This is the first in a series of five stories set between ROTS and ANH. Also, this particular story is more or less an Alternate Universe version of the last half-hour of "Revenge of the Sith".
"ALTERED LIVES"
RATING: PG-13 - Violence
SUMMARY: The lives of Anakin, Padme and many others take an alternate course during Anakin's duel with Obi-Wan on Mustafar.
FEEDBACK: - Be my guest. But please, be kind.
DISCLAIMER: All characters and things STAR WARS belong to Lucasfilm. All non-original dialogue in this story is credited to "Revenge of the Sith", which is based upon the story and screenplay by George Lucas. The characters, Romulus Wort and Wo-Chen Puri, are my creation.
PROLOGUE
27BBY - Coruscant
Inside the Jedi Temple's great training hall, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, his padawan and other members of the Order watched two padawans engage in a practice lightsaber duel. Although the two combatants happened to be adolescents, both moved with the skill and speed of an experienced adult swordsman.
Obi-Wan felt impressed by one particular combatant - a tall and muscular fifteen year-old named Romulus Wort. The Jedi Knight could not help but admire how the young, dark-haired Wort managed to utilize his footwork and speed to keep his opponent on the defense. He turned to the padawan's Jedi mentor and said, "Master Puri, I cannot help but feel that the Force is truly strong with your padawan."
A hint of a smile touched the lips of the stocky, bronze-skinned Belascan who stood next to Obi-Wan. "Yes, Romulus has become quite skilled with the lightsaber." The smile disappeared, as he sighed. "Unfortunately, being strong with the Force does not automatically make one the perfect Jedi. I am afraid that my young padawan needs work in other areas - like his impatience and temper."
Obi-Wan shot a quick glance at his apprentice. The lanky, fourteen year-old regarded the fighters through narrowed eyes. "Yes," Obi-Wan said, "those are traits that many of us needed to be mindful of when we were of Romulus' age. But I am surprised that you would say such a thing about your own padawan. He has always struck me being nearly ideal. Along with Ferus Olin." There had been times when Obi-Wan had longed for the less troublesome Romulus Wort or the near perfect Ferus Olin as his padawan.
"Oh come, Master Kenobi." Puri regarded the younger Knight with slight amusement. "I have yet to meet the ideal Jedi Knight. Although, I do believe there are many within the Order who might consider themselves . . . ideal."
The younger Knight felt his face turn hot with embarrassment. Somehow, Puri's words had cut Obi-Wan to the quick. He did not view himself ideal or perfect, but he liked to believe that the Jedi Order did consider him loyal and dependable. Would anyone consider such a viewpoint as arrogant?
A lightsaber's hum broke Obi-Wan out of his thoughts. He looked up in time to see Romulus aggressively attack the other padawan before knocking the latter's lightsaber to the floor. Many of the onlookers clapped or cheered. Including Obi-Wan. "Good job!" he declared enthusiastically. "Good job!"
Puri nodded approvingly at his padawan. "I agree. But I wonder how he will do against young Skywalker, here." He smiled reassuringly at Anakin. "Whom I am certain is just as skilled."
Anakin Skywalker's blue eyes lit up with gratitude, before he smiled at the older Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan felt a brief flash of jealousy. He could not recall his padawan ever regarding him with such open gratitude during their five years together.
The time finally arrived for the last practice duel for the day. Both Anakin and Romulus warily approached each other in the center of the hall. All of the onlookers fell silent. Obi-Wan understood why. The two padawans - along with Ferus Olin - were considered amongst the finest swordsmen of their generation. Yet, neither Anakin or Romulus had ever fought each other until today. The combatants lit up their lightsabers and the duel commenced.
Both padawans seemed to be evenly matched. As blue and green lightsabers clashed, Anakin and Romulus exhibited speed, excellent footwork and aggressive maneuvers. Despite Obi-Wan's efforts to indoctrinate Anakin into the more defensive Sonsei fighting style, his apprentice had adopted the more aggressive and bolder Djem So style. Apparently, so had Romulus Wort. And this surprised Obi-Wan. Puri's padawan had never struck him as the type who would adopt such an unorthodox fighting style.
The duel seemed to go on forever. Obi-Wan began to wonder if Anakin had finally met his match. But Wo-Chen viewed the duel with different eyes. "Master Kenobi, your padawan is very skilled. And very clever."
Obi-Wan frowned. "I'm sorry?"
"Haven't you noticed? Young Skywalker is wearing down my padawan," Puri continued. "Although both are using the Djem So style, your Anakin is not being as aggressive as he could be. Instead, he is merely deflecting Romulus' attacks, causing the latter to exert more effort."
"And wearing down your padawan in the process," Obi-Wan declared in astonished tones. He noticed how Romulus Wort's strikes have become more desperate and forced. Strange - he had never noticed that his apprentice was exploiting Romulus' impatience. Nor did he realize that Anakin was capable of such strategy.
Puri added in a whisper, "And now I'm afraid that poor Romulus will make a final, desperate move . . . and fail to reach his target. This will probably give Anakin the opportunity he needs." Sure enough, the dark-haired padawan's blade made a wide, sweeping arc in an attempt to knock Anakin's lightsaber from the latter's hands. And failed. His failure left him open to Anakin's attack. In several swift moves, the younger padawan tapped both of Romulus' hands, forcing the latter to cry out in pain and drop his lightsaber.
A hushed tone filled the wide hall before Jedi Master Plo Koon began to clap. Other onlookers did the same. Anakin seemed uplifted by the adulation.
"Good job," Wo-Chen declared the moment Anakin and Romulus rejoined their masters. "Both of you. Excellent match."
Romulus looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry that I lost, Master. I should have concentrated more."
Puri sighed. "Or perhaps you have been more patient and mindful of your surroundings, my young padawan." Romulus' pale face turned red. "However, I am still pleased by the skills you have displayed. You're improving faster than I had imagined." The padawan managed a wan smile, but Obi-Wan could see that the minor criticism had stung. Then Wo-Chen faced Anakin with an approving smile. "As for you, young Skywalker, well done. Well done! I cannot recall any member of the Order utilizing such strategy in a long time."
Anakin bowed. "Thank you, Master Puri. I . . ." For a brief second, he became speechless. Then, "Thank you."
Again, Wo-Chen smiled. Then he led his padawan toward the hall's exit. As Anakin turned to face Obi-Wan, the latter saw Romulus shoot a resentful glare at the younger padawan. Very disturbing.
"How well do you know Wo-Chen Puri, Master?" Anakin asked. "There is something about him that seems very familiar. He almost reminds me of Master Qui-Gon."
Obi-Wan's heart briefly lurched at the mention of his former master's name. "Yes, well that is not surprising. Qui-Gon and Wo-Chen were old friends," Obi-Wan explained. "And both . . . well, they both placed great emphasis on the Living Force. Especially Qui-Gon."
"Oh."
A deafening silence fell between master and apprentice. Realizing that he had not commented about the lightsaber match, Obi-Wan added, "By the way Anakin, good job with your match against Romulus."
"Thank you, Master."
Again, more silence followed. Obi-Wan felt perplexed. He could not understand why he seemed to be having so much trouble communicating with his padawan, right now. Could it be that he felt envious of Wo-Chen Puri's easy interactions with Anakin? He hoped not. "Well," he continued, "shall we get something to eat? It is time for supper and I'm starving."
"Yes, Master."
With a nod, Obi-Wan led his padawan toward the hall's double doors. As they passed into the wide corridor, he recalled the resentful expression on Romulus Wort's face. And the fact that it seemed to be directed toward Anakin. He wondered if today's match had initiated a rivalry between the two padawans. Anakin already seemed to be in the middle of one with Ferus Olin. He did not require another. Even worse, a rivalry of any kind could lead a path to the Dark Side.
End of Prologue
No comments:
Post a Comment