...

The next day after the real story emerged Malak, Tome and Paulo were put on probation. Obi-wan wanted to stay as far away from them as possible, so he started to spend more time in the library, and with his tutors. It was hard on Obi-Wan but he was determined to become a Jedi and he wanted to catch up to his age mates. So he studied constantly moving between Qui-Gon's apartment, Maces place and Yoda's. It was like having three Fathers. Each one cared for him yet in different ways, but with a common factor, each one felt the importance of him being trained.

Eventually after a long year, Obi-Wan caught up to his age mates in most areas. He had remade a few close friends, Bant, Garen, and Siri. He had known them before, but five years is a long time to a crèche ling, and they had forgotten him. Nevertheless, he had not forgotten them, sometimes when he was alone at night in his cave on the planet, he would think of his friends, so he wouldn't get lonely.

After a while they became very close again and when Qui-Gon and Mace were off planet for a week, Obi had asked Yoda if he could stay in the Dormitory with his friends. Yoda was happy about this decision as it showed that the boy was finally feeling secure in his place at the Temple. Over the next few months as the trials were getting closer, Obi-Wan stayed in the dormitories more and more with his friends.

Obi-wan studied hard and soon he noticed that Qui-Gon and Mace never seemed to be on Corruscant. It seemed that there was an important ongoing mission that kept Qui-Gon and Mace tripping around the galaxy for months at a time.

Obi-wan asked Master Yoda why they were always away, however, Yoda never gave him a straight answer.

"When become a Padawan you do, understand about these things you will; nothing for you to worry about."

Obi-wan knew he shouldn't ask about Master Jinn and Master Windu's missions, but he had felt unsettled feelings, coming from both Masters. The last time they left Corruscant and had said goodbye to him, it was if they were afraid for him, and were going to do something to keep him safe.

Master Yoda was right he didn't understand, so he would do as Yoda said and not worry. A week later the two Masters returned, safe and sound, and they even brought Obi-wan a present. It was a small leather pouch that could be attached inside a Jedi tunic. It was a credit pouch to keep small amounts of credits in, and on the top flap of the pouch the letters OWK were stitched in black leather on the light brown pouch. Obi-wan was so surprised and happy about the present he didn't notice the worried looks on their faces.

Several more weeks flew past and Obi-wan had settled into the last term of his training.

Qui-Gon was looking for Obi-Wan to say good bye as he was heading out on another mission and wanted to see Obi before he left. He opened himself to the force and honed into Obi's signature. He and his friends were in the Room of a thousand fountains. As he came to the large pond he could hear the laughter, of four friends. Garen was being tossed into the pond and was protesting at his treatment.

Qui-Gon chuckled to himself. If Garen stopped laughing maybe his protests wouldn't be ignored.

"That's not fair three against one" he cried out once he emerged from the water. Siri pulled a face at him "Oh poor baby is you all wet" then she screamed light heartedly when from behind Obi-wan picked her up and with a war cry jumped in the pond with Siri wrapped around his neck. Bant wasted no time in jumping in bombing them. By the time Qui-Gon had reached them they were all splashing each other.

"Excuse me young ones" he yelled over the laughter.

They all turned at the voice, and quickly climbed out of the pond bowing a greeting to him. "Hello Master"

"I hate to spoil your fun, but I wish to speak to Obi-wan for a moment" as he motioned for the lad to come with him.

"Obi-wan, I have been called away on a mission, and I am leaving soon, my transport will arrive within the hour."

The boys face went from a bright laughing expression to sadness in one instant. "How long will you be gone Master"

"Only two weeks I believe, It is a relatively simple mission but it is in the outer regions of the republic. The trip there and back will be the toughest." He answered the boy who had a distraught look on his face.

"Master, nothing can go wrong can it?" Obi-wan asked.

"Do not worry so, young one. I have been on many missions, and I do not anticipate any problems on this one, and besides Master Windu is accompanying me. You know he will look out for me."

"It is just that it is not long till the Padawan Trials, and I am afraid that you might miss them."

"Do not fear my Obi-wan; nothing will keep me from being here. I promise that if a mission comes up around that time I will refuse to take it. Now return to your friends, I must see the Council before I leave."

"Very well Master, and may the force be with you"

"And with you also young one" Qui-Gon smiled and ruffled Obi-Wans hair.

The Padawan Trials were only a month away and Obi-wan's name day was two weeks after that. Master Yoda was confident that Obi-wan would pass as were Qui-Gon and Mace. But Obi-wan had been having dreams, and in his dreams, he didn't take the trials. He couldn't see why in his dreams, but it scared him. He had discussed these dreams with Qui-Gon, who had dismissed them as his nervous anticipation of the exams. He had told Obi-Wan that he was ready for the trials and not to worry so much.

Walking back to where his friends were he could hear an argument taking place he rushed back to the pond just in time to see a fight going on between Garen and the big bully Malak. He was twice the size of Garen who was the smallest of their group. As he ran towards them, two of Malak's friends were holding Siri and Bant down on the ground. Nevertheless, Malak never knew what hit him as Obi-wan charged into him knocking him into the pond.

Obi-wan then turned to the other two, and pulled one off Bant; in the confusion Siri was able to push the other one off as well.

"What do you think you are doing" Obi-wan snapped at Malak who was climbing out of the pond.

He came up to Obi-wan glaring at him and said. "You just wait, I will get you. How dare you push me in the pond."

"How dare you attack my friends, I think you should leave before I call the Masters."

Malak had been humiliated in front of his friends, so he retaliated. "Oh does the poor little lost boy need to run to the Masters, can't you fight your own battles are you a weakling. You better hope you don't have to fight me in the trials, Kenobi because you will lose and then you won't be good enough to become Master Jinn's apprentice". He smirked. "Come-on" he screamed to his cohorts, and stormed off, with his followers tagging behind him.

Obi-wan waited until the bully had disappeared then he went to help Garen up. "What happened" he asked.

"I threw a container of water at Siri, she ducked and Malak was standing behind her." Garen smirked. "He lost his temper and charged me, knocking me down."

"Yeah the bully" Bant added. "I tried to push him off but one of his so called friends pushed me over, and the other one grabbed Siri".

"Why is he such a dork, he never does anything nice, you have to wonder if he will ever make it as a Jedi". Siri said helping her friend off the ground.

"Come on, lets go and get cleaned up, its nearly meal time."

"Boy Obi-wan is that all you think about, food?" Bant laughed.

"No but right now I am, and I am hungry, let's go" he added.

Later that day Obi-wan was walking down the hall from the library when Malak stepped from the arch way blocking Obi's path.

"Where are you going Kenobi, where are your body guards." He placed his hand on Obi-wan's shoulder stopping his progress down the hall.

"Leave me alone Malak find someone else to bother, I do not have time for your games" He grabbed Malak's hand pulling it off and went to step away.

Just then Master Jason came around the corner and Malak saw him before Obi-wan did and he screamed, as he twisted his own hand in Obi-wan's grip. "Ahhhrg! Help me he's trying to break my arm."

Obi was confused by the outcry until he felt Master Jason grab him and pull him away from Malak.

"What's going on here, what are you doing Initiate Kenobi?"

Before Obi-wan could answer, out of the archways emerged one of Malak's friends . "Master Jason we were going to the library when Obi-wan started taunting Malak. He pushed me in there, and then grabbed Malak's hand twisting it. We didn't do anything to him." the other boy said.

"What do you have to say about this initiate Kenobi" Master Jason demanded.

"Master Jason, it was him who was taunting me. I didn't know his friend was there. I tried to avoid Malak, but he would not let me leave, and he tried to grab me. I was just defending myself, Sir"

Master Jason thought about what was said. He knew Malak was a hot head and a bully, and no one had been able to make him see the error of his ways. He was heading down the path of Darkness., and he and his friends had been put on detention that many times, that the Council had almost decided to send the boys back to their home planet or to one of the military corps. The boys had been counselled about their behaviour, but to no avail, they were too arrogant for their own good. Master Jason had recommended scaring them into behaving but the Council felt that kind of tactic was too harsh.

Nevertheless, Master Jason had plans for Malak and decided that he would experiment with his tactic and see where it led. So when Master Jason spoke it was not what was expected.

"I am disappointed in you Initiate Kenobi, as it appeared to me that you were the aggressor, in this instant. Please return to the Dormitory and wait for me, I will be come to speak to you shortly."

"But Master I did nothing wrong" Obi sounded indignant at the accusation.

"Do you intend to add disrespect to your charge as well, Initiate Kenobi?"

"No Sir" Obi bowed and left Malak standing in the hall with a big smile on his face.

Malak and his friend were chuckling at their perceived cleverness, until the Master turned to glare at them. However, he only addressed Malak. "Young Malak your foolishness is apparent. You are heading for a fall and your time here is short. I suggest that if you wish to remain in this Temple and if you are hoping to become a Padawan. You will heed my warning and do not try to fool me again. I believe young Kenobi was right about you." Master Jason said.

Malak's mouth sagged open. "Why did you agree with me then Master Jason?" Malak asked in confusion.

"Because young Malak, I wanted to see that arrogant smirk wiped off your face, you have always been a bully, but sometimes bullies are the biggest cowards. I see potential in you and I may decide to take you as my apprentice, and if that day comes you will know the meaning of humility; I will not tolerate your arrogance and egotism. I need a challenge, and I will use any means at my disposal to make you into an obedient apprentice even if I have to train you from daylight to dark or beat it into you. You think you are so brave ganging up on one initiate, let's see how brave you are when you become my apprentice. Now both of you return to your dormitory, and another thing, I do not want to ever see you and your two friends in each others company again. Paulo I suggest you find another pastime, like studying plant growing, because that is where you will be going, you and your friend Tome. Because I will make sure that you end up growing plants if I ever see you three boys together." As Master Jason walked away he clipped Malak over the ear, "I think I will look forward to training you, now go" he snarled.

"What was that all about Malak?" Paulo asked as they walked back to the dorm "He gives me the creeps"

"Geese I don't know, however, I know one thing I do not want to be his apprentice, he makes my skin crawl" Malak stammered.

"I definitely don't like Master Jason" Paulo shook his head, "and I don't want to go to the Agri Corps ! I thought they would send us to the flying academy if we weren't chosen, can he do that, can he send us to the agri-corps?" Paulo asked.

"He is a Master, I suppose he can. I certainly do not want to find out." Malak answered his friend.

"What are we going to do then?" Paulo stammered.

"Well for starters, keep clear of Kenobi and Master Jason" he stated. "And you better tell Tome, that we won't be hanging around together." Malak said.

Master Jason chuckled, as he watched the retreating forms of Malak and Paulo, and he mused to himself (I better go find Obi-wan and convince him of my ruse, I want Kenobi to feel comfortable around Malak. I have plans for both boys, and that boy Malak, he will suit my needs just fine.)

tbc...