Chapter 67 – The Exit

Author's Note: We're winding down. Let me know what you think about the pacing and everything. I'm a little uncertain about how it's all playing out. Lol.

~ Amina Gila

He watches the recordings late into the night, watches as a child is torn apart, piece by piece, and molded into a weapon. He watches as the child is shaped into something that he never wanted to me, something that he fought tooth and nail to resist.

And Mace Windu grieves the mistakes that the Jedi Order has made as he begins to finally understand exactly how much and how badly they have failed. But it is not too late. The Order is still standing. The Republic is still standing. He has allies, and he can find a way, with help from Dooku and former Senator Amidala, to stop Darth Sidious before he can diminish the Light in the galaxy and sow the seeds of Darkness even further.

**w**

Sidious does not say much of anything to Anakin during their return to Coruscant, disappearing back to his surface life without so much as a word. If Anakin didn't know better, he would think the Sith was hiding from him, from what happened. Or maybe, that's exactly what he's doing. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot forget the fear that he felt when he, somehow, did… whatever he did.

It is strange to think of Sidious as fearing anything.

But he does.

Anakin is glad to be alone, though, because he needs the time to himself to sort out his own head. He meditates for hours in the still quietness of the place he stays in the Works, trying to settle inside his own skin, trying to find a sense of calm that has always alluded him in the past. It works, partially, but he finds himself torn by questions about Sidious. At first, when Anakin was young, he had felt nothing but gratitude towards Palpatine, seeing him as the man who had been kind to him, accepting him after the Jedi rejected him. That gratitude changed to resentment when Palpatine showed him his other side.

It was shockingly easy to hate Sidious, hate what he stood for, the Master who kept Anakin and his mother enslaved. But he didn't always hate him. In recent years, it was more common to feel bitterness and resentment – and fear – than anything else, but before that… There had been a time when Anakin had genuinely believed that Palpatine meant well. He had looked up to him. He had respected him, even.

That… complicates things. It leaves him feeling incredibly uncertain of himself and of his path.

He doesn't have long to mull over everything though – only a couple days – before Sidious sends him a brief, terse message, telling him to go to Mygeeto to deal with a major CIS assault on the planet. Anakin does not particularly want to fight anymore, but he is good at following orders, and destroying droids is very different from killing people. So, he goes, leaving Coruscant and heading back to the frontlines.

A part of him wishes that he had the chance to talk to Sidious again in person before leaving, but… well, they are not friends. Anakin owes him nothing. That doesn't mean that he doesn't wish to… something. Help maybe? It sounds so insane, even in his own head, and yet, he cannot deny the feeling. Sidious has chosen his path, but he was a victim too, once, and perhaps feeling empathy for him is stupid, but it's not a feeling Anakin can shake.

The mission didn't sound so bad until Anakin does a little research into Mygeeto itself. Great. A cold, frozen, snowy planet. Exactly the kind of place he wants to go to, especially without any backup. … But he is the Chosen One, the Sith'ari. He does not need backup. He is his own army, and the Force is with him.

Something hums in the Force, whispers of things to come, whispers of change, and Anakin doesn't know what to make of it. He doesn't know what to make of any of the things that have changed since Mustafar. He doesn't know when he tapped into the Light, when its currents became familiar to him, as familiar and comforting as the Dark. He doesn't know how it happened that, accepting what his mother said to him, led him to letting go of the Dark, something he has only ever done once, months ago, when he was with Ahsoka.

So much has changed, and it feels as if things are changing faster than he can keep up, spinning entirely out of control. Something big is coming, but the Force is too clouded for him to determine if the change is good, bad, or… both.

The CIS outpost is at the coordinates Anakin was given, and he lies on a ridge overlooking it, scanning through macrobinoculars as he plans the best entry point. For some reason, the Force is telling him to be extra cautious here. He watches for at least an hour before he's certain that he's mapped out the patrols properly – they're different from what he remembers; Dooku must have had them changed so he couldn't get through their forces as easily – and waited until the sun has passed behind a ridge, casting a dim shadow over the outpost. The shadows will cloak his approach, and he'll have fifteen minutes or so to get in and out without being spotted.

He slides down the embankment, shivering at the chill of the snow on his back, seeping in through his coat, before creeping towards the outpost, crushing the four battle droids outside with the Force. And then, he draws his lightsaber, cutting a hole through the door in lieu of splicing – he doesn't have the time for that right now – as he slips into the building.

But there is something familiar here in the Force, though it's elusive. He doesn't realize what, or rather who, it is until he enters the control room, stopping dead when he sees the familiar figure sitting there, undoubtedly waiting for him. Emotions crash into him guilt, regret, affection, disbelief, as he stares at Obi-Wan.

It was a trap then, wasn't it? Probably one that Dooku set up for him, hoping to use Obi-Wan to capture him. Or perhaps this is a test from Sidious, who is trying to see where Anakin's true loyalties really lie.

"Obi-Wan," he says softly, extinguishing his lightsaber, though he keeps the hilt in his hand on the off-chance that something tries to attack him from behind.

The elder man rises. "Anakin," he replies, seeming to be as just as much of a loss for words as Anakin himself. "It is… good to see you again."

It's been too long, far too long, and Anakin has missed him fiercely. He has missed all of them, worried about all of them, unsure how they were doing in his absence. But he feels it most acutely now, as it fully sinks in how long it has been since they were last together. "I'm sorry," he blurts out. "I… left you. I didn't tell you what I was planning. I knew you would stop me, and it was something I needed to do."

Slowly, Obi-Wan reaches for him in the Force, lowering his shielding and brushing up against Anakin's mind. He shivers at the familiarity of it, of him, at the way their Force signatures fit together as if they're two halves of a whole, as if they were always meant to be together. And really, they probably were. It seems so unlikely, so improbable, that they would find each other in this massive galaxy, much less come together as they have. But they did. They always will.

"I would have stopped you," Obi-Wan agrees, the slightest hint of anger in his voice. "What were you thinking?"

Anakin grimaces, sheepish. "When we were in the Temple, Sidious spoke to me. He said that – that there might be a way to… bring back my mother. I had to take that chance, and I knew that if I could get close to him, I could kill him."

Obi-Wan regards him neutrally, showing no emotion, even through their bond. He's carefully shielding. "And you believed him?"

"He was not lying," Anakin replies, shaking his head, "And I did not want to put you in danger by dragging you with me to confront him. Maybe – maybe it was a mistake, I don't know, but the situation is… complicated."

Obi-Wan circles the console in the center of the command room, leaning against it as he looks at Anakin. "Complicated how?"

"Let me start at the beginning," Anakin decides, clipping his lightsaber hilt to his belt and pacing across the control room, gathering his thoughts. "I learned more of the Dark Side under Sidious, and he eventually decided that I was ready to make the attempt to bring back my mother. I… tried a couple days ago, and I spoke to her." He hesitates, feeling the familiar aching grief curl through his chest, but it's duller now, more resignation than anything else.

"She didn't want me to bring her back, but she reminded me where I came from, and who I am." He exhales, spinning to meet Obi-Wan's eyes. "I can't kill Sidious. When I was there, I… saw him. For who he is. And… he also saved my life. He could have killed me, taken my body, but he didn't. I know he's made his choices, and he's chosen wrong, but I can't be the one to kill him. I will, if I must, if it's to protect myself or someone else, but I don't want to. I want to be more than what he made me, and that means not killing, even when it comes to him."

For a few long seconds, Obi-Wan just stares at him, and then, finally, one corner of his mouth quirks upward. "You've changed," he says dryly.

Anakin offers him a small, uncertain smile. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No," he admits finally, closing the distance between them and resting a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I never thought I would see you so… calm and balanced, not after how we parted ways. What do you intend to do now, if you don't want to kill Sidious?"

He feels the tension drain from him – he had been so afraid, though he hadn't realized it until now, that Obi-Wan would castigate him for his decision not to kill Sidious. "I don't know," he confesses. "If I leave Sidious, he'll see it as a betrayal. He'll come after me. We… need to be smart. We can't leave him so unbalanced, and besides, I might be able to do something to help you."

"Won't he see it coming?"

Anakin pauses, considering. "Possibly. Probably, even. His foresight is… immense, and I know that he is good at strategizing and planning for alternatives. I'm sure he's already prepared a contingency in the event that I betray him."

They have so much to talk about, but there isn't enough time right now, and Anakin hates that. He wants – he wants to be surrounded by his family. He wants to know that they're safe, but none of that will happen until all of this is over, however long that will be. He can't go back to them yet, no matter how much he wants to. The Force is telling him that his place is elsewhere, and he won't act solely on emotion when it could doom the galaxy entirely.

"How have you been?" he queries because he needs to know.

"Worried sick about you," Obi-Wan answers flatly. "Ahsoka, too. It's been… hard, knowing you're with Sidious."

He winces. "Sorry," he mutters again, looking away. "I never wanted you to worry, but I… I expected you would." He shifts a little closer, hesitating, before finally giving in and wrapping his arms around the man who would have been his master in another life, the man who would have been – and still is becoming, even now – his father.

Obi-Wan hugs him back, his grip tight, as if it'll be enough to keep Anakin from leaving again. "Dooku thought you betrayed us," he says quietly. "I swear to you, Anakin, I had no idea what he was planning with Grievous, or I would have stopped it. I don't agree with how he handled the situation at all. He thought he was doing what was necessary, but… he went about it all wrong."

Anakin hums in acknowledgement, relaxing into the comforting touch and just letting himself be, while Obi-Wan fills him in on everything he's missed.

"Asajj came back from Dathomir with Rex," Obi-Wan continues, "And they and Fives went to Kamino to locate a shutdown frequency for the inhibitor chips. They've found it, and now, they're planning a mission to broadcast it to the clone battalions throughout the galaxy, so they won't be stripped of their free will."

"I'm glad," Anakin murmurs, huffing out a strained laugh. "Doesn't seem like you needed me much… or that I missed much."

"Don't say that," Obi-Wan responds fiercely, pulling back to meet Anakin's gaze. He's a little taken aback by the raw emotion, the intense protectiveness in the blue-gray eyes. "We'll always need you."

The words wash over him, soothing something deep inside of him. He hasn't felt remotely like himself since his mother died, but now… now, it feels like he's slowly healing. It feels like his broken pieces are slowly stitching themselves back together, especially with Obi-Wan here in front of him.

For a moment, they're both quiet, and then, Obi-Wan clears his throat, his expression smoothing out as he tucks away his emotions. It's something he always does, Anakin has noticed, hiding his emotions, as though by doing so, they no longer exist. He's gotten much more open since they first met again, but he'll still hide if he thinks he needs to. Or if it's necessary, which is kind of is right now, to be fair.

"Dooku is planning something," Obi-Wan tells him. "He's been working with Windu, and just recently, former Senator Amidala came to him as well. I'm not privy to all the details, but I expect they'll be making a move soon."

Anakin nods, thoughtfully. "I imagine they'll get into contact with the Jedi Council if they haven't already. I'll stay with Sidious for now," he repeats. "I'll find a way to let you know if he's planning something."

"I don't like the idea of you going back to him," Obi-Wan confesses, squeezing his shoulder, "But I trust you. Seeing you like this… Light… I never thought I would see it again."

He feels himself flush, a strange, but not unpleasant, warmth spreading through him. "It is… different. I thought it would be harder, that… it would make me weak." The admission is unreasonably hard. "It doesn't," he adds, shyly meeting Obi-Wan's eyes again. "It… just makes me feel free."

**w**

Unfortunately, in Obi-Wan's opinion, he and Anakin can't spend nearly as much time talking as he wishes they could. So, they make do with the time they have, telling each other whatever is most important before they part ways. And Obi-Wan can't deny how incredibly hard it is for him to see Anakin walk away again, going back to his ship to return to Sidious. It's the last thing he wants, and yet… they each have a bigger game to play. Ideally, Anakin could come with him, and they could work together, but it feels as if they've gotten far closer to their end goal only after Anakin left.

Maybe the knowledge that they won't be together again until Sidious has been defeated will keep him moving, keep him sharp. He can't afford to rest or become complacent. It's time for action, time for them to take this fight all the way to the Sith Master himself, no matter what the consequences are.

When they're ready, he'll undoubtedly be waiting for them, and yet, they'll have Anakin.

Even if he says he doesn't want to kill Sidious. Obi-Wan knows him, and he'll protect them if he must. When he must. It doesn't make sense to him, Anakin's reluctant to kill Palpatine, but he… can somewhat understand it, too, he supposes.

"I want to be more than what he made me, and that means not killing, even when it comes to him."

If it was him in Anakin's place, he would not be able to rest until he had a direct hand in bringing down Sidious, preferably to the grave. It's ironic, really, how Anakin is so much… softer than him. Gentler. More compassionate. Even now. One would think it would be the opposite, but then, Obi-Wan is not the Jedi he should be. Anakin would have made a much better Jedi. The realization is bittersweet, ironic even.

I'll see you again, Obi-Wan promises silently, watching as Anakin's ship leaves the icy surface. I'll see you soon. I promise. For he doesn't think he can take another lengthy separation from the person who has come to mean so much to him. They're stronger together. And they'll have to be together if they are to succeed against Sidious. May the Force be with them all.

**w**

Sidious is… wary. Or perhaps that is merely a colorful way of saying scared. He doesn't know or understand what happened when he and Vader were on Mustafar, but he doesn't like it, doesn't like the way he could almost feel the boy stripping away his shields and masks, laying him open to the world. He has always relied on his masks, on his ability to manipulate others to do his will. It has been his greatest shield against the world.

That someone was able to see through it… shakes him. He didn't have to save the boy there, but he had, and he cannot fully say why. It would have been easier to let him perish, to take his body and power for himself, but he hadn't. He considered it, thought of just taking what he wanted so he would no longer need to fear being stabbed in the back, but… something stopped him. Perhaps it had been the realization that losing Vader would mean losing his favorite toy.

Or maybe it was something else, something deeper, something that he himself is refusing to even look at. He is good at manipulating, at lying, so good perhaps, that he can even lie to himself now. He only saved Vader because he thought it would be better, in the long run, to have a disposable pet at his side. Surely, it would be easier to let him bear the power and the burden while Sidious holds the leash. Surely, it was worth whatever Vader saw when he looked at him, when he saw him.

But Vader is different now. Disgustingly light instead of dark. It feels as though he's chosen a new path for himself, a path that does not include Sidious, and he cannot even say how deeply that angers him, how wildly he rages against it. Vader is his. He doesn't get to choose another path. That's not his choice to make.

Except he did.

And Sidious has no idea what to do about it.

Final Notes: If you want to join our Discord to receive updates or just hang out, here's the invite link, and please delete the spaces! :) discord . gg / nqSxuz2

You can find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (which is our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes; we also advertise our SW gift exchanges on there)

And! We have a YT channel for tributes! Please delete the spaces in the link. :D youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA

Finally, if you're interested, you can submit a SW gift fic request via the following form (delete the spaces): forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6