Somewhere Beyond The Force
A/N: Yes I am back. This time with the edited and hopefully better version of 'The Chosen Ones', which now has a new title, which I also hope you'll all like very much. I do hope that you will like it. The other chapters have also been fixed and shortly chapter 4 will be up and running. I am also incredibly for deleting and re-posting this story. Sorry for any inconveniences on the way. I hope that you'll forgive me and just enjoy the story.
Summery: Qui-Gon Jinn believes he had found the Chosen One, but it isn't Anakin Skywalker. A young boy has stolen Qui-Gon's attention and it is he, who he'll defy the council for. Leaving behind sixteen year old Obi-Wan Kenobi to be trained under another Master. Obi-Wan than takes on Anakin Skywalker, who has been found earlier then expected. Obi-Wan also believes that Anakin may actually be the true child of prophecy, not Horatio Thornton. When tragedy strikes the planet of Phindor once more and two Phindarion brothers seek Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's help once more. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan must work together if they are to save Phindar from a dark man.
Prologue:
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . . . .
The world that Obi-Wan has known, had trained for, is now mixed in with the tiny shards of a broken mirror. Reflecting all that has happened until this point in time. The broken shards of the mirror was cutting deeply in to his flesh, causing a painful reminder of what it had felt like to have something so precious and well treasured to be severed in to nothing more then a painful memory.
Throwing a quick look at his trembling hands. To see the traces of blood running slickly between the fingers of his shaking hand. Slivers of glass had cut him deeply, but the wound is nothing compared with the pain that his wounded heart is causing him. The wound caused (not by a pointy object) but by the one person Obi-Wan had once been proud to call. Master. Of course he still does cast this shining light around his former Master, but only when he is forced to remember the good times long gone.
His former Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had ceased to be his master the moment Horatio Thornton had come to be the centre of Qui-Gon's attention. Horatio is a boy. And the boy was showing the signs of having exceptional strength within the Force. During their short time on the planet of Onderon. A peaceful planet. Now known to Obi-Wan as the planet of torturer of dreams. They were originally on the way home. Back at the Jedi Temple is where home is for young Obi-Wan.
When the ship – which they were travelling on – had been struck by down by an unseen missile by space pirates. It was unfortunate for them all that the captain had chosen to land, with out crashing and killing off all of his passengers, on to a busy spaceport just outside of a small settlement on Onderon.
There the lives of one of the better Master/Padawan teams had been torn to shreds. The moment Qui-Gon's sharp blue eyes had been ensnared by a little boy. That young boy had not only ensnared Qui-Gon's eyes, but the revered Master's 'heart'.
Oh, Obi-Wan is not jealous at all. But to see the way the two of them had clicked the moment they had met, had caused Obi-Wan's stomach to twist and turn at the thought of another being able to worm their ways into Qui-Gon's heart. And once someone had managed that one feat, then Qui-Gon will not allow them to be able to escape after that.
Horatio is strong with the Force, at the age of ten standard years, he is already too late to start his training. But Qui-Gon would not allow the Code, nor the Council advice, or even the father/son bond between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to get into his path.
Defying the Council. Going against the Code. Destroying the dreams of another in the process. Qui-Gon had immediately severed the bond, which had been constructed by the Force itself, the moment the Council had caved in and went against their better wishes.
Horatio's bright smile had brought a sparkle to Qui-Gon's eyes, in a way that Obi-Wan had never thought possible. Even for him, it was difficult task to even to get Qui-Gon to smile about anything.
There wasn't even a look of regret in Qui-Gon's eyes when he had dared to glance at his previous padawan. Obi-Wan had shown no emotion to leak out of his eyes or even throughout the Force. For he had willed himself to never show any kind of weakness in front of his now former Master, not now, not never.
Why should he show that he was breaking inside? Like the mirror now scattered around his feet. And only through his trust in the Force, did he show the broken mirror of his past life with Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon never truly wanted him in the first place. It was only because of a diminutive Master's nudge, did Qui-Gon take on a reject as his padawan. True they had shared exceptional moments together and strengthening their bond to what it was before it was rudely severed.
It was Master Yoda who had come to Obi-Wan's rescue, under the watchful eyes of all that were in the Council Chamber. Qui-Gon and Horatio, included. Master Yoda had offered Obi-Wan an offer that Obi-Wan could not find himself to refuse. Yoda had asked Obi-Wan graciously if he would like to become his padawan learner and Obi-Wan had just humbly agreed.
And so it was both a sad day and a good day.
Qui-Gon had found the apprentice he had always wanted and Obi-Wan had become an apprentice under another Master. They had never spoken to each for awhile after that and when ever they did coincidently crossed each others paths, they would just act as polite and humble as they could in the presence of young Horatio Thornton:
Qui-Gon's Chosen One.
The rumours had spread like a wildfire in the temple. Rumours of what they believed to be true about Horatio Thornton.
About how Qui-Gon will be furious when he learns of another discovery. About the findings of another youngling, who's midi-chlorians count is much higher then Horatio's, even higher then Master Yoda's.
The count belongs to a baby boy, brought from the Outer Rim territories, from the desert planet of Tatooine. Saved from slavery when a Jedi Master and his young apprentice, who had stumbled upon a strong willed mother and her newborn child.
And never before has Obi-Wan felt so much at peace when he had first come across that little boy, a boy whom he'll never forget in a hurry. He had seen the smile on Yoda's face and in a way he had seen the Force smile in acknowledgement.
Anakin Skywalker; the true Chosen One, and it will be he who will bring balance to the Force. Not Horatio Thornton.
Obi-Wan knew from then on that he'll play a major role in Anakin's life and Anakin will be worth all of the pain that Qui-Gon caused Obi-Wan to suffer from.
Twelve years from now will Obi-Wan decide whether or not to choose Anakin as his apprentice, he'll just have to allow the Force to guide him.
After all it was by the will of the Force that had chosen this path for Obi-Wan to tread, without the aid of his once beloved Master, the one who was almost like a father to him and now he is as content as he ever was. All because of a young boy.
Called Anakin.
. . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1:
Thirteen years later. . . . . ,
Had soon found a young boy of twelve standard years old rushing towards the dining hall. He is rather small for his age, but when one takes a closer look at the boy you could see that he'll grow tall one way, or another. Sandy coloured hair was seen falling in to his eyes, nearly hiding away the amazing azure blue eyes of his, that twinkle like a rare diamond when he smiles true. His heart is often found on his sleeves when he finds another initiate hurt, helping others without any care for his own safety.
Anakin Skywalker – is a rather special case. And for those rare few who have had the chance to meet him have no bad words to say about the boy.
Rushing towards the crowded hall, where many of the Jedi have gathered around to have a hearty meal. To meet up with friends that have just returned after a mission or even to come to enjoy the tranquillity of spending time with those that you care about. He may be well liked among his peers, but most of the initiates close to his age won't allow him to take seat next to them.
And for some strange reason. Anakin doesn't feel like that he is needed or well liked, no matter what the Master's have to say about his potential and how well his grades are in class. But no one has ever really given him a chance to be their friend.
Looking around to find most of the seats have been taken. All but one, which has a lone Knight, huddled in the corner with his thoughts. Picking up, not just his tray, but the courage to ask if he could take a seat.
Weaving in and out of the crowd, Anakin has finally found his destination. It was strange though. There is this weird feeling building up in his gut. Feeling as though he should know this Knight.
"Excuse me sir?" Anakin's voice squeaked with fear prickling his skin, as well as taking over his usual confidence to face any friend or foe. "Do you mind if I sit down?"
"Of course you may sit down," the Knight replies cheerfully.
"Thank you, sir," Anakin has never heard anyone sounding so cheerful and polite, while they are speaking to him before.
"Anakin Skywalker isn't it?" The Knight asks in a kind voice, his Coruscanti accent held no malice.
Anakin couldn't find his voice to reply to this kind Knight, instead he just began to stuff his face with his lunch. Ignoring the way mirth had crept up on to the Knight's face, causing his blue-gray eyes to sparkle with controlled laughter. But eventually Anakin did pause when the lone Knight had started to speak again in that accented voice of his. Which in many ways sounded like music to Anakin's ears.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," the Knight says.
Taking the time to notice the way a scruff of a beard was sprouting its way over the Knight's chiselled chin, making the Knight to appear older then he is supposed to be. Shoulder length ginger-brown hair, well combed over, except for a few strays sneaking their way across the Knight's likeable face.
Of all the features that have entranced Anakin to this mysterious lone Knight, huddled up by the corner of the hall, were his blue-gray eyes and the way they were changing colour. Almost like the sky above when it is about to storm (or like those oceans) that Anakin had read about in the Archives.
There is a sadness about the Knight. Which had almost been the cause for young Anakin to crawl over the table and to hug the Knight until the sadness had left those expressive eyes.
Just when Anakin had just found his voice again to ask the Knight a question. Silence had abruptly fallen with in the dinning hall. Anakin didn't crane his head over his neck to see what had caused everyone into to silence, when he had seen the way the Knight's eyes had widen in remembrance and then his eyes had become unreadable after that. And that is when Anakin had turned his head, to look over his shoulder to see who or what had caused this kindly Knight to have that peculiar look in his aquamarine eyes.
It was the infamous Master/Padawan team that Anakin has always heard spreading through out the Jedi Temple, nearly marking the duo into nothing more then a legend. They are inseparable. The Golden team.
Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his star pupil: Horatio Thornton, the rumoured Chosen One. Anakin had always thought that story was nothing more then a fairy tale. It is also rumoured through out the Temple, that Qui-Gon had already had an apprentice at the time of Horatio's finding. The Jinn/Kenobi team has also become legendary, rumoured to have been inseparable before Horatio had come in to their lives.
Anakin has never seen this Obi-Wan Kenobi, the tragic padawan of Qui-Gon's. There were stories out there saying that Obi-Wan had then became Master Yoda's apprentice and no one could have argued that Obi-Wan was said to have changed after that.
Every word that Anakin has heard about the golden duo is that they weren't fully forgiven for what they have done to another promising apprentice, who is said to have become a great Jedi Knight by now. His prowesses out in the field are exemplary. He is also to be rumoured to be as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu and that one of these days he may become a Council Master.
If Anakin could have any Knight, or Master, to train him. It would be Obi-Wan Kenobi. It is his story that has caused Anakin to feel sorry for the Knight and to have the urge to hurt the ones who have caused this legendary Knight so much emotional harm.
It was then that it had clicked inside Anakin's sandy covered head, did he realise who the lone Jedi Knight may be and suddenly he wasn't afraid of making a conversation with this Jedi Knight, in fact the Jedi Knight hasn't made Anakin to feel like he wasn't unwanted. He felt safe with this Jedi Knight.
Something was happening to him. The Force was trying to tell him something, but he didn't dare to listen. Only listening to his foolhardy brain as the possible name for this Jedi Knight came to him.
The lone Jedi Knight is the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Knight with a tragic past and one that has drawn Anakin to take a seat here in the first place.
"So you know who I am now with out having me to introduce myself to you?" It wasn't really a question but nor did it sound like a statement either.
"You're Obi-Wan Kenobi!" Anakin feels like the Force is channelling through his voice and throughout his entire body.
"That would be correct, young one," says Obi-Wan with a smile that was seen tugging at his lips, causing him to look younger even with the ginger scruff. "So tell me young Anakin -"
"Taken are these seats?"
A new voice interrupts whatever it was that Obi-Wan Kenobi was about to say and together they both had found Masters Yoda and Windu, a rare sight to behold. Rare it is to find Master Yoda in the dinning hall. Just as rare to find the 'golden duo' having their lunch with many. Despite being a Jedi and the whole no hate thing coming to play. Are allowed the chance to get a glimpse of these legendary Jedi. But are their background tales tragic like Obi-Wan's, the Knight whom Anakin has been worshipping ever since he had learnt of this tragedy.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu," Knight Kenobi greets the two Masters, bowing his head.
"Knight Kenobi, Initiate Skywalker," Mace Windu says to the both of them as he takes the seat next Obi-Wan's, while the diminutive Master takes the other spare next to Anakin's.
"So, tell me, my Master. What brings you down to the dinning hall at this hour?" Obi-Wan asks Master Yoda, who is at the moment tempting to pinch one of Anakin's golden potato fries. "Not to steal Anakin's lunch I hope."
Diminutive, Yoda may be, but his vast knowledge of the Force and the wisdom he had picked up during the years is what makes his height seem larger then life. Yoda adores the younglings above all things, for they are the ones to carry on even when the Jedi may be no more than a fairy tale.
The minds of a child are what Yoda admires about most of the younglings in the Temple, but not just the Temple, but every single child that Yoda comes across. And he sees the potential with in all and Obi-Wan is no fool when it comes to a child's potential with in the Force.
Throwing a quick amused glance in Anakin's direction, to see the comical look on his face as he continues to watch Yoda stealing away with his food.
Obi-Wan's knows full well what Yoda truly wants – Yoda didn't come done here to steal young Anakin's food – but to hear Obi-Wan's decision. To decide, or not, to take on an apprentice is a huge responsibility and he would hate to make the same mistake that Qui-Gon had done to him, by shoving an apprentice aside for another like a discarded robe for a better robe.
Having learned long ago to let go of the shame, the guilt, the jealousy, the hate, the anger and most of all the fear of being rejected by a father figure and it was all thanks to Yoda's persuasion to let go and to throw all of those emotions into the comforting arms of the Force.
He had come to a decision an hour ago. Long before the youngling that has captivated his attention had decided to come to sit across from him. Obi-Wan is surprised to see this youth so full of fear of rejection. He had once shared similar emotions when he was no more then Anakin's age. Anakin holds so much promise and Obi-Wan would never forgive himself if he didn't help this sad little boy to cross the lane ways to get to the other side.
"I know what you have decided, Padawan," Master Yoda says, munching on another potato frites from Anakin's plate. "Glad I am to see the two of you paired together. Seen this happening I have and good deeds that you'll both achieve."
"Shouldn't we have this discussion in a more private place?" Mace asked. Looking around the hall and the foyer on the other side. He too is glad to see such a union between the two misguided children of the Force and he can sense with in the Force that the two would become even far more greater then the Jinn/Thornton team. The original golden master/padawan team and now another team is about to make the Force proud or is it to cringe in sympathy of what the future may bring.
"Anakin Skywalker. Meet your new Master," Yoda's large green eyes twinkled with delight at the open mouth shocked look on the youth's face.
. . . . . . . . . .
TBC