The mood that night was sombre, as the Jedi Council, along with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker stood to watch Qui-Gon's body on the pyre.

Tomorrow would be a night for celebration and triumph, with the entry of a Gungan army into Theed through invitation, and Naboo delivered from both long tension and recent peril through an alliance forged by the young queen.

But tonight, there were other things to discuss.

"Always two there are, no more, no less," Yoda said. "A master, and an apprentice."

"But which one was destroyed?" Mace asked. "The Master? Or the Apprentice?"

"Know that, we do not," Yoda said. "The Master, we can hope. The Apprentice, we must assume."

Made nodded, solemnly.

As he did, a few paces away, Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan.

"What will happen to me now?" he asked.

"I don't see why it should be any different," Qui-Gon assured him.

This came as quite a shock to everyone, and everyone present turned to stare.

Qui-Gon's body was burning on the pyre. And Qui-Gon, looking a little blue and transparent but otherwise very much still Qui-Gon, stood companionably next to Anakin.

He gave them a little wave.

"...what, exactly, is going on?" Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "Master Qui-Gon? You're… dead."

"There is no death, there is the Force," Qui-Gon quoted, smiling pleasantly. "Or, the version I've always preferred-"

"How did you do that?" Obi-Wan asked. "Master, how is this possible? I – I'm glad but – I held you as you died!"

"You did," Qui-Gon concurred. "It was very nice of you. Though I do apologize for asking you to promise something that may be unnecessary."

He frowned. "Hmm. Though I may have trouble teaching lightsaber skills. Do tell me, Obi-Wan – would you be willing to share?"

"Really, Master Qui-Gon?" Mace asked. "That's not how things are normally done."

"I don't see why that should stop us," Qui-Gon replied. "I've always been transparent about the fact that I see no purpose in tradition for the sake of tradition."

"That is a terrible joke," Plo Koon informed him.

"Yes, I'm quite proud of it," Qui-Gon agreed, with a smile. "Technically speaking I'm made of heresy now, so what's a little bit more?"

Yoda chuckled, which turned into a full-on laugh.

"Much to learn, we still have," he said, with finality. "Your choice, this should be, young Skywalker."

"Then… uh… is both really okay?" Anakin asked. "Because – I like Master Qui-Gon, and, I really want to know Obi-Wan as well."

Yoda nodded.

"Very good," he said, then turned to take in all the other Jedi. "Sad, you all still are? Dead, Master Qui-Gon is – but still here, he can be found! A celebration, there should be!"

"But, um-" Adi Gallia began, then shook her head. "...no, never mind."

AN:

These days, being dead doesn't have to stop you living your life.