Chapter 9: The Confrontation
Revan found Qui-Gon Jinn in the training grounds, overseeing the training of a group of younglings. He watched as Qui-Gon corrected their stances, his voice stern and his gaze unyielding.
Revan's gaze, however, was on a young boy standing at the edge of the group, his eyes downcast and his shoulders slumped. Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-"Master Jinn" Revan called out, his voice echoing in the vast training grounds. Qui-Gon turned, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Revan.
-"I wish to speak with you."
Qui-Gon nodded, excusing himself from the younglings and approaching Revan.
-"What is it, Knight Revan ?" he asked, his tone guarded.
-"It's about Obi-Wan." Revan said, his gaze flicking to the young boy.
-"I do not agree with your treatment of him."
Qui-Gon's eyes hardened.
-"And what would you know about my treatment of him?" he asked, his voice cold.
Revan's gaze was unwavering.
-"I know enough." he said.
-"I know that you rejected him, that you deemed him too emotional, too weak…prone to fall maybe…. I know that you were ready to send him to the agricorps."
Qui-Gon's face was a mask of defiance.
-"And what would you have done differently ?" he asked, his tone challenging.
Revan's response was immediate.
-"Everything. I would not have rejected him to start with or at least no the way you did destrying what little confidence he had." he said.
-"I would have nurtured him, guided him. I would have shown him hown to deal with his emotions. They are not a weakness, but a strength."
Qui-Gon scoffed.
-"The boy is too emotional. He cannot control himself so he might as well not learn saber combat. I have seen my former padawan fall to the dark side and I will not go through that again. So, I think I am qualified to judge when a youngling is not fit to be a jedi knight. And you think you can do a better job than me?" he asked, his tone mocking.
Revan's gaze was steady.
-"Yes, easily. I do." he said simply.
Qui-Gon's gaze hardened.
-"Then prove it. Duel me." he said, igniting his lightsaber.
Revan nodded, igniting his own lightsaber. The two Jedi Masters stood still, their gazes locked. Qui-Gon was the first to attack, his movements aggressive and fast, a clear demonstration of his mastery of Form IV, Ataru.
But Revan was ready, his own style a blend of Niman, Jar Kai, Dun Moch, and Ataru. He parried Qui-Gon's attacks with ease, his movements fluid and precise.
The duel was intense, but it was clear that Revan was not fully engaging but still, had the upper hand. He moved with a grace and precision that Qui-Gon could not match, his mastery of multiple forms giving him an edge.
The duel ended only a few minutes after it started with Revan disarming Qui-Gon, his lightsaber flying out of his hand and landing several feet away.
Revan kept his lightsaber at Qui-Gon neck for a few seconds before deactivated it, his gaze pinning him down.
-"I win. And I intend to take Obi-Wan as my Padawan if he agrees. You will soon know that you lost more than a duel today." he said simply.
Qui-Gon was silent, his gaze hard. But he did not object. He knew he had been bested.
Revan turned to the watching Jedi Masters, his gaze sweeping over them. But, he soon returns his gaze to Qui Gon.
-"In another timeline, despite Qui-Gon's negligence, Obi-Wan became one of the best Masters of the Order and the only survivor with Yoda after the purge. But, the scars of self-doubts left by his master would never truly heal leading to unfortunate mistakes with the chosen one." he said, his voice echoing in the silence.
-"What will he become if nurtured properly by a caring Master? I intend to find out."
The Jedi Masters were silent, their gazes thoughtful. They knew that Revan was right. They had seen the potential in Obi-Wan, the strength and determination that lay beneath his doubt and fear.
They knew that with the right guidance, he could become one of the greatest Jedi the Order had ever seen.
Revan who was still looking at Qui-Gon Jinn told him these last words:
- "You are one of the great Master of this order and you are hurting from the most challenging experience a Jedi can live through. But your inability to treat fairly a promising youngling had lasting consequences. Know that despite your treatment, he would have stay faithful to you, even though you made him pay time and time again for yours and other's mistakes. Today, you are the one losing a great treasure and you don't even know it."
Qui-Gon flinched at the declaration and looked away.
Revan then turned toward Obi Wan who had been looking at the whole scene wide eyed.
He approached slowly and knelt to be at eye level with the boy:
- "Hello, Obi Wan. My name is Revan. Sorry for the display and the announcement. I should've asked you first. I do so now: Will you Obi Wan accept my teachings and become my Padawan?"
Obi wan felt overwhelmed. Someone finally wanted him and even fought for him. Maybe he wasn't worthless. He looked into the kind eyes of his future master and say the only logical answer.
- "Yes Master Revan, I accept. Thank you".
And so, Obi-Wan Kenobi became the Padawan of Revan, the Prodigal Knight.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear - Obi-Wan was in good hands.
(To be continued in chapter 10)
