Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Special thanks to my great beta Sentrosi! This story is really fun to write with all your lovely feedback and support! Again, review replies can be found on my profile page.
Did that fool die to save you?
That had been Master Dooku's first reaction when he had spoken to Obi-Wan after the battle on Naboo. The words had been accusing, stating clearly that Dooku thought Obi-Wan was worthless and Qui-Gon should not have wasted his life for someone like Obi-Wan.
Meanwhile, things had calmed down and Master Dooku was not making anymore accusations. Not directly, anyway. Obi-Wan could still recognise the silent accusation in his eyes when Dooku looked at him. But Obi-Wan understood. He knew Master Dooku and Master Jinn had been very close friends even though they had had arguments quite often. Master Dooku was hurt by his former Padawan's death and he wanted to blame someone for it.
Now was the third day in a row that Obi-Wan was heard by the whole Council. He had retold the events from Naboo so often that he thought the Jedi Council members knew already more about what had happened than he did. It was torture, reliving Qui-Gon's death again and again. Or the horrible fight against the dark creature, who, according to the Council's conclusion, had been a Sith. Obi-Wan was sincere and did not conceal anything. But he was thoroughly exhausted by answering the same questions again and again.
"So you wanted to take revenge on the Sith for killing Qui-Gon?" Master Windu asked him sternly.
"Yes, I think so. As I said, I can't remember every conscious thought I had during the fight, but I think I felt the urge to make him pay for it."
"Did you fight like that? When you finally fought the Sith alone, did you fight with the will to take revenge?" Master Windu prodded.
"Yes, I did," Obi-Wan confirmed it for the umpteenth time.
Mace Windu and Master Yoda exchanged a dark glance. "There's the dark side in him," Master Windu said grimly.
"Hm, yes, yes, of course," Yoda murmured. He scrutinised Obi-Wan thoroughly. "Helped you to win, the dark side did?"
"Well, it made me stronger," Obi-Wan said honestly. "I could fight better than ever before. But I still wasn't strong enough to win against the Sith."
Yoda cackled. "Yes, yes, dark side there is in you. But not enough dark side to defeat a Sith."
Master Windu shot Master Yoda an annoyed glance. "I'd be very worried, indeed, if there was enough darkness in him to defeat a Sith Lord."
Obi-Wan understood: This was no longer about the exact reconstruction of the events on Naboo because they wanted to find out about Qui-Gon's death and the Sith. It was a disagreement between Master Yoda and Master Windu. It was all about a disagreement concerning the dark side in Obi-Wan.
Yoda turned his attention to Obi-Wan again. "To defeat a Sith, the darkness in you strong enough is not. Hmm. So what else you can do in order to fight a Sith?"
"I must trust in the Force, Master," Obi-Wan replied dutifully. "I should rely on the light side."
Yoda nodded slowly. "Yes... Rely on your strengths, you must, young Obi-Wan. Darkness there is in you, yes, but only a small amount of weak darkness. The light, much stronger it is in you than the darkness. Strong enough to defeat a Sith it is? Know this, I do not. But stronger it is in you, and trust in this you must. Hmm. What you do with a wound to make it heal? Stab in it anew with a knife or put a bacta patch on it?"
"Um, put a bacta patch on it, Master," Obi-Wan said uncertainly.
"Ah!" Grinning in satisfaction, Master Yoda leant back in his chair. "Very clever Padawan Kenobi is, is he not?"
Master Windu looked darkly at Yoda as if he wanted to say, I'd be very, very worried, indeed, if he stabbed in a wound with a knife in order to make it heal and if he did not know he must use a bacta patch.
"Decided it is," Master Yoda declared confidently. "Meditate on this, you will, Padawan Kenobi. This meeting over is. Send Padawan Skywalker here. Knight him, we will."
"Yes." Obi-Wan bowed. "May the Force be with you, Masters."
ooooooo
Everything had gone according to plan. Darth Maul had proven pretty useful. Newly elected Chancellor Palpatine was content with the current situation. Maul was dead, Jinn was dead, Kenobi had shown traits of the dark side and Skywalker was now an orphan, hopefully unstable because of his Master's death. Palpatine was confident he had found Skywalker's sore spot. Now, Darth Sidious needed a new apprentice. And when he had him, the Clone Wars could begin.
Soon.
Very soon.
ooooooo
There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.
Anakin stood in the middle of the Council Chamber. He felt lost, lonely and vulnerable, exposed to the Master's scrutinising glances. He was like an open wound. He had been robbed of his previous life and now he faced an uncertain future.
There is no emotion; there is peace.
Yes, Anakin felt peace but peace did not equate to happiness. Peace could not prevent you from feeling sad. He was cold inside. Now he understood why the Jedi Code forbade attachment. He had had an attachment to Qui-Gon and it had hurt him too much. It had made him do things a Jedi should never do, should never feel. Now, he had hardened his heart. He would not make the same mistake again. He was a Jedi Knight now and he would be strong. He was strong. Strong and calm and utterly at peace.
"Kneel down, Padawan Skywalker," Mace Windu told him solemnly.
Anakin knelt down in front of him. He remembered how he and Obi-Wan had had fun fighting each other in the water – just a few days ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Life had been so easy then.
A Jedi did not live in the past. Anakin let go of everything when Master Windu cut off his braid and thus severed the last link to his previous life. Anakin had often imagined this day, the day of his knighting. When he had pictured it, it had never been Mace Windu who had cut off his braid. No, it had been Qui-Gon of course.
Master Windu took Anakin's hand and pulled him on his feet again. "Welcome in the Jedi Order, Knight Skywalker."
In Anakin's imagination it had been Qui-Gon who had said these words. There had been a trace of moisture in his eyes and a proud smile on his face. After the ceremony, he had told Anakin what a great Padawan he had been, and Anakin had thanked him ebulliently for the great time they had had together, and they had agreed to go on missions together again from time to time.
Now, Anakin moved on. He bowed to the Masters and recited the traditional words. "I thank you for this honour to be a full member of the Jedi Order. I will follow its rules and traditions, honour the Jedi Code and help guard peace and justice in the Republic. I devote my life to the Force for now and forever."
Master Windu nodded appreciatively at him. "May the Force be with you, may it guide and support you on your way, Knight Skywalker."
Anakin bowed again. "May the Force be with you, Masters."
There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is n ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.
Knight Skywalker went on. The Force was with him. And he would not look back. Never look back.
ooooooo
About thirty Jedi had gathered in a circle around the funeral pyre. Most of the Council members and friends of the deceased Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn were present. There were also some Gungan, Queen Amidala from Naboo and newly elected Chancellor Palpatine. Dooku had not come. Mace Windu knew how much the old Master had cared for his former Padawan and he was someone who preferred to be alone with his grief. Dooku did not let people get close to him. But Qui-Gon had been close to him. Maybe he was the only person ever. And that was why Qui-Gon's death had shaken Master Dooku so much. Yes, Mace had heard him say some really rude things to Padawan Kenobi. Mace had tried to talk to Dooku but he had refused to talk to anyone. Hurt… Qui-Gon's death had left so many people hurting… Mace knew he should not feel it but he did. He grieved for his dead friend. He missed Qui-Gon's optimistic and individualistic nature. Who would now cheer the grim Jedi Master Windu up? Mace Windu stared intensely into the flickering light of the torch, with which Knight Skywalker set the pyre to fire. As Qui-Gon's Padawan, this honour was entitled to him. The young Jedi Knight's hand that held the torch was steady and his demeanour was calm. His lips did not quiver and he did not avoid looking at Qui-Gon's corpse. The pyre erupted into flames. Knight Skywalker bowed and said in a calm voice, "May the Force be with you." Putting his hood on, he stepped back into the rows of the other Jedi. When he watched this young man's strength, Mace felt a sudden rush of affection. I will look after him for you, my old friend, he made a silent promise to the burning body on the pyre. I will make sure he is alright. Mace blinked a tear away and hid his face deep within his hood.
ooooooo
Several months later, the Clone Wars had begun.
Author's Note: So now there will be the Clone Wars! And it's going to get dark and angsty, hehe ;-)
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