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Dark Reflection in a Shattered Mirror

By: KrystalBlaze

Reviews at end of chapter.

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Part Two

Master Sifo-Dyas.

Why was the name bugging him so? Or rather not the name, but the presence of the being that possessed the name. He could not recall ever meeting anyone of the name Sifo-Dyas, yet every nerve end tingled when he thought of him. It wasn't so much the thought of actually having met the Master before, but more a feeling of premonition, as if he would be meeting him, and he would matter in the near future.

But that was implausible, though. Some Jedi, he knew, were prone to visions, although they knew it would be difficult to trust them. Visions were not solid, thus could not be probed and seen. The Jedi did not trust them as such. Obi-Wan himself had never in his entire life even received an inkling of events that would happen more than days in advance. The pressure of this feeling startled him, and he struggled to place a finger on why it was bothering him.

He left his quarters early, just before dawn. Qui-Gon, of course, had been up, and had favored him with condescending eyes as Obi-Wan walked out of their apartment silently. Obi-Wan was happy for the silence; he had much to think about. He went to the Room a Thousand Fountains, unsurprised to see it completely empty save for Yoda, who sat meditating on his favorite bench.

Obi-Wan made care to not disturb the ancient Master, choosing a spot near the other entrance of the Room. He sat for a moment, basking in the smell of grass and the hum of the waterfall as it roared down into the lake. He smiled, remembering the times he had spent here, in this room, in this spot. This was Bant's favorite spot because it was three meters or so above the lake, giving her a high diving point, and there was nothing more she loved more than that.

Thinking of his friends, he sighed. He would be leaving next week, and the days before then would be full of preparation for the mission ahead. He would have so little time with his friends, and he rarely had them all together anymore these days. Bant and her master were recognized for their skill in diplomacy and worlds asked for them specifically. Garen and Clee Rhara were top pilots in the Jedi flight programs and were often called to fly Jedi to and fro when the circumstances were dangerous. And Reeft with his Master were always gone, too: they were a regular Master-Padawan team, but being thus called them away for long periods of time.

His good friends were soaring onto bigger and better things, and Obi-Wan found himself missing the moments of their childhood, when things were so simple and they could play the days away. He would miss them all so very much when he left. Who knew when they would all be together again?

Oh, just stop it. The Jedi path is a hard one, and you know this.

He could not, however, stop the sigh that escaped from his lips as he thought about it.

"Troubles you, something does, Padawan Kenobi?" a gnarled voice asked from behind him.

Quickly dropping out thought, Obi-Wan jumped to his feet and bowed before Yoda. "Good morning, Master. I hope you are well?"

Yoda laughed. "Well, I am. But you, Padawan Kenobi, what troubles you?"

Obi-Wan appreciated the Jedi Master's insights into his thought; however, he did not want to be intruded right now. He still needed time to think about the mission ahead, and struggle to put a name on the tension inside him. It was not a paralyzing fear, no. Qui-Gon had helped him set aside the fear yesterday; however, he felt a rising anxiety seep within him. He was not afraid for his health or anything of the sort. Jedi were not afraid of such things. But the thought of being away from Qui-Gon and possibly failing, and the constant uneasiness within him… that frightened him.

Something was going to happen.

"Master Yoda, I am troubled with thoughts of my mission," he said finally.

"Ah," Yoda replied, smiling. "Thought that, I did. A walk, will you take with me?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan said at once. No matter what he was feeling now, a session with Yoda always left him with new things learned, and he came away revering the wizened Jedi even more.

They set on the path that would lead them to west corridor exit in silence. They were halfway to the exit before Yoda spoke, his voice grave. "Young Kenobi, send you on this mission we would not if ready you were not."

Surprised, Obi-Wan turned to look at the Master. "Master, I know you would never-"

"Ah, yes," Yoda interrupted. "Your fears on that matter, has Qui-Gon put to rest? Hmm?"

Obi-Wan did not say anything, and he wondered how Yoda had driven to the root of the problem so quickly. Because although Obi-Wan's head told him he was ready for the mission, that if he just kept his head and listened to the Force, his heart refused to believe it and still held onto Qui-Gon with childish strength. He nodded slightly. That, above everything else, was the very core of the problem: Obi-Wan deep worry of how he would do without Qui-Gon.

"Hmm. Realize, the Council does, how hard this mission will be. Believe, we do, in your abilities."

It was all the Master said, but it filled Obi-Wan with strength. He now had Yoda's belief in him along with Qui-Gon's, and that made the ball of tension in the pit of his stomach loosened its hold a notch. He smiled at Yoda, now, relief in his heart, although a little voice in the back of his head began to scream at him.

Yes, you have the Council's blessings. But how will that help you?

Obi-Wan decided then he would know nothing until he actually knew something.

"Master Yoda," he said. "Who is Master Sifo-Dyas?"

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"Master Sifo-Dyas? Why in the galaxies do you want to know about him?" Jocasta Nu's voice was rough and startled.

It intrigued Obi-Wan at her reaction. When he had asked Master Yoda about the man, the answer he had received was one of sadness, framed by two simple words: "He left." There was such sadness in Yoda's tone Obi-Wan had decided not to pry any further into the old Master's thought, choosing instead to search the Temple Archives.

"It is for a mission," he said carefully, aware of his Master's words to him the night before.

She regarded him with a wary eye. "Ah, yes. I heard the Council had passed you for Senior Level status. You have my acknowledgement." Without another a word, she beckoned him to follow her down a row holo-books to the shelf. She turned and motioned to the bust sitting on a stand. "This," she said shortly, "is Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas."

Obi-Wan turned his attention to studying the details of the bust. As every other one in the Archives, the statue was well polished and the details were remarkable. Sifo-Dyas appeared to be an older human male, possibly a little older than Qui-Gon. His eyes, even in stone, were sharp and focused, his hair lank on his head. He could not tell the color, of course, but he imagined the eye ice blue, like Qui-Gon's. Even in stone, Sifo-Dyas was a remarkable figure, one who gave off the aura of power and comfort. The way he reminded Obi-Wan of Qui-Gon was astonishing.

Jocasta saw his stunned eyes and chuckled. "Oh, yes, he does remind you of Master Jinn, doesn't he?" She shrugged her shoulders and spoke before Obi-Wan could ask. "Master Sifo-Dyas left the Jedi Order two years ago on a mission only the Council knows of. No one else was ever told. About a year ago the Council decided he would not be coming back, and requested his bust be placed here. They believe he deserved it, because although he might have left the Jedi – there were rumors, you understand – he did many great things while he here, and for all we know he may have died on a mission."

He examined her eyes, and saw the sadness she was trying to hide. She saw his clear eyes focused on hers, and Obi-Wan thought she would reprimand him, but she only said, "Master Sifo-Dyas was a friend of mine, Padawan Kenobi. His departure hurt me, if you must know. His departure hurt many. He inspired loyalty and kindness. The Jedi were hurt by the loss of one so fine. He was a wonderful pilot, and trained Clee Rhara and Even Piell, who I'm sure you know."

She did not speak, and Obi-Wan did not pry. None of the words rang any meaning in his heart, yet the name still caused a ball of apprehension to knot in his stomach. Why did he feel it so clearly? His mind began to jump off the walls.

"Madame," he asked, "Was Master Dyas's home world Yanari?"

She stiffened. "Yes," she said sharply. "And I would suggest not digging around there, Padawan Kenobi. They do not welcome Jedi. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." She left quickly down the row of books she had led Obi-Wan through.

He stood for a long time in that spot, staring at the bust of Sifo-Dyas. Sifo-Dyas was a Jedi Master who had gone on a mission and never returned. He was borne of Yanari, the planet Obi-Wan would be sent to shortly, and he had vanished. Did it mean anything? Qui-Gon's voice had not wavered in any sense when he had spoken of a Jedi vanishing. What did it matter? Obi-Wan decided it had to be nerves. If he was being sent to any other planet besides Yanari, he would still be nervous and looking for any discrepancy in the mission ahead.

Sifo-Dyas did not matter.

Then why in the stars did the name make his stomach tie in knots?

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Obi-Wan met his friends in the Room of a Thousand Fountains as planned. He was fully prepared to tell them the moment he got there, but there was no need. He didn't know how, but word had gotten out he would soon be on his first solo mission, and they attacked him the moment he came through the door.

"Brilliant, Obi-Wan!" Garen said, wringing his hand. Reeft pounded him on the back and Bant hugged him, laughing.

"Oh, stop it," Obi-Wan said, although he was grinning. They collapsed onto the grass. "It's nothing big, guys, honestly. We knew it was going to happen sooner or later."

"But we were just talking about," Bant said. "That's the thing that makes it so… awe striking."

"Can you tell us about it?" Reeft asked, taking from his pack a muja fruit.

He sobered as the meaning of the question sank into him. No, he couldn't tell them. He realized just how high stakes the mission was. "It's Level One classification."

They stopped talking, and Bant's mouth fell open. Reeft dropped his muja back into his pack, and Garen laughed uncertainly. When Obi-Wan did not contradict the laugh, Garen asked weakly, "You're sure?"

This time Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes, Garen, I'm positive."

Reeft said softly, "wow." He picked up his fruit and began to eat, feeling the matter was laid to rest.

Bant looked scared. "Obi-Wan… I know you're ready, but isn't it a big thing for the Council to place this on you now?"

He found himself nodding. "I guess so. Master Qui-Gon thinks I am ready, and I will go with what he tells me, since everything I think of otherwise leaves me feeling faint." He smiled at her worried look, hoping to chase it away. When it did not flee, he sighed. "Bant, I know it will be tough mission, but I'm sure if you have a little faith in me, I'll do fine."

She looked defensive. "Of course I have faith in you! I'm worried, is all."

He reached out and took her hand. "Oh, Bant, don't worry for me. I'm worried enough for all of us."

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LE – I disagree with you, but thanks for the support for "Breathe." –smile- Thank you for the well thought out reviews. I love those. –more smiles- I'm really glad you're sticking with the story. It makes my day.

KenobisagtWell, did you like the update? Thanks for the review.

Stranded Stargazer – Hey, a good name deserves recognition. Hopefully this chapter helped link more things together.

I'll be gone for a week starting tomorrow. Sorry for such the long delay on this post. I've got three more chapters written, so I'll make sure and upload those quickly when I return. Thanks for the reviews thus far.