In the words of Count Dooku himself: "I've been looking forward to this."
The guardian was sure it had only been a week or two since young Obi-Wan and Anakin had left. So, when another Sith arrived, he couldn't help but be shocked. He had no idea who this new Sith was, nor who his companion was. Perhaps a better term would be captive.
The Sith- both a True Sith and a Banite Sith and therefore likely the Sith Master- was simply floating his companion along. His captive was a young woman, perhaps a few years older than Anakin, and… the guardian studied her. Yes, she had some strength in the Force, though probably not enough that she could have become a Jedi. She was also absolutely furious, though since she was bound and gagged, she wasn't able to say anything about it.
The guardian entered her mind and found her name- Padmé Amidala- and the name of her captor- Palpatine. Palpatine hadn't even acknowledged the guardian, so the guardian was going to assume he was like the worst of the Banite Sith.
The guardian would have frowned. He'd heard the name Palpatine before… ah, yes. That was the name of the man Obi-Wan had mentioned when he was here.
"There," Palpatine said as he dropped Padmé on the ground in the same training room Anakin killed Tyranus.
She glared up at him. He waved his hand and her bindings fell off. "I know you have questions, my dear. But we merely need to wait until Anakin and Kenobi arrive. I won't answer your questions, so don't bother asking them."
She scrambled to her feet. "Why would…"
"I brought you here so that Kenobi would answer my questions," Palpatine snarled. "He and Anakin changed after Anakin killed Dooku here, and I want answers. And I won't kill all three of you afterwards, if you are still useful to me. I always intended on having Anakin kill Dooku eventually, but apparently he just couldn't wait. No matter. I'll have the boy under my control soon enough. And you as well, Padmé. As for Kenobi… perhaps I'll take him as well. Or simply have Anakin kill him. We will see."
The guardian was distracted as two more beings entered the temple, both at a near dead run. He looked at them and all but sighed in relief. It was Obi-Wan and Anakin. The guardian appeared before them.
"Lord Rivan," Obi-Wan said, not sounding surprised at all as he slowed to a stop. "Were we right? Is Sidious here? We saw a ship landing when we arrived, but we can't tell if it was the right one."
The guardian glanced at Anakin, who looked horrible, then nodded. "He is. He and his hostage- a Padmé Amidala- are in the same room in which Lord Skywalker defeated Tyranus. I… cannot interfere with your fight, you are all True Sith. But I would prefer if you would win. Palpatine seems to be like the worst of the Banites. He's talking about controlling Lord Skywalker, and killing you, Lord Kenobi."
Anakin scowled. "I'm not surprised," he said. "Two faced bastard…"
"Let's just get to them," Obi-Wan said. "Anakin- I will NEVER let him control you. Never. Lord Rivan, can you tell us if he expects us so soon?"
"I don't believe so," the guardian said after checking on the other Sith Lord. "He seems to ranting at the woman."
"Is she alright?" Anakin asked.
The guardian frowned. "She appears to be a little frightened, but mostly angry," he said. "Otherwise, she seems well enough. I think she might have a few small injuries, but nothing that would slow anyone down."
"Good," Anakin said. "Let's get to them."
"Anakin are you…"
"He's expecting me," Anakin said. "And probably you. So let's give him what he wants."
Obi-Wan looked worried. "Anakin… are you sure you're ok?"
"He took my wife, Obi-Wan," Anakin snarled. "I'm not going to be ok until she's safe."
Obi-Wan sighed. "Just remember, Anakin, that this anger is what he wants. He doesn't want you to be able to think."
The guardian frowned at Obi-Wan. Anger was useful, especially if one had to fight a Sith Master. Both of the young Sith had bad habits from their time in the Jedi Order.
Obi-Wan caught the frown and simple tilted his head.
"You should use your anger," the guardian said. "You will need it, dealing with a Sith Master."
Obi-Wan scowled. "I hope you're wrong," he said.
The guardian gave in to temptation and threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "You are both Sith Lords!" he exclaimed. "True Sith, and the first we've really had in a thousand years. Why don't you use your power?"
Anakin and Obi-Wan just looked at each other. "Later," Anakin said as he headed down the tunnel toward the training area.
Obi-Wan nodded and matched him stride for stride. The guardian rolled his eyes and followed them. "Is there anything else you can tell us?" Obi-Wan asked.
"The woman- Lord Skywalker's wife?" Obi-Wan nodded. "She is free to move about the room, though I suspect that will change when you arrive." The guardian glanced at Anakin. "And I thought the Jedi order wasn't allowing their members to get married just now."
"Anakin…"
"I'm not very good with that rule," Anakin said. "Padmé is…" he shook his head and fell silent. He flexed his left hand, trying to control his anger
The guardian was pleased by Anakin's anger. And even Obi-Wan's, though the latter had his under far better control.
Both of them were furious, and the guardian could detect a well of fear in Anakin's mind as well. All those feelings were under that damnable Jedi control they both had, but they were there.
This fight might be just what was needed to draw it out. It just didn't do for Sith Lords to have as much control as Jedi.
And, almost as soon as the guardian thought that, they arrived just outside the training room.
Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged glances before Anakin took a deep breath and set his shoulders. The guardian released his physical form, determined not to interfere.
Side by side, Anakin and Obi-Wan walked in to confront the Sith Master.
Surprise! I've been planning the return to the Sith Temple about as long as we've been away from it! So... did anyone (or anyone who hasn't already read this on AO3 or tumblr) expect this? Next chapter is what I've been calling the "Fate of the Sith Order" chapter.