Chapter 2 – Fight to the Death

Author's Note: Yes, Obi-Wan is having a hard time. So is Anakin. Get used to it. ^-^

WARNING: Family members hurting each other, if that needs a warning. :)

~ Amina Gila

Anakin knows something is wrong. It... he doesn't understand. If they want him to destroy the Sith, how is he supposed to do that if he's being kept out of the fight? And that's all they've ever wanted him for.

He doesn't understand, and a dark part of his mind wonders if Palpatine was right that the Jedi are planning something. Planning treason. He can't imagine what would make them do that though.

But if they are, Palpatine might die. Maybe. Anakin can't let that happen. He – he's the only one who might be able to save Padme. He already said as much, and Anakin can't let her die. He can't let her and their child die. They're his future. They are the future.

And he won't stand by and do nothing as another one of his family members dies. He failed his mother, and he promised her he would never do that again. He won't. Desperation claws at him, leaving him hopelessly torn. He has no idea what to do. He's supposed to wait here, but anything could be happening at the Senate right now.

Obi-Wan is there, fighting off the Sith Lord behind everything with only Windu and Kolar for backup. Something could just as easily happen to him. Obi-Wan lost to Dooku, and this is Dooku's master – presumably – and... A chilling fear claws at Anakin. He can't let Obi-Wan get hurt, either.

It's enough that Padme and his child's lives are in danger right now. He can't handle that for every single one of the people he cares for, except Ahsoka.

He should be there helping. (He needs to make sure they aren't planning to kill Palpatine.) The sun is slowly setting, the room starting to darken, and something about it feels like it's... setting on something else too.

Everything is supposed to be over but the feeling of dread consuming him is only getting worse.

But if he leaves, he'll be disobeying Master Windu and Obi-Wan, and what if he does need to be here for an important reason?

"You know, don't you," Palpatine's voice says, through his bond – the bond he can only now feel. The Chancellor is no longer shielding himself, and his presence is so, so dark. Anakin can feel the strength it holds, and if he's being honest, it frightens him. It also angers him to know that this was his friend, and he betrayed him. "If the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost."

No, he can't let that happen. But that's – that's what the Jedi went to do, isn't it? Palpatine is a Sith, and he needs to be stopped. But killing him is treason, and – Anakin needs him alive, too.

He can't just keep sitting here. Either way, someone in his family will die, and he can't let that happen.

It's a choice, one final time. Either he can let the Jedi commit treason and be complicit in it – because he has a very, very strong feel that's exactly what's happening; it's been too long otherwise – or he can go there and stop them and ensure Padme (and Obi-Wan) have a chance at survival. She can't die, not now. The war is so close to ending, and that's what she wanted to see. She may yet have the chance to see the Republic changing and... becoming what she wanted. And their child... she – or is it he? – can still be born and live.

He can't lose them, any of them.

The fear finally throws Anakin into motion, and he runs from the Council chambers, right into two Temple guards.

They don't say anything to him, but something about them just... He doesn't know. It feels wrong. They're watching him, and he can feel their suspicion, and he doesn't understand it.

Something is definitely not right here. And it makes him wonder again if Palpatine is right – if the Jedi are planning treason, and he's the only one who doesn't know about it. It doesn't make sense, but... He's going to find out the truth of it all as soon as he gets to the Senate.

The ride is practically agonizing, because he knows every minute that he wastes here is putting everyone in his family in danger. Obi-Wan is there fighting a Sith, and if the Jedi kill Palpatine, the rest of his family will die.

Anakin lands the fighter, running through the halls to Palpatine's office, heart pounding. If he's a moment too late –

He doesn't see Kolar anywhere, but Anakin's blood runs cold when he sees Obi-Wan lying not far off, motionless. He's alive, but unconsciousness. Anakin darts to his side instantly, kneeling next to him, checking him over frantically. He's not hurt that badly; nothing permanent even, but he doesn't dare breathe a sigh of relief.

He can hear the sound of lightsabers clashing from further in the office. Windu and Palpatine are fighting furiously, right near the large window.

Anakin skids to a stop in front of them, looking between them desperately. He needs to intervene, but –

Windu knocks Palpatine to the floor, his lightsaber falling from his hand. Palpatine scrambles away, back to the ledge of the window, as the Jedi Master stalks closer, leveling the blade inches from his throat. Something twists in him at the sight of it. "You are under arrest, my lord," Windu spits.

"Anakin!" Palpatine calls, "I told you it would come to this! The Jedi are taking over!"

Are they? He – he doesn't know what to do. They're just supposed to be arresting Palpatine, but he can't shake the feeling that's not what's about to happen.

Fear is practically consuming him whole, and he can't think clearly past it. He doesn't have a second longer too, either, before Palpatine unleashes a blast of Force-lightning on Windu. Anakin flinches back instinctively at the sight, memories of all the times it was used on him burning through his mind, quite literally.

Windu and Palpatine start yelling at each over who's committing treason, and all he can do is stand there and watch. He doesn't know what to do! All he can do is watch with rising panic and desperation because what can he do?!

Palpatine finally lets up the lightning attack; his face is badly scarred from the lightning, but his eyes are yellow.

"You Sith disease," Windu snarls, "I'm going to end this once and for all."

What –?! "You can't kill him, Master!" Anakin protests desperately, confusion and denial filling him. It's against everything the Jedi believe in, and it's treason, and – "He must stand trial."

"He has too much control of the Senate and the courts. He is too dangerous to be kept alive."

Windu isn't backing down, and Anakin has no idea how to stop him. This is wrong. Isn't it? "It's not the Jedi way," he argues. Palpatine is a Sith, but – And if he dies, any chance he has to save his family will be gone.

"He must live!" Anakin shouts as Windu raises his lightsaber for the kill. Except, it's not only Palpatine – his friend – that's going to die because of this. Padme and their child will, too, and the Republic... "I need him!"

Windu isn't listening. He won't stop. He's going to –

It happens so fast, and so slow at the same time. "No!" Anakin screams. It wasn't even a conscious decision. His raw, blinding panic overwhelms him, and he whips out his lightsaber, the blade slashing off the Jedi Master's hand. Palpatine instantly unleashes a barrage of lighting on Windu, throwing him off the window ledge and out of the building.

Anakin can only watch with rapidly growing horror. He just participated in the death of a Jedi Master, and he doesn't know what he expected but this wasn't supposed to happen.

Anakin stumbles back, lightsaber slipping from his hand and clanking to the floor as shock overwhelms him. "What have I done?" It – he got Windu killed. By turning his blade against the Jedi Master, he turned his back on the Order. In a split second of panic, he chose Palpatine over the Jedi. He got Master Windu killed.

For the first time in his life, Anakin finds he can feel, actually feel Palpatine – Sidious' – presence. It's like a deep, dark hole in the Force, unlike anything he's ever felt before. It's worse than the darkness he felt on even Dooku, and a chill runs down his spine. It's worse knowing that this is his friend.

"You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin," Palpatine says. He's standing again, standing over Anakin in a way that, somehow, reminds him of who truly has the power in this situation. Of – who's in control here. He turned his back on the Order in that split second of desperation, and now he's trapped here, with no way out. With a Sith Lord, who he can't see as the person who was once friend anymore. "Become my apprentice. Learn the ways of the Dark Side."

And, in that moment, Anakin asks himself, what choice does he have? He betrayed the Jedi in a hasty moment of desperation. There is no going back, not from here, not as though there's anything to go back to. They betrayed the Republic. Either he can refuse and die, and let Sidious find his child – he doesn't know about them, does he? – or he can live and... save his family. (But what about Obi-Wan?!)

"I will do whatever you ask," Anakin promises, shakily. It's all he can do to keep his voice mostly level. He hasn't been this terrified, this lost and confused on what he should do since – Never, actually.

"Good," the Sith almost gloats.

"Just help me save Padme's life –" And my child, he adds silently, ducking his head. He's turning his back on everything, and he knows it. He's – he's selling his soul for them, practically selling himself back into slavery. He knows it. It doesn't matter, as long as they're alright. He knows what he's doing, and he hates himself for it. (But he doesn't know what to do about Obi-Wan, who's unconscious only meters away from him. He has to be alright, too. He committed treason, but he's –) "I can't live without her."

"To cheat death is a power only one has achieved, but if we work together, I know we can discover the secret."

He forces himself to look up, then, to meet the Sith's gaze. Slowly, he lowers himself to his knees. It's a position of submission, but he knows it's what's expected of him, and that's all he can do now. "I pledge myself to your teachings. To the ways of the Sith."

"Good, good." He sounds sinister now, every bit of the Sith Lord he is, and all Anakin can do is stare at the floor in front of him, struggling to reign in his fear. He knows what he needs to do now, so he reaches out with the Force, letting the Dark Side flood him. He knows how it feels, but he's never felt it this strongly before. (It's so hard to do, knowing Obi-Wan is right in the room, but what other choice does he have?!) "A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth... Vader."

Vader. The name fits somehow. It resonates with something deep within himself.

Vader, the name his new master gave him. The name that – that reinstates his status as a slave. He was here once, and he's back here again. It angers him, and instead of burying it deep down like he's become so accustomed to, he lets it flood him. "Thank you, my master," Vader says, glancing up at him before looking back at the floor.

Palpatine – no, Sidious steps back, pacing to his desk. "Rise, Darth Vader."

He stands slowly, refusing to look in Obi-Wan's direction. He's – he's a Sith now. He has no idea what to expect, what happens next. He knows how it is to get a new master, and... it feels exactly like that.

He doesn't have to wait long. "Because the Council did not trust you, my young apprentice, I believe you are the only Jedi with no knowledge of this plot. When the Jedi learn what has transpired here, they will kill us, along with all the Senators," Sidious declares.

"I agree. The Jedi's next moves will be against the Senate," Vader agrees. Seeing the lengths to which they were going, intending to take over the Republic, he has little doubt what his... master is saying is the truth. They need to be stopped. Master Windu's actions proved the extents to which the Jedi would go to kill the Sith. And maybe they're not wrong that he's dangerous, but it's still treason.

"Every single Jedi, including your friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is now an enemy of the Republic," the Sith continues, and Anakin's blood runs cold.

He knows Sidious is right, but he can't let him die. He can't. It's worse that Obi-Wan is right here, and that means...

"I understand what he once meant to you," Sidious continues, "But he is now a traitor to the Empire, and he must be dealt with as such."

He knows what Sidious is expecting of him, and no. He can't – Obi-Wan can't be about to die, and definitely never at his hand, no matter what. "I can't hurt him," he protests, heart hammering in his throat; he's going to be sick.

"You must finish this, Lord Vader," Sidious insists, "You cannot allow your feelings to cloud your judgment. You know what is right."

"I can't," he protests again, desperately, even if it was anything else he might have agreed simply out of fear. He doesn't know what Sidious will be like as a master, but he knows arguing with him is a very bad idea, "If – if he's arrested, he won't be a danger."

He can tell Sidious is not happy, and it strikes him in that moment that if he hadn't joined Sidious, he and Obi-Wan both would probably have died. He may have done it for Padme and his child, but he can't back out of this now, either, for Obi-Wan's sake, too, or Sidious will definitely kill him immediately. "We will discuss his fate later. There is no time for this."

Anakin doesn't dare to breathe a sigh of relief. Obi-Wan isn't out of danger yet and Anakin doesn't know when he even will be, but at least he's alive for now. He can try to figure out what to do to keep him that way later.

"We must move quickly. The Jedi are relentless. If they are not all destroyed, it will be civil war without end. First, I want you to go to the Jedi Temple. We will catch them off balance. Do what must be done, Lord Vader. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. Only then will you be strong enough with the Dark Side to save Padme."

Anakin knows what this means, and his every instinct scream at the sheer wrongness of it. He can't help them though. Not anymore. They're the enemy, and they've chosen their faith. They chose to die, when they could have chosen to live and continue to help people and to bring order to the galaxy. Instead, they chose to become what stands in the way of peace. "What about the other Jedi spread across the galaxy?" he asks instead.

"Their betrayal will be dealt with," Sidious replies, which answers little to nothing. He has no idea what that means. "After you have killed all the Jedi in the Temple, go to the Mustafar system. Wipe out Viceroy Gunray and the other Separatist leaders. Once more, the Sith will rule the galaxy, and we shall have peace."

He feels oddly disconnected in a sense when he leaves the office. He doesn't think of the one thing he's spent his life working towards, and how he's going to tear it down. He doesn't think of what he's about to do. He doesn't think of strategies or how he'll go about it

All he can think of is how this is what he has to do. There's no other choice. It's – the Jedi brought this fate on themselves. And it's the only way Anakin will be able to save Padme and his child, and Obi-Wan. Maybe.

The thought of leaving him behind in the office doesn't sit well with him, because he has no idea what Sidious could do to him while he's gone, but there's nothing else Anakin can do. Not anymore.

**w**

When Obi-Wan jolts awake again, he knows it's too late. He can already feel the death tinging the air, the Force crying out from the intensity of it. He felt it once before too, and it was ingrained in his mind forever.

But what stands out most of all is how closed off his bond with Anakin feels, and he knows there's only one explanation for that. It's too late.

Anakin Fell.

Again.

After everything Obi-Wan did to try preventing it this time around, it seems like it happened again anyway, and he doesn't even know why. He was sent back to the past to change things, and he thought, if nothing else, at least he could stop this, even if he didn't know how.

Obi-Wan is being taken somewhere by the Coruscant guard, and he doesn't know why they haven't killed him yet, but he doesn't wait around to find out. It's dangerous, but if he lost Anakin and can't even help defend the Temple, what's the point of him having time traveled to begin with?

His desperation is slowly bleeding into a steadily growing anger. He lived this day once already, the worst day of his life, and he is not going to repeat it all over again. He doesn't know if it's too late already, but if it's not, he can stop Vader once he gets to the Temple.

He's not going to watch him slaughter everything he once cared for again. (But in the end, all he longed for most of all was to stop Anakin's Fall. He won't be able to kill him; he already knows that. But he can still stop him before he gets too far.)

Obi-Wan lashes out with the Force, blasting the clones aside, twisting his hands to the right position that when one of them shoots at him, it goes through the cuffs on his wrists. From there, fighting his way through the rest of them is easy enough – though it would be easier if he was more in practice for this sort of thing.

All Obi-Wan can feel anywhere is the darkness and death in the air; the Force already feels so dark now. It's all he can feel, but he draws on the Force anyway, as he heads back for the Temple as fast as he can.

He can see the clones coming down in gunships already, and it feels like – one of his worst nightmares unfolding in front of him, and there's nothing he can do to stop it. (Actually, his worst nightmares were always about what happened to Anakin. And what's about to happen again... They're going to fight. He knows it. And he's not ready for that, not again.)

So, he prepares in the only way he can. As soon as he gets into the Temple, he gets a few of the other Jedi Masters in position. They can lure A-Vader into a trap, somewhere Obi-Wan will be waiting for him. He's probably not going to see it coming, and he can only hope that will be enough to temporarily overwhelm him.

He beat Vader only days ago, after all. He should be able to do it again. But he brings Force-restraints with him, just in case – there is no way Obi-Wan will be able to stand and watch someone who looks just like Anakin die.

His anger is simmering anyway, as he waits for the others to lure Vader to his position.

He can hear the muffled sound of blaster fire and explosions, as the clones fight their way into the Temple. It's definitely harder than last time, but he can feel people dying everywhere, even as he tries to close himself off to it.

And all of this is because what? Why is Vader helping Sidious, turning his back on everything? Obi-Wan will never understand it. He knew the Jedi were going to fall again, and he was prepared for that, but that doesn't mean it's easy to hear.

All he wants is to have his padawan (his brother, his child) back, and instead...

The sound of lightsabers clashing is drawing closer, and Obi-Wan knows what that means. Vader is almost here. He is not ready for this, but he never will be.

Vader comes into view at the end of the hall, his blue lightsaber clashing against some of the Jedi masters. His hood is pulled up, and he's moving with the same grace and everything that Obi-Wan remembers with such clarity from Anakin. It hurts to see. And it angers him, seeing Vader turning all this against what was once his family.

Obi-Wan pushes a button on the controls with the Force, locking off all the entrances to this part of the Temple. There are no clones here, so they'll be able to fight Vader alone.

Vader is too focused on the fight to notice him coming, or so Obi-Wan can hope. He lashes out with the Force, throwing Vader back. The Sith catches his balance quickly, looking up sharply, shock flitting across his face as his eyes land on Obi-Wan.

The other two Jedi lunge for him instantly, throwing him into motion again, but he seems a little off-balanced at the sudden appearance.

Good.

Obi-Wan runs forwards to join the others, swinging for Vader. Their blades clash for a moment before Vader pulls back, spinning to block the other Jedi as they keep pressing their attacks. This – it's the third time he's fighting him, but it's a little easier than before. Maybe because Obi-Wan's not trying to force himself to finish what he knows he'll never be able to.

If one of the others actually manages to land a lethal blow... then they do (the thought shouldn't make something twist so sharply and painfully in him, but he can't keep ignoring that it does) but more than likely, that won't happen. Vader is plainly too good, especially now that he's practically fighting for his own life.

Obi-Wan tunes out all the death he can feel beyond these halls, focusing everything on the fight. Vader is on the defensive now, but it probably won't last. A Force wave catches Obi-Wan, throwing him back, and Vader lunges for one of the other Jedi, stabbing him.

Something snaps in him at the sight – seeing Anakin do it once before on hologram was bad enough; seeing it in person a second time over is something completely different. His anger burns furiously, and it fuels him, as he charges Vader again.

Their blades clash in a furious blur of blue, and Obi-Wan can't deny the faintest hint of uneasiness as he presses his attacks. Vader isn't hindered by his injuries, so the only way to stop him will be –

And this isn't a fight he can afford to lose. He's not going to fail everything again. Something in him cries in protest, but there's an equally strong part of him that... doesn't mind hurting him, not if it's necessary.

Vader stabs the other Jedi, and their blades clash into a brief saber lock, before Vader shoves him back, taking a step away, breathing hard. He looks...

Obi-Wan doesn't take the time to analyze it, stealing himself to finish this.

"Master –" Vader starts.

As though he hasn't just used that title on a Sith Lord. As though he isn't slaughtering the very people who were once both of their families. "Don't call me that," Obi-Wan snaps icily, "When you don't mean it."

The look that flashes across his face is hurt, almost. Maybe. Obi-Wan doesn't bother to consider it, because it really doesn't matter, lunging forwards.

Vader's fighting seems slightly sloppier, though, and Obi-Wan doesn't hesitate to take advantage of it. Cutting down sharply – Vader's lightsaber comes dangerously close to burning him, but he ignores it – stabbing the blade into his right side which he'd left momentarily unshielded. He pulls back just as quickly, before the blade can go too deep.

A strangled sound escapes Vader, and he staggers back, landing most unceremoniously on the floor on his knees, lightsaber falling from his hand. His hand moves instinctively to touch the wound, his face tensed in pain.

Mustafar flashes through Obi-Wan's eyes, something twisting painfully in him at the sight of Anakin on the floor in front of him like this – again, even if nowhere near as bad. Part of him wants to go to his side instantly, to help him, but he suppresses it just as quickly.

He's not Anakin, and Obi-Wan needs to remember that. Even if he was, he's still dangerous for now, and Obi-Wan can't let his guard down.

Vader looks up at him, gasping quietly, an odd mixture of fear and pain on his face, and it reminds Obi-Wan so eerily of how Vader looked at him on Mustafar.

Obi-Wan steps closer, pulling out the Force-restraints, and Vader flinches back ever so slightly when he reaches for him. He's mildly surprised when Vader doesn't put up much resistance as he snaps the binders on his wrists, unless he's just in too much pain. That's unlikely, though.

He tries to ignore the flare of something that it makes him feel, or how... jarring it is to be touching Anakin – not Anakin – again, even if it's merely out of necessity. He leans closer, pausing to check the lightsaber wound. It's burned closed for now, but it will need to be treated. It didn't go in far, but it was enough to put him out of action, and which is... good.

He doubts he'll be able to walk though.

Obi-Wan stands, scanning the hall. He can hear the distant sound of blaster fire coming closer. He needs to hurry, if he's going to get Vader out of here before the clones find them. (Or worse, Sidious.) He's not leaving Sidious with the Chosen One as an apprentice again.

It's time to get moving.

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