Part 3

Qui-gon sat in the cockpit of the Constunian ship, trying to remain focused. But his mind kept wandering.

Once he realized what had happened, he immediately went to the Constun Council and told them that there was an emergency and he needed a ship. The treasurer was reluctant to loan one of their scares number of ships to the Jedi Master. However, the Prime Minister graciously allowed the use of the ship and anything else that he needed in thanks for the help that the Jedi had shown them.

When he entered the ship he sent a transmission to the Jedi Council, which was answered almost this instantly by Yoda.

Qui-gon thought back to the conversation.

*****

“Felt it, I have.” The holographic transmission of the old Jedi said. “certain you are of who wields it?”

“Yes.” Qui-gon said grimly. “It is Jaron. His touch of the Force is one that I could not forget.”

Yoda nodded thoughtfully. “A bond as deep is not forgotten.” Yoda said, catching Qui-gon’s eye. “Why this is, go you should not.”

Qui-gon was about to open his mouth to protest but Yoda put up a quick hand to silence him. “To strong are your emotions Qui-gon. Cloud your judgment it will. Sending other Jedi am I. Those who did not hold the bonds you held with him.”

As Yoda said this Qui-gon was shaking his head. “That will take to long Master.” He countered. “And I will not leave Obi-wan there.”

“Help your Padawan you will not by walking into a trap. Know this you do.” Yoda remarked.

“Yes I know.” He replied. “But it is me that Jaron is after. Thats why he took Obi-wan. If another Jedi shows up Jaron will kill him.”

“Know this you do not Qui-gon. Patience you must have, think of your Apprentice you must.” Yoda said quickly. “I am.” Qui-gon said softly. “This is the only way Master Yoda.”

Yoda paused and looked away for a second. Then he looked back up, once again caching Qui-gon’s gaze. “Go then.” he said. “But the Jaron you face will not be the Jaron who you look back to see. Remember this you must.”

Qui-gon seemed to look distant, he only nodded in response.

“May the Force be with you.” Yoda finished, then disconnected the transmission.

At that, Qui-gon leaned over and set the coordinates for the Randon system...

****

Qui-gon tried not to let the guilt pass over him. But try as he might, he absorbed it more and more. Obi-wan had nothing to do with this. He was not even a thought in the Force when this happened. Yet Jaron was using him to make Qui-gon feel pain. And what of the pain that Obi-wan may be feeling?

Every time he had tried to contact his Padawan through the Force, all he got in return was the same darkness he had felt earlier.

Had he failed his Padawan by not telling him about Jaron? Was he to tell his apprentice of every former enemy? ‘No’ Qui-gon told himself. That was not the way. He had no way of knowing that Jaron would come after him like this. Even with the threats of revenge he made long ago. But perhaps, because of the day, he should have seen something coming.

Master Dundeen Hunen, Jaron’s former master, had been a great Jedi. And on this very day, many years ago, he was killed.

This day had always been a hard one for Qui-gon. He remembered the look on his former friends face when he had refused to help in his attempt for revenge. The sound of his voice when he spoke the words of a curse of pain and suffering to the person he considered his last friend. Qui-gon often thought of it, but it always seemed stronger on this day.

As the years passed with no word from Jaron, he wondered if the threat would ever be carried out. He had never thought it true. He always believed that there was some good left somewhere in Jaron and that he only needed help finding it. This was why he was so unprepared for the unthinkable. But this was worse. Because it was not his life in jeopardy, but Obi-wan’s. Would Jaron try to turn him to the Dark Side? To lose him, as he had lost Jaron and Xanatose? His heart wrenched at the thought.

A silent thought crossed deep within his mind. ‘How many people must I lose?’ it said.

“Help your Padawan it will not.” Yoda’s voice came into recollection. Qui-gon held tight to that thought.

“Yoda is right, as usual.” He said allowed. “My bond with Jaron is not what it once was. And the one I hold with Obi-wan is far stronger.”

Qui-gon pushed his thoughts of the past and of Obi-wan aside, and sat in meditation. Not knowing, yet knowing in a way, what was to come.

*********************************************************************

Obi-wan sat in the pure black room; his eyes closed, breathing heavily. It was only by sheer will that he didn’t fall clear on his back and just sleep. If he did that then he new the darkness would win. It would cover him completely, and take him away. He wouldn't allow that to happen. He had fought this far. And even if the evil still swirled in his mind, it hadn’t taken him.

Although he told himself he was stronger than it, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could withstand it. It had been so strong the first time, and when it came back, it would be even stronger.

***

They were all around him now. The people who he cared for the most, but he wasn’t happy to see them.

One by one they were being cut down by something he could not see...and could not fight.

He heard them scream in pain. They were being tortured, and he was meant to watch.

There in the corner, it was Brant. He only heard her scream, then the blood was on the floor. He tried to go to her, but the pain in his head...he couldn’t stand. He pushed it aside and managed to get to his feet. Then he felt things crawling on him, all over his body. He felt the urge to brush them away, but there was nothing there. They forced him back to his knees, and to watch another of his friends die painfully.

“No.” he said softly. “This can’t be.” But the worse was yet to come.

He saw a small figure before him. It was Master Yoda. Yoda who had taught him, and who always seemed to believe in him, who was the strongest Jedi Master, like the others, was cut down right before him.

Obi-wan felt the fear in him growing stronger. He had the wanted run and hide, but he could not hide from this. It was everywhere. He then wanted to fight.

His thoughts were interrupted when a new figure came into view. It was a tall man, with hair that went past his shoulders, and eyes the color of a clear sky.

“Master?” Obi-wan said in horror. Knowing what was to come. And his thoughts were correct. In the blink of an eye, Qui-gon staggered back, pain was written on his face. Obi-wan looked down and there was a large gash across his master’s midsection from what looked like a lightsaber. Then, the person he considered his father, fell dead.

“NO!” Obi-wan cried. The want to fight suddenly because a ocean of rage that washed over him. The dark things that griped him slowly let go, and he was on his feet.

His teeth clenched, his body stiff, and with anger all around him, he beckoned at the things that hurt the ones he loved.

“Come out and face me!” he yelled into the black room, his anger only growing. Then he felt it. The darkness seemed to be happy with his anger, urging him to turn it to hate.

*yes* it told him, *give into your anger, make it hate. You will become powerful and they will be avenged.*

Obi-wan suddenly realized what was happening. Tears formed in his eyes. This was not him he new. And what was happening around him was not real. He would fight it like he fought any enemy, with the Light Side of the Force.

He closed his eyes, blinking back tears, and tiredly let his body relax as much as it would allow. Then he concentrated on the Force, but he side he new. The side of warmth, of goodness, and of hope. Then the vision of evil began to fade, and he was alone in the room once more.

In that state of mind he had almost enough strength to contact his master. But once again the darkness crawled at him and, knowing he was weakened by his struggles, brought him to his knees once more...

******

And there he stayed. And although the darkness threatened to bring him down he fought them with what little strength he had left. And he would keep fighting until he were dead if it came to that. But he would not give into the Dark Side.

He had come close to it though. Even if it was only an image seeing his master fall dead was more than he could bear. But then he remembered Jaron, and what he had become. He understood now what Jaron had went though, and could grasp what he had felt. But there was one thing that Jaron forgot when it had happened; one very important thing. He forgot his master. All of the teachings of his master, all the training, all the emotions that he had felt for him. Jaron had gotten so caught up in himself and his want for revenge, and he forgot it all.

‘But I will not forget.’ Obi-wan thought silently. ‘I will never forget.’

Just then the door opened, and Jaron strode in. He was standing over him. Although Obi-wan didn’t look up, he could feel Jaron’s eyes piercing through him.

“I see you have gained Qui-gon’s stubbornness as well.” An amused Jaron said. “He never knew when to give up.”

Obi-wan looked up to where Jaron’s voice was coming. His eyes had adjusted to the dark and he could make out the lines of the man’s face.

“I can sense your weariness, young Kanobi. Give into the dark side. Save yourself the agony and just let go.” Jaron willed him.

Obi-wan pushed himself to his feet, his legs wavering. He shook his head clear, ignoring the eerie things still pulling at his mind. He once again stared at Jaron. “Never.” he said with as much confidence as he could manage. “I will never give in. Not to the darkness...and not to you.” Jaron looked as if he was going to speak, but before he could his comlink buzzed.

“Yes?” he said clearly into the small communicator.

“A ship has just landed sir.” The voice answered. “Constunian Class.”

An ear to ear smile appeared on Jaron’s face. “Excellent.” he replied, “Allow him to enter and have it so he finds his way here. But captain tell the guards to be alert. We wouldn’t want things to be to easy on him.”

Obi-wan listened in horror. Qui-gon was being led into a trap and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He wouldn’t give up. Perhaps if he caught Jaron off guard. He knew his effort would most likely be in vain, but he had to try.

*’Master don’t! Jaron...’* The pain again, in his head, stronger this time. He instantly fell to his knees catching himself with his hands.

“Save yourself some pain, Obi-wan.” He heard the voice say. Obi-wan looked up at Jaron with blurred eyes.

“You can’t do this.” Obi-wan croaked out.

“Oh yes I can. And I will.” He said mockingly. “This is my time now young Padawan. All that is left to do is wait.”

*******************************************************************************************

Qui-gon stepped off of the ship and started through the woods of Randon. He could feel the point of darkness, all he needed was follow it. He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard Obi-wan’s voice in his mind sending him a warning. He message was cut short though, followed by pain and darkness.

Qui-gon cringed at Obi-wan’s pain. He managed a small smile. ‘Loyal Padawan.’ he thought to the boy although knowing he could not hear him. ‘I know of the dangers of which you speak. But his is the only way. The past has caught up with me once again, and I must turn to face it.’

He had reached his destination now. An old temple with high towers and broken statues scattered about. The beautiful piece of ancient architectury was overflowing with darkness. What once might have been a place of protection from evil, was now a pillar of evil itself.

The door was not guarded and Qui-gon casualty walked in. He looked around as he entered, still nothing. ‘To easy.’ he thought to himself. His senses were on full alert. All he had on his side now was the Force.

In an instant his lightsaber was activated and deflecting a blaster bolt that came out of the shadows. It was followed by another, then another. But he deflected them all with ease. From another corner came more firing. Qui-gon decided that he best leave this place, but something pulled at his mind. He ignored it for the time, the blaster fire becoming heavier.

He chose a hallway and ran down it, his lightsaber still humming. He jumped back when the Force warned him of danger, and more blaster fire came from another hallway. He turned into another hall, yet the same thing happened. A storm of blaster fire by the shimmery skinned Randonian’s, and he was forced down another hallway.

‘They are driving me somewhere.’ he knew. ‘Into the trap that Obi-wan warned of.’ Yet wherever he was going he knew it would lead to Jaron, and Obi-wan. Therefore he played into their game of cat and mouse. As he turned the a corner again, he could feel the sense of doom growing.

He was in a long corridor now, and the blaster fire was coming from behind him. Then in a blink it was coming from ahead of him as well. He noticed he was stopped in front of a door. It opened, and a flood of darkness washed over him. The blaster fire becoming increasingly heavy, he was forced inside. The door slammed shut, and there was only darkness.

He remained calm, remembering the light. Knowing that although the darkness was strong, he was stronger.

His lightsaber gave off a faint green glow in the darkness, but its light wasn’t enough to see by. He stretched out with the Force to search the room. A familiar voice pierce through the dark room.

“It is good to see you again my old friend. I have been expecting you.”

“It has been a long time Jaron.” Qui-gon answered.

“Yes Qui-gon.” Jaron replied amused. “A very long time.”

Part 4

Obi-wan was brought back to a semi-conscious level. He could hear the voices, sense another presence in the room, see the green glow. His mind snapped at the sudden realization...’Master?!’ the thought went through his throbbing mind.

He felt Qui-gon sending him strength though the Force. The sensation lasted only for a second, then there was pain again. He groaned and fell to the cold floor, landing hard on his shoulder. But with the slight touch of the Force that his master had given him, Obi-wan felt some hope. And as long as there was hope, there was life. And as long as there was life left in him he would stand by his master.

****

Although Qui-gon was facing his main threat in this mater, he let his attention go to his main concern, Obi-wan. He scanned the room and found his Apprentice. The weary boy noticed him, and Qui-gon sent him ripples of energy through the Force. Yet to his horror Obi-wan gave a quiet cry of pain and collapsed.

“You are causing your Padawan pain, my friend.” Jaron stated with a mocking tone. “You seem to have that way about you, wouldn’t you say?”

Lights abruptly jolted on. Although they were dim, they were enough to see by. For the first time since he had entered this dark place Qui-gon could see, with his own eyes, his one time close friend. He looked the same as he had remembered, except he no longer wore his hair in the Jedi Padawan style as it was the last time Qui-gon saw him. Yes he was the same on the outside, but the inside was a different matter. Was there any of the Jaron he remembered left in there? Hidden deep away for no one to see.

He looked beyond his one time friend now. Just behind him, laying crumpled on he floor unmoving, was his young apprentice. Once again the guilt washed over him. Jaron saw his change, using it against him.

“Quite a remarkable young boy.” Jaron said gesturing to the semiconscious Obi-wan behind him.

“Let him go.” Qui-gon said, knowing his words would mean nothing. “This has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with me.”

“Oh but you are wrong, Master Qui-gon.” Jaron said, a small smile appearing. “Master and Padawan are as one person. What affects one will affect the other. I found this out many years ago on this day. You do remember what happened on this day, do you not Qui-gon?” Jaron met Qui-gon’s gaze and held it. It had been so long since he had looked into those green eyes, now he wished that they would just go away. “I died that day along with my master, although it was not in body, but in spirit. And no one seemed to care, not the counsel, and not you.” Qui-gon listened hurtfully, but he pushed it away. He must think, he cleared his mind as best he could, he must get Obi-wan out of here. “So did I plan for you and your young apprentices.” Jaron continued. “However I discovered the length of his potential, it would be a shame to waist it.” Qui-gon snapped to attention at the sound of these words. “I will look forward to completing his training once you are gone.” Bits of anger came though the calm state of mind that Qui-gon had managed to put himself it. Obi-wan? An Apprentice to the evil that had enveloped his friend? It could not be. He would never allow that to happen. The anger was peaking though him now, it seemed to make the darkness around him swirl. Jaron’s smile widen, “Do your thoughts betray you my friend?”

Qui-gon thought, anger would get him no where. Jaron would feed off of it, as would the darkness. He calmed his mind once more. And although the darkness was tugging at him, he managed a small amount of peace of mind. “It has been many years Jaron. You have let your own hate consume you, it led you to darkness. But you can be led back into the light.” Qui-gon said, still believing that there must be some ounce of good left in Jaron. “Let me help you.”

Jaron gave a quick laugh, “Is this our old friendship you speak of, brother?” Jaron said, using their nickname from long ago. “Our promise to always help each other. You already broke that promise.”

“You asked me to do something that I could not do.” Qui-gon said shaking his head. “Think of your Jedi Training Jaron. All that your master had taught you. That fear, anger, hate, and revenge, all lead to the Dark Side. You were asking me to follow you there, and I could not do it. But I can help you know. You have been consumed by the darkness, but there is still light. One can’t exist without the other, this you know. Therefore there is hope that you can come back into the light. As long as there is the Force there his hope.”

“Do not lecture me Qui-gon. I have heard this before. I am one with the darkness now. It has given me power, power enough to stop those who have made me suffer so they can suffer the same.” Jaron said, his voice never faltering. “All those who refused to help me became my enemy...you became my enemy Qui-gon.” Jaron’s voice was icy, his eye’s locked with Qui-gon’s, glaring.

Qui-gon remembered what Yoda had told him about the Dark Side when he was but a boy in the Jedi Temple, ‘Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.’ Although Qui-gon realized this, he always assumed that there was some way to bring someone who was lost to it back into the light. Now he wasn’t so sure. With all that he had said, Jaron hadn’t even heard him. Qui-gon realized then and there that the Jaron that he had once known was gone, perhaps for good. Even though it was hard, he must accept that.

Obi-wan stirred in the background. Qui-gon’s eye’s drifted to the boy. Jaron may be lost, but his Apprentice wasn’t. The good person Obi-wan was would not be taken by the Dark Side. His Padawan was stronger than that, and he himself would not allow that to happen.

Obi-wan’s enthusiasm, his want to learn, his strength, his very presence, had always been able to bring Qui-gon out of any dark time he found himself in. Obi-wan had said that Qui-gon had done so much for him. But in truth, the apprentice had done just as much for the master.

‘And that is what matters now.’ Qui-gon thought silently. ‘Jaron and I may have been “brothers” many years ago. But Obi-wan is my *son*. And I will not fail him.’ With that though, Qui-gon was now confident that he could face whatever came before him now.

Once again Jaron sensed his change. His time for talking was over. From under his cloak a lightsaber appeared in his hand. Yet this was not the lightsaber that Qui-gon remembered from their childhood. And as Jaron ignited it, the orange blade that had been so vivid in his memory did not appear. Instead a black stream of light came from the weapon. Qui-gon was taken back with the sight of the black lightsaber, but hid his emotions and ignited his own weapon. Jaron smiled. “I’ve waited a long time for this.” he said.

In a blink, the lights in the room went out. Qui-gon realized that he could not see Jaron or his weapon. He could only hear the hum of the dark saber. A pang of panic came to him, but he pushed it aside. He had the Force to guide him.

Jaron was striking at him before he knew it. Qui-gon managed to block the lightning fast blows, but only just. His ability to use the Force as his guide was clouded with darkness circling around him. The darkness combined with the heightens lightsaber battle, Qui-gon was finding it seemingly difficult to use the Force. Yet he still matched Jaron blow for blow. Avoiding the kicks that were thrown at him as well as the hot dark light that seemed to come closer and closer to him with every strike.

“You destroyed everything for me.” he heard Jaron say. “My master is gone, I begged for your help yet you ignored it.”

More blows, more strikes, stronger, quicker now, and he still could not see from where they came. He let the Force tell him where his lightsaber should land. Jaron was strong. Although he could feel himself weakening he still matched Jaron. The fight was no where near over.

Again and again the lightsaber crashed and sizzled together, hissing apart, then coming together once more. Even though Jaron seemed to have all the advantages in the battle, for the movement they were evenly matched.

They broke away from each other, both breathing hard. The match still far from over, at least in Qui-gon’s mind. He could feel another presence in the room stir, besides the darkness. He realized that it was Obi-wan who was rising to his slowly feet. His Padawan’s movements gave him more strength, he felt he could go on for as long as he was needed.

Just then he felt the dark energy in the room spinning and move toward Jaron. He was collecting the darkness now, he would use it in the battle. Jaron was now sending the darkness back at him. A wave of darkness meant to push him back. Qui-gon braced himself for the impact, but to his surprise the darkness went right passed him and hit his apprentice instead.

Obi-wan cried out as he was swept off of his feet by the darkness and smashed into a near by wall and then crashed to the ground.

Shocked and horrified at what had just unfolded, Qui-gon didn’t sense Jaron’s advance on the attack. Before he had time to block, his lightsaber was kicked from his hand. Without a second thought he jumped back quickly, yet it was not quick enough. Jaron slashed with his lightsaber, and Qui-gon found pain connect with him. Jaron’s blade had caught him across his midsection. It was a fairly bad burn and laceration, it would heal with time, yet now it would lead to his undoing. For as he tried to control the pain to continue with the battle, his concentration wavered. Suddenly he felt a powerful kick to his jaw. He fell backward, hitting the floor with a thud.

His mind dazed, and with spots dancing in front of his eyes, Qui-gon forgot where he was for a second, but was called back again when he heard a familiar laughter. He tried to stand, but was forced back down when Jaron’s foot slammed on his midsection where his wound was still sizzling. Qui-gon cringed in pain, the sound of Jaron’s laughter became more mocking in tone.

“The Great Master Qui-gon Jinn, killed in the very place the Great Master Dundeen Hunen. You should feel proud.” Jaron said. He then rose his lightsaber into the air. Through the pain and the dark Qui-gon could see the outline of Jaron, arms raised ready for the kill. ‘I’m sorry Obi-wan.’ he willed toward his Apprentice. Still struggling under Jaron’s weight, Qui-gon readied himself for the final blow.

****

Obi-wan remembered this touch. It was the same one as on Constun that had happened what seemed like decades ago. The darkness, the invisible hands that grabbed him. But this time the hands pushed him, with all of their might. He didn’t feel himself hit the wall, he only heard the sound his body made at the impact.

He was on the floor again, he was conscious, but only just. Something was happening around him, something was going terribly wrong.

He heard something clink to the ground beside him. He looked with blurred vision. He could hardly make out the lines in the dark, but he knew instantly what it was. Qui-gon’s lightsaber. Panic surged through him. His master never dropped his weapon. Not when there seemed to be no chance left, not when the fight didn’t seem worth fighting anymore. His lightsaber was always in hand, always ready. But there it lay. Then Obi-wan realized, so did Qui-gon.

Obi-wan remembered the image of his master falling dead in the darkness. The image had not been real, and he would not let it become real. Qui-gon had known that Jaron had set a trap for him. Yet dispite that he came to his Padawan’s aid, as he had done countless times before.

Now Qui-gon was in danger. Obi-wan could hear the sound of Jaron’s laughter, see him raise his lightsaber high above his head. Obi-wan could just hear his master’s voice in his mind, sending him a plea of forgiveness.

He had only seconds he knew. He called on the Force, bending it to his will. The dark things in his mind crawled at him once more, screaming in his mind. ‘Silence!’ He demanded at them. ‘You are of no part of me, and I want no part of you!’ The screaming became only a whisper ,allowing him for the first time enough peace of mind to use the Force as he needed.

Then, with all of the strength left in him, he let the Force flow through him, and flung the weapon that lay near him into his master’s hands.

****

Qui-gon felt his lightsaber once again in his hand. He ignited the weapon, and before Jaron could come down on him, the green blade went though the man’s chest. Qui-gon instantly pulled it away, stunned at what he had just done.

Jaron took a step back then stumbled to the ground. “Well old friend.” Jaron said weakly. “I suppose...” he continued, pausing for a breath in his pierced lungs. “I underestimated you.” He breathed again, wincing at the efforts. “ I didn’t think...you had it in you.” His energy was fading now, the Force in him leaving him.

Qui-gon looked sorrowfully at the fallen man who had once been his dearest and most trusting friend. “Rest now Jaron.” Quietly, and even now with care in his voice. “Go back to the Force. Perhaps you will find peace there.”

“Yes...” Jaron said, his voice becoming even weaker. “You are....most likely right...you always...were about....that sort of thing. Weren’t you?” With those words, the last of Jaron’s energy left him, and his green eyes closed forever.

Next part

You are visitor # to come here since September 30, 1999.

© 1997 heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page