A/N: I know that M/D's capital is technically Zehava...but...umm...my writer brain had other ideas. I could try and explain but then you might end up being more confused. Seriously confused.
To malchemist and daniela – Thank you both for the encouraging words! On with the story :)
Soon she came to my sad dwelling, but I will not be there anymore.
But you? Will you be there? You so sad with eyes so wise?
Chapter 3
In the wide open plains, a cool breeze danced, reveling in its freedom. Chrysanthemums poked through tall verdant shoots of grass, coloring the landscape. Rolling onto his back, Obi-Wan was greeted with an unfamiliar blanket of stars. Sharp blue eyes took in the reddish crest fading to twilight. Evening came swiftly on Melida/Dann.
A few clicks north of his position, Zahara, the once capital city of this planet could be seen. The gentle sound of water roaring past reminded him that from space, the planet looked like one giant holo-puzzle. Rivers connecting to oceans tied the sprawling land masses together. While the northern hemisphere was made up of grasslands and hills, the further south one traveled, these became diminished. At the southernmost tip of the planet, high winds swirled and dark storm clouds bellowed, much like the entire planet of Kamino.
Kamino whispered a shadowy voice. You were there at the beginning. You were such a good little soldier, but weak. Too arrogant and blind to see the seeds of your order's destruction take root. It can be different this time. Use your foreknowledge to blast all the damn clones to a watery grave. You can finally have revenge, finally be at peace when Taun We lies at your feet in a pool of her own...
"No!" Obi-Wan shouted slamming up heavy mental shields to block the shadowy voice.
I'm not a murderer. I can't give in to the dark side, not anymore. Though I gave into it during the battle of Naboo when Qui-Gon was slain and then at times amidst the clone wars, those moments were brief. During my self-imposed exile on Tatooine, I fully realized my mistakes. The light is stronger than the dark. It is pure, selfless. All it takes is one light to stand against an army of darkness. I cannot help but think Anakin would have never turned if I had not been so foolish.
Crossing one leg over the other his thoughts shifted. I almost lost everything. After Cerasi's senseless death I just couldn't return. For me, this planet symbolized my failure both as a padawan and as a Jedi. And now, for reasons I can't even begin to explain, I find myself here again. I certainly don't deserve a second chance.
A howl cut through the crisp night air. Startled, Obi-Wan sprang to his feet and wobbled a bit, still not used to his weight to body ratio. At the water's edge crouched a four-legged creature growling at him. Remembering something his old buddy Kizak had said about wild animals he came to a decision.
Bending down like a sprinter poised for the pistol shot he held its pointed stare and glared right back, baring his teeth. Still unfazed, the creature continued its approach, but its gait had slowed and its movements became more deliberate. Tapping lightly into the force to amplify his voice box, Obi-Wan let loose a guttural roar, bulging the vein running from his jaw down to his collarbone.
Up close, the creature was a wonder to behold. Its yellow eyes tracking his every move, searching for weakness. Short black hairs covered its body forming a sleek coat of fur. Polished jagged teeth gleamed under the moonlight.
He felt warmth as it exhaled. Neither side moved a muscle, the world coming to a halt. For a second he thought about using the force before the creature could make a snack of him, but he didn't sense any threat. Moments later, an unreadable expression passed over its face and the mounting tension lifted. Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief as it lowered itself in submission.