Chapter 10 - Preparation

Imperial Shuttle

My mind whirled a bit as I took in exactly what just happened, my former apprentice that had abandoned the order a few months back and..Ventress? I hadn't expected to see her in this rescue party, especially after my rather cruel interrogation of her back when I was trying to clear Ahsoka's name; what were these two doing together? I don't sense that Ahsoka is dwelling in the dark side, I don't recall what had happened to Ventress though, she all but vanished once the Empire arose.

"I don't understand..why are you here? What is going on?"

Ventress simply smirked, left the cockpit, and moved towards the back of the ship while Ahsoka released her death grip like hug around my neck, her happiness was evident. "Well, I decided to join Ventress as a Bounty Hunter after I left, I didn't really know where else to go. We got a transmission from Master Kenobi about a month ago asking us to rescue you, I tried to get a hold of him after that, but we never heard back from him." I sighed, slightly worried, I knew he could take care of himself, but I hadn't a clue what had become of any of the Jedi, it didn't sound reassuring in the slightest, I opened my mouth to speak again, but I couldn't quite find the words, Ahsoka began again regardless.

"I bet you're pretty confused, well the Jedi Order went into hiding after the rise of the Empire about 4 months ago, From what I heard a lot of the Jedi escaped from the Temple before the clones got there, but still, many of the Jedi on those remote planets weren't so lucky. You've been out of commission for some time now."

I was worried, but a bit relived to hear it wasn't a horrific slaughter ilk it had originally been, many Jedi had survived after all! Still, I only had one large concern at the moment, where was Padme? The children..they had to of been born by now, and I wasn't even around to see their birth, I missed it, again. I went to ask her if she had any idea where Padme was, but she must've read my mind because she responded before the question had left my lips.

"I'm sorry, Anakin, I tried looking for her, I have no idea where they took her, but right now, someone else needs to speak with you." Looking past her and out of the viewport, as the vivd star lines of hyperspace ahead of them faded back into real space, I saw an unfamiliar planet, it looked pretty remote from this distance.

Swamps of Dagobah

A swampy, desolate planet, not exactly somewhere I'd go for a vacation, but it's a perfect place for a force sensitive to hide, It was impossible to feel anything before coming down here, the Living Force was extremely abundant here, but that's not really important.

I tire of fighting, and war, and now an ever worse one has started, I know soon enough the Rebellion will be sprouting its head to fight back the Tyranny of the Empire, I only wish I could've been quicker to the punch.

Ventress had stayed on the ship, unsurprisingly. Ahsoka had came along to show me the way, as he walked though the fog, and the dense swamps we finally reached a clearing that seemed untouched by the dense forest life around myself it was night time by the time we get there, there were multiple small homes, all of varying sizes, and it seemed like they were made from various natural materials, I couldn't imagine living in such a place.

A small figure soon left the smallest of the houses, it was actually more of a hut then a home, who it was was unmistakable, Master Yoda, a friendly smile gracing his little face. "Young Skywalker, happy to see you again, I am. Out of touch with the galaxy you have been for some time," He took a deep breath, he seemed to age 10 more years as he spoke again. "Master Windu was killed on the spot after you had been captured, while Master Kenobi and Padme were taken by Sidious, no where they are, do I, fear for your children I do."

I nodded, my feelings reflecting his. "I understand master, I thought as much, I just don't know where to start, this wasn't supposed to happen, I'll keep trying to fix things though." Yoda gently hit my leg with his walking stick. "Remember my lessons, do you not? There is no try, you're a great Jedi, believe in you I do, behind you the Order is, prepare yourself tonight, there is plenty of work to be done."

Yoda's hut, later that night.

It was late, staring down at the all the scattered components of my new blade, many thoughts were running through my mind, the one that stuck out to me the most thought was my greatest fear, something I feared even during my years as Vader, Palpatine getting ahold of Luke and Leia, and now it had come true, I didn't even have an idea on how to get them back, knowing Palpatine he'd do everything in his power to hide them from me.

I closed my eyes, the parts of the saber rose from the small table in front of me, Ahsoka was sleeping next to me on the floor, after a quick glance I noticed she had her lightsabers again, some things you just can't live without, I suppose, it seemed like she was going to be sticking with me, whether I wanted her to or not, I surely don't mind though, having a familiar face by my side would keep me focused for this, but I knew I'd need more help to have any shot at this, I knew exactly who I'd need to bring along, but that'd take some time, which was something I was awfully short on lately.

A crystal rose from the table as the other some metallic pieces followed suit and they slowly all came together to form the hilt of a lightsaber, it was significant different from the saber I had dropped against Palpatine, it was more of a combo between mine and the one I used as Vader, as I had rather liked the design of it. The crystal was a special one, I had come across during the war, I had received it as a gift from a tribe of a nameless spices, I always kept it in my pocket, I never did find use for it until this moment. Piece by piece aligning themselves through my connection through the force. The hilt slowly came to my hand, my fingers wrapped around the cold metal as the blade finked on to life, a brilliant blade of silver sliced through the air.

I'm ready, Master, Padme, Luke and Leia, I'm coming to save all of you, no matter what the cost.

Hi everyone! Sorry for the wait, I've been super busy lately and aside from that I recently just got a job, but I'll try my best to have another one up as soon as possible, I hope you enjoy it. Ideas and concerns are appreciated, I'm not unite sure where to go from here.