Hello! Welcome back! :)
Please note there is a tw for a mild blood injury and a lightning attack...
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chains rattled, tightening as Anakin's arms were shoved upwards, the flicker of irritation present disappeared just as suddenly as it arrived, smoothing into an emotionless glance.
"Anakin. What in the blazes are you doing here? "
Azure blue eyes trailed over to the Padawan, an exasperated look framed Obi-Wan's face.
"You didn't respond to my transmission, so I retransmitted your message to the council just as you asked. Then we decided to come and rescue you both. Master." Anakin replied, averting his gaze from the grating annoyance, as it echoed louder than words; simmering within the Jedi-Master's clouded gaze.
…You have got to be kidding me.
Obi-Wan blinked, unable to comprehend his Padawan's thought process. The Jedi-Master's eyebrows lifted, a huff of annoyance escaping as he glared at the twisted chains above.
" Good job." Thick sarcasm poured from his tone and Cal could barely suppress his building laughter, the snort of amusement caught Anakin's attention as he ducked his head in a flush of embarrassment.
"Cal, are you alright?"
" Hanging in there, Ani." A grin outstretched at the groan of disappointment from Obi-Wan, silent laughter raked through Anakin at the terrible pun.
"How are you?"
"I'm alright, a bit tied up at the moment." Anakin quipped back, he could feel his master's unmeasured disappointment radiating through the Force.
The two friends' tumbling joy drove Obi-Wan to the brink of insanity, his patience draining akin to the sifted sand from below their feet.
"Can we please focus on a plan?" The frustration was poorly hidden as the cacophony of the roaring crowd droned on, deafening both Anakin and Cal's further jokes.
Thank the Force for that…
The swirling thought was immediately regretted as his eyes tracked to the gates, grimacing as the shrill warning reverberated from the Force, a surge of darkness tangling through the air.
Danger
The dread pooled, crashing upon Cal from the depths of the abyss;
Something was coming…
"I have a bad feeling about this." Cal confessed, wincing as his ears were assaulted with screeching roars hanging ominously.
That…couldn't be good…
The trembling ground carried a warning itself as the resounding thudding of each snarling, deadly monster drew closer.
Cal remembered this, albeit the circumstances were different; the feeling was identical.
The trapped feeling of being 'entertainment'...A growing panic as hoards of monsters were hurled at him, his only option was to shove away the overwhelming fatigue and keep fighting.
Keep going…
Sorc Tormo's pathetic display, a cheap attempt to spike interest and more importantly; earn money.
They had to get out of here…
"Remember Anakin, use the Force." Obi-Wan advised, bracing himself as the insect barraged its way towards him, the snarling array of teeth only sharpened the depths of caution.
"What about Padmé?" Anakin's worried tone asked, his mind torn between staying alive and caring for the senator.
"She seems to be on top of things. " Cal remarked, Anakin's chuckle of amusement morphed into a stifling silence, all traces of joy smothered instantly as the creatures charged towards the group.
Violent teeth and merciless eyes glinting heartlessly; their only thought on destruction; death.
"Stay alive, both of you." Obi-Wan added, eyes narrowed in concentration, the Force encircling around him as the insect leapt forwards, the screams of the holder darkening the solemn mood further.
Blast…
A fragmented, unstable plan tumbled through Cal's mind, the ginger physically wincing at the endless possibilities that it could go array, upturning on its head.
It was risky-beyond dangerous, but there were no other options.
"I have a plan, sort of." Cal hesitated. "But…it's risky. Do you trust me?"
Anakin nodded instantly, barely tumbling to avoid the crushing attack as it breezed past him.
"I do too." Obi-Wan retorted after a brief pause, as if he was weighing the sheer power those words held.
Cal's emerald eyes widened in surprise, a fleeting relief settled within his churning worry.
Those words meant more to Cal than the swirling guilt laced within offered apologies.
"I have a bad feeling about this…" Obi-Wan sighed, ducking to avoid the sharp pincer as it buried into the concrete pillar, a scowl framing his face as concrete dust settled within his hair.
"I thought you trusted me?" Cal quipped, gathering the Force to steel his frayed nerves.
Despite his carefree façade, the Jedi could still feel the lingering effects of the poison coursing through his body, weakening him.
It would take all his mustered up strength for this to work…
"I do…." Obi-Wan rushed out, chains biting into his wrists as he spun to avoid another wide attack.
"Just try to stay alive."
"I'll add it to the plan."
The familiar phrase left his lips before the realisation struck him, his smile falling short at the reminder of Kashyyyk.
The ginger missed them, he missed the comforting weight of BD-1 on his shoulder, the playful jokes…
He duly hoped he would be able to see a glimpse of them one day; even if it was for a brief, fleeting second.
Even if it meant they were no longer a family. No longer weary survivors longing for a life beyond ducking into darkened shadows, hiding.
Instead, Cal was left clutching the faded memories from a time beyond this one. A protective vice-grip over his journeys, his adventures; They were after all, the only reminder he had of his family.
A family that no longer existed.
Forgotten..
Lost to the swirling abyss of time.
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.
.
Count Dooku's hateful eyes darkened, the bubbling irritation grating at his perfectly created composure.
"Dooku, you miscounted." The Viceroy snarked, glaring as the three creatures crept forwards, inching closer as if to seemingly taunt the captives.
The aggravated huff of irritation from the alien and obvious remark was blatantly ignored by Count Dooku, who continued to glare at the young Jedi.
"Do you want me to take care of him?" Jango's muffled voice hung within the air, his hand snaking to his holster.
"Patience, there is nothing he can do anyway."
Greed consumed Dooku; overwhelming.
His all-encompassing, crashing need for power had ultimately sparked a plan entrapped, within the depths of darkness.
This so-called Jedi would be his pawn, his chess piece in achieving his goal.
The Jedi would keep his word, Dooku was sure of that; The man was a Jedi- too purehearted , too naive and his kindness would be his demise.
The Sith would play along, just enough to ensure the younger Jedi gradually lowered his defences. Trusting him.
Perhaps Dooku would feign returning to the Light.
And then…?
Then Count Dooku would crumple his master, crush him and his carefully crafted persona into dust.
The Force coiled around the idea with sheer glee, the rage reverberating off of him in waves.
The sheer intoxicating power would be his…The excruciating wait would prove to be worth it.
His loyal apprentice, tainted by sheer power and strength of the dark side.
Obeying his every merciless command; Whether his apprentice be The Chosen One or this new Jedi - it mattered not, Dooku would reign .
The dust would settle from his enraged bloodshed and it would be done.
Everything erased.
Destroyed.
It would all be the young man's fault, the yearning desperation to twist the approaching nightmare into a daydream; would spell the end of encompassing freedom.
One Jedi would be the gust of wind that would unleash hell ; igniting the roaring flames of death.
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.
.
Cal clenched his jaw, the striking clang of the chains bringing the Jedi-Master's attention to the ginger's struggling attempts. The sigh of relief stole from the Jedi, his shoulders slumping as he managed to position his twisted, shackled hands to the front.
Ignoring the chaffed, scarlet pain; the Jedi shoved all his strength into the Force, clutching onto the Light with a tightened hold.
Forcing the creatures to stumble backwards, the sand billowed into a hazy cloud of fog; obscuring them from the watchful gaze of their captures.
.
.
.
Interesting.
Count Dooku mused, unable to pierce his gaze through the swirling muddlings of dust and sand.
This was unexpected…The Jedi would indeed make an excellent apprentice.
Nute Gunray exploded with impatience, whirling to bore his irritated glare into the Sith's bored eyebrow raise.
"Count Dooku, our deal is off if she is not destroyed!"
Forcefully, the Sith had to reign in his roaring temper as it threatened his vision blood-red.
The Force tensed, taunting him to destroy the pathetic alien who seemed to think he could order him around.
No…not yet.
His indifferent mask crossed his face as his bored look lifted to the Viceroy.
"Send in a group of battle droids."
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.
.
Perfect!
Cal grinned as the rhythmic thudding of droids stormed towards him.
Seemingly clueless garblings echoing confused mantras of 'Roger Roger' as they scanned the limited haze.
This was too easy.
The Jedi arose with ease behind the pillar and casually strode into the droid's life of fire.
Anakin struggled, battling to remain in control of the beast as it reared its head, growling and snapping in the attempts to throw the Padawan off of his back.
"There's the Jedi! Fire!"
All blasters were instantly directed upon Cal; the automatic order ringing shrill, metallic and raspy.
Gripping tightly into the chain, the Padawan spurred the monster faster; the world blurring as he braced himself as they crashed into the hoard of droids, trampling them afoot with ease.
"Good timing." Cal called, an edge of surprise hinted in his tone at the sudden, unpredictable stunt Anakin had pulled.
A carefree grin twisted in response, effortlessly catching the blaster Cal pried from the sparking, flattened droid.
.
.
"Padmé jump!"
A shaky breath at the sheer thought, the senator bit her lip, shoving the building worry to the side and suddenly leapt from the platform;
Despite her widened, frightened eyes and rapid, gasping breaths; she landed safely behind Anakin and clutched gratefully at the offered blaster. The blood-red bolts raining down onto the insect as Obi-Wan scrambled away, mind whirring with possibilities on how to stop the torrential, fierce attacks before he was ultimately killed.
"Obi-Wan!" Cal's hoarse yell yanked the Jedi-Master's gaze to the ginger, narrowly ducking to avoid the sharp jaws of the creature.
The blaster hurtled into the air, arching towards Obi-Wan as he cursed, scrambling to call the Force to yank the uncivilised weapon towards him.
Huffing a sigh, Obi-Wan spun, twisting as the insect poised to strike and pulled the trigger.
.
.
"Count Dooku! Need I remind you of our deal?" The warning hung within his tone, annoying the Sith to no end.
"Jango! Go down and kill her!"
"Patience Viceroy, they will die." Dooku reassured, ignoring the coursing chaos within the Force to just kill the man; to strike down the pathetic alien where he stood.
.
.
Oh Kriff this was bad…
The swarm of droidekas swarmed, surrounding as guns trained on each of the prisoners.
Cal cursed, gripping the blaster in a vice-like grip as the hopeless tsunami, taunted him to give in.
"Anyone else have any good ideas?" Padmé shot out, her steady gaze simmering with dread at the sheer number that consumed all means for escape.
"I have one." Anakin admitted, his face pulled into a thin-lipped serious look.
"But it's not a great one…Cal can you slow them down?"
Bracing himself, Cal's eyes fluttered shut as he willed the Force towards the droids, intertwining all his energy into the Light; the heavy fatigue dragging into pure exhaustion. Soon after, the Jedi stumbled fighting to regain his footing as he shoved the looming tiredness at bay.
The slowed effect was instantaneous and Anakin acted immediately; Plunging his heels into the monster, he spurred the enraged creature forward to barrel down the mechanical enemy.
Obi-Wan yelped in shock as he flailed widely; unexpecting the sudden burst of speed as Anakin bowled the droids over.
Cal continued to rain shots, watching with growing amusement as the flicking force field dimmed. Crumbling their only defences as the Jedi to destroy the droids with ease.
The blurred effect of Force slow waned, draining away, however the destruction was done. The disastrous array of mechanical parts settled into the arising dust.
Breathless unbelievable laughter rose through the air; mingling with the cries of disbelief and outrage from the gathered crowd.
It lasted a passing second.
.
.
.
Dooku's eyes trained on the group with growing contempt, blood rushing through his ears as the sputtered protests from the leader furthered his foul mood.
"Do something!" The snarling venom was high-strung and panicked, as if he believed that the Sith would indeed fail.
He would enjoy killing the Separatist…
Reluctantly Count Dooku agreed; his jaw clenched in fury at the hurtled command.
"Jango."
The purple lightsaber hummed dangerously, precariously over Jango's throat as his jetpack sputtered to life.
"Mace Windu, why am I not surprised?"
"This party's over Dooku." The Jedi-Master growled, his voice dangerously low as he regarded the emotionless expression on the traitor's face.
.
.
.
Cal was caught within the depths of the war, a lightsaber was handed to him; the azure weapon blurring as he attempted to shove the droid's advancing efforts back.
The Jedi's dwindling strength held together through sheer will and the steady stream of help encircling from the Force.
The screaming chaos of blasters and spindling screams seemingly, tainted the Force with screams of sorrow. The swirling energy yearning to help the Jedi through their fruitless endeavour to overpower the army of droids and Cal found himself back to back with Anakin.
The two friends ducking and slashing in perfect harmony, at one with the Force as the relentless mechanical forces continued.
Unfazed.
.
.
The ginger's mouth yanked downwards, his quivering hand raking through his orange hair to clear his vision, stilling as his vision trained upon the bright violet lightsaber.
Jango Fett swerved, arching away from the wide berth of the weapon. A tense alarm settled into his twisted emotions as Mace Windu sliced through the backpack.
Sputtering and fizzling within the air, the jetpack failed and Jango plummeted to the sands with a thud.
No…
Cal's conflicted gaze narrowed upon the weakened duel with a tearing hesitance, he couldn't shove the bubbling memory; the ghosting impression from the Force echo.
"No no. I won't." Boba shook his head vehemently, unable to even think about leaving his father behind. "I won't leave you dad."
"I'm sorry son, but you must." Jango squeezed Boba in a tight hug. "I can't lose you Boba. Please. Please promise me you will. I need you safe."
The ginger was on the move before his mind could catch up to his dutiful plan.
Boba deserved a chance to live. Live without the constant suffocating grip of grief and pain, shoved into a war as he was forced to fend for himself.
Perhaps, Cal wanted to give the young boy a chance at the life he was unable to fully clutch within his grasp, sprinting towards an exit within a wretched tunnel as it hovered just out of reach.
Mocking, jeering as the collapsing memories continued laughing at the heart-broken child that was forced to hide; Bracca left time for a crashing of questions of 'what ifs' souring within his mouth.
What if I was stronger?
What if I was smarter?
Boba didn't need to go through that same pain, the same tearing survivor's guilt that would loom throughout; Sinking its talons as it gripped tightly to a young child who would ultimately let the sheer thought of living become plagued with why did I survive and not him?
No. If Cal could prevent that, then he would do everything within himself to stop it.
A determination destroyed the hesitance nagging within his mind and he gripped tightly onto the fragmented plan. Cal shoved the last of his strength into twisting the nearby droids around, diverting their fire towards the Council member.
Mace Windu huffed low in frustration, spinning to concentrate upon the swarming crowd of droids, allowing Cal to sprint to the now forgotten Mandalorian. Jango's attention was completely consumed into fumbling with the sparking wires; scrambling to fix his jetpack that he blatantly missed the Jedi's sudden presence.
The ginger clutched onto Jango, before the older man could fully comprehend what was suddenly occurring, he was hoisted up, his arm braced against the Jetii's neck.
And forced to limp, struggling with the hurried, rushed pace of the younger man.
His mind finally caught up to him, a dawning realisation at what was happening and Jango hissed in fury, struggling against Cal's firm grip, unable to fight back as his injuries sent bouts of pain coursing through his every movement. Unable to draw a comprehensive plan to fight the Jetii off.
Emerging into the shadowy darkness obscured by towering pillars, the ragged tension deflated from the ginger's shoulders as he gradually lowered Jango onto the ground, Cal wincing in sympathy at the stifled groan of pain echoing through the outstretched darkness.
"Leave me." Jango growled, his eyes narrowing in suspicion, yanking his blaster free from his holster and shoving it into the Jetii's chest, his finger ghosting against the trigger.
This Jetii would not kill him without a fight.
"Not till you agree to leave." Cal retorted, a grave look darkening his face as his emerald eyes glanced beyond the shadows, ensuring they stayed hidden from the arising chaos of war.
…
Whatever the Mandalorian was expecting, that was not it. He struggled to muster a reply as his mind blanked, unable to link his unravelling thoughts of what the Jetii was thinking.
"What ?"
"Your son needs you, don't throw away your life and enslave him to a life of bloodshed and suffering."
The twisted smile upon Cal's face didn't reach his eyes, the bright green dancing with an unmeasured anguish. The deep solemn tone simmered with a deep sadness, as if he knew personally what he was saying.
"Stay alive, for him ."
And Cal stepped away from his enemy, unfazed by the deathly white-knuckled grip of the blaster; the nuzzle of the weapon pointed, unfalteringly upon him.
"You will get no gratitude from me Jetii."
Cal cocked his head, his wry smile concealed within the looming darkness as he stepped towards the battle.
"I don't care about gratitude, Jango. I just want to stop the suffering that war brings." Cal's hushed reply was barely audible within the roaring screams and before Jango could utter a reply, he was gone.
The Mandalorian's thoughts were twisted away from the strange young man's words as footsteps reverberated, pounding down the concrete stairs as the young child scrambled towards his father.
"Dad? Dad, are you ok?" The tears stung the young boy's vision, a deep unbridled terror raced through his veins at the horrifying sight of the Jetii poising his purple lightsaber to strike his father down. Boba was unable to clear the lump of panic that lodged within his throat, pure panic that he could have lost his father.
"I'm alright Boba." Jango answered gently, clutching his son close to him as gasping sobs trembled the small boy's form.
No matter how strange the Jedi was, he was right.
Boba was all he had and he couldn't protect him in this state.
"Come on, I think it's time we go home."
.
.
Mace Windu glared at the spot where Jango was, cursing to himself at the missing Mandalorian.
Where the blast was he?
Jango was injured, Mace's lightsaber had cut deep into his leg, so he couldn't have gone far without help…
There was only one explanation…
Whoever it was that helped him would not escape.
The Council Member flung his attention to Force, nudging it to guide him to who it was; to the one that helped the assassin escape.
The Force seemed reluctant, swirling through the hordes of battle droids and Jedi in the hopes to perhaps stall the inevitable. It was only when Mace gripped tighter onto the Force that it led him to the culprit.
A young Jedi, ginger.
The blue lightsaber blurring as he deflected the scarlet blaster bolts with perfect aim, slicing through the enemy with calculated precision.
This was him…
Mace had recognised the unfamiliar man as he had glanced down at the arena, halting the torrential attack from Fett.
The strange man who raised Obi-Wan's concerns, the liar, the possible spy.
And who had just helped the enemy…
Delving deeper into the Force, Mace attempted to pry into the unknown man's mind, to which Cal instantly stiffened; whipping his head to scan; his forest green eyes settling on the Jedi-Master's narrowed, suspicious gaze as he was unable to sink deeper into the man's mind.
Cal Kestis, what are you trying to hide?
The ginger tightened his barriers, forcing Mace Windu out from his continued, failing efforts.
His striking green eyes betrayed no emotion as they bored into the blazing coca eyes, before he shifted to plunge his lightsaber into a droid.
This man was not to be trusted…
.
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They were surrounded…
Count Dooku's gleam of satisfaction was evident within his eyes.
"Mace Windu, surrender before we destroy you all."
The airships with hoards of clones descended into the eye of the storm, overturning the battle in their favour.
.
.
.
Numbly, Cal gripped onto Obi-Wan's arm as the Jedi-Master hoisted him up into the aircraft; willing himself to maintain his façade as the crashing icy emotions were shoved aside, yearning to keep them at bay.
Familiar suits encompassed a desperation he couldn't seem to place into words, he was unable to tear his gaze from the anarchy, the agony of the war below.
Hastening, they raced after the retreating ships.
.
.
"Aim above the fuel canisters!" Anakin's shout floated above the cacophony of the engines as the ship swerved to avoid fire.
The torpedoes twisted through the air, erupting in a brilliant explosion of flickering yellow and red hues; the escape ceased as the ship plunged to the ground, the grating screech of metal crumbling, rising within the air.
Obi-wan paused before whipping his gaze to his Padawan, pausing as the words floated towards his mind.
I dislike it when you treat me like a child.
"Good thinking Anakin." The master praised, the pride evident within his tone.
The flush of happiness didn't escape Obi-Wan and he nodded as they continued their pursuit of Dooku.
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The ship lurched to the side, twisting suddenly as the shots rained down upon the small aircraft. Padmé scrambled, unable to grip onto securely as the ship jolted to the side and the senator dropped down below.
Consumed by the sands.
"Padmé!"
The sheer raw emotion within Anakin's voice consumed his every thought, reverberating dangerously within the Force.
"Bring the ship down!"
The raw fear inched closer towards rage as he was ignored, the ship speeding further away from the senator.
"Bring the ship down!" An impressionable anger was stretched into his tone, the electric blue eyes narrowing in fury.
"Anakin." A sudden urgency lacing within the Force to calm the Padawan down, Cal managed to keep his tone even.
"You can feel her in the Force, she's alright."
A conflicted torn gaze morphed onto the younger man's face, biting his lip as he indeed gripped in comfort to her unwavering, strong signature.
"But…I can't leave her."
Obi-Wan shook his head, a concern pooling within his stomach at the instability of his Padawan's emotions.
"Anakin. Padmé would want us to catch Dooku, to end this war quickly."
The trembling rage dispersed, smothering embers flickering out as the truth rang true from his master's words.
Padmé wants to stop this war.
.
.
The hum of the lightsaber echoed throughout the air as Count Dooku glared viciously at the defensive position of the Jedi.
"We take him together." Obi-Wan's hushed tone tinged with caution; his eyebrows knitted in concentration.
The jolting anger shocked Cal, the hatred surging deep within Anakin's voice.
"No, we take him now!"
"No!" Obi-Wan barked, his eyes widening in horror as Anakin rushed forwards, lightsaber clenched tightly as the pure seething irritation reflected through the darkening Force.
The blur of movement caught Anakin's eyes too late and horrified, he could only watch as he was shoved to the side.
The intense crackling lightning coursing through Cal's body.
The pain was burning , the lightning thrumming through Cal's veins as every movement sent him into a trembling agony. Cal couldn't brace himself from the pain as it continued to tear through him as it consumed him greedily. The blistering heat destroyed his every strength.
"Cal!" The muffled cry of panic dutifully grew weaker, almost as if he was underwater.
And just as suddenly, the agony subsided; leaving the Jedi's face twisted in a painful grimace, deep coughs racked through his spasming body.
Heaving breaths gasping greedily for air, as he reluctantly forced the encroaching darkness backwards.
His blurry vision noted duly that Obi-Wan stood protectively over him, his lightsaber blocking the endless crackling lighting from engulfing Cal again.
"Cal! I am.." Anakin's guilt loomed within the air, mingling with the frantic panic within the Force.
"S'alright Ani." Cal slurred, his hoarse voice grating low as his suffering eyes flickering closed at the sheer effort it took to talk.
"Your anger isn't needed, let it go ."
His ears rung, shrill and piercing.
Anakin nodded, a spark of fierce worry twisted in his stomach; an overwhelming concern at Cal's knitted eyebrows, deepening with each shallow breath; as if he was trying to control the tsunami of agony.
His mind made, he gingerly propped Cal against the wall, biting his lip at the moan of pain Cal tried to smother. His friend's injured body was further jostled, sending pain through every movement.
With a lingering glance at Cal, Anakin stood; easing into the comforting presence of the Light and stepped in line with his master, lightsaber raised in a braced himself in a renewed determination.
.
.
.
Cal's harsh breaths only furthered his unbridled agony thrumming within his body; a weary fatigue yearning to shove him underneath the abyss of unconsciousness.
The shrill scream pierced his ears, his eyes prying open, a stubborn lump in his throat; his eyes widening in fright as Anakin clenched desperately at his shoulder, the unrestrained hysteric alarm flooding Cal's senses into the Force.
No…
Taking a deep breath, he staggered from his position, willing his dropped lightsaber into his hands, his body screeching in protest as the twisting pain enwrapped him, every breath becoming a heightened struggle.
Count Dooku raised an eyebrow, judging the staggering form of the ginger with contempt.
"You don't know when you have been overpowered, do you Jedi?"
"I guess not." Cal croaked, gritting his teeth to force the scream back into his throat as he swiftly ducked; barely avoiding the blistering heat of the blood-red saber.
This was a losing battle.
Cal knew, it was obvious.
But perhaps, if he could keep Dooku's attention trained upon him, then help would arrive.
"You will not win this duel Jedi." The smug tone pulled into a bitter grin as Cal winced, weakly shoving his failing strength into remaining upright, the azure blue and blood red weapons colliding; sparks fizzling.
The outstretched palm shoved Cal backwards, colliding with the wall. The ginger wheezed, a deep cry of pain as he slumped to the ground; the tormented Jedi blinked, trying to stop the world from blurring as the blood dripped, matting within his hair.
Get up! The Force cried, aiding him as he stumbled from his feeble position. The lightsaber shakily held outwards; towards the Sith.
Footsteps thudded through the hallway, twisting Count Dooku's attention from the barely conscious Jedi, he glared at the man, a scowl of loathing morphing upon his face, his eyes darkening in resentment.
"Mace Windu."
The Jedi-Master's calmly reached through the Force; a sinking relief at Anakin and Obi-Wan's Force signature; humming with life.
"Count Dooku."
Mace's gaze sharpened at Cal's bleary gaze, the unfocused clouded eyes sluggishly trailed to the other.
"Stay out of this." Mace's harsh words were hardly audible to the Jedi, as Cal fumbled to stay awake, a pained huff in response as he leaned heavily against the wall-exhaustion and pain twisting his face.
.
.
.
Mace Windu's bitter aggravation soured his face into a simmering annoyance as Count Dooku scrambled for his ship, speeding away from the fight.
Coward he seethed.
An unsettling expression of worry twisting as he crouched besides the Master and Padawan. Worry bloomed as Anakin failed to stir, deep within the confines of unconsciousness.
"Obi-Wan, where are you hurt?"
"My leg and arm." Obi-Wan replied grimly. "But Anakin."
Mace nodded, a grave note echoing in his tone.
"He's in bad shape, I'll call a medic immediately."
"And Cal?"
Mace had forgotten about the traitor and he cursed himself for letting him be distracted.
He would deal with the traitor first.
Arising from his position, he towered over the half conscious man, Mace's face smoothed into indifference at the pinched, glazed helpless upon his face.
The humming violet lightsaber was immediately held underneath his throat, threatening. Jolting Cal from his hazy limbo lost between battling unconsciousness and flickering consciousness.
"Cal Kestis, you are under arrest for aiding Jango Fett. You will be held in our prison and questioned by the Jedi Council on your intentions."
"What , no Master Windu." Obi-Wan shook his head vehemently; a strong panic rising within his voice.
"Cal has done nothing wrong."
"Obi-Wan, you have allowed your trust to be taken to your advantage. You cannot trust this man." Mace Windu spun, glaring at the striking electric-blue eyes that held a stubborn fierceness.
"He saved our lives." Obi-Wan argued back. "He helped us on our mission."
"I am afraid that he is either a traitor, or a spy. We shall see."
Somber melancholy arose, consuming into a dutiful hopelessness.
Cal didn't protest, letting his head fall forwards, the bloodied hair hanging over his eyes; obscuring the sheer betrayal, the thick sadness consumed within the Force.
He was tired of this.
Perhaps, the truth was he didn't belong anywhere; Forced to be labelled as an enemy despite his yearning to help.
He didn't regret it. Jango was alive.
"Do you protest?" Mace remarked, an eyebrow raised as anguish spindled through the Force.
"No." Cal denied, the words thick with hopelessness.
It seemed he didn't really belong anywhere.
"Do as you see fit."
"Take him away." Mace ordered.
The commander ushered him up, bracing his arm against his shoulder; Cal felt the Force try to aid him, to lift his destroyed spirits, but he was beyond exhausted . He let himself be dragged into the aircraft; mind numb with hurt.
Cal ignored the crying desperation within the Force.
Letting his eyes flutter shut the Jedi embraced the icey nothing as the weary hopelessness hung heavy within his heart.
.
.
.
Anakin could only watch as Cal parried the violent slash, unable to move from his rooted position.
The hooded figure snarled in raging hatred and Anakin's eyes widened, yearning to help his friend as Cal's footing was kicked from him.
The mysterious figure slashed at his lightsaber again and again, attempting to crumple the ginger's defences. The pressure became too much and Cal could scarcely hold the attack off, gritting his teeth as he stepped forwards, trying to gain an upper hand.
"You failed Cal." The stark unmistakable voice snarled with venom and fury; freezing Anakin's blood. An unguarded shock unable to be smoothed from Anakin's face.
The lava spluttered to life and Anakin watched with horror as the red lightsaber pierced Cal's side.
Anakin watched as his own self rushed towards them, horror on his face at Cal's hunched form.
"Cal?"
Cal lifted his head and he watched the scrambling desperation within his friend's glazed eyes.
Cal's gentle hushed whisper coiled within the air.
"You have a choice Ani, you always have a choice. Please make the right one."
"No! You're going to be fine. I promise."
"You're a terrible liar" Cal's smile trembled, the pain in his eyes overwhelmed with tears.
"I'll be alright, I was running on borrowed time anyway."
"Stay awake." Anakin urged, his hand's trembling with terror as he felt the Jedi's life fading through the Force.
The hooded figure glared down at the two friends a dark smirk pulling.
"You have failed Jedi."
Cal huffed, a feeble snort of amusement.
"I didn't fail…" His wavering voice trailed off, unfinished.
And Anakin could only watch as Cal's eyes dropped shut, a final breath hanging in the air.
"No no no. Cal, wake up."
It was too late, the ginger was gone.
.
Anakin jolted awake, heavy breaths quivering in the darkened room, a shaky hand scrubbed at his feverish, sweaty face.
It was just a dream, it was just a dream.
Calm down.
But it didn't feel like a dream.
Was Cal in danger...?
Muhaha :)
See you next time and thanks so much for reading :))