Read the Intro [+]

• Tweet

The Fight

The wormhole deposits the Sith Lord atop Orthanc. Saruman is facing away, looking out over Isengard, seemingly oblivious to Vader’s presence. He is muttering softly under his breath. Vader moves slowly towards him… “This will be easier than I could have hoped…” he thinks to himself.

Suddenly, Saruman raises his staff. A bolt of lightning arcs down from the sky towards his opponent, who barely has time to raise a shield with the Force to protect himself. Saruman spins, smiling triumphantly.

“You thought you could catch me by surprise? You’re more naive than I would have imagined!” he shouts to his foe, “I hope you’ve got more fight in you than wits.”

Saruman moves towards Vader, raising his staff. A blast of energy knocks him backwards towards the edge of the tower.

Darth Vader felt nothing. How could this old man channel such a strong blast of the Force while giving no trace of it? It must be the staff that his master needs… he was channeling some other force through it. He had to get it away from him. Outstretching his hands behind him, Vader uses the Force to balance himself and prevent himself from tipping over the edge of the sheer tower. Regaining his composure, he steps forward and raises his hand to grip Saruman in a Force Choke. Saruman is lifted off the ground, sputtering in surprise. Vader attempts to pull the staff from his grip, but Saruman’s magic and focus keeps it tightly in his grasp. He would have to distract him first, then get the staff away.

He was powerful, that much was certain. Whatever sorcery this black mage was using to hold Saruman in place was powerful indeed. Saruman’s mind races as he pushes his magic to the limit to prevent his windpipe from collapsing and ending this duel prematurely. Saruman would not be defeated like this, least of all while he still held his staff. Luckily, the force that was holding him and crushing around his throat left his hands and arms free. Saruman raises his staff, sending another blast toward his black-cloaked foe. While not as effective as the first, it serves its purpose and Saruman drops to the ground. This would be a challenge.

Vader is growing weary of the old man and resolves to end this quickly. Forget the staff, he thinks, he can’t very well hold it with no arms. He draws his lightsaber and charges toward the wizard with inhuman speed. Saruman too, however, is quicker than he looks. Vader watches with astonishment as the old man dodges and deflects swing after swing of his lightsaber with energy from his staff.

Saruman is growing tired. He can’t keep avoiding Vader’s swings indefinitely, and from the looks of it, his opponent was not slowing down.

“Your power is impressive. My master could use the aid of someone like you,” Saruman says, “Your skills would be valuable… and your rewards immeasurable.”

The blows kept coming, relentlessly.

“Whoever you serve now is nothing compared to my master. Join him and you could have anything that you desire. With him, my power is far more than it ever was before… to resist him is futile,” Saruman continues, working magic into every word.

Finally there is a lapse in the swings. Only a moment, but more than enough. Saruman channels all his force into a blast and sends the lightsaber skittering across the tower, capitalizing on his foes momentary hesitation. Slamming his staff into the ground, a bolt of lightning strikes the lightsaber, melting it to a useless pile of metal and crystal.

“No!” cries Vader.

He spins, ready to deliver a blast of the Force to send the old man over the edge. When he turns, however, there is nothing there but open space.

Saruman watches Vader’s confusion with pride for a moment before slamming his staff in to the back of his skull. Vader falls to the ground, unconscious. He had hoped to begin studying the strange visitor immediately, but the fight was more draining than he had imagined it would be. There would be plenty of time for that later, however. This new stranger would not be returning to his homeland, but would make a fine addition to Sauron’s legions.

Victory – Saruman

Share this with your friends