Thank you to the 12 people who reviewed the last chapter and here is the chapter that will cover "Altar of Mortis" with a twist. (Actually, there are a couple of twists in this chapter.) Reviews, as always, are much appreciated.
Chapter 37
The Jedi shuttle glided through the space above Mortis although Anakin was unsure of where it was they were heading.
He had taken over for Obi-Wan insisting that Obi-Wan get some sleep because he seemed very distracted, which was odd but Anakin supposed that the planet was odd itself. However, he didn't know why his former master was so distracted and kept looking around as if expecting to be attacked at any moment.
After leaving the monastery, they really didn't know where they would have to go in order to leave the planet. It seemed to Anakin as though they had been flying above the planet for so long that Anakin was beginning to think they were just going around in circles. It certainly felt like it.
"Master Skywalker, are you sure we're heading in the right way?" Jenica asked from where she was standing just behind Anakin while Ahsoka sat in the co-pilot's seat eyes flickering from the console to the viewports and back again.
"Honestly, I'm not sure about anything on this planet," Anakin admitted. "Ahsoka, do you have anything that could help us find our way out of here?"
Ahsoka shook her head. "No master," she said.
Anakin sighed. "I didn't think so," he admitted before he glanced over his shoulder. "Jenica, can you check on Obi-Wan? It might be time to wake him up." He grinned.
"I'll leave the waking Master Kenobi to you, Master Skywalker," Jenica said with a faint smile. "Master Kenobi's cranky when you wake him up before he's ready. The only exception is when there's a council meeting or we're about to go into battle."
Ahsoka chuckled. "At least that's better than Master Skywalker, Jeni," she said. "He only wakes up when we're about to go into battle. When I try to wake him up for a council meeting, I learn quite a few more Huttese curse words."
"That is not true," Anakin protested.
Ahsoka laughed.
Obi-Wan dreamt.
It seemed so unusual that he would be the one dreaming this time around; last time, Anakin had been the one that was dreaming. That changed when Anakin insisted Obi-Wan get some rest because he was distracted and Anakin thought it was because he was tired, which was far from the truth. But, naturally, Obi-Wan couldn't tell Anakin the truth.
Nevertheless, Obi-Wan was dreaming; he never did learn of what Anakin dreamt the first time around but he was positive he wasn't dreaming the same thing.
He was meditating in a meadow surrounded on three sides by trees with leafless branches gently caressing the sky and a roaring waterfall occupying the fourth side.
"Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan didn't open his eyes although he did sense Son's familiar Force presence. "Yes?" he said.
"I wish that you would not meddle in affairs that are none of your concern," Son said coolly.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes to find Son standing in front of the waterfall gazing at him with cool, impassive eyes. "This is my concern," he said calmly.
"I need the Chosen One. We must work together if we are to bring balance to the Force."
"What you consider to be balance might not be what the Force considers to be balance," Obi-Wan said uncrossing his legs. "I will not let you turn Anakin to the dark side. He will not become a Sith."
"He will not become a Sith; he will destroy the Sith," Son retorted angrily.
"At what cost?" Obi-Wan challenged still calm. "It will cost him more than you will ever know if he joins you. Joining you is not his destiny."
"And what do you know about Skywalker's destiny?" Son said coolly.
"Nothing. I only know what I lived through."
"Indeed. Skywalker and I can stop what you lived through ourselves."
"By stopping what I lived through, you may create an even worse future. I cannot take that chance."
Son's crimson eyes flared with anger. "Stay out of my way and quit meddling with things that should not be changed," he retorted transforming into his gargoyle form as he was surrounded by a burst of flames.
And then the dream shattered.
"Master, are you all right?" Jenica asked glancing at Obi-Wan as he sat up rubbing his head and thinking about his conversation with Son. "Did you have a nightmare?"
"Yes but it was nothing to concern yourself with, Jenica," Obi-Wan assured his apprentice as he swung his feet off the cot and stood up. Though things were going differently since they arrived on Mortis, Obi-Wan was positive Son would still attack and, perhaps, try to kidnap Ahsoka like last time.
The shuttle shuddered rapidly nearly knocking Obi-Wan and Jenica off their feet.
"We could use a little help here," Ahsoka called.
Obi-Wan snorted. "And here I thought Anakin was the best star pilot out there. I must have been mistaken," he said.
"I am the best star pilot out there," Anakin retorted.
Obi-Wan chuckled before he stopped short when Jenica suddenly gasped and he whirled around as Son stood there with his arm over Jenica's neck. Jenica, eyes wide with surprise, struggled to free herself but Son's hold was strong.
"Leaving so soon?" Son asked holding Jenica before using the Force to successfully lock Anakin and Ahsoka in the cockpit although Obi-Wan was positive they had sensed what was happening. "Not without this you won't."
"Master," Jenica cried as Son leapt out of the ship carrying her in his talons as he transformed into his gargoyle form.
"Jenica! Blast it!" Obi-Wan growled before he hurried into the cockpit. "Anakin!"
"What's going on, master?" Anakin asked.
"The Son took Jenica. We must go after her."
"He what?" Ahsoka gasped.
"Where did he go?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan pointed in the direction opposite the one they had been flying and Anakin swerved around so rapidly that Obi-Wan fell. "You could have warned me," he protested getting to his feet and grabbing the back of his former apprentice's seat as Anakin flew rapidly after Son.
"No time," Anakin replied not taking his gaze away from the landscape as he continued to guide the shuttle after Son. He swerved around many monoliths flying quickly to where Obi-Wan was starting to feel a little nauseous. Son was getting farther ahead of them but Anakin couldn't increase the speed at which he was flying without risking crashing into the monoliths.
They continued their chase around the many monoliths that littered that part of Mortis for many kilometers before things changed. Son, apparently seeing that they were gaining on him, increased his speed before disappearing into the fog.
"I can't see him," Ahsoka called.
"Neither can I," Anakin said.
"Anakin, be careful," Obi-Wan warned remembering what happened last time although he knew that if Mortis didn't want them to leave, even if their ship wasn't damaged, then it wouldn't let them leave. He only hoped that the ship wouldn't get too badly damaged.
"Aren't I always?" Anakin asked with a faint smile before he guided the shuttle into the fog swerving several times as he followed his senses to avoid flying into anything until they emerged from the fog to find an brilliant orb resting on top of a monolith in front of them bathing them in an eerie green glow.
"Anakin!" Ahsoka shouted sharply.
Anakin quickly swerved around the orb to avoid crashing into it; unfortunately, they lost control of the shuttle almost as soon as they entered the fog beyond the orb. The ship began to decelerate rapidly despite everything Anakin and Ahsoka were doing. Obi-Wan had to Force fasten himself to the floor to avoid being tossed out of the ship when it crashed. The ship slammed into the earth so hard that Anakin and Ahsoka were toss forward in their seats and Obi-Wan, also pushed forward by the crash, was thankful he had thought ahead to Force fasten himself to the ground.
Ahsoka groaned lifting her head off the console. "Ow, I was hoping you would have seen it sooner," she muttered.
"It was a giant tower. Of course I saw it right away, Snips," Anakin retorted rubbing his head before glancing at Obi-Wan. "Are you all right, master?"
"I am just thankful I thought ahead or else this would not have been that pleasant a landing for me. Is everyone all right?"
"Just bruised, Master Kenobi," Ahsoka said.
Obi-Wan led the way out of the shuttle into the fog-shrouded landscape with Anakin and Ahsoka just behind him. He gazed at the tower that rose up in front of him before glancing over his shoulder at Anakin and Ahsoka.
"Where'd they go?" Ahsoka asked.
"My guess is they went over there," Obi-Wan said pointing toward the tower.
"Then we should get going," Ahsoka said.
"We do not know of what it is we'll be facing, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan said. "We need to think of another way. I suggest that we speak with the Father first."
"But that'd take too long," Ahsoka protested. "Jenica's my friend. We can't just leave her."
"I don't plan on leaving her, Ahsoka, but this place is strong with the dark side of the Force. He wants to separate us; that is his plan. We cannot do this alone. We need the Father's help."
"But what if he doesn't help us?" Ahsoka demanded eyes filling with frustration.
"Then we will come up with a plan to help Jenica ourselves."
"By then, it might be too late! We need to help her now!"
Anakin was examining the tower thoughtfully. "He's too powerful for Jenica, Obi-Wan," he said.
"I know this, Anakin, but rushing headlong into this will not help Jenica. I want to help her too but to run into this without knowing of what will be awaiting us is foolish." Obi-Wan gazed at the tower for a few moments thinking about what to do based on what occurred the first time around.
"We need to do something soon," Ahsoka insisted getting control of her worry although Obi-Wan could tell, through the Force, that she was still feeling a little worry.
"And we will," Obi-Wan assured her. "We will."
Jenica struggled to pull herself from the chains that bound her to the wall fighting to free herself even though she knew that it was useless. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down going over the calming techniques her master showed her before she gazed around thinking of a way to get out of there before Son came back. She didn't find it likely but, at least, she would have a better understanding of where she was.
The first thing she decided to do was stop struggling. She was good at thinking before she did something at least most of the time. There were incidents were her desire to prove she could help her fellow Jedi despite having limited training that made her stop thinking before she did anything. The time on Lanteeb was an example of that.
At the moment, she wasn't helping her fellow Jedi; she was trying to figure out what to do now that she was in Son's clutches. She was still baffled that Son had taken her; what was he going to do? She didn't know.
"It looks like you are no longer struggling. You know that you have been left here to die," a creature said and Jenica glanced at the creature as it moved forward.
"No, I have not. I will get out of here," Jenica assured the creature with as much confidence as she could muster.
"Impossible," the creature said. "I've been here for more years than I care to remember."
"I'm a Jedi. Jedi don't give up that easily," said Jenica.
"Jedi?" the creature echoed. "Huh, but so young? Where is your master?"
"I know my master and my friends. They will come for me," Jenica said.
"And if they do not?" the creature asked climbing upward until it was face to face with Jenica.
"They will."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I trust them with my life," Jenica replied and she did even if she didn't know her master and Anakin for as long as she knew Ahsoka, she truly did trust them with her life. The creature climbed above her head and released her from the binds.
She lowered her arms before rubbing them. "Thank you," she said a little confused as to why the creature let her go. She was starting to have a bad feeling about everything that was going on and she didn't trust the creature who set her free one bit.
"The chains, the chains are the easy part," said the creature glancing at her from where he stood in front of her. "It's what goes on in here," he pointed to his head, "that's hard."
"What do you mean?" asked Jenica.
"You are alone now," the creature said walking around her but Jenica turned to keep him in her line of sight. "If you are to survive then you must forget your master and your friends."
Jenica felt something brush against her mind and she rested her hand on it. "I don't think I…" she began but broke off when the creature suddenly grabbed her arm and bit it. "Ow! What did you just do?" She grabbed her arm eyes wide.
"You are mine now," the creature said and Jenica heard Son's voice overlaying the voice of the creature. The last thing she heard was the creature clapping before she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Ahsoka was getting tired of waiting around for something to happen when her friend was in danger. "I can't just keep waiting here for some plan to appear out of thin air," she exclaimed breaking the silence that befell them.
Obi-Wan glanced at her. "We need a plan before we do anything, Ahsoka," he said.
"But…?"
"Master, on this case, I agree with Ahsoka," Anakin said. "I don't trust Son and the longer we leave Jenica in his hands, the worse I fear will happen."
Obi-Wan was gazing at the two of them. "I don't like the idea of you rushing into this but I am sure if I told you to stay here, you would ignore my order anyway so I just ask that both of you be careful."
"Aren't you coming with?" asked Ahsoka confused.
Obi-Wan was silent for a long moment. "The Son is powerful and I do not think neither of you will be able to match his power. I am going to find the Father and ask him if he knows of a way to stop the Son. However, I agree that Jenica needs your help now."
"I can go speak with the Father for you, Master, so you can go after Jenica yourself," Anakin offered.
Obi-Wan examined Anakin for a long moment. "I feel this is something I have to do," he said.
"If you say so, master." Anakin sounded disbelieving as if he didn't truly believe Obi-Wan had something else he had to do while his apprentice was being held by the Son and Ahsoka couldn't help but agree with her master. However, she knew that Obi-Wan was stubborn and if he said that he was going to do something then he was going to do it.
"Be careful," Obi-Wan said.
"We will and we'll make sure Jenica's all right by the time you decide to join us," Ahsoka said.
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. "I am following the will of the Force. I do not like leaving Jenica in the Son's hands but I know you will be able to help her whereas I have to find a way to stop the Son. There is no need for the resentment."
Ahsoka flushed; she hadn't realized she sounded resentful when she said those last words. "I'm sorry, Master Kenobi, but…" she broke off.
"You are worried for your friend and I understand that."
Anakin placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder. "If Obi-Wan feels this is something he has to do then we should let him do it," he said.
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
"Let's go, Ahsoka," Anakin said. "The sooner we find Jenica the better."
Ahsoka nodded in agreement before she and Anakin began making their way across the landscape toward the tower.
Obi-Wan paced in front of the ship trying to come up with a way to change what would happen next. He felt that he could change it and what he changed here on Mortis would have widespread repercussions throughout the entire galaxy. He remembered that the altar was somewhere he had to go to find the dagger and that Daughter would die if Son got his hands on the dagger. If he could stop Daughter's death then he wondered how many things would change in the future.
The Father had stated that with Daughter's death so shall the light die in the galaxy and that is what happened. Does this mean that if I prevent Daughter's death then the light will not die in the galaxy? Or was it just a coincidence that the dark side took control of the Republic after the dark side nearly won on Mortis? Obi-Wan thought. He didn't think it was a coincidence but he couldn't be positive if saving Daughter would truly mean that he would save the future. If saving Daughter's life was the only thing he needed to do to change the future into a better one then why bother sending him back to before the war began?
Nevertheless, I will do what I can to save Daughter's life this time around, Obi-Wan thought. I only hope that I am doing the right thing and I hope that the repercussions won't be that bad.
With a long sigh, Obi-Wan turned around and was surprised to find him standing at the bottom of the monastery. Even though it happened like that before, he was still surprised by the sudden change as if Mortis, itself, had transported Obi-Wan there. He was pretty sure that was what happened.
Daughter lifted her head from her meditation as Son walked into the room to stand beside Father. Father was silent before his eyes opened. "You are growing stronger, my son," he said.
"Am I, Father?" Son asked turning around to face the back wall and crossing his arms over his chest.
Father's eyes briefly closed before they opened again as he gazed at Son. "Vanity, however, is getting the better of you," he said.
"How so?" asked Son turning to face Father.
Father stood up and Daughter followed suit. "You have done what is forbidden," Father said. He gestured to Daughter and she nodded slightly before returning to her meditative pose although she did watch what was happening and listening to what was being said. "You've chosen the dark side and have allowed it to feed your anger and your desire for power." He walked down the steps and Son joined him.
"By bringing the Chosen One here, you have shown me my potential. You have only yourself to blame," Son retorted.
"Do not do this, Son. Do not become what you should not," Father said. "Be strong, I implore you. Or, hence, I will be forced to contain you."
"You look frail, Father," Son said suddenly and Daughter did not like the tone of her brother's voice.
"I am not dead yet," Father retorted.
"Well, perhaps I am tired of waiting!" Son shouted and Daughter stood up quickly eyes wide with horror as Son unleashed a torrent of red Force lightning at Father sending him flying down the steps of the monastery before he rolled to a halt.
"I hate you!" Son cried before he transformed and took off into the sky.
Obi-Wan immediately knelt down beside Father not even bothering to glance at Son as he flew overheard and disappeared into the dark sky. He heard Daughter call out to her father and glanced up as Daughter dashed down the steps to join them.
Obi-Wan and Daughter teamed up to carry Father inside before resting him on the platform at the head of the large room in the center of the monastery. Daughter's hands glowed as she waved them over Father's still form but Obi-Wan knew that Father wasn't in good shape.
"We will leave him to rest," Daughter said after she rested her hand on the ones Father had folded over his chest.
Obi-Wan continued to gaze at Father. "Your brother is losing himself to the dark side," he said quietly. "He's taken my apprentice."
"He must have his reasons," Daughter said.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Daughter, your brother is losing himself to the darkness and I know this to be true. I saw it happen before exactly as it has happened now. The only difference is that your brother took my apprentice this time instead of Anakin's. He tried to murder your Father last time and he did the same this time."
Daughter looked at Obi-Wan who lifted his eyes to meet her gaze. "Whether this has happened before or not, he still would never do that," she said.
"It is his nature. It is your nature to do what is selfless and it is his nature to do what is selfish. That is what you said to me when I first came to Mortis," Obi-Wan said. "I also know you cannot interfere with the ways of the Force because your father forbid it but there is some way for you to help me without interfering."
Daughter stood up. "Your knowledge of your first time on this planet is impeccable as that is what I was about to say. However, if you know of what it is you need then why ask for my help when you do not need it?"
Obi-Wan also stood up. "I am asking for your help because this is your world. I know where I must go and what I must get but I will not go there without permission."
Daughter was silent for a long moment. "Very well," she said. "Then you have my permission."
Obi-Wan nodded eyes thoughtful as he thought of a way to warn Daughter of what was going to happen next since he knew Daughter wouldn't believe him if he told her that her own brother would kill her. Without outright telling Daughter of what would happen, Obi-Wan decided that he would just stop it from happening. At least, he hoped he would be able to do that. He couldn't be sure. All he had to do was make sure Jenica, who was likely under Son's control, didn't take the dagger and deliver it to Son. "I shall return, Daughter," he said before he turned around and left the monastery.
It took him a little longer than the first time around to reach the cave because he had forgotten where it was located and spent a little while remembering. When he reached the cave, he entered it before walking down the stone steps gazing at the blade where it lay in its protective case surrounded by a ring of greenish-blue flames.
He used the Force to leap down from the stone staircase and onto the rock that lowered to a stop beside the platform on which the blade rested. Once he stepped onto the platform, he walked over to the blade as the protective case opened up before he stretched out a hand and removed the blade from the case. He lifted it out of the case before watching as the blade grew out of the mist that drifted out of the hilt.
Obi-Wan lowered the blade before making his way to the entrance to the cavern.
Ahsoka climbed to the top of the Son's headquarters. "I see her, Master," she called over her shoulder. "She doesn't look like she's harmed."
"That's good news," Anakin said pulling himself onto the platform.
Ahsoka turned around before hurrying into the courtyard where Jenica was sitting cross-legged in front of the trees in the center of the yard. "Jenica," she called. "Jenica, come on. Let's get out of here while we have the chance. You're safe now."
Jenica didn't respond.
Anakin narrowed his eyes but Ahsoka didn't notice as she moved forward. "Jenica, come on," she said gently.
"You know something, Ahsoka," Jenica said; her voice sounded different than what Ahsoka was used to. "I never did understand why it was that you were chosen to be an apprentice before me."
"Jenica?" Ahsoka sounded confused.
"And, not only that, but you were actually apprentice to the prophesized Chosen One." The jealousy in Jenica's voice stunned Ahsoka and she was surprised to hear that as well as resentment.
Anakin looked equally as surprised.
"Jenica? I don't understand. You were happy for me when you heard I had been chosen to become an apprentice and you've got one of the greatest Jedi masters in the Order as your master."
"Except that my master apparently likes playing in the art of deception."
"Obi-Wan would never deceive you, Jenica," Anakin put in.
Jenica laughed; a chilling sound that sent a shiver down Ahsoka's spine. "You say you know your former master so well, Master Skywalker," she sneered out the word as though it was a curse, "and yet you do not know him well enough to know that he is deceiving everyone."
"Jeni…?" Ahsoka began.
"Don't call me that," Jenica snapped standing up but she didn't turn around although her next words were directed at Anakin. "You know, I have thought long and hard about what he told me, Master Skywalker, you really should join him. He is only trying to help the galaxy."
"Jeni, this isn't like you. Snap out of it," Ahsoka shouted.
Jenica turned around to glare at Ahsoka; it took all of Ahsoka's will to not step back at the flaring yellow eyes that gazed back at her. "I said don't call me that," she snarled furiously. "He wants nothing to do with you, Ahsoka. He only wants the Chosen One."
"But he will not get me," Anakin said. "I will never join him."
Jenica laughed again. "Then he will kill me. I am sure you will have much fun explaining that to Master Kenobi, Master Skywalker. Explain how you got his apprentice killed. Won't that be an interesting tale?"
"I won't let him kill you, Jenica," Ahsoka declared.
"Neither will I," Anakin agreed.
"Then you will be forced to kill me and you would still have to explain to my master what happened," Jenica snarled blue lightsaber igniting in her hand before she leapt at Ahsoka who immediately ignited her blades to catch the attack.
Jenica attacked with such fury that she drove Ahsoka back several feet before knocking her off her feet and disarmed her. "Well, that was pathetic," she sneered before she thrust toward Ahsoka's shoulder but, before it could connect, Anakin's blade intersected the blow causing Jenica's eyes to snap up sharply.
"Nice of you to join us, Master Skywalker," she said coolly.
"I do not want to fight you, Jenica," Anakin said.
"But you must and you will," Jenica declared before launching several attacks back at Anakin that pushed him on the defensive. Ahsoka leapt to her feet but she found that she didn't want to fight Jenica; she and Anakin could easily overpower her but she didn't want to. She didn't want to hurt her friend and she could tell by the way Anakin was fighting that he didn't either.
"I need to go try to speak some sense into my apprentice, Daughter," Obi-Wan said softly as he walked alongside Daughter as she made her way to Son's fortress.
"I do not like disobeying my father but I see that I have no choice," Daughter said. "Go to your friends. I will try to speak some sense into my brother."
Obi-Wan nodded and Daughter watched as the time jumper, as she called him in her head, dashed toward the courtyard before she made her way into the monastery to speak with her brother.
"Sister, what a pleasant surprise," Son said as Daughter neared the steps leading up to the throne he was standing next to.
"What have you done, brother?" Daughter demanded.
"Done?" Son echoed sitting down on his throne. "I have done what is right or what is wrong. Depending on your point of view."
"Our father is dying," Daughter said quietly. "Please tell me you didn't do it." Obi-Wan had told her Son did it, both the first time he was on Mortis and now, but Daughter still didn't want to believe it until she heard it from her brother.
"He is just so selfish and was taking too long to die so I decided to move things along," Son said. "Now, why are you here?"
"I won't let you leave this planet," Daughter declared as that's what Obi-Wan told her Son wanted to do the first time around.
"You are not strong enough to keep me here," Son said.
"Not alone perhaps," Daughter said.
"Are you talking about the Chosen One? Sister, he is quite busy at the moment. I do not think he will be able to help you anytime soon," Son said.
Daughter did not like the sound of that and fervently hoped Obi-Wan knew what he was doing.
Anakin was trying to fight Jenica without actually fighting her. He didn't want to hurt her and he knew that was why Ahsoka was hesitating about reentering the fight. Between the two of them, Anakin knew they would be able to defeat Jenica but neither of them wanted to hurt her. She left Anakin with no choice but to defend himself though.
"I don't want to fight you, Jenica," Anakin called.
Jenica didn't seem to care; she launched another attack landing a kick that sent Anakin flying to the ground but, when she flipped backwards, Ahsoka joined into the fight. Jenica pushed Ahsoka back as Anakin got to his feet and called his lightsaber to his hand only to stumble backwards when Jenica kicked Ahsoka so hard that Ahsoka flew into him.
"Are you all right, Ahsoka?" Anakin asked once he and his apprentice regained their balance.
Ahsoka nodded eyeing Jenica.
"Well, it looks like you aren't that great an apprentice if you cannot even defeat me and I haven't had as much training as you," Jenica snarled. "It looks like your master isn't as great a master as you claim him to be." Without waiting for Ahsoka to respond, she attacked again and Ahsoka's lightsabers had to work quickly to block the attacks.
"You are certainly a weakling. I want a challenge," Jenica sneered. "Are you just going to stand there and watch, Master Skywalker? Are you a weakling rather than the great and powerful Chosen One?"
Anakin didn't let Jenica's taunts get to him because she knew she wasn't speaking as herself. Son had taken control of her and Anakin knew it. "I do not want to fight you, Jenica," he said.
"Then you will just have to sit by and watch as I kill your precious apprentice," Jenica shouted before she attacked Ahsoka again furiously.
Anakin gritted his teeth. What was he supposed to do?
He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and glanced to his side as Obi-Wan stepped to his side gazing at Jenica before he moved forward. "Jenica?" he called.
Jenica glanced sharply up eyes flaring. "Well, if it isn't my master. Finally decided to join the little party, master?" she asked.
"Jenica, this is not you. Son has taken control of you," Obi-Wan said.
Jenica laughed. "Are you sure this isn't me? I feel like myself, better than ever actually," she said. "But you know what? Since I want a challenge rather than this weakling of a Jedi…" She kicked Ahsoka hard in the chin and sent her flying to the ground before she turned on Obi-Wan before leaping at him.
Obi-Wan's lightsaber ignited and he caught the attack although it drove him backwards a few feet. "I do not wish to fight you, Jenica," Obi-Wan said.
"Then I guess it is time for the apprentice to kill the master."
"You are getting ahead of yourself, Padawan." And, with that, Obi-Wan fought back. He fought in such a way that suggested he wasn't going to hurt his apprentice while at the same time putting his apprentice on the defensive.
Ahsoka got to her feet but Anakin shook his head when she looked like she was going to leap back into the fight. She glanced quizzically at Anakin as she walked around the duel to his side. "Master…?" she began.
"I know Obi-Wan, Ahsoka. He can beat Jenica without hurting her," Anakin said. "Even with what Son did to her." Anakin's words were proven correct a few minutes later when Obi-Wan skillfully disarmed Jenica and knocked her to the ground.
Jenica snarled eyes flashing with fury as Obi-Wan called her lightsaber to his hand. "It looks like you have been defeated, Padawan," Obi-Wan said calmly.
Son had to admit he was surprised by Kenobi who defeated Jenica quickly. How he managed to defeat her when she was filled with the power of the dark side, he did not know. It must be because he is from the future, Son decided silently before he turned to face his sister.
"Did you feel it, sister? All that anger? Did you feel it?" he asked.
"Their conflict was feeding you wasn't it?" Daughter demanded quietly. "But they have been stopped."
"Not for long," Son sneered before he stretched out with the Force and grasped onto his puppet before feeding her with enough power to toss Kenobi off and reclaim her weapon. He then turned around in time to find Jenica lash out in a Force push that sent Kenobi flying backwards a few feet before ripping her lightsaber from Kenobi's grip. She then leapt at Kenobi forcing him to fight again.
"I must stop them," Daughter said starting to move towards the door leading out of the throne room.
"No," Son growled lashing out with the Force to grab Daughter and toss her away. Daughter wasn't that easily deterred though; she used the Force to lift Son into the air and slam him back face-first into the ground.
Son drew upon the conflict that was still occurring in the courtyard before it stopped because he knew that Kenobi was getting closer to disarming and defeating Jenica yet again. The meddlesome fool had interfered so much since he arrived on Mortis and it would appear he would again unless Son managed to stop his sister before the conflict ended. That was because when Father arrived, he was going to need the power that came to him because of the fight in the courtyard to take him out.
He got to his feet before glaring at his sister. "If you will stand in my way then I guess we must fight," he said.
Daughter dropped into a ready stance at Son's words.
"Isn't there something we can do?" Ahsoka shouted over the sounds of Obi-Wan and Jenica's blades clashing against each other. "She seems stronger than before Obi-Wan beat her the first time."
"The only thing I can think of is that we help," Anakin called back.
Ahsoka nodded and the two of them leapt into the battle. Jenica drew backwards a few steps at the appearance of the two other Jedi. "Three on one, how unfair," she said with a slight pout but her eyes betrayed her anticipation for the challenge.
"Anakin, Ahsoka, we need to free her from Son's control," Obi-Wan called.
"How do you suppose we do that?" Ahsoka asked lashing out with the Force and Jenica was sent skidding backwards several yards.
Obi-Wan pulled out a hilt and Ahsoka watched in wide-eyed surprise as mist erupted from the hilt to form a blade.
"What in the galaxy is that?" she asked.
"It can be used to either kill the Son or bring him back under control," Obi-Wan said.
"Where did you get that?" Jenica shouted eyes flashing with anger and her voice seemed overlaid with the voice of the Son. "Give it to me!"
And then she leapt at the group but Obi-Wan tucked the blade away as Anakin and Ahsoka caught Jenica's attack.
Daughter blocked the blasts of red Force lightning that her brother was launching at her before she caught one of the bolts and sent it flying back at Son. It slammed into him and sent him flying backwards and upwards to crash into the support beams above their heads. Daughter held him there but Son unleashed another torrent of lightning that slammed into Daughter sending her flying to the ground.
She got to her feet as Son leapt down from the beam he had been pinned to. "You don't have to do this," she said.
"Then stand aside," Son shouted before unleashing another torrent of lightning that slammed into Daughter sending her flying to the ground.
"I can't. I won't," Daughter replied as she fell to one knee before she transformed into her griffin form and charged Son ignoring the lightning he shot at her. She sent him flying backwards and he got to his feet and, glaring at her, transformed into his gargoyle form and attacked as well. They clashed and Son grabbed Daughter by the shoulders before tossing her to the ground causing her to transform back.
He then prowled toward her but Daughter pushed herself up before using the Force to send Son flying backwards and also forcing him to transform back into his human form. She walked over to join Son who unleashed a torrent of lightning at her. Daughter caught it before pushing it back until she and Son were close to each other.
And that was when the Father arrived.
"Stop this," Father shouted before he waved his hand and Daughter and Son were tossed through the window to land with a crash in the courtyard nearly cannoning into the four Jedi had they not leapt out of the way in time.
Obi-Wan pushed himself to his feet as he watched his companions, Son and Daughter also get up. Father landed on the stone platform in front of him.
"So glad you can make it to our little party, Father," Son said getting to his feet before unleashing a torrent of Force lightning. Father caught the lightning easily.
"You will stop this," he said.
Obi-Wan made sure to keep the dagger with him. He wasn't going to toss it at Anakin as he had last time because that allowed Ahsoka to grab it while it was in the air and he knew Jenica would likely do the same thing. If he had to then he would kill the Son himself but he was unsure of whether that would happen or not.
"You are too weak for me, old man," Son retorted adding more lightning to the lightning the Father was already blocking. Daughter pushed herself to her feet at that moment and Obi-Wan walked to her side. "You mean nothing to me anymore." He added more power to the lightning and Father was tossed off his feet. He fought to get to his feet but Son unleashed another blast of lightning that sent him to the ground again.
Obi-Wan held out a hand to help Daughter up gazing at Son before he pulled out the dagger again. "Anakin, we need to stop him now," he called.
"I'm open to suggestions," Anakin called back.
Obi-Wan gazed at the dagger he held in his hand before dashing toward the platform not bothering on tossing the dagger to Anakin. Jenica, however, saw him move and dashed toward him tackling him to the ground and sending the dagger flying. She then flipped over him and dashed toward the dagger as it hit the ground.
Obi-Wan lashed out with the Force and Jenica was sent flying over the dagger to crash into the wall that surrounded the courtyard. Hoping his apprentice was okay, he dashed forward before grabbing the dagger, turning on his heel and tossing it at Son forcing him to dodge out of the way to avoid the dagger. It hit the wall of the courtyard before dropping to the ground.
Anakin dashed forward before grabbing the dagger just as Son unleashed a torrent of red lightning that slammed into him and sent him flying to the ground. Obi-Wan quickly ran forward but Jenica lashed out with a Force push that would have hit Obi-Wan had he not sensed it and dodged out of the way.
Jenica dashed toward Anakin but Obi-Wan wasn't going to let her get the dagger and deliver it to Son. "Anakin, you have to be quick," he called tackling Jenica to the ground and pinning her down.
Anakin nodded before leaping toward Son but Son sensed the attack and unleashed another torrent of red lightning that sent Anakin flying into the wall of the courtyard. He then turned crimson eyes to Obi-Wan. 'You have meddled enough in these affairs,' Son growled in Obi-Wan's mind before Obi-Wan winced as Jenica jabbed her knee into his stomach forcing him to let her go.
Son let out a torrent of red lightning that slammed into Obi-Wan and sent him flying to the ground pain coursing through him. The last time he had felt the pain of Son's lightning had been the first time he had been on Mortis.
Son snarled in fury releasing the lightning in order to dodge Anakin's attack again. "This is not over," he snarled as Jenica walked to his side.
Oh no, Obi-Wan thought pushing himself to his feet and trying to ignore the pain as he realized exactly what Son was going to do.
'Your meddling has ruined my plan and this is part of my way of getting you back for that,' Son said through the Force. "You have failed me, Jenica," he said coolly before he stretched out a hand and touched Jenica's forehead. "I have no use for you anymore."
"No!" Obi-Wan shouted eyes wide as Jenica crumpled motionless to the ground.
Without pausing, Son turned around, transformed into his gargoyle form and flew away.
"Jenica!" Ahsoka shouted dashing forward to crouch beside Jenica eyes wide with surprise. Anakin joined her staring in surprise at Jenica's body. Obi-Wan was at Jenica's side eyes wide and Ahsoka could see sadness in their depths.
He lifted his eyes to Father and Daughter as they joined the group. "Please, there must be something you can do," he said quietly.
"There is nothing that can be done," Father said.
"There has to be something," Ahsoka cried.
"Let me help them, Father," Daughter said. "I can help them. You know that I can."
Father gazed at Daughter for a long moment. "Are you sure, Daughter?" he asked.
"I am sure."
"Very well." Father gazed at Anakin. Anakin locked eyes with Father before nodding slowly and getting to his feet. Obi-Wan gently turned Jenica over until she was on her back and Daughter lied down next to Jenica while Anakin knelt down between them.
Father stood behind Anakin. "My Daughter wishes to help you by breathing life back into your friend," he said raising his hands and, in turn, Anakin raised his hands before resting two fingers on the Daughter's forehead and two fingers on Jenica's forehead.
A brilliant white light as well as such power drifted through Anakin and nearly blinded Ahsoka and Obi-Wan to where they had to shield their eyes. When they looked again, both Daughter and Jenica were glowing and part of the way off the ground and Anakin's eyes were glowing white as the power flooded through him.
Slowly, Daughter and Jenica were lowered to the ground and Anakin's eyes returned to normal. Ahsoka turned her eyes to Jenica just as she coughed and her green eyes opened before gazing around as she sat up.
Ahsoka hugged Jenica and she watched as Obi-Wan put an arm around her and Anakin, eyes glittering with exhaustion, gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Jenica looked confused as Ahsoka and Obi-Wan let her go.
"What happened?" she asked confused.
"Long story," Obi-Wan said softly before he stood up and walked over to join the Daughter. He held out a hand and gently helped the exhausted Daughter get to her feet. He gazed at the Daughter for a long moment. "Thank you," he said quietly.
"There is no need for thanks," Daughter replied.
Father sighed quietly. "As my son has descended into the darkness so shall the Sith gain strength," he said looking up at the three of them as he walked to Daughter's side.
"We will stop your son," Anakin said firmly.
"No. You must go now," Father said. "He needs your ship to leave this planet. You must leave before he can take it."
"What about you? Will you two be all right?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We will do what we can to help you get off this planet before my brother can take your ship," Daughter said. "But my father is right. You must go now."
Obi-Wan nodded before walking over to Jenica's side. "Come on," he said quietly. "We'd better go."
Ahsoka nodded before she walked to Jenica's side and Anakin held out the dagger toward Father. "I believe this is yours," he said and, when Father took it, he followed Obi-Wan, Jenica and Ahsoka as they walked away from the platform.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was the 14-page chapter that covered "Altar of Mortis" with a twist (well two twists actually)
Darth: I liked the twists
Anakin: so did I
Ahsoka: me too
Severus: they made the chapter a good read
Harry: THEY WERE AWESOME
Severus: must you yell, Potter?
Harry: yeah, why?
Severus: (rolls eyes and sighs)
Harry: what's the next chapter going to be about?
Blaze: the next chapter is going to cover "Ghosts of Mortis" but, because of events in this chapter, it will probably not go even close to the episode. Some, if not most, of the quotes will remain the same though
Harry: that's cool
Blaze: please review and I will post chapter 38 as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon