Chapter 9 A Touch of Darkness

"You should have gone with him." Kimmy said after Anakin left.

Jesse nodded. He'd sensed it too, but knowing Anakin, he'd probably have bitten Jesse's head off if he'd insisted.

"I have another speeder." Owen said. "It's not as fast as the bike, but it'll get you there."

"Thanks." Jesse said. He turned to Kimmy and Padme. "Um…"

"We'll be fine." Kimmy said, frowning at the way Jesse's gaze lingered on Padme. The boy was obviously smitten. Not good. She'd have to talk with him later on when he got back.

Jesse jumped into the speeder and took off. Kimmy glanced at Padme's worried face. "They'll be fine." She said, trying to believe it. She had a bad feeling about this.

>>>>

The speeder was fast, but compared to Anakin's, it was incredibly slow. Jesse pushed it to maximum speed, wondering if it would bequicker to run. As night fell he finally located the speeder bike, parked a short distance away from the raider's camp. He cautiously crept forward.

The place reeked with death, not physically, but in the Force. Jesse made his way to the center, unafraid of attack. From what his senses were telling him, there was only one other person alive in the place.

Anakin knelt among the bodies, his chin on his chest. He didn't look up when Jesse approached.

"I killed them." He said, sounding slightly stunned.

Jesse didn't know what to say. It's ok; you didn't mean it? Hardly. He put a hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"She's dead. I was too late, and she's dead." Anakin still didn't' sound completely coherent, as if he were dazed. "So I killed them."

"Anakin…"

Anakin jerked away, suddenly coming to life. "You can't tell anyone." He said.

"But…"

"No, Jesse, you can't. Please?"

Jesse took a deep breath. The momentary fire was gone from Anakin's eyes and all Jesse could think of was the little kid he had once known. He seemed so different now. They had both grown so much, maybe in some not so good ways.

"Alright, I won't. But you need to tell Obi-Wan." He finally said.

Anakin nodded, turning back to one of the huts. "She's inside…"

"My speeder is a little ways from here." Jesse said. "I'll go get it."

>>>>

Kitch refrained from groaning as he came to, a massive headache threatening to split his skull in half. He cautiously opened his eyes. Bare rock lay in front of him. Terrific, he was facing the wall. Either the person who had attacked him had put him that way by accident, or he knew what he was doing. Kitch hoped it was the latter.

He sensed someone behind him before he heard him. Deciding it was pointless to pretend to still be out, he rolled over.

"Greetings, young one." The dark haired man said.

Kitch didn't return the greeting. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Since when did the Jedi become so rude and impatient?" the man asked. "But it doesn't matter. You know my name, young Jedi, you just don't know that it goes with me."

Kitch wracked his brain. "I do?"

"Yes. And it may surprise you to believe this, but I'm on your side."

"You are?" Kitch sounded doubtful.

"I am. My name is Sifo Dias. Former Jedi Master Sifo Dias."

"You're supposed to be dead." Kitch was proud of the way he didn't let an ounce of the shock he felt show.

"I'm not."

"So I see. Why did you pretend to be dead? And why did you have an army made?"

"Your second question answers your first. Do you want to hear my story?"

Kitch nodded.

"Very well then." Sifo Dias sat back. "My Master, Master Dooku, left the Jedi years ago. I hadn't seen him in a while, but about twelve years ago, he approached me. We began meeting, always keeping it a secret, though I never thought about why at the time. Some unconscious premonition of danger, I suppose. After a while, he began asking me favors. I did them gladly, and before I knew it, I was ensnared. By then I had left the Jedi. And had placed the order for the army."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Kitch asked quietly. "Why didn't you come back?"

"Force knows I wanted to. But I was unworthy of a second chance, and I didn't want to hurt my former padawan. So I went solo, keeping an eye on these devils by myself."

"By 'these devils' I assume you're talking about Dooku and that man who just flew in?"

"Jango Fett." Sifo Dias nodded. "They're working for someone, but who it is I can't imagine. I'm also watching the Tarde Federation and Nute Gunray, the viceroy."

Kitch leaned forward. "Who was responsible for the assassination of Senator Ky'ran and the attempted assassination of Senator Amidala?"

"Nute Gunray gave the order, and it was carried out by Jango Fett."

"Why?"

"Gunray wants Amidala dead period, they go way back, but Senator Ky'ran used to be one of them. He was going to go public with the schemes, but Dooku caught wind of it and the rest is history." Sifo Dias leaned back. "Where are you going?" he asked as Kitch stood up.

"To find Obi-Wan." Kitch tried to ignore the way the walls spun as he walked.

"You're not going to tell anyone?"

Kitch looked back, pity for the man who had been one of the greatest, now sunk to this washing over him. "No." he said. "Just my partners, Kimmy and Jesse."

Sifo Dias paled. "Jesse? Jesse who?"

"Ryenae. He's apprenticed to Master Windu."

"You can't tell him." Sifo Dias made a motion to grab Kitch's arm.

Kich jerked away and ran down toward the cave's entrance. Sifo Dias followed. Kitch's heart pounded in his already aching head and his breaths were labored, but there was no way he was losing this one. Sifo Dias may not have turned to the dark side, but he wasn't a Jedi anymore either.

Steam poured out of the ground, obviously holes for ventilation. With Sifo Dias closing in, Kitch had no other choice. He ran toward the nearest one and leaped.

Yes, I know! Sifo Dias died! That's why they call it AU! But I just realized something.The prequel to thisstory got exactly 26 revews, and this one has gotten only 11, less than half that,and most of which are by thes ame person. I do not see the logic. So either my writing has taken a massive dive down the drain the story stinks. Either way, let me know! I'm down on knees here.Please, please, please, give me reviews!