Anakin POV
"Why is he hiding here, of all places?" asked Ahsoka.
We were on our flagship The Defiance looking at the Sith Citadel on Mustafar, my old home. It looked exactly as I designed it, emanating power, strength, and the Dark Side. I thought that being back here would make me miss it, but I realize now how empty and hollow my life had become without Padme, my mom, the kids, or any friends. Palpatine had sucked the life out of me, and I had let him. I was glad that was over.
"I don't know," I said. "I chose Mustafar as my home to get away from Coruscant and feel the power of the Dark Side. This was the first time where I truly felt so one with the Dark Side, I was out of control. I loved that feeling and I wanted more of it, even if I hated the consequences." I clenched my fist and closed my eyes, visions of Padme filled my head. How much I missed her when I was here alone. I could only see her in dreams or visions when I had surgeries, other than that, I was by myself.
"Power is like a drug to the Sith," said Obi-Wan. "They will go to it every time."
"What is our plan of attack, sir?" asked Rex.
"Can I play this time?" I asked.
"You played last time, against orders remember?" said Obi-Wan raising an eyebrow. "But yes. I will need your's and Ahsoka's help to take Dooku. Our fighters will engage them in battle above the surface, but Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, and I will go to the surface and try to capture Dooku."
"Is this like Palpatine, sir? We don't engage?" asked Click.
"Well…" said Obi-Wan thoughtfully, and he looked to me.
"Dooku is like any other Sith. He will kill you painfully, if he can. Contain his men and droids, and let us handle him," I said.
"Yes, sir," said Click.
"So what's the play?" asked Ahsoka.
"Dokoo is a skilled swordsman and he is strong in the force," said Obi-Wan, "we will have to corner him somehow, and force him to surrender."
"I sense there is more to this than we see," I said suddenly. "Another threat."
"I feel it, too," said Obi-Wan.
"Grievous," we suddenly said together.
"That changes things," said Ahsoka.
"You handle Grievous," I said to Obi-Wan. "I will handle Dooku."
"Are you sure?"
"He might have me on swordplay, but I am more than a match for him in the Force. I can take him," I said confidently.
"Anakin, that was almost humble," he said grinning. I rolled my eyes.
"Hello, what am I doing?" asked Ahsoka.
"You help Obi-Wan," I said.
"Anakin, are you sure about this? If you take Dooku alone, you might get desperate enough to use the dark side again," said Obi-Wan.
"No, I won't," said Anakin. "If he escapes, he escapes. He is not Sidious. Besides, this is not about revenge, this is a job given to us by the Council. There are other ways to defeat him without using the Dark Side."
I really just wanted to be out of this place and go home.
Our troops engaged in the dogfights above the planet as the gunship flew Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Rex, and me through to the surface of Mustafar. I had ordered the pilot to take us to the South tower because it was easier to navigate from there. Unlike most Sith fortresses, mine was not built into a four section temple that would have a maze of hallways and stations. Instead, mine was more simply laid out with a North and a South.
On the North end of the tower was my personal quarters where I had a kitchen, a bedroom, a meditation room, and a bathroom, on the lower levels. I never used any of these except the occasional bedroom, and meditation chamber.
The South end of the fortress was actually useful. It complete with a medical wing, a hangar, a workshop, a library, and a map room. Whenever I had a spare time, which was almost never, I would spend time in this part of the fortress, studying the Dark Side or updating my personal tie fighter. Occasionally, I would go into the library and search to see how to increase midichlorians to stop death, but I never could find an answer. I see now that was a lie told to me by Palpatine.
"Dooku is a coward," I said to Rex, "and he is probably heavily guarded. Take out as many droids and clones as you can. I can take him."
"Yes, sir!" said Rex, and he relayed the order.
When we touched down, the droids and clones started exchanging fire. I ignited my weapon and slashed through the droids as I made my way through to the fortress. Rex keept up with me, blasting droids with his pistols. Slowly we make it to the door, and I slash the controls. The doors rumble apart. I turn to Rex and signaled for him to say here and lead the men. He nodded, and I rushed inside.
I made my way through the castle as quickly as I could, ignoring the fact that the last time I was here I was flowing with the Dark Side. I figured that if he was hiding here, Dooku would be in the command center because the castle did not have a throne room. The command center was on the fifteenth floor dead center of the fortress. It had open windows to overlook the river and the lake on this hell. I took the elevator to the level, ready for anything. When I got there, I stepped out, and saw two clones and two battle droids guarding Grievous and Dooku.
"Young Skywalker," said Dooku. The clones put their guns on me. "I am sure you are here to surrender."
"Actually, I am here to arrest you," I said.
"Really, you and what army?" he asked.
Just then the elevator opened, and Ahsoka and Obi-Wan came in.
"Did you get lost?" I asked.
"Hey, its a big place," said Ahsoka.
"Like I was saying, you are under arrest. Save yourself the embarrassment and surrender," I said.
Dooku raised his hand and lightning came for me, but I was ready for it. Igniting my saber, I blocked it, and stood my ground. Grievous detached his arms and ignited all four sabers. In response, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan grabbed their weapons and prepared for battle. At first nobody moved, then Dooku and I pounced at the same time, and chaos erupted.