"You were taught a different way, the way of peace and harmony," Dooku said, pacing back and forth between the double line of obelisks as he spoke, "The dark side thrives off of pain, anger, fear. Tell me, the first time you used that power, what did you feel?"

Fear at the thought of losing Mira. Rage at those who were trying to take her from me. Grief over how I had already let her slip through my fingers once.

"I felt all those things but..."

"But what?" Dooku queried.

Rain clasped her hands tightly together.

"Master, there were innocent bystanders who came to harm in that moment because of me."

"And you regret this?" the Count asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Then tell me this, apprentice. Were you successful in what you set out to accomplish at that time?"

"Yes."

"And do you regret that?" Dooku questioned.

"No!" Rain blurted, "I would never!"

"What was this accomplishment exactly?"

Rain's eyebrows knit together and her gaze dropped to the pavement.

"I was protecting my sister," she said quietly, forcing back the pain that came with the mention of Mira.

"You have a sister?"

"Yes."

"And would you say that the lives of a few strangers were more important than hers?"

"No!"

Rain bit her lip. She'd said it without thinking, without even hesitating.

But...but that's what I believe. Mira's ALWAYS been more important. That's never going to change.

A Jedi was sworn to protect the lives of innocents. That's what Mira believed.

But I'm not a Jedi anymore, and Dooku's right. The people I risked my life for were strangers.

"I take it your sister was a Jedi also."

Rain pulled herself out her thoughts and nodded.

"That would make you enemies now, would it not?"

"I believe I can win her over."

I have to believe it. Otherwise, there's no hope for me...

But the quiet voice at the back of her mind told her she was a fool, that such an idea went against everything Mira was.

"I hope you are right. For your sake." Before Rain could ask what that meant, Dooku pressed on, "Now I want you to remember what you felt when your sister's wellbeing was threatened."

"Um, all right, but what is the point of this exercise?"

"Attack me."

Rain looked at her instructor in surprise, "What? But I don't have a weapon and you do. That's an unfair advantage."

"I can assure you I have no intention of using my lightsaber," the Count insisted, "This is a test of your hand-to-hand combat abilities."

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Rain hesitated.

"No?" Dooku queried, "Then allow me to motivate you further."

Before Rain could even blink, the Count raised a hand and a shock of lightning burst forth from his fingertips, striking Rain and throwing her backward. She screamed as a fiery pain tore through her nerves. When she hit the pavement, she instinctively curled into a fetal position, feeling the throbbing sting still lingering over her body. As her mind gradually recovered from the shock of what had just happened, she noticed Dooku frowning disapprovingly at her.

"What the HELL was that?!" she demanded, leaping to her feet.

"I've warned you once already that I would not tolerate any sign of weakness," Dooku said, straightening and clasping his hands behind his back, "Now I won't repeat myself again. Attack me."

Rain didn't hesitate this time. She flung herself at him, leading with a kick and then following it up with a left hook. The Count dodged easily, his face never changing expression.

"If this is all you have to offer then I'm afraid I must say I'm disappointed," he remarked.

Before Rain could offer any defence, Dooku unleashed another wave of lightning, knocking her off her feet yet again. She tasted blood in her mouth as her teeth snapped shut on her tongue. The pain gripped her tighter, taking longer to ebb after the second attack. Rain stayed down this time, taking a moment to recover her strength before attempting to stand.

The Count uttered a sigh and took up his pacing again, "I'm beginning to think you did not in fact understand what it was you were asking for. Or perhaps you just weren't cut out for this as you believed. If you do not stand and fight, then you will die!"

As the lightning hit her yet again, Rain realized it wasn't going to stop this time. Dooku was really going to kill her. Fear flooded her senses as agony raged through her, making her writhe viciously.

But I made this choice! she thought despairingly, I wanted this! I wanted more than anything to be free of the Jedi! I refuse to believe I fought all these years for a shred of my own identity just to crumble the first time I stood on my own! I may not have known what I was in for but I won't give up so soon!

Rain clawed at pavement, scraping her fingers raw and bloody. She tried to shut out the pain but it was blinding.

Pain and anger are my allies, she reminded herself, Pain and anger are my allies. Pain and anger are my allies.

She stopped trying to block the pain and focused on it instead. She looked into the eyes of her attacker, noting the unsympathetic, cold expression on his face.

If you do not stand and fight, then you'll die!

Rain saw red, and in that split second, she felt pure energy flowing through her. Her terrified scream turned into a shout of anger and she whipped out her hand, feeling the instantaneous responsive shift in the force. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then a flicker of surprise crossed Dooku's face as a sudden pressure squeezed his throat, making it difficult to breathe. He didn't let up his attack on Rain, however. She tightened her grip, her eyes wide and wild, her jaws gaping in a fearsome yell. Dooku clutched at his throat with his free hand, his breathing becoming more and more strained. Finally, he crashed down on one knee, gasping for air, the stream of lightning breaking off. He and Rain both recovered in a split second. Rain jumped to her feet and Dooku tried to resume his attack before she could retaliate. Rain broke left, feeling the electricity pass just within inches of her. Refusing to let herself be an easy target, she raced up the side of an obelisk and kicked off. The force was filling her with overwhelming power, giving her twice her speed and strength. The world was tipped on its side as she flew through the air, catching the corner of the nearest column and swinging herself to the next one, working her way steadily closer to her target. Lightning still crackled through the air, missing her each time and snaking around the pillars. Rain let go of the monument she was hanging onto and landed on the walkway, streaking toward the Count and swinging a fist at him. He dodged, but Rain managed to strike him with a well-aimed kick to the gut. Before she could follow it up, Dooku snatched up his lightsaber and ignited it, positioning it at her neck and effectively ending the fight. Rain froze, her eyes dark with hate, her hands still clenched tightly into white-knuckled, trembling fists.

"Impressive," Dooku said shortly, never lowering his weapon, "You should have done that sooner."

"If you put your lightsaber away, I could finish," Rain hissed icily.

The Count's perpetual frown deepened, "No, that will be all for today."

"So I was your entertainment for the day?" Rain demanded.

"If that is how you choose to see it," Dooku said, stepping back and returning his lightsaber to his belt. "You'll be needing a lightsaber for future training sessions."

Rain could feel her anger dying away, leaving her suddenly drained. She let her arms fall to her sides, the tension in her muscles loosening.

"You're wrong," she said.

A flicker of surprise crossed Dooku's face, "I beg your pardon?"

"You're wrong," Rain repeated, "I won't be needing a lightsaber. I'll be needing two. I've always wanted dual blades."

A thought struck her suddenly.

Didn't Ventress have dual blades? That's right, I'm not the only apprentice of Dooku's.

Rain sighed inwardly.

Maybe Ventress and I can swap stories of how miserably we've been treated. Or maybe she'll turn out to be like Dooku.

She suppressed a shudder.

THAT would be a nightmare.

"Master, I have a question," Rain spoke up, "When will I be able to meet Ventress?"

A strange expression crossed the Count's face and for a moment he was silent.

"Ventress no longer serves the Confederacy," he said eventually, "She betrayed me, and paid the price. For your sake, I hope you don't do the same."

With that, he walked away.