Chapter 24 Once upon a time there was a Dooku…


LUKE POV

"That's it. You know what to use," Dooku spoke in encouragement as the dark side surrounded them.

He glared heatedly at the man and violently broke the saberlock, and with a yell attacked viciously nonstop. He just wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off Dooku's face and then wipe the floor itself with the Sith, like a mop, a very dirty and wet mop. But no matter what he did his onslaught was blocked again and again with ease. It made him increasingly flustered to no end.

He sloshed through the water, relentless in his assault, while Dooku glided through the water circling and spinning, like a fairy. A fucking fairy.

Stupid old man was doing that creepy smile again.

Creeper.

He brought himself down onto the man attempting to overwhelm the Sith who seemed to perfectly be keeping up with his rampaging wild motions. His blood boiled in his veins. His heart pounded furiously. He never really knew he could feel this humiliated. Even with this power that came to him… this power… this darkness… his mind felt a bit foggy now. Circling he slashed down, only to be deftly blocked. There was a distinct ringing in his ears and he found himself a bit hard of hearing. But this power… this power that made him feel strong. Even with it why am I still so weak! All the muscles in his body strained. He still couldn't even lay a finger on his opponent. But way deep in the back of his mind he began to hear a voice ask in despair, "But since when did I care about such power…" This Dooku hindered him and even was able to stop him in his tracks! Am I just not good enough? Suddenly he began to fear. It was a cold fear. I've felt this before. His mind knew. Maybe once, maybe more… It was so unlike a fear he felt for others, or a fear he felt when facing the krayt dragon when younger or the scavengers a few days earlier, but maybe because it was a fear he only felt in this type of slippery dark force he surrounded himself in that whispered that he wasn't powerful enough. That mocked him for not being powerful enough yet. I need to become stronger. I need to save the others. I need to help them. I need to succeed. I need. I need! I need!... I need, how selfish. "especially like this when was it that I even cared for power such as this?" Back then, not too long ago, when I had my friends, my family, to count on and save me and help me so all of us could get through it together, Leia, Han, Chewie, 3po, and R2, I had felt strong in a different way. We drew close to one another. We looked after one another. We became familiar with each other. I wasn't weak like that. When I had such a strange comforting thing called friendship. Power of the heart was what that connection of being so close to others gave me. Maybe if I, or maybe if we all could just- The force screamed in warning! He was forced to desperately jerk away from a 'would be' lethal blow, grunting and skidding away, crimson blade skimming much too close for comfort, singing the very tips of his sandy blond hair. The churned up water swirled around his feet and his breathing felt heavy in his chest. He spotted at a steely eyed Dooku. Crimson blade struck point blank in the exact location he had been in. He blinked, startled.

I could have lost a limb. I could have died.

He panted heavily.

He dared.

I could have died…

He dared to threaten me when I have so much to live for!

His vision turned white. Then red with rage just as he gripped the blade. It too flashed a brilliant red and he charged, pouncing, trying to drive the Sith back against the wall. He felt the power come back and engulf him. More so stronger than before, making him forget about his ponderings from earlier. Technique: Force body. It broke ones endurance past a safe limit. Regardless of current well-being and health. Regardless of his old wounds splitting open again. Regardless of his wounds, as an alternative it was slowly numbing the pain from his injuries that would have else tore through him like hot iron daggers of pain ever so violently. It ran through his whole body and he felt good in this addicting air. A crooked smile came upon his visage. His body propelled itself forward on its own accord beyond all exhaustion he had felt ever before. It was magnificent. He felt great. He felt powerful in this dark force with eyes wide open. For once he moved at speed he never thought possible he could do, and exerted physical strength he never imagined he could carry. And as he thrust the screaming red blade forward threw the air, only to be effortlessly parried and blocked, once again unwillingly entering a saberlock. But he pressed forward. He pressed onward, hands shaking with the effort. Baring his teeth, he pushed Dooku back! But with surprising sudden swiftness he found himself ramming face first into a wall, mouth filling with tangy iron.

The taste of metallic red iron.

"Uuughhhhh."

It was blood.

His mind grew just a bit clearer at the sudden wake up call. Any hostile thoughts directed toward Dooku born from the darkness he had dipped into mellowed out, becoming something less threatening. And with it the glorious power he felt faded as well, leaving him as an empty hurt hollow shell of what once made him feel full. Distinct throbbing on certain areas of his body became ever more so prominent.

Such a constant ache.

His head pulsed.

Ow, ow, ow ow, my head… the grip he held on Sidious's saber loosened a bit as he bowed his head, rubbing the aching sore spot. Adrenaline still coursing through his body so much so that it was painful to feel his heart thudding so rapidly like it might burst. Like a soggy wet rag, bottom half of his clothes thoroughly drenched, he finally managed to look up from the freezing water he slumped down unceremoniously in that efficiently soaked him to the bone. Dooku was looking at him again, not smiling, but just staring as if intrigued. He shivered.

Idiot he thought, not sure if he meant himself for being so careless or Dooku for being so damn infuriating. Uggghhh. Tenderly touching his noggin he winced tiredly. That'll surely leave a bump. Somehow in his drunken haze the Count had sent him crashing face first into a wall, much to his embarrassment. To his great and utter annoyance however the Sith looked as unruffled as ever and not even the least big worn out by his fury attacks.

Groaning he lurched up off the ground, getting to his feet on unsteady throbbing legs. Then he spit out the revolting red substance that had flooded his mouth. It dribbled down his chin. Quickly the life fluid was wiped off, staining the bandages on his hands red. The feeling of increasing nausea came at just having the substance near him.

Having blood near him.

The sight and scent was making him sickly. Ill. Heart aching. Reminding him of-

"Have you ever questioned or wondered since you've got here why it's been so easy to get to this point?" Dooku asked, face straight in a mask again, thankfully interrupting his mind of memories, causing his recent recollection of thoughts to shatter apart and dissipate to the darkest recesses of his mind once more. Dooku's piercing eyes searching into his own very confused and panicked ones as he thought over the Count's words.

"What do you mean?"

The Sith sighed. "Is it so hard to understand? Do you really think you would have made it this far by yourself without intervention? My master foresaw that you might arrive here. Though I don't know who you are or where you came from, you are important enough to be wanted alive under specific circumstances."

Oh.

Breathing deeply in and slowly releasing it out through his nose he tried to calm his frantic thoughts. He had had his suspicions earlier but now it seemed they were confirmed.

But wait! That meant this whole time I entered this building I was played like a little pawn! But what about Talon? He didn't know anymore. Was Talon part of the scheme too? But no, what I felt. What I felt from him was that he couldn't have been. He just couldn't. Talon would never. His free hand balled into a fist. But it's not that. There's something more to this too. In his heart he felt an urgency building to a truth to be revealed. Just seeing the room he and Dooku stood in right now, left him wondering. Thinking. Contemplating. Considering. Pondering. And finally realizing.

He gasped.

The scientists. What about them?! Where do they come into play?

"What about the people down here!"

"Well, what about them,"Dooku asked, uninterested.

"They could've been saved. Couldn't they!" He needed to know.

"Of course, but I was not very fond of them. My master was going to get rid of them anyways. So I had you dispose of them."

Wha-

"But, why?!" How can people like you be so heartless! Making me do that. Those things! He thought looking down at the floor toward his wet watery reflection. His head jerked back up at Dooku's cold voice.

"Know this youngling. My master and I are not all at fault for what has been done. You are to blame for what you have done. The sooner you except the truth, the sooner you can come to terms with what you have done." the Sith stated with cold eyes, staring him down.

He scowled.

His mouth grew uncomfortably dry. I didn't mean to kill them. But I did! However, slowly that burning building rage began to melt away and mellow turning pearly blue just like his reflection that he gazed at, and in it he saw something he didn't like. He allowed his eyes to fall shut, pained. I was delusional back then. Back there. But they were hurting Talon. I had to do something. The scientists were monsters of people, weren't they? Dammit, don't try to delude yourself Luke. That man had a family waiting for him! And you know it! But now that I think about it, I've killed so many people before whether I like to admit it or not. Stars, I murdered thousands on the Death Star without even knowing the real implications of what I was doing! I have deluded myself into thinking that it doesn't matter or that I don't care. Just because I didn't see each and every single death does not mean that it doesn't mean something to someone out there! It's only when I get up close and personal like this. Like this when I fully realize the consequences. An image of the man flashed through his mind: mouth open in a silent scream. Forever wearing that blank expressionless gaze. I felt sadness when I couldn't save those children. But not entirely because they were children, but just because of the simple action of failing to save someone. I feel guilt right now at murdering a father who is just doing his job, because I now see and am confronted with the horrible thing that I have been doing all along with the rebellion each time I chose to fight against the empire! Maybe the rebellion truly did use me! Maybe I was just misinformed! They were just enemies to me. Enemies behind masks with which I could not see. My heart chose to make them inhuman creatures so it would be easier to go for the kill. To slaughter other living breathing beings for what I believed to be what was right! When as I was seen as the hero of the rebellion, I must've been loathed by millions for what I did so carelessly! I created orphans among the bloodlines. I left families fatherless when I myself yearned for a father. But now, now this is a horror within what truth is found. I now understand. I have sorted out these conflicted feelings. And through this acceptance of gathered thought he felt a bit lighter just out of deluded darkness. With that his eyes opened once more.

Looking around the room at all the dead humans sprawled out upon the ground his eyes pinpointed the silver heart shaped locket, and he promised: I won't forsake such deaths. Every life holds value! Every life is valuable! Everyone is worthy of life! Every single person that is born is worthy of life! But those like me can see it. Can know it even, but just don't fully understand such implications, while some others, unfortunately, just don't grasp it at all. It's sad. How could I have chosen to be so blind for so long. I'll change. I owe it to them, all of them.

Dooku, the bastard, must have taken his silence as him moping or something as what he said next just plain pissed him off.

"Come now; stop being such a pitiful little creature. Weakness through caring that deeply for others will lead you to your demise one day. And if you-"

"Oh, shut up!"

He shot the man a glare. And for once the Sith seemed a bit surprised, not shocked, but surprised at the outburst.

The count quickly recovered, face becoming composed once again, and seemed to try a different approach.

"If you truly are a Jedi, then how come you have a natural affiliation with the dark side of the force? I have now seen you naturally use it more than once. Can you really call yourself one of them? You could be such a great sith you know. A powerful-"

"No," he glared harshly, "No! I am a Jedi like my father before me! Enough mind games Dooku. I won't fall for it again Sith!" he shouted, pointing the red blade at the Sith.

"Oh, so your father was a Jedi."

Bantha shit did I just say that!

"It is forbidden in the order for one to-"

"Itsnoneofyourbusiness!" he but in.

Dooku just looked at him with dark eyes, but he just met the intense gaze head on.

"Hmm. Fine. You have chosen to side with the fools, haven't you." He gave Dooku a fiery blue eyed glower as the only confirmation. The Sith continued on in a supercilious tone, "But it seems clear to me that no matter how much you know, no matter how much you perceive, you are still as blind as the Jedi. Or you choose to be this blind, which puzzles me greatly. I have seen the truth. Seen the corruption within the senate firsthand. A poison runs deep. I was a fool, believing I could accomplish some good as a Jedi. I thought I could bring right to what was wrong and bring about positive changes rather than maintain this existing perpetual unchanging state of affairs. I went against the status quo. But in the end, I was an utter fool. There is change approaching on the horizon. It is time to let go of the old ways. A choice had to be made. And if those, such as the Jedi, cannot except it and adapt then they too will be left behind and eradicated in the coming birth of a glorious future that will bring about peace and prosperity to this pitiful republic and the entirety of the galaxy!"

He doesn't know, does he?

"Sidious is tricking you. He doesn't want this! He wants to become supreme leader, emperor!"

He didn't know how, but a part of him actually dreaded for Dooku. Even if Dooku played him. Even if Dooku, hurt him, more emotionally than physically it would seem. By him doing this to me it has made me realize my own flaws. I-I don't need power. I just strive at times to become a kind person. He couldn't help it. Looking at the bigger picture, and of what was to come, he was certain the man wouldn't survive.

"Hold your tongue. You will pay for your insolence. I have become more powerful than any Jedi. When the new order comes to power I will be at the forefront of it, side by side with my master," Dooku stated, rich cultured voice filled to the brim with evident certainty.

"Please! Hear the truth of my words! If you keep following Sidious he will lead you to your death! In the future there is no one of the name of Count Dooku!"

"And what do you, a mere child compared to me, know of the future," the Sith challenged.

He swallowed thickly.

"A lot actually," he said as water continued sprinkling down on them, like fresh rainfall washing away the old and bringing about the new. A lot actually it repeated in his mind.

A silence sprouted forth from the quiet statement as a testament in the force. For a while the duo just looked at one another.

Truly looked.

In Dooku's eyes was a mystery that he would never solve. Deep onyx brown eyes with a black rim around the iris itself and around the pupil lay a vivider shade than before. A balance of gold and lighter brown rays came together in the eye. That was as much a closer look as he would ever find with his own blue and so pale that was the color of a free Tatooine sky devoid of clouds as that was the color and look of his own eyes.

The future is a fickle thing. Ever changing, never staying. He felt for the man. He couldn't help but feel for the man. Was it worry?But why worry for a Sith? Wouldn't a true Jedi only see a Sith as a monster. It's been all black and white. See one way or see another. Maybe it's just in my nature that I can't help but forgive and care. To look past myself to someone else.

He gripped the red saber.

"I actually find myself hesitant to kill you," Dooku said in a soft voice, "With such potential in the force you'd make an exceptional apprentice. With a bit of training and guidance you would make a powerful sith."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you, but you know that won't happen. If you want to gain power the dark side is not the way."

"That's a Jedi's way of thinking… What do you think?"

He sighed.

"I'm not entirely sure."

"Despite what you think you know you still have much to learn youngling. I can see that you yourself have been enlightened as to how blind the Jedi truly are as you yourself have felt doubt toward them before. They themselves are as corrupt as this republic with their lofty ideals. As I have said to you before: it is time for change. We've all felt it but they refuse to acknowledge it. The masters, stuck to their old ways of the past, will soon be left behind. They are on a sinking ship and I myself have had the intellect enough to leave their ways and follow a new master into a budding era!"

"New era! All that will bring is death, destruction, and oppression!" he shouted frustrated, but sad.

"You do not know enough about my master and I's plans to understand."

"Then help me understand!"

Dooku paused.

Maybe Dooku wasn't used to having others, especially light side users, try to understand him. Maybe ever since he left the order he was used to being alone in a way. And ever since he became a Sith maybe he was used to being scorned and ostracized by those once used to be seen as his allies in a time far far away from here. Maybe something personal happened earlier on that caused the man to doubt the order so. Dooku was not immoral, he could still see the strips of humanity left in him, but one day to turn amoral. I can look past he did to me earlier. And just maybe I can try to understand, and see things from his point of view. To see things from someone else's perspective. If only for a second. It would be enough…

"You could be great you know. Join me. I may be able to persuade my master to have mercy on you for what you've done of late."

No matter how much in doing so it would make me a fool.

"I am a Jedi. I will always stay a Jedi." But for some reason, worryingly, the force around them became turbulent and conflicting with his statement. He gave it no mind though.

"Don't be so sure young one," Dooku whispered, feeling the turn in the force as well, "The Jedi are a dying race, that's what those fools are." But after seeing his face the Sith seemed to accept it, taking on a resigned expression. "Very well then I see you've made your choice. Then it seems you too have doomed yourself to the same fate as the Jedi."

"So be it," he finished, gathering the light side of the force to his battered body.

Across from him Dooku finally lifted his crimson blood blade, positioning a stance.

"I really didn't want to have to do this but know you have forced my hand. Make your move."...

It went pretty fast. One moment he gathered the light side to his aid for help and the next he found himself hopelessly outmatched. I guess he was just toying with me the whole time after all. As Dooku, master of darkness, called on the dark side of the force he pushed his own screaming muscles to move, now feeling the full effects of the Force Body technique in which he had foolishly applied earlier. His coordination was so poor and his defeat was effortless for the master swordsman who barely broke a sweat.

Now he desperately blocked the incoming assaults raining down on him with such swiftness, delivered and employed with such elegance and poise and finesse he couldn't help but gawk at the how the Sith controlled the power of the force. It's a losing battle he grimaced.

His agile opponent swung at him, backing him up till they were in the center of the room, then proceeded, at a speed his eyes couldn't quite catch neither red saber ever possibly block, to dismember it.

His saber hand came flying off.

He screamed, falling to his knees, clutching what was left of the appendage close to his chest.

He squinted through the foggy haze of pain in which he believed he might faint in.

I can't thank you enough, father…

Head snapping up, he painfully smirked up at Dooku, lightsaber soaring into his left hand, slapping against his palm.

for this will be the only time I thank you for cutting off my hand back then, at Bespin…

With that, he swung up, catching a shocked Dooku straight across the chest with his own blood red blade.


(Fanfir Note: If you don't understand what happened let me explain: Dooku cut off his fake hand which he didn't know Luke had. The prosthetic has fake nerve endings which still caused Luke pain but not enough to completely inhibit him from jumping back up and giving it his last shot by calling Sidious's lightsaber to his left hand (since his right hand that had held the saber got cut off) and surprising/ shocking Dooku with the sudden attack.)

(Hydra Note: I think it's kinda clear that I take a more sympathetic approach to some characters but that doesn't mean Sidious (aka Fart Face) is going to garner any sympathy from me… hehehehhe…evil laughter can be heard in background ….)

(Fanfir Note: …. Hello… hehehehe…. I know this isn't the best fanfic out there but I'm pretty sure it isn't the worst. But I admit: I am an amateur writer. This is my first time attempting to write a long story or any of the sort, ya know….. this is my first fanfic after all…. Bruh….. hehehehe….. so some of my wording may be a little weird sometimes….. but overall I believe I'm gradually improving… and I don't have any specific update days as writing chapters depends mostly on what happens in the chapter and that influences how long it will be… so anyways thanks for reading.)

(Hydra Note: hehehehehe…. I have one more thing to say: there will be OC's in this story so if you don't like then don't read, I guess…. Since Luke is amazing he will always be the main focus of the story and no one will outshine his awesomeness… I'll try not to make any OC's overbearing or anything cause no one like that….. hehehehehe….)