Chapter 21

Friends and Enemies

RAXUS

Stark Estate

Leo was sitting inside the Stark Estates living room, he was occupying his father's chair looking at a crackling fireplace, he was still processing what his father had told him. It was late into the evening, he hadn't been able to sleep since learning the truth. He looked into the fires trying to stay awake but soon his eyes began to get heavy, heavy, heavier till he finally passed into a deep sleep…

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Leo was back in the Jedi temple, he was home wearing his green robes and his hair was back to its original fiery red walking through the hallowed halls passing by other Jedi and clones till he spotted Obi-Wan on the far end of the corridor "Master!" he called out.

Obi-Wan turned around but while Leo got closer, Kenobi got further and further away. The entire hallway stretched both ways before long Leo was running to try and keep up with the still but moving away Jedi Master.

"Master… MASTER!" Leo called out.

He shrunk away further and further away before the temple shattered around him like glass.

Now there was only darkness.

He was wearing his sith attire, his hair still to ghostly white "Master… Master where are you!" Leo called out.

"You betrayed us… ALL OF US!" Leo turned around to see Ahsoka staring down at him "TRAITOR!" another roar this time from Anakin, both of them were standing on tall pillars glaring in his direction making him feel very small.

"You have turned your back on all of my teachings!" this time it was Obi-Wan, Leo pressed his hands to his ears as they screamed and shouted "No, it's a dream its a dream…" Leo Could feel the force within his mind making him see these things making him hear his friends call him all sorts of kravenous words.

"... STOP!" Leo shouted.

Panting, he opened his eyes and was back in the temple, he saw Obi-Wan standing there, his back turned "Master." Leo said walking over to him.

Obi-Wan didn't turn around "Master please, I need your guidance I've discovered who was but I'm loosing myself and I… master please look at me." Leo reached for Obi-Wan and walked around him not to see the auburn haired Jedi Master but the face of Rako Hardeen.

Leo snapped out of his dream to see it was dawn, and someone had put a blanket over him. He saw it on the floor when he stood up. Then the sweetest smell to ever taunt his nose tickled his sense of smell, it was the smell of freshly cooked breakfast. Following his nose he made his way into the kitchen where he saw his family awake gathered around a large table where the maid droid Gerdy beside his mother Arris moving a wooden spatula across a metal pan where the smell was coming from, three strips of meat with two egg whites cooking on the metal.

"Ah he's awake." Iaco said, making everyone look at him.

"Just in time." Arris said flipping the meat strips and eggs onto a plate "Gerdy." She said taking the plate and walking over to Leo "Eat up, I made breakfast." Arris said as she walked Leo over to the breakfast room table.

He stared at his siblings and father before his mother set down "Who put the blanket on me?" He asked blankly.

"Oh that was me, you fell asleep by the fire and I was just so glad to see you home." Arris said reaching for Leo and taking his hand.

"We should go to the countryside, all of us as a family." Arris suggested while Iacolyn grumbled over his eggs before excusing himself from the table.

Before Leo could accept or refuse, his wrist communicator beeped. He excused him from the table taking the message.

"What is it?" Leo asked Turok on the other end of the comlink, Turok was sitting in the Rogue Shadow getting it primed "Oh I'm sorry did you forget we're on a secret mission to uncover a hidden conspiracy, your new Master wants to see you in Raxulon I'm on my way to pick you up." Turok told him.

Back in the Raxus estate "How do you even know where I am?" Leo asked him.

"I sowed a tracker into your robes, can't have you dying till I repay my debt and be there soon." Turok cut the transmission letting Leo break the news to his family.

He turned back around to the Starks "I have to go, the Counts summoned me to the Capital." Leo told them "Oh… next time then." Arris is disappointing.

In a few minutes Leo was walking down the steps of the Estate before someone called him out "You shouldn't come back." Leo turned around to see Iaclyn staring at him from the shade of a tree waiting for him.

"What did you say?" Leo asked him.

"You don't belong here." Iaclyn told him walking out of the shade approaching him, Leo felt his lip curling up into a smirk "I think you're right."

"Good, so don't come back, we're doing fine without you." Iaclyn said, passing him his arms crossed. Leo twitched on his brow "I didn't mean to upset you brother-" "Yeah don't call me that, you're about as much a brother to me as… I can't even think what." Iaclyn said turning around.

Leo glared at his brother, "Have I offended you somehow?" Leo asked him.

"Offended hmmm how about putting my entire family in danger?" Iaclyn asked walking up to him "Look I didn't mean-" "Mean, more like didn't think you didn't think you could just show up here, steal my inheritance as the firstborn son and-" Iaclyn had gotten to close to a sleeping lion, suddenly like jaws around his neck Leo had pounced grabbing his little brother by the neck and pressing him up to the nearby tree "Inheritance- that's why you've been giving me these glares, money?"

Leo stopped himself when he saw Iaclyn had turned white like his hair, there was no other reason for this ambush then a teenager's outburst, thinking himself a mighty beast unaware of the monster he was facing. Leo let go of his little brother's neck and backed up "I have to go." Leo said as the Rogue Shadow landed outside the estate.

Raxulon

Leo was standing outside the Senate tower, the Rogue Shadow had landed behind him before he left the ship. He was waiting for Count Dooku's arrival and while he looked out over the city he could see speeders going by, people walking across their day to day lives. The young apprentice didn't seem to be even paying attention to the mysterious blue deathwatch mandalorian approaching him from behind "Proxy if you attack me, I will cut you in half." Leo replied.

The mandalorian dissolved into the holodroid with drooping shoulders, "Apologies Master I-" "I'll try to kill me next time, thanks now go back to the ship." Leo said before he saw a unique starfighter heading his way.

One he recognized as the personal Starfighter of one General Grievous.

It landed just in front of him before it's cockpit opened, the gray and crimson cloaked cyborg General clawed his way out of the ship and glared at Leo with his narrow slit eyes. Leo and him locked eyes before the General did the last thing Leo expected he giggled, then a roar of laughter "When the Count told me he had a new apprentice I knew it had to be some jedi but this is too much."

Grievous gout out of the ship and stomped toward Leo claws behind his cloak, Leo said nothing at first "Tell me… boy, how does it feel to betray the Republic, your fellow Jedi your own Master- oops Dead Master?"

Leo squeezed his hands into fists before his nose crinkled up "Better than your breath when was the last time you had your respiratory system cleaned, stars above?" Leo said waving his hand over his nose and turning away "I'm going to go wait inside for the Count General."

Grievous stood there frozen seeing that his taunts had no effect, but followed Leo who hadn't risen to any of it.

The apprentice and the General walked into the Chairman's office that didn't have Count Dooku in it, there was a large desk and chair like the one on Serenno overlooking the city below it. There were two chairs as if it Mirrored the supreme Chancellor's office. The overall layout of the room was a diamond instead of a circle and on both sides of the room were windows with the city, but in one of the four corners was a small holotable table with two stools snapped in a dejarik. They both stood there in the office in a silence that started to irritate both of them to a point they were tapping on their lightsaber hilts.

Leo looked back at the glaring Grievous then at the chess table "Might as well play a game while we wait?"

He walked over to the chessboard and turned it on to reveal a unique set of holographic creatures. Dejarik was played on a dejarik board, a circular board divided into three concentric rings. The outer and middle rings were each divided into twelve "squares" of alternating color (black and white), while the inner circle was a single white area. At the beginning of the game, both players arranged four pieces each, with pieces on the second, third, fourth, and fifth spaces of their respective half-boards. There existed a version where there were not eight, but ten pieces on the board, however. There existed a number of pieces from which the players could choose their four monsters, all of which were full-color holographic projections of creatures both real and mythological from across the galaxy. Available pieces included the Ghhhk, Grimtaash the Molator, the Houjix, the Kintan strider, the K'lor'slug, the Mantellian Savrip, the Monnok, the Ng'ok, and the karkath. Non-holographic versions of dejarik, using physical pieces, also existed but not for this one.

Leo took his spot on the other side waiting for the General to join him. Grievous begrudgingly walked over to the table and said own across from him.

"Are you familiar with dejarik?" Leo asked him.

"Bah of course I am." Grievous snarled.

"Then your move." Leo replied.

Grievous moved his Molator first, Leo sent out his Kintan and the game began. The holographic monsters moved across the circle board killing and mangling each other till Leo moved his Kintan strider, Grievous moved his again and stopped.

"Hmmm." Grievous said looking over the board "Problem?" Leo asked him.

"No, I was just thinking of when I played this game against your Dead-Master, Kenobi." Leo's knuckles turned white under the table from squeezing his fist so hard "Yes, your famous game on Guldon he told me about it, you two played a game of dejarik while Skywalker came to rescue him, again." Leo said up to Grievous.

General Grievous tapped the desk with his claws "Hmmm where Kenobi goes, Skywalker usually follows."

"Like they were joined at the hip." Leo said before Grievous made his move and Leo started to make his "My old Master, before he died spoke of you in a… unique tone then the other Masters." Leo said.

"And what did he say, pray tell?" Grievous asked him.

"He said you were more of a machine than a man psychopathic monster, the other jedi just called you a monster." Leo said after his piece moved on.

Grievous paused before he made a move "And you, former Jedi."

Leo stopped his hand from moving his piece "..." he didn't speak then looked at Grievous "I think the Jedi made you into a monster?"

The eyes behind his bone white mask looked at Leo, suddenly the doors to the chamber opened and the Count walked in seeing them about to finish their game. Both Leo and the General rose at the same time at the sight of him "My lord." General Grievous said bowing "Master." Leo bowed too.

"Sit, there is much to discuss." They followed the Count to the desk and sat down across from their master.

"General is everything ready for Naboo?" Count Dooku asked the cyborg.

Grievous nodded "As you instructed my lord."

"Naboo?" Leo asked.

"It is of no concern of yours apprentice." Count Dooku said dismissively but Leo leaned in "If I am your apprentice Master, shouldn't I be concerned."

This got him a pair of dagger-like glares from both Dooku and Grievous "The good General doesn't have a very promising track record."

"You dare question my ability to command?" Grievous snarled in his cybernetic voice.

Leo noticed he'd struck a pressure point and pushed harder "No, just succeed, tell me what happen to both your arms and legs the last time we fought, oh and it was on Naboo wasn't it?" Leo asked recalling his duel with Grievous where he first tasted the power of the Dark Side.

The cyborg growled at Leo who fought every internal instinct to get up and fight. But instead he kept his calm demeanor staring into Grievous's menacing eyes before turning back to Count "My only wish…" he started completely ignoring Grievous.

"Is to see your goals succeed my Master." Leo finished.

Count Dooku who had thoroughly been enjoying the show "Very well, Grievous sit down." In a harumph of spite Grievous put his weapons away and picked up his chair sitting in it like a school bully at the principal's office. "There has been a recent prison escape on Coruscant, where some of my… trusted associates have been liberated and they are having a most difficult time eluding their pursuers."

Leo shifted slightly to "And these associates?"

The Count pressed a button on the table and brought up three holograms in a row, a bith man first followed by a familiar face and another man "Moralo Eval, Cade Bane and the man who slew Kenobi Rako Harden have escaped the Republic space and are fleeing to Nal Hutta as we speak." Rako Harden was a grizzly looking man with a red tattoo on his face and seeing him for the first time, Leo recognized him immensely from his nightmare, this was him.

Leo grips his chair and rests "What purpose do they serve?"

"I will reveal all in due time, for now if you wish to gain my trust further you will go to Nal Hutta and retrieve them" Count Dooku said. "You will go to Nal Hutta and bring them to me on Serenno, all-of-them alive I would very much like to meet the man who rid us of Kenobi wouldn't you agree General." The Count insisted looking at Grievous who was strangely quiet.

Standing "As you wish my Master."

"Good, now both of you leave me." The two left the room and as soon as they were out and walking down the hall, Grievous pounced grabbing Leo and slamming him against the wall by the neck "Undermine my authority again jedi and I will do worse than that scar on your pretty little face." Grievous snarled.

Leo only chuckled in the man's literal iron grip "Hehehehe so you think I'm pretty-irk." Grievous squeezed tighter " before he felt something tap on his white chest piece, Grievous looked to see Leo had taken his lightsaber and pressed the emitter directly against the cyborg's torso aimed right at his heart.

"If you want to die here I'm ready." Leo gargled back through the choke hold. Grievous didn't budge, their eyes, without any sign of hesitation or lack of resolve suddenly he let go. Letting Leo fall to his feet. Grievous didn't say a word he just pulled his arms back under his cloak and stomped off. Leo watched him go unsure of what had made the cyborg withdraw as he felt his sore neck.

Raising his wrist, "Turok gets the Rogue Shadow ready to depart, we're going to Nal Hutta." He said heading to the landing pads.

Turok groaned on the other end "Great nothing like a change of scenery from a valley planet to an entire world which can be described as one big wet fart, we'll need to fuel up to."

"No time, we'll make due with the fuel we have just get the ship ready." Leo told him.

Later he was walking out on the landing pad and before he boarded his ship he saw Grievous looking off into the distance alone. Turok was readying the coordinates in the nav computer onboard when Leo's curiosity got the better of him. He approached Grievous from behind without saying a word, aware the General was fully aware of his presence despite being in his blind spot. "When the Count said he'd like to meet Rako Hardeen you didn't seem too happy, why?"

"What do you care about?" Grievous asked begrudgingly.

Leo walked over to the ledge of the landing pad and looked over Raxulon "You hate the Jedi, I've been curious as to why but when the Count Spoke of Master Kenobi one would think you of all people would celebrate his demise?" Leo asked him, but the cyborg didn't say anything.

NAL HUTTA

Nal Hutta was a hot, swampy planet located in the galaxy's Outer Rim Territories that was the homeworld of the Hutt species. The planet was a haven for the criminal elements of the galaxy, located far from galactic authorities. Its terrain was covered with numerous bogs, and its climate often consisted of greasy rains. The Rogue Shadow landed outside a large settlement on Nal Hutta, Leo was waiting in the shadow of his Rogue Shadow as Turok was returning from one of the saloons. The trandoshan former bounty hunter blended in rather well with the low life's hiding his new Separaitst uniform under the blue coat "So?" Leo asked.

"Seems like the Count's associates had a falling out, they left Hardeen who the Hutts captured him, others split." Turok told him.

Leo grimaced hearing it "Damn."

"Relax." Turok said "Them Count ordered me to bring them to him if they get to the Count before me and without Harden I-" "The ship they bought only has enough fuel to get to the nearest planet's refueling spot on another world, which is owned by the dealer's brother." Turok explained.

Looking at him dumbfounded Leo started to say "How do you even-" "I bought a ship here once, don't ask." Turok told him.

"Hmm alright, where are they holding Harden?" Leo asked.

Turok turned around and pointed to the town "Head straight for the center of the town, the jails got some Gamorean guards out front, can't miss them or the smell." Turok told him Leo started to walk before Turok called out "You sure your up for this, he did kill him you know?" Turok asked.

"I know but the Count said they never had to come in one piece." Leo replied.

Leo walked into the Hutt town sticking out like a sore thumb from the pirates, smugglers and scum who were there. An all black robed boy with white hair and a lightsaber. With every step he took he could sense he was getting nearer to Hardeen to the man who killed his Master, his friend. Every step he took his anger rose, his desire for revenge and a taste for blood. Eventually he found the town jail where the gamorrean guards were standing guard. Approaching it the guards started to oink at his approach, raising their blades in warning they were little more than obstacles to him. Leo held up his hand and the three guards grabbed their fat necks squealing in terror before they were silenced, forever.

Inside the jail the local Hutt owned law officer was looking over an upside down Hardeen "There ship will land in the swamp soon." The hutts comlink said back to him when the door suddenly broke down with Leo walking in.

Hardeen took one look and his jaw dropped or rose since he was upside down, "Who are-" Leo cut the warden down with a single red strike before looking at Hardeen "Rako… Hardeen." Leo growled using the force to let him go.

"Out of all the jedi you dared to kill, you chose the wrong one." He hit the floor and came face to face with a lightsaber looking up at the Sith apprentice, Leo's blood was boiling, he had him, he had Obi-Wan's killer right where he wanted. At his mercy, so what if the Count wanted him alive. Who cared what the Count Wanted, this was different this was more than a matter of personal revenge or private justice this was about the honor of master and student, his Master Obi-Wan Kenobi the greatest Jedi Master who ever lived, the power of Master Yoda the Skill of Mace Windu, the a tongue as sharp as his blade and an even sharper mind. A smile that couldn't help but warm you to the core erased from the galaxy, pale blue eyes that could be kind and so fierce from one moment to the next.

Eyes…

Eyes that Rako Hardeen had, Rako looked up at Leo who had him in a firm force choke stopping him from speaking "-L-L- ack Leo." He gasped.

Leo dropped his lightsaber and fell to his knees holding the yellow armor of 'Rako Harden' to steady him as he coughed "Obi-Wan?" Leo asked.

"Ack- I see the Count… has taught you some new things my Padawan?" 'Rako' said confirming that he wasn't Hardeen but Obi-Wan Kenobi's, alive!

Leo's face broke into a smile of pure joy "Your alive!" Leo cried hugging him tightly squeezing him "I… I had a vision that Rako had your face, now I know why." He said helping him up.

"Yes, clever use of nano technology to aid with my disguise." Obi-Wan said with Rako's face, his gruff voice too "And your voice?" Leo asked.

"A droid wrapped around my vocal cords, don't worry it will come out… eventually." Leo took a step back lips pressed down and brows aloft starring at him "What?" Obi-'Wan/Rako asked.

"Nothing, well actually…" Leo said "WHAT THE HELL!" He screamed at him.

Obi-Wan seemed to know this was coming "Leo listen-" "No you listen, we had a deal you said you would trust me and then you go and fake your own death, how could you do this to everything we had planned, to the Duchess to Anakin and Ahsoka, to-... you told them?" Leo asked.

Giving a disappointing set of eyes at his apprentice the disgusted Obi-Wan sourly told him "I had to Leo not because of you, the Council believes Moralo Eval and Count Dooku are planning to kidnap the Supreme Chancellor, when they told me I told them of our plan to discover this secret Sith Lord."

"So we tripped over each other." Leo summarized "In a lame mans terms, yes, but this could work to our advantage." Obi-Wan said getting close and putting his hand on Leo's shoulder "What you have in mind?" Leo asked.

"The Count can't suspect I'm alive, neither can Eval, Bane already suspects something but not who I really am you being here may complicate that, doesn't the Count suspect you at all?" Obi-Wan asked him.

Leo put his hand on Obi-Wan's wrist "No, but I am yet to gain his full trust bringing you three to him will help that."

"Then we better not delay." Obi-Wan said, picking up his helmet to slip on "I just need to make a phone call to Coruscant."

CORUSCANT

Office of the Supreme Chancellor

Across the city, Mace Windu had updated the Chancellor to the situation of Rako Hardeen, who had recently escaped from prison with Moralo Eval and Cad Bane "Why are you removing the bounty on the three fugitives?"Palpatine asked.

"If they're free to move, they could lead us back to Eval's operation."Mace Windu replied, he was a small hologram on the Chancellors table inside his office. The Chancellor was wearing dark robes with a gold fringe and he wasn't alone in the office.

"Very well, keep me apprised."Palpatine stated and puts of the hologram before turning his attention to Anakin

. "You look troubled, Anakin."

"How can they expect me to just sit here and do nothing with Obi-Wan's murderer on the loose?"Anakin questioned angrily as he stood up from his seat.

"It is possible that they do not trust you to control your feelings."Palpatine answered.

"Hardeen killed my master, my best friend!"Anakin said coldly. "And now he's escaping with Cad Bane and Moralo Eval, and the Jedi Council won't do anything about it!"

"I have it from a reliable source that the fugitives were last headed towards Nal Hutta."Palpatine admitted as he walked up to him. "You cannot deny your feelings, Anakin, they are what make you special, if you believe you can stop this plot against me, I trust you."

"Thank you, Chancellor."Anakin answered with a glare. "You won't regret this."

He then left the office.

"No...I won't."Palpatine said quietly as an evil smirk grew on his face.

Back in the temple Ahsoka was in her room looking at an small holographic photo of herself, Anakin, Obi-Wan and Leo that had been taken long ago. She and Leo were both younger, his hair still red and his Master still alive. Still in mourning she pressed her hand on Obi-Wan's face then brushed it down to Leo's before there was a knock on the door.

Walking to it she opened the door to see her friends, the ones still alive and still jedi, "Barris, Jinx and O-Mer, what is it?" Ahsoka asked the padawans.

"We came to see how you were doing, may we come in?" Barris inquired.

Ahsoka stepped aside so they could come in "How are you feeling?" O-Mer asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"It's difficult moving on like this." Ahsoka told her friends, Barris stood up right while Jinx leaned on the wall Cooley, the twi'lek crossed his arms looking out her blinds covered window "Everyone dies." Jinx said bluntly as he usually did.

"Jinx." Barris hissed "It's alright Barris, as Jedi we know there is no death only the force."

Barris looked back at her closest friend "Your right Ahsoka, though I doubt it makes it any easier to let go when they're gone."

"When Kalifa died I felt the same way, she had been with us so long and she was it was almost like loosing family." O-Mer trailed off not finishing his sentence, when he saw Jinx eyeing him from across the room.

Ahsoka sighed "Look I appreciate you all coming here to check up on me, but the Masters have prepared us for this for when we need to let go. And I know Master Kenobi wouldn't want us to mourn him forever, instead we should honor his memory by embracing the fact he's one with the living force now and follow his example as jedi." Ahsoka said firmly.

"You really are a credit to the Jedi." Barris said with a smile seeing Ahsoka while shaken wasn't even close to broken "Do you think he knows?" Jinx asked out loud.

"Who?" Ahsoka asked.

Jinx scoffed "Who do you think, Leo, his apprentice, that traitorous snake his own Master, killed by a bounty hunter? What if his betrayal is what caused Kenobi to die?"

"What are you talking about?" Barris asked "Think about it, who gains from Master Kenobi's death more than the Sith like Count Dooku and his new apprentice."

NAL HUTTA

'Rako Hardeen' and Leo were waiting at a saloon at the edge of the village when both Eval and Bane walked back into town from the swamp. "There they are, hide till they come to me." Obi-Wan told Leo, "Understood Master." Leo whispered before he got up and moved to the other side of the saloons outdoor seating.

"Oh, back so soon? Let me guess?"He asked with a smirk holding a drink. "You missed me?" Rako said as Leo saw Bane coming for the next, Cad crushed him against the wall.

"Watch it! Kill me and you won't get off Nal Hutta!" Rako warned as Eval came up.

"Moralo Eval is running out of time and patience." Moralo started going between them pulling Bane and the disgusted Jedi apart. "Let the man talk."

"Look, I've got a ship." Rako answered, clearing his throat. "You've got the Hutts on your tail, so you make me a partner in everything."

"Your deal is accepted." Moralo stated simply. "No." Cad responded. "First I wanna know where you got the credits to buy a ship?" He barked still suspicious.

"You thought you left me for dead, but the Hutts owed me a favor." Rako commented.

"So you had them shoot us down?" Cad questioned.

"You would've done the same thing, Bane." Rako replied firmly. "The way I see it, we're even now."

"Now that we're all friends, get me off this festering stink-hole!" Moralo said angrily.

But Bane wasn't satisfied just yet "Still doesn't explain the ship, what kind of favor means they let you go and give you credits?" Bane asked.

"They didn't give me credits, but they did let me use their transmitter." 'Rako' said as he looked over to Leo who walked behind Bane and Eval "Gentlemen, best no to keep the Count waiting." Leo told them.

The second Bane saw him "Well I'll be, when I heard the rumors the Berserker switched sides I-" Bane hadn't even finished his sentence when he felt Leo's force grip around his neck, he reached for his Blaster but Leo used his other hand to stop him "As much has I'd like to catch up bounty hunter, we have schedule to keep." Leo said smiling before he let go putting his hands behind his back "My ship is this way." Leo said, starting to leave the bar.

Then the three fugitives walked away after the Sith apprentice leaving quite the mess behind them "Wait, who's going to pay for this mess?" the Bar Owner asked.

When they arrived at the Rogue Shadow, Turok was already waiting "Hey about the fuel, we only have enough to get to Orondia." Turok told him "Then we refuel there." Leo told him walking up the ramp.

"So about your fee from Eval, a 50/50 split sounds fair to me."Rako suggested.

"Over my dead corpse." Cad answered.

"Don't tempt me." Rako muttered just as a new set of lightsabers landed on the surface next to them.

Anakin landed the T-6 shuttle on Nal Hutta after finding out Hardeen escaped prison with Bane and Eval. "What makes you think Obi-Wan's murderer is on Nal Hutta?" Ahsoka asked him as they exited the shuttle. "I got a tip from the Chancellor himself." her master replied as they walked into the town.

"How are we gonna find them?" she asked. "Ahsoka, you should know by now, if you want to find a lowlife." he said "You start at the saloon." she finished, pointing at it.

The two walked up the small ramp and past some patrons before entering the saloon. Two Gamorrean guards attempted to stop them but Anakin just Force-pushed them into the bar. Anakin used the Force to rip the axe out of the still conscious guard before tossing it away, nearly cutting an alien's head in half. Some of the patrons clapped as the Jedi stepped up to the bar. "The fugitives are already gone." the bartender explained in Basic with a translator attached to his neck.

"All three of them were here?" Anakin asked. "Two came in, met the third but there was a fourth had a weapon like yours." he answered.

Ahsoka stepped forward "What did they look like?"

"Young, black robes and white hair." The bartender said before they resumed his interrogation.

"When did they leave?" Ahsoka asked. "Nothing's free on Nal Hutta, especially information.

"I don't have time for games." Anakin said coldly with a glare as he lifted the alien up with a Force Choke. "You just missed them." he choked out. "Keep talking." the Knight ordered. "I heard one of them say they just bought a ship." he answered before Anakin released him. "Let's go."

The Jedi headed to the shipyard and showed a holo of Bane, Hardeen and Eval to the Bith in charge. The Bith spoke something in his native language before Anakin turned it off. "How do you know they couldn't have gotten very far?" Anakin asked him before he replied something.

"So you only gave them enough fuel to reach the nearest filling station, on Orondia, which is owned by your brother? Well that's a nice little money making scam." Anakin said as he gave the man a few credits and the Bith chuckled before the Knight turned back to the others.

"We'd better get going. Orondia's pretty deserted. They may steal a ship there to throw us off their trail." Ahsoka said as they walked back to the ship. "I like your thinking." her master replied.

ORONDIA

Anakin brought the ship out of hyperspace and headed towards the planet before flying near the fuelling station "Look, it's Cad Bane." Ahsoka said, noticing him walking into a ship.

"Are you sure?" Anakin asked. "Ugh, who else wears a hat like that?" she asked with mild disgust.

"Good point." Anakin agreed as the Rogue Shadow started taking off towards space. Anakin sped up and scraped the bottom of the shuttle against the other ship. They attempted to ditch the Jedi and soon ended up a few feet behind them before Anakin pulled back then zoomed forward again, scratching the top of the other ship again.

Everyone inside the Rogue Shadow lurched forward "What was that?" Turok asked from the copilot seat.

"Jedi." Bane said as they flew along the pipes.

Leo started to take evasive action "Hardeen, Bane get on the guns."

"We don't have any guns except the front ones." Turok told them before they could leave their seats "Some ship Count, remind me to upgrade I'll take care of this." Leo grumbled as he swerved away from the Jedi shuttle that hammered them again before he broke off. Leo started to pick up the speed flying low to the ground around the pipes and Ordonia's rocky surface of canyons and craters.

Eval watched the Jedi ship didn't break an inch of its pursuit "Why aren't they firing?" He asked.

"Either cause they want us alive, or want to kill us personally." Hardeen said holding on tightly "Rrr flying is for droids." Harden grumbled when Leo took a hard right into a canyon "Hold on." Leo snapped turning the entire Rogue Shadow sideways in a narrow gorge. Everyone who wasn't buckled in was thrown onto the wall. Leo turned the Rogue shadow along the gorge as best as he could starting to out run the Jedi ship before he had to pull back out into a field of pipelines.

Back aboard their ship Anakin had enough games "Take over! I'll bring 'em down." Anakin said before leaving the cockpit as Ahsoka took control of the shuttle.

Anakin leapt from the Jedi transport onto the haul of the Rogue Shadow, "Skywalker." Eval snapped seeing Anakin who ran across the bow to one of the engines.

"I'll take care of him." 'Rako' said getting to his feet "No." Bane said, pushing him down "My turn to kill a Jedi."

Outside Anakin drove his lightsaber into the Rogue Shadows left engine starting to make it fall, when Bane walked out the landing pad and used his grapple hook and rocket boots to fly around while tethered to the ship. They fought their way across the haul all while Ahsoka followed her Masters technique to smash the ship against the Rogue Shadow even while Anakin and Bane were on top of it.

Leo gave one look at Eval and Hardeen "What are you doing?" Hardeen asked him.

The Rogue Shadow suddenly did a barrel roll to throw both Anakin and Bane off at the same time and at the same time Ahsoka flew the shuttle into the Rogue Shadow making their wings collide. Ahsoka gasped as she barely pulled up in time to fly over the stone arch they nearly crashed into. The bottom of the shuttle collided roughly with the other ship and both crashed to the ground on separate sides of a low gorge filled with smoke and dust. The sudden crash had knocked everyone except Obi-Wan dazed or unconscious.

"... Anakin." Obi-Wan whispered with Rako's face and voice before he ran out of the ship. He came out of the Rogue Shadow just as Leo started to come too, he shoved Turok to wake him up "Get the ship ready to fly." He said, wobbling out after his Master.

Outside, 'Rako' had his blaster drawn when suddenly Anakin came out of nowhere tackling his master's killer into the dirt wrestling the blaster away from him. The two started to grapple and wrestle "You're going to pay for what you've done."

"You shouldn't have gotten involved-oof." Obi-Wan got a strong knee to the groin by Anakin before he pushed Hardeen up against the stone wall and drew his lightsaber.

"This is for Obi-Wan." Anakin declared ready to strike before suddenly a crimson lightsaber shot out, catching Anakin's azure blade before it could take of Hardeens head off with it.

When Anakin saw Leo was the one holding it, he lost all control "You-" Leo used a quick roundhouse kick to knock Anakin back "Find Bane and get to the ship, this is my fight Bounty Hunter."

"...and just when I thought you couldn't sink any lower how could you, after he killed your Master." Anakin growled getting up to fight him.

Leo turned on the other end of Exar Kun's lightsaber and raised it at the ready, "Obi-Wan was weak Anakin, Count Dooku is my Master now." Leo replied.

"Then I'll send you back to him in PIECES!" Anakin screamed, running toward Leo and locking swords, the two started to duel Anakin with the upper hand pushing Leo back before he planted his feet to catch a heavy blow from Anakin who had thrown all his weight into it. Leo used his lower stance to knock Anakin off his feet before trying to stab him into the ground but Anakin got back to his feet. Now it was Leo's turn, he swung the double bladed weapon around from every direction. Anakin catch every attack and parrying them just as Ahsoka came to on the other side of the gorge to see Anakin and Leo fighting again.

"No." She gasped.

Back in the duel Anakin hadn't finished his beration "After everything we've been through, after everything Obi-Wan and I tried to teach you and do for you, you turn to the Sith, you kill fellow Jedi and work with the man who murdered your Master, our MASTER." Anakin yelled in a fury of attacks, hacking away at Leo's defense pushing him back.

Leo didn't answer him he couldn't he had to keep the lie going to make it work "All those times we stood up for you, to protect you and this is how you repay us." Anakin yelled using the force to push Leo off his feet, he backflipped away on to his feet "I was never meant to be a Jedi!" Leo said when Anakin suddenly disarmed him, knocking him onto the ground and stomping his boot onto Leo's arm before he could retrieve his lightsaber, pointing his lightsaber at him.

"The Masters would have turned on me eventually, you would have turned on me and you think my choosing to save my own life makes me a coward and a traitor?" He asked Anakin accusingly.

"No you're worse, you're a dishonorable kraven who doesn't deserve the mercy of the Jedi, or me." Anakin hissed raising his lightsaber to strike. Ahsoka came to the top of the ridge when she saw Anakin about to kill Leo; she watched Anakin drive his lightsaber down before it made contact. To Anakin's absolute shock and amazement Leo had caught the lightsaber with his bare hands.

Just like the Father on Mortis had done to Anakin's lightsaber Leo had blocked the end of Anakin's sword with his hands, no Leo was using the force of his free hand to hold Anakin's laser sword from piercing his chest, but it wasn't enough Anakin pushed harder and the laser started to melt the skin of Leo's palm, he used his anger and paint ot fight through it "Grrrrrrrrhhh." Leo growled furiously under the pain feeling his skin melt away then the tip of the sword broke through the outer layer of his palm "AAAAAAHHHH!" Leo's scream echoed across the gorge before Hardeen tackled the Jedi and disarmed him, Bane came up too with his blaster drawn "Get out of the way Hardeen!" He snapped.

But they were all over the place as Leo got up, he watched Hardeen get Anakin in a choke hold "Anakin…" he whispered just soft enough so Bane couldn't hear "Don't follow me." He said before Anakin passed out.

"This one's mine." Bane said as he was about to shoot the unconscious Anakin. When suddenly Ahsoka came in flying with both lightaber drawn to land over Anakin deflecting Bane's bolts and stood in front of Anakin before the bounty hunter stopped when Eval came out of the ship. "Ship is still operational. We got it working. Now let's get out of here." Eval said as he ran back to the ship. The Bounty Hunters looked to Bane as Ahsoka glared at Leo standing next to Rako.

"You're lucky we're in a hurry, child we'll have to dance another time." Bane said, mockingly tipping his hat at them before running back to the ship.

Leo and 'Rako' stood there for a few moments, Leo looked down at Anakin still remembering Anakin was going to kill him, the battle still raging inside him Leo was about to move toward Ahsoka when Hardeen grabbed him "We don't have time, next time." Rako said before Leo followed him.

When they were gone and aboard their vessel, the padawan sheathed her sabers before kneeling beside Anakin. "Master. Master, are you all right?" she asked, shaking him lightly.

Anakin groaned softly and coughed a bit as he sat up before the fugitive ship took off. They tried helping him up before falling back down. "What is it? What's wrong?" she asked him.

"That's why I felt a connection. Obi-Wan is still alive." he replied.

a/n: could use some help with ideas's for the next chapter before Naboo