Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 10 "The Taste of Failure"
Planet Alderaan, Aldera Universal Medcenter.
The whole ground floor looked like a war zone. Lightsaber markings on the walls, shattered furniture, destroyed pillars. Everything pointed to the struggle of two battalions and not three force users.
Jedi Master Eeth Koth underestimated the Sith Lord. The Muun wasn't a Niman specialist, he was a Niman master. The Zabrak's whole body was covered in sweat, just like Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was able to keep up thanks to his solid Soresu form. If it weren't for his defensive proficiency and help from the Zabrak Jedi Master, he would be dead in a few seconds after the battle started.
Eeth Koth's strength lied in the very polished basic force attacks and perfect Shii-Cho form, but basic attacks could only get you so far. Darth Plagueis had an answer for every attack and all of his counters were death blows. Even the though Jedi Master noticed that the Sith didn't fell very good at lightsaber combat, but his force skills negated any advantages he and Obi-Wan could muster up.
"I have played with you long enough Jedi," said Plagueis deactivating his lightsaber and pinning it to his belt. Extending his hands he discharged two powerful force lightning at the Jedi. The discharges branched out into dozens of smaller forks. Eeth Koth and Obi-Wan managed to catch the force lightning with their lightsabers and they immediately were shifted back by the sheer power.
Although Eeth Koth was able to hold on, Obi-Wan couldn't handle the intensity of the force lightning, that started to quickly push the blue blade towards his face. In order to not get cut by his own blade, the human tried to redirect the force lightning, but his ignited lightsaber was torn from his grasp. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and gritted his teeth awaiting the electrocution, but instead he felt a strong invisible grip on his throat lifting him from the ground.
Darth Plagueis was able to hold him in a strong force-choke with his left hand, while maintaining the force lightning, with his right hand, which he keep Master Koth at bay. Swinging his arm, he threw Obi-Wan Kenobi at Master Koth, who couldn't dodge him since he was guarding against Darth Plagueis's force lightning. Ceasing the technique the Sith chuckled as the human hit the Zabrak, causing them both to fall to the ground.
With a loud scream, Darth Plagueis once again unleashed the force lightning, this time with full force. Obi-Wan, who was coughing and holding his throat, was unable to dodge or guard against it, but Eeth Koth pushed him aside. Taking the full impact, the Zabrak only managed to scream as agonizing pain engulfed his whole body. The electrocution lasted only a few seconds, but for him, it seemed to last forever. When the pain stopped Jedi Master felt suddenly hot in the chest, and shortly after the darkness overtook him.
On the third floor, Anakin Skywalker was having an equally bad situation as the Jedi below. He was cursing himself in his mind, for his lack of solid training in the other lightsaber forms. The young Padawan realized that he couldn't beat this Sith with lightsaber combat. Especially since he didn't understand his strange lightsaber form and was injured in the left shoulder. The force techniques were his only option.
But the force-push from earlier was the only attack that connected. Anakin didn't expect the Sith apprentice to be so skilled. He looked young, but he had more experience in real life battle than him. Plus after he got hit by the force-push, he concentrated on the defensive even more. Every lightsaber strike was redirected or dodged, every force attacked was evaded or was unable to break his force-wall. Anakin knew the Sith was toying with him and that was making him angry.
"You got stamina and power, I'll give you that," admitted Darth Enigma. "But raw power alone is not enough to beat someone, especially me."
"And you are annoying as hell," stated Anakin, making the Sith chuckle underneath his nose.
"You know the problem is that..." Darth Enigma suddenly stopped in mid-sentence, feeling something, just as Anakin. They've both felt Master Koth's death, but their reactions were totally different.
"No... that's impossible," Anakin said, shaking his head, not wanting to acknowledge the defeat of a Jedi Master.
"One down two to go," commented Darth Enigma. "Don't worry, I'll kill you before my master kills your's and drown you in sorrow and grief. I just wonder, what will happen to that pretty, young senator ?"
Anakin glowered at Darth Enigma, clutching his hands. The Sith stroked his chin, contemplating. "I've never 'drank' any soup from the senator before," he stated with an evil grin.
"You won't touch her !" The young Skywalker yelled, charging at him without thinking, and that was exactly what the Sith wanted. Extending his arm he discharged a force lightning at Anakin, sending him screaming at the wall near the window.
"I'm really disappointed," said Darth Enigma, looking almost sad. "I thought that you are going to be a real challenge. Turns up you're just an arrogant, overconfident brat."
Anakin's whole body fumed and stung with pain. Never before he was so helpless, he couldn't help others, hell... he could even help himself right now. Looking at the Sith with one eye closed, he spotted that he once again extended his arm. Suddenly he felt a pain in his lightsaber wound on his shoulder, the wound was being torn apart causing unbelievable pain.
Screaming at the top of his lungs was the only thing that the young padawan could do right now. When the pain finally stopped he was breathing heavily, his left shoulder completely torn apart. "Just end it already !" Anakin screamed.
"You still talk," said Darth Enigma before starting to force-choke the human and lifting him from the floor. "Talk, talk, talk... that's all you are capable of."
With a strong force-push, he threw Anakin through the third-floor window. The padawan hit the ground, falling in front of the medcenter's entrance. He didn't even felt the pain, sinking into unconsciousness.
Darth Enigma wanted to lean out of the window in order to see his work, but he heard a scream behind him, "Anakin !" turning around he saw the young senator with a horrified expression on her face. Before she could react, the Sith was already inches in front of her, staring right into her eyes.
The only thing that Obi-Wan heard was a scream of Eeth Koth and when he noticed what happened is was already too late help him. He saw how Darth Plagueis lunged at the Zabrak with a powerful swing, cutting him crosswise through the chest. Despite his Zabrak toughness, Eeth Koth couldn't survive being cut in half. Obi-Wan couldn't believe that this was happening. He himself have killed one Sith, but the red-skinned Zabrak was nothing compared to this Muun.
"Are you beginning the regret your decision to come here Jedi ?" Asked Darth Plagueis, his gaze fixed on the human Jedi. "You could just leave, but no, you always have to stick your nose into everything. Even when someone doesn't want your help."
"You've manipulated those people," said Obi-wan with accusing tone, slowly getting up to his feet. "What are you trying to accomplish here ?"
Darth Plagueis snorted and began to walk casually towards Obi-Wan. "We will show the galaxy your true face... your obsession. All living things will understand that to much light will eventually blind someone, even Jedi."
Obi-Wan didn't understand the Sith's words, but he did not have enough time to think. The Muun threw the human through the entrance glass door using a massive force-push. Obi-Wan stopped on the ground and as he lay on the cold earth, he felt several pieces of glass sticking into his back. In pain and tiredness, he only could await the finishing blow. Looking at the blue sky, he saw patients and medical staff members observing him from the windows. To Obi-Wan's surprise, they weren't sad or afraid, more like relieved, as if the defeat of a Jedi was something good for them. For him, this was more painful that the pieces of glass in his back.
All of a sudden Obi-Wan saw a figure being thrown out of the third-floor window. He hoped that it was the Sith apprentice, but when he noticed the robes... the last crumb of hope vanished. His padawan felt down on the ground not far from him, unconscious and badly wounded.
Hearing a scream again he looked up and he saw Padmé wriggling and cursing on the Sith's shoulder. Jumping down, he landed safely on the ground, letting the senator go. Padmé immediately ran up to Anakin, full of concern she knelt down, gently placing his head on her thighs. "Anakin ?! Anakin !" She screamed, not even noticing Obi-Wan, who was crawling towards them.
Darth Plagueis and Darth Enigma approached them slowly, casting a shadow over the defeated Jedi and the young girl. "Should I finish him ?" Asked the apprentice, looking at his master.
"Leave him alone, please !" Padmé begged with watery eyes. "You have proven that you're stronger, now leave him be."
"I knew that from the beginning," stated the Anzat folding his arms. "Your friend here thought he was the best of the best, but I think this will wake him up if you know what I mean."
"Get them to your ship and get out of this planet !" said Darth Plagueis fixing his eyes on the senator. "Do it quickly before I'll change my mind. Organa will send the corpse and your weapons to the temple... maybe," he added with a chuckle.
He didn't have to say it twice. Padmé and Obi-Wan, who was slowly and shakily getting up, started to carefully lift Anakin. The older human didn't even ask why, being more concerned about his padawan, than the reason of the Sith's mercy. People around started to observe them in silence, some of them even cheered. For the Sith, this was a big, sweet victory because this time, the Jedi were the villains and they were the heroes.
Darth Enigma looked at his master arching an eyebrow. "Are we letting them go ?" He asked.
"This is the best solution for this situation," replied the Muun. "They've been broken both psychically and mentally. And of course, they will send a message to the Jedi creating chaos, discord and a lot of questions. Instead of killing two more Jedi, we are going to have hundreds of them confused and with one step closer to the dark side. Now come my apprentice, we need to talk with Organa about our arrangement."
Darth Enigma nodded narrowing his eyes and stretching his arms. Today was a good day to be Sith and a very bad day.. to be a Jedi. But something was still on his mind. "Master... this doctor that called the Jedi temple... it was you, right ?" He asked suspiciously.
Darth Plagueis turned to face his apprentice with a sly smile. He didn't answer, instead, he turned around and started to chuckle ominously, heading inside the medcenter. That was a sufficient answer for Darth Enigma.
A few hours later – Coruscant, Supreme Chancellors Office.
Former Senator Bail Organa, now King Organa has called the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic via holo. In detail, he told him the situation that took place on Alderaan. Grand Master Yoda who was also present in the office, was paying close attention to the King's words. Trying to detect lies or possible dark side manipulations but without success. The human was telling them the same story as senator Amidala.
"This is..." Chancellor Palpatine was lost for words.
"So what's is your decision Chancellor Palpatine ?" Asked the holo-projection of Bail Organa. "Is the Alderaan banished from the Republic ?"
"I...I cannot make this decision by myself Sena... King Organa, the Senate will decide this, but I'll admit the whole situation looks grim," said Palpatine.
"Very well, but regardless of the decision I'm making one ground rule. The Jedi are no longer welcome on Alderaan until further notice," Organa said gruffly. "My wife feels no longer safe with them around."
Palpatine looked at Master Yoda, who nodded knowingly. The Jedi didn't want to increase unnecessary tension between the Republic and Alderaan. "Of course, King Organa," responded the small alien. "The Jedi will visit Alderaan, no more. But if any help you need, call us you can."
"I will remember that Master Yoda," said Bail. "The body of Master Eeth Koth and the lightsabers are on the way to Coruscant. Just for the record, I didn't want this to end in a way it did. I'm sorry for Master Eeth Koth's death.
"Gratefull of that, I'm," thanked the Grand Master.
"I'll await the decision of the Senat," stated Organa ending the call.
The Chancellor sat down on his chair. "I need to call an emergency session and deal with this quickly. What's your opinion on this matter Master Yoda ?" the old man asked.
"Hmmm... very cunning, the Sith have become. The Organa family's fault, it is not," Yoda responded. "Love for a child, against them was used."
"I understand, thank you," said Palpatine. "Now if you excuse Master Yoda I have much work to do."
"Certainly Chancellor," said the Grand Master, turning on his heel and heading towards the door.
When the green alien left the Chancellors office, Palpatine had a strong urge to destroy the whole room. His greatest fear has been confirmed, Darth Plagueis was alive. Not to mention, the chances are that he was stronger and had a new apprentice, who was skilled enough to beat the young Anakin Skywalker. The death of the one Jedi Master was a good news, but still. "After the session, I need to think of my next move. I won't allow Plagueis to destroy my all plans," Palpatine muttered to himself, unsure and even anxious.
Jedi Temple, Medical Bay.
Obi-Wan was lying on the bed, thinking deeply about Darth Plagueis's words. At first, he thought that the Sith was only trying to confuse him, but something was odd. He and Darth Enigma tried to achieve something more than just defeat them. "How you are holding Obi-Wan ?" asked Kit Fisto entering the room and pulling him out of his thoughts.
"I'll live," replied Obi-Wan with a soft smile. "How's Anakin ? He was in much more critical condition than I was." He asked sitting up.
"He's stable, but his wounds are nasty," Kit Fisto responded. "Not counting many cuts and bruises, his skull is fractured and his left shoulder is completely torn apart. That... Darth Enigma really did a number on him."
"We did not expect them to be this strong and skilled in the force. Even with Master Eeth Koth we did not stand a chance," said downcasted Obi-Wan. "He died and I couldn't help him."
"Don't blame yourself Obi-Wan, there is nothing you could have done," reassured him Kit Fisto. "Now concentrate on getting back to full health. The council has your report and they will take proper steps in order to handle this situation."
"Alright," Obi-Wan agreed with Kit Fisto, once more laying on the bed and recalling on his thoughts.
Jedi Temple, High Council Chamber.
"We can't just sit here I do nothing," said Depa Billaba. "We need to act."
"Revenge is not the Jedi way," reminded Plo Koon.
"And what about justice ?" Retorted the female. "The Sith have killed Master Koth and they have a nerve, to claim that they were 'protecting' an innocent family."
"We did send them to take the boy and bring him here," admitted Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"In order to help him," argued Adi Gallia.
"Let's calm down for a minute," suggested Mace Windu. "We cannot let the Sith's actions and manipulations cloud our judgment."
All Jedi heard the door opening and a voice. "Different tactics the Sith, started to use," said Master Yoda entering the chamber. "Our rules using against us, they are."
"Do we know where they are now Master Yoda ?" Asked Depa Billaba.
"Their destination, King Organa does not know. Lies in his words, I did not sensed," replied the small alien, taking a seat on his chair.
"So let's sum it up," said Mace Windu. "The Sith have managed to gain the trust of the Organa family. Thanks to some Sith necklace, they were able to create a force-sensitive child."
"To whom come near, we cannot. On Alderaan unwanted, the Jedi are," Master Yoda added.
"As if that was not enough," Mace Windu continued, "they sowed fear and distrust in the Organa family. In that, they were able to turn them against us. They've killed Master Eeth Koth, who had Kenobi's aid, and severely injured Padawan Skywalker."
"And they managed that without any troubles, this goes to show that there are more powerful than we anticipated," stated Plo Koon.
"In other words, we have failed," said Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Clouded by darkness, the future is," stated Master Yoda. "But strong together, we are. Believe in the force, we must."
"Recently, I started to fell that the force becomes more and more distant," said Adi Gallia. "Like it's defying the Jedi."
The council members looked at the female, but no one objected that statement. "Yes... felted too, I have," said Master Yoda after a long silence. "A test for us, this could be. To judge our resolve, the force wants."
"I agree with Master Yoda," said Mace Windu. "We just need to focus and remember the Jedi Code. The force was, is and always be our ally."
The Senate reached his decision after a long debate. Alderaan remained in the Republic, but Bail Organa was no longer the senator. He promised to appoint a representative as quickly as possible. But despite the positive outcome, there were those that started to look at the Jedi and the Republic in a different... more grimmer light.
Please R&R ;)