Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, its characters, anything Disney or anything belonging to Lucasfilms or any thing other than Naibix. Enjoy.
After several weeks of non-stop fighting, the Clone Wars continued to rage on. Casualties on both sides were countless and seemed to have no end in sight. It was at times like this that made both Natasha and Nairbix question what was the actual point in this war. But right now, we aren't looking at the two friends, we are going to a different duo that hold great power over this war.
In his lavish home on his home planet of Sereno, Count Dooku contacted his hooded master, Darth Sidious. "Lord Tyranus." Sidious addressed.
"My master." Dooku bowed.
"There is a disturbance in the Force." Sidious informed darkly, "Your assassin, she has become very powerful."
"Yes, my lord. She is quite important to me." Dooku replied.
"Too important." growled Sidious.
"Master-"
"Silence. I can sense her powers growing stronger. I would hate to think that you are training your own Sith apprentice to destroy me."
"Never." Dooku denied, "My allegiance is to you and you alone."
"Then you must prove it. Eliminate her." said Sidious with a sickening grin.
"She is my most trusted-"
"I said eliminate her!" Sidious shouted.
"…As you wish, my lord."
Elsewhere in the Sullest System, Ventress was tailing the three ships that held Anakin with Artoo, Obi-Wan, and Natasha with Wall-E. "Heads up, we've got Ventress on our tails." Natasha alerted.
"Split up." Obi-Wan ordered as she followed and shot at him, "Looks like I'm her favorite." he teased.
"I'm kinda disappointed." Anakin threw in, "Only the droids follow me."
"Cry me a river. I've got a bunch of red blaster bolts following me!" Natasha exclaimed in annoyance while she and Anakin took out more droids.
"Natasha, Anakin, I'm going to need some help." Obi-Wan informed.
"Where are you?" Anakin asked.
"I'm hit!" he shouted, "I'm heading towards the Separatist flag ship."
"I see you. I've got her." Natasha said calmly as she shot down Ventress's ship. After the two ships crashed into the flagship's hangar, Ventress contacted Dooku.
"Master, I need your help quickly." she groaned in pain.
"You've already lost the battle, child." Dooku replied with regret, "I've ordered your reinforcements to return."
"No. I will destroy the Jedi. I'll show you." Ventress declared with dark determination only to see her master's cold glare.
"You have failed me for the last time. You are no longer my apprentice. And now you shall die." Dooku informed as Natasha and Anakin's ships flew in. Using the Force, Natasha threw off the ship's hatch while both Artoo and Wall-E extinguished the flames; and sprayed Obi-Wan along with it.
"No, thank you-thank you, Artoo, Wall-E. That's quite enough." Obi-Wan groaned as he climbed out and readied his lightsaber with the others as Ventress emerged from her ship.
"Ventress, you're not looking well." Natasha pointed out.
"She never does." Anakin mumbled bluntly.
"You've failed, Ventress. Surrender." Obi-Wan demanded.
"Never!" she shouted, she then ignited her lightsabers and engaged the trio. Seeing as it was three against one, Ventress was holding her own surprisingly well. As they backed her against her ship, she used the Force to Force Choke the three of them in anger. But before she could finish them off, the ship began to take fire from another Separatist ship, in doing so broke Ventress' concentration and released her enemies thus resuming the lightsaber fighting.
After having both of her lightsabers knocked out of her hands and three more pointed at her neck, Ventress groaned in annoyance and defeat. "It's over." Anakin snarled as a burning ship hurtled towards them.
"Incoming!" Natasha shouted as they all dove for cover.
"We have to get out of here." said Obi-Wan as the ship crashed. Each of the four then made for their ships and quickly escaped just before the flag ship exploded.
After being informed of the event, Dooku once again contacted Sidious. "Master." he addressed with a bow.
"What is it, Lord Tyranus?" Sidious asked.
"I have done as you have asked. Assajj Ventress is dead." Dooku said earning a dark chuckle from the Sith lord.
"Once again, you have proven your loyalty to me."
Back on Coruscant, the three Jedi met up with both Nairbix and Ahsoka at one of the docking bays and noticed their changes. Nairbix had grown slightly taller in the past few months and even grew his hair out. It wasn't too long but long enough to where he kept the back of it tied in a short wild ponytail. Ahsoka, however had greatly changed since she first started as a Padawan.
Her horns had increased in both length, height and size and draped past her shoulders. Along with that, she changed her outfit to a sleeveless top, three wrist bands on both forearms, and even created another yet slightly smaller lightsaber showing that her skills had greatly improved.
That being said, the others had their own changes as well. Anakin no longer wore his blue robes and pads, instead, he wore dark purple robes and straightened out his hair from its previous curls to a messy parted style. Obi-Wan no longer wore armor pads over his white robes and let his hair grow a bit longer while keeping the same style. As for Natasha, well, aside from getting taller and her womanly assets having grown bigger (much to Nairbix's secret liking) she hadn't really changed her look from her red and black robes aside from adding a black removable battle dress around her waist and keeping her curly hair tied over her shoulder with a black ribbon instead of her usual green one.
"Welcome back." said Nairbix, "How'd things go on your lots' end?"
"Pretty good." Natasha shrugged, "I don't think we'll be needing to worry about Ventress anymore."
"Well, that's good to hear." Nairbix nodded while Natasha lightly chuckled, "What?"
"Sorry, I'm just not used to the ponytail yet." she admitted.
"Well honestly, neither am I. It's just that my hair grows incredibly slow for some reason. I just never thought that I'd ever see you wearing anything remotely close to a dress." stated Nairbix.
"Touché." Natasha admitted. Later on at the temple, as she walked through the halls with Wall-E at her side, Obi-Wan and Anakin met up with her for a little chat. "Hey fellas, what's up?"
"Well, there was something that we wanted to talk to you about, Natasha." Anakin admitted.
"O-okay, what do you want to talk about?" she asked noticing they were serious.
"It's about what happened a few weeks ago during the Mandalore incident." Obi-Wan replied.
"Oh," Natasha said thinking she knew where the conversation was headed, "Guys, that was just Nairbix being himself and I'm sure he didn't mean to offend you or the order." she reassured.
"Um, no, we're talking about something else he said on the ship." Anakin gently corrected.
"Something else?"
"It's about what he said when he killed Tal Merrick." Obi-Wan informed trying to choose his words carefully, "He…he said…he called Merrick an arrogant human scum. Eyes blazing."
At first, Natasha said nothing and took a deep breath before looking at her two friends sadly. "I was wondering how long it would take for the two of you to catch on."
"Wait-what?" Anakin asked bewildered, "Natasha, you sound like you were expecting this."
"I have been for a while. Quite frankly, I was hoping that you wouldn't find out." she admitted.
"Find out what? Natasha, what aren't you telling us?" Obi-Wan asked.
"…The truth about Nairbix." she replied solemnly, "You see, guys…Nairbix, well…he…he hates humans."
"What?" Anakin asked as though he got the wind knocked out of him. "H-he hates humans?"
"Big time." nodded Natasha, "Nairbix has been able to see a lot of good in humans like us, but he's been more exposed to the cruelty of humans over the years."
"I never would have thought that Nairbix of all people was capable of hating an entire species let alone humans." Obi-Wan confessed in shock as they kept walking.
"Like I said, he's seen plenty of evil in humans over the years. You know how he's always introducing himself as the living manifestation and embodiment of Narnia's firstborn darkness? Truth is, he hasn't set foot in Narnia since he was only (in biological terms) a few months old." Natasha explained.
"Seriously?" Anakin asked receiving a nod, "With as much pride he has for his home, I always figured that he still lived there or at the very least visited often."
"I agree. Every time he's mentioned Narnia he beams with pride and happiness." Obi-Wan added.
"More like longing nostalgia, I have no doubt that nothing would make him happier than to go back even for just one day. It's just that he can't."
"Why not?" Obi-Wan asked.
"When the Narnians were created, a human boy and his companions brought an evil witch to Narnia. She was fixated on taking the world for her own and enslaving every last Narnian. The humans left but the Witch stayed behind, after that happened Nairbix was born and not long after that…he met the Witch. Nairbix thinks that she tricked him into giving her a dangerous weapon by sending her followers to kill him only to have Nairbix kill them instead."
"What did this weapon do exactly?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It was a scepter made out of crystal that would instantly turn anything it pierced into stone. The first one she used it on was Nairbix's closest and probably first friend. He was a little bird named Jackdaw. To this day, Nairbix keeps the broken stone wing of his friend in his coat. When Nairbix found Jackdaw and all of the other petrified Narnians, the ones who didn't get turned to stone or witness what happened immediately blamed Nairbix." Natasha said causing the Jedi to gasp.
"Then they began to stone Nairbix and chase him away. Afterwards, the Narnians were becoming divided, those who sided with the Witch, and those who sided with Nairbix and their ruler Aslan. In order to protect Nairbix, Aslan suggested that he leave Narnia and go to another world. Nairbix accepted and traveled to the next world that would deepen his hatred for humans; and ultimately save it."
"He blamed the humans who brought the Witch to Narnia for what happened." Anakin concluded.
"To an extent. In the next world Nairbix was adopted by a fairy known as Maleficent and received the love and happiness Aslan promised him. But it didn't last."
"Let me guess, he suffered at the hands of humans, didn't he?" Anakin asked.
"Worse, his mother did." Natasha replied, "In her youth, Maleficent had a human friend named Stefan, he was a greedy pathetic person from what Nairbix told me and wanted nothing more than to be king of the world. The day that Nairbix forged his Keyblade, their home was under attack by the current king who was mortally wounded by Maleficent. So he decreed that anyone who could kill Maleficent and avenge him would be named the next king. Naturally, Stefan who worked in the king's castle overheard this and looked for his childhood friend."
"Did he kill her?" Anakin asked.
"No. He did the worst thing possible to a fairy instead."
"What did he do?" Obi-Wan asked. Suddenly, a loud smashing sound echoed through the hall startling the three Jedi and droid. They turned to the source and saw a seething with anger Nairbix stand next the crater he made in the wall next him with the side of his fist.
"He drugged her and severed her wings right off of her back and presented them as proof all so he could become king!" he spat in anger before glaring at his friends, "And to this day that bastard still sits on his throne keeping my mother's wings mounted like animal's carcass as a trophy."
Before anyone else could speak, Nairbix composed himself and relayed a message for them. "Natasha, you and Obi-Wan are wanted in the council room, Yoda and Windu have something to discuss with you two." And with that, the angry Narnian continued on his way.
In the council room, both Yoda and Windu gazed out at the city as the duo entered. "Master Yoda, you sent for us?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Master Kenobi, something to show you and Master Romanoff we must." said Yoda as he and Windu approached a hologram projector.
"We have recovered surveillance footage of the massacre of Deveron which killed two of our Jedi and all of their clones." Windu explained. As the footage played, both Obi-Wan and Natasha gawked at the killer. He was a hulking large creature wearing black armor wielding a deadly axe that easily took care of the clones; but the biggest thing that shocked them was his appearance. He was nearly identical to Darth Maul!
"Darth Maul alive?" Obi-Wan asked not believing the sight.
"It can't be," Natasha denied, "We cleaved him in two ourselves."
"Correct you are, Natasha." Yoda nodded, "A creature of the same species he is, from Dathomir."
"Dathomir? The planet of the Witches?" Obi-Wan asked, "I was under the impression that Darth Maul's home world was Iridonia."
"Dathomir is the planet where Maul was raised." Windu corrected, "Iridonia is where the rest of the males of the species dwell."
"Travel to Dathomir you must. Find the source of this threat you will." Yoda ordered. As the party of four (two in each ship) flew towards Dathomir, Natasha started up a conversation with Nairbix.
"Um, you're not still mad about me telling the guys about you hating humans, right?" she asked.
"I'm always mad when it comes to those stories." Nairbix replied as he stared at the planet, "I'm not mad that you told them, Natasha. They were bound to find out sooner or later."
"Okay…you know…if you ever want to talk about it again, you know I'm always ready to be there for you." she reminded offering a soft smile.
"Yeah, I know. You know that I never hated you when we met, right?" he asked nervously.
"Of course." Natasha said smiling warmly, "I mean, how could you? I've always been a wonderful, likeable person." she teased.
"Alright, now I know that you've been drinking that vodka of yours again." Nairbix joked causing them both to laugh. Once they all landed and made their way through the village, they noticed that the locals were making a point of staying out of sight.
"Be on guard." Obi-Wan advised, "These men are ferocious warriors and will show no mercy."
"Good thing we're looking for answers and not mercy then." Natasha said with a sadistic grin.
"And she is in the same group of six frilly, weak princesses. Talk about being the black sheep." thought Nairbix bluntly while the warriors began to come out, ready to attack.
"Just let me do the negotiations." said Obi-Wan as the warriors surrounded them.
"So much for not starting anything." Natasha joked bluntly.
"Hey, don't look at me." Anakin defended as they all held off the attacks. Spotting the leader staring down at them, Anakin leaped behind him and held his lightsaber near his throat. "Back off." he warned, "We are not here to fight you. We are here for information."
"A man from your village murdered two Jedi. We need to know where he is." Natasha explained to the leader.
"What makes you think he was one of ours?" he asked.
"The Jedi council knows he's from this village. We've seen him."
"Mother Talzin should know his whereabouts. One of her women took him as a mate."
"I apologize for the intrusion, then." Obi-Wan replied, "Anakin, kindly release him, please?" He did so and joined the others to the ships.
"Who is this Mother Talzin?" Anakin asked.
"She's the leader of an ancient order of witches, the Nightsisters." Obi-Wan answered.
"Great." Anakin deadpanned, "Warrior-like men, witches-oh, this place is all kinds of fun."
"Never a dull moment." threw in Nairbix, "Something tells me that we won't be receiving a warm welcome when we arrive, though."
"You never know, I tend to be quite popular with the ladies." teased Anakin.
"Too popular." muttered Obi-Wan. Once they reached the other side of the planet and the witch's temple, many of their warriors began to ready their attack. "We've got company." alerted Obi-Wan as the witches came out and apprehended them.
"Jedi, come with us." a witch ordered as their weapons were taken. Once inside, they were brought to Mother Talzin, a tall white-skinned witch wearing robes of red.
"Master Jedi." she greeted with a nod to Obi-Wan and Natasha.
"Mother Talzin, thank you for your hospitality." said Natasha.
"I believe you have a question for me." she stated.
"Yes, we do." Nairbix replied, "We've had reports of a Dathomiri male on the loose. He's already killed to Jedi. Perhaps you could tell us who he is?"
"Master VanSull, we have no control over the males." Mother Talzin replied, "Our clan has been in exile for years."
"Don't play innocent with me, Mother. You're not the first witch I've come across and certainly not the cleverest. Everyone in this galaxy knows females are dominant on this planet. Something tells me that nothing happens here without your clan knowing about it."
"To think that the Jedi put their faith in one so accusing as yourself claiming rumors as facts." Mother Talzin retorted with her silver tongue.
"Rumors?" Anakin asked hotly, "You call two dead Jedi rumors?"
Natasha placed her hand on his shoulder in order to calm him as Obi-Wan spoke. "This thing-this animal is extremely dangerous. If you have any information about its whereabouts, you must tell us." he demanded.
Seeing no point in arguing, Mother Talzin waved her hands over a crystal ball and revealed the image of the murderer. "Savage. Savage Opress."
"What a befitting name." Natasha remarked.
"He is on Toydaria." informed Mother Talzin. Once the party left, a hooded figure emerged from the shadows and stood by Mother Talzin's side. "The time has come, sister. You must put your plot against Dooku in effect now."
"He isn't ready, Mother." the masked woman said, "He needs more training."
"He has to be ready. Together, the two of you will be able to eliminate the Count. But you must act now. We cannot keep your new assassin a secret forever."
"I will have my revenge." she hissed as she removed her mask revealing the face of Ventress.
"You will sister. You will."
As his ship landed at the palace of the Toydarian king, Savage Opress make quick work of brutally killing the guards. He then charged in wielding a crimson lightstaff and killed all that came in his path before meeting the gaze of the king.
As this happened, the party's ships landed outside before they all dashed inside. In the throne room, the came face to face with Savage carrying the king over his shoulder.
"Boy, does this take me back." Natasha joked while cracking her knuckles and readying her weapon. As they fought, they quickly noticed that Savage greatly lacked the necessary skill to hold his own against him. Taking his chance, the Toydarian king escaped from his captors hold and flew away; but Savage wouldn't have it. He used the Force to strangle the king and snap his neck sending him to the ground below.
After breaking away from the others, Savage escaped the palace with the king's corpse in tow. Once outside, he used the Force to knock over Anakin and Obi-Wan's ship before leaving in his own. As the party arrived, they noticed the burning remains of the ship. "And I guess that's what's left of our ship."
"Told you you should have gotten the cloaking function installed." Natasha reminded bluntly while using a fob to uncloak her personal ship before they took off in pursuit.
Back in space, Savage flew to the Separatist ship that held Count Dooku and presented the corpse to his master. Upon seeing this, Dooku unleashed his rage. "You ignorant beast. I told you I wanted him alive." he snarled as he electrocuted Savage.
"Forgive me, my master." Savage pleaded through his pain.
"That is not the way of the dark side." Dooku replied before electrocuting him again. As this happened, the doors slid open to reveal Dooku's former student.
"That's no way to treat your apprentice." she teased, "I should know."
"Savage, you can make amends for your mistake by destroying this witch." Dooku informed as he ignited his lightsaber. Ventress merely laughed at this while igniting her own weapons before speaking.
"I don't think that will be happening, will it, Savage?" she asked before tapping his forehead, "Remember where your true loyalties lie."
"With you, Mistress." he obediently replied as he ignited his lightstaff as the fight began. Even though Dooku's skill and experience was superior, Savage's strength proved to be better as he gained the upper hand and knocked Dooku against the wall.
"Finish him now!" Ventress ordered. But Dooku was able to return the favor by sending Savage back with Force lightning. "Get up!" she barked, "We must defeat him. Get up! Kill him! Kill him, you fool!" But every time Ventress gave an order, Savage was electrocuted by Dooku who was easily holding them off.
"I can't. He's too powerful." Savage groaned in pain.
"Your weakness will not be my downfall." Ventress growled as she continued to fight.
"A failed apprentice makes for a foolish master." Dooku mocked. Not wanting to remain a part of this meaningless conflict, Savage used the Force to strangle the two before him and knocking them against the wall.
As they began to fight once more, Dooku escaped through the floor with Ventress behind him; but the hatch closed just as Savage was about to follow while the party entered the room behind him. But Savage simply charged past them and made his escape. But with no other place to go, Savage returned to Dathomir in hope of Mother Talzin's help.
As he limped through the monastery, Mother Talzin greeted him in her chambers. "You have come home to us."
"I was betrayed by Ventress. The Jedi are after me." he said through the pain, "I'm not nearly strong enough to defeat them all."
"Calm yourself," she soothed, "You will be."
"I…I don't understand. Who will teach me?" Savage asked as Mother Talzin brought out her crystal ball.
"You have a brother." she informed mystically.
"A brother?" Savage asked, "But all of my kin were killed."
"Not all of them. He lives in the Outer Rim in exile. You will find him. He will teach you everything you need to learn to become more powerful."
"My brother…how will I find him?"
"Trust in your feelings. Your burning desire to obtain more power to defeat those who have scorned you will lead you to your brother." Mother Talzin replied, "You have an important destiny to fulfill, Savage Opress-you and your brother. Go. You will know where to find him."
"I will return, Mother. But tell me, what is my brother's name?"
"The name given to him at birth has long been since abandoned. The name he is most known by is the former Sith Lord Darth Maul."