***Chapter 24***

"Master, won't Tahl be upset when she finds you gone? You should be resting until the funeral."

"It's been three days, Obi-Wan. I can handle a little walk through the palace."

They pause momentarily as Master Yoda comes from the opposite direction. The three Jedi bow to each other. Yoda stares up at Obi-Wan for a moment and then shakes his head as he walks away.

"What is that about?" Qui-Gon asks.

Obi-Wan does his best to suppress a smile. "Master Yoda believes I'm becoming too much like you."

Qui-Gon looks at him questioningly.

"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you. Need that you do not." Obi-Wan says in his best Yoda voice.

Qui-Gon chuckles lightly. "And just how were you defying him?"

"I told Master Yoda that I would train Anakin, even without the Council's approval. I made you a promise, Master. I wasn't about to back out just because Yoda didn't agree."

"I wish I had been there to see that conversation," Qui-Gon laughs. "You never cease to amaze me, Obi-Wan."

The Theed funeral temple is filled with the Jedi, Anakin, R2, Naboo leaders, and Gungan officials. Many Gungan and Naboo citizens fill the outside of the Temple as well, to pay respects to the fallen Jedi Master.

Lexi stands in the center of the group. Qui-Gon is behind her and rests his left hand on her shoulder for comfort and support. Tahl stands to her left, her arm wrapped around Lexi's, and Obi-Wan holds her right hand.

The funeral pyre is lit and 'Oru's body begins to be enveloped by the fire. R2 lets out a sad whistle. Lexi swallows hard, but holds back the tears. Obi-Wan gently squeezes her hand, sending comfort to her through the Force bond they share.

Obi-Wan turns his head toward Anakin, who is standing to his right. He can feel anxiety from the boy.

"What will happen to me now?" Anakin asks. He hadn't heard anything from the Council after his second testing. If he wasn't going to be trained, where would he go?

"The Council have granted me permission to train you," Obi-Wan replies. "You will be a Jedi. I promise."

Anakin sighs softly, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. He is thankful that he will be trained, but not so sure about having Obi-Wan as his master.

What about Qui-Gon? I thought he would train me.

Off to the side Mace Windu talks with Yoda.

"There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Sith."

"Umm, always two there are. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice."

"But which was destroyed…the master or the apprentice?"

As the fire slowly burns out, a pack of snowy white doves is released into the sunset. Slowly everyone makes their way back to the palace.

Early the next morning the Jedi are requested in the throne room. Padmé sits on the throne, shock and fear evident on her face.

"What is it, your Highness?" Qui-Gon asks with concern.

A palace maintenance worker walks over to the Jedi Master. "We found this in the melting pit," he says, offering Obi-Wan's damaged lightsaber.

The Jedi exchange puzzled looks.

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan speaks up, "But I don't understand how, or why, you retrieved my lightsaber from a melting pit."

"We were getting strange fluctuations in the temperature coming from the pit," the worker answers. "So we went down one of the maintenance access tunnels to investigate and figure out the source of the problem."

"And your findings?" Mace Windu inquires.

"A maintenance door had been…melted open. We found the lightsaber just inside on a maintenance ledge.

Captain Panaka speaks what everyone in the room is thinking, "That…thing is still out there somewhere."

"You failed me," the hologram of Sidious growls.

"It won't happen again, my Master," Darth Maul fumes as he stands in his Master's hideaway on Coruscant. "I will have revenge on the Jedi Kenobi. I will make him suffer and then I will destroy him!"

"Good, my apprentice. Let the anger consume you."

"I will kill those he cares for first…one by one." Maul runs his hand along the gash made by Obi-Wan's saber. The wound burns and fuels his anger even more. Had the Jedi been even a millimeter closer…Kenobi will pay for this humiliation!

"Just do not touch his apprentice…the boy may be of use to us later," Sidious orders.

Maul's hands ball into fists, but he bows his head slightly in submission. "Yes, my Master."