A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far Away

Chapter 109

When Anakin walked into the Council Chambers, he was met with grim faces. He mentally checked himself to make sure he was as humble as possible and that he was completely aware of what was going to happen and no matter how much it sounded like what he wanted, that it wasn't.

"Anakin Skywalker," Mace spoke, his voice sounding so severe that Anakin couldn't help but think back to the first time he'd ever stood in front of the Council being scrutinized, "the Council has decided to comply with Chancellor Palpatine's directive, and with the instructions of the Senate that give him the unprecedented authority to command this Council. You are thereby granted a seat at the High Council of the Jedi as the Chancellor's personal representative."

"Thank you, Masters. You have my pledge that I will uphold the highest principles of the Jedi Order," Anakin said, bowing respectfully, and not allowing the voice in his head that said there had never been a seat granted to a Jedi without the rank of Master and that the Council was not going to start a new trend to gain purchase on his mind.

He trusted Luna's word far more than that.

"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not," Yoda said. "Disturbing this move by Chancellor Palpatine is. On many levels."

"They have become more concerned with avoiding the oversight of the Senate than with winning the war," Palpatine's voice echoed in Anakin's mind.

"I understand," Anakin told them.

"I'm not sure you do," Mace said.

And here comes the part where if Luna hadn't warned me, I would have thought I had gotten exactly what I wanted only for it to be snached away. You really should have mentioned this part before the idea of being a Master has time to set in someone's mind, Anakin thought to himself, mentally shaking his head. He could probably name about a dozen other Jedi that would have a similar response as himself in this particular position, given not as....out of control.

"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master."

"I understand," Anakin said calmly. It may have been his imagination, but he was pretty sure Mace wasn't the only Master that had a flash of surprise dance across his features.

Anakin had to bit back a laugh. Acting calmly just to see the Korun Master looking surprised was more than worth it.

But then there was the realization that they all had been expecting him to act a different way, most likely the extreme he had done in front of Luna.

He really did need to work on controlling himself.

"Take your seat, Skywalker," Mace said. Anakin bowed again before quickly glancing around to find a now open seat next to Obi-Wan. He couldn't completely hide his smile as he walked over to sit next to his best friend, who had a proud glint in his eyes.