DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
So sorry about the wait on this. I am back from my holiday and I had a fantastic time :D I love to see all of your support and hope you don't give up on me and my slow updates. I will do my best to get the next one out WAY quicker!
Anakin's hands rested lightly on Ahsoka's shoulders just as Palpatine had ordered. His eyes were lowered as per his training but his body was tense, ready for anything. He felt it the moment Obi Wan and Padme ran onto the landing platform and, for a second, against all of his training, Anakin lifted his eyes and saw his wife and best friend for the first time in months.
The gasp escaped before he could stop it.
Padme's belly was swollen with child, her face glowing with expectancy. She looked more beautiful than he remembered.
Emotions like he hadn't felt in months swelled inside him, threatening to drown him through sheer force. A single tear ran down his cheek as he struggled to manage the foreign feelings. Having lived with nothing but pain and loneliness for the last seven months, Anakin couldn't deal with these long forgotten stirrings.
"Padme?"
His voice was hoarse from disuse, emotions choking it further.
Sudden and ferocious pain blazed through his body at his transgression, sending Anakin sprawling to the ground. He gasped for breath, struggled to regain control of his muscles, wished for it to end. Not a moment after it started, the agony left him. He pulled himself to his feet, head lowered once more and breathing haggard.
He could hear Padme's sobs and felt Obi Wan's fury. Ashamed of his hopelessness, Anakin placed his hands back on Ahsoka's shoulders, feeling his own slump.
He had no right to be thrilled that his wife was pregnant again. What kind of father would he be anyway? A slave to the Emperor who had already allowed his twins to be kidnapped? Yeah, Father of the Year award right there.
"Well this has been an eventful reunion," the Emperor announced.
He had stood by silently, wanting to see his pet's reaction. It had been better than he'd anticipated. He hadn't known Padme was pregnant but this unexpected revelation could work to his advantage. Anakin's response had also delighted Palpatine. He could feel the whirlwind of emotions kicking up a storm within his pet despite his every effort to disguise them.
Palpatine turned to face Obi Wan and Padme, a knowing smile tugging his lips up.
"Master Kenobi," the Emperor bowed slightly, mockingly. "The years have been kind to you."
"It's a shame the sentiment can't be returned," Obi Wan replied.
He gently nudged Padme behind him, tightening his grip on his lightsaber. He turned his attention to his former padawan, his eyes taking in everything.
"Anakin, are you alright?"
Anakin refused to lift his head or utter a word. He didn't want Padme to see him like that again, to see how weak he'd become.
"He is fine Kenobi but I will have to ask you to lower your weapon," Palpatine said.
Obi Wan looked back at the Emperor. He was standing behind a bound Rex his hands clasped calming together behind his back. There was no fear or hesitation in his stance – a man who knew he was about to win.
"If you release my friends, I shall do so," Obi Wan replied.
Palpatine laughed. "Let's not play the fool Kenobi. Place your weapon down and surrender yourself. We both know you can't win."
Obi Wan shrugged, "At least I can die trying. I won't let you ruin my life the way you have Anakin's."
Anakin flinched and involuntarily tightened his grip on Ahsoka's shoulders. It was a low blow but a deserved one, he felt.
Palpatine sighed, as though he'd just been forced to do something he didn't want to.
"If that's how you want it to go," he said.
Palpatine stepped forward so he was directly behind Rex and withdrew his own lightsaber. As it hummed to life, Obi Wan caught Rex's and Ahsoka's eyes and gave them a nod. His expression never wavered from dogged determination.
Time slowed for Obi Wan as Palpatine put the lightsaber in front of Rex's neck. He could see Anakin's white-knuckled grip on Ahsoka's shoulders as he held her still. He could sense the frantic anger of the trapped Clones who couldn't get out to help the Emperor. Padme was trembling behind him but her sobbing had stopped. He could also hear a cruiser getting closer. Not knowing whether it held friend or foe, Obi Wan had already made his decision to end this quickly.
In one lightning fast move Obi Wan leapt at the Emperor, his lightsaber already swinging around to intercept the Sith's. At the same moment Rex, already on his knees, relaxed every muscle in his body and let himself slump down. He rolled to the side and away from the Emperor and Obi Wan.
Anakin, who had sensed the imminent danger to his Master only moments before the attack began, pushed Ahsoka aside and threw himself in front of the Emperor. His body was working entirely on ingrained instincts and drawing on the Force to strengthen himself. Without thinking about it, Anakin Force-pushed Obi Wan while he was still in the air, sending the older Jedi backwards.
Surprised but responding quickly, Obi Wan landed lightly on his feet. He saw Padme still standing where he'd left her, her hands covering her stomach protectively. Ahsoka had already managed to bring her arms around in front of her and now she was running towards him. Obi Wan reached into his cloak and retrieved her lightsaber. He threw it to her and she caught it, igniting it and cutting through her bonds in the same fluid motion. Rex had already reached Padme, who was fiddling with his cuffs.
Obi Wan returned his attention to Anakin and Palpatine. Palpatine was standing calmly behind his bodyguard but Anakin was tense and ready. Obi Wan and Ahsoka both stepped closer to the pair.
"Anakin, you don't want to do this," Obi Wan said soothingly.
The young man's head was downcast but Obi Wan could still feel his eyes watching. Anakin didn't move.
"It doesn't matter what he wants anymore Kenobi," Palpatine laughed.
Without warning Ahsoka charged at Anakin. Obi Wan watched, still walking closer to the Emperor and his prisoner.
Anakin didn't let Ahsoka get anywhere near the Emperor. He met her halfway, dodging under her swinging blade and swept her feet out from under her with one kick. She was up just as fast as she'd been knocked down, spinning to meet Anakin's next attack. He was right in front of her, his speed astonishing her. Sure she'd seen him fight countless times but she'd never been on the receiving end of his ire. His fist was aimed straight for her face. She threw her head back, out of his reach and attempted to pull her lightsaber in front of her. But Anakin's other hand was around her wrist already, his grip fierce and unyielding. She felt her bones crunching under the severity of his hold and instinctively dropped her lightsaber. It flickered out as it hit the ground.
Anakin released her, kicking her lightsaber over the edge of the landing platform. Ahsoka, biting back a pained cry, stepped away from him, well aware she was in over her head. She glanced over to see Obi Wan and Palpatine fighting furiously.
Anakin, having already sensed his Master in danger, was already backing away from the now-disarmed Ahsoka.
"Stay away from the Emperor and I won't have to hurt you," he hissed. His eyes were pleading as he spun around and ran back to the Emperor.
Obi Wan, seeing Ahsoka distract Anakin, chose that moment to attack the Emperor. Rage threatened to overcome him but he released his emotions into the Force, knowing no good could come of them. Palpatine saw him coming and raised his lightsaber once more. As Obi Wan ran at him, he reached into the dark side and threw black lightning at him. Not missing a beat, Obi Wan caught the lightning with his lightsaber and kept running. Seconds later the two lightsabers met with a spark of light. Obi Wan could feel the Emperor's strength as he struggled to gain the upper hand. A strong gust of wind suddenly picked up out of nowhere, accompanied by the sounds of the cruiser he'd heard earlier.
Gathering up his energy, Obi Wan Force pushed Palpatine away from him and took the moment to glance to the other end of the landing platform. A large silver cruiser was docked next to the platform, a man already running down the side ramp. A familiar presence washed over him and he turned back to the Emperor in time to see the Sith scowling. Feeling the dark side strengthen around the Emperor, Obi Wan calmed himself and got ready for the attack he could already see coming.
Palpatine came at him, lightsaber spinning and Force lightning crackling at his fingertips. Obi Wan parted his feet and stood his ground, matching Palpatine's thrusts and parries. The Emperor had him on the defence, the older man's moves quick and strong.
Then another lightsaber, this one a deep blue joined Obi Wan's. He didn't need to look over to see Ferus beside him. The ex-Jedi's presence was bright and strong as he helped to turn the tide on the Emperor.
Anakin saw Ferus join the fight and felt the change in the Emperor's emotions. He picked up his speed, needing to get the Emperor out of danger lest he be at the mercy of his collar and bracelet. He nearly didn't see Ahsoka coming but managed to stop his Force-aided sprint in a heartbeat. She had flipped herself in front of him, placing herself between him and the Emperor.
Desperation tore through his body. He didn't want to hurt Ahsoka but he knew he had no choice. He could almost feel the countdown as his body tensed, every sense hyper alert to Palpatine's fight.
"Move," he ordered, stalking towards her.
Ahsoka stood in front of him, unmoving. Another lightsaber was held loosely in her uninjured hand. He knew that she was just as adept with her left hand as she was with her dominant right – he had ensured that during her training as his padawan.
"Please," he whispered.
His fists were bunching at his sides, his muscles almost in spasms. He glanced over Ahsoka's shoulder and saw both Obi Wan and Ferus backing the Emperor up towards the edge of the landing platform. The Emperor wasn't making it easy for them, his fighting style brutal and unrelenting but both Ferus and Obi Wan were equally skilled warriors. Between the two of them, they slowly but surely were gaining the upper hand. Anakin knew he was needed despite the fierce tugging sensation that was in his chest.
Ahsoka noticed Anakin's momentary distraction and used it. She leapt through the air and brought the butt of her lightsaber down on his head. He stumbled backwards but quickly regained his footing. The hit had been hard but the pain was nothing compared to his training. He shook it off and refocused on Ahsoka. Maybe he could knock her out then help his Master.
Knowing he was both faster and stronger than Ahsoka, Anakin chose to wait for her to attack him. It had been obvious from her previous hit that she was unwilling to kill him but was unsure on how to take him out. Anakin didn't want to kill Ahsoka either but his training was stronger than his wants. He held his arms patiently by his side, his eyes watching Ahsoka's for the moment she would attack.
Ahsoka was no fool. She knew her old Master could best her, even without a lightsaber. She didn't know why he wasn't using one but in the grand scheme of things it really wasn't important. There was only one way she might be able to win and that was to play dirty. Ahsoka wasn't sure if Anakin knew where she'd been for the past couple of years but she knew for sure that he didn't know she could be as equally in tune with the dark side as she could the light. This knowledge would probably be the only thing he didn't know about her, which meant she might stand a chance.
Ahsoka leapt at her old Master, her lightsaber held above her head. As she landed, Anakin moved. He stepped to the side of her blade's arc and dodged around her, hoping to avoid her if possible. Ahsoka wouldn't have that though. She spun quickly and jumped back in front of him, her lightsaber inches from his throat. Anakin could see in her eyes that she wouldn't do it. His leg shot out as he crouched down and attempted to kick her feet out from under her again. Ahsoka saw this coming and leapt over his leg, landing behind him. She rushed up behind and grabbed him around the chest, the tip of her lightsaber in front of his throat.
"You won't kill me," Anakin said.
He struggled to pull his arms out of her hold. Ahsoka tightened her grip just as Anakin threw his head backwards, slamming the back of his skull into Ahsoka's nose. She cried out as she felt the bone shatter but somehow she didn't let go. Anakin's struggles became almost like thrashing and it was getting harder and harder for her to keep her grip. Extinguishing her lightsaber in an effort to redirect her energies, Ahsoka adjusted her stance so she had both of her palms pressed against Anakin's chest.
"Sorry Master," she murmured in his ear before reaching into the dark side of the Force.
It answered her call immediately, sending powerful arcs of black lightning directly into Anakin from her hands. He cried out in pain and Ahsoka could smell burnt flesh.
Seconds later he fell limp against her and Ahsoka finally felt his Force presence slip into unconsciousness. She was exhausted, both from her fight with Anakin and having to call upon such power. Black spots started to appear before her vision and the last thing she saw before passing out was Padme running towards them.