It's been a while since i last updated. I do apologise for that, bit I had to take care of a few things first. That, and i hadn't been feeling particularly inspired. I hope to have a new update ready for this and my other story soon.

Now, here is the next part!

As the sun slowly rose over Corsucant, Anakin rested his back against the barricade along the edge of the Jedi Temple's main platform. He looked up at the main facade, a major work of art in its own right and one of the treasures of the Republic.

That facade was now heavily damaged as a result of the battle that had been fought around the Temple. From within its precents a column of smoke still rose from where a gunship had crashed into the Temple. The resulting explosion had caught fire to the Temple, but the damage had been contained. Still, the damage to the Temple had been quite considerable, and several priceless artifacts had been lost.

Anakin turned around and looked over the barricade, itself scarred with blaster impacts. Down below he could see work crews clearing away the detritus of the battle: rubble, damaged or destroyed vehicles... and the bodies of the clone troopers from both sides who had fallen in combat. There were a lot of those.

Up on the main terrace similar crews were also clearing away similar detritus. The bodies of the Jedi who had fallen, however, were being taken into the Temple to be readied for proper disposal. Anakin knew that there were going to be quite a few pyres burning that night.

But we saved the Temple, he thought. And the Order. That's the main thing.

He thought back on the stranger. He had been truly inspirational.

He had surprised everyone by emerging clad in battle armour that was quite clearly styled on some antique design from the lost ages of the Galaxy's history. Alongside him, and similarly clad, were the two senior Padawan learners he had claimed as esquires, a word that the Jedi Archivist had had to look up to find its meaning. All three sets of armour was made of some silvery metallic substance that rapidly proved itself to be proof against blaster bolts. Anakin had also noticed that the vambraces the stranger normally wore were an integral part of the armour.

When quizzed about the armour by curious Jedi, the stranger simply said "I had it made and deposited here for such an eventuality," and deflected any other questions.

He had assembled the clone legion's ARC troopers as a kind of rapid reserve force, leading them into the thickest parts of the battle with a fearlessness that awed all who saw it. His skill with that unusual lightsabre of his was equally awesome, and his mere presence inspired both clone troopers and Jedi to greater exertions. Still, it had been a close thing.

What had eventually turned the battle in their favour was the extra legion that Senator Prince Bail Organa had released from its guard duty at the Senate. It had pitched into the rear of the already depleted ranks of Palpataine's troops and, simply by taking them by surprise, enabled the hard-pressed defenders of the Temple to drive the attacking troops off.

None of Palpataine's troops had surrendered: they had fought to the last trooper, a development that augured ill for the future course of the war. A civil war that has just gotten worse, thought Anakin.

A shadow fell over him. He looked up and saw the stranger standing there in front of him. He had removed his armour and was again wearing the unusual garb he had worn when he had intervened in Palpataine's office. "We've just received a message," he said. "Masters Yoda, Kenobi and the other surviving members of the Council have just jumped into the system and will be on Corsucant in a few hours. Palpataine has fled the system, and forces loyal to the Republic are mopping up the last remnants of his forces in system."

Anakin stood up. "So the surviving Council members will be here shortly?" he asked. The stranger nodded. "Then I suppose I had better prepare for my meeting with them... and my expulsion from the Order."

The stranger laid his gloved hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I think it is a little early to be talking about being expelled, Anakin," he said. "You won't be facing them alone, that I can promise you."

Anakin looked the stranger in the face. "You'll be there?" he asked.

The stranger nodded. "Yes, I will be," he said. "And not just for your sake. Remember that I commented that I may well have to teach the Jedi Order some lessons they've forgotten?" Anakin nodded. "Well, when we confront the remaining members of the Jedi Council is as good a time as any to begin that task." He laid his arm over Anakin's shoulders and guided him towards the Temple. "Come," he said. "We have time and we had best put it to use to prepare."

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The transport that carried Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda began its final descent onto the main platform in front of the Jedi Temple. From its interior both Jedi Masters could see the damage that the recent fighting had inflicted on both the Temple and the surrounding structures. They could also see the loyal close troopers, overseen by Jedi knights, clearing away debris and dead from around the Temple.

Kenobi looked at Master Yoda. "To think that the Sith Lord we were looking for turned out to be Chancellor Palpataine!" he said. "He was underneath our noses all this time! And to think that Anakin and I risked our lives to rescue him from Grievous' command ship!" A thought came to him. "He must have arranged that whole incident. But why?"

Yoda looked at Kenobi. "Many layers, and many paths, does a Sith Lord's plan have," he said. "Yet to the one objective they lead: power. Plus young Skywalker, I feel, Palpataine had been watching and cultivating, indeed."

"You think he was trying to turn Anakin to the Dark Side?" Kenobi asked.

Yoda nodded. "Yet something from that fate saved him," he replied. "What, I know not yet. But know it we shall." He indicated the temple. "In the Council chamber he awaits us, as do the surviving members of the Council. Yet..." Yoda frowned slightly, as if something had suddenly come to him.

"What, Master Yoda?"

Yoda looked back at Kenobi. "This day, the Jedi Order, as we have known it, cease to exist will it. What takes its place, I know not. But the answer we will find in the Council chamber." With that he moved towards the main entrance to the Temple, with Kenobi following him. Near the main entrance they encountered Madame Billaboa, who had arrived just before them.

"Heard from Madames Yaddie and Gallia, have you?" asked Yoda as he and Kenobi came up to where she stood waiting for them.

Billaboa nodded. "They're in the Council Chamber, along with Jedi Skywalker," she replied, falling into step with them. "Jedi Skywalker is waiting to make his report."

"Then we'd better go and hear what he has to say," replied Kenobi. Together the three of them walked towards the turbolift that would take them to the High Council chamber.

On the way they passed the signs of hard fighting that had enveloped the Temple. Here and there wounded clone troopers and Jedi ly being tended to by medical droids, while in other places the dead lay, waiting to be properly disposed of. The passing Masters could see that there would be many pyres burning throughout both the day and well into the night, and that the Order had suffered a blow that would take time to recover from.

But we will recover, Kenobi thought as they entered the turbolift and started on the long ascent to the Council chamber. Even if it takes years, the Order will recover. But will the Republic? He shook his head. No way of knowing that answer now.

As the doors to the turbolift opened they made to exit, but, on seeing the scene in the Council Chamber, they halted. There, kneeling, with head bowed, before the chair that Yoda usually sat in, knelt Anakin Skywalker. He was clad only in a loincloth, with even the black glove he usually covered his artificial hand with, removed, showing the hand's structure. In front of him, and ostentatiously out of reach, was his lightsabre, resting at the foot of Yoda's seat. It was lying on top of his Jedi clothing. Next to it lay another lightsabre. In the seat next to Yoda's, the one customarily occupied by Mace Windu, rested a third lightsabre. In his customary seat rested the holo image of Jedi Master Rancsis, his wounds obvious to the onlookers. On either side of Anakin stood Madames Allie and Yaddie, weapons drawn but not ignited.

Kenobi and Billaboa halted in astonishment just outside of the turbolift, but Yoda continued on for a few steps before stopping behind the kneeling Anakin. He looked around, taking in the surroundings. "Long has it been for this I have seen," he said. "The Ritual of Atonement." He looked at Anakin. "Much you feel you have to atone for, yes?"

Anakin kept looking at the floor in front of Yoda's seat. "Indeed, Master Yoda," he replied.

Yoda looked at Anakin, and then sighed. "Then this ritual we must begin," he said. He looked at Allie and Yaddie. "Stand beside this Jedi, do you?"

Both shook their heads. "Then, stand alone, does he?"

"No," came a voice from beside the turbolift. Except for Anakin, Allie and Yaddie, all turned to where a cloaked and cowled form stood, wearing clothing that, to the assembled Jedi Council members, looked positively archaic.

Yoda frowned as he concentrated on the figure. "A Jedi you do not seem to be," he said. "What right have you to stand beside this Jedi?"

The figure advanced, drawing his hood back as he did so. "The right of one who was there," he replied. "As you well know, child."

Kenobi, Billaboa and Rancsis looked at the stranger with shocked astonishment. Who does he think he is, thought Kenobi, to address Master Yoda like that? Then he looked at Yoda, and was further astonished at what he saw on Yoda's face.

There, on the face of the little Jedi Master was a look of astonishment mingled with a growing joy and respect. He started to tremble, his eyes filling with liquid. He attempted two times to speak, but, although he opened his mouth, nothing came out. Finally, he spoke. "Master?" he said.

To say that the other Jedi were shocked would be an understatement. They, except for Anakin, looked from Yoda to the stranger and back again. Master? Kenobi thought. Master Yoda called this stranger Master? Who is he?

The stranger smiled and, with an easy, catlike stride, walked over to where Yoda stood. Kneeling, he embraced the little Jedi Master, who returned the embrace. "It has been a long time, I know," he said. "But I'm back." Looking at the dumbfounded Jedi Masters surrounding them he smiled. "And I do believe you have an image to maintain," he said. "Especially with this one, I suspect," he continued, indicating Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Coming out of the embrace, Yoda wiped his eyes and nodded. "Set this up you did, Grand Master?" he asked. Then he shook himself and gave a wry smile. "Of course set this up you did."

Grand Master? Kenobi was dumbfounded. "Excuse me, Master Yoda, but who is this person?" he asked. "I wasn't aware we had a Grand Master."

Yoda nodded. "At the very beginning, he was," he said. "Taught the Jedi much he did. Much we forgot." He looked at the stranger. "Grand Master he was made by the first Jedi Council, and Grand Master he is."

"But that means..." The other looked at the stranger. "The Founder," Kenobi whispered. "You founded the Jedi Order."

The stranger nodded. "But I don't consider myself to be a Jedi," he replied. "More of an independent teacher, shall we say?" He looked at Yoda. "And there is business before this Council that we must attend to."

Yoda nodded. "Then take our seats we shall," he replied.

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Throughout the entire ritual trial (for that is what it was) Anakin kept looking at the floor in front of Yoda. Madames Allie and Yaddie never moved from their guard positions flanking Anakin as he gave a detailed account of what had happened in the Grand Chancellor's office, including his disabling Mace Windu in order to prevent him from killing Palpataine, and what had happened on Tatooine all those years ago. He also revealed that he had secretly married Padme Amidala, something which violated all of the Order's strictures and something for which he could be expelled.

Yoda looked at Obi-Wan Kenobi as Anakin made that revelation. "Secret this was not from all members of this Council, I suspect," he said. He looked at Anakin. "Grievous is what you did, young Skywalker," he said. "Expelled from this Order you should be."

"But won't be," replied the stranger. "Anakin helped me to ward off the worst damage that Palpataine had intended for the Order. And, although his actions could be considered extreme, his instincts were right. If he had not acted, I would have."

Yoda looked at the stranger. "Then, what do you suggest, Master?" he asked.

"Give him over to my care for now," the stranger said. "I will teach him and prepare him for his proper place: as a Jedi Master and a member of this council." He looked at Anakin. "Qui-Gonn Jinn was right to have him made a Padawan Learner, even in spite of his age at the time, for Anakin Skywalker has great potential. And, as the only Jedi who has stood on the edge of the precipice, he is better equipped than any Jedi Master to teach about the perils of succumbing to the lure of the Dark side."

Yoda considered, and then nodded. "Agree with this I do," he said. He looked at the other council members. "How say the Council?"

Kenobi spoke up. "I agree," he said. "And I ask of the Founder if I, too, may join him as a student."

The stranger smiled. "I was going to ask that you be assigned to me, Master Kenobi," he said. "I know of the bond between you and Anakin here."

"I agree as well," said Madame Allie. "However, I won't ask to be assigned to the Founder. I suspect that he may want to suggest other duties for me." Madame Yaddie said nothing, but simply nodded.

"Indeed I do," replied the stranger. "Your greatest duty is to prepare as many Padawans to become Jedi Knights as you can, for they will surely be needed."

Madame Billaboa also said nothing, but simply gave a nod. Only Master Rancsis remained, and he looked somewhat doubtful. "How can you be sure that he will not turn?" he asked the stranger.

"Why not ask him yourself?" replied the stranger, looking at Anakin.

Anakin kept looking at the floor in front of where Yoda sat. "The Founder asked me pretty much that question in the Chancellor's office in the Senate building," he said. "Except that he asked me if I was Jedi or Sith."

"And your answer?"

"I told him that I did not know."

"A good answer, that is," said Yoda. "Much wisdom you have gained, and much you have paid for it." He looked at the others. "Believe I that to the Grand Master's wishes we must accede. Forgotten much he taught us, we have."

"Including what I once said about tradition, it appears," replied the stranger. "That it is good to have traditions that tell us who and what we are, but that if we cling to them out of habit, if they no longer serve us, that instead we serve them, they become confining. And that if we need to discard some traditions in order to grow, then discard them we must, and create new ones in their place to serve us until they serve no more."

Yoda nodded. "Indeed," he said. "Bound too much by tradition, we have become. Blind to the threat in our midst, it made us." He looked around. "Palpataine, used this blindness he did. A lesson there is in this for us all."

Master Rancsis thought for a moment, and then nodded. "I agree."

"So be it," Yoda said. He looked at Anakin. "Jedi Skywalker, you may arise. Reclaim your lightsabre." He looked at the stranger. "What would have us do, Grand Master?"

"Tend to the dead and to the living first," the stranger replied. "Then try and learn what the overall strategic situation is, and begin to reconfigure your strategy to cope with it. Rebuild your forces. And towards that end, I offer you a force that I had the clone masters of Kamino create for this purpose."

"An army you have?" Yoda asked. "Of clones, is it?"

The stranger nodded. "Clones of members of my own species," he replied. "And all capable of using the Force to some extent."

"A formidable force, this is," Yoda said. "And you?"

"I'll be training Anakin and Master Kenobi," the stranger replied. "Then we hint down a certain Sith lord."

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