Authors Note: My deep appreciation to Barranca, thewayfaringstrangers, Incognito12, Xan Fan Valairy Scot, TamsynDell, Guest and Jedi Ani Unduli for fab feedback.
The gauntlet was laid down.
If the only way Ben and Xanatos could earn their liberation was through aggressive action, then fighting for their freedom was exactly what they had every intention of doing.
Divide and conquer was the Dark Lord's strategy, as two hired confederates entered and immediately attacked the knight, steering him towards the opposite end of the room.
Sidious drew his lightsaber first. It's glowing crimson blade directed at Xanatos who with a smooth elegant move ignited his own shimmering amber sword.
They rounded each other, eyes riveted in a chilling staredown, sizing up their opposing demeanors and surroundings before appropriating the gilded dueling stance.
"I've performed the role of dutiful apprentice before," the former Jedi recounted in retrospect. "Much to the unforeseen disappointment of myself and others. Hence, I highly doubt I'll be reapplying for the position just now."
"What the Jedi apportioned you for your allegiance was piddling and paltry compared to bounty of riches I have to bestow in return for your dedication."
"Do I look as though I need a hand-out?"
"Perhaps not. On the other hand, imagine experiencing the mollifying gratification of beholding the entire Jedi brethren, particularly sanctimonious Qui-Gon Jinn, debased, on their knees and grovelling at your feet."
"Try a little bit harder." The noble suggested, "It'll take more than the satisfaction of seeing my dignified old master twisting in the wind to subvert me into a Darkside turncoat traitor again."
"Your prior history is compelling," the Sith noted. "First, you rejected, then wreaked havoc and mayhem against the very Jedi you sought to become. Then, you flirted with Darkness. Indulged, savored, and fell under its tantalizing spell. Subsequently, you abandoned the Dark and surprisingly reverted to what?...I cannot say. You are indeed inscrutable."
A slithering tenebrous presence brushed against his mind, causing Xanatos to abruptly throw up reinforced shielding.
"Tis the enigma that I am," was his eremitic reply. "Do not presume to know me."
"Ah! But my dear Prince, it is not your past, but your future I have ambitious designs on."
The initial engagement was a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes. A contest of power, speed and agility which evenly matched the two combatants.
"Good...I can feel the turbulent roiling emotions that still cling to you underneath the surface. Learn to channel that grim amalgam of fermenting bitterness, anguish and vengeance.
"Sorry," an indifferent Xan replied, "My vocational itinerary is backbreakingly full. No room on my calendar, I'm afraid. Therefore, can't spare the time in my busy schedule to help you overrun the galaxy."
"You are foolish to forgo the opportunity to experience the glorious ecstasy that is the ultimate power of Darkness."
"I'd like to think of myself as discerning businessman who can detect a devil's bargain when rendered," perceived the noble keenly, "Though an tempting offer, I suspect too many occupational hazards. Not to mention, the price is probably too high to pay for such sublime fringe benefits."
Unable to sway through temptation, the Sith resorted to menace. "You possess uncanny business acumen. Thus, you should know not to make caustic enemies of those who can in turn destory everything you treasure in the universe."
Disregarding the threat, Xanatos countered with derision. "What's your grandoise pursuit, Chancellor? Universal Intergalactic domination? Your own personal empire...all at your fingertips? " He mocked, "Such is the ambition of every typical ordinary megalomaniacal power hungry tyrant ever born. One would think someone as ardent as you would aspire to something slightly more original than that."
The Sith sneered. Score one for the challenger. No one who valued life would dare caricaturize him, let alone speak to him in such a disrespectful manner. The ridicule incensed him. However, a part of him was equally impressed that the man was capable of effectively pricking his pride.
The intense lightsaber action continued with the aggressive delivery of a diverse combination of multiple slashes, deflections, thrusts and parrys, as the opponents gradually maneuvered into the huge adjoining planetarium.
Ben's two attackers were having a difficult time laying a glove on him. The lithe young man was nimble, fleet-footed and could fly. With a sportive back flip, a solid knee to the midriff and a hard uppercut, one enemy body was down. Moving with effortless grace, he appeared to float like a feather, until the perfect opportunity arose to strike. Duck/ dodge/ feign/ counter-attack and number two was out for the count as well.
The reason for his torturous experience of being mind-wiped and enslaved was definitively unraveled by Palpatine's revelation that he had been selected and rejected for potential Sith training. Slavery may not have been a proverbial walk in the park, but he was relieved that his prospects for inheriting the mantle of fledgling Dark neophyte did not come to fruition. Unfortunately, things didn't look favorable for Xan in any case and the young Jedi was hoping to help save his friend from succumbing to a similar fate.
The knight could make out Xanatos and the Sith Lord battling and moving into the next room. He hurriedly sprinted to follow and out of the corner of his eye, spotted two more new assailants making their way towards him.
While in the midst of their confrontation, the Dark Lord's attention was split two-fold. One focus was on his current saberwork, the other, cued to observe and study his prospective prodigy. He discerned that Xanatos' fighting skills were markedly accomplished, but anticipated that he would excel to an even greater level under his rigorous draconian instruction.
Obvious comparisons were drawn. Where Darth Maul was all coarseness and savagery, the noble moved with elan and flair. What Xan lacked in brutish arrogance and ferocity, was replaced by his classic refinement and hauteur. Intelligence and temperment were also major factors. Where the Zabrak warrior was obedient, submissive and cagey, the fallen Jedi was sharp-tongued, quick-witted and shrewd.
Strict discipline was to be stringently maintained, wherefore the Sith sniggered, visualizing his future self, inflicting a profusion of painful punishment in order to curb his expectant pupil's saucy sarcastic vernacular and infuriating impertinent manner. There were many harsh lessons to be taught and many excruciatingly agonizing ways and techniques for him to employ, ensuring proper assimilation from his royal protege.
"Yes," Sidious determined. Whether he wished it or not, Xanatos would be his next apprentice.
Vaulting into a scissors kick, Ben had little trouble in taking down his oncoming competition. He was doing his best to catch up to the duelling pair, but after dispatching the henchmen, over and over, another two showed up to slow him down.
In the back of his mind, he wondered why they weren't utilizing lethal weapons, since he had not needed to use his own lightsaber in self-defense. And why was he not being outnumbered? Palpatine certainly had enough in his security detail to overpower him.
Something was unsettling and queer about the whole situation. Things weren't stacked up right. Was this all a part of Palpatine's overall plan?
The antagonistic adversarys covered copious ground as they ruthlessly flailed away at each other. There was no let up in the intensity as they continued their vicious ballet of slash, jab, cut and thrust.
Xanatos' poise did not falter. He adeptly twisted, turned, blocked, swung, spun, and matched every crushing blow dealt by the Sidious.
After adequately gauging Xan's footwork, stamina and dexterity, the Sith finally declared, "Enough," as he ceased his relentless attack. "We are done," he added with decisive finality.
"Not by light years, we aren't," the obdurate noble adamantly repudiated, "You forget, I've yet to fight my way out of here."
"When will you learn. I am in complete control." The venomous voice was malevolent and piercing. "I have always been in complete control."
He motioned towards the shadows, high in the upper tier, revealing sharpshooter Vidor, who had been stealthily shielded by the scheming Sith Lord.
Ben was unaware he was being targeted when the drug projectile struck him in the upper arm. His head spun, then knees hit the ground hard as he attempted to call out a desperate warning to his friend, but was incapable as he quickly slipped into unconsciousness.
Once the knight fell, the Sith capitalized on Xanatos' momentary lapse of concentration. The honey topaz saber was wrested away with an acute sweeping circular motion leaving him unarmed and vulnerable.
A split second later, the tranquilizer bolt slammed into Xan's shoulder. As the potent sedative surged through his bloodstream, the noble collapsed onto his back.
The last image he saw was the smiling smug face of Sidious who knelt down beside him, laying a hand unto his chest.
"You're mine, now," the sinister Dark Lord gloated as total darkness swallowed Xanatos whole.