Nearly 2 years ago now I took my story A Twist down. Since then I have decided to rewrite it, with the plot developments that arose through the initial writing of it already planned out this time. Hopefully, it will be more structured. The updates won't be very regular, but eventually, we'll get there. The original story was 70,000 words for episodes 1,2 and 3.
Also thank-you to kittybee 1904 for giving me the motivation to start this project up again with her message.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Star Wars universe :)
Prologue (Chapter One)
9 years before Phantom Menace.
"Stay in the present Obi-wan," Qui-gon said, snapping the fifteen-year-old out of his thoughts.
"Sorry Master, I felt a disturbance," Obi-wan replied, correcting his stance as he prepared to start a kata. He tried taking a breath to settle himself, but something was still present in his mind, drawing his attention.
"There is no disturbance Obi-wan, but perhaps we've done too much today. Let's finish," Qui-gon said, ending the lesson. The boy immediately scolded himself for his lack of focus. Why did he mention the feeling? He should have just pretended it wasn't there and gotten on with the lesson. It was rare that his Master gave him his sole attention and he had just cut Qui-gon's teaching short due to his big mouth.
"Shall we meditate Master?" Obi-wan asked hopefully, hurrying to follow the man as his big strides sped him through the Temple corridors.
"No. I am going to com Master Tahl. She will have arrived on Melida/Daan by now. Why don't you go and find your friends," Qui-gon said, before patting his Padawan on the shoulder and walking off. Obi-wan stood in the middle of the corridor watching his Master walk away. The man kept himself so distant from him. If they talked more Qui-gon would know that all Obi-wan's friends were currently off-world and on missions with their own Masters.
Accepting his loneliness, Obi-wan headed towards the archives when the disturbance drew his attention once again. The Force was calling out to him. It grew stronger with every breath, before it was almost deafening. Obi-wan didn't understand. All the Jedi around him seemed unfazed as if nothing was amiss. Could they not sense it? Could they not feel the hurricane of emotion swirling around them?
Fear. Fear is what Obi-wan could sense. Fear and love, and it was coming from the Temple steps. The Padawan set off at a run through the corridors, shocking his fellow Jedi and resulting in a few demands to slow down from the Masters he passed. He didn't heed them though. Obi-wan hurried to the main doors, running out of the Temple and out into the world beyond. His eyes frantically searched the skyline for something wrong, but he didn't see anything.
Then he heard a shout. Before him was a black-haired woman, running up the Temple steps towards him with something cradled to her chest.
"Help me, please," she cried out, begging for assistance as she stumbled, almost falling to her knees in weakness. Obi-wan sprinted towards her, just in time to catch her as she fell again. He gently lowered her to the ground as her shaking form desperately clung onto her cargo. Obi-wan's hand came away red with blood from a wound to her side, making him panic and shout for help at the top of his lungs. "Take him. Protect him. It's not his fault, he's just an innocent," the woman said, voice growing quieter and quieter as strength seemed to leave her body. "Please," she whispered, placing Obi-wan's bloodied hand on the blanket wrapped against her chest. The Padawan gently picked it up and pulled back the fabric to reveal the baby within. A full head of wavy black hair showed it was her child, and its deep green eyes pierced Obi-wan's soul.
Suddenly, the woman went completely limp in the boy's arms and the baby started to cry as Obi-wan felt the maternal bond break between them. Shocked into silence, Obi-wan cradled the babe in his arms as the mother's head rested on his lap. He could barely breathe, his eyes fixed on the vacant expression on the woman's face. He had never witnessed death before and now he didn't know what to do. He was confused, lost and angry all at once. Who did this to her? Why did she have to die? Why?
"Kenobi!" a voice shouted as several Jedi hurried out of the Temple towards them. The Padawan, however, didn't notice. He couldn't look away from her. "Obi-wan," the person said again, this time closer, gentler, accompanied by a firm grip on his shoulder. "Come away now. Let's get you inside," the man continued, tilting the boy's chin towards him and away from the sight of the dead woman. Mace Windu kept the padawan's attention as Ki-Adi Mundi stepped in and gently picked up the body of the woman. Relieved from her weight on his lap, Obi-wan was pulled up to his feet by Mace Windu's strong grip.
"Master Windu?" Obi-wan whispered in confusion, only just comprehending the council-man's presence.
"It's alright Obi-wan," Mace said, keeping his grip on the boy's shoulder and arm as he cradled the baby. "This isn't your fault," he gently coaxed. "Why don't you help me take the baby to Master Kokaru?" Mace said as he began to steer the shocked Padawan back into the Temple and through the corridors. As they passed through, Masters kept curious Knights and Padawans moving on. Obi-wan didn't need to be a spectacle. Though Mace had to admit seeing a Padawan covered in blood and holding a baby was not a common sight within the Temple halls.
It wasn't long before they entered the healer's wing. Master healer Edyk Kokaru had been speaking with a fellow Master when he spotted Mace and Obi-wan enter the hall; the Padawan covered in blood and holding something close to his chest. Edyk came straight over, walking on Obi-wan's other side and guiding him into a medical room, shocked by the sight of the boy and the baby in his arms. The two masters got the boy sat on the bed before Mace pulled the head healer over to the other side of the room.
"He's in shock," Mace said.
"I can see that. Force sake I'm in shock. What happened?" Edyk Kokaru stated, looking between Master Windu and the Padawan.
"By the looks of things, a woman died in his arms as she handed over the child. I do not know the details; Ki-Adi is looking into it as we speak. I thought it best to get them both here as soon as possible."
"Agreed. I will check them now. Where's his Master?" Kokaru asked, walking back over to Obi-wan. Mace didn't reply as he was asking himself the same question. How did Qui-gon not sense his Padawan's stress and fear? The healer waited a moment for an answer, but when it was clear he wasn't going to get any he turned his attention solely to Obi-wan and the babe.
"Padawan, can you hear me?" Kokaru asked softly as the boy kept his gaze locked on the child in his arms. "Obi-wan?" The boy slowly lifted his head, eyes appearing lost and confused. Edyk smiled, placing the palm of his hand gently onto Obi-wan's brow. "Are you hurt youngling? Any pain?"
"No…no Master," Obi-wan replied, shakily. Mace watched on from the other side of the room, arms crossed as he resisted the desire to pace in worry.
"That's good Obi-wan," Kokaru said. "Will you let me check on the child?"
"I…I…"
"I just need to see him Obi-wan," Edyk explained, knowing Obi-wan was too lost in shock to understand fully what was being asked of him. The healer slowly placed his hand on the blanket, pulling it back to see the baby underneath. With even greater care he lowered Obi-wan's arm so that he could get a better view. Edyk then placed his hand on the baby's brow and reached out with the Force as he had with Obi-wan. Satisfied, the healer squeezed Obi-wan's arm before stepping back.
"Well?" Mace asked.
"They are both physically healthy. Mace…the baby is Force sensitive," Edyk said quietly. Master Windu was shocked by that, stepping forwards towards the bed and reaching out with the Force himself. The baby was indeed Force sensitive, it surrounded him, but there was something strange there too, something dark. "I will have Master Peli sent for. The child can be placed in the creche until the Council reaches a decision. Likewise, Obi-wan should not be alone. I will not discharge him until his Master is present. I will send a message to Master Jinn now," the healer continued, before walking out of the room.
When he was gone, Mace approached the boy and stood beside him.
"Obi-wan, can you tell me what happened?"
"She…she died Master," the Padawan stuttered, the baby in his arm starting to cry as Obi-wan remembered the event.
"It's alright Obi-wan," Mace assured, squeezing his shoulder. "Just breathe, calm your thoughts young one." As Mace watched the Padawan struggle to regain control, he noticed that with every step Obi-wan got to calm, the baby would become less restless. Reaching out, Mace could feel a connection between the two of them somehow. The Force was swirling between them.
"She told me he was innocent," Obi-wan suddenly said, breaking Mace out of his thoughts. "She said it wasn't his fault as she begged me to take him."
"What wasn't his fault Obi-wan?" Mace asked, confused by how anything could be blamed on a baby.
"I don't know Master, she didn't get a chance to explain," Obi-wan said sadly. "Will he be sent away?"
"He is Force sensitive, but the whole Council must decide. These are unusual circumstances." Obi-wan nodded, smiling slightly as the baby's little hands grabbed his braid and pulled. The child started to giggle which was infectious to the two Jedi in the room before he pulled the hair into his mouth and started to chew it. "I think he's hungry Master," Obi-wan said, laughter in his voice as his changeable eyes grew bluer. The baby's equally shone a deep green as he snuggled into Obi-wan's arms in contentment.
"Indeed," Mace said. "I will leave it to Master Peli to see that he's fed." Mace Windu would be the first to defend the younglings of the Temple, but picturing himself holding a bottle and feeding a baby was comical.
The door opened behind them and Master Peli and a frantic looking Qui-gon rushed in.
"I've been looking all over for you," Qui stated, however not to his Padawan but to Mace. "It's Tahl. Somethings happened. I was on a call to her but she was taken. I must go to Melida/Daan at once." Mace took a second to digest the news before he replied.
"A team will be sent immediately, but Qui-gon you and your apprentice will not be going. Obi-wan needs time to recover."
"Recover?" Qui-gon asked, walking past Mace and towards his Padawan as if only just realising that Obi-wan was on a medical bed with a baby in his arms. Qui gently took Obi-wan's chin in his and gazed into the boy's eyes, checking him over with the Force. "What happened? Who is this baby?" he asked, heart pulsing rapidly at the thought of Obi-wan being hurt.
"I'll explain in a moment, but first know that Obi-wan and the baby are unharmed. Now Master Peli, please can you take the child to the creche. The Temple will be his home for the time-being, the Council will make a decision soon."
"Very well Master Windu," Master Peli said, frowning at the irregularity of it all. "You're a natural Obi-wan," she praised as she walked over to the still shaken Padawan. "You could be a creche master already. Will you let me take him to get settled in?"
"Can I see him again?" the boy asked, nervous to let the child go.
"Of course," Master Peli replied. "Obi-wan Kenobi you are always welcome in the creche. I've missed you little one. You all grow up so fast," she smiled sadly, taking the baby from Obi-wan's arms. The child squirmed at the loss of his protector, making Master Peli rock him gently to calm him down again. "I'll expect a visit tomorrow," she told the Padawan, before bowing her head to Mace and Qui and walking out of the room.
"You are alright?" Qui-gon asked, holding Obi-wan's arms once he was relieved from the child.
"I'm fine Master," Obi-wan replied, putting on a brave face.
"Death is not an easy thing to witness young one," Mace said, not liking the way Obi-wan seemed to be suddenly putting up a front.
"Death?" Qui-gon asked.
"The child's mother," Mace explained.
"You're a strong boy, my Padawan," Qui-gon praised, squeezing Obi-wan's shoulder. "I cannot wait though, I must go to Melida/Daan at once."
"I'll come with you Master," Obi-wan said instantly, though inwardly conflicted. He wanted to stay to make sure the baby was ok. He wanted to visit him in the creche; look after him.
"I do not think that is wise," Mace stated. "You need time to reflect and meditate young one."
"My place is by your side," Obi-wan said directly to Qui-gon. "Please Master."
"I want you with me too. I can keep an eye on you then," Qui-gon replied. "Go and pack our things Obi-wan. We'll leave as soon as I get us a ship."
"Yes Master," the boy replied, standing and hurrying out of the room after a brief bow to Master Windu. Qui-gon then made to leave, but Mace blocked his way.
"I need to go Mace. Tahl is in danger," Qui-gon scowled at the disruption.
"Obi-wan should not be going. He was in distress and you're taking him into a war zone."
"As I said, he'll be better by my side. I can help him if his emotions get too much."
"You didn't today," Mace pointed out.
"I was not by his side today."
"Don't give me that Qui-gon. You and I both know that if you and Kenobi had a real bond you would have sensed his panic from across Coruscant, let alone the Temple."
"I…I…" Qui-gon stuttered, unable to come up with an excuse. Mace softened at that.
"I know you find trusting him hard, but you and I both know Obi-wan is no Xanatos." Qui-gon bristled at the name. "You have to let him in Qui, or you'll do more damage than good."
"You're right," Qui-gon said, sighing. "I will do better. This trip will bring us closer together, I know it."
"I hope you are right old friend. May the force be with you."
"And with you," Qui-gon said, before he hurried off to the hangar.
"Master Yoda," Mace said in greeting as he walked into the creche room where the baby lay asleep; watched over by the old council-member. "Kenobi and Jinn have left," Mace informed him, having just come from the hangar.
"Hmm, wise that decision was not."
"There was no stopping Qui-gon. We will have to face the consequences."
"We? No. Affect Obi-wan this will. Obi-wan and the child."
"You believe they are connected?"
"Felt the bond yourself, you have."
"Yes," Mace admitted. "In the healers. It is also strange how only Obi-wan sensed the mother's plea."
"The mother's it was not. Somehow shielded she was. A dark cloak surrounded her thoughts. It was the babe Obi-wan sensed."
"That's impossible. He is just an infant."
"Capable of love, an infant is. Capable of fear, they also are. Project it, he did. Found a friend in Obi-wan, the child has. Separated they should not be."
"Who knows how long the rescue mission will take. We cannot wait. This child's mother was surrounded by darkness, though her heart felt light. I can sense that dark around the child too. She was running from someone. A dark-sider? The boy's father perhaps?"
"Yes…sense it in him I do. Who the father is, I cannot tell. Protect the infant, we must. Potential for light as well as dark, he has."
"The council will not all agree to his staying here if they know he has darkness in his blood."
"Tell the council this, we will not. Shield his mind, we will. Our secret, this must be."
"Very well," Mace agreed. "But I will be watching him, always. A darkness is in him. I will not allow it to grow."
"Guide him, we will," Yoda promised, getting up and walking out of the room. Mace stayed, guarding the child as he slept. On the side, he spotted the bloody blanket which Master Peli had put down to be thrown out. Mace turned over the corner of the fabric, revealing an elegant stitch underneath. 'Rawdon' it read. Looking back at the child in the crib, he smiled, having discovered his name. He would see Rawdon become a Jedi. He would protect him from the darkness in his blood. If only Mace could have protected Obi-wan.
He shouldn't have let young Kenobi go. It would be six months before Mace was sent to Melida/Daan to pick up the abandoned Obi-wan; wounded and broken, all thoughts of the baby forgotten. Obi-wan had gone against the code to side with the Young in their fight for freedom. His first love Cerasi had died in front of him. Qui-gon had left him alone. Tahl had died in Qui-gon's arms. The mission was a disaster and it would have far reaching consequences for both of them and for the Galaxy itself.
Thank-you for reading. Please Review! :) /Follow/Favourite
There's the intro. For those who read A Twist before this was a more in depth retelling of a small conversation Obi-wan and Rawdon have about when they first met. It also sets up the Obi, Qui conflict of the story. In my new plan I thought this worked best as an opening scene.