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[Anakin is quick on his feet, striding from the docks as if he does this everyday. He can't allow himself to be weak or confused; he has to keep his feet firmly planted and then, in private, panic later.]

This is one hell of a welcome. [He scowls darkly and there are shadows around his eyes as if he has spent many nights not sleeping.] I'm not anyone's prisoner. If you think you can hold me, you are sorely mistaken.

[The flash of his lightsaber can be seen - his one remedy for the horror that is bearing down on him.]

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... [This long pause speaks volumes. Anakin has no recollection of being here before and he is wondering if Grievous is lying to him or...

If he was here, why can't he remember?] Did I do anything interesting?

I do not know much of what you did personally, but we had come to a civil arrangement, Jedi.

You will not be causing any trouble here.

Now I know you are lying. [Say what.]

I should be saying that to you.

Be careful what you say, Skywalker. I am now officially one of the Guardians here, after two standard years of protecting the cities as Deputy. I will continue to protect them from threats such as the Jedi and the Sith.

Your timing is... interesting. There has been no Jedi here for quite some time. If this is a test, then so be it - and I will not fail.

[It's likely that some of that sounds very cryptic and strange to Anakin but Grievous has gone through a lot in his time here; seen many come and go.]

Then this place is worse off than I thought! [He lets out a sound akin to a scoff and a laugh.] A test for what? Your patience? My patience?

[Anakin is not in a good place mentally; he is bound to do something rash.]

Edited 2019-06-17 01:56 (UTC)

[Anakin has arrived at the best or worst time, depending on your point of view. Grievous in any sort of power no doubt sounds like the most dangerous idea to the Jedi.]

A test of good against evil.

[Although which is which would be switched in their minds.]

Unless you decide to be reasonable.

[Good against evil. Anakin grinds his teeth, his jaw clenched. Grievous remembers him as a Jedi; not as Vader.]

Who gets to decide which we represent?

[The Jedi?]

You know better.

It is obvious. Your kind have always been troublesome.

However, as I have said, we have had an arrangement before. Once, you took one of my lightsabers from me in battle but then you returned it at my request. It served a greater purpose here.

[And he still has three other sabers.]

I showed you things. My world, recreated by the subarchways here.

We were not, perhaps, friends. Yet we were not enemies.

It does not matter whether you believe me now, but in time... you will have to concede my truths.

[That probably didn't sound at all reassuring.]

My kind. [He winces faintly and arches a brow, shaking his head in amusement.] So you're saying we became best friends? Did I share my lightsaber with you too?

[He snorts and then grows solemn. Still.]

I just have one question...

Do you consider yourself a Sith?

Edited 2019-06-17 05:06 (UTC)

[Grievous makes an offended noise.]

I am no Sith. I do not use the Force, cheating in battle.

[Or so he thought of it as such. Not that he didn't do underhanded plays in battle himself... He could be hypocritical.]

The Jedi ruined my world. The Sith ruined me.

I know what was done, to my mind and my body. I have seen people from the future and they have told their stories. The Sith nor the Jedi will rise to power here to ruin any more lives.

[He considers both of them to be bad.]

[Anakin can't hide the wild fear in his eyes, the desperation he feels to scream what he has done to someone. Anyone. They can hate him, it's fine. As long as he can tell the truth before he explodes.]

What do you think of Sidious?

Lord Sidious...

[He says the word contemplatively, pausing as if to find the right words. The expression in his eyes hardens quickly though and his words are like venom.]

He and Count Dooku... Both of them meddled with my will. They destroyed what I was to create what they wanted me to be. A loyal pawn to do their bidding.

[He growls.]

Sidious was here. Briefly. Some time ago. I did not know what he had done then. If I had, he would still be suffering for the atrocities he has wrought across the galaxy. I would personally see to his everlasting punishments.

[If he didn't feel sick with what he has done for Sidious, he might smile the slightest bit at Grievous's plan for him.]

I'm not a Jedi anymore. [No, he pretty much shut that door with Order 66.]

He meddled with me too.

[Tilting his head, the cyborg studies Anakin for a moment.]

Did he? I believe that. I am certain that he played games with many, all across the Clone Wars and beyond. I have heard talk of some Empire he created, built on the corruption of the Republic.

The Separatists failed to stop him.

[Hi, say hello to one of the main construction workers of the Empire.]

Did you ever hear of a Darth Vader?

[Grievous is quiet for a moment as he thinks about that, trying to recall past conversations with people from their future. He has been told many things in small tidbits of information over time but the picture he has is incomplete.]

I do not believe I have heard this name. Another Sith?

I have heard that there was a rebellion against the Empire. I have met some of those that call themselves rebels. There have been others... Some from our time. I do not recall this Darth Vader being mentioned.

[He may have, in passing, but not enough that he could remember it being in connection with Anakin.]

[He lets out a long breath, denying himself any hope. If Grievous hasn't heard of him, that doesn't mean anything.]

Sidious needs a powerful new Apprentice, don't you think? Someone who can see his Empire built; see him protected and elevate him to the position of Emperor.

Because of Count Dooku's death...

What are you trying to say?

He needs someone more powerful than Dooku. [His voice is flat and he grips his lightsaber tighter.] Someone who can kill and kill and kill without effort.

Do you think that killer would be yourself?

...yes. [He isn't proud or happy about it.]

But not exactly by your choice...

Influenced by Lord Sidious.

[Grievous' gaze is steady, watching Anakin carefully.]

I didn't know who he was until it was too late to turn back.

[And he still needs Sidious's knowledge to save Padmé.]

I also had no knowledge of the dual deception. Not until I came here and discovered the truth from others and from what was hidden within my own brain.

You do not trust me yet. This, I understand. Yet we are alike in some ways.

And I am not your enemy here.

Sidious is not here. You need not do his will nor take any more orders from him. You may find your own path, as I have.

[Hearing Grievous say these things baffles him, but he has been humbled by what he has had to do. Killing the younglings had broken his heart and those are the faces and voices that will haunt him even as Vader.]

We can agree on killing him if he shows up, yes?