SNAPSHOTS FROM THE CHOSEN ONE'S LIFE

by Lincoln Six Echo

A/N: In this story Anakin Skywalker is not the Chosen One, Obi-wan is. I know there are certain readers/fans that cannot condone it, so I wish to alert them now. Also, this is a Jerk! Qui-Gon story. I've no love for the man, and while I can write him in a way Qui-Gon's fans like (see my "The Jedi And The Sith Series" or the recent "Lost in Darkness"), this is not the case.

Part One

"Well done, Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi. To rest you can go; earned it you have," Master Yoda said, dismissing the team that had just briefed the Council on the outcome of their mission on Naboo.

Twenty-three-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi turned to leave. The auburn-haired, blue-grey-eyed young man was tired, and he just wanted to take a shower to remove all the sand he had collected during their unscheduled stop on Tatooine. He stopped walking when his Master did not follow, but instead remained standing before the Council.

Obi-Wan held his breath, knowing what was coming. He had hoped his Master would not go on with his crazy idea, but he should have known better. Qui-Gon Jinn would have not changed his mind just because his Padawan thought he was wrong.

Yoda cocked his head questioningly. "More to say, have you, Master Jinn?"

"With your permission, my Master," the tall, grey-haired Jedi replied, blue gaze steady. "I've encountered a vergence in the Force."

Yoda's eyes widened slightly. "A vergence, you say?"

"Located around a person?" Mace Windu asked, as his eyes flicked briefly toward Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon nodded. "A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I've ever seen in a life-form." He paused. "It's possible he was conceived by midi-chlorians."

There was a shocked silence this time, and Obi-Wan barely refrained from shaking his head. What his Master was suggesting was impossible; it was just the older man's 'obsession' with the Chosen One's prophecy that made him say things he would not normally utter.

The Council too was aware of Qui-Gon's interest in the ancient prophecy that claimed one day a 'Chosen One' would appear, imbued with an abundance of midi-chlorians, a being strong with the Force and destined to alter it forever.

It was Mace Windu who gave voice to the Council's thoughts. "You refer to the prophecy," he said quietly. "Of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy."

Qui-Gon hesitated. "I don't presume-"

"But you do!" Yoda snapped challengingly. "Revealed, your opinion is, Qui-Gon!"

Obi-Wan watched his Master take a deep breath. "I request the boy to be tested. "

Again, there was silence. The members of the Council exchanged glances, communicating without words, as they threw glances to Obi-Wan, for reasons the Padawan could not understand. Were they trying to sense what he thought of the whole matter?

"To be trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda asked softly.

"Finding him was the will of the Force," Qui-Gon pressed ahead, "I've no doubt of it."

Mace Windu held up one hand, ending the debate. "Bring him before us, then."

Yoda nodded sombrely, eyes closing. "Tested, he will be."

Obi-Wan let out the breath he had been withholding as his Master bowed, and moved toward the door.

The day passed quickly for Obi-Wan and his Master, and early evening found them standing together on a Temple balcony, looking silently as the setting sun coloured Coruscant buildings with yellow, orange and pink beams.

Obi-Wan had enjoyed a long shower, a short nap, had checked on how stocked their provisions were, which of his friends were in the Temple, and now, alongside his Master, waited the Council's decision about Anakin Skywalker.

As far as Obi-Wan was concerned, it was a forgone conclusion. The Padawan was frustrated and embarrassed for his Master, who had once again overstepped his bounds, testing the Council's patience more than was advisable.

Qui-Gon had been right in his suspicion that the boy had an incredibly high midi-chlorian count, but Master Yoda had always told him that there were much more important things than mere power in a good Jedi. His Master too had often said something along those lines, especially when Obi-Wan had complained about the 'pathetic creatures' Qui-Gon used to rescue.

However Qui-Gon seemed to have forgotten everything since meeting Anakin Skywalker. He had been awed when he saw the boy for the first time in a junk shop in Mos Espa, and from that moment he had begun planning how to take the young slave away from Tatooine.

They had stayed longer than needed on that dust ball of a planet, while Qui-Gon collected enough local currency to buy the boy from his owner, by engaging dangerous individuals in heated and questionably fair games of sabacc. He had even arrived to the point of betting their vessel in order to get the funds to start playing! They had risked being stranded without a ship in that furnace of planet, and what for?

The Council might find the boy had more midi-chlorians than normal, but they would never accept him for Jedi training. The rules were clear and established, and the reasons supporting them were proven. The Jedi training had to start in early infancy, while the child was still in its first year of life. At seven years of age, Anakin Skywalker was too old.

But his Master would not let it go, Obi-Wan knew it. He would argue with the Council another time, and the result would be the same as it had been on so many other occasions: Qui-Gon would be denied and his stature as a Jedi Master would fall a little further.

Obi-Wan moved to the balustrade, where his Master was, staring out at the endless horizon of skyscrapers. He stood close to him, silent for a moment longer before speaking.

"The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master," he said softly, "and you know it. He's far too old."

Qui-Gon kept his gaze directed toward the sunset. "Anakin will become a Jedi, I promise you."

Obi-Wan sighed wearily. "Don't defy the Council, Master. Not again."

The older man turned to his Padawan. "I will do what I must, Obi-Wan. Would you've me be any other way?" he asked with a serious expression.

"Master, you could be sitting on the Council by now if you would just follow the Code," Obi-Wan said, frustrated. His eyes sought his Master's and held them. "They won't go along with you this time."

Qui-Gon Jinn studied him a moment, then smiled. "You still have much to learn, my young Padawan."

Obi-Wan bit off his reply and looked away, thinking to himself that Qui-Gon was right, he had still much to learn-- but that maybe this time his Master should consider taking his own advice.