AN: I'm in the process of overhauling this story and running it through Grammarly.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. It belongs to Disney. I make no money from this story.
Chapter 1: There is no Peace, only Passion
=KoF=
Part 1
=KoF=
Great Arena
Geonosis
Jango Fett shot a long jet of liquid fire from his flamethrower, forcing the black Jedi to jump down from the stand. Behind him, a platoon of Super Battle Droids was deploying in an attempt to protect the Confederate leaders.
The bounty hunter grimaced after taking a hasty look around.
There were Jedi everywhere. So far, they had no trouble holding their own against his clients' droids. No surprise there. The war machines had to fight their way through choke points, held by the Jedi.
He glanced at the arena below. Fett had felt the tremors when one of the Jedi brought down the main tunnels over the head of the advancing droids. It was no surprise that the few machines which had made their way on the bloody sand were no match for so many Jedi. He shook his head. The CIS might have to level the whole arena if they wanted to deal with this Jedi infestation.
Jango gave a slight nod to his son. Perhaps it was time to cut off his losses and get away while they still could. He had a bad feeling about this whole mess. Or perhaps not. There was a droid army on Geonosis, and most of it was stationed nearby. Even with the main tunnels leading to the arena collapsed by a Jedi, there were dozens of small passages leading up into the stands. While some droids foolishly attempted to fight their way to the arena below, many more were busy climbing up. Soon the Droids would surround the arena, and as a bonus, have the high ground. At that point, the Jedi would have to surrender or die.
He could hear the distinct sound of the rapid-fire blasters used by destroyer droids. Obviously, at least a few of those had managed to deploy themselves through the passages leading to the stands. Fett looked right and saw a young human Jedi cut down by a barrage of blaster fire. An even younger Zabrak female had to jump down from the stands to avoid the same fate. With every passing moment, more and more droids entered the stands. Within seconds, the Jedi up there had to retreat or be shot to pieces.
Meanwhile, a pair of destroyer droids rolled past a rapidly advancing B2 droids and unfolded at the VIP stand. Soon, the area swarmed with war machines, which created an armored ring around the Separatist leaders.
Similar scenes unfolded in the stands below – more destroyer droids rolled out, creating shielded strong points backed by regular droids.
For a moment, Jango toyed with the idea of jumping down and engaging the Jedi personally but dismissed it almost immediately. If the Jedi didn't collapse the tunnel entrances, he might have risked it. In that case, he would be using the distraction of the attacking droids to his advantage. As things stood, if he went there, the Bounty Hunter would have to face the saber-wielding fools alone.
Jango frowned. There was a couple down in the arena who were making out in the middle of the battle. He wondered whether he should admire their ballsy disregard for the mayhem around them or decry them as idiots… It was a moot point now. In front of his eyes, the Jedi quickly finished off the droids that managed to deploy on the arena and fell back into a defensive circle. They were looking wildly enough. It was obvious that it was beginning to dawn on them in what kind of trap they gleefully jumped without a second thought.
=KoF=
"Anakin! What in the name of the Force are you doing?!" exclaimed an appalled Kenobi.
The said young man disengaged his lips from those of the blushing Senator and turned towards his Master. Skywalker smirked at the Jedi Knight, showing that he regretted nothing.
"I think it's obvious, Master," deadpanned the Padawan. "You know, when a boy loves a girl..." Skywalker trailed off and grinned at the scandalized older man.
Anakin looked like he was ready to needle the Jedi with his brand new love life.
"Anakin! Enough!" growled Padme, effectively shutting him up.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at that. The Jedi Knight looked at the Senator. He knew what a can of worms their burgeoning relationship was going out to be. Further, Kenobi had the nagging feeling that any attempt to force Anakin to leave Amidala would end very badly for everyone involved.
At least, it appeared that the young woman from Naboo was able to keep his apprentice in check. That was no small feat. 'And it might help you keep your sanity...' muttered a small voice in the back of his head.
"You are aware how much trouble you are in, right?" grumbled Kenobi, in the tone of voice he usually used when his apprentice pulled one of his stunts. Granted this one took the cake.
"Yep. I know." came the nonchalant answer.
"And you don't care," muttered Obi-Wan.
"Not at all." Anakin blithely admitted.
=KoF=
'Oh, you have no idea, old man.' thought Vader. For the first time in his life, he had his priorities straight.
Padme was number one. Dealing with Sidious and the whole war mess was second. Clearing up the Republic of all the corruption and inefficient bureaucracy, or preferably turning it into an Empire done right was third. Any trouble with the Jedi was way down the list…
"We have some more immediate concerns," said Vader and nodded at the stands, where the droids were pouring in from multiple entrances.
A phalanx of droidekas formed up in the stands. The destroyer droids used their shields to tank the shots deflected by the Jedi, while they unleashed their considerable firepower upon the Republic's guardians.
Behind them, Super Battle droids and hordes of B1s were advancing and adding their weapons fire to the onslaught against the Jedi. In just a few minutes, the Order members had to fall into an ever-shrinking defensive circle with hundreds of droids pointing weapons at them.
Dozens of the locals aided the machines. The Geonosians flew above the arena and took potshots at distracted Jedi.
"This could have gone better," muttered Obi-Wan.
"Hardly," answered Vader.
If they were dealing with a regular crime boss or corporate CEO who went rogue? Then, the Jedi's gambit might have worked. Might. This wasn't the case. The Confederacy had an army, and they were ready to go to war against the Republic. Taking out a large number of Jedi in the first engagement would have been a great boon to their war effort. Even worse, Yoda riding to the rescue and the GAR winning the day would all but guarantee that the war would be inevitable. Those within the Confederacy not on Sidious payroll would see it as a vindication and Republic treachery, making the job that much easier for the Sith's puppets.
If it wasn't for Yoda, who should be making his presence known any moment now, the Jedi on Geonosis would be doomed.
Kriff it all! He had forgotten how badly most of the Jedi handled themselves in the opening months of the war! This mess on Geonosis was a case in point.
"Master Windu!" Dooku's voice echoed all over the arena.
"Here we go again," grunted Anakin.
"You've fought gallantly! This was a battle worthy of recognition!" the former Jedi paused for a moment looking at the droids on the stands, whose numbers were still swelling as he spoke. "We have both the numbers and the high ground. Despite your spirited performance, it is finished."
The Sith Lord looked pensive. Even a bit sad.
"Surrender, my friends and your lives will be spared." Dooku continued.
Master Windu glared at the man whom he had once considered a friend.
"We won't be hostages to be bargained with, Dooku!" declared the Vaapad master.
"I'm sorry you chose to end it this way, my friend." Dooku made a great show of displaying sadness at these words.
All around the Jedi, the CIS droids aimed and waited for the firing order.
"This isn't an end, Dooku." Vader's powerful voice echoed around the arena. "It's just the beginning."
Many eyes fell on the Padawan, wondering if he had gone insane.
Anakin just smiled and pointed upwards with his left hand. He felt giddy at feeling the hot local sun all but scorching his fingers and warming his blood.
Three Acclamators descended from the heavens. Scores of LAATs, chock full with combat-ready Clones raced under the assault ships.
Those paying close attention could see Yoda's short form in the troop compartment of the lead craft. Two squads of heavy-armed Clones surrounded him.
=KoF=
High Orbit over Geonosis
A few minutes earlier
When the Republic fleet exited from hyperspace, Yoda felt a tremor passing through the Force. The veil of the Dark Side, which was clinging onto everything, shifted.
The future felt a bit brighter, yet somehow it was more uncertain than ever. Even more foreboding if that was at all possible. Whatever was happening, its source was on the planet below.
Yoda concentrated. He opened his senses fully and winced. He could feel every one of his Jedi who were dying on the world below.
At least he had no problem pinpointing the exact location of his people. Yoda gave the necessary coordinates to the Clone Commander, who stood stiffly to his right and headed towards the docking bay.
His presence was needed elsewhere. There was a mystery needing unraveling and friends in need of rescue.
While he made his way to transport, Yoda let the Force flow through him. For the first time in a long while, decades, maybe, perhaps even centuries, the Grand Master of the Order could feel the Force whispering to him in a somewhat clear manner.
Yoda knew it in his ancient bones. He would have an incredibly important decision to make, and soon. One that would be vital for the future of all Jedi.
The Jedi Master boarded a LAAT and nodded to the two groups of stiff Clones who joined him. Soon enough, the gunship was descending through the atmosphere. Even from this height, he could make up the form of a giant arena, which was partly obscured by the smoke of raging fires. As they flew closer, Yoda could see
that many of the Jedi who had come to Geonosis were still alive. While he could certainly feel their tense signatures flaring through the Force, seeing them with his own eyes was reassuring. Yoda silently thanked the Force for that small mercy.
He saw someone pointing up. In the first instant, the ancient Jedi didn't recognize that person. Oh, he was familiar, yet there was something different. Darker.
Skywalker... whispered the Force.
For a single instant, the Grandmaster was able to see clearly. The threads of Fate, of the future itself, were wrapped around the young man. He was like an unlit beacon in the Force. There was an ocean of power slumbering within the boy, just waiting for a nudge before being awakened.
There. At that moment, Yoda knew that Anakin Skywalker was truly the Chosen One. However, that knowledge gave him no peace of mind. For the first time, he doubted the exact meaning of the prophecy, for Skywalker was wearing darkness as a snug cloak around himself.
The short Jedi took a deep breath and calmed himself. Yoda knew he should be careful in how he dealt with the boy. Everything was going to hang on the way he would handle the boy. The Force itself was adamant about that. It promised a great opportunity and even greater danger.
Then the LAAT carrying him was over the arena, and Yoda had no more time to ponder the future. He needed to concentrate on the here and now.
"Around the Jedi, a perimeter create," he ordered.
Four of the transports darted towards the arena, forming a protective circle around the men and women there. The rest of the gunships concentrated on the droids holding a position within the stands.
Another six of the heavily armed craft unleashed their fury upon the CIS forces. Missiles blew apart groups of droids. Rapid turret fire shredded helpless machines, while long emerald beams cut in two whole rows of the robots. Within seconds, the stands turned into a sea of fire, in which nothing should have been able to survive, yet the gunships didn't relent in their assault. They were joined by the blaster fire of the clones deploying from the transports in the arena, while the Jedi were busy retrieving the wounded before embarking.
Anakin grabbed Senator Amidala and jumped in the nearest LAAT, with Kenobi racing on his heels.
A stray blaster bolt struck one of the Clones covering them, throwing the man on his back. Skywalker used his telekinesis to retrieve the body of the stricken soldier. The rest of the Clones jumped on the transport, and the craft rose over the arena.
No more Jedi died in the arena. It took only the lives of thirty unlucky Clones to rescue them. At that point, no one paid attention to the dying locals, even if their lives blinked out like dozens of candles blown by the wind.
=KoF=
Despite the perceived effectiveness of the airstrike, the stands were still full of battle droids which kept shooting at the retreating enemy transports and gunships. Below, on the VIP stand, Count Dooku stared at the retreating ships with a frown on his face. It would have been much better if Yoda had been a minute or two slower. With more Jedi dying here, the Sith plans would go smoother.
It didn't matter in the end. The war would see to the disposal of the Jedi who would survive today's battle.
The Sith Lord grimaced. He could feel the Force warning him about imminent danger. He had to get out of Geonosis. Soon. But first, the plans for his Master's secret weapon had to be secured.
Dooku turned around and disappeared into the tunnel behind the stand. Jango Fett and his son soon followed in his footsteps. The bounty hunter decided that discretion was the better part of valor. He wasn't paid to take part in a full-scale war. Not yet anyway.
He waved to his son to follow him and headed to his ship.
=KoF=
LAAT transport
en route to GAR staging area
Geonosis
Anakin held Padme with his right arm, steadying her, while the transport maneuvered wildly in an attempt to throw off the fire of unsuppressed AA emplacements. Those emplacements spat crimson blaster bolts at the Republic craft as they left the arena. One of the escorting gunships was unlucky and ran straight into a barrage which shredded its main body and sent it tumbling towards the ground. Eight Clones burned with the gunship. In response, two of its wing mates strafed the weapon emplacement, leaving a burning crater in their wake. The Jedi paying attention felt three more lives flickering out.
The group of transports and heavily armed gunships flew over a spaceport dug in the rocky ground of Geonosis. They opened fire on the landed ships. Missiles and lances of pure energy raked the tough hulls of the Separatists' craft.
The command sections of Lukrehulk battleships were all but invulnerable from such a puny attack. However, the stings of the Republic gunships were more than enough to dispatch a score of lighter ships. They were especially effective once Vader pointed out that those things were vulnerable to hits under their fuel tanks.
When they reached the staging area, most of the Jedi disembarked and took command of Clone units which they led into battle.
"Pilot, relay to command that our air assets must prioritize the CIS mobile missile launchers. They are an extreme threat to our armored units," ordered Vader.
"Right away, sir!"
Kenobi glanced at his former Padawan, wondering how he knew that.
=KoF=
CIS Primary Command Center
Geonosis
"I don't know how the Republic managed to gather such a huge army so fast. They are too many of them. We need to retreat." Dooku spoke to the assembled CIS leaders, lacing his voice with the Force, willing them to comply with his words at face value.
In truth, if the Confederation forces stood their ground and fought, they had a very good chance of winning. Such a victory could end the war too soon. By the Force! If he and Sidious, didn't manage the war carefully, the CIS might achieve a military victory long before they were ready for it.
As it was right now, the Confederation had neither the numbers nor the apparatus in place to rule the Republic if it defeated the GAR. To make matters worse, there were a lot of powerful systems such as Corellia which were neutral right now. If the CIS won too soon and easily, those wild cards could do anything, rendering an early military victory a Pyrrhic one. At best.
When all was said and done, the Clone Wars, which had just begun, were not only an elaborate trap for Jedi. The conflict was, in fact, merely setting up stage for the future Galactic Empire. That was the end game. Because the Sith's aim was not to merely destroy the Republic and take their vengeance upon the Jedi, that would be relatively easy right now. All they would need was to let the CIS win.
However, they had learned their lesson. Once, long ago, the ancient Sith had conquered the Republic. However, they were unable to hold it for more than a few decades. But if the Republic willingly transformed into an Empire under the strain of the war... Well, that was another game altogether…
"This is not good at all!" whined Viceroy Gurney.
"We need to get our ships in orbit!" added one of his aides.
With that, the Neimoidians left the command center, followed by most of the CIS leaders. They were heading towards their vessels. Luckily for them, the Republic Navy didn't have the planet blockaded. Yet.
Soon, only Poggle the Lesser and a few of the locals remained.
"I'm sending my warriors to the catacombs," he said in his clicking language.
"My Master won't allow the Republic to get away with this treachery." declared the Sith Lord.
The most ironic part of this day was that the ones who started the war were the Republic. Two of their Jedi, as well as a well-known Senator, were captured as spies and saboteurs. And when the CIS was about to dispense justice on those people as was their right, the Republic first unleashed the Jedi, then a secret army upon them.
This day was a public relations coup for the Confederation, which was the wronged party.
"The Jedi must not find out about our secret weapon!" declared Poggle the Lesser and walked to a nearby computer terminal.
He downloaded the designs of what would one day become known as the Death Star and scrubbed all traces of the date from the system. Then he walked to Dooku and gave him the data disc.
"If they found those designs we are doomed." muttered the local noble.
"I'll take them to Coruscant. The designs will be much safer there, in my Masters's hands," stated Dooku.
He nodded to his friend and headed towards a nearby dock. From there, he would take a speeder and escorts, and travel to his ship. And on the way, Dooku would have time to ponder how to best use today's events to win hearts and minds all across the galaxy. Deep down, he didn't really expect the Jedi to offer him such a gift at the start of the war.
=KoF=
Part 2
=KoF=
LAAT transport
near the Republic LZ
Geonosis
"So, you two..." Kenobi trailed off, not exactly sure how to start that particular conversation.
The CIS forces shooting their transport didn't help the matter either.
"What about us, old man?" quipped Anakin.
Obi-Wan could sense profound amusement coming from his Padawan while Amidala was a bit uncomfortable with the whole thing. Yet, he could feel a fierce determination within the young woman. She wasn't going to make this easy for the Jedi either.
Kenobi wasn't surprised by that. He knew the Senator well enough to expect nothing less from her.
"Pilot, break left and head up that old river bed," Anakin ordered, with a voice accustomed to command.
"Roger, sir!" answered the Clone, turning the transport in that direction.
"What's that about, Anakin?" asked Kenobi.
"Can't you sense him, Obi-Wan? Dooku is that way."
The Jedi Knight frowned, closing his eyes and concentrating
on the currents of the Force, clearing his mind of everything else. It was something very hard to do with the raging storm of emotions emanating from the young pair by his side. With every passing moment, the battle for Geonosis intensified, with dozens, then scores of lives flickering out, making it even harder to concentrate. Nevertheless, that didn't deter Kenobi, and he soon was able to feel a familiar presence in the Force. He was well obscured, but Dooku's signature could still be felt somewhere ahead.
Moments later, the LAAT flew over the end of the river bed and raced above dunes made of fine red sand.
Ahead of them, a man riding a speeder could be seen, flanked by two fighters.
"Shoot them down!" snapped Vader.
While not as satisfying as doing it himself, seeing Dooku blown up would be good enough.
"Sorry, sir! We are out of missiles!"
Vader swore in Huttese until Padme's elbow poked him painfully in the ribs, shutting him up.
Obi-Wan frowned at that interaction. The bouts of anger, almost fury, which his Padawan exhibited were troubling. Yet, he couldn't help but notice how Amidala was able to calm Anakin with a simple action. It was almost admirable.
After all, Kenobi was well acquainted with how stubborn and troublesome his Padawan was.
"Sorry, love," muttered Anakin.
He turned his head towards the pilots and ordered: "Try to close the distance."
"We'll need help to deal with Dooku!" protested Padme.
"Anakin and I can handle him!" stated Kenobi.
"Damn right!" Skywalker added.
That bastard owed him a hand, and he was going to collect. Again.
=KoF=
Dooku was well aware of who was behind him because the Force was whispering dire warnings in his ears. That was the reason that he had given orders for the redeployment of a few units.
He sent a few additional battalions of droids, which were supposed to evacuate with the CIS ships, to stall the main GAR force and the Jedi leading them. Meanwhile, he called another asset to cover his retreat if it became necessary.
The Count received a confirmation that his backup was in place soon after the gunship with the Jedi started closing on his speeder. He ordered his escorts to attack their pursuers. At the very least, that would buy him time to reach the dock.
The agile fighters looped back and opened fire on the gunship. Dooku sensed a surge of anger from behind and frowned. Now the Force was warning him that something deadly was approaching.
Calling for help may have proved to be the prudent course of action after all…
=KoF=
Vader had another sense of Deja Vu. The two fighters opened fire, and moments later, flak explosions shook the transport.
Padme, who had moved out of Anakin's reach after poking him in the ribs stumbled and fell from the side door. A Clone lost balance too and tumbled out after her.
"Padme!" Vader shouted in fear, mixed with a heavy dose of anger.
He could feel her being dazzled but thought that she was all right beyond that. At least this time, he knew that she would be all right. Yet, he thought, it wouldn't hurt if she had few more troopers looking after her. After all, she had a bigger knack for getting into trouble than even he did.
Vader used the Force to grab the squad of Clones within the troop compartment and shouted at them: "Keep her safe at all cost!"
Then he carefully ejected them from the speeding gunship and let them tumble over a dune they overflew. He could feel that his stunt had pissed them off, but he knew that the Clones would follow his order anyway. At least all of them were in one piece.
"Anakin! That was reckless!" shouted Kenobi.
"They are all right." Vader shrugged. "Padme is a trouble magnet. She may need the additional help."
"Senator Amidala affects your judgment. Are you aware that you might be expelled from the Order because of your relationship with her?" asked Obi-Wan in a much calmer tone.
"Is that so?" Vader chuckled.
Once, such a threat would have been terrifying. Now, it was merely a source of amusement.
Another burst of enemy fire shook the LAAT despite the efforts of the pilot.
"A moment, old man," Vader grunted and closed his eyes.
Kenobi could see the Force whipping around his Padawan as the young man grasped it.
Outside, an invisible wall of power pushed down one of the fighters. It struck the rocky ground hard enough, for the impact to tear it to pieces. The other jerked up in surprise, but that didn't help it. A telekinetic push sent it flying into the side of the shallow canyon which they just entered.
Skywalker's efforts were rewarded by another spectacular explosion.
Vader took a deep breath. He should have done that before Padme fell out! She could have hurt herself this time! He couldn't just rely on hopes that everything would happen the same way even if he changed nothing else.
Besides, this wasn't his way! Vader received a second chance, and he was going to grasp it with both hands! Damn the consequences to the deepest pits of the Nine Corellian Hells! This time he was going to shape his future!
"I don't care if the Council expels me or not, Obi-Wan. For the first time in my life, I have my priorities straight. If they make me chose between Padme and the Jedi, I will choose her every time." Vader bluntly explained.
Kenobi was stunned by the utter conviction in his Padawan's words. Despite his reckless actions, Anakin had a sense of maturity around him: while there were traces of the young man he knew very well, they were subdued. Obi-Wan understood that Skywalker was saying the absolute truth. He felt a pit forming in his stomach. When the battle was over and the Council met to discuss Anakin's behavior, things would become ugly. He just knew it.
"Anakin, you are going to be the death of me..." Kenobi muttered.
He wanted to scream at Anakin, to harangue and push and persuade, FORCE, him to change his mind, but it was clear as a day that mere words wouldn't sway him.
Obi-Wan knew his Padawan. Unlike for a lot of Jedi, expulsion would be more of an inconvenience than anything else. The young man was a mechanical genius who had been making a life for himself before joining the Order.
The Jedi would be the ones who would lose the most if Anakin left the Order.
"Obi-Wan!" shouted Anakin, throwing him from his thoughts. "Stop meditating! We're here!"
Kenobi shook his head and looked around. The LAAT was approaching a metal ramp extending from the side of a tall rock formation. He saw Dooku's speeder disappear inside.
Moments later, the transport had come to a stop, hovering over the ramp. The Jedi jumped out and ran after the fallen Jedi. They had taken just a few steps inside before Anakin grabbed his Master and stopped their headlong charge.
"That's new," muttered Vader. He could feel Dooku and three other beings, all rather strong in the Force.
Anakin grimaced. He was confident that he could take the trio he was sensing, but that would leave Obi-Wan against Dooku, and Vader knew very well how that particular duel was doomed to end. Further, he wasn't confident that as exhausted as he was, he was up to facing Dooku and any of those three mysterious beings he wouldn't have disposed of yet when the Sith Lord dealt with Kenobi.
All things considered, it was good that Yoda should be making an appearance soon.
"You sense them too, don't you, Obi-Wan?" asked Vader.
Kenobi, who had been surprised by the way Anakin abruptly halted them, nodded. He had felt that Dooku wasn't alone a moment after his Padawan did. Which itself was surprising: Usually Skywalker was the one charging headlong into danger.
"I do. We need to work together." said the Jedi Knight.
"I'll take the three on the left while you entertain your old friend," muttered Anakin. "Unless you want to leave Dooku to me and deal with those three?" he pointed at the wall behind which the Count and his associates awaited their approach.
Kenobi stood frozen for a moment, deliberating their strategy. He knew that facing Dooku alone was a very bad idea, almost as bad as leaving his Padawan to face a trio of Dark Jedi or worse, Sith. On the other hand, despite the power, Anakin was suddenly exhibiting, he didn't want his Padawan to face Dooku…
As if that wasn't enough, the battle for Geonosis now raged at full fury outside. Countless locals, hundreds of Clones and all too many Jedi fell cut down by enemy fire with every passing moment.
"We'll have to hold them off long enough for reinforcements to arrive."
Vader nodded. It had been a very long time since he had wholeheartedly agreed with his former Master.
They walked warily into the small hangar and found Dooku standing next to a bunch of what appeared to be empty fuel cells. To his right, three men waited with inactive lightsabers in their hands. One was a Twi'lek with bright yellow, almost white skin. The next was a brown-haired human, with a face resembling a bird of prey. The third was a blue-skinned Duros, whose huge eyes held unnatural coldness.
"I'll take the three on the left!" declared Vader and charged the Dark Jedi.
"Wait, Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted a warning.
Skywalker was halfway to the surprised men when Dooku raised his hand and unleashed a torrent of blue lighting.
Everyone expected that the brash Padawan would be hurled at the wall behind him by the onslaught. The attack halted his progress, but that was all it did to Skywalker. To their shock, Vader not only caught the onslaught on the blade of his lightsaber, but redirected a part of its power towards the Duros. The Dark Jedi wasn't fast enough in activating his lightsaber and bore the full brunt of the attack. The lighting threw him into the air and he bounced off the side of Dooku's ship before landing in a smoking heap on the ground. The Duros twitched a few times but otherwise didn't move. He was obviously out of the fight for now.
Dooku frowned at the unexpected development. He nodded to his still standing Acolytes: "Take him!"
They wasted no time and activated their blades before charging Anakin. He smiled grimly and met their attack.
Dooku tried to electrocute Kenobi, but the Jedi Knight absorbed the lighting attack with his blade.
"I don't think so," muttered Kenobi.
Dooku gave him a small smile before drawing his lightsaber, which came to life with a characteristic snap-hiss. Jedi and Sith clashed in a whirlwind of azure and crimson light.
Besides them, Vader was having fun.
This was the first time in over two decades engaging in a lightsaber duel without being held back by grave injuries. He was no longer constrained by the kriffing suit, and, while the lack of the cybernetic limbs left him a bit weaker physically, he could more than make up for it with the Force.
Vader's only real disadvantage was that for two decades he had relied predominantly on overwhelming physical strength in combat – something he no longer had on his side. He had to remember how to use more technique in his combat style, something he enjoyed immensely.
His borrowed emerald blade sizzled when it met a meter and half long pillar of crimson energy. At the same time, Anakin sent a telekinetic wave that staggered his second opponent.
Skywalker used the moment he had gained to concentrate on the other opponent. He parried a slash aimed at literally disarming him. He took a chance by locking the lightsabers together and stepping within his opponent's guard. He pushed the blades to the right and, letting go of the hilt of his weapon with his left hand, struck the Twi'lek in the face. With a fist, he had enhanced with the Force.
There was a satisfying crunching sound. His opponent grunted in pain and lost his balance, staggering to the right. The Dark Jedi still managed to keep the lightsabers locked for a moment longer, preventing Anakin from following with another attack.
Then the other human was upon Skywalker, leaving the Twi'lek to regain his balance in safety.
Beside them, Dooku was taunting Obi-Wan, who was hard-pressed to keep the Count's blade from biting into his flesh.
Anakin attacked the man facing him with a series of powerful strikes. He was trying to overwhelm his opponent with brute strength before the Twi'lek, who was already dashing their way, rejoined the battle.
Vader battered aside the Dark Jedi's blade and used the momentum of his swing to rotate in place and deliver an even more powerful attack.
Anakin's green blade sliced through the chest of the human Dark Jedi, who fell back with a strangled cry. The Twi'lek attacked Vader, nearly taking off his left hand. Only the man's experience allowed him to twist aside at the last possible instant. Even then, he could feel the heat of the lightsaber scorching the back of his hand.
The Duros had shaken off the shock of the Sith Lightning and was getting back on his feet.
But most importantly for Skywalker and his Jedi Master, Dooku was able to breach Kenobi's defenses.
They had their weapons locked in a contest of strength when the Sith twisted his wrists, releasing the blades. Obi-Wan had an instant of horrified realization when his lightsaber was torn out of his hands. Then, for a fraction of the second, the crimson blade of the Count passed through the biceps on the Jedi's left arm. Kenobi shouted in pain.
Dooku followed his attack with a simple slash, cutting through the Jedi's thigh muscle leaving him to crumble helplessly.
The Sith Lord flourished his weapon and prepared to strike down Kenobi once and for all.
At the same time, Vader found himself facing two opponents, both between him and Obi-Wan. He was well aware that he couldn't reach Kenobi in time.
=KoF=
Part 3
=KoF=
Docking bay
CIS installation
Geonosis
The part of Vader that was the shell of the man left after Mustafar wanted to see Kenobi die again. There was no question about that.
Yet, the former Sith Lord had merged with the essence of the young Skywalker whose body he inhabited. That echo still saw Obi-Wan as a mentor, the older brother who raised him.
For a moment he stood still, wondering what to do. He looked between his opponents and acted.
Dooku raised his lightsaber above his head and prepared to strike a finishing blow on the helpless Jedi.
Vader reached through the Force. The Dark Jedi sensed his action and braced to receive an attack they logically anticipated.
They gathered the Force around them, ready to counteract any attack sent their way. Instead, Vader grabbed the corpse of the human he had cut down and hurled it at the older Sith Lord.
Dooku reacted in time, blasting the limp body with telekinesis, and sent it flying away.
Nevertheless, the distraction worked. Kenobi lived for a few more moments and distracted the Dark Jedi for an instant.
Obi-Wan used that opportunity to roll away from the Sith Lord, buying himself a few more precious seconds.
Vader gave one last glance to his mentor and moved. He jumped at the man to his right, simultaneously using telekinesis to grab the blade which belonged to the man he killed. Vader's lightsaber crashed into the weapon of the Twi'lek with tremendous power, forcing the man to step back.
The Duros tried to flank Skywalker but had to parry an unexpected attack. Vader had just flung the dead man's scarlet blade straight at his back.
Where the kriff was Yoda when you needed him?! Vader raged silently and redoubled his efforts to dismember the man in front of him.
With his flank secured for few seconds, Anakin pressed the attack. He had mere moments if he wanted to reach Kenobi before Dooku could finish him. Skywalker executed a strong diagonal slash which forced his opponent to take a step back, and to the right.
Dooku glanced at the teen who had killed one of his men and decided that the Padawan won't reach him in time. He was ready to dash at Kenobi and finish him off once and for all but wanted to be sure that there will be no more distractions.
Dooku pointed his left hand at Skywalker and unleashed a concentrated bolt of Sith Lightning at him.
Vader sensed the danger and met it with a raised hand. He had a heartbeat to surround his palm with Force energy, which was barely enough to protect it from the onslaught. If he was less powerful or experienced in manipulating the Force, it wouldn't have worked. He wouldn't have been able to deflect the attack at the Duros for a second time. Unfortunately, this time the alien was warier and managed to catch the lighting on his blade. That still slowed him down, disrupting an attempt to flank Vader.
The three of them were locked at an impasse when Dooku refused to stop his onslaught.
The Twi'lek attacked Skywalker head-on in an attempt to break the stalemate. The former Sith Lord caught the crimson blade of the Dark Jedi with his lightsaber and with a mighty shove, pushed him back again. That distraction nearly made him lose control of the lighting onslaught hungry to taste his life force.
That situation might have continued until Vader was too tired to fend off his three opponents, but that was not to be.
A quiet tapping sound could barely be heard coming from the direction of the landing ramp.
By an unannounced agreement, the combatants disengaged, and Vader quickly moved to cover the wounded form of Obi-Wan. A moment later, Yoda calmly walked into the hangar, revealing that the tapping sound was caused by his gnarled walking stick.
"Master Yoda." the Sith Lord greeted his former teacher in a calm voice concealing his disappointment.
Dooku was not arrogant enough to believe that he could easily dispatch the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. Further, from what he saw, his remaining Acolytes were unlikely to defeat Skywalker.
The opportunity to dispatch a pair of Jedi was slipping from his grasp.
"Count Dooku," a hint of disappointment could be heard in the ancient Jedi's voice.
"This is the last time you meddle in our affairs." declared Dooku. His tone carried none of the doubts he felt within his heart.
The Sith Lord used the Force to grab an empty container mounted on a nearby wall and threw it at the tiny Jedi.
Vader grinned when Dooku and Yoda started their duel. Now he was free to deal with the remaining two fools without further interruptions.
"Anakin! Catch!" Kenobi used the Force to summon his lightsaber and threw it to Skywalker.
He caught the weapon with his free hand and activated it. An azure blade hissed to life and Vader pointed it at the Duros.
"Let's finish this charade!" Vader hissed. His eyes glowed like two pools of hate and fury, giving the Dark Jedi a brief pause. Vader grinned at them and charged.
Azure and emerald met crimson. Each parried strike released white sparks of energy, briefly illuminating the darkened dock.
The three combatants fought for a few seconds, neither side gaining the upper hand. The reason for that was simple: Vader was on the precipice of exhaustion. In the brief moments when he had to hold off Dooku and his cronies, he had spent most of the stamina he had left. Despite that, the pair of Dark Jedi were unable to overcome the experience of the former Sith Lord, especially when he let his mask crack, so they could get a taste of the real thing.
Nevertheless, Vader had to end the battle immediately.
He drew all his remaining strength into enhancing his body as much as possible.
The eyes of the Acolytes widened when they sensed a torrent of power washing through their opponent. That was all the warning they got, and it was insufficient to save them.
Vader glided forward, delivering strikes with power rivaling the best he managed decades hence as a cyborg. If one looked close enough, they could see tiny shock-waves of Force energy exploding every time the Dark Jedi parried one of his strikes.
His sudden monstrous strength caught
them off guard.
Vader advanced as an unstoppable juggernaut, and smashed through the guard of the Twi'lek as if it was put up by a youngling. He followed with a second strike, battering the lightsaber out of the man's hands.
At the same time, he used Kenobi's lightsaber to fend off the frantic attacks from the Duros.
Vader smiled, relishing the fear reeking from his opponents. His eyes met those of the Twi'lek an instant before he stabbed him in the chest. The emerald blade sliced through flesh and bones as if they weren't there, leaving a gaping maw in the torso of the man.
The part of Skywalker which was still very much a Sith, drank deeply from the Dark Jedi's despair when he realized that his death was at hand.
Vader turned his back to the dying man and concentrated on his remaining adversary.
=KoF=
In the other end of the docking bay, Dooku glanced at the other duel. One of his Acolytes was dying, and the other would not be alive for long. Now he could sense the power of the boy. His servant stood no chance against someone like that.
It was time for Dooku to cut his losses and get away from Geonosis. He parried a pair of slashes, which Yoda delivered in quick succession, and channeled the Force through his free hand.
Dooku used the gathered energy to crush the foundations of a pillar made by joined metal pipes, which toppled towards the prone form of Kenobi. The Sith Lord smiled when he felt a shift in Yoda's intentions. The Jedi Master had decided to save his fellow Force Adept and was no longer an immediate threat to him.
He left the Yoda to his devices and ran towards his ship.
Just before he jumped in his transport out of Geonosis, the Sith Lord saw Skywalker cornering his last Acolyte.
Vader had the Duros with his back to the wall. The Dark Jedi's lightsaber was pinned against the rocky surface by the azure blade in Anakin's left hand, leaving him wide open.
A flash of green later, the decapitated Duros slid down the wall.
Vader sensing that the immediate danger was over, deactivated his weapons. He turned around in time to see Dooku's ship leaving.
Someone sent a hail of blaster bolts after the disappearing craft, but they did nothing more than sparkling over its tough hull.
Vader turned his head towards the wall behind which the blaster fire came and breathed a sigh of relief.
Seconds later, Padme ran inside followed by two squads of Clone troopers. She looked at the aftermath of the battle and winced when her eyes lingered over Kenobi's injuries.
When he saw that, Skywalker had to fight to remain calm because for a moment his heart was pierced by a spike of irrational jealousy.
However, that moment passed, and he promptly forgot it a second later.
Padme had determined that no threats were present, so she ran to the man she loved and drew him into a fierce hug. His hands embraced her and pressed her gently to his chest.
Padme was glad that after Anakin's display in the Arena they no longer had to hide. She was well aware that soon enough, everyone would know about their relationship. After all, nothing in the galaxy moved faster than a juicy rumor.
Yoda looked at the pair and frowned. He sensed a disturbance in the Force. Those two, and especially that Padawan, were going to give him a heap of headaches. More importantly, he was certain Skywalker tapped into the Dark Side of the Force to win against the three Darksiders he faced.
The Jedi Master frowned at them. He was too old to deal with this stuff...
=KoF=
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