Hopes

Chapter 28.

Solus's POV

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"Vader, we're going!" Asajj's sing-song voice was in sharp contrast with the shouting match she had engaged in under an hour ago. She peeked through my door, smiling when she saw me flat on my stomach, playing with Kato on the floor. "It's cute, isn't it?"

Kato eyed her, then dove between my elbows, curling against my chest and growling.

I scooped the cat into my arms as I stood up, then placed her on my squishy bed, wrapping a soft blanket around her. She reached out a lightning-fast paw, catching onto my sleeve and growling louder.

"Come on, Vader," Asajj coaxed, spinning her two lightsabers around each hand. "Mr. Mo is waiting."

Kato dug her claws into the fabric, tugging my arm closer to herself. I gently detached her foot, tucking it against her furry body, then turned and followed Asajj.

"Do you like it?" she questioned, slowing her steps to keep pace with me. "It's a reminder."

I made the mistake of glancing across at her, catching her eye momentarily. She stopped, seeing my brief frown, and faced me, taking my hands in hers. "It's to remind you that I never stopped loving you." When I sighed softly, Asajj held her breath. "Do you ... do you love me, too?"

I opened my mouth, then shut it again when Maul rounded the corner, pausing when he saw us. His face flickered from irritation, to disgust, then immediately to business. "Are we leaving yet? You said we'd be going by evening, and it's past that now."

Asajj scoffed, letting my hands go and spinning on her heel. "It might be half an hour past it, if you really stretch it. How do you even quantify evening? It doesn't matter; let's get out of here."

In a matter of minutes, we had boarded a small transport vessel and were flying away from the Death Star, watching the vibrant forest planet of Endor growing smaller until it was swallowed up by the blue streaks of hyperspace. I sat quietly in the pilot's seat, listening as Maul and Asajj yelled at each other over the smallest of issues. I wondered if they were as stressed as I felt. The second I had laid eyes on the coordinates Maul had typed in, my stomach had jolted. The time had come. I could only hope I was strong enough.

As we glided into the planet's atmosphere, I smiled beneath my mask. The delicate, boxy trees, lit by warm underlighting, always so beautifully complimented the magnificent spokes and well-kept walls of Duchess Kryze's palace. Stealthily guiding the ship to Maul's predetermined landing place, I couldn't stop the flutter in my heart when I saw, parked in the royal shipyard, the tacky vessel that Obi-Wan and I purchased on Corellia. So he was here.

The tension was thick as we exited, using the cover of darkness to shield us as we approached the steps leading to the massive front doors. Asajj remained hidden in the shadows, but Maul kept going. I stopped just outside the beam of light that streamed from the doors, then waited as Maul strode up the first three stairs. Igniting his lightsaber, he threw back his head and roared at the top of his lungs one name.

"KENOBIII!!!"

The temperature seemed to drop to freezing, and the oxygen was sucked out of the air. The guards were left floundering, but Maul didn't wait around to see Obi-Wan bursting through the doors, white cape flicking around his heels. His blue eyes searched wildly for the dreaded source, but they only found the lone figure that stood awaiting combat.

I sighed as I ignited my saber, its glow red against the darkness surrounding it, then adjusted my stance, ready to fight.

Obi-Wan hesitated, his fingers reaching for the saber at his belt, and I wished he knew better than to pause. Calling the Force to myself in a way I had not done for weeks, I blasted him back into the throne room, hoping he wouldn't suffer too much injury. Then I smirked at my mistake, racing after him.

He was on his feet when I caught up to him, ready to block my blow. We engaged in a rapid duel, red saber flashing against blue. I pushed him hard, utilizing any gap he left open but refusing to bring any harm on him.

Obi-Wan's unease and frustration was almost tangible, and I had to restrain myself not to beat him straight away. He was distracted, bordering on irritated, but his strikes were timed neatly and aimed accurately. I played with him, silently pointing out his errors with a light smack of my saber's hilt or a nudge with my boot. He became stronger and more focused, but his frustration remained, despite his visible attempts to control it.

"Anakin, stop this madness!" he said in exasperation. Whether intentional or not, I wasn't sure, but his use of my name sufficiently distracted me, and he collected me across the face with a backhander. 

I was knocked off balance, my mask knocked askew, and Obi-Wan again used my weakness against me, thrusting a knee up my ribs. I bent double as the breath was squeezed from my lungs, then felt pressure on the blade in my hands. With the deft flick of Obi-Wan's wrist, he sent it flying. He immediately crouched beside me, his trembling hand on my shoulder.

"Anakin, come back to me," he murmured urgently. "I know you're in there. Don't listen to Maul. I know you betrayed me, and it hurt, but –"

"No," I interrupted him softly, cringing as my voice cracked again. He had to hear me correctly this time; he just had to. But before I could tell him, invisible fingers wrapped around my throat, and I was lifted off the ground. Maul tossed me to the side like I was no more than a ragdoll, and I struggled not to roll when I hit the floor. The impact forced out what little breath I had regained, but I lay still, listening as Maul's voice carried through the entire room. 

It was time to enact stage two.

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Hmm, what's going on here? Obi's distracted, Solus is side-lined, and um ... yeah, Maul's here. Is there danger on the horizon?

And great, they went to Mandalore. Not! Would it be premature to run around and panic?

Oh, and we had Maul's scream!! Very excited to have put that in there XD

Once again, thanks so much for reading! I know I say this like every time, but I really do appreciate you guys. Yous are amazing! Also, I'm feeling that this book is wrapping up, though I couldn't tell you how many more chapters there will be. Just a heads up!

Obi next chpt. No comment.

Dedications:

Wikluk/Cam_Skywalker_501st/the_space_raiders/General_Skywalker/X_-_-_-_-_-_X/anakinpadmeforlife