Chapter 2.5: Darth Zavros

(Tatooine Spaceport, Hanger Bay 4 )

(Aayla Secura PoV)

*Snap* *Hiss* I deactivated my Lightsaber as the last slaver fell to the ground. No matter how many times I see it, it would always cause me to stop for a second. The moment when a battle ends and I realize that I have killed a person.

Most of the time we try and take them in without harm or death but fights are ever present. Especially on planets such as Tatooine. This wasn't the first time I had to kill when doing the greater good, when following the force.

Though the first time I killed someone it had really affected me, if Master hadn't been there for me at the time I don't want to think what might have happened. *Huff* *Huff* I hadn't broken a sweat dealing with all the people in the room. My master and I were like a well-oiled machine, helping and covering for each other at all times. They couldn't harm us even though they tried.

And it was when I felt my adrenaline cool down, when I started to attune myself with the force that I felt it. How hadn't I noticed it before?! My body whipped around as I looked at the door we came through, I could feel it, the darkness, the anger that was closing in.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I felt the darkness of the force coming towards us. Master had already turned in the same direction, his lightsaber still ignited. It buzzed in the quiet room. I had faced dark Jedi before, more than I ever wanted, but something about the darkness coming towards us was different, it was more visceral, vicious.

The person's connection to the dark side was stronger than I have ever felt before. I was going to clip my hilt to my hip, but now I kept it up and ready for whatever was to come. I only peaked over my shoulder for a second as I felt the numerous people on the other side of the room.

We were just about to free the slaves as well; they always came at the worst time. I cleared my head of distraction as I prepared myself, but couldn't help but hear the thunder of my heart as noise finally made its way to my ears.

*Clack* *Clack* The clicking of boots sounded out from the other side of the door, as the stopped before the entrance to the area. We were in the main hanger; the ship they had been hoping to escape on had been grounded off to the side.

With quite a bit of room to move, they had been hoping to stop us with an ambush, using the crates and boxes of equipment as cover, it didn't help them in the end. We waited as the person on the other side of the door took their time. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Master was also tense, never a good sign.

Finally, mercifully, the door opened, as the quiet was starting to get to me. *Hiss* Sliding to the side, the brown door opened and in stepped two woman. My grip on the hilt in my hand tightened as the darkness that the one on the right projected engulfed me.

It was hard to breath under the pressure but I kept my cool and resisted with all I had. After a few seconds the feeling of oppression vanished and I let out a sigh of relief. "Aayla?" The worried voice of my master came from the side as I looked up.

He hadn't turned to me and kept his focus on the opponent in front of us. He was still standing strong after feeling that darkness cover us. I gritted my teeth as I starred at the two women again. "I'm alright master." He gave a small nod, not taking his eyes off the approaching two.

I assessed them now that they moved closer. One was a twi'lek that had red skin, one of the rarest skin colors in the galaxy for her kind. Donning an armored black duster coat that reached her ankles, it looked to have some padded in the shoulders. With an inner vest that hugged her body, one that I had never seen before, at her waist she had a belt that holstered her blaster pistols and other pouches that could have anything in them.

She wore a pair of black armored pants that fit perfectly with the silver and black boots she wore. On her hands she wore a pair of finger-less gloves that just showed off the small ring around one of her ring fingers.

Something my eyes stopped on for a moment. She had an easy going expression something I hadn't been expecting. Other than that she also had a small smile on her lips that completely didn't match the tense atmosphere between us.

Next to her was the true threat though. Standing just taller than her twi'lek friend? Was a Togruta; Decked out in an armour I had also never seen before, that radiated the dark side, she covered it with a robe over the top. It was a black robe that held similarities to a Jedi robe, but had a back and red trimming instead of the usual light brown.

The hood was down show casing her Lekku and bright face. On her feet she wore metallic boots that fit perfectly and created a muffled click every time she took a step. Covering her hands were two metallic gloves that looked like they would provide a lot of free movement. 'No doubt for dueling.'

What truly caught my interest was the dark side that was gushing forth from her body and wrapping around us, as if testing us. My back went cold from the feeling and my eyes drifted to her belt. Clipped to it were two beautifully designed lightsabers.

My eyes sharpened as I looked at the hilts for a few seconds before looking back up. Like her companion, there was a small smile on her lips, the feeling of danger starting to settle in my gut just got worse.

As I mentally prepared myself the due stopped 10 meters away from us. The Dark Jedi hadn't even reached for their lightsaber yet, the arrogance. While I was staring at the Togruta, waiting for her to attack my eyes just caught the movement of the person beside her.

*Whistle* *Pew* *Bang* My head snapped to the twi'lek as I watched her slowly put her blaster away. She had been so fast! My apprehension shot through the roof as I only just caught what happened. 'I couldn't discount this twi'lek, she was dangerous.

"You missed one." The chipper voice came from her as I looked at where she was pointing her gun. *Puff* A body slumped to the ground with a blaster shot to the head, as I tried to ignore 2 facts. How she had seen a person hiding there when I hadn't felt them? And why is her voice so happy?

The tone she came out with implied that she was about to play a trick on someone, or prank them, it just wasn't natural for the situation. My eyes drifted between the two as the Twi'leks shoulders slumped. "Haa, I thought that would at least break the ice. They've been very quiet."

The dark Jedi broke the staring contest she had been having with Master as she heard the words. A smile tugging at her lips, she didn't act as if she were about to fight us. "Yeah Vette, I think they're a bit scarred of us." I didn't say anything; I was waiting for my master to speak.

The twi'lek called Vette seemed to take in her words before looking at us again. With a shake of her head she turned her back and walked back over to the door. We didn't stop her and just watched as she put her back to the wall and sat down.

Was this some kind of trick? As I was thinking this she spoke up from her spot, a bit of boredom already on her face. "Ok you can have your fun, just remember why we're here." I shifted my leg back in preparation to battle; a bigger grin had come to the dark siders face.

Her hand reached slowly down to her waist as she grabbed one of the two on her belt. *Snap Hiss* I ignited my lightsaber letting the blue light reflect of my face as my eyes sharpened. Even though her eyes had been focusing on Master, mostly since she walked into the room, once my lightsaber ignited she turned her eyes to me.

I held my breath as I looked at the glowing red eyes looking back, the clearest sign of dark side corruption; it was like her eyes were looking directly into my soul. I cloaked myself in the force but it didn't seem to help with the penetrating look I was getting. Just as her stare was starting to unnerve me, my master finally spoke up.

"Dark Jedi." His husky voice came out in a whisper but took all of her attention away from me. I let out the breath I had been holding and calmed myself down again, that had never happened before, never. Refocusing again it seems that my master's words had amused the woman.

She gave a small chuckle bringing her lightsaber up. "Dark Jedi? It has been a long times since I was a Padawan, before my master found me." A sorrowful look came to her face for a second before she grinned once again.

"No, I am Sith." We both froze at those words. She was a sith? A real sith? But they had been killed off millennia ago! No she must be lying! She was trying to get into our heads! I couldn't accept her words but she continued anyway.

"Darth Zavros, Lord of the sith at your service." The dark side rallied at her words as if celebrating, as if welcoming home an old friend. I felt it press down on me causing the suffocation that was present when she first walked in.

No it couldn't be possible! I tried to deny it, but in my heart the force was whispering that it was true. "The sith have returned?" The words came out of my mouth as the quietest whisper. I couldn't believe what I was saying, but I had to.

For the first time since she walked into the room, I could see that my master was shaken. I had a close connection to him, though he didn't react too much on the outside I knew that there were waves going off in his heart.

And it was as we were both unstable and reeling from her words that she ignited her lightsaber. *Snap* *Hiss* My heart and mind that had been rattled from her words calmed down in seconds, it wasn't natural how calm I felt.

I felt my connection to the force strengthen as I found solace in the calm that was being provided. My eyes widened in disbelief as I looked at the lightsaber in her hands. With a light blue, lighter than anything I had seen before, the blade looked like it turned whit in the middle.

And it was the lightsaber that was calming me down! What?! I looked into the eyes that were illuminated from the blue light and the unmistakable red tint was still there. I looked to my master in confusion. He also had a look of confusion on his face.

The calming waves had helped him get back into his top shape once again. "Is that a Pontite Crystal?" it was a crystal I had never heard of before but his voice had turned grim. Zavros looked at her lightsaber as if savoring the color reflected in her eyes, a smile on her soft lips.

"Yes, so you aren't as stupid as I believed." Master bristled from the words, but it wasn't the words exactly, it was the confirmation of his thoughts, I felt his battle to fight flare and in the next second he jumped forwards.

*Shing* *Bizt* Their lightsabers clanged with power as he rushed in with an overhead strike. Zavros seemed to block the attack with ease as they locked blades. I started to make my way closer, looking for an opening between the two.

Even from a distance I could hear my masters words to her. "You don't deserve that blade." She just laughed in his face as she forced him back. He leapt away with grace leaving the area of danger in seconds.

Landing close to me we both shared a look before going in. Master was good with form 7, and was the aggressor between us. I would attack from the side and focus on counter attacks and distraction as I was better at form 4 and 5.

Zavros seemed to love the fight as master rushed in once again, me right behind him. The two traded blows as she slipped into a defensive stance blocking all his slashes and thrusts. I tried to get in an attack, but every time she would move back keeping her attention on Master.

She was underestimating me! Backing off and going all the way around her I got to her back leaving her less room to maneuver. As she blocked a side slash from Master I went for a thrust from behind. Just as my blade was closing in on her it was like she had eyes in the back of her head, as she turned her body so fast I couldn't keep up.

Not bothering to counter me she spun narrowly dodging the blade and grabbing my outstretched hand. I tried to pull back as fast as I could, while master came in for a high strike. Yanking me forwards she kept spinning as she threw me towards my attacking master.

He stopped his blade at the last second and dodged my incoming form. As I was going past him I felt the force push sent into my back, sending me a few meters away. My feet were lifted off the ground as I fell and rolled over the ground.

I picked myself up fast though as I turned back to the fight and ran back. *Shing* Buzz* *Blitz* *Ting* They traded more blows as I got back to the side of my master. They had backed off from each other in preparation for the next bout.

I disregarded the cuts and numbness in my shoulder as I brought my lightsaber up. To my irritation I noted that she hadn't brought out her second lightsaber yet. Was she taking us seriously? At this point in time I would usually have my anger rise, but the calming nature of her blade was forcing me to think objectively.

What a powerful crystal. How can a dark side user stand to have such an effect on the blade? It just made no sense, for a sith that thrives in death and destruction to use a blade that calms them down. Unless their anger was so great that it didn't matter anymore. That was a sobering thought.

We both went in again as we utilized the force this time. I watched as my mater rushed forwards to engage as I once more moved to her back. But this time I cloaked the force around me and turned off my blade.

Cloaking myself in the force I crept forwards. Force cloak was one of the best abilities I had learned from master, it could shroud myself in the force basically making myself invisible. As the two clashed I sent a small look towards the twi'lek that was still sitting down by the door.

She seemed to almost be asleep as she sat there, but she hadn't told her companion what I was doing. I had to use this chance while I had it. Creeping closer and closer to her, a flash of recognition came to my masters eyes as he stepped his game up a notch.

They both increased their speed trading blow for blow, neither gaining the upper hand. He was distracting her for me. I made it within 1 meter of her as I slowly raised my lightsaber and moved my finger over the button.

A small sense of relief came over me as I began to press the button. But in the next instant I was on the ground. Just as I was beginning to press the button Zavros dodged one of my master's blows moving in close to his body.

Flicking her hand out she stuck his blade wrist causing him to drop his lightsaber. Before he could react she performed a spinning kick, with such precision that it was certain it wasn't the first time she had pulled it off. Stamping into his sternum with a force imbued kick his body flew backwards. It happened so fast that I barely caught up with them.

Using the momentum from the spin she crouched as she came back around. *Snap* *Hiss* My lightsaber ignited over her lekku as her foot stuck out sweeping me off my feet. I fell on my back but quickly rolled as the force screamed a warning in my ear.

*Crack* *Sizzle* The ground protested for a moment as a lightsaber was shoved right down to the hilt where my chest used to be. I looked up from where I was, right next to the blade, and could feel my labored breath.

Death had been so close to grabbing me. My lightsaber had dropped from my hand as I fell and I looked at it on the other side of her hand. My eyes flickered to hers as I could see the enjoyment she was having hidden in them.

She was having fun almost killing us! Toying with us!

I felt a tendril of fear grab at my heart as I looked into her red eyes but forced it down as I tried to get away. She straightened herself as I scrambled to get back to my feet. I wasn't fast enough though as I felt the force grasp my body.

I looked at her once again as she flung me across the room into one of the crates. *Bang* I crashed head first into one of the crates making me dizzy. I felt myself losing consciousness. No I can't go to sleep! Master needs me! If we don't defeat her we'll be dead!

I tried to rouse myself as my thoughts grew slower and slower. In my vision I could see my master as he pulled his lightsaber from the ground, bringing it back to his hand. That wasn't all; he also grabbed my lightsaber and ignited them both.

Blue and Green flared up as a light blue faced off against them. They clashed again and again as I started to lose focus. The last thing I saw was the sith disarming one of the lightsabers before her own was knocked from her hand.

Hope sprang into my chest as darkness claimed me.

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(Mos Eisley, Hanger Bay 4)

(3rd person PoV)

As Aayla was knocked out, Vos spared a glance as his young padawan and grit his teeth. Clashing once again with Ashara they locked blades and starred at each other. Jutting her free hand out to hit him in the side. Vos winced from the hard blow and Aayla's hilt was knocked from his hand.

Not letting that deter him, he used the slight moment as her hand pulled back to moved in close and shoulder her in the chest. She hadn't been expecting the move but still had her lightsaber up to block the following strike.

Off balance her grip loosened as Vos capitalized on this and struck her inner elbow joint. Her hand jerked as it let go of the lightsaber. Ashara's eyes sharpened as she quickly kicked his leg causing him to grunt in pain.

His focus moved down for a second as she knocked the last hilt from his hands. They were both now unarmed as they started to trade blows. Both were masters in unarmed combat, knowing that they won't always have their lightsabers.

*Smack* Crack* Bang* Trading force enhanced blows Ashara finally got a blow into the side of Vos's face splitting his cheek open and forcing him to the ground. He had gotten a powerful palm strike into her body but her armour had absorbed the blow, using the opportunity Ashara knocked him down.

With his body on the ground Ashara finished the fight with a well-placed boot to the face, knocking him out. *Puff* *Puff* She gulped in air as she looked down at the Jedi master before looking at the padawan also knocked out.

Vette got off the ground as she made her way over. Ashara hadn't broken too much a sweat, but she was slightly out of breath. 'He was good at dueling.' Ashara admitted this point in her mind, but rated them poorly.

'They didn't use enough of the force' Her usually fights with Jedi would utilize force blasts, pulls, jumps, speed. Everything under the sun was expected in a fight between the sith and Jedi, it was so common to her to fight with the force, seeing that they weren't trying to throw her body around or use the force to throw her body off was weird for her.

Although their dueling skills were good, their utilization of the force was lacking, something she would have to tell Mace. Her eyes turned to the downed padawan as she thought over the fight. 'Even her force cloak was sloppy.'

The best way to illustrate how tough the battle was; was the fact that Ashara didn't use her second lightsaber. It wasn't even necessary to fight them, one was enough. If she had gone all out she thought it would have taken her a quarter of the time to take them down.

'Not to mention the effects of just releasing my aura.' The smile that had been on her face settled down as she snapped her hand out towards her lightsaber hilt. *Shuffle* *Clasp* The hilt flew through the air as she grabbed it and re-clipped it to her belt.

Vette looked down at the downed Jedi master as well before they both got to work. Grabbing both of the unconscious Jedi, they moved their bodies over to a certain corner of the Hanger, leaving their lightsabers with them before leaving.

Mace didn't want the Jedi dead, he only wanted them tested for now. He also wanted them to send a message back to the council, the message that "The sith have returned". Looking at the two one more time they left the area. Leaving the slaves in the other room and locking the door to the hanger.

It would be a few hours before they woke up, and they didn't want anyone coming in before then. Vette and Ashara began talking about random subjects as they made their way back to the ship.

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(Tatooine, Naboo Royal Cruiser.)

(Hours later.)

Ayillh stood at the bottom of the landing ramp thinking to herself. After their group had made it back to the ship with their new parts, they had started to immediately prepare to leave. Jinn had to go back to Mos Eisley one more time to pick up the boy before leaving.

Thoughts raced through her mind as she thought about the mother they were leaving behind. She had wanted to follow Jinn to see the reaction of the boy, but it wouldn't have made sense. She had told them that her extra contract had been completed during their little trip.

She had to stay on the ship and protect the queen, someone who she was starting to gain the trust of. She may have been unhappy about some of the comments she provided, but appreciated her unique insight and knowledge.

The reason that she was standing out on the landing ramp though was a different reason. Ayillh had seen Jinn when he went to get the boy, he had been in a rush. Ayillh knew that if he was in a rush it was for a reason. Quite possibly the sith that Mace had sensed was closing in.

Even she could feel as if something was coming closer. As she pondered over this feeling her eyes sharpened under her mask. Something was moving closer and fast. Her mask zoomed in on the people that were rushing towards them.

Jinn and the boy were running towards the ship, she could just see them over the dune that was obscuring them. And that wasn't all, her mask also picked up the figure on the speeder closing in behind them.

It was easy to tell that they didn't have good intentions. Not wasting any time her imperial training kicked in as she reached for her belt and dropped a small device to the ground. She didn't have to press anything as a small red shield came up from the device.

It was a mini portable shield, perfect for cover when taking a shot. Getting down on one knee as she had done a million times, she easily reached for the rifle strapped to her back and rested it in front of her. She leaned down as she looked through the scope looking past the two running figures.

The boy was slower than Jinn who was slightly ahead, he also looked like he was tired, they had been running for a while. The brown speeder and man atop it were about to reach them. Ayillh brought in a half breath and let her heart rate calm as she aimed her shot.

It didn't even take a second before she fired. The speeder was about to reach the boy. *Pew* The red blaster bolt sped across the desert as it homed in on the approaching figure. I didn't just hit anywhere on the speeder either, it hit right on the energy coil.

Or where Ayillh assumed the energy coil would be. She had assessed the machine in those few Nano seconds and came to a decision. *Bang* The energy overload was instantaneous causing the speeder to blow into a ball of light and shrapnel.

Maul wasn't to be dissuaded and he wasn't that easy to kill. The force screamed a warning at him just before the shot was fired, and even though he didn't see it coming, he leapt from the bike as fast as he could.

One of his boots caught fire as he flew through the air, right over the boy, landing in front of Jinn. Jinn screamed something at the boy as both of them began to duel. Red and Green lights sprang to life and clashed together as they circled each other over and over.

Anakin rushed towards the ship as Ayillh stayed in her position and gave assistance. Aiming her rifle at his arms and legs, she began to slowly fire normal shot towards the sith. But unlucky for her Mauls instincts were a well-honed ability.

Every time a shot was fired Maul would leap backwards or dodge the attack. This was one of the Jedi and sith abilities that Ayillh personally hated. Not that she couldn't use different techniques to still kill the sith, she didn't have time or the want.

She didn't care if the Jedi master lived or died, she was just holding up her part. It would actually be worse for her to easily kill the sith before her. It would raise suspicion and alert the Jedi that she was too dangerous.

Her cover fire had helped Jinn though. Each time the sith had to disengage he got to have a breather. Something that was obvious needed for the man, even from the ship Ayillh could see that he wasn't in the best shape.

"Sloppy." Ayillh voice her thoughts as Anakin rushed by her and into the ship. From the urgency of the running she knew that Jinn had told him to do something. And that thought was proven correct as the ship began to lift from the ground.

Ayillh kept her balance as the ramp didn't close up on her. Taking one last glance at what she could tell was a sith Zabrak, she put her rifle back on her back and picked up her portable cover. She moved back a bit so that she wouldn't lose her balance and watched the continued fight as the ship drew closer.

Once they got close enough, Jinn knocked back Maul as he jumped onto the ramp. Ayillh grabbed his outstretched hand and pulled him into the ship as the ramp closed and they started to leave the planet.

Jinn looked at Ayillh for a few seconds once he got on board, he was gasping for air, even though he had been helped during the fight, showing how unfit he truly was. "Thank you." That was all he said as he moved to sit down.

The rush of people sounded out as Anakin and Obi-wan ran into the room. Obi-wan sent Ayillh a glance but she said nothing, making her way to the door. She stayed just long enough to hear their conversation.

Anakin voice was worried as he knelt down. "Are you alright?" Obi-wan did the same as Jinn replied. "I think so." But it was what the padawan said next that caused Ayillh to stop. "What was it?" 'He couldn't be serious, right? "I'm not sure… But it was well trained in the Jedi arts… My guess is it was after the queen."

Ayillh said nothing as she left the room. She couldn't believe that the Jedi, both of them didn't know exactly what was before them. Of course it was a sith, the red lightsaber was an obvious give away. Was this what happens when the Jedi haven't seen a sith in a millennia? They all go stupid?

There were many things to discuss with Mace. She moved off looking for a secluded area, he would want to know what happened.

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(Mos Eisley, Hanger Bay 4)

(Night)

It was Quinlan Vos that awoke first. He stared numbly at his surroundings as he found himself in an unfamiliar area. There was still a throbbing pain in his head and he could feel blood on his face. Placing his hand on the dried blood for a second, his mind collected itself before his body stiffened.

His head snapped to the side as he started to observe his surroundings. Right next to him, just 2 meters away was his padawan. He let out a mental sigh of relief as he saw that she was alright. His body was still sore from the fight he had against…. The sith. Darth Zavros.

His mind shuddered as he thought of the ramifications of what he had just been through. But it also brought with it questions. Why weren't they dead? The Sith weren't know to show compassion so why? He pulled himself up as he though over this. At his side he found both their lightsabers.

He reached down and picked them up before he went to wake his Padawan. As her eyes flew open in agitation he calmed her. "It's alright, we are still alive." Aayla was visibly relieved to hear the voice of her master.

Starring at the dark sky around them and the state she was in she couldn't help but ask. "Did we win?" Vos took a few seconds, but in the end shook his head. "No, but we are alive, that is what matters right now."

She looked shocked as she heard the news but in the end after a minute she calmed down and closed her eyes for a few seconds. 'Yes we are alive, that is the most important fact.' Loosening the tension in her body Aayla got back to her feet as Vos gave her back her lightsaber.

She took it and looked down at the surface of her hilt for a few seconds, remembering the feeling of death that encroached upon her in their earlier battle. After a few moments she clipped her lightsaber to her belt.

Vos watched her as she gather herself up. He was proud with how she handled herself, not crumbling under the mental and physical pressure that she had to endure. 'It wouldn't be long before she becomes a knight.'

Looking up into her masters eyes her determination had returned. "What now Master?" Vos looked at the determination in her eyes for a second before looking around the area. It was already night in Mos Eisley, meaning that the Sith was more than likely already off planet.

He stretched his mind into the force as he felt around for the presence of Qui-Gon or his apprentice but got nothing in return. They had already left the planet. 'It would have been nice to contact them, especially after what happened.'

Feeling the presence of so many people still on the other side of the hanger, Vos made his decision. "We will free these slaves and quickly bring them to our contact. They will have to safe guard and make sure they get back to their home worlds. Meanwhile…."

He stopped for a second as he looked into the night sky his own determination flaring up. He looked down at his padawan; he could just feel the force moving around him as if something had suddenly changed as he made the decision.

"We will immediately head back to Coruscant! The Jedi council must learn with we have encountered!"