Shoures was dead. As well as master Whan, the other Jedi Master who accompanied Master Tau to Canter.
Both were killed rather horrifically- not by a lightsaber or blaster- instead someone had ripped their throats out.
Obi-Wan quickly acquired a ship and had all four Jedi transported on it. The hospital staff insisted that Tau and Qui-Gon stay for a few days longer but once Obi-Wan learned their injuries were not life threatening, he checked them out. He also signed for Shoures and Master Whan's bodies, though he didn't have the authority to do so.
Without another glance at Canter, Obi-Wan set the ship into hyperspace. He was going back to Coruscant, back to the Temple. And though rules dictate he was suppose to contact the Council of his activities, Obi-Wan thought the Council could screw themselves.
Because of the way Obi-Wan had struck Tau in the face with his fists and kicks, he broke her jaw and shattered her cheekbone. It was necessary, but it didn't mean he did not feel like a jackass.
Qui-Gon suffered nearly every one of his ribs broken. He also cracked his skull, dislocated his elbow, and broke his right foot. At least he was sleeping well enough, Obi-Wan thought as he pulled the blanket up further on Qui-Gon's form.
"I'm sorry this happened."
Obi-Wan could've punched Castiel. He slowly turned his head back, glaring at the man. "Did you even try to protect them?"
"Of course I did," Castiel breathed. He moved across the ship to stand next to the young Padawan. He looked down on Qui-Gon. "But you know I cannot control the will of men. I could only do so much. And the moment you banished me-" Obi-Wan turned away. "-my protection went with it."
Obi-Wan stared a hole into his boots. "So what happens now?"
"How much do you remember?"
"Not everything," he admitted. "I remember enough to understand. To know what I'm facing." He scrubbed at his face. Sam kept appearing in his mind and he kept pushing it back. He couldn't deal with that, not now. It'll kill him. "What the hell, Cas? Why is this happening? Now, of all places?"
"I don't know."
"Don't give me that-"
"I'm telling the truth, Obi-Wan. I don't know. I'm trying to find out, but I don't have the same resources as I once did."
"isn't this just lovely? A galaxy full of demons and we're the only ones who know how to fight them."
Force, there were just too many questions that follow. It was too big. He'd dealt with civil wars, impending wars, but this? Nobody has seen anything on this level in over five thousand years. The Sith War- as horrific as that was- at least the Jedi and Republic knew what they were fighting. How to fight them. "I need to report to the Jedi," Obi-Wan suddenly announced. He went straight for the ship's communicator. "I need to tell them how to fight this."
"Obi-Wan, listen to yourself," Castiel said to him. "You know the Jedi can't fight this, not under the laws and ethics they follow."
"Then what the hell do you suggest?" Obi-Wan turned on him. Castiel can't possibly suggest that only the two of them take on the impending horde. "What weapons do we have? What clues? The Jedi have the resources-"
"And what do you plan to tell them? That you're the reincarnation of long ancient dead warrior? They hardly believe in demons, despite witnessing an attack happen right before their eyes. They're civilians."
"I won't leave them unprotected."
"And I won't leave you unprotected," Castiel advanced on him angry. "At this moment, Obi-Wan, you are the most important person in the entire galaxy. And I will not stand by and watch you paint a target on your back!"
"Are you going to kidnap me again? Because that worked so well last time."
The two glared at each other. Obi-Wan lifted his chin, daring Castiel on. He was aware Castiel could've easily lifted two fingers to his forehead and swish him away again, but the angel wasn't one to repeat failed plans. "If you want to help me, then help me," Obi-Wan urged. "Don't lie to me. Don't hinder me."
He took a step back. Castiel looked as if he wants to punch him. He turned away, visibly fighting his irritation.
"Will you come with me to the Council?"
Obi-Wan did not get an answer. Instead, a quiet gust of wind kicked up his hair and Castiel was gone.
()
Obi-Wan wasn't sure exactly what to tell the Council. To a certain degree, Castiel was right. Despite what Obi-Wan might say to them, the Jedi were more or less, civilians. They don't understand this. They certainly won't understand him. Hell, Obi-Wan barely understood it all. He was starting to wish he'd spent more time interrogating Castiel. He didn't know when the bastard will show his face again.
He touched down upon the Temple's roof, immediately letting in the Healers. He watched silently as they gathered Qui-Gon, Tau, and the bodies of the other Jedi.
Only one person was waiting for him. Not Master Windu, or even Yoda.
It's been joked that Master Krin was as old as Yoda. As beautiful as they are in their youth, Twi'leks look rather ridiculous in their senior years. Krin's skin was blue in four different shades across his face, his head tentacles drooped pathetically over his shoulder, and they way his eyes looked, Obi-Wan had to question if he was blind in one of them.
Still, he was a member on the Council. Obi-Wan gave his customary bow, ignoring the ache in his back.
Krin doesn't even blink. Instead, he watched as the healers bring the bodies inside the Temple. "This was supposed to be a fact finding mission. How did it come to this?" He turned to Obi-Wan. "As of this moment, there is only myself, and Master Makoto present at the Temple."
Obi-Wan startled. "Where are the others?" Where is Master Yoda and Mace Windu? was what he really wanted to ask.
"Off planet," Krin motioned Obi-Wan to follow him inside. "The threat of civil war on the outer rim could no longer be ignored. Most of the Council has been dispatched to various planets to keep war from occurring. At the moment," they passed the healer ward. Obi-Wan could see Qui-Gon being lifted onto a bed as he walked past. "this is not their top priority."
Obi-Wan wasn't sure to be relieved or worried. To give his report, Obi-Wan would certainly have to lie or omit whole portions. How was he to explain something like Castiel? Master Yoda would certainly see through him.
But having nearly all of the Council off planet was only done during inter-galactic war. The timing of it all; demons, civil war, was too much to be coincidental. Jedi did not believe in coincidences. Nor did Dean.
Krin brought Obi-Wan to the Council chambers. The young Padawan was struck by how empty it looked. Master Makoto was the only one present and she sat in her resigned chair. From behind, Krin closed the door and made his way towards his own seat, leaving Obi-Wan to stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.
Makoto just stared. It was creepy.
It took Krin a few minutes for him to sit comfortably and then motioned Obi-Wan to give his report.
Obi-Wan knew as soon as Qui-Gon woke, he would fill in the gaps. At the moment though, Obi-Wan felt no need to report about Castiel.
In fact, there were whole portions Obi-Wan suddenly wished he could not tell: The Devil's Trap. Ah-pril. Shoures' possession. Even when he was regaling the fight between Qui-Gon and Shoures, it sounded like something out of a holo-vid drama.
Even more, Krin and Makoto kept sharing glances with each other. "This Devil's Trap was something you saw out of a vision?"
The visions was something Obi-Wan could not get around. He could either say it was a vision, or it was Castiel. And since he didn't want to talk of Castiel just yet, everything Obi-Wan did was blamed on the erratic visions.
The Devil's Trap? Vision. Shoures' exorcism? Oh yeah, vision. Tau's exorcism? Another vision, that's right.
He sounded like a broken record.
When he was done with his report, Krin and Makoto held a silent conversation. Obi-Wan could see they agreed to something. Makoto nodded then slid off her seat to sit on the floor. She gestured in front of her. "Kenobi, come sit with me."
Obi-Wan did not move. He knew what this was. "I don't understand- what's going on?"
"This is just another mental scan," Makoto said gently. "The same one you received before leaving Coruscant."
"The frequency of your visions is disturbing," Krin threw in. "You need meditation. Master Makoto will help you."
Obi-Wan still did not move. It was more than the fear of them finding out about the truth: what they were doing was not kosher. Qui-Gon was the only one who had authority over what scans- especially mental scans- were performed on him. Hell, even giving this report without Qui-Gon present was unacceptable.
He took a step back. "No. You do not have the right."
Krin growled at him. "Two Jedi are dead. Your information is scattered and we are fighting blindly, Kenobi. We do not have time to wait for your Master to wake. We need to do this now."
Obi-Wan tensed. What, were they going to force him? "I refuse."
"I'm sorry Kenobi-" Holy crap, they were. "-but we have no choice."
Kicking an old alien in the face wasn't exactly on Obi-Wan's to-do list, but the bastard had it coming. Before the last words of Krin's sentence came out of his mouth, Obi-Wan twirled on his feet, brought up his leg and slammed it against Krin's jaw.
At least, he tried to.
Krin was old, but fast. The alien evaded his kick easily, ducked underneath his leg and grabbed him from behind. It was like being hugged, except Krin's embrace was too hard, too tight to be considered a hug. "Son of a bitch!" Obi-Wan cried out as Krin's tentacles wrapped around his flaying legs, holding him still.
"It's okay Obi-Wan," Makoto said soothingly, brushing a thumb over his forehead. "I won't hurt you. Please cooperate."
"Screw you, lady!"
Makoto hesitated and Obi-Wan could see she did not fully agree to this. She shared a glance with Krin, who nodded in confirmation and she proceeded. She closed her eyes and placed two fingers against his forehead.
"Get off him."
Makoto jerked back in muted surprised. Obi-Wan had to strain his neck to look over Krin's shoulder. Standing by the door, holding his side tenderly and looking all pissed to hell was Qui-Gon.
"I will not ask again," Qui-Gon nearly growled. "Let go of my Padawan."
"Master Qui-Gon," Krin began calmly, as if he wasn't gripping Obi-Wan tightly. "We're simply-"
Qui-Gon switched on his lightsaber.
Krin's eyes narrowed at the threat and loosened his hold. Obi-Wan dropped to his feet and quickly backed away from both Masters. He came to stand next to Qui-Gon, who deactivated his saber.
"We were performing a mind scan, Master Jinn," Krin said stiffly. "We were not going to hurt him."
Despite he was bruised and in visibly in pain, Qui-Gon's voice did not shake when he spoke. "I do not know the reason behind your logic, nor do I care. You touch my Padawan again, I will drop you."
Obi-Wan felt a shiver go through him. Qui-Gon had the reputation for arguing with the Council, even insulting them if he thought they went against his morals and actions. But never once had he ever threatened a Council member- with veiled death, even.
"Make note I will be reporting this to the rest of the Council," Qui-Gon turned to leave. He pushed Obi-Wan in front of him.
It wasn't until they were down the hall and out of sight did Qui-Gon suddenly collapsed. Obi-Wan quickly caught him. "You're still injured, Master."
"I felt your distress," Qui-Gon groaned, shifting his weight so he wouldn't hang on Obi-Wan so heavily. "I thought demons had you. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was Master Krin and Makoto."
"They're scared," Obi-Wan said. It was a lame-ass excuse. "Many things are happening and civilians don't know how to handle it."
"Civilians," Qui-Gon echoed. He said nothing further except when Obi-Wan tried to maneuver them towards the Healer's wing. "No, back to our room. We need to talk and I rather not do it with Healers poking their instruments at me."
"You need medical attention."
He shook his head. "I'm not in any danger. Room, Obi-Wan."
()
A/N: School is starting for me again on Monday and I might not have time to update this again for a good long while. I still have no idea where I'm going with this, but I'm having fun every inch of the way.
Also, season five SPN on dvd comes out next week.
Also, season six premiers next month. Hee! R/R, peeps!