Author's Note: Last time I tried to write this story, the last thing I produced was a partially written scene in which Obi-Wan convinces the Council to let Anakin be a Jedi Knight despite the "wrong" (in massive quotes for a reason) choice he made in the Temple basement. I've now officially passed that point and written more of the story than I ever have previously. Let's hope I can make it all the way to the end :)

Anakin has way more social intelligence and is way more manipulative in this chapter than in canon. My excuse is that in the world of this story, his attraction to Obi-Wan made him more inclined to listen to and learn from him. Anakin also expresses his sexual conservatism in this chapter, so be aware of that.

Obikin shippers, don't be too worried by what Anakin says midway through the chapter. He (and I) have a plan. :)

Chapter 6: The Vision

Anakin raised his chin as he approached the semi-circle of seated Council members, with Obi-Wan a few paces behind him.

His eyes darted between the eleven — the death of Coleman Trebor during the Battle of Geonosis had left one seat empty — Jedi Masters. Had the Changling told the truth? Did one or more of them frequent the brothels of Coruscant's underworld? Surely Depa Billaba, Adi Gallia or Shaak Ti wouldn't. Females didn't exploit each other that way. Nor could Grand Master Yoda, for he didn't have the size for it. But the other seven could. Anakin tried not to picture it.

Mace Windu stood up and straightened himself to emphasise his imposing build. "So, Skywalker, you managed to break our trial," he said. "We'll make sure it's not so easy for the next Padawan."

"But I barely finished in time," said Anakin, banishing the unsavoury images from his mind, "and I'm the most powerful student there's ever been. How's anyone else meant to pass?"

Windu frowned. "By doing it the right way."

Anakin snorted. "You mean letting Obi-Wan die?" Though he'd rescued a bratty Changeling, the test was meant to simulate a scenario in which his master was in genuine danger. "Even when I could save him and stop your made-up threat? Does his life mean nothing to you?"

Obi-Wan grabbed his bicep. "He doesn't mean that, Anakin. All he's saying is I'm not worth more than the countless Jedi who'd have died had there been a real explosion. I'd gladly sacrifice myself to save them. As would any of us."

"Indeed," said Windu. "A Jedi Knight must place the galaxy's interests above those of any individual, even themselves and their closest friends. Your Padawan doesn't seem capable of making such a choice."

"He'll overcome that weakness in time," said Obi-Wan

"Weakness?" said Anakin. His attachment to his master was no weakness. It was making him stronger than any other Jedi could hope to be. He wanted to point this out, but Obi-Wan yanked his arm, reminding him to respect those in charge.

"Hope for that, we must," said Yoda. He sat on Windu's right, legs crossed and green head bent.

To the left of Windu, Mundi stroked his wispy beard. "In the meantime," said the Cerean, "We should set aside our opinions of him and evaluate his performance in the Trials."

The rest of the Council agreed. Obi-Wan reminded them that they'd previously decided not to make Anakin face the Trial of Courage or the Trial of the Flesh. The Padawan had already passed them by fighting Dooku alone and losing his hand to him, not to mention the horror of waking up mid-surgery.

The basement mission had, according to a brief explanation provided by Mundi, combined the Trial of Insight with the Trial of Skill. That must've been the "condensing" Windu told Obi-Wan about that morning.

While the Council, especially Yoda, disapproved of Anakin screaming his revelations at the camera, no one could deny that he'd successfully seen through their trick. There was even less need to discuss his impeccable duelling. Even Windu couldn't deny his skill. "But Skywalker still has one Trial to face," he said.

Anakin gulped. He'd been dreading the Trial of the Spirit, in which he'd be required to enter a deep meditative trance and confront the worse parts of himself. He'd done enough of that on Tatooine and since leaving it.

"Had he left the Changeling alone," said Mundi, "Anakin would now be forced to confront his greatest fear." That explained his cryptic "two or three steps" comment from earlier.

"Easier it would be," said Yoda, "for him to mediate on his darker nature."

"I don't need your ridiculous game," said Anakin, "I can enter a trance state without it. I have a stronger connection to the Force than any of you."

"What my Padawan means," said Obi-Wan, "is that when Jedi students attempt the Trial of the Spirit, they are meant to choose for themselves how to conduct it. It isn't the Council's place to control which aspects of himself Anakin explores."

Yoda sighed. "Dictate Skywalker's Trial, we cannot. But inspire a course for his improvement, we can."

Anakin sighed. It was clear what the Council wanted. They viewed his connection to his master as the most dangerous element of his character and had hoped to nudge him toward battling it while in his trance. They'd never it as the safest way to contain his need for attachment, the way Obi-Wan's plan required them to. But Anakin had no intention of destroying his strongest weapon against his inner darkness. He needed a plan of his own.

"I understand," said Obi-Wan. He let go of Anakin and took a step toward Windu. "Now with your permission, I'd like to take my Padawan to a mediation chamber for his final Trial."

Windu raised his eyebrow. "A skilled Jed you may be, Obi-Wan, but we haven't made you a Master yet."

"No, and I'm far from the best teacher here, but my student trusts me and will feel more comfortable facing the Trial with me there." He turned to his Padawan. "Won't you?"

"I will," said Anakin. He didn't need Obi-Wan to speak for him, though he was right.

"Very well, then," said Windu, his brow furrowed. "You may go."

Obi-Wan bowed before leaving the Chamber. Anakin followed his lead, though he doubted a show of respect could restore their tainted reputation. He could see only one way out of their predicament and his master wouldn't like it.

Anakin's eyes flew open. His heart was racing. A layer of sweat coated the cushioned meditation pad beneath his crossed legs. Obi-Wan sat across from him, holding both his hands. His gentle squeezes must have broken his Padawan's trance and brought him back to the dim mediation chamber. With its blinds pulled shut, the candles flickering on its ancient pillars were its only light source.

"It's alright," said Obi-Wan, "I'm here. You're safe."

"But you're not," said Anakin, his chest heaving. "I had another vision, as real as the one about my mother."

"Oh." Obi-Wan tightened his grip on his Padawan's hands. "That's not how the Trial of the Spirit usually works, but the Council should accept it. What did you see?"

"You die."

His master let out a brief laugh. "That's a pity. I'd always expected to live forever, given the risk-free lives we both lead."

Anakin scowled. "I'm going to kill you, Master."

"For that joke? Come now, it wasn't that bad, was it?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "We were on a space station, but everything looked duller than normal. I could barely breath, but I didn't want air. I wanted you dead. You pointed your sabre at the ceiling, and I slashed through you with mine. It had a red blade, like a..." He buried his head to avoid his Obi-Wan's kind gaze. He thought he'd been getting better. His master had been healing him, battling the monster that threatened to swallow him. Was he really going to fail?

Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I understand why you're distressed, but you mustn't jump to conclusions. Tell me, what was I like in your vision?"

"Older, much older and weaker too."

"Was I frightened?"

Anakin shook his head. "You seemed peaceful, like it didn't bother you."

Obi-Wan gave a warm chuckle. "Well, that settles it."

Anakin raised his head to glare at him. "You want me to kill you?"

"I'd rather it be you than a crippling illness. Don't you see, Anakin? Your vision means I'm going to live a long, happy life with you by my side. And when my time comes, I'll ask you to help me die with dignity."

"No," said Anakin. "You're tougher than that. No disease is strong enough to defeat you, Master. Only I am." Was he going to torture Obi-Wan so cruelly he'd beg for death? Or break his heart through the violence he committed against others? He was capable of both. His actions on Tatooine proved that.

"Anakin, it won't be a defeat. When my work is done here, the Force will call me back and I'll gladly yield to it will. I'll be a weary man seeking rest, and you'll provide it."

"With a Sith lightsabre?"

"One you took from Dooku or Sidious when you triumphed over them. I'd rather you didn't keep their weapons as trophies, let alone use them, but starting tonight you'll no longer have to obey me. I suspect it'll amuse you to use a Sith weapon for its intended purpose, though not under the circumstances its creator imagined."

Anakin's breathing slowed. He hoped Obi-Wan's interpretation was corrected, but there were parts that didn't fit. "Why do it on a space station?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "That'll probably be your idea. I'd prefer the Temple gardens, but the younglings might see it and get the wrong impression. Besides I'll want you to feel as comfortable as possible given the circumstances and you're rarely at ease on the ground."

Anakin quivered. "I wasn't at ease in the vision either."

"No, you'll be furious with me for giving up and, as you'll see it, choosing to leave you. You'll overestimate my strength, as you did just now, but one day, if you're lucky, you'll grow old yourself and you'll understand."

"Doesn't the Code protect all life?"

Obi-Wan shuffled closer to his Padawan. "It forbids the taking of life out of anger or greed. But I am giving you my life, as much of it as I can while serving the galaxy as a Jedi, and when you end it for my benefit, you'll be honouring me as a Jedi should. It is odd that, when facing the Trial of the Spirit, you saw yourself perform an act of mercy, but you'll likely have to summon the cruellest parts of yourself to commit it."

That would explain why Anakin hadn't felt like himself while in his trance. He hadn't only been angry with Obi-Wan, he'd hated him. Though he'd only glimpsed a few moments of their future. Maybe his master was right and when the dreaded day arrived, the rage wouldn't last.

"And since you've confronted your darker nature and thereby passed the Trial of the Spirit," said Obi-Wan, "you're now a Jedi Knight in my eyes, which means I must ask you..."

Anakin sighed. "You want to know if you should ask the Council for permission to court me."

His master nodded.

"Don't do it," said Anakin. "Don't throw away your reputation for me. I won't agree to it."

Obi-Wan's face sank. "You won't? But I thought … is this because of the vision?"

"No, I made my decision back in the Council Chambers." There was more to his words than Obi-Wan realised, but if Anakin revealed their real meaning now it would ruin everything.

"Then I must've misread you," said Obi-Wan, his voice striped of its earlier passion. "I apologise." He let go of Anakin and shifted away from him.

"You did nothing wrong. I encouraged you."

"No, I was far too eager to see signs that weren't there, but I'll control myself from now on. We'll pretend none of this ever happened and if your vision comes true, we'll be lifelong friends. I'm grateful for that."

"So am I," said Anakin. His master was taking the apparent rejection well, too well. Could his feelings have been that strong if they vanished so easily?

"Well then," said Obi-Wan, with a cheerful grin. "I'll report your success to the Council. Meet me at the Chamber entrance at sunset. You'll learn their decision then."

Anakin returned his smile, hoping his master's feelings weren't truly gone.

Anakin arrived in the entrance hall to find Obi-Wan gazing at Coruscant's twilight skyline. His hood was raised. He never wore it that way inside. Did this mean what his Padawan hoped it did?

"Anakin, you're late," said Obi-Wan, turning to face him.

"I wanted to make my braid look right," said Anakin, smoothing down his now dry hair. "Seeing as this is the last time, I'll be wearing one. Yoda's going to cut it, isn't he?"

Obi-Wan didn't answer.

Anakin's eyes narrowed. "I am being knighted, aren't I?" He'd done what he needed to. Surely his master hadn't let him down while reporting his final Trial to the Council.

"You'll see," said Obi-Wan.

The entrance to the Council Chamber slid open. Anakin gave Obi-Wan a nervous sidelong glance before entering the pitch-black room. As he reached its centre, the door sealed shut, plunging him into darkness. Was this part of the ceremony? He reached for his weapon in case it wasn't.

Then, all at once, a circle of lightsabres, ignited around him, each pointed skyward, as Obi-Wan's had been in the vision. Anakin forced the thought from his mind. He glanced around at the hooded Jedi Masters, their heads bowed in acknowledgement of his knighthood. All eleven members of the Council were present, even Windu with his purple blade, though he clutched its handgrip tightly.

Anakin's heart soared as he spotted Obi-Wan's serene face. The sneaky Jedi had crept in behind him. His inclusion in the ceremony meant he was now part of the Council. The others must have declared him a Master, after granting that his student had passed the Trials, and asked him to fill the missing seat.

Yoda, the only Council member with his hood down, stood atop a hovering chair. "Step forward, Padawan," he said.

Anakin knelt before him, head down and eyes closed. The Jedi Masters dipped their lightsabres toward him, warming his shoulders.

"Anakin Skywalker," said Yoda. The Padawan looked up to meet his gaze and resisted the urge to flinch as the Grand Master waved his lightsabre around his shoulders. "By the right of the Council. By the will of the Force. Dub thee I do — Jedi." With a casual flick, he severed the unnecessary braid. "Knight of the Republic."

Anakin scooped up the singed lock of hair, intending to send it to Padme as proof he'd passed the Trials, and rose to his feet. At last, he was a true Jedi. "Thank you, Master Yoda, for this honour," he said. "If you don't mind, I have a request to make."

The Council Members muttered amongst each other. Yoda glanced around the circle. "Customary it is not, for a newly knighted Jedi to make demands of his superiors," he said, "But curious we are. What is it you seek?"

"I know our Code forbids marriage, but I humbly ask you to make an exception for me."

Windu dropped his hood. "And why would we do that?" He raised a stern eyebrow.

"Because I'm the Chosen One," said Anakin, smirking, "you can't afford to lose me, now the Sith have returned."

Yoda frowned. "A specific companion you have in mind?"

"Yes," said Anakin. "My former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

See I told you he had a plan. Stick around to find out if it works :) I slightly modified part of the last chapter to make it compatible with this one, but I doubt anyone will notice the change, LOL.

I realise I ripped off the way visions work in Harry Potter by having Anakin experience being Vader while having the vision. I reckon it's more exciting that way.

Anakin's knighting ceremony is based off the scene from the Cartoon Network show, with some alterations made to account for the fact that Anakin and Obi-Wan see each other differently in this story (to put it mildly, LOL). Their relationship will change even more in the coming chapters, so you can look forward to that :)