Chapter 29: Joiners To The Cause

Using my right arm I blocked a punch aimed at my head by Bultar.

I then sent a sweeping kick towards her legs using my left.

Only for her to jump and avoid it at the last second.

But when she did I saw an opening and delivered a punch with my left directly to her chest.

Sending her flying back and onto the ground.

Before she could get to her feet I crossed the distance and put her left arm in a lock.

Bultar tried to break out of it, but no matter what she did I didn't release mg hold.

A few more seconds passed before Bultar shouted. "I yield!"

The moment she did so I released my hold on her arm and jumped to my feet.

I then helped Bultar up to her own.

"Good match. You are certainly improving." Bultar said.

"Yes, thank you." I told her.

The two of us just finished a sparring match in unarmed combat.

Which Bultar has been instructing me in ever since our lightsaber duel took place two weeks ago.

I have to say it's been everything I expected and more.

Bultar has even shown me how to incorporate the martial arts she is teaching me into lightsaber combat like she does.

Which has improved my lightsaber skills even further.

Now I know I made the right decision in asking her to train me in this.

On the plus side we've gotten closer and I now call her a friend and she vice versa.

"So, want to go for another round or call it a day?" Bultar asked me.

For that was our ninth sparring match today.

Bultar in the lead with wins, our score currently 6:3.

I got ready to answer her, but before I could the doors to the training room opened and in walked Dooku.

Who I haven't seen in a month and a half.

"Oh hello master, so you do remember I exist. I was wondering since I haven't seen you in ages." I said. A cheeky smile on my face.

Dooku gave me a flat look in response to my words.

"Hello master Dooku." Bultar spoke.

"Hello young Padawan." Dooku greeted her. "I see you are helping my apprentice train."

"Yes." Bultar replied nervously.

Though I get why.

Among the Jedi Dooku is a celebrity even though he's never sat on the high council.

His deeds, plus his personality and everything else make him sort of unapprochable for many of the younger generation.

Even some of the older generation find it hard to approach my master.

But that's simply because they don't know him.

He's actually very kind and caring once you get past his rough exterior.

Dooku is the definition of a Kuudere.

"Hey Bultar there's no need to be so nervous." I told her.

"Right. Yes." She replied. "Am it looks like you two have something to discuss so I will take my leave." Bultar said.

She then left the training room.

Leaving me and Dooku alone.

"All jokes aside it is good to see you again master." I told Dooku.

"And I feel the same towards you my apprentice." Dooku replied. "Now then as to the reason I have been away, I have been doing some traveling in order to find people who would enjoy being apart of our discussions." He explained.

Using the code we came up with to discuss the group we were building within the order to combat the coming darkness go the galaxy.

Also known as Sidious.

As to why we are using code it was mine and master Sifo-Dyas suggestion.

For we never know who might be listening.

Constant vigilance!

"I see. And did you find some?" I asked.

"Yes, I did." Dooku replied.

"Well I can't wait to meet them. I'd love to hear some of their opinions on our discussion topics." I said.

"The wait won't be long young Van." Dooku told me. "Now then, let us see how much you have been able to improve in my absence." He said.

Dooku then unclipped his lightsaber and activated it.

Me doing the same.

We then had ourselves a training session.

Which I missed very much.

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Finding myself in the Room of a Thousand Fountains I leaned against a tree.

Watching and waiting as everyone Dooku had managed to convince to join our group arrive.

For tonight is the night we all meet together for the very first time.

Standing at my side Marcellus looked around the area.

His master Sifo-Dyas discussing something with Dooku a few feet away.

While they did those who had already arrived were waiting patiently like me.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Komsri amongst them.

Which doesn't surprise me.

But the others who are here currently do.

Eeth Koth.

[Insert Image of Eeth Koth Here]

Coleman Trebor.

[Insert Image of Coleman Trebor Here]

Adi Gallia

[Insert Image of Adi Gallia Here]

Finally her former Padawan and recently knighted Jedi Knight Siri Tachi.

[Insert Image of Siri Tachi Here]

Who if I am remembering correctly was Obi-Wan's first love before Satine.

But thanks to the orders rules those two also never got together. Though unlike with Satine Siri and Obi-Wan did admit their feelings for each other.

Yeah, I can see how that would make things awkward between them.

I wonder how awkward it will get if Siri ever meets Satine?

Well with the changes I am making to the original story that is a high possibility.

Boy, I would not want to be Obi-Wan in that situation.

I hope my love life never gets that complicated.

Hearing a rustling in the bushes surrounding our area I turned my gaze in its direction.

As I did four people suddenly stepped forward.

Aayla.

Along with her current master Quinlan Vos.

[Insert Image of Quinlan Vos Here]

A guy whose character I liked, even if he did appear in only one episode of the 'Clone Wars' television series.

I also saw Quinlan's master, Tholme.

[Insert Image of Tholme Here]

The final member of their little band is Tholme's lover and the female Neti Jedi master T'ra Saa.

[Insert Image of T'ra Saa Here]

Looking at T'ra Saa I found her pretty for a living tree.

Tholme is lucky.

Though I do wonder how they have sex considering T'ra Saa is a tree and well... Tree woman and splinters of Tholme places the lightsaber in his pants in her hollow opening.

But maybe I'm wrong.

I'll have to research the Neti species later.

Moving on.

Aayla walked over to me and Marcellus. "Is it true? Is what my master told me true you guys?"

"Yes." I replied.

"Van, are you okay?" Aayla asked me.

"I am. I mean the Force makes things happen for a reason and now here we are. Responding to it's warning." I said.

"Right." Aayla replied.

"My friends, thank you sll for coming tonight." Dooku spoke. Drawing everyone's attention to him. "You all know why we are here. To prepare for the darkness my apprentice Van Sunrider and my friend Sifo-Dyas have foreseen. A darkness the council and most of the order refuse to acknowledge. I know what we speak of right now would be considered treason by some. But it is not. We Jedi are meant to serve the Republic. Which are its people and not the Senate. So if I am expelled from the order for doing my duty to protect the very core of the Republic then so be it!" Dooku spoke passionately. "So I ask, are you with me?"

"Dooku, we would not be here if we weren't." Tholme said.

"To be protectors and servants to the Republic. Which are its people is what the Jedi are meant to do." Trebor spoke. "So if I must follow you to do so master Dooku. Then I will." He said.

Everyone else soon spoke up, agreeing with Dooku's words.

As they did do I saw something.

I saw what Dooku could've become had he not become Darth Tyranus.

A man who would lead the Jedi Order away from the rot of the Republic and turn it into what is once was.

Seeing this makes me admire Dooku all the more.

I feel truly honored to learn from him.

Now no matter what I cannot let Sidious get his hooks in the man.

For I want to help him realize his goals.

Just like I hope he will help me realize mine.

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That night in the Room of a Thousand Fountains we gained many new allies.

It also further cemented my own resolve.

Which showed in my training.

Then before I knew it time started to fly by and five years had passed.