Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.
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: I am completely out of things to say. Uh...There's more chapters in this one. Nine and an epilogue...Uh, anyone do any cover art? Anything? Send it to us if you do.
Chosen
Volume Six
Into Ashes
Chapter VI: Bad Lands
Garen found Master Qui-Gon waiting for him in the hangar. The Jedi Knight glared angrily seeing the old man standing in his way.
"What do you want?" Muln snarled starting for the gangway. He planned to shove past the big Master if he could. He was going after Obi-Wan and this blasted old fool was not going to stop him.
"Tell me where Obi-Wan is, Garen," Master Jinn spoke calmly, but tension radiated through the Force to splash against the younger Jedi.
Garen paused, shocked at the strong feelings emanating from Qui-Gon. "Why? So you can go after him? Is that it Master Jinn?" Muln spat sourly. "So you can be the one to bring him to justice. Will that ease your conscience?"
"That is not it, Garen," Qui-Gon said plainly. "I am trying to help him."
"I see," Garen sneered, "He needed you long ago, Qui-Gon. It's too late for that now." The Knight tried to get aboard but Qui-Gon stood firmly in his path.
"I will go to him," the old man's will hammered at Garen through the Force. "Tell me where he his!"
Muln growled under his breath at the strangling sensation. He had no idea what Qui-Gon was capable of. The fact that the Master was willing to pry the information from his mind took him by surprise.
"No," the young Jedi resisted, grinding his teeth.
"Tell me!" Qui-Gon said firmly, pressing against Garen harder in the Force.
"Qui-Gon," Muln gasped. The smothering feeling was overwhelming! He felt the other's presence in his mind searching and desperately tried not to think of Obi-Wan…with the Sith on…
"Thank you, Garen," the big Jedi released him and Garen fell to his knees with a sob.
"Master, please," he begged Qui-Gon not to interfere. Obi-Wan would know he'd revealed the location! Know he'd betrayed his trust! "No."
"I am going to find him, Garen," Qui-Gon gently stroked the top of Garen's bowed head. "To help him." With that he turned and strode up the gangway and into the ship. Leaving the shaken Knight kneeling at the foot of the ramp.
x
Anakin was beside himself. Where was Master Jinn! The young Knight searched everywhere. The Padawan training halls where Qui-Gon had been teaching, the Medical wing, the gardens, the little café downtown that Qui-Gon often went to…no sign of the Master. The kid finally went to Master Yoda in desperation.
"Gone to find Obi-Wan he has," the diminutive Jedi Master told him openly. There was not much that moved in the Force that did not attract the wise old troll. He knew that Qui-Gon had forced Garen and taken the ship. He knew the big man was heading into trouble. Darkness was closing in around Qui-Gon Jinn…
"What! Where?" Skywalker demanded to know. He must go after his beloved Master!
"Involve you I will not," Yoda said plainly. And there was no way young Anakin was going to pry the information from Master Yoda, or anyone. "Your own duty to attend, you have, Skywalker." The Knight was to lead Clone troopers into battle.
x
"What have we here?" the rumbling voice hissed out from a stark mask of gleaming metal. Intense alien eyes regarded the tall Jedi with amusement. One old man…
Qui-Gon stared calmly at the hulking cyborg. Grievous was dangerous in the extreme and all those battle droids would be trouble should the villain command them to attack.
"I have come to see Obi-Wan Kenobi," Jinn said honestly.
"Have you," the mechanical monstrosity purred a chuckle. "What makes you think he wants to see you, old human?"
"I am…was a friend of his, his Master," Qui-Gon replied evenly.
Grievous shook with mirth, his metallic limbs clicking and clanking. "A friend?" the cyborg tipped his head. "I did not think Jedi were allowed to have friends."
"You are mistaken," Qui-Gon said plainly. "Friendship and brotherhood is one of our strengths."
"Is it now?" Grievous taunted.
"Grievous," Obi-Wan's voice cut through the tension. "Leave him alone."
The massive cyborg turned to see the little man striding across the landing pad. "Just welcoming your guest, Kenobi," he bowed dramatically to Qui-Gon.
"You may go," Obi-Wan said firmly, eyes never leaving the Jedi Master. "Now," he growled when the big mecha did not move.
"As you say, little human," Grievous snarled. He did not like taking orders from this puny being, but the Dark Lord insisted Obi-Wan was to be obeyed. With a whirring of gears the cyborg scuttled off, leaving the Jedi to it.
For a moment Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon just looked at each other.
"How did you find me?" Kenobi asked with a sigh. Garen would not have told Qui-Gon…not freely. Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "If you harmed him,"
"I have come to ask you to return with me, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said gently.
"Return with you?" Obi-Wan laughed. "Oh, I think not, Master Jinn."
"Obi-Wan," the aged Master started.
"No, Qui-Gon," Kenobi cut him off with a surge in the Force. "I am not going anywhere," he stalker closer to the old man. "And, neither are you." There was a triumphant look on his face as the battle droids buzzed to life, surrounding them both. "Your weapon, Master," Obi-Wan held out his hand.
Qui-Gon quickly weighed the odds. If he resisted they would kill him…
x
The resistance forces were undaunted. They would die free of the Republic's yoke! No number of unholy Clone troopers would change that. No haughty Jedi would sway their determination!
Skywalker surveyed the grim battle conditions in irritation. His battalion was bogged down in a guerilla war with these stubborn people. Troop numbers were steadily dwindling. The locals knew the terrain, knew where to spring traps and ambushes. The Clones would need reinforcement and soon.
And the young man still had no word of Master Qui-Gon…
x
"How long do you plan to toy with old Qui-Gon?"
Obi-Wan glanced over at Count Dooku. The sinister Count was smiling. "Till I am satisfied, Dooku," Kenobi snapped.
The gathered Sith all chuckled. The Dark Legions found Obi-Wan's obsession with the elder Jedi amusing. Why did the old man have such a hold on Kenobi? And, why then did their new dark brother not simply be rid of this thorn in his side?
"Leave it," the Master growled. Lord Sidious cared not one whit if Kenobi kept Qui-Gon captive or killed the old Jedi. "That is not our affair," the Sith Lord said firmly.
Kenobi's demon was his own to deal with.
No one said anything more about Obi-Wan and his prisoner. They turned instead to their Master's plans for galactic domination.
x
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was a prisoner. Held captive within the bastion of the Sith. Oh, he was not bound or restrained in any way. Simply disarmed and lodged in Obi-Wan's quarters. Should he attempt to leave the apartment, a squadron of battle droids would corral him. The big man tried several times to find Obi-Wan, but the droids kept his movements restricted. Now he sat on the edge of the bed brooding.
Perhaps I have made a mistake, he thought grimly.
The door hissed open then and Kenobi came in. The former Jedi Knight was blood spattered and sweat soaked. Several injuries marked him and he looked exhausted. Out of habit Qui-Gon rose, thinking to aid the wounded man.
"Leave me alone," Obi-Wan snarled, slowly shedding his soiled garb.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said gently. "Let me help you."
"The kind and caring Master, are we?" Obi-Wan spat vehemently.
"Yes."
"I don't need your help, old man," he winced at the seeping gash in his shoulder.
Qui-Gon approached slowly. "It would appear otherwise," he said, reaching for Obi-Wan.
"I said, I don't need you!"
"Then why do you keep me here?"
Obi-Wan glared at him, silent. Qui-Gon said nothing more, merely found an aid kit. Obi-Wan made no further protest as the big man tended to him. It did help and he enjoyed the gentle touch. Qui-Gon noted his look and smiled. It was a start…
To Be Continued...