Author's Note: After a writer's block lasting fifteen months, I have a new offering. I am very sorry for the extremely long wait (at least you didn't have to wait five years for this update, as was the case with some of my stories). The last block in particular. . .a lot of that has already been revealed, but while Obi-Wan has received bits and pieces of information about this reality, it was time he was told from the beginning. I've actually seen the revelation made at the end of this chapter in a few other stories, but I wanted to try my own take. Also regarding that reveal, Obi might be a tad out of character, but given what the poor guy has been through already, maybe not. I also wanted to let y'all know that while the recognizable Star Wars characters do not belong to me, Alazne Fett does. I hope you enjoy the new chapter, as I continue to turn the galaxy far, far away upside down and inside out!
Chapter Four
Reality Check
He honestly wasn't sure why he was so stunned. Doo. . .his Master had already told him that Asajj was Luke and Leia's mother (something he was still struggling to accept). It stood to reason, then, that Asajj was also his wife. Perhaps because this Asajj, his wife, looked so very different than the woman he remembered (dreamed). Perhaps because he still found it hard to believe that Luke and Leia were his children, though he had loved them both from the moment of their birth.
Right now, Asajj was looking at him as if she was afraid he would shatter at a touch. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell her that she was wrong. . .he was afraid he would do just that. Trying to avoid her eyes, Obi-Wan closed his own and took a deep breath, then released it. His Master's hand tightened on his shoulder and Obi-Wan opened his eyes to look at the older man. Oddly enough, it was becoming easier to think of Master Dooku as his Master, rather than his Grandmaster.
Despite the fact that this man was still in the Light, rather than the Dark, he was familiar in a way nothing else was. Asajj and Anakin were not only Light-side, but there was none of the confusion and frustration that marked Anakin's soul in his (false?) memories. Nor was there the bitterness, despair and longing which drove Asajj into the arms of the Sith. Nothing. . .absolutely nothing was as he remembered it. Mace Windu was not the grim Councilor he remembered from the end of the Republic. . .not when he bantered with Anakin the way he did. Master Yoda (who needed to leave to confer with the Chancellor, but would return as soon as possible) was much more obvious in his affection. And from what little he'd learned recently, not only was Anakin not in love with Padme Amidala, he actively disliked her. That revelation was jarring enough. . .he wasn't sure how to deal with an Anakin who wasn't in love with Padme Amidala.
Well. . .there was one other thing which was familiar and right for him. That was Bant, who stood just past Master Dooku, and smiled at him reassuringly. He smiled back, and that broke the stalemate in the room. Anakin broke away from Asajj and threw both arms around Obi-Wan (neatly avoiding the twins), burying his face against his shoulder. The boy's tears soaked the Master's tunic, and Obi-Wan awkwardly put his own arms around his padawan. He was still getting used to the open affection, but this was clearly something this Anakin (his Anakin?) needed. He just hoped it didn't wake the twins.
Asajj joined him a moment after that, sinking to her knees between them. She put one hand on Anakin's back, while the other hand caressed Obi-Wan's hair. Bant said into the near-silence, "We know you're terribly confused, Obi, and none of us can blame you. Master Windu has told us about what you saw. . .how could you not be confused? But if you'll hold onto us, to all of us, we'll get you through this. Oh, don't be fooled. . .I want you back as badly as anyone. But we'll take it slow. After losing you for six months, the last thing any of us want is to overwhelm you."
"Okay, Bant, I heard you the first time," Anakin sniffed, raising his head to look at Obi-Wan. He blinked back tears and whispered, "She's right, though. I know I've been pushing, and I'm so sorry, I just wanted to let you know that I was here for you, and that I wouldn't. . ." His voice trailed off as Obi-Wan freed one of his hands from the sheets to press a finger against Anakin's mouth. Hmm. It worked much better in this. . .wherever he was. Anakin blinked, then grinned, adding hoarsely, "Yes, Master."
"I think, Obi-Wan, it might be beneficial for you to tell us about what you saw while you were a captive. I've told them about my dreams, but that's only a part of it. And then, after you've told us what we need to know, we'll start telling you about how things actually played out," Mace observed. Bant nodded and he looked at the Mon Calamari, asking, "You agree? You don't think it would impede his recovery, especially the recovery of his memories, for us to tell him?"
"No. . .no, in ordinary circumstances of amnesia, that would be the protocol, but this isn't ordinary. We aren't working with someone who has completely lost his memory, but someone who has been given false memories," Bant replied, looking from Obi-Wan to Mace and back again. Obi-Wan could breathe a little easier. While he was seeing fragments of what seemed to be his true life, they were just that. . .mere fragments. That impeded his recovery, both physical and mental. Obi-Wan knew himself. . .if he was busy fretting over things he couldn't remember, he wouldn't focus on what was truly important. Mace nodded slowly.
"All right. Obi-Wan, are you ready to talk about what you remember? As I said, I dreamed some of it, and it frightened me. Will you be all right to talk about this?" he asked. Obi-Wan didn't hesitate. . .he nodded with a determined expression. Much to his surprise, Mace smiled at him warmly and said, "I had a feeling you would say so. Then we only need to wait for Yoda, as he wanted to hear this as well. Anakin, Asajj, Yan. . .I know Obi-Wan will need you nearby for this." Yan Dooku was at his bedside an instant later, and Obi-Wan could have sworn he didn't use the Force to enhance his speed.
"Just try to take me from my padawan's side," the elder Jedi vowed as he took up position on Obi-Wan's other side, resting his hand on that shoulder. Mace's lips quirked, and Yan Dooku growled, actually growled, "Just remember, Councilor, I have a few stories about you I could tell! Starting with a particular incident that happened about forty years ago, before you were chosen as a padawan. You do remember that, don't you, old friend?" Obi-Wan blinked, once more taken off guard by the difference between this Jedi Order and the one he grew up with. Especially when Asajj caught his eye and winked at him. So she was used to this, then?
Mace, however, drew his attention once more by saying a single word, "Nuerte." Nuerte? Obi-Wan wasn't familiar with that star system or planet. However, it had an interesting effect on his gr. . .on his former Master. Dooku actually flushed and his eyes slid over to Obi-Wan, gauging his reaction. When Obi-Wan only looked back at him with curiosity, he relaxed. However, that didn't stop Master Dooku from glaring at the Councilor, who just smirked. Shaking his head, Obi-Wan prepared to tell his story, trying to find the best place to start. . .he wasn't entirely sure where the beginning was, really. Perhaps start with that trip to Bandomeer? Yes. . .yes, that sounded appropriate.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
When Yoda returned a few minutes later, Anakin was still holding onto Obi-Wan as if he'd never let go, but now he was clutching his Master's hand. Leia was in Mace's arms, while Bant held Luke. The twins were removed from their father's arms, as Asajj was afraid they would be squished. Besides, she had the sense that Obi-Wan wanted them safely out of his arms. It was almost as if he wanted to protect them from what they would hear. A short time into his story, she understood completely. In this other reality, Obi-Wan was in danger of being sent to AgriCorps, as he wasn't chosen as a padawan and was quickly approaching his thirteenth birthday. It seemed he had 'anger issues,' and that observation led to Anakin observing, "But that doesn't make any sense! I mean, if you had anger issues, then you should have been one of the first one chosen!" Asajj cringed, even though she agreed with her younger brother.
Mace said quietly, "Agreed, but I see many differences between the Jedi Order which Obi-Wan remembers, and the one that actually exists. We recognized a few decades ago that it left too many Force-sensitive children vulnerable to the Dark Side, being sent away from their home in such a manner. And Anakin, stop interrupting your Master." Anakin just ducked his head, flushing, a reaction which evidently surprised Obi-Wan. He looked back and forth between Mace and Anakin for several moments, obviously wanting to ask a question, but just as obviously not knowing how to ask that question. So, he told them about Xanatos, the mission to Bandomeer and the early days of his apprenticeship to Qui-Gon Jinn. Asajj didn't know her 'brother' padawan well. . .she was fifteen when he was killed on Naboo, and her Master largely kept her away from him. It seemed that he was broken by the events on Telos in both realities, although those events were different in the two universes. In their reality, the Council considered Xanatos too vulnerable for the mission to Telos, while Master Jinn was sure that the boy would be fine. She wasn't sure what broke him. . .the actual events or being wrong.
In any event, as in their own reality, Obi-Wan was sent with his Master to Melida/Daan. He developed feelings for the leader of the Young, Cerasi, and remained behind to fight at her side. Master Jinn left with the injured Master Tahl, but returned for his errant padawan, who was placed on probation. Cerasi, in both realities, died, but in her death were found the seeds of peace. Asajj rolled her eyes at this phrase, but understood what was meant. There was far more to peace than the cessation of fighting. It was a pity more individuals didn't understand that.
There were missions and issues, including Master Tahl's death a few years later. . .which resulted in Master Jinn nearly going Dark Side. (Somehow, that didn't surprise her) Of course, in this universe, Master Tahl was very much alive, and Bant concluded her apprenticeship under her. And then. . .and then, there was the Naboo mission. He was still a padawan in that reality, whom his Master recommended for knighthood in an off-hand manner, so he could train the Chosen One (or whom he assumed to be the Chosen One), Anakin Skywalker. While she technically no longer had a bond to Master Yan, she felt his rage when that was mentioned. And he wasn't just angry at the manner of this recommendation, she could tell, but the matter of fact way Obi-Wan mentioned it.
This, of course, caused a rupture between Obi-Wan and Jinn, for which Obi-Wan later apologized (of course). Jinn died on Naboo, but not before extracting a promise from Obi-Wan to train Anakin, a boy about whom Obi-Wan had very valid concerns. But he was dying, and all in the room were quite sure that boy would have said anything to please his Master. And so, a very young Master, a Padawan only a day before, began the training of a very powerful child, who was in some ways too old to be trained. He had an additional obstacle, in the form of Chancellor Palpatine. No one in that reality knew it, but he was a Sith Lord. . .the Sith Lord. Asajj didn't miss the glance that passed between Mace and Yoda. They would be investigating that. Even though there were large differences between the two realities, they would be remiss indeed if they didn't at least consider the possibility.
Obi-Wan told them about the reunion of Anakin and Padme, now a senator of twenty-four (and just as much of a nitwit as her counterpart in this reality, so far as Asajj was concerned. Actually, the Padme in the other reality sounded dumber). He told them of Jango Fett, and the beginning of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan's capture at the hands of the Separatists, led by 'Count' Dooku; he told them about the creation of the clones, the torture and murder of Anakin's mother on Tatooine, and Palpatine's manipulations, as well as the wedding between Padme and Anakin. His smile widened as he talked about the growing closeness between Anakin and Obi-Wan, even as Anakin hid his marriage from his Master.
A glance at Anakin told her just how sick her little brother was feeling. She felt the same way when Obi-Wan mentioned her own counterpart in that other reality. Really, saying she felt sick was something of an understatement. . .murderous rage was a lot closer. How dare that bitch who wore her face torture Obi-Wan? How dare she! Anakin's free hand slid into her own. She was grateful for it a moment later, when Obi-Wan told them of the maggots she forced him to eat. She couldn't help herself. Tears started to roll down her cheeks, and the hand on his shoulder moved to his midsection, rubbing gently as if to take that agony away.
And all through it, Obi-Wan continued to recite in that odd voice, as if he wasn't really there. Maybe he wasn't. He was probably in shock, but right now, Asajj wasn't employing any of her skills as a healer. Right now, she was a wife and a mother, and the Force help whoever did this to her husband when she got her hands on them! Across Obi-Wan's body, her former Master caught her eye and shook his head very slowly. His meaning was clear, 'take care of Obi-Wan now, deal with his tormentors later.' She nodded and he relaxed. But she noticed, he never removed his hand from Obi-Wan's shoulder. They, all three of them, never lost contact with Obi-Wan.
It was just as well, because the most horrifying part of the tale was yet to come. Anakin's Fall, the issuing of Order Sixty-six, Obi-Wan's brush with death when his own men fired upon him, the murder of the younglings and crèche lings (a tale which drew tears from everyone in the room, including that most stoic of Jedi, Mace Windu), the confrontation between Anakin and Obi-Wan on Mustafar, Padme Amidala's death on Polis Massa and the birth of the twins (and again, the idea of Padme Amidala as the mother of her twins was enough to make Asajj furious). For the first time since his recitation began, Obi-Wan came out of his trance-like state, his eyes focusing on Asajj. She didn't think he was aware of the tears sliding down his face. But it didn't matter.
He whispered hoarsely, "Promise me something, Asajj. If nothing else, if this is real, promise me this. . .regardless of what happens to me, never stop fighting. Never stop fighting for yourself, never stop fighting for the twins. I won't ask you to promise not to die, but at least promise that you won't stop fighting for them. They need you, Asajj. They need you so much. Can you do that, can you promise me that you'll never give up on life?" Asajj took his closest hand and raised it to her lips, pressing a gentle kiss to his knuckles. If nothing else, she could assure him of this. 'Give up' had never been part of her vocabulary, she wouldn't add it now.
"I swear to you, on the graves of my parents, on the souls of our children, that I will never stop fighting for myself, for you, or for our children. To my very last breath, I will fight!" she answered in a low, fierce voice. She kissed his knuckles again, and he closed his eyes, blinking back tears. After that, they learned of Darth Vader, of Leia going to Alderaan with Bail Organa, and Obi-Wan's exile on Tatooine, where he watched over Luke in silence. They learned of his death at the hands of Darth Vader (a story which drew a choked sob from Anakin), and the reunion of the twins, of Luke's heartbreak after his confrontation with Vader at Bespin, when he learned that his father Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader, and the rescue of Han Solo on Tatooine.
But even with the redemption of Anakin Skywalker, with his choice to save Luke from the Emperor, the dark legacy continued with Leia's son Jacen. It was at that point that Obi-Wan's voice failed him. He made a tiny, distressed noise in the back of his throat and Anakin's arms tightened around him once again, Niki whispering, "I'm so sorry, Master, I'm so sorry! Shhh, shhh, no, it wasn't your fault. . .I know you, remember? I love you, Master, I love you so much, and I'll never let that happen again."
Anakin, it seemed, understood that even if it hadn't happened, those horrifying events were real to Obi-Wan. Asajj was struggling to come to terms with that herself. And a glance around told her that everyone else was in the same situation. Master Yan's hand was opening and closing on Obi-Wan's shoulder, his jaw working convulsively. Even Master Yoda seemed to be having a hard time releasing his emotions into the Force. But it was Mace Windu, Leia still in his arms, who strode forward and put a comforting hand on Obi-Wan's leg, saying softly, "We will never let that happen. The Temple will not fall, and the younglings will not die. Things are different, Obi-Wan, and it's time you found out just how different. I have told you some of it. . .now I will tell you the rest."
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
"Sir, your brother-in-law is here. . .shall I show him inside?" his secretary asked over his personal comm. He ran his hand over his hair, blinking in astonishment at both the time and at his secretary's words. He pinched himself, just to make sure he was awake, and then hastily answered in the affirmative. He may be the head of the company, but she was the one who actually ran things. Moreover, he was smart enough to know that. A few minutes later, his secretary (a particularly lovely Twilek) showed the man in question into his office. The man felt his eyebrows lift into his hairline. First, his brother-in-law was clearly in trouble (not that this surprised him). Second, he wasn't alone, something his secretary didn't mention. However, he supposed he should have guessed as much. He rose to his feet and greeted both of his guests. This wasn't a social visit. His former brother-in-law's expression told him as much.
He wasn't expecting company, much less while he was at the Coruscant office of Off-World. . .but his current guest(s) thrived on doing the unexpected. Xanatos smiled, half in amusement and half in bemusement, as he stared at his sister's former husband, especially after the other man admitted that he was there because he needed his help. Well, well. Wasn't this an interesting situation. He hadn't wanted his baby sister to marry. . .ever, if he was honest. . .but Xanatos really didn't want her to marry this man. On the other hand, his dear little sister always did have a mind of her own. It was, he had to admit, a rather large part of her charm, so far as Xan was concerned.
The real irony, of course, was that he feared her husband's occupation would get her killed, but it was her blood that took her life. . .the blood that differed from that of her unborn child, something that was discovered too late in her pregnancy. It never occurred to him to hold that child accountable. He supposed he could have blamed her former husband for failing to get proper care for her, but he knew his little sister. She would never interrupt her husband while he was on a lead. And in the end, it would do no good. These two individuals were all he had left of his sister. He and her former husband would never be friends, but family was family. On the other hand, there was something to be said for keeping certain members of your family apart. Such as your late sister's husband and your wife, especially if the latter had just come back from the Senate.
"Uncle Xan, you used to be a Jedi. . .they're not all bad, are they?" his sister's greatest legacy asked, interrupting his thoughts about a confrontation between Padme and this youngling's father. Xanatos drew his attention back to the child, who was regarding him with a curious expression. Odd. He never remembered the youngster asking a question about his past as a Jedi before. Just as strangely, the boy's father looked almost embarrassed. How very. . . entertaining, to say nothing of curious. He almost never saw his former brother-in-law embarrassed. This might just be worth calling Padme from the Senate. . .if not for her sake, then for his own. And it might also be the reason why his brother-in-law was coming here to ask for help.
"No, Boba, not all of them bad. I would say, most of them are not bad. At worst, even the bad Jedi are misled or misguided, as opposed to simply evil. And then, there are some who are very good. For example, that young man whom we rescued from Rattarak just a few days ago, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is a very good Jedi, and a very good person," Xan replied. . .and saw his nephew's eyes light up. Hmmm. Interesting. Very interesting indeed. His former brother-in-law actually cringed. However, Xan addressed his question to his nephew, "You know whom Obi-Wan is, don't you? Not just from the HoloNet, but you've actually met him…haven't you?"
Jango Fett growled, low in his throat, and that was all the confirmation Xanatos needed, along with the tiny flinch from his nephew. He ignored his brother-in-law's reaction, however, and focused on his nephew. He was sure that his sister would forgive him for ignoring her widower, under these circumstances, and especially since he knew Jango would cut off his right hand before he would ever deliberately hurt the child. Right now, Boba needed reassurance from him. What was said in the next hour would be very important indeed. Perhaps even galaxy-changing. Xan cupped the little boy's face in his hands, seeing Boba's mother in a thousand different ways, and whispered, "You're the one who helped to save him. . .you sent that signal to the Jedi. No, don't be afraid, Boba. . .you see, I piloted the ship that went to Rattarak to rescue him. And it was my ship that Anakin Skywalker carried him onto once he and Asajj Ventress-Kenobi freed him. So you see, we saved him together. I saved him because I like him very much. But why did you save him?" Admittedly, saying that they saved him together wasn't entirely true, but Master Jinn always said truth depended on one's point of view. And right now, his main concern was reassuring Boba.
"He took care of me, Uncle Xan," Boba said earnestly, "when Dad was away, I found where he was being held, 'cause they were chasing me." Jango's head reared up at that, as if he hadn't heard that before. He probably hadn't. And with his customary innocence, Boba continued, "They hurt him, Uncle Xan…they beat him, but he still talked to me, still was nice to me." Xan tried not to smile, because he knew Obi-Wan Kenobi, knew how the young Jedi was about children. No doubt, he missed his own son and daughter, and in typical Obi-Wan fashion, his heart went out to the worried little boy. You'd be so proud of your son, Alazne, he thought, so very proud of him. Despite his father's profession, Boba hadn't lost his curiosity or his compassion for others.
"Boba, you never told me that," Jango stated, but Xan could hear the fear in his voice. Not surprisingly, the little boy looked away, but the head of Off-World didn't think it was out of fear or embarrassment. The Mandalorian bounty hunter closed his eyes, murmuring, "You chose the lesser of two evils. . .they told you that they would hurt one of us if you told me that part. That was why you were so insisted about taking food to Kenobi. . .why you were so insistent that we take care of him. Not only did he protect you from them, he gave you hiding places when you were being chased." Boba just hung his head, and Xan drew him into a hug. He had a new reason for wanting to call Padme back from the Senate, but he wouldn't do that. No. . .no, this she couldn't know about.
Instead, he looked at his former brother-in-law, who said hoarsely, "I've gotten us into an ugly fix, Xan. Not even I knew how ugly it was until now. I was hired by a hooded figure, callin' himself 'Darth Sidious.' He wanted us to retrieve Kenobi from the crash site and take him to a secure location." Xan nodded, keeping a comforting arm around his nephew's shoulders. He had a feeling it would be necessary, as the boy's father continued, "He knew. Sidious knew I hated the Jedi, knew about Galidraan, and when he told me that Kenobi was Dooku's apprentice, that was all I needed to know. I know, he was your grandmaster, I know you think he's a good man, but. . ."
"He is a good man, Jango, but we won't discuss that right now," Xan replied, going on to explain, "Boba, there was a time when it looked like Obi-Wan might be my little brother. My grandmaster ended up taking him as a padawan instead of my former master, but I've always had a soft spot for him. And now, knowing that he took care of you, I'm even more proud of him. But there's something you both need to know about the man for whom you were working, Jango. Not just about what he did to Obi-Wan, but whom he is. Darth Sidious is a Sith. . .and I know I don't have to tell you what that means."
Evidently not, judging from the way Jango actually blanched. Unfortunately, Xan wasn't finished. He continued, "You know he'll figure out that you helped to free Obi-Wan, and when he does, he will not stop until you're dead." Xan was stating the obvious. He knew that. But it needed to be said. Boba probably already realized that their shared nemesis was trouble of a very deadly kind, but he had to know for certain. While he was all for protecting children, only bad things occurred when you shielded them. Besides, Boba was not your typical ten-year-old. He couldn't afford to be, not when his father was a bounty hunter and his uncle was the head of Off-world.
He was reminded of this when the little boy's brown eyes narrowed and he growled, sounding remarkably like his father, "I'll kill 'im myself if he tries to hurt you or Dad, Uncle Xan!" Oh yes. He remembered that Xanatos also helped in the rescue and recovery of Obi-Wan from Rattarak. It was ironic. . .it was his job, and Jango's job, to protect this little boy, to take care of him. And yet, Boba was fully prepared (at least he thought) to protect them. Children never failed to amaze him. He exchanged a look with Jango, who was staring at Boba with the same wonder, and for the first time since Alazne's death, they were in full agreement about something other than Boba. They would both die before they allowed any harm to come to this little boy. . .and they would take Sidious down, or die trying.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
It was decided, since he was the one who knew the whole story, that Yan would be the one who told Obi-Wan the whole story, with Yoda and Mace chipping in ever so often. Looking at his former padawan's exhausted, tear-stained face, Yan wanted to wait, wanted him to rest. The trouble was, he knew his boy well enough to realize Obi-Wan couldn't rest. Not now, not when he had been promised the full story. And so, he settled himself at his boy's feet, lightly resting his hand on his ankles. Anakin and Asajj took up flanking position, each taking a hand and holding it between their own.
He began, "The first thing you need to understand, Obi-Wan, is that I am responsible for many of the events over the last thirty-five years. Not all of them, perhaps not even most, but for many. And that's both a good thing, and a bad thing. It begins after I was seriously injured on a mission. It was my own foolishness that caused my injury, but as Healers do, they fought to save my life. It was not so easily saved, because I had no desire to live. In my selfishness, I decided life had nothing to offer me. I had fallen in love and from that love came a child, who was born six months before my injury. My beloved died in childbirth, and thus, our son was placed in the crèche. He had a very high midichlorian count, and would likely become a Jedi."
Before Obi-Wan was taken, he had known all of this. Yan had told him, of course, and while it strained their relationship briefly, they emerged all the stronger on the other side. Based on what he heard during the last few minutes, while Obi-Wan was telling them about that other reality, where he had been Yan's grandpadawan, Yan had a feeling the boy would be shocked. . .and considering how fragile he was right now, it might even cause a relapse. But he also knew he couldn't afford to hold anything back, not if he wanted his boy to trust him as he trusted him once.
Thus, he continued, "I was dying. I would have died, I wanted to die. But the Force had other ideas, and used two rather unusual tools to ensure my survival. One was a thirteen-year-old newly-chosen Padawan. . .the other was my six-month-old son. The Force instructed that child to pick up my little one and bring him to me. Imagine, Obi-Wan, that child, that frightened young padawan who was caught between the possible wrath of his Master and the Crèche Master, and what the Force was oh so clearly instructing him to do. But he called upon his courage, and did what the Force wanted him to do. He took my son from the crèche and brought him to me, placing him at my side. And I lived. Not because of the Healers, though their efforts were considerable, but because of my son. That small action changed everything. Not just in terms of rethinking the Code, but in terms of our listening to the Force."
"Everything we thought we know. . .changed. All of our illusions were shattered, the dreams we never dared to voice were suddenly possible. It was a strange time, Obi-Wan, for all of us. And not everyone liked or approved of those changes. Some Jedi went mad. Some even Fell. . .there was too much too soon, I suppose, though the elder Masters and Knights tried to take things slowly. To many, it seemed as if things were moving too slowly. To others, it was much too fast. But one change very few argued with was the dissolution of AgriCorps. While the Exploration Corps remained in place, options were found for those children who weren't right for that unit," Mace said softly.
"There were other changes, subtle changes. My little boy was returned to the crèche, but I was allowed to see him. Time passed, and Knights and Masters were permitted to take younger Initiates. However, as I mentioned, I took you as my padawan a few months after your twelfth birthday," Yan told the young Knight. He chose not to speak of Qui-Gon Jinn's insistence that the youngling could have saved him, or the ugliness that could have followed, had Mace not intervened. That was something Obi-Wan could remember on his own. Right now, he had no wish to speak ill of the dead.
He made certain to tell his former padawan about Telos as well as Melida/Daan, observing, "This will be important for you to know. You mentioned the mission to Melida/Daan and as I told you, we did have a mission to that planet. But when Qui-Gon took Tahl off planet, as I believe I mentioned, I remained behind with you. I've never forgotten that moment. You looked up at me, your eyes so pleading, and told me, 'we have to stay, Master, we have to help them.' And I knew you were right. I held you after Cerasi died in your arms, and I held you again when we returned to the Temple, because Master Jinn tried to lie about the reason we stayed on the planet."
Well, so much for not speaking ill of the dead. . .and that probably wasn't the smartest thing to say in front of Anakin, especially since the boy was so terribly protective of his Master. Or Asajj, for that matter. However, both were distracted when Obi-Wan asked in a strangled voice, "You. . .you stayed with me on Melida/Daan? I didn't abandon you?" The poor boy sounded shell-shocked, and for that, Yan could hardly blame him. And he certainly couldn't blame him for forgetting what Yan already told him about Melida/Daan. He made eye contact with the young man and very slowly shook his head. From the corner of his eye, he could see Anakin's bright eyes flashing with anger.
"No, child. You have never been anything less than an exemplary padawan. And I have always been incredibly proud of you. You have never disappointed me, you have never failed me, you have never abandoned me," Yan replied firmly, not at all irritated that he was repeating things he had already told his former padawan since he awakened. Unfortunately, he thought, the same can't be said of me. I should have been with him when he went to Naboo with Qui-Gon. Not because he couldn't be without me, but because that entire mission went to the Sith entirely too quickly. . .both literally and figuratively speaking.
"There's one thing I don't understand," Asajj observed. Why did Yan suddenly have the feeling that he shouldn't have brought up Melida/Daan, or should have waited until it was just Obi-Wan and himself? The young woman asked, "Why would Master Jinn lie about the reason for you and Obi-Wan to remain behind? I've heard this story dozens of times, but I've never asked the reason for it. Why would he lie to anyone, what reason could he have had to even discuss the mission?" Oh yes. That was why.
"Answer that, we can. Very disturbed, Master Jinn was. Needed a Soul Healer, he did. Learned this when he returned, we did," Master Yoda replied. While Yan was grateful to his former mentor to mentioning this, when Yan said much of the last few years were his responsibility, he meant it. Evidently, Yoda could still read his expressions, for he added most severely, "Not just your responsibility, it is! Seen his need, we should have. Gone through that, your padawan never should have!"
"What Yoda is trying to say is, Master Jinn saw Obi-Wan and Yan remaining on Melida/Daan as no different from Xanatos leaving the Jedi after the events on Telos. He needed a Soul Healer, and had for several years. After the debacle on Telos, and Xanatos' departure from the Order, the Council put Qui-Gon on probation for several years, not allowing him to take another padawan. However, we were treating the symptoms, rather than the disease. It was only after he started visiting the Soul Healer that he began to recover. We failed Qui-Gon as much as we failed Xan," Mace observed.
"Which brings us up to Naboo. You were knighted at the age of twenty-three, Obi-Wan, and I took Asajj as my padawan a short time after that. I planned to continue teaching, of course, but we were on a mission to Rattarak after the Order received a weak signal from the planet. There, we found Asajj. . .an emotionally shattered and very ill young girl whose Jedi Master had just died in her arms. We buried her Master, Ky Narec, and brought her back to the Temple, where I took her as my padawan. When you were twenty-five standard years old, Qui-Gon asked my blessing to take you on the Naboo mission, since you were already developing quite the reputation as a diplomat," Yan told his former padawan. Anakin perked up, since that was where he came in.
Yan simply rolled his eyes at his grandpadawan, explaining, "The diplomatic mission quickly turned into a rescue mission. . .you and Qui-Gon commandeered a pair of fighters after the Trade Federation representatives tried to kill you, and descended to Theed, where you rescued the child-queen, and left the planet. Before your mission, however, the Chancellor at that time, Finis Valorum requested the Jedi implant a padawan among Amidala's handmaidens. If nothing else, he reasoned, it would allow the Jedi to assist if his worst fears regarding the Trade Federation came to pass. It did so."
"Most of what you described came to pass. However, you accompanied Qui-Gon when you landed on Tatooine, since Asajj remained behind on the ship, and thus, you and he met Anakin at the same time. A bond formed between the two of you. So when Anakin was brought to our attention, it was clear that you were meant to be his master. We had precedence in Asajj, who was thirteen when she reached the Temple. And as you described in the reality you remember, you and Qui-Gon returned to Naboo with the young queen. . .you fought the Sith who killed Qui-Gon, and who nearly ended your own life," Mace again picked up the narrative.
"So many changes," Obi-Wan marveled in a soft voice, "so many changes, all because of two children." Indeed. There was still much to tell his boy, but they needed to let him process everything they had told him so far. There were many parallels between the reality he had seen while he was a captive and the true reality, enough to unnerve Yan. They unnerved Mace and Yoda as well, as he could tell when he looked at the two Councilors. However, there was one more revelation which had to be told, and Obi-Wan unwittingly provided that opening when he asked in total innocence, "And your son? Whatever became of him, can you see him often?"
"Oh yes, my dear boy," Yan replied almost thickly, his throat threatening to close up in this moment when he needed his voice the most, "Yes, I do. I'm looking at him right now. Obi-Wan. . .I am your father." He should have expected it, should have found a better way of breaking the news to him. Even so, his heart sank just a little when his son's face paled, his eyes rolled up in his head, and his body went limp against the mattress. Well, he thought with a quiet sigh, that could have gone better. However, it could have also gone worse.