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Full summary: Sequel to The Seeds of Darkness. In Chosen's finale: the Clone War is no longer about Republic and Separatists. For the Jedi it has become a battle of Light and Dark. Yet it is also the impromptu front for Anakin's soul, Qui-Gon's heart, and Obi-Wan's sanity. The end is nigh.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, noncon, and violence

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin, GarenxObi-Wan, Obi-WanxQui-Gon

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: Yar.

Chosen
Volume Six
Into Ashes
Chapter IV: Percent Error

There was no dissuading Master Jinn.

"Something is wrong," the old man insisted. A great disturbance in the Force. Anakin…

"Go, if you must, Qui-Gon," Master Yoda agreed. Something terrible was about to happen, the little green Jedi Master was also certain. "Great peril I, too, sense."

"Thank you, Master," Qui-Gon managed as he ran from the Council chambers. He had to find Anakin…

x

Searing pain wrenched the gravely wounded Anakin to consciousness. Even before he opened his stinging eyes Skywalker knew Qui-Gon was there. The Master knelt beside him, a panicked look on the old man's face as he desperately applied a derma patch to the blistering stumps.

"Master," Ani whispered hoarsely. His throat seared by the hot gasses he'd been breathing. Lying there helpless for who knows how long.

"Anakin," Qui-Gon leaned close. "It's alright, son, I'm here."

"Obi-Wan," the kid gasped.

There was no sign of Kenobi and Master Jinn could only assume the worst. "Don't worry, Anakin," Qui-Gon soothed, strapping a breather over Ani's face to ease his tortured lungs. "We will find him."

Anakin shook his head angrily in protest. That's not what he meant! Obi-Wan had tried to kill him! Obi-Wan had turned to the Dark Side! The young Knight tried to explain but the Master forced him under again, with pressure in the Force.

'Easy, Anakin, sleep!'

Skywalker slipped into the healing trance then. His battered body and anguished soul unable to resist.

The young Jedi floated in and out of consciousness several times on the flight back to Coruscant. He was in so much pain, that it was impossible to think clearly let alone speak. He tried to tell Qui-Gon what had happened, to warn the Master of Obi-Wan's betrayal. But, it came out as delirious ramblings and Qui-Gon paid no heed.

x

The Healers had him now. Cool soothing energy washed through him, easing the pain if not the anxiety. Anakin knew what awaited him, but it was still a terrible shock when he finally came fully awake and stared down at his damaged body.

"It will be alright, Anakin," Qui-Gon said gently, seeing the kid's horrified face.

Skywalker knew they would outfit him with new limbs, strong limbs like his arm, made of sturdier stuff than mere flesh. But it would not be him… he turned his head quickly so Qui-Gon would not see his tears.

"Ani," the big Jedi Master wrapped Anakin into his arms, heedless of who was watching. "Shhh," he whispered into the boy's hair. It was hard to hold his own tears, but he would, for Anakin.

"It was Obi-Wan," Anakin hissed.

Master Jinn sat back. "What?"

"Obi-Wan did this, Master," Anakin said plainly. "He has turned to the Dark Side."

"Anakin," Qui-Gon shook his head. The kid was in some kind of deluded shock. Kenobi was missing and all evidence pointed to Dooku and the Separatists. The Council had trackers on the case even now. Qui-Gon really hoped it wasn't too late for Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan has been abducted by the Sith," the old man said gently.

"No," Ani said vehemently. "He tried to kill me!"

"Stop it!" An angry voice sounded from behind Master Jinn. Garen stood there seething. "You let them take him, didn't you?"

Master Qui-Gon rose to face the furious Knight. "That is enough, Muln," the big man took hold of Garen's shoulder to pull him away. "Anakin does not know what he is saying."

"Yes, I do!" Anakin cried in rage. "That bastard cut me apart and left me to die, Garen!"

"He's gone, Skywalker," Garen jerked free of Qui-Gon. "How do you explain that?"

"Obi-Wan is in league with the Sith!" Anakin shouted again.

There was a moment of stunned silence in the hospital ward.

Garen shook his head. "No." He could not believe that. Oh, Obi-Wan…

"Gentlemen," Mistress Bant appeared, her big wet eyes blinking in her distress. "You must leave, you are upsetting the patients."

"Forgive us, Mistress," Qui-Gon said quickly. He once again took hold of Garen's arm. "Come, Garen," he said gently. "Let us go elsewhere to talk."

"I am sorry, Bant," Garen said contritely, "I meant no disrespect." The Knight turned to glare at Anakin. "I will get to the bottom of this, Skywalker."

Anakin returned the stare evenly but said nothing further.

"Do not concern yourself with Obi-Wan, Anakin," Qui-Gon said as he steered Garen away. "See to yourself," the Master indicated Ani's need for calm and focus to heal through the Force.

"Yes, Master," Anakin sighed heavily. He didn't think he'd ever recover…

"I will help you, Anakin," Mistress Bant said gently, coming to sit beside him. The Jedi Healer could sense his fear and doubt. "You must trust in the Force, Ani," she said sweetly, laying a cool, clammy hand on his forehead. "Relax," she crooned, "Let go your fear."

"Yes, Mistress," the young Jedi Knight replied.

Then the Force swept him away.

Garen refused to speak with Master Jinn. "You believe Skywalker," was all that mattered. Obi-Wan was missing and Garen was certain his friend was in grave danger, no matter what the 'Chosen One' said.

"Garen," Qui-Gon tried to calm the Knight. "We must consider all options." Qui-Gon did not want to believe his former Padawan… another of his apprentices, had fallen to the Dark Side. Was this somehow his fault? Was he cursed to fail as a Master?

x

After the extensive surgery, it would take Anakin some time to get control of his new limbs. He could walk and grasp things easy enough. But getting the Force to flow through the artificial arms and legs was very hard. Master Jinn and the Healers guided the young Knight as best they could, but all sensed his frustration and anger. Such brooding hate did not bode well…

"Much confusion there is, young Skywalker," Master Yoda said gently. The youthful Knight was finally giving his report on the disastrous mission to Mustafar.

"I don't know what else to say, Master," Anakin still insisted that Obi-Wan had fallen to the Dark Side.

"We have received a distress call from Kenobi, Anakin," Master Windu interjected.

Anakin snorted with derision. Clearly it was a ruse to his mind.

"Is it possible your memory of the event is colored, Skywalker?" Master Gallia shook her tentacles in sympathy. The poor boy had been horribly maimed and traumatized. Adi felt the raging waves of hatred pouring from Anakin even now. Such strong emotions were bound to effect his perception of reality.

"I don't know, Master," Anakin admitted honestly. Was it possible? Had he merely slipped into some delirium and imagined his nightmare to be true? NO! He very clearly recalled all that had happened. "I know what I saw, Masters," the young Knight insisted. "Obi-Wan killed the rebels and Gunray, then he turned on me." The boy shook his head angrily as if to banish the hard truth.

"Very well, if that is your assertion, so be it, Anakin," Master Windu leaned back with a sigh. This was very uncomfortable. All evidence said that Obi-Wan had fallen prey to the evil machinations of the Sith, just as Anakin had. As long as there was even a chance that a Jedi brother needed their help, it could not be denied, no matter what Skywalker believed.

It was at that moment that Jedi Knight Garen Muln burst into the Council room. He was uninvited and Anakin expected the Pilot to be evicted.

"What is the reason for this intrusion, Knight Muln?" Master Windu asked mildly.

"I beg your pardon, Masters," the man said quickly. Garen glared briefly at Anakin before going on. "I would request that I be allowed to go in search of Ob-, in search of Knight Kenobi."

"A team we have dispatched, Garen," Master Yoda informed him. "More are not needed."

"I am going with or without your leave," Muln stated simply.

The Masters were silent, conferring through the Force.

"Go, if you must," Yoda sighed heavily. "But, when you return, your impudence we will address, Garen."

"Yes, Master," Garen bowed and turned to go. "I will show you, Skywalker," he hissed as he passed Anakin. "You are wrong about Obi-Wan."

"I wish I were, Garen," Ani said sincerely.

To Be Continued...