Disclaimer: all hail almighty Lucasworld and its attendant
minions. And also please note: this story is not for profit,
only written for the satisfaction of my readers.
Archive: MA archive?, personal homepage.
Category: AU, implied violence, implied m/m sex.
Rating: PG with implications of NC-17.
Warning(s): Speculative fiction. Post-TPM.
Summary: The beast approaches.
Brief outline: The series "The Watcher and The Watched" is a
sequel to the "Lycanthrope" series where Qui-Gon becomes
infected with lycanthropy. In this alternate universe, Qui-Gon
doesn't die. Instead, he and Obi-Wan become co-Masters to
Anakin Skywalker. Insofar, Qui-Gon has managed to control his
lycanthropy and has suggested Bonding with Obi-Wan.
In "Trial", Obi-Wan takes his Knighthood trials and is later
traumatized by it. "Dreams and Nightmares" is where Obi-Wan
recovers and tries to make sense of his Trials. Qui-Gon and
Obi-Wan goes through Bonding in "Ceremonies and Masks". In
"Winter Solstice", life becomes peaceful but the hunting has
begun with Palpatine's plan.
"The Beast Approaches" finishes the series "The Watcher and The
Watched" and heralds the beginning of the next phase in the
life of Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master and wolf. This forms the
first half titled "Wolf Within". The second half of the saga
will be tentatively called "Wolf Without".
The beast approaches from the distance, its dark form outlined
by the shimmering desert sun. He can only watch as it
recognizes him and begins to pad towards him. Its midnight blue
eyes pierce through the haze of the sandstorm. He can see its
shape reflected on the ground. It must be a mirage, an
illusion.
But it continues to move towards him, resolutely as if it has
only one purpose, one goal. It is looking, hunting for him.
Right now, it has spotted its prey.
He turns and walks as fast as he can in the desert wind. Sand
scourges his skin. His face burns with a myriad of abrasions.
The sun beat against his bare skin.
He realizes that he is naked. The storm tugs at his long hair,
pulls his beard with talons. He shivers even though the heat of
the desert is enough to cause shimmering lines in the horizon.
He glances over his shoulder.
The beast is still striding towards him, undeterred by the
swirling sand. Its eyes are unblinking. It only moves with a
singular thought in mind. Suddenly, it halts in its tracks and
tosses back its head, giving forth a deep-chested howl that
seems to echo all around him. It is a howl that states its
identity, its mission. It is a howl that tells others the beast
is on a hunt, probably to the death.
It is a howl that he recognizes. Something in him stirs.
Suddenly afraid, he looks away from the soul-burning blue beast
eyes.
Instead, he focuses on someone else. Someone with short cropped
brownish hair. Hair that turns copper under the sun. He focuses
on a face, young and beautiful, a face he has seen grow and
mature throughout the years. He smiles as he remembers the
clear blue eyes. They are solemn when the face refuses to smile
but radiant when it finally does.
The howl is heard once more, fainter this time.
He begins to feel more assured. He whispers the name under his
name. "Min." He adds another: "Ben." They give him courage and
strength to walk on.
Yet, his feet are unresponsive. They drag as he tries to walk
across the sand dune. He starts to whisper the two names as if
they are meditative chants. For a while, they grant him the
peace to start the journey afresh.
A shadow flits across his vision.
It is the beast, standing in front of him. This time, its
canine mouth is open, revealing the sharp teeth, the razor
fangs. He can see its paws, tipped with silver claws. Its coat
is silver-brown, the same color of his own beard. It is a huge
beast, powerfully built and undeniably male.
A pink tongue licks the air and the mouth seems to curve
upwards, in a feral inhuman grin. "I know you," it seems to say
without speaking aloud. "I know you and you know me."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you belong to the Dark. You are a creature of my
mind."
The beast yawns mightily, as if it has become bored by the
conversation. "No. Because I belong to you."
"NO!"
He runs. He turns away from the knowing midnight blue eyes and
he runs. As he does, he closes his eyes and remembers the
beautiful face. A face that glistens after lovemaking. A face
that laughs with pleasure and smiles with approval. "Ben!" He
shouts to the screaming desert wind. "Min!"
Something hits him and he tumbles, falling face first into the
sand. He quickly regains his feet and whirls to confront his
attacker. The beast grins at him, an alpha male declaring his
dominance.
"You!"
The beast steps forward. "I am you. You are me."
"No."
"Yes. I am you. You are me. Together we are one."
With that calm, almost chilling statement, he bursts forth in a
spurt of energy. He finds himself heading towards an oasis with
a small running stream. He heads straight for the sanctuary and
kneels before the water. He splashes the cooling liquid on his
face, blessing its refreshing quality and drinking in its
purity.
He stares at the reflection. His face is the same: slightly
crooked nose, long hair and beard. But as he watches with
horror, the face shifts, assumes lupine features.
He slams his hand into the water, shattering the reflection.
"Who am I? "
"Am I Qui-Gon Jinn?"
In the distance, he knows that it is coming. Already, its howl
rings across the sky.
The beast approaches, its easy stride now a confident lope. Its
eyes are fixed on him now.
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