which has a purpose."
"A confession you say?" Master Yoda was intrigued; he could sense the change and lack of darkness in Anakin's force signature.
"Yes Master. I have hidden a secret from this council since the beginning of this war nearly three years ago. Seeing Ahsoka in the state she now is has made me realise I cannot keep it anymore."
"What secret?" asked Master Mundi.
"Masters" Anakin gulped "I'm married to Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo."
"What do you have to say for yourself Skywalker? You know you have broken our sacred code" snapped Master Saesee Tiin.
Anakin smirked; he'd been waiting for this. They asked for it; they were going to get it "Masters, I now know for a fact that the Code is wrong. It has led to such coldness within the Order that there is no trust here anymore. Ahsoka lying in the halls of healing in that state is proof of that. Masters, how can we be people, sentient beings, if we are not allowed of feel, not allowed to care for one another?"
"Attachments are dangerous Skywalker. You are proof of that" blasted Master Mundi.
"Says the guy that has five wives" Anakin returned triumphantly; Anakin was well aware of the reason Ki-Adi-Mundi was allowed his exception to the rule, but couldn't resist the comeback anyway even though he knew it was low. Master Mundi went silent and looked to the floor. Knowing he'd scored some kind of victory, Anakin continued "My point master is that forming attachments does not stop someone from being a Jedi, rather it makes them a better Jedi. I admit my statement to Master Mundi was underhand, but that was the point, Master Mundi has five wives and has served on this council for years."
Master Yoda was chuckling; he couldn't help but find Anakin's statement slightly amusing "Interesting this conversation is. Continue you will Master Skywalker."
"Masters, I ask this code be changed not because I am married. I am fully aware that I will be in all likelihood expelled from the Order, I accept that. Rather I ask this code be changed so that Ahsoka's situation can never happen again so that never again will a Jedi have his or her heart ripped in two if they find someone they connect with. Masters, the right to marry and form close relationships is granted to every sentient being in this galaxy except us." Anakin paused, both for breath and composure. "If I may be blunt, the Jedi Order is so fixed on the code that we have forgotten trust and friendship. We have forgotten what it is to just be Jedi."
"Hmmm a well stated argument you have made Skywalker" Master Yoda stated. He then looked at Obi-Wan "Something to say you have Master Kenobi?"
"Yes Master" responded Obi-Wan "If this would have come to light several months ago then I would have agreed that Anakin has broken the code, but not now. Masters, I admit that Ahsoka leaving the Order and being found in that state has affected me immensely. I now agree with Anakin that the code has left this order blind to feelings of trust and love. The look on Ahsoka's face as she told Anakin and me about Tarkin raping her will live with me till I die. It could have been avoided if we would have shown her some trust. Trust that the code and this war have taken from us. I understand that as Jedi we serve the Republic first, but we must remember close friends also."
"The code has been around for a thousand years Master Kenobi" stated Master Plo.
"Master Plo, you found Ahsoka as a youngling. I can sense the feeling of sadness and loss within you. Ahsoka's decision has affected you too, but you can't show it. You can't properly grieve. This is the point Anakin is trying to make." Obi-Wan then turned to the council as a whole "Masters, the code was created to stop attachments from sending Jedi to the darkside, but as you have all no doubt sensed, the darkness in Anakin has gone. It was his love for Padmé and Ahsoka that drove it out of him. May I remind you Masters, that it has also led to this council knowing that Palpatine is a Sith Lord."
"Hmmm need to discuss this the council do" Master Yoda began "but no time there is. Deal with Palpatine in the senate we must. Need the help of Skywalker's wife we do. Contact her we will. Gather all available Jedi we will. Make our decision over Skywalker after the council will."
Anakin then asked "Masters, as I said, I expect to be expelled. I have made peace with that and will accept it if that is the council's decision, but whilst you are dealing with Sidious, can I ask that I deal with Tarkin. I feel I owe Ahsoka that."
"Deal with him you can. Help you Master Kenobi will."
"Thank you Master Yoda" Anakin bowed, and headed out of the door followed by Obi-Wan. Once outside the door Anakin turned to Obi-Wan "Thank you for your back up Master."
"I consider you a brother Anakin and I am proud of your argument in there."
"Do you think they will listen Master?" Anakin asked.
"I don't know Anakin, but I wouldn't be too optimistic" Obi-Wan sighed "I think the council are too stubborn to listen to anyone but themselves."
"At least Master Windu wasn't there. He would have been a real problem" Anakin said.
"Yes, I sometimes wonder what's wrong with him" Obi-Wan laughed "Anyway Anakin, I think we should get Tarkin now."
Anakin gained an evil smirk on his face; if this was to be his last act as a Jedi, he was going to make it worthwhile. Tarkin was going to be sorry he ever accused Ahsoka in the first place much less raping her. Anakin decided he wasn't going to make it quick or easy for Tarkin. No, Tarkin was going to suffer like Ahsoka had, and Anakin was not going to fall to the darkside to do it; he had better control than that now.
Well, that's chapter 7. I really wanted to have Anakin unleash at the council. I hope you like it. Again Ideas and reviews welcome. Next chapter, Anakin and Obi-Wan scare the living bleep out of Admiral Tarkin and Palpatine gets a surprise he had never expected.
