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Bright. It's too bright in here. Why is it cold? Wearily, Anakin opened his eyes to stare at the unfamiliar white ceiling. He grimaced and rolled his tongue around trying to swallow away the metallic taste in his mouth. He felt sluggish and it took a few moments for him to realize he didn't know where he was. I've been drugged! Anakin felt only a little anger, he just couldn't work up the energy.
"Hello, Ani," Master Qui-gon gave him a worried look. He reached over and handed Anakin a drink of water. The boy eyed it suspiciously before accepting it. He drank and looked at him in confusion as he recalled what had occurred before he was knocked unconscious with drugs.
"That was mean."
"It was for your own good."
"Did you just get tired of chasing me?"
"I didn't want it to be this way."
"I thought you said you weren't going to force me to come back to Coruscant?"
"Circumstances have changed. I could no longer give you the courtesy to choose."
"You didn't bother to ask."
"Would you have agreed?"
"Maybe. You didn't give me a chance!"
Qui-gon gave no answer, so Anakin looked around the room. It was small and sparsely furnished. The bed he was on was really a bunk attached to the corner of two walls. Qui-gon's seat was in front of a very plain console also built into the wall. His eyes noticed something odd about the door, but his brain was still too fuzzy to register what was wrong. The floor was a pale gray and the walls were a dull sandy white without windows. The white ceiling was only gentle glow-panels.
Smoothly, the door opened and Obi-wan entered. He looked at the stony faces of Qui-gon and Anakin.
"Mind if I join your silent argument?"
Anakin gave him a withering look and said nothing. There were no other chairs in the room, so Obi-wan sat on the floor.
"So, have you begun insulting each other yet, or still just warming up?"
"Obi-wan.."
"This isn't funny!" Anakin growled.
"I didn't say it was. On the contrary, I think we all regret that it has come to this."
Anakin turned his head away to look at the wall. He didn't want to see Master Qui-gon's guilt stricken face any longer. It was all he could do to not flinch when Obi-wan's sigh broke the silence.
"Let's at least try to talk."
"'Bout what." Anakin's voice was hoarse.
"Anything. Tell us what we should have done, I know you want to."
"You didn't even ask!"
"Would you have said yes, honestly?"
"No."
"Ah, so then what? Several members of the Jedi Council were with us. Do you think you could have escaped? They would have subdued you and we could not have stopped them. And now you would still be angry, but have a different reason."
"Why won't they just leave me alone?"
"Because you need help." Obi-wan looked at the back of the sulking boy's head.
Qui-gon finally spoke. "Even if you had agreed to come with us, I had no reason to believe that you would not run at the first opportunity, like you did on Yaw-sihtog."
Anakin stiffened. Master Qui-gon had nearly accused him of lying.
"I know that everything has been very hard for you. That Sith has tormented you for several months at least, and this time nearly killed you."
"I know that!"
"If you had run from us again, I am certain that this time we would only find your corpse. I hope that some day you will forgive me." Master Qui-gon rose wearily to leave the room.
"Wait."
The Jedi were surprised when Anakin turned back to look at them. "I.. I would've gone along and left the first chance I got."
"Can you trust us again?" Master Qui-gon asked.
"I don't know."
Obi-wan gazed at Anakin's blue eyes intensely. "Can we trust you again?
Anakin shrugged his shoulders and tried to sit up.
"Be careful with your arm." Qui-gon returned to his chair, but did not stop Anakin from moving.
Anakin lifted his right arm in surprise. Wasn't this broken before? Yet, he felt no pain. Gently, he flexed the muscles and stretched it out. Other than a little soreness and a heavy feeling, his arm seemed fine. Wow! They really fixed me up good.
"The break has been healed, however you should not do anything strenuous or lift anything heavy for a several days." Qui-gon answered his unspoken question. "Your ribs were only bruised and not cracked. They should not cause you any difficulty now."
"So, uh... when will we reach Coruscant?"
"We arrived yesterday." Obi-wan informed him. "You are in the Jedi Temple."
"What?!"
Qui-gon's expression became stern. "It was determined necessary to keep you unconscious for the entire journey."
"You've got to be kidding!"
"Master Yoda decided it was too risky to allow you to awaken. You might have escaped while we stopped to refuel the ship." Obi-wan reminded him.
"Well, uh... humph. I suppose I would've. How long have I been out?"
"A week."
He stared straight ahead with unfocused eyes. No wonder my arm is healed. Anakin thought aghast.
"It will take time for you to regain your strength. Relax and take things slowly."
"Did I miss much?"
"Just a long, boring space flight. And of course, you didn't have to avoid Master Yoda this time." Obi-wan quipped.
"Who got the Sith?"
Anakin had merely been curious, and did not expect the Jedi to hesitate to answer and react so guardedly.
"Oh, don't tell me it got away?"
"It successfully evaded the Council members. We failed to destroy its ship."
Anakin's jaw dropped. How could that guy get away from at least three Jedi Masters chasing it? The Jedi didn't look like they wanted to discuss it. It must be terribly embarrassing. he thought. Anakin tried to think of a tactful way to change the subject.
"Where is Kaely?"
Master Qui-gon glanced at Obi-wan for the answer. The Knight looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"It's been quite a pest. Every time it saw me it beeped loudly. It stayed by you most of the time. However, it also appears to have taken a fancy to Qui-gon."
"Obi-wan, that's not what Anakin asked."
"I can't find it."
"How could you lose her?"
"It took off while we were bringing you out of the ship and wouldn't come back. It's inside the temple somewhere. I'm sorry Ani, we'll find it again."
"Her." Anakin corrected him.
"We will find her again." Obi-wan grimaced.
"We will bring her to you as soon as we can." Qui-gon reassured him. "You must stay in this room and not leave without escorts. There are guards outside of the door."
"I'm a prisoner."
"Only for short while."
Master Qui-gon regarded the depressed boy with sympathy. "The Council wishes to question you when you are ready."
"What will they do with me?"
"That depends on your actions." Obi-wan told him.
"But, what will they do? Keep me locked up, send me away, or what?"
"We will see." Qui-gon said patiently.
***
Four Jedi escorted Anakin Skywalker from his room. Two were the guards assigned to stand outside of his door and the others were Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan. They were taking him to be interrogated by the Council. The two guards kept a constant watch, but Anakin ignored their gaze. At least they didn't put binders on me. Not that they would do much good. he thought ruefully. The walk seemed very long to the boy. He was still recovering from his injuries and total inactivity for the past week. They passed through many deserted hallways in silence. Where is everybody? Are these passages off limits or something? They boarded a long, one way turbolift to the top of the temple spire. Anakin didn't feel nervous until he saw the Council chamber doors. The two guards moved to stand on either side of entrance.
"Ani," Master Qui-gon's looked pained. "We can't go in with you."
Anakin paled and looked sick. Yet, the Jedi could sense no real fear. They frowned in puzzlement.
"Anakin," Obi-wan was concerned. "If you feel you are not well enough.."
"I'm fine."
Qui-gon and Obi-wan eyed him carefully. They looked as though they weren't sure that they should believe him.
"I really am. I just want to get this over with."
He straightened his shoulders as he saw the doors open and boldly strode inside. The Jedi Council chamber was exactly as Anakin remembered it. There were even the same members and each looked every bit as expressionless as he knew they would. The last time he'd been here they had exhausted him with a myriad of confusing questions. Each of the Jedi had severely intimidated him. Anakin had struggled to control his fear and not simply pass out from the cold air in the room. Today, he spent great effort to snuff out his anger, but he had no fear. He could endure their steel gazes now. He could handle them this time.
As before, they made no introductions or greetings. Only questions.
"Who has trained you." Master Mace Windu began the interrogation.
"Well, hello to you, too."
Anakin looked around at the stoic Jedi. "My droid has better manners then the lot of you."
He turned back to Master Windu. "Why do you want to know?"
"Answer the question."
"Only if you answer mine."
"Obey us, you must..." Master Yoda began.
"You have no authority over me!" Anakin interrupted.
Yoda's eyes widened. "Learn respect, you shall."
"Respect is earned, not granted."
Yoda did not answer. His eyes narrowed again and he probed the boy harshly.
"I have not earned your respect and you have not earned mine." Anakin retorted dangerously.
Mace Windu leaned forward with a deep frown. "You already know why we ask this. Answer." he commanded.
"You don't need to worry. None of your guys have been secretly tutoring me and that Sith thing has never caught me. I don't have a teacher."
All of the Jedi were visibly disturbed. Anakin could not tell what was irritating them more that he taught himself or that they knew he was telling the truth.
"That is impossible!" Knight Ki-Adi Mundi scoffed.
"So I've heard. And I suppose the first Jedi somehow had an instructor?"
"Don't be impertinent."
"Well hey, if you won't believe me or your own senses, why bother asking?"
"Tell us how you've learned."
"By watching."
"Elaborate."
"Just because I wasn't here much or even with Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan for long, doesn't mean I didn't notice stuff."
"Which Jedi skills did you see and imitate?"
"Lifting things, moving faster, and I paid close attention to how you all barraged me last time I was in here."
"You have displayed several abilities that you could not have seen here. How did you learn them."
"I got bored."
"What other Force techniques can you do?"
"I can't tell you."
"Answer, you must." Yoda's voice was very persistent.
"I'm not really sure myself what I can do."
"What have you not achieved?"
"Don't expect me to tell you."
"How did the Sith find you?"
"How should I know!"
Mace Windu paused a moment to glance at the others before continuing.
"How long have these droids pursued you?"
"Months, I didn't really count."
"And how many times did you see the Sith?"
"Just once."
"What did the Sith tell you."
"Not much."
"We must know why the Sith wants you."
"You already know why."
"What precisely did it say to you?"
"It said that if I survived the fight it would keep me. It also told me that I was valuable. Other than a few annoying compliments and threats, that was about it. That guy was a little more interested in beating me up than talking."
For several minutes the Council contemplated his words. Anakin took the opportunity calm his mind and focus on how to get out of this mess. Ignoring the cold air had not been so hard, but ignoring the cool demeanor of the Jedi had. He knew that several of these Jedi had to be telepaths and he didn't think they'd be polite and keep out of his head under the circumstances. So far he hadn't felt any of them succeed, but he couldn't be sure.
"We know that this Force light occurs when you meditate. Demonstrate this."
"No."
"Hmmm." Yoda intoned. "Willful you are and stubborn."
"My will has kept me alive."
"Your lack of control could be your death, as well as others."
"That's why I ditched civilization. So, how about this, you don't bother me and I don't bother you. Okay?"
"Teach you to contain your power, we can."
Anakin's arrogant facade dissipated and he stared at Master Yoda. It was a very tempting offer. For a moment he almost seemed hopeful.
"It sounds nice, but I know you don't want to teach me anything."
Mace Windu stern expression softened. "If you let us help you, perhaps a solution to this dilemma will present itself."
So, now they treat me like a person, instead of an obstruction. It didn't take long for Anakin to decide.
"Alright, I'll do it."
He didn't understand why Master Yoda smiled when he said "do".
Part 25
"Anakin, you should be resting." Master Qui-gon gently reprimanded as he entered the boy's temporary room. Obi-wan followed him in dragging a folded chair.
Anakin stopped his pacing and flopped down on the bed. "Yes, I should."
Both of the Jedi were surprised that Anakin didn't argue or complain, but instead merely complied and even agreed. It gave them hope that they were finally making progress. When they sat in the only seats in the plain room, Qui-gon held out his big hand and opened it.
"I have something for you."
"Kaely!" Anakin smiled for the first time since they caught him over a week ago. Kaely flew over to her master chirping and tittering.
"She was found in the Crèche. It seems that the children became rather attached to her. They managed to keep her hidden from the Crèche Masters for quite awhile."
"It looks," Obi-wan corrected himself, "She looks awfully..."
"In need of a new paint job." Qui-gon quickly interrupted. Kaely squawked at Obi-wan just the same. She caught the near insult.
Anakin looked at the few little patches of green paint and the orange stains. It also appeared that the Crèche children had managed to draw undecipherable pictures on her. "Yeah, I haven't been able to get any paint."
"We have some here that we use for our ships. "
Anakin's eyes lit up with excitement. "Great! Can I fix her up today?"
Kaely whistled her approval sweetly and fluttered her yellow eye lights at Qui-gon.
Qui-gon nodded to Anakin. "The Council will see you again this afternoon, so you may this evening. However, you must stay in this room."
"Yes! I am so bored in here." he looked sternly at his little droid. "You be good, Kaely, and obey Obi-wan, got it? No running off."
Obi-wan's eyes widened in horror. "Why must I take her?"
"'Cause you're the one who lost her."
"The droid doesn't have to go along."
"Yes, she does. Kaely needs to pick the color she wants."
"Pick it?" Obi-wan repeated incredulously.
Qui-gon looked at Obi-wan with a serious expression, as though this was a vital task. "Of course, Obi-wan."
"And don't rush her," Anakin whispered, "She'll purposely take a long time if you do. Thank you, Obi-wan!"
Obi-wan glanced balefully at the tiny pest. "Come along."
At the door he paused to cock an eyebrow at Qui-gon. "Was this your idea?"
"No, Obi-wan, I can not take credit this time."
Kaely beeped a little tune loudly and annoyingly as she followed the Jedi out. Master Qui-gon placed a holo-recorder on the desk.
"You may send holo-messages to your mother and Queen Amidala."
Anakin was thrilled and eagerly sat at the desk. "Oh wow! Thank you!"
"Reassure them that you are well, but keep it as short as you can, it is very expensive."
"Yes, sir." Anakin acknowledged. "And I can't talk about being on my own and all of this mess, right?"
"It would be best. Tell them about Kaely, or even a little about some of the Jedi arts that you have accomplished."
Qui-gon moved to leave. "And don't forget to tell them that you love them."
"Yeah," Anakin answered self-consciously. "But I think I'll just tell the Queen that I like her."
***
"This chamber in designed for inhibiting the Force." Master Mace Windu explained and gestured to the opening door. The Jedi Council had lead Anakin to another deep area of the Temple.
Anakin was astonished. "How can you do that?"
"I can not reveal how it operates. However, should your glowing get out of control we can effectively stop it in this room. Your light will cease when the Force is dampened."
Master Mace Windu guided him into the plain cell. It was rather dusty with lack of use.
"What does it feel like?"
"Similar to wearing a blindfold. And often every movement feels slow. For Jedi, who use the Force from early childhood, it is unpleasant."
Anakin grimaced and Master Windu answered his unspoken question.
"I will only activate the chamber if you request it or if the situation becomes too dangerous."
Anakin nodded and sat in the center of the room. "I don't know how long it will take. I don't usually do this on purpose."
"We will monitor you from the other end of the passageway." The Jedi left and Anakin began to meditate. He was determined that he would prove to them that he could control his Force light most of the time. I'll show them! I've spent over a month working especially hard and I know I've really made progress. Through often unplanned practices, he had discovered that keeping the glow close to himself prevented an explosion. Until recently, it had been extremely painful to do so. I can handle the pain, it won't control me.
The Jedi Masters in the monitoring room waited with unusually strained patience. The entire Council was there along with Qui-gon and Obi-wan. Anakin had requested that they remain as well and the Council agreed that it would be best. The boy seemed more at ease when Qui-gon and Obi-wan were near. Much sooner then they anticipated, Anakin glowed.
It was beautiful. It began as a diffuse glow of white, and increased to cover him in a golden shimmer. Anakin remained calm as it began to flow around him leaving trails of yellow sparkles in the air.
Without warning the light burst to fill the entire room. The Council could sense the strain Anakin was under. As the stress became stabs of pain, the light blurred away all visible traces of Anakin. Every Jedi could feel an overwhelming threat of great peril. Anakin appeared unable to communicate and they were left with only one choice.
"Activate it!"
The Force went silent in the small room. All of the Jedi stared at the holo-monitor in shock. Anakin's light should have went out, however it had merely dimmed. Anakin's expression was still strained and his body shook.
Suddenly, the light intensified again and the boy's agony tripled. The Force dampening failed and his mental screams tore through the Force, nearly causing every Jedi in the vicinity to collapse. There were no auditory sounds from the room at all. Anakin's screams were silent.
Anakin's power then exploded around him. The first Force blast burnt and scorched the walls, the second followed it quickly to blow a hole in the ceiling and melt the floor and walls. No one could see Anakin due to the brightness, but they could sense that he was actually suspended in the air.
Abruptly, they could feel the boy's consciousness waver and then he fainted. This caused the yellow and white light to increase even more and blast away the already ruined floor and walls. As swiftly as it began, the expansion retracted and ceased all together.
The Jedi Masters were quick to catch Anakin's limp form with the Force and save him from falling on the metal slag below. Instantly, they levitated him out of the searing heat to lay him down on the cooler deck down the hall.
Master Healers couldn't help but sense the boy's pain and did not need to be called, they were already on their way. Master Qui-gon quickly looked Anakin over. He seemed oddly uninjured. He was pale and his clothes were steaming. However, he was not even sun burnt and his hair wasn't singed. He glanced over at Master Yoda. He too was surprised. They had expected severe burns, at the very least.
Anakin hazily awakened. "Any...hurt?" he mumbled in a pained whisper.
"No one is hurt, Ani." Obi-wan immediately reassured him.
The boy's face relaxed somewhat. More of the Council members gathered around them. They had supported the structure's interior and finished cooling the pools of metal. All of them were very concerned. Dampening the Force had unexpectedly caused the boy severe pain.
Qui-gon spoke softly. "Ani, I'm very sorry, had we known it would make things worse..."
"S'okay," Anakin turned his head to look at the remains of the room at the other end of the passage. "hurt worse, but blast not bad..." he slurred as he returned to blissful unconsciousness.
"I don't think I want to know what he considers a bad blast" Obi-wan commented.
***
Through rarely used halls of the Jedi Temple, Qui-gon and Obi-wan made their way to Anakin's room. They reflected quietly on the events of the previous day. After the Healers had diagnosed that Anakin was extremely exhausted and over-stressed they informed the Council that plenty of rest was the only remedy.
The Jedi Masters had told the Healers only what they needed to know. They briefly related the Force blast, but of course gave no extra details. Despite the fact that they knew the Healers would never break confidence about the very powerful boy without a Padawan braid that they saw, the Council took careful precautions to with hold information The Healers placed Anakin in a healing trance and left. The boy slept through the evening meal and all of the night peacefully.
Rumors began flying throughout the Temple anyway. The Council could not disguise the agony that Anakin had projected. Every Master and Knight felt Anakin's pain and the disturbance in the Force his explosion of power had caused. The Padawans and children fortunately only perceived it faintly. No one else, except for those few Healers, knew what had happened.
The reactions had ranged from suspicion of Sith activity to possibly a great Jedi Master's death. They couldn't have been more wrong. No one was too surprised that the Council did not give an explanation and by the next day they no longer expected one, as it was obvious that no details were forth coming.
No matter their curiosity, not a single Jedi asked the Council about what they all had sensed. If they needed to know they were sure that they would be told. And speculating would have to suffice in the mean time.
This morning, Qui-gon and Obi-wan had plenty of time to talk while navigating the deserted lower corridors.
"Obi-wan," Qui-gon began gravely. "The Council has reached a decision. If Anakin conquers his Force light they will make him a Padawan."
Obi-wan nearly stopped walking and couldn't help but feel shocked. "I hope Ani will be pleased. I never expected that the Council would even consider it. What made them choose this?"
"Anakin has learned to use the Force on his own and as we have seen, he has already discovered some Jedi arts. Even learning alone, he has the potential to become powerful enough to equal a Jedi Knight. It would take him only a few years longer than if we taught him. Under these circumstances, the Council now feels it is too dangerous to not instruct him."
"Accepting him as a Padawan would be the best way to gain his loyalty and trust." Obi-wan surmised. "The Council almost sounds afraid of him."
"I feel that they fear what he would certainly become if left to his own devices or is ever caught by the Sith."
"Who will be Anakin's master?" Obi-wan looked at his friend intently. "You, I'd hope."
Qui-gon's expression became sad. "That is not my decision. The Council is being very cautious, as they should, in choosing the correct path. At this time they are deliberating on whether or not it would be wiser to assign two masters to Anakin."
"Two?" Obi-wan's eyebrows could not go higher. "I agree that Anakin is difficult, but I don't understand how having two masters could be anything but a disaster!"
"They are convinced that only one master can not keep him under control. It is likely that they will choose from among themselves."
"I can't see that not failing. Can any of them teach him without their methods conflicting?"
"Master Yoda rarely backs down to another master. And though the Council as a whole functions efficiently, I can not imagine any two of them smoothly sharing a Padawan, either."
"So, when disputes occur over how to instruct, how do the intend to solve it?"
"I believe that is where the rest of the Council plans to temporarily intervene and supplement his training themselves."
"That will only confuse Anakin more."
"I agree. As you know, I have often have doubts about the Council's wisdom in some actions."
"With all due respect," Obi-wan declared. "I am severely questioning the Council's sanity."
They entered an old turbolift and descended.
"I was informed of this by the Council, however..."
Obi-wan finished his sentence for him. "You plan to tell Anakin, regardless of the fact that they do not wish you to."
"Yes, when the time is right, I will." Qui-gon answered ruefully.
"Anakin might not accept. He didn't want to be here and the Council's rejection three years ago still stings."
"I am hoping that he will not hold a grudge against them."
"Are they willing to beg? Because that may be what it takes to convince him!"
"It will likely become our responsibility to persuade him. You know that though the Council is willing to concede when they err, they will not give anyone that kind of emotional power over them."
"Then it is up to us."
They fell silent for a moment in seriously contemplation before Obi-wan asked one last question.
"And what will they do if Anakin does not control his abilities?"
"I do not know."
***
Anakin awoke feeling more relaxed and comfortable then he could ever remember. It felt so nice, he wanted to just sleep the day away. I don't think I've ever wanted to not get up in the morning. He glanced over a the table and extra chairs someone had placed in the small room while he slept. Unwillingly, he got up and dressed for the day and unplugged Kaely from the portable recharge socket Qui-gon had brought for her.
He sensed Qui-gon and Obi-wan approach before they knocked on the door. Opening it he was delighted to smell the breakfast they were carrying.
"Oh great!" he exclaimed. "I'm really hungry."
Qui-gon smiled. "Good morning."
"Uh, yeah. Good morning!"
Obi-wan eyed the tiny, beeping annoyance sitting on the desk before greeting Anakin and sitting at the table. "You had no meal last night, so we brought plenty."
The three of them enjoyed a cheery breakfast and avoided speaking of what happened the day before. Kaely amused herself by singing for Qui-gon and attempting to steal food from Obi-wan's plate.
"Anakin, call off your droid please." Obi-wan parried Kaely's arm appendage with his utensil.
"Don't you have anything better to do than torture Obi-wan?" Anakin asked Kaely. Qui-gon smiled when she gave a negative beep. Anakin only rolled his eyes at her. "Well, quit it, okay?" She decided to investigate the unmade bed for a while.
"Ani," Qui-gon stacked his empty plate with the others. "The Council is planning the next session differently. They intend to actively push back your Force glowing for you this time. Hopefully, that will prevent another explosion."
"Why did they use that dampening room before?"
"The chamber let them observe your light very carefully to learn how and why it occurs." Qui-gon explained.
"And they did not know that the dampening would fail." Obi-wan added.
"It didn't fail at first, not exactly." Anakin paused a moment. The Jedi waited patiently for him to continue.
"It did work. I felt the Force just stop all around me, but it didn't stop inside of me. Then, it felt like the Force in me was being shredded away and that... It really hurt and I don't remember much after that."
Anakin became quiet and distant while the Jedi thought over what he revealed. The only sound was Kaely's muted trills from somewhere in the depths of Anakin's bed sheets.
"Do you want to tell the Council?" Obi-wan asked.
"You can tell them, I don't want to talk about it with them."
"Very well." Qui-gon answered. "When do you feel you will be able to practice controlling the glowing again?"
"Today."
"Are you sure?" Obi-wan voiced his and Qui-gon's surprise and concern.
"Yeah, I feel fine."
Qui-gon decided not to argue with the boy, despite his misgivings. "This new way would have been much harder before, but now that the Council has seen and felt what happens in the blast, they can control it for you. All you need to do is let the light happen, don't fight it. They will protect you to the best of their abilities."
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