𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 77: thunder

Akya.

The only thought that ran through Anakin's head now was his wife's name, over and over. It was only a moment before he stopped looking at her and back at the Sith Lord in front of him, his daunting smile lingering on his face. But Anakin wouldn't let him have victory. He couldn't.

"Stupid boy," said the Emperor. "I give you a chance, and this is how you repay me?"

"You gave me nothing," said Anakin, glaring. "Nothing but suffering."

In an attempt to rush Palpatine, Anakin charged forward, lightsaber at arms length, pointed towards his enemy. In response, Palpatine raised a hand, summoning a flurry of Force lightning. The blue color filled the room, sparking and flashing, tiring Anakin's eyes as he absorbed the electricity with his blade, now in a defensive position.

Palpatine took up his lightsaber once again and thrust toward Anakin. He hadn't been weakened by the Sith Lord's power— he knew better now. So much better. He'd felt that pain before, the artificial electricity created by channeling the dark side of the Force. He never wanted to feel that again, and was thankful Palpatine hadn't gotten the chance to use it against his wife or anyone else. Still, Palpatine had hurt them. Nearly killed them. He would pay for that.

The two locked in a vicious duel, and every time their sabers touched, a bright light would flash in the room. All Anakin focused on was the Sith Lord's scarred face and his soulless, yellow eyes. He didn't have to look at his lightsaber to feel where he would strike next, to know what might be the next move.  Anakin knew the dark side.  He found himself pulling on both the dark and the light during the battle, his hatred for the Sith Lord being too overwhelming to control.

"Yes, Anakin," said Palpatine, his voice an evil drawl.  "Feel your hatred.  Use it.  Let it control you."

Anakin did feel his hatred.  He used his hatred.  But he did not let it control him.  He wouldn't let the emotions overtake him, and he wouldn't be blind to his actions simply because his feelings were so strong.  He stayed focused, keeping every overwhelming emotion directed straight at the Sith Lord in front of him.

Anakin's wavering between the dark and the light caused him to hesitate.  His focus did not break, but his strikes were fewer and far apart.  Palpatine took advantage of this flaw in Anakin's defense, exploiting it quick enough to sever a vital component in Anakin's mechanical hand near the wrist, causing it to go limp.  Anakin was left with one hand, forced to switch his fighting techniques. He took on Obi-Wan's preferred form of Soresu, taking a mainly defensive stance to Palpatine's offense.

Palpatine's attacks got swifter, and Anakin's limited knowledge of Soresu soon wasn't enough, especially with one hand. Within a moment, their two blades were locked, as were their eyes. Anakin's fear began to overcome his hatred, and though it was still there, he could feel his fear becoming greater. Palpatine's eyes, however, were overwhelmed with rage, pride, and a little pleasure.

Anakin had never battled someone so powerful in his life. Dooku hadn't even had half the Sith Lord's power, speed, or anger. He felt like he wasn't ready for this. I should have waited, he thought, blocking another one of the Emperor's strikes. We shouldn't have come.  I shouldn't have put my friends in danger.  My wife in danger.

As his thoughts distracted him, Palpatine spoke up again. "You have much to learn, Lord Vader." Anakin thinned his eyes at the name. "It's a shame you will now die."

With a rapid twist of his wrist, Palpatine struck Anakin's right leg just above the knee, creating a deep gash which immediately quarterized. Anakin shouted in pain, cursing himself for not being able to block it sooner, and fell on his back, dropping his lightsaber. As the Emperor walked closer to the boy on the floor, saber ready to strike, Anakin used his good leg to slowly move backward, but it was no use.