AN: Now the third chapter! I hope you enjoy this as well, I am completely blown by the response I receive for this, so I guess I'll simply update daily.

Disclaimer: I still do not own Star Wars... maybe in an alternate universe ;)

Chapter 3

32 BBY – Naboo

Of Devastating Endings

"No!" Obi-Wan's anguished scream echoed through the room and seemed to bring the Sith-warrior personal pleasure.

His eyes fixed on Obi-Wan as he stepped over the fallen body of Qui-Gon Jinn. His lips pulled back, revealing a predatory grin and yellow teeth.

The Padawan looked at his master. He was lying there, still and unmoving and through the bond, he could feel his life force seep away.

The laser walls opened again and Obi-Wan tried hard to center himself before he stepped forward. The room was too small for his tastes, the melting pit limiting his space to maneuver. It was what had made Qui-Gon loose this one. Should he get out of this alive, he would study a lightsaber-form that took less space, Obi-Wan promised himself.

He channeled more energy into his movements as the sabers clashed. It had begun.

Obi-Wan had been prepared for a confrontation between the Jedi and the Sith, but he had not been prepared for losing his master. He was aware of the danger he was just tip-toeing around. On the edge of his consciousness he felt the negative emotions. He knew anger and he knew fear. All of a sudden, he was close to drawing on a different strength, one that should be forbidden to a Jedi.

Panic swept his mind and he desperately searched for something to anchor himself with. Usually, should he ever feel this unstable, he would delve into the soft and gentle goodness his master represented. But his master was now full of pain. Opening the bond would only distract him and he knew that the Sith was only waiting for a falter in his steps.

Ani!, he called out. He was rewarded with a curious prodding from the boy. Sensitive as he was, Anakin immediately picked up the struggle that seemed to consume his friend.

Obi-Wan, what's wrong? Through the still unstable bond, he saw images of the black and red face that sneered at Obi-Wan over the body of his injured master. Grief surged through him.

Ani, help me, I am lost. Obi-Wan's voice was weak and devastated.

The light. Obi-Wan was searching for the light. Anakin was confused, how he could influence the situation as he steered the small starfighter away from the exploded Separatists' ship. He was already anticipating the moment he could tell Obi-Wan about his adventure, he thought absently. Their new bond was still open and therefore, Obi-Wan felt Anakin's childish excitement at his achievement. And it pulled him away from the darkness.

Anakin was back on track now and had noticed how his friend fed on his positive emotions. He concentrated hard on the good things he could feel and then pushed them down to the planet.

Obi-Wan's resolve was strengthened by simple and honest love he experienced. Anakin loved as unconditionally as only children were able to. His mother, his friends and even Qui-Gon. And most of all - the fact staggered the padawan - he loved Obi-Wan. In mere days, they had tied a bond that could rival the strongest Jedi bonds. He loved Obi-Wan and he trusted him to protect him, to stay with him and first and foremost, to remain in the light.

And with the force of a hurricane, the conflict was blown from Obi-Wan's heart. Deep, serene peace ruled once more and the Sith did not stand a chance against a Jedi, truly committed to the light side, giving himself up to the Force and being flooded by waves of energy.

The dark being fell to his death, a blue lightsaber still stuck in its chest and Obi-Wan ran to Qui-Gon. Carefully he pulled his master's head in his lap and caressed the face that had watched over him for years, not even thinking about the loss of his weapon.

"Qui-Gon.", he called softly and the Jedi's eyes opened.

"Obi-Wan, it's … too late." It was the fact that the padawan was in tune with the Force so much that he did not disagree. He felt the life leave his master's body, the Force calling its servant home. But even the understanding did not stop the bitter tears from falling.

"Master, I need to thank you. For your patience and guidance." He wanted to continue, but Qui-Gon interrupted him, aware that the time left was measured. In his last moments, he needed to make amends.

"I'm … so sorry... I should … have been … a … better master for you." He fought for every word against the waiting unconsciousness. "You are … a great Jedi, … a good man. I'm … proud, … my ... son.", he concluded.

Obi-Wan brushed away the shields around both their minds and for the last time their bond flared to life. The Jedi master felt no fear as he departed from this world, because of the love and trust and caring that flooded his entire being. He sent the silent reassurance back and held his son's eyes for another second. Then, they glazed over and stared unseeingly in the distance.

Obi-Wan closed his father's eyes gently.

Anakin was not sure, what to expect as he landed his starfighter and powered down the engine. He was instantly crowded by the other pilots, congratulating and thanking him.

But even though he was still slightly giddy with adrenaline and proud of his success, he didn't get carried away. First, it didn't seem like a Jedi-like thing to do and second, he knew that Obi-Wan needed him.

He carefully felt around with the bond and found a muted presence at the other side of the room, hidden in the shadows. Determined, he pulled away from the crowd and ran towards the figure, once again clad in brown robes.

Obi-Wan went to his knees as Anakin came barreling towards him and the two connected in a fierce embrace. Dull grief still echoed through the bond and Anakin didn't need to question, what had happened.

"I'm sorry, Ani.", Obi-Wan spoke nevertheless. "I was too late."

"It's not your fault.", the boy whispered softly. He knew it to be true, there was no guilt in Obi-Wan, only his self-induced belief to be responsible for everyone's actions.

"Thank you." Exhaustion caught up with both of them, but Obi-Wan gathered the Force around them and got up, Anakin safely in his arms, already drifting off into dreamland.

They met Padmé on their way to the throne room. She had troubled eyes, but her body language showed how much she relished in the fact that her planet was free.

"Your majesty. I congratulate you on a plan well executed." Even with a nine-year-old in his arms, Obi-Wan managed a bow.

"Thank you, Master Jedi." She paused. "I am so sorry for your loss, Obi-Wan." Her voice was gentle and she spoke to him as a friend. "Is there anything I can do?", she finally asked, her hand coming to rest on his arm.

"We will need a place to stay, I will have to inform the council and the funeral needs to be arranged." Obi-Wan still grieved, but the Force helped him to pull through in this moment.

She nodded and took a step back to speak to a handmaiden that had been following her. The girl nodded and then left to make arrangements.

"Jamé will ready your quarters, you will of course remain in the palace. I will take you to my private office, where you can make your calls and then we will discuss everything else."

"Thank you, milady. I understand that you must be very busy now." He followed her down the hallway, Anakin had fallen asleep.

When they arrived in the office, all the way talking softly, he put the sleeping boy on one of the soft sofas and headed to the comm unit, while Padmé busied herself at the vast desk. His request to speak with the council was answered immediately and he sighed in relief that he did not have to wait for a long time.

"I will connect you now, Padawan Kenobi.", the secretary said after a brief pause.

Seconds later the holo projector showed him the life-sized images of all twelve council members. He bowed low and then looked straight ahead.

"My Masters, I am pleased to inform you that the blockade on Naboo is now ended. The Separatists' leaders have been taken into custody and their droid army is disabled. I will compose a detailed report soon." He spoke with confidence, years of training and practice paid off.

"Happy to hear that, we are.", Yoda said and several others nodded.

"Unfortunately, I have to tell you that Master Qui-Gon Jinn has been injured fatally in the fight with the Sith. The Sith is dead.", he added on an afterthought. Silence fell over the council and several were unable to hide their sadness upon this news. Yoda's ears fell slightly.

"We are truly grief-stricken, Padwan Kenobi. Please accept my deepest regrets for your loss." Obi-Wan found the eyes of Mace Windu, their own sorrow plainly visible.

"Thank you, Master. But it is not only my loss, I'm sorry for yours as well." It was so very genuine that Mace could only marvel at the compassionate young man. He nodded mutely.

"A sad day for the order, this is." They remained silent for another minute and then Obi-Wan picked up the conversation once more.

"If the council agrees, I will arrange the funeral here on Naboo. Her majesty, Queen Amidala has already said that the people of Naboo would like to honor their hero." The words tasted like ashes on his tongue, but it was simply because some part of him still struggled against the thought of burying his master.

"Agree, we do. Make our way to Naboo straight away, we will. Sure I am, that many will come. Missed Qui-Gon will be." Yoda spoke these words with soft conviction and Obi-Wan felt his throat constrict. Tears threatened to spill and he had to reign his feelings in.

"Yes, he will.", he agreed tonelessly, his head bowed.

"How is young Skywalker?", Mace asked after a while. A smile stole its way to Obi-Wan's face.

"Exhausted. He played a crucial part in ending the blockade. It was him, who destroyed the droid control ship. At the moment, he is sleeping. The news of Qui-Gon's … ", he paused and gathered the courage. " passing have hit him hard as well." He remained in thought for a moment. "I think, after learning of his performance in space, Anakin has to be trained. Leaving his potential might possibly endanger him." His eyes fell upon the sleeping boy for a second and his eyes softened slightly. A fact that had not been overlooked by the council.

"Very well, Padawan Kenobi. We will discuss this more as soon as we arrive. We will leave in three hours, please schedule the funeral accordingly."

Obi-Wan nodded and bowed to the masters.

"May the Force be with you.", he said as he the conversation ended.

"And with you, Padawan Kenobi.", Mace added shortly before the blue image of the young man vanished from the middle of the chamber. Everyone used the momentary silence to gather their thoughts.

"He has changed.", Ki Adi Mundi said, breaking the quiet. "This was not the man, who stood here a few days ago." Mace nodded. He had seen it too.

"I am curious to hear his full report.", he agreed.

"He said the Sith is dead. There was not a shadow of a doubt in his eyes. So the Sith have returned." The Jedi were aware that the future was now darkening quickly.

"But young Obi-Wan, destroyed the warrior he has. Hope there is." Yoda was unwilling to let them all sink into even deeper depression. As soon as they would give in to their fear, everything would be lost.

"You think Padawan Kenobi ..?" Mundi looked slightly disbelieving and he was not the only one. Yarael Poof couldn't help but nod ever so slightly.

But Mace was more than convinced.

"Of course. Didn't you see how he almost failed to mention the victory? Had Qui-Gon bested the Sith, Padawan Kenobi would have made sure to inform us of his deed. He himself though, is much too humble." And also, the Force was telling him that it was true.

"What will happen to him?", Adi Gallia asked softly. "He no longer has a master, but he was not officially recommended for the trials by Master Jinn." They all remembered the awful scene, when Qui-Gon had demanded that Obi-Wan would take his trials right away, so he could make space for Anakin. No one was eager to understand that as a recommendation.

"We might have no other choice, but to assign him a new master.", Even Piell offered.

"No!", Yoda protested. "Ready young Kenobi was for a long time. Too blind, we all were to see it. Knighted he will be."

"Without taking the trials?"

"Trials he has taken." Yaddle's soft voice reigned them all in. "Think of anything more trying, can you, than what experienced he has?" Silence had fallen once again, but some of the masters looked ready to argue that no one actually knew what Obi-Wan had experienced.

"Hmph, no longer speak of this we will.", Yoda decided. "Prepare for the journey we will. Included young Kenobi will be in this discussion."

His word was final and everyone made to leave the chamber to organize their departure.

AN: And I let Qui-Gon die... oh, dear, this continues to upset me... But it is more or less crucial for the next chapter, so ... sorry.

Here we had a lot of discussion, I also wanted to include the council's view on the whole matter. I hope that didn't bore you.

See you tomorrow, hopefully.

Love Cold Moon