The Eternal Emperor

A.N: And we are back :) Had to take a little time off, though originally I only planned 1 week, work has been pretty demanding as the year started. Could not even take some time off from it to rest, still have like a week from my annual leave and my closest estimate is I'll end up taking it in February... Anyway, don't let me bore you, we are back, hope you enjoy it :)

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Months passed in the chaos of war. The galaxy's capital was alight with chaos. The night sky above Coruscant had become a battlefield of apocalyptic proportions. Massive starships of the Republic and the Separatists clashed in a cacophony of turbolaser fire and blaster bolts, their hulking forms illuminated by the glow of fiery explosions. The vastness of space was a canvas painted with destruction, streaked with the trails of starfighters weaving through the carnage like fireflies in the night. 

In the midst of this chaos, two Jedi starfighters screamed through the fray. Their designs were sleek and angular, with wings flared outward, glowing engines cutting through the void. In the cockpit of one was Anakin Skywalker, his face set with determination, his eyes scanning every detail with the precision of a seasoned warrior. In the other was Obi-Wan Kenobi, calm and collected, the ideal contrast to his younger counterpart. 

"Stay with me, Anakin," Obi-Wan's voice crackled through the commlink, calm yet firm. 

"I won't let you out of my sight," Anakin replied, his voice carrying a hint of a smirk. "Not this time." 

As they navigated through the chaos, swarms of Vulture droids broke from the battle to intercept them. The spindly droids moved with unnerving speed, their blaster cannons spewing red-hot plasma. 

The Jedi moved in perfect tandem, a seamless blend of intuition and skill. Anakin's fighter barrel-rolled through a tight gap between two Republic cruisers, leading the droids directly into a trap. Obi-Wan followed, firing with pinpoint accuracy, reducing their pursuers to smoldering debris. 

The two starfighters soared into the heart of the battle, evading the wreckage of destroyed capital ships and dodging stray shots from turbolaser batteries. Anakin's droid, R2-D2, chirped in alarm as more Vulture droids closed in. 

"I see them, Artoo!" Anakin said, flipping his starfighter into a daring spiral. The maneuver drew the droids into a line, and he dispatched them with a burst of precise fire. The debris scattered harmlessly into space. 

As the battle raged around them, the objective came into view: the Invisible Hand, the flagship of General Grievous. The massive vessel loomed like a predator, its spiked hull and menacing silhouette radiating danger. Flanking the bridge tower were immense turbolaser cannons, each one spitting fire into the melee. 

"There's the hangar," Obi-Wan pointed out, guiding his ship toward the glowing opening in the ship's hull. 

Anakin grinned. "This is where the fun begins." 

The Jedi starfighters approached the hangar, but their path was soon obstructed by a swarm of buzz droids. The tiny machines latched onto Obi-Wan's starfighter, sparks flying as they began tearing through the hull. 

"Blast! These buzz droids are tearing me apart!" Obi-Wan growled, attempting to shake them off. 

Anakin swooped in, using his laser cannons to carefully pick off the droids clinging to Obi-Wan's ship. "Hang on, Master!" he said, maneuvering with precision to avoid damaging his friend's starfighter. 

With Obi-Wan's ship cleared, the two Jedi landed in the hangar of the Invisible Hand. Their starfighters slid to a halt amidst the chaos of Separatist battle droids scrambling to repel boarders. The Jedi leaped from their cockpits, igniting their lightsabers in a synchronized flourish. Blue and green blades hummed, their light reflecting off the polished durasteel floors. 

Battle droids and super battle droids advanced in waves, blasters firing relentlessly. Anakin and Obi-Wan moved as a single entity, their lightsabers deflecting bolts with unerring accuracy. Anakin's movements were fluid and aggressive, every strike aimed to disable or destroy. Obi-Wan, in contrast, was measured and defensive, his blade weaving a protective barrier. 

The environment was stark and mechanical, the hangar's walls lined with conduits and machinery. Sparks rained down from damaged systems as the Jedi cut through their adversaries. The sound of clashing metal, blaster fire, and the hum of lightsabers created a chaotic symphony of war. 

"Artoo, find us a way to the Chancellor," Anakin called to his droid. The little astromech beeped in acknowledgment, plugging into a nearby terminal. 

The Jedi advanced, cutting through ranks of droids with practiced efficiency. Their journey through the ship was a gauntlet of firefights, the corridors narrowing as they pressed deeper into enemy territory. 

Eventually, they reached the opulent chamber where Chancellor Palpatine was held. The room was starkly contrasted with the utilitarian design of the rest of the ship. It was grand, almost theatrical, with a high ceiling and a throne-like chair at its center. Palpatine sat, his expression calm but his eyes flickering with something unreadable as he spotted the two Jedi. 

"Chancellor," Obi-Wan said, deactivating his lightsaber and approaching cautiously. 

But before they could free him, the towering figure of Count Dooku entered the room. He descended the staircase with an air of arrogance, his crimson lightsaber igniting with a malevolent hiss. 

"Dooku," Anakin growled, stepping forward, his lightsaber already drawn. The tension in the air was palpable, a storm on the verge of breaking. 

Dooku smirked, his tone laced with condescension. "Your swords, please, Jedi. You wouldn't want to make a mess of things in front of the Chancellor." 

The air in the chamber seemed to shiver as the three combatants prepared for battle. Count Dooku descended the steps like an aristocrat gracing a lesser court with his presence. His crimson lightsaber hummed ominously, its glow casting long, jagged shadows. Opposite him, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood ready, their sabers ignited, the vibrant green and blue reflecting the steely determination on their faces. 

"You won't escape this time, Dooku," Anakin growled, his voice laced with barely restrained fury. 

Dooku raised an eyebrow, his smirk unwavering. "Brave, but ultimately futile. Let us begin." 

The Sith Lord surged forward with a speed that belied his age, his lightsaber arcing downward in a ferocious overhead strike. Obi-Wan intercepted the blow, the clash sending sparks flying. Anakin circled, his blade moving in a swift, precise thrust aimed at Dooku's side. The elder Sith twisted, deflecting the attack with ease before countering with a spinning slash that forced both Jedi back. 

The chamber came alive with the chaotic melody of clashing lightsabers. Anakin fought with raw power and aggression, his strikes hammering against Dooku's defenses like a relentless storm. Obi-Wan, ever the tactician, moved with precision and grace, his blade forming a near-impenetrable shield. Together, they pushed Dooku onto the defensive. 

Dooku, however, was no ordinary foe. Each of his movements was calculated, a blend of elegant Makashi technique and cunning improvisation. With a flick of his wrist, he parried Anakin's furious overhead slash and redirected Obi-Wan's thrust into a harmless arc. He moved like a dancer amidst chaos, his smirk never faltering. 

"You've grown stronger, Skywalker," Dooku said, his voice calm despite the exertion. "But your power is wasted. Your reliance on brute force will be your undoing." 

Anakin's response was a feral growl as he lunged forward, his blade coming within inches of Dooku's throat. The Sith Lord sidestepped, spinning into a kick that caught Anakin squarely in the chest, sending him sprawling. 

Obi-Wan surged forward to cover his partner, their blades meeting in a rapid exchange of strikes. Dooku disengaged briefly, then unleashed a blast of Force energy that sent Obi-Wan crashing into a nearby pillar. The Jedi Master slumped to the floor, unconscious. 

Anakin's head snapped toward Obi-Wan. He stretched out with the Force, probing his fallen former master. He had fallen unconscious.

When Anakin turned back to Dooku, his expression had changed. The tension in his posture melted away, replaced by an eerie calm. The vibrant blue of his eyes darkened, and a sinister yellow began to bleed into his irises. The room seemed to grow colder, the oppressive weight of the Dark Side pressing down like an iron shroud. 

Dooku froze, sensing the shift. "What is this...?" he whispered, his confidence faltering for the first time. 

The Force roared around him, a storm of unimaginable power. With a mere thought, Dooku staggered, his knees buckling as the invisible weight crushed down on him. His defenses in the Force shattered like glass under a hammer. 

From his throne, Palpatine observed with a growing smile, his eyes glinting with dark delight. When Anakin turned his gaze to the Sith Lord, the latter, effortlessly flinging the restraints from his arms with a flick of his wrist, stood up. 

"Good, Anakin," Palpatine said, his voice dripping with approval. "Kill him." 

Dooku's head whipped toward Palpatine, his expression one of betrayal and disbelief. "My lord, you promised—" 

His words were cut short. Anakin's grip tightened, and Dooku's lightsaber flew from his grasp, landing neatly in the younger man's outstretched hand. In a single, fluid motion, Anakin crossed the two blades in a scissor-like motion and brought them down. 

Dooku's head fell to the floor, his expression frozen in shock. 

Anakin deactivated the lightsabers and turned to Obi-Wan. Slinging the unconscious Jedi over his shoulder, he glanced at Palpatine, who arched an eyebrow. 

"He's still needed," Anakin said flatly. "Lelouch commands it." 

Palpatine's eyes narrowed momentarily before his smile returned. So, this was one of his apprentice's intricate maneuvers. Perhaps Lelouch intended to test Anakin further or sow discord within the Jedi. No matter. For now, he would simply observe. 

"Very well," Palpatine replied smoothly. "Let us proceed." 

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The Invisible Hand shuddered violently as it veered off course, explosions rattling through its corridors. Emergency sirens blared, and the acrid scent of burning electronics filled the air. Anakin sprinted toward the bridge, Obi-Wan slung over his shoulder, and Palpatine close behind. The young Jedi's grip on his unconscious former-master tightened as another tremor rocked the ship. 

As they neared the entrance to the bridge, a squad of B2 battle droids emerged, their blasters raised. Without missing a beat, Anakin ignited his lightsaber, the blue blade humming menacingly. He set Obi-Wan down gently against the wall and stepped forward, deflecting a barrage of blaster bolts with ease. His movements were swift and precise, every strike flowing seamlessly into the next. 

Palpatine watched, his face an impassive mask, though a flicker of approval glinted in his eyes. 

One by one, the droids fell, sliced apart by Anakin's relentless assault. The final droid managed a desperate shot, only for Anakin to send the bolt ricocheting back into its chassis, leaving it to crumple in a smoking heap. 

As the last echo of the battle faded, Obi-Wan stirred, groaning softly. His eyes fluttered open, and he squinted against the harsh light. 

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan rasped, his voice heavy with fatigue. 

"I've got you, Master," Anakin said, helping him to his feet. "We need to take the bridge and regain control before this ship crashes." 

Obi-Wan straightened, his grip on his lightsaber firm despite his weariness. Together, they pushed through the final blast doors to the bridge. The room was in chaos, consoles sparking and the inert forms of Separatist officers scattered across the floor. The remaining droids turned to engage, but between Anakin's sheer ferocity and Obi-Wan's strategic precision, the battle was over in moments. 

The ship's controls were a mess of shattered screens and exposed wires. Anakin slid into the pilot's chair, his fingers flying across the controls as he assessed the situation. 

"This is going to be rough," he muttered, his jaw set. 

Obi-Wan took the co-pilot's seat, shaking his head. "I never doubted your ability to find the most dramatic landings." 

Anakin cracked a small smile despite the tension. "You're welcome." 

The Invisible Hand groaned as its engines sputtered to life. Anakin gripped the controls, steering the ship into a more stable trajectory. The view outside the shattered bridge window was a kaleidoscope of fire and smoke as the vessel tore through Coruscant's atmosphere. 

The heat shields engaged, glowing red-hot as the ship plummeted. Panels exploded in showers of sparks, and the deck beneath them trembled violently. Palpatine clung to the back of Anakin's chair, his face a calculated mixture of calm and mild apprehension. 

"Steady," Obi-Wan said, his voice tight with concentration as he worked to stabilize the auxiliary systems. 

"Yeah, I noticed!" Anakin shot back, his hands a blur over the controls. 

They breached the lower atmosphere, the sprawling cityscape of Coruscant rushing up to meet them. Towers loomed like jagged teeth, and the streets below were a blur of activity as people scattered to avoid the impending crash. 

"Deploy the emergency landing gear!" Anakin barked. 

Obi-Wan slammed the controls, and with a groan of protest, the landing gear extended. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. 

The Invisible Hand skidded across the city's surface, its remaining hull splitting apart as it ground to a halt. Fires erupted along the path of destruction, emergency sirens blaring in the distance. The final jolt sent the trio lurching forward, but the ship finally came to rest, half its structure teetering precariously on the edge of a platform. 

Smoke billowed from the wreckage as emergency vehicles swarmed the scene. Anakin helped Obi-Wan to his feet, the older Jedi wincing but managing to stand upright. Palpatine stepped down from the wreckage with practiced grace, his robes miraculously untouched by the chaos. 

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin, his expression a mix of exasperation and gratitude. "Next time, let's not try to land half a ship." 

Anakin let slip a smile. "Do you believe this counts as capturing a ship? I have a bet with Lelouch." 

Obi-Wan groaned at that. "It's HALF a ship." 

Anakin smirked, his adrenaline finally ebbing. "It was the best half." 

"Another happy landing," Obi-Wan muttered, rolling his eyes. 

Palpatine chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with something darker. 

As the trio stepped away from the wreckage, the distant hum of Coruscant's ever-busy skyline filled the air. Above them, the remaining pieces of the Invisible Hand disintegrated in the atmosphere, leaving only a trail of smoke and fire as a testament to their narrow escape.