Yeah, I know, I said Chapter Eight wouldn't be posted until Sunday. I finished it a lot earlier than I expected, and I didn't feel like leaving you all with that lovely cliffhanger (or at least I hope it looked like a cliffhanger) at the end of Chapter Seven for four more days while the finale sat finished on my hard drive, lol. Anyway, here is Chapter Eight, Battles of Light and Dark, the grand finale of Last of the Sith. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!



Chapter Eight

Battle of Light and Dark

Obi-Wan, who was on the other side of the base, was trying to keep up his own attack as a diversion for Anakin and Ahsoka. The droids seemed to be in disarray, not knowing what was going on. It never occurred to Obi-Wan, Commander Cody and the clones that they were being mislead on purpose. However, it was somewhat curious that the droids seemed to be prepared for them before they even attacked. Like they knew they were coming. Like they had it planned. Obi-Wan wasn't sure. Then, out of nowhere, a sense of danger flooded his senses. He closed his eyes momentarily, allowing the clones to cover him as blaster fire reigned down on them from the giant wall before them. It was coming from the other side of the droid factory, from just where Anakin and Ahsoka would be now. He opened his eyes. It was a trap.

"Cody! Have the men fall back! We've been deceived!" Obi-Wan called out to his second in command.

"Yes, sir! Fall back, men, we're getting out of here. Move it, lets go!" Cody called out.

"Sir, we're leaving? But we just got them going!" one of the clones called out.

"You weren't asked for your opinion, trooper! General Kenobi's orders, now move it!" Cody replied. Obi-Wan then came up beside him.

"Cody, Anakin is in trouble. I'm going after him and Ahsoka. Cover me until I reach a safe position of entry, then get yourselves to cover but close enough to renew the attack if you think it wise." Obi-Wan instructed.

"But, sir.."

"It was a trap, Cody. We were brought here intentionally. Now, get moving, we don't have much time!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

Obi-Wan knew Cody meant well. He was just concerned for his general's safety. He had to give him credit for that.

'Well, here I go again. Anakin, what have you two gotten us into this time?' Obi-Wan thought. As expected of course, Anakin relied though their bond.

'Obi-Wan, now's not the time! We're in a bit of a situation here. Ahsoka and I are about to engage Mauls apprentice. We could use a diversion to get all these droids out of our way though.'

'Alright, Anakin. I'll try and get their attention. Just don't let the Sith escape. We don't want a repeat of the Clone Wars. I don't think I need to remind you of how that ended up.'

'Just give us a diversion!' he practically yelled back through their bond. This was typical of Anakin whenever he was in trouble. Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile, and think of how annoyingly familiar this all was.

'I heard that!'

'Sorry, just thinking, Anakin. I'll create that diversion for you now.' Obi-Wan said before closing his mind to him so he could concentrate, but left it open enough to monitor Anakin's progress. As he entered the base, he proceeded to the factory's reactor so he could shut it down, hopefully drawing the attention of the droids. Instead of getting to the reactor core and shutting it down, he got there to find Maul and a small contingent of droids waiting for him.

"Well, this is quite a surprise. I hope you're here to observe my handiwork." Obi-Wan greeted him in his usual manner.

"Jedi scum. Did you think I would just let you come here and destroy this factory? You must know that we knew you would come here and attempt it. We were prepared for your pathetic attempt." Maul replied.

"Must be my luck, then. I don't suppose you'd like to allow me to do my job first?"

"I think not, Kenobi. Kill him!" Maul directed the ten or so droids with him. Of course, the droids didn't have a chance, and were cut down within seconds. Maul, of course, wasn't pleased at all.

"That was exhilarating. Please don't tell me that was all you had to throw at me?" Kenobi asked.

"Perhaps you do have some skill. It will not be enough to destroy me, Kenobi. I will do now what I should have done on Mustafar, before your mindless Jedi friends interrupted. It is time for you to die, Kenobi!" Maul exclaimed, igniting his twin blades. Obi-Wan held his own up in a defensive position as Maul leapt towards him, their blades clashing. They both knew that this time, one would emerge alive, the other dead. What they didn't know was who would be the one still alive in the end.

On the other end of the base, Anakin and Ahsoka were faring just as well. Starkiller had released them from the ray shields only to have his droids cut down. With only him remaining, he drew his lightsaber and attacked. As they started clashing sabers, Ahsoka realized the Sith was using a reverse Shein grip, the same one she was still so fond of using. She realized that if he was using this grip, he would know just about every move she could make with it and would be able to counter it quickly. They would be deadlocked. She quickly refocused and switched to a grip similar to the one Anakin utilized, and began making a few stroked in an attempt to disarm him while Anakin dealt with more droids who were coming their way. Starkiller had expected this. He was being beaten by a child, or at least what he considered a child. All of a sudden, he spotted his one opening as Ahsoka brought her lightsaber around for another strike. Instead, the Sith Lord plunged the blade into her left shoulder. She collapsed to her knees in pain, her lightsaber clattering to the floor as she clutched her shoulder with her free hand.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin called out. He had finished mopping up the last of the droids in time to see her collapse. He couldn't let this happen. Too many Jedi, too many of his friends, we already dead. He wouldn't let this Sith kill another. Starkiller laughed, then brought his lightsaber close to her neck. As he was about to make his move to kill her, a blue blade was pushed through his chest. He cried in horror, collapsing to the floor dead.

"About time...you saved my neck....for once." Ahsoka told him as he knelt to her level.

"You're going to fine, Snips. I'll get you to a medcenter, you'll be good as new in no time." he told her. He then withdrew his comlink. He had sent Rex and Gree back to call Cody for support after the first droids were taken down.

"Rex, call Admiral Yularen, I need a medical evac immediately!" Anakin spoke with enough urgency for Rex not to ask what had happened. Instead, Rex nodded and called for the medical evac, wondering what had happened. He would find out soon enough.

"Are you strong enough to walk?" Anakin asked. She tried to get up, but instead ended up falling back against a wall. That was when Anakin noticed the blaster shot to her leg that she had apparently been hiding.

"Let me guess, you fought him even though your leg was hit. That wasn't a wise choice, but it was the right one. I'm proud of you, Snips. Now lets get you out of here." Anakin said, and carried her out to the waiting LAAT and a now worried looking Rex. His first action, well first in regards to rank, under General Tano and already there was the chance that he'd be transferred back.

"Don't worry, its....not too serious. I'll be ba...back before you know it." she told him reassuringly.

"I hope so, sir. Wouldn't want to lose a General during her first command." Rex replied.

"She'll be fine when she gets medical attention. Make sure she gets back to the Resolute. I'm going to help Obi-Wan." Anakin said. At that, Ahsoka, who was now on a stretcher, tried to sit up but was stopped by Anakin.

"I know you want to help, Ahsoka, but you need to heal first."

"But..."

"I'll be fine, Snips. I know you mean well. You just concentrate on getting patched up. Remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do." he said. She couldn't help but smile.

"You know me, Master. I can follow orders." she said, now speaking with ease after being administered a painkiller. Anakin placed his hand on her good shoulder for a few seconds and smiled back before stepping away from the LAAT. It took off, and he turned to Commander Gree as they went in search of Commander Cody. When they found him, they summoned the rest of their attack force and launched an all out attack to push into the factory. It didn't take long for them to get inside. Now all they had to do was find Obi-Wan.

In the reactor core room, Obi-Wan was doing his best to deflect attacks from Maul, but could tell through his bond with Anakin that the other Sith had been defeated. At least he was safe, and hopefully Ahsoka along with him. Maul was definitely much stronger than when he had faced him on Mustafar, but that was with both Anakin and Ahsoka at his side. He wasn't sure he could defeat him now. Just when he thought he wouldn't be able to defend himself any further, Maul lost enough concentration for him to effectively cut his double bladed lightsaber in half, finally evening the odds. With only half his lightsaber, Maul was finally forced to the defensive. This went on for several minutes until Obi-Wan heard blaster fire. Just then, Anakin burst into the room with a group of clones. Maul looked in their direction. With Maul distracted, Obi-Wan leapt behind him and severed Maul's head from his body. He fell to the ground dead. All of a sudden, a shock was felt in the Force. This shock was felt even by Yoda in the Temple, who smiled knowing the Force was finally back in balance. However, they weren't finished. They still had to destroy the factory.

"About time you showed up! Place the charges and lets get out of here. And Anakin, where's Ahsoka? I thought she would be with you." Obi-Wan asked. He then saw the look of pain on his face, and Obi-Wan frowned.

"She took a saber hit to the shoulder and a blaster bolt to the leg. She's being transported to the Resolute for treatment now. Rex is with her." Anakin told him as they placed the final charge. Obi-Wan have him one of his knowing smiles that said she'd be fine. As soon as they were a safe distance from the factory, they detonated the charges, destroying the factory. Another war had been averted. Now all that was needed was to tend to the wounded and the dead, and to continue to rebuild, and so they did.


And that's the end! Worry not, though, I am working on two more stories as I've said. I am working on Escaping Death, the Kit Fisto centered story which deals with how he survives the attempted arrest of Palpatine, then goes on to save Barriss and Luminara. I am also working on Sith Poison, the story that tells how Anakin is injected with the poison that nearly destroys the good in him in Returned. As for when the first chapter of each will be posted, I plan to have Escaping Death's first chapter out by Sunday. The First Chapter of Sith Poison I am hoping will also be ready by then, but there is of course no guarantees. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Last of the Sith. Don't forget to review, it tempts me to write more!!!