Hello! Sorry for the delay with this- my work pile is actually crazy. I think it may gain life soon and crawl off my desk- I'm a little worried. But it's Friday and the work can wait til the weekend at any rate so I thought I would update!

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter :) I'm glad people are still enjoying it even if my updates are a little unpredictable :/ That's uni life sadly. But under 4 weeks to go now and then Christmas to update! Woo!

Anyways- please enjoy- more angst on it's way!

Disclaimer: No owning of Star Wars

Chapter 10- Nightmare becomes Reality

Heart still hammering in his chest, knees still wobbling slightly, Obi-Wan continued along the new catwalk, senses straining to pick up the slightest hostile movement. His lightsaber was ignited and ready, humming softly and almost comfortingly by his side, also helping to cast a bluish light in the dingy warehouse. The clinking of chains above him made Obi-Wan freeze, stance ready to fight. It was just the rotating fans sending a chilling breeze through the plant, making the metal jingle together.

His 'I have a bad feeling about this' had ratcheted up several notches. He was beyond suspecting that something was wrong here. Where was Sony-Da? This was the place they were meant to meet at and there was no sign of the former Jedi. The accident a moment ago had nearly killed him. The feeling that he was being watched was also beginning to creep up on him, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

The Force suddenly flared up in warning and Obi-Wan reacted instantly, spinning and raising his lightsaber just as a blaster bolt can hurtling towards him through the semi-darkness. Easily, Obi-Wan deflected it, sending it careening off in the other direction. A second bolt flew at him from the left and Obi-Wan adjusted his stance, eyes and the Force scanning the area for any sign of his attacker. He could hear faint whirring and clicking noises as parts moved and rotated- droids then, he decided.

Suddenly, there were blaster bolts raining down on him from all sides, red flashes out brightness speeding towards him. Almost in a dance, Obi-Wan leapt along the catwalk, lightsaber flashing to defend him, twisting and spinning in a brilliant blue light, buzzing and cracking as he intercepted the bolts. He needed to pinpoint the source of the shooting but from the different angles Obi-Wan guessed there were at least five droids. It was just like an exercise in the Temple…

Except the Temple droids aren't out to kill me! The Padawan thought wryly as he slashed and parried his way down the catwalk. Glancing over his shoulder to see how much space he had, Obi-Wan felt a twinge of fear again. He was rapidly running out of catwalk, the droids were backing him into a corner. He had to think of a way out.

Out of the corner of Obi-Wan's eye he spotted an adjacent catwalk running perpendicular to his own, a few metres below his. It wouldn't take much of a jump to reach it. He hissed as a blaster bolt swiped past his ear, through his defences as his concentration on the fight lapsed momentarily. The droids meant business. He would have to take out a few before he could make the jump.

Centring himself in the Force, Obi-Wan reached out, sensing where the droids were located. They were small, spherical objects, buzzing around him like pesky flies but with a deadly sting. He began to aim where he was deflecting the bolts back to, frowning at the droids buzzed out of the way at the last second. He was going to have to take a more direct approach to destroying them. Still spinning and slashing, Obi-Wan feinted and dodged, weaving his way out of the line of fire, all the time being mindful of the closing space around him.

If anything he was going to do Qui-Gon's training proud. It was credit to his Master that Obi-Wan's skills and fighting technique had improved so much in the year they had been Master and Padawan together. Trusting the Force, Obi-Wan leapt aside just in time away from a bolt and thrust and hand out, manipulating the Force and sending to droids crashing into one another, destroying each other in a small fireball of fried metal and shocked circuitry.

Suddenly, a sharp, jarring pain shot through his left shoulder, forcing the air out of his lungs in shock, in that one moment where his concentration had been focused on destroying two of the droids. Falling forward onto one knee, with a cry of pain Obi-Wan felt his vision swim as the slightest movement made his shoulder muscles scream. His chest was rising and falling raggedly, the blow had robbed him of the energy to fight back as his whole body felt as though it were made of lead.

He could hear the droids drawing closer, their weapons priming. Obi-Wan shut his eyes.

This could not be the end.

He had come too far to rescue his Master to fail here. The Force flickered inside him, encouraging him to get up, whispers rising to shouts of warning of the encroaching danger as the droids flew in for the kill. Obi-Wan had to keep going, had to rescue his Master. He barely had time to raise his lightsaber to deflect three more bolts that shot towards him, shoulder howling vehemently at its usage, warning Obi-Wan of the irreparable damage being inflicted as his left arm fast went numb. He had to escape these droids fast. Wielding his lightsaber with one arm now, his left tucked uselessly in at his side, Obi-Wan rapidly felt his strength depleting. Thank goodness his predominant right arm was still alright.

How long the fight went on for, Obi-Wan could not tell. His world had condensed down to dodge, deflect, spin, deflect, twist, deflect, lunge and deflect. Sweat ran in rivulets down his neck and his muscles were aching in complaint as the battle wore on. There had been several near misses- Obi-Wan's tunic was singed with close encounters but at least he had managed to slice through another droid that had ventured too close. There were two droids left.

Blinking sweat from his eyes, Obi-Wan risked glancing over at the catwalk below. With only two droids after his skin now he had a better chance of escaping. Sending the bolts ricocheting back at the two remaining droids, forcing them to careen out of the way, Obi-Wan leapt onto the rails of the catwalk and let himself drop down to the catwalk a few metres below, hand releasing the railing just as two bolts smashed into it. Landing in a perfect crouch, shoulder vibrating in pain, Obi-Wan thrust his lightsaber up to defend himself again, as the droids zoomed towards him.

"We'll see how much credit he does to your training," Sony-Da sneered as the two men watched the Padawan battle his way along the platform. Droids had appeared out of nowhere, firing random shots towards the boy as he defended himself competently- lightsaber flashing in the semi-darkness.

Qui-Gon was grimly hanging onto consciousness, desperate to make sure Obi-Wan was alright. His eyes took in the red streaks of deadly blaster shots as Obi-Wan danced nimbly out of the way. It was almost like a training session back at the Temple, the thought rose up at the back of Qui-Gon's beleaguered mind.

But the droids in the Temple aren't trying to kill Padawans…Qui-Gon realised. Obi-Wan was still fighting for his life.

"That move I taught him," Sony-Da sounded smug as he watched the match continue. "You forget Qui-Gon- I taught this boy for several years. I know his weaknesses, I know his strengths. I taught him everything he knows about a lightsaber."

Obi-Wan whirled around, flipping gracefully through the air as he deflected two bolts, sending them careening back at the firing droids. A small smile managed to flicker at the edge of Qui-Gon's lips as he recognized the move. "I taught…that one," he gasped, chest heaving painfully at the effort the few words took.

Frowning Sony-Da adjusted the controls on the droids. The bolts flew faster and with more accuracy, forcing the Padawan to move more, expend more energy to avoid being hit. Obi-Wan was also fast running out of space to fight in, Qui-Gon realised with growing dread. The droids were backing him into a corner where Obi-Wan would have little room to manoeuvre and be at the mercy of the killing machines. The frustration that he could not warn the boy, could only watch helplessly, was more than Qui-Gon could bear.

But the Padawan surprised both Jedi and former-Jedi when he sent to droids smashing into each other with a nimble use of the Force, destroying both of them in a well-executed movement that allowed a flicker of hope to form in the Master's heart. He had to have more faith in his Padawan. Obi-Wan could win this, he had seen the boy battle well before, holding his own against Padawans who were older and larger than him in Temple sparring sessions.

Growling in displeasure, Sony-Da twisted the controls. Moments later he was smiling in satisfaction as Obi-Wan was forced to his knees in agony as a bolt shot right through his shoulder, the cry of pain echoed in the cry of disbelief and anger from the Master as he yanked at his manacles in despair as the droids flew in for the kill.

Qui-Gon almost could not bear to watch as he saw Obi-Wan sink to his knees in pain, arm dangling uselessly at his side, unable to use his lightsaber with two hands. The droids were firing, Obi-Wan was on his knees and the Master was praying to the Force to save his Padawan.

Get up Obi-Wan! Please Padawan- behind you!

Then Obi-Wan was on his feet again, using his right arm to wield his saber, still fighting back at the droids flitting around his head, clanking and whirring as they shot at the Padawan. Qui-Gon sagged in his bonds, unable to hold himself upright as he watched the screen. Scrap the idea the boy was on bathroom duty for life….there had to be a more effective punishment…scrubbing Master Yoda's quarters with a toothbrush. The ancient Master was from the boggy planet of Dagobah…that should be punishment enough.

Another droid was down, slashed clean in two by Obi-Wan's blade as it sang through the air. There were only two droids left now Qui-Gon counted absentmindedly as they whirred like stinging insects around his Padawan, still forcing Obi-Wan to move constantly, change position and mind the field around him. The catwalk was running out of room.

"He'll jump," Sony-Da said, breaking the silence that had fallen on the small room for the last few moments as they had watched the saber fight in front of them. "That's his only choice."

Qui-Gon could not help but agree. The platform below offered Obi-Wan a chance to escape and to increase the area of the playing field, if he was going to out-manoeuvre the droids. He watched as Obi-Wan leapt onto the railings, swinging himself down, retracting his hand just in time as red bolts shattered the metal the Padawan had been holding onto a split second ago.

"How is your heart holding out Master Jinn?" Sony-Da taunted. "It's a bit different when you see your padawan in a life or death situation isn't it? You can't even warn him what's going on," he tapped the rock-infused manacles with barely supressed glee. "The boy is as blind as a bat out there. Only time will tell."

"He is…a Jedi. More…than…you'll ever…be," Qui-Gon managed through gritted teeth. The pain was wearing him down as the tense situation did too. Consciousness was ebbing away even as he struggled to hold on.

"I think Obi-Wan needs a sterner challenge," Sony-Da frowned, watching as Obi-Wan sent one droid smashing into a column, even with the use of one arm. The former- Jedi's hand fell to the lightsaber hanging at his waist. "What do you think Jinn? For old time's sake?"

"You…touch…him…" Qui-Gon threatened, blue eyes still managing to look piercingly at the evil man. "I will…kill you."

"Come, that's not very 'Jedi-like' is it?" Sony-Da sneered. "What happened to the precious code? Fear, anger and hate? What would your beloved Master Yoda say?"

Qui-Gon did not have the energy to talk back as the sides of his vision went alarmingly grey and he struggled to breath; chest tightening almost unbearably.

"You hang onto consciousness Qui-Gon Jinn. I have a feeling you don't want to miss this next challenge," Sony-Da instructed him, an evil glint in his eyes. He unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. "Sit tight and you may see the end yet."

Qui-Gon could barely raise his head to watch as Sony-Da left the room. He could guess where the former-Jedi was headed and he struggled uselessly against his chains. He had to stop it…had to help Obi-Wan…had to warn him of the nightmare's approach…

The last of the droids destroyed, Obi-Wan slumped against the railings, deactivating his lightsaber for the moment to check on his injured shoulder. It was numb now, hanging uselessly by his side. Any attempt to move it sent lancing pain through his shoulder and upper back. This was definitely a trap. For the first time, Obi-Wan was regretting this reckless stint to rescue his Master. How did he know Qui-Gon was here? He had trusted the word of a lunatic and look where it had got him. Shot at and almost killed.

"That's what you think of me Obi-Wan? A lunatic?" a soft, dangerous voice broke the silence in the warehouse.

Starting in surprise and criticising himself for not being more alert and focused, Obi-Wan recognized the voice instantly and turned to face his fears. He had not changed very much since Ob-Wan had last seen him. Yes Sony-Da was thinner and a little gaunter around the eyes but there was the same posture and those dark, all knowing eyes… The former Jedi was dressed in a long black robe, free of ornamentation and stood a few metres away, regarding the Padawan with a smug look and raised eyebrow. "You're broadcasting young Jedi." He tapped his temple.

Obi-Wan stood rooted to the spot. The image from his nightmares stood before him and this time he was no figment of Obi-Wan's imagination. He was real and very powerful. All of a sudden, Obi-Wan couldn't breathe. His chest tightened and his mind immediately flew over their last encounter, the pain and agony in the meditation garden. How the man now standing a few metres away had tried to kill Obi-Wan, would have succeeded if Qui-Gon and Mace Windu had not arrived in time. Now there was no one here to stop Sony-Da. No one who knew where Obi-Wan was. Nobody was coming to help. He was alone.

"Yes little Padawan," Sony-Da sneered. "You are all alone. And no one can help you."

Obi-Wan stiffened. His shields were in tatters just at the mere presence of his nightmare. This was going to end very soon if he did not get a grip of emotions and controls. Hand tightening around the comforting solid hilt of his lightsaber, Obi-Wan managed to take a breath. "Where's my Master?" he asked, getting straight to the point. In a battle of words he would surely lose to this man.

"My, my," Sony-Da chuckled. "Jumping the pleasantries are we? When we haven't seen each other for a few years and you just want to get to business? You've grown Obi-Wan," the former Jedi stalked closer, as though Obi-Wan was his prey. The Padawan held himself very still; hand on his lightsaber, ready at any moment to defend himself.

"You said you would take me to my Master," Obi-Wan said quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on Sony-Da. "Where is he?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," the older man taunted, eyes still taking in the Padawan before him. "I'm just comparing you two now. In a remarkably short time you've picked up quite a lot of your Master's traits. You probably haven't even realised. One of them being Jinn's recklessness. You actually came out here on my words, believing that I told the truth as to your Master's whereabouts. Then you come in here and make all these demands without even a customary hello."

Obi-Wan knew that his fears were rising up inside him, knew that the control of the situation was fast slipping away from him. He had little to no leverage in this deal and Sony-Da knew it. Obi-Wan would have to tread very, very carefully.

"But I'm bored of this now. I need a little more…excitement."

"Excitement a Jedi craves not," Obi-Wan said instinctively.

Sony-Da laughed scornfully- the sound echoing off the walls of the warehouse, ringing painfully in Obi-Wan's ears. "You don't think for yourself little Padawan. You are taught what to think. There is no freedom to do what you want as a Jedi. You are all puppets on a string. I grew tired of that. But watching you here today putting on such a show…the droids…the boiling vat of metals…that was exciting don't you agree?"

"That was you?" Obi-Wan managed to say. He shouldn't be so surprised he realised.

"Yes. Yes that was me. You gave your Master and I quite the show. I was almost impressed. But I grow bored quickly. Needed to change the scene a little." Sony-Da shrugged.

"Qui-Gon is here?" Obi-Wan deducted. "We've talked. Now you will hand him over to me."

"Was that a pathetic attempt at a mind trick?" Sony-Da's grin widened. "Little Obi-Wan- I have been a Jedi for three times your years in age. Do you think that would work on me? And you are in no position to be demanding anything. You are weak. That man has made you weak."

"I am not weak," Obi-Wan shot back, anger more than anything keeping him together.

"Not that Jinn even wanted to be your Master in the first place," Sony-Da continued casually. The former Jedi caught the moment he saw the boy in front of him flinch. Even after the year they had been together there were still insecurities in the Master-Padawan team. He smirked. This was too easy…

"He didn't want another Padawan. He didn't want you as his Padawan," the dark, corrupted Jedi continued airily.

The words cut Obi-Wan, no matter how hard he tried to ignore them. "That is not true," he said quietly. "Master Qui-Gon chose me himself. He asked me to be his Padawan."

"But was it his choice? Of course not," Sony-Da reasoned. "That meddling troll of a Master Yoda forced him to. Qui-Gon never wanted to take a Padawan when he came back to the Temple. It was the furthest thing from his mind. But Master Yoda basically forced him to choose you. It was not out of free will he chose you. It isn't like he cares for you."

"My Master does care." Obi-Wan argued. "He does." Briefly, his mind flashed up all the times he and Qui-Gon had been together, some of the jokes they had shared, the good times over the last year. Obi-Wan's

"Then why did he pick this mission to go by himself?" Sony-Da asked.

Obi-Wan's train of thought stuttered to a halt. "I…I was ill. I could not go with my Master," he defended. His Master did care for him…didn't he? Qui-Gon did show him attention. Qui-Gon did love him…didn't he?

The seed of doubt "Your Master chose a mission over your health? That sounds very caring," Sony-Da chuckled. "The perfect role model Master in fact. He could not have waited to see if your health improved?"

"The mission was an urgent one, he needed to go," Obi-Wan said, his voice sounding very small, even to himself. He could not break. Sony-Da was telling lies. Lies. "You are wrong."

"Obi-Wan you are a fool." Sony-Da hissed. "You are naïve like a child and refuse to listen to someone who is older and wiser than you." His hand slipped between the folds of his black cloak and he withdrew his lightsaber. "You're time is up Obi-Wan Kenobi. I relish the thought of your demise- and that of your Master's too…" the red blade ignited and pointed directly at Obi-Wan who was frozen in horror.

Force help me…

Another mean cliffhanger. Sorry guys! But I have lots of the next chapter written so it's up to you to now work your magic of persuasion :P Hehe I joke. But lots of reviews would be very nice!

Hope you liked it! Next chapter should be up within a week. Friday seems like a good day to update on so I may stick with it :) Thanks everyone!

AldabaranFox