Chapter 5: Obi-Wan

Blaster fire started immediately after the Jedi landed upright. Qui-Gon had to block a shot aimed at his padawan's shoulder as Obi-Wan had faltered briefly. He could tell the men had been trained at the hands of a powerful person. Qui-Gon didn't want to have to kill them, he wanted to know who they were and what they wanted from them.

Obi-Wan fought off the men as best as he could, feeling weak when his master was forced to step in and help. It was true his headache had yet to go away but the young Jedi felt that he should be sharper, quicker; he would be of no use if his master had gotten injured. Suddenly the six men took off in different directions, still shooting at the Jedi. Qui-Gon had headed after the three with the force sensitive.

'Obi-Wan, stay at the caves.'

Obi-Wan could hear his master's voice in his mind through their bond but the other three were getting away and he knew they would be back, possibly with reinforcements. Obi-Wan couldn't allow that to happen. Against his masters orders, he followed the three men farther into the forest.

The blaster fire whizzed by Obi-Wan's head and he was just able to dodge out of the way of another. He was using the Force to guide his feet, his movements, and his defense.

"Getting tired little Jedi?" A low voice asked, but Obi-Wan kept his focus, feeling one of the other men close, the third must have ran off.

More blaster fire and as Obi-Wan felt the other man behind him he moved his lightsaber quickly, never turning around to see his victim fall to the ground, dead.

~*~

Qui-Gon could feel his apprentice moving farther and farther away, he then realized his mistake, it was a trap. One Jedi is easier to fight then two, and an apprentice is easier than a master. He should have known Obi-wan would fight, he wouldn't have just let the men go. Who knows what they were up to or what they had planned for the people of Dantooine. Qui-Gon turned and ran towards where he left his padawan.

~*~

Obi-Wan was getting tired and his connection to the Force seemed to be getting weaker every moment. He felt the fear of the last man he was fighting, no doubt no terrified of the young Jedi after seeing his comrade get struck down.

Obi-Wan used his fear as an ally for himself and moved to be more aggressive. Perhaps he could get rid of him swiftly then go assist his master.

He moved along with the man, the blaster fire now much easier to deflect. As he did he heard a yelp and felt the man fall, he wasn't dead, it was just a graze on his arm. Still on the defense, Obi-Wan approached him just then noticing the rain was dying down and they were on the edge of a cliff. The Man was struggling for dear life as his body was hanging, his feet trying to dig into the side of the muddy wall.

"Here, take my hand." Obi-Wan urged, reaching down.

"Never, I don't need your help Jedi!" He spat at Obi-Wan who felt a mental push. He staggered for a moment before feeling the danger, the third man was running at him at full speed. Obi-Wan wasn't quick enough as a blaster shot hit him in the shoulder and he was pushed into the ravine.

~*~

Qui-Gon watched in horror as Obi-Wan was shot then pushed to what was most likely his death. The Jedi master used all his energy to run towards the man. The hum of Qui-Gon's lightsaber was the only thing heard as it seared through the man's chest. He didn't waist anytime in running over to the edge and reaching out for his padawan's Force signature. It was there, he could feel the pain radiating heavily, but his apprentice was still alive.

A slow movement to his right alerted Qui-Gon to the man who was hanging on for dear life. He quickly went over to him and pulled him up, keeping his grip tight.

"Who are you? What do you want from us?" He yelled, the adrenaline he was feeling making the master one of the most fearful things the man had ever seen.

"You will get no answers from me Jedi!"

Qui-Gon was angry, he was afraid for Obi-Wan's life and he felt the dark side of the force start to call for him. 'Throw him over. These men are the reason he could be dead. Show them a lesson.'

Qui-Gon wanted to obey the voice but instead he called upon his training and the light he embodied. Opening his eyes he stared at the man before putting him into a Force induced sleep and dragging him back to the cave. He would secure him then go look for his fallen apprentice.

~*~

Obi-Wan grabbed a tree root that was sticking out of the mud as he fell. The wound on his left shoulder was throbbing as he hung there, his light saber was gone, most likely at the bottom of the ravine.

'Now what?' He thought to himself as he hung there, the pain in his shoulder combined with the headache he already had was making him dizzy. He needed the Force once more. He needed a way safely down. As he reached out with his feelings he groaned. No such luck. He felt the undeniable presence of the Dark Side. It was in the form of five grown men, and they were coming for him.

TBC

I know this is really short but my allergies have been acting up like crazy and I just feel like crap. Thanks for all the reviews you guys, you make me wanna get out of bed an continue!