PART SIX: REMEMBER ME?
The lone starfighter was clear for clearance outside of the Coruscant system.
Hours passed.
Days passed.
Obi-Wan couldn't do much on the trip, except keep his eyes open for foreign ships or an attack by the Empire. The radar indicated his choice of destination was coming up soon, the planet of Bastion.
What am I doing here? This isn't right–something just isn't right. This is one of the planets held under the Sith over a millennia ago, and now it is barely nothing. No life. Everything destroyed. It must havebeen a mistake to come here.
Obi-Wan looked at the radar system, then into the vast emptiness in space, the planet in the distance. He didn't want to turn back now. There was no point in doing so. He had come so far and yet, not at all. He was on it, alone. For as long as he could remember, he'd always have a set of clonetroopers close behind him. Not this time. He was truly alone. And he would have to go at it, alone.
The rocky red surface, which had been once a land full of life, was now a desert plain of red soil. The skies were red and cloudy from the numerous volcanoes that dotted the planet's surface. Dried plants covered the hills and valleys of the forsaken planet. The only species that grew susceptible to the planet's harsh conditions were small land lizards. The air was breathable to some species, but could burn a human's lungs if they didn't take the right precautions.
The starfighter landed in the valley, the cockpit window opening to introduce the burning air to its new resident. Obi-Wan peeked out, an oxygen mask fixed firmly upon his face. The air was cold, as a windy gust filled the valley. Obi-Wan wrapped the cloak tightly around him, and placed the hood atop his head.
He set his walk along the sulfuric stream at the bottom of the canyon. He was heading for the distant mountains, where the most active volcanoes were located. To where he felt the greatest disturbance on the planet. The walk was a tire for the aging Jedi. The rocky hills kept him on his toes, with the slightest slip could trigger a landslide. Obi-Wan had to be extra careful. He continued up a path to the top. When he finally got there, the mountains dropped into what appeared to be a huge crater. Lava pools were everywhere. Some dormant for some time, others ignited the air with its contents.
Obi-Wan was shaken to the core. The very nightmares of a place like this was now a reality before his eyes. A call from beyond his control to where he would find the answers he needed to the dreams that haunted him more and more each day. The heat from the pits burned his eyes, causing them to tear up quickly. He wiped them free and began the descent into the fiery abyss.
: The Jedi will fall, Obi-Wan. Your only choice will be to join the Dark Side. :
And if I don't comply? He question mentally.
: You will be destroyed right along with the rest of the Jedi. :
Why destroy us?
: We want power. You stand in our way from taking over the Republic. :
Obi-Wan looked into the distance, seeing that it appeared a path was laid out before him, welcoming him into the heart of the most active volcano, Atekoi. He followed the path, with no hesitation. By the time he made it to Atekoi, he was too tired to move on, falling to his knees. The air was growing thinner and the air in his tank was beginning to run short. Anger began to run through his veins as he tried to fight the sudden adrenaline rush. His head began to pulsate with pain from the thinning air around him.
"Stop, please," he whispered.
: Do not fight the anger. Just let it consume you, like it almost did 12 years ago... on Naboo. :
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, tightly and focused on his labored breathing. His knuckles were blank white as he held his lightsaber tightly in his hand. The air from the pit forced his eyes to see the horror. He watched the pain, the fear, hate and failures throughout the years. They were all torment. His thoughts couldn't come clear.
Obi-Wan's eyes burned like fire as a smokey figure emerged from the bottom of the pit. Its eyes burned a bright red, filled with evil as it slithered up to the Jedi on its stomach. Obi-Wan slowly backpedaled, in fear. It was the creature he faced all those years ago on Naboo.
: Remember me? :
"Yes." Obi-Wan answered in a low voice.
: You can't destroy me, Obi-Wan. : The creature approached the Jedi, amusement in his eyes. : I'm apart of you. I am apart of the darkness that will destroy your soul. :
Obi-Wan slowly backed away. His lightsaber visible, but still not ignited. What do you want from me?
: You never had the courage to destroy me then, what makes you think you can destroy me now? You can't. If you did, it would only bring you closer down the Dark Path. But you can smell it. See it. It's so hard to look away from. It urges you to follow every waking hour of your day. Every night when you're asleep. You can't escape it, Obi-Wan. :
Obi-Wan stumbled and fell to his knees. He looked over at the pit again and saw lightsabers deflecting blaster bolts. But some blaster
bolts made it through, the wielder falling to their knees, helpless. Weak. On the verge of death. The ancient building grew with flames. Troops barked orders from both sides of the battle. Obi-Wan forced back an uneasy breath and glared at the creature before him. The creature sneered, challenging him with sharp eyes.
: It was easy to kill her. The only true thing left in your life to take away from you. Anakin was already on his way down the path before even your pathetic Jedi Master could see it. But the one thing that kept you going was her. The only one that really kept you... alive. :
"Shut up! Shut up!" Obi-Wan forced the painful memories away.
: No! You will remember it all. The failures. The pain. The hate. The anger. All of it, leading you down the dark path. For a long time the Jedi never wanted to give up on you. If they lose you, they lose forever. The key to saving the galaxy, but not the one to bring balance. Not the One. : The creature sneered, enjoying the torment he was giving the Jedi. : You will fail, Obi-Wan. :
"No, I won't." Obi-Wan fought back. His grip tightened around the lightsaber, his knuckles became icy white.
: Yes. Give into your anger. :
No. You are stronger than this, Obi-Wan. Don't give up. Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon's voice.
"Master, please, don't leave me," he pleaded.
I'm not going anywhere, Obi-Wan. But you must be strong too. I can't do this alone.
"I don't think I can make it."
Don't say that. I know you better than anyone else, Obi-Wan.
: Enough of this. This ends now! : The creature snapped.
Obi-Wan glared at the creature, again. The creature could see the light in the Jedi's eyes, the conflict between good and evil. The creature whipped his tail toward the Jedi. Obi-Wan saw the danger seconds before it happened, and did a back-flip over the tail and landed into a defensive stance, lightsaber ignited.
"If you shall strike me down, I will be even more powerful than you could ever imagine. This fight has only begun," Obi-Wan stated.
: You should of destroyed me when you had the chance, Obi-Wan. :
"And you should of destroyed me. The torment was all that could satisfy you," Obi-Wan smiled, amused. Obi-Wan pushed himself forward. The creature, with its back turned, sensed the danger and whipped his tail toward the charging Jedi. Obi-Wan dodged the tail, only to slip, barely having the time to catch the ledge. He pulled himself back up onto the top ledge and noticed the distant shadow beyond the creature.
: If only you could of seen the look in some of those Jedis' eyes. The pain. This galaxy no longer welcomes your kind with open arms. They find you threats, run and hide when they see a squadron of troops take over the area. All your left for, Obi-Wan, is to look at the Old Republic crumble before you. :
"Nooooo!" Obi-Wan cried. His knees collapsed from underneath him.
Obi-Wan heard the movement of a cloak in the wind. He shook away the deadly images of Jedi falling in his mind, praying none of it was true. He didn't know what to believe now. For as long as he could remember, he relied on military tactics in war as opposed to the tactics a Jedi used in negotiations. Is it true? It crushes my bones, but it cannot be true. The Jedi cannot be destroyed. The Temple cannot be gone. Obi-Wan could feel the darkness all around him. The power it was giving off was strong. It crushed his lungs, forcing him to take bigger breaths. His vision grew cloudy as the figure approached the frozen Jedi.
Anakin. Anakin. Nooo. Obi-Wan could hear Qui-Gon call out from a distance.
Obi-Wan looked up to see the face was hidden behind a dark cloak.
"Obi-Wan," the figure breathed, "I've been waiting for you."
To be continued....
The lone starfighter was clear for clearance outside of the Coruscant system.
Hours passed.
Days passed.
Obi-Wan couldn't do much on the trip, except keep his eyes open for foreign ships or an attack by the Empire. The radar indicated his choice of destination was coming up soon, the planet of Bastion.
What am I doing here? This isn't right–something just isn't right. This is one of the planets held under the Sith over a millennia ago, and now it is barely nothing. No life. Everything destroyed. It must havebeen a mistake to come here.
Obi-Wan looked at the radar system, then into the vast emptiness in space, the planet in the distance. He didn't want to turn back now. There was no point in doing so. He had come so far and yet, not at all. He was on it, alone. For as long as he could remember, he'd always have a set of clonetroopers close behind him. Not this time. He was truly alone. And he would have to go at it, alone.
The rocky red surface, which had been once a land full of life, was now a desert plain of red soil. The skies were red and cloudy from the numerous volcanoes that dotted the planet's surface. Dried plants covered the hills and valleys of the forsaken planet. The only species that grew susceptible to the planet's harsh conditions were small land lizards. The air was breathable to some species, but could burn a human's lungs if they didn't take the right precautions.
The starfighter landed in the valley, the cockpit window opening to introduce the burning air to its new resident. Obi-Wan peeked out, an oxygen mask fixed firmly upon his face. The air was cold, as a windy gust filled the valley. Obi-Wan wrapped the cloak tightly around him, and placed the hood atop his head.
He set his walk along the sulfuric stream at the bottom of the canyon. He was heading for the distant mountains, where the most active volcanoes were located. To where he felt the greatest disturbance on the planet. The walk was a tire for the aging Jedi. The rocky hills kept him on his toes, with the slightest slip could trigger a landslide. Obi-Wan had to be extra careful. He continued up a path to the top. When he finally got there, the mountains dropped into what appeared to be a huge crater. Lava pools were everywhere. Some dormant for some time, others ignited the air with its contents.
Obi-Wan was shaken to the core. The very nightmares of a place like this was now a reality before his eyes. A call from beyond his control to where he would find the answers he needed to the dreams that haunted him more and more each day. The heat from the pits burned his eyes, causing them to tear up quickly. He wiped them free and began the descent into the fiery abyss.
: The Jedi will fall, Obi-Wan. Your only choice will be to join the Dark Side. :
And if I don't comply? He question mentally.
: You will be destroyed right along with the rest of the Jedi. :
Why destroy us?
: We want power. You stand in our way from taking over the Republic. :
Obi-Wan looked into the distance, seeing that it appeared a path was laid out before him, welcoming him into the heart of the most active volcano, Atekoi. He followed the path, with no hesitation. By the time he made it to Atekoi, he was too tired to move on, falling to his knees. The air was growing thinner and the air in his tank was beginning to run short. Anger began to run through his veins as he tried to fight the sudden adrenaline rush. His head began to pulsate with pain from the thinning air around him.
"Stop, please," he whispered.
: Do not fight the anger. Just let it consume you, like it almost did 12 years ago... on Naboo. :
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, tightly and focused on his labored breathing. His knuckles were blank white as he held his lightsaber tightly in his hand. The air from the pit forced his eyes to see the horror. He watched the pain, the fear, hate and failures throughout the years. They were all torment. His thoughts couldn't come clear.
Obi-Wan's eyes burned like fire as a smokey figure emerged from the bottom of the pit. Its eyes burned a bright red, filled with evil as it slithered up to the Jedi on its stomach. Obi-Wan slowly backpedaled, in fear. It was the creature he faced all those years ago on Naboo.
: Remember me? :
"Yes." Obi-Wan answered in a low voice.
: You can't destroy me, Obi-Wan. : The creature approached the Jedi, amusement in his eyes. : I'm apart of you. I am apart of the darkness that will destroy your soul. :
Obi-Wan slowly backed away. His lightsaber visible, but still not ignited. What do you want from me?
: You never had the courage to destroy me then, what makes you think you can destroy me now? You can't. If you did, it would only bring you closer down the Dark Path. But you can smell it. See it. It's so hard to look away from. It urges you to follow every waking hour of your day. Every night when you're asleep. You can't escape it, Obi-Wan. :
Obi-Wan stumbled and fell to his knees. He looked over at the pit again and saw lightsabers deflecting blaster bolts. But some blaster
bolts made it through, the wielder falling to their knees, helpless. Weak. On the verge of death. The ancient building grew with flames. Troops barked orders from both sides of the battle. Obi-Wan forced back an uneasy breath and glared at the creature before him. The creature sneered, challenging him with sharp eyes.
: It was easy to kill her. The only true thing left in your life to take away from you. Anakin was already on his way down the path before even your pathetic Jedi Master could see it. But the one thing that kept you going was her. The only one that really kept you... alive. :
"Shut up! Shut up!" Obi-Wan forced the painful memories away.
: No! You will remember it all. The failures. The pain. The hate. The anger. All of it, leading you down the dark path. For a long time the Jedi never wanted to give up on you. If they lose you, they lose forever. The key to saving the galaxy, but not the one to bring balance. Not the One. : The creature sneered, enjoying the torment he was giving the Jedi. : You will fail, Obi-Wan. :
"No, I won't." Obi-Wan fought back. His grip tightened around the lightsaber, his knuckles became icy white.
: Yes. Give into your anger. :
No. You are stronger than this, Obi-Wan. Don't give up. Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon's voice.
"Master, please, don't leave me," he pleaded.
I'm not going anywhere, Obi-Wan. But you must be strong too. I can't do this alone.
"I don't think I can make it."
Don't say that. I know you better than anyone else, Obi-Wan.
: Enough of this. This ends now! : The creature snapped.
Obi-Wan glared at the creature, again. The creature could see the light in the Jedi's eyes, the conflict between good and evil. The creature whipped his tail toward the Jedi. Obi-Wan saw the danger seconds before it happened, and did a back-flip over the tail and landed into a defensive stance, lightsaber ignited.
"If you shall strike me down, I will be even more powerful than you could ever imagine. This fight has only begun," Obi-Wan stated.
: You should of destroyed me when you had the chance, Obi-Wan. :
"And you should of destroyed me. The torment was all that could satisfy you," Obi-Wan smiled, amused. Obi-Wan pushed himself forward. The creature, with its back turned, sensed the danger and whipped his tail toward the charging Jedi. Obi-Wan dodged the tail, only to slip, barely having the time to catch the ledge. He pulled himself back up onto the top ledge and noticed the distant shadow beyond the creature.
: If only you could of seen the look in some of those Jedis' eyes. The pain. This galaxy no longer welcomes your kind with open arms. They find you threats, run and hide when they see a squadron of troops take over the area. All your left for, Obi-Wan, is to look at the Old Republic crumble before you. :
"Nooooo!" Obi-Wan cried. His knees collapsed from underneath him.
Obi-Wan heard the movement of a cloak in the wind. He shook away the deadly images of Jedi falling in his mind, praying none of it was true. He didn't know what to believe now. For as long as he could remember, he relied on military tactics in war as opposed to the tactics a Jedi used in negotiations. Is it true? It crushes my bones, but it cannot be true. The Jedi cannot be destroyed. The Temple cannot be gone. Obi-Wan could feel the darkness all around him. The power it was giving off was strong. It crushed his lungs, forcing him to take bigger breaths. His vision grew cloudy as the figure approached the frozen Jedi.
Anakin. Anakin. Nooo. Obi-Wan could hear Qui-Gon call out from a distance.
Obi-Wan looked up to see the face was hidden behind a dark cloak.
"Obi-Wan," the figure breathed, "I've been waiting for you."
To be continued....