Chapter II - The Tournament

The arena where the tournament was going to be held was filled with excited voices from the different species residing in the Temple. One by one, the seats were occupied by the Padawans, Knights and Masters as well as the members of the Council as they anticipated the commencement of the Tournament. Young Obi-Wan silently made his way towards the event, his shoulders tensed and his hands clammy. He felt something was going to happen, but he was too distracted with the chaos to even pin-point what it was. He remained at the threshold as he swallowed his saliva and looked through the glass of the door. "More packed than the last time…" his thoughts were broken by a familiar solid tapping of stick on the floor. The boy grinned without looking, knowing full well who it was.

As he turned, he wore his serious face and approached the tiniest, but grandest Master in the Order. "Master." He bowed and kneeled before the aged teacher. "Worried you are, hmm?" Yoda asked as he leaned on his gimmer stick. "See through you, I can." He added nodding before Obi-Wan could even argue. There was really no point lying to the master. "Known you, since you were little. Lie to me, you cannot." Obi-Wan bowed his head in defeat and inhaled slowly as he chose his next words carefully. "I'm scared of the future, master. I…don't know what's going to happen to me. My time is running out." Obi-Wan babbled.

"Ah. Scared to not have a master, you do hmm?" Obi-Wan's eyes shifted from the Master to the floor embarrassed. He knew that Yoda has a way of telling things point blank. "Destined you are to become a Knight. Worry, you should not." Yoda said as he searched the eyes of the student he has grown to admire and care for. Obi-Wan looked at the wizened Master and basked himself in the confidence that Yoda was showing. "Worry about the present, you should. Live in the moment, you must." The green master's ears twitched as he turned around and wobbled towards another door that will bring him to the upper level of the arena.

"Feel…don't think." Obi-Wan murmured to himself as he watched his green friend go. "Feel. Don't think. Open up to the Force, and the Force will guide you." He said to himself in a whisper remembering the wise words of Yoda as he approached the door that will lead him to the main floor. "Let the Force guide you, Kenobi." With those words said, the young jedi pushed the door in front of him and welcomed the chaos that greeted him.

"Qui-Gon Jinn! I want you to join me and watch the tournament. It's a command, not a request." Tahl said as she almost dragged the giant master towards the arena. "I am not going to that place, and I'd rather be in the confines of a beautiful and peaceful meditation garden while everyone is watching. Thank you, but your command is denied." Qui-Gon said calmly as he turned and made his way towards the meditation area that was closed off to students. Tahl watched her friend for a moment and followed his wake. "Aren't you tired of being alone? Aren't you tired of always being hunted by that son of a Sith?" Tahl bit her lower lip as she paused in her tracks and watched Qui-Gon's shoulders drop.

"Tahl…"

"I'm so sorry, Qui…I just…"

Qui-Gon turned to fully face Tahl and gave her a weak smile. "I cared for the boy like my own, Tahl. It's not easy to let go."

"But you have to. He will kill you slowly if you don't."

"I know."

"And it's okay with you? Well, it isn't for me…or for Yoda or Mace. Qui…you have to stop this act." Tahl said as she approached the tall master. "We care for you Qui. And we don't like to see you like this." She said as she touched the man's arm. "There are a handful of hopefuls in there and one of them needs you. Leave a legacy…" Tahl added as she searched Qui-Gon's beautiful eyes. "What legacy? I'm done, Tahl…" Qui-Gon shook his head and leaned against the durasteel wall. "Feemor…your first apprentice. Sure, he may be a mediocre jedi knight, but his skills are as good as yours! Forget Xan-…forget him, Qui. Move on." Qui-Gon crossed his arms and leaned his head against the wall as he opened his frustration to the Force. He was grateful to have that kind of conversation with a good friend, but somehow Tahl can be such a nagger, it irritates him.

Just as he opened himself to the Force, he felt his insides churn as a wave of panic and dismay filled him. Tahl saw his body shift and she immediately checked on him. "Is everything all right? What is it?" Qui-Gon gestured her to keep silent and strained himself to reach out to the emotion. "Did you feel that?" he asked. "I…don't feel anything, Qui. But you are worrying me." Tahl answered.

Qui-Gon got his back off the wall and started to head for the arena. Tahl's brows furrowed as she followed her stubborn friend. "You said, you were going to meditate…the garden is that way." She said as she lightly jogged to keep up with Qui-Gon's stride. The taller jedi did not even think twice and silently opened the door to the arena. The two masters were welcomed with the sound of clashing blue and yellow sabers wielded by two older initiates. The one holding the blue saber had a slight panicked look on his face while the other one was gloating. Tahl looked from the sparring initiates to Qui-Gon who was now intensely watching the match. The female jedi master grinned and kept silent.

"This is not going too well." Obi-Wan thought as he watched Bruck Chun circle him triumphantly. Obi-Wan just needed one more strike to be declared champion and he knew too well that Bruck won't let that happen. Due to his own carelessness he was now limping and was having a hard time to focus. He commanded himself to call on the Force, but the sensation of being watched by at least a thousand jedi was keeping him from doing what he was supposed to do. "I'd be dead if this wasn't a 'friendly' bout."

"Feel, young one. Don't think." The words echoed in Obi-Wan's mind, spoken by a voice he didn't recognize. If Bruck did not spend his time gloating, he would have seen Obi-Wan's defences go down for a millisecond. Distracted, Obi-Wan gripped his lightsaber tighter as he searched the voice. "Focus on the task at hand. Forget about those who are watching. It's just you and your opponent." At that point, Obi-Wan wanted to question the voice but he knew that it was the right thing to do. He mustered all of his energy to concentrate on his situation and forced his mind to isolate just himself and Bruck.

With Obi-Wan's newfound focus, his opponent's next strike was easily blocked by the boy, as he saw it before it even happened. Obi-Wan felt the surge of confidence course through him and he used it to deliver a few more parry and hits. "That's it. Treat the match as if you were in meditation. Open up to the Force." Obi-Wan's insides did a funny lurch as the sensation of familiarization ran in his veins. "How in the galaxy…?" before he could even ask how it was possible to hear thoughts from someone he barely knew, Bruck delivered a series of hits that drove Obi-Wan backwards. "Trust the Force, young one. That's all you need." Obi-Wan inhaled and exhaled as he watched Bruck lick his lower lip menacingly. "Force, I'm tired!" Obi-Wan screamed inside his head as he tried to supress the fatigue he felt. His arms were shaking from all the attacks, and his dominant leg was now sprained…and useless.

"Drain your opponent's Force reserves. Utilize the Makashi form. Use it to regain your strength." As soon as he heard the next instruction, the boy was able to form a plan. Without being told twice, Obi-Wan stepped backwards and released one of his hands on his saber hilt. He inhaled and exhaled slowly commanding his body to relax as he brought down his ignited lightsaber to his side—completely shifting his form from his preferred Soresu, to the opening stance of the Makashi.

Obi-Wan allowed himself to fully open up to the Force as Bruck delivered fatal strikes on him. Obi-Wan 'danced' a graceful dance of Makashi as he parried his opponent's saber with one hand. He used the opportunity to enrage and drain out Bruck, while he charged his reserves. "I only need a few standard seconds…and then-" Obi-Wan thought to himself. He watched as Bruck started to breathe in and out violently…and waited further until his opponent's moves became sloppy.

Soon enough, Obi-Wan saw what he was waiting for and aggressively shifted his form to Ataru. With a grunt, he flipped, somersaulted and delivered a series of cuts and blows on his opponent. In one final, elegant sweep from Obi-Wan, the gong was hit as soon as his saber was just a few inches away from Bruck's neck.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was declared Champion.

Obi-Wan bowed to Bruck who gave him a death glare as soon as the match ended. Thundering applause and shouts were heard, and the insecure Initiate ducked his head as he quickly made his way towards the freshers.

Qui-Gon watched the boy he met a few hours ago at the towers head towards the other side of the arena, completely unaware that Tahl was watching him with great interest. As soon as he met her gaze, Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, I'm not taking him." Qui-Gon said deadpan and exited the arena, leaving an upset Tahl behind.

"You stubborn oaf."

"I heard that."

The two masters left the arena in a haste, trying to avoid the onslaught of the still excited audience. Qui-Gon, without saying anything went ahead towards the meditation area and motioned Tahl to follow him. "Tahl, is it possible to hear someone's thoughts?" he asked as soon as Tahl was beside him. "What kind of question is that? Of course you can share the same thoughts with someone close to you, say your own apprentice." She replied knowingly. "Qui, did you hit your head again? That question was a no brainer…and it is appalling to hear it from a renowned Jedi Master such as you." She added smirking.

Qui-Gon looked away with a frown and moved further inside the meditation garden in deep thought. "The boy can hear my thoughts. How is that possible?" he said and faced Tahl. "That boy won because you were giving instructions? That was cheating!" Tahl replied. "How can that be cheating if I don't know who that boy was and vice versa? And I can swear that we don't share a bond. Care to explain that?" Qui-Gon replied coolly as he crossed his arms across his chest. "Coincidence." Tahl replied with a shrug. "Now that…is a disturbing analysis from someone like you." Qui-Gon replied and sat on one of the boulders. "I met the boy earlier in the towers…something tells me that I know him…that I met him somewhere…" he said as he stared on the ground. "The search would be easier if you can remember exactly when you met this boy before…" Tahl replied.

Master Khole, the recently retired Battlemaster came in to view and saw the two other masters talking. "Ah! There you are, Qui-Gon. Hello, Tahl. It's been a while." He said as he entered the garden. Qui-Gon stood up and he and Tahl bowed to the elder Master. "It is good to see the both of you still in tip-top shape! Where did those years go, eh? You were still little children when I started training the two of you…and look at you now! All grown up and fights better than their old Battlemaster." Master Khole rested his hand on Qui-Gon's arm as he reminisced his teaching days with them. "All thanks to you, Master." Qui-Gon replied as he smiled at his old teacher. "The four of you were the promising ones in my opinion. And I am right all along. Mace is now a councillor, Cin is now the new Battlemaster, Tahl the head archivist…and I'm telling you, this woman's brain is sharper than our lightsabers! And you, Qui-Gon…one of the most remarkable swordsmen I have trained." Master Khole beamed at them.

Tahl's ComLink went off and Jocasta Nu's voice was heard. Tahl excused herself, bowed at her old Battlemaster and went for the Archives.

"Qui-Gon…I know you have heard this a thousand times already. But are you really sure about not getting a new student? Teaching is a privilege, my friend." Khole said as he gestured Qui-Gon to sit. "I have failed, Master." "Ah, but you only failed one student. I have taught hundreds of Jedis, Qui-Gon…only a handful succeeded, the others were okay…and some Turned. I did not give up. I did not lose hope for those who wanted to learn." Khole said gently. Qui-Gon gave him a weak smile and nodded. "I am sorry for my insensitivity, Master…" "I understand, Qui-Gon. It is different to teach a Padawan, but being a Master doesn't stop when a Padawan is knighted…or Turn." Khole explained.

"That boy is exceptional. He fought without a trace of Darkness in him. He wasn't fighting his opponent…he was fighting his own weakness." Khole clasped both of his hands in front of him as he reminisced the match he witnessed earlier. "Is he one of your students, Master?" Qui-Gon asked. "He is one of my last students before I turned over the Lightsaber class to Cin. Young Kenobi is a promising one, and I hate to see that talent go to waste." Khole said. "Master, are you asking me to take him?" Qui-Gon asked. "I want you to train him Qui-Gon. But if you are unsure, then I won't force you." The old Battlemaster replied. Qui-Gon didn't waste another second to answer.

"No, Master. I won't train the boy." With Qui-Gon's answer, Khole briefly frowned and nodded. "Very well then. I will train him." Khole patted his old student's knee, got up and went out to search for Obi-Wan, leaving a confused and surprised Qui-Gon behind.

"Kenobi…Kenobi. Why is that name familiar?"

A/N: Nope, stubborn Qui-Gon's not taking Obi-Wan. :(

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