Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Disclaimer: We all know that I don't own any of these characters; I'm just having some fun so no one sue me please.
*Author's note: Once again thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. Sorry this chapter took so long, real life got in the way again. As I'm writing this I'm realizing it is becoming more of an Episode III story, I know everyone and their mom is writing Episode III stories, but this one I think is from a different standpoint because it does mainly deal with Obi Wan and Siri. I will admit I am having fun turning Anakin to the dark side. Please keep reviewing, I love you all!
Chapter 13:
Anakin took an involuntary step back when he saw two dark eyes staring at him. He tried to find his center and focus before he could engage in a fight with the aging sith. Dooku took this opportunity and Force pushed the young Jedi into a far wall, and slowly rose to his feet. Anakin felt a jarring pain run up his shoulder as he hit the wall; he was quick to recover and jumped back to his feet with his light saber ignited. Dooku stared at him and smiled.
"Are you sure you want to do this boy?" He placed his hands on his hips as he spoke. "Interested in losing another limb are we?"
Anakin felt his blood begin to boil. "You will never get a chance like that again." He tightened his grip around his saber as he spoke.
Dooku ignited his own crimson saber and smiled. "We shall see." The two blades then met with a hiss, and the two opponents held an intense gaze. "There is no one to save you this time boy, prepare yourself to be one with the Force." Dooku then took a swing to Anakin's head, but Anakin ducked and rolled away from the attack.
"I think you have become senile in your old age Dooku." Anakin scoffed. "It is you who should prepare yourself for death." Anakin then jumped high into the air and came down with a powerful kick to the older man's head. Dooku stumbled backwards in surprise. Anakin then came at him with a powerful onslaught of blows; Dooku, on the ground struggled to block them.
Anakin felt an incredible surge of power flow through him as he blindly attacked his opponent. He knew in his heart that this wasn't the fighting style he had been trained to use, but it was more effective.
"I feel your anger Skywalker." Dooku stated as he fought for his life. "I sense your hate towards me, use that and strike me down."
Anakin continued his powerful swings towards the old man's head. He suddenly felt a conflict of emotions rise inside his heart. He stopped for a moment and stared at Dooku. The usually elegant man was disheveled and withered looking, but had a wicked smile across his face. Anakin felt his heart racing and he was breathing hard, something that in battle a Jedi is suppose to keep under control.
He suddenly turned off his saber and backed away from Dooku. "Enough old man, you are under arrest for the crimes against the Republic." He stated, putting away his saber and pulling out a set of binders.
Dooku struggled to his feet. "Then my master was wrong about you Skywalker." Anakin gave Dooku a strange look at this statement. "You are not the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy."
Anakin felt his muscles tense. "What would you or your master know about anything?"
"My master knows everything my boy, he has the entire Republic in the palm of his hand, and that includes the illustrious Jedi Council." Dooku smiled.
Anakin shook his head. "You are speaking of the dark side, there is no such corruption in the Jedi."
"Really? So you have not felt the arrogance of the council?" Dooku watched Anakin's reaction carefully. "You have not felt the favoritism given to other Jedi who are far less talented than you?" Anakin lowered his gaze. "You have never felt the jealousy of you from others? That is the sole reason the Jedi holds you back Anakin."
"How did you. . ."
"I know this because the same thing happened when I was a Jedi, only I know it must be worse for the Chosen one." Dooku spoke in a soothing tone. "I also sensed the Jealousy emulating off you master the last time we had a confrontation."
Anakin felt his head and his heart arguing with each other, he knew he shouldn't let the words Dooku was saying bother him, but he also felt so much truth behind the words.
"He's jealous of you Anakin, he is also afraid of your potential. He is afraid that you will surpass him in everything." Dooku continued. "What he doesn't know is you already have." At this Anakin looked up at Dooku and held a slight glimmer in his eyes. "Yes Anakin, I sense the anger inside you." Dooku continued. "There are those in this galaxy who understand what you are going through, those who can show you the true power of the Force."
Anakin suddenly came to his senses. "Enough of this, I tire of listening to you Dooku." He then walked towards the old man with the binders ready.
Dooku's brow furrowed and he stared at the young Jedi. He then shot a bolt of Force lightening at Anakin and watched as the blue bolts sent the Jedi crumbling to the ground. "I suppose even my master can be wrong, you are pathetic." He stopped for a moment and Anakin groaned in pain. "Chosen one indeed; nothing more than a slave boy."
Anakin felt the intense pain flowing through him; he knew he wouldn't be able to take much more of the electric currents flowing through him. He also felt his anger reaching a boiling point. He suddenly felt an extreme power as he focused on his hate, he concentrated on this and stared up at Dooku, not even winching from the lightening. Dooku noticed this and stopped. Anakin then rose to his feet, keeping his intense stare on Dooku.
Dooku quickly shot more lightening from his finger tips, only to be caught by his opponent and held. Dooku was amazed; he only knew of Yoda to posses this kind of power and connection with the Force.
Anakin held the concentrated Force energy in his palm; he then gave Dooku a wicked smile and sent the ball of energy towards the dark Jedi. Dooku gave out an ear piecing scream as the energy connected with his body.
********************************************
Obi Wan raced down the hall of the Senate building, cradling Siri in his arms. He knew he had to get his friend back to the Temple because she had gone into some sort of shock, but something in the back of his mind was pulling him to go back to his apprentice. He stopped mid step and glanced back down the hall towards the Chancellor's office.
He wanted to let Anakin handle things on his own, he had just nominated the boy for the trials and knew that he would have to learn to let go and let the boy make his own mistakes. Yet something was urging him to return to his apprentice's side. He looked down at Siri and noticed she had grown deathly still and her breathing had slowed. He then shook off the warnings of the Force and continued to race down the hall, hoping he hadn't made the wrong decision.
********************************
Mace Windu and several other Jedi knights raced towards the Senate building, suddenly finding themselves engaged in a battle with droids. Mace ignited his saber and raced into the thick of the droids, cutting down several as he headed towards the entrance of the building. Something was plaguing the Council member; he suddenly felt the great need to reach the Senate building. He felt the dark side emulating off the structure.
He turned to the Jedi fighting on his left. He watched as the powerful alien Jedi Force pushed four droids out of their way. "Master Fisto." Mace called to his companion. "Cover me."
With that command the Nautolan favored him with one of his famous smiles and flipped up in the air and came down on several droids that had their blaster aimed at Mace. The Jedi master then raced towards the doors of the Senate building and kicked them in.
Mace glanced around the entryway of the building and noticed how much it had been damaged during the battle. He cursed himself for not being there to help with the evacuation, and prayed that too many lives had not been lost. He figured that the turbo lifts would not be in operation so he chose to head for the stairs. As he ran up the stairs he suddenly felt a presence running towards him, he stopped and listened to the Force to determine if it was a friend or an enemy.
He held his hand on the hilt of his light saber as he grew closer to the presence. He was then greeted by Senator Amidala and her security team almost running into him. He stopped them, and looked at the senator in surprise.
"Senator Amidala?" He asked, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
Padme tried to catch her breath. "Master Windu, I came to see if I could help in any way."
Mace cocked his head in confusion. He wasn't sure how this resourceful young woman kept surprising him. He then noticed the body in the arms of her security captain. He motioned towards the lifeless body.
"This was one of my hand maidens." Padme put a hand on Sabe's forehead, and fought off a tear. "She died in my place."
Mace bowed his head. "I'm sorry Senator." He then remembered what was happening around him. 'Why am I so distracted?' He thought to himself. He looked at Padme. "Senator, I'm sorry but I think you must leave your friend behind. There is nothing you can do for her now and you must get yourself to safety." He turned his attention back to the door and felt droids entering the building. He pushed Padme and Dorme out of the way just in time to block laser fire. "We can't go that way!" Mace exclaimed. "They have the building surrounded."
"What do we do?" Padme shouted over the blaster fire.
Mace blocked another bolt and Captain Typho returned fire. Mace tried to come up with an escape. "This building was built around the time of the Jedi Temple." He stated.
Padme looked at him in confusion. "I believe so." She said, not sure where the Jedi was going with this.
"Structures built during that time have an underground tunnel for emergencies." Mace explained. "Not many know of these tunnels because they empty into the lower levels of Courascant." He sent a bolt back to a droid, hitting the machine in the chest.
Padme ducked and returned fire. "I think I'd rather take my chances in the lower levels." She stated.
Mace nodded then felt a Force presence coming down the stairs. He listened through the Force to sense who was coming, but found his connection to the Force was muddled. He pushed the senator behind him and prepared to engage in battle if he had to. He relaxed when he saw a familiar ginger haired knight come into view.
Mace then noticed that Obi Wan was carrying another Jedi in his arms. "Obi Wan!" Mace called and blocked another shot. "What happened?"
"Master Windu." Obi Wan knelt down next to the council member. "Master Tachi is in need of medical treatment." He motioned to his friend. "She needs to return to the Temple."
Mace nodded. "I was about to lead the senator through the tunnels." He explained. "You can take her to the Temple that way."
Obi Wan shook his head. "I can't leave, my padawan is left with Count Dooku, and I fear he needs my help."
Mace looked at Obi Wan in shock. "You left Anakin with Dooku?" He asked.
"Dooku was unconscious." Obi Wan explained. "Listen master I don't have time for this, the Force is telling me to hurry back. Can you take her please?"
Mace glanced down at Siri, he knew she needed medical attention and fast, but he also felt the Force telling him to be there. He looked at Obi Wan and was interrupted before he spoke.
"We will take her." Padme interjected. "I think Anakin could use all the help he can get."
Obi Wan looked at Padme and noticed the sorrow and fear etched into her features. He could sense her feelings and knew she was very worried about her husband. "Are you sure?" He asked.
Padme nodded. "Captain, please take master Tachi with us." At this the captain of security scooped the slender Jedi into his arms. "Go, I know where the tunnel entrance is, we will be fine."
At this Mace rose to his feet and continued to block laser fire. Obi Wan stared at Padme. The Senator stared back at her friend and mouthed. 'Help him.' Obi Wan looked at her in confusion for a moment and nodded. He then rose up and helped cover the Senator and her entourage as they escaped. The two Jedi then raced back up the stairs.
*******************************************************
Anakin stood over the lifeless body of Count Dooku and smiled. He suddenly felt the rush of adrenaline flowing through his body. He had never imagined the feeling he now felt, so powerful and so invincible. He bent over the old man's body to make sure he was dead. He then noticed a strange blinking comlink on Dooku's belt, curiosity got the best of him and he answered it.
"Well done my young apprentice." Came an eerie, yet strangely familiar voice. "You have almost completed your transition to becoming the most powerful force in the galaxy."
Anakin looked at Dooku and wondered who would ever call this old man a young apprentice. "I hate to inform you, but your apprentice is dead." Anakin called into the comlink, with a hint of pride in his voice.
"My dear Skywalker you are mistaken." The voice answered. "My apprentice has just been born." Cackling laughter was then heard over the system.
Anakin felt himself begin to shake involuntarily. His Jedi instincts had just kicked in at that moment. "Who are you?" He asked.
"You can and will call me master." The voice hissed. "For now that is all you need to know."
Anakin nearly dropped the comlink at this. "I think you are mistaken." He tried to sound confident, but something about the voice was enticing him.
"When you grow tired of being lied to, and not finding your true potential I will be there." The voice said and then the comlink went silent.
Anakin sat on the floor next to Dooku's body for a moment, contemplating what had just occurred. Suddenly he realized what he had done, and how he had killed Dooku. He jumped to his feet in a panic. He stared down at the body and ran his hands through his hair. "Gods, if my marriage doesn't get me expelled this will." He said under his breath. He glanced around the room for some kind of an idea when he came across Dooku's light saber on the ground, next to the binders.
Anakin unconsciously put the comlink on his belt and ran and grabbed the items off the ground. He then ignited his own blue blade and stood over Dooku. With a strange smile on his face he plunged the laser sword into the dead man's chest and quickly pulled it out again. He then put the binders on the wrinkled wrists.
Suddenly he heard his master's voice calling to him.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan called as he raced into the Chancellor's office. He then saw his apprentice walking up to meet them. Obi Wan glanced the young man over, he became aware that something in his apprentice's countenance had changed. He grew worried.
Anakin met Obi Wan and Mace in the sitting room of the Chancellor's office. He bowed to them. "I'm here master." He answered when he saw the worried look on Obi Wan's face.
Obi Wan walked up to him and put a hand on Anakin's shoulder, and looked him in his sky blue eyes. "Are you alright my young apprentice?" He asked in a fatherly tone.
Anakin brushed Obi Wan's hand off his shoulder. "I'm fine master." He then turned back towards Dooku's body. "Never been better." He whispered under his breath.
Mace ran to Dooku's body, followed quickly by Obi Wan. Anakin lingered in the sitting room. "What happened Anakin?" Mace asked, kneeling next to the fallen Jedi.
Anakin shrugged. "I put the binders on him master just like you told me too." He explained. "He then woke up."
Obi Wan looked at his charge with concern. "Did you engage in a fight?" He asked.
Anakin shook his head. "No master, he said that there was no way he'd be a prisoner of the Republic so he grabbed my light saber and turned it on himself." Anakin swallowed hard, hoping his master would buy it.
"He killed himself?" Obi Wan asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Anakin nodded. "Yes master."
Obi Wan continued to stare at his apprentice. He noticed Anakin begin to wrap himself up in his cloak as if he was cold. Something began to plague Obi Wan's mind, but before he could ask another question another presence in the room surprised all of the Jedi.
"It appears that young Skywalker has ended the war." Chancellor Palpatine stated, seeming to appear from no where.
Mace and Obi Wan exchanged glances, and then turned their attention back to the Chancellor. "Chancellor Palpatine?" Anakin asked in confusion. "How long have you been here?"
Palpatine smiled. "Not long my boy, I'm sorry did I surprise you?" The aging politician then clasped Anakin on the shoulder. "Come my boy we have much to do before we can celebrate the hero of the war." He then led Anakin out of his office, leaving the two Jedi masters.
Obi Wan glanced at Mace then back at Dooku. "How did we not sense him?" He asked.
Mace sighed. "This is becoming a dark age Obi Wan; our connection to the Force is getting weaker everyday." He looked at the younger Jedi and noticed the concern in his eyes. "It's almost as if we are losing the very thing that makes us Jedi." Obi Wan closed his eyes and sighed. Mace then rose to his feet. "We still have work to do, there still is a droid army outside that needs to be taken care of."
Obi Wan nodded. "I'll be right there master." Obi Wan then found himself alone with Dooku. He tried to call upon the Force to ease his emotions. He was about to get up when he noticed something strange with Dooku. He looked at the wound in his chest very carefully and noticed the way the body was cut. Obi Wan quickly rose to his feet, placing a hand on his forehead. "Oh Anakin what have you done?" He then turned and quickly left the room.
********
TBC: What will happen next? Tune in next time, same Jedi time, same Jedi channel.
Author: ewan's girl
Disclaimer: We all know that I don't own any of these characters; I'm just having some fun so no one sue me please.
*Author's note: Once again thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. Sorry this chapter took so long, real life got in the way again. As I'm writing this I'm realizing it is becoming more of an Episode III story, I know everyone and their mom is writing Episode III stories, but this one I think is from a different standpoint because it does mainly deal with Obi Wan and Siri. I will admit I am having fun turning Anakin to the dark side. Please keep reviewing, I love you all!
Chapter 13:
Anakin took an involuntary step back when he saw two dark eyes staring at him. He tried to find his center and focus before he could engage in a fight with the aging sith. Dooku took this opportunity and Force pushed the young Jedi into a far wall, and slowly rose to his feet. Anakin felt a jarring pain run up his shoulder as he hit the wall; he was quick to recover and jumped back to his feet with his light saber ignited. Dooku stared at him and smiled.
"Are you sure you want to do this boy?" He placed his hands on his hips as he spoke. "Interested in losing another limb are we?"
Anakin felt his blood begin to boil. "You will never get a chance like that again." He tightened his grip around his saber as he spoke.
Dooku ignited his own crimson saber and smiled. "We shall see." The two blades then met with a hiss, and the two opponents held an intense gaze. "There is no one to save you this time boy, prepare yourself to be one with the Force." Dooku then took a swing to Anakin's head, but Anakin ducked and rolled away from the attack.
"I think you have become senile in your old age Dooku." Anakin scoffed. "It is you who should prepare yourself for death." Anakin then jumped high into the air and came down with a powerful kick to the older man's head. Dooku stumbled backwards in surprise. Anakin then came at him with a powerful onslaught of blows; Dooku, on the ground struggled to block them.
Anakin felt an incredible surge of power flow through him as he blindly attacked his opponent. He knew in his heart that this wasn't the fighting style he had been trained to use, but it was more effective.
"I feel your anger Skywalker." Dooku stated as he fought for his life. "I sense your hate towards me, use that and strike me down."
Anakin continued his powerful swings towards the old man's head. He suddenly felt a conflict of emotions rise inside his heart. He stopped for a moment and stared at Dooku. The usually elegant man was disheveled and withered looking, but had a wicked smile across his face. Anakin felt his heart racing and he was breathing hard, something that in battle a Jedi is suppose to keep under control.
He suddenly turned off his saber and backed away from Dooku. "Enough old man, you are under arrest for the crimes against the Republic." He stated, putting away his saber and pulling out a set of binders.
Dooku struggled to his feet. "Then my master was wrong about you Skywalker." Anakin gave Dooku a strange look at this statement. "You are not the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy."
Anakin felt his muscles tense. "What would you or your master know about anything?"
"My master knows everything my boy, he has the entire Republic in the palm of his hand, and that includes the illustrious Jedi Council." Dooku smiled.
Anakin shook his head. "You are speaking of the dark side, there is no such corruption in the Jedi."
"Really? So you have not felt the arrogance of the council?" Dooku watched Anakin's reaction carefully. "You have not felt the favoritism given to other Jedi who are far less talented than you?" Anakin lowered his gaze. "You have never felt the jealousy of you from others? That is the sole reason the Jedi holds you back Anakin."
"How did you. . ."
"I know this because the same thing happened when I was a Jedi, only I know it must be worse for the Chosen one." Dooku spoke in a soothing tone. "I also sensed the Jealousy emulating off you master the last time we had a confrontation."
Anakin felt his head and his heart arguing with each other, he knew he shouldn't let the words Dooku was saying bother him, but he also felt so much truth behind the words.
"He's jealous of you Anakin, he is also afraid of your potential. He is afraid that you will surpass him in everything." Dooku continued. "What he doesn't know is you already have." At this Anakin looked up at Dooku and held a slight glimmer in his eyes. "Yes Anakin, I sense the anger inside you." Dooku continued. "There are those in this galaxy who understand what you are going through, those who can show you the true power of the Force."
Anakin suddenly came to his senses. "Enough of this, I tire of listening to you Dooku." He then walked towards the old man with the binders ready.
Dooku's brow furrowed and he stared at the young Jedi. He then shot a bolt of Force lightening at Anakin and watched as the blue bolts sent the Jedi crumbling to the ground. "I suppose even my master can be wrong, you are pathetic." He stopped for a moment and Anakin groaned in pain. "Chosen one indeed; nothing more than a slave boy."
Anakin felt the intense pain flowing through him; he knew he wouldn't be able to take much more of the electric currents flowing through him. He also felt his anger reaching a boiling point. He suddenly felt an extreme power as he focused on his hate, he concentrated on this and stared up at Dooku, not even winching from the lightening. Dooku noticed this and stopped. Anakin then rose to his feet, keeping his intense stare on Dooku.
Dooku quickly shot more lightening from his finger tips, only to be caught by his opponent and held. Dooku was amazed; he only knew of Yoda to posses this kind of power and connection with the Force.
Anakin held the concentrated Force energy in his palm; he then gave Dooku a wicked smile and sent the ball of energy towards the dark Jedi. Dooku gave out an ear piecing scream as the energy connected with his body.
********************************************
Obi Wan raced down the hall of the Senate building, cradling Siri in his arms. He knew he had to get his friend back to the Temple because she had gone into some sort of shock, but something in the back of his mind was pulling him to go back to his apprentice. He stopped mid step and glanced back down the hall towards the Chancellor's office.
He wanted to let Anakin handle things on his own, he had just nominated the boy for the trials and knew that he would have to learn to let go and let the boy make his own mistakes. Yet something was urging him to return to his apprentice's side. He looked down at Siri and noticed she had grown deathly still and her breathing had slowed. He then shook off the warnings of the Force and continued to race down the hall, hoping he hadn't made the wrong decision.
********************************
Mace Windu and several other Jedi knights raced towards the Senate building, suddenly finding themselves engaged in a battle with droids. Mace ignited his saber and raced into the thick of the droids, cutting down several as he headed towards the entrance of the building. Something was plaguing the Council member; he suddenly felt the great need to reach the Senate building. He felt the dark side emulating off the structure.
He turned to the Jedi fighting on his left. He watched as the powerful alien Jedi Force pushed four droids out of their way. "Master Fisto." Mace called to his companion. "Cover me."
With that command the Nautolan favored him with one of his famous smiles and flipped up in the air and came down on several droids that had their blaster aimed at Mace. The Jedi master then raced towards the doors of the Senate building and kicked them in.
Mace glanced around the entryway of the building and noticed how much it had been damaged during the battle. He cursed himself for not being there to help with the evacuation, and prayed that too many lives had not been lost. He figured that the turbo lifts would not be in operation so he chose to head for the stairs. As he ran up the stairs he suddenly felt a presence running towards him, he stopped and listened to the Force to determine if it was a friend or an enemy.
He held his hand on the hilt of his light saber as he grew closer to the presence. He was then greeted by Senator Amidala and her security team almost running into him. He stopped them, and looked at the senator in surprise.
"Senator Amidala?" He asked, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
Padme tried to catch her breath. "Master Windu, I came to see if I could help in any way."
Mace cocked his head in confusion. He wasn't sure how this resourceful young woman kept surprising him. He then noticed the body in the arms of her security captain. He motioned towards the lifeless body.
"This was one of my hand maidens." Padme put a hand on Sabe's forehead, and fought off a tear. "She died in my place."
Mace bowed his head. "I'm sorry Senator." He then remembered what was happening around him. 'Why am I so distracted?' He thought to himself. He looked at Padme. "Senator, I'm sorry but I think you must leave your friend behind. There is nothing you can do for her now and you must get yourself to safety." He turned his attention back to the door and felt droids entering the building. He pushed Padme and Dorme out of the way just in time to block laser fire. "We can't go that way!" Mace exclaimed. "They have the building surrounded."
"What do we do?" Padme shouted over the blaster fire.
Mace blocked another bolt and Captain Typho returned fire. Mace tried to come up with an escape. "This building was built around the time of the Jedi Temple." He stated.
Padme looked at him in confusion. "I believe so." She said, not sure where the Jedi was going with this.
"Structures built during that time have an underground tunnel for emergencies." Mace explained. "Not many know of these tunnels because they empty into the lower levels of Courascant." He sent a bolt back to a droid, hitting the machine in the chest.
Padme ducked and returned fire. "I think I'd rather take my chances in the lower levels." She stated.
Mace nodded then felt a Force presence coming down the stairs. He listened through the Force to sense who was coming, but found his connection to the Force was muddled. He pushed the senator behind him and prepared to engage in battle if he had to. He relaxed when he saw a familiar ginger haired knight come into view.
Mace then noticed that Obi Wan was carrying another Jedi in his arms. "Obi Wan!" Mace called and blocked another shot. "What happened?"
"Master Windu." Obi Wan knelt down next to the council member. "Master Tachi is in need of medical treatment." He motioned to his friend. "She needs to return to the Temple."
Mace nodded. "I was about to lead the senator through the tunnels." He explained. "You can take her to the Temple that way."
Obi Wan shook his head. "I can't leave, my padawan is left with Count Dooku, and I fear he needs my help."
Mace looked at Obi Wan in shock. "You left Anakin with Dooku?" He asked.
"Dooku was unconscious." Obi Wan explained. "Listen master I don't have time for this, the Force is telling me to hurry back. Can you take her please?"
Mace glanced down at Siri, he knew she needed medical attention and fast, but he also felt the Force telling him to be there. He looked at Obi Wan and was interrupted before he spoke.
"We will take her." Padme interjected. "I think Anakin could use all the help he can get."
Obi Wan looked at Padme and noticed the sorrow and fear etched into her features. He could sense her feelings and knew she was very worried about her husband. "Are you sure?" He asked.
Padme nodded. "Captain, please take master Tachi with us." At this the captain of security scooped the slender Jedi into his arms. "Go, I know where the tunnel entrance is, we will be fine."
At this Mace rose to his feet and continued to block laser fire. Obi Wan stared at Padme. The Senator stared back at her friend and mouthed. 'Help him.' Obi Wan looked at her in confusion for a moment and nodded. He then rose up and helped cover the Senator and her entourage as they escaped. The two Jedi then raced back up the stairs.
*******************************************************
Anakin stood over the lifeless body of Count Dooku and smiled. He suddenly felt the rush of adrenaline flowing through his body. He had never imagined the feeling he now felt, so powerful and so invincible. He bent over the old man's body to make sure he was dead. He then noticed a strange blinking comlink on Dooku's belt, curiosity got the best of him and he answered it.
"Well done my young apprentice." Came an eerie, yet strangely familiar voice. "You have almost completed your transition to becoming the most powerful force in the galaxy."
Anakin looked at Dooku and wondered who would ever call this old man a young apprentice. "I hate to inform you, but your apprentice is dead." Anakin called into the comlink, with a hint of pride in his voice.
"My dear Skywalker you are mistaken." The voice answered. "My apprentice has just been born." Cackling laughter was then heard over the system.
Anakin felt himself begin to shake involuntarily. His Jedi instincts had just kicked in at that moment. "Who are you?" He asked.
"You can and will call me master." The voice hissed. "For now that is all you need to know."
Anakin nearly dropped the comlink at this. "I think you are mistaken." He tried to sound confident, but something about the voice was enticing him.
"When you grow tired of being lied to, and not finding your true potential I will be there." The voice said and then the comlink went silent.
Anakin sat on the floor next to Dooku's body for a moment, contemplating what had just occurred. Suddenly he realized what he had done, and how he had killed Dooku. He jumped to his feet in a panic. He stared down at the body and ran his hands through his hair. "Gods, if my marriage doesn't get me expelled this will." He said under his breath. He glanced around the room for some kind of an idea when he came across Dooku's light saber on the ground, next to the binders.
Anakin unconsciously put the comlink on his belt and ran and grabbed the items off the ground. He then ignited his own blue blade and stood over Dooku. With a strange smile on his face he plunged the laser sword into the dead man's chest and quickly pulled it out again. He then put the binders on the wrinkled wrists.
Suddenly he heard his master's voice calling to him.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan called as he raced into the Chancellor's office. He then saw his apprentice walking up to meet them. Obi Wan glanced the young man over, he became aware that something in his apprentice's countenance had changed. He grew worried.
Anakin met Obi Wan and Mace in the sitting room of the Chancellor's office. He bowed to them. "I'm here master." He answered when he saw the worried look on Obi Wan's face.
Obi Wan walked up to him and put a hand on Anakin's shoulder, and looked him in his sky blue eyes. "Are you alright my young apprentice?" He asked in a fatherly tone.
Anakin brushed Obi Wan's hand off his shoulder. "I'm fine master." He then turned back towards Dooku's body. "Never been better." He whispered under his breath.
Mace ran to Dooku's body, followed quickly by Obi Wan. Anakin lingered in the sitting room. "What happened Anakin?" Mace asked, kneeling next to the fallen Jedi.
Anakin shrugged. "I put the binders on him master just like you told me too." He explained. "He then woke up."
Obi Wan looked at his charge with concern. "Did you engage in a fight?" He asked.
Anakin shook his head. "No master, he said that there was no way he'd be a prisoner of the Republic so he grabbed my light saber and turned it on himself." Anakin swallowed hard, hoping his master would buy it.
"He killed himself?" Obi Wan asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Anakin nodded. "Yes master."
Obi Wan continued to stare at his apprentice. He noticed Anakin begin to wrap himself up in his cloak as if he was cold. Something began to plague Obi Wan's mind, but before he could ask another question another presence in the room surprised all of the Jedi.
"It appears that young Skywalker has ended the war." Chancellor Palpatine stated, seeming to appear from no where.
Mace and Obi Wan exchanged glances, and then turned their attention back to the Chancellor. "Chancellor Palpatine?" Anakin asked in confusion. "How long have you been here?"
Palpatine smiled. "Not long my boy, I'm sorry did I surprise you?" The aging politician then clasped Anakin on the shoulder. "Come my boy we have much to do before we can celebrate the hero of the war." He then led Anakin out of his office, leaving the two Jedi masters.
Obi Wan glanced at Mace then back at Dooku. "How did we not sense him?" He asked.
Mace sighed. "This is becoming a dark age Obi Wan; our connection to the Force is getting weaker everyday." He looked at the younger Jedi and noticed the concern in his eyes. "It's almost as if we are losing the very thing that makes us Jedi." Obi Wan closed his eyes and sighed. Mace then rose to his feet. "We still have work to do, there still is a droid army outside that needs to be taken care of."
Obi Wan nodded. "I'll be right there master." Obi Wan then found himself alone with Dooku. He tried to call upon the Force to ease his emotions. He was about to get up when he noticed something strange with Dooku. He looked at the wound in his chest very carefully and noticed the way the body was cut. Obi Wan quickly rose to his feet, placing a hand on his forehead. "Oh Anakin what have you done?" He then turned and quickly left the room.
********
TBC: What will happen next? Tune in next time, same Jedi time, same Jedi channel.