Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Ok my little ones, this is the chapter that contains "The Duel" I worked really hard on it, I even made a little comic book version of it in my notebook...lol. Thank you my apprentice for taking a look at it and saying it was good. Also thank you to all who are still with this story. And to answer your question Jedikma this is not an AU from my other story, "Reflections" is just an expanded version of the next chapter.
Chapter 18:
Padme rubbed the remaining tears away and glanced around the room through red rimmed eyes. She sniffed and rose to her feet. She had a desparate need to talk to someone, she exited her room quickly, hoping she could find the person she needed.
She raced down the hall, her eyes swollen and numb from crying so she didn't even notice the fresh batch of tears that were trailing down her cheeks. She continued down the hall, ignoring stares from other people and litterally bumped into Bail Organa.
"Padme?" He asked worriedly, steadiling himself and her. "What's wrong?"
She tried to stop the tears, but found she no longer had the strength. "Obi Wan, I need to find Obi Wan Kenobi." She huffed.
Bail looked at her confused, then nodded and took her by the hand to help her with her search.
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Anakin Force pushed the doors, entering the room of the newly appointed Emperor, he was so upset that he didn't even care that five crimson guards were staring at him, their blaster staffs pointed in his direction. Palpatine emerged from the back room with a holocron in his withered hand he gave Anakin a sympathetic stare.
"What has happened my young friend?" He asked, watching Anakin breathing in and out heavily, trying not to show the Emperor weakness.
Anakin paced the room like a caged animal. "She doesn't understand!" He unleashed his emotions completely and Force pushed papers on a small table in the center of the room. "She is so blind, and she blames me for her faults." Anakin looked at Palpatine, his eyes blood shot from crying. "It's just like you told me."
Palpatine put the holocron down and moved towards the young man. "I'm sorry Anakin, I had wished it would've been different for you." He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Remember my young apprentice, it is your duty to make them understand. . .by any means nessicarry." Palpatine smiled.
Anakin looked at Palpatine with a fire in his eyes, he no longer held sorrow but determination. He quickly turned and left, his black cape flowing behind him.
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Ferus tried to calm his nerves, he was incredibly angry with the situation at hand and more so with the man who had created this. He found himself thinking very dark thoughts about Anakin Skywalker, to the point that he knew he needed to keep his anger in check. He sighed and released his anxieties into the Force, he decided to wait and let the masters decide what to do with the fallen Jedi.
He was waiting for his new master Obi Wan to return from a meeting with the Council members. They had been in a meeting since the summit ended and he figured it would last long into the night. Suddenly he felt a commotion through the Force and turned and saw a woman running towards him with a man dressed in a blue robe behind her. Ferus stood at attention, waiting. He recongnized the woman to be Senator Amidala and the man to be Bail Organa, he then noticed the woman seemed to be crying. He bowed as they approached.
"I need to speak with Master Kenobi." She demanded, not paying attention to his bow.
Ferus looked up at her in surprise. "I'm sorry Senator, but he's in a meeting with the Jedi Council." Ferus explained.
Padme shook her head. "I don't care, I must speak with him immediately." She commanded, showing the padawan that she meant business.
Ferus looked at Bail then back at Padme and slowly bowed. "I will see if I can get him." Ferus then left the two politicians and entered the room desinated for the Jedi Council members.
Padme sighed, and whiped her eyes, Bail put an arm around her shoulder. "You want to tell me now or later?" He asked.
Padme looked at him. "I can't Bail, not until I talk to Obi Wan." She stated.
Bail nodded. "Alright Milady, but just know that not only Jedi care about you."
Padme gave her friend a hug. "Thank you Bail, I know."
Suddenly Bail was ripped from her arms with a powerful push. Padme screamed and quickly turned and faced Anakin Skywalker who had a look of pure evil on his face. Padme ran to Bail who was thrown into the far wall. She kneeled next to him and stared up at her husband.
"Anakin?" She felt her heart beating a million miles an hour.
Anakin stared down at her. "I knew it." He stated in a low tone. "How many men did you give your love to Padme?" He asked, snidely.
Padme rose to her feet. "I gave my love to only one man, and he threw it back in my face." She stated angrily. "He use to be a wonderful, caring man, a man who would never let an evil force control his actions." She held a face that challenged him. "The man I loved is dead."
Anakin felt his blood boiling, he never in all his worst thoughts imagined Padme turning on him. He had never felt so betrayed, so angry in all his life. He watched as she continued to stare at him coldly, he held up his hand in anger and felt immense power flowing through it. Suddenly Padme began to feel her throat tighten as if she was being strangeled. She put her hands on her neck, trying to pull away the phantom fingers that were squeezing the breath out of her body. Anakin held his hand out, squeezing her throat harder and harder. Padme sunk to her knees, gasping for air, struggling against the darkness that was threatening to consume her. Anakin began to smile at the raw power that was coursing through his body.
He suddenly realized what was happening, he lowered his hand and Padme dropped to the ground, coughing. He quickly turned and left, heading out the door. Bail, feeling emense pain running through his should crawled to Padme who was passed out on the ground.
"Medic!" He frantically called. "I need a medic!"
At the same moment Obi Wan raced into the hall, followed by Ferus. He quickly bent next to the still form of his friend who was still gasping for air. He placed a hand on her forehead and whispered an ancient chant, sending healing waves to the Senator. Padme coughed and briefly gained consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered and she grabbed Obi Wan's neck with one hand.
"Anakin. . ." She rasped. "Help him." She then blacked out again.
Obi Wan looked at her with a worried expression, he then looked at Bail. "What happened?" He asked.
Bail, who held an expression of disbelief shook his head as he spoke. "Skywalker was choking her, only he wasn't touching her."
Ferus and Obi Wan exchanged glances. "Force choke." Obi Wan whispered.
Ferus shook his head. "That's impossible, that would take an extreme amount of power."
Obi Wan turned back to Bail. "Where did Skywalker go?" He asked.
"He left outside, I think he was heading for the mountain." Bail stated, holding Padme in his arms.
Obi Wan rose to his feet followed quickly by Ferus. "She needs medical attention." He told Ferus.
"You can't go after Skywalker alone." Ferus argued.
Obi Wan held a stare that showed Ferus he was in charge. "I have to go alone, you stay with the Senator." He placed a hand on Ferus' shoulder. "Tell Master Windu and Yoda what has happened." With that he left his new apprentice to go face his old one.
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Obi Wan listened to the Force, let the familiar warmth flow through him, guiding him to find his former apprentice. He had been with the heads of the Jedi order discussing his friend's future and he had fought to put a good word in for Anakin, but now he felt it was a losing battle. He felt the familiar Force signature and raced up the steep mountain that held an errie silloutte in the darkness. He climbed the jagged cliffside and found a way into the heart of the volcano. He searched with his eyes as well as the Force and finally found Anakin standing on the edge of a cliff that fell into a river of lava.
Obi Wan caustiously walked towards his former padawan, who had his back to him staring at his left hand. "I can feel it Obi Wan, it is amazing, the true power of the Force, you have no idea."
"Anakin, it's not too late, she's not dead." He stated, taking on a tone of negotiation, trying to change the subject.
Anakin didn't turn to acknowledge his former master. "She is to me." He whispered and lowered his gloved hand. "She is set in her ways Obi Wan. The tide is changing and those who do not change with it will drown."
Obi Wan cautiously took a step closer. "There is no way the Jedi will allow that to happen." He stated, trying to convince his former apprentice.
Anakin laughed. "You are such a fool Obi Wan. The arrogance of the Council will be the downfall of the Jedi. You must embrace the true power of the Force, or be destroyed."
Obi Wan felt Anakin's Force presence begin to darken, it pained him to sense it. "Anakin, this true power you speak of is the dark side. It is an easier path that is true, but ultamatley more destructive."
Anakin felt something snap, he turned around to face his former master, his light saber ignited. "You never believed in my full potential!" He held Obi Wan's gaze. "You were always jealous of me."
Obi Wan put his hands up, yet holding his ground. "Anakin, release your anger into the Force, before it's too late."
Anakin stared at Obi Wan coldly. "You no longer have any control over my life, you are no longer my master, therefore you can no longer hold me back!" He stated snidley.
Obi Wan held a placid face. "What you deem as holding you back I did for your own good. If you can't see that then you didn't learn anything."
Anakin tightened his grip on the hilt of his light saber, his knuckles growing white. "Is that why you took on Ferus? Because I was such a failure as an apprentice?"
"Anakin, I won't even answer that question, you should know better than that." Obi Wan answered, trying not to let Anakin get to him.
Anakin noticed this and grew even more angry he then lunged at Obi Wan who was barely able to ignite his own saber in time to deflect. "It no longer matters, because I will prove to you, to the Council, to everyone exactly what I have learned. . .from my true master!" Anakin then pushed on Obi Wan with a series of blows, causing the older Jedi to drop to one knee. Anakin beemed as he slashed at his former master's head, forcing Obi Wan to duck and roll away.
Obi Wan came back to his feet, his back to the cliff and the river of lava. Anakin ran at him, their blades meeting with a hissing sound that echoed off the cavern walls. Anakin was blinded by fury and attacked the bearded Jedi no real technic other than driving him to the edge of the cliff. Anakin pounded against Obi Wan's saber, causing him to go to one knee once again.
Obi Wan felt the heat of the lava below him, and realized he was coming percariously close to the edge, he quickly summed up all his strength and Force pushed his former apprentice away from him. Anakin felt his body flying through the air and smacking hard against the rock wall, he quickly recovered and raced back towards Obi Wan.
Obi Wan tried to catch his breath and suddenly the volcano errupted, causing the ground beneath him crumble. Obi Wan quickly grabbed what was left of the cliff and held on, Anakin leaned over the side and smiled a wicked smile.
"Well now does this seem familiar Master?" Anakin sneered. "You hanging for your life, and realizing you are too late to save someone you love."
"Anakin" Obi Wan shifted, trying to gain a better hold on the rock. "Do not give in to the dark side, you are better than that."
"You can't handle it can you Obi Wan, you can't handle the fact that you failed." Anakin stated, running his light saber across the rocks, forcing Obi Wan to slip further down.
Obi Wan glanced down and then back up at his former padawan. He locked eyes for a moment with Anakin then purposely let go of the ledge. Anakin was stunned and he quickly glanced over the edge, the sight he found made his blood boil even more. He watched his former master jumping rocks over the red, flowing river of magma. Anakin summed up the dark side of the Force and lowered himself to a rock below. He then began to chase Obi Wan, trying not to fall into the lava.
"Don't make me destroy you." He called out to Obi Wan.
Obi Wan turned around quickly, almost slipping on the rock deflecting a blow to his head from his opponent. The master tried to keep his fighting to the defensive, hoping that his former student would eventually grow tired; the look in Anakin's eyes made him decide otherwise. Obi Wan suddenly took on the offensive, driving his ex apprentice back towards the cliff. Anakin quickly stopped this and regained the upper hand, almost forcing Obi Wan to slip off the rock. Obi Wan took a powerful swing to Anakin's head, causing the dark Jedi to duck, Obi Wan used this opportunity to do a series of back flips away from his apprentice and away from the river of lava.
Anakin chased quickly after him and came at him with an intense kick, causing Obi Wan to drop his light saber. Anakin quickly used the Force to push the weapon away from the reach of his opponent. Blinded by rage the younger man took wild swings at Obi Wan, who was barely able to dodge them. Unfortunatly for the young master he wasn't fast enough for one swing. Obi Wan cried out in pain as the blue blade met with flesh and was dragged across his chest, burning clothes, skin, and a couple of ribs. Obi Wan staggered back, clutching his wound, Anakin smiled and lunged at his former master. Obi Wan sensed his attack and used what was left of his strength and jumped in the air and came down with a powerful kick, causing Anakin to drop his light saber, Obi Wan then Force pushed the weapon away from his old padawan.
Anakin quickly recovered from the kick and pounced on Obi Wan, knocking the master to the ground. He then began to punch Obi Wan in the face over and over. Obi Wan tried to fight back, but he was growing weak due to the gash in his chest. Anakin pounded his opponent again and again, causing Obi Wan's jaw to bleed, the enraged young man then stopped hitting his master after his knuckled began to bleed and proceeded to wrap his hands around the older Jedi's neck and strangle him. Obi Wan struggled under the weight of his former apprentice and knew he didn't have the strength to push him off, he began to feel darkness coming to claim him then used his free hand and called a rock towards him with the Force, causing it to smack into Anakin's head.
Anakin was caught off guard by the pain in his head, he removed his hands off Obi Wan's neck and Obi Wan used this opportunity to knee Anakin in the stomach and flip him off of his body, causing the dark Jedi to tumble down the hill. The very wounded master rose to his knees with difficulty and watched as Anakin disapeared into the darkness.
Obi Wan stayed on his knees for a moment, using the Force to give him strength, he then slowly rose to his feet and called his and Anakin's light sabers to him, he put Anakin's light saber on his belt. He then carefully slid down the hill, and searched for his former friend. Anakin crouched in the shadows, hiding his presence, stalking his prey. Obi Wan continued to search, walking into a large cavern that held a waterfall of lava that spilled into a large pool.
Anakin rushed Obi Wan, taking him completely by surprise. Obi Wan struggled as Anakin held onto him from behind, trying to remove his ex master's head with one swipe of the light saber. Beads of sweat dropped down both men's faces as the heat of the lava began to overwelm the tired fighters. Obi Wan could feel his skin begining to scinge as the laser sword came closer and closer to his neck. He could feel his strength wanning, and the darkness emmulating off his opponent was nausiating. He knew he had to do something otherwise he would be one with the Force. The more experienced Jedi quickly pulled out Anakin's light saber off of his belt and turned the hilt so that it faced Anakin's leg, he then ignited it, the blade plunging into the younger man's leg.
Anakin bellowed in pain and staggered back, towards the cliff. Obi Wan distanced himself away from Anakin, trying to regain his strength. The two stared at each other, both breathing heavily and both bruised and beaten. Anakin held intense anger in his eyes, and Obi Wan realized that his friend was gone, probably never to return but he couldn't bring himself to give up.
"Anakin, I sense it's not too late, you can come back to the light." Obi Wan pleaded.
Anakin, still holding his wound on his leg looked up at Obi Wan, with hatred in his eyes. "Why would I want to do that Obi Wan?" He asked. "When I can have anything I want with this power."
Obi Wan felt the familiar signature of his "son" suddenly morph into something dark, twisted, evil. "No." He whispered under his breath.
"You failed Obi Wan, you failed the Council, Qui Gon, and Anakin Skywalker." The dark Jedi sneered. "And now you are once again alone, facing the power of the Sith, only this time you will lose."
"Anakin."
The Sith apprentice stood at his full height. "Anakin Skywalker is dead, I am Darth Vader."
Obi Wan felt as if someone had ripped out his heart at the sound of that name. He closed his eyes in sorrow. Vader laughed, the sound echoing off the walls of the cavern. Suddenly the volcano errupted and caused the ground beneath the Sith to crumble and fall, taking the dark man with it. Obi Wan raced to the edge of the cliff, and found a black gloved hand gripping on for it's life. The bearded Jedi stared into the intense blue eyes of his former friend. Obi Wan offered his hand to the dark Jedi, hoping to save him, Vader shoved his former master's hand away with his other hand. Obi Wan tried again.
"Grab my hand." He shouted over the rumblings of the volcano.
"No." Vader stated angrily. "I will not give you the satisfaction."
Obi Wan shook his head. "What satisfaction?" He watched his former friend slip further towards the pool of lava. "What about Padme?" He asked, sliding out onto the edge, reaching.
"Tell her you failed."
Suddenly a huge fountain of steam shot up from the pool of lava, taking the Sith apprentice with it. Obi Wan held onto the cliff, trying not to be carried away as well.
"NOOOOOOOO!" He screamed out into the cavern when the steam settled. He stared down into the pit, but couldn't see anything because of the blanket of steam. "Anakin!" He screamed as well as he could despite his jaw injury. He crawled back away from the edge of the cliff, feeling overwelmed by grief.
Suddenly the volcano began to shake and the ground beneath him cracked, Obi Wan summed up the Force and raced out of the cavern and found a way out. As he came into the light of day he suddenly had no more strength left in his entire body and he collapsed in a heap on the slopes of the mountain, still holding his saber in one hand and Anakin's in another.
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Mace Windu raced towards the large volcanic mountain. He had just spoken to Ferus and learned what had happened concerning Kenobi's former apprentice. He raced to find the pair, hoping he wasn't too late, Yoda had sensed a dark disturbance through the Force. The Council member began to climb the steep craig when he noticed a familiar form stumble out of the opening and collapse to the ground, Mace ran to the form and knelt down next to Obi Wan, who was barely breathing. Mace pulled out his comlink.
"Master Yoda, tell the healers to meet me at the bottom of the mountain." He explained, then used the Force to pick up the fragile body. 'Hold on Obi Wan.' He thought to himself as he carried the battered master down the rocky slope.
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Ok my little ones, this is the chapter that contains "The Duel" I worked really hard on it, I even made a little comic book version of it in my notebook...lol. Thank you my apprentice for taking a look at it and saying it was good. Also thank you to all who are still with this story. And to answer your question Jedikma this is not an AU from my other story, "Reflections" is just an expanded version of the next chapter.
Chapter 18:
Padme rubbed the remaining tears away and glanced around the room through red rimmed eyes. She sniffed and rose to her feet. She had a desparate need to talk to someone, she exited her room quickly, hoping she could find the person she needed.
She raced down the hall, her eyes swollen and numb from crying so she didn't even notice the fresh batch of tears that were trailing down her cheeks. She continued down the hall, ignoring stares from other people and litterally bumped into Bail Organa.
"Padme?" He asked worriedly, steadiling himself and her. "What's wrong?"
She tried to stop the tears, but found she no longer had the strength. "Obi Wan, I need to find Obi Wan Kenobi." She huffed.
Bail looked at her confused, then nodded and took her by the hand to help her with her search.
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Anakin Force pushed the doors, entering the room of the newly appointed Emperor, he was so upset that he didn't even care that five crimson guards were staring at him, their blaster staffs pointed in his direction. Palpatine emerged from the back room with a holocron in his withered hand he gave Anakin a sympathetic stare.
"What has happened my young friend?" He asked, watching Anakin breathing in and out heavily, trying not to show the Emperor weakness.
Anakin paced the room like a caged animal. "She doesn't understand!" He unleashed his emotions completely and Force pushed papers on a small table in the center of the room. "She is so blind, and she blames me for her faults." Anakin looked at Palpatine, his eyes blood shot from crying. "It's just like you told me."
Palpatine put the holocron down and moved towards the young man. "I'm sorry Anakin, I had wished it would've been different for you." He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Remember my young apprentice, it is your duty to make them understand. . .by any means nessicarry." Palpatine smiled.
Anakin looked at Palpatine with a fire in his eyes, he no longer held sorrow but determination. He quickly turned and left, his black cape flowing behind him.
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Ferus tried to calm his nerves, he was incredibly angry with the situation at hand and more so with the man who had created this. He found himself thinking very dark thoughts about Anakin Skywalker, to the point that he knew he needed to keep his anger in check. He sighed and released his anxieties into the Force, he decided to wait and let the masters decide what to do with the fallen Jedi.
He was waiting for his new master Obi Wan to return from a meeting with the Council members. They had been in a meeting since the summit ended and he figured it would last long into the night. Suddenly he felt a commotion through the Force and turned and saw a woman running towards him with a man dressed in a blue robe behind her. Ferus stood at attention, waiting. He recongnized the woman to be Senator Amidala and the man to be Bail Organa, he then noticed the woman seemed to be crying. He bowed as they approached.
"I need to speak with Master Kenobi." She demanded, not paying attention to his bow.
Ferus looked up at her in surprise. "I'm sorry Senator, but he's in a meeting with the Jedi Council." Ferus explained.
Padme shook her head. "I don't care, I must speak with him immediately." She commanded, showing the padawan that she meant business.
Ferus looked at Bail then back at Padme and slowly bowed. "I will see if I can get him." Ferus then left the two politicians and entered the room desinated for the Jedi Council members.
Padme sighed, and whiped her eyes, Bail put an arm around her shoulder. "You want to tell me now or later?" He asked.
Padme looked at him. "I can't Bail, not until I talk to Obi Wan." She stated.
Bail nodded. "Alright Milady, but just know that not only Jedi care about you."
Padme gave her friend a hug. "Thank you Bail, I know."
Suddenly Bail was ripped from her arms with a powerful push. Padme screamed and quickly turned and faced Anakin Skywalker who had a look of pure evil on his face. Padme ran to Bail who was thrown into the far wall. She kneeled next to him and stared up at her husband.
"Anakin?" She felt her heart beating a million miles an hour.
Anakin stared down at her. "I knew it." He stated in a low tone. "How many men did you give your love to Padme?" He asked, snidely.
Padme rose to her feet. "I gave my love to only one man, and he threw it back in my face." She stated angrily. "He use to be a wonderful, caring man, a man who would never let an evil force control his actions." She held a face that challenged him. "The man I loved is dead."
Anakin felt his blood boiling, he never in all his worst thoughts imagined Padme turning on him. He had never felt so betrayed, so angry in all his life. He watched as she continued to stare at him coldly, he held up his hand in anger and felt immense power flowing through it. Suddenly Padme began to feel her throat tighten as if she was being strangeled. She put her hands on her neck, trying to pull away the phantom fingers that were squeezing the breath out of her body. Anakin held his hand out, squeezing her throat harder and harder. Padme sunk to her knees, gasping for air, struggling against the darkness that was threatening to consume her. Anakin began to smile at the raw power that was coursing through his body.
He suddenly realized what was happening, he lowered his hand and Padme dropped to the ground, coughing. He quickly turned and left, heading out the door. Bail, feeling emense pain running through his should crawled to Padme who was passed out on the ground.
"Medic!" He frantically called. "I need a medic!"
At the same moment Obi Wan raced into the hall, followed by Ferus. He quickly bent next to the still form of his friend who was still gasping for air. He placed a hand on her forehead and whispered an ancient chant, sending healing waves to the Senator. Padme coughed and briefly gained consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered and she grabbed Obi Wan's neck with one hand.
"Anakin. . ." She rasped. "Help him." She then blacked out again.
Obi Wan looked at her with a worried expression, he then looked at Bail. "What happened?" He asked.
Bail, who held an expression of disbelief shook his head as he spoke. "Skywalker was choking her, only he wasn't touching her."
Ferus and Obi Wan exchanged glances. "Force choke." Obi Wan whispered.
Ferus shook his head. "That's impossible, that would take an extreme amount of power."
Obi Wan turned back to Bail. "Where did Skywalker go?" He asked.
"He left outside, I think he was heading for the mountain." Bail stated, holding Padme in his arms.
Obi Wan rose to his feet followed quickly by Ferus. "She needs medical attention." He told Ferus.
"You can't go after Skywalker alone." Ferus argued.
Obi Wan held a stare that showed Ferus he was in charge. "I have to go alone, you stay with the Senator." He placed a hand on Ferus' shoulder. "Tell Master Windu and Yoda what has happened." With that he left his new apprentice to go face his old one.
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Obi Wan listened to the Force, let the familiar warmth flow through him, guiding him to find his former apprentice. He had been with the heads of the Jedi order discussing his friend's future and he had fought to put a good word in for Anakin, but now he felt it was a losing battle. He felt the familiar Force signature and raced up the steep mountain that held an errie silloutte in the darkness. He climbed the jagged cliffside and found a way into the heart of the volcano. He searched with his eyes as well as the Force and finally found Anakin standing on the edge of a cliff that fell into a river of lava.
Obi Wan caustiously walked towards his former padawan, who had his back to him staring at his left hand. "I can feel it Obi Wan, it is amazing, the true power of the Force, you have no idea."
"Anakin, it's not too late, she's not dead." He stated, taking on a tone of negotiation, trying to change the subject.
Anakin didn't turn to acknowledge his former master. "She is to me." He whispered and lowered his gloved hand. "She is set in her ways Obi Wan. The tide is changing and those who do not change with it will drown."
Obi Wan cautiously took a step closer. "There is no way the Jedi will allow that to happen." He stated, trying to convince his former apprentice.
Anakin laughed. "You are such a fool Obi Wan. The arrogance of the Council will be the downfall of the Jedi. You must embrace the true power of the Force, or be destroyed."
Obi Wan felt Anakin's Force presence begin to darken, it pained him to sense it. "Anakin, this true power you speak of is the dark side. It is an easier path that is true, but ultamatley more destructive."
Anakin felt something snap, he turned around to face his former master, his light saber ignited. "You never believed in my full potential!" He held Obi Wan's gaze. "You were always jealous of me."
Obi Wan put his hands up, yet holding his ground. "Anakin, release your anger into the Force, before it's too late."
Anakin stared at Obi Wan coldly. "You no longer have any control over my life, you are no longer my master, therefore you can no longer hold me back!" He stated snidley.
Obi Wan held a placid face. "What you deem as holding you back I did for your own good. If you can't see that then you didn't learn anything."
Anakin tightened his grip on the hilt of his light saber, his knuckles growing white. "Is that why you took on Ferus? Because I was such a failure as an apprentice?"
"Anakin, I won't even answer that question, you should know better than that." Obi Wan answered, trying not to let Anakin get to him.
Anakin noticed this and grew even more angry he then lunged at Obi Wan who was barely able to ignite his own saber in time to deflect. "It no longer matters, because I will prove to you, to the Council, to everyone exactly what I have learned. . .from my true master!" Anakin then pushed on Obi Wan with a series of blows, causing the older Jedi to drop to one knee. Anakin beemed as he slashed at his former master's head, forcing Obi Wan to duck and roll away.
Obi Wan came back to his feet, his back to the cliff and the river of lava. Anakin ran at him, their blades meeting with a hissing sound that echoed off the cavern walls. Anakin was blinded by fury and attacked the bearded Jedi no real technic other than driving him to the edge of the cliff. Anakin pounded against Obi Wan's saber, causing him to go to one knee once again.
Obi Wan felt the heat of the lava below him, and realized he was coming percariously close to the edge, he quickly summed up all his strength and Force pushed his former apprentice away from him. Anakin felt his body flying through the air and smacking hard against the rock wall, he quickly recovered and raced back towards Obi Wan.
Obi Wan tried to catch his breath and suddenly the volcano errupted, causing the ground beneath him crumble. Obi Wan quickly grabbed what was left of the cliff and held on, Anakin leaned over the side and smiled a wicked smile.
"Well now does this seem familiar Master?" Anakin sneered. "You hanging for your life, and realizing you are too late to save someone you love."
"Anakin" Obi Wan shifted, trying to gain a better hold on the rock. "Do not give in to the dark side, you are better than that."
"You can't handle it can you Obi Wan, you can't handle the fact that you failed." Anakin stated, running his light saber across the rocks, forcing Obi Wan to slip further down.
Obi Wan glanced down and then back up at his former padawan. He locked eyes for a moment with Anakin then purposely let go of the ledge. Anakin was stunned and he quickly glanced over the edge, the sight he found made his blood boil even more. He watched his former master jumping rocks over the red, flowing river of magma. Anakin summed up the dark side of the Force and lowered himself to a rock below. He then began to chase Obi Wan, trying not to fall into the lava.
"Don't make me destroy you." He called out to Obi Wan.
Obi Wan turned around quickly, almost slipping on the rock deflecting a blow to his head from his opponent. The master tried to keep his fighting to the defensive, hoping that his former student would eventually grow tired; the look in Anakin's eyes made him decide otherwise. Obi Wan suddenly took on the offensive, driving his ex apprentice back towards the cliff. Anakin quickly stopped this and regained the upper hand, almost forcing Obi Wan to slip off the rock. Obi Wan took a powerful swing to Anakin's head, causing the dark Jedi to duck, Obi Wan used this opportunity to do a series of back flips away from his apprentice and away from the river of lava.
Anakin chased quickly after him and came at him with an intense kick, causing Obi Wan to drop his light saber. Anakin quickly used the Force to push the weapon away from the reach of his opponent. Blinded by rage the younger man took wild swings at Obi Wan, who was barely able to dodge them. Unfortunatly for the young master he wasn't fast enough for one swing. Obi Wan cried out in pain as the blue blade met with flesh and was dragged across his chest, burning clothes, skin, and a couple of ribs. Obi Wan staggered back, clutching his wound, Anakin smiled and lunged at his former master. Obi Wan sensed his attack and used what was left of his strength and jumped in the air and came down with a powerful kick, causing Anakin to drop his light saber, Obi Wan then Force pushed the weapon away from his old padawan.
Anakin quickly recovered from the kick and pounced on Obi Wan, knocking the master to the ground. He then began to punch Obi Wan in the face over and over. Obi Wan tried to fight back, but he was growing weak due to the gash in his chest. Anakin pounded his opponent again and again, causing Obi Wan's jaw to bleed, the enraged young man then stopped hitting his master after his knuckled began to bleed and proceeded to wrap his hands around the older Jedi's neck and strangle him. Obi Wan struggled under the weight of his former apprentice and knew he didn't have the strength to push him off, he began to feel darkness coming to claim him then used his free hand and called a rock towards him with the Force, causing it to smack into Anakin's head.
Anakin was caught off guard by the pain in his head, he removed his hands off Obi Wan's neck and Obi Wan used this opportunity to knee Anakin in the stomach and flip him off of his body, causing the dark Jedi to tumble down the hill. The very wounded master rose to his knees with difficulty and watched as Anakin disapeared into the darkness.
Obi Wan stayed on his knees for a moment, using the Force to give him strength, he then slowly rose to his feet and called his and Anakin's light sabers to him, he put Anakin's light saber on his belt. He then carefully slid down the hill, and searched for his former friend. Anakin crouched in the shadows, hiding his presence, stalking his prey. Obi Wan continued to search, walking into a large cavern that held a waterfall of lava that spilled into a large pool.
Anakin rushed Obi Wan, taking him completely by surprise. Obi Wan struggled as Anakin held onto him from behind, trying to remove his ex master's head with one swipe of the light saber. Beads of sweat dropped down both men's faces as the heat of the lava began to overwelm the tired fighters. Obi Wan could feel his skin begining to scinge as the laser sword came closer and closer to his neck. He could feel his strength wanning, and the darkness emmulating off his opponent was nausiating. He knew he had to do something otherwise he would be one with the Force. The more experienced Jedi quickly pulled out Anakin's light saber off of his belt and turned the hilt so that it faced Anakin's leg, he then ignited it, the blade plunging into the younger man's leg.
Anakin bellowed in pain and staggered back, towards the cliff. Obi Wan distanced himself away from Anakin, trying to regain his strength. The two stared at each other, both breathing heavily and both bruised and beaten. Anakin held intense anger in his eyes, and Obi Wan realized that his friend was gone, probably never to return but he couldn't bring himself to give up.
"Anakin, I sense it's not too late, you can come back to the light." Obi Wan pleaded.
Anakin, still holding his wound on his leg looked up at Obi Wan, with hatred in his eyes. "Why would I want to do that Obi Wan?" He asked. "When I can have anything I want with this power."
Obi Wan felt the familiar signature of his "son" suddenly morph into something dark, twisted, evil. "No." He whispered under his breath.
"You failed Obi Wan, you failed the Council, Qui Gon, and Anakin Skywalker." The dark Jedi sneered. "And now you are once again alone, facing the power of the Sith, only this time you will lose."
"Anakin."
The Sith apprentice stood at his full height. "Anakin Skywalker is dead, I am Darth Vader."
Obi Wan felt as if someone had ripped out his heart at the sound of that name. He closed his eyes in sorrow. Vader laughed, the sound echoing off the walls of the cavern. Suddenly the volcano errupted and caused the ground beneath the Sith to crumble and fall, taking the dark man with it. Obi Wan raced to the edge of the cliff, and found a black gloved hand gripping on for it's life. The bearded Jedi stared into the intense blue eyes of his former friend. Obi Wan offered his hand to the dark Jedi, hoping to save him, Vader shoved his former master's hand away with his other hand. Obi Wan tried again.
"Grab my hand." He shouted over the rumblings of the volcano.
"No." Vader stated angrily. "I will not give you the satisfaction."
Obi Wan shook his head. "What satisfaction?" He watched his former friend slip further towards the pool of lava. "What about Padme?" He asked, sliding out onto the edge, reaching.
"Tell her you failed."
Suddenly a huge fountain of steam shot up from the pool of lava, taking the Sith apprentice with it. Obi Wan held onto the cliff, trying not to be carried away as well.
"NOOOOOOOO!" He screamed out into the cavern when the steam settled. He stared down into the pit, but couldn't see anything because of the blanket of steam. "Anakin!" He screamed as well as he could despite his jaw injury. He crawled back away from the edge of the cliff, feeling overwelmed by grief.
Suddenly the volcano began to shake and the ground beneath him cracked, Obi Wan summed up the Force and raced out of the cavern and found a way out. As he came into the light of day he suddenly had no more strength left in his entire body and he collapsed in a heap on the slopes of the mountain, still holding his saber in one hand and Anakin's in another.
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Mace Windu raced towards the large volcanic mountain. He had just spoken to Ferus and learned what had happened concerning Kenobi's former apprentice. He raced to find the pair, hoping he wasn't too late, Yoda had sensed a dark disturbance through the Force. The Council member began to climb the steep craig when he noticed a familiar form stumble out of the opening and collapse to the ground, Mace ran to the form and knelt down next to Obi Wan, who was barely breathing. Mace pulled out his comlink.
"Master Yoda, tell the healers to meet me at the bottom of the mountain." He explained, then used the Force to pick up the fragile body. 'Hold on Obi Wan.' He thought to himself as he carried the battered master down the rocky slope.