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: Finally it's winter break! Expect me to be doing a lot of writing over the next two weeks… I'm still not sure how often I'll post, but I'll still be writing all the rest of the chapters out and perhaps even starting the next story. Maybe. Possibly. Enjoy this latest update!

Torture and Death

By Kekelina

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Chapter Twelve: Reality

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Sounds of whispers and shuffling feet echoed throughout the quiet hallway. Light poured through the transparisteel windows as water rushed from a waterfall, shedding a warm glow on the occupants of the corridor. A lone bystander gazed out of one of the largest windows, bathing in the warmth of the sun as he gently caressed his bruised wrists. Obi-Wan was home.

But how?

Everything about his rescue was blurry and distorted, like after he awoke from a particularly good sleep. He couldn't even remember who had brought him back. All he knew was that one day he woke up from a particularly brutal beating, but he was safe and warm in the med center, resting comfortably on his sleep-couch.

No one had been around to answer any of Obi-Wan's questions, so he had slipped out of the room and gone for a walk around the peaceful Temple. No one had paid him any mind, and he preferred it to remain that way. He didn't think he would be able to answer any questions while he had so many of his own that needed answering. Besides, he wasn't keen to relive anything for curious friends at the moment. Scars had formed on Obi-Wan's soul, scars that wouldn't easily fade. Revisiting that nightmare would take time.

Tap. Tap. Tap. A very familiar sound tore Obi-Wan away from his thoughts to gaze at the diminutive green Jedi Master walking slowly towards him. As Yoda came to a stop beside him, Obi-Wan bowed respectfully to him, then turned his gaze back to the skyline of Coruscant.

"A lovely day, it is," the small Master commented.

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is. I have missed the sun."

Yoda sighed sadly. "How feel you?"

Obi-Wan dropped his gaze to the floor as he thought. How did he feel? Hurt, alone, scared, ashamed… These were not the feelings of a Jedi, and it would do him no good to speak them to Master Yoda. So what could he tell him?

"Confused," Obi-Wan answered finally.

Yoda gave a little grunt that suggested he didn't believe him, and pointed one of his fingers at him. "Hiding something from me, you are."

Obi-Wan looked at the little Master in shock. Never had he heard Yoda speak to someone so bluntly, not even when he had been frustrated with Obi-Wan's old Master, Qui-Gon. "No, Master," Obi-Wan blatantly lied. "I would never – "

"See through you, I can."

Obi-Wan clamped his mouth shut and hung his head. He should've known better than to lie to a Jedi Master, especially one as powerful as Yoda. It was well known throughout the Temple that Yoda knew all.

"Dappled in the dark side, you have."

Obi-Wan's head swiveled towards the Jedi Master in shock. How could Yoda accuse him of something like that? He had never, never used the dark side, not even during his captivity. He had been tempted, yes, but he had never given in to the temptations. He was a strong Jedi.

"Master Yoda – "

"Argue with me, do not," Yoda interrupted. "Discussed this matter with the Council, I have."

"Master, I haven't…I would never – " Obi-Wan pleaded with Yoda. He knew all too well what discussions with the Council meant.

"Once travel down the path, you do, forever will it dominate your destiny," Yoda said quietly.

Obi-Wan stared at Yoda, his jaw hanging open, unable to argue anymore. Was Yoda actually suggesting that he was a Sith? Was he actually suggesting that he had turned his back on the Jedi and everything he knew to become a murderer? That idea was absolutely preposterous! It was insane! He hadn't gone to the dark side; he was still a Jedi! He had fought against the darkness during his captivity! Why didn't Yoda understand that?

"Expelled from the Jedi Order, you have been. Your lightsaber, I will need."

The words rang in his ears, blocking out all other sound. Expelled. For a crime he didn't commit, for a path he didn't travel. What had been the point of surviving? Why had they bothered to bring him back to the Temple, if only to kick him out of the only home he had ever known for good? Why had they searched for him, if he was only Sith scum? What had been the point of living?

In a fog, Obi-Wan felt himself unclip his lightsaber from his utility belt. His vision focused on Master Yoda, the two-foot-tall being that was causing him so much pain, and before he realized what he was doing, he ignited his lightsaber.

"You won't get rid of me that easily," Obi-Wan said darkly. You want a Sith, I'll show you a Sith.

He slashed at Master Yoda, who quickly dropped his gimer stick and parried Obi-Wan's blow with his own emerald lightsaber. Obi-Wan fought against the green Jedi Master viciously, every attack stronger, faster, more powerful. The lightsaber clashed together, creating haunting shadows on the walls. The hallway was empty now. It was just him and Master Yoda in a fight to the death.

Obi-Wan swung his lightsaber in a flurry, causing Yoda to continually jump about to keep from being sliced in two. This exotic dance continued for a few moments until Obi-Wan got Yoda exactly where he wanted him and then kicked the Jedi in the face. Yoda somersaulted in mid-air and landed back on his feet, much to the disappointment of Obi-Wan. Yoda rushed towards him, and the two continued their duel.

The sounds of the battle echoed throughout the hallway and into Obi-Wan's ear, blocking out all other distracting noises, giving him immense focus. He thrust his lightsaber at Yoda, but almost lost it when Yoda blocked it with an equally powerful thrust. Obi-Wan's vision became red, and he suddenly dropped his lightsaber to the ground as he noticed the red blade.

The weapon of a Sith.

His stomach contracted in torment. What have I done? What have I become? Yoda Force-shoved him backwards, and he hit the wall with a sickening thud. Obi-Wan screamed in pain as a few of his ribs broke.

A dark figure strode over to him and picked him up by the neck of his tunic until he was resting uncomfortably on his knees. Obi-Wan tried to curl himself up to protect himself from his attacker, but he had a firm grip on his ratted tunic.

"You should've known better than to fight back, Jedi scum," the bounty hunter said, his helmet only an inch from Obi-Wan's face.

Obi-Wan received another stinging blow to his face and flew back against the wall, more ribs breaking. He lay there unmoving as he tried to survive the utter pain crawling over his body like a swarm of insects. It surged through his veins; it stabbed him like a thousand lightsabers. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. It ate away at his insides, killing him from the inside out. His body was being torn to shreds, and there was nothing he could do about it.

After a few more minutes, the bounty hunter finally left him to be destroyed by his own pain. He lay there, half-alive, as the pain consumed him until he became numb. He begged the Force for some sort of relief, something to stop the torture he faced every day.

Why was he holding on? What was he holding onto? There was nothing left to live for. He had nothing left to fight for. Torment consumed his very soul. He was numb to the world, a bleeding corpse. He had no hope left. He had nothing.

Only death could alleviate his pain.

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The Other Author's Notes: I hope that wasn't too confusing. Well, we're just a little over half-way done with the story, but the next half will be filled with so much angst, drama, and action that I can't even begin to describe it. Don't be afraid to review!