This is my first attempt at fan fiction. It's still very much a work in progress (and I progress QUITE slowly!), so I would appreciate any tips or pointers or encouragement any of you might have to offer.
Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!
-Kiyral
Now on with chapter 1:
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Qui-Gon raised a weathered hand to hide his smile as he watched his young apprentice. Obi-Wan's face was somewhat contorted as he attempted, yet again, to solve the practice-puzzle. He looked rather like he had just taken a huge bite from a juicy-ripe lemon and was sifting through the bitterness in his mouth to find the seeds. In front of him floated a cube roughly the size of a man's fist, segmented on each side into small squares decorated with words and letters. The trick was to use the Force to twist and rotate the segments so that one side would spell out an answer to a question. Obi-Wan had answered all of his Master's previous riddles with ease… until now, hence the sour face.
Seated across from each other at a low table in the Jedi Council Room's antechamber, Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi had been biding their time, awaiting the Council's decision. It had been a long wait so far, and the Council had yet to show signs of reaching a conclusion. The morning had waned into afternoon and now the room was aglow as the sun reflected amber light off the industrial landscape of Coruscant's vast cityscape.
…what gives power over anticipation?…strength to overcome lethargy and idleness?…It makes itself available to any who desire it and may be found in both a beggar and a senator. Something no virtuous being should be without…
The doors to the Council Room opened ominously and a startled Obi-Wan jumped to his feet, puzzle instantly forgotten. His master stood up calmly and held the cube before him so it would be noticed.
"Patience" it read.
Obi-Wan gave himself a mental kick. Of course it was patience. Something Obi-Wan was having a bit of trouble with lately. A lot of trouble, in fact, as that was the reason behind the meeting of the Council. The young Jedi shot his master an apologetic look and took the lead as they made their way into the main Council chamber.
Obi-Wan made his way to the center of the room, his pause nearly imperceptible as Qui-Gon halted just beyond the ring of chairs that made up the Jedi Council. It made sense that Obi-Wan would be held responsible; it was his mistake after all. If only he had just waited for his master to return instead of going off on his own, he wouldn't be in this mess. Qui-Gon was right, he definitely needed to learn the meaning of patience.
Everyone's undivided attention was on the troubled padawan as he stood up to the scrutiny of the Council's all piercing, all knowing eyes. They could follow his thoughts, he knew, which made him feel somewhat undressed in a rather unpleasant sort of way. Yet he stood taller and lifted his head, ready to accept whatever punishment the Council saw fit to place upon him.
Obi-Wan willed his eyes from the building he was studying in the distance as Master Yoda spoke carefully, "Much pride have you, Padawan Kenobi." The wizened old Jedi paused for a breath before he continued, "But not such a bad thing it is, no. Know, you do, when it is your time to listen. Your place you know, and respect for your masters you have. Understand, the Council does, your intentions of the past week, and learned a valuable lesson we believe you have. However, this kind of behavior is warranted by the Council to be reprimanded. Therefore, your punishment shall be as follows: Three days of isolation on an uninhabited world. For reflect upon your recent choices and actions, you still must. Then return, you will, before the Council and share what you have learned."
The Padawan wasn't sure what to think. Somehow he'd gotten the impression that he was going to be expelled from the Jedi Order. Well, maybe not that, but definitely something of that magnitude. Three days of isolation was nothing! How in the name of the stars did he get off so easy?
Obi-Wan's thoughts must have been transparent, as Mace Windu quickly spoke up, "The planet you will be staying on is called Dagobah."
"…Dagobah?" He'd never heard of it.
Qui-Gon, who had stood waiting patiently out of the Council's attentions, suddenly seemed concerned, "Masters, if he is to go to Dagobah, I suggest he not go unaccompanied. It is not a place where one can sleep…safely…on his own."
"Agree with you, the Council does, Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Where goes the student, the teacher must follow. Careful, you both must be for us to see you here again safely in three days," With a look from Yoda that spoke volumes, Qui-Gon understood this punishment for not keeping closer tabs on his apprentice.
"As you wish Master Yoda, Master Windu, Masters," Qui-Gon bowed to the council and turned to leave.
Obi-Wan bowed as well and heard barely above a whisper as he followed his master from the room, "Watch out for each other you both must. May the Force be with you."
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Chapter 2 is in progress, please let me know what you think!
Thanks!!
-Kiyral