Chapter Text
Inside of an hour, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin are standing in the centre of the Council chamber. Qui-Gon has a thunderous scowl on his face, his arms crossed. Obi-Wan stopped at his room to change into fresh tunics, and fetched a robe, as well; he’s wearing the dark cloak primarily to hide within the voluminous sleeves the fact that he’s worrying a loose thread at the wrist of his tunic anxiously. Anakin he had left with Qui-Gon, also to change, and though the boy’s face is pale he doesn’t seem any more distressed. Obi-Wan can only assume that Qui-Gon didn’t say anything to him, which is protocol: a master whose right to their padawan has been brought to Challenge is supposed to limit contact with their padawan until the issue is resolved. There’s a reason the Council was assembled in less than an hour in the middle of the day, when surely almost all of them had been busy with other matters. In fact, they’d been assembled so quickly that several of the Council Masters look mildly curious as to what’s happening.
“Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Mace begins, opening the meeting. “You have called us together to hear your Challenge of Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s right to the tutelage of Padawan Anakin Skywalker.”
Several sharp breaths are drawn around the room, and in Obi-Wan’s peripheral vision, he sees Master Koon sit forward intently, as does Master Billaba.
“Yes, Master Windu,” Obi-Wan confirms.
“Present your case, please, Knight Kenobi.”
Obi-Wan takes a steadying breath. “Yes, Master. As you may know, Padawan Skywalker and I routinely spend time together when I am on-planet between missions. He is my brother padawan, and though I have not remained quite so close with my former master, Padawan Skywalker and I have built a strong relationship. I have become aware, however, of some growing tension between the padawan and his – and my own former – master. Given that Master Jinn and I had our own troubles at times during my apprenticeship, I chose to let it lie. Today, however, Padawan Skywalker disclosed to me something that disturbed me greatly: that he was of the belief that Master Jinn was on the verge of repudiating him.”
Another round of sharply indrawn breaths.
“What did Padawan Skywalker offer as the explanation for such fears?” Master Koon asks. He nods at Anakin to acknowledge him, but the question is directed at Obi-Wan; they all will be until they are sufficiently satisfied that they have heard Obi-Wan’s side of the story.
“He recounted Master Jinn’s typical attitude toward him, criticisms have been voiced, and also informed me that Master Jinn has closed the training bond between their minds.”
Obi-Wan can’t see all the members of the Council, but he sees sharp looks sent Qui-Gon’s way from those in front of him, and from the rising tension in the Force he suspects that there are similar expressions on the faces of those behind him.
“I did what I could in the moment to sooth Ana– Padawan Skywalker’s insecurities,” Obi-Wan says. “And to reassure him that he belongs in this Order; that no matter what came of the issue with his master, he would not be returned to slavery on Tattooine.”
This time it’s Qui-Gon who shifts, and when Obi-Wan glances at him in his peripheral vision, he looks uncomfortable. Good, Obi-Wan thinks.
“Did you speak to Master Jinn about this issue?” Master Windu asks.
“Yes. Master Jinn was… not receptive to criticism,” Obi-Wan says. “Nor to my accusation that his issues with Padawan Skywalker, particularly the padawan’s temper and emotionality, stem from prior trauma inflicted by Xanatos duCrion. He claimed that he had no intention of repudiating Padawan Skywalker, but he also refused to acknowledge that the padawan’s fears were valid, given his behaviour. He continued to insist that his concerns about Padawan Skywalker’s development had merit, and when I claimed that his distance and disdain for the padawan’s struggles were causing him harm, he dismissed me. His exact words, I believe, were that he ‘has much more experience with the Falling and the Fallen than I do’.”
Master Windu purses his lips. Beside him, Master Yoda clasps his hands in his lap. “On a path to Falling, do you see Padawan Skywalker?” Master Yoda asks.
“No,” Obi-Wan says, his vehemence such that his voice rings in the chamber like a shout, although he did not raise his voice. “He struggles with anger, and his emotions echo loudly in the Force. But he did not grow up in the Temple, and his control, lacking that benefit, is excellent. I do not believe he is Falling. But I know that he is in turmoil right now because of this, and that is dangerous. Especially for one who feels as strongly as he does, and who yet fully learned what it is to give his feelings over to the Force.”
“I have tried to teach him!” Qui-Gon bursts out. “You cannot blame me for–”
“Master Jinn,” Master Windu cuts in, his voice commanding, “hold your tongue. You will have your moment to speak.”
“Thank you, Master Windu,” Obi-Wan says. He clears his throat. “Near the end of my conversation with Master Jinn, after mentioning that I believed this issue should be brought before the Council, he accused me of manufacturing or exaggerating the complaint in order to ‘steal his padawan for myself’. I had no intention of doing any such, but his statement served to remind me that a Challenge was possible, and in fact the proprietariness of his statement – the ego-driven nature of it – concerned me enough that I have chosen to Challenge. I do not believe that Master Jinn is emotionally fit to train Padawan Skywalker any longer. Due to both of their histories, Master Jinn’s motivations to take on Padawan Skywalker in the first place, and the compatibility of their abilities in the Force, I believe that it would be in both of their best interests in they were separated. I would be happy to elaborate on any of these aspects if you desire, Masters.”
Then Obi-Wan takes a deep breath and bows to the Council. When he rises, Master Windu nods at him, and there is a calm, reassuring gleam in Yoda’s eyes.
“Thank you, Knight Kenobi,” Master Windu says. Then he turns to Qui-Gon, and his expression hardens an infinitesimal amount. “Master Jinn. I’d like to hear your side of this story next. Do not attempt to lie to us.”
“I wouldn’t,” Qui-Gon protests, then he huffs. “And I will not lie now: I do not believe this is necessary. I freely admit that I have some concerns about my padawan’s temperament and his ultimate suitability for the life of a Jedi, but I was not considering repudiating him; such is an invention of his own.”
Anakin makes a small noise, as if he’s been wounded, and Obi-Wan, who has closed his eyes to allow greater focus on the currents of the Force in the room, feels an arrowing in of compassionate concern for him from all sides. He smiles faintly; this is why he wanted to be feeling the layers in the room, rather than searching for emotion on the impassive faces of the Council, more than half of whom are out of his range of vision in any case. He hopes Anakin can feel it too.
Qui-Gon plows onward, though he surely noticed the sound. “Padawan Skywalker is easily angered, and I have not been able to control him or teach him to control himself. His conflicts with other padawans and with older initiates have created disruptions in his education, which already lags due to his insistent disinterest in the areas of knowledge necessary for success as a mission-active Jedi. He is skilled with a lightsaber, but aggressive in spars and uncontrolled; he fights like a street brawler, not like a Jedi, which might keep him alive out in the galaxy but is not acceptable in the practice ring or in a formal bout with a peer, when someone might be – indeed, has been – injured.”
“These are common flaws for a young padawan,” Master Gallia points out mildly.
“They are also flaws that a young padawan knows are flaws and accepts that he must work on,” Qui-Gon says. “Anakin – Padawan Skywalker, that is – is stubbornly defensive and cannot improve his control. His failures reflect badly on him, and they have caused negative consequences for others, but he does not improve. I am aware that this is not necessarily his fault, but I also do not believe it to be a flaw in my teachings; he is simply unsuited for the path of a Jedi.”
“So you do intend to repudiate him,” Master Windu says.
“No, I– hells.” Qui-Gon shifts, and Obi-Wan opens his eyes to see him run a hand down his face. “I am willing to complete his training, but I believe that no matter what I might do in the next five, even ten years, he will fail his Trials. I am willing to take him to them if such is his wish, but my frustrations are valid.” Here he turns to glare at Obi-Wan. “Knight Kenobi accuses me of dismissing him, but he has dismissed me, as well; I have trained three padawans, two to Knighthood, and I believe my history as he says has taught me to recognize a fundamental flaw and distinguish it from a correctable one.”
“You fail to practice compassion in speaking thus, Master Jinn,” Yaddle says, from around her side of the circle.
“Padawan Skywalker is not a bad person,” Qui-Gon says quietly. “He is not flawed in a way that would prevent him from living a good life, from being a good man and being happy. But I do not believe he will ever succeed as a Jedi. I do not believe he could ever find his peace in our Order. I do not wish to see him Fall to the Dark Side, which is why I have been so hard on him – I have only ever wanted for him to understand the seriousness of consequences should he continue to struggle, or fail in that struggle. If it is possible for him, of course I would like to see him succeed, but I fear that it is not possible. And I have wanted him to consider that himself, and make whatever choice he feels is necessary once he has come to terms with reality. I, as the rest of you, only want the best for my padawan.”
“I see,” Master Windu says. “That explains, I suppose, your criticisms and your distance from your padawan. I understand the desire to show to him the reality of his situation and allow him to choose for himself, and I will tell you exactly how misguided I believe you are in a moment. First, though, I must demand an explanation of your having block your and Padawan Skywalker’s training bond, for that is a concrete infraction and must be addressed.”
Qui-Gon hesitates for a moment, then says, “That… that I cannot blame on Anakin. In this, at least, I should have sought outside help rather than punishing my padawan for my own failure, and for that, Anakin, I am sorry.” Qui-Gon sighs. “Padawan Skywalker’s presence in the Force can is exceptionally powerful, and he projects his thoughts and feelings naturally. Shielding, however, comes less naturally to him, and his emotional control is still weak. I have, at times, nearly been overwhelmed by him through our connection. Such a thing is… daunting for me, especially as my own control has been solid for many decades, and I had no such issues with my previous padawans. Feemor was already trained to shield well; Xanatos had good control over his emotions; and Obi-Wan – Knight Kenobi – shields intuitively. Rather than seeking help, I simply blocked the bond. It was wrong, I admit, and once I had done it I found myself unwilling to undo it before Padawan Skywalker’s control improved, nor was I willing to admit the transgression. I know it was wrong.”
“You realize,” Master Billaba says, “that for that alone we could cede the Challenge to Knight Kenobi. Blocking a bond without consent and good reason is an abuse, especially when you take into account that your padawan did not grow up in the Temple and did not understand the seriousness of what you have done to him.”
Qui-Gon doesn’t say anything at all to that. Master Billaba just sighs.
“I believe we’ve heard enough from Master Jinn,” Master Windu says. “I certainly have my own thoughts on all of this, and I will certainly share them before you make your decision, Padawan Skywalker, but first–”
“Me?” Anakin squeaks. Obi-Wan opens his eyes again and takes in Anakin’s wide eyes, slightly wet as if he’s been holding back tears. His upset has been echoing in the Force, soothed at the edges by the Council’s calm. “Sorry, I mean – what do you mean by my decision, Master Windu?”
“Knight Kenobi brought this Challenge,” Master Windu says, “but it is your fate that is being decided, and ultimately the decision will be yours. I apologize for not explaining that earlier. To clarify, as I forget at times that you did not grow up with our customs: in a Challenge for right to a padawan’s tutelage, it is the Padawan who ultimately decides if they wish to remain with their current master; if they will request to be taught by the Challenger, should the Challenger be willing to take them on; or if they will request to be taught by some other master. In your case, Padawan Skywalker, I would recommend that you pass into the tutelage of one of the Council Masters, but I imagine that there are several of us who would be willing to complete your training. Myself at the very least.”
“I, as well,” Master Koon says, and Masters Tiin and Koth both nod in agreement. Obi-Wan, watching this, feeling the acceptance of the rest of the Council, feels an odd jolt of mixed surprise and dismay, and then further surprise at his own dismay. He’d said to Anakin that the Council didn’t dislike him, but he hadn’t realized… well. Still, this is a good option for Anakin: perhaps the ideal outcome, though of course he would have been happy to take on Anakin. Instead, he faces the idea of Anakin as a Council Master’s padawan and forces himself to reconcile with it.
“Oh,” Anakin says in a small voice. “Okay.”
Master Windu offers him the slightest smile, then says, “How are you feeling, young one?”
Anakin swallows. “Well, I think–”
Master Yaddle puts up a hand to interrupt. “Feeling, Padawan Skywalker. Your analysis we can have in a moment. First tell us what your heart says, and what the Force tells you.”
Oppo Rancisis, in Obi-Wan’s peripheral vision, looks slightly grumpy at her phrasing, but he doesn’t say anything; Obi-Wan restrains himself from turning to stare. A moment passes while Anakin gathers himself, and Obi-Wan takes the chance to close his eyes once more and sink back into the patterns of the Force, gauging the Council, and finds nothing but patient compassion.
“I guess I’m just… surprised? Mostly?” Anakin says. “I didn’t think that this would turn into such a big deal – I was fine. I mean, I was frustrated, and scared sometimes. I don’t want to go back to Tattooine, and I want to be a Jedi. I know…” He trails off, biting his lip. There’s a gently feeling of encouragement projected by Yaddle and some of the other Council members, and maybe someone gestures for him to go on. Finally he continues in a quiet voice, “I know I’m not as good as most of the other padawans my age. I know I’ll never be like my m-master, or like Obi-Wan – I mean, like Knight Kenobi. Sorry.”
“It’s alright,” Obi-Wan murmurs, and places a hand on Anakin’s shoulder.
“Thanks,” Anakin mutters. “Anyway, now that we’re talking about it, though, I guess I can understand why Obi-Wan was so upset. Master didn’t want me to fall to the Dark side, but the stuff he was saying to me was making me feel afraid and angry, like you say leads to the Dark side, Master Yoda.”
Master Yoda hums, then says, “Unfair to you, he was.”
“Yeah, I guess. And… some of the things he said – it’s not my fault. Like with my coursework.”
“How so?” Master Windu says.
“Well, I couldn’t read Basic when I came here, right? Or, uh, at all. Master Jinn taught me, but it’s still hard, and some of the stuff I have to read is… it takes a long time, and it’s boring, and I don’t get it. And I never want to ask too many questions in case I get annoying; he's never gotten annoyed before, but you never know, you know? Better to play it safe and just... be stupid,” Anakin explains.
A soft pause, where Obi-Wan assumes Master Windu nodded.
“I know I get angry too much,” Anakin says. “I’m trying. And Master Jinn does try to teach me, it’s just… it’s hard. I’m not so good at meditating, usually, and since he closed the bond it’s harder for me to try to do what he does? Because I can’t feel it as well.” Obi-Wan hears the soft scuff as Anakin rubs the back of his head. “I guess mostly what I’m feeling is bad. For being… too much, I guess. Master Jinn is a good master, but maybe I’m not… good for him. And if it’ll help him not be overwhelmed, and if someone else will feel less frustrated and stressed dealing with me, I should maybe have a different master. But not because he’s bad! Just because us working together has so far gone a little like trying to attach plating with bolts that’re too short – you can press as hard as you want, try different tools, whatever… but it’s still kind of falling apart.”
There’s a long moment of silence, and Obi-Wan opens his eyes to join the Council in looking at Anakin. The boy shifts under all the attention, but bears up gracefully, his shoulders straight. At the beginning of this meeting, he’d looked like a kicked akk pup, but much less so now.
“Wisdom, you have, young one,” Master Yoda says. “Grateful, we are. Anything also to add, have you?”
Anakin shakes his head mutely.
“Thank you,” Master Windu says. “Please give the Council a moment to put together our thoughts.”
Anakin, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan all bow their heads politely, and then each member of the Council closes their eyes. Obi-Wan can feel the shifting currents of silent communication in the Force, each Council member sharing their thoughts and piecing together their individual conclusions to a cohesive whole. They don’t always do things this way -- they do it but rarely, in fact. But some matters require agreement, not debate, and Challenge is one of them. It takes long minutes, and by the end Anakin is looking nervous once more, enough so that Obi-Wan wishes to reach out again to comfort him. He doesn’t, though, knowing that Anakin will soon be making a difficult decision – despite his words, Obi-Wan knows that there is a good chance that Anakin could still choose to stay with his current master, and that, indeed, that may not be the wrong choice.
Finally, the Council emerges from their joint meditation. “I believe we have come to a consensus on what our wisdom is in this,” Master Windu says. “Padawan Anakin Skywalker, in the matter of the Challenge against your tutelage, we have this to say: you have at most four options, each with its own challenges and rewards.”
Master Rancisis speaks from his place in the circle. “First, you may remain with Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He is not, as you have said, a bad master, and there are many things that he may offer you that no other can. He believes, or believed, that you are the Chosen One of prophecy. He Searched you out, and knows your history. He is a Master of the Living Force, and can offer you a depth of learning in that area beyond almost any other master in this Order; your strength, I sense, is also with the Living Force. But he has done harm to you. His own history complicates his teaching, and his mental health has never been entirely stable due to issues that go deep into that history. Should you choose this option, the Council will mandate that he seek Mind Healing, and the pair of you will be bound to the Temple for some time and monitored to ensure that no further wrongs are committed, and both of you are healed.”
“For the second option,” Master Gallia says, “we must first turn to Knight Kenobi.”
“I would take him on,” Obi-Wan says immediately, and then flushes when she gives him a wry look. “I apologize, Master Gallia.”
“No need, Knight Kenobi,” she says. “Padawan Skywalker is a bright youngster and you care for him; your eagerness is understandable. The option, then, padawan, stands. You may choose Knight Kenobi as your master. He knows you well, and has taught you in the past. He is strong in the Unifying Force, and can offer you teachings very different than those that Master Jinn could offer; your polarized strengths in the Force could be of great benefit to you. He is insightful and grounded, a balance to your own fiery nature. But he is young and relatively inexperienced. There are things he may not be able to teach you, for he does not know them. He has never taught a student before, and having a first student is harder only than being a first student.”
“Third, you may become the padawan of a member of this Council,” Master Koon says. “Five among us would be willing to take you on: myself, Master Windu, Master Koth, Master Tiin, and Master Billaba. Each of us has different strengths that we might offer you. Each of us is a Jedi Master, skilled and wise enough to have been selected to sit on this Council, with a great deal of experience, as much as Master Jinn or more. Each of us could teach you things about the Order that you would not have the opportunity to learn as the padawan of a knight or master not of the Council. But each of us is also busy with other duties, and while we would of course prioritize your learning, there would be times when we would be forced to share your tutelage more than is the norm. Being a Council Padawan means you may never get as much field experience as you will eventually gain as Master Jinn or Knight Kenobi's padawan. You would also have certain standards of behaviour that you would be expected to uphold even within this Temple and among those of our Order, as you would represent a member of the Council and not just a Master.”
“A final option, there is,” Master Yoda says. “Step off the path to knighthood, you may. No shame there would be in choosing a different life. Honourable, the Jedi Service Corps are. For such a bright youngling, still an honourable life that would be. Become a pilot, you could. Or, leave our Order entirely, you could. Provided for, you would be. Money, you would be given. Found for you, a home would be. Your education, you could first complete; then seek a different life entirely, you could. But leave behind your lightsaber, you would. Leave behind the path of the Jedi Knight, you would, forever.”
Anakin nods seriously, and when Master Windu says, “What is your choice, Padawan Skywalker?” he takes a long time to think about it.
Obi-Wan has to look away after a moment, and he purposefully closes off his sense of Anakin’s thoughts. He doesn’t want to know the choice before it’s made. He knows full well that Anakin will not choose him – though he doesn’t think that Anakin will choose to leave the Order or join the Corps, either. But the offer of Council tutelage has to be tempting. Or the security of remaining with Qui-Gon, who after all has not been so bad. Just misguided, and it seems that the Council is bent on fixing that one way or the other. That much Obi-Wan is happy about. Though he’s grown apart from his former master, the rift created by hurt and the fear of loss never quite having healed, he does love Qui-Gon.
Anakin draws in a breath, and Obi-Wan looks up once more, facing forward steadily as he waits for the boy’s verdict.
“I…” says Anakin. “Can I… explain a little, first?”
“Certainly,” Master Windu says, with another of those slight smiles.
“Right,” Anakin says, letting out a breath. “This is hard for me, y’know? Even though things between Master Jinn and I have been hard, he’s been my master for five years. The reason he hurt me so bad when he said those things, earlier and before, is because I care what he thinks of me. But not enough to be willing to leave the Order – I’m meant to be here. I’m meant to be a Jedi. So I’m staying. I don’t think I should stay with Master Jinn, though.” He turns and bows deeply to Qui-Gon. “Thank you, Master, for everything. After today, I won’t be your padawan any more, but I hope I’ll still see you. I hope you’re not mad.”
“No, padawan,” Qui-Gon rumbles. He reaches out and brushes his hand tenderly over Anakin’s short-shorn hair, and then runs his fingers down the slender braid. “I’m sorry. There are many things I wish were different.”
“Including me,” Anakin says, and Qui-Gon closes his eyes, lets the braid drop from his fingers. He doesn’t contradict Anakin’s words, and Anakin nods, then turns back to Master Windu.
“So that leaves the Council, or Obi-Wan,” he says. “And… I have a lot of respect for the Council. I thought, basically up until today, that you guys kind of hated me, but the offers that all five Council masters have made to take me on… it means a lot. Everything you’ve done today means a lot. I know I could learn a lot from any of you, and that there are things I’ll never get if I turn you down.”
Obi-Wan forces himself not to betray it outwardly, but within he prepares for the blow of loss.
“But I want Obi-Wan to be my master.”
“What?”
A beat, and then Obi-Wan realizes that he’s the one who’s just blurted out that incredulous exclamation, and bows hurriedly to the Council. “Sorry,” he says. “Anakin, what? No. I… I would love to have you as my padawan, of course I would, but I wasn’t lying to Qui-Gon when I said that I wasn’t doing this to steal you.”
“I know,” Anakin says. “But this is what I want. I think you’ll be a good master, and I know we work pretty good together, and I trust you.”
“I… oh,” Obi-Wan says. He notices that Master Windu is looking unfortunately smug. “Oh. Alright, Anakin. I respect your choice.”
“Excellent,” Master Windu says. “Master Jinn, if you would remove your braid from the padawan’s hair?”
Qui-Gon nods, and reaches out once more, this time to undo the braid that he had first placed there five years ago. When he finishes, without further prompting Anakin turns to Obi-Wan, the long strands of hair hanging loose beside his face, the coloured bands that he has thus far earned gripped in his palm.
Obi-Wan opens his mouth to speak, and has to clear his throat before he can do so. “Anakin Skywalker,” he says, his voice rough with some wild emotion that he cannot name, “I take you as my Padawan Learner.”
Anakin bows his head, and with fumbling hands Obi-Wan rebraids his hair, carefully placing the ties back in order. When he finishes, Anakin looks him straight in the eye and says, “Thank you, master.”
Obi-Wan can only think to bow, first to Anakin and then to the Council. He hopes the look in his eyes when he meets Master Windu’s gaze is enough to convey his honour and his gratitude, for he has no words.
“Padawan Skywalker, Knight Kenobi, you are dismissed. Master Jinn, stay a moment – I have a few things to say to you,” Master Windu says, in a tone that does not bode well for the number of hours Qui-Gon is likely going to have to listen to him shout over the next tenday or so.
Anakin and Obi-Wan both bow once more, and make their way out of the doors. The moment they’re outside of the tower in which the Council Chamber makes its home, Obi-Wan has to find a bench a sit down. Anakin hurries over to sit next to him, a worried look on his face.
“Are you okay, master?” he says.
Obi-Wan laughs a little, and says, “Yes, padawan. I am quite okay. And I think that you will be, too.”