This is a completely AU fanfiction of Star Wars, using some of their characters, and some of mine. I am just pretty much pretending the whole "New Order" series doesn't exsist, while I am still using the characters in them, the storyline doesn't quite go the same. I do not own anyone except for Aaralyn Duskshade and Darth Shanker/Corban Spectral.
Anakin rubbed his eyes. He had another dream. Maybe a vision, even. It was of him... fighting Ben. In the dream.. my intention was to kill him. Is this what the future holds? He wondered. He sat up, and realized the room was different. But then he remembered. He remembered his night with Aaralyn.. and all the emotions that he had newly experienced that night. He glanced down at her, next to him, sleeping peacefully. Hopefully she isn't having any visions. I just don't want to tell her about all the ones I have been having... I'm afraid it will be too much information for her to handle. He thought, feeling guilty. The sheet was spread over him, from about his belly button down.. and it lay on Aaralyn from her shoulders to her calves. He smiled at her again. He decided it was about time to go get dressed. He got up, and unlocked the door as he passed. He found his undergarments and pants in one corner, and slid them on quickly. He scanned the room for his shirt. But he couldn't find it. But.. AHA! It was there, on the other side of the bed. He started tiredly walking to the other side of the room for it.
"Aaralyn! Have you seen Anakin? He isn't in his room!" Paron's voice echoed from the hallway. Anakin's eyes widened as he grasped his shirt. He glanced across the room, and mentally smacked himself as he noticed the unlocked door. He tried to quickly put on his shirt, but he kept getting the wrong body parts through the wrong holes.
"Aaralyn! Wake up!" Paron said, opening her door. Anakin wondered if he could somehow dive out of the way. But no luck. Paron stood, her mouth gaping, staring back and forth at the half-dressed Anakin and the only sheet-covered Aaralyn. Aaralyn's eyes fluttered open, and she shot up in the bed. Luckily, the sheet stayed on her. She had the same reaction Anakin did as she saw Paron. She glanced at Anakin, who looked more worried than she had ever seen him. She knew why he was worried. BIG TROUBLE. Paron couldn't seem to close her mouth, or put her eyes back in her head.
"Paron! What are you gaping at?" Ben asked from the hallway.
"Oh crap.." Anakin whispered. Him and Aaralyn just held their positions. They knew there was no escaping it, now. Ben walked in the room, and glanced from Paron's still gaping mouth, and the to Anakina and Aaralyn. Anakin and Aaralyn held their breath while waiting for Ben's reaction.
No widened eyes. No gaping mouth. But instead? A glare. A mean, heartless glare. Then he fled the room. Paron stumbled after him, still gaping her mouth. She shut the door on her way out. Anakin and Aaralyn almost exhaled on cue.
"I am in so much trouble." Anakin said, putting on his shirt. Aaralyn got dressed.
"Maybe he will keep it secret?" She hoped.
"Its Ben we are talking about." Anakin said, frowning. They sat on the edge of her bed.
"It was nice." She said, holding his hand. He smiled. He knew she was talking about the night before.
"Yeah. I love you." He said. She squeezed his hand a bit, for reassurance.
"I love you too." She said, hugging him.
"Whoa! Wait a second! Today is the day we try for our master titles!" Anakin said, hopping off the bed.
"I bet thats why they were both so.. exhuberated before they saw us." Aaralyn said, hoping she worded it right.
They did their best to avoid Paron and Ben most of the day. The master granting ceremony (held in the council room) wasn't until the afternoon, and it just was turning noon. They had basically wandered, and hided around the temple. Anakin seized a free moment and did some more lightsaber practice. He also went over a little thank you speech with Aaralyn over and over. He said it enough times to her that she could refrain it effortlessly herself. When Aaralyn left to use the restroom, Anakin turned off and put down his lightsaber. He sat on the floor, back against the wall, enjoying his rest.
"You knew." Anakin heard an all-too-familiar voice say. Anakin glanced up, to see Ben. He slid down and sat next to Anakin on the floor.
"Knew what?" Anakin asked, wincing. He was afraid Ben would tweak any moment.
"You knew what the code was. You know that even to get married you need permission. So why did you go sleep with someone? Thats the whole point of permission to get married, is so they can grant you the abilitiy to do that." Ben said calmly.
"Ben.. I love her. I'm not sure if you love Paron or not, because you don't seem like you feel the same way for her that I feel for Aaralyn." Anakin said, sighing.
"I like Paron. But I am 17. I have all the time in the World to fall in love." Ben answered, sighing himself.
"I just get sick of being bound by so many rules. I liked breaking the code just for once. To be free of it. Sometimes Ben, you just have to throw the rulebook out of the window. Especially when its your feelings that are leading you. Thats why I did it, Ben. I followed my heart, and didn't worry about the consequences." Anakin said.
"But as a Jedi you can't simply throw the code out the window for a day. You have to follow it daily, because once you don't for a day.. it could turn into another day, and then another, and then before you know it, your a sith." Ben said, frowning.
Anakin stared at Ben. Why isn't he understanding this? Anakin wondered, becoming a little angry. "Ben! I can't believe you aren't seeing my point! I did what a Jedi is supposed to do! You should be proud of me! I finally followed my feelings, and let my heart lead me! And to top it off, I wasn't afraid of what would happen to me! Isn't that what a Jedi needs to do?" Anakin asked.
"Yes. A Jedi should follow their feelings.. but not if it leads them into a broken rule in the codebook. I'm glad you had no fear about consequences... but in a situation like this, you should have. So really, you did the exact opposite of what a Jedi would have done. You looked for a shortcut, a way to cheat the system, just so you could get what you wanted sooner... the exact thing a sith would do." Ben said, trying to get his point across. He had no doubt in his mind Anakin was on his way to being a Sith. He just hoped he could catch Anakin before he got too close to it. Anakin sighed, and stared at the floor.
No... a Sith? Anakin wondered, a saddened expression coming to his face. I don't want to believe him.. but he is right. That is exactly what a Sith would do. Anakin hesitated. Then he opened his mouth to speak. "Ben.. you are right. A Sith would do those things. I'm sorry." Anakin said.
"Thats okay, as long as you get help now--"
"Let me finish." Anakin said monotonously. Ben nodded. "Perhaps I do need someone to help watch out for that. But it doesn't de-qualify me to beable to be a Master. I know I can focus positive thoughts, and use my power to help me. So, I still wish to be a Jedi Master. I guess that is what I am trying to say." Anakin explained.
"Good. I think you still would be a good Jedi Master. But you really need to clean your shape up--"
"There's just one thing, Ben." Anakin interrupted.
"What?" Ben asked, beginning to worry.
"I don't regret doing it." Anakin said, glancing up, so he could look Ben in the eyes, "Because it shows weakness, to wish you hadn't done something." Anakin said. He stood up, and left Ben sitting there. Ben was puzzled. He said he wanted to be a master! Does he really? What is going on? Ben wondered, shaking his head in confusion.
"How do I look?" Anakin asked Aaralyn, patting down his Jedi robe. He was nervous as the two of them stood outside of the council room, minutes before the decision. Ben and Paron came hustling down the hall, nearly late.
"You were almost late." Aaralyn mumbled, and then went back to helping Anakin pat out the wrinkles. Ben just ignored her and ran his hands through his hair. He wasn't nervous.. just anxious.
Han opened up the doors. "They are ready. Good luck, boys." He said, grinning. Once the four teens entered the room, Han entered as well, shutting his door on the way in. Anakin and Ben stood in the center of the council's circle, as onlookers just stood against the wall.
"Ben Skywalker, please step forward." Leia said, smiling. Ben did as his Aunt told him.
"Ben, why should we grant you the title of Master?" Luke asked his son, surveying him.
"Because I can do great things. I could help many apprentices learn the true ways of a Jedi. The ways that follow the code.. the ways that keep them pure." Ben simply answered. He wanted to glance at Anakin.. hoping to prove his point, but he didn't want to lose eye contact with his Father.
"Anakin Solo, please step forward." Mara said, smiling. Anakin grinned and stepped forward, now lined up with Ben.
"Anakin, why should we grant you the title of Master?" Luke asked the same question. He began analyzing Anakin immediatly.
"Because I can help apprentices learn to use their power for good. They will be quick-witted, sharp-skilled, and ready for battle. They will be confidant that they will win, because I will be sure they are trained to control their power in a positive way." Anakin said confidently. Luke hesitated, before letting out a sigh. Yoda's spirit hobbled over, and Mace's, Anakin Skywalker's, and Obi-Wan's wandered over as well. Leia and Mara leaned in. They formed a small discussion circle. Anakin wiped his sweaty palms on his robe. Ben gulped down his nerves. They soon assembled back into their seats. Luke stood up.
"Ben Skywalker. Because of your skills as a Jedi, and your devotion to your Jedi family and the Jedi code, you are granted the title of Jedi Master. Congratulations." Luke said, smiling. Ben grinned.
"Thank you, Jedi council, for this great opportunity." He said, his spirits soaring. Anakin grinned. He couldn't wait to hear the same words.
"Anakin Solo." Luke said, hesitating, and then swallowing hard, " Because of your obsession with power, your reckless behavior, your disrespect of your Jedi family, the ignorance of the Jedi code, and your 'throw the rule book out of the window' behavior.. you are denied the title of Jedi Master. I am sorry." Luke said, keeping his look stern. Anakin's spirits shot down to the floor faster than his grin turned into a frown. What? How could they deny me Master? Anakin though, his eyebrows slanting into a glare. He tightened his fists and clenched his teeth. The room was completely silent for a moment. A few council members began gathering their things, ready to leave.
Anakin decided now was a better time than ever to voice his opinions. "How could you deny me Master?" He asked, his voice monotonous. He tried his hardest to stay calm, and not freak out.
"Anakin, I have already explained that to you. The other council members agree, you need much more work before being granted such a responsibility. We can't have a Jedi be in the council, and constantly break the code." Luke explained.
"How did I break the code?" Anakin asked icily.
"Rule number six of the code is what I believe you broke last night." Luke said sternly. Anakin thought for a moment. Rule number six.. what is it? Oh yes... A Jedi must have the prescence and acceptance of the council to allow him/her the right to marry another. Anakin gulped. Ben told. Anaking thought, his worried expression turning to a snarl. He slowly turned his head towards his cousin.
"You told?" He whispered angrily. Ben stayed solemn. "ANSWER ME!" Anakin yelled, glaring. Ben stumbled back from the force that was sent out in Anakin's hateful yell.
"Yes I did. A true Jedi must maintain honesty. And if I would have kept it a secret.. that would have been breaking rule number 12 of the Jedi Code book." Ben answered hastily.
"It would break rule number 12 of the Jedi Code book.." Anakin mocked Ben in an annoying voice. He glared. "You and your rules! You always have to follow every damn one! You shouldn't have to be imprisoned to always do the right thing." Anakin said, his lip curling in disgust.
"Anakin. You need to calm down. Everyone in this room agrees that you need more training before you can become Master. And your outbursts not even moments ago reassures us that we made the right decision." Luke said calmly.
"I don't agree!" Aaralyn said, hopping off the wall. She ran over to Anakin, and looped her arm around his. "I think he would be a great Master. It's just all of you are blinded by your perfect ways." She said, frowning at Luke.
"Is that why you feel you need to break the rules, Anakin? You think we are perfect? Every Jedi struggles.. every Jedi falls. It takes time.. and it takes a strong-willed mind and heart to help you ignore the temptations of the Dark Side." Leia explained, worried for her son's intentions.
"Oh. So I am not strong enough, is that what you are saying? Now you all know why I crave power. I am sick of being inferior to Ben and his perfection. I want to be noticed as myself.. and I want to be stronger than him." Anakin said darkly.
"Thats not what she meant." Luke said.
"Anakin... calm down and listen to your family." Ben pleaded his best friend.
"Don't you tell me what to do. In fact.. just leave me alone. I don't want to see you.. ever again." Anakin said, glaring at him.
"Boys! That is enough." Luke said, booming.
Anakin sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway." He muttered. He began to leave, pulling Aaralyn.
"Aaralyn. I need to speak with you. Please stay." Luke said. She stopped walking, and Anakin pulled her to follow. She bit her lip. What should I do? I mean.. I am mad at Luke too for denying Ani his master title.. but I should still stay loyal to Luke. She thought, worrying. Anakin turned to look at her.
"Ani.. maybe its something import--"
"Nevermind." Anakin interrupted her, dropping her hand. "Just stay. I don't need you anyway." He said, hiding how hurt he was. He stormed off. Aaralyn tried her hardest to blink back her tears.
"Thank you Aaralyn. Follow me. Council dismissed." Luke said. The council members quietly poured out of the room.
A/n: How was it? Good, I hope. Poor Ani is twisted in confusion! At least Aaralyn still is trying to be pure. Ben has some tendencies though too! Alright...Please review! Please and thank you!