There were a few questions asked about this story so I'll clear them up before I go on. The first question was regarding the Emperor's murder. My reasoning was that he felt he had Vader under his thumb and didn't see him as a threat because of this, so Vader caught him off guard with the attack. As far as Yoda and the Emperor's battle, in this story line it never occurred. Also, I was asked what happened to Gen. Grievous if Obi-Wan never went after him. This is only the first half of the story and the second part will deal a lot with him. PS. I know there are spelling and punctuation errors in some places. Normally I go through the process of writing a story and then go back and fix the mistakes once I've finished. Anyway, thanks for the feedback and I hope you like these last chapters...
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

CH. 10

"BRINGER OF THE LIGHT"

Having noticed Obi-Wan was without his lightsaber, a nearby Jedi threw a spare to the Knight as he dove through the air.

"There are too many of them!" Obi-Wan Kenobi exclaimed, rolling to his feet and expertly cutting several clone soldiers down with his newly acquired weapon.

"Destroy them all!"

Obi-Wan spun around when he heard a familiar voice shout out behind him.

Anakin.

The Sith Lord ignited his crimson blade and stormed into the room, glaring at the Jedi warriors that fought in all directions. His searching eyes stopped when they found one in particular…his former Master. Ignoring the battle taking place around him, Vader started towards Obi-Wan and tightened his grip on his lightsaber, holding it securely in both hands as he approached.

Obi-Wan stood his ground and prepared for the assault that was sure to come, but was distracted when a barrage of heavy blaster fire flew in his direction.

"Hold your fire!" Vader called out to the attacking troopers. "Leave this one to me..."

This is all my doing, Obi-Wan told himself. I led Anakin here -- it is my fault. I must stop him before anyone else is harmed.

"Anakin, call them off," Obi-Wan pleaded.

Darth Vader's only response was a Force push that sent Obi-Wan sailing through the air and crashing to the floor. As he took another step forward, Vader's path was suddenly blocked by a figure that drew its own lightsaber and stood in a defensive position.

"Master Yoda," Vader greeted the small Jedi with a menacing grin. "Even you can't stop me now."

Yoda furrowed a brow and braced himself for any move the Sith might make against him. "Much hatred I sense in you, young Skywalker. Fallen deep into the dark side, you have."

"Fallen?" Vader mocked, preparing to strike. "The dark side has given me strength and power beyond your wildest dreams!"

Master and padawan were soon enthralled in a heated duel. Yoda quickly flipped through the air and blocked Vader's onslaught of blows – easily countering his advances. Vader let out a frustrated growl while his old Master continued to deflect the furious swipes of his blade, leaping from side to side, making it impossible for the dark lord to gain any leverage against his opponent.

Lightsabers clashed and they locked eyes…

"Give it up, Jedi," Vader spat.

"Clouded, your mind has become," Yoda replied, overpowering the Emperor and pushing him back. "Prevail, the dark side never will."

Vader almost stumbled to the ground due to the sudden shove, but miraculously managed to stay standing and quickly regained his footing – glaring at his adversary and preparing to resume the fight. Once again moving into a threatening stance, he charged towards the Jedi Master to attack a second time. His attempt fell short as the foundation gave out beneath them and the floor collapsed, catching them both off guard.

Yoda fell to the floor below while Vader's reflexes saved him from the drop, his artificial arm grasping onto the edge of the thick cement that still remained intact. Using all the strength he possessed to pull himself back up to solid ground, he glanced down at the pile of rubble that now rested the next story down – Yoda and his Sith lightsaber nowhere in sight.

He was crushed by the rubble, Vader thought. It almost seems a waste to lose somebody as powerful as him…

More explosions shook the room and more of the floor dropped – clone soldiers and Jedi alike falling to the lower levels of the building. Obi-Wan watched in horror as Yoda was covered by even more debris.

"Don't feel too bad, Kenobi," Vader said as he climbed back to his feet. "You will soon be there to join your Master."

"How could you, Anakin?"

"Save the lectures, Obi-Wan…I am done talking."

Obi-Wan felt a great surge of anger towards his former padawan, but immediately pushed it away and allowed the Force to wash over him. A moment later he was calm and silently regarded the man that was once Anakin Skywalker before speaking.

"You are overlooking one thing, my very young apprentice," Obi-Wan remarked as he held his lightsaber up in front of him to display its glowing blade. "You seem to have misplaced your lightsaber again."

The yellow in Vader's eyes seemed to intensify at his words. "I don't need anything other than the Force to rid myself of you!"

Obi-Wan was almost too late to stop the lightning that flew from Vader's hand.

This is new, he thought to himself.

He took a step back as the power of the dark side poured out of the tips of the Sith Lord's fingers and clashed with his lightsaber. The force of it was almost too much -- almost unbearable -- but Obi-Wan stood firm and refused to give into it, resisting it with every ounce of his physical and mental energy.

Every second that passed, he felt as if he grew weaker and the power of the lightning grew stronger. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep this up.

"Anakin!"

Vader's attention shifted when he heard her shout. It's her! Where is she? he asked himself, scanning the area around him while keeping his use of the Force concentrated on Obi-Wan. I can hear her calling…

Then he saw her.

Padme stood in the doorway at the far corner of the room -- using the wall beside her for support while she stood amidst the chaos. She gingerly held her side and stared at him with a mixture of recognition and shock on her face.

She is worried about me.

No, she is repulsed by me! Even in the distance I can see the accusation on her face!

It isn't true…she loves me.

She loved Anakin Skywalker…I am Vader! He was weak – I am not!

I have to talk to her…

She betrayed me! She turned her back on me in my time of need! She deserves to die like the rest of them…

I could never do anything to hurt her. She is my life…

No…she stole my life from me. She used me to benefit herself!

The doubt in Vader's expression only lasted a brief moment before it was replaced by a look of pure hatred. Turning his attention back to Obi-Wan, he gritted his teeth and called upon the Force even more. He could feel his former Master's resolve dwindling and knew it was only a matter of time…he couldn't hold off the power of the dark side forever. Obi-Wan Kenobi would die.

Senator Amidala will be next, he assured himself.

Vader's momentary distraction gave Obi-Wan the opportunity he needed and – using his lightsaber – he deflected the lightning and sent it streaming into a nearby clone trooper, instantly taking him out of the battle. Vader was clearly stunned as he watched the lifeless body of the soldier fall through one of the many gaping holes in the floor.

"You must be mindful of your thoughts," Obi-Wan panted from exertion. "You are vulnerable when you allow your mind to wander."

"I have no more lessons to learn from you."

Obi-Wan glanced over and immediately deactivated his lightsaber. "Padme!"

Vader returned his attention to Padme just in time to catch a glimpse of her collapsing. He was left speechless as Obi-Wan raced across the room to where she lay unconscious and knelt down beside her.

She is dying, Obi-Wan thought as he checked her pulse. I can feel her slipping. She –

His thoughts were interrupted when he was suddenly thrown aside. Pain ran up his shoulder as it slammed into the ground, an indignant grunt escaping his lips on impact. When he rolled over he found Vader kneeling down beside Padme…only now he appeared to look more like the Anakin he had not seen in so long.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked, the rages of Vader once again consuming him as he grew frantic. "Save her now!"

"I have already told you, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied with sincere sorrow in his voice. "We have done all we can for her. It is too late."

"No!" Vader roared, scooping Padme up in his arms and holding her as close to him as he possibly could. He desperately clung to her while tears of despair began to burn in his eyes and roll down his dust covered cheeks.

"Stop! Stop this fighting!"

Startled Jedi and clone troopers turned at the sound of Vader's thunderous command.

"Stop fighting!"

Obi-Wan curiously watched as the surrounding soldiers obeyed his orders without question or hesitation and lowered their weapons. The Jedi remained in defensive positions and cautiously watched the troopers, but made no further moves to engage them in combat.

Rising from his place on the ground, Darth Vader cradled the limp body of his wife in his arms and spared his old Master one last glance before turning to leave.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan called out after him.

His words were lost as Vader paid him no attention and led his clone troopers out of the refuge of the Order -- the Jedi skeptically keeping a close eye on their retreating forms until they had all gone.

"Help us!"

Obi-Wan started at the sudden interruption of his thoughts and glanced down at the ground below him. The level he stood on had almost completely caved in, blown to pieces by the many explosives that had detonated during their heated skirmish. He rushed to the edge of what was left of the floor and peered down at the Jedi who feverishly moved to uncover a large pile of debris that had fallen -- some using the Force while others used their bare hands to pull at the chunks of cement.

"Master Yoda!" he exclaimed as the older Jedi emerged from the wreckage.

Without a second thought, Obi-Wan dropped down to assist in his Master's rescue and called upon the Force to carry the last of the rubble away.

Surprisingly, Yoda did not appear to be harmed. While most would have surely been crippled by such a fall, the Jedi Master merely brushed his dirtied tunic off and called his walking stick back to his hand from the upper floor.

"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said with an exasperated sigh. "Thank the Force you are alright."

"Fortunate, I am," Yoda replied. "Strong, young Skywalker has become…"

Hushed whispers passed through the Senate as they awaited the arrival of Darth Vader. They had all been called to an emergency meeting that the Emperor had requested they all attend – none of them foolish enough to deny him their presence for fear of what retribution they would most likely pay if they failed to show up. Bail Organa quietly sat in his seat, listening to the various arguments and debates taking place around him. He was hoping Senator Amidala would be among the numerous politicians that had been asked to gather together, but so far he had not spotted her in the crowd.

He was worried the former Queen of Naboo had endured the same fate as the hidden remains of the Jedi Order.

His stomach turned at the thought.

Their refuge had been discovered – the very place he himself had arranged for them to stay – and he doubted even a group of Jedi could defend themselves against an entire army of clone soldiers. He could only assume Vader had called them all here to gloat over his victory…his 'triumph' over the enemies of the Republic.

He was disgusted by the prospect of it. The Empire claimed the Jedi were an evil that would be vanquished, but Senator Organa knew better…he knew of Chancellor Palpatine's betrayal and his eventual liquidation of democracy. As for Lord Vader's new position -- he had a feeling the galaxy would suffer even more under his reign than if the late Chancellor were still in power. From his point of view, they were all doomed.

Suddenly, everything went eerily silent as Darth Vader's dark figure approached his podium to address the many nervous faces. His black cloak was worn and tattered as if he had just seen battle, his hair plastered to his forehead due to recently dried sweat. It was obvious to Organa that he had overseen the attack on the Jedi personally.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Vader glanced around at the occupants of the massive room. "I have called you all here tonight to discuss the future of my Empire…"