Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 8- Making the Case
Anakin takes a deep breath as he and Obi Wan prepare to enter the Council Chambers. Most of the Jedi Council that survived have returned to the Temple, including Yoda. Only Plo Koon hasn't been able to return yet, and will be attending via hologram on the Venator-class ship he's currently on.
"Easy, Anakin. We're going to try all we can to convince the Council," Obi Wan says. He pauses, then smiles a bit and says, "Even if you are thrown out of the Jedi, the Republic can always hire you as a military advisor." This makes Anakin chuckle.
"Alright, Master. Let's go," Anakin says. The two nod at each other before entering the Council chambers.
As they enter, they see the rest of the Council is assembled. Obi Wan and Anakin slowly make their way over to their seats and sit down. Everyone looks around, feeling a sense of sadness at seeing how the Council is down six members from the 15 members that were on the Council before Order 66 was issued.
"Good. Everyone is here. We can begin," Mace says.
Plo is the first to speak up. "I think all of us can say at this point that we are deeply saddened by the loss of life among the Jedi Order, and that it will take some time for us to recover from this terrible blow. However, we cannot afford to dwell on the losses we took. The Clone Wars are not yet over, and now that he has escaped, Palpatine is likely to take command of the Separatists personally."
"Agreed," Shaak Ti says.
Mace now speaks up. "First off, there's a matter of business we need to discuss immediately. We would not have knowledge of the former Chancellor's true identity without Skywalker. It was him that discovered the secret, and he valiantly led the defense of the Jedi Temple before becoming a crucial defense for the Jedi which convinced the Senate of the truth. I think it is fair to say that my previous distrust in you, Skywalker, was unfounded, and though your appointment to this Council was unconventional, you should not be punished for it. Therefore, I ask that this Council grant Anakin Skywalker the rank of Jedi Master."
Heads begin nodding around the circle. Obi Wan smiles at Anakin, but also sees the look on Anakin's face. Yoda sees this as well, and says, "Master Skywalker. Something to say, you have?"
Anakin wrestles with his emotions for a moment before he sighs and says, "Yes, Master Yoda. There's something I have to confess to the Council before you grant me any promotion." He pauses for a moment, then begins to explain.
"The reason Palpatine gave up his identity and secrets to me so easily was because he wanted me as his new apprentice because of my strength in the Force. The reason he thought he could do so was because he thought he had something I wanted desperately. Some time ago, he told me a story of a Sith Lord who supposedly discovered the secret of stopping people from dying."
Anakin pauses, then says, with a heavy heart, "The reason Palpatine thought that would mean something to me is not just because I failed to save my mother's life 3 years ago. The real reason…is because I am married."
The shock visibly ripples through the Council. Shaak Ti gasps out, "What? What did you say, Skywalker?"
"After the Battle of Geonosis, Senator Padme Amidala and I realized we both had strong romantic feelings for each other. After I escorted her home to Naboo, the two of us decided we couldn't keep those feelings to each other, and we were married. Since then, we have kept our relationship secret from everyone except some of her handmaids, our droids, and my clone captain, Rex."
Anakin sees members of the Council wanting to interrupt, but he continues, "Immediately after the Battle of Coruscant, my wife told me she was pregnant. Since then, I've had several nightmares about her dying in childbirth. I discussed this with Obi Wan a few hours ago, and he believes that there is a chance Palpatine created these nightmares intentionally. In any case, Palpatine attempted to use his identity as the Sith Master and the tale he told me of the Sith Lord who knew how to cheat death, to sway me to the dark side and becoming his apprentice. It was only the words of a friend to get me to snap out of Palpatine's influence."
Anakin pauses, then says, "I am telling all of you this now in part because of Obi Wan pressuring me to" drawing a slight scowl from Obi Wan, "but also because I feel after what happened, I can't keep it a secret anymore."
The Council is quiet for a few moments. Then, after several long moments of silence, Shaak Ti speaks up, saying, "That is quite a confession, Skywalker."
"I know," Anakin responds.
Mace now speaks up, "Despite what you have done for the Jedi, you realize that this is a serious charge and breach of the Jedi Code, for which you could easily face expulsion from the Jedi Order."
"I know," Anakin responds again.
Obi Wan now speaks up. "Let us not jump to this conclusion. If Anakin had not made these choices, Palpatine may have been able to keep his identity secret and carry out his plan without ever revealing himself."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. It still stands that Skywalker broke the Code without a clearly needed reason approved by the Council," Luminara reminds the Council.
"And who says that the Code is correct?" Obi Wan asks.
"What do you mean, Obi Wan?" Mace asks him.
"The Code has gone through many revisions over many millenia. The Code as we have it has not always existed, and the Jedi Order has still been very efficient throughout its existence. In fact, one may argue that the Jedi has been stronger in other ages when the Code was different," Obi Wan says.
Everyone is quiet for a moment before Plo responds, "Master Kenobi may have a point. Relationships can sometimes propel someone to be an even better person. The risk of attachment does exist and its potential for driving someone into darkness, but that does not mean that it always will."
"But the rule exists for a reason. By holding to it, we keep ourselves away from the risk," Shaak Ti.
"But why should we always live in fear?" Obi Wan asks before putting forward, "It is not as if marriage and romantic relationships always propel someone into darkness. All of you know the tale of Revan and his achievements on behalf of the Jedi Order. During his time as Jedi, Revan accomplished much good for the galaxy. And he fell in love with and married Bastila Shan, creating a line that has served the galaxy well throughout much of its history. Nor is he the only one to do so in the Jedi Order's history."
Everyone is quiet, pondering on Obi Wan's words, and realizing he has a point, especially by pointing out the story of Revan. After a few moments, Shaak Ti speaks up and says, "Although there is examples of it working out in our history, there are also many instances of it not working out."
Obi Wan quickly speaks up again and says, "I would venture to say, though, that there are far more Jedi that have fallen to the dark side for far different reasons. To eliminate every path to the dark side would be to eliminate the Force and evil from the universe. We cannot live in fear of every possible outcome and assume it will happen."
Obi Wan pauses, then says, "With respect, Masters, Anakin has been through things that nobody else in the Order has. He may have fallen to the dark side long ago if it were not for his wife. Not only that, but he is the Chosen One. He is the one who will bring balance to the Force, and he is one of the greatest Jedi we have."
Everyone is quiet before Yoda finally speaks up and says, "Almost brought our own demise, our own restrictions did. A time for change has come. Punish Skywalker, we must not. Our chance at victory, he is."
Everyone looks at Yoda as the old Jedi Master continues, "Live in fear, no longer we can. Change and adapt, we must. The Force is not all we thought it to be."
The Council is quiet for a few moments before Mace speaks up. "Everyone I think we should put this to a vote. I propose a vote to grant Skywalker an official exception and pardon for this breach of the Code, at least until such a time as the Code may be revised."
Obi Wan immediately speaks up and declares, "Aye." Yoda does the same almost simultaneously.
"Aye," Plo Koon says a moment later. Anakin shoots Plo a thankful look.
Everyone is quiet for a few more moments before Oppo Rancisis says, "Aye."
"Aye," Luminara says, but with a bite of hesitation.
"Aye," Shaak Ti adds.
"Aye," Coleman Kcaj adds.
"The Ayes have it. Congratulations, Skywalker," Mace says.
"Thank you, Masters. I can't express my gratitude for this," Anakin says before adding, "I promise not to let you all down."
"We hope so, Skywalker," Luminara says.
"With that taken care of, there is the matter of Palpatine. We must do what we can to track him down quickly," Mace says.
"Palpatine has hidden himself in plain sight for so long. Now that he has truly gone into hiding, it will not be easy to find him," Obi Wan says.
Plo then speaks up and says, "There is also the problem of the war itself. With so many Jedi dead, and many more likely not to trust their clones anymore even with the inhibitor chips removed, our war effort is in great jeopardy."
Mace turns to Anakin. "Skywalker, Master Koon has a point. I want you to take the 501st out to reinforce our forces in the Outer Rim."
"Okay, but i have two conditions. First, I get to bring Ahsoka with me. Second, Padme is due to give birth soon. I insist on being here for the birth of my child," Anakin insists.
"Of course, Anakin," Obi Wan says. Anakin smiles gratefully at Obi Wan.
"Very well. You will remain on Coruscant for a week before deploying. If your wife begins to give birth after your departure, we will send for you immediately," Mace says.
Yoda then speaks up. "All Jedi, we must contact. Those who wish to remain to command, allow them, we will. Return to the Temple, all others must. Begin recovery, we must."
"Agreed," Shaak Ti adds.
Mace speaks up again. "This has been a very dangerous situation, and it might have turned out very differently. But now, all we can do is look forward to the future. And to do so, we must keep up the momentum of the war as much as possible while we search for Palpatine. This war is far from over."
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked this one.
So, I hope you liked this chapter. I tried to portray reactions as I thought they would. Ordinarily, I think Mace would've been very opposed, but I think what happened in this story softened his view of Anakin. Also, I think Yoda would've been a bit more supportive of Anakin at this point. Obviously, other people might have different interpretations of what might have happened, but this is mine.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until it's up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!