The years passed. Years of fighting, years that threatened to break the galaxy apart. Years that broke people. The war had shown the worst in some people, in others it showed the best.
Anakin Skywalker grew into a strong, powerful and wise Jedi Knight. He was the Order's secret weapon. He seemed to be everywhere at once, single-handedly winning battle after battle for the Republic. The media made him a hero. He was a hero. The Lone Warrior. The Hero with No Fear. The Jedi Prodigy. The Invincible Saviour. And the Chosen One, of course. He was the children's idol throughout the galaxy. In their schoolyard fights, everyone wanted to be Anakin Skywalker. They dreamed to be as good as him one day and save the galaxy. Everyone collected the miniature models of the starfighters Anakin flew. All the (humanoid) women goggled longingly at him if Holonet once again broadcasted the latest gossip about him. They adored his manly attitude, his bold demeanour and his handsome features. He was an encouragement to everyone fighting. He was a natural leader, and the armies he led to war admired and respected him for his exemplary comportment and his strength.
Anakin's career was unequalled: Jedi Knight at the age of eighteen, commander in the Grand Army of the Republic at the age of nineteen, received Special Award for Services to the Republic at the age of twenty, general in the GAR at the age of twenty-one… not to mention all the honorary citizenships throughout the galaxy. It was no secret that he would be elected on the Jedi Council as soon as a place was vacant.
You could see him on every Holonet magazine, in every news report on the Clone Wars.
Obi-Wan had only seen him once in person in all those years after Qui-Gon's death. Anakin had returned to Coruscant to receive the Special Award for Services to the Republic by Chancellor Palpatine himself. Obi-Wan had not known Anakin had been in the Temple and it had come as a surprise to him when he suddenly heard his name.
"Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan, who was on his way to the Training Chambers, turned around and found himself face to face with Anakin. Suddenly he had an oddly queasy sensation in his stomach and his heart was drumming a little faster than it should be. Somehow, Obi-Wan could understand all the teenage girls now who kissed the holographs of Anakin which covered the walls in their rooms. Because Anakin did look extremely handsome. He had changed so much since Obi-Wan had last seen him. His hair had grown long and curly and he wore black leather clothes. He was not the buoyant Padawan anymore, but had grown into (an extremely handsome looking!) Jedi Knight.
"It's good to see you again," Anakin said pleasantly. "How are you?"
"Fine, thanks," Obi-Wan replied. "How are you? I heard you have become a commander."
Anakin shrugged it off. "I was on a mission with Master Windu, we had to separate and I had to order a troop of clones on my own and I was successful. Well, that's about it… Anyway, are you going to be in the Temple for the next days?"
"Yes, I think so. Master Dooku has some Council duties to attend, so we're going to stay on Coruscant for the next three or so weeks." Obi-Wan could not help but blush a little. He felt a bit stupid saying it. It certainly sounded as if he was a child who always only followed his Master around.
"I'm going to stay too for a few days. We could do some sparring," Anakin suggested. "You could show me some more techniques of the old style."
"Yes, why not?" Obi-Wan agreed, really looking forward to it.
"Tomorrow at 4.00?"
"Alright. See you." Obi-Wan couldn't keep the broad smile from his face.
The next day, Obi-Wan arrived fifteen minutes early in front of the Training Chambers. He waited for more than an hour. Then he checked all the Training Chambers, the changing rooms – nothing. Half an hour later, he gave up and returned to his quarters (where Master Dooku was already awaiting him and scolded him for being late for his afternoon lessons). After some meditation, Obi-Wan concluded Anakin had probably just offered to spar together out of politeness. Really, why should he want to train with Obi-Wan if he went on missions with people like Master Windu? Maybe Anakin was already a Master of Vaapad…
A few days later, Obi-Wan learned that Anakin had had to leave Coruscant because he had been sent to the Outer Rim to defend another planet against the Separatists. Obi-Wan just whished Anakin had at least bothered to drop in to say goodbye…
In comparison to Anakin's meteoric rise, Obi-Wan's career was slightly less exciting: Padawan at the age of eighteen, Padawan at the age of nineteen, Padawan at the age of twenty, Padawan at the age of twenty-one, Padawan at the age of twenty-two, Padawan at the age of twenty-three… And it did not look like that was going to change in the near future. He, too, fought in the Clone Wars, alongside his Master Dooku. Sometimes, however, Dooku went on missions alone. He was one of the best warriors and the most cunning tacticians the Order had, and so he was often sent on complicated missions. Missions which were too dangerous for Obi-Wan. Or missions to which Obi-Wan was too dangerous because he might cause failure to the mission. One day, Dooku did not return. The Council sent a search troop there. Obi-Wan was not allowed to come with them. Today, the Council had declared Dooku dead. They had only found his lightsaber. It was something that happened frequently now. There were several Masterless Padawans in the Temple. It was quiet in the Temple nowadays. Grief, fear and loneliness reigned everywhere.
ooooooo
When Anakin returned to the Temple after yet another battle on another planet threatened by the Separatists, and after another bunch of curious holonet reporters and holographers, his only worry was for a shower and a few hours of sleep in a bed. Please, let me stay for a few days this time, he prayed to the Force. Utterly exhausted, he staggered through the corridors, politely accepting congratulations for his successful mission. When he had just relieved himself from his stinking, sweaty and dirty clothes, there was a knock at his door. Heaving a deep sigh, he put his clothes back on and went to open the door. It was a young apprentice, a girl with swollen, red eyes. She bowed timidly.
"The Council asks to see you," she said in a small voice.
Inwardly, he groaned in agony. "Yes, I'm coming," he sighed. He looked her up and down again and paused at her tearstained eyes. "What is wrong with you?" he asked gently. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Someone you know died, right?"
She swallowed. "No. I... I will be sent to the Agri Corps. No one chose me as their Padawan and now they will send me away."
"Oh." Anakin frowned. "You see, I think you can be lucky. Working with the Agri Corps means you don't have to fight in this horrible war."
"I don't like the war of course but someone has to fight for justice, right?" she protested vehemently. "I can't live like that – knowing that my friends are fighting and dying in the war, and I'm useless and have to grow crops or whatever. I know I'm not as strong as some other Jedi but I want to do something. Anything."
Anakin contemplated this for a while. He could understand her reasoning. "So you're almost thirteen and no Master chose you as their Padawan?" he asked cautiously.
She nodded, biting her lip.
Suddenly, Anakin saw the solution. His solution. He knew what the girl needed. And what he needed. He had always dreamed of taking a Padawan, of training a young boy or girl in the ways of the Jedi. "What is your name?"
"Sanla Karrron."
"I'm Anakin Skywalker and I'd like to take you as my Padawan."
"What?!" The young girl stared at him in complete shock.
Anakin winced. "If you don't want to be my Padawan, that's okay, really."
"N-n-no, no, of course I want to be your Padawan but-but why would you want me?"
"Why not?" Anakin retorted slightly annoyed. He knew very well what it was about.
"Well, the Force is not very strong in me," she said, embarrassed. "I probably would be a bit of a disappointment to you."
"Listen, Sanla," Anakin said patiently. "If being a Jedi is only about your amount of midi-chlorians, you perhaps would not have been trained in the first place. Then it would be easy: You'd just have to check the midi-chlorians count of every Force-sensitive being and check how many children can be trained and then choose the ten or twenty or hundred children who have the most midi-chlorians. Being a Jedi is much more than midi-chlorians. I'm no more or no less than you because I have more midi-chlorians. We are all servants of the Force and we will do our best to follow the will of the Force – by relying on our strengths. I'm sure you have some strengths which are worth to be discovered and improved."
Sanla looked up at him with admiration. "Thank you, Master Skywalker," she said softly. "I would be very honoured if you chose me as your Padawan."
It had been a long time that Anakin had smiled but now he did. He smiled at his Padawan. "And I would be very honoured and very happy if you agreed. You can come with me right now. As I have to meet the Council now anyway, you can accompany me there and then we can swear our oaths. And afterwards, you can certainly come with me on a horrible mission in this horrible war."
"That would be great!" Sanla said enthusiastically and followed him.
The Council members were surprised and annoyed when they saw Sanla again.
"Karrron, why are you not on the shuttle to the Agri Corps?" Mace Windu asked her disapprovingly.
"I told her to come with me," Anakin immediately defended his Padawan. "She doesn't need to work with the Agri Corps. I will take her as my Padawan."
Now, the Council members were even more surprised. They exchanged uncomfortable glances until finally Mace Windu spoke up again. "I'm afraid that is not possible."
"Why not?" Anakin asked, confused.
"Knight Skywalker, I think you are aware of the fact that you are one of our best warriors," Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "We need you in battle. There is no time for you to train an apprentice."
"But she can accompany me!" Anakin said desperately. "Just like every Padawan accompanies their Master. I could use her help."
"That's ridiculous," Luminara Unduli said. "The Force is weak in her. She would only hinder you. We've had it too often recently: A Master has to save their Padawan and thus the mission fails."
"If she's not ready yet to fight on the battlefield, she could help me with other things like organisation, mission reports, tactics," Anakin suggested.
"What does she know about tactics?" Ki-Adi-Mundi argued.
"I could teach her," Anakin retorted.
"No," Mace Windu said authoritatively. "Under no circumstances will she be your Padawan."
"But I'm a Knight and as a Knight I am allowed to train a Padawan," Anakin argued.
"Not without the Council's agreement," Mace Windu said darkly. "This discussion is over. Karrron, go now or you will be late for your shuttle. You can consider yourself lucky you don't have to die in war like so many others. May the Force be with you."
Sanla swallowed, bit her lower lip and muttered a trembling, "May the Force be with you."
Regretful and angry, Anakin watched her leave. Right now, he despised the Council for being so inhuman. For shattering a young Jedi's dreams and for using Anakin as a battle machine. He looked at them defiantly. What else do you want me to do?!
Mace Windu cleared his throat. "With the utmost regret, we must inform you that Master Dooku has joined with the Force. We feel, however, honoured to welcome you as a new Master in our midst. Knight Skywalker, from now on you are Master Skywalker and a member of the High Council."
"Master Dooku is dead?" Anakin was shocked. He had heard rumours on Holonet, yes, but there were always rumours. The media had declared Anakin dead already five times. "What about Obi-Wan?" he asked worriedly.
Master Windu frowned. "He was not on that mission with his Master. We will debate his fate later. So, will you accept the rank of Master?"
"Yes," Anakin replied. He had seen it coming. He had known that when the next Master died, they would be replaced by Anakin. That had never been a secret. "I feel deeply honoured by it and I will do my best to fulfil the expectations placed in me."
"Sit down, Master Skywalker," Mace Windu told him.
Sitting here in the circle of the mightiest Jedi felt strange. But right now, Anakin could not care less. He did not want to be a Master; he only wanted to train a Padawan.
"We have a new mission for you," Luminara Unduli informed him.
Anakin nodded dully and did his best to pay attention to the information of yet another planet which expected a miraculous rescue by him. Obviously, being on the Council did not change a thing for him. The only difference would be that, in addition to his many other duties, he would have to take part in Council meetings via hologram during his few and short breaks from battle.
ooooooo
Obi-Wan was called before the Council. Maybe they would knight him now. Or give him a new Master. When he entered the Council Chamber, he stopped dead. On the seat where Master Dooku used to sit, sat none other than Anakin Skywalker. Deep bitterness crept into Obi-Wan. They had not even found Master Dooku's body yet, but they had already found someone to replace him. They had probably been looking forward to some Master dying, so they could have everyone's darling, Anakin Skywalker, on the Council. That explained why they had declared Dooku dead so quickly. Reluctantly, Obi-Wan bowed, well aware of Anakin's eyes on him. Obi-Wan made a point of not looking at him. Looking at Yoda was not good either because he respected and liked the old Master too much, and right now he wanted to be angry with the Council. So he chose Master Windu. It was hard. The Master's piercing glance seemed to look through Obi-Wan, right down at his very soul.
"We are very sorry, Padawan Kenobi," Master Windu started his speech, "but after almost three months of fruitless search and no contact from your Master, we have no other choice but declare him dead."
Obi-Wan nodded grimly. To him, it did not change a thing. He would not believe in his Master's death before he saw a corpse. The Council might declare him dead – fine. Obi-Wan would not come to the symbolic funeral.
"Now, what about Padawan Kenobi?" Master Unduli said thoughtfully as if he was not there at all. And then a debate about him started whether he was ready to be knighted yet or not.
Of course, Master Windu was against it. "He's not ready at all. He's impatient, defiant and angry. He still has much to learn."
"There are no Masters who would take a Padawan his age," Master Unduli argued. "Let's knight him."
"No, that would be the wrong decision," Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "He absolutely needs someone to guide him."
And so it went on and on. Obi-Wan stood in the middle of the Council members and tried not to look too upset when they enumerated again the many things he still had to learn. It was utterly humiliating. In the end, they concluded that he would not be knighted yet but would stay in the Temple.
"He could teach some of the younglings lightsaber skills," Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Shaak Ti said. "He uses the fighting style Dooku taught him. It would only confuse the younglings."
"Well then he could..." There was an awkward pause in which everyone seemed to search for anything Obi-Wan could do.
"He could teach the apprentices about the Clone Wars and intergalactic politics," Master Unduli suggested, hopeful that they had finally found something.
Some nodded, not really enthusiastic, but apparently there was nothing else. Obi-Wan knew very well it was a senseless task they had given him. There was already a Master who taught intergalactic politics, Master Joro, an old man, who was certainly not going to fight in the Clone Wars. He felt so terribly useless. Why could they not simply knight him?! It was his problem, after all, if he did not survive on his own. Anything was better than staying useless inside the Temple.
"What about if he accompanies me on my mission?" Anakin spoke up for the first time.
"We already discussed that," Ki-Adi-Mundi said slightly impatiently.
"Yes, I know," Anakin replied, "but Obi-Wan is not as inexperienced as Sanla."
Oh, wow, he remembers my name, Obi-Wan thought sarcastically. I guess I should feel honoured that he remembers my name after spending so much time with Masters, generals and high rank politicians… And whoever that Sanla is – she must be a really hopeless case if even I am better than her.
"As I said, I could use some help," Anakin continued, "and I'm sure Obi-Wan could do at least some organisational things. It would mean that I could concentrate better on the more important tasks because I'm not distracted with paperwork or something like that."
This was definitely worse than staying useless inside the Temple: Being Anakin's personal secretary or slave who did the unimportant tasks so that the hero could focus on the essential things and be a hero. There was some more debating and in the end, the Council agreed with Anakin's proposal and told Obi-Wan to join Anakin on his mission to Praesitlyn. Obi-Wan muttered a "May the Force be with you," bowed curtly and left the Council Chamber, fuming.
ooooooo
Anakin was not sure if suggesting Obi-Wan accompanied him had been such a good idea. Considering Obi-Wan's facial expression and the dark swirl of emotions in the Force, it had not been a good idea at all. Sighing softly to himself, he got up from his seat and followed Obi-Wan. The Council meeting was finally over. Already after one day, Anakin knew he did not like being on the Council. He found Obi-Wan at his favourite place in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.
"Hello Obi-Wan."
When being addressed, Obi-Wan jumped to his feet as if he had got an electric shock. He glared at Anakin. Anakin shrunk back a bit when he saw the hate in Obi-Wan's eyes.
"I'm sorry because of your Master," he told Obi-Wan in what he hoped was a comforting voice. He had never forgotten what Obi-Wan had done for him when Qui-Gon had died and he hoped he could help Obi-Wan now as well. "If there's anything I can do –"
"He is not dead," Obi-Wan grinded out.
"What?" Anakin said, confused.
"They only found his lightsaber. He is not dead. I know he is not dead."
"Obi-Wan, it has been three months now," Anakin said gently. "If he was still alive, he would have contacted the Temple..."
"I know he is not dead," Obi-Wan insisted. "And I will go looking for him. I will go looking for him and I will find him"
"You can't do that, the Council –"
"Yes, yes, the Council," Obi-Wan interrupted him again. His voice was hard, bitter and mocking. "They are certainly happy they are rid of Master Dooku and can finally have you. Oh, you probably staged it, didn't you?" He laughed humourlessly. "You and the Council, maybe you're holding Dooku prisoner somewhere in a dark hole, so you can be on the Council."
"Stop that," Anakin said, angry and hurt at the same time.
"Why, did I hit a nerve? Tell me, what did you do to be elected on the Council?"
"I never asked to be elected on the Council," Anakin defended himself. "I would prefer it if Master Dooku was still alive and I was only a Jedi Knight."
"Yes, because then you wouldn't be stuck with me, right?" Obi-Wan said spitefully.
"Please stop that. You're not making sense. I asked you to come with me, didn't I? So it's nothing about being stuck with you."
"You didn't ask me," Obi-Wan spat. "You only asked the Council."
"Yes, but you know it's their decision ultimately. I did it because I thought you wouldn't want to stay in the Temple. If I were you, I'd feel useless stuck up in the Temple."
"Oh yes, and I feel so much more useful if I'm allowed to clean up your shoes, the shoes of Anakin Skywalker, wow."
"If you refer to what I said about paperwork and important tasks," Anakin said patiently, "I only said that because otherwise the Council would not have agreed. You don't have to do the unimportant tasks or whatever. We can discuss it and share the tasks. On equal terms."
"How very generous of you," Obi-Wan said nastily. "You know what? I'm sick of being at your mercy."
"But this has nothing to do with..." Anakin helplessly trailed off. Obi-Wan could be so frustrating!
"Why, Anakin? Why me? Couldn't you just leave me alone? Don't you have enough admirers and fan clubs? Can't you bear it if someone doesn't erupt into cheers of joy because he's allowed to lick your shoes?"
"Okay, that's enough," Anakin said, his voice calm and detached. "I wanted to make this comfortable for both of us but I don't see a chance for a productive cooperation anymore. From now on you will do as I tell you. And it's 'Master Skywalker', not 'Anakin'. Now pack your things and don't be late, Padawan Kenobi." Anakin could not think of another way of getting through to Obi-Wan. Normally, Obi-Wan listened to the Masters and obeyed them, even if he did not agree with them. Maybe, if Anakin just behaved masterly enough, they would at least stop throwing accusations at each other.
Obi-Wan stared incredulously at him. "I won't call you 'Master Skywalker'. That's absolutely ridiculous. We grew up together and we've known each other for twenty years now. I see no reason that you're worth more than I am."
"We did not grow up together," Anakin said bitterly. "We grew apart. And we've never really known each other."
"I won't call you that," Obi-Wan said stubbornly.
"Then I will report it to the Council," Anakin said unperturbedly "That will certainly not help you to be knighted. And if you keep on disobeying direct rules from a Council member, it might lead to worse consequences."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth, definitely in order to protest and call Anakin names, but then he rethought it and closed his mouth into a thin, angry line. Without another word, he turned on his heels and made to leave.
"Hey!" Anakin called him back. "You bow to me before you leave, do you understand me?"
Obi-Wan angrily glared at him, hatred evident in his every features. Finally, he did a very curt bow and left quickly.
"And you must learn to control your anger and your hate, Padawan Kenobi," Anakin could not resist the sideswipe. He knew his behaviour was not befitting of a Jedi Master. But Obi-Wan had hurt him. Anakin had considered Obi-Wan his friend. Not a very close friend – Anakin did not have close friends at all. Friends… Did sparring together every few years make you friends? Certainly not. What else had they had? They had always been rivals, even as little younglings, they had been on three missions together, Anakin had almost killed Obi-Wan and he had kissed Obi-Wan. Friends, sure. That was certainly not what would be commonly called 'friends'. But still, it hurt to hear someone of the very few people, of whom he had thought they regarded him as more than a battle machine or a hero of the media, say such things to him. He knew he should not feel hurt. He should be calm and centred in the Force, he should be above such insults. Anakin took a deep breath. It was his first day as a Jedi Master and he had already done everything wrong. Obi-Wan was still a Padawan, an angry, impatient Jedi apprentice, and Anakin was a Master, that meant some people actually thought he was wise and strong enough to be on the Jedi Council. As a Master, he should help Obi-Wan overcome his anger. The Council had said Obi-Wan needed someone to guide him. As it looked, that task was Anakin's now. He just did not know how to do it as Obi-Wan did not want his help.