The week spent on a ship with an overactive Luke, an annoyed Mara Jade, and a quiet and studious Whie, was enough to drive Anakin up the proverbial wall. He decided that he needed to spar. Master Tiin was keeping a tight eye on Count Dooku who was merely mediating, trying to surround himself with the light side of the Force, it wasn't easy especially for being used to the dark for over a decade while he served Darth Sidious. Whie approached Count Dooku and gently sat across from the former Sith Lord and waited patiently for Count Dooku to recognize his presence. "Padawan Whie, it is good to see you again. Luke keeping you busy?"
"Yes, master. He is definitely his father's son, there's no doubt about it."
"Right you are, Whie. He has a great inner strength, but he is also very naïve and light hearted, I don't believe Anakin was ever that innocent or naïve."
"Probably being a slave as a child has great influence over one's innocence."
"One thing that both Luke and Anakin have in common though is their protectiveness of their family and there often foolhardy attempts to save their friends, family, and loved ones."
"Pure love is what the Jedi are always seeking, but in a way I can see why the rule of attachments was created, because it can cause a conflict between one's duty and one's family. It can also create jealousy and obsession."
"You are far wiser than your years, young Whie. However, the love that Anakin has for his family and in particular his wife is very pure and full of light."
"Yes, it's ironic that if the Jedi order hadn't changed, I do believe we would have lost another Jedi Master, he would have left the order for good."
"I agree and with Sidious dead, he couldn't have corrupted the young man either."
"Something weird happened though, because before he left for the Clone Wars and we met on Vjun he was a tornado of emotions both light and dark. He seemed to be fighting his own internal battle between choosing the light and the dark. I think Master Kenobi knew of this, but not to the extent that I felt. My talent of finding the Dark Side in Jedi is both a blessing and a curse, I knew that if Master Skywalker had become a Sith, I would die by his hand. I wouldn't stand a chance."
"Whie, are you prepared for our final destination?"
"Mm, I believe that if I stay close to either you, Master Kenobi or Master Skywalker, that I will be fine. The three of you are so strong you are able to fend off any demons."
"Do you doubt your own abilities? Whie, you are as strong as any of us, you only have to believe in yourself."
"I do, Count Dooku, however I recognize my own weaknesses. The Dark Side of the Force will always be a part of me, just like it will be with you and even to certain degree Master Skywalker."
Anakin entered the chamber and found Whie and Count Dooku mediating, Master Tiin was nearby tinkering with a ship part.
"Master Skywalker, how are you?"
"I'm bored to tears, Master Tiin." Anakin laughed.
"Mm, Obi-Wan is right you know; you are always on the go."
"Would you like to spar with me? Master Kenobi is working with my son and I assigned Mara Jade a project, so she's going to be awhile."
"Certainly, I don't think Count Dooku is going anywhere soon. Whie and he will be sitting here for awhile."
Master Tiin ignited his green blade and Anakin ignited his blue and after bowing to each other they started. "You sure do like to incorporate a lot of movement in your dueling style, Anakin."
"Just trying to stay alive, Saesee." Anakin retorted.
After the duel that left both Jedi Masters tired and rejuvenated simultaneously they sat across from each other and talked.
Luke was trying to lift a heavy cargo unit and it would only lift a few inches off the ground and he eventually grew tired of the exercise and complained.
"Master Kenobi, this is useless."
"No it is not; do not give up, Luke. Meditate on this and you will lift it."
Luke sat and meditated on lifting the heavy object; he then called on his father telepathically.
"Father?"
"My son?"
"Master Kenobi is being too tough on me." Luke whined.
"What do you mean, my son?"
"He is making me lift a heavy cargo box unit and I can't do it." Luke cried.
"You can do anything you put your mind to it."
"I bet even you couldn't do it!" Luke cried.
"You think so, my son? Are you sure you want to be proven wrong?"
Luke sighed, "Oh, never mind, I'll do it later."
"Meditating works wonders, my son." Anakin sighed as he shut off communications with Luke.
Padmé and Han Solo finished preparing the ship, and were soon on their way to Vjun. "You know milady, Anakin will have a problem with this. Most men do not like it when women interfere. In particular your husband, he can take care of himself."
"Han, you don't understand. He came very close to giving in to the Dark Side, if that had happened the galaxy would have changed quite drastically."
"Yes, but if something happens to you, he would have to live with that for the rest of his life; and would probably blame me."
"Are you afraid of Anakin, Han?" Padmé asked.
"Let's just say he commands a lot of respect. I've felt the temperature drop in a room when he gets agitated. In regards to working on ships and conducting business and teaching me he is very patient and kind, but direct disobedience or defiance, he has zero tolerance. This little mission of yours is going to fly directly into that and I don't want to be on the receiving end of that, can you really blame me? You seem to be the only one, who isn't fearful, have you really seen him mad?"
"Yes. I agree it isn't pretty, but he and I are equals, though he has tried to intimidate me, he knows that it doesn't work, I just become more belligerent. He eventually realized that after being a queen for 2 terms and a senator that there is no winning with a politician."
"True." Han laughed.
Vjun a swirl of darkness that greeted the Jedi, it was raining, dreary and an ugly planet. The manor was in disrepair with shattered windows, leaky roof, they managed to find one room that was livable, it had a large fireplace, and the padawans were assigned to clean the room as best they could as the masters moved equipment into what was the large living room. "Why do we always have to do all the hard work?" Mara whispered to Luke.
"I don't know, but isn't fair."
Whie finished sweeping out the fireplace and the surrounding area and brought in wood and started a fire. After eating dinner and setting up bedrolls, Whie, Luke and Mara played ball by pushing it to each other through the Force.
"Its time to go to sleep, padawans." Obi-Wan stated.
Luke sighed deeply and found his father mediating, he was in so deep he was startled when he felt his son jumping on his back and fingering his scar on the right side of his face.
"Good night, my son." Anakin stated
"Good night, father." Luke ran off and joined the others.
Mara also hugged Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"Your son is a very affectionate young man, Anakin." Count Dooku observed.
"Yes, he is. I think he gets it from Padmé."
"So were you, Anakin when you were his age."
"Shh, I'm trying to maintain a strict yet caring Jedi Master persona, Master. Don't ruin it for me." Anakin laughed.
Obi-Wan shook his head, "Too late, my former Padawan, all the younglings adore you, especially the young girls."
"I've heard that they like you too, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan turned red and decided that it was time for him to mediate as well.
"Good night, Count Dooku and Anakin."
"Good night."
"Luke? You awake?" Mara whispered.
"Yes. But if father finds us awake, there will be trouble."
"Are you okay?"
"Yea, what do you mean?"
"Do you feel the coldness?"
"Yes, it's the dark side, its haunting me too."
"I'm scared."
"Don't give in to fear." Whie counseled.
"So can you feel it too Whie?"
"Yes, anyone who is Jedi can feel it."
"What can we do?"
"Hold on to the warmth of the light side of the Force, don't let your fear take control of you."
"Good advice, padawans." Anakin stood over them.
"Father, will you sleep with us?" Luke asked.
Anakin pulled his bedroll over and lay down between Mara and Luke. Whie was lying next to the fire. Count Dooku smiled gently at the sight, before going to sleep himself.
Aurra Sing sat surrounded by the village children whom she kidnapped to serve her and her dark purposes, she felt the Jedi arrive, and was certain that they were near the old Malreaux manor. She sent the oldest of the children, who was ten to spy on the Jedi.
"Master, suppose I'm captured?"
Aurra raised her hand to backhand the young child, his eerily yellow eyes glowed with fear and backed down. "Are you daring to question my orders?"
"No, master." The young boy ran to the manor and though he was frightened his sense of duty over-rode those feelings. He managed to look into one the windows and saw four figures near the fireplace; two others close by, a guard and a prisoner on in a dark corner. He quickly left before he was discovered; he knew that his master would be most displeased; he desperately hoped that he wouldn't be in for another beating. The young boy tentatively approached his master who was cleaning her guns.
"Master?"
"Yes?"
"There are three Jedi Masters, three padawans, and a prisoner."
"Who's the prisoner and how do you know?"
"He's wearing stun cuffs and he's really tall, gray hair."
"Count Dooku is here!" Aurra Sing stood and the young boy was now frightened and cowered to her feet. She had been wanting to meet with Count Dooku so he could finish her Sith Lord training, especially since she heard Darth Sidious was dead, supposedly killed by the so-called 'Chosen One'.
"Describe the others for me."
The young boy complied and when Aurra found out that the 'Chosen One' was here she became very angry. The young boy found himself being choked and being slammed to the ground repeatedly. He didn't cry out until he felt his right arm snap and Aura released him ordering the boy out of the encampment.
"Master, please."
She raised her finger and lashed an invisible whip at the boy, who jumped up and ran screaming from her. He had no where to go, his eyes were burning with tears and absolute pure unadulterated rage. Anakin felt a presence nearby, whoever they were he felt their rage and fear. The young boy sat on the boulder on the edge of the manor next to the ship. Anakin pulled his hood over his head and stealthily left the warm room to find who was causing this disturbance in the Force.
Author's Note:Hope you enjoyed this latest development, as always thank you for your comments. --DarthGladiator45