Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 35 "The Beginning of The Clone Wars – part 2"
Planet Geonosis, Im'g'twe Hills.
Never before, the planet of Geonosians saw such an intense battle. The droid army and the army of clones were tearing each other apart. The Jedi were also present on the battlefield, leading their troops into battle and aiding them in every possible way. Slowly, the clone army began to get the upper hand.
Ki-Adi-Mundi, Kit Fisto, and Mace Windu flew the battlefield in a gunship filled with clone troopers and heading to the N'ge'u Valley, where they both felt many dark signatures.
"Do you really think Master Yoda and Master Dooku need our help?" asked Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"I have a bad feeling," replied Mace. "There is someone there and he's much stronger than Sifo-Dyas. Even with Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker, I think they might be in grave danger."
"I'm sure that Master Yoda and Master Dooku can last until we get there," reassured them Kit Fisto.
"I really hope you are right," responded Mace.
Planet Geonosis, N'ge'u Valley, Darth Vundus's Hangar.
Even though Darth Vundus flew out of the hangar, none of the Jedi, who could potentially stop him, paid attention to him anymore as the two Sith Lord were a much greater threat. Grand Master Yoda knew that Obi-Wan and his Padawan were no match for them. The small Jedi Master took off his coat and took an opening Ataru stance: a balanced two-handed guard, holding the lightsaber vertically with both palms on the right side of the body. He knew what was at stake, and he didn't plan on pulling any punches.
While he would usually tell Obi-Wan and Anakin not to join the fight, both Jedi Masters could use a backup. "Skywalker, help Master Dooku you will," Yoda said decisively. "Kenobi, with me, your are. Engage directly, you will not but assist us, you can."
Obi-Wan remained at Yoda's side, while Anakin moved closer to Master Dooku, who activated his lightsaber performed a Makashi salute, and waited for the Sith to attack. He actually wanted to test himself as an ArchKnight against the Sith Lords.
"This fight is futile," stated Darth Plagueis. "You're going to lose and you're all going to die here."
"Not if something to say about it, we have," retorted Yoda.
The Sith Lords moved slowly towards their opponents. Sidious towards Dooku and Anakin; and Plagueis towards Yoda and Obi-Wan. Like in ancient times, the Sith Lords joined forces to kill their common enemy, but there was also another reason for their current cooperation. Both wanted to see how strong the other had become before they could actually try to kill each other.
With a raging scream, Darth Sidious lunged towards Dooku and Anakin, spinning in the air with his two crimson lightsabers. At the same time, Darth Plagueis dashed towards Obi-Wan and Yoda.
Dooku quickly side-stepped to avoid an overhand slash with a crimson blade, and immediately after, he ducked under a second one, that was about the decapitate him. Anakin backed away as the Sith Lord's crimson blades spun around like crazy. Dooku tucked one hand behind his back and quickly parried all blindingly fast strikes with a precision worthy of a Jedi Master. It was an amazing battle between graceful elegance and vicious ferocity.
Luckily for Dooku, Sidious could not use the advantage of Makashi's weakness, the kinetic-based power blows. Since the Sith Lord used two blades simultaneously, he wasn't able to generate enough power and brute force to bash through Dooku's defenses. However, Dooku noticed that if he hadn't trained with his fellow ArchKnights after leaving the Order, he would surely lose this duel. Still, as a 'Jedi,' he could not use his full power against Darth Sidious.
The Sith Lord raised both blades and slammed them downwards, but Dooku dodged to the side and aimed with his blade at Sidious's neck. The Sith somersaulted backward, avoiding the blue blade, and created some distance between them. Anakin spotted an opportunity and tried to attack the Sith with his green blade from behind, but Sidious saw it coming. With his back turned to the Padawan, he ducked under a horizontal slash, jumped backward, and landed behind Anakin, who quickly turned around to face the Sith.
Pointing his lightsabers at Anakin and Dooku, Darth Sidious shoot two lightning bolts that went through the crimson blades and straight at the two Jedi. Exhausted from his fight with Darth Vundus and the battle at the Petranaki arena, Anakin caught the lightning with his blade, but he wasn't able to hold his ground and was tossed back by the sheer power, hitting the wall in the process.
Darth Sidious chuckled menacingly, ceased the lightning attack, and deactivated one of his lightsabers, hiding it inside his robes. He grabbed the second hilt in both hands, and once again, he lunged at Master Dooku.
On the other side of the hangar, two aliens were engaged in a fierce battle of their own. Darth Plagueis swung his crimson blade to hit Yoda, who spun like a living, green buzzsaw around his blade. It was a funny sight, a small alien with a short shoto-like blade fought a very tall alien with a blade, which was at least three times as long as Yoda's.
While the Muun had a range advantage, he had trouble hitting the small frame of the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan carefully observed the two and tried not to get in Jedi Masters's way.
Darth Plagueis used the Force push against Yoda, who was in mid-air and sent him a couple meters away. As the Jedi landed on his back, the Muun quickly used the Force to rip a chunk from the ceiling and dropped it on Yoda. The Grand Master raised his hands and stooped the chunk with the Force.
At that moment, the Sith Lord turned to face Obi-Wan and dashed towards him. The Jedi prepared his Soresu defense, but just like Anakin, he was tired. He managed to hold his own for a few seconds, but it wasn't enough against the strength of the Muun. When the Sith thrust his weapon to pierce Obi-Wan's stomach, the human managed to strike his crimson blade and slightly push it to the side, but it still pierced his side.
Obi-Wan screamed in pain and sunk to his knees, slowly losing consciousness. "You should've learned your lesson from our encounter on Alderaan," Darth Plagueis said and raised his blade to deal a finishing blow. "Now die!" As he brought the blade downwards, Yoda threw his green shoto-like towards him. It hit Plagueis's blade, bashing it to the side. The injured Obi-Wan was quickly yanked telekinetically towards the Jedi Master.
The Sith, however, didn't give them a second to rest. Extending his hand, he shot Force lightning towards the two Jedi. Yoda moved in front of the incapacitated Obi-Wan and caught the attack with his hands and stood his ground.
Darth Sidious bashed at the blue blade of Master Dooku with almost a maniacal laughter. The older human was exhausted, and his arms were on fire. Without using the dark side, Dooku wasn't able to fight the Sith with his full power. If they would fight alone, this fight could go either way, but in this situation, Master Dooku was on the losing side.
With one powerful strike, Palpatine knocked Dooku's lightsaber out of his hand. Anakin, who managed to get up in time, jumped towards them and managed to block a lethal strike, which would end Dooku's life. However, Sidious quickly bashed the blade away, creating an opening, and shocked Anakin with Force lightning, rendering the Padawan unconscious.
The Jedi Master used the opportunity and used a Force push against Sidious, but the Sith drove the blades into the floor. Leaving two molten trials, the Sith responded with a Force push of his own. The exhausted human was hit with the full power of the attack, and he hit the wall with his head, losing consciousness.
Sidious exhaled and turned towards Master Yoda and Darth Plagueis.
The green alien moved away from the unconscious Obi-Wan, while he still held the Force lightning with his hands. When he heard a crackling sound behind him, he instinctively turned sideways and caught the second bolt of Force lightning, which was hurled by Sidious. The Grand Master closed his eyes and focused. He absorbed the energy from the attacks and use it for a massive Force wave. The energy staggered both Sidious and Plagueis and caused them to stop their attacks.
Yoda was very tired, and he sunk to his knee, gasping for air. "Stubborn fool," growled Plagueis. He and Sidious prepared to finish the Grand Master, but they heard the engines of a gunship, which got closer to the hangar. Both Sith Lords turned towards the hangar doors and spotted a group of clone troopers led by three Jedi: Master Windu, Master Fisto, and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, who ran inside the building.
"Fire!" Mace yelled, ordering the clones to attack the Sith. Darth Sidious and Darth Plagueis started to deflect the blaster bolts, killing the clones with their own shoots. Although the clones were just a nuisance, three Jedi Masters could become a problem, especially with Master Yoda.
And most of all, they've could learn Sidious's true identity, and that was the information Palpatine couldn't afford to give them. Deflecting the bolts, Darth Sidious ran towards the other hangar entrance and jumped down from the tower.
Darth Plagueis, however, tapped into the dark energy, and in a few seconds, a violet light started to engulf him. Mace lunged at him with an overhand swing, but he only managed to cut the air. Windu did manage to catch a glimpse of his smiling face, and what he saw filled him with confusion and utter shock. Not to mention Windu was astonished because the Sith Lord just used a technique called Force travel, which allowed him to travel great distances instantly by creating a momentary rift in space.
The sounds of engines being activated drew his attention, and Mace quickly ran up to the hangar doors. The Jedi Master only managed to spot an Eta-class shuttle, colored in a nondescript gray color, which belonged to Darth Sidious. A gunship wasn't able to follow it as it quickly flew towards the sky and off the planet.
"Medic!" yelled Kit Fisto, who was kneeling by the unconscious Obi-Wan. Ki-Adi-Mundi was checking the knocked out Anakin and Master Dooku, while Mace returned inside the hangar and walked over to the heavy breathing Yoda. "Master Yoda... are you okay ?"
"Alive, I am," stated the Grand Master with a sad tone. He wasn't happy about the outcome of this fight. The Sith indeed retreated and escaped, but nevertheless, that was still a win for them. A lot of Jedi died on Geonosis, and none of the Sith was even injured.
Hyperspace Tunnel, Darth Sidious's Eta-class Shuttle.
The only real reason Sidious came to Geonosis was that he wanted to check his former Master's power. To his anger, however, Darth Plagueis was even stronger now than he was before, which made this whole situation more complicated. Palpatine knew that in one on one confrontation, he would lose the fight, but sometimes the battle was won not because of one's power, but thanks to one's cleverness.
One of the console buttons started to beep, interrupting the human's thoughts. After pushing the button, a blue image of Darth Plagueis appeared on display.
"Because of this whole fight with the Jedi," begun the Muun. "We didn't have the time to talk, my former apprentice." Darth Sidious didn't fail to notice the accentuation of the word 'former.'
"About what?" asked Sidious.
"For the start, how about your little... treachery?" Darth Plagueis's face assumed a grave expression, making Sidious instinctively clutch his fists.
"You would have done the same thing in my place," Sidious responded immediately. "That's the Sith way."
Darth Plagueis chuckled. "We knew each other for forty-three years," he stated. "And during that time, you learned many things about my power, skills, and almost everything about the Force, but you haven't learn a damn thing about me. I wanted to end the cycle that ruled the Sith. To abolish the Rule of Two so that we could rule the galaxy forever, but no, you were greedy and lusted for power. As a Sith Lord, I commend you for killing me in such a sneaky way, but you're mistaken if you think there won't be any consequences."
"Is that a threat?" Sidious asked with a growl.
"It's a fact," the Muun replied with a cheeky smirk. "I want my revenge, but... a new faction will arrive during the war, the Kingdom of the Force. Its members prepared for the conflict and are far more dangerous than the Republic and the Jedi. They are a force to be reckoned with."
"I think you're overestimating them," Palpatine said dismissively. "They may be skilled, cunning, and even dangerous individuals, but they aren't powerful enough to become a serious threat against the Separatist droid army. They could become a nuisance, but hardly a serious threat for us. When we find their base, we'll be able to destroy them."
"You're wrong, Sidious," Darth Plagueis disagreed. "Do you remember the genetically modified Firrerreo from Arkania?"
"Yes," Sidious replied with a shrug. "What about him?"
"He is fifteen now and together with the former Jedi Shadow, Zai'shira Kessen, they control the Kingdom of the Force," the Muun explained. "The ancient Rakata and the Gree joined them and they have built a powerful army fueled by the Force on the planet Shili. Their whole faction is ruled by four aspects of the Force. That means there not on the same page as the Jedi, but their are not on our side as well, which makes them our enemies. Still... fighting them, and the Republic, would be a suicide."
"How do you know all this?" Sidious asked suspiciously.
"My current apprentice was a member of the Kingdom," Plagueis replied. "He gave me many valuable informations about them and he even stole a datapad with schematics. The technology of the Kingdom could become very useful for the droid army. I'm going to give you the schematics so that the Separatists can built more advanced droids."
"Why?" asked Sidious. "We're rivals."
Darth Plagueis snorted, folding his arms. "I wouldn't consider you a rival, Palpatine," the Muun cheekily. "Your whole knowledge, is the knowledge I've passed on to you and that means, you cannot surprise me with anything, but I can surprise you with my new knowledge. I've learned a few new tricks, but that's a story for another time. After we defeat the Republic and the Kingdom we can sort things out between us. Oh, and just to be sure that the Kingdom will not join the Republic against us, you need to worsen their relations."
"I won't take orders from you," Darth Sidious with a grave expression.
"Don't make me kill you right here!" Darth Plagueis snapped, his eyes glowing with hatred. "I won't allow the Sith to fall because of your stupid, childish behavior. In this times, we need to work together, or the Sith will be no more. Either you'll cooperate with me or I'll inform the Jedi about the true identity of Supreme Chancellor of the Republic."
Darth Sidious gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in pure rage. Bluff or not, he couldn't risk destroying everything he achieved. With a sigh, Darth Sidious nodded and said. "I will cooperate... for now."
Darth Plagueis smiled. "Good... I will send the schematics to your apprentice." The image of Darth Plagueis disappeared from the display. Immediately after, Darth Sidious screamed with rage and slammed his fist into the console. "Damn you! Oh, I will cooperate Plagueis... until I will kill you, but this time, I'll make sure you'll never come back!"
Sometime later – Coruscant, Industrial District, The Works, LiMerge Building.
Darth Sidious landed his personal Eta-class shuttle in his hideout's docking bay. When he left his ship, he was immediately approached by Darth Vundus, who knelt before him.
"The Force is with us, Master Sidious," said Darth Vundus. "As you saw yourself, the war has begun."
"Good," Sidious said, his gravelly voice hinting at a hiss. "Did you obtained the superweapon schematics from Archduke Poggle?"
"Yes, I did, Master," confirmed the human. "And... I also was contacted by Darth Plagueis, and he gave me other schematics for advanced droids. Are we working together with him now?"
"For now," Darth Sidious replied calmly, but Dooku felt that his Master was boiling on the inside, so he decided not to press the topic for his own safety.
"Contact the Trade Federation and give them the schematics," ordered Sidious. "Tell them to examine the schematics and ask them about the production costs. We need the new droid models as quick as possible."
"Yes, Master," Darth Vundus stood up and immediately walked back to his ship.
A few hours later - Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Accommodation Sector, Yoda's Chamber.
Across the city, in the somber Jedi Temple, many Jedi lamented the loss of friends and colleagues that died on planet Geonosis. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Mace Windu stood and stared out the window of Master Yoda's apartment while the small Jedi Master sat in a chair across the way and contemplated about the troubling events.
"I can't believe there are so many Sith now," Ki-Adi-Mundi stated, breaking the contemplative silence. "Its like during the much older times."
Master Yoda didn't respond immediately, his sight fixed on the floor. Finally, he spoke. "No longer following the Rule of Two the Sith are," he stated. "Two Masters and two apprentices, there are."
"Not to mention Komari Vosa and Bruck Chun," Mace added while looking out the window. "Our enemies are multiplying as we speak. We must act, or we will be in trouble."
After some more quiet contemplation, Mace turned a curious gaze upon Mundi. "Where is the young Skywalker?"
"In the Medical wing with Senator Amidala," Ki-Adi-Mundi answered. "They both checking on Obi-Wan."
Mace nodded, and Yoda caught a glimmer of concern in his dark eyes-concern that Obi-Wan shared about Anakin and Padme. They let it go at that time, though, for there seemed greater problems at hand. Again, it was Ki-Adi-Mundi who broke the silence. "I have to admit, without the clones, it would not have been a victory."
"Victory?" Yoda echoed with great skepticism. "Victory, you say?"
Ki-Adi-Mundi and Mace Windu turned as one to the great Jedi Master, catching clearly the profound sadness in his tone.
"Master Mundi, not victory," Yoda went on. "The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun, this Clone War has."
His words hung in the air about them, thick with emotion and concern, as dire a prediction as anyone in the Jedi Council had ever heard uttered. When Ki-Adi-Mundi left the apartment, Mace looked at Yoda with a grave expression.
"Darth Plagueis is Hego Damask," he stated. "I saw his face, but I still don't believe it. How is this possible?"
"Fools, we were," said Yoda. "The Force on Zai'shira's side was the whole time. Prevent this war, we could have."
"But that doesn't change anything," argued Mace. "She broke our code, and we gave her a chance to stay in the Order. She refused."
"Walk down that path, we should not," warned Master Yoda. "Admit our mistakes, we must. Branded her a traitor, we have. Accused her of a murder she didn't commit, we have. Our mistakes, those were. Allies, not enemies, in this times we need."
"The Jedi are not really loved," Mace pointed out. "Maybe... the Kingdom of the Force could become our ally and help us against the Sith. As long as they don't decide to join the Separatists."
Yoda agreed silently, deep in thought. The Kingdom of the Force could join any side during the war, and their actions could influence the overall war and decide the victor.
The Orbit of Shili, Zulio – Third Moon of Shili, The Temple of Balance, Communication Center.
"So it began?" Deiven asked, looking at the holographic image of Master Dooku with Zai'shira. The Jedi Master looked tired and had a bandage around his head. "Yes," he confirmed. "The clone army, which was created by Kaminoans, arrived on Geonosis and they fought the droid army of the Separatists. The Jedi won the battle but not without casualties. Many Jedi died."
Zai'shira nodded. "Alright, so everything is ready," she stated. "Does Avelon know?"
"I'm sure Darth Plagueis will inform him," Dooku replied and quickly added. "I must thank you, both of you."
"For what?" Zai'shira asked, slightly confused.
"For your training," Dooku replied with a smile. "Darth Sidious was very powerful. I would not be able to defeat him as a Jedi. Heh, I still lost as a Jedi anyway, but I know I wouldn't last even a half as long if I would remain a Jedi and not meet you. If I fight Palpatine once again, as an ArchKnight, I'm sure I will be able to defeat him."
"I'm sure of it!" Deiven replied happily.
Dooku nodded and look at Zai'shira. "So when the Kingdom will make its grand arrival?" he asked.
"I think during a larger battle," Zai'shira replied and grabbed her chin. "We need to make a solid impression so that the entire galaxy will know about us. Both the Republic and the Separatists need to know that we're serious and that we're powerful. So if you'll learn about such a battle, let us know."
"I will," Dooku assured and ended his transmission.
Zai'shira exhaled and folded her arms over her chest. "The Clone Wars have officially started," she said. "The Republic versus the Separatists."
"Heh, we both know that all the wars were always between the Jedi and the Sith," stated Deiven. "The clones and the droids are just tools and means, but we will bring everything to an end."
"Yes," agreed Zai'shira. "This war is the last war between the Jedi and the Sith."
Deiven smiled confidently and spoke. "They will live accordingly to the four aspects of the Force, or there will be no more Jedi and no more Sith. I will make sure of that. And most importantly, I will bring Ahsoka back to us, even if it kills me."
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