Part 2
"But you said that the decision was mine," Qui-Gon protested. He folded his arms across his chest and frowned. "Mace, you promised that the future of Obi-Wan was in my hands. I answer your question: yes, I do take Obi-Wan as my padawan."
"But you see," Mace said firmly, "Back than, Obi-Wan had not killed Bruck. We had thought that his anger was under control. You are not ready for another anger-prone apprentice."
Qui-Gon frowned. He had been protesting for over an hour now and the council wasn't relenting. He started to reply, "Mace - "
Mace Windu ignored him for a moment and turned to Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan, you have, once more, violated the trust of the council. Qui-Gon may choose to ignore your deeds, but the death of someone by anger is intolerable. We know of your past experiences with Bruck and let's just say that this death caps it off."
"It was not - " Obi-Wan argued.
Mace held up a hand. His eyes sparkled with warning. "As I was saying," he said louder, "This is the action we will not tolerate because we are Jedi. Your anger has caused problems before. So, we will have to dismiss you from the Order due to these actions."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened in horror. Qui-Gon stepped forward, his eyes glinting. "Mace, Obi-Wan has just endured an experience where friends betrayed him, friends died, rejection happened. It was inevitable that his anger burst out because he had no one to confer in. When such a thing happens, it was unfortunate that Bruck was on the receiving end. But surely such an accident does not warrant dismissal."
Yoda spoke up, "Realize we do, a harsh punishment this may be. Yet first time this is not. Again and again Obi-Wan has let anger rule him. Blind him. Time it is for him to see the punishment."
"Past time," Adi said softly. She focused on Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you were always a promising student. When you lost your temper and broke a turbo-lift, we excused that. When you destroyed a room, we excused that. When you fought Bruck for Qui-Gon and beat him up, we did, eventually excuse that. Melida/Daan, we have excused. Think, Obi-Wan. We have been lenient with you."
Obi-Wan wished the ground would swallow him. Qui-Gon was defending him fiercely but he knew that he didn't deserve it. Still, part of him screamed unfair! Bruck had more or less caused all those anger issues. If Bruck wasn't here, I wouldn't have to do this…
Yaddle looked at Obi-Wan with a neutral expression. "We feel the anger inside you," she said. "It's bubbling."
"Yes," Obi-Wan admitted slowly, "I am angry. I admit to my fault. Anger is my rival and I am working hard to suppress it."
"Why did you say that?" Mace asked curiously.
Obi-Wan swallowed. "I know my faults, Master."
Qui-Gon rested his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "We know it will take time to reach the right decision," he said slowly, emphasizing, "My padawan and I will be resting in our quarters. Please feel free to rethink your decision."
He bowed and walked towards the exit. "Come on, Obi-Wan."
"But - " Mace said indignantly. "We're not done!"
Qui-Gon smiled challengingly. "So think it through. We'll give you time."
"They hate me," Obi-Wan said.
"No they don't, Padawan. They need time. Like you, Mace can make hasty decisions."
Obi-Wan flushed. It felt like Qui-Gon was implying that he had made a hasty decision on Melida/Daan. Melida/Daan. The planet that started all of this. But if it weren't for Bruck, the council would have excused this. If it weren't for Bruck…
"Nevertheless, Obi-Wan, Bruck was here. If he hadn't, I have no doubt that you have many other rivals - and friends - that would've made you equally angry." Qui-Gon paused and looked at Obi-Wan directly, interpreting his thoughts, "I admit that it might have been me you would have killed if given a chance because I made a mistake. You are my apprentice and it was my duty to listen to your point of view as well." He smiled gently. "And I see now that I was incorrect. Melida/Daan achieved peace."
Obi-Wan met his master's eyes. "I wouldn't have killed you."
"Why? How is it different?"
"You're - you're a Jedi Master. You wouldn't have taunted me…provoked me…dared me…or - "
Qui-Gon tilted Obi-Wan's chin up. "Padawan, if you understand this, the council will relent. Yes, I would not provoke you but when you were that angry, with all your rage building up, wouldn't you have released your anger to a friend who jokingly said that you betrayed the Jedi?"
"I guess," Obi-Wan whispered as silently as he could.
Nodding approvingly, Qui-Gon stood up. "Go talk with your friends, Obi-Wan. They will no doubt want to see you. Stay out of trouble too."
"Yes, Maste -, um, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said uncomfortably. As he left, he saw Qui-Gon standing by the window, his eyes closed and his head bent forward in exhaustion.
"Bant!" Obi-Wan called cheerfully.
The slender girl turned and smiled. "Obi! We've been searching for you."
"We?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully. "Garen and Reeft here too?"
Bant lowered her eyes to the floor. "Um, we being Reeft and me."
Obi-Wan tried to hide his disappointment. "I see." Curiosity made him ask, "Why?"
"Obi, I know you don't want to hear this, but Garen made a slight change in friends. He, um, decided that perhaps being friends with us isn't good on his reputation, so he joined with Aalto."
Obi-Wan restrained from barking, "You're damn right I don't want to hear that!" Instead he took deep breaths. "Well, let's find Reeft. Where could Reeft be at this time of day?"
The two exchanged knowing glances. "Race you to the dining hall," Obi-Wan said and took off.
The boy's posture was familiar. He was smirking and twirling around a bronze lightsaber. The way his hair was swept back into a ponytail reminded Obi-Wan strongly of Bruck. The same posture, the same white hair. Obi-Wan swallowed hard.
"Garen," Obi-Wan said as he looked at his former friend.
Garen sneered. "Well, well, well, if is isn't Oafy-Wan and his dumb friends."
Aalto laughed loudly and pounded Garen on the back. "You tell 'em, Gar."
Reeft looked uncertain. "Obi, maybe we should leave."
Obi-Wan faced his friend in surprise. "Leave? And leave Garen with these pathetic losers?" He turned and looked steadily at Garen. "Perhaps, Garen Muln, that you have forgotten that we were once your friends. You confided in us everything. Including a certain name you once called Master Yoda…" he left the sentence hanging.
Garen threw himself at Obi-Wan who crashed to the floor. His former friend slammed a fist at him and Obi-Wan felt blood gush from his nose. He retaliated and kicked Garen in the stomach. Flipping upwards he head-butted Garen again and lashed out with his fist. Aalto punched Obi-Wan's head backwards and he cried out in pain as Garen kicked his legs out from under him.
Reeft sprang in to help but Aalto knocked him backwards. Obi-Wan pummeled Garen a few times before Garen managed to get on top of him and yank his braid. Gritting his teeth, Obi-Wan struggled to his feet as Bant tugged Garen away.
"Jeez, you don't want to kill him do you?" she asked in disgust at the bloody Obi-Wan, Garen, Reeft, and Aalto.
Obi-Wan scrambled to his feet and was about to launch at Garen again, but a strong hand stopped his movement.
Glancing upwards, Obi-Wan felt his stomach quake. There was none other than Master Windu…and he did not look happy.
That night, Obi-Wan crept out of bed and looked at Qui-Gon. The master was sleeping peacefully, buy Obi-Wan had a suspicion that Qui-Gon was exasperated. Earlier that day, they had been called before the council again to discuss the fight and Qui-Gon had argued his case until the clocks chimed twelve. They had been dismissed for the day.
Qui-Gon had played the part of a concerned master and had helped heal Obi-Wan's injuries before sending him off to bed. Next, Obi-Wan had heard Qui-Gon preparing new arguments for tomorrow.
Obi-Wan sighed. He had caused Qui-Gon a lot of trouble and made himself a heavy burden on Qui-Gon's shoulders. The only way he saw to resolve this was to leave. Slowly, Obi-Wan placed a fresh tunic in his travel bag. He threw in a few other odds and ends before considering his lightsaber.
Only Jedi could wield lightsabers and Obi-Wan knew that well. The lightsaber was his companion, his trusty tool. He had felt the loneliness of not having his lightsaber and the dangers it had brought. He remembered how the Force had seemed to be gone until he had his 'saber back when he was on Melida/Daan.
Qui-Gon turned restlessly and Obi-Wan looked gently at the Jedi. "I'll miss you, Qui-Gon," he said, a lump forming in his throat, "But this is the only way to resolve this situation peacefully. And painlessly." He rested his hand on Qui-Gon's hand and squeezed it gently. "Goodbye…Master."
Hesitantly, he laid his lightsaber down on the table across from Qui-Gon. He turned and left without a backward glance. The honor was his to claim no longer.
tbc