Originally I had intended to split this chapter but then I thought "I shouldn't leave my wonderful readers with another cliffhanger." So I just wrote the whole thing into one epically long chapter. You'll want to get comfortable because this because it's one heck of a chapter. As always, enjoy.
When the Dark Woman said that a simple cantina was where they were headed, Dante didn't expect to find himself in a luxurious casino. Apparently rundown cantinas don't exist on the wealthy planet of Cato Neimodia.
The casino was every bit as lavish as the city it stood in. Red carpet covered the floors of the five story tall room with golden pillars supporting balconies on each floor up. It was an open area so one could see everything if they had the proper vantage point from one of the upper floor balconies. The chatter of Neimodians and ringing of games created a dense background noise that was hard to ignore. Servant droids ran around the area to provide refreshments to the snide and wealthy patrons.
Dante seemed a bit underdressed in his smuggler's disguise compared to other Neimodians walking around, and when that's combined with his red skin, he defiantly stuck out.
He leaned against the wall near one of the upper floor balconies, keeping a watchful eye out for someone in particular. "How much longer till this contact of yours shows up?" Dante whispered to the shadow next to him. The shadow was Dark Woman and she was using Force cloaking abilities to prevent her from being seen.
"Patients, he will come in time." The Jedi Master whispered back. Dante rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as they've already been here for too long as it is. Some of the passerby's are starting to give him looks because he seemed so out of place with his red skin and outfit.
He was about to suggest to move to a different spot when Dante finally caught a glimpse of Dark Woman's contact. Moving over to the balcony railing, he looked down to the casino floor to see a tall man wondering around the place, giving the appearance that he was minding his own business. The man was human and a young one as well, being only in his mid-twenties. He had long black hair with streaks of grey and stony white skin. He also wore an outfit similar to Dante's, with a long trench coat, loose tunic, paints, and boots. An obvious smuggler in plain sight.
"He's here," Dante whispered over his shoulder. The shadow moved closer to the railing and looked down.
"Good, he decided to come after all," She said. Dante would've gotten on to her for not being sure the contact would show up in the first place but now was not the time or place for that. "Create a distraction so I may meet with him without any prying eyes." She whispered.
"Why me, you seriously want me to cause a scene in this place?" Dante whispered back quickly but got no response. She was gone, off to meet the smuggler no doubt. The sith sighed and could imagine Dark Woman saying something like 'you're more noticeable' or 'causing mayhem is one of your specialties'. Oh well, time to do some damage…
In the center of the casino floor, in plain view for everyone to see, a servant droid tripped and spilled bluish colored drinks all over a female Neimodian's dress. The woman screamed in anger as he expensive dress was stained and ruined.
"How dare you!" She yelled not to the droid but to the person standing next to it. "You dwarfnut!"
Dante couldn't help but grin at the pompous Neimodian's anger which only infuriated her even further. He had purposely bumped into the servant droid and caused it to knock drinks all over the now fuming alien. It had certainly caught a lot of attention around them but it wasn't good enough.
"Quite whining mudlicker, it'll washout." He said with the most insulting tone he could muster.
The female Neimodian might as well have been on fire with anger. "Why I never been treated in such a way! Guards! Arrest this scug!"
Now he's done it. Before he could insult the woman further, a security team of armed Neimodians encircled him with the leader stepping forward. "What is the disturbance here?" The male guard captain asked.
Dante zoned himself out of the conversation as the angry female Neimodian ran her gums off to tell the captain how he was a 'nerf head' and how he purposely spilt drinks all over her. Dante quickly glanced around and found he had most of the eyes in the casino on him but it still wasn't good enough. He wanted everyone to see this and that was including any spies on his trail. Time for the finale.
"Oh for the love of every star in the galaxy, shut up you one-eyed egg-sucking sons of slime devils." Dante said aloud and abruptly. It wasn't directed at the female Neimodian but rather to all Neimodians within earshot. Now it was dead quite, every eye was on him and only the clicking of the guards blasters broke the silence.
"How dare you, you have no right insulting your superiors!" The guard captain barked and aimed a blaster pistol at him, threating to shoot.
Dante rolled his eyes. "Superiors? All I see is a bunch of spineless aliens who don't have the guts to fire. If you ask me, the Neimodians are just about as cowardly as they get." This was really getting to every patron in the casino.
The captain growled. "Arrest him," He ordered. "Let's see if you can keep that smart mouth of yours after its clamped shut." Two guards came up from behind and grabbed Dante by the arms.
"Oh so that's how it is," Dante grinned and head-butted one guardsmen in the face and then jammed his heel into the toes of the other. Being free of their grip, Dante dived through the circle of guards and made a dash for the exit. The guards pursued, yelling at him to halt. Dante jumped over a holo table and then slid under another in one fluent motion while at the same time the patrons stumbled to get out of his way. He wasn't using the Force at all since it could blow his cover. It was pure muscle and reflex he had to rely on.
Two guards managed to circle around and get in between him and the exit. Dante kept up a steady run and then leaped forward, high kicking one guard in the chest and landing an elbow to the others face. The two Neimodian guards fell over unconsciously and Dante made a dead sprint to the exit. He was almost out of there when suddenly something red hot hit him in the back.
The ring of a blaster echoed throughout the casino and Dante dropped to the floor with a smocking bolt mark on his back. The guard captain that had fired the shot approached Dante's still body. He nudged him with his foot to see if he was dead. Dante didn't move as his eyes were closed and his breathing had stopped.
"Kriffing waste, he had to start up some trouble and now we have to clean up the mess." The guard captain muttered. He then noticed the quiet patrons of the casino and put on a smile. "Everything is under control ladies and gentlemen. Please, enjoy your time." The captain then turned to the two other guards. "Get the body out of here before it stinks up the place." He said quietly to them…
The Neimodian guards certainly weren't civil about getting rid of the body. A pair of guards dragged the body out to an ally behind the casino and tossed him into a dumpster. An insulting way to bury the dead, but it's a good thing Dante wasn't dead.
A cloaked women and a tall man approached the dumpster after the Neimodians had left. The ally way was narrow and covered by the shadow of the nearby buildings. No one could see within the ally without being directly in it.
"How much longer are you going to stay in there?" Dark Woman asked with a cocked eyebrow. The dumpster lid burst open and ripped off its hinges as a fist punched it with surge of strength. Dante jumped out of the dumpster, covered in trash, and he had the most irritated look on his face.
"Before we leave here, I'm so going to rip that Neimodians head off." He growled harshly. "Why did they shoot me? It's not like I was going to kill them, but now I am." Dante brushed filth of his jacket that now had a hole in the back of it. Dante had used a Force barrier to soften the blaster blow so that it only burned through his clothes and not his skin. He then slowed his breathing to a point where he gave the appearance that he was dead. It was all an act to grab everyone's attention and to throw off any spies on their trail.
Dante shifted his attention to the tall man, the Dark Woman's contact. "You better have something good for us because I am not getting shot again."
The man put his hands up innocently with a smirk. "Hey now, no one said you had to get shot." The man was not at all surprised by Dante's performance and how he survived a bolt to the back. "My name is Talon Karrade, smuggler and information-broker, at your service." He said and extended a hand to Dante. The other just glared at him and didn't shake his hand. Talon pulled back his hand. "Is he always this tensed?" He asked Dark Woman.
The elder woman shrugged. "I guess so," She said. "Dante, this is a trusted friend of mine and his information is more reliable than that of Clone Intelligence."
The sith rolled his eyes. "It better be," He turned to Talon. "So then, I take it she's filled you in on our mission."
The smuggler nodded. "Yes, she did and I hate to say it but I don't exactly know where your Separatist super weapon is." He said which received him an intense glare from Dante. "But I know how you can find out though." He quickly said to calm Dante who looked like he was about to throw someone off a mountain. "You see, if you can't find what you're looking for, then you follow the person who's following you."
"What are you getting at?" Dante asked.
"You two may not know this yet but a bounty hunter has been hired to keep an eye on you. My sources were reliable enough to give me a name as well." Talon said and then paused. He gave the Dark Woman a long stare and sighed. "Sorry to tell you this but it's Aurra Sing. She's coming after you."
Dark Woman let at a long sigh and a remorseful expression formed under her hood. "That is… unfortunate."
"Am I missing something here?" Dante asked. "Who's Aurra Sing?"
Talon gave Dante a confused look. "What? You mean to tell me you've never heard of Aurra Sing? The infamous 'Jedi Hunter'? You must be seriously been out of the loop if you've never heard of her before." Talon remarked.
Dante crossed his arms. "I've been out of touch with the galaxy for a while so I don't know much about her."
"I don't know much about her either." Talon said and then looked at Dark Woman. "But I'm sure you do, after all she was your-"
The Jedi Master raised a hand to silence Talon. "Enough about the bounty hunter," She said a sharply. "Let us focus on how we are going to use her to discover the location of the ship."
Talon nodded his head. "Very well, I'm sorry if I've said anything." He apologized to the old Jedi. "Now then, Sing had just recently escaped from Republic prison with some help. I'm willing to bet credits that whoever broke her out is now using her to hunt the two of you. The first question we should ask is who exactly Sing is working for."
"Probably some high ranking Separatist. General Grevious and Sev'rance Tann would be suspects since they both have reason to hate me." Dante suggested.
Dark Woman shook her head. "I believe there is someone higher than those two who Aurra would have no choice but to obey."
Dante caught on to what the Jedi master suggested. "Count Dooku,"
"Yes," Talon said. "He is the most likely of any to be able to get Sing out of prison and command her to do his bidding. And if he's involved then there's no doubt he's aware of your mission."
"Like it matters," Dante said. "If either of those two shows up I'll be sure to take them out."
"No, we want them alive," Talon inputted. "If Aurra reveals herself to you, you can use her to find Dooku who in turn knows of the location of the Devastation."
The young sith grinned with a glow in his eyes. "I see, if we can get our hands on that sith lord then we could not only find the Devastation but also end the war entirely."
"Do not get ahead of yourself young one." Dark Woman warned. "You won't be able to defeat him alone."
Dante shot her a look. "Just watch me, he's nothing compared to who I've fought before."
The old woman looked at him curiously, wondering if the reports of Dante's power weren't exaggerated. She's heard of his abilities but they were just rumors. Maybe she'll get to see his true power after all.
"How do we flush the bounty hunter out anyways?" Dante asked.
Talon was about to answer but Dark Woman spoke first. "We sit and wait, she will grow restless as she always does and come after us."
Dante sighed. "I'm not exactly keen about being bait but I guess we don't have much of a choice." This mission really was annoying him. He couldn't wait for some real fighting to start.
"Well then, if you two have no more need of me, I've got a ship to catch." Talon said.
"You're not staying?" Dante asked.
The smuggler shook his head. "Sorry but I don't want to get caught in between this mess you have with the Count. I'll be well out of the system by the time anything serious breaks out."
"Thank you for your help Talon, I greatly appreciate it." Dark woman said kindly to the smuggler.
"It's been a pleasure and I'll be sure to send you my bill for the information later." Talon said with a smirk and then turned to the other. "It was a pleasure Dante, glad to see you were willing to take a bolt' to finish the mission." He said and then, once again, extended a hand to Dante.
He starred at him for a second before shaking Talon's hand. "Next time we meet, let's do it somewhere far away from those slimy Neimodians." Dante said with a sharp grin. Talon nodded and head off to his ship to get off planet as soon as possible.
"Quite the character don't you agree?" Dark Woman asked.
The other shrugged. "I guess, never though a smuggler could be so useful." He commented.
The Jedi Master agreed. Talon was an excellent help to them. She has been friends with him for years and he has proven to be very resourceful. She had learned a great deal from him but she wished she hadn't. Now that Aurra Sing was involved in this, things will no doubt become more dangerous. Only time will tell when and where the battle will take place and Dark Woman will be prepared to face off with Aurra once again…
"And then what happened?" Ahsoka's hologram asked. Dante sat in the pilot's chair on the Twilight's bridge. The sun had gone down and Dante wanted to talk with Ahsoka for a little bit since it's been so long since they've seen each other.
"The guard captain shot me in the back. Right in the middle of the place too." He said.
Ahsoka gave him a worried look. "Please don't tell me you killed him."
Dante smiled. "No, I played dead and then they threw me into a dumpster. Pretty nice of them don't you think?" He said sarcastically.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "I swear you're just a troublemaker aren't?" She said with a playful smirk.
"I guess I am since I had fun up until the point where I got blasted." He said. "Anyways, that's my story. How are things going on front lines?"
"Oh you know; same old same old. The droids invaded Togoria and we had them scrapped in a couple days. It would've taken longer if it wasn't for Zion." She said.
"How's Zion doing then? Is he staying close to you?" Dante asked. His worries were clearly audible to Ahsoka.
"He's just fine. I've gotta hand it to him, he knows how to cause a lot of destruction. He even taught me a new Force technique while in the middle of capturing a droid base." She said and then smiled. "You worry too much you know."
Dante looked away from the hologram for a second. "Sorry, I just don't want to lose you like I lost everything else back then. You're the most important person to me."
Ahsoka blushed a little bit. "You're important to me too but when it comes down to battles, we have to put our emotions behind us so we don't lose control when one of us gets hurt." She said and then grimaced as she remembered when Dante saved her from Sev'rance Tann's lightsaber.
"I guess you're right." He admitted. "We definitely need to take a break from this war."
"I'd like that," Ahsoka said.
"Yeah me too," Dante said. He then looked over his shoulder as he thought he heard something move. It was probably Regi roaming around and fixing the ship. "I need to go now. The next time we talk let's hope it's in person." He said.
Ahsoka nodded. "Goodbye Dante, I love you." She said.
"I love you too Ahsoka," The hologram flickered off. Dante reclined back in the seat and wished he could spend more time with Ahsoka. This war was becoming a divide between them and it kept them apart. They really did need a break from this war.
"Wallowing in your thoughts young one?" Dark Woman said.
Dante shot up from his seat and looked around but she wasn't anywhere to be seen. A short laugh came from the co-pilot's chair next to him.
"I'm right here," The old Jedi dropped her Force cloak and became visible. She was sitting normally in the co-pilot's chair.
"How long have you've been there?" Dante said harshly. For her sake, he had hoped she hadn't heard anything.
The old woman smirked. "For several hours. I must say, I was quite surprised when you walked in and used the hyper communicator to…" She was cut off when Dante Force choked her and pressed her hard against the chair she sat in.
"If you tell anyone about me and Ahsoka I'll…" He growled and then hesitated. There was no way he was going to let this Jedi tell anyone, even if he had to kill her. But then again, Ahsoka wouldn't have wanted that. Dante slowly get go of his grip over Dark Woman's throat and she let out a cough and gasped for air. "I'm sorry," He said apologetically. "It's just that… I can't let you tell anyone about our secret."
The Dark Woman caught her breath and rubbed a hand around her throat. "It's alright. I can understand why you wouldn't want anyone to know. If it consoles to anything, I will give you my secrets in exchange for yours."
The sith slid back into his seat and closed his eyes to think. Dark Woman already knew about his love for Ahsoka, that much already could put him and Ahsoka in serious trouble with the Jedi Council. Since she already knows one secret then there's no point in hiding the rest of them. But it was a fair exchange since he got to learn whatever the Dark Woman was hiding about Aurra Sing.
"Alright," Dante said. "But the secrets I share with you must keep safe and tell no one else. And I expect you to tell me your secrets as well, starting with your relationship with Aurra Sing."
She knew he'd find out eventually. "Aurra Sing wasn't always a bounty hunter. Many years ago, I found her on Nar Shaddaa. She was so young and so afraid of the world around her. I took her under my wing and in time, she became my padawan. The Force was strong within her but it was corrupt and dark. I did my best to prevent her fall but she eventually turned her back on the order and me as well. Her hatred for Jedi grew over the years as she believes that I failed her and that I abandoned her. That is why she is known as the 'Jedi Hunter' for she takes personal amusement from killing Jedi." She said in a remorseful tone.
"I see," The other said. "Then facing her again must be hard for you."
"Indeed it will be. We've crossed paths many times before and none of them ended well." Dark Woman took in a deep breath to calm her mind and quell the old memories stirring within her. "Is there anything else you want to know?"
"Yes, why are you called Dark Woman?" Dante asked.
"Ah, that has simpler explanation. The Force flows through all living things and when you look at it through a broader view, we are all essentially the same and no one is an individual through the Force. That is why I abandoned my birth name, because I do not need to be an individual when I am one with the Force. I was once known as An'ya Kuro. I haven't been regarded with that name for over five decades now." She explained.
Dante learned a great about with just those two questions. It almost seemed unfair that he learns only this little while she learns many things about him. It was difficult for Dante to explain it all at once but he managed to give Dark Woman, or rather An'ya, a basic understanding of his past. He told her about where he came from, who he once was, what he's capable of, and of the Corsair. That was it though because he didn't tell her about his holocron, his parents, or his Force bond with Ahsoka. He wasn't about to tell her anything that Ahsoka doesn't know about.
An'ya leaned back in her seat and folded her hands and gave an appearance that she was thinking methodically. Probably trying to decipher all the information she had just received.
"Restraining tattoos, true sith, ancient warship, and love for a Jedi padawan. You are full of secrets aren't you? I wonder what else you might be hiding." She said.
Dante gave her a look. "I already told you enough as it is. Trust me when I say this, there are things that even I don't know about." Such as why how he developed a Force bond with Ahsoka.
"Very well then," The Jedi Master submitted and didn't probe him for any more information. She had learned enough as it is and in time she may learn more. "I suppose I can't address you as 'young one' anymore since you are roughly five thousand years old." She joked.
The other cracked a smile. "You're right but I can still call you old woman."
The 'old woman' chuckled a bit and then suddenly lost her smile. Her expression changed to a serious one as she used the Force to sense her surroundings.
Dante noticed the subtle change. "We've got company don't we?" He asked.
She nodded. "They've got the ship surrounded. Droids and one person, Aurra I believe."
"Well if it's a fight they want, they've got it." He said and rose from his seat, snapping his two lightsabers off his belt. Dark Woman placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"They are better alternatives to fighting, let Aurra capture you and she might bring you before Dooku. I have a feeling he'll be interested in you." She said.
The idea of surrendering while he could fight was irritating to him but she was right and this was the fastest way to Dooku and the Devastation. Dante handed over his lightsabers to the Jedi. "What will you do once I'm captured?"
The Dark Woman simply smiled and vanished into thin air. "I'll be doing what I do best." She whispered.
Dante nodded and headed to the exit ramp. As he walked down the ramp he took note of the twenty or so BX-series commando droids that encircled the Twilight with all blasters trained on him. A tall slender woman with pale white skin approached him.
"I take it you're Aurra Sing," Dante said to the slender woman.
Aurra grinned as she noticed Dante was unarmed. "And I take it you've made the smart decision to give up."
The other shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, when you're out numbered it wouldn't hurt to talk your way out of it." Dante said as casually as possible to mask his urge to blast Aurra and her droids across the planet.
Raising an eyebrow, Aurra gave Dante a questioning look. "So, where's the old fossil at? I know she's with you."
Dante threw his hands up in a gesture. "Beats me, she's could be standing right behind you for all I know."
Aurra's eyes narrowed and she upholstered her dual-trigger blaster and pressed it against Dante's forehead. "I don't appreciate being toyed with by a kid." She growled. "I can just blast your brains out right now and then go looking for her. How does that sit with you?" She said sadistically with two fingers hovering over the triggers.
Dante sent her a stern look. "Don't get cocky bounty hunter. I can kill you in a second if I wanted to and we both know you won't kill me because of Dooku's orders. Now, you either take me to the Count or I'll end your life and find him myself."
A handful of intense seconds passed with both of them ready for the other to make the first move. Aurra was ready to pull the trigger and Dante was ready to summon a Force barrier to shield him. Their eyes locked onto each other, daring one another to twitch.
A scoff from Aurra broke the silence. "Alright kid, we'll do it your way but don't think you'll get out of this with paying a price." She hissed and removed her blaster from Dante's forehead. "Bind him and take him with us." She called out to the commando droids. The droids closed in on Dante and put thick, heavy durasteel binders on his arms and hands. They seized him by the shoulders and moved him along as Aurra took the lead.
Situated on top of the Twilight, Dark Woman witnessed the whole everything. It was hard for her to see Aurra again like this, as a bounty hunter still trying to exact vengeance on her and the Jedi Order. She shook the old memoires out of her head and took out a communicator. Dialing in the right set out codes, she made a call to someone whom she knows will help with the situation…
Deep within the bowels of Cato Neimodia, Count Dooku meditated as he awaited the arrival of the bounty hunter. He has been on Cato Neimodia well before Dante had arrived since he knew this would be the first place to look for the Devastation. His spies within the Republic have proven quite useful in providing details about the young sith's mission to find the damaged ship. He had made a secrets base of operations in the underworks of the city and had his agents pull everything together for him. Everything was going according to plan.
The Count sensed the presence of one of his acolytes approach. "What news do you bring Sev'rance?" He asked without bothering to turn around and look at the Chiss.
Sev'rance kneeled before her lord. "Aurra Sing approaches my lord and she has the boy with her." She said with a hint of spite as she said 'boy'. It's been about a month since she had nearly died on Sarapin and it has taken almost that long to make a full recovery. Ever since then she's held a grudge on him and the Togrutan with him.
Dooku smiled darkly. "Excellent, be sure that they get here."
The Chiss rose and bowed before leaving to find her partner, Cydon Prax, and to meet Aurra and her captive…
It's been hour's since Aurra took Dante and they had been walking through a maze of maintenance tunnels below the city. Dante was absolutely lost as to where they were going but Aurra seemed to know the way. They eventually came across a large metallic door that was big enough to fly a shuttle through. Aurra stepped forward and unsubtly kicked the door two times.
"Open up, we've got a guest to entertain." She sneered loudly and a moment later, the large door grinned open. Beyond it was a large open area filled with tubes and pipes that seemed to stretch for miles. Aurra pulled Dante in and ordered her commando droids to stand guard at the entrance. Dante glanced over the edge of the catwalk they moved across and couldn't see anything except the bleak blackness of a bottomless pit.
"Nice place," Dante commented. "You must get a great view from here." He joked which received him a jab to the ribs from the other.
"Quiet," She hissed and pulled him along. In the middle of the catwalk, two people awaited them. The one wearing white armor he didn't know but he immediately recognized the second blue skinned female.
"Didn't think you'd be walking around so soon," Dante smirked at Sev'rance. The Chiss shot him and scowling look and struck her right hand across his cheek.
Dante didn't so much as flinch from the strike. "I see everyone feels the need to hit me whenever I talk." He commented sardonically. "And who might you be?" He asked the white armored man, curious as to whom he was.
The Chistori grinned under his helmet. "Cydon Prax and unlike these two ladies, I have a sense of humor." He joked which received him scowls from the two dangerous women.
"The Count awaits," Sev'rance said and turned to lead the group through another large door way at the opposite end of the room. Dante found himself in a rotunda chamber with a skylight at the top that let moonlight trickle down the grey stone walls. In the center of the room sat an old man who Dante presumed was the infamous Count Dooku.
"At last you've come to me," Dooku said and stood up as the group entered the room.
Dante rolled his eyes. "Not like I had much of a choice." He said sardonically. Sev'rance glared at him and put a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to kneel to the ground. The bulky binders on his arms made a loud thud as they hit the floor. Dante had half a mind to resist Sev'rance but he kept his anger in check.
Dooku raised a hand. "There is no need for such hostilities Sev'rance."
Sev'rance straightened up before him. "Yes my lord,"
"Leave us," He said. Sev'rance was the only one to bow as the two bounty hunters were too full of pride to do so. The three left the chamber, leaving Dooku alone of Dante. "You don't need wear those anymore." Dooku waved a hand and the bindings on Dante's arms unclipped and fell off. Dante stood up and rubbed his wrist.
"You seem to be friendlier than I thought. You must want something so what is it?" Dante asked suspiciously. Dooku wouldn't have kept him alive unless he wanted something. That much he was for sure of.
"Hmm, you are a sharp one but it's not what I want from you, it's what you want from me." He said.
Dante cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really and what exactly do you have that I want?"
Dooku raised both hands and held them towards Dante. "Power of course, the ability to become the strongest of the galaxy. I can show you the ways of the Dark side and make you become the true sith you really are."
So he knew about him being a true sith. How much did he really know? "I already know what the Dark side is like and frankly I don't care to go back to it. Power isn't everything in the universe and I already have enough of it."
"Ah yes, your inner power, I've been told a great many things about you and your abilities. I believe it was you who destroyed my base on Korriban and the frigate that tried to land there. It was also you who foiled Sev'rance's invasion of Sarapin. But what intrigued me the most was when you used that warship to damage my precious Devastation. You've cost me a great deal of trouble." He elaborated on.
"Which brings us back to my first question, what do you want with me?" Dante asked again.
"I want to make you my apprentice of course. Together, no one will stand against us. We can destroy your ancient enemies, the Republic and the Jedi, and establish a new order. Can you imagine the end to all wars and become the divine force of the galaxy? I can and I am willing to share my vision with you, so long as you serve me." Dooku said.
Somehow, Dante saw this coming. "You know, in my culture, the apprentice eventually kills the master. If I were to join you, it would only lead to your demise. Also, I have no anger towards the Republic or the Jedi anymore. What happened in the past doesn't matter and I have let go of that hatred. If you think you can bring me back to the Dark Side, you are wrong. I'll never join you." He said with a sharp tone and glare.
The sith lord knew he'd defy him at first which is why he had a trump card to play. "I can understand you've changed since ancient times but if you were to lose the one person close to you then you will revert back to your true nature."
Dante's eyes widened and he clenched his hands into fist. The fury in his eyes made them glow a brighter yellow and it pleased Dooku to see his anger rise.
"Yes, I know of your love and if you wish to protect her from an untimely death, you will join me." He said. Dooku didn't know who Dante loved but the other didn't know that and he can use this to his advantage.
He was at indecision right now. Dante didn't know how strong this old man was but if he fought him and the three others, he'd probably lose since he still hasn't fully recovered all his strength. He loved Ahsoka and she was everything to him, if he loses her then he will most likely fall back to his old self who wants nothing but power and conquest. If he joined Dooku then he could protect her in a way that she wouldn't like but it would work. Perhaps joining Dooku was the best thing to do… No!
How could he ever think of submitting to Dooku, he'd rather die than let that happen! Ahsoka was strong and can protect herself from anything. He had been trying so hard to protect Ahsoka that he hadn't realized that she was the one protecting him. She protected him from himself, she saved him from falling. He would've killed Anakin if she hadn't stopped him which was the first time he was on the edge of losing it. When he witnessed Ahsoka get hit by Sev'rance, then too did he strike out in anger and nearly lose control. Finally when Ahsoka was in the line of fire during the first battle of Duro, Dante wanted nothing more than to have all the ships charge at the Devastation but what Yularen had said to him made him think about all the lives around him, especially Ahsoka's.
Becoming the apprentice would only hurt Ahsoka, Dante now realizes that. He was about to give Dooku an answer when Sev'rance suddenly entered the room and rushed to Dooku's side.
"What is the meaning of this?" Dooku growled harshly at the Chiss.
Sev'rance grimaced and then bowed. "Forgive me my lord but Lord Sidious demands you to contact him."
Sidious? Dante didn't know who that was but when Dooku heard the name he immediately frowned.
"Very well," The old man said. "Take him to the prison hold and make sure he cannot escape."
"With pleasure Count Dooku," Sev'rance said with a grin as she glanced at Dante. She slapped the binders back onto his arms and pushed him to another part of Dooku's base. Sev'rance punched the door release to a prison cell and pushed Dante in. "I hope you don't mind sleeping without a bed. We seem to be fresh out." She said sadistically and closed the solid durasteel door.
The prison cell was about the size of a large closet with nothing but a dim orange lamp hanging from the ceiling. It smelled like something had died in there which only added to quality of the room. Dante could rip off his bindings and break out of the cell at a later time but that would force him to expend a lot of energy which he will need to fight his way out of where ever he was. The only exit to the surface he knew of was the skylight in Dooku's chamber.
He then dismissed the thought of escaping as he was sure Dark Woman had a plan to get him out. Or did she? He could've been all alone on this one and she might not know where he is. Dante figured the only thing to do was to wait and see. He chose the far left corner to sit in and then he started to meditate. Meditation was something he wasn't used to but he thought it was about time he took the masters advice and listen. He can't listen to the Force but he can hear and see his surrounding like any other person and if he waited to see what would happen instead of charging head-on into a problem, then maybe it'll bare an unexpected result…
What seemed like days past for Dante. He had sat in the cramped cell with nothing to do but meditate and eat whatever slob his captors served up for him. Getting sleep has been an issue since he found it hard to sleep on the cold metal floor that would make him shiver every time he lied on it.
The sound of approaching footsteps got his attention and he stood up. The cell door opened and the bright hall light stung his eyes.
It was Cydon Prax. Out of all his captors, Cydon was the least cruel but just as deadly. "Rise and shine, time to see the Count," Cydon said with his usual sarcastic attitude. Dante stepped out of the cell on legs that were still asleep from not doing anything. "Geez kid, you look like osik right now." The armored bounty hunter said and then moved him along. Dante did feel worn out from the lack of sleep and edible food.
The two entered the rotunda chamber where Dooku and the two other women awaited them. Dooku turned to Dante with an irritated look in his eyes. Something must've happened over the past few days.
"So then Count, what's with the whole 'lock me in a cell for several days'?" Dante asked with a weak grin. "You trying to break my will or something?"
"I had to attend to a few things that could not have waited." He said. "Now then, I hope your time in isolation has given you time to think about the offer I've presented to you."
"Yes it has," Dante said and then smiled. "And my answer is still no. I'll never serve you."
The Count's look darkened. "Are you so sure?" He raised a hand and arcs of lightning left his fingers and hit Dante, causing him to fall to one knee and bend his head down in pain. Dooku kept up his attack for several more moments until stopping. "I ask you again, will you join me?"
Instead of replying, Dante actually started to laugh through his clenched teeth. He pushed himself up and looked Dooku dead in the eye. "Is that all you got old man?" He snarled with the glint of defiance in his eyes. "It'll take more than that to make me submit."
Dooku was infuriated and raised both his hands at Dante. Twice the amount of lightning struck him, making him fall to his knees and growl in pain. The young sith did his best to block out the pain but it still pained him greatly. He had underestimated Dooku's strength and the only way to get out of this was to release every ounce of energy he had.
And then a hurl of Force energy knocked Dooku down to the ground, causing him to stop electrocuting his captive.
"What a horrible way to treat someone. Tell me Dooku, do you treat all your guests this?" An old woman's voice echoed across the room. The three dark acolytes surrounded Dooku and got their weapons ready. Dark Woman then suddenly appeared at Dante's side, dropping her Force cloak.
"You!" Aurra hissed and raised her blaster.
"Yes. Me." She hit Aurra with a surge of Force energy and knocked her to the ground. She then ignited her violet lightsaber and cut off the binders on Dante's arms.
"What took you so long?" Dante asked with a smile as he stood up.
"Sorry for being late, I had to wait a little bit." She said and handed him his lightsabers.
"Dark Woman, how kind of you to interrupt me," Dooku said with an annoyed tone.
The old Jedi Master smirked. "It's nice to see you too. What's it been? Ten or twenty years? I seemed to have forgotten, an unfortunate effect of aging no doubt." She said nonchalantly in way that suggested that she wasn't taking the situation seriously.
"You were a fool to reveal yourself to us. You cannot possible defeat us by yourselves." Dooku said.
Dark Woman's grin grew sharply. "Who says were alone?"
On cue, the skylight above them burst into pieces and razor sharp chunks of glace fell down into the chamber. Everyone scattered across the room, dodging glass as they went. Then two figures jumped down from the top of the skyline and landed in the room. Dante smiled brightly as Dooku snarled in anger. It was Ahsoka Tano and the Tuk'ata Zion.
"You certainly know how to make an entrance." Dante said to his love as he run up to her with Dark Woman.
Ahsoka gleamed with happiness as she saw him. "Thanks, I had some help." She said and gestured to Zion.
"Greetings Dante, you look terrible." Zion said.
Dante let out a short laugh. "I've been told," He then turned to Dooku and his acolytes who have gathered on the other side of the room. "Now then, I'm only going to ask this once," He ignited his blood red lightsaber and pointed it at Dooku. "Surrender,"
The old Sith Lord has now given up on Dante. His defiance has proven too great for him to quell. "So be it," He said in a deathly tone. "Kill them."
Aurra was the first to move as she charged at the Dark Woman. Then, Cydon Prax used a jet pack to maneuver to another side of the room with Zion pursing him. Sev'rance and Ahsoka charged at the same time and clashed in the middle, paring sabers. Instead of fighting, Dooku turned and activated a concealed tunnel located at the edge of the chamber. He slipped down the hole with it closing behind him.
Dante had no intention of letting him escape so he ran after him. Sev'rance noticed this and tried to intercept him but Ahsoka got in front of her and pushed her back. "Where you going Tann, we got a rematch to finish," Ahsoka taunted. The Chiss growled and held her new red lightsaber in a tight grip.
"Once I kill you, I'll sever your little boyfriends head and present it to the Count. He will be most pleased." She said coldly.
Ahsoka twirled her sabers and held them in reverse position. "Like you could ever beat me," She retorted and the two went at it, exchanging blows at an incredible rate.
Dante looked back at Ahsoka to see her dealing with Sev'rance very well. He knew she'd be all right and Dar Woman and Zion were there to help. With a few slashes of his lightsaber, the hatch Dooku escaped through fell apart and Dante jumped into the tunnel after the sith lord.
The old Jedi Master got ready as her former padawan rushed at her with flames in her eyes. Aurra jumped high into the air and then pulled a lightsaber from her belt and ignited it. The emerald green blade clashed with An'ya's violet blade. Hatred pulsated through her veins as Aurra struck at An'ya with wild swings of her saber. She hated having to use her old Jedi lightsaber because it reminded her too much of her time as a padawan but it was the only weapon that she had to fight the Jedi with.
An'ya caught Aurra's blade and slid it across her own. Aurra went off balanced and with a quick kick, An'ya knocked her down. "You've gotten stronger but darkness still lingers in your heart. You'll never achieve peace with the way you act." She said as she pointed her saber at the younger.
"To Kessel with you!" Aurra snarled and swung at An'ya's saber. She stood up again and the two engaged in duel of lightsabers and emotions.
Off on the other side of the chamber, Cydon Prax hovered in the air as he fired his wrist mounted blasters and shoulder mounted turret at the evasive Tuk'ata. Zion's four legs carried him from one spot to another in seconds, dodging explosive blaster bolts as he went.
"Man, you're harder to hit then a mynock from a thousand yards away." Cydon commented and kept up his fire. The beast doubled back and leaped into the air, catching Cydon and forcing him to the ground. The armored bounty hunter let out a grunt of pain as Zion sunk his fangs into his impregnable armor. The armor held but the pressure was beginning to crush Cydon.
"You rely too much on your tools for combat. Surrender now and you will be sparred." Zion said through the Force.
"A talking mutt? Now I've seen everything." Cydon commented and struggled to reach his belt. "Here doggy, I've got something for you to chew on." He said and then activated the miniature pulse-wave generator on his belt. A wave of magnetic energy exploded from his armor and hit Zion, knocking him into the nearby wall.
The blast hardly hurt Zion as he stood back up. The beast and bounty hunter locked eyes and then attacked. Cydon activated a flamethrower on his forearm and threw blades of flames at Zion. In response, the Tuk'ata used the Force to twist the flames into a concentrated ball in front of him.
"Oh shab," Cydon cursed and jumped out of the way as Zion's ball of fire flew by and nearly got him. The ball of flames flew past him and exploded onto a nearby wall. Before Cydon could even get back to his feet, Zion rushed up to him and head-butted him like a rancor-bull. Now it was his turn to crash into the wall. Cydon recovered only to find the vicious Tuk'ata right about to ram him again. He activated his jet pack and escaped into the air but Zion followed. Using his forward momentum, Zion jumped up the wall and pushed off the side which sent him hurdling towards the bounty hunter. Reacting quickly, Cydon intercepted the lunging Tuk'ata with a swift kick to the head. Zion lost balance for a brief second before regaining it just as he landed on the ground on all fours.
Blurs of green, yellow, and red clashed into each other with blinding speed. Tann fought with all her strength and yet her opponent didn't seem to falter like the last time they clashed blades. Ahsoka was handling Sev'rance with ease and wasn't even breaking a sweat. The look in the padawan's eyes sent a shiver down Sev'rance's spine as she could tell she was stronger than before. The two clashed blades once more and pushed at each other. Ahsoka had the upper hand in strength and began pushing Sev'rance back, making her feet slide across the floor. The Chiss hissed and jumped back to escape the saber lock.
Ahsoka noticed her opponent's dismay. "What's the matter? Am I too much for you?" Ahsoka taunted again, hoping for a reaction from the other.
With a growl, Sev'rance pointed her lightsaber at Ahsoka. "I don't know how you got stronger so quickly but know that it won't stop me from killing you."
"Oh really? Then let me show you what I can really do." The Togrutan said and then sheathed her lightsaber. Sev'rance didn't know why she was putting away her weapons but she didn't bother to ask. She charged at Ahsoka with lightsaber raised for a downwards strike. Ahsoka let the charging Chiss get within a few meters before releasing her new technique. Taking her Force energy, she centered it within herself and concentrated it into her voice. With an animal like sound, Ahsoka released a powerful Force roar that threw Sev'rance clear off her feet and smashed her into an unsuspecting Aurra Sing who was too busy on her fight to notice Sev'rance flying into her. The Chiss and bounty hunter fell to the ground and Dark Woman gave Ahsoka smile and node.
"Watch it!" Aurra hissed as she pushed Sev'rance off her who was still recoiling from being blasted by Ahsoka's roar.
"That brat, I'll make her pay." Sev'rance muttered and got to her feet. She and Aurra stood back to back with An'ya and Ahsoka standing on opposite sides of them. The two Jedi closed in and the four women engaged in two-on-two combat. They all exchanged blows, occasionally switching opponents to throw the other side off. An'ya and Ahsoka, being Jedi, fought it perfect synchronization while Sev'rance and Aurra constantly switched tactics and fighting styles to confuse the enemy.
The fight between the Dooku's minions and Dante's friends seemed to be intensifying by the second…
At the end of the hidden escape tunnel was a small hanger bay that held a solar sailor all prepped and ready for launch. Dooku reached his private hanger without difficulty and left his pawns behind to fight his battle. He didn't care too much about the three because he considered them replaceable. The bounty hunters were to brash and unbending and Sev'rance Tann has failed him already. Whether they lived or died, he didn't care.
The entrance ramp to the solar sailor lowered and Dooku was about climb aboard when a blare of Force sense warned him to danger. He spun around and reached out with a hand to absorbed a blast of Force lightning that seemed to come out of nowhere. The old man knew who it was in an instant.
Walking out of the shadows, Dante approached with lightsaber in hand. "Where do you think you're going?" He growled.
"Are you eager to die boy?" Dooku warned. "Following me here was a mistake."
"No, threating to kill Ahsoka was a mistake." Dante countered.
Anakin Skywalker's padawan. Dooku now knew of Ahsoka's identity and he will use this knowledge to his advantage later but first he must defeat the younger sith. He used the Force to call his curved-hilt lightsaber to his hand. The weapon smoothly glided from his belt to his right hand in a quick fluent motion. "Very well, show me your power." Dooku got into a lightsaber stance and gestured for Dante to attack with a quick wave of his saber.
He was all too happy to oblige as Dante leaped at the old man, igniting his red lightsaber in midflight. The two sabers impacted with a loud hiss before sliding off each other and coming back together to make another hiss. Red versus red, if one were to watch from a distance they'd have a hard time telling which weapon belonged to who as they moved so fast that they both melded into one red blur. Dooku called upon the Force enhance the speed of his old muscles which gave him the advantage in agility. On the other hand Dante by far had more physical strength to back up his attacks. The two went at it for several minutes, not letting the other gain the upper hand.
Just as they both drew back their weapons for another clash Dante suddenly activated his violent lightsaber and surprised Dooku. Two lightsabers caught the single curved-hilt and put Dooku at a disadvantage for his fighting style was weakest against duel sabers.
Again and again, they struck and for what seemed like several more minutes, neither had the upper hand just yet. Dante charged and swung but Dooku feinted right to dodge and then struck his lightsaber across Dante's back. To his displease, Dante used a Force barrier to deflect the saber off his back and then spun around to yet again charge at Dooku. They locked sabers and without warning, Dante let out a Force repulse. Dooku didn't see it coming because he couldn't sense Dante and so he took the blast of Force energy point blank. The older was thrown into the side of his ship while the younger stood his ground, panting slightly.
It was then that the sith lord noticed faint tattoos forming on his opponents skin. He also began to feel a little bit of Force energy emitting from him. Dante knew it was only a matter of time before his tattoos started to appear and when they did they wouldn't mask his presence anymore.
"How intriguing, you've been holding back haven't you?" Dooku asked as he brushed dirt of his cloak. "Or perhaps you cannot use your full strength. Those markings must be keeping your true power concealed."
The other glared at Dooku. Now he was catching on to his restraints.
The sith lord laughed darkly. "You are fully of mysteries young Dante. It's a shame that our duel must end now."
"What makes you think you can beat me right now? I'm not leaving until I found out where you hid the Devastation. Then I'll kill you." Dante retorted.
"Ah yes, the ship. You've revealed a lot to me, even though you were unwilling to cooperate, so I will give you that information. The Devastation is no more. It has been disassembled and salvaged for the cost to repair it would have been enough to purchase an entire fleet of cruisers." He explained.
That wasn't what Dante wanted to hear. He didn't care about the ships, the only thing that matter was the Devastation's Force crystal ion cannon. "If that is true then what have you done with the Force crystals that power it's cannon?"
"You will learn that in time, for now I'm afraid are duel must end." Dooku said.
"Like you could ever defeat me," Dante growled back and got into position.
"I won't kill you just yet but I do intend to take away the one you love. The chamber your friends are in is armed with explosives and once detonated, the room will collapse." Dooku said and then took a small detonation trigger out of his cloak. "Until next time, boy," He flicked the switch and the ground shook. Off in the distance, the echoing of explosives could be heard.
"No!" Dante ran out of the hanger and back up the escape tunnel towards the chamber. Dooku grinned and left the hanger in his solar sailor.
Inside the rotunda chamber, everyone had stopped fighting as the whole place began to collapse.
Cydon Prax looked up at the collapsing walls around him. "Looks like Dooku decided to use my explosives after all." He commented and then activated his jet pack to fly over to Sev'rance and Aurra who were still fighting in a two-on-two duel. He landed in between the two women and grabbed them by the waist. "Sorry ladies but that's our cue to retreat." He said and then activated his jet pack once more, flying him and the two other acolytes out of the room through the skyline and to safety.
That left Ahsoka, Dark Woman, and Zion in the chamber with it steadily collapsing around them.
"Any ideas on how to get out of here?" Ahsoka said as she side stepped to avoid a slab of stone that would've crushed her. The walls were too tall and vertical for them to climb and the large door to the room was blocked by a mountain of broken wall segments along with Dooku's escape hatch.
"Already taken care of," Dark Woman said as she pressed a button on her comlink.
"Wait, what about Dante?" Ahsoka asked, worried that he was trapped somewhere.
"I'm sure he can take care of himself." The old woman soothed. Just half a second later, the pile of rocks that covered the escape hatch were blown away with a blast of Force energy. Dante jumped up through the hole and ran over to the three standing in the center of the room. "See," She said.
"Ahsoka, are you alright?" He asked and gave her a quick hug. He had been afraid he wouldn't get to her in time.
She returned the hug. "Just fine except this place is collapsing on top of us." She said. Another slab of stone fell of the wall and would've crushed the group if Dante hadn't used the Force to stop its fall. He then kept the large slab of stone above their heads and used it as a protective umbrella to keep other pieces of stone from falling on them.
"This thing won't hold forever." Dante commented as he concentrated on holding the slab above them.
"It won't have to," Dark Woman said. "Our rescue has come."
The humming of engines filled the room and mixed in with the sound of stones impacting the floor. Dante threw the protective slab aside to see the Twilight ascending down through the skyline.
"Good old Regi, I know he'd come." Ahsoka commented. Once the freighter was close enough, the four of them leaped on to the open loading ramp and the ship took off from the chamber. It left the place just in time as the whole chamber finally collapsed inwards and buried itself in rubble.
On the bridge the group found Regi plugged in to the ship's computer and flying it. "Thanks for the save Regi, we owe you one." Ahsoka said and patted the droid on the dome. The quirky little droid buzzed brightly with beeps of joy.
Dante leaned against the wall and looked at Ahsoka while An'ya took over piloting. "Not that I'm mad or anything but what are you and Zion doing here? Weren't you supposed to be on Togoria or something?"
"Dark Woman called us and said you were in trouble. The battle on Togoria was over anyways so Zion and I snuck aboard a cargo ship and got here as soon as we could." She explained.
"What about Skywalker? I would've thought he wanted to come along too." Dante asked.
"Yeah about that," Ahsoka said with an innocent grimace. "I didn't exactly tell him where we were going. He's probably angry right now."
"Yeah, probably more angry with me than you." Dante sighed. "I can't wait to hear what he has to say about this." He then turned to An'ya who was piloting the ship out of the atmosphere and preparing to engage the hyperdrive. "Where are we going?"
The Jedi Master looked over her shoulder. "To Coruscant, the Council will want to hear of our mission."
"You won't tell them about me and Ahsoka right?" Dante asked with a half concerned half serious tone.
The old woman flashed him a smile. "No need to worry about that. I never was fond of following the rules."
"Thank you An'ya," Dante said and pushed himself off the wall to stand up. His legs buckled and he almost fell to the ground. Ahsoka caught him and wrapped his arm around her neck to support him. "Thanks, I didn't realize how tired I am."
"Zion was right, you do look terrible. When was the last time you slept?" Ahsoka asked with a playful smirk.
"Too long," He said and then yawned loudly.
"We can fix that," Ahsoka said and helped him walk out of the bridge and to one of the Twilight's cabins. Dante collapsed on to the bed and thought it was the most comfortable thing in the universe. Granted the bed was a little stiff but it was way better than the cold metal floor of the prison cell.
"Comfortable?" Ahsoka asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Oh yeah, I'm going to sleep for a day or so." He joked and yet was almost serious.
Ahsoka ran a soft hand on Dante cheek. "So, about that break we talked about."
The other smiled. "You do want to go somewhere other than the frontlines?"
"Yes, we have had much time to spend with each other because we're constantly being called on to fight battles. It can be just you, me and some distant world with no civilization, wars, battle droids or bounty hunters." She said.
He put a hand over hers and held it tightly. "That'd be great,"
"Good now move over some. I suddenly feel tired myself." She said.
Making room for her, Dante moved to the far end of the bed and let Ahsoka lay down beside him. The two cuddled into each other's arms, sharing the warmth of their bodies and the love in their hearts.
"Sweet dreams Dante," Ahsoka whispered to him and planted a kiss on his lips.
Dante returned the kiss. "You too Ahsoka,"
With the whole 'Cato Neimodia' part done and Ahsoka and Dante back together, I can start leading this story into whole new things. Next chapter will not just be about Dante and Ahsoka's little vacation but also about other things as well that will tie many elements together and form one coherent plot that will have you on the edge of your seats. Thank you so much for reading. You've all been such great people!
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