Thread: Star Wars:  The Dying of the Light (TheCorsair, Miss Melly)

STAR WARS THE DYING OF THE LIGHT It is the end of an age. The JEDI KNIGHTS, who have defended the GALACTIC REPUBLIC for a thousand generations, have failed to remove the Sith Lord DARTH SIDIOUS from the office of Supreme Chancellor. Even now, the Grand Army of the Republic turns on the Jedi Knights as directed by ORDER 66. Jedi Master OBI-WAN KENOBI, in a final, desperate bid to turn the tide, has followed his former apprentice ANAKIN SKYWALKER to the planet Mustafar, hoping to turn him from the Dark Side of the Force. Anakin, believing himself betrayed by his wife PADME AMIDALA has lashed out her, and even now battles his one time mentor for survival on the lava-flooded surface of the planet... Darth Vader struggled for breath, drawing upon the Force to protect his lungs and his flesh from the searing heat of the lava behind him. Born in the arid wastes of Tatooine, he'd never believed that anything could ever feel hot to him. When he finally left, he'd believed the rest of the galaxy to be like a glacier - beautiful, but cold. Mustafar, however, had taught him the real meaning of heat . And it was a brutal instructor. So he breathed, chest laboring to fill his lungs with air as the Force kept the monstrous heat at bay and filtered the poisonous fumes. And as he breathed, acutely aware of the glowing river of lava behind him, he stared up at his one-time Master. His one-time mentor. And, it seemed, his one-time friend. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the man he'd loved like tje brother he'd never had. The one man he'd thought would understand . And there he stood at the top of the embankment, the actinic blue glow of his lightsaber making his face wan and pale in the ruddy light of the hell-world they'd fought through. Vader focused, forcing the rage down. He had to try, once more. Obi-Wan was a good man, a man dedicated to the Republic. They'd fought together for a decade, breaking the back of the Separatist rebellion and working to preserve the Republic. surely he would understand. He had to understand. How can you still believe the Jedi? he called, voice raised over the crackling and hissing of the lava. Even now, after they staged a coup against the Supreme Chancellor? Palpatine is Sith , Obi-Wan countered. He's shaken you, confused you... Confused me? Vader laughed, despite himself. Master Windu led a coup against him! Took a half-dozen Guardians into the offices of the legally-elected Supreme Chancellor... A Sith Lord, Anakin! How can you defend him? How can you defend the Jedi , Obi-Wan? Vader countered. What evil has Palpatine done, to justify the actions of the Jedi? Did we defeat the Separatists, only to see the Order become just like them? Obi-Wan shook his head in that patronizing manner of his, dismissing his arguments as if they were nothing more than the ravings of a petulant child. Come with me, Anakin! he said, offering his hand. There is still good in you! I can feel it! Shifting his stance, Vader lowered his blade and extended his left hand. Come with me , Obi-Wan. You've been a good friend, and you're still loyal to the Republic. I can feel it. Help me - help us - restore it to greatness! The two men stared at each other for a long moment. And then Obi-Wan lowered is hand. I cannot. Palpatine is the Sith Lord that has masterminded this civil war. You cannot ask me to support him now, Anakin. Vader, he said, lowering his own hand. What? said Obi-Wan, surprised. Vader raised his blade once more, gripping it with both hands as he looked for an opening. My name, Obi-Wan, is Vader. Darth Vader. Obi-Wan raised his own lightsaber, eyes flickering over the terrain. It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground. Vader shifted his stance, crouching for a spring. You underestimate my power! There was a frantic edge in Obi-Wan's voice now. Don't try it. Drawing on the Force, Vader launched himself into the air. As he did, visions of the near future filled his mind. He saw himself screaming in agony as Obi-Wan cut him down. Felt his arm and legs slashed away, and the rough super-heated stone of the riverbank burning and biting into his flesh. And that would not happen. He would not allow it. Instead, he used the Force to alter his path, landing in a crouch before Obi-Wan as his one-time Master's blade slashed the air where he would have been. There was no joy in his heart as his lightsaber tore through Obi-Wan's abdomen. He loved his former Master, loved him as a friend and a brother. But... there was no other way. Obi-Wan crashed backwards onto the burning rock, shock and horror in his face. But... how..? he gasped. Did Qui-Gon's final lesson mean nothing, Obi-Wan? Vader asked, looming over him. Darth Maul had the high-ground as well, and look how it served him. Obi-Wan gripped his abdomen with one arm, trying to keep the blood and viscera from escaping, and groped blindly for his lightsaber with the other. With an air of calm detachment, Vader cut the limb away. You are dying, Obi-Wan, he said over the man's scream of agony. But it's not too late. You can still come with me. Together, we can restore peace to the galaxy. Obi-Wan's stump beat against the stones, as if he could still reach his blade. Vader flexed his right hand in sympathy, feeling the subtle whirring of the gears and servos in his artificial limb. As he did, his mentor's pain-glazed eyes found him. ... You were the Chosen One! I've heard that, yes, Vader answered, softly. It's why Yoda tried to refuse my training.' It was said that you would, would destroy the Sith, not join them. It was you who would bring balance to the Force, not leave it in Darkness. Vader bent down, lifting Obi-Wan's saber in his left hand. There's what? A million Jedi in the galaxy? A million Jedi, and only two Sith. He weighed his former mentor's weapon in his hand. It would seem that I have begun to bring balance to the Force. Obi-Wan's eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Vader felt his life fading, and began to turn away. Then came an agonized whisper. You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you. Turning back, vader ignited Obi-Wan's lightsaber. With a single motion he split the man's head in half, destroying his brain. He stood for a moment, feeling unexpected tears trickle down his cheek. And you were mine, Obi-Wan. You were my brother. There was a snap-his as he shut off the blade. Ignoring the heat, he knelt and curled his brother's limp hand around the hilt of his saber. Then, lifting him in his arms, he carried him to the edge of the lava flow. Gently, using the Force, he rested the body on the surface of the river. He shed tears as the body burned away, but none could have seen them - they evaporated as soon as they were generated. Still numb, Vader slewed his skimmer to a halt outside his ship. Padme! In the ensuing minutes of the battle had it only been minutes? It had felt like hours, he'd forgotten her. Forgotten his rage at his apparent betrayal. Forgotten that he'd lashed out at her as Obi-Wan had twisted his thoughts around and convinced him for just a moment that she had betrayed him. Frantically, he looked about. Was she alive? She had to be! A gleaming golden form shuffled down the landing ramp of the skiff. C-3PO, the broken protocol droid he'd rebuilt on Tatooine so long ago. Master Skywalker! it called in that prissy voice he'd kept meaning to change out, We have Miss Padme on board. Please, please hurry. We should leave this dreadful place. without pausing to respond he pushed his way past the droid, racing through the bowels of the ship. Padme was lying on a bed in the limited medical bay of the skiff, eyes wide. Padme! he called, falling to his knees beside her and gripping her hands. Oh, Padme! Are you all right? The tears he'd shed at Obi-Wan's cremation returned to his eyes, leaving tiny trails through the soot on his face. I... oh, god, Padme. I'm... I didn't... Sniffling like a child, he looked away as his shame at lashing out at her returned. I... I'm sorry.