A/N - Took a little longer than expected but here it is! Phew this one was a long one...
Thank you all who reviewed or have simply been here to read this story, enjoy!
Anakin was roughly jostled out of his resting state as he felt the familiar lurch of reversion, the stomach-flipping sensation bought on by their vessel falling out of hyperspace. The Jedi had arrived. Anakin didn't need to look out of the viewport to confirm their location as Moraband, he could already feel the dark tendrils pressing on his mind corrupting all in their path. His hand flew subconsciously to where his saber used to hang, in an attempt to recenter himself with the aid of the pure crystal inside. When his hand only hit thin air Anakin remembered that his saber was gone, lost on the ship with Skepaf all those hours ago. The harrowing events of the past seemed like a life time ago now.
He stopped his racing thoughts before he ended up reminiscing over perilous events which he could no longer influence, before he plummeted into a feeling of melancholy. Instead he proceeded to dress into new tunics, his old ones bloodied, torn and singed from their latest adventure. Once ready for battle, minus a saber which he couldn't very well get a hold of without raising questions he was supposed to be resting after all, he headed over to the door and quietly slipped outside. Numerous Jedi rushed past him as the sense of urgency and anxiousness swirled in the force, they were all feeling the effects of the planet down below and were preparing for battle.
Anakin slipped past all of them, drawing as little attention to himself as possible just as Obi-Wan had once shown him. The task was made easier as all of the crew or Jedi he came across were heading in the opposite direction to he, Anakin was headed towards a rendezvous with Siri. The majority of the Jedi would disembark from the main vessel itself, Siri's plan was to take off in one of the smaller ship's docked alongside in an attempt to hide Anakin amongst a throng of first responders.
As he worked his way towards the presence he could now recognise as Siri Tachi's he felt the entire vessel slow in preparation, decreasing to a speed sufficient for planetary entry. The closer they crept the more the planet's expanding darkness clawed and crashed against his shields, desperately attempting to influence his mind and corrupt all within. Anakin was stronger than the darkness, the light was stronger.
He felt Qui-Gon nearby, ready to give guidance when the time was right, Anakin knew it would be soon now. He felt his anxiety's return over the task ahead, the impossibility of the whole thing. He had never heard of anything like this ever being performed but Qui-Gon believed it to be not only possible but also Obi-Wan's only chance. Anakin would do as he and Qui-Gon had practised he would give all of himself and do his duty like any Jedi should.
As they crept closer voices spoke up to add to the battering from the dark, voices from dead Sith long passed into the force and forever trapped on this desolate world. As he saw other's pass by they didn't seem to be hearing what he was, didn't seem to be affected by the darkness as he was. Perhaps it was simply Anakin's inexperience and lack of shielding, something was telling him that it was more than that however. His connection to the force usually being a blessing was now a curse, his sensitivity and permeability to everything allowing the ghosts from the past access. As he neared Siri's position he quashed each and every one of them and he reached out for the grounding presence he so very much missed, his Master.
As he reached out along the still greyed out training bond Anakin prodded and pried at Obi-Wan, hoping he could break through to at least locate the Jedi. He managed a connection for a brief mili-second and staggered at the immense power he felt from Obi-Wan's end, it was mind-boggling. The one second was enough for him to sense Obi-Wan's location, just.
The planet below was steeped in so much darkness, poisoned with levels of unimaginable evil that it was hard for Anakin to keep track of his Master. Amongst all the suffering and corruption there was but one singular light left flickering, one minuscule slither of good fighting ever so valiantly against the crushing darkness. The tiniest remnant of light continually battled against the encroaching end, against the waves of evil threatening to drown him forever, against fate itself.
Anakin reached Siri's side seconds before it happened, mere moments before the fate they had all fought so hard to stop crashed down, before Anakin even had the chance to hear his Master's voice again.
"Obi-Wan…" Anakin and Siri muttered in unison, shocked and grave faces meeting each other as they felt the light dim and finally succumb to the darkness, as they felt the man they both loved disappear from the force, as they felt Obi-Wan give in…
Qui-Gon searched around the familiar surroundings of the gardens, rushed past the raging waterfalls and trickling fountains in his quest to find Obi-Wan. He could feel his Padawan's presence in here, the young man appeared to be hiding. Qui-Gon rocketed towards his wayward apprentice sensing the urgency of the outside world pressing down on even this safe haven, knowing that they had little time before all could be lost.
He spotted Obi-Wan hunched over under one of the many blooming tree's, cradling his arm which still smoked from a painful looking saber wound. His Padawan looked beat, exhausted; worst he looked defeated. The sight stopped Qui-Gon in his tracks, in all his life he had never seen the dejected look of defeat grace Obi-Wan's features, he had never seen him give up completely…
He approached the young man with haste as the sound of sabers clashing broke through into the room again, as the structure shook slightly under the strain. Sidious and Dooku were throwing everything they had at one another, over Obi-Wan's unconscious body. Qui-Gon thanked the force that Dooku had managed to throw Sidious away before the death blow fell, before the damage had become irreversible. As he locked eyes on Obi-Wan's back now though he truly feared that perhaps matters had become unalterable, that fate had made it's mind up. Qui-Gon would not see things end like this, he couldn't.
"Padawan, what are you doing?" He made his presence aware before muttering the question kindly, not wanting to shock his already rattled apprentice.
Obi-Wan didn't even blink in acknowledgment at the query, didn't turn to face the newcomer he only continued to stare resolutely down at the ground. It terrified Qui-Gon how much fire had been dowsed in the passionate man he knew, brought him grief over the loss of life he was witnessing. Obi-Wan had been beaten in every sense of the word, he needed a wake up call. Pronto.
"It's over, Master." When Obi-Wan finally spoke it wasn't much above a whisper, voice void of all emotion as he seemingly accepted his fate. "I wasn't strong enough…"
Qui-Gon dropped down to Obi-Wan's level and gripped his shoulders hard, choking back a sob over the desolate picture before him, willing the stubborn boy he loved to come back to him. Qui-Gon would do anything to see that radiant smile just once more, to hear the rich laughter or even Obi-Wan's dark humour or sarcasm, anything to know that there was still hope.
"Obi-Wan, you must not give up," Qui-Gon implored trying to force his disconsolate apprentice to meet his gaze. "Anakin needs you, they all do."
The statement had some effect even if it wasn't quite the desired one. Obi-Wan's head shot up angrily as his crystal blue eyes sparkled with barely contained rage over the guilt trip, not appreciating Qui-Gon's dirty tactics in the slightest.
"What am I supposed to do?!" He yelled incredulously at Qui-Gon, shoving off the supporting hand hold and leaping to his feet.
Qui-Gon almost fell backward as he heard the over-zealous exclamation aimed at him, felt the fire and passion behind the words. Perhaps all was not lost if he could channel Obi-Wan's emotions in the right direction, if he showed him what he should be fighting for.
Obi-Wan's gaze softened as he saw the effect of his words, as he witnessed the hurt flash across his Master's face. He dropped his head again in regret and proceeded to kick at the ground, perhaps taking his anger at the situation out on it or reasonably just keeping his mind occupied to avoid a disastrous fall into hopelessness again.
"I'm just one Knight…"
They both looked around as the sounds of the duel outside grew louder, as the cackle of Sidious corrupted this once sacred world. Images of the outside seeped through as their shared world succumbed to the sheer power in the dark temple, the structure of the room even started to shake and crumble as Dooku and Sidious kept up their hate filled duel.
Qui-Gon sighed as he moved to join Obi-Wan, thankful that the young man didn't shrug his arm off as he pulled his old Padawan into a sideways hug. Why could Obi-Wan never see himself as he was? Why did the young man always demean his skills, always too humble over his abilities and capability. Here was a Jedi who could accomplish everything and yet he was still blind to it.
"You are far more than that, Obi-Wan, and you know it."
He patted his Padawan's back as he felt the tremors racing through the young man's body, Obi-Wan had been pushed to the limit that much was sure, perhaps over it. Qui-Gon obliterated the thought as counter-productive, he had one goal in mind right now and that was to get Obi-Wan through this ordeal alive.
"Do you really mean that?" Obi-Wan turned and looked at his old Mentor, clearly struggling to hold back the torrent on his ruined emotions.
As Qui-Gon stared down at Obi-Wan he no longer saw an adult, he saw his Padawan as an insecure 13 year old boy who only ever wanted to do right by his Master and teachings. He never told Obi-Wan how much he had achieved after the debacle with Xanatos, he had wrongly assumed that Obi-Wan and his previous apprentice were alike and praise would only lead to the dark side. Obi-Wad had of course dealt with his insecurities and remained humble throughout, it was clear to Qui-Gon now though that scars did remain.
"Of course I do. You are stronger than this, Padawan, you always have been."
Qui-Gon gripped Obi-Wan's shoulders as he stared into the young man's confused eyes, he watched as his old apprentice seemed to struggle with the desire to continue fighting and the weighing truth that he simply could not do this alone. Qui-Gon just had to show Obi-Wan he wasn't alone.
"I'm sorry, Master, but he's too strong, he is far more powerful than anything I have ever faced. I cannot do this alone."
There the words that Qui-Gon was waiting to hear, now he could show his Padawan just how wrong he was. Obi-Wan would not be alone.
"You will never be alone, Obi-Wan, never." He projected the image of Siri and Anakin flying towards the planet, the image of hundreds of Jedi baring down on his position, his family were coming for him.
Obi-Wan looked hopeful, that was until the blazing sounds of sabers and crashing grew louder, as the distant edges of the room collapsed in tremendous crashes to add to the destructive noise. They both knew time was almost up.
"They won't make it in time, I can feel it."
Qui-Gon too felt the truth of Obi-Wan's words in the force, the horrifying truth that his Padawan was supposed to be a casualty of this war. He defied it. Rigorously shaking his head Qui-Gon let it be known to the force and to Obi-Wan that he would not accept such an outcome, not after everything. He could not see Obi-Wan perish when there was so much to live for, not when his death could lead to so much more suffering. Not just for him but for Anakin, who knew how the boy would react if he lost his Master?
"Damn what you can feel, Padawan, I'm telling you you're going to stop Sidious." Obi-Wan's shock over the words was oddly comic, never had Qui-Gon told him to ignore his feelings. "I've changed fate once, don't think I won't do it again."
Obi-Wan shook his head in denial, in pure shock over his Master's dangerous words. Attachments were so perilous for this very reason, when one person refused to let go innocents would suffer. Qui-Gon of course saw this as a necessary action, knowing or more accurately presuming that Obi-Wan's death would cause more suffering than good.
"You can't keep playing with the universe, Master!" Obi-Wan raged as he paced, ignoring the growing destruction of the once peaceful surroundings. "The consequences could be catastrophic."
Qui-Gon didn't flinch at the raised tone, already knowing what his response would be and with the full knowledge that the answer would drive his Padawan crazy.
"I will do what I must, Obi-Wan, and that means keeping you alive."
For a moment it looked as though Obi-Wan was going to explode and lash out at the statement, the fight had left him weary though so he instead resigned to the fact that Qui-Gon's mind would not be changed. He had never once been able to come between Qui-Gon and what he must do, he would have no chance now. His Padawan held his head in his hands in an effort to calm his turbulent emotions, not knowing honestly whether to laugh or cry over Qui-Gon's promise.
Before either of them could initiate a debate the image's from the outside world bled through again, the deadly battle occurring in extremely close proximity to Obi-Wan's body. Obi-Wan watched as Sidious successfully drove the Count back, gaining strength with every near hit. The Sith seemed unstoppable. The ground shook beneath their feet as the shockwaves served to crack more of the room's foundations, rubble fell in a larger quantity now as their shared sanctuary collapsed under the pressure of the outside world. Qui-Gon knew it was time, time for Obi-Wan to go back.
"Obi-Wan, do you trust me?"
A heartbeat, no longer.
"Yes."
Qui-Gon smiled at the swiftness of the answer, the firmness and the resulting afterthought. His Padawan always would.
The images bleeding through grew clearer, the battling sounds serving to drown out the rivers entirely. The room was collapsing faster than ever before, the path which Qui-Gon had raced along earlier completely buried under ruin now. Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan prepared himself to re-enter reality, as he prepared himself for the cruelty of Sidious. There was still doubt so Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan one last hope, a hope which the force warned him was reckless and dangerous. Qui-Gon for once in his life ignored the warnings, the chosen one was not chosen for nothing.
"Padawan, you can do this. Reopen the bond with Anakin, let him in he is destined to help." Qui-Gon couldn't be more specific if he wanted to be, Obi-Wan would only be skeptical and they didn't have the time for it. He would have to fall back on their trust.
Obi-Wan's crinkled brows did not disappoint, he wanted to ask every question of Qui-Gon under the sun perhaps starting with one pertaining his sanity. Qui-Gon silenced each and every one of the queries with one look as he conveyed there was no time for it, reminding his Padawan with another burning look to trust his word.
Obi-Wan nodded in acknowledgement although not understanding what Qui-Gon was planning but knowing that the details did not matter, he trusted the man with his life. He committed to re-enter the real world with at least an open mind, with anew conviction and knowledge that Anakin was almost here. If he had to succeed for anyone it would be for his loyal Padawan, a boy who should not have to go through the agony of losing a Master at such a young age.
Qui-Gon narrowly avoided a plummeting support beam as the room started to fade away, as Obi-Wan started to wake up.
"Remember what you're fighting for," He reminded his Padawan, projecting a single image. The memories of he, Siri, Anakin and the Jedi all merging into one.
Obi-Wan's eyes glistened with tears as he prepared himself for the battle of his life, as he drew on the force to strengthen his hurting limbs just to hold out a little longer. He could do it for the ones he loved, he had to. The room of a thousand fountains turned to dust as he left for the final time, just uttering a final promise to Qui-Gon before the man too disappeared.
"Always."
Obi-Wan's eyes shot open as he felt cold stone beneath his back, felt the pressing darkness on his mind once more and heard the loud manic laugh from Sidious as the Sith Lord pressed Count Dooku back further. Obi-Wan didn't waste a single second, he ruthlessly quashed each and every dark presence invading his mind and re-opened his bond with Anakin, trusting Qui-Gon that this was the right thing to do. He would never forgive himself or his Master if Anakin ended up feeling his pain or his execution, it was the reason he had blocked the boy out in the first place.
As soon as he opened his mind Obi-Wan was thankful that he had not already risen, if he had he was sure the shockwave slamming into him would have floored him all the same. His heart-rate rocketed as he kept the connection open and felt so much light that it blinded everything in the room. Nothing else mattered.
'What is this?' Obi-Wan muttered to himself, confused beyond belief at what he was experiencing.
In all his years as a Jedi he had never felt anything like what he was currently experiencing, he didn't even know how to truly describe it to even know if anything like this had been recorded before. As he opened his mind up to Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan felt as though he never had before. To try and put the experience into words it was like…, well it was like he was the force.
He didn't just feel empowered by the force's currents, he felt as if there were no reason to feel distractions from the real world anymore. The darkness and Sith now looked trivial from his point of view, simply corporeal beings and feelings which had a weakness he could no longer feel, gross matter. He felt as though he were now simply a conduit for the force, a vessel where he and Anakin's force presence's lived. He too recognised Qui-Gon's signature and realised this was what his Master had been referring to, well whatever this was.
Obi-Wan stood tall as he allowed the force to flow through him like never before, to renew his abused muscles and obliterate any aches and wounds. His saber flew into his outstretched hand before he even knew what he was doing, every move was predetermined and completely subconscious, the force was acting through him literally.
As he looked over his surroundings he couldn't shake the feeling that this was what it was to look at the world anew, truly for the first time. Every second he could picture every decision from every action what could have been, what must not be and what would be.
He gazed upon the two Sith duelling and saw clearly for the first time each move and counter-strike. The entire scene slowed as he saw the next assault each man would make before they knew it themselves, he too saw clearly the force surrounding each fighter, black clouds angrily swirling. The fighting seemed rather trivial from this point of view, from the force's point of view.
Obi-Wan saw Dooku's downfall before Sidious even attacked, he absently observed the man flying backwards and writhing under a powerful lightning assault, an attack filled with so much malice that the force surrounding Palpatine actually grew with the hatred. Obi-Wan could see it all now, as clearly as he could see through Sidious. Beneath all that hatred and hunger for power was simply a man with a weakness, the frailty of flesh.
He stepped forward into Sidious' eye-line effectively stopping the brutal attack on Dooku, Obi-Wan absently heard the Count's gasps as the shock set in.
"I thought you were dead already." The old man sneered.
Obi-Wan let the words wash over him as he clipped his saber to his belt, already knowing exactly what the Sith Lord intended to do and seeing clearly how he could be stopped. The Sith snarled at the lack of response before using his arms to send a vigorous force shove towards Obi-Wan, dark energies snapping as they drew closer.
Obi-Wan marvelled as he saw the force head his way, he held up one hand and swiped the darkness away not even breaking a sweat over the action. It had been as simple as swatting away a pesky fly. Sidious' rage bubbled and spilled over as his attack was pushed aside, clearly he had never experienced anyone who matched him in the force's ways. Obi-Wan was not just anyone at this moment though, he was himself, Anakin, Qui-Gon. He was the force. He had never felt so pure in his life, so right.
Sidious' fury stained his next attack as he threw force lightning in Obi-Wan's direction. Obi-Wan could see each and every fork of energy heading towards him in slow-motion as he once again lifted a hand and pushed the assault aside. Not even a spark touched his skin as he left his hand in place to continue the defence. His legs moved for him as he stepped towards the shocked Sith Lord, closing the distance and absorbing the deadly energy before any harm could be caused.
"No," he simply said as the Sith's reserves finally depleted and the walls no longer lit up with blue flashes.
Sidious' reaction was blazing and swift, crimson resonated into the darkness as the Sith gave into his urgings and leapt towards his prey, saber raised high intent on ending his enemy's life once and for all. Usually the force would scream out a warning to avoid destruction, duck left, pivot right. Now though there was not the usual delay between Obi-Wan hearing a command and actually acting it out, now his limbs moved of their own accord before the force even had the chance to warn. It was almost as if he were looking down upon himself or some kind of outer body experience as the combined force presence's duelled with his body, like a puppet on strings.
As the sabers clashed time and time again Obi-Wan's azure weapon gained speed and ferocity at a much faster rate than Sidious', the result of his perfect movements soon had the man in question on the back foot in their deadly altercation and more importantly worried.
"You're just as weak as every Jedi…" The Sith Lord snarled in an attempt to cover up his anxiety.
Obi-Wan found himself smiling at the attempted cover-up, revelling in the fact that Palpatine was ruffled and his saber play was deteriorating due to that fact. He continually picked up the speed of his saber, or from another point of view the force did. Obi-Wan could no longer feel the agony of his injuries or exhaustion from overtaxed muscles, with the development all of those details were now inconsequential. It was at this moment in the midst of battle feeling brighter than he ever had in his life that Obi-Wan truly understood the old saying - 'We are luminous beings, not this gross matter.'
The faults of the body were not slowing or stopping him and he knew they would not until the darkness had been purged, he could feel it. From the growing look of trepidation on the Sith Lord's face so could he.
From the connection in his mind Obi-Wan could sense that Anakin was getting closer by the second, his heart elated when he felt Siri nearing also. She would keep Anakin safe, he trusted her implicitly. As he sensed outwards through the suffering darkness he felt a hundred bright lights, all heading towards hell to obliterate the darkness, the Jedi.
Obi-Wan instigated the next saber block knowing his next words would serve to be the Sith Lord's undoing, they would serve to topple him over the abyss of anger. He leaned in towards the visibly shaking Sith Lord to speak pressing down his advantage on the weakening man, unflinching from the pure hatred he saw in the Chancellor's eyes.
"You can sense them coming too."
It was not a question, more of a confirmation. A fact not an opinion.
Palpatine gritted his teeth as the strain of holding back Obi-Wan started to show, his muscles trembled against the never-ending strength of the light.
"It will not matter, you will be dead long before they arrive," Palpatine spat in his most loathsome tone which did not serve to fool either of them. They both knew how this dance would end and it would be sooner rather than later.
"I will not allow you to spread hatred and fear across this galaxy," Obi-Wan solemnly promised the snarling Sith.
Obi-Wan broke the saber lock and leapt into his familiar form of Ataru, spinning and bounding around the faltering from of Sidious, always staying several steps ahead. Obi-Wan saw his chance as one of the Sith Lord's strikes hit thin air and the elder man was too exhausted to readjust his blade defensively, Obi-Wan saw exactly how he could end this before his mind could even think through it. He simply acted.
Angling his saber down to block the Sith Lord's from striking upwards he grabbed a hold of Sidious' arms and pivoted his own saber upwards quicker than he could blink, taking off the panicked man's hands in the process. The haunted scream that followed was inhumane and served to bring Obi-Wan partly out of his force-induced haze, he started to feel the strength flee from his limbs now that the main danger had passed. Sidious sank to his knees as his saber hilt rolled away into the darkness, deactivated and defeated.
Obi-Wan breathed in heavily as his over-taxed body cried out for oxygen, it was all very well being a luminous being until the fatalities of the flesh caught up with you afterwards. Absently as he held his saber to the enemy's throat he came to the realisation that he had, or rather the force had, triumphed over the most dangerous threat to the galaxy, had defied fate itself. It was a rather dizzying feeling which he started to feel the effects of more rapidly as he felt Anakin and Qui-Gon retreat from his mind. Now everything hurt.
He could sense Ventress nearby and could feel her shock at the sight, a Sith Lord at his mercy. Her shock was trumped entirely by Dooku's however who was still presently grounded and wheezing, the last force attack used upon him having taken it's toll. Obi-Wan ignored them both as he simply enjoyed the moment, savoured the knowledge that this man would never get his hands on Anakin.
Sidious' burning eyes bore into his filled with such loathing and contempt that it was staggering, it didn't shock Obi-Wan in the slightest he had just cut the man's hands off after all! Instead of insults or death threats the Chancellor's next words threw Obi-Wan off guard, he spoke of an ill-assumed victory.
"Even though you have defeated me I have still prevailed false Jedi…" The words were spat like the vilest curse Obi-Wan could think of. "You have given into the darkness and are as corrupted as I am, no Jedi could be that strong without destroying themselves completely."
The rest of the monologue was delivered with an evil grin which spread as the Sith Lord thought his words true, he could not have been further from the truth if he tried.
"You're wrong."
The rebuttal only served to make the Sith Lord cackle madly, believing in his pain-addled mind that Obi-Wan was simply in denial. In truth it was the Sith Lord that was in denial. Obi-Wan could still feel the remnants of the pure force clinging to him so surely Sidious could also.
"Anger, hatred, lust. You believe these emotions give you power, in fact they only serve to imprison you." Obi-Wan crouched down beside the Sith Lord and spoke directly to him, no longer fearful over the very thing he had conquered. "You are imprisoned by the dark side, a slave to it's every whim and your own emotions, a puppet of evil and lost forever in the darkness."
Sidious glared directly at Obi-Wan as he spoke, barely showing outwardly how rattling the words were to him. Everyone in the room could sense the truth behind Obi-Wan's words however, of how much he believed in them.
"Whilst you believe that fear and hatred give you power the truth is they will never last, they seek to drain you. Love and compassion give us long-lasting strength and more importantly a reason to carry on."
As Obi-Wan finished he could feel how much the thoughts had affected the Sith Lord, of course outwardly Sidious did not give away a thing, the loathing mask was in place and Sidious was once again ignorant to his imprisonment. The Sith was far too prideful to show any weakness or even be seen to contemplate any view over than his own.
"You've also given yourself to the darkness, Kenobi, I can feel it. I sensed the great power you wielded, that can only come from one place."
Obi-Wan shook his head whilst chuckling softly realising this agent of evil would never understand what he had just experienced, would never believe how right the light side was. He was too far gone.
"I am and always have been a Jedi serving the light." He heard Ventress gasp at his open confession and felt Anakin's pride in abundance through their bond. "The darkness will never extinguish hope, the light."
Obi-Wan stepped back from the Sith Lord always keeping his saber blade ready for any dirty tactics the elder man would deploy, the look of disgust he received over his speech spoke volumes. Sidious would never believe the truth, the dark already having consumed his soul.
Obi-Wan felt the moment the first Jedi hit the surface of Moraband just as his companions did, Sidious look of disgust morphed into genuine fear so he attempted to push on with his own execution.
"Do it then, or do you not have the stomach for it?"
The mocking query crashed against Obi-Wan and washed straight over, the man's words did not affect him as they used to. As easy as it would be to kill this evil man, as much as it would ensure the galaxies safety, Obi-Wan knew it was not right.
He lowered his blade, mind made up before the question was ever really asked. As he felt the last borrowed strength leave his body and the heavy burden screaming from his damaged limbs he knew his choice was approved.
"Jedi do not kill unarmed prisoners."
The loathing look was back as Sidious realised he would not meet a quick end this way or in fact plant the seeds of darkness within Obi-Wan as a parting gift. Before Obi-Wan could even entertain his next move he found himself sprawled flat on his back meters away, just managing to hold onto his saber as he impacted none too softly with the floor. He gasped as the jolt wracked his frame before moving to jump upwards, knowing he had no defence sprawled on his back.
"No but I will."
His mind absently registered the voice of Ventress as she flew seemingly from the shadows towards the kneeling form of Sidious, duel crimson saber's ablaze. Before Obi-Wan even had the chance to rise again Ventress had reached the Sith Lord's position and swung her blade's in a wide arc. Obi-Wan felt a wave of nausea hit as he found his shaky footing. Sidious' separated head rolled towards his feet his eyes forever set in a state of shock, still burning yellow.
Obi-Wan's stomach rebelled at the sight but he swallowed down the impulse to heave at the merciless act, he had a new threat to deal with and that would have to come before acceptance. Except Ventress had other ideas, puzzlingly she only shot him a dazzling smile before darting out of the room. If Obi-Wan weren't in shock over the new developments he may have been quick enough to chase after her, although he highly doubted it with exhaustion setting in. Ventress had chosen survival over vengeance, no doubt she knew the Jedi were close and she was smart enough to know she could not defeat them all. That only left…
"You!"
…Dooku…
The guttural outraged shriek was accompanied by a wave of power so vicious that Obi-Wan felt his feet leave the ground for the second time in a few moments. As he smashed into the floor and groaned in pain this time his grip could not keep a hold of the saber, hilt going flying as he tumbled backwards under the sustained force attack. After rolling for what felt like hours on end the attack finally ceased and Obi-Wan was finally able to breathe air into his starved emptied lungs. His vision remained dizzied so when Obi-Wan attempted to identify where Dooku was he ended up seeing multiple copies of the Sith Lord, all of them adorned the same loathsome scowl however, the same murderous feelings burning from his gaze. Dooku was fuming.
Obi-Wan winced and groaned as he attempted to extract his arm from beneath his chest, it was of no use he was grounded, perhaps for good. He could feel an overwhelming pressure pressing down on his entire body and his addled brain cottoned onto the fact that Dooku was exerting his own will on Obi-Wan's back, he could only manage to lift his head and blearily look at the raging Sith Lord. He didn't even know where his saber was let alone move his hands or arms to reach the blasted thing, he was at the complete mercy of a betrayed Sith.
"Oh not good…" Obi-Wan groaned as he registered Dooku's crimson saber activate and locked eyes with the blazing hatred of the Count's.
Obi-Wan didn't have the strength to rise against Dooku's hold, after everything that had been accomplished even with Anakin and help so close this would be the end of him. The force offered no out's, no last resort to avoid the vengeful ex-Jedi standing above his defeated body. Obi-Wan shielded as much of his bond with Anakin as he noted the evil glint in Dooku's eye, the man would not make his death swift. Dooku fully intended to exact his revenge on Obi-Wan by making him suffer, he was projecting that fact and the upcoming images quite clearly.
Obi-Wan prepared himself as well as he could for what was to come, mentally and physically. Only when he thought all was lost did he truly find out how serious Qui-Gon had been with his earlier promise, it turned out his Master would do what he must and for once Obi-Wan didn't mind at all.
The force ghost of Qui-Gon appeared between Obi-Wan and Dooku, contempt showing clearly in his posture for the man which wanted nothing more than to separate Obi-Wan's head from his shoulders. Obi-Wan gasped in shock along with Dooku who visibly flinched and faltered at the physical sight of his former Padawan, Qui-Gon took up a sentry position standing protectively over his fallen Padawan with an unusual fire in his eyes aimed at Dooku who had caused all of this destruction and his apprentice so much agony.
It was definitely a strange sight seeing Qui-Gon appear like this in the real world, the Jedi Master looked just as imposing as he used to when he was alive and was now surrounded by a blue glow. Obi-Wan could feel the tension rising in the room, there were now 3 very emotional and high strung beings crowded here all with the capability to cause the other's misery or in Dooku's case the disappointment of missing a chance for revenge.
Obi-Wan felt the force hold on him lessen in strength as Dooku's state of shock impeded the action, enough for him to actually have control of his arms again. It didn't do much good as he slumped back to the ground again and cried out as his abused limbs gave away on an attempted ascension, Dooku hadn't seemed to notice. His stunned face had gone white, ashen. Murderous fire in his eyes being doused to some effect by the arrival of the only person who still had a place in his heart, his last link to the light.
"Get out of my way, Qui," Dooku warned in a strained tone, light saber still held in a threatening manner pointing in Obi-Wan's direction.
Qui-Gon took another step forward barely able to contain his emotions over his former Master's actions, he would not allow Dooku to hurt Obi-Wan any longer.
"Stop this!" He tried to break through to the rational, logical thinking part of Dooku that still prevailed. "You've got what you wanted, Sidious is dead."
Dooku's temper flared dangerously at the order to stand down, he had evidently had enough of being given commands. Obi-Wan meekly lifted his head attempting to find the strength to rise and offer some sort of defence, rescue was so close now. Anakin was so close. He could sense his Padawan on planet now but still ensured the boy could not link with his mind, if this went Dooku's way then there was no way Obi-Wan would subject Anakin to such agony.
'Obi-Wan, you need to get up, I don't know if I can talk him down.'
The anxiety in Qui-Gon's voice was palpable, the words reverberated around Obi-Wan's mind as he understood what his Master was telling him. Get up or die. He reached out with what little strength he had left to wrap as much of the force around him as he could and strained harder against the weakening force hold still forcing him to face the floor. If Qui-Gon was ruffled, worried then things were certainly about to turn sour. Qui-Gon knew Dooku better than anyone.
"He deceived me!" Dooku spat with contempt, grip tightening around his saber, teeth baring. "He played me for a fool, I can never forgive that…"
Qui-Gon's shift in body stature and pained expression spoke volumes, Dooku had made up his mind and resolutely chosen to carry out his original plan, not caring that Obi-Wan was in his lineage too blinded by vengeance and hatred to care. Obi-Wan fought back with anew strength as he realised as Qui-Gon had said that he would not be able to stop Dooku's wrath, maybe nobody could. He broke free of the hold finally and started to pick himself up from the floor gently, seeking his saber at his Master's next shaky words in his mind.
'Obi-Wan, hurry, I cannot keep him distracted much longer.'
They both knew how perilous the situation was.
"Master, please don't do this," Qui-Gon pleaded one last time with his old Master, wishing that there was still some good left inside of him to appeal to but knowing deep down that the gesture was futile.
"Let him live…"
Dooku smiled dangerously at the pleading a familiar glint in his eye which Qui-Gon recognised from his teaching days, Dooku had always warned against sentiment and Qui-Gon's over-compassionate nature. He always looked at his Padawan that way before delivering a warning over the pitfalls of trust, explaining that everyone would betray you eventually. Qui-Gon knew immediately his revenge on Obi-Wan would be merciless, the ultimate betrayal of somebody his Master had uncharacteristically let into his life. The man always has and always would be haunted by the betrayal from his childhood friend Lorian Nod, Obi-Wan's actions were stirring up old wounds and feelings only serving to add fuel to the ever growing fire.
"You know I cannot do that, not even for you, Qui-Gon."
The murderous glee was back in the Count's eyes as he envisioned once again how sweet it would be to exact his revenge on Obi-Wan, the Sith Lord readied his stance into an offensive position which was not lost on either Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon. The urgings in Obi-Wan's mind grew louder and more insistent as Qui-Gon accepted the worst, Dooku was lost to the dark forever. The tiniest slither of him that remained redeemable obliterated by Obi-Wan's betrayal, something far in excess of what Dooku could forgive.
Obi-Wan reached out subtly with his hand to summon his saber, breathing in the pureness of the weapon as it sailed directly into his grip. He would not go down without a fight, not after everything. He was a Jedi.
"You know what your problem always was, Padawan?" Dooku stepped further forward, saber switching to his more dominant hand in the process. "Sentimentality…"
Dooku aggressively slashed through the ghost of Qui-Gon, effectively slicing his former Padawan in half and succeeding in destroying the image. Wisps of blue mist dissipated as Dooku's crimson saber destroyed the harmony and continued onwards, towards Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan sprang upwards and moved his saber into a defensive position, drawing on all pent up energy he had managed to connect with. Dooku's strike connected with Obi-Wan's saber causing the both of them to stumble, their previous activities had clearly had major ramifications for both of them. Obi-Wan knew his only chance would be to draw out the fight until help arrived, if he could even do that. Now with Dooku pressing against him, mouth pressed into a thin line of contempt and growling he honestly didn't know if his last reserves would be able to come between the Sith and his vengeance. If Sidious had seemed angry earlier then Dooku had taken things to a whole new level, Obi-Wan had never thought it possible to loathe one person so.
When he attempted to reach out to Qui-Gon he felt nothing, no encouraging words or even any feelings. Dooku must have shattered the connection when he slashed straight through Qui-Gon's ghost. The thought of the image still sent shivers down Obi-Wan's spine, even though he knew his Master was already dead it still rattled him to see the man struck down so coldly again.
With teeth gritted in strain Obi-Wan pressed further into Dooku only to be forced to jump backwards from an unexpected saber swing, the Count had pulled back and quick as a flash instigated a new attack. It always amazed Obi-Wan how fast Dooku could move, one minute his saber was in one place then the next it was the other side of Obi-Wan's body.
Obi-Wan was forced to pivot and leap out of the way of the crimson blade as it rained down from all sides and angles seemingly at once, deadly intent on finding it's target to cause maximum agony. Obi-Wan winced and hissed as Dooku's saber brushed against his skin when he was too slow, held there long enough to burn and sear the skin. The smell of cauterised flesh was already in the air so his new injuries did not do much to add to the nauseating stench. The new wounds were never deep enough to force Obi-Wan to drop the hold on his saber, they slowed him down however. He got the funny feeling that Dooku was playing with his prey.
Dooku smiled enigmatically at the sight of Obi-Wan slowing and weakening and sure enough he saw his opportunity when Obi-Wan left his left side open for a second longer than intended, that was all the Sith Lord needed. Obi-Wan's eyes went wide as he spied force lightning crackling towards him at a rocketing speed, with the angle his saber was at he didn't manage to put it between him and the deadly attack. The forceful lightning hit the weapon at such an angle that it was forced out of Obi-Wan's hands to go flying, he distantly heard the weapon impact a few short meters away not that it would do any good now. Without real thought Obi-Wan instinctively threw his hands in front of him, not believing for one second that the futile action would save him.
To both his and Dooku's utter astonishment the lightning went no further than his palms, other than a tingly feeling traversing his arms Obi-Wan remained unharmed under the assault. It was like he was absorbing the energy. He looked up into Dooku's eyes and saw the awe reflected in the ex-Jedi's eyes, this was not what either of them had expected. Obi-Wan felt his strength deplete rapidly and soon whatever he had managed to accomplish started to fail him.
As Dooku pressed onwards with his attack throwing all of his hatred and contempt for Obi-Wan into the brutal strike, an energy convergence of sorts was created between them. Visually it was stunning to see, the lightening impacted with Obi-Wan's defence to cackle and spit in larger circles. Eventually Obi-Wan's strength waned to the point that he felt the lightning singeing his hands and arms, felt the electricity start to reach it's target albeit slowly. As soon as the lightning reached past his defence it fell, he watched as if in slow motion as the lightning bounded towards his unprotected chest whilst dreading the misery which would follow.
As the dark energy hit Obi-Wan fell backwards under the explosive nature of the attack, his mind going blank as white hot agony raced through and over his entire body. Everything burned. Obi-Wan writhed on the floor under the vengeful attack, pain-wracked brain unable to conjure up any thoughts and only being able to register hearing a wild cackle. Dooku was certainly enjoying witnessing Obi-Wan in such agony, at his mercy, cowering at his feet.
"This is the true power of the dark side, Obi-Wan, and you will feel all of it!"
Obi-Wan screamed as the attack continued, he had never felt such agony racing through all of his nerves at once. There was no where he could go to escape the misery, nothing to reach out to in an attempt to numb or divert the pain. Only white hot torment.
It could have been hours in Obi-Wan's mind, the sustained attack played havoc with all of his normal and rational thought processes. Eventually, finally Dooku stopped. Obi-Wan spasmed involuntarily as the electricity still clung to his nerves, to his muscles. He heard himself moaning and felt himself shaking with tremors, Dooku's brutal attack had made Obi-Wan lose what little control he had left of the force. His mind was all over the place. As he wheezed and attempted to control his shaky breathing he did however feel the light growing closer, the blinding lights of the Jedi were inside the temple. From Dooku's snort of disgust it seemed the elder man had felt them too, which would probably explain his slight distraction come to think of it.
"You can feel them can't you? They're getting closer, you're not getting out of here." Obi-Wan was shocked to hear how broken and shaky his voice sounded, it was no wonder Dooku didn't flinch at the words. He only smiled before crouching down to taunt his beaten opponent.
"It won't be enough to save you, Kenobi, your apprentice will see your cold corpse as he enters." He grinned as Obi-Wan flinched over the mention of Anakin, who knew what seeing this nightmare would do to the boy?
"You're weak, Kenobi," Dooku drawled as he rose up to stand tall over Obi-Wan's still grounded body. "After I kill you I will kill your Padawan too, not before I make him beg for his life."
The threat against Anakin had Obi-Wan's undivided attention in a heartbeat, Dooku could threaten his own life all he wanted but Obi-Wan would not allow Anakin to be a casualty of this war, he couldn't bear it. He snarled at the cocky man before him and shoved out with all his strength whilst bringing his aching legs round in a sweeping arc. Dooku had been far too cocky, believing that Obi-Wan was out for the count and underestimating yet again the strength of compassion, of love.
"You won't touch him!"
Dooku hit the floor hard as Obi-Wan rolled towards his fallen saber, not even having the force reserves to summon the weapon any longer. He was almost spent but Dooku had sparked something deep within him with those words, a wild protective streak which Obi-Wan would fight for until his very last breath no matter when that would be.
By the time Obi-Wan had retrieved his saber and spun Dooku had already recollected himself and was sailing towards his prey with the intent on killing the meddlesome Knight once and for all, if Dooku had not been so arrogant then he would not have been so blind to the effects of his words. The flooring had only served to empower Dooku even if it were only in the short term, the power sparking from ex-Jedi sizzled as he roared towards Obi-Wan rather like a raging storm.
"I would be doing the galaxy a favour!" The Sith Lord raged as he aggressively acted out on his opponent.
Obi-Wan ignored the words as he focused all of his remaining will into the goal of survival. Any spark of Obi-Wan's strength was soon extinguished as he realised he did not have the skill or stamina at present to go on the offensive with Dooku, every time he tried to find an opening or strike back Dooku would only cut off the opportunity and force him further backwards into the temple, away from the Jedi.
"After I kill you and your little brat I am going to rid this galaxy of the force forsaken Jedi!" Dooku promised menacingly as he danced forwards with a vengeance.
Obi-Wan could feel them in abundance now and more importantly he could sense Anakin approaching, the boy had probably disobeyed orders to run ahead. Obi-Wan would have lectured and teased him for hours over the break in protocol, the thought saddened him as he realised there was so much he still could have taught Anakin. So many adventures and mysteries they would have unravelled. All of that time was to be stolen by the Sith after all, the same evil just with a different face.
Obi-Wan saw the moment he made his mistake and watched absently as Dooku's smirk grew wider with the knowledge, the latest saber block had pushed Obi-Wan in an awkward position and in his attempt to push back he had allowed Dooku a dangerous angle that the man would now capitalise on. The crimson saber angled to sear a deep wound into his prominent saber arm forcing a cry to escape his lips, his saber to drop and extinguish and Dooku to finish off the act by cutting even deeper into his left thigh simultaneously.
Obi-Wan dropped to the ground in an unceremonious heap yelping on the impact, the saber wound in his thigh had cut through muscle and bone and it was agonising. He gripped the wounds with his other limbs and squeezed his eyes shut drawing on any lightness he could touch to deal with the worst of the pain, it did not do much.
He opened his eyes to witness Dooku smirk triumphantly down on him, he had picked up Obi-Wan's saber in the interlude learning from his last mistake. Dooku rarely made a mistake twice after all. Obi-Wan shut off his Padawan's frantic shouting in his mind with the intent on shielding Anakin from this agony, from the upcoming misery. He had come so close yet still failed, he had done so as a Jedi however and as he stared death in the eye he accepted that really there was no death, only the force.
As Dooku's saber twirled in victory, teasing it's fallen prey before the death blow Obi-Wan observed a flicker of emotion cross Dooku's face. One that made him stay his hand for a moment longer. Dooku turned his head towards the entrance to their room, smirk widening over the new development. It was only when Obi-Wan turned his head towards the entrance did he realise why Dooku had waited a few moments, Anakin…
Dooku wanted Anakin to witness his Master's death and there was nothing Obi-Wan could do to spare his Padawan that fate. It broke Obi-Wan's heart. He could face death, he only wished Anakin would not have been forced to go through what he once had.
Anakin Skywalker took in the room in less than a second, calculations informing him that there was no possibility he was going to reach Obi-Wan in time, before Dooku's raised weapon hit his Master, no way for him to stop the deadly act. One thought raged through Anakin's mind as he felt Siri and the other Jedi racing towards him close behind, too late, this wasn't fair.
Dooku cackled madly and grinned widely as he began the swing, the movement being empowered by the dark side entirely and being stopped by nothing.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes in acceptance with the knowledge that he could do no more, sending one last thought to Anakin whilst he still could.
'I'm sorry that I can't be there to complete the journey with you, I am so proud. Goodbye.'
Anakin's mind was in a state of shock as his feet carried him forward as fast as he could travel, defying the truth that he would never make it to the other side of the vast room in time, tears falling freely down his cheeks as he heard Obi-Wan's voice once more in his mind only to say Goodbye.
He stared horrified at the scene as the saber crashed down and did the only thing that felt natural, that he felt was an appropriate response to the nightmare he was stuck in. He screamed.
A/N - Woops it appears I may have done it again with the cliffhanger... I apologise but it can't be helped! If you can forgive me the next part should be up a lot quicker than this one :)
Not long left now, I will be working towards planning out book 2 properly so the first part of that can be up when this is finished!
Until next time...
