RoTS Alternate Ending Fic (Updated 9/2)
Posted: 2005-06-22 10:06am
Mustafar, a scorched world as scenic as hell itself. Molten fury coursed across the planets surface and ash clouded the skies. It was here, that the final actions of the Clone Wars were taking place, but as that saga came to a close a new era was about to be ushered in. Heralded by a titanic battle being waged against two former friends. Friends that had been closer than brothers.
"It's over Anakin, I have the high ground!"
"Do not underestimate my......"
In that moment something happened. As if the entire course of the universe strayed from its predestined path and took a new course. Only one being alive was able to touch that moment, and seize it. In that fraction of a second Anakin Skywalker was given the briefest of opportunities. He knew he had the power to crush Obi Wan, he knew that this battle had gone on long enough, what he could not figure out was how the old man had managed to survive for so long. Obi Wan, who had participated in his betrayal along with the Jedi Council, who now sought to end his life.
The realization flooded his synapses like the bursting of adam and the insight was of immeasurable value. Kenobi was goading him, leading him into a trap, using the fire that burned with Anakin to his own advantage. It was atactic Obi an had been fond of employing over the years against skilled opponents. And if it wasn't for that pause in time he might have fallen for it. Instead of leaping at his enemy to deliver the killing blow, Anakin held back, looking to create an opportunity on his own terms.
"....intelligence! Do you really think I would allow you to bait me in such a way? I am a Sith Lord, I am power I am strength and I control my own destiny! And you old man are no longer a part of it!"
Obi Wan gritted his teeth as the sweat rolled down his face, his gambit had failed. Skilled in the force as he was Anakin was more so, and stronger as well. Obi Wan's mind began to go into overdrive, desperately attempting to formulate a new strategy. "Anakin...." he called out.
"That name no longer has any meaning! I am Darth Vader!"
The sheer fury of the attack had caught Obi Wan by surprise and Anakin gave him little time to react. Instead of diving headfirst towards his prey, Anakin had decided to let the world of Mustafar charge for him. With a great push of the force the lava spewed forth from the current and overtook Obi Wan. His force-enhanced reflexes were not enough, and within seconds Obi Wan began to burn. Falling to the searing rocks below him the Jedi Master screamed in agony. His former pupil, now a murderer, now stood over him. Anakin looked down to the fallen Jedi. The sensation he felt was not what he had expected. Despite besting his former master, despite discovering the true potential within himself, Anakin Skywalker's hate still burned within him, eclipsing even the malicious joy that might be had from the sight of Obi Wan's flesh falling from his body.
"The price of betrayal is steep Obi Wan. You had followed the Jedi path your entire life and look where it led you, now you know the meaning of justice. The kind of justice only a Sith is capable of bringing about."
Obi Wan's could hear the sound of Anakin's footsteps trailing away, and he could feel the dark shadow grow even larger over him. Sidious...no...Palpatine had arrived as well. The pain he felt was unbearable, he could still feel the Force although it faded inside of him, he mustered every last reserve of strength that he had to preserve his mind, so that in his last hours of life he would not be afraid.
There is no death, there is only the Force.
At the landing bay near Amidala's shuttle, Palpatine had arrived with a contingent of clone troopers. The sensation of danger was gone now, Palpatine summonsed the Force to him, sensing his aurroundings, fixating on a tremoundous well of hatred that could only be his apprentice. The anger had grown even stronger within him now, perhaps a result of being allowed to confront disembowel Nute Gunray, who had attempted to assassinate his bride on many occaisions. Palpatine expanded his vision, attempting to gain more insight was to what had taken place, but as his consciousness expanded he felt another strong flicker in the Force. Two of them, coming from inside the Nubian ship, Amidala was here, but he could not sense her familiar presence. Anakin strode into view, and he walked right toward his master, with a confidence and resolve unshaken by his near defeat by Obi Wan.
"Lord Vader, I trust there were no complications?"
"Nothing I could not handle master, our betrayal by the Jedi has been avenged. Obi Wan Kenobi is dead."
"Kenobi was here, of course it makes sense. I take it he came along with your bride?"
Anakin fell silent, and Palpatine could sense the hate transform into fear within his apprentice. "Tell me Lord Vader, is PAdme...with child?"
"She is my lord, she was corrupted by Obi Wan into leading him here I am sure of it."
Palpatine's attention turned once again to the Nubian cruiser, sensing once again the two life forms gestating within her. "She is injured?" Again anakin was silent, it was apparent that he had been the cause of her injury. "I have brought with me a medical capsule, she will be fine. I am sure that whatever the cause of her pain, it was due to Kenobi's meddling."
Anakin nodded in consent. "She is aboard the cruiser with the droids."
Palpatine ordered the soldiers he had brought with him to take the medical capsule and begin treating Padme right away. Using the Force however, he issued another subtle mental command to search the ship for any and all witnesses, including droids. Any potential record of this event on that craft would be destroyed for good.
After the task had been performed and Amidala was safe, Palpatine's shuttle took off, his apprentice at his side.
A short time later, after fleeing Coruscant aboard the Tantive IV along with Bail Organa, Yoda had asked that they travel to Mustafar, a dull throbbing pain in Yoda's head lingering from his battle with the Emperor had been erased violently by a sharp stab in his heart. Obi Wan had failed, but perhaps he could still be saved.
When Yoda arrived on the planet, he fought hard to push back the agony of being unable to sense his comrade and friend. During his many years on the council, the death of every Jedi during that time affected him. He had always managed to move on past his grief and celebrate their return to the force, but on this day, the first Day of the Empire, there was no longer anyone else to celebrate with. NEver had he thought that he would be the last of the Jedi, not after training all of the children for hundreds of years.
The children...all killed by the Chosen One, by Skywalker.
Scouts from the ship's crew dutifully searched the area, at least hoping to find a body as Yoda guarded his feelings and attempted to regain his clarity. But he was shaken from his meditation in the conference room full of butchered confederacy leaders when one of the Scouts sent in a confirmation.
"We found him."
Indeed they had found Obi-Wan, or what was left of him. TEchnically he was still alive, though how he had managed to stay that way was a miracle in itself. Yoda rushed to the scene, Obi-Wan had tethered himself to the Force, only by surrendering to it completely had he managed to put himself into stasis. The only thing keeping him alive right now was the living force. He had surrendered himself to the will of the Force, and the will of the Force was not about to let him die just yet.
But the Force could not repair the damage to his body. In an attempt to cover his face and chest from the lava his arms were now little better than burnt stumps, and his legs in similar shape having been unprotected at all. Yoda looked at Obi Wan, and was unsure of what to do. Every fiber in his being cried out to sever the link somehow and allow Obi Wan to die in peace, but the will of the Force was nothing to stand against. Bail Organa slowly approached Yoda from behind.
"Master Yoda, is he?"
"Live for now, Obi Wan does. However, beyond repair, his body his."
Bail turned his head towards Yoda and then back to Obi Wan. "Then we must take him to Alderaan immediately."
Yoda turned to the Senator. "A plan you have?"
"Alderaan is home to the Galactic Polysapient Hospital, I am quite close to the most skilled physicians there. WE may not be able to restore his body, but I assure you his chances for survival will be far greater than if we remain here."
And so they left, with Yoda using the Force to levitate Obi Wan, and maintain his link with the living force.
"Many Jedi I could not save today. Be damned I will be, if I cannot save you."
Author's note: Please post comments good and bad, because I have more planned. Basically this is an exploration of what might have been if Anakin had bested Obi Wan on Mustafar.
"It's over Anakin, I have the high ground!"
"Do not underestimate my......"
In that moment something happened. As if the entire course of the universe strayed from its predestined path and took a new course. Only one being alive was able to touch that moment, and seize it. In that fraction of a second Anakin Skywalker was given the briefest of opportunities. He knew he had the power to crush Obi Wan, he knew that this battle had gone on long enough, what he could not figure out was how the old man had managed to survive for so long. Obi Wan, who had participated in his betrayal along with the Jedi Council, who now sought to end his life.
The realization flooded his synapses like the bursting of adam and the insight was of immeasurable value. Kenobi was goading him, leading him into a trap, using the fire that burned with Anakin to his own advantage. It was atactic Obi an had been fond of employing over the years against skilled opponents. And if it wasn't for that pause in time he might have fallen for it. Instead of leaping at his enemy to deliver the killing blow, Anakin held back, looking to create an opportunity on his own terms.
"....intelligence! Do you really think I would allow you to bait me in such a way? I am a Sith Lord, I am power I am strength and I control my own destiny! And you old man are no longer a part of it!"
Obi Wan gritted his teeth as the sweat rolled down his face, his gambit had failed. Skilled in the force as he was Anakin was more so, and stronger as well. Obi Wan's mind began to go into overdrive, desperately attempting to formulate a new strategy. "Anakin...." he called out.
"That name no longer has any meaning! I am Darth Vader!"
The sheer fury of the attack had caught Obi Wan by surprise and Anakin gave him little time to react. Instead of diving headfirst towards his prey, Anakin had decided to let the world of Mustafar charge for him. With a great push of the force the lava spewed forth from the current and overtook Obi Wan. His force-enhanced reflexes were not enough, and within seconds Obi Wan began to burn. Falling to the searing rocks below him the Jedi Master screamed in agony. His former pupil, now a murderer, now stood over him. Anakin looked down to the fallen Jedi. The sensation he felt was not what he had expected. Despite besting his former master, despite discovering the true potential within himself, Anakin Skywalker's hate still burned within him, eclipsing even the malicious joy that might be had from the sight of Obi Wan's flesh falling from his body.
"The price of betrayal is steep Obi Wan. You had followed the Jedi path your entire life and look where it led you, now you know the meaning of justice. The kind of justice only a Sith is capable of bringing about."
Obi Wan's could hear the sound of Anakin's footsteps trailing away, and he could feel the dark shadow grow even larger over him. Sidious...no...Palpatine had arrived as well. The pain he felt was unbearable, he could still feel the Force although it faded inside of him, he mustered every last reserve of strength that he had to preserve his mind, so that in his last hours of life he would not be afraid.
There is no death, there is only the Force.
At the landing bay near Amidala's shuttle, Palpatine had arrived with a contingent of clone troopers. The sensation of danger was gone now, Palpatine summonsed the Force to him, sensing his aurroundings, fixating on a tremoundous well of hatred that could only be his apprentice. The anger had grown even stronger within him now, perhaps a result of being allowed to confront disembowel Nute Gunray, who had attempted to assassinate his bride on many occaisions. Palpatine expanded his vision, attempting to gain more insight was to what had taken place, but as his consciousness expanded he felt another strong flicker in the Force. Two of them, coming from inside the Nubian ship, Amidala was here, but he could not sense her familiar presence. Anakin strode into view, and he walked right toward his master, with a confidence and resolve unshaken by his near defeat by Obi Wan.
"Lord Vader, I trust there were no complications?"
"Nothing I could not handle master, our betrayal by the Jedi has been avenged. Obi Wan Kenobi is dead."
"Kenobi was here, of course it makes sense. I take it he came along with your bride?"
Anakin fell silent, and Palpatine could sense the hate transform into fear within his apprentice. "Tell me Lord Vader, is PAdme...with child?"
"She is my lord, she was corrupted by Obi Wan into leading him here I am sure of it."
Palpatine's attention turned once again to the Nubian cruiser, sensing once again the two life forms gestating within her. "She is injured?" Again anakin was silent, it was apparent that he had been the cause of her injury. "I have brought with me a medical capsule, she will be fine. I am sure that whatever the cause of her pain, it was due to Kenobi's meddling."
Anakin nodded in consent. "She is aboard the cruiser with the droids."
Palpatine ordered the soldiers he had brought with him to take the medical capsule and begin treating Padme right away. Using the Force however, he issued another subtle mental command to search the ship for any and all witnesses, including droids. Any potential record of this event on that craft would be destroyed for good.
After the task had been performed and Amidala was safe, Palpatine's shuttle took off, his apprentice at his side.
A short time later, after fleeing Coruscant aboard the Tantive IV along with Bail Organa, Yoda had asked that they travel to Mustafar, a dull throbbing pain in Yoda's head lingering from his battle with the Emperor had been erased violently by a sharp stab in his heart. Obi Wan had failed, but perhaps he could still be saved.
When Yoda arrived on the planet, he fought hard to push back the agony of being unable to sense his comrade and friend. During his many years on the council, the death of every Jedi during that time affected him. He had always managed to move on past his grief and celebrate their return to the force, but on this day, the first Day of the Empire, there was no longer anyone else to celebrate with. NEver had he thought that he would be the last of the Jedi, not after training all of the children for hundreds of years.
The children...all killed by the Chosen One, by Skywalker.
Scouts from the ship's crew dutifully searched the area, at least hoping to find a body as Yoda guarded his feelings and attempted to regain his clarity. But he was shaken from his meditation in the conference room full of butchered confederacy leaders when one of the Scouts sent in a confirmation.
"We found him."
Indeed they had found Obi-Wan, or what was left of him. TEchnically he was still alive, though how he had managed to stay that way was a miracle in itself. Yoda rushed to the scene, Obi-Wan had tethered himself to the Force, only by surrendering to it completely had he managed to put himself into stasis. The only thing keeping him alive right now was the living force. He had surrendered himself to the will of the Force, and the will of the Force was not about to let him die just yet.
But the Force could not repair the damage to his body. In an attempt to cover his face and chest from the lava his arms were now little better than burnt stumps, and his legs in similar shape having been unprotected at all. Yoda looked at Obi Wan, and was unsure of what to do. Every fiber in his being cried out to sever the link somehow and allow Obi Wan to die in peace, but the will of the Force was nothing to stand against. Bail Organa slowly approached Yoda from behind.
"Master Yoda, is he?"
"Live for now, Obi Wan does. However, beyond repair, his body his."
Bail turned his head towards Yoda and then back to Obi Wan. "Then we must take him to Alderaan immediately."
Yoda turned to the Senator. "A plan you have?"
"Alderaan is home to the Galactic Polysapient Hospital, I am quite close to the most skilled physicians there. WE may not be able to restore his body, but I assure you his chances for survival will be far greater than if we remain here."
And so they left, with Yoda using the Force to levitate Obi Wan, and maintain his link with the living force.
"Many Jedi I could not save today. Be damned I will be, if I cannot save you."
Author's note: Please post comments good and bad, because I have more planned. Basically this is an exploration of what might have been if Anakin had bested Obi Wan on Mustafar.