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Obi-Wan’s arms are growing more and more tired as he continues to block the swarm of blaster-fire coming towards him. He needs backup. Or maybe the entirety of the clone army if it could give his arms a rest. R4 beeps excitedly behind it, signaling that she was able to override the lock to the door Obi-Wan is currently backed into. The door slides open and Obi-Wan stumbles in, hitting the ground much harder than he would have liked. He hits the ground hard and allows a gasp to escape his mouth. R4 quickly glides in after him and is immediately locked in. The door quickly slides shut, as well as an additional blast door. The silence that now surrounds him is a welcome guest. Obi-Wan lets out a heavy breath while still on the floor. His arms finally resting. 

“Thank you, R4.” The droid chirps in recognition. 

Then he felt it. It. What is that? A presence. A dark presence. Where is it coming from? 

He is on high alert once again, making his needed respite all too short. 

A beep followed by a voice comes through his comlink.

 “Master? Are you there?” His padawan, Elara’s voice crackles through.

 Elara’s words felt worlds and worlds away. What is that? It was dark. That Obi-Wan knew for certain. A chill fell down his back. Something is very, very wrong.  R4 chirps at him, trying to pull his focus. But Obi-Wan hears nothing. Nothing but the force telling him he needs to run. Run.  He circles around himself to take in his surroundings. It’s some sort of electrical room. The walls are lined with buttons and switches blinking red, green, and blue. There seems to be only one entrance or exit: the one he and R4 just came through.  

“Master?” Elara repeats. Another beep and another familiar voice comes through his comlink. 

“General? Sir, do you copy?” Cody asks out of breath. 

He feels the presence all around him, unsure where it begins or ends.

“Obi-Wan?!” Elara’s voice finally pulls him out of his stupor. 

“Yes, yes I’m here.” Obi-Wan finally responds to his Commander and Padawan. He begins to feel along the walls for any kind of hidden door or vent entrance. “R4? Scan the room. We need an alternate exit. Something is very wrong here.” 

“You feel it, don’t you Master?” Elara asks.

“Yes. Both of you, get back on the transport and get back to the base.” He orders.

“What about you? Where are you, Master?”

“I’ve been -” Obi-Wan interrupts himself. He feels it again. Stronger now than before. The disturbance in the force. It acts like a punch to his gut that releases a grunt from his mouth. “Wha-UGH!” He quickly finds the nearest wall to lean on as the pain begins to subside. Yet, it still feels like this energy is circling him. Taunting him. 

“Master?!  I don’t know what this disturbance is, but it is dark in nature. We all need to get out. Now. What is your location?” Elara demands. 

Obi-Wan composes himself enough to let out a breathy response.  “No, no. Elara, listen, you must leave this place. The disturbance is stronger where I am. It is more powerful than you can imagine. I’m cornered. Both you and Cody must leave. Now.” 

“Master-”

“Sir you can’t be serious-” 

Obi-Wan tries to put as much conviction in his voice as he can muster, given the fact that he feels as if the very force he holds in his body is holding its breath.“I am your general and your master! You will do as I command. Both of you retreat. Now.”

Elara does not respond. Fighting Obi-Wan’s order with silence.

“Elara-” he warns. 

Another long moment passes before his Padawan decides to respond. “Yes, Master.” 

The sadness in her voice breaks Obi-Wan’s heart. He wants to give her some sort of hope that he will be alright. But, he also understands that it’s useless to lie to her at this moment. He must protect her.

“I’ll—I’ll be in contact. May the force be with you, both.” 

Elara responds the only way she knows how, “May the force be with you too, Master.” 

 His commlink beeps, then the whole room goes quiet. R4 beeps again, alerting Obi-Wan that the room, in fact, does only have one exit. Obi-Wan sighs.

“I’m afraid it’s just us two, my friend.” he responds. 

The dark presence still lingers. It is only at this moment that the silence he’s experiencing is much too quiet. He hears no battle droids from the other side of the door. No blasters or voices. Until one small noise breaks through the silence.

  Footsteps. 

Although the sound is small it carries the dark presence with it - growing larger and towering over the small room he’s in. Obi-Wan activates his lightsaber and the room is washed in blue. The footsteps continue to move closer and closer to the room. Judging by the sound and the uneasiness that Obi-Wan feels, the person is right outside the door. Obi-Wan jumps at the series of sudden beeps R4 lets out behind him. Obi-Wan quickly turns around just in time to see his droid powering down, in what appears to be, against its will. 

“R4? What’s happening?”

It is only in the absence of R4 beeping that Obi-Wan notices that the footsteps have stopped. But the blood freezing feeling remains. Obi-Wan barely has a moment to bring his lightsaber back in a defensive position before the blast door slides open and bathes the room in a red light. A figure stands in the doorway brandishing a red lightsaber. A sight that would usually cause Obi-Wan to be put on full alert and ready for a duel. But this unknown figure, with his separatist garb and what appears to be a lightsaber hilt much too big for his hands; only brings confusion for Obi-Wan. This man, whoever he is, is not force sensitive. He cannot feel any kind of force signature coming from the unknown man. And, the man is not hiding his signature. He is fully open, with no Force to be found. The man wears a smile on his face and fervor in his dark eyes. This man still carried an incredibly strong presence of the force. Carried. It did not come from within him. That’s when Obi-Wan saw what he was carrying at his side. Binders. Binders with a horizontal red stripe of light inset in each cuff. Obi-Wan had never seen cuffs like that before. But he knew immediately they were the source of the dark presence. 

The words fall out of Obi-Wan’s mouth “Who are you?” 

The man’s grin grows wider. “I am Rufa Cael. Head Scientist of the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederacy of Independent Systems.” 

Obi-Wan scoffs at  the arrogance in his voice. A proud Separatist through and through.

“Quite the title, I must say.” Obi-Wan teases. 

“And you are General Kenobi, if I’m not mistaken?” Cael politely asks. 

“You’re correct, but, please, call me Jedi Master General Kenobi, of the Galactic Republic.” Obi-Wan counters. Cael lets out a small chuckle and a small bow to the Jedi. “I must ask, Cael. Why do you possess a lightsaber if you are not force sensitive?”

The half smile on Cael’s face and the twitch of his left eye alerts Obi-Wan that this is a delicate subject for the scientist. Cael quickly corrects his facial emotion to something a bit more unbothered. 

“I prefer a civilized weapon, Why? Does this offend you?” Cael swings his saber around nonchalantly, teasing Obi-Wan.

“Offends me? Oh no. Though I do find most people who wield red lightsabers to be quite disagreeable.” Obi-Wan retorts. 

 There’s a tense silence that’s palpable. After a beat, the two men immediately started to circle one another in the small room. Their respective lightsabers create a wash of purple in the room. Obi-Wan makes sure to avoid tripping over his powered down droid who stands like a statue. 

“You know, Kenobi. When I was alerted that you were spotted on our security cams, I-” He stops mid sentence to shiver a chill going up his back “I was quite thrilled.” Cael’s excitement leaves Obi-Wan feeling uneasy. Obi-Wan didn’t even know this man, and yet it seems this man has waited a long time to meet the General. 

“Is that so?” Obi-Wan asks uninterestedly, still circling the room. 

“Oh yes. You have come at a most auspicious time. I’ve just finished a new invention of mine.”

Cael dangles the odd binders out in front of him. The dark energy of the binders takes his breath away. For something so unassuming, the power it holds could even scare a Master Jedi, They definitely scare Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan manages to trip over R4 while he is distracted, and lands hard on the floor. Cael takes his opportunity to lift his lightsaber and attack. 

Obi-Wan has no choice but to be on the defensive while still on the floor. Cael’s blows are raining down quickly and wildly. Obi-Wan manages to sweep Cael’s leg and he also falls to the floor. Both men are up quickly and in defensive positions. 

“I expected more from a Jedi Master .” Cael seethes.

It’s true. The dark energy pouring out of the binders is keeping Obi-Wan from fully concentrating on Cael. He takes a deep breath. He tries to center himself. Those damned binders . They are like a heavy fog that clouds his vision. A barrier keeping him from easily accessing the force. Obi-Wan messily swings his lightsaber down on Cael, who easily blocks it. Cael’s skills are impressive for a man who is not force sensitive. Obi-Wan pushes away, his breathing heavy. He’s about to attempt another attack when Cael’s comlink beeps.

 “Sir, we have them in a secure tractor beam. Waiting for your orders.” says a staticky voice. 

Cael smiles and holds the comlink up to respond. “Thank you, Captain.” he lowers his comlink and opens his arms to Obi-Wan. A gesture that suggested surrender. Or so Obi-Wan thought. 

“Here’s the deal General Kenobi. You put on these cuffs. Or I fire on your comrade’s ship we have in our tractor beam.” 

Elara. Cody. No. Obi-Wan stumbles a few steps back, They’re ship was damaged upon arrival. There is no way Elara and Cody would be able to properly defend themselves while caught in a tractor beam. 

“Proof. Show me proof.” Obi-Wan demands. 

As much as those binders scared him, he would wear them. He would wear them for the rest of his life if it could guarantee Elara and Cody’s safety. Cael quirks his eyebrows at Obi-Wan. 

“As you wish.” He lifts the comlink back to his mouth. “Captain, tell them to open window 10D.” 

Light begins to pour into the dark room. The entire wall behind Obi-Wan rises, revealing a large window. A window where he can perfectly see their ship caught in the tractor beam. No. No! Dread washes over him. Dread that is quickly substituted with anger. Obi-Wan breathes heavily through his teeth.

 “Your choice, Kenobi.” Cael says. 

I need to calm down. His heavy breaths turn into steady ones and he tries to quell the anger within him. He drops his lightsaber down by his side.

“How do I know you won’t shoot them the moment you have me in your custody?” Obi-Wan asks. 

“I guess that’s just a risk you have to take, General.” Cael’s voice is laced with satisfaction. 

Obi-Wan nods slightly, but enough to signal to Cael that he understands. That he surrenders. Cael’s eyes narrow and his grin grows wider.

 “Drop your weapon, General.” He orders. 

Obi-Wan deactivates his lightsaber and lets it fall to the ground. His hands up in surrender. Carl stalks towards him, deactivating his own lightsaber and taking the binders from where they were secured on his belt. 

“Your wrists please, General.” 

Obi-Wan extends his arms to the man. He wants to scream. But he knows that he must, must, keep his composure. Cael places the binders of Obi-Wan’s wrists and tightens them too tight for Obi-Wan’s comfort. He feels its dark energy swirling around him like a storm. He lets out a grunt at the immense pressure on his wrists. Cael takes out a small device from his pocket and presses a small red button. The glowing red light on the cuffs brightens and knocks the wind right out of Obi-Wan’s lungs. He falls hard to his knees, trying in vain to use his bound hands to steady himself. If Obi-Wan thought that the dark energy that these binders held before was bad, the binders activated felt like being thrown into a turbulent sea composed entirely of the dark side. Obi-Wan was only comforted by the fact that the dark side seemed to only surround him; not bleed into him. Still, the device at his wrists confused him beyond measure. 

“What are these?” Obi-Wan’s voice comes out strained. 

“Those, General-” Cael roughly grabs Obi-Wan by his chin. “-are the future.” Obi-Wan twists his head out of Cael’s grasp.

“Fine. You have me. You have what you want. Let the others go.” He demands. 

“Hmm, Is that what we decided?” 

“Cael-” Obi-Wan warns as he pushes himself back up to his feet. 

Cael lifts his comlink. “Captain, prepare to fire.” 

“No!” Obi-Wan yells. He attempts to access the force to do something, anything to stop him. Stars, the thought of using the force to pick up the still deactivated R4 and throw it at the scientist quickly passes his mind. But he can’t. He reaches deep down inside himself, to his surroundings, but nothing. The force does not answer him. It is still there inside him, but it will not answer his call. Cael looks at Obi-Wan with wild eyes. 

“Yes, yes!” he shouts. “Oh, General, you have no idea how happy you have just made me.” For the first time in a very long time, Obi-Wan feels completely helpless. “Captain-” Cael says into his comlink.

“Please, please.” Obi-Wan pleads.

“Release the ship from the tractor beam. Do not fire.” He commands, 

Obi-Wan lets out the breath he was holding, Safe. They’re safe now. Thank the stars. 

“You must forgive me, General. I just had to make sure that my invention worked.” 

It all hit’s Obi-Wan at hyperspeed then. Head Scientist. Usually tasked with making bioweapons. This entire mission began with leaked separatist information from a mole within the Separatists ranks who wanted to defect.The Jedi Council had received the information about a new weapon being made. One that could possibly turn the tide of the war. Obi-Wan, Elara, and Cody were supposed to do some recon on the Separatist hull to gather more information before an all out attack. This is the weapon. A weapon against Jedi. 

Cael sees Obi-Wan beginning to piece everything together. “Yes, General. I can see you finally understanding what it is you are wearing. These binders have the essence of red kyber crystals. It has taken me much time to piece it all together, but I’ve finally figured it out. These binders, when worn by a Jedi, block their ability to access the light side of the force.” 

Obi-Wan feels like he’s been kicked in the gut. He cannot access the Force. Or rather, cannot access the light side of the Force. His options are complacency, or using the dark side. This weapon in the hands of the separatists could completely disable the Jedi.  His thoughts are brought back when he hears his own comlink beep. 

“Master? Are you there?” comes Elara’s voice. Cael grabs Obi-Wan’s comlink from his belt. 

“Well, well. You must be the Padawan.” Cael teases. Obi-Wan grits his teeth. 

“Who is this? Where is Obi-Wan?” Obi-Wan can hear the anxiety in Elara’s voice. Cael lifts the comlink to speak again.

“You’re Master-” he begins.

“Elara! Leave! You have to listen to m-” 

He is cut off with a swift and callous strike to the face that sends him off his balance and back to the ground. The sound of the strike and Obi-Wan’s yelp reverberates around the room. Obi-Wan looks at him. He sees something in Cael’s eyes he hadn’t seen before. Viciousness. Cael continues.

“Your Master is quite busy at the moment. He has volunteered his time to us. He is quite indispensable. I do truly hope to make your acquaintance one day— what was it? Elara?” 

Obi-Wan bares his teeth at her name coming out of Cael’s mouth. Before Elara can respond, Cael quickly throws the comlink to the ground in front of Obi-Wan’s face and crushes it beneath his perfectly shiny black boot.

 “Well, General. Shall we begin?”

~

Two separatist guards roughly drag Obi-Wan through the corridors of the hull, Cael several feet ahead of them. Obi-Wan eyes both his and Cael’s lightsabers clipped to his Separatist issue belt. Obi-Wan tries to memorize his surroundings according to Jedi protocol of capture. Floor 2. West Corridor. Guards patrolling in pairs. All carrying at least two blasters. Guard to my left is carrying an electrostaff. 

“Where is my droid?" Obi-Wan asks. He didn’t see anyone remove R4 as they left the room. 

“Oh, we’ll make sure she’s put to good use, General.” Cael responds with a devilish smile. 

Obi-Wan opens his mouth to push the subject, until they abruptly stop at the end of the corridor and Cael scans his credentials, opening a large blast door. 

“Please, General. After you.” Cael smiles. 

The two guards roughly shove Obi-Wan into the dimly lit room. Again, Obi-Wan surveys his surroundings. Separatist interrogation room. Roughly eighteen by twenty two feet. No windows. Metal chair. Lovely. 

Obi-Wan is seized again by the guards and led to the chair. One guard turns Obi-Wan and roughly pushes him down into the chair. The other grabs his wrists and nods at Cael. Cael retrieves his remote that earlier activated the binders, and presses another button. In an instant, the binders are separated in the middle, leaving Obi-Wan with a cuff on each wrist. Against his better judgment, Obi-Wan seizes this brief opportunity. Since Obi-Wan cannot access the force, he has no choice but to rely on hand to hand combat. He grabs the guard in front of him by the back of the head and slams the guard’s face into his knee. He hears a tell tale sound of a bone crack before the guard yells out in pain, gripping his nose. Obi-Wan begins to round the chair to attack the other guard, Cael activates his lightsaber and holds it an inch away from Obi-Wan’s neck. Obi-Wan freezes. The heat so close to his neck is almost unbearable. He tries in vain to force grab his lightsaber at Cael’s side. But he can’t. His body won’t let him. He is screaming at the force held within him. Please. Wake up please. Cael notices his concentration and laughs at his futile attempt.

 “Dear, Obi-Wan. It may be time that you accept the position that you’re in.” Cael teases. 

Obi-Wan meets his eyes. Dark and calculating.

 “Sit.” he commands

Obi-Wan and his light eyed stare do not relent. Obi-Wan knows that for his own current safety and well-being, he should comply. But he will not. He cannot. 

Cael rolls his eyes severely. “Fine. Have it your way.” Cael concedes. 

He deactivates his lightsaber and brings it back to his belt. Obi-Wan is frozen in shock for an instant. Did that just work? Before he can convince himself that his staring and stubbornness has, indeed, worked, he feels an agonizingly sharp electrical pain on his back. He collapses to the floor with a yelp. The uninjured guard disengages his electrostaff. Both guards lift Obi-Wan to his feet and sit him firmly in the chair. The cuffs at his wrist meet the metal armrests of the chair and magnetize.

 “Now, Kenobi, if there will be no more interruptions?” Cael asks. 

“Oh, not at the moment.” Despite groaning out the words, Obi-Wan’s reply is still laced with sarcasm. 

Cael curls his mouth into a tight lipped smile. “Well, then, I must ask General, what were you and your comrades doing aboard my ship?” Cael inquires. 

Obi-Wan knows he can’t tell the truth. If the Separatists were aware they had a mole in their midst, the Jedi and the Republic would lose a valuable asset in their attempt to stay one step ahead of the Separatists. 

“We were tasked to map out your ship’s interior and weapons supply.” He lies. 

Cael tilts his head and makes a few tsks sounds at Obi-Wan. “You expect me to believe that Kenobi?” He asks, disappointment laced in his voice.

“Believe the truth? Well I would hope you would, Cael. Though, on the other hand, you are a Separatist. And we both know the truth doesn’t matter much to you. Tell me, do you believe yourself to be force sensitive? A Sith? Or is your lack of ability another truth you chose to ignore?” 

Obi-Wan is pleased by the shock and anger that paints Cael’s face. But, Obi-Wan’s pleasure is soon replaced with pain when Cael uses the hilt of his lightsaber to hit him swiftly and brutally across his face. Obi-Wan’s vision swims with enough stars to fill the entire galaxy. A mixture of blood and saliva drip out of his mouth, creating a small pool of red at his feet. He feels a nasty bruise forming on his cheek.

 “I’ll take that as a yes. ” Obi-Wan grumbles out, spitting some remaining blood out of his mouth. Cael grabs Obi-Wan by the hair, forcing him to meet his dark eyes. 

“You Jedi . So arrogant.” Cael seethes. “Tell me why you were aboard my ship.” he commands.

“Have you always envied those who possess the force? Is that why you created these binders? To have revenge on those who have strength over you? It’s control you want.” 

Obi-Wan knows he shouldn’t continue to press the matter. But he needs to poke and prod this weakness of Cael’s to get an upper hand. 

“Having power over Jedi will never give you what you lack, Cael.” Obi-Wan chides. 

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see won’t we? I have friends in high places.” Cael responds through gritted teeth. 

“You think somebody could give you the power of the Force?” 

“Like I said, Kenobi: Friends in high places. Friends who can channel a part of the dark side you could only dream of.” Cael says pridefully. 

That’s impossible. No one can give someone the ability to harness the force if they do not already possess it. He is being tricked. Cael is being taken advantage of. By who? Who could convince him of this? Who could-. 

“What has Dooku promised you?” Obi-Wan asks. Cael looks proud at the mention of his mentor. 

“Why, everything.” he responds. 

“He is playing you for a fool. He may have gifted you a lightsaber, but he could never gift you abilities. Even through the use of the dark side.” It is in this brief moment that Obi-Wan almost feels pity for Cael, 

“You know nothing, Kenobi.” Cael seethes. 

Obi-Wan smiles at the fact that he has managed to pinch another nerve. “He is a Sith. It is in their nature to lie. He had you create these binders too, hasn't he? He’s promised to reward you upon your success. Am I correct?” 

Cael motions to the guard holding the electrosaff. An unforgiving electric current swims through Obi-Wan’s body. His body convulses grotesquely. Every nerve in his body is on fire. Obi-Wan thanks the stars when the guard finally lowers the staff from his back. 

“Why. Were. You. On. My. Ship?” Cael repeats. Pulling on Obi-Wan’s hair on each word. 

“We were tasked to map out your ship’s interior and - GAAHH!” 

Obi-Wan is cut off by another electrified jolt by the electrostaff. The pain becomes unbearable quickly, but Cael does not motion for the guard to stop. By instinct, Obi-Wan reaches out to the force to center himself. To try to compartmentalize the immense pain he’s experiencing. He is quickly and cruelly reminded that the force lays dormant inside of him. If Obi-Wan couldn’t rely on the Force to keep him grounded, what could he rely on? Home. He thought. Coruscant. The Jedi Temple. Its high walls and echoing corridors. My favorite training room. The one with the glass ceiling. Elara. Elara. 

Elara has been his Padawan for less than a year now. Her former master unfortunately died in the earliest days of the Clone Wars. Elara was left masterless and directionless. She was only one year away from completing the Trials. Elara had joined the order later than most Padawans learners, at 12 years old. Usually too old for The Order to even consider permitting to train, but with her exceptional tether to the Force, the Council made an exception. The Council thought it best to place her with Obi-Wan. While Obi-Wan was hesitant by this assignment, given all of the pressure and time of his new role as General; the Council assured him that Padawan Elara has already come a very long way in her training and just needs a final push of guidance and mentorship. Their early days together were spent familiarizing themselves with each other. And Obi-Wan had to admit, Elara has come very far in her 10 years of training. She was incredibly skilled with her tether to the Force and could harness it as well as some of his peers. Obi-Wan had figured that a part of the reason Elara was assigned to him was their commonality: having seen their Masters murdered before their very eyes.. However, he did quickly learn that she had a tendency towards insubordination. A minor detail the Council had neglected to tell him. A detail that finally Master Fisto admitted was part of the reason she was assigned to Obi-Wan: his experience with the regularly tardy and insubordinate former Padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Oh wonderful. Will the Council always assign me to the difficult ones?  He had thought. 

While Elara did have a fiery, seemingly untamable spirit, Obi-Wan quickly grew fond of her, and Elara with him. They’re training sessions became more playful, their late night discussions longer, their connection stronger and stronger. Obi-Wan’s head swims with memories of her. Until finally he finds peace from his pain on a particular night from weeks ago..

The stars that night seemed to shine twice as bright from their view on a balcony of the Jedi Temple. 

“Master, do you think I’m ready for the Trials?”

“It doesn’t really matter what I think. What do you think?”

“I think you’re dodging the question.” Elara accuses.

Obi-Wan lets out a hearty laugh. A laugh that makes Elara feel like she is floating among those bright stars. 

“I do think you’re ready. Nearly.” he admits.

“Nearly?!” Elara blurts out. “I knew it, I shouldn’t have asked you.” 

He laughs again. “I do have some final lessons to teach you, young one.”

“And what would those be?”

“To believe in yourself. To believe that you are capable beyond what you give yourself credit for. And…” He trails off. Their eyes meet in a perfect moment stillness, He gets lost in the sea of her blue eyes. He’s swimming and dancing in their hue. He’s drowning in it. 

Elara holds his gaze. Seeing the stars reflected in his eyes as she tries to let go of the breath she is holding in. 

“And?” she pushes.

He wants to reach out and touch her arm. To move back the dark strand of hair that has fallen in front of her eyes. To hold her to, to -

A noise from two Temple Guards walking past pulls them both out of their stupor. 

“And……to learn how to be on time.” he teases.

Elara laughs. A laugh that makes Obi-Wan feel like she is floating among those bright stars. 

“I will work on that, Master.”

The electrostaff retreats and he is quickly pulled out of his thoughts by a slap to the face, which is more startling to him than painful. Obi-Wan’s eyes shoot open and reality comes crashing back in.

“We lost you there for a second, General.” Cael teases. He begins to circle Obi-Wan at an agonizingly slow pace. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Cael says as he emphasizes his words with a few knocks to Obi-Wan’s head. “It's not so easy to have to deal with pain like the rest of us, is it Kenobi?” 

Obi-Wan tries to reply, but only a strained whimper manages to make it past his lips. Panic starts to rise within him and he struggles against the binders that keep him in place. Cael’s face is plastered with satisfaction at Obi-Wan’s sudden lack of composure.

 “My, my. How the mighty Jedi Master has weakened. When Dooku endows me with the power of the dark side, the pain you’re feeling now will feel like child’s play.” he threatens. 

Obi-Wan attempts in vain to reach out to the Force. He reaches and reaches until he feels a small flicker within him. He reaches for it, straining within himself. 

But it is not light that he finds.

It is darkness. 

The darkness within him ignites and Obi-Wan immediately pulls away. Afraid of his own power within him. 

Cael leans down toward Obi-Wan.  “You felt it didn’t you? The darkness in you coming alive?” 

Obi-Wan continues to push the darkness down. Calling out to the light. The does not respond.

“I feel it, yes. The dark side.” 

Cael smiles. Nodding. “Yes, yes. What does it feel like?”

“Thankfully-” Obi-Wan says. “-you’ll never know.” 

The next shock of the electrostaff does him the mercy of rendering him unconscious. 

~

When he awakes he is being dragged by two guards down a long, dark corridor. His head swims and his whole body aches. 

“This one.” one of the guards says.

A small blast door opens and Obi-Wan is unceremoniously tossed down the steps into a cell. He hits the ground hard on the right side; his body sore and screaming. The sound of the blast door behind him makes him jump. He again surveys his surroundings. Low ceiling. Room is roughly twelve by twelve feet. A cement bench along the far wall. And….nothing else. 

Obi-Wan doesn’t bother getting up to lie on the bench. The floor will be just as comfortable. He turns and lies on his back, The coldness of the hard ground a welcome sensation to his aching back. His heavy eyes shut and he surrenders his body to sleep.

~

They were in Obi-Wan’s favorite training room. The one with the glass ceiling. The rays of light from the glass enveloped the room in a bright glow. A glow that seemed out of place shining on Elara’s downcast face. 

It’s Obi-Wan who finally breaks the silence. “We can talk about it. If you like.” 

Elara pulls her mouth into a thin, fake smile. “I think I’m alright, thank you.” 

The silence resumes. Obi-Wan remembers this feeling. This sadness. The push and pull of trying to stay stoic, while your grief is tearing you apart stitch by stitch. Although Jedi are not allowed to form emotional attachments, the bond between a Master and Padawan is sacred. 

In order to fully train Elara, he needs to fully know her. In order to fully know her, she first needs to trust him. Trust that he will not judge her for the emotions she’s experiencing. 

“When my Master died -” his voice catches in his throat. He rarely, if ever, talks about Qui Gon’s death. “ - when he died, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. I had promised to train Anakin and I - didn’t really have the time or space to grieve. I felt I was expected to move on quickly. There was no time to spare when The Chosen One was to be trained.” 

Elara looks up at her new Master, mesmerized by this sudden emotional openness from a Jedi Master. Her new Jedi Master, nonetheless. 

Obi-Wan’s gaze meets hers. “I will not ask you to simply move on from this. I will not ask you to forget your old Master. But, I do ask that you let me help, in any way that I can.” 

Elara wanted to cry at his kindness, his gentleness. “Alright” was all she could manage to say. 

Obi-Wan saw it then. A certain glow that was now emanating from her. A glow he would cross the galaxy a million times over to see. A glow he would risk his life to maintain. 

~

Obi-Wan awoke gasping. He quickly got to his feet searching his small cell. 

Elara? Elara? Where is she?

He swallows and the dryness of his throat brings him back to the present. Obi-Wan looks down at the glowing red binders still at the wrists. What happens if I die? He asks himself. I cannot put Elara through another loss. I will not. I have to see her again. I have to - 

The blaster door behind him hums open. 

Cael appears on the other side. His face sour, He is not alone. 

“Cody?!” 

Cody stands behind Cael, holding a blaster held to scientists head, who’s wrists bound. Red lightsaber, nowhere to be seen. 

“Hello, General. Need some help?” Cody responds with a smile. 

A small laugh escapes Obi-Wan. “That would be appreciated. How did you find me?”

Cody pushes the blaster further into Cael’s head. “You can thank him for that.” 

“You clones are -” Cael’s insult is cut short by a swift knee to his stomach.

“Elara?” Obi-Wan asks.”Is she -” 

He feels her force signature before he even sees her. 

“Master!” She skids to a stop next to Cody. Her face glows at the sight of her Master. 

Obi-Wan’s heart nearly leaps out of his chest. A relief like he’s never known before floods through him 

“Just in time, Elara” 

“Yeah. I’ve been working on that.”

Her face is quickly painted with worry when he steps into the light and she notices the state of him. His hair disheveled, face brandished with bruises, his bottom lip split. It’s when her eyes drop to the binders around his wrists that her face truly pales. 

“Oh, I see you’ve noticed my handiwork.” Cael boasts. 

Elara makes her way into the cell. Her eyes never leaving the binders. Obi-Wan sees the recognition cross her face. 

“They’re why I told you to leave.” Obi-Wan says softly. 

Her eyes meet his. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She shakes off the worry and replaces it with determination, 

She turns around to Cael “Take them off!” she demands.

“Cody, left breast pocket.”

Cody takes Obi-Wan’s cue and rifles through the scientist’s jacket. 

“Oh, get off me!” he yells. 

Cody removes the small black remote from Cael’s pocket. He tosses it to Elara. She quickly presses the control. 

The binders release and hit the ground with a resounding thump. Obi-Wan feels a rush sweep through his body. The force awakens within him. It courses through his veins, his bones, his muscles. 

Obi-Wan picks up the binders from the floor. “I think it best we keep these somewhere safe.” 

The sound of blaster fire pulls their attention to the hallway. Another clone appears in the doorway. 

“We’ve cleared the way for escape, Commander.” says the lieutenant. 

Obi-Wan rubs his sore wrists and saunters over to the scientist. “Tell me, Cael. Have you ever been aboard a Republic ship?” Obi-Wan inquires.

Cael bares his teeth. “You’ll regret this, Kenobi.”

“I’ll take that as a no.” 

“Sir, we need to leave now.” Cody pushes. 

“Yes, of course. But first - Cael, would you be so kind as to tell me where my droid is?” 

Cael’s eyes widen and a sinister smile paints his face. “Well, Kenobi, I would expect your little droid has already been reprogrammed by now. He will do well to serve the Separatist Alliance.” 

“Actually, Master -” Elara places a reassuring hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. The simple, kind touch that makes him want to melt. He turns his head to meet her eyes. “-we’re already one step ahead of you.” 

~

The lieutenant was correct. They had successfully cleared a way through Cael’s ship to make it back aboard their own. Obi-Wan was relieved to be back in a familiar place. 

“Cody? Call the Council. I need to inform them of Cael and his weapon as soon as possible.” 

“Sorry, Sir, but our long distance comms were taken out by Cael’s ship before they pulled us into their tractor beam.” Cody reports. 

“Alright. Well, tell our pilot to get us into hyperspace.” He orders. 

“Yes, Sir.”

As Cody rounds the hall to head to the cockpit, Obi-Wan is met by two familiar faces.

“R4! Are you alright?” 

The excited beeps and chirps from R4 release a hearty laugh from Obi-Wan. 

“Yes, yes, it’s good to see you too.” He says giving the droid a fond pat on the head. 

“Good thing we found her when we did, she was about 1 minute away from being reprogrammed.” Elara chimes in. 

“Well, thank you, young one for saving my dear friend.”

She smiles as she grabs him by the shoulders to turn him around. 

“Alright, Master, let’s go.” She says as she begins to guide him down the hall of the ship. 

“Go where, exactly?” 

“The medbay. You look a little worse for wear.” She teases. 

Obi-Wan halts. “Oh, no I’m fine, Elara.” 

“You have a split lip and a bruise the size of a Jawa.” She retorts. 

Obi-Wan’s eyes grow wide and he stifles a laugh. She was always able to do that - make him laugh. 

“Elara, truly I am alright.” He pushes. “I’ve looked worse.” It’s true, this isn’t the worst he’s ever looked. He’s had more severe injuries than this. He can push through. 

“Your stubbornness will be your downfall.” Elara teases.

“ You are lecturing me on stubbornness?” He asked, amazed, teasing her right back.

“Master, just for once, let me take care of you.” 

She’s looking at him with that same fire in her eyes. A fire that makes him want to lean in further and further. But behind that fire lies something else: worry. She was scared too. Scared that her Master would not return. He reminds himself.  The thought of being taken care of would usually not be an offer he would take up on someone. But her, Elara. He thinks he can make an exception. 

“I — yes, alright.” 

~

Obi-Wan sits on a cold metal table, gaze focused on Elara as she gathers the proper medical supplies and equipment. Obi-Wan must admit, if he’d have anyone tend to his injuries, it would be his Padawan. Elara excelled in her training as a Jedi Healer, but ultimately chose to pursue the path of a Knight. 

Elara turns around to meet his eyes. Obi-Wan quickly looks away, his cheeks flushed at being caught staring.

She brings her tray full of supplies to Obi-Wan and sets it next to him. “Are you alright, Master?”

Obi-Wan’s cheeks flush even more severely. “Oh I – yes. Quite alright.” 

Elara nods. She gets closer to Obi-Wan and they both realize that she must stand between his open legs in order to be close enough to inspect him. She laughs. “Oh, may I?”

“Yes.” The word falls out of his mouth embarrassingly quick. His cheeks flush again. 

Pull yourself together, Obi-Wan. He chides to himself. 

Elara gently grasps his chin, inspecting his wound. “What was it? A fist? Object?” 

“Hilt of a lightsaber.” Obi-Wan’s mind retreats to the moment. The immediate pain that engulfed his face. The overwhelming metallic taste of blood in his mouth. The powerlessness he felt. 

Elara quickly pulls back. She turns to her small rucksack and rummages through it. She pulls out Cael’s lightsaber. 

“This one?” she asks sadly. 

“Yes. You kept it?” 

“I thought it best to give it over to the Council, along with the binders.” She replies. 

She returns to Obi-Wan, inspecting his lip once more. She retrieves a damp cloth and begins dabbing the remaining blood of Obi-Wan’s wound. He winces at the pressure on the tender areas. 

“Sorry.” she whispers. “We’ll have to put some bacta gel on that.” 

She moves on to inspect the large purple bruise on his cheekbone. Obi-Wan notices a strand of her dark hair falls next to her eye. Unconsciously, he reaches out and gently tucks the strand behind her ear. Elara freezes at the sudden intimate gesture. His eyes finally meet hers. In this moment, they are fully lost in the other’s eyes. Time and space around them stops. Until, it all comes crashing back in. Stop.You must stop this. He chides to himself. And yet, it takes his body a few more seconds to catch up with his mind. He blinks quickly, pulling his gaze away from Elara and at his lap. She takes his que and does the same. 

He needs to break this tension, this agonizing silence. “Will I live, Doctor?” He teases. 

She laughs. Their eyes meet again. She takes a seat on a chair across from Obi-Wan. “I suppose.” 

Another silence passes over them. He rubs his wrists unconsciously. 

“Are your wrists alright?” she asks. 

He glances down at the wrists he didn’t know he was rubbing. “Oh, yes. Just a little sore.” 

“Tell me more about the weapon – the binders.” 

So he did. Unsure as he is about how Cael was able to put so much of the dark side of the Force into the object still perplexed him. 

“Are you ok?” she asks.

“Well I’m upset about the split lip.” He gestures. 

Elara stands and strides closer to her Master. “No, Master, I mean – you were powerless. Weren’t you scared?” 

Obi-Wan recalls the conversation he and Elara had upon their first meeting. How he offered to help her, in any way he could, to fully process her grief and emotions from the death of her former Master. Like any good student, she was teaching his lesson right back to him. 

“I was. Yes.” he admits. “That’s why I told you and Cody to retreat. I didn’t know what was happening and I didn’t want to put you in any further danger.”

Elara takes her seat again, eyes glued on Obi-Wan, listening intently. 

“I don’t regret my decision. Cael had you and Cody in his tractor beam. I’ve been a captive before. I know the Jedi procedure: how to memorize my surroundings, how to stay composed under pain and pressure. But I –” His voice falters. A shiver running up his back at the reminder of the fear he experienced at the hands of Cael. 

“ – I didn’t have the Force with me. Or, at least I could not feel it. There was only Darkness inside. A Darkness I knew I could not give in to. No matter how strong and tantalizing it seemed. And yet, there was a moment that I –” His voice trails off. He turns his head. He cannot look at his Padawan right now. The person he is charged to train, to protect.

“What, Master? Please, you can tell me.” 

He looks back at her. Her light eyes wide, her brow furrowed creating that one little crease on her forehead. The look she is giving him is not one of pity, he realizes. But, rather one of admirance. Admirance that her fearless Master, Master Kenobi, The Negotiator, is truly at a loss for words. 

Obi-Wan concedes. “There was a moment where I felt the darkness bubbling inside of me. And I wanted to reach out and grab it; to use it against Cael. To ease my pain.”

He doesn’t want to look at her. He doesn’t want to see the disappointment he’s sure is painting her face. He takes a deep breath. “Here I am as your teacher: I’m supposed to train you how to resist such -”

“You were very brave, Master.” she interrupts.

He stares at her, mouth agape. No disappointment in her eyes. He involuntarily lets out a slight chuckle. “I didn’t feel very brave. I was terrified. Terrified that I would give into the Dark Side. Terrified that Cael would kill me and you would have to grieve another Master.” he admits. 

Elara stands and makes her way over to him. She cups Obi-Wan’s face in her hands. A gesture that initially throws him off guard, and yet, he cannot help but lean into her touch. 

“You are a good man, Obi-Wan. And good men, even good Jedi, get afraid.” 

It’s happening again. He is absolutely lost in the deep sea of her eyes. Lost in the deep sea of her kindness. The jolt out of hyperspace lurches them both. The sound of the blast door opening grabs their attention, and Elara takes a few steps back from her Master. 

Cody leans into the doorway. “We’ll be landing in Coruscant in a few minutes, General.”

“Thank you, Commander.” 

Cody nods quickly and leaves the two alone once again. 

“Well,” Obi-Wan quickly claps his hands and jumps off the table. “We’ll need to report to the Council immediately. They’ll be eager to hear about this new weapon.” 

“Do me one favor, Master?” she asks as they begin to make their way out of the medbay.

“And what would that be, young one?”

“When we’re finished reporting to the Council: get some rest.”

“I will need to interrogate Cael and also bring the binders to our labs to run some tests and -” He cuts off when he sees the incredulous look on his Padawan’s face. 

“Fine.” he concedes. “I’ll rest.” 

Elara nods. “I’ll meet you in the Council’s chamber.” She gives Obi-Wan a quick bow and quickly walks down the hall. It is only now at the mention of rest that Obi-Wan truly feels how exhausted  he really is. 

~ 

The binders are tighter this time, painfully digging into the flesh on his wrists. He trashes against the metal chair, trying in vain to free himself. He hears the footsteps again. He freezes. The footsteps are getting louder and louder, closer and closer. He hears a blast door open.

“Cael – you mark my words…” his voice trails off when he recognizes the figure in front of him. 

No, no.

It’s him. Himself. Brandishing a blood red lightsaber. Eyes dark and calculating. The figure swiftly lifts his lightsaber and slashes.

“No!” he yells. Him and his sheets are drenched in sweat. He sits up to survey his surroundings. 

My room. In the Temple.

He closes his eyes and lies back down again. 

It’s not me. It’s not me. It’s not me. It can’t be. He repeats until sleep takes him once again.