CHAPTER 20
Luke spun around once, moving so that his back was facing the portal, pushing Palpatine as far away as possible from the portal. He saw his father running towards him and felt a surge of strength flow through him, knowing that Palpatine would never be able to fight both of them.
"It's over Palpatine!" Luke shouted, bringing his blade in for another attack. "You will not be allowed through that portal!"
Palpatine sneered. "Rest assured, Skywalker - I will Transcend! By the time you arrive back at your precious Praxeum, I will have destroyed it!" Palpatine's voice grew louder with each threat he hurled at Luke. "You will find your pitiful Jedi students dead! And I will start with Mara Jade!"
Luke's eyes flashed with fury, and he felt the touch of the dark side crawling up his back. He fought to keep himself in control, knowing he was playing into Palpatine's hands by allowing his taunts to anger him so.
Palpatine saw the anger on Luke's face and laughed, getting a twisted pleasure from Luke's pain. "Yes, Skywalker, I know all about my former servant - your wife! I know all about the child she carries within her! I will promise you this: after I destroy Mara Jade, I will cut that child from her womb to keep as a souvenir of my victory!"
The sheer barbarity of that threat almost pushed Luke over the edge, almost made him lose his control. Was there no end to this man's evil? Somehow Luke found the strength to swallow his fear and fury, finding his calm center once again. He focusing on the task at hand, knowing he must keep Palpatine from entering that Portal at all costs.
"You are no threat to us, Palpatine!" Luke stated calmly, conviction in his voice, drawing a measure of strength from the words.
"We will see about that!"
Palpatine reached into his robes and pulled out a second lightsabre, igniting it and attacking almost immediately. Luke was forced back, his single blade flashing with blinding speed to deflect the double blades slashing at him furiously. Then, seemingly out of nothingness, Anakin appeared, his blue blade entering the battle, giving Luke some much needed relief. Palpatine's eyes looked panicked for a moment, but he quickly recovered, jumping and spinning, holding his own against the two powerful Skywalkers. All the while, Palpatine was slowly inching back towards the Transcendence Portal.
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The Legions were gaining ground.
The Jedi had fought valiantly, but sheer numbers had forced them into retreat. Qui-Gon was surrounded by four Sith warriors, Master Yoda was barely managing to hold another group at bay, and the other Jedi who had not been destroyed were facing similar odds. But then a mighty roar was heard from behind, and the Jedi turned to see hundreds of Defenders charging over the rise, weapons raised.
The Legions seemed shocked, taken aback momentarily at the sight of so many Jedi. The dark, unwavering confidence of the Legions began to falter. Some turned to flee, returning to the safety of the Dark realm, but most held their ground. The Jedi Defenders never slowed, charging into the battle at full speed, blue and green lightsabre blades flashing, cutting down any Sith that stood in their way. Qui-Gon continued to battle, attacking with masterful strokes of his blade, when he felt a familiar presence behind him.
"Just like old times, my friend," Qui-Gon stated, glancing at the Jedi fighting alongside him.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, leader of the Jedi Defenders, grinned as he fought, "I was just thinking the same thing."
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From her place on the rise, Nomi could see the tide of the battle start to change with the arrival of the defenders. The Legions were being pushed back, many of their warriors falling to the swift blades of the Jedi. Off to her right, she saw Anakin and Luke engaged in battle with the former Emperor, very close to the Transcendence portal. She also saw Exar Kun moving slowly in that direction. It was then Nomi realized what the what the Dark Ones were after. This was no ordinary dark Side advancement attempt - they wanted to use the Transcendence portal themselves! To wreak havoc and spread darkness on the Other Side!
She cursed herself for being incapacitated, knowing her place was in the battle with her fellow Jedi. But then Nomi saw something else - a dark figure with billowing black robes, just across the boundary in the Dark Realm, moving rapidly toward Kun. She watched closely, and was stunned to see the dark figure ignite a red blade and attack Exar Kun. Kun turned and saw the attack coming - too late. He went down immediately, without a fight, his body cut cleanly in half. Then the dark figure moved away, back into the blackness of the Dark Realm. Nomi could scarcely believe her eyes. Kun was destroyed! Before his body had even hit the ground, the transcendence Portal he had been holding open began to waver and close. Nomi's relieved smile faded, however, when the portal suddenly stabilized, showing no further signs of closing.....
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Just inside the Dark Realm, Darth Tyrannus stood calmly, an air of regal superiority in his posture. A Dark robe of the finest material covered his black clothing, the hood all but obstructing his face. Beside him, Lumiya stood quietly, watching the battle with a practiced eye, knowing the Legions would soon be forced into retreat.
"The weak ones have been weeded out," she stated, looking with disgust on the remains of the fallen Legionnaires. "We need to move."
The tall Sith Lord just smiled. "Not yet. The Master will give the word when the time is right."
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Anakin and Luke fought side-by-side against Palpatine, moving as one, each sensing the other's movements. Palpatine's defense was admirable, but it was only a defense. He knew he was losing the battle, and the thought galled him. He would have enjoyed destroying one or both of the Skywalkers, but there were more pressing issues at the moment. Palpatine was close to the portal now, close enough to leap through, all he had to do was disengage from the battle unharmed. He was waiting for an opportunity, waiting for one of his opponents to tire or make a mistake, anything that could give him the window he needed.
Anakin knew what Palpatine was after, and knew he had to be stopped. He fought to his fullest, knowing Luke was doing the same. It was only a matter of time before the two would wear down the former Emperor. Then suddenly in mid-swing, Anakin felt something shift. He glanced to the side and his eyes went wide when he saw the transcendence Portal starting to close. NO! Anakin's mind screamed out, impotently willing the portal to remain open until Luke could make it through safely. They were so close now - so close to getting his son back to his rightful place within the Force. Anakin did not want to delay Luke's return a moment longer. The time was now, he knew. He could feel it, with every cell in his being.
Palpatine, too, noticed the rift begin to close. His eyes went wild, seeing his chance at revenge begin to abandon him. He wouldn't allow that! He would not!
The portal held open.
Then, from the corner of his eye, Palpatine saw Darth Maul running towards him, his black cloak flowing behind him. Everything was going as planned! The portal was being held open, and Maul was arriving right on schedule. Palpatine cackled, sensing victory.
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The Dark Master moved silently through the blackness, eyes closed in concentration. The battle between the Jedi and his Legions was still raging, and though the advantage had shifted to the Jedi, the Master knew his remaining Legions would hold out long enough for his plan to be completed. He closed his eyes, and sent a mental command to his faithful servant, Tyrannus, the man he had carefully chosen to take on the most crucial of all missions. A mission that would insure the Dark Realm's future.
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From Nomi's vantage point high on the rise she had a clear view of the battle. The Jedi had forced the Legions back to within a meter of the Dark Realm, but the Legions were steadfastly refusing to give up any more ground.
It was also becoming evident that the Legions were shifting as they fought, lining up single file, almost side-by-side, forming a line of evil, like a great, dark serpent, snaking along the border. Nomi found the positioning odd, until she realized where the line of Dark warriors was heading. Within moments, the line would extend all the way across the terrain to the transcendence portal - all the way to Anakin and Luke!
Nomi gathered all her strength, and concentrated, sending a mental image to Anakin through their Guide-Bond, trying to show him what she was seeing, what was happening. She knew he had been blocking her, to keep her pain from distracting him, but she hoped he would hear her call now....
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The tall Sith smiled, hearing his Master's mental command. He turned to Lumiya. "I must be leaving now," he stated simply, gathering his dark robes around him and grasping the unusual lightsabre hilt on his belt. Lumiya only nodded, then stepped back to allow the powerful Sith Lord to pass.
She watched him as he calmly passed through the wavering border and strode boldly into the Light Realm. Lumiya knew her Master had chosen this man carefully, and from everything she had witnessed, he was certainly the perfect candidate for the delicate mission at hand. He was a faithful Dark Side servant, powerful and cunning. And he was one of the most recent Sith Lords to Cross over from the Other Side, so he had a very good understanding on the way things worked in the present galaxy. She watched him walk away, imperiously confident, no trace of impatience or hurry in his steps. She marveled at his calm demeanor, his face and posture showing no trace of fear, though he was treading on dangerous ground, embarking on the most dangerous and important of journeys. For if he failed.....Lumiya shook her head. No. Failure was simply not an option.
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Obi-Wan fought valiantly, his blue lightsabre blade thrusting and whirling through the sir with amazing speed. He had taken down nearly a dozen of the Dark Warriors already, and was intent on eliminating even more.
He glanced to his right and saw Qui-Gon fighting with equal agility, then looked to his left and saw his Jedi Defenders tirelessly attacking, intent on driving the Legion back to where it came. But Obi-Wan noticed something else as well. He saw that the Dark Ones were slowly shifting, changing positions, moving farther along down the terrain. At the same time, the warriors seemed to find a new strength in the battle, each of the them planting their feet in place and allowing no Jedi to force them back or move around them. Out of the corner of his eye, Obi-Wan thought he saw a man walking, moving silently and calmly behind the long line of Legionnaires. It was hard to see clearly, but thee was something in this man's posture, in his movement that was familiar to him. Obi-Wan frowned as he blocked a powerful thrust from one of the Dark Warriors, feeling strongly that there was more going on here than was evident.
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Anakin's Warder senses flashed, warning him of Maul's approach. He turned to see the Sith almost on top of him, dual blades extended. Anakin disengaged from Palpatine, and turned to once again face the horned Sith.
That was the opportunity Palpatine was waiting for. Once Anakin turned away, Palpatine gave a mighty thrust of his sabre, pushing Luke back several feet. Before Luke could recover, Palpatine was moving, leaping up towards the Transcendence Portal, laughing, reveling in Dark Victory.
But the victory was short-lived. Darth Maul attacked, leaping over Anakin's head to land directly in front of the Transcendence Portal. He held his double blades in front of him, preventing Palpatine from entering. Maul had the benefit of complete surprise on his side, and with two smooth movements, he was able to strike the weapons from Palpatine's hands. His red eyes locked on those of his former master, and a faint smile appeared on the Sith Lords tattooed face.
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Darth Tyranus, Dark Lord of the Sith, walked calmly, his lightsabre swaying on his belt. His walk was even, almost casual, never slowing, never increasing in speed. On one side, he had the Dark realm - cold and familiar, comforting to those who had sworn allegiance to the dark side. On the other side, he had the Legions of Darkness. He was within arm's reach of the dark warriors and the Jedi, and he could see plainly the great duels taking place. He could hear the familiar hum of the light weapons as they clashed and sparked. But the tall Sith Lord paid the battle no mind. The Legions would hold the line, this he knew. The weakest of the warriors had already been eliminated during the initial attack, and the warriors that remained had proven themselves to be worthy to serve the Dark Side. They would not falter. These warriors would hold the line for him - to protect him until he could safely reach his destination at the far end of the line: the Transcendence Portal.