Before Windu has a chance to launch into his proposal for how to deal with the situation, Obi-Wan leans forwards, determined to have his say. "With Anakin being so close to the edge, we can't afford to be harsh," he cautions. "He needs our support, more now than ever." All eyes turn to him, and he silently hopes that his words along will be enough to make them be more lenient with Anakin, despite his actions.
He meets everyone's eyes, his cool mask firmly in place. Anakin would call it his Negotiator persona. "I can understand expelling him – he did break the Code by getting married – but, as Jedi, we should let him leave without burdening him further. I will, of course, respect what the Council decides, but I am duty-bound to say that I feel Dooku is correct. The Jedi have become complacent. We have allowed our own arrogance and infallibility to blind us to the Sith Lord hiding before our very eyes." He pauses as his words ring out in the now quiet room. "I cannot, in good faith, remain in an Order which cannot help its own. If this is the path you choose, then I will leave the Order and join Anakin."
A surprised – if not shocked – silence fills the room as the other Jedi Masters look between one another. Obi-Wan has become one of the leading members of the Council, and the thought of him leaving is almost inconceivable. A silent resolve fills Obi-Wan. Maybe this must occur to allow the Order to change for the better. Somehow, he doesn't feel nearly as conflicted as he did only minutes ago. Instead, he feels completely at peace. Perhaps it is the will of the Force that he and Anakin both leave the Jedi Order and find their own path. Together.
"Decide this in haste, you should not," chides Yoda. "Discuss this matter the Council will." His ears twitch slightly as his eyes dart around the room.
"I think it is quite clear that Skywalker is too dangerous to be allowed to walk free," Windu points out. Obi-Wan's hands clench on the armrests of his chair, but he gives no other indication that he's upset at the words. If he loses his calm now, they'll never listen to him. "I feel that we should arrest him, containing him the way we do all Fallen Jedi. Perhaps he has not yet given in, but it is only a matter of time, especially if he already wishes to embrace the Dark Side."
Obi-Wan wants to say something, anything to defend Anakin, to protect the direction the conversation is taking, but – he realizes with a sharp pang of guilt – had his eyes not been opened and if this wasn't about Anakin, he would agree. The worst part is that he can understand why Windu is making such an extreme suggestion. Perhaps it would be wrong to imprison a volatile Force sensitive like Anakin, but should he walk free, the amount of damage he could cause has the potential to be extreme.
"I concur," Mundi declares. "He allied with Count Dooku as well, thereby making himself a traitor. His instability is reason enough to keep him here at the Temple. We do not have to inform the Senate that he has been expelled. We can simply tell them that Skywalker has been temporarily relieved from duty for personal reasons."
"But imprisoning someone who has done no wrong?" protests Plo. "I think that is going too far. He has not yet given in to the Dark Side, and I have faith that, with guidance, he will be able to refrain from losing himself entirely."
Obi-Wan can't quite hide the gratitude he feels towards the Jedi Master. At least he's not the only one who is shocked by the suggestion. But still, he feels, with rising dread, that the result is a foregone conclusion. If the Council does take such drastic action, what should he do? He cannot allow Anakin to remain imprisoned, not when his help is invaluable, and besides, Anakin doesn't deserve such a fate. He doesn't deserve to be punished for Obi-Wan's mistakes.
"And if you're wrong? What then? Who will be able to subdue him if he succumbs?" challenges Oppo Rancisis. "It's a chance that we cannot afford to take."
There's a ripple of agreement in the Force. "It doesn't have to be a long confinement," Shaak Ti proposes. "All we need is enough time to ensure that Skywalker is stable before allowing him to leave and live as he sees fit. He is no longer a Jedi, and as such, I do not feel that we have the authority to detain him for extended periods of time."
"He committed treason when he allied with Dooku," Windu reminds her. "Are we then to allow that to go unpunished?"
"Is it really treason if he was working to defeat a much bigger threat?" argues Obi-Wan.
"The Senate will want to do its own investigation. I think whether or not his actions are treasonous will be up to them, not us," Fisto announces.
Obi-Wan sighs mentally, preparing himself for a long, drawn-out debate. Surprisingly, it doesn't even take an hour. One by one, the Council members cast their votes while Obi-Wan reaches into the Force's soothing currents, silently letting himself feel. He might be a Jedi obligated to listen to the Council, but first and foremost, he's supposed to serve the Force, and there's no way that the Force would want its child to be treated in such a manner. Whatever happens next, Obi-Wan knows that he and Anakin, together, will be embarking on a new journey and venturing into the unknown, regardless of what they must do to achieve peace and destroy Sidious.
"It has been decided," Windu states with finality. "9 in favor and 2 against. Skywalker will be contained in the Temple until he proves himself capable of the control necessary to remain firmly on the Light Side. We will call him in to hear our decision and see what he has to say on the matter."
Only Plo and Fisto stood on Anakin's side, and that hurts for some reason. They didn't trust Anakin, and they didn't trust him either. A bittersweet feeling flits into Obi-Wan's awareness, and he releases it to the Force. This is – it's really the end. The Order has always been his family, but he loves Anakin more than the rest of the Jedi. Anakin is his brother, his son. He won't let him face imprisonment, trapped alone with his shattered dreams. This all seems so wrong, but there's also a strange sense of rightness to it. Of finality. Perhaps this is where he's been being led this whole time. He doesn't want to leave, but he's not being left with a choice.
Obi-Wan promised to respect the Council, but can he? Is he really willing to watch from the side as Anakin is arrested and locked away for something he has never done? A numb despair floods him, and Obi-Wan knows that whatever his resolves might be, they'll crumble the second he feels Anakin's pain. After realizing how much he's hurt him, he doesn't think he could bear to be the cause of his pain again, not even for a second.
What now? He briefly wonders what Dooku's plans are – for the man surely has some. No doubt he'd anticipated such an outcome, or at least made some preparations lest it come about. If Obi-Wan does openly defy the Council and free Anakin, they'll have to flee the planet before they're recaptured. It won't be pleasant, but it might be the only way.
"A question I have for Master Kenobi," Yoda interjects before Windu can push a button to summon Anakin to return. "Know do you where Dooku is now?"
Suddenly, all eyes are focused on Obi-Wan, and he's grateful that Dooku refused to tell him about the prearranged meeting spot ahead of time. Only Anakin knows, and for that, he's grateful. "No," he answers, flatly. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you. He doesn't need to add that part. Somehow, he gets the feeling that they already know.
Windu narrows his eyes, almost suspiciously. "You were working with him. Why would you not know where he's gone?"
"He didn't trust me," Obi-Wan informs them bluntly. If not for the fact that he's right here, he suspects that the Council might even be debating arresting him for being a traitor. He had known the risk before he agreed to help Dooku, but he had thought it would be worth it if Sidious was dead, and now, even though the Sith Master is still alive, it was important for the Council to be informed so they could aid in pursuing Sidious.
The Council members exchange glances. "We can discuss this later," Windu decides, pushing a few buttons on his datapad, no doubt summoning the Temple guards, before summoning Anakin back into the Council chambers. Obi-Wan silently braces himself for what he knows will be a tumultuous encounter.
Anakin was stressed about this from the start, and it won't be easy for him to hear, much less accept, the verdict. It's cruel, Obi-Wan thinks, to do this to him. He keenly remembers Anakin's confession, the way he thinks that the Council doesn't trust him, because he's too emotional. While Obi-Wan hadn't believed that to be truth – though he was able to acknowledge that, because Anakin felt that way, something wasn't right – he's no longer certain that he was right. Perhaps the Council really does mistrust Anakin so badly, and perhaps he really was blind enough to not even notice.
Anakin enters the room, striding resolutely into the center before bowing to the Council. Obi-Wan shifts in his seat as he studies his former Padawan's face. There are no traces of the emotional boy he's come to know. Anakin is wearing an emotionless mask; it's one he always wears during the heat of battle. He's clearly bracing himself for the worst, but Obi-Wan can see a faint flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. It's not overt, but having known him so well for so long, Obi-Wan knows it's there. It's in his posture too. He's holding himself in a way that tells Obi-Wan he's scared. He's terrified of what the Council will do, and now, his worst fears are about to be realized. This is a huge mistake, and Obi-Wan doesn't think the Council even realizes what they're about to unleash.
"Anakin Skywalker, the Council has decided that, because you defied and flaunted the Code, you will be expelled from the Jedi Order," announces Windu, his voice cold and inflectionless. "Your rank in the military will be stripped from you, and because you have embraced the Dark Side, you will be confined in the Temple, until you prove capable of controlling yourself."
To his credit, Anakin doesn't react visibly, even though he pales, but Obi-Wan sees a flash of hurt in his eyes. He can feel the swell of pain and confusion in his former Padawan, so he reaches out towards Anakin through their bond, silently offering his encouragement and support.
"What? How can you do that?" demands Anakin, a hard edge slipping into his tone.
"You are dangerous," Windu explains mercilessly. "If you cannot control yourself, it's a risk for you to remain in a position where you can negatively influence or harm others. You are too powerful to walk free given your current instability."
Anakin's eyes narrow, and Obi-Wan senses that he's becoming upset. He can't handle being vulnerable very well, but now it's as much about being at the Council's mercy as it is about them hurting him. Why did he never notice before how hard they are on Anakin when compared with everyone else? "That's not fair," Anakin accuses. "You made me unbalanced."
"Your lack of control allowed it to happen," counters Windu, and in this moment, Obi-Wan can't help but wonder if the Korun Jedi has a grudge against Anakin for some reason. There are so many better ways for him to handle the conversation, and he's taking none of them.
Obi-Wan can feel Anakin's temper begins to rise. "Dooku was right!" he yells, the darkness in and around him surging in response to his anger. "The Jedi are corrupt! You have no right to arrest me when I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Skywalker!" barks Windu, glowering at him. "You will not speak to the Council in such a manner!" The doors open behind Anakin and four Temple guards enter, obviously prepared to arrest him.
The Dark Side surges, and Obi-Wan suddenly gets the horrible feeling that Anakin feels betrayed enough to fight his way out. He knows that if he does nothing, the Council will see exactly how much Anakin has already embraced the Dark Side, and they could reanalyze their verdict, or worse. He doesn't want to think about the possibilities.
"Anakin, no!" exclaims Obi-Wan, managing to stand up without looking too frantic. He strides towards Anakin a little faster than normal, his urgency likely apparent as he reaches out, resting his hands on Anakin's shoulders, forcing him to meet his gaze. There's a hint of yellow lurking in his eyes, and he's poised to lash out, irrespective of who he has to hurt – or worse, kill.
"Calm yourself," he admonishes gently, lacing his words with a Force suggestion and sending soothing emotions through the Force. He can feel Anakin struggling as his emotions spiral out of control. "We'll figure this out," he promises quietly, giving him a meaningful look. Seeing the pain in the eyes of the child he raised, Obi-Wan resolves, just as he knew he would, to do whatever he must, even defy the Council, if it means helping Anakin. If not for this, he might never have been put in the position where he has to choose between his former Padawan and the Jedi. He'll always choose Anakin from now on. He wouldn't have it any other way.
Anakin pinches his eyes closed, his breathing ragged. He rests his left hand on Obi-Wan's arm, holding on like it's his only anchor to reality, while his prosthetic hand clenches so hard, the gears squeal in protest at the pressure. No one moves or speaks, but Obi-Wan can sense the uncertainty, unease, and suspicion among the Council members. It doesn't matter. Not right now. He needs to give Anakin his full attention until he's under control again.
"I'm sorry, Master," whispers Anakin, opening his eyes, guilt swirling within them. He doesn't elaborate, doesn't specify what he's sorry for, and Obi-Wan suddenly realizes that it's normal for him to do so. He takes the blame without a fight, without resistance; it's a residual effect of his childhood, one Obi-Wan might never have noticed if not for Dooku.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Obi-Wan replies softly, his grip on Anakin's shoulders tightening. "It's not your fault this happened to you." It's mine. He blames himself. He could have done something to prevent it. He should have, and because he didn't, everything is falling apart. I love you, he thinks, not for the first time since he ended up on Serenno, but just like every other time, he doesn't have the courage to utter those forbidden words. Jedi aren't supposed to love, but Obi-Wan couldn't stop loving Anakin anymore than he could stop breathing.
"It's not – you can't blame yourself," retorts Anakin, frowning. "You couldn't have stopped this from happening." If only that was true. And about that, Anakin is wrong. Obi-Wan could have done something. He could have actually tried to help him. He could have respected him and listened to him. There are so many things Obi-Wan could have done differently, done better, and they both know it.
"Yes, I could have." When he answers, his voice is firm. "I should have respected you," he whispers, quietly enough that he hopes no one else will hear him. He wants to embrace Anakin, hug him close and keep him safe. It's a feeling Obi-Wan has rarely contended with, and even then, only when Anakin was a young child. He wonders if it's the way a parent would feel towards their child, but it's too unnerving of a thought to consider for long.
Anakin's hand tightens on Obi-Wan's arm, seeming even more conflicted and guilty than he did earlier. "If I'd tried, I could have –" done better.
Obi-Wan cuts him off mid-sentence. "No, Anakin. You did everything you could. You did more than any Jedi in your position could have." Anakin doesn't respond to that declaration, his eyes dropping down to stare at the floor. If they weren't in front of the Council, Obi-Wan is certain Anakin would have said something else, something he doesn't want anyone else to hear.
Once that he's certain Anakin is under control, Obi-Wan turns to face the Council. "Will you reconsider?" he asks in a deceptively soft voice.
"We already made our decision," Windu answers for the majority. Yoda's ears twitch, but he remains silent, not giving away anything about his current opinion.
Head lowered, posture radiating defeat, Anakin turns, letting the Temple guards put him in restraints. Obi-Wan takes his lightsaber, clipping it to his own belt opposite his own. He'll keep it safe until such time when he can return it to its rightful owner. Anakin glances over at him briefly, expression tormented, the faintest sheen of tears in his eyes, but he remains quiet as he's led away. This is wrong, Obi-Wan thinks desperately. This can't be what is meant to happen.
"Master!" cries Ahsoka's voice from outside the Council chambers, her horror audible. "What are you doing?!"
"We are under orders from the Council," replies one of the Temple guards as the doors to the Council chamber close.
Obi-Wan exhales, feeling both exhausted and defeated. "I should talk to Ahsoka," he says quietly, "And explain what happened to her."
"Agreed," declares Windu. "We will question Skywalker later to ascertain Dooku's location."
"Inform the Senate we must," adds Yoda.
Obi-Wan decides not to respond to any of that, because given how stressed he currently is, he doesn't think the conversation would go well. Instead, he walks out of the Council chambers, wondering what his next course of action should be. Perhaps he could go talk to Anakin and find out how to get in contact with Dooku. They need to get Anakin out, but it's not nearly as simple as releasing him and walking away. They'll have to use subterfuge; he might not like it, but right now, it's the only option which seems to be available, because he will not leave Anakin in a cage, not if he can help it.
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