A/N 1: Well, here's another one. Hopefully this will clear up any doubts you had as to the last chapter. I'm already deviating a lot from EU/Canon, so after this is where my AU is going to start.
I wanted to reply to this one particular reviewer.
Guest: No! (What in the world is 'Yes!' supposed to mean? And that too, as a review?)
Well, all in all, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter too! And seriously, REVIEW! I need to know what I'm doing right/wrong. I actually love reviews and 14 for 4 chapters is terrible. C'mon, y'all.
As always, PM me for doubts/suggestions, and May the Force help you live long and prosper.
Chapter 5
(Somewhere in the recesses of Anakin's mind)
Darkness enveloped Anakin's subconscious mind in a comfortable embrace. He found the prospect of floating in nothingness peaceful, surrounded by nothing but the Force. The maelstrom of emotions and the turmoil in the Force felt so distant…
"Ahh, peace and solitude. At last.", he mentally sighed to himself, being subconsciously glad at being left alone.
*Less than a second of gratuity later*
The darkness shattered like glass, as if a terrifying force had smashed into it, and visions barged through.
"Damn it, I just had to go and try my luck, didn't I?"
Anakin held himself together in order to not get sucked into the tempest that now surrounded him. Images and visions tore at him from all directions, trying to tear away pieces of his mind. He knew if he let go, he would not return sane, if at all. The images all suddenly coalesced into one, and the scenery in his mind changed. Why did this feel familiar?
Anakin stood on a rock formation, surrounded by a pool of lava, as dark mist swirled around him like a storm. He felt another malevolent presence, something that shouldn't exist, somewhere behind him.
Pain wracked his mind, all of a sudden and his vision turned red. Try as he might, he couldn't tear his eyes from the scene that was playing out in front of him, in the mist.
A group of Padawans were huddled in the centre of the Jedi Council chamber, as a figure strode in through the door. The children looked up at the figure with hope, only for it to turn into fear as a blue lightsaber flared into existence in the figure's hand...no, the figure's cybernetic hand.
"That hilt...".The saber fell towards the Padawan at the front, and the image shifted.
Hundreds of dead Jedi bodies littered the Temple's main hall, while Clone Troopers marched around, checking for survivors. A Knight ran out at them from the shadows, but was snatched unexpectedly into the air from behind, his saber clattering to the floor. He clawed at his throat in fright, and then fell limp an instant later as the same blue saber stabbed through him from behind, with the scene shifting yet again.
A hand reached out in the Force and grabbed Padme by her throat, effectively choking her as her eyes went wide with pain and disbelief.
"No...NO! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE! AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE BEEN THROUGH!"
The image faded as Padme crumpled to the floor, unconscious, but barely alive.
A terrifying image flared into existence as the mist coagulated to reveal a dark shape. Anakin felt the breath leave him as he took in the image in front of him.
A black mask, with black merciless eyes and a breather from which mechanical sounds of breathing emanated, floated in front of him. The magnitude of fear that the image projected sent a chill through him and left him motionless, as he fell on the floor on all fours.
"What is that? Why does all of this feel familiar?"
Anakin's vision swam and he blacked out.
(The Jedi Temple, Coruscant; 3 days after Order 65 was implemented)
Anakin's eyes flew open and he bolted upright, his breath escaping him in ragged gasps as beads of sweat rolled down his face. His eyes flew around rapidly as he tried to take in his surroundings and ascertain his situation.
"Wow, you even look like a nightmare."
It was then that Anakin noticed the figure sitting next to him with a raised eye-brow.
"Obi-Wan… Wha-? How?"
"Calm down, Anakin. You're safe and in the Jedi Temple right now. I'll explain everything but you need to calm yourself."
"I don't care about anything else. Padme. Where is she? Is she safe?"
"Uhh, well.."
Anakin started, his eyebrows furrowing. "Obi-Wan.. What's wrong?"
The Jedi Master, usually an epitome of calm, was actually scratching his head and trying hard to keep his expression neutral.
"Oh, nothing's wrong, or maybe everything is. Depends on your point of view."
"Obi-Wan. You're not making any sense. Did Grevious hit you on your head or something?"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat and sighed to himself.
"Well, she went into labor some time yesterday, and gave birth to your kids today morning. All of them are fine. What's not fine, I think, is that the entire Jedi Order knows you're the father."
Anakin merely stared at him in shock. "How did they find-? Oh, blood test. Damn. Well, I'm glad she's…..Wait, did you say KIDS?"
"Yes, and I also think I can see a Gundark in there given how slack-jawed you've gone."
Anakin snapped his jaw shut and sighed. Well, he'd have to deal with one situation at a time. Shaking his head, he realized he still had medical probes attached to his chest, connected to a datapad giving readouts on his health parameters. A Medical droid walked in immediately as he decidedly ripped one of the probes off his chest, making the datapad beep in alarm.
"Greetings, Master Jedi. I am unit MD-69. I would request you to leave the probes attached as I take a readout of your parameters. Given your incomprehensible healing factor, you will be allowed to discharge yourself once I complete the procedure."
Anakin re-seated himself, trying to quell his nervousness, and looked at Obi-Wan, who for some reason, looked annoyed.
"Master? Is..everything okay?"
"You tell me."
"Huh?"
Obi-Wan drew in a breath, and then looked Anakin squarely in the eye, making the later quake in fear for some reason.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? Rushing in headlong like that, without any back-up or thought as to what would happen to Padme if something had happened to you! Do you ever pause to consider your options or the implications of your actions? What have I taught you, so painstakingly, during all those years as your Master? You may have won, but what if you hadn't?"
Anakin knew that Obi-Wan was more upset because he had almost died than because of what he'd done. He even sensed a slight tone of pride when his Master spoke the last sentence. Anakin decided to let him finish his discourse and just accept it, shamefaced. If there was one person you never messed with, it was a pissed off Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Obi-Wan resigned himself to staring at Anakin with apparent anger and folded arms.
"Obi-Wan?", Anakin ventured.
"What?", the latter snapped.
"I'm thirsty."
Obi-Wan huffed and stood up. He walked out of the room, and Anakin picked up the phrases 'No patience', 'never listens' and 'hit his head somewhere' amongst his grumblings. Anakin started at the last one.
A minute later, Obi-Wan walked in, his face still a mask of disapproval and handed him a glass. Anakin took the proffered glass and raised his eyebrows out of curiosity, as all that was in the glass was a block of ice.
Obi-Wan merely raised a palm and said nonchalantly, "Wait."
Anakin started, yet again. Damn, that old man had a sense of deadpan humor that was above anyone else's. Yep, never mess with a pissed off Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Once the droid finished it's readings, Anakin pulled on his shirt and both the Jedi headed out towards Padme's room.
"Once the Council realized that the children are yours, they had Padme shifted to the Temple, and the delivery was handled by Force sensitive nurses, so don't worry, it went smoothly. Again, from at least my point of view. I was just waiting outside.", Obi-Wan said. Well, apparently getting the rant out of his system had calmed him down once again.
"As long as all the three of them are okay, it doesn't matter...Wait, did she name the children without me even knowing?", Anakin queried, wide-eyed. "A brilliant way to start Fatherhood.", he thought to himself.
Obi-Wan merely smirked at his apprentice's put-out face.
Anakin practically ran into Padme's room, only to be stopped by yet another Medical droid, which frantically tried to prevent him entry.
"You cannot go in, Master Jedi! The patient has just been put to sleep using medication after a tiresome procedure. No visits will be allowed for the next six hours."
"But, I'm the father! I want to see my children."
"Oh.. Apologies, Master Skywalker. You may go in, alone, but I'm afraid Senator Amidala will not awaken any time soon, because of the medication. Health-wise, she's completely fine. You can visit the babies at the same time, as they are also currently asleep."
"Alright, then", he sighed.
The door opened with a pneumatic hiss as Anakin walked in to the room. Padme lay on a bed on the far side of the room, at the foot of which lay two cribs. Anakin slowly walked over to where Padme lay and sat down on a chair next to her bead. He caressed her face with his biological hand and smiled to himself as he felt the warmth of her skin on his. She seemed so peaceful in this state, her worry lines almost non-existent. He couldn't fathom as to what she'd gone through during childbirth and berated himself for not being there by her side.
He slowly enveloped her life aura with his, through the Force, and stood up when he felt a Force aura from the two twins, wide-eyed. He knew they were Force-sensitive, but to experience it first hand...
He shuffled over to the cribs and looked down upon his children, also asleep peacefully. It was then that he noticed the names on each crib.
'Luke' and 'Leia', they read. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized he was looking at his own children. Sure, he knew he was having a child ever since he'd felt Padme's pregnancy, but actually beholding them in front of him made it feel extremely real.
He sobbed as tears streaked down his cheeks. Tears of happiness and mixed with other emotions that he'd been forced to go through the last few days.
"I swear it, on my life, that I will protect the three of you. With my life."
The medical droid walked in two minutes later and found Anakin kneeling next to the two cribs, his head bent to the floors as tear drops fell onto it. The droid walked up to him and spoke in a low volume, "Master, it would be prudent if you left them alone for a while. They need their rest and according to Master Kenobi, you have a meeting to get to."
Anakin nodded and stood up. Wiping his eyes on his robes, he walked out of the room, with a final look at all three of them.
Once out, he turned to Obi-Wan and asked,"Meeting, Obi-Wan? Is this a Council meeting, regarding my situation? Have they decided anything yet?"
"Well, the Council has been called into session half an hour from now for a multitude of reasons. Or, well, whatever's left of the Council, anyway."
"...What?"
Obi-Wan sighed. "A lot's happened while you were out. Fear not, the Council will bring you up to speed. It's best if we head over right now, though."
"Hold on, that reminds me. How did I get here? Who rescued me? I'm not sure, but I could've sworn I saw-"
He abruptly broke off as a figure rounded the corner.
"AHSOKA!"
Ahsoka smiled and said,"Well, looks like you're finally up, Skyguy. What took you so long?"
"Wha-? How-? WHAA-?", Anakin said, eloquently.
"Yeah, yeah, I was the one who saved you and Master Fisto. That's another one you owe me, Master."
Anakin smiled at her usage of the honorific for him. Damn, he'd missed her. He reached out and pulled her into a hug, ignoring the latter's protests.
"How are you here? Where were you all this time?", he asked holding her at arm's length.
"Patience, Master. The Force shall make everything clear at the Council meeting.", she smirked.
He frowned at her, but then relented, starting to make his way to the Jedi Council chamber.
The three's company strode into the Council room together.
The first thing Anakin noticed was the lack of people in the room, and well the lack of any hologram Jedi Masters occupying their seats. He raised an eye-brow and made to stand in the centre of the room with Ahsoka, while Obi-Wan took his seat.
"Await you, your seat does, Master Skywalker.", Grand Master Yoda said, gesturing to the seat next to Obi-Wan. Anakin was visibly surprised at that. "Err, did he just call me Master? And I thought this was supposed to be my Trial or something."
As if reading his thoughts, Yoda ventured, "A unanimous decision, the Council had reached, regarding your position. Without further delay, grant you the rank of Jedi Master, we do. Served you, and the Galaxy well, your actions and forethought have.", in his usual jumbled manner of speech.
Anakin was borderline stupefied. He'd expected to be chastised for his relationship with Padme, and here the Council was, promoting him. Frowning slightly, he made for his seat. Why hadn't Obi-Wan said anything about this? Also, where were the rest of the Masters? It wasn't like them to be late. A total of four Masters, excluding Anakin, were physically present in the room, specifically, Yoda, Obi-Wan, Plo Koon and Shaak Ti.
"The Order owes you a great debt, Master Skywalker. I would even go as far as saying that you have single-handedly prevented it's eradication. We suffered heavy losses when you were fighting the Sith, but it would've been much worse if not for your timely and well-thought actions.", said Master Plo Koon. He sighed and clasped his hands together before continuing, "We lost a majority of the Council and about four hundred other Knights across the Galaxy. We even lost communication with the AgriCorps at Telos, and are assuming that there are no survivors there."
Way too many questions cascaded into Anakin's head together, rendering him momentarily speechless. Drawing a breath, he decided to tackle them one at a time.
"How? I thought I'd prevented the Sith's plan from fruition by calling for the execution of Order 65? How did we still lose so many Jedi?"
Obi-Wan decided to take over.
"Exactly the way you'd figured, actually. Contingency Order 66. Do you remember the explosion at the power generating station? That not only generated a section-wide blackout, but, coupled with a signal jammer, completely blocked off all communications made to and from this sector, due to which many troops in the Outer-Rim did not receive Order 65. In addition to this, the Sith had apparently made plans in case his current one failed. He'd recorded a hologram of him issuing Order 66, which was broadcasted on all GAR frequencies from some other part of the planet. All units that had received Order 65 outright rejected the command as it was from a now unauthorized person. The remaining, though..."
He didn't need to complete the sentence for Anakin to realize what had transpired, and something clicked at the back of his mind. "Damn it, it all was because he was able to get an order out to someone through his transmitter during our fight! That's what his 'Contingency Order #2' was, then. Shit, this man might've been an idiot in trying to convert me to the Dark Side, but he's still a brilliant strategist. Not to mention powerful."
"The Senate was called into an emergency session day before yesterday by the Security Council, and Bail Organa has been voted in as the temporary Supreme Chancellor, which he will hold until a proper election is held. Although, because of Order 65, you still are the Supreme Commander of the GAR, a fact that a lot of Senators, surprisingly, didn't have an issue with. They realized how the previous Chancellor had abused the power given to him and are actually fine with the Jedi being in control of the army. I suppose it is again thanks to you that the Jedi are still trusted Galaxy-wide."
Nodding to Obi-Wan, Anakin said, "And what of the Clone legions that carried out Order 66? What happened to them? Are they still gunning for Jedi? Any way we-"
He frowned and stopped mid-sentence when he saw the Masters exchange looks.
One hand stroking his chin, Obi-Wan looked at Anakin and said,"Once we became aware of what had transpired across the Galaxy, we looked up the Contingency Orders completely. The entire Clone Army comes with a command, or, well, a kill-switch, to be exact. In order to prevent Clones from deserting and joining the opposite faction, or to prevent them from being held hostage, the higher authorities reserve the right to 'Disavow' said Clones. Any clone that has been disavowed has a small chip inside them render them brain-dead, to be either mind-wiped later or be disposed off. As you, the Supreme Commander was not available to make such a decision, the power, once again lay with the Senate, which immediately voted to disavow them, without any care as to what would happen to any Clones." Pausing to swallow, Obi-Wan continued,"We lost a total of around eighty thousand troopers due to that."
Anakin's eyes widened as he continued to listen to what Obi-Wan was saying. He was angry. Angry at how callous the Senate was, at himself for being too slow, and at the Council for being blinded in-spite of everything transpiring around them. This was unacceptable, and he was going to make sure something like this never happened again. The Jedi Council was too conceited and reserved, and at times like this it actually set events with far-reaching consequences into motion.
Ahsoka had, meanwhile, slunk to a corner and was merely observing the proceedings, having no say either way.
"Eighty thousand, huh?", he said quietly, drawing everyone's eyes to him. "For all your wisdom and supposed strength, you still couldn't protect eighty thousand lives from being rendered comatose. Forget the other Jedi, these clones laid their lives down for all of us, and you still couldn't do anything about it when the call to kill their brains was taken? It's like Ahsoka said, all those years ago. The Order has been blinded by age-old rules and 'Code'. How is it that none of you were able to sense such a vile being gaining so much power, right under your noses? You put so much blind faith that everything would just magically turn out to be okay, that that very inaction of yours caused such a huge catastrophe to take place. While focusing on just the Jedi Code, you've forgotten the most important thing. You've forgotten what the Jedi stand for, first and foremost. It's not peace, justice or anything as noble as that. It's balance."
"Now, listen here-", Shaak Ti started to say, but Anakin was on a roll.
"The Sith need to be weeded out because they are a disease, one that causes turmoil wherever it goes, and you all almost let one have his way with the Galaxy. In light of these events, tell me, how do you justify your actions and inaction to be valid? What exactly are you trying to teach the Padawans by telling them to completely cut themselves off from an emotion, that too one as powerful as attachment? You say compassion is centre to being a Jedi, but fail to see that it goes hand-in-hand with attachment. How is it balance if you completely weed out a feeling? That's not what the Code stood for. I maybe impulsive and nowhere near perfect myself, but I've mulled the Code over and I say that you've misunderstood it. Completely. What the Code warns us from is attachment of such a degree that you forget everything else, making it your only priority. You think I'm wrong? Well, I'm sure all of you know about me and Padme. Yes, she's my wife, and yes, those twins are mine, and despite my 'attachment to them', I was able to make choices in a level-headed fashion. Actually, this attachment of mine is what helped me make some of the more important choices in the right direction. You need to re-evaluate your beliefs, all of you. Continuing this way is only going to make things worse, and if you still think I'm extremely wrong for voicing out my thoughts due to my 'inexperience' or 'young age', I'm sorry, but I just might have to follow in my Padawan's footsteps."
Anakin realized he'd stood up at some point during his speech, and was staring hard at everyone present, with the exception of Obi-Wan. His Master had always stood by him, through triumphs and faults and he had never seen him sit around under the misnomer of peace, while some wrong was being done. He was glad, to have been apprenticed to Obi-Wan, of all people. Anakin was also surprised that he had managed to keep his anger in check and hadn't yelled out, making sure just his disapproval got across.
The various Masters looked at each other guiltily, and then looked inwards, contemplating his words and the meaning behind it. Truth be told, they'd had many other Jedi question the Code simply because they didn't agree, but this was the first time they were being shown that even words set in stone could be misinterpreted, that too with substantial proof.
While the others were thinking to themselves, Ahsoka had snuck up behind Anakin, and whispered into his ears.
"You really laid into them, this time. Could've eased up on the tone, but I suppose that's more of Master Kenobi's thing."
"Well, they had it coming. It's high time we changed, especially after an incident this messed up."
Yoda spoke up first. "While agree with your tone, I do not, recognize the wisdom behind your words, I do. Strong, is the Dark Side, strong enough to blind the strongest of us. Feel a dullness in our senses lift, we did, when you defeated the Sith. Acknowledge our folly in not acting sooner, I do. Averted much pain, we could have."
"What you did not know, Anakin, was of the politics that used to go on even within the Council. It's not like we didn't want to act on certain situations, but we were unable to, due to disunity amongst us. It may sound crude, me saying this, but, in a way, Order 66 has given us a chance to start anew. The entire opposition party, led by Master Mundi, who were staunch believers in the Jedi Code fell to a plot which was partially successful due to themselves. For the last eighty years or so, this has been the case, as Master Yoda had told me."
"Still, excuse our behavior, this does not. Only the wisest and active Jedi, do we need on the Council. Believe I do, that the first to join our ranks after this attempted Purge is of excellent caliber. Still a lot to learn, we have."
The rest of the Council silently nodded in agreement, while Anakin processed this new bit of information. It made sense, as despite Master Obi-Wan being on the Council, him directly involving himself in most conflicts was never frowned upon by Masters Yoda or Windu, while some others, especially Master Poof, openly voiced their thoughts against it.
"Power hungry fools everywhere, huh?"
"About your transgression of the Code, a decision the Council had reached. Counted as a violation, it will be not. Proven yourself a worthy Jedi Master, you have. Young in age, you may be, but a lot, can you teach us. For preventing our extermination, in your forever debt the Order is. In light of this, and the wisdom displayed by you, along with your understanding of the Code, bestow on you, the title of Barsen'thor, along with Master of the Order, we do."
Anakin would've definitely choked had he been drinking something. Okay, he had not expected this to be the outcome of his rant. The remaining members of the Council were apparently not that conceited, and were open to change. Well, if this was possible, it could definitely rain on Tatooine.
*Half a galaxy away, on a planet scorched by two suns, where selling water was the biggest scam, on account of it being the rarest commodity*
Gardulla the Hutt was a Galaxy-wide infamous scoundrel, known for his unlawful and extortionist ways. Right now, most of his income was by hoarding water supplies and selling the resource at prices that made Gardulla himself cringe. Thinking of the number of figures he expected his wealth to grow by today, he currently was relaxing on his luxury barge, some distance from the city of Mos Eisley.
The sudden torrent of rain that poured down on Tatooine, of all planets, had him choking on the Klatooine paddy frogs he'd just put in his mouth, and added to the thought of how many credits he'd be losing sent him into a panic. Not knowing how to help the massive, flailing Hutt, the remaining staff (at least the ones not distracted by the sudden plentiful availability of water, free of cost) stayed well away, only scratching their heads in bewilderment at the sudden turn of events, when the massive Hutt's motionless body fell off the dais.
Who knew rain was the way to end criminal empires?
*Jedi Council Chamber, Coruscant*
Shaking his head at the impossible thought he'd just had, Anakin focused on the next issue at hand. Yoda called Ahsoka to the front, and asked her to recount her side of the events, which the latter did, with a nod.
"Thank you for your timely actions, we do. Substantial were they, in saving the lives of Masters Fisto and Skywalker. Also, regret our actions, during your wrongly accused Trial, we do. Much to contemplate over the division within the Council, there still is. As before, a choice, to come back to the Order, we offer you, not as Skywalker's Padawan, but as a Jedi Knight.", Yoda said, once Ahsoka had finished.
Ahsoka seemed to ponder at that for a moment, and then she turned to look at Anakin, who merely smiled at her, absent-mindedly rubbing the back of his head.
"It would be great to have you back, Snips."
Her eyes sparkled with renewed vigor, and she turned back to the Grand Master.
"I lost the trust I'd had for the Order when you refused to stand up for me at my trial, but, if it is as you say, and the Order is willing to at least attempt changing, then yes, I think I would like to return. Nowhere else has felt like home, after all", she said, with a smile.
Plo Koon looked up at her and said "I'm glad you came back, young one. At least this way, we can start on a path of redemption. For the Galaxy, at large."
Ahsoka smiled back at the Kel Dor Jedi Master, and made her way to stand next to Anakin's seat.
"Coming back to the war, we managed to shut down all droid units and factories once we captured the leaders on Utapau. With Grievous' death, the Banking Clan also stopped backing it's leaders and the Separatists, leading to a lot of systems breaking off and requesting to rejoin the Republic. The Clone Wars are officially over, but the Clone Army will still remain on all Republic-affiliated planets, and Kamino will still manufacture Clone units as and when needed. A few 'Disavowed' clone units have been recovered and are currently at Kamino, having their programming wiped. If successful, they will rejoin the GAR, although, they will be kept under watch for a while to prevent any security lapses."
"Thank the Force for that", Anakin sighed. "No more fighting battles for days and ruining my robes. Hell, the Clones deserve it, more than we do. Also, I finally get more time to spend with Padme, and the twins."
"If nothing else of utmost importance there is, then adjourned, this meeting is. Master Skywalker, a word with you in private, I would like to have."
The remaining Masters rose to leave, weary from the ordeal of the last few days. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka signalled that they would wait for him outside the Chamber, and followed the remaining Masters out.
Once the doors closed, Anakin walked towards the eight hundred years old Jedi Master, and sat down next to him.
"Powerful in the Force you are, Master Skywalker, with a potential to far exceed any Jedi, including me, yes. Your opinion I require, in a few matters concerning the Order."
"What would those be, Master Yoda?"
"Reach out with your senses, in the Force. Feel the power flow into and out of the nexus on which the Temple is built. Tell me, what do you feel?"
Anakin shut his eyes and concentrated, drawing in on the Force to extend his senses. He reached out far below the Temple where a nexus of lines of Force existed. This was the reason the Temple was built in this very spot. The power that emanated out of a nexus was massive and it always calmed Anakin, whenever he stepped in-. Wait. Something was wrong. The Force that flowed out of the nexus had an odd feel to it. It was a slight ripple, but noticeable and as soon as Anakin tried to reach out to it, he started to feel anything but calm. It induced several emotions in him; Fear, anxiety, anger being a few.
Immediately realizing what exactly the problem was, he snapped his eyes open, withdrawing the probe.
"The nexus.. It feels...tainted. There's Dark energies corrupting it."
Yoda looked at Anakin with mild interest. "Exactly, young one. Feeding from, and into, this Force nexus, the Sith has. Accelerate the generation of Dark energy, your battle against him has. A long time will it take, for the nexus to return to balance."
"But, Master Yoda, the Order resides in this Temple! What will we do if-?"
He paused as something clicked in his mind. "The other Jedi Temples across the Galaxy are also built on Force nexuses, aren't they? You wanted my opinion on whether to move the Jedi Order to one of the others, am I right?"
"Serve you well, your insight does. In times of despair, the Order has always fallen back upon the planet where the Order was first born; the planet where the first Jedi Temple still stands: Tython"
Anakin frowned at that. "Wasn't Tython abandoned and forgotten after the Order moved to Ossus?"
"Abandoned, it was, yes, but not left unattended. Shift to Ossus, the Order did, due to a similar taint in the nexus on Tython. Left under the care of Twi'lek residents from a nearby village, the Temple was. Discover this I did, four hundred years back. To balance, the nexus had returned, then."
"Twi'leks? On Tython?"
"Two villages of them. Send Sentinels to the Temple secretly, to reinstate it to working condition, I did, for the past two centuries. Know of this no one did, except Master Windu and I."
"If the Temple is actually in working condition, then I would suggest moving the Order Headquarters there. We can still have Knights and a few Masters here, but I think moving the bulk of the Order and bringing all new recruits to Tython would be the best idea."
"Agree with you, I do, Master Skywalker. Begin the process in a week's time, we shall. Now, on to the second matter. Once old enough your children are, Jedi, will they become?"
Anakin was surprised at that. As far as he knew, the Order forcefully inducted all Force-sensitives into the Order, even before they had any memories of their parents, if it could be helped. The Jedi Order even had that right by law. And Master Yoda was actually giving him a choice? He frowned at that. No one could become so accommodating instantaneously.
Sensing his doubts, Yoda explained "Originate during the Great Hyperspace War, the law to induct Force-sensitive children into the Order did. Mandatory it was, at that time, to prevent children from being trained to use the Dark Side, and to increase our numbers. Pointless it was, after the complete demolition of the Sith Empire and the Brotherhood of Darkness. Again, consider this to be a part of the Code blindly, most of the Council did."
Anakin nodded at that. That made sense to him, as he knew the state the Sith Empire had left the Order in, after the near destruction of Coruscant during one of the Wars. Incidentally, that was also when the Order had last fallen back onto Tython, before moving to Ossus.
"Yes, Master, I would like them to be trained as Jedi, but, only if they are not separated from me and Padme. I will not accept that, under any circumstance."
"Of that, there will be no need. Trained under your own tutelage, will they be, or under a Master you see fit, yes." Nodding, he continued,"A final matter, I would like your opinion on. There is one, who has turned from the Dark Side. Rescued from falsehood and being used, he was, by you. Intend to bring him back to the Order, I do."
"Who? Wait- Dooku?" Anakin said, his eyes widening.
"Feel his repentance through the Force, I can. Deceive me, it does not. Still, to visit him, I would request you. Require a second opinion, I do."
"I don't see any harm in that, I suppose. I will visit him as soon as I have time, Master. For now, I think I will return to my chambers. I'm already tired, even though all I have done is talk.", he sighed, getting up at the same time.
"A moment, Master Skywalker", Yoda said, deep in thought. "Your saber. Switch it on, please."
Anakin frowned, but detached his saber from his belt. Holding it with his cybernetic hand, he stretched out his arm and ignited it with the characteristic 'snap-hiss'.
His breath caught in his throat as he saw the blade of his lightsaber. The once brilliant blue colour, was now replaced by a glowing silvery-grey.
Master Fisto decided to make a holo-appearance from his hospital ward room at that very moment, surprised at the drawn lightsaber.
"What in the world happened when I was out?"
A/N 2: Grey Jedi, muahahaha. I have plans to reform the Order into what Luke made it, in the EU. Not exactly the same, but similar. Should be fun.