Star Wars: Rath (Shaak ti x oc)

Chapter thirteen: Grievous price

-Grievous's Lair, At the same time as Rath defeated Dirge.-

The Jedi were currently fighting Gor, Grievous's pet monster, when the whole building shook. Kit managed to regain his balance, and managed to dodge one of Gor's swipes, leaving the beast further agitated. (I can still sense Rath's presence. He's still alive.) The Jedi thought, before jumping away from Gor, who had tried to gore the Jedi. The clone captain fired his pistol at the creature, but that only seemed to piss it off more. Gor turned to Nahdar and snarled at him. The young Jedi Knight struck Gor, cutting his eye, causing the creature to roar in agony. Gor then used his tail to grab the commander and was about to slam him into the ground, before his tail was shot. Gor roared in pain, dropping his victim. Kit looked up and saw Rath, his blaster smoking. The General then drew his Lightsabers and ignited them. The Kaleesh warrior jumped onto Gor's back and stabbed it. Gor shrieked in agony, trying to get Rath off of him, but the warrior wasn't budging. "What are waiting for, a direct order!?" He shouted, "Take this thing down!" The three were quick to follow this order, with the commander shooting at Gor getting his attention. Nahdar then cut off his tail, causing the beast to shriek in agony again, that shriek was enhanced when Kit cut off his hands. Gor then toppled over, and Rath administered the killing blow by stabbing Gor in the throat. Gor gave one last pained roar before finally dying. "Rest in peace." Rath said, in his native tongue. Kit then noticed the helmet Rath had on his waist, and recognized it. "Rath, is that...?" He asked, Rath just nodded. "Dirge is dead. That's what that explosion was." He said, Kit nodded in understanding, Rath then turned to the last clone on the team. "You alright?" He asked, "Just a scratch, sir. I'll be fine." The clone replied, "Get to my ship. In this place, even a simple scratch can get you killed. We'll take things from here Commander." Rath stated, the commander nodded, before standing up. "Thank you, sir. See you on the other side." He said, before heading to Rath's ship. Rath then turned to Kit and Nahdar. "The tension between you two is palpable." He commented, Kit nodded. "He has changed. Though I'm surprised you caught that." Kit said, "I don't need the Force to sense that. Just experience. My brother and I never really... got along, even when we were fighting to free our people from slavery." Rath said, Kit could tell Rath was trying to keep his emotions in check, he was curious about Rath's brother, but decided against making his friend dredge up more of his evidently painful past. "Come. We need to keep moving." He said,

-Control room.-

Grievous had been undergoing repairs. His fight with the Jedi and their clones had damaged him. When his home shook from an explosion, he knew that Rath was with them, and that Dirge was likely either dead, or displaced. "Let's see if Gor is finished playing with the Jedi." He said, but when he switched to the camera where Gor was, all Grievous saw was Gor's dead body. "Huh? Where are they?" He asked, "Gor?" Grievous roared in rage before slamming his fists on the control panel, making them spark a bit. [Master.] His medical droid said, [You have an incoming transmission from, Count Dooku.] the droid then activated the mini hologram projector, showing Dooku. He had a bemused expression on his face. [General. I see the Jedi have infiltrated your lair.] Dooku said, [Your recent defeats at their hands, have shaken my faith in your ability to lead the droid army. I'm sure you understand my need to reassess your effectiveness.] He added, Grievous seemed to put the pieces together, and he wasn't happy. "You! You deactivated my guards! You let the Jedi and Rath in here!" He accused, "So you would test me!" Dooku still bore that smile that made you incredibly angry. [I do hope you emerge victorious.] Dooku said calmly, Grievous just scoffed and dropped the communication, cutting Dooku off from he was saying. "Oops. Alright Count, I'll play your little game." He said, he then stood up, and proceeded to leave the control room. [In your condition, you need your rest.] the medical droid said, "I will rest when Rath and the Jedi are dead!" Grievous barked, the two then parted ways, but unbeknownst to both of them, they had visitors. Rath, Kit and Nahdar were hiding behind the corner, with Rath looking at Grievous with sorrow in his eyes. (Quailan... when did you lose yourself?) He thought sadly, Grievous then pressed a few panels on the door that closed behind him. "You were right, Master. That exit must lead to the control room." Nahdar whispered, "Alright. Kit, head to your ship. Nahdar and I will handle this." Rath said, "Are you sure?" Kit asked, Rath just nodded. Kit then left to get to his ship. Rath and Nahdar went to the door, with Rath pushing the panels in the opposite order that was used to lock it. But the two didn't know that they had been seen. [Oh? What have we hear?] the medic droid asked himself, [The uninvited guests.] The door opened, and Rath grabbed his blaster. "Let's go." He said, [Master! Rath and the Jedi are about to enter the control room!] the medical droid said over the intercom, Rath and Nahdar looked behind them. (Shit!) Rath swore in thought, Grievous was on his way back now, and he knew they were there. "Nahdar, come on!" Rath ordered, "No, you go! I will hold them off!" Nahdar argued, Rath couldn't believe this Mon Calamari right now. "This is no time to show off you dumbass!" Rath shouted, "We can't just run, we must finish him!" Nahdar countered, "Nahdar! We need to- " Rath began, but was cut off when the door closed, separating the two. Nahdar turned and ignited his Lightsaber. "I have been waiting for this." He said darkly, "Damn it! Nahdar!" Rath yelled, (Damn it, that idiot's gonna get himself killed!) He thought, before bolting to the control room. (I hope I can get to him in time!) Outside, Nahdar was fighting Grievous's Magnaguards, and so far was holding his own. Grievous on the other hand, was just using the droids to wear the young Jedi out. "Greetings, young Jedi." He said, sadistic pleasure in his voice. Nahdar then drive his Lightsaber into the last Magnaguard, and faced Grievous. "Where is your master?" Nahdar only got into a combat stance. "You will find out soon enough. You can't kill us all!" He proclaimed, Grievous drew and ignited his Lightsabers. "Of course I can." He retorted calmly, before striking at Nahdar. In the control room, the medical droid was cheering Grievous on, unaware of it's visitor. [Wait. Where's Rath?] It asked itself, Rath just drew one on his Lightsabers and ignited it. [Oh no.] The droid said, before Rath decapitated it. Rath looked at the screen and to his dismay, knew he couldn't save Nahdar. (Damn it. That fool, why didn't he listen to me? Grievous is merciless, always has been. Kit won't be happy.) He thought, Grievous had put Nahdar on the back foot, and wasn't relenting in his assault. The two entered a Saberlock, with Nahdar struggling to hold Grievous back. Grievous split his arms to grab his blaster, and with Nahdar concentrating on his fight with Grievous, the Jedi couldn't sense the attack coming. Grievous fired his blaster point blank at Nahdar, shooting him three times in the chest. Nahdar gasped in pain, before he fell to the ground dead. Rath sighed, mad that he couldn't do anything to save the young Jedi. Grievous then grabbed Nahdar's Lightsaber for himself, the latest of his many 'trophies' and looked at the camera above him. "I WILL KILL YOU ALL! DO HEAR ME, BROTHER!? DO YOU HEAR ME!?" He roared, Rath had a sorrowful look on his face before his commlink started activating. [-peat for the umpteenth time, Rath do you copy?] A voice Rath was for once grateful to hear chimed, "K2! Is that you?" He asked, [Finally. I've been trying to contact you. General Fisto has ordered us to retreat. Where are you?] K2 asked, "Meet me at the south landing platform. I'll be right there." Rath ordered, "I'm coming for you next, Rath!" Grievous yelled, Rath pressed a button then stood up. "I'll be gone by the time you get here." He growled, before igniting one of his Lightsabers and thrusting it into the control panel.

-A few minutes later, South landing platform.-

Rath had arrived at his destination, but his ship, the Wraith was nowhere to be seen. "K2, I'm at the platform. Where are you?" He asked, [On my way. I got those Magnaguards you wanted, by the way.] K2 answered, Rath smirked under his mask, before he heard crumbling sounds below him, which caused him to look down. "Going somewhere?" Grievous asked, Rath drew both his Lightsabers and ignited them, while Grievous had all four of his out and spinning. Rath struck at Grievous, but the attack was blocked. Grievous laughed before striking at Rath, who parried the strike before jumping back. Rath deactivated his sabers and disappeared into the mist. Grievous looked around, as Rath jumped over him. The droid General spun his Lightsabers to protect himself, before Rath activated one of his Lightsabers and struck at Grievous, but he blocked it using two of his Lightsabers. "You were a proud warrior once, Qualian. But now, you're just a slave, a pawn in Dooku's game!" Rath shouted, "I wield great power now, you fool!" Grievous retorted, forcing Rath back. He then spun one of his Lightsabers before striking at Rath, but the attack was predictable, and Rath dodged it then countered by cutting one of Grievous's hands off. Rath then caught Nahdar's Lightsaber, and was glaring daggers at his brother. "That power will only consume you, little brother." He said coldly, Rath then charged at Grievous, unleashing a flurry of strikes, forcing Grievous to play defensively, something he wasn't used to. Rath forced his brother on the back foot, landing a grazing blow on Grievous, before kicking him away. Grievous glared angrily at Rath, who returned it. The two struck at each other. Grievous using his three remaining sabers to strike at Rath. Rath however was using unorthodox attacks, which made him unpredictable, switching from using his feet and his hands to hold and attack with his Lightsabers, blocking when he needed to and dodging. Grievous was getting more and more enraged, which was working against him, in this fight. He was trying to keep Rath on the defensive, but his brother knew him the best, Grievous was predictable, but he had three more Magnaguards arrive, Rath saw them and jumped away from Grievous, defending himself from the droids Electrostaves, all while Grievous advanced. Soon Rath ran out of places to back up too, and was cornered. "How quickly power can change hands." Grievous said triumphantly, "Surrender, and I promise you will die swiftly." Rath deactivated his Lightsabers and relaxed. Grievous was about to gloat, until the Wraith showed up. Rath smirked under his mask. "STOP HIM!" Grievous shouted, but it was too late as Rath jumped on top of his ship, and made his escape. Grievous was enraged, and took it out on one of his Magnaguards. "Set course for Courascant, K2." Rath said, jumping into his ship.

-A few minutes later, Throne room.-

Grievous arrived to see Dooku sitting in his throne as a hologram. "My Lord. The Jedi have been defeated." He reported, [Victory over the Clones and young Jedi was expected. But to best Their best General, and a Jedi Master. This is an accomplishment worthy of recognition.] Dooku said, a satisfied smile on his face. "The Jedi Fisto, and Rath, escaped." Grievous admitted, Dooku's smile disappeared at that remark. [So there is room for improvement.] He said coldly, before cutting his transmission. Grievous let out an aggravated growl, before storming off to his chambers.

-Jedi Temple, Courascant.-

The Wraith touched down on one of the landing platforms near the Jedi Temple. The Council had summoned him, but he needed to find Kit first. He deserved to know his old Padawan's fate at Grievous's Lair. Rath had a feeling that Kit would be with the other Council members, and he was right. The doors opened, and stood before the Jedi Council. "Master Jedi. It's a pleasure to meet you all in person." Rath said, bowing. "General Rath. An honor it is, to meet you. Much about you, Master Shaak Ti has told us." Yoda greeted, Kit looked around. "Where is Nahdar? We summoned him as well." Kit asked, Rath sighed. "I'm sorry, Kit. Nahdar... he didn't make it." He said solemnly, he then presented Nahdar's Lightsaber, and handed it to Kit. "I understand. Thank you for retrieving his Lightsaber, my friend." Kit replied, Mace Windu then spoke up. "How did Nahdar perish?" He asked, "His heart was in the right place. But he tried to answer Grievous's power with his own." Rath explained, "He was overmatched." "To answer power with power. The Jedi way, this is not." Yoda said, "In this war, a danger there is, of losing who we are." Rath looked away, as if thinking of something. "Something troubles you, General." Ki Adi Mundi observed, Rath chuckled dryly. "Is it that obvious?" He asked, "It's about Grievous, isn't it?" Kit asked, Rath sighed. "The kinship between us is lost. I don't understand what he's become, but he's no longer the brother I once knew." He said sadly, "I'm afraid that, by the end of this war... one of us, is going to die."

This story is apparently one you guys really like! I promise to work on the Last Sith Pureblood soon, but this story has my focus right now. As always though, comment, rate, and leave advise so I can improve. Next time, Jabba's son is captured!