Warnings: Minor swearing and horror violence and gore.
Rating: R, only because I'm not sure.
Summary: Strange dreams lead Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan on a creepy adventure, but do theses dreams hold a greater meaning? (They probably do because if not there wouldn't be much of a storyline. Lol)
~Special thanks to Megan for reading it and helping me edit and for Amanda for providing me with the idea in the first place. Keep up the weird dreams girl!~
*May contain errors (I say this because I'm not a perfect editor Lol)*
Dark Dreaming
Obi-Wan had already went to sleep that night, but Qui-Gon remained up. His padawan's dreams disturbed him not because of the content but because of the consistency of a person. There were several cases like Obi-Wan's that dealt with disturbing dreams, but all involved viruses or parasites. After their mission a few weeks ago, Obi-Wan had showed signs that he was all right. Qui-Gon sighed.
Through their bond he could sense Obi-Wan's thought, and if needed, even enter his mind. He had plans to enter in one of Obi-Wan's dreams. If he could see what was going on, then maybe he could better understand. Qui-Gon sat down on the floor, closed his eyes and began to meditate.
A strong wave of pain and fear hit his mind through the force followed by a yell from Obi-Wan. He got up and raced to Obi-Wan's room to see him thrashing at his sheets then lay back down. He moved his head from side to side and muttered something Qui-Gon didn't catch.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on Obi-Wan's forehead and tried to calm him through the force. It worked for a few minutes then he began to gently kick at his sheets. Qui-Gon knelt by his bed, closed his eyes and entered Obi-Wan's mind.
Qui-Gon opened his eyes and looked around seeing nothing but darkness dimly lit by torches. He searched and couldn't sense anything clearly.
"Obi-Wan!", he called out and got a chuckle in the darkness. A figure stepped out of the shadows and into view. She wore a fitted solid black jumpsuit that covered everything, save her neck and face, with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.
She stood there as if to study him. He did the same.
"Like myself, you are a foreign presence in this mind. Welcome to my realm.", she said smiling and moving her head slightly to the side and eyed him.
"Your the one disturbing Obi-Wan's dreams.", he stated. She spread her hands out and bowed a bit.
"Correct."
"Who are you?", Qui-Gon asked looking around. Beneath him the stone floor became sand and the walls no longer existed. A blue sky replaced the ceiling while the girl changed forms. 'A shape shifter?' Her brown hair became sun streaked and shorter cropped at the ear. Her skin tone tanned slightly, and her jumpsuit turned into a holey and worn tunic.
"I'm not a who," she began circling him like a hunter to a prey, "I'm a being that lives in this time. When humans or aliens sleep, you visit a dream time. My world." She stopped right before him then stepped back.
"This is my padawan's mind not yours. Where is he?", Qui-Gon asked. He was getting sick of these games.
The female waved her hand and the sand beneath her rose to form a throne. She sat down and looked to the sides. Guards of sand rose and lifted someone out of the sand. Qui-Gon's eyes widened when he saw Obi-Wan in chains.
"Not what you were expecting. Now your asking yourself, 'How can someone from one time hurt someone from another?' Lets just say if Obi-Wan's mind believes what it sees then he'll remain here. If I happen to be there when it does, then we trade places. Or, here's an easier way; if you pull me into your world, then Obi-Wan will remain here, safe, and I shall travel with you."
"Surely the door swings both ways. If you can hurt him, then you can be hurt yourself.", he said folding his arms over his chest.
"But, until you figure how that works, I have the upper hand.", she said and got down and walked towards him. With each step she began to morph into Obi-Wan. "How does this work for you?", it said now sounding just like his learner. Qui-Gon took a step back undaunted.
The shape shifter morphed again this time into his former apprentice, Xantos. Qui-Gon's eyes widened.
"Remember, all your conscious thoughts are known here... including fears and disappointments.", Xantos said and raised a hand releasing lighting into Qui-Gon. He flew back and landed on his back. Xantos smiled and pulled out his saber then morphed into Obi-Wan.
"Shocking development.", he said and ignited the blade. Qui-Gon swept the younger Jedi then got up ignited his blade.
The creature got up and swung at the old master. Qui-Gon blocked and swung at the false Obi-Wan. The blade burned the shape shifters shoulder. In the background Obi-Wan cried out and now had a burn on his shoulder. 'I never hit him.' Qui-Gon turned his attention to the enemy and saw no one there.
Qui-Gon began to run to his learner but couldn't get his feet to move. The sand began to suck him under. The female returned just before he completely went under.
"You won't win that easily.", she said as his head was sub-merged.
***
Qui-Gon woke up after taking what seemed like a much needed breath. Obi-Wan remained asleep, calmer this time. He went to a nearby computer council and looked up something on dreams. Mythology was the first thing that showed up. According to the records, mythology actually, there was supposedly a dreaming world. Humans and other aliens entered this world when they rested. The world does nothing more than serve as a guide for the mind. But, there are some creatures in the dream-land who wield a way to manipulate dreams. 'Figured that out.'
If someone gets in too deep, they can be lost in the dream world. Same for the creatures who can control it. 'I see why this is under mythology; this is too far fetched for me to believe.', Qui-Gon thought. The information went on to explain different dreams, possible meanings and so on. 'A handy reference for a dream psychologist.' He read on still unconvinced that this could possibly be true. 'Dreams are just images of the mind. How can images harm something tangible?', his thoughts argued.
'It's the same as the force. You can't see it, but with control, it can be dangerous.' Qui-Gon turned around check on Obi-Wan and saw himself there with Obi-Wan. He slowly got up and noticed the computer council melting into the ground along with himself and Obi-Wan. The room melted all around him till nothing but solid metal walls, floors and ceiling remained.
In front of him, a metal hand shot through the wall followed by a head. The female creature pulled through the wall then stepped out. The wall melted together after she was out. The female now had bright blue hair with same color eyes and a full body silver jumpsuit.
"Did you really think you would escape that easily? Thanks to the bond you and Kenobi share, I now have access to your mind.", she said in a mechanized voice. Qui-Gon stood un-phased.
"It's will power against will power. I can and will defeat you." She smiled and waved her hand up. The metal underneath her broke apart and levitated her up on a floating pad.
"Are you so sure? Remember the information you looked up was in a dream and may not be entirely accurate.", she said then faded. He was left alone, trapped. Qui-Gon took his hand and pressed it to the cold metal. 'Solid. If this place isn't controlled by the mind, then what does control it?', he pondered. An idea crossed his mind. Qui-Gon took the same hand against the metal and made a fist, brought it back and hit the metal as if it were water.
His fist punctured the wall now looking like metal goo. He walked through the wall and came through the other side to a stone castle. 'It is power to the mind. Then, what is she talking about?' Qui-Gon walked to the castle following a stone path that was conveniently placed there. 'It's a trap.'
When he reached the wooden door, Qui-Gon entered as it opened up as if waiting for someone to just walk through. Inside was dark with a few holes in the walls providing some light casting eerie shadows on objects. He neither had an interest or an objective to be in this house, but it was here, and therefore, something that had to be checked out.
Faintly through the force he felt Obi-Wan's presence. He followed watching his step along the way. So far, nothing was happening which worried him more. After a while of walking he began to hear a faint voice. Qui-Gon listened and heard the voice directly under him but muffled. He punched through the floor as he had done for the wall and found a hand.
Obi-Wan's hand.
Qui-Gon lifted with all his might pulling his padawan out of the floor. When Obi-Wan was halfway out he grabbed Qui-Gon's other hand and tried to climb.
"Master? How'd you get here?", Obi-wan asked when he was completely out.
"I entered your dreams to help out. Doesn't seem like it's working though. How long have you been down there?", Qui-Gon inquired looking around.
"Not for very long. I can't tell if I'm dreaming anymore. It's all seems to real."
"I think that's what we're meant to think.", Qui-Gon stated. Obi-Wan looked puzzled. He continued, "If we can't figure out what is real and what is not, then our defenses are down. We can't count on waking up because we could wake up into another dream." Obi-Wan still looked puzzled but dropped it.
"What do we do?, Obi-Wan asked. Qui-Gon sighed deeply.
"The hell if I know."
"That's encouraging, Master. What happened to those classy, inspirational speeches you give me when we're in a grim situation?", Obi-Wan asked feeling around on the wall for a catch. Qui-Gon laughed for probably the first time in a while.
"It's honest. Whatever this... thing is it can be transmitted by other minds entering it's realm. Even if we wake up, we can't get any outside help without risk of infecting others.", Qui-Gon reluctantly said.
"So, we need to fight this thing here and now? But how?", Obi-Wan questioned.
"All of this is in the mind, padawan. We shall fight it as any other enemy, but everything here and now is a bit stranger." Obi-Wan turned his head and raised an eyebrow at Qui-Gon then turned back. A slight rumble gave Qui-Gon a sinking feeling that things were only going to get worse. The walls around them stretched out while the ground turned to sand. The ceiling faded only bringing in harsh sun light into their eyes.
The once stone walls turned into what Qui-Gon thought were stands. Faces of humans and aliens appeared hooting and shouting while four stone pillars raised in the four corners of the stand. Both Jedi faced one another then faced forward to see a huge gap in the stands. The gap apparently was for the leader of this game.
"Like the Roman Coliseum, we are but slaves now fighting for freedom under a tyrant's rule."* Obi-Wan looked at him bewildered at the statement then smirked.
"Very encouraging.", Obi-Wan sarcastically mentioned after a while. The crowds grew quiet as if all controlled by one person, one mind. The older Jedi cast a look at the gap to see the female emerging still in silver. She lifted her head up and smiled.
"Let the games begin.", she said and got a huge roar from the crowd. 'This ought to be interesting.', Qui-Gon thought turning to his padawan. Obi-Wan stood swinging his arms back and forth. That was a nervous gesture he did usually before major sparring matches and such. In front of them two doors raised up revealing two figures on either side in dark hoods.
Two crimson blades ignited from the dark entryways, one blade for each figure. The two stepped out and were greeted by loud cheers.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say the crowd is on their side.", Obi-Wan said igniting his blue lightsaber.
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow and smiled a bit, "What gave you that idea?" He ignited his green saber and waited. One of the figures approached him while the other went to Obi-Wan. The cloaked figure stopped about two meters away and pulled away it's cloak. Qui-Gon shut his slightly gaping mouth when he saw his apprentice, or a likeness of him, standing before him staring at him with black eyes. Likewise, Obi-Wan saw a his master before him with the same black eyes.
The false Obi-Wan slashed first, but Qui-Gon blocked. His enemy threw moves at him unknowingly forcing Qui-Gon back. Qui-Gon took the offence and after Obi-Wan's attempt to slash at his stomach, Qui-Gon backhanded the blacked-eyed creature. It stumbled back, and Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan groan in pain. He turned and saw Obi-Wan had stumbled back just like the creature.
A kick to his side knocked the wind out of the older Jedi, but Qui-Gon retaliated by throwing the creature into a pillar. A sharp pain hit Qui-Gon's shoulder. He looked and saw a burn wound forming from thin air. His eyes drifted to his padawan and his false self. Obi-Wan was coming out of a major swing which had burned the shoulder of his false self.
Obi-Wan! Stop! This fight is against us. Every time we hurt our opponent we hurt each other., Qui-Gon said through the force. Obi-Wan moved the black eyed creature away and faced Qui-Gon.
Well that's fair. How do we fight?
Before he could answer, Qui-Gon blocked a blow to his chest then force pushed the creature into the pillar. The creature turned around, ran up part of the pillar and flipped over Qui-Gon. He was too slow to block the slash to his back. Qui-Gon dropped to his knees then blocked another stab to his chest while one of his hands touched the burn. This was getting nowhere, and the odds were severely against them.
The black eyed Obi-Wan grinned evilly at Qui-Gon readying his saber for a killing blow. It stopped and feel backward in two pieces. Obi-Wan, his padawan, stood behind it and watched the pieces fall then he offered a hand to Qui-Gon, who graciously took it.
"Where's the other?", Qui-Gon asked. His answer came right up behind Obi-Wan with it's saber high ready to strike. Qui-Gon, still holding Obi-Wan's wrist, moved him over and stabbed the creature in the chest. It fell on top of the other. Both Jedi disignited their blades and looked towards the balcony for the girl.
She clapped slowly as if pleased yet very irritated. The crowd was half cheering and booing at them.
How'd you figure out that we could kill our clones?, Qui-Gon mentally asked Obi-Wan.
I didn't; I saw you in trouble and went to help. Actually, I thought I'd kill myself for killing the false me. Glad I was wrong.
"Very clever.", the shining silver female said as she stood up. "But, the games are not over yet."
Qui-Gon looked around half expecting something to pop out but instead he fell through the ground, slid down a tunnel and hit the stone bottom floor. He got up with now a slight headache forming and looked around. It was dark, like everything else in this dream world with a few lights giving the room an incandescent glow.
"Now what do I do?", he asked aloud to no one and got an answer. Around him a mist swirled around then formed a human figure directly in front of his eyes. It looked like an angel that descended from Heaven to bring him to safety.
"Lets see if you can find your apprentice.", the human mist said almost singing the words then vanished like she came before. Qui-Gon stood staring in awe at the sight then began to walk cautiously around the room. The room was wide and tall with items scattered around the room. If his memory wasn't mistaken, these type of rooms, with it's assorted devices, were used to torture Jedi during the Sith/Jedi wars.
A chill went through his spine as Qui-Gon pondered what he may find. Qui-Gon slowly walked cursing at his loud footsteps in the dead silence. Faster than he could react, his ankles were caught by chains that gripped his legs to the point of being painful. He struggled only for the chains to bind his wrist together. The chains continued to snaked around him till he couldn't breath. A figure came out with a blue saber and raised the ignited glowing blade high.
Qui-Gon had lost all comprehension of the dream which seemed as real as everything else he had encountered. The dark figure swiftly moved the blade down cutting the chains that cut Qui-Gon's breath then freed his wrist and ankles. The figure grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away. Qui-Gon got up and followed the cloaked figure.
After a while of running, the cloaked figure stopped along with Qui-Gon. He pondered a second about the figure's intentions then thought it best to say it anyway.
"Thanks.", he said in between breaths. The figure removed its cloak and revealed the bright face and eyes of his padawan.
"Very welcome, Master, but shouldn't you be rescuing me?", he asked smiling. Qui-Gon rolled his eyes.
"I'm twice your age; I can't be there all the time." Obi-Wan laughed then turned to look ahead. Qui-Gon paused and joined his learner's side. There was something strange about the rescue that the older Jedi couldn't place. 'It's too easy. There's got to be more to this.'
"I think there is a way out of this place in the room across the hall.", Obi-Wan said lowering his voice. Qui-Gon nodded and agreed following his apprentice. Obi-Wan crept down the hall reaching the end and signaled for him to follow. Qui-Gon silently crept and felt the air get cold. He stopped dead in his tracks and started shivering. The air around him became as cold as ice and every breath inhaled hurt to swallow.
His eyes darted back and forth and saw no cause for the change. He saw his padawan watch him in the distance his breath now showing as he exhaled. Obi-Wan didn't seem to notice the change. Qui-Gon walked on still feeling the fridge air on his skin. A dark presence graced the hallway just where Qui-Gon had stood. He turned and saw a figure wrapped in dark clothes with his face hidden in the darkness.
Qui-Gon touched his side for his saber and felt nothing there. He for a brief moment took his eyes off the figure and saw his saber gone then looked up to see his apprentice standing beside the figure.
"Qui-Gon Jinn, you are accused with failing to teach learners. How plead you?", a voice in the darkness said. It took him a moment to realize that the voice came from the dark figure. The figure unwrapped the fabric around his head, and with the glow of his now ignited saber, Qui-Gon now peered at his former apprentice Xantos.
The old Jedi stood there not speaking with his mouth gaped. He couldn't place exactly what was going on. He looked at Obi-Wan who no longer had the same innocent glimmer in his light blue eyes.
"Obi-Wan," he began trying to find what to say.
"Yes, you failed at teaching me, Master; I have turned.", he said. The words cut Qui-Gon like a thousand stabbing knives. How could he fail? Wasn't this a dream? He no longer knew and shook his head.
"Why?", the only thing the Jedi could ask his former apprentice. Both Xantos and Obi-Wan turned to each other and laughed sinisterly.
"Because this is what you fear most, your new apprentice Obi-Wan turning out like I did. Corrupt and vengeful.", Xantos answered laughing some more. Qui-Gon's usually calm composure was now shaken, and his fear had taken over. Both Obi-Wan and Xantos moved theirs hands up, open-palm and threw the older master into the wall. Chains snaked out of the wall and bound him to it.
He struggled and only felt the chains grow tighter and dig deeper into his flesh. Obi-Wan slowly walked towards him igniting his blue blade. Qui-Gon called upon the force to calm him, but everything was muddled. He cringed thinking of what Obi-Wan had plans for. Never before did he fear his former apprentice as much as now.
Obi-Wan paused about a foot away bringing his face close to the old man. Qui-Gon looked into Obi-Wan's eyes and looked for anything hopeful. He saw nothing but deep darkness. Obi-Wan grinned evilly and stepped back raising his blade up as if to stab Qui-Gon through the chest. Qui-Gon deeply sighed and followed the blade with his eyes.
Footsteps approached at a fast pace. A figure dashed, leaped and tackled his apprentice. He watched the two roll and send punches to the other then both stood up. Qui-Gon's eyes widened when he saw two Obi-Wan's in front of him. Both were dressed alike and looked exactly the same. Both had their sabers out and ignited then they turned to him.
"Which one of you is the real one?", he asked looking between the two.
"I am.", they said in unison. The Obi-Wan to the right threw a slash at the other, and they fought while the older Jedi watched baffled. A spin kick sent one of them into a wall knocking him out. The other came to Qui-Gon with his saber still ignited.
"Which are you?"
"Trust me; it's me.", he said smiling. "Let me cut you free and lets get out of here." He raised his blade up but not to cut him free, but to kill him. Qui-Gon shook his head as his fear rose again. He saw a blade punctured the Obi-Wan in front of him then was pulled out as the figured slumped down dead. His true apprentice stood there, behind the false one. He took his saber and cut the chains then disignited the blade.
"Glad it's really you.", Qui-Gon said very relieved.
"Can we leave here?", he said slightly whining. Qui-Gon nodded.
"I have a plan."
* I know this is out of context, but it does make for good symbolism on their situation.
To Be Continued...