Author's Note: I had hoped to publish both the two remaining chapters at the same time, but I've decided to hold back the final chapter for a few more revisions so it will be coming shortly hereafter. As always, thank you all so much for your reviews! They are always much appreciated. Also, special thanks to XxRandom NemesisxX for reviewing this fanfic so frequently :) I'll be truly sad to see this fanfic end, as this has been such a joy to write and to share my story with everyone.

Chapter Eight:

Anakin paced the halls of the Jedi Temple, his long, dark cloak billowing behind him. He nervously readjusted his collar for the twelfth time, while awaiting his meeting with Master Yoda to take place.

It had been 24 hours since Anakin and Obi-Wan had returned to Coruscant. Upon Anakin's arrival at the capital, the Jedi confiscated his lightsaber – which was no more than Anakin had anticipated – and confined him to the Jedi Temple until Master Yoda determined his fate.

Anakin had been so eager to take down Palpatine for several reasons. One was of course for redemption of his evil actions. To hopefully be forgiven by the Jedi, or if not at least as a way of apology. But secondly, and probably more importantly, he did it for his personal revenge.

If there was something that he hated more than betrayal and distrust it was being used. For all of those years, Palpatine had pretended to be Anakin's friend. To always have the young Jedi's best interests at heart. And true, it did indeed seem to be that way. Palpatine played his part well as Anakin's father figure that he never had. Throughout his years as a padawan learner, Palpatine gave him encouragement where the Jedi didn't see fit. Gave him courage which boosted his arrogance, and worst of all – comforted him where he should not have been comforted. After Anakin had done something he knew was wrong, his guilty conscious would win him over and he had to confess to someone of his wrong actions. Obi-Wan would always be too hard on him, and as Anakin thought, he could never understand. But Palpatine always could understand – he always did. He fed into Anakin's emotions, ones that were not characteristic for a Jedi, and were definitely not something to be encouraged. He taught Anakin to use his feelings, which was entirely against Obi-Wan's teachings, something which Anakin partly was fond of. As a result, he became quite defiant against his master, and slowly over time, began to see him to be more of a hindrance to him rather than a help.

Looking back on it now, Anakin could see how his own foolishness allowed his mind to be twisted by the dark side, but he couldn't help but share some, or perhaps most of the blame with Palpatine. He had trusted him, and Palpatine took advantage of Anakin's trust and used him. Brainwashed him to see the ways of the Sith and turned him to the dark side, but not for Anakin's benefit, for his own… That was always how Palpatine worked. He only wanted something if he could receive benefit from it somehow.

Anakin knew revenge was wrong. Jedi did not take revenge, but this was different. Palpatine deserved to pay, and besides he was the great, dark lord of the Sith that needed to be stopped. So looking at it from a certain point of view, Anakin did nothing wrong, but had actually taken action as any Jedi would have… Or at least from the twisted perspective that Anakin preferred to view it from. Now it just all depended on what Yoda's intake on it would be. Whether what Anakin had done would be enough for his pardoning, he just couldn't guess.

"You certainly look down, for a man that just destroyed a might Sith lord."

Anakin turned around to find Obi-Wan climbing up the steps, approaching him. A familiar, warm smile across his face, his left arm casted and in a sling. That arm had saved his life, the doctor had told Anakin. Had he fallen many other ways, that forty-foot fall would've taken his life.

Anakin grinned at his former master. "And you wouldn't? For a man that is about to be executed, that is." Anakin asked.

If Obi-Wan was concerned, he didn't let it show as he cupped his hand around Anakin's shoulder.

"Let's see what happens first," Obi-Wan said. "then we'll worry about that execution later. I'll be in the meeting, and you can count on it that I'll do whatever I can to convince Master Yoda otherwise."

"Thank you,"

"You're very welcome, my friend. Now, let's go. We don't want to be late."

"Right."

The two entered the room where the old council meetings would be held. Since there was no longer a council they decided to hold this important discussion in there, as back in the day that was where any discussion of importance would be held.

Yoda was seated in the center of the row of seats, with the remaining few Jedi to his left. He looked Anakin up and down with a critical eye.

Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed.

"So you have returned, I see. Your trip went successfully, I hear?" Yoda inquired.

"Yes, Master Yoda. We have destroyed the Sith lord – Or I should say, Anakin destroyed him." Obi-Wan said, offering Anakin a weak smile.

"Anakin, destroyed the Sith lord, did you?"

Anakin nodded. "Yes, master."

"Hmm,"

Anakin waited nervously as silence reigned the council room.

"Given this much thought, I have." Yoda said at last. "What you have done, Skywalker, is unpardonable. You had joined sides with the force of darkness, killed Jedi, including younglings… These actions bring great grief to my heart, and cannot be erased from my mind, or from history."

"I understand, master." Anakin replied.

Obi-Wan shifted uneasily.

"Master Yoda," He began gently. "Anakin hadn't committed these crimes on his own, he was persuaded by Chancellor Palpatine with lies. Surely he doesn't hold full responsibility."

"The only one responsible for one's actions is one's self." Yoda replied simply. "Palpatine seduced Anakin to the dark side, that is true. But Anakin should not have allowed himself to fall into his desires. Better control them, he must."

"Yes, Master Yoda, I do agree with you… However, Anakin regrets what he has done. He has proven it by going with me to destroy Palpatine. Something that wouldn't have been possible without his help. Please, Master Yoda, I think we should acknowledge the help that he has given us, and lighten his sentence for his betrayal." Obi-Wan said, growing aware of all the eyes of the council which rested upon him.

Yoda closed his eyes and leaned forward on his staff.

"My decision for Skywalker's fate, already determined it has been. I will not change it."

"He – " Faltered a young Jedi, one which had always been fond of Anakin since his early days as a padawan. "He did help us defeat Palpatine, which we never could've managed to do on our own."

"Yes, that is right. Forever, my heart will be grateful to you." Yoda said esimply. "Master Obi-Wan, did you indeed see Palpatine perish?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "I saw him fall."

"And he was dead?"

"Yes, master."

Anakin knew this was a blatant lie. Obi-Wan had been unconscious during the time of Palpatine's death, and had remained so until they left the spaceship. He hadn't seen Palpatine die, but had only taken Anakin's word for it. Obi-Wan trusted him, this is what Obi-Wan was proving now.

Yoda grunted, observing Anakin critically.

"And how did you end the Sith Lord's life?" He asked.

Anakin recounted the events which transpired within the spaceship, with Obi-Wan adding in occasionally. Once they were finished, Yoda tapped his staff lightly on the ground.

"So, you two had quite an adventure, so it sounds." Yoda paused thoughtfully. "And now, your fate, Skywalker. You have done well, and have proven your loyalty to the Jedi once more."

"Thank you,"

"Therefore you have passed my test."

Anakin looked up. "Test, master?"

Yoda grunted again. "A test to prove your loyalty – and strength. Full opportunity you had to return to the dark side and end up victorious, escaping execution. Had you done this, rejoicing right now, we would not. Dark times would fall over the galaxy, and the republic would be no more. Instead, however, you chose to stay true to your promise, you had. Therefore you had shown to us the true intentions of your heart. You have been accepted as a Jedi once more. You do this once again, however, forgive you I will not."

Anakin let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding.

"You mean, you're pardoning me?"

"Yes,"

"I-I don't know what to say. I am overwhelmed by your generosity, master."

"Another decision I have made." Yoda glanced over towards Obi-Wan, who raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. "Rebuild the council, I must. Therefore, granting you the rank of Master is in order."

Anakin was lost for words.

"Anakin? A Master?" Obi-Wan said in disbelief, looking from Anakin to Yoda.

Yoda closed his eyes, resting both hands on his staff.

"Qualified he is for this status." Yoda answered. "A true Jedi, he has proven to be."

Obi-Wan nodded, while Anakin bowed his head low, eyes darting back and forth across the persian rug. A Master. Definitely not something that he had envisioned. The fact that he'd be pardoned was one thing, becoming a master was entirely another. He couldn't wait to tell Padme. Padme…

He had no idea how she was doing now – He didn't even know if she had made it back to Naboo safely. Anakin hoped that the empire hadn't gotten to her first.

Then the thought of Palpatine's parting threat rung through his head once more. As empty as he knew the threat was, he couldn't stop thinking about it. What had Palpatine meant? Should he mention it to the Jedi, or Padme? No, that would be silly. Palpatine was dead, there was nothing he could do to harm them now. Still, the thought continued to haunt him, and probably would for a long time to come.

Despite his fears, Anakin couldn't keep from grinning as he thanked Master Yoda for his new rank as 'master'.

"Use it wisely, Master Skywalker." Yoda said in his gravelly voice. "Do not abuse it."

"I won't, master. Thank you."

Yoda grunted, then turned his attention back towards the other Jedi.

"Each and every one of you is to be congratulated for your amazing efforts during these dark, trying times. Foresee each one of you to become a master in time, I do. But for now, have patience. Focus, learn to use the force, you will." Yoda told them. "I also foresee our presence needed in rebuilding the Republic, I do. Must be prepared, we must."