A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away...
Obi-wan, a young adept Jedi learner who was quickly gaining the admiration of his peers due to his remarkable skill and knowledge in the ways of the Force.
The Jedi were very powerful Force-Wielders who were entrusted by the Galactic Republic to be the guardians of peace and order throughout the cosmos. They defend and protect sapient life, never attack. The order consisted of polymaths; teachers, philosophers, scientists, engineers, and warriors...
Jedi master Qui-Gon-Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi are extraordinary warriors of the Jedi order. Qui-Gon has been teaching Obi-wan since he turned thirteen. He had anticipated Obi-wan would turn out to become a great Jedi so he had agreed to teach him under the request of an old friend.
Twelve years have passed since Qui-Gon had taken on the mentor role. And precisely as he hoped Obi-wan was just as, if not a greater warrior than he could have anticipated.
Recently a threat has been detected on the planet of Dathomir in the Quelli sector. The Jedi Order has sent Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to investigate this disturbance in the force and to report back what they find...
Dathomir 50 BBY
(Obi-Wan)
A dark blanket, contrasting with blacks and yellows, and the occasional white, which is shaped as a circle and sometimes a crescent. There are stars which dot the blanket in a intricate pattern.
This is the Galaxy.
"Master, we have arrived."
There were no windows in our shuttle. Only--one, two--five seats; four lined up on the long side of the rectangular prism and one sitting opposite. The first noticeable thing was the utter lack of motion. It did not feel like any sort of future tech, it felt like the back of a small vessel. It was barren, smooth, it appeared as dirt brown walls in the lack of light, with sharp corners at the vertexes.
He had been meditating since we started the journey here, he looked up to me without opening his eyes, "Obi-Wan you can feel it too can't you."
I was confused...feel what? I don't feel a thing-
Suddenly something powerful had interrupted my train of thought. It was a strong wave of the force pulsating from off the planet of Dathomir.
"Master," I said at a loss of words, not knowing where the strong sensation I felt originated from.
"I Know." He said, still not moving from his meditation circle. At this point, his lack of response was starting to make me feel anxious.
"I've not felt something as powerful in the force as this..." He trailed off not finishing his sentence as if he could not find the right words.
"Master is this the disturbance that Master Yoda felt." I already knew the answer to my own question.
"I believe so Obi-Wan, but something like this coming off of a desolate planet like Dathomir...it is quite peculiar."
He then stood up and pointed directly at me.
"Listen to me very carefully Obi-Wan, This planet is nothing but death and carnage. The night sisters are witches who use their magic for unholy acts of violence, and the Nightbrothers are savages who can only understand strength. We must be on our guard at all times."
I glanced over to him, then to the planet now appearing into view through the front window.
"But Master if what you say is true, and the powerful wave in the force that comes from this planet of demons and enchantresses, then who among them is the wielder of such immense strength in the force."
He then walked up to the window hands stationed behind his back.
"That my young apprentice is yet to be discovered."
As the shuttle began to descend upon the rocky planet I started to take in my surroundings.
The skies are a blood-red color. The ground a faded orange with mist rolling off the soil. Bones littered across as far as the eye can see. The landscape deeply shadowed making overland navigation nearly impossible.
I looked over to my master with an unsettled expression.
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
He smiled, as he began to land the shuttle in a well-hidden area thanks to the overrun twisted vegetation.
The cargo door opened revealing a surprisingly cold climate. As we walked out the breeze howled out across the sky. The air on that planet had a red swirl, as if bright inks were dropped into a current with precision. On my skin it felt as silk on a hot day, cool and smooth. It eddied around my fingers as if it were water in some magic wishing well. I watched it, allowing time to stand still just for me, breathing it in.
Something about this didn't feel right, there was something on this planet, something..sinister, and yet that's not all I feel, just faintly, I can sense a pleasant aura, an aura of warmth and innocence.
"Master, have you any idea where we should begin to scour for this Force wielder?"
He grabbed my shoulder and turned me around revealing a vast stone wall in the distance, it was the stone face of a Nightbrother that held a small corridor which seemed to continue further into the dark hole.
"Well, it's a start." I sighed, we began to head off in the direction of the wall.
Traveling through the forest of plants that one would only dream of in their nightmares, I began to wonder if the Nightsisters would take kindly to two Jedi knights arriving into their residence with no initial warning.
"Master, are you sure they won't try to attack? We are barging into their home unannounced."
He then halted in his tracks glancing around for a short moment.
"Master?" I said to him to which he ignored and began to walk towards a small rock on the ground.
"It's shaking."
"What does that mean?"
But just then, an enormous reptilian beast came crashing from the trees roaring and headed in our location.
"Uh, master," I said, drawing my lightsaber, it's blue color illuminating it's luminous color.
"Wait." Qui-Gon told me, placing his hand on front if me.
"Don't let it get away!"
"Kill it now brothers!"
I looked to my left to see five figures appearing from the trees. They had horns on their heads and ripped clothing on them. Each readied with a pike to attack the massive monstrous creature. Each brother seemed to have two distinct colors of tattoos on their faces, three of the brothers had red tattoos, while the other two had yellow.
One of the yellow tattooed brothers gaped toward us in dismay as he cried out to the others.
"Brothers! I see two Jedi!"
The rest of them glanced in our direction, but as they did the ogre began to charge, catching them off guard.
The giant snatched one of the men and was about to take a bite out of him, but before he could Qui-Gon had clenched it employing the force. I took the opening to lunge and slice the hand of the monster off, with a quick and precise slice from my blade, freeing the horned man.
The creature screeched in pain before veering the other direction, scampering away.
"Master, it's getting away." I looked to him, but knew that to hunt the creature down was not the Jedi way.
"Let it, we are not here to fight mindless beasts."
Master Qui-Gon was not like other Jedi, he was a venerable if maverick Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn is a student of the living Force, at least that's how he explained it to me. Qui-Gon lived for the moment, espousing a philosophy of 'feel, don't think -- use your instincts.'
I put away my saber, we turned to the folk I presumed to be the Nightbrothers.
They all seemed to share that identical look of uncertainty as they gazed upon us, except for one.
That's odd, I was under the assumption that there had only been five NightBrothers, yet here is another, I'm quite certain he wasn't among them when the brothers had first arrived, so then who is this man? Where did he come from?
He was a hooded man who's face I could just barely make out. He stayed further back than the others as if to keep his distance from us.
"Thank you Jedi, you saved my brother's life. I'm eternally grateful."
He bowed and signaled for the others to do the same.
"We are happy to help, as Jedi it is our sworn duty to protect and serve."
The Nightbrother I had saved stood up and shook my hand rather vigorously, then began to...cry?
"Ohhhh...thank you thank you Jedi," he said sobbing at the same time.
"It's uh...quite alright," I said, looking to my master for help but he only chuckled at my discomfort.
The other Nightbrother spoke again
"My name is Coarse Addal, this sorry excuse of a brother over here is Curse."
"I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon-Jinn and this is my Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Padawan you say? His moves are that of a Jedi master!" Curse proclaimed, jumping pretending to hold a lightsaber to reenact my earlier move.
"Silence Curse, tell me Jedi what brings you to Dathomir?"
"We come in search of a Force wielder, Someone extremely powerful. Do any of you know of him by chance? Master Qui-Gon, looked to each and every one of the NightBrothers, squinting his eyes as he eyed the group.
They all looked around at each other, confusion clear on their faces.
"Sorry Jedi, we have no clue to who you are referring to."
Then Curse looked up grabbing my hand and pointed towards the giant stone wall.
"Ah!! The Nightsisters they might know to whom you are searching for they know all about those who reside here on Dathomir."
"That was our earlier destination before running into you and your brothers," I told him.
"Yes, very good fortune for you to run into us, Nightsisters do not take kindly to Jedi, not at all."
With that, we all headed in the path of the stone wall. Coarse had notified us that it was undoubtedly the passageway to the Nightsisters lair...
We arrived at the stone wall and as we headed inside it was riddled with tiny winged creatures. It was a cave mouth of impenetrable blackness, as I stepped in I watched my shadow dissolve into the surrounding darkness.
The only sound that met my straining ears was my own echoing footsteps. I reached out my hand to feel my way and couldn't even see it in front of my face. I stumbled blindly, nearly falling on the unforgiving rocky floor. It was dank and the only sound was the dripping water. Spikes bound to the walls on both sides of us. Small puddles of acid.
Certainly not your ideal leisure locale.
"Coarse how much farther until we arrive?" I had asked him curious to how deep this cave went.
"No further Jedi, we have arrived." He told us, as we came to a halt.
"Brothers!" he yelled at them as they all began to light up their staffs to reveal a crimson blue fire at the ends of them. Then they all lit up small furnaces on both sides of us which then lit our surrounding area.
There was water with steam coming from it on both sides of us and a large stone pillar in front of us with what looked like engravings of letters all around it.
A small fire surfaced out of thin air in front of us, and before us appeared a woman with a large red cloak appeared with green smoke surrounding her. her skin was gray with black carvings all throughout her face.
"Hello...Jedi" She said in a whispered hum as she made her way to us.
I looked to my master but he kept a straight face, his eyes locked with hers the entire time.
Coarse stepped in front of us kneeling down, head bowed as he spoke to the woman clouded with smoke.
"Sister, these Jedi come in search of one with great power. They saved us from a Rancor I beg that you help them on their quest."
She looked to Coarse then to Qui-Gon.
"...Someone with great power you say...you speak of the force?" She asks.
"Yes, we come in search of one of your kind that may well be an extremely powerful force user."
"I know the boy of whom you seek Jedi."
My Master and I looked at each other.
"Please may we speak to the nightbrother child"
"You are mistaken Jedi...He is no NightBrother...human like you."
A human child? Here on Dathomir...It's not possible.
"There are humans who reside on Dathomir?"
"No, this boy is the sole human on this planet."
Qui-Gon looked down as if lost in thought and then up to her "How could a human child survive here and all alone at that."
"You will find that this particular human boy is quite resourceful."
"Can you tell us where to find him," I asked her curious to where the boy could reside on such a desolate planet.
"This boy has been an annoyance on our planet for many years and I will tell you where he is if you promise to rid him of this planet"
Then Curse and his brothers all looked uncomfortable all of a sudden as if they had just realized something.
"Uhm...Sister the boy these Jedi are searching for could it perhaps be the so called devil of Keshak."
She nodded her head in confirmation.
"Wait, you know of this boy?" I asked them.
"We do but he hardly seems like a powerful force user," Coarse said, chuckling as he spoke.
"That boy has been stealing and causing havoc throughout our villages for many years now and we are never able to catch the little devil." Curse said, tearing up as one of his brothers patted him on the shoulder.
The Nightsister spoke up again.
"If you are able to remove this boy off our hands it would be of great service to us."
"We shall do what we can," Qui-Gon said.
"Fair enough Jedi, I shall aid you by delivering you to his home, I advise you Jedi he may not take kindly to undesirable visitors." She said in a warning tone.
"I'm sure we can handle a child," I said.
"We'll see." With that, she raised her hands as the green smoke began to envelop our surroundings and lift us and could feel my body going numb.
"FAREWELL JEDI I WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR MISSION!!" I heard Curse yell out, in his unusually high voice.
"May we meet again, Jedi" Coarse said, crossing his arms.
I looked over and caught a glimpse of the man in the hidden cloak, this time I could see right into his eyes, his yellow eyes were so empty I felt like I was looking into a endless stretch of midnight sky.
That was the last thing I saw, before everything went dark...
I woke up with a jump and was startled as a small group of insect looking creatures were surrounding me.
"Back...Back!" I ignited my lightsaber and began to wave it around scaring them off into the nightmarish grasslands.
"Master...Master where are you!?" I called out to no avail.
I turned around to see a large cave opening.
"Blast it...Master where have you gone now." I made my way into the cave not knowing what awaits me.
The cave was so silent it was almost deafening. It became so dark I had to ignite my lightsaber to see any further. I had been wandering for about twenty minutes now, where could Master Qui-Gon be?
"HALT INTRADAR!" Shouted a voice from up above.
The small figure leaped down in my line of sight a small dagger in both hands, as he stood in a stance of attack. He had what seemed to be an animal cloak around him. No shoes on, his bare feet were stained black with grime and dirt, he must be freezing in here.
"Hold on friend, I mean you no harm,"
His face scrunched up in confusion to the weapon I clenched in my hand.
"What is that huh? Ya some kinda wizard or somethin!"
"No friend no, even better I am a Jedi part of the Jedi order tasked with bringing peace and order throughout the galaxy."
He lowered his weapons and removed the animal cloth from around him revealing a... human child?
He had light skin, but just like his feet, his face was covered in dirt and grime, he had overgrown curly hair and his eyes were that of an innocent child, one who knows nothing of corruptions and dishonesty.
He must be the one they referred to as the devil of Keshak. The potential force user.
"Child, are you familiar with the force?" I asked him while getting on one knee to make level eye contact.
He thought about it for a moment, then gave a me a smile, "Nope! I ain't heard of it sorry."
I sighed in frustration. Perhaps he isn't aware of his latent ability. I can't seem to sense anything off of him.
Maybe he is just a normal child.
"Listen, boy, you are to come with me back to my vessel, and there I will take your blood and scan your midi-chlorian count." I told him sternly, his eyes suddenly widened, and he backed up from me putting his animal cowl back on.
"Hey pal, I don't got a clue who ya are, so I ain't goin anywhere with ya!" He then flew past me to the entrance of the cave.
"Wait!" I exclaimed, as I began to pursue him. He was quite agile for a young child.
I hesitated to manipulate the force, and hold the boy down, I didn't want to lose his trust entirely.
After running all the way back to the cave entrance he stopped, giving me the opportunity to catch up to him, but right as I did I saw what made him stop.
A chill ran through my spine as I heard the outcry of a familiar beast. It made me shudder as a freezing cold wind would wake someone. My blood ran cold and a bead of sweat dripped down my face.
It was the Rancor from before, I could tell due to its very notable missing limb, I'm sure it wasn't too happy about me removing its hand.
It must have pursued me down here.
Blast it! Where could Master Qui-Gon be?
"Uh...is that yer' pet or somethin?" The devil child asked me.
I gave him a glance, the boy didn't seem that keen in the intelligence department, the monster began to charge with a great howl that echoed across the sky with resentment and fury.
I ignited my lightsaber, and held my battle stance.
The devil child drove towards the ogre no fear in sight while impressive, it was quite foolish. The monster swiped with its one hand at the boy swatting him away towards a nearby boulder, slamming him harshly into it.
I took this opportunity to charge full speed aiming at the eyes of the beast, wanting to end this skirmish as swiftly as possible. Its eyes glared down at me like a predator to it's prey, but what this poor beast doesn't understand is that I am no prey, I'm a hunter.
The monster recoiled backward, as if it knew my next move and lunged upward slamming down at me with tremendous force.
I managed to move back quickly with considerable speed, but the impact from the Rancor's landing sent rocks flying towards me, one managing to strike me in the temple. I lost my balance for an instant, but that moment was key as the Rancor flew towards me with such momentum that it took me by surprise.
It knocked me back but I managed to exploit the momentum to repel me off a nearby rock, and send me flying back at the ogre.
I came in quicker than it could react, and I lodged my saber into the core of its skull. It proceeded to shriek and scamper around aimlessly attempting desperately to shake me off, but I held on lodging the saber deeper in its head.
"Yo! Watch out for its ear! The demon child announced from behind me.
Ear? I glanced at the side of the ogre, there wasn't any 'ear' to be found, I glanced back at the child confused, but as I turned The monster grabbed me, pulling me from my lodged in lightsaber.
"By any chance by 'ear' did you mean, it's hand!" I cried out, as the beast squeezed me tight.
"What's the duff-re-mence?"
I'm quite sure that was supposed to mean, 'difference'."
"Blast! Get your hands," I thought about that for a moment, "I mean get your hand, off me!" It's grip got tighter and tighter, and I felt myself losing consciousness.
Just then I heard the monster wail out in distress, and it dropped me with a 'thud'.
"Take this ugly bitch motherfucker ass fuck!" I heard the boy shout, he proceeded to climb onto the beasts back wielding his dual daggers.
I'd figured that his poor vocabulary was due to his isolation on this planet, there's no way he could get an education of some sort, yet his foul mouth suggest otherwise.
As he reached the back of the Rancor's head he threw me my lightsaber. The Nightsister was right this boy is quite resourceful. He could indeed be the force user we were searching for.
"Hey uh...ya gonna just sit there? Or are ya goin' to help me with this thin-ahhhh!" The beast heaved him up in the air, and it appeared to have intended for him to land its jaws, to devour him whole.
I employed the Force, propelling the beast onto its back, then I swiftly clutched the boy from in the air securing him on the ground safely.
"Woah! How'd ya do that!" He seemed completely oblivious to the ways of the Force, as I thought.
Before I could answer him the ogre got up, a malicious roar escaping from its mouth once more.
"I grow tired of this roughhousing. What do you say we finish him off once and for all."
The demon child grinned in response, and we both held our stance ready to finish the giant off.
We charged towards the monster. I utilized the Force to hurl the boy at the monster, and he used his daggers to penetrate the beasts pupils rendering it sightless.
We now have the advantage, I sliced through the monsters' knee prompting it to collapse and wail in anguish.
It reached out to me as if expending its final glimmer of spirit to attempt and kill me, but its hand plopped down, signaling that its light had ultimately vanished.
"That was...CRAZY!! I meanhaveyoueverbeenthroughanythingasamazingasthatIknowIneverhaveItwassocoolImeanIwentboomandyouwerelikebamanditwent-"
I put my hand over his mouth. "Slow down there,"
"Yer amazin', who are ya?!" He asked me, jumping up and down.
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, But I never did get your actual name boy, what is it?"
"You can just call me Tim...Tim Starkiller. I made it up myself!" he bragged, laughing to himself.
Just then I sensed numerous individuals converging on our direction.
"What's wrong with ya?" Tim asked me, looking at me with confusion.
The emergence of three of the reptilian creatures from the trees stopped me from answering back.
"This isn't good," I said, backing away not seeing any options but to retreat back into the cave.
"Heh, looks like these fuckers want some too." Tim took his stance once again.
"Listen I'm not sure we are equipped to handle this our best option is t-"
As I was saying that more Rancor came from behind us blocking our path back to the cave.
"Uh oh..I'm thinkin' we's in trooble," Tim said nonchalantly.
I sighed at our current dilemma, wondering what Master Qui-Gon would do at a time like this.
"Wait a minute do ya hear that?" He said to me, perking up to something in the sky.
I looked up to see our Jedi shuttle headed right for us. It must be master Qui-Gon!
He couldn't have had better timing.
"Come on, that's our ride," I told Tim as the ship opened its cargo bay mid-air as I doubt the Rancor mob ahead would make for an ideal landing zone.
I grabbed the boy and jumped high above the ground landing with a crash right in the ship.
"Owie that hurt! Next time give me a warnin' will ya!" Tim exclaimed to me, then almost immediately he fell back totally depleted from our fight.
Did he lose consciousness? How could he fall asleep just like that, a peculiar child indeed.
The ship began to make its way toward the upper atmosphere. I grabbed the boy picking him up. I secured the cargo bay doors, and headed towards the ships cockpit. As I went through the opening, I was greeted by master Qui-Gon.
"Master! Where have you been? How did you know where to find me?"
He looked down at the boy I held in my arms.
"I see you found the boy."
"I did but it was quite the ordeal as you can see."
He chuckled and led me toward the medical bay to lay the boy down to rest.
"Master, where were you?"
We left the medical room walking towards the cockpit.
"Right before we were transported I had asked the Nightsister to send me back to the ship. I figured you could handle the boy without me. I wanted to make sure our departure went without any hiccups."
"Master, I worried something had happened to you."
He slapped me on the back, as we sat down in the cockpit. He then gave me a relieved sort of smile, one that I'd often see him brandishing on his face.
"Obi-Wan, I'm proud you managed to locate and safeguard the boy."
I turned to gaze in the direction of the boy.
Wondering what fate awaited him once we arrived on Coruscant...
Coruscant 50 BBY
(Obi-wan)
Our ship entered the atmosphere to the planet. The planet was always a sight to see. Cities on cities ships flying all throughout all heading somewhere. It's the planet that never sleeps.
"Is the boy still asleep?" Qui-Gon asked me, looking back toward the medical bay.
"Yes Master, he seems to have exhausted himself in our fight with that beast."
Our ship began to descend onto a platform. I never did enjoy flying, I always believed it was a job for the droids.
"The boy is too old to take the trials, isn't he Master? Jedi children often began training at the young age of four. This boy seemed to be nine or ten.
"I'm sure the council will make an exception. This boy has the potential to bring balance back to the Force."
I highly doubt that, I'm sure Master Qui-Gon will re-evaluate that statement once he actually meets the boy.
"Master, please do not defy the council again." My Master had a habit of being at odds with the Jedi council.
The Jedi High Council, simply known as the Jedi Council, was the ruling body of the Jedi Order. Situated in one of the four towers of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the Council consisted of twelve Jedi Masters who oversaw and governed the Order as a whole.
Although the Jedi supported the Galactic Republic and swore allegiance to its government, the Galactic Senate, the Council possessed the autonomy to govern the affairs of the Order without interference from the political establishment.
"I will do what I must, Obi-Wan." He asserted to me, putting on a smirk as our ship came to a halt.
"I will go wake the boy." He nodded to me while I walked to the doors of the medical bay.
When I opened the door the bed was empty. What? Where could he be it's a small shuttle he couldn't have gone f-
"Take this bitch!" I heard the boy shout, as he fell from the ceiling onto my face knocking me over.
"Why you little!" he hopped off of me, fleeing out the door.
I leaped to my feet to see the cargo bay open and the boy nowhere in sight.
"Blast!"
"He appears to have given you a run for your credits, Obi-Wan."
We walked out the shuttle with Tim nowhere in sight.
"What now Master?" I asked him, dreading his answer.
"Now we hunt, for the Devil of Keshak." He said to me with a small chuckle.
One of the guards had come up to us, "Master Jedi, an adolescent child fled through our sentries and madewa towards the Jedi temple."
"Excellent, Obi-Wan let's go."
The platform that extends from the Jedi temple is a long one. The temple was home to major training, bureaucratic, and dormitory facilities.
Jointly operated by the Order and the Galactic Republic, the Temple was sealed to all but the Jedi and their allies, with very few public areas.
We made our way into the temple. It was a beautiful place, truly a sight to behold.
"Master, have you any clue where we can find the boy?" I asked him annoyed at how this task came about in the first place.
As we walked through the temple a group of younglings accompanied by master Yoda made their way towards us.
"Qui-Gon, good to see you and your padawan it is," Master Yoda said as he bowed his head.
Yoda was a legendary Jedi Master and stronger than most in his connection with the Force. Small in size but wise and powerful, he trained Jedi for over 800 years.
"Good news from your assignment I hope you have," he said to us with a small chuckle.
"Well, master we found that the disturbance you felt happened to be a human child with great potent force abilities." Master Qui-Gon told him in a serious tone.
"Mmm...and where is he now, this child?" Master Yoda asked, looking around.
"Well, Master Yoda he managed to escape from our ship making his way in here," I told him begrudgingly.
"Hmhmhm. Difficult to contain, the child is I see." He giggled at our misfortune.
"Master Qui-Gon I'm so happy to see you!" One of the younglings said as she ran up and hugged Qui-Gon squeezing him tight.
"Ahhh. Young miss O'Hara, how has your training been coming along since I've been away?" He asked her patting her on the head.
"It's been amazing. I'm top of my class and one day I'll be a Jedi master just like you!" She said with a beaming smile.
"Well, I'll be counting on it then, young one." He said to her with a reassuring smile.
"Younglings attend to your studies, we must." Master Yoda called back to them, the young girl headed back into the line.
"Fortune with your lost child, I wish you," Yoda said while giggling. And with that, he and his younglings walked off.
Just then I felt a sharp ping in my head.
"Master...do...you feel that?" I asked him.
"It's him." He said, as we headed in the direction of the powerful force convergence.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!" I heard a voice scream from down the hall.
"Master we mus-" as we were about to turn the corner we were pushed back with great force.
"DON'T COME NEAR ME!!" It was the boy screaming with powerful force radiating off of him so strong that everyone around him was being pushed back with no chance of anyone coming near him.
"Restrain the boy now!" I heard a Jedi temple guard yell to his men.
"Wait!" I yelled at them, but it was too late.
"STAY AWAY!!" He yelled at them sending them flying through a wall.
The scream tore through me like a great shard of glass. I felt my eyes strain and pulse quicken, my heart thudding like a rock rattling in box.
The scream came again, desperate, terrified... human.
The blood drained from my face, before I was even aware of making a conscious decision my legs were pounding furiously as I headed towards the grief stricken boy, my ears were straining from his roaring out-cry.
I had no clue as to what I'd do when I got there, just that I had to get there, fast.
He cried out as his powers grew more and more out of control. He was on his knees, hands on his head sobbing in pain. We need to cease this before it's too late.
"Obi-Wan you must stop this!" He shouted, as he was pinned down on the ground unable to move.
The walls and ceiling began to break down as tiny pieces of debris floated all around him circling around his small figure.
These force capabilities...I almost couldn't believe he had so much of it.
"Master I...I can't! How am I to stop this?!" I shouted at him.
He looked at me and said, "Trust in the force Obi-Wan you can do this."
The force...trust in the force.
I began reciting that over and over.
As I did I began to lift myself off the ground slowly.
"Get the hell away from me!" He yelled once more, his powers increasing, pushing me back a little.
"Tim...TIM! Listen to me!" I screamed at him.
I began to take small steps as the force was so strong I could barely walk straight.
"Listen to me boy! I am here to help!
I know...I know you've been alone for so lon-"
"Shut yer' mouth!" He screamed and it sent me flying into a nearby wall pinning me there.
I saw more guards coming with master Mace Windu down the hall. I must put an end to this before they do.
Trust...Trust in the force.
I lifted myself off the wall landing on the ground safely. The resistance from his powers was so overwhelming. But as long as I didn't falter I could do this.
"Sta-Stay back!" He cried out, but this time I didn't fall back.
I kept walking towards him, the resistance becoming greater and greater.
But I didn't falter...I'll save this boy.
As I got closer and closer to him I could feel it...his rage, his fear, his...loneliness.
"Listen...I'm sorry...I am...you've been alone all this time. Never knowing the warmth of friendship or love." He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and suffering.
"But please believe me when I say...you will no longer be alone. I promise you...I'm here now and you won't be left alone anymore...so please it's okay now."
As I finally made it to him his powers began to falter the anger turned into sadness and he began to sob.
"I...I...I'm so sorry..." He was sobbing hard and all the force that was emanating from him ceased.
I kneeled down and held the boy in my arms.
"It's okay young one... you're okay now." I told him, as he sobbed into my shoulder holding on tight.
I heard many footsteps arriving from behind me, as Mace Windu and the temple wardens finally reached us.
"He's merely a boy, and yet...," Mace uttered, as he looked around at the damage Tim inflicted.
"T...Thanks O...Obi-Wan" I heard the boy say, before he slipped into unconsciousness.
2Days after the incident...
(In the High Council Chamber)
Over the course of the next few days, we explained to the boy the great power he had held within him. Qui-Gon had begun to teach him the basic notions in the ways of the force giving him the general idea. While an adept fighter he seemed lacking in the learning department.
"No...He will not be trained."
Master Windu's response didn't surprise me in the slightest, he was a grim Jedi Master with an amethyst-bladed lightsaber, Mace Windu was the champion of the Jedi Order, with little tolerance for the failings of the Senate, the arguments of politicians, or the opinions of..rebellious Jedi.
"No?" Master Qui-Gon said.
"He is too old." Master Windu continued.
"He is the chosen one, You must see it," Qui-Gon said assurance clear in his tone.
"Mmm...Clouded this boy's future is," Master Yoda interjected.
The council seemed clear about in their decision.
"The incident a few days ago shows just how unstable the boy's powers are." Master Windu said, looking at the boy directly.
"I will train him then," Qui-Gon said, putting a hand on Tim's shoulder, "I will take Tim as my Padawan learner." He continued.
"An apprentice you have Qui-Gon, Impossible to take on another one it is," Yoda said to him.
That was right, no Jedi can have two padawans it's just never been done before.
"The code forbids it," Windu added.
"Obi-Wan is ready." He said, looking at me.
"I am ready to take the trials," I told them. I was confident in my abilities, and I was glad to hear Qui-Gon thought so as well.
"Our own council, we will keep on who is ready," Master Yoda replied.
"He is headstrong, and he has much to learn of the living force, but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me." Qui-Gon told him.
I smiled at this. He truly did believe in me.
"Young Starkillers fate...will be decided later," Master Yoda concluded.
I wondered what they planned to do. It seems as though they are adamant in not training the boy.
"Very well," Qui-Gon said, with that, he ushered us out of the room.
"Master, what do we do now?" I asked him. If the council decides not to train him, what would we do then?
"There is nothing to be done, We await the council's decision." He said to me as we walked down the corridor.
As we were walking all of a sudden I noticed Tim had stopped following us.
"Tim are you alright?" I asked him, looking at his face, which seemed to be troubled.
"My head...it fells...weriud...heavy," he said putting his hands to his forehead.
I looked at my master confused.
"What do you mean?" Qui-Gon asked him.
"Like somethin' awful is about t-" But before he could finish he was cut off by the sound of an explosion.
"Obi-Wan take him to the Dormitories, and secure the younglings, make sure they are safe," Qui-Gon told me.
"Master I can help, please." I pleaded with him hoping he would reconsider.
"Yeah, I can hulp toe Qui-Guy." I heard Tim say with all the eagerness of a child, yet while reckless, he did prove himself in the fight against the beast.
Qui-Gon smiled and kneeled down to the boy.
"I'm sure you can, which is why I'm entrusting the safety of the younglings with you two." He gave me a look that said; I trust you.
"Tim he's right those younglings may need our help, I sense this is no ordinary attack on the temple," I told him with a reassuring smile.
"Aw man...okay then, but please be careful Qui-Guy."
"I'm a Jedi master it takes a lot to keep me down," Qui-Gon told him. After giving me a nod he headed down the hallway to whatever threat awaited him.
"Ya think he's gon' be alright?" Tim asked me.
"I'm sure he'll be fine, like he said, he's no ordinary Jedi." I gave him a pat on the back and we headed off towards the younglings dormitory.
"Do ya think they'll wanna train me?" Tim asked me, as we ran down the hall.
I looked at him not knowing what answer I should give him. I didn't know what they would end up doing with him, for all I know, heh might just end up sending the no back to his home. Yet, I'd hope to the Force that they didn't come to that conclusion.
"The council works in mysterious ways, let's trust they see in you what Master Qui-Gon does."
We eventually made it to the dormitory. But...it appears all the guards have fled their stations. Just who has attacked the temple?
"Master Kenobi, in here." I heard a voice call out to me, It was a youngling.
"Hello there, where is your instructor?" I asked him.
"They left us here to go see what happened." The young man told me.
I looked past him to see a room full of younglings. I could feel their unrest. Just then the lights in the temple went out. The entire dormitory had gone dark.
"Alright, inside the room," I told him, as we joined the rest of his class.
"Master Kenobi it's you! Where is Master Qui-Gon?" It was the small young lady from earlier, I had forgotten her name.
"He went off to secure the threat, I'm sure he'll be back at any moment," I told her honestly. But I had no idea what was even happening.
"Listen well younglings you are to remain here we don't know what we face at the moment but whatever it is I promise to keep you all safe," I told them and it didn't seem to do much as I could still sense their fear and confusion.
Out of this shock I felt myself issuing amid a mass of terrible sensations: the fearful blow of an explosion, the noise of glass, the hoarse howl of people, the rushing of what I assumed to be the Jedi, rushing to engage whoever dared to attack the Temple.
I heard another explosion. This one was a lot closer.I closed the door behind us. Sealing us in. What in the blazes could be happening out there?
"Master what's happening? I'm scared Master." A youngling asked me.
"What's your name little one," I asked him putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Christian Ji Master Kenobi." He told me.
"Well Christian everything will be alright, after all, we have many powerful Jedi here to protect us." He seemed to take that well, as his eyes lit up with hope.
"But what if...what if they aren't enough?" The boy asked, his small figure trembling.
"It won't come to that."
"Argh!" I heard Tim yell as he clutched his head in pain and fell to his knees.
"Tim what's wrong? Are you alright?" I asked him.
"My head it..it feels so heavy."
But I felt it too. Something evil...something dark was coming. It was silent. Too silent. What is going on? this feeling is...sinister. Then at that time, almost as if on cue a red lightsaber penetrated through the door and began to slice its way around.
The younglings began to cry out and panic in fear of what was coming.
"M..Master what's going on?!" The young girl asked.
"Master Kenobi, are we going to die!?" Christian asked me with tears in his eyes.
I didn't know what to say. I had no clue what this entity was. But one thing I knew for sure was...I could absolutely not let anything happen to these children.
"Children do not waver, I am here, and through all the power bestowed upon me by the force, I will protect you all, I swear it."
With the red saber nearly finished cutting through the door I ordered the younglings back.
"Tim stay back with others, It's going to be dangerous," I told him.
"What!? No way! Whoever this is we can take'em together! Like we did before!" He shouted, standing up beside to me.
I gave him a stern look. "Listen to me whoever is behind that door is not some mindless beast, you have no weapon, this is no time for games, now quit being foolish, and get back with the others."
He looked at me with determined eyes. "But I know we ca-"
"Enough!" I finally exclaimed, His his sunk low, and he retreated back.
I could feel his reluctance.
I looked back to the door and the red saber was just about done cutting through. I watched as it finished cutting and the door was forcefully pushed in causing a loud crash.
It was so dark I couldn't see a thing. I didn't let my eyes leave the entrance, not for a second.
A few seconds passed before directly ahead of the intruder ignite his red saber to reveal a hooded man in all black. His red saber being the only source of light to his shadowy figure.
I could feel the younglings' fear from behind me.
"Get'em Obi-Wan! Ya can do it!" I heard Tim holler at me.
I ignited my blue saber and assumed my stance.
He strode in gradually. Through the glow of his saber, I could see his twisted smile.
Not waiting any longer I lunged at him, swinging my saber aiming for his head, but he blocked and our lightsabers clashed with sparks of blue and red.
We pressed against each other's strength, each of us refusing to give way.
"Who are you? What do you want with these children!" I asked him, struggling to keep my anger from taking hold of me.
He didn't respond and only kicked me in the gut sending me back, and as if things couldn't get any worse he lit the other side of his saber revealing a dual bladed lightsaber.
He ran towards me with his double-bladed lightsaber in hand. He sliced at my legs causing me to jump up and flip over him, poking the point of my saber at his back. He rolled forward hoping to his feet and turning to me.
"You fight well Jedi." He let out, in a low cold voice.
He lowered his hood to reveal a...a nightbrother? But not just any Nightbrother, it was the one from earlier, the hooded man who kept to himself. I know those dark eyes
"It's you. But what could you possible want?"
"I see no significance in telling that to a corpse." He said dryly.
He came quickly with a strike aimed at my heart. I dodged and grabbed a few chairs launching them at him. He sliced through them with ease. But I managed to get close enough to cut his upper leg.
He growled in hostility clutching his wound.
"I will make sure to kill you slowly." He let out, charging at me as we clashed our blades once again.
We matched each other blow for blow, strike after strike. None of us able to get a real advantage on the other.
"I don't have time for vermin like you." He told me as he diverted his attention to behind me.
Why would he be after the children?
"What could you possibly want with these younglings?" I asked him, confused about his real agenda.
"I have no need for the younglings, just the boy." He said with eyes that held pure evil.
The boy? Tim...of course. How could I not see this before, his surge of power a few days ago must have attracted this monster.
"Above ya!" I heard Tim's voice yell from behind me.
I looked up but it was too late the ceiling collapsed on me pinning me down.
"Sorry, Jedi but the entertainment had to come to an end sometime." He began to get closer and closer to me.
"No you ugly bastard! Get away from him!" Tim yelled charging at the NightBrother.
"You fool! Stay back!" I screamed.
Tim stepped in front of me.
"Don't worry Obi-Wan, I'll kick this guy's ass and save us." He grinned at me.
"Don't be ridiculous, you need to run he's after you!" I pleaded with him.
That's when the rest of the children walked over and stood next to him.
"W..We won't let you kill Master Kenobi!" Christian said.
The rest of the younglings hesitantly agreed but stood up all the same. Though brave I could sense the fear circulating throughout them all.
"It seems you all would like to share the same fate as this worm." He looked at all of them.
I need to get unstuck. But my leg. Blast it all! At this rate, the younglings will end up being killed.
The NightBrother cackled lowly.
Then he raised his saber to slice the boy.
"Move out of the way!" I screamed at him
"I ain't runnin." He looked back to me then to the NightBrother.
"You will die here." He began to lower his blade to slay the boy.
"Get ready!" He called to the other younglings they all raised their hands in defiance, to try and gather their combined force to make an effort and fend off the monster.
"I will tear through your flesh." He said, but his attack was halted mid-air.
"I..It's working!" Clamored a youngling.
The NightBrother was halted due to the combined force capacity of all the younglings.
"You trivial annoyances think this means anything, It only means you've delayed your demise, "
"Now!" Tim cried out to the others, and they all propelled him back crashing him into a wall.
They did it. These younglings were something else.
"Master Obi-Wan." I heard the young girl from earlier call out to me, she scampered over to attempt and lift the debris but to no avail.
The other younglings were too occupied stymieing the NightBrother to help out, unfortunately.
"I'm sorry, I'm too weak." She said, her head down.
I perked up to her smiling. "Young one, you are by no means weak. What is your name?"
"Athena O'Hara, Master." She began to wipe her tears away.
"You all are the bravest pair of younglings I've seen in my career. I heard you speaking to master Qui-Gon about becoming a Jedi master. I'd say you're well on your way." As I said this, she appeared to settle down a bit.
"Thank you, Master, I won't let you down." She said and, continued to try and lift the rubble.
"We c-can't hold it any longer." I gave attention to a youngling call out.
I heard the NightBrother laugh out menacingly.
"As I said. It's only a matter of time." He cackled.
I had no clue what to do. I've lost.
Worst of all I let Qui-Gon down. He trusted the younglings to me. I...I can't save them due to my own weakness.
I heard the younglings all cry out as they were all pushed back with great force. The nightbrother was free. He wouldn't let them get another chance.
It's over, I've failed them.
The younglings were on the ground still all too afraid to move at the cost of their life.
"Please I beg you to take my life, not theirs,"
He looked at me with his twisted smile. He ignited his lightsaber.
The darkroom became filled with the sound of cries of the younglings. He charged forward and I prepared for my end to come.
I closed my eyes.
But nothing happened. I opened them and was stunned to see...Master Qui-Gon and his illuminating green lightsaber clashed with the red of the nightbrothers saber.
"Master Qui-Gon! You're here, you really came!" I listened to the girl Athena cry.
The younglings all began to rejoice and cheer for my Masters last-minute rescue.
"Master...I'm sorry I couldn't protect them," I said to him.
"Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs, You did all you could hear, so let me handle the rest." His words were kind as they were wise as it always is.
The nightbrother jumped back and scowled at Qui-Gon with animosity. They both took a stance and lunged for one another. The duel was silent as they matched each other blow for blow. Master Qui-Gon seemed to have the upper hand. That's when the nightbrother kicked him back establishing distance between the two.
"I will not allow you to bring harm to these children," Qui-Gon warned him.
The nightbrother smirked at this.
He then raised his hands crumbling the ceiling above. The younglings screamed in fear as the ceiling began to fall. But before it could crush us Qui-Gon held it placing it safely away.
"Qui-Guy behind ya!" Tim yelled but it was too late.
Master Qui-Gon had been impaled by the nightbrother...
"Nooooo!" I cried out in fury.
I felt myself losing control. I finally found the strength to hoist the rocks off me, hurling it all at the nightbrother.
"No...no...no please master Qui-Gon don't go." Athena weeped.
I ignited my lightsaber and prepared to engage the monster. I charged at him sending a strike at his head but he evaded swiftly jabbing me in the face. I took another swing but he blocked with his own saber.
Our blades connected and I felt his emotions hit me like a wave. His resentment and anger. We jumped back from one another, and he looked over to me with a hateful expression.
"I will butcher you as I did your master. The time of the Sith has come. For over 300 years, we prepared. We grew stronger. While you rested in your cradle of power, believing your people were safe...protected. You were trusted to lead the Republic but you were deceived, as our powers over the dark side had blinded you. You assumed no force could challenge you and now...finally...we have returned." He explained, a dark nature clouding his expression.
"No. I will not allow that to happen." I told him, trying to fight off his evil presence.
"There is much your Order has never told you, secrets that lie within your precious temple, hidden for nobody to ever find." He continued.
I took a cautious step towards the figure in black.
"The Force is with you Kenobi," He said through his crooked teeth, "but you are not a Jedi yet," His words had a chilling effect.
Briefly I hesitated.
Recalling the words of my Master; 'Obi-Wan, use the Force only for knowledge and for defense, not as a weapon. Don't give in to hate or anger. They lead to the dark side.'
Throwing away aside any fragment of doubt, I gripped the smoothly handle of my lightsaber and quickly took up my stance.
At the same instant, the Nightbrother took up his own stance, probably waiting for me to make the first move.
My intense hatred for the man impelled me to lunge at the man savagely, bringing my sizzling blade down upon the NightBrothers own blade. But effortlessly, the dark creature deflected the blow with a defensive turn of his own.
Again I attacked.
Once again our blades clashed, and there we stood, staring at one another for an endless moment through our crossed blades.
We pulled back from each other, then charged for each other in a silent fury, our blades clashed with bright blue and red sparks sending them flying around the dark room.
I felt the ground below me shudder with every blow and parry and thrust of our weapons. But I was undaunted, for with every thrust of my blade I drove the monster back.
The NightBrother using his lightsaber to ward off my hail of aggressive lunges, spoke calmly as we fought, "The fear does not reach you. You have learned more than I anticipated."
"You'll find I'm full of surprises." I responded confidently, threatening him with another thrust of my blade.
"And I, too." He spoke calmly.
With two graceful moves, the NightBrother hooked my weapon out of my hands and sent it flying away. A slash from his blade aimed for my feet caused me to jump back in an effort to protect myself.
But I stumbled backwards, tripping over a piece of rubble from the collapsed ceiling. Sprawled our on the floor, I gazed up and saw the ominous dark figure looming above me. Then he flew right at me.
Quickly, I rolled to one side, not taking my eyes off the dark figure, as he landed soundlessly next to me. "Your future can be with us, the Sith. I can take you in as my apprentice, we can overthrow my Master, you will embrace the dark side. I will help you complete your training."
This mans influence was incredibly strong; it seemed to me like a thing alive.
Don't listen to him, I told myself. He is trying to trick you, to lead me astray, to lead me to the dark side.
I began to back away from the advancing monster, I reached my hand out and my saber, laying on the far side of the room, flew back into my grip.Immediately I ignited the blade, and rose to my feet.
"Your Master has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now release your anger. I destroyed your Master, take your revenge."
He pulled back, glancing me up and down, then he charged, he took a strike for my arm. I parried his strike, knocking him off balance.
"Know this monster, the name of the one who took your life, I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight, I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am the protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am one with the Force. Ally to all that is good, nightmare to you."
I took one final decisive blow.
I sliced through him, and just like that the battle was over. He looked at me with bitterness and turmoil in his eyes.
"Kenobi, I am only the beginning, this is not the Jedi's galaxy to rule, the Sith will rise once more. He shall avenge me, Darth Maul."
Then he fell over and his flame finally had gone out.
Sith were the ancient enemy of the Force from long ago, they were users of the Dark side of the Force, thought to be extinct, how wrong we were, and if what he says is true, and there is another Sith out there, then our concerns are far from over.
I ran back to my master's in his final moments. I saw the younglings crying and the young girl Athena, as she held Qui-Gon in her delicate arms, as his life was slipping away.
"Please...please don't leave..." She pleaded and begged as her tears were pouring down her qdread ridden face.
He put a hand to her cheek. "Young O'Hara, though we in the Jedi Order are bound by code to hold no personal ties, I've grown to think of you as no less then my own. I've taught you all that I can, but you my child have never needed it, in you, I see the potential of a very kind and wise Jedi Master. Of this I'm sure, you will become an even greater Jedi than I."
I bent down and gazed at my Master.
"Qui-Guy ya can't go. Not yet, yer' supposed'ta t..train me." Tim seemed to be trying to hold back his tears, but his trembling voice betrayed him.
"Young Starkiller, remember what Obi-Wan told you. You are no longer alone, here you will find one of the most important things the galaxy can offer. There are many realities in the universe, some of them quite harsh. One reality that is inescapable is that there is nothing more valuable than a friend. More than food, more than shelter, and more than weaponry, an ally can save your life."
He looked to me next.
"You've been a good apprentice, Obi-Wan, and you're a much wiser man than I am. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight." His eyes began to falter and I felt him growing weaker.
"Oh master...I'm sorry I failed you, this may be your one test, I'm not prepared for," I told him facing down.
"I'm not testing you Obi-Wan. Life tests you. Every day it brings you new chances for triumph or defeat. And if you pass the test, it doesn't make you a Jedi. It makes you human."
I shed a tear as once again my master even in his final moments he helps me grow to become a better Jedi.
He grabbed my hand and looked me in the eye, and whispered to me.
"Obi-Wan, promise me you will train the boy. He...is the Chosen One...he will bring balance. Train him..." His hand lost grip as it fell to the floor.
He was gone. Qui-Gon had passed on and now it was up to us to honor his wishes.
"I promise master...I will not fail you this time."
1 Day later...
-Qui-Gons Funeral-
"What will happen to me now?" Tim asked me, as we watched the corpse of my former master be cremated at his service.
"The council has granted me permission to train you," I told him.
When I told them about the brave actions of the boy while hesitant they finally agreed to let him train to become my padawan learner.
"You will be a Jedi, I promise." I continued.
He looked at me and then back to the burning fire.
--Qui-Gons Funeral--
With Yoda and Mace Windu
As they watched the body of their old friend burn. Mace looked to Yoda with concern
"There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a sith," Mace said with worry clear in his tone.
"Always two there are, No more no less, A master and an apprentice," Yoda said, his manner was watchful and uncertain.
"But which was destroyed, the master? Or the apprentice?"
With this they watched on in silence as their former friend burned in the cold of the night...
THE END...