The next few days slowly passed. The planet of Firaciend and the capital of Lafiraveind had become the secret centre of operations for Xehanort and his cohorts. Lord T.E.O and his allies had been well accommodating to them. To keep his own friends safe, he did not tell any of them where he teleported to and from his castle. He may have been forced into joining these people and helping them rule the universe, but he had seen the consequences of evil leaders teaming up. Sooner or later, they would most likely all vie for control and betray each other. He feared that it would be all too soon before it occurred. Count Dooku had been killed. A group of aliens; allies to Dooku and Grievous had fled to Firaciend. They were glad to be safe in another galaxy, unable to be found by the Republic. News soon reached Firaciend days later that General Grievous had also been defeated. This was grim news to the Separatists. They were losing the war against the Republic. Everyone met in the throne room of T.E.T Corp to discuss matters. Xehanort was not at all pleased about the turn of events.
"How can you lose so much? This Republic you state is gaining control and has killed both of your leaders." Xehanort said.
"Yes, but we still have a strong leader." Nute Gunray began. Before he could say anything more, a hologram of a hooded figure appeared in the centre of the room.
"Lord Sidious. We were just talking about you. What news do you have?" Nute Gunray asked.
"Nute Gunray, we are close to victory. I am sending my apprentice Darth Vader. He will take care of you." Sidious told him. Lord T.E.O did not like the sound of this. It was becoming too unpredictable. The hologram disappeared, allowing Lord T.E.O to speak freely.
"Who is this Darth Vader whom Lord Sidious speaks of?" He asked Gunray. Gunray was speechless. He said nothing.
"He is... uh, new. We have never met him before."
Several people in the throne room gasped. Gunray added something more, hoping to convince Lord T.E.O. "Lord Sidious has always been with us. He can be trusted."
Lord T.E.O looked out the nearby window. He looked back at the others in the throne room.
"I hope you're right." He said before disappearing into the shadows.
Michael appeared inside the old throne room of the Lafiraveind castle. To his surprise Sahra had been waiting for him.
"How did it go?" She asked. Michael looked unsure. He informed her of the current situation. Before he was able to tell her everything, he was interrupted by a shadow ninja entering the room. Michael turned from Sahra to him. The Shadow Ninja walked up and whispered something in Michael's ear. Michael looked back at the Shadow Ninja, who nodded. He was assuring Michael of the truth.
"What is it?" Sahra asked them. The Black Knight, Buhn Hido, Sam Numa and Xehanort all entered the throne room. They told Michael to return to go with them back to T.E.T Corp to meet the new arrival. Michael agreed. Sahra volunteered to come along as well. She had been bored being kept safe at the castle. She understood why Michael protected her in such a way. She only believed he was being too over protective. She kept these feelings to herself. Michael had other pressing matters to attend to. Xehanort created a dark corridor that would transport them all to T.E.T Corp. They all entered the dark corridor, following Xehanort. The group suddenly appeared in the throne room of T.E.T Corp. Nute Gunray informed everyone about a single small incoming ship. It was unknown to the Separatists. Michael further became uneasy hearing this. They waited as the ship entered the atmosphere. It descended into the borders of Lafiraveind before landing inside the hanger. A figure exited the one man ship, covered in a brown cloak. He travelled to the elevator that led him up to the throne room. As the doors opened they walked in, greeted by Nute Gunray.
"Welcome Lord Vader. We've been expecting you."
The figure did not say a word. Instead, he looked around the room. Now Michael was suspicious. He thought to Andrew to tell the other Fellas, Sahra, Black Knight and Lord Pyroth to leave through the secret door at the back of the throne room if things went badly. Michael watched as the figure first raised his right hand. Using the force as Michael believed, the figure locked the elevator door, trapping himself inside with everyone else. He then drew a lightsaber and ignited it.
"He's a Jedi!" Michael yelled. Nute Gunray looked straight at the stranger, realising that this figure was not here to protect them. Michael saw Xehanort disappear first. The other members of the Shadow disappeared immediately as well. Michael's attention was then drawn to his friends.
"This door is locked too!" He heard Peter yell. In this time, Lord Vader had begun his assault. He cut down each member in the throne room one by one. Michael tried to think. He then did the one rash thing he could muster. A shadow appeared below his friends and they all fell into darkness. Once he knew his friends were out of the way, he too teleported back to safety at the castle where he had also transported his friends.
"What was that?" Lord Pyroth asked Michael. Michael did not know what to say. He was at least glad that he had gotten everyone he cared about to safety. The Black Knight was more surprised than the others.
"How did you know that this new guy would turn against us Michael? You had Andrew warn us before he even acted."He said. Michael sat down to rest before answering. For days now, he feared that the unknown would act in the worst interest. He had a contingency in place for the very possibility. He was most afraid that he had been right.
Inside T.E.T Corp, Lord Vader stood before the many dead bodies of the Separatists. He walked over to the centre of the room and contacted his master about his victory.
"Master... The Separatists have been taken care of. Their many allies escaped though." Lord Vader informed him.
"That doesn't matter. Those cowards fled because they knew that they were no match for you. Stay where you are. Order all droid units to shut down immediately." His master replied.
"Yes; master." Lord Vader answered. He then ended communication, headed over to the main controls to do as his master had commanded, before noticing an incoming ship that he recognised. He headed to the elevator and made his way to the hanger where the familiar ship had landed. Once he arrived he exited the hanger to find Padme standing at the bottom of the ramp of her ship.
"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here." He told her.
"I had to. I needed to know the truth. Obi Wan told me... you turned to the dark side... killed younglings." She said. She was emotional, afraid of the clear truth that stood before her. She continued to try and reason with him. He would not hear a word of it. His attention was sent from her to a new arrival.
"YOU LIAR!" He yelled, shutting her up. She turned and saw what he had seen. She looked back in amazement realising what Lord Vader believed she had done. "You brought him here to kill me!" Lord Vader yelled. He then raised his right hand and force choked her.
"Let her go Anakin!" Obi Wan ordered as he made his way toward them. "Let her go." Lord Vader released his farce choke on Padme. She fell to the ground unconscious. Now Lord Vader's attention was turned to Obi Wan. Obi Wan got to checked that Padme was still alive. He could tell she had only been knocked out. He stood up and faced Lord Vader. The two argued before Lord Vader could not take listening to Obi Wan anymore. He heard Obi Wan ignite his lightsaber. He tried to catch Obi Wan off guard. Obi Wan was ready for him. Lord Vader jumped at Obi Wan. His lightsaber now also ignited. The two fought one another, blocking each other's strikes while moving through the hanger. They were too good for each other. It looked as though neither one would be victorious. Soon Obi Wan gained the advantage. He had Lord Vader up against the wall. Lord Vader jumped over Obi Wan and tried to slice him from behind. Obi Wan quickly turned and blocked it. The two battled ferociously. Lord Vader was now leading Lord Vader towards the edge of the hanger doorway. In an instant, Obi Wan thought he had the advantage knowing all too well that Lord Vader would be a fool to jump out of the hanger. He pushed his lightsaber strongly against Lord Vader's hoping to end it then and there. Lord Vader was not going to falter that easily. He dodged the lightsaber from cutting his head clean off and moved back into the hanger. This put them back to square one. Obi Wan did not like having to be forced into this bout against his own friend, but Master Yoda was right. Anakin was gone, replaced by Darth Vader. His resolve was the only thing keeping him going. Lord Vader looked to a dark shadow in the nearby wall. He ran straight towards it and disappeared through it. Obi Wan looked shocked. He could not ponder how Lord Vader had escaped. That wonder had to be put behind him for now. Following his instinct, he ran after him through the same dark shadow. To Obi Wan's surprise, he found himself facing Lord Vader on the outskirts of the city near a large volcano. Lord Vader turned to him.
"I have failed you Anakin. I have failed you." Obi Wan told him.
"I should have known the Jedi were plotting to take over!" Lord Vader yelled back. Obi Wan was taken aback by his old padawan's beliefs.
"Anakin; Chancellor Palpatine is evil!" Obi Wan said back, trying to get Lord Vader to see the truth.
"In my point of view, the Jedi are evil!"
Obi Wan could not hold back anymore. His old friend was truly gone.
"Well then you are lost!" Obi Wan retaliated. Lord Vader ran at Obi Wan, trying to strike him down. Obi Wan blocked Lord Vader's strikes upon him and fought back with all of his strength. He pushed Lord Vader back with a strong force push, almost sending him into the lava river behind him. Lord Vader jumped over it onto the other side of the river. Obi Wan walked to the edge of his side.
Lord Vader's anger was clear as he stared back at his old master. Lord Vader had only one choice. With all of his might, he jumped back over the lava river, over his master. To his surprise Obi Wan swung his lightsaber at Lord Vader, cutting him clean in half. He fell to the volcanic surface on his stomach staring up at Obi Wan. Obi Wan could not bear to see the sight of his former padawan and friend.
"YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE! IT WAS SAID THAT YOU WOULD DESTROY THE SITH, NOT JOIN THEM! BRING PEACE TO THE GALAXY, NOT LEAVE IT IN DARKNESS." Obi Wan yelled to him. He finished with, "You were my brother Anakin. I loved you." He turned and headed back to the city, leaving Lord Vader alone. It was not long before he had returned to the hanger where C3PO had met him.
"I have Miss Padme on board." He informed him. Obi Wan entered the ship. It took off out of the hanger and out into space. Lord Vader lay there in absolute pain. The heat from the volcanic ash had severely burned him in several places. Xehanort appeared before him.
"Pathetic. You were a fool to try and take us out. This is the fate you truly deserve." Xehanort told him, watching Lord Vader writhe in pain. Another ship, different to the previous one that had entered the atmosphere landed not far from them. A cloaked man and a number of clone troopers headed straight to where Lord Vader lay. Xehanort disappeared once more before they caught sight of him. The cloaked man came to Lord Vader's side.
"He's still alive. Quickly, get him one board." He ordered one of the clone troopers. They brought a stretcher, placed Lord Vader's remaining body upon it and carried him to their ship. It soon left as well, leaving the city in a peaceful state once more.
After several hours, making sure the coast was clear, Michael and all of his companions returned to the T.E.T Corp throne room. The girls were devastated at the sight of many dead bodies that lying around the room. Lord Pyroth ordered his guards to remove the bodies. The guards did so without question. The place was soon cleaned and returned to its original state. By this point Xehanort appeared before them. Michael spoke to him first.
"Now what do we do? We trusted that you would help us claim victory over these threats. How do we know you can still keep to your word Xehanort?"
Xehanort was taken aback. He became more angered than Michael was.
"You don't know what you're dealing with Lord T.E.O. I am still in control. Those cowards who retreated here after the defeat of their masters were bound to fall. I am still in control. You will see."
Xehanort vanished. Sahra looked to Michael. He was annoyed more than anyone else. Their base of operations had just been a pawn in Xehanort's game just like they were.