Chapter 19 Never Alone

Qui-Gon let out several curses in huttese. Mace looked at his friend with raised eyebrows. The Jedi master was somewhat of a prude, so to hear curses leaving his mouth, was different to say the least.

With a desperate look in his eye, the Master prepared to leave again. He needed to get back to the temple and fast. His padawan was in danger. And the fact that a homicidal maniac was loose in the temple did not help matters any.

Mace grabbed his arm, "We can't go back that way, Qui. It is a trap."

With a disgusted tone, Qui-Gon replied, "If you think I am going to allow my padawan to remain in that temple alone, you do not know me very well."

The dark skinned Jedi laughed, "I know you quite well, old Friend. But there has to be another way into the temple."

A small voice said behind them, "I know a secret way in."

Both masters turned and saw Kire standing there, Qui-Gon knelt and asked, "What secret way in, little one?"

The little boy looked at Qui-Gon, "I found it one day swimming. It is near the river. There is a small door covered by flowers and weeds."

Mace got exited, "Force! He's right! It is such an old entrance. Probably as old as Yoda! Ren will never expect us to enter that way. And since it is in an unused section of the temple, we will be able to get in undetected."

Down the dark hall, the Jedi padawan went. His master would be proud of the focus he kept in dire circumstances. It was hard to believe that these dark, cold halls belonged to Obi-Wan's beloved temple. The evil emulating the halls was strong. But Obi-Wan clung to the light as he hobbled along. His legs were burning now, but not in an unpleasant way. He wondered briefly what it meant, but his thoughts were interrupted by another explosion that sent him flying against a wall.

THUD was heard as the young apprentice's body hit the wall full force and crumpled to the floor. Obi-Wan fought to catch his breath, as the wind was knocked out of his body.

Then, in the deadly silence in the wake of the bomb came the malicious laugh. The helpless padawan looked up into the shadows and shuddered when he saw a dark cloak come into view.

"Welcome to my temple, young Obi-Wan. At last we meet again." Ren laughed again.

Gathering what strength he could gather, Obi-Wan hissed, "it is NOT your temple!"

Ren smirked, "Brave words under appalling circumstances. You are most certainly your Master's apprentice."

Taking deep, gulping breaths, Obi-Wan sputtered, "My Master has taught me all he knows."

In a sarcastic tone, the evil Jedi replied, "So that took about ten standard minutes, what have you two done with the rest of your time?"

Obi-Wan watched Ren kick his crutches far out of his reach. "Now, I think I can trust you not to go anywhere, while I tend to some unfinished business. I will enjoy getting acquainted with your girlfriend."

Obi-Wan's face took on a look of anguish, "Leave her alone! What do you want off us?"

With two short strides, Ren was in front of the padawan, "I want my power back! And I will get it back. I will make you and your master suffer. I will make your friends suffer."

Wishing he could stand, Obi-Wan snarled, "You will be the one suffering. You seemed to have missed Yoda's favorite saying. Fear leads to hate, hate leads anger..."

"Anger leads to suffering." Ren finished for him, and then he gave Obi-Wan a hard kick to the ribs. Obi-Wan bit back the urge to cry out and he laid there helplessly as Ren went to a doorway only several feet away.

Using stealth that only the finest Jedi could attain, Mace and Qui-Gon used the secret entrance to enter the Jedi temple. As they entered, Mace pointed up a winding staircase, "This will get us to the main floor."

Without answering, Qui-Gon started up the staircase. Even though he had lived at the temple all his life, the vastness of it still amazed him.

In another part of the temple, Obi-Wan fought to control his emotions. The dark side seemed to swell around the room, tearing at the fragile teen's heart, mind, and soul.

You're not alone.

Obi-Wan jumped at the voice inside his mind. He had to imagine it.

Why is it hard for you to have faith?

Then, in a rush, Obi-Wan realized that even though he was not physically with his master, he still had his spirit, his love, and his lessons. Those he would carry with him forever.

A scream bursting through the hall brought Obi-Wan back to reality. In a frantic voice he said, "Klea!"

Obi-Wan looked around desperately for his crutches. He almost lost hope when he could not find them, but hearing another scream made something spark in Obi-Wan.

Grasping to the force, Obi-Wan began to crawl towards the doorway. Not fully understanding the force calling to him, Obi-Wan followed it trusting in its light and strength.

Qui-Gon did not like the feeling of helplessness and despair he was experiencing. Quickening his step, he jolted up the stairs, and found himself at a door. It did not seem to want to open.

"It must be blocked by a wall on the other side," Mace explained, "That is how old this entrance is."

Not wasting anytime, Mace and Qui-Gon kicked the door. After several hard kicks, the wall caved and the jedi were able to step into the hall.

Again, they started to run. But banging on a door stopped them. Qui-Gon stopped dead in his tracks. Then a voice was heard, "LET ME OUT!"

Qui-Gon gasped, "That sounds like An-Paj."

The darkness seems to intensify around the door to the room, so Qui-Gon and Mace combined their strength and in moments the door flew open.

An out of breath An-Paj stumbled out. Qui-Gon caught him before he could fall. After a minute, An-Paj was able to speak, "Ren is here, he wanted to trap Obi-Wan, Klea, and Bruck. He wants to kill them. He blames them for his losing power at Kranta."

Qui-Gon's eyes turned dark, "Well, we can't allow that to happen."

Ren seemed to enjoy the terror in Klea's eyes. He was a little disappointed that Bruck was not here to undergo his torture as well, but the Obi-Brat and his little friend would do for the time.

Ren did not know who to kill first. But he was having a wonderful time contemplating it. He paced back and forth watching Klea, thinking he should bring Obi-Wan in here to see it, but then the door opened.

Ren looked at it in surprise, but there was no one there. Then he saw the figure on the ground, crawling. Ren could not help laughing. It was a comical sight. The crippled Jedi, doing all he could, to rescue his friend.

"Obi-Wan. You scared me." Ren said in a mocking tone.

Obi-Wan did not let the words get to him, "I will not let you hurt her. You will have to get past me first!"

Again, Ren laughed, "That does not sound so difficult." Ren pulled out a blaster and pointed it at Obi-Wan. He cocked the trigger, "It does not sound difficult at all."

With feelings that bordered on contempt and pity, Obi-Wan considered the man before him. He was once a Jedi, sworn to protect the galaxy. Now he was fallen, holding two of his own hostage. As well as tainting the one true Haven of all Jedi.

By this time, Obi-Wan's legs were burning. Strangely, not in an unpleasant way. Obi-Wan, cast a wary eye at the blaster pointed at his chest, and he knew that he would never survive a blaster bolt at such close range.

All Jedi are trained from a young age to accept death when it came. And Obi-Wan were no exception. The young man had no problem accepting his fate, even if it was death. But this was not his time. He knew that. The force was screaming at him, it was not his time. Like it did when Xanatos tried to lead he and Qui-Gon to the executioner's block. Obi-Wan had been frightened, but Qui-Gon had enough strength for both of them.

Obi-Wan felt panic raise, Qui-Gon was not here. Obi-Wan was alone. But then it hit him, he was NOT alone. He would NEVER be alone!

Cocking the trigger to the blaster, Ren spat, "I shall enjoy watching you die, Jedi."

The blaster fire and Obi-Wan heard Klea scream. Obi-Wan saw the bolt zinging towards him, a red blur.

What happened next was hazy, but when the smoke cleared, Ren went to look at his victim. Who had to be most assuredly dead. But there was no body! Nor was there any evidence of a body.

Confused, Ren stood there, not knowing what to think. From behind him, a strong voice said,

"I don't think so, Ren."

Ren jumped and swung himself around. THere, Obi-Wan Kenobi STOOD holding his lightsaber, in fight form. The blue glow casted upon his face, and his eyes held no fear.

Putting his blaster away, Ren pulled out his own lightsaber. Obi-Wan held back his fear as the crimson blade came to life.

Jedi and Apprentice stood there facing one another. Obi-Wan refused to make the first move.

Ren was more then happy to take the first lunge. And the room smelled like sulpher as the blades met one another.

Obi-Wan was always excellent with his weapon. He was never clumsy or unsure of himself as he held it in his hands. But he had also just gotten over a long convalescence. He was not sure on how he was going to fare. But one thing he was sure of, he needed for Klea to get out of that room.

As Obi-Wan parried blow for blow, he sent a force message to Klea,

/Klea, go//

Klea hesitated for a moment and then started to edge away. In a moment she was able to slip out of the room unnoticed.

Obi-Wan was trying to tire out his opponent, but instead, he was the one becoming tired. He had not walked in such a long time, how could he expect to fight?

Sensing this, Ren snarled, "What's wrong, Little Jedi? Too much for you?"

BRacing himself, Obi-Wan breathlessly responded, "Don't think its going to be that easy, Ren. I am not giving up just yet."