The crowd cheered as the two men stpped into the sunlight, equally tall and powerfully built.
Ten years apart in age, they had once been like family but were now enemies.
Two red blades hummed to life.
Dooku felt his heart tear as he gazed into the furious, hateful eyes of his old Padawan. The message in them was clear: Qui-Gon wanted him dead.
The Count knew he would die today, but he could at least slow Qui-Gon down, giving the Jedi some time to prepare for his attack.
"Ready to die?"
Dooku held his blade ready.
"You and I were both taught to be ready for death at all times."
Qui-Gon scoffed at his words.
The arena fell silent, and the two men tensed with anticipation.
"Begin!" Sidious cried.
The shouts of the former team shattered the brief silence as they attacked. Their blades buzzed on contact, and crowd cheered as they struggled. Their struggle was unique, magnificent, and horrible at the same time.
The Separatists leaders stood by Sidious, watching. Ventress also stood with them, watching her Master clash again and again with Qui-Gon.
Sweat poured down their faces, leaving streaks in the dust that caked their faces and bodies.
Finally, Dooku swung hard and cut across Qui-Gon's chest.
Qui-Gon's cry of pain and anger was drowned out by the crowd's shout of approval.
The younger Sith Lord glared at the Count and attacked fiercely.
Dooku blocked and parried desperately.
"You'll pay!"
Qui-Gon's attacks continued, but Dooku gave no ground, purposely letting the younger man get in close. With a mighty heave, he shoved his former Padawan away from him.
Qui-Gon staggered, and Dooku attacked, cutting his leg.
The two clashed again, their powerful muscles never yeidling to the other.
Qui-Gon was powered by his rage, hatred, and longing for revenge, and Dooku was powered by his desperation to see that there were no new victims to pay the price of his mistake except for himself.
Dooku felt his feet begin to slip and held his breath as he was slowly pushed back. He dove and rolled to the side, causing Qui-Gon to fall. Both were back on their feet and attacking each other again almost instantly.
The crowd had long fallen silent, focused only on the fight below.
The men clashed again and again, never faltering or hesitating. They had long since abandoned Form and strategy and were now just seeking to kill the other person. Both were injured badly, bleeding, and exhausted.
Then, Dooku's foot slipped, and he stumbled. Qui-Gon attacked at once.
Dooku made no sound as the crimson blade ripped through his chest. He knew he would die today, so the fatal blow came as no surprise to him.
Qui-Gon pulled his lightsaber from the older man, and the Count fell to the ground in a heap.
Dooku gathered the last of his strength and sent a message to Qui-Gon through the Force.
/I'm sorry, Padawan./