Laura- I'm glad you like evil Obi-Wan, I worked really hard trying to figure out how he should act. Thanks for telling me that I made Zackery kind of wimpy, I didn't even realize it. I'll try to fix it, I don't think that Obi-Wan would have a wimpy son either.

Gemini- Don't worry, I'm going to mention Xanatos a lot cause he had a huge part in Obi-Wan's turning. Plus I love him to death. ;p

Chapter 5

Life's like a box of matches, sometimes the whole thing catches, and all you can do is watch it burn.

-Mindy McCready

Flashback

Obi-Wan had never known, he had never thought about all the corruption in the temple. Now that he was with Xanatos everything suddenly clicked, he had a sudden understanding of everything that they had hid from him. He had never felt so much hate, and it haunted him that if Xanatos hadn't come along he would have lived and died in their corruption, licking up every hypocritical saying and righteous thought like a thirsty puppy. The thought of being one of their mindless droids horrified him.

This information squeezed his heart as he heated up the broken piece of metal. A ring that he had sliced through the side of so that the ends didn't meet. He was entirely devoted to Xanatos now, and he was going to prove this by burning the dark jedi's trademark into the soft flesh of his cheek. This was his symbol for pain, hatred, and most importantly revenge.

End of flashback

Zackery had never felt so worn as he did when he walked from the Emperor's throne room.

The conversations that Zackery and Obi-Wan shared were never enjoyable for either of them. Obi-Wan wanted a son who was as ruthless and untouchable as he himself was, and Zackery wanted a father who accepted him. The only difference was that Obi-Wan intended to make Zackery the son he wanted, no matter the cost.

Zackery keyed in the opening number to his room. 5-13-98, it was the date that his mother died and his father became worse then ever. It was easy to remember.

He treaded into his room and sat on his bed, weariness nearly making him collapse. He had yanked off his shirt and boots when a soft growl echoed through the room. Zackery immediately flicked the light switch, only to find that it wasn't working. His door wouldn't open either.

Then, before Zackery could even blink and before, even with his sharp reflexes, he could move, a creature with sharp teeth was clinging to his hand, drawing blood from his flesh. He was able to pry the creature off when two more grabbed his legs, and another his side. He knew what they were almost immediately, dinkos. Small creatures that work in groups, with razor sharp claws and teeth. They weren't native to any planets near by, but Zackery knew that his dear old dad had probably had them imported just for him, which would also explain why he couldn't turn on any lights or leave.

Zackery ignored the pain in his various body places and rolled to his bedside where his lightsaber sat. Or at least it would have if he hadn't taken it with him when he tried to run away and lost it when he fell out the window. He silently cursed himself as he reached under his pillow and pulled out a small dagger. He went first for the ones closest to his head and neck, and worked his way down. By the time they were all dead he was covered in sweat, spit, and blood.

Hate and anger coiled up like a whip in his chest, threatening to lash out. This was his punishment for betraying Obi-Wan, he knew it and accepted it, but what truly angered him was that these creatures could have killed him if he hadn't had that dagger, and his own father didn't even seem to care.

I must have done something extremely horrible in a past life to deserve this, thought Zackery as he climbed into the shower to wash away his bloody hands.

"I can't believe he lost his saber," said Obi-Wan in annoyance as he and Kikere watched Zackery pull out a dagger over the throne room monitor.

"He fights well," commented Kikere.

"Perhaps," shrugged the emperor. "But he's never entirely ready, he allows things to surprise him."

They watched Zackery lay down his dagger and gingerly walk around the dead creatures. Obi-Wan reached forward and turned the monitor off.

"He took too long in killing the dinkos," said Obi-Wan in annoyance.

"He only used a few min................" Kikere stopped himself in mid-sentence. Conleth was in a foul mood, and people tend to disappear when he gets like this. Even people like his right hand man.

"What are we doing about the Jedi?" Kikere asked, promptly and wisely changing the subject.

Obi-Wan sighed. "I haven't decided yet. Nothing seems harsh enough for my revenge, I want them to suffer – I want him to suffer." He reached up and traced the broken circle scar on his cheek, then spoke again. "Bring Qui-Gon to me, and bring him alone. We have things to discuss."

Kikere looked around in disgust as he treaded through the filth of the dungeons. No mercy and no humanity for the criminals of Conleth's galaxy, they receive the pleasure of spending the rest of their short lives in piles of garbage and human waste. Kikere was extremely annoyed that a man of his status had to trudge around in this mess like a lower class citizen. But when the Emperor told you to do something, you did it. He'd rather visit the dungeons then live in them.

He made his way to the farthest, dankest area of the dungeon where the Jedi were being held.

"You, come with me," he said, pointing at Qui-Gon.

No one had to ask where they were going and what was going to happen. They all knew that Obi-Wan wanted to speak to Qui-Gon, and quite possibly fight him. It was also very likely that this wouldn't be the last showdown between the master and the apprentice.

Qui-Gon had never felt so nervous in his life. Not even when he was a young boy on his way to see the council, or when he faced them for the trials. He had faced Xanatos before and come out alive, but this was different. This was like Xanatos and Obi-Wan inhabiting one body, both haunted by hurt, hate and pride. Obi-Wan was like a son to him, blood wouldn't have brought him closer to Qui-Gon's heart, but yet he was still going to have to face him if he wanted to get himself and the other Jedi out alive. It was a necessary act that he dreaded.

"A word of advice," Qui-Gon's escort spoke for the first time as they stopped outside the throne room doors. "Don't get preachy, he's already in a foul mood. And don't talk about Zackery unless he starts the conversation. If you want to survive, pretty much try to say things that will make him happy."

Qui-Gon heard Kikere's words and knew that they would be in his best interest, but he also knew that it was advise that he was not going to follow. He wanted to speak to Obi-Wan peacefully and maturely, not with some guidelines on how to keep the emperor happy. They may not be meeting on Qui-Gon's terms, but that doesn't mean that he can't still get what he wants out of this. The Obi-Wan that he trained had to be in there somewhere.

Kikere unlocked the door and followed Qui-Gon into the throne room. It was dark and plain, with only a flickering fire to light the room. Qui-Gon could smell the hate and evil in the air and it made him shiver. Qui-Gon's eyes rested on the silhouette in front of the fire.

"Leave us."

"Yes my lord," Kikere hurried out of the room.

Qui-Gon heard the soft click of the door locking.

Qui-Gon waited in silence, wanting Obi-Wan to be the first to speak. Knowing that they both had much to say that neither wanted to hear.

Obi-Wan spoke at last. "Are you enjoying your stay?" He asked mockingly.

"The bed's a little hard," replied Qui-Gon dryly.

"And the others?"

Qui-Gon's voice lost it's sarcasm. "The others don't deserve to be here, they are guilty of nothing."

Obi-Wan turned now, his teeth glinting in the light. "Everyone is guilty of something."

With that he reached in his cloak and pulled out a small tube-like object. It only took Qui-Gon a moment to realize what it was.

"My lightsaber," said Qui-Gon, not showing a sign of the annoyance that he felt.

"Yes," said Obi-Wan with the same mocking smile. The smile that resembled Xanatos so much. He tossed the hilt to Qui-Gon, who caught it in one fluid motion. Obi-Wan then pulled out his own saber.

"I don't want to fight you," said Qui-Gon calmly, though he felt as if his heart was being torn out.

"No, but you will," with that Obi-Wan leaped towards Qui-Gon so fast that he stumbled in shock.

Obi-Wan's attacks were like liquid, bending and twisting however he chose. His skill had improved so drastically that Qui-Gon had trouble registering the change. The darkness that erupted from Obi-Wan was deafening and blinding at the same time.

Every move that was made the other countered, every retreat followed. Neither of them knew how long they had been fighting for, but they were both dripping of sweat as if they had been swimming in a warm ocean. They could taste it in their mouths, it stung their eyes and clogged their throats. But they didn't stop. This battle was what would completely separate them from master and apprentice. If Qui-Gon won then Obi-Wan would have to accept that he had not grown as great as he thought, and if Obi-Wan won then Qui-Gon would have to accept that his apprentice was gone, lost to the labyrinths of the darkside.

Then, out of nowhere a strong force blast knocked Qui-Gon off his feet and sent his lightsaber flying from his sweaty hand into thin air. Obi-Wan swiftly caught it and smiled down at the beaten Jedi Master.

"Check and Mate master," he sneered. "My game."

A/N: Finally a new chappie! Enjoy!