Just a random fanfic I felt like writing. Only, Obi-Wan isn't exactly the Obi-Wan that we know and love! :)
-CW-
"Follow me!" Obi-Wan shouted, weaving through the obstacle of falling debris the Jedi was trying to avoid being struck by. It had all happened so suddenly. It was supposed to be a simple mission: rescue the cursed Crown Prince of Shym and return him to his home planet in the Outer Rim. But of course, with Obi-Wan and Anakin, nothing ever came out as simple. That word just did not exist when the two of them were involved. Of course, no one would admit it, but they would have it no other way. Especially the Clones under their command. Cody, Rex, and their Clone troopers enjoyed these missions. They were never bored, always up and about on their feet, chasing one person after another. They often found themselves fighting the Droid Army or rescuing their wayward Generals when they had somehow managed to stir up trouble on a 'peaceful' planet. Kenobi would normally blame, halfheartedly, that it Skywalker's fault this would happen, but the Clones knew that was untrue. When their two Generals were paired together, trouble always doubled or tripled. Even if their Generals were on their own, they manage to stumble into something while on a mission.
They didn't know if they should feel sorry for the young Commanders who were forced to follow after their Masters. Commander Tano and Commander Numinar, mostly known as Commander Cael, seemed to thrive from the thrill of the chase they were frequently sent on, which concerned the Clones somewhat. Commander Cody often kept an eye on Commander Cael, seeing as he was very young. Too young to be out on the field, but with General Kenobi as the youth's Master, it wasn't a surprise to find the youngling trailing after the Jedi when the Master was sent on a mission. The Clones under Kenobi's command had actually become rather fond, and protective, of their young Commander. It was unusual not to have the boy around to brighten their day and the Clones found that their days spent without Commander Cael causing any mischief, whether it was intentional or not, were dull and boring.
It appeared their General had caught onto this and Kenobi had somehow convinced the Council to allow Commander Cael to accompany them on their missions. It had taken a while, but Kenobi would not back down and soon enough, the Jedi Council had caved in and granted Kenobi's request. Cody and the Clones had struggled to smother their smirks when an unhappy Mace Windu stormed away from the meeting. Kenobi wasn't called the Negotiator for no reason.
But right now, the Clones were rather worried about their young charge and their General. This mission had taken a sudden and dangerous turn, placing all four Jedi lives in danger. Mostly Kenobi, Tano's, and Cael's. Skywalker was with Cody and Rex on one side of the canyon, but Tano, Kenobi, and Cael were trapped on the other side with no reinforcements. How this had happened, none would ever know. Nor did it matter to any of them. Their top priority was rescuing the two Commanders and Kenobi.
"Master Kenobi!" Ahsoka called out, narrowly dodging another shot from a spiderbot. "They're gaining reinforcements!" She jumped once again when a small explosion rocked the ground behind her.
"Keep running!" Was the only reply she received, but Ahsoka wasn't about to complain. She knew that was about the only choice they had at the moment. The newly turned sixteen year old glanced over the the young boy sprinting beside her. His black hair danced wildly in the wind, his piercing violet-blue eyes narrowed in determination as he followed after Obi-Wan. He wore a comfortable, smooth, loose black outfit that made whipping sounds as the fabric fluttered in the wind. The small boy, she could tell, was struggling to keep up with herself and Obi-Wan, but Ahsoka noticed that Obi-Wan wasn't running as fast as the Master could. Obi-Wan would habitually glanced back at them to see how they were faring, sea blue eyes swirling with concern when they landed on the boy. "Just a little farther, Onyx! To the Crystal Caves!"
The raven-haired boy looked up and nodded, urging himself to run a little faster, his little feet barely scraping the ground as he sped ahead. Ahsoka immediately brought up the rear, Obi-Wan taking up the front and using Ahsoka's green saber to deflect the blaster fire Droids lining the edge of the Canyon were firing. Ahsoka did the same with her yellow saber. Onyx rarely had to use his, but Ahsoka would catch a flicker of violet and white in the corner of her vision when Onyx would block incoming attacks. Once again, Ahsoka found herself focusing on the young boy before her. He was different. Not that that was unusual, there were several Jedi who were different, but the boy was unique. His saber attested to that. It was violet, not purple or pink-ish like Master Windu's, and the saber glowed white around the violet blade. He was also very young. Still a small boy, but his skill exceeded those years older than him. It wasn't only that, Ahsoka knew. There was more to this mysterious child. There was something about him that led Obi-Wan to take him in. Something had pulled Obi-Wan to Onyx, but what? Not even Master Skywalker knew. Both had been surprised when Obi-Wan had paired up with them one day, a little boy bouncing next to the Master, and introduced them to the Padawan. But, Ahsoka soon found herself bonding with the boy.
They had become close. Onyx had become Ahsoka's little brother, and she his elder sister with Obi-Wan and Anakin as their parents. Ahsoka couldn't help but smile when she remembered how Onyx had accidentally slipped up and called Obi-Wan 'Narra' during negotiations. She had seen the surprise Obi-Wan had momentarily allowed to cross the Jedi Mask the Jedi Master normally wore. Later, she had asked Onyx what 'Narra' meant, and the response was not one she had expected, but it was no less amusing. She had never told Anakin, because she knew that would only cause her Master to become a tiny bit more jealous of the boy.
Ahsoka didn't bother to hide the smirk that graced her lips. She and the Clones, as well as a few other Jedi, knew Anakin was jealous of Onyx, though he did his best to hide it. Ahsoka knew it was because Obi-Wan had been there for most of Anakin's life and the Master was quite important to him. He was overly protective of Obi-Wan, the same way Obi-Wan was protective of Anakin, though Obi-Wan had a more subtle way of showing it. They acted more as siblings, with Obi-Wan being the wise, elder, sibling and Anakin the impulsive, younger brother of the two. But no one could deny the strong bond between them. Never, in the recorded history of the Jedi, had there ever been a bond as powerful and nearly unbreakable between two Jedi like the one Obi-Wan and Anakin shared.
*BOOM*
Ahsoka gave a startled cry and stumbled to the side when a bright light followed by a large explosion flashed beside her.
"Ahsoka!" Obi-Wan immediately skidded to a quick stop, whipping around and leaping over to where the Togruta now dangled beneath the cliff. Ahsoka could feel her heart frantically pounding against her chest as she clutched the jagged rock protruding from the cliff-side, staring down into the abyss far below. Onyx instinctively flew over to protect his Master's unprotected side. Ahsoka sensed her Master's concern and glimpsed him standing on the other side of the canyon, tensely watching as Obi-Wan extended a hand down to where Ahsoka hung.
"Master Kenobi!" Ahsoka tightened her grip on the rock when she slipped a few centimeters down.
"I need you to trust me, Ahsoka." Obi-Wan called over the blaster fire. "Let go of the rock!"
Ahsoka stared incredulously at the Jedi Master before she realized what Obi-Wan was going to do. Curtly dipping her chin, Ahsoka steeled herself and released the rock. Just as she fell, Ahsoka thought she heard Obi-Wan briefly cry out but it was drowned out by the uncomfortable sensation of falling filled Ahsoka's stomach as the Togruta plummeted down a few feet before coming to a stop. Knowing Obi-Wan had caught her using the Force, Ahsoka forced herself to calm and waited as she was carefully lifted up into the air towards Obi-Wan. A hand wrapped around her wrist, gripping it firmly but gently, and raised her to safety. Ahsoka nearly fell over in relief, but the situation they were in couldn't afford to give the Togruta time to recover. A hand rested on her shoulder as Obi-Wan quickly helped her to her feet. Grabbing hold of Onyx, Obi-Wan bolted in the direction of the Crystal Caves, swerving every once in a while to avoid being shot. Ahsoka kept by the Jedi Master's side, feeling a lot safer there. Onyx clutched Obi-Wan's tunic and held onto his Master, watching as the Droids sent more spider bots after them.
"Ahsoka, try contacting Anakin and tell him to meet us in the Crystal Caves." Obi-Wan shouted, and Ahsoka nodded, noting the slight edge to Obi-Wan's tone and the tenseness on the Master's features.
'Master!'
'Ahsoka!' The reply was instantaneous. 'Are you alright?'
Ahsoka briefly grinned.
'I'm fine. Obi-Wan says to go to the Crystal Caves. I think that's our escape route.' Ahsoka told him, feeling relieved when the mouth of the gigantic cave came into sight.
'We're on our way. Be careful, we don't know what's in those caves.'
'Right.' Ahsoka felt the bond close and knew her Master was on the move.
"He's going." Ahsoka quickly informed Obi-Wan. The Master nodded in response, watching as Anakin ordered the Clones to retreat to the Caves.
"Well...No casualties so far." The Master murmured. Ahsoka caught it and nodded in agreement.
Thank the Force.
She thought, knowing Obi-Wan felt the same. They finally reached the Caves and flew inside, slowing down as they delved further into the darkness. They felt the entrance quake, the ground trembling, as the Droids fired after them. Ahsoka felt a tremor of fear flash in the Force and looked over to Onyx. The boy had tightened his grip on Obi-Wan, staring at the large rocks hanging just above the entrance.
"They're sealing us in!" The boy exclaimed just as the large boulders broke off and fell. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka slid to a stop in time to see the boulders pile together until they were swallowed up in darkness. There was a moment of nothingness when the sound of a lightsaber igniting itself captured Ahsoka's attention. She looked to find Obi-Wan had lit up her green saber. She followed in suit and soon, the cavern was encompassed by a green and yellow light. Onyx shifted in Obi-Wan's hold, feeling better now that there was light. He hated darkness. It made him feel uncomfortable and lost. That was one of the reasons his room in the Temple had glow-in-the-dark stars and planets plastered all over the ceiling, courtesy of his Master.
"Well...Can't say I didn't see that one coming." Obi-Wan broke the silence that hung over them. Ahsoka hummed in agreement.
"What now?" She asked Obi-Wan.
"We keep walking. The Crystals shouldn't be too far away from here. We'll meet up with Anakin there." Obi-Wan replied, setting off in the direction of the crystals. Ahsoka dutifully followed after the Master, keeping her saber in front of her. After a moment, Ahsoka couldn't help but feel something was off. Tilting her head to the side, Ahsoka tried to pinpoint what exactly was bothering her. Something was missing...Something important.
"The Force..." She whispered, trying to grip at the Force, but it was elusive and evaded her grasp.
"The Crystal Caves are inhibiting our use of the Force." Obi-Wan lowly explained, keeping an eye on their dark surroundings. "Do you feel it?"
Ahsoka caught what Obi-Wan meant when the question was asked and slowly nodded. A most unpleasant feeling spiraled down her spine, causing the Togruta to shift uneasily. Onyx snuggled deeper into Obi-Wan's hold, his expression telling Ahsoka that he didn't like the feeling either.
"Is that...The Dark Side?" She barely breathed out. The atmosphere around them felt choked up and heavy. Even the darkness was suffocating, almost mocking the three Jedi as they went on. Obi-Wan grimly nodded.
"This planet was ruled by the Sith long ago." The Jedi Master explained. "The Crystals are Force sensitive, so they must have absorbed the Dark energy of the Force. Be on your guard, Ahsoka. Something isn't quite happy that we are here."
Ahsoka worried her lower lip, her light blue orbs darting here and there as she weakly used the Force to scan the area. There was nothing close to them, but she didn't know if anything was up ahead. The further in they went, the duller the Force became. The normally bright aura that surrounded Obi-Wan was dimming, telling Ahsoka the Jedi Master was being affected by the immense darkness surrounding them. She could sense Onyx fighting to keep a hold on the Force, and once he caught hold of it, he stubbornly refused to let it go.
A frustrated growl emitted from Onyx's lips, earning an amused look from Obi-Wan.
"Something wrong, Onyx?" The Jedi Master inquired, and Onyx looked up at Obi-Wan, crossing his little arms across his chest.
"The Force is trying to leave me." He pouted. "I don't want it to."
"Sadly, I cannot blame the Force for wanting to leave." Obi-Wan told the boy. "But do not worry, Onyx. I can see a faint light ahead. Hopefully, those are the Crystals we are searching for."
Onyx and Ahsoka followed Obi-Wan's gaze to find that there was indeed a light eerily glowing ahead of them. It was small, but as they neared it, the glow gradually grew brighter and brighter until they crossed the threshold into the cavern filled with Crystals. Ahsoka bit back an awed gasp, eyes widening when she took it in. Onyx breathed in amazement, his eyes widening as his violet-blue orbs flickered from one Crystal to another. They were everywhere! Big ones, small ones, medium, large, wide...It reminded Ahsoka a little about the Cave she and Obi-Wan sought shelter in when trapped in the Mortis world not too long ago. She shuddered, recalling how Dark the Son had been and how she had apparently died before the Daughter had revived her using the little life-force she had left.
"Interesting." Obi-Wan's smooth, accented, voice broke Ahsoka from her thoughts and the Togruta returned her attention to the Jedi Master, who was closely studying one of the larger crystals nearby. Onyx had been released by his Master and was bounding here and there, tapping a couple crystals and calculating their Force sensitivity.
"What is it?" Ahsoka asked, curious to know what had captured the Jedi's attention. Obi-Wan straightened a little, stepping to the side to allow Ahsoka to look at the Crystal herself.
"These Caves are most unusual." Obi-Wan started, indicating to both sides of the Cavern. "Notice how poisoned these Crystals are by the Dark Side yet how pure those Crystals are in the Light?"
Ahsoka looked to the Crystal before her, noting the black fog dancing within it then to the Crystals in the far end of the Cavern, immediately seeing the difference. The Crystals in the Light appeared to be surrounded by an angelic glow, humming softly while the darker Crystals recoiled from the Light, battling against it.
"There's a balance!" Ahsoka remarked in awe.
"Exactly."
"Amazing!" Ahsoka wandered over to the Crystals with the Light, instantly feeling safer and less suffocated now that she was away from the Darkness. However, Obi-Wan remained, brow furrowing as the Master leaned closer to the Crystal.
"There appears to be some sort of imbalance somewhere here." She heard the Master utter softly. "The Force isn't completely in union..."
" 'Soka!" Ahsoka raised her head when she heard Onyx call her name, confusion lacing his youthful tone. "Soka, can you come here?"
"Where are you, Onyx?" Ahsoka called in return, following the faint presence pulsing nearby. She could feel the Force returning little by little now that she was in the Light section of the Cavern, but Obi-Wan's was growing tainted, the Darkness battling against the beacon that was the Master. It was frightened, intimidated by Obi-Wan, Ahsoka realized in surprise. The Crystals had a mind of their own, it would seem, and the Dark Crystals were attacking Obi-Wan in the hopes of subduing the light that threatened them.
"Here."
Ahsoka ducked under several Crystals poking sideways out of the rock and wandered through the mini-path carved out by the Cavern to where Onyx was. There was a circular space in the middle of both the Light and Dark Crystal, and that was where Ahsoka found Onyx. He was standing in front of a lone Crystal surrounded by the Light and Dark Crystals, piercing it with his baffled stare.
"What is it, Onyx?" Ahsoka asked the boy, who didn't even look at Ahsoka. His gaze never wavered from the Crystal.
"Something's wrong with this Crystal, 'Soka." Onyx answered, listening as Ahsoka's light steps came closer until the Togruta was standing beside him. The Crystal he was looking at had both Light and Darkness swirling within it, clearly battling intensely with one another, both trying to vanquish the other. He could sense the imbalance it was trying to fix, but failing to do so. One minute, the Light was subduing the Dark, but the Dark would retreat only to snap back in an instant. Ahsoka watched the black and white fog fuse together then break apart, swirling as they struggled to get the upper-hand.
"Wow..." Ahsoka murmured, calling out to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi!"
It wasn't long afterwards that Obi-Wan appeared and glided over to where the two stood. "Look at this, Master!" Ahsoka gestured to the Crystal. Obi-Wan, intrigued, stepped closer to the Crystal.
"Master, does this..." Onyx paused for a moment, uncertain before breaking his gaze on the Crystal to look to his Master. "Does this symbolize the Prophecy?" He asked, and Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. That was quite the insight and a reasonable hypothesis, the Master thought.
"It would make sense, Padawan-mine." Obi-Wan replied, taking another step closer to the Crystal. The instant Obi-Wan placed her foot down, the Crystal cracked and part of the White and Black fog seeped out, lashing out at the Master. Startled, Ahsoka and Onyx leaped back a safe distance, but Obi-Wan didn't move. It appeared the Master was frozen in place, a strange expression marring the fair features.
"Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka cautiously approached the Master when suddenly, she felt Kenobi's Signature deplete at an alarming rate.
"Master!" Onyx exclaimed, feeling the bond he had with his Master suddenly waver and weaken severely. Kenobi's blue eyes were swirling with unusual emotions before the Master suddenly stumbled forward, reaching out and touching the Crystal. The Crystal latched onto Kenobi, refusing to let the Jedi Master go, alarming Ahsoka even more as she rushed over to pull Obi-Wan away. She didn't succeed and she could see the pain and horror slowly dawning over the Jedi Master's expression, scaring both Ahsoka and Onyx. "Master! Master, what's wrong!?" Onyx worriedly asked, clutching Ahsoka's arm in fear. Obi-Wan said nothing. In fact, there was no sign that the Master even acknowledged they were even there. It was as if...Kenobi was gone, yet still there.
"Master Kenobi!" Ahsoka called out again, but received no reply.
The Cyrstal was cracking even more, the small slivers growing larger, the cracks widening, spitting out smaller crystals as it split apart. The black fog was also growing in size, smothering the little light that was left. Ahsoka's heart pounded against her chest. She had no idea what to do! Obi-Wan couldn't hear them, couldn't sense them... She did the only thing that came to mind.
'Master! Master, help!' She mentally cried out, watching Kenobi's expression morph into one of extreme pain. Whether it was physical or emotional, Ahsoka knew not.
'Ahsoka, what's going on?' Anakin's voice immediately sounded.
'It's Obi-Wan, Master! Something's wrong!'
'What is it? Is Obi-Wan hurt?' Anakin didn't bother to hide the concern he felt at the panic he sensed from his Padawan. Something had gone seriously wrong, and if Obi-Wan was injured in any way...
'I don't-'
Ahsoka was cut off when Kenobi suddenly tore away from the Crystal, hands clutching the chocolaty-red hair in a vice-like grip as the Master slowly staggered back.
Obi-Wan crashed to the ground, the cracks in the Crystal enlarging at an extreme rate. The whole Crystal was now covered in cracks. Suddenly, Obi-Wan released a pained-filled scream, immense pain and grief wailing in the Force. Ahsoka and Onyx had also cried out when they felt Kenobi's Signature flicker then snap as the Jedi slumped to the ground, lifeless.
-CW-
Welp...I have no idea where this came from. But I felt like publishing it. So I did :)