REPUBLIC DARKNESS.
(Sequel to Republic Ransom.) After Dooku killed their leader, the bounty hunters want revenge. When he orders an attack on a secret Republic Outpost from the information he ripped from Anakin, they enlist the help of the Jedi to destroy him, kidnapping Anakin and Obi-wan's new padawans to force them to aid them.
This chapter is written by MirskianQueen .
PROLOGUE..
Anakin came in to exchange a flurry of quick blows with Levi, who blocked them with practiced skill... at least until Anakin picked up his pace. "Where is your balance? Where is your balance?" As Levi stumbled, Anakin moved in. "You lose it..."
He grabbed a hold of Levi and pushed him over backwards so he rested awkwardly on Anakin's arm, his training lightsaber held pointing at his padawan's chest. "...You lose." As Levi stared up at him wide eyed, Anakin smiled, "Don't worry, I've got you." He helped Levi back to his feet. "You're doing good, Levi." Anakin told him, "You've got heart."
As Levi panted, Anakin cocked his head. "Had enough?"
Levi shook his head, "no. I want to learn."
Anakin grinned, "ok then," raising his lightsaber, he looked at levi seriously. "Close your eyes. Feel it..." As his padawan obeyed, Anakin nodded. "Where is the attack going to come from?" He swung up fast and Levi blocked him, Anakin grinned, attacking again... Levi fended off Anakin's blows with his eyes closed.
Pulling back, Anakin grinned. "Good." he blinked hard as his vision blurred, taking a deep breath, he smiled. "I think we're done for now."
"Master, are you alright?"
Looking at Levi, Anakin nodded. "I just got a little carried away,' chuckling, he shrugged as they walked out of the training arena. "Master Vokara Che did tell me to take it easy."
x
Obi-wan sighed as they waited, Anakin had told them he needed to speak with them. That he had urgent news to discuss... And now he was late.
Amari frowned, "I thought Master Skywalker said this was 'urgent'?"
Master Windu nodded, "He did."
"And it is." Anakin walked into the Council Chamber, his brow shining with sweat. "I just did a short training session with Levi."
Obi-wan raised his eyebrows, "short?"
Levi grinned, "we... got carried away."
Yoda cleared his throat, "urgent news, you wished to discuss Skywalker?"
Anakin nodded, taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. "When Dooku had me prisoner..." Anakin breathed out slowly, "... he forced himself into my mind and used Drain Knowledge_"
Obi-wan gaped at him, "Why didn't you mention this before?" he asked, at the same time as Master Windu asked, "What information did he get?"
Swallowing, Anakin shook his head. "I don't know what Dooku managed to get, or how much." Anakin glanced at obi-wan, "Which is why I didn't say anything, I wanted to try and see if I could figure out what information Dooku dot from me."
"Serious this is," Yoda stared at Anakin and shook his head, "Tell us sooner, you should have."
"I know but_" Anakin's vision blurred again, this time it was accompanied by a shocking dizziness, Anakin felt himself swaying...
He had known that he was still effected with Dooku's Force Plague, but since master Vokara had been unable to heal it fully, he hadn't told anyone. He had been able to anticipate the few sudden onsets and hide himself away until they had run their course, but this one had caught him by surprise.
He felt Obi-wan catch him as his knees gave out, vaguely heard Ahsoka and Levi both calling out to him, he felt a wave of nausea and retched, gagging... Then his eyes closed, and he sunk into darkness.
xxx
"Move your fleet to attack the Republic outpost on Moltok."
Ventress' hologram nodded, "yes, Master."
Dooku folded his arms, "we only have one chance, Ventress." He warned her, "you cannot not fail."
Ventress snarled, "Moltok will be ours, my Master."
Dooku sighed as Ventress' hologram cut out, he had barely grazed the surface of Skywalker's knowledge, had managed to pull only a limited amount of information before Ventress' warning of the Republic coming to Anakin's rescue had broken his concentration.
Moltok had been a lucky find, it was a secret Outpost, hidden on the outer rim planet. A secret no longer. It's downfall was eminent. Ventress would not fail him, the Republic wouldn't learn of her attack until it was too late.
x
Anakin groaned, his eyes flickered opened and he found himself staring into a pair of worried, brown eyes. Padme folded her arms, "I can't believe you didn't tell anyone you were still_"
"There was nothing anyone could do," Anakin sat up slowly_
"Stay down." Obi-wan pushed him back onto the bed, "you need to rest."
Anakin rolled his eyes, "I'm fine." At least as fine as he was likely to get, pushing Obi-wan's hand off his shoulder, Anakin sat up again. "really, I'm ok_"
"No you are not," Master Vokara Che folded her arms, "until I find a way to cure you completely, you are staying here in the Temple of Healing where I can keep an eye on you."
Anakin clenched his left hand into a fist, "Most of the time they're just dizzy spells." This one had been a bad one, brought on by his exertion in training Levi. "I can handle it alone."
Padme shook her head, "Why wouldn't you tell us?"
"We have more pressing concerns," Master Windu said as he entered, "Ventress has attacked our outpost on Moltok!"