Here it is, the final confrontation! This is the last chapter until the epilogue witch will be posted with this. The AN on the epilogue will more extensive than this. Enjoy your reading!
LD: Star Wars doesn't belong to me.
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Two hours after coming up with the plan the frighter overflew the Count's palace again. This time four figures jumped out of it as the entry ramp was opened middair. The guards, five of Dooku's guards, who'd seen the freighter passing before watched attentively and ready as the four figures landed cleanly near the stairs of the main entrance. They were quick to react as the four assailants turned on their light sabers and charged at them.
"We are under attack!" one of them shouted into his comm system informing his comrades of what was happening as the other four took cover and shot the Jedi who halting their advance for a moment deflected the shots. A few moments later the Jedi approached the guards who in turn brought out mandalorian black sabers the count had bought for them a long time ago. Engaging the Jedi on hand to hand combat proved not to be such a good idea since once in close combat the Jedi easily defeated and killed their five opponents. Qui Gon launched the last guard with the force against the palace entrance opening it.
The four jedi entered the palace and were received by a rain of blaster shots from another group of guards. Meanwhile the ship took care of the guards that were posted in the palace terraces or windows. Seemingly unprepared by a joint attack by air and land the guards fell easily on both sides.
"This is too easy!"Anakin shouted excitedly into the comm system so that everyone could hear him and smirked when he heard Ferus scoff in response.
"Don't get cocky Padawan." Came Qui Gon's stern response as Obi Wan just rolled his eyes from the other side of she ship.
"Sorry Master" Anakin said with an amused tone that told the rest he wasn't sorry at all.
On the ground, the group of four advanced through the palace halls this time less crowded by guards that had to divide their attention between the ground and air assaults. Qui Gon felt as one as one man was speaking with the Count. He concentrated on listening the conversation and closed the eyes, while his companions continued to fight.
"Milord." The guard spoke. "The Jedi are too powerful and the ship is massacring our forces. We can't hold them down."
"I'll take care of the ship. Eliminate the Jedi." Dooku spoke coldly.
"Yes sir" The guard replied with a nod. Qui Gon spoke into the comm system.
"Sarah the Count is going to attack the ship. Be careful." Qui Gon spoke as he continued to fight. "Obi Wan Anakin be prepared for a possible Force duel."
"Roger that" Came her reply
"Yes Master" Came Anakin and Obi Wan's response.
On the air Sarah maneuvered the ship around the palace, so far the guards had tried to fight the ship with their blaster rifles and a few rocket launchers without much success. But probably because of what Qui Gon had said the guards stopped engaging the ship and retreated inside the castle, to try and stop Qui Gon and the rest.
As the ship passed near the palace's throne room they saw the count standing alone in the room. It wasn't long before the three of them saw what he was trying to do.
"He is pulling us towards him! He is trying to make us crash!" Sarah shouted in panick. Obi Wan and Anakin didn't need more information. Both of them reached out to the Force, Obi Wan with more difficulty, and began fighting for control of the ship.
'You are fighting a losing battle!' Dooku shouted into their heads. 'Surrender to your destiny!'
'Never!' Obi Wan replied. Increasing the efforts the knight and the Padawan finally released the ship from the Sith Lord's grip.
"Let's get out of here!" Obi Wan shouted at Sarah.
"But the rest..." Anakin began
"Anakin it's alright" Qui Gon's voice sounded through the comm system. "Go."
"Roger that" Sarah said reluctantly. "Contact us when you are done here."
"We will." Qui Gon said. And with that the ship fled from the palace.
"May the Force be with you all." Obi Wan said.
"With you too Obi Wan" Sounded Siri's voice as the freighter left the Palace behind.
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Dooku had to wait very little for the Jedi to arrive at the throne room. His last remaining guards had been pushed back to the entrance and the Count didn't have faith they would resist much longer, especially since his aides who were fighting too could be more of a bother than a help to their allies. A few minutes later the sounds of fighting stopped and the Count didn't feel any more liveforms than the Jedi and himself. The door opened and the figures of Qui Gon, Siri Tachi, Obi Wan's padawan and a boy that wasn't Skywalker. Obi Wan and Skywalker weren't with them and neither was the woman from the Judiciary Forces.
"Ah Qui Gon how nice of you to visit." Dooku spoke in a false cheery mode. The Jedi still with sabers turned on said nothing. "It's unpolite not to greet when you come to someone's house even if it's uninvited." Dooku said. "I thought I taught you better than that."
"Count Dooku." Qui Gon spoke, his voice cold as the ice of Hoth. "You are under arrest for the charges of treason against the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order. You are to come to Coruscant to be tried for the charges presented against you. Dooku brought his crimson lightsaber so typical of the followers of the Sith Order.
"I'd love to go with you." Dooku said. "But I won't, you see my Masters has other plans for me after I end you and take the boy with me."
Kiara, Siri and Ferus looked confused but Qui Gon was unaffected by the Count's tone or information.
"Then we have no choice." Qui Gon said before charging at the Count. Both former Master and former padawan attacked each other. Dooku used his fury to compensate his age and Qui Gon fought calmly taking advantage of his former master's openings. The other three Jedi ran to help their comrade and soon the Sith Lord was surrounded by four jedi and concentrating on blocking all their attacks.
"It's interesting that you won't fight one on one Padawan." Dooku said. "I thought you better than this."
"Surrender Count." Qui Gon said ignoring his taunt. "You can't win."
As if to prove Qui Gon's point Siri managed to slash the Count's leg from behind making the old man stumble however the fight was not over as he continued to block his enemies attack, not in vain he had been claimed to be the best swordsman in the order. Taking advantage of his enemies surprise he used the Force to push Ferus and Kiara against opposite walls. Feeling his padawan fall unconscious Siri incremented her attack but the count blocked and retreated.
"You have much anger Knight Tachi, Qui Gon." Dooku spoke tauntingly again. "But you do not take advantage of this" He threw a bolt of lightning against Siri who blocked his attack. Qui Gon went on the offensive again and he manage to slash his master's left arm. The sith snarled in pain and pushed his former padawan back. However he wasn't able to block Siri's attack to his unharmed arm and the Jedi knight slashed off his hand.
Dooky fell to his knees as he watched the place where his hand had been before. Being lead on by fury he electrocuted the unaware female knight who was sent flying away. While Qui Gon felt she wasn't death, her injuries were grave, also before Qui Gon could react he received a kick from the count which sent him flying a few meters finally landing on his back
"I win Qui Gon." Dooku spoke with the traditional Sith arrogance. Qui Gon smiled and the Count looked shocked as the Freighter appeared again in front of him with Obi Wan and Anakin jumping out shortly afterward with their sabers in hand. Dooku had been so concentrated on the battle that he hadn't felt the Freighter approaching again. Surely they hadn't gone too far before turning back and Qui Gon was glad, despite his master's injuries the old sith Lord just seemed not to lose much strength.
Obi Wan and Anakin relieved Qui Gon from combat as they engaged the old Count in combat. For not being a Master-Padawan pair they fought really well in combination, so much that despite Obi Wan not being in top shape their combined style almost flawless. Qui Gon decided he wanted to be more than an expectator and quickly joined his Padawan. The Count surprised and furious by this development blocked his enemies attacks again, but the intense battle from before and his injuries prevented him from using his full power.
After a few minutes of battle Obi Wan disarmed him and held his saber against Dooku's neck.
"Surrender" Obi Wan said coldly. What happened next surprised the three Jedi. A cloaked figure appeared from nowhere with a crimson lightsaber in hand. And used the Force to push the surprised Jedi away from the Count. When they came to they observed as the figure helped Dooku get away. Qui Gon briefly thought of following them but then looked at their fellow comrades.
"Get them to the ship." He told Obi Wan and Anakin who nodded. Obi Wan took Siri while Anakin picked Kiara up.
"They are in need of a good healer." Obi Wan spoke gravely as they entered the ship when they were greeted by Sarah.
"Yes." Qui Gon agreed.
"Where are we going now?" Sarah asked.
"We are returning to Coruscant." Qui Gon replied and Anakin stared at him disbelievingly.
"What! But our mission!" Anakin said indignantly.
"We will have the Republic Judiciary contact Serenno's families and explain the situation." Qui Gon replied. "If Dooku is still here, they'll take care of that. However Knight Tachi is in need of a healer, Obi Wan is too and it will be a while before Ferus or Kiara come to and we don't know if they'll be ok to continue."
Anakin was going to reply but a look from his master prevented him from doing so. Qui Gon didn't like it either but besides all of what he said they didn't know where Dooku was going, they needed, to return, report and collaborate with the council to elaborate plans in case the Sith attack again.
"Yes Master." Anakin said and and went to accommodate Kiara who was still unconscious on his arms. Obi Wan returned from putting Siri to rest.
"How is she?" Qui Gon asked.
"She'll live." Obi Wan said neutrally. "Who do you think that was?"
"I don't know but I doubt this'll be last time we'll see him or her." Qui Gon replied.
"You know Master." Obi Wan said. "I hate that my bad feelings are always right."
Qui Gon chuckled at this as they both went to see how their injured were.