"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them... I destroy them." Orson Scott
Seriously that wonderful quote explains it all. How many of you saw Ender's Game, or Catching Fire? In Anakin's pov.
I don't own star wars I only own my o.c's.
I leaned back in the pilot chair as the clones talked about the mission. Obi-Wan was meditating on the mission. I gripped the wheel tighter.
"Master...this makes no sense." I had said once the holoprojector went out. Master Yoda thought for a moment before replying.
"Understand your confusion, I do. Strange in these time of war." The master tapped his cane on the floor. " Understand these bounty hunters, we must."
I sighed as looked at the passing stars as I took us out f hyperspace. Apparently they were taking refuge on Ryloth. Rex stood along with Cody, and Fives as they debate.
"I don't get it; why not just leave them be if they're destroying separatist bases. They're making the work easy for us!" Fives argued. Rex shook his head with an annoyed sigh.
"You really don't get it trooper; the Senate sent us to deal with this." He started.
"We're not for made for politics." Fives finished knowing the speech. I piloted the ship to a busy space port where I could start our search. I felt Obi-Wan come out from the back of the ship. Cody put a hand on Fives shoulder.
"Then we best not question it."
"I was beginning to think I would have had to get you to see if you didn't fall asleep on me old man." I quipped with a grin. He smiled half amused.
"I was just devising strategies if you got caught." He retorted. I grimace in annoyance.
"Very funny." I replied as the ship landed. Rex and Cody came with us, and Fives stayed with the ship. We walked outside where we found a nearby cantina. I watched the costumers as Obi-Wan began to interrogate the bar tender.
"You looking for the Shadow?" We both turned to see a man who I almost mistook for Cad Bane because of his large rimmed hat, but he was human. He Had an array of weapons attached to his belt. I studied his wrinkled grey pants and simple black shirt and boots. Great. A bounty hunter. Obi-Wan gave me a knowing look.
"And what do you know of the Shadow?" Obi-Wan asked suspiciously. The hunter shrugged walking closer.
"Not much, but then again nobody knows that much." He took off his hat revealing raven black hair, and vibrant emerald eyes. He grinned lopsided. "But I know her."
"You do." I retorted skeptical. He laughed.
"Yes Jedi, and I can take you to her; don't worry I won't betray you; see you can even take my belt." He took it off and gave it to Rex who took it reluctantly. He held out his palms and put on an innocent smile. "See, and if I do something wrong your friend can shove his light-saber down my throat." He added dryly catching onto my annoyance.
"Don't tempt me." I muttered as Obi-Wan stood in front of him.
"Then you'll take us to her?" Obi-Wan asked.
"What, do you want a contract Jedi?" He replied playfully. Now that I think about it he looks a little young. We sent the clones back to the ship as he lead the way out of the city. We arrived at an empty plantation when night fell. The bounty hunter smiled at us mischievously. I ignited my light-saber as I pointed it t him.
"You tricked us." I gave him a glare while he laughed.
"Man you really are clueless." He ran his fingers through his hair as he laughed. " She is here, and she's watching." He walked back disappearing into the forest. I looked at the belt he handed Rex which was still in my hand. Strange; he made no attempt to take it back.
"Hey wait!" I shouted as Obi-Wan put a hand on my shoulder.
"She is here Anakin; clear you're mind." He replied knowingly. I sighed as my last image of Ahsoka popped into my head, and I locked away my thoughts. I could sense her, but her signature was strange. I spoke into my comlink scanning the dark forest.
"Rex."
"Sir is everything alright?"
"We're fine Rex, but she found us." I informed him of the situation. Obi-Wan told him the coordinates while I continued to look for our bounty hunter through the force. She was at the edge of the forest when Rex and Fives came.
"Um where is she?" Fives asked looking around. I felt her suddenly come closer.
"Boo." A soft voice whispered.
"Ahh!" Fives fell over firing his gun. The woman giggled as she sat on top of him straddling his hips. Embarrassment rolled off of him in waves. The woman laughed again and traced the markings on his armor.
"I was curious when I saw you with James." She started speaking in the same soft tone. With cat-like grace she jumped off of Fives jumping on a nearby rock. She is force sensitive. I noted. I lit my light-saber to get a better look at her. I took note she was a Tourguta. She wore a black mask that covered her left eye. She was wearing all black she stuck out her hand with a polite smile.
"May I please have my belt back?" She waited for my reply as I stared at the belt in my hands dumbly. I shook my head and gave her the thing, and deactivated my light-saber.
"James took it from me earlier; I knew he was backing up a batch of havoc." She started as she put the belt in place. "Now I hear the Senate has a 'bounty' on my head." She crossed her legs and laughed.
"Haha You hear that Bella; a bounty on Shadow!" I turned at the accent I recognized as Zygerrian. Sure enough there were two right behind me. Bella Smiled as the two were bent over laughing.
"That's hilarious Mark, I can't breathe." She fell onto her knees in a fit of giggles as her friend did the same. A blue twi'lek slapped the both side the head.
"Show some respect." She scolded. The two looked down at the ground like punished pets.
"Nice to see you again; now that everything is cleared up can you please not shove a light-saber down my throat?" The bounty hunter from the Cantina asked dryly.
"Oh Shut up James." Shadow rolled her eyes. She pointed to James. "As you already know Mr DarkCloud over there is James." She pointed to the Twi'lek. "The Idealist is Lilly. And the twins over there are Bella and Mark." A droid that looked similar to a manga guard approached up and bowed.
"Greetings Jedi masters I am T3-0467." The droid walked off his black caped draped over his shoulder. Shadow put her hand on her hips with a smirk.
"Well now you know the team."
"Dude! If you didn't have an entire army here I would steal it." Mark Told me eagerly on the bridge. The Admiral gave me an uneasy glance.
"Uh...thanks...I think." I replied unsure of how to deal with the hunter. I almost didn't believe it when Shadow told me that the only person above the age twenty was James. Much to my dismay the man was very reserved and it was hard to get any conversation out of him. Mark on the other hand was a chatterbox. He was the one who told me about most of the members in their group. Though 04 provided a neutral perspective on everything. T3-0467 was a re-modified manga guard that was made out of the same metal as their lances. Bella was more considerate than her brother; she would pull him away when he was bothering someone.
"Don't worry it's a compliment...that he's not going to steal it." Shadow punched my side jokingly. I laughed poking her back.
"I get the feeling that you've had some experience with that" I leaned back against the project waiting for an interesting story.
"It's how we met. Mark Likes to steal ships just for the trill of it. He likes to leave the original owners embarrassed." She laughed. "Stole her in broad daylight right when I was getting my pay." We both laughed seeing the pride that had been injured during that event. "Took me three weeks just to find him. Five to find the ship."
"He wasn't with the Shade?" I asked calling the ship by her name.
"No." She shook her head with a wide grin. "He doesn't even keep them."
"Rex." I said speaking into my comlink.
"Yes sir?"
"Can you make sure that the Twilight is still in the hangar?" I asked. Shadow laughed giving me a thumbs up.
"Of course sir."
"And put a tracking beacon on it too." I added quickly. Shadow laughed harder trying to hold back her snickers. The ship rocked and I looked out the windows. I looked back at Shadow who looked at the planet darkly.
"Remember most of them are just twisted politicians." I advised as we started walking to the hanger.
"Most of them?" She said with an amused smirk. "Is there some secret admirer I should be warned about so I don't curse them out?" Her tone was playful, but I put my walls up as I shook my head. She laughed anyways her eyes glimmered in knowing.
Shadow
"Your meddling is unnecessary! We are trying to end this war and find peace; not continue it!" One senator yelled at her. I sighed rubbing my rigging lekku.
"I beg you; use your inside voice." The senator slammed his fist down on the steel at the jeer. "It doesn't matter." I said waving my hand.
"And why is that hunter?" The Chancellor studied me curiously.
"Because Chancellor; nothing is going to bring peace anytime soon." I watched as some senator glared at me for my opinion.
"That is absurd." I turned to see senator Amidala as she moved closer. "We can achieve peace if we put our minds and effort to it."
"We don't want violence!" Another senator shouted. I rubbed my lekku again as pain started ringing through them. I turned back to Amidala.
"Say senator; you're he only one that doesn't seem to want my head on a platter." The representative looked surprised. "So what is your opinion on the matter?"
"Honestly I'm not sure...I don't know what you want." I laughed at her response.
"You just have to ask."
"What do you want then..." The Chancellor leaned forward waiting her answer. I heard her scream. I smiled knowingly.
"I want justice." They all looked taken aback. " We don't just take down bases. We freed slaves, stopped pirates, deliver supplies to neutral systems affected by the war." I felt the approval of my companions. "We want justice."
"Hunter." The Chancellor sat back in his seat. "I have a proposal that may interest you and your comrades." I waited for him continue. "I would like to ask the Jedi council to authorize you join on-"
"Yes!" I heard Mark scream. He jumped up and down in his spot. "Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes!" He repeatedly begged. I glanced at master Yoda who smiled at me.
"Join anyway she would." The master answered. Mark cheered in happiness. I rolled my eyes and glance back at the Chancellor, and bowed.
"I'll that as my leave."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
I walked onto the star destroyer. I noticed a familiar face and tried to hold back my smile. "I'm guessing you're the General." I asked. Kit Fisto nodded with a large smile.
"I am guessing you are the hunter." He asked knowingly. I put my hands up in 'surrender'.
"You've caught me." We both laughed as we entered the hanger where the Shade was resting. James nodded at me as we passed.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Sitting down in my temporary quarters I sat down on the bed. I heard her voice again. My holo beeped, so I was surprised when master Yoda appeared.
"Tano changed you have hmm?" I smiled at the green master.
"Never fooled you huh?" We both laughed. Master Yoda's expression turned grave.
"Distorted your aura is. happened, what did?" He asked in his odd way of speech. I sighed remembering.
"It's a long story."
"Tell then."
later
The bridge was quiet as I watched the radar. I felt Kit Fisto move behind me. "You learn fast young one."
"Never would had last long if I didn't." I replied. James was reading a holopad sulking to himself. The ship came out of hyper space as the separatist fleet was floating out before us. After a moment of silence everything happened. Smaller ships where deployed as everything traded fire; explosives went off as lasers flew through space. After a few moments the separatist had managed to board. I smiled to myself as I started moving towards the hanger. "James get the others." I ordered. He nodded putting away his holopad.
"Where are you going?" Master Fisto yelled.
"Fun I am going to have!" I replied impersonating Master Yoda. There were battalions' of clankers in the bay. I fired my twin pistols as I ran ahead taking out droids.
"Eat laser tin heads!" I heard a clone scream. T-04 quickly made it to my side as I shot down droids. He jabbed a droid with his lance and he swung it at another. James was abusing his flamethrower again while Lilly threw electronic explosives. The droids were roughly shoved aside as more lasers whizzed past. I looked up to see the cyborg General Grievous. He snarled as he ignited his light-sabers.
"Hunter scum." He barked.
"Want to dance tin head?" I drew my specially made short sword as we traded blows. The General looked surprise that it didn't break when he struck it with two of his light-sabers. I smiled as he attacked quickly. I fired my pistol as He held his face in pain. I smiled as I held the dagger in front of me. The cyborg rushed at me, but tripped over the wire James had set up. Grievous growled at him as James used his flamethrower on the poor cyborg...If I was sympathetic. I used my own cable cord to tie up the burnt General. I quickly dropped the wire when I felt an excruciating tingle of electricity going through my body. I screamed and dropped to the ground. I watched James get thrown to the side by an invisible force out of the corner of my eye. I looked up at the sith lord and growled.
"Dooku." I said his name as if there was bile on my tongue.
"You have become a nuisance Shadow; if you had taken my offer it would not have ended like this." He ignited his light-saber. I drew my dagger knowing there was little chance of getting out of this one alone.
"Glad you're done trying to talk." I replied dryly. "Now can we get to the part where I cut off your head."
"tsk, tsk, tsk such impatience... its a shame you could not have chosen the correct path." He swung his blade so quickly I barely managed to block to. He forced pushed me back into a pile of crates. I looked up to see a clone helping me up.
"Such wasted potential...do you really think you can fight me hunter? You may be able to use the force..." I felt an invisible force drag me to his feet. "But you are weak." He brought down his blade to his dismay green, and blue blades blocked it. I looked out to the hanger entrance to see new republic star ships, and the twilight in the hanger. I pulled out one of my pistols as I jumped to my feet.
"I got your call." Anakin told Kit. The Jedi smiled.
"It seems just in time for our hunter." I groaned at his response. The irony. I rolled my eyes as I let the two trade blow blows with the count. I blasted down droids with the clones. I saw out of the corner of my eye Dooku jump back on his ship. He glared at me and I smirked satisfied with his irritation. Anakin was quickly by my side observing my dagger. "Interesting." Kit stated as Anakin handed me back the blade. "Your sword seems resistant to light-sabers."
"Kamino made." I responded bluntly The Jedi nodded and made his way back to the bridge. Anakin smiled amused.
"That's a vague answer for some one as entertaining as you." He declared. I put my hands on my hips with a wide grin.
"So now I'm entertaining." Referring to when he called my company pleasant earlier. He chuckled.
"Your stories are...you..not so much." He teased.
"I can say the same for the boring Jedi knight." I purposely called him by his actual tittle. His eyes narrowed as he smiled.
"Watch it snips, or you might find yourself in combat with this boring Jedi knight." He retorted. We both went still. He called me...I looked at the Jedi who had gone incredibly pale. His blue eyes seemed to dull with unspoken pain. "I'm sorry." He quickly apologized before he expeditiously exited the hanger bay. I wanted to scream for him to come back. Call him Skyguy, and bicker the way we used to. More than anything I wanted to see the light in his eyes when he calls me by my nickname. I hated it as first; yes, but now I truly missed everything about my old life. The pain had never been this strong before; as if it had just hit me with a brick. As much as I wanted to tell him; he would ask questions I couldn't answer.
"Um...excuse the General...that nickname..." I turned to see Rex. I looked at the clone who seemed so uncertain on how to say something.
"Belonged to someone he used to care for; I understand." I nodded feeling his relief. "Commandeer...?"
"Rex sir." Rex gestured to the other clone troopers in blue armor. "And these are my boys of the 501. I smiled at the 'new' commander. Though I would have to be careful on not calling him captain.
"Shadow." I replied vaguely. He nodded as his eyes fell on 04. "What? 04 making you nervous; he doesn't bite unless I tell him to." I teased. He kept looking at the droid uneasily.
"I just don't like droids that much" He replied. I rolled my eyes expecting the answer.
"Well some tinnies aren't that bad; later Rex." I said walking off. I made up my mind.
Anakin Skywalker.
How could I had been so careless? I never called anyone else by that except Ahsoka. I sighed; she had probably found the name extremely eccentric. I groaned as I heard a knock on the door. Rex probably told her I thought as I used the force to press the keypad for her. Shadow walked in with a impish grin. "You are utterly boring." She looked around the almost empty room.
"This isn't my ship...the resolute is out there." I gestured to the window. "What brings you here?" I asked tiredly.
"I made up my mind." She replied equivocally. I sighed.
"You don't have to be so cryptic; you can talk to me." I looked back up to see Shadow was inches in front of my face.
"Am I be cryptic Skyguy?" She asked. I opened my mouth to respond to only quickly shut it. I studied her anxiously. She smiled sadly. My gaze fell on her blue eye. (Remember Ahsoka's mask only shows one eye!((but it doesn't cover her mouth)).)
"Ahsoka?!" I exclaimed. I reached to take off her mask but she moved away.
"Please don't Anakin." She whispered. I pulled her to me where I wrapped my arms around her tightly. I never wanted to let go. I took a shaky breath and it didn't take long to realize I was crying. I quietly sobbed into her shoulder as she rubbed my back. I couldn't help it I was happy to see her; filled with joy. I held her tighter as I thought she didn't mean to leave anytime soon. She returned the embrace with a tight squeeze. I sniffled as I held her in front of me.
"You grew." My voice cracked but I didn't care. It was true her lekku touched the middle of her bicep. She smiled again solemnly.
"I know." Her voice cracked too as tears brimmed on the corners of her eyes. I could tell she didn't care ether.
"Please don't leave." I begged even though I knew she wasn't. She hugged me burying her face into my chest.
"I don't think I could do that again."
Question of the day: what is your favorite sport?
A.N: Okay do not own star wars I do not own star wars I do not own star wars, I do not own start wars, I do not own star wars.
Tell me what you want should there be a pairing, or ...come on leave suggestions. Lurkers! I know your there!
