Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been rather busy with homework and the blasted marching band competitions. Keep in mind while you're reading this story that I originally had chapters 2 and 3 as one chapter, 4 and 5 as one chapter, 6 and 7 as one chapter, and so on. I split them so they wouldn't be so long. In case you were wondering, I wrote this entire story before I posted any of it.
Also, I finally realized that I never wrote a disclaimer...so sorry! here it is: Disclaimer- The Star Wars galaxy belongs to George Lucas...I just visit every once in a while
dtaylor16889: Thank you for your reviews! I'm glad everything makes sense now!
"He can't have gone far," Obi-Wan stated stiffly. He was still shocked that Anakin, or at least the Anakin he knew, was dead. Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel that he had lost his friend forever. After all, how could Anakin's battered spirit overcome the power of Vader, his dark side? He had seen the near defeat in Anakin's eyes when he had awoken from his troubled sleep. Then, he had seen a completely different person staring into his eyes during the battle. A person tormented forever by anger, sorrow, and grief. And guilt. The guilt that had driven the dark emotions out of control.
The words were barely out of his mouth when a ship flew overhead. Obi-Wan could sense the dark presence. However, he could not sense any goodness in the pilot. It was indeed a sad day for the galaxy. As well as for Anakin. Padme had silent tears dripping down her cheeks. The man she loved, her husband, the father of her child, was leaving. And her friend Obi-Wan said he had turned to the dark side.
"Come. We must leave at once. There is a tracking device on the ship," Mace Windu declared. He didn't need to say what they were all thinking, if he hasn't discovered the device and destroyed it.
Obi-Wan followed as Mace led the way to their ship. Upon arrival, everyone was shocked. All that remained of the ship were scattered pieces of metal and wiring. Even Anakin's impressive mechanical skills wouldn't have been good enough to repair the wreckage. Vader had blown apart the ship, knowing that there was no one else on the planet to assist the now stranded search party. Obi-Wan still could not comprehend the damage his old friend had afflicted upon their ship. The sight saddened him greatly, and he now, more than ever, missed the talented but stubborn young man who he had trained. And come to love. The same thought came to Obi-Wan that had been lurking since Vader came. Why did it have to be Anakin? Why can't he come back? What could I have done to save him?
He knew that such thoughts were pointless. They could not help him. They were unproductive. But that no longer mattered to Obi-Wan. All that mattered was his best friend, his student, the young man he had started to regard as a son, was gone. And there was nothing he could do. Grief threatened to overtake Obi-Wan, grief with intensity so strong he had known it only one time before. When Qui-Gon had died. A glance at Padme proved she was feeling the same way. The young woman had tears dripping down her cheeks. She looked near collapse.
"Make camp. We will contact a transport. They should arrive by morning," Mace ordered. He then added hesitantly," and secure the prisoners. We don't know where their loyalty truly lies."
Obi-Wan looked down at the ground in shame. They wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for his rash actions in releasing Anakin. Emotion had clouded his vision. Obi-Wan vowed it would never happen again. Anakin had turned. Even if he turned back, Anakin's crimes were too great to be forgiven. Obi-Wan was led to the center of the camp where he was placed next to Padme, and his wrists were bound. Padme sank slowly to the ground beside Obi-Wan, still sobbing quietly.
"It's going to be okay, Padme," Obi-Wan tried to say reasurringly, but the words sounded hollow to even him. Inside, Obi-Wan felt as though his heart had been ripped out. He could barely stand the emotions reeling inside him, let alone act as though he was unaffected, or reassure someone else. Obi-Wan was well trained enough to let his anger pass. Being angry would not help anyone, he told himself. The grief, however, was not as easy to banish.
"No it's not. You know that," Padme retorted," what about my baby? It will be a threat to Vader, as will I. Palpatine, if not Vader himself, will kill us."
Obi-Wan looked thoughtful, then replied," Anakin must be in there somewhere. He would never allow anyone to harm you. However, it would probably be a good idea for you to go into hiding. If Palpatine convinces Vader, and Anakin, that you are dead, he would be able to kill you without interference from possibly the most dangerous person alive. Vader told Anakin that you would die. It would be simple for Palpatine to convince Vader, who is in control. And after years without seeing or hearing from you, Anakin would also believe it. Unfortunately, with Vader in control, we cannot allow you to contact him. It would be too dangerous."
"But if I don't, Anakin will think I have died," Padme sobbed," then he will never turn back."
Obi-Wan replied," I doubt he can be turned back anyway. Not unless we stop him before he reaches Palpatine. Even then, it would be difficult. Anakin wasn't doing very well, and Vader has overtaken him. It could take years before Anakin has the strength to resist the dark side again. And by then it would be too late. That is why no one returns from the dark side."
"I can't leave him to be controlled by the Sith!" Padme cried," I love him, and I would do anything to turn him back."
"It cannot be done!" Mace interrupted.
"I will never give up!" Anakin's cry echoed through Vader's thoughts. Vader's eyes narrowed as he struggled to once again get Anakin's spirit under control. He had to master Anakin's spirit before he faced Palpatine. He replied silently, " I am in control now. You will give up when she dies. I have forseen it!"
A flash of annoyance shot through Vader, and he knew it was from the Jedi inside him," Why does everyone keep saying they have forseen this? Don't you Sith know that the future is always in motion?"
Vader chuckled aloud. He could hardly believe he had been subdued so long by such a niave young man. He then concentrated on finding Palpatine, his Master, and pushing Anakin's spirit down. He located Palpatine's presence in the general direction of Ithor. Anakin continued to struggle, attempting to confuse Vader and make it impossible to locate Palpatine. However, his spirit was still too weak and easily pushed aside.
"I was wrong," Obi-Wan declared, barely to keep the glee from his voice. He had spent the entire night searching through the Force for Anakin's familiar presence, or the foreign dark power that was surpressing it. He had felt Anakin's brief moments of control, and sensed the spirit struggling to regain his natural position. He was now convinced that if they managed to capture Vader, Anakin could be revived.
Padme looked up sharply with a puzzled expression," About what?"
Obi-Wan smiled gently, then responded," It's not too late. Anakin is fighting Vader, despite his lack of strength. If we could somehow manage to capture Vader and give Anakin a chance, I have no doubt he would return."
"It's too bad we won't have that opportunity," Mace Windu said softly behind them, startling the Senator.
She squinted into the rising sun, and replied," What do you mean?"
"Jammed our communications, Vader has," Yoda spoke," too late it will be once we reach him."
Obi-Wan stared at the ground intently, looking as though he would bore a hole into it should his concentration be any deeper. Padme once again was sobbing. Both were depressed by their prediciment. They had a chance to help Anakin, to bring him back, and they wouldn't be able to take advantage of it. Obi-Wan thought dully, We really must stop underestimating Vader. After all, he must be powerful if he overcame Anakin.
A nasty voice in his mind replied, Yes, but Anakin had many faults. He was naive and overconfident. You knew it would be his downfall. Yet you did nothing to stop it. It's your fault things have gotten so out of hand!
Obi-Wan banished the thought. This was no time for doubting. If he dwelled on the past, he may miss something in the present that would help him rectify his past mistakes. There had to be some way to regain communications!
Obi-Wan, a familiar voice said calmly, go to the volcano. There is a modified comlink on the ledge, just out of sight. This comlink is unaffected by the jamming. It gives you a direct link to the Jedi Temple. You must be the one to make the call. It will only pass the blockade with my voice or yours. Someone will answer. Tell them where you are, and what happened. Tell them that I am heading to Ithor, and I can't hold out much longer. I need your help, Obi-Wan. Go, before Vader discovers this and disables it as well.
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan breathed, barely audibly.
Mace Windu turned to Obi-Wan with concern in his eyes. He asked," What is it, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan breathed deeply, then replied," Anakin spoke to me through the Force. I know how we can communicate with the outside world. Follow me."
Mace's brow furrowed, and he turned to Yoda. Yoda nodded, saying," Trust him, we must."
Obi-Wan rose and headed directly toward the simmering volcano, hoping that it truly was Anakin who had spoken to him, as well as clinging to the hope that the still quite active volcano would not decide to erupt as he approached. Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened. Obi-Wan came to the edge of the volcano, and slowly lowered himself onto the ledge, mere feet from the boiling red lava. He reached inside the slight crevice, and extracted a small mechanical item. Upon glimpsing at the object, Obi-Wan was certain that it was one of Anakin's creations. He called up to the Jedi Masters," It's here. I've got it."
You're hiding something from me! Vader thought angrily at Anakin. He could sense the other spirit's smirk. This only infuriated Vader further, and he threw all the anger, frustration, and pain he could at the weakening Jedi within him. The blow hit Anakin hard, and he momentarily lost all of the ground he had worked so hard to gain over the past few days. Yet Vader could still sense Anakin's strength growing, and knew the young man would be harder to break than he had imagined. Then Vader had a disturbing thought. If Anakin was managing to keep secrets from him, how long would it be before he had enough strength to regain control of his body? Vader was not pleased by this. He did not want to be banished again to the depths of Anakin's mind and heart.
Maybe you're not as powerful as you thought, Anakin taunted, after all, light always overcomes darkness in the end!
Vader's frown deepened, as he thought back, Maybe in Shmi's old bed time stories, but not in reality. The fact is, I'm stronger than you. This is our destiny.
Anakin didn't reply. He silently held his confidence, knowing that Obi-Wan would soon be sending help. He could feel his strength returning. His being able to keep a secret from the controlling power in the body seemed like an amazing accomplishment to him. Especially considering he didn't have the strength yet to overcome Vader for more than mere seconds at a time. Of course, if they reached Palpatine before Anakin returned to full strength, it would be too late. There was no way for Anakin's battered spirit to overcome the power of the two most powerful Sith.
Vader focused his attention on flying, leaving Anakin's spirit alone to meditate, and regain strength. A warning in Vader's mind alerted him that this may not be a wise decision, but he swept it away as well. After all, Vader thought he had Anakin defeated. He also believed that he was more powerful than anyone but his Master. Recognize the fact that he was being reckless, Vader failed to do. Anakin saw an opportunity in this recklessness.