Chapter Six
Although it didn't seem that way, the day had went by quickly. Xanatos had appeared more and more tired towards the end of the day, and Obi-Wan was glad about that. Xanatos was attentive and could usually pick up on a lot of things. His alertness wasn't strong today, and he was so tired he had fallen asleep on the couch.
Obi-Wan had been sitting next to him, quietly reading, and shifted his weight to get a better look at him. His head was leaning against the back and his breathing was slow. Obi-Wan turned off his data-pad, and set it on the table in front of him. He tried not to make a noise as he shifted off of the couch.
Xanatos hadn't noticed how Obi-Wan had fooled him throughout the day. He'd acted friendly and talkative. Xanatos was troubled by his own thoughts, and his fatigue, had not seen through the falseness. Obi-Wan's true thoughts had remained his own. Not even the council had read him.
Now, he had his chance.
He pressed a few keys on the data-pad, and the screen changed. He had his written his note when he realized Xanatos had fallen asleep. Now, there wasn't much left to do but go.
Xanatos looked very peaceful as he slept. But this had to be done, Obi-Wan told himself. He turned away, and started for the door. Not many people would be in the then halls all the way to the gardens. Obi-Wan had to leave now, while he had the chance.
Since the training bond had been broken between he and Xanatos, there had been silent thoughts in his head. They had been minor things that had crept up into his head that had sounded completely unlike him. They weren't his thoughts. They were telling him to do things that had never crossed his mind before. They were telling him to hurt himself.
Now, since these thoughts were not his, where were they coming from? After Xanatos seemed willing to abandon and lie to him, Obi-Wan drew a conclusion that it was the Force giving him messages. It had seemed so concrete, but here now…he wasn't so sure.
He stopped just before the door. He wavered. He couldn't do it. Falling to his knees, Obi-Wan shook his head. This wasn't right.
"I know you're not the Force, leave me alone." He whispered. "I know it now."
He looked up at the door. Whatever was trying to trick him into hurting himself, was waiting behind the door. He quickly pushed himself to his feet, and turned to bolt away.
Suddenly, the door opened and a pair of hands reached in and pulled him out into the hall. He tried to yell out, but he was quickly silenced. He struggled, but he was weakened by a quick Force suggestion. The door to Xanatos' apartment shut, and Obi-Wan fell into a forced sleep, not seeing his assailant. Still, Xanatos slept.
Xanatos wasn't dreaming. His sleep was from pure exhaustion, and he didn't realize he had fallen asleep on the couch. He didn't usually nod off at any time, but today he couldn't put his exhaustion out of his mind. It was a heavy presence that accumulated over the day.
After he and Obi-Wan had cleaned up, they spent some time meditating and then ate. Xanatos seemed at a loss for what to do next, but Obi-Wan suggested they just read together. Xanatos agreed, but couldn't stay awake for too long.
His dreamless sleep started to fade as his worries started to intrude. He and Obi-Wan had started to work together well, again. Now if nothing interrupted it, things would turn out all right. Unfortunately, there was some one out there who was trying to stop that. And he was sure that that some one was Cherek. An image of Cherek swirled into his mind like a dark mist.
Stirring, Xanatos tried to get the idea from his head. He just didn't trust Cherek and his motives.
But he could be wrong. Cherek could just be trying to help him and Obi-Wan. And Jericho's transport could have malfunctioned. And random mercenaries could have taken his master from him.
An image of Qui-Gon came to his mind. This image was pleasant, but his feelings of regret and sorrow seemed to outweigh the good.
His thoughts turned back to Cherek, The things that had gone on surronding Cherek were too powerful for him to accomplish on his own. The hiding of his mind, the deceitful planning and manipulation were all too advanced for some one like him. He had to have had help, if he did it. But who?
I know I can figure it out, but it will just take too long. He's going to win, and it will all be in vain. Xanatos sighed mentally.
//Nothing is in vain if you truly believe in it.//
Xanatos shifted in his sleep. Was that his thought or just a memory?
//You're too close to turn back now, Padawan.//
Xanatos heart leapt. //Master?// His eyes fluttered open, his mind suddenly jump started from such a peaceful state into full alertness. He got to his feet too quickly to look around, and he stumbled. Only to be caught by strong arms.
Xanatos, light headed, thought he was surly dreaming again when he looked up. His master, Qui-Gon, was here, holding him gently. He was shaded in blue tones, but was just as Xanatos remembered. "This can't be real."
"It is, Xan." Qui-Gon gave him a small smile. "You should never have lost faith in the Force. It has and will never let you down."
"I can't believe that. It took you away from me, and didn't give me anything in return. I did try, Master. But, not hard enough." Xanatos tried to calm his trembling. "I let you down. I let everyone down."
"You've let no one down but yourself, Xanatos. You've carried your own blame and that has kept you from making your realization earlier. You left yourself open to be exploited by the ones who want to hurt you." Qui-Gon caressed his cheek.
Xanatos, his thoughts inarticulate, only managed to stare. Finally words cane back to him. "I never should have stopped looking for you. I could have prevented all of this."
"Xani, whether you like it or not, this was the will of the Force."
Xanatos narrowed his eyes. "Than the Force has willed me to be alone and powerless to stop anyone from treating me like dirt. Master, no one trusts me because I can't trust myself to do the right thing. I tried with Obi-Wan, but he…he can't trust me. I don't want to make anymore mistakes."
"The only mistake you can make with Obi-Wan, Xanatos, is letting him down when he needs you. He's the future, and will be a great Jedi knight. As you are." Qui-Gon saw the confusion on Xanatos' face. "You are a great Jedi Knight, and you will become greater with time."
"Was it Cherek?" Xanatos asked. "Tell me, Master, is Cherek behind all of this?"
"Cherek is a pawn in a much greater plan. You've got to stop him before he continues that plan, and hurts Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon said, his eyes never leaving Xanatos' face.
Xanatos frowned. "Obi-Wan? But he's here, he's safe…" Xanatos looked to his side, where Obi-Wan had been. He wasn't there anymore. He quickly looked back to Qui-Gon, panicked. "If he's not here, where is he?"
"Follow your faith, and you will find him." Qui-Gon put a hand on Xanatos shoulder. "You've got to hurry, Xani."
Xanatos nodded, slowly. "But there is still so much that I never got to say to you."
"I do hear you when you think you're taking to yourself. But you should stop doing that; your thoughts of me are enough." Qui-Gon closed his eyes, hearing something that only he could hear. "Hurry. You do not have much time."
Feeling a comforting touch to his mind, Xanatos closed his own eyes, and when he opened them Qui-Gon was gone. Swallowing his tears, Xanatos nodded to himself, but didn't know where to start. He quickly looked down, his eyes being pulled towards the data-pad on the table. He scanned the message, and he clenched the pad in his fist. Dropping the pad, he turned towards the door.
The situation was so much more real now.
Following the faintest link that still bound him to Obi-Wan, Xanatos ran on blind faith in it. He knew he must have passed many strange looks, but now he knew that they didn't matter. What mattered was the future, and that future had been in front of his eyes the whole time. He just had to look passed his blindness, and into the moment.
The gardens were dark, the path lights down and only the pale light from the moon and the passing traffic cast down. Activating his yellow bladed lightsaber, Xanatos followed with the Force. He had not followed the Force in so long, and if he had it was never this strong. But there was something wrong here. He pushed it off as paranoia, as he emerged into a clearing.
"Obi-Wan?" He called.
His earlier unrest had drained away, and he quickly spotted a prone Obi-Wan laying beneath a tree in the far corner of the clearing. Powering down his lightsaber, Xanatos crossed the expanse in few steps. He reached Obi-Wan's side, and knelt. Scanning him, Xanatos quickly noticed how the clouded Force was around the boy. He'd been forced to sleep.
And used as bait.
Quickly reactivating his lightsaber, Xanatos swirled away from Obi-Wan. He swept the darkened area. "Cherek! I know you're here!"
There was no answer.
Xanatos shifted his weight from side to side in impatience. He called again, watching the tree line for movement.
"You can't hide forever." He muttered.
"Are you sure?" Came the taunting voice.
"I've never been more sure in my life." Xanatos said to himself.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm having trouble hearing you." Cherek stepped out into the dim light, his eyes gleaming.
"What have you done to him, Cherek? He's never had any contest with you." Xanatos gritted his teeth, and took a step towards Cherek, still trying to guard Obi-Wan from any advance Cherek may make.
His face, cast in the silver light, looked ghostly, as Cherek smiled. "He may not have a personal contest with me, but he does have a great affect on all of us. Unfortunately, he wasn't as easy to manipulate as you."
As Cherek emphasized on the last word, Xanatos took a step forward. "I knew it was you."
"Did you?" Cherek took his own step towards where Xanatos stood. "I'm surprised you figured that one out."
Xanatos didn't reply. The taunts were starting to wear on what tiny patience he had. The anger he felt seemed to be boosted by Cherek, like some sort of amplifier. He had to have a clear head. He couldn't give Cherek the advantage.
"Listen to me!" Cherek yelled. Xanatos' expression didn't change as he continued to stare at Cherek. "He's stronger than you, Xan. I couldn't get him to cut himself, like I did you."
Xanatos blinked.
"If you haven't figured it out, I've been in your head for a long time. I'm the one that caused your depression. I was so close to having you kill yourself, if it wasn't for your master, we wouldn't be here. I came close with his padawan here, but he…oh he's special. He wouldn't go through with it." Cherek grinned.
"You're the one that stole his memories," Xanatos was starting to lose his fragile hold on his emotions, "and you're the one that killed my master. You're going to pay, Cherek."
"No, you're the one that's going to pay." Cherek reached into his pocket, and pulled out something that glistened in the moonlight. He tossed it at Xanatos feet.. "Remember when you used to have back up plans, Xan? Well I created one. I laced it with poison. It would have made it impossible for you to keep him alive because of it's hemophiliac properties."
Xanatos felt futility start to swirl around him as he stared at the blade at his feet. "You meant to kill us both."
"You really should start disposing of dangerous things properly, Xan." Cherek folded his arms.
Xanatos glared. "I've beaten you at everything in your life, Cherek, what makes you think you can win now? Obi-Wan is going to recover, and you'll be ousted from the order for having the dark touch you. You're finished."
"Maybe you're the one who's finished, Xanatos." Cherek frowned. "I don't think the council will put up with another out burst, and any more problems."
"Fuck you, Cherek." Xanatos gave a heated reply.
Cherek growled. He activated the saber, and it came to life as a brilliant red blade. "Think you can beat me at my own game? I've played in your head for so long that there is nothing you can best me at."
"Now, it's your turn to be certain." Xanatos answered.
Xanatos took a few running steps and leapt towards Cherek, and slashed at him. Cherek was weaker with the saber, and fell back instantly when he tried to deflect it. Xanatos charged towards the fallen his fallen opponent, readying to attack him on the ground. But Cherek managed to bring his saber up to meet Xanatos'.
Cherek struggled to his feet, and swung his saber at Xanatos. His slices were quick, but had little power in them. Xanatos easily blocked them, and he landed a burn across Cherek's shoulder. Cherek snarled, and tried to get some retribution, but ended up only getting driven towards the edge of a pond.
Xanatos spun, and kicked Cherek's lightsaber from his hands and into the water. It sparked and hissed as it was extinguished.
Xanatos deactivated his saber. "That's it Cherek, no more tricks. I'm tired of having you in my head."
Cherek glanced at the pond, then took a step towards Xanatos. He narrowed his eyes. "But I'm not done yet."
Faster than Xanatos could react, Cherek brought out a second lightsaber and cracked hard against Xanatos cheek. The flash of pain in his face made Xanatos reel backwards and drop his saber. Cradling his bruised, or even broken, cheek bone, Xanatos staggered and fell onto the ground.
"That's for hitting me." Cherek stared as he activated the new saber he held. "Recognize this." The brilliant green of his master's saber made Xanatos' blue eyes burn. His jaw was starting to numb as the pain spread from his cheek all over his face. He looked over desperately at Obi-Wan. The boy was still laying there, under Cherek's influence.
Xanatos tried to reach out with the Force to Obi-Wan, but he was deflected by Cherek's presence. Xanatos focused harder. //Obi-Wan.//
"He wont be able to help you, Xan." Cherek shot a look over his shoulder at Obi-Wan, then back to Xanatos. "You always had to be perfect. You were younger than me by years, but you still managed to get a master before me. I was jealous beyond belief, and then I heard you were going to be knighted. I could never be a knight because of you…you took my life from me, and now I've got my second chance to take your life from you."
//Please, Obi-Wan. //
Xanatos tried to reach for his saber, but Cherek flung it across the clearing and into a tree. Cherek pointed Qui-Gon's lightsaber at Xanatos and grinned.
//Obi-Wan, fight Cherek. He's controlling you! You did it before.//
"He may have beat me once, but I don't make mistakes. Just like you. The old you, anyhow." Cherek wound up and landed a solid kick to Xanatos' chest, driving the air from his lungs. Gasping, Xanatos rolled into his side.
//Obi-Wan!// Xanatos shouted mentally, feeling Obi-Wan stirring.
//Xanatos?// Obi-Wan gave a sleepy reply. //What's happening?//
//However you overcame him before, break his bonds. Help me.// Xanatos pleaded.
//What's going on?// Obi-Wan demanded. //Why can't I get up?//
//Fight him, Obi-Wan!// Xanatos gave a mental shout.
//I don't think I can…//
//Yes,// Xanatos stared at Cherek as he tried to reach out to Obi-Wan, //you can. You're stronger than me. You've always been stronger. I couldn't beat him, but you can. I believe in you.//
Xanatos didn't feel a response, and felt a jab of regret. He couldn't reach Obi-Wan. He had failed.
"Time to say hello to your master, Xanatos." Cherek held the lightsaber close enough to Xanatos' neck that he could feel the hair on his neck bristle. "Your padawan wont be far behind you."
Xanatos closed his eyes at the word.
"No I wont."
The voice surprised them both. Cherek turned, and Xanatos reacted as fast as he could. He rolled to his feet and threw a kick at Cherek's head. His neck snapped back, and he fell to the ground. Xanatos look across the distance at Obi-Wan, and gave a crooked smile. He stumbled forward, but caught himself with a hand.
Obi-Wan gave a small smile in return, before his eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped to his knees before hitting the ground. Xanatos groaned, his head swimming. He rolled to his knees, and grabbed Qui-Gon's lightsaber from Cherek's hand.
"That's not yours, filthy bastard." He muttered.
He turned away and moved as quickly as he could to get to Obi-Wan. He was alive. Xanatos was unconsciously smiling against the pain. They had reformed the bond, and it seemed permanent. He reached out, hoping to wake Obi-Wan.
Instead, his mind was flooded with images. Memories. Obi-Wan's memories. Frantic flashes of remembrances and emotions that he was unable to make sense of.
Focusing, Xanatos tried to find something to anchor onto; Obi-Wan.
//Obi-Wan?//
It was like standing in a storm, with everything swirling around him, but out of the turmoil a mental image of Obi-Wan stepped out. //I remember this, Xanatos.//
//This isn't clear to me, Obi-Wan.// Xanatos shook his head. //What's going on?//
Obi-Wan stilled the world around them, so one clear image shone through. It was like standing in a dream, to Xanatos. Some things were more clear than others. Some objects were obscured, but Xanatos began to make sense of it. In a barely lit cell of a ship, Xanatos saw Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sitting against the wall of the cell.
Obi-Wan's mental voice intruded. //This was when we were on that planet. I…I could never remember it before. Now I can.//
//Cherek took your memories. I'm sorry I never told you.// Xanatos replied.
Obi-Wan, standing next to him in a mental image, shrugged. //I think if I would've tried hard enough, I could have remembered on my own.//
Xanatos sighed. //What happened here?//
Obi-Wan watched the image as it started around them. //This was the last night. The next morning, some one in a dark cape took me away and, well…you know that part.//
Xanatos nodded for him to continue.
//There was always some one watching us,// Obi-Wan continued, //Master knew that, so we didn't talk much. We used our bond. He was always telling me we would get out of there, and not to be afraid. I wasn't, just because he was there. The last night, he rebraided my braid. He was so weak! That made me so angry. They took his every day. I just sat there, waiting. When they brought him back, he was cut and bruised and bleeding and…I just couldn't do anything about it!//
Xanatos let his eyes fall as the memory changed. Obi-Wan, walking down a long dirt road. Xanatos didn't have to ask as Obi-Wan began to explain again.
//They told me, when I left, that Master was dead. That was all I knew.// Obi-Wan paused. //I'm sorry, Xanatos.//
//Sorry for what?// Xanatos asked.
//For not saving our master.//
Xanatos grabbed Obi-Wan by the shoulders, and turned him to face him. //No, Obi-Wan. I see now that we've both been blaming ourselves. We've lost ourselves inside. Cherek tried to influence us, and he did because we were just looking for something to hide behind. Now, we've got nothing to stop us.//
Obi-Wan looked away.
Xanatos frowned. //We formed the bond on trust Obi-Wan, and I need to know it I can trust you.//
//You can trust me.// Obi-Wan replied.
//Good.// Xanatos closed his eyes, and focused on his own memories.
The image swirled, and Obi-Wan looked around. //What's happening?//
//I need to show you something.// Xanatos answered. The memory around them transformed into a dark room. Obi-Wan took a step forward, as he saw something in the far corner of the room.
//That's you.// Obi-Wan stated, recognizing Xanatos.
Xanatos nodded. //With shorter hair.//
Obi-Wan stood silent for a moment. //This was before you were supposed to be knighted. I recognize the white clothes.// He paused. //You look so sad.//
Xanatos nodded. //I didn't think I deserved to be knighted. I got to me knighting on the blood of my father.//
Obi-Wan looked at him, a question in his eyes.
//I told you before, Obi-Wan, that my final trial was my undoing. The council decided to test me by giving me the choice between having power and wealth on my planet, or to being a knight. They sent me and Master to my home planet, Telos, where we were to…talk with my father.
//My father was always angry that I had been taken by the Jedi. I thought he would be pleased with my success, and would let me become a knight with his blessings. Instead, he offered me money and power. He told me to turn against Master, and join him. He told me to prove my loyalty by striking down Master. I couldn't do it. My father called me weak, and tried to attack Master. I stepped between them, and…and I struck down my father.//
Obi-Wan looked from the young visage of Xanatos in the memory, to the one standing beside him. //You did the right thing, though.//
Xanatos nodded. //Master told me that, too, but I felt guilty for killing my father. I hid it, though. I thought showing my guilt was a weakness. I wanted to be knighted so badly, that I didn't think of the consequences that hiding my emotions would bring. On the transport back, I began to fall into a depression.
//That's when,// Xanatos voice turned angry, //Cherek took advantage of me. He came over an congratulated me when I was being checked out in the healers. That night, I felt like I didn't deserve to be knighted. I decided that I couldn't disappoint Master by refusing to be knighted. At least, I thought it was my decision.//
Obi-Wan shuddered as he watched the memory continue to play out. The young Xanatos brought a razor blade to his wrists. The blood dripped down, staining the white robes he was wearing. Obi-Wan couldn't move. How could anyone make another person do that themselves?
//Did it hurt?// Obi-Wan meekly asked.
Xanatos shrugged. //I was so confused that I refused to feel anything at all.//
The memories faded away, and the too blinked awake. Xanatos winced as he cradled his face and sat up. Obi-Wan sat up, and looked right to Xanatos.
"I'm sorry for anything I may have done to hurt you." Obi-Wan said.
Xanatos glanced over. //You've helped me, more than hurt me.//
Obi-Wan smiled, and pushed himself to his feet, and Xanatos followed. Obi-Wan strode over to Cherek, and nudged him with his boot. He looked over to Xanatos and smiled.
"You hit him good." Obi-Wan grinned.
Xanatos was about to reply, when unexpectedly, Cherek's hand reached out and grabbed Obi-Wan's foot. In a blur of motion, Cherek had Obi-Wan by the neck. Cherek smiled at the look of surprise on Xanatos' face. Xanatos clenched Qui-Gon's lightsaber in hand.
"Don't count me out, not yet." Cherek hissed.
Xanatos activated the saber, unable to speak.
"What's wrong, Xanatos, wookie got your tongue?" Cherek laughed. He reached out with the Force, and brought the blade to his hand. Xanatos tried to intercept it, with his hand, but the blade nicked his fingers, and continued on its way to Cherek's hand.
"Let me go." Obi-Wan demanded, squirming against Cherek's grip.
Cherek sneered. "It's not that easy. You can't get away."
Obi-Wan, taking a deep breath, ducked out of Cherek's grasp, and spun to kick. The kick landed firmly on Cherek's chest. Without having to look at Xanatos, Obi-Wan caught Qui-Gon's lightsaber as Xanatos threw it to him.
"We've got you now, Cherek." Obi-Wan spoke for himself and for Xanatos.
Cherek was finally caught. Xanatos was standing behind him, waiting for him to run. Obi-Wan was standing in front of him, pointing a lightsaber at him. He looked, slowly, to the blade in his hand. Obi-Wan and Xanatos didn't move as Cherek brought the blade to his neck, and slit his own throat.
Obi-Wan was calm as he sat in a hall chair, waiting for the healers. He didn't really hate being here, and had never really. He swung his legs, impatiently, and hummed to himself. He was happy. Finally, truly happy for the first time in a long while.
He glanced up, as the doors swished open. Xanatos stepped out, and smiled.
"Good as new." He rubbed his jaw and cheek, with a grin.
"Great." Obi-Wan hopped out of his chair. "What did Master Windu have to say?"
Xanatos smiled brightly. "We've been cleared. We're completely free of any dark influence. Before we return to duties, though, we've got some vacation time."
"Good, I'm going to need it." Obi-Wan smiled. "I've really missed talking to Bant."
Xanatos nodded, and the two started towards the lift. "I know I owe Sade a big apology. And the council. And just about everybody else."
Obi-Wan laughed. There was a silence as they entered the lift. Xanatos sighed in the silence, then gave a small smile.
"You told Jericho that you once feared that I would be your master." Xanatos smiled stayed. "I don't think you're afraid now."
Obi-Wan grinned. "I'm not afraid of anything. I'm glad you're my master, Xanatos."
Xanatos chuckled. "It will take me a while to get used to calling you 'padawan.'"
"I wont mind getting called Obi-Wan. For a little while at least." The door opened and they stepped out into the hall. "It is my name, after all."
Xanatos couldn't stop smiled. "I'm glad they fixed my cheek. I can't think about anything but smiling right now."
The door to Xanatos' apartment opened as Obi-Wan thumbed the panel. "Me too."
Together, the two stepped through the door and into the future, leaving their pasts behind them.
Epilogue
The young Sith stepped off of the window ledge, and into his waiting craft. He frowned, and powered up the controls. He took off quickly, not to be detected. The auto-pilot took control, and guided him to his destination.
As the port closed behind his craft, and the tiny ship completed landing procedures, he jumped out. He started to walk towards the lift, with a firm scowl on his face. His master would not be happy with this. He leaned against the wall of the lift as he thought of what to tell his master.
Their plan had failed. It had been a long running plan that had taken years to instill. Everything should have worked out, but it didn't. The door swished open too quickly, and the Sith clenched his fists as he stepped out.
"Maul, what have you to report?" The voice was commanding and went straight to his spine.
He bowed, deeply. "No success, my Master."
"I know." His master answered.
Maul cocked his head as he rose from his bow. "And you're not angry, my Master?"
His master cackled, and Maul fought back the reaction to step back. "Why should I be angry, my apprentice? This is a success is disguise. We've got our opportunity. The Force is in our favor."
Maul frowned. "What do you mean, Master?"
"Don't question me, apprentice." His Master answered.
Maul readied himself to be struck, or thrown some where, but he wasn't. His master must be pleased with the vision he received. "May I go now, Master?"
His master laughed. "Go, my apprentice."
Maul bowed, and ducked out. Whatever his master was planning, it certainly was important if he wouldn't tell it to him. The Jedi wouldn't have much longer before they felt the true power of the Sith. And Maul could take care of that Padawan for good. He could never hurt that stupid boy when they had him and his master locked in their ship. Some day, Maul vowed.
And hopefully, that some day wouldn't be to far in the future.
(Comments? Questions? Flames? Just bring it!)