A/N: Thank you for reading, for the follows, favorites, and reviews! (I'm glad you enjoyed the prologue. Here is chapter one, to really get the story going!)

Blaster bolts shot through the air, both the cries of the men and mechanical exclamations of the droids filled the clearing. Metal hills rose and fell as far as eye could see, no sun to rise, and no moon to take its place.

Obi-Wan blocked several shots, deflecting them with his lightsaber. It seemed they were the only color on the entire planet, lightsabers, armor and robes alike. Anakin stood by his side, both wielding their blue flaming blades. "I'm glad we can do this together, Master," the younger of the two called through the chaos, a smirk growing on his face.

"Indeed – you would be."

"It won't be long until we drive them back."

"Don't become overly bold, Anakin."

"It might be long until we perhaps may drive them back."

"Ha."

Obi-Wan deflected another shot, the two Jedi now standing back-to-back as several Commando droids attempted to surround them. Both Generals leapt forward, slicing through the torso of each metal figure in the same instant. Captain Rex came from seemingly nowhere, walking backwards towards them. Two shots, two 'kills'. Four shots, four 'kills'. Droids collapsed into piles of sparking scrap metal.

"If you need to leave a trail to remember where you've already been," Anakin paused as he cut down another droid, "There are other ways to do it, Rex."

"Ah, but that wouldn't be any fun, sir." Rex stood by Skywalker's side, firing at the nearest Separatist battle droids.

"Rex, how close are we to driving them back?"

"I'd say in the next few minutes."

Anakin shot another smirk in Obi-Wan's direction.

"Yes, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied to the mere look, exasperation lining his voice. The fight was going well. The planet Evelo had been the perfect place for ground battle, as there would be no casualties of civilians. There were no civilians on this planet. Just… Metal. He was thankful that the sun was so far away – there was just enough heat to keep it from freezing over entirely, but not enough to be eaten up by the cold metal and burn them all the moment they had arrived.

Obi-Wan's thought process was cut off rather abruptly. A grenade exploded, sending the three men flying with the blast. He landed with a pained grunt, man vs. steel. His ears were ringing. He needed to clear his head. He tried to focus, forcing his eyes open – smoke burned them as soon as he did. "Anakin? Anakin!" His own voice sounded muted.

A hand clumsily gripped his arm. He turned to see the young Skywalker, who seemed to be no better off than he was. Blood ran down his temple and soaked into his blond hair. Obi-Wan gripped his former Padawan's shoulder. He wasn't sure if he was trying to ground himself, or Anakin.

That was when he felt it. The ground trembled, that was the first sign. He reached out with his free hand, looking for something to steady himself. There was nothing. It shook again, harder this time, as though the very planet was in pain.

Beneath them, the ground tore open. He, Rex and Anakin managed to get away from the new hole. Others were not so lucky. It continued on, metal melting and ripping itself apart. Tearing. Opening. Like a wound in Evelo itself. He watched clones jumping and rolling, pulling each other away from the new disaster.

A man fell. Obi-Wan reached out a hand, trying to focus despite the thunder inside of his head. He called upon the Force, catching the clone trooper before he was pulled into the abyss. Anakin seemed in the same predicament as he, both hands outstretched as he kept two of his men above the gaping chasm.

A yell caught his attention; even temporarily deaf, he could hear that. It was shocked, pained even. Commander Cody. The man – a friend – was desperately gripping at the edge, gloved fingers loosening. He pulled his upper body over the edge, but before he could drag himself away from the hole, the ground trembled again. Another narrow branch broke through the surface away from the main chasm. Cody's hands slipped, and he dropped, falling out of sight with a gut-wrenching cry.

Obi-Wan felt cold; his skin felt wrong.

More clones fell. More droids were swallowed up. They had to go.

Obi-Wan couldn't hear his own commands as he yelled them. Something wet tickled his neck – blood. Rex was running beside him, helping all-but carry Anakin to one of the ships. Clones ran behind them, all making for the gunships.

By the time they reached the ships, Obi-Wan felt no less cold.