Chapter 37 - Ahsoka's Vision

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Plumes of smoke waft through the air as Ahsoka slips back to consciousness, forcing her eyes open. A groan slips free as she pushes herself up. What happened? Lacerations and bruises cover her body as the memories slowly filter back. That's right. She had been talking to Obi-Wan in the control room when there was a massive explosion. She's been thrown and must have ended up here – wherever here is.

Ahsoka pushes back the debris, her eyes quickly adjusting to the darkened surroundings, courtesy of her species. She must have ended up in a side room. Blocked by fallen rubble ahead is an entrance to the control room. She struggles towards it, prying a piece of metal aside and peering out.

Small fires are visible, none of them major. They're already dying out with nothing to burn. From the light entering her enclosure, she realizes exactly how dire her predicament is. If she makes one wrong move, the steel that's blocking the entrance will come crashing down. On her. She winces. It's not a pleasant thought.

From somewhere else in the room, she hears coughing and Obi-Wan steps into her line of sight. Despite the dust covering him and blood from superficial scrapes, the Jedi Master looks relatively unharmed. He opens his mouth, maybe to call for her when something draws his attention.

Striding into the room with an arrogant air she's never before seen is Anakin. It positively reeks of superiority, an attitude he's never given to Obi-Wan. And that, coupled with the darkness swirling around him, trigger alarm bells to start ringing in her head. Something is wrong. She reaches out, brushing him gently, only to be shoved backwards violently. "Keep your senses to yourself, child. It's rude to poke at other people," a harsh voice sneers in her head. It doesn't quite sound like Anakin, but the voice is coming through their bond. What happened to him?

She can only watch in horror, as a cruel smile twists up Anakin's face, his eyes glinting a sickening shade of yellow. Vader? Is this Vader? She shakes her head. It can't be. Vader is still Anakin. This… thing doesn't seem anything like her master. "Well, well, we meet again, Master Kenobi," Anakin sneers, chuckling as though enjoying some private joke.

Obi-Wan's gaze becomes uneasy, shifting warily as though facing a spooked animal. He holds up his hands. "Anakin, what's wrong? I don't understand." His voice is soothing, betraying his obvious concern. Ahsoka is certain he senses the change too, but simply isn't sure what to make of it.

Anakin – though Ahsoka is sure it isn't Anakin, she doesn't know how else to refer to him – chuckles darkly, a blue blade hissing to life. He doesn't give a reply, instead lunging towards Obi-Wan, who brings his own lightsaber up just in time. Ahsoka watches in mounting panic and horror as their duel begins in earnest, though her sharp eye notes how Anakin is fighting much more sloppily than she's ever seen before.

As she watches his movements, she can't help but notice that he seems almost unacclimated to his own body, and a disturbing thought worms its way into her mind. Is it possible that Anakin is being possessed? It fits. Too well, actually. Shuttering, she gathers the Force, pushing back the rubble enough to crawl out. Whatever is happening, Anakin must be stopped, or she fears he may well kill Obi-Wan. She's never seen this streak of ruthlessness before.

"Stop!" she yells, hoping desperately to bring a semblance of calm back to the two. If they hear her, they ignore her. Anakin doesn't stop his relentless attack, using – she notes – lightsaber styles she doesn't think her master has ever really learned. Obi-Wan continues his patient parrying, drawing on all the skill he's mastered to block his opponent.

Groaning, she offers up a prayer to the Force, or whatever supernatural deity might be listening, praying that she is not forced to kill Anakin. Her two green blades hiss to life, and she charges towards them, determination flooding through her. A harsh laugh slips from Anakin as he whirls to block her.

"You'll have to do better if you want to kill me," he taunts, springing back, eyes alight with what seems to be a burning hatred.

"I don't!" cries Ahsoka, glaring at him, "Just snap out of it! You're better than this, Anakin! Don't let him get to you!"

"Come back to us, Anakin," urges Obi-Wan, his tone more pleading than Ahsoka has ever heard.

He freezes then, body going completely still, breathing ragged, almost as though there's an internal war going on within him. For a moment, she thinks a sliver of blue enters his eyes, but it's soon gone.

"Aw, how sweet," he scoffs, "The Jedi are begging and pouring out all the emotions they shouldn't have." He laughs derisively. "Now you admit it. You have attachments."

Ahsoka can't help the sting of hurt at the words, even though she knows they aren't really Anakin's own thoughts. It's almost as though whoever is possessing him is being influenced by Anakin's mind – the words sound similar to his, but not exactly. There's no pain behind them.

Moving as one, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka lunge towards him. A flick of his hand sends Ahsoka flying backwards. All the air is knocked from her lungs as she crashes into a wall, head slamming into it hard enough to nearly make her black out. She struggles, pushing back the sudden dizziness that overwhelms her as well as the anguish at seeing Obi-Wan fighting against Anakin.

The combatants back further into the room, where the damage is worse, leaping over and around the flames which are slowly dying out, licking their way through whatever fuel they can find to survive. She closes her eyes, willing it all to be over, but the constant clash of lightsaber accompanied by the acrid smell of smoke tells her otherwise.

Dazed, Ahsoka pulls herself to her feet, stumbling towards them. Somehow, she knows this won't end well, for any of them. Obi-Wan somehow manages to push Anakin off balance, and he tumbles to the ground, his lightsaber out of reach.

"Surrender," Obi-Wan's voice is oddly emotionless, though he's still tensed, as though anticipating resistance.

Anakin only laughs, raising his hands. A burst of lightning shoots from his left hand. Clenching his jaw, Obi-Wan deflects it, holding his lightsaber steady. Attracted to the metal in Anakin's right arm, it sparks backwards, engulfing his body. The attack immediately ceases as Anakin's body twitches, fighting off the effects of electrocution.

A gasp slips past Ahsoka's lips, and she forces herself to scramble towards them. "Why bother?" huffs Anakin, glowering at her. The bolt of lightning zapping towards her is completely unexpected. Burning agony engulfs her, and she barely registers being tossed back to the ground.

"Anakin, please, don't let him win," pleads Obi-Wan, kneeling next to his friend's body.

"Fight him," mutters Ahsoka, pushing herself up and seeking out his eyes. He's her brother, and she refuses to lose him to possession by a Sith Lord.

"We're here with you," murmurs Obi-Wan, running his hand down Anakin's arm. Anakin pinches his eyes closed, his body going rigid. Ahsoka can almost feel him struggling as she shakily stands up and walks towards them.

Suddenly, Anakin's eyes open, the torment in them obvious. Relief courses through her when she realizes that they are indeed blue again. His lightsaber flies to his hand, but he doesn't ignite it immediately. "I'm sorry, Master," he gasps out. Before anyone can stop him, he ignites the blade, plunging it through his own chest.

Ahsoka screams, her legs buckling from under her in shock. She can see the pain in Anakin's eyes – mixed with determination and resignation – but he doesn't make a sound.

"Anakin!" The raw pain in Obi-Wan's voice is like an additional blow to her heart. He pulls Anakin's body into his arms. "Why?" he whispers.

"Couldn't stop him," mutters Anakin, shifting himself closer to Obi-Wan.

Ahsoka crawls over to Anakin, crouching next to him, unable to hold back the tears clouding her vision. He's dying right in front of her, and there's nothing she can do to stop it.

"Come on, Skyguy," she chokes, "You can't leave me."

His eyes find her, and she can see the sincere regret in them. "I'm s-sorry, Snips," he gasps out, his breath becoming labored.

"Don't die on me now, Anakin," begs Obi-Wan, one of his hands absentmindedly brushing through Anakin's hair, almost as though he's still a child. It sends a stabbing pain through Ahsoka again, and she holds back a sob. Anakin is – she supposes – like Obi-Wan's son. She couldn't imagine the pain he's experiencing seeing him die and knowing there's nothing he can do to stop it.

"No… c-choice," Anakin whispers. From his expression, she can tell it hurts to talk. His gaze is already drifting out of focus. He seems to be struggling to hold on as long as possible.

"Help is coming," Obi-Wan murmurs, even though Ahsoka can tell that he knows it's too late. He's simply unable to accept it.

"Didn't… want to… put you… through this," Anakin gasps out, holding Obi-Wan's eyes. He glances over at Ahsoka, including her in his words.

Ahsoka is rendered speechless, unable to even process her thoughts enough to put them into words. Watching her master die is tearing a hole inside her that she doubts can ever be filled.

"Anakin," breathes Obi-Wan, his tone pleading. He holds his best friend's body closer. "Don't die now. We've won the war. You can't –" His voice breaks, and he can't finish. "I love you." Ahsoka isn't sure if she really heard him, but the ghost of a smile on Anakin's face indicates otherwise.

Anakin shakes his head slowly, pain filling his eyes. Ahsoka can tell that he knows he's almost dead. She can feel his Force signature rapidly fading, weakening their bond.

"I… love you, brother. I –" It's all Anakin manages to get out before his body goes limp, last traces of life rapidly fading away.

"No!" screams Ahsoka, breaking down into sobs.