Title: The Way Things Were
Summary: Qui-Gon survived the battle with the Sith and took Anakin as his new Padawan. Obi-Wan is left in the shadows with knowledge of Anakin's future and when Qui-Gon doesn't listen, things begin to take a turn for the worst.
Rating: T. Mostly for some dark related themes in future chapters.
Disclaimer: The only thing that belongs to me is the planet Morte. Any mistakes you see are mine as well.
A/N: Just a little background info before you read. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both defeated Darth Maul unscathed. Qui-Gon continued his plan to train Anakin himself thus forcing Obi-Wan into knighthood. Get it? Got it? Good. :)
The story may seem a little fast paced. I don't really know. It's my first Star Wars multi-chapter fic. I'm hoping I did well enough on it.
Chapter 1.
To say he wasn't happy would be a lie. In fact, Obi-Wan Kenobi was excited beyond words. He had worked long and hard to get to this point and it seemed that his many years of training had finally paid off. Those endless hours of studying and the numerous lightsaber spars had conclusively given him purpose. He was a Knight. He had been for a week now. It was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. The thought of going on missions and handling things the way he wanted to was overwhelming. He was finally free to do what he wanted. But with that freedom, there was a downside; he was alone.
There wouldn't be anyone to seek comfort from on the tragic missions that would eventually be given to him. Who could he turn to for advice? The Council? They hardly provided any amount of consolation. There wouldn't be anyone to praise him for a job well done. No one would be there to tell him how proud they were of his efforts.
Obi-Wan reflected on these inevitable concepts and felt at a loss of what to do.
The one person he'd stuck with for over a decade was no longer at his side. He was at someone else's side. Someone no one really trusted; a child to be exact, a small boy from Tatooine who had immediately dug his way into Qui-Gon Jinn's heart; Anakin Skywalker. The boy was gifted with a midi-chlorian count so high it was amazing he hadn't been found before. This trait had been the reason Qui-Gon had taken him as his new apprentice.
An empty feeling had settled within the very core of his being. The kind of feeling where you know something is gone forever and it will never return. It ate away at him from the inside and out, and it wouldn't go away, no matter how hard he tried to make it. It seemed to never leave. It was always there, reminding him of the sheer desolation he was feeling.
Obi-Wan glanced around the garden. It was beautiful, as always, but somehow he didn't quite feel the natural mirth that would have usually sprouted inside of him when visiting the garden. As an Initiative he had spent a lot of his time here. It had always given him a sense of inner peace, one that would keep him in a good mood for the rest of the day. In a way, it was like a second home.
But today was different, it was almost as if every plant had wilted and taken on a shadowy and gloomy appearance. Nothing about it was peaceful. He almost turned away and left. But something kept him moving forward, something he never really felt before. He couldn't even begin to describe the feeling. It was almost as if someone was beckoning him to the garden, telling him he needed to be there.
He took a few tentative steps forward and felt the invisible bidding of his presence. Something about the garden didn't feel right. He just couldn't figure out what it was. A foreboding sense washed over him in a matter of seconds, but he pressed on.
He stopped underneath a medium sized tree. It looked healthy and had a powerful sense of life shooting out of it in waves only a Jedi could sense. It's proliferate branches extended out far enough to cast a relaxing shadow on the ground.
'Perfect for meditating,' he thought as he slowly sunk to a kneeled position and looked around at his surroundings.
A brief smile grazed his lips. Everything was relatively quiet aside from the hushed whispers of Jedi Master Teige and his newly assigned Padawan, Keegan. The sight brought an unwanted pain to his chest that caused his heart to plummet all the way down to his stomach. The Master and Padawan were grinning; a grin that could only be found in a relationship that was so close that no amount of strength could ever tear it apart. Obi-Wan tore his gaze away from the two and tried to clear his mind despite the sudden stab of jealousy he felt.
In two hours time, he was to depart for his very first mission as a Jedi Knight. It wasn't unusual for the Council to send a recently knighted Jedi on a mission so soon, especially one so treacherous. Their intention is to see if he or she is truly ready for knighthood; to see if they can withstand the fierce battles and complications on distant planets without the presence of their former Master.
Morte was the name of the planet the Council had assigned him to. They said it would be dangerous and very risky, but he was ready for it. War was raging on the planet and had been for a very long time. There were no sides; the inhabitants had just simply started fighting each other. Each living creature left alone to defend for themselves. Everyone was against everyone. It was a world of chaos. Obi-Wan's goal was to meet with Morte's government officials and convince them to end the war.
One of his many skills as a Jedi was negotiation. Qui-Gon had always said he was born for it. So the mission to Morte seemed like a perfect way to start his life as a Jedi Knight. He just hoped he could do it without any trouble, but he was prepared to do whatever it took to make it work.
With one last dismal glance at Master Teige and Padawan Keegan, he settled himself into the meditative position and closed his eyes. The main objective was to calm his anxious nerves before he was to leave.
After a few moments, he was able to feel the Force course through his very being. It surrounded him and almost immediately he felt a reassuring sense of peace. It washed over him and calmed his racing heart. The nervousness he once felt disappeared and a feeling of serenity took its place. Every worry or fear he had about his upcoming mission was gone and left no indication that it was ever there in the first place. His heart didn't feel nearly as heavy and the icy chill that had recently wrapped around him was replaced with a warm and loving embrace. He felt a new strength bubble within him and it was as though the Force itself was telling him that nothing bad could possibly happen.
But the calming peace the Force provided couldn't last forever.
Darkness suddenly dominated over the Light. All hope for his mission diminished quickly like a candle caught in the wind. A cold, foreboding aura engulfed him and caused his slender body to shiver. The peace he felt before was shattered and replaced with an insecure disturbance. He could feel his heart start to pound against his chest, as though it was desperately trying to burst free of its ribbed prison. A ghostly shadow crept along his skin, suddenly making him cold again.
Images began to flash before him; all were filled with pain and regret. His breath hitched as the emotions became worse. He was suddenly struck with several visions all at once.
"You're going down the wrong path, Anakin. This is not the way."
Anakin Skywalker ignited his lightsaber. Blue appeared as a sparkling light against the petrifying darkness.
"No, Master. This is the only way."
Blue suddenly met green in a fury clash. Lightsabers sizzled and a battle began. Light against Dark. Love against Hate.
Betrayal. Anger. Fear.
Obi-Wan felt the emotions intensify tenfold. It was almost unbearable, but he pushed on. Another vision danced in front of him and began to form into something even darker than the previous one.
Pain. It was the only thing known to him. It tore at his heart and threatened to overcome his state of consciousness. An electric whip flared to life with a crackle and there was a blinding pain in his midsection. He embraced what little hope he still had and prayed to whoever was listening that it would all end soon. Another searing pain caused him to gasp. He felt the blood trickle down his chest, mixing with the sweat and grime that was already there. Hope. It was such a useless word to him. There was nothing left of him. Nothing but a shell of the man he once was. He had nothing to look forward to, and nothing to look back to. No anchor to keep him from fading, no one to tell him he was going to be okay. He was alone.
Obi-Wan could not see who the person was who emitted so much pain. The vision was gone before he had time to think about it. Sweat trickled down his face as he felt the pain each vision incased. Another began to form.
Qui-Gon Jinn was fighting someone with ferocity and strength. Blue and green lightsabers flew wildly in their owners hands. They twirled and created a colorful blur. Green and blue locked in a battle of wits. The two beings glared at each other as they struggled to overpower their opponent. As they broke apart, the lightsabers once again became a whirl of color as they danced through the darkened atmosphere.
Obi-Wan felt as though his body was on fire. The pain grew and caused the previous vision to disappear in a matter of seconds. Yet he continued to embrace the visions and concentrate on their meaning, regardless of the distress he felt.
Anakin was running through the Jedi Temple, using the Force to excel his momentum and slaughtering every being that interfered. Younglings screamed in terror as they fled their rooms. They were swiftly cut down by Anakin's blade. Only one child remained, and she sat in the corner, trying to hide from the man she once looked up to. Tears streaked down her young face and she gave a small whimper. Her dead classmates lay strewn around her in mangled heaps. Anakin moved towards her and she retreated even further into her corner.
"Master Skywalker." She whimpered. "Why are you doing this?"
Anakin gave no answer. He simply gave his lightsaber a twirl and cut the child down as if she were nothing but a nuisance. His expression was emotionless. No regret, no pain, no sorrow.
Masters assailed Anakin in a pitiful attempt to stop him but were killed in a matter of seconds. Darkness flowed through and around the young Skywalker. He was no longer the little boy from Tatooine. He was a murderer. A betrayer to the Jedi and all it ever stood for.
Qui-Gon suddenly entered the picture. His expression was impassive, unreadable. He ignited his lightsaber and approached Anakin with involuntary authority.
Anakin smirked. "Hello, Master."
Obi-Wan couldn't breath. His lungs felt as though they were clogged with a thick substance. Another vision flew before him.
Bodies lay strewn about the Temple. Masters atop their Padawans in an attempt to shield them from the invasion of Darkness, led by none other than Anakin Skywalker. Children lay cut in half, horror still written across their features.
Obi-Wan was vaguely aware of someone shaking him, but he couldn't concentrate on it. His head felt like it was about to explode, pain pulsing through his veins as the last vision appeared.
A figure lay huddled in the corner of a dark and musty cell. Beaten, broken, and bloody. Sweat plastered his body, mingling with the blood on his torso. He curled into himself, wincing as the movement pulled at the welts on his back.
'Please help me,' came the thought, voice unrecognized and without emotion.
A soft cry escaped his throat and heart wrenching sobs soon wracked his body. Physical and emotional pain was known to him in the worst ways possible. He'd been there for years, or at least it felt that way, and the endless torture never stopped. He could hear the screams clearly, whether they erupted from his own lungs or not was one of the many things he was unsure of.
'Please…someone get me out of here. Please…'
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open. He looked around, slightly dazed. A calming wave of the Force seemed to caress his weakened form and push all the pain aside. He blinked a few times, now fully aware that two beings were peering down at him cautiously.
"Knight Kenobi, can you hear me?"
He recognized the voice of Master Teige. The two humans who floated above him indicated that he was on his back. The other was Keegan. They were looking at him with wide eyes. All of the happiness they had felt when Obi-Wan last looked at them was completely gone.
"Are you okay?" The Padawan questioned curiously as he peered at Obi-Wan with large, chocolate brown eyes.
Master Teige smiled slightly. "Give him some room, Padawan."
Obi-Wan sat up carefully. His muscles felt tense and rigid. He let out a deep breath and looked up at Master Teige.
"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked softly. He was startled at how decrepit his voice sounded.
"You passed out there for a while. No more than a minute. I'm guessing those visions were a bit of a doozy."
Obi-Wan looked at him, clearly shocked that the older Jedi knew what he has just experienced. Had he been that obvious?
Master Teige only laughed, reading him like a book. "I know a vision when I see one."
The dozens of emotions came flying back at him and hit him like a Force-push. He exhaled shakily and took hold of the outstretched hand of Master Teige and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
"What did you see?" Keegan asked, his eyes wide and full of wonder.
"Shh, Padawan." Teige said softly with an affectionate tone. He looked back at Obi-Wan. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit shaken." Obi-Wan admitted as he rubbed the back of his head absently.
Master Teige nodded. "That's to be expected. You're lucky me and my apprentice were there. I was beginning to think I would have to fetch a mind healer."
"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked for the second time.
"You didn't look too well. We tried to talk to you but you were unresponsive, and you collapsed shortly after."
Obi-Wan felt his face flush with embarrassment. He now wished he had found a more private spot to meditate.
Master Teige smiled. "Not to worry. Experiencing a vision like that is nothing to be ashamed of. Visions aren't always correct and often predict what could happen rather than what will happen."
"Thank you, Master Teige." Obi-Wan said with a tight smile.
"Can you make it back okay?"
"Yes. I'll be fine."
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
--
Qui-Gon set a steaming cup of hot tea in front of his new apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. The boy set aside his model speeder he had been working on and held the cup with both hands, looking down at it curiously.
"What is it?" He asked, his blue eyes wide and full of wonder.
"E'thilian Tea." Qui-Gon answered, sitting down on the couch with his own mug. "I think you'll like it. Take a drink."
Anakin hesitated only for a few seconds. He brought the cup to his lips and swallowed the foreign brew. Almost immediately his eyebrows shot up and his tongue flew out of his mouth like a panting beast.
"'hat wa' weally hot!" He wheezed, talking with his tongue out of his mouth to emphasize the searing burn of the liquid.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "Stir it up for a little while. Then take another sip."
Anakin nodded, tongue still out of his mouth, and started to inhale and exhale quickly, even more resembling a creatures pant on a hot day.
A soft chime echoed throughout the apartment. Qui-Gon set his cup onto the side table and strode over to the front door, which slid open easily once he pressed his thumb against the panel on the wall. He was not at all prepared for the sight which greeted him.
"Obi-Wan." He whispered, somewhat dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of his former Padawan.
Obi-Wan stood in the doorway, his cloak wrapped tightly around his slender form. He looked at his old Master uncomfortably, as if he regretted coming in the first place.
"Come in." Qui-Gon said quickly. He stepped aside and allowed Obi-Wan to enter the apartment he had once called a home.
Obi-Wan wasn't prepared for the greeting Anakin gave him.
"Oh-Hee Wahn!" Anakin wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan's leg and smiled, despite his tongue which was still hanging out of his mouth.
"Hello Anakin." Obi-Wan smiled. "Why are you talking like that?"
"I 'urned my 'ongue." Anakin gestured to his mouth vigorously.
"Oh. Well, you look like Jar Jar. Sound a bit like him too."
Anakin furrowed his brow and placed his hands on his hips. "'hat not funneh!"
"He scalded his tongue when he took his first drink of E'thilian Tea." Qui-Gon explained.
"Ah. You'll like it, Anakin. I promise you." Obi-Wan ruffled the boys hair, which had been recently cropped into the Padawan hairstyle.
Qui-Gon couldn't keep the smile off his face when Anakin hurried back to his model kit he had been building earlier. Sometimes his Padawan's attention span was so limited…
"Master Jinn, I was hoping to speak with you about something." Obi-Wan's expression turned serious.
"Please, Obi-Wan. Formalities are not needed to speak with your old Master." Qui-Gon smirked.
Qui-Gon wondered why his former Padawan had come in the first place. They hadn't exactly spoken since his knighting ceremony, and Obi-Wan wasn't exactly thrilled during that point of time, so the conversations had been light.
"I hear you've been sent on a mission. I'm very proud of you." Qui-Gon said after a minute of stretched silence.
Obi-Wan nodded slightly. "I'm to leave in an hour."
"You've come to say goodbye then?" Qui-Gon inquired.
"Not exactly." Obi-Wan lowered his gaze for a split second. "As I said, I need to speak with you on an urgent matter."
Both Jedi turned to Anakin. He was in the process of bringing the cup of tea back to his lips, but froze when he saw the two staring at him. He licked his lips and set the mug down.
"Want me to leave, Master?" Anakin asked.
"Only for a little while. Obi-Wan and I need to speak in private."
Anakin nodded and scooped up his model parts into one arm and held his cup of tea in the other. He smiled at the two over his shoulder before scurrying off to his room, which had once belonged to Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan, what's the matter? I sense a great disturbance in the Force and I feel its coming from you."
"Master, I was in the garden earlier, meditating before the mission."
Qui-Gon beamed with pride. Obi-Wan was meditating on his own and at the right time. He was heading in the right direction in becoming a great Jedi.
"I was struck by several visions…." Obi-Wan trailed off and paused before continuing. "Master, this isn't going to be easy for you to hear, but I need you to listen to me."
Qui-Gon nodded.
Obi-Wan seemed nervous. There was a moment of brief hesitation. "Anakin will turn to the Dark Side."
Qui-Gon froze. The conversation from Obi-Wan's knighting ceremony flew back to him. Obi-Wan had said there was a danger in Anakin, resulting into an argument between them. Qui-Gon had defended Anakin when no one else would.
"Obi-Wan…" Qui-Gon pinched the bridge of his nose and placed a hand on his hip.
"I know it's hard to believe, but please, the things I saw him do…"
"Visions are not always correct Obi-Wan. You of all people should know that." Qui-Gon's voice came out a little more stern than intended.
"These weren't like any other vision, though." Obi-Wan looked at him gravely. "I felt every emotion, mentally and physically. Anakin was – "
"Obi-Wan, please. Anakin will not turn under my tutelage. I'm perfectly capable of teaching someone to stay in the Light."
The next words out of Obi-Wan's mouth slipped out before he could stop them.
"Like you did with Xanatos?"
--
Anakin sat on his bed cross legged with his model speeder in his lap and mug of tea on the bedside table. He had just finished putting the pieces together and was marveling in his craftsmanship. He held the miniature ship out in front of him at arms length and smiled.
'I'm so good at this stuff.' He thought happily. 'Too bad Jedi don't build ships. I'd be great at it!'
He set the model on a shelf with two others. He liked his latest one best. It had been more difficult, since you had to put the engine together as well as the frame. He was proud of himself to say the least.
After admiring his work for another twelve seconds, he walked over to the nightstand and picked up his mug of tea. There wasn't steam pouring out of it anymore, so he figured it was safe to drink. He made a mental note to tell Obi-Wan off if he didn't like it.
He brought the drink to his lips and took a drink bigger than Qui-Gon would have allowed. When he swallowed, his face split into a grin. This stuff was good. Better than he expected. It was sweet, but not too sweet. He couldn't quite place the flavor since he had been deprived of such things back on Tatooine. It didn't really matter though.
He took three more sips and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Instead of telling Obi-Wan off, he was going to hug him again. The man deserved to be hugged for being so truthful about the tea.
Anakin crawled back onto his bed and sat there with the tea sitting between his legs. He could hear Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan talking. He was slightly frustrated they had excluded him from the conversation. He was ten years old for goodness sake.
He took another sip of tea and unhooked his lightsaber from his belt. He flipped it onto the lowest setting and watched as the crystal blue beam hummed to life. He smiled and gave it a twirl, nearly dropping it in the process, not having fully perfected that move just yet.
Lightsabers, he decided, were the coolest part about being a Jedi. It was far more interesting than any other weapon he'd seen. It was prettier too. And you could get it in different colors. He'd wanted a blue one though. He couldn't really explain it, but something had made him choose a blue one. It was like someone inside his head was telling him that it suited him better. He had obeyed the voice as well as his gut feeling. He liked it better than green anyway. He'd seen Mace Windu's too, and his was purple. He didn't like that color very much. It was odd, and he hadn't seen any other Jedi with girly colors like Mace's. The Initiates in his classes bugged him enough about being the Chosen One. If he had a purple lightsaber as well, it would have certainly given him more attention than he wanted.
He gave a start when he heard raised voices and nearly let go of his saber. It was Qui-Gon. Anakin frowned and felt a growing apprehension. Qui-Gon hardly ever yelled. It made him feel slightly worried. Next, he heard Obi-Wan's voice which had also raised superiorly.
'Why are they fighting? I thought they liked each other.' Anakin wondered and took another sip of tea.
He tried to keep himself occupied, but there wasn't much to do. He chopped at the air with his lightsaber for a little bit, making squishy noises as if he were killing people.
"Listen to me!" Obi-Wan's voice was loud and Anakin cowered a little. He didn't like to hear them fight.
He gulped down the rest of his tea and set the mug aside. He turned his lightsaber off and hooked it back onto his belt. He took his pillow and stuffed it over his head in a pitiful attempt to block out the arguing Jedi in the next room. It didn't work, so he squeezed his eyes shut and pulled his legs up to his chest, resting his forehead on his knees and keeping the pillow over his head.
'I'll wait them out,' Anakin thought bitterly. 'Then I'll go out and make them be friends again.'
But the arguing went on for what felt like hours even though it was probably only a few minutes. Anakin remained in his protective position and kept himself busy by singing songs he had learned from his mother on Tatooine. It kept the voices away at least.
"Jealousy? You think this is about jealousy??" Obi-Wan's voice sounded again.
"I hardly see any other explanation for your behavior." Qui-Gon sounded calm, yet…not calm.
Anakin opened his eyes at the loud statement.
'Why would Obi-Wan be jealous?' He asked himself.
Anakin chose not to think about it. He shut his eyes again and continued to sing softly, as if it would make everything better.
The shouting grew louder and drowned out his chorus of 'Little Blue Bantha'. He bit down on his lip and silently prayed it would end soon, but it didn't. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon continued to argue. He didn't try to listen, he didn't want to know.
The opening and closing of the front door indicated that Obi-Wan had left. Carefully unfolding himself, Anakin rolled off the bed and snuck over to his bedroom door. He reached up on tip-toe and pressed a button. The door hissed open and Anakin jogged down the hallway and into the main room.
"Master?"
Qui-Gon was facing the window, arms folded across his chest. Anakin shuddered. It didn't take a Force-sensitive being to feel the tension in the air. Slowly and reluctantly, Qui-Gon turned around and looked at Anakin.
"Yes, Padawan?"
Anakin chewed on his bottom lip and fiddled with the hem of his tunic. "Are you okay? I heard you and Obi-Wan yelling."
Qui-Gon frowned in sympathy and kneeled in front of him. "I'm sorry, Ani. You shouldn't have heard that."
"Are you still friends?"
Qui-Gon didn't answer. Instead he gave Anakin's hair a slight ruffle and went to the kitchen. Anakin trotted behind him.
"You know, if you lock yourselves in a room together then maybe you'll feel better. That's what my mom did when me and Kitster would get into a fight. After a little while we'd be playing outside again." Anakin offered.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "I'm afraid that would do more harm then good, Padawan."
Anakin wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but the subject of conversation was soon forgotten when Qui-Gon poured him another cup of tea.
--
Obi-Wan left the apartment slightly hurt by his former Master's assumptions. The conversation had started out fine, for the most part, but the minute he mentioned Xanatos everything went downhill from there. Qui-Gon had accused him of being jealous of Anakin and it was the reason for his "so called visions" (as Qui-Gon had called them). It had made him angry, angrier than he should have been. He wasn't angry at Qui-Gon for saying it and he wasn't angry at him for thinking it. He was angry because it was true. He was jealous of Anakin.
He knew he shouldn't feel so much envy for the boy. But it was inevitable. The way Qui-Gon treated the child was enough to make his heart ache. When Qui-Gon had accepted him as a Padawan learner over ten years ago, he had to strive to earn Qui-Gon's acceptance. He put in extra effort above and beyond what was necessary. He had to work so hard just to get the Jedi Master to smile at him.
But Anakin was a different story. Qui-Gon hugged him, smiled at him, laughed with him, cared for him, spent time with him, and loved him. Qui-Gon and Anakin had only known each other a little over a week and already they were much closer to each other than Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had been after a full year together. The very thought caused the empty feeling to grow larger in size.
He had no problem with Anakin, that part was true. The boy was full of life and would indeed become a very powerful Jedi, Dark Side or not. Where his frustration lay was with Qui-Gon. It confused him as to how easily he could allow another being into his life. Yes, he had an odd affection for pathetic life forms. But this was an actual person. It was a rare event for him to care for someone so deeply within such a short amount of time.
It was like Anakin and Qui-Gon were meant to be together, and he himself had just simply been there to heal Qui-Gon's broken heart after Xanatos's betrayal. It didn't seem fair.
'Perhaps the Council will have something more beneficial to say than how weak I am in containing my emotions.' Obi-Wan thought to himself and rounded a corner, heading straight for the Council doors.
He paused before entering. Would the Council react in the same way Qui-Gon had? Would they contradict him without a second thought? He had no idea, but there was only one way to find out. The Council wouldn't be able to hurt him anymore than Qui-Gon already had. He fought past his stirring emotions and palmed the doors open. He glanced over his shoulder at the chronometer on the wall before entering. He only had a few minutes to spare before he was to leave for his mission. Hopefully it would be enough time.
"Knight Kenobi." Mace Windu greeted, somewhat surprised by the sudden intrusion.
"Knew you were coming, we did." Master Yoda said with a slight nod.
"How so, Master?" Obi-Wan asked as he proceeded to the middle of the floor.
"Master Teige and his Padawan came by earlier. He said you might stop by." Mace said in his usual monotone voice.
Obi-Wan remembered the two from the garden. They had helped him and had done so once again by informing the Council of his predicament. He made a note to thank them after the mission.
"Vision, you had?" Yoda inquired, placing a clawed hand on his gimer stick.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan nodded briefly. "There were several of them."
Mace and Yoda exchanged glances, and a few other Council members looked at each other wearily.
"Tell us everything." Mace stated promptly.
Obi-Wan quickly told them all that had occurred in his vision. Not once did he leave out any information, no matter how great or small it was. He was glad someone was finally listening to him. It took a small amount of weight of his shoulders. When he finished, Mace looked slightly alarmed at the news while Yoda sat thoughtfully in his seat. There was an uncomfortable silence in which the Council pondered over the happenings of the visions. Mace eventually broke the silence.
"This is very odd. Visions normally occur during full consciousness, not during meditation." He said, glancing at Yoda.
"Happen anywhere, visions can. To the Force, it is up to. Trust in it, we must." Yoda responded thoughtfully.
There was another long moment of silence that seemed to go on for hours, and Obi-Wan wondered if he would miss his transport. Mace, once again, broke the silence.
"Anakin should not be trained." He said slowly.
Yoda shook his head. "Know if the vision will take place, we do not."
"It's obvious that the boy is a threat." Mace defended, his voice a little more stern than usual.
"Keep an eye on him, we will. But trained, Young Skywalker will still be."
Obi-Wan bowed respectively. "Yes, Master. Thank you for your help"
He turned to leave but stopped abruptly when Yoda spoke again.
"Great distress, I sense in you. Nervous, you are, about your mission?"
Obi-Wan honestly hadn't been thinking much of his mission during the past hour. But he didn't want to inform Yoda of his envy of Anakin. Instead, he nodded his head ever so slightly.
"Careful, you must be. Bad feeling, I have, about your mission." Yoda stared at him with those sagacious eyes of his. Obi-Wan nodded in response.
"Your transport is waiting outside." Mace said. "Good luck, Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan bowed again and left the Council chambers. He immediately made for the exit in order to get to his transport. It was a relief to know that they would be watching Anakin. Maybe now he wouldn't turn to the Dark Side. Maybe the boy and Qui-Gon would live long fulfilling lives while he himself lived a lonely and regrettable life. Maybe that was how things were supposed to be. Maybe he was truly alone.
He boarded his transport and felt the emotions continue to swirl around him. He then came to a hesitant realization. He was no longer a Padawan, but a Knight. He and Qui-Gon's time together had ended. It was time to move on. His former life was gone while his new life was just beginning. It was the way things were.
The ship rumbled and eventually took off into the distance. He never looked back.
To be continued.
A/N: I'm not really a fan of this first chapter. It was longer than intended. But hopefully everything makes sense. If you have any questions, just leave a review and I'll answer if I can without giving away spoilers. :)
Oh, and if you're looking for a happy ending to a sad fic, you're in the wrong place...