All disclaimers still apply!
Author's Notes: I want to thank you all for your wonderful reviews! It means quite a bit, and makes me very pleased to think people are enjoying this!
//= thoughts
"My Lord?" A deep voice broke the heavy silence that had settled over the small meeting room.
"You're late." Footsteps echoed through the chamber, before a scraping of a chair was heard.
"Deeply sorry, My Lord. I have news." Sidious turned, focusing on the broad shouldered figure relaxing in one of the chairs.
"Out with it, Dooku. I haven't the time nor the patience to play your Jedi games."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi has been taken back by the Jedi. Master Yoda found him- apparently your memory block has failed- he is slowly remembering everything. Though the bitterness and darkness is still there."
"They have cut him off from the Force then?"
"Yes, My Lord. Until they are assured he is not of the darkside anymore- he will not have full access to the Force- limited to non existent." Infuriated, Sidious lifted a hand, throwing the table across the room and watched it shatter against the wall.
"That will not do, Dooku. You will release Obi-Wan Kenobi- and he will come back to his Master."
"Yes, My Lord."
****
Qui-Gon walked into the healer's ward, ignoring the glares directed his way. He calmly walked over to the tenant on duty, but before reaching her was motioned through.
"Go on, Master Jinn, it is well known why you are here. Same room as always."
"Thank you." Qui-Gon nodded curtly, before walking down a long hallway, and pushing open a set of double doors. Immediately, he slammed up his shields completely, feeling the prodding minds of the other Jedi occupying the area.
In each door Qui-Gon passed, a haggard face would appear in the small window. A sigh of pity escaped the Jedi Master, as he strode as quickly as possible through the hall, and into an adjourning hall. He walked through another set of double doors, finally reaching his destination- a small dimly lit hallway with a single door- leading to Obi-Wan. Unsurprisingly, outside the door stood none other than Master Yoda.
"Master Qui-Gon, back so soon are you?" Qui-Gon nodded, coming to stand next to the short troll like creature.
"Yes, Master. Any change?" Yoda sighed sadly.
"Angry he still is. Changed nothing has."
"I want to speak with him." Yoda pounded his stick on the floor, vehemently shaking his head.
"A good idea that is not, Qui-Gon! Speak with Obi-Wan you will not! Not ready is he. or you." Qui-Gon stared defiantly at the Master.
"I will speak with him, Master. whether I rip the door down with the Force or not, I want to speak with Obi-Wan."
"Get the healers I will, Qui-Gon." As Yoda hobbled out, Qui-Gon picked up on the softest of sighs from the Master. "A good idea this is not."
****
Obi-Wan looked up, watching the healers walk into the room.
"Obi-Wan?" Obi-Wan darted his gaze towards a woman, and eyed her warily.
"Yes."
"You have a visitor, Obi-Wan. Would you come with us." Obi-Wan smiled bitterly.
"Do I have a choice, Jedi?" The woman nodded to her assistants, watching as they quickly surrounded the young man, and walked him from the room. They led him to a large elegant office, before pushing him gently into a chair. Two attendants quickly snapped cuffs around his wrists, the other two working equally as efficiently and snapping cuffs around his ankles. Apparently amused by this, Obi-Wan let out a cold laugh.
"Afraid of me, Jedi?" The healer looked at him, her features solemn.
"Precautions. Maradak, please go get Obi-Wan's visitor." The attendant bowed, before leaving the room. Quietly the rest of the attendants, and the healer moved into an observation room.
Maradak walked into the waiting room, motioning for the Master to follow.
"Master Jinn, for your own safety, we have restrained Obi-Wan. Follow me." The attendant led Qui-Gon to a large door, before bowing and following his fellows footsteps to the observation room.
Obi-Wan's head snapped to the side at the sound of the door closing. He listened as the other walked through the room, finally entering into his peripheral vision. The young man's eyes hardened, at who he saw.
"Qui-Gon Jinn. We meet again.. [i]My Master[/i]."
Qui-Gon winced. "Obi-Wan. please listen, Padawan." Obi-Wan snarled at him, his eyes gleaming maliciously. He struggled against his bonds, the restraints biting into his wrists, as his hands clenched.
"No. You listen to me, Qui-Gon Jinn. You are not my master. I serve no other but Lord Sidious. You. Are. Nothing. I hate you more than I hate any other Jedi. You serve no purpose to me- and I will kill you. One day, Qui- Gon Jinn, I will deliver you to my Master. And he will be pleased. And after that- I will defeat the Jedi- and then the republic will be under the rule of my Master."
The Force abruptly made it's presence known, assaulting all Jedi with a violent vision of the downfall of the republic. Obi-Wan smiled cruelly at the look of horror that passed over his visitors face.
"So you have seen it too, Qui-Gon Jinn. That will be your precious temple's future. And Lord Sidious's rule will begin. You are powerless. And the Jedi's time will never begin again- and is already finished. It has begun."
*****
Yoda shook his head, tapping his gimmer stick gently on the floor. The Jedi watching the scene playing out before them all turned, watching the diminutive Master curiously.
"A problem this is. Fallen Obi-Wan truly has. Of light he is not."
****
Dooku slammed the Medical Ward's door open. Startled faces of the waiting Jedi in the waiting room looked up at him, waiting expectantly for the cause of the interruption. They knew no more, as Dooku quickly brought the dark Force to bear on them- choking them with the ease of practice. Two Jedi Knights ran into the room, quickly followed by the Master Healer of the ward.
"Master Dooku?" Dooku's looked over the Knights, a slight grin gracing his features.
"May the Force be with you, Knights." Simultaneously, the two knights grasped their necks, dead before the Healer could react.
Master Healer Culmont ignited her saber, her indigo blade hissing to life. Similarly, Dooku drew his own blade, ruby colored blade springing from the hilt. "Are we to duel than, Healer?"
Culmont didn't react, intending to let her opponent make the first move. She stared calmly over her blade, while reaching through the Force to warn other Jedi in the temple of the happenings in the Medical Ward.
"Tsk tsk, Healer. No alerting the temple- it makes things less exciting. Now- we duel." Dooku moved suddenly, his skill and finesse evident in every movement. Culmont brought her blade up, quickly blocking the blade before leaping backwards in the limited space the hallway provided. An impatient sigh escaped Dooku, and he lifted his hand, electrocuting the woman. She fell to the ground, convulsions wracking her body, her breathing becoming more rapid. The healer exhaled, fading into the blackness of unconsciousness, before stiffening again as her own blade was shoved into her heart. She died.
****
Qui-Gon stood, immediately alert of the danger the Force screamed to him. He snapped his hilt off its place at his hip and ignited it, the emerald blade casting a soothing green glow over the room.
The doors to the room he waited in burst open, revealing the figure of his former mentor, Master Dooku. Startled, Qui-Gon dropped his hilt to his side the blade drawing back into the hilt. Ever the Master, Dooku stepped forward, a smile on his face.
"Qui-Gon. I heard about your Padawan, and I came to offer my condolences. I understand what it is like to loose a Padawan to the darkside." Qui-Gon smiled, immediately at ease.
"Of course, Master. Thank you. Obi-Wan is. progressing. Do you wish to see him?" Dooku nodded.
"I would like that, my friend." Qui-Gon nodded solemnly, motioning for Dooku to follow him to Obi-Wan's small room. Mentally, the Jedi Master reinforced his shields, quickly becoming suspicious of Dooku's eagerness, and sudden appearance.
The duo reached Obi-Wan's room, looking through a large one way glass, observing the young man's fetal position.
"He looks afraid, my friend. Did I teach you nothing- you should comfort him." Qui-Gon shook his head.
"I can't do that, Master. He is hostile, and we can't risk his escaping. It was enough trouble trying to find him." Dooku's expression darkened, the barest hint of frustration and anger coloring his features.
"Open the door, my friend."
"I can't do that." Dooku drew his blade, ignited it, and swung it towards Qui-Gon's throat.
"Then die, my friend." Qui-Gon easily blocked the blade with his own emerald one.
"Who are you?" Dooku's laughter sliced through the air.
"I am Master Dooku, assistant to Lord Sidious. And I have been sent to retrieve Kenobi for my Master. And if I have to kill my former apprentice, so be it." The fight suddenly escalated into a full fledged battle; each striking and retreating with incredible speed. Blades met with a hiss, before each tried a different approach.
A warning in the Force warned Qui-Gon of Dooku's sudden change in tactic. The Sith had brought a hand around, using the dark Force to restrain Qui- Gon. Dooku threw the other against a far wall- watching him limply slide down the wall. The Sith ripped the door off the wall, revealing Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Obi-Wan walked steadily from the room, taking in the surrounding area, quickly. Dooku reached out, grabbing the young man by his upper arm, and preparing lead him to an escape.
"Move it, Kenobi." Obi-Wan glanced down at the hand that lead him, before jerking it from the other's grasp.
"Never. touch me." The abrupt surge in the Force was all the warning Dooku received, before the Qui-Gon Jinn's saber, wielded by the hand of Obi- Wan Kenobi, sliced through his midsection.
Obi-Wan glanced impassively down at the carnage at his feet. The young man swiftly turned; tossing the saber behind him, before running the opposite direction he had been lead. Having memorized the temple ventilation system before the actual infiltration, he had no trouble escaping the temple walls.
****
Sidious stood, watching as his Apprentice knelt before him.
"I am sorry for my capture, My Master. And for my delayed return."
"Your punishment can be withheld until later, apprentice. What is your news?" Obi-Wan looked upward, whilst keeping his head bowed.
"Dooku is dead, My Master. He has been dealt with."
"Will you be able to return to the temple, and bring the untimely demise of the Jedi, apprentice?"
A grim smile hardened Obi-Wan's boyish features.
"Of course, my Master. You need only tell me when- and the Jedi will fall."
Sidious nodded. "Excellent, apprentice. If you bring about this demised of the Jedi- then the Senate will follow shortly"
"It will be done, my Master."
****
The funeral piers of the Jedi lit the darkened room, casting an eerie glow over it's occupants. Master Yoda glanced knowingly up at Mace Windu, before turning his large eyes towards the burning piers. And the fires continued- an omen of what was to come.
***
Obi-Wan crawled through the ventilation shafts of the temple, taking care to mask his presence completely in the Force. On his waist hung a small, but deadly thermal bomb, with the power to blow up the temple, and all the surrounding buildings. And blow up the temple, Obi-Wan would, rather than face the wraith that his Master could impose.
The former Jedi snarled quietly, remembering the humiliation of being kept in a cage, while his enemies watched him. He had been cut off from the Force- but he had still been able to think, and the days in silence that he sat, save for a confrontation with Qui-Gon Jinn, had given him plenty of time to form a plan, from entrance to escape. And in his wake, he would leave a pile of burning debris.
He stopped, sensing another's presence. Moments later, a emerald green lightsaber shot into the shaft he was located in, a mere foot from his face. The metal of the shaft started molt, forcing the Sith to back away. The lightsaber followed. Finally, Obi-Wan gave up, and brought his own saber to bear, cutting a hole large enough to drop through. He found himself in the middle of a small hall, face to face with Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan smirked at the Jedi, backing away, and bringing up his own ruby colored lightsaber into an attack position.
"Jedi, so you found me. Are you going to try and take me in?" Qui-Gon brought his own saber up, setting himself into a defensive position.
"I will."
"You will die." A snarl escaped Obi-Wan's lips, and he launched himself towards the Jedi Master. Qui-Gon quickly brought his own saber up, blocking the blow with ease of an expert. Unfazed, Obi-Wan quickly brought his saber down in a flashing maneuver, aiming for Qui-Gon's legs. Again the Master blocked, reading his former's apprentice move by move.
"You forget who trained you, Obi-Wan. I know your style." A cold glint entered Obi-Wan's eyes, the normal pale blue becoming stormy.
"The one you trained was Obi-Wan Kenobi. You betrayed him, Qui-Gon. I am not Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am a shadow, sent by my Master to destroy the likes of you, and your precious temple." A blinding flash of light seemed to surround Obi-Wan, changing abruptly to a swirling black. "And I will kill you!"
Obi-Wan's style changed, becoming infinitely more difficult to block, and equally as hard to read. The saber appeared a blur in his hands, as he snapped the blade from side to side.
Qui-Gon winced as a solid blow was landed on his upper shoulder. The force of the blow knocked Qui-Gon backwards, causing the Master to stumble. He thumped against the wall of the corridor the fight had taken place in, watching in horror as Obi-Wan's blade came around to stop and wait unwaveringly near his throat.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you now, Qui-Gon Jinn." Stunned, Qui-Gon said nothing.
"Well the day has come, that Qui-Gon Jinn was unable to come up with an excuse for his behavior!" Still Qui-Gon said nothing, though he closed his eyes, centering himself in the Force to accept the final blow. Obi-Wan brought the saber back, bringing Qui-Gon's own saber up before him. The sith sliced through it, watching in amusement as it sparked and landed in pieces on the floor. He once again brought the saber up next to Qui-Gon's throat.
"Die, Qui-Gon Jinn." The saber moved with unerring accuracy towards the Master's throat.
// Stop!// The saber abruptly stopped an inch from Qui-Gon's neck. //Don't do it, Obi-Wan! //Obi-Wan shook his head.
//Don't you ever shut up?// the voice laughed quietly.
//No.// Obi-Wan sighed, spinning away from his prey.
"You may live this time, Qui-Gon Jinn. We shall meet again, and then I won't be so. lenient." Obi-Wan ran down the hall, and used the Force to shatter a window at the end of it. He leapt into the Courascant sky, and disappeared.
Qui-Gon opened his eyes, bewildered. He looked at his feet, and found his saber in pieces. Though he and his former apprentice had dueled, a ghost of a smile flashed over his lips.
//The real Obi-Wan Kenobi still exists.//
The Force seemed to sing, agreeing with his assessment.
****
The council listened in stunned silence as Qui-Gon gave his report.
"He is gone then, Master Qui-Gon?" Mace Windu asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
"If you are asking if he is dead, no, he isn't. But he is not in the temple, at the moment."
"Thank you for your haste in making your report, Master Qui-Gon. That will be all, May the Force be with you." Windu motioned for the Master to leave. Qui-Gon stayed, his face set in a look of quiet stubbornness.
An audible sigh was heard throughout the council chamber.
"More to say, have you?" Qui-Gon nodded his head, his gaze gauging Yoda's reaction to what he had to say.
"Another thing concerning Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Continue then, Qui-Gon." Qui-Gon nodded towards Mace Windu.
"The Obi-Wan Kenobi I fought was different- his power was amazing. For a brief moment, the Force seemed to resonate around him, and glowed. He was, for the briefest of seconds, completely incased in light- that quickly changed to darkness. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't darksided, Masters. For I saw Obi- Wan Kenobi, and the light around him was pure. Another lodges control over him, affecting him. That is all." The council sat, stunned. All but one, for Master Yoda stood, his gimmer stick thumping rhythmically along the floor.
"Surprised by this I am not. Powerful Obi-Wan always has been, powerful will he remain. Around him the Force responds, and bends to his will. So powerful is Obi-Wan, that destroy this temple he could without thought. If save Obi-Wan we wish to, defeat him we will have to." Yoda paused, his large eyes becoming dull. "Before happen this can, fire will reign."
****
Obi-Wan stood outside the temple. A dark robe- the robe of a Jedi was pulled tightly around him, his face shrouded by the voluminous hood. He reached one robed sleeve down to his waist checking the small explosive. With a soft sigh he once again entered the building. His aura was carefully masked, the darkness hidden by a faux shield of light. A shield that had come incredibly easily. His steps faltered, a sense of confusion coming to his mind. He glanced around, suddenly quite unsure of where he was. The young man paused, realizing he was inside the temple. His mission once again flashed through his mind, and he determinedly continued towards the center of the Jedi safe-haven, intent upon finishing his task once and for all.
A cry rang out from behind him, and Obi-Wan turned, facing his former best friend, Bant. The Mon Calamari stood, an expression of shock on her face, at the end of the hall.
"O-obi?" Obi-Wan glowered at her from under his hood.
"Bant." A blinding smile suddenly lit the girl's face, and she ran towards him, intent upon hugging her lost best friend. "Stay back, Bant." Bant stopped, confused.
"Obi? What.?" Bant took a hesitant step towards her friend. Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes, and swiftly pulled out his saber- the ruby red blade coming to life with a hiss.
"Bant, I told you not to move. I would kill you, but you may serve a purpose for me yet." With lightning quick reflexes, Obi-Wan flipped over Bant, and landed behind her. The saber came up to rest dangerously close to the girl's throat. "You will serve as my insurance. Come on."
A choked sob escaped Bant as her best friend dragged her down the hall. "You- your not the Obi-Wan I knew."
A chilled smile crossed Obi-Wan's features. "That's right, Bant. I'm not."
****
Qui-Gon surfaced abruptly from his meditation, a feeling of great unease coming to him. The Force urged him to follow, and he did, his Jedi instincts kicking in. As he moved through the temple halls, he checked his secondary lightsaber. A sigh of frustration escaped him as he recalled his saber being cut in half by his former apprentice. At the though of Obi- Wan, the Force seemed to quicken. Realization abruptly set in; Obi-Wan had made his appearance in the temple again.
His thoughts suddenly focused on Yoda's final words. The diminutive Master had warned of fire.
//He's going to blow up the temple!// Qui-Gon set off at a quicker pace, grabbing his com-link of his belt. He quickly keyed in the activation code, and was greeted by a very groggy Mace Windu..
"Windu." Qui-Gon glowered at the link.
"Mace- of all the times to be taking a nap, this is not one. Obi-Wan's in the temple."
"What?!"
"I've felt him. Mace, assemble the council, and send out search teams. Obi-Wan's going to blow up the temple."
A snarled curse escaped Mace as he shut off the link.
****
The temple halls suddenly became lit. Obi-Wan quietly cursed under his breath, dragging Bant down another corridor.
The temple's emergency system had been activated.
"Well, if I can't take out the temple as a whole- I'll take out the part that disgusts me most." Bant's eyes widened, fear evident on her face.
"Obi. what are you going to do?"
"Quite simple, my dear friend, I'm going to blow up the healer's ward." Saber still held to Bant's neck, Obi-Wan burst through the doors of the healers ward. He was met by a group of Knights and Masters- all with lightsabers drawn. A frown of disgust graced Obi-Wan's features, and he outstretched a hand.
"Quite unnecessary, Masters." With minimal effort, Obi-Wan gathered the Force to him, and focused it at his hand. A ball of glowing energy formed there, which he shot at the assembled Jedi. The Jedi fell. Obi-Wan shoved Bant away from him. She stumbled away, falling to trembling knees in front of her capture. "Go on, Bant. You can be the messenger."
Bant shook her head. "I won't Obi! I won't let you kill all the patients in this ward, without killing me."
"Go. This is your final warning."
"They're innocent! Obi, please! I know you aren't bad!"
//She's right, you know//. Obi-Wan grimaced, the familiar voice echoing in his head.
"You will leave!" Using a Force suggestion, he sent Bant on her way. A small grin of triumph, and Obi-Wan pulled out the thermal detonator. He traveled through the halls, looking over the patients. Or rather the lack of patients.
"Smart, Jedi, very smart. You removed the patients. And left the Knights and Masters to defend an empty ward." Obi-Wan rested the small detonator in the small recovery room, before heading back to the entrance. He looked down at the unconscious Jedi at his feet.
// Help them//.
// If I listen to you, will you shut up?// Disgruntled, Obi-Wan used the Force to pull the Jedi from the room. Once safely out of the vicinity of the Healer's Ward, he pressed the detonation pad.
****
A scream of denial echoed through the air, as Jedi alike watched the healer's tower shake, orange flame sprouting from the windows.
Yoda shook his head. "Begun, it has."
In the moments that followed- quiet, dead and tense, echoed through the remaining temple.
Yoda broke the silence, his large eyes narrowed. "If found, Obi-Wan Kenobi is, bring him before us you will. If resists he does," Yoda paused closing his eyes as if he were in pain. "Kill him."
Author's Notes: I want to thank you all for your wonderful reviews! It means quite a bit, and makes me very pleased to think people are enjoying this!
//= thoughts
"My Lord?" A deep voice broke the heavy silence that had settled over the small meeting room.
"You're late." Footsteps echoed through the chamber, before a scraping of a chair was heard.
"Deeply sorry, My Lord. I have news." Sidious turned, focusing on the broad shouldered figure relaxing in one of the chairs.
"Out with it, Dooku. I haven't the time nor the patience to play your Jedi games."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi has been taken back by the Jedi. Master Yoda found him- apparently your memory block has failed- he is slowly remembering everything. Though the bitterness and darkness is still there."
"They have cut him off from the Force then?"
"Yes, My Lord. Until they are assured he is not of the darkside anymore- he will not have full access to the Force- limited to non existent." Infuriated, Sidious lifted a hand, throwing the table across the room and watched it shatter against the wall.
"That will not do, Dooku. You will release Obi-Wan Kenobi- and he will come back to his Master."
"Yes, My Lord."
****
Qui-Gon walked into the healer's ward, ignoring the glares directed his way. He calmly walked over to the tenant on duty, but before reaching her was motioned through.
"Go on, Master Jinn, it is well known why you are here. Same room as always."
"Thank you." Qui-Gon nodded curtly, before walking down a long hallway, and pushing open a set of double doors. Immediately, he slammed up his shields completely, feeling the prodding minds of the other Jedi occupying the area.
In each door Qui-Gon passed, a haggard face would appear in the small window. A sigh of pity escaped the Jedi Master, as he strode as quickly as possible through the hall, and into an adjourning hall. He walked through another set of double doors, finally reaching his destination- a small dimly lit hallway with a single door- leading to Obi-Wan. Unsurprisingly, outside the door stood none other than Master Yoda.
"Master Qui-Gon, back so soon are you?" Qui-Gon nodded, coming to stand next to the short troll like creature.
"Yes, Master. Any change?" Yoda sighed sadly.
"Angry he still is. Changed nothing has."
"I want to speak with him." Yoda pounded his stick on the floor, vehemently shaking his head.
"A good idea that is not, Qui-Gon! Speak with Obi-Wan you will not! Not ready is he. or you." Qui-Gon stared defiantly at the Master.
"I will speak with him, Master. whether I rip the door down with the Force or not, I want to speak with Obi-Wan."
"Get the healers I will, Qui-Gon." As Yoda hobbled out, Qui-Gon picked up on the softest of sighs from the Master. "A good idea this is not."
****
Obi-Wan looked up, watching the healers walk into the room.
"Obi-Wan?" Obi-Wan darted his gaze towards a woman, and eyed her warily.
"Yes."
"You have a visitor, Obi-Wan. Would you come with us." Obi-Wan smiled bitterly.
"Do I have a choice, Jedi?" The woman nodded to her assistants, watching as they quickly surrounded the young man, and walked him from the room. They led him to a large elegant office, before pushing him gently into a chair. Two attendants quickly snapped cuffs around his wrists, the other two working equally as efficiently and snapping cuffs around his ankles. Apparently amused by this, Obi-Wan let out a cold laugh.
"Afraid of me, Jedi?" The healer looked at him, her features solemn.
"Precautions. Maradak, please go get Obi-Wan's visitor." The attendant bowed, before leaving the room. Quietly the rest of the attendants, and the healer moved into an observation room.
Maradak walked into the waiting room, motioning for the Master to follow.
"Master Jinn, for your own safety, we have restrained Obi-Wan. Follow me." The attendant led Qui-Gon to a large door, before bowing and following his fellows footsteps to the observation room.
Obi-Wan's head snapped to the side at the sound of the door closing. He listened as the other walked through the room, finally entering into his peripheral vision. The young man's eyes hardened, at who he saw.
"Qui-Gon Jinn. We meet again.. [i]My Master[/i]."
Qui-Gon winced. "Obi-Wan. please listen, Padawan." Obi-Wan snarled at him, his eyes gleaming maliciously. He struggled against his bonds, the restraints biting into his wrists, as his hands clenched.
"No. You listen to me, Qui-Gon Jinn. You are not my master. I serve no other but Lord Sidious. You. Are. Nothing. I hate you more than I hate any other Jedi. You serve no purpose to me- and I will kill you. One day, Qui- Gon Jinn, I will deliver you to my Master. And he will be pleased. And after that- I will defeat the Jedi- and then the republic will be under the rule of my Master."
The Force abruptly made it's presence known, assaulting all Jedi with a violent vision of the downfall of the republic. Obi-Wan smiled cruelly at the look of horror that passed over his visitors face.
"So you have seen it too, Qui-Gon Jinn. That will be your precious temple's future. And Lord Sidious's rule will begin. You are powerless. And the Jedi's time will never begin again- and is already finished. It has begun."
*****
Yoda shook his head, tapping his gimmer stick gently on the floor. The Jedi watching the scene playing out before them all turned, watching the diminutive Master curiously.
"A problem this is. Fallen Obi-Wan truly has. Of light he is not."
****
Dooku slammed the Medical Ward's door open. Startled faces of the waiting Jedi in the waiting room looked up at him, waiting expectantly for the cause of the interruption. They knew no more, as Dooku quickly brought the dark Force to bear on them- choking them with the ease of practice. Two Jedi Knights ran into the room, quickly followed by the Master Healer of the ward.
"Master Dooku?" Dooku's looked over the Knights, a slight grin gracing his features.
"May the Force be with you, Knights." Simultaneously, the two knights grasped their necks, dead before the Healer could react.
Master Healer Culmont ignited her saber, her indigo blade hissing to life. Similarly, Dooku drew his own blade, ruby colored blade springing from the hilt. "Are we to duel than, Healer?"
Culmont didn't react, intending to let her opponent make the first move. She stared calmly over her blade, while reaching through the Force to warn other Jedi in the temple of the happenings in the Medical Ward.
"Tsk tsk, Healer. No alerting the temple- it makes things less exciting. Now- we duel." Dooku moved suddenly, his skill and finesse evident in every movement. Culmont brought her blade up, quickly blocking the blade before leaping backwards in the limited space the hallway provided. An impatient sigh escaped Dooku, and he lifted his hand, electrocuting the woman. She fell to the ground, convulsions wracking her body, her breathing becoming more rapid. The healer exhaled, fading into the blackness of unconsciousness, before stiffening again as her own blade was shoved into her heart. She died.
****
Qui-Gon stood, immediately alert of the danger the Force screamed to him. He snapped his hilt off its place at his hip and ignited it, the emerald blade casting a soothing green glow over the room.
The doors to the room he waited in burst open, revealing the figure of his former mentor, Master Dooku. Startled, Qui-Gon dropped his hilt to his side the blade drawing back into the hilt. Ever the Master, Dooku stepped forward, a smile on his face.
"Qui-Gon. I heard about your Padawan, and I came to offer my condolences. I understand what it is like to loose a Padawan to the darkside." Qui-Gon smiled, immediately at ease.
"Of course, Master. Thank you. Obi-Wan is. progressing. Do you wish to see him?" Dooku nodded.
"I would like that, my friend." Qui-Gon nodded solemnly, motioning for Dooku to follow him to Obi-Wan's small room. Mentally, the Jedi Master reinforced his shields, quickly becoming suspicious of Dooku's eagerness, and sudden appearance.
The duo reached Obi-Wan's room, looking through a large one way glass, observing the young man's fetal position.
"He looks afraid, my friend. Did I teach you nothing- you should comfort him." Qui-Gon shook his head.
"I can't do that, Master. He is hostile, and we can't risk his escaping. It was enough trouble trying to find him." Dooku's expression darkened, the barest hint of frustration and anger coloring his features.
"Open the door, my friend."
"I can't do that." Dooku drew his blade, ignited it, and swung it towards Qui-Gon's throat.
"Then die, my friend." Qui-Gon easily blocked the blade with his own emerald one.
"Who are you?" Dooku's laughter sliced through the air.
"I am Master Dooku, assistant to Lord Sidious. And I have been sent to retrieve Kenobi for my Master. And if I have to kill my former apprentice, so be it." The fight suddenly escalated into a full fledged battle; each striking and retreating with incredible speed. Blades met with a hiss, before each tried a different approach.
A warning in the Force warned Qui-Gon of Dooku's sudden change in tactic. The Sith had brought a hand around, using the dark Force to restrain Qui- Gon. Dooku threw the other against a far wall- watching him limply slide down the wall. The Sith ripped the door off the wall, revealing Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Obi-Wan walked steadily from the room, taking in the surrounding area, quickly. Dooku reached out, grabbing the young man by his upper arm, and preparing lead him to an escape.
"Move it, Kenobi." Obi-Wan glanced down at the hand that lead him, before jerking it from the other's grasp.
"Never. touch me." The abrupt surge in the Force was all the warning Dooku received, before the Qui-Gon Jinn's saber, wielded by the hand of Obi- Wan Kenobi, sliced through his midsection.
Obi-Wan glanced impassively down at the carnage at his feet. The young man swiftly turned; tossing the saber behind him, before running the opposite direction he had been lead. Having memorized the temple ventilation system before the actual infiltration, he had no trouble escaping the temple walls.
****
Sidious stood, watching as his Apprentice knelt before him.
"I am sorry for my capture, My Master. And for my delayed return."
"Your punishment can be withheld until later, apprentice. What is your news?" Obi-Wan looked upward, whilst keeping his head bowed.
"Dooku is dead, My Master. He has been dealt with."
"Will you be able to return to the temple, and bring the untimely demise of the Jedi, apprentice?"
A grim smile hardened Obi-Wan's boyish features.
"Of course, my Master. You need only tell me when- and the Jedi will fall."
Sidious nodded. "Excellent, apprentice. If you bring about this demised of the Jedi- then the Senate will follow shortly"
"It will be done, my Master."
****
The funeral piers of the Jedi lit the darkened room, casting an eerie glow over it's occupants. Master Yoda glanced knowingly up at Mace Windu, before turning his large eyes towards the burning piers. And the fires continued- an omen of what was to come.
***
Obi-Wan crawled through the ventilation shafts of the temple, taking care to mask his presence completely in the Force. On his waist hung a small, but deadly thermal bomb, with the power to blow up the temple, and all the surrounding buildings. And blow up the temple, Obi-Wan would, rather than face the wraith that his Master could impose.
The former Jedi snarled quietly, remembering the humiliation of being kept in a cage, while his enemies watched him. He had been cut off from the Force- but he had still been able to think, and the days in silence that he sat, save for a confrontation with Qui-Gon Jinn, had given him plenty of time to form a plan, from entrance to escape. And in his wake, he would leave a pile of burning debris.
He stopped, sensing another's presence. Moments later, a emerald green lightsaber shot into the shaft he was located in, a mere foot from his face. The metal of the shaft started molt, forcing the Sith to back away. The lightsaber followed. Finally, Obi-Wan gave up, and brought his own saber to bear, cutting a hole large enough to drop through. He found himself in the middle of a small hall, face to face with Qui-Gon Jinn.
"Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan smirked at the Jedi, backing away, and bringing up his own ruby colored lightsaber into an attack position.
"Jedi, so you found me. Are you going to try and take me in?" Qui-Gon brought his own saber up, setting himself into a defensive position.
"I will."
"You will die." A snarl escaped Obi-Wan's lips, and he launched himself towards the Jedi Master. Qui-Gon quickly brought his own saber up, blocking the blow with ease of an expert. Unfazed, Obi-Wan quickly brought his saber down in a flashing maneuver, aiming for Qui-Gon's legs. Again the Master blocked, reading his former's apprentice move by move.
"You forget who trained you, Obi-Wan. I know your style." A cold glint entered Obi-Wan's eyes, the normal pale blue becoming stormy.
"The one you trained was Obi-Wan Kenobi. You betrayed him, Qui-Gon. I am not Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am a shadow, sent by my Master to destroy the likes of you, and your precious temple." A blinding flash of light seemed to surround Obi-Wan, changing abruptly to a swirling black. "And I will kill you!"
Obi-Wan's style changed, becoming infinitely more difficult to block, and equally as hard to read. The saber appeared a blur in his hands, as he snapped the blade from side to side.
Qui-Gon winced as a solid blow was landed on his upper shoulder. The force of the blow knocked Qui-Gon backwards, causing the Master to stumble. He thumped against the wall of the corridor the fight had taken place in, watching in horror as Obi-Wan's blade came around to stop and wait unwaveringly near his throat.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you now, Qui-Gon Jinn." Stunned, Qui-Gon said nothing.
"Well the day has come, that Qui-Gon Jinn was unable to come up with an excuse for his behavior!" Still Qui-Gon said nothing, though he closed his eyes, centering himself in the Force to accept the final blow. Obi-Wan brought the saber back, bringing Qui-Gon's own saber up before him. The sith sliced through it, watching in amusement as it sparked and landed in pieces on the floor. He once again brought the saber up next to Qui-Gon's throat.
"Die, Qui-Gon Jinn." The saber moved with unerring accuracy towards the Master's throat.
// Stop!// The saber abruptly stopped an inch from Qui-Gon's neck. //Don't do it, Obi-Wan! //Obi-Wan shook his head.
//Don't you ever shut up?// the voice laughed quietly.
//No.// Obi-Wan sighed, spinning away from his prey.
"You may live this time, Qui-Gon Jinn. We shall meet again, and then I won't be so. lenient." Obi-Wan ran down the hall, and used the Force to shatter a window at the end of it. He leapt into the Courascant sky, and disappeared.
Qui-Gon opened his eyes, bewildered. He looked at his feet, and found his saber in pieces. Though he and his former apprentice had dueled, a ghost of a smile flashed over his lips.
//The real Obi-Wan Kenobi still exists.//
The Force seemed to sing, agreeing with his assessment.
****
The council listened in stunned silence as Qui-Gon gave his report.
"He is gone then, Master Qui-Gon?" Mace Windu asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
"If you are asking if he is dead, no, he isn't. But he is not in the temple, at the moment."
"Thank you for your haste in making your report, Master Qui-Gon. That will be all, May the Force be with you." Windu motioned for the Master to leave. Qui-Gon stayed, his face set in a look of quiet stubbornness.
An audible sigh was heard throughout the council chamber.
"More to say, have you?" Qui-Gon nodded his head, his gaze gauging Yoda's reaction to what he had to say.
"Another thing concerning Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Continue then, Qui-Gon." Qui-Gon nodded towards Mace Windu.
"The Obi-Wan Kenobi I fought was different- his power was amazing. For a brief moment, the Force seemed to resonate around him, and glowed. He was, for the briefest of seconds, completely incased in light- that quickly changed to darkness. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't darksided, Masters. For I saw Obi- Wan Kenobi, and the light around him was pure. Another lodges control over him, affecting him. That is all." The council sat, stunned. All but one, for Master Yoda stood, his gimmer stick thumping rhythmically along the floor.
"Surprised by this I am not. Powerful Obi-Wan always has been, powerful will he remain. Around him the Force responds, and bends to his will. So powerful is Obi-Wan, that destroy this temple he could without thought. If save Obi-Wan we wish to, defeat him we will have to." Yoda paused, his large eyes becoming dull. "Before happen this can, fire will reign."
****
Obi-Wan stood outside the temple. A dark robe- the robe of a Jedi was pulled tightly around him, his face shrouded by the voluminous hood. He reached one robed sleeve down to his waist checking the small explosive. With a soft sigh he once again entered the building. His aura was carefully masked, the darkness hidden by a faux shield of light. A shield that had come incredibly easily. His steps faltered, a sense of confusion coming to his mind. He glanced around, suddenly quite unsure of where he was. The young man paused, realizing he was inside the temple. His mission once again flashed through his mind, and he determinedly continued towards the center of the Jedi safe-haven, intent upon finishing his task once and for all.
A cry rang out from behind him, and Obi-Wan turned, facing his former best friend, Bant. The Mon Calamari stood, an expression of shock on her face, at the end of the hall.
"O-obi?" Obi-Wan glowered at her from under his hood.
"Bant." A blinding smile suddenly lit the girl's face, and she ran towards him, intent upon hugging her lost best friend. "Stay back, Bant." Bant stopped, confused.
"Obi? What.?" Bant took a hesitant step towards her friend. Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes, and swiftly pulled out his saber- the ruby red blade coming to life with a hiss.
"Bant, I told you not to move. I would kill you, but you may serve a purpose for me yet." With lightning quick reflexes, Obi-Wan flipped over Bant, and landed behind her. The saber came up to rest dangerously close to the girl's throat. "You will serve as my insurance. Come on."
A choked sob escaped Bant as her best friend dragged her down the hall. "You- your not the Obi-Wan I knew."
A chilled smile crossed Obi-Wan's features. "That's right, Bant. I'm not."
****
Qui-Gon surfaced abruptly from his meditation, a feeling of great unease coming to him. The Force urged him to follow, and he did, his Jedi instincts kicking in. As he moved through the temple halls, he checked his secondary lightsaber. A sigh of frustration escaped him as he recalled his saber being cut in half by his former apprentice. At the though of Obi- Wan, the Force seemed to quicken. Realization abruptly set in; Obi-Wan had made his appearance in the temple again.
His thoughts suddenly focused on Yoda's final words. The diminutive Master had warned of fire.
//He's going to blow up the temple!// Qui-Gon set off at a quicker pace, grabbing his com-link of his belt. He quickly keyed in the activation code, and was greeted by a very groggy Mace Windu..
"Windu." Qui-Gon glowered at the link.
"Mace- of all the times to be taking a nap, this is not one. Obi-Wan's in the temple."
"What?!"
"I've felt him. Mace, assemble the council, and send out search teams. Obi-Wan's going to blow up the temple."
A snarled curse escaped Mace as he shut off the link.
****
The temple halls suddenly became lit. Obi-Wan quietly cursed under his breath, dragging Bant down another corridor.
The temple's emergency system had been activated.
"Well, if I can't take out the temple as a whole- I'll take out the part that disgusts me most." Bant's eyes widened, fear evident on her face.
"Obi. what are you going to do?"
"Quite simple, my dear friend, I'm going to blow up the healer's ward." Saber still held to Bant's neck, Obi-Wan burst through the doors of the healers ward. He was met by a group of Knights and Masters- all with lightsabers drawn. A frown of disgust graced Obi-Wan's features, and he outstretched a hand.
"Quite unnecessary, Masters." With minimal effort, Obi-Wan gathered the Force to him, and focused it at his hand. A ball of glowing energy formed there, which he shot at the assembled Jedi. The Jedi fell. Obi-Wan shoved Bant away from him. She stumbled away, falling to trembling knees in front of her capture. "Go on, Bant. You can be the messenger."
Bant shook her head. "I won't Obi! I won't let you kill all the patients in this ward, without killing me."
"Go. This is your final warning."
"They're innocent! Obi, please! I know you aren't bad!"
//She's right, you know//. Obi-Wan grimaced, the familiar voice echoing in his head.
"You will leave!" Using a Force suggestion, he sent Bant on her way. A small grin of triumph, and Obi-Wan pulled out the thermal detonator. He traveled through the halls, looking over the patients. Or rather the lack of patients.
"Smart, Jedi, very smart. You removed the patients. And left the Knights and Masters to defend an empty ward." Obi-Wan rested the small detonator in the small recovery room, before heading back to the entrance. He looked down at the unconscious Jedi at his feet.
// Help them//.
// If I listen to you, will you shut up?// Disgruntled, Obi-Wan used the Force to pull the Jedi from the room. Once safely out of the vicinity of the Healer's Ward, he pressed the detonation pad.
****
A scream of denial echoed through the air, as Jedi alike watched the healer's tower shake, orange flame sprouting from the windows.
Yoda shook his head. "Begun, it has."
In the moments that followed- quiet, dead and tense, echoed through the remaining temple.
Yoda broke the silence, his large eyes narrowed. "If found, Obi-Wan Kenobi is, bring him before us you will. If resists he does," Yoda paused closing his eyes as if he were in pain. "Kill him."