dtaylor16889: Thank you for reviewing again! I'm glad the story hasn't been a disappointment to you. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
darrensblondeangel: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Here's another chapter...and I promise I'll have the next chapter up before next saturday!
Mace extended his hand to Obi-Wan. Once he scrambled up with the communication device, Mace said," I will contact them."
"Anakin told me to contact the Temple. It's voice printed," Obi-Wan replied calmly, hoping that the Jedi master would believe him. Mace inclinded his head slightly, indicating that Obi-Wan should go ahead. Obi-Wan took a deep breath, then activated the comlink.
The familiar voice of Jocasta Nu answered," Who is this?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," Obi-Wan replied with a calm voice. Inside, he was relieved. He had half expected the contraption to be a bomb. He then thought to add," Master Windu and Master Yoda are here as well. We seem to be stranded."
"And where is Skywalker?" Jocasta responded coldly.
Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably. Even halfway across the galaxy, Jocasta could make him retreated to childish nervous habits. Sorrow was detectable in his voice as he replied," Anakin won't be coming back with us. Vader has overtaken him. Send a group of Jedi to intercept him. He is heading for Ithor."
Jocasta cocked her eyebrow as she questioned," Vader?"
Obi-Wan sighed as he replied," Anakin's dark side. Apparently this other side of Anakin is its own person, and Anakin has been holding him off for years. He finally cracked, and Vader overtook him. Anakin manages to control Vader for brief periods of time. As it happens, that is how I was able to contact you."
Jocasta requested that Mace speak to her, so Obi-Wan handed over the device. They spoke quickly. Mace gave Jocasta the coordinates of the planet they were on, then said goobye. Jocasta notified fellow Jedi of their location, as well as the suspected system Anakin/Vader would appear in.
"All we can do is wait," Mace sighed. Obi-Wan stared up at the sky, trying to sense Anakin. Or Vader. He found he could sense neither. I hope you're okay wherever you are, Anakin.
With a surge of strength, Anakin temporarily neutralized Vader. He had waited until Vader's concentration slipped far enough, then struck. Anakin quickly brought the ship off course. He wasn't sure where to go, only that if Vader wanted to go to Ithor, Anakin certainly did not. He turned the ship around and could think of nothing better to do than head back where he had come from. Hopefully, everyone would be gone by the time he got there. That would make everything much simpler. If he could just strand himself on a completely lifeless planet, even if Vader did overtake him again, no one would be hurt. It was the only way.
Anakin reached into his pocket and extracted a remote control. He overrode Vader's system, and unjammed the volcanic planet upon which his only friends, and indeed his only hope, were located. Once he was sure the planet was no longer jammed, he hesitantly called Mace Windu's comlink. He figured that Obi-Wan's and Padme's comlinks would have been confiscated. Anyway, this was a great leap of faith. Perhaps the Jedi Master would actually believe him.
Shortly after ending the communication with Jocasta Nu ended, the group was startled by Mace's comlink suddenly going off. He reached down and removed the device from his utility belt with a look of bewilderment on his face. Mace answered," Yes?"
"Umm...hi," a familiar voice replied hesitantly. It was the voice that everyone had least expected. Padme's heart soared with hope, and Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. Even Master Yoda seemed shocked. Suddenly, Obi-Wan sensed a surge in the light side of the Force. A comforting presence suddenly surrounded him. Anakin was back. Sure enough, the wavering voice then added," it's Anakin."
Mace blinked twice before replying," Anakin? Where are you?"
"I'm actually heading back where...you know...you are. Or were. Where Vader...I...left you stranded," Anakin's voice trembled. Obi-Wan could tell the young man was having second thoughts about calling. He thought it was courageous of Anakin to call at all, after what he had done. He could see Mace's eyes turn suddenly stern.
Mace replied tensley," Why are you coming here?"
"I...I thought it would be the best way. The only way..." Anakin's voice trailed off uncertainly. He sounded like the young boy Qui-Gon had rescued from Tatooine. It had been a long time since Anakin had actually seemed uncertain about one of his decisions or actions.
"Why would it be best for you to return here?" Mace questioned coldly.
"I thought you would be gone by now. Or at least by the time I arrived," Anakin explained, some of his usual confidence returning," I was actually planning on making sure you were off the planet. Then I was going to crash my ship and strand myself there. That way, even if if Vader manages to take over again, I couldn't hurt anyone."
Mace considered Anakin's plan. It actually seemed reasonable. To a certain degree, that is. Obi-Wan had also been listening. Even if the idea of Anakin being forever stranded on this barren planet horrified him, he was glad that Anakin had learned something from his experience. Anakin had learned to sacrifice himself for the greater good. And Obi-Wan couldn't have been more proud. Padme, however, was dismayed at the fact that her husband was planning to ultimately kill himself. Even if it was for the good of the galaxy.
"Do this, you should not," Yoda spoke from behind Mace. Obi-Wan stared at the old Master, as Mace rose an eyebrow at the short, green figure. Yoda elaborated," the Chosen One, you may be. Throw off the Force's balance forever, you may, if carry out your plan, you do."
"But if I become Vader..." Anakin trailed off. Everyone knew the dangers of Anakin's dark side. Obi-Wan could sense the boy's reluctance to listen to Yoda. Perhaps he hadn't learned a lesson after all.
Mace spoke again," We will be waiting for you, Anakin."
Before Anakin could respond, Mace cut the link. If the younger man truly wanted to prove that he had, even temporarily, overcome his darth side, he would have no choice but to return while his old friends were still occupying the barren planet. Obi-Wan smiled. He knew he would be seeing his friend again. Perhaps Anakin was stronger than he thought. Although, being perfectly honest, he knew that even if Anakin permanently turned back to the light side, he would die. He had committed too many serious crimes, and the galactic law would punish him.
Anakin fought Vader's growing strength the entire time he traveled back to the forsaken planet. He knew he had to return, even if the Jedi were interfering with his plans. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to out. Exhaustion was slowly creeping in, and Anakin had to choose. He could use the Force to fight Vader, or his exhaustion. He knew what the only answer was, and knew Vader wouldn't give up. Anakin feared sleeping. He knew it would break his concentration and lower his guard. He would willingly give up his body if he allowed himself to rest.
Soon Anakin found himself approaching the volcanic planet. As he started his descent, he reached out through the Force, searching for his old master. And his love. He was both relieved and dismayed to find both. On one hand, it was good to know they were still alive. On the other, he hated to endanger the only people that he truly cared about, or, indeed, cared about him.
Anakin landed his ship near the ruins of the other craft Vader had blown to pieces. He felt an aching sadness that he had failed to save the ship. Once he was on the ground, he was not surprised that the Jedi and clones were wary of him. After all, he had done many horrible things in the past. And that wasn't including what he had done once Vader had taken over. He slowly walked down the ramp, his foot hitting the barren ground at the bottom. By the time he reached that point, all lightsabers were activated and blasters were pointed at him.
Anakin winced as a blaster shot soared past his head. He put his hands up and said," I won't hurt you. You have my word."
"You're word means very little anymore, Skywalker," Mace replied coldly. He was still glaring at the young man. He then said," however, we could use your ship. And, you do seem to have turned back."
Anakin lowered his gaze, once again studying his booted feet. Obi-Wan was looking at Anakin with concern. The boy was significantly more pale than he had been when he had left, and his eyes were so bloodshot they appeared to be pure red. Anakin's voice, when he spoke, had a scratchy tone to it. Obi-Wan could sense Anakin weakening again, and the struggles between the two personalities had started to deteriorate the body they were fighting to control. Anakin's spirit was strained, and he was exhausted. Padme looked horrified at Anakin's sickly appearance.
"I know that no apology could ever make up for what I did," Anakin replied, his voice cracking. He took a deep breath, then said," and I have one favor to ask."
Mace and Yoda exchanged a glance before Mace replied," And what would that be?"
"I want you to swear that you won't let Palpatine find me," Anakin replied weakly," and if I become Vader, do what is necessary to neutralize the threat."
Mace nodded. The entire group agreed, with the exception of Padme. She started sobbing again, adding more redness to her face. Anakin's heart broke at the sight, and he instinctively started running toward her. One of the clones didn't know what to make of it, and began firing on him. One stun bolt hit him between the shoulder blades, and he winced, coming to a stop, moments before dropping to the ground.
"What did you do that for?" Obi-Wan called in disbelief. He and Padme rushed to the fallen man's side. Obi-Wan could no longer sense Anakin, although he was right beside him. He couldn't sense Vader's presense, either. Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to think. After all, there was someone normally strong in the Force beside him, yet all he felt was a void.
Anakin looked around a disturbingly familiar place. He was back in that run down old building, once again surrounded by Sith. As he tried to stand, he muttered to himself," Not again!"
Palpatine cackled," Welcome back, Skywalker."
Vader walked up beside Anakin, whispering," You will not defeat me again! Although taking over through my recklessness was more clever than I had expected."
Anakin glared at Vader, then had an idea. He said, taking a huge risk," One last fight, Vader. If I win, you have to leave me alone forever. If I lose, I will never try to take over again."
Vader glanced back at the Sith behind him, and Anakin imagined his smirk. He made eye contact with Palpatine, who said," So be it."
" I agree, so long as I can call on my allies to help," Vader replied. Seeing the expression on Anakin's face, he added," your allies can help you, too. If you have any that are willing, that is."
"Of course," Anakin, attempting to put confidence into his voice. He knew that Obi-Wan would help him. Most Jedi would, if they knew what was at stake. The only problem was, Anakin wasn't sure how to contact them. Then, he had a question," If someone dies here, do they truly die?"
"No," Palpatine responded quickly," unfortunately."
Relieved, Anakin drew on the Force, trying to make contact with some of his friends. Not all of whom were alive.
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked suddenly, as he felt his friend's familiar touch. Padme stared at him in confusion. Anakin hadn't moved, and his Force presense hadn't returned. Yet he had somehow contacted Obi-Wan through the Force. Obi-Wan's eyes widened, and he passed out.
Padme called Mace Windu over," Obi-Wan passed out! I don't know what happened. One minute he was trying to sense Anakin, then he found him, or something. He said 'Anakin' then passed out."
Mace nodded, then a glazed look came over his eyes, and he passed out as well. Soon, even Yoda was unconscious. Padme and the clones were bewildered. All of the Jedi had suddenly lost consciousness, and no one knew what was going on.
"I hope you're okay," Padme whispered," all of you..."