Chapter 7: Closure
--w00t! Two chapters within a month! It's a world record! Yeah so ...I hope you like it.--
Anakin piloted his Jedi Starfighter towards the Senate building with this mind racing almost as fast as the engines beneath him; doubt began clouding his thought again. He was still shaken from his meeting with the Council and Ferus hadn't helped his case much. Though, Master Unduli's words had given him a little hope. Obi-Wan was no longer with him, he'd have to face Palpatine on his own and not only that he'd have to convince the Senate that the man they'd been listening to for over 10 years was the Dark Lord of the Sith! Anakin just hoped that Obi-Wan's mission went better than he saw his going.
Anakin's eyes focused on his destination, the building growing ominously in front of him. The Senate building became like a bad omen as he felt a fear grip at his heart. The same fear he'd felt many times before, the fear that no matter what he did he would fail. The sky was grey and hinted of a coming storm, with the rumbling overhead. The color matched perfectly with the mood that summarized this day. Slowly, Anakin made his decent into one of the hanger bay doors. He was waved in by various droids that checked his ship and clearance codes. It was obvious Palpatine had made sure his 'apprentice' was granted safe passage into the building, for he doubted others of the senate had approved a 'fallen Jedi's' admittance, save for maybe Sano Sauro; Palpatine's little puppet.
Once in, Anakin shut down his ships engines and opened the top hatch. He jumped down from the cockpit and made his way over to a life. Anakin closed his eyes and the building's familiar scent began to awaken happier memories, of secret trips from the temple to visit a certain senator. These thoughts made his blood rush with a much different energy then it had been of late. Anakin forced his eyes open. He couldn't think of Padme right now. He knew it would break any and all of his concentration. He took a deep breath to clear his mind and entered a lift. Anakin's fingers instinctively entered the code for the senate's main audience chamber. In doing so Anakin realized just how often he'd accompanied Palpatine to this place during his life. The lift rose quickly and Anakin had barely gotten his thoughts in motion before the lift doors opened once more. No sooner had he stepped out before Anakin was tempted to turn back around and leave everything behind. The memories of pledging himself to the darkside and discarding everything he held dear began to suffocate him. But that last remaining darkness in him was but a flickering flame and was easily snuffed out by the overpowering lightside now raging within him again. Anakin, instead, quickened his pace and took long strides down the corridor. The urgency to warn everyone in this place was now greater than his own fear. He watched the sun from the windows dance by in a blur as his eyes scanned for the right door. After a minute or less of searching, Anakin came to it. Pressing the lock pad without hesitation he entered the room.
He froze for a moment as hundreds of nearby senators all turned to him. Anakin however was no longer concerned or afraid; he would do whatever it took to get back to the ones the loved. As his eyes locked into the center of the room, Anakin's face washed over with pure shock.
What is he doing here! Anakin asked himself, as his eyes registered the ring leader. Palpatine was no where to be found.
He's not suppose to be here! Anakin took only a minute to piece together his confusion and realized where Palpatine must be. However, only one thing could register in his mind.
Obi-Wan!
Obi-Wan had taken the coordinate given to him by Anakin and plugged them into his ship's computer. As the ship flew, Obi-Wan noticed he was taken farther and farther away from the main parts of the city and eventually wound up in a deteriorated part of Coruscant's underbelly. Obi-Wan told himself time and again not to worry about Anakin, that his apprentice would face Palpatine and win. After all that was is destiny…wasn't it? The Master just could seem to convince himself. He supposed it was all those years he'd spent treating Anakin as only the "chosen one', instead of seeing the boy who had desperately needed his praise and concern. He couldn't help but doubt anything having to do with a chosen one or prophecy anymore, all he wanted was to be there for the boy.
Obi-Wan reached the end of his fears and doubts only to hear his ship's system alert him that he'd arrived at his destination, wherever that was. He remembered that Anakin had told him Dooku was no doubt there, finishing to tie up any loose ends that could be linked back to Palpatine. Obi-Wan sighed at the thought. He still couldn't believe how blind everyone had been to have led them to this point. He shook his head as he landed his starship and exited the cockpit, he couldn't wait for this day to be over.
The building was dark and smelt of rust and oil. The walls were corroded and the dull light from Coruscant's artificial sun filtered in through the holes of the walls that had been made during the decaying process, which only furthered to create a depressing setting. Obi-Wan walked over to a lift and pressed a panel, to his surprise the lift worked! It slowly slid down to him. However, to his equal dismay the lift made a mind piercing screeching noise as it did so.
Well, if Dooku didn't know someone was here. He does now. Obi-Wan thought, releasing his cringed expression as the lift stopped. The wearied Master shrugged helplessly and entered the lift. No point in taking the stairs now. He admitted in slight frustration. Obi-Wan pressed a button on the panel, seemingly to be the only one in operation…or at least having been used recently. This one would definitely take him to whatever floor Palpatine's main computer was on…..he hoped.
The sliding doors opened again to reveal a long hallway with numerous branching corridors. The appearance in the upper part of the building was similar to that of the below. The only difference was that the corroded parts that allowed light to filter through acted like a lighting system allowing Obi-Wan see, rather then walk blind. He walked down the hallways looking around, trying to be as invisible as possible.
The Jedi reached out with the force trying to sense anything that would suggest a working system of any sorts. Suddenly Obi-Wan's instincts clenched his awareness. Someone was here! He was immediately filled with a great darkness that made Obi-Wan sick to his stomach within seconds. This feeling was 100 times worse than any of the evil Anakin had ever possessed. Much to Obi-Wan's disappointment he also sensed a great mass of electronics resonating from where the evil originated. With a quick review of his luck, Obi-Wan knew that those electronics to be the computer he was searching for. Obi-Wan summoned the force around him, trying to block out as much of the darkness as possibly, and pressed the key-pad for the door. The metal doors slid open with some difficulty and Obi-Wan entered the room, every nerve on alert.
The room matched the look of the rest of the building, with it's corroded walls and grey color scheme. It was almost completely empty save for the large power generator that stood next to a desk which presented a computer on it. However, all of this faded from Obi-Wan as a terror registered in his mind, a terror created by the sight of the man sitting behind the desk.
"Palpatine." He said, voice low and intimidating. Obi-Wan was confused, afraid, and alone but this was the man who'd tried to steal his 'son' from him. That was something he knew would have to be avenged. Though, despite what Anakin had told him about the chancellor there was still a small part that still hoped it wasn't true, that maybe had been lied to by a different darklord.
The Jedi master noticed the complete shock that flashed across the older man's face, but as quickly as it was there it was gone again, covered up with a mask of pure malice. It was in this instant that Obi-Wan knew everything Anakin had said was a fact and there was no hope. Palpatine, the entire known world's leader, was a Sith.
Obi-Wan activated his saber and the blue blade cut through the darkness that had begun to swallow him.
"Master Kenobi. Thank the force you arrived." Sidious said, beginning to weave his lies.
"Don't play Palpatine. You are under arrest for conspiracy against the republic. You are to be detained until a trial can be conducted where you will no doubt be found guilty and executed." Obi-Wan had finished his statement before he'd even realized he'd begun and was left just staring intently at the man. Palpatine however laughed in a dark and hoarse volume, all pleasantries gone.
"Stupid Jedi. I don't know how you survived the battle with my apprentice." Sidious found it pleasing to emphasize his possession of Anakin. "But now you will die and my plans will continue. You are too late, as we speak the last of the galactic senators are about to meet an untimely death that I will be force to blame on the Jedi. You will all be outlaws in this galaxy and I will purge you from this lifetime and any here after." A grotesque grin covered the face that Obi-Wan no longer felt he could look at.
"Actually…" Obi-Wan began. "The only reason I survived was because of Anakin." He informed the dark man. "He saved me." That response sent Palpatine reeling and he tried not to let his anger and disbelief of that statement show.
"Oh you think so do you?" Palpatine countered smugly. "Well, what if I told you that I'm the one who instructed Anakin to go back with you? I needed my apprentice back within the temple so that my plans could continue." The Sith announced with his ever present grace of manipulation. But Obi-Wan was far passed the whole wide web of drama that Palpatine had spread over this entire situation.
"Then I'd tell you that your desperation must be great for you to actually think that I'd believe that." The Jedi Master said with a confidant smirk, or at least the attempts of one. "I've spent too much time doubting Anakin already and almost lost him to you once. It will not happen again." He assured the Sith. "Besides, your 'highness' the Jedi have judged Anakin themselves." Obi-Wan informed him, almost wincing at the memory of that whole incident. "He's not yours any longer. He's a Jedi through and through. You and your plans are over. Anakin is seeing to the senate as we speak." Palpatine was on the verge of the loss of all self control at this point and Obi-Wan watched the Sith wrestle with all of this as the rage grew behind his eyes.
"Well, then at least I'll get the satisfaction of killing you, before I go and correct this rather egregious error you damned Jedi have caused!" Obi-Wan barely had time to raise his saber before blue lightening streaked across the room. But it was too late, the master felt his muscles slacken against the overload coursing through him and his head began to swim.
" Ah! Young Skywalker, how nice of you to come." A deep voice announced, bringing all eyes focusing on him. Anakin tried to seem casual…or even composed, but he doubted it came across very well.
"Dooku…" Anakin replied, his voice was monotone and he nodded to the man. Nervous and unsure, the Jedi stepped onto a single hover pad and ascended towards the center of the thousand seated room. As he did so the heads of the senators all turned in outrage. For the last any of them had heard Anakin had betrayed the republic. "Dooku, where is Palpatine." Anakin inquired, attempting to be as angry or 'evil' as humanly possible. Tyranus looked at him.
"He took it upon himself to destroy the base and the evidence." Tyranus answered, ignoring Anakin's tone. "Now let me finish." The count demanded, obviously not liking Skywalker's arrival. Anakin figured Dooku must have thought that Palpatine had sent him here to 'oversee' him, Dooku clearly didn't like that idea. Anakin didn't reply, just allowed his platform to drift away from Dooku's, Tyranus would no doubt be a little more than upset after what Anakin was planning to pull. Anakin's thoughts had a very sarcastic edge to them despite the seriousness of the situation, of course that just let him know he was returning to normal.
"Senators!" Dooku's voice rang out through the room. "Not only has your great Chancellor been able to create an agreement between me and my factions, but also between the one's you call the 'Sith'. We have all returned to serve the republic!" An excited stir began in each seat around the room. "But there are those who would deny this! The Jedi, who say they serve you, it is they that have suggested that you refuse this alliance. They have told us that peace is no longer the prospect that they hold dear, they wish vengeance for these Clone Wars. They wish to control the republic themselves!" Anakin listened as the happy tones of the senators quickly changed to angry growls that grew louder with each moment. But what was more than that, Anakin couldn't believe the lies he was hearing! Is this what he'd sounded like when he fought Obi-Wan? Was Dooku really was willing to ruin people's lives to get the power he craved? When Anakin considered that he might have become like Dooku all he had to do was remember the reasons he'd wanted to be a Jedi, to help people, to make his mom proud, to have a better life than that which was given to him. When he thought of the utter absurdity of all this, Anakin just worked faster. As Dooku continued his speech, Anakin went swiftly to work within his computer screen he switched power to his speakers and connected it to the speakers where Dooku stood. The young knight took a deep breath.
"So, as you can s--" The speakers where Dooku was suddenly switched off and the Sith began to search frantically for the source of the error, a source instantly discovered when Anakin began speaking.
"Senators! Please, do not believe his lies!" Any noise within the room had suddenly vanished and confused expressions washed over the faces of everyone. Anakin's eyes briefly caught Dooku's, who looked like he was ready to commit mass homicide, most definitely starting with Anakin.
"What are you talking about, Skywalker?" One senator interjected in irritation.
"There isn't any time to explain. But your lives are all in danger here. This place has been rigged to destroy you all!." Any seriousness that the senators might have held for this discussion disappeared.
"This is outrageous! Lord Dooku, what is this all about?" That was about the equivalent of all the translations going through the room. However, Dooku still had no system operation and while the others were working on it, Tyranus was attempting to rip Anakin from the platform with the force. But Anakin was more than powerful enough to block the attempts for now.
"Please, listen" Anakin pleaded. "There is a mass conspiracy going on here and Dooku is a part of this! They plan to destroy you all and blame the Jedi for it!" Anakin stated bluntly. "If you don't believe me then at least believe that without the Jedi and you here to represent the galaxy, all the major worlds would be defenseless against the Separatist's." He explained. "And why isn't Palpatine here?" Anakin pointed out. "It's because they're all working together! You are all in danger." Suddenly a cautious and more alert feeling spread through the room.
"Mesa believe!" A certain gungan from Naboo called out. "Jedi Skywalker saved not just my people but my entire planet." He added, his speech severely improved. "If he says we're in danger then we are!"
"Thank you Jar-Jar." Skywalker said in a relieved whisper to himself.
"Agreed. Something isn't right here." This time it was Bail Organa that spoke. "I have worked with the Jedi on many occasions and never could I believe that they were capable of anything this deceitful." Bail's words held a much higher effect on the others. He was a well respected and prominent figure, if he would follow so would many others. Just then Jedi appeared in the entrances around the whole area, lightsabers in hand.
"Come senators." Yoda's voice was no doubt amplified by the force to be heard throughout the arena. "Leave quickly you must. You're lives, depend on it, they do." That was all the incentive the rather spineless senators needed to begin powering down their platforms and exiting quickly. Sano Sauro and the other supporters of Palpatine would've made complaints against these accusations, but the truth of the matter of it was that none of them doubted for a minute that the Supreme Chancellor would kill them all to keep them from talking. Anakin was so relieved that things had gone so well that he'd forgotten all about Dooku. Anakin turned back to the center to see that Tyranus was already gone.
Damnit. The young man cursed as he scanned the area. But Dooku's force presence easily stood out against all the lightsiders within the room and Anakin caught the count's dark presence just as he exited through one of the higher levels. Anakin quickly piloted his own platform back to the side and leapt off. He took off in a sprint, determined to stop Dooku once and for all.
Anakin followed Dooku's presence through the crowds of people that were trying to exit the building. His heart raced at the through of loosing Dooku now. Anakin saw stopping Dooku as part of putting his own weakness behind him forever, he couldn't let Dooku live to continue his treachery. With that thought Anakin suddenly felt himself closing in on the Sith and knew that Dooku must have stopped in one of the hangers that lie directly in front of him. Anakin darted into the room that pulsed the strongest and saw the door to a flight of stairs swing closed. Still running, Anakin bolted into the stairwell and continued his pursuit. Within moments Anakin had reached the top and swung the door open, igniting his saber at the same time. His face was hit by a gust of cold air followed by the stinging of icy rain. It had started drizzling when Anakin had first arrived and since then had turned into a torrential downpour. He looked around trying searching for Dooku, but all he could make out was the outline of a ship and the spray of the rain as it beat against the durasteel rooftop.
As the rain began to soak his clothing Anakin had almost been convinced that Dooku had gotten away once more. When completely caught off-guard, Anakin heard a familiar sound and did a 180. There, not 4 meters away was a dark outline of a humanoid with a red beam jutting from one hand. Both blades hissed as steam rose from them, caused by the falling rain. Anakin watched as Dooku came forward, he came so close Anakin could see the water dripping from his white beard and the fire in his eyes. The Jedi tightened his hold on the saber in his metallic grip, remembering the searing pain, both physical and mental, that this man had left on him. For the longest time he'd wanted his revenge and when he had worked with Palpatine he had been unable to act on it even then. Now, Anakin just wanted to be rid of this man forever, not for any selfish purposes…he just wanted to be able to start over. As Anakin's eyes locked with the Sith's a disappointed, yet mocking, sound emerged from Dooku's lips as he shook his head.
"You turned back to the light. How very pathetic I told our master that I was the only one he needed but the idea of the "Chosen One" becoming his lap dog was too tantalizing an idea. Perhaps now he sees his failure and how useless you truly are." Dooku snickered. Anakin didn't reply to the insult. Instead, both of them began their circling, each measuring the other, waiting for a chance to attack. Anakin could feel the impending battle surge in the air around them. He grinned sarcastically back at Dooku. For some reason nothing the old man said could anger him any longer, he was above that. It was in that moment that Anakin might have actually taken his first step in becoming the Jedi that he was always meant to be. Anakin brushed his dirty blond hair out of his blue eyes, that were now lit with an excitement. Battles that Anakin had remembered of late had always been serious, especially in the Clone Wars. But he'd always been able to make it enjoyable, whether he was leading the troops or fighting side by side with Obi-Wan. When he'd slipped to the darkside that fun he always had became less and less. But now, in the moment, Anakin found he was excited for the battle.
"Ahh, Dooku, how very blind you are." Anakin informed him with a nonchalant tone. "Not only was Palpatine not in need of you, but if it weren't for me you would've been blown up along with everyone inside this building we're standing on top of!" The man told him, his tone taking on a sardonic edge. As lighting flashed overhead, Anakin saw Dooku struggle with the new thoughts he'd just planted in his head. "That's right. Darth Sidious, your master, was going to leave you die along with all the other 'worthless' pawns, taking care of two liabilities at once." Anakin gave an indifferent shrug. "And four days ago I probably wouldn't have cared either way what happened, but not now." A daring edge lit in Anakin's eyes. Dooku glanced at Anakin a hint of evil amusement lining his features, replacing the shock of betrayal that had begun to set in.
"Does that mean you plan to fight me?" Dooku asked, his voice tried to hide the excitement at the idea. "You honestly think you can beat me? Without your anger?" Dooku smirked, at the vision of ridding the world of Anakin Skywalker was not an unpleasant one.
"I don't think." Anakin remarked. "I know it!" Without another moment's hesitation, the Jedi lunged, crossing the remaining few feet between them in an instant. The past few weeks pain and hardships faded away as Anakin felt the force flow more peacefully through him, more clearly, than it had in a long time. His minded melded into the battle, immersed in the sense that he was finally doing the right thing. Strengthened by that notion, he matched Dooku's blade blow for blow. Blue met red with the continual hiss and crackle as the steam from the rain rolled upward to the sky. Both men predicted the others step in a long an intricate dance that would seem all but a blur to anyone watching on the side. Dooku was more experienced knowing all the forms of saber use and force application. But Anakin was far younger, giving him better speed and strength and not without his own experience. Besides, Anakin's blood, which was filled primarily with medichlorians, fused together during battle becoming like liquid force that pulsed beneath his skin, as it did now.
Anakin dodged an underhanded swing of the red saber just to sense another swing coming from above. The young man rose his hand swiftly and felt his blade lurch back as it caught the downward press. Anakin locked eyes with Dooku's once more, his own piercing blue eyes flickering with an icy fire that matched his opponent's twisted yellow/red. They stayed this way, pushing back and forth, feeling the growing forces of light and dark gather. Time seemed to stand still and Anakin no longer felt the chill of the wind and rain against him. Then, as if time itself had slowed down just for him, Anakin could see the way Dooku was going to move before the Sith himself did. Without hesitation Anakin twisted himself around, dancing harmlessly out of the way of Dooku's blade and swung in own blue one up catching the Sith under his still swinging arm. And in a moment the battle was over, Dooku's blade skidded across the roof, his lower arm still attached to it. The enraged man spun on the Jedi, but Anakin was too quick and the length of Anakin's blade ran easily through the center of the man's body. Anakin stood silently for a moment watching the rage and life drain from the older man's eyes and he was almost certain he saw a kind of peaceful and thankful expression written on his face. Then, Anakin retracted his blade and the lifeless form of Count Dooku slid to the ground. If there had been any time at all, Anakin might have stopped to truly absorb what had just happened. But the only thing that he could think about right now was getting to Obi-Wan. For some reason he just had this horrible feeling settling within him, striking at his very core. Anakin ran to the ship, that had no doubt been Dooku's and wasted no time getting strapped in and firing up the engines. As the ship rose into the sky Anakin took a deep breath. Just one more thing to do, then it would all be over. This living nightmare could be put to rest then Anakin could begin to put his life back together.
Obi-Wan grasped his saber once again and he managed to crawl across the floor. He'd lost all sense of anything and it was taking everything he had just to stay conscious. He couldn't be sure how long he'd been here or how many time's he'd been blasted by that force forsaken lightening. He couldn't feel anything, save the burning sensation of death that now lingered in every fiber of his being. Obi-Wan stood, though how he wasn't sure, and he stared at Sidious with a determined and blurred vision. Even with little or no sight, Obi-Wan could sense the victorious emotions seeping from the dark form in front of him.
"Give into it Jedi. Let go of your anger, your hatred. Let it flow freely through you." Obi-Wan felt a nudge in his back of his mind. A longing for the pain to stop grasped at his thoughts and begged for relief. Obi-Wan clenched his hand around his saber and prepared to strike out with all his pent up rage. But before he could it was his mind that lunged out with a quick and commanding 'NO!'. Obi-Wan's mental focus returned
Is this what he did to Anakin? The horrified thought of what he almost gave into gave Obi-Wan a shocking wake up call.
"Ah…" Sidious remarked closing his eyes. "I can feel your hatred. Strike now with all of your anger." Obi-Wan struggled against that notion, it sounded so tempting, so right! Then, as if from the force itself, a mental soothing entered him and he closed his eyes, allowing the feeling to warm and heal him.
When Obi-Wan opened his eyes again he half flinched as he realized he was about to be hit with another paralyzing wave of electricity, but he did not raise his saber. He would not strike out in anger, the Sith would never claim him. His loyalty lied with the Jedi only. Obi-Wan let the saber slip from his grasp and threw a determined look in Palpatine's direction. The scowl that washed over Sidious' face was followed by a hiss.
"So be it..jedi!" The Lord extended his hands and all Obi-Wan could do was brace himself for the pain that was imminent. The crackling blue lightening flowed from the Sith's hands and struck out towards the Jedi. Seconds passed, then moments, nothing. Obi-Wan opened his eyes to see the lightening deflected by some invisible wall and ricocheted back instead, piercing the body of the user. Sidious gave a shriek of anguish and confusion as the blue waves ended leaving the Sith struggling for breath. Obi-Wan glanced about, searching for an explanation, and finally turned behind him. There, standing in the doorway, was Anakin Skywalker wearing a completely relieved expression. But the weariness in the ginger haired man's appearance did not escape the younger Jedi.
"Master!" Anakin went quickly to his mentor's side. "Are you going to be alright?" His tone full of concern. Obi-Wan nodded and let Anakin drape one of his arms over his apprentice's neck while Anakin hoisted him up with one of his arms around Obi-Wan's waist. Anakin carefully led his master over to a chair that was close to the exit and sat him down gently. Once he was sure that Obi-Wan would be fine, Anakin turned his attention back to Sidious.
"My apprentice." The shriveled man said softly. "Come to me." The Sith's voice was laden with persuasion, Sidious still believed that Vader could return. Anakin held his saber down at his side and began walking slowly, his face devoid of all emotion. Obi-Wan tried to reach out to Anakin, to stop him, he didn't want his apprentice anywhere near that creature. But he was far too weak to stop him. Sidious smiled as Anakin began making his way to him. "That's right…good." Palpatine praised him. "You know what must be done." He instructed, to keep Anakin coming. Finally, completely in front of him, Anakin knelt down. "Come Vader." He said in a weak and helpless voice. "Take your place at my side once again. It is the only way to save Padme. It is ---- " Sidious suddenly lost all ability to speak and his began dimming with the loss of life. The Sith Lord glanced down to see the beam of blue piercing his torso. The dark man glanced back up, meeting the true depths of Anakin's blue eyes.
"Yeah, I know, I know. It's my destiny." Anakin finished the statement in an exasperated tone. "News flash, Padme's alive…and pregnant and my name is Anakin." He informed the man. "I didn't like the destiny you dealt, so I decided to rewrite the story." The redeemed Jedi stood then and he watched as Palpatine gasped for the air that his damaged lungs could no long hold. Finally, the Sith fell limp and his life force faded from existence. As Anakin stood there just looking at the body, he felt a lasting peace settle in his soul. Only when Anakin was sure that the darkness surrounding Sidious had faded for good did Anakin go back to where Obi-Wan sat. Anakin lifted his master once more from the chair.
"Come master let's go home." Anakin said, his energy suddenly drained. Obi-Wan limped along side and sighed in agreement.
"You know Anakin. I'm very proud of you." Anakin smiled in quiet appreciation and he let the emotions fill him, but he didn't respond. He didn't have to, the expression on his face spoke better than his words ever could. The pair, battered and bruised, helped each other as they made their way towards Anakin's transport.
--By the force...I think that might be the longest chapter out of them all...at the very least rivaling the first one...O.O'''' Okay...Next Chapter: Obi-Wan recovers from his injuries and Anakin gets his first good news! --
