Alex Rider: Jedi Knight

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider or Star Wars.

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Chapter 12: Betrayal

Alex waited impatiently for the elevator to open on the first floor. He paced around in a circle, pausing to cast a glance outside the window.

The elevator dinged, indicating its arrival at the first floor. Alex turned, but the elevator continued its ascent.

"What?" Alex demanded aloud. The elevator didn't answer. He didn't have time for technical problems! It was MI6's fault, whatever was happening with the stupid elevator.

With an irritated growl Alex leaned against the window, waiting for the elevator to stop so he could run back downstairs.

But the elevator took its time, passing by floor after floor without halting. Alex released his frustration into the Force, trying to calm himself down. He drifted into meditation.

And then he sensed it.

A dark presence prowled somewhere in the Force, disturbing the still calm of Alex's meditation. His eyes snapped open and he reached for his lightsaber. The darkness continued to grow as he moved higher and higher.

Finally the elevator jerked to a stop on the second-to-top floor. The doors opened and Anakin stood in the entrance.

"Alex!" Anakin's blue eyes widened. "You've got to help me! Obi-Wan's hurt and-"

"Obi-Wan?" In an instant Alex was moving down the corridor, eyes sharp for any sign of danger, one hand on his lightsaber hilt. He knew it was what Ian would want him to do.

Anakin raced to catch up. They rounded a corner and slid to a stop, facing a line of armed battle droids.

Anakin and Alex ignited their lightsabers. For a moment they were frozen, waiting for the droids to attack. But the droids didn't move.

What the- Alex frowned. Something was wrong. But what?

Anakin was the first to react. He swung out with his lightsaber. But he wasn't aiming for the droids -

Alex caught the blow and knocked Anakin's lightsaber aside easily. What does he think he's doing!?

Anakin launched himself at Alex again. Their lightsabers clashed, and for a moment they stared each other in the face over the blazing weapons.

"Anakin? What-?" Alex began, but abruptly the mask dropped, and Anakin's stormy eyes gave him a glare of pure hatred.

"You! I hate you!" he screamed. "I hate all of you stupid Jedi!" The dark side of the Force crackled in the air around him, and Alex drew what goodness was left around him like a shield.

Anakin broke away and chopped at him again; Alex blocked, panting, "Why?"

"Because you think you can control me!" As Anakin answered, he swung downward, but the blow was clumsier and Alex knew he had to keep him talking to have an advantage.

"But we don't control you," he pointed out genuinely.

"Yes you do!" Anakin attacked swiftly. Alex backed up to avoid the blow, tripping over one of the battle droids. The droids all clattered down on top of him. He grunted and tried to force his way out from under the heap.

Anakin stared down at him. "I have to do everything Obi-Wan's way," he sneered. "Not any more. The Sith appreciate my talents, unlike our Master." His blue blade whipped down, and Alex rolled clear just in time, feeling the heat rising off the lightsaber. He clambered up and raced down the hall. Anakin yelled something ugly and pounded after him.

Alex burst into the stairwell and took the stairs up two at a time. He didn't dare look back until he pushed through the door to the roof. A gust of wind rustled his hair as Alex instinctively searched the skies; but there was nothing there, no helicopter or ship to come to his aid.

Gritting his teeth, Alex stepped father away from the door and looked back, lightsaber held defensively out in front of him.

He didn't have long to wait. The door slammed open and Anakin stood in the doorway for a moment, glaring murderously at him. Alex didn't move.

Finally the temptation to fight was too great, and Anakin leaped at him. Alex met him blow-for-blow, not about to back down.

Alex shoved Anakin's blade aside and retaliated with a rapid karate kick to his knee. Anakin hissed in pain, but the injury was only fuel for his anger. He slashed at Alex's shoulder, knowing it was a weak spot.

Alex stepped back, barely holding off Anakin's blade. He admonished himself at the close call and fought back even harder, every nerve on alert. He couldn't believe Anakin was doing this; it hurt, but Alex knew he had to fight to survive. Anakin wasn't kidding. He could and would do all he was capable of to harm Alex.

Anakin attacked again, and Alex was astonished by the sheer force he put into the blow; his arms shook with the strain of blocking it. Retreating, Alex paused a moment for breath and then struck, aiming low. Anakin held him off with one hand. His other fist flew up into Alex's jaw.

Alex's head snapped up and he staggered back, dazed. He swallowed and blinked back stars, tasting warm blood in his mouth. Sickened, he returned his attention to the battle just in time to block Anakin's fierce downswing.

He wants to play dirty? Well, I can, too, Alex thought grimly as he whipped one leg up in a swift kick to Anakin's gut.

The traitor fell back to the ground, eyes wide as he gasped for breath. For a moment he was defenseless, and Alex stood over him, lightsaber humming in his hand. Though he was as still as stone, every nerve vibrated to stab forward and end this fight. But something held him back; and as Alex hesitated, Anakin lunged at him.

Alex leaped into action. He brought his lightsaber up to defend himself, but he was a second too late. The blue blade sliced into his shoulder. Old wounds tore open and blood erupted from them, oozing through his shirt. Alex opened his mouth to scream in agony.

The scream never came. A look of triumph flashing in his eyes, Anakin slammed his fist into Alex's neck. For a moment he hung, suspended in time. He struggled for breath. Then Alex hit the ground, unconscious.

Anakin flicked off his lightsaber and stared down at his opponent one more time. Then, as blood continued to pool into a morbid puddle around Alex's comatose form, Anakin kicked him and sneered, "He wouldn't have lasted as a Jedi, anyway."

Turning on his heel, the Sith stalked toward the waiting elevator.

To be continued...

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