MEMORIES FROM AFAR
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Star Wars or any of the Star Wars Characters. They are owned by George Lucas. I do, however, own the original characters (if any) and the fic all of this is in. That is all.
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Prologue
25 Years before The Phantom Menace
Space. The only thing keeping all the secrets that were meant to keep them silent was this void. In between the sparkling stars and endless planets, it rested in peace. The only thing that disturbed it was the many ships that went to the other planets on their routes. Besides that, there was nothing else that went unnoticed by the slumbering specks of light.
Beyond the darkness, there was a lone planet sitting in the silence. Two moons were orbiting it slowly, without sound. A faraway sun gave it's warmth and light to the planet; the closest thing to it. The planet it self was like a jewel in a deep sea--beautiful and rare. Those who knew about it did not plunder it's riches, keeping it as it had always been for thousands of years.
On the planet it's self nestled behind a forest on the other side of the light, there is a small farming village. The sun was beginning to set, night approaching, dusk settling in. It was remote but it had many visitors from the cities from across the forest. This village was useful since it had many resources that no other town had anywhere else for many miles around.
In the square of the town many villagers gathered. Many were dancing, of all species, each in a festive mood. Lights zig zaged over them, all hanging on some kind of strings from the buildings. Other creations hang from the houses and shops, more like a festival was going on. A small Cantina like band sat in one corner of this square, playing an up beat sound.
In the shadows of this festival, a lone woman stood, her eyes watching what is going on. She was young, with long blonde hair and green eyes. She was wearing a leather like dress with beads hanging from all parts of it. She was holding a small child, 2 years old and a boy by the looks of it. He didn't understand what was going on around him as he held a stuffed toy in his hands, placing his head onto his mother's shoulder.
As the music stopped the woman took in a deep breath. Her heart was beating fast as she casually walks into the light, making sure that none of her emotions are showing on her face or in her stride. A group of figures calmly walked from the other end as the ones who were dancing moved out of the way, creating a circle around them. In the group, 12 in all, each is wearing a black robe with the same color tunic underneath. Each one does not show their face as a hood covers them. There is more to this then what was being lead on.
As the woman and the group met in the middle, several members start to utter a chant under their breath. Only three do not say anything for they do not know the words. Or, so it seemed. As the woman hesitantly holds out her child, one of the three walks up to her and gently takes him. The boy looks startled for a moment as the figure places him over one of his shoulders. The child started to cry as the hooded one turns around to face the others. He nods into the group, somewhat like a signal. Two of the members take off their hoods and step out of the group. The chanting stops as the other members look around in surprise. Gasps could be heard from the crowd as the third takes off his hood as well.
"What is going on here?" One of the members demanded as the third takes off his hood. Several more gasps could be heard as he takes out a shiny object from underneath his cloak. He ignites it, creating a glowing blade on top of it.
"Jedi's......." Another muttered.
"What do you want here?" The first demanded, taking a step forward.
"I'll kill him if you come any closer." The Jedi threatened, turning the child around and placing his sabre close to his neck. The child looked surprised , nearly dropping the stuffed toy he held in his hands. Fear could be seen in his blue eyes as he stopped his crying and started to shake. As the group recovers from their surprise, each started to advance on the other, letting out inhuman growls.
"You wouldn't. We need him." One of the figures growled out, not stopping. The Jedi nodded to this, putting the blade a little closer to the small child's neck.
"Why do you need him?"
"It's none of your business. Now, give us the child."
"No. He's ours now." The other two Jedi quickly walked over to him, turning their bodies around to face the group. The Jedi lowered his sabre, clipping it back onto his belt. Like a flash of wind, their bodies move quickly, faster then any creature ever known. A wave of mutters start to surface in the crowd, soon becoming a dull sound.
With their target gone, the group look around at each other, whispering words to each other. They do not pursue the Jedi's for they knew that they could not catch them. Instead, they turned to the woman, who is standing perfectly still. Not moving. Not breathing. She did not say anything to them as she pushed several strands of hair over her left ear.
"If we can not take the child then we will take you." One told her, his eye's gleaming from under his hood.
"I have other children. Take them." She offered, no fear in her voice nor on her face.
"We wanted that child, woman. Now, you will go in his place."
"So be it. Yet, you will get nothing out of it." She said quietly, accepting her fate.
~~~~
One week later
Many light years away from the planet, the sun on Courscant started to move behind the endless buildings. The ships that moved between them were slowing down as day became night. Most of the inhabitants were making their way to their homes, ready to tuck themselves into their own beds. Sleep was beginning to set in as the rays of the sun hit the domed building of the Jedi Temple.
In the Temple, there were many Jedi's . This was the heart of the Republic; the last defense for the peace loving people that lived all over the universe. Most of the Jedi's found their Padawans here and many did their first training sessions within the walls of the training rooms. This was the home of the Jedi Council, a small group of Masters that governed over the others.
There were some Jedi's roaming the small court yard in front of the Temple, either talking to another Padawan or to their Masters. Each time a person went in or out of the Temple, the glass doors opened and closed with a soft whoosh. There were even other's who were walking around in the Temple itself, some done with their training for the night. Yet, there were two that were walking in a long corridor, each a Master.
"Why did we take the child, Mace?" Qui-Gon Jinn asked, his arms crossed over his chest.
"He is Force Fused. That's why." Mace Windu answered easily, the two Jedi walking down the corridor.
"So? There are many Force Fused children on Coruscant. Why not have the other Masters bring them here?"
"Because, Qui-Gon. There are other children who need the training more. This child was brought up when Yaddle felt something the last time she went to the planet. She saw the child and knew that it was special."
"What about those robed figures? What were they doing?"
"Induction, Qui-Gon."
"And the mother was going to let the child become one of them?"
"No. This mother wanted her son to be trained as a Jedi." Qui-Gon stopped walking, a almost horrified look on his face.
"Sith?" He inquired. Windu stopped as well and turned to face the other. He did not say anything for a moment as the two stared at each other. "Figures."
"If you want the truth, Qui-Gon, I'll give it to you. Those robed ones were not Jedi and they weren't Sith. Even though they practiced the Dark Arts, they felt the Force running through this child and wanted him to lead them to greatness."
"And eventually take over the universe like the Sith did all those years ago?" Qui-Gon finished for them, nodding slightly. "That sounds like Sith to me."
"What ever you want to believe. It's up to you. But, fact be known, they are not Sith. They do not want to take over the universe. Just their planet." With that, Mace turned around and continued to walk down the corridor.
"Then why do we intervene in their beliefs?" Jinn called after him, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Because, Qui-Gon. That child would not have survived. If he did not pass the tests, he would have died." Mace replied, not stopping. The other Jedi quickly started walking, catching up to Windu.
"If you say so, Mace." The Master looked over at the other, his lips in a thin line.
"The beliefs of this planet are simple but barbaric. There are groups, like the ones we encountered in the village, that go from one town to another, trying to find the right one to lead the planet to greatness. Every time that one enters the town, there is a festival, celebrating them. They choose a child from one family on the day of this festival, who has to be younger then five years old. If that child passes the tests that the group has set up for them, then they will be inducted into the group. If not, then they die.
"On this planet, more then half of the population is Force Fused. Unfortunately, many do not get the training they need to be Jedi's and it becomes too late to do anything about it. Being Forced Fused on this planet either ensures that you will live in comfort for the rest of your life or it brings you to your death."
"I'm guessing that these people do not like Jedi's very much." Qui-Gon commented, walking along side Mace.
"No, they do not. In fact, if we had let our powers be known any earlier, we would have been killed. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of their Bounty Hunters come looking for us, which is doubtful in any case. They do not dare go after any Jedi. They know our powers too well."
"Well, they will be hating us for a while. That is for sure." The two walked in silence, each thinking in their own way. Many of the younger Padawans walked past them, bowing slightly in respect. "What about the child?"
"The good thing is that he is talking to us in a normal two year tone and is eating some. The bad thing is that he wants to know where his mother is."
"The mother...." Qui-Gon mused, looking up at the quickly then turning his attention back forwards. Both turned around a corner and walked down the next corridor.
"Don't even ask it, Qui-Gon. I know what you are going to say." He warned, giving the other a sideways look. "I can not bring the mother here even I wanted to. The child needs training. And a Master."
"Don't look at me, Windu. I do not want to take on another Padawan."
"I know. But, you are going to have to take one soon. You need it."
"We shall see." Jinn muttered as the two continued to walk down the corridor.
Chapter One:
11 Years later, 14 Years before The Phantom Menace
Lightsabres clashed together, the noise bouncing off of the walls of the Training Room. At least a dozen or more Masters and Padawans sparred with each other, practicing for whatever test they could come up with. Some of the trainee's were young, most of them before the age of ten. Only a few were near fifteen, who of which were more experienced due to the many more years that they had been with their Masters. Only one had been with his Master less then a year and he proved to have more power within him then expected.
"Keep at it, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon Jinn instructed as he skillfully dodged the blade of his Padawan's lightsabre.
"I'm trying." Obi-Wan Kenobi said, falling forwards some before regaining his balance. He then turned around, lunging towards the other with sheer determination. Qui-Gon put his sabre in front of him for defense, the two blades meeting in the middle. For several moments, the two moved in unison, their moves matching perfectly with every step that they took. It seemed like the mini battle would go on for a little while longer but the Master moved to one side; a move which surprised the Padawan and caused him to stumble forwards once again. This time, he did not regain his balance and tumbled, face first, into the tiled floor, his lightsabre disignighting with the impact.
Obi-Wan grumbled something under his breath, not moving for a moment. Then, as he tried to raise himself from the ground, a booted foot was placed, roughly, onto his back, causing him to be pushed back onto the ground.
"There is no try, Obi-Wan, only do." Qui-Gon said, disigniting his own sabre and placing it back onto his belt. He did not raise his foot from his Padawan's back nor did he show any sympathy for the fall.
"Damn you."
"Strong word for a child."
"I'm not a child. Let me up." Jinn slowly raised his foot from the boy's back, his face stone cold. He did not help him up as he crossed his arms over his chest and watched as his Padawan raise himself from the floor with his arms. Obi-Wan looked up at his Master, a defeated look on his face and a light smile. When the other did not return his smile, he took in a deep breath and shakily stood up. His smile faded as he picked up his sabre and held it in his hand. "Will we continue training or is this it for now?"
"You have to learn how to control that anger of yours, Obi-Wan."
"I will make sure that I will do that."
"Sure." Qui-Gon muttered, turning his back on him. "Time to meditate. Go back to our quarter's. I will be there in a short while."
"Fine." Obi-Wan grumbled, sighing. He started to walk towards the door that lead into the Temple it's self, a frown on his lips. As he took short steps towards the door, the boy looked over his shoulder at his Master. Qui-Gon was still standing there, his back ridged and his arms still crossed over his chest. The Padawan shook his head and turned his head around, exiting the Training Room.
Qui-Gon watched the other Masters and Padawans train, his face just as cold as the floor beneath him. The moves the other's made around him reflected in his eyes as they moved along the room. There was no movement in his body other then that, keeping a vigil to himself. Alone.
"I think you are beginning to soften to him." A voice said from behind Jinn. The Master did not move as Ki-Adi Mundi walked to his side, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Don't be so sure about that." Qui-Gon replied irritably.
"You have to let go of the past, Qui-Gon. There is no use on keeping it in your memory."
"That's easy for you to say. You haven't had a Padawan turn on you."
"I know. But, it's not your fault. You could not have prevented that from happening. You had no way of knowing. Just let it be."
"There is a lot of things I would have done different. I should have seen it but I was too damn blind."
"None of us saw it coming. It happened."
"I shouldn't have been stupid. I shouldn't have even taken in another Padawan." Qui-Gon turned his head slightly, trying to keep his composure. Ki-Adi could tell that he was trying to keep his emotions inside of him, especially the tears and the pain.
"You shouldn't put so much pressure on Obi-Wan. He's only a child."
"He needs to learn if he wants to become a Jedi."
"I know. All Master have to be strict when it comes down to training but you are taking it too far."
"Then we should have left him where we found him if he can not handle the training." Qui-Gon snapped, letting anger seep into his voice. Glaring at the other, he started to move towards the Training Room doorway, taking long strides. Ki-Adi watched after him, his lips in a thin line. Obi-Wan will heal his wounds. That boy is the last hope for Qui-Gon.
~~~
Obi-Wan stared up at the ceiling of the room he shared with Qui-Gon as he laid on his own bed. He had his arms tucked under his head and his legs laying straight out. His eyes were puffed like he had been crying. Only a few tears remained on his cheeks as he tried to hold them back.
The boy had not started his meditation once he entered the room. Instead, he was lost in a sea of thoughts Everything that happened in the last few years replayed in his mind. The months leading up to having Qui-Gon choose him as his Padawan were the most vivid. All the waiting and patience had paid off. But, now, it seemed like it was for nothing.
Since he had started training under his Master, Obi-Wan started wondering if it was worth the pain and the sleepless nights. Every time that he tried to get closer to him, Qui-Gon would just push him even further back. It was if there was something that he was hiding. Something kept him from opening his heart up and allowing anyone to enter.
"I thought I told you to meditate did I not?" A voice growled from the doorway. Obi-Wan quickly sat up, placing his hands onto the bed. When he turned his head towards the voice, he saw Qui-Gon standing there, cold as before.
"Ye....yes you did." The boy stammered out, quickly wiping away what was left of his tears. The other snorted, raising an eyebrow as he stepped into the room. Obi-Wan looked away, biting his lower lip as he did. He tried not to show any more of his emotions as he got into the meditation position on the bed. As he closed his eyes, he heard Qui-Gon walk over to his own bed and sit down. There was slight movement on the other side where the bed was located, indicating that his Master was about to meditate as well.
As the moments ticked by, Obi-Wan opened his eyes just a crack, enough to be able to see just a tiny bit and to deter any quick reaction from his Master. He moved his eyes towards the other side of the room, taking a peek at the other. Instead of mediating, Qui-Gon was staring at the wall, his lips in a frown, like he was in a trance. The boy watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek, a sigh escaping his lips.
"Master?" Obi-Wan whispered, opening his eyes all the way, turning his head to the side. Qui-Gon blinked his eyes, coming out of the daydream like state that he was in. At first, he did not move nor spoke. After a couple of seconds, he turned his head towards his Padawan, whatever emotion that was in his face before was gone and replaced by a small hint of anger. "What's wrong?"
"You should be meditating and not worrying about me." He replied sulkily, not even smiling. There was a flat tone to his voice as if all the life had been drained from his body. "Besides, there is nothing wrong with me."
"Mmmmmm...." Obi-Wan mused, not believing him. The Master did not say anything to this. He closed his eyes, taking in several deep breaths. The child took this as a way for him to control his anger, which he did several times in his presence.
"Obi-Wan, just meditate."
"But...."
"There shall be no more discussion. Now, meditate."
"all right...." He muttered angrily, turning his head forwards and closing his own eyes. I will find out what is bothering him even if it takes forever.
~~~~
Mace Windu stood outside of the Temple, his arms behind his back. He had his head tilted towards the sky and his eyes open as he watched the many ships jam the skies. Whatever light came from the faraway sun went through the unnatural atmosphere. Even with all this jumble he still could make out the smallest thing and focus on it without even have to search for it.
"Nice, it is." A aged voice said from next to him. Mace did not have to look next to him, or down for that matter, to know who was there. The Force around the figure would tell who he was even those who were not Fused with the Force.
"Yes it is." Mace muttered, a small hint of a smile creeping onto his lips.
"Many times, I have seen, the sun set. Today, different, it is."
"How so?"
"Shadowed with much darkness, the light is not. Much good will come." Mace did not say anything. Instead, an unusual smile formed on his lips and stayed there.
To Be Continued....