"So they're dead," said Mace Windu, making sure that he understood what had happened on Mustafar. The Council meeting had been called immediately upon Anakin and Obi-Wan's return to Coruscant; it was imperative that they were debriefed while the events were still fresh in their minds.

"Right," Obi-Wan confirmed.

Mace still couldn't believe it. "All of them?"

"Yes, all of them," replied Anakin, fed up with Mace's continual skepticism. "I killed them. I killed them all! They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I hate them!" Anakin broke down in tears.

Obi-Wan reached over and patted Anakin on the back in a comforting gesture. "It's okay," he assured him. "I didn't really like the separatists, either. Was anyone else really bothered by the fact that Nute Gunray had no nose?"

Murmurs of assent came from around the room.

"You see, Anakin?" Obi-Wan continued. "You-"

"Oh, shut up," Anakin interrupted harshly. "It's all your fault, you know. You're holding me back!"

Obi-Wan bristled at the insult. "I am not!"

"Are too," Anakin argued stubbornly.

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"D-2."

"What?"

"Nothing."

The bickering stopped, and Mace Winduregained control of the meeting. "All of the separatist leaders are dead," he repeated yet again.

The other Council members were growing restless; even Yoda was becoming impatient with Mace's inability to get past that fact.

"Established that, we have," Yoda said gruffly.

"Oh. Right," said Mace. "So, what do we do now?"

There was a long, awkward pause as the Council members blinked and stared at each other.

Are you going to ask? Anakin mentally prompted Obi-Wan.

Ask what? Obi-Wan replied.

You know, about me becoming a Master, Anakin reminded him.

Oh. That.

Anakin grew impatient. Well?

I'll ask later, Obi-Wan told him.

That's okay, thought Anakin, I'm sure the Council would much rather hear about your little accident on Mufasa.

Mustafar.

Whatever.

Fine, I'll ask, you manipulative little son-of-a-

Of course, there would be nothing to prevent me from telling the Council about that particular incident after they made me a Master...

Obi-Wan changed his tune. Have I ever mentioned that you're the best apprentice I've ever had?

Well, I am the only apprentice you've ever had.

Which makes iteven more special.

That doesn't even make any sense.

Never mind.

"If no one has any other business, then..." said Mace Windu, ready to adjourn the meeting.

"Actually, I did want to mention something else," Obi-Wan interjected. "I think that Anakin's performance on this mission merits the rank of Jedi Master."

The other Council members sat in stunned silence for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Anakin asked indignantly.

"Too inexperienced, you are, young Skywalker," explained Yoda.

"Too inexperienced?" Anakin repeated in disbelief. "How many freakin' Sith Lords does a guy have to kill to get a promotion around here?"

"You are not old enough," Mace insisted. "And I really, really don't like you."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," said Obi-Wan. If Anakin didn't get to be a Master, he would tell the Council all about Obi-Wan's embarrassing mishap on Mustafar and Obi-Wan would become the laughingstock of the Jedi Order, which was something that he definitely did not want to happen.

"Well, excuse me if I don't think that having a few extra midi-chlorians is any reason for special privileges," Mace replied defensively.

"You're just jealous," Anakin blurted out. It took all of his willpower to refrain from rushing across the room and beating the crap out of Mace, but he knew that the Council would never make him a Jedi Master if he did that...

Obi-Wan sensed Anakin's anger and realized that he was about to reach his breaking point. He looked across the room at Mace and saw the veins popping out on his forehead, which meant that he was close to losing it as well. Obi-Wan knew that unless he acted quickly, he was about to be witness to the very first Jedi Council meeting catfight.

"Can't we just all be friends?" Obi-Wan pleaded desperately.

"I wanna be a Master!" Anakin whined.

Mace scoffed. "Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged," said Anakin darkly.

"Enough, that is," said Yoda, asserting his considerable authority. "Settle this matter democratically, we will."

"Good idea," agreed Obi-Wan. "All those in favor of making Anakin a Jedi Master, raise your hand."

About half of the Council members raised their hands, and Obi-Wan took a moment to count them.

"All those opposed, raise your hand," he instructed next.

The other Council members raised their hands; Obi-Wan counted those as well.

"It's a tie," he announced.

Sighs of exasperation were heard from around the room.

"Gee, what a brilliant plan," said Anakin sarcastically.

"I'll have none of that, Anakin," Obi-Wan scolded. "The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."

"Yeah, well, it didn't work," Anakin replied, stating the obvious. "Now what?"

Obi-Wan thought for a moment. "How about a contest?" he suggested. "If Anakin wins, he gets to be a Master. If Mace wins, Anakin doesn't get to be a Master."

"Great! What are we waiting for?" said Anakin, reaching for his lightsaber.

"Not that kind of contest," Obi-Wan hastily clarified.

"What did you have in mind?" wondered Mace.

Obi-Wan grinned craftily.

Man, I am just like a writing machine! Okay, so not really. I will probably be able to post tomorrow; I definitely will not be able to on Tuesday or Wednesday due to a brief family vacation. Sorry! Hopefully you can find it in your hearts to forgive me... Thank you TONS for all of the reviews; they make me very happy. Keep sending them in!-Luna