Obi Wan was badly beaten by Darth Maul, visions suddenly appeared before his eyes, he could feel that was from the Force.
He saw Anakin was lying on the ground, seemed to be injured, his face was full of fear, and desperately shouted "No!"
Satine was also lying on the ground, she looked pale and trembling, something started to make her condition worse, she was dying.
Count Dooku was gracefully waving his red lightsaber, and clashed with Obi Wan's green lightsaber, his eyes still filled with confidence, but with a trace of regret. Like usual, his easily defected Obi Wan's swing, and then shoot out lightning from his hands...
These visions, each of them scorched his nerves.
"What? Still afraid of nightmares in this age?" Ventress' laugh woke him, the medical droids were healing him.
"Is this the will of the Force, or Darth Maul's trick?" Obi Wan asked himself.
Darth Maul would be unlikely to play such trick.
But those scenes? Really is predictive of the future?
Why would the Force show him these?
Obi Wan didn't want to think too much, he was so worried of Anakin and Satine, but as a Jedi can not let their mind be swayed by emotion.
But anyway, they really had to get prepared to deal with Dooku, he might be one of the powerful user of the Dark Side in this planet.
They must be careful, even with Ventress' help, they still got little chance against the Sith Lord.
"Therefore, we must hurry to find Anakin …"
Anakin's hearts was full of joy at this moment.
He didn't know how long did his mind stay like that, but woke up and embrace his wife would a perfect way to end this long nightmare.
He went up and started to walk slowly toward that image of Padme.
Even though he wanted to rush to Padme, but at this moment he could not control his body well.
"Anakin, no! Please trust me, it was not real Padmé, that witch wanted to control you!"
Anakin had his memories back now, he knew it was the voice of Qui Gon Jinn.
If any other people were opposing Qui Gon Jinn, he would stand firmly on the side of Qui Gon, even if it was his master, Obi Wan.
But in front of Padmé, the real Padme, he could not do this.
He temporarily stopped for a moment, and then continued to move toward Padme.
Qui Gon Jinn could only try to slow him down. As for Satine, she didn't have the power to stop him.
"Anakin, forgive me." Qui Gon Jinn's voice was full of regret.
Then, the blue light started to shine before his eyes, memories and feelings of another person were going into his mind.
It seemed that Master Qui Gon was trying to make him to know a person.
A woman,
She grew up in a cruel war, built a peaceful government with the help of the Jedi.
She spent her whole life to establish and maintain peace among her people, regardless of countless accusations of her ruining the old tradition.
In this war, she tried to make her people stay out from it and not spill any blood.
Her relationship with Obi Wan, started well but parted ways, and finally lost the last bit of affection.
And then it was her burning affection of him.
She took care of him after his injury, day and night.
Monitored those medical droids to protect him, and performed the surgery by herself.
He could feel right now, this woman was so eager to protect him and express her feeling.
Skywalker was surprised that under her cold politician face, there was such burning affection.
And she loved him.
He never felt such strong emotions from any women other than Shmi and Padme, his mother and wife.
"Anakin, Do you remember the embrace you gave me when we were on the lake on Naboo?" The words of Padmé grabbed Anakin's attention once again.
"There is nothing in it, only our love, like my heart now, I believe yours is the same." Her every words touched the heart of Anakin.
"And this woman beside you, does she share such memory with you?" Padmé words were full of arrogance. "No need to talk about our past. Even if we firstly meet, will you even compete this pathetic, nasty old ***** with me? Oh, I heard from the news, even her own people have abandoned her." She continued to reveal the Duchess' scar.
Satine heard such insulting words loud and clear, but it was not the time to get angry, so she could only tolerate and suppress the fury.
"Anakin, come to my arms, do not worry about that ***** and forget about that silly ghost Qui Gon Jinn." Padmé continued emotionally.
Anakin understood that was the real Padmé, he could feel her feelings, especially their deep love. But from these words, he also knew this Padmé before him was not complete. She had stronger, unbinding emotions, didn't care to insult other people when she express her feelings, it is if she was the dark side of Padme.
But this was not important to him.
Because of his feelings for Padmé, even if she became selfish and possessive, it won't affect their relationship.
In some ways, this dark Padmé Skywalker was closer to himself.
"Anakin, no!"
Qui Gon Jin once again shouted at him.
Satine took all her courage, came to face Anakin: "Anakin Skywalker, I must say somethins, as this may be the last chance."
"I've seen too many man as I grew up, but most of them were just warmongers and dirty politicians."
"Even your master Obi Wan, was no longer the young Jedi I knew and loved."
"But you..."
"You came here all the way to help me, fought that Sith Lord to protect me, just as you protect all the things you care about."
"This, is the most precious value in my eyes, so rare in the whole galaxy. And you are full of passion, I can always trust you and tell you the true feeling in my heart. Although we only met for such a short time, it's enough let me lose the control of my heart and fall in love with you, yes, I love you. "
The Duchess came to an abrupt end. She wanted to say more: She still respect the choice of Anakin. But if it encouraged him to follow Padmé then...
Anakin heard every word of it, they stopped.
He was very grateful for everything Satine did for him.
He believed everything she said, along with her love were true indeed.
But these was just enough for him stop a for a little moment, then went to his wife's arms.
"A pathetic, nasty old ***** who was abandoned by her own people, actually thought she could save him? "The voice of Mother Talzin suddenly appeared in the mind of Satine, using Padmé's words and tone for mockery, "Beg for mercy now, perhaps I will spare your life and sell you to one of the slave owners I know. A pretty Duchess will get a good price."
"Talzin, you will not succeed!" Qui Gon Jinn shouted with fury.
"I will not fail, because this time my life depend on it," Mother Talzin knew she had gained the absolute upper hand and spoke slowly, "My corporal body was destroyed long ago because it could not bear the growing power of the Dark Side of the Force. I've been lived in this semi-spiritual form for so long. "
Mother Talzin was sure she had already won, so she didn't mind to tell her whole plan to Qui Gon Jinn and Satine, a powerless ghost and a silly girl in her eyes.
"Until recently, after the destruction of our home, my strength had been weakened because a mysterious hand of the Dark Side was severing my connection with the Force." Her tone carried a bit of hatred. Obviously once this plan was successful, she would seek the source of that mysterious hand and take revenge. "If I can not find a suitable host, once I lose too much power and unable to maintain my soul, I will be gone. So the body of the Chosen One is undoubtedly the best choice. Look at him, his soul filled with love and happiness, so the ritual will be carried out smoothly, without resistance. "
"Oh, I also left a trick for Darth Maul, I secretly put a spell inside his mind when I was healing him. He would have to obey me without a question once I cast it. Although before I get my perfect new body, it won't be wise to expose this trick to his master Sidious. So I had to use his brother to work for him, Savage is just a simple-minded beast, completely under my control and no need to worry about him! "
Seeing Anakin embraced Padmé without suspecting any danger, Mother Talzin no longer wanted to waste time with Qui Gon Jinn and Satine. Green mists began to enter the spaceship and surround Anakin, they were overcoming the blue glow of his body, and soon after, the witch would possess Anakin's body.
Is it too late?
Satine did not give up, she looked outside to the spaceship to see the source of these mists, hoping to find any opportunity.
The mists outside the spaceship formed a strange pattern of ritual, in the center there was a tall witch in red robe, that must be Mother Talzin. A burly figure was guarding her, his hand was holding a red double-headed lightsaber. That must be Savage.
And he caught the Duchess' attention.
"The mindless beast, uh?" She was brainstorming, trying to figure out an idea.
"Master Qui Gon, I need your help." Satine spoke quickly, "Help me to communiate with that man, something like speak through his mind, hurry."
Qui Gon Jinn was out of ideas, hearing Satine got some ideas, he immediately used the telepathy skill to help her .
"Serve as that witch's slave, is really what you want? " Satine fully stop trying to use their most melodious tone to the dialogue and this guy.
"Who are you?" Savage was very surprised.
"Am I right about it?" Satine continued to ask.
The Zabrak lowered his head, and did not answer.
"This witch were using you brothers from the beginning, she also put a trick in your brother's mind to control him, once she is successful, both of you will become her slaves. " Satine's tone became more gentle and sincere.
"But I have no choice, I need to learn a lot, before I become powerful and wise enough, the only choice is to find someone other than her even more unreliable.", "Savage said reluctantly.
"Don't be silly," Satine incisively pointed out, "Now is the best chance! "
Savage didn't know what was she talking about.
"Why should you rely on others to live? Become your own master, now is the best chance to draw her strength and knowledge to yourself, and become one of the most powerful beings in the entire galaxy, what are you waiting for?" Satine didn't know the details of the ritual, but she knew this man wouldn't want to stay as a servant for his whole life. "It's not you don't have ambition, I can understand there was just no chance. You loathe you current life and status so much, Why let such a golden opportunity go away?" Each of Satine's word went into Savage's mind, pointed out the desire in his heart, her tone was full of politician's appeal power and feminine charm.
Savage lowered his head, went silent for a moment. Satine was so anxious, she could only pray as the ritual might be complete, the image of Mother Talzin had already begun to float.
Then Savage raised his head, the eyes were full of ambition that was never seen from him before.
He rushed in front of Mother Talzin, took her hand then use his own power of the Dark Side to channel her power into his body.
"No! Savage, What are you doing?" Mother Talzin shouted,she thought everything was under control, her soul was about to enter Anakin's body.
"Succeeding, no, surpassing you, Mother. "
He had never spoken so proudly before.
All the green mists quickly drifted back on the outside of the ritual location, the image of Mother Talzin began to become blur, and energy were keep flowing into Savage's body.
Mother Talzin's pale face now looked like dying embers, she could not believe that she fell in a single minded beast's hands.
Her mind was focused to settle the ritual and possess Anakin's body. All her power were used to maintain the ritual and control the dark side of Padmé, she did not consider the Zabrak servant would go against her.
Over the years as the matriarch of the Nightsisters, she treated all the night brothers as nothing but slaves. Savage was no different, he must serve her to survive in this galaxy.
So she underestimated his hidden ambition while the Duchess was able to find it, so now her grand plan was ruined, she really hate this end ...
After ritual sparkled for a few times, the image of Mother Talzin was totally gone, the green mists all went into Savage's body.
Satine quickly took up her blaster and went out of the ship, she saw Savage was lying down on the ground, holding his head and struggling.
The power of Mother Talzin all flowed into his body, but her soul was not faded yet, the two souls began to fight for the body's control.
When the Duchess raised her blaster, Talzin's voice echoed in her mind.
"No, don't do it please, I can help you, let him fall in love with you forever ..."
Satine ignored the pleading of the witch, instantly shot through Savage's forehead, then fired a few more shots to his body.
Savage did not even have the chance to cry, he fell in his pool of blood, struggled a few seconds then no longer moved.
"Is that witch dead?" Satine asked, her blaster was still pointing to the corpse.
"No, all her strength into the flesh body of Savage, as Savage's body died, her power were buried with it, along with her soul. "Qui Gon Jinn was relieved," However, are you too cruel against this Zabrak? After all, he did us a great favor? "
"There is no better way," a trace of guilt appeared on the face of the Duchess, but flashed out after merely a second, then her expression became extremely cold, "We can not risk ourselves to save this simple-minded man, that would give that witch chance to strike back. "
"The victory of the Chosen One needs both the way of light and darkness, yes, a non-Force sensitive can see this more clearly than us." Qui Gon Jinn thoughtfully said.
The dark side of Padme lost the support of Mother Talzin, it could not continue to form image, but the blue glow wrapped her, "I'll send her back to Padme's body, so I have to say goodbye to you now. Once again I have thank all you've bravely done, my child. " Qui Gon Jinn was a bit sad.
"To hear you again and even fight side by side with you, is a great honor and pleasure to me." Seeing the blue glow left the ship, then soaring into the sky disappeared among the stars, the eyes of the Shating once again became moist ...
She dried her tears, then go back to the spaceship, Anakin finally restored all his sanity and woke up.
"You finally wake up, Anakin?" Satine gave sigh of relief then showed him a sweet smile.
The Duchess helped Anakin get dressed, and went out of the ship with him to take a breath of the fresh air.
"I am very grateful for everything you did for me, Satine," Anakin no longer called her as Duchess.
Before he really woke up, with Master Qui Gon's help, he had already saw Satine's feeling.
To him, she was no longer just Obi Wan's former lover, ally of the the Republic.
But a woman very close to him.
Not only because of her burning affection and all the things she did for him.
But also for her firm will to protect her loved ones and not afraid to make so much sacrifices.
Now he wasn't really clear about his true feelings of her..
If he didn't meet Padmé, perhaps he would consider ...
Oh, no, forget about it, he must stop himself to think deeper.
"I just ..."
He didn't continue, anger suddenly filled in his eyes.
Satine was confused at first, then she looked back and understood.
That Sith Lord was back, still wearing a black robe, face covered with red and black tattoo.
He stood there, seeing the corpse of his brothers, fire almost burst from his already bloodshot eyes.
"It seems we must finish this once and for all," Anakin said coldly, "It was he who killed Master Qui Gon." Anger also raise from the Duchess' heart because of her admiration for the Jedi Master. But she sensibly went aside, to let Anakin deal with the Sith.
Maul didn't ignore her this, he unexpectedly raised his left hand in front of this woman, Satine felt a strong invisible hand suddenly grabbed her throat and would let her suffocate within a few seconds.
Anakin also raised hand to launch a Force Pull against Maul, forcing the Sith Lord to leap up to avoid his attack, which interrupted his Force Choking.
Seeing Satine sat on the ground, holding her the neck and could not stop cough. Anakin's heart was full of fury.
Anakin remember, twelve years ago, it was Master Qui Gon Jinn came to Tatooine and changed the his fate.
At that time, nobody except his mother ever took him as more than Watto's little slave.
It was Master Qui Gon who found and praised his talent, helped him to become a free man and decided to take him as padawan.
When the Jedi Council, and the one who later became his master, Obi Wan, thought he was dangerous and disagreed, Master Qui Gon did not give up.
It was Master Qui Gon who made his dream of becoming a hero and protect the others came true.
Although he didn't have a father, but he always took Master Qui Gon as a father figure.
When he was killing the whole village of the Sand People to avenge his mother, Master Qui Gon's voice echoed in his mind, told him not to continue.
But he did not realize, for so many years, Master Qui Gon, as a Force Ghost, had been with him.
This time, Master Qui Gon, once again, and Satine saved him from the conspiracy of Mother Talzin. At this moment, his respect and admiration had grown even deeper.
But his killer showed up again.
And this time he tried to kill the woman who was so important to him, did so much to help and save him from such a great threat.
This, no doubt let the fury of Skywalker burn to the limit.
So be it ...
This time, they will have to finish this once and for all.
He would not let this monster survive like Obi Wan once did.
This time, he must let this monster pay with blood.
Anakin's face was filled with hatred, he took out his hilt and flashed out the blue blade ...