A Changing Galaxy
by Leah_Jade87
Summary: Major AU, starting at the end of Ep 1. The death of one person, and the life of another, will change the course of history for the entire galaxy. Warning: Major Ani-bashing ahead. I do not like The Brat, and as the story goes on, you will see that.
AN: Most of the first part of this storyline is taken out of the end of the TPM novel by Patricia C. Wrede, with some of my own stuff added in, but it is not an exact copy of it, I've just used the novel as a guide. But the story will progress, and you guys should like it. This is going to be a long story; in fact it should turn into a series. I intend to show the entire story of how the Galaxy has changed.
Disclaimer: Look, if you don't know who owns Star Wars by now, then you don't know much at all. George Lucas owns it all except my changed plot line. As if I'd try to challenge the greatness of George. As if anyone would! Oh, and anything you recognise from the novel by Patricia C. Wrede is hers.
Chapter 1: Many Meetings
"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi." With these few words Qui-Gon introduced the soon-to-be knight to the boy whom he hoped would someday become a great Jedi Knight.
"Pleased to meet you," the boy said politely. As he turned to shake hands, he looked straight at Obi-Wan for the first time. His eyes widened. "Wow! You're a Jedi, too?"
The boy's enthusiasm was hard for Obi-Wan to resist. But what is Qui-Gon thinking, to get a child mixed up in the middle of a mission? And what will he do with the boy once we get to Coruscant? Obi-Wan studied Anakin doubtfully. I don't know about this. I just don't know.
"What are you going to do with the boy?" Obi-Wan asked his master a couple of hours later.
"Anakin is very strong in the Force, Obi-Wan. I think he needs to be trained at the temple," Qui-Gon replied.
"Trained? To become a Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked. "But he is too old, master. The council will never agree to his training. They don't even accept children more than three years old. Anakin is nine. They will never accept him."
"Don't you see, Obi-Wan? He is so strong in the Force. If he is not trained... He must be trained Obi-Wan. It is most important."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said reluctantly.
The Naboo cruiser descended into the atmosphere of the city-planet of Coruscant. Given a choice, Obi-Wan preferred the open spaces of a planet like Tatooine. But Coruscant was the capital of the Galactic Republic, and the home of the Jedi Temple. And we're lucky we made it back, he thought as Ric Olie landed the spaceship.
Supreme Chancellor Valorum, current leader of the Republic Senate, was waiting for the Queen on the landing platform. With him was Senator Palpatine, the Naboo representative. The Chancellor was a thin, white-haired man with an air of nervous tension. In contrast, Palpatine stood calm and smiling in his blue Senatorial robes.
Palpatine greeted Queen Amidala smoothly, and presented the Chancellor. "Welcome, Your Highness," Valorum said. "It is an honour to finally meet you in person. I must tell you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called a special session of the Senate to hear your position."
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor," Amidala said, inclining her head gracefully.
Courtesies over, Palpatine motioned Amidala and her guards and handmaidens toward an air taxi at the far end of the platform. The Queen motioned to Jar Jar and Anakin, and the two followed obediently. As they started off, Obi-Wan heard Palpatine say something about procedures. He shook his head ruefully. She's barely arrived, and he's already talking politics. Well, I suppose that's why she came.
As the air taxi pulled away, Qui-Gon turned to the Supreme Chancellor. "I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honour," he said. "The situation has become . . . more complicated."
The Jedi Council chambers were located at the peak of the Jedi Temple, just below it's crowning spire. The glass walls of the circular room looked out over Coruscant in all directions, interrupted only by the great pillars that supported the spire above. Qui-Gon had been there often over the years, to report on his various missions. Now he and Obi-Wan stood once more before the Jedi Council - twelve Jedi from different planets and different species who guided the whole Jedi Order. This time, Qui-Gon's report to them was different. He touched only briefly on the events on Naboo and the Podrace, but he described the fight on the Tatooine dunes in great detail. Then he finished, "My only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord."
There was an instant silence. The issue was debated much among the Council members. Many didn't believe the Sith could come back without their knowledge. Eventually they agreed that they would have to find out the attacker's identity, and that the Queen was the target.
Yoda turned toward Qui-Gon. "With this Naboo Queen you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her."
"We will do our best to find out the identity of your attacker," Mace added. "May the Force be with you."
The other Jedi Councillors echoed him, plainly expecting Qui-Gon to leave. When he didn't, Yoda said in a dry tone, "Master Qui-Gon, more to say have you?"
"I have encountered a vergence in the Force," he told them.
"Located around a person?" Mace asked.
Qui-Gon nodded. "A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form. It is possible that he was conceived by the midi-chlorians."
Mace sat back. "You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force." He gave Qui-Gon a long, skeptical look. "You believe it's this... Boy?"
"I don't presume -" Qui-Gon began.
"But you do!" Yoda broke in. "Revealed, your opinion is."
"I request the boy be tested," Qui-Gon said stiffly. Whatever they thought of his opinions, he had the right to request that much.
The council members exchanged looks. Then Yoda said, "Trained as a Jedi you request for him?"
"Finding him was the will of the Force," Qui-Gon replied firmly. "I have no doubt of that. There is too much happening here..."
"Bring him before us, then," Mace said.
"Tested, he will be," Yoda added in an ominous tone.
Qui-Gon nodded. Bowing, he turned and left the Council chamber.
Chapter 2: The Battle
The setting sun washed the balcony outside the Jedi Council chambers with soft colour, and tinted the forest of buildings below to match. The view of Coruscant was unequaled. But, Obi-Wan noticed, Qui-Gon was not watching the view. His eyes kept straying toward the Council chambers, where Anakin Skywalker was being tested by the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan sighed.
"The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master, and you know it," he said. "He is far too old."
"Anakin will become a Jedi," Qui-Gon said with renewed calm. "I promise you."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Don't defy the Council, Master," he said, half-warning, half-pleading. "Not again."
"I will do what I must."
Oh no, what is he thinking? "They will not go along with you this time," Obi-Wan warned.
Qui-Gon just smiled. "You have much to learn, my young apprentice," he said quietly.
The tests were not going well for Anakin. He didn't even know how he was doing. Then the Masters started asking him questions. They seemed to expect him to slip up, to say the wrong thing. All he could do was try to sound confident. "I am not afraid," he told them.
After a long pause, Yoda said simply, "Then continue, we will."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan joined Anakin in the centre of the council chambers. Master Yoda raised his chin. "Correct you were, Qui-Gon," he said.
"The boy's cells contain a very high concentration of midi-chlorians," Mace said.
Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded. "The Force is strong in him."
"He is too be trained, then," Qui-Gon said without a hint of doubt.
"No," Mace replied. "He is too old. There is already too much anger in him.
I knew it, Obi-Wan thought. And if the Council will not train Anakin, there is nothing more Master Qui-Gon can do.
"I will train him then. I take Anakin as my Padawan learner," Qui-Gon told them.
Stunned, Obi-Wan jerked his head to face Qui-Gon. Is this what he had in mind all along?
"No!" Master Yoda said quickly and authoritatively. "You cannot. We will not allow it."
"Now is not the time for this," Mace broke in. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor, and Queen Amidala has decided to return home. You must go and protect her."
"Skywalker's fate will be decided later. He can stay with you for now," Master Yoda added. The three bowed and left.
The two Jedi stood on the landing platform, arguing. Then Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan to board the ship, and the younger Jedi headed up the landing ramp. Anakin told Qui-Gon he didn't want to be a problem, but the greying Jedi Master assured him he wouldn't be. The rest of the entourage boarded the ship.
The Queen had devised a plan to overthrow the Trade Federation. Now the Royal Starship rested in the Gungan swamp. Qui-Gon was by the Gungan lake, staring out into the murky waters. Obi-Wan slowly approached, saying uncertainly, "Jar Jar is on his way to the Gungan city, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded absently. "Good."
Obi-Wan hesitated. He had many things he wanted to say: That he had come to know Anakin better during the voyage, that he had begun to see the boy's potential, that he had been wrong to fear that Qui-Gon wanted to dismiss him. "I-I'm sorry for my behaviour, Master," he began. "It is not my place to disagree with you about the boy. And I know you wouldn't be involved in training a boy who is dangerous."
For a long moment, Qui-Gon looked at him. Then he smiled. "You have been a good apprentice," he said warmly. "You are much wiser than I am, Obi-Wan. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight."
"If I do, it will be because of what you have taught me," Obi-Wan replied. The rift between them mended, they went back to join the group. Jar Jar was back, and it was time to go ask for the help of the Gungans.
After agreeing to help, the Gungans had gone off to stage their diversionary battle. The Naboo guards an fighter pilots, as well as the Queen, the Jedi, and Anakin, headed into the city via the secret passages. Near the main hanger, the group split up. The guards headed around the far side of the plaza, while the others slipped closer to the hanger door.
"Once we get inside, Ani, you find a safe place to hide," Qui-Gon ordered the boy. "And stay there."
"Sure," Anakin said a little too casually.
Qui-Gon gave the boy a stern look. "And stay there!"
Suddenly the group headed into the hanger. The guards shot at the battle droids, clearing the way. The Jedi deflected any blaster bolts aimed at the Queen. Soon they reached the middle of the hanger.
"Get to your ships!" Amidala commanded, and the pilots and their droids ran for their ships. Anakin! Where's Anakin? She blasted another battle droid into fragments of bone-white metal. I hope he found somewhere safe, the way Qui-Gon told him to.
Anakin had ducked behind a starship for cover, but soon a pilot claimed it, and he had to find somewhere else to hide. R2-D2 whistled at him from a nearby starfighter. This ship appeared unclaimed, so he ran over and climbed into the cockpit.
Soon the firing lessened. Anakin peeked over the edge of the cockpit. The group was heading for the exit. "Hey!" He called. "Wait for me!"
"No, Ani, you stay there," Qui-Gon said as Anakin started to climb out of the fighter. "Stay right where you are."
"But I-"
"Stay in that cockpit," Qui-Gon commanded, and turned back to join the troops.
The hanger door opened. Standing in the doorway was a dark, hooded figure. The Queen's troops scattered. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stepped forward, tossing their cloaks aside. "We'll handle this," Qui-Gon said.
The menacing figure in the doorway also threw his cloak aside. Anakin gasped. The man's face was completely covered by a red-and-black tattoo, and instead of hair, short horns protruded from his head. As the Jedi lit their lightsabers, the newcomer pulled out one of his own. When he lit it, red bars of light appeared at both ends. A two-sided lightsaber. Anakin stared. The tattooed man grinned fiercely and attacked the Jedi.
Suddenly, six destroyer droids wheeled into the hanger, and started firing on the remaining group. "Oh, no!" Anakin said. "We have to do something, Artoo!"
Artoo whistled, and the ship's systems came on. "Great idea!" Anakin said. "Let's see... " He began to push different buttons and pull levers. He wasn't sure which one controlled the lasers. He tried another, and this time the lasers fired, wiping out two destroyer droids.
Anakin looked back over his shoulder. The Jedi were engaged in a fierce battle with the tattooed man, the Queen and her troops, now safe, ran quickly out a door on the far side.
Suddenly the remaining droids began to fire on Anakin. Shields! Where are the shields? Then the ship began to move. Artoo beeped. Oh, no. What do I do now? The ship began climbing of it's own accord. On autopilot, the ship headed out of the hanger, and towards the Droid Control Ship.
Obi-Wan had never been in such a lightsaber battle before. So this is a Sith Lord, he thought fleetingly as he dodged and leaped. It was taking every skill he knew just to stay alive. The Sith Lord seemed to cloud Obi-Wan's use of the Force, making it hard to sense his opponent's moves and counter them in time.
Slowly, the Sith Lord forced Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan back. Out of the hanger and down a long hall they fought, then on into the Theed power generator plant. The Sith Lord leaped from one service catwalk to another, and the two Jedi followed. Qui-Gon was in the lead now, taking the brunt of the attacks. The narrow bridge gave them little room to manoeuvre. Obi-Wan tried to close in on their opponent, but the Sith Lord twisted and kicked him off the catwalk.
The bridge just below was out of reach. Obi-Wan fell several levels before he landed on another ramp. He looked up, searching for the quickest way to get back to the fight. His Master and the Sith Lord had moved farther along the catwalk. As he watched, Qui-Gon knocked the Sith off the bridge.
The Sith Lord landed heavily two levels down. Qui-Gon leaped after him, but the Sith picked himself up and backed through a small doorway. Obi-Wan ran forward as Qui-Gon darted after their opponent. As he reached the door, a series of laser walls went up all along the hallway on the other side - deadly force fields designed to keep unauthorized people and droids out of the area. Obi-Wan peered down the corridor. There were four laser walls between him and Qui-Gon, and five between Obi-Wan and the Sith Lord.
Through the sheets of laser fire, Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon sit calmly sit and begin to meditate. He tried no to think about just how badly his Master might need that rest. After the fight on Tatooine, Qui-Gon had been nearly exhausted. Impatiently, Obi-Wan paced along the edge of the laser wall. It would go down again in a minute or two, and the fight would begin again. The Sith Lord can't get much farther; there shouldn't be anything at the end of this hall except a melting pit. I'll be able to catch up as soon as the laser walls go down.
Suddenly, a vision flashed before his eyes:
The walls cycled down, and his Master went forward to attack the Sith Lord once more. After exchanging a few blows, the Sith Lordb knocked Qui-Gon under the chin, stunning the Master. Quickly, Sith drove his red blade through Qui-Gon's stomach. As the blade withdrew, the Master fell to the ground...
No! Obi-Wan thought. He could not let that happen to his Master. With a new determination, he saw the lasers about to cycle down. He reached out to the Force, past the Sith's blocking, and gathered the Force to powerfully push the Sith Lord back. Caught by surprise, the Sith Lord stumbled. Before the laser walls could cycle on again, Obi-Wan again reached out, this time disabling the controls that managed the laser walls. Then he rushed forward to help his Master.
When the Sith Lord stumbled Qui-Gon wondered what had happened. Realizing that he really didn't have time for that, he pushed the advantage while he had it.
Soon, Obi-Wan came rushing up beside him. The apprentice went forward, somehow managing to disable one of the Sith Lord's blades. But this left Obi-Wan off-guard, and the Sith Lord used the time to kick the apprentice to the ground. With a powerful Force-enhanced leap, the Sith now came down on Obi-Wan's right arm, knocking the saber from his hand and rending the arm useless. The Sith Lord followed up with a Force push, sending Obi-Wan flying into the wall and knocking him unconscious.
All this time the Jedi Master had watched motionlessly, now he sprang into action. The Sith's attack on Obi-Wan had taken its toll, and now the Sith was slow to react. The Sith Lord tried to escape, but he didn't have the energy left. While trying to evade Qui-Gon's stroke from the left, he dodged into the saber from the right. The Sith gave a start of surprise, then fell into the melting pit, never to be seen again.
Being rid of the threat, the Master rushed to check on his apprentice. The Padawan was unconscious, and his arm hung uselessly at his side, but other than that he seemed to be all right. Lifting his apprentice into his arms, the Jedi Master went to see how everything else had gone.
Anakin was not having a good day. The starfighter was almost to the Droid Control ship, and he still couldn't get it off autopilot. If he wasn't careful, he was going to run into the Droid Control ship, and that was not good.
"Artoo, get us off autopilot," Anakin said. "It's gonna get us both killed."
Soon there came an affirmative beep from the little droid - the ship was back on manual. But now the starship was flying into the main hold of the DCS, and the power was dwindling fast.
Suddenly a contingent of battle droids came up to the ship. Uh-oh. We are so dead. Anakin thought.
"Artoo," he whispered to the droid. "You'd better fix things. Fast."
The droid beeped as if to say [i]I'm doing my best[/i]. It didn't look like they were going anywhere fast.
I have to do something, thought Anakin. Wait! I know! The laser guns! He brought up the targeting computer and started randomly shooting droids. Two laser bolts shot down a corridor that lead to the core of the ship. Suddenly Anakin realized what he had just done. Oops! We have to get out of here - fast!
"Get us out of here, Artoo," he told the droid. "This thing is about to blow."
The little droid released a flurry of beeps. The next thing Anakin knew, he had power again and was flying out of the hanging, followed by an explosion. He gunned the engines trying to go faster.
"Whoopee!" He shouted. "Now, this is Podracing!"
Before Anakin could register anything more, the ship went into a spin. "Artoo, stop it!" The boy yelled. "You have to stop the ship from spin-"
Anakin was cut off when a piece of shrapnel flew through his cockpit window. Artoo beeped worriedly. When the boy didn't answer, he beeped again, more insistently this time. Thinking the boy was unconscious; the droid sealed the breach, and flew the ship back towards Naboo.
The starship carrying Anakin Skywalker glided to a halt in the middle of the main hanger. Artoo turned the engines off and popped the canopy of the cockpit.
Other pilots came rushing up to the starship to greet and congratulate the new hero of Naboo. The first one there, a female pilot, climbed up the side of the cockpit and looked in. When she saw what was in there, she gasped. A piece of shrapnel forty centimeters in diameter lay on the small boy's body, crushing him. He wasn't breathing, or even moving. Dreading what she would find, the pilot reached out and put her fingers against the boy's neck. There was no pulse. She let her hand drop, and slowly she climbed down to stand on the ground.
The small crowd assembled immediately sobered at the look on her face. "What's wrong?" Another pilot asked.
"The boy in the cockpit," the young woman said. "The one who saved us all... He's dead."
A collective gasp went up around the group assembled and then everyone went silent. One man left to find a medic. The rest stood there in silence. The hero of Naboo had died saving them.
Obi-Wan Kenobi slowly came to consciousness. He was lying on a sleep couch in the middle of a sterile white room. Several tubes snaked around his body, and his Master sat beside the bed.
"What happened?" he asked his Master. "Where am I?"
"You were knocked unconscious, and your arm was dislocated. You're in the med ward of the Theed Palace on Naboo."
"Oh," was all he could think to say. "Naboo… the Sith!" he suddenly exclaimed.
"Is destroyed. He was put off balance with that Force push of yours. You shorted out one of the blades of his lightsaber, then he injured your arm and threw you against the wall."
"Yes, I remember now," Obi-Wan was still slightly disoriented, but that was starting to wear off. "And the Queen? Did she capture the viceroy?"
"Yes. The Naboo government are discussing now what they want to do him right now. The pilots took out the Droid Control Ship, and the Gungans got rid of the last of the battle droids."
"Which pilot took out the DCS?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.
"I'm not sure," Qui-Gon replied. "Reports are still sketchy on that front. Apparently the pilot flew into the main hanger of the DCS and blew it up from the inside. But they haven't said who it was yet."
"Strange. So, where has the boy been all this time?" Obi-Wan queried.
"Anakin? I don't know. I've asked around, but know one seems to know where he's disappeared to."
"Really? That's unusual. You'd think someone would have seen him around somewhere. Maybe he's in some corner pulling apart some gadget or other, to see how it works."
"Maybe." The two resumed a companionable silence. Suddenly, an upset looking Queen rushed through the doorway.
"Master Jinn," Amidala greeted him, "I've been looking all over for you. I – Padawan Kenobi," she said as if just noticing him. "What are you doing here?"
"I got knocked out by the Sith," Obi-Wan explained. "What's wrong?"
"Well I – it's about Anakin," she started, deciding to get to the point.
"What about Anakin?" Qui-Gon wanted to know.
"Remember how you told him to stay in the cockpit of that star fighter?" At Qui-Gon's nod she continued. "Well, he did. But the star fighter didn't stay in the hanger. He went up to the Droid Control Ship, and he destroyed it. But as he was coming out –" her voice broke, and she waited a second before she went on. "As he was coming out a piece of shrapnel pierced his shields and crashed through into the cockpit. Artoo flew the ship back in. Anakin… was crushed to death."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were in a state of shock. Obi-Wan hadn't exactly liked the boy, but he didn't want him to die. Anakin was only nine years old. It's always a tragedy for one so young to die.
For his part, Qui-Gon was quite upset. Anakin had been his hope for the future. The boy had so much potential. The boy's personality had endeared Qui-Gon to him from the very start. And he had promised the boy's mother that he would take care of him…
Upon finishing her explanation to the Jedi, the Queen had lost all control. She sank down into the one spare chair in the room, and let out the sobs she had been trying so hard to control. Anakin had been special to her, even if she hadn't wanted to admit it – she might have even loved him. Now she would never know what she had felt for the dusty boy from Tatooine.
The death of that one small boy from the outer rim planet had affected them all. He was an acquaintance, a prospective apprentice, and a special friend. The galaxy would never be the same.
Chapter 3: Endings
It was a somber group that gathered around the small funeral pyre one week later. Obi-Wan stood in quiet contemplation, his Master stood deep in thought and sorrow. The Queen of Naboo situated herself by the head of the young boy who lay on the pyre. They had decided to give him a traditional Jedi burial since he would have been a Jedi if he hadn't died. A large crowd of people watched at a distance – they had come to pay their respects to the young hero of Naboo.
A lone figure stood opposite the young Queen. No one approached here with words of condolence – they didn't know what to say. After her young son had died for them, the people of Naboo thought it was the least they could do to free Shmi Skywalker. The middle-aged woman would live out the rest of her days in a nice town house near the Royal Palace.
Qui-Gon Jinn approached the grieving woman slowly. "I am deeply sorry that I didn't keep my promise. I told you Anakin would stay with me, that he would be safe. That wasn't the case."
"Please do not blame yourself, Master Jinn. I'm sure you did everything you could to keep Anakin safe. I don't think you broke your promise. And Anakin died helping people. It's how he would have wanted to go. I knew I would probably never see him again when I let him go. But I had to let him see the galaxy. I couldn't make him stay on Tatooine forever."
"Nevertheless, please accept my condolences, and know that I grieve as well. I grew quite fond of Anakin in the time that I knew him."
"Thank you," Shmi said sincerely.
Their attention was called back to the ceremony as the funeral pyre was lit. That night, all those gathered mourned the death of the young hero of Naboo.
(AN: That was the most disgusting bit of dribble I have ever had to write. But it needed to be written, to link the pieces of the story together. I think I have already expressed my anti-Ani views – I don't like his character. I want you to know that all of those nice views on Anakin expressed by the characters in this story are not shared by me.)
Chapter 4: New Beginnings
It was not long after the funeral of Anakin Skywalker and the celebrations on Naboo, but again Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, Master and Padawan, stood before the twelve members of the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan shifted nervously; they had been standing there for five minutes and none of the Council Members had said a word. Finally Yoda spoke. "A dangerous warrior, your opponent was. A Sith he was, no doubts we have about that. A difficult fight it was."
"You showed great skill in fighting your opponent, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Council believes you are ready for the next step in your life as a Jedi. We wish for you to take the Trials."
Shock blossomed on the young man's face, quickly covered up with the stoic mask of a Jedi. "Yes, Masters," he said finally.
"We are glad you agree. You will take the trials in three days. I trust this will be enough time for you to prepare?"
"Yes, Masters," the Padawan repeated. Those two words seemed to be all he was capable of right now. The Council thinks I'm ready! he thought. I'm going to be a Knight.
"Go you may," Yoda told them. "The Force be with you."
The two robed figures in the middle of the room bowed and exited the chambers. As the doors closed behind them, the usually emotionless Padawan allowed a smile to grace his features.
"Master, the Council is letting me take the trials. I'm going to be a Knight," he said with satisfaction.
"I'm very happy for you Obi-Wan. You have been a good apprentice, and you will make a fine Jedi Knight." The Master gave his Padawan a proud smile of his own.
"Thank you, Master," the Padawan replied.
"Now, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, "You should use the time the Council gave you, and prepare for your trials."
"You're right," Obi-Wan said. "I have to be ready. I only have three days!"
"You'll be fine, Padawan."
*~*~*~*~*
The day of the trials arrived, and Obi-Wan was tested by the Masters of the Council in duelling, telekinesis, hand-to-hand combat, and various other skills. The day finished with a four-hour meditation in the circular room on the level below the council chambers. The room was completely bare, with no furnishings at all; one large, floor-to-ceiling window; and plain brown walls and cream-coloured tiles. Obi-Wan knelt in the middle of the floor, in deep meditation.
The sound of a stick thumping across the floor made him raise his head. Master Yoda slowly approached and knelt in front of the young man. He took a moment before saying, "Confer upon you the level of Jedi Knight the Council does. Congratulations, young Kenobi."
The newly-named Knight looked up at the small troll and smiled. "Thank you, Master Yoda."
"Go, you may. Celebrations to attend, you have, no doubt. Go!" The Master commanded. The Knight wasted no time. He got to his feet and left the room, before Yoda could change his mind. It occurred to him that he was being silly, thinking that Yoda would change his mind, but he was too excited to care.
~*~*~*~*~
Qui-Gon was pleased to hear that Obi-Wan had passed the trials. After listening patiently to the Knight's explanation of all that had happened, the Jedi Master suggested gently, "Why don't you go and tell your friends? I'm sure they'd love to hear all about it and celebrate with you."
"Good idea. I'll see you later, Master," the familiar title slipped easily from his lips.
"Have a good time. And Obi-Wan?" The man turned around. "It's just Qui-Gon now. You're not a Padawan anymore, remember?"
"Oh… sure – Qui-Gon," with a sly smile, Obi-Wan departed.
*~*~*~*~*
When Obi-Wan told them all what had happened, his friends insisted that they all go down to their favourite less-than-wholesome eating establishment and club. After all, Garen and Reeft had both passed their own trials very recently, and Bant was now a fully-fledged Jedi Healer. They deserved a celebration, and now they had the authority to go out without asking first.
As usual, the Nerf Man bar and bistro was completely packed. One of the more popular, though not very law-abiding, establishments in the Senate District, it was a favourite of many young Jedi at the Temple. The group of friends saw a crowded table in the far corner where some familiar-looking young Jedi were sitting, but today they preferred to sit by themselves.
Settling in a large booth across from the bar, the four relaxed and ordered a drink. Bant was the first to break the silence. "So, Obi," she started, as the serving droid gave them their drinks. "Have you decided whether you're going to take an apprentice?"
"You think I want to take an apprentice straight away?" he asked her incredulously. "I only just passed the trials. I just got my freedom. I want to enjoy it for a while first. Taking a Padawan is a huge responsibility. Besides, I don't think I'd make a very good Master," he quickly sobered.
"Are you kidding?" Bant asked. "You're not that bad with kids, and you have plenty of experience."
"What experience?" he asked suspiciously.
"With your own Master, of course. You've seen him doing the duties of a Master – in fact, you've experienced it. And I for one think you'd make a great Master. You've got so many skills to pass on. You might want to lose that braid first though," she said, referring to the long piece of hair hanging down behind his left ear.
"The braid!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "I forgot to tell you. My knighthood ceremony is tomorrow morning in the Council Meditation Room. You're all invited."
"Then we'll definitely be there," Bant assured him.
"Great," Obi replied.
"So," Bant started again. "About this Padawan thing…"
"Alright!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "I'll think about it. But I'm definitely not taking one straight away."
"No one said you had to." Bant replied with satisfaction. "Enjoy your free time while you can. You may not have it for long."
~*~*~*~*~
As the long braid fell to the floor, the small group assembled broke out into applause. All Obi-Wan's friends were there; as well as his former Master; various acquaintances of his former Master and himself; and Masters Yoda and Windu, representing the Council. The crowd stayed for a while, eating and drinking to celebrate Obi-Wan's ascension from Padawan to Knight. After about an hour, the group began to disperse, until only Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon remained.
"So, Obi-Wan," the Jedi Master asked him, "Do you intend to take an apprentice?"
"You know, I'm starting to get the feeling of déjà vu," Obi-Wan said wryly. "It's really getting annoying."
"I'm not the first one to ask that question, I take it?" Qui-Gon replied.
"No. it was the first thing Bant wanted to know last night when I told her I passed the trials, and then Yoda inquired about the same thing this morning. I'm starting to think that everyone just expects you to take an apprentice the instant you become a Knight."
"Well," Qui-Gon began, "Many people believe that once we have finished our own training we should use the skills and knowledge that have been passed on to us to help another on their quest to become a Jedi."
"And it's not that I have a problem with that. I mean, I suppose I do plan to take on a Padawan eventually. It's just that I don't think I'm ready yet. I want go out and do missions for a while, get out on my own, enjoy the extra freedom."
"I can understand that. I felt the same. In fact, a lot of young Knights spend their first few years Knighted away from the Temple most of the time. Master Yoda, Bant, and I just want you to know your options, and be able to pass on all that you've learned to someone else."
"I will. I just need some time to work things out for myself first."
*~*~*~*~*
Masters Yoda and Qui-Gon sat at a table in the Temple cafeteria, away from the noise of the rest of the eaters. Finally Yoda decided to just say what he wanted to, and get it over with. "Free you now are, Qui-Gon," he stated. "Take another Padawan, will you?"
"No, Master Yoda. I did intend to take Anakin when Obi-Wan passed his trials. I told you Obi-Wan was ready. But now that Anakin is… gone, I really don't want another Padawan. Besides, I'm getting too old to chase a Padawan around."
"Humph!" Yoda grumbled. "Stopped me, has that? And what of Lea Willan? Had your eye on her, you did."
"No, Master Yoda, that excuse hasn't stopped you before. Lea is still a good initiate, and someday will make a great Jedi Knight. But the time when I wanted to take her as Padawan is gone. Anakin's death changed everything. I wish her all the best, but I'm sure she can find another Master. In fact, I'm sure there are plenty of other Masters that would love to take her. She is one of the best initiates in the Temple. I'm actually surprised someone hasn't asked her already. She is almost thirteen, correct?"
"In three months, thirteen she will be." After saying this, the green troll was oddly quiet.
"Yoda?" Qui-Gon questioned suspiciously. "What have you done?"
"Done nothing, have I," the troll said softly. "Simply told other Masters that this Padawan was wanted by another, I did."
"What? You discouraged other Masters from taking Padawan Willan just so you could make sure I took her?" The greying Jedi Master sighed. "Master Yoda, I'm used to you meddling in my life, and I know that I really can't do anything to stop you. But this is a child we're talking about. You can't just go meddling in her life. You could ruin her chances of becoming a Knight! And she's so strong in the Force."
"Still take her, you could. No Padawan do you have."
"And I don't want one, not now, not again."
"About Obi-Wan the same thing you said. Not enjoy training him, you did?"
"Of course I don't regret training Obi-Wan. It was good for both of us. But this is different. I'm too old for this now."
"Making excuses again, you are. Different, this is? How? A master young Willan needs. A Padawan, you need, to get over your grief, and to take up your time. You belong together. Same thing I said about Kenobi. Wrong was I?"
"No, Master Yoda. But you can't make me take on a Padawan. I need some time before I decide."
"Two days you have. A duel she has then. See her skills again, you will. Like Anakin she was. Strong in the Force, too old, but still you convinced us to train her. You insisted that when she was old enough to become a Padawan, Obi-Wan would be a Knight, and you would take her. Said this until recently, you have. Be so quick to change your mind, you should not."
~*~*~*~*~
The day of Lea Willan's sparring match arrived much too quickly for Qui-Gon. He still didn't know whether to take her as Padawan or not. He hadn't lied when he told Yoda that he was too old to take on a Padawan, and that the incident with Anakin had changed his mind. But Yoda was right about one thing – he couldn't just go making excuses like that. And besides, there was something about that girl…
He so lost in thought that he wasn't watching where he was going as he strolled down the Temple corridor on his way to the competition sparring room. Before he knew what he was doing, he ran straight into his former apprentice. Obi-Wan stumbled before regaining his footing. He sent a confused look in the Jedi Master's direction.
"Qui-Gon?" the ginger-haired Jedi asked.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. I was lost in thought. I wasn't paying attention. I'm quite preoccupied today."
"Preoccupied, huh? This wouldn't be to do with Lea Willan's sparring match today, would it?"
"You know about it?" Qui-Gon inquired.
"Know about?" Obi-Wan laughed. "Everybody knows about the match. Lea Willan is one of the most promising initiates in the Temple. Every potential Master in the Temple, and a whole lot of others besides, is going to be there. So, am I right?"
Qui-Gon sighed. "Yes, it is to do with Lea's fight. Yoda's been dissuading all those 'potential Masters' you're talking about from taking her as a Padawan. He seems to think I need to take her as my apprentice, and he's given me till today to decide. I don't know anymore. Not after what happened to Anakin. I have a decision to make."
Obi-Wan just started laughing. He thought it was hilarious – everyone was bugging him about taking an apprentice and making a decision, and here was his former Master: trying to make a decision about the same thing and being annoyed about it by his former Master.
Qui-Gon just looked at the ginger-haired Jedi as he had just grown two extra arms. He couldn't believe how the young Knight could find this funny. "Do you mind explaining to me the hilarity of this situation?"
"Not at all, Qui-Gon. It's just so ironic – I've just graduated from being your Padawan, you've had so much experience – and here you are in the same situation as me!" The young Knight just continued to cackle like a madman.
"Obi-Wan, if you would stop laughing so much, I would like for you to come with me to the match."
The Knight finally stopped laughing. "Sure. After all, according to my friends and several Masters, I'm supposed to be looking for a Padawan as well."
*~*~*~*~*
Initiate Lea Willan skilfully defeated yet another opponent, sending the other's lightsaber flying across the room. People in the stands applauded loudly – that was the third opponent she had defeated in a row, without so much as a two-minute break. Beside, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan shouted to be heard over the loud applause. "You know," he said. "If you decide you don't want Lea Willan as your apprentice, then I might just take her myself. She has a lot of skill. I think you're missing out if you don't take her on. You could pass on a lot to her, make that skill with the saber perfect."
"You know, you've just helped convince me that I have to take Lea. She will be a good apprentice. And I need to get over what happened to Anakin. She deserves for me to keep my promise. I told her years ago that I would take as a Padawan when she was ready. I think now is that time."
"Well, it looks like she's finished for today. You should go talk to her." Indeed, the initiate was now heading for the change rooms off to the side. He went to wait for her outside the rooms.
When Initiate Willan emerged five minutes later, he was waiting for her. "Lea," he started, "I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment?" The young girl nodded. "I just saw you fighting out there. You did very well. And I want to ask you if perhaps you would be my apprentice?"
The girl's eyes widened for a moment in shock. In seconds she recovered, but her excitement still showed in her voice. "For real? You want me as your apprentice?"
"Of course. You're very skilled in saber play, your ability in telekinesis has far surpassed what is expected of someone your age, and your other physical and mental capabilities are more than most Masters would expect from a Padawan. There are many Masters out there that wouldn't hesitate to take you on, and I would be honoured if you would be my apprentice."
"I don't know what to say!" Lea said, startled. "I mean, I accept. I would be honoured to be your apprentice."
A smile broke out on the Jedi Master's face, and he turned it on his new apprentice. "Good. Let us go and inform the Council."