Title: Hidden Shadows Seeking Light

Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.

Genre: Drama/Mild Angst

Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.

Just to a little guide as to what things mean:

/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud

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Adi Gallia and Qui-Gon Jinn had managed to find their way, following the trace remnants of Anakin's signature, to the far edge of the nature conservatory attached to the State House. Qui-Gon stopped once more and reached out to the Force hoping it would give him the guidance that he needed to continue on in pursuit of the boy. He could feel something. It wasn't Anakin but he knew somehow that it would lead him to the boy. He turned to see Adi staring at him intently.

"Anything?" She asked. She had patiently watched Qui-Gon go through this routine several times since leaving the State House. She knew that the man had an incredible connection to the living Force and trusted him to discern whatever he needed to in order to keep them on the right path. Having had a padawan herself she was well aware of the connection between student and Master. If anyone could find the boy it would Qui-Gon.

"It isn't Anakin, but I know the direction we are to follow." He stated.

"What do you mean it isn't Anakin?" She asked picking up her pack and following along behind the man.

"It's hard to explain, but it is as if the Force is trying to warn me and lead me all at the same time. I sense something. It is like what I felt in Anakin on the ship but different somehow. I cannot explain it. I feel me must hurry though." Qui-Gon shook his head.

Adi sighed. She remembered that Qui-Gon could be cryptic when he wanted to be. She wondered how Obi-Wan had stood it. It would have driven her mad to have been given such elusive answers to direct questions. She swallowed her frustration. This wasn't about cryptic answers or her frustration with the Master's mode of operandi; this was about Anakin, a little boy taken by a possible Sith. She shuddered and picked up her pace moving up along side Qui-Gon and urging him to move faster. If he truly felt a need for a renewed rush in their pursuit far be it from her to be the one held them back. Within a few moments she felt him match her pace and then pass her.

Up ahead the outline of a structure was coming into view. Neither allowed themselves the luxury of a confirmation look between them. They now knew their destination; they only hoped that they would reach it in time.

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Anakin heard the cackling laughter and knew with a growing sense of dread that his suspicions were confirmed. These individuals were not here to rescue Laroon and him, but to harm them. He pushed the girl behind him as the individuals continued to approach. He tried to slow his breathing. It sounded so noisy in his ears. Surely it alone would lead the beings whoever they might be right to them. He had only heard one voice so far but he had heard a second set of foot steps earlier. He wasn't sure where the other being was but reached out with his senses to try and locate him. He didn't have a chance to react. He felt Laroon snatched from his grip and heard a shriek of terror as the other being having snuck in from behind took her.

Anakin wheeled around and struck out with the heavy dish knowing that he failed to have the element of surprise in his favor. The dish was wrenched from his hand with a Force pull and a moment later he heard it clang loudly to the floor. He was just wrapping his mind around the fact that the being had used the Force when he felt the other one behind him. He spun out with his leg catching his attacker off guard and upending him. He heard the first assailant laugh at his companion's miscalculation. Before Anakin could revel in his small victory he felt the collar tightening around his throat. He was lifted from the ground his feet kicking out as he struggled to be free of whatever had hold of him. He heard that other being rising to his feet.

"Nice try." The man's voice was harsh and hard. Anakin felt his hot breath in his face and fought the suddenly surge of vomit that rose in his throat. Anakin continued to scrape at the collar desperate for air. With a bitter finality he accepted that he was going to die.

He could hear Laroon crying softly begging for mercy for him. She had no idea what they were doing to him but could surely hear his struggle. Her pleadings filled his pounding ears as he felt his world fading away. Something about her desperation to save him touched him and fed him strength but it was too little in light of the power being wielded against him.

He reached out to the Force in desperation. Never had he felt so alone. Never had he realized how powerless he was without the Force. Slowly he felt his eyes closing. He wished he were not in the dark. He wished he could have seen the light once more. Before he could make another wish he sunk into the depths of darkness.

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Pulmee Den pulled up after carefully driving around the neighborhood for an ample amount of time. He needed to verify that he had not been followed. He also used the time to calm himself.

He had been thrown by the appearance of the additional Jedi. This had definitely put a kink in his plan. He needed to alert the dark one as to this new development. He would know what to do. He had the same powers and could surely get rid of this problem. It as the least he could do since it was his desire to have the boy, Master and Knight that had caused them to suddenly appear.

He wondered how the Jedi had arrived so quickly after the boy's abduction. No doubt they had been on a near by planet. Pulmee swallowed nervously wondering if other Jedi were close by. He wished he were closer to La'Kol. Perhaps if he had already been sworn in the other man would have been more willing to trust him with these details.

Pulmee felt a sudden surge of hate. He hated the Jedi and the Republic. He needed to be rid of them all. Once Tiress was his he would put things right. He would immediately dissolve the hemispheric councils, declare himself Supreme Commander and then petition the Republic to remove Tiress from its sovereignty. Once Tiress was function on its own he would be able to use the cheaper labor in the north to rebuild the damage inflicted on the South during these last two years.

He looked out toward the abandoned factory. It was only a couple of kilometers ahead. He would wait for it to grow a bit darker and then he would start making his way to his waiting captives. They would be glad to see him. He had been unprepared for the addition of the boy and had not had enough food and water for two.

He was sure that by now they were both hungry, thirsty and scared out of their minds. He wondered for a moment if the boy would beg and plead for answers as the girl did each night. Even with the collar he would have to be careful of the Padawan. He was vaguely aware of the combat training Jedi receive and he had no desire to be taken down by a Jedi Knight wanna be.

He laughed quietly finally feeling comfortable enough to start his trek to the abandoned building. He glanced about once more before setting out. He was sure he had not been followed but feeling more than a bit on edge with the addition of two more Jedi on the scene he continued to check over his shoulder. He found himself considering how he would contact the dark one again. He needed guidance as to how to deliver the three he wanted without being caught by the other two. It was a problem that had a solution. Pulmee had come to far to lose everything now.

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Obi-Wan and Yoda hung back watching in silence as Pulmee Den made his way toward the factory. He seemed very nervous as he made his approach.

/Master do you wish for me to go ahead and intercept him in the factory?/ Obi-Wan asked feeling impatient once more.

/Patience my Padawan. We aren't sure who might be working with Den. It is important that we rescue Anakin and the girl but also important it is that we discover who is helping him. Darkness I sense./ Yoda sent back. The Master was fighting his desire to race into the building as well. He could sense something ominous within, but could not get a sense of where the boy and young woman were in the building. He could not risk their lives just to confront Den.

The night had fallen now and the two Jedi found it easier to follow the man without his notice. They watched him disappear into the front of the building. Obi-Wan moved to follow him but felt his Master's hand upon him.

"Wait." He whispered. "Something is not right. Sense it I have."

"Perhaps it is the Force warning you that we need to hurry." Obi-Wan whispered back. He could feel an almost electric thrum through his body. The Force was trying to tell him something but he couldn't get a grasp of it. It was if something was making it harder for him to sense the Force. It was alarming and left him feeling a bit off center.

"I cannot sense the boy can you?" Yoda asked reaching out.

Obi-Wan reached out searching for Anakin's signature but could not feel him at all. "If they have attached some sort of dampening device then it is normal that we would not sense him even if he were there." Obi-Wan explained feeling frustrated that he couldn't find the boy. He was more worried than he wanted to admit. He had been the kidnapped Padawan before and knew how dark some men's hearts were. They would inflict injury just for the pure joy of hearing a young one cry out in pain.

"Clear your mind you must. Help Skywalker we will but wait we must to see what Den will do next. If tied to the Sith he is discover this we must. Confront the Sith once and for all is our only chance of stopping them."The moments had ticked by as they both continued to reach out following the presence of the man as he made his way deeper into the building. He seemed agitated but also disgruntled in his task. He was tired of taking care of his captives a revelation that never favored the victim. The Jedi knew their time was running out.

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Pulmee made his way down to the basement with his light in hand carrying two small containers. One container held food for his two guests and the other enough water for a day. He was really tired of taking care of these brats. He had never enjoyed taking care of things that is why he had never had a pet or children. He wanted both beings to serve their purpose so that he could be rid of them. He would ship the boy off to the dark one and kill the girl.

Only days now until his goal would be realized. As he descended the steps he could hear his footsteps echoing thorough out the floor. This was usually when the girl started her begging sessions. He felt a little leery as he continued on. He felt fairly sure that the Padawan would not be able to remove the collar but decided to keep his guard up just in case. He turned on his light working his way into the far corner. It was strange that she was silent tonight. Perhaps she was embarrassed to beg in front of the boy. Nonetheless, he missed the sound of her voice pleading for answers and begging for her life. He wondered if he would miss it more once she was dead.

Shining the light into the area where the two were chained he felt his heart freeze as he realized that they were nowhere to be found. Whirling around his light caught the face of a strong, short and muscular being dressed in dark Jedi like robes. Before he could finish processing what it was that was standing before him he saw the red saber as it slashed through his mid section severing his body into two pieces in one movement. It was a defining moment snuffing out all of his illusions of power and dark dreams. He was dead before he hit the ground.

"Takes care of that loose end." Kial laughed darkly as he lifted the boy's body and slung it lifelessly over his shoulder. He followed Sador watching the girl's head as it bounced against the slim man's back. He wondered to himself what the other man was thinking as they hurried to leave the facility. The Jedi would be close now.

"Shouldn't we kill the girl and leave her?" Kial asked realizing that as much as he hated to admit it Sador would be the brains of their temporary pairing.

"We could but I have found that in order to have a successful hunt you need two things. The first is patience but the second is the bait. The more bait the more prey." He laughed.

Kial joined in his laughter as he once again was mesmerized by sight of the girl's head helplessly moving in time to the other man's gait. His years of being a predator had taught him much. One thing he had learned about was bait. Every prey had its own appetite. As he considered those that they sought he knew that he was holding the perfect bait for the Jedi. Nothing worked better on those self important martyrs than what he and Sador had in their possession: innocence.

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It was a sudden scream in the Force that rushed over the two Jedi. They had sensed a sudden surge of panic and fear in Den that was then followed by complete and absolute silence. They knew as they reached out and realized that they could no longer sense Den's presence that he was dead. Before the moment completely registered with either Jedi they were on their feet and rushing into the facility. They had overestimated their time as they realized it had suddenly run out.

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Hey guys. Short post but lots of action. I hope you guys like it. Now what is going to happen next? Who knows..not me I have to think about it.

Have a good rest of the week. Thanks for hanging in there with me.