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Chapter 4: We need an army.
The air was filled with the sound of clashing metal and crackling energy. A red blade of light met two orange ones in a fierce duel. Two figures fell out of the temple as the walls shattered to dust. Ethan and Dooku exchanged blows, neither uttering a word as they tested each other's strength and skill. Ethan felt the dark side of the force coursing through his veins, empowering his strikes and fueling him with power as his frustration grew. Dooku countered with grace and precision, using his mastery of Makashi to deflect and parry Ethan's attacks. He sensed the raw power and potential in his young pupil, but also the conflict and doubt.
Dooku was on the defensive as Ethan used hit-and-run tactics, leaving trails of electricity as he speeds off. The old Jedi master was used to these tactics but he never expected Ethan to use force lightning to hinder and chip away his defense. Dooku could feel his arms becoming numb from the shock. Ethan rushes in once more but Dooku charges in and stopped Ethan to a halt. Sparks flew as the two tried to maneuver the blades of their opponents out of the way.
Dooku decided to end the stalemate. He pushed Ethan back with a powerful force push, sending him flying across the rocky terrain. Ethan managed to stop himself from crashing into a wall by digging his lightsabers into the ground, creating sparks and grooves. He quickly got up and retaliated by lifting several boulders with the Force and hurling pieces of it at Dooku like a machine gun.
Dooku was caught off guard by the creativity and speed of Ethan's move, but he recovered quickly and deflected the projectiles with his lightsaber and the force. Not yet finished, Ethan stomps his foot and Dooku's foothold was destroyed as he launched towards his apprentice. He barely had time to block Ethan's next blow, which came from above with such force that it pushed him back several steps.
Dooku looked at Ethan with a mix of admiration and fear. He noticed red sparks of electricity trailing from Ethan's hands, indicating that he was using the force in ways that Dooku had never seen or taught him. Granted all he did taught them was how to counter dark users but Ethan had a talent for reversing his teachings.
Ethan could turn a technique of the light into something dark like force healing. Dooku never thought of healing to be such a terrifying power, to heal until their bodies burst from the inside. He witnessed it when Ethan fixed a tree and forced it to grow until it died. But that's not all, from the course of this duel Ethan was tapping into a deeper and darker source of power, one that could rival or surpass his master. He wondered what else Ethan could do, and what he would do with such power.
Ethan spoke for the first time since their fight began. His voice was calm but firm as if he was trying to reason with Dooku rather than kill him.
"Dooku, you don't have to do this. You don't have to be a Sith to change the world. You can still turn back from this."
Dooku shook his head as if he was disappointed by Ethan's words. He replied in a cold and stern tone as if he was trying to convince himself rather than Ethan.
"It's too late for me, Ethan. I have made my choice, and so have you. The Sith are the only ones who can bring order and peace to this galaxy. The Jedi are weak and blind, and so are you."
"The amount of BULLSHIT I'm hearing from you is pissing me off old man!" Ethan roared in anger and frustration, unleashing a bolt of lightning from his fingertips. Dooku raised his lightsaber and deflected the attack, sending it back to Ethan. Ethan dodged the rebounding lightning and rushed in, using the force to increase his speed and agility. Sparks of red electricity followed his trail, creating a blur of orange and black.
Dooku barely had time to switch his lightsaber form to match Ethan's unpredictable and versatile style. He switched from Makashi to Soresu, then to Ataru, then to Shien, then to Niman, then to Juyo, trying to keep up with Ethan's Echelon.
"If it's too late, then why the fuck are you siding with that creep!?" Ethan roared. "No, you're desperate that's what you are! You love the jedi so much that seeing them becoming nothing more than a glorified dogs broke you!"
The two combatants clashed again and again, their blades meeting in a flurry of sparks and flashes. They moved across the battlefield, dodging rocks and debris, jumping over gaps and ledges, spinning and flipping in the air. They were evenly matched, neither gaining an advantage over the other. They were locked in a deadlock until Ethan did something that surprised Dooku.
He switched off his lightsabers and grabbed Dooku's arm with his free hands. He used the force to amplify his grip, causing Dooku to wince in pain. He then pulled Dooku closer and headbutted him in the face, breaking his nose and making him bleed. He followed up with a kick to Dooku's chest, sending him flying back and dropping his lightsaber. Ethan then reignited his lightsabers and pointed them at Dooku's throat, ready to deliver the final blow. But Dooku quickly shot force lightning at his apprentice sending him flying a good distance.
The count looked at Ethan with a mix of shock and awe. He noticed that Ethan's eyes had turned yellow, a sign that he had succumbed to the dark side of the force. But he also noticed that Ethan's expression was not one of pure rage or madness, but of calmness and clarity. He did not understand how Ethan could use the dark side without losing himself to it.
He asked Ethan in a weak and curious voice.
"How...how are you doing this? How can you use the dark side without falling to it?"
Dooku couldn't believe what he was seeing, Ethan had always been more emotional so he should have fallen to the dark side long ago but… instead, his apprentice remained in control as if the dark side had no hold on his mind.
Ethan chuckled and shook his head as if he found Dooku's question amusing and perplexing. He admitted that he didn't know the answer himself, but he had a theory. He said in a soft and sincere voice.
"I don't know, Dooku. I don't know how I can use the dark side without falling to it. But if I had to guess, I'd say it's because I a part of me. The part that feels anger, hate, fear, and pain. The part that you jedi try to suppress and deny. A gift, just like you said. It's addicting, I'll admit, there's a tiny voice that's telling me I can do a lot more but meh."
As Ethan spoke, he felt a surge of emotion in his chest. He felt his connection to the force grow stronger and deeper as if it was responding to his feelings. He felt the force flow through him and around him, affecting the environment and the weather. He saw the clouds darken and gather above them as if they were mirroring his mood. He heard the thunder rumble and the wind howl as if they were echoing his voice. He felt the rain start to fall and the lightning strike as if they were expressing his tears and his fury.
Dooku looked up at Ethan with a mix of awe and fear. He saw the power and potential in his young pupil, but also the danger and unpredictability. He saw Ethan's eyes glow with yellow light, but also with warmth and compassion. He realized that Ethan was not just using the dark side, but also the light side of the force. He realized that Ethan was something new and different, something that he had never seen or taught him.
He chuckled weakly and smiled faintly as if he was proud and amused by Ethan's display of power. He said in a raspy and resigned voice.
"You are truly remarkable, Ethan. You have surpassed me in every way. You have mastered both sides of the force." No, Dooku realized the reason Ethan had long since mastered the force however he lacked the training he needed to wield it properly. "You have become something more than a Jedi or a Sith."
He coughed and wiped the blood from his mouth, preparing for his final moments.
"I'm sorry, Ethan. I'm sorry for failing you as a teacher." He picked up his lightsaber and ignited it as if he was ready for one last fight.
"Maybe it's my age catching up with me." He smirked and winked at Ethan as if he was trying to lighten up the mood. "Or maybe it's your fault for being such a stubborn and rebellious student."
He stood up and assumed a fighting stance as if he was challenging Ethan to a final duel.
"Come on then, Ethan. Let's finish this once and for all. Show me your resolve."
Ethan laughed and smiled back at Dooku as if he was grateful and amused by Dooku's words. He said in a cheerful and playful voice.
"Alright then, pops. Let's do this one last time."
He raised his lightsabers and assumed a fighting stance as if he was accepting Dooku's challenge.
"In the words of Jet stream Sam... Let's dance~"
He charged at Dooku with a burst of speed, as if he was eager for one last fight.
The two Force-wielders clashed once more, their blades meeting in a flurry of sparks and flashes. The rain poured and the lightning struck, as if they were cheering for them. The wind howled and the thunder roared as if they were applauding them.
Meanwhile, Aria was heading back to her home after a long day of training. She was a Force-wielder, like Ethan and Dooku. She had learned a lot from them, both in terms of using the Force and wielding a lightsaber. She enjoyed their company and their adventures, feeling happy and free for the first time in her life.
She was also a former slave. She had been rescued by Ethan from a slave auction, where he had used the Force to free her. He had offered her his hand and his smile, and she had followed him without hesitation. Then they were found by Count Dooku, who had taken them both under his wing and trained them as his students and friends. She had promised Ethan that she would be his sword and shield, his loyal companion and ally.
She ran towards their home, sensing something was wrong. She felt a disturbance in the force, a clash of light and dark energies. She heard the sound of fighting, the sound of metal and lightning. She figured out that it was Ethan and Dooku, dueling each other with their lightsabers and the force.
She reached the entrance of their home, only to see Ethan and Dooku cross blades once again. She jumped back just in time to avoid being caught in the middle of their fight.
She watched in awe and worry as the two Force-wielders fought on. She saw Ethan summon a bolt of lightning from his fingertips, but Dooku absorbed it with his lightsaber. She heard Dooku remark on Ethan's mistakes, but Ethan complain about his remarks.
"You're too reckless, Ethan. You leave yourself open to counterattacks." Dooku said. "Your footing is too wide."
"¡Ay por Dios! Stop making comments about mi estilo!" Ethan said.
She saw them switch lightsaber forms and force techniques, trying to gain an advantage over each other. She saw them move across the room, dodging furniture and objects, breaking walls and windows.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing. They were fighting like enemies. They were fighting with anger, not with respect. They were fighting to kill, not to spar.
She couldn't stand by and watch them destroy each other. She had to intervene. She had to stop them.
She ignited her lightsaber, a green blade of light that contrasted with Ethan's orange and Dooku's red ones. She ran towards them, using the Force to increase her speed and agility. She reached them just as they were about to strike each other again. She blocked one of Dooku's attacks with her lightsaber, creating a spark of green light between them. She pushed Ethan away with a force push, creating a distance between them.
She stood between them, holding her lightsaber in front of her. She looked at them both with a mix of concern and anger. She said in a loud and clear voice.
"Stop! Stop this madness! What are you doing? Why are you fighting?"
Ethan looked at Aria with a mix of relief and guilt. He was glad that she was here, but he was also sorry that she had to see him and Dooku fight. He said in a calm and honest voice.
"Aria, I'm trying to stop Dooku from becoming a Sith. He's planning to join Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith, and betray us and the galaxy."
Aria looked at Ethan with a mix of shock and disbelief. She couldn't believe what he was saying. She turned to Dooku, hoping that he would deny Ethan's accusation. Yet throughout all their training Ethan only lied when it's insignificant.
"Master Dooku, is this true? Are you going to betray us and the galaxy?". She said in a hopeful and pleading voice.
Dooku looked at Aria with a mix of regret and pity. He wished that he could spare her from this pain, but he knew that he couldn't.
"Yes, Aria, it's true. I'm sorry, but I have to do this. It's the only way to bring order and peace to this galaxy." He said in a sad and resigned voice.
Aria looked at Dooku with a mix of anger and betrayal. She felt her heart break and her blood boil. She couldn't believe what he was saying.
"How can you say that, Dooku? How can you turn your back on everything you taught us?" She said in a furious and hurt voice.
She took a deep breath and assumed a defensive stance, holding her lightsaber close to her body. She was using Form III: Soresu, the most resilient and protective of the lightsaber forms.
"Dooku, you are no longer my teacher." She said in a determined and defiant voice.
Dooku smiled and nodded as if he was impressed by Aria's stance and form. "Very good, Aria. You have an excellent stance and form. I taught you well."
He tilted his head and raised his eyebrow, as if he was curious about something "But tell me, Aria, don't you have any interest in asking me why I'm doing this? Don't you want to know my reasons or motives?" He asked in a casual and inquisitive voice.
Aria shook her head and glared at Dooku as if she didn't care about anything he had to say. "No, Dooku, I don't care about your reasons or motives. All I care about is that you have become Ethan's enemy. And anyone who becomes Ethan's enemy is my enemy as well." She said in a cold and dismissive voice.
Dooku sensed Aria's emotions through the force. He felt her seriousness and resolve, but also her pain and anguish. He thought to himself that she was loyal and devoted to Ethan, almost to a fault. He thought that Ethan was lucky to have such a faithful ally by his side.
But before Aria could attack Dooku, Ethan intervened. He stepped forward and placed his hand on Aria's shoulder as if he was trying to calm her down.
"Aria, this is not your fight. This is between me and Dooku." He said, firmly.
Aria objected and tried to shake off Ethan's hand as if she wanted to join him in the fight. "No, Ethan, I won't stand aside. This is my fight too." She said in a worried and stubborn voice.
Ethan looked at Aria with a mix of gratitude and concern. He appreciated her willingness to help him, but he also feared for her safety.
"Aria, I know you want to help me, but this is something I have to do." He said. He looked at her with a mix of confidence and trust. He smiled and winked at her as if he had an idea in mind.
Aria gritted her teeth, her hands shaking as she was torn between fulfilling her promise to be his sword and shield before stepping back. She didn't like this, Ethan was her 'master', and what kind of 'slave' was she to let her 'master'? She could only pray for Ethan's victory.
Ethan and Dooku clashed once again, using their lightsabers and the force with skill and power. However, Dooku had a fatherly smile as he fought Ethan with so much ferocity and passion that a swordmaster would shed tears from the beauty of his forms. Ethan also had an excited grin as his eyes started to become gold in color and glowed brightly. If Dooku was a drill then Ethan was like a hammer.
They fought for several minutes, neither gaining an advantage over the other. They were evenly matched. They were locked in a deadlock until Ethan did something that surprised Dooku.
Dooku was pushed back by Ethan who quickly jumped into the air. The Jedi watched as his apprentice summoned a larger bolt of lightning. Dooku raised his hand to stop him but decided to jump back just before Ethan could smash the lightning into him. The amount of energy Ethan used in that blow caused a small earthquake in the area. Trees burned, grounds scorched and cratered, and Dooku was happy that he listened to his instincts or he would he have suffered a large injury.
Aria shielded herself from the massive dust cloud. However her shock couldn't be held back, just how powerful was Ethan now? Was this his full potential? It was a terrifying thought that in just two years Ethan rivaled a Jedi master in terms of the Force. His lack of control was what gave him the edge over Dooku.
She watched as Dooku unleashed bolt lightning and instead of dodging, blocking, or even parrying, Ethan grabbed both of it before crushing it. Then turned its pieces into his own, launching them back. The two clashed in a deadly dance until Dooku made a mistake and Ethan used one of the vines and roots to entangle their 'master' and tried to smash him with two boulders.
Dooku easily broke free and dodges Ethan's trap. Taking a glance at a cliff, Dooku quickly lifted a chunk of it with great effort before dropping it to his apprentice.
"Ah fuck…" Ethan acted quickly and combined force lightning and force push, turning it into a ball of destruction. Once the ball made contact with the cliff, it shattered. Debris fell from the skies as the two rushed towards each other, sabers clashing again and again until both are in a deadlock.
Aria's heart raced as the two continued fights before yelling out Ethan's name as the largest debris fell on top of them. Both Ethan and Dooku jumped onto it and continued fighting. Ethan was charging at Dooku with his lightsabers, ready to deliver the final blow. Dooku raised his lightsaber and prepared to counter Ethan's attack. Aria could only cry out in horror when Dooku stabbed Ethan in the heart only for his body to fade away like a mirage.
That was when Dooku knew, he had been duped as Ethan disarms him and pins him to the ground with both lightsabers ready to cleave his head. Yet Dooku could only smile proudly at his apprentice.
Ethan used a force illusion, a rare and advanced technique that allowed him to create a realistic and convincing image of himself in Dooku's mind.
Dooku looked up at Ethan with a mix of shock and joy. Ethan had outsmarted and outmatched him, using a trick he would never think Ethan would dare use against him. Ethan was never good in illusions and mind tricks, yet his pupil risked it all.
As his teacher, Dooku was proud of his pupil. He smiled and nodded, as satisfied with his life. "Well done, Ethan. Well done. You have defeated me fair and square. You have proven yourself to be the better Force-wielder." He said in a proud and respectful voice.
He closed his eyes and lowered his head as if he was accepting his fate. "Go ahead, Ethan. Finish me off. Strike me down with your lightsaber."
But Ethan didn't strike him down. He lowered his lightsabers and turned them off as if he had no intention of killing Dooku. He bent down and picked up Dooku's lightsaber, and returned it to him. He offered it to Dooku with his hand and his smile, as if he wanted to make peace with him.
"Sorry, Dooku, but I'm not going to kill you. I still need your training." He said in a cheerful and playful voice. "Besides, I have something better in mind." He handed Dooku his lightsaber back as if he was trusting him not to attack him again.
Dooku wanted to say that Ethan was being naive but one look at him and he already knew that Ethan was anything but naive.
"Dooku…" He paused for a moment, then continued. "And if you want to change the world, I'll help you. We'll do it together."
"And how do you suppose we do that, Ethan?" Dooku asked. "We have no army. No support."
He smiled as he had an idea in mind. "Oh we'll get an army." Dooku tilted his head and raised his eyebrow, he was curious about what his apprentice had in mind.
