Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 32! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy!
Forever Destined
Chapter 32: The Battle of Coruscant
Anakin's boots sounded heavily on the durasteel floor of the Republic command ship, The Victory. He and Obi-Wan had spent the last several weeks embroiled in heavy fighting on Rattatak. Grevious had vanished once he'd delivered the Separatists leaders to Cato-Neimodia. It had been nearly three months since the fiasco on Jabiim and the war had only escalated after the failed negotiations. Several Sith assassins, most recently Asajj Ventress had kept he and Obi-Wan from pursing Grevious further, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the droid General made his presence known to them again. He just hated the fact that people would die when it happened. Grevious had a habit of leaving bodies in his wake wherever he went, but Anakin had vowed that he would stop him once and for all. There was excitement from the Clone Troopers all the sudden, as they rushed about from post to post.
"Commander Skywalker," Commander Cody saluted.
"Cody...what's happening?" Anakin asked.
"General Kenobi has received an emergency transmission from the Jedi Council. It seems that Coruscant is under attack," Cody said. Anakin's heart was seized with fear.
Padme
"Under attack?! Is it Grevious?" Anakin asked.
"Yes sir...and it seems that he's captured Chancellor Palpatine," Cody said.
Not good
"Thank you Cody," Anakin said, as he quickened his pace and headed for the bridge.
"It's good to see you safe sir, we feared the worst for a while," Cody said. Anakin smirked.
"Ventress was a worth opponent, but her psychotic demeanor made it easy to exploit her weaknesses. Unfortunately, she escaped and will become even more dangerous," Anakin said.
"Well, if there's anyone that can handle that witch, it's you and General Kenobi," Cody replied.
"Thank you Cody," Anakin said, as he entered the bridge. He stepped next to Obi-Wan, who was commanding the ship.
"Cody told me that Coruscant is under attack," Anakin said.
"Yes...Palpatine has been captured. The Council is sending us to rescue him and we're making the jump to hyperspace momentarily," Obi-Wan said, noticing that his scar was angry and red.
"Did she open up that blasted scar?" he asked.
"Yes, but fortunately the healer got it to stop bleeding and close up. It hurts like hell though and she got away," Anakin said.
"We'll get her," Obi-Wan assured him.
"Obi-Wan...is Padme all right?" he asked. Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder.
"Dad made sure that mom, Padme, Sola and the girls are safe in the Temple shelter," Obi-Wan promised. He sighed in relief, before they both sat down and prepared for the jump to hyperspace.
Nearly five hours later, The Victory exited hyperspace above Coruscant and into the middle of a dog fight. Republic ships and Separatists ships battled each other in war. The Separatists ships were protecting their large battle cruiser, The Imperial Hand, and it was the Jedi's mission to get on that ship and rescue the Chancellor. The docking hatch of The Victory opened and two Jedi Star fighters flew out of the hanger and into the fight.
"I hate this part," Obi-Wan grumbled.
"I love this part," Anakin responded, with an excited smirk, as he began weaving in and out Separatists ships.
"Anakin, this is no time for your reckless flying tricks!" Obi-Wan grumbled. He rolled his eyes when he saw three Separatist ships explode.
"Three down...five million to go," Anakin joked.
"You're funny," Obi-Wan replied sarcastically. Anakin set his sights on another cluster of Separatist ships.
"Lock onto them Artoo," Anakin ordered, as he opened the comm channel. His droid did so and he fired several more shots, destroying five more ships.
"General Grevious' ship is directly ahead. The one crawling with vulture droids," Anakin said.
"Oh I see it. Oh, this is going to be easy," Obi-Wan said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Then, Obi-Wan ordered the clone troops to move into attack position. They complied, moving in behind him. Anakin smirked.
"This is where the fun begins," he said, as the vulture droids headed directly toward them.
"Let them pass between us," Obi-Wan ordered. Anakin became very concerned as several clone troops were killed.
"I'm going to help them," Anakin announced.
"No, no they are doing they're job so we can do ours," Obi-wan replied. Anakin complied, as the droids then released missiles.
"Missiles! Pull up!" Anakin called.
"They over shot us," Obi-Wan informed.
"They're coming around," Anakin announced. Arfour beeped in, taking the controls.
"No, no Arfour, nothing too fancy!" Obi-Wan grimaced, as his ship lurched.
"Surge all power units, stand by, reverse thrusters!" Anakin ordered. Anakin grinned, as his ship began to spiral, causing the missiles to mimic the behavior. The missiles collided and exploded. Anakin chuckled, as he heard Artoo's response.
"We got 'em Artoo," Anakin smiled. Obi-Wan was becoming frustrated, as he took manual control of the ship. He was still trying to shake the missiles.
"Flying is for droids," Obi-Wan complained. The older Jedi was hit and a number of droids latched onto his ship.
"Buzz droids!" Anakin exclaimed. Obi-Wan looked on, worried, as the buzz droids began tearing up the ship.
"Arfour, be careful..." Obi-Wan stopped, as he saw one droid tear Arfour's dome off.
"Oh dear," Obi-Wan lamented. The droids continued to tear holes in his ship.
"They're shutting down all the controls!" Obi-Wan called.
"Move to the right, so I can get a clear shot!" Anakin responded.
"The mission. Get to the command ship!" Obi-Wan ordered. But Anakin's resolve only hardened, as he plunged forward, taking pot shots at the droids. Unfortunately, he accidentally shot off one of the wings.
"What in the name of!" Obi-Wan yelled, as his ship lurched hard. Anakin winced. Obi-Wan would kill him for that later.
"Hold your fire, you're not helping!" Obi-Wan yelled.
"I agree, bad idea," Anakin replied.
"I can't see a thing," Obi-Wan complained, as his windows were fogged over by the droids.
"Move to the right," Anakin said, as he tried to bump the droids off with the wing of the ship.
"Hold on Anakin! You're going to get us both killed! Get out of here, there's nothing you can do," Obi-Wan yelled at him.
"I'm not leaving without you brother," Anakin called back. Anakin knocked out more droids, but one made it onto Anakin's ship, immediately heading for Artoo.
"Get him Artoo!" Anakin told his faithful droid. Artoo zapped at it.
"Watch out," Anakin instructed.
"Artoo, hit the buzz droid, center eye!" Obi-Wan instructed. Artoo did so, successfully destroying the droid. It slipped harmlessly off the hull of
Anakin's ship. Anakin laughed in victory.
"Yeah, you got 'em!" Anakin said.
"The General's command ship is dead ahead," Anakin stated.
"Well, have you noticed that the shields are still up!" Obi-Wan yelled. Anakin winced again.
"Sorry, you don't have to yell," Anakin apologized, as he circled around. He shot laser blasts at the control panel, deactivating the shields.
"Oh I have a bad feeling about this!" Obi-Wan called, as the metal sealing doors began to slide shut. The two Jedi star fighters made it inside just in time. Upon landing, Obi-Wan flipped out, light saber activated and began taking out droids. Anakin quickly joined him and the two successfully took out the droids.
"Artoo, locate the Chancellor," Obi-Wan ordered.
"If he's still alive," Anakin mentioned. Obi-Wan looked at him incredulously, trying to hide a smile.
"Anakin," he chided.
"Oh like you weren't thinking it to. It's because of him that I've only seen my wife for a total of four days in the last eight months," Anakin replied, as Artoo locked on to the Chancellor's signal. Artoo brought up a hologram design of the ship.
"The Chancellor's signal is coming from up on the observational platform at the top of this spire," Obi-Wan pointed.
"I sense Xanatos," Anakin mentioned sourly.
"And I sense a trap," Obi-Wan replied.
"Next move?" Anakin smirked. Obi-Wan smirked back.
"Spring the trap," Obi-Wan smiled. Artoo chirped at them.
"Artoo, go back. I need you to stay with the ship," Anakin ordered.
"Here, take this," Obi-Wan said, tossing the comlink to him.
"Wait for orders," Obi-Wan said. As Anakin and Obi-Wan waited for the turbo lift, destroyers approached. Anakin and Obi-Wan called forth their light sabers. The two Jedi deflected their blasts and entered the turbo lift. The turbo lift happened to be filled with battle droids.
"Drop your weapons. I said drop 'em," the droid said mechanically. The two Jedi glanced at each other, before proceeding to chop the droids to pieces. Suddenly, the turbo lift stopped.
"Did you press the stop button?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No, did you?" Anakin responded.
"No," Obi-Wan answered.
"Well, there's more than one way out," Anakin said, as he ignited his saber and cut a hold in the top.
"We don't want to get out, we want to get moving. Artoo, activate elevator 31174," Obi-Wan ordered. Back in the docking bay, Artoo slipped farther into the corner and tried to muffle the comlink, hoping those other search droids would ignore him.
When Anakin finished cutting the hole in the top, he forced jumped out and onto the top of the lift.
"Always on the move," Obi-Wan quipped. Suddenly, the turbo lift jolted and began descending rapidly. Anakin jumped and held onto the side of the platform tightly, feet dangling.
"Artoo! Stop! Stop, we need to be going up!" Obi-Wan called. Anakin looked down, but suddenly heard a voice above him.
"Hands up Jedi!" the droid said, pointing its blaster at him. Artoo positioned himself at the controls and locked in, reversing the course of the turbo lift. As the turbo lift ascended, Anakin flipped and jumped back onto the lift and dropped through the opening he had made. He landed with a thump, causing Obi-Wan to ignite his saber. He quickly extinguished it, realizing who it was.
"There you are," Obi-Wan said.
"What was that all about?" Anakin asked.
"Well Artoo..." Obi-Wan started, but Anakin cut him off.
"No loose wire jokes," Anakin said.
"Did I say anything?" Obi-Wan replied.
"He's trying," Anakin insisted.
"I didn't say anything," Obi-Wan insisted.
As they exited the turbo lift and rounded the corner, they ran into Grevious. There, along with his droid commanders, was his captive. Jedi Master Shaak Ti.
"Shaak Ti," Obi-Wan said.
"I'm sorry Obi-Wan, I failed," Shaak Ti said.
"Ah, General Kenobi, we've been waiting for you," Grevious rasped, as he bent down behind Shaak Ti. He ignited his saber, plunging it through her chest.
"Stinking Jedi," Grevious laughed, as she fell to the floor in a heap, dead. Obi-Wan and Anakin ignited their sabers. Droids ascended upon them and they extinguished their sabers.
"That was a big..." Anakin started, his stormy blue eyes locking on Grevious. Shaak Ti had long been a good friend to their family.
"Mistake," Obi-Wan finished. Grevious coughed and laughed evilly.
"A tragic ending for a gallant warrior," Grevious rasped. Obi-Wan watched Anakin, as he brushed his fingers along the side of his face.
"Rescue Anakin, not mayhem," Obi-Wan answered.
"I look forward to adding your light sabers to my collection," Grevious rasped. Anakin brushed his fingers over his lips.
"No, no, no," Obi-Wan answered. Anakin gave him a withering glance.
"This is not a good time to argue Ben," Anakin replied.
"Might I recommend?" Obi-Wan asked, as he tugged at his ear. Anakin scoffed.
"There's far too many of them for that," Anakin disagreed. Anakin brushed his fingers across his eyebrow and looked down.
"Oh yes," Obi-Wan answered. Obi-Wan and Anakin ignited their sabers and cut a hole in the floor underneath their feet. The two Jedi fell through to the deck below and into the fuel tank.
"The fuel tank is rupturing. Hurry, seal off the bulkhead!" Grevious ordered his droids.
"We're safe for the time being," Anakin said, as he trudged through the fuel.
"Your idea of safe is not the same as mine," Obi-Wan replied.
"You complain too much," Anakin said.
"Oh right, and this coming from you, baby brother," Obi-Wan retorted.
"Stodgy old man," Anakin teased.
"Cocky brat," Obi-Wan retorted. Anakin smirked, as he began climbing up the shaft and through the bulkhead. After climbing several levels, Anakin and Obi-Wan found themselves at the top spire...
The two Jedi rushed onto the command bridge of the top spire, where Chancellor Palpatine sat restrained to the command chair.
"Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan said, as he and Anakin bowed respectively.
"I trust you are unhurt," Obi-Wan said. The Chancellor nodded, as Anakin snapped the restraints open.
"Xanatos," the Chancellor indicated. Obi-Wan and Anakin turned, as Xanatos drew his saber.
"Well, well, the Jinn brothers. How predictable..." Xanatos said sarcastically.
"Xanatos...or is it Darth Seditious these days?" Anakin stated.
"Call me what you want, Jedi whelp, cause you won't live to tell anyone about this," Xanatos said, as he ignited his crimson blade. Anakin scoffed.
"Your overconfidence is astounding," Anakin said, as he removed his cloak and tossed it aside. Obi-Wan did the same and the Jedi brothers ignited their blades.
"I've been looking forward to this," Xanatos snarled.
"He is a Sith and a powerful one," Palpatine warned.
"Chancellor Palpatine...Sith Lords are our speciality. Surely you have not forgotten Anakin's defeat of Darth Maul," Obi-Wan said. On the outside, Palpatine wore the facade of the feeble elderly man that he was believed to be, but on the inside he seethed in rage. He hoped Xanatos was up to the task of eliminating Skywalker. He had mucked up far too many of his plans. The two Jedi's sabers came up and slammed down on Xanatos, who held his ground soundly. Furiously and almost faster than the naked eye could move, the three combatants sabers moved furiously in battle. Xanatos kicked Anakin's legs out from under him and Force pushed him away, taking on Obi-Wan alone. Obi-Wan's saber locked with Xanatos' as they fought for control. Xanatos snarled evilly, as he swept his saber around. Obi-Wan parried and then was unable to block Xanatos' surprise blast of Force lightning. It seared through Obi-Wan painfully. Xanatos picked him up and Force pushed him into the wall. The Jedi hit painfully on his back and then fell face first to the floor. Reaching into the Force, Xanatos released the clamps holding the durasteel platform above him in place. The heavy slab landed on Obi-Wan's legs, pinning him beneath. Anakin roared a battle cry, as he leapt to his feet and engaged the Sith again. Anakin thrust his saber at Xanatos and he parried. Anakin spun and met his saber in a high arc above their heads. The young Jedi then swept his saber around, but was again blocked by the Sith from making a devastating strike. Xanatos made a downward slash and Anakin back flipped away from him. He landed and Xanatos swept his feet out from under him. Anakin landed on his back and brought his saber in front of him to block Xanatos downward thrust at his heart. Anakin brought his legs together and shoved his feet into Xanatos' groin. The Sith screamed in pain and cursed Anakin.
"You rotten brat...you'll pay for that..." Xanatos seethed. Anakin smirked and brought his saber over his head, before bringing it down on the Sith. Xanatos was becoming severally winded, while it seemed like the young Jedi kept drawing from what seemed like a never ending well of power. The boy's power was raw and surged through his veins unlike anything he'd ever felt from any other Jedi. Xanatos made a last ditch effort and hurled Force lightning at the young Jedi. He held his saber and absorbed the attack expertly.
"Your Force lightning won't work on me. My grandfather has taught me well how to deal with your dark side powers. Surrender...you can't win," Anakin said. Xanatos snarled.
"I'll die before I surrender to a brat like you! You're pathetic. You have so much power inside you...and I don't even think you realize it. And yet, you do not use those powers the way you could," Xanatos said.
"I am only powerful, because I have been trained so well by the greatest Jedi the Order has ever seen," Anakin replied. Xanatos laughed at him.
"You don't really believe that garbage, do you? Why is it then that so far, you are the only Jedi who has stood up the Sith or their assassins and lived to tell about it? Maul died at your hands. Grevious effortlessly killed every Jedi in his wake, yet he could not best you. The same goes with Ventress and all the others who have tried to kill you. Don't you wonder why this is?" Xanatos taunted.
"I told you. I have learned well from the Masters that have instructed me. My family is full of powerful Jedi; it is not unusual that I am as well," Anakin answered.
"Foolish Jedi brat. All that power and you waste it on love. It is a pity indeed," Xanatos said.
"No, you're the one to be pitied here, Xanatos. You're the one with a foolish grudge that turned to the dark side, seeking some kind of skewed vengeance against my father for things he never did to you," Anakin retorted. Xanatos snarled and charged at him again. Anakin parried each of his furious slashes, before going on the offensive and whipping his saber around. He sliced through Xanatos' forearms and his crimson saber clamored to the cold floor.
"You're under arrest Xanatos," Anakin stated.
"Good Anakin...kill him," Palpatine said. But Anakin ignored the Chancellor.
"You heard him boy...kill me..." Xanatos dared him.
"You're unarmed and I, unlike you, do not kill in cold blood. My father taught me better than that," Anakin said.
"Your father is a fool," Xanatos spat.
"Anakin, I am giving you a direct order to kill him. He is too dangerous to be kept alive," Palpatine said.
"He will no longer be a threat, Chancellor," Anakin said, as he placed the remainder of Xanatos's arms in a pair of Force restraints. Once he was certain he was secure, Anakin went over and lifted the durasteel platform off his older brother. Obi-Wan groaned in pain, as Anakin lightly smacked his cheeks to wake him up.
"Are you okay?" Anakin asked.
"Sure...fine. Did you kill the Gondark that ran over me?" Obi-Wan joked. Anakin smirked.
"I believe this is what, the tenth time I've saved your skin?" Anakin joked.
"Ninth. That business on Cato-Neimodia does not count," Obi-Wan groaned, as he stood up.
"Well, Xanatos, it looks like you're well on your way to a nice little prison cell right in the good old Jedi Temple where you'll never have a prayer for escaping," Obi-Wan said.
"Master Kenobi, I would like to inform you that Anakin has disobeyed a direct order. I ordered that this Sith be executed on the spot. He is dangerous and cannot be left alive," Palpatine said.
"Chancellor Palpatine, once Xanatos was disarmed, he ceased to be a threat. Anakin acted accordingly as a Jedi should. I understand that you are frightened, but you are safe. Now, we must make our way to main bridge and take control of this ship. Let's hope we can capture Grevious as well," Obi-Wan said, as he shoved Xanatos ahead of him. Anakin ushered the Chancellor ahead of him and walked behind him, ready to protect the Republic leader, because it was his duty and not because he liked the man.
They eventually made it to the General's level and began sprinting toward the command bridge where General Grevious was. Suddenly, blue shields surrounded them and they stopped.
"Ray shields...damn it," Anakin said.
"Wait a minute...how did this happen? We're smarter than this," Obi-Wan said. Anakin scoffed.
"Apparently not," Anakin replied sarcastically.
"I say patience," Anakin said. Obi-Wan looked at him like he'd grown a Bantha tail.
"Patience? You? Mister Hero With No Fear who leaps into danger without a moment's thought?" Obi-Wan quipped.
"Yes, patience. Artoo will be along any minute and he'll release the ray shields," Anakin replied. As if on cue, Artoo came sailing into the hall, letting loose an electronic shrill, as he slammed against the wall.
"See, no problem," Anakin replied with a smirk.
"Don't move," one of the droid guards told him. Artoo zapped him with his plasma ray, but another just kicked him over.
"Do you have a plan B?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin gave him an annoyed look.
"I don't see you doing any better, oh wise and great Negotiator," Anakin retorted.
"Hands up Jedi," the droids said, as they placed stun cuffs on the two Jedi and the Chancellor, before leading them to the command bridge.
Grevious snarled and coughed, as he spotted the two Jedi.
"So we meet again, Jedi scum," Grevious said.
"You can release me now," Xanatos said.
"Ah yes, Darth Seditious, I would only be too happy to," Grevious laughed evilly, as he beheaded the Sith apprentice.
"Worthless scum," Grevious said, as he kicked the body aside.
"Now Jedi slime, it is your turn to meet the same fate," Grevious said.
"Oh I don't think so. And this time...you won't escape," Obi-Wan said with determination. Anakin smirked and nodded to Artoo.
"Now Artoo!" he called. The little droid squealed and let loose everything he had in his arsenal, creating an effective distraction and snapping the restraints on the Jedi with his plasma ray. The Jedi brothers called their light sabers to their hands and stood ready to face Grevious...