Title: Birth of Tyranny
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Thanks to all that have reviewed this story…However, this story is not really an AU, this is an idea of mine for Episode III.
Chapter 14
In the top tower of the Jedi Temple in the holiest room sat the 12 most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. Obi Wan took his place next to master Yoda and looked around the room. He was used to being in the council room from his days of being Qui Gon Jinn's apprentice, then also from having Anakin Skywalker as his own apprentice, but it felt odd to be on the other side of the coin now, to be one of those he used to feel so nervous to be in front of. The council had changed in the last three years due mostly to the battle of Geonosis, and it saddened him to realize how few Jedi masters there were left, barely enough to make up the council. Yoda looked at Obi Wan, and encouraged him to begin.
"I feel we need to discuss Anakin Skywalker's career as a Jedi." Obi Wan began. "He has begun down a dark path, and I'm fearful it has taken hold of him."
"He must be expelled, once a Jedi starts down a dark path, he can never return." Kit Fisto exclaimed with several of the council members agreeing.
"I don't think expelling him is the answer just yet." Obi Wan looked around the room. "He is a very talented Jedi, and deep down is a good man, he is just confused."
Luminara Unduli looked at Obi Wan and spoke. "Is that what you really believe? Or are you just saying that because he was your pupil?" Obi Wan looked at her. "Be mindful of your emotions Obi Wan, make sure your opinion on this matter is pure."
Obi Wan looked at Yoda for guidance, Yoda in turn just stared back at Obi Wan. Just then the council chamber doors flew open and Anakin Skywalker burst through them. He stood in the center of the room and looked around at the council members, he then focused on Obi Wan.
"Knight Skywalker, you are interrupting an official council meeting." Plo Koon said when Anakin stood before them.
"I figured I should be here since you are all talking about me." He said with a snide attitude.
"Tell you the council's decision we will" Yoda answered the angry knight. "Until then wait outside you must."
"Well actually master Yoda, I have come here with orders from the Emperor." Anakin never took his gaze off Obi Wan. "His excellency is giving all of you the opportunity to save your lives, if you promise to not join this rebel alliance, then the Jedi will be spared." Anakin smiled. "If you don't agree to these terms, I cannot say what might happen."
"How dare you threaten us." Kit Fisto exclaimed.
"Anakin, the Jedi have been keepers of the peace for hundreds of years. They will continue to do so." Luminara said, and Anakin kept his cool expression on his face. "No matter what you say or what the Emperor does, we will always be there."
Anakin smiled, and bowed. "So be it masters." He then left the council behind him.
Obi Wan looked at Yoda in despair. "Talk to you in private I must." Yoda claimed, and excused himself and Obi Wan from the other council members.
**
Obi Wan paced Yoda's meditation chamber like a caged animal, he was anxious and frightened of what was coming. Yoda sat on his stool and watched the other Jedi before him.
"Calm down you must, help you your anxieties will not." Yoda said to his colleague.
Obi Wan looked at the tiny green master and sighed. "They are right. Anakin must be expelled." Obi Wan sounded defeated.
"Expulsion is not all he requires I think." Yoda said, hanging his head. "The dark side I sense greatly in him."
"I should've seen it coming, I should've watched him more..." Obi Wan began.
"His own path has he chosen Obi Wan, your fault it is not." Yoda tried to assure him.
"Yoda is correct padawan." A familiar voice rang inside Obi Wan's ears, he turned and faced the ghostly image of his late master Qui Gon Jinn. "You did your best, Anakin chose a different path."
"Master?" Obi Wan said in almost a state of shock.
"I was wrong in making you promise to train him, I see that now." The ghost looked at his padawan ashamed. "Now it is up to you Obi Wan, you must stop him before it gets worse."
"What?" Obi Wan looked between Yoda and Qui Gon. "No. I can't, he is still my friend, he is like a son to me." Obi Wan turned his back to the two masters.
Yoda looked at Qui Gon. "Foreseen this we have Obi Wan. The dark side will devour him, and the galaxy if not stopped he is."
"You're asking me to destroy my padawan?" The two masters sat in silence. "I can't kill him." Obi Wan looked back at Qui Gon.
Qui Gon shrugged. "Then the dark side has already won."
"How could you even ask me to do this?" He stared the ghost in the eyes. "This was all your doing in the first place." He pointed his finger at Qui Gon. "You wanted me to train the boy when I told you he was dangerous, and now you want me to destroy him?"
"Obi Wan don't let your personal feelings get in the way. You cannot escape your destiny. You will face Anakin." Qui Gon said with a sigh.
"And what will happen when I face him?" Obi Wan asked his masters.
"Clouded the future is, but changed forever will it be." Yoda answered.
Suddenly the door opened and Padme Amidala stormed in, followed by a worried aid telling her she wasn't allowed in.
"Let her be Rleik, welcome she is." Yoda claimed when he saw the senator.
"I apologize master Yoda for my intrusion." Padme claimed with a bow. "I have come to you for advice." Obi Wan looked between Padme and Yoda, and tried to excuse himself, Padme grabbed his arm. "I need you here as well Obi Wan." She looked at him, he then noticed she had been crying because her eyes were red, and her make up smeared.
"What help can I be?" Yoda asked with a smile.
"I don't know how to say this." She looked at Obi Wan, he in turn gave her a supportive look. "Bail Organa has asked me to help him organize the rebel alliance against the Empire, but I'm not sure I can do it." She looked down at the ground.
"I don't understand Senator Amidala..." Obi Wan began.
"Please, call me Padme Obi Wan." She interrupted.
"Padme, why come to us? We have already pledged our support to the rebels, if you feel you cannot join the fight, we understand." Obi Wan continued.
"It's not that." Padme turned her back to the Jedi and composed herself before speaking again. "I Believe in what the rebels stand for, but I don't know if I can fight against my husband."
Obi Wan looked at master Yoda, neither one was in complete shock. "That is a choice you'll have to make Padme." Obi Wan walked towards her. "Anakin has chosen to walk down a dark path."
"That's what I'm worried about. There is a power inside him that scares me, I don't know what he is capable of doing." She looked at the two Jedi. "Like when his mother was killed." Obi Wan and Yoda exchanged fearful glances. "He killed an entire band of Tusken Raiders without thinking of the consequeses."
"So, that's how this all began." Obi Wan said, and hung his head. "I didn't even know, I wasn't there for him."
"Can't you do something?" She pleaded with Obi Wan. "Can't you save him? Bring him back?"
"I...I don't know." Obi Wan finally admitted.
"Please Obi Wan, you are my only hope." Padme pleaded with him.
Obi Wan looked at her, he was about to speak again when his comlink went off. He answered it, and heard battle noises over it. He then was able to pick out She-ar-ah's voice over it. "She-ar-ah?" He asked worried.
"Imperial troops." He heard her voice say through the static.
Obi Wan and Padme threw each other worried glances. "I have to go to Alderaan." Obi Wan stated, walking out the door, with Padme on his heels.
"I'm going with you." She said as she followed him out the door.
**
Bail Organa fought alongside his guards, he shot the clone troopers as they entered the palace. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he continued to defend his home. Before he knew it he and his forces were surrounded by dozens of Imperial troops. He then felt a shiver go down his spine when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and faced Anakin Skywalker dressed all in black with a black cape blowing behind him as he walked.
"Skywalker." Bail said when he saw Anakin. "You cannot do this."
"The Emperor has received word that a rebel force is being created on this planet." Anakin claimed in an intimidating tone of voice.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Alderaan is a peaceful planet." Organa stated, nervous.
"Then you pledge your alliance to the Empire?" Anakin asked with a smile.
Bail Organa looked Anakin in the eyes. "No. I do not."
"Then you will all be executed for treason." Anakin exclaimed.
"What about a fair trial? We haven't done anything wrong." Bail argued.
"That was the old Republic, just remember the Emperor is not as merciful as I am." Anakin grinned.
Behind them She-ar-ah crouched behind a statue, she pulled out another blaster, and slowly aimed for Anakin's head. Just as she was setting up her shot, she felt a blaster touch the back of her head, she closed her eyes in defeat.
"Drop your weapons." A storm trooper commanded, she obeyed. The trooper then walked her out into the open, and in front of Anakin.
"Captain Windu." Anakin turned to face her. "How great of you to join us." He looked her straight in the eyes, and whispered to her. "You want to becareful now, don't want to end up like your father do you?" Anakin taunted.
She-ar-ah quickly pulled out her father's light saber and cut the trooper's blaster in half. She then turned to Anakin who had his saber out to defend himself. The two fought each other, Anakin clearly having the upper hand in the battle. He agressivly attacked She-ar-ah and cut her light saber out of her hand, she tried to kick him out of rage, but Anakin grabbed her foot as it came for him, and threw her to the ground. She then began to choke on thin air until she passed out.
**
Obi Wan and Padme carefully snuck into the palace, they searched room by room until they came across Bail Organa and his guards sitting in a circle surrounded by Storm troopers in the ball room. Padme looked at Obi Wan, she was nervous. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"Looks like old times." He said with a mock smile, she tried to smile back.
They raced to the door, and noticed it was guarded by two troopers. Obi Wan dropped on top of them, and with the force caused them to pass out. He then motioned for Padme to follow him. They kept low to the ground so they wouldn't be detected, Obi Wan pulled Padme close so he could give her instructions.
"Wait here, and when I give the signal start shooting." He commanded her.
"That's your big plan? I thought you were a general?" Padme said with a sigh. He motioned for her to keep quiet. "Fine, but what exactly should I shoot?"
"I just need you to create a distraction, shoot anything except me." Obi Wan said with a small smile.
Padme rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say master Jedi."
Obi Wan moved behind a huge marble statue and with one swipe of his light saber he cut the legs, and caused it to tumble to the floor. It landed on top of 3 imperial troopers, the others quickly turned to see what happened. They aimed their blasters as they saw the Jedi master walking towards them. Padme watched as they aimed for Obi Wan, she was ready to shoot, but waited for Obi Wan's command. The lead trooper aimed for Obi Wan, but Obi Wan continued to walk towards him without a hint of fear on his face. Obi Wan then waved his hand in front of the trooper.
"Put down you weapons." He commanded.
The trooper then lowered his weapon, and turned to the others. "Put down your weapons." He commanded them.
Padme looked at Obi Wan astonished. Obi Wan waved his hand again. "These aren't the rebels." He told the trooper.
"These aren't the rebels." The lead trooper repeated. The other troopers looked at each other in confusion.
"Give them your weapons." Obi Wan commanded.
"Give them your weapons." The trooper repeated.
Obi Wan noticed the other troopers hesitating. "Now." He commanded.
"Now." The lead trooper also commanded.
The remaining troops didn't put down their blasters, and Obi Wan grew nervous. Suddenly behind him Padme shot one of the troopers in the back. Obi Wan used this distraction to cut down the remaining troopers.
Bail Organa and his guards then took the blasters from the troopers. Padme came out of her hiding place.
"Nice shot." Obi Wan thanked Padme. "You might've just save my life back there."
"Just returning the favor master Jedi." Padme smiled.
"That was amazing general Kenobi." Bail said to Obi Wan as they moved the troops into a corner of the room.
Obi Wan looked around the room. "Where is She-ar-ah?" He finally asked.
"Skywalker has her." Bail answered.
"What?" Obi Wan asked in an angry tone. "Where?"
"I think he's taken her up to Mount Vexis." Bail explained.
"You don't think he would do something to her?" Padme asked.
Obi Wan didn't answer, he just began to walk towards the volcano, Padme rushed after him.
"No, you will stay here." He told her.
"I want to go with you." She pleaded.
"Padme, this time you will listen to me. I need you to stay with Organa, get everyone to a safe place, we don't know if more troops will arrive." Obi Wan looked her in the eyes. "Please Padme."
"Yes Obi Wan." She turned away from him. "Obi Wan." He looked at her. "Bring him back to me."
"I will do everything I can." He said, and turned towards the Volcano.
**
Mount Vexis was the smallest of the three volcanoes on Alderaan. Obi Wan made his way up the path that led to the top. He tried to suppress his anger, he knew if he was to face Anakin it couldn't be in anger. Finally reaching the top, he saw a dark figure standing on the observation deck of the volcano. He walked across the catwalk to reach them. Anakin didn't turn around to face Obi Wan when he addressed him.
"I've been waiting for you Obi Wan." Anakin said with a snarl of his voice.
"Enough of this Anakin." Obi Wan said as he walked closer to his ex apprentice. "You must see how this is destroying you." Obi Wan continued. "If you give up this ridiculous position now, you still could be saved from the dark side."
Anakin then turned around, Obi Wan almost gasped when he saw Anakin had She-ar-ah by her hair, her hands were tied behind her back.
"Do you honestly believe you can save us both?" Anakin asked as he turned on his light saber and held it to She-ar-ah's neck.
"Anakin." Obi Wan cringed. "Let her go, this has nothing to do with her." Obi Wan pleaded.
Anakin moved her closer to the edge. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way master." He taunted Obi Wan. "Isn't that what you've always told me? Even when my mother died I heard two voices in my head, and one was your voice saying that very same phrase to me." He stared down Obi Wan. "It's easier said than done isn't it Obi Wan?"
"Anakin please, let her go." Obi Wan pleaded.
"You are such a hypocrite Obi Wan, and nobody sees you for what you are." Anakin raised his voice slightly, and looked at his former master. "Is it true? Was I just a promise? Is the only reason I was trained because of master Qui Gon?" He asked.
"Anakin, please..." Obi Wan moved closer. "Stop this."
"Is it true?" Anakin asked again, louder.
"Yes it was true." Obi Wan said quietly, Anakin began to shove She-ar-ah closer towards the edge. "It was true from a certain point of view Anakin!" Obi Wan shouted, making Anakin look at him.
"What?" Anakin asked.
"At first you were just a promise, and from a certain point of view yes your training was because I made that promise." He looked at Anakin and edged closer. "But you became my friend, even more so my family." Anakin lowered his light saber a little. "And I believe you can be saved Anakin, I know the boy I met on that ship all those years ago on Tatoonine is still in you." He moved closer. "Please Anakin, don't do this."
Anakin looked down at She-ar-ah, then at his master. "There is something else you aren't telling me." He looked Obi Wan in the eyes. There was a silence between them for a moment before he spoke again. "So, they sent you here to destroy me." Anakin stated angrily.
"I won't lie to you...yes they did, but I told them I will not." Obi Wan argued.
"Well master, here is your test." Anakin smiled at Obi Wan. "Show me you are a true Jedi, and I will believe you when you say you want to help me."
Obi Wan looked at Anakin confused. "What do I have to do to prove it."
"As we speak more of my troops are arriving on Alderaan. Save your rebel friends and the old Republic as the Jedi council have ordered you to..." He then put his light saber up to She-ar-ah's neck again. "Or save your...wife." Anakin smiled when he saw the look on Obi Wan's face. "Yes master I figured out your secret. I must admit Obi Wan that after all those lectures about the code and countless others about Padme I'm hurt because I've come to learn that I was being taught by the biggest fraud in the galaxy!"
Obi Wan hung his head. "I'm sorry I wasn't the master you deserved Anakin, I am a Jedi, but I am also human. Believe me when I say that I am sorry. Take it out on me Anakin, but leave the innocent people out of this."
"Still think this only has to do with you Obi Wan? This has to do with the Empire, and the true power of the force." Anakin looked down at Obi Wan and smiled.
"Anakin, you can still stop what has started. Don't give into the dark side." Obi Wan pleaded.
"It is too late for me Obi Wan." Anakin stated, and raised his light saber to strike She-ar-ah. "Now make your choice."
Just then She-ar-ah untied her hands which she had been working on the entire time, and pulled out the light dagger out of her boot and struck it into Anakin's leg. Anakin yelled and pushed her over the edge. Obi Wan's heart stopped when he saw her go over. He then used the force to stop her plummet, She-ar-ah opened her eyes when she felt herself stop, and looked up at Obi Wan. Obi Wan then used all of his training to bring She-ar-ah back to the catwalk. After he had done so, he looked to where Anakin had been standing, but Anakin had left. He held She-ar-ah in his arms for a moment.
"Go back to the palace, make sure they are safe." He said to her, as he released her from his grasp.
She put a hand on his cheek. "No, I won't leave you to face him." She argued.
"She-ar-ah, I have to face him alone, it is my destiny Maybe I can still save him." He looked at her, she had a worried look in her eyes. He kissed her forehead, and left her to go after Anakin. She reluctantly started back to the palace.
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Thanks to all that have reviewed this story…However, this story is not really an AU, this is an idea of mine for Episode III.
Chapter 14
In the top tower of the Jedi Temple in the holiest room sat the 12 most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. Obi Wan took his place next to master Yoda and looked around the room. He was used to being in the council room from his days of being Qui Gon Jinn's apprentice, then also from having Anakin Skywalker as his own apprentice, but it felt odd to be on the other side of the coin now, to be one of those he used to feel so nervous to be in front of. The council had changed in the last three years due mostly to the battle of Geonosis, and it saddened him to realize how few Jedi masters there were left, barely enough to make up the council. Yoda looked at Obi Wan, and encouraged him to begin.
"I feel we need to discuss Anakin Skywalker's career as a Jedi." Obi Wan began. "He has begun down a dark path, and I'm fearful it has taken hold of him."
"He must be expelled, once a Jedi starts down a dark path, he can never return." Kit Fisto exclaimed with several of the council members agreeing.
"I don't think expelling him is the answer just yet." Obi Wan looked around the room. "He is a very talented Jedi, and deep down is a good man, he is just confused."
Luminara Unduli looked at Obi Wan and spoke. "Is that what you really believe? Or are you just saying that because he was your pupil?" Obi Wan looked at her. "Be mindful of your emotions Obi Wan, make sure your opinion on this matter is pure."
Obi Wan looked at Yoda for guidance, Yoda in turn just stared back at Obi Wan. Just then the council chamber doors flew open and Anakin Skywalker burst through them. He stood in the center of the room and looked around at the council members, he then focused on Obi Wan.
"Knight Skywalker, you are interrupting an official council meeting." Plo Koon said when Anakin stood before them.
"I figured I should be here since you are all talking about me." He said with a snide attitude.
"Tell you the council's decision we will" Yoda answered the angry knight. "Until then wait outside you must."
"Well actually master Yoda, I have come here with orders from the Emperor." Anakin never took his gaze off Obi Wan. "His excellency is giving all of you the opportunity to save your lives, if you promise to not join this rebel alliance, then the Jedi will be spared." Anakin smiled. "If you don't agree to these terms, I cannot say what might happen."
"How dare you threaten us." Kit Fisto exclaimed.
"Anakin, the Jedi have been keepers of the peace for hundreds of years. They will continue to do so." Luminara said, and Anakin kept his cool expression on his face. "No matter what you say or what the Emperor does, we will always be there."
Anakin smiled, and bowed. "So be it masters." He then left the council behind him.
Obi Wan looked at Yoda in despair. "Talk to you in private I must." Yoda claimed, and excused himself and Obi Wan from the other council members.
**
Obi Wan paced Yoda's meditation chamber like a caged animal, he was anxious and frightened of what was coming. Yoda sat on his stool and watched the other Jedi before him.
"Calm down you must, help you your anxieties will not." Yoda said to his colleague.
Obi Wan looked at the tiny green master and sighed. "They are right. Anakin must be expelled." Obi Wan sounded defeated.
"Expulsion is not all he requires I think." Yoda said, hanging his head. "The dark side I sense greatly in him."
"I should've seen it coming, I should've watched him more..." Obi Wan began.
"His own path has he chosen Obi Wan, your fault it is not." Yoda tried to assure him.
"Yoda is correct padawan." A familiar voice rang inside Obi Wan's ears, he turned and faced the ghostly image of his late master Qui Gon Jinn. "You did your best, Anakin chose a different path."
"Master?" Obi Wan said in almost a state of shock.
"I was wrong in making you promise to train him, I see that now." The ghost looked at his padawan ashamed. "Now it is up to you Obi Wan, you must stop him before it gets worse."
"What?" Obi Wan looked between Yoda and Qui Gon. "No. I can't, he is still my friend, he is like a son to me." Obi Wan turned his back to the two masters.
Yoda looked at Qui Gon. "Foreseen this we have Obi Wan. The dark side will devour him, and the galaxy if not stopped he is."
"You're asking me to destroy my padawan?" The two masters sat in silence. "I can't kill him." Obi Wan looked back at Qui Gon.
Qui Gon shrugged. "Then the dark side has already won."
"How could you even ask me to do this?" He stared the ghost in the eyes. "This was all your doing in the first place." He pointed his finger at Qui Gon. "You wanted me to train the boy when I told you he was dangerous, and now you want me to destroy him?"
"Obi Wan don't let your personal feelings get in the way. You cannot escape your destiny. You will face Anakin." Qui Gon said with a sigh.
"And what will happen when I face him?" Obi Wan asked his masters.
"Clouded the future is, but changed forever will it be." Yoda answered.
Suddenly the door opened and Padme Amidala stormed in, followed by a worried aid telling her she wasn't allowed in.
"Let her be Rleik, welcome she is." Yoda claimed when he saw the senator.
"I apologize master Yoda for my intrusion." Padme claimed with a bow. "I have come to you for advice." Obi Wan looked between Padme and Yoda, and tried to excuse himself, Padme grabbed his arm. "I need you here as well Obi Wan." She looked at him, he then noticed she had been crying because her eyes were red, and her make up smeared.
"What help can I be?" Yoda asked with a smile.
"I don't know how to say this." She looked at Obi Wan, he in turn gave her a supportive look. "Bail Organa has asked me to help him organize the rebel alliance against the Empire, but I'm not sure I can do it." She looked down at the ground.
"I don't understand Senator Amidala..." Obi Wan began.
"Please, call me Padme Obi Wan." She interrupted.
"Padme, why come to us? We have already pledged our support to the rebels, if you feel you cannot join the fight, we understand." Obi Wan continued.
"It's not that." Padme turned her back to the Jedi and composed herself before speaking again. "I Believe in what the rebels stand for, but I don't know if I can fight against my husband."
Obi Wan looked at master Yoda, neither one was in complete shock. "That is a choice you'll have to make Padme." Obi Wan walked towards her. "Anakin has chosen to walk down a dark path."
"That's what I'm worried about. There is a power inside him that scares me, I don't know what he is capable of doing." She looked at the two Jedi. "Like when his mother was killed." Obi Wan and Yoda exchanged fearful glances. "He killed an entire band of Tusken Raiders without thinking of the consequeses."
"So, that's how this all began." Obi Wan said, and hung his head. "I didn't even know, I wasn't there for him."
"Can't you do something?" She pleaded with Obi Wan. "Can't you save him? Bring him back?"
"I...I don't know." Obi Wan finally admitted.
"Please Obi Wan, you are my only hope." Padme pleaded with him.
Obi Wan looked at her, he was about to speak again when his comlink went off. He answered it, and heard battle noises over it. He then was able to pick out She-ar-ah's voice over it. "She-ar-ah?" He asked worried.
"Imperial troops." He heard her voice say through the static.
Obi Wan and Padme threw each other worried glances. "I have to go to Alderaan." Obi Wan stated, walking out the door, with Padme on his heels.
"I'm going with you." She said as she followed him out the door.
**
Bail Organa fought alongside his guards, he shot the clone troopers as they entered the palace. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he continued to defend his home. Before he knew it he and his forces were surrounded by dozens of Imperial troops. He then felt a shiver go down his spine when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and faced Anakin Skywalker dressed all in black with a black cape blowing behind him as he walked.
"Skywalker." Bail said when he saw Anakin. "You cannot do this."
"The Emperor has received word that a rebel force is being created on this planet." Anakin claimed in an intimidating tone of voice.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Alderaan is a peaceful planet." Organa stated, nervous.
"Then you pledge your alliance to the Empire?" Anakin asked with a smile.
Bail Organa looked Anakin in the eyes. "No. I do not."
"Then you will all be executed for treason." Anakin exclaimed.
"What about a fair trial? We haven't done anything wrong." Bail argued.
"That was the old Republic, just remember the Emperor is not as merciful as I am." Anakin grinned.
Behind them She-ar-ah crouched behind a statue, she pulled out another blaster, and slowly aimed for Anakin's head. Just as she was setting up her shot, she felt a blaster touch the back of her head, she closed her eyes in defeat.
"Drop your weapons." A storm trooper commanded, she obeyed. The trooper then walked her out into the open, and in front of Anakin.
"Captain Windu." Anakin turned to face her. "How great of you to join us." He looked her straight in the eyes, and whispered to her. "You want to becareful now, don't want to end up like your father do you?" Anakin taunted.
She-ar-ah quickly pulled out her father's light saber and cut the trooper's blaster in half. She then turned to Anakin who had his saber out to defend himself. The two fought each other, Anakin clearly having the upper hand in the battle. He agressivly attacked She-ar-ah and cut her light saber out of her hand, she tried to kick him out of rage, but Anakin grabbed her foot as it came for him, and threw her to the ground. She then began to choke on thin air until she passed out.
**
Obi Wan and Padme carefully snuck into the palace, they searched room by room until they came across Bail Organa and his guards sitting in a circle surrounded by Storm troopers in the ball room. Padme looked at Obi Wan, she was nervous. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"Looks like old times." He said with a mock smile, she tried to smile back.
They raced to the door, and noticed it was guarded by two troopers. Obi Wan dropped on top of them, and with the force caused them to pass out. He then motioned for Padme to follow him. They kept low to the ground so they wouldn't be detected, Obi Wan pulled Padme close so he could give her instructions.
"Wait here, and when I give the signal start shooting." He commanded her.
"That's your big plan? I thought you were a general?" Padme said with a sigh. He motioned for her to keep quiet. "Fine, but what exactly should I shoot?"
"I just need you to create a distraction, shoot anything except me." Obi Wan said with a small smile.
Padme rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say master Jedi."
Obi Wan moved behind a huge marble statue and with one swipe of his light saber he cut the legs, and caused it to tumble to the floor. It landed on top of 3 imperial troopers, the others quickly turned to see what happened. They aimed their blasters as they saw the Jedi master walking towards them. Padme watched as they aimed for Obi Wan, she was ready to shoot, but waited for Obi Wan's command. The lead trooper aimed for Obi Wan, but Obi Wan continued to walk towards him without a hint of fear on his face. Obi Wan then waved his hand in front of the trooper.
"Put down you weapons." He commanded.
The trooper then lowered his weapon, and turned to the others. "Put down your weapons." He commanded them.
Padme looked at Obi Wan astonished. Obi Wan waved his hand again. "These aren't the rebels." He told the trooper.
"These aren't the rebels." The lead trooper repeated. The other troopers looked at each other in confusion.
"Give them your weapons." Obi Wan commanded.
"Give them your weapons." The trooper repeated.
Obi Wan noticed the other troopers hesitating. "Now." He commanded.
"Now." The lead trooper also commanded.
The remaining troops didn't put down their blasters, and Obi Wan grew nervous. Suddenly behind him Padme shot one of the troopers in the back. Obi Wan used this distraction to cut down the remaining troopers.
Bail Organa and his guards then took the blasters from the troopers. Padme came out of her hiding place.
"Nice shot." Obi Wan thanked Padme. "You might've just save my life back there."
"Just returning the favor master Jedi." Padme smiled.
"That was amazing general Kenobi." Bail said to Obi Wan as they moved the troops into a corner of the room.
Obi Wan looked around the room. "Where is She-ar-ah?" He finally asked.
"Skywalker has her." Bail answered.
"What?" Obi Wan asked in an angry tone. "Where?"
"I think he's taken her up to Mount Vexis." Bail explained.
"You don't think he would do something to her?" Padme asked.
Obi Wan didn't answer, he just began to walk towards the volcano, Padme rushed after him.
"No, you will stay here." He told her.
"I want to go with you." She pleaded.
"Padme, this time you will listen to me. I need you to stay with Organa, get everyone to a safe place, we don't know if more troops will arrive." Obi Wan looked her in the eyes. "Please Padme."
"Yes Obi Wan." She turned away from him. "Obi Wan." He looked at her. "Bring him back to me."
"I will do everything I can." He said, and turned towards the Volcano.
**
Mount Vexis was the smallest of the three volcanoes on Alderaan. Obi Wan made his way up the path that led to the top. He tried to suppress his anger, he knew if he was to face Anakin it couldn't be in anger. Finally reaching the top, he saw a dark figure standing on the observation deck of the volcano. He walked across the catwalk to reach them. Anakin didn't turn around to face Obi Wan when he addressed him.
"I've been waiting for you Obi Wan." Anakin said with a snarl of his voice.
"Enough of this Anakin." Obi Wan said as he walked closer to his ex apprentice. "You must see how this is destroying you." Obi Wan continued. "If you give up this ridiculous position now, you still could be saved from the dark side."
Anakin then turned around, Obi Wan almost gasped when he saw Anakin had She-ar-ah by her hair, her hands were tied behind her back.
"Do you honestly believe you can save us both?" Anakin asked as he turned on his light saber and held it to She-ar-ah's neck.
"Anakin." Obi Wan cringed. "Let her go, this has nothing to do with her." Obi Wan pleaded.
Anakin moved her closer to the edge. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way master." He taunted Obi Wan. "Isn't that what you've always told me? Even when my mother died I heard two voices in my head, and one was your voice saying that very same phrase to me." He stared down Obi Wan. "It's easier said than done isn't it Obi Wan?"
"Anakin please, let her go." Obi Wan pleaded.
"You are such a hypocrite Obi Wan, and nobody sees you for what you are." Anakin raised his voice slightly, and looked at his former master. "Is it true? Was I just a promise? Is the only reason I was trained because of master Qui Gon?" He asked.
"Anakin, please..." Obi Wan moved closer. "Stop this."
"Is it true?" Anakin asked again, louder.
"Yes it was true." Obi Wan said quietly, Anakin began to shove She-ar-ah closer towards the edge. "It was true from a certain point of view Anakin!" Obi Wan shouted, making Anakin look at him.
"What?" Anakin asked.
"At first you were just a promise, and from a certain point of view yes your training was because I made that promise." He looked at Anakin and edged closer. "But you became my friend, even more so my family." Anakin lowered his light saber a little. "And I believe you can be saved Anakin, I know the boy I met on that ship all those years ago on Tatoonine is still in you." He moved closer. "Please Anakin, don't do this."
Anakin looked down at She-ar-ah, then at his master. "There is something else you aren't telling me." He looked Obi Wan in the eyes. There was a silence between them for a moment before he spoke again. "So, they sent you here to destroy me." Anakin stated angrily.
"I won't lie to you...yes they did, but I told them I will not." Obi Wan argued.
"Well master, here is your test." Anakin smiled at Obi Wan. "Show me you are a true Jedi, and I will believe you when you say you want to help me."
Obi Wan looked at Anakin confused. "What do I have to do to prove it."
"As we speak more of my troops are arriving on Alderaan. Save your rebel friends and the old Republic as the Jedi council have ordered you to..." He then put his light saber up to She-ar-ah's neck again. "Or save your...wife." Anakin smiled when he saw the look on Obi Wan's face. "Yes master I figured out your secret. I must admit Obi Wan that after all those lectures about the code and countless others about Padme I'm hurt because I've come to learn that I was being taught by the biggest fraud in the galaxy!"
Obi Wan hung his head. "I'm sorry I wasn't the master you deserved Anakin, I am a Jedi, but I am also human. Believe me when I say that I am sorry. Take it out on me Anakin, but leave the innocent people out of this."
"Still think this only has to do with you Obi Wan? This has to do with the Empire, and the true power of the force." Anakin looked down at Obi Wan and smiled.
"Anakin, you can still stop what has started. Don't give into the dark side." Obi Wan pleaded.
"It is too late for me Obi Wan." Anakin stated, and raised his light saber to strike She-ar-ah. "Now make your choice."
Just then She-ar-ah untied her hands which she had been working on the entire time, and pulled out the light dagger out of her boot and struck it into Anakin's leg. Anakin yelled and pushed her over the edge. Obi Wan's heart stopped when he saw her go over. He then used the force to stop her plummet, She-ar-ah opened her eyes when she felt herself stop, and looked up at Obi Wan. Obi Wan then used all of his training to bring She-ar-ah back to the catwalk. After he had done so, he looked to where Anakin had been standing, but Anakin had left. He held She-ar-ah in his arms for a moment.
"Go back to the palace, make sure they are safe." He said to her, as he released her from his grasp.
She put a hand on his cheek. "No, I won't leave you to face him." She argued.
"She-ar-ah, I have to face him alone, it is my destiny Maybe I can still save him." He looked at her, she had a worried look in her eyes. He kissed her forehead, and left her to go after Anakin. She reluctantly started back to the palace.
