Disclaimer: Star Wars brings in tons of money and as I have not seen a single cent of that money, I am not George Lucas and therefore don't own Star Wars. And sadly, that means I don't own Obi-Wan either.
Summary: The second story in the Jedi Trials series. Obi-Wan's been captured, Qui-Gon's left the Jedi Order, and Anakin must learn to trust his new Master. The Republic is on the brink of war and only Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin can save the galaxy.
Author's Notes: This is my last update before Revenge of the Sith comes out. I am so happy; I've waited ever since May for this movie to be released on DVD. I urge those that haven't yet seen it (though I hope there are none) to go out and buy it first thing Tuesday morning. I would go and buy it at midnight on Tuesday, but sadly, I have school that morning. Enjoy this chapter!
Anakin's Girl 4eva - Hehe, yeah, but that's how storylines evolve, isn't it? It's an interesting idea, you'll just have to see if that's what really happened. This chapter will give you that answer.
The Strange - Yes, she will. I'm not sure Bant knows what she's gotten herself into with Anakin.
PuffyCheese - He is still alive...for now. Moohahahahahaha! Erm, sorry, Halloween caught up with me for a moment.
Funyun - Padme remained back on Tatooine with the Lars family (see chapter one). She'll have a cameo appearance later in the fic, though, don't worry. Hey, you can still make a come back...maybe...possibly...maybe not. But that's the fun of it, isn't it, having all the cliff-hangers and questions? Anakin is not very close to Palpatine, Qui-Gon made sure of that. Speaking of Qui-Gon, we'll check in with him in the next chapter...and there will be a slight twist at the end.
Sirithiliel - I'm glad. I hate it when I have to wait for a month to read the next chapter. I try not to do that with my stories.
Charie - Well, this chapter is full of Obi-goodness. I hope you enjoy!
MusicDreamer7 - Woah. Your Obi? No, you have to share him with me and Katieelessar.
Ally127 - Don't hurt yourself. Here's the next chapter at your request. Enjoy!
Out of Phase - Um...if you don't startbreathing soon, I'm going to call 911...or Ghostbusters. Er...sorry; this Halloween weekend is seriously screwing with my brain.
Doreenthatshot - I'm so flippin' excited. Only three more days!
Torture and Death
By Kekelina
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Chapter Six: An Offer Refused
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The white-light of a thousand suns pierced Obi-Wan's unused eyes, rendering him blind. Wait…light? How was that possible? Obi-Wan was already blind. How could he see light? Was he dead?
Obi-Wan blinked rapidly against the burning brightness, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. The light refused to go away, nor did it dim itself. Pain shot through his forehead, and he crumpled over, shielding his face from the light with his arm.
Whatever was happening, he didn't like it. One minute he was blind, and then the next minute his eyes were being burned by the brightest light Obi-Wan had ever seen. None of it made any sense. But then again, nothing had seemed to make any sense since he had first woken up in this rocky prison. He wanted some answers, but knew he would get none.
Crunch.
Obi-Wan's ears picked up the small sound coming from the direction of the source of the light. A footstep. Obi-Wan turned his head and squinted against the light, but needn't have, for a figure moved in front of the light, his dark, menacing appearance framed by the ethereal light. Despite himself, shivers ran down the course of Obi-Wan's back.
Obi-Wan continued to blink rapidly as his eyes became used to light again, and he didn't notice the many tears rolling down his cheeks. The first thing he saw as his pupils adjusted was the sleeve of his dirty tunic, covering an equally dirty arm. He could see. Had there not been more pressing matters on Obi-Wan's mind, he could've jumped for joy, but his joy was limited as he felt the darkness oozing off the frightening figure standing beside him.
It was the Sith, it had to be. Obi-Wan could feel the darkness probing his mind, but it was not sharp and painful like last time. No, this time it was muted, only gently examining the outer edges of his mind, as if it was afraid of what would happen if it became stronger. This confused Obi-Wan, like so many other things did.
Obi-Wan, as he stared hard at the Sith with his newfound sight, was determined not to speak first. He would not give the Sith the chance to use what Obi-Wan said against him. He had heard many Sith tales as a little boy growing up in the Temple, and he knew what they were capable of with their powers. He would not let the Sith try to control him. Obi-Wan was a Jedi.
A captured Jedi.
Obi-Wan inwardly scowled at the negative thought and pushed it aside, not before he heard the Sith, who had moved so that he was standing right above Obi-Wan, chuckled. The sound was nerve-wracking. It echoed off the rock wall, increasing the volume a thousand times. It was empty, emotionless. There was neither joy nor happiness in it. Only cold, hard cruelty. Obi-Wan struggled not to show the fear creeping up into his mind, no doubt put there by the Sith. Not for the first time, Obi-Wan wished he was able to feel the Force.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi…" the Sith began in a hard, cold voice to match his chuckle. Obi-Wan glared back evenly. "How pathetic."
Something landed in front of Obi-Wan's face. Obi-Wan glanced at it very quickly, and found it to be a protein bar and some water. He returned his gaze back to the Sith. Could he trust him? Of course, he couldn't, but Obi-Wan was dehydrated and starving.
Tentatively, Obi-Wan straightened back up into a sitting position and quickly grabbed the items off the ground, as if they would disappear if he did not snatch them first. His own unnerving glare never leaving the Sith's sinister gaze, he opened the protein bar and took a bite.
And another.
And another.
His body screamed for more, having been deprived of food for three days. At this point and time in Obi-Wan's life, he wouldn't have cared if the protein bar had been poisoned by the Sith. It was food, and that was all that mattered.
The protein bar quickly devoured, Obi-Wan moved onto the plastoid canteen filled with water. Taking the lid off as fast as he could, he gulped it down, relishing the icy, tingling feeling travelling down his throat. Some of his precious water dribbled down his face as he drank, its touch chilling him. It was gone far too quickly, but Obi-Wan felt more revived than he had ever felt before.
A protein bar had never tasted so good, and water had never before been so sweet. Obi-Wan swore to never again complain about what he was eating. If there was one thing his captivity had already taught him, it was that food was food, and it didn't matter what he ate as long as he ate. All he wanted right now was another protein bar.
Grinning, the hooded Sith took the plastoid canteen from Obi-Wan, who handed it over reluctantly, his gaze returning to the Sith's as he wiped the excess water from the corners of his mouth. What was this Sith's game? What was he getting at?
"I've been watching you for a long time, Knight Kenobi," the Sith said with his gravelly voice, as if he had read Obi-Wan's thoughts. Obi-Wan wasn't so sure that he hadn't.
Obi-Wan only uttered one word in a hoarse whisper: "Why?"
"You are a powerful Jedi, Obi-Wan," the Sith explained. Obi-Wan resisted the urge to give him some demeaning remark. Showing his weaknesses in front of the Sith would not be a wise idea, though he had a sneaking suspicion that the Sith already knew them. "I've been watching you since you returned from Naboo over ten years ago, after the death of my Apprentice, Darth Maul. Your powers have continued to grow at a surprising rate."
Obi-Wan snorted. Apparently, Qui-Gon hadn't seen it that way.
"I make no mistake when I say that you are perhaps even more powerful than Master Yoda and Master Windu combined." Obi-Wan struggled to keep the tiny sliver of joy that had formed during those words from planting in his mind. No, no one was as wise and as powerful as Masters Yoda and Windu. And he didn't want to be.
"You only need to uncover your potential."
Obi-Wan's glare hardened as he looked at the evil being in front of him. "A Jedi has no lust for power," Obi-Wan said, repeating one of the many parts of the Code he had learned since his arrival at the Temple.
If the Sith was irritated, Obi-Wan couldn't tell. Instead, the Sith stooped down to Obi-Wan's level, and Obi-Wan could see the smirk on his face. "You aren't like the other Jedi. Join me, Obi-Wan, and you will be more powerful than any of the Jedi that have ever lived. You will be a great Sith Lord."
Obi-Wan tensed. He would never join the dark side. He would never be a Sith Lord. Obi-Wan was a Jedi. He followed the light side of the Force and only the light side. He didn't need power.
Obi-Wan looked at the Sith directly where he imagined his dark eyes to be, and made his face as impassive as possible. "Never," he whispered, retaining his Jedi calmness. He wouldn't let the Sith win. Obi-Wan would never turn to the dark side.
The Sith hissed and stood up, and Obi-Wan could feel him trying to probe his mind again, this time with more darkness. Obi-Wan kept the look of calm upon his face although he could feel the Sith probing his mind, looking for any ammunition he could use against the Jedi.
With another eerie smirk, the Sith turned on his heel and strode out of the cell, palming the door closed behind him.
The darkness consumed Obi-Wan's sight again.
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Palpatine walked briskly down the rocky hallway, his footsteps echoing around. That hadn't quite gone as he had planned, but no matter, he had plenty of time. Kenobi would turn, and he would be the greatest Apprentice Palpatine had ever had. It was only a matter of time.
A grim smile on his face, he soon met up with Jango Fett at the end of the hallway, the bounty hunter he had paid to capture the Jedi. Jango looked at him expectantly, but Palpatine only gave him one instruction:
"Break him."
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The Other Author's Notes: Yes, Palpatine is the big baddie that captured Obi-Wan. Please don't throw anything at me! Um…congrats to all who figured that out, especially those that guessed Palpatine after the second chapter. Your prize is either a lightsaber (your choice of color) or a swoop bike. Yeah, I splurged a little with the prizes this time. It took all my credits to do so… Don't forget to review!