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OUT OF THE DARKNESS by
Kelli Rei ~Qui-Gon~
Stepping
from the main dinning hall he headed toward one of the larger gardens to
meet with another Jedi Master. Evening was approaching and although there
were still a few people around the garden held a quiet solitude about it.
Walking past a water fountain he saw padawan sitting on the fountains by
himself. He thought he recognized him but was sure. Seeing
his friend, fellow Jedi Master Adi, he took a seat next to her on a bench
not far from the fountain. Taking with her about the days event his mind
kept wandering on the padawan. “Isn’t
that padawan Kenobi.” Jinn ask Master Adi indicating the boy at the
fountain. “Yes,
Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Master is Zlatan Pradi.” She replied. Qui-Gon
remembered Master Pradi. A tall man, about twenty years younger than
himself. His long black hair arranged in thick braids matched his dark
eyes. He always seemed tense and strained but he was a good Knight.
Obi-Wan would be his first padawan. “You
seem interested in the boy.” Adi said. “Maybe you should take another
padawan.” “I
don’t know.” Qui-Gon sighed. “Mace is trying to get me to join the
council but I don’t know.” He scratched his head in thought. Looking
at the boy again he felt himself drawn to him. “He
looks so sad.” Qui said, turning back to Adi. “Please, will you excuse
me.” He rose and walked
over to the boy sitting down next to him. Looking
him Qui-Gon saw the changes in Obi-Wan. He looked thinner and very distant
from everything around him. Far removed for the exuberant headstrong
initiate that he saw during sparring matches just over a year ago. “Hello,
I’m Qui-Gon. I believe you are Obi-Wan.” He could sense deep sadness
within the boy. Obi-Wan looked up at Qui with a haunted look in his eyes.
His heart went out to the boy. “Yes.”
Obi-Wan said. “Where’s
your master?” “He
went to see about some reports.” “I
see. Is there anything that I can do to help? I’ve been told that I’m
a good listener.” “No.”
Obi turned away from him back to the fountain. Qui-Gon put his hand on
Obi-Wan shoulder and could feel the swirling emotions coming from Obi. In
response Qui-Gon sent tendrils of force energy to soothes Obi’s
emotions. Obi tensed up and pulled away from him. Standing up he told Qui-Gon that he had to go and he rushed off. Seeing him leave, Qui-Gon hoped everything is well with Obi-Wan. ~Obi-Wan~
He
had to hurry back to the quarters he shared with his master before his
master got back. That Master Jinn seemed kind and when Jinn touched him he
could almost feel the light of the force flow into him. But he had to shut
him out lest he see the darkness inside himself.
~~~ Entering
the quarters he shared with his master, he quickly took off his outer
tunic and boots. Obi-Wan stood by the door as his master entered. Taking
his cloak and hanging it up, Obi sensed that his master was angry. “I
thought I told you to stay in our quarters” Master Pradi said walking
into the main room. “I…
I…” “You
went out didn’t you?” He kept his back toward Obi as he stared out the
large picture window overlooking the city of Coruscant. “I’m
sorry master, I just wanted to go down to the gardens for awhile.” Obi
said trying to control his rising fear. “You’re
not much good are you? Why can’t you obey me?” “Forgive
me master.” “Forgive?
Forgiveness are for the ones who deserve it.” Pradi turned to face Obi.
“You’re just plain bad and I can’t do anything with you.” With
use of the force, Master Pradi grabbed Obi-Wan around the neck and threw
him to the floor. “Tell me how bad you are Obi-Wan.” Pradi said
standing over Obi. “Please
Master Pradi, I am unworthy of your teachings. I need to be disciplined to
remember to always obey you.” Obi-Wan sobbed. The feelings of his master
rage at him along their mental bond overwhelmed him. It left him shaking
on the floor in fear. ‘You
shame me Obi-Wan. Even now I feel your emotion running out of control.
Have I taught you nothing.” Pradi growled. Obi
couldn’t get himself to respond. He could only kneel at his master’s
feet hope that he would be lenient with him. ~~Obi-Wan~~ Kneeling
there at his master feet Obi did what he could to reign in his emotions.
He could feel the hate and anger from his master was sending him along the
mental link. Obi though he screamed but it felt like he wasn’t
breathing. It was like he was being sucked into a dark void. The last
thing he heard was his masters voice. “I
have papers to work on, so leave me alone for the rest of the evening.”
Obi-Wan collapsed on the floor as he blacked out. ~~~~~~~~ “I really don’t know what’s wrong with you Obi-Wan. Your instructors tell me that you aren’t doing your lessons and not paying attention, and that’s only when you bother to show up for class. I don’t know Obi-Wan, you seen determine to walk down the path of darkness no matter how hard I try.” Pradi seethed as he stood staring down at Obi. “It’s the Dark Side, I can see it in you.” “I’m sorry master. I’ll try…” ~KRAAAACK!!!~ Obi found himself on the floor after Pradi struck him across the face. “There is no try, only do! Haven’t you learned anything I taught you?” Pradi reached down and grabbed Obi by the front of his tunic and started shaking him. “You were always head strong and hot tempered. I thought that I could change you, make you better but maybe I was wrong. Sometimes I wonder if I should have ever taken you as my student.” Dragging him over to a closet, Obi’s master threw him inside. “ You must learn Obi-Wan, I’m only doing this to keep you from turning.” Master Pradi shut Obi inside and used the force to keep Obi from getting out. “Please master, let me out. I can learn, please.” Obi said banging on the door. “Don’t whine, you don’t even sound like a Jedi. Jedi’s don’t whine.” “Please, I’m sorry, I won’t whine.” “Are you worthy of being a Jedi, you don’t sound like it.” “Yes, I am worthy.” Obi-Wan sobbed. “I don’t believe you!” Pradi yelled. “I am.” Obi said. “Then tell me what does it mean to be a Jedi.” “A Jedi… a Jedi never acts from hatred, anger, f…fear or aggression. A Jedi must act when calm, at peace with the force.” “You must maintain control Obi-Wan. I can feel your emotion raging. Keep going.” “To act from anger is to court the Dark Side, to risk everything for which the Jedi stand.” “I’m doing this for your own good Obi-Wan. I’m trying to keep you from turning. Now let me hear it again.” ~~Obi-Wan~~~ He
hated being in the closet. It felt like the darkness was trying to swallow
him. Feeling the anger flowing off of his master confused him. He was
supposed to keep his emotions tightly controlled but could feel his
master’s own rage baring down on him. “Are you worthy of being a Jedi, you don’t sound like it.” “Yes, I am worthy.” Obi-Wan sobbed. He didn’t feel worthy. He began to believe his master when he was told he was bad. The feeling of hate and fear welled up inside him and Obi knew what hate and fear lead to. Try as he might he couldn’t seen to purge himself of these feelings, they seem to get worse as time went on. There wasn’t anybody that would understand what he was feeling. “I’m doing this for your own good Obi-Wan. I’m trying to keep you from turning. Now let me hear it again.” Obi sank to the back of the closet and began to recite the phrase again.
~to be contiued~
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