Dark Visions

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Wars

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter covers about the first half of Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Canon starts to really fly off the tracks at this point. Here is Chapter 5. Enjoy!

{ } Signifies an alien language

…

Last time:

Year 23 BBY

…Basement Floor Thirty

"Is she always so… obstinate?" Naruto asked the others.

Captain Typho just cringed while the three handmaidens Cordé, Versé and Dormé all nodded rapidly from outside of Padmé's peripheral vision.

"OBSTINATE?!" shrieked the short brunette Senator. "Look in the mirror if you want to see obstinate!"

"You're projecting." hissed Naruto.

Ground Floor

The Senator and the Jedi were both glaring at each other as if daring one another to utter one. single. word. Everyone else was on needles and pins. That's when the lift door opened and Master Yoda and Master Mace Windu were standing there waiting for the lift.

Yoda said with a twinkle in his eye; "Ah; fortuitous timing we have. Senator Amidala; unharmed I see. Good it does my heart."

Master Windu asked; "Did anything of note during your watch; Naruto?"

Naruto looked at Mace Windu and Yoda with fatigue in his eyes and thought, 'What a woman!' as he glanced at Padmé. Carefully choosing his words; Naruto said, "Masters; the suspicions that someone is after Senator Amidala are correct. Several bolts from a blaster rifle were fired at her this morning in her apartment. Then the lift to her room was sabotaged and dropped to the ninety-seventh basement floor level. We were then attacked by a zombie droid army which I was forced to obliterate. Then a dark acolyte attacked us on the way to the lift we rode up to the ground floor. I was able to fend her off fortunately. Luckily we came out relatively unscathed."

Padmé looked at Naruto for a split second and thought, 'Either I'm going to love him or kill him, whichever comes first.' "Jedi Knight Naruto did an excellent job of protecting us from harm."

Mace Windu retained his stoic look but his eyes widened a bit. "…A zombie droid army..?"

Grandmaster Yoda's eyes also widened and his ears rose in alarm. "A dark acolyte; you say? Much we have to discuss."

About that time Jedi Master Swan arrived having dropped off her prisoners and said with a bow, "Masters; it is good to see you well. So what did I miss?"

Naruto just sweat dropped…

…

Chapter 5

Time skip

Year 22 BBY

Outer Rim Territories, Esstran Sector, Planet Korriban*①, near Dreshdae Spaceport

Jedi Knight Naruto Uzumaki was finishing a dreadful month long reconnaissance mission on the arid; old Sith Capital world of Korriban where the Commerce Guild*② was cooperating with Count Dooku. The blonde had gathered enough evidence to prove the Guild had thrown in their lot with the Separatist cause beyond any form of doubt. Naruto wasn't surprised but the whole situation still disgusted him. Under the leadership of Shu Mai*③ the Commerce Guild had been using their power illegally in the Outer Rim for years so he supposed their move to the Separatist cause was a natural one given profit was involved.

The blonde felt unclean both physically and spiritually. He was scruffy, unshaven and his spiky blonde hair was getting long and dirty from the dirt and sand. Korriban was a cesspool of the Dark Side of the Force. It gave him a sickeningly sweet feeling that was revolting and alluring at the same time. Naruto was both tempted and repelled by the darkness of the twilight filled landscape. Worse still were visions he'd been having on the distorted world thanks to the nearness of the Valley of the Dark Lords*④ that was haunted by Sith Spirits who tried to lure the blond into the valley itself. They promised him power and knowledge beyond comprehension but Naruto was wise enough to simply avoid the trap that so many Force users had fallen into before.

The young Jedi Knight also had visions of a war on the desolate planet called Geonosis*⑤ on the last night he spent on Korriban. Climbing into the cockpit of his Delta-7B starfighter; Naruto took off towards the Core Worlds to Coruscant…

…

Core Words, Corusca Sector, Planet Coruscant, Jedi Grand Temple

The Jedi High Council was listening to Naruto's report on Korriban with a mixture of skepticism and disbelief. Naruto was talking to them via holographic projection. "Masters; I never knew Count Dooku when he was an active Jedi Master. I can tell you that he was in a meeting with Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild and that he was moving freely and without any issues in areas where the Dark Side is stifling to the senses."

Mace Windu replied, "Naruto, Count Dooku is a political idealist, not a-"

"I'm sorry Master Windu, but Count Dooku has fallen to the Dark Side. It wrapped itself around him like a cloak." said Naruto emphatically. "He is carousing with some of the worst corporate scum in the galaxy. He is not the paragon of virtue that you all believe him to be. I admit my foresight is nothing compared to the Council's but you must listen to me. War is coming and we need the Clone Army that Master Swan and I discovered two years ago to help us."

Ki-Adi-Mundi said, "And exactly where is this war you can foresee but we cannot young Uzumaki?!"

"Planet Geonosis on the Outer Rim." said Naruto. "I saw it clearly on the last night I spent on Korriban."

Several Council members thought this was ludicrous but Master Yoda held up his clawed hand and asked; "Exactly what did you see young Naruto? Your vision; share it with us."

"Yes my Master." replied Naruto. "I saw nearly two hundred Jedi wiped out before the Clone Army arrived to reinforce them. They were fighting thousands of battle droids. It was a pyrrhic victory at best. The pain and suffering was unbearable. I know it sounds fantastical but we Jedi are peacekeepers. We cannot fight a war of this scale without that Clone Army to help us. Master Sifo-Dyas foresaw this over a decade ago."

Plo Koon asked, "How long we you on Korriban Naruto? Your vision may have been terribly distorted by the Dark Side."

Naruto sighed. "I was there nearly a month Master. If the Council will not believe me then send a scout to Geonosis who is impartial; I beg of you!"

The Council sat in silence at Naruto's plea for several tense moments before Yoda nodded and said, "By the Council's will; a scout will be sent."

"Thank you Master." said Naruto gratefully.

The Grandmaster nodded. "In the meantime; to Naboo you must go. In grave danger, your friend Senator Amidala is. Her safety; you must insure."

"A Jedi knight is not with her?" asked the blonde.

Mace Windu said; "Young Skywalker is with her. His inexperience is showing though. You can both guide Anakin and recover from your experiences on Korriban on Planet Naboo."

"The Council's decree, this is." said Yoda. "May the Force be with you…"

…

Mid Rim, Chommell Sector, Planet Naboo, Capital City of Theed

A week later; Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala arrived at the Theed Royal Palace where they were discussing their situation with Queen Jamillia*⑥ and her Advisory Council chaired by Governor Sio Bibble.*⑦

"…In the meantime we must consider your own safety." said the Queen to Senator Amidala.

Bibble asked, "What is your suggestion Master Jedi?"

Padme smiled, "Oh Anakin is not a Jedi yet; he's still a Padawan learner; but I was thinking-"

"Hold on a minute." interjected Anakin with a frown.

"Excuse me." retorted Padme sternly. "I was thinking I would stay out in the Lake Country. There are some places out there that are very isolated."

"And excuse me but I am in charge of security My Lady." said the Padawan angrily.

Sio Bibble and Queen Jamillia glanced at each other dismayed and Bibble said, "Begging both your pardons but I meant that Master Jedi." as he motioned beside them.

The (currently) bearded Naruto was standing there plain as day. He said, "Hello there Senator Amidala; Anakin. It's good to see you both so …spirited."

"Naruto Uzumaki?!" asked the Padawan in shock. "How long have you been here?" 'How did he sneak up on me?'

The blonde grinned and said, "I've been here all along; just watching the show."

Padmé smiled widely and exclaimed, "Naruto! It is so good to see you. What are you doing here?" Then she came over to him with an appraising eye and said; "Lose the beard. It makes you look old."

Naruto sweat dropped. "In answer to your questions; I'm recovering from my last mission and I'm here to help Anakin keep you safe Senator …That and I've been growing this incredibly sexy beard."

Senator Amidala titled her head to the side and said, "…An incredibly sexy beard that needs to be shaven off."

The Jedi shrugged and looked at the Padawan. "Unless you have a better idea Anakin, I think it would be wise if we took advantage of the Senator's knowledge in this instance. This is her home and if Lake Country is secluded then so much the better."

Skywalker put on a fake smile and said, "Sorry My Lady; Lake Country it is."

"Perfect; it's settled then." said Queen Jamillia with a grateful nod towards Naruto…

…

Beyond Outer Rim, Planet Kamino, Tipoca City

Having only a Kamino Saber Dart as evidence; Obi-Wan Kenobi was pursuing the sole clue he had on the bounty hunter after Senator Padmé Amidala. It led him to the planet Kamino where Jedi Master Bultar Swan was temporarily the acting liaison for the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan landed during a torrential rainstorm and found Master Swan waiting for him at the landing pad entrance. She looked at Kenobi's drenched appearance and said with a smirk; "Welcome to Tipoca City Obi-Wan. I've been expecting you. I received your transmission and have found that there is a Bounty Hunter residing here. He's the genetic template for the Clone Army and goes by the name Jango Fett."

Master Kenobi asked; "Do you have any background on him?"

Bultar replied, "Not much; he keeps to himself. Jango Fett has an unaltered clone of himself named Boba Fett for a son and uses Mandalorian weapons and armor. He has a reputation of being one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy. I can't tell you much more as I've never actually met him. I'm sure that the Kaminoans could set up a meeting for you though. Do you want me to join you?"

"No." said Obi-Wan. "You already have your hands full with your duties here. I just want to talk to this bounty hunter and find out who hired him. Hopefully it won't resort in a violent conflict of interests."

"I wouldn't count on it." said Bultar. "I'll keep my communicator active just in case …Actually I have a better idea. I'm going to set a tracking device on Fett's ship while you go talk to him."

…

Shortly thereafter Bultar set the tracker up on Fett's ship while Master Kenobi talked to Jango Fett about the Clone Army. By the time Obi-Wan came back to inform her he'd talked to the Bounty Hunter; Fett was in the process of leaving.

"What did you find out Obi-Wan?" asked Master Swan.

Kenobi replied, "I asked Jango Fett about the creation of the Clone Army and the details surrounding how he met Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. All he told me was he had never heard of anyone named Sifo-Dyas, and that he was recruited by someone called Tyranus. Then I asked him if he'd been to the Core Worlds recently and he got evasive so I departed. I would say it was all conducted on very civil terms."

Bultar's tracker came online and she said with a grin; "Looks like Fett is already flying the coop. You must have left quite an impression on him."

"And it looks like I have a Bounty Hunter to catch." said Obi-Wan. "May the Force be with you Master Swan."

Swan waved and replied, "And with you Master Kenobi…"

…

Mid Rim, Chommell Sector, Planet Naboo, Lake Country

Naruto found himself in a strange situation. He felt himself relaxing a bit as all of the spiritual tension that had built up in him on Korriban bled off yet at the same time his clarity in the force seemed much greater now. 'I sense some resentment towards me and even jealousy on Skywalker's part. I don't even know why but I need to clear the air between us.' He looked over and saw Anakin staring heatedly at Padmé from a distance and her glancing back uncomfortably. The blonde Jedi ambled over to the brunette woman and said quietly, "Beautiful country out here on Naboo. Reminds me of when I was herding nerfs back on Renatasia."

Padmé tried to keep a straight face but couldn't. "You are telling me you were a nerf herder?!Pffft! That's hilarious!" She burst out into laughter.

Naruto looked playfully affronted. "Hey; I was a damn good nerf herder. The nerfs all adored me!" That elicited another round of laughter from the Senator. Naruto felt Anakin's eyes burning holes in his back and said, "Excuse me a moment why I recover my nerf herding pride Senator Amidala."

She made a shooing motion and called after him, "You are dismissed oh noble nerf herder -and lose the beard!"

The whole time Anakin had been straining to hear the conversation and was growing angrier by the moment as he sat there. Then he overheard Padmé's laughter and her calling Naruto a nerf herder of all things and his anger turned to puzzlement. Naruto walked up and said. "Come on Anakin, walk with me. I can tell you are tense even without the Force. What's on your mind my friend?" He held out his hand to pull the Padawan up and after a moment Anakin took it…

…

"So you were a real, honest to goodness nerf herder?" asked Anakin snickering as they walked along. "You're a brave man to admit that to a former Queen."

Naruto chuckled. "Eh, my sordid past has come back to bite me in the ass again. It's nothing new."

Feeling a little more at ease; Skywalker asked; "So what is it you wanted to talk about?"

The Jedi Knight looked out towards the horizon and said, "Your infatuation with the Senator is clouding your judgment Anakin. When I was talking to her I felt your anger skyrocket to the point I thought you were going to go all Sith Lord on me."

"It's not infatuation." said the Padawan indignantly. "It's love! You don't know what it feels like. Obi-Wan doesn't know what it's like. No Jedi do."

Naruto sighed. "Actually I do know about infatuation. I lusted after an older woman once. I thought it was love at the time but upon reflection I found that it wasn't."

Anakin paused in surprise. "…Really? What happened?"

The older blonde shook his head. "It was during the war on Renatasia I told you about. She and I were fighter pilots and we had a couple of trysts. I genuinely thought it was forever at the time… Then she told me she was married and walked out of my life."

Skywalker cringed. "Ouch… that really sucks. Did you ever see her again?"

"Nope." replied Naruto. "I never saw her again and I never went back to Renatasia again either. I was deeply hurt, empty and lonely. It took time to heal. You need to reflect on your feelings and decide what you really do feel. I can't tell you what to do but if it's just a childhood fantasy then you love an ideal in your mind; not Padmé Amidala. If nothing else, think about her feelings on the matter."

"What do you mean?" asked the younger of the pair.

"What I mean is does she reciprocate your feelings?" asked the Jedi Knight. "She looked uncomfortable to me."

Anakin thought for a moment and said glumly, "I guess I have a lot of thinking to do…"

Naruto patted his shoulder. "I'd rather not see you get hurt Anakin. It's hard with all those hormones flying through you at light speed. Believe me; I do know."

"You sure seem to know a lot for someone close to my age." said Skywalker.

The Jedi Knight grinned. "It's all about herding nerfs my friend. It teaches you to be patient and reflect. You don't necessarily have to be old to be wise…"

…

Outer Rim Territories, Arkanis Sector, Planet Geonosis

Coming out of hyperspace; Obi-Wan Kenobi found himself close to the asteroid filled rings of Planet Geonosis. He was even closer to Jango Fett's ship Slave I*⑧and they ended up in a dogfight among the asteroids. For several minutes they twisted, turned and spun in and amongst the asteroids with Jango Fett firing seismic charges and everything else he could bring to bear. Eventually the Jedi Master fooled his opponent into believing his ship had been destroyed by a seeking missile. Kenobi was going to follow Fett down to the surface of the planet when he intercepted a transmission from another Jedi on the ground at Geonosis. It was his old friend and fellow Jedi Master Siri Tachi*⑨ who had already landed on the planet as a scout for the council the day before.

"There are a multitude of Trade Federation ships down here Obi-wan." said Siri. "I've infiltrated the place and I'm moving out. It's a summit and they are preparing for a full scale war. I overheard Count Dooku himself addressing the Separatist Council and he is behind the attempts on Senator Amidala's life at the request of the Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray. My long range transmitter is being jammed and I fear they are on to me. I don't have the means to send my report directly to the Jedi Council so I need you to relay it for me."

"I understand Siri." said Kenobi. "I'll get into contact with Coruscant and relay your message to the Jedi Council. I'm ready to receive your full report."

She transmitted, "I have scouted out the Droid Foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming a- wait, I've been-" She was cut off by blaster fire and the transmission cut out.

…

Mid Rim, Chommell Sector, Planet Naboo, Lake Country

Naruto awoke feeling a disturbance from Skywalker's room. He heard the younger man cry out for his Mother. The whiskered blonde burst in to Anakin's room and saw the boy was hyperventilating and immediately went to his side. Anakin saw Naruto there and Padmé standing in the doorway. "Did he have a nightmare?" asked Padmé. "I heard him call out."

The Jedi placed a calming hand on Anakin and said, "Breathe Skywalker. Slow down and breathe." Feeling the Padawan's breathing and heartbeat slow down and even out; Naruto asked, "Did you have a vision?" The younger man nodded. "What did you see Anakin?"

"It's my…my Mother. She's in pain; terrible pain. I could see her as clearly as I see you two in front of me.' replied the Padwan. "I can't stay here. I have to go to her before it's too late."

Naruto had mixed feelings but then remembered his first Master Jiraiya saying; "Sometimes the Force gives us insights that goes against logic or Mandates. It's in that pivotal moment that you either act or live with whatever consequences result, good or bad."

"Where is your Mother now?" asked Naruto.

Anakin had hope shining in his eyes. "She's on Tattooine in the Outer Rim Territories."

"I'm going to regret this." said the Jedi Knight. "Trust in your feelings Anakin. You can take my Delta-7B. I will keep an eye on Senator Amidala."

The Padawan closed his eyes and shed a single tear. "Thank you Naruto Uzumaki; you don't know how much this means to me."

…

"We will wait here for the news from you." said Naruto somberly as he and Padmé saw Anakin off. "May the Force be with you."

Anakin nodded. "And may the Force be with you as well. I will call you as soon as I find something out." The fighter soon took off out into space and made the jump to hyperspace…

"…There he goes." said Padmé in a worried tone. "I hope he'll be all right."

"As do I." replied the Jedi Knight gravely. "He's not ready for this sort of thing. I hope he is able to rescue his Mother safely. I fear the worst otherwise…"

Then Padmé's eyes narrowed and she growled, "…Incidentally; why was there a painting of a naked woman on the side of your fighter? …Not to mention the name Booby Trap?!"

Naruto was sweating and replied, "It's a tribute to my first Jedi Master Jiraiya; lover of beautiful women…"

"It's sexist and indecent you pig!" roared the brunette.

"Oh come on Senator; it's not that bad!" said the whiskered blonde. "The original name was Milk Wagon Express but I toned it down!"

Steam came jetting out of her ears. "WHHAATT?! Just die! Die in the name of every feminist ever born!"

Naruto thought, 'I guess that's my cue to run…'

…

Core Words, Corusca Sector, Planet Coruscant, Jedi Grand Temple

In the meantime; Siri Tachi's report came in to the Council as Obi-Wan relayed it…

"I have scouted out the Droid Foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming a- wait, I've been-" The Council saw she was cut off by blaster fire and the transmission cut out.

The Jedi Council was alarmed by Siri's report and the fact she was captured didn't help calm them down any.

"More happening on Geonosis I feel; than has been revealed." said Grandmaster Yoda gravely.

Mace Windu frowned and said; "I agree." He immediately transmitted to Obi-Wan, "Master Kenobi, stay there and relay any further information you can gather from orbit. This is your first priority. We will come there and deal with Count Dooku."

"I understand Master." replied Obi-Wan. "I'll do what I can from orbit without getting spotted." He quickly signed off.

"It seems that young Jedi Knight Naruto Uzumaki was right all along." said Plo Koon.

"Indeed it does." replied Yoda. "Clouded; our vision is. Most concerning."

Master Windu said; "We don't have much time. Contact Master Bultar Swan. Send her the orders to activate the Clone Army and bring them to Geonosis. We will meet her on the way…"

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: Planet Korriban: Planet Korriban; also known as Moraband; is the sole planet in the Horuset system located across the galaxy from Koros Major. It is the original home world of the Sith species and a sacred planet for the Sith Order, housing the tombs for many ancient and powerful Dark Lords of the Sith and containing immense dark side power. See Wookieepedia for details.

*②: Commerce Guild: The Commerce Guild is a conglomerate of several galactic-scale corporate organizations such as agricorps, retailers, arms manufacturers, shipbuilders, service providers, and the Mining Guild. Headquartered on Felucia, it is nevertheless controlled by the Gossams of Castell.

*③: Shu Mai: Shu Mai is a female Gossam who serves as Presidente of the Commerce Guild. See Wookieepedia for her background and appearance.

*④: Valley of the Dark Lords: The Valley of the Dark Lords; originally known as the Valley of the Sleeping Kings, was a valley and burial ground of the Sith Lords of Korriban.

*⑤: Planet Geonosis: Planet Geonosis is the desert home planet of the Geonosians, a sentient species of insectiods. It is the Confederacy of Independent Systems' first capital and hosts its major battle droid foundries.

*⑥: Queen Jamillia: Queen Jamillia is a human female who serves as the Queen of Naboo. She is a staunch defender of democracy.

*⑦: Sio Bibble: Sio Bibble is the human male governor of Naboo and a member of the Royal Advisory Council. He served under several Monarchs including Queen Amidala and Queen Jamillia.

*⑧: Slave I: The Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft, also known simply as a Firespray-class interceptor, is a patrol ship manufactured by Kuat Systems Engineering. Jango Fett pilots a customized Firespray named Slave I. See Wookieepedia.

*⑨: Siri Tachi: Siri Tachi is a female Human Jedi Master, apprentice of Adi Gallia and Master to Ferus Olin. She is a talented pilot and is one of Obi-Wan Kenobi's closest friends. See Wookieepedia for her background story.

This chapter is a bit of a mixed bag. A lot of it is new but some things are set in stone from the movie. I didn't want to just regurgitate Episode II: Attack of the Clones but certain parts I condensed (like the Obi-Wan/Jango Fett dogfight) because they are good parts but would just be repetitive to write them out in detail here. I also cut it short because I'm not sure whether or not I should have Anakin save his Mother or not as the repercussions will have a huge butterfly effect later. Next Chapter will include Anakin's adventure on Tattooine and of course the Battle of Geonosis that begins the pan-galactic Clone Wars. See you next time. Blue out. 12/02/23