Ignore your instincts at your peril.
Recap: Viceroy Gunray captured. Senator Padme Amidala has scored a victory against the Separatist Alliance on the remote world of Rodia, securing the arrest of the diabolical confederate leader, Nute Gunray. The Jedi Council has dispatched Master Luminara Unduli and Anakin Skywalker's Padawan Ahsoka to escort the viceroy to Coruscant under heavy guard. Once there, he will face trial for his many war crimes.
On a ship traveling through space, there were three girls present. One of them was Ahsoka, and the other was a Mirialan female. Both Jedi Master and Padawan had met up with Twilight as they were glad to see Celestia's student. Now all three were on a small ship, as on it was the Viceroy who was being watched by some clones. In front of them, was the cruiser they would be boarding to complete the last leg of their journey.
"Captain, have you made contact with the cruiser?" asked Master Luminara.
"Yes, general. We'll patch you through now," said the clone.
"Jedi cruiser Tranquility, this is General Luminara Unduli requesting permission to land."
"You are cleared, general. We await your prisoner's arrival."
"Thank you, Captain Argyus. I look forward to delivering him to you."
"I am a man of great wealth, and I can be very generous to my allies," said Gunray to the clone commander as he was hoping to convince him.
"That is a very tempting offer, viceroy. In the meantime, I have a gift for you," said Commander Gree as he held a pair of handcuffs.
Twilight and Ahsoka were seeing this in the back of the ship, as Twilight was telling her friend what went down by Padme and the others when she arrived. They then made their way to the front of the ship to meet with the Jedi Master.
"Finally. It's been such a boring trip," said Ahsoka.
Their ship now approached the cruiser. They entered the hangar bay as their ship docked and all exited. All three girls, along with Commander Gree and some clones were now accompanying the viceroy to his cell.
"This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice. I demand my litigator!" said the viceroy.
"Keep moving," said Commander Gree.
"Greetings, general. We have the brig all ready for this traitor," said Captain Argyus as he appeared with a whole platoon of Senate Commandos.
"Very good, captain. Commander Gree, let's get underway," stated the Jedi Master.
"Right away, sir. Let's move!" said the clone as he and the Captain were now taking Gunray to his cell.
"Senate Commandos? How does a money-grubbing worm, like Gunray rate all this security?" asked Ashoka. "He doesn't look that dangerous."
"Never judge a book by its cover," said Twilight. "Besides, from what Obi-wan told me about Gunray when he dealt with him over a decade ago. I'd keep my guard up around him."
"Twilight provides useful insight. Don't let your overconfidence give Gunray another advantage, Ahsoka," said Luminara. "Even now, his allies may be conspiring against us."
Elsewhere, a fleet of Separatist ships was in space. On the main ship was Count Dooku as he was being contacted by his master.
"Gunray's capture could be a serious threat to us, my friend," said Darth Sidious to his apprentice. "The viceroy will not last long under Jedi interrogation."
"I have already put a plan into action, my lord. My best agent, Asajii Ventress, will infiltrate the Jedi ship and either free Gunray or silence him," said Dooku.
"Ventress? You are putting a great deal of faith in an operative who has failed us in the past," said Darth Sidious.
"She is a gifted assassin. You have my word, she will complete her mission to the letter."
"Very well. You may proceed."
The image of the dark lord now disappeared as the doors behind Dooku slid open. Standing there was Ventress as she walked in.
"Master."
"There is no margin for error this time, child. You must prove yourself worthy of being my apprentice."
"I am worthy, as you shall see," said the girl as she now turned to leave and prepare.
Once the door closed, Dooku closed his eyes as he relaxed his mind. He then spoke.
"You know what to do. I'm putting you in charge of this operation. Either Ventress succeeds in her mission or should she fail. You must make sure she is never seen again. Understood?"
"Crystal," said Sunset with a smile.
The girl then left through the door as she was making her way towards the assassin. She entered the hangar bay as she saw Ventress.
"What are you doing here?" asked Ventress.
"I'm in charge. Dooku's orders. You either succeed or... well, you know the consequence." snickered Sunset.
"I don't need your help, Sunset. I can do this on my own!" growled the girl at her partner.
"Tell me, how has that worked out for you in the past? Need I remind you, every mission that Dooku has trusted me with. I've completed it without any error. So, I'm just merely helping you to be in good graces with your master. If you want to be the apprentice he knows is worthy, then you'll listen to my command." said Sunset as she gave a glare at Ventress as it seemed like she had no choice.
"That's more like it," smiled Sunset smugly as she got on the ship with Ventress soon following. "Remember, follow my lead. And you'll finally know what it's like to be successful in a mission for once."
Our heroes were currently on the cruiser as it was set on a course for Coruscant. Inside of the detention cells, Gunray was being held inside by the Jedi. On the outside were Commander Gree and Captain Argyus as he came from the small corridor attached to it.
"How goes the interrogation?" asked the Captain. "Has the viceroy cracked yet?"
"Not yet. Neimoidians are a slippery lot, but the Jedi will wear them down," said Gree.
The Captain now approached the ray shielded barrier as he saw what was happening inside. Nute Gunray was sitting in a chair as in front of him was Master Luminara as she stood with her arms behind her back as the girls were on each of her sides.
"Your thoughts betray you, viceroy," said the Jedi Master as she was using her powers to peek into his mind. "I can sense your concern, the fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the war has given you."
"She's good," whispered Twilight to Ashoka as she was amazed at seeing a Jedi Master like Luminara at work.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," said the viceroy trying to deny, but his voice seemed a bit hesitant.
"You hide a great many things: The names of your secret allies, the locations of their bases," said Luminara with her eyes closed.
"I am an innocent pawn in all of this," pleaded Gunray.
Luminara just scoffed, "If you're merely a pawn, then who are you protecting?"
"No one! I... I know nothing," said the viceroy.
"Liar! Liar! I'm tired of all this whinnying," said Ahsoka as she pulled out her lightsaber and put it close to Gunray's throat. "Tell us what we want to know right now, or I will gut you like a Rokarian dirt fish!"
"Ahsoka!" shouted Twilight.
The girl's actions got Gunray to be scared as he fell out of his seat. Luminara now grabbed the girl's hand as she pulled her aside to address her behavior.
"Padawan, terror is not a weapon the Jedi use." said the Jedi Master.
"Jedi don't seek aggression, Ahsoka!" stated Twilight to her friend as she didn't like her actions.
"I wasn't serious. But the only way he'll talk is if he's scared enough," said the Padawan.
"You still threaten his life. We're Jedi, we don't kill," said Twilight.
"Come on, Twilight. Wouldn't Storm do the same?" asked the girl to her friend about her partner.
"No, I'm confident he wouldn't," said Twilight as she was standing up for the boy.
"Perhaps I was too hasty," said Gunray as he slowly got back up from the floor, "Let us negotiate."
Before the girls could say something, there was an explosion that went off.
"Captain, status report," stated Gree to his comlink.
"Droid fighters, incoming. They've brought boarding ships."
The entire cruiser was now under attack by some vulture droids as they were escorting ships as they looked to rescue the Viceroy. An alarm went off as the Republic began to fire at the enemy.
"Green company, prepare to repel the enemy," ordered Gree.
The clones heard the command given as they were running towards the armory. They each grabbed a gun and started to make their way to the hangar. At that moment, the three boarding ships now plunged themselves into the Republic cruiser. The clones noticed them as they opened up, and out emerged Superbattle droids. They spotted the clones as they raised their arms and began to fire.
The clones took cover behind some crates as they traded shots with the droids. One of them had a missile arm as he aimed it and shot it towards the clones as an explosion went off taking out most of them.
"Green Leader to Commander Gree, super battle droids have breached our hull!" said the clone through his comlink as the Jedi heard this.
The droids now had overrun the clones as all of them were wiped out. The clone who contacted the girls had his head down as he pretended to be dead.
"They're headed for the detention level. We need reinforcements," said the clone.
He was unaware of a droid who was still passing by as he saw the soldier alive. The final sound heard by Gree and the girls was the sound of a blaster being fired as the clone let out a sound. Soon only static was left.
"Commander, I'll need your assistance," said Luminara to her clone.
"Let's go," said Ahsoka as she began to follow.
"You will stay here with Captain Argyus," instructed the Jedi Master. "Guard the viceroy."
"But..." objected Ahsoka.
"Twilight, you're with me," said Luminara to the girl.
"Why does she get to go?"
"Cause Twilight has more experience than you, little one. Your place is here, trust me," said the Jedi Master.
"As you wish, master," said Ahsoka putting her head down as the Jedi Master and Commander Gree were walking down the corridor.
"Sorry, Ahsoka," said Twilight putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. She then raced to catch up with Luminara as the Padawan was forced to watch from the sidelines.
"It appears you are in no position to negotiate after all, Padawan," said Gunray as he saw what went down. "Perhaps after my rescue--"
"Rescue?" said Ahsoka as she then scoffed, "Maybe they're here to make sure you won't talk."
The girl's answer got the viceroy to gulp as he thought of that possibility.
Back in the hangar, tons of droids lay all around the ground. One of the boarding ships that they came in was still open as out jumped Ventress as she looked around.
Remember, follow my plan. Phase 1, let the droids clear the way. Make them think that it's just them.
The assassin was remembering Sunset's words. She then began to slowly move about with her lightsabers in hand. She then noticed that the clone from earlier who contacted the girls was still alive as he slumped himself over some crates. She then turned on her lightsaber as she raced forward as the clone picked up his blaster and fired.
"All units, there's a bald--"
Before he could relay the message, Ventress brought her lightsabers down and decapitated the clone's head as his helmet was shown on the floor soon followed by the suit of armor.
"Trooper, what have you found?" asked a clone through the comlink. "Come in, trooper. Do you copy?"
Ventress heard and looked at the comlink as she smiled. Sunset then dropped from the boarding ship as she flipped her hair and began to walk towards Ventress who grabbed the clone's comlink and put it on her arm.
"Not bad, but there's still more to do. The droids are distracting the Jedi and the clones. So, make the most of your window and initiate Phase 2 of the plan." instructed the girl.
"And what will you do?" asked Ventress.
"Don't worry about it," smiled Sunset as she began to walk away, "Let's say, I'm gonna have some fun. Once you get the Viceroy, contact me." Sunset then left as Ventress looked up and used her lightsabers to cut a hole as she jumped up.
"Super battle droids are everywhere. Fall back to the detention level. We have to protect the prisoner."
Ventress smiled as she was listening to her enemy's movements as she now began to crawl towards her next objective. She knew where to go, but she had to make a quick stop first. While the assassin was lurking around undetected, the droids were now starting to corner the clones in a narrow hallway. The doors closed behind the clones as they kept on firing with a few of them going down. More were starting to go down as only a few remained.
One of the Superbattle droids was then taken out. This caused the other to look at their fallen comrade and then at their side as standing in the hallway that was connected to theirs was Luminara, Twilight, and Commander Gree as they arrived just in time. The girls got to work as they began to slash at the tough droids while the clones provided them with some cover fire. The girls stood in front of the soldiers as they deflected the blasts from hitting the clones.
Ventress now exited the vent as she found herself in a room.
Phase 2, find the control room and set the charges.
The assassin was about to jump down when the doors to the engine room opened. A shadow was shown coming in as it belonged to a droid. It was searching the room looking for anything out of the ordinary. Its eyes turned on as they were now looking around. It looked up at the crate where Ventress came from, but she was nowhere to be seen, and the grate was back in place.
Ventress had hopped down next to the droid and then disappeared right before the droid turned around. She was now on top of the engine as the door opened. Two clones were now shown entering.
"See anything?" asked one of them.
"Engine room seems clear. We'll lock it down," said the other through his comlink.
"Good, captain. The enemy's advancing toward the prison level." said another man over the comlink.
"We're on our way," said one of them as he began to head for the door.
"You keep watch here, 327," stated the other clone as he got an angry beep from the droid, "Okay, okay, 327T."
"You know droids never like to be called by their nicknames," said the other as the two now left through the doors.
The droid kept on its search. Ventress just smiled as she now began to throw some thermal detonators at different spots all over the engine room. She kept bouncing around the place, avoiding the droid's detection as he was just a second too slow to notice the assassin's movements. She had planted the last one as she quickly rushed to the grate and entered back inside as she was now heading to the brig.
Jedi Master Luminara and Twilight had just finished defeating the last bit of the droids as they did some flips and leaped over the big robots and stabbed their weapons backward without looking as they fell.
"Looks like the last of them, general," stated Gree.
"Yes, commander, but I sense our troubles are not over," said the Jedi Master.
"That's strange, I feel a familiar presence," said Twilight as she was listening to the message her heart was telling her.
"Sounds like your rescue didn't work out after all," said Ahsoka as she looked at the viceroy with a smug smile.
"I am ready to discuss our bargain again," said Gunray in defeat.
"Padawan Tano, may I have a word?" asked Captain Argyus.
"Certainly, captain. If I leave, you won't go anywhere, will you?"
Gunray just laughed sarcastically at the girl's question.
"I've got the all-clear. The enemy has been repelled."
"And their attempt to free Gunray has... failed?" said Ahsoka as she heard something.
She looked over the captain's shoulder as the roof of the ceiling was shown to be cutting through. It then fell as Ventress soon jumped down and landed on the terminal. She managed to kick the weapons out of the senate commandos' hands and then knocked them unconscious. Ahsoka now appeared in the terminal room with her lightsaber turned on.
"Well, if it isn't that hairless harpy," said the Padawan.
"If it isn't Skywalker's filthy, obnoxious little pet," responded Ventress.
"How nice of you," responded the girl smugly. "Tell you what, I'll give you a merciful death."
Ventress turned her lightsabers on as Ahsoka tried to slash at her. Ventress jumped and did a slash of her own as the Padawan moved out of the way. They then began to exchange some blows as the sounds of lightsabers clashing could be heard by Twilight and Luminara.
"The Padawan," said the Jedi Master as she took off.
"Hang on, Ahsoka," stated Twilight as she took ran.
"Come on," said Gree as he saw the generals running as they soon followed.
Ahsoka and Ventress were still fighting as the senate commandos and the captain was racing forward to help the Padawan.
"Shoot her!" instructed Ahsoka as she blocked a slash aimed at her face.
They listened to the girl as they all began to shoot as Ahsoka ducked. Ventress merely blocked the shots back at the commandos taking them out as the captain turned so that the shot hit his arm instead of his chest. He then kept on firing as Ventress blocked once more and then used the Force to grab the captain and throw him over her as he hit the terminal and was knocked out. Ventress then brought her weapons down as Ahsoka had hers horizontal to block it.
"Skywalker's not here to save you now."
"Good thing I don't need saving," shouted Ahsoka.
She then pushed Ventress back a bit as she did a split to avoid a slash. Ventress then leaped over as she swung in the air as Ahsoka turned her upper body to block the attacks.
"Over here! Open this door and I'll buy you a planet," said Gunray.
Ventress turned off her lightsaber as she raced towards the cell. Ahsoka got up from her split and raced after her. Ventress pushed the button that turned off the ray-shielded barrier. Ahsoka now tried to attack as Ventress sidestepped and pushed the girl inside as Gunray stepped out and quickly pushed the button to trap the girl inside.
"Oh, yes, yes, such delicious irony," chuckled the viceroy. "How do you like your room now, youngling?"
Ahsoka then got up and slashed her lightsaber at the ray shield as it made no effect on it. The elevator now opened up as there was Luminara and Twilight as they saw the sight in front of them. They raced forward, turning on their lightsabers as Ventress noticed the pair.
"Halt, assassin!" shouted the Jedi Master.
Ventress pulled out her lightsabers once more ready to engage with the master Jedi. While Luminara was running, she put her hand out as she used the Force to push the button to free Ahsoka. The barrier was down as she tried for a sneak attack as Ventress saw it coming and Luminara's blade as she blocked each one perfectly despite being surrounded. She noticed that she only had a few moments before Twilight would reach her as she then would be outnumbered and outpowered.
"Surrender," said Luminara blocking and holding the lightsaber.
Ventress then turned off both of her lightsabers and put her hands up. This surprised Gunray as the comlink on Ventress' wrist was now beeping.
Phase 3, blow it up!
The bombs she had set in the engine room were now seconds away as Twilight and the clones now reached them. Then a huge explosion went off. The droid who was still in there was now screaming as he escaped. The entire room was lit up. The explosion caused everybody to lose their balance as they wobbled and fell. Luminara managed to stay on her feet as Ventress used the Force to push the master onto the ground as she flipped over with her weapons now activated. The Jedi Master moved to the side as she avoided being slashed by the attack as Ventress flipped.
Twilight and the clones saw Ventress coming at them. They began to fire as she deflected the shots while Ventress then wall jumped and leaped over them as Twilight blocked an attack. Luminara then jumped over the girl as she chased after them. Ventress used the Force to rip the elevator doors open as she leaped into the shaft. Some of the senate commandos were coming to as the girl hung in the shaft by her lightsabers. They began to shoot when she was now sliding down as her weapons left a trail down the chute and into the darkness.
The girls all approached the chute as they looked down.
"What are we waiting for?" said Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka!" said Luminara as she grabbed the girl before she fell down the chute. She pulled her up as another elevator soon slid down as it would have crushed the girl.
"Thanks."
"Everything's running haywire, the doors, lifts. Communications down. Propulsions dead. She's crippled the entire ship," said the captain.
"Our attacker had come for Gunray. Stay here and guard him," instructed the Jedi Master to the Separatist leader standing close by. "Me and Twilight will confront her."
"Master, with all due respect, but Ventress is too powerful for the both of you to fight alone. Let me help," said Ahsoka.
"We are more than capable of dealing with a lone assassin armed with undisciplined fighting skills."
"Please, Master Luminara. Ahsoka might give us the edge we need," pleaded Twilight as she stood up for her friend.
"I'm sorry, Twilight. But my orders are final," said the Jedi Master as she reminded the girls who was in charge. "Stay here and keep a clear head."
She then jumped down the chute. Twilight looked at Ahsoka as she had a sad expression. Twilight understood the girl's feelings as she took a deep breath and soon followed the Jedi Master down the shaft. The girls now were falling as they used their feet to bounce off the wall and then roll onto the level they were on before with the Superbattle droids as they lay on the ground. They both rushed forward with their lightsabers. Twilight was following the Jedi Master when they passed a corridor as it got her to stop. Twilight felt something as if the Force was telling her to go down the path. She turned to see Luminara as she was long gone; Twilight mentally prepared herself as she now began to walk down the hallway by herself.
Back with Ahsoka, she had managed to get the viceroy back in his cell. She was now pacing back and forth as she was thinking outloud.
"Luminara Unduli may be a Jedi Master, and Twilight may be a Jedi Knight, but they have no idea what that bog witch is capable of. No idea," said the girl to the guards.
At this time, Luminara had now entered the engine room as there were bits of fire presence. She carefully walked onto the walkway, looking for Ventress. She then heard the sound of a lightsaber turning on as Ventress jumped down launching a sneak attack, but the Jedi Master turned hers on and got out of the way. Luminara now rolled as she appeared behind Ventress to which the assassin struck her lightsaber at a nearby pipe as the smoke came out and blasted the Jedi Master in the eye as she yelled.
Luminara quickly backflipped to avoid being vulnerable as she landed on a knee, one hand holding her lightsaber, while the other covered her left eye.
"I can't let them face that lowlife alone. Wouldn't we have a better chance of stopping her if I helped?" asked Ahsoka.
"Sometimes, being a good soldier means doing what you think is right," said Captain Argyus. "That's why we're superior to droids."
The battle between the Jedi Master and Ventress raged on. Luminara was still able to fight back even with being temporarily blinded, but it was still taking an effect on her as Ventress made sure to give her attacks more power as they slightly pushed the Jedi back.
"Do you think you'll be able to call on the Force after I've separated your head from your body?" stated Ventress.
"Even with my vision clouded, I recognize the fighting style of Count Dooku," said Luminara. "Your version is unrefined, amateurish, sloppy."
That got Ventress to be angry as she now charged in. Luminara now was able to properly block the attacks as this time the assassin's anger was playing a role in her attacks to which the Jedi Master was having a smoother time in counteracting.
"I can't disobey a direct order and leave my post, can I?" asked Ahsoka.
"I wouldn't," said Commander Gree.
"Don't worry. We got this under control, Master Jedi," said Captain Argyus to the girl. "Your friend won't be going anywhere."
"All I know is I never risk my own skin if I don't have to," said Nute Gunray from inside his cell as they all looked at him, "What?"
"Watch him closely," said Ahsoka.
"You can trust us, commander," said Argyus.
With that, Ahsoka now ran down the corridor.
"Call us if you need help, sir," responded Gree to Ahsoka.
By now, Luminara now had gained her vision back in her left eye. The two were still duking it out, moving left and right, switching spots, all trying to gain the advantage. Both girls then thrust their hands out at the same time, as they did a Force push. Both were repelled, with Luminara recovering immediately, as she flipped over Ventress, who fell to a knee. Ventress then leaped into the air as she managed to kick the Jedi Master in the chest as she didn't have time to cover up. The kick sent the Jedi over the edge and falling. Ventress then leaped after her as when she jumped, she used her lightsabers to strike at some metal pipes overhead. They were also falling as Luminara landed below. She saw the pipes coming as she used the Force to avoid them, but one of them landed on her left leg as she was trying to push it off as Ventress slowly made her way towards the helpless Jedi Master.
While this was happening, Twilight had been going through her own adventure. After splitting off from Luminara, she was now walking through a corridor as her instincts were telling her to follow the path. She was now walking as she soon came to a door as it opened up. She was now inside of a large empty room that had nothing but a few boxes and some spotlights shining down. While the girl's eyes weren't seeing anything, the Force was telling her differently. Soon she heard something.
"You know when I saw you, I didn't know who you were. But once I saw your fighting style, I knew right away you were Celestia's star pupil."
"Sunset," said Twilight as she heard the voice and was looking for the girl.
"To think, she actually found a replacement."
"Where are you?" shouted Twilight.
A spotlight now turned on as it shined down on the girl. She was currently leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and eyes shut. Twilight turned around as she saw the bacon-haired girl.
"Tell me, how's she doing these days?" asked Sunset.
"How do you know so much about my Master?" asked Twilight.
"She didn't tell you, well now... then now would not be a good time to spill the beans. Best save that for another day." smiled Sunset evilly. "Then lets change the subject, Twilight? Tell me, what should we talk about?"
"How about you and your friend trying to rescue the viceroy?" shouted Twilight.
"Nah, to be honest, I could care less for that piece of shit. I'd rather kill him myself, but... seems my superiors still need him. He thinks he has power when really he ain't got jack shit." stated Sunset.
"All I know is that if you're trying to bust him out, then I have no choice but to take you down," said Twilight as she pulled out her lightsaber.
"Hold on, I got one more question for you. Where's Storm?"
"Why would I tell you that?"
"So you do know where he is?" said Sunset. "Huh, I was hoping to run in with him. Maybe have another one of our private sessions. Hope you don't mind that I'm taking your partner away from you. Can you blame him though for wanting to be with a girl like me?"
"Whatever temptress ways you're trying to do to convince Storm to join your side, it's not gonna work. He's loyal to the Republic and the Jedi Code," said Twilight.
"Or are you saying that cause, you're jealous?"
"Jealous?"
"Maybe, you want Storm all to yourself. I mean, isn't that why you two are partners, to begin with?" stated Sunset.
"Our masters put us together to improve our training as Jedi,"
"So, you don't think he's anything more than a partner?"
"He's a friend."
"Just a friend. Come on, Twilight. Are you truly telling yourself that he's just a friend? Perhaps, there's more than meets the eye. I mean, how do you feel when he's around you."
"Shut up!" said Twilight.
"Ohh, nervous. Flustered, maybe self-conscious. Like he might find out a secret. Your secret."
"That's enough!" shouted the girl as she turned her weapon on as it projected a lavender color.
"Seems I hit a sensitive spot when I mentioned your boyfriend," snickered Sunset as she now turned her lightsaber.
Both girls wasted no time rushing forward as they soon met in the middle with their blades clashing against one another. The two held in place as they heard the hum of their weapons against one another. A test of strength to start as they were pushing against one another. It was a stalemate as both jumped back. They then rushed forward once more as Sunset went for an attack as Twilight flipped over her. She landed and began attacking as Sunset blocked each strike. Soon she transitioned to being on the offense as Twilight now had to block.
Both did a cartwheel as they went for an attack as their blades crossed one more. A Force push with their hands as the other did the same as they were repelled. Sunset then used the Force to grab some of the boxes nearby and threw that at Twilight. The girl cut one of them in half as she saw the others coming. She then leaped off the ground and hopped on one of them. She then began to jump quickly in between the others as she got to Sunset and delivered a kick to the girl's chest as she stumbled.
Sunset was now angry as Twilight held her battle stance. The two engaged one more with several basic attacks hoping to feel the flow of the Force. Twilight went for an overhead strike as Sunset blocked it but used the momentum of the swing to roll Twilight onto the floor. She then tried to stab downward as Twilight flung the blade momentarily to the side as she got up quickly. She was soon met with a roundhouse as now she stumbled.
"A pity you were the best Celestia could do after I..." Sunset then stopped herself.
"After I what?" shouted Twilight.
"Well, that's a secret," snickered the girl, "I'll give her this, she trained you well. The chances of her finding someone as bright as you seem improbable, but not impossible."
Sunset then threw her blade to which Twilight blocked, but Sunset was already close to her as she did some strikes and punches to the girl as she managed to disarm her. Twilight stumbled as Sunset went back to fighting close combat as Twilight did the same. The bookworm showed that she could fight even without a lightsaber as it was one of the many things that her master stretched she needed to be good at. Celestia told Twilight there would be times you need to not rely on your weapon and more on your skills as a fighter.
Both girls trade stiff blows and chops to each other trying to subdue the other. They did several front flips in quick succession as they landed and both tried to go for a kick which was blocked. They went for a punch as both moved their heads out of the way. After a series of transitions of moves, they reached out for their lightsabers as they came flying to their hands. Both girls lunged back as they turned theirs on only to see that they each had picked up the others unintentionally.
"Trade ya," said Twilight.
"Here you go," said Sunset.
Both girls tossed their opponent's weapon at each other as each took a moment to get comfortable with having their blade back. Both then raced forward once more as they continued their fierce battle.
By this time, Ventress had Master Luminara trapped under the pipes as she made her presence known above the helpless Jedi.
"Now you fall, as all Jedi must," said Ventress. She then turned her lightsabers on and leaped down hoping to end the Jedi Master.
Ahsoka had made it to the engine room as she saw the situation. She put her hand out as it flung the assassin away and into a pipe. Luminara saw who saved her as it was Ahsoka who now rushed over to help the Jedi Master. She used her lightsaber to cut a hole in the pipe that trapped the Jedi as her leg was free.
"I know. I know. You told me to stay,"
"Well, as long as you're here," smiled Luminara.
Ventress made her presence known once more as both girls prepared to fight her together. She was able to hold her own against the two, but even she knew she couldn't defeat both. Thankfully, Sunset was distracting Twilight from helping her friends, but even Ventress knew the situation. So she repelled both lightsaber attacks from the girls as she then leaped up back to the platform from before and then jumped again as she disappeared out of sight.
"We have to find her. We can't let her get to Gunray," said Luminara as she and Ahsoka leaped upwards.
The girls were carefully looking for where Ventress might be as well as ready to defend. Ventress had jumped up to one of the upper pipes as she saw the Jedi down below her. She then looked at her wrist as the next part of Sunset's plan came to her mind.
Phase 3, activate the signal.
Ventress then pushed a button on her wrist as it was now transmitting. The signal was now being received by Captain Argyus as his wrist comlink was beeping as he looked at it. The other guards heard and saw this.
"What's that, captain?" asked one of them.
"Oh, nothing to worry about," responded Argyus. He then turned around as he shot the two guards.
"What are you doing?!!" shouted Commander Gree as he saw this.
Argyus then turned around to shoot Gree as he took cover behind a corner in the hallway. Gree now began to fire back as Argyus was moving and sidestepping the shots as his elbow touched the keypad that unlocked the cell. He then turned to look at the viceroy.
"No! Please don't!" said Gunray as he was grabbed by Argyus who he was using as a shield as he fired back at Gree.
"Oh, do shut up. Count Dooku is paying me a fortune to deliver your slimy carcass, so please try to stay alive."
Back with Ahsoka and Luminara, they had their lightsabers out. They were still looking for Ventress when they came upon some rubble that was moving. They looked at one another as they rushed over. To their surprise, it was the droid who was searching the engine room from before as it was trapped. Luminara helped the droid to get back on its feet as it wheeled away and left. The girls kept on looking.
"Ahsoka?" said Luminara.
"What happened to Padawan Tano?" asked the girl as she was shocked to hear the Jedi Master call her by her name.
"This assassin, I've... I've never faced an adversary like her. I should have listened to your advice."
"Master, I never meant to overstep my bounds, but--"
"General Unduli, we've been betrayed!" said Gree over the comlink. "Argyus has freed Gunray."
That shocking detail surprised both girls.
"I've been a fool," said the Jedi Master as she realized she'd been tricked.
"Let's get back there," said Ahsoka as both Jedi were starting to head towards the exit.
Ventress had been above the engine as she heard the commotion.
Phase 4, delay them while the viceroy gets on board.
Following Sunset's advice, Ventress then took a piece of a pipe and used the Force to hurl it at the girls. Luminara sense it as she turned around quickly and sliced it in half. They then looked up and saw Ventress had jumped down, weapons ready.
"We'll take her together," said Ahsoka.
All three charged forward as their weapons clashed and held in place. As they were standing still, Ventress couldn't help but let out a wicked, diabolical, sinister laugh as it echoed around the engine room.
Back with Gree, he had his weapon locked on Argyus as he still held the viceroy like a shield.
"Stop! This is your last warning!" shouted Gree.
"Don't shoot. I'm an innocent pawn," pleaded Gunray.
"He won't shoot. He doesn't want to damage his prize," said Argyus.
Gree held a look through his helmet as he fired his blaster. The shot then hit the weapon in Argyus' hand as it was knocked out.
"Stand down, captain."
"Come and get me."
Gree then moved forward as Argyus flung the viceroy to the commander. He pushed him to the side as he tried to shoot, as Argyus kicked the weapon out of his hand and kicked once more removing Gree helmet as the clone stumbled. Both held a stern look as they were about to fight. Speaking of fighting, that's what was happening. Ahsoka and Luminara were dealing with Ventress as the pair were taking turns going in and out with attacks as the Sith girl was defending herself. When they went for a high and low attack, Ventress got out of the way just in time as she backflipped toward the engine.
She then used the Force as she picked up several debris items and hurled them all at the two Jedi. They were cutting down the items in their path. Luminara then stopped a piece of rock from hitting them as she returned it to Ventress who jumped up to avoid it as she landed back down. She then ran as her lightsabers dragged behind her.
"Why'd you do it, Argyus?" asked Gree as both were moving in a clockwise position.
"A clone like you would never understand. I wanted a life with more than empty servitude."
"And for that, you'd betray the Republic?"
"Like I told the Padawan, sometimes being a good soldier means doing what you think is right." Argyus then noticed the blaster by his feet as did Gree.
He went to pick it up as Gree put his foot on it. He then punched the captain in the face as he fell to the floor. He now grabbed the weapon and pointed it at the traitor.
"You and I disagree on what makes a good sol--"
Gree didn't finish his sentence as he was hit in the back of the head. While he was dealing with Argyus, Gunray had managed to grab a hold of the other blaster and when Gree had gotten the captain down, he managed to sneak up and hit the weapon on the clone's head as he was now unconscious.
"You should have taken my offer when you had the chance, clone," said Gunray.
Argyus now got back to his feet as he pushed a button on his comlink. It was now sending a signal. Ventress was still fighting the two Jedi when she blocked an attack, she noticed her comlink was beeping as she smiled. She wasn't the only one, as Sunset was still dealing with Twilight also saw her wrist beep when she flipped out of an attack. She smiled and looked up as Twilight tried to get in a surprise strike while Sunset was distracted. She blocked her lightsaber and reversed the position so that Twilight was being forced onto her knees as Sunset towered over her.
Ventress had leaped back as she landed on the wall and then pushed herself forward. She now landed near the grate as Ahsoka was following her. She threw a denotator at the wall so as when Ahsoka jumped, it dentated behind her, sending the Padawan off course from getting her. She was seen going off the edge as Luminara covered up from the smoke of the bomb. Ventress now shot herself down the shaft as the propulsion from the explosion pushed her forward at high speeds.
"Seems, I have to take my leave, Twilight," said Sunset as she kicked the girl away and was making her way to the door. "But hey, it was nice to have this talk with you. Next time, I expect Storm though. You can tag along if you want. I'm sure he wouldn't mind having a threesome with us two girls," snicked the Sith girl as she ran.
"Hold on!" shouted Twilight as she got up and now began to chase after Sunset.
Luminara had managed to catch Ahsoka from falling as she was struggling to hold the girl from falling. She managed to pull her up. Both Argyus and Gunray had made it to the ship that was transporting him as they entered the cockpit. He then clicked a button.
"The outer shields are still down. The ship is still in turmoil. We're home free." smiled Argyus.
The ship now began to detach from the cruiser as they were now flying away. The door to the escape pods opened up as Ventress sent two clones flying as they were knocked out. She then stepped in as she saw Sunset waiting for her as she was leaning back.
"Did you get him?" said Sunset.
"He's safety getting away," said Ventress.
"And what about Phase 5?"
"I was about to do that," said Ventress as she and Sunset now entered an escape pod.
Ahsoka and Luminara were now running down the halls. They were soon joined by Twilight as she came from a different corridor.
"Nice of you to finally join us, Twilight," snickered Ahsoka.
"Sorry, I had to deal with my own issue," said the girl.
"Then let's hurry!" said Luminara as all three rushed forward hoping to stop both Sith girls from leaving.
All three ladies arrived at the area, as they heard the sound of an engine. They all raced to the window as they saw the ship the viceroy was on escaping as a second later, the pod that Ventress and Sunset were in was also leaving. Safe to say, that the enemy had got away scot-free as all three Jedi had a distasteful look on their faces.
The pod now approached the ship.
"As successful rescue mission as one could hope for, viceroy," said Argyus. "I will be a legend for this." The captain now put his feet up and his hands behind his head as he leaned back.
"I always had a good feeling about you, captain," smiled Gunray.
At that moment, the door opened up as in came Sunset and Ventress.
"You see, assassin?" said Argyus to Ventress. "Our plan went off without a hitch."
"Our plan?" said Ventress with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm the one who thought out every single detail," responded Sunset as she didn't like someone taking credit for her hard work.
"And I will, of course, make sure your contributions are noted in my report to Count Dooku," said Argyus as he now sat up.
Ventress now had a set of eyes and in a quick movement, stabbed Argyus with her lightsaber.
"I'll tell him myself," said the girl into the captain's ear.
"Phase 5, cut all loose ends," snickered Sunset as she whispered into the captain's other ear with a seductive tone.
Ventress then retracted her blade as she used the Force to throw the body off the seat. Viceroy now got up as he was a bit scared of the girls.
"Greetings, viceroy," said Ventress.
"I always had a good feeling about you, assassin," said Gunray as he stood up with slight fear in his voice.
Sunset cleared her throat as Gunray saw the look in her eyes as it got him even more scared.
"And you as well, Mistress."
"That's more like it. It was my plan that got us to where we are now," said Sunset as she now sat down in the driver's seat. "As I said, Ventress. When I get shit done, I get shit done. And it was simple, cause you followed all of my orders perfectly. Be grateful I'm not interested in being Dooku's apprentice, cause I would surpass you in more ways than one."
Ventress couldn't help but scowl at Sunset's answer. But she did have to give the girl credit, being able to come up with this plan that not only got the viceroy to safety but also to make sure her master would be pleased with her work.
"So tell me, how does it feel to successfully complete a mission?" asked Sunset with a smug smile.
"It feels good," smiled Ventress. Sunset returned the gesture as she was now flying the trio out of Republic space.
Sometime later, the girls were now contacting their allies. The images they were contacting were Master Yoda, Anakin, and Storm.
"I'm sorry that despicable wealth-worm Gunray got away," said Ahsoka.
"It's okay, Snips. I know you did your best," responded Anakin.
"Storm, I... hope you're not mad with me?" spoke Twilight.
"Why would I be mad, Sparky?" said the boy.
"Well,... I failed. The mission was to not let him get away. And it happened, not to mention I failed to capture Sunset as well." said Twilight.
"So? Not every mission is going to be a success, Twilight. You can't win them all. It's like a test, you can't expect to ace and pass all of them. You're gonna fail at certain points."
"Uh--"
"Apart from you, of course," chuckled Storm, "You're a super smart girl, and I don't mind if my partner fails from time to time. It just means we got something to work on, and I look forward to doing it together." Storm then gave a wink to Twilight as the girl smiled at her partner.
"Master, I--" said Ahsoka before she was cut off.
"Troubling is the treachery of the Senate guard, Captain Argyus. Revealed all around us our enemies are," said Yoda looking at the boys and then at the girls.
"I'm not sure all is lost," said Luminara. "Gunray and his accomplices stole a Republic ship to make their getaway."
"It could be tracked," stated Anakin.
"Indeed," said Luminara.
"A coward Viceroy Gunray is, but powerful allies he has. Swiftly, we must move if we are able to recapture him."
"Master Fisto's fleet was near Gunray's position. Not to mention Master Celestia is also with him."
"Celestia?" said Twilight as she was shocked to hear her master's name.
"I've already contacted them to follow the signal," said Luminara.
"Ahsoka, I'll meet you at the rendezvous point," said Anakin.
"Sparky, get ready. Cause we're on a separate mission, plus... I want to spend some time with you," said Storm with a slightly mocking smile.
"Yes, master," said Ashoka.
"See you soon, partner," spoked Twilight.
The transmission ended as the images of the three males disappeared.
"Master Luminara, I guess this is goodbye for now," said Ahsoka.
"We're grateful we could lend a hand, not to mention learning some new things," said Twilight with a smile.
"I pleasure is all mine, Twilight. And I owe you my life, Ahsoka." said the Jedi Master as she began to walk with the girls following her.
"Protecting a Jedi Master is the role of the Padawan," said Ahsoka.
"And teaching is usually the role of the master. Master Skywalker should be proud," said Luminara to Ahsoka. "And Master Storm is grateful to have an intelligent comrade such as yourself, Twilight."
Both girls smiled at the words of praise they were receiving from a member of the highly esteemed Jedi Council.
"Farwell," said Luminara to both girls.
"Thank you, master," said Ahsoka as she and Twilight turned to leave.
"Commander, let's get underway," said Luminara as she walked to the bridge of the ship.
"Yes, general. Ahead full."
"See ya soon, Ahsoka," said Twilight as both girls were now going to split up.
"Say hi to Storm for me," said the girl as they each left through different doors and went on their way.