~This is the sequel to Whatever Tomorrow Brings. To limit your…ehh… confusion if you haven't read that already you do so first. It will make it a lot easier to follow this story. Thanx~
Notes: Wahoo! It's finally here! Yes! I think I'm happier than most of you reading this. N e wayz I'm really sorry this took so long to get up! Things just haven't gone my way. Over spring break I was on the comp from 10 at night to 2 or 3 trying to finish this… for you!
OK like I said before this is a new approach in writing for me, but it's not too drastic. It's working for now… at least I think so. Mind you that does not mean I'm still not my lil old evil self. That just got worse writing this. I have people that can vouch for that.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for torture… ::Evil grin::, mental mess upage, and a little language.
Disclaimer: I think you can tell who/what belongs to me and who/what doesn't.
Summary: When three Padawans go missing. And when all the clues point to a twisted crook. Can Qui-Gon, Adi, and Sage find their Padawans before it is to late. Before their assailant get what he wants? To watch them fall apart piece by piece.
The Bond Between
~The Distance between two people is largely illusion. Look past shallow differences and the truth in someone will be revealed~
Prologue
Siri Tachi and Zae-Non Sen walked stealthy down the dimly lit hall; their blond hair blowing out behind them as the stale air of the abandoned warehouse rushed past them. Zae-Non eyed Siri with her dark brown, almost black eyes and the two gave a slight nod to each other.
They sped up their pace, senses on high alert. Something was wrong… a disturbance in the Force.
Something or someone was there, and it wasn't their Masters.
A ripple of darkness made them whirl around; eyes wide.
A dark, tall figure stood at the end of the long hall they had just walked. The slender alien began to walk slowly forward towards the two Padawans; who were backing away just a slowly.
With an unspoken sense of urgency they spun around and sprinted forward. Footsteps pounding behind… gaining.
The girls dashed through an empty meeting room and onto a conjoining balcony. Stepping up onto the railing neither had to look at each other before jumping the long fall downwards. As they leapt into the darkness below them something on the roof across from them caught their eye…
Landing in a crouch the two simultaneously jumped up, instinctively reaching for their lightsabers. But in that slip second of defenselessness they were caught.
The scream of blaster fire roared toward them…
*****
The two tall, trim figures quickened their already fast run, although in two separate alleys, as a wave of distress and the sound of blaster fire came to them. Running towards each other after splitting up they raced into the same alley way as a land speeder rounded the opposite corner towards the street.
They were too late.
They stood motionless for a moment, peering into the darkness. The two Jedi glanced at each other and once again toward the street after the now vanished speeder.
They would find them again.
Wordlessly they followed the speeders trail.
They walked…
Their enemy was gone.
They did not run…
The enemy had their Padawans.
They knew it would take time…
Betrayal
Coldness…
It was all Obi-Wan felt. He moved his hand along the floor beneath him. Dirt… rocks… He was outside. He could hear the cold pounding rain falling all around him and above a distant rumble of thunder of a passing storm.
He tried to roll over onto his back, but pain over powered him.
Blaster wounds are always tricky. Obi-Wan thought trying to calm the pain.
Blaster wound…
Memories flooded back to him. He was on a mission with his Master; they were to protect the prime minister on Calson. An assassination was attempted. They used an escape route on the roof of the meeting building they were in.
He fell…
Obi-Wan fought against the pain sneering his side and rolled over onto his back. Taking in the cool refreshing rain on his face he opened his eyes. Vision blurry he began to sit up, but his head swam.
Closing his eyes to try and stop the vertigo just made the pain sharpen.
A concussion the Padawan thought grimly. Just what I need.
Peering around, trying to straighten the spinning alley way, a pang went through Obi-Wan.
Where was his Master?
Pushing away the wave of worry that was threatening to edge up his spine he looked up at the building he had fallen off of.
Qui-Gon was not there.
No one was.
Slowly Obi-Wan stood up; a sharp gasp rewarded his movement. Swaying a bit the apprentice looked around the narrow alley way he was in.
No one was out, or near by.
At least that he could see, but the Force was warning him of something… or someone.
Looking down to the muddy ground he saw his lightsaber in a puddle a few yards away. Gradually moving toward it then picking it up pain splintered the boy reminding him the blaster wound was still there.
Once again peering around Obi-Wan asked himself once more where his Master was. Reaching out into his bond he felt a trickle of relief as his Master responded to his call.
Padawan, are you OK?
I'll be alright Master, but where are you?
Before the answer could reach him a harsh voice called out behind Obi-Wan.
"Hey, Jedi. How does it feel to be betrayed?"
"Excuse me?" Obi-Wan noticed his voice was raspy. Turning around he tried to look past the white dots that mared his vision down the alley at the voice.
"Oh don't tell me you haven't realized!" The voice taunted. "I watched the whole thing. You fell. Your Master fled. Left you laying in the mud!"
"He wouldn't do that!" Obi-Wan shouted anger boiling up inside him.
How could anyone say that about Qui-Gon? His Master would never just abandon him!
Or would he…
Where was his master now?
He had contacted him before. Reaching out into their bond Obi-Wan hit tight mental shields. Calling out with a wave in the Force he once again hit a wall.
Was his Master blocking him?
Master, where are you?
No reply.
Slowly the being in front of him stepped into the dim cast over of a streetlight. The Blood Carver, a hideous looking creature whose soul purpose was to kill, let out a chilling laugh before moving closer to the injured Padawan.
Obi-Wan began to walk backwards keeping his eyes fixed on the approaching alien. The creature somehow looked familiar to the boy. But he could quite figure out why that was.
The Padawan squeezed his lightsaber ready to ignite it when he remembered it wasn't charged. The muddy puddle it fell in shorted it out.
Force Master where are you!
Turning back to the Blood Carver Obi-Wan met a crazed gaze.
"What do you want with me?" He asked in the most-calm voice he could.
"You of course." The Carver said with another laugh. "Your defenseless, injured and all alone. What more could I ask for?"
Fear shot through Obi-Wan's body. He quickened his backwards pace, but stumbled. Catching himself the boy turned around and ran as fast as his injured body would take him. The Blood Carver launched himself at the Jedi.
Obi-Wan's white spotted vision was now being blurred with black spots as darkness called upon him. Gasping at the wound in his side he slowed his pace; his head began to throb and dizziness was once again overpowering the youth.
Come on Kenobi, run! Obi-Wan cursed at himself. Pushing himself further down the alley he knew he couldn't keep running much longer.
He could hear the rasping of the Carver's breath as he drew closer.
More darkness blinded his vision.
The enemy still comes closer.
Pain in his side making it hard to breath.
A laugh from the alien approaching at a fast rate.
A stumble…
Obi-Wan let out a small cry as his leg caught in a ditch in the road. Tumbling to the ground he heard a loud, nasty crack as his body fell one way and his ankle the other.
Broken. Just great.
Pushing himself up the boy tried to stand but immediately lost his balance as a mixture of pain and dizziness conquered his weak body.
"Pathetic little Jedi." The carver hissed. "Why even try, I'm going to get you either way. And must I remind you; your 'loyal' Master isn't here to help you. Like I said before. He ran!"
"Don't say that! Qui-Gon would never abandon me!"
"Then tell me this, Kenobi. Where is he then?"
Obi-Wan could only stare at the blurred vision of the figure hovering over him. He truly could not answer the carver's question. He didn't know where his Master was.
"I… I don't know." He answered ashamed.
"That's what I thought."
A new wave of pain, dizziness, and exhaustion shot through the Padawan's already pain filled side as the Blood carver leapt onto him; electro jabber in hand.
*****
I'll be all right Master, but where are you…
Cut off…
Qui-Gon couldn't make a connection with Obi-Wan anymore… he was in trouble.
"Either you turn this transport around yourself, or I will for you." Qui-Gon said trying to keep himself calm. He clenched his fist as the pilot shook his head.
He had helped the Prime minister onto the ship, turned around to go after Obi-Wan to discover the ship was already flying high over the city.
Why didn't I just help Obi-Wan? The Master thought dismally. Disappointment welled up inside at himself.
Anger at whoever did the attempt of assignation.
"I'm sorry, but I have strict orders from the security head. Whoever tried the assignation is probably still back there. And we can't risk Prime Minister Drice's life for you." The pilot looked up at him. "I thought you were supposed to be protecting him anyway."
"Good point. I am security!" Qui-Gon didn't care if his anger showed now. "And might I remind you my Padawan was shot and he fell off a roof back there! He is now my first priority!"
The pilot's face went a few shades paler. "Your young friend did not make it aboard with us?" Worry rang in his somewhat calm voice.
"No, Obi-Wan did not. If he had fallen off the roof I would not think he would be aboard with us. Especially since you left without my consent in the first place."
The pilot turned to his companion in the chair next to him and nodded. He turned around taking out his comlink.
While the pilot mumbled to his advisor Qui-Gon thought about what had exactly happened back at the meeting. Everything had happened so fast, it was hard to keep track of what was going on.
But how could he ever loose track of his Padawan…
Ok this time I'm not going to beg for reviews, but feel free to do so. I accept any kinda feed back. I'll try to get the next chap up as soon as I can… oh rite… all my "what came to pass" chaps are flashback, just to let ya know. Till Later~
Peace Out