Chapter 2

Anakin stood before twelve of the most famous Jedi alive, and oddly, shed not a single bead of sweat over it. He had seen these faces so many times during his life that they were burned into his memory as friends. Palpatine was in his mind as well, but had been sent directly into the enemy directory of his brain. He regretted betraying his friendship with the former Supreme Chancellor, but more so, he regretted the fact that he was also betrayed. Anakin shrugged it off. It was simply another scar on his soul, and he understood perfectly that had many similar ones. Palpatine was dead to him.

"Skywalker," Windu said calmly. "We've been convened to report our actions against the Supreme Chancellor, as well as decide where we should go from here." His eyelids lowered, conveying a direct sense of importance. "Keep in mind, that our report is to be sent to the Senate."

Anakin nodded gravely, staring at his reflection in the cold marble floors of the council chambers. He vaguely remembered standing in exactly the same place decades ago, gazing at his reflection while his future was decided. The difference was this time, he lacked any nervousness whatsoever.

The hologram images of Yoda and a few others floated gently above their positions in the chamber. "Young Skywalker, recount the events that transpired you must. Find the correct path to take, we will."

Anakin nodded again and began to recount the events in terrific detail, without emotion. He proceeded through the revelation of the Sith as if reading it from a datapad.

As Anakin continued his speech, every so often interjected by Mace Windu with his actions, Obi-Wan Kenobi Sat with a proud emotion painted on his face. The highest honor for him was to have trained a successful Jedi. Anakin had proved to be that and more. The Jedi Council had always feared Anakin's future, but this event was a direct strike against it. It proved that Anakin had resisted the grip of the darkside. Surely, Anakin would be given the rank of Master, Obi-Wan mused.

Anakin finished the tale, and stepped backward, taking the seat that he had been appointed to by Palpatine previously. The Jedi allowed the mandate, yet did not give Anakin the title of Master. He sat rigid in the chair, feeling entirely uncomfortable in the position, and listened to what the other Jedi Masters had to say.

" Sidious will quickly find another apprentice," Plo Koon voiced through his respirator. "Seeing as how he has no one on his side. He now lacks the backing of the Separatists and the Republic. General Grievous was the last of the roster, and now is dead, thanks to the efforts of Obi-Wan."

"Strike quickly, we must, if defeated Sidious is to be."

Mace nodded, fingers steepled. "I agree. Our only problem is now he's in hiding."

"He won't stay hidden long," Anakin spoke while staring at the floor. "If I know him, he will return soon enough."

"Then it's settled. We wait until we find him or receive further information as to his whereabouts."

With the final words escaping Windu's mouth, the session had been adjourned. Obi-Wan found Anakin leaning over a railing watching as the traffic flashed by in an array of lights. The night had fallen even deeper upon the planet of Coruscant, enveloping it further in darkness. He stood, silently watching Anakin's face that was adorned with the lights below. He had watched this boy grow up, and had never been more proud. And though he was proud, he sensed an immediate sadness within the young man. It was as if he had lost in battle, and was faced with a terrible feeling of self-doubt.

"How are you, Master?" Anakin whispered, almost blanketed by the sound of rushing speeders below. "It's been so long since I've last seen you."

"Oh come now, Anakin. It's only been a week or so." He sensed that his opening words weren't helping anything. "I'm doing good. Shocked by what's happened in my leave, but not surprised. I never trusted Palpatine."

Anakin looked back, staring directly into Obi-Wan's eyes, piercing them with his cold blue gaze. "I did." He returned to staring downward into the plethora of speeders commuting through the city. "I trusted him almost as much as I trust you."

Obi-Wan took his post next to the young man. "People aren't always what they seem. Even after years of knowing someone, a revelation can come and change everything." He put his hand on the boy's shoulder, clenching it slightly. "You made the right choice, and I'm very proud of you for your show of commitment."

Anakin closed his eyes. Truthfully, the revelation of the Sith wasn't the entire problem. It was Padme. He wanted so badly to have Obi-Wan help him with his issues, but knew that he would most likely be ostracized from the Jedi Order. It was at that moment that Anakin made a decision that could end his career forever. He cared no longer. Padme was worth more to him than his own life. It was certainly worth more than the Jedi Order.

"I need to talk to you, Master."

"Go ahead, Anakin, what's on your mind?"

Anakin turned and looked directly at him. "Not here. We need to find somewhere far away from the Jedi temple."

The seriousness implied by Anakin was enough to convince Obi-Wan that it needed to be dealt with quickly. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. I'll meet you in the morning."

"That's good. I have a bit of meditating to do tonight."

Anakin watched as his Master left the temple. A sudden wave of doubt and fear began to boil within him. This fear had been with him since before the death of his murder. They moved in like an invading army, and had lurked within him, waiting until he was at the apex of self-doubt. It struck with the fury of a beast, undermining everything he loved with areas of fear. His soul was tinged with hate.

He could not sleep, for sleep only meant more visions of his beloved wife dying in his arms. The only rest he could obtain was via the force, and even that wasn't entirely enough. With a final sigh and glance into the stars, he made way for a meditation chamber within the walls of the Jedi Temple.