Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 07:07:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Mark Subject: Planes of Gray - chapter 4 Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. I don't mean to state anything about the sexuality of Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen or anyone else. Note : This story of mine will only make use of the Star Wars characters, and will barely follow the Star Wars story, if at all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Planes of Gray - chapter 4 "Look at me," I said gravely, but he ignored me for the second time. I felt the anger seethe in me, and felt hatred float over my skin like black silk. I had moved closer to the Dark Side, and drew on its awesome power to crush those who opposed me. Now, standing here on the roof of one of the huge buildings on Coruscent, I looked down on my imminent victory. I felt dead inside, and not elated as I thought I would feel at a moment like this. The man in front of me was on his knees gasping raggedly for breath. He was a mess. A huge gash opened on his forehead and blood streamed down his face. His right arm was seared down to the bone, but this paled beside his left arm, which was absent from the elbow down. "Look at me!" I yelled, for the third time, and felt the Dark Side pull at me like a hurricane. He breathed raggedly, and lifted his head with the last of his strength. His eyes were blue and sad, but already glazed as his life neared its end. He drew one very deep breath, and a drop of blood dripped from his nose and landed on the floor. "Deryk..." he whispered to me desperately. My eyes were as cold as the ice on Hoth, and my mercy was less than nothing. I didn't even let him get another word out. Raising my red saber in one viper-like move, I plunged the blade into his chest. He gave out one last cry and fell to the side, his eyes open and vacant. A powerful ripple of the Force escaped from his fallen body and pushed me back slightly. "Master indeed," I said, mocking the corpse of the fallen Jedi Master. "You dared to come for me Ki-Adi Mundi, and you paid the price." Sheathing my red saber, I sighed and examined the bustling traffic streaming over my head. A huge battle between Light and Dark had been fought here tonight, but the craft wouldn't stop to look or help. Coruscent stopped for nothing. Using the Dark Side I lifted Ki-Adi Mundi's body, while at the same time burrowing a rift in the Force, to the Jedi Temple. I tracked Yoda's presence and called his attention through the Force. Showing him the corpse of his old friend, I looked him deep in the eyes and smiled. "Prepare," I said, and closed the rift. His eyes had been sad, but quickly focussed into iron resolve and determination. Releasing the Dark Side, I heard Ki-Adi Mundi's corpse hit the ground with a dull thud. I walked a few steps to the north and recovered his lightsaber, still locked in the deathgrip of his severed arm. It would be a memento, and useful if another group of Jedi's decided to attack me. I walked to the south edge of the building and casually stepped over the cold corpse of Ki-Adi Mundi's apprentice who had lasted a full ten seconds against my onslaught. His face still bore a triumphant smile, so gleeful at the opportunity to face a true Sith Lord and prove himself to his master. A hole in his stomach gave off a thin trail of smoke, and the smell of burned flesh. "Idiot," I murmured contemptuously, and walked past him glancing at his lightsaber. I had no interest in a Padawan's clumsy creation. His blade had blunted edges and the resonance was out of tune with the crystal from the sound of the swing. I climbed into my parked speeder and immediately drove off into the high sky. I was vexed, and more with myself than with the Jedi. I had been so preoccupied with the thought of Anakin that I had landed on the planet undisguised. I was a tempest of the Dark Side and I had landed among a thousand Jedi. They would have sensed me immediately, but I only realised my folly hours later when I arrived on this building looking for accommodation, only to find two Jedi waiting for me. They didn't even talk to me. I had taken two steps out of my craft when both of them leaped at me, blades descending for a killing stroke. Damn the Jedi and their vaunted Code! I had known Ki-Adi Mundi for ten years and he hadn't even offered me the chance of surrender. Obviously I would never have accepted his terms, but it had still made me almost mad with rage to see him skip the formalities. It was unlikely they would have moved with their own volition. Yoda had almost certainly sent them. He had placed a death sentence on my head. I had little interest in the Jedi, but my arrival on the planet must have produced hysteria in the Temple - as if the prophecies of a new Force war were finally becoming reality. The paranoid simpletons, they once again overestimated their own importance to me. Something inside me suddenly yearned for revenge. How could your former friends turn into your executioners within a few weeks? I could barely reconcile the idea. If another Jedi had run amok and killed other Jedi, I would never in my wildest dreams go on a mission to kill him. I would find him, neutralise him, and bring him to justice before the council. Yet here Ki-Adi Mundi had stood, so hasty in his intentions to cut me down. Perhaps it was the Dark Side on its path to taint my soul, but I couldn't shake the natural feeling that the Jedi were the ones who had gone off the rails. How could you consider someone your enemy who had yesterday been your friend? I was a Sith Lord, and I still couldn't think like that. I didn't hate the Jedi, or Windu ... well, maybe I hated Yoda and his piety. If I killed the Jedi it would be a cold and calculated move to end their hypocrisy, not some childish revenge in payment for my current circumstances. I didn't truly resent them for expelling me, that was partially my fault, but I hated them for hating me. If they stayed away from me, I would leave them be - although truth be told, I would make time for Yoda if the situation presented its self. Flying off to the northern districts, I landed my craft in the hangar leading to my temporary apartments. This was the wealthiest district in the western hemisphere, but I had no problem securing a penthouse apartment from a landlord with a weak mind. Stepping into the shadowed apartment, I didn't bother to turn the lights on. I walked up to the huge glass palisade and looked out onto the busy city. It was dark, but wisps of cloud passed by at this height, and hundreds of cars buzzed above and below in orderly traffic lines. I sighed and picked up a triangular paperweight off the glass side table. Looking at it sadly, I bounced it up and down in my hand, and on the fourth bounce kept my hand still and let the Force maintain the momentum. The small triangle started doing neat tricks and started spinning with attitude as I lobbed it up and down in my hand. A small smile spread across my face, and for a short time I found myself lost in the simplicity of the moment. I shook my head with despair and exhaled deeply. I could already feel the dark presence approaching the planet, and I was in no mood for a lecture. My right arm burned as it remembered the insult on Naboo. Flinching, I lifted my right sleeve and examined the raw wound, deep and hostile. I felt around the deep furrow in my deltoid muscle and sucked air through my teeth when I got a little too close. Pink flesh was trying to knit its self together, but black char still coated a large part of the wound and mocked my arm's efforts to right its self. It was said that holding the Force accelerated healing, but it had been seven days and I was healing no faster than any other person. Growling, I felt and urge to fight Mace Windu again, but suddenly realised the foolishness of the thought. In full readiness it would be close, but injured he'd disembowel me like a rancor. Looking down at the lava streams thousands of feet below, I realised that I feared another confrontation, and that angered me greatly. I threw myself on the recliner in the centre of the lounge, and awaited my Master's return. Waves of guilt rode over me when my thoughts drifted to Anakin, but I pushed the thoughts away in anguish and forced myself to sleep before they could return. ********************************************************************* Yoda was moving through the Jedi Temple, suspended on his floating platform. It was an enjoyable luxury to be able to sit and at the same time inspect the state of the Jedi and their apprentices. Today was not a day for celebration, though. He glanced to his friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi who walked beside him. Obi-Wan also seemed to be absorbed in his thoughts, and a frown creased his forehead. It was not unexpected that he would be worried too, considering the circumstances. "A sad day this is for the Jedi, to lose a powerful master like Ki-Adi Mundi," Yoda said in Obi-Wan's direction. "Yes," Obi-Wan said curtly. "A great tragedy. He was powerful as you say, but no match for Deryk. Only a small handful of us could ever stand against Deryk, Master Yoda. Even I know that." "I agree," Yoda said softly. Obi-Wan stopped and rounded on Yoda. "They why did you send Ki-Adi Mundi after him, Master? It would mean death for him before he even begun." Yoda closed his eyes and shook his head in vexation, before leaning his chin on the head of his walking stick. "I actually charged ten Jedi Masters and their apprentices to confront Deryk. Not to attack or provoke him in any way, I told them. Unless attacked by him they were." "Deryk must have launched himself at Ki-Adi Mundi from the outset," Obi-Wan said in a disgusted tone. "Could he have fallen so far as to not even enter into a debate with one of us?" "Fallen he has, there can be no doubt," Yoda said musingly, "but I still sense that he never initiated conflict against the Jedi who confronted him. Instruct members of the council, I can, but once they leave the Temple, rely on their own judgment and the Force they must." "Are you saying...?" Obi-Wan started, clearly shocked. "Peace, my friend. I will think on this issue, for clouds my own mind it does," Yoda said. There was no unknown aspect though. He knew what had happened. Ki-Adi Mundi had attacked Deryk instantly, and it had led to his death. It was disturbing that a seasoned Jedi Master would pass such a final judgment on a former friend. How many more would? Would Obi-Wan give him a chance? Would he himself? He lived by the Code, but should it be applied to all situations, and to what degree? He sighed and walked on in silence. "Master Windu should arrive within the next twelve hours," Obi-Wan said with a stony voice. "Yes, I know," Yoda said. "Have you heard anything further on young Skywalker?" Obi-Wan's eyes fell as looked at the ground sadly. "Deryk wounded him seriously. He's been critically injured, Master, and is holding to life tenuously in a bacta tank. Master Windu did what he could, but Deryk held back little, and spared him even less. Lightning with the Force! I can still hardly believe it." He shook his head in awe. Yoda nodded slowly. "An ancient art practiced by the legendary Sith Masters it is, and strengthens my belief it does that Deryk's master is one of dangerous knowledge and power. Taught him to defend himself against it I did. Sad it is for me to see him wield it instead. Strong Deryk has become. Very strong." "Stronger than you?" Obi-Wan said, and Yoda could see a hint of fear in his eyes kept under careful control. "Time will tell, my friend, if comes to that it does," Yoda said. "Mace reported wounding him, so perhaps a chance there is for us all." He smiled at the last words, but inside he was aware at the vast magnitude of the threat facing the Jedi. It was a threat which had landed on this planet a day ago. "Worry not my friend," he said with a touch of hypocrisy. "A Jedi with the Force behind him will always be a better bet than a Sith with the Dark Side gnawing at his soul." Obi-Wan nodded, but didn't smile. They walked on in silence for a very long time. ********************************************************************* Mace Windu walked down the main hall of the corvette which was returning him to Coruscent. The ship was nearing the planet and would drop out of hyperspace soon. Walking down the long length of the ship, he turned left and entered the sick bay to check on his friend for perhaps the hundredth time. The medical droid greeted him formally and he nodded in silent acquiescence. The contents of this room still chilled his heavy heart, and presented him with near insurmountable problems. He ran his fingers along the medical incubator lying on the floor. Anakin lay within clinging to life, his vitals beeping regularly on the monitor alongside the bed. The chamber looked so comfortable with its white cushioned interiors and warm atmosphere, but those who resided inside usually never lived to appreciate the comforts. Anakin had been removed from suspension in the bacta tank two days previously, and placed in the medical unit for recuperation. Yet despite this, Anakin was not improving. His most serious wounds had been healed by the bacta, but the Dark Side of the Force had abilities which injured beyond the flesh, which not even he could uproot. He hoped that Yoda could, or he was sure that Anakin would never recover. He examined Anakin sadly. He lay there in an apparently peaceful sleep, wearing some long black pants while his shirtless form breathed deeply and with comforting regularity. Anakin was physically very fit as his lean body revealed. A small patch in the centre of his chest was red and blistered from where Deryk had struck him. Mace was counting on his physical fitness to help him through this precarious time. His face was thankfully serene and neutral at the moment, but Anakin had been plagued by some sort of inner torment which left him shouting Deryk's name in his comatose state. Mace had been compelled to still Anakin's restless mind on more than one occasion using the Force. Luckily it had been successful, but each time tears would leak from the sides of both his closed eyes, which was extremely unsettling to see in another Jedi. Deryk. How could one Jedi Master cause such an uproar in the galaxy? He had no doubt now that Deryk and Anakin had the deepest feelings for one another, feelings which flew far beyond a platonic level. Before revealing himself to them, he could see the Force washing over them like a maelstrom in full swing, almost hysterical in its aim to bring them together. They surely didn't notice, as their intoxicated eyes proved. He knew compassion very well, but had never known love. It was dangerous and led to the Dark Side if it was lost under tragic circumstances. Yet what he had seen between the two made him feel warm inside, as if the Force its self was smiling and content in the knowledge that this was how potent human emotion could be. He didn't care what Yoda or any of the other masters said, he had not felt a speck of the Dark Side in Deryk up to that moment. Only a fool would think that a true Sith Lord would bask in nature and meddle in a placid stream, then look on another in pure love. He had merely wanted to debate a few options with the two, but his move into the open had released the most unbelievable reaction in Deryk. Paranoia and anger had flooded over him in massive amounts, and made him irrational to the point of insanity. And then... that moment. Mace Windu still shook his head in shock at what he had seen. Deryk loved Anakin with his whole soul, with every fibre in his being - yet he casually lifted his hand and almost killed him. Mace knew in himself that Deryk would return to Coruscent, but he didn't know for what reason. Yoda told him that Ki-Adi Mundi had fallen to Deryk earlier that day, but he had felt it long before, and was saddened but not surprised. Deryk was as dangerous as any man he had ever fought, and twice as talented. It was only due to Anakin's coincidental distraction that Mace had managed to land a glancing blow to Deryk's arm, something he felt sorry about. Why should I feel guilty though? He attacked me first. He'd said that to himself many times, but each time he heard his conscience tell him that Deryk was insane with love and passion, not truly tainted with the Dark Side. He didn't know what he was doing, and it would be a grievous error to strike him down for that. He felt the ship lurch slightly and walked to the cockpit as they exited hyperspace. The planet could be seen outside the window as the captain circled into a docking pattern. Anakin and Deryk loved one another. If he could unite them, and expel the Dark Side's influence he would retire a happy man. Yet he knew, just knew inside of himself, that so many hands were trying to seize a stake in this huge galactic event, and that somehow, this pure gift from the Force would end in a blackened ruin. ********************************************************************* Darth Sidious walked briskly along the extravagant corridors of the apartment building in the affluent northern regions of Coruscent. He was in a foul mood, which had started several days previously when he'd been forced to track Deryk here. In times of solace, he used to ponder how he'd been cursed with such a headstrong apprentice. Deryk was too powerful for his own good, and too dangerous to turn your back on. He used to cover his insecurities with contempt or even humour, but he knew in himself that Deryk was already more powerful than him, even if he was an odd hybrid between a Sith and a Jedi. All it would take was time and pressure, and he would become a fully fledged Dark Lord. In time Deryk really would rule the galaxy as the greatest Sith Lord since Freedon Nadd. It grated him that Deryk would fulfil a destiny that he wished was his, but he was Darth Sidious and he was far wiser than any Jedi Master. He knew that the Force had plans which had been set in place millennia ago, and he prided himself that he could be the key who could open the door to the greatest Sith Lord in Ages. There was just one problem, and it could ruin everything if he himself didn't intervene. He stepped up to the electronic doors which led to the penthouse suite, and casually bypassed the identity screener using the Dark Side. Strutting in, he waved his hand impatiently and watched the lights fill the darkened room. His apprentice was standing next to the comfortable recliner in the centre of the room, ready for an attack or ambush. His perception was flawless, which was pleasing to see. "Syrin," he said softly. The man flinched slightly when he heard the name, and tried to hide it. He scowled at his apprentice's shame, which was just one of many flaws he had to work on. "Master Sidious," he said, and nodded so slightly it almost didn't show. "I have an interesting story for you, my apprentice. Please, take a seat." Deryk took a seat and hid his impatience at being lectured. "I was meditating on my next lesson for you on Naboo, when I felt a flare in the Dark Side. I knew that you had encountered a Jedi or a similar match. I waited patiently for a report on the outcome, and imagine my surprise when I felt you flee the planet without my consent. Did you do that when you were Yoda's apprentice?" "No," he said woodenly. "No. Then explain to me... why the FUCK you left without my bidding?! Are you trying to break free of my tutelage? Are you trying to anger me? If so... just say the word." He focussed angrily on his apprentice. Deryk looked to his feet like a child who was ashamed at what he had done. It was quite surprising to see no outburst from him for a change. "I humbly apologise, Master. I appreciate your training, really I do, but I ran into complications. I was walking in the woods when Anakin approached me. I believe he was bait for an ambush. That's when Windu came. We fought. He won. I injured Anakin." His cheeks flushed with anger, or embarrassment, and he pointed to his arm which was bandaged. "Windu," Sidious said gravely. "So the Jedi are playing a more central role in their game against us. We will have to accelerate our plans. I sensed your role in one of their deaths earlier this evening, which is a start. If my plans come to fruition, we can destroy the entire Jedi order." "What about Anakin?" Deryk said angrily. "Stop thinking about him," Sidious said dismissively. "The Anakin problem..." "No!" he shouted in rage and strode towards me in anger. "You don't understand, my Master. I'm only associated with you because of the Anakin problem." His voice dripped with scorn and sarcasm. He was genuinely furious, and without thought Sidious took a defensive stance. "If anything, and I mean fucking anything happens to Anakin, you will cease to be useful to me, and I will cut my ties to you. Then you, and all the damn Jedi will know a wrath like you have never seen before. Do I make myself clear?" Deryk was shouting at the end, but his voice sounded desperate too. "Agreed," Sidious said with a smile. Pushing a man who was on edge the wrong way would drag both of you off the cliff. "... but let's not forget ourselves, Syrin. Who was it who harmed Anakin? Not I." "I know that! I regret that moment already. I sense Anakin's approach to the planet. I'm going to find him and help him, and the Force protect anyone who stands between us." His eyes were as focussed as an eagle's. "The Jedi will expect your presence when Anakin arrives. There will be many Jedi there. Windu will be just one of them. You will die. Unless..." Deryk looked up, deep lines of anxiety creasing the lines around his eyes. "Unless what?" "Unless I help you. The two of us together will be a lethal force against the Jedi. We might even survive," he said laughing. "Yet to risk myself I demand a greater level of obedience from you. You are my sword to point where I desire." "Alright," Deryk said with irritation and waved his hand at me as if I would disappear. "You and your damn word games and your cursed hold on me! I'll do as you say, but don't expect that to imply outright obedience." "I doubt I could get that out of you anyway," Sidious said with a wry smile. "Now, let's formulate our plans." Sitting next to Deryk, he listened to the young Sith's ideas to approach Anakin. His plan was sharp and intelligent, and proved his former prowess as a general on the battlefield. When he spoke about Anakin his voice assumed a hoarseness and a deep passion for him, and his eyes glazed over as if Anakin was right in front of him at that moment. Anakin was the thorn in the Sith's side. He was a Jedi of enormous potential, but what worried Sidious is that the two obviously had feelings for one another. He looked at Deryk. Deryk was as good looking as Anakin, though in a different way. He had sharp features and dark hair, and was tall and feral. He did everything with passion and determination, and Sidious was sure that it was this which appealed to Anakin, if Deryk's suggestive smile and blue eyes didn't do enough. He considered aiding Deryk, and then killing Anakin when he got close, but decided to rather keep that plan at bay. Anakin would die someday soon, but he would make sure that the Jedi would be implicated, and not the Sith. ********************************************************************* Deryk clung to the side of the medical centre where Anakin was being treated. His Master was a few feet back walking along the ledge of the building, seemingly without difficulty. It was agreed that this route of entry was the most likely one to succeed. It was also agreed that they wouldn't kill anyone unless necessary, but who knows what that clause meant to Palpatine? The winds were powerful and every gust threatened to pull him off the building. The Dark Side formed an illusion which hid them from prying eyes. As he approached the target window, he let the Dark Side seep into it and watched as the glass became dust which floated away on the wind. With a small leap his hand caught on the brick above the window and he flipped in mid-air and through the glassless frame. Landing on his feet, he stretched out with his feelings and located Anakin, and other Jedi. He heard Sidious land behind him. "Anakin is two floors below us. There are at least twenty-five Jedi in the building, five of whom are on the roof. None stand between us and Anakin, but there are eight on Anakin's floor. One of those eight is very strong. Possibly Windu or Yoda," I said, more to myself than to my Master. "Good work. Their patterns haven't changed, which means our infiltration has been successful," he said. "Let's go," he said, and walked past me in a rush. Within minutes we had cut holes in the floors with our sabers and jumped down to the levels below. The elevators were far too risky too use. As we landed on Anakin's floor, we encountered utter silence. I could sense the Jedi on the roof, and a few below us, but those on our floor had vanished. I knew they were here somewhere. "Something isn't right," I said. "They know we are here. We are moments away from an ambush," Sidious said calmly. "We knew the odds of complete stealth were negligible before we began. Turning back is not an option." "I agree," I said softly. The whole floor was huge, dark and empty, except for a central illuminated area with a casket in the centre, and hundreds of glowing bacta tanks lining the side walls, some filled with creatures of varying injury. I could sense Anakin occupying the casket in the centre illuminated area. "Might as well be a bulls-eye," I said. "The Jedi are fools." "No, the Jedi are cunning," Sidious said, with a cunning smile of his own. "They know why we are here. They know we will not retreat under any circumstances. They know how predictable their trap is, and how we will respond. And best of all my apprentice, they know we know." He laughed a rich, wheezing laugh. "I'm starting to like these Jedi." I snorted with contempt. "I'm going to Anakin," I said defiantly. "To hell with them. If they want to stop me, then let them try." "I will guard you from here, Lord Syrin. Do whatever you need to," he said, and I saw him scanning the room like a leopard searching for prey. The hilt of his lightsaber was suddenly in his hands as he prowled the room with vigilance on his intelligent face. Without hesitation I walked towards the centre plinth, and I felt my Master draw on the Dark Side until his presence physically unsettled me and I felt the urge to turn around and check my own back. Resisting, I walked up to the white platform which I saw was surrounded with flexiglass. As I approached, a slice of the glass moved and formed a door, which I entered. The ring of glass reformed, and I pressed the switch which opacified the glass, allowing me some privacy with Anakin. The silence in the room was complete, and even the screens which monitored his vital signs bleeped silently on a screen beside his bed. Seeing him again, and under these circumstances made my heart sink and the guilt returned stronger than ever. He was so good looking it took my breath away, and I exhaled involuntarily as my eyes soaked up his form. He looked to be in the most peaceful sleep, as if nothing in the world could harm him. My hand moved ever so slightly and the switch on the control panel flicked down, causing the glass shield above his body to retract fully. My eyes fixed on his beautiful body. His shaggy off- blonde hair hung loosely over his forehead, and his awesome lips were closed without expression. His dark brown sideburns trailed down, but instead of ending continued into the beginnings of a light beard which hinted at a week's growth. I didn't like the beard, but Anakin could look sexy in anything. His chest rose and fell slowly and I started to breathe a little heavier when I saw his defined pecs and hard nipples, with chiselled abs doing their best to aid his efforts. His chest and abs were hairless, except for a thin and wild little line running from his navel and into his dark pants. I groaned longingly but the sound didn't leave my throat. I approached him silently and looked at his chest. The centre of his chest appeared to almost have healed, but no one could mistake the old blisters and heated assault which had struck there. That was my work. My eyes fell at the sight, and I was so ashamed I couldn't take it. "I'm so sorry, Anakin," I said, and a tear started to roll down my cheek. It slipped off the angle of my jaw and fell with a soft patter onto his chest. Anakin stirred slightly. "Deryk..." he mumbled, and then fell silent. "I was such a fool. You do love me," I said, fully consumed with the error of my ways. I started to cry harder, completely overwhelmed with sorrow and self-loathing. I had never harmed someone with such hatred, with less cause, and a more innocent and caring victim. I was a serpent, and I wanted to die for my sins. I leaned forward and rested against his chest, selfishly hugging him to prevent my own total emotional collapse. "Forgive me, Anakin. I love you so much. Forgive me, I beg you," I said as tears fell from my face and rolled along his chest. His breathing increased, and I could see his nostrils flaring in desperation. Small trickles appeared out the corners of his eyes, and his lips opened raggedly. "Deryk..." he mumbled, half-sobbing half-pleading. Something was wrong here. I ran the Dark Side over him and found a kernel of evil nesting in his chest. It was where I had struck him with my lightning, but somehow the Dark Side had lingered and remained to chew at Anakin's soul. No. I would not allow it. I ... would... not. Standing, I pulled at the Dark Side and then formed it into a jaw to tear out the malevolent nucleus which was harming the one I loved. I reached in and grabbed it, and pulled. Anakin's whole body convulsed, and the kernel screamed as I took hold of it. "I am a Sith Lord. You WILL obey me," I said with authority. The kernel resisted only a moment longer before releasing its self and returning to the Dark Side of the Force. Almost immediately the colour returned to Anakin's face. His eyes fluttered and I saw them struggling to open. I smiled widely, but my joy was short-lived as I heard a screech from outside the glass walls, followed by the unmistakable sound of lightsaber combat. "Master..." I said starting for the glass, before turning back to Anakin. Suddenly I sensed all the Jedi converging on the floor. There were at least ten present in the immediate area already. "No!" I said. Anakin's eyes opened slowly, and he blinked slightly. His eyes scanned for a moment and found me, and a warm smile spread across his perfect lips. He was so amazing, but woefully unaware as to what he had just awoken to. He started to speak, but without hesitation I leaned forward and kissed him deeply. His soft lips touched mine, and the soft hair around his lips tickled my skin. It was so arousing I thought I was going to faint. My head spun despite the war going on around me. My tongue pushed his lips apart, and he groaned loudly as we explored one another. His hands reached up and pulled at my neck, his eyes closed in utter ecstasy. Moments later, and to my disgust, I broke off the kiss. "No time, my love," I said urgently, and pushed him roughly down onto his bed, causing him to grunt. I flicked the switch to close the glass over him. His hands bashed at the glass in confusion and affront, and I quickly pressed the hibernation switch causing him to instantly lose consciousness, and sleep once more. I was sorry for that, but Anakin was in no way fit to walk into a Jedi war, half-naked, delirious and unarmed. I spun round angrily and looked at the glass walls, hearing shouts and slashes emanate continuously. I could feel both halves of the Force being drawn in huge amounts. I was sick of it. I had found a reason to live, a reason which was so important to me it dwarfed everything else in the galaxy. I was tired of this Light Side, Dark Side shit. I wanted it to end. My face was red with anger. Once again the Jedi and the Sith had ruined a pivotal moment between Anakin and I, and this time I was seriously pissed. My temple pulsed with anger, and my vision reddened to righteous wrath. I drew on the Dark Side until I couldn't muster any more, and then matched it with the Light Side. Holding both, I fused them together and felt them resist, tear at me for my sacrilegious attempt, and eventually buckle under my strength. The Force in me collapsed and the two sides of the Force became pure energy, as pure as the sun its self. It was a feat I would lay my life on, had never been duplicated before. Without another thought I unleashed the energy and the glass walls around me exploded violently into hundreds of razor sharp shards which rushed away. The Hall had been illuminated slightly, and I could see three dead Jedi at the feet of my Master, with Master Windu clearly parrying with Darth Sidious as their sabers locked. Seven other Jedi watched from a distance, but circled the glass room I was in, and were obviously sent to mark me. One lay on the ground groaning, blood rushing from a gash in her neck as the glass had exploded. The Jedi all stopped and stared at me in wonder, and even Windu and Sidious formed a temporary ceasefire as they watched me curiously. I drew on both sides of the Force while at the same time hurling them at one another to cloak myself in the pure neutral energy of the Universe. A luminous tinge started to form on my skin, and a red glow floated up in my eyes. Windu's mouth dropped in shock, and Sidious blinked as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "You have all ruined my affairs for the last time. This time, you will all be sorry," I said coldly. Some of the Jedi assigned to me raised their sabers for a duel, and I raised my hands in response. Lightning shot from my outstretched hands, but not Dark Side lightning, but the hybrid of both sides of the Force together - a hundred times as lethal and malevolent. It was red and it screamed like a thousand deaths as it raced around the room in a thunderous squall. Windu, Sidious and some of the other Masters instantly dived to the ground as the lightning raced above their head. Two Jedi who lacked the wisdom to submit were struck and were flashed to ash instantly, their lightsabers exploding violently as the energy coursed through them. Concrete was torn asunder and plastic bubbled as it melted. The lightning ceased after a while, but I growled and flung out my left arm causing a one hundred foot section of the wall to rip thunderously from the building and fall to the ground below. I ran towards the wall, and spared a single look for my Master. The Jedi had recovered from their shock and I saw Windu standing above Sidious, his foot on his chest and his saber directed at his face. I glanced at Anakin's container, and flinched before launching myself from the building with a tremendous leap which no Jedi or Sith could ever duplicate. I landed on a speeder causing the woman inside to shriek in fear, and then hopped between at least twenty craft until I was a mile away and on the ground. Satisfied that I had not been followed, I walked up to a silent alley and vomited loudly, until I was on my knees. The whole situation had taken its toll on me, and being near Anakin had been the hardest of all. I glanced to the east and saw smoke rising from the medical building, and heard the sirens of emergency ships racing to the area. The dim green glow of a lightsaber could be seen protruding from the open floor as a Jedi scanned the city looking for me. My Master was a prisoner, and the only guy I loved with my soul was surrounded by my enemies. I would need to attend to both problems, and soon. End of chapter 4 Thanks for the feedback guys. Any comments are greatly appreciated and can be sent to rahvin747@yahoo.com.