Alex Rider: Mission Jedi

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or Alex Rider.

Author's Note: Thanks for reviewing again, Jakiray Axmiris. I'm glad you're still reading this story!

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Chapter 21: An Ancient Hatred

For a moment, the three antagonists were frozen as if in time. Then Obi-Wan launched himself forward, lightsaber clashing against the Sith's. Asajj laughed ruthlessly as she spun around, robes whipping around her. Alex made a mental note not to trip over them as he ducked and swiped in.

Immediately his lightsaber connected with another blade and Alex felt the strength of the block reverberating up his arm. Gritting his teeth and clutching his weapon with both hands, Alex slashed again, this time aiming for the Sith's chest. At the same time Obi-Wan attacked from Asajj's other side. She easily held both of them off at arm's length. Then she withdrew the lightsaber that had blocked Alex, meaning to unbalance him. Instead he surged forward, lightsaber whooshing toward Asajj.

The Sith held out her hand and a burst of blue lightning shot out, curling around Alex's torso. He gasped, too shocked to react.

Then came the pain; Alex screamed as what felt like a thousand hot knives jabbed into his skin over and over again. He dropped to the ground, writhing helplessly as he tried desperately to escape the pain.

Then, very suddenly, the pain stopped. Alex raised his head, panting in exhaustion.

"See what happens when you dare fight the Sith," Asajj cackled coldly, moving off in her duel with Obi-Wan.

Alex lay down for a moment, regaining his strength. His whole body ached in pain, and he was shaking terribly in fear. Slowly, groaning, he pulled himself into a standing position. Drawing his lightsaber to his hand, he watched the battle continue out the door.

Alex took a step forward and stumbled. He cried out as he plummeted to the ground again. Back to square one, he thought bitterly as he forced himself up once more. Then, he moved out of the room, using the statues he passed for balance.

Out in the next hallway, Alex spotted a pair of metal doors that were still open. He poked his head through the doors and saw a gigantic room dimly alit with power cords and the small, blinking lights on the catwalks. Alex stepped inside nervously, observing the mass of crisscrossing catwalks stationed throughout the room.

Then Alex noticed the brilliant lights of the lightsabers. Quickening his pace, he limped across a catwalk toward them.

Alex ignited his lightsaber, swiping at Asajj. She whipped one lightsaber back to block him, and then she sidestepped so that both Jedi were in front of her.

"Come back for more, Jedi?" she taunted.

Alex snarled, "No. I've come to kill you!" He charged forward, slashing violently. Asajj stopped his first blow and retreated to avoid the second. Alex stepped up so he could be in attacking range again. Asajj's foot came out of nowhere, striking him on the chin. Alex reeled back, momentarily stunned by the blow.

Obi-Wan rapidly took Alex's place, forcing Asajj farther back. The two dueling opponents entered a short hallway, and as Alex collected himself he moved to follow them.

At that moment, force fields buzzed to life in regular intervals down the corridor. Alex skidded to a halt, narrowly avoiding the first force field. Five shields down the hall, Obi-Wan and Asajj glared at each other across a force field.

Alex took a deep breath, wondering if this hall worked just like in a video game where obstacles would turn on and off at a certain speed. If so, he'd only have a limited amount of time to get back to the battle. Alex braced himself, ready to run.

Finally the force fields sizzled and disappeared. The antagonists leaped into action, Alex sprinting down the corridor as the fight continued in the hall.

Just as Alex was a few feet away, Asajj struck out at Obi-Wan. Her lightsaber burned across his chest and the Jedi collapsed.

"No!" Alex gasped, almost inaudibly, as a force field burst up between him and Obi-Wan. The Jedi lay still, and Alex turned his hateful glare on Asajj.

For what seemed like hours, the force fields buzzed, before finally dispersing. Alex raised his lightsaber to attack and stepped forward when twin bolts of lightning burst from Asajj's fingertips.

Knowing what was coming, Alex braced himself, but he still could not bear the searing, white-hot pain. Howling, he fell to the ground and twitched, feeling his very blood on fire.

Then the force field reappeared, and the lightning stopped momentarily. Alex curled into a ball, sweat running down his face. He gasped for air, taking deep, ragged breaths. Mentally, he apologized to everyone he knew. I'm sorry. I can't do this. Sorry Obi-Wan, Anakin. Sorry to the Naboo. Sorry Jack, Ian, everyone. I just want to die.

Alex closed his eyes and jerked as the lightning struck him once more. Having no voice left, he screamed silently as wave after wave of pain washed through him, sweeping through his body and taking his strength with it. He scrabbled madly at the smooth metal floor, wishing there was some way, any way to stop the endless pain.

The force fields rose. Alex blinked back the stars in front of his eyes and noticed something shiny. He picked it up and realized it was his lightsaber. Shaking hands finding the button, he igniting the lightsaber and held it above him, observing the beautiful, transfixing glow of the emerald blade. A way to stop the pain.

Closing his eyes once more, Alex lowered the lightsaber toward his neck.

Suddenly a strong hand gripped his arm. "Don't," Obi-Wan said through gritted teeth. He had crawled over while Alex had been blinded by pain.

Alex said nothing, in too much shock to speak.

"Jedi," Asajj hissed angrily from somewhere above them. "Fine. You will both die."

The lightning shot through the air, hitting the lightsaber hilt Alex was still holding. He gasped and tossed it aside as the metal instantly crackled with heat.

Then the lightning sliced into him and he yelled again, feeling the last of his reserves of strength draining away. Obi-Wan's grip on his arm loosened as the Jedi lost consciousness.

This was it. Alex couldn't hold on much longer. Already his vision was fading, and he could barely make out the bolts of lightning streaking around him. Sight, sound, it was all blurring together into one massive roar, punctuated by the cold, evil laughter of the Sith Lord.

BANG!

Sweet, sweet silence. Alex could only hear his own ragged breathing and a faint ringing in his ears. He gulped down air, blinking confusedly. What just happened? Alex tried to raise his head, but he was too weak and his muscles wouldn't support him. He lay flat, facing up at a swirl of dark ceiling, shuddering uncontrollably. As the lightning's fiery energy faded from his body, an overwhelming cold came over him. Shivering and soaked with sweat, Alex continued staring upward.

"Alex." Alex heard a voice. Had he only imagined it?

Then it came again. "Alex."

Squinting upward, he saw a pale face floating above him. It was Yassen Gregorovich.

"What?" Alex managed hoarsely.

"I shot the Sith. Relax, Alex, everything will be fine."

Alex struggled to say something else, but he was overcome with exhaustion and everything was fading. With a tiny sigh, he closed his eyes and welcomed the darkness.

To be continued...

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