A Fate Redone
Summary: What if Obi-Wan got a vision on Qui-Gon's death even before they were sent to Naboo? Follow the race against time as Obi-Wan tries to find a way to stop the future from happening.
Timeline: During TPM
Spoilers: If you haven't seen The Phantom Menace, I do not recommend you to read this fic. See the movie first unless you want to know things before you've seen it.
Ratings: T just in case. Lots of angst and lots of cuddly Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan moments. Not as lovers, can't imagine that, but as a father and son.
I do not own Star Wars. I make no profit for writing this stuff; I do because I want to.
Just so you know, I haven't read many Star Wars books, only heard about them. I have a little background about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon but expect I'll leave most of that stuff in the shadows so to speak. I may make some things up, so don't be angry on me for that. It follows the movie, mostly, but I will change some things.
Enjoy this fic. Centred on Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, mostly. Anakin is important as well.
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Talking into someone's mind"
/Speaking through bond/
Flashback
Visions
Chapter 3: Fight in the Sand
Kitster jumped in the air and hoorayed together with Anakin. Obi-Wan put away the tools and said:
"No driving, since I don't want your mother to attack me."
"I won't", Anakin said. "Just gonna make sure the pod is working correctly."
Qui-Gon stood not far away and smiled slightly. He had just returned from Watto's shop and he had been satisfied; if they won, they would get their parts and the two Skywalkers. Qui-Gon looked at the boy who was thanking Obi-Wan and the smile got wider. The two of them fitted so well together. The boy was not as strong as Obi-Wan in the Force (part of Qui-Gon knew the child would never become that strong) but he would become a good Jedi. And he already had a friend that could help him on the way.
The Jedi master was still worried about his Padawan. Obi-Wan had showed him some of the visions. He had been forced to watch as Obi-Wan and Yoda spoke and he was disgusted when he realized that Obi-Wan was so sad that he had given up on him. Some visions were clouded and some Obi-Wan would not let him see. He was getting more and more worried about his apprentice, just like a parent would be if they noticed a wrong with their child. Obi-Wan was a dear child to Qui-Gon and the Jedi master would rather die than hurt him.
So why had he hurt him in that vision? Why had he wanted to train the boy so badly? Questions ran through his head, and he had no answer whatsoever.
"Master?"
Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan and frowned.
"Something wrong?" Obi-Wan said, worried.
"You look… absolutely terrible! You got dirt all over your face!"
Qui-Gon grumbled and took an end of his gray cloak and wiped away the dirt.
"Master, I am not a child", the apprentice said.
Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan and then he said:
"To me, you will always be a child. My child. Remember that, no matter what happens."
"Master…?"
Something in Obi-Wan's tone made Qui-Gon curious. His Padawan's voice was thick with emotions. The Jedi master smiled and said:
"I'm perfectly fine, no sunstroke if you thought that."
"Dehydration maybe? I heard it makes people strange--" Obi-Wan began but Qui-Gon interrupted:
"I meant what I said, Padawan. I don't lie to you."
He wiped away the last of the dirt and smiled. Obi-Wan still stared at him. The Jedi master gave him one-armed hug and then said:
"Let's help Ani get ready for the race tomorrow."
-
Later on the day Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan found themselves have wandered to the outskirts of Mos Espa. Obi-Wan looked like an old man with his robe tightly wrapped around his thin frame. Qui-Gon looked over the sand and wished that the sun would disappear just for a moment.
"What are we going to do, master?" his Padawan suddenly said. "If the child cannot win the race…"
"He will win, young one", Qui-Gon answered. "Ease your worry and relax a bit."
"Still I feel a dark presence around here", Obi-Wan muttered.
"So do I but we must focus to get to Coruscant", Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan looked around and then said:
"I don't like that presence."
Qui-Gon looked at him and then embraced him. People walked around them, paying no attention.
"I don't like it either", he said to his Padawan. "It feels like its choking me. Someone very strong with the Dark Side is nearby."
"Sith…"
The Jedi master's body tensed as Obi-Wan uttered the word.
"Sith?" Qui-Gon echoed.
"I've seen him", Obi-Wan said. "In the visions…"
"You haven't shown me him."
"Couldn't", the Padawan said in a daze. "It was so terrible visions, couldn't show them…"
Qui-Gon held on to him a little longer and then he said:
"Let's go back to the house."
Obi-Wan nodded and they walked back slowly. Darkness started to come and people left the streets to go home for the night.
"Where have you guys been?" Anakin called out when they got back.
"Out for a walk", Qui-Gon said. "We lost track of time, that's all."
"Okay", the boy answered.
"Go to bed now", Shmi called out. "We are going up early tomorrow!"
"I'm gonna win the race!" Anakin exclaimed and ran off into the house.
"Obi-Wan", Qui-Gon said a little while later. "Would you mind checking the halt of midi-clorians in Anakin's blood sample?"
Earlier that day Anakin had cut himself and Qui-Gon had taken a blood sample at that time. The apprentice nodded and took the blood sample. He gently closed his hands around it and concentrated.
"Master", he said after a minute, sounding shocked. "I've never seen such strong levels of midi-clorians, not even with Yoda."
Qui-Gon looked at the Padawan.
"What does this mean?" Obi-Wan said.
"I don't know."
-
Qui-Gon sat down on the mattress next to the couch where his Padawan already was. He looked at the young man in his sleep as he pondered at the levels of midi-clorians in Anakin's blood as well as Obi-Wan's midi-clorians levels. Qui-Gon had yet to tell anyone about Obi-Wan's midi-clorians levels. Not even Obi-Wan himself knew how strong he was in the Force. Qui-Gon knew it was not some coincidence that they had discovered Obi-Wan when he was a child. Maybe this was the same, only that they arrived later on in the boy's life? But no matter what happened, the Jedi master promised himself that he would never leave his Padawan in the dark, he would never abandon Obi-Wan until the young man was more than ready to stand on his two own feet.
He reached out and stroke the short hair. Obi-Wan moved a bit and nuzzled into the robe, curling up to a very small ball. Qui-Gon chuckled; Obi-Wan always laid like that, no matter where they were. He stared into the young man's face and remembered the first time he had met the child.
Flashback
Qui-Gon was walking down the hall towards the docking area. He was leaving for a yet another pointless mission to watch over a planet struggling to get together. He would be stuck there for months.
He had decided to leave Xanatos at the temple with the words 'I don't want you to die by boredom' in which Xanatos had laughed and promised to study and train so that Qui-Gon would be impressed when he got back.
He walking into the hanger and stopped. A star ship was in the air and he could not see a pilot. Several tools were in the air as well. Then he saw a small child sitting in front of the star ship, looking at it before letting his gaze roaming over all the tools. He gaped as he realized that the child had lifted both the star ship and all the tools without breaking a sweat.
"Obi-Wan, come to me this instant you will!"
Qui-Gon looked behind and Yoda was walking towards the child. The child gently sat the star ship down along with the tools and quietly spoke in a soft voice that only healers would use on distressed children in the Temple when they had hurt themselves:
"Master Yoda."
"What made you go to the hanger if I may ask?" the old Jedi said.
"We were going to read about the rules of a Jedi today", Obi-Wan answered.
"And felt not for you did?" the old creature said while impatiently tapping on his stick.
Qui-Gon looked at them both with a puzzled expression. He remembered Yoda saying something about a child named Obi-Wan Kenobi would one day be the long-haired Jedi's Padawan. He had laughed at that.
"I already memorized it all", Obi-Wan softly answered and the older Jedis were shocked. "It's not fun reading about something you already know."
"Running to the hanger you will not", Yoda said. "Ask me before you must."
Obi-Wan nodded, rose up and walked forward, towards the old creature that finally stopped tapping on the stick. He bowed to Qui-Gon, who was mildly surprised over his manners while deeply impressed by his powers, and then followed Yoda who turned to walk to the Temple again. But suddenly a man came forth and said:
"Master Yoda!"
"Yes?" the old Jedi said and turned around to meet the man.
"If you don't mind", the man said. "You think I can borrow Obi-Wan some more time? He was quite good fixing that star ship."
Qui-Gon gaped once more at the boy as he heard that.
"If the child wants to, you will."
"It would be nice", Obi-Wan said with a small smile and the man grinned.
"Thanks Obi!" he said and walked away.
End flashback
Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan fondly. Many years had passed since that day, and yet he remembered it like it was yesterday.
The Jedi wrapped the robe tightly around his Padawan and then went to sleep. A lot was at risk tomorrow, and he needed to rest to face it all.
-
Obi-Wan made some final adjusting on the engines after a vision that Sebulba would try destroy the left stabilizer. He looked up just in time as Sebulba came walking. The creature spoke on Huttish to the Skywalker boy:
"You're dead meat little slave."
"Don't hope too much slimo", Anakin answered.
The creature walked away with mutters that Obi-Wan recognized as curses, which made him smile a bit. Obi-Wan got up from his place and said:
"All done now Ani."
"Okay", Anakin said with a big grin on his face and was only moments later lifted into the pod by Qui-Gon.
"Ani", the Padawan said and took out a small object. "Take this."
"What is it?" Anakin asked with curiosity in his voice.
"It's very important if you're having problem with your pod", Obi-Wan said while showing where to put it in. "Only if you're having problem."
"Okay", the boy said. "Thanks!"
"Good luck", the both Jedis said and walked away to the platform where Padme and Shmi were waiting.
Obi-Wan looked over the place and tried to place the dark presence as he was certain it was a Sith. Qui-Gon laid a hand on his shoulder and said:
"Let's be patience. There are too many greedy people around here at the moment to detect that Sith."
Obi-Wan nodded and was pleased when Qui-Gon let his hand stay on the young man's shoulder. The champions started their engines and the countdown started.
When Anakin's pod did not move, Obi-Wan stretched out with the Force and quickly realized he was giving the engines too much fuel. He narrowed his eyes and the right amount of fuel was set into the engines, and with a dust of sand Anakin was off. Obi-Wan smiled at his success and Qui-Gon chuckled. Padme and Shmi looked at them, not understanding. Padme was frowning and she seemed to dislike the idea that Qui-Gon so easily made a bet with their ship.
"It's alright Padme", Qui-Gon said. "Anakin will win."
"Easy for you to say", Padme said. "I'm still nervous."
Obi-Wan looked at her and had a nagging feeling she did not completely tell who she was. The young man shrugged after a while; it was not his business.
As Anakin was forced to fly up higher in the sky the two Jedis stretched out the Force to calm the child down. Anakin took a few deep breaths and flew back down, in front of Sebulba. Shmi could not help but let out a yelp of fright. Padme seemed nervous too, and clutched Shmi's arm while they looked at the little screen that followed the race held in the Skywalker's hands. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and let the Force take him closer to Anakin, soothing the boy who now started to become more and more nervous.
"Anakin, calm yourself."
Anakin nearly shrieked in surprise as he heard the Padawan speak to him.
"Obi?" he asked aloud as he tried to keep up to Sebulba.
"I am actually a Jedi; Jedis are known to do rather strange things", Obi-Wan's voice chuckled.
"I can't calm down now!" Anakin said. "He's leading!"
"Anakin, listen to me. Sometimes being calm leads to victory", Obi-Wan said. "Clear your mind from any doubts that that creep will win over you. Believe in yourself and let the Force go through you."
Anakin tried to relax and found things going much smoother. He was aside Sebulba and near going pass him when the creature threw a bomb at the right engine and it almost shut down. Anakin felt the pod cringe violently and panicked. Then:
"The device Ani! The device I gave you!"
Anakin got it out from his shirt and put it into the control. For a moment, nothing happened. Then suddenly everything cleared itself and Anakin found the pod going faster. He grinned as he speeded up against Sebulba and the finishing line was coming closer. He let out one last burst of speed and shot pass Sebulba and over the line, clearing himself as the winner.
Obi-Wan smiled along with the others and Shmi was anxious to get down on the ground and see her son. Padme and Shmi waited for the platform to sink to the ground along with the Jedis. Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan and laid an arm around the younger man's shoulders. The Padawan flashed a tired smile and the older Jedi said:
"You gave Anakin victory. You gave us victory. Well done."
Obi-Wan felt the arm tighten and he could not help but lean in a bit to his master's warmth. Anakin was lifted in the air and the whole place exploded by applauds and shouts. Qui-Gon saw a sullen Watto and carefully detangled himself from the crowd and his Padawan to speak to him.
"You cheated!" the flying creature shrieked. "You cheated and made me lose everything!"
"I didn't cheat", Qui-Gon said. "I merely believed in the boy and his abilities."
The creature started to insult him in Huttish and Qui-Gon tried to relax when suddenly Obi-Wan's voice came:
"Insulting a person not deserving it now?"
Watto stopped his rants and Qui-Gon looked back. Obi-Wan stood and looked at them with a curious interest written on his face. Watto continued, but this time against Obi-Wan. The younger man seemed unaffected until a few moments later when Watto exploded. Qui-Gon had no idea what the creature had said but suddenly Obi-Wan's eyes darkened and he snapped on Huttish to the blue creature. Watto seemed unaffected as well and continued his ranting. Finally the Padawan sighed and said:
"Do you want us to discuss this with the Hutts? I'm sure they can work it out."
The flying creature stopped and seemed scared. After a few minutes he sneered out:
"Fine! Take them and the parts and never come near me again! I'll have their papers ready when you come, and make it quick!"
With that, Watto was gone.
"What a temper", Obi-Wan said. "No wonder Ani doesn't like him."
Qui-Gon chuckled a bit and said:
"You surprise me yet again, and you saved us yet again."
"That wasn't saving", Obi-Wan said. "Merely pointing out the truth for the poor thing without brain."
Qui-Gon led his apprentice away from the shadows, and into the happy crowds.
-
Later on the day they stepped out from Watto's shop, with the papers that declared that Anakin and Shmi Skywalker were in their custody. Qui-Gon had told them both that, and left them to pack only the most necessary. Obi-Wan and Watto seemed to have exchanging insults back and forth while Qui-Gon read the papers. All Qui-Gon knew was that the younger man was upset and seemed to carry more and more anger.
Qui-Gon quickly led his Padawan towards a more open place and then said:
"Calm yourself Obi-Wan. Don't let anger control you, no matter what he said to you."
"But master!" Obi-Wan said. "He insulted you!"
"Doesn't matter", the older Jedi said and turned to his apprentice. "Please, calm down Obi. Watto is behind us now. Focus on now."
Obi-Wan huffed but closed his eyes and let the anger slip away. Qui-Gon stood there for a long time with Obi-Wan's head pressed into his shoulder and one arm around the younger man's waist. As before, no one paid attention. Suddenly a small droid, black as the night, came zooming pass them. Qui-Gon tightened his hold and said:
"Could you feel that?"
"That droid is in connection with the Sith", Obi-Wan hissed.
"Let's go!"
The two Jedis walked at a fast pace to the Skywalker's house. the two of them came out as they approached.
"Obi? Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin said.
"We need to go, and that is fast", Qui-Gon said. "We've been spotted."
The four of them moved quickly towards the outskirts and their ship. Padme and Artoo had only needed to wait around 20 minutes for Panaka to arrive and with his help they delivered the parts they had won to the ship. Obi-Wan's robe flew with the wind as he moved. Both Skywalkers was impressed by the sheer speed the two Jedis travelled. It seemed like the sand was no concern for them.
Suddenly Obi-Wan looked back and screamed out:
"Ani, get down now!"
The boy fell down and the wind dragged over him from a small speeder. A man dressed in black robes jumped off the speeder and Obi-Wan blocked a red lightsaber with his own fierce blue. Qui-Gon was about to help when Obi-Wan called out:
"Get back to the ship!"
"You can't hold him down!" the older Jedi said.
"You know what to do!"
With one last desperate glance, Qui-Gon helped the two Skywalkers up on their feet and took them to the ship. He ran to the cockpit with Anakin behind him.
"You left him alone?!" Padme shrieked.
"Take off", Qui-Gon said. "Fly low over him."
The pilot nodded and the ship began to move. Qui-Gon was out from the cockpit again, and only after a moments hesitation, Anakin followed.
He came just in time to see Obi-Wan jump up ten metres into the air and up in the ship. The gate closed immediately and the ship was off into space.
Qui-Gon helped his Padawan sit up and checked for any injuries. The younger man was panting and seemed to shake as well.
"Was what that?" Anakin said.
"Sith", Obi-Wan mumbled. "It was a Sith, master. No one else than a Sith."
"Oh my god", Qui-Gon said. "The Siths has been gone for a millennium."
"They're back", Obi-Wan said. "He was incredible strong with the Dark Side, master."
Anakin looked at one Jedi to the other. Then he finally summoned up:
"So, we're in big trouble?"
Tbc…
Haha, strange ending. Short chapter, I know. Sorry guys, I'll try make the next chapter longer.
Chapter 4 will be named: Coruscant. It will be when they are on the ship towards Coruscant, arrival at the planet, the Jedi council and meeting with some major differences from the movie, and then the decision to return to Naboo.
Later,
Tiro