I'm backkk :D
This chapter is pretty sad and may or may not send you on an emotional rollercoaster.
Enjoy!
The wild winds whipped, howling around the two companions as they struggled from the ship; each step furthering the battle against the raging, unkept weather, till they were finally out of its reach, safely within the confines of the building.
The futuristic-like building was nothing like Cal had ever seen, the seemingly endless, stark white corridors stretched out enraping and twisting along; akin to a maze.
Cal could feel the twisted edge of danger, coiled tensely within the Force. It was as if it was screeching at him, warning him of the possible peril, humming within the air; deadly and violent alike to a snake forever tightening its grip around its prey.
And he could scarcely help the gnawing edge of nervousness which seemed to grit heavy within his every move.
I have a bad feeling about this Cal thought grimly, his hand unwilling to stray far from his lightsaber, the lump catching in his throat.
A dreaded feeling of wrong reverberated through him as the Force chimed with agreement.
Obi-Wan either didn't notice Cal's obvious unease or ignored it.
Azure eyes narrowed as the alien drifted towards them, greeting them in a soft, silky voice which only furthered Cal's dread.
"Master Jedi, we have been expecting you."
"We're expected?" Obi-Wan's confusion rang heavy within his voice and the alien bowed her head, gesturing for the Jedi to follow her down the twisted labyrinth of doors and hallways.
"After all these years we were beginning to think you weren't coming..."
I have a really bad feeling about this. Cal relayed through the thinly created bond between the two and Obi-Wan muttered a quiet agreement.
Something was off…
Very off…
.
.
.
"We were beginning to think you weren't coming." The Prime minister's voice offered no answers to the overflowing questions, instead more questions seemed to spiral; confusion thick between the two.
The flat, emotionless tone furthered the twisting , writhing danger present within the Force and it took Cal's sheer will to uphold the mask of indifference upon his face.
"I'm sorry we're late." Obi-Wan's eyebrows scrunched together, the puzzled bewilderment lingering; unable to be concealed.
"Tell your Master that the twenty thousand clone units are ready and more are on the way."
Clones?
Cal jerked as the clawing panic seized him; mocking him.
No no no no no
Kriff, this couldn't be happening…
His emerald eyes widened in horror, his every muscle tensing as the abyss of emotions swirled around him.
A strangled gasp was choked back and the glanced, floated concern from the Jedi master went unnoticed as the Jedi's thoughts tumbled, hurtling into an unbridled terror, as it clutched; sinking its talons into the depths of his heart .
"Sorry." Cal murmured as he realised the conversation had died down; the attention solely on him.
"Please continue."
Cal's trembling hand pinched the bridge of his nose as the snarling, venomous memories circled him, ready to pounce.
Despite his failed hopes to shove the encroaching reminders of his past away, back into the dark depths of his mind, it didn't stop him from trying.
Please. Cal begged, pleaded with the universe; Green eyes clouded with unimaginable sorrow; with a weight so substantial it was a wonder he hadn't buckled underneath the pressure.
Please please just be a coincidence…
The Jedi was akin to Atlas, balancing the weight of the world alone, stumbling, knees buckling; and yet he continued- desperate to make everything right…
But how?
Cal had earned Anakin's trust, so he would be there for Skywalker, ensuring he never strayed far from the lightside.
But Order 66?
How was he supposed to stop that alone?
The ongoing conversation was lost to Cal, his composure crumbling, falling like a house of cards regardless of his longing to stay in control of his failing resolve.
"Hey Cal, ready for a rematch later?"
" I heard we're getting new orders soon. "
"You're in a rush."
" Execute Order 66."
"Keep moving!"
"Padawan, your lightsaber!"
"I'm sorry master. "
"Keep moving."
"Remember, trust only in the Force."
.
.
.
"-al?"
"Cal?"
Snapping back to the present, forest green eyes blinked groggily up at Obi-Wan; his hazy vision sharpening as the Jedi master's cerulean blue eyes studied him in worry.
Glancing around the enclosed room, a grateful relief washed over the Jedi as he realised they were alone.
Obi-Wan must've asked for some privacy.
"I'm…fine." Cal winced at the feeble lie, the hoarse croak unwilling to free itself from his voice, twisting tightly within his tone.
The Jedi didn't need to glance up to feel the disbelief radiating off of the Jedi Master.
"You're not fine, I can tell that immediately." Obi-Wan's matter of factual tone held a gentle, concerned edge.
"What is it Cal? What's wrong?"
"I'll be alright." He replied awkwardly, brushing off the directed question with a wavering smile.
"I promise, I won't disrupt this mission anymore."
"Alright alright, you're just as stubborn as Anakin I swear."
Cal grinned, rising from his seat, only halting as Obi-Wan continued.
" But ." The Jedi master stressed, his tone hard; not taking no for an answer.
"I'm taking you straight to a clinic afterwards."
"Yeah, sure."
Why? Obi-Wan asked himself. Why did he feel the need to be kind to Cal?
Especially when the supposed 'Jedi' could be faking everything, could be an enemy?
He couldn't answer his own question…
Perhaps. Obi-Wan mused to himself, following the younger male out into the hallway.
Perhaps it was because he knew the solemn, haunted look that simmered within the emerald green eyes.
Obi-Wan knew how hard it was to push unwelcome memories back, so much so that Cal reminded him of his younger self; The torn guttural scream hanging in the air as his master staggered down onto the ground.
The overflowing questions of surely he could've saved Qui-Gon; ridiculed him for years, jeering at him as he was shoved into becoming a leader himself.
Idolised into becoming a master at a time when he was still an apprentice; when he could barely understand the flurry of emotions that smothered him as the flames of the pyre erupted.
Obi-Wan knew what it was like and spy or not, he knew Cal couldn't fake the way his eyelids fluttered, blinking rapidly to steel himself; to shove back the building tears.
The harsh quivering of Cal's hunched figure as he desperately clutched to his façade that everything was fine couldn't be fake; it was too raw, too sorrowful.
"Come on, old man." Cal grinned, jolting Obi-Wan from his thoughts.
Obi-Wan could see Cal's widened grin wavering, and could tell the man was struggling, but unwilling to let anyone help.
"Old? I'm not old." The Jedi master grumbled, shaking his head at the snort of amusement as they passed back into the hallway.
"I'm sorry for keeping us." Cal dipped his head humbly, to which the Prime minister inclined his head in acknowledgement.
"Of course Master Jedi."
Gesturing for them to continue, the trio waded deeper into hallways and it was only when they rounded a sharp corner that Cal's sharp eyes observed the overhead platform; furthering towards it took every inch of strength left within him.
The hushed conversations were once again abandoned as the Jedi's gaze raked over the thousands of clones, willing for himself to stay in control of his emotions.
"We've programmed them to be more obedient than the original host."
Those words cut through his frayed thoughts and halted him in his tracks.
"I heard we're getting new orders soon…"
His mind flitted from past to present as he shook with the sheer effort it took to continue his crafted mask.
"Cal?" Obi-Wan called within the Force, concerned by the deep sorrow emitting off of the ginger.
"Sorry, I just…need a minute." Cal's silent plea was barely able to convey the words as the memories echoed, tightening their hold upon the helpless Jedi.
"Master!"
"No!"
A warm hand placed on Cal's shoulder resulted in his gaze lifting towards the Jedi master.
"It's alright, take as long as you need."
The ginger duly noted that the hallway was once again empty, leaving the two of them alone.
Tears forcibly burned his vision, ashamed Cal bowed his head; letting the tears snake down his cheeks as orange ringlets obscured his vision.
"If you need someone to talk to…"
I wish I could, more than anything.
"It's just…" Cal hesitated, biting his lip as the tears throttled him.
He thought he had gotten better, and had become better at controlling everything. But it seemed the presence of the clones had destroyed the carefully crafted barriers he fabricated and everything seemed to loom over him.
"The clones…remind me of my past. I just…" His voice failed him, a feeble whisper as the words died in his throat and he tried once again, more so to reassure himself than Obi-Wan.
"I'll be alright, I just need…"
Suddenly, Cal's strength abandoned him, drained and instead he had to battle the waves of emotions. The overbearing remnants that he had pushed aside for far too long, emotions and pain that coursed through him.
He collapsed, his legs unable to hold him up and it was by pure luck that Obi-Wan caught him; guiding the two of them to the ground.
A tight embrace wrapping around the younger man as his expression crumpled, unable to hold back the sorrow.
Heartbreaking sobs reverberated, bouncing in the enclosed hallway, tearing desperately from Cal's throat as he deflated, crying against the Jedi's shoulder.
Seemingly after a hanging moment, Cal pulled away; his face flushed in embarrassment.
"I'm…"
Obi-Wan shook his head, interrupting the Jedi instantly.
"Don't apologise. It's alright, just let it out. It's not healthy to keep this all in."
The Jedi couldn't hold anything back if he tried, the tumbling waves of regret, guilt, sadness flooded him, drowning him.
Obi-Wan's strong presence soothed him, holding him to the present as his memories tinged his vision.
And everything died down, a tired weariness settling in as the emotions subsided; leaving an empty shell of himself in its stead.
"Feeling better?" The query was gentle, soothing and reminded him painfully of his own family.
"Yeah, I'm…"
"If you say sorry…" Obi-Wan trailed off sternly, a thin glare boring into the ginger, to which, Cal chuckled a ghost of a smile quirking upon his lips.
"Thank you."
"I don't know what you've been through Cal, nor who you are. But if you ever need someone then I'm here."
Obi-Wan left the growing suspicion of the boy aside, Cal had given him no reason to suspect him.
Not when the Jedi had obviously been through so much, when he needed a friend.
"I'm alright now." Cal's brief smile, albeit still strained, was not trembling with effort and held strong as he offered Obi-Wan his hand to stand.
"Let me know if you need a break."
"Will do, thank you Obi-Wan." Cal responded gratefully.
Passing through the corridors, Cal bowed his head, unwilling to glimpse at the expansive windows towering above the clones; only raising it as they reached their guide, who once more began explaining the origins of the clones created from a Jango Fett.
"I would very much like to meet this Jango Fett." Obi-Wan inquired, glad that their efforts so far were not for nothing.
.
.
.
The child's large eyes reminded him too much of Leia, staring unblinkingly at Cal.
His name was Boba.
A conflicted sad look graced Cal's face at that, to realise that this child's life would follow his father.
Emerging from the room Jango stiffened ever so slightly, despite his forced emotionless running through his face.
The glint of metal caught Cal's eyes and tilting his head he narrowed his vision at the sight of the Mandalorian armour.
"Obi-Wan, the suit." Cal exclaimed, an urgency within his tone.
"I see it."
The tightly tense conversation between Jango and Obi-Wan was beyond suspicious.
"They'll do their job well, I'll guarantee that." Jango quipped, a half smile gracing his face and Cal could barely hide the flinch at the dark implications within his tone.
"Thank you for your time Jango." Cal interrupted, forcing the Mandolorian's glares from Obi-Wan onto himself as a wry, sarcastic grin plastered itself on the bounty hunter's face.
"It's always a pleasure to meet Jedi."
.
.
.
"Circle the ship around R2." Obi-Wan's yell was barely audible as the storms raged on, but despite this; the droid beeped in agreement.
Cal could only shiver as the furious storm wrapped around him, leaving his teeth chattering as the whirling winds robbed him of any and all of his heat.
Kriff, he hated the cold.
.
.
Jango's garbled curse and nonsensical mutterings grumbled from the Mandalorian as the two Jedi rushed towards the ship. With a renewed urgency, he barked at Boba to ready the ship to leave, firing rapidly in the hopes to deter the Jedi.
The blaster shots pierced through the noise of the storm, the high pitched sound ringing as the blood red shots arched towards the two with deadly accuracy.
Cal spun to the left, rolling to avoid the raining assault as Obi-Wan deflected them with ease, the shots bouncing back towards their owner as Jango swerved widely to avoid them.
The hum of the engine distracted Obi-Wan long enough for Jango to swing his wire, cutting deeply into Obi-Wan's wrists and despite his struggles, it only provided the bounty hunter enough leverage to yank upon the wire and send the Jedi master sprawling.
Skidding, unable to find any momentum to slow him down.
It was with a growing panic, realisation dawning upon Cal that Jango was trying to shove Obi-Wan off the edge and over crashing waves below.
No. Cal thought grimly, activating his bright yellow lightsaber and as he willed the Force to guide his hand, he threw the weapon.
The bright yellow arc twisted around, easily cutting the feeble wire and halting Obi-Wan just in time.
Cal let out a hushed sigh of relief that he didn't realise he was holding, only to tense as Jango's attention twisted upon him, blaster shots descending-blood red.
Green eyes narrowed in concentration, his thumb grazing the second switch of his lightsaber, activating the dual saber; spinning and blocking the shots while he pivoted away from those that narrowly missed him.
The final one was deflected, hitting Jango's jetpack.
The jetpack stuttered, bursting into an array of sparks; sending the Mandalorian crashing to the ground, a hiss of Mandalorian curses and snarls upon his lips.
The two Jedi encircled the trapped bounty hunter; stepping carefully in case he decided to recklessly attack.
However, with their attention directed towards Jango, they didn't hear the reluctant groan of the ship, the cannons pointed towards the support cable and the only warning came too late as Obi-Wan whipped his gaze up, the bright red flashes colliding with the thinned wire, snapping with ease.
The platform shook, screeching with renewed effort to remain upright as it shifted, sliding precariously towards the dark, frozen abyss of the ocean.
Cal had gripped tightly onto the ship, white knuckles clenched within a vice grip- hanging, dangling.
Obi-Wan clutched tightly onto the fence, struggling to pull himself from the platformas Jango scrambled, rushing towards the ship.
Disorientated, Obi-Wan didn't notice the charged cannons, drooping menacingly towards the Jedi, but Cal did…
The charging cannons erupted into a crumpled, condensed arc of power and with a begging plea to the Force, Cal raised his hand.
The slowed blur granted Cal enough time to sprint towards Obi-Wan, tackling him safely away from the blast, the shockwave sending them tumbling, just as the platform lurched yet again, a warning. Cal gripped tightly onto the Obi-Wan, heart thudding in his throat, sprinting to the inside.
Just in time as the platform plummeted, swallowed by the greedy thrashing waves. And Cal could only grit his teeth as the ship swiftly lifted upwards, fleeing the keenful gaze of the two Jedi.
The danger finally subsided, Cal dragged himself to the ground, panting at the effort as he tried to calm himself at how close that had been. He blinked trying to clear his vision from the pouring rain.
Glancing at the Jedi, his half hearted, exhausted smile vanished at the chilled expression which morphed upon the Jedi master's face.
Obi-Wan's jaw tightened, stormy eyes judged Cal's every movement.
"Obi-Wan? What's…"
The query was cut off, the bewildered expression contorted into a swift silence. The atmosphere hanging, twisting with betrayal as the azure lightsaber cut through the air, hovering perilously over Cal's throat. The confusion bled off of the ginger, mixing within the heavy sorrow of the Force.
"You used Force slow." Obi-Wan's usually warm tone was low, dread crumbling Cal's emotions.
"That is a dark side ability."
Oh…
"No no, let me explain…I.." Cal fought desperately, a wild yearning within his eyes to be heard.
"I don't want to hear it, spy. You successfully got Anakin onto your side and tried to fool me with your display earlier, but I will not be fooled again."
Obi-Wan cut in, unwilling to hear the spilled lies any longer.
Cal averted his gaze, but despite this; Obi-Wan could sense, could feel the betrayal, the rooted agony coursing through the Force.
Why? Obi-Wan wanted to ask him, to demand answers from the man.
Why are you acting like I betrayed you, when you're the one that has perfected a technique from the dark side?
When you fooled me into thinking you were possibly a friend...
"I promise." Cal stressed, lifting his gaze so the Jedi master could see the flickering despair within his forest eyes.
"I didn't mean to use it, I was just trying to get you out of danger."
Obi-Wan shook his head, ignoring the offered explanation-no longer would he trust the stranger.
The council was right, Cal was too suspicious within the tangled lies he offered.
And Obi-Wan decided then and there that no matter what or how the ginger acted-he was no Jedi.
It simply wasn't possible.
It was more likely that the man was a Sith.
.
"When we return you will be arrested and interrogated by the council, but for now I have my orders to see the end of the mission." Obi-Wan responded flatly, and with that he switched off his lightsaber; twisting away from the man who only resulted in a bitter emotion rushing each and every time he glanced at him.
"Obi-Wan I promise, I'm not a threat to any of you.'' The supposed Jedi tried again, desperation clutched tightly within his tone.
"I don't trust you at all." Obi-Wan replied simply.
"How? How can I convince you?"
"You can't." Obi-Wan whipped his head, his expression incredulous as he scowled down at the other. "You have already shown your true colours Cal Kestis . You are no Jedi."
Cal recoiled violently at the hurtled words, a flickering agony crossing his expression at those words.
The words that were snarled from his master, not too long ago.
"Anakin should have left you in the desert."
And Cal could only lift his head up in disbelief, the devastated look made the young man seem so much smaller, so much like Anakin.
The expression seared into Obi-Wan's brain. Unnerved, a twisted guilt swirled within him.
Had he gone too far?
But no , he had to protect Anakin, had to protect his family against this…this threat.
"Is that what you really think?" The soft mutter was dejected, resigned. Sad .
The nagging guilt grew, irritating.
"Everything I've done to help you is meaningless now? Just because I used Force slow?"
"Jedi do not use that power." Obi-Wan committed firmly, watching as an emotional laugh tore from the ginger.
"Jedi in hiding have to survive ." Cal interrupted, snapping his jaw closed at his outburst.
In hiding…?
"I have done everything to help the Jedi Order. Everything . I've risked my life countless times. And still…it's not enough ?"
All answers that Obi-Wan gathered died in his throat.
"Tell me, what did I have to gain by helping you discover this planet? What did I have to gain from helping Anakin's mother? From saving your life?"
"You want our trust." Obi-Wan responded, his voice sounded unsure, conflicted; even to himself.
"So you can befriend us and infiltrate the temple easier."
Obi-Wan didn't know why the heartbroken expression of the other tugged at his heartstrings so much. Screeching at him that he was wrong; perhaps the supposed Jedi reminded him too much of Anakin.
Cal didn't follow as Obi-Wan strode down the hallway, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. Instead he let out a hushed whisper, of which was barely able to be picked up from the Jedi Master.
"Tell me Obi-Wan, did you sense me using the dark side when I saved your life?"
Obi-Wan halted, rooted in place. Because no , he didn't; The strong light side of the Force had echoed through the ginger, even throughout that time.
"Isn't that enough?" Cal asked hoarsely, stumbling to his feet.
"I am a Jedi, but if you do not trust me then I'll leave. I'll find my own way to protect the order."
Obi-Wan didn't know…
He was…conflicted.
"Tell me what you meant." Obi-Wan finally turned, cutting the growing silence with an order.
"What did you mean by a Jedi in hiding ?"
Cal bit his lip, trying to figure out what fragmented parts he could relay to the Jedi.
"I…Me and my master were stationed off of a planet." He retold, tone thick with grief.
"We were focusing on negotiations there, when our crew turned on us."
A shaky breath echoed louder than words, tears blurring his green eyes.
"I managed to escape, but my master did not. The escape pod landed in a place th…that did not like Jedi."
"Did not like Jedi?" Obi-Wan's voice was confused, eyebrows furrowed at the implications of which Cal suggested.
"They despised them." Cal relayed bitterly. "If I was caught, I would've been killed or worse forced to the dark side. So I was constantly on the run, hiding my identity."
"What happened?"
The twisted melancholic expression left Obi-Wan unguarded, the tears traced down Cal's cheeks.
"I used the Force to save my best friend and they must have felt it, they came for me. Killed Prauf and upturned my life…"
Cal roughly lifted his arm to scrub at his hot tears before continuing.
"I know that you're used to the laws and rules of the Jedi order, but you have to understand, those rules don't matter when you're running for your life. Force slow is a technique that might originate from the dark side. But I only take it from the light side."
A sneaking inch of regret laced into Obi-Wan. He was too harsh .
Cal was telling the truth, the Force echoing each word with a hard edge of sincerity.
The overwhelming guilt consumed him, throttled Obi-Wan as he bit his lip.
Blast, he had hurt Cal. Perhaps this time beyond what he could repair with simple words.
"You've been through alot." His sombre tone was laced with regret he replied lamely, as if the acknowledgement will simply erase the cruel biting words that Obi-Wan had flung at the younger Jedi.
"I'm sorry , I shouldn't have said that."
Cal's weak grin adorned his face once more, inclining his head to accept the apology. Hiding the stinging ache of Obi-Wan's words beneath a carefully crafted façade.
A mask that the Jedi master knew hurt to maintain. Even if the other forgave him, he was still hurt by his words and Obi-Wan didn't know how to make it better.
"Will you help me find them?"
The inclination of agreement was unexpected and the pooling guilt grew.
Despite the way he treated Cal, the Jedi was still willing to help him.
"Come on old man, I might be able to pick up a Force echo from their room." He tried to keep his tone light, but Obi-Wan could hear the tinge of agony lingering, tightening within each word.
The harsh words Obi-Wan had hurtled at the younger man had sunk its way into the depths of Cal's Achilles heel and the Jedi master didn't know how to make it better.
And so, without another word, he soundlessly followed Cal through the mass of corridors.
Poor Cal :( The two definitely need to talk. Haha it'll get worse before it gets better :)
See you next chapter!