Authors Note: Hey, all. Sorry this took so long, but I've had one hell (if you'll excuse the pun) of a week. I'll be working on the next chapter of CF so keep your eyes peeled. I just want to dedicate this story to my grandfather, Ruby. He died recently. I hope, Grandpa, that you have a more peaceful afterlife then the one I'm putting these poor characters through.
5
Keeping to the darkest shadows, the Vitru stalked through the Jedi realm like a malevolent phantom. The blood of the Jedi's precious Chosen One sang in the Vitru's system, it's power begging for release. The creature licked it's lips, still tasting the sweet nectar that was blood. The lips stretched then; twisting into something that, if the expression wasn't so cruel, could almost be considered a smile.
Chosen One, indeed. The smile turned into a scornful smirk. How my former masters could be tricked and defeated by something so fragile is beyond me. He can't fight, and without him, the Jedi will fall quickly. Another cruel smile flitted across the reptilian face. And then, my old masters, we shall see who is slave to whom.
Chuckling softly at the multitude of gory images of war and destruction that flashed before it's eyes, the Vitru slowly stalked toward its destination.
Hours after she had started, the healer rose from Anakin's bedside. Releasing his limp hand, she regarded him with a tired sort of interest. His glow was brighter and more substantial, the neck wound had healed, and the number of bruises and cuts had diminished to almost nothing. A few yellowing bruises were all that marked the once slightly swollen and bloody neck and head. He would be fine, with a little rest and some food.
She stretched her limbs and silently crept out of the room.
As soon as the door was shut behind her, she was bombarded with a flurry of questions from three very worried people.
"Is he alright?"
"When will he wake?"
"What should we do?"
"STOP!!!" The healer yelled. The three stopped in mid-sentence, staring at her. "Thank you. Where I come from, we usually introduce ourselves when we first meet. Since we didn't have a chance to do so then, I will introduce myself now. Is everyone okay with this?" She raised an eyebrow, "Good. I am Jedi healer Shanna Kaol Gaas. I am pleased to meet all of you." She paused, "Now is the part where you tell me your names."
"I'm Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi." He gestured, "This is my former master-"
"Is he mute?"
"Pardon me?"
"I asked if he is able to speak."
The bearded man beside Kenobi chuckled "Yes, I'm quite able to speak. I'm Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Charmed. And you?"
"I'm Padmé Skywalker." She smiled, "And my husband – who, at the moment, cannot speak for himself – is Anakin Skywalker. I'm sure he'd be pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure's all mine." Shanna nodded, the movement a little softer than a military bow "Now that that's over with, I will give you the news about my patient. He is very nearly healed, but will need a bit of rest to regain full health. He'll need to be careful with his neck muscles for a few days; they were pretty badly torn." She shook her head in confusion; "I have never seen anyone – live or dead – with those kind of injuries and hanging on like he is. It's incredible. He will wake up in a few hours, maybe sooner, as he appears to have amazing powers of regeneration. There is nothing that needs to be done for him; however, you might want to keep a close eye on him. The bite he suffered appears to have done more then rob him of blood." He met each one of their stares, "That brings me to my next point. I found a foreign substance in my probe of Anakin's blood. Some sort of liquid, it seems like, that has mingled with the blood and is now circulating through his body. Possibly the creature's saliva, but I'm not sure. I've treated victims of Vitsa bites, and while this kind of bite is similar to one inflicted by the Vitsa, the substance is something new. I'd like to check up on him in a few days, make sure he's healing fine, if that's alright with you." Not waiting for an answer, Shanna strode towards the doors out of the apartment. "If he worsens, give me a call. I'll be in touch."
The doors closed behind her. All three people were silent, digesting her news.
"Charming woman." Obi-Wan said, quiet sarcasm permeating his voice.
Three young Jedi knights walked along the edge of the borderlands. Laughing quietly and talking, they strode along a path over the river that gurgled and sighed a few metres away. One, a female Twi'lek slapped her male companion in the shoulder, obviously in good nature.
They never knew what hit them.
The Vitru knocked two down with a swing of it's muscled tail, bearing down on the third and feeding. Ducking a wild kick from the female, it swung around with grace unmatched and slashed, claws extended. She fell back into the river, bleeding profusely from the deep wound. Hissing laughter, the cruel creature leapt high above the last standing knight and delivered a stunning blow with it's tail. Laughing, it descended and flashed it's fangs at the groaning human.
It was over quickly.
Cunning eyes turned toward the gasping Twi'lek, still seated in the water. "Weak little Jedi, pray that when I return I finish you quickly."
It turned and stalked into the fog of the borderlands. Wiping some of the blood off it's lips, it hissed in satisfaction. Power gleaned from the Jedi blood coursed through it's system. Quickly navigating the easiest way through the borderlands, it started to sprint, impatience flaring through the veils of cold calculation. Reaching the shining barrier that barred the Sith from reaching the rest of Death, it raised it's hands and began to summon it's stolen power.
Padmé sat beside her husband. Watching him breathe silently, she saw clearly through the mists of time that same man as a little boy. She had once felt affection for that little boy, but when she had seen him again, ten years later, that affection had blossomed into love.
Not that you didn't try to fight it… Padmé thought to herself, smiling at the long ago struggle to fight her feelings. The fight had quickly been won, however, when that spiky haired nineteen-year-old boy had asked her for her hand in marriage. She had never thought that she could love anyone so much, or that they could return her love so completely.
Do I take up this much of your thoughts every day? Anakin's voice sounded softly in her mind, his tone slightly amused.
She laughed, in relief and happiness that he was aware of her. I thought you would never wake up.
Blue eyes, pure as the deepest sea, opened and twinkled at her. He opened his mouth to speak, but before a word could be uttered, he went pale and his eyes widened.
The Vitru, scaly head thrown back in malignant ecstasy, cackled as the stolen power coruscated in it's veins. It raised it's muscled arms, electric blue lightning raining from the claw-tipped hands. It howled, spewing lightning from it's mouth as well. Directing all it's power at the barrier separating the Sith Dimension from the rest of Death, it screamed in triumph. The power strained against the barrier…
Anakin bucked up on his bed, crying out in pain. Padmé tried to restrain him, but found that she could do little more then grip his arm and hope he didn't lash out at her. His eyes rolled up, showing only the whites, and he began to shudder…
The barrier began to weaken, but bounced back, fighting against the evil power pounding against it. The Vitru howled again.
Anakin screamed in pain, his glow shifting from very dim to a white that made it almost painful to look at…
Pain/Ecstasy…
Light/Dark…
Despair/Triumph…
The barrier gave way with an explosion loud enough to be heard deep in both the Jedi and Sith Dimensions.
Anakin collapsed.
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