A/N - First off sorry this is a little late, was planning to get this ready a few days ago but the important thing is it's ready now! I would like to thank everyone who is still following this story and welcome anyone whose new to the tale, the support and reviews as always keep me going so thanks to everyone who has stuck with this! Anyway here's the next segment, we're rocketing towards the final act now!
Obi-Wan and Anakin were thrown off their feet as a rather substantial blast to the ship had the entire corridor in shockwaves, Obi-Wan imagined they looked rather like rag-dolls at the present moment. What with their lack of ability to keep balance, even with their advanced reflexes and with the aid of the force. Obi-Wan's own recently healed wounds jarred at every impact, scar tissue reopening as muscles burned with over-exertion.
They had spent the last leg of the journey in silence as an increasing amount of crew members swarmed the halls, all hoping to escape the failing ship. Obi-Wan could tell by the growing violence of hits that Dooku's ship's shields were failing and the number of opponents were rising. At first he and Anakin had only been able to identify the presence of a handful of force sensitives in the immediate vicinity, that had all changed faster than either of them could keep count. Now the entire area was simply swarming with Jedi, burning brightly in the force as a collective. Obi-Wan hadn't realised how much of a difference the Jedi's united presence impacted the force until now, until he had spent so long alone in the void, in the dark.
Another vicious explosion had both he and Anakin tumbling through the air, both futilely struggling to grapple with the effects of the battle. Obi-Wan ended up falling right on top of his flailing Padawan in a bundle of limbs, both Jedi moaned as their respective battle scars flared before releasing whatever pain they could into the force, picking themselves and setting off jogging once more.
The bad feeling Obi-Wan was having had magnified in strength in just the short distance he and his Padawan had run, it loomed over him like a shadowy storm cloud waiting to strike at any moment. The harder he tried to shake off the premonition the harder it came back with a vengeance, fate would be catching up to him sooner rather than later.
The tremendous crashes beneath them ground to a halt as the persistent firing finally found it's target, the engines. Obi-Wan relied on the force as he and Anakin were plunged into darkness, the corridor falling mercy to the obscurity as power was lost ship-wide. It took a full minute before the slight whirring of back-up generators were heard and the eerie blue emergency lighting kicked in, Obi-Wan's vision took a few seconds to readjust to the change in lighting and he witnessed other disorientated crew-members that were still grounded after the lack of vision. The two Jedi raced past all of them.
In all the concentration spent on just remaining up-right Obi-Wan had failed to notice the impending arrival of their biggest enemy, Dooku. He skid to a halt just as Anakin too sensed the Sith Lord and his pet, both glancing at each other as they realised it was far too late to turn back. Obi-Wan deduced this was what his bad feeling must have been over, their impending meeting with the Count.
Soon the pair were boxed in on either side by droids and mercenary's alike all aiming blasters in their general direction, it seemed Dooku had planned to capture them in advance. The fact didn't surprise Obi-Wan in the slightest he knew why Dooku was here, he wanted him. Abruptly he locked his mind down completely, only releasing scraps of information and feelings that the Count was expecting. It was important Dooku believed he was joining him as his apprentice, that being said Anakin needed to be spared.
He glanced at Ventress and held back an involuntarily shiver, she was still glaring at him with murder in her hate-filled eyes, it was clear her feelings for him had declined dramatically. It was also abundantly clear she didn't believe his projections about joining the pair of them, Obi-Wan thanked the force that Dooku didn't listen to her opinions any longer.
At the distant sound of Jedi ships preparing for boarding, Obi-Wan had an idea. An idea that if pulled off correctly would allow Anakin to remain behind whilst he headed off with Dooku, with the Count believing it was his descension to the dark side. His Padawan would be safe here with the Jedi boarding and Obi-Wan would deal with the fallout of his decisions later. The force sang with approval over his choice and plan which aided in calming his nerves, now just to pull it off.
Obi-Wan allowed himself to meet Dooku's blazing glare, it was evident the Count was not pleased with his escape attempt. More worryingly however was the murderous scowl the ex-Jedi was directing at his Padawan almost mirroring the look he was still receiving from Ventress. He could sense the reason Dooku was so ragingly angry at Anakin from a mile off, he believed the Padawan was turning his Master back to the light.
"I'm very disappointed in your decision Obi-Wan." Dooku started, placing Obi-Wan under a calculative gaze.
"I hadn't realised I'd made one yet." He responded smoothly whilst striving to place himself discretely further from his Padawan.
He could already sense the boy's thoughts over retaliation and had quashed them before they even started, Anakin of course panicked over the ruthless action once again worrying over his Master's behaviour.
'Trust me Anakin, just follow my lead.'
The boy was not overly ecstatic with the instruction but Obi-Wan took his withdrawn silence as obedience for now, he just hoped Anakin would not take what he would be forced to say to heart.
"You're with the boy." Dooku indicated, glowering as his gaze met Anakin's.
Anakin of course did not back down from the stare, standing resolutely rooted to the spot in front of the ex-Jedi. The scene was looking rather too familiar for Obi-Wan's liking as the two opposites stood-off, almost identical to the intense moments back in their cell. Light against dark.
'Anakin don't provoke him remember what I told you.' Obi-Wan silently indicated to his Padawan shielding the communication from Dooku's awareness, willing the boy to heed his words. When he didn't acknowledge hearing them Obi-Wan added to the command which served to break through his Padawan's stubborn streak. 'trust me.'
"He came for me." Obi-Wan replied making sure to add a touch of irritability to his voice, hoping the Count would pick up on his reluctance.
Obi-Wan stepped forward furthering his distance from his rightly-so confused Padawan, he just hoped the boy's trust in him would be enough to hold his tongue. Dooku of course picked up on all of the subtle changes that Obi-Wan was forcibly putting on, relaxing his posture somewhat as the possibility of Obi-Wan joining him was kept alive.
"That doesn't change the fact you were both heading towards escape." Dooku chided, still skeptical and unknowing of Obi-Wan's true motives. "I am disappointed Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan assessed his opponent's critically, the last thing he or Anakin could afford right now was for him to make a wrong move. Dooku would have to be played slyly. Whilst he could certainly identify a healthy dose of skepticism radiating from Dooku he also found the same deep desire the ex-Jedi had held the entire trip, moving forward with Obi-Wan by his side. Obi-Wan knew if he could handle this correctly then the Count's desires would blind him to the truth that Ventress was quite clearly still seeing, his arrogance would blind him to Obi-Wan's treachery. As it always had.
"Whatever my choices are he is still bound to me, I feel a responsibility to help him get home."
Obi-Wan cruelly drowned out Anakin's incredulous shouting through their bond, he could already feel the Count scouring his mind for sincerity. The last thing he needed was to allow Dooku to hear Anakin's thoughts on the matter, Obi-Wan needed all of his concentration to project his new-found indifference towards Anakin even if it would break the boy's heart. The only thing that mattered now was Anakin getting out from Dooku's clutches, Obi-Wan had already resigned to his own fate. The other option would result in both of their deaths which wouldn't aid anyone.
"Hmm, it's not possible the boy was filling your head with nonsense again?" Dooku drawled dangerously, once more directing his murderous glare towards Anakin.
"My views have not changed since we last spoke." Obi-Wan confirmed and was actually rewarded with seeing the beginnings of a smirk pull at Dooku's lips. "I take my vows seriously Dooku, including my oath to Skywalker."
Obi-Wan hoped the use of his Padawan's last name would be catalogued by the Count, the coldness of the action certainly wasn't lost on the boy in question. Obi-Wan could feel the inner battle occurring in Anakin's mind, the ability to simply trust his Master severely eroded by what he was witnessing. The constant hammering against his own mental barriers had Obi-Wan feel as if his own head was splitting, Anakin never once relented in his communication attempts. It was killing Obi-Wan to ignore the desperate pleas but this was what was required, his feelings did not come into it.
Dooku's critical gaze shifted to his and softened ever so slightly over the supposed sincerity of Obi-Wan's words. Ventress of course went to interject before she was swiftly cut off by Dooku himself, it was clear he did not care for or trust her opinion on the matter.
"That is good to hear."
Dooku's slight smirk was wiped straight off his face as the distant clanging sounds reverberated down their corridor, it was clear to all the force-sensitives just who exactly was arriving, the Jedi. The ex-Jedi directed a handful of droids and guards in the general direction of the boarding party, in hopes to delay their arrival for as long as possible.
"The Jedi…" Dooku began only to be cut off Obi-Wan.
"Will not do what needs to be done." He concluded grimly, ignoring the disbelieving look he was receiving from his Padawan. As he sensed the boy's upcoming defiance Obi-Wan silenced him with one look, narrowing his eyes as his apprentice of course did not desist immediately.
Dooku grinned at the proceedings malevolently, ecstatic that his long thought out plans were finally coming to fruition. The Count still hoped for Anakin's death, that much was abundantly clear from the exceedingly vivid images Obi-Wan could sense, Obi-Wan would never allow his Padawan to befall such an awful fate.
"The boy cannot accompany us Obi-Wan he has been brain-washed and will only serve to endanger the galaxy."
Obi-Wan could see what the Count was hinting at, the ex-Jedi was scouring for any reaction to the statement, any indication that Obi-Wan would allow Anakin to be collateral damage in this war, Not bloody likely…
"I will leave him here, the Jedi will take him home." Obi-Wan made a show of deciding, glancing at Anakin indifferently as if the loss from his life was inconsequential to him. Of course the truth was anything but.
"Would it not be kinder to spare him from their fate now?" Dooku eyed up Anakin once more with a hungry look in his gaze, a disturbing look. Obi-Wan catalogued the Count's slight shift in stance, the way he gripped his saber hilt harder, it was obvious Dooku wanted nothing more than to rid himself of the troubling Padawan there and then.
"No."
Dooku's gleaming eyes froze so fast that Obi-Wan almost thought he had imagined the chilling transformation, the Count slowly turned his challenging gaze to Obi-Wan whilst narrowing his eyes to slits completing the familiar skeptical facade. Immense displeasure radiating from each and every one of his cells.
"No?" The double-edged question sliced through the palpable disquiet in the air.
Obi-Wan resolutely stood his ground, Ventress' gaze gleamed with the anticipation of her enemy's secret being spilled and Dooku's previous calm exterior now raged like an oncoming storm. Obi-Wan was directly in it's path.
"There is no reason to waste young talent." Obi-Wan began coldly, treading forward carefully fully aware his next words would either result in life or death. "Perhaps in the future he could be apart of our new order, an order free from bureaucrat's and agendas. A just order where we can do what is best for the galaxy, free from corruption and the unwillingness to act which currently plagues the Jedi."
He stood straight as he delivered the passionate speech, projecting as much conviction over the words as he could handle, believing that this was what he wanted. The speech not only assured Dooku's unwavering trust, it was so unquestionable that even Ventress feigned confusion over his change in views. Of course if Ventress was swayed… Obi-Wan glanced back towards his Padawan the poor boy had gone white as a sheet, the beginning of tears prickling at the corner of his pain-wracked eyes.
Obi-Wan attempted to reach out into their bond willing his Padawan to understand that this was all just an act, this was necessary. He was surprised when Anakin rejected his attempts entirely, his thoughts too muddled, confused and hurt to accept his Master's attempts. It seemed his performance had been more convincing than he had originally intended, the ease of slipping into this role terrified Obi-Wan somewhat. He realised he must believe parts of his speech to be true, there was simply no discernible way to fake the sincerity like that. Obi-Wan resolved to trudge through his beliefs over the Jedi order at a later point, now he had a mission to accomplish.
With a heavy heart Obi-Wan turned his back on Anakin and met Dooku's gaze, it was evident the elder man was completely swayed, comprehensively won over. Even his wishes for Anakin's death weren't as imminent, they had been somewhat quashed by the dreams of a new apprentice.
"Come Obi-Wan, take your place by my side and we will go and rid the galaxy of evil. Fulfil your destiny." Dooku indicated to the place by his side, absurdly proud over the fulfilment of his plans.
They could all sense just how many Jedi were on board by now, their number had been slowly increasing the longer the conversation continued. Dooku was well aware of how imminent their arrival was and now was not willing to waste anymore time, he indicated to the remainder of his crew to prepare the ship for departure whilst Ventress reluctantly skulked off also.
"Master you don't have to do this." Anakin squeaked, stepping forwards in attempt to pull Obi-Wan back to his side, to the light.
Dooku's temper raged at the boy's words, his wishes for Anakin's painful murder reverberating through Obi-Wan's mind. Panicking slightly at the Count's change in focus Obi-Wan abruptly informed his Padawan and Dooku where his loyalties lay simultaneously, putting to bed much of Dooku's resentment.
"I want to do this Padawan."
Anakin gulped back tears, Dooku beamed triumphantly. Obi-Wan swallowed down overwhelming guilt.
Obi-Wan then started forward effectively into Dooku's outreached arms, settled and resolved on what would be a short-lived alliance with the Count. If only Anakin believed that. At the last moment Obi-Wan halted in his steps, risking one fleeting glance over his shoulder to his Padawan, willing the boy to see what he was doing. Anakin's face was glistening with recently shed tears which caused Obi-Wan to feel such dreadful guilt all over again, he swallowed it and persevered. He effectively screamed along their still blocked bond, wishing and hoping that his words would be heard and not uselessly crash against his Padawan's resilient shields.
'Anakin trust me. Things are not as they seem.'
Obi-Wan longed for a response, any sort of indication that Anakin had heard his words. As he witnessed the boy furrow his brows Obi-Wan knew this was the sign his Padawan had heard him, Anakin was digging through the meanings and implications of the words and Obi-Wan was even rewarded with his apprentice looking him straight in the eye, a questioning look in his eyes.
Obi-Wan dared't risk a smile even with his back turned to Dooku the ex-Jedi could easily pick up the reassuring signal, he simply sent the equivalent of a hug across their bond. A farewell embrace. Anakin gave the slightest nod, understanding at least that Obi-Wan was doing what he must.
He steeled himself for the response Dooku was expecting, what Dooku needed to hear.
"Goodbye my old Padawan. Don't follow me."
Somehow Obi-Wan managed to keep his close to bursting emotions in check, succeeded in keeping the voice devoid of his swelling emotion. He turned his back on Anakin for what could very well be the last time, the final time he would see his Padawan. Reaching out for confirmation in the force Obi-Wan only received conflicting feelings, neither a denial or approval. It seems his future was still up in the air, it was of little consequence now, now that Anakin would be safe.
With a heavy heart Obi-Wan set off to take his place by Dooku's side, not once flinching when the elder Jedi embraced him as friend. The convoy set off towards the awaiting ship at a brisk pace, sensing how close the Jedi were to their position. Obi-Wan could feel Anakin's gaze boring into him as he walked side by side with Dooku, as much as he wanted to look back just once more he knew he could not. If he did now then Obi-Wan was sure he would let something slip, all of this would be for nothing and he and Anakin would surely be killed.
No, I will do what I must, Obi-Wan mused. For the first time in his life he now understood the true meaning of those words, the immense weight he now carried on his shoulders, the full meaning of duty.
Anakin stayed rooted to the spot as he watched his Master walk away from him, effectively abandoning him. The rocking of the ship did nothing to stir him from his shocked state, how could Obi-Wan be so cold? His Master had told him to trust him, had practically screamed it at him even as he spoke treacherous words. Anakin had tried he really had, There is no try… The ghost of a memory served to snap him out of his trance, sad smile over his Master's words breaking through to almost break his heart. How could things have gone so wrong?
Only when Anakin thought all hope was lost did Obi-Wan surprise him yet again, thinking contradictorily to his chilling words, willing him to see what Obi-Wan was doing. The longer Anakin thought back through the ordeal the more he began to question his thoughts and feelings at the time. It had been abundantly clear to everyone present what Obi-Wan had just done, he had effectively severed all ties to the Jedi order, and yet Anakin somehow knew that not to be true.
He decided to trust in the one thing he always had since birth knowingly or unknowingly, the force. Reaching out into the turbulent currents he spent a few moments going over their encounter in his mind, seeking the clarity over the events. He saw clearly what he should have known all along, felt the desperate attempts from Obi-Wan to break through his mental barriers, to reassure him his words meant nothing. It was a show for Dooku. But why?
Palpatine… Anakin deduced next, realising why his Master had revealed all to him. The Jedi knew he wouldn't be getting the news to the Jedi himself, not alive anyway. With the revelation came more realisation as pieces fell into place, it was evident Dooku wanted Obi-Wan by his side, needed Obi-Wan by his side. Darth Sidious was too powerful for the ex-Jedi to take on all by himself, hence the need for a new apprentice. Anakin realised how much of a loose end he was, he had seen the murder in Dooku's eyes, had felt how very much the Sith had wanted to end him.
'Obi-Wan stopped him', Anakin muttered in disbelief, how could he have been so blind to the hints? How could he have doubted Obi-Wan's care for him… The questions only served to bring guilt so Anakin stopped asking them and instead endeavoured to do something.
Running to the nearest viewport Anakin caught sight of Dooku's sleek escape vessel exiting the hanger bay, of course bolts of red fire attempted to catch the ship to stop it's engines, none did. Anakin watched horrified as the cruiser evaded all of the ships, opened a hyper lane and shot off into oblivion. Master…
Obi-Wan's great sacrifice now shone as clearly as a nebula in the night sky, he had given up his life his reputation for duty, for Anakin. He gulped back tears as the bond fell silent, feeling worse than anytime during their captivity for the simple fact that Anakin knew there was a very good chance he would never hear Obi-Wan inside his mind again.
Anakin turned abruptly as he felt the proximity of fellow Jedi, of the Council. They had to be told what Obi-Wan entrusted him with, it was imperative. With the new goal on his mind Anakin set off at a sprint towards the oncoming Jedi, picking out safe routes by identifying the still-ongoing firefights and avoiding them. The sheer number of Jedi aboard was staggering, after spending a lengthly amount of time suffocating in darkness it was certainly refreshing feeling the force brighten, feeling the sheer intensity of the light.
As he sprinted onwards his thoughts wandered back to Obi-Wan, to a time when they were taking their first steps into their apprenticeship as Master and Padawan.
Anakin sat across from Obi-Wan fidgeting slightly even though he was trying very hard not to, they had been at this latest exercise for what could have been hours. Anakin was not faring well with the prolonged state, knowing he needed to find a way to fall deeper within the currents of the force but still failing miserably. He only managed to remain un-distracted for a fraction of the time that his Master was, even now hours later the Jedi Master was the picture of calmness and serenity.
As Anakin continued to struggle Obi-Wan finally cracked an eye open, deeming that an intervention was in order if they were to continue.
"You're not meditating Anakin." His teacher chided playfully, eyes glittering with mirth.
Of course Anakin had only been around for a handful of weeks so mistook his teacher's comment for real disappointment, he hadn't had the chance to get acquainted with Obi-Wan's unorthodox sense of humour as of yet.
"I'm trying!" He whined indignantly.
"There is no try." His mentor reminded him, dead-pan.
Anakin huffed at the response causing his still-growing Padawan's braid to sway with the action, he crossed his arms in distaste and proceeded to scowl at the floor.
Obi-Wan in turn pulled himself fully from his own state, only needing a moment to reassert himself with the present moment and looked down upon his struggling Padawan. Anakin just didn't have the patience to sit and spend the time meditating, Obi-Wan realised the boy needed a task or at least a discernible purpose.
"Let's do something different." Obi-Wan decided.
Anakin longingly thought about saber play but his dreams were quashed as Obi-Wan chuckled, evidently sensing exactly what he would rather do.
"I'm afraid not Padawan, a skill of equal importance however I assure you." Obi-Wan's eyes twinkled as he continued, remembering the feeling of being so young that saber play was all that seemed important. "How do you think I knew what you were thinking?"
Anakin furrowed his brows as he concentrated on the problem at hand, there was only one answer that sprung to mind.
"The force, our bond?"
"Very good, Jedi teams have been known to actually communicate through their bonds. Nearly all teams master the ability of sensing feelings, memories and can even share dreams." Obi-Wan explained.
Of course Anakin was most interested in the talking part, the thought of being able to speak to somebody inside their own mind was Wizard!
"Could you and Master Qui-Gon talk in each others minds?" He innocently inquired.
Anakin of course caught the wince, even if it was slight and eradicated in the next second.
"I'm sorry Master, I didn't mean…"
"It's alright Anakin, really." Obi-Wan assured, grabbing hold of his arm in a reassuring act. "It did take us a while but yes in the end we could communicate more than mere thoughts through our bond."
"Wizard!" Anakin exclaimed, he wanted to be able to mind read too.
"It will take time though Padawan, and patience." He added sternly causing Anakin to blush, he knew patience wasn't his strong suit.
Over the next few months both Master and Padawan worked diligently on the task, first learning to read each other's moods and feelings. Anakin of course wanted to master the ability to telepathically communicate straight away, Obi-Wan had to remind him that it was unlikely to happen for a long while he and Qui-Gon had taken years to master the skill.
One afternoon Anakin and Obi-Wan raged back into the apartment, Obi-Wan effectively dragging the wayward Padawan in by the scruff of his neck.
"Stars Anakin how many times have I told you, the grounds outside the temple are simply off limits."
Anakin wriggled his way free from the hold and strove to put some distance between himself and Obi-Wan, it wasn't fair he simply didn't understand how important freedom was to Anakin.
"I'm sorry Master." He mumbled miserably, head hanging low in shame.
"Other Padawan's aren't as troublesome as you I swear…" Obi-Wan almost muttered the last part to himself, shaking his head into his hands. His Master looked weary, tired.
'Maybe you should take one of them instead…' Anakin thought darkly.
Obi-Wan's head shot up, "Anakin I didn't mean that."
Anakin looked up startled, eyes going wide. He hadn't spoken aloud. Both of them gaped at each other in realisation, Anakin had just inadvertently spoken inside Obi-Wan's mind. The reason behind the argument lost behind the new wonder they both tried their upmost to re-establish the connection.
'Anakin, can you understand me?'
Anakin strained himself to hear the query clearly, delving deep into the force, travelling along the bond that linked them itself.
'Yes Master!' He excitedly replied after much trial and error.
His Master's smile indicated that he had heard the reply and deciphered it, Anakin couldn't help but think of all the possibilities available to them now they had accomplished this hard-earned skill. It hadn't taken nearly as long as his Master had claimed…
It took them a few weeks to be able to establish a connection long enough to send multiple response's first time but they were getting there, Obi-Wan was astonished. He had never heard of a Master and Apprentice team accomplish this valuable skill so early on. It was always a testament to the strength of the bond, Obi-Wan presumed Anakin's astonishing force connection must have had something to do with it. That afternoon on the crest of an argument something wonderful had been born, their bond had grown in strength ever since. Astounding anyone they came into contact with…
Anakin resurfaced from the happy memory just as a blaster bolt ricocheted off a wall to his left and came speeding towards his mid-riff, only his Jedi reflexes saved him from the deadly bolt, that did not mean that he was spared from a handful of splinters from the wall however. Yelping Anakin leapt forwards out of the path of the speeding bullet and remaining shrapnel effectively crashing into a person rounding the corner. From the flowing robes Anakin quickly deduced that his accidental victim was in fact Jedi, who exceedingly quickly threw Anakin behind him as more laser bolts reigned down around them.
Anakin scrambled away from the sizzling beams and found some cover, it was then he realised who his saviour had been. Mace Windu. The Korun Jedi's purple saber swung in huge arcs deflecting each and every single bolt that came in his direction, the power he exerted was phenomenal. Anakin had only seen the revered Jedi in training once or twice, but seeing someone in training and in this environment were two very different things entirely. The fury behind the Jedi Master's attacks stunned Anakin in his place, he wanted to be that good one day. It was as if Master Windu wasn't even trying, perhaps he wasn't. Blaster bolts weren't really testing his skill.
It didn't take long for the assailants and droids to be neutralised, that was Anakin took note of the sheer amount of Jedi he was surrounded by. Even with this number of Jedi he still did not feel truly safe, his Master was not here. As soon as Mace had issued instructions to secure the rest of the ship he turned and strode purposefully towards Anakin, dissecting stare taking in his appearance and all injuries in one look.
"Anakin are you alright?" He asked kindly dropping to meet Anakin's level, Anakin wasn't used to this warm tone from the Jedi Master. He usually only looked at him with an anxious glance, perhaps he did look worse than expected, as the adrenaline wore off he could certainly feel more of his old wounds flaring to life again.
"I'm fine it's Obi-Wan." Anakin blurted out, forgetting the niceties that should still be observed. To his credit Mace didn't even batt an eyelid, the slip-up forgiven because of extraordinary circumstances.
"Where is Master Kenobi?" Mace urgently asked, hands gripping ever so slightly harder into Anakin's arms, the only sign of a slip in usual Jedi serene calmness.
"With Count Dooku."
A/N - So all the players are heading towards their final position's, at the moment this is looking to be 5 or 6 more long chapters. As I said previously however there is a sequel planned which now exists fully in my head, and even plans for a 3rd in the series :)
Thank you for everyone who is still following this, I will update ASAP as always!
Until next time...
