I'd like to dedicate this post to "Strange Bethany Iguana", "Speedy Spike Sunrise", who reviewed my works during my time at Cartoon Network, and to all of you who have supported me and encouraged me to keep on writing. May the Force be with you all!

The Final Battle: Part 18

Ahsoka, Barriss, and Tanya fled through the halls of the droid ship. They fled, not daring to look back, and only stopping when they were about to collapse from exhaustion.

"What – should – we –do?" Ahsoka panted, clutching the stitch in her side.

"I – don't know," Barriss wheezed. Tanya held up a finger, signaling them to wait until she caught her breath to let her speak. She gasped for a few moments before regaining her breath and speaking.

"Well, it's obvious isn't it? We have to get off of this ship. Or get rescued. And the only way we can do that is if we call for help, which I doubt we can do without getting traced or jammed by the droids. So, our best option would be to escape."

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Barriss inquired.

"Ahsoka, you've probably been on the most Separatist frigates. Do you think you could use your knowledge to steer us to the nearest hanger."

"I can try."

"No! Do or do not. There is no try."

"You know, you don't have to quote your master on everything, Tanya."

"I know but I prefer to use my master's wisdom whenever I can."

"Even in times like this?"

"Especially times like this."

"Ok, moving on. I will find the nearest hanger."

"Thank you."

Ahsoka looked around and retraced their steps in her head. "Alright, assuming my sense of direction isn't completely messed up, I believe that the nearest hanger is…" Ahsoka turned around and pointed at a closed door. "That way."

Ahsoka, Barriss, and Tanya walked over to the door and opened it. Suddenly, Tanya stumbled backward as though she had just been injured.

"Tanya!" Ahsoka and Barriss cried, going over to her. "What's wrong?"

"It's there. The presence. The presence I felt on board the Liberty. It's here and it's right down the hall."

"Is it Ventress?"

"No. Ventress is strong but not this strong. This is unlike any evil I've ever faced before."

"Well, this is the quickest way there. Unless you have another idea?"

Tanya frowned and shook her head. Ahsoka and Barriss helped her to her feet, and walked down the corridor. Tanya followed them, muttering, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Ahsoka, Barriss, and Tanya crept down the corridor, looking carefully around corners for any signs of droids.

"So far, so good," Barriss said.

"Nearly there, I think," Ahsoka encouraged. The trio stepped around a corner and saw a tall, cloaked figure in their path. They stepped backward a bit, frightened.

"Who are you?" Tanya spoke up bravely, standing in front of Barriss and Ahsoka. The figure looked at them and laughed darkly.

"You know me, younglings. I am the face of the Separatists after all," the figure said, throwing back his hood to reveal an old man with white hair and eyes like a hawk. Tanya's eyes widened in realization. "Count Dooku?" Tanya questioned tentatively. "Correct youngling. Now, if you want to die quickly then I suggest you hand over the information you took. Immediately."

"What makes you think you can kill us so easily?"

"Child, I am a Sith Lord. You are three mere padawans, with no real power or potential. You don't have what it takes to defeat me."

Tanya took out her lightsaber and ignited it. "I disagree."

Ahsoka and Barriss took out their lightsabers and stood next to Tanya, though their stomachs were churning nervously.

Tanya, do you think we can really defeat Count Dooku? He's a Sith Lord!

No, but if we work together we should be able to get around him and get to the hanger.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

Do you have anything else?

We could go back the way we came.

Look behind you.

Ahsoka and Barriss glanced behind them and saw three MagnaGuards directly behind them, blocking their path.

Listen, as long as we work together we can get through.

Just then, the padawan's fears escalated ten times higher, as Ventress and Grievous came through the door behind Dooku.

Ok, then, now we're dead.

Ventress, Grievous, and Dooku all took out their lightsabers and activated them, while Tanya's mind raced at a million thoughts per second.

Ahsoka, take Ventress. Barriss, you handle Grievous. I'll keep Dooku occupied.

Ahsoka and Barriss were about to say that Tanya really was crazy, when the Separatists attacked.