Warnings: Some references to the Jedi Apprentice Books
Spoilers: Takes place approximately 9 months after TPM
Summary: Obi-Wan watches Anakin in his first duel at the Jedi
Academy. Feedback: Sure.
Legal stuff: All characters (except Chance) are copyright to
George Lucas. No profit is to be made from this now or in the
future. This story is purely fiction made up for the author's
own amusement.
Since most seemed to enjoy my last effort titled Pillar, I'm
throwing this out there too. Some day I might work up to
actually writing the R or NC-17. But, I'm sticking to the
plotless Obi-Wan trains Anakin stuff for now. Sorry!
Obi-Wan stood at the edge of the children's training room in
the Jedi Temple watching a sparring between two of the temple's
more gifted trainees. They seemed painfully young to him yet
they weren't any older than he'd been when he'd last fought in
this room. Twelve. That had been his last duel here, before he
was sent to the AgriCorps and fate placed him with Qui-Gon.
It seemed like yesterday. Had twelve years passed already? And
here he stood with the other Knights and Masters watching the
young trainees trying to win attention from them. Here he was
with his own Padawan standing respectfully at his side hands
folded in front of him and eyes on the two swordsmen. Obi-Wan
chanced a glance down at Anakin who was immersed in the duel.
As skilled as the two older boys were Obi-Wan was certain
Anakin could challenge them easily. Anakin was like a sponge,
he just sucked up knowledge and training. The real difficulty
Obi-Wan had in teaching Anakin was focus. The boy couldn't keep
his focus and control all that energy he had.
How in the Universe did you do it, Qui-Gon? He asked himself.
For almost a year now he'd been speaking to Anakin about the
Force, about instinct and his inner voice. He'd made barely a
dent. Anakin knew how to use the Force but he was completely
unaware of how to control it, or that he was even using it in
the first place. Obi-Wan had to wonder if he had ever been this
difficult to teach. Where had Qui-Gon learned the patience? He
remembered one episode, when he was 15 years old. He felt,
after a particularly strenuous training session that Qui-Gon
was pushing him too hard, too fast. He'd thrown his lightsaber
across the training room, smashing it against the wall. Qui-Gon
had been perfectly still; watching arms folded into his robe in
front of himself. Obi-Wan screamed at him, that he was too
demanding that he was cold and unfeeling. He paced around
Qui-Gon in a most disrespectful manner and waved his arms in
the air in frustration. He was too young for this; he couldn't
be expected to learn everything at once! He couldn't carry the
entire burden of the Galaxy on his shoulders. He was just an
apprentice he wasn't ready yet! Qui-Gon's eyes followed his
tirade around the room and when Obi-Wan had worn himself down
and stood alone, out of breath and sweaty from the recent
training and his own outburst, Qui-Gon went to him. He took
Obi-Wan in his arms, pulling him against his chest, though the
padawan struggled at first, not wanting pity of any sort.
Finally he gave in and sank against Qui-Gon, tears streaming
down his face. "You wanted this, you have to accept it."
Qui-Gon said. He smoothed Obi-Wan's hair and then let him go.
Obi-Wan woke from his memories when applause broke out around
the room. The other young hopeful trainees and padawans were
cheering happily for the victor of the duel. The boy bowed
respectfully to the Knights and Masters who stood watching.
Obi-Wan bowed his head slightly to the boy then looked down to
Anakin. Kneeling at his Padawn's side he turned Anakin to
himself for a few brief words of wisdom before sending him out
onto the floor with the older boy whose name was Chance.
"I know, Master." Anakin said before he could get a word in.
"Listen to my feelings not my thoughts."
"I know you know that, little one." Obi-Wan made certain
Anakin's saber was set at the lowest power, so as not to cause
any serious damage. "But what I want is for you to actually use
what you know."
Anakin nodded to his Master and took the lightsaber from him.
He'd been constructing this weapon for almost a year now. The
blade was green like Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Actually that had
been Qui-Gon's but it was Obi-Wan's now. Anakin secretly
worshipped Obi-Wan but tried not to show it too clearly. He
knew all the other Jedi Knights in the temple thought very
highly of his Master because he had defeated a Sith Lord.
Because he was so young and already a Knight and a Master too.
The other apprentices and trainees were simultaneously jealous
and impressed with Anakin for having Obi-Wan as a Master. But
Anakin had never seen Obi-Wan take any notice at all of his
hero status in the Temple. He was just always distant from it
all. Anakin knew that more often than not Obi-Wan's mind was on
thoughts of Qui-Gon. It hadn't been quite a year since his
death. He always tried to do his best to keep Obi-Wan pleased
so he wouldn't be too sad. Anakin could only imagine what it
must be like to lose some one so close. The very thought that
his own mother or master might some day be gone was enough to
terrify Anakin to no end. And the bond he already shared with
his Master was strong; he couldn't conceive of how much
stronger it must have been between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon after
twelve years together.
He washed all thoughts of Obi-Wan and his mother from his
thoughts as he stepped out into the center of the floor. Bowed
to the Knights and Masters then to his opponent Chance. Chance
was taller by at least a foot and older by two years. His
advantage was his lifetime of training, whereas Anakin had less
than a year's worth. Yet, look who he had training him. He
glanced to Obi-Wan who was looking as calm and commanding as
ever in his long dark robes. His hair had grown longer in the
past months and there was a hint of stubble on his face. He
gave Anakin the shadow of a smile for encouragement.
The fight began and Anakin had little trouble deflecting
Chance's blows. He reached out with his feelings the way
Obi-Wan always told him and knew every move Chance was making
before he made them. He danced around the older boy who was
becoming unsettled by Anakin's obvious ease and ability with a
saber. Chance made a leap in the air and landed behind Anakin,
almost catching the younger boy off guard long enough to land
his weapon. But Anakin was quick; he ducked, coming off with
singed hair and no more.
Obi-Wan's heart stopped for a brief instant at Chance's last
move. He could feel how badly the older boy wanted to win this
duel. He was competing for the attention of Knights, trying to
win an apprenticeship before he was too old. Anakin wasn't
trying to win anything more than Obi-Wan's approval. Something
he already had.
There were a few more close calls from both sides, and finally
Anakin executed a perfect spin through the air, his lightsaber
fell squarely on Chance's shoulder causing the boy to yelp from
the burn. The fight was called and Anakin declared the victor.
Chance gave a begrudging bow to Anakin and both boys left the
floor to sounds of applause.
"Did you see, Master?" Anakin bounced happily before Obi-Wan.
"Of course I saw, I was right here." Obi-Wan laughed a little,
smoothing Anakin's damp hair. Some of the other Knights looked
amused at Anakin's exuberance. It was his first duel. All those
hours in the training room teaching defense and strategy paid
off. Of course there had never been a doubt in Obi-Wan's mind.
He gave Anakin a warm embrace. The boy was like a puppy all
wound up with energy. His hair was burnt in one spot and he had
a few other burns and bruises but paid no mind to any of them.
"Can I fight with you now?" Anakin asked happily as they left
the training room together. Obi-Wan looked down at him.
"You think you're ready for me?" Obi-Wan asked with amusement.
"Of course." Anakin beamed up at him. "But I would let you win,
Master."
"Oh good. You know I'm a bad loser, Padawan." He ruffled
Annie's hair. "Lets just work on controlling all this energy
you have first. I'd die of exhaustion trying to wear you down
if we ever dueled."
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