Chapter 41 - Comeuppance
Author's Note: This should more or less wrap everything up, especially the arc with Obi-Wan. :D I hope y'all like how it unfolds, and the verdict handed out to the Jedi. ^-^ Also, this... includes our headcanon about Obi-Wan's past/family. :)
Epilogue: December 7th :D
~ Amina Gila
To say Obi-Wan is anxious about the fate of the Jedi and the Order would be an understatement, but at the same time, that's tempered by a sort of vicious resentment against them. He knows he shouldn't feel this way, knows it's not the Jedi way, but every time he thinks of Vader and Anakin, of his Anakins, he feels bitterness. The Council wanted to kill them both. They would have killed them both, and he would have been complicit in it, never knowing what he lost. As it is, he nearly did lose them.
It was close, too close.
He knows he'll feel regret no matter what Vader decides with respect to his fellow Jedi, but he'll also feel satisfaction at the knowledge that Anakin is safe from them. He doesn't know if that makes him a terrible Jedi or if it makes him not a Jedi at all.
He's never truly thought about leaving the Order. Sure, he said to Satine once that he would have left for her, but he'd been young then, and foolish, and he imagines he would have regretted it. He would have left the Order if Anakin had chosen to leave as a Padawan, too. That choice, though, he would not have regretted.
Ever since Anakin became his Padawan, he's been the most important person in his life, and Obi-Wan has always been hard-pressed to imagine a life without him. Even after his Knighting, he stubbornly stuck close. And then, Vader came, and everything changed. For so long, Obi-Wan has been blinded by anger and jealousy and resentment, and he feels so… foolish now. Meditating only helps so much. He doesn't know what he ought to do, what the best path would be. Or maybe he does know and he's just resisting.
Anakin won't come back to him, not this time, and Obi-Wan can't even blame him for that. He doesn't know what all Vader has endured, but he knows enough, and he's not strong enough to overcome the furious rage that swells up every time he thinks of his other self, the one who hurt Vader so badly. It could have been him, and that only makes him even angrier. It's of the Dark, and he knows better, but he can't – he can't let it go, doesn't know how, doesn't know if he even wants to.
The Jedi would have killed Anakin.
And he would have lived with that regret for the rest of his life.
It's not something he can let go of.
Somehow, he has to make it up to Anakin and Vader, both, and he only knows of one way. He has to prove to them that he's serious, that he cares about them, that he'll do anything for them, no matter what that might be. And that means leaving the Order. It means doing the same thing Ahsoka did: walking out and publicly siding with the Emperor.
Anakin always refused to let Obi-Wan push him away, finding his way back no matter what. Maybe it's time for Obi-Wan to repay that debt, to go back to Anakin's side to help and support him through the coming crisis, no matter what the outcome.
Besides, since he defeated Pre Vizsla, he rightfully won the Darksaber. From his mission to Mandalore, he knows the meaning of that. It means that he's the rightful leader of Mandalore. He… doesn't really want the burden or title, but there's a certain satisfaction to be had at the knowledge that he could choose that path if he wants. It gives him something he can do if – when he leaves. Because his leaving the Order is inevitable.
**w**
Obi-Wan arrives in the Emperor's office hardly any time after being summoned. He doesn't know why he was called here, but he's admittedly curious, especially since he was called alone, and the only other ones there are the Anakins. "Have you reached a decision about the Jedi?" he guesses, because he doesn't know what else Vader could want from him.
"No," Vader replies, and Obi-Wan can't say how much it hurts to hear the cold, impassive monotone of his vocoder instead of the softer, emotional tones of Anakin. "But I did… make a discovery." He taps on the edge of a datapad, looking between Anakin and Obi-Wan. "You reported that you won the Darksaber, and I am sure that you are aware of the meaning of that."
He waits until Obi-Wan nods before continuing, "Death Watch is restless and uncertain. They don't fancy having a Jedi rule them. The Mandalorian warriors are on edge as well. This is a pivotal moment. Perhaps you do not want this burden, but you must take up the mantle of leader, Obi-Wan. It is the only way."
Well, he hadn't expected that, but… after the awful way he treated Anakin, he has to make amends somehow. Yes, he didn't know, had no way of knowing, and yes, Anakin technically betrayed him and the Order and fought him, but – but he still wasn't there to help his former Padawan when he needed help. The guilt of it could drown him. "If it will help, I will do it," he answers. "What do you need me to do?"
Vader holds up a finger. "I requested your records from the Temple," he explains, "And there was a… discrepancy. I dug deeper, and I have learned that you are of Mandalorian origin."
Obi-Wan gapes at him, speechless. "That's impossible," he splutters. "Stewjon isn't in Mandalorian space."
"Obi-Wan, you are not from Stewjon. You're from Mandalore," Vader tells him, seriously, "You are the elder brother of Pre Vizsla, born Ben Vizsla and taken by the Jedi as a child. Your parents did not give you to the Jedi. You were taken. By force from what I have gathered from the Mandalorians. It was that which began the final series of events leading to the Mandalorian Civil War and increased the grudge that Death Watch harbors against the Jedi."
Vader's talking, but his words don't make sense, and Obi-Wan can hardly hear him past the litany of denials on the tip of his tongue. "Where's the proof?" he demands, well aware of the shocked look on Anakin's face – apparently, he was unaware of this as well.
Vader pushes the datapad across the desk. "I have compiled a detailed list of all of my sources and what I have uncovered."
Obi-Wan seizes it, ignoring the way his hands are trembling minutely, trying not to think of his own memories of his past. They're extremely faint, impressions more than images, but he can remember a few things. He remembers his mother's shawl, his father's hands. He remembers a baby, too, and a pit opens up inside of him at the thought of it being Pre. Force, he's a terrorist, and Obi-Wan nearly killed him. He can't – he can't be his brother.
But the words on the datapad don't lie, and he scrolls through it all, seeing how thorough Vader was. He's speaking the truth. It's real, but he can't – can't seem to accept it. But he can deal with it later. Right now, he needs to focus on his Anakins, on what they need.
"If I'm Mandalorian, they'll accept me," he realizes, looking up, meeting Vader's eyes through the mask, "But you'll have to publicize my… past."
Vader is watching him carefully. "I will not do it if you don't agree."
"It'll turn the public even further against the Jedi," Anakin notes neutrally, leaning forward, and Vader wordlessly inclines his helmet in agreement.
He was kidnapped, taken. If his parents were terrorists, he can understand why the Jedi did it – he was better off with the Jedi, and he can never regret it, not when it brought him Anakin, but it's still – it still stings, and he's conflicted about it all. But the one thing he knows with certainty is that he won't let his own personal misgivings stop him from helping Vader and Anakin. Never again. The only way they'll let him close again is if he proves himself, and Force help him, but he'll do it. He'll do anything to get Anakin back.
Anakin means the world to him – he always has – and Obi-Wan is so tired of missing him.
"Do it," he says firmly. "If it'll help then you can do it."
**w**
Vader waits several days after returning from Nal Hutta before finalizing his decision about how to deal with the Jedi. It's hard. He doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to – to give the order that he knows he'll have to, but it's the only way. He has to appear strong and decisive to the galaxy. When the people learn what the Jedi did, they'll be demanding blood. The Jedi, or at least some of them, committed treason. If Vader doesn't act hard and fast, they could try it again, and if it means protecting Anakin… he'll do anything.
This time they were lucky. They may not be so fortunate next time.
He calls for a public press conference and standing high on a balcony overlooking the plaza down below, Anakin, Ahsoka, Omega, Obi-Wan, and the clones standing around him, the entire Jedi Council who are still free or alive standing in attendance, Vader tells the galaxy what happened on Nal Hutta. He tells them in short, succinct sentences about how some of the Jedi attempted to assassinate him and Anakin. He assures them that the attempt fell short, that they survived. And then, he declares his verdict, keeping his senses carefully attuned to the Jedi who are present.
"Those who participated in the cowardly assassination attempt will be executed for treason against the Empire," Vader declares. It's the right thing to do, but he's still uncomfortable by it. Windu and Mundi were important Council members and having them killed feels wrong. But they would have killed Anakin without a second thought. It's the right thing to do, but it hurts.
"I cannot say which Council members were aware of this treasonous activity and did nothing," he continues, "And as such, they will be removed from their positions and sent into exile for at least a year where they can reconnect with the Force and learn to listen. I will select Jedi who I can trust to be loyal who will continue to lead and guide the Order as the Council has always done in the past."
The Council members accept the decision gracefully, not resisting the verdict, displaying thoughtfulness and regret more than anger. They'll be sent to Ahch-To, an ancient Jedi world which is strong in the Force, for the foreseeable future. At Vader's side, Ahsoka is radiating grief, and he touches her arm in comfort. Plo was important to her, and now, he'll be gone, away, just like that. He knew it would be hard for her, but exile was better than the alternative.
They're sentenced to leave by tomorrow morning, but Vader granted them the courtesy of staying for the funerals of their executed brethren. Windu might have made a mistake and been blinded by the Jedi way, but he was still an important person to the Jedi Order as a whole. The same is true for Mundi, albeit not quite as extreme.
Their executions are public.
Instead of being executed via firing squad as is normal for treason, Vader chooses to have them given a fast-acting, lethal injection. It's faster, less painful, more merciful. Death is never pleasant. The most he can do for them is make it fast.
After the press conference and executions, after Obi-Wan publicly declares his allegiance to the Empire and its Emperor and his decision to leave the Order as a result of the attempt on Anakin's life, he leaves for the Temple to attend the funerals. "I'll be back in the morning," he promises, something unusually steely in his eyes as he looks between Vader and Anakin.
Vader's instinct is to be skeptical. His first instinct will always be to distrust Obi-Wan after what happened between them, but even so, a part of him does believe Obi-Wan, believes that he'll be back. And then… And they'll see what happens then.
**w**
"I question if I made the right decision," Vader admits to Anakin as they stand at the window in his office, looking out of the Senate dome. "I know it was necessary, but I… still question."
"You did good," Anakin promises, nudging their shoulders together. He's partially healed now, but it'll still take a couple more weeks, at least, for the wound to fully close, and he'll carry the scar from it for the rest of his life. "I know it… is hard to accept. I feel it, too. But you did what you had to do. We warned the Jedi. It was their choice, and it is only fair for them to face the consequences of their actions."
He thinks it's a good sign that Vader is troubled by it. It shows he's a good person. It shows he's nothing like the Sith he once was. He's so different now. So much Lighter and more settled. He's begun to accept himself, what he did and what he became, and he's beginning to move past it, too, at least as much as someone could ever be capable of such a thing.
Vader's comm pings with a message, and he glances down at it. "Obi-Wan is here," he tells Anakin, though it's unnecessary; both of them already sensed his approach. "The clones are sending him in."
They turn in sync as the door opens. Obi-Wan enters, looking much the same as he did yesterday. The Darksaber is clipped to his belt next to his Jedi lightsaber. But somehow, he seems more… settled today, resolve having taken the place of whatever conflict he had been feeling earlier.
"The Council is gone," he states. "I don't think any of them are entertaining any thoughts against you. They expressed some approval of your decision. Master Yoda admitted that they had become disconnected from the Force and could use time to reconnect with it."
"What a surprise," Vader deadpans.
Obi-Wan gives him a look, not quite disapproving, but not not, either. "They did their best," he defends, "Even if you don't want to believe it."
"Perhaps, but that does not justify making one wrong decision after another," Vader replies, "But I imagine you did not come here to discuss this matter. The Jedi have been dealt with, and there is little more for us to debate about them."
"True," Obi-Wan concedes grudgingly, though there's a mutinous look on his face, giving Anakin the feeling that he wants to keep arguing it. But then, that's just who he is. He enjoys fights, verbal or otherwise, and for him to sudden change would be a cause for concern. Probably, he agrees with Vader anyway, even if he doesn't want to say so – because then there would be no argument to be had.
Obi-Wan moves closer, circling the desk, looking between them. "Ni kyr'tayli gai sa'ad," he says, the Mando'a words slightly awkward in his Coruscanti accent, but there's a firm conviction behind them; he means what he's saying.
"… What does that mean?" Anakin asks, curiously. It's significant, and he can feel it, but he's not heard those words before.
Obi-Wan hesitates, straightening. "It literally means 'I know your name as my child.' It's a Mandalorian adoption vow for a foundling."
Anakin makes a quiet noise. "Did – did you just adopt us?" he questions, feeling choked by a sudden wave of emotions. He can't remember how long he's wanted it, for Obi-Wan to look at him as his child, instead of his student. To him, Obi-Wan has always been his father, even if Vader has begun to fill that role, too. It's different with Vader though; everything is different with him.
"It seemed to be the tradition, with you," Obi-Wan says in lieu of an answer, half-smirking.
Anakin searches for words, but nothing comes to mind, nothing that can even begin to express his feelings. Obi-Wan adopted him. Them. Because he wanted to. Because he wanted them. No one put him up to it, and he – he has no idea how to react or feel or –
He steps forward, pulling Obi-Wan into a crushing embrace and just clinging to him. Obi-Wan makes a startled sound that's practically a squeak before hugging him in return, lightly patting his back. "I've missed you," Anakin murmurs.
"… So have I," Obi-Wan admits.
Vader moves closer, almost soundlessly, his emotions just as tangled as Anakin's, if not more so. "I would never have asked you for something, but if I did, it would be this."
Anakin quirks an eyebrow at him in a wordless question, and he answers it by stepping forward and hugging Obi-Wan, too. "I'm not going to disappear," he grumbles, but he doesn't make any effort to pull away from them, and somehow, Anakin can sense that Obi-Wan needs this just as much as they do. For the first time, it feels like they really, truly have Obi-Wan back. It feels like they've begun the long journey of healing, of rebuilding the broken pieces of their relationship.
**w**
Vader is surprised, admittedly, when Barriss requests to see him. He hadn't expected her to want to see him personally; he'd thought she would go through Ahsoka, and he doesn't know what she wants. Outwardly, she is calm and composed when she enters his office, but he can sense her inner turmoil.
"I cannot go back to the Order," she says, "But I still want to help. I believe in what you're doing."
"You desire to work for me personally," he notes, a little surprised. He had never intended to take direct control of the Order, or of any Jedi. He doesn't quite know how to arrange this, especially since he doubts that she'll be the only one. He thinks of the Inquisitors, of the way they were organized under Sidious. Something like that could work here, too, but he can't – won't – call them the Inquisitorius.
"Yes, if I may."
"I will find a place for you, and for those Jedi who wish for the same," he assures. "Those who wish to help will not be turned down."
When they have so few they can truly trust, and so many who need their help, Vader cannot afford to bar anyone from offering, and giving, their aid.
"Thank you," she murmurs.
Perhaps, Vader thinks, after she leaves his office, as he stares contemplatively in the direction of the Jedi Temple, he should call them his Hands. Ahsoka can lead them – she's a good leader, and he would trust her with his life; he already has, and he always will – and with her at the helm, he can trust that this new… group will be effectively employed while not becoming treasonous.
Times are changing, and they have to learn to change with them. Either they adapt and survive, or they fall with the past.
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