Title:
The Quandary
Author:
BaBaKaNuSh13
Category:
Action (an adequate amount, anyway), Angst, AU (Age 13) (If only '13'
started with 'A', too!)
Summary:
AU to the ending of Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival. Qui-Gon
didn't take Obi-Wan as his apprentice after the incident in the
mine, and the young Jedi is faced with the task of trying to stay
alive as another prospective master takes an interest in him.
Rating:
PG/K+
Spoilers:
Minor ones for the JA books
Archive:
Yes, of course! That is, if anyone would want it. Just please email
me first.
Disclaimer:
The Star Wars universe belongs to George Lucas. I'm not making any
money out of this, so please don't sue.
A/N: Can't think of anything to say at the moment. I'll muse it over for a little longer and hopefully think of something for Chapter 9. I must be sick … usually I'm so good at just blabbing on. I did a Chemistry talk for class, and it was meant to go for about 4 to 5 minutes. Mine went for 45 minutes.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Chapter 8
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Great swirling clouds of red dust left a visible track behind Qui-Gon's borrowed speeder as it flew across the wide, open plains of Bandomeer. He'd taken the fastest the Agri-Corps had to offer, the manager's own craft, kept separate from the rest of the speeders in the dome. Although Xanatos had intuitively taken the best two speeders in the Agri-Corps' hangar, they were no match for the one Qui-Gon drove now. If he had been at all interested in such things as ships and spacecraft, he knew he would have been at awe at the beauty and efficiency of the machine.
Qui-Gon reached out to sense Obi-Wan's presence once again. He frowned at the ease he found in the action. He barely had to use any effort at all, now. It unnerved him. He never thought it would be possible for anyone to get past his strong shields, built up and nurtured over his solitary years after Xanatos' turn. But somehow the young Jedi had done it.
A mere boy.
The only effect that they seemed to have against the twelve-year-old attack, was to slightly dampen the connection.
Much to Qui-Gon's utter dismay.
The Jedi Master resisted the instinct to slam his heavy shields back in place, nonetheless. That could happen later. For now he had to find Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon could feel the boy become wearier by the minute. Something wasn't right. He pushed the speeder faster, praying to the Force that the engine would not give out on him before he could reach Obi-Wan. He could tell the boy was alarmed. That made Qui-Gon uneasy.
He looked up to the horizon. He was getting closer, now, he could feel it.
There, in the distance, he could see a large object, zooming across the red landscape. It was Obi-Wan, he was sure of it. The boy's presence grew stronger in his mind as distance between them dwindled.
Suddenly, another speeder zipped out from behind Obi-Wan. It had been hidden in the craft's dusty wake, but now came up alongside him. There was a black-clad figure in the pilot's seat.
Xanatos leaned across and yelled something to Obi-Wan, but he didn't answer back. For the first time, Qui-Gon noticed the boy's slumped figure. Before his eyes, Obi-Wan's head slowly bowed as if he couldn't hold it up anymore. Xanatos seemed to notice it as well. He slammed his craft into the side of Obi-Wan's. He pulled away just as quickly, but swerved back to the side again, repeatedly crashing into the craft.
The repulsorlifts on one side of Obi-Wan's speeder cut out with the last collision, and its front edge hit the ground. The engine died with a loud bang, and the rear end baulked. Obi-Wan was thrown from the speeding craft, landing in an unmoving heap metres away. The upended speeder finally slid to a stop, so that it just nudged the boy's prone form.
Qui-Gon resisted from screaming out to Obi-Wan. It would not help anyone … but he feared for the boy. The young Jedi was still yet to move from where he'd fallen.
Qui-Gon silently urged his land speeder to go faster. He was only a good five hundred metres away, now.
Xanatos pulled his craft to a standstill and jumped out of it, landing next to Obi-Wan. He reached down to the boy and felt for his pulse. If he wasn't so worried, Qui-Gon would have been intrigued with what seemed like out of character actions for the man.
What was his former Apprentice doing?
Xanatos knelt down next to Obi-Wan and hefted his much smaller form into his arms.
Nearly there …
Qui-Gon slammed on the brakes and leapt from the still-moving vehicle, igniting his lightsabre and blocking the dark Jedi's path.
"Put him down, Xanatos!"
Xanatos grinned, not showing any signs of surprise at all. "No, I don't thing I will, Jinny. You see, I hold both my, and your, future in my arms, here. Think about that." He took another step forward.
Qui-Gon's mind raced. What was he talking about?
"I'm warning you, Xanatos, put him down!"
The dark-haired man laughed uproariously. "You're warning me? I think it's the other way around, old man." He glanced down at Obi-Wan. "Have you forgotten that I have the upper hand, Jedi?"
Qui-Gon tried once more. "This is between you and me, leave Obi-Wan out of it."
Xanatos stopped and cocked his head to the side, a grin spreading across his pale face.
"You still don't see it, do you? This boy is my insurance. Even if I never live to kill you, Qui-Gon, he will … and together we will make your life a living misery. I will make sure of it."
The Jedi Master suppressed a shudder. No, not Kenobi.
"And just know, Qui-Gon, that even after you and I are dead, my legacy will live on."
Qui-Gon pushed back the fear that had risen up in his throat.
Betrayal.
No, he thought, not again.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "No, Xanatos, you are wrong. Obi-Wan is not like you. He would never turn his back on his training. He would never become a disgrace to the human race as you have. He would never turn to the Dark side."
And, for the first time, Qui-Gon realised it was true. He finally believed what he was saying.
Obi-Wan was not Xanatos.
He never would be.
Xanatos snarled. Vicious anger marred his handsome face. "Get out of the way, old man!"
"No," Qui-Gon said, taking a step forward. "You will be brought to justice for your actions against the Republic, Xanatos. You would do best to just give yourself up now."
Obi-Wan stirred, his eyes finally flickering open, but they were unfocussed and he seemed unaware of what was going on around him.
The former Jedi bared his teeth grotesquely before letting Obi-Wan's form fall from his arms. In a lightning-fast movement, he dropped on top of the young Jedi. He knelt one knee on Obi-Wan's thighs, the other on his left arm, ignoring the boy's useless right shoulder. He pressed one hand down on the boy's exposed neck, whipping out a vibro-shiv. He held the blade, poised steadily above Obi-Wan's ribs.
Qui-Gon froze and Xanatos grinned.
"That's right, Master Jedi, one more move and I'll stick him like a tauntaun. Now step away from the speeder."
Qui-Gon hesitated.
"Move, or I'll gut him."
Qui-Gon took a step away but paused, faltering.
Xanatos smiled cruelly and drove the tip of the vibro-shiv into the gap between Obi-Wan's ribs, just enough so that he began to writhe in the older man's grip, whimpering slightly in pain.
Qui-Gon quickly took a few more steps back.
"Much better," Xanatos said. He got up, dragging Obi-Wan with him, holding the shiv against his neck. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be borrowing that faster speeder of yours."
He crossed over to it and opened the door with one hand.
Obi-Wan, head still bowed, instinctively struggled against Xanatos' tight grip. The Dark Jedi pulled the boy around and backhanded him sharply across the face. His head snapped to the side.
Qui-Gon was transfixed, watching the interaction intently. He wanted to help, but knew if he did at that moment he would simply endanger Obi-Wan further. The boy was breathing heavily, but he determinedly lifted his chin, holding his head high and glaring at Xanatos with glassy eyes.
"Leave him alone," Qui-Gon said to Xanatos, clenching his fists.
Xanatos just grunted, but a confused look passed over Obi-Wan's face. He glanced around blearily to notice Qui-Gon for the first time. Pure relief bathed his features in a weary smile
Qui-Gon couldn't help but send a small reassuring smile back at him. The boy was okay for now.
At that moment Qui-Gon noticed the shift in Obi-Wan's eyes. He was planning something.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan let himself hang limply in Xanatos' hold, so that the man had to support all of his dead weight. Xanatos wrapped one arm around Obi-Wan's neck and shoulders and lifted him up, snarling. The boy kicked out with his heels, connecting with Xanatos several times before the dark Jedi hit him hard over the head with the base of the vibro-shiv hilt. Obi-Wan's eyes rolled back. He slumped, unconscious in the man's arms.
Xanatos attempted to get into the speeder, still holding the vibro-shiv against Obi-Wan's neck and supporting his entire weight at the same time. Qui-Gon chose that moment to attack. He leapt forward. Xanatos threw the boy away from him before parrying Qui-Gon's strike towards his midsection. He stepped over Obi-Wan to continue the fight.
Former Master and Apprentice exchanged blow after blow. Neither seemed to be able to gain the upper hand for long. Qui-Gon blocked a strike aimed at his head, and jumped back quickly at another which was intended to cut through his knees. He lunged, sending Xanatos leaping metres back from a strike that would have skewered him.
Qui-Gon took advantage of the mere second of time he had won.
He reached out quickly to Obi-Wan's presence. The boy's absolute stillness was unnerving. He faltered as he felt the utter confusion, disorientation and pain emanating from the young Jedi as he hovered, just out of reach of consciousness. The boy needed to get to a medic.
Guilt swamped Qui-Gon.
It was all his fault.
He should have protected Obi-Wan.
The moment's distraction cost Qui-Gon. With a gleeful swipe, Xanatos knocked his lightsabre to the side and kicked out to connect solidly with his chest. The blow threw him back several metres, and he crashed heavily to the ground. Xanatos leapt after him and held his blood-red sabre to the man's exposed neck, pinning him down as effectively as he had Obi-Wan.
Xanatos roared with laughter. "You're not the Jedi I thought you were, after all. You're just a weak old man, Jinny. I don't know why I ever perceived you as some sort of threat.
"And now, Qui-Gon Jinn, I will kill you as you killed my father. A life for a life. I will make you suffer in agony, as the last breath leaves your body. Know this, Qui-Gon, as you die, that you have failed everyone. Most of all, Jinn, you failed me and you failed Kenobi."
Xanatos swiftly raised his lightsabre before Qui-Gon had time to react, and drove it down towards his unprotected stomach.
Albeit rather slow and painful, a killing blow, nevertheless.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Oh no! A cliffie! Watch out, Qui-Gon!
Okay, I've had enough of that, now.
I just realised, that I was going on about having nothing to say, in the Author's Note at the beginning of the chapter, and then it amounted to 62 words of having nothing to say.
That's a lot of nothings.
Anyway, I'll let you all go, now … only if – you guessed it – you review!
I'm so predictable.
Oh, nearly forgot. Replies. Oh, wait a second, before I do, I since I've been hearing from a whole bunch of Australians, I would love to hear where all of you come from. That doesn't mean you have to tell me your address or anything, unless you want to, and that's fine, too. I'm just really interested in finding out where my readers are reading from. Thanks!
Okay, now to replies:
wyldcat: Wow, you got to reviewing fast! I hope you enjoyed Australia Day fireworks. There weren't too many because of the bushfires, so I only got to see a couple go off on TV. Bit disappointing. Oh well, there's always next year. Anyway, thanks for the super cool review! Much appreciated. :)
master kaym: Well, here's more for you! Thanks for reviewing once again, I love hearing from you guys! It makes me feel fuzzy … it's the "fuzz effect" … oh, wait only MuggleCast fans would understand that. Sorry, wrong Universe. We're in JA, not HP, aren't we? Okay, getting off track. Thanks for the review!
Clone Trooper: I know what you mean by suspense being terrible and wonderful … that's why I can't decide which is better: WIPs or finished fics! Anyway, thanks for the review, I haven't heard from you before here, so I give you a big, hearty "WELCOME!" to my review board. Thanks:)
whatevergirl: Hmm, I think you're the only one with any faith in Qui-Gon at the moment. I've heard so many times already that he's such a git. :) I don't know who'd be more help at the moment … Xanatos or Qui-Gon. Okay, I think I'll stop there because I'm just thinking about things way too much now. It's currently 1:37 am and I have to get some sleep. I only just finished working. Whinge, whinge, whine. I'm sorry! Anyway, thanks for reviewing once again!
Bloody Dead Rose: Love the name! I haven't seen you here yet, either, so "WELCOME!" to you, too. I'm glad you like my fic. And I'm sorry I take so long to update :( I'm a bit slack. :) Wow, that was a quick mood change … from a sad face to a happy face in four words! By the Force I'm crazy when I'm tired. Here I am, just rambling on when I should be thanking you. So, thanks for the feedback!
i luv ewansmile: I hope you didn't wait for nothing! But I did leave you with a cliffie, so I hope you'll forgive me for the last chapter. :) Anyway, thanks for reviewing again! I love when people do that.
Writer of All: You are the coolest. No, seriously. You've reviewed every chapter! Wow! I really put the pressure on you last chapter, didn't I? He he he! I'm so evil. Sorry, evil should really go something like Mwahaha! He he he is for little Santa's elves or something. Oh, lack of sleep showing through. Anyway, you don't really have to reply to every chappie if you don't want to … I won't get upset (soz, just trying to take the pressure off you :) ). You are too nice in your reviews! Thanks about how I write Xanatos … I was actually really nervous about portraying him right. You made me feel so much better. And about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, too. And I would absolutely love it if you would email me when you write Xanatos, Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon:) Anyway, thanks for your awesomely long, inspiring review! You really made me feel more confident! Ta.
Child-of-the-Dawn: Mwahaha! I really am so evil! Why do you have a bad feeling about this? (I'm trying to confuse you, now, but I don't think I'm doing a very good job of it.) But, I refuse to comment further. Think of it as that I'm just giving you a little extra angst, here. I guess I do have to agree with you about mush, though … especially since my dentist keeps telling me to cut down on sugar every time I visit her. Whoops! Maybe I really should read more mush instead of eating that whole packet of skittles I just had! Anywho, thanks for the brill review!
The Burninator Named Trogdor: It's cold where you are! Send some to me. My email address can be found through my bio page. :) My family doesn't believe in heaters, either, although it doesn't actually snow very often in Australia. Only on the mountains. We've had snow at our house twice in my lifetime, and that was about one or two centimetres thick … and we live at the base of the mountains! I do love your idea, but somehow I don't think I could pull it off. You have great vision, though. Oh, I'd love to read that. :) Two evil studs making life hard for the Jedi … Anyway, thanks for the review!
JediBant: YAY! Another Aussie! Soon we'll be taking over the site! And Happy Australia Day for you, too! And, Force do I love some good Obi-torture, too! I particularly love reading Cassia's many Obi-tortures. They're brill! Tell you what, next fic I start, I'll try to include more Obi-torture. Deal:) Anywho, thanks for making yourself known … I love to hear from fellow Aussies … actually, I love to hear from everyone:)
Tiamath: I've heard that writing drunk can improve the story … as long as you go back and change all the incorrect tenses afterwards:) I agree with you … poor Obi! I'm such a big meanie to him, aren't I? Okay, I can't hide it anymore … I feel no regret! I love watching him suffer a little. It sounds awful, but it's so much fun – Obi-angst … yummy! You were right about Obi-Wan being in for a rough ride … after this chapter, literally:) Thanks for your brill review!
Nelarun: Another Aussie! I was so excited when I saw where you were from. YAY! Hope you had a great Australia Day. Qui-Gon is pretty cold isn't he? I like your thoughts, and I'm glad you like my fic. Oh, BTW, "WELCOME!" to you, as well. Anyway, thanks for your review!
BaBaKaNuSh13
