Hi, thanks for the reviews. I may tidy chapter 8 up at some point, but for now, here's chapter 9. Anakin comes clean to Ahsoka and Katooni and the council finally makes a decision, but what does Ahsoka request?
The Order Redeems: Chapter 9 – The Council Decides
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker walked into the halls of healing. They had just handed Admiral Tarkin to temple security; thanks to Anakin's persuasion, Tarkin had composed and signed a written confession about raping Ahsoka. They were here to make sure Ahsoka got to see Tarkin's apology. They both knew it was vital for Ahsoka's recovery. They arrived to see Ahsoka lying in bed and Katooni sitting next to her. Both girls were glued to the holonet projector that Katooni had brought in.
"…we bid you all good night and may the Force be with you."
Ahsoka beamed as she witnessed Palpatine being brought down; the council had listened to her, they'd actually listened. She was overcome; the council had finally showed her some trust and acted on what her visions had said. As she began to cry tears of joy, she noticed Anakin and Obi-Wan walk into the room. "Anakin, Master Kenobi; they listened, they actually listened to me. Darth Sidious is dead." Tears continued to well up in Ahsoka's eyes; it was clear her emotions were uncontrolled.
"That is excellent news Snips" Anakin exclaimed as he ran and embraced Ahsoka "Master Kenobi and I have got more good news for you."
"What?" Ahsoka was full of joy for the first time in over a month.
"We have arrested Tarkin" Obi-Wan moved to stand close to Katooni "Anakin….er…convinced him to sign a confession."
"What did Tarkin do Master?" Katooni asked. She had a feeling that it wasn't good whatever it was.
Ahsoka decided to answer since she knew Anakin could be a little blunt with things "He did something to me Katooni" Ahsoka looked down "Something you're too young to understand; something I hope you will never have to understand."
"Oh" Katooni uttered. Katooni instantly understood what Ahsoka meant; she had had biology lessons in the temple after all "I'm so sorry Ahsoka; I didn't know you had been raped." Katooni started to cry.
Anakin knelt down next to Katooni "I'm sorry you heard this Katooni. Ahsoka is right; you are too young to fully understand, but what happened to Ahsoka was terrible and demeaning and Tarkin will pay for defiling her; the council will see to that. We will talk about this Katooni I promise. I don't want this upsetting you."
Obi-Wan couldn't help but be impressed both by Anakin and Ahsoka. Ahsoka was showing wisdom and calmness way beyond her years, despite the delicate state her mental health was obviously in and Anakin was showing a level of teaching ability that Obi-Wan believed that he himself could never reach. Obi-Wan then spoke "Ahsoka, Admiral Tarkin has recorded something for you. I promise you will want to watch it."
With slight reluctance, Ahsoka nodded. Obi-Wan brought out a small holo projector and pressed play. A slightly dishevelled Admiral Tarkin appeared. Ahsoka smirked when she noticed this; Anakin had obviously had a little fun with him.
"I am recording this message to the former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano. I want to sincerely apologise to you for what has occurred to you. I see now that I accused you in error and that you were imprisoned illegally. This is unacceptable and I take full responsibility for your false imprisonment. I am very pleased that the truth has now been found and the true culprit is now in custody.
I also want to formally apologise for my treatment of you in your cell. I now see that raping any woman is unjustified especially a prisoner. Now you are free, I hope you can recover from your ordeal and I hope and pray I haven't damaged you permanently. I admit, I thought you would be an easy girl to rape as you would most likely be executed; I am pleased that I was wrong. I want you know Ahsoka that I have signed a confession and expect to be punished by the Jedi Council and the Law.
I will now sign off; what do you Jedi say? Oh yes… May the Force be with you."
Ahsoka instantly burst out in tears as the recording shut down. She sobbed uncontrollably but turned to Obi-Wan and Anakin; she smiled between the tears "Thank you. I never thought he would be brought to justice."
Katooni was in tears also "I hope the council feed him to a starving rancor."
Anakin had to laugh at Katooni's response; he had a similar hope himself "Well said my young padawan."
Obi-Wan smiled but he knew they were here for a sadder reason as well "Anakin, do you think you should tell them now?"
Anakin nodded "Yes I should I suppose."
"Tell us what Master?" Katooni asked.
Anakin swallowed then began "Ahsoka, Katooni. I've got to come clean to you both. There's a very high possibility that I will be expelled from the Order later today."
Katooni's crying intensified. Barely controlling her tears she asked "Why?"
Ahsoka leaned back on her pillow; she had an idea what was coming. She had suspected for a while and after Anakin told her he understood about her leaving she was certain she was right.
"I have told the council that I'm married to Senator Padmé Amidala." Anakin pulled Katooni into a hug "I couldn't keep my secret anymore. I want you to know Katooni that I am glad you are my padawan, but I must make a stand. The Order must change."
"I knew it" Ahsoka muttered. She was happy that Anakin had someone but she felt very sorry for Katooni. Confessing to the council wasn't one of Anakin's best ideas in her view; he could've easily kept it hidden. However, Ahsoka agreed that the Jedi Code definitely needed altering.
"What will happen to me?" Katooni asked as she pressed herself against Anakin; her world had come crashing down. She truly believed she was going to lose her new master.
"Master Kenobi has agreed to take you as his padawan if I get expelled Katooni. You will be trained; I wouldn't have made this decision if you would have been left stranded."
Sniffing away tears, Katooni nodded "When will you know?"
"I guess the council are discussing it as we speak. We will know soon I dare say" Obi-Wan said with sadness. Obi-Wan wasn't sure that he could keep going; first Ahsoka left the order now it was likely Anakin was gone as well. "Just have wait I suppose."
-0-0-0-0-0-
Two hours later a youngling walked into Ahsoka's room in the halls of healing.
"Petro" Katooni ran and hugged him.
"Hi Katooni" he responded "I heard you got picked as a padawan."
"Have you been picked yet?" she asked.
He shook his head, but smiled when he saw Ahsoka "Hi Ahsoka."
"Hi Petro" Ahsoka smiled. "It's good to see you."
Petro looked around "I'm actually here to tell Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi that the council are ready for them. Master Windu asked me to convey the message. I guess you should come as well Katooni."
All three Jedi nodded. "I'll see you later Ahsoka, whatever the outcome" Anakin said.
"Good luck Master" Ashoka responded. The three Jedi followed Petro out of the room and headed to the council chamber. Now alone, Ahsoka wondered what the outcome would be, she wasn't very optimistic; the council hadn't given her any reason to be. At least she could spend more time with Anakin if he was expelled.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Anakin, Katooni and Obi-Wan stood outside the council doors. Obi-Wan assumed he wasn't called to take part in the discussion because he had already given his view on the matter. He was glad really; the last thing he needed was a heated discussion with Mace Windu.
"Enter you all may." Even through the doors Master Yoda's voice was business like.
Anakin, Katooni and Obi-Wan entered the council chamber. Anakin had to hand it to the council masters; there was no indication of their decision on any of their faces. How could they be so cold and emotionless? Nevertheless, Anakin decided to be gracious and accept his fate; after all expulsion wasn't so bad; he would be free. Moving to the centre of the room he bowed "Masters."
"Given us much to discuss you have" Master Yoda's tone of voice was surprisingly joyful "Taken us a long time this has."
Master Windu then spoke "I want you to know Skywalker" Mace spoke with a certain air of contempt "I my view you have acted irresponsibly and have let your emotions rule your judgement."
Master Shaak Ti couldn't take this anymore; she was normally so serene, but on this occasion, she was annoyed "Master Windu. May I remind you that Skywalker's emotions are the only reason that Ahsoka is still alive and therefore the only reason we have just been able to defeat Darth Sidious. We treated Ahsoka shamefully because we were so obsessed with the code and the senate."
Swallowing some of his pride Master Windu responded "I have made errors with young Tano. I do admit that now. Maybe some change is required." He lowered his head. For the first time anyone can remember, Master Windu looked slightly broken.
"Young Skywalker" Master Mundi spoke with a slight air of discomfort "You cut me down earlier today with a statement that was flippant and underhand" he lowered his head "but I can't disagree with its meaning. I was being hypocritical. Whatever the reason is, I do have five wives and therefore I cannot really justify criticising you on this matter."
Master Plo Koon then spoke up "Before we deliver the final decision I just want to say that this whole situation has hurt me immensely just as Master Kenobi said. I admit myself that I do have an attachment to Little 'Soka. I will never forgive myself for not supporting her more during those unfortunate events. In many ways, I blame myself for her current condition. Since I have myself broken the code to some degree, it would be hypocritical of me also to criticise you. That is the reason I voted the way I did."
Anakin was surprised by how this was going. He could sense similar feelings from most of the council members. He was beginning to wonder exactly what the council's decision was.
Master Yoda delivered the final verdict. What he said shocked everyone "Punished young Skywalker will not be. Sanction your marriage this council does. Altered the code will be. Allow marriage and relationships we now do. Make an official statement latter tonight the Jedi Order will."
A massive beaming smile spread across Anakin's face "Thank you Masters."
Obi-Wan and Katooni both moved to Anakin "Well done Anakin. I'm proud of you; you will make a far better master one day than I will ever be. Tell Padmé I'm glad you have each other and that she now has the entire Jedi Order behind her."
Katooni was delighted; she still had her master and she could look forward to falling in love maybe. She smiled at that thought "Congratulations Master" she exclaimed as she hugged him.
"Congratulate Padmé Skywalker we must" Master Yoda stated.
"Why?" Obi-Wan asked.
"She has been elected as the new chancellor" replied Master Windu "We heard about it ten minutes ago."
Anakin stood with wide eyes "What?" he again broke out with a smile. "Masters, may Katooni and I be excused? We need to check on Ahsoka's status with the healers and I need to congratulate my wife."
"Dismissed you both are but need Master Kenobi we do. Write the official announcement this council must."
Anakin and Katooni bowed and turned to leave when Master Plo spoke "I'm coming with you. I need to visit Little 'Soka; I must try to repair some of the damage that has been done to her. Writing statements isn't my strong point anyway." He stood up and followed Anakin and Katooni out of the door.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Ahsoka was surprised when she sensed Anakin, Katooni and Master Plo approach her room. Ahsoka hadn't actually used the Force much since she left the Order; she wasn't sure she could fully trust herself to do so, but she still paid attention to the feelings she got through the Force. She could sense that Anakin was delighted; did that mean….? Just as she asked herself the question, the three Jedi entered her room.
"Good evening Little 'Soka" Master Plo tried to sound as happy as he could.
"Co to yar Master Plo" Ahsoka responded; for some reason she just couldn't bring herself to be mad.
Master Plo smiled at Ahsoka's response. It was the first sign of the old Ahsoka that had been seen in over a month. "How are doing?"
"I'm doing ok Master Plo but I keep breaking down with emotions. At least the healers are feeding me good. I've got almost unlimited access to food." Ahsoka turned to Anakin "So….What was the outcome?"
Anakin beamed "I have been allowed to stay Ahsoka."
"That's great Anakin" Ahsoka smiled "I was worried for you."
"It's actually better than that. The code has been changed. The council have allowed attachments."
Ahsoka was stunned "Wow. It's about time. It would take me walking away to convince them wouldn't it? Typical!"
Master Plo was hurt by Ahsoka's attitude but he couldn't blade her "Ah Little 'Soka what can we do to make it up to you? What can we do to repair some of the damage done to you?"
Ahsoka winced; she hadn't seen this coming but there was one thing that still deeply upset her: Barriss. Ahsoka asked "Master Plo, what has happened to Barriss?"
Master Plo sighed "Padawan Offee has been tried. She is to be executed next week."
Ahsoka swallowed hard; as much as Barriss had betrayed her, Ahsoka couldn't allow this "Master Plo. Can I see Barriss? I know she's not herself; it's not her but the dark side in her that has done those things. Please Master Plo, I think I can redeem her; turn her back to light. I've got to save her."
"Save her?" Questioned Anakin "But, she betrayed you; betrayed all of us."
"I know Anakin, but I have got to try. I will lose my own soul completely if I don't. I don't want anyone else to die; Barriss was my best friend; I can't abandon her."
"We must allow this" Master Plo mumbled to himself "If you believe you can turn her back to the light Little 'Soka then I will speak to the council. For now rest Little 'Soka. You have earned it."
"Thank you and goodnight Master Plo." Ahsoka smiled.
"Goodnight Little 'Soka" Master plo bowed and walked out of the room. 'I must speak to the council and Master Unduli' he thought to himself.
Anakin said "I must go myself Snips. Padmé has been elected chancellor and I must go and ahem congratulate her."
Ahsoka rolled her eyes; she knew exactly what Anakin was going to Padmé for "Night master tell her well done from me. Night Katooni."
"Night Padawan Tano" Katooni replied. Both Jedi left Ahsoka's room. Ahsoka couldn't believe it; the Jedi Council have allowed attachments? She never thought she'd see the day but she was delighted; Tarkin was in custody, Palpatine was dead and her former Master was still a Jedi. Ahsoka smiled; maybe there would be a good outcome to all this after all but she did begin to dread the loneliness she would go back to on Shili.
Well that's chapter 9. A slightly longer chapter his time; I hope you all like. Next Chapter; will the council allow Ahsoka to try and turn Barriss back and what will happen if they do? What will Master Luminara Unduli make of it?
