Trial of the Times

Chapter 24 - Attack - Rewritten

In unison, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Dooku ignite their lightsabers. "I have been waiting for this moment," the Count declares, watching Sidious warily. "Your reign has gone on for too long. It's time to end it once and for all."

"Yes," agrees Obi-Wan, "I'm afraid your games are at an end." He gives Anakin a meaningful look when he says it.

Anakin nods slightly to let him know that he's alright. He doesn't really know exactly what happened, just that the Dark Side had felt – for a moment – as if it was trying to consume him whole. While he's unaware of how much time passed after he'd initially given in and kneeled to Sidious, he knows that he has Dooku to thank for rescuing him. He had sensed Obi-Wan reaching out for him, and if not for the fact that reaching back would have meant it would take longer for him to find his way through the darkness surrounding him, he would have. It's an experience he doesn't really care to repeat.

The Sith Master scoffs, raising a mocking eyebrow at Dooku. "Blue, my apprentice? I should have known you would run back to your pathetic Jedi friends! You should know that they will never accept you, not after what you've done."

"You mistake my allegiance, Sidious," retorts Dooku, "I am no Jedi. I am a Sith Lord, but I choose to lay down my arms, and I refuse to conquer a galaxy which does not need an Emperor. The Republic can be fixed in another way. I should never have joined you." Anakin never thought he would say – or think – this, but he is very much proud of the way Dooku is standing up to Sidious. He doesn't know if he'll even have the courage.

Fixing Dooku with a disgusted look, Sidious turns back to Anakin. "You're making a mistake, my boy. Your place is at my side. Consider my words," he urges. "You are a Sith at heart. You know that to be true. Search your feelings, Anakin."

"I am no Sith," hisses Anakin, narrowing his eyes, his grip tightening on the lightsaber. He remembers all too well what he told Palpatine in that moment of weakness. Hopefully, he won't use it against him now. Who is he trying to fool? Of course, Sidious will.

Palpatine cackles. "I sense the Dark Side within you. You are not a Jedi. You know as well as I do that the Jedi would expel you if they knew what you've done and what you want." His words strike a chord within Anakin. He tries not to let himself be bothered, but it's hard, especially since Sidious is raising fears Anakin has carried for years. He refuses to let himself show how troubled he is, despite his increasing heartrate. He loathes the gleeful smile that appears when Palpatine senses his spike of fear. Sidious isn't simply talking about Anakin's words about the Dark Side. No, he's speaking of something in the past...

Obi-Wan glances at Anakin for a moment, and Anakin can feel his concern drifting through their bond. "He will never join you," he states confidently, spinning his blade and holding it in a challenging position.

"Master Kenobi, so quick to defend your apprentice?" mocks Palpatine. "Would you really stand with him if you knew that he's nothing more than a cold-hearted murderer? Would you support him if you knew how much he enjoys killing?"

Anakin flinches, and he can feel himself paling. He should have known Sidious would bring that up. Force, he should have told Obi-Wan. At least he won't be faced with the chance of losing him right now when his support means everything. It – this can't really be happening, can it? Don't ask. Don't ask. Anakin mentally prays, hoping that for once, Obi-Wan will let the matter rest. He won't, of course, and that's what makes this so hard.

"I think he gets a pass on torturing you, actually," Obi-Wan comments lightly, as if they're discussing something of extreme unimportance.

Sidious' laugh is colder than the ice on Hoth. "You have no idea," he taunts. "I'm not talking about the Clone Wars, Master Kenobi. I'm not referring to his treatment of me on Naboo, though he will pay for it in due time. I'm talking about a massacre. The massacre your dear apprentice never told you. He told me because he didn't trust you." Obi-Wan doesn't respond, narrowing his eyes at the Sith Lord. For a moment, his gaze darts to Anakin and lingers there.