Chapter 5
(It's too late now...)
Obi-Wan had once heard that the eyes were the window to one's soul. As he sat, staring into the motionless grey pits, he could not help but argue for the validity of that statement. As those swirling grey orbs took on an evil glint before all life fled from them, Obi-Wan knew he was in danger. The young apprentice was so wrapped up in this new revelation, that he barely registered the ripple that tore through the Force, warning him of imminent danger.
Instinctively, Obi-Wan jerked backwards to avoid the bullet headed straight towards his heart. The Padawan, however, was unable to remove himself completely from the path of the bullet. It sliced through his arm with a viciousness Obi-Wan had not expected. Painfully, the teenager tumbled backwards. His senses which were momentarily dulled from the sharp pains shooting up his arm caused him to smash the back of his head against a Lutiast as he fell, spreading further agony through his tired body.
It took awhile, but the injured Padawan was finally able to regain control over his mind. He had to accept the pain, not fight it. It was merely sending him a signal that something was wrong, which he already knew. Thank the Force that the evil sith made tree had decided against attacking the defenseless Padawan. He pushed aside the pain with the help of the Force and trekked back to the town square, where Qui-Gon had hopefully already won the battle.
But as the young apprentice trudged slowly back to his Master, something took place on Trintonomia that had never occurred in the entire written history of the planet. It suddenly got cold. The temperatures began to significantly drop. The Lutiast shuddered at the unexpected change. Obi-Wan took no notice at the strange occurrence. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself and continued to walk out of the forest.
"Did I not tell you it was a bad idea to come here?" The Ambassador just gave the Jedi a shy and slightly fearful smile. He could tell that Qui-Gon was upset at being separated with his apprentice who had yet to return. It was understandable that the man was worried.
"I am sure that your apprentice is on his way back." Qui-Gon glared at the Ambassador. His empty reassurances were not helping. Qui-Gon couldn't explain it, but he had a sudden feeling of unease. He didn't know what it meant though. Qui-Gon wasn't as in tuned into the future as his Padawan was. Qui-Gon focused on the Living Force, but no matter how hard he tried to find his center, he could not shake the feeling of dread. And then Qui-Gon felt it…The temperature dropped.
"That is strange." Qui-Gon turned his attention to the Ambassador.
"What is strange?"
"Those clouds over. Look how black they are and how quickly they are coming in." And indeed the clouds were coming quickly, covering the whole planet in darkness as it covered the brilliance of the sun. The citizens of Trintonomia began to panic as they fled the town square for the relative safety of their homes.
"We should get out of here." One of the Ambassador's body guards nervously said. Qui-Gon did not answer him right away. He looked up at the sky as white flakes began to fall from the clouds.
"It's snowing. It never snows."
"Not once?" Qui-Gon asked amazed.
"Not once in all of the written history of our planet." Qui-Gon's amazement rapidly turned to dread as Arthenia's words rang through his head. The lurking tiger has chosen its prey, but be careful of the assumptions you make for what you see is not what it seems. But then he remembered her next words, It's too late now. Was Qui-Gon too late to save his apprentice?
"No…"
"What is it Master Jinn?"
"Take the Ambassador back to the hideout."
"What is it? What's wrong?" Qui-Gon did not answer the Ambassador he simply looked around the square with a blank expression. But as the Ambassador was being dragged out of the square by his personal guards, he heard the Master whisper this word.
"Obi-Wan…"
Obi-Wan was definitely worried now. It did not snow in Trintonomia, ever, but the fluffy white flakes falling from the black clouds were indeed snow, as impossible as it may seem. He didn't know what it meant, but it couldn't be good. Obi-Wan pulled out his lightsaber, his senses on alert.
Cautiously, Obi-Wan walked out of the safety of the forest. There was nothing to cover him now. The apprentice picked up his pace as he entered the city, intent on finding Qui-Gon quickly.
Obi-Wan peered around the corner of a building and stopped dead in his tracks. Straight ahead was the bounty hunter that haunted his nightmares, straight ahead was Helena. Obi-Wan silently prayed that he had not been seen. His prayers went unanswered, Helena had been waiting for him.
"Aww, does the little Jedi not want to play. I just want to have some fun. Come out, come out little kitten. I know you missed me." Helena said with a feral grin, all of her sharp, pointed teeth could be seen by the terrified apprentice.
"You can't hide from me, little one. I know you're there." Her low deep voice sounded like a growl as the bounty hunter prowled towards the injured Jedi. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and calmed his fears. He was but a small child the last time he had met Helena, he could defeat her this time. He would win, he had to. Obi-Wan turned the corner his lightsaber ignited and faced the soulless creature that Obi-Wan had spent years trying to forget.
"You won't win this time."
"Ohh, my precious, you think you have the guts to defeat me, but you will loose. I always win. It's time to end your pathetic existence."