The Return of the Jedi
What if … the prequel trilogyy was all a plan by Qui-Gon Jinn to expose the Sith?
-If you are not with me, then you are my enemy.
-Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I'll do what I mist.
-You will try...
A tremor ran through the Force, before Anakin charged. Obi-Wan heard the crack of swords ring as they crossed paths, as the Force became a concentrated vortex all around them and the planet's churning air lashed their flushed faces.
-Obi-Wan! Anakin!
Everything fell apart. In an instant those terrible moments of conflict disappeared like a dream, leaving him immobile and stunned. Both he and Anakin had returned to a moment before, when they were still tense, ready to spring. A human figure was now bending over Padme, gently tending to her.
-Master?
-Qui-Gon?
-My friends- the jedi greeted them -Too much time has passed.
-B-b-but how is that possible?- Anakin stammered.
-You were dead, master. I saw you die- Obi-Wan said instead, holding his hands out in front of him as if to protect himself.
-Yes, my padawan. I'm sorry for the pain I caused you, but it was a necessary sacrifice- Qui-Gon replied with enigmatic calm. Then he gently took Padme into his arms.
-What does it mean? How can you be here if you're dead?- Anakin took a hesitant step towards the jedi master. His face was now torn between fear and relief. He too wasn't sure whether to trust him or not, but the Force didn't lie.
-How is all this possible? What sacrifice?- Obi-Wan insisted, gasping in shock.
-I feared that the Dark Side was preparing a terrible revenge, infiltrating the Republic with devious agents to lead it astray. I did what I had to do to thwart their plans- Qui-Gon walked towards them, perfectly calm. His smile was relaxed, reassuring, but betrayed melancholy. Anakin couldn't even respond as a tear ran down his face.
-A plan of yours...? From the beginning… how could you let this happen?- Obi-Wan hissed between his teeth. For a moment he felt like on Naboo, when he had seen the body of his master collapse in front of the sword of the sith Darth Maul.
-Here Anakin- Qui-Gon gently offered Padme to the man -Help your wife.
-W-what…? No. No, stay away from me!- Anakin activated his sword and placed it between himself and the Jedi - Don't mislead me with your words! I trusted you, and now I find out you did nothing but lie to me!
-Anakin, Padme can be saved. You can save her- Qui-Gon insisted, unperturbed. The other continued to rail against him, calling him a liar. Obi-Wan remained still, uncertain: he had come to defeat Anakin and kill him for the good of the Republic, but now that Qui-Gon had arrived perhaps there was a chance to bring the padawan back to their side.
-Your children need you, Anakin.
- Liar! Let her go! I won't let you hurt her!
He hesitated again, remaining to watch as the calm voice of his old master broke helplessly on the dark barrier of Anakin's soul. He took a deep breath, and then approached Padme.
- Stop!- Anakin ordered him -Don't touch her! Don't dare!
He placed a hand on the woman's swollen belly and felt the life inside her stir. Actually the lives: he felt two new and vibrant bodies, which were already reacting to the disturbance of the Force around them.
-They are about to be born, Anakin- he said.
- No! Don't talk! Obi Wan! Get away!
-I can hear them. They are alive, they are almost ready.
-You can save Padme, Anakin- Qui-Gon echoed, taking a step forward.
-NO! She will be hurt!
-You can prevent it. Give up your suffering Anakin, give up your hatred- Obi-Wan also took a step towards his old padawan and in response Anakin pointed his sword at his chest.
-You Jedi are lying, that's all ou do!- he replied -Only my master can save her! Only he can show me how!
-That's not true, my friend.
-The Dark Lord keeps you tied to him by turning your feelings against you.
-You can do it yourself, Anakin. Padme needs you now.
-You don't need the power of the Dark Side. Don't hate yourself for what you did, love your wife.
-Don't let the Dark Lord blind you. Your fear strengthens him, your love weakens him.
The conflict in Anakin's soul was reflected in his eyes: they were sunken and red, his voice was hoarse and his body was stiff and trembling. Obi-Wan could sense the tension rising. One wrong sentence would have compromised all their efforts and their friend would have been lost to the Dark Side forever.
-Anakin…
-Kanan Jarrus- Anakin's voice boomed through the room. The young man advanced confidently, without showing distress, until he knelt in front of the man. Anakin's lightsaber ignited with its usual crackle and stopped just above Kanan's shoulder.
-You have lived according to the principles of the Order without violating them or bending them for your own interests. You have mastered the ways of the Force and have been able to listen to your feelings, giving them deep purpose. I have nothing more to teach you. Now it is you who will have to find your way in the galaxy.
Silence fell for a few moments. Kanan didn't move a muscle. Neither did Anakin.
-Do you swear to serve the Order and protect the balance of the Force?
-I swear.
-And then from this moment you share the responsibilities and duties of the members. Arise, Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight - Anakin cut off the padawan braid with a precise blow, and it rolled precisely into Kanan's hand. The young man stood up and stared into his master's eyes, with respect and gratitude. Then Anakin gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder and a smile escaped the new knight's lips.
-Now your real mission begins- master Qui-Gon intervened, approaching the two -To go on a pilgrimage around the galaxy to look for an apprentice.
-Yeah, that's a lot of responsibility- Kanan admitted, lowering his head.
-Don't worry, my apprentice- Anakin spoke in a reassuring voice -You're ready. And you already have a great crew.
The gaze of all the members of the room fell on Hera and the astro-droid that accompanied her. The twi'lek smiled encouragingly at the young Jedi.
-Yeah, I guess- Kanan agreed, blushing. He squeezed Anakin's hand tightly before taking his leave. As soon as he got close to Hera, the twi'lek jumped around his neck and planted a passionate kiss on his lips.
-Hera! Not in front of the Council- Kanan whispered, visibly blushing.
-I didn't know you were the shy type- she replied walking beside him with her hands clasped behind her back and closely followed by the astro-droid.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard and joined the other two masters.
-You know, ever since we changed the interpretation of the attachment rule I feel like we're dealing with a… gang of hormonal teenagers- he said.
-The path will be more uncertain, but we will get there sooner or later. One step at a time - Qui-Gon replied, turning towards the other three apprentices: Omega, Cal Kestis and Galen Marek were waiting obediently, at attention, to be dismissed.
-Now you can go. You still have to finish reorganizing the library archives and cleaning the canteen.
-Whoever arrives last will chip away at the tables!- Omega exclaimed, darting away instantly, followed closely by Galen and Cal who was struggling at the back end, protesting.
-At least they managed to stay still for more than ten minutes- commented Obi-Wan -Certainly longer than Anakin.
-Hey.
Master Skywalker's response was cut short when a squeaky doll bounced off his head. The three turned and noticed Ahsoka standing nearby, with her arms folded and her mouth twisted in an irritated grimace.
-Ah... um... hey- Anakin greeted her guiltily.
-Hey Sky-guy- she replied, coming closer -Always ready to unload the most burdensome and irritating tasks on me?
-Sorry, but you see... Kanan's investiture ceremony was very important.
-But now you're done. So you can get back to more pressing matters, right?- Ahsoka picked up the child's toy and pressed it into his hand. Anakin pursed his lips.
-Masters, I fear that my family duties claim me- the man made a slight farewell bow, before quickly disappearing out of the room.
-And it will be up to us to take care of all the affairs of the Order, obviously- Obi-Wan commented.
-Come on Master- Ahsoka gave him a nudge -I have never seen him so happy as when he spends time with his family.
-Besides, we don't have to worry about something beyond our capabilities- added Qui-Gon -Our informants reported that Ventress and Maul have joined forces to rebuild an organization.
-Ah- Obi-Wan smiled -Just like old times.
