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Author	Topic: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 6/28 7:53pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul? - Date Edited: 7/2 9:27pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Angel5000
	Title: Closing The Circle Author: Angel5000 Archive: Please ask first Time Frame: AU for the Prequels. Set when Anakin is 15 years old. Summary: Obi-Wan has been sent on a mission to apprehend a dangerous man from his past, leaving Anakin behind at the temple. When Anakin suspects that things are not right and goes in search of his Master, things take a turn for the worst. Imprisoned and tortured, the question arises: to what lengths will Anakin go to save his Master's life? And will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul? Chapter 1: It had been six years since the Naboo incident. That’s what people were calling it now, an incident. It wasn’t referred to as a war; most wouldn’t even admit that it was a battle. It was just an incident. Perhaps that is what bothered Obi-Wan Kenobi the most, hearing that dreadful thing referred to only as an incident, not even important enough to be determined a conflict. In the years that had followed, a pattern had developed for Jedi Master Kenobi. During the day he trained his Padawan, another one of the results of that fateful day, and during the night he dreamt of the past. Not even in his sleep could the Jedi Master escape the terrors of Naboo that plagued his mind. He dreamt of other things too; people long past dead, most of whom would gladly die again to exact their revenge on the young man. However once daybreak began, Obi-Wan would rise and become the epitome of a stoic Jedi, and very few suspected the tears and sweat that accompanied his nights. The older Jedi guessed that his padawan knew he didn’t sleep well, but the boy also left the issue alone, respecting his Master’s privacy. During the day he kept a close eye for the slightest bit of weariness or signs of trouble, his admiration for his Master showing strongly in his actions and in every word he spoke. Now however, it seemed that the pattern of life which had become routine to this master-padawan pair, was going to be shattered, possibly forever, because of one man from the past long since thought dead. It was far into the evening, nearly midnight, when one of the honored members of the Jedi Council placed a call to one of the most prestigious Jedi Masters in the order. The news was disturbing to the young man in question, and even more so was the information that he would be departing with the sunrise. And that was how this Master had ended up here. In a darkened room on one of the upper levels of the Coruscant Jedi Temple, standing watch in the doorway of a child’s room. While the rest of the Temple was sleeping, this Master could not, his mind too preoccupied to rest, even though at least a few hours remained before sunrise. Silently he walked across the room and sat in the chair beside the bed of his protégé. The master’s blue eyes took in every feature, every line, and every curve of the boy’s face before he spoke, albeit just a whisper. “I don’t want to do this, you know. It’s only for your own good. You’re going to be angry with me for this…perhaps even attempt to defy me. But I hope you know, Padawan that I care about you and only want to protect you for a little longer while I still can. I only hope that you can understand.” The whispered words were lost on the sleeping teen, but he stirred slightly, sensing the other presence in the room, and opened his eyes. “Master?” The boy asked, voice groggy with sleep. He wondered why his Master would be sitting beside his bed without waking him. “Is something wrong, Master?” The older of the two shook his head slightly, brushing the hair from his eyes before speaking, “Not exactly, Anakin. I need you to wake up for a few minutes though.” Anakin Skywalker sat up almost immediately, all sleepiness gone. The few times that his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, had woken him in the middle of the night were always important, and he didn’t doubt that this one would be, as well. Obi-Wan continued, though he seemed to find it difficult to look at his padawan. “The Council has contacted me.” He paused, seemingly reluctant to continue. At Anakin’s questioning look he continued, “There’s a mission I must attend to immediately.” Before Obi-Wan had finished, Anakin was rising to dress, but found he was being restrained, Obi-Wan’s arm rested firmly on his shoulder. “Master?” For the first time Anakin realized that Obi-Wan didn’t look to be his normal stoic, composed self. Obi-Wan glanced away for a brief moment before continuing, his actions were unnatural and only went to further Anakin’s growing fear that this situation was much graver than he had originally thought. “Alone padawan. I’m going on this mission alone. You can stay in our quarters if you wish, but you’ll report to Garen Muln. He’s agreed to continue your training during my absence.” “Alone?” Anakin was more than confused, and seeing Obi-Wan start to rise from his seat, he realized that his time was short, “Where Master? What’s going on? Why can’t I come with you?” “I can’t tell you much Anakin, just that this is something I need to take care of by myself. I depart at daybreak.” Obi-Wan could see the fifteen-year-old struggling to understand and coming up short. He saw a look cross Anakin’s face that he was very much familiar with, a look that meant only one thing – absolute defiance. His voice grew stern, “What is the first rule of a Padawan?” Anakin fidgeted slightly and muttered, “Obedience.” Obi-Wan nodded and turned to leave his apprentice’s room when Anakin’s voice stopped him. “But, Master, you can’t go alone!” Anakin nearly shouted, “A padawan is supposed to go with his Master! What if –” He stopped but the slight, almost unnoticeable waiver in his voice gave away his underlying, unsteady emotions. The Master understood that Anakin, not having been raised in the Temple, made attachments. He also understood that Anakin often feared losing those close to him, perhaps because throughout his young life as a slave, there was no steady role model in his life except his mother, and now, he had lost her too. In the past, when Anakin expressed feelings of fear about losing his mentor, Obi-Wan would look him in the eye and promise to return home safely. This time, the Jedi only looked at him with eyes full of sadness and spoke quietly, “Then it is the will of the Force, young one.” The words, coupled with an uneasy stirring in the Force, would have brought Anakin to tears, had he not held such a tight reign on his emotions. “No!” Anakin’s voice resounded through the room. His defiance would have been unexpected of any normal Jedi Padawan, especially as they were trained to accept death from an early age, but for Anakin defiance was almost second nature. “No Master! I’m coming with you.” The words, brave yet futile, made Obi-Wan smile, though the smile never seemed to reach his eyes. “My young apprentice, you have much to learn.” Gently he brushed Anakin’s cheek with his thumb, callous skin running over the boy’s smooth cheek in an unnatural show of affection, “You’ll stay here with Garen. I expect you to behave for him. He’s taken a new apprentice only a few months ago and you are to be a good role model for Padawan Willow, understand?” Anakin could scarcely nod in reluctant acquiescence before his mentor turned and walked from the room. Anakin stood in room in silent shock, listening to his Master preparing his things in the adjacent room. He could hear Obi-Wan rummaging through the common room, throwing last minute things into his survival pack. The younger Jedi didn’t need to see his Master to know exactly what he was doing. He could imagine Obi-Wan rummaging through his pack, double checking he had everything that was absolutely necessarily. Perhaps throwing in an additional datapad containing vital information on the mission. His thoughts turned from his Master’s actions in the common room, and the teen wondered briefly at his master’s unusual show of emotion. Their relationship was close, so that Anakin often found himself describing the relationship to himself as finally having the father he never had as a child. The apprentice always knew he was cared for by the look in Obi-Wan’s eyes, the praise he spoke, or the way Obi-Wan would correct him in training; everything in their interactions showed a caring and deep commitment to him. But even with such a close-knit relationship, Obi-Wan’s affection was usually more reserved. Rarely did Obi-Wan show open displays of fondness or gentleness to anyone. It took only a few seconds before understanding hit, and when it did Anakin felt his knees weaken. The apprentice suddenly realized that his Master was saying more than just a standard “I’ll see you after the mission”. He was saying good-bye. In the other room Anakin could hear Obi-Wan gathering up his travel pack and suddenly a feeling of dread and fear welled up in the boy so powerfully that he couldn’t help but rush out to the common rooms. “Master! Wait!” Obi-Wan came out of the kitchen as he stuffed some ration bars into his travel bag. “Padawan, I must go soon.” He grasped Anakin’s shoulders tightly, searching the boys eyes, “I want you to promise me you’ll stay here, promise me that no matter what happens you will not follow me, nor will you try and find me if I do not return.” Anakin shook his head, fighting back the tears that pricked at his eyes. Even he was surprised at the amount of emotion he was feeling, let alone showing, “Master, please don’t.” “Promise me, Anakin!” Obi-Wan’s voice was harsh, his urgency to get said promise making him sound almost angry. But Anakin knew it wasn’t anger that compelled his master, but fear instead. It was a well known fact that Obi-Wan Kenobi never got angry, but he occasionally did combat with the emotion of fear. Anakin recognized that Obi-Wan was often concerned for his safety, and when he was, he would often come across as sharp or callous. “Padawan, promise me!” Anakin looked into Obi-Wan’s stormy eyes, begging for a reprieve, but at finding none he nodded reluctantly, “Yes Master, I promise.” “Good boy.” Obi-Wan reached down and ran his fingers through his apprentice’s hair, in another rather uncharacteristic show of affection. This alone made Anakin tremble with fear at the idea of what his Master was going to face, and going to face alone. “Please, Master,” Anakin begged, his heart beating wildly against his chest. Even with his Jedi training he couldn’t seem to get his emotions under control, “before you leave, tell me why.” For a moment Anakin wasn’t sure he would get an answer. Obi-Wan was checking his bag and seemed to not have heard the question. Just when he was about to ask again, Obi-Wan finally spoke, his voice distant. “There once was a Jedi Padawan who turned to the Darkside. He was thought to have died, but those who reported his death were mistaken, and he has come out of hiding. Stronger now than he ever was before.” At last Obi-Wan looked at his apprentice, holding his gaze, “The Council is sending me after him, to bring him in to be tried for his crimes against the Republic and against the Jedi Order.” It was then that Anakin finally understood why Obi-Wan was leaving him behind. It was a dangerous mission, to go against a fallen Jedi. It was a rare thing for one to fully turn to the Darkside, but it was a terrible thing for any Padawan or Jedi Knight to witness, and many young minds were not yet strong enough to withstand the influence of the Darkside when yielded by one powerful enough. In Anakin’s case there was a strong need to keep him away from such a tempting and terrible power. He was not yet strong enough, and to expose him to such raw power could be dangerous. Obi-Wan was simply trying to protect him. There was one thing, however, that Anakin had to know before his Master walked out the door, possibly for the last time. “Who is he, Master?” Obi-Wan’s step faltered and his head bowed. The weight of a thousand galaxies seemed to stand on the Master’s chest, and he found himself struggling to breathe. He had vowed never to speak this name again, and yet here he was, searching for the very man he had watched to die before his eyes. Finally, after a long moments pause, Obi-Wan replied, his eyes on the door in front of him, unable to look back at his Apprentice. “His name is Xanatos DeCrion.” And with that statement, Obi-Wan turned and left, leaving a very confused and somewhat apprehensive Apprentice in his wake. -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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GeneralKenobi7 Registered: Jan '09	Date Posted: 6/29 5:59am Subject: Closing The Circle
	Great start! Can you please add me to your PM-list if you have one? -----signature----- Ewan Mace:"Sometimes a Jedi's most important duty is to stand and wait. I presume you've mentioned that to Anakin on occasion?" Obi-Wan: "Not more than twice a day." Proud Padawan to EG Kenobi
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Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 6/29 8:37am Subject: Closing The Circle
	GeneralKenobi7 - No problem, added to my list. The first few chapters will be up rather quickly and may slow after that, but I've finished all but the last chapter or two and so it will be fairly regularly updated. Chapter 2: In the hangar Obi-Wan headed towards his designated ship, which he had selected primarily because it was small but comfortably roomy, and was well equipped with a medical bay. He was morbidly aware of the fact that he would very likely be in need of the medical bay, whether for himself or Xanatos, he was still unsure of. Waiting patiently near the ship, arms folded in the billows of his robe, was Garen, his young apprentice rubbing her eyes as she stood quietly beside him. Obi-Wan smiled slightly; leave it to Garen to haul his Padawan out of bed before sunrise just for a chance to look at a ship. “I see you’ve chosen to inspect the StarCatcher before I leave,” Obi-Wan called out to his long time friend; in reference to the ship he had been assigned. Garen nodded half-heartedly, “It’ll be fast enough for you … it’s in good condition, and has adequate room for three.” “Three people?” Obi-Wan was confused for a moment, before he suddenly realized what Garen was saying. “No Garen. I won’t have it.” Garen sighed, spreading his arms as he spoke, “Listen, you can’t go up against him by yourself. What if you get hurt? You’ll need someone to cover you. I can do that.” “What about your Padawan?” Obi-Wan asked, nodding towards Willow. “She’ll stay with Bant, I’ve already spoken to her.” Garen said, speaking of their long-term Calamarian friend. “Having a Healer as a guardian for awhile would be good for Willow; she needs that kind of training before we go on missions. Anakin’s not going with you, if you won’t take him, at least take me.” “We’ve discussed this already - Anakin was supposed to be staying with you! That can’t very well happen if you’re off getting killed with me.” Obi-Wan snapped. He was about to continue but Willow’s gasp stopped him. “Master?” The young girl looked back and forth between the two friends, her eyes wide. “Master, you promised me if you left that you’d return!” Her voice was full of fear and a trace of betrayal. Her eyes dropped, “You promised.” Garen glared at Obi-Wan with a look that clearly said, ‘see what you did’. “I do not plan on breaking any promises I made, young one. Don’t mind what my cynical and foolhardy friend says. Master Obi-Wan is being pessimistic as usual.” He turned his gaze back to the other Jedi and, without looking at Willow, spoke, “Stay here Padawan. Obi-Wan and I need to talk alone.” With that he grasped his friend’s arm and pulled him away. Once they were out of earshot of the young Padawan, Obi-Wan snorted, “You’re making promises you can’t keep Garen. She’s young; she doesn’t need to lose her Master less than a year after she’s been taken. Look at her! Turn and look at her and tell me if you want to be the one that makes her cry when you don’t return, because you insisted on going with me!” Garen turned and gazed at his padawan of three months. Dark brown curls framed her face; she had an innocent look that caused her to appear younger than her eleven years. Even from here he could see the intense silver eyes that stared back at him, willing him to stay behind. For a moment he allowed his mind to wander, wondering where the bright silver eyes had come from, before he pulled himself back to the current situation. He sighed, “I don’t know, Obi . . . I’m torn. Either risk losing my best friend to that bastard, or possibly leave a young girl master-less. What will you have me do?” “I’d have you stay here to teach her.” He looked away for a few moments before catching Garen’s eyes again, “and to comfort Anakin when … if … I don’t return. He has a lot of raw power that needs to be harnessed and trained. I wouldn’t trust his training to anyone else but you.” Garen nodded slowly, realizing that his friend was right, as much as he hated to admit it. He grasped Obi-Wan’s shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “May the Force be with you, my friend.” “And with you. Take care of my padawan.” Obi-Wan replied. “I will.” “He’ll try and follow me.” “He’ll be here waiting when you return.” Obi-Wan nodded and then turned to walk up the ramp into the ship. As he began to take off, Willow ran up to stand beside her Master, grasping his hand tightly. She couldn’t be sure, but over the noise of the engines she thought she heard Garen whisper, almost as though he were praying. “Come back to us alive my friend … oh Force, let him come back to us.” The words sent a shiver up her spine, and as wrong as she knew it might be, she thanked whichever deity may be watching over them that her Master had chosen to stay behind. -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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TheMacUnleashed Registered: Feb '09	Date Posted: 6/29 10:19am Subject: Closing The Circle
	Fantastic beginning! Very suspenseful, with a touch of angst and drama. Would you kindly add me to your PM list? -----signature----- "Your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough." (The NaNoWriMo folks)
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GeneralKenobi7 Registered: Jan '09	Date Posted: 6/30 5:36am Subject: Closing The Circle
	Great next update! I the conversation with Garen. Though I wonder why Obi-wan is so convinced that he'll die? -----signature----- Ewan Mace:"Sometimes a Jedi's most important duty is to stand and wait. I presume you've mentioned that to Anakin on occasion?" Obi-Wan: "Not more than twice a day." Proud Padawan to EG Kenobi
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Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 6/30 1:47pm Subject: Closing The Circle
	Chapter 3: In the Kenobi/Skywalker residence someone else wasn’t happy with Obi-Wan’s departure either. Anakin had gone from being worried for his master to angry and had finally settled with sulking. He sat on the couch in the main room, arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the wall. The chrono ticked away the slow minutes and with each tick his Master moved farther from him and closer to danger. Dangers that Anakin couldn’t help protect him from because he wasn’t there. He was here. Left to practice with his saber and play good padawan to Garen Muln. Obi-Wan’s words rang in his mind, “You are to be a good role model for Padawan Willow.” Anakin snorted, he didn’t know Willow personally, but he had heard a rumor that Garen had taken a young Padawan, of ten or eleven standard years. She was probably another snot nosed brat, thinking herself to be better than the rest of her age mates just because she was chosen so soon. What a way to spend the next few months while his master was off battling some Jedi turned bad. Who was this Xanatos guy anyway? Anakin made a note to himself to find that out later. The door chime interrupted his thoughts. He debated waving it open but opted for getting up and releasing the latch manually. If Obi-Wan were there, he most certainly would have scolded him for such a trivial use of the Force, had he chosen the earlier option. Garen stood outside, a small girl beside him. Her metallic silver eyes caught Anakin’s, and he almost immediately found himself drawn to the angelic looking girl, as such was her impression upon people. Her skin was pale, and the silver eyes were the only indication of a non-human parent. Anakin nodded at them. “Master Muln.” Garen looked at the apprentice in front of him, and could feel the emotions swirling, a whirlpool of furious passion. “You’re angry.” It wasn’t a question. Anakin looked down and nodded silently. He knew it wasn’t very Jedi-like to be angry, but it was so hard to control. “Yes Master Garen.” Willow’s nearly audible gasp made him wince. She was young, and her obvious naivety didn’t allow her to comprehend that one could be angry, and yet not be of the dark side. So much for being the good role model Obi-Wan had told him to be. “Talk to me Anakin.” It wasn’t an order, just a request. Anakin nodded again, and sighed. “He left me, Master Muln. He took off and left me here. How am I supposed to protect him if he does that to me? I’m his Padawan - I’m supposed to protect him, it’s my job!” Anakin raised his eyes, full of pain and confusion, to meet Garen’s. “He made me promise Garen, he made me promise to stay here no matter what happens. But I don’t know how I can keep it, knowing he’s in such danger.” Garen shook his head at his friend’s stubbornness. His attempts to protect Anakin were only hurting the boy more, but Obi-Wan didn’t see it that way. He simply saw it as a way to save one of the only remaining things he had left of Qui-Gon, because of the evil that had taken the deceased master six years before. “Anakin, your Master is a stubborn man - more stubborn than any I know except maybe his own Master. But I know Obi-Wan would never do anything without a reason, and only has your best interests in mind.” “But it’s not FAIR!” Anakin shouted, interrupting Garen. “IT’S NOT FAIR!” As he bellowed out his anger, the fifteen year old whirled and, grabbing the nearest object, hurled it at the wall. Backed with the Force, the vase Anakin had seized shattered, a thousand pieces flying everywhere, some far enough to hit the group in the doorway. The sound of smashing glass seemed only to fuel Anakin’s anger and he continued to move through the room, throwing random objects and knocking over others. While Anakin went on his rampage, Garen watched, allowing several minutes to pass while the boy let out his anger, though definitely not in a way sanctioned by the Jedi. He wanted to allow Anakin the chance to comes to his senses on his own, and redeem his behavior without having to intervene. The boy was fifteen after all, and old enough to monitor his own behavior. When it became apparent that Anakin was beginning to utterly destroy the apartment, Garen stepped in and grabbed his arm, only to find himself shoved off, his back hitting the wall solidly. With a bellow, Garen was on his feet in a second. “ANAKIN SKYWALKER!” The shout got the boy’s attention and he stopped his rampage, turning to look at the older Jedi. Anakin stood before him heaving, his hands balled into fists at his side, dark emotions of fury and rage churning through the Force surrounding him and the room. “This stops NOW!” Garen said sharply. Willow looked back and forth between the two. She had never seen her master angry, not even close. Irritated once, yes, when she had mistakenly put the coolant liquid in the wrong compartment in a ship engine and they had to spend an extra five hours draining and cleaning it. She had spent several hours meditating on the importance of asking questions when one doesn’t know what to do, but never had her Master shouted. “Look at yourself. Look at these quarters! What are you doing?” Anakin stopped seething long enough to glance at himself, shocked to find his emotions so open to the occupants of the room, and then look around him. Glass and other broken items lay on the floor, a table was overturned, and a stack of datapads was scattered across the apartment. Some leaflets still drifted toward the floor from where they’d been thrown. In the few seconds it took for him to take all of it in, his anger had dissipated and he was left, trembling, where he stood. “Obi-Wan is going to have your hide when he comes back, you know that? That vase was from a mission he took shortly before Naboo. Not that he personally liked the vase, he thought it was rather grotesque looking, but that’s beside the point. He is going to be furious.” “Master doesn’t get angry.” Anakin said stubbornly. He was mortified at his actions, guilty that he may have destroyed something of sentimental value to his Master. But found he was unable to display these emotions, reverting instead to an obstinate, almost childish demeanor. Garen had to laugh at the idea of Obi-Wan never getting angry, “Obi-Wan most certainly does. You should have seen him when we were initiates. He may not show it now, but he does. And when he gets back here, you’ll see it alright.” “But I thought he wasn’t coming back.” Willow’s timid voice piped up. The other two had almost forgotten she was there until she spoke, and with her words Garen’s eyes darkened, as did any pretence of calm Anakin had before. “Padawan!” The reproach in Garen’s voice was enough to make Willow start, the girl not understanding that what she’d said was not appropriate for the moment. Garen had to remind himself that she was still yet very young and needed to learn, but the fact that she had made a comment so inconsiderate irked him. He softened his voice slightly and continued, “That was uncalled for.” Padawan Anakin doesn’t need to be told his Master may not come home, he already knows the dangers. Let’s not remind him anymore. The words echoed across their bond and Willow’s eyes widened with understanding. “I’m sorry, Anakin.” Willow said, her voice quiet. Anakin didn’t reply right away, just stared at her before nodding. Finally he spoke, looking up at Garen, “I ought to clean this up. When shall we meet to train?” Garen took in the room for a few seconds before commenting, “Gather some things and we’ll go back to our quarters. You can stay with us for a while.” He looked around. “We can return to clean this up later.” Anakin nodded, threw a few spare tunics and other essentials into a bag and followed them out of the quarters - only glancing back once to view the disarray he’d thrown the apartment into. He spoke, albeit so softly no one else heard, “He has to come back. He has to.” -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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TheMacUnleashed Registered: Feb '09	Date Posted: 6/30 6:38pm Subject: Closing The Circle
	Again, great job! Anakin's fit of rage seemed very appropriate for his character, and I love how you're expanding onto Garen; it seems as though we don't get very much fanfic on him. -----signature----- "Your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough." (The NaNoWriMo folks)
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GeneralKenobi7 Registered: Jan '09	Date Posted: 7/1 1:00am Subject: Closing The Circle
	WOW! That was really good! You conveyed Anakin's emotions perfectly Keep up the good work! -----signature----- Ewan Mace:"Sometimes a Jedi's most important duty is to stand and wait. I presume you've mentioned that to Anakin on occasion?" Obi-Wan: "Not more than twice a day." Proud Padawan to EG Kenobi
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Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 7/2 9:31pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	Thanks guys! Hope you like the next chapter. Chapter 4: Five Weeks Later… In a worn part of town on the planet Telos, a hooded figure walked the shabby streets. Nobody noticed him, thanks to Master Obi-Wan Kenobi’s adept skill at using the Force to appear insignificant and small to the people around him. It had been several weeks since he’d left the safety of Coruscant. It seemed that Xanatos wasn’t making any attempts to hide the fact that he was here. The few people that Obi-Wan had questioned about the former Jedi, seemed surprised he was asking at all. Everyone here knew who he was; most spitting out his name with such a vengeance that it was blatantly obvious he was disliked, though it seemed impossible to get people to actually talk about him. From what Obi-Wan could discern so far, Xanatos seemed to run everything on the planet from production to consumption, and the people seemed wary of speaking about him. He got the impression that the liberties that existed on Coruscant and other planets involving the freedom of speech were non-existent at this point in time on Telos. The citizens, when asked about him, would get a shocked look on their face, and then glance around anxiously, hands fluttering, and mutter something noncommittal about Xanatos before making a hurried excuse to get away. The Jedi Master was just about to retire to his ship, which he had hidden a distance from the main city to avoid attracting too much attention, when a hand grabbed onto his arm from the shadows. Obi-Wan spun to face the person, surprised that he had allowed himself to become so lost up in his thoughts that he would be caught unaware. “You have questions about Xanatos deCrion?” The coarse, yet quiet, voice asked from the shadows, only a hand visible from the dark cloak hiding the rest of the arm. “Yes.” Obi-Wan answered. “I have answers. But it will cost you.” “I don’t have many credits to spare. I am but a poor traveler.” The voice laughed, though it seemed the laugh lacked any humor, if such a thing was possible. “You’ve hidden your ship away from the city and disguised yourself well. But I’ve been watching you. A poor traveler wouldn’t use such a ship as you do. And a poor traveler couldn’t afford to ask questions that would get one killed. But even so, it isn’t credits I seek.” Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows, the only sign of surprise he showed, “Then what do you want?” “Help us with a coup d'état, to get rid of Xanatos, and you shall have all the information you could possibly want.” “I cannot aid you in such a thing. It is against the code of honor that I follow. I am forbidden to aid citizens in illegal acts.” Obi-Wan shrugged his arm away, “If you cannot help me any other way, I will have to find my information elsewhere.” The master didn’t find it necessary to inform this stranger that if he received the information he wanted, Xanatos could be removed from power anyway. It didn’t seem wise to let anyone know at this time what his true mission on Telos was. If the information was to get out and back to Xanatos, his element of surprise would be destroyed and so would many of his chances of returning home alive. “You won’t get information from anyone else. Everyone knows about Xanatos, but no one wants to put their life and the lives of their families on the line just to give a foreigner information. He has secret guards everywhere. ‘Tis not worth it for most.” “And you? What is your reason?” “Vengeance. The pursuit and return of the freedoms we’ve lost. A safe place for my children to live. Take your pick. Whichever way, my group will be the only ones willing to help you.” The decision was tough. He could feel through the Force that this person, whom ever it was, spoke sincerely. But to agree to help their faction would go against all the Jedi teachings. For a moment Obi-Wan was torn, until he remembered whom he was hunting and what this dark Jedi had done in the past and was still doing. Xanatos had nearly destroyed Qui-Gon, had nearly destroyed the man whom Obi-Wan had considered a father, and had more than once tried to kill Obi-Wan himself. If he was left to continue, who was to say that Anakin wouldn’t be his next target? He had failed in killing either Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan, but what better way for Xanatos to act out his everlasting grudge with his former Master, though now dead, than to harm the one who meant the most to him, Obi-Wan. And knowing Xanatos, he would be quick to realize that, in order to punish Obi-Wan the most, he would have to kill Obi-Wan’s own apprentice. It was with these thoughts in mind that Obi-Wan made a vow to himself. He vowed that, even if he had to leave the Order to do so, he would take Xanatos back to Coruscant for trial before the Jedi Council. Whether the fallen Jedi decided to cooperate would determine if he arrived dead or alive. Obi-Wan nodded deliberately, thinking through his options one last time, assuring himself he could follow through on his choice of action. “I’ll help you in what I can. But when it comes time for me to complete my mission here, you will stay out of my way and let me do what I came to do. There will be no exceptions.” “Excellent!” The stranger stepped out of the shadows just enough to be seen. Completely covered by a hooded cloak, Obi-Wan could only discern the being’s height, his head only barely reaching Obi-Wan's shoulder. “Follow me; we travel through alleyways. Secret police generally avoid such areas.” The paths through the alleys seemed to wind and twist back upon themselves so many times that even with Obi-Wan’s use of the Force, he still found himself slightly disoriented. With surprise, he realized that if he needed to find his way back quickly it would be difficult. The forty minute journey was traveled in silence, the only noise being that of rats and other creatures Obi-Wan hoped not to encounter, scurrying behind boxes and under piles of trash. Their long nails clicked on the cracked and broken pieces of cement, sending eerie shivers up his spine. Never one to be fond of small creatures, especially those that bite, his hand strayed to his lightsaber, hidden in the folds of his cloak, and stayed there until the end of the duo’s trek. Abruptly the being stopped before an abandoned warehouse. The building looked ready to cave in at any moment, and sections had already started to do so. The top two or three levels no longer existed, stones littering the ground where they had fallen. It leaned precariously to one side, and the Master could have sworn it would fall if the wind blew just right. “Careful, it’s not the safest place inside. Stick close and you’ll be fine.” The being ducked under a beam that had fallen across the doorway and made his way through the building with ease, pointing out various structures or weak places to avoid. After just a few minutes they stopped abruptly, and after looking around carefully said in a whisper, “Here we are, our meeting place.” Obi-Wan watched as a couple of wide floorboards were pulled up by the stranger and stairs appeared beneath, leading down below the building into a dark expanse of nothingness. Obi-Wan found himself being led down the stairs and around several corners, he was surprised to discover that the only reason he had not yet lost his guide was due to the fact that he could use the Force to keep a tentative idea on where they were. Otherwise he would have been completely lost by now. Suddenly Obi-Wan found himself stepping into a room brightly lit with torches and lamps. He blinked quickly, waiting for his eyes to readjust. When he could finally see again he was stunned to find himself surrounded by close to twenty-five beings, a multitude of ages, sex and race, all of which were pointing some sort of weapon at him. Realizing that to fight, while probably resulting in a win, would be working against his goal. Obi-Wan very slowly raised his hands into the air and looked around, waiting for someone to lower a weapon. -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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TheMacUnleashed Registered: Feb '09	Date Posted: 7/3 12:26pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	Great job! Evil cliffhanger, though. -----signature----- "Your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough." (The NaNoWriMo folks)
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Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 7/4 11:19am Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	A/N: Readers: I am looking for a beta reader. My former beta disappeared and I haven't heard from her in over a year. I've been “beta'd” through something like Chapter 8 or 10, but I have almost 50 chapters in total. If you're interested in being my beta send me a PM and let me know. Requirements: be able to provide feedback and constructive criticism on grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary (I would appreciate someone with an extensive vocabulary because occasionally I get stuck using the same words over and over and feedback is awesome) and plot holes. Most Important: TIME! I would appreciate someone who can get back to me within 48 hours of receiving a chapter so as not to keep the readers waiting. And of course, you can't spoil it for future readers. Advantages: The usual advantages, including getting all the chapters well in advance! Chapter 5: Same Time…In Coruscant Slash, parry, spin, cut, slash, flip, block Anakin's thoughts were focused solely on the sparring match against Garen. It had been over a month since Obi-Wan had left and his Apprentice was getting edgy. All of his fidgeting was routinely worked out by a duel with his master-by-proxy, and normally it helped to calm him. But as each day passed and no word came from his Master, the ability to block everything else out and work the boy into exhaustion was getting harder. Garen found after a few days that Anakin’s obsessive worrying left him unable to rest. Soon Garen had made it a part of their regular routine to spar vigorously before bedtime, so that Anakin would fall asleep almost as soon as his body hit the pillow, though the sleep was often restless. Garen was noticing that each day it seemed to get more difficult to work Anakin into a state that would allow him to sleep, but today was exceptionally hard. Anakin just wouldn’t tire, yet his mind was definitely not on the match. Willow watched from the sidelines under the pretence of studying her Mechanics for Beginners datapad. Garen had insisted that she take Mechanics and other classes on starships and the workings of them. He wanted to make sure she was competent enough to be able to take care of herself should the matter arise. She found it fascinating to a point, but when one had to study the workings of an engine from a datapad, her mind tended to wander. And this day presented a great excuse. She was fascinated by how well Garen and Anakin seemed to spar, especially Padawan Anakin. He could hold up his own against her master for close to an hour, and still had the stamina and determination to continue. Granted the goal wasn’t so much to win, as it was to work Anakin until he was too exhausted to continue, but even so, she was impressed. Willow seemed to be the only one who didn’t notice Anakin’s lack of focus, though. Garen could see it, and Anakin was struggling against it constantly. At every other parry his mind was going through ways in which Obi-Wan might be hurt, and if his thoughts weren’t on that, they were on how to get out of Garen’s extra watchful eye and sneak off to find his Master. The Apprentice was just going over a particularly ingenious and detailed plan which involved drugging Master Garen and putting Willow into a force induced sleep, when Garen’s saber hit his with such force that he found himself on the ground, at the wrong end of his opponent’s lightsaber. “I concede.” He panted; surprised he’d been caught so unaware. Garen nodded and tossed him a towel that Willow had brought over. “It won’t work by the way.” Garen said nonchalantly, “I can siphon out most sleeping drugs, and I’ve been teaching Willow to resist a Force-sleep for weeks. She’s pretty good at it by now.” He looked back at Anakin’s surprised face, “But just to be safe, I’ll make sure to start making you taste all the food first for me.” He winked at the indignant look on the boys face, “Come on, you’ll need sleep.” “I’m not tired, Master Garen.” Anakin said, following him out of the room. “What am I to do to get you to sleep? Shove a suppository down your throat?” At the boy’s grimace Garen sighed, “Get some sleep Anakin, please.” Anakin sighed, “I’ll try.” Deciding that now was not the best time to quote Master Yoda’s sayings on the word ‘try’, Garen nodded at his own apprentice and the trio headed back toward their respective quarters, each lost in their own thought. -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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frankieskywalker Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 7/4 11:36am Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	yea first reply great post -----signature----- and so the plot bunnies attack a whole in his heart http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24122906&brd=10477 my second fic Your sightless eyes have seen too much http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/24195526/p1/?0
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TheMacUnleashed Registered: Feb '09	Date Posted: 7/4 6:09pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	Great chapter, although I'm left wondering just what's going on with Obi-Wan... I have to say, I'm really enjoying your portrayal of Garen so far; there's so few coverage of him during this general time frame that it's hard to know what he's like, yet you seem to have him down perfectly. If you still need a beta, I'm willing to help; you can just send me a PM to go over the specifics. -----signature----- "Your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough." (The NaNoWriMo folks)
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Sara_Kenobi Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 7/4 7:18pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	Great updates! I'm really enjoying this. I hope things turn out for Obi-Wan. -----signature----- Flight of Raven's http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b10808/30284518/p1/?0
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nada_smith Registered: Jul '06	Date Posted: 7/4 10:21pm Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	So Obi-wan's off to tango with Xanatos and he left poor Garen to sit on Anakin and keep him in place. I'm worried about Obi-wan, feel sorry for Anakin, adore Willow, and love Garen so far in this! I think Garen may be one of the few Jedi who might have a chance of keeping Anakin under control--partly because he genuinely cares about Anakin on behalf of Obi-wan and Anakin can probably sense that. Not that it'll stop his scheming. The bit about Garen reading Anakin's sneaky intentions was hilarious! Thanks for a good read so far!
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Angel5000 Registered: Jun '01	Date Posted: 7/5 8:59am Subject: Closing The Circle - AU, Obi/Ani. Will Obi-Wan's life come at the cost of Anakin's soul?
	Wow! My readers have more than doubled! Awesome! I'm glad that my interpretation of Garen seems to be going over so well. I was concerned I might not get him down right, but I think he is sadly misrepresented in the books and fanfiction. Thanks, everyone, for your comments. It really does motivate! I'll have Chapter 6 up later today probably. -----signature----- ¤Retired Master Of The Lightside¤ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. 8/22/02 ** 10/22/03 ----> 08/20/05
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