000.
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An eerie silence hovered in the room after Qui-Gon said the words.
"You are refusing?"
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Mace straightened to retaliate, but a rapping of a cane had them turn to Yoda.
"Qui-Gon, refusing we are not! Master Ki Mundi a point he has. Tell me; have in mind an initiate do you?"
"Yes Master Yoda, I wish to take Obi-Wan Kenobi as my padawan learner."
Yoda glanced at Mace Windu and then back to Qui-Gon.
.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, a perceptive boy he is; offered him to you more than once we have. Negative emotions displayed by you, have put doubt into that young boy's heart. Where no doubt existed before; all your doing it is. Explain you should, why risk his future in your hands we would?"
.
Qui-Gon wanted to tell them that in a different future they sent Obi-Wan to Bandomeer in the hope that he would take him, but Obi-Wan's life was forfeit because of his arrogance.
To reveal what he knew, would sound impossible and not help his cause. He had to bare his faults and his soul to make things right.
.
"Master Yoda, a year ago when you asked me to review Obi-Wan's form with a sabre, I knew you presumed that I'd recognise the connection between us."
Yoda nodded in response.
"I confess I did feel the pull from the Force and I am ashamed that I fought it. I was determined not to take another apprentice and my arrogance and obstinate disposition made me block what the Force knew was right."
Qui-Gon sensed that he had their attention.
.
"At the time I wouldn't acknowledge the fact that I caused Obi-Wan such despair and embarrassment and I am sorry.
He didn't deserve to be treated like a nuisance and that is how I depicted him to be."
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"Unworthy was your treatment of him." Yoda said.
.
"I have no excuse for my actions then and since; nor can I blame anyone else... I have discovered that life is precious and can be fleeting. It should not be wasted for even a moment." He bowed his head for a moment thinking of what might have come to pass.
"I know there is a fledgling bond struggling to make itself known between us and it would be my honour to guide Obi-Wan to knighthood."
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Yoda gave Qui-Gon his unwavering attention for several moments; then he said. "Master Jinn a challenge you place before us."
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"Then may I also appeal to your compassion, to allow me to teach the senior initiates and permit me the opportunity to work with and get to know Obi-Wan Kenobi better?"
Yoda thought about it for a moment. "Your requests discuss them we shall. Inform you of our decision in due time we will. May the Force be with you."
"I am grateful that you have consented to consider my requests. May the Force be with you too Masters." Qui-Gon bowed and left the chambers.
.
ooo
.
Obi-Wan hurried to the arena, relief making his steps light. He hadn't expected to be exonerated of the charge of stealing, and wanted to tell Garen the good news.
"Hey Obi, what kept you? I've been warming up for ages; I thought you'd changed your mind again."
.
"Master Marron and Alto came to my room that's why I'm late. Alto apologised for accusing me."
"Wow, that's good news, what about Bruck?"
"Bruck is going to get into trouble; Master Marron told Master Yoda what he did."
.
"Finally! Bruck is going to get what he deserves!" Garen said.
"Oh blast! There's the sith spawned initiate now, does he know yet?" Garen asked as Bruck strode into the arena with another initiate.
.
'I don't know, let's just ignore him and he might go away." Obi-Wan said as he picked up his training sabre.
They began going through warm up kata's, but 'no such thing as luck' ran through Obi-Wan's mind when Bruck sauntered over.
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"Hey Oafy-Wan, haven't they punished you yet for stealing?" Bruck said accusingly.
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"I guess that answers my question then." Garen whispered to Obi-Wan.
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"Why would they punish me for stealing when they know it was you who put the pen in my bag?" Obi-Wan said quietly for Bruck's ears only.
Bruck wasn't sure what to say because Obi-Wan sounded confident and Garen had a funny smirk on his face.
"You better keep practicing Oafy; because I'm gonna wipe the floor with you in the sabre comp!"
Bruck snapped as he walked away.
They watched him walk out of the arena leaving his sparring partner behind.
.
"Well we didn't ignore him, but he went away anyway!" Garen laughed.
Obi-Wan felt much better now and they began to spar.
.
ooo
.
Returning to his apartment Qui-Gon stopped just inside his door. It was like he was seeing his quarters and what it held for the first time.
His attention and focus moved to the walls where holo pictures hung of a young dark haired padawan, ranging in age from the beginning of his apprenticeship till he denounced his training.
Mementos of said padawan's achievements sat on the mantle and a throw rug, worn with age still draped over Qui-Gon's couch. He touched it remembering why Xanatos gave it to him.
He'd burnt a hole in the couch and covered it with the rug. Telling Qui-Gon that he'd requisitioned it from supplies.
However, the supplies master said Xanatos took it without permission. Qui-Gon convinced the master that he would reprimand Xanatos, but he never did.
Shaking his head he gazed across to his computer and on the desk was a severed black braid with coloured beads still attached. He remembered Xanatos slicing it off and throwing it at Qui-Gon when he left.
More souvenirs and models adorned shelves and the walls.
It was clearly apparent now that the whole apartment was a shrine to an unworthy trickster.
(No wonder Mace shook his head every time he came in here. I never saw what he saw. I see it now, they were all right. I was obsessed with a padawan that should never have been a Jedi.)
He'd been to the storage centre and collected several boxes to clean out his apartment in preparation for Obi-Wan moving in and he didn't want any reminders of his past to reflect on his future with his new padawan.
He hadn't expected to fill the boxes, but by the time he'd finished they were overflowing.
Old posters and even some of his uniforms were still hanging in the cupboard.
Anything that reminded him of his past went in the boxes and when he sat down with a caff the burn mark was in full view.
Calling through to stores he ordered a replacement couch and a few other items.
Many thoughts filled his head, Yoda had been right about his unhealthy and morbid enthralment with his previous apprentice, and now that he was thinking clearly; he realised it wasn't his fault that Xanatos turned away from the Jedi order.
It was the young man's own failures that had caused him to turn away from the Jedi.
Just then his com-link buzzed bringing him back to the present. "Jinn here."
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"Qui-Gon, this is Nikko, I wanted to let you know that my padawan admitted his wrongdoing where initiate Kenobi was concerned and we have just come from seeing Obi-Wan. Alto has apologised to him and Obi-Wan graciously accepted."
"That is good to hear Nikko."
"I know I have a bit of work ahead of me teaching my padawan the ways of a good Jedi, but I'm sure he'll learn from this." He said.
"With you as his Master, I have no doubt."
"Thank you Qui-Gon. However, I'm not so sure about initiate Chun. He seems to have a major problem with resentment for initiate Kenobi. I've spoken to Master Yoda and explained my concern. He confirmed that initiate Chun will be punished for his deceitfulness."
"Thank you for letting me know Nikko, I did sense a fair amount of dislike directed at Obi-Wan searing from Bruck Chun's aura myself."
"So Qui-Gon, tell me are you planning to ask Obi-Wan to be your apprentice?"
"What makes you think I'm looking for an apprentice my friend?"
"Qui-Gon you know you've never been able to fool me. I could feel your protective side rise when they accused Obi-Wan and you were ready to jump in and save him."
"Yes, well I've finally listened to you and the Force and now I have to convince Obi-Wan that I'm not the ogre he thinks I am."
'Take it slow and don't overwhelm him, he'll come round; you and he are made for each other; why do you think I didn't take him? I was interested in Obi-Wan, but I sensed your connection even if you wouldn't, and so did Yoda. I think you'll make a great team. I'll talk to you later Qui-Gon."
.
(So Nikko was going to take Obi-Wan, I wonder how many more were interested in him. ) He thought as the door buzzer sounded.
Stretching out he felt Mace's distinctive aura.
With a wave of his hand the door opened. "Come in Mace."
Mace stepped in; amazed at what he saw.
"Qui-Gon, what are you doing?" he asked when he saw the boxes on the table and all the mementos and pictures of Xanatos were gone from the walls.
"I told you I'm a changed man and there is no place in my life or my quarters for a failed apprentice. My quarters and my spare bedroom needed cleaning out. I have to make room for my new padawan."
"Don't push it Qui-Gon, just because you seem different, the council still want to make sure it isn't an act."
"Mace I'm not acting; now are you here as a councillor or a friend."
"I'm here as both. Firstly, let me say that I do like this Qui-Gon much better than the one you were before and I would like to believe you my friend. Nevertheless, as a councillor and protector of the younglings we have in our care; we have to take in to consideration what your previous interactions with initiate Kenobi have caused.
Therefore, it is the council's directive that until you've had a chance to get to know Obi-Wan you are not permitted to ask him to be your padawan."
Mace expected an argument. However, he was amazed when Qui-Gon agreed with him.
"I am of the same opinion as you Mace, he is wary of me at the moment and I want to gain his trust, and getting to know him better is something I would like to do."
"Very well, you've been assigned the classes you requested, but remember Qui-Gon we will be watching you and your interactions with him."
"Excellent Mace, how about we go to the sparing arena and see if he's there practicing for the tournament." Qui-Gon said handing one box to Mace and picking up the other one.
"Why the big rush Qui-Gon, it's not as though Obi-Wan is going anywhere?"
"Oh really Mace, you know as well as I do that he will turn thirteen in a few months and I'm sure he will be feeling a bit apprehensive that he hasn't been taken by a master yet."
"I see your point; alright let's go."
"What are you going to do with all this stuff?" Mace asked not believing that Qui-Gon would actually throw anything away that reminded him of Xanatos.
"I'm going to dump them in the garbage compacter on the way to the arena."
"Really! This I have to see," Mace said following him out the door.
.
ooo
.
When Qui-Gon and Mace arrived in the arena they noticed Yoda sitting high up on the fourth level of seating watching a group of younglings practising and they climbed the stairs sitting down with him.
"Agree with our decision do you Qui-Gon?"
"Yes I do Master Yoda and Mace said it was alright to come and watch Obi-Wan spar."
"Arrived a few moments ago did Obi-Wan and Garen; warming up they are."
Qui-Gon stretched out and he could feel that Obi-Wan was excited and enthusiastic as he warmed up doing advanced kata's. A weight had been lifted off him now that Alto had apologised.
"Qui-Gon, Master Marron informed me that witness the transgressions initiate Chun and his padawan perpetrated against Obi-Wan, you did?"
"Yes Master Yoda; I saw Bruck Chun put the pen in Obi-Wan's bag before I approached them. Master Marron handled the situation and absolved Obi-Wan from any wrongdoing. I just spoke to him and his padawan has apologised to Obi-Wan. I haven't seen Bruck since, what will happen to him?"
"Here earlier was young Bruck spoke to Obi-Wan briefly before hurrying out he did. Waiting for him was Docent Vant when left the arena he did. Under the control of the disciplinary committee he is now."
Qui-Gon nodded and then turned his attention to the initiates sparing.
.
Ooo
.
Obi-Wan blocked the blow Garen aimed at his side and pushed his blade hard, forcing Garen to stumble back. Obi-Wan didn't go on the attack and held his sabre in the ready position.
Garen charged him and at the last moment Obi-Wan jumped sideways and Garen stumbled past him. Obi-Wan had a grin on his face when Garen turned around. Obi-Wan lifted his finger and shook it back and forth.
"Don't rush in blindly". He said grinning.
Garen poked his tongue out and charged into the battle once more garnering a strike on Obi-Wan's thigh. Garen followed that strike with another that caught his friends boot.
Obi-Wan countered with a quick strike to Garen's arm and as he spun away from the slight burn, Obi-Wan brought his sabre down hard knocking Garen back a few paces.
While Garen was getting up off the floor, Obi-Wan felt that someone was watching him and he lost focus; glancing up to the stands.
Master Jinn was staring at him and it took his attention away from the match giving Garen the advantage of bringing his blade up and caught Obi-Wan on the neck, ending the match.
Obi-Wan felt the sting, but he knew he'd lost concentration. He turned to his friend.
"Good match Garen," and then he bowed.
"Did you let me win?" Garen asked.
"Now why would I do that my friend, I got distracted that's all. You won fair and square."
Garen looked into the stands and saw Master Jinn. "He's what distracted you isn't he, I wonder why he's here; he's never watched us spar before."
"I don't know, but I wish he wouldn't keep staring at me. I hope Master Marron told him that I'm not a thief."
"They're friends aren't they? Master Marron probably told him; otherwise he'd be down here pointing out your dark side tendencies or something. Come-on Obi-Wan don't worry about him let's go and shower I'm hot and sweaty."
Obi-Wan couldn't shake an unsettling feeling that filled him, but he didn't know why; he glanced back just before he and Garen went out the door and Master Jinn was still watching him.
.
Ooo
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"Qui-Gon, stop staring at him you're making him nervous." Mace said as the two boys left the arena.
Qui-Gon leaned back; nodding at Mace. "You're right, I felt it; I will have to control myself. I have a lot to make up for, and I am looking forward to working with him tomorrow."
"Take it slowly Qui-Gon, you might be a good negotiator, but you don't have a great track record for tact when it comes to the initiates, especially that one..." Mace said standing up. "I've got a meeting to attend in the senate building; I'll see you both later."
.
Yoda waited until Mace left and then he turned to face Qui-Gon. "Something you wish to tell me Master Qui-Gon?"
"About what Master Yoda?"
"Early in the hour of the morning, when temple still and quiet; interruption to the flow of the force I felt. Know of what I speak do you?"
"I'm not certain I know what you mean, what sort of interruption?" Qui-Gon kept his emotions under wraps he didn't know how to explain the fact that he'd stepped back in time a couple of months.
"Feel it I think you did, lie to me you never have, but hiding something now you are."
Qui-Gon bent his head slightly in thought for a moment.
"Do you remember when I was an initiate you spoke to me about the Force. I asked if you had ever seen a Force Spirit; you spoke about legends and prophesies and that the Force was an infinite mystery, but I remember that you never actually answered my question."
"Yes, remember I do. Lived a long time I have and many strange and unbelievable things I have seen. Nothing impossible in the Force, and sense I do that enlightened you have been."
"I have been, and my question has been answered. I've seen and spoken to a Force Ghost who has given me a chance to undo a tragedy that I and others caused."
"A tragedy you say?"
"Yes Master, the death of one who was destined to be one of the greatest Jedi of our time."
Yoda closed his eyes and lifted his head up delving into the currents that surrounded him. Opening them he turned back to Qui-Gon. "Speak of Obi-Wan Kenobi you do?"
"I do Master, and in a different future I was present when he died and I saw what was in store for the Jedi order without him in it."
'"A Vision you had Qui-Gon."
"Not just one, I had many visions in the presence of the Spirit. The temple burnt to the ground, killing many Jedi and the senate building shrouded in darkness. Planets were destroyed; and the galaxy all under the rule of a sith. I have seen the end of the Jedi Order."
"These visions, predict the end to come in our lifetime?"
"Yes, but we have been given a chance to overcome this end and ensure the survival of the Jedi order."
"A chance you say, Obi-Wan Kenobi a part to play he does?"
"Yes, a big part."
Yoda gazed long and hard at Qui-Gon. "Umm, just visions they are Qui-Gon, come true they may not."
"Master! Obi-Wan's death was not a vision it did happen. You said nothing is impossible in the Force."
"Adamant you are! More to say, have you?"
Qui-Gon took a calming breath. "I'm not sure how to clarify what actually happened, but what I am about to tell you did take place. In two months time Obi-Wan would have been sent to the agri-corps on Bandomeer because I refused to accept him. We were on the same freighter and even though we worked together to prevent pirates from capturing us, I treated him with disrespect and I put him in the same category as my former apprentice. He was shot by thieves at the shuttle port, and Master Kain rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. He died while I was holding his hand."
"Qui-Gon a vision it must be; send Obi-Wan to the agri-corps we would not."
"Master Yoda with all due respect, I can assure you that what I am telling you was not a vision. I have already lived the next two months and by the will of the Force I have been given another chance to relive those months and correct a grievous mistake that we all made."
"A mistake we all made you say?"
"Yes Master, two months into the future, I accepted a mission to Bandomeer to negotiate a settlement and before I left, Obi-Wan begged me to take him as an apprentice, but I refused. I don't know why the council or in particular you Master! Decided to send him on the same ship, but he was with me until we reached Bandomeer. I spoke to you over the communicator and you were very annoyed with me and told me I was no better than my own Master Dooku."
Yoda's ears straightened. "Thought I have on many occasions that to tell you like your old master you were becoming, but thought you would see what I see in the Force that Obi-Wan was meant to be your apprentice. Tell me more you should!"
"You told me in no uncertain terms that I was bitter and insensitive and if I didn't change my ways that I would go down the same path as Dooku."
"Yes Dooku arrogant and self-centred he is, left the order he has."
"You also told me that my indifference to Obi-Wan's future was no different to that which I accused Dooku of and you said that a great Jedi you foresaw Obi-Wan becoming under my tutelage. Then you said you sensed nothing but darkness for the future. Well you were right Master Yoda."
"Your words ring true Qui-Gon, thought to say those things I have. Spoke them to no-one else I have."
"I don't know how I was brought back here, but last night I was on Bandomeer, and he died. He disappeared in glowing ribbons of white light. My anger and grief was choking me because I knew it was my fault, but then I saw the most beautiful glowing white light and it transformed into a Jedi spirit. The things he showed me were horrible. I became the thing we all dread. He showed me death and destruction on a massive scale. The end of life as we know it, and the end of the entire Jedi order." Qui-Gon gazed off into the distance for a moment.
"I saw the error of my ways and yes, it was then that I was enlightened. I begged him to give me another chance. He glowed and disappeared and before I closed my eyes I saw Obi-Wan smiling at me then he disappeared. I closed my eyes to meditate on my mistakes. When I opened them I was back in my quarters here in the Temple and I knew that the Force had granted my wish."
Yoda nodded and placed his clawed hand on Qui-Gon's. "The more we learn the more we discover how much we do not know. Believe your words I do. A spirit of the Force you have seen Qui-Gon."
"Thank you Master."
tbc...