Chapter 87: Altar of Mortis

He who surrenders hope, surrenders life.

Recap: Sent to discover the origin of a mysterious distress call. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Twilight Sparkle, Storm, and Padawan Ahsoka Tano all are stranded on a distant planet. Later they discover three beings, more powerful with the Force than any Jedi have seen before. The Father keeps a fragile balance between his Daughter, who allies with the light side, and the Son, who drifts ever closer to the dark. With his strength failing, the Father asks Anakin to stay and take his place, preserving the balance between light and dark, but after passing a perilous test, Skywalker refuses. Now, we find our heroes about to depart for their journey home... Or so they think.

After the morning's ordeal, the Jedi were in their ship as they were looking to leave Mortis behind. Twilight had gotten up from her seat as she was making her to one of the shuttle's cabins. Storm had been sitting on his bed ever since they boarded. The boy was shown thinking as he tried to recall the events.

For the Jedi Knight, he didn't know what he did; the moment he was blasted by the figures, he was knocked out. Only when the power that surged through him faded away, he returned to his senses and saw Twilight chained up.

The door opened, and standing in the doorway was Twilight.

"Hey," smiled the princess.

"Hey," responded Storm as he turned around while sitting on the bed.

"Thank you," said the girl as she approached the bed facing her partner's back.

"Don't mention it. But I don't know how I saved you. The last thing I remember before passing out was this feeling. I can't describe it, but it felt warm and calming. The next thing I remember is coming to and seeing you chained up." said the boy.

Twilight looked at her partner as the nightmare she encountered on Mortis played in her head. She recalled how Storm didn't know her and how horrible her life was. If the dream or whatever it was meant something, the princess knew one thing. Storm was still lost in his thoughts when he felt something.

The boy felt a pair of arms wrap around him as Twilight hugged her partner from behind. The girl had her head to her partner's back as she sighed happily. The princess relished the moment as she wanted to engrave it in her mind so that she would never fear Storm leaving her forever.

"Storm, would you... ever forget me? If something were to happen... would you..."

"No," responded Storm as he continued to look forward. "I can never forget you, Sparky."

"Same here," said Twilight.

The girl lifted her head as she placed it on Storm's shoulder. The boy turned his head and saw how close he was to the princess' face. The pair had a smile on their face as they looked into each other's eyes.

"Thank you... for saving me, my Jedi Knight."

"I'd promised to keep you safe, Princess."

"Say... how about once we finish our next set of missions, let's go somewhere. I know a place where you can relieve yourself of all the stress," said Twilight.

"Is that so?" smiled the boy.

"Just tell me, do you like the beach?" asked Twilight.

"Not really a big fan of sand," answered the Jedi Knight.

"Why's that?" asked the girl.

"The way Anakin describes it is that it's rough, irritating, and gets everywhere. Which he kinda is right."

"Well, what do you like?" asked the princess.

"I don't know, I guess...I like things that are smooth... and... soft to the touch," muttered Storm as he raised his hand.

The boy cusped Twilight's cheek as she leaned into his touch. He ran it across her cheek as Twilight let out a soft moan. Storm then returned his hand and rested his palm across her face, with his thumb rubbing her lips. Her tongue darted around a little, flicking at his digit. She reached up and ran her hand through his hair. The pair then leaned to have their foreheads touch each other; for the next bit, both just sat there in that position as they closed their eyes and enjoyed the presence of the other with smiles on their faces.

While the pair were enjoying being in the other's arms, Anakin was shown sleeping on his bed on the other side. Compared to Storm, who was surrounded by a light aura, Anakin was shown to be in a dark aura. The Jedi Knight was napping as he had a dream. It showed the Jedi Knight back on Mortis as he napped on the ground.

"Anakin. Anakin. Anakin." called out a voice as the Jedi Knight awoke.

He sat up and grabbed his head with his hands. In front of the Jedi, rising from the water, was himself. The figure began approaching the Jedi as Anakin noticed this and stood up.

"It's true what they say. You are the Chosen One. Join me." said the other Anakin as he began to change. The Jedi Knight saw himself change into the Son as he stood before him. "Together, we can change the balance of the universe, my friend."

"You must know I will never join the dark side willingly," stated Anakin.

"How simple you make it... light and dark, as if there is one without the other. Aligned, you and I can restore balance wherever we go, peace to the universe," said the Son.

"By becoming a Sith," responded Anakin. "Never."

"We will destroy the Sith and the Jedi," growled the Son as he turned into flames.

Anakin was walking away when everything went dark. He turned to see the Son turn into his gargoyle form and roar at the Jedi before lunging at him. At that moment, Anakin awoke as he sat up and panted. Ahsoka was walking by his bed when she noticed her teacher gasping.

"Were you having a nightmare?" asked Ahsoka to her master.

"Something like that," groaned Anakin softly.

At that moment, the ship rocked a bit. Storm and Twilight felt it as they fell, with the boy falling back onto the bed and the girl falling on top of him. Storm rubbed his head as he was unprepared for the sudden bump; he then noticed Twilight lying directly on top of him and felt her breasts pressing him. The princess recovered as she blinked and saw how dangerously close her face was to being directly above the boy's.

Neither said anything as they continued to stare. Soon another rocking was heard as the girl let her partner sit up; the pair exited the room as they checked to see what was going on.

"If you're both done napping, I could use a little help here," said Obi-wan to his pals as he was having some trouble flying.

"I'm coming," said Anakin as he and Storm began to make their way to the cockpit.

Just then, the pair heard the sounds of grunting as they turned. Standing there was the Son as he had both girls in a hold as they struggled with the door closing to separate them from Obi-wan.

"Leaving so soon? Not without this, you won't," said the Son to both Jedi Knights as they were shocked.

The hatch below them opened up as the Son fell with the girls in his arms.

"Ahsoka!"

"Twilight!"

Both Jedi Knights saw their friends being captured and disappear in a flash. They looked down and saw the Son had turned into his gargoyle form and was carrying the girls off in his talons as they screamed.

"What's going on?" asked Obi-wan as the pair entered the cockpit.

"The Son took the girls!" said Storm.

"What in the blazes are you talking about?" responded the Jedi Master.

"Move. Let me fly!" said Anakin to his teacher as he took the wheel.

The ship began to rock as Obi-wan was thrown back into his chair at how his student was commandeering the shuttle. The ship flew into the clouds above before doing a U-turn and diving back down. The Jedi were now following the gargoyle as they spotted him. They were flying by a cavern as they avoided the stone pillars. Anakin pushed the throttle as he closed in on the creature.

The gargoyle saw the ship as he turned to reveal a rock spire the ship was heading into. Anakin quickly saw it and turned the shuttle as well. He was navigating it to weave in and out of the spires to catch up with the creature. Obi-wan saw the fury on Anakin's face as he was concerned. They were about to close the distance when the gargoyle put on a burst of speed and quickly zoomed into the smoke as the Jedi lost sight of him. Anakin just pushed the acceleration as he headed into the smoke. Soon they came face to face with a strange tower supporting a huge glowing sphere.

"Look out!" yelled Obi-wan to his apprentice as they were about to crash into the structure.

Anakin kept a stern face as Obi-wan acted on his instincts and turned the ship to narrowly avoid it. Anakin quickly yanked back the wheel to turn as the ship was now spinning out of control. They were heading to the ground as the Jedi prepared themselves. The ship hit the ground as it rocked and began to skid along the ground. It soon came to a halt; Anakin and Storm were leaned back in their chair with their hands on their foreheads while Obi-wan was slumped over the control panel.

The Jedi Master groaned as he looked at his protégé.

"I didn't think you saw it," said Obi-wan as he got up.

"It was a giant tower. Of course, I saw it!" complained Anakin to his teacher for taking control of the ship when he knew what he was doing as they crashed.

The trio exited the ship as it was completely destroyed on both the outside and inside. They were now looking at their surroundings to see if they could spot the Son.

"Any sign of him?" asked Storm.

"No. But I think it's obvious where he's taken them," said Obi-wan as all three stepped forward and, in the distance, was the glowing tower they avoided.

"We must hurry!"

"Anakin, this wasn't a mistake. He brought us here for a reason. We must not get involved. Any conflict here could have dramatic repercussions for the universe at large." said the Jedi Master to his student.

"I don't care. He's too powerful for Ahsoka. I won't leave her alone." said the Jedi Knight to his teacher.

"And I'm not leaving till I get Twilight back! I made a promise to her!" shouted Storm as both Jedi Knights were concerned for their respective partners.

"We are in the middle of something we don't truly understand. We'd be wise to confer with the Father first," said Obi-wan as he turned both of his pals to address them directly.

"There's no time!" said Anakin.

"This is what he wants, to divide us," said Obi-wan to his student as he was not thinking straight.

"It's my fault he took her!" shouted Anakin.

"I'm not gonna lose Twilight again!" yelled Storm as he was in the same boat as his friend.

"You both feel how strong this part of the planet is with the dark side. The Father will know what to do," said the Jedi Master to his pals as he tried to get them to calm down and not let their feelings for the girls cloud their minds and judgment.

"He can't help us," sighed Anakin as he began to walk toward the tower.

"Storm, please, listen to reason."

"But, Twilight..."

"We'll get her back. I promise," said Obi-wan to his friend as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.

Storm looked ahead as he saw Anakin starting to get further from view. The boy desperately wanted to go with his friend to rescue the girls, but he soon sighed.

"Alright," responded Storm as he chose to go along with Obi-wan's idea.

The Jedi Master smiled as he removed his hand and began to pace around. The Jedi Knight saw Anakin slip beyond the horizon as he couldn't see him. The teen looked up at the glowing tower as he felt Twilight's presence.

"Please, just hang on, Twilight. I promise I'll come rescue you, princess," muttered the Jedi Knight.

He turned to walk back to Obi-wan as it was again shown Storm having an aura made of light, while Anakin had an aura of darkness.

In the tower, Ahsoka was shown being chained to a wall as her arms were held above her.

"You cannot keep me here. You hear me?!" shouted Ahsoka.

"Save your energy. You have been left to die," said a voice as it belonged to a creature. Ahsoka looked as she saw it in her cell.

"Then I will escape," said Ahsoka in a strained voice as she tried to break free.

"Impossible," chuckled the creature. "I have been here for more years than I care to remember," said the creature as he stood up and approached the girl.

"I am a Jedi. We don't give up easily," replied Ashoka.

"Jedi? Huh. But so young. Where is your master?" asked the creature.

"He will come for me," stated the Padawan.

"And if he does not?" asked the creature.

"He will," answered the girl.

"What makes you so sure?" said the creature as he climbed the wall and got up Ahsoka's face with the girl turning away. Soon the chains came off as he jumped off the wall.

"Thank you," said the girl.

"The chains? The chains are the easy part. It's what goes on in here that's hard." said the creature as he pointed at his mind. "Don't you see, child? You are alone now. If you are to survive, you must forget your master."

"I don't think I..." said Ahsoka as the small creature circled her before grabbing her arm and biting her. "Ow! What have you done?"

"You are mine now," snickered the creature as Ahsoka clutched her arm that was bitten.

The girl fell to her knees as she felt the bite doing something to her. She then fell to the ground as the creature looked at her with a smile. It then changed as it revealed the Son as his plan began. Ahsoka's body began to change as a dark aura infected her; soon, the Padawan opened her eyes as they changed color.

Back with Obi-wan and Storm, the pair were still trying to figure out what to do. The Jedi Knight was still impatient as he kept looking at the tower; he couldn't bear the thought of something terrible happening to Twilight as it was hurting his heart. He felt like he needed to be by Twilight's side at all times, he had some kind of feeling, but he couldn't fully describe it.

"Anakin. Always on the move. How do we even find the father?" said Obi-wan as he paced.

At that moment, a light shined as the pair looked up. As if by hearing the Jedi Master's request, the monastery was now shown right behind them as the pair looked up.

"Well, that answers your question," replied Storm as they began to head up.

Inside the monastery, the Father was shown at his throne with the Daughter kneeling and meditating with her hands closed as if she was praying.

"You are growing stronger, my son," said the Father as he sensed his child arriving as he opened his eyes.

"Am I, Father?" mocked the Son.

"Vanity, however, is getting the better of you."

"How so?" asked the Son.

"You have done what is forbidden," said the Father as he stood up; he gestured for his Daughter to continue meditating as he asked his Son to walk with him. "You've chosen the dark side and allowed it to feed your anger and desire for power."

"By bringing the Chosen One here, you've shown me my potential. You've only yourself to blame!"

"Do not do this, Son. Do not become what you should not. Be strong; I implore you, or else I will be forced to contain you."

"You look frail, Father," taunted the Son.

"I am not dead yet," responded the Father, glaring at his son before continuing to walk ahead.

"Well, perhaps I am tired of waiting!" shouted the Son as he put his hands out and electrocuted his Father while his back was turned.

The wizard was sent flying as he fell over the stairs and onto the monastery's entrance just as Storm and Obi-wan arrived and saw what happened.

"I hate you!" shouted the Son at his Father before turning into his gargoyle form and flying away.

"Father!" shouted the Daughter as she was shown and ran down the stairs to where her dad lay on the ground.

The Jed and Daughter got the Father to his room as he lay on his bed. The Daughter was waving her hands above his body as she started the healing process.

"We will leave him to rest," said the Daughter to both Jedi.

"We must talk to him," said Obi-wan.

"Not until he's stronger."

"But your brother is losing himself to the dark side. He's taken our friends," stated the Jedi Master.

"Then he must have his reasons," replied the Daughter nonchalantly.

"The same reason he had for attempting to murder your father?" asked Kenobi.

"He would never do such a thing," responded the woman.

"But we saw him!" stated Storm as he was starting to get ticked off by the woman's lack of sense and awareness.

"It is not his fault. My nature is to do what is selfless, but my brother's will always be to do what is selfish," replied the Daughter.

"Then know you must help us," pleaded Obi-wan.

"I cannot interfere with the ways of the Force. My Father forbids it," said the Daughter as she stood up and began to walk away.

"Your brother will flee this place and wreak havoc on the universe. You and Anakin combined have the power to stop him," said Obi-wan as he got the woman to stop in her track. However, she still seemed hesitant about messing with the ways of destiny and the Force.

"Listen, you ungrateful thot!" shouted Storm as he got everybody to be taken aback by what he said. God forbid if Luna was present, she would give her student a hard smack in the face for using such language.

"We need help, but your stubborn ass is too concerned with destiny! I have a friend who is counting on me! I have a friend who is depending on me! I have a friend whose promise I need to keep! So you either help us, or you can sit there like the useless bitch you are! I've told your Father when I took his damn test! The only destiny is the one I make! And I will not rest until Twilight is safe!" yelled Storm as he got in the face of the goddess, the boy not afraid of her or her power.

The Jedi Master saw how his friend was acting as he could sense all the feelings Storm was having when mentioning Twilight.

"Come with me," said the Daughter to both Jedi as she began to walk.

The Daughter led the Jedi to the forest as they ventured into a small cave. The goddess was leading the pair to something that would help them. They arrived at a cliff as below them was an altar. They began climbing down the stairs as they stood at the cliff's edge, where some rock spires were between the altar.

"I can go no further. When you reach the altar, it will give you what you need," said the Daughter to both Jedi.

"I-I don't understand," said Obi-wan.

"He who wields the blade will be able to control my brother," stated the Daughter.

The Jedi began to make their way as they hopped onto the spires. They landed on the last one as it descended before the altar. Obi-wan and Storm approached it as the fires surrounding it parted ways. The Jedi Master stuck his hand in as the weapon was there in a glowing light. He grabbed it as it began to form, and a sword appeared. The pair looked up at the Daughter as she knew they had to do what must be done.

Meanwhile, Anakin had finally made it to the Son's tower. He scaled the entire structure as he was looking for the girls. He didn't get far as sitting there with her back turned to him was the padawan.

"Ahsoka. Ahsoka, it's me. You're safe now. Let's go." said the Jedi Knight as he looked around, seeing if the Son was nearby.

"Are you proud of me, Master?" asked Ahsoka as only her mouth was shown.

"What? Uh, of course, Snips. Course, I'm proud of you. Now, let's get out of here." said Anakin as he kept looking around.

"He's right. Right about everything," said Ahsoka as she opened her eyes and turned to look at her teacher.

Anakin saw Ahsoka's new appearance as the girl was infected with the Dark Side of the Force. The bit that the Son did to the girl had infused a part of his own soul with her to allow her insecurities and resentments to come out along with other aggressive tendencies.

"You must join him. He only wants what's best for the universe," said Ahsoka.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" asked Anakin.

"Always with the criticism, Master. Never really believing in me, trusting me. Well, I don't need you anymore!" shouted the girl.

"Ahsoka. Ahsoka, listen to me. He has done something to you. Snap out of it. This isn't you, Ahsoka." stated Anakin to his apprentice.

"Isn't it? I feel more like myself than I ever have. He asked me to give you a message. He said if you don't join him, he will kill me." laughed Ahsoka with a sinister smile.

"I won't let him," stated Anakin.

"Then you will be forced to kill me," said Ahsoka as she turned on her main lightsaber.

The girl leaped into the air as Anakin turned his on just in time to block her attack. The girl relentlessly attacked her teacher; Anakin could only block him as he didn't want to hurt his student, which gave Ahsoka many opportunities to lunge and kill the Jedi Knight as he barely got out of the way of the attacks.

Inside his inner sanctum, the Son was looking at a stained glass window as entering was Storm, Kenobi, and his sister.

"Sister. What a pleasant surprise. And you brought friends." said the Son as he turned to address the group before him.

"What have you done, Brother?" said the Daughter.

"Done? I have done what is right... Or what is wrong, depending on your point of view." replied the Son as he sat down in his chair.

"Our father is dying. Did you do it?" asked the goddess.

"He is just so selfish and was taking too long to die, so I decided to move things along. Now, why are you here?" asked the Son.

"I won't let you leave this planet," said the Daughter to her sibling.

"You are not strong enough to keep me here," said the Son as he stood up.

"Not alone; she isn't," said Obi-wan.

"Are you referring to your friend, the Chosen One? You might want to check up on him. He's a little preoccupied right now." said the Son as he walked to look at his window. He could sense Ahsoka fighting Anakin, as did Obi-wan, who rushed out.

"Where is Twilight?!" shouted Storm as he had his lightsaber pointed to the Son's back.

"Didn't you hear, Knight? Your princess is in another tower," snickered the Son, not looking at the boy.

Storm took off as he began to follow his senses about where Twilight was being held. Meanwhile, outside, Anakin was still blocking Ahsoka's attack as he tried his hardest not to fight back.

"I don't want to fight you, Ahsoka," said Anakin to his student as he blocked another attack, but Ahsoka kicked him back to fling his lightsaber from his hand as he fell to the ground.

"And now the student will kill the master!" stated Ahsoka.

Anakin had his head down as he put his hand out. His lightsaber began moving as it flew between Ahsoka's legs and into his hand. The Jedi Knight managed to turn it on just in time to block a jumping overhead attack from the girl.

"You're getting ahead of yourself, aren't you, Snips?" taunted Anakin as their blades held in place.

"Don't call me that. I hate it when you call me that!" shouted Ahsoka to her teacher for saying the nickname he sometimes addressed her by.

The girl turned as Anakin blocked her attack before she spun to make another side attack as he moved out of the way of that. They clashed once more as Anakin guided them to toss Ashoka's weapon into the air. The girl quickly jumped off her teacher's shoulders to land on a rock. Ahsoka stuck her hand up and caught her lightsaber as she turned back to look at Anakin. At that moment, Obi-wan appeared as he had his lightsaber ready.

"Two Jedi. Finally, a challenge," said Ahsoka as she now also turned on her shoto lightsaber and prepared to battle the duo.

Storm was shown running up a spiral stairway with his lightsaber out as he followed his senses. In the background, some soft music was playing as it matched his footsteps when he was running, as he could see the top of the tower in sight. The boy reached the top as he flung open the door.

"Twilight?!" shouted Storm as he looked around the room.

"Storm?!" said the girl as she was shown sitting in a dark corner of the room.

"Twilight, you're safe!" said the boy as he had tears falling down his eyes.

He slid over to where the girl was and hugged her from behind.

"I'm glad you're safe. I was worried about you," sniffed Storm as he released his hold of the princess. "Come on, let's go."

The Jedi Knight grabbed the girl's hand as they stood up and were about to move, but Twilight stood in place. The boy looked at her, but she still wasn't looking at him.

"Twilight, we need to leave."

"What took you so long?" said the girl.

"What?" said Storm.

At that moment, a fist came smashing into his face as he was flung out of the room. The boy groaned as he felt his face. He looked up as he saw Twilight, who was now like Ahsoka. It seemed the Son was able to infect her; it was a bit of a tougher challenge given how much stronger-willed the princess and the magic she had, but he soon broke through. Now the princess was under his control.

"Twilight, what happened?" said the boy as he saw his partner.

"You abandoned me, that's what. Left me in this shadow prison, knowing what it would do to me," said the girl as she looked at her partner with anger and despair.

"I'm sorry," said Storm as he put his head down.

"I waited for you to arrive and come save me... but you never did! You should've known I was stranded. Do you know how lonely I was?" said Twilight as she growled at the boy in front of her. "How frightening it is to have no one? All that's left in my heart is misery and despair... and now you can share it!"

"Twilight..."

"There is no Twilight anymore! There is only Midnight!" said the girl as she turned on her lightsaber and lunged forward.

The girl rushed at the boy, who had not moved from his hands and knees as her blade came down. Just then, a yellow blade stopped the purple lightsaber in its tracks. Storm lifted his head as he stared at the girl trying to strike him down. The Jedi Knight got up and kicked the princess back as she slid to a halt and continued to growl at him.

"Time to play, Midnight!" said Storm in a badass tone.

The princess pushed off as she began to engage Storm in a fight as the pair stood in place while executing swift strikes that were being blocked with precise precision. Soon they began to move as they were fighting down the stairs.

"Can you feel it, Sister? Can you feel the anger, the hate, the fury?" said the Son as he sensed both fights taking place.

"Their conflict is feeding you, isn't it? I must stop them," said the Daughter as she turned to leave.

"No," said the Son as he used his powers to throw his sister back as she landed on her feet and looked at her brother.

The Daughter began to wave her hands about as she used her power to lift her brother up and toss him to the ground.

"If you will stand in my way, then I guess we must fight," said the Son as he and his sister took a stance. At that moment, the monastery was shown as the Father was laid on his bed. Soon, his eyes shot open.

Storm and Twilight were still battling as they continued down the stairs. They made it to an open room as the pair tumbled and rolled along the ground as Storm was directly on top of Twilight. The Jedi Knight had his hands interlocking with hers and positioned above her head as he tried to get her to settle down. The princess, however, managed to get her legs under him and push the boy off. She then quickly leaped to do a head-scissor and take Storm to the ground as she got on him and started to punch his face.

The Jedi Knight covered up to avoid significant shots as he managed to catch one of Twilight's arms and put her in a triangle lock. He rolled the girl to the ground to transition into an armbar. Twilight quickly rolled the boy up as he kicked her in the shoulder to get her to back off. The boy turned on his lightsaber once more as Twilight went for a swing, and he blocked it.

Twilight spun to swing from the other side as Storm lifted his hands above his head and aimed it down so that the blade could block the attack, and he quickly pulled them forward to avoid the quick attack Twilight was going for. The boy spun back to avoid a lunge from the girl as he landed on his left hand before landing on his feet. The teens ran; they began to run along the wall as they leaped into the air and held there for a second as the sound of their lightsabers hummed. They separated as they flipped backward and landed.

The pair didn't waste time as they rushed forward again and engaged. Storm was swinging from left to right as Twilight was constantly backspinning to block off the boy's attacks. They clashed as the girl guided their blades upward to stop at the top of the circle motion they did; she then shoved her shoulder into the boy as he stumbled back. The girl then leaped into the air as she spun with her blade, which constantly collided with Storm's lightsaber, and the boy could feel the momentum from the girl's spin. He took a chance, letting up his blocking to roll to the ground as Twilight landed, and quickly turned around to see him.

Storm quickly stuck his hand out as he managed to make Twilight's lightsaber fly from her hand and into his. The boy was now holding two lightsabers as he took a stance. Twilight growled as her hands began to glow; she shot out some magic as Storm swung his lightsaber to block it. The princess began to open fire on her partner by shooting out magic beams; Storm was blocking and slicing the beams as he deflected them.

Twilight shot a beam as Storm put both lightsabers up in an X as he blocked it. That served as the proper distraction as Twilight stuck her hand out and managed to grab back her lightsaber from Storm's hand. The girl twirled it around her as she charged. The teens engaged in another struggle as Storm put his hands up to grab Twilight's wrists. The boy was trying to get the lightsaber out of her hands, but Twilight held on as the pair were dancing and spinning in place.

Twilight then reeled her head back and did a headbutt to Storm, who touched his forehead as he felt it. The princess went for a swing as Storm put his lightsaber up, but the power behind Twilight's swing made it fall out of his hand. Storm ducked his head to avoid another attack by Twilight. The princess kept on the attack as she wasn't letting the boy have a chance to pull his lightsaber in his hand. Storm avoided Twilight's attacks as he leaned back just as the blade tip almost touched his nose.

The boy quickly put the girl in a sleeper hold as he looked to succumb Twilight. The girl was raising her blade ever so slowly to Storm's head.

"Twilight, come on! Snap out of it!" shouted Storm. "You're not alone! I'm here! I'm here right now, princess!"

Twilight managed to elbow Storm in the gut as she roundhouse and kicked him. She went for a downward slash as Storm put his hand up as his lightsaber materialized, and he blocked the girl's attack while on the floor.

"Sparky!"

That word had an effect on Twilight. The girl backed off the slightest as Storm used that to swing the lightsaber to the side so that he could make a back stand and get back to his feet.

"Don't call me that!" said Twilight as she rushed forward.

"Sparky, it's me!" said Storm.

Twilight stopped in her tracks as she put her hand to her head. That word affected the princess' mind as she clutched her head with both hands. She dropped her lightsaber as she began to scream; the girl could feel her mind tearing apart as both sides were tearing at her. Storm saw this as he kept his lightsaber on while approaching her.

"Twilight?"

"Storm, help me," cried the girl as she stuck her hand out. "Strike me down! You have to! Before the dark side takes control of me, and I hurt you! Hurry! Or I'll destroy you!" yelled the princess.

Storm lifted his lightsaber above his head, looking to put the girl out of her pain and misery, but he couldn't. He looked down at the pendant around his neck as he was reminded of something.

"No," spoke Storm as he turned off his lightsaber and bent down.

"Do it, please!" pleaded Twilight as she screamed.

"I won't!" said Storm as he fell to his knees and, without hesitation, wrapped his arms around Twilight as he pulled the princess in tightly.

The girl was yelling as she felt the dark side slowly gaining control. She raised her fist and began to punch Storm directly in the stomach; Storm felt the punches, but he refused to let go. The girl did a few more punches as Storm continued to hug and pulled Twilight in closer.

"It's alright, Twilight! I'm here, now! You can stop! You can stop. Twily!" said Storm as that really got to the girl as she had a rush of memories flood her mind. "Sparky, you're not alone. As your Jedi Knight, you matter to me."

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE! SOMEBODY AS WORTHLESS, AS PATHETIC AS YOU! YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARED! JUST DIE"! Twilight shouted as she continued to do more punches to Storm.

"You... just...need...to smile," said Storm softly as he tanked the punches from Twilight with no protection. "I'll always be there for you, my little Twily."

Twilight let out one final scream as the pair was enveloped in an aura. Storm was still holding onto Twilight as the girl stopped her punches, her eyes going full white. The princess in her mind was hovering in a void as all around her, memories were shown.

"So just run along and tell her it's not going to work, okay, Twinkie Sprinkles?" echoed Storm's voice.

"Twinkie Sprinkles?! My name is Twilight Sparkle!" shouted Twilight's voice.

"As for Twilight, she's... a giant freaking nerd," Twilight raised an eyebrow at that remark, "uptight, annoying organized and interested in the most boring and excruciatingly lame things that no sensible person would ever want to know about," said Storm as Twilight looked away. "But, she knows how to handle her own. And I believe there are some things I can help her to improve and vice-versa."

Storm then raised his hand as he gestured for Twilight to do the same.

"We promise to get stronger..." started off Storm.

"We promise to get better..." said Twilight.

"No matter what, we never leave the other behind."

"We'll always be there to support each other."

"Though it may be tough, we'll complete our training together."

"We'll always find a way back to each other."

"We are Jedi."

"We are partners."

"We are friends." said both in unison.

"Why? Why did you risk your life like that to save me?" asked Twilight.

"I can't just sit back and watch someone die. I'd rather die alongside them than do nothing. Especially if that someone is a girl like you, Sparky." said Storm.

"You know what, keep that ribbon. It suits you, 'cause this gift confirms what I said. You're not just perfect." stated the boy to the princess. "You make me smile when you're around. You're interesting all the time. When I'm with you, it's like I never want to leave."

Everything rushed to Twilight's mind as it expanded to show the girl, as her eyes were now returning to normal. She slumped in Storm's arms as the boy looked at her.

"Twilight?" called out the Jedi Knight.

The boy had Twilight lay in his arms as he brought a hand up to push away some of Twilight's hair that fell in front of her face. The girl had her hair frizzled as Storm held her right cheek, hoping the princess would open her eyes. The girl began to stir as she opened her eyes.

"Storm?" said the princess.

"Twilight!" smiled the Jedi Knight as he broke down.

He pulled the girl back into a tight hug and held her.

"You're safe," muttered the boy.

"Thank you," spoke Twilight as her partner freed her.

"I'm here to keep you safe, princess. It's my duty," said Storm as he pulled back to look at the girl. He brought both hands to cusp Twilight's face; Storm began to lean in closer as his lips were about to make contact, before he grunted and fell forward.

"Storm?!" shouted Twilight as she caught her partner in her arms.

The girl sat down as the boy was lying with his head in her lap. Storm opened his eyes as he looked up at the princess.

"Heh, guess I'm a bit exhausted," chuckled the boy.

Twilight looked at where she had punched Storm as he had a bit of bruise from how hard she had hit him.

"I'm sorry," said Twilight as she was apologizing.

"Don't worry about it," grunted Storm as he could feel the pain. "It... takes a lot... more than that to keep me down."

"Let me help," said the girl as she put her hand where Storm felt the most pain.

The princess closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hand began to glow as a magic aura formed. Storm saw it as soon the pain began to slowly leave; the bruises that were present a moment ago were now gone. Twilight opened her eyes as she had used the Force and her magic to relieve Storm of some of his pain.

The boy looked at the girl as he brought his hand up to cusp Twilight's right cheek as the teens lost themselves in their eyes. Twilight ran a hand through Storm's hair as the girl felt happy.

"Twilight..."

"Shh, just rest a bit," stated Twilight as she put her finger on Storm's lips to silence him. "You did enough; now take a break."

Storm fell under Twilight's soothing and angelic voice as the boy closed his eyes. The girl looked at how peaceful her partner was as she stroked his forehead.

"Thanks for saving me, my Jedi Knight," whispered the princess as she leaned down and pressed her forehead to touch Storm's as she closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

In the courtyard, Anakin and Obi-wan were still fighting Ahsoka. The pair struggled not in terms of fighting but more so, how to subdue the girl without hurting her. So all they could do was block. Ahsoka was bringing her lightsabers down as Anakin blocked and stuck his hand out to push the girl back. The Padawan dug her lightsabers into the ground to avoid flying as she skidded to a halt.

"Any suggestions?" said Anakin to his teacher as he turned to look at him.

"Yes. We cut her free," said Obi-wan as he pulled out the weapon he had, as it changed into the sword.

"What is that?" asked Anakin as he looked at the blade.

"It can kill the son," answered the Jedi Master.

"Where did you get that?" growled Ahsoka. "Give it to me!" The girl rushed forward as she leaped into the air toward the Jedi.

Inside, the Son and Daughter were battling against each other using their Force powers. The Son threw Force Lightning at his sister as she deflected them with her hands. He threw out a lightning attack as the Daughter caught it and spun around to return the attack back at her brother, who was lifted into the air and collided with a wall. The Daughter held her brother as it pained her; using that distraction, the Son shot another Force Lightning attack as it hit his sister, who fell back.

The Son descended as he approached his sister, who got to her feet.

"You don't have to do this," said the Daughter to her brother.

"Then stand aside," said the Son; he made another Lightning attack as it dropped his sister to her knees.

"I can't. I won't!" declared the Daughter as she rushed forward.

The Son made another Force Lightning attack as his sister changed into her griffon form and tanked the hit as she charged into her brother. She flung her brother back as he tumbled to the floor. The Son stood up as he changed into his gargoyle form, as both siblings prepared to do battle.

The creatures charged at each other as the gargoyle grabbed hold of the griffon and tossed it back as it changed back to the Daughter who lay on the ground. The gargoyle approached her as she stood up, pushed the creature back, hit the ground, and changed back to the Son. The Daughter approached her brother, who got to his feet as the pair stood meters apart. He then stuck his hand out for another lightning attack as she used her hand to block it.

The two siblings were trying their best to put more of their powers behind their attacks as it was at a standstill. The pair were getting close as a massive energy attack was gathered.

"Stop this!" shouted the Father as he appeared, with both siblings turning their heads to look at him. He then waved his arm as he pushed back both of his children into the glass window; they crashed through to the outside as the Jedi saw them and moved out of the way of their landing.

"So glad you could make it to our little party, Father," stated the Son as he looked at his dad before him.

"You will stop this," said the Father as he held back a lightning attack.

"You are too weak for me, old man. You mean nothing to me anymore," shouted the Son, putting more power behind his attack as he got closer to his dad.

The Father did his best to hold on, as his child soon overpowered him. The Son approached his dad, who got to his knees and was shocked by lightning as he groaned in pain.

"Anakin, now!" shouted Obi-wan to his student.

The Jedi Master tossed the sword to Anakin as Ahsoka intercepted it. She caught it and then ran toward the Son as she turned to look at the Jedi with a smile. At that moment, Storm and Twilight appeared as the pair were shown approaching their pals with the girl holding onto the boy's side. Safe to say, Obi-wan and Anakin were glad to see that Storm had managed to free the princess from the Son's control as they all turned back to look at the man.

"Everything has transpired exactly as I planned," said the Son.

"You showed them the altar?" said the Father as he stood up in pain and looked at his Daughter.

"I am sorry, Father. I didn't know how else to stop him," said the Daughter as she was helped up by Obi-wan.

"Give it to me, child," instructed the Son.

"Ahsoka, no!" shouted Anakin as he tried to get the girl to not do it.

The Padawan simply presented the sword to the Son as he took it and examined it with a smile.

"Thank you. Your usefulness has come to an end," said the Son, putting his fingers to tap Ahsoka's forehead as the girl collapsed.

The girl fell as her lightsabers rolled out of her hands. By that simple touch, the Son had removed the girl's life force and instantly killed her.

"No!" yelled Anakin as he saw his student fall.

Everybody else was shocked by what they saw. Anakin rushed forward in a blinding rage as the Son put his hand out to fling the Jedi Knight back and tumble to the ground. He then turned to look at his father.

"The Jedi have brought me the dagger, and you have brought yourself. Now, father, you will die," said the Son as he turned the weapon and lifted it above his head.

"Father!" shouted the Daughter as she broke free from Obi-wan and rushed forward.

The Father had his arms up as the dagger was coming down. It was moments away from connecting when the Daughter stepped in between the pair as the weapon stabbed her. Both the Father and the Son gasped as they saw her struggling to breathe. The Son was most shocked as he had just committed the ultimate sin as he looked at his hands.

"Why?" screamed the Son in sudden anguish as he took off into the air and flew away.

The Jedi saw the Son leave as Anakin rushed toward Ahsoka's body. He turned the girl over to find that her eyes completely rolled back as it was a pretty gruesome sight to behold. The others all appeared behind Anakin as they saw their friend.

The Father pulled the dagger out from his Daughter as he had her lying in his arms.

"My daughter. What have I done?" said the Father as he felt guilty about getting his child mortally wounded.

"Do not hate him, Father. It is his nature," said the Daughter as she coughed and held her Father's hand to ease his anger.

"No. All is lost. The balance has been broken." said the Father as all around, the life force of every living thing was starting to fade away.

"I thought by bringing you here, I would... But I have destroyed everything," stated the Father as he looked at Anakin and his pals while holding onto his Daughter's hand as he could feel her life slipping away.

"Can you help her?" asked Anakin.

"There is no light. The evil has been unleashed, and the dark side shall consume her," responded the Father to the Jedi Knight.

"You must help her!" shouted Anakin as he didn't want Ahsoka to be gone for good.

"I cannot undo what is done. There is no hope," said the Father to the Jedi.

"Yes, there is. There's always hope!" stated Anakin as he pleaded with the Father to help save his student.

The Daughter brought her hand up to her Father's cheek as he looked at her. She then pointed with her other arm at Ahsoka while telling him something. The Father knew what she was saying as thunder boomed in the distance. He stood before the two bodies as Anakin did the same. The Jedi took a seat in front of the Father as both lifted their arms and closed their eyes.

"Then let my daughter's last act be to breathe life into your friend," said the Father as Anakin touched the Daughter's forehead with one finger as he did the same with Ahsoka.

At that moment, Anakin's body and eyes lit up as both bodies before him hovered. The others all put their arms up to avoid being blinded as the Jedi Knight concentrated. Soon the ritual ended as both bodies fell back to the floor, as the Daughter lost her glow. Anakin panted as he looked at Ahsoka to see if anything had happened, but her eyes remained the same. Just then, she coughed as Anakin lifted his head. The Padawan sat up as Anakin hugged her.

"Hey, Snips," chuckled Anakin softly to the girl.

"What's going on?" asked Ahsoka as she looked at her master and the others. The girl had no recollection of what had happened.

"Uh, not much," smiled Storm.

"It's good to see you," said Anakin to his student as he helped her up with Obi-wan presenting the girl's lightsabers.

"As the balance in this world crumbles, so shall war escalate in your galaxy. As my son has descended into the dark side, so have the Sith gained strength," said the Father, as the death of his Daughter meant balance was upset. The Dark Side and the Sith will gain the upper hand in the galaxy; unbeknownst to them, the war and a certain future event were now looming in the future.

"We will stop your son," said Anakin.

"No. You must go now. He needs your ship to leave the planet. You must leave before he can take it." said the Father to the Jedi as he tried to tell them that they had to leave immediately.

"What about you?" asked Obi-wan.

"I shall mourn all that I have done. And all that is yet to be," said the Father as he held his Daughter's lifeless body.

The Jedi took their warning as thunder boomed in the distance. They all began to walk toward their ship as they looked to finally leave this wretched planet once and for all. Twilight was still clinging to Storm's side as the boy had his arm around her waist and was holding her closely and tightly as he didn't want to lose her again. The princess smiled as she leaned her head on Storm's shoulder and sighed relief as they were looking forward to going home.

Author's Note: And so it seems the balance of the Force has become unstable and it seems the Dark Side of the Force has now affected the galaxy, which foretells what will happen in the future to come. A small glimpse of Twilight being evil and turning to the Dark Side as Storm managed to save her with both his words and actions; no matter what, there is always hope, even when it seems like it might not be there. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts on this chapter.