Chapter 117: Shadow Warrior
Who a person truly is cannot be seen with the eye.
Recap: As war continues to fracture the Galaxy, planets become pawns in a dangerous chess game. One planet in peril is Naboo, where suffering and civil unrest threaten once-friendly relations between the people on the surface and the underwater-dwelling Gungans. Rumors that the Gungans plan to aid the Separatists in an attack on Theed force Senator Padmé Amidala home, accompanied by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Storm.
An aircraft was shown flying above the clouds of Naboo. Piloting the ship was Anakin, as down below in the control center were Storm and Padmé as they were going over some things.
"Jar Jar, do you read me? It's Anakin. We need you to meet us on the surface of lake Paonga immediately." said the Jedi Knight over the comlink.
"Okeyday, mooie palo. There's bombad trouble down here," replied the Gungan.
"We know. That's why we need to talk to you," stressed Anakin.
They soon arrived at their destination as Anakin set their ship down. The door opened as Storm took one whiff and immediately covered his nose.
"This shit stinks!" said the boy.
"Tell me about it," said Padmé as she had to cover her nose before getting used to the swamp.
The trio began to walk as they made their way to the rendevous point to meet with their Gungan friend. They approached the lake as emerging from the water's surface was a Gungan ship. The hood popped open, and inside was Jar Jar.
"Oh boy! Mesa must stop zippen to ze surface. Ears go boomba some day." said Jar Jar.
The trio merely smiled at the Gungan's usual antics as he approached the lakeshore.
"What's going on, Jar Jar? We're hearing disturbing rumors," said Storm getting on the watercraft as Anakin helped Padmé get on.
"Is Boss Lyonie calling for a march on Theed?" asked Padmé with concern in her voice.
"Oh yesa, my lady. Hesa, give mooie fiery speeches, blamen Naboo for everytin. Mesa say it couldn't be true." The Gungan explained that he didn't believe the rumors that they would betray Naboo.
"Of course, it's not," stated Padmé as she sat in the passenger seat with the Jedi in the back.
"We need to talk to him, Jar Jar," stated Storm.
The Gungan nodded as he sat back down as the hood came on. The watercraft was now diving back down; they were heading to the underwater city of the Gungans, hoping to get a word with their target and see if they could convince them. In the assembly hall, a meeting was taking place.
"Oh, Centuriees! Da Nabooin have treated yousa like second-class citizens. Nosa more. There-sa moments in da history when change-a isa necessary. Are yousa going to take what is rightfully oursa?" said the Gungan named Boss Lyonie.
Our heroes had arrived as they were shown walking through the door. Jar Jar waved his hand to call over a Gungan.
"Thesa mooie mooie bad. Don't worry, General. Mesa friends can help." said Jar Jar to the Gungan General.
"Mesa hope so, Jar Jar."
The meeting and rally were coming to a close as the Gungans began to file out one by one. The last bit of the Gungans exited as one Gungan constantly kept looking back at Boss Lyonie. While Padmé and Jar Jar were starting to walk in, Storm and Anakin looked at the retreating Gunga as they sensed something off.
"Be quick. Young Senator Amidala," stated the Gungan General as the Jedi followed Padmé.
"If yousa here to talk mesa out of marchen on Theed, yousa wasting time," stated Boss Lyonie as he knew why the woman was here.
"With all due respect, your course of action is based on lies. You must make your warriors stand down," pleaded Padmé.
"Mesa different now. Mesa enlightened." stated Boss Lyonie to the senator as the way he spoke and moved in place seemed to be off.
"See? Acting loconut," said Jar Jar as he whispered to Padmé.
"He seems possessed if you ask me," stated Anakin as he could see how the Gungan was acting.
"Or under someone's influence," whispered Padmé as well.
"Stop whisperen and go. Besa gone," said Boss Lyonie.
A glowing light shone from the Gungan as he wore a piece of jewelry.
"The necklace!" said Storm as he put his hand out and yanked the jewelry from the Gungan's neck.
It flew from the Gungan's neck into the boy's hand as that snapped Boss Lyonie from whatever mind control he was under.
"Wha? Wasa happenin?" said Boss Lyonie as he put his hand to his head; he then saw the four, "Binks? Whosa are they?"
"Who are we? Boss Lyonie, don't you remember anything?" asked Padmé.
"Who gave you this necklace, your majesty?" stated Anakin, hoping to get some answers.
"Minister Risha Loo. Hesa given it to me. Hesa tellin me itsa make me bombad leader, very powerful." said Boss Lyonie.
"They say Risha Loo know ancient Gungan mystical power, mind over matter, but hesa only use it for good," stated Jar Jar.
"Until now, you mean," said Anakin as Storm handed the necklace to him.
The Gungan minister, Risha Loo, was in his room as he spoke with someone.
"Events deysa proceeding as planned, Count," said Minister Risha Loo.
"Very good," replied the Sith Lord.
"Mesa able to persuade the officers to allowin da separatist army easy access into Naboo," stated the minister as he had done what Dooku had asked.
"You're doing the right thing for your people, Minister Loo," said the Sith Lord.
As the meeting was happening, the Jedi, Padmé, and Boss Lyonie marched toward Risha Loo's office.
"Let mesa go in alone," stated Boss Lyonie, as he didn't want to alarm his minister with the sudden arrival of the Jedi.
"We'll be right outside," stated Anakin as they watched the Gungan walk up the ramp stairway.
"And mesa counsel will be rewarded in yousa new order?" asked Minister Loo.
"You will be most influential," said Dooku.
"Someone isa coming," stated Minister Loo as he shut off the communication and turned in time to see Boss Lyonie enter, "Whasa, Boss Lyonie! What do mesa owe da pleasure?"
"Yousa tricked me, Rish Loo," said Boss Lyonie angrily.
"Mesa don't-"
"Yousa used magical powers to manipulate mesa head thoughts. Mesa never attack da surface-dwelling brothers and sisters unless yousa clouded mesa head," said Boss Lyonie as he cut off Minister Loo from denying any excuse.
"Yousa not thinking clearly, bombad leader. Wheresa necklace mesa given you?" asked the minister as he saw the Gungan wasn't wearing the piece of jewelry he had given him.
"Itsa destroyed. Yousa not control me no more," stated Boss Lyonie.
"Yousa mistaken, King fool," said Minister Loo as he stuck his hand out.
"Something's wrong," said Storm and Anakin as both Jedi put their hands to their heads and felt some disturbance in the Force.
"We better get up there," said Anakin, as both could sense danger. They rushed with Padmé up the rampway.
Minister Loo was using his mystic powers and the necklace he was wearing as he began to take control of Boss Lyonie's mind. The Gungan was swaying as if he was starting to be under the minister's influence.
"Boss Lyonie, don't listen to him," shouted Anakin as they arrived and saw what was happening.
"Yousa get them!" shouted Minister Loo.
The trio looked up as commando droids were hiding. They jumped down and began to fire at the trio as the Jedi pulled out their lightsabers, with Padmé pulling out her blaster. Minister Loo grabbed Boss Lyonie and had him pinned against the table. Storm and Anakin were holding their ground as the latter spun to his side to send a droid crashing into a table while Storm deflected a round of fire back a droid's head. The last droid tackled Padmé as they tumbled down the rampway. It was on top of her as it was about to strike as Padmé pointed her blast point blank at its head and fired.
The Jedi were wrapping up the remaining droids as Boss Lyonie and Minister Loo struggled. As they were struggling, the minister revealed a hidden knife and drove it into the Gungan as he made a face. He pushed him off as Boss Lyonie lay on the ground. He then ran as the Jedi finished killing the last droids. Padmé was walking up the rampway when Minister Loo bumped into her as he escaped. Soon out came the Jedi as they passed by Padmé.
"Check on Boss Lyonie!" shouted Anakin.
"Ani! " called out Padmé to her friends, but they were hightailing it after the minister.
Minister Loo was running as he made it to one of the hangers. He quickly hopped into one, started it up, and took off. The Jedi had just arrived as they saw the Gungan escape.
After Minister Loo's escape, the pair made their way back to Padmé as she was helping the injured Gungan. They were in the medbay area as Boss Lyonie lay on the medical table, unconscious.
"This is mooie upsetting, my lady."
"I know Jar Jar," said Padmé as she placed a hand on the Gungan's shoulder.
"How is he?" asked Anakin.
"The bandages have stopped the bleeding, but he's unconscious," said Padmé.
"The Gungans are still gathered and poised to march on Theed. Boss Lyonie never got a chance to call off the invasion," said Storm as the three walked and talked, with Jar Jar falling down by the bed.
"And it's almost dusk," said Padmé, as it seemed they were running out of time.
"Jar Jar, you're a senator. You have to tell them to stand down. They'll listen to you." said Anakin, hoping their friend's power could get things to stop before it was too late.
"Thesa Gungans are proud. With theysa mood at the moment, mesa the last person they'll listen to now," said the Gungan as he put on the headdress of Boss Lyonie and faced the trio.
"I don't believe it," scoffed Anakin as all three looked at Jar Jar.
"The resemblance is remarkable," stated Padme.
The trio looked at Jar Jar and then at the unconscious Gungan nearby as they did several looks.
"Whosa resemble whatsa?" asked Jar Jr.
"You. You look just like Boss Lyonie. I didn't realize it until you put the crown on." said Padmé as they looked similar.
"This gives me an idea. Jar Jar, you must put on Lyonie's robes and keep that crown on," said Anakin.
"Oh, noi, noi. Mesa can't do that," stated Jar Jar, as he didn't like what the Jedi suggested.
"You have to if we're going to convince the Gungan army to stand down," said Storm.
"But theysa never listen to mesa," replied the Gungan.
"Maybe not, but they will listen to Boss Lyonie," replied Anakin as they began to lead the Gungan away.
"But wesa all don't look alike," stated Jar Jar.
Up on the surface, the Gungan army was getting ready to move out. The troops were starting to file in as they listened to Minister Loo give a speech.
"Disa sad day for all Gungans. Our beloved leader, Boss Lyonie, isa dead. Wesa must honor his last order and prepare for oursa attack against the Naboo. Weesa march with the Separatist droid army on Theed." declared Minister Risha Loo.
The crowd of Gungans gave a shout as they were rallied.
"Death to the Naboo," shouted the crowd.
While Minister Loo was smiling, in the bushes nearby were the Jedi and Jar Jar. They had been watching the Gungan lie and manipulate the others.
"Thisa bad. Thisa very bad," replied Jar Jar.
"Get up there and stop the attack," stated Storm.
"Ah, mesa can't do it," said Jar Jar.
"You can't, but Boss Lyonie can. Now get out there," stated Anakin as he shoved Jar Jar out of the bushes.
"Isa Boss Lyonie. Hesa alive," said one of the Gungans as they saw Jar Jar emerge from the bushes.
Minister Loo saw Jar Jar as he believed it to be Boss Lyonie. He was now panicking as he feared for what was to come. On the other hand, Jar Jar struggled with what to do as he stood in place.
"Say something," said Anakin so that Jar Jar could hear.
"I... uh..." said Jar Jar as he was at a loss for words.
"He is alive. He is," said another Gungan as they believed Jar Jar to be their leader.
"Uh...mesa... Mesa fellow Gungans," spoke Jar Jar before he changed his voice to sound deeper to convince the others he was Boss Lyonie, "Uh... Mesa made terrible mistaken orderen march on Theed. Wesa canceling our attack."
"It is Boss Lyonie," said another Gungan as they believed that Jar Jar was Boss Lyonie.
"It's working," stated Storm to his buddy.
"Risha Loo manipulated mesa head thoughts with lies and da misinformation. Hesa da real enemy," stated Jar Jar as he directed his attention to the minister.
"No," said Minister Loo.
The Gungans now began to yell as they were making an uproar and turning their attention to the minister.
"No. No," stated the minister as he backed up.
He then jumped out of the command center and saw a speeder. He quickly got on it as it failed to start for a second before turning on, and he took off. At that point, Storm and Anakin came out of the bushes and saw the traitor trying to escape again. They got on some Kaadus to chase after the Gungan.
"Good work. Now try not to mess this up, Boss Lyonie," said Anakin to Jar Jar as they rode past him.
Just as the pair left, a large ship touched down. It opened up marching toward them were droids.
"Battle Droids? Whatsa they doing here?" said Jar Jar in his normal voice as the Gungan general next to him was the only one who knew about the plan.
"Theysa think weesa still allies because of Rish Loo," whispered the Gungean general to Jar Jar.
"Our general wishes to speak with you about the canceled attack," said the tactical droid in front of the others as he approached Jar Jar.
"Jar Jar?" said the Gungan general.
"Nosa, Lyonie. Mesa Boss Lyonie," said Jar Jar to the Gungan general to not let the droids know, "Mesa talk to the General," spoke Jar Jar in his fake voice.
"Follow me," replied the tactical droid.
Jar Jar and General Tarpals began to follow the tactical droid as they headed toward the ship. They passed by the many droids that stood on the side. They entered as Jar Jar strolled in confidently until he saw who was in charge of this attack.
"Come in, Minister Lyonie. Let's sit down and have a talk," said General Grevious as he made his presence known.
"Oh, deer," said Jar Jar, as he knew what trouble he was in before Captain Tarpals shoved him forward.
The Gungan hesitantly walked forward as he sat at General Grevious's table.
"So..." spoke Grevious.
"...so..." responded Jar Jar as he rocked in his chair and dared not look at the intimidating foe.
"I hear you have decided not to aid our attack on the Naboo," growled the cyborg.
Jar Jar was adjusting his chair as it moved up and down.
"Oh yesa..." he cleared his throat before making it deeper, "oh yesa. We must put end to unfortunate- unfortunate bang-bang conflict."
"It was a great effort and cost for me to bring my armies here," said Grevious.
"Mesa, sorry dat Boss..." Jar Jar faked coughing to catch himself from what he was going to say, "Exsqueezee me. Mesa was receivin mooie bad advice."
"If you won't attack the Naboo, I will," stated Grievous.
"Hold dat, thought. G-General Tarpals?" said Jar Jar.
"Yesa, Boss. Yousa need to do dat... dat ting... Dat big troop ting," said Jar Jar.
"What did you just say?" said Grievous as he looked at Jar Jar.
"Gosa, go," said Jar Jar to General Tarpals as he left and gave the nod before the doors closed. "Mesa-mesa just telling general dat wesa must make da immediate arrangements for a Gungan/Separatist attack."
Once General Tarpals was out, he pulled out a communicator and contacted Padmé.
"Senator, mesa has urgent message from Boss Lyonie. Hesa say General Grievous isa here."
"Grievous is here? Where's Anakin and Storm?" asked Padmé.
"Theysa chasing Risha Loo," explained the Gungan.
"General Tarpals, listen to me. You must capture Grievous," stated Padmé.
"But how? There'sa too many droids helping him," said General Tarpals.
"The droid commander still thinks you're on the same side. Have the droids shut down. Then attack." suggested Padmé. "It's the only way."
"Grievous is a bombad warrior, but wesa shall do as you say. I always be believen in the friendship between the Gungans and the Naboo," replied General Tarpal as he had faith in Padmé's plan.
"Thank you, General," said the Naboo senator.
With Storm and Anakin, they were still chasing after Minister Loo deep in the forest. They were staying on the Gungan's trail as he saw how close they were getting. He then pushed some buttons on his speeder as they zoomed past two probe droids. They then turned and were shooting at the Jedi; the small droids managed to shoot the Kaadu mounts they were riding on as both tumbled to the floor but rolled through onto a knee. They activated their lightsabers as they began to deflect the droids firing.
Once the droids were destroyed, the pair turned back forward and continued the chase on foot. Meanwhile, Jar Jar was still trying to stall Grievous for the plan to be in effect. However, the cyborg was getting impatient, and he let out a loud growl.
"What are we waiting for?" demanded Grievous.
"Hmm... Planning attack take a time," said Jar Jar.
"You are a man of few words, Boss Lyonie," stated Grievous as for someone who the Gungans looked to as a leader, he wasn't speaking much.
"Well, uh... Mesa more of a deep thinker," said Jar Jar nervously.
"You are not Boss Lyonie," growled Grievous as he tore off his cape and pushed the table into the wall.
Knowing it was his time to get out, Jar Jar immediately bolted to the door as the cyborg gloated. He rapidly began to push the button as Grievous finished saying what he needed to say.
"You have no idea of the power within my grasp," said the cyborg, looking at the imposter. He began to charge as a ding was heard, and the doors closed before he could get his hands on Jar Jar.
Jar Jar was running down the ramp when he tripped and fell. Standing before him were General Tarpals and some droids. He looked up as Grievous emerged from the ship.
"Huh?" said the cyborg at what he saw.
"Yousa army is shut down, General," said the Gungan as he put his fingers out to the droids standing next to him as they began to fall over like dominos. The sound of metal clanking was heard as Grievous saw all around him; he was without any troops. The cyborg then glared at the Gungans in front of him.
"Mesa suggest you surrender," said General Tarpals as some Gungans stood beside him and all took a fighting position.
"You can't be serious?" cackled Grievous as he pulled out two lightsabers.
A Gungan threw an electric sphere at the cyborg; he merely sliced it with his lightsaber. Some Gungans then took a jab at the cyborg with their staffs, sending some shock to him as he swatted them away. Two held back his wrists with their spears before he rotated his hands to cut the spears and kick them away. At that point, General Tarpals kicked a weapon into his hand as he ran forward to engage the tough foe. He managed to disarm one of Grievous' lightsabers as the cyborg went for a slash which he ducked. He then spun back to avoid the cyborg's next round of attacks.
When the General went for an overhead attack, Grievous, using one of the spears, took from the Gungans and lunged forward as it pierced the General. Everyone let out a gasp.
"How does it feel to die?" taunted Grievous as he pulled the Gungan General in and drove the spear in deeper.
"Not die... sacrifice," said General Tarpals, "Arrgh."
Using the last bit of his strength, General Tarpals ran his weapon into Grievous as he shocked the cyborg, who let out a painful scream.
"Jar Jar, now!" said the Gungan.
Jar Jar threw an electric orb, and it collided with Grievous remaining hand holding the lightsaber, he dropped it, and the Gungan General fell to the floor. Soon the others did the same as they tossed more electric orbs at the cyborg. Grievous took the shots as he fell to his knees and was rendered useless. The Gungans then ran their spears through his arms and legs to keep the cyborg in place as he struggled to move.
The rest of the Gungans then gathered around the body of General Tarpals as they saw the spear that Grievous drove into him. Padmé arrived as she bent down and turned the body to look at the General; he was looking up at the sky as thunder rumbled with the rain coming down. While capturing Grievous proved to be a success, it came at the cost of a dear friend. Padmé and the Gungans all put their heads with the Gungans putting their fist over their hearts to honor their fallen comrade.
A meeting was held in a secret lab that belonged to Minister Risha Loo. Dooku talked with Darth Sidious as they heard the news of Grievous being captured and discussed what to do.
"This turn of events is unfortunate. General Grievous is a critical part of my plan for the Clone Wars. He must not remain captive." stated Sidious, as he still needed General Grievous for his ultimate secret plan.
"What is to be done, my lord?" asked Count Dooku to his master.
"You must lure Skywalker and Storm into a trap, then negotiate a prisoner exchange," suggested Sidious, as he believed it to be the proper way to regain their comrade.
"How can you be certain the Republic will trade Grievous for Skywalker and his friend?" asked Dooku, as he didn't think their enemy would accept that deal.
"I have no doubt Senator Amidala will gladly agree to your terms," said Sidious, as he could tell that Padmé wouldn't let two people she cared about be in danger.
"As you wish, My Lord," replied the Sith Lord as the transmission ended. He then began to contact their ally. "Rish Loo."
"Yesa, Count?" replied the Gungan as the hologram image showed him still riding his speeder, attempting to escape from the Jedi tracking him.
"I am at your secret laboratory. Meet me here and leave enough of a trail for Skywalker and his friend to follow you. I have a surprise waiting for them." said Dooku to the Gungan.
As the Sith Lord said that, two droid bodyguards appeared as they turned on their electro staffs. The transmission ended when Dooku turned his chair and stood up as someone stood in his path. The Sith Lord felt she overheard what was said and would be dying to get in on the action.
"So... is he coming?" asked the girl with a sinister smile.
Anakin and Storm had managed to track down the speeder that Minister Risha Loo escaped on but saw that it was abandoned. They began to walk forward a bit to see where he might have gone but almost lost their footing when they realized where they stood. They were on top of the secret lab, as down below them on a cliff was the entrance.
The pair stepped back a bit before they jumped off and landed on the cliff. Minister Loo was shown walking through the entrance as he had just disappeared from sight when the pair slid by the entrance. The pair entered as they had their hands on their lightsabers, ready for anything to come.
"Master, I have done what yousa asked. Skywalker and his friend isa here," said Minister Loo as he entered the room where Dooku was waiting.
As he said that, the pair were in the background walking down the stairs and soon entered the room. Even while having his back to them, Dooku sensed the two friends enter as Minister Loo gasped and slumped against the table.
"Young Master Skywalker. You're nothing, if not relentless. What a surprise." said the Sith Lord as he stood up from his chair.
"Dooku," responded Anakin at seeing his foe.
"You're a fool, Rish Loo," said Dooku to the Minister Gungan. He then turned on his lightsaber and ran it through the Gungan, who let out a scream and looked at the Sith Lord with a look of betrayal. He then retracted it as the Gungan fell to the floor.
The two Jedi saw what happened as they kept their eyes on Dooku, who merely rubbed his cape and then began to walk around the table to confront them.
"Why bring the war to Naboo?" asked Anakin as he and Storm turned on their lightsabers.
"How quickly you two forget. After all, the war started here years ago," said Dooku, as about a decade prior was the start of a whole chain of events to follow and led to the current war they were all caught up in.
As the Sith Lord spoke and talked, his Force powers were on display as they made the lanterns around the room move on their own without so much of a sign of Dooku waving his hand.
"You were a part of that first battle?" asked Storm as he found that hard to believe.
"The Sith control everything. You just don't know it," said Dooku to the boy.
He turned on his lightsaber as he went for an overhead strike. Anakin was sent to block so that Storm could go for an attack, but just as he did, his lightsaber was blocked by another. That stunned the boy as he looked to where the weapon came from. The person standing there with a smile on her face and her bacon-colored hair.
"Been a while, boytoy," snickered Sunset.
Now two fights occurred in the same room. Anakin ducked under Dooku's attack after his overhead attempt as the Sith Lord spun to avoid a counterattack by Anakin. Dooku then attacked from the left and right, as Anakin blocked those. Storm pushed Sunset's blade off as she spun to the side and avoided a lunge by the boy. She then lunged her hand forward as Storm turned his head to the side, as he could feel the heat of the plasma sword near his eyes. Sunset then kicked Storm back as he slumped over the table, as the girl jumped on him. She went for a stab as Storm slipped out from underneath her legs and then went for an attack near her feet; she turned and angled her lightsaber to block his attacks before going for a swing to chop his head off as Storm backflipped to get some space.
With Dooku and Anakin, the pair were moving in place and ducking to avoid the attacks from the one. They collided blade once as Anakin pushed off, and they collided again. They tried to outmuscle the other, as Dooku saw how Anakin was pushing his blade back; that worried him. He then stuck the fingers upward to command the lanterns circling them to come at Anakin from behind. The Jedi Knight sensed that as he pushed Dooku off and sliced at the incoming projectiles.
Pieces of the lantern slid on the floor as they landed by Dooku, who now stood with droid bodyguards. They turned on their electrostaff as Anakin backed up, and behind him were two more. He felt them as he turned and blocked their swings immediately. He then took a step back as he did a flip in place to avoid a concentrated attack before going for a strike and then blocking an attack.
While this was happening, Dooku was watching. He then turned to where Sunset was as she and Storm were still going at it as the teens held their blades together. A droid began to walk toward Storm when Dooku put his arm out in front of it.
"Let her handle this," said Dooku, as he had faith that his new secret apprentice could handle the Jedi.
He turned back in time to see Anakin block an attack but then get stabbed by the electrostaff; he felt the jolt and fell to the floor. He quickly got back to his feet, a bit wobbled as he looked in front. The four bodyguards stood near Dooku as the Sith Lord had a sinister smile on his face. He raised his hand and closed it as the signal was given to the droids. They charged forward as Anakin ducked the initial swing and then stood up to block an attack from his left.
The droids were walking in a circle, constantly going for an attack one after the other, as Anakin was having some trouble keeping up. Dooku was shown walking out of the room as some droid bodyguards were flung but landed on their feet. Anakin was still following from a distance as he threw two of them to give him some breathing room. Two bodyguards droids were walking behind the Jedi as the two in the front put their staffs together to block Dooku.
Anakin didn't let that stop him as he thrust his hand out and flung the two into columns nearby. He then raised his blade up at Dooku, who still had his back turned. The Sith Lord spun to avoid the Jedi's attack as he turned on his lightsaber quickly to block Anakin's next strike. The droids closed in as Dooku's slight nod meant a signal. Anakin saw that as he pushed off and turned to block the attacks before blocking Dooku's. The Jedi Knight, trapped in a triangle formation and without help, had to fend off attacks from three directions from three tough foes.
Anakin clashed with Dooku's blade again as he managed to direct their lightsaber and fling it across the floor. However, the droids lunged forward as they drove their staffs into Anakin, who cried and slumped to his knees. Dooku knew what Anakin did would leave the Jedi Knight vulnerable, so he purposely let Anakin disarm him. Before Anakin could do anything, the bodyguards stabbed him once more as electricity shot through him. The Sith Lord smiled as Anakin fought through the pain as his anger showed and pushed back the droids.
Dooku sensed that as his eyes widened, and he turned around. He thrust his hand out as he pushed Anakin into the wall and held him. While holding the Jedi Knight, he shot out Force Lightning from his fingers as Anakin once again was in pain. Soon the Jedi passed out as Dooku dropped him to the floor. The Sith Lord, while victorious, was shown breathing hard over an unconscious Anakin Skywalker after an intense fight.
Storm and Sunset were still in the room, going at it. They pushed the other back as they jumped onto the walls and quickly wall ran toward each other. They jumped and clashed blades as they landed and did several cartwheels before coming up for an attack that was blocked. Sunset smacked Storm with the hilt of her lightsaber as she whacked his sword away. She put her hand out as Storm was sent flying and landed in the chair Dooku had sat in earlier. Sunset wasted no time as she jumped into the boy's lap and went for a swipe. Storm ducked his head as the head of the chair was sliced off.
Storm pushed Sunset back, landing on the table as the boy rolled backward in the chair to land on his feet. He then flew the chair to the side as Sunset came in for an attack. Storm then leaped over her while spinning several rotations as he landed on the table in a superhero landing. The girl used her hand to make Storm fall on his back as he quickly did a kip-up but then had to lean back down to avoid a swing by Sunset. The boy did another kip-up but leaned back on the table to avoid another swing.
Sunset was now swinging multiple times quickly as Storm avoided them by doing several kip-ups as he moved with lightning-fast reflex. On him leaning back from his latest kip-up, he then rolled off the table to avoid Sunset's overheard swing that came and sliced the table in two. Storm rolled onto his knees as he stuck his hand out, his pendant glowing as, in a flash of light, his lightsaber reappeared in his hand.
"Well, look who got themselves a new trick?" taunted Sunset as she saw Storm make his lightsaber reappear without using the Force to pull it in. "So did I."
The girl stuck her other hand out as Force Lightning shot out. It caught Storm way off-guard as he got stuck by the electricity and collided back into the wall. The boy fell to his knees as Sunset snickered and kicked a piece of wood out of her way as she approached her rival.
"How? When..." said Storm, as he knew Sunset couldn't do that before.
"You're not the only one who leveled up, Storm," smiled the girl before thrusting her hand out to perform another Force Lightning.
Storm raised his lightsaber as he was blocking the Force Lightning this time. The boy could sense how much stronger Sunset had gotten since their last meeting as she towered him. Storm soon began to regain his strength as he got to a knee as Sunset powered on the voltage to break the Jedi's defense. Storm soon got up as he screamed, flung the Force Lightning away, and went for a strike.
However, Sunset stuck her foot out to make the boy trip and punch Storm in the stomach. She then brought her knee to hit Storm in the face as she spun around on his back, grabbed the back of his head with her hand, and slammed the Jedi face-first into the ground. Storm's lightsaber slid across the floor. The boy looked to call it back until Sunset put her foot to his face and held him. Storm struggled in pain as he looked up at the girl who smiled.
"Boy, do I love watching you be so helpless. Now... time to die," said Sunset as she angled her lightsaber downward and thrust it.
Storm's eyes widen as the tip of the red blade stops merely milliseconds from the pupil of his eye. Any more, and Sunset would stab his eye out; the girl laughed as she could see the fear on Storm's face. So helpless and with no way to fight back, it gave her comfort.
"At least that's what I would do, but... we need you and your friend alive. See, we need you for the deal we're gonna make to get the dumbass back. Personally, I'd let them have him 'cause I got what I want, boy toy." said the girl as she bent down to Storm's face and smiled sinisterly. "But we got our orders, and I'm sure your senator friend won't let you two die. And if she doesn't, well... I'm sure Twilight would do anything to save her boyfriend."
All the boy could do was comply with Sunset as Dooku returned to the room. Safe to say, the Sith Lord was right about Sunset. She completed her first assignment as his new apprentice and proved far more successful than either Ventress or Savage. The girl smiled at her master before looking at the boy she had trapped under her foot.
"I'm the bad guy, Storm. Remember that," snickered Sunset.
Padmé and Jar Jar were checking on Boss Lyonie as he awoke in the underwater city of the Gungan.
"Where-sa Ani? Hesa and Storm been gone mooie long time," said Jar Jar.
"I'm not sure, Jar Jar," responded Padmé.
Just then, her comlink went off as Padmé answered it.
"Anakin."
"Well, well... so you're the senator from Naboo and former Queen," stated Sunset as she came into view.
"Who are you?" asked Padmé.
"Name's Sunset Shimmer. I'm a friend of Storm, and he might have mentioned me once or twice," snickered the girl. "But he's a conversation that we can talk about another day. I have someone here who you're quite familiar with."
The girl stepped to the side and allowed her master to step forward.
"Senator Amidala, we meet again. I must regretfully inform you that young Skywalker and his friend have been detained," stated the Sith Lord.
"What have you done with them?" said Padmé as she was concerned for her friends.
"Now, now, Senator, let's not become emotional," smiled Dooku.
"What do you want, Dooku?" said Padmé with a glare.
"I'm glad you asked. I could be persuaded to return your friends to you in exchange for General Grievous," said the Sith Lord.
"I-I can't do that. I'm sorry," said Padmé as she couldn't agree to those terms.
"You soon will be," said Dooku as he raised his fingers in front of Padmé.
That served as the signal for the droids to shock Anakin, who was being held.
"Ahhh!" shouted Anakin as he was being electrocuted.
It didn't stop there as Sunset had Storm on his knees with his hands tied behind his back as she began to shock him with her new Force Lightning powers. The boy also felt pain as he began to scream a bit.
"Stop!" shouted Padmé as she gasped upon seeing her husband and the boy she considered a little brother in so much pain, "You cannot torture a prisoner."
"Torture? I don't know what you mean," smiled Dooku sinisterly.
"Padmé... don't do it... said Storm as Sunset let up from her "fun" and allowed the boy to speak.
"I'll give you an hour to consider my proposition. I'm sure you will make the right choice," stated Dooku with the evilest smile possible.
The transmission ended as Dooku turned to Sunset; she bent down in front of Storm.
"She won't do it," said Storm as he panted heavily.
Sunset smiled as she placed her hand on the boy's cheek and caressed it. In the blink of an eye, she slapped Storm so hard as he turned his head. When he turned back to look at her, a red mark formed that matched her red hair.
"I beg to differ," smiled Sunset as she was going for another slap.
"Sunset!" stated Dooku as he reminded the girl to hold herself back.
"Don't wait up for me," the girl smiled as she left the cell, which closed behind her.
"Yousa have to trade with him," stated Jar Jar after what he saw.
"I can't, Jar Jar. With Grievous captured, we could win the war," said the senator, as this was the closest they'd been to capturing the cyborg who always found a way to escape.
"But-but, Padme, theysa our friends," replied Jar Jar.
"I know. I know, Jar Jar," said Padmé as she didn't want to accept Dooku's deal, but she couldn't bear the thought of her husband and Storm being subjected to their torture.
"Mesa think yousa have to deal," said the Gungan.
"Yousa should listen to Binks," stated Boss Lyonie as he spoke up, "Hesa right."
With no other option, it seemed that Padmé had no choice but to comply to save her friends.
A ship was shown flying through the air. The current Queen of Naboo, Boss Lyonie, Padmé, and Jar Jar awaited them. Grievous was on standby as the cyborg had his hands in electric orb chains and his head. The transport sent to pick up Grievous landed as it opened up. Sunset was shown along with the tactical droid as Anakin and Storm were dragged by their arms behind them.
"Release the general," asked the tactical droid.
The Queen turned as the Gungans guarding Grievous complied. They poked the cyborg to walk, and he reluctantly agreed while being poked. Once they made it to Sunset, Grievous cackled.
"I wouldn't be laughing, dumbass!" glared Sunset as she had to cover for his mistake... again. The cyborg glared as the two exchanged looks.
The droids holding Anakin walked and tossed him forward in front of Padmé's feet. She quickly bent down to check on her husband.
"Padme... I'm sorry," said Anakin.
"Shh. It's all right, Ani," said Padmé as she looked up. Storm was about to be dumped but was stopped when Sunset put her hand out in front of the droids.
"Release him! You agreed!" said Padmé.
"In a minute. You know a girl has to say goodbye to her date," smiled Sunset evilly. She then gave one good punch in the boy's stomach before she tossed him forward.
"Well, then, everyone. I think we're done here. Thank you for being so generous. I would've let you keep the dumbass; he's more trouble than he's worth." said Sunset. "See you next time."
Sunset then turned with her droids as they boarded their ship and took off. Padmé soon helped her friends up as she led them away to get checked up on.
"Binks, yousa be bombad leader in my place. Disa second time yousa stoppen war between us and the Naboo," said Boss Lyonie as he felt like Jar Jar was better suited for the job.
"And we are grateful, Senator Binks," said the Queen of Naboo as she offered her thanks to the Gungan for stopping the threat.
"Mesa doin my best," replied Jar Jar.
While they may have stopped a huge threat, it was a bittersweet moment for the good guys.
Author's Note: Talk about bittersweet. Being able to capture Grievous only to have the good guys exchange in order to save the Jedi. And Sunset making her presence known after quite a while, and it seems Storm learned first hand just how much stronger she's also gotten. She's no longer the same girl she was before becoming Dooku's apprentice. And then of course, the sacrifice of General Tarpals to capture the cyborg, only to have it be a bit in vain. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.