Anakin's POV

Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and I were walking up the steps of the Jedi temple to my demise. Not really my demise, but to my Jedi Council Session, so my demise in a way. It had been a week since my hearing at the Senate and because of the double jeopardy laws, I was forever a free man. I could not believe that after the life I had lived I was able to work with Obi-Wan, mentor Ahsoka, and go home to Padme like nothing ever happened. Palpatine may have ruined my life, but not my after life. Until today, now Yoda gets his revenge.

"Calm down Anakin," Obi-Wan said.

"I'm not doing anything," I said.

I try to focus on my breathing but my heart was thumping in my chest. I was so nervous about what the council would sentence me to: imprisonment, slavery, torture? I deserved all of it. They would not kill me, that much I knew.

"Relax, Skyguy," said Ahsoka. "Even I can feel how tense you are. Seriously, the council just wants to talk to you and then we will be home by lunch. 'Kay?"

"If you say so."

After waiting a little while in the antechamber, which made me more nervous, we eventually were lead into the Chamber of the High Council. We all bow together, and I felt my breathing become a little uneven.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ashoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker," said Ki-Adi-Mundi, "May the force be with you."

"May the force be with you master," I replied.

"How feel you?" said Yoda.

"Sore. But nothing I can't handle," I said.

"How is Padme?" asked Shaak Ti.

That took me by surprise, and I almost reached for my lightsaber. What do they want with Padme? She had done nothing wrong.

I felt my anger rising up when their was suddenly a hand on me. "Padme is glad that Anakin is with us and that Luke and Leia are safe. She is fine master thank you for asking," said Obi-Wan.

The anger in me calmed down. They were just asking to be polite it seems. But, they have never asked to just be polite, something is up.

"A disturbance there is in the force," said Master Yoda, "feel it we all can. Strong are the sith now that Sidious joins them."

I close my eyes and try to focus. "They want me," I said.

The whole room stirred. Ashoka came close to me and grabbed my hand. She gave it a tight squeeze, and I squeezed back.

"Please protect Padme and my mother no matter what," I said looking at Obi-Wan.

"Well, We need to protect the galaxy from Vader," said Eeth Koth. "Maybe the senate was wrong and he needed to be locked up."

The room erupted into an argument which was interesting because I had never seen the masters argue. Ashoka looked like she was going to go for Koth's throat and Obi-Wan was holding her back. I was trying not to look utterly dumbfounded that the masters were not completely poised about a position. I wished twenty year old me could have seen this.

"Anakin," came a woman who was a Chalactan in a loud clear voice. The room feel quiet at her tone. "My name is Depa Billaba. I would like to express gratitude from all of the council to restoring balance to the force. You really proved you are the chosen one, as Qui-Gon is constantly reminding us. Also, I am so sorry that you endured so many hardships during your life, and the Jedi and the force were unable to stop it. I can't imagine the pain of losing, a mother, or a spouse, or a child, and having to deal with it on your own with no guidance because you felt like you could not talk to anyone. Finally, I am extremely sorry that we took a hurting and confused twenty three year old boy and asked him to spy on a Sith. We were so blinded by the war that you had become a soldier and a spy when you were just trying to learn how to be a young man. We made the dark side seem like it was the only way, and that condemned you. Please understand no matter what you decide we will always care for Padme and Shmi and you, and Luke and Leia when they get here, for that matter. We love you and respect you and we are sorry we made you feel like that was something you had to earn."

I just stood there for a minute, dumbfounded. I proved I was the chosen one? They loved me? I had earned their respect? They were going to take care of my family?

I took a deep breath and turned to Master Bilaba, maybe she would get it. I told her what I was too afraid to tell other Jedi even Obi-Wan. "As I trained," I said, "I grew in the force and I could see things happen. Future things that would help me in podracing, and piloting. But then I saw bad things happen like people being tortured to death. I thought if I got enough power I could stop it from happening, but a Jedi can not pursue power only a Sith can. I never meant for people to get hurt, but when I woke up a sith on Mustafar, Padme was dead and…"

"And you did not care who you hurt anymore."

I nodded my head. She understood, finally someone other than Palpatine understood why I made my decision. It was a horrible decision, but I had my reasons, and somebody understood.

"I would like to propose an idea," Bilaba said. "Anakin would be allowed back into the order, and continued to be the head of his household, in whatever form that looked like. His status would be full Jedi Knight, but he would come and train with Master Yoda, Windu, Kenobi, and I. Each of us would work with him to guide him and train him to recognize Palpatine or any other Sith Lord and train him to resist the darkness."

"What guarantee do you have that this training will work, will he resist the dark side?" asked Master Poof.

"No guarantee, life offers," Yoda interjected. "Darkness always. Light Always. Constant Battle their is."

"The more training in the ways of the force he gets," said Obi-Wan. "The better he will be at recognizing the dark ways of the Sith."

"With all due respect masters," I said, "I can recognize the sith arts well. It is resisting them that I will need help with. I need more training in the Jedi arts that somehow allows me to understand what it means to be a Jedi. Palpatine twisted me up, I need to be 'untwisted'." I shook my head, that sounded so stupid to say to the Jedi Counsel.

"Clear your mind is Skywalker," said Master Yoda. "Humble you have become."

"What do you suggest?" asked Mace Windu turning towards Bilaba.

"Well. There are four pillars to the dark side: fear, power, greed, and hate. So I would suggest that Anakin train in peace, serenity, temperance, and love. I think there are four of us who can help you with that Master Windu, Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, and myself. What do you think Master Yoda?"

"Well thought, this plan is," he said, "Agree, do you, Chosen one?"

"Yes," I said. I would do anything to keep Padme safe.