STAR WARS

NIGHTMARES

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Based on the characters from the STAR WARS series and from George Lucas

For my family, because they were always there to support me.

And for George Lucas, for creating the greatest sci-fi universe ever.

"May the force be with you."

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away….

CHAPTERI

He was smiling, a yellow, black smile. His tattooed face of red and black stretched for the smile. His ten short yellow horns on his head, menacingly pointed. His yellow eyes, flaring bright, as he took out a small, silver tube. He pressed a red button, as two, meter long red lights ignited on both ends of the tube. He clouded his opponents' minds of their ability to use the Light Side of the Force with his ability to use the Dark Side of the Force. He lunged at them and…

Obi-Wan Kenobi woke up, startled. He checked himself up, noticing that several trickles of sweat were pouring down his face, which showed signs of a possible beard growth. He was breathing very, very hard. He decided to check in with the Force and his surroundings.

He had just woken up in his bed, in a small room. Every other Jedi in the Jedi Temple had an exact room. The only differences in each other's rooms was their few belongings and the wallpaper color. Obi-Wan, being the space-oriented Jedi he was had a wallpaper resembling space. It covered every wall in his room, except the door, the balcony, and the windows. It almost seemed like a space hologram. But it was all too real. There was, however, another reason for this wallpaper. Obi-Wan recognized that, while meditating, he found it soothing to think of space. There was a small balcony at the top of the room, where the door was below it. There was also a small cubby and a small night table with a drawer next to his bed, on the right side where his head lay. And his Jedi clothing was hung up on a small coat rack of three pegs and legs. The only big thing in Obi-Wan's room was the bed, a king-sized. It nearly filled up the room. Then his thoughts drifted back to his rough awakening.

Fear, anguish, dizziness, headache, hard breathing, and sweating, all signs of one thing, one thing that Obi-Wan rarely had. A Nightmare, he thought. All just a Nightmare.

Obi-Wan quickly got changed, realizing he was hungry and he was late for breakfast. It had been just two months since his Master's murder. And it had been two months since he had become a Jedi Knight, and Master of his own Padawan and Apprentice. Anakin Skywalker. Well, not really his own Padawan, per say. It was actually his Master's idea of a final wish. A wish, that would be fully carried out by Obi-Wan. A wish, of Anakin's Jedi training. Obi-Wan would fulfill his Master's wish. He couldn't help but miss his Master very much. He was a Jedi Master, the greatest in Obi-Wan's opinion. He then buckled his new blue lightsaber. His old one fell down the mining pit where his enemy fell. And where his Master passed on into the Force, stabbed. Oh, Master Obi-Wan thought grievously.

His Master's name, was Qui-Gon Jinn.

As Obi-Wan ran down the stairs, he couldn't help but smile. His Master was trying to take Anakin under his own training, even against the Jedi Council's wishes, during the Battle for Naboo. And during all this time, Obi-Wan could not help but admit that he was jealous, in a way, of Anakin. Then his smile vanished when he remembered the Nightmare. This was not the first time, however, that Obi-Wan Kenobi had had the Nightmare. This was no surprise to him for having It again, but what did surprise him was that a week ago, when he had the Nightmare, during Anakin's training, he collapsed. He didn't know if it was of pain or lack of sleep, but Anakin rushed out of the chamber, calling for help. And help did arrive, after the pain left Obi-Wan. Nonetheless, he was taken to the infirmary, despite his arguments with the Jedi who helped him. At first that day, he thought of asking Yoda for help, but he refused himself inside, something he had never done. And another thing he had never done was lie, which he did to the Jedi doctor that day.

But now it had gone quite far enough. He promised himself inside that he would talk to Yoda. After Anakin's training, of course, he thought.

Anakin was very eager for his Jedi training that morning. But he was also very cautious with his master. After all, shouldn't he care for Obi-Wan Kenobi, his master, friend of Qui-Gon Jinn, and because he suffered the week before? Anakin had arrived very early for his training in the training room Obi-Wan and Anakin had been given since their Master and Apprentice oath, so he had no reason to be impatient. But if his Master did get late or didn't show up for his training, Anakin would understand, but would the Jedi Council?

Instead of worrying for his master any longer, Anakin decided to do something useful, also to impress his master. First, he tightly secured his practice lightsaber on his belt. He then began reflecting on the Jedi Law. He repeated it in his head several times, deciding for himself he would continue doing so until his Master returned.

There is no emotion; there is peace.

There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.

There is no passion; there is serenity.

There is no death; there is the Force.

Obi-Wan did show up, and he arrived at the exact time Anakin's Jedi training session began, to Anakin's relief. And better yet, Obi-Wan didn't look as tired as he did last week's Jedi training session. Thank the Force! thought Anakin.

"Okay, Annie, lets start out today with some Force skills," said Obi-Wan, more calm than he was than on the first Jedi training session for Anakin, "Start out with the Jedi Katas you know."

Back then, he was a little uneasy about being a Master, or that he may screw up Anakin for the rest of his Jedi life, just because of Obi-Wan's bad teaching skills. It was all in Obi-Wan's imagination (Not surprising, Obi-Wan thought, knowing that I have an excessively large imagination!), however, because Anakin was a promising Padawan. Determined, educational, and caring would be other excellent words to describe Anakin.

Anakin did as he was bid, and began his Jedi Katas. Then again, it didn't take much effort out of him to perform the katas he knew. But he soon rid himself of being cocky and began the first Jedi Kata by bowing to Obi-Wan, never letting his eyes leave his Master. A painful lesson he learned in the first couple of Jedi training sessions was: "Never leave your eyes astray from your opponent," Obi-Wan would say, after performing a slight but powerful Force-Push to the unaware bowing Anakin. Next thing he knew he was lying on the floor, next to the wall of the chamber, rubbing a bruise to his head. He also learned that, sometimes not always, you should welcome pain for experience. Like the phrase went, "no pain, no gain". But all Anakin could think of that day was his embarrassment and his bruise.

He first twirled around in a single arc, his feet on the floor, and landed in a defensive position. Then, raising his right knee and lowering his left arm towards the ground, he called for the Force, which flowed through his left arm, pushed of the ground, and snapped out his right leg in an upward kick-dive, while putting both his arms in defensive positions across his chest, leaning his body to where his left arm was; downwards, and snapping his left leg in a knee formation. All of this done, amazingly and seemingly impossible, was done simultaneously. But the kick-dive was aimed at his Master.

Obi-Wan simply grabbed Anakin's right foot with one hand, his left one, in a lightning speed reflex. For a couple of seconds, Anakin was just hanging, right there, in midair, straining himself from falling to the floor and staying in the same position. Then, as if without effort, Obi-Wan thrust his left hand upwards and letting go of Anakin's right foot. Anakin looked like a blur, because he was spinning in the air very fast, in a back flip, towards the ground. In the first few times they had practiced this kata, Anakin usually fell to the ground, and Obi-Wan would explain to him what was done after the back flip, and that one day, Anakin would master it.

But, to Obi-Wan's delight, Anakin had been practicing and, the night before, he had mastered it.

Instead of falling to the ground and hurting himself like he usually did and what Obi-Wan was expecting, Anakin landed on his right foot, bended his left foot in a knee position, put his arms across his chest in the same defensive maneuver he had done before, and snapped out his left leg, his foot in a knife-edged position, to Obi-Wan's neck. It was a deadly Jedi Kata move.

But Anakin, at the last second, performed self-restraint to his left leg, and stopped it from performing its deadly purpose in the move. His knife-edged foot was inches away from Obi-Wan's neck, and his death.

Anakin knew that Obi-Wan could've blocked the move easily. So he prepared himself for a counter-defensive move. But at the last second, before Anakin performed his idea, a Force-contact message from Obi-Wan that told him the kata had ended, stopped him. And then Obi-Wan did the last thing Anakin thought he would ever do: he clapped. Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the sourest Jedi Knights in the Jedi Temple, was clapping?! For me, Anakin Skywalker, the person he doubted?! Anakin thought. It was not that hard to notice that, in the past, Obi-Wan doubted Anakin. But clap for him? That was just too much for Anakin.

"Very good, Annie! Very good, indeed!" Obi-Wan laughed in delight, "You've obviously been practicing! Excellent!"

"I practiced like you told me so, Master," Anakin said respectfully, bowing with his eyes on him.

"Yes, well, it's one thing to tell someone to do something one day. But it's another to expect them to do it flawlessly on the day after!" Obi-Wan laughed again, merrily, "Now, I think that's enough for Jedi Katas for today."

Thank goodness! thought Anakin.

"Now, off to sparring!" said Obi-Wan.

Even better! thought Anakin, as he walked to the door. He felt Obi-Wan's hand land on his shoulder.

"But your not sparring with the other Jedi Padawans," Obi-Wan said, his merry voice vanished, "You're sparring with me. No practice or real lightsabers. Just our control of the Force."

Uh-oh. I'm Rancor food for sure! thought Anakin despairingly.

"If there is no practice or real lightsabers, Master, then shouldn't you unbuckle your real lightsaber? No offense," Anakin said uneasily.

"No offense taken, Anakin. But I may keep my lightsaber but swear not to use it. Jedi's honor. Besides, it says so in the rules," said Obi-Wan, putting himself in a defensive position, "Now, get ready, Anakin! On the count of 3."

Uh-oh. Say good-bye, Anakin! Anakin thought.

"1,…" said Obi-Wan, almost menacingly.

Good-bye, Anakin.

"…,2,…" Obi-Wan by now had been placed in a defensive position.

I wish I could at least see Padmé one last time. thought Anakin, gloomily. He then put himself in a defensive position and put all his concentration on his Master. He could feel that Obi-Wan was doing likewise. He waited for his fate. A sparring match, with his own Master? That was just for sure him with the Force passing on.

"…,3!" yelled Obi-Wan, as both Master and Apprentice started their uncertain match. And their uncertain fate.

Anakin dodged a Force-push from Obi-Wan by using Force-speed and jumping to the side. Anakin then tried a hurricane attack. He once again called for Force-speed and twirled in place, a blur to Obi-Wan. This move was emotionally, mentally, and physically tiring for Anakin, but it was one of his strongest moves in his arsenal. It also had a dizzying effect to an opponent, other than an attack. And it had a secret effect, Anakin discovered, to the twirler.

Anakin was twirling so fast he was invisible to Obi-Wan. He could feel it. And he saw a puzzled look on Obi-Wan's stern face. But it didn't last for long.

Obi-Wan saw Anakin disappear. He knew it was puzzling, but with the Force, he could find his Padawan. He searched the entire room, but when he found him, he felt just as stupid as Bantha dung. Of all the places to disappear, Anakin would stay put. Genius. Obi-Wan had to admit Anakin's quick wit. He must have known Obi-Wan would waste his time searching the entire room, when he could have been preparing to attack or defend. But it didn't matter. Obi-Wan then prepared for his next moves.

Anakin did not know Obi-Wan would waste his time searching the entire room. Anakin just wanted to buy some time to think of his next move.

Anakin finally decided to fully execute the move he had begun. He began to twirl even faster, but while twirling faster than invisibility, you would see the body of the twirler for a brief second or two, giving away the twirler's position.

Which is exactly what Obi-Wan saw. Obi-Wan prepared his next move instantaneously. But he couldn't do anything.

Obi-Wan was already flying through the air.

After twirling Obi-Wan around him several times, Anakin went on with the next step of the move. He stopped his twirlingBy now, Obi-Wan was flying over Anakin's head. Anakin then raised his right arm, the Force flowing through it, and Force-pushed his Master up to the ceiling.

Taken by surprise, Obi-Wan hit the ceiling of the chamber, full force hit. Dazed, Obi-Wan could only think about the pain in his muscles and bones, and how proud he was of his quick-learning Padawan. Mostly the pain. Obi-Wan corrected.

Ow.

Anakin, in the meantime, was calling on the Force, it flowing through his entire body, in his body, ready to complete the move. Anakin knew he was using a Jedi Kata in a Jedi Sparring Match. Not usually used during spars, Anakin thought, but still effective.

Obi-Wan finally peeled off the ceiling, falling rapidly to the floor. Anakin's using a Jedi Kata in a Jedi Sparring Match, Obi-Wan thought, I guess I should be proud of him. But all I can think of right now is the infirmary! He knew what was going to be done next by his Apprentice, but he was so weak and so full of pain that he could barely turn his head without wincing. Instead, he waited for the most painful part of the Jedi Kata, getting ready for a less painful impact. But he was surprised at what happened next.

Anakin knew he should do a backspin kick at his Master's chest area, but he thought up a better idea. Why not take him by surprise? thought Anakin. When Obi-Wan came down to Anakin's level of desire, he Force-jumped to Obi-Wan's level, did a backspin kick at the air, released his right arm and right leg, but stopped in midair at Obi-Wan's chest area level, right leg and right arm extended. And Anakin Force-pushed his Master's chest through his right leg and right arm…to the other side of the chamber, the wall.

Obi-Wan hit the wall with his back, hard. He got "the wind knocked out of him", as the phrase goes. Gasping for air and almost shedding a tear of pain, Obi-Wan looked down, called for the Force for healing, regained his breath and stopped wincing. He then raised his hand to Anakin for a time-out, because the spar was not finished. He looked proudly to his Padawan.

And then he saw him.

Anakin looked puzzled at the wrenched up face of Obi-Wan. Was it pain or anger? Anakin could not tell.

"Are you all right, Master?" Anakin asked sympathetically.

Then a single word emerged from his Master's mouth, full of anger, hatred, and a touch of fear was in his voice, and Anakin, wide-eyed, gasped in fear, and looked around the chamber. The word was a name, a name both Master and Apprentice both knew and feared. The name, which emerged from Obi-Wan's mouth. The name, of a Sith.

"Maul."

Obi-Wan saw, not Anakin, but his Master's murderer, a Sith, an enemy. Obi-Wan saw Darth Maul.

The words which emerged from his mouth came from none other than his own voice, a voice Obi-Wan knew only too well. It wasn't his imagination, because he felt the same dark cloud that covered his ability to use the Force. The same dark cloud that covered his Master and his own minds two months ago, when Qui-Gon Jinn was still alive. He'd imagined Maul did it to Qui-Gon in their short battle in the desert of Tatooine, Anakin and his mother's desert home-world, as well.

"At last, we meet again, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Maul said, menacingly.

"I knew you weren't gone, Maul, I just knew it! But how did you survive a slice through your waist and a long drop? And how do you know my name?" Obi-Wan demanded, standing up.

This last statement scared Anakin. And when his Master stood up, menacingly, Anakin took a step back.

"Master, It's me. Anakin Skywalker, your Apprentice, remember? There is no one else here except you and me." Anakin said, terrified.

"I know a lot of things, but if you must know, my cloud not only blocked your Force abilities, but it also searched your brain, name included," came Maul's reply, "I even know Qui-Gon Jinn's name, your pathetic Master. Defeating him was child's play."

"YOU MURDERED HIM!" Obi-Wan couldn't stand it. He took out his lightsaber, and ignited its blue gleam from its domain.

The yell from his Master was bad, but him bringing out his lightsaber was the last straw. He promised not to bring it out in the spar. He decided to bring out his practice lightsaber out, as well. But he set it to the highest level of energy, enough to knock someone out with pain. He ignited it, and a green light came out.

Darth Maul simply took out his own lightsaber, and ignited both ends, in a calmly fashion.

"And as for me surviving the slice and fall? What use of information would that be to one who is about to die?" smiled Maul.

"Not on my schedule," gritting his teeth, Obi-Wan Kenobi charged his most hated opponent.

Uh-oh!, thought Anakin. He twirled his green lightsaber in an arc. He was hoping for a blue lightsaber in the near future.

He blocked an overhead jump attack from his Master, bent his lightsaber downwards for a quick parry, dodged another slice then, calling on the Force for speed, jumped backwards.

Darth Maul spun his lightsaber, then blocked once, then twice, then three times as Obi-Wan attacked unmercifully. He spun his double-end red lightsaber in the air, catching it with one hand, then flipped backwards.

Obi-Wan felt the same dark cloud block his mind, making him unable to use the Force. He chased Maul, his muscles tensed. He back-flipped, still going forward, his lightsaber going in the same direction, upwards in a back-flip.

This move caught Anakin off guard. He should've moved to the side, he knew this, but he was caught off guard, so there were only seconds left before the opposing lightsaber would cut out his intestines.

He angled his lightsaber to block downwards, a bad mistake for a move, for when Obi-Wan's lightsaber hit Anakin's lightsaber, it wrenched it out of his hand, his wrist snapping back. As excruciating pain went through his wrist, his lightsaber flew threw the air, landing un-activated, in front of the door to the chamber.

His wrist was only in pain, nothing else serious. He quickly jumped to the side, rolling across the floor. He used a Force-heal maneuver as his wrist relaxed. He Force-pulled the lightsaber out of Obi-Wan's hand, throwing it across the floor, landing next to his. Both lightsabers were extinguished.

Obi-Wan couldn't believe his luck changed so quickly. He first takes out Maul's lightsaber, but then loses it and his in that same second.

"It seems you should receive the nickname butterfingers!" scoffed Maul.

"Look who's talking. You lost your lightsaber because of a bad move choice!" smiled Obi-Wan, sneering at the same time.

At this Maul outstretched his arms, and Obi-Wan knew what would happen next.

Okay, Master Obi-Wan is definitely freaking me out right about now!, thought a mortified Anakin.

He was running out of options, so he did the last thing possible.

He gathered the Force around his body as he outstretched his arms.

The lightsabers across the room shook violently, and then they flew into Anakin's trembling hands. He ignited them both, ready to defend himself from Obi-Wan.

"Coward! First you block my mind, then you grab two lightsabers! Even though you have a double-end red one!" Obi-Wan yelled.

"Coward or not, it was the smart move to do," replied Maul.

Anakin finally decided to contact someone, anyone, nearby with the Force.

"Master, I'm warning you, stop! I don't want to hurt you," Anakin was at the brink of tears as he struggled to control himself.

"Then again you always were a coward, weren't you? You know it, too!" answered Obi-Wan bitterly.

This last sentence confused Anakin so much he fell to his knees, weeping.

"Get up," said Obi-Wan as Maul lost his footing, "Get up I say!"

Maul looked up, his face vacant, then tense.

But then Maul dropped Obi-Wan's lightsaber to the floor, was enveloped in darkness, then vanished.

Suddenly the door to the corridor and the entrance to the chamber blew up, flying forward.

Kit Fisto, a green Nautolan of the world Glee Anselm, stood there in a position that suggested he did an immense Force-push. His tentacles at the back of his head were trembling with rage as he relaxed, but he saw Obi-Wan retrieve his lightsaber and Anakin weeping on the floor with his extinguished lightsaber.

"Master Kenobi!" said Kit Fisto sternly, "Come with me."

Obi-Wan returned to his senses, then asked in a respectful tone, "Where are we going, Master Fisto?" Looks like I get my wish after all, he thought.

"We are going to the Jedi High Council Chamber, to see Master Yoda, you and him, alone."