Indicates telepathy

Indicates thought

CHAPTER 6

The Jedi team spent another three weeks on the planet before more supplies and more Jedi arrived. Upon returning to Courscant they were debriefed by the Council and all were taken off mission status until such time as they were deemed fit for duty again. They all knew it would be awhile before the padawans would be ready for missions.

They were back home for a week when Qui-Gon was awakened in the middle of the night by Obi-Wan's screams. He immediately ran into Obi-Wan's room to console him.

"Wake up Obi-Wan. It's just a nightmare. Calm down, I'm here for you. Calm down. Shh Shh."

Obi-Wan pulled out of his Master's embrace and stared up at him.

"Master you said you would tell me why I am able to do the things that others cannot. I Need to know now Master. Why, if my ability is supposed to be so pure then why did I nearly kill Bruck with it when we were little?"

A shocked expression on his face Qui-Gon said,"What are you talking about Obi-Wan?"

"When we were very small, still in the creche, Bruck and I got into a fight of some kind and I nearly killed him with my so called pure ability."

"Maybe you should start from the beginning because I don't know anything about this."

"I can't remember all of it. It started coming back to me in visions on Arboreal. What I do remember is broken and confusing. I see Bruck and there's another boy there but I don't know who he is. Then I see Bruck lying unconscious on the floor. Master, I think that that fight is the reason he hated me so much...the reason he want..."

Obi-Wan was interupted by the door chime. Qui-Gon went to get the door. Obi-Wan stayed on his bed and pulled his knees to his chest and put his head on his knees. He then felt the warm hand of Master Windu touching the top of his head.

"It's time he knows the truth. Qui-Gon, you go fix us some tea and meet us in the common room."

Qui-Gon went into the kitchen to brew the tea and Obi-Wan followed obediently behind Master Windu. A short time later Qui-Gon immerged from the kitchen with three steaming cups of tea. Obi-Wan was the first to break the silence.

"Master,please tell me what's wrong with me."

"You're so sure something's wrong with you. This should never have been kept from you. Obi-Wan, I know you have heard the prophecy of the Chosen One. There is another aspect to the prophecy that not many Jedi know. What we are all told is that the Chosen One will be conceived in the Force and impregnanted in a host to be born in the natural way of that species. Well, the part of the prophecy that is not known by many is that there are two aspects of the Chosen One...A light aspect and a dark aspect. With both aspects there is enormous power. For instance..what you did for Qui-Gon. You are of the Light Side Obi-Wan and can only do good. The visions you are having are from something that you have surpressed for many years. When you were six years old you happened upon Bruck beating up another member of the creche. You protected that child with what can only be described as an extremely powerful Light Side Force bubble. Because, even at that young age, Bruck had the Dark Side flowing through him he was repelled from the bubble. When Master Yoda arrived at the scene you and Bruck were both unconscious and near death. The child you were protecting was completely healed, awake and staring at you in complete awe. The three of you were taken to the healer's ward. The healers stabilized Bruck but were uncertain of you. They did not believe you would make it through the night. The next morning, to the surprise of all the healers, not only did you make it through the night but you were trying to escape from the Healer's Ward. You couldn't rember why you were in the Healer's Ward but you knew you didn't want to be there. They kept you there for another day then release you to the Creche Master. Bruck didn't come out of it for another three weeks. You see Obi-Wan, you are the light aspect of the Chosen One. That's why you can do things that no one else in the Temple, including Master Yoda, can do."

When Master Windu finished talking Obi-Wan moved to stare out the window. Mace and Qui-Gon walked over to him to give him comfort and strength.

"Obi-Wan, I know this is a lot to take in. You know if you need anything from me or any member of the Council just ask. Right now, though, I think you and your Master needs some time together. I'll show myself out and Obi-Wan...May The Force Be With You."

With that Mace left Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in quiet contemplation. Qui-Gon stood behind Obi-Wan waiting for him to speak first.

"Master, this is all so unbelievable. If it's alright with you I'd like to go to the Meditation Gardens for a while."

"Sure Obi-Wan I'll just get changed and we can go down together."

"I need to be alone right now Master."

Obi-Wan went into his room to change, leaving a slightly dejected Qui-Gon staring out the window. A few minutes later Obi-Wan emerged from his room.

"On second thought, I really don't want to be alone right now. Will you join me in the Meditation Gardens?"

"Only if it is what you want Obi-Wan."

"Thank you Master. Go get dressed and I'll brew us some more tea."

Two hours later Obi-Wan emerged from his meditation to find Qui-Gon leaned up against a tree sleeping. He quietly covered him with his robe. During his meditation he managed to resolve some of the issues from his mission to Arboreal as well as some of the things Master Windu had told him. He began walking around the pond in the Meditation Gardens and before he realized it he was standing in the very spot that Bruck had died in. Realization hit him and he fell to his knees.

"Bruck, I don't know if you can hear me or not but please forgive me for what I did to you all those years ago. I never meant to hurt anyone..."

Just then the transparent, but dark form of Bruck appeared before him.

"It is I that should ask forgiveness, not you. All my life I let anger lead my life for me. I took it out on anyone in my way...mostly you. That anger was eventually my own undoing, not you Obi-Wan. You did not kill me... I killed myself a long time ago when I chose to follow the Dark Side. I did hate you but not for the reasons you think. I hated you because you were everything I would never be...good," Suddenly the form of Bruck knelt down on one knee in front of Obi-Wan, "and now I come to you as my one act of repentance to ask for your forgiveness and to tell you to let go of your guilt. You have nothing to feel guilty for. Please forgive me for all the wrong I have done to you."

A sudden saddness washed over Obi-Wan and he said, "All is forgiven. Now go and rest in peace. Your soul is free now."

Bruck stood from his kneeling position and looked at Obi-Wan his eye saying what he could not verbalize. A sudden bright light began to descend from above to envelope Bruck and Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan no you can't come with me it is not your time."

"It's OK Bruck, I will be fine. No go it is time for you to finally be one with the Force."

Qui-Gon awoke with a start to see the bright light of the Force fading from the Gardens, Obi-Wan standing in the middle of it. As the light faded completely he saw his Padawan stagger. He jumped up and ran to him only to have Obi-Wan wave him off.

"It's Ok Master. I'm fine. Just a little unfinished business. Can we just go back to our quarters now? I'm kind of tired."

"Yes of course Obi-Wan. Are you sure you're Ok?"

"Yes Master, I promise I'm Ok."

They walked slowly back to their quarters.

Master I'm fine, really. My meditation went well. Stop worrying. No wonder you have all that gray hair.

Funny, very funny. You're sure you're Ok?

Yes Master I'm sure. I still have some things to work out but I'm sure that with your help I'll get through those things too.