"You are on this council, but we do not grant you the rank of master..." the phrase continued to echo in the head of Anakin Skywalker. The young Jedi knight was still in the same seat he had taken in that fateful meeting earlier. That damned Windu has always had something against me, even when I have given everything to this order! What am I doing? Why am I giving so much to these people when I get nothing but disdain in return?!As Anakin was about to answer his question, a familiar voice forced him out of his thoughts.
"Anakin, there you are!" Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi signaled to his former padawan. "What is it, master Kenobi?" Anakin responded with a formal and sarcastic tone. "Formality is not like you Anakin, is there something we need to discuss?" Obi-Wan inquired respectfully.
"As a matter of fact, we do, my master" Anakin felt his frustrations beginning to boil over, "Well, don't keep me in suspense, what is it?" Obi-Wan placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder. Anakin quickly brushed Kenobi's hand away "Don't act as if nothing happened! You left me in the lurch during the council meeting! I thought you had my back"!
"Is that what this is about? Anakin, one does not become a Jedi master by the appointment of a politician" Obi-Wan arranged his words carefully to not further escalate the situation.
"At this point I could care less about being a Jedi Master! What I am hurt and angry about is the fact that you didn't stick up for me during the meeting"! Tears began trailing down Anakin's cheeks.
Obi-Wan was conflicted about his silence during the meeting. He valued Anakin's friendship, they were like brothers after all. However, Obi-Wan also valued the Jedi code and believed in the judgment of the other masters.
"Anakin, my duty is to the Jedi Order and the council, I cannot allow my personal feelings to cloud my judgment! we must follow the Jedi code!" Anakin was at his breaking point, here he was, bearing his soul to the man who was the closest thing he had to a father and all he could do was talk about the Jedi code. In all his anger and pain a revelation came to the young knight, no matter how much he and Obi-Wan went through, Obi-Wan would always value his seat on the council and the Jedi code more than their friendship.
"Well, you know what? I'm sick of the Jedi code, I'm sick of the Jedi Council, the Jedi Order, and recently, you"! Anakin wiped the tears from his face as he looked at his former master in the eyes. Obi-Wan was floored by Anakin's revelation, feeling the sting of his padawan's words Obi-Wan dropped his composure for a moment "How can you say that?! You are a member of the Jedi order! More importantly, you are the chosen one, the one who is destined to bring balance to the force"!
"Oh, here we go with the chosen one garbage again! The same old vague prophecy that for all I know was made up by the council! like the majority of the things you and they tell me"! Obi-Wan stood quietly with his brows furrowed as Anakin continued unloading his frustrations to the Jedi Master.
"And as for being a member of the order, I regret my choice of joining! I left the only person that cared for me behind and now she's dead, all because of your precious Jedi code"! Obi-Wan could not believe his ears, he never expected this from Anakin.
"I am very sorry about the death of your mother Anakin I truly am! But as Jedi, we must let go of our attachments in order to be objective peacekeepers"! Anakin chuckled ironically at his master's remark.
"Letting go of attachments, right, as you did with your love for dutchess Satine, or Master Qui gon Jinn, or your precious seat on the Jedi council"!
"That's enough Anakin! That has nothing to do with what we are talking about! You were not granted the rank of Jedi master because the council does not answer to the supreme chancellor, regardless of his executive powers! Your explosive temper and disregard for the rules of the order also do not help your cause in becoming a Jedi master"! Anakin gave Obi-Wan a look of disgust and said nothing.
"Now, if you are done, there is some serious business that you and I have to discuss. Don't forget we have a war that we need to win!"
"Spit it out already then" Anakin responded as he began tempering himself.
"The council suspects that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is somehow involved with the sith lord we have been searching for. We, therefore, believe it is crucial for you to..."
"Spy on him?" Anakin responded bluntly cutting the Jedi Master off. "Anakin you are the only member of the Jedi council that has direct access to the chancellor, we must follow this lead, this could bring an end to the sith once and for all"! Anakin felt dejected as he heard the man whom he always idolized talk of such dishonest and manipulative tactics. It was at that very moment that Anakin had enough, the last 3 years had been hell, he had lost so much and his choice was clear.
"As you and the masters wish. I am assuming there will be a council meeting tomorrow where this will be addressed?" Anakin asked coldly. "Yes, the details of the operation will be discussed tomorrow, don't be late, Anakin" Anakin nodded, he then turned and left the council chamber without another word.
Anakin entered the High Council elevator in order to return to the main level of the Jedi temple. When reaching the main level, the clone wars veteran made his way to his private quarters. Once there, he sat on his bed and began meditating in order to observe his thoughts and to contemplate his next move.
All my life, I've felt trapped, whether it was being a slave or becoming a Jedi knight I never had any choice in the matter. I became a Jedi to free mom and now she's dead, what's the point of being a Jedi anymore? Ahsoka is gone too, leaving me alone in this glorified prison! Anakin knew that he had to leave the order and this war behind, his thoughts drifted towards Padme Amidala, his secret and now pregnant wife.
I should be caring for Padme and our child especially now that the nightmares have returned! But instead, I'm spending my time arguing with stubborn old men! I'll snap if I stay here any longer! From here on out, I write my own destiny and make my own decisions! tomorrow I'm leaving the Jedi order and this forsaken war behind me!