Working back to back, Anakin and Obi-Wan turned away every shot that came towards them with impossible moves that Anakin never knew he could do. He allowed the force to guide his every move, trusting it with his life. He was amazed even further when it seemed like they were actually getting somewhere at last, slowly reducing the army, and leaving a small trail of destructiong where they had been moment's before..

Anakin dared to glance back behind him to see the landing platform littered with bodies. But he was glad to see that most of these were Clones. Only a few Jedi had fallen so far.

But then he heard a shriek and saw a red saber flashing in the air, swinging down and taking out the Jedi, one by one. As the Jedi began to back away again, the Clones stopped firing and stood back to attention.

Anakin knew that this was a perfect chance to strike down a few more and reduce them still further, but he had no energy left. Obi-Wan managed to stumble over and the two friends leant on each other for support, breathing heavily and trying to catch their breath.

And then they saw why the Clones had stopped.

The Emperor stood above Mace Windu's body with one hand in the air. Mace trembled underneath him, cradling his two hands. Only, where the hands should have been, there was nothing remaining but two singed stumps. Mace's lightsaber lay off to one side with one hand still grasping it firmly.

Anakin couldn't bear to watch as the red blade was raised high, then plunged down again. Mace screamed out once, and then everything went silent.

Anakin felt his lose through the force, and he weakened still futher. As he forced himself to stay upright, he noticed that he and Obi-Wan were the only two Jedi remaining. Yoda had been thrown across the platform, and was now nursing his stump where once a tiny leg had been, and every other Jedi was dead or mortally wounded and left to die painfully.

"Courage Anakin." Obi-Wan whispered and Anakin knew what Obi-Wan was planning to do next. Pulling himself up and forcing himself to concentrate, Anakin twirled his saber round a few times to allow himself to get a better grip, and then he nodded to Obi-Wan to show that he was ready.

"Now!" Obi-Wan yelled and the two charged forwards, Anakin taking a huge leap over the Emperor to land on his other side.

The two Jedi fought furiously, working in perfect harmony and causing the Emperor to lose his footing several times. At last, Anakin felt like they were winning, forcing the Emperor back and back until he came to the edge of the platform and peered down over the edge to the never ending abyse below.

But then the Emperor laughed cruelly and raised one hand infront of him. Blue lightning forked from his fingers and wound their way round Anakin, burning him and draining all his remaining energy. He felt himself being lifted up and thrown across the platform, landing in a crumpled heap by a stone pillar.

Obi-Wan knew he couldn't possible take on the Emperor alone, but he fought on bravely, determined to at least do some damage before his time was up.

However he soon tired and the Emperor took advantage. Swinging his saber down low, he aimed for Obi-Wan's leg. Down went Obi-Wan's saber to block, but then, to his horror he saw the Emperor draw back and swing high, severing his left arm just above the elbow. And then he swung back down again and this time did go for the feet, severing both Obi-Wan's legs off just below the knee.

Obi-Wan fell to the floor, crying in agony and the Emperor laughed maliciously, raising his red blade, like he had with Mace Windu.

"No!" Anakin screamed, but he couldn't move. He was helpless.