By: Maygin
Notes: TADAAH!!! Chapter two ready for your viewing pleasure! Jedi-Nifet- tanks! I hope this clears a few things up for ya. I also hope it creates some more questions too :) SassySatine- thanks for the advice! It obviously worked, love your name btw Moulin Rouge rocks! Tiger Eyes- ::grinning suspiciously:: I don't know what you're talking about. Lizella- this one's for you man! Thanks for believing in me! lol!! Freakizimi- Dadaaaaah! Unstuck :) Becki- tooooo kind are you. Thanks for all the ideas! They helped me brainstorm and get the ball rolling. Steph- aawwww, shucks ::shuffling feet:: thanks. I'll do my best. Cascadia- ::GASP:: the great master has spoken! Thanks sooo much for the compliments. I hope this keeps you intrigued.
Chapter 2"Both towers are still in lock down mode Masters. We've still not been able to locate the individual responsible for the shield's malfunction. Chancellor Valorum is transporting the pilot of the assault craft to our holding chambers for us to interrogate and hopefully, reveal the traitor within the Temple." Chief of security, Agro Zann, gave a short bow of his head to the surrounding Masters.
"Thank you for your report Chief Zann. Please keep us informed of any new developments." Master Windu dismissed. The security chief bowed and quickly walked out to continue his search.
"This is unacceptable." Master Adi Gallia voiced as soon as the council chamber doors closed. "How are we supposed to be keepers of the peace for the entire Republic if we cannot even be so within our own temple walls?"
"I agree. This will surely not help alleviate the fears of the Olanian Government. Their alliance to the Republic has always been tenuous. If they hear word of this, they will surely see us as weak, and therefore the Republic weak as well." Master Eeth Koth agreed.
"What the Olanian Government decides, we can do nothing about. Long-lived is their mistrust in the Jedi." Yoda spoke up precisely.
"They're not the only ones." Mace pointed out.
"Hmmm." Yoda nodded gravely. "Dark times are soon to come upon us. Be on our guard we must."
"If anything, what happened in the garden's today has taught us that." Master Plo Koon's deep voice echoed within the council chamber and within the council member's minds, reminding them once again of the earlier disaster.
The council door swung open to admit Padawan Corsula who respectfully bowed before speaking. "Forgive the intrusion Masters, however Crech Master Yai'De has requested to speak before the Council."
Yoda straightened slightly in his chair. "Accept we do. Thank you Padawan Corsula."
The padawan bowed again and motioned the waiting Master inside before exiting and closing the doors behind her. Master Yai'De took in a deep breath as she composed herself before the council; it had been a few years since she'd last stood before them, however formality was never forgotten.
"Thank you for seeing me Masters." She humbly bowed.
"Hmm, expecting you we were." Yai'De paused a moment in her confusion. "Come to speak of young Kenobi you have hm?" Yoda leaned forward on his gimmer stick.
Yai'De gave a small smile, despite her true feelings. "Yes Master Yoda."
"Hmm, fear for him you do."
She took another deep breath to collect her thoughts and calm her mind before giving a small affirming nod. "I do fear for him Masters. I've had many Jedi throughout the years come into my care; some of you even." She glanced about the room, receiving a few nods and smiles. "Which should substantiate my feelings that initiate Obi Wan Kenobi is a child that needs more than I or anyone in the Creche can give him. I come before the council to ask that he be brought before you, that you should further test him and his abilities."
"Initiate Kenobi has already been tested before the council. All new initiates are." Master Ki-Adi-Mundi informed.
"I know." Yai'De's eyes fell to the ground. She hesitated, not quite sure how to explain her feelings. "Master Yoda, you yourself said the boy was powerful." She looked to the small, green Master. "You were in the gardens, as were many of you." She glanced around the Chamber. "You saw what he did." Many of the Masters nodded in affirmation.
"Master Yai'De," Adi Gallia spoke up, "we know the child is powerful. However taking him out of the Creche will only further alienate him."
"I'm not asking that he be taken out of the Creche, I just feel he needs guidance… guidance beyond my abilities."
"You want we should assign a Master to him." Mace plainly stated. Yai'De sighed and looked to the floor again, why did the council have to make everything so difficult?
"Have someone in mind do you?"
Yai'De could swear she heard a hint of mischief in Yoda's voice. The little troll may be too old to have ever been in her care, but she knew that tone anywhere; the old Master was up to something, she knew it. It was obvious he wasn't giving though. She decided to change tactics. "There's been another incident…" that certainly got their attention. "…in the Creche. Not long ago I was helping an initiate to the restroom while the children were having craft time. My Padawan was currently detained in Master Loomz's class as he is recovering from an illness." She took a deep breath before continuing. "As I was helping the youngling I felt a disturbance within the Creche and rushed back to discover it's source." She paused. "What I found was exploded paint cups and 17 frightened and paint-covered initiates." She saw a few smirks form on some of the Master's faces.
"Surely you of all beings should know that children are prone to being messy at times." Eeth Koth said as he remembered his own time under the Creche Master's care.
"Yes, however this wasn't all the children's doing… it was one child. And the force signature of the disturbance was easily readable. It was initiate Kenobi." She stated firmly.
Mace frowned, leaning forward in his chair. "You're saying he caused the paint cups to explode?"
"Yes."
"Why?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"I believe he was provoked by a fellow initiate. I don't think he did it on purpose though." She shook her head.
"You think he did it out of anger?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
"No, not out of anger, just… uncontrolled emotions."
The council chamber fell silent as the Master's meditated over the new developments. Master Yoda was the first to speak as he leaned forward on his gimmer stick.
"Agree with you the council does. Bring young Kenobi before us you will."
Yai'De licked her lips, taking in a deep breath. "That's going to be a little difficult at this time Masters."
Master Windu cocked an eyebrow. "Something else you'd like to tell us Master Yai'De?"
Yai'De almost smirked at Mace's sarcastic tone. "Obi Wan disappeared shortly after the disturbance; before I showed up."
"He is frightened." Adi Gallia confirmed.
"Well he won't get far," added Master Koth, "the Temple is still locked down."
"We'll alert the security teams of his disappearance and send some Knights to help you search for him." Mace informed.
"Thank you for your help." The Creche Master bowed appreciatively.
"When you find him, bring him before us."
Again the Creche Master bowed, then turned and made her exit. After the chamber doors closed, Mace turned to look at the small Master seated next to him. Yoda breathed deeply once before closing his eyes to meditate, a classic sign of his uncertainty of what was to come.
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"Sir, the second team checked in. They reported tampering in one of the ventillation systems."
Captain Agro Zann gave a quick nod and headed for the nearest lift. "What floor?"
"The Yeada levels sir."
Zann stopped short with a small frown. "Those levels are closed off. No one's been down there for years."
The guard nodded knowingly. "Yes sir."
Zann pondered the thought a moment more before heading for the lift again. "Call in team 3 and 7 and have them meet me down there," he said to the other guard. He stepped inside the lift and pressed the button for the lower levels of the Temple. He glanced at the fellow guard watching him from outside the lift. "Make sure they're armed."
The guard nodded as the doors slid shut and then turned to carry out his orders.
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"Master Yai'De."
Yai'De turned at the voice calling her from behind. "Master Qui Gon," she said slightly surprised, "is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually I was told you need my help."
Yai'De cocked an eyebrown, "Master Yoda said he'd be sending me a few Knights, so you'll have to forgive me surprise."
"What exactly is the problem?"
Yai'De took a deep breath. "There was an incident in the Creche earlier. One of the initiates, actually you know him quite well now, Obi Wan Kenobie?" at Qui Gon's nod, she continued. "Yes well he's dissapeared. I suppose you're the one sent to help me find him."
Qui Gon nodded and turned to follow her lead as they continued their walk down the hallway. "What was the incident?"
"About 30 paintcups exploding all over the room and the children currently occupying it." She sighed.
"Young Kenobi did this?" he asked slightly worried. "You're certain?"
"Yes. I'd know his force signature anywhere. I love all the initiates that come through, but once in a while you have a few that just… touch you differently." She smiled gently as they walked. "And then there are others who feel it their divine duty to drive their Crech Masters to insanity."
Qui Gon cleared his throat. "If you're referring to the Vlagarian Slime incident, it was entirely Mace's idea."
"So you've always claimed." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye with a grin.
"He said smearing it all over the floor would trip up the monster to which he swore lived in the lower levels of the Temple." Qui Gon said as he too smiled fondley at the memory.
"I'd hardly call Master Yoda a monster."
"Yes, well you weren't there when the old troll slipped and broke his arm." Qui Gon chuckled. "I've never seen him so angry."
Suddenly Qui Gon noticed the old Creche Master's head rise a little and close her eyes. "What is it?" he asked, spreading out his senses.
"He's here."
"Where?"
After another moment she opened her eyes. "I'm not sure, but he's definitely down this way." They began walking with a slightly quicker pace down the hallway.
"This hallway leads to the gardens." Qui Gon surmized.
"Surely they would have closed it off after today's disater." She said, worry once again filling her voice. The gardens was no longer it's serene, quiet, nature-filled room it once had been before the attack. It was now a hazard zone of twisted metal, broken glass, and splintered wood.
The two Masters approached the door, clearly marked off limits. Qui Gon entered in a manual coding into the locked door. The door slid open to reveal the disaster area. A haze of smoke still lingered within the room.
"He's in here." Yai'De quietly announced.
Qui Gon closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. He too felt the familiar presence now, within the room. He locked onto it and let it guide him. "I'll go this way."
"Be careful," she stressed. "These platforms and sheets of metal don't look too stable."
Qui Gon nodded, heading one way; Yai'De heading the other. Qui Gon carefully stepped over and past spears of jagged glass and splintered tree, all the while ducking beneath large pieces of twisted metal still hanging from the catwalk. He spotted a small alcove beneath a plate of metal from the catwalk that was piled beneath broken trees and rocks. He felt a small nudge from the force and moved toward the small cave. He hesitated momentarily before kneeling down to look within the dark cave that had been formed by the attack. He couldn't see anything past the opening since security had lowered the lights in the room to further convince others not to enter; however he could clearly feel a presence within. There was no mistaking that. Yai'De was right; this child's force signature was strong, bright, and easily readable to any and all who cared to look for it.
"Obi Wan?" he gently called, not wanting to scare the child if he hadn't already been alerted to his presence. No answer. "Obi Wan, its Master Qui Gon Jinn. Do you remember me?" Still no response. "I met you earlier today in the Healers Ward. I'm the one who pulled you out of the pond."
He listened carefully, however nothing followed but eerie silence. Finally the Master sighed and carefully pushed some glass shards out of the way before sitting down next to the cave, his eyes scanning the gardens. "You know," he gently started after a few moments, "when I was a young initiate, much like you, I was afraid of the dark." He spoke slowly. "Now I knew I couldn't be afraid of the dark if I was going to be a Jedi Knight, so I did my best to be brave and fall asleep at night." He drew in a deep breath as he recalled the long past memories. "However, because I continued to ignore my feelings and my fears, they began to consume me. So much so that whenever the Creche Master's would turn the lights out at night, I unconsciously turned them back on using the force." He shrugged, not caring if the little cave dweller could see the gesture or not. "I didn't mean to do it, but because I let my fears control me, it began to control my use of the force as well. Once the Creche Master's figured out what was happening, they began giving me private lessons on how to understand my fear of the dark and how to release it into the force rather than letting it control the force."
He paused, letting the small story hopefully sink in. He could feel the fear radiating off the tiny boy inside the little cave, but he could also feel the small ripples of concentration; so he was at least listening to what he was saying. Qui Gon sighed again, considering calling Yai'De over. He really didn't know how to deal with children at this age. So far they seemed to be quite unreasonable.
"You shouldn't be in here." A very quiet, timid voice softly echoed from within the small hole. "It's dangerous."
Qui Gon almost chuckled out loud. Here was a tiny four-year old child telling a Master the calamity before them was dangerous for him! Instead he settled for smiling. He sent gentle waves of understanding to the small being before proceeding. "Master Yai'De told me what happened in the Creche." He paused to get a reading of the child's reaction. He could feel a great weight of guilt and shame sweep over the boy along with fear. "Would you like to talk about it?"
He heard the small body shifting within the hole before a barely audible and shaky 'no' was heard. Qui Gon folded his hands in his lap and looked over the large room again. Maybe he should call the old Creche Master over to deal with this. He obviously wasn't having any effect on the boy.
"I ruined the gardens." The tiny voice painfully whispered.
Qui Gon turned slightly at this. "Why do you say that?"
"They said so."
"Who did?"
"The other initiates."
"They all told you this?"
There was a brief pause as the child seemed to think it over. "No. One did; but the others all agreed with him."
"How do you know?" the Master pressed.
"I could hear them in my head." The tiny voice shook slightly.
Qui Gon nodded knowingly. The child was indeed powerful. Why hadn't anyone taken notice until now? "Obi Wan… why don't you come out here and we can talk about it, hm?"
"I can't" the child whispered in return.
Qui Gon looked to the cave opening again, suddenly wondering if the child was injured or had somehow been caught beneath the rubble. "Why not?"
"I might hurt you."
Qui Gon could practically hear the guilt and fear rolling off those words. "Obi Wan, what happened in the garden's today was not your fault." He heard a small sniff. "And what happened in the Creche… that was our fault." Qui Gon raised his head and saw Yai'De coming towards him, a questioning look on her face. He held a hand up, and she stopped, with a nod… waiting. He turned his voice back to the little one inside the small hole. "Some Jedi are more powerful than others Obi Wan, and we have to pay careful attention to each new initiate that comes into the Temple for that exact reason." He checked to make sure the young one was still listening. He only heard another small sniffle. "Obi Wan, I know you're frightened that you might hurt someone, but I'm asking you to trust me." He paused. "Trust what I'm telling you… you won't hurt me."
"How do you know?" the small voice lightly cracked, quickly followed by another sniff. Yai'De felt her heart twist at the lost sound in the child's voice; but she held back, knowing the force was at work.
"Because I can help Obi Wan." Once again the words had come out of his mouth before he even conceived them in his head. No use holding back now he thought, besides, he could literally feel the force pushing him to this. It was the right thing to do. "You need guidance, someone to help you along… I can give you that."
He glanced at Yai'De, as if seeking approval. One look told him that was unnecessary. The old woman was smiling warmly at him, even more so was the crinkled smile shining in her eyes as she watched the will of the force up close and personal. He gave her a small smile in return and continued to share the moment of peace between he and his old Creche master as he spoke. "What do you think Obi Wan?"
A few silent moments passed and Qui Gon was beginning to believe he was going to have to force pull the kid out of the hole. A quiet shuffling noise however stopped him. He turned his head and saw the tiny form of the four-year old appear from within the darkness of the little cave. He crawled out and sat down next to the Master, taking one look at the gardens and then shyly looking up at Qui Gon.
Qui Gon put his large hand on the small child's head, gently pushing back the mop of ginger hair. He smiled at his little friend, sending gentle waves of warmth and kindness to him. "Feel better?" he asked. Obi Wan gave a small nod in response, his shy ocean-green eyes watching Qui Gon's every move.
"How about some dinner you two?" Yai'De asked, stepping forward. She chuckled at the enthusiastic nod she got in return from her bright-eyed initiate. "Come on then, I think the kitchen is still open."
Qui Gon rose to stand, but was stopped halfway by a small hand sliding into his. He looked down into the shy eyes, smiled, and then lifted the little one up from the ground by his one arm and into both his arms. He felt the welcome-ness of the gesture, not only through the force, but when Obi Wan sighed contentedly.
Yai'De watched as Obi Wan rested a tiny hand against the large Master's chest, upon his heart, and smiled like someone had just given him a warm fuzzy. To be in the will of the force was truly a wonderful feeling.
TBC
NOTE: I'm trying to stay away from nasty cliffhangers for now… but I don't know how long that will last. Hee hee hee (that's my evil laugh by the way) I really didn't expect all the reviews I got so thanks to all of you!! You really spurred me on! I'd love to hear some more of what you think so far and maybe some theories as to where this is going. I like to try and keep people guessing. Thanks for being awesome readers :)
2nd NOTE: Just thought I'd let ya'll know that I've been getting a lot of inspiration from several different movies and such… I'm not going to list them all until the end though, otherwise I might give away the game… and who wants that :P However… the slime smearing part is a spin off of one of Bill Cosby's stand up performances… if you feel like laughing, buy his c.d., 'Wonderfulness'. Hil-ar-i-ous!! K bye :)