Part Two
Chapter 1 - Mos Espa
Morning came quickly for the two Jedi and with it came the reality of fighting side by side. It was nothing new to Qui-Gon. However, for the Champion having an ally was something he had not had for years; since he had been new to the Sands and had begun making a name for himself.
When the time came, they were taken from their cell by the Apprentice and escorted to one of the tunnels that led into the Arena. Together, shoulder-to-shoulder, they stepped into the ever-blazing desert sun. They stood before the crowds whose cheers and shouts washed over them. Qui-Gon looked up at the mass of faces that looked down upon them. The stadium was full.
"Is it always like this for you?" Ben didn't answer vocally, not that the General expected him to. The General had discovered the Nameless Jedi rarely spoke. He wondered at the sanity of the man who would be defending his back. As if reading his mind, the Champion spoke.
"It doesn't matter. I will never let someone win. I merely wait for an equal to take my life." With those words Qui-Gon began to understand.
"You were hoping it would be me, weren't you?" The General felt a deep sadness, one that put sorrow in his eyes and a furrow in his brow. "Palpatine knows and won't allow it."
Ben did not respond in any way even so Qui-Gon knew he was right.
"I'm sorry, Ben." With great reluctance the General turned his attention to the approaching challengers. He had been correct, the Nameless Jedi was not waiting for his Lightsaber, he was waiting for an equal. The Force infiltrated Qui-Gon's thought and he knew that there was still more that Ben awaited. Something else, no, someone else. He remained because that person would be found amongst the death, blood and violence of the Arena. He waited for them, who ever they may be, but for Qui-Gon their purpose was unclear.
The battle was an easy one and the crowd's cheers grew as they watched the two greatest Jedi Warriors fight side by side. The two men fell into a pattern easily and instinctively knew where the other would be. They won the match without difficulty.
To watch a Jedi duel is both beautiful and fearsome. The people of Mos Espa had the second largest Arena in the Empire, second only to the Coliseum in Theed itself. The people of Tatooine were proud of their Champion. He fought only for them.
The people of Tatooine took to Qui-Gon immediately and with a little help from Palpatine's publicity, they began to call him the General, due to his leadership. They never suspected how right their words were when they called him that; all they saw when they looked at him was an exceptional Jedi.
Despite Qui-Gon's obvious ability and growing fame, the people's favourite was still the Nameless Jedi from distant Coruscant. They knew little of Qui-Gon. He was a mystery to them and in some ways more so that their beloved Champion who had entertained them for years. The crowds at the General's matches were equal to those at the Champion's and each pair of eyes in the stadium studied the new Jedi intently.
He fought differently than the Champion, who favoured tucks, rolls and impressive acrobatics. The General usually kept his feet firmly on the ground and fought with careful detachment. He was a steady, patient presence whether he fought within a team, on his own or with the Champion.
The Nameless Jedi still fought challengers brought from across the Empire, wanting the title he carried. Both Jedi fought their own duels, but the most anticipated battles were the fights they did together, when the Champion fought alongside the tall stranger. One fought with the ferocity of fire and the other was as cool as ice. They were the perfect pair and they were unbeatable.
Qui-Gon was amazed at the fame he had acquired so quickly. He also found his title, the General, faintly amusing. The General continued to share a cell with the Champion. The Champion seemed angry at this arrangement, for reasons Qui-Gon could not fathom. He could not imagine that the younger man was jealous- Ben was still the undisputed Champion and was crowd pleaser. He was still first among the Jedi.
"I have news," Mace said to Qui-Gon as they practiced.
"What's that?" Qui-Gon asked, not pausing in his attack.
"We are going to Theed."
That made the General stop.
"When?"
"Soon. The Emperor is hosting a two month long championship. You and Ben are going to the Coliseum." Mace watched the other Jedi as the news sank in.
"Are you coming?"
"I do not know, we will have to wait and see." Without another word they both returned to their practice, now neither able to concentrate, both thinking of the future and what awaited in Theed.
Ben came through the cell door beaten and tired. Qui-Gon wordlessly rose from his meditation and helped the Champion over to his cot. The man who had won the bid had been cruel, using a whip to beat out his frustrations. The Nameless Jedi sat motionlessly as Qui-Gon tried to clean his various wounds.
After the first night, Qui-Gon had stopped asking questions. It was obvious what was being done to the boy and it seemed pointless to make him relive it. Palpatine's treatment of his champion was one of the reasons the slaver had never attended the games at the capital before.
"Palpatine is taking us to Theed to fight at the Coliseum," the General told his partner. "When we get there he will not be able to do this to you."
"Doesn't matter." Despite the Champion's initial bursts of anger when they two had first been paired the two fighters had developed a respect for each other and Ben had begun to speak more. He spoke to Qui-Gon and in small ways he rebelled against his owner. "They will demand we fight each other, Qui-Gon and in all honesty, although I have waited for such a challenge, I cannot fight you. Forgive my anger, for some time this has been weighing heavily on my mind."
"I can not fight you, either." Some how, with out meaning to, the two warriors had become friends. In a place of mistrust and betrayal, the two had found each other.
"Where's home, Qui-Gon?"
"I've had many, but mainly it is in Theed."
"The capital, and here we are about to return to it. HE will risk going because the winner's reward has become too much for his greedy mind to ignore. I've heard Maul cares little for the treatment of slaves."
Hearing his brother's name again made Qui-Gon think of Xanatos and the life he must be leading. Perhaps soon things would change and he'd once again shake his hand.
"Where's home for you, Ben?"
"A long way from here; North, in Coruscant. I miss it. It is too hot here and all this sand... Coruscant is beautiful and green. The Empire had done my country many wonderful turns but the price we pay is slavery and bloodshed.
"How did you end up here?"
"Luck?" The nameless Jedi smiled. "He came to my village. My clan are a warrior race, we protect the others from bandits and thieves and we protect Naboo's northern borders. He said he was looking for our best warrior in training. They gave him me. Coruscant must keep peace with the Empire so we do as your citizens order. He brought me here and here I remain."
"Why did Palpatine go to Coruscant?" Ben had never spoken so much and Qui-Gon was trying to keep him talking by asking more questions. He was almost surprised when they were answered.
"Coruscant has been part of the Empire for years and we joined peacefully and happily. He heard of my clan and that we were the greatest warriors anywhere. We protected Naboo from its legions of enemies to the north. We were thought of as the best and that was what he sought."
"How old were you?"
"Six. The clans have always used the Force, which is how they saw the gifts of a warrior at such a young age."
"Why? Why do you never Say Palpatine's name?" Qui-Gon thought he wasn't going to get an answer, as the Champion remained quiet a long time before responding.
"He took my name, so I will not say His." The smile Ben gave his companion didn't quite reach his eyes. "What about you, Qui-Gon? How did you join the army?"
"What? How did you..?" The look of pure bewilderment made the other Jedi laugh out loud and it was a sound of true mirth.
"You are a natural leader. It was a guess which you just confirmed."
"My father and uncle were great men. I wanted to achieve something similar. They were both influential men, but I wouldn't allow them to help me. Everything I learnt I learnt the hard way, which made me a better man. I hope it did."
"You are a good man, Qui-Gon," Ben told him and reached out a hand to briefly touch his shoulder. "But you are stuck in hell."
"Yes. Why do you remain? What are you waiting for?" Qui-Gon had never dared asked before, however now seemed the time.
"My Lightsaber? An equal? Do you not accept both these answers?"
"No."
"You are wise, Qui-Gon. The clan did not send me here without my consent. I came because the Force urged me to. Here, in this desert, I would find them, the one who would make me whole. On this journey I would find love and peace."
"You still wait?"
"I had given up, and then you came and I felt alive again. I will continue to wait now, not only for my equal, but for them also. If nothing else you have returned to me my hope, Qui-Gon, something I thought He had stolen."
"He doesn't know?"
"Oh yes, but he does not know that I once again care and this time I will not let him see, because he'll only try and break me again."
The journey to Theed was both difficult and easy. Many of the Jedi were crammed into a caged cart. The hot desert sun and the cramped conditions were almost unbearable. Qui-Gon watched from the relative comfort of the cart he shared with Ben. It was also caged but they were the only ones in it. The General could not help but feel guilty.
"You care for them, don't you?"
The question stunned Qui-Gon. He turned to find his companion studying him.
"Yes, a great deal."
"How?"
Qui-Gon had grown to know the Champion and the strange question did not surprise him much. Most would have asked 'why?'
"It's very easy, Ben. I spent my life protecting people from the outside enemy. It pains me to see how cruel the people are within."
"Do you miss being a soldier for the Emperor?"
"I care little for Maul, however I would have followed Yoda to the gates of hell if he asked it of me and I would have stepped through those gates to follow Prince Xanatos if he had become Emperor."
Qui-Gon turned his attention back to the other Jedi and the Nameless Jedi continued to watch the older man. Something about him was familiar and there was a sense of knowing.
"Stranger, who are you?" Ben whispered.
It was a question people were still asking about the General. They had given up such things about the Champion long ago, but the General was new.
/Who are you and why are you still here?/ Ben watched the change in Qui-Gon as the convoy drew nearer to the capitol. The older man became restless and for the first time, he seemed nervous. /What's in the capitol, Qui-Gon?/
Ben had never seen Theed and he and the other Jedi could not help but be impressed by it, especially the Coliseum. Qui-Gon appeared distant.
/Of course this was his home, but.../
"Oh." The Nameless Jedi uttered finally realising Qui-Gon's secret.
They were alone again. The cells in the Coliseum were smaller than those in Mos Espa, though there were less Jedi in each. Ben and Qui-Gon shared with two others who were asleep in the far corner. With a hushed voice Ben spoke to Qui-Gon, at last confronting him with his secret.
"It's finally happening," Ben began. "You're finally back in Theed."
"Yes."
"Tell me, Qui-Gon Jinn, General of the Empire and true Emperor of Naboo, how are you going to beat Emperor Maul?"
Qui-Gon looked at the man who had become his friend, flabbergasted. Ben laughed, something he did more and more.
"I am a Jedi, I know the Force and you, sir, have fame of your own. Just as word of the Nameless Jedi in Mos Espa reached you, the stories of the greatest General in our army reached me. And as for the true Emperor part, you talk in your sleep."
"Do not."
Another laugh escaped the usually solemn Jedi.
"The Force talks to me. You are he. The way you act and react is part of your nature, you are a righteous man and your nobility is hard to hide. Deny it if you wish, Qui-Gon, I will understand if you do. Nevertheless whatever words leave your lips, the Force will remain the same."
"I..."
"You can trust me. You will need my help, Qui-Gon. The Blood Rite that allows you to challenge Maul is more complicated than you imagine because you forget that you are only a Jedi."
"I have to at least try," Qui-Gon defended himself, seeing no point in lying.
"Indeed you must and I will help you."
"Why?"
"It is not for them, your people, although I'm sure you would make a good and fair ruler. I do it because you have been a friend to me."
If Ben had said it was the honourable thing and that Qui-Gon should be Emperor Qui-Gon might have doubted him, but his reasons were genuine and personal.
"If that is true, than as a friend perhaps you would tell me your name." Ben looked at Qui-Gon. In his eyes the General saw many things. He saw the boy whose name had been forgotten, he saw the man who had been created and turned into the Nameless Jedi, he saw the Warrior who was the Champion and he saw below all of them, the man Ben truly was, without the dark taint and without the blood on his hands.
"I will tell no other."
It was the final test of friendship and trust. A final hurdle for a man who had isolated himself because he could not bear the torment compassion brought. A single tear slipped from a green eye and rolled down a young, ageless cheek and dropped to the floor.
"I cannot. I am sorry." More tears fell with the whispered confession.
"Shh, it doesn't matter now. Soon Ben, soon." Qui-Gon pulled the Champion into his arms and held him securely in his arms.
"Yes, soon," he uttered and brought his arms around Qui-Gon's shoulders and clung to him. They stayed like that all through the night, the General trying to help keep safe a man who had suffered much in his young life but who had tried hard to prevail against the dark.
Qui-Gon Jinn sheltered the Nameless Jedi that night. Secretly, deep down within his own wounded heart, he loved him. The Force whispered to them, binding them together.
It seemed the waiting was over for both of them. Would they realise it? Would, despite all they had faced, their courage leave them when the one thing they both needed and desired above all else was before them?
Both were still in body and remained unaware of their feelings nevertheless something had begun.
Chapter 1 - Mos Espa
Morning came quickly for the two Jedi and with it came the reality of fighting side by side. It was nothing new to Qui-Gon. However, for the Champion having an ally was something he had not had for years; since he had been new to the Sands and had begun making a name for himself.
When the time came, they were taken from their cell by the Apprentice and escorted to one of the tunnels that led into the Arena. Together, shoulder-to-shoulder, they stepped into the ever-blazing desert sun. They stood before the crowds whose cheers and shouts washed over them. Qui-Gon looked up at the mass of faces that looked down upon them. The stadium was full.
"Is it always like this for you?" Ben didn't answer vocally, not that the General expected him to. The General had discovered the Nameless Jedi rarely spoke. He wondered at the sanity of the man who would be defending his back. As if reading his mind, the Champion spoke.
"It doesn't matter. I will never let someone win. I merely wait for an equal to take my life." With those words Qui-Gon began to understand.
"You were hoping it would be me, weren't you?" The General felt a deep sadness, one that put sorrow in his eyes and a furrow in his brow. "Palpatine knows and won't allow it."
Ben did not respond in any way even so Qui-Gon knew he was right.
"I'm sorry, Ben." With great reluctance the General turned his attention to the approaching challengers. He had been correct, the Nameless Jedi was not waiting for his Lightsaber, he was waiting for an equal. The Force infiltrated Qui-Gon's thought and he knew that there was still more that Ben awaited. Something else, no, someone else. He remained because that person would be found amongst the death, blood and violence of the Arena. He waited for them, who ever they may be, but for Qui-Gon their purpose was unclear.
The battle was an easy one and the crowd's cheers grew as they watched the two greatest Jedi Warriors fight side by side. The two men fell into a pattern easily and instinctively knew where the other would be. They won the match without difficulty.
To watch a Jedi duel is both beautiful and fearsome. The people of Mos Espa had the second largest Arena in the Empire, second only to the Coliseum in Theed itself. The people of Tatooine were proud of their Champion. He fought only for them.
The people of Tatooine took to Qui-Gon immediately and with a little help from Palpatine's publicity, they began to call him the General, due to his leadership. They never suspected how right their words were when they called him that; all they saw when they looked at him was an exceptional Jedi.
Despite Qui-Gon's obvious ability and growing fame, the people's favourite was still the Nameless Jedi from distant Coruscant. They knew little of Qui-Gon. He was a mystery to them and in some ways more so that their beloved Champion who had entertained them for years. The crowds at the General's matches were equal to those at the Champion's and each pair of eyes in the stadium studied the new Jedi intently.
He fought differently than the Champion, who favoured tucks, rolls and impressive acrobatics. The General usually kept his feet firmly on the ground and fought with careful detachment. He was a steady, patient presence whether he fought within a team, on his own or with the Champion.
The Nameless Jedi still fought challengers brought from across the Empire, wanting the title he carried. Both Jedi fought their own duels, but the most anticipated battles were the fights they did together, when the Champion fought alongside the tall stranger. One fought with the ferocity of fire and the other was as cool as ice. They were the perfect pair and they were unbeatable.
Qui-Gon was amazed at the fame he had acquired so quickly. He also found his title, the General, faintly amusing. The General continued to share a cell with the Champion. The Champion seemed angry at this arrangement, for reasons Qui-Gon could not fathom. He could not imagine that the younger man was jealous- Ben was still the undisputed Champion and was crowd pleaser. He was still first among the Jedi.
"I have news," Mace said to Qui-Gon as they practiced.
"What's that?" Qui-Gon asked, not pausing in his attack.
"We are going to Theed."
That made the General stop.
"When?"
"Soon. The Emperor is hosting a two month long championship. You and Ben are going to the Coliseum." Mace watched the other Jedi as the news sank in.
"Are you coming?"
"I do not know, we will have to wait and see." Without another word they both returned to their practice, now neither able to concentrate, both thinking of the future and what awaited in Theed.
Ben came through the cell door beaten and tired. Qui-Gon wordlessly rose from his meditation and helped the Champion over to his cot. The man who had won the bid had been cruel, using a whip to beat out his frustrations. The Nameless Jedi sat motionlessly as Qui-Gon tried to clean his various wounds.
After the first night, Qui-Gon had stopped asking questions. It was obvious what was being done to the boy and it seemed pointless to make him relive it. Palpatine's treatment of his champion was one of the reasons the slaver had never attended the games at the capital before.
"Palpatine is taking us to Theed to fight at the Coliseum," the General told his partner. "When we get there he will not be able to do this to you."
"Doesn't matter." Despite the Champion's initial bursts of anger when they two had first been paired the two fighters had developed a respect for each other and Ben had begun to speak more. He spoke to Qui-Gon and in small ways he rebelled against his owner. "They will demand we fight each other, Qui-Gon and in all honesty, although I have waited for such a challenge, I cannot fight you. Forgive my anger, for some time this has been weighing heavily on my mind."
"I can not fight you, either." Some how, with out meaning to, the two warriors had become friends. In a place of mistrust and betrayal, the two had found each other.
"Where's home, Qui-Gon?"
"I've had many, but mainly it is in Theed."
"The capital, and here we are about to return to it. HE will risk going because the winner's reward has become too much for his greedy mind to ignore. I've heard Maul cares little for the treatment of slaves."
Hearing his brother's name again made Qui-Gon think of Xanatos and the life he must be leading. Perhaps soon things would change and he'd once again shake his hand.
"Where's home for you, Ben?"
"A long way from here; North, in Coruscant. I miss it. It is too hot here and all this sand... Coruscant is beautiful and green. The Empire had done my country many wonderful turns but the price we pay is slavery and bloodshed.
"How did you end up here?"
"Luck?" The nameless Jedi smiled. "He came to my village. My clan are a warrior race, we protect the others from bandits and thieves and we protect Naboo's northern borders. He said he was looking for our best warrior in training. They gave him me. Coruscant must keep peace with the Empire so we do as your citizens order. He brought me here and here I remain."
"Why did Palpatine go to Coruscant?" Ben had never spoken so much and Qui-Gon was trying to keep him talking by asking more questions. He was almost surprised when they were answered.
"Coruscant has been part of the Empire for years and we joined peacefully and happily. He heard of my clan and that we were the greatest warriors anywhere. We protected Naboo from its legions of enemies to the north. We were thought of as the best and that was what he sought."
"How old were you?"
"Six. The clans have always used the Force, which is how they saw the gifts of a warrior at such a young age."
"Why? Why do you never Say Palpatine's name?" Qui-Gon thought he wasn't going to get an answer, as the Champion remained quiet a long time before responding.
"He took my name, so I will not say His." The smile Ben gave his companion didn't quite reach his eyes. "What about you, Qui-Gon? How did you join the army?"
"What? How did you..?" The look of pure bewilderment made the other Jedi laugh out loud and it was a sound of true mirth.
"You are a natural leader. It was a guess which you just confirmed."
"My father and uncle were great men. I wanted to achieve something similar. They were both influential men, but I wouldn't allow them to help me. Everything I learnt I learnt the hard way, which made me a better man. I hope it did."
"You are a good man, Qui-Gon," Ben told him and reached out a hand to briefly touch his shoulder. "But you are stuck in hell."
"Yes. Why do you remain? What are you waiting for?" Qui-Gon had never dared asked before, however now seemed the time.
"My Lightsaber? An equal? Do you not accept both these answers?"
"No."
"You are wise, Qui-Gon. The clan did not send me here without my consent. I came because the Force urged me to. Here, in this desert, I would find them, the one who would make me whole. On this journey I would find love and peace."
"You still wait?"
"I had given up, and then you came and I felt alive again. I will continue to wait now, not only for my equal, but for them also. If nothing else you have returned to me my hope, Qui-Gon, something I thought He had stolen."
"He doesn't know?"
"Oh yes, but he does not know that I once again care and this time I will not let him see, because he'll only try and break me again."
The journey to Theed was both difficult and easy. Many of the Jedi were crammed into a caged cart. The hot desert sun and the cramped conditions were almost unbearable. Qui-Gon watched from the relative comfort of the cart he shared with Ben. It was also caged but they were the only ones in it. The General could not help but feel guilty.
"You care for them, don't you?"
The question stunned Qui-Gon. He turned to find his companion studying him.
"Yes, a great deal."
"How?"
Qui-Gon had grown to know the Champion and the strange question did not surprise him much. Most would have asked 'why?'
"It's very easy, Ben. I spent my life protecting people from the outside enemy. It pains me to see how cruel the people are within."
"Do you miss being a soldier for the Emperor?"
"I care little for Maul, however I would have followed Yoda to the gates of hell if he asked it of me and I would have stepped through those gates to follow Prince Xanatos if he had become Emperor."
Qui-Gon turned his attention back to the other Jedi and the Nameless Jedi continued to watch the older man. Something about him was familiar and there was a sense of knowing.
"Stranger, who are you?" Ben whispered.
It was a question people were still asking about the General. They had given up such things about the Champion long ago, but the General was new.
/Who are you and why are you still here?/ Ben watched the change in Qui-Gon as the convoy drew nearer to the capitol. The older man became restless and for the first time, he seemed nervous. /What's in the capitol, Qui-Gon?/
Ben had never seen Theed and he and the other Jedi could not help but be impressed by it, especially the Coliseum. Qui-Gon appeared distant.
/Of course this was his home, but.../
"Oh." The Nameless Jedi uttered finally realising Qui-Gon's secret.
They were alone again. The cells in the Coliseum were smaller than those in Mos Espa, though there were less Jedi in each. Ben and Qui-Gon shared with two others who were asleep in the far corner. With a hushed voice Ben spoke to Qui-Gon, at last confronting him with his secret.
"It's finally happening," Ben began. "You're finally back in Theed."
"Yes."
"Tell me, Qui-Gon Jinn, General of the Empire and true Emperor of Naboo, how are you going to beat Emperor Maul?"
Qui-Gon looked at the man who had become his friend, flabbergasted. Ben laughed, something he did more and more.
"I am a Jedi, I know the Force and you, sir, have fame of your own. Just as word of the Nameless Jedi in Mos Espa reached you, the stories of the greatest General in our army reached me. And as for the true Emperor part, you talk in your sleep."
"Do not."
Another laugh escaped the usually solemn Jedi.
"The Force talks to me. You are he. The way you act and react is part of your nature, you are a righteous man and your nobility is hard to hide. Deny it if you wish, Qui-Gon, I will understand if you do. Nevertheless whatever words leave your lips, the Force will remain the same."
"I..."
"You can trust me. You will need my help, Qui-Gon. The Blood Rite that allows you to challenge Maul is more complicated than you imagine because you forget that you are only a Jedi."
"I have to at least try," Qui-Gon defended himself, seeing no point in lying.
"Indeed you must and I will help you."
"Why?"
"It is not for them, your people, although I'm sure you would make a good and fair ruler. I do it because you have been a friend to me."
If Ben had said it was the honourable thing and that Qui-Gon should be Emperor Qui-Gon might have doubted him, but his reasons were genuine and personal.
"If that is true, than as a friend perhaps you would tell me your name." Ben looked at Qui-Gon. In his eyes the General saw many things. He saw the boy whose name had been forgotten, he saw the man who had been created and turned into the Nameless Jedi, he saw the Warrior who was the Champion and he saw below all of them, the man Ben truly was, without the dark taint and without the blood on his hands.
"I will tell no other."
It was the final test of friendship and trust. A final hurdle for a man who had isolated himself because he could not bear the torment compassion brought. A single tear slipped from a green eye and rolled down a young, ageless cheek and dropped to the floor.
"I cannot. I am sorry." More tears fell with the whispered confession.
"Shh, it doesn't matter now. Soon Ben, soon." Qui-Gon pulled the Champion into his arms and held him securely in his arms.
"Yes, soon," he uttered and brought his arms around Qui-Gon's shoulders and clung to him. They stayed like that all through the night, the General trying to help keep safe a man who had suffered much in his young life but who had tried hard to prevail against the dark.
Qui-Gon Jinn sheltered the Nameless Jedi that night. Secretly, deep down within his own wounded heart, he loved him. The Force whispered to them, binding them together.
It seemed the waiting was over for both of them. Would they realise it? Would, despite all they had faced, their courage leave them when the one thing they both needed and desired above all else was before them?
Both were still in body and remained unaware of their feelings nevertheless something had begun.