Heart of a Hero
By: Falling 2 Pieces

Timeframe: The Phantom Menace
Characters: Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Anakin, Padmé
Summary: Anger has always been Obi-Wan's greatest weakness. When he gives in to his growing anger and makes some very poor choices, will his friends be able to help him before it's too late?
Disclaimer: The world of Star Wars and everything in it belongs to George Lucas. This story is being written for fun, not financial gain.

Notes: This story is AU. It begins in the middle of TPM, specifically when Qui-Gon and company are waiting to hear if Anakin will be trained. Please read and review - no flames, though.


Chapter 1: Choices

Obi-Wan Kenobi stood looking out at the cityscape that was Coruscant. His eyes watched the endless streams of sky traffic meandering their way through the city that never rested, but his mind was focused elsewhere. Behind him, the voices of Qui-Gon Jinn and young Anakin Skywalker floated down the hall.

"What's taking so long?" Anakin complained. "We've been waiting forever."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "You must have patience, Ani. The Council will call us any moment, now."

"And then I get to be a Jedi?" Anakin asked, the excitement evident in his voice.

The Jedi Master responded with another laugh. "No, then you get to begin training to become a Jedi."

Obi-Wan turned as the pair approached him, and Anakin grinned as he caught sight of the young man. "Like Obi-Wan? He's still in training isn't he?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "Yes, he is. You must understand that it takes many years to become a Jedi Knight." He looked up and gave his Padawan a wink. "Obi-Wan has been my apprentice for over ten years."

Anakin's blue eyes widened. "Wow. That's longer than I've been alive."

Obi-Wan fought the desire to roll his eyes at this statement. The simple fact of the matter was that he didn't particularly like Anakin. The boy had a strange hold over Qui-Gon that bothered the Padawan more than he cared to admit, even to himself. His Master had been preoccupied with Anakin ever since the two had met on Tatooine. Qui-Gon had even insisted on taking him before the Jedi Council to be tested for training.

For himself, Obi-Wan was convinced that Anakin would not pass the Council's tests. He was already far too old to be trained as a Jedi. But Qui-Gon stubbornly insisted that the Council would see Anakin's potential and allow him to be trained, regardless of the circumstances.

Obi-Wan tried to suppress a sigh of irritation. He was tired, hungry, and extremely bored. After all, none of this had anything to do with him, and he could think of a hundred things he would much rather be doing.

The waiting was obviously affecting Anakin, as well; he couldn't seem to remain still. Spotting something he had yet to investigate, he suddenly took off in a mad dash down the hall. Obi-Wan watched him go for a moment; then returned his gaze to the view of Coruscant.

Pausing to observe his apprentice, Qui-Gon frowned. The young man looked exhausted and distressed. Qui-Gon folded his arms across his chest as he moved to stand beside him. "You're brooding again, Padawan."

Obi-Wan cast a sideways glance at his Master. "Not at all. I am simply...," he searched for the right words, "contemplating recent events."

The tall Master raised his eyebrows at this reply. "Ah, 'contemplating'...is that what you're calling it now?"

A small smile made its way onto Obi-Wan's face and Qui-Gon grinned. "At last, a smile! I haven't seen one of those from you in days." Qui-Gon's comment resulted in an even wider smile from his apprentice.

Qui-Gon's voice became stern. "Now, are you going to tell me what is bothering you or will I have to drag it out of you, as usual?"

Obi-Wan gave his Master an innocent look and turned away. "I don't know what you're talking about, Master. I never keep anything from you."

"Is that so, Padawan?" Qui-Gon inquired, a hint of mischief in his voice. "What about that little incident on Jalayan 4?"

Obi-Wan's cheeks flamed with embarrassment as Qui-Gon, seeing that he had scored a direct hit, continued on. "Yes, I remember it well. You were so worried that I would learn of your accidental marriage proposal to the governor's daughter, that you refused to contact me, even after they arrested you and threw you in prison."

Qui-Gon shook his head woefully. "There I was, all alone, wondering what had become of my wayward apprentice."

Obi-Wan shot his Master a glare of indignation. "I assure you that the experience was far worse for me. Besides, you still found out what happened so I don't see that it matters. Anyway, I thought we had agreed not to mention that event again." He looked around nervously to ensure that no one had overheard the conversation.

Giving Obi-Wan an amused look, Qui-Gon reached over and tugged on his braid. "Actually, I promised no such thing."

Before the Padawan could answer, the shrill voice of Anakin Skywalker interrupted him. "Master Qui-Gon, sir, can we go get some food? I'm hungry."

The two Jedi turned to see Anakin practically dancing with impatience. Qui-Gon knelt down to speak to him. "We'll go as soon as we've spoken to the Council. I promise."

The little boy gave an exaggerated huff of disappointment and nodded.

At that moment, the doors to the Council chamber swished open to reveal the figure of Adi Gallia approaching. "The Council is ready for you, Qui-Gon."


As Qui-Gon entered the Council chamber with Obi-Wan and Anakin, he was surprised to feel a certain amount of tension in the air. The deliberations over Anakin had certainly taken a good deal more time than he had anticipated, but he was confident the Council had made the right choice.

For a moment, complete silence reigned in the room. Then, Master Mace Windu spoke, his dark eyes fixed on Qui-Gon. "We have come to a decision about the boy, Qui-Gon. You were correct; his cells do contain a very high concentration of midi-chlorians."

"And the Force is unusually strong with him," added Ki-Adi-Mundi.

Qui-Gon felt a rush of satisfaction on hearing the words. It was what he had expected and hoped for. "He is to be trained, then?"

Windu paused and glanced at several other Council members before replying. "No, he will not be trained."

"No?" Qui-Gon repeated in disbelief, shocked almost speechless. He tried hard to ignore the I-told-you-so look on Obi-Wan's young face.

"He is too old. There is already too much anger in him," Windu continued.

Qui-Gon stared at the Council members seated before him, desperately trying to think of a good argument. "He is the Chosen One. You must see it."

"Mmm, clouded, this boy's future is," said Master Yoda tilting his head to the side as he spoke.

Qui-Gon sighed. He was running out of options fast. What else could he say or do to convince the Council how important this was? There seemed only one last choice for him to make. "Very well," he said. "I will train him, then. I Take Anakin as my Padawan learner." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Obi-Wan stiffen in shock. The Padawan was doing his best to conceal his feelings, but a bolt of whirling emotions had already streaked like a missile through their bond.

Yoda's ears twitched in agitation. "An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon," he pointed out. "Impossible to take on a second."

"The Code forbids it," stated Mace Windu, his shrewd gaze studying Qui-Gon.

"Obi-Wan is ready..." began Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan had been standing in a sort of stunned silence during this whole conversation, but he could keep quiet no longer. "I am ready to face the trials," he declared heatedly.

Yoda's eyes turned toward the Padawan. "Ready so early are you? What know you of ready?"

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged hard looks, their antagonism toward one another obvious to everyone in the room.

Qui-Gon took a deep breath before he spoke again. "He is headstrong and he has much to learn of the Living Force, but he is capable. There is little more he will learn from me."

At this, Obi-Wan's head shot up in surprise.

Yoda was watching the interaction between Master and Padawan with sadness. It was readily apparent to him what Qui-Gon was trying to do. "See through you, we can, Qui-Gon. Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready." The small Master gestured towards Obi-Wan. "More to learn this young one has."

When Qui-Gon started to argue further, Mace Windu interrupted. "Now is not the time for this. The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor." He paused to make sure Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were listening. "Queen Amidala is returning home tomorrow, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the Queen's attacker," mused Kid-Adi-Mundi.

Windu nodded in agreement. "Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of the dark warrior who attacked you. This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith."

"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later," said Yoda.

Qui-Gon hesitated. "I brought Anakin here; he must stay in my charge. He has nowhere else to go."

"He is your ward, Qui-Gon. We do not dispute that," said Mace Windu in a softer voice than he had yet used.

Yoda, however, spoke more harshly. "Train him not! Take him with you, but train him not!"

Master Windu added one final instruction. "Protect the Queen, but do not intercede if it comes to war until we have the Senate's approval."

Yoda dismissed the three before him. "May the Force be with you."


Let me know what you think!