Ten + years post TPM (depends on Master Lucas).
Though one with the Force, Qui-Gon continued to watch over Obi-wan and Anakin. Now he was witness to a scene he had hoped would never play out. It seemed so familiar. Had he been here before?
A voice…a name…Anakin.
Obi-Wan stood in the hall of the ancient temple. The vine covered walls stood in defiance of the elements and time. A moonless night, dark and lonely surrounded him. He felt a familiar ripple in the Force, a ripple he had known since he was 12.
Master Another ripple, a dark ripple swirled through him.
Anakin Obi-Wan moved forward cautiously, every nerve alert.
The acrid smell of sulfur filled the air. Volcanic activity below the surface caused the underground water to remain at a constant boiling point. Sulfur pools, brilliant with blue, green and purple algae ringed the temple. It appeared through the mist like an ancient castle surrounded with a moat. Lush greenery invaded the temple, feeding off the rainfall and the crumbling structure.
Obi-Wan’s lightsaber cast a glow upon the walls. The moisture trickling through the stones glistened eerily. Adjusting his grip on the hilt one more time Obi-Wan rounded a pillar and stopped short. Blocking his path was a dark figure. The red blade of its lightsaber cast a glow that caused the room to shimmer. Evil gathered in this place, an evil that frightened Obi-Wan to the core of his being.
Master The thought shook Obi-Wan to the bone.
No, evil is your master now.
The two combatants stood poised for battle.
Qui-Gon watched the tapestry of good and evil unfold before him. With each moment that he observed Anakin, he knew he had done the right thing. No Regret He watched the master and Padawan face each other. He knew Anakin was fulfilling his destiny. No Remorse It was painful to sense the anger in Anakin and the pain in Obi-Wan. He craved the ability to reach out, to comfort them both. The pain Obi-Wan was feeling was a pain Qui-Gon recognized all too well. He knew the pain, had lived with it and had carried it with him throughout his life. Now, within the Force, the pain did not trouble him, but he empathized with Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon watched as the dance between Master and Padawan; the Light and the Dark began.
Anakin moved forward, his movements so familiar to Obi-Wan, they felt as if they were his own. The way he held his saber, the stature of his shoulders, all he had taught him. It was his face, his gaze that was so different.
Obi-Wan blocked the blow coming toward him. Parry, thrust, defend, attack, the dance continued.
"You taught me well, my old Master, I know your every move, your every thought. Though we are no longer Master and Padawan, we are still connected." Anakin’s voice was cold, aloof.
"You are no longer the man I trained. Anakin is dead to me! " Obi-Wan spat the words, not in anger, but in truth for he did feel that Anakin had died when he turned to the Dark Side of the Force.
An old memory suddenly flooded Obi-Wan’s mind. This place, this time, so familiar. Why?
Qui-Gon observed the battle raging between the two antagonists. Hearing the words "Anakin is dead to me" caused him to remember the agony of betrayal. Xanatos! Those were the same words he had spoken to Obi-Wan so very long ago.
The two combatants continued their dance, each trading blows with the other. Without warning, Anakin leapt over Obi-Wan and landed directly in front of the spot where Qui-Gon’s spirit stood. Smiling, as though he was aware of Qui-Gon’s presence, Anakin flipped quickly over the low part of the ruin's wall.
"Another time my Masters. I have work to do. I must do the bidding of my new Master. We WILL meet again."
Throwing a quick glance over his shoulder, Anakin disappeared behind the ruined temple. Obi-Wan ascended the wall with one swift leap, but Anakin had disappeared.
"Another time, yes, another time we will meet." Obi-Wan powered down his lightsaber and vaulted to land just outside the sulfur pits by the temple.
Thank you, Qui-Gon, your strength has helped me through this peril, but from now on I must walk this path to its end. These paths have been laid before us. Anakin has chosen his way and I will continue on mine. We have chosen what is in our hearts. Thank you Master.
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Continue on to Part Three