History burned all around the Jedi as they huddled together for their last stand. The roaring fires searing through the ancient Jedi text, bodies falling from high platforms. The lightsaber does not discriminate who it kills, all fell victim to the red sword. Palpatine ordered the destruction of all Jedi texts, the Jedi Temple was to be converted to his own palace. The Empire would rewrite history, the truth will come out. The Jedi loss their way - no one was brave enough to question them. It was time to call the Jedi home and make them one with the Force.
Burning ash. Burning lava. As far as the eye can see, the seething rage and inner confusion of one fallen hero, all Obi-Wan could do was deflect and deflect, trying to find a way into the troubled man's heart. Sentimentalities gone unfounded. His muse laid motionless on the deck floor of the hanger, it was uncertain if the deeply pregnant Padmé would pull out - let alone the child. When feeling her forehead, Kenobi detected a fever, her breathing quite labored... until it stopped. He wouldn't stop screaming, a mad man possessed by the Dark Lord. Anakin refused to listen to reason. Charging his former teacher with turning his lover against him; to which the Jedi Master replies in a stoic manner "you have done that yourself." Greed and lust infected his mind, only if he knew how? Their blades combined in a sparkly haze, coming so close to contact to their pink flesh their skin almost burns.
It hurt him to have to do this. He begged Master Yoda to send him to kill the newly crowned Emperor. But, perhaps aware of the ultimate suicide mission he'd be sending the Jedi in, went against it. Maybe he believed there was still light inside the endless pit of darkness. Regardless, attempts to save Skywalker fell on deaf ears, stuck in the ways that gave him the feeling of absurd power.
"This is the end for you, my Master." With a nefarious glint in his eyes, Anakin raised his blade in his usual V formation, Obi-Wan entered Soresu stance. "Anakin!" He bellows "Chancellor Palpatine is evil, he's using you!"
"From my point of view the Jedi were the ones using me." None of this rage directed towards the order that stood for a generation made any sense. Where was that boy who sought after just adventure? "I will no longer hear your lies, or the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the other side, I embrace it and will do what the Jedi Order never could: bring peace to the galaxy."
"Peace isn't those living in fear for voicing an opinion different from yours. You're speaking of an Empire." Obi-Wan challenged.
"If it'll work." Anakin said detached. "If it'll stop the killing... all of the senseless killing in the universe!" Before Kenobi could give his rebuttal, Anakin, having enough of the debate, restarted the fight, well rested and ready to do whatever it takes to cut down his former friend.
"I've listened to the recordings! Palpatine is lying to you, all he's told you is a lie!" This only succeeding in furthering the outrage of Skywalker, his yellow eyes turned darker, his attacks becoming erratic and unpredictable. "There is still hope," he assured. "Face up to what you've done, I can help you."
"It's too late for that." Anakin admitted, after a brief silence. Curiosity, like any emotion, replaced by a burning hatred. "You only want to help yourself!"
"That's not true!" All this time together, a better part of nearly two decades, Kenobi wanted what's best for Anakin. The burden became too much, the fighting became too much. It didn't help his body wasn't the spring chicken it once was, Anakin's style of combat always wore him down in their sparring sessions, but he usually found a way to disarm him. This Anakin fought in a way that was a departure from how Kenobi taught him. What was once a blend of thoughtful maneuvers, risky attacks sprinkled in, now was a big ball of energy that never seemed to die out. Deep cuts on his arms and face made it nearly impossible for the Jedi to stay on his two feet, the blood lost was starting to take its toll. Anakin wasn't clean, either. His black tunic nearly ripped in half, blood stains so deep it was visible despite the dark black color. His left eye puffed up to the size of a balloon.
But how long could this duel go on? And could he really bring himself to kill a friend? Anakin performed a perfect flip to dodge a slower shot aimed for his torso, following that the Sith delivered a searing blow to Kenobi's hand, possibly losing a finger tip or two. He gasps, then howls in pain, so much it briefly takes Skywalker out of his power trip. Bringing himself back to his two legs, wobbling, Kenobi, through gritted teeth devised somewhat of a plan. "Very well, Anakin. If this is the path you wish to go down, any action committed by me will throw you further down the Dark Side. I cannot fight you... I cannot beat you... but I can influence you."
Not understanding what it was Kenobi was babbling about, Anakin decided on resuming and charged at Kenobi, with full intent on finishing him off. But before he could slice him in half, the smell of burning cotton filled his nostrils. He looked behind him and saw only his tunic, pants and boots laying neatly in a pile. Darting his eyes side to side, Anakin feared this was all a trick, only as the minutes ticked on did he realize it was in fact not. His Master was gone. Gone. Forever. He killed him. Finally free from the plague he casts upon him all these years.
"Now begins a new era in the Empire... a new chapter that'll wipe away the Jedi and their many sins from the galaxy. Now begins the hunt to tie up any remaining loose ends." The Jedi Order was no more, their ilk now scattered across the galaxy without a military to protect them anymore. Soon, a price so large will be put on their heads, every bounty hunter with a functioning blaster will wish try their luck. For a time, Anakin felt at peace. Tranquil.
Suddenly a voice rang within him, his brain became heavy, his head aches. The only thing he could bring himself to say is "Padmé" over and over, remembering his wife of half a decade unable to move. Judging by her lack of response to his words, her body remaining limp when he scooped her up, she was in shock. From all the drama of the last couple weeks finally taking its toll on the fragile woman. Course, she wasn't fragile before the pregnancy. Anakin never wanted to have children, the galaxy seemed too harsh and black for an innocent live to flourish. But Padmé tried to show him there's still light, not intending to become a mother, she was in initially shocked, replaced by genuine happiness. Anakin was happy too. Just scared.
The ship took off, Anakin laid Padmé down on one of the extremely small cots, her legs hunched up against the curved wall. It discomforted her, if only she could make out words. Anakin tried speaking to her to provoke a response, only to earn groans in return. She couldn't speak, her body, Skywalker sensed, was breaking down. He had to save her. All of this means nothing without her.
"You've done well, my apprentice." Palpatine congratulated Anakin after the killing of Kenobi. "There is almost nobody left in the galaxy to challenge us. We will rule the universe side-by-side and bring peace to all warring clans."
Anakin nodded, keeping his head down to show respect to his new mentor. He dared not to bring up the last loose end to his past...