Chapter 48 - All Things Must End

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: I'm glad that some of you realized that something wasn't quite right and with good reason. The real climax begins now! *evil laughter*

I've had this scene planned almost since the beginning of the fanfic, and I'm thrilled that we're finally here. :P

~ Amina Gila


For a moment, no one moves as they all stare at Sidious' dead body. "It's over," whispers Ahsoka, relief blooming across her face.

Anakin is about to nod and make a witty comment when he feels an icy dark presence latch onto his mind and press against his shields. He doesn't need to ask, he just knows. "Oh no," he murmurs faintly, "This isn't good."

"Anakin…?" Obi-Wan's worried voice enters his mind through a haze as he gathers the Force to hold off the unseen attacker.

"I think," he tells them with a feigned note of lightness, "That Sidious believes my mind to be his new home." He can feel the alarm ripple through the others as a sledgehammer hits his mental shields making him wince and put a hand on the wall for balance.

"Can you fight him alone?" Dooku's tone conveys his concern. "Perhaps Kenobi can help you?"

"I don't know," Anakin bites out, though it's obvious his irritation isn't directed at the Count. Pain sears through his mind. Let so one ever say a mind invasion is painless. Let me in. It's a thought, practically a plea, but he won't give in.

The next assault brings him to his knees, breathing heavily. A distant part of his mind is worried that Sidious probably doesn't care if he destroys him mentally. The Sith Lord's power has him floored – no pun intended. He shouldn't be stronger than the Chosen One.

"I can help you," Obi-Wan reminds him, crouching down next to him. He doesn't wait for Anakin's argument before completely opening their bond and flooding it with determination, concern, and love. He shifts, so he's sitting next to Anakin.

"I –" begins Anakin, thoughts scrambling as the room seems to start spinning around him. Groaning, he tilts his head back against the wall and closes his eyes. He might be powerful, but his power has never extended far mentally. He's always had a hard time with meditation and shielding, something which has just become his biggest weakness.

Obi-Wan presses against the shield over their bond, silently urging Anakin to drop it and let him in. Anakin knows he should but something inside him twists painfully at the realization that his former master will see every emotion and thought in his mind. You can't trust him. Palpatine's voice slithers into his head, the attack continuing at full strength.

He won't be able to hold out much longer. He needs help, but he doesn't want it from Obi-Wan. He doesn't want to be completely vulnerable with him. "Master, let him in," begs Ahsoka, kneeling next to him, blue eyes wide with fear. Her vision. Of course. He'd promised not to let it happen.

When Obi-Wan wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close, he realizes he's shaking from the furious battle over his mind. He shouldn't be hesitating like this, but if he's being honest, he's scared. He's scared that Obi-Wan will see something inside him and reject him. Part of him still fears that it's his fault Obi-Wan faked his death. Perhaps because he thought him unworthy in some way. Of course, murmurs Sidious, obviously sensing the thought. He will never be able to understand you.

"Can't," he mutters faintly, closing his eyes again, but not before he catches a flicker of hurt on his former master's face.

"Skyguy, you have to!" insists Ahsoka desperately, "I'm nowhere near strong enough to fight off a Sith." His refusal is hurting his sister too now, just in a different way.

He slowly turns his eyes towards Dooku, who frowns slightly. Anakin has never seen him look concerned until now. "I can't help you, Skywalker," he tells him, "Our bond isn't nearly strong enough, and we don't have the time to strengthen it."

"Why won't you let me in?" questions Obi-Wan, "Do you not trust me?" No, but he can't bring himself to say that. His every insecurity is being dragged to the surface, something Sidious is knowingly encouraging, if not intentionally causing. His silence answers the question and for the briefest moment, he senses a rush of pain before it's concealed. He loves his brother, but he's afraid of being hurt again.

Obi-Wan runs a gentle hand through Anakin's hair as his head rests on his former master's shoulder. He should tell him. He needs his help, and he can't resist Sidious forever. Another violent Force shove cracks through his outermost shields. Sidious flood every crack with the Dark Side, drawing out all his fears and uncertainties. You were always meant to help me, my boy. The message is coaxing, trying to get him to listen. It's how Palpatine always talked to him. Manipulation, he realizes, unconsciously pressing closer to Obi-Wan.

He used him, lied to him. But he wasn't the only one. Obi-Wan used him, too, when he let Anakin think him dead. If he'll only be seen as a tool, why fight? If he's being possessed, at least it will only be his body, not his mind, heart, and soul. His emotions will always be his, something he selfishly wants to guard. They were the only thing he's always owned since he was born, and he doesn't want to share them now.

**b**

Obi-Wan becomes increasingly desperate as Anakin bars his entry. It's not that he wants to be in his brother's mind, but it's necessary. It invades privacy in an extremely personal way, but there's no room for debate. Suddenly, the shield slips, and Obi-Wan instantly presses forward, instantly realizing that Anakin simply doesn't have the strength to resist him any longer. He's weakening rapidly, and worse still, he's not fighting.

As he looks closer, he can almost see the Dark Side being forced at and into Anakin. His shields are crumbling fast and something is terribly wrong in his mind. Obi-Wan gathers the Force throwing a wave towards Sidious and working to help shield Anakin's mind from the assault. Then, he turns his attention to the person in question.

He's locked himself away in his own mind, and as Obi-Wan probes gently, he's immediately overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions. Can't trust him. Should trust him but can't. He'll leave me again. Not worthy. Doesn't fully care. Just be hurt again. Didn't want me. I can't be a Jedi. Never be worthy. Can't be. He'll leave. They all will.

The thoughts are accompanied by a whirlwind of emotions: guilt, fear, pain, anger, hopelessness. He realizes that Anakin has practically become the epicenter of a storm. Sidious is fueling his insecurities, and everything is blowing up. Obi-Wan had thought they'd resolved the issues between them, but now, looking inside Anakin's mind, he can see how wrong he was.

It's – it's almost as though his mind was shattered. It was fractured very badly, and he can still see so many scars. No. His brother is not alright and probably hasn't been for a while even if it's only been subconsciously. Obi-Wan is hit with crippling guilt, realizing that he can no longer rationalize his actions. He had done it and left Anakin to suffer horribly. He'd been hiding from his own emotions – attachments – to the point that it hurt everyone.

Anakin, I'm sorry. I had no idea. I never meant for this to happen, I swear. He knows Anakin can hear his thoughts and feel his emotions clearly. He desperately wants to fix things, even though he has no idea how. Forgive me, brother. I thought – I thought I could prove to the Council that we weren't attached. I couldn't admit it to myself, lest I defy all my own beliefs, but now I see how foolish it was. I love you. I truly do, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't lose you. Please don't let that happen. You need to fight Sidious.

Anakin's mind becomes so quiet that Obi-Wan is afraid for a moment that it's too late to reach him. Do you really mean it? The thought is accompanied by a fragile hope so cautious and wary, it tears at his heart. Nothing in the galaxy can be worth Anakin's pain. He recognizes a second later how un-Jedi that sounds, but he's moved past the Order – or tried to.

Yes! You can feel my thoughts, can't you? Please don't doubt me this once. Obi-Wan mentally begs Anakin to fight. Sidious is gaining ground disturbingly fast, and they don't have time to talk, though he knows how important it is.

Alight. Slowly Anakin accepts Obi-Wan's proffered metaphysical hand, and their Force signatures meld together as they draw on the Force to push Sidious out. It doesn't take long, despite how hard it is. In that moment, Obi-Wan can feel all of Anakin's mind, almost as though it's part of his, and he knows the same goes for his brother. They're like two halves of a whole, and they'll never be able to look at one another the same way again.

**b**

Obi-Wan might be in Anakin's mind, but Anakin can still feel every part of his. His love, guilt, surprise, and concern echo as though they belong to Anakin. Now, he can also feel his brother's reservations and insecurities. Appearances are deceiving. Obi-Wan fears people will never choose him, no matter what he does, because no one ever has.

Qui-Gon didn't want to take him as a Padawan – no one did really because of his temper and that is a true shock – just like Anakin hadn't wanted him as a master. At least not initially. Despite it all, Obi-Wan continued moving forward as though unplagued by such thoughts. I choose you, Anakin thinks to him, or I wouldn't be here. Obi-Wan responds with a surge of gratitude, and they turn their focus back to Sidious.

Anakin realizes silently that he's not truly alone. At least not anymore. Obi-Wan is here, in his mind, seeing whatever there is to see and when this is over, they'll come out understanding one another far better. For that, he is grateful.

He tightens his hold on Obi-Wan's Force signature drawing on his power and channeling it outwards to shield his mind once more. Only their bond he leaves wide open. He can feel Sidious' anger as he tries to hold onto Anakin's mind, using the Dark Side to dig in and cling persistently, whispering all the while how much of a mistake he's making.

For his part, Anakin refuses to be intimidated, drawing on Obi-Wan's love for him to pry the claws free. Slowly – excoriatingly slowly – he can feel the Sith's presence weakening before finally breaking free after one final, furious snarl of rage. All around him, the Force calms flowing over him soothingly.

Brain pounding, he finally opens his eyes weakly. He's slumped against Obi-Wan who is holding him protectively. They're so mentally entangled and exhausted that he's hardly sure when they'll finally pull apart. For now, he'll simply suffer with the weirdness of almost being able to see through one another's eyes.

Ahsoka is crouched near him, worried blue eyes trained on him. Dooku is standing several paces away, arms crossed. "It's finished then," the Count states flatly and Anakin nods. "We need to go to Coruscant to speak to the Council on what has transpired, but for now, let's settle for telling Senator Amidala."

Final Note: After this, there's only two more concluding chapter, an epilogue, and a bonus chapter. :)


Recent Updates:

The Rogue Jedi Chapter 7 - "Artoo beeps again. "I don't know if I should be elated or terrified," Anakin replies, suddenly sounding – and looking – worried.

"Why?" we both inquire, holding our breaths.

Anakin exhales harshly, narrowing his eyes. "Artoo found and started downloading some of the plans for the Death Star.""