Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters. All the characters are the property of George Lucas and LucasFilm Ltd.
Feedback: Is most welcome.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone! So here it is— one of the most awaited chapters. I do hope I have done it justice and it has come out as I imagined it in my head. Without further ado, Obi-Wan Kenobi meets Anakin Skywalker!
Chapter X
When he had finally seen the potential inside Obi-Wan and agreed to be his mentor till Knighthood, he had never expected that he would find himself in so many troublesome situations that he would lose count. At first, he thought of it as an unfortunate fact because more or less every mission required such troubles. When they had occurred quite frequently, he dismissed that notion.
It was only a few years later that he finally realized what was happening: his young apprentice was a magnet for trouble and to find himself in strange situations meeting with peculiar people. And the boy complained that he tended to pick up 'pathetic life forms' and that he 'invited trouble'!
Over the years, Qui-Gon had accepted this trait of his apprentice and planned accordingly whenever on missions.
So why was he surprised when something strange happened the moment he introduced the blonde boy to his apprentice, he will never know.
He should not be surprised, in all honesty, because he had seen something bizarre happen on this mission a mile away.
No, it was not because he had a vision or something. He unlike Obi-Wan did not have that gift being more attuned to the Living Force. It was also not because of the fact that something weird had not happened for a long while and so it was its turn to happen now. No matter how bizarre that sounded.
It was nothing particular that gave him that intuition. It was like one of those 'bad feelings' Obi-Wan has. And though he had told Obi-Wan to concentrate on the moment on the Trade Federation's ship, he could not help but feel that there was something different about this mission.
Besides, Obi-Wan's peculiar behavior over the last four days just built to that feeling.
Ever since Obi-Wan had come out of his meditation around four days back, he had appeared jittery and confused. He had stared at everything with nostalgia.
Qui-Gon had dismissed it for a while, attributing it to one of those phases Obi-Wan momentarily had at times. He thinks of it as phases in a growing boy.
However, when Obi-Wan had forgotten how to fight alongside him in a simulation against training droids, he knew something was wrong. And the excuses Obi-Wan made were barely acceptable although by the next training time he had actually improved quite a bit.
Really, it had seemed that Obi-Wan had forgotten how to use Ataru at all!
Obi-Wan was usually ahead of his age mates in lightsaber practice so this change was slightly worrying.
But that was not all. At times, Obi-Wan's eyes would take on a haunted expression and sometimes one of a person much wiser than their age.
There were moments during the trip while Obi-Wan being in deep thought would raise one of his hands as if to stroke a phantom beard and then realizing what he was doing would drop his hand chuckling lightly.
Obi-Wan had been meditating more and more which was a miracle in itself. Whenever his Padawan would glance at him, he would blink as if not used to his presence but of someone else.
This had also occurred when they would be engaged in deep rounds of banter, Obi-Wan would smile and look at him but the moment their eyes used to meet, he would see deep sorrow as if expecting somebody else to be there and he would shake his head and grow silent.
There were positive changes too. The Force itself seemed to be caressing the young Jedi and sending him feelings of warmth and comfort.
And if he examined it close enough, he was sure there was a change in Obi-Wan's force signature as well. It was, however hidden and if he did not know Obi-Wan as well as he did, he wouldn't have noticed it.
His apprentice himself seemed more alert and attuned to the Force. He was much more confident and Qui-Gon could not help but feel that he had been holding back during his fights in Naboo.
The Force was moving around his aura and his signature was in the centre but there seemed something missing, something important but Qui-Gon could not quite place a name to it.
There was also the matter concerning Obi-Wan bringing truguts with him as if he already knew they were going to land on Tatoonie. He had said it was due to a prompting from the Force but then why had he not consulted him before? There was also the suggestion about gambling… Normally, Obi-Wan would scoff at the idea calling it uncivilized. But this time, he had suggested it without any reservations. Qui-Gon lips quirk slightly on remembering that conversation.
What did worry him the most was the fact that at times when Obi-Wan would look at him, it would be as if he is seeing a ghost. It was imperceptible but Qui-Gon had known the man for thirteen years now and even the slightest changes registered in his mind.
He had pushed all these worries to the back of his mind when the mission had started and afterwards when they had to take a detour to Tatoonie as the mission came first.
He had succeeded in doing so for the major part of the mission easily maintaining his priorities at the moment.
That had all been shattered when he met a young blonde boy by the name of Anakin Skywalker.
There was something different about this boy and yet vaguely familiar. He did not know how but he sensed that this boy is somehow connected to him.
What was more surprising was the fact that he had observed that the boy was suffering from behavioral changes as well. He did not notice it personally of course; he did not know the boy well enough to make assumptions of that sort.
But what he had seen him do was enough to arouse his curiosity. The boy seemed confident and in control except the previous night when he had sensed distress for an unknown reason from the boy. He knew his mechanics that was no doubt. He almost seemed to know everyone in their group. There was also the eerie resemblance between how that boy had glanced at him like Obi-Wan had: as if he had seen a ghost. It was unnerving to say the least.
No, he had observed it in the responses of people who did know Anakin well like his mom, that old lady Jira and his friend Kitster. They radiated confusion often at some of Ani's actions as if they were not used to it.
Looks like he is suffering from the same problem like Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon had blinked then.
He cannot just compare a random boy with his apprentice. But he was not just a random boy, was he? He may be the Prophesized Chosen One!
But still, the two names had just slipped together. Kenobi and Skywalker. Skywalker and Kenobi. It just had a certain rhyme to it. Even the Force had seemed to thrum with joy and acceptance and a general sense of righteousness when it had happened. Qui-Gon frowned.
He was just assuming too much…or was he?
This certain event on their meeting proved his earlier theory, did it not? Or did it?
He glances at the two people his thoughts had been revolving around for a good ten minutes. He hides a smile seeing that both of them are in the same state of shock and had not moved one bit from their earlier positions since the incident had happened.
They were staring at each other with wide open eyes shocked clearly at what occurred. He restrains from chuckling too at the identical faces of bewilderment adorning their features.
He winces slightly at the sudden pain in his head. When the Force had flared, it had definitely taken him off guard. Not to mention, that he had just come after defeating a trained assailant wielding a red lightsaber! He might even be a…a…a Sith!
Force…Sith. That was something to consider too. How can that Zabrak be a Sith? He believed them to be extinct millenia ago. But the further he probed, the more he found it to be the truth. He will have to present this theory in front of the Council along with the boy's…
Force, I am getting too old for all this.
Realizing that his thoughts were not helping to keep the quickly forming headache at bay and his muscles actually required rest, he gets up.
Sighing, as he saw his two young charges, he decides to put an end to this stupid staring contest.
"Come on, Obi-Wan. Let us go to our room. Anakin, let us get you to your mom." When none of them reply he resists the urge to roll his eyes. "Padawan!"
That has the desired effect. Blinking slowly, waking up from his stupor, Obi-Wan glances at him, "Ye..Yes, Master."
"Let us get to our room."
"Yes, Master."
"Alright, you go ahead. I will escort Ani to his mom seeing we are the only ones left here."
"Yes, Master." Despite agreeing, Obi-Wan makes no move to return. He gazes at Anakin yet again.
"Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Master?"
"Now."
"Huh?"
"Your room, Padawan."
"Oh, yeah. I will go." Shaking his head, Obi-Wan tears his gaze away and trudges back to his room.
One down, one more to go.
"Anakin, come on. Let us get you to your mom."
"Huh? Okay."
Well, that was easy.
He knew he had to explain to Anakin what had happened as he did not know a lot about the Force. But he was not ready to explain it now for he was analyzing it himself. Happenings like these were quite rare among strangers.
Unless they were not strangers…Huh? Where did that thought come from? Shaking his head he thinks he can really do with meditation and rest right now.
Dropping off Anakin with his mom in one of the rooms the Queen had graciously allotted to them, he proceeds to his room as well.
Yep, this mission was definitely a strange one.
And he had a feeling it was just going to get stranger.
-x—x—
Was it really this awkward the first time?
Obi-Wan cannot help but wonder.
His heart had not really been in the conversation with Qui-Gon. He already knew all he had to. But a part of him wished that if he concentrated hard on what his Master was saying he would just forget that Anakin was standing there.
He had been pointedly ignoring his presence until he reached the point of no return.
"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
He slowly turns to face the young innocent boy.
Blue. That is the first thing he notices. His eyes are not a sickly yellow or hidden behind a mask, they are a clear blue.
He stares at the boy who would one day become his best friend and then in the end, his arch nemesis.
Somehow, he cannot just imagine Vader as this same little boy.
A deliberate cough through his mental bond by Qui-Gon asking him to do something makes him realize that he had just been staring at the boy.
Great going Kenobi. First rule of befriending someone is to stare at him until he becomes nervous and considers you creepy.
Ignoring the sarcastic part of his mind that pops up at the most inopportune of moments, he knows he has to make a gesture.
I can do it, I can do it. After all, as a Jedi Master he has faced many bizarre situations. This is nothing, right? Force, who am I kidding?
He notes that Anakin has not made a move too. Was he not more enthusiastic the previous time?
He knows this situation is becoming awkward by the second. He cannot help it though. The only good thing is that he is not being bombarded by memories after memories as he had suspected.
Another pointed reminder by his mentor urges him to react.
Mustering up all the courage of a Jedi Master and the peace that comes along, he holds out his hand. He does not speak anything though. He is doing his best but speaking right now just seems impossible.
Anakin's eyes have not left his through all this. Is it possible that he senses anything?
Just to be sure, he checks his mental shields and hopes that his memories do not come racing back.
-x—x—
Was it really this awkward the first time? Anakin wonders.
He could not help but follow Obi-Wan's every movement as the man went to talk to Qui-Gon. He did not tune in to the conversation. He knew all he had to anyways.
Instead, he keeps on looking straight ahead at his mentor, father, best friend, brother and arch enemy.
He looks so alive and lively. Unlike Obi-Wan, Anakin is not that lucky. His memories come forth unbidden like water gushes out of a broken dam.
"What will happen to me now?"
"The Council has given me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi, I promise you."
Starting from that day during the burning of Qui-Gon's pyre, to countless missions as Master and Padawan and then fighting in the wars, Mustafar, and then finally that duel on the Death Star.
"When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the Master."
"Only a master of evil, Darth."
"Your powers are weak, old man."
"You can't win Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."
Anakin notices that in the end, Obi-Wan had not called him by his name. Perhaps for him, I had died on Mustafar.
He expects to be crying but somehow the tears don't come.
He had betrayed this person in front of him in the worst possible way. He had earned his trust and friendship and then thrown them away like it never mattered. But he will be lying to himself if he said that whenever he thought of Obi-Wan while being Darth Vader, the feelings of betrayal and anger aside, he still did not feel underlying warmth for the man. He was just so deeply entangled in the vile vines of the Dark Side to fully accept it.
What have I done?
Somehow, staying on Tatoonie and contemplating about all this made it feel less heinous than it seems now.
In midst of all this musing, he vaguely registers him mom telling him that she is leaving along with Padme and Panaka but he pays them no attention.
All his attention is focussed on the Jedi Padawan in front of him who will no doubt turn out to be one of the greatest Jedi ever.
"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
This is the point, he realizes that his and Obi-Wan's lives were sealed together forever. Yes, a deciding point was when Qui-Gon had died but even if he had survived, he has no doubt Obi-Wan and Anakin's fate would have remained entwined.
I should probably show my excitement of having met the second Jedi in my life. But try as he might, he is not able to do anything but stare at the very much alive form of his Master.
He notices that it is a while before Obi-Wan holds his hand out and even that seems reluctant.
Of course, he seems reluctant. Obi-Wan had sensed the darkness inside him since their first meeting only. The Darkness inside him must have amplified so Obi-Wan was probably wondering what to do with him and whether he is dangerous or not.
He glances at the hand offered and decides it is best to return the courtesy lest his secret is revealed. He slowly reaches out as well to shake hands.
-x—x—
None of them suspect anything to happen out of the ordinary. The younger two of the group wish to just get this meeting over with. The Jedi Master is observing them with curious and slightly impatient eyes. What is taking them so much time to just greet each other?
For a moment the tension in the air is almost tangible and Qui-Gon wonders if he can cut it with his lightsaber. The other two however remain oblivious to the tension hanging in the hallway.
Even the non-Force sensitives feeling the air tense in anticipation decide to leave the room.
To get things moving, he nudges his Padawan through his Force bond to do something. There is no response the first time except a feeling of acknowledgement. The second time proves more fruitful.
Obi-Wan extends his hand and Anakin responds likewise.
What happens next surprises all the occupants.
The moment their hands touch in a gesture of courtesy, the Force flares around them. The intensity is enough to blind a Force Sensitive.
Subconsciously, Qui-Gon slams his shields as fast as he can and makes them as strong as possible.
However, a future Master and Padawan team are too surprised to do anything. They are thrown back with the sheer force of the energy. They fall back against the walls of durasteel.
The Force is like a storm raging around their Force signatures. And perhaps it is the reflex than anything else of having depended on each other in the worst of situations that both Kenobi and Skywalker latch onto each other's Force signatures as an anchor to avoid being swept away in the raging storm.
Qui-Gon's head hurts. Never once in his life has he experienced something this strange. And the Force has never seemed so powerful.
Suddenly, the duo's heads seem a little light and warmth seeps into them. Before they know it, the storm is over and it has left one shining proof of it having been there.
It shines brightly in the Force. Perhaps it is not as strong as it was once in a period of their lives but it is deeper than ordinary ones.
When all the three realize exactly what this strange occurrence in the Force has left in its aftermath, they look at each other with amazed eyes and perhaps two of those pairs are terrified as well.
All of them come to the conclusion at the same time and admit it almost fearfully: there shining between the Force signatures of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker is a Force Bond forged by the Force itself.
Tbc…
Did you like it? I hope you did. I have been saving Qui-Gon's POV just for this chapter.
Fangtasia: For that, my friend, you will have to read and find out. Hope it's worth the wait. : )
RyuuShadow: :D Do not mean to torture you, by the Force! Hey, I am sorry for taking so long again to update but my finals were coming. But they are over now, so I might get some free time! Did you like their meeting?
ThatOneDino: …Andddd they have met! Do tell your views on it!
Eyilin: Well, you have the next chapter! Thank you! Hope this one is nice as well.
MMM73181: I do not mean to torture you guys! (Why do I have a feeling I should just put it on the disclaimer? :)) Well, the suspense is gonna drag out longer and they will have a few close calls along the way.
Guest: I am gonna take that as a compliment to my suspense inducing skills xD. Well, here is the next chapter.
IthilwenofIthilien: I did ;) Thank you so much! Was it the Force at work? I can't tell you how much it means to me to know you were looking forward to it :D
Enleia: And they have met! Hope it was to your liking. That…will still take some time. Thanks, it was interesting to get into Watto's head. I actually needed another perspective for the events and I wanted to save Qui-Gon for this chapter. That left Watto. Here's the next chapter, did you like it?
Nightshade's sydneylover150: Hope it was worth the wait!
yiggdrasill: Thank you so much! Thanks, it has been honestly possible only because of everyone's support and constructive advice! I have cherished your advices a lot! Do keep at it, it helps me improve my writing. :D
NinjaGirl1117: Thanks so much! Happy that my gift gave you joy. I can't believe it either. Thanks a lot for your nice words. :)
Rilme Caatl: More is here!
Sanna Black Slytherin: Thank you! Hope it was worth the wait.
seriousglasses: Thank you! Here is the next chapter! Did you like it?
Samar Grey: Well, hope it was amazing? Yeah, I saw the reply you are referring to. Kinda my bad. I meant just the two but now that you mention it, I have been thinking of bringing in another, but it is just a simple thought at the moment. I guess, hold on, for another twist?
Talhulla: Your wait is now over! Thank you!
Grammarosprey: Thanks a lot for your advice! I will look into it. Just a thing though, some of it is intentional since Anakin has been Vader for a long time and well, we both know he doesn't speak informal. Please tell what you think about it and whether there's another approach I can use. :)
Here's the next chapter! And thank you for pointing out that typo, my bad. I will correct it.
Well, that's it guys! I have been waiting for this chapter almost as much as all of you! So please tell your views on it. Gotta prepare for my college now, see ya soon (hopefully).
As always— happy reading and rate and review!