From this chapter on, essentially this will be starting 'part two' and it will begin the ROTS timeline, so buckle up, it's going to be a crazy ride :D

Enjoy!

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Part Two...

Cal jerked the controls, barely able to swerve the protesting ship from the collapsing rain of twisting debris.

The Jedi's teeth clenched in concentration, knuckles bone white as he clutched at the pilot's controls, his mind outstretched to the Force to help him guide his instincts.

"Cal, you alright?" Anakin's strained voice crackled across the headpiece, equally distracted in dodging the disastrous wreckage as it tumbled towards the three ships.

"Getting there." Cal managed to force out.

Obi-Wan's azure eyes narrowed, unable to place the sudden unsettling feeling reverberating throughout the Force.

"Careful." The Jedi-Master warned. "I sense something wrong."

The writhing unease settled, running Cal's blood frozen as he jolted the controls to the side, the plummeting missile narrowly tearing past him and into the deep abyss of space.

"This is why flying is for droids." Obi-Wan muttered, annoyance littered within his tone, wrestling to steer away from the destructive missiles as they thundered towards the Jedi.

The tense laughter bubbled up, cutting off as tense orders directed at the clones were flung from anxious lips. Twisting closer to the foreboding disaster that awaited them upon the ship.

Shakily, his widened eyes darted through the windscreen, cursing to himself as crimson red arching towards them.

The screams of agony echoed throughout the static of the headpiece and Cal flinched at the piercing cries from the clones as their ships swarmed with unrelentless buzz droids.

A conflicted look crossed Anakin's face, biting his lip at the vicious helplessness he was wracked with, unwilling to leave the clones to their ultimate suffering.

"I'm going to help them." Anakin announced, the echo instantly shut down from Obi-Wan, shaking his head in a sharp dismissal.

"Anakin, we have our orders, focus on the ship."

"But… master!" The newly appointed Jedi was unable to tear his mind away from the flickering explosions as they thundered behind, just out of reach from his help.

"We can't just leave them."

"I'll go." The words left Cal's mouth before he was fully aware of what he was committing too.

"I'll meet you two at the hanger."

"Alright Cal." Obi-Wan sighed, knowing there was no way he was going to change the young Jedi's mind.

"Be careful."

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.

.

Raking a hand through his sweaty ginger hair, Cal leapt down from his failing ship- a crooked, sheepish grin widening at the unimpressed glance Obi-Wan directed at the sight of enveloping sparks and crumpled metal.

The Jedi fighter was almost unrecognisable with the sheer damage presented, but Obi-Wan didn't say a word instead muttering a short curse underneath his breath.

"It's about time." Anakin's voice betrayed the sheer relief he felt, a playful teasing rising above the fizzling debris of droids littered underfoot.

"Alright, we need to focus." Obi-Wan's expression morphed from exasperation into caution, his voice lowering as his azure eyes narrowed upon glancing at the glinting cameras.

"I sense a trap."

"I sense Count Dooku." Anakin retorted, a smirk twisting upwards at the thought of a rematch.

"So, what's our next move?"

This time he would beat the Sith, Dooku would pay for all the destruction he had caused.

With his life…

"Our next move? Spring the trap." Cal grinned, ignoring the way the Jedi Master huffed the quip, only turning back to glance at the young Jedi.

"Are you two ready?"

"Always Master." Anakin nodded, his face trained into a determined stare of strength…of light.

Please stay like this Ani, you have to stay in the Light…

Cal bit his lip, shoving back his desperate thoughts and simply nodded.

Trailing the master and apprentice through the dimly lit, eerie corridors.

Unable to stop himself, Cal's mind drifted, danger wrapped around his mind. Endlessly coiling tighter…shattering his every thought as if it was nothing.

Reminiscent of the time he was plunged into a losing battle.

A battle that still chilled him to the bone, stuttered breaths forced even to give the sense he was fine.

Vader…

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"Chancellor are you alright?" Concern bled through Anakin's voice as he rushed towards his friend.

The instant reaction resulted in an unbridled feeling of hopelessness, swarming around the ginger as he desperately muffled his emotions in the futile attempt to maintain his barriers and smother the leaking thoughts into the Force.

It was draining.

To constantly be on guard, to be on the edge of breaking down and yet unable to say a word.

Just to ensure his emotions, his thoughts, his memories were forever locked within his mind and were not echoed to the Force.

Cal yearned for comfort, for his family.

How much longer…

Could he

Did he have to last…?

Palpatine's stormy glare seemingly bored into Cal's soul. An invisible smirk twisting upwards, mocking .

Forever jeering, as if the phantom menace could read his thoughts, the depths of the Sith's eyes held an unmistakable yearning for suffering, glinting within the synthetic lighting to watch the Jedi crumble into nothing.

"What is your next move, Jedi?" Palpatine's eyes seemed to sneer, a sudden wave of delight consuming him as Cal averted his gaze; unable to hide the icy shiver as it racked through his body.

.

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"I am fine, but you should not have come." Palpatine's voice betrayed nothing, emotions all forced behind his carefully constructed guise he had painstakingly created.

"Dooku."

Anakin's head whipped up, an impassive expression morphing as the Force washed over him. Footsteps reverberated throughout the chamber, his gloved hand ached with phantom pain, inching towards his lightsaber.

Dooku would pay.

"Get help, you're no match for a Sith lord." Palpatine scoffed, shaking his head to dismiss the sheer absurdity of it all.

They would not be able to defeat Darth Tyrannus, not unless Anakin decided to embrace the dark side.

"Chancellor Palpatine." Obi-Wan replied, the radiating confidence easing Cal's unnerving emotions. "Sith lords are our specialty."

"This time, we will work together." The Jedi-Master's electric blue eyes narrowed as Count Dooku leapt from the second floor, effortlessly landing with the grace of a Force-wielder.

Anakin bit his lip, nodding curtly as the shame burned his cheeks scarlet red.

Never again. He vowed to himself. Each time the rage came easier than the last and yet, it only left him desperate for more and more.

And yet, each time, it seemed to destroy his consciousness, defeating the Light side as if it was a simple inconvenience.

Simply put, Anakin was alarmed of how it was slowly corrupting him.

"Yes, this time-" Anakin began.

"Your lightsabers gentlemen, we wouldn't want to waste any more time in front of the Chancellor." Count Dooku interrupted, an air of impatience evident within his sharp tone.

The humming of lightsabers erupted as a symphony of war, blue clashing against deep crimson; Count Dooku poised on the offensive, the blurring movement of flurrying attacks barely able to be followed , let alone defended against with anything other than the Force's guide.

Breathe. Cal reminded himself, his forest green eyes fluttering shut as he filtered out the chaos of the battle; the Light side flooding into his palm and towards the Sith.

Oh this was interesting. Palpatine watched, amused.

Somehow, this Jedi knew Force Slow- a Dark side ability and yet…the Jedi remained within the Light.

Darth Tyrannus' movements slowed, blurring to a crawl. Just as suddenly, Anakin took the chance to strike, his azure lightsaber twisted down upon Dooku, catching the Sith off guard.

Count Dooku shoved the Chosen One backwards, allowing himself to smooth his expression from startled back into his dark stare.

Screeching metal brought Cal's attention towards the huddled presence of droids, shuffling from the elevator; guns trained towards Obi-Wan and Anakin.

Without another beat, the ginger's bright yellow lightsaber flew from his hand, bending within the air. In one smooth movement, the lightsaber sliced through the metallic droid just as its finger hovered over the trigger, taking aim at the distracted Anakin.

A gasp of flickering sparks was the end of the second droid as Cal pulled it towards him, plunging the blade into a mess of wires, discarding the carcass with a flick of his wrist.

"...My strength in the Force has doubled since the last time we met, Count." Anakin boasted, adjusting the grip of his lightsaber; readying himself to attack.

The three circled each other, eyes trained on who would break their formation first; who would give into the upending pressure.

"Good. Double the pride, the higher the fall." Dooku snarked.

Cal stepped closer to the tense waiting game, desperate to lend a hand. All of a sudden, he halted, his lungs stuttering as his heart pounded frantically at the whispered warning.

"You shouldn't interfere." Palpatine warned, his voice akin to a venomous and violent wind. Hanging within the air and yet, hardly a sound.

No one heard the threat except for the young Jedi.

Trapped.

Cal was helplessly confined to a metal cage-every single thing he did would forever be under scrutiny, with the lingering threat of death.

And yet, he would not; could not just watch-not while they fought desperately.

Raking a frustrated hand through his sweaty hair, Cal's indecisiveness strengthened as the Force tugged at him; longing for him to assist.

Spurring forwards, casting aside the possible consequences of his actions; the sudden thought that he could collapse- that he could fade into the abyss and to die at any point, was terrifying.

But no , he had to cling to the futile idea that Palpatine still needed him, still had a use for him.

The sudden realisation destroyed the vice-like grip upon his composure.

Cal focused upon Dooku, allowing his mind to strengthen as he surged forwards and in one movement, he split his lightsaber. The Force aided him as the world blurred, allowing him to lunge forwards and attack the unsuspecting Sith.

Darth Tyrannus gritted his teeth, unable to swerve as the yellow lightsaber barely grazed him, sending an eruption of fury coursing through his mind.

Instantly, he welcomed the depths of the dark and blazing rage, he shoved his arm towards Obi-Wan, flicking his hand.

"Master!" Anakin cried as the Jedi Master collided with the wall with a sharp cry of pain, eyes rolling up as he slid to the ground.

Unconscious.

Shaking himself from his deep concern for his master, Anakin's head whipped, electric blue eyes glaring at the former Jedi.

And with ease, a hand gripped Anakin's throat; desperate, hoarse breaths wheezed as Dooku clenched tighter; arms flailing in the yearning for air.

His heart in his throat, Cal shoved past the budding fear and attacked. Lightsaber hovering an inch from the Sith as in one swift movement he twisted around, blood red clashing with bright yellow.

"Ani? You alright?"

The soft acknowledgement sagged Cal's tense shoulders, just as Dooku lunged; scarcely allowing the ginger to evade swiftly.

And yet, in an instant; it was stolen from him-a frustrated annoyance ground Dooku's teeth.

Protesting metal thrummed through the air as the platform was torn from the foundation; crushing Obi-Wan's motionless form.

"Cal!"

The frenzied call laced with panic and alarm shot through the air, it was sheer luck that he managed to raise his saber.

Narrowly deflecting the coursing, merciless lighting.

From the corner of his vision, Anakin scrambled, gripping onto his lightsaber and rushing forwards.

Cal staggered .

Vision flashing white, flickering.

Stumbling, breaths heaving as he blinked back the spiraling darkness tinging his vision.

Anakin rushed forwards, the two pivoting around one another, it was only when his vision stung white that he stumbled.

What…?

What happened?

He wasn't even injured…

Cal could feel his strength wavering, he could feel the Force urging him to stay awake, the overwhelming pressure constricting against him as he struggled to breathe.

Hands trembling as his strength was stolen from him.

Blood roared through his head, his hands itching to neck and yet, unable to relieve the unrelenting pressure.

Choking, gasping as each stuttered breath drew slower.

"-al!"

His dimming vision shifted to the throne and it all clicked.

The dark sinister smile was almost invisible; the joyous glee within dark brown eyes was obvious at Cal's panicked fruitless attempts to release the pressure around his neck as he was Force-Choked.

No…

No.

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"You have anger and fear, but you do not use them." He heard Count Dooku mock and as if a switch had been flickered, Cal felt the depths of Anakin's fury smother him, corrupting the Light side with hatred.

The collapsing rage tore at his barriers, leaving him wavering as he gasped for air that would not come.

Forever holding him captive.

The sudden fear was unable to be stifled as Anakin cast the Light aside; snarling with his teeth bared in a yearning to destroy the man who hurt his friends.

He needed to call out to him, needed to…

"Stop Anakin. Stop…" Cal's weakened voice begged throughout their bond.

Anakin ignored the pleading call, focusing on the sudden lurching of power the anger had granted him as it thickened deep within the depths of his mind.

Obi-Wan…

A sudden bout of agony resulted as Cal shoved all his mustered strength into the bond he shared with the Jedi-Master in the hopes to shove him awake.

The disorientated groan twisted with a grimace as Obi-Wan's eyes shot open, unable to hide the rattling coughs as the suffering dark side swirled thick in the Force.

The Jedi-Master jolted as if doused within iced water; suddenly realising where the vicious hatred had originated from.

Anakin .

"Anakin." He called out hoarsely, fighting against the wrath of the Dark.

Anakin's concentration flickered as he turned to his master as his all encompassing, furious rage quieted into a still lake.

"Master, are you alright?"

"Anakin, rage and anger will not help you in this battle." The Jedi-Master managed to splutter out.

A flicker of confusion crossed Anakin's face, the sudden dawning of realisation left a lurching alarm. The nausea twisted within his stomach, in fear. The thick hatred and irate stormy darkness emitted from himself .

Stumbling back in fear, in horror at what he had done, he crumpled it into dust. Casting it aside within the wind.

Anakin despised how easily it had come to him, how easily he had turned his back upon the Light side.

"Breathe Ani. Breathe." Cal's voice trembled weakly within their bond, the ghost of a whisper scarcely able to reach the other and yet, it did.

A swift lowering of his weapon, he changed stances. Clutching the Force so close to him it seemed he was terrified of it leaving him, of him thrusting it aside for unlimited power.

"Do you really think you are able to defeat me, without the Dark side?"

"I know I can." Anakin responded, simply.

Heaving with a strained effort, Obi-Wan strenuously shoved the platform to the point where he was able to shuffle from the wreckage, ignoring the bouts of anguish that racked through his figure.

Unable to hide the wince, he limped. Rushing towards Cal's failing battle to remain conscious.

"Cal, can you hear me?" Obi-Wan's worried tone heightened at the wretched gasps of the Jedi; scarlet red lines raged from his throat from where Cal's terror had gripped him to the point where he was desperate. Sweat plastered his ginger hair to his forehead, despite the frozen shivers that consumed his body.

He knew he was fading…

"Ani." Cal's slurred hoarsely, throat constricting painfully with each inhale.

"You need to help Ani."

"Anakin is fine."

"No." Cal replied, his strength abandoning him as he shook with the effort it took to speak through their bond.

It was a wonder that he was still alive, let alone conscious and the only reasoning he could grasp onto was that Palpatine was enjoying his suffering.

So much so that he was killing him slowly…

"You need to stop him from himself."

And Obi-Wan stilled, hating that he understood instantly the solemn implications behind those words.

"Stay alive Cal. I'll be back."

"Try." he gasped, hating how the lingering contact left him yearning for comfort.

.

.

The ginger's fight slowly bleed as his strength seeped through his hands as if sand on Tatooine.

He embraced the cold nothingness and his eyes slumped closed.

The pressure slackened.

Deep rattling breaths gulped greedily at air, as his entire body shook with exhaustion.

Cal could feel his feeble body lean against someone warm and safe and calm, but he couldn't see who as his eyes fluttered shut once again, unable to hold the strength of them open.

After a beat passed and his breathing was under control, Cal's eyes met the swarming anxiety knitted brows of Anakin and Obi-Wan.

"Cal? You with us?"

He managed a short smile which seemed more like a grimace than a comfort.

"Yeah. Are you…?"

Anakin averted his electric blue eyes, biting his lip in unbridled shame as all words died within his throat.

"Thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything."

" Sure you didn't…" Anakin let the wisp of his smile fade into an all encompassing, nauseous guilt. "I'm sorry Cal, I lost control of myself."

"You came back Ani. That is the most important thing." Cal replied.

"Do you think you can stand?" Obi-Wan asked cautiously.

"Yeah. I'm alright now." Cal nodded, stifling a whimper as he stumbled to his feet, allowing his vision to settle before pulling away and settling his rattling lungs.

The immense relief drowned over him as he met the hateful stare of Count Dooku. Bleary, furious but alive and within the chains of Force resistant shackles.

"Obi-Wan are you alright?" Anakin called, noting the way his master favoured his leg, the sharp tortuous pain gripping him with each miniscule movement.

"I'll be fine."

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.

"I believe we should leave now, Anakin." The Chancellor replied sharply, eyes narrowed in discontent that his plan to destroy Cal failed.

"I believe that's wise." Obi-Wan nodded.

And yet, before Anakin could release Palpatine from the confines of his prison, Cal caught his friend's hand.

"Wait. I sense another trap. I think we should investigate and ensure it's safe for the Chancellor first."

"And what do you suggest? You wish to leave me here ?" Palpatine's chilly tone twisted with irritation as he scrutinised the ginger.

Oh how he wished to destroy this Jedi.

"Just until we make sure it's safe. For all we know, it's possible they think that Dooku has succeeded and are awaiting his orders."

Obi-Wan hummed, pondering the idea; his hand snaked underneath his chin in consideration.

Cal's theory made sense and he had to agree that if they all stormed into a trap, it would prove impossible to defend the Chancellor.

"I agree, I think that's a good idea." He agreed.

"We'll come back for you Chancellor."

"So I have to wait for you, whilst being tied up?" The deep annoyance was obvious and unable to be hidden as his jaw clenched in pure discontent.

" I apologise for the discomfort, Chancellor... " Cal's tone was sarcastic, deep with an unbridled satisfaction, his hand gently grazing against his raw throat.

" But we need to ensure your safety comes first."

"Fine. Do what you must." He growled.

Twisting away, a vice-like grip on Count Dooku as they led him towards the awaiting trap.

.

.

Anakin hesitated, clutching the lightsabers to the point where they dug into his palms. The fizzling sparks clashed in a cacophony of noise as he held the electric blue sabers to Dooku's throat, the dimmed lighting reflecting his reluctance to continue.

"Good Anakin. Now kill him." Palpatine coerced, the sheer venom startling Anakin as his grip slackened with an inkling of doubt.

Count Dooku was unarmed.

"Anakin, Count Dooku will get a trial, he will get his appropriate punishment, but killing him will not achieve anything except more rage." Obi-Wan replied calmly, ensuring his words were gentle.

"Do it." The Chancellor snarled.

And Anakin could feel the coursing pleading emitting from Cal's bond and he knew it wasn't right, would never be right.

Rage would only plunge him into a terrifying cycle of never-ending fury and he was not afraid to admit that his earlier outburst had unnerved him, scared him.

The lightsabers deactivated.

Obi-Wan let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding.

.

.

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"General Grievous. You're shorter than expected." Anakin smirked, glancing at Cal's stifled snort of laughter.

.

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"You will not win, General."

"We shall see." Grievous snarked, arm raised as all blasters trained onto the four of them.

"Count Dooku, I see you have been caught." The General said, an underlying humour laced within his words at the sheer insanity of the words.

"Do not patronise me." The Sith snarled, cocoa eyes narrowing in a hailing flaming fury.

"Then I suppose you would not mind staying with the Jedi."

"No. Let me out you fool." Darth Tyrannus spat out, despising the position he had been placed in by the pathetic Jedi.

To have General Grievous laughing down at him was humiliating.

"Don't take another step forward." Cal warned, his lightsaber humming in a bidding warning.

The lights flashed, flickering and the ship was plunged into darkness, into the swirling abyss of shadows.

The garbled confusion allowed the three Jedi the slither of an advantage as the foggy view halted the droid's twisting advances.

"You kept your promise." Count Dooku seemed shocked, his mutterings unable to be overheard through the raining bullets and clashing lightsabers.

"I swore on the Force that I would." Cal responded, out of breath whilst he deflected another arching shot towards the squawking nonsensical chattering as it echoed in the room.

"I sense you want more from me, Jedi."

Cal bit his lip, a conflicted look crossing his face if he should trust the Sith.

He didn't have a choice, Cal was running out of time.

Sighing, his shoulders sagged in defeat.

"Tell me, is there any possibility that the chip can be removed?"

"It only responds to the original host. If you were to try to deactivate a single chip it would instantly fry the clone."

" The original host ?" Cal asked, shoving Dooku to the ground as a droid stumbled towards them, easily cutting through the static metal as it dropped with a dull thud.

"Are you talking about Jango?"

"Seek the bounty hunter and you shall find your answer."

The nagging feeling couldn't be ignored anymore, mind whirling at the possibilities this offered.

"Why are you telling me this?" The harsh tone entwined with brimming suspicion.

" Why ? Because ruining the Chancellor's plans would result in the most entertaining show and it does seem the Dark Lord has taken a keen intrest in you."

Cal hands opened and closed in sheer desperation, the overwhelming helplessness enveloping him.

He had no choice but to blindly trust the Sith's words.

Instantly, the lights flickered back on, to reveal a mass of metallic bodies as they scattered across the hard floor.

Grievous was immediately taken aback by the sight, speechless that his army lay dismantled.

"Good job Artoo." Anakin called through the comm, the chirping reply of joy forcing Cal into a tsunami of despair lingering at the thought of his own companion.

BD….

"Grievous, I believe you are surrounded." Obi-Wan responded confidently.

Nothing could prepare them for what occurred next. Seemingly out of nowhere, a hazy cloud of smoke submerged the room. Cal willed himself to stay calm despite the growing difficulty to breathe, his senses were muffled, unable to see as his forest green eyes darted, unable to settle the panic crumpling within his stomach.

.

.

"Artoo, turn on the fan for the room." Anakin ordered, barking with urgency.

"He's gone." Cal groaned, glancing at the desolate hallway as the whirring of fans thundered.

The ground trembled, tipping unstably as the ship shook, creaking with renewed effort as blaring alarms pierced through the air.

The ship struggled to remain upright as it gradually tore apart, sliding dangerously within the isolated, frozen depths of space.

Anakin scrambled to the control panel, hands flying across the controls in a renewed blur. Adrenaline pounding within his veins as he forced the ship to obey his commands.

"Can you fly it?" Obi wan yelled over the screeching alarms.

"I might be able to land it." Anakin responded.

"Cal, the ship is splitting apart. The Chancellor."

"I'm on it." Cal nodded.

"Be careful, may the Force be with you." Obi-Wan added.

"And with you." He retorted breathlessly, sprinting down twisting, crumpling corridors as Count Dooku trailed behind; cursing underneath his breath.

Heart pounding frantically, Cal allowed the Force flow into him, stumbling past the hailing debris and veering towards the Chancellor.

.

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"The ship is falling apart." Cal informed, waving his hand unlocked the restraints with ease.

"We need to get you out of here."

Palpatine remained sitting.

" You disobeyed me ." The deathly edge of Palpatine's voice stilled Cal as the fear clutched at his heart; sharp talons ripping open his disastrous consequences.

"You're not going to kill me yet. You need me."

A twisted smile upturned upon Palpatine's face and he gracefully rose and towering over the ginger in the attempt to unnerve him.

"Do not think for a second that I need you. You are nothing but a pawn and pawns can easily be replaced." The dark lord prodded, the sadistic flush of power at the fragile state of the Jedi.

"Besides, do you really think that Anakin will continue on the path of good if you die?"

Cal's throat closed up, numbly following the Chancellor as the ship tore in a raining hail of raining metal. Chunks were ripped from the ship as the endless space mercilessly mocked their futile attempts to rush to safety.

.

.

"Strap yourself in." Anakin barked as he wrestled for the controls.

"This is going to be bumpy."

And with a jolting lurch, half of the ship crumpled apart.

"Kriff." Anakin cursed, gritting his teeth as he shoved all his strength to ensure they stayed stable.

"Not to worry, we're still flying half a ship." Obi-Wan replied, half-heartedly. White knuckles gripping the soft leather of the chair in a death-like grip.

"Brace yourself." Anakin called, clutching onto the controls as the collision sent a devastation, ground shaking shockwave caved in as the ground rapidly came up to meet them.

A thick smog of quiet descended, broken only by the smoke hissing violently through the water jets. The tension was so thick the crowd could scarcely breathe as it scrambled around the desolate aircraft.

Amidala shoved through the crowd, a lump within her throat at the sheer disastrous wreckage.

Waiting and yet…

Not a single person emerged from the ship.

There was a stifling silence that echoed, deafening after a catastrophic battle.

Woo more cliffhangers to feed the void :D
Muhaha