Disclaimer: This is getting old, but I must insist: I did this for plain fun. Most of the story and characters are not mine.
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Lunatic Pandora: Shrewd as always…poke the eye of Sauron, lol! That's hilarious! Yep, the Jedi Code was strict, maybe that's why they oversaw the rise of the Sith. I think that's what Lucas meant. Stay tuned and you'll something unexpected coming up ;-)!
Anon: Many, many thanks! I'm glad you like my story and I hope you like this chptr. just as much!
Sata: You're absolutely right on both accounts; we need constructive criticism and yes, I admit the ANH line might've been over the top, but I thought it'd be a fun way to end the chptr. And yes, I wanted to balance the original story with a little AU twist near the end. I thought that would make for a good plot thickening point. I'm glad you seem to agree, thanks :-)!
Kyer: Fortunately, I did get alerts today, so I think the problem's solved. Yeap, it's a long distance from Cirith Ungol to Mount Doom, but Obi-Wan was taken to Cirith Gorgor, yet another tower (I'm assuming under the command of the MoS for my story, at least ;-)), located in the Vale of Gorgoroth, between the Black Gate and Mount Doom. This would allow for someone to travel through the mountains and save a lot of time. And, yes, the march to the tower was long, I just summed it up to the most important points, but the long journey is what allowed for Obi-Wan to see the Barad-Dûr in full detail…Eagles? Read up and find out! Hehehe…Thanks!
YamiTai: Don't worry. Always great to hear from you, thanks for stopping by to leave a few words, I really appreciate it. :-)
A/N: Again, I thank you all, faithful readers and reviewers for your critique and encouragement. This chptr. is the climactic one, with a huge surprise, a huge risk I decided to take, which I hope you enjoy. So, enough blabbering, on with the story!
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X X V I I I
Mount Doom
At last, the malicious Mouth of Sauron told Obi-Wan all that he needed to know. The Jedi Master set the lowly sorcerer free and he quickly disappeared within the dark corridors of the dungeons. Given what he had told the abominable man, Obi-Wan was certain that the Mouth of Sauron would not betray him, for if Sauron ever learned about his lieutenant's treason, he would have him executed on the spot.
Obi-Wan left the horrifying torture chamber behind and went back to the corridor that led to the entryway to the dungeons, moving silently, stealthy as a feline. The Jedi Master looked all around him and soon discovered that he was all alone; the Mouth of Sauron had clearly kept his capture of the Jedi a secret and almost all of Sauron's forces had gone out to the Black Gate to fight the courageous army of the West. The Force was with Obi-Wan that day. His time had come and now, he had only one purpose in mind: making his way out of the tower of Cirith Ungol and find Frodo and Sam as soon as possible.
The Jedi Master ran in the direction signaled to him by the Mouth of Sauron, which led to a dark, secluded and narrow underground tunnel that would lead him out into the plains of Gorgoroth. Suddenly, the Force sent an alarming warning to his brain and Obi-Wan immediately turned his lightsaber on, placing his Jedi weapon in front of his face defensively.
Two Orcs, apparently headed out to the battlefield, halted suddenly as they ran into this strange, unexpected man. The moment they laid their glowing, yellow eyes on the laser sword, they began to approach cautiously. But Obi-Wan had no time for distractions such as these; he just couldn't afford wasting any time engaging these two in physical combat, not to mention risking a noisy mess that would certainly give him away. Instead, Obi-Wan raised his left hand and waved it casually at the two confused, wary Orcs.
"There is nothing here." Said the Jedi Master in a strange, mesmerizing voice. "No living beings, just a fleeting spirit that wanders in these dungeons. You must now join the battle and forget all about me."
The two Orcs blinked several times and ignored Obi-Wan, rushing past him in the direction of the entryway. The Jedi Master continued with his march until he finally came to a thick, metal door. Using the blade of his weapon, Obi-Wan melted the small lock, which yielded as butter to a hot knife, and made his way out of the long, dark tunnel. If the two Orcs were to remember anything – something Obi-Wan seriously doubted, given that Orcs were very weak-minded creatures – they'd find nothing other than a red-hot, recently melted lock and the Jedi Master would be far away before they could give the alarm.
One of the biggest advantages working now in Obi-Wan's favor was the lack of any effective communications systems found in the Middle-Earth. The tunnel led to a large and steep rock formation that jutted out in between the pass of the mountains of Mordor, including Mount Doom. The Jedi Master looked straight overhead and made out a large stairway of stone made from the same volcanic rock that surrounded the place; A steep and narrow stair that led directly into the mouth of the Mountain of Doom.
The Jedi Master invoked the Force and made an impressive jump, reaching the ledge of a volcanic rock formation. The Stair of Cirith Gorgor lied just a few meters above him; the famous backdoor that Obi-Wan had thought so much about when he was spying on the Black Land. The volcano roared loudly, spewing lava and pieces of molten rock, as if it knew what was happening all around it.
Had the Hobbits succeeded after all? Was that the reason behind the great wrath displayed by Mount Doom? Was it possible that Sauron's will actually controlled the volcano, just as he had managed to influence the weather before and during the battle of Gondor?
Obi-Wan couldn't tell for sure. But, being a pragmatic man that followed facts more than speculation, he realized that trying to find the answers to such questions would do him no good. The important thing now was still trying to find Frodo and Sam. The Jedi Master took a deep breath and delved deep into the Force, as he somersaulted and reached the Stair. Once safely on the first step, Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open; he could sense the presence of both Hobbits far overhead!
He began to run upward, leaping over any obstacles that might impede his way, stopping only briefly to spare a glance downstairs to see if he might have been spotted. Yet, he was now too far up to be detected at simple sight and the dark, impenetrable veil of the volcano's angry smoke protected his rapid advance. No, he couldn't be spotted now.
He kept climbing up…up…up, and running across the rocky outcroppings until he came a mere meters away from a large, thick stone bridge that connected Cirith Ungol with the mouth of the Orodruin and, that was when he sensed the presence of another in the Force. This presence belonged to a deranged, maddened creature that had but only one purpose in mind: to recover his 'precious' at all costs. He turned and looked in the direction the Force signaled and spotted a small, thin and pale form climbing upon the rocks of the volcano, creeping up at amazingly great speed.
Time was of the essence. The Jedi Master stood firm upon one of the stone steps and propelled himself high up in the air. He fell cleanly on the long, thick rock platform found overhead; undoubtedly, the bridge that the Dark Lord himself had used thousands of years earlier to forge his Ring of Power in the smoldering heat of the volcano. Obi-Wan looked to his right and realized that the extensive bridge of stone was far larger than he had originally anticipated. He had landed far too close to the black gate that led back into Cirith Gorgor and he was still hundreds of meters away from his goal.
He brought his macrobinoculars to his eyes and spotted what seemed to be two smallish Orcs slowly climbing on the rock, bent with unbearable weariness. But these were no simple Orcs, Obi-Wan knew; these were Frodo and Sam, who had somehow found a brilliant way to disguise themselves by using the dark gray armors of Sauron's foot soldiers.
Yet, something was terribly wrong.
An alarmed Obi-Wan recognized the chubby, small form of Sam picking his exhausted, unconscious master off the ground and setting him upon his shoulders. But this wasn't the real reason that preoccupied the Jedi Master. Gollum was approaching the Hobbits at great speed.
"Frodo, Sam!" Yelled Obi-Wan at a distance, though, the deafening, constant roars of the volcano made it impossible for the Hobbits to hear him.
He put the macros down and rushed at full speed in the direction of his friends. He was just mere meters away from his goal, when the thick stone platform began to tremble violently.
The force of the quake was such that the Jedi Master lost his balance and fell hard on the thick, coarse floor. A sudden, blinding light, red as blood and fire appeared high up in the sky above, while thundering growls and cries filled his ears. Obi-Wan covered his face on instinct and came back up to his feet. Once he regained composure, he spotted a dark and ominous flying form that approached him at great speed. The shrill wails of a Nazgûl could be heard clearly now. Then, the sinister fell beast landed cleanly on the platform, his rider leaping high in the air and descending upon the stone bridge, just a few meters away from the Jedi Master.
Yet, the Black Captain of Mordor had already been beaten. So, who was this imposing and ghastly specter that approached him now? The answer was bone chilling and, while the imposing black form produced a large, sharp and thick sword that he held in his four-fingered, black-gloved hand, Obi-Wan Kenobi ignited his lightsaber and assumed defensive position, ready for the nightmare that was to come.
For this was no mere Ringwraith; this was the Dark Lord Sauron himself, who, despite not having regained his full strength yet, still had plenty of evil energy to assume the physical shape of one of his slaves. The demonic Master of Mordor lifted his left hand and displayed a long, heavy, spiked mace as he decidedly approached his apparently inferior opponent.
"Prepare to die, worthless Mortal Man!" Growled the deep, deafening voice of Sauron, as he pointed defiantly in Obi-Wan's direction with his large metal sword. "Stand up and defend yourself!"
At least, he wields a metal blade. Obi-Wan observed sharply, his confidence getting a much-needed boost.
Sentient beings of any world or galaxy of lesser will and training, would have gone mad at once, hurling themselves out into the void or remained petrified by fear, exposed to the vengeful wrath and power of Sauron. But not Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
With a look of unshakeable determination etched on his bearded features, Obi-Wan complied and took a couple of steps forward, facing that demonic, three-meter tall, black-robed form. It was clear that Sauron did not intend to destroy the Jedi Master for fun; he was bent on reaching the volcano and this insignificant mortal man stood in his way.
"You will not get it back!" Exclaimed a defiant Obi-Wan, while the Dark Spirit charged at him. "You won't get past me!"
Sauron burst out in demented, dark laughter, stopping just a couple of meters from his rival, raising his blade high above his head.
"Behold!" Said the haunting voice of the Dark Lord. "For I too command the power of Fire and Light!"
Suddenly, the metal blade of Sauron's sword was caught in flames and the evil spirit lunged at Obi-Wan, striking at the Jedi lightsaber with a vengeance. The two weapons of different universes clashed in a sudden, violent burst of blinding sparks. Obi-Wan's body shook, his knees buckled and he almost fell to the ground, barely able to contain Sauron's first, mighty swing. Caught off-balance, the Jedi was forced to take a couple of steps back, in order to regain his composure.
But Sauron was relentless. The Dark Lord hit, swung, hacked and parried with astounding strength and quickness, fast approaching his destination. Yet, this was no mere man that opposed him. Employing a flashing series of moves and giving himself completely to the Force, Obi-Wan eventually forced Sauron to defend himself with his blade of fire, unable to use his huge mace to counterstrike.
Though, not for long…
Obi-Wan sensed a sudden warning that forced him to jump on his back, barely avoiding Sauron's lethal spiked mace from smashing his head. The Jedi Master landed cleanly, less than twenty meters away from the mouth of Mount Doom. Taking advantage of his quickness and agility, Obi-Wan swirled around and swung his weapon forcefully…finding nothing but air.
Sauron had viciously lunged forward once again ready to crush his inferior opponent's body with his giant mace. Obi-Wan ducked just in time, retrieved and raised his glowing, white blade as he did. The lightsaber cut cleanly through the chain that held the mace and the heavy spiked ball of stone fell hard on the bridge, rolled and fell towards the distant ground.
Sauron's violent stroke forced him to lose balance and he almost fell flat on his faceless hood, giving Obi-Wan enough time to spare a brief glance into the mouth of the volcano. The Jedi Master quickly spotted Frodo, who was dangling precariously from the edge, desperately fighting Gollum for the Ring. Sam's still form was lying on the rocky ground, a few meters away from his master. Gollum was just as obsessed with recovering his 'precious' as Sauron himself.
Obi-Wan was then forced to turn, barely parrying a monster, backhanded stab directed at his head. The Jedi Master brought his blade up, lowering his head instinctively as he did. Yet, Sauron's furious, mortal slash made Obi-Wan feel that death was near. The Jedi Master lost his balance and watched in horror how his lightsaber left his grip, as his right hand hit the ground hard.
"Now, you will die, insolent fool!" Announced the Dark Lord, letting his fiery blade fall upon his vanquished enemy.
Then, everything happened in a blink.
Obi-Wan could clearly hear Frodo's little voice shouting in pain. During his frantic struggle with the Hobbit, Gollum had bitten Frodo's ring finger off, as the Ringbearer had tried to put the ring on. The Ring of Power floated high in the air and began falling, falling, falling…into the ardent lava below, followed closely by a mad Gollum, who had dove right behind his beloved 'precious'.
"No!" Roared the furious voice of Sauron, his spectral robes beginning tremble uncontrollably.
Obi-Wan took perfect advantage of the situation and began to roll away from the monstrous form of his executor. The infernal robes of the Dark Lord were swirling violently, his blade beginning to disintegrate and the eight Black Riders, who approached the Mountain of Doom, riding on the backs of their fell beasts, began to wail in horror and pain, disappearing, one by one, into oblivion.
The Jedi Master stretched out his right hand and the deactivated hilt of his lightsaber flew gently towards it.
"The Dark Side awaits you!" Said Obi-Wan to the shimmering spectral form of Sauron, as he lifted his lightsaber with both hands, digging it deep into the monster's belly.
The shinning white blade crossed the now shimmering and weak figure from side to side and the abominable black-robed ghost disappeared without a trace, emitting an infernal gust of noxious wind that violently sent the Jedi Master flying straight into the mouth of the volcano. Obi-Wan's body fell hard on the coarse, hot ground of Mount Doom, extremely exhausted and barely able to move.
A huge tremor shook the volcano and all of its surroundings and the Dark Tower began to shake uncontrollably, swaying precariously from side to side, until it crumbled to the ground, sending out a huge, black cloud of ash and dust.
Right at that moment, Obi-Wan turned and anxiously looked all around, until he finally spotted a hypnotized, mesmerized Frodo walking slowly towards Sam. Frodo's servant regained consciousness slowly and stood up, his forehead covered with blood. Immediately, the Jedi Master sprang back up to his feet and approached both Hobbits.
"Mr. Frodo!" Cried out Sam, gently touching his bleeding head. "Mr. Obi-Wan, is that you? How did you get here? What's happened?"
"No time to explain!" Said Obi-Wan, picking up both Hobbits in his arms and racing at full speed for the crumbling platform that led into Mount Doom.
With a huge leap, the Jedi Master landed on top of a huge, round rock formation, as thick rivers of lava flowed freely all around them, the platform that led into the volcano utterly destroyed.
"It's over." Sighed an alleviated Frodo wearily. "It's finally gone!"
Then he turned, smiled slowly and sighed deeply, watching a panting Obi-Wan intently.
"But, look at your hand!" Said a terrified Sam, looking at Frodo with deep concern. "I would've gladly given up my entire arm, just as long as we got rid of It!"
"It no longer exists." Murmured Obi-Wan calmly, sensing the imminent and furious eruption of the Orodruin closer now. "The Ring is gone and so is its Master."
"And so is Gollum." Frodo added in a murmur. "Remember Gandalf's words? 'My heart tells me that Gollum still has a part to play'…Well, he did and without his most unexpected help, I couldn't have done it. May he rest in peace, the miserable creature!"
They were doomed and Obi-Wan knew it. The volcano roared and trembled with uncontrollable wrath. There was no way out of it…yet this didn't really seem to bother the Hobbits that much.
"It's over." Whispered Frodo yet again, putting his right arm around Sam's neck. "I'm glad you're here with me, Sam. Here, at the end of all things."
The solid rock where they all sat began to rock back and forth violently, throwing them all to the dusty, ashen ground. Obi-Wan tried to calm himself, ready to become One with the Force, when all of a sudden, a shrill cry could be heard overhead. The Jedi Master remained lying on his back on that coarse surface of rock, trying to tell if this was the usual call of a Nazgûl, but it couldn't be, for the Ringwraiths had been destroyed along with their Master and the Ring.
And the Force told him otherwise as well. For flying at amazing speed in their direction, were two huge birds of silver feathers and long wings.
"What's that?" Asked Sam, pointing in the direction of the two magnificent birds.
Obi-Wan rose and approached the Hobbits. Frodo had lost all consciousness and Sam was so weak that he couldn't get up. Once again, the Jedi Master took both in his arms and stepped upon the edge of the rock, his reddish-brown hair covered with thick volcanic ashes.
The mighty birds came swooping down and as they got closer, the Jedi Master could make the immaculate white hair, beard and robes of Gandalf, who sat atop the back of one of those magnificent birds.
Just in time, Master Mithrandir. Obi-Wan thought with great relief, looking down to see the faces of the now two unconscious Hobbits.
He was barely able to stay on his feet himself. The rocky ledge upon which he stood had begun to crack under his boots and would soon give way to the wrath of the volcano. Slowly and gently, the two mighty birds approached him and descended right next to the ledge, planting their huge paws on the weak piece of rock.
"Hurry, Obi-Wan!" Exclaimed Gandalf hastily, stretching out both arms to take Frodo with him. "You take Sam and mount on Landovral."
Landroval turned out to be one of the huge, royal Eagles that flew upon the skies of the Middle-Earth since millennia ago. Holding on to Sam with all the strength he could muster, Obi-Wan jumped on the back of the noble bird and both Eagles, Landovral and Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles, took off, leaving behind the chaotic destruction of the Land of the Shadow.
Gandalf and Obi-Wan exchanged exhausted, but triumphant looks and then, the Jedi Master looked down in the direction of the Orodruin, taking in all of the devastation and destruction that the violent, sudden eruption of the volcano caused on Mordor. The explosion was an impressive and spectacular sight, even for a man accustomed to such things, like Obi-Wan. In fact, it reminded him of the powerful explosions that took place during the battle of Coruscant, not so long ago, yet it did seem to him like a lifetime ago.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and relished on the feeling, sighing deeply. The One Ring of Power had been destroyed. Sauron, the ancient Enemy of the Free Peoples of the Middle-Earth, had died and he…he was stuck in a distant world he may never leave. Suddenly, a great apprehension took hold of the Jedi Master, as he remembered the unexpected and very painful betrayal of his troops.
The evil of the Dark Side had been defeated in the Middle-Earth. Yet, for all he knew, that evil endured in his own Galaxy…endured and prospered. And as Gwaihir and Landovral flew away from the ruined land of Mordor, a familiar face flashed swiftly across Obi-Wan's mind: the old, wrinkled and usually affable visage of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.
Palpatine!
He was the mysterious and elusive Darth Sidious! He was to blame for all of the pain and suffering that had befallen the Galaxy! He was behind the surprising betrayal of his troops!
And…he was closer to Anakin than anybody else in the Galaxy, other than Obi-Wan himself.
The Force had been generous by allowing Obi-Wan to escape the evil conspiracy conceived behind the shadows by the Dark Lord of the Sith. Still, the Jedi Master fervently wished to go back to the Galaxy and fight for the Return of the Jedi in the same manner that he had fought in the Middle-Earth for the Return of the King.
