Quinlan Vos ran through the forests of an Outer Rim planet, fleeing from his pursuers. He wore a worn brown robe and a green lightsaber hung from his belt. His long black hair fell over his forehead, partly hiding his yellow tattoos that marked him as a Kiffar, a race with psychometric powers. He could read the memories of others by touching objects that had been in contact with them, a skill quite useful for a skilled tracker.
But now, it didn't help him much. Ever since Chancellor Palpatine had ordered the extermination of the Jedi with Order 66, Quinlan had become a fugitive. He had spent years fighting alone, mentally and physically exhausted, unable to comprehend the betrayal of his comrade and friend Anakin Skywalker, who had turned to the dark side. He had witnessed Anakin killing his master Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar and pledging loyalty to the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.
Quinlan took refuge in the gaps between massive trees to catch his breath. He felt an intensity in the Force, the energy field connecting all living beings. He knew he was getting closer. It was Anakin, or rather, Darth Vader, the new apprentice of Sidious and the enforcer of his will. Quinlan had tried to avoid him for a long time, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have to face him.
Tired of running, Quinlan decided to confront Anakin once again. As he emerged, he found himself surrounded by clones, identical soldiers created to serve the Republic and now blindly obeying the Empire. And among them was Anakin, dressed in black attire with a respirator on his face, giving him a menacing appearance.
"Quinlan Vos," Anakin said with a metallic voice, "I've been searching for you for a long time."
"I know," Quinlan replied, "But you won't be glad to see me."
"On the contrary," Anakin said, "I'm pleased to personally end you. You're the last surviving Jedi."
"I'm not the last," Quinlan said, "There are others like me, resisting the Empire and your tyranny."
"Not for long," Anakin said, "We will find them and eliminate them all. You're the first on the list."
"Why did you do it, Anakin?" Quinlan asked, "Why did you betray the Jedi? Why did you turn to the dark side?"
"I did it for love," Anakin said, "I did it for Padmé."
"Padmé is dead," Quinlan said, "And you killed her."
"It's not true," Anakin said, "It was Sidious who killed her. He deceived me. He told me I could save her if I joined him. But it was a lie."
"Then why do you still serve him?" Quinlan asked, "Why don't you rebel against him?"
"Because he's my master," Anakin said, "And because he's given me power I never had as a Jedi. The power of the dark side."
"The dark side has consumed you," Quinlan said, "It's turned you into a monster."
"I'm not a monster," Anakin said, "I'm a Sith."
"Well, I'm a Jedi," Quinlan said, "And I won't surrender without a fight."
Quinlan ignited his lightsaber and held it before him. Anakin did the same with his red lightsaber. The clones aimed their blasters at Quinlan, but Anakin signaled them to hold.
"This is a matter between him and me," Anakin said, "No one else should interfere."
"As you wish, sir," said the clone captain, obeying.
Quinlan and Anakin stared at each other, ready for the duel. The Force flowed between them, creating palpable tension. Both knew that only one of them would leave there alive.
"May the Force be with you, Quinlan," Anakin said ironically.
"May the Force forgive you, Anakin," Quinlan said sadly.
And then, the two former friends lunged at each other, ready to kill. The distinct hum of lightsabers filled the air, clashing violently and producing luminous sparks that illuminated the darkness of the night. Anakin advanced with determination, his movements energetic and precise, infused with the power of the dark side of the Force.
Quinlan, on the other hand, stood his ground, dodging the lethal strikes of his opponent. The lightsabers clashed in a constant exchange of blows, illuminating their faces with a deadly glow. Anakin unleashed his anger with every strike, his face hidden behind the mask, exuding a fearsome presence. Quinlan fought with a mixture of determination and sadness, aware that he was facing his former comrade and friend.
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Anakin unleashed rapid and deadly attacks, leveraging his speed and superhuman strength to try to overpower Quinlan. However, Quinlan wasn't intimidated, countering with fluid and precise movements. The light of their lightsabers traced elegant arcs in the air, showcasing his mastery of combat.
The power of the Force was also present in the confrontation. Anakin used his command of the dark side to push and throw Quinlan, attempting to unbalance him. Quinlan, though overpowered in brute strength, channeled his connection with the Force to anticipate his enemy's attacks and counter with astonishing agility.
The clones watched in awe and fear as the battle unfolded, not daring to intervene. Trees and terrain caught fire or exploded upon contact with the energy weapons.
Quinlan fought with all he had, but he knew he was at a disadvantage. Anakin was younger, stronger, and more powerful than him. Moreover, the dark side gave him an extra edge, making him more aggressive and ruthless. Quinlan tried to maintain calm and focus.
Anakin, on the other hand, fought with fury and hatred, but also with conflict. Despite his loyalty to the dark side, he couldn't entirely forget his past as a Jedi. Quinlan had been his friend and companion. They had shared many adventures and dangers together.
But now, he was his enemy, an obstacle that needed to be eliminated. Anakin tried to drown his feelings, but he felt the guilt and remorse that Quinlan evoked in him.
The duel lasted several minutes, with neither of them gaining a decisive advantage. Both wounded each other, leaving burn marks on their bodies. But neither surrendered or stopped. It was a matter of life or death.
Despite Quinlan's bravery, the advantage of the dark side and Anakin's undeniable skill eventually prevailed. Finally, Anakin disarmed Quinlan with a Force-powered strike. Quinlan's lightsaber flew from his hand and landed out of his reach. Quinlan stood defenseless before Anakin, who aimed his red lightsaber at his heart.
"It's the end, Quinlan," Anakin said. "You have no escape."
"Don't do it, Anakin," Quinlan said. "You can still return to the light side."
"No," Anakin said. "That path is no longer for me. There's only darkness."
"That's not true," Quinlan said. "There's light in you. I see it."
"Shut up," Anakin said. "You don't know me. You
know nothing about me."
"I know you better than anyone," Quinlan said. "I know you suffer. I know you regret. I know you want to change. Remember, I once fell to the dark side too, but I managed to return."
"I can't change," Anakin said. "It's too late for me."
"It's never too late," Quinlan said. "You can choose your destiny. You can be free."
"No," Anakin said. "I'm bound to the dark side. I'm bound to Sidious."
"Sidious isn't your master," Quinlan said. "Sidious is your enemy. He deceived you. He used you. He destroyed you."
"No," Anakin said. "He saved me. He taught me. He made me more powerful."
"No," Quinlan said. "He lied to you. He manipulated you. He weakened you."
"Enough!" Anakin shouted. "I don't want to hear more!"
And then, Anakin plunged his lightsaber into Quinlan's heart, piercing him entirely. Quinlan let out a cry of pain and surprise, feeling his life slip away.
Anakin withdrew his lightsaber and let Quinlan's body fall to the ground. He looked at him with a mix of anger and sadness, unsure of what to feel.
Quinlan opened his eyes for the last time and saw Anakin's face beneath the black mask. He remembered his past life when they were friends and Jedi companions. He recalled the laughter, the jokes, the adventures. He remembered the good in Anakin, the hero he had been.
And then, Quinlan smiled. Despite everything, he had enjoyed being reincarnated in the Star Wars universe. He had lived a life full of excitement and magic. He had met wonderful and terrifying people. He had been a Jedi.
"Goodbye, Anakin," Quinlan whispered weakly. "May the Force be with you."
After uttering his final words, Quinlan closed his eyes and exhaled his last breath.
Anakin sensed the Force leaving Quinlan, leaving an emptiness within him. He felt a pang of pain and regret but pushed it aside. He told himself he had done the right thing, fulfilled his duty, eliminated an enemy.
However, deep in his heart, Anakin knew that wasn't true. He knew he had killed a friend, betrayed his order, lost a brother.
The clones approached the area where Anakin and Quinlan were. The clone captain addressed Anakin with respect.
"Sir, we're done here," he said. "What do we do with the Jedi?"
"Burn him," Anakin said coldly. "And take me to my ship. I need to report to the Emperor."
"Yes, sir," said the clone captain, obeying.
The clones collected Quinlan's body and carried it to a funeral pyre. They set it ablaze and watched as the flames consumed his remains. No one said a word. No one showed any emotion.
Anakin walked away from the scene and headed to his ship. He entered the cockpit and communicated with the Emperor via hologram.
"My Lord," Anakin said, "I've completed your mission. I've killed one of the last Jedi."
"Excellent, Lord Vader," the Emperor said with an evil grin. "I'm very pleased with your work. You've proven to be a loyal servant of the dark side."
"Thank you, my Lord," Anakin said. "It's an honor to serve you."
"Now return to Coruscant," the Emperor said. "I have new plans for you. Together, we will dominate the galaxy."
"As you command, my Lord," Anakin said. "I'll be there shortly."
Anakin cut off the communication and prepared for takeoff. As he did, he felt a slight satisfaction for having achieved his goal. He had avenged Padmé. He had eliminated the Jedi. He had secured his place in the Empire.
But he also felt a nagging unease for having killed Quinlan. Despite everything, he had been a friend. He had been a good Jedi. He had been a good man.
Anakin shook his head. There was no use dwelling on the past. He had to look to the future. He had to embrace the dark side. He had to be a Sith.
Meanwhile, in a very distant place, Quinlan Vos opened his eyes for the first time in a long while. He didn't know where he was or what had happened. The last thing he remembered was dying at the hands of Anakin after a deadly duel.
But now he was alive. And not only that, he was in a different body, on a different world, in another life.
Quinlan looked around and saw a small and cozy room filled with toys and books. There was a window letting in sunlight and a door through which voices could be heard. And above him was a girl around nine or ten years old, looking at him with a huge smile and pulling on his face with her hands.
"Ethan!" the girl exclaimed. "Ethan! You've woken up!"