Guess who's back, back again?
Master Yoda manages to land their ship without detection. Though there is no true night or day on Byss, the two manage to slip into the citadel under the cover of the long shadows in the planet's twilight. A minor suggestion is all it takes to go past the Stormtroopers surrounding the entrance.
The Emperor's forces have scrambled to suppress rebellion in the outer sectors, leaving the citadel under-manned. Its primary defenders seem to be the Redrobes patrolling the halls. They are sick. Corrupted. But not only from the Darkness of the planet. Only the cruelest of the Imperial army are selected for the "honor" of the Emperor's defense. They are like guard dogs bred to patrol and kill.
While Master's Yoda's small stature is enough to allow him to conceal himself and evade detection, Obi-Wan is a different matter. As soon as they enter, he plunges his blade through the back of a guard posted ceremonially by the throne room and steals his robes.
Sufficiently disguised, he follows the thin string connecting him to Leia. Down the string leads them. Down into the bowels of the great edifice. As they move, he searches for Anakin. Reaching out around the Citadel. He is there, but he has become…clouded…somehow. All he senses is the oily stench of Darth Sidious. It coats the walls, fills the air, very nearly suffocating the Light. Where the Emperor is, he does not know. But he is due to give a live address and the two Jedi count on that keeping him occupied, at least for a moment.
With the aid of the dead guard's pass key, Obi-Wan lets himself into the cell, closely followed by Master Yoda.
Unsurprisingly, Leia does not welcome the intrusion; as soon as the door opens, she scrambles into a corner, practically snarling like a penned bantha.
To Obi-Wan's immense relief, she appears uninjured, albeit, assuredly traumatized.
At first, Leia does not seem to notice the little green Jedi beside Obi-Wan. Instead, her eyes narrow and she gives him a feral look, glaring up through the red lenses through which Obi-Wan stares at her. Leia.
"What have you done with Anakin?!" She growls. "I know you took him. Where is he?!"
"Leia…" he intones, removing the helmet and speaking lowly. "Leia, it's me…"
Her face screws up into a mask. Frozen. Stunned.
"Ben…?"
"But… Anakin said…you were dead…!"
"I assure you. That is very much not the case."
With a cry of relief, she flings herself around Obi-Wan's waist, her small face running straight into his tender ribs as she clings to him. With a grunt, he staggers backward, running straight into Master Yoda, who, at last, draws the princess's interest, her eyes peering at him from around Obi-Wan's side.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"A friend of Obi-Wan's, I am. To you, also. Came to rescue you, we have."
"Are you going to help Anakin, too? And my mom and dad?"
Obi-Wan's eyes widen in alarm, his brow furrowing.
"Bail and Breha…? They are here…? But I thought…"
"The Emperor kidnapped us and brought us here. They're in the throne room."
Obi-Wan's heart lurches. "And where is Anakin…"
"I—I don't know…" She admits. "…But I know where the interrogation room is. They probably took him there."
Obi-Wan swallows hard. He had known as much. But to hear her say it makes it painfully real.
"Help them, we will, child." Yoda promises. "Obi-Wan, to Bail and Breha, you must go."
"I'll come with you!" Leia declares looking up at Obi-Wan, only for Yoda to hold out a silencing claw.
"No, child. Too dangerous it is, too close to Darth Sidious's throne. With me, you must come. To the interrogation room, you must show me the way, and then, to safety I will take you."
A fearful look passes over her features, her eyes darting to Obi-Wan's for reassurance. After a moment, the Jedi manages a wan but reassuring smile.
"It will be alright Leia. I'll make sure your parents are safe." After a moment, she nods, following reluctantly after Master Yoda.
It is dark. So dark. Why is it so dark and cold?
Anakin!
That voice is one he knows yet cannot name. It calls for him, he knows it calls for him, but it calls for him by a name that sounds both right and wrong.
Anakin! Where are you?
It echoes all around him in the great abyss, only to muffle and dampen, silenced by some presence that he cannot name, like splinters of fiberglass all over his skin.
In here! He calls back. In here!
Where are you? Why won't you answer me? It asks again.
The voice has not heard him.
Obi-Wan enters the throne room cautiously, it is silent and seemingly deserted. But he is too old to fall for such deceptive serenity.
And suddenly.
The Jedi spins on his heel as he feels eyes boring into his back.
Palpatine is there. As always, robed in black. Face hidden behind the cowl of his robes.
"General Kenobi…such a shame to see you alive. I had hoped that I might finally be rid of you."
Obi-Wan calmly ignites his saber. Relaxing into an invitatory stance. Eyes hardening on the Emperor.
"I assure you, the sentiment is thoroughly mutual."
It arouses nothing more than a short chuckle as Palpatine seems to float by him, pacing languidly toward the steps ascending his throne.
"I am fond of you, Kenobi. You always were a witty one. Less dull than the other Jedi…Heh…A shame, you might have made for an enjoyable Apprentice. Certainly more interesting conversation than the fool you called your Padawan…"
The Emperor is musing aloud, careless, but there is something behind the false flattery. An intention Obi-Wan has not yet discerned. And so, he probes…
"And where is Anakin?"
The Emperor smiles.
"He is where he belongs. Fulfilling his destiny, serving my will. His little act of rebellion has only strengthened my Empire. And he has brought word of two new proselytes to do my bidding. One can only hope they will be less disappointing than their sire."
"And you think imprisoning their father will make them more amenable…?"
"I have not imprisoned him…I have freed him, General Kenobi. Freed him of all that held him back."
It is only then that Obi-Wan becomes aware of echoing thuds. Approaching footsteps. Crashing like cymbals against the walls in the obsidian throne room.
Obi-Wan dares to glance behind him, beholding a towering black figure in the shadows that line the throne room. Obi-Wan draws a sharp breath as the figure raises its helm, stepping forward from the alcove. A shell of that hated black armor.
"…Anakin…"
But something is wrong. This…this is not Anakin…
The hollow creature stalks forward. Its Force presence is grey. Without Lightness, without Darkness. Only the barest will tethers it to the Force. It extends a red blade, and, reluctantly, Obi-Wan raises his own as Palpatine begins to chuckle, amused like a ghoulish spectator.
The mind inside the suit is a sea of white. Blank and empty. Anakin was never blank and empty. He was all tempest. All emotion. Not this…this…automaton!
This is not like Alderaan. This is not a ruse.
"Anakin! Don't you know me? Anakin!" He pleads, though he senses its futility. There is no awareness in their bond. No consciousness.
Vader's saber swings in a blur of red, arcing and brightening strange shadows across the obsidian walls. The red blade strikes, and he deflects it with ease, sidestepping the hulking armor as the two begin a dance. It is a waltz that started on Mustafar, except there is no power in Anakin's blows, no malice, only mechanical efficiency.
Somehow, it is worse.
He passes opportunity after opportunity to land offensive strikes. He cannot bring himself to make them.
As Vader drives him back from the Emperor's throne, his heart races, and his vision tunnels. The ghostly sight of Anakin's snarling visage fills his vision, layered like a hallucination over the black behemoth. Blood pounds in his ears as he relives every moment, every blow... cringing from fire that is not there, choking on the phantom scent of sulfur…
Time slows to a crawl as their blades clash in an explosion of color. He hears Sidious cackling from the throne, amused, entertained by the bloodsport at the foot of his dais.
Obi-Wan is a master defensive duelist. A lesson won at the cost of Qui-Gon's life. But now, it tests the limits of his skill to protect himself without dealing Anakin injury. He calls his name in vain, coughing violently as his scarred lungs struggle under the exertion.
"Your name…is Anakin Skywalker…you are…my Padawan…my Apprentice…" He pants. "…you do not want to do this…I know…I know you do not want to…do this…!"
Surely, by now Yoda will have deduced that something has gone wrong! Even so, he knows the green Jedi will first ensure that Leia is hidden away. If he can just buy himself enough time for Yoda to find them…then maybe he will stand a half a chance….!
Obi-Wan's body shakes as the armored being rains blows down upon him. Heedless of his pleas. His wrist quivers, blocking strike after strike, swung in a cold frenzy. He hacks and wheezes, sweat stinging his gaze as he searches for eyes behind the cold HUD.
"Anakin…Anakin…PLEASE…Please hear me…." He reaches for their bond and pulls.
It is then that Vader reaches out a hand, the Force squeezing around the Jedi's neck.
"Good, my pet!" Sidious praises. "Very good!"
He cackles again.
"Oh, and General Kenobi, do you know the best part?" Sidious's voice booms like a crack of thunder. "Just as soon as he has killed you, I will wake him and let him see the fruits of his true power, a power not shackled by sentiment."
When Vader wraps the Darkness around Obi-Wan's neck, the Force responds to the zombified body, but it does so as if confused. Its answer to his call is furtive, uncertain, leaving Obi-Wan dangling on his toes for only a moment before dropping him to the marble floor.
Still, backed into a corner, the Jedi's knees crumple, and refuse to let him stand. His eyes center on the black armor. And he swallows hard. He has one chance. One chance that fills him with horror for even considering it.
Even so…in desperation, Obi-Wan lunges up for the blinking lights of the suit's control panel.
…and slams down a switch with the hilt of his saber, deactivating the respirator.
It is dark. So dark. And fathomlessly empty.
There's a noise that surrounds him. Like the roaring of a dragon or the rushing of a river. It is overwhelming. All consuming.
He wants to rage at it to be silent…but all he can think to do is to curl deeper into himself. Somehow, he knows, that if he goes up…if he goes up.
He sinks lower, hanging on to all that he has gathered of himself.
"Anakin!"
He hears the name above the roar. And for just a moment…for just a moment. It means something. But it is so hard…and his head hurts so much.
He hears that name again. And with it, a tug, almost as if upon a rope within his grasp.
For a second, he thinks he remembers something…someone…important. The dark is shaking now. Rattling as if in an earthquake. And suddenly, it is as if his world implodes. There is a sucking noise. A horrible rasping sound.
And then he hears it again…louder, closer.
Anakin…!
And with it comes…pain…such burning pain… his chest…his lungs…oh, Force…he can't breathe! He's suffocating!
Obi-Wan?
Darth Sidious screams in fury at the loss of his human puppet. Mercifully, the moment Vader drops to his knees is the moment that Yoda enters the fray. Leia is no longer with him and Obi-Wan can only assume he has hidden her away. Words are exchanged. Cries of outrages and barbs traded. But Obi-Wan barely hear them. He has eyes only for Anakin.
For the horrible wheezing echoing from within the crumpled armor.
He cannot see his eyes. He does not need to. He's there. At last! A flare of consciousness. A supernova of Light.
Obi-Wan is kneeling, panting.
"Anakin…?" He rasps, tentatively, warily. Reaching out to him with one trembling hand, even as the hilt of his weapon remains gripped tightly in the other.
The armor keels forward. The wheezing growing to a twisted cacophony. Anakin falls to his hands and knees, and as the armor strikes the floor with a clang, their bond snaps open, allowing a hurricane of emotions to rush through the air like the winds of a gale.
Obi-Wan…?! He hears Anakin cry out across the Force, the younger man's spinning mind a mix of confusion, pain, and recognition.
The world fades away, and even the dire duel that has begun beyond them seems unimportant. There is nothing but his Padawan. Not duty. Not fear.
Anakin is gasping faster now. The rapid breaths giving way to hyperventilating panic. The prosthetic fingertips fumble awkwardly for the control panel, growing frantic as they falter and fail to flip the twisted switch, half-shattered with the force of Obi-Wan's blow.
Obi-Wan's heart lurches to his throat. It is Mustafar all over again; the two have fought, and he has won at the price of Anakin dying before him.
It is Mustafar all over again…
Until.
It isn't.
Obi-Wan does not turn away.
Obi-Wan scrambles toward him, and the metal hands grab desperately for his biceps. Clinging to him as if he is a life-preserver in a storm. The prosthetics are squeezing his arms so hard that he is sure they'll leave bruises, leaning on him as if he is the anchor of some great vessel.
I've got you. I've got you. He promises, allowing the cyborg's weight to rest on him as his own hands rush to find the half-broken switch, fumbling with it desperately as he wiggles it back and forth, jimmying it back into place.
It is such a foolish design flaw. So glaringly obvious. So patently negligent. It can be nothing except an intentional choice, meant to weaken Darth Vader, to make him vulnerable for the pleasure of his Sith Master.
A moment passes. An eternity. Anakin sucks for oxygen. Quicker and quicker. And then…the respirator stutters. Shudders. Coughs.
And he breathes. He breathes, the helm pitching forward to rest on Obi-Wan's chest as he draws for air, leaning on the elder Jedi.
There is shock coloring the Force, which has blissfully burst back into a rainbow of color around Anakin's presence. It is accompanied by a discordant chorus of relief, anger, and mind-tilting nausea.
Obi-Wan…what—how….what are you doing here…?
After then after a moment, he stiffens, suddenly alarmed.
Leia! Where's Leia?
She's safe. She's safe. He assures.
For several moments it is the two of them. Nothing else. No one else.
Unfortunately, the moment cannot last as the two raging combatants draw closer, clashing and shaking the very stone walls of the citadel as both reach into the Force in what could only be described as an all out brawl.
He cannot breathe. He can't breathe. He can't breathe!
He awakens to himself. Bewildered and disoriented. In the midst of a battle he cannot remember entering…
Somehow…somehow, Obi-Wan is prostrate on the ground before him. He is pale, too pale, soaked in perspiration and trembling from every limb. His saber is held within his hand. The Jedi's face looks terrified. But not terrified of him…instead…he is terrified for him (?).
What had happened…? How had he…?!
Warnings burst across his HUD as he stares confused through blurred vision. It takes him a moment to realize the suit is eerily silent. That the respirator has been turned off.
It is only then that he becomes aware of the corrupted kyber crystal shrieking within his metal palm. He drops it in an instant as his fingers reach frantically for the control panel. He grabs for it with practiced muscle memory, but, he cannot find the switch. It is no longer where it should be, and, held fast by the constricting metal collar, he cannot lower his head to see whatever damage has been done.
Had Obi-Wan…done this to him…?
He struggles to feel for whatever component has been broken…but he cannot…He needs…he cannot see…
Darkness is creeping around his vision as his lungs burn for air.
Before he knows it, Obi-Wan closes the space between them. And Vader reaches for him…seizing him with desperation…blind with animal need…!
Air…please…air…!
He needs…he can't…can't breathe….
Obi-Wan's hands are on his chest, tinkering with something that crunches and sparks…and then the suit jerks. He feels a shudder pass through his lungs, a burst of air. Then two. A shock runs through him as the mechanism kickstarts.
He isn't holding his own weight. But he does not fall. Held up by Obi-Wan's arms, he leans forward, limp as knives of air rush through his chest. Filling his ribcage as the blood in his body brightens with oxygen.
Somewhere. He has lost time. But the gaps in his memory fill as he breathes. Helped along by the sound of clashing sabers, echoing somewhere distant.
Oh, Force… his daughter! Leia…had he hurt her…?!
Mercifully, Obi-Wan rushes to soothe such thoughts. She is safe and that is a blessing all its own.
He hears that poison voice screaming and cackling in the din of the echoing chamber. He jolts to hear it joined by another familiar voice.
Master Yoda…?
Shock reverberates as his eyes settle on the small Ataru master, twirling through the air like a Tattooinian dirt devil, his saber striking like lightning around Darth Sidious.
The last thing he remembers is Darth Sidious, raking his mind as he had long known his Sith Master would. It does not take a superior intellect to infer what the Sith had done. How Anakin had found himself looming over Obi-Wan, saber drawn, repeating what the Emperor had once willed all those years ago.
The Sith had taken over him. Seized his body as if it were his own. He feels destabilized, violated, sick.
And almost mad with fury.
I have more, but here's a start! Please leave a review!