The Darkness of Desire

Darkness of Desire

Disclaimer: This is a non-profit story, and I own none of the characters.
Author – Courtier
Rating – PG at first, N-17 in later chapters
Summary – A coming of age story chronicling the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and his master, Obi-wan Kenobi; a story of passion, empathy, and confliction.

It continues upon the death of the renowned Jedi Master Qui-gon Jinn. . . .

Chapter IV – The Shadow Has Fallen. . . .

“Obi-wan. . . .promise,” Qui-gon uttered in his last moments of life. “Promise me you will train the boy. . .”

He’s dying now. In my arms. Lost to me forever. Pain grabbed at Obi-wan with biting pain. I will do whatever he asks, as long as he lives!

“Yes, Master,” Obi-wan choked in sorrow.

Granting his apprentice one last smile, Qui-gon reached up to touch Obi-wan’s face. It’s too late, thought Obi-wan.

“He. . . . .is the chosen one,” his master rasped, vivacity fading from his eyes. “He will. . .bring balance. . . . . . . .train him.”

Obi-wan nodded in assurance. Whatever you ask of me, Master, I will do. . .

And it was in that moment in time, within the power stabilizing corridor of Theed that Qui-gon Jinn, Master of the Jedi arts, died in his apprentice’s arms.

Obi-wan held his master for a span of time. It might have been moments, hours, or days for all his knowledge, before he finally let go. He’s gone. The eerie silence and emptiness he felt was unnerving. His master’s presence was gone, as if it had never been. The pain of loss seeped into his veins and coursed through him. It was time for him to be brave now. He’d made a promise; an oath. He would bind himself to it.

The young knight had never felt both so very old and young in his life. An enormous responsibility had just been placed upon him; knighthood, the return of the Sith, and the boy. . . And yet, Obi-wan felt as if he were a young boy again; confused and afraid of the future.

Finally, the young apprentice swallowed his fear and doubts to lift his master into his arms and carry him back towards the palace. . .

***********

Hours later, he found himself within the Queen’s throne room. She sat on her throne harboring an expression of casual manner, yet her pride and happiness glittered in her dark eyes. Her men at arms and handmaidens stood about her. Victory was in the air and all were rejoicing. The Viceroy, Nute Gunray, and his comrade were held near the doorway by two of Captain Panaka’s men. Their hands were bound and their reptilian eyes were frightened.

“Gentlemen!” the queen announced to her followers and attendants. “We have taken back what is ours. This day shall be long remembered in our memories!” And it was here that she finally smiled. Obi-wan had been surprised to find she had been under the guise of handmaiden for so long. An intelligent young woman she was.

Suddenly, the throne room door flew open with a steady hum. More Nubian guards entered, escorting a small contingent of pilots. Obi-wan noticed that young Anakin was amongst them, an irrepressible air of joy gleaming with luminance in his eyes.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Queen Amidala bowed before the small assembly. “Both I and the Gungans will be eternally grateful for your success in destroying the Federation’s command base.”

“You majesty, if I might say a word,” one of the pilots came forward, drawing Anakin forward with him, “It was this boy, here, that ensured our triumph. It would not have been possible without him.”

Anakin stood looking both timid and proud. Amidala gave her warmest smile to the boy. She crossed over from behind her royal throne and knelt in front of the boy, leaning in to kiss the crown of his head in reverence.

“Once again, I owe you everything, Ani,” she said softly. Anakin’s young face flushed in pleasure.

As she straightened once more, the queen motioned to Captain Panaka, who swiftly made his way to her side.

“Captain, give this excellent fleet their choice of rooms for this evening. They shall have a place of honor in our victory celebration tomorrow.”

“It will be done, your grace,” Panaka nodded in agreement and led the assembly of pilots out of the throne room. Anakin, however, halted before exiting as he noticed Obi-wan.

“Obi-wan!” he called and ran towards him, hugging him round the middle as he reached him. Obi-wan allowed himself to smile, struggling to stifle his ever present numbing grief.

“Obi-wan, I flew in a real Starfighter, and it was just like podracing!” The boy was clearly excited and was grasping onto the long sleeve of Obi-wan’s cloak in enthusiasm. The young knight then knew that this boy was meant for greater things. Qui-gon would have been proud to see him now. . .

“What’s wrong?” the boy asked, noticing Obi-wan’s ominous demeanor. Obi-wan did not know what to say. How could he tell the boy that the Jedi Master that had rescued him from enslavement had been ruthlessly murdered by a warrior of the Sith? With a heavy sigh, the young knight strove to speak to the young one before him. It was then that Queen Amidala approached him as well. Her expression of triumph had vanished. She looked solemn and sad in her long black gown, gazing on Obi-wan with an empathetic nature.

“Myself and my people are deeply grieved for your comrade, Qui-gon Jinn, Master Jedi.” she spoke gravely. “A fallen hero he was, and with deep affection I will remember him.” Obi-wan stood in silence, feeling the hurt begin to assail him again. Images of the phantom menace cutting through his beloved master with a flamed blade nearly overcame him. There were no words to speak; none came. He felt that his heart would betray him if he dared to reply. Near the edge of despair, Obi-wan managed to nod thankfully towards the queen.

He looked down to see a pale Anakin biting the edge of his lower lip, shifting his gaze from Amidala to Obi-wan continually.

“Master Qui-gon,” he meekly began, “is he. . .?” He looked up at Obi-wan, slowly reaching his hand to grasp the knight’s sleeve once again. The young Jedi gazed down at the boy with a sad, yet unflinching expression.

“Y – yes. . .” Obi-wan managed in a whisper. A peculiar look came over Anakin’s eyes at that moment as he looked downward. It might have been sadness, confusion, or anger. The sun beamed from behind a cloud at that moment and lit up the marble throne room with a brilliance, throwing the glorious afternoon beauty into a sharp contrast with the downcast oppression in the hearts of its inhabitants.

Serving as a stark interruption of the deep silence, the throne room entrance door whisked open once more. The people looked up to see Panaka re-enter the room.

“Your majesty,” he bowed before the queen. “Chancellor Palpatine’s ship has arrived. And he has brought members of the Jedi council with him,” the captain added to Obi-wan. They will not be pleased with the tidings I have for them. . .thought Obi-wan.

“Very good, Captain,” the queen acknowledged, “we shall meet them in the courtyard.” She headed towards the corridor outside the throne room. “And bring the Viceroy,” she added with contempt as she passed the Neimodians. Her handmaidens and guards followed in her wake, whilst the Captain and his men marched the federation slime from the room.

Obi-wan and Anakin alone remained. Inhaling, Obi-wan gently lay a hand atop the boy’s shoulder.

“Come, Anakin. The council will wish to see us.” The boy’s face remained downcast to the marble floor. Finally, he nodded in acquiescence, allowing himself to be led from the room by the Jedi.

The large hall beyond the throne room echoed with the sounds of the Jedi and young boy’s footsteps as they made their way to the staircase. Neither spoke a word, each lost in their own worlds of grief. A father of sorts had been taken away from them both. Sunlight slanted in through the windows on either side of the hall, suspending dust motes within the air. Obi-wan gazed around the beautiful palace he was in, wondering how anything could be so beautiful on such a day of dread. He sighed. This is life, and so I must live it.

“I’m going to miss him. . .” he heard Anakin mutter beside him.

“So will I, Anakin. . .” Obi-wan replied.

************************

The Republic Cruiser soared from the sky to land smoothly onto the courtyard in front of the palace. Obi-wan, Anakin at his side, stood with the queen and her attendants awaiting the arrival of Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Council.

As the entrance ramp of the large ship lowered, the queen had the Neimodians brought before her.

“Now Viceroy, you’re going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this.” She spoke to them, being unable to disguise her disdain for them. Panaka strode forward to lead them away.

“I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye,” he derided.

Obi-wan watched as Chancellor Palpatine strode towards them, along with a few members of the Jedi order. He walked forward to meet them, Anakin trailing at his side. He bowed as the Chancellor walked past, though the former Senator noticed Obi-wan and spoke jovially,

“We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-wan Kenobi!” Obi-wan managed a smile to the politician. The chancellor’s attentions shifted down to the boy at the knight’s side.

“And you, young Skywalker! We shall watch your career with great interest!” he enthused, placing a friendly hand atop the boy’s shoulder before making his way towards the queen. For reasons he could not explain, Obi-wan felt uneasy of a sudden. Politicians always made him uneasy. . . .

**************************

Later that evening, Obi-wan stood before the council in one of the palace’s audience chambers. The amber glow of the setting sun poured into the room with a dim loveliness. Jedi master Yoda stood near the window, studying Obi-wan thoughtfully.

“So sure are you, that a Sith this warrior was?” he asked.

“I am certain, Master Yoda. The dark side of the Force was burning within him unlike anything I have ever seen.” Obi-wan replied, drawing his cloak closer about him. He felt chilled as he dwelled on the day’s earlier events. “It was with the dark force that he struck down Qui-gon. . . .mercilessly.” His voice faded down to a whisper.

The few members of the council looked troubled and conversed silently with one another. Only Master Yoda remained silent, eyes fixed on Obi-wan.

“More to report you have, Obi-wan.” He urged quietly. The council grew silent immediately, gazing expectantly on the knight. Obi-wan swallowed, striving to find his words.

“Yes, I – yes, Qui-gon. . .he. . . as his dying request, he – he asked that I train the boy.”

Once more, the council turned to one another in thought and speech. Obi-wan stood rooted to the floor, struggling to emulate his former master with an expression of bravery and nobility. It was finally Master Windu that addressed him.

“Leave us for a moment, Obi-wan. We will reflect on what you have told us.”

Obi-wan bowed low, and turned to exit the room. Once in the corridor, he walked to one of the windows and stared into the sunset. The queen had told him she’d prepared a burning pyre for Qui-gon’s committal after the sun had set. Soon, he would witness his master’s lifeless body turning to ash. Night was coming, along with Qui-gon’s departure from this world. Obi-wan watched as the sun’s last rays reached the peaks of distant hills, and hoped that the moment would last forever; eternally delaying Qui-gon’s funeral.

Presently, the members of the Jedi council exited the room, each bowing to Obi-wan in turn. Master Windu paused before him lastly, offering condolences for the loss of his mentor.

“I understand that he was a father to you,” the master stated.

“He was. . .” replied Obi-wan. Mace Windu smiled before adding,

“Yoda wishes to speak with you for a moment.”

Nodding, Obi-wan returned to the chamber and found Master Yoda kneeling upon his staff, perceiving him with an intensive gaze.

“Kneel, young Obi-wan, so that I may speak with you,” the Master commanded. Obi-wan dropped to one knee obediently and patiently awaited Yoda’s words. The latter then began to pace back and forth in front of him, voicing his thoughts while doing so;

“Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight the council does,” he began. “But agree with your taking this boy as your padawan learner, I do not!” He struck his staff to the ground indignantly. Though the pressure of pleasing this great master was forceful, Obi-wan refused to deny his master’s last request.

“Qui-gon believed in him.” He stated solemnly. Yoda sighed as if he were achingly weary.

“The chosen one the boy may be. . .” he mused. “Nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training.”

He’s still trying to dissuade me. . .I cannot betray Qui-gon. Not even for a seat on the council would I deny his request of me.

“Master Yoda,” his voice grew with resolve, “I gave Qui-gon my word. I will train Anakin. . . .Without the approval of the council if I must.” His heart trembled as he heard himself openly conflicting with Master Yoda, though his love for his mentor held firm within him, giving him determination. Master Yoda turned from him.

“Qui-gon’s defiance I sense in you. Need that you do not.” A long pause followed, both Jedi possessed a stubborn will. At long last, Yoda sighed and relented. “Agree with you the council does.” He turned to look on the newest member of the Jedi Order. “Your apprentice, Skywalker will be. . . . .”

***********************

Qui-gon Jinn lay atop the pyre, his features composed in peaceful serenity. He looks so noble; even in death thought Obi-wan as he watched the amber flames engulf his mentor. The funeral pavilion was filled with silent mourners, their heads downcast. Obi-wan refused to look away, staring into the fire upon Qui-gon Jinn. He’d last spoken to him only this morning; and now he was lost forever. A last surge of youthful fear assailed the knight; please stay, I need you! What will I do without your guidance?. . .your love?

A small sniff was heard beside him and he turned to see Anakin looking upon the pyre in sadness. The reflection of the firelight glistened in his moist eyes. He looked up to Obi-wan.

“What will happen to me now?” he asked, a tear sliding down his cheek.

I know now what I must do, Master. I must be brave and train this boy. . .I shall teach him as you taught me. You will be proud of me. . .

“The council has granted permission for me to train you. You will be a Jedi. . . .I promise,” he vowed. I swear. . .

Skywalker and Kenobi then turned to gaze back into the fire; side by side. No longer merely boy and man, but as a Master and his apprentice. . . .


To Be Continued. . . . .

The apprenticeship of Anakin has begun, along with his allegiance to Obi-wan. Much more coming soon.