Chapter 2 – Dooku
Dooku sat in his palace, his mind deep in thought. He had felt Skywalkers presence the instant he entered the system, it is hard to miss the chosen one after all.
Skywalker is not here to kill me, no. I feel his pain, his anger, yet it is not directed at me. It must be related to Tano's death.
His commlink them buzzed, and a battle droid appeared.
"My lord, A ship claiming to be Anakin Skywalker is requesting permission to land, so he can, uh, surrender to you".
"Let him land. In fact, he can land in the guest bay of my palace" Dooku affirmed.
"Roger roger"
Several minutes later, Dooku walked out of his palace onto the guest landing bay. There was a howling wind, and heavy rain bombarded the bay whilst stars glistened In the clear night sky.
Skywalkers starfighter was clearly visible despite the darkness and torrential downpour.
He is coming in very slowly. Perhaps he doesn't want to spook me.. or perhaps he is having reservations.
Skywalkers craft landed, and Dooku stood directly ahead. Skywalkers face couldn't be seen due to the rain, however his astromech R2D2 was visible, however silent. The hood of the ship slowly opened, and nothing moved. A minute felt like an hour. Finally, a cloaked, hooded, figure made himself known as he slowly debarked from the ship.
Skywalker moved to position himself in front of the count, however his face was still hidden by his hood and the rain. Neither spoke for a long moment. Dooku made the first move;
"Anakin Skywalker…. Are you here to kill me?" Dooku posed the question, despite knowing the answer, hoping to get a better idea of why Skywalker was truly here.
"I think you know the answer" Anakin spoke softly, and with a subtle sadness ,and almost – vastly different to his previous attitude towards the count in previous encounters.
"It is unfortunate that it took the death of your padawan to see the dogmatic and narrow minded view of the Jedi and the republic, but now you know the truth" Dooku responded, hoping to hurt sky walker slightly with his comment about Ahsoka, in order to ensure Skywalker has no reservations about coming to him.
"I trusted them…. I fought for them… I KILLED FOR THEM" Anakin started softly before raising his voice as his frustration overwhelmed him, "And they betrayed me"
"I understand your anger. It is natural. You are no longer confined to the dogmatic code of the Jedi, you can unleash your emotions freely now. Release your anger and your pain. do not hold it in"
Anakin removed his hood.
Anakin POV
Dooku is right. He's always been right. How did I not see it earlier.
"I am here to join you." Anakin finally released.
"I know…" Dooku replied… before unhooking and igniting his crimson sabre.
Anakin jump back, startled, before igniting his own.
Dooku made a swift strike forward, clashing into Anakin's blade.
What is he doing!
"What are you doing!" Anakin demanded, whilst deflecting further attacks. His question fell on deaf ears, as further strikes caused Anakin to go on the retreat.
Council POV
The council stared towards a life size image of Anakin that appeared in the centre of the room.
Even thought he was a hologram it was still clearly visible that Anakin was distraught. Tears rippled down his face an his face simultaneously exposed a sentiment of pure, unhinged rage but also one of defeat and sorrow. Obi wan almost let a tear out just looking at his face.
The first sounds bellowed through the council chambers, causing many masters to be startled
"HOW COULD YOU!"
Those words clawed through into Obi-wan, Plo koon and Yoda in particular. Master PLo looked down in disgust with what they had done.
Anakin continued, his voice still enraged, "SHE WAS WAS OF YOUR OWN… SHE WAS A CHILD THAT YOU SENT TO THE FRONTLINES TO DO YOUR DIRTY BIDDING, WHISLT YOU LIVE IN LUXURY IN THE TEMPLE. HOW DO YOU REPAY HER FOR SACRIFICING EVERYTHING FOR THIS ORDER…. YOU TOSS HER TO THE SENATE TO BE MUREDERD.
Anakin's enraged speech took a pause. It was a lot to take in. several master's now joined Plo in bowing their heads. He was right, She was a child who they had sent to fight in a war, and they had allowed the senate to kill her. Master Windu still showed no signs of remorse, and In fact he looked slightly agitated by Skywalkers remarks. Master Yoda was hard to read. He appeared mostly composed, but with a hint of sorrow, however, no-one knew what lied below the old master. Even in dark times he was usually able to hold his composure.
The blood curdling speech continued
"DID YOU EVEN CONSIDER SHE WAS INNOCENT? OR DID YOU JUST DO AS TARKIN BIDDED TO APPEASE THE SENATE? I THOUGHT THE JEDI WERE SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE GALAXY, NOT PROLONG AND ENABLE SUFFERING. IF YOU REALLY CARED FOR PEACE, YOU WOULD HAVE MADE AN EFFORT TO END THE WAR, AND NOT CONTINUE TO FIGHT IT FOR THE SENATE." His voice then began to quieten down and become more sorrow filled, " I did your bidding, and I fought for you and the republic, as I thought that was right, and I was indoctrinated to believe the separatists and Dooku were evil. But I was wrong…, Dooku was right about the Jedi and the republic. I am leaving the order, and the republic. Don't come looking for me… you have lost your chosen one."
He moved on "Another thing, I just thought that you should know that me and senator Amidala have been married since geonosis … right under your noses. I should have realised earlier how blind the Jedi are."
Anakin concluded with, "This is for Obi-Wan… You were like a brother, and you still are, I beg you to follow me in leaving the order as well. The Jedi no longer uphold the values they once held dear, that you still hold. Don't continue to be a slave for the council and the senate.
Goodbye"
The hologram disappeared, and the Jedi sat stunned, trying to absorb everything. Padme looked visibly distressed, as did Obi-wan. Thoughts ran wild across the council member:
Married
Dooku was right
Leaving the order
Obi wan should leave
Slaves to the senate
Padme turned and walked out without saying anything.
(their reaction will be continued, don't worry)
Anakin POV
"You couldn't save your precious padawan from death!" Dooku prodded whilst continuing his strikes
" I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD" Anakin responded with rage, now on the counter attack
"You failed her" Dooku jabbed again, "You let her die"
Anakin increased the ferocity of his strikes.
"You failed to save your mother, and now you failed to save her"
A tear swam down anakins face, and his eyes pierced dooku.
"I DID EVERYTHING I COULD. THE JEDI LET THEM DIE. BOTH OF THEM" He cried whilst making heavy strikes against Dooku.
"You are a slave to the jedi… you have always been a slave"
Dooku was now on a retreat, however, Anakin's strikes were unfocused and were made solely of anger and rage without any thought. They were powerful, but clumsy. Dooku made easy blocks, and sidesteps whilst allowing Anakin to unleash his emotions and rage.
Dooku then intentionally tossed his saber sway and fell backwards, as if he had been defeated. Anakin pointed his blade at the count, his eyes now glowing a faint yellow, and his face now completely engulfed in tears.
Anakin's arm was weak, and he found it hard to aim his sabre at Dooku. He just wanted to fall to the ground and cry… and he did.
His dropped his blade and fell to his knees. And let out a loud cry.
Dooku stood back up and retrieved his lightsaber.
He stood beside Anakin and let exhaust the last of his emotions.
He then spoke, "Become my apprentice, and I will teach you how to harness your anger and pain and you can get your vengeance on those who have betrayed you"
Anakin hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "I will do.. whatever you ask" He panted.
". A powerful Sith you will become. Let the past die, along with it your past self. Henceforth. you shall be known as Darth Vader…"
"Thank you… my master" He hesitated before saying those final words.
Chancellor pov
The chancellor could feel Skywalkers pain and anger and hoped it would push him further to the dark side, however he was still slightly concerned the whole ordeal would cause resentment against him. A comm link beeped on his secure private line, that he had with dooku. This wasn't an actual incoming call, rather an alert saying that Dooku would like to talk.
Palpatine made sure his office was secure and no-one was around before calling Dooku.
"Lord Tyrannus, what do you have to report"
"I have good news my master. Skywalker is here, and he has pledged himself to the dark side under the title Darth Vader; the name you had reserved for him "
Palpatine was a little surprised by this news. He made a smile, "Very good, our plans are nearing completion. Once skywalker is fully immersed in his new identity, we will be ready to execute order 66 once and for all. Your new priority is his training, immerse him in the dark side by whatever means necessary. The time of the Sith is upon us. The rule of 2 has served its purpose and together as 3 we shall rule the galaxy!"
Dooku bowed his head and gave a short reply, "It shall be done, my master".
Moments after the call ended, the chancellor received another message from Mas Amedda
"My lord, Members of the Jedi council re here to speak with you".
"Hold them for a moment" Palpatine responded.
Palpatine removed his sith cloak and put it back in its hidden holding space.
"Let them in"
,Windu, Mundi and fisto entered.
Palpatine spoke first, "Master Jedi, how can I be of assistance".
Windu replied, "Unfortunately we come with disturbing news. We just received a holo-message from Anakin. He has left the Order, and the republic, and we suspect he has gone to join Dooku. If he has, he poses a great threat to the republic. Here is the holo-recorder if you wish to listen". Windu handed the recorder to the chancellor
"That is most disturbing indeed. He was our most prized general… it is unfortunate to lose him like this. I suggest you track him down before he has a chance to join Dooku." Palpatine responded, attempting to sound disappointed, and even upset, however he also wanted to poke the Jedi a bit with his comment about him being their best general.
"I understand, we will dispatch a team wo bring him back" Windu replied.
The Jedi left, without the other 2 having said a word.
Kenobi POV
Obi-wan sat alone in a mediation chamber, deep in thought – pondering Anakin's words. He knew Anakin was right, but it hurt to admit it. He didn't want to admit it. How could he have sat back whilst Anakin was doing everything, he could save Ahsoka. Ahsoka was a child that the Jedi had thrust into the clone wars, and they had allowed her to be killed not by the enemy, but by their own hands.
"Obi-Wan" A soft voice called
Yoda POV
Master Yoda was also in a meditation chamber and didn't go with Master Windu to the chancellor's office.
Failed I have. The same thought repeated over and over for hours.
Anakin POV
Anakin had been given a private room in Dooku's palace. It was luxurious and far exceeded anything he had had in the temple. He had a wealth of luxuries he could access whenever he wanted. As a slave to watto, and then to the Jedi he has little in the way of luxury, but now he had everything. The dark side, and Dooku, offered him everything he ever wanted. He was liberated. However, he still lacked one thing. His wife.
He missed her every second that passes; however, he knew that once he had completed his new training he would be able to have her back at his side, and they would be free to do
anything they could dream of.
Obi wan POV
"Obi-wan" a soft voice called.
Obi wan ignored what he thought was his mind.
"Obi-wan" the voice called again.
This time he opened his eyes and looked around, but there was nothing.
He closed his eyes again, thinking he must be going crazy.
"Obi-wan. " the voice repeated but with a more recognisable and distinct voice
"Qui-Gon?" Kenobi asked.
"It is I. " Qui-gon replied