Anamnesis
Durasteel vibrated under Obi-Wan's thunderous pace as he raced over the lightweight decking of the narrow catwalk. The gentle, upward curve of the walkway carried the Jedi across the massive expanse of the Senate chamber's false ceiling. Like the webbing of a great arachni, the suspended walkways floated above the elegant Borimai glass dome.
The crystalline creation shimmered with ethereal blues and greens, casting a calming light into the chamber below. The effect was opposite within the false ceiling where an eerie turquoise ambience filled the enclosure.
Turmoil raged within the Jedi as he bound from one section to the next. Nearing the apex, he pressed his emotions to the side and cast out through the Force. Every place he touched with his extended senses, the darkness reigned. With every passing moment, the light grew a little dimmer. Jedi were in battle for their lives all about the structure and he could feel their numbers diminishing with every passing moment.
If he did not enter the fight soon, he would be all that was left of the Jedi within the Senate Complex, not that escape was his plan. The Army of the Republic was marching on Coruscant. All avenues of escape would soon be closed.
The violent shake of the rickety catwalk threatened to rip apart at the brackets and crash into the heavy glass that separated him from the floor far below. Yet, he could not slow, every footfall driven by desperation.
The madness had to be brought to an end.
Palpatine must be stopped.
The murky veil woven by the Sith lord had done its job well to disguise the dark power he wielded as well as his plans for galactic domination. Now the shroud was lifted and those that could–would–waged battle against the agent of darkness. They would die if need be.
He would die.
Just beyond his reach, he could feel the two faces of the Force battling one another and the light struggling against the consuming darkness.
At the apex of arching web of maintenance walkways, he vaulted onto a work platform. His gaze zoomed in on the next catwalk that would lead him a little closer to the Chancellor's heavily guarded office before he had to enter the patrolled and embattled corridors.
With the barest warning through the Force, his breath hitched as he bounded backward just out of reach of a flaming blue blade. The familiar hum of a lightsaber flew at him once more causing Obi-Wan to duck out of the way and crash into the thin rail eliciting a groan as it bent under the strain. Colored splotches danced across his vision and hid his attacker in the shadows.
"Traitor!" a voice echoed off the curved steel plating of the roof. The otherworldly lighting was shattered once more by the bright blue saber blade as it was driven toward the stunned Jedi but came to an abrupt halt the instant it crossed the paler blue of Obi-Wan's weapon.
"Anakin!" the older Jedi called out as he blocked another intense attack before throwing himself out of the way of a wild swing. Shock radiated through the ginger haired knight at the darkness that swam about the youth. Wrapped up in the moment, he was not given the time to think.
Anakin Skywalker drove the blade down, slicing through the railing where his master had stood a heartbeat earlier. "Did you think I would let your treachery go?" he growled through clenched teeth the rage vibrating in his voice.
Squaring his shoulders, Obi-Wan brought his lightsaber up defensively as he carefully shifted a step toward the walkway. He did not have the time to fight his apprentice. He would cross swords.
The Force pulsed with Anakin's fury and the ease at which he grasped the Dark Side.
"I will not fight you," Obi-Wan said, the strength of his defiant voice echoed throughout.
The dark tides within the Force bloomed with the declaration but Anakin merely laughed. The tall man straightened as calm glazed his features; the Borimai glass glistened in his bright blue eyes but reflected no joy. "I'm not here to fight you, Master," he mocked. "I'm here to kill you."
Shifting into a more ready position the Jedi shook his head. "Not this day Anakin." The youth had been led astray, misguided. If only he would stop, the truth–
"Truth!" Anakin barked. A swipe of his gloved hand sent the older Jedi flying across the platform and smashing into the decking. A clatter echoed as Obi-Wan's lightsaber was knocked free of his grip and tumbled over the walkway.
"Do you think me so stupid, my master?" Drawing the azure blade over his head, he shifted his weight and brought the weapon down.
"No!" Obi-Wan called out as he rolled out of the way of the driven blade. The familiar hum brushed close to his ear before it cut another deep gash into the floor. Reaching out, the Jedi called the hilt of his weapon to his hand just in time to deflect another blow. "Anakin, please–"
"After everything you have done?"
The Jedi kicked out, the heel of his boot connecting with the interior of the fallen apprentice's ankle. As Anakin tumbled, Obi-Wan rolled back and bounded to his feet, his pale blade matching Anakin's and driving him back a step.
"Stand down, padawan," Obi-Wan said as blue on blue ground together, but the younger had size and physical strength to his advantage and easily pushed the other over the floor.
The platform shuddered under foot, shifting with every leap and bound. A terrible racket raced over it as it strained under the continuing battle.
Breaking away and delivering a strong upper cut, Anakin knocked Obi-Wan's blade back before attempting to drive the tip of his own through the Jedi's chest. Twisting into the attack, Obi-Wan deflected it and moved to a more open area on the platform.
Shadows danced across Anakin's face giving cruel lines where none had existed before. Moving into an offensive stance, he spat, "You think to little of me, my Master, if you think I will allow you to assassinate the Lord Chancellor."
"Can you not see–"
"He is a good man! The Republic needs a strong leader."
"Not a dictator. He cares nothing of the Republic except the power."
"I won't hear your lies!" Anakin threw himself into the conflict, the hum and crackle charged the air as the two combatants struggled for control in a space that was far too enclosed to accommodate a saber fight.
With every lunge and strike, the Jedi shifted a step closer to the walkway. "Stop and think!" Obi-Wan demanded. Sweat beaded against his forehead causing the salted ginger strands to cling to his skin. "Palpatine is a Sith. He's in a power grab." Just as he was about to continue, a surge in the dark power wrapped itself around the two men and the blitz of Anakin's attack drove the Jedi into the damaged rail. "He's using you, Padawan," was all he could manage between saber clashes.
"You are wrong!" Anakin launched himself at the other man.
Using his momentum against him, the Jedi sent the youth flying off the platform and crashing onto a walkway deck.
Anakin's rage came out in a feral howl as he sprang back to his feet. A reckless lower cut intended to shorten the Jedi at the ankles failed as Obi-Wan jumped out of the way. Not pulling back in time, the blade sliced through a support rod and damaged a suspension cable.
Offering a wounded cry, the catwalk shuddered against the new strain placed upon it by the duelist's deadly dance.