Into the Shadow
Chapter Seven: Darth Obsidian
Anakin tried to look as casual as possible, considering the fact that he was desperately trying to find his wife and children. The way that he had acted towards the Sith guard had shocked even him. His dark side had not completely diminished, and he found himself glad of that, for by tapping into the dark side, he was able to quickly dispatch of the Sith guard.
"I know that I'm close; I can feel it," he thought to himself. He knew that Padmé wasn't far away.
He made his way to the far end of the cell block; Padmé had to be there somewhere; for he soon realized that they separated the prisoners based on gender. But he didn't know where to begin to look for Padmé. There had to be at least a hundred cells which were all closed off by doors with slits under them only big enough to feed them.
Anakin knew that time was precious and it wasn't on his side. Then a plan occurred to him. While trying to find Padmé, he could create an uproar to buy them enough time to escape. He looked around anxiously; there were hardly any Sith around at the time.
Anakin knew that he had to make his move—even if it killed him. Without giving it a further thought, He used the Force to open up two of the cell block doors. Two wild looking women emerged, and the Sith immediately drew their weapons. Anakin saw a few speaking into their com-links, and two were making their way towards him with their weapons drawn.
Anakin sized up his opponents and attacked them with such fury that they, being Sith, had never seen. Anakin stood between both of them; his crimson lightsaber ignited.
He used the Force jump to side flip behind the one who was on his left; his new lightsaber easily burning the man's back. He stretched out his hand and the fallen Sith's lightsaber lifted into his hand. Before igniting it, he released yet another prisoner. He also saw another Sith lunging toward him with an ignited lightsaber.
He easily countered the attack and dispatched him. The Sith that now stood in his way was a woman; her looks were not spectacular; her hair was brunette and was not far past her shoulders, she kept it in a neat ponytail. her dull grey eyes watched him intently. She had learned from her Master, that in order to defeat your opponent, you must first analyze their style.
After he dispatched the unfortunate Sith, she stood in an attack stance; while she was confused that this supposed Sith was attacking them, she would ask questions later, for it was clear that he was her enemy.
Yet, she wasn't surprised when she sensed the light side of the Force in him; but he wasn't completely light sided, for she sensed the Dark Side as well.
Anakin saw her and immediately held his two lightsabers in an attacking stance.
The woman, whose name was Zorah, was clearly impressed. "It is a shame that I have to kill you," she thought. And then she spoke directly to Anakin. "Whatever you want, you have to get through me first, intruder," as she spoke, her eyes narrowed at him in a way that made a chill run up Anakin's spine.
He guessed that she wasn't an apprentice, but was most likely a Sith Knight. "I will get past you," he said bitterly.
Zorah smiled evilly; "I'd like to see you try."
Anakin kept his expression serious; despite the fact that he was a little intimidated.
Without hesitation, Zorah attacked. She swung deadly strikes as she inched her way toward him; Anakin used the two lightsabers to defend himself; yet her attacks continued to gain speed—and she didn't seem to be tiring. Anakin could hear a lot of ruckus in the room. The prisoners were now freeing each other. He hoped that Padmé would be among those who were freed. Sith also began to enter the room; trying to contain the violence without killing the prisoners, for they al had essential information.
"Anakin!"
Anakin froze for a moment when he heard that voice which he had longed to hear again. It was Padmé.
Yet that moment was enough to put him at a disadvantage. Zorah seized the moment and sliced the hilt of one of his lightsabers in two.
Anakin gritted his teeth in anger and began to get a new strength. He no longer heard Padmé, but she was his motivation. His attacks began to come quicker, shocking Zorah, who thought that she was close to winning. He was finally able to gain enough space from her to lift her in the air and Force Choke her. He knew that Padmé would find the deed horrendous, but she would understand his reason for doing so.
Zorah dropped her lightsaber and began to hold her neck whilst thrashing in vain.
"Anakin, stop!" Padmé cried, running up to them; she had been sidetracked, for the escapees had blocked her view.
Anakin saw Padmé and dropped Zorah. The woman fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
"What are you doing, Anakin?" Padmé said.
"She's a Sith; she deserves to die," Anakin wanted to say; but he knew better. "It was the only way—I had to hurry up and…and get to you and the twins."
"The Twins!" Padmé exclaimed; forgetting about the woman for a moment.
"We have to find them; let's go," Anakin said, grabbing her hand.
Padmé turned back to look at the unfortunate Zorah. "Is she…is she dead?" she asked; feeling guilty for what Anakin had done; she was certain that there was another way to defeat the woman.
Anakin saw the look on Padmé's face; and though he figured that Zorah was either dead or dying, he didn't want Padmé to think that he was returning to his dark habits. "No; she's still alive," he said, not knowing if he was lying or telling the truth. "Now let's find Luke and Leia."
000
Korriban
After over a year of being on a planet that was completely twisted by the Dark Side, Obi-Wan had given in; when Palpatine had arrived, he had done everything in his power to weaken Obi-Wan's will; he had even refused to return to Mustafar—for he so badly wanted to finish what he had begun.
Now the Dark lord of the Sith had finally gotten his wish. Obi-Wan Kenobi was no more; he would now be known as Darth Obsidian.
He didn't even look like Obi-Wan. He looked like a completely different man. His hair was now a dark brown; his eye color changed from blue to a brown which could be mistaken for black; and due to an unfortunate accident involving a cliff and some sharp rocks, and a facial reconstruction procedure ordered by Palpatine, his features had been altered. And Palpatine had used his dark powers to heal Darth Obsidian—the man that would now call him 'Master'.
He had called a trusted Sith to see the final outcome. He wanted Darth Pariah to see the man that had once been a strong Jedi Master.
Siri didn't think it possible for Obi-Wan to be turned into a Sith; this was something that she would have to see with her own eyes. Palpatine had kept Darth Obsidian away from the other Sith; he wanted to work on him alone.
As Siri approached the cave where she was told to meet the Emperor, she had mixed emotions. She also wondered what Palpatine had done to turn the former Jedi Master into a full blown Sith.
"Welcome, Lady Pariah," Palpatine said as he walked out of the cave to greet her. "I am glad that you came at my request; I have completed my task. His transformation is complete."
"This I must see with my own eyes, lord Sidious," Siri said coolly.
A smile crossed his decayed face. "Very well; Darth Obsidian, show yourself!"
In a moments time a man emerged from the cave entrance; Darth Obsidian. As Siri examined him, she saw that he looked nothing like the Obi-Wan which she had known…even his beard was gone.
He wielded a lightsaber, the hilt was larger than normal, and so she instantly knew that it was a dual sided lightsaber.
"I must say that you have changed him completely," Siri said dryly.
"Yes, I know; I am most pleased with my work," Sidious replied.
Darth Obsidian looked somewhat blank; he saw the way that Siri looked at him, and already knew what she was thinking. And then he saw his master; Palpatine looked upon him with such pride. "Obi-Wan Kenobi is no more; I am Darth Obsidian!"
000
Padmé and Anakin rushed through the cell blocks, trying to find their children. They just happened to be passing by a large window, when Anakin and Padme looked out and saw Luke, Leia, and Bail board a ship before they could do so much as try to reach them.
Padmé froze, "No, Anakin! They can't take our children!"
Anakin spotted a small ship not far from the large transport which was carrying their children. "Don't worry; they won't. Not if we can do anything to stop it. Come on, we can catch them in that ship."
Padmé saw it and began to run with Anakin; she knew that they couldn't give up, but what if they were too late?
Anakin felt as though he was dying when he saw his children being carried on the transport, but he knew that he had to be strong for Padmé; for this was their darkest hour.
000
But somewhere in Correlia, Sabé and Felix were sharing that brightest hour together; their wedding ceremony had just ended. Neither could have been happier.
They had already made arrangements to purchase a house on Corellia, and Felix had completely given up Bounty Hunting—all because he loved Sabé.
They had no idea that one of the strongest Jedi in the galaxy had succumbed to the dark side.