The tension in the room was almost visible. N'erak still squatted near the door, mumbling softly as he tried to bypass the Chancellor's security system. Yoda stood near the Knight, his eyes closed in concentration as the elderly Master tried to discover what was happening through the sealed doorway. Master Bant stood behind the two, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she tried to control her own impatience and worry.
The tension level steadily increased as time passed with no change. Bant tried to regain contact with Anakin through their newly strengthened bond, but it was to no avail. She could sense that he was in the other room, and that he was with Obi-Wan, but beyond that, she was unsure. As if answering to her uncertainty, Yoda spoke.
"Within are Obi-Wan and Anakin, but a Dark presence is there too," the wizened old Master stated. "Cautious we must be."
"Is it the Sith?" Bant asked quietly, trying not to disturb N'erak from his work. "Is the Chancellor with them too?"
"Only three there are," Yoda answered cryptically.
Before Bant could question him any further, N'erak stood up. "I'm finished," he stated almost
casually. "As soon as you two are
ready, we can continue our little adventure."
~~~
After uploading all of the contents of the data chips recovered from Padawan Bilt and from the storage computer Dooku had kept in the bowels of the Jedi Temple, Master Billaba left the Senate information center and hurried back to meet Padmé. The young Senator had just steered her cart back to its base, and was avidly watching as the Senate floor broke out in chaos.
"Your speech was well done," Depa declared as she stepped into the cart beside Padmé.
"Thank you," the Senator responded. "I hope that it will be enough to open the Senate's eyes to the corruption that has nearly taken over it."
Watching as the delegation from Kashykk quickly acted to subdue and block off the escape route of the Vice-Chancellor and his guards, Depa smiled softly. "I think, perhaps, that it will be enough."
~~~
"Master Windu, Master Gallia!" Elei exclaimed in surprise as the two Councilors caught up with her group as they were waiting for access to the still sealed off Jedi Temple campus.
"Padawan Elei, is the young boy we met at the Senate still with you?" Mace asked carefully, trying to conceal his anxiety and impatience.
"Boba?" she questioned, as she turned toward the group of injured Knights behind her. "Yes, I think so… last I saw he was helping Knight Coyne bind her injured arm."
"He's over there," Adi announced as she scanned the crowd. Without waiting for a response, the female Councilor pushed her way gently through the mass of Knights and Masters until she stood before the young boy. "Boba?" she asked softly.
Turning from where he was holding the edge of a bandage along a young Twi'lek's wrist, Boba raised his dark unfathomable gaze to the Jedi Master. "Yes?" he answered in a voice that shook just slightly.
Squatting down so she was not quite as imposing, Adi spoke. "Boba, we need your help. We need to know where your father's ship is."
"Why?" the young boy asked, as he allowed the edge of the bandage to slip from his fingers.
"We think that it might prove a danger to all of those who were injured in the Senate attack," Mace replied as he came to stand beside Master Gallia.
Assessing the truth of the dark-skinned Master's words, the young boy made no reply for several moments. Then, just when the two Councilors began to fear he would not answer, Boba climbed to his feet. "Follow me," he declared simply, as he began to jog swiftly along the Coruscanti walkway.
~~~
As she edged her way through the last few meters of ductwork, Serrenia had to admire Anakin Skywalker. From the dark stains that now soaked through her uniform, she knew that he must have been badly injured as he made his journey through the narrow passageway, and as difficult as it was for her in good health, it must have been nearly impossible for the older Padawan.
Squeezing her way through the final angled passage, Serrenia breathed a sigh of relief as she reached the grate she knew led into the Chancellor's private offices. Adjusting her position so that she could see through the grating, but not easily be seen, Serrenia withdrew the small phial from where she had stored it on her belt. The liquid inside the phial was clear, and was completely unfamiliar to her. The young Padawan had never seen such a substance. It seemed to almost mimic the texture of the glass phial, making it visible only by the dichotomy between the uncovered and covered portions of the phial.
On a whim, she held it up against her tunic and gasped in surprise as its texture and color changed to match the light brown coarse fabric. Carefully lowering the phial once more, Serrenia laid it gently on the floor of the duct as she went to work surreptitiously opening the grate cover.
~~~~
Stumbling against the edge of the Appleton desk, Obi-Wan gaped as Anakin's seizures stopped completely. Chancing a small step forward, the Master halted his movement immediately when a shudder passed through his Padawan's small frame. Edging his way backwards again, Obi-Wan continued to place distance between himself and his apprentice until he was backed against the windowed wall of the Chancellor's office.
Using the windows for more support than he would have admitted, Obi-Wan tried to calm his churning thoughts. He needed to get Anakin to the Temple, but he could not risk approaching his Padawan again. He also needed to secure the Sith Lord, and somehow reach the Jedi Council. With the Jedi Order assuming he was darkened, however, it would prove nearly impossible for him to prove his story unless Palpatine somehow chose to confirm it.
The Master also could not risk going out into the Senate building and leaving Anakin alone with the Sith, nor could he risk trying to summon any of the guards. The Republic guards had already shown themselves to be allied most closely to Palpatine's dark whims.
Trying to sort out his troubled thoughts, Obi-Wan did not at first notice the movement along the far wall of the room. It was only as the door to his left hissed open that he realized Palpatine had regained consciousness.
~~~~~~~~]]]]]~~~~~~~~~
As the door swished open, the level of energy in the Councilor's office immediately increased dramatically. The swirling eddies of the Force were almost visible in their agitation as Master Yoda entered the room, adding his own considerable power to the mix.
Following him more cautiously, N'erak and Bant immediately tried to take in the scene before them. It was apparent that some kind of a confrontation had taken place; with Obi-Wan huddled up against the windows and Anakin laying prostrate on the floor. Neither Jedi noticed Chancellor Palpatine at first, their attentions distracted by the site of both Anakin and Obi-Wan in such dire straits.
Sharing a quick glance, N'erak and Bant managed to convey their intentions without needing to resort to a verbal exchange. Stepping around Master Yoda, who remained standing just inside the door, Master Bant moved immediately to Anakin, dropping to her knees beside him and beginning to triage his injuries.
As N'erak tried to go to Obi-Wan, however, Yoda stopped him. "Help him you cannot. Assist me you must," the Councilor stated.
Opening his mouth to question what the elder Jedi needed assistance with, N'erak nearly missed the first volley of Force energy emanating from the other side of the room. It was only his honed reflexes that allowed him to spin on his heel and drop into a crouch quickly enough to avoid being hit. Master Yoda, however, was not unprepared, and responded by somehow catching the Dark energy.
Knowing he was nowhere near as capable of Force manipulation as Master Yoda, N'erak tried to ascertain what the elderly Master had meant when he said he would need the Knight's assistance. Scanning the room quickly, skipping over the disturbing visage of Obi-Wan, N'erak's attention was caught by the small grate near the floor of the Chancellor's office. Knowing that Serrenia was inside, and was most likely trying to remove the metal grating without notice, N'erak began to edge toward that side of the room, making it appear that he was moving to defend Bant and Anakin. Luckily, it appeared that the Chancellor's attention was solely focused on the elderly Jedi Master.
~~~~
"Is this your father's ship?" Adi questioned, even though she was fairly certain of the strange ship's ownership. The vessel was clearly built for speed and power, with little thought given to stealth or hiding its distinctive design.
"Yes," Boba answered succinctly as he moved toward the hatch of the ship. "You will need to stay back until I can disarm it."
Exchanging a glance with Master Windu, Adi than nodded and motioned for Boba to proceed. As the boy made his way toward the ship, the female Councilor whispered quietly to her colleague.
"Are we certain he won't merely try to leave?" she asked softly.
"If he decides to, we have no right to restrain him," Mace replied. "He has done no wrong, and technically, the ship does belong to him now."
"He's only a child," Master Gallia argued, careful to continue in a quiet tone.
"As are many of our own Padawans," the other Councilor answered. "With his father who he was, I am sure Boba is more than capable of looking after himself. Should he chose to do so, it is not our right to stop him."
"And if he chooses to follow in his father's profession?" Adi questioned caustically.
Turning slightly toward her, Mace raised an eyebrow. "Than I assume that someday we will be seeing him again."
~~~~
"Yoda," the Sith Lord hissed, his disdain evidenced by the sneer he imparted the word with.
"Palpatine," Yoda answered perfunctorily, the glowing ball of energy still settled almost insubstantially on his gnarled green hand. "No more harm will you cause. Too many have you killed; too much has your Dark influence touched."
"And you think you have the ability to stop me?" Palpatine questioned, a dry laugh punctuating his remark. "You, the mighty Jedi Master who I have had nearly complete control of for the past several years!"
"Influenced me you may have," Yoda replied, an edge of weariness in his tone. "But, impossible it is to control the Lightside of the Force." Turning his head slightly to take in the form of Obi-Wan still leaning against the windows, the Jedi Master continued. "Realized this just recently you have."
"The Lightside of the Force is for those too weak to know real power," Sidious declared. "I have no need, nor any desire to use it, let alone control it."
"And yet, control the Chosen One, you wish to," Yoda stated, finally allowing the Dark energy held within his palm to dissipate.
"And control him I will!" the Sith answered, using the momentary lapse to direct another stream of power, this time away from Master Yoda and toward Obi-Wan Kenobi.
~~~~
Removing the grate without notice was much more difficult than Serrenia would have thought. Somehow, Anakin must have done so, so she knew it was theoretically possible, yet she seemed to lack whatever skills in stealth he must have possessed.
After finally managing to loosen one side without notice, the young Padawan rested and took a moment to survey the activity in the Chancellor's office. She had heard when Yoda, N'erak and Bant had entered, but had been too preoccupied to do more than take note of it. Now she took the time to study their relative positions. Master Bant knelt beside Anakin, Master Yoda stood across from the Chancellor, and Obi-Wan was against the far windows. N'erak, however, she could not see.
She was therefore startled a moment later when her view was suddenly blocked. Realizing at once that it must have been N'erak, Serrenia silently sent a thank you to him and renewed her efforts to remove the grate.
~~~
The stream of Dark energy was unlike anything Bant had ever seen before. Although she hadn't had much experience with Dark Force users, that was more Obi-Wan's forte, the young Healer realized that it was not the volley of Force lightning that she had expected. Instead, it seemed to more resemble a shimmering rope, and despite the other Knight's attempts to avoid it, it settled around Obi-Wan's midsection, pinning him in place with a cry.
Apparently, Master Yoda was also unfamiliar with the Sith Lord's tactic, as the elderly Jedi did nothing to block the attack or break the connection. Instead, Yoda immediately went on the offensive, something neither N'erak nor Bant had ever seen him do before.
Amassing an enormous amount of energy, the head Councilor gathered it into a tangible force and sent it hurtling toward the Sith. When it made contact with the Chancellor's body, however, it seemed to merely be absorbed, causing no adverse effect.
"Your power is no match for mine," Sidious hissed, drawing on his own store of energy, and pulling even more from the connection he had made with Obi-Wan. Aiming it toward the Jedi Master, the Dark Lord released it with a vengeance. This time, as the force made contact, Yoda was thrown backwards several meters. "Your Order is weak," the Sith continued, punctuating his statement with another powerful surge of energy toward the prostrate head Councilor. "The Lightside of the Force is no match for the power of the Dark!" Sidious declared, as he sent yet another powerful volley, causing the elderly Master's body to convulse with the Dark energy.
~~~~
As he heard the grate behind him finally loosen, N'erak turned his full attention back to the drama playing out before him. Master Yoda and the Chancellor were facing one another with little to no notice of the other parties in the room. All of that changed, however, when the Sith seemed to return his attention to Obi-Wan. Before anyone could react, the Dark Lord released some kind of an energy force toward the Knight, seemingly freezing Obi-Wan in place. Although he had never before seen such a display, it was immediately apparent that the Sith was somehow using the Dark connection to draw energy from Knight Kenobi. The agonized cries of the Jedi were only barely audible above the crackle of the Dark energy the Sith Lord was unleashing against Master Yoda.
Before he could fully think through his actions, N'erak leapt away from where he stood before the grate, throwing himself between Sidious and Master Yoda. The pain of the Dark Force immediately ripped through his conscious, in an agony he had never before experienced. The energy seemed to be targeting his very essence, trying to obliterate all that made him who he was.
As the energy continued to tear through him, he barely managed to hear Bant's sudden shout to Serrenia. Though he was uncertain as to what his friend had planned, he could only hope it would end his excruciating torment.
~~~~
Master Bant's shout unfroze Serrenia from her fear, drawing her complete attention and obedience. Uncorking the phial, she levitated it carefully through the grate and through the air, careful to keep it from the Chancellor's notice. Once she had it levered over the Sith's position, Serrenia waited for Bant's further instruction.
~~~~~~~~]]]]]~~~~~~
The emergence of Master Yoda along with Knight N'erak and Healer Bant had surprised Obi-Wan. When the Chancellor's door had hissed open, he had expected it to be the Senate Guard. Instead, he had found himself both grateful and somewhat ashamed to see his friends and mentor. Grateful, because they could help Anakin; ashamed because they would see his weakness and inability to protect his Padawan.
When Bant had gone immediately to assist Anakin he felt profound relief. Although there may have been a few Healers with more skill than his friend, there were none who would put such care and consideration into his care. Anakin was in good hands, and he could trust that someone else could take care of the Padawan whom he had failed so miserably.
His attention was drawn forcibly away from watching Bant when the Sith attacked. Master Yoda was able to intercept the Dark energy before it hit either him or N'erak, yet Obi-Wan could somehow tell that the Dark Lord had not used all of his power in the attempt. His assumption was proved when Sidious turned his power on him.
As the Dark Energy reached out for him, he had prepared himself for the burning pain of Force lightning. Instead, he had been hit with a debilitating sense of weakness and loss of control. The Force, which had failed to respond to his command, was now answering to the Dark Lord. All of his energy and power was being channeled back through the connection to Sidious, allowing the Sith to raise his own power exponentially.
~~~~~
Using N'erak's intervention to the utmost, Master Yoda went on the offensive, sending his own Force energy back toward the Sith while also drawing his lightsaber. Moving swiftly across the room despite his age, Yoda tried to insinuate himself between Sidious and Obi-Wan, attempting to break the connection between them.
Instead of disrupting the connection, however, Master Yoda's energy combined with the Sith's and the Chosen One's, creating an enormous triumvirate of power. All three were caught up in a whirling vortex of Force Energy as the Light and the Dark fought for supremacy.
~~~~~
"Serrenia, now!" Bant yelled, motioning for the Padawan to overturn the phial as Master Yoda and N'erak distracted the Sith Lord. Serrenia responded immediately, and the vicious liquid slid from the phial.
The thick droplets of the liquid dripped from the upended phial, falling thickly toward the Chancellor below. Distracted as he was with maintaining the connection to the Chosen One, Sidious did not realize what was happening until he was covered in the substance. Almost immediately, the Narsicsis went to work.
~~~~~~
The feeling of power was incredible. Although his own Force energy was not insubstantial, Sidious had never before felt such raw power. Kenobi's connection to the Force was unparalleled, and the energy that Sidious could command through him was unlimited. Even the fabled Master Yoda was no match for him.
As he watched with grim satisfaction as Yoda writhed on the floor, the Sith Lord only took periphery notice of the other Jedi in the room. None of them were powerful enough to pose a threat, so he felt justified in ignoring them. His assumption was proven incorrect, however, when the young Knight decided to sacrifice himself in a bid to assist Master Yoda. Distracted by the unexpected maneuver, Sidious could not prevent the Jedi head Councilor from interposing himself on the connection the Sith Lord shared with the Chosen One. Though the power he wielded was still immense, Sidious now had to contend with Yoda for absolute control.
Caught up in the battle with Yoda, the Sith did not notice the phial that was levitated over his head. It was only as the vicious liquid dripped onto his robes that he took notice of it. By then, it was too late.
~~~~~
As the active Narsicsis was suddenly added to the battle between the Sith Lord and the head of the Jedi Order, the slight balance of power that had existed was suddenly swept away. Unable to control the Dark Force, Sidious was forced to release his hold over the Chosen One.
Freed from the submissive power of the original tie to Sidious, Obi-Wan was able to break his own Force energy free from both Yoda's and the Sith's control. The connection between Obi-Wan and the Dark Lord was still there, however, and the Jedi Knight immediately realized that it could be used to his advantage.
Moving away from the windows with a speed that was even greater than his usual battle finesse, Obi-Wan surged toward the Sith Lord and the Jedi Master. Pausing just long enough to shout the word "Shield!" to Yoda, Obi-Wan unceremoniously shoved the Jedi head Councilor toward the other four Jedi.
As he felt the elderly Master immediately erect a powerful Force shield, Obi-Wan gave a silent thanks to Yoda's almost otherworldly understanding of situations others were easily lost within. After being certain that the shield was up and fully functioning, Obi-Wan turned his attentions to the Sith Lord.
~~~~~
Although Master Yoda had lived for many centuries, he had never managed to fully accept the inevitable loss that came when his fellow Jedi were called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Even though the eventual good could be considered to outweigh the cost, Yoda could never accept such sacrifice without feeling immense sorrow. Even with the belief in an afterlife in the Force, such losses were forever etched in the memory of the elderly Master.
This particular loss, however, was one Yoda had prayed to the Force he would never have to see. And yet, as the Force had never fully answered him, the Master had realized that the Chosen One had a destiny, and that the prayers of one small green Jedi would not prevent it. And so it was with a measure of sorrow and an even larger measure of respect that Yoda disengaged from the battle with the Dark Lord and moved back to protect the other Jedi from the terrible price he knew was about to be exacted.
~~~~~
As she saw Obi-Wan began to run toward Master Yoda and the Sith Lord, something in Bant realized that it was probably the last time she would ever see her friend in action again. Something about the determination in his stance, or perhaps it was the grim set to his jaw told Bant that Obi-Wan had made his decision, and that nothing anyone could do would sway him from his course.
Knowing that there was nothing she could do to assist her friend, and that to say anything would only distract and endanger him, Bant did the only thing she could. Concentrating, she channeled healing energy into Anakin, allowing just enough to permit the Padawan to regain consciousness. If there was nothing else she could do, the least she could manage was to allow Anakin this last chance to see his Master.
~~~~~
Once he was certain that his Padawan and friends were safe, Obi-Wan released what little control he had held over the Force. Without anyone to guide it or control it, the whirling maelstrom increased drastically, with the Light and the Dark fighting for control. Allowing the power to gather and accrue, the Jedi Knight waited until enough gathered that it rivaled the energy of the entire Jedi Order in tandem.
As he waited, Obi-Wan allowed himself one last glance at his Padawan and at his two childhood friends that knelt beside him. Even knowing the cost, Obi-Wan found that he could not regret his actions if it insured that they would be alive and would be safe. Forcing his mind back to the task before him, Obi-Wan pushed aside any thoughts of regret or sorrow and focused everything that he was and ever would be on one thought, the complete and final destruction of the Sith Order.
Gathering all of the energy into him, Obi-Wan used his own body and mind as a focus for the greatest amount of power ever before gathered. As the energy crackled through him, leaving showers of sparks where it leapt from his skin, Obi-Wan turned to Sidious with a death head grin. "I told you that you would NEVER control me," the Chosen One declared as his eyes danced with ferocity. Not allowing Sidious a chance to respond, Obi-Wan Kenobi unleashed the complete power of the Force, both Light and Dark, on his greatest enemy.
As the combined energy of the Force surged between the Chosen One and the Sith Lord, a blinding light erupted, causing the four observers to shield their eyes from the intense glare. When the Jedi were again able to see, all that remained was the limp form of Obi-Wan Kenobi and a slight pile of ash.
THE END
Author's note: Yes, there is an epilogue, but it might be a few days until I finish up with it. In the meantime, thank you so much to all who have reviewed. I have held off until now to thank all of you, but that does not mean that your reviews have not influenced me and kept me writing when I've been stressed and worried and not wanting to write.
HyperCaz: Thank you!
Strider's Girl: Thank you too, I am glad I'm feeling better as well. Thank you for all of your reviews. It's
great to know someone is following this.
Ewan's Girl: Well, not too much of a wait left now ;)
Sirithiliel: Thank you! I'm kind of surprised by the low number of reviews as well, but I appreciate the ones I've gotten all the more because of it. As for the long chapters, well I guess I suffer from not being able to "shut up" even when writing!
Narya's Bane: Thanks! It's amazing to think someone would consider this a favorite story. It's just strange to think that, considering how I hero-worship so many other authors! Thank you though
Vague Lenore: Thanks for so many reviews! I appreciate your comments on each chapter! I'm also glad to hear I've kept the characters true, and hopefully that means the OC's fit in as well!
Dragon's Song: Thanks! I'm glad you were able to find the time to read this
Devlinn Reiko= Bryan Lover: Thanks! Sorry for the delay between updates. The epilogue will be up soon
SahRae Hyjo: WOW! Thank you so much. It is quite strange to think of someone classing me even close with Cynical21, but I appreciate it. I am glad you enjoyed the story so much, and as I said in the email I just sent, if you want to have it for an archive, let me know and I'll send it
The proud Canadian: Well… Obi-Wan may have somewhat of a comeback. Force ghosts are all good after all!
Mydogisfudge: Thanks!
Masque: Well, not a professional novelist unless you consider trying to write research projects and analysis as a type of fiction! Thank you though!
Jedismuggler: Thank you!
J-Kid: Thank you for your incisive review! And it is thanks to you that the Narsicisis made such a comeback at the end. I had considered the idea, but your review so many months ago cemented it in my mind. Thanks!
Rat: Gracias!