Chapter 16
Plagueis gives the Sun Guards the night off, and the only other intelligence in the sprawling apartment is the droid 11-4D, their servant for the occasion, pouring wine into expensive glassware as they remove their cloaks.
"Sullustan," Plagueis says, holding the glass up to the light and swirling its claret contents. "More than half a century old."
"A toast, then," Sidious replies. "To the culmination of decades of brilliant planning and execution."
"And to the new meaning we will tomorrow impart to the Rule of Two."
They drain their glasses, and 11-4D immediately refills them.
"Only you could have brought this to fruition, Darth Plagueis," Sidious says, settling into a chair. "I will endeavor to live up your expectations and fulfill my responsibility."
Plagueis takes the compliment in stride, neither haughty nor embarrassed.
"With my guidance and your charisma, we will soon be in a position to initiate the final act of the Grand Plan." Making himself more comfortable on the couch, he signaled for 11-4D to open a second bottle of the vintage.
"Have you given thought to what you will say tomorrow?"
"I have prepared some remarks," Sidious says. "Shall I spoil the surprise?"
"Why not."
Sidious takes a moment to compose himself. "To begin, I thought I would say, that, while we in the Senate have managed to keep the Republic intact for a thousand years, we would never have been able to do so without the assistance of a few beings, largely invisible to the public eye, whose accomplishments now need to be brought into the light of day."
Plagueis smiles. "I'm pleased. Go on."
Speaking in a low monotone, Sidious says, "Hego Damask is one of those beings. It was Hego Damask who was responsible for overseeing development of the Republic Reserve Administration and for providing financial support for the Resettlement Acts that enabled beings to blaze new hyperspace routes to the outlying systems and colonize distant worlds."
"That will come as a revelation to some."
"In a similar fashion, it was Hego Damask who transformed the Trade Federation—"
"No, no," Plagueis interrupts. "Now is not the time to mention the Trade Federation."
"I thought—"
"I don't see any problem with calling attention to the arrangements I facilitated between the Republic and the Corporate Alliance and the Techno Union. But we must take care to avoid areas of controversy."
"Of course," Sidious says as if chastised. "I was speaking off the top of my head."
"Try a different approach."
So Sidious did.
And as the night wears on, he continues to amend and improvise, touching on Damask's childhood on Mygeeto and on the elder Damask's contributions to the InterGalactic Banking Clan during his term as co-chair. Wineglass in hand, Sidious paces the richly carpeted floor, often vacillating between confidence and misgiving. More than once, Plagueis voices satisfaction with everything he heard, but he urged Sidious to save his energy for the morning.
By then, though, Sidious is too wound up to heed the advice and keep reworking the order of the remarks and the emphasis he gave to certain points.
The droid brings out a third, then a fourth bottle of the Sullustan wine.
Pleasantly intoxicated, Plagueis, who wants nothing more than to revel in the sweet taste of victory, is beginning to find his collaborator's performance exhausting, and wants nothing more than to close his eyes and drift into imaginings of his march into the Senate Rotunda; the looks of surprise, astonishment, and trepidation on the faces of the gathered Senators; his long-anticipated emergence from the shadows; his ascension to galactic power…
Unfortunately, Sidious won't let him.
"That's enough for now," Plagueis tries one final time. "You should probably return home and get at least a few hours' rest before—"
"Just one more time—from the beginning."
"The beginning?"
"Lord Plagueis, you said you wouldn't rest until our win was a matter of fact."
"So it is, and so I shall, Darth Sidious."
"Then let us celebrate that, as well." Sidious beckons to 11-4D. "Fill our glasses, droid."
With dreamy weariness beginning to get the better of him, it is all Plagueis could do to lift the glass to his nose. No sooner did he set the drink down than it tips over, saturating the tablecloth. His eyelids begin to flicker and close, and his breathing slows. In twenty years of never having had to contend with Plagueis in a state of sleep, the transpirator clicks repeatedly in adjustment, almost as if in panic.
A few meters distant, Sidious comes to a halt, gazing at Plagueis for a long moment, as though making up his mind about something. Then, blowing out his breath, he sets his own glass down and reaches for the cloak he drapes over a chair. Swirling it around himself, he starts for the door, only to stop shortly before he reaches it. Turning and stretching out with the Force, he glances around the room, as one might fix a memory in the mind. Briefly, his gaze fall on the droid, its glowing photoreceptors whirring to regard him in evident curiosity.
A look of sinister purpose contorts Sidious's face.
Again, his eyes dart around the room, and the dark side whispered: 'Your election assured, the Sun Guards absent, Plagueis unsuspecting and asleep…'
And he moves in a blur.
Crackling from his fingertips, a web of blue lightning ground itself on the Muun's breathing device. Plagueis's eyes snap open, the Force gathering in him like a storm, but he stops short of defending himself. This being who survived assassinations and killed countless opponents merely gazes at Sidious, until it strike him that Plagueis is challenging him!
Confident that he cannot be killed, and in denial that he is slowly suffocating, he might be simply experimenting with himself, actually courting death to put it in its place. Momentarily taken aback, Sidious stand absolutely still. Is Plagueis so self-deluded as to believe that he achieves immortality?
The question lingers for only a moment, then Sidious unleashes another tangle of lightning, drawing more deeply on the dark side than he ever had.
"Let's go over the second part of the speech, shall we," he says, smoothing his tousled cloak. "You useless old fool."
With a snarl, he throws the cloak back behind his shoulders and leans toward Plagueis, planting his palms on the low table that is now puddled with spilled wine.
"It was Hego Damask as Darth Plagueis who came to Naboo, determined to suck the planet dry of plasma and set the Trade Federation up as its overseers. It was Hego Damask as Plagueis who then set his sights on a seemingly confused young man and, with meticulous skill, manipulated him into committing patricide, matricide, fratricide. Darth Plagueis who took him as an apprentice, sharing some of his knowledge but withholding his most powerful secrets, denying the apprentice his wishes as a means of controlling him, instilling in him a sense of murderous rage, and turning him to the dark side." Sidious stands to his full height, glaring.
"It was Plagueis who criticized the early efforts of his apprentice, and who once choked him in a demonstration of his superiority.
"Plagueis, who denigrated him in private for hiring an inept assassin to carry out the murder of Senator Kim—and yet who allowed himself to be tricked by the Gran and nearly killed by mercenaries.
"Plagueis, who turned away from the Grand Plan to focus entirely on himself, in an egotistical quest for immortality.
"Plagueis who had the temerity to criticize his apprentice for having inculcated too much pride in the assassin he had trained.
"Plagueis who attempted to turn his equally powerful apprentice into a messenger and mere intermediary.
"And Plagueis who watched in secret while his apprentice tasked their true intermediary to reveal the reborn Sith to the galaxy."
Sidious pauses, then, in derision, adds, "Plagueis the Wise, who in his time truly was, except at the end, trusting that the Rule of Two had been superseded, and failed to realize that he would not be excused from it. Plagueis the Wise, who forged the most powerful Sith Lord the galaxy has ever known, and yet who forgot to leave a place for himself; whose pride never allowed him to question that he would no longer be needed."
Still struggling for breath, Plagueis manages to stand, but only to collapse back onto the couch, knocking a statue from its perch. Sidious moves in, his hands upraise to deliver another bolt, his expression arctic enough to chill the room. A Force storm gathers over the couch, spreading out in concentric rings, to wash over Sidious and hurl objects to all corners. In the center of it, Plagueis's form becomes anamorphic, then resumes shape as the storm begins to wane.
Sidious's eyes bore into the Muun's.
"How often you said that the old order of Bane had ended with the death of your Master. An apprentice no longer needs to be stronger, you told me, merely more clever. The era of keeping score, suspicion, and betrayal was over. Strength is not in the flesh but in the Force."
He laughs. "You lost the game on the very first day you chose to train me to rule by your side—or better still, under your thumb. Teacher, yes, and for that I will be eternally grateful. But Master—never."
Sidious peers at Plagueis through the Force. "Oh, yes, by all means gather your midi-chlorians, Plagueis." He holds his thumb and forefinger close together. "Try to keep yourself alive while I choke the life out of you."
Plagueis gulp for air and lifts an arm toward him.
"There's the rub, you see," Sidious declares in a philosophical tone. "All the ones you experimented on, killed, and brought back to life… They were little more than toys. Now, though, you get to experience it from their side, and look what you discover: in a body that is being denied air, in which even the Force is failing, your own midi-chlorians can't accomplish what you're asking of them."
Hatred stains Sidious's eyes.
"I could save you, of course. Return you from the brink, as you did Venamis. I could retask your body to repair the damage already done to your lungs, your hearts, your aged brain. But I'll do no such thing. The idea here is not to drag you back at the last moment, but to bring you to death's door and shove you through to the other side." Sidious sighs. "A tragedy, really, for one so wise. One who could oversee the lives and deaths of all beings, except himself."
The Muun's eyes begin to bulge; his pale flesh, to turn cyanotic.
"You may be wondering: when did he begin to change? The truth is that I haven't changed. As we have clouded the minds of the Jedi, I clouded yours. Never once did I have any intention of sharing power with you. I needed to learn from you; no more, no less. To learn all of your secrets, which I trusted you would eventually reveal. But what made you think that I would need you after that? Vanity, perhaps; your sense of self-importance. You've been nothing more than a pawn in a game played by a genuine Master.
"The Sith'ari."
A cruel laugh escapes him.
"Reflect back on even the past few years—assuming you have the capacity. Yinchorr, Dorvalla, Eriadu, Maul, the Neimoidians, Naboo, an army of clones, the fallen Jedi Dooku … You think these were your ideas, when in fact they were mine, cleverly suggested to you so that you could feed them back to me. You were far too trusting, Plagueis. No true Sith can ever really care about another. This has always been known. There is no way but my way."
Sidious's eyes narrow. "Are you still with me, Plagueis? Yes, I detect that you are—though barely.
"A few final words, then.
"I could have let you die in the Fobosi district, but I couldn't allow that to happen when there was still so much I didn't know; so many powers that remained just outside my reach. And as it happened, I acted wisely in rescuing you. Otherwise, how could I be standing here and you be dying? I actually thought you would die on Sojourn—and you would have if the Hutt hadn't tipped you off to Veruna's scheme.
"And yet that also turned out for the best, for even after all you taught me, I might not have been able to take the final steps to the chancellorship without your help in manipulating the Senate and bringing into play your various and sundry allies. If it's any consolation, I'm being honest when I say that I could not have succeeded without you. But now that we've won the race, I've no need for a co-chancellor. Your presence, much less your unnecessary counsel, would only confuse matters. I have Maul to do what the risk of discovery might not allow me to do, while I execute the rest of the Grand Plan: growing an army, fomenting rebellion and fabricating intergalactic war, corralling the Jedi, and catching them unawares...
"Rest easy in your grave, Plagueis. In the end, I will be proclaimed Emperor. The Sith will have had their revenge, and I will rule the galaxy. I know about your plans to replace me with Vader, that mockery of the teachings. You Plagueis have missed the return of the old Sith. Not to worry, your protégé would gain a swift death."
His Master coughs. "You're a fool, Sidious. I never intend to replace you with Vader. Th-th... I was interested in him leading our arm-armies so we can have a invincible Empire with him as our warrior and you and I as the figureheads. This wo-would have avoided a war among our ranks, but that time and past is gone. Prepare, Sidious, y-you have inadvertently began a war that is among us. Your foolishness will only lead to your ultimate destruction, Sidious."
Before Palpatine could inquire him, Plagueis slid to the floor and rolls facedown. Death rattles his lungs and he dies.
His former Sith Master remains motionless and lifeless.
OneOne-FourDee starts to approach, but Sidious motions for it to stop.
"We're going to have to find you a new home and a new body, droid."
OneOne-FourDee looks once at the Muun, then at Sidious. "Yes, Master Palpatine."
Yet, Sidious notes, there is something odd about this whole incident.
Now is not the time to ponder. It is time to deal with Darth Vader and he has a perfect plan that would be remembered in history but also put an end to someone who poses a challenge to him in the future along with the Queen of Naboo.
Qui-Gon Jinn is one of the ablest swordsmen in the Jedi order. That in part is due to the Master he have, being deeply skilled in lighteaber combat and accord in terms of the Force. Qui-Gon fought in conflicts all across the galaxy in the span of his life and against odds so great that many others would not have stood a chance. He survived battles that test his skill and resolve in every conceivable way.
But on this day, he meets his match. The Sith Lord he battles with Obi-Wan is more than his equal in weapons training, and he have the advantage of being younger and stronger. Qui-Gon is nearing sixty; his youth is behind him and his strength is beginning to diminish. His edge now, to the extent that he had one, come from his long experience and intuitive grasp of how an adversary might employ a lightsaber against him.
Obi-Wan brings youth and stamina to the combat, but he fight in only a few contests and is not battle-hardened. Together, they are able to hold their own against the Sith Lord, but their efforts at attack, at assuming the offensive against this dangerous adversary, are woefully inadequate.
Darth Maul is a warrior in his prime, never to be any better, his powers at their apex. In addition, he is driven by his messianic hatred for and disdain of the Jedi Knights, the enemies of the Sith for millennia. He has worked and trained all his life for this moment, for a chance to meet a Jedi Knight in combat. It is an added bonus that he was able to engage two. He have no fear for himself, no doubt that he would win. He is focused in a way that Qui-Gon recognized at once-a Jedi's focus, mindful of the present, locked in on what was needed in the here and now. Qui-Gon sees it in his mad eyes and in the set of his red and black tattooed features. The Sith Lord is a living example of what the Jedi Master is always telling Obi-Wan about how best to hear the will of the Force.
The three combatants fight their way across the hangar floor, lightsabers flashing, bringing to bear every skill they have acquired over the years. The Jedi Knights try continually to press the attack, and indeed, the Sith Assassin is moving away from the Naboo and the starfighters and back toward the hangar's far wall. But Qui-Gon recognizes that while it might seem as if the Jedi are driving him before them, it is the Sith Assassin who is controlling the struggle. Wheeling and spinning, leaping and somersaulting with astonishing ease, their enemy was taking them with him, drawing them on to a place of his own choosing. His agility and dexterity allow him to keep them both at bay, constantly attacking while at the same time effectively blunting their counterattacks, relentlessly searching for an opening in their defense.
Qui-Gon presses hard in the beginning, sensing how dangerous this man is, wanting to put an end to the combat quickly. Long hair flying out behind him, he attacks with ferocity and determination. Obi-Wan comes with him, following his lead. They fight together before, and they know each other's moves. Qui-Gon trained Obi-Wan, and while the younger Jedi is not yet his equal, he believes that one day Obi-Wan will be better than he ever will be.
So they challenges the Sith Assassin quickly, and just as quickly discovered that their best efforts are not good enough to achieve an early resolution. They settles into a pattern then, working as a team against their enemy, waiting for an opening. But the Sith Lord Assassin too smart to give them one, and so the battle goes on.
They fight their way out of the main hangar through an entry that led into a power station. Catwalks and overhangs crisscrossed a pit in which a tandem of generators that serves the starship complex was housed. The room is cavernous and filled with the noise of heavy machinery. Ambient light filters away in clouds of steam and layers of shadows. The Jedi and the Sith Assassin battles onto one of the catwalks suspended above the generators, and the metal frame rang with the thudding of their boots and the clash of their lightsabers.
Alone in the power station, hidden from the rest of Theed and its occupants, they intensify their struggle.
The Sith Assassin leaps from the bridge on which they fought to the one above, strange face shining with the heat of the battle and his own peculiar joy. The Jedi follows, one coming up in front of him, one behind, so that they have him pinned between them. Down the length of the catwalk they fight, lightsabers flashing, sparks flying from the metal railing of the walk as they smashes against it.
Then Darth Maul catches Obi-Wan off balance and with a powerful kick knocks the Jedi completely over the railing. Taking advantage of the Sith Lord's assault on Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon forces Darth Maul over the railing as well. Down the Sith Lord tumbles, landing hard on a catwalk several levels below Obi-Wan. The force of the fall or perhaps the unexpectedness of it leaves him visibly stunned, and Qui-Gon leaps down after him, sensing a chance to put an end to things. But the Sith Assassin struggles back to his feet quickly and race away, taking the battle in a new direction.
"Fear."
By the time Obi-Wan recover, Qui-Gon is in pursuit of Darth Maul, following him down the catwalk toward a small door at the far end of the power station. The Jedi Master goes swiftly, legs and arms pumping, lightsaber flashing. He is worn and battered by now, close to exhaustion, but the Sith Lord is on the defensive at last, and he did not want to give him a chance to regroup.
"Anger."
"Qui-Gon!" Obi-Wan calls after him, trying to catch up, but the Jedi Master did not slow.
"Rage."
One after the other, the three antagonists pass through the small door into a corridor beyond. They are moving quickly in their frenzied chase and were into the corridor before they realized what it was. Lasers ricochet off buffer struts, pulsing in long bursts of crisscrossing brilliance that segmented the corridor at five points. The lasers just begin to kick in when the Sith Assassin and the Jedi Master and Padawan rush through the entry. Darth Maul, in the lead, gets farthest down the corridor and finds himself trapped between walls four and five. Qui-Gon, in close pursuit, is catch only one wall away. Obi-Wan, who is farthest away in the chase, did not get past even the first wall.
Shocked into immobility by the buzz and flash of the lasers, the antagonists froze where they are, casting about for an escape, finding none. Qui-Gon takes a quick measure of their location. They are in the service corridor for the melting pit, the disposal unit of the power station's residue. The service corridor is armed with lasers against unauthorized intrusion. There will be a shutoff switch somewhere at both ends of the passage, but it is too late to look for it now.
The Jedi stare down the laser-riddled corridor at the Sith Lord, who gives them a wicked grin. Don't worry, they could read in his dark countenance, you won't have long to wait for me.
Qui-Gon exchange a meaningful glance with Obi-Wan then drops into a guarded crouch to meditate and wait.
Obi-Wan Kenobi prowls the front end of the service corridor to the melting pit like a caged animal. He is furious at himself for getting trapped so far from Qui-Gon and furious with Qui-Gon for letting this happen by rushing ahead instead of waiting for him. But he was worried, too. He admits it to himself, privately, if only just. They should have won this battle long ago. Against any other opponent, they would have. But the Sith Lord is battle-trained and seasoned well beyond anyone they had ever encountered before. He matches them blow for blow, and they aren't any closer to winning this fight now than they had been in the beginning.
"Suffering."
Obi-Wan stares down the length of the corridor, measuring the distance he would have to travel to reach Qui-Gon and his antagonist when the lasers pauses. He catches a glimpse of them deactivating while rushing to catch up with Qui-Gon, then reactivating again in a matter of seconds. He will have to be quick. Very quick. He did not want the Master facing this tattooed madman alone.
Down the way, pin between two walls of laser beams, Qui-Gon Jinn kneels in meditation, facing toward the Sith Lord and the melting pit, his head lowered over his lightsaber. He is gathering himself for a final assault, bringing himself in tune with the Force. Obi-Wan does not like the weariness he sees in the slump of the older man's shoulders, in the bow of his back. He is the best swordsman Obi-Wan ever seen before, but he is growing old.
Beyond, the Sith Lord work at binding up his wounds, a series of burns and slashes mark by char tears in his dark clothing. He is backed to the edge of the chamber beyond, keeping a close watch on Jinn, his red and black face intense, his yellow eyes glinting in the half-light. His lightsaber rest on the floor before him. He sees Kenobi staring and smile in open derision.
At that instant, the laser beams warding the service corridor go off.
Obi-Wan sprints ahead, launching himself down the narrow passageway, lightsaber raised. Qui-Gon is on his feet as well, his own weapon flashing. He catapults through the opening that led into the melting pit and closes with the Sith Lord, forcing him back, out of the passageway completely. Obi-Wan put on a new burst of speed, howling out at the antagonists ahead as if by the sound of his voice he can bring them back to him.
Then he hears the buzz of the capacitors kicking in once more, cycling to reactivate the lasers. He throws himself ahead, still too far from the corridor's end. He clears all the gates but the last, and the lasers crisscross before him in a deadly wall, bringing him to an abrupt stop just short of where he needs to be.
Lightsaber clutch in both hands, he stands watching helplessly as Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul battle on the narrow ledge that encircled the melting pit. A stream of electrons is all that separated him from the combatants, but it might as well be a wall of permacrete three meters thick. Desperately he cast about for a triggering device that might shut the system down, but he had no better luck here than he have at the other end. He can only watch and wait and pray that Qui-Gon caan hold on.
At that moment, Darth Vader delves deep into the Force than he ever did during time travel, the Force now ringing around the palace. The moment of truth.
"Obi-Wan... I can save him..." an authoritatively all too familiar voice states through his thoughts.
Even though the Jedi Padawan didn't know how the man is able to do it without the slightest of a bond form between them and is beyond confuse at first, he soon realizes what he means.
Immediately, the young Jedi replies. 'No-no, I would never use the dark side. It is forbidden.'
Qui-Gon finds a fresh reserve of strength during his meditation, and now he was attacking with a ferocity that seemed to have the Sith Lord stymied. With quick, hard strokes of his lightsaber, he bores into his adversary, deliberately engaging in close-quarters combat, refusing to let the other bring his double-bladed weapon to bear. He drives Darth Maul backward about the rim of the overhang, keeping the Sith Lord constantly on the defensive, pressing in on him steadily. Qui-Gon Jinn might no longer be young, but he is still powerful. Darth Maul's rag face takes on a frenzied look, and the glitter of his strange eyes brightens with uncertainty.
'Good, Master,' Obi-Wan thinks, urging him on voicelessly, anticipating Qui-Gon's sword strokes as if they are his own, ignoring the naggy presence of Darth Vader alongside him.
Then Darth Maul back-flips across the melting pit, giving himself some space in which to recover, gaining just enough time to assume a new battle stance. Qui-Gon is on him in an instant, covering the distance separating them in a rush, hammering into the Sith Lord anew. But he is beginning to weary now from carrying the battle alone. His strokes are not so vigorous as before, his face bathe with sweat and taut with fatigue.
"Your Master will die."
'N-no. You won't get what you want from me.'
Slowly, Darth Maul begins to edge his way back into the fight, becoming the aggressor once more, pushing Qui-Gon back slightly but regaining the attack.
'Hurry!' Obi-Wan hisses soundlessly, willing the lasers to pause and the gates to come down.
"You will foolishly allow him to die."
'N-no.'
Stroke for stroke, Qui-Gon and Darth Maul battle about the rim of the melting pit, lock in combat that seems endless and forever and can be won by neither.
Obi-Wan sees it before it even comes, his eyes zooming out of the battle, almost as if it is leaving his reality for a different one, the endless blades locks ending. Then the Sith Lord parries a downstroke, whirls swiftly to the right, and with his back to the Jedi Master, makes a blind, reverse lung. Too late, Qui-Gon recognizes the danger. The lightsaber of the Sith Lord's lightsaber catches him directly in the midsection, its brilliant length burning through clothing and flesh and bone. Obi-Wan thought he hears the Jedi Master scream, then realizes it was himself, calling his friend's name in despair. Qui-Gon makes no sound as the blade enters him, stiffening with the impact, then taking a small step back as it was withdrawn. He stands motionless for an instant, fighting against the shock of the killing blow. Then his eyes clouded, his arms lower, and a great weariness settles over his proud features. He drops to his knees, and his lightsaber clattered to the stone floor. He slumps forward and motionless, sprawl across the floor in such a position where Obi-Wan have never seen before.
'Dead.'
"Your Master will not defeat him, but you can."
Obi-Wan Kenobi is at odds with himself, squeezing his eyes shut, resisting and ignoring the call as he senses the blades still clashing. He can find his own way to save his Master.
Opening his eyes, he can see his Master is still slashing against the Zabrak, the Jedi Padawan stiffening. He blinks slightly, and he sees his Master losing his energy as he looks closely as the Zabrak parries the downstroke and Qui-Gon performs similar movements from last time.
Obi-Wan calls upon the Force slightly, 'W-would he die... without me accepting assistance from Vader?'
There is no reply to that comment, and he delves deep into the Force. He has his answer. Without drawing on the full nature of the Force, they would lose. The light side of the Force always guided the Jedi for thousands of years, but his Master will die to this-this animal without his assistance. Him, a mere Jedi Padawan, cannot win against a trained Sith Assassin.
The Jedi within him warns him not to accept the dark side, not to allow his personal feelings to cloud his judgment.
But there is the part that is the son to Qui-Gon Jinn, the part that doesn't want to watch his father figure die before his very eyes; while they may have their differences, they still are as close as father and son. They would never admit this, for attachment is not the Jedi way.
Although part of him screaming at the warning of Master Yoda's wisdom, Obi-Wan cannot allow this to happen. He cannot allow this enemy to win. He can't allow the closest person he has as a father to be killed.
'Help me.'
He lowers his shields some, and Obi-Wan hopes that will be enough as he would rather not give Vader full control of his actions and deeds, otherwise his mind will be damaged.
A faint reminder that strikes too close to home strikes him like a ship crashing on a planet; if he uses the dark side, he would forever be dominated by it. To fall to the dark side and to return is impossible, but didn't Vader return from the darkness, seeing that he calls off the light frequently since he has arrived and didn't kill him and his Master upon meeting them like many other Jedi.
"Do not allow yourself to lose your Master and yourself. If he kills him, you would struggle anyway, due to your attachment. His fall alone may sooner send you down a path of descent. At the very least, you saving him will have a lesser chance that you will not fall to the dark side."
As much as Obi-Wan hates to admit it, Vader is right about all of it. The Padawan and Master attachment are strong, and there have been times in history when a Master or Padawan falls to the dark side when they lose their partner, which means there is a greater chance that he will fall either way, given the connection between him and his Master.
He lowers his shields more, allowing the dark energy to fuel him but there is the light as well and a strange sort of peace combating the darkness. Suddenly, he feels at peace but feels far stronger, feeling a great amount of power swelling within him.
Somehow, he don't know how nor he never may be able, but Obi-Wan Kenobi outstretches a hand and disable the shield that blocks him from reaching and assisting his Master, the controls destroying beyond repairs which admittedly interests the young Jedi.
"Now Kenobi!"
The voice in his head reminds him not to slow or ponder, follow by a nag in his head that takes him back to the battle which apparently has fallen under slow motion.
Death is nearing his Master.
A yell comes from his lip that alerts both Jedi Master and Sith Assassin, equally startling both of them, "No!"
In his lunge forward towards Darth Maul, his lightsaber hisses to life wildly as the stun Zabrak barely is able to rotate his lightsaber around just in time to parry the assault as the two clash blades, saving his Master by a mere second, but there is still the risk that the Jedi Master will perish in the upcoming battle.
Obi-Wan wants to avoid this at all costs.
This blow alone forces him to switch the grip he has over his lightsaber, the Zabrak barrelling to the front of them in order to get a better grip of his lightsaber, twirling the lightsaber in his grip. Abandoning any pretense of observing even the slightest caution, he barrels into Darth Maul with such fury that he almost knocks both of them off the railing and into the abyss of the power generator. He strikes at the Sith Lord with his lightsaber as if his own safety meant nothing, lost in a red haze of rage and frustration, consumed by his grief and fear for Qui-Gon and his attempt resulting in failure to prevent his father figure's fall.
Before Qui-Gon can react and lock blades with Darth Maul in the hope to help his Padawan which would unknowingly lead to an untimely death, Obi-Wan pushes his exhausted and worn out Jedi Master into the wall, causing him to collapse onto the ground, unconscious just as the Zabrak is mere seconds away from sending another killing strike.
Horror crosses his expression as the Jedi Padawan stares down at the Maverick Jedi Master who hits his head hard, the memory insulting the Padawan repeatedly. What's worse is that Obi-Wan knows that memory will always vibrate inside of his thoughts.
Rather if it is compassion or some sort of twisted manipulation, Vader assures in a soft-spoken tone, "But he is alive and will be able to live yet another day."
The Jedi Padawan is regretful of maiming his father figure, but as much as he loathes to admit it, Vader is again right. At least he would survive and live to fight another day, at least he won't lose the closest man to his father figure.
"Preserve your mind on the present, Padawan," Vader's soft voice states, almost sounding like Grandmaster Yoda himself and the other Masters in the Temple.
Obi-Wan dodges to the right, making it apparent he is going down the right way, but in the last moment, he arcs his lightsaber up in the hope to stab his heart. The Zabrak corrects his swing accordingly, his attack nearly making the Jedi Padawan flip around, evading to the left swiftly countering the assault. Dodging under an assault, the Jedi Padawan lunges forward, attacking swiftly and hacking away at the Zabrak, each of his blows being easily parried and blocked.
Lightsabers scraps and grate against each other, and the chamber echoes with their fury. Lunging and twisting, Darth Maul regains the offensive and counterattacks, using both ends of his lightsaber in an effort to cut Obi-Wan's legs out from under him. Obi-Wan jumps back, barely managing to avoid this before he parries another assault, noticing out of the corner of his eyes the reactor shaft beneath.
Maul presses against the Jedi Padawan, staring down at him with a mocking sneer. An impossible strain for Obi-Wan to break free from, but Obi-Wan stares back defiantly, before chopping underneath, swinging at the Zabrak, each of his blows being deflected without effort. Obi-Wan senses his body weakening, and his fear of what it will mean if he, too, is to fall, begin to grow.
'Never!' he swears furiously.
Qui-Gon's words come back to him. 'Don't center on your fears. Concentrate on the here and now. He struggles to do so, to contain the emotions warring within and bearing him down. Be mindful of the living Force, my young Padawan. Be strong.'
Sensing his opportunity slipping away from him and his strength waning, Obi-Wan mounts a final assault. He rushes the Sith Lord with a series of side blows design to bring the two-bladed lightsaber horizontal. Then he feints an attack to his enemy's left and brings his own lightsaber over and down, though the blow is blocked.
Crying out in fury, he cut triumphantly at the Sith Lord's horned head, a killing blow. And misses completely.
Darth Maul, anticipating the maneuver, steps smoothly away. He counterattacks swiftly, striking at Obi-Wan with enough force that he knocks the young Jedi sideways and off-balance. Quickly he strikes him again, harder still, and this time Obi-Wan lost his balance, but surprisingly, just as it appears he is about to fall to the shaft below, the Jedi begins ascending up on the other side, breathing heavily, and he feels himself releasing his lightsaber by the pressure on his muscles.
"He's too strong," Obi-Wan murmurs as the Zabrak closes in on him and he feels himself backing up as the blows batter him back. Soon, the Zabrak would either cleave him in two or impale his lightsaber through his torso because this Assassin is obvious to experience and train.
'You are fatigued."
Obi-Wan nods slightly as he staggers some, backing away from the Zabrak's blows, feeling his energy dwindling rapidly, eyes of Obi-Wan Kenobi switching between their normal brown to a sickly crimson. Breathing heavily and bringing his saber backward out of the lock, Obi-Wan unleashes a swift barrage of strikes at the Assassin in an attempt to drain him of his energy. The Zabrak meet each saber strike with one of his own, slowly but surely gaining the upper hand.
"Your inexperienced light side is not enough to defeat him. You have to trust me. I will save your Master."
The Force rings truth around Vader's words. Cold logic strokes the Jedi; if Vader wants him to become an apprentice of darkness, would he have seized the chance to manipulate him earlier? Vader might be the only person who can help him. He given him half control, not allowing him to draw on the dark side that is within him... that is within every Jedi.
He has been trained as a Jedi, has been trained to resist the dark side, to never draw on it. The Sith teachings are banned for a reason. But what if he needs the darkness to stop this monster and save his Master? A little voice questions him in the back of his head.
Finally, Obi-Wan lowers his shields further, and he can feel someone else taking full control, feels the power of the dark side - the power he has been avoiding for years channeling up all into one. Obi-Wan is at peace as memories insult him that are quickly silenced before he could comprehend them. All that he feels is someone else pressing against his darker emotions.
Maul sees the crimson glint in his eyes alas, no longer transforming but remaining that precise color, but he cannot reflect on it for long as the Jedi Padawan begins swiping furiously at him mercilessly.
The dark side begins to fuel through Kenobi; it feels good, reassuring. It nags at him like never before, immediately seizing control instead of attempting to lure him as it had done many times to his fellow Jedi. In spite of the Sith being extinct, the dark side itself never vanished from the Jedi for over thousands of years.
Darth Maul aims for his stomach and is seconds away from impaling him in the torso. Just as it appears that he would have been cut down, the Jedi Padawan is gone, disappearing. The Zabrak sees the Padawan floating behind him, lightsaber still aims upwards at him while endless beads of sweat course down his face.
He grins sadistically at the Padawan; there has been Masters and Knights who did combat with him before, each fallen to his lightsaber and meeting the power of the dark side. Yet, this Jedi is proving to be a greater of a challenge than supposedly the most experienced in his Order, but then again, that can be partly due to Darth Vader's stench ringing around Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The two begin to hack away at each other for many minutes, spark waves ringing through the Force. He loses none of his iron will, and quickly withdraws his saber and attacks again, this time from the sides. The Jedi Padawan ducks underneath Darth Maul before he is able to cleave his head from his shoulders, the intensity of the lightsaber making him grimace, breaking off from the assault and slicing at his knee, causing Maul to counter the assault.
Blurs of cerulean and crimson vibrate through the chamber, them hacking relentlessly at each other. The Zabrak is forcing him back, and the Jedi Padawan is barely able to parry each of his assaults. Obi-Wan lifts up the lightsaber, but Maul jerks up his handle against his chin stunning him.
Just as the lightsaber is about to descend onto him, and because he is dazed, Obi-Wan can only raise his left hand. A crimson barrier surrounds the Jedi Padawan surprisingly, blocking the fatal blow before blasting the stunned Zabrak away slightly, watching as he slid away, double-bladed lightsaber poised in front of his chest and sneering lips.
Lightsaber still moist as he clutches his side, Obi-Wan lunges forward, aware that he has to be careful less Maul will run him through with his lightsaber.
Maul saw the skill in Vader in their last battle on Tatooine and his impressive prowess with a lightsaber. And now his essence is running through the younger of the Jedi surprisingly quickly, but his strength could not be underestimated. Maul has to be swift with his strikes because every time he proved too slow, Vader who is guiding Kenobi would catch his blade and overpower him.
Maul's weight shifts almost imperceptibly and Obi-Wan turns the weight of his full attention on the man. The Zabrak takes a single step forward and stops, eyes tight. He is looking for an opening.
The two lock blades repeatedly, anger obvious as the power crystals bend within their lightsaber, but eventually, Maul gains the upper hand, deactivating both lightsabers and slams the hilt into the spine and paralyzing him temporarily.
Regaining his concentration, Obi-Wan clutches his lightsaber just as he dodges under a fatal blow before darting forward, swinging his lightsaber at the Zabrak, deflecting each of his blows with similar mastery before they lock blades, having no opening. He is not the impulsive boy the Zabrak have once fought. The mere child who he was besting minutes ago is now replaced by a monster, someone who is bloodthirsty, seeking his blood, his crimson eyes bearing into the Zabrak.
Maul tightens his grip on his saber and rushes forward, streaking across the floor like a blur. He comes with his lightsaber ready for what looked like a thrust, only to twist his wrist at the last second and bring it down towards his opponent's knees, causing him to grunt at the pressure. Obi-Wan steps back and blocks the blow, their sabers hissing and spitting energy and sparks as they collide briefly before the two men separate, observing each other again before he swipes at the downer blade with such force that he severe the other's weapon.
Their respite is brief, and then Obi-Wan is pressing the attack, two hands on his blade coming down in an overhead blow. The Zabrak smirks, shifting his stance to meet him head-on and doing so successfully.
Steps quick, Obi-Wan makes space between them and raises his hand, Force Energy flickering into existence and arcing from his fingers like vipers ready to strike.
Maul brings his saber up and into their path, enforcing the blade with his very will. The energy crackles between them for several long seconds, making the shadows near the shaft dance madly, but then it is gone and the Padawan's hand comes down weakly.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan returns his saber's point to the floor as it has been at the beginning, his imposing form unwavering as he raises his lightsaber in front of his face. He launches forward along with the Zabrak, them locking sabers right in front of the shaft constantly before the Zabrak forces him back into the wall, dazing him and nearly knocking him unconscious.
Obi-Wan stands weakly, only for the Zabrak to be right in front of him, lightsaber activated, as the Zabrak begins punching him in the face before clenching his hand up into a fist and slamming him against the wall before throwing him across the room into another wall.
He groans, his head ringing madly, hair disheveled and going down his beyond bruised face.
"Remember what your teachers taught you, reach out to the Force, use your surroundings and objects. Look closely."
Although certainly cryptic, it strangely sounds like Jedi teachings that have been bred into many of the members. He delves deep into his surroundings with the Force, finding nothing that could be helpful and noticing the Zabrak is beginning to pace like a mad animal, obviously ready to pounce at moment's notice.
With ragged breathing, Obi-Wan forces himself up, staring around his surroundings before his crimson eyes linger over at Qui-Gon's lightsaber near its unconscious owner and seizes the hilt with the Force, activating the crystal green lightsaber and holding them in front of him as an X, the two blades that are a mixture of green and blue reflecting off his face, showing Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan and a new version of Obi-Wan that is far stronger and more powerful than his Jedi counterpart.
There is no conflict within the Jedi-Dark Jedi. Obi-Wan Kenobi have touched the dark side fully in one day whereas it had taken Maul years to master such anger.
To Maul's astonishment, the Padawan is against him in mere moments, striking his lightsabers in upwards arc to catch him off guard, attacking furiously and mercilessly. The Zabrak backs up, rotating his single-bladed lightsaber to block every single hack sent at his way by the Jedi Padawan before their blades interlock.
With a scream of pure fury, Obi-Wan breaks out of the saber lock and advances on the Zabrak, swinging his and his Master's blade in deadly explicit arcs, each blows being blocked with extreme difficulty.
The Zabrak blast a round of Force Energy towards the Jedi Padawan which he promptly dodges, swinging again with relentless hacks and arcs, in which the Zabrak counterattacks, now no longer testing his intrigue and seeking to kill. One of his strikes catches him in the hand wielding the blue lightsaber and destroying it, the strike making contact at his hand and causing Padawan Obi-Wan who isn't used to this intense agony within his hand to scream in agony as the intense pain in his muscles begins to overwhelm him. He feels the urge to drop his lightsaber just to clutch his wound but he simply brings up his lightsaber to angle at the Zabrak.
He attempts to charge him, to not show any pain even as his scarred hand didn't exactly support him at the moment, but the Zabrak simply just parries each assault, swinging around the Jedi Padawan, redirecting his blade to reveal his legs.
He realizes his mistake. He attempts to step back, to sidestep, and whilst he save himself from amputation, Obi-Wan is still granted a reward for his cockiness.
The Zabrak's crimson blade cut through Obi-Wan Jedi robe with stunning ease, slicing a nasty wound into his right thigh and tearing the fabric off his robe, causing blood to form as he finally collapses onto the ground.
Darth Maul grins a sickly grin at the Jedi Padawan. He offered a great amount of resistance yet his power is no match for the true power of the dark side.
He supports challenges and is willing to grant the Jedi a respecting kill...
Obi-Wan coughs up, feeling the urge to just throw up at the aching unmerciful pain that is vibrating through his body, taking all that he has to stand back up, emerald lightsaber posing to protect his upper body.
"It's painful but your pain can be used as an weapon. He's growing cocky and arrogant. Use it against him."
Simply, although with much pain from his Jedi counterpart, the powerful version of Obi-Wan grimaces slightly and places the battered and bloody hand behind his back alone with forcing himself to move and marches up without hesitation, almost as if he is outwardly enjoying the pain brought on by the assault, closing his eyes as the blood continues to pour from the blow to his thigh.
The scar...
It somehow appears to brighten as if it is intensifying in power.
Clutching his thigh, he charges this rival furiously, Maul deflecting all of the blows as his opponent's aura grows ever the more powerful, removing his hand and allowing the blood to pour. He is stunned, yet somewhat gratified by this sudden outburst of anger from the Jedi Padawan. He would make a fine apprentice for...
Pain! Agonizing white fury javelins through him in an instant. And suddenly, several of his horns are on the floor, and a large gash is across his head. This makes him ever the angrier as he glares at the Jedi Padawan, lunging at him with his damaged lightsaber swinging almost without weakness in his defense, driving him back and stumbling him before Obi-Wan strikes at the floor and the debris that slams into the Zabrak's eyes, forcing him to jump away, landing on his feet roughly.
Utilizing this, Obi-Wan lunges forward, deadly hacking away at him and forcing him to block the attack in the last minute, recalling his training with the handmaidens as Maul pulls a similar tactic to Sabé in faking a downer blow but he manages to dodge this time and counters the upper blow, unlike before.
The Jedi Padawan kicks him away, forcing the Sith Assassin to skid across the ground, breathing heavily and repeatedly as he glares at Darth Maul, the lightsaber in his hand suddenly weighing heavier than he remembers.
Obi-Wan slices at his throat, in which the Zabrak parries with effort.
Obi-Wan manages to slip through his defenses, the lightsaber striking Maul's shin, leaving a gaping hole in his shin. Maul stumbles backward in surprise before his fury takes over. He brings his blade downwards, attempting to incapacitate the Jedi. The sheer amount of force in the strike would have killed anyone, but Obi-Wan ripples around the side of him, evading the blow, and bring the emerald lightsaber across Maul's arms, severing his hands from his body, hands erupting with intense blood as seconds later as the result of the blow going lower, slicing his left ankle and decapitating the skin along with impaling the Zabrak in the abdomen.
The shock of the blow, as well as the pain, forces Maul to his knees before Obi-Wan. Above him, the stone-emotionless face Jedi stares on as the crimson lightsaber flies in the air, and he catches it, activating the crimson lightsaber, holding both in manners of detainment.
Finally, Obi-Wan feels the dark side within him retreating as he stares down at his foe, the darkness evaporating slowly at first before it leaves him entirely in control of his body, though in his faint outlines, there is a crimson still within his eyes that fade a second later one wouldn't have been able to see it.
Obi-Wan Kenobi returns.
In the eyes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the man is shocked to see Darth Maul, once standing tall and asserting his dominance over both of them, is now at his knees, at the mercy of the Jedi. To think, this is the Jedi's first sight of their ancient enemy in thousands of years, excluding Vader, but he highly doubts even in the state he just was in, he will have been able to best Vader who's aura alone shaken the entire galaxy. Someone like that would require the entire Jedi Order to defeat them. Perhaps that isn't even enough.
About to make an arrest, he points both lightsabers at the Zabrak's throat at what would happen if he attempts to resist, try any tricks, or attempt to run. Through the Force, he can sense the Zabrak's rage and anger for him, amber eyes flashing, seeking vengeance against the individual who have bested him in the first and only time for many years.
"I will not force you in deciding what decision you make," the voice of Vader vibrates in his head. "But it is time you put an end to this madness. You must dispose of him."
"It is not the Jedi way," Obi-Wan growls, rage flashing across his expression as it appears he is trying to convince himself more than the man who is speaking to him with the Force. He is not willing to allow Vader to pull off such trickery as he did when he convinced him to call upon his guidance through the Force.
"True."
Surprisingly, the man is standing beside him, causing the Jedi Padawan to feel the urge to move it at his throat and cleave Vader into two. However, he can sense by the Force that this isn't real.
The Zabrak begins getting up, but Obi-Wan instantly pushes him to his knees with the Force, and the Zabrak, too exhausted, drained, and render defenseless from the battle, is incapable of countering with the Force so he is brought down fairly easy, a sneer on his lips as he stares up at the Jedi, the two lightsabers reflecting off of his face.
"But would he show the same self-control to your Master were he in your position? It is possible to claim a life and resist the darkness. One life touches many others in both good and bad, Kenobi. A good decision does not avert an evil outcome. Because of mercy, the Jedi have been purged by their ancient enemy multiple times."
"The Jedi Council would deal with him in correct accordance with Jedi tradition," Obi-Wan corrects in a calm chilling tone, glaring at what he knows is the Force Projection of Vader but keeping his lightsaber direct at the Zabrak's neck. Projection is an advanced Force power that allows a user to create a short-lived duplicate of him- or herself or an external object that was visually distinguishable from the real item through the Force that can be transmitted across vast distances. He have heard of such an ability before but it is forbidden due to the Jedi fearing the treachery that it involves will lead to the dark side.
"Truth but what if he's able to escape from the Jedi's cell? We both know he is the apprentice which means his Master would come for him and break him out. Your Master's life will be threatened. Moreover, more Jedi will die. Obtaining the moral high ground is good in definite cases; this however is not one of them. You have life and death within your grasps. Surely, you have felt the intentions of this being."
"He is not your apprentice?" Obi-Wan asks, raising his eyebrows. He knows treachery is the way of the Sith which means if he claims his life, he would probably form a bond with Vader that will drive him to the dark side and to do unimaginable things.
Vader huffs, exhaling a sharp response and his eyes hardening into one would call glass. "Any individual that is trained by me would be more powerful than this pathetic bug. Additionally, I do not betray any of my acolytes; I have learned to be a master and mentor. This... animal has no restrains. This is accurately why I refuse to align myself with Jedi and Sith; both orders maintain codes that restrain you from making decisions of your own that you know deep down is right." His sharp tone becomes smoother. "The choice is yours to make. I will not strike you down as other Sith do in recent history when they fail to lure Jedi because you believe taking him in is the conventional choice."
"You finally is willing to admit to being a Sith?"
"No, but your mind will not be altered. Your narrow-minded ways of the Force would hopefully be improved one day. You would be a magnificent Jedi; in some ways what a Jedi should be, but what you decide here would not change who you are. This light and dark have results. Killing does not avoid a light outcome.
Obi-Wan pauses for a moment, unwanting thoughts filling his mind. What if Vader is right? What if-what if killing him would be the right choice?
"In allowing him to live would be granting a death warrant for your Jedi. Your Jedi will interrogate him in every way but would get nothing, and by the time they fail, he would be out of his cell and killing your fellow Jedi. Of course be a Jedi, Kenobi. Allow your fellow Jedi who you claim is your brothers and sisters to die. It would be only your fault in the end." Vader mocks acidly, evidently caring little about his Jedi Order.
And Obi-Wan trembles, conflict immediately burning inside of him, knowing that whatever outcome this is would lead to permanent scars on him both permanently and mentally. However, this animal would threaten his fellow Jedi and he is meant to serve them, protect them, and assure the Jedi are not endangered.
They are the people who accepted him at a young age even when they were seconds away from sending him to be a mere farmer. This causes a hidden rage, for the first time in a long time, to build up in him... at the Jedi? But Master Yoda always said not to focus on mere what-ifs and that that the future is always in motion.
That destiny was avoided for him and he did indeed become a Jedi in spite of slimly averting a different path.
"Would... he really threaten all of my fellow Jedi?"
"Yes. His master would give him orders and he would follow without protest; your kind would be purged from the galaxy, he would eventually become Emperor and he would torment others because that is what he can do. And your Jedi's descendants who survive his Master's wrath on the first purge would accuse you, loathing you for not putting an end to this beast."
And as much as the Jedi Padawan doesn't want to believe it, he can feel the Force itself supporting Vader in his words. Is that what he's supposed to do? Follow the living Force?
"You are capable of making your own choices. Remember, a good decision does not avert an evil outcome. You are human. The choice is yours."
Obi-Wan blinks slightly, knowing that every word is true. His Master may have killed him already because he is rogue but Obi-Wan has always been loyal to the Jedi Council, follow their codes. Ever since a young age, he exhibits a dry sense of humor and sarcastic wit, with a rebellious nature, and have to deal with much emotional anxiety. Despite Obi-Wan's honor and good morals, Qui-Gon believes he rarely does the right thing, due to him blindly following rules and orders.
Obi-Wan stares back at the Zabrak, emerald and crimson lightsabers still by his throat, unmoving.
A swift Sai Cha next, and the Zabrak's head rolls down to the reactor shaft.
And his eyes widen as he falls back, sweat beginning to rain down his face, intense heavy breathing following shortly after.
He releases the grip of the crimson lightsaber, allowing it to descend to the abyss below along with the Zabrak's head before clutching his head with both hands, aware of his Master's cylinder hilt resting in his hands before deactivating the lightsaber and allowing a scream to form on his lips before dropping his Master's lightsaber, it deactivating as it crashes onto the ground.
"What-what have I done?"
Vader felt that same horror a long time ago when he became Darth Vader. Now a similar terror is flashing across the face of the younger man of his brother who helped him become one with the Force. By the Force, what is wrong with him? He promised to become a greater person and help this dimension but now he is going to repay someone who helped him after sacrificing himself to the Emperor in spite of all of his deeds with a trauma.
However, the expeditious animal would have gone on to lead the greatest campaign outside of the Clone Wars and massacring endless camps and people in the hope to lure out Obi-Wan. Now, their lives can be spared due to Obi-Wan carrying out his death instead of believing he is dead.
The Zabrak would have also intervened with Vader's future plan so he killed two Tuskens with one stone, ridding the galaxy of the Zabrak while also assuring when the time comes no one attempts to intervene with him seizing power for a better cause.
"You have done the right thing. He was too dangerous to be left alive." Vader replies, grimacing how he sounds like Sidious, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.
Vader opens up the bond slightly, allowing compassion and serenity to flow into the Jedi's aura at his heavy breathing, his conflicted emotions leaving him into a valuable state where he can fall to the dark side. Won't that be a good thing? A treachery voice echoes inside of his head. To allow him to touch whatever emotions, allow him to break and feel nothing but worthlessness, and than he gets involve, work on redoing all that the Jedi forced down his throat that ultimately led to his untimely demise.
Thoughts of Siri Tachi and Duchess Satine, two people who Vader placed aside for a long time, of how the Jedi and inadvertently Obi-Wan allowed the latter to die in a distinct future to the same animal that now lays before them, dead. At that rate, Obi-Wan will be freely be allowed to touch the dark and the light without consequence.
No. Despite how Palpatine would have used this as a chance to manipulate the Jedi Padawan, Vader is not Palpatine; he will not convert his former Master from another time to the dark side because he cares for his brother and he doesn't want him to become a machine in all but appearance like Vader once was for two decades. He wishes to break him away from the Council but not break his personal vows and who he is to the completion, all the while allowing him to make his own decisions.
"Easy for you to say. He was an unarmed prisoner. I shouldn't have done that. It is not the Jedi way."
Vader snorts. "And allow your Master to die? Allow that animal to slay your Master without mercy, along with the rest of your fellow Jedi."
Before the Jedi can offer a response, Vader allows himself to disappear, smirking at what must be an angry snarl of Sidious right now with the death of his pet and his failure in killing at least one Jedi. He allows himself to breathe a sigh of relief as it appears that the Force didn't want to allow Qui-Gon to perish a second time.
While Obi-Wan feels horrified right now, Vader knows that he wouldn't be hunted by Qui-Gon's death. The dark side within him managed to save Qui-Gon, and Vader exploited it in order for any obstacles to be destroyed. It has always been Obi-Wan's destiny to encounter Maul, rise above his inner demons, and defeat him. And while the dark side does taint Obi-Wan, it is a better outcome than the original timeline.
Vader doesn't trust events to play out the exact same as they did in the original timeline so he craved on his former Master's deep fears and bring them to light deeper than the former Sith ever thought possible with his former Master due to the same man often warning him of the dangers of using the dark side in another timeline.
At the very least, his younger self wouldn't have to deal with being around the self-loathing, sensing the failure and nightmares that plagued Obi-Wan's nights constantly, sensing his loss for his Master.
He calls on the dark side to see if his Master is corrupted by the choice, but while Obi-Wan is conflicted about his choice, he hasn't fallen. Of course, the Jedi won't know this, but he has just fallen to the dark similar to his apprentice of another time and returned simply due to the love and attachment he has for his Master that he has buried deep upon surrendering his life to the Jedi.
This would leave trauma for sure for possibly the rest of Obi-Wan's life, but it is better than the alternative.
After seconds of hesitation, Obi-Wan rushes immediately to Qui-Gon. Kneeling at the Jedi Master's side, he lifts his head and shoulders and cradles him gently in his arms.
"Master!" he breathes in a whisper.
"Obi-Wan, what happened?" Qui-Gon asks, eyes confuse as the enormous tingling in his head make it hard for him to remember.
In some ways, Obi-Wan is relieved that his Master does not remember the deepest sin his Padawan made, the Padawan who he worked for for hours, bred endless teachings and knowledge of the Jedi into him, falling to the dark side even briefly.
"The Sith-he was about to kill you, Master. I Force Pushed you into the wall and fought him." Obi-Wan responds, eyes flashing with conflict as he turns to stare at the body, sweat still coursing down his head.
Qui-Gon sees the regret on his Padawan's face and arcs his eyebrows. He knows in an ancient history lesson that once a Jedi kills the Sith, they would feel a slight struggle with the dark side, but he senses his Padawan winning over those inner demons, silencing them. A true Jedi to no end. Yet there is a dark hole deep within him.
"It's alright, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon reassures, knowing they could get nothing out of the body but at least they can confirm the mysterious warrior is the Sith. "You have done what you believe is right. Come, we should go see if the Queen is successful in her mission."
Calmly, Obi-Wan helps his Master up, handing him the lightsaber which he takes and clip to his belt.
Obi-Wan didn't respond and instead follow him out of the reactor shaft, grabbing the broken pieces of his lightsaber and his crystal with the Force and pocketing them, eyes falling over the Sith Apprentice as they walk out. Why did he listen to Vader?
Obi-Wan's eyes flash with regret and remorse. The Masters warned him countless times about the dangers of touching the dark side, but he had just drawn on the dark side to save Qui-Gon, meaning he has turned his back on the code and the Order that he promised to stay loyal by.
Today, Obi-Wan Kenobi betrayed all that he swore to.
Arthur's note: I'm releasing this two days earlier since I have plans on Friday and will probably collapse on my bed by the time I get home. To spare you of the details; haircut, go to the store, and places.
As for that beginning, let me warn you: Not everything is as it appears to be. :)
I know some of you would frown at me having Obi-Wan draw on the dark side and accepting Vader's knowledge or Kenobi and Jinn fighting Maul instead of Vader, but this Obi-Wan is more struggling with the dark side due to him still being a Padawan and not a Master, not yet barring years of wisdom that comes in time. Additionally, I don't want to do another Vader's fight as there are many time travel stories where Vader or another character time travel and save the day, fighting and killing all threats which is something I feel is predictable. I feel like this is more climactic and I also want to begin an arc for Obi-Wan's character as this would begin him diverting from the Obi-Wan we know/love/hate to a different Obi-Wan all together.
I didn't want Maul to go down as he did in Canon despite me not minding his Canon defeat/death and have no problem with TPM. That said, had Obi-Wan not drawn on Vader's assistance, Maul would have bested both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Vader knows this and decides not to put up the cards of Maul, a trained Sith Assassin, against Padawan Obi-Wan who is still inexperienced and can lose.
May the Force be with you all always.