"Let's go!" Obi-Wan shouted.
They leaped up over the fountain wall and ran toward the battle.
Blaster fire pinged around them, but Obi-Wan was able to deflect it with his lightsaber. With a sense of deep gratitude, he felt the Force enter and guide him. He moved without having to plan, anticipating where the fire would come.
Mawat whistled, and a squad of Scavenger Young suddenly materialized around a corner. They, too, joined the battle. Lightsaber swinging, Obi-Wan struggled to get to Mawat. If he could capture him, perhaps the battle would end.
A member of the Scavenger Young took aim at Nield with his blaster, and Obi-Wan swooped down, nearly connecting with the boy's wrist. The lightsaber seared his skin, and he let out a howl. He dropped to his knees, his face white with pain.
Nield and Obi-Wan exchanged a quick sorrowful glance. This was the ultimate wrong, the thing they thought could never happen. The Young were fighting each other. And they were doing it right on the spot where Cerasi had died.
As if they'd conjured her up, Cerasi's voice suddenly filled the air.
"I made my decision after the war ended," she said in a strong, clear voice. "I will no longer carry a weapon. I will fight no more in the name of peace. But today I might die for it."
Everyone froze. Obi-Wan felt his heart hammer against his chest. He looked around wildly. He saw Qui-Gon standing on the wall of the fountain. The Jedi held an amplifying device. The Young had used them in the early battles of the war, when they had fooled the Elders into thinking they had more weapons than they did.
Cerasi shimmered in hologram form in the well of the dry fountain.
Obi-Wan heard the gasps around him. He looked at the faces, and he saw shock and sadness.
Cerasi had touched so many lives. She had pierced so many hearts. The Young had fought side by side with her, experienced loss and victory with her, had been inspired by her. Now, only she had the power to make them pause and listen.
"Do me a favor, friends. Don't build any monuments for me. Don't destroy any, either. History isn't in our favor, but that doesn't mean we should annihilate it. Don't let our dream of peace die. Work for it. Don't kill for it. We fought one war for peace. We always said that one war had to be enough."
Cerasi gave the cocky grin that Obi-Wan remembered so well. "Don't mourn too long for me. After all, I wanted peace." She shrugged. "Look at it this way. Now I have it forever."
Cerasi's image disappeared. The plaza was no longer filled with her vibrant presence. But an echo of her love and reason remained.
Beside Obi-Wan, Nield dropped his weapon. Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber. They both stared at Mawat. He stared back defiantly.
One by one, the others in the plaza dropped their weapons. They all turned to Mawat.
The defiance drained out of Mawat's face. He dropped his blaster.
The last battle of Zehava was over.
Due to Qui-Gon's skillful negotiation and the power of Wehutti and Nield, a strong peace agreement was reached on Melida/Daan. Nield agreed to share power with the Melida and Daan Elders. No more would the city be divided, by either tribe or age.
Mawat returned to the countryside with a few of his followers. He had seen the city slipping out of Nield's control and saw himself as the savior of Melida/Daan. He had been wrong, and admitted it to Nield and the Young.
Cerasi's words had reached him, too.
"Perhaps he can find his own forgiveness in the countryside," Nield said to Obi-Wan.
They stood in front of the fountain on the day of Obi-Wan's departure.
He was planning to return to the Temple. He would ask the Council if he could return to the Jedi. Qui-Gon had agreed to accompany him.
Nield flung his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders. "I gave you a hard time, my friend. It was good of you to find forgiveness in your heart."
"Sorrow can defeat the best of us," Obi-Wan said.
Nield gazed thoughtfully at the fountain. "I realize now how close I came to turning Melida/Daan back into the bloody battlefield I hated so much. The truth is, Obi-Wan, I was afraid."
Obi-Wan drew back to look at him. "You? Afraid?"
"I felt alone," Nield said simply. "I had a job that was too big for me to handle. I needed guidance, and there was no one to turn to. It seemed to me that every Elder and every member of the Middle Generation had no ideas.
But I'm finding that's not true. I was listening to the loudest voices. Now I'm discovering there are others who share our vision of peace for Melida/Daan."
"You've created a new world," Obi-Wan told him.
"We did," Nield corrected. "Now I only have one regret."
"Cerasi is not here to see it," Obi-Wan finished gently.
Later, Obi-Wan trudged to the transport next to Qui-Gon. He longed to break the silence. Why was it so awkward now? Such silence was clogged with feelings, he supposed. Feelings that could not be shared.
He had to break it. He had to ask the question that tore at his heart.
He was afraid of the answer, but it was worse not knowing.
"Will you ever take me back, Qui-Gon?"
The words hung in the cold air. Qui-Gon didn't answer, but kept on walking.
"I know I am meant to be a Jedi," Obi-Wan added. "I'll never doubt that again."
"I know you are meant to be a Jedi, too," Qui-Gon answered carefully.
"But whether you are meant to be my Padawan again is not so clear."
Obi-Wan's heart fell. He knew it was useless to argue with Qui-Gon, or try to persuade him. Desolation filled him. It was not enough to be a Jedi.
He had to be Qui-Gon's Padawan. Not because he'd failed him once, and his pride demanded a second chance. It wasn't pride that moved him. Deep in his heart, he felt it was right.
Yet Qui-Gon did not. Being a Jedi would have to be enough.
Suddenly, Qui-Gon's comlink signaled him.
He looked at the message. He paled, and his step faltered.
"What is it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A message from the Temple," Qui-Gon said gravely. "A message of extreme distress. The Temple is under siege. An attempt has been made to kill Yoda!"