CHAPTER 19
"Palpatine!" Luke breathed, instinctively
reaching for his lightsabre. Luke was on his feet immediately; blade extended
and held a defensive position, ready for battle.
Ulic, stunned by this turn of events, dropped his arms, losing his grip on the Transcendence Portal. Immediately, the tunnel began to disappear, but then it mysteriously stopped, held open by an unknown force - or perhaps by a force known all to well.
Ulic looked around and spotted his old rival, Exar Kun, standing just inside the Dark Realm, eyes closed in concentration, an evil smile on his handsome face.
"Kun!" Ulic screamed, trying to run towards him, but to weak to do so. Ulic made it only a few steps before hitting an invisible wall, hard. He dropped to the ground, dazed, and heard Palpatine's evil laughter. He reached for his lightsabre, but before he could ignite the blade, a blast of Force Lightening struck him, knocking him back several meters. He tried to stand, and failed. Dazed from the attack, and exhausted from the efforts in creating the Transcendence, Ulic sagged to the ground on one knee, gasping for breath, fighting unconsciousness.
Anakin took in everything in a flash, sizing up the situation instantly. He was torn - knowing that Luke would soon be in a death battle with Palpatine, and realizing that Exar Kun needed to be stopped so the Transcendence could be halted. The boundaries between planes were open now, and Anakin was certain more dark side infiltration such as this one were occurring in other areas in the Light Realm. Qui-Gon, sensing Anakin's dilemma, offered an alternative.
"Anakin - help Luke! Nomi and I will take care of Kun!"
Anakin needed no further prodding. He was off at a dead run, racing across the terrain.
All these events happened in an instant, and the Jedi Council Members were quick to respond. Most of the Council carried no weapons, but those that did brandished them now, racing towards the intruders, half of them running in Luke's direction, the other half catching up with Qui-Gon and Nomi.
Palpatine saw the Jedi coming for him, but seemed unconcerned. He turned his attention back to Luke. "Leaving so soon, young Skywalker?" Palpatine questioned sarcastically. "I think I might like to join you!"
Horrified at those words, now fully understanding the intentions of the Dark One's attack, Luke lost a measure of concentration and lowered his blade slightly. At that moment, Palpatine attacked, reaching into his robes and drawing out a red bladed lightsabre, wielding it with deadly precision, each blow calculated and potentially fatal. Luke responded with equal mastery, parrying every thrust, blocking Palpatine's path to the Portal, but unable to mount an offense against the Sith Master's aggressive assault.
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Anakin was sprinting, his blue blade ignited and held firmly in his right hand, his eyes transfixed on the two men battling at the top of the rise. Fear and anger struck at him as he ran, anger at himself for not sensing what was happening. Fear for his son, who was facing down the most powerful, evil man Anakin had ever known. Luke was a more than capable swordsman, and he was holding his ground against Palpatine, but Anakin knew all to well what the former Emperor was capable of. He knew he had to get Luke through that portal, and he would stop at nothing to do it. If he could just get Palpatine's attention off Luke for a few moments....
Without warning, a black clad figure intercepted Anakin, twirling a double-bladed lightsabre. Anakin stopped in mid-stride, and had to jump back to avoid the red blades that spun at him like a propeller. Darth Maul's attack was relentless and powerful, and Anakin was forced to expend a great deal of energy to deflect the dual blades. Anakin recognized his opponent immediately. Indeed, he would never forget the horned Sith that had cut down his friend, Qui-Gon Jinn. Anakin had been a mere child back then, helpless, able only to mourn his lost mentor. But that was long ago and Anakin knew he was quite capable of besting this Sith Lord, he only needed to wait for the right opportunity to press his advantage. But it was clear Maul was going to do everything in his power to prevent such an opportunity. The Sith Lord continued to attack, each blow more aggressive than the last. Anakin felt a dark anger rising within him, and he struggled to keep it at bay.
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Qui-Gon and Nomi were running side by side, charging toward the dark man, Exar Kun, who was standing with arms outstretched, eyes closed, holding open the Transcendence portal. Several other Jedi were behind them, and Qui-Gon felt confident the Sith could be stopped quickly with the combined power of so many Jedi.
Nomi- look out!
That was Ulic's voice in her head, weary, but charged with warning. Nomi looked in Ulic's direction, saw him fall to the ground in an unconscious heap, his energy completely spent. She whipped her head around, scanning the area, trying to find the reason behind Ulic's warning. In the distance, emerging from the blackness of the Dark Realm, Nomi saw a wall of movement - dark shapes mingling with red lights.
"Force save us..." she breathed, coming to a sudden halt.
The other Jedi saw it as well. Not far away, just across the now-open boundary, came a legion of Dark Side warrior, hundreds of them, weapons raised, marching steadily toward the Light Realm.
Qui-Gon saw them, too, but he knew the best chance to keep them at bay was to reach Kun and stop the Transcendence. He ran harder, his long legs pumping, racing against the Dark Ones, trying to reach Kun before the legions could cross the border.
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The battle between Luke and Palpatine raged on. Luke saw Ulic fall, utterly exhausted, but knew there was nothing he could do for the misguided Jedi at the moment. The other Jedi who were coming to Luke's aide were forced to change direction to meet the threat of the Legions who were about to push their way into the Light Realm. Luke saw them go, and knew he was on his on to battle this man, this personification of all Luke knew to be dark and evil.
Palpatine, too, saw the Jedi switch direction. He cackled, then favored Luke with a vile grin. "Alone at last, Skywalker!" he hissed maliciously. Then he was spinning, bringing his sizzling blade around in high arc. As Luke moved to block, Palpatine switched direction to bring his blade straight down at Luke's head. Luke compensated, barely parrying the killing blow, having to drop to one knee to do so. But instead of rising, Luke let his body slide down to the ground, kicking his left leg outward, catching Palpatine's ankle and dropping him hard on his back. Luke then back-rolled into a standing position, bringing his blade around to strike the fallen Sith. Palpatine's eyes flashed with fury and he raised his left hand, hurling a shower of Force Lightening at Luke. But Luke was ready for the attack. He responded instantly, raising a hand and summoning the Force, deflecting the deadly bolts as thoroughly as if they had hit a wall.
"Not this time, Palpatine!" Luke stated, raising his lightsabre and moving in for another attack.
Palpatine's eyes went wide, and he scrambled to his feet just in time to parry the green blade that struck at him. The two warriors disengaged a moment, circling one another.
"I see you have grown strong," Palpatine stated, his eyes filling with malicious hatred. "The last time I saw you, you were screaming in agony, wishing only for your death to come quickly!"
Luke smiled grimly, recognizing the taunt for what it was.
"The last time I saw you, Palpatine, you, too, were screaming - falling to your death down a reactor core!"
Palpatine growled and once again attacked, this time with more fury and aggression. Luke defended with an unrelenting precision, but he was slowly being forced away from the portal...
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The Dark Legions advanced on the Light Realm, closer and closer. A few dozen Jedi stood their ground, but knew they were hopelessly outnumbered. Nomi saw Qui-Gon approaching Kun, and she sent as much of her strength out to him as should could, knowing in her heart that stopping Kun – and thus stopping the effects of the Transcendence - would be the only way the Jedi could hope to stop such an army of darkness.
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Qui-Gon was closing in fast on Exar Kun. He raised his weapon as he ran, preparing to destroy the Sith. When he was within striking distance, Qui-Gon slowed and brought his green blade around in front of him, a blow that would cleanly bisect Kun. The blade stopped before reaching its mark, hitting an invisible wall as strong as stone. Qui-Gon arched back and struck again, finding the same effect. Kun was completely protected, having locked himself behind a Force generated shield. Qui-Gon was less than half a meter away from his target, but blocked as certainly as if Kun had been behind a blast door. Qui-Gon turned, saw the Legions advancing, and then saw a smile appear on Kun's face.
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Nomi and the other Jedi saw what was happening with Kun and realized they had no choice but to fight the legions. The Dark Ones were close now, not running, simply marching on at a steady pace, all in line, weapons ready, the dark side swirling about them.
"We need more Jedi!" Nomi stated softly, not speaking to anyone in particular. She had never been involved in an attack such as this. In her time on this plane - and her time here had been long - there had been nothing more than brief skirmishes with the Dark Ones that were easily pushed back by the Warders. To see a line of Dark Ones coming toward her made her blood run cold.
The Jedi spaced themselves well apart, preparing for the assault.
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Anakin and Maul continued their deadly battle, each one fighting for the advantage, neither one able to get it. Maul took a chance to cast a glance over his shoulder and saw the Legions coming. He looked at Kun, and saw his eyes were still closed in concentration, seemingly oblivious to the approaching Legions. He then stole a glance at Palpatine, battling the younger Skywalker, also unaware of the Legions proximity. Maul deflected a few more blows from Anakin's sabre, then began a retreat, backing away slowly, moving back toward the Dark realm from where he came....
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The Legions raised their weapons as they traversed the final meters into the Light Realm. They suddenly started to increase their speed, trotting, then running, primal screams ripped from their throats as they crossed the boundary into the Light Realm.
Nomi rushed forward and engaged two Sith at once, battling with amazing speed and agility. Beside her, Master Jeth force pushed several Sith back, and impaled another before engaging in battle with yet another dark side warrior. Master Yoda was holding his own against three Sith, jumping an spinning, confusing them all with his lightening speed. Every other Jedi did much the same, but for every Dark One they destroyed or forced into retreat, a dozen more took their place. The Jedi were slowly being forced back, each one of them knowing that for every step they took backward, the Dark Ones were creating more and more of a disturbance, upsetting the balance of the Force on every plane of existence. The Jedi held their ground as best they could, knowing all-to-well the consequences if they failed.
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During the battle, Kun was moving slowly, ever so slowly toward the Transcendence Portal he was holding open. Qui-Gon had given up trying to break through Kun's Force Barrier, realizing it was pointless. Not far away, Kun heard the sound of a mighty battle raging, realizing in an instant that the Legions had arrived. And if the Legions were here, that no doubt meant the Dark Master was also here - undoubtedly having figured out Palpatine's plan.
Kun swore silently, knowing time was running out. And he cursed himself further when he recalled how he had dismissed Maul's earlier warning that they were being watched. With the Legions behind him and the Jedi in front, Kun knew there would be no chance of retreat. His one chance was to make it to the Portal and get through before either the Legions or the Jedi could stop him .But he was tiring, feeling the strain of keeping the flow of Dark Power surging. He allowed his Force barrier to falter, sensing no immediate danger from the Jedi and needing all his power focused on the Transcendence portal. Exhausted as he was, Kun focused solely and sightlessly on his will to cross through that portal and return to the Other Side. His hatred for Skywalker and his Jedi kept him going, gave him strength.
He knew he would not fail. For as soon as he reached the portal, he would go through. The plan was to keep it open until all three of them - Palpatine, Kun and Maul - could pass, but Kun had other ideas. The situation had become unstable and dangerous, and though he knew Palpatine's influence and power could be of great benefit to his plans, he was fully prepared to leave the former Emperor behind to save himself. He opened his eyes slightly; saw Palpatine and Luke battling close to the portal, oblivious to his approach. He was close now, very close. He knew he would soon have his revenge.
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Nomi screamed in agony as the fire of a Sith blade cut into her skin, searing her flesh cleanly from stomach to thigh. She dropped to the ground in pain, her lightsabre rolling away from her. She looked up with pained eyes as the Sith who wounded her raised his weapon for the final blow. She closed her eyes, knowing that a death blow on this plane would mean destruction of her very spirit. The Sith weapon crashed down - but was intercepted less than an inch above Nomi's head by Qui-Gon's green blade. Qui-Gon took the Sith by surprise, and used that to his advantage, cutting down the Dark warrior in a few quick strikes. He then deactivated his saber and reached down to gather Nomi in his arms, running her to relative safety up a small rise. After laying her down gently, and insuring her wound was not mortal, he once again ignited his blade and forged into the battle.
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Anakin gasped in pain, feeling Nomi's agony through their Guide-Bond. She had been terribly wounded, he knew, and he felt a renewed anger well within him. He forced his mind to block her out, needing all of his concentration in the battle against Maul. Anakin noticed with suspicion that the Sith was no longer pressing for an advantage, merely mounting a defense while he backed away towards the Dark Realm. Anakin kept up his attack, though, expecting some sort of trick.
Before Anakin could gather his thoughts much more, Maul suddenly leapt straight up and back, landing a good 20 feet away. He then turned and ran, his dark robes billowing behind him like black wings, fleeing and disappearing into the blackness of the dark realm. Anakin stood still a moment, stunned by this turn of events. He started forward to follow, but stopped, knowing his duty was to push the dark side away, insure it is kept within the dark realm. Once that was accomplished, the battle was complete. A Jedi did not enter the Dark realm to seek out the Dark Ones. As much as Anakin wanted to see Maul destroyed, he knew it would not happen today, not now. And besides, he was now free to help Luke.
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Nomi was lying on her back in the soft grass halfway up a small rise in the terrain. The wind from the Transcendence portal was whipping her long hair in her face. She was in great pain from her near-fatal wound, but even more agonizing was the sight of her Jedi comrades battling with the Legions, outnumbered and being driven back. She laid her head back and closed her eyes, trying to find her calm, when suddenly a tremendous sound like thunder caught her attention. The sounds came from above her, from somewhere over the rise. The sound got closer, and Nomi could hear the distinct sound of voices. Hundreds of them. She winced, pulling her pain-filled body up the small hill, inch by inch. When at last she reached the top of the rise, she flipped over onto her side and craned her neck to peer over the top of the hill. Her eyes went wide and a surge of relief and hope poured into her, her pain all but forgotten at the sight before her.
The Jedi Defenders were coming!