#dark paths

Story can be read here

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A plan, granted it was not really a good one, was formed between the three unlikely allies. It didn't matter how different their views and opinions were, in this moment, their hearts and minds worked as one. They had one common goal and they were determined to achieve it, no matter the costs.

“Is everything settled then?” Dooku asked one last time. They could not allow a single mistake to happen if their plan was supposed to work, and if they all wanted to survive.

“Yes Master,” Xanatos said. It was almost terrifying, how quickly he had come to accept Dooku as his elder and therefore superior.

Obi-Wan only nodded. He was already too focused on the task at hand, to properly answer. It didn't matter though, both Dooku and Xanatos understood him nevertheless.

 As discussed, did Dooku demand entrance into the quarters of his charge. It was clear that Maul was not really happy about the interruption. Meanwhile Xanatos and Obi-Wan waited a few moments behind a corner; Dooku had left the door ajar, just a slit, but still enough. On silent and stealthy feet, did they move through the entrance and hid in the shadows. The latter turned out to be easier than thought, for Maul's rooms were almost completely dark. The only light came from a room opposite of his bedroom. It was clear where Qui-Gon was held.

Dooku left again. Obi-Wan and Xanatos remained, unseen and undetected. Maul was too focused on his helpless pray. It sickened both males, especially since they could hear the pained groans and moans from the long haired Jedi a lot clearer and better from their current position. But they had to wait full ten minutes, until they could be sure that Dooku was back within Sidious company. This way the grey haired man would not be held responsible and he could still help from within, should the need arise.

 Ten minutes had finally passed. Blue-green eyes looked up, into a serious face. Xanatos nodded and together, they moved. Obi-Wan was the first to enter the room. He did not look in his Master's direction, which was probably a good thing. Instead he began attacking the black and red tattooed Zabrak. Maul was quite surprised from the attack, so surprised that he reacted too late when Xanatos made his appearance and knocked him out. They did not place a Force collar around his neck quite yet, otherwise Sidious would immediately knew of their plan. Still, Xanatos had them ready at his belt.

Obi-Wan did not spare the monster at his feet any mind. Instead he walked, with his lightsaber still activated and shimmering in the dark, towards the tied man.

Qui-Gon looked terrible. There was so much blood and there were already bruises forming on his body. His limbs trembled and flinched involuntary. It was clear that he was also tortured by lightning and not only with tools. It had undoubtedly be cruel and since the man had no access to the Force, Qui-Gon could not even have released some of the pain and fear into the Force.

Midnight blue eyes settled on the approaching teenager. “Are you,” his voice was raw from the screaming, “are you here… to finish it?” There was no hope in his voice, his eyes spoke of emotional pain – undoubtedly fuelled by Maul and mental invasion – betrayal and a deep sadness.

“No, I am here to do what is right,” Obi-Wan answered. Qui-Gon flinched when a blue blade was swung, the more surprised he was, when the Force suppressing cuffs came off. He was beyond shock however, when Xanatos helped him in an upright position and offered him water, from which he had taken a sip previously, just to make the Jedi see that it was not poisoned.

“What-” Qui-Gon wanted to know.

“Later,” the two younger males said in unison. They exchanged a brief glance. It was clear that Obi-Wan was to take Maul and that Xanatos would carry his former Master. Obi-Wan just prayed that everything would go according to plan, but when did it ever?

  Shadow:

Slowly the former Jedi Padawan and his ever loyal companion walked through the corridors of the large building, where Sidious was already waiting impatiently. Obi-Wan could feel that through the darkness that invaded the place.

Qui-Gon looked a little too pale, probably because of all the darkness, but it did not affect Obi-Wan anymore, at least not in this manner. It fuelled his desire instead.

“Are you alright?” he asked seemingly worried.

“I will manage,” replied the Jedi. It was clear that he was not, which is why the young Sith shielded him at least somewhat. It earned him a surprised, but also acknowledging look, but nothing was said. That was alright with the teenager, he just did not want to have to carry the taller man to Sidious. That was too much work for his liking.

“You should not lie, not in a place like this,” Obi-Wan chided, his voice was deadly serious.

“You are right Obi-Wan, forgive me for my tardiness.”

The younger male lightly shook his head, “You just want to protect me,” the small smile on his features did convince Qui-Gon.

“That I want indeed.”

“I am very grateful for that,” if Qui-Gon noticed the lack of use of his title, then he did not mention it.

“It is as much my duty as it is my pleasure, young one.” And with that the brief dialogue was over. That was alright for the young Sith.

 Sidious was seated behind his desk, when his newest apprentice and the Jedi Master entered. He pretended not to notice them or their raised lightsabers whatsoever and he simply finished writing the last sentence on his datapad, before slowly putting it away. Only then did he look up. Qui-Gon instinctively took a large step back, Obi-Wan remained where he was.

Golden eyes met blue-green ones and in a single second, a whole conversation was traded between them. Sidious understood that Obi-Wan was already playing with the other's mind, he had from the point of the Jedi's appearance. Qui-Gon Jinn was already heavily influenced by his former apprentice and he didn't even notice. The shields around his mind felt natural and up until now, the young Sith had taken the other's love and used it for his purposes. Also Sidious understood that Obi-Wan asked for his help. Little did he know that he too was now part of a much bigger scheme.

 Slowly did the Sith Lord rise from the comfortable red cushioned chair he had been sitting on. “Welcome Master Jedi, how nice of you to join us,” he mocked.

Qui-Gon's brows furrowed, “Senator Palpatine… I had not expected you here,” there was not even the briefest flicker of fear in his voice. Obi-Wan had to admit that he was impressed by this.

The Sith Lord chuckled, “I see that you know me, but I fear that you have me at a disadvantage, for I do not know your name.”

The grip on the green lightsaber tightened. “I wonder, what did you do to achieve the rank as a Sith Lord?” The Jedi always spoke of two Sith, a Master and an apprentice, not more and not less. Qui-Gon was obviously trying to figure out if he was dealing with either of them, or if Sidious was just a mindless little pawn like Dooku and Xanatos had been.

“Pretty much the same as our young friend did,” his ugly yellow eyes shone almost madly in the dim room. Obi-Wan huffed almost inaudible, when blue eyes briefly flickered to him.

“I do not know what you are referring to,” they would never know if he wanted to say anything else, because Obi-Wan chose exactly this moment, to step forward with his weapon lowered. He turned to face his former Master, with a wicked grin and golden eyes, while Sidious laid one of his hands on the teenager's shoulders.

“Well done, Darth Vertigo,” the Sith title was knew to Obi-Wan's ears, but he liked it. It gave him a certain superiority.

Obi-Wan couldn't tell, if Qui-Gon was in denial or simple in shock, but the result stayed the same. The Jedi Master was not moving, except the rhythmic breathing of his chest. It amused the young Sith greatly, to see the once so proud and untouchable man, this defeated right in front of him.

That’s NEVER been the problem!

The problem is walking thru darkness, and possibly surviving it. It’s literally walking to the corner store on the darkest street in ur town.

It’s hard for some ppl, but others kinda…. Tend to visit for a bit. Just reminders of how strong you have gotten against it.