| A Bond of Friendship: Story 2: A Temple Visit Author: Angel5000 Feedback: Please!! I need it! Either email or reply to the posting...either is okay with me. Disclaimer: The characters in this story do not belong to me but to George Lucas. I do not now, now will I ever, own Star Wars, and I am not making any money off this story and these characters. I do not mean to break any copyright rules by writing this story; it's all in fun. Summary: Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are called back to the Temple to receive a mysterious mission and Obi-Wan meets up with his old friends. Time Frame: Pre-TPM. Obi-Wan is 14, almost 15. Author's Note: I am not following the JA books exactly (although several incidents and most characters are the same). If, at any time, you are confused then please email me and I will do my best to answer your questions and straighten everything out. Thanks A Bond of Friendship Series: A Bond of Friendship A Bond of Friendship: Story 2: A Temple Visit A Bond of Friendship: Story 3: Deaths Door A Bond of Friendship: Story 4: Sad Days A Bond of Friendship: Story 5: A Birthday Forgotten A Bond of Friendship: Story 6: Everything Will Be Alright A Bond of Friendship: Story 7: A Fight For Life A Bond of Friendship: Story 8: A New Beginning More to Come!!! * * * * * * "Come Padawan, we leave now." Obi-Wan Kenobi looked up from where he was sitting on the bed. His master, Qui-Gon Jinn stood before him, lightsaber clipped on his belt, ready if he should need it. They were on the planet Bandomeer. The two Jedi had been here two years ago, each on a separate mission. It was here that they had become Master and Apprentice. Now they were back again, this time just to pay a visit to their friends who worked for the miningcorporation. Now that they were here Obi-Wan didn't want to leave, he was missing his friends already. "Yes, Master," he replied "I am ready to go, but..." Obi-Wan paused, he wasn't sure if he should ask the question that was on his mind. An Apprentice wasn't supposed to cross-examine a Master; it was a rule of respect. He would be provided with the information he needed and any other information his Master felt he should know. "Go on, Obi-Wan, what is your question?" Qui-Gon prodded gently, he was beginning to get used to Obi-Wan's hesitant questions. "I wanted to ask, if it is alright Master, why we must return to Coruscant so soon. We have only been on Bandomeer for a day and we haven't seen much of Si-Treemba and Clat'ha yet." Obi-Wan continued cautiously, he wasn't used to asking such questions of a Jedi Master. The truth about a mission was not always something to be shared openly. It could be dangerous to tell all that you knew; that is why the decision to share it was one that took lots of careful thinking. "That is true. But Yoda has cancelled our original mission and asked us to return to the Jedi Temple. He will brief us on our next mission there." Obi-Wan nodded, glad that his Master had found him worthy of the information, even though it wasn't much use. "Come Obi-Wan, our transport leaves soon." Qui-Gon repeated and he headed for the ship, his Padawan at his heels. * * * * * * The moment Obi-Wan stepped out of the transport and into the busy world of Coruscant he felt at home. This is the place where he had grown up. He had been taken to the Jedi Temple when he was very young, only six months old, to begin his training and now he was back again. This was the only home he had over known, the people at the temple were his friends, and the only family he had. Obi-Wan couldn't wait to see them all again. When he saw the temple before him he quickened his pace to reach it but Qui-Gon put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Wait Obi-Wan. Close your eyes and concentrate on the temple, tell me what you feel." Obi-Wan wanted to protest, to tell his Master this could wait, all the wanted to do was get inside and see his friends and the familiar walls of the temple but he didn't say anything, he just closed his eyes and tried to concentrate. "It is strange Master, I can sense Master Yoda waiting for us, but no one else seems to appear to know we're coming, they seem to have no knowledge of our presence at all. I do not understand it." Usually when a Jedi Master was arriving at the temple the rumors preceded him for months. It was true that Qui-Gon wasn't here to choose a Padawan but Obi-Wan remembered that whenever anyone arrived at the Temple it was big news to the initiates. The fact that no one knew was strange and unnerving. Obi-Wan opened his eyes to see his Master's gaze on him. As usual the elder Jedi's face was unreadable. Qui-Gon nodded, "Yes, most do not seem to know we are arriving but you must concentrate harder - you are missing something. Again Obi-Wan." Obediently Obi-Wan closed his eyes but it was no use - he saw nothing different from before. He shook his head and opened his eyes, "Master, I do not sense anything different." "Try again Obi-Wan. You are not concentrating hard enough." Again Obi-Wan closed his eyes but opened them only seconds later; he was getting tired of this. "I tried Master." He said, hoping that would satisfy Qui-Gon and he'd let them continue inside. "Do, or do not, there is no try Obi-Wan." The boy recognized Yoda's saying at once, "Either you did or you didn't sense a difference. You must concentrate and not allow yourself to be distracted by other feelings. There are others, that you did not detect, who know of our presence. We must work on your concentration skills more often." Qui-Gon gently scolded. Obi-Wan hung his head, his master was right, he hadn't concentrated and had allowed himself to be distracted. He could feel Qui-Gon's disappointment. He would try harder next time he promisedhimself. * * * * * * Once inside, Yoda met Master and Apprentice. He had sensed their presence outside and had come to wait for them at the temple entrance. Qui-Gon smiled, he always enjoyed his visits with the elderly Jedi Master. "Ah, good to see you Qui-Gon it is. Need to talk we do. Let the boy go you should." Yoda said in his strange way of talking. Qui-Gon nodded, "Go on ahead to our quarters Padawan, I'll be there shortly." "Yes, Master." Obi-Wan hurried his pace toward the wing of the temple that held the Masters living quarters. Although he really wanted to see his friend Bant he knew he would have to wait. Later he could meet her and she could fill him in on what had happened at the temple while he was gone. An idea came to Obi-Wan; maybe he could call her through the force. He knew that the two people needed to be close for this to work but they had been close, two years ago, maybe it would still work. He tried it, calling Bant to come to him, and to meet him at the room where he and Qui-Gon would be staying. When he arrived at the room he saw a small, Calamarian girl standing there, looking slightly confused, but there. "Bant!" he cried out and ran toward her. "Obi-Wan! It's so good to see you! I have so much to tell you!" "I want to know everything, but first let's go inside. My Master told me to wait for him here." Obi-Wan looked at Bant her eyes were big. "You...you... you were accepted as a Padawan Learner? By whom? The last we heard about you, was that you had been sent to be a farmer on the planet Bandomeer! You are almost fifteen now - too old to be accepted!" "Bant, didn't Master Yoda tell any of you that Master Qui-Gon Jinn accepted me a couple months before my thirteenth birthday?" Obi-Wan asked. He was the one who was confused now. "No! Oh, I'm so happy for you Obi-Wan! What is it like to be a Padawan? Is Master Jinn really as great as everyone says he is?" "Bant you wouldn't believe how wonderful it feels to have Qui-Gon as my Master. We have a strong bond and he is great. Qui-Gon is a wonderful teacher, and very patient with me too. But, I don't want to talk about me right now; I want to know all about the Temple and what's happening here. Does Reeft still spend half his time in the cafeteria? What's Garen Muln doing? How are classes? I want to know everything!" "Well, Reeft was accepted just a few weeks ago by Master Binn Ibes to be his Padawan Learner. Reeft fought against Bruck blindfolded and won. Have you heard about Bruck?" She asked, forgetting in her excitement that she was talking about Obi-Wan's worst enemy. Obi-Wan felt hatred fill him at the name of his former classmate and enemy. "No, what about him?" He asked, doing his best to keep the anger under control. Bant didn't seem to notice his flushed face, "After Bruck fought with Reeft he was going to be sent to be a farmer but instead he requested that the Counsel Members allow him to become a healer instead. They agreed and he's training with Healer Bash'ta now. He seems so much nicer too, I don't think he ever picks on people, but might just be because we hardly ever see him. Whenever we see him he's in the Healer's Wing of the Temple or studying and..." Her voice trailed off because there, walking down the hall towards them, was Bruck. "So, its farmer-boy! Come back to replenish your seeds?" Bruck said with a laugh that could easily be called evil. * * * * * * Qui-Gon walked down the hall towards the group that had gathered in front of the door to his quarters. He had spoken with Yoda for a while, filling him in on the former missions and Obi-Wan's training. Yoda had been pleased with the boy's progress and had said they'd learn of their mission tomorrow but for now to take advantage of the temple training devices to work a little with Obi-Wan's on his training. As Qui-Gon neared the group he was startled to sense anger and hatred in the boys, feelings no Jedi should have. He recognized the one boy as Obi-Wan. From his Apprentice Qui-Gon could feel pride, anger, and hatred, the feelings were strong and directed at the other boy. The elder Jedi couldn't believe that the strong rush of emotions he felt was coming from his Padawan and he couldn't place why, the only thing he understood was that these had been harbored for a long time and were suddenly reappearing. /But why? Why would my Padawan have such a hatred for this boy?/ The other boy was filled with disbelief and anger and his feelings were as strong or stronger than Obi-Wan is, but the girl, she seemed to be trying to quiet the boys, stop their quarrel. Qui-Gon stumbled as another wave of anger came crashing through the force. Suddenly he couldn't see, couldn't breathe and couldn't think. Before he could stop it memories of his former apprentice, memories that he had so long hidden away in the deepest parts of his mind sprang up at him. He relived every moment of his Padawanship with the former Jedi, from the time he took him as a Padawan to the feelings of anger and pride he had felt from the boy and stupidly ignored and finally to the last battle before Xanatos had left the Jedi, the last battle between himself and his former apprentice. It was agonizing and painful, as though someone was ripping out Qui-Gon's heart, for that is what it felt like. Hours seemed to pass before the memories stopped their flow, hours of agonizing torture but in reality it was only a matter of seconds. As his head cleared again Qui-Gon could see the boys getting rough, pushing each other and the anger was getting stronger. The Jedi Knight was sure that the feelings would suffocate him, which was how strong they were. Gathering the force around him Qui-Gon used it to clear his mind further, and calm himself, suddenly he found that he could walk again and the strange paralysis he had previously been feeling disappeared. Hurrying toward the group Qui-Gon reached out though the Master/Padawan bond, trying to make a connection with his Apprentice, trying his very hardest to calm the boy but, although he could sense Obi-Wan struggling to contain his anger he knew that the bond wasn't open and that the calm feelings he was sending to the boy weren't doing any good. As Qui-Gon approached the group Bruck saw him, turned and ran away. Apparently that boy was guilty of something Qui-Gon mused. Obi-Wan, who was still battling with his uncontrolled anger turned to Bant with a small grin, "See Bant, I knew he'd see that I was right and run off, what a chicken!" He said "But Obi-Wan you let your anger take control of you!" Bant said, tears forming in her eyes, "Even though Bruck ran off and he knows you are right you still lost. I'm sorry my friend but that is what happens when you let anger win." Her voice was quiet and soft, as it usually was, only this time there was something in her voice that wretched Obi-Wan's heart. He hated it when Bant was sad and it was even worse when she was disappointed in him. He opened his mouth to respond but the sound of Qui-Gon's footsteps on the tile floor of the Temple and his voice, strangely tight and upset sounding, stopped him. "Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's quiet voice startled the boy. Slowly the Padawan turned around. "Obi-Wan, I think there has been enough visiting for one day. Come with me, we have training to do." He said, doing his best to keep his voice neutral. It would do no good to reprimand the boy for his anger here, not in front of Bant. They would speak later, when they were alone and when the pain had stopped. "Yes, Master." Obi-Wan said his heart dropping. He was pretty sure this training session would be a punishment for his angry feelings. How Qui-Gon had been able to sneak up behind him without him knowing was beyond him but he knew that was what had happened and he also knew that there was no way his Master could have missed the strong ripples of anger through the force, that was just impossible. "I'll talk to you later Bant." He said quietly,turning away from her. "Good-Bye Obi-Wan" She called to him as he walked past, "and good luck." she whispered, she too could feel Qui-Gon's displeasure� * * * * * * Obi-Wan stood next to his master in the gymnasium. This large temple room was where most of the hand-to-hand combat and lightsaber training took place. And, it was where the students fought for the Masters, each one hoping to become an apprentice. Obi-Wan remembered this room well, it was here that he had fought for Qui-Gon against Bruck Chun, and it was here that he had won the battle, but not the war. Qui-Gon hadn't decided to take him; instead he had allowed the temple to send him away to Bandomeer to work as a farmer. At the time Obi-Wan had thought that the Counsel was being cruel in their decision but he realized now that it was for the best. If they hadn't sent him than he never would have been able to fight along side of Qui-Gon and then Qui-Gon never would have taken him as his Apprentice. Qui-Gon walked over to a pile of remotes, round metal objects with a single hole for firing blaster bolts. And began sifting through them, tossing some aside and placing others in a small pile. Obi-Wan watched, as the pile of remotes grew bigger. He had never seen these strange objects before and had no idea what was going to be done with them. "What am I to do Master?" "These remotes are programmed to shoot blaster bolts at you," Qui-Gon explained, smiling at the look of surprise on his Padawan's face, "Don't worry, they are set on low - the bolts will not kill, only sting. You are going to deflect the bolts with your lightsaber," he paused to see the reaction on Obi-Wan's face, obviously the boy thought this would be easy, "blindfolded." Qui-Gon finished. Obi-Wan's eyes grew big but said nothing, only nodded. He turned around so that his master could tie the blindfold over his eyes, then he drew his lightsaber and waited for the remotes to begin firing. For the first few minute it was easy deflecting the blaster bolts from the single remote but then Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon starting up other remotes. Each one was programmed differently. Some shot slowly, other rapidly; some moved as they shot, others shot before moving to another location. Obi-Wan never knew which one would shoot at him next. Pretty soon there were all of the remotes that Qui-Gon had placed in the pile were activated and Obi-Wan was still doing very well at deflecting the bolts. Qui-Gon smiled as he felt waves of confidence from his Apprentice, //Do not allow yourself to be overconfident my Padawan, it often leads down the road of destruction.// He gently scolded. Smiling Qui-Gon went over the group of remotes that he had thrown aside at the beginning of the exercise and slowly turned them on. As soon as these were activated they began to shoot quickly at Obi-Wan, swerving and moving as quickly as possible. Their power level was set as high as they could go and still be safe, and they had a devise on them that allowed them to deaden their presence to the Force. Making them hard to sense, and it would require Obi-Wan to use more than just the Force to sense them, it would require him to use his other senses as well. That's why Qui-Gon had set them aside the first time; they were the harder and more powerful remotes. After the second group of remotes was activated Obi-Wan started having a harder time deflecting all the shots. More than once he missed a shot and felt the sting on his skin. Although the shots weren't deadly they were painful and often he had to bite his lip to keep from crying out. Slowly he began to move around more and search for the remotes. The Force told him where they were and he began to sense what they were going to do before they did it. With this ability he slowly began picking off the remotes, hitting them with his lightsaber and destroying them one by one. First he took out the easiest ones, just to get them out of the way, then the harder ones. Finally all but the hardest three were destroyed. "Enough" Qui-Gon called. He had been surprised to see his apprentice begin destroying the remotes but hadn't stopped him until now. The boy was exhausted and there would be no way he could get the last three. Qui-Gon was pleased with his progress yet a little concerned that he allowed himself to be tired by the remotes. Obi-Wan powered down his lightsaber and waited patiently as his master removed the blindfold. He was surprised to see all but three of the remotes destroyed, lying on the floor. "You did well Padawan but you allowed yourself to become tired too easily. Often times you would start to go after one remote only to change your mind and go after another. By doing this you allowed yourself to tire quicker than you should have. Although I was surprised that you went to the offensive mode I was also very pleased. If you hadn't than more than it would be very likely that you would have many more stings than you already do." Obi-Wan nodded his understanding, "Is there more training Master?" The boy asked, his body ached all over and he just wanted to sleep. He was pleased with his Master's praise but was to tired to be proud of it. Qui-Gon was glad, if Obi-Wan didn't feel pride it showed he was one step closer to his goal. "Yes, there will be more training but none tonight, you are tired and I have to find some more remotes before we can train with them again." Qui-Gon smiled, "You go to bed, I will be there after I clean up the mess." "I can help Master, I am not that tired and besides," Obi-Wan grinned, "I made the mess." "Yes, I suppose you did. Okay then, you can help me clean it up but then you must get your rest. I hope to leave tomorrow." The Master and Padawan exchanged a look of amusement and continued to clean. They knew there would be many more disagreements between them and many more training session but they also knew that somehow they would be able to handle it. * * * * * * That night as Qui-Gon was just falling asleep he heard Obi-Wan's voice calling him. "Master" "Yes, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon responded. "Thank-you" "For what?" Qui-Gon asked, confused "For believing in me and for taking me as your Padawan. I will try to control my anger and pride from now on. I will try not to let you down." "Obi-Wan, I will always believe in you, no matter what happens. And I want you to remember, that I care about you. I do not force you to train because I am punishing you but because I want you to be ready in the future. Do you understand what I am saying?" "Yes. I think so. Good-night Master." "Good-Night Padawan." END |