The Hostage
"This is not happening" Obi-wan thought. The same red and black marked figure in his dreams was right in front of him, with the same sith damned two sided sword. He knew how this story would end. He'd seen it dozens of times in his dreams where he'd wake up screaming his masters name. Somehow his master would be alone with this demon, and something horrible would happen; Obi-wan couldn't fathom life without Qui-Gon.
"I won't let that happen. I can change the future for the better." He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see the Sith's foot snap out and kick him in the face. He flew back off the small walkway. With every ounce of determination, he gathered the force and twisted in mid air, grabbing on to the walkway with his left hand. His Master and the Dark figure continued their dance of death - making their way closer to the reactor pit. He knew what would happen when they got there. A mental picture flashed in his mind of seeing his master with a lightsaber run through his chest as he watched through the red laser field. He couldn't, no, wouldn't let that happen. Using the force again, he propelled himself toward the two warriors. As he ran, he put out his left hand and flicked it to the left, using the force to forcefully push his master off the walkway and into space. He didn't even spare a glance to look as his master manipulated the force to land on the ramp beneath him. A wave of relief washed through him seconds before he engaged his lightsaber with his enemy's weapon. He slashed at this enemy, looking for any openings in the Sith's defenses. Finding non, he performed an aerial jump, attacking from above and landing behind the attacker with his back to the reactor pit. The Sith fought with renewed energy, quickly attacking with several powerful blows, pushing Obi-wan back toward the pit. With a mighty force push from the Sith, Obi-wan felt himself fly backwards through the reactor walkway. The Sith ran toward the Jedi to slash at him while he was on the ground. Obi-wan countered the downward blow in the nick of time. Feeling a warning from the force, he rolled over seconds before a laser shield went down between the Dark warrior and Obi-wan. This gave Obi-wan some precious seconds to recover. He slowly got up from the ground and turned to the Sith. He could see Qui-Gon at the very end of the reactor hallway, waiting for the laser doors to open so he could join the fight. He couldn't let his master be anywhere near the pit. He needed to protect him. Using his mind, he sent his master waves of love through the bond. Qui-Gon returned his love, curious as to why he would choose this time to do it. It wasn't until all the laser reactor doors opened except his that he understood what was happening. Obi-wan had somehow jammed the laser door between Qui-Gon and the fight. He could feel Obi-wan's force block jamming the laser door.
"Obi-wan, what are you doing? Unblock the door!" he ordered with his mind. He could see his Padawan and the Dark warrior battling through the red laser field.
"No Master." Obi-wan answered back, "I won't let …" the voice broke off as he parried a deadly overhead strike, "you die."
"Stubborn boy", thought Qui-Gon. Why was Obi-wan acting like this? They had fought enemy's before. Maybe not a Sith warrior, but dangerous beings none the less. Never had Obi-wan physically barred him from a fight. He closed his eyes and used the force. Obi-wan was incredible strong in the force, but Qui-Gon had experience on his side. He found the force block on the door and pushed against it.
The Sith and Obi-wan continued their fight by the reactor pit. Obi-wan had pushed the Dark warrior against the wall. He performed multiple strikes which the Sith blocked each time. The last strike was blocked just inches from the tattooed creatures jaw.
"Where is your master, boy?" , the Dark warrior hissed, "Do you actually think you can best me yourself?"
Obi-wan responded by knocking his blade away and kicking out with his leg. The Sith jumped over the kick and force pushed the padawan into the wall. He heard the sharp crack as the boy's head made contact with the steel surface. He used this opportunity to take a small dart from his belt and throw it at the young Jedi. The dazed Obi-wan barely managed to dodge the attack. Once again, Obi-wan found himself on the ground, defending himself from attacks from above. With his back on the floor, he blocked a downward strike that would surely have decapitated him, if not for his quick reflexes.
"I had a dream I killed your master, boy.", he taunted, "After I take care of you, I just might kill him for fun. How would you like to watch me finish him off for good?"
"NO!" shouted Obi-wan. He used a sudden burst of energy to kick out the Sith's legs, block his lightsaber attack that followed and elbowed him in the mouth. The Sith backed up, surprised by the sudden attack and even more surprised that he was bleeding. He wiped his hand across his lip, smearing the blood that flowed from the wound.
"Now you have made me angry.", he said in a quiet deadly voice. The Sith half turned as he created a small ball of force energy in his right hand and quickly hurled it at Obi-wan. He continued in his spin as he used the force to send the dart, that was lying on the floor, flying into the Jedi at the same time as the force ball. Obi-Wan leaped to the left to avoid the force energy, but couldn't move fast enough for the dart. It hit him square in his upper thigh. Immediately, he felt intense pain throughout his leg, while, at the same time, felt the force rush from his grasp. Obi-wan yelled out from the sudden withdrawl of the force. He tried not to gasp from the fire in his thigh that was quickly moving up his body. He went to reach down and pull the evil weapon from his leg… that's when he realized he couldn't move his right arm.
Qui-Gon was quickly hammering away on the force block that Obi-wan had created. He gasped as he felt the extreme pain in this leg and then nothing from the bond to his padawan.
"Force no, Obi-wan" he yelled. In desperation, he used all his strength against the force block. It gave in easily as his padawan's control of the force vanished. The master used the force to ran as fast as he could to the reactor pit.
"Please, Force, let him be alive.", he thought. The scene that greeted him there, he would remember for the rest of his life. Obi-wan was hovering three inches from the ground. He was completely pale and covered in sweat. His eyes were half closed and his whole body trembled. His lips moved but no words came out. Behind him stood the Dark warrior. He had his right hand on the young Jedi's throat and the left hand holding his extinguished lightsaber under the youth's jaw.
"I wouldn't come any closer if you want your precious Palawan's head connected with his body."
"What did you do to him", Qui-Gon asked, feeling the force shimmer from the anger he felt.
"Oh, this is an amazing little concoction I came up with. It is an incredible painful force suppression poison that paralyzes the victim . If he could speak to you, I imagine he would say that his body feels like its on fire. Don't worry, I promise, it's much worse than it sounds."
"Let him go." Qui-Gon responded steadily, "He's only a boy. Your fight is with me."
"Ah, but this one is so much more pretty." said the Sith, gesturing his head up and down to look at the boy's figure. "And all the potential… no, I think I'll keep him instead." He turned his yellow eyes toward Qui-Gon. "Now, drop your lightsaber down the reactor shaft."
"Not likely." Came the response.
The Dark Warrior scowled. Keeping his lightsaber against the boy's neck, he reached on his back for a red dagger. He swung it in front of him and slammed it into the boys uninjured thigh.
Obi-wan cried out once as a new pain flooded his senses. He yelled again as the Sith twisted the dagger in his flesh.
"Because I will continue stabbing him right in front of you until you comply with my requests. And you will be responsible for his death."
Qui-Gon was torn. He had to save Obi-wan. If he threw his lightsaber down, he would be powerless to save him, yet if he kept it, this mad man would slowly kill his son in front of him. It was an easy decision. He had to do what he could to keep the boy alive. He dropped his lightsaber down the shaft.
"Smart choice, Old Man" the Sith responded. "Maybe you'll see your padawan again some day, but for now he's going to be coming with me."
"Take me instead." Qui-Gon asked, "You've done enough to the boy. A master for an apprentice. I will go willingly." He bowed his head, hoping the Sith would agree to the exchange.
"I think not", answered the Sith, "Now if you will just put on these cuffs," he left the dagger in the padawan as he reached in his belt for a pair of force suppressant cuffs and tossed them to the master, "we'll be going".
Qui-Gon picked up the cuffs and paused, the uncertainty showing in the face. The Sith swiftly removed the dagger and was about to swing it into another spot on Obi-wan's leg when Qui-Gon's yell cut him short.
"I'll do it, just please, don't cause him any more pain." he pleaded. He cuffed his wrists in front of him, feeling the force slowly drain out of him.
"We'll be leaving now. If you follow us, I will kill the boy. If you alert anyone, I will kill the boy. If you leave this room, I will kill the boy. Do you understand?"
Qui-Gon bowed his head. His mind thinking of anything to save his padawan. The Sith had turned away by now and was using the force to take his padawan, his Obi-wan, with him. Doing the only thing he could think of, he shouted, "Obi-wan, I will find you. Just hold on." Though Qui-Gon could only see the back of his head, he could just make out the slight nod of the young Jedi's head. The Sith stopped in his tracks with his back turned to Qui-Gon. He spun around and with a crackling of energy, send a force ball directly toward the Master. It hit Qui-Gon square in the chest, slamming him into the wall. As he slipped into unconsiousness, he heard Obi-wan give another yell. Something hit him on the forehead. Before his eyes closed, he was able to see what it was… a padawan braid.
Please review! This is my first fanfiction...and I know it's not perfect! Please let me know what you think, the direction you think it should go and any constructive criticism. I'm always ready to hear good advice! The next chapter should post this weekend...I'm thinking Sunday? Thanks!
