Straight Until Proven Gay

Chapter One: Fire at the Jedi Temple

I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and of course, much of my story is known to all. However, for reasons to be explained later, parts of my story have never been told. When I was 33, back in 3096, I had just completed my third and most challenging year of service on the Jedi Council. This story takes place at a time when the Clone Wars were raging, and one year after I learned that Anakin, my padawan and best friend, was actually my half-brother. So, there I was at the Jedi Temple, relaxing in the lounge after a long and exhausting Council meeting. Anakin walked in and plopped down in a seat directly across from me.

"Hi, Obi-Wan," Anakin said to me in a cheerful tone.

"Hey, how come you're so cheerful, brother?" I asked Anakin, mindful of the fact that both of us only recently returned from a harrowing Mortal Combat experience.1

"I'm OK," Anakin replied, though at the same time his facial expression conveyed disgust.

"Is something wrong, then?" I asked, becoming slightly worried.

Seeming oblivious to my question, Anakin replied, "What is that smell?"

"What smell...? Oh, I smell it now! Oh, My Force!" Something's burning!" Fear was rising within me. Somewhere, a fire had broken out! Many of the Younglings were frightened, and had no idea what to do in this kind of emergency. The loud sound of the fire bell went off while Anakin and I bolted for the nearest exit. Lucky for us, we were near the back by the kitchen.

Once outside we were joined by the others. The Younglings looked so scared. The Masters and Knights were counting them to see if everyone made it out. I froze in fear as Knight Cavalier shouted, "Bart and Rick didn't make it out – they're still inside."

"Anakin, no! You must stay here" I shouted, but Anakin had already bolted inside. He was too fast for me. We waited, helplessly. After what seemed like a long time, two cloaked figures ran out of the building! I sighed in relief.

But it wasn't Anakin – it was Rick and Bart.

Bart, as in Bartholomew Jay Simpson, ran up to me and handed me the cloak, which I recognized as my brother's. He said "Knight Skywalker ordered me and Rick to run. He said it didn't matter if he died. He wanted you to have the cloak, Master Kenobi."

"Thank you Bart… but I know he is alive, I still feel him through The Force."

"Don't worry, Obi-Wan, we will find him soon. All right?" Mace Windu interjected.

"All right," I said unhappily.

1 The Mortal Combat experience to which I refer is called "Test of Brotherhood."