Hi. Welcome to part 2 AKA the last part of this installment.
Yes. more disclaimers and warnings. This part includes Zigoola. Which means more pain and misery.
The Disclaimers: I do not own the dialogue used from Wild Space. Anything you find in the section with Zigoola in it that you recognize, is not mine. That belongs to Karen Miller, author of Wild Space. I also use episodes from the Clone Wars. Yes, that means more dialogue that I don't own. All writing that you recognize from episodes in this part belongs to the writers of the show.
Thanks for sticking. Enjoy this last part.
What is this? Qui-Gon's thoughts were muddled and the world around him was fuzzy. He didn't know where he was or what was going on.
He couldn't feel Obi-Wan.
Where am I? Where's Obi-Wan? He felt groggy and confused. Wait. His thoughts struggled to come. It's not me. A realization struck him hard and it felt as if the blow were physical. It's the Force.
Submit. Submit. Jedi, submit. Qui-Gon reeled back at the pure hatred and malice oozing into his mind. It felt almost like-
Sith.
The world fading world gave Qui-Gon no rest as he tried to understand what was happening. Nothing should be this powerful. Nothing should be blocking him like this.
Die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi. A distant scream sounded in his ears.
Qui-Gon! Qui-Gon, help me! It was his Padawan. It was Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan!" His words sounded muddled as if they were submerged in water. He felt sick as fear and anger washed over him. "Obi-Wan!" He tried again, hoping to break through the darkness.
A little light seemed to break through. It was Obi-Wan.
He looked terrible, and Qui-Gon wasn't at all surprised. There was something wrong with this planet. He looked ill and the dead Master wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Senator." He sounded tired and Qui-Gon reached out to him.
"Master Kenobi," Qui-Gon focused on the newcomer. Obi-Wan said he was a Senator, but who was he?
Qui-Gon groaned as the world fizzled again and he pushed his way through his discomfort. He didn't know where he was, but he wouldn't leave Obi-Wan. He couldn't bear the thought.
"-banged around," The Senator was speaking and Qui-Gon once again regained his concentration. "But I don't think anything's broken. At least not . . . physically." Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow but turned towards his former Padawan.
"Is that your diplomatic way of asking if I've gone insane?" Obi-Wan asks with a wry smile. His face tightens a little as the Senator tells him that he had thought of that.
Die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi, die.
Qui-Gon flinched back as images of firebeetles, himself, and Anakin (rather Anakin missing his arm) all seemed to bombard his mind.
"Yes," Qui-Gon's heart aches at how tired and worn his little one sounds. "I'm fine." Qui-Gon doesn't have the focus or energy to snort in disbelief at the statement. "Are you?"
Everything fizzed out again and Qui-Gon roared in anguish.
Everything ached. His whole being felt as though it was being pulled every which way. This planet was sick. It was sick enough to affect the Force. The Sith were doing this, but how?
"-Zigoola will do that-" He only caught snippets of conversation. No, he needed to hear everything. If he wasn't hearing everything then Obi-Wan is alone. He's not near him and he needs to be.
Tayvor Mandirly swirled in his vision. His screaming as his fingers were splintered. His eyes were gouged from their sockets, and his tongue was cut out. He couldn't cry for help. No one would come. No one would help him. Fire coursed over his body, but he wasn't dead when it occurred. He felt everything as skin blistered and peeled. He felt it. He felt it. He-
Retching invaded Qui-Gon's senses and he knew it was Obi-Wan. These were Obi-Wan's memories. This planet was a torment to Jedi.
Die Jedi, die Jedi, die-
"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Qui-Gon raged into the spotty darkness. He could see the outline of Obi-Wan collapsed to the ground and the Senator above him.
Losing time started to bother Qui-Gon. The more time he lost, the longer he knew he was away from Obi-Wan.
"-Holocron, did you call it?" The Senator's voice draws Qui-Gon in again. "We destroy it, and you'll be fine. And after that, we'll find a way home." Qui-Gon wanted to laugh. That Senator didn't understand. This place would kill Obi-Wan before that happened.
"I fear it won't be quite so straightforward." There's his Obi-Wan. "The closer we get to the temple, the more severely I'm likely to be affected. Which means the more you could be in danger." Obi-Wan always did worry about others far more than he did himself. "The Sith are ruthless in their use of dark power, Bail." Bail was the Senator's first name. Good.
Qui-Gon growled. His thoughts were scattered and difficult to maintain. He didn't know why he was thinking the things he was. He needed to concentrate. He needed to be there for his Padawan.
But how could he?
He's a ghost. A ghost of the Force. The Force that was being ravaged by the dark side. Fear, anger, hatred all hammered against Qui-Gon's mental shields.
He felt rung out and exhausted. Was it his exhaustion or Obi-Wan's?
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. Beware the dark side, Jedi.
"So I'm supposed to . . . what? Just sit on my hands? No matter what happens? No matter what the Sith do? No matter what you do?" Bail's voice was harsh but tinged with worry.
"That's right." Force, Obi-Wan what happened to you? His Padawan was tired and the bags under his eyes wrenched Qui-Gon's stomach.
"And then what . . . pick up the pieces afterward?"
"Provided it's not too much trouble, yes." He was tired. He was in pain. Qui-Gon couldn't do anything. He couldn't help him. Could barely see him. This planet would ruin him.
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. Beware the dark side, Jedi.
His little one, the one he thought of as a son, would die here.
No. He wouldn't die here. The dark side would take him first. It would win. His flame would be burned out. He would be gone. Just a memory, floating in this wretched place.
"No. I will not." Qui-Gon jerked as the world wavered again. That was Obi-Wan's voice. It was brighter than ever and Qui-Gon felt his heart swell. "I will not let my flame die. I will not let it burn out. I will save it. I will build my walls and I will guard it. The alternative is surrender. And no one had ever taught me that."
No, he was a stubborn man. He wouldn't surrender. Qui-Gon knew that.
The dead Master kept that thought close as he watched through thick curtains the light of Obi-Wan's lightsaber slashing its way through trees. He kept it close as sleepless nights tormented the Jedi Councilor with the forced reliving of Tanaab (Mandirly), of losing Qui-Gon, Geonosis.
Again and again. Over and over. His silent screams as the dark threatened to extinguish his flame.
He kept the thought close as Obi-Wan lost himself to the memories, nearly killing the Senator in the process. He didn't lose hope as Obi-Wan grew thinner and paler. As eyes sunk and bones jutted out under skin.
He struggled to keep it close as Obi-Wan started to fade.
"I tried to shield us," his voice was wrecked and Qui-Gon strained to hear it. "Using the Force. It's an early Padawan training exercise. You find a waterfall, you stand under it, and then you stay dry." Obi-Wan licked his cracked lips and let his head fall against the cave wall. "After that, you work your way up to rain. It's not that difficult. Just a question of degree. All in all . . . very basic. I had barely turned six the first time I did it."
"But you can't do it now?" Bail's voice was soft as he knelt in front of the exhausted Jedi.
"I was born feeling the Force. Every day of my life I've lived in its light, every minute, every breath, for thirty-five years. And now it's gone. All is darkness. And I don't know who or what I am without it."
"It's not gone." Bail tried to reassure him. Qui-Gon thanked him for his efforts though he knew the man couldn't see or hear him. "It's smothered. This place is smothering it. We'll get out of here and it'll be back. You'll be yourself again, you'll see. You are a Jedi. Nothing can change that." Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan had friends in the temple. He knew he had friends outside of the temple. He hoped this man would end up being Obi-Wan's friend after this. His Padawan needed more people like this in his life.
"I don't feel like a Jedi. I feel - I feel -" Qui-Gon was wrenched away as his Padawan suffered through memories once more.
Die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi, die.
"Stop it!"
Die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi, die Jedi, die!
"Please! He's suffered enough!"
DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE.
His soul ached and he could feel the flame of his former Padawan dying. The walls were crumbling and he couldn't help build them up. There was nothing he could do.
He could do nothing as sobs echoed into his head. He could do nothing against the onslaught of the Sith. He could do nothing as memories invaded his mind. They weren't his. They weren't his.
"Please." Qui-Gon's voice was a mere whisper as he folded in on himself. "What's the point of this if I can't help him? What's the point of forcing me to watch him suffer?"
"You are Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." Bail's voice was filled with conviction.
"Yes. Well, Master Kenobi has seen better days." Obi-Wan's voice was broken. His child was broken and he couldn't do anything.
"What have we done to deserve this?" Qui-Gon asked with hands covering his face. "Was it because of our past? Was it because I treated him so poorly? I didn't treat him right. I know that. I should have been better. I shouldn't have pushed him away. I shouldn't have left him. I should have been there for him." He's sobbing into his hands. He doesn't know what else to do.
DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE.
They were closer to the temple. Qui-Gon could feel it. He couldn't see Obi-Wan anymore. His flame was gone. What had happened to him? Where was he?
"Should I be frightened?" Qui-Gon shook as the weak voice of his Apprentice slipped through his mind. "No. Fear is bad. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. Beware the dark side, Jedi." Qui-Gon sniffed and curled up further. "Beware the dark side . . . for it's all around you now."
He's gone. His child is gone.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon shook and tears drenched his face. "I'm sorry, little one. You never deserved this."
"It's so cold."
"It's alright, little one. It's alright. You'll be alright." Qui-Gon spoke the words but they held no meaning. He didn't know if Obi-Wan would be alright. He didn't know if he would make it out.
"We don't have much time." Bail's voice brushed against Qui-Gon. Who was he talking to?
"Time? Time for what?"
"I know, I'm sorry. You have to find what we need. I can't tell."
"Into the temple. I have to go in the temple. We can't leave if I don't."
"There are artifacts?" Obi-Wan's voice pains Qui-Gon to hear. It's not his. His was strong. This voice is quiet and afraid. This voice had given up.
"Wait. You can't go in there alone." Qui-Gon had missing time again. His boy was trying to in the temple alone? Why?
DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE JEDI, DIE.
"Surrender? Succumb? I could. I could surrender and fall and be at peace. The pain would stop. The torment would end." Qui-Gon held his breath. "No. No, I won't do it. Surrender isn't in the cards for me. Not now, not ever. Surrender means they win. Surrender means the dark succeeds and the light fails. Surrendering would make me Xanatos. My Master deserved better than that." Qui-Gon chokes on a laugh as his eyes start to clear of tears. He sat up as Obi-Wan's thoughts continued. "Bail Organa deserves better. I will not make his wife a widow. I will not surrender, because surrendering means giving myself up to the Sith, and Anakin deserves better than a Master who would willingly give himself up to the darkness."
Qui-Gon listened and felt through the thick darkness as Obi-Wan pressed on. He pushed through the darkness to find the Holocron.
Qui-Gon's vision whites out.
Pain pulses in his head.
Obi-Wan found the Holocron. He destroyed it.
But-
"I am not myself."
"It's still whispering. In my head, it's all I hear. Die Jedi." Obi-Wan's voice wavers. It's ragged and hoarse.
"I am not myself." Qui-Gon doesn't understand. He can't. The dark is still there but he can see through the cracks just a little. The cracks his Padawan made. Obi-Wan looks terrible. He looks sick and frail. He looks as though he's nearing the end.
A red and black crystal was clutched in his hands. Shaking, pale hands pressed it to his forehead.
"I can't hear! Stop whispering at me!" Qui-Gon flinches at the shout filled with pain and desperation.
"I have to find him."
Through the cracks, he can see Obi-Wan fling Bail Organa aside as if he's nothing. Obi-Wan keeps at his muttering. He keeps yelling at the crystal. He keeps fighting Bail.
"-can reach Yoda, at the Jedi Temple." Understanding dawned on Qui-Gon.
"He's trying to use the crystal to call Yoda. He's trying to get help. That's what he meant when he said he had to find him." Qui-Gon felt his lips curve into a tired smile. "My beautiful Obi-Wan. Still clever even with the dark closing in."
"Pain clears my mind. Drowns out the dark side." So, maybe his Padawan was a little on the dumb side if he had come up with that idea.
"How do I injure you with a lightsaber?" Bail's voice shakes and Qui-Gon feels sympathy for the Senator.
"Very carefully." Qui-Gon can see the faint smile grace Obi-Wan's exhausted features.
Bail's hands shook as they took Obi-Wan's saber. Qui-Gon could distantly hear Obi-Wan telling Bail what he should do. The dead Master's stomach churned.
Why? Why is it always him?
Qui-Gon tried to drown out the sound of the lightsaber burning through flesh. The Jedi Councilor made no noise. He didn't cry out. He just told Bail to do it again. He told him it wasn't working. He had to do it again.
"Hear me, please." Obi-Wan's thoughts were even ragged and Qui-Gon struggled to keep up with them. "Master Yoda, help us. Please." Coordinates shot through Qui-Gon's mind. He hoped they reached the little Master. He hoped help would come.
"Hear you, I do. Help we will send." Qui-Gon couldn't tell if the sob came from him or Obi-Wan, but he didn't care.
"It worked. Help is coming."
"A few days." Qui-Gon's missed more time and he growls at himself for the loss of focus. "We've got the supplies if we're careful. But can you last that long?"
"Perhaps." Obi-Wan's voice is barely more than a whisper and Qui-Gon strains to hear it as darkness starts to flow over him again.
"I haven't gone through all this to watch you die now, Master Jedi. You're not going anywhere, do I make myself clear?" The distant humming of Die Jedi, die Jedi, die nearly overwhelms Qui-Gon.
"Senator Organa, it might not be up to you."
Qui-Gon didn't know Senator Organa. They had never met. However, Qui-Gon knew that Bail wouldn't listen to the fading Jedi.
They would have been great friends.
"Is it coming back?" The cracks grew. The light came back. Qui-Gon sobbed at the sight of Obi-Wan no longer covered in the dark curtains of Zigoola. He was ruined. He was battered and torn, but he was not lost.
"Yes." Obi-Wan's voice cracked and Qui-Gon was startled to see that it was Queen Amidala that had come to their rescue.
No, not Queen. Senator Amidala. The Force whispered to him softly and Qui-Gon sent his thanks to the slowly returning warmth.
"See? I told you the Sith couldn't stop you being a Jedi. Not forever, anyway." Obi-Wan graced the Senators with a tired smile and closed his eyes, leaning his head gently against the durasteel wall of the ship.
"Yes, you did."
"My Obi-Wan. My brave Obi-Wan. Look at you. You did it. You did it." Qui-Gon's sobs of joy and exhaustion filled the air as the darkness took over once more and led him away from this moment and onto the next.
"How is he?" Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. He didn't know this voice. He had never heard this voice before.
"He's doing better." Anakin's voice replied to the girl's question. The darkness was still shrouded over him so he couldn't see anything yet. "His headaches are still there, but he's had those for most of the time that I've known him." Light slowly starts to seep through and Qui-Gon breathes a sigh of relief.
He's in a new set of quarters. They aren't Obi-Wan's and Anakin's. No, these are different.
"Will he be alright?" Qui-Gon finds the source of the voice and smiles softly. A young Togruta girl sits next to Anakin. Anakin's hand cards through Obi-Wan's ginger hair. The Councilor's head is resting on Anakin's lap and Qui-Gon feels a warmth he hasn't felt in a while.
"Give him time," Anakin whispers to her. Obi-Wan shifts in his sleep and his forehead creases. Anakin makes gentle hushing noises and Qui-Gon makes his way to his Padawan and (truthfully) Grand-Padawan. He places gentle fingers on the creased forehead. Satisfaction flows through him as the forehead smooths out and Obi-Wan relaxes once more. "Zigoola wasn't an easy mission, or so I'm told." Qui-Gon frowns at the harsh tone.
"Master, maybe there's a reason Master Obi-Wan won't tell you everything." Qui-Gon huffs out a soft laugh. The girl was Anakin's Master.
About time.
"Maybe." Though Anakin must feel hurt by the idea of Obi-Wan not telling him everything, his hand doesn't stop its soothing motions. "I just wish he knew he could talk to us." Anakin shakes his head and smiles. "Obi-Wan's always been like that though. He doesn't like burdening others with his problems, even if it means it'll help him. He's stubborn like that."
"I can see where you get it from." The girl's teasing tone lightens the room a bit more.
She'll be good for him.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up Snips." Snips? Surely that wasn't-
"Hey, that just means you'll probably end up passing that on to me Skyguy." Ah, a nickname then.
"In all seriousness, Ahsoka, I'm worried about him." Qui-Gon eased himself down as he pressed more warmth into Obi-Wan. He could still see the remnants of Zigoola on his body, and Qui-Gon knew the cold he felt wasn't from the room. "He's been cleared for duty. He's ready to go out again." Anakin sighs and Qui-Gon's right there with him. "I wish he would slow down." Qui-Gon presses a tentative hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Well, he's got Cody and the rest of the 212th to watch him. They do a pretty good job at that." Anakin snorts and nods a little.
"Yeah, I guess they do."
"He'll be alright Master."
"Yeah, he will."
"General!" Qui-Gon smiles at the sound of Obi-Wan's Commander. Qui-Gon had only seen the man (though he wanted to meet him) once, but he knew the Commander was a good friend of Obi-Wan's. He could see it in the way Obi-Wan lit up when the Commander spoke to him.
"Cody!" Qui-Gon's smile slipped as he gazed on at his former Padawan. He looked tired and worn. The bags under his eyes had lessened but there was still a coldness clinging to him. Qui-Gon knew it was the remnants of what happened on Zigoola and he could only hope that it would go away.
He missed his bright child.
"Sir, should you be here?" The wariness of the question slipping through Commander Cody's mouth was enough to make Obi-Wan falter. Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow and watched the exchange. Upon looking at Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon could see a few reasons as to why the Commander would ask that.
The Councilor's shoulders were slumped and his body seemed to be at war with gravity. His weight rested on his left leg and Qui-Gon knew his right leg couldn't be completely healed yet.
He had seen the injuries. He knows what happened.
Obi-Wan seemed to be constantly squinting as though the lights hurt his head (Qui-Gon knew they did). His eyes were dull and his smile wasn't as bright as it usually was.
"In all honesty, no. I don't think I should be." The silence that fell upon the bridge of the flagship was deafening. The Clones stopped and stared. Obi-Wan paid them no mind as he continued to look at his Commander. "I don't think I'll be able to fight for a while, Cody." His voice dropped and he sagged further down. He was quickly losing the fight with gravity, and it seemed Cody realized it. At the same time as Qui-Gon reached for his tipping Apprentice, Cody moved as well. The armor that covered the Commander's body couldn't have been comfortable, but it didn't matter.
Cody caught Obi-Wan before he could hit the ground.
"Sir?" Cody's voice wasn't colored with worry. Qui-Gon couldn't understand why!
In fact, Qui-Gon was the exact opposite of Cody.
The dead Master fluttered around his Padawan with anxiety pouring into the Force. His hands ached to touch every part he could of his Padawan. He worried his fingers and his clothes. He knew he would look terrible after this.
He knew Obi-Wan would say something if he could see Qui-Gon. It would be filled with humor but have an underlying tone of worry and concern.
He missed talking with Obi-Wan.
"I'm alright." Obi-Wan's voice paused Qui-Gon's flurry of movement. He leaned in closer as he took in every inch of the General's face. "Just tired." A laugh tears out of Obi-Wan's chest and Qui-Gon is once again filled with worry (and it seems even dead he can't stop the worry he felt for his Padawan when he was alive).
"Then let's get you to your quarters." Cody adjusts his grip on the small Jedi and helps him up. "Are you gonna be able to make it?" Obi-Wan thinks about it, then nods.
"I believe so." Cody chuckles and rolls his eyes. He takes most of the weight of his General and starts them on their way.
The bridge resumes its flurry of movement, and Qui-Gon feels a sense of peace wash over him.
Obi-Wan has men that love him. He has men that care for him. He has friends.
That's all Qui-Gon could ever hope for.
It was dark.
Qui-Gon was back in the darkness of the netherworld. He had no one to talk to but himself. It was here that he thought over what he had seen so far.
Obi-Wan's life was full of pain with only a slight smattering of kindness. This was the life his Padawan was meant for.
This was his destiny. This was what the Force had in store for him.
Zigoola was a place he never wanted to think about again. It was a place he never wanted to see again, and he knew Obi-Wan felt the same.
However, Qui-Gon didn't want to dwell on the pain of Obi-Wan's life right now. He knew there would be time for that later.
Right now, he wanted to think about the happy things that have happened. He wanted to think about the good things the Force has rewarded this Jedi with.
Obi-Wan had a Padawan that passed his Trials and became a Knight. That Padawan had a learner as well. Obi-Wan had a Grand-Padawan and therefore, Qui-Gon had a Great-Grand-Padawan (maybe a shudder ran through him at the thought of being old, but no one could prove it). His bright child was on the Council! His Obi-Wan was on the Council!
Yes, Qui-Gon had issues with the Council, but that didn't stop his excitement for Obi-Wan. He could see how much he had grown. Another thing was that he could see how much the other Master's cared for him. Obi-Wan was young for a Councilor. He was a young Knight with a Padawan years ago as well.
It was true that Qui-Gon had expected the Council to watch Obi-Wan's every move and to be overly critical with the young Knight.
He hadn't expected the kindness and worry over Obi-Wan.
Friends! His boy had friends! Yes, he's had friends in the past, but he had more friends now! Obi-Wan had been an anxious child and that anxiousness carried over into his adult years, though it wasn't as prominent now. So, it warmed Qui-Gon to see his child with friends that cared for him and wanted him to be alright.
Yes, Qui-Gon was very happy. He was proud of his boy, and one way or another, he would tell him.
Geonosis was a place Qui-Gon didn't want to see again. He wasn't even corporeal, but he could feel the sand digging into his skin and hair.
Why am I here? He thought to himself, unsure of the reason for this visit. His question was answered when ships started to crash and Clones started to die.
A battle was going on. A second battle of Geonosis had occurred and Qui-Gon shuddered at the thought of it all.
Where's Obi-Wan? He wasn't by the General, and that worried him. I should be near him. So, where is he? Clones blurred around him and gunships that hadn't been blown from the sky made a barrier. It was there that the men shot back at the Geonosians. It was there that Cody found Obi-Wan.
2 Clones (Waxer and Boil were the names supplied to Qui-Gon) had been sent out to search one the downed ships. Cody had believed it to be the one carrying Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon's heart dropped to his stomach as he caught sight of Obi-Wan being assisted by one of his men. Blaster fire shot overhead and cover fire was laid down.
"General, are you hurt?" Came Cody's concerned voice. Obi-Wan was helped along by one of his men and the Commander stayed close to his General.
"No, nothing too serious." Qui-Gon snorted through his worry. Obi-Wan's voice was strained and Qui-Gon had no idea what injuries littered Obi-Wan's body. "What's the situation here?" Qui-Gon didn't listen to the reply, he just stayed by Obi-Wan and kept a watchful gaze on the man.
Risking a glance around, Qui-Gon saw the trouble the troops were in. They needed reinforcements.
It sounded as though they weren't getting some any time soon.
Qui-Gon swore to himself and returned his gaze to Obi-Wan. The dirt that covered his features was thick but it didn't hide the few cuts his face had received as well. Obi-Wan's eyes seemed distant and tired. Qui-Gon didn't know how the man was still awake or even sitting upright.
"I'm here," Qui-Gon muttered to Obi-Wan, sitting as close as possible. He could feel Obi-Wan but knew the Master couldn't feel him. So, there he sat keeping a close eye on the exhausted General. There were numerous times that Obi-Wan's head drooped, but would wrench back up as he tried to stay conscious.
Things took a turn for the worse when the men started dying more rapidly and the Geonosians closed in on the troops and their General. Cody would look back every few seconds to sneak a look at his downed General, but his attention had to stay on the battle.
Qui-Gon caught movement out of the corner of his eye and watched as Obi-Wan pushed himself up and placed his weight on one hand resting on the crates behind him. Breathing out heavily, he brought his lightsaber up and ignited it.
Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan was ready for what was to come, even if it meant death.
He was a Jedi and he would die fighting to save his men.
Luckily, that wasn't needed.
Reinforcements had arrived. Qui-Gon watched the surprise and relief flood Obi-Wan's dirt-covered face. His body seemed to lose the strength to stay up. His blade sizzled off and Obi-Wan collapsed back in the dirt. His back rested on the crates and he took deep breaths.
A hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder brought Qui-Gon's eyes up.
The Togruta Padawan, Ahsoka, was there smiling at her Grand-Master. Obi-Wan reached a hand up and rested in on her, smiling back.
"What happened to you?" Anakin's voice entered the atmosphere. Obi-Wan shifted his attention to his Padawan and Qui-Gon noticed Ki-Adi Mundi behind him. They all looked tired, and Qui-Gon began to despise this war even more than he originally did.
"I might ask you the same thing." Obi-Wan's teasing voice countered Anakin's question.
Information was exchanged and a plan made. The planning took place right where Obi-Wan sat. There was no one there to demand it be held somewhere else. Qui-Gon knew that everyone there thought it best the Obi-Wan stay where he was.
"Are you going to be ok, Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka's timid voice brought a smile to Qui-Gon's face. Obi-Wan smiled softly at her and nodded.
"You know I will be." Ahsoka hesitated, then gave her Grand-Master a careful hug before racing off to speak with some troopers.
"You sure you're gonna be alright without us?" Obi-Wan rolled his eyes playfully at his former Padawan. He didn't say anything as he gazed at Anakin. Anakin sighed and nodded. "We'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere." Obi-Wan smiled and dipped his head.
"I couldn't go anywhere even if I wanted to." He replied softly, giving his former Padawan one last smile before Anakin and his team left.
"You've done well with him, Padawan," Qui-Gon said, sitting close to Obi-Wan who had closed his eyes for a brief rest. "You've done well."
The Force was strange where he was. He also didn't feel like himself. He was there, but he wasn't.
It was an odd sensation and not one he truly appreciated.
A cave. He was in a cave (and he was getting sick of caves at this point) filled with crystals. He could see Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. Ahsoka was sleeping, unaware of the world around her. Obi-Wan sat awake in thought.
"Obi-Wan, have you done as I asked?" Qui-Gon flinched. That was him, but it wasn't him. He wasn't saying those words. Those weren't his words. This wasn't what he wanted to say. There were things that needed to be said, but this wasn't part of it. "Have you trained the boy?" Stop! That's not what I want! There are more important things I need to tell him! He failed once in his duty with his Padawan. His last words were of Anakin, not of Obi-Wan. He wanted to fix that. He had to fix that.
Obi-Wan's reaction to seeing Qui-Gon was expected.
"Master Qui-Gon," He began, rising from the ground and igniting his lightsaber. "How are you here?" Obi-Wan kept the space between them large and Qui-Gon couldn't blame him. This was odd and felt off.
"I am here because you are here." Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. That sounds more like something Yoda would say. Cryptic words weren't always my style. Though, he could admit he did indulge in the crypticness of things when he had taught Obi-Wan. There was a time he thought it was amusing to see his little Padawan floundering for words and trying to grasp the meanings behind what Qui-Gon would say. This though, this Qui-Gon did not like.
"I-I don't understand." Neither do I, little one. "What is this place?"
He felt his body (spirit, he supposed) move. He wasn't facing his Padawan. He wanted to see Obi-Wan.
"Unlike any other," His spirit began to explain. "A conduit through which the entire Force of the Universe flows." That's what this was? He was here because this place was-
"Are we in danger?" Obi-Wan's voice sounded smaller. It sounded younger and Qui-Gon felt for the man.
"This planet is both an amplifier and a magnet." What kind of an explanation- "Three are here who seek Skywalker." Skywalker. Couldn't this being call him Anakin? It's what I could call him. "They, like me, believe him to be the Chosen One." There's a sound of a lightsaber deactivating, and Obi-Wan speaks again.
"You were right. The Force within him is stronger than any known Jedi. I've trained him as well as I could, but he's still willful and balance eludes him." Qui-Gon can practically hear Obi-Wan berating himself. Qui-Gon knew how Obi-Wan felt about his ability to teach Anakin. He knew Obi-Wan struggled with it, but Qui-Gon knew something else.
He did his best. He did his best and that was enough.
"If he is the Chosen One, we'll discover it here." Qui-Gon groaned. Why wouldn't the being just turn! He wanted to see his Padawan!
"And if not?"
"Then you must realize with his power this is a very dangerous place for him to be." Finally, the being turned. Qui-Gon was sick of staring at the crystals around him and was overjoyed with seeing his Padawan. He looked tired, but when didn't he? Obi-Wan lifted a hand to his beard and stroked it in thought.
Then, without his consent, the being drifted away and Qui-Gon went with it.
"What was that?!" Qui-Gon yelled into the void surrounding him. "You took me to a place where I would be allowed to speak with my Padawan, but you take that right away from me?! The one chance I had to speak with him, to tell him how I felt was stolen from me! For what?" Qui-Gon's chest heaved as he yelled.
Anger welled within him and he took deep calming breaths. He drew the calming Force in and pushed his anger out.
"I understand that it was your will, but for once, let it be mine." He said this, though he knew the opportunity wouldn't come.
Qui-Gon Jinn didn't hate many things. There were only a few things that had kept him up at night when he was still alive.
One of those things was Slavery.
It seemed the Force was tormenting him with his fears and his hatred for things.
Zygerria was home to the Zygerrian Empire. Slavery was common here and Qui-Gon knew that the Empire had fallen once before. Qui-Gon didn't like the implications of him waking here.
Why am I here? The answer came to him through the Force. Right. Got it. He didn't like the answer. He didn't like the flurry of images that came to him. Images of Obi-Wan stalling for time for Anakin and Ahsoka as they disabled bombs. Stalling for time which essentially meant getting beat to a pulp by a Zygerrian far larger than he. Images of his boy stumbling from the building, barely able to walk before Commander Cody caught him and the medics of the 212th and 501st tended to him.
Images of Obi-Wan finding Governor Roshti and landing Obi-Wan in the place he was now. Chained to a wall with a Zygerrian behind him. An electro-whip slashing into Obi-Wan's tunics. Qui-Gon wouldn't look away. He's seen this before. He won't look away.
The Zygerrians knew they weren't getting anything out of Obi-Wan, but they also knew exactly who he was.
Which led Qui-Gon to flutter around nervously again as Obi-Was tossed to the ground with cuffed hands behind his head and Anakin speaking to him. Anakin always had a plan, though they didn't always work out.
It was a daring fight, but it would have never succeeded.
Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan went down with electro-whips wrapped around him, chasing him into unconsciousness.
Time slipped by as Qui-Gon expected.
He knew how these things worked, and he didn't like them.
This place was meant to break Obi-Wan. It was meant to crush his spirit, to get him to stop fighting. Every time Obi-Wan acted out, whether he meant to or not, another would be punished. Captain Rex and the Togruta around them received physical blows, while Obi-Wan received blows to his spirit.
"Jedi only make things worse." Qui-Gon flinched at that. It was filled with hate and anger. He couldn't think about it. It didn't have any standing on him, it only had it on Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan who sat on his bunk at night and thought about what had happened during the day. Obi-Wan who took each blow to his spirit and still tried to remain as he was. Obi-Wan who made sure Rex was alright and gave his portions of food to the Captain and the other slaves.
Obi-Wan, who would not break. Who would not let his spirit diminish or his light flicker out?
"Are you alright, Sir?" Rex's voice was soft in the cold darkness of the sleeping area. Obi-Wan rolled his head to meet the Captain's eyes and Qui-Gon could see how they dulled. An empty smile made its way to Obi-Wan's face.
"Always."
The lie was told over and over again, every night before they slept. Rex would always ask the same question, and Obi-Wan would always give him the same lie. Obi-Wan missed how Rex's face fell, but Qui-Gon didn't.
"It's alright to not always be alright," Qui-Gon stated softly to the damaged man sitting with legs pulled up to his chest. "You don't have to always be strong. You can lean on others for help." Qui-Gon knew there was a part of Obi-Wan that understood that. He'd seen him do it before, but here? That couldn't happen. Obi-Wan wouldn't allow it.
It was a relief when it all came to an end.
Qui-Gon watched with terribly concealed relief as Obi-Wan and Rex fought off the slavers. Obi-Wan's lightsaber was held up between him and Argus, but it was Rex who made the killing blow.
"I'm no Jedi." Qui-Gon didn't watch as Argus finally fell. He only watched as Obi-Wan wavered where he stood.
The Captain and the General supported each other to their ship. They collapsed against the wall, sliding down the durasteel until they landed in a heap on the cold ground. Medics surrounded them and Qui-Gon knew this would be difficult for them both to recover from.
It was with a sense of detachment as Qui-Gon watched the holo. He was alive. He was alive and he wanted one thing.
"I have to go." Qui-Gon whipped his head to face his former Apprentice. Darth Maul is alive. The man that killed me survived. Now? Now all he wants is to kill you. He wants revenge. Don't do this. He knows his words won't reach Obi-Wan. He knows they will do nothing. Even if they had reached the Counselor, he wouldn't listen.
"Not alone you're not." Qui-Gon nodded in agreement with Mace.
"Listen to him, Padawan! You can't go alone! He'll kill you!" He pushed as much of himself into the words as he could, hoping they would reach the man.
They didn't.
Obi-Wan went alone.
The two Zabraks that were waiting for him had shown the young Jedi Master no mercy. They were ruthless and cruel and didn't hold back. Each hit to Obi-Wan felt like a hit to Qui-Gon. The dead Master wasn't sure how Obi-Wan would make it out of this.
"You know, when I cut you in half, I should've aimed for your neck instead." Qui-Gon blinked and huffed out a sigh.
Of course. Always one to throw out a quip or two even when you're getting the living daylights beat out of you. Though, Qui-Gon couldn't blame him for the taunt. Maul talked a lot. Far more than Qui-Gon would have imagined the Sith to be capable of.
"I like your new legs, they make you look taller." Qui-Gon didn't hear what Maul had said to earn him that taunt, but Qui-Gon sighed deeply and pressed a hand to his forehead. Why are you like this, little one?
"What a surprise." The voice that invades Qui-Gon's mind sends chills down his bones. He remembers that voice. He knows that voice. He's heard it once before. "My former servant, still an animal." Her cool voice sends shivers down Qui-Gon's spine but he keeps his attention on Obi-Wan. He hasn't moved from his kneeling position that Qui-Gon hadn't noticed him taking. He didn't seem to be listening to the woman (Qui-Gon refused to utter her name). "And you have a friend now." What is she doing here?
"My brother." The gruff voice of the green Zabrak alerts Qui-Gon.
"A brother!" She sounds amused, though it drips from her lips with insincerity. "Looks like he's half the man you are, Savage." Qui-Gon can't help it. He lets a chuckle slip past his mouth. What is it with everyone taunting Maul? Not that I don't blame them. He notices a slight smile on Obi-Wan's face from where it's aimed at the ground. "How unfortunate. I was looking for a challenge. Not some wretched cast off from the Nightbrothers Clan. What a disappointment." Her laughter rings out through the ship and Qui-Gon watches her slink into the shadows. The laughter follows her and grates on Qui-Gon's ears.
Nightbrothers. She's from Dathomir. Qui-Gon muses. He watches out the corner of his eye as a door opens and closes.
"She knows too much. Destroy her." Maul growls out the order and Qui-Gon barely has time to react as the Zabrak knocks Obi-Wan out while Savage leaps after Ventress. It's after the brothers have both gone to look for the woman when Ventress appears. Qui-Gon snarls at her and wishes he was able to place protective arms around Obi-Wan's unconscious body.
"Kenobi." The last name of his former Padawan is almost growled out, but Qui-Gon senses something else about this woman. She kneels next to Obi-Wan and flips him over. "Don't tell me someone's finally knocked the bite out of you." She lifts his limp body by the shoulders and shakes him lightly. "Wake up." Slapping him, the downed Jedi wakes. Qui-Gon can see he's disoriented just a little after what had happened to him.
"Ventress?" Ventress helps the General up and he brushes off his clothes.
"It looks like I'm here to rescue you."
"When did you become the good guy?"
"Don't insult me." Obi-Wan finishes his attempt to look more put together when the inevitable happens. The one thing Qui-Gon never needed.
"What a lovely sight to wake up to." Flirting.
Obi-Wan was a flirt. Qui-Gon knew this. It wasn't something that occurred often when he was teaching the boy, but it seemed Obi-Wan had grown comfortable with the idea of it.
Why me? Why was I cursed with a Padawan that sees the need to flirt with his enemies?
"The witch and the Jedi." Savage's gruff voice thankfully pulls Qui-Gon from his grief. The green Zabrak is on one side of the hold.
"Here for our taking." Maul stands on the other. The brother's lightsabers ignite and Qui-Gon's stomach drops. How is he- His question isn't even finished before Ventress takes one of her own lightsabers, twirls it around in her hand before presenting it to Obi-Wan. The Jedi takes it with a small gleam in his eye.
"I want that back." You can have it back. Qui-Gon doesn't like the idea of Obi-Wan using her lightsaber.
"That's fine." The battered Jedi states. "Red's not my color." The two spin around and Obi-Wan ignites his lightsaber.
The sickening red illuminates his features and Qui-Gon's mind blinks out of existence. The world around ceases to exist.
"Master," Anakin's voice echoes into the sudden darkness that Qui-Gon finds himself surrounded in.
"Is it done?" Obi-Wan's voice joins. The darkness clears and Qui-Gon's stomach flops again. Obi-Wan stands in front of a desk. His hands are clasped behind his back. The familiar brown of the Jedi robes is gone.
A black, high collared coat drapes Obi-Wan's body. The trim is red and the sleeves cling to his arms. His hands aren't covered by gloves, but the paleness of them screams at Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan's red hair seems darker than it should be. It's more red than usual and Qui-Gon dreads to think of what this is. An impatient finger taps against one of Obi-Wan's clasped hands.
"Yes, my Master." Qui-Gon turns to face Anakin. He too is dressed in black, but his clothing resembles those that Jedi wear. His eyes are yellow, and red bleeds out into the whites of his eyes. Anakin is kneeling on the ground and he brings a lightsaber out from his robe. He holds it out and waits.
A rustle of clothing has Qui-Gon turning back towards Obi-Wan.
A small smile plays on his bearded face. Qui-Gon's breathing hitches.
Obi-Wan's eyes aren't yellow. They're not red.
They're just blue. They're his Obi-Wan's eyes.
But…
There's something wrong with them. Qui-Gon peers closer to the man's face. His eyes are traced in scars.
Obi-Wan's eyes flicker from one place to another.
Gracefully, he makes his way to Anakin. Anakin remains kneeling, though he glances up at his Master as he approaches. Obi-Wan holds out a hand and Anakin places the lightsaber in it.
Obi-Wan's smile grows and Qui-Gon fears it might split his face. Laughter rings out into the quiet room and Qui-Gon flinches.
This isn't Obi-Wan.
It can't be.
"Mace Windu's lightsaber." He speaks through his laughter. His sickeningly sweet accent hurts Qui-Gon's ears. "Yes, this will do perfectly." He casts his unseeing gaze down towards Anakin and rests a hand on the younger man's unruly hair. "You've done well, Vader. This will make a lovely addition to my collection."
Qui-Gon's breathing is heavy. He doesn't know what's happened. He doesn't know why it's happened. He's worried.
The red lightsaber brought that sight to him.
But, Qui-Gon wasn't there anymore. He didn't see what happened. He was thrown into a vision of some sort instead.
What was that? An answer comes to his mind.
A future. One of many.
Satine. Qui-Gon rolls the name over in his head. Duchess of Mandalore. His mind supplies as he looks on at the total destruction lying around him. Mandalore had been taken over by Darth Maul, and as always, Obi-Wan got tangled up in the mess.
Though, this time he was there against the council's wishes.
He's turning into me. Qui-Gon thinks with a small smirk. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
"I do my own bidding." Qui-Gon rolls his eyes as his former Apprentice quips back to the Duchess. The sight of her throwing herself at him brings back thoughts of a past mission. They loved each other. Qui-Gon knew that had Satine said the word, Obi-Wan would have left the Order.
His Padawan always did have a big heart.
Qui-Gon had to admit the two made quite a pair as they attempted to leave Mandalore safely. They really did love each other.
All good things fall apart though. Qui-Gon knows this. He knew this would end badly. How could it not?
Qui-Gon was proved right when Maul had taken Obi-Wan and Satine back to the throne room. Obi-Wan stands between two guards (Death Watch, the name is whispered in his ear) as he looks helplessly at Maul on the throne with Satine standing next to him.
"Your noble flaw is a weakness shared by you," Maul raises a hand, and Satine rises with it as her hands grasp at her neck for an invisible grip. "And your Duchess." Satine struggles in the invisible grip as Maul rises. "You should have chosen the Dark Side, Master Jedi." The Sith makes his way down the stairs and Obi-Wan reaches out briefly for the Duchess.
Qui-Gon can feel Obi-Wan's worry and fear slipping through the Force. The dead Master knows what will happen. He just hopes Obi-Wan can handle it.
He stays by his side, placing a hand on his shoulder in an unseen show of strength.
"Your emotions betray you." Maul continues his descent with Satine struggling in the air next to him. "Your fear, and yes, your anger!" Obi-Wan tenses with each passing word and Qui-Gon watches as his former Padawan struggles ever so slightly with mentioned anger flowing through him. "Let your anger deepen your hatred."
"Don't listen to him, Obi." Satine pushes the strangled words out and Qui-Gon feels a little bit of peace wash through Obi-Wan once more at the sound of her voice. She's keeping him rooted in the light. Qui-Gon thinks as he watches the exchange. Obi-Wan's head is still facing down, but Qui-Gon knows he has the strength to continue.
"You can kill me," He starts. "But you will never destroy me." Qui-Gon smiles slightly at the softer tone of his voice. "It takes strength to resist the Dark Side." Obi-Wan lifts his head and Qui-Gon feels joy at the strength in his eyes. You are strong enough, little one. "Only the weak embrace it." Qui-Gon wants to jump for joy at the comeback. Obi-Wan always had a way with words and he always knew how to deliver them.
Maul is only slightly riled by his words.
"It is more powerful than you know." His voice is almost a deadly whisper and Qui-Gon can feel the Force shift in preparation for what's to come. He feeds more strength into Obi-Wan, praying this will not break him.
"And those who oppose it are more powerful than you'll ever be." Light seems to radiate from his former Padawan and Qui-Gon is so taken by it that he misses what Obi-Wan says next, though he finds he doesn't care. He chooses to bask in the warmth of his former Padawan for as long as he can.
"Silence!" Qui-Gon finds himself being jerked away from the light and back to the scene before him. "You think you know me?" His voice shakes with rage and anger and Qui-Gon rears back at the strength of it. Maul moves off the steps of the throne and makes his way to the Jedi in front of him. His hand grasps a saber tightly, though this one feels different. "It was I who languished for years thinking of nothing but you, nothing but this moment." Qui-Gon gets a better look at the 'saber in Maul's hand and it sparks a sense of familiarity in him. "And now the perfect tool for my vengeance is in front of us." His voice has softened and Qui-Gon braces himself. He places both hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders and steels himself. The Sith back away as he returns to Satine. "I never planned on killing you, but I will make you share my pain, Kenobi." Maul raises a hand and Satine's struggles seem more pronounced.
Obi-Wan stumbles forward only to be hit on the head and kicked behind his knee as he's forced to kneel. Panic flashed in his eyes as Maul ignites the 'saber.
Qui-Gon chokes at the sight of the dark blade. He had seen it before. He knows what this is. The Dark Saber. Qui-Gon's heart freezes.
Maul makes a small forward motion with his hand.
Satine follows the motion.
Maul turns.
Satine lets out a strangled gasp as the Saber impales itself in her stomach.
The Force freezes and Obi-Wan rushes forward as Satine is released from the Saber. No one stops him as he rushes to her. A nearly breathless "Satine," escapes his lips as he falls beside her, grasping her shoulder carefully and holding her in his arms.
Qui-Gon can feel the sadness. He can feel the light start to dim and he lowers his eyes. He wants to give Obi-Wan a little privacy during this, but he doesn't leave.
So, with eyes lowered, he listens to the conversation.
"Remember, my dear Obi-Wan," her voice is strained and Qui-Gon squeezes his eyes shut. "I loved you always." This isn't right. He shouldn't be listening in on this personal conversation, but the Force makes him stay. It makes him watch the light dim a little bit more. "I always will." It's breathless and Qui-Gon risks a glance in their direction.
A tear streaks down Qui-Gon's face at the sight of Obi-Wan's sadness. Her lifeless body is in his arms. He lifts one of her pale hands to his mouth and presses a gentle kiss to it.
"Do we kill him now, brother?" Qui-Gon looks sadly at the two brothers standing a fair amount away from the lovers. Maul smiles and shakes his head.
"No." Obi-Wan lets Satine go as Maul speaks. "Imprison him below. Let him drown in his misery."
Qui-Gon watches him leave, and then the scene fades away.
"How many times are you going to force me to watch him suffer? Surely there's more light than that." Qui-Gon whispers to the darkness. "Why can't I ever see the ending? Why don't you let me see him survive and grow? All you show me is the suffering, but not the aftermath."
Silence greets him and Qui-Gon welcomes it.
"Tell me his ending is a happy one."
More silence.
Qui-Gon understands and he lets the question go.
"Show me the rest." The Force answers. The rest goes by quickly.
Ahsoka's left the Order.
Qui-Gon thinks this Lineage must be cursed.
You don't know the half of it. The Force whispers. Wait and see.
Yoda keeps looking at him. Qui-Gon can feel the eyes of his Grand-Master on him. How?
Dagobah.
It's enough of an answer.
He follows behind Obi-Wan and Anakin. He doesn't try to press his presence on them. He just watches.
"You would forgo your destiny for Padme?" Anakin's eyes beetled in anger.
"I never claimed to be the Chosen One. That was Qui-Gon." Qui-Gon suppresses a flinch at the anger in his tone. "Even the Council doesn't believe it anymore, so why should you?"
"Because I think you believe it," Obi-Wan said calmly. "I think you know in your heart that you're meant for something extraordinary."
"And you, Master? What does your heart tell you you're meant for?"
"Infinite sadness," Obi-Wan said, even while smiling.
It made sense now. His life and what he went through. Obi-Wan was meant for this life. The sad thing?
Obi-Wan knew it.
It's the beginning of the end. The Force whispers in his mind as Qui-Gon watches Obi-Wan be torn down with words from his former Grand-Padawan and Satine's sister.
Don't they know how much he cares? Qui-Gon asks, ignoring the warning from the Force. He doesn't want to think about that. He doesn't want to know.
The Force doesn't seem to care, so it shows him.
It shows him Obi-Wan fighting Grievous on Utapau.
It shows him Cody ordering his men to fire at their General.
It shows him Obi-Wan and Yoda, wandering through the temple as they make their way to the archives through the bodies (younglings!) on the floor. It's cold there, and Qui-Gon doesn't want to be there anymore.
It shows him Obi-Wan in the archives, changing the code for the wayward Jedi that might still be alive.
He watches Obi-Wan record the message.
"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple, that time has passed, and our future is uncertain. We will be challenged. Our trust. Our faith. Our friendships. But we must preserve, and in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always."
He watches Obi-Wan as the tired Master watches his Padawan fall to the Dark Side. He feels the pain and misery washing off him. He watches Yoda give him the command to kill Anakin.
Obi-Wan won't be able to do it.
Qui-Gon knows this.
But Obi-Wan will also do what he must. He's a Jedi. He will do what he must.
And he does.
The battle on Mustafar tears Qui-Gon apart, but he forces himself to watch.
"You were my brother Anakin." Obi-Wan's voice is strained and Qui-Gon knows he's holding back tears as his former Padawan burns in the heat. "I loved you, but I could not save you." The cries of Anakin wash over Qui-Gon as Obi-Wan leaves his Padawan to die.
He doesn't.
He's reborn and Padme dies giving birth to two children. A boy and a girl.
Luke and Leia.
The bright lights that the galaxy needs.
He's there when Obi-Wan gives Luke to Owen and Beru.
He's there through the challenges that Tatooine creates for him.
He shows himself to Obi-Wan and protects the Jedi with all the strength he has.
And finally, he's there in Obi-Wan's last days. He welcomes the man into his embrace as the Force takes him. He's there to hold him close as he cries into his former Master's clothes.
He watches as the old man in front of him loses the age that he carried on his face. The 25-year-old Padawan in his arms calms his crying and smiles watery at his Master.
"Hello there." Qui-Gon smiles lightly at the greeting and brings his Padawan into another hug.
"I've missed you." And then, "Welcome home."
The Force sings.
A new age begins, but this time, they'll watch it together.