He's passionate.
Not a sentiment usually found in younglings his age. Qui Gon idly wondered why Master Yoda had permitted it. He eyed the battling youngsters, sweat rolling off their foreheads against the steady hum of their lightsabers.
He had seen many fights like the one before him. Two younglings who varied in size, sex, and species pitted against another in an attempt to become a padawan. These fights were ingrained in his memory. Testing his mates power, struggling to be the best of the best. The final blow, the relief of being chosen. Returning years later to chose his own padawan, watching the contestants with hawk eyes. Recognizing the relief in Xantos eyes…
No. Don't think about him.
Returning again and again to the temple. Watching fight after fight. Leaving again and again empty handed. Qui Gon knew the routine well.
He wondered why he kept coming back to the fights. It was just the same old routine of brawn and wits, seeing who was worthy to be chosen. He wasn't looking to chose.
Red flashed, then blue. The lightsabers struck, and parted only to return with more force. The younglings parted, prowling around each other seeking an opening. The first towered over the other, white hair flashing in the dark light. Wisps of smoke rose up from his black armor where the other had hit.
The smell of singed fabric rose from the other's thick tunic. Brown hair sticking up in the heat, holding his lightsaber close to his chest. Qui Gon saw the passion in him, rising up with a force.
The boy fought well. No flashy moves of a novice. Instead he attacked with defensive moves to conserve energy. The other fought with hatred and power. Neither wanted to be the youngling that went to the agricorps. He wished that they could be resigned to their fate.
Qui Gon saw the taller rallying for his final stand. Then the boy attacked.
Brutal, powerful swings. He swung his lightsaber with intention, beating the boy to the ground.
The other struggled to block his attacks, not expecting their intensity. His lightsaber dropped and he dove for it, bringing it back in time for the boy to swing the final blow. He cried out and Yoda stood up. "Enough!"
The whole arena erupted into cheers. The younglings around him sprang to their feet, yelling in exuberance. Two younglings in front of him screamed their congratulations.
He watched the boy bow to the masters, and then punch his lightsaber in the air. His face shone with the sweat of triumph. Qui Gon only had one word for that youngling's performance.
Dangerous.
He leaned over the Master. "Who is that boy?"
"Obi Wan Kenobi, his name is." Yoda nodded. "Last chance to be chosen as Padawan it is."
Qui Gon sat back in his seat, stroking his beard thoughtfully. He was the boy's last chance to be chosen. Desperate men often fight as he did.
But no. He sensed a history between those two. Years of built up anger played out in that fight.
He left the Master with a bow and went to go find the boy. The sooner he broke the news to the boy, the better.
He found him exiting the dressing room, hands in pockets. Up close, Qui Gon saw his brown hair was almost a sandish color, showcasing a pair of thoughtful blue eyes.
"Who taught you to fight like that?" He questioned. The boy seemed puzzled.
"What do you mean?" He had bit of an accent, cultured and smooth as one might get from the planet Stewjon.
Qui Gon shook his head. "Temple students rarely attack so viciously. They are taught to defend, to wear their opponents down over time. But you, you fought like a dangerous man. You left yourself open to attack and relied on the boy to be on the defense."
"I wanted to end the fight quickly. The force allowed." The boy defended himself calmly. He seemed unconcerned with the consequences of his actions. Qui Gon remembered the boy's strikes, the anger behind them.
He shook his head. "I am not so sure. Your fighting style is dangerous, too risky. You cannot rely on your opponent to always take the defensive stance." He turned away.
Obi Wan cocked his head. "You could teach me better."
An invitation. You could teach me better if I was your padawan. Eager to learn and eager to leave the temple. Again Qui Gon was reminded of the boy's passion. He hesitated.
"I could."
Obi Wan's face lit up.
"Or perhaps no one could." He faced the boy. "I sensed anger in both of you."
"That's not why I wanted to win." He sounded sure of himself. Confident in his answer, confident that he could win Qui Gon over. Part of him wanted to believe him. To believe that Kenobi hadn't given into his anger, that he wouldn't give into his anger, that he wouldn't follow Xantos….
The boy needed training. A master to guide him.
But was he the right master to do it?
"In future fights control your anger. A Jedi knight never exhausts him when battling a stronger foe. Never expect you enemy to miss an opportunity to do you harm." He turned to leave.
"WAIT!"
He turned. The boy had dropped to one knee, head bent slightly. An act of humility.
"If I was wrong, that means that I am in need of the best teacher. Will you take me with you?"
He had resorted to begging. Qui Gon heard the pleading in his voice.
"No."
"Qui Gon Jinn, I will be thirteen in four weeks. You are my last chance to be a Jedi knight."
He remembered being Obi wan's age. Hoping to be chosen before being kicked off out the temple and sent to grow crops in some forgotten system.
He recognized the desperate look in the boy's eyes. He saw the passion, the desire to prove himself as padawan, the determination. He saw the sudden, reckless attacks bearing down on the other, the certainty of Obi wan's strikes.
Qui gon turned to leave. "You have too much anger. There is a risk that you would turn away too the dark side."
Obi Wan sprang to his feet. "I won't turn." His voice rang through the room.
Qui Gon ignored him, walking of the room. Part of him ached for saying no. The boy was so desperate. But he simply could not risk another failure. Another padawan falling to the dark side.
Perhaps he would find a padawan at the next fight, he consoled himself despite knowing it was a lie.
Master Yoda had mentioned wanting to discuss his next mission. He would go there.
So Qui Gon Jinn continued on, never suspecting that he would ever meet the boy again.
Their meeting is heavily inspired by the 'Jedi apprentice'; the rising force. Qui Gon is so much fun to write. :)