3

3

The two humans embraced in the warm apartment they shared, thinking themselves alone. Twin yellow eyes glared at them, bitter and evil. A horrible hiss welled up in the inhuman throat, only to be forced back down with a surge of will. Animal emotions had once ruled this primal creature, instinct programmed into the dark brain. But that was not true any longer.

The thing that the foolish Jedi had called a Vitsa had evolved.

Now independent of the commands that it's cruel Sith masters had imposed on it, it watched with cunning as the human mates spoke to each other.

So this is the one that they called the "Chosen One"…a pity, he will be so easily defeated. Humans are so fragile.

With a soft, choking laugh, the creature crept out into the streets of Coruscant, it's scaly head ducking low to hide in the shadows.

Plans needed to be made.

Anakin suddenly felt a shiver work its way up his spine. Pulling away from Padme, he frowned, eyes darting around the room quickly.

"What is it?" Padme watched him, eyes widening with alarm as she saw his hand drift automatically to his hip. An old gesture, reaching for the lightsaber that was no longer there, he only did it when he felt very threatened.

"I don't know what it is, but I know it isn't good." Anakin went to the balcony, looking over the side. He glanced back, "We got rid of all the Sith, didn't we?"

"They were all accounted for last time I checked. They had all been called to the Sith dimension, none were left here…"

"Are you absolutely sure of that?"

"As sure as a non-Jedi can be, in matters such as this. What do you sense, Anakin?"

"Darkness, something was here, and it didn't have nice plans for us."

"Was it a Sith?"

"No," Anakin considered for a moment, "it didn't really have the same sense as a Sith, but it was similar." He shivered, not looking forward to another round of war, if any of the Sith were indeed in the Jedi dimension

"We'll find whatever it was, Ani." Padme didn't like the pallor that had crept into his face, and tried to soothe his fears. He nodded slowly and tried to ignore the sense of darkness that seemed to be mocking him and his futile efforts to keep peace in his life.

Morning came all to quickly for Anakin, who, for all his jokes, was quite exhausted. He rose, grumbling good-naturedly, out of bed. Stumbling into the small kitchen in his apartment, he picked up the note that Padme had left earlier that morning. Squinting to read the flowing script, he read:

Ani,

The Council had requested our presence at the next meeting, scheduled for this morning, but they apparently allowed Obi-Wan to convince them that you were far too tired to make it. I will bring up that presence you sensed last night, and I promise that I will get answers.

I'm sorry for not waking you to say goodbye, but you were sleeping far too soundly – I didn't have the heart to do it.

I love you,

Padme

Anakin sighed, trudging back into their room and pulling on some real clothes. Yawning, he strode out of the room, walking toward the outside. Drinking in the cool breeze he walked along toward the Council Room. There was no need to teleport, and he felt the need to walk today. Taking a shortcut down an alley, a wave of apprehension swamped him, and he slowed down. Through the Force, something called him.

Chosen One…Chosen One…

He frowned, confused and wary. The Sith were cunning, but this didn't feel like a trick that was pulled by the Sith. He reached out, seeking the one who called. Coming close to the other's sense, it pulled away from him coyly.

Come find me, Chosen One…I am the one you seek.

Who are you? Anakin called, suddenly all too aware of the silence that had claimed the street.

I am the one you sought last night. Do you not remember, Chosen One?

Are you Sith? Anakin called, dreading the answer.

No, I am many things, but a Sith I am not. Come find me, Chosen One.

Am I the Hunter or the Hunted? Anakin asked, turning his head, feeling the dark presence draw nearer.

The voice laughed wordlessly, trying to draw him closer.

Leave me be, have I not had enough war to last me my existence?
If you will not hunt me, Chosen One…then I will hunt YOU!

A great weight fell on Anakin's back, and he desperately tried to roll away. Lashing out with his legs, he caught his attacker on the leg and was rewarded with a rage-filled hiss. Jumping away, he regarded his antagonist in horror.

A scaly snakes head, eyes gleaming red, stood atop a massive scaly body armed with claws at the hands and feet. A heavy tail coiled and thrashed behind the snake thing.

"What are you?" Anakin asked, voice filled with horror.

"I am the next phase of that which you call a Vitsa. You created me, Chosen One, when you separated my mind from my master's, when you placed your barrier to my birthplace."

"The Sith dimension."

"Yes," The creature hissed "I am no longer a slave, I am free to do as I please." The tail thrashed violently, and the eyes glittered, "And I want to free my brothers."

Faster then thought, the attack came; faster then even Anakin's reflexes. A slash across the face, throwing him onto his back, followed by a kick that rolled him onto his stomach. Anakin struggled as the Vitsa-thing pinned him down, to no avail. Hot breath caused his neck hair to bristle, and the creature's voice whispered a final sentence into his ear.

"I am Vitru." Then teeth punctured his neck and he knew no more.