One Wrong Step

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Chapter 37: The Beginning of the End

As Rey and Ahsoka worked on fixing the ship, they could hear the boy's conversation in the cockpit above them. "I'm getting a little tired of how unreliable the weather is here," Obi-Wan muttered.

"Some might say that's part of the appeal," Anakin answered.

"You did well, Anakin. How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure we're doing the right thing by leaving. The son is consumed by the dark side."

"And if we stay, we may be used to the Dark Side's advantage."

Ahsoka popped up out of the access trapdoor. "Well, you want the bad news or the really bad news?"

"Well, let's try the bad news, laced with a little optimism," Obi-Wan replied.

"We've got two cracked shilo pins, a busted power converter, the engines should be fired twice to dump debris, and the backup vents need charging."

"Sounds terribly downbeat. Can it be fixed?"

"I can reroute the primary initiator, weld the dampening vents, and that might give us enough power to leave the atmosphere. After that, I have no guarantees she'll hold together.

"We'll take our chances. Better than staying here."

The boys left the ship, and Rey hesitated before climbing out and following in time to see Anakin leaving. "He's going to talk to the Father, isn't he?"

"Yes. Are you going to follow him?"

She paused. "Not this time. I think he needs to do this alone." She shrugged. "Besides, Ahsoka could use my help."

*O*W*S*

Several hours passed, and Rey and Ahsoka had almost finished repairing the ship. Rey heard a soft snore from behind her. She turned to see Ahsoka asleep on her feet. She smiled as Obi-Wan approached. "Might I suggest less sleeping and a little more work?"

"Sorry, Master Kenobi," Ahsoka muttered, blinking rapidly.

"Here." He handed down two steaming cups of caf. "This should help. We need to change plans. You must focus on the firing drives. Disengage them."

"But we're almost finished putting this junk heap back together, and now-"

"Just do as I say. We don't have much time."

"You're the boss."

Rey glanced after Obi-Wan. "Can you handle this?"

She sighed. "Think they need you?"

"Don't they always?" Rey asked with a smirk.

Ahsoka laughed and waved her away. "Go on. I got this."

"Thanks." Rey darted out of the ship in time to Obi-Wan tell the Father, "I don't like this. What have you done?"

"I have done nothing. I am merely letting the will of the Force take shape."

"Where has he gone?"

"To the well of the Dark Side."

"Anakin has gone to confront your son, hasn't he?"

"Deep within this planet all that is dark is channeled."

"And how do I get there?"

"You cannot interfere."

"Don't listen to him," Rey said, pulling Obi-Wan toward the speeder. "Let's go."

"You most certainly should not interfere!" the Father exclaimed in a voice filled with ancient power.

The Skywalker in Rey refused to cower. "I have to! That's why I'm here! I wouldn't be here otherwise!"

"Look after the ship. We're going to find Anakin," Obi-Wan called to Ahsoka over his shoulder as the two sped off.

*O*W*S*

Rey and Obi-Wan arrived in what was basically a volcano and saw Anakin dangling over a pit of lava. Rey jumped off as Obi-Wan stopped the speeder. She dove for Anakin's hand, grabbing him by the wrist. "I've got you," she said. "Just hold on!"

Obi-Wan joined them, and they pulled Anakin up. "What happened?"

"The Son showed me what he claimed was the future. I don't know if it really was or not, but he said to change it, I had to join him. I couldn't do that, no matter what. So he threw me toward the lava and ran off."

A huge grin broke out on Rey's face, even as she grabbed her comm. "Ahsoka?"

"Yeah, Rey?"

"Disable the ship."

"What? I just fixed it!"

"I know, I know. But I think the Son might be coming after it. Disable it, and we'll pick you up on our way back to the Father."

"Ok…Is Anakin all right?"

"Oh, he's better than that. You'll see. Just hurry."

"I will."

Rey turned back to the boys. "Let's go."

*O*W*S*

They met up with Ahsoka about half-way to the monastery, where they immediately went. The Father met them there, and, before he said anything, he reached out and tapped Anakin on the forehead. He slumped over, unconscious.

"What did you do?" Obi-Wan cried as the girls gasped.

Anakin awoke almost immediately with a groan, however. "What happened?"

"My son broke the laws of time and showed you what you should never have seen."

"I don't remember."

"I have erased that time. We shall never know."

Rey's eyebrows rose. Well, Ben and I do, but that's completely beside the point.

"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I think so, but we must stop the Son once and for all."

"We have little time, and you'll get only one chance. You know what you must do," the Father said to Anakin.

"How quaint, my own personal send-off." The Son floated down to their level.

"I ask you one last time. Do not leave, my son."

"You have no power to keep me, old man. You must understand by now, this planet is not my destiny."

"What you will do will destroy all that is good. I beg you, restrain yourself and stay."

"I cannot."

"And then it shall be. I love you, my son."

"Do you?"

Anakin and Rey took that as their signal, rushing the Son. He quickly batted away their strokes and sent them both flying. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka attacked him immediately after, but they, too, were thrown away. However, their distraction gave the Father the opportunity he needed. He summoned the knife from his son's belt.

"What? You're going to kill me now?" the Son demanded incredulously.

"I held hope that you could resist the Dark Side. But I see now, there is no going back." He held the knife to his own chest before driving it through.

"Father. No! What have you done? It did not have to be this way."

"Yes, my child, it did. You and I are tied together, and your strength runs through me. This way, I take your power."

"Please, don't die."

"I always knew there was good in you."

Anakin rose and came up behind the Son, thrusting his lightsaber through his chest. "And so you have betrayed me, Father." He collapsed, dead.

"It is done," Anakin said.

"And now I die, my heart broken, but knowing the role you will play."

"And what is that?"

"You are the Chosen One. You have brought balance to this world. Stay on this path, and you will do it again for the galaxy. But beware your heart." As the Father fell down and died, his body disappeared, and the world started crumbling around them. A bright light flashed, and, the next thing any of them knew, they were on their ship, with a hologram from Rex talking to them. "General Skywalker, come in!"

"We read you, Rex. Can you hear me?"

"Yes, sir, standing by. We were worried. You were off the scopes there for a moment."

"A moment? We've been gone more than a moment, Rex."

"Sir, I don't understand. You'll need to explain."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. We're coming in now."

As Anakin piloted them into the cruiser, Rey's heart pounded in excitement, and the only thought running through her mind was, It's time! We can do it now! We can end Palpatine!