Title: Never Begun, Already Finished
Author: Sheleigh
Summary: AU Obi-Wan's life is destroyed by the one he trusts.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just toy around for the heck of it.
Author's notes: I don't really hate Qui-Gon… I just felt like writing something like this. Feedback is always welcome, by the way, whether it is good or bad… shutting up now.
The sleek form of a fighter moved through the room, silent and graceful. Sweat soaked ginger hair glistened in the mute light of the vast chamber, as Obi-Wan Kenobi set himself through kata after kata, never stopping, simply obeying. He paused momentarily, after the completion of one, and immediately launched into another. The glow of the Force hummed around him, a constant presence.
Obi-Wan had been working on this particular group of exercises for hours now, and though he was tired didn't consider stopping until his task was finished. Again he launched into another kata, each becoming more difficult and dangerous as the previous one.
The door to the chamber opened to admit Qui-Gon Jinn, Master to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan paused mid movement at sensing his Master's presence, held himself precisely while not moving. Jinn walked over to Obi-Wan, circled him once. The Master's stern blue eyes assessed his Padawan's stance critically, before telling Obi-Wan to continue the kata. Obi-Wan did, stopping again at the end of the kata, holding himself in the ending position, while his Master checked his stance. Satisfied, Qui-Gon motioned for Obi-Wan to follow, effectively ending the uncompleted lesson.
Obi-Wan followed his Master silently, uncertain why he had stopped the assigned lesson. His Master led him back to their quarters where he then motioned for Obi-Wan to sit down. Qui-Gon paused, thinking, than sat across from his apprentice. Obi-Wan watched the man silently, not questioning the situation.
"You are being released from the Order." The phrase, so emotionlessly spoken, shattered the heavy silence that had settled upon the room. Obi- Wan looked at his Master, face blank of emotion.
"When am I being made to leave?"
"After a formal dismissal by the High Council." Obi-Wan nodded, waiting to see if Qui-Gon would say more. "You are dismissed." Again, Obi-Wan nodded, then stood, bowed towards his Master, and walked silently towards his small room.
After reaching his achieved destination, Obi-Wan shrugged out of his robe, allowing it to drop to the floor. The young man sat on the sleep couch, looking around his small room, already considering what to pack and what to leave.
****
Obi-Wan quietly crept through the halls of the temple, before reaching a small doorway. He slipped in, breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over to the single fountain that occupied the small meditation chamber. Obi-Wan knelt in the thick grass, and settled down to begin meditation.
"Feel better, do you?" Even as Obi-Wan came out of meditation, the oldest of the Jedi Council spoke.
"Yes, Master."
"Refreshed, you are. Good this is, for needed it will be, when face the High Council you do." Obi-Wan stiffened, having expected this line of conversation. "Have questions, I sense."
"Yes, Master."
"Ask, and answer them, I will."
"Why?" Yoda hobbled over from where he had been standing, coming to rest at the young Jedi's knees.
"A bond, the council and Master Jinn felt, you were not forming. Too old are you to be given to another Master. So dismiss you they did. Sorry, I am." A sad sigh escaped the Jedi Master. "At twelve noon tomorrow will the ceremony take place. All Jedi in the area, present shall they be." Though he physically showed nothing, Obi-Wan immediately cringed at the mention of the presence of other Jedi.
"A public ceremony, Master? To destroy what I am, or to help Master Qui- Gon Jinn?"
"Request this ceremony, Qui-Gon did."
*****
Obi-Wan glanced at his chrono. The device read two hours. A small shudder passed through his body, as realization set in. Two hours. Two hours until the life he knew was over. Obi-Wan sighed, and walked over to the small mirror on the wall. He glanced in, looking at his drawn appearance. Blue/Green eyes, dull from lack of sleep, ginger hair matted to his head. Obi-Wan sighed, stripping out of his tunic, to wash up.
*****
It was really happening. Obi-Wan knelt in front of the High Council. Masters, Knights, and Padawan Learners alike stood watching the figure. Master Mace Windu stood, walking over to the young man. He motioned for the Padawan to stand, and reached forward, motioning for the lightsaber to be placed in his hand. Obi-Wan bowed formally, and gave Windu the lightsaber. The Master nodded his head, than using the Force, suspended the saber in the air.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, do you respect your dismissal from the Order?" Obi-Wan's voice, devoid of emotion, answered.
"I do, Master."
"Do you promise, as a follower of the Force, to never take the lessons you have been taught to use them for evil?"
"I do, Master."
Windu ignited his own lightsaber. He sliced Obi-Wan's own lightsaber in half, sending golden sparks flying. The crystals fell from the smoldering hilt causing an echo to resonate in the otherwise silent room. Silently, Mace Windu motioned for Obi-Wan to kneel, which he did silently.
Mace reached out a hand, and gently grabbed Obi-Wan's Padawan braid.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, because of your release from the temple, your braid- which symbolizes your place as a Jedi Padawan- must be taken, and as such, you may choose how it is removed. Your former Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, may cut it, or, you may cut it yourself. How do you choose?"
Obi-Wan lifted his eyes to meet those of his former Master, who stood behind Mace. "I choose to cut the braid myself." Though no sound was released from any Jedi in the room, the ripple of shock in the Force caused Obi-Wan's lips to twitch with cold humor.
"Your choice has been made." Windu released Obi-Wan's braid, then pulled a vibroblade off his utility belt. He handed Obi-Wan the blade, who took it, and turned it on. Immediately, the sharp hum of the deadly blade filled the room.
Obi-Wan place the blade at the end of his braid, and with a movement of his wrist, the blade cut through the braided hair. He released his grasp on the braid, and watched it fall to the ground, landing curled at his feet.
The Jedi Master that stood across from the former Padawan Learner cleared his throat. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are now formally released from this Order. Leave in peace, and may the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan bowed again, murmuring the phrase out of instinct. He turned sharply on his heel, and walked, head held high, down the length of the room, and out of the vast chamber's doors. There, he knelt and picked up the small travel pack his belongings now.
His trek to the temple doors was made easier by the fact that all Jedi still waited in the chamber; at least that is what he thought. A small cry was heard behind him, before Obi-Wan found himself in a very tight hug.
Immediately knowing who it was, he gently extracted himself from the grasp of his longtime friend Bant.
"Bant, please, I need to leave." She shook her head stubbornly.
"No, Obi. I'm not letting you leave because of that bastard Master Jinn." A short laugh escaped Obi-Wan, before he silenced it.
"Bant…" Again, Bant shook her head.
"No! You deserve to be a Jedi, Obi, and… and if your despicable Master can't see that…" Obi-Wan hushed her quickly, than pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry, Bant, but I must leave now, this… this isn't getting any easier." Tears started to fall from Bant's large silver eyes, as she watched her friend turn his back and walk away.
"Obi!" He paused, then looked over his shoulder. "M-may the Force be with you… love you." He smiled kindly at her
"May the Force be with you, as well, Bant. Goodbye friend." A sob escaped Bant as Obi-Wan walked down the corridor and turned out of her sight. She fell to her knees, sobbing quietly in the hall. Other Jedi now filed past her, some giving her sympathetic glances, others moving blindly through the movements. A shadow came to fall across her, and she glanced up right into the face of Qui-Gon Jinn.
The instant flash of anger was blinding coming from the normally calm and gentle Mon Calamarian. She stood, and glowered up at the tall Jedi Master. He offered her a gentle smile, trying to reassure her. That is why the surprise the Jedi Master experienced after receiving the stinging slap from the Padawan seemed to make her feel better.
Offering no apology, she stormed past Qui-Gon, and towards her quarters.
The other Jedi filtered past Qui-Gon until the hall became empty. But, still he stood there, silent, considering how he destroyed the life of Obi- Wan Kenobi.
-End-
Author: Sheleigh
Summary: AU Obi-Wan's life is destroyed by the one he trusts.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just toy around for the heck of it.
Author's notes: I don't really hate Qui-Gon… I just felt like writing something like this. Feedback is always welcome, by the way, whether it is good or bad… shutting up now.
The sleek form of a fighter moved through the room, silent and graceful. Sweat soaked ginger hair glistened in the mute light of the vast chamber, as Obi-Wan Kenobi set himself through kata after kata, never stopping, simply obeying. He paused momentarily, after the completion of one, and immediately launched into another. The glow of the Force hummed around him, a constant presence.
Obi-Wan had been working on this particular group of exercises for hours now, and though he was tired didn't consider stopping until his task was finished. Again he launched into another kata, each becoming more difficult and dangerous as the previous one.
The door to the chamber opened to admit Qui-Gon Jinn, Master to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan paused mid movement at sensing his Master's presence, held himself precisely while not moving. Jinn walked over to Obi-Wan, circled him once. The Master's stern blue eyes assessed his Padawan's stance critically, before telling Obi-Wan to continue the kata. Obi-Wan did, stopping again at the end of the kata, holding himself in the ending position, while his Master checked his stance. Satisfied, Qui-Gon motioned for Obi-Wan to follow, effectively ending the uncompleted lesson.
Obi-Wan followed his Master silently, uncertain why he had stopped the assigned lesson. His Master led him back to their quarters where he then motioned for Obi-Wan to sit down. Qui-Gon paused, thinking, than sat across from his apprentice. Obi-Wan watched the man silently, not questioning the situation.
"You are being released from the Order." The phrase, so emotionlessly spoken, shattered the heavy silence that had settled upon the room. Obi- Wan looked at his Master, face blank of emotion.
"When am I being made to leave?"
"After a formal dismissal by the High Council." Obi-Wan nodded, waiting to see if Qui-Gon would say more. "You are dismissed." Again, Obi-Wan nodded, then stood, bowed towards his Master, and walked silently towards his small room.
After reaching his achieved destination, Obi-Wan shrugged out of his robe, allowing it to drop to the floor. The young man sat on the sleep couch, looking around his small room, already considering what to pack and what to leave.
****
Obi-Wan quietly crept through the halls of the temple, before reaching a small doorway. He slipped in, breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over to the single fountain that occupied the small meditation chamber. Obi-Wan knelt in the thick grass, and settled down to begin meditation.
"Feel better, do you?" Even as Obi-Wan came out of meditation, the oldest of the Jedi Council spoke.
"Yes, Master."
"Refreshed, you are. Good this is, for needed it will be, when face the High Council you do." Obi-Wan stiffened, having expected this line of conversation. "Have questions, I sense."
"Yes, Master."
"Ask, and answer them, I will."
"Why?" Yoda hobbled over from where he had been standing, coming to rest at the young Jedi's knees.
"A bond, the council and Master Jinn felt, you were not forming. Too old are you to be given to another Master. So dismiss you they did. Sorry, I am." A sad sigh escaped the Jedi Master. "At twelve noon tomorrow will the ceremony take place. All Jedi in the area, present shall they be." Though he physically showed nothing, Obi-Wan immediately cringed at the mention of the presence of other Jedi.
"A public ceremony, Master? To destroy what I am, or to help Master Qui- Gon Jinn?"
"Request this ceremony, Qui-Gon did."
*****
Obi-Wan glanced at his chrono. The device read two hours. A small shudder passed through his body, as realization set in. Two hours. Two hours until the life he knew was over. Obi-Wan sighed, and walked over to the small mirror on the wall. He glanced in, looking at his drawn appearance. Blue/Green eyes, dull from lack of sleep, ginger hair matted to his head. Obi-Wan sighed, stripping out of his tunic, to wash up.
*****
It was really happening. Obi-Wan knelt in front of the High Council. Masters, Knights, and Padawan Learners alike stood watching the figure. Master Mace Windu stood, walking over to the young man. He motioned for the Padawan to stand, and reached forward, motioning for the lightsaber to be placed in his hand. Obi-Wan bowed formally, and gave Windu the lightsaber. The Master nodded his head, than using the Force, suspended the saber in the air.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, do you respect your dismissal from the Order?" Obi-Wan's voice, devoid of emotion, answered.
"I do, Master."
"Do you promise, as a follower of the Force, to never take the lessons you have been taught to use them for evil?"
"I do, Master."
Windu ignited his own lightsaber. He sliced Obi-Wan's own lightsaber in half, sending golden sparks flying. The crystals fell from the smoldering hilt causing an echo to resonate in the otherwise silent room. Silently, Mace Windu motioned for Obi-Wan to kneel, which he did silently.
Mace reached out a hand, and gently grabbed Obi-Wan's Padawan braid.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, because of your release from the temple, your braid- which symbolizes your place as a Jedi Padawan- must be taken, and as such, you may choose how it is removed. Your former Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, may cut it, or, you may cut it yourself. How do you choose?"
Obi-Wan lifted his eyes to meet those of his former Master, who stood behind Mace. "I choose to cut the braid myself." Though no sound was released from any Jedi in the room, the ripple of shock in the Force caused Obi-Wan's lips to twitch with cold humor.
"Your choice has been made." Windu released Obi-Wan's braid, then pulled a vibroblade off his utility belt. He handed Obi-Wan the blade, who took it, and turned it on. Immediately, the sharp hum of the deadly blade filled the room.
Obi-Wan place the blade at the end of his braid, and with a movement of his wrist, the blade cut through the braided hair. He released his grasp on the braid, and watched it fall to the ground, landing curled at his feet.
The Jedi Master that stood across from the former Padawan Learner cleared his throat. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are now formally released from this Order. Leave in peace, and may the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan bowed again, murmuring the phrase out of instinct. He turned sharply on his heel, and walked, head held high, down the length of the room, and out of the vast chamber's doors. There, he knelt and picked up the small travel pack his belongings now.
His trek to the temple doors was made easier by the fact that all Jedi still waited in the chamber; at least that is what he thought. A small cry was heard behind him, before Obi-Wan found himself in a very tight hug.
Immediately knowing who it was, he gently extracted himself from the grasp of his longtime friend Bant.
"Bant, please, I need to leave." She shook her head stubbornly.
"No, Obi. I'm not letting you leave because of that bastard Master Jinn." A short laugh escaped Obi-Wan, before he silenced it.
"Bant…" Again, Bant shook her head.
"No! You deserve to be a Jedi, Obi, and… and if your despicable Master can't see that…" Obi-Wan hushed her quickly, than pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry, Bant, but I must leave now, this… this isn't getting any easier." Tears started to fall from Bant's large silver eyes, as she watched her friend turn his back and walk away.
"Obi!" He paused, then looked over his shoulder. "M-may the Force be with you… love you." He smiled kindly at her
"May the Force be with you, as well, Bant. Goodbye friend." A sob escaped Bant as Obi-Wan walked down the corridor and turned out of her sight. She fell to her knees, sobbing quietly in the hall. Other Jedi now filed past her, some giving her sympathetic glances, others moving blindly through the movements. A shadow came to fall across her, and she glanced up right into the face of Qui-Gon Jinn.
The instant flash of anger was blinding coming from the normally calm and gentle Mon Calamarian. She stood, and glowered up at the tall Jedi Master. He offered her a gentle smile, trying to reassure her. That is why the surprise the Jedi Master experienced after receiving the stinging slap from the Padawan seemed to make her feel better.
Offering no apology, she stormed past Qui-Gon, and towards her quarters.
The other Jedi filtered past Qui-Gon until the hall became empty. But, still he stood there, silent, considering how he destroyed the life of Obi- Wan Kenobi.
-End-