𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝙔𝘽𝙍𝙄𝘿, clone wars ²

Echoes of Betrayal

I walked along the bustling streets of Coruscant, my breath escaping in a sigh as I observed the chaos surrounding me. A group of drunken revelers stumbled about, their laughter punctuated by the thuds of their bodies colliding with the walls. The sight was familiar yet grating, a reminder of the underbelly of the city that never truly slept. My gaze caught on a pair of clone troopers adorned with crimson stripes—Coruscant Guard, I noted with a clenched jaw. Their presence stirred old memories, dark echoes of the first time we crossed paths, their allegiance to the Chancellor a bitter aftertaste I could not shake.

As I maneuvered through the throng of bodies, I abruptly halted when a young boy darted past me, fear etched across his face. He was being pursued by a larger, more sinister creature that resembled a basilisk—its scales glinting ominously under the neon glow of the city. "Please, I don't have any money!" the boy cried, finding refuge against the wall as the basilisk cornered him, its grotesque form looming dangerously close.

The creature snarled, its breath hot with malice. "Well, pup, you should have thought about that before you stole my food!"

A surge of indignation coursed through me. I wouldn't allow this to unfold. With clenched fists, I raised a hand toward the basilisk. The air around it thickened, and it gasped as I choked the breath from its throat. Its eyes widened in surprise, reflecting terror as it fell silent.

"You really need to stop picking on little kids," I snarled, the words escaping my lips with a sense of righteous fury. I released my grip, watching as the basilisk crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. It glared up at me, its red eyes filled with a mixture of fear and contempt.

"Y... you're a Jedi," it hissed, the realization creeping into its tone.

I tilted my head slightly, letting the silence stretch between us. "So what?" I replied, the question heavy with meaning. I was more than just a Jedi; I was a protector, a guardian. And in that moment, it was clear that I would not stand idly by while the vulnerable were preyed upon.

The basilisk shook its head, annoyance radiating from its hulking frame as it stood upright. "I won't forget this, scoundrel," it spat, venom lacing each word before it turned and slinked away, its mood darkening as it left. Just as the creature vanished into the shadows, my eyes caught the glint of lightsabers strapped at its hip. A frown creased my brow; I had never encountered such an individual before, but I shrugged it off, letting the thought dissipate like smoke. I had more pressing matters to attend to, like returning to the familiar warmth of my friends.

As I ascended the steps toward the temple, I turned a corner and nearly collided with Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Ah, where are you guys going?" I asked, halting in my tracks, curiosity piqued.

Obi-Wan offered me a measured glance. "We're heading to Nal Hutta to locate the Hutt, Ziro—Jabba's uncle," he said, his voice betraying a hint of concern over the upcoming expedition.

I nodded, a sense of adventure sparking within me. "I'll come with you."

Anakin stepped forward, skepticism etched on his features. "Are you sure, after what happened in the training room?" He sighed, the weight of our recent sparring incident hanging in the air.

"Well, I guess we can't stop you," he finally relented, a reluctant smile breaking through his initial hesitation. "Come along, then."

With a flutter of excitement coursing through me, I fell into step beside them as we descended the stairs together, the palpable energy of impending adventure igniting a fire within. We made our way to the hangar, the hum of the shuttle engines greeting us as we boarded.

As the shuttle lifted off, the skyline of Coruscant began to recede beneath us, swallowed by the sprawling expanse of the stars. Ahead lay Nal Hutta, home of the Hutt species, shrouded in mystery and danger. I could hardly contain my anticipation for what awaited us on this new journey.