Full summary: Sequel to Sooner or Later. At last Anakin has a proper Master one he loves and trusts, QuiGon Jinn. In the midst of their complicated romance, they're put to their first test as a team when there's a sudden slew of attacks on the Temple. QuiAni
Warnings: Slash, future shota, JA reference.
Pairing(s): Eventual Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)
Fic type: AU, romance
Bizarre speaks: I do not support QuiAni. QuiObi is totally my OTP. But I also adore ObiBail. (Naveen Andrews as Bail. Baby.)
Chosen
Volume Two
The Heir
Chapter V: The Culprit
Personal journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi-Knight of the Jedi Order:
06/21/11-25 BBY-7:00
Coruscant, the Jedi Temple
I have wrapped my arms, can't have anyone seeing the marks of my addiction. I've been shooting Purple Stim since that horrifying day on Roon. Maybe I'll get a tattoo to help hide the needle tracks. Though I am still not sure about Jedi and tattoos. No one has commented thus far.
We all bear marks, scars of our trials. Some we hide…
Finding the culprit might be the key to the antidote Qui-Gon decided and set about interviewing anyone who wasn't sick. Not many now, considering how far and wide the toxin had spread. He got no definitive leads until the day he and Anakin found a cluster of students and Jedi outside the research lab. Further investigation revealed a black triangle, seemingly burned into the floor tile. The cryptic words, 'follow the Pyramid point', painted in bright red across it.
Anakin felt his blood run cold. The pyramid was a Sith symbol, and a powerful one. He could remember his studies with Obi-Wan mentioning this fact. Was this some kind of taunting clue? Once again the Jedi faced the question of who. Who were the Sith? What were the Sith?
Eventually the crowd dwindled down to the two of them. The seeming riddle hadn't revealed anything. Then it hit Anakin.
My Jedi intuition must be faltering, he decided, smacking his forehead. It seemed so simple…
"It's not a riddle at all," he declared. "It's a map."
Qui-Gon looked over at Anakin in amusement. "Oh?"
"The attacker announces where he's going to be." The point of the Pyramid…he wanted to smack himself again. It had nothing to do with a Sith pyramid. The Jedi Temple was a pyramid. "The Council chambers." The fiend was over their heads!
The Master watched him dispassionately. Once again Anakin was rushing to judgment. Not thinking. It was a habit the apprentice must master. This was a clue, but could they trust it?
"You fail to see all points, Padawan," Master Qui-Gon said plainly. The villain might strike the crèche or the Hall of a Thousand Fountains, as well. He must contact the Council and make sure all targets were guarded.
"It's worth looking into right, Master?" Anakin asked hopefully. Climbing atop the Temple sounded daring.
"Of course, my eager Padawan," Master Qui-Gon replied with a predatory grin.
"We will post guards in the other two wings, Master Jinn," Mace Windu agreed. Anakin and Plo Koon worked to open a large service hatch so Qui-Gon and his Padawan could get outside.
Qui-Gon was not sure about putting much faith into the writing they had found. It might be a distraction. But, Anakin seemed very sure. When the boy was sure of something, it was best to pay heed.
"Someone is here, Master," Anakin whispered once they were both out on the wind swept rooftop. "Someone…dark," he hissed as they climbed higher. " I can feel it."
"Careful, Padawan," the old Jedi reminded forcefully. This could be dangerous if Anakin acted rashly. Things could become very bad quickly. Once his warning was issued, they hurried to take advantageous positions. For someone was waiting for them…
It was impossible to tell at first if the seated figure was male or female. "I was hoping it would be you two," the cloaked form rose. "I've been wanting a go at this one," a youthful, masculine voice sneered. Indicating Anakin with a nod.
The Jedi glanced down at what the intruder had been sitting on. The access panel atop the container was identical to the one they'd found in the air duct. They had their man!
"It should be fun to see such an…ornery little boy down on his knees," the fellow grinned.
Anakin snarled. This scumbag didn't look much older than him!
Qui-Gon didn't react, watching the young man calmly. He was ready should the situation changed, however. First he had some questions. "Who are you?"
The kid pulled off his hooded mask to reveal a pale pointed face and cropped, dark brown hair. "Shaden Cormin," he introduced himself congenially. "I have a message and a gift for you, Master Jinn." He casually fingered the display panel beside him. "From the Sith." He stabbed at the controls rapidly. With an explosion of sound the air filled with powdery mist.
Anakin felt his throat clog immediately and wondered why he wasn't affected before.
Shaden somersaulted backwards out of the cloud. "I win!" he shouted.
Master Qui-Gon had taken a deep breath before the explosion. Now he grabbed the gasping Anakin and pulled him toward fresh air. He wanted to go after the Sith, but his Padawan came first.
Anakin looked up at him with watery eyes. "It's an inhalant," he gasped out unnecessarily.
The Master frowned looking around. "Get to the Medical wing, Ani," he commanded. There was no time to delay, he must go after the Sith himself. Anakin coughed in agreement and tumbled through the open hatch. Several Council members waited down there to help the stricken Padawan.
Outside, atop the Temple, Master Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, had caught up with the Sith Shaden. The child clapped in amusement.
"Bravo, Master Jinn," he smirked, "Truly, I expected you to hold his hand."
Qui-Gon's lightsaber was activated with a hiss of power as he advanced. He was a Jedi, this is what he had to do.
Laughing out loud, the Sith jumped again, athletic as any in the Order. "Don't fool yourself, old man," he advised, landing lightly on one foot. "Your entire Order will fall to its' knees. Your apprentice is out of the picture already. What are you trying to prove?"
The Jedi did not dignify that with a response. Qui-Gon just made a leap of his own, lightsaber a slashing green arc. He would bring this villain to justice!
Laughing again, Shaden hopped out of the way. This time springing onto Qui-Gon's massive shoulders. He wrapped the delicate fingers of one hand under Qui-Gon's chin. Fingering the gray beard.
"You can try to kill me if you want," the little creature offered mildly. "It won't make a difference in the end. The result will be the same with or without me."
"I plan to apprehend you," Qui-Gon replied, twisting to get loose. "Jedi do not kill wantonly."
"Oh, no, Master Jinn," the slippery assailant adjusted his hold and leaned close to hiss right in Qui-Gon's ear. "I can not allow that. I have my pride you know." He thought releasing a lethal toxin into the Jedi Temple worthy of execution. "I must resist arrest."
"I don't think you want to do that," Qui-Gon replied calmly. He twisted again and his lightsaber sizzled for Shaden's legs. The Jedi wasn't worried about singeing his own flesh. Oh, no, he was a Jedi Master…no fear of that.
"No, no," the Sith kicked at the incoming hilt and shot an annoyed look at the gleaming blade. He wasn't finished gloating yet, damn it! "I am heir to the mysteries of the Sith, you see. If you defeat me another, stronger even, will replace me," he sneered.
Qui-Gon had enough! He sagged forward, sending the struggling Sith over one shoulder. He grabbed hold of the tumbling body before Shaden could recover and slammed the punk into the stones of the rooftop.
"All the more reason to arrest you," Qui-Gon said simply, looming over the stunned fellow.
Shaden seemed unperturbed by the point of the Jedi's lightsaber glaringly close to his face. He was more annoyed at having been flipped. "What then, Master Jedi?" he asked placidly.
"That will be up to the Council," Qui-Gon told him.
"Hmm…" the Sith mused "An audience with the Jedi Council. That would be something all right. An honorable invitation, Master Jinn. I accept," he said with false resignation, a wicked gleam in his eye.
Qui-Gon eyed him distrustfully as the Sith offered hands to be bound. The Jedi was silent as they shuffled down into the Temple.
Master Yoda and Mace Windu were waiting when they appeared.
"Who is this," Mace raised an eyebrow at the diminutive prisoner, "child?" It was difficult to believe they'd been taken by someone so young.
"Not a child," the dark haired boy murmured angrily.
"Size matters not, Master Windu," Yoda commented coolly, offering the black man a withering look.
"Let's take him to a detention cell until questioning," Mace changed the subject smoothly. He motioned Qui-Gon and his charge forward. " Master Tinn escorted your Padawan to the Healer's, Qui-Gon," Windu whispered as they led the captive away.
"Watch him," the big Jedi said, reluctantly letting go of Shaden. "He is a Sith."
Master Windu nodded in understanding as Qui-Gon hurried off to check on Anakin.
To Be Continued...