Alex Rider: Jedi Knight

Jedi Goat

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

Author's Note: To Jax Solo: The situation's a bit different for Anakin in this story. As well as competing against the other Padawans, he's got to compete for his own master's attention. Obi-Wan's been kind of ignoring him since Alex came back (not intentionally, though) and all of the stress plus something involving Palpatine that will be revealed later eventually pushed him over the edge. So Anakin turned a lot sooner to the dark side.

Also, I apologize to everyone for the delay; I've got exams coming up and so I'm very busy.

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Chapter 13: The Fight

Sabina fidgeted impatiently as she stood outside the Royal & General Bank. Come on, Alex. Where are you? Sabina sighed and cast a glance up and down the street, hoping to see her friend. But there was no sign of the blond boy in either direction. Sabina checked her watch. He was almost thirty minutes late.

She slumped down on the stairs, a possibility settling over her. What if he's so mad at me that he won't come? Sabina wondered in dismay.

"He has to come. He just has to," she whispered to reassure herself. But worry still gnawed at her insides.

Sabina sat for a few more minutes, struggling to sit still. Finally she gazed up at the bank doors. Maybe Alex went in there…? Sabina took in the two security guards in smart black suits, guns holstered in plain sight. They're not going to shoot you, she scolded herself, Stop being silly. There's nothing dangerous about a bank.

She pulled herself to her feet and limped up the stairs, favoring her injured ankle. She glanced uncertainly at the guards. "Can I go in?"

On of them nodded slightly and she pushed open the doors. Sabina took a moment to observe the wide, plain lobby; then she made a beeline for the lone desk where a receptionist was busily typing.

The receptionist looked up as Sabina approached. "May I help you?" she inquired, eyebrows raised questioningly.

"Uhh…yeah," said Sabina, leaning her elbows on the desk. "I'm looking for a friend. Alex Rider. He's fourteen, blond hair, brown eyes. Have you seen him?"

"Actually, yes, I have," the receptionist informed her carefully. "He's downstairs, I believe."

"Okay. Thanks." Sabina spotted the elevator and headed toward it.

A moment later it dinged cheerily and opened. A familiar figure stepped out, pale hair falling in front of his eyes.

"Alex!"

"Sabina!" He sounded surprised to see her.

She hobbled up to him, words coming out in a rush. "Sorry, but I was waiting for you and you weren't coming so I decided to come look-"

"That's nice," Alex interrupted, grasping her roughly by the arm. "C'mon. Let's go."

They were halfway across the lobby before Sabina twisted her way out of his grip. "Alex! What-?"

He raised his head and Sabina recognized the piercing blue eyes. She gasped, frightened by the burning hatred she saw in them. "Ana-"

Sabina stopped mid-word, suddenly struggling for breath. A cruel smile wormed its way onto Anakin's face. He raised a hand and clenched it into a fist.

Sabina felt the crushing pressure on her throat and reached up, scrabbling futilely against the invisible manacles closing around her neck. She choked out a small shriek.

"Hey! What are you doing?" The receptionist came out from behind her desk, striding quickly toward them.

"Don't interfere," Anakin hissed dangerously. The receptionist faltered slightly, obviously worried by the black look he gave her.

Dropping his arm and turning toward the receptionist, Anakin reached for the lightsaber on his belt. Sabina collapsed to the ground, drawing in ragged breaths and hugging the floor in relief.

After a moment she raised her head, slowly regaining control of herself. She blinked back stars to see the receptionist bolt for the front doors. Anakin charged after her.

Sabina knew she couldn't let Anakin attack her like that again. She needed to escape, now.

Massaging her neck gingerly, Sabina peered around the room. She couldn't sneak out the front doors or behind the receptionist's desk; Anakin would see her. It seemed the only option was to head for the elevator. She began crawling rapidly toward it. Then she paused.

No. That wouldn't work. Anakin would hear the elevator. Sabina flopped back down in defeat.

Then she saw it. Beside the elevator, there was a door marked 'Stairs'. Sabina gritted her teeth and pulled herself across the floor to the door. She stood up, grasping the frame, and then slipped inside.

Sabina glanced down the stairwell. I should find Alex. He can help me. She started off, limping down the stairs. She had gone halfway when she caught sight of the lock on the basement door.

"Oh, great," she hissed, starting back up the stairs. She paused by the lobby door and peered back in. Anakin was standing at the front doors, his back to her. The receptionist had gone; she must have escaped outside. Sabina remembered the guards outside and hoped they would come and help her.

Anakin turned, and his eyes blazed at the sight of her in the doorway. Sabina gave a small gasp of horror and slammed the stairwell door, bounding up the stairs.

It was too late for help now; all that could save her was speed, and Sabina cursed under her breath as her uncooperative ankle slowed her down. Holding on to the rail, Sabina tried to limp faster up the stairs. Each door she passed was firmly closed: no one would hear her if she screamed, and she didn't have time to stop and try to open one. Anakin's footsteps were thunder below her; Sabina brushed at the tears blurring her eyes as she struggled onward.

Finally she reached the top of the building, and a single door stood in her way.

Oh, please, please, please let it be open, she willed as she flung herself against it, hands scrabbling at the handle. She stumbled forward as the door swung open, and blinked in the bright sunlight, taking in the roof.

A limp figure lay near the edge of the roof. Sabina's breath caught in her throat as she recognized him. "Alex?"

She stepped forward, tripping over her stupid ankle. Sabina felt a flash of pain through her knees as she hit the ground, but crawled forward nevertheless.

"Alex?!" Her voice was desperate this time. She reached him and sat, observing Alex's still, pale form and the blood spilling from his shoulder.

"No!" Sabina choked out, taking his hand. His skin was still warm. That's a good sign, isn't it?! "Please, Alex. Please don't die," she whispered, her vision blurred by tears.

The door to the roof banged open and Anakin strode out. "There you are!"

A wave of rage surged through Sabina and she grabbed the lightsaber lolling by Alex's side.

"Stay back!" she yelled warningly, struggling to her feet. You are going to pay for what you've done!

Anakin smirked, advancing on her. "And who taught you how to duel?"

Sabina felt her confidence evaporating like mist. He could kill me easily! She felt her hand on the hilt waver and she grasped the lightsaber with both hands. It doesn't matter. I have to do this. For Alex.

Gritting her teeth, Sabina raised the lightsaber and ignited it. The emerald blade hummed to life and Sabina drank in its shimmering energy, allowing it to urge her on.

Sabina adopted the ready stance she had seen Alex use; her eyes bore into her opponent and her mind was already racing, trying to figure out a plan.

I can't fight him off like this. He's more experienced and he's uninjured. I need an advantage.

From somewhere in her mind came a whisper: "The Force lets you do things….Focus."

Taking a deep breath, Sabina focused on Anakin. She remembered Alex sending battle droids flying across the room; maybe she could do the same with Anakin.

In a moment all thoughts faded from her mind; all she could see and think of was Anakin. A lazy, relaxed sensation washed over her, and she tried to fight it off, afraid she would drift off into a dream world like with the tube of lipstick. But as she fell deeper into it, her senses seemed to sharpen and she could even sense what Anakin was going to do before he charged at her, lightsaber raised.

Sabina felt her fear rising up, threatening to choke her. She wrestled it down, concentrating. She stretched out a hand and willed the rest to happen. To her amazement Anakin seemed to slow down. She focused harder; she knew she could do it this time. Anakin's eyes widened and he struggled against the Force, shoving against the invisible power that held him back. Finally the Force overpowered him and he was flung roughly backwards; Anakin flew through the open doorway and crashed into the wall. Sabina saw him slump down on the stairs, unconscious.

Now that the dramatics were over, the relaxed feeling drained out of her and Sabina felt her legs give out in exhaustion. Her vision dissolved to black and she was unconscious before she hit the ground.

To be continued...

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