Okay guys, here's the new chapter. I would also like to thank everyone because at the time that I have written this part I have 100 followers for my story. So my thanks to all of you, as well as to the 54 people who have favorited this story.
Obi-Wan and Ben were on the LAAT with Anakin and Padmé. They knew what was to come now: The Clone Wars. As well as, his duel with Dooku which also cost Anakin his arm.
"I should be the one who faces Dooku." Ben said.
"I appreciate the effort, but you're out of practice." Obi-Wan argued.
"I'm well aware, but I still have experience with Dooku. You don't." Ben replied. "Besides, I thought it was my job to do the heavy lifting." He snarked.
"Funny…" Obi-Wan said his eyebrows rolled.
"You should know." Ben said. Even though he didn't have a body Obi-Wan could practically hear the playfully smug grin.
The LAATs flew past the Venator-class Star Destroyers.
"If Dooku escapes, rally more systems to his cause he will." Yoda told Master Windu and Mundi.
Windu began to ponder what was happening because of what has happened war between the Republic and Separatists would be inevitable. His former friend had now doomed countless lives.
He was broken out of his thoughts when from a plasma bolt nearly hitting the ship. The LAATs turned toward the nearby plateau.
"Hold on!" Obi-Wan ordered everyone. All the passengers held on to the netting on top of them inside the transport.
The ship rocked as it tried to not get blasted.
"Hang right above the fuel cells!" Anakin ordered.
The ship launched missiles at the gigantic fuel cells. A massive explosion occurred once the missiles detonated and they fell over crushing the nearby Battle Droids below them.
"Good call! My young Padawan!" Obi-Wan said congratulating Anakin.
He felt a small surge of pride when he saw Anakin's proud grin.
Some of the LAATs began to land as the Jedi and Clones who had occupied them began to charge towards the Droid Armies.
Meanwhile, Yoda, Windu, and Mundi watched as one of the LAAT's next to them exploded after getting shot. The three felt grief for the Clones and Jedi, but didn't let the loss consume them. Their comrades would want them to capture Dooku.
"Pilot, Land down at that assembly area!" Windu ordered.
"Yes, sir." The Clone said obediently.
The ship began to lower down the area below them. Alongside the landed transport were several clones and some AT-TE walking alongside them.
Windu, Mundi, and Fisto ran towards one of the clones with Yellow on his armor.
"Sir, I have special commando units awaiting your order." He said.
Windu pointed towards the horizon.
Yoda remained on the ship.
"To the forward command center, take me." Yoda ordered.
The LAAT began to fly off.
As the ship took to the air Yoda watched the battle. As Jedi soldiers and their Clone Troopers ran towards the Battle Droids. Blaster fire flew across the desert in numerous directions.
Obi-Wan's LAAT began to fly towards a Federation starship.
"Attack those Federation starships, quickly!" Obi-Wan ordered.
The LAAT and the one close to it began to open fire on the ships.
Yoda meanwhile, landed at the command center.
"Master Yoda, all forward positions are advancing." The Clone commander said.
"Very good." Yoda said as he walked to the clone. "Very good." He said pleased.
Yoda watched as explosions erupted from the horizon from droids firing at vehicles and vice-versa.
"Concentrate your fire on the nearest starship." Yoda ordered.
"Yes, sir." A nearby clone obeyed.
"All quadrants to sector five-point-five." He ordered the gunners.
Soon the Self-Propelled Heavy Artillery walkers began to fire at the starships about to take off. Though they managed to only destroy one, as the other two began to take off.
A huge shockwave struck the ground as the desert was filled with smoke and dust. This did not bother the Clones as they began to fire in front of them.
"The droid army is in full retreat." The Clone said.
"Well done, commander." Yoda congratulated. "Bring me a ship." He ordered.
Yoda knew he had to confront his former Padawan. He pushed aside all of their happiest moments together. He had to do what needed to be done.
The Separatists began to evacuate off the planet. Count Dooku had other plans. Poggle the lesser had given him the plans to a battle station known as the Death Star. He told Poggle he would bring it to his master.
The Sith boarded his Flipknot Speeder so that he could go to his private hangar.
The Speeder took off as did two other escort speeders. Fortunately, for Dooku, the dust began to block any view of him. The dust began to dissipate and he was in clear view of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Look over there!" Obi-Wan said pointing at the ground.
Anakin and Padmé looked at the ground and saw Dooku riding off.
"It's Dooku, shoot him!" Anakin ordered.
"We're out of rockets sir." The Clone informed them.
"Follow him!" Anakin ordered.
"We're going to need some help." Padmé argued.
"Now is not the time, Anakin and I can handle this." Obi-Wan told her.
Dooku looked behind and saw the LAAT. He pressed a button on the console ordering the speeders to take care of it. The two began to fly up behind the LAAT and open fire. The trooper transport ship tried to dodge them, but eventually, one of them managed to hit the ship. Padmé and a Clone fell off the ship. She screamed as she fell to the ground.
"Padmé!" Anakin cried out full of fear.
She rolled onto the ground with the clone.
"Put the ship down!" He ordered frantically.
Ben was about to switch places with Obi-Wan. Until his younger counterpart stopped him.
"If it's all the same to you." Obi-Wan said. "I'll do it."
"Very well." Ben said.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan shouted. "Don't worry, I have an idea." He said.
"What?!" Anakin asked desperately.
"Call the Clone who fell with her and tell him to check on her condition." Obi-Wan explained.
Upon hearing this Anakin looked at the Clones. One of them handed Anakin a communicator set to what he assumed was the Clone.
"Are you okay?" Anakin asked. He was concerned about Padmé, but that didn't mean he was uncaring towards the clone.
"Yes, Commander." He said. "I'm fine, thank you." the Clone said.
"I need you to check on Pa…" Anakin said, but stopped as he noticed his slip of the tongue. "Senator Amidala and see if she's okay." Anakin told himself. He hoped Obi-Wan didn't hear that slip.
Unbeknown to Anakin, he did notice and tried to not let it bother him.
"Right away." The Clone said.
There was a moment of silence until Padmé appeared.
"Senator Amidala, are you okay?" Anakin asked full of concern.
"I'm fine, An…Padawan Skywalker." Padmé said smiling. "Don't worry about me, I need you to stop Dooku." She told him.
"Right away. I promise" Anakin said. He then mouthed something which Padmé reciprocated.
Ben and Obi-Wan both assumed that the words fell along the lines of "I love you."
"Thank you." Anakin said.
"You're welcome." Obi-Wan said.
"Not just with that, but everything." Anakin said the most grateful both Kenobis have ever seen.
"I was just doing the right thing, Anakin." Obi-Wan said. "Besides we should focus on our quarry right now." He said.
Anakin nodded looking completely focused.
The ship began to follow Dooku until he reached his hangar. Anakin and Ben got off the ship. The two were fortunate because as soon as the ship landed it was destroyed.
"You're going to pay for all of the Jedi you've killed today, Dooku." Anakin called out to Dooku as they saw him board his vessel.
Ben took control of the body.
"We'll do it together. Slowly." Ben said expecting Anakin to run towards Dooku like last time.
"Right." Anakin said.
Ben and both Obi-Wan were taken aback by this.
"Well, I suppose we're on the right track." Obi-Wan said.
"I guess we are." Ben mused.
The two began to approach Dooku slowly. Dooku raised his hand towards Anakin a lightning flew from his fingers. Fortunately, Anakin managed to use his lightsaber to block the force lightning. Anakin gave a prideful smirk.
"Impressive…" Dooku said. "I might actually take this seriously." He said as he pulled his lightsaber out. A crimson blade came out and he got into his dueling stance.
Anakin rushed towards Dooku and began to slash at the Count. Only to have his blows blocked. Anakin's lightsaber was now facing towards the ground. Dooku put his lightsaber in front of Anakin's neck. He flashed Anakin a rather smug grin. Anakin began to feel blood boil and tried to strike again, only for Dooku to duck under him and push him away with the force while blocking an attack from Ben. Dooku took notice of Ben's stance.
"Soresu?" Dooku questioned slightly caught off guard. "I never expected a student of Qui-Gon Jinn to use that style of combat." Dooku said.
"I've been practicing." Ben said trying to save face.
"Well then let's put your practice to the test." Dooku said before attacking.
Ben began to block Dooku. Apparently, he had forgotten how skilled Dooku was as some of the Counts' attacks homed in a little to close to home for his liking. One strike nearly caused him to lose an ear. He began to push back putting them both into a blade lock.
"Most impressive, Master Kenobi, though I would advise your form needs much more to be improved upon." Dooku said. "It seems as though you have been out of practice." He added
He was partly right, the only duels he had in his exile were with Maul, which lasted only seconds, and with Darth Vader who was much more powerful than Dooku and Maul. Possibly even more than both of them combined.
"Thank you for the advice." Ben replied sarcastically.
"You're welcome." Dooku said flashing a smug grin.
He noticed Anakin getting up who was now quietly approaching Dooku. Dooku began to turn the lock, apparently sensing Anakin. Dooku raised his free hand and a series of droid parts began to fly towards Anakin. Anakin began to cut the pieces as they flew towards him.
"Though, I can't say the same about your Padawan." Dooku said. "His clumsiness is only matched by his lack of intelligence." He mocked.
Anakin apparently heard this and began to charge. Dooku leaped up into the air and landed in the middle of the room and turned off his lightsaber. Anakin and Ben stopped in confusion.
"Not bad, Master Kenobi." Dooku said in a congratulatory manner. "I can see why Master Yoda holds you in so high esteem. As such, my offer still stands. I'll even allow Skywalker to join us as well. What do you say?" Dooku asked.
"I made my answer to that request quite clear earlier." Ben said.
"Very well. Such a shame we have to find ourselves on different sides. You would've been quite the disciple of the Dark Side." Dooku said disappointedly. He turned his lightsaber on again.
Anakin and Ben began to slowly move away from each other. Trying to approach Dooku while he was in the middle and rush him from opposite sides. Dooku had a focused look on his face moving his head to look at both of them. The Jedi duo charged Dooku. Dooku stretched his free hand towards Anakin. Ben began to wonder why he would do that to Anakin again. He didn't know until he was blasted with force lighting and pushed back. His encounter with Jango Fett's ship began to come back as he was electrocuted and sent back.
"He was trying to isolate Anakin!" Ben realized.
Anakin rolled out of the way as Dooku tried to slash downwards. The two got into a blade lock with Dooku turning Anakin towards Ben while the Padawan tried to push back. However, it was Anakin who was shoved back. Anakin was surprised, but before he could react he felt a quick searing pain in his arm. He fell down and saw that Dooku cut off his arm right up to the elbow. Anakin didn't say a word, but the look of shock on his face said it all. Dooku then began to electrocute Anakin. The young man screamed in agony until Ben rushed in and made the save. Their blades were locked in a struggle. Anakin was unconscious as Ben noticed the young man breathe.
"Such speed." Dooku said feigning interest. "Tell me something, Obi-Wan, where was that speed the day Qui-Gon was slain?" Dooku said.
Ben tried to not let those words get to him. He shoved Dooku back, but the Count managed to recover quickly. The two clashed again, Ben was being extra careful with his shoulders and legs, remembering how Dooku defeated him last time. However, Dooku took notice of this and began to try and hit the regions Ben was busy defending. Until he made a swift cut on the right side of Ben's face. Ben dropped his lightsaber because of the pain and walked back a couple of centimeters. He began to feel around as to where Dooku delivered the blow and couldn't feel his ear. He was then electrocuted back by Dooku was using both hands this time. Ben screamed in pain until he sensed Yoda approaching and blacked out.
"Obi-Wan, do you hear me?" Both Kenobis heard a familiar echo.
"Master Qui-Gon?" They asked.
They couldn't see anything. They took this as a sign that they weren't dead, so there's that at least.
"You've been doing quite well with Anakin." Qui-Gon told them. "His trust in you has strengthened a hundredfold now."
"We're aware of this. He actually listened to my command." Ben said. "Though there is still a cost." He lamented remembering that The Clone Wars were still going to occur
"Some things are just set in stone, I fear." Qui-Gon said solemnly. "However, do not fret. You have still made a tremendous difference and struck a blow into the plans of Darth Sidious." Qui-Gon said.
Both Kenobis began to ponder as to what he said. Suddenly, they realized he was talking about Anakin's mother. It was clear that her death was the beginning of Anakin's fall to the Dark Side. With her still alive, Palpatine's grasp on Anakin was weakened.
"Thank you, Master Qui-Gon." Obi-Wan said.
"You're welcome. Until we meet again." Qui-Gon said.
Ben's eyes began to flutter open. His vision was blurred with red and green light clashing against each other. He already knew what was happening. Yoda was facing off against Count Dooku. His vision fully returned and he saw Yoda fighting Dooku by leaping up in the air and attacking. He tried to get back up, but his muscles still felt too sore. He saw Anakin was still unconscious.
Dooku and Yoda were now in a blade lock.
"Fought well you have my old Padawan." Yoda said.
"This battle is only the beginning." Dooku said.
He then began to use the force to crush the bottom half of a machine. It began to almost fall on top of Anakin and Ben until Yoda used the force to stop it. He gently placed it away from them. Unfortunately, Dooku used this as his chance to escape. Dooku boarded his ship and began to fly off. The Clones arrived just too late as they fired at the ship as it flew off into the distance. Padmé walked in behind them and rushed towards Anakin. When she got him she saw that his arm was severed. She gasped in shock and her fearful look grew as she saw Ben look at her. Though to her surprise, he gave her an understanding look and nodded. He began to turn away clutching where his right ear was. Ben noted that it felt like it was still there as the pain began to sting. He struggled to walk away as his muscles were still a little sore.
Yoda was looking away solemnly. With Dooku now gone he feared that the war could last how long. Until then, he decided to confront Master Kenobi about what he had sensed before in the Council chambers.
Alright, we have reached the end of Attack of the Clones. I'll try to get the new chapter as fast as possible. Until then, please leave your thoughts below.
