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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He was furious. He should have known that the slave boy would fail him. Why had he over estimated his hold on the boy? How had Kenobi broken through his attack so easily? Things were beginning to unravel. He would have to teach the boy a lesson if he had any hopes at all of turning the knight. He had given away too much tonight or then again perhaps he had just reinforced the dark lord's suggestion. Now Kenobi would be looking for an attack against himself and even more so his precious ex-Master.

Surely with the boy's erratic behavior Obi-Wan was thoroughly convinced that Anakin was turning if not already a part of the dark side. It would only take a little timing and he could have the boy posed to strike Qui-Gon down only to have Obi-Wan burst in. In that instant the Knight would have to make a choice. He could either kill the boy and save the Master or sacrifice the Master with a small hope of saving the boy. He would not have time to think. He would have to react with his emotions and they would fail him. He would choose to save his Master. He would strike down the boy.

Once the boy was dead then Sidious could once and for all return to his normal appearance. The Knight would watch in horror as the reality of his decision took hold. It would strike him to his core. He had killed an innocent. He had acted out of emotion. He had not used the Force but instead had used his abilities to bring to an end the life of a child.

It would destroy the knight. Utterly destroy him laying him open bleeding and broken. It was then that he would be the most vulnerable. It was then that Sidious would remind him of all that Jinn had done to hurt him. He would taunt the Knight with all the cruel words and acts of his ex-Master bringing home time and again the question of how the Knight could have sacrificed a poor boy in place of a cruel and at times indifferent Master.

Sidious laughed aloud. It was delicious. It felt so perfectly evil. He wanted to show it off for all to see. The Knight would be his. The Knight would come to him, bow at his feet and pledge himself to the darkness. It was all falling into place. All he had to worry about now was the boy. Leaving his room Sidious made his way down to Anakin's quarters. It was time for the Skywalker to understand fully the consequences of betrayal.

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Obi-Wan felt the Force churning around him but the images were confusing. In his mind he kept hearing Qui-Gon's voice echoing over and over again "He is the Chosen One." He wondered if his conversation with Anakin earlier had impacted him more than he wanted to admit. He once again felt a surge through the Force as he had when he had attempted to free Anakin's mind from the attack earlier in the evening. It was exhilarating. He wondered why it was that he suddenly felt so fully connected to it.

His mind began turning over and over again as he surrendered his thoughts over to the Force. He could see Adi. She looked sad shaking her head. "He won't turn." It made little sense. She barely knew Anakin and yet the Force was using her to fortify his own confidence in the boy. Yoda was there. He had his saber ready to defend someone but Obi-Wan couldn't see who it was. He could feel that he was a part of the scene, but couldn't find himself. Then he saw him. It was Qui-Gon. He was slumped over the dead body of Anakin. Obi-Wan felt himself physically and emotionally recoil from the sight. Had Qui-Gon killed the boy? He could hear the words his ex-Master had spoken earlier. "I'll be fine as long as I have you here to protect me." Those replaced Qui-Gon's earlier words as they echoed over and over in his head. He wondered what it was that the Force was trying to tell him. How could he possibly work to prevent Anakin's turning and his death unless he understood what was about to happen?

Then the warning came like a siren in the night pulling him sharply out of his mediation. Anakin was in trouble. He knew the boy was unconscious, but the Force was telling him that the boy was in danger. Never before had Obi-Wan felt more certain of any message he had received. He leapt to his feet and raced for Anakin's quarters.

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Sidious stood over the boy who was lying still and unconscious on this bunk. He looked so harmless lying there, but Sidious knew that the boy had the potential to completely ruin his plan for taking the Knight and that galaxy with him. He felt torn between disgust and rage as he looked down on the pathetic figure.

"You are so weak." He whispered watching as his words sunk into the boy's sleeping mind implanting there.

"You have no hope but for me. I am your only hope of ever seeing your Mother alive again. Fail me and I will kill her myself." The boy's face contorted as the reality of the evil lord's words took root. Sidious watched as the boy's breathing became ragged and his face furrowed in worry and fear.

"Qui-Gon is your enemy. Obi-Wan is your enemy. Only I am your friend. Only I care what happens to you. You must destroy your enemies in order to have what you want. They must fall for you to rise." Anakin nodded in his sleep mumbling words that made no sense to anyone but himself. He was obviously working out all that the dark one was revealing to him.

Sidious pulled back at that moment the door to Anakin's room flew open. Obi-Wan entered throwing the dark one off balance at the sight of him.

"Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon's voice sent out an alarm. "What are you doing?" Obi-Wan quickly scanned the room seeing no one near the boy except his ex-Master. He lowered his saber but kept his senses on alert.

"I was meditating and the Force warned me that Anakin was in danger." He looked around done more time.

"We already knew that. He is in very grave danger of turning. I worry about him. Even lying here I can feel the battle within him. " The Master sighed. He seemed so sad. Obi-Wan felt his heart go out to the man. He had already lost one student. Qui-Gon knew very well the pain of watching one he loved turn to the darkness. Walking up beside the man Obi-Wan placed his hand on the other man's shoulder as they both stood over Anakin as if keeping watch.

"You should get some sleep." Qui-Gon said turning to leave the room. Obi- Wan nodded and watched the man go. His eyes never left his ex-Master. He felt a whisper through the Force. It was a warning. What was it saying? Obi-Wan reached out trying to hear its message. He suddenly had so many questions? It was as if the Force was warning him not to trust anything that he had believed.

He felt unsure of himself. He longed for something to ground him. He reached out to touch the long familiar signature of his ex-Master. It would center him. As he subtly brushed against the man he had just watched disappear through the door he felt his mouth go dry and his throat clinch. Something was wrong. He reached out once more cautiously. He felt his heart race in response to what he felt. He wasn't sure about where they were headed. He wasn't sure what was happening to Anakin but he was sure that the man who had just left him was not his Master.

He looked like Qui-Gon, sounded like Qui-Gon, but did not feel like Qui- Gon. He shuddered in revulsion realizing how easily he had been tricked. How could he have fallen for this ploy? It had to be the Sith. They were deceptive. He could hear Yoda's words "Hard to see the dark side is."

Knelling beside the boy's bed Obi-Wan debated as to whether or not he should wake him and warn him. It was obvious that the boy's mind was an open book to this dark one. He realized he dare not give himself away. He would just have to watch out for the boy and hope that he could figure out a way for them to escape before the dark one inflicted more damage.

Placing his hand on the boy's temples Obi-Wan used his newly found strength in the Force to push aside the fear and sadness he found in Anakin's mind. He replaced it with the warmth of Qui-Gon's laughter and the serenity that could be found in the man's presence.

"He is your Master Anakin. He cares for you. Trust him. He will come for you. He will not abandon you." He felt the boy relax slightly.

"It will be okay Anakin. It will be ok." He whispered. He rose to his feet and made his way out of the room. He had to think of something to hinder this evil plan he had unwillingly become a pawn in. He looked down the long corridor. He didn't see the evil one anywhere. Keeping his saber easily accessible he headed for the engine room. He didn't know where they were headed but he knew for certain he could keep them for getting there.

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Sidious had not gotten back to his quarters before the warning alarm had begun sounding. He cursed under his breath and turned to head to the engine room. He found Obi-Wan already there. Before he could speak he heard Anakin coming up behind him. Qui-Gon turned and glared at the boy.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Anakin flinched at the sound of the man's voice. Obi-Wan noticed the reaction and realized that Anakin was already aware that this man was not Qui-Gon.

"Anakin." Obi-Wan interrupted. "I could really use your help. Qui-Gon go to the cockpit and jump out of hyperspace."

"Is that really necessary?" Qui-Gon asked exasperated. This was going to ruin everything. He wasn't sure how far behind them the Jedi were but he knew he didn't have time for mechanical failures.

"Better to have the ship leave with a controlled maneuver than to be thrown out. Our hull could be breached. " Feeling the need to keep the boy away from the monster before him Obi-wan called to the boy. "Anakin let's get below and see if we can repair the damage." Anakin seemed confused but at the same time relieved to be working with the Knight and not the dark one.

"I'm on my way to the cockpit. I will get us out of hyperspace as soon as possible." Qui-Gon headed for the front of the ship. As soon as he was out of ear shot Obi-Wan handed Anakin a data chip.

"Anakin I need for you to make your way to the transmission room and insert this chip into the search and rescue array." Anakin stared at the chip for a moment unsure. "Keep your thoughts on something other than this chip or what I just asked you to do. Do you understand?" Obi-Wan's eyes sought the boys. The veil that had been present earlier was missing now. "I know you are confused but you must trust me Anakin. Will you trust me?" Anakin nodded as he turned to head to the transmission room.

Obi-Wan knew he was taking a huge risk involving Anakin but he had seen the boy's desperation that night and knew that after all the exposure to the darkness Anakin had suffered he would need something to prove his worthiness in order to remain at the Temple. He had come close to the darkness perhaps even embraced it, but Obi-Wan refused to believe that he could not be saved. The dark lord was preying on the boy's fears. Fear was Anakin's weakness. Once he was back with Qui-Gon they would have to discuss this and the Master would have to listen to Obi-Wan's council.

Knowing that time was running out, he lowered himself into the engine hold and began looking for the least suspicious way to disable the hyperdrive. He heard a noise above him. Looking up he saw Anakin staring down at him.

"Did you get it done?" He asked. "Did you start the transmission?" Anakin nodded.

"Can you come down here and give me a hand?" Anakin took the ladder down. His head was still aching. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he knew that he had experienced another attack. He was afraid. He must have said or done something to displease the dark master. He couldn't imagine what that had been. He could remember Obi-Wan coming to his door, but nothing more. As much as he feared for himself he was now filled with fear for him mother. He wasn't sure but somehow he believed that if he failed the dark one again that his mother's life would be in danger as well as his own. He couldn't allow that and yet something inside of him felt compelled to help the Knight.

He pulled inward for a moment and saw a light. It was there shining through the darkness washing away the shadows. It was like watching the sun rise over the dune sea. The light pushing away the darkness, forcing it back into the recesses of his mind, seeking out each and every hidden spot to illuminate. How? He wondered. Obi-Wan gave him no time to consider as he called his name once more. Opening his eyes he found himself staring into the concerned gaze of Knight Kenobi.

He knew then that the Knight was the reason that the light was there. He was the reason that he shadows were receding. He wanted to ask him how or even why he would bother, but could sense that now was not the time. Now was the time to help without question. He would serve the Knight and pray that somehow in making this choice at this moment the Knight would one day choose to help him. He would free his mother and protect her from the harm that the dark one would inflict.

He pulled up beside Obi-Wan standing quietly wishing he could get his head to stop hurting. He was grateful for the light but knew that the attack had left his mind aching. Obi-Wan noticed the boy's discomfort. He reached out and placed his hands on either side of Anakin's head. He sent soothing waves of healing energy into the bruised tissue.

"It's ok Knight Kenobi. I know we don't have much time." His wide blue eyes caught the knight off guard. Sometimes he forgot how young the boy was. He shook his head.

"Pay close attention Anakin I am going to show you how I healed my tissue after being attacked on Tiress." As quickly as he could Obi-Wan demonstrated to the boy how to sooth the frayed edges within his mind. Anakin relaxed under the man's touch feeling both comforted and safe. He hadn't felt safe in a very long time. Opening his eyes he saw Obi-Wan in a different light. He wondered how he could have ever hated him. How could he have ever believed him to be his enemy? There was something familiar. He was like Qui-Gon in some ways. He was comforting and caring. He wondered if the Knight had learned his compassion from the older man. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to have Obi-Wan for his Master.

Obi-Wan observed the boy's changing expression and knew that he was trying to understand all that was happening in him and around him. Realizing that his might be their only time to talk before things intensified, Obi-Wan sighed and placed his hands on either side of Anakin's shoulders before he began.

"Anakin that man may look like him but I know that he isn't Qui-Gon." Obi- Wan whispered. Anakin's eyes went wide as he realized the knight knew his secret. He felt another wave of fear wash over him. Had the Knight invaded his thoughts under the guise of healing him? Obi-Wan watched as Anakin's expression began to shift. He reached out and pulled the boy further into the compartment.

"I can feel it. I don't mean to frighten you but he is a sith. Has he said or done anything to you other than the attack you experienced last night?" Anakin debated. He didn't feel comfortable telling the Knight. He had his mother to think about. The Knight felt frustrated watching the boy's hesitation. Shaking his head he had to push on.

"Anakin I know you and I have had our rough moments but I must ask for your trust now. The sith has found a way to access your mind. I need to go into memory and remove your actions with the data chip. It is the only way I can be sure that he doesn't learn of what we have done. We must not reveal ourselves too soon. The other Jedi will be pursuing us. They will come for us. We must give them the time that they need. I'm not sure we can defeat the sith without them. Do I have your permission to remove this memory? Is that acceptable to you?" They both felt the ship suddenly groan as it felt hyperspace. "We don't have much time Anakin." Obi-Wan fought to maintain his calm control. Anakin finally nodded.

"Good." He smiled then furrowed his brow, "But first show me the best way to disable this hyperdrive." Anakin felt proud that the Knight would acknowledge his superior mechanical skills. He immediately pointed to two couplers. Obi-Wan removed them. Anakin reached into his pocket and pulled out a stone.

"Malatinate." Anakin spoke. "I always carry it. I brought it from home." Anakin took the stone and ran it around the edges of the couplers removing he magnetic charge.

"Brilliant." Obi-Wan breathed and the boy smiled up at him. Anakin put the stone back into his pocket and turned to the knight. They could both hear the footsteps on the metal grates above.

Obi-Wan smiled reassuringly at the boy as he dove into his mind searching for the memories concerning their actions. While there he also saw the threats that the dark one had made concerning the boy's mother. Obi-Wan flew past those memories determined to discuss them with the boy later. Obi-Wan had just removed his hands from Anakin's temples when Qui-Gon poked his head over the side of the opening and stared down at them.

"Any luck?' He asked trying to sound less bitter but failing. Sidious reached out. He found the boy a blank. He was obviously still suffering the after effects of the attack. He was a bit concerned at the amount of light still lingering in his mind. He found himself once again concerned at the power and connection with the Force that the Knight was now demonstrating. He scowled but quickly masked his expression. He tried to probe the Knight gently easing up to his shields only to find them fortified.

Obi-Wan felt the brush of the dark one and worked to appear oblivious. Then deciding that he should take another tack he turned on the Master.

"Qui-Gon I am not your Padawan. I would appreciate it if would you honor our agreement and maintain appropriate boundaries with me." His voice was cool. Qui-Gon nodded looking sufficiently ashamed. Secretly Sidious smiled. The Knight was thoroughly convinced that he was Jinn. Any doubts he had concerning the Knight were released.

Seeing that his ploy had worked, Obi-Wan stared over at Anakin. "What do you think Anakin? Can the damage be reversed?" He asked conversationally.

"It's hopeless. Without new parts we're floating space junk." He sighed looking up at Qui-Gon. "It looks to be the power couplers. There was must be a fluctuation in the energy panel. Probably some defect in the design." He took one of the couplers staring at it as if he had never seen it before. Obi-Wan was amazed at the boy's powers of deception until he realized that as far as Anakin remembered it was the first time he had seen them.

"Let me give it a go. I can try couple of things. I'll let you know in a short bit if there is any hope of getting underway. No sense sending out a distress signal yet. Hopefully we can be underway soon. It isn't the first time we've had engine trouble on a mission." Obi-Wan smiled up hopefully. Qui-Gon nodded.

"I leave the ship in your capable hands." He soothed.

Sidious pulled back out of their view and stalked away his hands clenched in fists of rage. He had come too far to have his plans derailed by a couple of stupid couplers. He would meditate and in doing so send out his own call for help. There were others who could aid him. He just hoped that they could reach them before the Jedi. He smiled wickedly. Without a distress signal the Jedi would fly right by them in hyperspace. Their precious Chosen One lost to them somewhere drifting in the darkness of space.

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Yoda and Qui-Gon were in the cockpit staring out into the emptiness of hyperspace. After calculating the speed and trajectories they had come to the conclusion that they would over take the sith's ship in a couple of hours. There was a tension in the air as both men considered what challenges they would face on the other ship.

Qui-Gon had not been able to shake the question that the Force had sent to him. 'Would he die for Obi-Wan?' He had known that he had answered correctly but still wondered if it had been merely a test or a warning of his eminent future. Still feeling responsible for Anakin, he wondered if he should talk to Yoda about Anakin's future in the event that he was to fall during the conflict on the ship. The boy would be left without a Master.

He was just about to broach the subject when Master Gallia entered the cockpit.

"We're picking up a distress signal." Her face was flushed with excitement as she fought to keep the hope out of her voice. Yoda activated several switches transferring the information from the transmission room to the cockpit. Using the various positioning systems he turned to the other Masters smiling.

"Found them we have." Qui-Gon immediately began working the controls in order to ease the ship out of hyperspace.

"We must be ready to act when we encounter their ship." Adi warned.

"We will be coming out of hyperspace in the next few moments."

The group had already formulated their plan. As badly as they wanted to see the dark lord in custody and standing before the Council it was imperative that Anakin and Obi-Wan be rescued. There had been an unspoken acknowledgement between the three Masters that Obi-Wan had to be their first priority. As much as they wanted to save Anakin, they couldn't risk the Chosen One falling to the dark side. Secretly they all knew that he would never turn. He would in fact die before he ever fell. They couldn't lose him. He held a promise for the Jedi and a unique place in each of their hearts. Somehow they knew that if they could take care of the Knight that the Knight would manage to take care of Anakin.

They would come out of hyperspace, lock onto the other ship, enter, rescue and retreat. If they could capture the sith in the process then so be it. It sounded so simple but no mission where so much hung in the balance could ever be classified as simple. The Force had to be with them if they had any hope of succeeding. .

A warning light began blinking on the console. The Masters exchanged a look. Leaving Qui-Gon in the cockpit to complete the transition, Yoda and Adi turned to make their way to the departure hatch knowing that in a minute they would be leaving hyperspace. They gazed at one another as they ready their sabers for the fight that lay ahead, each Master reaching out to the Force for both strength and guidance. Hearing the groan of the ship they both realized that their rescue mission had begun.

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Only a few more posts left. I really do appreciate all of you hanging in there with me. I know it is difficult to wait. I wish I could speed this along but I really think the story would suffer from my hasty mistakes. Thanks again to all of you who have taken the time to review. It really is very encouraging!!!