Author's Note: Hi all! Sorry it's been a while since the last update. Truthfully I've been doubting my writing skills. Not to mention I'm stumped at a crossroad on where to take this story. I'm free-writing now even though I have main plot points. I don't want Grievous and the main characters from the actual star wars universe to sound OC. I feel like I've done that a few times after going back and reading some of my past chapters—hence my disappointment. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself…I don't know. Regardless, thanks for the reviews and for adding me to alerts and favorites!

P.S.—one of my reviewers asked a very good question in regards to Zekaloph's current skills with a lightsaber and the forms that he knows and uses. All of that will be explained in the next chapter! :D

Disclaimer: Oh and as a side note the other names of the Kaleesh and the Kabesh fish are mine unless by some random miracle of fate they belong to someone else. The Kaleesh rituals and other traditions in this story are mine I think. I read a little bit more about Grievous's true history but I don't know the whole story. So I have decided to write my own version pretty much since this story occurs in a different "parallel" universe. The new picture for the story cover isn't mine, I found it in google images. The definitions of lightsaber forms that will be written in this story I found online on star wars website which I also do not own.

CHAPTER 25

The members of Renegade squad were not doing very well…

The psychotic torture droid by the name of Rip-claw had injected the other five clones with who-knew-what and Scuds condition worsened as time wore on.

Scuds breathing was labored and he wheezed and rasped. He'd grown too weak to even cough. He would have vomited had he eaten something but since the droids were practically starving them, Scuds ended up dry heaving instead. His temperature was still elevated and his face had grown unnaturally pale. His strength had all but diminished and he hung loosely in his chains like a ragdoll, no longer able to support himself. The other clones had tried questioning him to see what was wrong but Scuds was incoherent and mumbled a bunch of undistinguishable nonsense.

It wasn't long before Clapper and Skids began to display signs of illness. That was more or less to be expected since they were both chained up right next to Scuds.

Rip-claw returned to inject all of the clones including Scuds later that evening. It seemed that they had all now become part of some hellish bio-warfare experiment. Rusty had the sinking feeling that Scuds wasn't going to be with them much longer. The leader of Renegade squad no longer had any optimistic moral boosters for the other troopers. They all knew they were doomed.

"I can't believe we are going to die like this," Skids shook his head sadly.

"Yeah, you'd think that General Grievous would have been the one to personally torture us but he hasn't been here since the first day we arrived."

"How long has it been?" Avalanche questioned morosely.

"I've honestly lost count," Rusty admitted.

"It feels like it's been at least two weeks," Clapper muttered.

"Hey Scuds…can you hear me?" Rusty questioned softly at his semi-conscious subordinate.

A weak groan was his only response.

"Alright brother…save your strength."

The clones remained silent with the exception of a few encouraging remarks to their deathly ill brother. A few hours later, Rip-claw returned only this time he injected everyone but Scuds. The droid then unshackled the deathly ill clone and dragged him out of the room. Rusty strained against his chains and screamed at the torture droid.

"Where are you taking him, you heartless pile of scrap?! Take me instead!"

Rip-claw glanced in Rusty's direction and laughed darkly.

"Don't fret. There is plenty of fun yet to come."

With those dread inducing words Grievous's droid left the other five clones alone. Everyone remained silent for the longest time as the bleakness of their predicament weighed heavily down on them. Soon one of them hatched a brilliant idea.

"I know that everything is pretty damn hopeless right now but I don't want to give up just yet. I have an idea. What if I pretend to be as ill as Scuds? If Rip-claw buys it…and he removes my restraints, I might be able to break free of this cell!" Skids perked up instantly as he shared his plan.

"How will you get past a whole ship full of clankers?" Avalanche shook his head with a bleak look in his eyes.

"I'll overpower one of them and take a blaster. I'll come back to free you all! We can shoot our way out or die trying!"

"Anything is worth a shot at this point. If you are feeling up to the task, by all means…do it," Swift encouraged.

"Wait just a minute. You guys are forgetting something crucial. If we are carrying a deadly virus, all we'll end up doing is infecting anyone else we come in contact with!" Rusty reminded them.

"Then we won't leave this ship. We stand and fight. It's preferable than allowing them to torture and slaughter us like animals," Avalanche nodded in resignation. After all, their lives were already forfeit.

"Very well. Start practicing for your debut Skids. You need to be believable enough."

Renegade squad's hopes were thus restored. They had one chance…and one chance only. The other four clones could only hope that Skids would be able to pull it off…

General Grievous personally oversaw the preparation of the large feast the village was soon going to indulge in and patiently awaited his son's return. Sometimes the Great Hunt could take anywhere from twelve hours to three days. It all depended on the warrior in question. If Grievous were the betting type he'd have all of his credits down that Zekaloph's return would be within the next six hours. Regardless, the cyborg Kaleesh had no doubt that his son would return victoriously. In the meantime there was other party business he had to take care of…

-4 hours later-

Much to the villagers' surprise, Zekaloph and his two friends returned far sooner than expected. The two boys, Serain and Lenial, had already tied down the carcasses of the karrabec to makeshift stretchers and dragged their trophies back to the village. Zekaloph dragged the muumuu on another stretcher behind him that he killed after wrapping them up in vines. He didn't need any of his friends to help him kill them. They did shoot one of the Karabecc that would have rammed its sharp horn into his back while he had been battling two others in a glade. He was most fortunate that they had been there with him.

The other two Kaleesh boys had been perched up in the tall trees watching the fight from above. Lenial had his Czerka Arms Outland rifle slung across his back and shouted down at Zekaloph that danger was approaching. The son of Grievous couldn't hear him above the constant roars of the two beasts he was fighting. Zekaloph was having a difficult time handling two of them at once and failed to notice the third creeping up behind him. Serain cursed and fumbled with his rifle. He took aim and followed the beast's movement with the length of his barrel. He waited for the perfect shot. He watched as the Karrabec charged, about to skewer his friend and squeezed the trigger. A powerful energy blast lit up the shadows beneath the canopy of trees and with a loud 'blam' the vicious beast fell dead. They had been instructed to keep their distance from the young hunter and simply observe, acting as Zekaloph's support should he need it. That was the only beast they killed during the duration of Zekaloph's hunt.

Serain and Lenial half expected to aid Zekaloph in killing a couple muumuu but Sheelal's son already knew how to fell the deadly predators thanks to his past experience. That didn't mean that he returned without a scratch on him. One muumuu clawed his leg with its sharp talons. It wasn't a life threatening injury but it certainly needed mending. He ripped off a part of us tunic and used it to bind the wound. He had a slight limp but he didn't let that stop him. Fortune was on his side because that particular muumuu had been the last one he was instructed to hunt and it happened to be the last one in the entire pack.

Zekaloph wiped his bloodied spear on the grass and disinfected it in the water of a running stream. There was no need to attract any other predators.

Once they caught sight of the villagers, the energy gate was opened and they were granted passage. The elder warriors guarding the village were the first to congratulate them. They finally made it to the central plaza where the rest of the villagers were awaiting them. They cheered as Lenial and Serain helped to present Zekaloph's hard earned prizes.

Grievous stood tall on the stage and raised his cybernetic hands to silence the crowd. When he spoke, his pride for his son was unmistakable.

"The Great Hunt is complete! Young Zekaloph has passed the test. He is now a full-fledged hunter…but most importantly a warrior of this clan!"

Grievous nodded at Tekar to finish the speech as the tribesman took the stage. Grievous came to stand nearby with a bowl of blue paint while Tekar spoke, ready to complete the ritual ceremony.

"Zekaloph Quilamec Sheelal is no longer considered a young child in the eyes of our people! Celebrate for he is now an adolescent!"

Grievous stepped forward until he was in front of his son and took a clawed digit and carefully marked the Kaleesh warrior symbol on Zekaloph's chest and ran vertical lines down the boy's face with the blue ceremonial paint. He set the bowl of paint on the stage and turned to face the crowd with his son. Grievous gently took Zekaloph's arm and raised it high in victory. Tekar quieted the crowd again and when he spoke his voice too, was filled with pride.

"Celebrate for this boy has proven himself worthy of the highest honors our village can bestow. For the first time in our history apart from Sheelal, Zekaloph has surpassed our expectations and completed the Great Hunt in the least amount of time and returned with only one comrade assist!"

Tekar handed Grievous the two items in question that would forever seal his son's graduation ceremony and ultimately bestow upon him the honor of chief hunter among the village. Usually it would be the boy's mother that would be the one to do this. Grievous was proud to be the one all the same although he still couldn't stop the small pang of sorrow from squeezing at his still beating heart as he thought of his dearly departed Kitna. Zekaloph's father placed a simple, black, corded necklace that had a single mummu claw that every new warrior wore over Zekaloph's head where it rested proudly around his son's neck. The weight of the claw against his chest filled the young Kaleesh with great pride. The second was a necklace with muumuu teeth which was only given to those who graduated with the highest honors.

The villagers clapped and offered up cries of congratulations. The party had begun!

They enjoyed a large feast that comprised of fried kabesh, roasted karrabec, biscuits, an assortment of native vegetables, fruits, and much to Zekaloph's delight they even had Quebac! It was the most delicious food the teenager had ever tasted in all his life! He was very happy to learn that there would be two more banquets in his honor within the next five days. The young warrior would also craft a new war mask in that time as was also tradition for a graduated hunter. The son of Grievous was already formulating ideas on how he wanted it to look.

Soon it came time for Zekaloph to open the gifts from the villagers. He received his own Shoni spear, Czerka arms Outland rifle, a brown cloak, a traditional hunter's outfit, a blanket crafted from a mummu's hide, and a hand-crafted bandana emblazoned with his clan's symbol. He graciously thanked his people. Then he opened the gift his father had for him. He pulled apart the wrappings and gasped in disbelief.

"No way…father…is this really for me?"

Grievous nodded.

"Yes."

There in Zekaloph's lap lay twin swords…the two swords that looked near identical to the ones that adorned his father's statue in the temple. They looked a little worn, like they had seen a few great battles but they still looked pretty battle worthy nonetheless.

"Are these yours?"

"They were… in what I now consider a past life. They are yours now."

"I don't understand. Why didn't you give these to one of my elder brothers or sisters?"

"They all crafted their own. It's not tradition for parents to pass down weapons until the parent in question has succumbed to death."

"Father…you aren't dead! You cannot give me these!"

"I did die Zekaloph. I'm not the same Kaleesh I once was," Grievous almost sounded remorseful.

This had to be the first time in all of Zekaloph's life that he had ever heard the slightest ounce of sadness coming from the General of the droid armies. Zekaloph used the force to discreetly sense what else his father was feeling and was pleased when he felt his father's genuine pride for him and his great desire that he should take them. That's when Zekaloph realized that the twin swords in his lap were his father's most prized possessions…apart from his lightsaber trophies. Grievous told Zekaloph stories of great valor concerning his son's elder siblings, a few of which had already reached adulthood. For the young Kaleesh teen he was absolutely baffled. He was the youngest. Shouldn't the eldest child receive these swords?

"Why did you choose me?" Zekaloph whispered with wide eyes.

"You have earned them. While it's true that the rest of our family are fierce warriors…you turned out to be the most like me. It's only fitting that you claim them as your own."

Zekaloph knelt down on one knee and lowered his head in reverent respect.

"Thank you father. This means a lot to me. I will handle them with care."

In addition to the swords, his father presented a thick, tear resistant, leather chest piece for Zekaloph to wear in order to sheath the swords on his back. Amazingly enough it was a perfect fit after a slight adjustment. He bore the swords on his back with pride and smiled. General Grievous then revealed a grand secret.

"The swords I gave you are not ordinary. They were made from a cortosis alloy and can deflect a lightsaber."

"No way! Seriously?"

"Yes. Those swords have been known to kill a few Jedi. There was a small band of Jedi that infiltrated Kalee during the Huk war. They fought beside our enemy and they died on the ends of those blades," Grievous chortled in dark pleasure. He loved recalling that battle. He used those blades before he collected his very first lightsaber trophy. That had to be one of his favorite memories.

"I will be sure to keep these with me. I'm sure they will see battle again," Zekaloph promised.

"Indeed. Those blades will never cease to thirst for the blood of another Jedi," Grievous laughed in wicked delight and was glad that he hadn't broken down into a hacking cough.

"I will bring honor to you and the rest of our family."

"You already have. I am proud that you have chosen to continue your new official career. Those swords will serve you well, son," Grievous placed a hand on Zekaloph's shoulder.

Zekaloph nodded in agreement and then gathered his other newly treasured gifts and stowed them onboard the Dark Shadow for when they returned to his father's flagship. He was honored to carry his father's swords now that he knew more of their history. Since the war against the Republic was still raging, Zekaloph requested that his acquired personal possessions apart from the swords currently sheathed on his back be left within the safety of Grievous's new hidden lair located in a remote outer rim system. A place his father had yet to reveal to him.

Grievous noticed Zekaloph's injured leg and called the master healer of their village. In no time his son had rejoined his friends as if the injury had never taken place. The Kaleesh cyborg sighed. His other children had grown much in his absence while he had been away fighting in what felt like a never-ending war. He could only image what they looked like now. His eldest child, his first daughter Ronderu, reached adulthood two years prior. He felt a pang of remorse that he missed out on a lot of important milestones for his other children.

Grievous was broken out of his internal reverie by the laughter of his thirteen-year-old son. Zekaloph sounded and appeared not as the Sith apprentice he was trained to be…but a true son of Kalee. He watched his youngest son…his very last child… animatedly share stories of his past adventures and the victory over the slain Jedi padawan with gusto. The other village teens were intrigued and riveted by Zekaloph's story-telling, whereas the adults glanced at the newly christened teen with an admiring eye and occasional smile.

The Kaleesh warlord thanked the stars that he could at least do this much for his son. He felt it was destiny…not a random twist of fate…that his youngest child had ended up falling right into his lap when he first found him on Yavin as a very small boy. Grievous cherished the time he had with his son and was grateful that Zekaloph had entered his life. He shuddered to think what would have become of his child had the Jedi succeeded in training Zekaloph after his kidnapping from Kalee those years ago. The infamous Jedi-slayer hated to admit it to himself…but if his son had ever become a Jedi…he would have had no choice but to destroy Zekaloph.

His son it seemed, was destined to walk beside him.

Soon father and son were caught up in the celebration festivities and wished, that their time on Kalee would never end…

Anakin was beyond furious. The council shut him out. They knew something and weren't telling him. Anakin nearly kicked down the council chamber doors once he saw his padawan's body that the other Jedi had found in the Industrial sector, so he could demand they hunt the Sith down and destroy him. Ahsoka had been pierced through by a lightsaber blade. That wasn't all they found at the scene. Two hands had been found as well. Hands that Anakin knew belonged to the Kaleesh boy. At least his padawan dealt the Sith apprentice that excruciating blow. For Anakin…that wound wasn't enough. He swore to avenge her. No matter the cost.

In the meantime he tinkered with his ship the Twilight. Fixing things oftentimes helped to alleviate some of his pain…but right now, it just wasn't helping. His master gave him space and allowed Anakin to grieve. Anakin was very grateful for that. He hid his emotions from everyone around him and shut out anyone that approached him with their condolences. He was still trying to come to terms that his padawan was really gone. His feelings ran deep and the Jedi frowned upon such sentiments. Which is why he spent most of his time in the hangar bays.

Obi-Wan approached him a few days later and handed him an envelope with a deep frown.

"Anakin. The council sent me to deliver this to you. This envelope was found with your padawan's body. It is addressed to you. We believe the Sith child named Zekaloph wrote it. The council wasn't sure it was in your best interest to have it since you went against the Jedi code and formed an attachment with your padawan. It may contain sensitive information that may provoke a personal retaliation which the council has forbidden. Rest assured that the council did not read it."

Anakin dropped the tools he was currently holding and wiped his grease smeared hands on a nearby towel and sat up to take the envelope from Obi-Wan. He stuffed the envelope in his tunic pocket and returned to his tinkering.

Obi-Wan was baffled by his apprentice's behavior.

"Aren't you going to read it?"

"Yes but I prefer to read it alone," Anakin gave Obi-Wan a pointed look. His master took the hint and turned to leave.

"Suit yourself Anakin. If you need to talk, I'll be in the mess hall."

Anakin nodded curtly and focused his attention on his work and watched his master walk away out of the corner of his eye. Once Obi-Wan was gone, he wasted no time in ripping the letter out. His eyes hungrily read each word and he was shaken by the content. It was the last thing he'd ever imagine reading. His hate was soon replaced with absolute dread as a knot of fear sank into the pit of his stomach.

Skywalker,

If you are reading this letter, then I have successfully slain your padawan. She is the first of many Jedi yet to come that shall fall by my hand. Have you gone yet to the hall of records to study my history? It would benefit you if you did.

And Skywalker…I know your secret. I know your fears. I've seen your dreams. You have glimpsed the future. You know the answer to the question that's plagued you night after night. Who is Leia's mother? You see her every day in secret away from prying eyes. Yes. I know all about your wife Padme. You fear losing her and your future daughter. Do not worry. I personally have no interest in harming her. Luckily for you she isn't a Jedi.

Remember the Jedi code? Allow your worst fears to consume you and you will fall into darkness Skywalker. You've already begun. You seek vengeance for what I've done. That is one step closer to the dark side. Your fear and hate are what eventually turn you into the galaxy's most feared Sith aside from your future master. Your future name…is Darth Vader. It is a future you've never seen. Why do you suppose that is? What will become of your family should the darkness consume you? Think on that.

-Zekaloph

His heart was hammering by the time he finished reading it. Anakin couldn't stop the shiver of fear from racing down his spine and wiped a sweaty palm on the side of his pants leg. It was a damn good thing the Jedi Council hadn't read the letter. He stuffed it back into his pocket and shoved his tools back into the toolbox sitting beside him. He had one destination in mind. He began to run and ignored the shouts of dismay from the few people he apologetically shoved aside in his haste. The anxiety he felt took his breath away but that didn't stop him. If anything, it fueled his urgency. He picked up speed and didn't stop for anything or for anyone.

Soon he reached it. The hall of records. Anakin took in a deep breath and let it out. It was time to study…

TO BE CONTINUED!

Author's note: I am taking a seriously, crazy twist to the story as far as Anakin's destiny goes. I'm not entirely sure what will become of him. I'm still debating on how that part will turn out. Also, in a little while, most likely sometime after Zekaloph completes his Sith trials I will incorporate actual Clone Wars story episodes. In the meantime, thanks for reading, reviewing, and adding me to alerts and favorites! :D