Jedi Hearts

Disclaimer: Star Wars and all cannon based characters belong to George Lucus, the story and non-cannon characters belong to me. Part of the story idea came from Silver Dragon’s story “A Second Chance”.
Author: Kenobi’s Elf
Email: kenobiself@yahoo.com
Authors Note: Text in bold lettering indicates a characters thoughts. Text in-between {backets} indicate dialogue through the Master/Padawan training bond.
Copyright©2003 Kenobi’s Elf
Prologue Part One:
Conquer External Loyalties

Sixteen-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi piloted the small shuttle out of Alderaan’s orbit toward Coruscant.

“So Obi-Wan,” the teen’s master Qui-Gon Jinn began, “Will you be attending the Senate ball this year?”

“I don’t know Master,” Obi-Wan glanced away from the console to focus on Qui-Gon. “Last year we were away on a mission, and the year before that it waallyally boring, except that Garen tripped on Senator Mandris’ daughter’s feet, and sent them both tumbling to the floor. It was the highlight of the entire event.”

“Yes, Garen did provide a bit of humor as I recall,” Qui-Gon laughed. “I suspect that you have someone in mind that you want to ask,” Qui-Gon said. He had noticed his Padawan staring at a table full of female padawans in the Temple’s mess hall. Padawan Siri Tachi, Melody Kazala, Salene Y’ael, and Ayala Secura all sat at the table that day. Qui-Gon suspected that it was Padawan Tachi, in whom Obi-Wan had an interest. Since they had worked together on a few earlier missions, and although they did not get along at first, they seemed to work out their differences enough to make a good team.

“I might,” Obi-Wan grinned, looking back out at the stars.

“That’s good. So, who is she?” the Master asked, leaning back in the co-pilot’s seat, while Obi-Wan piloted the vessel.

“Master, I don’t think I should tell you. What if she says no?”

“Obi-Wan if she says yes, I’ll see you with her at the ball,” Qui-Gon chuckled.

“Yes, but if I tell you who it is then you’ll know who I like and you’ll never let me forget it if she turns me down. Besides I don’t even know if she’s in the temple or not. She was leaving on a mission, a day or two after we left, and I don’t know if she’s back yet.”

Qui-Gon smiled, “I don’t know where you….” He was interrupted by a beep. Qui-Gon glanced at his Padawan, and activated the comm. unit.

The small holographic image of Master Yoda appeared in front of them. “Master Qui-Gon,” the troll like master stated. “Mission, we have for you. Kidnapped Padawan Kazala was, injuries to her Master, there were. Go to Pardel IV, you will. Rescue Padawan Kazala you must. Great danger her life is in.”

No! Obi-Wan’s mind screamed. Not Melody, she’s Bant’s best friend. Bant had let it slip that Melody had a crush on him, and thought he was good looking. Although he did not know her very well, he thought Melody was very pretty for a recently turned fourteen years old.. He knew that she didn’t dress like the majority of the other padawans or initiates in the temple. He observed that she had a tendency toward shyness, but sometimes her vibrant personality sparkled. Obi-Wan suspected that most of her extroverted behavior had to do with her friend Salene Y’ael, a very outspoken, and opinionated girl. Salene was sixteen like Obi-Wan and in quite a few of his classes, but he didn’t talk to Salene very much.

Obi-Wan had decided that he would ask Melody to the ball. He didn’t think it would hurt to escort her and perhaps he would ask her to dance with him a few times. She was after all, a beautiful young girl. She had long maroon colored hair that hung down to her waist and lavender colored eyes. He became aware on one of those rare occasions that he was able to speak with her, while they both waited for Bant, that her eyes changed colors, becoming a darker violet color with her changing emotions.

Qui-Gon glanced at his Padawan, sensing the distress, after Master Yoda had mentioned Padawan Kazala. I wonder if she’s the one he wanted to take to the ball. “Yes Master Yoda. We’ll go there immediately.”

The holographic image of Yoda nodded, “Hurry you must, great danger, I feel for thdawadawan. Transmitting I am, information on the area where we believe Padawan Kazala to be held, I am. May the force be with you,” Yoda told them, ending the transmission with the disappearance of his image.

Qui-Gon knew that the young girl was in great danger. The tall Jedi was a close friend of Padawan Kazala’s Master’s father, Master Barauga. Barauga and Qui-Gon were friends since they were in the crèche together at the age of four. Melody Kazala’s Master, Knight Garaar Kodiak is a large bear like Barauga, who is not easily injured.

Obi-Wan set the course corrections into the navicomputer, and prepared the ship for a jump to lightspeed. The rest of the trip was made in silence, each lost in their thoughts, as they headed toward their new destination.

Obi-Wan could not stop thinking about Melody. If her kidnappers had injured her Master, what could they do to her? He was not certain that he wanted to know the answer to that question. He remembered when Melody was chosen as Knight Garaar’s Padawan; none of the other Padawans had believed anyone would possibly select her because of her size, (Obi-Wan had seen nine and ten year olds who were taller than the fourteen year old girl). Bant had once told him that Melody found out from the healers that she would stop growing when she became five feet tall. Nevertheless, she had proved Yoda right, size matters not, by winning the lightsaber tournament for her age group eight days ago, (she was able to compete because she had turned fourteen the day before the tournament.) Obi-Wan remembered thinking that if he had to fight her, she might give him more trouble than some of his earlier opponents.

Obi-Wan assumed that by the time she reached Knighthood, Melody Kazala’s skills with the lightsaber would help her to become a Knight, exceptional at battling opponents who were much taller and stronger than she, Melody please be alright he thought.

Landing the ship took extra concentration for the young boy. His high anxiety concerning Melody’s safety caused the Padawan to fumble with the ship’s settings. He landed the ship a few blocks from the group of buildings Master Yoda’s information said was a known lair of the criminal that took Melody prisoner. Leaving the ship, Qui-Gon and
Obi-Wan walked toward the abandoned buildings. Surveying their surroundings, they noticed a few people hurrying to get indoors. The breeze that sent a shiver down Obi-Wan’s back also blew stray pieces of paper around the streets, as well as Qui-Gon’s long hair.

Finally after what seemed like hours of walking to Obi-Wan, (actually only a few minutes) they reached the abandoned structures, which Obi-Wan now realized was just one of many. Trying to release his anxieties into the Force, he took a deep breath and concentrated on the building. He knew that beside him, where they hid behind an old discarded speeder, Qui-Gon was doing the same thing. “Master there isn’t anyone guarding either the front or back door of the building,” Obi-Wan said.

“Yes, but they may have surveillance drones,” Qui-Gon warned his Padawan. “I sense four life forms in the building. The one located in the lower section is extremely weak. The other three are in the upper section of the building near the front door,” Qui-Gon said. Consulting the data pad with information on the city, Qui-Gon pulled up the specs on the building including a basic diagram. The door at the rear led to the lower portion of the warehouse and the front door seemed to lead to the upper section.

“Melody must be in the lower section at the back, Master,” Obi-Wan commented.

“Yes I agree,” Qui-Gon nodded, “I think you should go through the back and look for Padawan Kazala. I’ll go through the front and keep them busy while you find her.”

Obi-Wan nodded his head, about to walk away when Qui-Gon stopped him, placing his large hand on the teen’s arm. “Obi-Wan don’t focus on your anxiety for your friend. You must keep your concentration in case they have surveillance down there and I want you to keep in constant contact through our bond,” Qui-Gon told his apprentice.

“Yes Master,” Obi-Wan replied, hurrying toward the back of the building as soon as Qui-Gon released his arm.



Qui-Gon watched his Padawan hurry away toward the rear of the building.
He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and began to walk toward the front of the building.

Qui-Gon knocked on the door, and sensed an immediate apprehension from the men inside the building. He felt one of them approach the door, while the other two hid not too far away.

{Master I’m inside. In’t n’t see any surveillance back here,} Obi-Wan told him through their bond.

{Very good, Padawan,} Qui-Gon sent back.

Creaking, the old door slowly slid open, obviously needing repairs. A human male with greasy brown hair stood in the partially open doorway. He was tall for a human, about two inches taller than Qui-Gon. He had a portly type body that he no doubt used to intimidate his enemies and a large purple scar on the left side of his plump cheeks. “What do you want?” the man asked in a brusque voice.

“I’m looking for a warehouse to lease,” Qui-Gon began, “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.” Qui-Gon stood in a hunched over stance to give himself the appearance of a frail old man who wouldn’t present much of a threat.

“Well you’re wrong, now go look elsewhere,” the man told him.

“May I ask why you’re here?” Qui-Gon continued with his pretense. “I was informed that the building, abandoned years ago was exactly thpe ope of building that I need.”

“Look old man, this building belongs to our employer. So your information is obviously wrong,” the man growled.

“I would like to speak with your employer, then?” Qui-Gon replied.

“He’s not here,” the larger man said, obviously becoming very aggravated.

“I would like a tour of the building,” Qui-Gon said with a wave of his hand beneath his cloak sleeves, totally unnoticed by the man

“I can give you a tour of the building,” the man said and moved aside to let Qui-Gon enter through the open door.

{Master I found her,} Obi-Wan’s excited voice came through the bond.

{Good, check her injuries, and I’ll join you in a few minutes,} Qui-Gon told him, gazing at the other two men who had just came out of their hiding places. They most likely wanted to find out why the other man would agree to give him a tour of the building.

“Gordan, what do you think you’re doing?” the smaller of the three men questioned.



Obi-Wan walked slowly and cautiously down the hallway of the old building. Opening the door of the first room that he came to, he entered the room and began to look around. It was a large room full of dusty old machinery and crates. The room was obviously not in use.

Padawan Kenobi left the room heading toward the next room, when he suddenly sensed a fragile life presence through the Force. He hurried down the hallway feeling relief; Melody was still alive. Nothing could prephim,him, however, for what he was about to find inside a small locked storage room. Using his lightsaber, Obi-Wan quickly broke the locking mechanism, and quickly went inside.

{Master I found her,} Obi-Wan told him, as he rushed to her side, kneeling beside the motionless young girl who lay on the cold dirty metal floor. She was curled in a fetal position, her back toward him. Melody’s, brilliant burgundy colored hair splayed haphazardly around her head, in contrast to the silver colored floor she was lying on.

“Melody,” Obi-Wan said, gently touching her shoulder. He didn’t want to roll her over so he could see her face yet, until he had a better understanding of the seriousness of her injuries.

“No! D tou touch me!” she screamed, pushing his hand away. “Leave me alone, please just leave me alone,” she begged, and Obi-Wan felt his stomach twist in to knots.

“Melody, it’s ok; it’s me, Obi-Wan. I’m here to help you,” Obi-Wan assured her, tentatively putting his hand on her shoulder. Slowly the girl turned her head to look at him. Obi-Wan fought to hide the gasp that threatened to escape his mouth as he got a look at her face for the first time.

Dried blood covered her split lips, and he could see a large nasty looking gash on her forehead. Light pink streaks from her tears stained her lovely face. “Obi-Wan,” Melody said, her lavender eyes now a dark shade of violet, her voice was hoarse and she sounded weak. Nevertheless, what shocked Obi-Wan the most, was when she rolled over on to her back and faced him. His eyes went wide as he took notice of her clothing for the first time. Her cut off tank top was torn down the center, and hung open revealing Melody’s breasts. No, tell me this isn’t really happening. Tell me I’m wrong, that what I think they did to her didn’t really happen, Obi-Wan silently pleaded to the gods or anyone who would listen to him.

As gently as he could Obi-Wan reached out a hand and touched her cheek. Calling on the force, he let it swirl around her trying to determine the exact damages. Again his eyes widened in horror as he learned the extent of her wounds. She had four broken fingers, a broken right wrist, a sprained left wrist, two broken ribs, internal bleeding, a concussion, a sprained ankle, as well as numerous bruises and cuts all over her body. His worst fear was realized when he determined that she was raped repeatedly.

“Obi-Wan, where’s my Master?” Melody asked looking up into his eyes, his hand still resting on her cheek. “Is she…she,” she stammered unable to voice her fears that her Master had died.

“No, she’s at the healer’s in the Temple. She was injured, but she’ll be ok,” Obi-Wan assured her. He then shrugged out of his cloak and used it to cover Melody. When he wrapped it around her, she wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed into his shoulder. Obi-Wan lifted the small girl into his arms and hugged her tight assuring her that she was safe and that he would not let the men touch her again.

Suddenly blaster fire could be heard above them, and Melody stiffened in his arms. “It’s ok, it’s my Master, and he’s going to take care of them for you. They won’t hurt you again. I promise; we won’t let them hurt you again.” As the girl relaxed in his arms, Obi-Wan released a breath that he had not realized that he was holding.

The blaster fire lasted only a few minutes before it coming to an abrupt halt. Obi-Wan could sense that his Master was unharmed and on the way to them.

“My Master is on his way here, Melody,” Obi-Wan told her.

“I like the way you say my name,” Melody murmured, barely loud enough for Obi-Wan to hear. “I like your accent,” she slurred as she drifted into unconsciousness, safe in his arms. Obi-Wan had heard many times how other females at the Temple liked his accent. Somehow, he was glad that Melody liked his voice, and he smiled softly. He was annoyed with some of the other girls who told him how much they liked to hear him talk, but he liked hearing it from her.

“Obi-WaQui-Qui-Gon said quietly, standing in the doorway of the storage room, “How is she?”

“Master, she has multiple broken bones, a concussion, internal bleeding, and she was… they…” Obi-Wan could not say what they did to her.

“I know Padawan,” Qui-Gon entered the small room and placed a large hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder to reassure him. “Let me heal some of her more serious injuries and then we’ll go back to the transport. The three men are unconscious on the top level.”

Qui-Gon reached out his hand and placed it on Melody’s stomach over the top of Obi-Wan’s cloak, and began to heal her internal bleeding as well as her concussion.

“Master,” Obi-Wan began, “Is she going to be ok?”

“Yes, she will recover,” Qui-Gon assured him. “Her injuries are not that severe and I’ve healed the more serious internal injuries.”

“No Master, I didn’t mean physically,” Obi-Wan said.



Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan, and for the first time realized how much the boy had grown since becoming his apprentice three years ago. Obi-Wan rubbed circles into the unconscious girl’s back, as he waited for an answer. Qui-Gon wished that he could promise the teen that his friend would be fine mentally as well, but he could not. “I don’t know Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said, looking into the boys fearful blue/green eyes. “Would you carry her, we need to get out of here, and get her back to the temple.”

Obi-Wan nodded, and stood up. With Melody in his arms, he walked back the way that he had entered the building. Qui-Gon watched his Padawan walk purposely toward the exit, and felt proud of the boy. He had remained focused despite the grave circumstances they faced.



Qui-Gon felt relieved as he landed the transport at the Temple. Obi-Wan had spent the entire return trip in the back of the transport with Melody, refusing to leave her side, even to eat midday meal.

Outside of the transport, three healers with a repulsorlift stretcher, Master Yoda, Master Mace Windu, Master Barauga Kodiak, and Master Adi Gallia waited for them. After shutting down the engines, Qui-Gon left the cockpit to inform his Padawan that they had arrived.

Qui-Gon reached the small sleeping area where Melody was unconscious, to find Obi-Wan still sitting beside her. He was holding her hand and speaking quietly to her.

“…You know, I was going to ask you to go to the Senate ball with me. I still want you to go as soon as you’re feeling better,” Obi-Wan told her.

“Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said making his presence known. “We’re at the Temple. The healers are waiting outside for us. Do you want me to carry her out for you?”

“No Master, I’ll carry her, its ok,” Obi-Wan said, as he bent down and carefully lifted her limp body up off the sleep couch. Obi-Wan started walking toward Qui-Gon, carrying the teenager in his arms, still wrapped in his cloak.

As soon as they walked down the ramp of the transport, the healers rushed toward them, taking the unconscious girl out of the Padawan’s arms. Obi-Wan reluctantly released her to them.

“Qui-Gon, thank you for bringing her home,” Master Barauga Kodiak said to them as the healers rushed away.

“You should thank Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said. “He found her and took care of her while I piloted the shuttle here.”

“Thank you Obi-Wan, Garaar and I are both grateful for your help,” the huge Master said, standing up on his back legs and bowing his head to the boy.

“But I didn’t help her,” Obi-Wan divulged so quietly that they could barely hear him. “We arrived too late to help her. I should have piloted the transport faster. There should have been something else that we could have done for her,” Obi-Wan walked away from them and headed toward the Temple.

Qui-Gon looked up at his long time friend, and shook his head. Obi-Wan had taken what had happened to his friend worse than he thought the boy would.

“How can he blame himself?” Barauga growled. “She is still alive because of the two of you.”

“Yes. But there’s something that I need to tell you,” Qui-Gon said, knowing that his friend would rather hear it from him than from the temple healers.

“What is wrong?” the large ten-foot bi-pedal Jedi asked. Despite his huge fierce appearance, Qui-Gon knew him well and could see worry etched in his large eyes. His thick white shaggy hair was pulled into a topknot away from his face and he snarled to hide the worry that Qui-Gon knew was there. Barauga treated Melody, his daughter’s Padawan, like one of his cubs.

“While she was with the kidnappers they… she was,” Qui-Gon suddenly found it as difficult to tell his long time friend what happened, as it was for Obi-Wan to tell him.

“Just tell me, Runt,” Barauga roared him.

“She was raped repeatedly,” Qui-Gon said.

Qui-Gon watched as his friend threw back his head and roared several times, thrashing his triangular head back and forth. Dark eyes closed in misery at the pain his cub and her student were forced to endure. Lowering his body down on all four feet he howled and then said gruffly, “Thank you for telling me Qui-Gon,” Barauga said.

Qui-Gon nodded, “How is Garaar?”

“She’s fine, at least until she hears about her Padawan. My friend, why don’t you go and talk to your Padawan. I’ll go check on Melody and Garaar,” Barauga suggested.

Qui-Gon nodded, and they both started walking toward the healers. It was then that Qui-Gon noticed Master Mace Windu and Master Yoda walking along with them. Both of the council members remained quiet, seemingly understanding that the two friends they followed, both needed some time to think. Qui-Gon felt comfort at hearing the steady tapping of Master Yoda’s walking stick, as he followed them through the temple hallways.



Obi-Wan hurried down the corridors of the Temple on his way to the healers to see Melody, a small bouquet of flowers that he picked from the gardens clutched in his hand. He wanted to see her before he had to go to his classes for the day. He was not allowed to see her yesterday, after they brought her back to the temple.

Something isn’t right. I’ve never been prevented from seeing one of my friends at the healers before. The Council was in a closed meeting with Master Barauga and Master Garaar, who was allowed out of the healer’s wing not long after Melody was taken there. What are they discussing?

Riding the lift tube to the healers, Obi-Wan exited in time to witness Healer Wealy, Master Barauga, Master Garaar, Master Mace Windu, and some other healers guiding a repulsorlift stretcher. It carried a still unconscious Melody Kazala out of the healer’s ward, into the nearest lift tube.

Obi-Wan could feel his heart race as he took in the solemn faces of the healers and Masters. Feeling as if his heart had just been ripped out of his chest by one of the large white fur covered Masters that walked on either side of the stretcher; Obi-Wan hurried to catch up with them before they got into the lift.

“Master Barauga,” He called.

“Yes Cub.” The furry Jedi lumbered along.

Obi-Wan looked up at his Master’s friend, and fear slowly threatened to overtake him. He didn’t get a good look at Melody, and was unable to tell if she was breathing. Was Master Qui-Gon wrong, when he thought he healed her internal bleeding? “What’s wrong? She… she…” he faltered, unable to finish his sentence. Please don’t let it be true. Although he had no idea why he felt this way, he hadn’t known the girl very well; he felt that if she did not survive he would face a terrible void in his future.

“Obi-Wan, I think you should return to your apartment with your Master,” Master Mace told him, as they all began to enter the lift tube, leaving Mace, Master Barauga, and himself standing in the hall.

Without saying anything to the Council member, Obi-Wan looked back up at Master Barauga, waiting for an answer.

Barauga lifted one huge paw off the floor and placed it against the Padawan’s back drawing the boy close. “No Cub, she is alive and Garaar will care for her. I will keep your master informed.” He sniffed the boy, smelling the fear and anguish radiating from the boy. “Go tell Runt to give you and Élan some of the ice-cream in my freezer,” He growled.

“I don’t want any ice-cream, Master Barauga, I want to see Melody. I have to ask her something and I have these flowers for her,” Obi-Wan shook his head. He didn’t care that he was disagreeing with a Master in front of a Council member, he was suddenly afraid that he would never see the girl again.

“Padawan Kenobi, Master Barauga has told you to go and see your Master; the situation with Padawan Kazala is under control,” Mace said sternly.

“Tyrant, go easy on the Padawan. He’s concerned about the other cub. He found her and has a need to make sure she’s all right.” Leading Obi-Wan away from Mace, Barauga stuck his cold nose under the boys chin, forcing him to meet his eyes, “I’ll give her your flowers when she wakes up, and I’ll have her send you a comm. link message.”

“But where are you taking her? This is her home. Surely the Jedi healers are better suited to take care of her?” Obi-Wan asked as he handed the flowers to Barauga. Why would they take her away from the Temple? All of her friends are here, and none of them have seen her since she came back from her mission.

“Obi-Wan we are taking her to a place where they can help her better than the healers can. Don’t fret cub she’ll be well cared for.” Barauga growled as he walked to the second lift.

Obi-Wan could not believe that they thought that she should leave the temple. He stood in the hallway near the healer’s ward staring at the now closed lift tube doors. He stood there for a minute before; he finally left the area, returning to the apartment that he shared with his Master.



Melody finally returned to consciousness, noticing the sound of the Laurellie birds chirping their beautiful songs. The breeze from the opened windows and balcony doors caressed her face and brought with it the sweet smell of the Galaxanian Oceans.

The young girl took a deep breath savoring the enticing smell and the salty tasting air. She was reluctant to open her eyes only to find that she was dreaming and still occupied her scentless tasteless room at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

Her mouth twitched with a half smile as she thought that she could almost hear the sounds of the red ocean water slapping against the rocks, located just below the bedroom window of her Galaxanian home.

“Melodyanne,” a familiar voice said quietly from her left side. Slowly she opened her eyes allowing them to adjust to the light that crossed the threshold of her room. The opposite side of her room was decorated in beautiful pastel colors, bringing a colorful atmosphere that she missed seeing, during her stay at the Temple.

“Mama,” Melody smiled, slightly confused because she didn’t remember coming home, or that she was scheduled to return home anytime soon. “I don’t remember coming home?” she said, as she looked around at her parents, grandparents, Master, and a healer who all looked concerned. She could tell by their expressions that something was wrong. “What happened?”

“How do you feel, Avazon?” Linna Kazala asked her oldest daughter. Melody could see unshed tears glistening in the woman’s pale blue eyes.

“Tired, and confused,” Melody answered honestly. “Why, what is wrong? Galodnia, did I do something wrong?”

“No my Imya, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Melody’s grandmother assured her. The light from the opened doors and windows caused her graying gold hair to shine, and showed the unmistakable sadness etched on her face.

“Visit later,” The Ursine Jedi growled. “I will speak with her alone.” Garaar lumbered across the room.

Melody watched her mother nod her head, and look toward her grandparents who stood off to the side of the sleep couch nod also, “we’ll see you later, Imya,” Marag Glintz, Melody’s grandfather, assured her.

She nodded her head and watched as her grandparents and parents left the room without answering her questions.

“Master,” Melody said, turning toward the large white Ursine female that stood beside her sleep couch, “What’s going on?” Melody looked in her Master’s eyes fear knowing at her insides; something serious had happened, but she could not remember anything. All she remembered was Bant telling her that Obi-Wan Kenobi might ask her to the senior ball when she returned from a mission with her Master to the planet Pardel IV. She, however, didn’t even remember leaving the temple.

“Pup, what do you remember about our last mission?” Garaar asked, growling softly.

“Nothing, I don’t even remember leaving the temple. All I remember is Bant telling me that Obi-Wan might ask me to the dance,” Melody told her.

The female Master nuzzled Melody with her cold wet nose before speaking. “We went on the mission to Pardel IV and both of us were injured. Master Jinn and his Padawan rescued you. You have been unconscious during the last twelve days.”

“Twelve days,” Melody said wide eyed, “What happened to me, why did you bring me back here? I’ve been injured on missions before and you didn’t bring me here?”

The large bear sat down on the floor and laid her head on the child’s sleep couch. “Cub, You know a Jedi‘s life is hard and sometimes events happen that even I can’t stop….No matter how much I want to. Melody they took you away from me when I was injured and they raped you repeatedly. You are pregnant.”

Melody stared at her Master as if she had just grown another head. “But I don’t remember anything, I don’t feel any different. There must be some mistake.”

“The healers at the Temple repaired all of the physical damage to your body before I brought you back to Galaxania.” Garaar said as she moved a vase of flowers to the bedside table. “Focus the Force inside of yourself and feel the second life force. The child has already started growing. You understand why you can not return to the Temple.”

Melody reached out with the Force and did as her Master told her. After realizing that what her Master had said was true, a single pink tear slid down her pale cheek.


Prologue Part Two
There Is No Death; there is the Will Of The Force

Two years later….

A warm breeze picked up several strands of coco colored hair and blew it across his sapphire line of sight. A large hand brushed at the strands impatiently wanting nothing to detract from the beautiful sunset he was witnessing. As the brilliant daylight rapidly faded, it was replaced by muted greens with splashes of pink and purple.

The mission, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, had finished an hour ago, still weighed heavily on his mind. He felt a long walk by the beautiful lake would ease his distress. As the living force from this planet coursed through his very being, Qui-Gon felt as if a large weight had been temporarily lifted off his chest. His course took him onto a small islet of crystal colored rocks where he itched to take off the leather boots and squish his toes in the sand. Another gust of wind carried a short bark of laugher away from the great Jedi. I can just hear Obi-Wan now. He would give me that look and then he would say, ‘Really Master … could you at least act like a Jedi.’

Obi-Wan at eighteen, was more reserved than Qui-Gon was at twenty-five, and he wished his Padawan would relax just a little and have some fun. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he bent down and unfastened the buckles on his dark boots. He balanced on his left foot while he reached down, stripped off the boot and sock, tucking the sock inside his boot. Experimentally, he lowered the unshod foot to the ground to test the texture of the sand. To a man his age, excitement was foreign. However, a wave of pleasure bubbled forth when he found that the sediment that looked like glass was really as soft as powder. I haven’t done this since before Dy’ln left the Order.

Looking out across the pale blue water Qui-Gon noticed several sparkling rocks laying in the bottom of the lake. They looked like small versions of the crystal boulders scattered along the edge of the water. The shades of blue, greens, pinks and purples reflected in the water and the sky colored boulders made this one of the most beautiful places he had visited. The cool water slapped against his feet and legs. Wading through the shallow water, the Jedi Master stopped near the edge of the lake. As he stood looking in the water and watching the patterns of the stars gleaming against the crystal rocks, something dark caught his attention. Qui-Gon bent down and picked up a cobalt stone. Examining it carefully, the Jedi Master threw back his head and laughed loudly. I wonder what Obi-Wan will think this time, when I give him another rock for his birthday.

The golden moon hung low in the sky and Qui-Gon sighed. It was time to return to the Temple and see how his eighteen-year-old apprentice had enjoyed his birthday party. Slurping sounds were heard in the quiet twilight as he made his way back to shore and once again donned his boots. He put the stone in his pocket and strode back to the Jedi Star fighter two miles away.

The lift off was smooth as Qui-Gon punched the codes into the
Navicomputer and sent a message back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Leaning his head back, Qui-Gon drifted off to sleep dreaming peaceful dreams of old and dear friends.

3 Days Later

“Have we tested the child yet?” Adi Gala asked, as she walked in the room and took her normal seat next to the Iktotchian Master.

Mace skimmed through the data pad and passed it to the next Master saying, “yes, and as you can see, the child was subjected to several other tests as well, once his identity was established.”

“How old, the youngling is?” the small green female Master asked.

Depa looked at the pad she was now holding and glanced through the document for the suggested age. When found, she looked to the other members and said, “they believe he is three standard years.”

“Have the healers determined a way to reverse the damage to his body and how has this affected his mental state?” Saesee Tin asked.

Eeth Koth was quick to reply, as he exclaimed, “no, the healers believe that he will out grow the physical damage and mentally, he is a normal three-year-old child. If he has any memories they will manifest themselves as nightmares.”

Plo-Koon snorted behind his breathing mask. “I wager that he’ll grow up exactly as he was.”

Mace leaned forward and placing his hands in a steeple said, “what are we going to do with the apprentice.”

“He will need another Master and the only way to do that is to declare his first one dead,” Ki-Adi-Mundi said, stating the obvious.

“Find out the truth, people will. Hide this forever, we can not,” Yoda intoned.

Twelve heads nodded in union as the sun dropped behind the mass of buildings that made up the Galactic City, the fate of two Jedi hung in the balance.