It had been a stun gun.
Dakota groggily stirred from her forced unconsciousness, her head pounding like a drum in a separatist war-zone. The cold, harsh floor beneath her felt rough against her cheek, and as she groaned softly, she became acutely aware of the burning sensation in her arms. Her wrists were bound tightly to a splintery, wooden pole behind her, and something sharp and biting jolted through her every time she moved.
She sucked in a breath, clenching her jaw as her limbs screamed in protest. Cuffs. Electrified, and wrapped securely at her wrists to render her immobile. It didn't take long for the familiar, unwelcome sting of the cuffs' electrical charge to pulse through her, making her body tremble involuntarily.
So much for being stealthy.
With a grimace, she wrenched her eyes open, staring into the dim, smoke-scented room. The walls were made of rough-hewn wood, and the faint flicker of a fire cast long, dancing shadows across the space. She had no idea where she was, but that hardly mattered right now. What matters is getting out of this mess.
Her arms ached from the pressure of being bound, and the cuffs, designed for far less capable prisoners than herself, felt like a mockery.
She shifted her weight, trying to get more comfortable without triggering another electric shock. Her breath quickened as the tension rose, and she cursed beneath her breath.
"Damn Vizla." The words were muttered more to herself than anything. "Should've pushed him over that waterfall."
A faint creak from behind her made her muscles stiffen. A figure stepped into the doorway, silhouetted by the light from outside. Dakota's gaze flicked to the doorway, her lips curling in annoyance at the sight.
Lux Bonteri entered the hut with his usual quiet precision. His eyes scanned her briefly, a mix of curiosity and caution, before settling on the dull, resigned irritation evident in her expression.
"Master Jedi," he said slowly.
"I'm glad your mom died!" Dakota snapped back without a forethought, her voice sharp as she fought the urge to move and electrocute herself. "So she wouldn't see the shitty-ass son you became!"
Shock washed over him at her sudden lash, and he crossed his arms tightly, glancing down at her bound form, his expression furrowing. A sadness echoed throughout the room, but he didn't let that stop him. "I... came to help you." he said quietly, then glanced over his shoulder to the entrance of the small, claustrophobic hut.
She let out an exaggerated sigh, her head tilting back against the pole. "Wonderful, another lie. My day just keeps getting better."
Lux didn't seem phased by her sarcasm. "Ahsoka is here." he asserted. "She's being held hostage as well.. I didn't think Death Watch had the capability of capturing Jedi, I didn't think this would happen, I-"
"Then what did you think was going to happen, hm?" Dakota narrowed her eyes, nodding the loose strands of dark hair from her face in a swift motion. "Let me guess—after mommy died, you aligned yourself with Death Watch, tried to play the big bad, and honestly thought you could intimidate Count Dooku? And that's not even the best part!" she scoffed. "You thought Pre Vizsla would be your knight in shining armor?"
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Afterglow II | The Clone Wars
Fanfictionbook 2 although the Clone War is drawing to a close, there is still a war within the Jedi of many secrets. The Order has shaped her ethics, but that which is forbidden is her inner compass. She is a warrior, a sister, a friend, a lover. Ultimately...
