❝ please, please tell me i've been lied to ❞

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CARINA BLINKED A FEW times as different gates surrounding the arena began to open up, four different monsters are driven inside. One was a bull like creature also known as a Reek, the other was a lion like Nexu, the one beside it being a rather long lobster identifiable as an Acklay, the last monster was a Rancor, a rather large snarling creature with long talons.

The Picador's shoved the creatures towards the center with their spear before retiring to the perimeter.

Anakin pursed his lips at the sight of the four aliens, "I have a bad feeling about this." Carina spoke with sarcasm evident in her tone, "Really? What makes you say?"

Carina turned her attention back to the monsters that had set their gaze on the four prisoners. The Jedi Knight furrowed her brows together as she thought of ways to unbind her hands, she glanced over at Padme who was picking the of the chains with a bobby pin, one of her hands slipped free and she began to climb up the pole.

"Suddenly I want those painful hairstyles right now."

Obi-Wan pressed his lips into a firm line before speaking to his padawan and the young Jedi Knight, "I'll take the one on the right, Carina you take the one on the far right and Anakin you take the middle."

Carina smiled coyly, "Yes, give me the biggest and most menacing one why don't you?"

Obi-Wan tugged on his chains as he replied, "Don't you like to boast about your incredible abilities?"

Carina narrowed her eyes, clearing her mind as she began to focus on the chain binding her left hand. The brunette softly exhaled as the shackles abruptly snapped off one of her wrists, Carina sent Obi-Wan a patronizing smile as the Rancor monster stalked towards her.

The Jedi Knight gripped the chain that was still bound to her right hand, planting her feet firmly on the ground as the creature inched closer by the second, reaching it's claws out as if to grasp her.

Anakin spared a worried glance to the brunette which she quickly took notice of, "Anakin, focus on your own monster or you'll be dead meat."

The young padawan did as he was told as he concentrated on the beast charging straight towards him, the boy braced his feet, leaping into the air causing for the monster to hit the pole instead.

Carina pushed herself off the ground as she gripped tightly onto her bound hand, swinging around the pole as she braced her legs before her, using all the strength as she kicked the Rancor beast in the jaw, making him tumble a bit before growling as it reached out a clawed hand, gripping the long chain before accidently snapping it broken.

Carina tumbled onto the ground before she regained her balance, the brunette spared a glance at Padme who was bleeding a bit from claw marks as the alien creature circled her pole.

The Jedi Knight focused back on the Rancor that snarled down at her, saliva dripping from the corners of its mouth to which Carina scrunched up her features, "Ew."

The beast slashed his claw at her and Carina quickly rolled out of reach before muttering a curse, "Where's a saber when you need one."

Carina gazed down at what excess chain she had attached to her cuffed hands, an idea lit up in her mind as she gripped the chain like a lasso, eyeing the monsters that let out a growl as it treaded towards her.

The Algora girl readied herself before she quickly whipped the manacles around its leg, tightening her grip on the iron chain as she pulled, using great force as she watched the Rancor began to stumble shifting its weight unsteadily before eventually falling backwards.

Carina let out a sigh before gazing over at Anakin who was riding the creature that had attacked him, the young padawan approached the brunette, extending out a hand for her to grasp.

Carina raised a curious brow, "Trying to play hero?" Anakin smiled widely as he shrugged, "Or I could just leave you here for that big monster to get back up—"

"Haha." Carina dryly spoke as she took the boys hands, halting herself on the bull like creature before slipping her arms to hold onto Anakin's waist, a shy smile spreading across the blonde's lips at the gesture since he knew Carina didn't like physical contact very much.

The young padawan charged towards Senator Amidala's pole where she was stood on the top, Carina gazed up at her friend, "Jump."

The Senator gazed down before letting out a heavy sigh, throwing away the chains she had before leaping from the top of the post to land on the Reek behind Carina. Anakin caught sight of his Master and stalked straight towards him.

Obi-Wan gazed up at the trio riding the Reek, Carina mentally cursed as droidekas suddenly rolled into the arena, surrounding the Jedi and Senator Amidala.

Carina narrowed her eyes as she took notice of the ruckus happening up in the archducal box, the brunette took notice of flashes of lights as hundreds of Jedi's could be seen spread around the arena.

The Jedi Knight watched Count Dooku give a signal and suddenly thousands of droids piled out into the arena. Carina slipped off the back of the creature as she watched shots begin to breakout as the Jedi began fighting back.

Geonosians began to disperse in the air as the battle droids made their way at the Jedi.

Carina gazed up to see Mace Windu land on the ground near her, turning towards the brunette as he tossed the Jedi her lightsaber. Carina was quick to catch her weapon as she smiled, "Master Windu, a nice surprise."

The Jedi Master gave the girl a look, "I thought I told you to stay where you were." Carina shrugged as she turned on her saber, "You know I'm not one to follow orders."

Carina spun her weapon, deflecting shots fired at her as she began to slice through battle droids near her. Padme picked up a discarded pistol and began to fire away at the robots.

Carina fell back into Anakin's side as the two fought their way through the heavy mass of droids. The brunette twirled her saber, slicing through a droid before extending out her hand to crush a trio of robots, that had been charging towards her, with the Force.

Carina grit her teeth as she watched many Jedi begin to get shot down, backing the remainder of them towards the center. The Jedi Knight grit her teeth as she stood back to back with Anakin who was shielding them from shots fired.

Carina kept slashing her saber around, bouncing back the laser shots to hit the droids. Obi-Wan stood beside the brunette as he cut through whatever robot edged too close. Carina watched the Rancor begin to attack nearby Jedi, the brunette quickly leaped in the hair, landing on her feet firmly as she twirled her saber before sliding across the course sand as her saber cut straight through the creatures ankle.

Howls and whimpers of pain echoed through the air as the Rancor clawed the vast atmosphere before falling forward with a huge thud. Carina stood tall once again before spinning her saber in her grasp as more and more battle droids began to enclose the few remaining Jedi.

Carina fell back as she stanced herself between Anakin and Master Windu who continued deflecting all the gunfire they were receiving.

Carina's eyes darted around as she took in the mass amount of droids circling them as droid parts as well as fallen Jedi laid sprawled out on bloodied sand. The Algora girl tightened her grip on her saber as super droids began to aim their weapons menacingly at the small captured group.

Up in the archducal box, Count Dooku raised his hand and his robots lowered their weapons as he addressed Mace Windu, "Master Windu! You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the history archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished." The Sith Lord paused for a brief moment, "Surrender— and your lives will be spared."

Carina blinked at the males words, "Now what kind of an idiot does he take us for?" Mace gave his old apprentice a look before glancing back up at the Sith, "We will not be hostages for you to barter with, Dooku."

Count Dooku plastered on a sympathetic expression, "Then, I'm sorry, old friend. You will have to be destroyed."

The droids raised their weapons once more and Carina instinctively glanced at Anakin who had already been watching her. Padme caught sight of something in the far distance, eyes narrowed before she shouted out, "Look."

Carina reluctantly tore her gaze away from Anakin as she gazed up above, lips parting at the sight of six gunships descending rather quickly through the open area above the arena. The aircrafts landed and a cluster of Jedi and Clone Troopers filed out of the ships before beginning to fire away at the battle droids.

Carina watched the laser fire bounce off the gunships due to them being protected by laser shields. Yoda appeared at the door of one of the spacecrafts, taking in the surroundings before ordering, "Circle the Jedi. A perimeter, create, around the survivors."

Carina lingered a few feet behind Padme, shielding her from shots fired as the Senator boarded a craft, followed shortly by Carina, Anakin, and Obi-Wan.

The brunette slipped her saber back into her utility belt before hanging on tightly to the rails as the craft levitated back into the air. Anakin shuffled closer to the girls side, leaning down slightly to quietly speak, "Are you alright?"

Carin turned her head, gazing up at the blonde before realizing their close proximity, her eyes darted down to his lips before took a step forward, clearing her throat as she replied, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

Anakin bit back a smile as he shook his head, clearly enjoying the effect he had on the Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan blinked profusely as he darted his attention between the two, Padme smiled knowingly before she glanced back out at the scenery.

Carina attempted to steady herself as the gunship began to rock due to the explosions and ground fire happening below them. "Hold on!" Obi-Wan shouted as Carina glanced back to check on Padme who was speaking with a Clone officer.

Carina glanced down the openings of the craft as the Clone troopers down below that were in open fire with the artillery. Explosions wreck the parked Battle Starships before the Clone troopers advanced, firing at the massed droids. Fighter droids flew overhead, exchanging fire with the Gunships and Jedi fighters.

Carina clenched her jaw as Anakin leaned slightly forward to speak with the pilot, "Aim right above the fuel cells."

The pilot nodded before laser fire pelted the base of the Techno Union ship. The action causing for it to rock with explosions, beginning to tilt over as the gunships split up to fly around it.

Obi-Wan gave his padawan an encouraging nod, "Good call. Those Federation starships are taking off. Target them quickly." Carina watched with a weary gaze as a neighboring gunship fired at a trade federation starship but no damage was made.

"I think the ground troops will have to take them out." Carina spoke up as the spacecraft slowed down slightly, circling over a droid gun-emplacement that suddenly fired at them. The gunship lurched to the side, barely missing the assault on them.

Carina narrowed her eyes as she caught something in the far distance, "Is that...?" Anakin turned his attention to where the Jedi Knight was looking before speaking, "It's Dooku. Shoot him down."

The Clone Captain shook his head, "We're out of ordinance, Sir." Carina tightened her grip on the rail, "Then follow him."

Padme glanced between the three Jedi, "We're going to need some help." Obi-Wan spared the Senator a look, "No, there's no time. The three of us can handle this."

Carina caught sight of two of Dooku's fighters veering off, one went left and the other right s they looped around back the gunship. The Clone Pilot detected this movement steered upwards to avoid being severely hit but one of the shots still managed to struck them.

The space craft lurched to the side and Carina almost slipped out of the ship but Anakin reacted quickly as he reached his arm out, gripping the rail latch tightly as he pulled the brunette's body flush against his by her waist.

Carina regained her balance and fought the heat that was rising to her face as she wiggled out of Anakin's grasp. The brunette parted her lips to speak but stopped any movement to do so as she realized Padme and the Clone officer were no longer on board.

Worry flushed through her expression as she turned, gazing out the opening the gunship had as she searched for her friend. She relaxed slightly upon seeing the brunette sit upright on the sand, her figure beginning to look distant as the spacecraft continued after Dooku.

Carina gazed back at Obi-Wan and Anakin, "She's fine." The Jedi Master nodded firmly, "Our only concern right now is Dooku."

Carina pursed her lips, voiding her expression of any emotion as she watched the Sith Lord's speeder park outside the nearby tower. The Clone Pilot set the aircraft down, parking it on the solid ground as the three Jedi were quick to strut out of the gunship, quickly making their way to find Dooku.

Carina slipped her lightsaber out, clutching it rather tightly as Count Dooku laid a few feet ahead, switching some controls on the panel for his sail ship that was parked nearby. Anakin narrowed his eyes at the male, "You're going to pay for all the Jedi you've killed today, Dooku."

Obi-Wan glanced over at the brunette and his own padawan, "We can take him together, Carina—" but the young Skywalker boy had grown angsty and impatient as he grit out whilst turning his blue lit saber on, "No, I'm taking him now."

Carina's eyes went wide with shock as Anakin leaped with his saber raised. Dooku faintly smiled as he extended out a hand, unleashing a shock of lightening from his mere fingertips. Anakin was thrown across the room from the blast, grunting in pain as he was in and out of consciousness.

Carina spun her lightsaber in her hand as Dooku coyly smirked, "As you can see, my Jedi powers are far beyond yours." The brunette let out a scoff before getting into her stance, "I've heard enough from you to last me a lifetime."

The Jedi Knight moved quickly, slashing her saber as the Sith had slipped his own saber out, countering her attack. Carina circled him, taking note of his fighting style to see it was old fashioned, classic, and yet elegant.

The Algora girl was quick to spin on her heel as Obi-Wan held his weapon before him, looking for an opening to attack.

Carina pounced, slicing her saber upwards but the Sith Lord was prepared for it, his saber clashed with hers, ember and red igniting together as the Jedi used her strength to push against him.

Count Dooku was evidently stronger and shoved the brunette back to which she stumbled as the Sith slashed his saber upwards, making a deep gash on Carina's brow bone.

The Jedi Knight hissed in pain before Dooku threw her back using the Force. The brunette slumped down the wall she had hit, her right eye closed in pain as she could feel the skin around the cut begin to burn and sting.

Obi-Wan was quick to jump into action at the sight of young Carina being injured. He saber fought with the well trained Sith, it becoming visible to him that he would not be able to beat Dooku. None of them could.

"Master Kenobi, you disappoint me. Yoda holds you in such high esteem."

Obi-Wan made another move against the male but Dooku slit his red lit weapon on the Master Jedi's arm, creating a wound. Kenobi's features scrunched up in pain before he shuffled on his feet, clutching saber tightly whilst slightly panting.

"Come, come, Master Kenobi. Put me out of my misery."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, attempting to attack once more but Dooku had proven to be more skilled. The Sith began to pick up his tempo, striking the Jedi Master harder as Kenobi struggled to defend himself. Dooku let out a bored sigh before overpowering Obi-Wan, stabbing his weapon through the Jedi's thigh.

The Jedi Master slumped onto the ground, his saber skittering across the cold floor. Carina picked up her weapon, her right eye still closed as she watched Dooku raise his saber over Obi-Wan who laid defenseless.

The brunette turned her golden lit saber on as she reached out, clashing her weapon with Dooku's, preventing him from killing Kenobi.

"I didn't take you for a foolish one."

Carina held a hateful glint as she grit out, "As if you even know me." Carina lifted her saber up, making the Sith stumble backwards from the force she used. Anakin stepped into the brunette's side, twirling his saber in his hand as he eyed the girl beside him, concern evident in his eyes as he gazed at her gash.

"Focus on him." Carina's voice was distant, almost cold as she adjusted her grip on her weapon. Anakin reluctantly nodded, looking ahead at Dooku who stood tall.

The Count gazed between the pair, "The Force is strong with you both, more so when you stand together. But it won't be enough to save you this time."

Carina rolled her shoulders back, attempting to ignore the pulsing pain in her right brow as she clenched her jaw. The girl planted her feet firmly on the ground as she and Anakin moved, her spinning around to attack him behind and the blonde boy took him head on.

Carina moved her saber in an upwards movement as Dooku deflected her attack before clashing sabers with Anakin. The Algora girl went to strike but Dooku shot a beam of lightening at her, causing for the young Jedi to be hurled back into the wall.

Anakin caught Obi-Wan's saber that he had thrown to him using the Force as the Sith and young padawan continued their fight. Dooku continued slashing his saber, hit after hit until Anakin was driven back into the wall before losing on lightsaber.

Count Dooku raised his chin and in a blink of an eye his saber moved, cutting right through Anakin's arm. Amputating the boy's forearm from his elbow down. Young Skywalker collapsed onto the ground, gritting his teeth in pain.

Hate was clear in Carina's gaze as she watched Dooku loom over Anakin, prepared to finish the padawan off.

Carina had taken ahold of her lightsaber, all her movements quick and silent as she finally opened her right eye, relishing in the slight sting and ache it brought her. She turned on her weapon, lips pursed and eyes narrowed as she pounced, going to attack the Sith who quickly turned. Dooku stumbled slightly, pushing his saber against Carina's as she poured all her strength, inching closer and closer towards his face as she acted on her anger, using it to strengthen herself.

Carina kicked her leg out, hitting his calf harshly to which he tripped over himself, looking up at the brunette who spun her saber, "How's that for strength?"

Count Dooku straightened up, hiding a grin to see the look of hate in the young Jedi's eyes, "Hatred is an ally."

Carina didn't bother to pay attention to whatever nonsense the male was spewing, the brunette moved again, attacking once more as every one one of her strikes got stronger and stronger, she didn't bother pausing as Count Dooku had no other choice but attempt to defend himself.

Carina jutted her elbow up, hitting the old male in the jaw and she took the opportunity to stab her saber through his leg. She smiled slightly as a look of pain flashed across his expression, she jabbed the end of her saber handle into his face, hearing a crack as she broke his nose before kicking him in the chest, sending the Sith Lord back a few feet.

Carina couldn't hear or see anything except for Dooku, noises were drowned out and her eyes didn't dare leave the Count.

The Algora girl loomed over him, eyes blank as she placed her igniting saber dangerously close to his neck, "Some Jedi power you have." Carina raised her saber, prepared to finish the Sith off when a voice caught her attention.

"Carina!"

The brunette turned to see Obi-Wan gazing at, concern visible in his gaze, he looked as if he had been yelling out her name multiple times, but she had only then heard him. Obi-Wan gave the young girl a look, "Don't."

Carina blinked a few times, her anger subsiding as she realized what she was about to do. The Jedi Knight stumbled backwards with her lips parted, breathing heavily as she shut her saber off.

Dooku weakly stood back up, ignoring the pain in his thigh as he dryly laughed, "Should have killed me." the Sith extended out his hand, hitting the girl with a more intense beam of lightening as Carina let out a yell before being hurled into a long post, wincing as she slid down.

Her head began to feel heavy as her eyelids began to slowly close, she could make out a faint green figure in the distance and a voice that always soothed her mind calling out for her.

Carina's vision went black as she lost consciousness.

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AUTHORS NOTE, battle scenes are not my strong suit as you all can probably tell but we're almost done with AOTC which im very happy abt.