Happy May the 4th everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the conclusion of one of the best TV shows of all time. With that note, I've felt numb writing this chapter because of where the two plotlines meet. As of my review of the last season of clone wars, 9/10 could have done without the Ahsoka Walkabout arc. Anyways onto the review responses…
RyanSquad: Oh I don't think so…
Brothers
Anakin began to stir, the pain he felt earlier almost entirely gone. Calling through the force, he tried to sense other Jedi but he was met with a cold dark void. The only Jedi he could sense was Ahsoka, Yoda, and very few others. Obi-Wan's force presence felt cold, darkness radiating off of him. Anakin shook it off, thinking Maul was using some kind of force trick. He opened his eyes and was met with the blinding lights of a medical room.
"Ugh… where am I?" Anakin groaned.
"Kamino sir," someone responded.
Anakin tried to sit up to see who spoke but was gently pushed back onto the bed.
"No, no no, don't get up sir, you're still hurt."
"Kixx?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, it's me, sir," Kixx responded.
"Where's Ahsoka?"
"She's with Rex in a meeting."
"The clones didn't turn on us?"
"Rex will explain everything later," Kixx replied.
Anakin gave a slight nod and slowly sat up.
"Can't stay down can you?"
"No, there are Jedi out there that need to be saved from the clones. Obi-Wan is out there and we need to save him."
Kixx sighed and let Anakin stand up.
Rex, Ahsoka, a hologram of Cody, and every squad and battalion leader stationed on Kamino stood around a conference table on it was the Republic coms reporting in every Jedi's status. Rex was reading them off one by one to see who was still alive.
"General Plo, status dead, killed by his own troops. General Secura, status dead, massacred by her own troops. General Rham Khota, status unknown, last seen en route Rhen Var. General Mundi, status dead, gunned down by own troops. General Tapal and Padawan Kestis, status unknown, gunned down by troops, several confirmed hits on Tapal but were able to escape. General Skywalker and Padawan Tano, status unknown, last seen on Mandalore."
"What about Obi-Wan?" Ahsoka asked.
"I don't know, he's not in these reports."
Ahsoka looked to Cody who looked at the reports blankly.
"General Kenobi, I last saw heading to the rotunda to no doubt face the chancellor. I haven't heard anything from him since. All I know is that the chancellor survived and that he's most likely dead."
"Master Kenobi can't be-"
"Obi-Wan isn't dead," Anakin said, interrupting Ahsoka. "I can still sense him, he's alive. I need to go to Coruscant, if he's anywhere he is still on the planet."
"Are you mad General!?" Cody responded. "The planet is under full Republic control, any Jedi I've heard of entering the system has either been shot down or gunned down. It's not safe for you."
"I know but I've got loved ones on the planet that I need to make sure are okay."
"Sir, I thought Jedi weren't allowed to have attachments?" Cody asked.
"Yeah but was I one to ever follow the rules," Anakin responded smirking.
Rex and Ahsoka couldn't help but chuckle at Anakin's response.
"Then how do you suggest we smuggle you on the planet?" Cody asked.
A Nubian cruiser dropped out of Hyperspace and made its descent towards Kamino. After Padme saw the temple on fire she had become concerned for Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan. Satine had been frantic when she talked to her when the attack had happened and she had every right to be. Padme hopped Obi-Wan was okay and was back with Satine as her ship finished landing.
On the landing platform was Rex and Jesse who greeted the Naboo senator.
"Senator, its good to see you," Rex said, trying to break the ice.
"Where are they?" she responded.
Padme was led into the conference room and immediately rushed over to the two Jedi. Padme enveloped the two of them in a hug and held them close.
"I was worried about both of you. As soon as I got the call from Rex I rushed over here."
"It's alright angel, we're fine, just a little banged up," Anakin responded.
Padme saw the bandages over Anakin's torso and shoulder and grew even more concerned.
"Ani what happened?"
"Appo turned on me, every clone has turned against the Jedi except for the ones here."
"That's why the temple was attacked, the clones must have attacked it."
"The temple, is there still Jedi there?" Anakin asked.
"No, it was a massacre."
The room fell silent. Rex and Cody looked at each other with shock, they thought the Jedi could have held on until they got there to help them.
"Padme, where is Obi-Wan?"
"I don't know..."
Satine was pacing around her apartment, thoughts of Obi-Wan's death filled her mind but she pushed them aside. Just then she heard the sound of a speeder and was relieved to see Obi-Wan stepping out.
"Ben!"
Satine rushed towards him and hugged him. She felt him bring her closer and leaned into his embrace.
"I'm so sorry Satine, I should have told you what was going on."
"What's happened?"
"They Jedi, they rebelled against the republic and they were put down."
"Obi-Wan something doesn't add up, why would the Jedi rebel?"
"I don't know but the Chancellor is sending me on a mission."
"Where to?"
"To Mustafar, where the separatist leaders are in hiding. I am to bring them to justice and end the fighting once and for all."
Satine pondered what Obi-Wan told her, something about him felt off.
"Alright but things still aren't adding up to me. Be safe Obi-Wan and may the force be with."
"Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it."
With that Obi-Wan turned around and made his way to his ship. Before he hopped in, Obi-Wan shot Satine one of his calming smiles. Satine smiled back before the Jedi master jumped into the ship.
As soon as the cockpit closed, Obi-Wan felt a tear rolling down his cheek. In the back of his mind, what was once a blinding light was slowly fading away. He still felt the death of thousands of Jedi across the Galaxy but in the end, their deaths would be justified. That didn't mean he didn't feel regret for his actions, maybe he was being lied too- 'No, don't think like that,' he reprimanded himself. Palpatine promised that joining him was the only way to save them.
"For my loved ones," Obi-Wan muttered as he left the planet's atmosphere.
Anakin remained seated in the conference room. Padme did her best to comfort him but she couldn't ever understand the pain he was in. Ahsoka was on the verge of tears, Obi-Wan was most likely dead and they couldn't do anything to help him. Rex placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled the padawan close to him.
"No…" Anakin suddenly said, causing everyone in the room to look at him.
"Obi-Wan died once and I won't let him die on me again. I'm going to the temple."
"Anakin…"
"General!"
"Master!"
Anakin stood up and looked at his wife, padawan, and clone captain. Tears had formed in Anakin's eyes making him look more desperate.
"Ani, it's too dangerous for you to go to the temple."
"I need to know Padme, I need to know if he's gone."
Padme was about to respond but a call on her holo stopped her. Answering it, she was met with Bail Organa, the senator from Alderaan.
"Padme, an emergency meeting has been called, we need you,"
"I'm on my way."
Bail nodded and ended the transmission. Padme looked to Anakin, his eyes telling her he won't back down. Padme sighed and motioned for Anakin to follow her. Anakin nodded and grabbed his robes.
"Master you can't be- You'll be killed going alone, let me come with you," Ahsoka pleaded.
"No, I don't know if I've lost Obi-Wan and I don't want to lose you too. Rex make sure she stays here."
Anakin turned to leave but Rex stopped him.
"Sir, I have to agree with Ahsoka, you can't go to the temple alone. I think both of us should tag along maybe even a squad of-"
"No, I'm not going alone. The force is with me," he replied.
"Master please just let me and Rex come, just as a backup."
Anakin sighed and looked at Ahsoka, she wasn't going to budge.
"Fine but stay close to me, you too Rex."
Padme's ship dropped them off at 500 Republica and the three friends hopped into Anakin's speeder. When they reached the temple, Anakin couldn't believe the sight. Smoke still bellowed from the ancient building and the bodies of fallen Jedi and clones littered the sight.
"The senator wasn't joking, it was a massacre," Rex said kneeling over the body a padawan. Rex saw that his eyes were still open so he closed them for him.
Anakin looked around him, trying to see if his master was amongst the bodies.
"Obi-Wan!" he called out. "Obi-Wan!"
Anakin rushed up a set of stairs and saw nothing but more bodies.
"Obi-Wan!"
"Not here, he is," responded a familiar voice.
Anakin turned to his right and was relieved to see master Yoda.
"Master Yoda, I'm so glad to see you're alright," Anakin said.
"Gone he is, survived he did. Sensed it I did," Yoda replied.
The eight hundred-year-old Jedi master jumped down from the fallen pillar he sat on. Anakin followed him up the steps further until they reached the top. More bodies littered the ground but Anakin saw people towards the entrance.
"Master look, there are people over there. Maybe they're survivors," Anakin said as he started to walk towards them.
"Skywalker, don't," Yoda called after him.
Rex and Ahsoka wasted no time in chasing after Anakin. The people Anakin was walking up to turned around and started blasting. Anakin ignited his lightsaber and started blocking the shots. Rex started shooting at the incoming Coruscant guard and Ahsoka ignited her blades as well. The clone captain shot one in his gut and another in their head. Ahsoka continued to block incoming shots as the enemy soldiers went down one by one. Soon enough the area was clear of enemies leaving the four in silence.
"Lored into a trap, you were. Using a fake message, our enemies are."
"Then we need to disable it."
Obi-Wan landed on Mustafar and walked towards the B1 battle droid.
"It's good to see you, sir," The droid said.
"Where are the separatist leaders?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Inside sir- uh oh!" the droid screamed as Obi-Wan chopped its head off.
Obi-Wan made his way inside and any of the guards that dared attack him was instantly killed. He forced himself into the meeting room and started swinging. Any droid that put up resistance was sliced in half. The leadership tried to flee but they were cut off by Obi-Wan who brutally cut Poggle the Lesser in half.
"Lord Sidious promised us peace!" Nute Gunray called out.
Obi-Wan said nothing and stabbed him in the gut. Obi-Wan deflected blaster fire directed at him and killed that last remaining droid. Wat Tambor fell back to the door on the other side of the room but Obi-Wan held it in place. As Obi-Wan marched forwards, anyone that stood in his way was cut down. Eventually, Obi-Wan made his way over to Tambor and sliced his head off.
The room fell silent as the last of the Separatist fell. Obi-Wan turned around and took a long look at the murder he caused. Regret filled his mind as he stepped over the fallen bodies. Eventually, he stood outside the facility and looked out at the lava rivers. A single tear slid down his cheek, nothing but regret filled his mind. 'Oh how far I've fallen,' he thought as he lifted his hood onto his head.
"I can't turn back now,' he muttered.
A plume of lava soared into the air and Obi-Wan couldn't help compare the turmoil in his mind to the lava planet he currently stood on.
Rex could only wonder what the temple looked like in its glory. Even in the smoldering building, he couldn't help but take in its ruined beauty.
"You Jedi had a nice place," he said to Ahsoka who had taken the liberty to go to her quarters.
"Yeah, we did," Ahsoka replied with a sigh.
The room had been ransacked, obviously, the clones were looking for anybody hiding. Any of Ahsoka's belongings had been tossed carelessly around the room. Rex walked over to a dresser and rubbed his hands over it, clearing off any broken glass. His hand hit something and Rex leaned over to see what it was. It was a photo of Ahsoka, Rex, Fives, and Echo presumably just before the citadel.
"Hey 'Soka, I'm surprised you kept this."
Ahsoka turned around and saw the photo Rex was holding.
"I try to keep the memory of my fallen friends."
Rex nodded and smiled handing the photo to Ahsoka. Just then her comlink went off, she lifted her arm and answered.
"Hello?"
"This is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, I regret to inform you that the Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen. With the looming threat of this new galactic force, the time to return to the temple has passed. For now, we must go into exile and pray that a new hope will emerge from the ashes from the order. Trust only in the force and have faith in the rebellion. May the force be with you, always."
Ahsoka had teared up at the end of the message.
"General Skywalker always had a way with words."
"Yeah but he's no Obi-Wan, I just hope he's okay."
"I'm sure he is Ahsoka, now come on, let's go find General Skywalker and Master Yoda."
Anakin pushed the disk into the archives and turned to face Yoda.
"Okay, I've replaced the message and calibrated it in a way to make it hard for the clones to detect it," He said.
"Good, longer it will take, for the clones."
Anakin and Yoda walked out of the archives. The two of them ran into Rex and Ahsoka who followed them to the next room. Out of the corner of his eye, Anakin spotted the security holo and made his way over.
"I need to check to see who led the attack."
"Into the security holo's you go, only pain will you find."
"I have to know what happened."
Anakin turned on the security holo and watched closely. He made sure he sent the time to just the previous night and let it play out. Ahsoka and Rex watched as clones gunned down Jedi and the Jedi desperately fought back. Anakin then changed the scene to one of the hallways and he immediately regretted it. A Jedi was leading them in the attack, from what he could tell it was a blue lightsaber. The figure cut down Jedi in just mere seconds and when they all had fallen, he turned and faced the camera.
"No…" Anakin said in shock.
Rex gulped and lifted an arm to cover his mouth. Ahsoka gasped and buried her head into Rex's chest.
"It can't be," Anakin continued.
Obi-Wan turned and slashed another incoming Jedi. Anakin let the scene change and Anakin collapsed to his knees when he saw Obi-Wan kneel before Sidious or Palpatine, whatever that man called himself.
"Good work, Lord Valicous…."
The holo shut off and Anakin buried his head in his hands. Anakin let the tears fall, his mentor, the man he considered to be his brother had betrayed the Jedi.
"Gone, your master is. Replaced by Darth Valicous, he has. Destroy the sith, we must."
Anakin looked up and at Yoda, he shook his head at Yoda's statement.
"I'll go face the chancellor, don't send me to fight Obi-Wan."
"Chosen one, you may be. Ready, you are not. Too powerful Sidious is, face him you can not."
"I can't fight Obi-Wan, he's like a brother to me and father to Ahsoka. I can bring him back from the dark side, I know I can."
"Have faith in your abilities, you may have. Work it might not."
"I've got to try master."
Yoda sighed and nodded. The Jedi master made his way out of the room and presumable to get ready for his fight. Anakin got off the ground and pulled Ahsoka into an embrace. He didn't want to believe it and still silently hoped that this was all just one big nightmare.
Anakin, Rex, Ahsoka, and Padme met in her apartment. The young padawan was silent as Padme hugged her.
"I can't believe it, why would Obi-Wan- Why after everything the three of you have been through?"
"I don't know Padme, I don't know. The only thing I do know is that I need to find him and try and bring him back."
"Ani, do you know where he's gone?"
Anakin looked down to the ground to think.
"No… but we know someone who might."
With that, the four of them got into Anakin's speeder and flew to Satine and Obi-Wan's apartment. When they got there, Satine was sitting down on a couch looking at a holo pad. Satine heard them land and looked up to see them.
"Satine!" Padme called out.
"Padme what are you doing here, Knight Skywalker, Padawan Tano?" replied Satine
"We came to see you, dutchess, it's about Obi-Wan," Anakin said.
"What about Obi-Wan? Is he in danger?"
"Yes, Obi-Wan is in danger."
"From the sith?"
"No from himself." Anakin paused and looked at Satine. He could tell she was pregnant, no doubt it was Obi-Wan's. That made what he was about to say even harder. "Satine, Obi-Wan has fallen to the dark side."
"That can't be true, why would he?"
"He was lied to, we all were. This dark lord of the sith has twisted and corrupted his mind and we need to find him."
"So you can kill him?" she asked.
Anakin shook his head and looked to the ground.
"Satine he's… he's my brother, I could never hurt him."
"Then why do you want to find him?"
"To bring him back from the dark side, to show him what he's done is wrong. If you won't do it for me then for your child. It needs a father that isn't murdering half the galaxy."
Satine said nothing, repeating Anakin's words in her mind. She sighed and looked at him once more.
"Fine, I'll tell you where he is. Promise me this Anakin, no harm will be done to him."
"You have my word dutchess."
"He went to Mustafar to deal with the leadership of the Separatist."
"Then to Mustafar we go," Anakin said turning around.
"I'm coming along. If Obi-Wan is truly evil, I want to see it myself.
Anakin nodded and the four of them made their way to Padme's ship. The Nubian cruiser set off for Mustafar and hopefully, they would be returning with one more person.
Obi-Wan got off is knee after talking with Palpatine. He had shut off the droids as he had asked, now he waited for further instructions. An incoming ship alert made him look at the screen near him. It was a Nubian Royal Cruiser, Padme's ship, and it was entering the atmosphere. Obi-Wan rushed out to the landing platform and removed his hood. The ship touched down and the door opened revealing Anakin.
"Anakin, hello there. What are- what are you doing here, shouldn't you be on Mandalore?"
"That campaign has ended, I lost."
"What do you mean you lost?"
"My troops betrayed me, Obi-Wan. I barely made it out alive."
"Please tell me Ahsoka is alright."
"I'm right here," Ahsoka said as she walked down from the ship followed by Rex, Padme, and Satine.
"What are you all doing here?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We came to see you, Ben," Satine said hugging the man.
"Why? I'm safe, there was no reason to see if I was alright."
"I was worried about you. I didn't know if the chancellor had you killed as well," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, I'm in the good graces of the chancellor. There is no need to concerned about our safety, in fact I've become more powerful the chancellor."
"So what you can overthrow him?" Anakin asked.
"Possibly," Obi-Wan responded.
"Do you even hear yourself now? I thought the holo recordings in the temple were doctored but now I know the truth. You've fallen Obi-Wan, you've betrayed the Jedi."
"I've betrayed the Jedi," Obi-Wan mockingly replied. "Anakin, if anyone was betraying someone, then it was the Jedi to me. After everything I've done for them, after everything you and Ahsoka have done for them, they still don't care about you. I saw through the lies of the Jedi, I was done being their pawn. They stood in the way of peace."
"Obi-Wan we were the peacekeepers, we were trying to bring peace. You've thrown the galaxy into even more darkness."
"Have I now? I thought you would be a bit more appreciative of what I've done for you all. I brought the Jedi to justice to save you all and this is how you repay me?"
"Killing children is bringing the Jedi to justice!?' Anakin shouted.
"The Jedi had to be destroyed Anakin, you don't understand!"
"I understand perfectly clear, you've become the very thing you swore to destroy. The Obi-Wan I knew and loved would have never done these things, never have said these things."
"That Obi-Wan is dead Anakin. He was plagued by nightmares and the Jedi did nothing to help him. I am more powerful than I ever was as a Jedi." Obi-Wan turned to Satine who had said nothing while Obi-Wan and Anakin argued. "Don't you see, we make the galaxy the way we want it to be. Make the rules, I have become more powerful than the chancellor."
Satine said nothing, shaking her head and backing up.
"Anakin was right, you've changed."
Obi-Wan's anger flared, Satine was betraying him. Obi-Wan turned around and saw Rex move in front of Ahsoka in a more protective manner. Not only that but Rex had lowered his right hand to where his blaster pistol was. They were here to kill him, Satine led them here so they could kill him.
"Obi-Wan we care about you, don't do this," Satine pleaded.
"Liar!" he shouted. "You're with him, you've brought them here to kill me!"
"No Obi-Wan, I didn't, I swear."
Obi-Wan said nothing and was about to do something he might have regretted. Satine was saved by Anakin, using the force to prevent him from chocking the woman he once loved.
"You've turned her against me!" Obi-Wan yelled at Anakin, pointing to Satine.
"You have done that yourself," Anakin responded.
"I will not let you take her from me!"
"Your lust for power and rage have the done that for you. You've allowed this dark lord of the sith to corrupt your mind, master, until now, now you've become the very thing you swore to destroy," Anakin said as the two of them circled each other.
"Oh, Anakin, you still have much to learn. You're blind if you don't see the peace, justice, freedom, and security that I've brought to my new empire," Obi-Wan replied as he turned around to face his once friends.
"Your new empire?" Anakin questioned.
"Don't make me kill you Anakin."
"Obi-Wan my allegiance is to the Republic," Anakin started.
"To democracy!" Ahsoka finished, brushing past Rex.
"If you aren't with me than both of you are my enemies," Obi-Wan responded.
Satine and Padme had tears in their eyes. They both knew what was coming, the fight was now inevitable. Rex now had both hands on his holsters, ready to draw at any second.
"Only a sith deals in absolutes, I will do what I must," Anakin said as he grabbed his lightsaber. Ahsoka soon followed, the duo ready for anything.
Obi-Wan smirked and turned his head to look directly at Ahsoka. "You will try," he said.
Then in a split second in happened, Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and flipped around to face Anakin. The Jedi Knight ignited his own blade and blocked Obi-Wan's first strike. Ahsoka ignited her own blades and charged behind Obi-Wan.
"Ahsoka, no!" Rex yelled.
Anakin and Obi-Wan were striking rapidly at each other, neither one gaining any clear advantage. Ahsoka tried to land a strike but Obi-Wan spun around and blocked it. Obi-Wan kicked Anakin to the side and turned his attention fully on Ahsoka. The padawan blocked every strike Obi-Wan threw at her but that didn't mean she wasn't getting pushed back. Anakin, who had gotten back up on his feet, rushed towards Obi-Wan and kicked him in his side. Obi-Wan fell onto another walkway but quickly got back up. Anakin and Ahsoka followed him, fighting in unison as they had done so many times before.
Obi-Wan led them into the building Obi-Wan had been in just a few minutes before. Obi-Wan managed to shove Anakin into a wall, causing him to slump against it. He then focused once again on Ahsoka who managed to block all his strikes. However, Obi-Wan's constant strikes were getting too much for her to handle and one swift blow to Ahsoka's shota gave Obi-Wan an opening. Without hesitating, Obi-Wan aimed for her right hand and sliced it clean off.
"Ahhh!" Ahsoka yelled out in pain.
Anakin's eyes shot open and immediately rushed to his feet. Ahsoka felt to her knees, clutching her right hand, her attention not on the blue lightsaber being raised above her.
"No!" Anakin yelled as he moved his blade in front of Obi-Wan's.
Anakin pushed Obi-Wan towards a hallway and continued fighting him there. As the two moved through the tight space, the tips of their lightsabers hit the walls around them. Eventually, they reached the main room and the fighting continued there.
Rex rushed inside and fear built in him seeing Ahsoka lying on the ground. Rex bent over her and checked to see if she was alive. To his relief, Ahsoka moaned quietly as she opened her eyes.
"Rex…" she groaned.
"It's okay Ahsoka, I've got you," he said.
Rex looked to his left and could see the two former friends trying to kill each other.
Anakin blocked another incoming strike to his side but the force of Obi-Wan's strike caused his saber to fly out of his hand. Obi-Wan then grabbed Anakin's neck and started to force him to the ground. He then started lowering his blade towards Anakin but as he got close, Anakin kicked him in the back. Obi-Wan fell forward and lost his grip on his lightsaber. Anakin stood back on his feet but wasn't standing for too long as Obi-Wan drop kicked him. Obi-Wan got back on his feet and charged at Anakin again but a swift kick to his gut caused him to fall to the ground.
Anakin used the force to bring his lightsaber to him and Obi-Wan did the same. He then swung down and was blocked by his old master's blade. Obi-Wan managed to kick Anakin off of him and stood back up. The two men moved towards each other again and the strikes they threw at each other kept picking up the pace. After repeated strikes, the two men started swinging their lightsaber rapidly in front of them and after a couple of seconds, the two met in the middle. The saber lock wasn't moving so in sync, Anakin and Obi-Wan both tried to force push each other. The two men tried hard to overpower each other but the amount of force between them was too much.
Anakin landed on a control panel and Obi-Wan landed on another on the opposite side of the room. It was Obi-Wan who got up first and immediately ran to where Anakin was. Using the table to jump off, Obi-Wan ignited his blade and tried to bring it down Anakin but the Jedi Knight rolled away. The lightsaber hit the console but Obi-Wan quickly removed it from the panel and faced Anakin once again. Unbeknownst to them, the panel Obi-Wan had hit controlled the shields and he had disabled them.
Obi-Wan kicked Anakin out the door and the two began fighting outside once more. Anakin remained firmly on the defensive as blocked strikes from either side of him. He fell back to an opening in the railing and jumped onto some pipes. Obi-Wan followed suit and Anakin got into a more fencing type stance. The former Jedi tried to attack but Anakin blocked the saber and jumped down to the platform below him.
Anakin watched as Obi-Wan landed in front of him and raised his saber once again. Obi-Wan moved closer towards and raised his lightsaber in the air and Anakin did the same. With their free hands, they grabbed onto each other's lightsaber and tried to push against one other. Eventually, they broke free from each other, and Anakin slowly moved to the end of the platform. Obi-Wan swung at Anakin's side but Anakin blocked once again. It was at that moment a plume of lava flew up and landed on the walkway behind them. Magma started to rain down on them so the two of them took cover.
Anakin took the time to catch his breath, thinking about how to proceed with fighting his old master. A flaming rock hit close by him so he ducked further into the structure. As for Obi-Wan, he was waiting for the rain to end so he could strike. Once it did, Obi-Wan and Anakin moved to fight each other. The two blue blades clashed again, Obi-Wan throwing a wide variety of strikes to Anakin's side. Obi-Wan and Anakin had failed to realize that the lava that had landed on the walkway had nearly burnt its way through the metal. It was when the cables started to break did they see what was going on.
Anakin threw a couple of strikes and started to run towards the walkway. Obi-Wan wasn't too far behind as the metal began to give way. The piece of the structure they were on gave way and fell towards the lava rivers. Anakin grabbed onto a ledge and Obi-Wan grabbed onto one of his own just lower down than Anakin was. They hit the river and the building they were on started floating with it. Anakin looked down below him and saw Obi-Wan trying to climb higher. Upon seeing him climb, Anakin started to climb higher as Obi-Wan tried to use his lightsaber to cut Anakin's leg. Anakin looked to his right and saw a lava fall and knew he had to get off the structure. Grabbing a broke cable, Anakin swung himself away from Obi-Wan and aimed to land on one of the lava collection platforms.
Obi-Wan had managed to jump onto a droid just before the building had gone over and slowly made his way over to Anakin. The Jedi knight made no move to counter him only looking at Obi-Wan with regret.
"I'm sorry Obi-Wan, I failed you!"
"I should have known the Jedi were plotting to take over!" Obi-Wan replied.
"Obi-Wan, chancellor Palpatine is evil!"
"From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!"
"Then you are lost!" Anakin shouted.
The two men no sudden move to attack each other, Anakin just moved his saber in front of him and got ready for any attack.
"This is the end for you my old padawan," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin didn't respond, he only waited for what was coming. Obi-Wan jumped to the platform Anakin stood on and immediately caused both men to lose balance. Anakin regained his first and used the momentum to try and land an overhead strike on Obi-Wan but he blocked. Obi-Wan tried to counter and the two of them ended up throwing a flurry of strikes at each other. It was at this point in the fight Anakin realized how tired he was getting and his injuries from earlier were certainly not helping. Seeing a riverbank, Anakin made a jump for it and felt Obi-Wan swing at him as he did.
Anakin landed on the bank and made his way over to the higher ground. He turned around to face Obi-Wan who had moved the platform they had both just stood on closer to the shore.
"It's over Obi-Wan!" Anakin started. "I have the high ground!"
"You underestimate my power!" he responded.
Anakin shook his head silently hoping Obi-Wan wouldn't jump.
"Don't try it."
Obi-Wan screamed and jumped. Anakin ignited his saber and cut Obi-Wan's lightsaber arm off as he jumped over him. Then he cut his legs off as he soared over him. Obi-Wan hit the ground and rolled down towards the river, stopping just before it. Anakin collapsed after he cut Obi-Wan's legs and felt sick. He tried to push himself up but as soon as he got onto his hands and knees, whatever contents in his stomach had left made its way to the river bank. Anakin wiped his mouth as he got up and turned to face Obi-Wan who was groaning in pain.
"You were a Jedi Obi-Wan!" Anakin yelled. "You took an oath to destroy the sith, not join them! To help bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness!"
Obi-Wan looked up at Anakin and Anakin see the anger in his now yellow eyes. Anakin also saw regret and sadness, no doubt Obi-Wan was rethinking his betrayal.
"I hate you!" Obi-Wan screamed in response.
Anakin looked down to the ground and tears threatened to make an appearance yet again. He then looked back at Obi-Wan who seemed to be attempting to climb up to Anakin.
"You were my brother Obi-Wan, I loved you!" Anakin cried out.
It was at that moment Obi-Wan looked upset, even in his current situation.
"Help me, Anakin, please…" he groaned.
"Think about all the people you've hurt Obi-Wan. You sliced off Ahsoka's hand, the girl you saw as a daughter to you. You almost lashed out at Satine, your wife, the person carrying your child for force sake Obi-Wan!"
Obi-Wan let his own tears fall, regret set in fully, he had made a mistake. It was at this point where Obi-Wan's legs caught fire and shockwaves of pain radiated off him. Anakin couldn't watch anymore, using the force, he called Obi-Wan's lightsaber to his hand and walked away. He could have sworn Obi-Wan cried out for him and Satine.
Anakin limped towards Rex who rushed towards him to try and help him. It was at that point Anakin collapsed and he fell into Rex's arms.
"I've got you sir," he said as picked Anakin up.
"Ahsoka…" Anakin muttered.
"She's on the ship, Satine and Padme are taking care of her. Where's Obi-Wan?"
"Dead…"
"You killed him?"
"No, Darth Valicous did."
Rex nodded and led Anakin to ship. Upon seeing Anakin, Padme rushed over to him and helped Rex carry him. They laid Anakin on one of the beds and attached the life support systems to him.
"Here sir, something to drink," Rex said as he opened his canteen.
Anakin gladly accepted the drink and slowly drifted off to unconsciousness.
"I'm gonna go check on Ahsoka," Rex said getting up from Anakin's side.
"Did he tell you where Obi-Wan was?" Padme asked.
"No, but from the way he was talking, he is alive somewhere on the planet."
Out of the corner of his eye, Rex saw Obi-Wan's lightsaber attached to Anakin's belt. Rex sighed, wishing that Obi-Wan was still with them. On his way out of the room, he ran into R2 who was watching Anakin and Ahsoka from afar.
"R2, plot a course for Polis Masa," he told the droid.
R2 beeped a response and rolled his way to the cockpit. Rex slowly made his way to where Ahsoka rested. Satine was watching over the poor girl, tears sliding down her cheek.
"I'm sorry dutchess," Rex started.
"Don't be, I know there is still good in him, it's just hidden by the evil man he has become."
Rex nodded and sat next to Ahsoka as the ship made its way to hyperspace. As soon as the ship disappeared from the system another ship entered it was Palpatine's personal shuttle.
Ahsoka was rushed into one of the rooms on the Polis Masa based to get her a new hand. Rex had followed her while Padme and Satine went with Anakin to make sure he was okay. It was at this point Bail Organa and his ship entered the base. With him was Yoda who visited Ahsoka first.
Upon entering the room, Rex stood up and gave Master Yoda a salute but Yoda shook his head in response.
"No longer salute me, you should. Failed I have."
Rex nodded and sat back down. Yoda placed one of his hands-on Ahsoka's arm and sent calming waves through the force.
"A good friend to her, you are. Maybe more than meets the eye, hmmm?"
"Yes I do care about her, maybe a little more than I should," Rex replied.
"Funny things, attachments are. Saved one Jedi it did, destroyed another also. Protect her, I know you will," Yoda said as he walked out of the room.
Yoda made his way to Anakin who had an oxygen mask placed over his mouth. Padme held his robotic hand with her own hands until she saw the Jedi Grand Master.
"Mind me, you should not. Checking on your husband, I am," he reassured.
"You knew?" Padme asked.
"Old, I am, not blind. Made him stronger, his attachments did. Provided him a will to fight, it has."
"I haven't told him yet but I just found out that he is a father," Padme said.
"And train the new Jedi, he will. Not just yours but that of his fallen master. Bring balance to the force, he will. Chosen one and Jedi Master he is."
A long time had passed but eventually, Anakin and Ahsoka were back on their feet. They all now sat on the Tantive IV pondering what to do.
"Go to Dagobah I am, into exile I must go. Destroy the emperor, I did not," Yoda said.
Anakin said nothing, resting his head on his hand and looked down at the table.
"Go into exile, you must. Ready yourself, you must," Yoda continued looking at Anakin and Ahsoka.
"For what?" Anakin asked.
"Train the next generation of Jedi, you both will. A master the knight has become," he said making his way over to Anakin.
Anakin realized what was going on and kneeled before the grandmaster.
"By the will of the force," Yoda started as he ignited his Anakin's lightsaber and held it over his shoulders. "And by the will of the council, a Jedi Master you are now."
"Thank you, master," Anakin replied as he got up.
Yoda handed Anakin back his lightsaber and then made his way over to Ahsoka.
"A powerful Jedi, you have become. Brave you were to face your grandmaster. Your trial this was."
Yoda motioned her to kneel and she followed.
"By the will of the force, and the will of the council," Yoda said.
"We pronounce you a Jedi Knight," Anakin said as he cut off her padawan braid.
Rising from a medical table was the repaired Darth Valicous. A breathing apparatus covered his mouth but not his entire head. His armor was all black and his limbs replaced by cybernetics. The only thing keeping him moving was his rage, his anger not only towards his own master but the man who turned him into this mechanical monster, Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin, Padme, Rex, and Ahsoka stood on a landing platform on Kamino. They were saying goodbye as the four of them were going their separate ways. Ahsoka and Rex had elected to lead a rebellion against the Empire while Padme and Anakin decided to go into exile on Tatooine, much to Anakin's displeasure. Satine had gone with Bail to Alderaan to raise her child there.
"Well, I guess this is it," Anakin said giving Rex and Ahsoka a holo. "Use this to contact us if you need us."
"Take care of her Rex," Padme added.
"Don't worry about her, I would throw down my life for her if needed," Rex responded.
"I know you would, Rex, take care," Anakin said as he shook Rex's hand.
"You too sir, may the force with you,"
"And you as well."
Anakin then made his way over to Ahsoka and brought her into a hug.
"Take care Ahsoka," he said.
"I will master, I've got Rex to watch my back."
Padme gave Ahsoka a hug as well and the two of them boarded Padme's ship. With one final goodbye, Anakin and Padme left the two of them on the platform.
"You owe me fifty credits," Ahsoka told Rex.
Rex groaned and handed her the amount she said.
"I knew I shouldn't have made that bet with you."
"But you did and I was right, they were married."
Rex laughed and kissed the top of her head before making their way inside the cloning facility.
This isn't the end but there is gonna be a tiny time skip from now until the next chapter. I hope you enjoyed and may the force be with you always. -Dilloncoll
