Well, sorry this chapter took so long to publish. I would think that I was finished, but then I'd find that something just wasn't right, so I'd strip the chapter, rewrite, and then find something else wrong with it. I probably rewrote this chapter 3-5 times. But here it is, I am now very content with it, and I hope you enjoy it!

Also, I want to add that I do not own Star Wars, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the characters. I did base some dialogue off of the screenplay from ROTS, but I tried my best to use my own words.

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Padme, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Rex, and Cody stood on the lone landing pad of the base.

"Alright," Obi-Wan started, "Who knows what's going on in there right now, so we'll have to play this a bit by ear." He cringed at the thought. Going in without a solid plan was more Anakin's forte, not Obi-Wan's.

"Ahsoka, you and I will be going after Dooku," he continued, "We may as well do something to make the council happy." Ahsoka chuckled in response.

"Padme, Rex, and Cody, you all will be in charge of finding Anakin, at which point, you will signal us, and Ahsoka will come help you get him out. I will come when I am able."

"You mean when Dooku's dead?" Rex said, more of a statement than a question.

"If it comes down to it…" Obi-Wan trailed out. It wasn't the Jedi way to seek revenge, but killing Dooku would not be a challenge, if the moment came.

"Alright. Then let's get moving," Padme said, eager to get started.

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Anakin and Palpatine moved quickly through the halls. Palpatine basked in the intensity radiating off of Anakin: anger, hatred, vengeance. Anakin had managed to push through more battledroids and now they had climbed out of the base, ending up near one of the shores of a sea of lava.

"Let us stop for one moment, my boy," Palpatine said, "I need to rest quickly." Anakin nodded, hesitating.

"You know," Palpatine started, "I've never seen such strength from a Jedi. Don't you see what you can do?" There was no response from Anakin.

"You just need to learn to control it. I'd be happy to help you, my friend. I believe it would be a great benefit to you." Palpatine continued. Anakin looked up, confused.

"What do you mean? How could you teach me the ways of the Force?" Anakin asked, his interest aroused. Palpatine chuckled.

"Well, in my free time, I've dabbled in the Force. I learned most of what I know from my mentor. He was specifically interested in the Dark Side." Anakin stood up.

"You know the Dark Side!?" Anakin exclaimed with disbelief.

"Well, there are two sides to every story. Why just believe the teachings of the Jedi when there is so much more to the Force?" Palpatine paused.

"Don't you see? The Jedi don't trust you, they never have. The only use they have for you is to bring balance to the Force. As soon as that's through, I'm sure they will hardly even pay you any mind." He stopped again, observing Anakin, still standing before him, on edge, his worry and confusion showing on his face. "Then again, what if it is the Jedi that must be stopped? Come on Anakin, I know you think it sometimes."

"No. I don't." Anakin replied firmly. "They are good, they know what is right. It's the Dark Side that clouds us."

"But not you." Palpatine said. "What if I trained you in the ways of the Dark Side, then you could see the corruption of the Jedi. You could control your power and fulfill your destiny as the Chosen One!"

"No. I don't believe what I'm hearing. You- you're a Sith! How could you?"

"Anakin just listen to me. You know it is the right choice. The power you will have!"

"STOP!" Anakin yelled. "How dare you! You were my friend, a father almost! And now you tell me that it was all a ploy to get me to join you! Never! I would never betray the Jedi- my friends, my family!- like that!" Anakin reached for his lightsaber. Kriff. Dooku must still have it! Palpatine laughed.

"Seems you are defenseless. You really think you can fight me? Ha!"

"I will do what I must. I can't allow you to continue your rule. You are the root of the Republic's corruption, and I must stop you." Anakin said, raising his fist, in attack position.

"You will try, boy."

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"The detention level is just over here!" Rex yelled back to Padme and Cody. The others caught up with the clone captain and began to walk down the small hallway. Towards the end of the hall, a large blast door laid on the floor, as if it had been blown off.

"Well," Rex chuckled, "General Skywalker was here…" Padme looked at the door, worriedly.

"He has to be around here somewhere," Padme stated.

The group of three walked to the the small command center at the end of the hallway. Suddenly, Rex and Cody were picked up by an invisible force and thrown back out into the hallway, and a ray shield was activated between them and Padme. Dooku stepped out from the shadows, a smug smile on his face.

"Well, well Senator. I knew it wouldn't be long before you showed up." He said, moving towards her. She continued to move away from him, her hand on her blaster, ready to pull it out and shoot.

"Where is he, Count?" Padme asked, attempting to stall in order to give Rex and Cody time to wake up and get Ahsoka and Obi-Wan.

"He's busy at the moment. We have big plans for him. He should be along shortly. In the mean time, however, I have specific orders to keep you here until he returns." Dooku said, pulling out his and Anakin's lightsabers.

"But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun."

Padme's eyes widened as Dooku leapt towards her, ready to strike. She hopped out of the way just in time. She shot at Dooku a few times, one hit grazing his leg. He groaned and sneered at Padme. Standing up, he used the Force and lifted her off her feet. He held her there in a chokehold and, in a brisk sweep, slashed a lightsaber across her back. Padme gasped and cried out in pain. The pain of the wound was quickly replaced, however, by the Sith Lightning streaming from Dooku's fingertips. Tears brimmed her eyes and black spots blurred her vision. She couldn't hold much longer. She found comfort in the unconsciousness that took her over as Dooku slammed her to the ground. Dooku sighed and signaled his master through his comlink.

His part of the job was now done.

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