"When the hunter becomes the hunted, the game is no longer theirs to control."

☠⚡⛓

fter a month of rebuilding herself, Nyx had finally found her place in the army once more. Despite lingering doubts about whether she truly belonged out in the field alongside the clones, she had grown to trust herself again. The steadfast support of Hakura had been her anchor, grounding her when uncertainty threatened to consume her. With that foundation, Nyx felt ready to face the challenges ahead.

The humid, vibrant world of Felucia greeted them as Ahsoka and her team descended onto the surface. The kaleidoscopic landscape, brimming with towering fungal trees and luminescent flora, would have been almost serene—if not for the growing shadow of a droid fleet on the horizon. The air thrummed with tension as the metallic mass advanced, their coordinated movements disrupting the fragile beauty of the environment.

"We need to ensure they don't fortify their base," Master Plo Koon said, his voice calm but resolute. His golden eyes scanned the terrain, calculating their next move.

The team exchanged a brief but understanding nod before springing into action, their motions fluid and efficient. Each of them knew what was at stake, and the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air. Every step, every movement, was deliberate—they had no room for mistakes.

Nyx crouched low beside the thick root of a massive tree, the bark damp with the moisture of Felucia's humid air. She grasped her lightsaber, its familiar hilt fitting perfectly in her hand, and ignited the blade. A soft, golden glow bathed her skin, reflecting off her determined features. She exhaled deeply, the warmth of the saber's light wrapping around her like a shield against the chaos to come.

In that brief, tranquil moment, she found her center. The hum of her saber harmonized with her steady breathing, calming the turmoil within. She let the light fill her, anchoring her to her purpose. It wasn't just a weapon—it was her guide, a part of her that reminded her of who she truly was. With that clarity, she prepared herself for the inevitable storm.

The sudden roar of approaching Republic AT-TE walkers and Juggernaut turbo tanks shattered the stillness. Their massive frames advanced like unstoppable titans, the ground trembling beneath their weight. The droids scrambled from their base, their ranks falling into disarray as the armored behemoths bore down on them. But before they could regroup, they found themselves caught in Anakin's expertly laid ambush.

Master Plo Koon and Commander Wolffe led their squad, jetpacks igniting as they soared through the air to breach the compound. Meanwhile, Ahsoka's team moved swiftly, scaling the high walls with practiced precision.

From her position, Nyx watched the scene unfold. For a heartbeat, she stood still, assessing the chaos, her sharp mind analyzing the battlefield. Then she moved. Her golden blade cut through the air with precision, droids falling before her as she carved a path toward the heart of the compound. Every strike was measured, every motion fluid—she was a force of purpose amidst the cacophony of blaster fire.

But the enemy had been prepared.

From the shadows, a stun net launched toward her, its metallic threads glowing faintly as it arced through the air. Nyx turned just in time to see it, but too late to react. The net ensnared her, its shocking current surging through her body. Her muscles seized, and a cry escaped her lips before she collapsed to the ground. The last thing she saw before the world went dark was the hazy outlines of her captors moving in.

"Nyx is captured!" Ahsoka's voice rang out, urgent and fierce as she pointed toward the droids retreating with their unconscious prize. "We have to rescue her!"

The determination in her voice was palpable, and it galvanized the team. They regrouped quickly, their expressions grim but focused as they began to form a plan.

Anakin stood abruptly, his eyes blazing with resolve. "This isn't happening," he said firmly, his voice calm but carrying the weight of his authority. He turned to the group, motioning toward the ongoing skirmish. "You two," he gestured to Cody and Wolffe, "handle the situation here. I'll take care of this."

One of the clones stepped forward, his voice filled with concern. "We can't let you go alone, General."

Before the discussion could escalate, Plo Koon raised a hand, his calm presence silencing the objections. "Trust him," Plo said, his deep voice soothing but commanding.

Anakin wasted no time. He turned and strode toward the edge of the battlefield, his thoughts already racing. Time was critical, and he knew he couldn't afford hesitation. Every moment counted.

The others watched as Anakin moved with purpose, trusting in his skill and determination. Plo Koon, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka shared a look, each of them silently acknowledging that if anyone could bring Nyx back safely, it was Anakin Skywalker.

With the team continuing their assault on the droid forces, Anakin disappeared into the shadows, his focus entirely on rescuing Nyx.

SCENMEBREAK

Nyx's senses returned slowly, her body still aching from the stun net's effects. The metallic scent of the cage filled her nose, and the dim lighting cast flickering shadows across the cramped space. She shifted slightly, the cold, unyielding metal bars pressing against her back. Her glowing red eyes blinked open fully, adjusting to the gloom, and she took in her surroundings with growing clarity.

The steady hum of the Trandoshan transporter ship reverberated through the walls, a grim reminder of where she was. Across from her, in an identical cage, sat another prisoner—a humanoid figure with disheveled hair and weary eyes. He leaned forward cautiously, his voice barely a whisper.

"They're planning to use us as hunting trophies," he murmured, his tone trembling with fear. "They'll release us on their hunting grounds and... track us down for sport. It's a game to them—a twisted game where survival is a prize few ever win."

The words hit Nyx like a punch to the gut. She sat up straighter, her muscles tensing as the gravity of the situation sank in. Her glowing eyes narrowed, and her mind raced, piecing together the fragments of what she'd overheard before she was fully conscious.

From the far end of the room, the low, guttural voices of Trandoshan guards reached her ears. They spoke in hissing tones, their conversation punctuated by cruel laughter. One of them, standing tall and broad-shouldered, spoke louder than the others.

"She'll be a special challenge," he rasped, his voice carrying a cruel edge. "Dar will prove himself worthy by taking her down. A prize like that will show he's ready to carry on our legacy."

The Trandoshan beside him hissed approvingly, his claws clicking against the metal floor. "The Indoraptor hybrid... yes. A worthy test for the young one."

Nyx's blood ran cold, but her expression hardened. They intended to use her as some sort of rite of passage for their leader's son—a challenge to prove the young hunter's skill.

Her claws twitched at her sides as anger simmered just beneath the surface. She wasn't going to let herself become prey, and she wasn't about to let these captors turn her or anyone else into entertainment for their twisted traditions.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She wasn't in a position to fight yet. She needed to think. Carefully, she began scanning her surroundings, her sharp eyes tracing every seam and bolt of the cage, every tool or weapon on the guards' belts. The prisoner across from her watched her with a mix of curiosity and cautious hope.

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Figuring a way out," Nyx replied quietly, her voice steady but tinged with steel. Her eyes flicked to the corner of her cage, where a small, rusted bolt caught her attention. "If we don't escape now, there's no coming back from this."

The prisoner's eyes widened, his fear momentarily replaced by a flicker of determination. "You think you can get us out of here?"

Nyx nodded, her fingers subtly testing the strength of the bars. "I don't think—I know. Stay ready. When the moment comes, we'll need to move fast."

The Trandoshans continued to talk, oblivious to the brewing storm inside their transporter. Nyx's mind was already formulating a plan. She didn't just have to escape—she had to turn the game against them. If they wanted a hunt, she'd make sure they regretted it.

Her eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as her resolve solidified. This was no longer just about survival. It was about justice.