Man, I wish this thing could be more popular—but it's slowly getting better. The action is coming up really soon, I promise (technically the next chapter). I will be accepting OCs for a new story coming out soon, but that's all the information I'm giving you. Please enjoy this next installment of The Lizard War…
Bliz walked down the hall next to Kiki, admiring the simple décor of the hallways.
"The children should be coming back today," Kiki said suddenly. Bliz flicked his gaze over to her, startled. His thoughts had been preoccupied on his nightmare from a few nights before, and what he saw in the garden. He tried not to let it bother him, but he found his mind constantly drifting to the nightmares he'd had since the first night of landing on Verocia.
"Won't children just make protecting the palace more challenging, sir?" Bliz couldn't help but voice.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine Bliz," Kiki reassured him. "Besides, they'll keep you on your toes when you're off-duty." Kiki smiled even though her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was getting through the Force, that something evil and dark was waiting out there somewhere. She had also been having nightmares, and they got progressively worse with each night. Kiki sighed. "Besides, I think you'll like them."
"Aunty!"
Kiki looked up to see five children rushing towards her with open arms. Aunty? Bliz thought with confusion. Two of the children he'd already seen, the first being the little toddler Ri, and the second being the small girl from a few nights ago.
The first child hugged Kiki's legs, looking up into her face. "I missed you! And you owe me a birthday present!"
"Well, where's my hello?" Kiki asked, but she was smiling as well.
"Hello," Ri said, also hugging Kiki's leg.
"I'm assuming these are the children?" Marik asked, a slightly amused tone in his voice. Bliz had completely forgotten Crusade Squad was behind them.
"Yes, here are the children," Kiki said, waving her hand around her. Bliz saw the little girl from a few nights ago looking at him. Bliz tilted his head at her when she gave him a small smile.
"Aunty, who are they?" she asked.
"These men are here to keep you safe for a while," Kiki said, rubbing Ri's head affectionately.
Marik couldn't help but wonder how these children knew Kiki so well, or how they were supposed to do their job properly with kids in their way.
"I have to go now," Kiki said, prying one of the children off of her legs. All of them groaned.
"Do you have to go so soon, Aunty? Can't you stay a little longer?" A boy complained.
"Nope, I've got a lot of work to do." Kiki smiled apologetically.
"Maybe we could go talk to Mir!" One suggested. Kiki's smiled faded.
"You can't go talk to Mir right now. She's…she's not here at the moment." Kiki stepped back to next to Bliz. At first he was confused as to why they wouldn't be able to see this Mir woman.
Mir was to woman who was killed in the garden, Bliz thought with sudden realization. He started to feel sick to his stomach again at the thought that he might have been able to prevent her death. Maybe these kids could see her if she were still alive. Bliz shook his head. There was no use in thinking like that; it wouldn't bring Mir back to life. Bliz sighed within his helmet. Again, he felt that darkness lurking beyond his reach, and it gave him a chill down his spine. He caught movement outside the window, and it that moment, Bliz wanted nothing more than to run away.
Rex looked around at the shadows between the stalls. Occasionally, he would see a flash of movement, something that just didn't seem natural even though they were surrounded by people.
"Rex, this way!" Ahsoka called ahead of him. Rex looked up to see Ahsoka waving at him from a colorful fruit stall.
Rex walked up beside her. He and Ahsoka had been sent out to the market in front of the palace to buy some fruits and supplies needed to do repairs on a LAAT/i. Although Rex wanted to wear his armor, the queen suggested he wear civilian clothing. She didn't want to risk the people to have a negative reaction to a clone trooper walking among them.
"Here you go," the vender said, handing them a bag of fruits.
"Thank you," Ahsoka said politely, handing him the money. Rex took the bag and turned around, not noticing the woman standing directly behind him until he body checked her, knocking both him and the woman to the ground.
"Golmej nem saias!" Rex said, apologizing in Verinese. That was one moment he was glad he took the time to learn the language when he and Ahsoka were supposed to be doing their undercover ops mission.
"It's okay, it was my fault," the woman said, bending over to help him pick up her dropped items. Rex looked up at the woman at the same time she looked up at him, and their eyes locked.
Her eyes were a strange shade of bright green, and they were pupil less like Kiki's. He could see darker specks of emerald in them, along with bright yellow. Her long, black, back-length hair was pulled into a loose pony tail, which fell over her shoulder. The woman's skin was a pale orange, with a pinkish tinge to it. Rex noticed when they first came to the planet that the people had skin pigmentation instead of discoloration, even though they were all mixed species.
"Are you two going to keep staring at each other, or are you going to help us pick up the fruits?" Rex snapped out of his staring and returned his attention to Ahsoka, who had a teenage boy standing next to her.
Rex felt himself begin to turn pink as he and the woman picked up the last of the fruits. Their hands touched, and Rex could feel his hand begin to buzz, like electricity running under his skin. Rex quickly pulled his hand away, reaching to pick another fruit just as it got run over by a cart. Rex yelped and yanked his away, getting up off the ground. He offered his hand to the woman, who took it and stood up. When they touched, her could feel the electricity again, but stronger. Rex pulled his hand away just as he caught sudden movement between two of the stalls, in an alley. He narrowed his eyes as he felt a chill roll down his spine.
"Did you see that?" the woman asked. Rex started, but kept his eyes on the space between the stalls.
"Yes," he answered eventually.
"Are you coming Rex?" Ahsoka asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Uh...yeah. I'll be right there," he said absently.
"Well, good bye then," the woman said, turning to walk away. Rex found himself not able to speak, so he nodded instead. "Oh and by the way, my name's Kanari." She smiled at Rex.
"U-uh…my name's Rex," he stammered out. Rex's face began heating as she sent him a smile that made his heart pick up. He turned around to see Ahsoka giving him a strange smile. "What?" he asked her. Ahsoka only shook her head and continued walking towards the palace. Rex sent a sharp look towards her back and followed.
"I'm not so sure about this," Anakin said as he viewed the holo-map. "There must be a better spot we can place our troops than here." Anakin pointed to another side of the map. "How about here?"
"That's too far, Anakin," Kiki said, sounding slightly impatient. "How are they supposed to get through here in time?"
"Do you have a better idea?" Anakin asked, shooting Kiki a look. They were all tired; lack of sleep due to nightmares did that to you. Kiki sighed and grumbled under her breath.
"Why do we need to work so hard on the placement of these troopers?" Danda asked. The usually talkative Padawan had remained silent up until then, so when she spoke, Kiki jumped a little.
"There've been sightings, and we want to make sure they're not true," Kiki said absently.
"Sightings of what, Master?" Ahsoka asked. Heavy silence overcame them as everybody refused to answer Ahsoka's question.
"Sorry for asking," Ahsoka said guiltily.
"No, it's okay Ahsoka," Anakin said quickly. "We've just been…unnerved…lately."
"Maybe we can place out troops here, Generals," Bliz offered, pointing to a specific spot on the holo-map and changing the subject. "That way, we have the entire castle surrounded."
"Hmm…" Kiki hummed thoughtfully. She felt a sudden chill roll down her spine as she looked through the wide window at the evening sun. It was quickly turning to nighttime, but that wasn't what Kiki was worried about. Every now and then, she would catch a swift movement through the bushes, one that was all too familiar. She shook it off and focused her attention back on the holo-map.
"Count Dooku," Queen Makoria said, a hint of iciness in her normally calm tone. "What brings you to call me at such an hour?"
"Queen Makoria, an honor to see you once again. I see you're doing well," the count said with a pleasant tone matching the queen's level of iciness. Queen Makoria gave him a look that said she was not in the mood for small talk while still retaining her regal manner. "About my previous offer…"
"I said no," Queen Makoria cut him off, an edge to her iciness.
"Feisty as most Verocian women, I see," Count Dooku said humorlessly. But even still, he smiled. "The Separatists have much to offer you, your highness. For instance, free govern and protection—"
"After what happened three years ago?" she interjected heatedly. "I'm sorry Count, but I cannot agree to a treaty after the war you waged on my people. We wanted to remain a neutral planet in your war but you refused to leave us be," the queen managed to hold in her barely contained anger. A finger twitched on her hand, which was tightly fisted behind her back.
"I know you have contacted the Jedi Council for assistance," count Dooku said with disgust on the words Jedi Council. "I have sources that tell me what you are doing every day. I know you have Skywalker and your beloved Jorani there." He smiled darkly. Queen Makoria felt a chill go down her spine as she caught swift movement from through the large windows, dark scales on a large body. "The Republic is not to be trusted. They will pledge their allegiance and turn and sell you like dogs for their own pleasure."
"And the Separatists will run down our homes and drive everyone into poverty and hunger, leaving nothing but those heaven-forsaken droids in their wake. You do not still believe I will join your 'cause' after I have seen firsthand what your forces will do in seconds? My people are completely capable of taking care of themselves. We have lived peacefully and my family has for two hundred years and we will do so for another two hundred. We do not need your help," she said angrily, her fist so tight behind her back the knuckles were ghost-white.
Count Dooku sighed. "I see I will not be changing your mind any time soon, your highness?" Queen Makoria glared. "Very well then," the count said. "I bid you a good evening," he said, bowing. The queen did not return the bow, instead turning off the transmitter; promptly cutting off Count Dooku's bent form.
Queen Makoria sighed and leaned against the projector, placing a cool hand on her forehead. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the rushing feelings inside of her. After a few minutes, she stood up and exited her antechamber to prepare for bed…
He was surrounded by black, yet he could see shadows swirling and writhing around him. He was completely alone until he heard the voices. Dark figures loomed in front of Rex, hissing and spitting madly. "We're coming for you…" they hissed over and over. Rex covered his ears to try and drown out their abrasive voices, but they managed to penetrate his thoughts.
Rex opened his eyes and saw a woman's form lying on the ground in a pool of her own blood. Rex's own blood ran cold as he recognized who it was.
Kanari.
"Thiss was your fault!" the voices hissed again in his ear. "All your fault!"
"No!" Rex shouted—or tried to. He couldn't find his voice, he could barely even breathe. "NO!" he shouted louder.
The image in front of him changed from Kanari to a Twi'lek woman with blue skin. She was lying on her side, but Rex knew exactly who it was. "It…it can't be—"
"It'ss true!" those same voices hissed in his ear. "She died because of you! You killed her!" Rex shook his head fervently.
"No!" he shouted. "I don't believe you! That's not true! Shut up!" He looked at the woman on the cold ground, from her charred skin to the blood pooling around her cold body. "I didn't do this…" Rex's voice shook, his entire body was shaking.
The image changed yet again…
To a child…
"NO!" Rex screamed. He closed his eyes, trying to keep the gruesome image out of his head, from the wide-open eyes, staring blankly up at nothing, to the beyond burned skin on his face, arms, and legs, to his small mouth opened in a silent scream. Even with his eyes closed, he could see the look of pain and horror on the Twi'lek child's face. Rex knew that they were dead, the woman and the child, but he refused to let it scare him. Kanari was still alive, still breathing, he was sure of it.
"She will die because of you!" the voices screeched in his head in response to Rex's thoughts. Rex sank to his knees, still shaking his head and feeling cold all over.
Everything went quiet.
Rex was shaking, he could feel his skin begin to crawl with goose bumps, from his shoulders down to his legs. A scaly arm appeared in front of him.
"No!" he tried to shout, but his voice was lost again. The arm led to a large, scaly hand with long finger nails which quickly tightened itself around Rex's throat.
"You're next…"The hand tightened, and a dagger materialized in the air, along with another hand with long, sharp fingernails. The dagger plunged into Rex's gut, driving deeper and deeper with each breath he took.
Rex looked down to find himself surrounded by an ocean of blood. He was drowning, sinking farther and farther, completely surrounded by black. Pain seared through Rex's entire body as he sank lower, the dagger still stuck in his stomach.
"We're coming for you!" the voices spat over and over. "We're coming…"
Rex sat up and opened his eyes. He couldn't breathe, and all he could see was black for a moment. His sight cleared up, and he saw the pale moonlight flooding the room through the massive window he was near. He sat up and took deep breaths until his racing heart calmed. Rex shivered and rubbed his arms, feeling the cold sweat that covered his entire body. He looked around, seeing that the others were at least having more peaceful nights than he was. Rex knew that there was no point in trying to go back to sleep, but he lay down on his side anyway…
The next morning, Rex sat at the large island in the middle of the kitchen that was for their use. Kanari had been keeping it clean for them, because as it turned out, she was a servant of the palace and often visited while the men were on duty to cook and clean for them.
Bliz teased Rex every chance he got when they happened to be around Kanari, which meant his reactions were beginning to show to everyone, not just Ahsoka. He looked down at the bowl of cold soup from last night's supper.
Rex had not gotten a single bit of sleep after he woke from the nightmare, so he stayed in bed counting down the hours, minutes, seconds, till dawn. He couldn't stand being idle when the sun was up, so he went to the kitchen to get himself something to eat before armoring up. Pale yellow-pink sunlight came in through the skylight in the ceiling and the large windows that surrounded him. Even though it was summer on Verocia, the mornings were chilly, and Rex rubbed his bare arms up and down. He hadn't thought to put on his long-sleeved shirt after he got up, so he was only in a pair of knee-length sleeping shorts. Just as he was planning on leaving to get his shirt, a voice startled him out of his thoughts.
"Cold soup for breakfast?"
Rex looked up to see Kanari walking into the spacious kitchen, a small smile on her lips. "Morning," she said brightly. She strolled to the cupboard and started taking out pots and pans. It was a moment before Rex answered her greeting
"Uh…good morning," he stammered out. Right then, he felt like the biggest idiot in the galaxy. He couldn't function around her, and for a moment, Rex thought that Kanari had poisoned his food to make him stumble. Kanari giggled softly to herself as she brought out items to begin cooking. A blush creeped up Rex's neck as he realized he had nothing on but a pair of shorts. He scrubbed a hand over his face and heaved a heavy sigh.
"Are you okay? You're being awfully quiet," she asked with concern in her voice. Rex felt his heartbeat pick up and his face burn even more when she looked at him. He also noticed the slight accent she had when she spoke, which only made his heartbeat speed up even more.
"I'm…I'm fine," he said, sighing again. "Just tired." The next thing he knew, Kanari was by his side, close enough for him to feel the heat coming off of her—unless he was just imagining it.
"What happened?" she asked quietly. Rex couldn't focus with her looking at him like that, her bright green gaze boring into Rex's brown one. He averted his eyes to the soup left on the table.
"It's…it's just lack of sleep. I-I'm fine." Rex hated the way he stammered when he was around Kanari, but it seemed he couldn't help it. Rex leaned back slightly to try and put some distance between them.
"Was it a nightmare?" she asked, concern evident and plain in her eyes. She seemed to lean closer, and Rex's heart raced to a point where he was sure she could hear it. He couldn't trust himself to not stammer, so he nodded once.
The concern in her look grew, along with sympathy of what he was going through. Out of the corner of his eye, Rex saw Kanari's hand move up toward him. She rested it on his shoulder, squeezing once, gently. Her eyes flicked briefly down to Rex's chest, and he realized all over again that he was only wearing shorts. He heard the very slight intake of breath from her, and his face burned even more.
When she pulled away, Rex's felt as if his skin on his shoulder had caught fire, along with the electricity he had felt earlier, which was then spreading to the rest of his body. In a flash, Kanari was back at the stove, chattering happily as if nothing had happened. "I'll make you something tasty to take your mind off of these problems. Have you ever had flamjas?"
Rex wasn't focusing on what she was saying; he was examining his shoulder where Kanari had touched him earlier. It wasn't red or swollen, and there didn't seem to be any sort of rash developing. But even still, Res decided he would visit Cord about what he was feeling, just to make sure he wasn't sick. Rex looked up when he heard the end of her question. "I'm sorry, what was that? I didn't hear you." He ignored the way his stomach felt fluttery.
Kanari laughed, which sent a pleasant tingling down Rex's spine. "I asked is you've ever had flamjas before. It's very good—if you cook it right." She smiled.
Rex slowly shook his head. "I've only ever had civilian food once," he answered, glad that his voice didn't stall or stutter.
"Well, you're about to have it twice," she joked.
Rex wandered on his own through the twisting gardens of the palace, admiring the variety of plants and animals. The center was his favorite; he found he could always concentrate better when the only other sound was the fountain water splashing into the pool below it. He would occasionally look at the colorful fish they had and sit on the benches to relax. He even ran into Kanari once or twice while she was picking berries off of the bushes. Rex heard a noise, and he was immediately snapped out of his daydream. He looked to where he heard the noise, and stopped walking when he saw what—who—it was.
"Sir!" Rex said, clone trooper protocol immediately kicking in. "Sir, what happened? Can you tell me anything?"
The man looked up at Rex with clouded, pupil less red eyes. "They're…coming…back…" he coughed, spilling blood on his chest.
"Who? Who's coming back? I need you to stay awake for me, I'm going to call for help."
"No…" the man said, slowly shaking his head. "Too…late. They left a…a message…" His face contorted in pain as he rolled onto his side. "You need…to stop them…please…"
"Who? Sir, I'm going to get you out of this, just stay with me. Who left the message?" Rex checked the young man's vitals through his helmet and saw that they were dropping rapidly.
"It was…it was… the li—"The light faded from the man's eyes as his life left him.
A dark chill crept down Rex's spine, making him shiver despite the warming temperature. Rex felt something form itself in his chest, something dark and heavy. He looked at the man's back to see writing…
We're coming for you…
Rex's blood went cold inside his body as he read the words over and over. They had been carved into his back, just like what happened to the woman. A small, sharp knife was flicked in his direction. He picked it up with a shaky hand and examined the blade. It was covered in sticky blood, down to the handle he held in his hand. It shone in the morning light.
Rex heard a low hissing noise, like laughter, coming from a bush to his left. His head snapped up and he scanned the area. The laughter died down, and dark scaly skin slinked away through the bushes. Rex took in a shuddery breath as he turned the young man on his back to look at his face.
His pale blonde hair fell over his eyes, and he had an almost peaceful look on his face. Blonde hair was not common on Verocia; most of the civilians had either black hair or no hair. Rex pondered over who the man's family could have been as he slowly turned the body over again. He was getting blood on his armor, he knew it, but he didn't want to leave just yet.
"Bliz, are you awake?" Rex struggled to keep the terror out of his voice as he commed the commander.
"I am now," Bliz said groggily. "Rex—"
"I need you to come down here." Rex cut him off.
Bliz was instantly wide awake when he heard the urgency in Rex's voice. "Rex, what's going on?" Rex heard small shuffling noises come through the comm as Bliz armored up.
"It…it happened again."
All noises ceased as Bliz went over what Rex said in his head, understanding what he meant but refusing to believe it. "I'll be right there." The line cut off.
Rex laid the man down on his back when Bliz came rushing up behind him. His footsteps fell short as he took in the sight of the bruised and battered young man—who couldn't have been more than twenty—lying on the cold pathway. Bliz swore harshly under his breath.
"Why is this happening?" Bliz asked after contacting Kiki. "Why? They can't be coming back; we made sure of that three years ago." Bliz's voice shook slightly.
"I…don't know, Bliz," Rex said after a few minutes of silence. "But…it's like I can feel it, feel the evil from those monsters." Rex's fist clenched and he pushed down the dark memories that tried to resurface in his mind.
They could both feel it, both feel the darkness that surrounded them despite the bright sunlight.
I must say, I got carried away with this one. Yes, there is a love interest for Rex in this fan fiction, but I didn't put it in the summary because a) I didn't have enough space and b) people would have gotten the wrong idea. Until next time…
~AAx
