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
************************************************************
Obi-Wan collapsed against his restraints his chin falling to his chest as his despair washed over him. He couldn't bring himself to look at the door where Dooku had just disappeared moments before with Adi. Obi-Wan had failed her. Adi was now at the mercy of Dooku or even worse the dark lord himself. His udder sense of defeat filled the young Knight as he felt his mind racing to catch up with what had just occurred. He hated this feeling of helplessness.
He wished that Dooku had taken him, tortured him, battered him until he had slipped into unconsciousness and could escape the images he found himself fighting to control. Instead he had taken her knowing it would be impossible for the young Knight to handle one that he cared for being harmed because of his refusal to turn. Obi-Wan sighed squeezing his eye in an attempt to find his center, but it eluded him for the moment.
Adi had come to save him. She had realized that the sith had been an imposter and had risked her life to help Obi-Wan regain his freedom. He took a shaky breath as he wondered what her bravery and love would cost her in the end.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's voice broke through the young man's bitter thoughts. He glanced up startled to find Jinn's clear blue eyes leveled upon him. Obi-Wan immediately felt a wave of shame rush through him. He would have to admit his defeat to this man. As happy as he was to see that Qui-Gon had recovered and regained his awareness, Obi-Wan dreaded the look of disappointment he knew he would find on Qui-Gon's face the moment he explained what had just transpired. He hated failing this man and yet it seemed all he was destined to do.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon furrowed his brow concerned at the appearance of his friend. He looked tired with a bloody gash across his forehead. The Master wondered what it was that the Knight had been forced to endure.
"He took her." His voice sounded hallow and disconnected. Qui-Gon's alarm heightened at the sound as he found himself leaning towards the Knight straining to make out the man's soft words. He wished he were next to the young man instead of across the room.
"Who took her?" Qui-Gon realized the Knight must have been referring to Adi. Qui-Gon had already realized she was not in the room with them. He remembered the two of them being caught but everything went black after that.
"Dooku." The Knight stared at the Master his expression reminding the man of how Obi-Wan had looked as a 13 year old coming in to confess some mishap or accident. Obi-Wan looked repentant and afraid. Qui-Gon's alarm that the rumors about Dooku were now confirmed came second to his need to discover why it was that the Knight seemed so fearful and defeated.
"What did he do to you?" Qui-Gon asked urgently. He longed to examine the man to ensure that he was not secretly wounded.
"Nothing." Obi-Wan's voice continued with the same emptiness as before.
"You must tell me if you are injured." Qui-Gon demanded more forcefully than he had meant to.
"I'm not injured." He stated. He was finding it hard to tolerate the man's questions. Did he understand the gravity of the situation? "HE TOOK HER." He demanded putting what little energy he had remaining behind his words. Qui-Gon swallowed and took a deep breath. He understood the depth of the young man's feelings. He had loved once as well and understood too well the pain of seeing one you love harmed. He wanted to say something comforting but knew that though his words might bring a momentary respite to the Knight they would do nothing to help the situation. Qui-Gon silently sent thanks out to the Force as he realized he was being given another chance to be a Master to his ex-padawan. This was the chance the older man had hoped for. It was a small window for redemption where he could help his favorite ginger haired student reach his potential and an opportunity for Obi-Wan Kenobi to once and for all surpass his Master's wildest expectations. Qui-Gon centered himself before he continued.
"What are you going to do about it?" Qui-Gon's voice caused Obi-Wan's head to shoot up as he glared at the man incredulously. Rolling his eye skyward indicating his bound hands then towards the floor drawing attention to his equally restrained feet he sarcastically responded.
"Rescue her no doubt." Kenobi's sarcasm taking the Master by surprise, Qui- Gon fought the smirk he felt. This was so unlike the man he had worked along side of, but then again perhaps this was what Obi-Wan had always been like. Perhaps the Master's seriousness had left no room for mirth or sarcasm. This Knight wasn't the timid young man filled with insecurity and apprehension that Qui-Gon remembered. He was confident. Qui-Gon felt buoyed by the man's bravado.
"Good to know. What's your plan?" Qui-Gon asked seriously. Obi-Wan furrowed his face looking at the other man as if he were a lunatic.
"Are you insane?" He asked. "Look at me." Qui-Gon made an obvious effort taking in the sight of the night.
"So?" He asked sounding puzzled.
"So?" Obi-Wan felt his anger rising. How could Qui-Gon be so unreasonable? How could he rub salt into his already bleeding wounds? This was classic Jinn expecting the impossible. "So how would you suggest I rescue her when I can't even rescue myself?" He yelled in frustration.
"Yes well of course you would have to rescue yourself first Obi-Wan." Qui- Gon spoke with distain. "So how are you going to rescue yourself?" He forced himself to be hard and unyielding.
"I can't!" Obi-Wan spat. He was starting to wish Qui-Gon had remained unconscious.
"You can't or you won't?" Qui-Gon asked his tone thoughtful. Obi-Wan recognized that tone from all the times he had been in lessons with the man. He used it when Obi-Wan was missing something obvious. It caused the Knight to pause.
"What do you mean?" The Knight asked feeling the first glimpses of hope.
"Obi-Wan, my beloved Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon began his voice soft and full of affection. "You are the Chosen One. What is there that you can't do?" Obi- Wan's eyes widened in shock.
"I AM the Chosen One?" Qui-Gon nodded giving the Knight a thoughtful smile. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because I never saw it. Are we surprised that I failed you in yet another way?" The man's expression turned to sadness as he and the Knight both momentarily relived those many previous failures. Qui-Gon forced himself past the moment. "But you are the Chosen One. You will bring balance to the Force."
"That is why he wants me." Obi-Wan's voice sounded hollow as he lifted his eyes once more to meet Qui-Gon's. "I thought he had me confused with Anakin."
"No that would be me." Qui-Gon replied. "Yoda and I failed to prepare you for this moment, but you must not fail. You must discover the potential that lies within you and use it to defeat this darkness here and now. If you don't, it will spread bringing about the end to the galaxy as we know it." Obi-Wan nodded taking in the gravity of the situation. This was so much more than merely rescuing a couple of Master and taking on a handful of sith. This was a pivotal moment where the fate of millions hung in the balance. Their lives were in his hands.
"What will you do?" Qui-Gon's voice brought Obi-Wan's eyes back to his Master's face.
"I will do what I must." He said determinedly.
"I've no doubt you will my Padawan. No doubts at all." Qui-Gon met he man's gaze both men smiling in spite all of the obstacles before them.
********************************
Adi stood considering the young Twi'lek before her. It was hard to fathom what the young woman had just confessed. Adi had wondered how the sith found their students. So much of their work was done in the shadows she was never sure what method they could have utilized to identify Force sensitives. They could never have held the public screenings which the Temple used.
With a growing sense of dread Adi realized how many of the sith had come into being through deception. They had been identified by the Council teams. Once identified their identities were stored in the Temple data base. Dooku had overseen these records for years. Adi felt her throat constrict as she reali misled the young and the innocent causing them to believe that they were being taken to be trained as Jedi only to be trained as sith instead. The implications were numerous rebounding off of one another infinitely.
When did the sensitives realize that they had been duped? When did they realize that they were being trained to serve the darkness instead of the light? No doubt they all realized their mistake but how much brainwashing had the sith managed to inflict before that moment? Surely it was well past the point of turning back before any of them realized the path that had been chosen for them. A path which led to hate, fear, pain and destruction.
"I am Adi Gallia. I don't believe we were ever actually-"
"Were introduced? No, it was hardly a social gathering. It felt more like a slave auction to me. Each sensitive being herded from one area to the next questioned and tested each time. We were merely numbers. No time really to look beyond our skills to our aspirations or hopes." Pratell turned away but remained alert to any move Adi might make.
"I'm so sorry you felt that way. We usually try to ease the apprehensions of our potential students and their family members. I don't remember our interviewing process running that way but in light of your words I will reassess our process. You have to know though that it was never our intention that you be taken by the sith." Adi took a step forward. Pratell turned to face her.
"What is your name?" Adi asked. The young sith hesitated looking the Master from head to toe as if assessing what advantage she would be giving the Master by extending her name.
"Pratell, but here I am Darth Ryshki." There was a sadness in the way the woman spoke. Adi felt the need to comfort her even though she was a sith. Seeing the young woman speak her own name somehow reminded Adi that sith or Jedi they were all living beings with similar needs, hopes and broken dreams. Perhaps their screening process had become to clinical if she had missed the obvious desire she could read even now in this Twi'lek's eyes.
"Pratell." Adi said her name softly. The effect of the Master's voice was immediate as Pratell felt her own tears fall suddenly down her smooth clear cheeks. Adi stepped forward watching as Pratell hurriedly wiped the moisture away.
"It has been a very long time since I have heard someone speak my name." She cleared her throat feeling foolish after her display.
"Pratell." Adi spoke once more. "Let me make this right. Let me help you?" Adi asked reaching out to touch the young sith. Pratell spat out a sudden laugh and moved away.
"You want to help me?" She gestured to the Master's cell. "You're a little too late to help me. I am here because he asked me to help you."
"Obi-Wan is a compassionate Knight. He would want to help you as well Pratell. He would want me to help you. You never wanted to serve the darkness. Perhaps with the right intervention you could still be a Jedi." Adi reasoned.
"The right intervention? Still be a Jedi?" Pratell spoke her voice a mixture of hope and nostalgia. Looking up at the Master she shook her head. "No it could never be. I am where I was meant to be. I am here for this moment." Adi furrowed her brow. Pratell's voice had suddenly taken on a distance meditative quality.
"What will you do?" Adi asked wondering if Pratell meant to help or harm her. She felt naked without her light saber. Pratell took a menacing step towards the Master the Twi'lek's hand moving toward her own saber.
"What I must."
**************************************
"We have intruders." Dooku's melodious voice reverberated off the walls of the dark lord's private chamber. It was dark in his Master's chamber. Coming in from the illuminated hallways it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. "They are exposed."
"Yes I know I have felt them for some time. They are no threat to our purpose." He sounded distracted. Dooku realized that Sidious was reaching out to assess the situation. He had no doubt sparked the generator lighting the hallways which were normally kept dim at the Master's request. Sidious did not care for the light in any form or function.
"Removing Gallia was a brilliant move. Kenobi was devastated. I wish you had seen him. He begged me to take him instead." Dooku paused to relive the moment once more. " He is close to breaking. A little time with Jinn and he will be ours." Dooku smugly basked in the beauty of their plan.
"Are you so certain that leaving the Knight with his ex-Master will help our cause?" Sidious asked turning to face his old friend. He had been well aware of the destructive relationship the two had shared but he had also heard stories of the Knight's undying loyalty to the man.
"Surely you have heard of their history. Jinn was the worst thing that could have ever happened to the boy and the best thing that could have happened for our purposes. He will no doubt undermine the Knight's confidence. Kenobi will be at our mercy. " Dooku laughed.
"How long do we give him?" Sidious hissed enjoying the knowledge that his goal was about to be realized. He was going to have the Chosen One. He was going to put an end to the Jedi. It was all coming together now. All those years of lying in wait, hidden in the shadows waiting for the right moment when Kenobi would be ready to aide their cause and seal their victory."
"Whatever you believe my Master." Dooku crooned. He was very careful not to overstep his position with Sidious.
"First we will deal with the intruders. By the time we have that situation in hand it will be time to confront our Knight. " Sidious cackled as he moved to the door. "Imagine the horror of his friends and Master to have their beloved Obi-Wan Kenobi turn before their very eyes. All their vain hopes of saving him crushed. Their fates all sealed by their over confidence in him and his allegiance to the light. " He sarcastically rang out as he rubbed his hands together delighting in the moment that he was determined to orchestrate. "The only thing that could possibly make it more delicious would be if Yoda were here to witness his ultimate failure in person."
Dooku never understood the intense hate that Sidious felt towards the old Master. He wondered many times what had occurred that had caused such a rift between the two. Dooku had always held Yoda in the highest esteem. He had been his Master. He had loved the little green being. Knowing that his turning to the darkness would disappoint his Master had kept Dooku in the Order for more years than he could remember. It was moments like this that caused the fallen Jedi to pause. Somehow the mere mention of his Master weakened his resolve. It was as if the Force itself would cry out to him begging for his return to the light. Dooku pulled up along side Sidious.
//Power and wealth// He repeated silently over and over in his mind. Anytime he felt the light pulling at him trying to turn him back he always turned to his mantra. //Power and wealth, power and wealth, power and wealth//.
*************************
One word migraine so I hope this makes some sense. If not let's hope the next chapter will be better. Thanks for your loyalty. I love the reviews and the questions that you all ask. It helps me stay on task and leave no lose ends. Thanks for your support. Till next week.
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
************************************************************
Obi-Wan collapsed against his restraints his chin falling to his chest as his despair washed over him. He couldn't bring himself to look at the door where Dooku had just disappeared moments before with Adi. Obi-Wan had failed her. Adi was now at the mercy of Dooku or even worse the dark lord himself. His udder sense of defeat filled the young Knight as he felt his mind racing to catch up with what had just occurred. He hated this feeling of helplessness.
He wished that Dooku had taken him, tortured him, battered him until he had slipped into unconsciousness and could escape the images he found himself fighting to control. Instead he had taken her knowing it would be impossible for the young Knight to handle one that he cared for being harmed because of his refusal to turn. Obi-Wan sighed squeezing his eye in an attempt to find his center, but it eluded him for the moment.
Adi had come to save him. She had realized that the sith had been an imposter and had risked her life to help Obi-Wan regain his freedom. He took a shaky breath as he wondered what her bravery and love would cost her in the end.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's voice broke through the young man's bitter thoughts. He glanced up startled to find Jinn's clear blue eyes leveled upon him. Obi-Wan immediately felt a wave of shame rush through him. He would have to admit his defeat to this man. As happy as he was to see that Qui-Gon had recovered and regained his awareness, Obi-Wan dreaded the look of disappointment he knew he would find on Qui-Gon's face the moment he explained what had just transpired. He hated failing this man and yet it seemed all he was destined to do.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon furrowed his brow concerned at the appearance of his friend. He looked tired with a bloody gash across his forehead. The Master wondered what it was that the Knight had been forced to endure.
"He took her." His voice sounded hallow and disconnected. Qui-Gon's alarm heightened at the sound as he found himself leaning towards the Knight straining to make out the man's soft words. He wished he were next to the young man instead of across the room.
"Who took her?" Qui-Gon realized the Knight must have been referring to Adi. Qui-Gon had already realized she was not in the room with them. He remembered the two of them being caught but everything went black after that.
"Dooku." The Knight stared at the Master his expression reminding the man of how Obi-Wan had looked as a 13 year old coming in to confess some mishap or accident. Obi-Wan looked repentant and afraid. Qui-Gon's alarm that the rumors about Dooku were now confirmed came second to his need to discover why it was that the Knight seemed so fearful and defeated.
"What did he do to you?" Qui-Gon asked urgently. He longed to examine the man to ensure that he was not secretly wounded.
"Nothing." Obi-Wan's voice continued with the same emptiness as before.
"You must tell me if you are injured." Qui-Gon demanded more forcefully than he had meant to.
"I'm not injured." He stated. He was finding it hard to tolerate the man's questions. Did he understand the gravity of the situation? "HE TOOK HER." He demanded putting what little energy he had remaining behind his words. Qui-Gon swallowed and took a deep breath. He understood the depth of the young man's feelings. He had loved once as well and understood too well the pain of seeing one you love harmed. He wanted to say something comforting but knew that though his words might bring a momentary respite to the Knight they would do nothing to help the situation. Qui-Gon silently sent thanks out to the Force as he realized he was being given another chance to be a Master to his ex-padawan. This was the chance the older man had hoped for. It was a small window for redemption where he could help his favorite ginger haired student reach his potential and an opportunity for Obi-Wan Kenobi to once and for all surpass his Master's wildest expectations. Qui-Gon centered himself before he continued.
"What are you going to do about it?" Qui-Gon's voice caused Obi-Wan's head to shoot up as he glared at the man incredulously. Rolling his eye skyward indicating his bound hands then towards the floor drawing attention to his equally restrained feet he sarcastically responded.
"Rescue her no doubt." Kenobi's sarcasm taking the Master by surprise, Qui- Gon fought the smirk he felt. This was so unlike the man he had worked along side of, but then again perhaps this was what Obi-Wan had always been like. Perhaps the Master's seriousness had left no room for mirth or sarcasm. This Knight wasn't the timid young man filled with insecurity and apprehension that Qui-Gon remembered. He was confident. Qui-Gon felt buoyed by the man's bravado.
"Good to know. What's your plan?" Qui-Gon asked seriously. Obi-Wan furrowed his face looking at the other man as if he were a lunatic.
"Are you insane?" He asked. "Look at me." Qui-Gon made an obvious effort taking in the sight of the night.
"So?" He asked sounding puzzled.
"So?" Obi-Wan felt his anger rising. How could Qui-Gon be so unreasonable? How could he rub salt into his already bleeding wounds? This was classic Jinn expecting the impossible. "So how would you suggest I rescue her when I can't even rescue myself?" He yelled in frustration.
"Yes well of course you would have to rescue yourself first Obi-Wan." Qui- Gon spoke with distain. "So how are you going to rescue yourself?" He forced himself to be hard and unyielding.
"I can't!" Obi-Wan spat. He was starting to wish Qui-Gon had remained unconscious.
"You can't or you won't?" Qui-Gon asked his tone thoughtful. Obi-Wan recognized that tone from all the times he had been in lessons with the man. He used it when Obi-Wan was missing something obvious. It caused the Knight to pause.
"What do you mean?" The Knight asked feeling the first glimpses of hope.
"Obi-Wan, my beloved Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon began his voice soft and full of affection. "You are the Chosen One. What is there that you can't do?" Obi- Wan's eyes widened in shock.
"I AM the Chosen One?" Qui-Gon nodded giving the Knight a thoughtful smile. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because I never saw it. Are we surprised that I failed you in yet another way?" The man's expression turned to sadness as he and the Knight both momentarily relived those many previous failures. Qui-Gon forced himself past the moment. "But you are the Chosen One. You will bring balance to the Force."
"That is why he wants me." Obi-Wan's voice sounded hollow as he lifted his eyes once more to meet Qui-Gon's. "I thought he had me confused with Anakin."
"No that would be me." Qui-Gon replied. "Yoda and I failed to prepare you for this moment, but you must not fail. You must discover the potential that lies within you and use it to defeat this darkness here and now. If you don't, it will spread bringing about the end to the galaxy as we know it." Obi-Wan nodded taking in the gravity of the situation. This was so much more than merely rescuing a couple of Master and taking on a handful of sith. This was a pivotal moment where the fate of millions hung in the balance. Their lives were in his hands.
"What will you do?" Qui-Gon's voice brought Obi-Wan's eyes back to his Master's face.
"I will do what I must." He said determinedly.
"I've no doubt you will my Padawan. No doubts at all." Qui-Gon met he man's gaze both men smiling in spite all of the obstacles before them.
********************************
Adi stood considering the young Twi'lek before her. It was hard to fathom what the young woman had just confessed. Adi had wondered how the sith found their students. So much of their work was done in the shadows she was never sure what method they could have utilized to identify Force sensitives. They could never have held the public screenings which the Temple used.
With a growing sense of dread Adi realized how many of the sith had come into being through deception. They had been identified by the Council teams. Once identified their identities were stored in the Temple data base. Dooku had overseen these records for years. Adi felt her throat constrict as she reali misled the young and the innocent causing them to believe that they were being taken to be trained as Jedi only to be trained as sith instead. The implications were numerous rebounding off of one another infinitely.
When did the sensitives realize that they had been duped? When did they realize that they were being trained to serve the darkness instead of the light? No doubt they all realized their mistake but how much brainwashing had the sith managed to inflict before that moment? Surely it was well past the point of turning back before any of them realized the path that had been chosen for them. A path which led to hate, fear, pain and destruction.
"I am Adi Gallia. I don't believe we were ever actually-"
"Were introduced? No, it was hardly a social gathering. It felt more like a slave auction to me. Each sensitive being herded from one area to the next questioned and tested each time. We were merely numbers. No time really to look beyond our skills to our aspirations or hopes." Pratell turned away but remained alert to any move Adi might make.
"I'm so sorry you felt that way. We usually try to ease the apprehensions of our potential students and their family members. I don't remember our interviewing process running that way but in light of your words I will reassess our process. You have to know though that it was never our intention that you be taken by the sith." Adi took a step forward. Pratell turned to face her.
"What is your name?" Adi asked. The young sith hesitated looking the Master from head to toe as if assessing what advantage she would be giving the Master by extending her name.
"Pratell, but here I am Darth Ryshki." There was a sadness in the way the woman spoke. Adi felt the need to comfort her even though she was a sith. Seeing the young woman speak her own name somehow reminded Adi that sith or Jedi they were all living beings with similar needs, hopes and broken dreams. Perhaps their screening process had become to clinical if she had missed the obvious desire she could read even now in this Twi'lek's eyes.
"Pratell." Adi said her name softly. The effect of the Master's voice was immediate as Pratell felt her own tears fall suddenly down her smooth clear cheeks. Adi stepped forward watching as Pratell hurriedly wiped the moisture away.
"It has been a very long time since I have heard someone speak my name." She cleared her throat feeling foolish after her display.
"Pratell." Adi spoke once more. "Let me make this right. Let me help you?" Adi asked reaching out to touch the young sith. Pratell spat out a sudden laugh and moved away.
"You want to help me?" She gestured to the Master's cell. "You're a little too late to help me. I am here because he asked me to help you."
"Obi-Wan is a compassionate Knight. He would want to help you as well Pratell. He would want me to help you. You never wanted to serve the darkness. Perhaps with the right intervention you could still be a Jedi." Adi reasoned.
"The right intervention? Still be a Jedi?" Pratell spoke her voice a mixture of hope and nostalgia. Looking up at the Master she shook her head. "No it could never be. I am where I was meant to be. I am here for this moment." Adi furrowed her brow. Pratell's voice had suddenly taken on a distance meditative quality.
"What will you do?" Adi asked wondering if Pratell meant to help or harm her. She felt naked without her light saber. Pratell took a menacing step towards the Master the Twi'lek's hand moving toward her own saber.
"What I must."
**************************************
"We have intruders." Dooku's melodious voice reverberated off the walls of the dark lord's private chamber. It was dark in his Master's chamber. Coming in from the illuminated hallways it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. "They are exposed."
"Yes I know I have felt them for some time. They are no threat to our purpose." He sounded distracted. Dooku realized that Sidious was reaching out to assess the situation. He had no doubt sparked the generator lighting the hallways which were normally kept dim at the Master's request. Sidious did not care for the light in any form or function.
"Removing Gallia was a brilliant move. Kenobi was devastated. I wish you had seen him. He begged me to take him instead." Dooku paused to relive the moment once more. " He is close to breaking. A little time with Jinn and he will be ours." Dooku smugly basked in the beauty of their plan.
"Are you so certain that leaving the Knight with his ex-Master will help our cause?" Sidious asked turning to face his old friend. He had been well aware of the destructive relationship the two had shared but he had also heard stories of the Knight's undying loyalty to the man.
"Surely you have heard of their history. Jinn was the worst thing that could have ever happened to the boy and the best thing that could have happened for our purposes. He will no doubt undermine the Knight's confidence. Kenobi will be at our mercy. " Dooku laughed.
"How long do we give him?" Sidious hissed enjoying the knowledge that his goal was about to be realized. He was going to have the Chosen One. He was going to put an end to the Jedi. It was all coming together now. All those years of lying in wait, hidden in the shadows waiting for the right moment when Kenobi would be ready to aide their cause and seal their victory."
"Whatever you believe my Master." Dooku crooned. He was very careful not to overstep his position with Sidious.
"First we will deal with the intruders. By the time we have that situation in hand it will be time to confront our Knight. " Sidious cackled as he moved to the door. "Imagine the horror of his friends and Master to have their beloved Obi-Wan Kenobi turn before their very eyes. All their vain hopes of saving him crushed. Their fates all sealed by their over confidence in him and his allegiance to the light. " He sarcastically rang out as he rubbed his hands together delighting in the moment that he was determined to orchestrate. "The only thing that could possibly make it more delicious would be if Yoda were here to witness his ultimate failure in person."
Dooku never understood the intense hate that Sidious felt towards the old Master. He wondered many times what had occurred that had caused such a rift between the two. Dooku had always held Yoda in the highest esteem. He had been his Master. He had loved the little green being. Knowing that his turning to the darkness would disappoint his Master had kept Dooku in the Order for more years than he could remember. It was moments like this that caused the fallen Jedi to pause. Somehow the mere mention of his Master weakened his resolve. It was as if the Force itself would cry out to him begging for his return to the light. Dooku pulled up along side Sidious.
//Power and wealth// He repeated silently over and over in his mind. Anytime he felt the light pulling at him trying to turn him back he always turned to his mantra. //Power and wealth, power and wealth, power and wealth//.
*************************
One word migraine so I hope this makes some sense. If not let's hope the next chapter will be better. Thanks for your loyalty. I love the reviews and the questions that you all ask. It helps me stay on task and leave no lose ends. Thanks for your support. Till next week.
