Chapter 1: Loss
Qui-Gon's POV
There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.
Such were the words I had recited countless times during my journey, first as a Jedi Padawan, then a Knight, and finally a Master.
I did not understand them at first, my young brain not comprehending the powerful meaning behind them. But slowly and surely, as I grew, so too did my knowledge of the cryptic words. I time I had come to embrace them, cherish them even, believing them to be the key to true inner peace, something which every Jedi strived towards, no matter their age.
And then everything changed. In an instant, the words I had once held so close to my heart suddenly seemed a mockery of my pain, my anguish. The feelings I had been taught to suppress came flooding over every wall within my mind. I couldn't stop them. I almost didn't want to. Grief and hurt replaced a once-healthy bond in the Force; my life shattered. And it was all because of him.
I glared at the horned Sith Lord through the energy field, my pain and anger rolling off me in waves. He smirked at my anguish, grinning with his pointy teeth as I readied myself for the coming battle. Obi-Wan looked at me from where he lay, eyes dull and lifeless. This beast had killed him, and now he was going to pay.
I sensed the energy barrier about to dissipate, and raised my saber to a defensive position, scowling at my opponent behind the blade. The red wall between us faded, and I launched forward with a strength I had never felt before.
The Sith Lord stepped back, surprised by the ferocity that was coming from a Jedi. Little did he know, the Jedi in me wasn't there. Not anymore. There was only my pain, my anguish. And I was using it. My blade travelled up and down, crashing against the horned animal's double blade, pushing him back. My attacks held the viciousness of a Sith, and the strength of a man long-trained in the Jedi arts.
Our blades locked together in a match of power, the sabers screeching under the push we were each exerting on the other. I glanced beyond our fight to my fallen padawan's body,… and his lightsaber. Looking back up at my opponent, whose eyes bored into mine with more hate than I had ever seen, I called the saber to me using the Force.
The Sith didn't notice what I had done until it was too late, the blue plasma blade slicing a hole through his torso before flying right into my hand. I grabbed it with ease and held the two sabers I now possessed across my opponent's throat.
To my surprise, he didn't seem afraid at all. Instead, he laughed, coughing from the hole I had burned in his chest. " You-" he rasped, his voice deep and menacing, " Will never- find peace- with the Jedi."
I paused, listening as he continued. " This-is only the beginning." Suddenly I heard a whirring behind me. I turned around to see the Sith's saber spinning toward me at an alarming rate. Quickly I flipped up, the saber missing me by inches, and instead meeting it's owner's hand as he scrambled to his feet and jumped down the shaft in the middle of the room. I froze, shocked, as he fell down into the blackness.
Suddenly I remembered my padawan, and disengaged my weapons. I rushed over to his prone form, and lifted in gently into my arms. All the anger I had felt just moments ago faded away, replaced by an overwhelming sadness, a hopelessness so crushing that I began to sob as I knelt there.
Twelve years. That was how long I had trained him. From his first day as a Padawan until now. He was nearly a Knight. We had talked for some time about him taking the Trials. But now he would never get the chance.
A part of me said it was my fault. That I could have saved him. That I should have tried harder, fought better, done more. And while I agreed with it, there was another option that seemed more viable.
It was their fault. While they had stood by, safe in their shining temple, they had sent a young boy, one of the Order's most promising students, to his death. How many other Jedi had needlessly died because of their carelessness? How much grief and pain had been unnecessarily wrought upon other because an elite handful had gotten too complacent in their philosophies?
They wouldn't even mourn him. Oh sure, there would be a big ceremony, and everyone would stand around looking solemn and pained, but they wouldn't truly feel his loss. Not like I would. Only I would be left to deal with the pain of losing not only a student, but a friend, someone who I had trusted for longer than a decade.
It all seemed to become clear now. The Council hid their apathy and ignorance under the guise of serenity, of balance, but they had slowly become the very thing they had sworn to protect against. They had grown complacent, fallen asleep. The Sith Lord I had just encountered had certainly proved that. Now they would reap the consequences.
There was a war coming; it didn't take a Jedi to see it. Tensions with the Trade Federation were near a breaking point, as were negotiations in the Senate. Sooner or later, every system in the galaxy would be forced to choose a side. And suddenly I wasn't sure which side I stood on.
Chapter 2: Leaving
Qui-Gon's POV
" You're what?" Mace Windu said, shocked.
" I'm leaving the Order," I replied, repeating what I had just stated.
The Council members shared glances with one another, expressions ranging from confused to worried to angry.
" Master Jinn," Yaddle spoke first, " If I may ask: what led you to make this decision?"
I held eye contact with the small green Master. Yaddle had always been a trusted confidant of mine, and a more,… humble Jedi than most. Therefore I decided to respect her with as straightforward an answer as I could muster.
" Many things, Master Yaddle," I replied calmly, keeping my hands in the sleeves of my robes, " As I'm sure every one in this room knows, my relations with the Jedi Council have always been,… strained."
I thought I heard a snort from Mace Windu, but ignored it.
" This friction, coupled with certain recent developments," I made sure to glance at Windu there, " Has made me realize that I can no longer stay a member of this Order. While I will have only the utmost respect for this Council and its members in the future," I looked at Yaddle, " I feel that my path lies,… elsewhere at the moment."
Silence fell over the chamber at my words, Master Shaak Ti being the first to break it. " Master Jinn, we realize that the death of your former padawan Kenobi has left you somewhat,… rattled," she gestured in my direction, " I must caution you not to make any rash decisions because of your emotions. We would hate to see you go, only for you to realize that you had made a mistake."
" There's no mistake, Masters," I stiffened slightly, " I have felt this way for some time now, even before Obi-Wan's passing," I swallowed the lump in my throat, " I believe that he would have agreed with my choice."
" Very well," Windu sat back in his chair, " If you want to leave, we won't stop you."
" We can't stop you," Ki-Adi Mundi corrected him. I smirked slightly. The Cerean had always been a stickler for protocol.
" Indeed," Grandmaster Yoda raised a hand, " If believe the choice is right, you do, then go, you must."
" Thank you, Masters," I bowed slightly, turning to leave.
" Qui-Gon," Yaddle's voice stopped me.
" Yes, Master Yaddle?"
" May the Force be with you."
" And with you." With that, I left the Council chambers, never to return again.
Chapter 3: Gone
Qui-Gon's POV
I had just reached the last of the Temple's grand steps when I heard a voice call out behind me.
" Master Qui-Gon, wait please!" I turned around to see a young boy running full tilt in my direction.
" Anakin," I greeted the young one with a smile, " What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside?"
" Master Dooku told me that you were leaving. He said I should give you this." He held out a small rectangular box.
I took it from him, confused. My former master had never been one for surprises. What had he deemed it necessary to gift me in this way?
The box bore the symbol of the Jedi Order on the top, and the inscription under it read, " When the time is right, you will find the strength." I furrowed my brows. A line from the Prophecy of The Chosen One, a story my master and I had often spent hours studying. How odd.
" Did Master Dooku say anything else?" I questioned Anakin.
" Yes. He said to tell you that you two would meet again. And that he would honor your wishes in your absence."
I smiled at that. I had told Dooku about my decision to leave the Order before I had even informed the Council. Despite both moving on after my apprenticeship to him ended, Dooku and I had remained close. I had felt that he deserved to know beforehand, instead of the news being dumped on him by Yoda or, Force forbid, Windu.
I had been surprised to find that he didn't feel betrayed or even upset, really, but instead agreed with me completely. He had given me a comm and made me promise to stay in contact, and in return I had asked only one thing of him in return: that he and he alone would train Anakin.
The boy I had found on Tatooine had awakened something in the Force; I had felt it as soon as he entered the room of that horrible junk shop. The way it flowed around him, responded to him, had left me curious to discover more. The thought had crossed my mind more than once that he could be none other than the Chosen One himself, despite the Council finding my implication about the boy to be downright comical. In such case I trusted only one person to train him correctly, and that person just so happened to be my former master, who, with his extensive knowledge of prophecies and tendency to go against the strict Jedi ways, I was almost certain would be a prefect match for the boy.
Dooku had consented readily, and confessed that he had actually planned on training the boy anyway. We always had been on the same page, he and I. I was going to miss him. On the bright side, the settlement of Anakin's fate had left my mind much clearer about my decision than it had been previously. In short, it just felt right, which left my mind to focus on other, more pressing matters, such as finding a new source of income,…
" Master Qui-Gon, do you have to go?" Anakin's voice brought me back to the present.
I sighed and squatted down to his level. " Yes, Ani, I'm afraid I do. There are some matters I must straighten out."
" Well,… then let me come with you!" he blurted.
I shook my head firmly. " No, young one, you must walk a different path than I. Master Dooku will be in charge of your training from now on. If you do as he says and listen to his teachings, I have no doubt that you will become a fine Jedi some day." I stood up, ready to leave.
" Do you understand, Ani?" I asked him.
" Yes, Master," he replied, hanging his head, and for a brief moment I felt sorry for the boy. Then he spoke up. " I'll- I'll try my best to make you proud."
I smiled. " I'm sure you'll do much more than that, Ani," I laid a hand on his shoulder. " May the Force be with you, young padawan."
" And also with you, Master," he bowed slightly, his braid falling over his shoulder.
After that we parted, Anakin turning and walking back up the steps. I watched him for a moment, before turning to go my own way, as well.
A cool breeze blew past my shoulder, lifting my hair slightly and causing me to shiver under my robes. I paused for a moment, breathing deeply, a sense of peace enveloping me. I didn't know where I was going, or even if I would ever see this place again, but I knew that I had made the right choice, and that now, no matter what, there was no going back.
Chapter 4: In The Shadows
Palpatine's POV
" Chancellor, a word?"
I turned around from staring out the window in my office, the Coruscant traffic buzzing behind me as I answered.
" Yes, Master Jedi, how can I help you?" I asked, putting a pleasant expression on my face.
" I'm concerned about the Republic," the young Jedi Knight spoke bluntly.
" Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised, " And what exactly is it that has you so worried, my young friend?"
The young man faltered for a moment. " It's, well- it's about the Jedi. You see, recently a friend of mine passed away and I, well, I feel like it could have been avoided if there had only been more people like you involved in,… well everything," he stated.
" I'm flattered," I replied, keeping my composure despite my peaking interest in the boy. " Would you have a seat, please?" I gestured to a nearby chair.
" Thank you, Chancellor," the Jedi replied.
" Now tell me, my friend, what is your name?" I said, perching myself on the edge of the plush office chair behind my desk.
" Quinlan Vos," he held his head high as he replied.
" Well, Quinlan Vos," I leaned forward across the table, " It would seem that you and I have a lot in common. I too am concerned for the safety of this great Republic that we live in."
" As any good Chancellor should be," he added quickly.
I smiled. " You're too kind, Jedi Vos," I bowed my head.
" Please, call me Quinlan," he shook his head.
" Very well then, Quinlan. Perhaps you'd like to tell me about this friend of yours whom you lost."
I remained perfectly still as the boy began to speak, feigning interest while actually receding inside my own mind to plan around this unexpected but not unwelcome development. Tentatively I reached our with the Force, instantly sensing the anger and grief that was rolling off the boy in waves. Hmmmmm. Could he really be a replacement for my original plan? I needed to find out more.
" I'm so sorry," I snapped back into the present. " That must have been so hard. Losing a friend - what did you say his name was,… Kenobi? - can be a trying thing for anyone to go to, even a Jedi I would assume."
The boy nodded somberly. I chuckled to myself. Sympathy could really win so many hearts.
" Now tell me," I gestured with my hand, " Why are you so concerned about the Republic?"
The boy instantly straightened. " To put it simply, Sir, I believe we've lost our way as a government. The values the Republic once stood for have been trampled upon, degraded, and mocked for long enough. I've seen people living under the Republic whose conditions are simply unheard of. And fear is everywhere, Sir. It's taking hold in each corner of the galaxy, from here to Tatooine. And I think it's time someone stopped it." He sat back in his chair, having said his peace.
I smiled. If I hadn't been certain before, I was certain now. This young Jedi would be the perfect tool to be used in the years to come. It was clear that his rebellious and bold nature made him unashamed of his views, maybe a little too much for his own good. And it would appear that the death of the young Jedi on Naboo had had more of an impact amongst this comrades than I had thought at first.
It wasn't of importance, however. The young Jedi was here now; that was all that mattered. I thought of the millions of clones on Kamino, fermenting in their pods, waiting to be called upon by my order. Sending Maul to commission the army had been a great decision indeed. And now with the tensions amongst the Republic and the Trade Federation higher than ever, and this young outspoken child on my doorstep, it would appear that things were going better than I had originally expected. Soon, very soon, the time for war would arrive. And this boy was going to help me get there, whether he knew it or not.
" Quinlan my boy," I stood up, moving over to take the boy by the shoulder, " Have you by chance ever heard the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?"