Qui-Gon ran as fast as his legs would allow, the floor dipping out from beneath him as he leapt down another shallow step. He saw a narrow, low strip of light in the distance, the sound of distant, clashing 'sabers ringing in his ears, and he drew on the Force to increase his speed.The bond with Obi-Wan was entirely open, which it hadn't been since his apprentice collapsed on Tatooine. Relief like no other filled Qui-Gon the moment he stepped through that Sith barrier and felt Obi-Wan's presence flood their link; the feeling had been so strong that he nearly collapsed in the middle of the hallway.
He drew closer to the light and realized that it was the door Anakin mentioned. Summoning the Force, he battered down the rest of it and burst into the room beyond unhindered.
The sight that met him was enough to stop him completely, and judging by the gasps that erupted from the other Masters when they followed, they were as stunned as he was.
Obi-Wan and Palpatine fought back and forth across a room easily the size of the training salle in the Temple, their movements graceful and rapid, their lightsabers meeting again and again with loud crackles. Qui-Gon watched, spellbound, as Obi-Wan twisted over Palpatine in a particularly dangerous maneuver, the young man landing quickly and throwing out a hand. The Sith was a split second too slow in responding, and Obi-Wan knocked him back with a powerful Force-push.
Perhaps I should be thankful we never had a chance to spar,Qui-Gon thoughtful,watching in shock as Obi-Wan turned set himself,his intent focused on the Sith before him.
Palpatine recovered quickly, spinning back towards the Jedi, and the red blade of his lightsaber sliced towards Obi-Wan's knees. Obi-Wan jumped back, flipping again and blocking blows as he did so. Once his feet were firmly on the ground, he dropped in a crouch to avoid an attack aimed at his neck. Balancing on one leg, he swept the other out around him, lashing out at Palpatine's ankles. The Force churned around him and strengthened the kick, but the Sith spun away, a swirl of heavy senatorial robes.
Obi-Wan rose immediately, bringing his lightsaber up to block several hasty attacks. A powerful surge in the Dark Side was the only warning of the giant wave Palpatine unleashed, one that sent Obi-Wan hurtling towards the window.
Before Qui-Gon could even cry out in alarm, Obi-Wan stopped himself, the Force catching him and settling him back on his feet.
I'm never going to get used to this, Qui-Gon thought as Obi-Wan stepped away to avoid several flying durasteel crates, slicing one with his lightsaber and knocking the rest aside with the Force.
He fights just like a seasoned Master.
Palpatine launched himself at Obi-Wan then, their blades clashing and sparks flying, dark and light colliding as the two attempted to send the other sprawling. Their blows were powerful; Qui-Gon could see the tremble that shook their arms each time they blocked a strike, but neither slowed nor retreated unless absolutely necessary.
"How the blazes…" Qui-Gon heard a Master behind him whisper, and it was then he realized that Obi-Wan had freed his Force-presence from every block he'd placed over it in order to hide it.
"Qui-Gon, did you teach him this?" another Master asked, one he recognized as Adi Gallia, and he tore his gaze from the battle to meet her piercing, yet stunned blue eyes. "He is holding his own against a Sith Master."
"He is," he replied, throwing off his robe and unhooking his lightsaber from his belt. "But now is not the time for questions; we should be helping."
With that, he dropped down to the floor, hearing a thud as another Master followed him. A brief brush of the Force told him it was Mace, his lightsaber drawn and ignited. They shared a brief look before Qui-Gon stretched out along the bond, trying to inform Obi-Wan of their presence without completely distracting him.
He must've succeeded, as Obi-Wan flipped and rolled, landing near a door a good distance away. He turned back to Palpatine, whose yellow gaze flicked to the congregation of Masters, a particularly nasty snarl twisting his lips.
"You've failed, Senator," Obi-Wan called, his voice steady despite the ferocity of the attacks he just engaged in. Qui-Gon saw sweat shining in his spiky ginger hair, his tunic singed from near misses, but his blue-green eyes shone with a light that had been missing ever since his collapse, and the sight warmed Qui-Gon to his bones.
Palpatine made no verbal response to Obi-Wan's words, but raised a hand towards Qui-Gon and Mace, who steadied themselves in preparation for whatever Force-based attack the Sith might unleash.
The blue lightning that seared towards him made his jaw drop.
He and Mace rolled away, the smell of smoking metal filling the air as the lightning discharged across the floor, melting sections of it. Qui-Gon got up quickly, igniting his lightsaber in preparation for the impending fight. He watched with wide eyes as Obi-Wan leapt towards the Sith, who sent another blast of lightning towards the Jedi.
"Look out!" Qui-Gon heard Mace yell, and the Force roiled around Obi-Wan, who used a well-timed push to move himself out of the way. It crackled past and he rolled as he landed, coming to his feet smoothly just as he reached Qui-Gon's side.
-He can't face all of us, padawan,- Qui-Gon sent as he set himself, feeling Obi-Wan settle into a ready stance as they stood together, their gazes locked onto Palpatine.
-Exactly,- Obi-Wan sent as he blew out a breath, the Force pulsing around them, and Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's stance shift to accommodate him.
-Together then?-
He saw Obi-Wan nod from the corner of his eye as Palpatine drew a second lightsaber, the Dark Side curling around the senator.
-He probably won't be using that lightning of his, but just in case, blocking that attack is easy,- Obi-Wan sent, as they stepped away from each other and began to circle around Palpatine, their attention focused on the Sith. -Lightsaber blades can diffuse it.-
-Good to know,- Qui-Gon sent back, noting that the other Masters were steadily dropping down to the floor, lightsabers ignited in preparation. Mace had stepped up behind Palpatine, who spun away in response, flying towards Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon felt a sharp blast of fear as Obi-Wan blocked the double-bladed blow, and he watched as small smile rose to his apprentice's lips. The young Jedi backed across the room, deftly blocking each strike Palpatine made, the Sith a whirl of robes and red light as he attacked. Obi-Wan ducked around the senator, flipping away and lashing out with his blade as he moved, nicking the Sith along his upper right arm.
Palpatine hissed in pain and outrage as he tore after Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon raced forward to attack the Sith, noting that Mace closed in from the other side. Qui-Gon caught one of the blades before it could come close to his apprentice while Mace struck at Palpatine's unprotected side, but the Sith pushed himself away.
Qui-Gon moved to follow, letting the Force sing through his veins, with Obi-Wan right at his side. The two charged, shoulder to shoulder until the last minute, when they pushed themselves apart and struck, forcing Palpatine to retreat towards the window. The Sith caught their rapidly falling blows, holding them off and drawing heavily on the Dark Side as they moved.
A flash from Obi-Wan was the only warning Qui-Gon had to shove himself out of the way, barely avoiding the Force-push that Palpatine aimed at him. He whirled around to Obi-Wan's other side, bringing his lightsaber down and slicing through the hilt of one of the Sith's weapons.
The lightsaber hissed and died as Palpatine jerked away, and Qui-Gon set himself, part of him enjoying the way the Force curled around him and Obi-Wan. He had fought beside his apprentice many times, and though the two worked well together then, Obi-Wan hadn't been the fighter he was now. His massive leap in skill combined with the bond they shared made the two of them able to plan and attack practically as one being.
"Surrender, Senator," Mace called from across the room, Adi Gallia at his side as they moved to surround the Sith. Palpatine said nothing, merely sending more lightning in their direction and forcing them to scatter.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon took advantage of the distraction, racing forward. Obi-Wan ducked, aiming a blow at Palpatine's knees, while Qui-Gon leapt upwards, bringing his blade down towards the Sith's shoulder joint. The senator leapt as well, dodging Obi-Wan's attack, and his red blade clashed with Qui-Gon's as the two fought their way across the room.
Qui-Gon sensed Obi-Wan hot on his heels, panic flickering along their bond, but he narrowed his focus onto the Sith before him, calling on the Force to strengthen his blows and give him warning of Palpatine's next move. Part of him was utterly stunned by the might of the Dark Side that surged around the senator, wondering dimly how the man could've kept such power hidden from the Jedi around him, but he shoved the thoughts aside as Palpatine made a wide swing with his blade.
He was unprepared for the dark Force-wave that slammed into him, sending him flying into a pile of nearby crates. He picked himself up as Obi-Wan flipped to land near him, and felt the quick scan Obi-Wan did to make sure he was all right. Qui-Gon brushed him off, sending reassurances through the bond but thanking him for his concern as they set themselves.
-We aren't working as a team,- Obi-Wan thought to him, which made him blink a little until his apprentice elaborated. –The other Masters aren't sure of how to proceed, so they're just standing on the sidelines.-
-Then give them orders,- Qui-Gon replied, adjusting his grip on his lightsaber hilt. He hadn't noticed how sweaty his palms had become. –Or tell me, and I'll shout at them to get them to act, if you're worried that they wouldn't listen to someone who looks like a padawan.-
-Every time we try to back him into a corner, he slips away,- Obi-Wan grumbled through the bond. –But if we want to take him alive, we've got to box him in. Tell the other Masters to form a perimeter and to be on their toes, if they aren't already.-
"Planning something, are we, Kenobi?" Palpatine hissed, and before Qui-Gon could tell anyone anything, the Sith leapt at them, dark energy crackling around him. He and Obi-Wan dove apart as Mace and Adi Gallia came flying forwards, attacking the senator from behind.
It didn't work as well as they'd hoped, as another powerful Force-wave slammed into them, knocking Master Gallia towards the window. Mace, however, caught himself with the Force and rolled to his feet, copying the move Obi-Wan had done earlier. Mace and Qui-Gon then rushed forward, attacking Palpatine with a furry of blows.
The Sith met them for every single one, spinning and weaving, his lightsaber arcing as it spun from one side to the other, parrying their strikes. They managed to drive him back, however, forcing him slowly but steadily to retreat towards the other Masters.
Qui-Gon was dimly aware of Yoda stepping forward, his gimer stick absent and his lightsaber in hand, and Palpatine seemed to notice this as well. He made them stumble with a weaker Force-wave and then flipped over their heads, a blur of dark robes. Qui-Gon spun, bringing up his blade to counter any blow that might fall, but the red blade was descending too quickly, heading straight towards his face-
"NO!"
Qui-Gon felt something jerk him to the side and he crashed into Obi-Wan, who he realized had Force-pulled him out of the way. Qui-Gon sat up, shaking his head a little to stop his head from spinning, and peered at Obi-Wan, who gripped his shoulders tightly, the bond awash with his apprentice's fear and concern.
Obi-Wan jerked to his feet then, bringing up his lightsaber to catch the Force-lightning that sizzled towards them. Qui-Gon rolled onto his back, watching in surprise as the lightning danced harmlessly across the azure blade. Part of him sobered when he saw that exactly where he'd been standing, Palpatine's weapon sunk into the metal floor all the way up to the hilt.
He swallowed; that had been far too close for comfort.
Mace attacked again, his face molded into an intense frown, controlled fury burning in his dark brown eyes. Palpatine jerked his weapon free and spun, parrying the series of blows aimed at his torso, and Qui-Gon heard the Sith hiss as Mace pushed him back towards the other Masters.
Obi-Wan turned then, helping Qui-Gon to his feet and squeezing his upper arm slightly, expressing his relief. Qui-Gon gave him a quick smile before they each blew out a breath, the Force leaping around them and flooding them with its Light. They dashed forward, coming to Mace's aid, but Palpatine eluded them again, spinning towards the door at the other end of the room.
A loud groan filled the air then, and Qui-Gon looked up in alarm to see the platform straining and twisting. It yanked itself away from the wall and hurdled towards the three of them, scraping against the floor as it came.
"MOVE!" someone yelled and Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan grab him and race out of the way, using the Force to enhance their speed. The platform rushed past, the backwash tugging at Qui-Gon's tunics, and it crashed into the transparisteel window, which miraculously didn't break.
Before Qui-Gon could react, Obi-Wan tore after Palpatine, who had been turning to exit the room. The senator spun back, holding up a hand to send lightning searing towards his attacker, but Obi-Wan jerked away, bringing up his lightsaber as he twisted.
"Fool!" Palpatine snarled, the Dark Side churning furiously, and Qui-Gon winced when the Force screamed in warning.
A powerful wave shook the entire room, one that made the floor heave beneath Qui-Gon's feet, and he found himself knocked unceremoniously to the ground. He threw his arms up over his head, protecting himself against the crates and other debris that came flying towards him, and braced himself against the sickening barrage of the Dark Side.
Only once the shaking stopped did he dare to peer up at his surroundings.
A fine layer of dust coated the air as the other Jedi worked to regain their footing, their expressions mostly stunned. Mace was shaking his head repeatedly while wiping at the blood on his chin, and several Masters worked to unbury another from beneath a pile of crates.
Obi-Wan! Qui-Gon thought with growing alarm. Where is Obi-Wan?
His padawan lay crumpled against a distant wall, a thin trickle of blood trailing down the side of his cheek, and his blue-green eyes closed. Qui-Gon struggled to his feet, unable to fully control the blast of fear that raged through his heart. He shouted into the bond, which swam with Obi-Wan's disorientation, but Qui-Gon kept trying, urging his apprentice to rise-
A mad cackle filled the air then, and Qui-Gon gasped. Palpatine hurtled towards the fallen Jedi, his red blade poised to strike a fatal blow.
No! his mind cried, his lightsaber flying to his hand, and Qui-Gon dove forward. He had to move faster, Obi-Wan had to wake up, something had to be done-
"NO!"
Qui-Gon started at the terrified shout and his heart nearly stopped when a small figure flew towards Obi-Wan.
"Anakin!" he cried, watching as the boy threw himself over Obi-Wan, clutching the Jedi as the lightsaber descended, Palpatine's cackle still ringing through the air-
Things slowed.
Qui-Gon felt as though he moved through mud, the pounding of his boots abnormally loud as he lunged towards the two figures in the distance. He brought his lightsaber up, preparing to fend off the deadly blow, silent words falling from his lips. He saw Obi-Wan stir, his blue-green eyes hazy as he looked up, oblivious to the danger he was in-
Qui-Gon knew he wasn't going to make it.
Unbridled panic surged through him, destroying any semblance of calm he might have possessed. He was too slow; the blade was falling too quickly. He tried to urge his legs to move faster, to get his feet to fly-
Anakin's scream rang through the Force.