Hello there!

I didn't plan on updating today, but I have a good mood now ;)

I hope you like this chapter. Reviews are welcome as always ;)

Warning!

This chapter contains some violent scenes, which are fights, you've been warned.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~ Chapter 24 ~~~

Still silent on their road, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time, he has been following Devo. He could swear he had enough.

His legs felt like they would give away in a minute, he was tired. Since they woke up, they have had no break.

But he trusted Devo, he really did. And he wasn't sure if he should be happy about that. Yet, people sometimes change. Like his Master has.

Cursing silently, he sighed. Obi-Wan... he had been so good to him, so forgiving and understanding. He should not have left.

He knew he wasn't coming back, he will be dead in a moment. Did he accept it? He couldn't tell. His brain told him to back off, to run away. But his heart shouted at him to go on, for Padmé and everyone else he loves.

He was walking when all of a sudden, he sensed the Darkside and anger, rage. That's why he guessed. He guessed they are where they've wanted to be.

Khir-Ah's spirit was so stinky and wrong, full of hatred. He hasn't changed, then. He has always been rotten inside.

"It's here." whispered Devo, as if Anakin didn't know. "They surely are armed. Be careful."

Anakin only nodded without a word. He had a bad feeling about this.

They hid behind some bushes, observing a sort of the cave, similar to Tockockri's one. Anakin still boiled from the thought of his friend.

He has never really talked to Obi-Wan about his death. Maybe it was because as long as he doesn't think about it, it doesn't hurt that much.

But with time, his sadness turned into anger and need of revenge that he could not always control.

Khir-Ah was to be blamed, Khir-Ah had to pay for that. It was obvious. But the fear of that hideous man haunted him.

He could see four Zygerrians inside the cave. They, indeed, were armed. And dangerous. Their electrowhips seemed to be already prepared for an attack, which Anakin found a bit scary.

"Come on." poked him his Sith friend. It still has been weird - their cooperation. And he felt like it will always be.

"Is that it?" he frowned and looked at the man.

"Is what it?"

"Are we going there without any plan? Are you crazy? They will slaughter us within a second!" he whispered, his jaw tightly gritted.

He didn't want it to be true, but it was. He will become one of the Force soon, he will be forgotten by the world.

Would someone be crying anyway? Even Obi-Wan was probably too mad to do so. Anakin was aware of the fact he has lost everything. Again. On his own wish.

"Well, have you got a better idea?"

"We don't have to die there. Maybe, with a plan, there would be a chance--"

"Oh come on... you don't believe in this yourself, do you?" Devo hissed angrily. Anakin looked at his feet and swallowed. He felt the moment when his hands started shaking. His breath wasn't steady either.

"Just go there, switch on your blue toy and kill as many of them as you can before they kill us. Kill that monster." Devo continued and gritted his teeth. His hands turned into balls.

"What about you?"

"I will help you. But you need to cover me."

Anakin swallowed but after a while, accepted the plan. This is how he will end his life. This is how it all ends. Here, on Naboo, where he met the woman of his heart, where he was found by the man he wished not to see again.

Now, however, the same man became his father. Real father.

"Devo, thank you for everything, and I'm sorry for the pain I had given you. I hope your afterlife would be much brighter." he said his last words and inhaled deeply.

Devo smiled and slightly bowed.

"I thank you and I'm sorry, too. It was nice to meet, after all."

He looked back, recalling every single moment of his life. Of his Jedi training and of his wasted childhood. He thought of his Mother. He thought of Padmé and Obi-Wan. He hoped they all would forgive him with time. He hoped they would remember him as a free, strong man who sacrificed himself for everyone.

"Let's go." he whispered firmly, trying to fight the anxiety down. It didn't come easy. Actually, it didn't come at all. But there was no turning back now. They were doomed.

~~~o*o~~~

Obi-Wan was panting, running as fast as he could. Master Plo was right behind him, silent as well.

Something in the Force wasn't right. And it wasn't only about Anakin. It felt... as if a cloud of darkness and fog covered the whole planet. The anxiety, fear and anger were the only things present. There was no happiness, nor peace. Only suffering. The Force was literally screaming for help.

"I have a very bad feeling about this..." he whispered, not really aware of the fact that he said it out loud. He realised it after the answer had come to his ears.

"Me too. Something's happening. The planet feels as if poisoned." Master Plo added.

"I don't like it."

He could feel this storm of emotions; of fear, rage and despair.

He knew his Padawan is nearby, because he sensed him. However, it wasn't Anakin that made him worry. Or at least not only Anakin.

Padmé, it was Padmé... she was in danger. Anakin was in danger, Kit Fisto was, everyone.

It took him a moment until he pieced together all of the puzzles.

He remembered the tone of Estessa, her unfriendly attitude towards Anakin, the prize of his head, Tanrai and her attacks, Karann and Devo, then, Khir-Ah.

And all was clear now.

The conspiracy was a lie, a distraction. It wasn't about Padmé, or at least not all. Anakin has been the target, all the time.

Devo was right, and he also said something about Khir-Ah.

Was it possible that he had known Anakin would escape with him?

He had warned him. He had said that Zygerrian would kill him. How could he be so stupid?

He cursed silently. He wanted to protect his apprentice and yet, all he did was to bring him straight into the hands of danger and death.

He should have been safe in the palace. How could he know it's a deadly trap?

"Master Plo, I'm afraid something's happening in the palace. Something bad." he finally, after a few moments, turned to him, still in hurry. He was aware that he should check on it. But Anakin... he was so close. He couldn't leave now.

The Jedi Master looked at him.

"I know. I feel it too."

"What are we going to do about it?"

A moment of silence. Only their steps were heard around. Not really subtle, but he paid no attention. One couldn't predict such a complication.

"I suppose we should trust Master Fisto with this. If something is wrong, he will handle that."

"Are you certain? I don't know if we should leave it. Our task is-- was-- to protect the Queen." now he glanced at him. He didn't know what to expect, he had no doubt that he needed to stay.

But Plo could go and check if everything's alright there. Padmé's life was in danger, and she needed them as well as Anakin needed him.

"I believe everything is under control." Plo still protested.

"But the Force... I sense pain and suffering."

"So do I, Obi-Wan." he whispered. "Still, I do know you won't turn back. And I don't want to leave you here alone. You-- I can be helpful. Skywalker isn't far. We can rescue him together."

"The mission comes first, Master Plo. I would be much calmer if you checked it."

His voice was firm, but he felt horrible telling Plo to go there without him.

After all, he had chosen the mission of his own. It wasn't the Jedi way but he felt like he had no choice. He was obliged to help his Padawan. And even if he had no obligations, he just needed this. For his own sake. To save Anakin's life.

"We've come so far. Are you sure you want to look for that boy alone?"

"I'm sure, Master. But I thank you for your back-up. And I also apologise for choosing my... attachment--" oh, he finally said it without any shame. "--over the mission." again, he added in his head, bowing quickly.

Master Plo sighed and looked around.

"Fine. I'll go there. We will be waiting for you to come back. In one piece. Don't try anything foolish."

"I wouldn't even think about it." he grinned and bowed again. Then, the Master just turned back without a word.

It felt strange, to say at least. He also feared that if something's happening in the palace, Plo may be too late.

But he didn't want him to see the things which were about to occur. He still has been a Jedi Knight and he felt uncomfortable with the attachment he'd formed. Of course, he wouldn't use word 'ashamed'. Because ashamed, he definitely wasn't.

Love to his apprentice was the strongest feeling he has ever had. And he didn't want to change that. He wanted to tell him that. Hopefully he will have a chance.

~~~o*o~~~

Devo hid behind a rock, opposite him. They could hear voices coming from the cave. Each was hoarse and full of anger. He swallowed. But Anakin felt as if someone kicked him hardly, for the topic of their conversation really got his attention and made him feel anxious even more than before.

"The assasins should already be in the palace." said the voice he couldn't recognise. He wasn't brave enough to look up who was the owner.

"Great." another one.

But it was Khir-Ah's which truly made him panicked as never. His heart started beating much faster and eyes widened in horror when he heard his words.

"They will take care of them. Then, we'll arrive. And I will be the first one to touch that Jedi scum. I will kill his pitiful Master when he watches. I will tear him apart. I can't wait to hear his screams again." he laughed hoarsely and clasped his hands. Others chuckled as well.

It gave him creeps.

But Padmé... she was in danger. And Obi-Wan, oh Force, Obi-Wan, they will kill him! He didn't want to imagine his Master's dead, tortured body. He cannot lose him. They won't take him away!

He took a few deep breaths and clutched his lightsaber tightly, not waiting for Devo's sign to attack.

He just switched the weapon on and jumped out of the rocks, eyes blazed with fire.

He stood right in the entrance.

The Zygerrians, all four, looked at him immediately and Khir-Ah chuckled.

"Look, boys, it appears our prey came to us willingly." he grinned and took out a whip, his companions did similar thing. He swallowed, knowing the fight was pointless.

"You won't touch my Master. You won't hurt me again. I won't let you!" he hissed and made a step forward.

"Or what, will you kill me? Ha! There's four of us, you fool." he made a few steps forward as well.

The teenager swallowed fearfully.

"He isn't alone." came the voice from behind. Devo... Anakin smiled at the sound. He turned to the man, and the Sith stood right next to.

"Oh, wonderful!" he clasped again. "Two souls to break instead of one. Honestly, could it be better?" he laughed and glanced sternly at each of them. "Where is that pretty girl of yours? I would gladly see how she's doing."

Anakin gritted his jaw, swallowing these mocks. It was Devo, who with huge rage jumped to his throat. Anakin wasted no time to help him. The Sith was unarmed.

But two Zygerrians surrounded him, their knives and electrowhips raised in the air.

He avoided one blow, attacked and avoided again. He had to get to Devo. He didn't stand a chance with Khir-Ah without any weapon.

So he pivoted, kicked one of his attackers and pierced his chest with a blue, glowing in this darkness blade.

One creature less, at least.

With one swift move, he passed the whip of dead man to his friend.

"Devo! Catch!" he threw it at him, avoiding another blow.

The young Sith caught it without problem.

"D'you really believe you can win?" Khir-Ah hissed angrily, his strikes became more powerful. Devo had some problems with blocking them.

Anakin looked at the other Zygerrian. He recognised in the being Dakhar. He remembered him from interrogations. Oh, that pain he was feeling for a few days after the 'meeting'...

The man kicked him, Anakin stumbled backwards, losing balance. He heard Devo's cry of pain and automatically glanced at him to see what had happened. But it was only a small burn on his arm.

It was enough for a distraction, though. Dakhar struck him hard, and he fell on his knees, already tired. The Zygerrian chuckled, raising his hand to give a deadly blow.

It was when he heard another shout.

"Anakin, no!" it was the voice of Devo. Very shortly after that, hands wrapped Dakhar's neck. The struggle was short, something cracked in the Zygerrian's skull and he fell dead.

He thanked him in a nod. The Sith hurried to Khir-Ah's side. He was too distracted, though.

Anakin quickly got up and hit the weapon of the last Zygerrian. Sweat was all over his face and the eyes of his attacker were blazing with fire and rage. The fight was difficult, and he has already been exhausted.

In the meantime, Devo felt like he was losing the fight as well as his strength. Khir-Ah was a strong opponent.

Burns of the whip hurt his back and arms but he wasn't going to give up so easily. This man tortured his sister, was responsible for Farid's death. For their slavery.

He hit his weapon, fury controlled this move. But Khir-Ah's anger and hate felt to them made him much stronger.

The Zygerrian pushed him on the wall, punching him a few times. Blood started trickling down from his nose. He saw in the corner of his eye Anakin's tired body, dancing in the light of his blue lightsaber.

When hand grabbed his neck and he felt a squeeze on it, his world got black and he let go of the whip which fell onto the ground. It happened so fast.

Anakin saw everything when he was taking out his blade from the other man's chest. He focused on Devo's limp body, sliding down onto the floor.

Distracted, he lost the chance to win. Something hit him in the head and he fell, barely conscious.

He heard his heart beating rapidly.

Before he opened his eyes, rough hands shoved him to the corner and an evil laugh echoed in his head.

He let a small tear go. It was the end. He shouldn't have believed in the chance to win.

"Now, now, little Jedi scum..." Khir-Ah's voice was even more scary than before. It made shivers run down his spine. A hand squeezed his soft but wet cheeks. He hasn't even noticed when he started to cry. "What should I do with you now, huh?"

He let go of him, but Anakin was way too weak to stand up and take up a try in killing that merciless monster. It would be pointless anyway.

"Maybe I should tear you piece by piece..." he grabbed his fingers and squeezed them tightly. "Make you cry for me." his teeth bit into them painfully.

He shouted, cursing silently. He didn't even look up to see him. He just wanted to die. The man finally stopped and when his eyes slowly snapped open, he could see marks of the teeth on his skin.

"Or perhaps it would be better if I just showed you your place, foolish brat." he grabbed his cheeks painfully, his voice so low and full of hatred. "Remind you what you are, and make you die slowly, in agony." he then spat and punched his face.

As he rolled over the cold ground, Khir-Ah sold him a strong kick in the ribs.

The man crouched next to him, reaching out for his Padawan braid. He jerked off and pushed him away. But the attacker immediately hit his head again. Anakin wasn't sure if something cracked or if it was just a hallucination.

He blinked and swallowed.

Then, he felt pain in his arm. A knife cut into his flesh. He cried out and squeezed his eyes. The blade twisted.

Another chuckle, and scream, echoed in this dark tomb. He was weak, his strength was fading. He was ready to say everything to make this agony end.

"P-please... please don't... hurt me..." he begged, his words slurred. He might not have wanted to sound that weak, but he meant what he said. Really. "Just... k-kill me already..." he gasped as the knife has been removed.

Tears were streaming down his cheeks uncontrollably. The man chuckled.

"l've been dreaming of this day for a long time." he grinned and touched his neck by the cold blade of already bloodied knife. "Do you really think I will kill you just like that? After everything?"

Anakin hasn't even noticed how much his body was shivering until the cold hand touched his hurt arm.

He sobbed.

"No, my little Jedi... I will make you suffer. I will give you pain you'd never endured. Your body will rot. And you will regret this day, and many others." he covered his mouth with his hand, pressing the boy's head against the hard ground. Anakin's nostrils caught the smell of his own blood.

He opened his eyes for a second, to see the world as a free being for the last time.

Khir-Ah grabbed his bleeding arm and squeezed it tightly, making him scream so loudly.

"Oh, you will be dead. I will take care of you as no one has ever." he smiled cheekily. Anakin protested in tears but was way too weak. "Come on, I'm taking you home." his voice was soft but mischievous.

Then, when he gave up and again closed his eyelids to throw the picture of this Zygerrian out of his head, a blue blade ran through the man's chest.

Khir-Ah gasped and in one second fell onto his body, dead.

"Not in this life." a furious voice hissed.

Anakin, shocked, looked up and saw Obi-Wan, red from anger, with a lightsaber clutched in his right hand. His face showed nothing but rage.

"M-Master?" he asked, not believing his own eyes. Maybe he already died?

But he was real, he was here, smiling at him slightly.

"Anakin." he whispered and threw the dead body off his apprentice. He kneeled next to him and helped him get up. "I'm here."

He looked at the boy and placed a hand on his wet cheek. Then, in an impulse, or maybe just a need, pulled him into a hug.

It was so good to touch him again, to feel his skin and hear his voice, even if broken. His body was shaking, but Obi-Wan wanted to warm him up. His apprentice was really alive.

"Master... I-I'm sorry... so sorry." he muttered, face hid in Obi-Wan's chest.

"Shh, young one. It's over now, it's all over..." he caressed the back of his neck softly, gently. Oh, how happy he was. How delighted. And scared almost as well. One second later and it would be the end. "You are safe now. You are safe."

"I'm s-sorry..." Obi-Wan's grip tightened but still was very gentle. He noticed blood stains on his dusty robes.

"You're hurt." he stated, concerned. Anakin looked at his arm still oozing blood.

"It's n-nothing. I--" but he didn't finished, for Obi-Wan quickly ripped off a fragment of his own sleeve and wrapped his apprentice's arm with that.

When he was done, he looked at him and saw fear in these eyes.

"Anakin... oh, Anakin. I'm so happy I can see you again, so so happy." he whispered and embraced him once more. Hands of his Padawan clutched robes on his back and he sobbed quietly.

They have been sitting in silence for a few minutes, until they both heard a moan from the other side of the cave.

Anakin looked up and saw Devo, slowly getting up. He groaned and rubbed his light, dusty hair.

"An-Anakin? Are you alright?" he asked, looking at his feet. He moaned again. As he glanced at him, he immediately noticed that they weren't alone anymore. He saw the older Jedi, and his arms wrapped protectively around Anakin's trembling body.

"I-I'm fine." he answered. "You?"

"Eh, could be worse." he groaned and got on his knees. It was when Anakin saw something new, he stared at him. "What?"

The Padawan swallowed and smiled lightly.

"Devo... your eyes." he began, lightly smiled. The man frowned. "They're green again."

"Oh... Are they?" he looked down but they both noticed a smile spread across his tired, dirty face.

Anakin smiled and met Obi-Wan's gaze. And just then, he reminded himself about Khir-Ah's words. A concern immediately appeared on his face.

"M-Master, the palace... Padmé! They're in danger, Khir-Ah... he--"

But Obi-Wan raised his hand and smiled.

"Easy, Anakin. I know. Master Plo is on his way there. Everything's going to be fine, I promise you." these words seemed to calm him down.

He felt tears forming in his eyes, his lips trembled. Obi-Wan's face turned serious and sympathetic.

"Oh, Anakin..." he smiled at him warmly. "I-I was afraid I'll lose you. Come here, I want to have you close this time." he whispered and pulled him into another hug, being careful not to add him pain due to his injuries.

He buried his face in his apprentice's short hair, hushing and cradling him slowly, calmly. The time seemed to stop.

"Anakin. Please, look at me." he finally said. The boy silently obeyed. Obi-Wan placed both of his hands on his Padawan's cheeks. "Please, please don't do that again, okay? I've been so scared. I thought I'd lost you forever." he informed and after awhile, smiled at himself.

He gave him a kiss to his forehead, holding the gesture for a few seconds. He would love to hold him tightly for the rest of the day. He would love to be with him forever. His little brother was finally safe.

"Anakin..." he buried his face in his Padawan's short hair, trying to enjoy every second of having him within his arms. Just a moment later and that nightmare would repeat.

"I-I'm sorry..." he murmured, crying.

Obi-Wan only shook his head.

"Don't be. Please, don't be, it's over now." he said and sighed deeply, tightening the embrace.

"Is it?"

"Y-Yes. Yes, I promise it is over. You're fine, you will be fine. Anakin, I promise."

"Pl-please forgive me. F-forgive me, Master. I just... I-I'm stupid, I'm idiot!" he hissed angrily and gritted his teeth.

"No, no you're not. It was me who had been an idiot, Anakin." he whispered, tears flooded his eyes. "I almost lost you on my own wish. Please, I ask you for forgiveness."

Anakin looked at him and gave him a light smile. He felt soaring pain in his arm, but the thought that his Master hasn't been angry made him feel good again. He could not describe what it meant to him.

"Thank you, Master. I-I don't know, I--" he closed his eyes and sobbed again.

"Hush, Anakin, don't cry, now things can only get better. Please, don't cry." he wiped the boy's tears away and smiled.

Right now, there was nothing wrong what they could feel. There was only joy and relief. There was happiness and calmness.

Because now, only the two of them mattered...

T.B.C