Chapter 83: Nightsisters

The swiftest path to destruction is through vengeance.

Recap: Galactic showdown! In a fierce battle for survival, the Republic and Separatist armies have clashed in the distant Sullust system. Count Dooku's most cunning assassin, Asajj Ventress, leads the vicious attack.

"To think this war has been going on for a year. And we're still no closer to seeing the end in sight," said Storm as he was talking with Twilight on his communicator.

"Well, wars don't just end with one battle. It's a long, tedious process. And we're doing all we can." stated the princess.

"Even so, we're still at a stalemate since it began. Makes you wonder if we're ever gonna end it," stated Storm.

"We have to. Everyone is counting on us," said Twilight.

"Yeah... they are. Well, I need to go, Sparky. I'm about to take off and engage Ventress with Kenobi and Anakin. And no doubt, where Ventress is, Sunset ain't far behind either." stated the boy as he was expecting to run into his rival again.

"Please, whatever she tries, don't fall for it. I can't... just the thought of losing you to her. It makes me... I don't know." said Twilight as while she couldn't put it into words, deep down, the princess felt a tad bit jealous of seeing how hands-on Sunset was with Storm. Almost like she was trying to steal her partner away from her.

"I'll be careful, Twily," said Storm as the girl blushed red at hearing the boy call her that.

The transmission ended before Storm could notice it as he prepped his fighter and began to take off. The boy entered space with the next group as they saw a sea of blaster shots ahead. Anakin and Obi-wan were already engaging the enemy as it was led by none other than Ventress.

"Trident Group One, attack the starboard engines!" instructed Ventress as the group of droids broke off. "Trident Group Two, knock out their port shield generators. I'll go directly for their bridge."

The assassin gave her droids their command as they broke off. On the main Separatist ship, Sunset watched the battle before her. The girl had been instructed by Dooku to keep an eye on Ventress and, should things go south, to order a full retreat. She wasn't happy she had to sit this one out, especially cause she sensed her rival in Storm; the bacon-haired teen knew to put her trust in Dooku's orders.

"Mistress," said a droid as he brought a drink for Sunset.

Sunset merely took it as she sat in the command chair and watched the show.

"The port side deflectors are gone!" shouted a navigator to the Admiral as they were in trouble.

Asajj approached one of the Republic cruisers as she slipped between the guns and fired at the bridge. It soon exploded as the entire cruiser was going down. While the battle was going on, on the planet Serenno, in a castle, was Dooku. The Sith Lord was shown looking out of his window before turning toward his desk. He pushed a button and bowed to a knee as his master came up.

"Lord Tyrannus," said Darth Sidious.

"My master," said Dooku.

"There is a disturbance in the Force. Your assassin, she has become very powerful."

"Yes, my Lord. She is quite important to me," replied Dooku as he lifted his head.

"Too important."

"Master-"

"Silence!" stated Darth Sidious. "I can sense her powers growing stronger. I would hate to think you are training your own Sith apprentice to destroy me."

"Never! My allegiance is to you, and you alone!" stated Dooku as he was loyal to the Sith Lord.

"Then you must prove it. Eliminate her!" ordered Sidious.

"She's my most trusted..." pleaded Dooku.

"I said eliminate her!" yelled Sidious to his apprentice.

"As you wish, my Lord," said Dooku as he was willing to obey his master. "And what of Sunset?"

"She may still be of use to us," said Darth Sidious as he was willing to keep Sunset around for other future plans.

Back in space, Ventress and her forces were still battling it out. The assassin was heading toward Anakin and Obi-wan, who were shooting at the enemy in front of them in their fighters. She took her moment and fired shots at the pair as their fighters rocked a bit.

"Ventress!" said Anakin.

"Split up!" instructed Obi-wan.

The pair did a barrel roll before going in opposite directions. The droids went after Anakin as Ventress chose to go after the Jedi Master.

"Looks like I'm her favorite!" stated Kenobi as Ventress was hot on his tail.

"I'm kind of disappointed. Only the droids follow me!" complained Anakin. He was flying by a Separatist ship, as on the other side were a group of droids looking to cut him off ahead. "You wanna race? Come on!"

The Jedi Knight pushed the throttle as he made his fighter go faster. The droids chasing the Jedi Knight were firing as they hoped to blast him. Anakin reached the end of the ship and did a hard right turn. The droids followed him, but they crashed into the other group of droids that were looking to cut off the Jedi as an explosion occurred.

On the other hand, Obi-wan was having a bit of a tough time. Ventress had shot one of his engines as he couldn't escape the assassin.

"Anakin, I'm going to need some help."

"Where are you?" asked the Jedi Knight.

At that moment, Ventress smiled as she took her shot and hit the other engine of the ship.

"I'm hit! I'm heading towards the Separatist flagship!" stated Obi-wan as alarms went off inside.

"I see you! I've got her," said Anakin as he looked out his window.

The Jedi Knight took aim and fired shots as he got Ventress' ship. Now she began to experience some alarms as she was heading for the Separatist ship's hangar bay. Storm was nearby as he saw Anakin and followed his pal. Sunset got up from her seat and began to exit from the bridge.

"Mistress Sunset?" asked the tactical droid as he saw the girl leaving.

"Keep an eye on things. I'm going down to the hangar to greet our guests," smiled Sunset evilly as the doors closed behind her.

The two ships crashed onto the hangar floor as they were both stuck.

"Master, I need your help, quickly. I'm surrounded," said Ventress as she contacted Dooku for assistance.

"You have already lost the battle, child. I've ordered your reinforcements to return," said the Sith Lord.

"No! I will destroy the Jedi. I'll show you!" stated Ventress.

"You have failed me for the last time. You are no longer my apprentice. And now, you shall die." stated the Sith Lord with the most stone-cold, emotionless expression on his face. Ventress' eyes widened when she heard that.

Storm and Anakin had their ships land in the hangar as they got out and ran to their friend's ship, which was on fire.

"Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan!" shouted both Jedi Knights as they saw their friend trapped. They popped the hood of the fighter off as R2 pulled out his fire extinguisher and sprayed ut.

"Oh! Thank you! Thank you, R2, that's quite enough." said the Jedi Master as he got blasted in the face by the foam from the droid as he put out the flames.

The Jedi Master got out of his ship and dusted himself off. Ventress was now getting out of her ship and stood on top of it as she saw the three Jedi with their lightsabers.

"Ventress. You're not looking well," said Obi-wan as he saw the assassin clutching her shoulder.

"She never does," snickered Anakin to his master.

"You have failed, Ventress. Surrender!" said Storm as he pointed his lightsaber out.

"Never!" shouted the assassin.

She quickly lunged at the trio with both blades turned on as they all deflected them and flipped her over their heads. Ventress landed behind them as she was prepared to fight all three Jedi, even if she was willing to die. Both Obi-wan and Anakin lunged forward as Storm was about to do the same when...

"Storm!" said Sunset in a singing voice.

The boy looked up as there was Sunset; the girl was leaning over the railing when she saw the boy and his friends approach her ally. Storm leaped up as he let his companions deal with Ventress. He landed on the overhead walkway, standing a few meters from her.

"You should have called me ahead of time. I would have cleaned the place up for my boyfriend," smiled Sunset.

"It ends here, Sunset," stated Storm.

"Really? After all, we've been through, you're still all about business. You need some pleasure in your life. I can give you that. After all, all work and no play makes Sunny a dull girl." said the bacon-haired teen, giving the boy a set of bedroom eyes.

"I'm not here to play, Sunset. I'm here to do my job. Like you said on Kamino. You're the villain, and I'm the hero. So it's fate that we have to fight against each other."

"Indeed, it's fate," said Sunset as her expression changed on a dime, and she turned on her lightsaber.

The girl lunged forward as the boy blocked it and rotated their blades to the side as is scratched along the railing with both staring at each other. Down below, Ventress was dealing with Kenobi and Anakin as the assassin was blocking and dodging every swing by the pair. She ducked Anakin's swing and then blocked Obi-wan as she backed up and got a few feet apart. Obi-wan went for another attack as she jumped and did a back kick to knock the Jedi Master away.

Ventress did several backflips as Anakin jumped just as he was standing up. Anakin was pushed back as he stuck his hand out and made the assassin bump into the wall. He lunged as she blocked and then leaped onto the wall as another block occurred before Ventress flipped over the Jedi Knight. She then put her hand out and made Anakin fly into the wall.

Above, Sunset and Storm bounced along the walkway and the walls as they continued their fight. The girl managed to land a kick on the boy's chest as he flipped over the railing. He landed safely as Sunset dropped down. She wasted no time in charging at Storm as the pair swung their blades from side to side.

"Yes, my Lord. Ventress and Sunset are battling the Jedi onboard the command ship," said the tactical droid to Dooku.

"Turn your guns on our command ship and open fire!" ordered Dooku.

"But, my Lord, I calculate that will destroy both of them, the Jedi and all our forces," stated the droid.

"Precisely," said Dooku, as he banked that Sunset would know what was going on and escape in time.

Ventress was still fighting against the Jedi as she twisted in between them and held off both attacks from both sides before being kicked. She collided with her side as she fell to her hands and knees; Sunset saw Ventress surrounded as she looked to help, but Storm managed to take that momentary distraction and knock Sunset's blade from her hand. The boy forcefully put the girl on her hands and knees as he pressed his full body weight on her. Normally, Sunset would have made a sexual innuendo, but this was a different situation as it seemed both sith lords were about to be captured.

As Storm held Sunset, Obi-wan and Anakin began to approach Ventress. The assassin stood up and yelled as she put her hands out. She was now choking out both Anakin and Obi-wan as she lifted them into the air.

"Guys?!" shouted Storm.

It was Sunset's turn to take advantage of the boy's distraction as she managed to get out of the hold. She kicked away his lightsaber and his gut as he fell to a knee. The girl then quickly wrapped her left arm under Storm's chin as she applied a deadly sleeper hold. Sunset's legs wrapped around Storm as they fell to the ground.

"Time to say night, night, Storm!" growled Sunset as she was willing to choke out the boy as the boy was losing oxygen and fading fast.

Both Sith Lords were in full control as they were about to kill their foes, as their anger from both was being shown. At that moment, the ships were about to fire at the ship they were all on.

"We're in position," said one of the droids at the control panel.

"Open fire," said the tactical droid.

The passing Separatist ship opened fire as it hit the other one. The rocking caused Ventress to lose her grip on the Jedi as they all stumbled. Even Sunset let go of her hold as she lost her balance. The Jedi continued to fight against the females as the ship slowly turned to its side. Ventress was slowly getting overwhelmed as she lost one of her lightsabers and slipped under the ship's sliding wing. Anakin and Obi-wan leaped over and fought as she lost her other lightsaber and fell to her knees as both Jedi had their lightsabers to her throat.

Sunset was about to rush over and help the assassin, but Storm held her off. He managed to disarm the girl and dropped her to her knees. Sunset was about to get up, but Storm had his and her lightsaber to her neck in an X-formation as the girl stopped.

"That is correct. Calculate your flight path to terminate in the main hangar," said the tactical droid.

"It's over!" stated Anakin to Ventress and Sunset as both had swords pointed at their throat.

"Anakin! Storm! Look out!" shouted Obi-wan as a ship was heading for them.

Everyone jumped out of the way as the ship exploded.

"We have to get out of here!" stated the Jedi Master to his pals as he could tell the ship was falling apart.

Sunset also sensed the ship was going down as she took off. The girl made it to another part of the ship where her fighter was waiting and zoomed out of the ship. The Jedi did the same as they each got back into their fighters and exited the hangar as the ship was moments from exploding. Ventress slowly got up in her ship and started it up as the explosion was right behind her as soon the entire ship went down.

"The command ship has been destroyed. Our scanning indicates there are no survivors," said the tactical droid to Dooku as it blew up.

"Your work there is finished. Recall the fleet," ordered Dooku.

"By your command," said the droid.

It was nighttime on Serenno as Dooku was in his chair. The fleet had retreated as even the Jedi escaped from the battle. Sunset had yet to show up, as it seemed she was caught in the crossfire. Regardless, with her gone, the Sith Lord continued his plans. He soon turned around as he contacted someone.

"Master."

"What is it, Lord Tyrannus?" said Darth Sidious.

"I have done as you've asked. Asajj Ventress is dead. And it seems Sunset was unable to escape." said the Count.

"Once again, you've proven your loyalty to me. A pity about Sunset; she could have been of use to us." said the evil villain as the transmission ended.

Dooku expressed remorse and grief for a second but quickly wiped it off. Just then, the doors burst open.

"Mind giving me a heads up next time!" shouted Sunset. "You're lucky I planned ahead and had my fighter ready for a quick escape."

"So you survived after all," said Dooku as he saw the teen before him.

"It takes more than an explosion to kill me. Anyways, where the hell is Ventress?" asked Sunset.

"Dead," was all Dooku said. "She is no longer of use to us."

For a second, Sunset was taken aback. To think that Dooku would abandon his own apprentice and have her killed was a bit surprising, though she didn't cross that possibility out, given how often she failed him.

"So, what now?" asked Sunset.

"We move on," said the Sith Lord as he turned back to look at the window.

Sunset didn't say anything as she turned and left for her room.

"So... Ventress is no more," said the girl as that thought plagued her mind.

In space, a scavenger ship roamed about the destroyed Separatist ship. The ship came upon something as Ventress was inside her fighter, but she wasn't moving. A claw extended out and pulled the smaller ship in. The crew made their way to the hangar as they saw the ship. They removed the top and pulled Ventress to lay her on the floor. The captain pulled out a syringe and injected it into the assassin as she gasped and awoke.

"You took quite a beating there, didn't you, missy?" said the captain as he held a knife to Ventress as his men all had blasters on her. "Which side of the battle were you on?"

Ventress didn't say anything as she was still trying to gain consciousness.

"Aw. Not too talkative, are you?" taunted the captain.

"Take me to Dathomir," spoke Ventress.

"Now, why would anyone want to go there? Ain't nothing there but fog and witches," said the captain.

"Exactly," growled Ventress.

She then stood up and stuck her hand out while choking the captain. The rest of the men were about to engage as Ventress put her other hand out and began to choke them out. She then brought them together as they all lay on top. With the crew out, she made her way to the cockpit as she began to pilot the ship to where she needed to go.

It wasn't long before the ship approached a red planet. It entered the atmosphere as the entire surface was in red coloring, even the sun, and sky. The ship landed in a nearby swamp, and the assassin exited the ship while clutching her injured side. Ventress began to limp in a certain direction as some figures in a tree were watching her.

Ventress continued to wobble as she came to a temple. Just then, some figures appeared from the mist as they surrounded the assassin. Ventress sensed them as she didn't bother pulling out her lightsabers, despite being surrounded.

"We don't like strangers," said one of the figures as they approached Ventress as the others all had their weapons on her.

"I'm not a stranger," said Ventress as the figure took her lightsabers away.

"Prepare to die," said the figure as she had a sword up to her throat.

"Stop!" shouted a voice.

Everyone turned as descending behind them was someone.

"She is one of us," said a female sorceress as she descended and landed in front of Ventress. "Take her to the village." gestured the witch to her warriors.

"Mother... Talzin," said Ventress before she fainted and began to fall forward into the witch's arms.

Ventress was then placed in the arms of some of the female warriors as they began to carry the assassin into the temple. Inside, Ventress was placed on a table.

"Bring the water of life," instructed Mother Talzin to her clan.

The Dartomirian warriors had pots filled with magical water as they began to chant and wave the pots in front of Ventress.

"At last, you have returned, and you are safe again," stated Mother Talzin as she waved her hands, and the magic began to happen.

From the pots of water, it began to rise as it reacted to the witch's command. The stream of water turned into an essence as it swirled around Ventress. In her feverish dreams, Ventress was now recounting her entire life. It showed her as a baby as she was held in her mother's arms.

"I remember the day we were forced to give you up to protect the clan. Your sacrifice has never been forgotten," stated Mother Talzin.

It showed a slaver who approached the Nightsisters, and Mother Talzin gave Ventress away to keep their clan safe. The small baby cried as it was the last time Ventress saw her mother. The dream flashed forward as it showed Ventress a few years later.

"Master. Master! Where are you? Master!" shouted a kid Ventress.

She was in her home village as pirates were ransacking her home all around. People were running as she soon found the slaver who was her guardian dead on the floor as it shocked her.

"They killed you," cried Ventress.

She looked up and saw some pirates running as some stopped to fire. Lunging at them was a Jedi Knight as he slashed at the pirates. Ventress saw the Jedi as he saw her; his attention was then caught as a pirate began to fire at him as he blocked all the shots. Ventress then put her arms out as the pirate was flung into the air, as the Jedi Knight was impressed by what the young kid did.

"You are strong with the Force, little one," said the Jedi Knight as he approached Ventress. He lifted her and began to take her.

The next set of dreams showed Ventress training under the Jedi Knight as she was older and now a Padawan as she was learning the ways of the Force. She mimicked her Master's movements as he smiled at her and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Master," said Ventress.

"Thank you, Master," said Ventress as it showed her still lying on the table, moving about before it showed another past memory.

This time, their home was invaded as Ventress and her Master were fighting off the invaders. All around, flames were shown as pirates were raiding. The pair were fighting them off as a pirate fired a shot. It hit Ventress' Master in the back as he fell forward into his student's arms. Ventress laid her Master on the ground as he closed his eyes for good.

"Master!" shouted Ventress as she lost another person who was like a father to her.

She grabbed her Master's lightsaber as her rage began to take over. She looked at the pirate, who ran as she leaped into the air. The last image shown was Ventress angry as her lightsabers came down on the pirate before it ended.

Ventress was once again shown on the table as she tossed and turned. The essence of the water continued to swirl around her as Mother Talzin continued to chant her dark magic.

"Revenge! I must have revenge!" said Ventress as Mother Talzin put her hands on Ventress' head as one final memory was shown.

It showed Dooku as it was the time the assassin met the Sith Lord.

"I can sense the darkness within you. I will teach you the ways of the dark side. But you must prove yourself first." said Dooku to Ventress as she nodded.

Nearby, Sunset was shown as it was the first time the girl met her new ally. The vision ended as it then showed her most recent memory.

"Master, I need your help quickly."

"I've ordered your reinforcements to return," said Dooku.

"No! I will destroy the Jedi. I'll show you!" pleaded Ventress.

"You have failed me for the last time. And now, you shall die."

It ended as Ventress sat up.

"Dooku. He betrayed me," said the assassin.

"I know. I had hoped you would find your way to us sooner," stated Mother Talzin in a calm voice as she felt the pain Ventress felt when she healed her with her magic.

"I will have revenge!" stated Ventress.

"Yes, you shall, Sister. We will see to it. Karis and Naa'leth are the greatest warriors of our coven." said Mother Talzin as two Darthomiran females approached them.

"I'll be the judge of that," stated Ventress.

"They will help you destroy Count Dooku," responded Mother Talzin as Ventress smiled.

It was later as the plan to kill Dooku was beginning. Mother Talzin was shown having her warriors all performing a chant as they spoke in an ancient and sinister dialect.

"Nadee, mah, reez, ven, doo la, tren," chanted the females and the witch as she held her hand out.

The green water in the center of the circle heard the chant as magic began to take effect. The water began to bubble as an essence was shown. It lifted into the air, as did all the Dathomirian females who chanted as they were lifted into the air in a suspended pose. Mother Talzin approached the bowl and grabbed it as the final magic was added, and the others were placed back on the ground.

Ventress and the other two approached the witch as they were all covered up.

"Sister, we have assembled a potion for you to use in order to reach Dooku's palace undetected. Step into the mist and become like shadows," instructed Mother Talzin to the three as she backed up.

Ventress and the other two females all stepped into the mist flowing from the pot of water as their forms changed. The mist made them nearly invisible as they were now in a gas form that barely made out their presence.

"Now you are invisible to most," said the great witch.

"Even Count Dooku?" asked Ventress.

Yes, perhaps even Count Dooku," stated Mother Talzin.

"What if he can sense us?" said Ventress.

"Take this poison dart. It will dull his senses and distort his vision. Then you can deal with him easily." said Mother Talzin as she handed the stuff to Ventress.

Two other females approached the trio as they handed them some lightsabers.

"Jedi weapons?" said Karis.

"You'll need these. If the Count engages you, he must believe that you are Jedi. Naa'leth and Karis, serve your sister well." stated Mother Talzin as both bowed and left as the witch had some final words to say to Ventress. "Deliver your vengeance, sister, then return to us."

"We shall prevail," said Ventress, smiling behind her mask covering her mouth.

The cargo ship Ventress used to get to Darthomir was shown approaching the planet where Dooku's castle was. They entered the planet's atmosphere as the blanket of the night covered the entire planet. As they got out, they docked a few miles from where the Sith Lord's fortress was located. They saw the fortress on a cliff as they began to run and leap toward it.

They were leaping through the forest as they soon came upon the castle. They climbed up to the platform and made their way to the door. Ventress then pulled out a blue lightsaber as she began to make a hole. Soon all three entered as they were now in the vents.

Sunset was currently in her home as she was about to turn in for the night.

"To think Ventress is gone. I thought it would happen, but... I didn't expect it to occur so soon," said the girl, as the fact that Dooku left her for dead really caught her off guard.

Yet, a small part inside her feared he might do the same to her. However, the girl didn't register that because of the promise the Sith Lord made to her. The day she encountered him, the day he rescued her, he promised to not only help her get stronger but that she would get want she deserved. And that was to get revenge on her old teacher.

In the vents above, the trio of assassins was sneaking about. One of them came to a vent as she peered down and saw Sunset was doing one of her mediations before bed. She was about to pull out her lightsaber to drop down when she was stopped.

"Leave her!" stated Ventress.

"But-"

"I said, leave her! She's not part of this!" stated Ventress to her allies.

For the female, the only thing on her mind was to kill Dooku to get her revenge. She didn't want to harm Sunset as she didn't play a role in her teacher betraying her. The other two merely looked at Ventress to show sympathy as they continued to follow her through the vents.

"This way," instructed Ventress as she turned the corner. "He's below us."

"You can sense him?" asked Karis.

"I can smell his stench a parsec away," responded Ventress.

Dooku was shown in his room as he was fast asleep. The Sith Lord was lying on his bed as the vent opened up.

"Be on guard at all times. He is no fool. He is a Sith Lord." Ventress warned her sisters as she knew how powerful Dooku was.

The three assassins all crawled down as they landed on overhead support beams. They all then dropped down quietly in front of Dooku's bed. Ventress then pulled out the small droid filled with the poison dart. She blew on it as it made contact with Dooku's neck in the blink of an eye.

Sunset, at the moment, opened her eyes as she sensed something. The girl rushed out of her room and down the hall. Dooku immediately got out of bed as he stumbled to his nightstand, where his lightsaber was, and turned it on. The Sith Lord then pulled the needle out from his neck and looked at it.

"Ah. What sorcery is this?" said Dooku as he could feel his senses starting to dull as his vision blurred.

Dooku took a stance as he was waving his lightsaber about, as the assassins were but a few feet in front of him, as he couldn't see them due to their invisibility. Ventress gave a hand signal to both of her sisters as they slowly crawled forward and prepared to pull out their lightsabers.

"I do not need my eyes to see you, Jedi," said Dooku as he sensed some figures in the room but didn't know it was Ventress and her allies.

The Sith Lord closed his eyes as he did a roll forward and brought his lightsaber down on Ventress, who blocked his attack. She then began to swing at her old teacher, who stepped back before swinging forward as they both had their blades clash. Karis and Naa'leth turned theirs on as Dooku sensed it and immediately pushed Ventress back. He quickly turned southwest as he blocked Karis' attacks before sticking his hand out to lift Naa'leth into the air and fling her into the wall, all while his eyes were closed.

Dooku then ducked Ventress' sneak attack as he began to alternate between Karis and Ventress' attacks. At that moment, the doors opened, and in came Sunset, who immediately leaned back on instinct as Naa'leth recovered and tried to slash at the girl. Sunset turned on her blade as she began to fight against the invisible foe. After being pushed back by Dooku, Ventress saw Sunset fighting against Naa'leth as she couldn't help but be conflicted. While she didn't want to harm Sunset, she was currently involved in her business, which meant she had to take care of her.

Sunset, unable to see her foe, held her own against the invisible assassin. She flipped back to avoid a side attack as she appeared next to Dooku's side. While the Sith Lord was still blinded, he could sense Sunset next to him as the pair began to step back and dodge all the swings as they entered a hallway and down the corridor.

Despite the handicap, both Sith held their own against Ventress and her allies as they stood back to back in the corridor. Dooku punched Ventress as she flew into the next room, which was Dooku's office, connected to his bedroom. Exiting the corridor were Sunset and Dooku as they were fighting Naa'leth and Karis as Ventress recovered and jumped up behind the pair.

Both flipped off the walkway as they landed like a superhero with assassins surrounding them. Sunset and Dooku were back to back again as their eyes were closed. They stood up and turned on their lightsabers as they lit up directly in front of their face. Both took a stance as they waited patiently. Ventress made her move and lunged at Dooku as he blocked all her swings.

He then began to rotate his body and spin in place, taking care of the high attacks that would have struck Sunset as the girl was covering both of them from the side. Both were rotating and switching places as they were fluidly fending off all the triple attacks. The pair was backpedaling as they kept on blocking all the attacks.

Sunset blocked an overheard attack from Ventress as both held their blades in place. Sunset held a stoic look as she tried to put more of her strength into her attack to outmuscle her foe. Just then, the girl sensed something, and for a second, Ventress was visible.

"Ventress?" said Sunset as she only saw her old ally for a second.

Ventress took that distraction to thrust her hand out and send Sunset colliding into Dooku as the pair hit his desk. Karis and Naa'leth jumped onto the desk as their lightsabers aimed at Dooku's head, who was still blinded. He tried to reach for his lightsaber, but Ventress used the Force to cast it aside. Sunset got up and turned on her blade as she stood in front of the Sith Lord; the girl was willing to protect Dooku as if he was her master.

Dooku put his hand out just as Ventress was about to bring her lightsaber down on Sunset. The Sith Lord now made Force Lightning come out from both hands as he was electrocuting Ventress and her sisters as they all yelled in pain. All three were lifted into the air as Sunset watched Dooku's power as he tossed them. They all crashed into his window, and it broke and fell. Dooku let out an exhausted breath as he looked at his shattered window; Sunset turned off her lightsaber as she was stunned by what she saw. Soon the Sith Lord approached her as he stood before the teen. Dooku brought his hand down and patted Sunset's shoulder.

"Excellent work," said the Sith Lord, still blinded as he left.

The girl couldn't help but smile as she seemed praised by the Sith Lord. It seemed not only a huge compliment but also boosted the girl's confidence. At that moment, Sunset recalled a past memory.

(Memory)

"I can teach you the ways of the Dark Side of the Force. All you have to do is reach out and grab my hand. The power you seek will be yours, and then you can finally take what is rightfully yours, " said Dooku as he extended his hand to a younger Sunset lying on the ground.

Sunset looked at the hand as if fate had told her to accept it. A rush of thoughts came to the young girl as she knew what she truly desired. So with the last bit of strength, she could muster, Sunset extended her hand and shook Dooku's as the deal was sealed.

"I only want revenge on one person!" stated Sunset.

"And you shall have it," stated Dooku as the memory ended.

(End of Memory)

"And I will get what I desire," mumbled Sunset, as she knew that with Dooku's teaching, she could get the revenge she so rightfully deserved. "Yet... for a second, I felt Ventress' presence."

After being flung out of Dooku's office window, Ventress and her sisters could hold onto the side of the mountain as they avoided falling to their deaths. They all began to climb to the nearby cliff as they took a moment to catch their breath. Their invisibility had worn off as they all lay against the mountain wall.

"He is stronger than I imagined," said Naa'leth as she still felt the small jolts of electricity flowing through her body.

"I warned you," panted Ventress to her comrade. "Seems Sunset can no longer be ignored."

As much as Ventress wanted to spare the girl, after seeing her get involved and defend Dooku, it seemed that Sunset would be a constant obstacle. Which meant the assassin had to eliminate the teen even if it pained her, but it was what needed to be done if she had any chance of getting revenge on Dooku. They made their way back to the ship as Naa'leth and Karis boarded, with Ventress taking a moment to look back at the castle.

"Forgive me, Sunset. But you stuck your nose in my business for the last time. Now, I have no choice but to eradicate you as well." stated Ventress as she was willing to accept her decision.

Ventress then boarded the ship as they took off and escaped. They arrived on Dathomir, where Mother Talzin and her Nightsisters clan were waiting for them. The cargo ship landed in front of the temple as Ventress, and her sisters exited the craft.

"Mother, we've... We've failed," stated Naa'leth as she apologized to her clan leader.

"Where one sees failure, others see opportunity," stated Mother Talzin.

"What do you mean, mother?" asked Ventress.

"Your infiltration proves Dooku is vulnerable. He will be eager to protect himself," said the witch as she guided Ventress.

"How?" asked Ventress.

"By finding a replacement for you," stated Mother Talzin as she had an idea.

Dooku's castle was shown as the Sith Lord was in his office. After last night's incident, he deeply thought about the sneak attack that the Jedi planned on his life. Before he could think about it, a transmission was put through.

"Count Dooku. It has been too long," stated Mother Talzin as she contacted the Sith Lord.

"Yes, Mother Talzin. How may I assist you?"

"It has come to my attention that you have lost your most prized assassin."

"How would you know of this?" asked Dooku.

"I know these things. I have seen it. After all, she was once one of us." stated Mother Talzin as she kept her answer vaguely.

"It is true that your warriors are of an extraordinary caliber," stated the Sith Lord.

"Perhaps something different this time. Perhaps a male from our planet will be more to your liking since you could not tame the female," suggested Mother Talzin.

"I shall take you up on your offer," answered Dooku.

"Excellent. I will be in contact," responded the witch as the transmission ended.

"I will see Count Dooku dead. I swear it!" declared Ventress.

"So you shall. So you shall," said Mother Talzin as it was time for her plan to get revenge on Dooku to be put into motion.

Author's Note: So first things first, the time frame of the last chapter and this one puts the war into its second year. So that means it's been about a year since this whole thing started as mentioned by the small talk Storm had with Twilight in the beginning of the chapter. The Clone War lasted from 21 BBY - 19 BBY, so that means it's 20 BBY. And if you look at all that has happened since the start of this story, it puts things into perspective how much has passed roughly within that year. Now the main plot as Ventress has been betrayed by her own master. Which now begs the question: What about Sunset? She's still with Dooku due to the fact that she wants to get revenge on someone as shown by the small glimpse of her meeting with Dooku for the first time. And how he promised the girl he would help her get the power she wanted to get vengeance. And if Sunset wants to get what she owed, then she had no choice but to remain with the Sith. As always leave a review expressing your thoughts on this chapter.