Chapter Text
While Obi-Wan kept spending the better part of his days by the side of the dying, redeemed former Lord of the Sith who had carried the intimating name Darth Vader up until a few days ago and was now trying to live (or more likely die) as Anakin Skywalker once more, the Anakin of Obi-Wan’s own timeline divided his scarce time on Coruscant between Padmé and the Supreme Chancellor.
It was refreshing to be able to stay at Padmé’s side for a few days again and to talk to his mentor after such a long time; Anakin was enjoying the much needed break from the endless war. Padmé sharing with him that she was pregnant had given him a great deal of hope for a better future – sadly, however, this unexpected and greatly welcomed hope was crushed all too soon once Anakin started to dream about Padmé’s impending demise when giving birth to their child. Anakin was terribly scared – and could hardly sleep. Thankfully, while he could not speak to Obi-Wan, who still remained oblivious of his secrete marriage, the Supreme Chancellor was more than willing to spare some of his time to attempt to calm Anakin’s fears – as his protégé believed anyway.
If there were selfish motifs hidden behind Palpatine’s benevolent behavior, Anakin was not yet able to see them yet.
By one of his visits in the Chancellor’s office, Palpatine told to his young friend: “I hope you trust me, Anakin.”
Anakin readily agreed: “Of course.”
When the Supreme Chancellor explained that he needed Anakin’s help and called him ‘son’, Anakin was immediately prepared to grant him the required assistance, no matter what the man needed it for – especially after Palpatine added: “I am depending on you.”
Still, the young Jedi had to ask: “For what? I don’t understand.” And he really did not comprehend – Palpatine had the whole Senate administration at his disposal after all.
The Chancellor clarified what he required the knight to do for him: “To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic. Anakin, I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council.”
Anakin froze hearing these words. To be assigned to the Council would mean that he would become a Master. Obi-Wan and the other Jedi had not deemed him ready to carry that title yet; Palpatine clearly was more appreciative of his skills and achievements. “Me? A Master?” The young man repeated the suggestion and looked down to hide his enthusiasm over the proposal. “I'm overwhelmed, sir. But the Council elects its own members. They will never accept this…”
The Chancellor refused to listen to Anakin’s worries. “I think they will,” he offered confidently. “They need you, more than you know.”
Anakin gave his mentor a grateful smile. Despite he had never asked for it, the Chancellor clearly knew his deepest desires – and was prepared to help him to achieve his goals, unlike Obi-Wan, who had only ever attempted to slow Anakin down, despite Anakin still cared for him deeply and valued his wisdom above all.
ooooo
The older Anakin fell into a calm and restful sleep after his talk to his former master; Vokara Che assured Obi-Wan that he was safe for the time-being. This was why Obi-Wan decided that he would join the meeting of the Jedi Council which was planned for later that day. He was aware that Master Che and he would need to inform the other Masters about the identity of their mysterious visitor soon – but first Obi-Wan wanted to confront his own former Padawan such as the older Anakin had suggested. It would not be good if the Council knew before Anakin and acted on the knowledge.
Obi-Wan’s Anakin did not have the best relationship with the Council. His past teacher had promised to himself that he would do his very best to save Anakin from the threat of falling to the Dark Side. If achieving that meant he would need to somewhat postpone telling the truth to the other Jedi Masters, he would more than gladly do just that.
Joining the Council, Obi-Wan was surprised to learn that Anakin had requested an appointment with the Council himself. Obi-Wan had been given a task earlier to ask his friend to observe the Chancellor and his associates. While the Jedi Master did not like the idea, he could see the reason behind the Council’s request – but he deeply worried about Anakin’s reaction.
When his former apprentice shared with the Council what the Supreme Chancellor wished for him to do, Obi-Wan unwillingly shuddered. This might be it, the threat the Anakin from the future – or an alternative timeline – had spoken about, the reason why he and Anakin might fall apart in the foreseeable future. Before he could react, however, Yoda started to speak.
“Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not.” Yoda shook his head, clearly disagreeing with Palpatine’s request. “Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine…” the ancient Jedi Master mused aloud, the other Masters humming their agreement in the circle around him.
Anakin Skywalker nodded his understanding. Yes, it was unexpected – but he did not see why the Council should decline to grant the Supreme Chancellor’s request.
Then Mace Windu thoughtlessly crashed his hopes to become a Jedi Master by his appointment to the Council and Anakin felt terribly betrayed. The dark skinned Jedi Master proclaimed: “You are on the Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.” And Anakin could not stop himself timely, but exclaimed angrily: “What? How can you do this? … This is outrageous, it's unfair… How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?”
Obi-Wan, paying bigger attention than usually to Anakin’s expression and emotions, had to look away. Anakin, he thought desperately, don’t! Don’t antagonize them, don’t do this to yourself – don’t do this to me, to us… You are an adult, keep your emotions in check – you need to master yourself first if you ever really want to be named a Master. I am sorry I failed to teach you that…
Mace Windu pulled him out of his thoughts when he – after taking a moment to calm down himself – pointed to a seat to Obi-Wan’s left: “Take your seat, young Skywalker,” he said and Anakin, miracle of miracles, followed his lead and with an unexpected, polite bow apologized: “Forgive me, Master.” Obi-Wan hoped his former student meant his words sincerely and indeed saw a fault in his behavior – but somehow he doubted it, especially considering the young man’s older counterpart and his unfortunate history. Perhaps it was indeed too late? He hoped he was wrong.
ooooo
Sometime later, after a heated debate on the war and the planned deployments which had led to Yoda’s decision to join the fights himself, Anakin and Obi-Wan walked side by side away from the Council chambers.
Once they were far enough to not be overheard, Anakin grumped: “What kind of nonsense is this? Put me on the Council and not make me a Master? It’s never been done in the history of Jedi knights. It’s insulting…”
Obi-Wan, who had expected an outburst from his young companion sooner or later, turned to his past pupil and attempted to calm him down. “Come down, Anakin,” he reprimanded sternly, “you have been given a great honor to be on the Council at your age; it’s never happened before.” Obi-Wan folded his arms on his chest and appraised the younger man. When he thought the young knight was calm enough, he went on patiently in a way of explanation: “The fact of the matter is you are too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn’t like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs.”
Anakin frowned. Did Obi-Wan think he requested this? Why would he do that? Aloud he said: “I swear to you... I didn't ask to be put on the Council.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi nodded. Yes, Anakin knew to be modest if it suited him. But still, to be a Master was one of his deepest desires. “But it's what you wanted,” he explained his doubts. “Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off,” he added thoughtfully, hoping Anakin might see the reason behind his words. Quite predictably, Anakin did not understand.
Obi-Wan tried to explain better: “The only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you…”
When Anakin’s only reaction was an unbelievable: “And?”, Obi-Wan started to despair. His young friend would not see the reason here. And Obi-Wan very much feared he would lose him then. Still, he had to pose the request the Council had requested him to ask.
“Anakin, I am on your side,” he started carefully. “I did not want to put you in this situation.”
“What situation?” Anakin asked quickly, swiftly comprehending that Obi-Wan changed the subject of their talk.
Obi-Wan Kenobi looked down, ashamed of the dishonorable demand. “The Council wants you to report on all the Chancellor's dealings,” he said quietly, hesitantly. “They want to know what he’s up to.”
Anakin was shocked. “They want me to spy on the Chancellor?” he cried angrily. “That’s treason!”
“We are at war, Anakin,” Obi-Wan tried to placate him. But Anakin just kept growing more and more annoyed with him and the Council, especially after Obi-Wan explained the need for secrecy and the assignment to be out of record. In the young man’s eyes, Palpatine was in the right – and the Jedi Council was betraying the Republic with their request.
Deeply upset, Anakin did not hesitate to voice his feelings on the matter: “You are asking me to do something against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against the mentor and a friend. That’s what’s out of place here. Why are you asking this of me?”
The knight was conflicted; Obi-Wan could feel how confused he had become just during their short talk. The forewarning he had received earlier rang in his ears – Anakin was about to fall soon, his overemotional former Padawan was in grave danger. And the only thing Obi-Wan had accomplished so far was to antagonize him even further. No, stop right here and now, Obi-Wan. Save what is still salvageable. Don’t fail him now!
It was there and then that Obi-Wan decided to follow his instincts, to defy the wishes of the Council he had believed infallible for so long. “Anakin,” he soothed. “The Council is asking you, not me. I am just the messenger. Why don’t you come to my quarters to discuss this further? I promise you I will listen to you as carefully as I have ever done. We are on the same side, Anakin, and I care for you deeply. I shall not force you to do something against your better judgement, I assure you. Please, come with me and let us talk about what each of us sees behind the current happening – perhaps together we might have a better insight than the whole Council…”
Still unhappy, Anakin seemed to calm down somewhat. He gave a tired smile to Obi-Wan and half-heartedly joked: “We are the Team, aren’t we?”
“Yes, Anakin,” Obi-Wan gave a careful smile of his own, a peace-offering of sorts. “That we are. Let’s not lose that.”