The Rogue Jedi chapter 24

On My Own

"Hmm" Obi wan muttered softly still half in the clutches of sleep. He stretched feeling the gentle prickling of the grass beneath him. Picking himself up, he looked about at the beautiful gardens of the jedi temple laid out be fore him; a smile coming to his face.

Flowers and plants of all kinds gave off a wonderfully enticing scent. He breathed deeply. "It's good to see your finally awake my love" a deep voice came from beside him.

"Qui gon,!!" Obi wan turned blushing at having been caught unawares in his moment of wonder.

"Day dreaming are we..?" Qui gon teased pulling Obi wan closer

''humph" the young jedi pouted in mock annoyance.

"Ha ha" the older man chuckled rising up and offering a hand to his companion.

"Shall we enjoy an early morning stroll before the rest of the world wakes and decides to greet us with its woes and worries..?"

Obi wan smiled blissfully "I thought you'd never ask" taking his hand and wondering merrily through the temple gardens.

The rain continued to gently fall as the two continued through the calm of the garden.

"Obi wan have I told you lately just how much you mean to me ..?" Qui gon ask softly

Obi wan glanced sideways at his master a smirk forming on his lips "Not lately..?"

"Well I guess a demonstration is in order then " Qui gon chuckled leaning into kiss his blushing companion.

Obi wan accepted the gesture letting himself fall into the embrace and fully enjoy the moment. There was nothing that could make it any better….or was there…?

Getting a gleam of mischief in his eye, Obi wan broke away dashing a few yards before looking back.

"Coming?" he grinned taking off again with Qui gon following after.

"Obi wan wha..!!!" Qui gon gave a yelp as the young jedi jumped from his perch in the tree giving him a playful shove into the trunk and sending a small shower of silver starlight coloured raindrops and petals falling upon his head.

"Hmph" Qui gon snorted wiping stray petals from his hair. "Imp"

Obi wan laughed throwing his head back, then kicking up his heels and taking off once more.

With the game and his pursuit now in earnest, Qui gon caught up with his padawan half way round the bend. Grabbing him by the waist and laughing so hard they both were sent rolling to the ground.

"HA HA ha..hmmm" Qui gon sighed as he gazed down lovingly at Obi wan laying in the sweet grass beneath him, skin flushed and dew stained, looking back up at him.

"Qui gon…I love you…" he whispered

"And I you.."

"I want to be with you always ..."

Qui gon smiled bringing their brows together. "Forever and ever Obi love"

Continuing to walk the gardens they were met by several other jedi out enjoying an early morning stroll. Obi-wan, waving goodbye to one of his temple mates, took a deep breath of the cool air, running to catch up with his master. It felt so good to belong, to feel loved and secure, he pulled up beside his mate just as they came to the fountain.

"Shall we sit a moment Obi?" Qui-gon asked indicating a seat by the edge. Obi-wan nodded, settling down and running his hands gently through the fountains crystal flowing waters.

"This is lovely Qui.." he murmured, letting the sun warm him. Obi-wan closed his eyes and felt himself drifting away. He must have set there for some time, the sun was well above him when he next opened his eyes. "Qui-gon, .. Hmm.. I'm sorry I must have fallen asleep" He yawned giggling slightly "Why didn't you wake me?...Master...Qui-gon..?" Obi-wan looked about him but he found that he was alone by the fountain..

"hmm?" He frowned, it wasn't like his master to just up and leave him, not without at least telling him. Getting up he stretched stiff muscles, and began to straighten his clothes. As he was leaving he took a quick look at his reflection in the waters.

"Stay down for once.." He cursed his ever flamboyant hair running a hand through the locks and turning to go.

"!" He stopped, turning back to the water and looking once more, very closely.

"Wha...what's wrong with my hair..?" he wondered, peering at the reflected image, as the white locks seemed to change to cream then pale gold.

"Uunn" Grabbing a handful of water Obi-wan splashed it over his head scrubbing through his mane. Wiping the water from his eyes he peered back into the pool.

"! What..!!" He watched in mute horror as the water turned pink , then red before him. Great arcs of crimson poured out and down the spouts.

"It's...blood...a fountain...of blood !!!" He gasped.

He looked at his hands shaking and covered in blood then saw beyond to his reflection.

"Oh..!!" he cried as he looked into the face of a monster, a face twisted and distorted with hate and rage. The fountain waters churned and pitched violently, the bright red liquid no longer allowing itself to be contained poured over the basin rim and seeped across the pathway as it began to devour the garden in a steady red wave.

Obi-wan fairly flew through the trees in blind terror. "Master!!" he cried "Master where are you..?!!" He ran onward, higher and higher up into the temple towers, until he came to the peak. Jumping out through the window and clamoring onto the rooftop he stood staring, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.

Coruscant was gone, everything was gone. The great teaming world had become one giant rolling sea of blood and death.

"Qui-gon! " Obi-wan suddenly called over to a nearby tower, where a hooded figure stood. It turned staring through him with piercing yellow red eyes, a creature that seemed no longer truly human. Obi-wan shuddered at the site of the creature, it fit this place, it fell into the feel of this dying, decaying world like a new glove. Shadow upon shadow, fear devouring fear.

"Who are you..?" Obi-wan asked glaring hard at him.

It smiled.

Obi-wan felt a chill go through him.

"Don't remember me..? I am the chosen one...and I chose Death !!!" He hissed. "Their death" he sneered, making a wide sweeping gesture with his arms indicating the billowing red waves that was once city streets and air lanes. "Their death "he said pointing down at the barely visible stubs of the temple.

Obi-wan stared to stunned to speak. The creature that was Anakin grinned, "His death" he laughed cocking his head towards a body floating nearby.

"No!" Obi-wan cried , recognizing the raven hair "Xanatos" he made a grab for him , just as another body splashed into the bloody sea in front of him, splattering him with more of the crimson liquid.

"Qui-..Qui-Gon!!!" Obi-wan howled out in bitter anger " Nooo!! You bastard !!, you killed them.. You killed them all !!!" He blinked back his tears as he glared at the hated creature in front of him.

"Not yet.. I still have you.." He grinned heartlessly.

Obi-wan grit his teeth. "Go ahead do your worst.. It's not as if I have anything left to lose" At this Anakin's smile grew

"Perhaps, perhaps not... I still have you to kill...and..." He pulled a small bundle from his robe. "You.." he cooed at the small being cradled in the blanket. "Did you forget your little bundle of joy" he said with contempt.

Obi-wan staggered as it all came crashing back to him. " Give me my child!!" he snapped gritting his teeth , his rage swirling about him, an almost tangible thing.

"Yes" Anakin murmured softly, closing his eyes "I can feel your anger, at me...at Qui-gon. Use it, maybe you'll be able to beat me.. Who knows...?" He smirked, shrugging his shoulders.

"No" Obi-wan hissed "Never"

"Suit yourself" he replied nonchalantly. With a quick flick of his wrist there was a sickening snap and the small bundle went limp in his arms before being tossed to the waves.

"NOOOO!!!" Obi-wan screamed hurtling himself through the air and landing on the other tower. A burning red rage took over his heart and he fought as he had never fought before. In mere moments he had the sith lord slain, and knelt down panting heavily as tears of hurt and sadness trailed down his face.

//Heh heh heh // A wicked laugh echoed around him. Obi-wan jumped up his saber ready, he looked down at the body of Anakin, laying still and silent before turning his gaze around him.

"Who's there" he growled" There was nowhere for anyone to be as far as his eyes could see.

//Heh heh heh //

"Where the force are you!!!" the young knight screamed swinging around.

// Very noble, be an honorable jedi, go and slay the evil sith. Ha ha.. Fancy thinking the beast, this green eyed monster, was something you could fight and kill.//

"Come out and fight... whoever you are.." Obi-wan said circling warily.

// Ha ha ha.. You mean whatever... ha ha // the voice answered, echoing all around

// Behold the truth , it is I who control you, who condemn you. I don't need to win a mere mortals match against you to steal your soul, I already own it. You have let me and your doom in in by the front door with open arms.//

"No !! ...Nooo!!" Obi-wan shouted "I fight for good, I slayed a sith !!! And I would do so again..!!! Do you hear me !! I shall fight Anakin !! Him and all the sith !!!!!"

// You need not fight him ..// the cold voice rang out, knocking him to his knees by the towers edge // you've become him !!!//

"No !!" Obi-wan gasped staring once more at his reflection as his hair turned a deep gold and his eyes a malicious crimson and amber hue. "No !!" There was a deafening roar as the tower collapsed and Obi-wan suddenly found himself engulfed by the swirling red tide.

He felt anger prick at his skin. He would fight, the sith would pay. //I'm sinking// he noted. He was kicking hard, but going nowhere, his anger building up, he tried again but it seemed he was getting heavier with each second. Trying to kick still harder, he was startled when a pair of hands suddenly grabbed his arm. Turning, his eyes went wide. //Xanatos..?! // Then another set grabbed hold of him // Qui-gon..!!// then another and another. They grappled for space pulling Obi-wan down deeper into the depth's. // Stop, you're crushing me !!!// Obi-wan's mind cried out // I can't breath...need..air..//

" AARrrgggh!!!! Stop !! You're killing me !!! Stop !! Stop !! You're killing me ...Killing meeeee-arrgghhhhh !!!!!!!!!"

"Obi-wan !!, wake up Obi-wan you're dreaming !!!" a voice was suddenly calling to him, and he felt himself being shaken awake.

" Help...there gone...gone...!! All of them...all gone ...he kill ...he ...killed them...he...he..." Obi-wan sobbed, gasping and sputtering awake, trying to throw the vision that still held in the cobwebs of his mind.

"Shhhh... Obi-wan.. you're safe.. we're back at home now...it's alright" Xanatos voice soothed as he brought a cloth up to wipe across Obi-wan's brow.

"No... no...you're gone ...you're dead...all..dead...everyone...all gone..."

"Stop" Xanatos said more firmly, pressing the cloth to his flushed cheek. "Obi-wan , open your eyes and see for yourself, you are safe. It was a dream brought on by your fever. Do you remember..? He asked "Going to the temple..?"

Obi-wan's brown knitted together, he stared up at Xanatos, before reaching a trembling hand out and touching the man's face to be sure. His fingers fell upon the high cheek bones and brushed through his ebony hair. He was real he was alive.

"Oh Xani!!!" Obi-wan cried out with joy, lunging forward and wrapping his arms about him , none too gently

"Unngg" Xanatos grimaced.

"Xani,... you're hurt..!" Obi-wan said, pulling back and looking at the bandages covering his friend.

"I'll be ok.." The raven haired man shrugged, " I must admit ol' master Jinn gave me a run for my money though"

Obi-wan felt his throat go dry, as he looked up in the Xanatos's eyes " Did you..?...I mean...is...he..?" Obi-wan felt a lump forming; he knew what a duel such as that came to when two knights faced each other. Only one returned, it was the way. He swallowed hard trying to rein in his feelings.

"I didn't kill him Obi-wan" Xanatos said softly, reading Obi-wan's expression.

Obi-wan looked up into his eyes " But ...I.."

"I made you a promise that I would never intentionally kill him...and I kept it...unngg" he groaned a bit, sitting on the edge of the bed. "though believe me it wasn't easy."

" He hurt you.." Obi-wan said gingerly fingering one the bandages on Xani's arm, and feeling a stirring of ire towards Qui-gon for injuring this man who had stepped forward to help him.

"Well, I won't lie and say he went easy on me ...but " he grinned a little " I think I gave as good as I got hee hee... I'm sure dear Master Jinn is having a few problems of his own right now...you know... Sitting...walking...etc." Xanatos grinned mischievously "Just little tokens of love from me.."

Obi-wan frowned looking down at the sheets, "I've been such a fool, I ...I... almost lost you"

Xani felt his heart stir at the acknowledgment. "Well to be perfectly honest I'd say I came out a little better from this scrape than you did" He smiled, edging his way up a little on the bed, and taking Obi-wan's pale hands into his own. "You really had me worried you know..."

Obi-wan looked up at the sudden seriousness in his voice, his ice blue eyes looked at him with concern and fear etched into them, but if Obi-wan looked hard he thought he could glimpse something else there as well ...disappointment.

"Xani...I'm so sorry" Obi-wan began " I was so ...stupid !!! ...I almost got you killed... I could have died !!!.."

"You both nearly did die" he said bluntly "perhaps you should apologize to the right person" his eyes fell towards the covers over Obi-wan's body.

As realization came flooding back, Obi-wan felt his blood turn cold.

// My baby !!!// he gasped clutching his mid-section.

"Xanatos !! Oh please.. Oh please ...tell me I didn't ...I didn't lose the baby..!!!" he cried out in desperation. "I couldn't could ...never...oh please ..ple..."

"Stop" Xanatos said grabbing his shoulders and shaking gently. "Stop, shhh..,, the baby is ok thanks to Jemez, whom you'll be happy to note has decided to stay and...how did he put it... ah yes, keep two crazy idiots out of trouble" he gave a small grin.

Obi-wan smiled back, but Xanatos had become serious once more.

"Obi-wan I want you to listen very carefully, you are not out of danger yet , your body took a lot of damage and I don't think it can take any more. " Xani ran a hand nervously through his hair before continuing " I called a healer to look at you while you slept" he admitted.

Obi-wan looked at him to continue " ..and...?" he asked apprehensively.

"You are not to get out of bed for at least two weeks, and then activity is to be kept to a minimum… understand...?" Xanatos cringed a little as he spoke, hadn't meant to sound so harsh but he had been scared out of his wits for Obi-wan and was determined to keep the man safe at all costs.

Obi-wan nodded mutely, effectively cowed for his rash decision.

"Therefore any temple chasing you may want to do... put it on hold . Your child's life depends on it, your's as well.

Obi-wan felt his cheeks burn in shame, he nodded curtly and made to stare at the bed sheets when he felt a thumb gently tilt his chin up.

"Obi-wan, I know it's hard but I don't want to lose you.." Xani explained

Obi-wan nodded once more, too upset to do much else.

"...I'm sorry..." He mumbled, not really sure who he was apologizing to...Xanatos, Qui-gon, his child, the gods he was certain he'd somehow insulted

Xanatos gently laid him back down in bed, tucking him in " Get some rest Obi-wan I'll be back in a bit" he got up and limped out of the room, Obi-wan sighed as he watched him go, before turning his head to stare out the window. Through which he could see the temple looming tall and foreboding far away across the city.

As he looked, Obi-wan suddenly felt a great weariness overcome him.

//Qui-gon,... I was a fool to come after your chosen one in my state. I see now that I can't save you...or any of the jedi until you open your eyes and decide to save yourselves... ... forgive me Master...but you are dead to me now...as I no doubt am to you. Your life will go on, with or without my presence ...and...I...must somehow move on as well. But...I know ...that some part of me... will always love you...If only on my own.//

To Be Continued ...