Jedi Prodigies

610, Jedi Prodigies

Count Dooku and Master Windu were locked in a fierce duel. Both had once been among the Jedi Order's foremost lightsaber masters. The battle between Form II Makashi and Form VII Juyo was a feast for the eyes; each stood at the pinnacle of his respective style.

Darth Malthael concealed himself in the shadows, using the Force to hide his presence. He merely watched quietly from ahead.

He watched as Anakin Skywalker, under Master Windu's cover, reached the Dark Reaper and began using the knowledge Ulic Qel-Droma had taught him to destroy the superweapon.

Anakin first had to locate and destroy the Dark Reaper's energy nodes one by one. This was no easy task, because he needed to connect his mind to the Dark Reaper—and if he did, the power of the Dark Side would constantly erode the Chosen One's mind.

Darth Malthael had no intention of intervening. Though he was certain that if he helped now, Master Windu might survive—but Anakin Skywalker would truly be finished.

But that was not the outcome he wanted. The enemy of his enemy was his friend, and to Darth Malthael, that applied equally to the Jedi Order and Darth Sidious.

He could befriend either side, or become enemies with either side. That was his greatest advantage, and there was no need to throw it away.

In the distance, more Jedi Masters were rushing over. The situation had become critical. Among the clone soldiers, some wounded men with weaker bodies had already been drained of their Force and killed by the Dark Reaper. Titan Security's mercenary corps had begun withdrawing long ago; their objective had already been achieved once they helped Darth Malthael infiltrate the place. There was no need to contend with an Ancient Sith superweapon.

If this continued, the