Chapter Fifteen

They followed the cord that linked Obi-Wan to the Mother Planet. Qui-Gon heard a wail full of utter despair that vibrated throughout his mind.

It was Obi-Wan, his Obi-Wan! After two weeks, it was the first sound he had heard from his padawan and he did not care if Obi-Wan sounded like giving up, all he cared about was that he could now hear his padawan.

Obi-Wan, hold on...

He did not know if Obi-Wan could hear him in return, but he hoped that the boy could.

They were closing in on the Mother Planet, feeling her as a pressure building in magnitude the nearer they became to Obi-Wan. Finally, the Jedi entered a kind of...wall-less room. Light was muted so dimly that it was hard to see, but Qui-Gon spotted a huddle figure a short distance from him.

Obi-Wan...

Obi-Wan did not turn nor seem to sense that the Jedi were close to him in this place of air. His hands were over his head and his eyes were squeezed shut. Qui-Gon could read defiance in every line of his padawan's face.

So Obi-Wan was still resisting. Qui-Gon was more relieved than he wanted to admit.

I have allowed thou to see him. Now leave.

Qui-Gon and the other Jedi, ghost-like in appearance in this place, turned around. There was a woman standing behind them. She glowed brightly, hurting their eyes, but none of the Jedi looked away.

I want my padawan returned to me! Qui-Gon told her, knowing that this was the manifestation of the Mother Planet.

Her head tilted to the side; her hair was flame around her head. He is mine. He must restore the balance that greed has wrought.

Yoda stepped up to her. Not his fate this is. Something more in store for him I have seen.

The Mother Planet did not waver. He is mine. Leave now before thou strainst my generosity.

This boy does not belong to you, Han'yaie said firmly.

Kyran stepped up beside Qui-Gon, his eyes fierce. We'll fight to keep him.

Thou wilt lose, the Mother Planet told them with a self-assured smile.

What is it about him that you want so badly? Anya asked her.

The Mother Planet gazed at the youngest member of their group for a moment, then replied, His power. Evil has run too long on my shores. Only a great power canst restore the balance to keep my creatures safe.

A thought tried to surface in Qui-Gon's mind at her words, but it was elusive and so he let it be. In time it would come to him. For now, he had to concentrate on winning Obi-Wan back.

Is there nothing we can say or do to get him back? Qui-Gon wondered.

She fixed eyes a deeper blue than the ocean on him and her face was resolute. Nothing.

Join together. Try to overpower her, came Han'yaie's thought through the Force.

Qui-Gon kept his eyes steadily on the Mother Planet as he focused deeply into the Force. He felt the others doing the same. They tapped into the ever-flowing, bottomless well of the Force. Their powers surged together, becoming a whirlwind that blew a tangible wind across their faces. As one, the Jedi pushed the great maelstrom of the Force toward Obi-Wan, hoping that it would break the Mother Planet's hold over him.

Obi-Wan staggered, pressing a hand to the side to keep his balance, but he remained there. Along with the Mother Planet.

They had failed.

Thy Force runs through me, the Mother Planet told them haughtily. It canst not harm me, nor canst it free the boy.

Obi-Wan glanced up. He stared straight at his master, for once seeing the Jedi there with him. Master? He asked, confused. What are you doing here? He stood and took a step toward Qui-Gon.

Suddenly the Mother Planet was between the Master and Padawan. He is leaving, Father. Concentrate on thy duty.

Obi-Wan shook his head, though he seemed weary. I do not want this. Let me leave. Let me go free.

Take me instead.

Six pairs of eyes stared at Qui-Gon at his declaration. Faces all around showed shock, though two did not seem surprised at all.

Qui-Gon took a step closer to the Mother Planet. Take me in his place, he repeated. I will stay and do what you wish.

Thou...wilt come in his stead? She asked, raising a fiery brow.

Qui-Gon nodded. Yes.

The Mother Planet looked at the stricken Obi-Wan and the denial that was hanging on his lips, then back to the determined master. She smiled.

Thou hast raised my estimation of humans, Master Jinn. Her smile died. But my answer is no. Thou dost not have the power that I need to set the equilibrium.

Now leave.

Qui-Gon's eyes flew open to reveal the round room that they were physically seated in, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had just been thrown on him. His eyes immediately traveled to Obi-Wan's body.

"No!" He cried, jumping up. Obi-Wan's body was nearly gone. Only an extremely faint outline could be seen on the table. He tried to grab his padawan, but his hands went straight through Obi-Wan's body. "No! Obi-Wan!"

"It failed," Han'yaie whispered in a dejected tone. His padawan crossed over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders in a silent gesture of support.

"Qui-Gon..." Kyran tried to console Qui-Gon, but he would not let his friend touch him.

"Obi-Wan! Come back to me, Padawan! Stay with me!" He cried, tears rolling down his cheeks and not caring. All he knew was that he had failed Obi-Wan and now his padawan was to pay a price that was unfair.

Yoda touched Qui-Gon lightly on the leg. Grief-stricken, Qui-Gon gazed down at the same Jedi, unseeing. "Know the answer you do, Qui-Gon," Yoda said softly. "Clarity to find it you need. Meditate you should."

"Meditate? But Obi-Wan..."

"Gone he is not," Yoda reminded Qui-Gon firmly. "Fighting he is. More so that know you are here he does. Clear your mind you should." Yoda's eyes bore into his.

Clear his mind...

With an effort, Qui-Gon pushed his grief out of his mind. He had thought about something when the Mother Planet had been speaking. What had it been? Was that the answer that Yoda was so sure that he knew?

Qui-Gon slit his eyes, replaying everything in his head. What was it that she had said?

Evil has run too long on my shores. Only a great power canst restore the balance to keep my creatures safe.

Only a great power...which she claimed only Obi-Wan could fill. But what if someone else could?

No, that would not work. He had tried to trade places and she had said that he did not have the needed power.

Only a great power canst restore the balance to keep my creatures safe.

A great power...

Suddenly, Qui-Gon had it.

"Sit back down in the circle," Qui-Gon told the other Jedi as he fairly flew back to his seat. "I know how we can save Obi-Wan and let the Mother Planet have what she wants."