Ack. This is bad. I realize I have been writing this story for far too
long. In fact, I have been writing *all* my current stories for far too
long. My mind is filled with other things I want to write, but I need
to finish the ones I have started. So, within the next two weeks, I
will be posting more chapters that will conclude this adventure. Then,
I will go back and finish the SM piece I started in march, then the
Power Ranger thing I've been doing for a while. Once my writings are
finally in order, I have another story I hope you'll like already in
the mix. Kay? Hope you like this. please review, or email me at
eileenblzr@yahoo.com
Ooh, another note. In this following sentence, spoken at the end of
ATOC, Yoda says a line that is not backwards. Did I miss hear it? I
double checked, but it still souds like I wrote it...hmmmmm
"Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-wan, not victory. The shroud of
the darkside has fallen. Begun the Clone War has."
Chapter 7: Shroud of Darkness
When Amidala regained consciousness, she knew something was amiss. The
world, green and vibrant before her eyes, hung upside-down from the
brown and orange-painted sky. In contrast, the floor had been flooded
with black oil. Her feet were tightly bound, she discovered, to a
branch, her hands woven through a long black rope behind her. The Queen
was at once thankful she'd come as Padme, her royal robes would've only
blinded her to her position.
Though seeing the world from an odd angle, Amidala scanned her
surrounding thoughtfully, looking for any sign of an escape route, or
at very least, a kidnapper. But it was devoid of any other life forms.
With a sigh, she tried to wiggle her way free.
Unfortunately, the Queen was dealing with an knot expert. She might
never get out.
*****************
The walk took longer than Obi-wan would have liked, but at last he
reached the rocky steps of the ruins. True to the stories, it was
breath-taking. The Jedi gave one last endeavor at using the Force to
find the girl, before lighting his saber and sticking it into the soft
ground.
"I'm here," he called. "Why aren't you?"
"Impatient, are we? Good. You shouldn't have to wait for anything."
In the distance, a red saber illuminated an otherwise black night.
The figure weilding it came closer.
"What do you want from me?" Obi-wan asked, muscles tensed, like a tiger
ready to pounce. Though his weapon remained stuck, he knew he could
raise it and cast a blow in seconds.
"I should think it quite obivious." The man said, half of the distance
nearer. "You are a brilliant Jedi. So strong, so powerful. We want
you."
"We?"
There was a low chuckle and the man's head ducked downward to avoid a
branch. "Always two, that's the minimum. But once upon a time we
numbered in the thousands. Enough red to cover a planet. We want those
numbers again and you're the lucky Jedi whose going to turn the tide in
our favor."
Obi-wan kept talking, as much to distract the man as to keep his own
thoughts clear. "Why me? Master Yoda is better qualified. Master Windu,
the entire Jedi council are all my superiors. Why chose someone like
myself, so unexperienced?"
"We do not look at your current status. Better than average, but
nothing special. We see potential. Potenial, Master Kenobi, you are
abundant in. Under our guidance, you shall evolve into a very, very
skilled warrior." The man stopped a good distance from Obi-wan, lifting
a remote from his pocket. "Now, here's where the fun begins. We wanted
to persuade you the old fashion way, but you refused the bribe. The
longer we talk here, the more ideas you get on how to not turn to the
Darkside. So this is how we play it. Inside the building to your left
Amidala lays, bound and gagged. I am going there now. If I reach her
first, I will kill her. Reach her first, we'll negotiate. If you attack
me now, I blow the whole thing sky high and no one ever sees any of us
again. Good night, Master Kenobi."
The scarlet saber shrank back, and with it Obi-wan's ability to veiw
his advesary. With a lump in his throat he surveyed the aforementioned
building. And then his legs were moving and his chest pounding and the
blood thundering through his body.
**************
Her wrists were raw and chaffed, her ankles sore, but Amidala refused
to stop trying. She could no longer scream, her voice had long since
deserted her, but her twists and turns were hopefully weakening the
knots. Once an animal stopped inches away, and the Queen thought it
might help her, but then a twig, snapped by the creature's own weight,
stole its attention and sent it scampering back into the forrest.
With a determined grunt, she started again.
*************
The doors were already open as Obi-wan rushed past them, nearly
skidding to halt as he encountered a red glowing barrier. The ceiling
was absent and many parts of the wall were crumbled in, so that
moonlight bled into the former hall. It provided just enough light to
give him a clear veiw of the princess, coiled into a small ball three
barriers ahead of him, and the man from eariler, slowly creeping
towards her.
They had set it up like back then, when he and Qui-gon had battled
Darth Maul. The bastards, they knew about his guilt and were using it
to their advantage. Even as Obi-wan assured himself their plan wouldn't
work, his anger bubbled and steamed, like a kettle of water left under
the fire too long.
The first barrier vanished and Obi-wan leaped ahead, licking his lips,
holding his weapon tightly between his palm and fingers. There had to
be a way, he had to save the Queen.
Amidala, the beautiful Queen who'd tempted him far more than the Sith
could have, with her sweet innocence and steel will. If he hadn't been
so gone over her, maybe she wouldn't be in this mess.
The man stepped closer, waving at Obi with a jagged knife. And then the
barrier vanished again and only one more stood between him and victory.
But the fateful day was ever present in his mind and he remembered,
with a hint of fear, that only one barrier had stood between him and
Qui-gon as well. Indeed, the man was now only a foot away from her
small body.
The Sith man leaned down and raised the knife. It's descending speed
whistled through the air, but the sound was well covered by Obi-wan's
Kenobi's scream.
*******
It seemed at last the rope was loosening. One peice of the black rope
was caught between her lips, as her fingers fumbled with the rest of
it. She could make it out of there alive, provided the kidnapper didn't
come back any time soon.
***************
The last barrier disappeared, and Obi-wan rushed forward, sword burning
with a new light. He struck at the man ruthlessly, over and over again,
seeing Darth Maul's sneer, Qui-gon's look of anguish, the stabing pain
jutting through his own heart. Only now there was a new face to add to
the awful picture. Amidala, the only lady he'd ever really learned to
love, the sparkle, was also slain while he watched helplessly.
But he'd never be helpless again. Blood on was in his mouth, but he
pushed ahead, striking repeatedly.
He'd never watch a loved one's murder.
He'd never feel that kind of pain and not deliver revenge equally
harsh.
He'd never be weak.
With the last thought, his opponent's saber cracked, falling into
separate pieces of useless metal on the floor. "So," Obi-wan muttered,
staring at him with cruel eyes. "I suppose you've gotten what you
wanted. I hope you can enjoy your success in the afterlife."
"Wait, wait!" the man shouted. "It was a test, that wasn't even really
her. See for yourself!"
"Hmm, where is that knife again? The one with the dull blade and long
jagged ends?" Obi-wan raised out a palm and it slid over to him
obediently. A smile curved his lips.
"It was a test! Master, Master, its time to end this!"
, whispered a voice in both their ears.
Horror lits the man's eyes as he realized the betrayal. "No, that
wasn't how it was supposed to go!"
"Well now, don't play rough with the other kids unless you're willing
to get pushed." Obi-wan rotated his wrist, as if getting a feel for it,
then raised it high into the air. "Farewell." It came down again with a
whistle, and this time another's scream hid the sound.
******************
The ropes gave way with one final tug and Amidala raised her tired body
one last time, pulling free her legs. She crashed onto the ground with
more embarrassment than pain. After dusting off her clothes and pausing
to examine the wounds on her arms, she headed for the nearest building
in sight.
It was crumbling and in pieces, but with any luck the ruins would
provide her with sanctuary. She sprinted towards it.
*******************
Obi-wan threw down the weapon, and started walking away. Then
reconsidered, leaning closer to the man and wiping his blood-stained
hands on the body.
With considerable more concern, he approached Amidala. As the man had
cried, it wasn't really her at all. A life-sized doll lay, its inners
torn open.
So the man hadn't really killed her but paid the prince all the same.
Let it be a warning for anyone who dared cross him. He had no tolerance
for such games. However it did mean that Amidala was alive somewhere,
probably near. He headed for the forrest.
*****************
Someone was leaving the building and Amidala felt her throat constrict.
If it was the kidnapper, she'd be caught. But even with the dark
shadows on his face, the Queen recognized her favorite warrior.
"Obi-wan!" She tried to call. Though her voice was almost non-existant,
he turned to see her. "Thank the Elder's!" She rushed to his arms and
he quickly wrapped her in his embrace.
"There, there," He whispered soothingly, rubbing her hair. "I took care
of it." There was a small laugh after his words and she looked up with
an odd feeling building somewhere inside her.
*********
He could sense her fear. She needn't feel it, he would never harm her.
He loved her, needed her.
"Obi-wan? Are you all right?" The Queen managed to say, and he kissed
her on the forehead.
"Of course I'm okay. I've been in battles before, I know how to take
care of myself. Are you? You wrists are so red." His lips kissed the
sore lines.
She nodded, unfomfortable with his sudden barrage of physical
affection. It felt wrong, like Obi-wan was sick, only she couldn't tell
what kind of a disease he had. "My mom's probably really worried."
Amidala said, starting off. But her hand was still held in the Jedi's
and he wasn't budging.
"Oooh, see, we're not going back there just yet."
"What do you mean?" She frowned as the opposite expression covered his face.
"You know, you protect some people and put your life on the line and the minute an unsolved mystery comes along you might as well put a big sign on your chest that says 'I did it' even though you're innocent. I don't need to hear their useless apologies, they are nothing to me, their words pass like dust in the wind-"
"I want to see my mother." She insisted.
"Mommy dear, so drunk on Tive leaves she couldn't even recognize her own daughter? Come now, I'll not have my future wife be so insulted."
The horrible truth was becoming more and more obvious. The casual look in his eye, the loss of inhibitions...Amidala knew there was a Darkside to this whole Force thing, but how had it sunk its claws into a man so pure as Obi-wan?
"Don't be silly, Obi." She decided to feign ignorance of the whole situation. "Jedi don't marry. Neither do Queens of Naboo."
"Darling, we're gonna be breaking a whole lot of traditions pretty
soon." He spun her close to him and in a second his mouth had captured
hers, his hands finding their way around her waist.
She liked to think she tried to resist. If would have sickened her to
think that the instant his lips touched hers, all resolution to fight
fled her bones like deer running from a wildfire, but it was true. She
melted in a puddle at his feet, feeling all the pent up love and lust
rush to that connection, flood her senses, and then her hands moved up
to his neck and pulled him even closer.
Obi-wan finally pulled away, remaining close enough for their foreheads
to touch. His warm breath upon her face, blowing stray hairs back.
"I love you Dala."
They were the words she so longed to hear. The sweet sensation of joy
should have been diffusing across her. But instead, the Queen felt her
throat constrict and her lips burn.
This wasn't the Obi-wan she'd fallen head over heels for. This was some
twisted interpretation of him. But her body refused the acknowledge the
difference, her arms already around him like tangled rope.
Amidala let him kiss her again. She was powerless to refuse him. But
she vowed to figure out what was wrong and fight it.
There was a good man before her. He'd just forgotten it.
************************************
Master Yoda clasp his hands and sighed deeply. A disturbance had shaken
him from his sleep, a wave of pain and suffering from Obi-wan.
Lost, the young man was. Unconfident of his abilities and hiding secret
guilt, but so promising, Obi-wan made himself a prime target for the
Darkside.
Yoda could only hope that the disturbance didn't mean what he thought
it did.
*******************
Bwaahahahahaha! It's finally happened, Obi-wan has fallen over the
edge. But you all knew that an evil Obi-wan was what I was going for
all along, right? What fun I shall have with him. Tee Hee!
Puleaze tell me what you think, I'm dying to know, and stay tuned for
the next chapter.
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com
long. In fact, I have been writing *all* my current stories for far too
long. My mind is filled with other things I want to write, but I need
to finish the ones I have started. So, within the next two weeks, I
will be posting more chapters that will conclude this adventure. Then,
I will go back and finish the SM piece I started in march, then the
Power Ranger thing I've been doing for a while. Once my writings are
finally in order, I have another story I hope you'll like already in
the mix. Kay? Hope you like this. please review, or email me at
eileenblzr@yahoo.com
Ooh, another note. In this following sentence, spoken at the end of
ATOC, Yoda says a line that is not backwards. Did I miss hear it? I
double checked, but it still souds like I wrote it...hmmmmm
"Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-wan, not victory. The shroud of
the darkside has fallen. Begun the Clone War has."
Chapter 7: Shroud of Darkness
When Amidala regained consciousness, she knew something was amiss. The
world, green and vibrant before her eyes, hung upside-down from the
brown and orange-painted sky. In contrast, the floor had been flooded
with black oil. Her feet were tightly bound, she discovered, to a
branch, her hands woven through a long black rope behind her. The Queen
was at once thankful she'd come as Padme, her royal robes would've only
blinded her to her position.
Though seeing the world from an odd angle, Amidala scanned her
surrounding thoughtfully, looking for any sign of an escape route, or
at very least, a kidnapper. But it was devoid of any other life forms.
With a sigh, she tried to wiggle her way free.
Unfortunately, the Queen was dealing with an knot expert. She might
never get out.
*****************
The walk took longer than Obi-wan would have liked, but at last he
reached the rocky steps of the ruins. True to the stories, it was
breath-taking. The Jedi gave one last endeavor at using the Force to
find the girl, before lighting his saber and sticking it into the soft
ground.
"I'm here," he called. "Why aren't you?"
"Impatient, are we? Good. You shouldn't have to wait for anything."
In the distance, a red saber illuminated an otherwise black night.
The figure weilding it came closer.
"What do you want from me?" Obi-wan asked, muscles tensed, like a tiger
ready to pounce. Though his weapon remained stuck, he knew he could
raise it and cast a blow in seconds.
"I should think it quite obivious." The man said, half of the distance
nearer. "You are a brilliant Jedi. So strong, so powerful. We want
you."
"We?"
There was a low chuckle and the man's head ducked downward to avoid a
branch. "Always two, that's the minimum. But once upon a time we
numbered in the thousands. Enough red to cover a planet. We want those
numbers again and you're the lucky Jedi whose going to turn the tide in
our favor."
Obi-wan kept talking, as much to distract the man as to keep his own
thoughts clear. "Why me? Master Yoda is better qualified. Master Windu,
the entire Jedi council are all my superiors. Why chose someone like
myself, so unexperienced?"
"We do not look at your current status. Better than average, but
nothing special. We see potential. Potenial, Master Kenobi, you are
abundant in. Under our guidance, you shall evolve into a very, very
skilled warrior." The man stopped a good distance from Obi-wan, lifting
a remote from his pocket. "Now, here's where the fun begins. We wanted
to persuade you the old fashion way, but you refused the bribe. The
longer we talk here, the more ideas you get on how to not turn to the
Darkside. So this is how we play it. Inside the building to your left
Amidala lays, bound and gagged. I am going there now. If I reach her
first, I will kill her. Reach her first, we'll negotiate. If you attack
me now, I blow the whole thing sky high and no one ever sees any of us
again. Good night, Master Kenobi."
The scarlet saber shrank back, and with it Obi-wan's ability to veiw
his advesary. With a lump in his throat he surveyed the aforementioned
building. And then his legs were moving and his chest pounding and the
blood thundering through his body.
**************
Her wrists were raw and chaffed, her ankles sore, but Amidala refused
to stop trying. She could no longer scream, her voice had long since
deserted her, but her twists and turns were hopefully weakening the
knots. Once an animal stopped inches away, and the Queen thought it
might help her, but then a twig, snapped by the creature's own weight,
stole its attention and sent it scampering back into the forrest.
With a determined grunt, she started again.
*************
The doors were already open as Obi-wan rushed past them, nearly
skidding to halt as he encountered a red glowing barrier. The ceiling
was absent and many parts of the wall were crumbled in, so that
moonlight bled into the former hall. It provided just enough light to
give him a clear veiw of the princess, coiled into a small ball three
barriers ahead of him, and the man from eariler, slowly creeping
towards her.
They had set it up like back then, when he and Qui-gon had battled
Darth Maul. The bastards, they knew about his guilt and were using it
to their advantage. Even as Obi-wan assured himself their plan wouldn't
work, his anger bubbled and steamed, like a kettle of water left under
the fire too long.
The first barrier vanished and Obi-wan leaped ahead, licking his lips,
holding his weapon tightly between his palm and fingers. There had to
be a way, he had to save the Queen.
Amidala, the beautiful Queen who'd tempted him far more than the Sith
could have, with her sweet innocence and steel will. If he hadn't been
so gone over her, maybe she wouldn't be in this mess.
The man stepped closer, waving at Obi with a jagged knife. And then the
barrier vanished again and only one more stood between him and victory.
But the fateful day was ever present in his mind and he remembered,
with a hint of fear, that only one barrier had stood between him and
Qui-gon as well. Indeed, the man was now only a foot away from her
small body.
The Sith man leaned down and raised the knife. It's descending speed
whistled through the air, but the sound was well covered by Obi-wan's
Kenobi's scream.
*******
It seemed at last the rope was loosening. One peice of the black rope
was caught between her lips, as her fingers fumbled with the rest of
it. She could make it out of there alive, provided the kidnapper didn't
come back any time soon.
***************
The last barrier disappeared, and Obi-wan rushed forward, sword burning
with a new light. He struck at the man ruthlessly, over and over again,
seeing Darth Maul's sneer, Qui-gon's look of anguish, the stabing pain
jutting through his own heart. Only now there was a new face to add to
the awful picture. Amidala, the only lady he'd ever really learned to
love, the sparkle, was also slain while he watched helplessly.
But he'd never be helpless again. Blood on was in his mouth, but he
pushed ahead, striking repeatedly.
He'd never watch a loved one's murder.
He'd never feel that kind of pain and not deliver revenge equally
harsh.
He'd never be weak.
With the last thought, his opponent's saber cracked, falling into
separate pieces of useless metal on the floor. "So," Obi-wan muttered,
staring at him with cruel eyes. "I suppose you've gotten what you
wanted. I hope you can enjoy your success in the afterlife."
"Wait, wait!" the man shouted. "It was a test, that wasn't even really
her. See for yourself!"
"Hmm, where is that knife again? The one with the dull blade and long
jagged ends?" Obi-wan raised out a palm and it slid over to him
obediently. A smile curved his lips.
"It was a test! Master, Master, its time to end this!"
, whispered a voice in both their ears.
Horror lits the man's eyes as he realized the betrayal. "No, that
wasn't how it was supposed to go!"
"Well now, don't play rough with the other kids unless you're willing
to get pushed." Obi-wan rotated his wrist, as if getting a feel for it,
then raised it high into the air. "Farewell." It came down again with a
whistle, and this time another's scream hid the sound.
******************
The ropes gave way with one final tug and Amidala raised her tired body
one last time, pulling free her legs. She crashed onto the ground with
more embarrassment than pain. After dusting off her clothes and pausing
to examine the wounds on her arms, she headed for the nearest building
in sight.
It was crumbling and in pieces, but with any luck the ruins would
provide her with sanctuary. She sprinted towards it.
*******************
Obi-wan threw down the weapon, and started walking away. Then
reconsidered, leaning closer to the man and wiping his blood-stained
hands on the body.
With considerable more concern, he approached Amidala. As the man had
cried, it wasn't really her at all. A life-sized doll lay, its inners
torn open.
So the man hadn't really killed her but paid the prince all the same.
Let it be a warning for anyone who dared cross him. He had no tolerance
for such games. However it did mean that Amidala was alive somewhere,
probably near. He headed for the forrest.
*****************
Someone was leaving the building and Amidala felt her throat constrict.
If it was the kidnapper, she'd be caught. But even with the dark
shadows on his face, the Queen recognized her favorite warrior.
"Obi-wan!" She tried to call. Though her voice was almost non-existant,
he turned to see her. "Thank the Elder's!" She rushed to his arms and
he quickly wrapped her in his embrace.
"There, there," He whispered soothingly, rubbing her hair. "I took care
of it." There was a small laugh after his words and she looked up with
an odd feeling building somewhere inside her.
*********
He could sense her fear. She needn't feel it, he would never harm her.
He loved her, needed her.
"Obi-wan? Are you all right?" The Queen managed to say, and he kissed
her on the forehead.
"Of course I'm okay. I've been in battles before, I know how to take
care of myself. Are you? You wrists are so red." His lips kissed the
sore lines.
She nodded, unfomfortable with his sudden barrage of physical
affection. It felt wrong, like Obi-wan was sick, only she couldn't tell
what kind of a disease he had. "My mom's probably really worried."
Amidala said, starting off. But her hand was still held in the Jedi's
and he wasn't budging.
"Oooh, see, we're not going back there just yet."
"What do you mean?" She frowned as the opposite expression covered his face.
"You know, you protect some people and put your life on the line and the minute an unsolved mystery comes along you might as well put a big sign on your chest that says 'I did it' even though you're innocent. I don't need to hear their useless apologies, they are nothing to me, their words pass like dust in the wind-"
"I want to see my mother." She insisted.
"Mommy dear, so drunk on Tive leaves she couldn't even recognize her own daughter? Come now, I'll not have my future wife be so insulted."
The horrible truth was becoming more and more obvious. The casual look in his eye, the loss of inhibitions...Amidala knew there was a Darkside to this whole Force thing, but how had it sunk its claws into a man so pure as Obi-wan?
"Don't be silly, Obi." She decided to feign ignorance of the whole situation. "Jedi don't marry. Neither do Queens of Naboo."
"Darling, we're gonna be breaking a whole lot of traditions pretty
soon." He spun her close to him and in a second his mouth had captured
hers, his hands finding their way around her waist.
She liked to think she tried to resist. If would have sickened her to
think that the instant his lips touched hers, all resolution to fight
fled her bones like deer running from a wildfire, but it was true. She
melted in a puddle at his feet, feeling all the pent up love and lust
rush to that connection, flood her senses, and then her hands moved up
to his neck and pulled him even closer.
Obi-wan finally pulled away, remaining close enough for their foreheads
to touch. His warm breath upon her face, blowing stray hairs back.
"I love you Dala."
They were the words she so longed to hear. The sweet sensation of joy
should have been diffusing across her. But instead, the Queen felt her
throat constrict and her lips burn.
This wasn't the Obi-wan she'd fallen head over heels for. This was some
twisted interpretation of him. But her body refused the acknowledge the
difference, her arms already around him like tangled rope.
Amidala let him kiss her again. She was powerless to refuse him. But
she vowed to figure out what was wrong and fight it.
There was a good man before her. He'd just forgotten it.
************************************
Master Yoda clasp his hands and sighed deeply. A disturbance had shaken
him from his sleep, a wave of pain and suffering from Obi-wan.
Lost, the young man was. Unconfident of his abilities and hiding secret
guilt, but so promising, Obi-wan made himself a prime target for the
Darkside.
Yoda could only hope that the disturbance didn't mean what he thought
it did.
*******************
Bwaahahahahaha! It's finally happened, Obi-wan has fallen over the
edge. But you all knew that an evil Obi-wan was what I was going for
all along, right? What fun I shall have with him. Tee Hee!
Puleaze tell me what you think, I'm dying to know, and stay tuned for
the next chapter.
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com