The Strength of the Jedi

Author: Laura Kenobi

Disclaimer: Unfortunately for me, I don't own Star Wars. I do, however, own any original characters, planets, etcetera that I created for this story.

Archive: Please contact me first!

Comments/Reviews: You can email me through my profile, and you can always leave a review!

Author's Notes: ((italics)) represents thoughts and / italics / represents communication through the Force.

This story was first published in its original version beginning on September 3, 2001. In July 2005, I decided that since four years had passed and my skills as a writer had undoubtedly improved since this story was first written and posted, it might be refreshing to return to this story and give it a fresh look and an update. For the most part the overall story remains the same - my goal has been to improve on and expand on the original, so I hope the result will prove enjoyable to all of you who are wonderful enough to read and review. The version of this story below is the updated version. Call it the "Special Edition" version of this story.

Summary: A mission to Alderaan takes a wrong turn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn must rely on their inner strength and determination to survive.

Chapter Two

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Obi-Wan Kenobi awoke slowly, reaching out through the Force to sense his surroundings. The Force was peaceful, so Obi-Wan risked opening his eyes.

Two giant golden orbs peered into his blue/green eyes.

/ Are you feeling better, strange one? /

As the beast's voice echoed through the Force and Obi-Wan remembered what had happened, he gave his body a quick probe with the Force. Shock rippled through him.

He was completely healed. He realized the creature had somehow healed him with the Force. He must have fainted from the pain.

/ Y-Yes... I... thank you. /

Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. Even the healers at the Jedi Temple could rarely heal a patient completely.

His thoughts turned to the creature's words. Why had the creature called him "strange one"? Were humans unusual here? That could be a problem.

/ You are very welcome. Do you have a name? /

Obi-Wan flushed momentarily. Years of Jedi training, and he hadn't even told this creature his name.

/ My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Can you tell me where we are? /

/ Well, it is nice to meet you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. We are on the planet Oxita. /

((Oxita... where have I heard that name before?)) Obi-Wan racked his brain, but he couldn't recall where he had heard of the planet. He decided to try and gather more information from the creature that had helped him.

/ Would you mind if I asked you a few questions? /

There was a confirmation through the Force, and Obi-Wan continued.

/ I know nothing about you or your species. What can you tell me about yourself? /

/ My name is Mazanig. I am a Tsargne. We are the only intelligent life on the planet. Does that help, strange one? /

((Tsargne. The Force eaters. Oh no...))

Obi-Wan remembered where he had heard of the planet. He had learned about the Tsargne in his animal defense class at the Temple. They were giant, beautiful creatures, but they were not very friendly to outsiders and they were easily startled. Obi-Wan cursed himself for forgetting. They were especially dangerous to Force-sensitives because of the way they fed on the Force. They could suck the life out of a Jedi in minutes. Obi-Wan tried to remember what Master Namala had told them to do if they were forced to deal with the deadly creatures, but he could not remember. And, he thought, maybe they were wrong. Mazanig seemed nice enough. He decided to proceed with a cautious trust in the creature.

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Forest. Blood. Monsters...

Qui-Gon awoke with a start. His face was covered in a cold sweat, and his heart was racing. He had been having a horrible nightmare. He was standing in a forest somewhere, there was so much blood… and millions of giant creatures had been trying to kill him. Shaking his head to clear his mind, Qui-Gon let his eyes scan the area, looking for the hundredth time for a way out.

"That, Master Jinn, is where your apprentice is."

Qui-Gon's head snapped up to look the plump lady in the eyes.

"What?" he hissed, momentarily allowing his frustration out.

"You know, your measly apprentice that you were from yesterday? That's where he is."

"Where?" Qui-Gon looked again around the room.

"The place you dreamed of. That will be no dream for your apprentice in a few hours."

"Explain yourself!" Qui-Gon was in no mood for riddles. ((Obi-Wan...))

"Well, at the moment he is very safe, completely healed, and being fooled into thinking that he has found an ally. But the truth, Master Jinn, is that in a few hours the Tsargne will come together and suck the life right out of his body," her lips twisted into a cruel smile, "it will be the worst and most painful death a Jedi can experience. I look forward to watching the Tsargne finish him off."

Desperation was creeping into Qui-Gon. He had heard of the Tsargne, and he knew what they would do to his Padawan. Anger pulsed through his veins, and he fought to control it. Suddenly, something this mad woman had said registered.

"What do you mean 'watch'?" Qui-Gon's voice was harsh.

"Oh," she waved her hand in the air as though she had simply forgotten, "How terrible of me! Do you like surprises, Master Jinn?" With a final overconfident glance, the portly woman turned and exited the room.

Thoughts whirled in Qui-Gon's head. He had to save Obi-Wan. There was no other option. His Padawan meant more to him than life itself. The anger within him turned quickly to determination. He would help his apprentice. He would not fail.

((Do or do not, there is no try.))

Regardless of any teachings he had received in his life, the Jedi Master couldn't suppress the feeling of dread that threatened to overwhelm him.

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End Chapter 2.

Thanks for reading! I love reviews... - Laura