Here's the next bit, sorry it took so long. I'm back in school now so I had to get all sitieeated. Thanks to everyone (EVERYONE) who reviewed. I really appreciate it. Hope you like this next part and I'll be very happy, extremely happy to get reviews.
Obi-Wan noticed Luke and Mara at the gate and looked to Anakin with a sigh.
"What?" His Padawan questioned bewildered and Obi-Wan just shook his head.
"So everyone came?"
"Yes."
"And this was a good idea?"
Yes," Anakin's tone not as confident as before.
"A smart idea?" Obi-Wan questioned with raised brows.
"Yes..." Now extremely hesitant Anakin glanced up at Padmè for help. She grinned mischievously from the top of her pole, beside Leia and supplied "We decided to make it a family affair."
"Ah...." Obi-Wan nodded and sighed once again at Anakin's smile. A slight smirk came across his face and he couldn't help picturing Yoda's face as he tried to explain this.
"Here they come," Han called out, and no one was really sure if he was speaking of the creatures or Luke and Mara. Anakin looked over just in time to react to the charge of the reek. Acting purely on reflex, the young Jedi leapt strait up, flipping and twisting his body to land on the beasts as it plowed into the pole. He wrapped his chains around the reek's strong horn and held on for dear life as it bucked and ran around the stadium.
Obi-Wan knew at once why the Acklay received such applause from the audience as it reared up high and came strait at him. It crashed into the pole freeing Obi-Wan from the chains and the Jedi Master ran quickly, the Acklay right behind him. A geonosian attacked with his spear and Obi-Wan easily dodged inside and grabbed it. A tug pulled it free and the Geonosian was thrown to the ground with quick flick of his wrist. The Acklay continued forward, stepping on and killing the Geonosian instantly.
Obi-Wan cringed slightly and lunged a few times at the creature. Finally he threw the spear and it stuck into the Acklay. This didn't seem to effect it more then a few seconds as it took it out with its mouth crushing it in one bite.
Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly and he ran out of range, heading for Mara and Luke.
Luke effortlessly cut Han free of restrains and Mara tossed him a blaster from one of her hip holsters. He noticed Obi-Wan needed help and ran forward with Luke quickly taking aim and firing at the huge creature.
Padmè worked frantically to free the chains on Leia's wrists. The feline Nexu was leaping up, swiping at them both and she stopped her work to take a swing at it with the chains. It fell to the ground and she went back to work.
"Hold still Leia," she ordered reprimanding her then turned quickly maneuvering around Leia as the Nexu climbed the pole and slashed her back instead, just as Leia swung the chains delivering another blow to the creature.
"Thanks," Leia said as the chains finally came off. Padmè nodded with a some what forced smile, unable to ignore the pain of her back. They both looked down at the Nexu getting ready to pounce and Padmè seemed to form a plain in a matter of seconds and she swung from the pole, tucking her legs and kicking the Nexu taking no extra time to scramble back up the pole. Leia held out her hand and grabbed her arm helping her back up.
Out of ideas they both watched the creature get up again before falling lifelessly to the ground, blaster shot between the eyes. Mara gave a smile wasting no time as she went to help Luke, Han and Obi-Wan.
Anakin rode up seconds later commanding them both to jump onto the Reek. Padmè landed behind him with no hesitation and kissed him fully on the mouth. Leia raised her brows and smiled before following, coming down behind Padmè. They charged in the direction of the others just in time to see Luke swipe at the legs of the Aklay with his lightsaber, then finish it off.
"Well, I think we won," Han commented dryly and no sooner were the words out, the stadium was filled with battle droids. Circling around them waiting for the signal to attack.
"We can take 'em," Mara commented, her stance preparing for the attack.
"Not alone," Luke said nodding to the crowd as various colors of lightsabers snapped to life around the stadium. "I've never seen so many Jedi before..." Luke continued in awe as the Jedi above dropped down to the arena, ready to help.
"Now's not really the time to daydream farmboy." Mara chided and tossed Padmè the second blaster at her hip.
"I know," Luke said with a sigh and raised his lightsaber as the other Jedi finally joined them in military lines. As one Jedi knight tossed extra lightsabers to Obi-Wan and Anakin, Luke watched as Mace Windu jumped to avoid Jango Fett's blast and landed on the ground tossing his flaming robe aside. This seemed to signify the start of the battle as both droids and Jedi began to charge.
All around them the fight intensified. Anakin stood by Padmè, his green lightsaber blocking shots headed toward her. When it seemed as if the battle droids wouldn't stop coming Padmè gathered speed and jumped onto the creature pulling a cart. Anakin followed jumping into the cart. They rode around picking off droids before it finally flipped over throwing both of them to the ground but they wasted no time crawling inside for cover.
"You call this a diplomatic solution?" Anakin asked brows raised.
"No, I call it aggressive negotiations," she said with a smile before shooting two more droids. He smiled down at her then shook his head and looked over at Luke and Mara. They stood back to back. Cutting down one Geonosian or droid after another. Their motions where together, using the deep connection they share with only the other to their advantage. They fought as one and Anakin could feel the love radiating off them even during battle.
He blocked more shots and couldn't help but wonder what would happen to them, to that love, when they got back. How would their lives have changed? So deep in thought he hadn't noticed the fleet of clone troppers being led by master Yoda just before they were surrounded. Padmè touched his arm to show him and he looked away from Luke and Mara. Anakin smiled at the sight of help and grabbed Padmè's hand leading her to one of the gun ships.
Padmè squeezed his hand and followed his solemn gaze to Luke and Mara, who were slowly making their way toward the ship. She didn't even have to ask what was wrong, for he couldn't hide anything from her now.
"I'll find a way to keep them together. That kind of love never goes away. Not through death or darkness– not even through time." he explained quietly and she nodded in full agreement and allowed him to lift her into the ship.
"Jade!"
Mara looked toward the sound of an unfamiliar voice only to see a young woman with red hair calling out to one of the Jedi. When he turned, searching, Mara couldn't tear her startled green eyes from his. They greenest, brightest eyes she had only seen once before– in the mirror. She watched as the young man moved his gaze toward the red headed women and ran to her. Mara took a step toward them as the man seemed to drag the women away from battle, and then they were gone.
Gone...
"Mara?" Luke questioned still at her side. She shook her head and took his hand in hers pulling him in the other direction towards Padmè and Anakin.
"It's nothing Luke, come on."
They both jumped onto the gunship next to Padmè and Obi-Wan commanded the clone captain to go.
The gun ships made their way out of the stadium, the battle droids following in close pursuit. In
a matter of seconds the battle was gone from the arena leaving only young Boba Fett, R2D2 and 3PO.
As R2 helped put 3PO's head back on a ship made it's way down into the arena landing hard. Jaina grinned at her two brother's from the pilot's seat as the ship smashed into the ground.
"Perfect." She told them confidently and little Anakin grinned at her as she ignored Jacen's glare. All three rushed from the cockpit as the ramp lowered and jumped out of the ship.
"Man! We missed it!" Jaina yelled kicking her little foot at the dirt.
"Look it's 3PO and R2!" Jacen exclaimed running to the droids.
"Good heavens! What are you children doing here?" 3PO chirped worried and the Solo children giggled.
"We help!" Anakin said with a serious nod.
"Yeah, my brothers picked me up from Great Grandma Shmi so we could help." Jaina informed them patting R2 on the head. R2 responded with many shrill beeps and Jaina grimaced as she recognized the scolding tone.
He rolled towards the ship still beeping and the Solo children followed dejectedly.
"But we wont be in the way," Jacen tried to explain to the droid but followed anyway.
"What about him!" Jaina said pointing to the young Boba Fett.
"Bad," Anakin told her shaking his head and going into the ship.
"So are we just going to stay here then?" Jaina asked with a sigh. R2 beeped and 3PO explained the yes we will and that if he had to R2 was prepared to lock down the ship so they couldn't fly it or leave. The solo children all sat down with equal sighs and pouted.
"We never get to have fun."
"Aim above the fuel cells!" Anakin cried to the gunner. The gunner did as requested and the huge explosions rocked the starship and it began to tilt ominously to the side. The gunship swerved aside as the great craft toppled.
"Good call my young padawan," Obi-Wan praised and Anakin blushed slightly with a smile.
"Yeah nice job," Mara teased lightly as they continued after the trade federation ships. Padmè laughed and looped her arm through Anakin's ignoring Obi-Wan's pointed look. The Jedi Master just shook his head slightly with a small smile thinking about the headaches and happiness to surely follow.
"Has anyone seen Leia and Han?" Padmè asked receiving a few shrugs in return, Luke looked away distantly before answering. "They're with Master Yoda. It seems Leia's found her calling. Bossing around Jedi Masters." The group chuckled slightly.
"Attack the federation starships quickly!" Obi-Wan commanded.
"Concentrate on the nearest starship!" Leia commanded before Yoda had the chance. Han elbowed her but she ignored it as she watched them do as she said and the starship crashed back into the ground creating a tidal wave of dust smashing the droids in its way.
"Now what?" Han asked looking at his wife, then Yoda.
"Beats me," Leia muttered as the starships where diminishing in numbers.
The gunship slowed and banked suddenly coming too fast around the back but a single shot from the droid gun emplacement managed to hit them.
"Hold on," Obi-Wan cried, grabbing the edge of the drop door.
"You think?" Mara bit out caustically looping her arm through Luke's as the each grabbed hold of the loops above.
"I can't think of a better choice," Padmè called out with a smirk. Mara snorted and turned just in time to see a Geonosian speeder soaring away. A dark figure flying it.
"Look!"
"It's Dooku!" Anakin bit out. "Shoot him down."
"We're out of missiles sir," the clone captain replied.
"Of course," Mara sighed with disgust and a blaster appeared in her hand from her arm holster. She began to fire at Dooku but he out maneuvered each shot, only getting hit once.
"Follow him," Anakin ordered as Mara focused on the droids flanking him, easily she hit both droids and their speeders went down. The other two flying battle droids still flanked the count, firing at them.
"We're going to need some help," Padmè remarked.
"There's no time," said Obi-Wan. "We can take him," he stated arrogantly and Luke shook his head with a smile.
As the gunship began to close in on dooku, the clone captain veered to the suddenly to the left, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Luke, and Mara had to hold on more firmly and struggled to stay on but Padmè wasn't so lucky. She was beside Mara and Anakin one moment and falling off the next. Mara jumped to catch her, grabbing her arm but the force of her fall pulled them both over.
"Padmè!" Anakin screamed ordered but Obi-Wan jumped in front of him ordering him to stand down.
"Don't let your personal feelings get in the way," he reminded his padawan and Luke reached out to put a calming hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Follow the speeder," Obi-Wan yelled and Anakin looked at Luke.
"They're fine, search your feeling," Luke said softly and Anakin did just that, then looked to Obi-Wan. His master nodded and smiled softly as if telling him he understood the dilemma.
"We need your help with Dooku, If we catch him, we can end this war right now."
"Yes master," he said calmly stretching his senses once more to feel Padmè.
"Let's end this," he said with a firm nod.
They followed Dooku's direction and found the speeder parked outside a large tower. The
three Jedi leapt out rushing to the tower door. Without pausing they burst through into a large hanger. They found Dooku inside, standing at a control panel, pushing buttons.
"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you killed today Dooku!" Anakin yelled at him subconsciously moving forward. Obi-Wan stopped him with a look.
"We'll move in together," Obi-Wan explained and both Anakin and Luke nodded. Luke went slowly to the left while Anakin moved in on the right leaving Obi-Wan in the center.
Dooku looked at all three calm jedi and for the first time ever felt fear. Before they could move in together he shot his hand out at Anakin striking him up against the wall with force lightening. He hit the wall hard and slumped down eyes closed, dazed.
"As you can see, my powers are far beyond yours," Dooku said, now with confidence.
"I don't think so," Obi-wan countered and raised his blue lightsaber to black the force lightening.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness," Luke said softly taking a step forward as Dooku ignited his blood red lightsaber.
Obi-wan and Luke charged at the sam time, but Dooku managed to block each of the blows. He was weakening and they could both feel it. Then all of the sudden Luke was flying backwards and Obi-Wan was meeting a flurry of angry attacks. He came on suddenly with devastating thrust that had Obi-Wan stumbling backward.
"Master Kenobi, you disappoint me," the count taunted. "Yoda holds you in such high esteem."
His words spurred Obi-Wan forward with another series of slashes, but less focused. Dooku slashed quickly catching the young Jedi master in the arm then lunging forward penetrating the thigh. Obi-Wan flung backward with a cry of pain but as soon as he hit the floor Luke was back fighting Dooku.
"Now who's this?" Dooku taunted once again but Luke only smiled.
"I'm not a traitor," Luke admitted but this seemed to anger the master even further. Luke met and matched each slash and thrust pushing the older man back. Dooku moved his hand and force threw boxers at Luke but he held up his hand to stop them. Dooku once again attacked with his saber and actually managed to strike out and slash Luke's hand, he cried out as his hand sparked metal showing clearly through the synthetic flesh. Dooku used the force to throw Luke against the wall but as he impacted the metal railing went through hid thigh pining him in place. Dooku moved forward slowly raising his saber to strike at this young man who unnerved him so but Anakin flew through the air intercepting the strike.
"That's brave of you boy, but foolish. I'd have thought you learned your lesson."
"I'm a slow learner," Anakin replied cooly and moved to strike. The battle beginning once again.
"Padmè wake up!" Mara ordered shaking the younger woman's shoulders.
"Get up!" Mara said firmly and she reached out to sense Luke. She felt his pain immediately as if it were her own and became even more demanding hauling Padmè to her feet.
"We need to get to Luke," Mara stated urgently and pulled Padmè into a run. "We can ise the speeder bikes I shot down."
The two women ran through the dunes and when they reached shot down droids pushed the machines off and started them up.
"You ok?" Mara finally asked as her bike came to life.
"Yeah," Padmè smiled in thanks and Mara nodded. "You're my favorite daughter-in-law," she commented slyly and turned her own speeder on leaving Mara open mouthed.
"Let's go get our Skywalker's," she tod the speechless woman and they were off.
Anakin fought well against Dooku. Obi-Wan threw his saber up earlier and Anakin used both to gain the advantage. Now he was back to one and Dooku was getting angrier by the second.
Obi-Wan could sense his padawan tiring but couldn't move to help, could barley put weight on his legs and was helpless. He watched on as Dooku's blade finally slashed down cutting Anakin's arm off from the elbow. His padawan was thrown through the air once again landing on his side unconscious.
"And so it ends," the old master sighs and glances over at Luke, who what struggling to remain conscious and berating himself for losing focus in battle. The old man studied him curiously but before he spoke master Yoda walked stick
"Master Yoda," The count breathed
"Dooku," said Yoda as he glanced at the other wounded Jedi.
"You have interfered for the last time," Dooku announced and moved his hand throwing pieces of machinery at the older master. Yoda just pushed them easily away with the force.
"Dooku frowned and thrust forth his hand shooting a line of blue lightening at the Jedi master. Yoda turned it away easily.
"Powerful you have become , Dooku," Yoda admitted and the count grinned. "The Darkside I sense in you."
"I have become more powerful then any Jedi. Even you my old master!"
More lightening poured from Dooku's hand, but Yoda continued to catch it in his palm and turn it aside.
"Much to learn you still have," Yoda remarked.
Dooku frowned and help out his lightsaber turning it on once again. "It is obvious this contest will not be decided by our knowledge of the force, but by our skill with a lightsaber.
Yoda threw his stick to the side and his lightsaber flew in to his hands the green blade igniting. Dooku charged at him with a sudden thrust and Yoda didn't even seem to move before he blocked it.
With a sudden burst of sheer power, master Yoda flew forward, his blade working so mightily that its green almost disappeared. Just as Dooku was about to strike a counter attack, Yoda was leaping through the air in a series of twists and turns blocking each slash. Their lightsabers met, red against green, each pushing and holding strong.
"Fought well, you have, my old padawan," Yoda congratulated forcing Dooku back.
"The battle is far from over!" Dooku stubbornly called out reaching out with the force knocking one of the huge cranes over throwing it down at Obi-Wan and Anakin. Both Luke and Yoda reached out with the force stopping its descent.
Dooku wasted no time sprinting away and running up the ramp of his ship. Yoda moved the crane aside and they turned to see the ship leave the hanger.
Padmè and Mara landed their speeder bikes and wasted no time as the shot at Dooku's ship. Mara quickly got out a tracker and threw it at the hull with a satisfied smirk. He would pay soon enough. Both him and Palpatine would receive what they deserved but for now they would bask in the calm before the storm.
"Anakin!" Padmè called out rushing to his side, not even looking at his arm, just happy he is alive. Obi-Wan stood slowly as well and Mara looked around for Luke.
"Oh force," She murmured looking down at his leg. She ran to his side and he smiled looking up at her through pain filled glazed eyes.
"Hey, you missed all the fun," he commented reaching out with his good hand to touch her cheek.
"So it would seem," she muttered covering his hand with hers. She glanced down at his leg and winced.
"We need to pull you free," she stated matter-of-fact. He just nodded and tensed up.
"I'm going to pull," she announced and lowered her hands to his thigh gently.
"Look into my eyes Luke," she said softy with a smile. He did as she requested and it all happened so suddenly she he didn't know what emotion to feel first.
"I love you," she whispered kissing him gently and tugging quickly at his leg. He felt her love through the kiss and through the force. The intensity of it, of her slamming down all of the walls in her mind almost dulled the pain completely.
He added more force to the kiss to keep the pain away. He was free in a matter of seconds and Mata pulled him into her arms.
"The trouble you get yourself into," she muttered lovingly and stroked the hair from his forehead.
"You know I'm getting pretty tired of saving your sorry butt Skywalker," she growled out face now hardened as the others gathered around.
"I love you too Mara," Luke said softly not buying into that act for a second and leaned up to brush his lips gently against hers.