Part 1
her path is not confusing
it just comes in different layers
her position is extremely dangerous
but very self-aware
singing "no regrets" stubborn..... stable.....
determined
singing "i'm willing" gentle.... warm
a saintly halo shines above her head
but this is only a part of her
nobody can disturb her space
nobody can make out her appearance
therefore simplifying it
only a simple word can describe her.......
Alynna M'Karna stood shyly behind Mace Windu, focusing more on the ground than on the proceedings taking place. Only five years old, Alynna didn't care much for old-talk. She would have been much happier sitting in her room. Knowing enough not to fidget, she waited somewhat patiently for permission to leave.
She was the youngest in the room, much to her surprise. It wasn't often that students her age were allowed to watch the older students' battle for a position as a Padawan. The last lightsaber fight had been exciting to say the least, but Alynna had cringed the entire time, feeling the hatred pouring from the two young men as they fought.
Now the fighting was over, and all of the old-people were gathering to talk about old-people things. Her exuberance getting the best of her, Alynna started singing and twirling about in a circle. She didn't notice the fact that everyone was staring at her, trying not to laugh outloud.
"Alynna, you aren't bored, are you?"Master Windu asked her. Snapping back to attention, she crinkled her nose and nodded.
"Master Windu," she replied in a quiet voice, "Can't I just go out to the garden for awhile? I won't get into any trouble, I promise."She battered her eyelashes at him, playing up her cuteness factor for all it was worth.
Mace looked at her, frowning. However, his frown didn't stay in place for long when everyone in the room started laughing. Placing her hands on her hips, Alynna stuck her chin up in the air, determined to get her way.
"You have to admit, we are rather dull. Even Obi-Wan is getting bored."
Alynna turned her attention to the tall man standing directly in front of Master Windu. He had long hair pulled back from his face, and a beard and moustache. She looked at him for a long moment as he smiled at her. Finally, she smiled back. The gangly boy next to him offered Alynna a small smile, however it was gone as quickly as it came. Alynna immediately glared at him.
Chuckling, the tall Jedi crouched down so he was level with Alynna. "My name is Qui-Gon. This is my Padawan, Obi-Wan. I think he would be delighted to bring you out to the garden."
"Master, I'm sure she wouldn't want to go anywhere with me. Besides, how could I possibly entertain her?"Obi-Wan looked at his Master, hoping for an escape. He didn't want to act as anyone's baby-sitter. Before Qui-Gon could respond, Alynna started sniffling.
"Don't you like me, Obi-Wan?"Her big blue eyes locked with his, her chin trembling as she tried to hold back her tears. Now Mace had to truly struggle not to laugh. Those bantha tears were one of Alynna's best tricks. Whenever she wanted something, and it looked as though she might not get it, she immediately started her helpless little girl routine.
"It's not that, really,"Obi-Wan stammered, not wanting to make the girl cry. Alynna stuck out her lower lip, making Obi-Wan groan inwardly. "Come on, let's go see that garden."
Alynna skipped after Obi-Wan, and before she left the room, she looked at Mace. The tears that had just moments before threatened to overcome her were gone. With a mischievous smile, she covered a giggle with her hands, and followed Obi-Wan.
"She's going to give Obi-Wan a hard time, isn't she?"Qui-Gon asked Mace as the conversation level in the room returned to normal. Mace smiled broadly.
"Probably. She can be quite a handful when she wants to be."
The two friends walked out to the balcony, admiring the skyline of Coruscant. Darkness had fallen, yet the bright lights of the city made it seem like it was only twilight.
"She has a deep connection to the living Force,"Mace told Qui-Gon. "With time and training, she will become a very powerful Jedi."
Qui-Gon nodded, not sure where Mace was leading the conversation. He knew that Alynna was allowed to participate in activities that normally would be refused to her because of her age. Indeed, she did have a strong connection with the Force. Qui-Gon felt that connection when they were in the same room together. It was unusual for someone so young.
"The age of the Jedi is coming to an end."Mace winced painfully even as he spoke the words. "Yoda has been feeling it for quite sometime now. I myself have felt this darkness on occasion."
"Are you sure? It's not as though the Sith are reemerging."
"Still, there is something waiting for all of us, in the future. As of now, it remains elusive, hard for any of us to really sense clearly."Mace paused, glancing at Qui-Gon.
"Except for Alynna." Qui-Gon finished for him.
"Exactly. Perhaps, with her help, we can somehow prevent..."
Qui-Gon interrupted him. "Prevent what? The future? We don't even know if this dark future you are sensing will actually come to be."
"Alynna cannot control her visions. They come and go, and half the time, she is unable to understand what they mean. Through meditation, we have been able to make some predictions, nothing more."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "I think we're all getting too old for this."
"And I think Alynna is too young for all of this. But she may be our only hope."
Obi-Wan sighed as the young girl chattered on and on. He had blocked out her voice long ago, yet still making sure to nod once in awhile to make it look as though he was paying attention. He had to admit, though, it was rather nice to have some time off. Even if he was spending that time watching over an overly exuberant young girl.
"Are you even listening to me?"
Plopping himself down on the grass, Obi-Wan nodded. "Of course I am."
"No, I don't think you are."Alynna sat in front of Obi-Wan. "You're just like the old-people. You only pretend to listen. It's not fair."
"It gets better when you get older."Obi-Wan tried not to laugh as she rolled her eyes. "Really, it does."
"They listen to me now, but only when I say something they want to hear. Then I'm expected to use old-talk, to sound less like a kid. They don't like it when they're reminded I'm only a five year old."Rubbing her eyes tiredly with her fists, Alynna sighed.
Obi-Wan wasn't sure he understood what she was talking about. He was uncomfortable around small children. They were too hyper and too noisy for his tastes. And far too messy. They didn't listen half the time, and when they all got into a big group... Obi-Wan shuddered at the thought. However, he resented being one of the "old-people,"as Alynna had called them.
"Tired now."Alynna said, holding out her arms to him. He realized that she wanted to be carried. Standing up, he stared down at her.
"You're old enough to walk."
"Fine. Qui-Gon will carry me, won't you?"
Obi-Wan turned around, surprised that he had not sensed his Master, but the young girl had. Master Qui-Gon gave him a look that Obi-Wan recognized well. He had disappointed him somehow, and Obi-Wan knew it was because of his aloof behavior towards Alynna.
"Of course I will."Qui-Gon reached down and easily scooped her up into his arms. He smiled as she kissed his cheek before snuggling against his chest.
"Obi-Wan's not nice to me. He doesn't like me much."
"He likes you just fine, he just has a hard time expressing it. Right, Obi-Wan?"The look on Qui-Gon's face was not one to go against.
"Of course, Master."Obi-Wan said sheepishly. Looking at Alynna, he nearly smiled as she stuck out her tongue at him. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep even before Qui-Gon had returned her to her quarters.
Waking early the next morning, Alynna ran to the star map room. When she entered, she was not at all surprised to see Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon meditating. Sitting down, she decided to wait until they were done.
It was easy enough to like Master Qui-Gon. His eyes were nice, and she could tell that he didn't think she was some annoying kid. Obi-Wan wasn't mean to her, but he wasn't really all that nice, either. He definitely thought that she was a pain. Alynna really didn't mind, though. Obi-Wan was going to have a hard time in the future, like so many of them. So it was easy to ignore his attitude, knowing what he would go through.
Even with her dreams, she didn't know exactly what was going to happen. Sometimes, though, she would suddenly realize how someone might die. That happened with Yoda a few weeks ago. She was having a session with him, and she suddenly saw him fade right before her eyes. And with Qui-Gon, she had seen him crumple to the ground in pain. Alynna had to learn long ago how to push those visions away, to not let them bother her. It wasn't her place to stop those things from happening. She had her own destiny to face.
There was a smile on her face immediately when Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan opened their eyes.
"Hello there. You're up early,"Qui-Gon said.
"I know. I just have to tell you something, if that's okay."
Qui-Gon regarded her silently for a moment. Finally, he nodded.
"I just have to tell you that you don't have to worry about your mission. You know, the one that you'll be leaving for in a few hours."She looked at the ground for a moment, trying to think of what to say next. "Nothing bad will happen."
With that said, she ran from the room. Obi-Wan stood silently for a moment, staring after her.
"How did she know about our mission?"
Qui-Gon didn't answer him. He merely smiled mysteriously, and walked out of the room, leaving a confused Obi-Wan trailing slowly after him.
Part 2
(six years later)
The worst for me and the best for you to possess
If the sky falls down I'll be there to warn against
The light is for you and the dark for me to possess
Even if you resist and because of you I fall amiss
Obsessed, Obsessed
Like an angel guarding you
"Alynna, come on!"
Smiling, Alynna sprinted down the hallway, following Sera. They were late for breakfast already, despite the fact they both had been awake for nearly two hours now. Early morning training had been Alynna's idea, and it had taken her forever to convince Sera to go with her. However, time had gotten away from them, as usual, and despite their best efforts, they were still running late.
Rounding the next corner, she collided quite solidly with someone. Startled, she glanced up, only to meet the annoyed scowl of Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. Looking down the hall, she saw Sera wave to her as she entered the dining hall.
"Aren't you a little old to be running around in the halls like that?" Obi-Wan said to her, his arms folded across his chest.
"And aren't you a little young to be running around without your Master?" Obi-Wan smiled broadly as the eleven-year-old regarded him smugly, her arms folded across her chest, obviously mocking him. Her brown hair was cropped short, and the customary Padawan braid was in place. She had been taken as a Padawan when she was nine years old, and everyone was saying she would make Jedi Knight status by the time she was twenty.
"Hey, don't you think you should respect us old-people?" Obi-Wan asked her jokingly. Alynna smiled and hugged him quickly.
"Never in a million years. I have to eat, see ya!"The usual bundle of energy, Alynna bounded down the corridor, determined to make it to breakfast on time.
Obi-Wan smiled and shook his head. It had been nearly six months since the last time he had seen Alynna, and it seemed she had shot up another two inches. Her Master was meeting with the Council, so it was only pure chance that he had run into her at all. Over the past few years, Alynna had slowly grown on him. No matter how hard he had tried to ignore her, every time he and Master Qui-Gon arrived at the Temple, she would be there, smiling her somewhat smug smile at him.
"She really adores you, you realize that, don't you?"Master Qui-Gon told him nearly a year ago. Obi-Wan was shocked to hear that, he really didn't see how anyone could adore him, especially Alynna. She just sees me like an older brother, Obi-Wan reasoned. That had to be it. Turning around, he headed back to his quarters.
Sera looked at her friend with curiosity as she entered the dining hall. After Alynna grabbed her food, she walked over and sat next to Sera. Ignoring the look on Sera's face, Alynna started eating her meal.
"So, how was your chat with Obi-Wan?"
"I really didn't have a chat with him,"Alynna replied after a moments hesitation. Now that she was getting older, people were giving her a harder time about her friendship with Obi-Wan. I don't know why, she thought to herself. He's an old-person, and she was still a kid.
"But you took the time to stop and talk to him,"Sera pointed out. Flipping her Padawan braid over her shoulder, she decided to keep quiet. Sera knew that she would never get any information out of her best friend.
"So what? I've known him since I was five years old, so of course I'm going to stop and talk to him."Alynna practically growled these words, but she didn't mean to sound upset. People were staring at her, and she knew what they were thinking.
"When are you leaving?"Sera quickly changed the subject.
"This afternoon. Master Kij should be done with her meetings by then."
Alynna poked at her food, knowing the real reason why Master Kij was at the Temple. Every two months, the Council required that Kij made a personal report about Alynna's progress. The older she got, the less she enjoyed the fact she was to become a Jedi. Every time she came here, she had to face up to the pressures that came with being an oracle, or whatever they had finally decided to call her. Of course other Jedi's could predict the future, however, as Master Yoda always said, "Always in motion, is the future." Alynna was the only one who could accurately predict future events.
The visions had been fewer are far between. It seemed that she was growing out of her visions the older she got. Yet at the same time, she was able to control them better. She could focus on them longer, see things far more clearly than when she was first having them.
There were certain Council members she was uncomfortable being around. It confused her, because she wasn't sure why this was. Perhaps it was the fact it seemed that the Council had been controlling every single aspect of her life ever since she was four. That was bound to unnerve even the most patient of people.
"Alynna, are you actually going to eat that?"
Glancing at Sera, she stuck out her tongue. "Yes, of course I am. And no, you can't have my Jumbra fruit."
Sera tried to scowl, but she soon started giggling. "It wasn't that at all. Well, part of it was. It's just that you've been playing with your food for so long, you've mashed it all together."
Looking down at her plate, Alynna crinkled her nose as the gooey brown mess on her plate. Sera smiled sympathetically, and tossed her a small muffin.
Grabbing the muffin in mid-air, Alynna gasped at a hot, sharp pain shot up her arm. All around her, she saw bright orange flames, reaching out towards her, burning her skin. Dropping the muffin, she stood and stumbled away from the table.
Alynna didn't notice everyone gathering around her as she crumpled to the floor, screaming in pain. A few of the teachers broke through the crowd, and tried to calm her down. Nothing could calm her, though, and within seconds, her eyes rolled back in her head, and she fell blissfully into unconsciousness.
Jedi Master Kij Narar leaned against the wall, focusing on calming herself. Kij had heard her Padawan screaming through the Force, and it had hit Kij in such a way that she, herself, had been left in the care of the healers for several hours. Alynna had yet to awaken from what had to have been another vision. Sera and several of the other students had been waiting with Kij until they were ordered to return to their quarters for the night.
"Kij, are you alright?"
Opening her eyes, she had to glance up to look into Qui-Gon's eyes. Immediately, she started to nod, ignoring the sting of tears in her eyes. Qui-Gon wrapped her in his arms, murmuring comforting words into her ear.
"She'll be fine, don't worry. She's a strong girl."
Nodding, Kij stood straight, and smiled slightly. Kij had only been a Jedi Master for two years now, and training Alynna had proven to be the most challenging thing she had ever been put through. At times, it made Kij wonder if she was up to the test of being a Master, or a Teacher for that matter.
"You are up to it, Kij,"Qui-Gon said firmly, leaving no room to object. "If you can feel part of Alynna's pain, just imagine what she goes through, and she never complains."
"Stop reading my thoughts, Qui-Gon."Kij smiled in spite of herself. "Her visions have never had this sort of effect on her before. It's scary." Running her hand through her pale blonde hair, Kij leaned into Qui-Gon for support.
Qui-Gon said nothing as he held her. Kij was right; Alynna's visions had never troubled her in such a manner. Her screams were felt by nearly everyone in the Temple, and it had left the Council shaken. Even Obi-Wan was suffering from a severe headache, and he wasn't connected to Alynna like Kij was.
Kij Narar was young for a Jedi Master, having only seen just under thirty years. She really hadn't been looking to take on anyone as a Padawan, but Mace and the rest of the Council insisted that she was the best choice. Kij had accepted the duty seriously, not truly realizing the full extent of Alynna's powers.
During one of her frequent holovids to Qui-Gon, she had confessed that when Alynna had first met her, Kij was convinced that Alynna had pity in her eyes. Pity for Kij, and the fact that she was to become her teacher.
Walking down the hall, Obi-Wan was unsure whether or not to interrupt Master Qui-Gon and Master Kij. He was worried about Alynna. The entire time he had known her, he had no real idea of the things she went through. Although Qui-Gon had told him that her present state was not something that usually happened, for some reason, it made Obi-Wan worry all the more.
"Is it alright if I see her?"Obi-Wan looked hopefully at both Qui-Gon and Kij. Kij shrugged and shook her head.
"If you can convince the Healers, I don't object to it."
Glancing at Qui-Gon for permission, he entered the room, determined to see Alynna. There were several Healers, and also several members of the Council in the small room. Alynna was lying on a bed, her lips moving as though she was trying to speak, and her eyes remained closed.
"Obi-Wan, why are you here?"Master Yoda asked him. The small Jedi Master was next to her bed; his ears drooped with worry. Obi-Wan couldn't talk for a moment, Master Yoda somewhat intimidated him. Then finally, he found his voice.
"I need to see Alynna, to make sure she's going to be okay,"he said, his voice firm. But then he thought for a moment. What could he possibly to that the Healers weren't already doing? Obi-Wan wasn't sure; however, he just had a feeling he needed to be there.
Master Yoda merely stared at him for a moment before he finally nodded. "Be here you should. Five minutes you have."With that said, everyone cleared out of the room, leaving Obi-Wan with Alynna.
Kneeling next to her, Obi-Wan took one of her small hands into his own. He was surprised by how cold she felt.
"Death... Vader. Rebels..."She muttered under her breath. "Alderaan... Organa."
Obi-Wan frowned and squeezed her hand. "Aly, come on, snap out of this. Wake up."
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, it's me. Come on, open your eyes."
Shaking her head, Alynna whimpered. "Obi-Wan? Dead, everyone's dead. I can't stop it, I can't!"
Helpless, all Obi-Wan could do was hold her hand as she continued to mutter about people everywhere dying. Finally, she started to calm down, and Obi-Wan was convinced that she had fallen asleep. Releasing her hand, he stood just as the door opened, and the Healers started to enter the room.
"Get out!"Alynna woke up, and stood on her bed, looking terrified. "You're all dead, you can't be here. We're all dead!"
Startled, Obi-Wan stared at her in shock. Pushing past the Healers, Kij and Qui-Gon entered the room. Kij grabbed her hands, trying to calm her. "Alynna, it's going to be fine, just calm down for a moment."
Alynna glared down at Kij, using the Force to push her away. "You're dead, too. You might live longer if you just forget me. Leave me alone, I don't want you as my Master."
"Alynna..."Kij said, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I'm not going to walk away from you. Now please come down from there."
"You will walk away from me. If you don't, you'll be killed. Go away." Alynna backed up against the wall, her eyes narrowed. "The Purge is coming, none of us can stop it."
"What is she talking about?"Obi-Wan whispered to Qui-Gon. "What Purge?"
"Qui-Gon doesn't have to worry about it. He'll be dead before it starts happening. He won't have to live through it like you will, Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon stepped forward, and held out his hand to her. "Alynna, I want you to take my hand, and get off of the bed."
To the amazement of everyone in the room, she complied. She still shied away from Master Kij, and she stared at everyone in the room with such sadness that they had to look away. Then, standing tall, the young girl smiled.
"Don't worry. There is no death; there is the Force. Believe that, and you will not suffer."Almost as an afterthought, she turned to Kij. "I'm sorry, Master Kij. Before you know it, you'll be relieved that you no longer have to watch after me."With that said, she allowed Qui-Gon to escort her from the room.
Qui-Gon said nothing as he walked down the hall with Alynna. He was left very shaken after the things she had said, everyone was. Alynna didn't really seem aware of her actions, as she was contentedly humming to herself as they walked. Suddenly, she stopped, and looked up at him.
"Sera's going to die in an explosion. That's what I felt in the dining hall."
"What about everything else you said?"
Shrugging, Alynna frowned. "I don't know. Did I say something wrong?"
"Master Kij is upset,"He started to say.
"She'll get over it. Right now, she's thinking, 'Perhaps it is for the best. I didn't want such a big responsibility, anyways.'"Tears came to her eyes. "I didn't ask for these visions. I didn't ask to be such a burden."
"Alynna, you are not a burden."Using the edge of his sleeve, he wiped away her tears. "Let's go talk to Mace and the others. I'm sure they can arrange for you to have another Master, if you don't want Kij to train you."He picked her up and hugged her. When he set her back down, Alynna looked at him seriously.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Of course, Alynna. Anything."
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed his hand, and brought him to the star map room. Sitting down, Alynna began.
"I think that the visions are done now. I don't know how, it's just this feeling I have. When I was sleeping, I saw many things. Some of them,"She paused and crinkled her nose. "In some of them, I didn't know any of the people. But I know there are things that I must go through, and that other people must go through, in the next several decades."
Qui-Gon watched her as her eyes glazed over. The stars continued to spin about them while she was silent. Finally, after several minutes, she spoke again.
"I'm going to die in order to try to save someone, but I'm going to fail. I don't know who he is, I don't think I've met him yet, but I already feel him in here,"She pointed to her chest and head. "I can hear him now. He was killing us, but he wasn't as angry as he was sad and afraid.
"Obi-Wan will be tested in the future, starting with your death. I could feel him then, the unknown one. Also, I felt the presence of someone else. He is someone who uses people for his own purposes. He is the one who will bring death to the Jedi."
"Is that the Purge you were talking about earlier?"Qui-Gon interrupted.
"Yes. I'm sorry, but I don't think anything can prevent it. It hurts me, knowing this, however, in the end, everything shall turn out for the best." Rubbing her eyes tiredly, Alynna stood. "Let's go. They're expecting us."
Qui-Gon trailed behind the girl as they made their way to the Council. What she had said made him worry; he had to admit that. No amount of training could ignore those words that she spoke with such certainty. He believed her, without a doubt, the things she said would come to pass. And he hated to admit to himself that part of him was glad he would not be alive when it happened.
"Me too, Qui-Gon. I'll miss you."Alynna smiled slightly as they reached the Council chambers. "But you will not die alone. Obi-Wan will be with you. He'll want to die to save you, make sure he doesn't. He must survive to face the future. We all need him then."
Qui-Gon kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you."Turning, he left her standing alone in the hallway, ignoring the dizziness that threatened to overcome him.
Alynna watched him go, then bracing her shoulders, she readied herself to face the Council. Behind those doors, her destiny waited for her. And she wasn't about to miss a date with that.
DISCLAIMER: George Lucas owns everyone, not me. Don't sue, I'm just playing. All hail the mighty George! Lyrics performed by Faye Wong, written by Lin
Xi.