Chapter 16
Once everyone was in the taxi, Anakin turned to Jessica.
"You said you'd explain."
"Yes, I did. And I will." Jessica smiled at Anakin, then looked at Shmi. "I haven't been totally honest with you. I – I'm what's known as a Grey Jedi."
"I knew it! I said you were a Jedi!" Anakin looked hurt. "Why -?"
"I'm sorry, Anakin. But, at that point in time, I hadn't told Qui-Gon, and I didn't know what his reaction would be. Do you understand?"
Anakin frowned thoughtfully. "Kind of."
"What do you mean," asked Shmi, "when you say you're a 'grey jedi'? I didn't think there was more than one type of Jedi."
"No, most people don't," Jessica agreed. "And I'm sure the Jedi Council would like to keep it that way. But, yes, there are other Orders. I'm part of the Grey Order. We are rather similar to the Jedi, except that we may use both sides of the Force."
"I don't understand," said Shmi. "Sides of the Force? I thought there was only one Force? Although, admittedly, I don't know much about the Force."
Qui-Gon answered her this time. "Most people don't know that there are two sides to the Force – the Dark and the Light Sides."
Shmi turned back to Jessica. "So, you are saying you use this Dark Side? I don't think I like the sound of that."
"I'm saying I may use it. It is not forbidden for me, as it is for the Jedi. However, most Grey Jedi don't use the Dark Side at all, and some even refuse to acknowledge it."
Shmi nodded. "I think I understand, a little. But why are you telling me this?"
"Is this about the other thing the Queen said?" asked Anakin.
Jessica nodded. "I'm telling you this because I would like to train Anakin." Sensing the impending interruptions, Jessica raised her hands. "Please, let me finish. There is a prophecy, which says that a Chosen One will come, who will bring balance to the Force."
"And you think that's me?" asked Anakin.
"I think it's you, yes. Qui-Gon does, too, I believe."
Qui-Gon nodded.
"Why do you think you should train Anakin, if he's the Chosen One?" asked Shmi. Jessica knew Shmi was thinking of Anakin; trying to decide what would be best for her son.
"Because, if he is the Chosen One, he will be tempted by the Dark Side. He may even need to use it. If he is trained as a Grey Jedi, he will know the Dark Side; how to fight it, and how to use it, if necessary."
"I don't know –"
Jessica shook her head. "You don't need to decide anything yet. You have time. The decision is, ultimately, up to you, and to Anakin. Think about it. I won't argue for or against the Jedi Order; I'd most likely be biased."
When they arrived, Jessica and Anakin entered the Council Chambers. Shmi, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had to wait outside.
Just outside the doors, Jessica had knelt, to be at Anakin's level. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. "Anakin, when we go in there, answer any questions you are asked to the best of you ability. And answer truthfully."
Anakin had nodded. "I will."
Jessica smiled. "Good boy. Now, you may be nervous, but you'll be fine. I'll be there; you won't be allowed to talk to me, but I'll make sure you're alright. And your mother will be right here when you come out."
Anakin had nodded again.
"Do you think you're ready?"
Anakin hesitated, then said, quietly, "No, not really."
"You'll be fine," Jessica had said with a smile. "I know you can do it. Now, let's go."
Jessica leant against the door, arms crossed. Anakin stood in the centre of the Council Chamber.
The Jedi began to question him, with no effort made to make him comfortable. He had glanced at Jessica, and been reassured by a smile and a slight nod.
Eventually, they came to a test wherehe had had to name images on a screen he could not see. He had done this with ease.
"Good, good, young one," said Yoda. "How feel you?"
"Cold, sir."
"Afraid, are you?"
Anakin began to shake his head, opening his mouth to say 'no'. Then he remembered Jessica's words. He should tell the truth. He thought about it, and answered, "Yes. A little."
He thought he heard Jessica's voice. 'Good boy.' He dismissed it, assuming it was just a memory.
"But what's that got to do with anything?"
Yoda focused his gaze on Anakin. "Everything! To the Dark Side, fear leads. To anger and to hate. To suffering."
This confused Anakin. He frowned. "But Jessica said I'd need to know the Dark Side."
All eyes turned to Jessica. 'From the mouths of babes and innocents…' she thought to herself.
"Is this true?" asked Windu.
"Yes. If he's the Chosen One, he'll need to know the Dark Side, so he can fight it." Jessica glanced at Yoda. "Something I'm sure you can identify with, Yoda."
Yoda glowered.
Windu studied Jessica. He sensed truth in her words. He actually found himself agreeing with her. 'Maybe she's right. If the boy is the Chosen One…'
"Continue, we will," announced Yoda, and the examination resumed.
Shmi approached Obi-Wan. He had just had an argument with Qui-Gon. She had overheard parts of it, including that Obi-Wan didn't think Anakin would pass the test.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"Why don't you think Anakin can pass the trial?"
Obi-Wan flushed. "You heard that?"
Shmi nodded.
Obi-Wan sighed. "He's much too old," he explained. "Most Jedi younglings are taken at a very young age, before their family can have much influence on them. Anakin's too old; he's experienced too much."
"Jedi take children away from their parents?"
Obi-Wan was surprised. "You didn't know?"
"No. Thank you, Obi-Wan. I've got a lot to think about."
Shmi moved away. 'I'll lose Anakin if he becomes a Jedi.' She bit her lip. 'I really don't want to lose him. Not yet, not now. Not when we're both just free.'
