𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 76: lightning

"Hold on," said Obi-Wan, putting a hand in front of the group following slowly behind him.  They stopped. After traveling up three more floors without interruption, they had reached the top, and allowed Obi-Wan to look through the door before they made the assumption that nothing would be in their way.

"Royal Guards?" Akya questioned.

Obi-Wan nodded in reply.

"How many?" she said.

"Just two," he said. 

Akya sighed.  "All this is making fighting the Emperor seem a lot worse."

"You'd think he'd want something to try and kill us first," said Ahsoka.  "Or at least weaken us.  Tire us out."

"He's cunning," Anakin said, and all heads turned to him.  He hadn't spoken a word since they'd stepped foot inside the senate building. "He got rid of the middleman on purpose.  He's making our fear work for him.  I saw him defeat four very determined Jedi Masters.  He's already powerful, so don't let him hold anything over you."  He paused for a moment.  "Like he did to me."

"Are we ready?" Obi-Wan asked them.

The reply he earned was three halfhearted nods.

"Good."

The three Jedi stepped out of the doorway, immediately igniting their lightsabers.  With a twist, the Emperor's Royal guards' staffs lit up with electricity. The sound echoed in Akya's head, reminding her of that night long ago on Agamar.

This was not Agamar. This was Coruscant. And here, they would be triumphant. Their lives depended on it. The future of the galaxy depended on it. 

Two Jedi to a guard, they began their strike. Though the guards were outnumbered, they were highly skilled, and were a match for each pair's skills. Akya and Obi-Wan took their strikes together, matching in form and function as they weakened the red-clad royal guard. In a few minutes of quick, agile fighting, both guards had been struck down, a stab through one's chest, and a slash across the other's.

The four Jedi did not even stop to look at each other before entering the Emperor's office. The glass had been replaced since the last lightsaber fight that had occurred inside, and everything looked brand new, from the carpets to the lighting fixtures. Too bad.

He was simply sitting in his chair. Akya spotted a sinister smile underneath the shadow of his hood. It hid the majority of his scarred face. His cloak was a deep red, something that didn't look suitable for any kind of fighting. But Akya knew better than to underestimate anyone. In front of the Emperor sat his lightsaber, perfectly aligned on his desk. Sitting, waiting.

"I've been waiting for you," was all he said.

Anakin scowled at him.  "Of course you have," he said.

"Young Skywalker," said the Emperor, disappointment in his voice.  He clicked his tongue. "You made the wrong choice."

Anakin shook his head.  "Your deception worked once," he said.  "It won't happen again."

"I don't expect it to," replied the Emperor.  "This time, I will make you desperate.  I will take everything from you, and you will have no choice but to fall to your knees and pledge yourself to me once again."

"Never."

The Emperor stood, but did not reach for his lightsaber.  Even so, Anakin ignited his, the blue light filling the room.  The beam of light was closely followed by four others, increasing the red room's blue hue.

"We will see," said the Emperor, and swiftly, he grabbed his lightsaber from his desk and ignited it, taking the first strike at Anakin, who blocked it easily. The Emperor was swift and agile, and could take multiple Jedi at a time.  His experience with the Force also assisted him, as when the Jedi became too much, he'd push someone away, causing them to crash to the floor or be pushed against the wall.