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AN: Here's chapter 37! Thanks for all the great reviews!

Burning Vendetta

Chapter 37: Distress Signal From Kashyyyk

Long ago, the war torn planet of Dathomir was once a peaceful place. Much of this peace was attributed to the guardian creatures that protected the planet they loved. Most prominent was the angel of the skies or the Seraph. She was a gentle, peaceful bird, pure white in color, with beautiful, shimmering expansive wings. Her song brought comfort and peace and her presence soothed her followers. She was almost always seen by the side of her mate, the warrior and lord of the skies. The Phoenix, red and bright in color with a wing span even larger than his beloved mate's. He was a fierce warrior and protected the people from wrongdoers. He had immense strength and could carry things more than a thousand times his weight in his sharp talons. His tears could heal wounds; which was a quality his mate shared with him. But one day, an evil creature was born. Some say the creature was born in the violent Villitox volcano, thus why they named the creature after this fiery pit. The Villitox filled the people of Dathomir with fear and despair. The Seraph and the Phoenix kept hope alive, healing those they could, and restoring some hope to the people. This angered the great serpent and he set a trap. He greatly feared the Phoenix's power..." Padme stopped reading, not wanting to finish. This particular fairy tale did not have a happy ending.

"What happened mommy?" Luke asked.

"The trap didn't work and the Phoenix defeated the Villitox so it could no longer hurt anyone. Then he lived happily ever after with his mate," she finished. The twins smiled and slowly drifted off to rest.

"Padme...why did you stop? I get the feeling that's not the end of the story," Anakin said.

"It's not...but it's not exactly happy," Padme replied. Anakin took the book from her and picked up where she had left off.

He greatly feared the Phoenix's power and sought to take away the most precious thing he had. The Villitox's trap was sprung upon his attack of a small village in which the Seraph arrived to help the dying people. It was then that the Villitox sprang forth and sunk it's venomous fangs into the beautiful, angelic creature. The Phoenix arrived mere moments later...but his tears could not dispel all of the deadly venom. His beloved died in the grasp of his large wings. The cry of rage and pain emitted by the great bird was heard throughout the land, echoed through the valleys and reverberated in the seas. It was then the Phoenix set out to avenge the death of his beloved and joined with a great warrior by the name of Skywalker, who had also suffered loss at the coils of the Villitox. Together, they destroyed the evil Villitox...but Dathomir would never be the same. Evil had stained it forever and its angel that watched over them all was gone forever. Once he avenged his beloved, he desired only to join her in the afterlife and died shortly thereafter in Skywalker's arms. The Phoenix was known for being reborn from its ashes...but it did not rise again. The Phoenix joined his beloved angel in the embrace of the Force. The once peaceful and beautiful Dathomir was plunged into darkness...

Anakin finished, shocked by the sad story, which in his heart he knew to be true. This was why their guardian animals were extinct and why the Villitox was extinct. Lucia's guardian had murdered Padme's in cold blood to cause his immense, unbearable pain.

"Ani...it's okay. It's just a story," Padme assured him.

"No it's not...and you know it too," Anakin responded.

"Maybe so, but this does not mean history will repeat itself," Padme answered.

"You're right, it won't..." he said, as he took her in his arms.

"It would destroy me if I lost you...just like it destroyed the Phoenix when he lost his Seraph," Anakin said. Padme wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Ani...things are different this time. I'm a warrior too and we'll fight her together," Padme said.

"Angel...what about when Lucia finds out who your guardian is? What if she decides to come after you to get to me. You know she will," he said seriously. She smiled and brushed the hair from his eyes.

"Then I guess Lord Vader will simply have to protect me like he always has. If I remember correctly, it hasn't worked very well when others have tried to take me from him," she said, as she kissed his forehead. He smirked.

"I guess it hasn't," he replied, as their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"I love you so much..." he rasped, as his lips traveled down her neck.

"I can't lose you..." he said, as he held her tightly against him.

"You will not lose me. I'll not have you dwelling on this story as some sort of bad omen for our future, because it's not. Things will not happen like that this time. I'll never leave your side," she promised, as she kissed his lips. They found themselves laying on the blanket, cuddling close, as they talked and kissed while the twins lay beside them asleep.

Zeph moaned into his kiss, as he pressed her up against the wall.

"Marcus..." she moaned, as he nipped at her neck, while his hands grasped her hips.

"No one's ever stood up for me the way you did. Why?" she asked. He pulled back from his assault on her neck.

"Damn it Zeph, you know why," he said, as he devoured her lips again.

"No...I don't. We keep dancing around the subject...but I need to know," Zeph said. Marcus pulled back and paced in front of her.

"Why do you think I defended you? You think I was just going to stand there while they trashed you. While they said those terrible things about you?" he asked in vehement.

"They were all true, Marc. Nic has every right to call me a terrible person, for I have never been nice to him," Zeph said.

"No, he doesn't have a right to call you anything! When he was saying that stuff...I just lost it. You're such a wonderful person. Why can't you show them what I see?" he stepped behind her and inhaled the scent from her raven hair. He observed her beautiful form, her curves called to him and made him ache with need.

"Gods...you're so beautiful," Marcus rasped, as his lips tackled her neck. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes at his tender admission. She turned in his embrace and her dark eyes locked with his, the passion smoldering between them.

"Zeph...I defended you, because you're...you are the woman I love," he confessed. Zeph's breath hitched in her throat, as she stared at him. Surely she had heard wrong.

"You...you love me?" she asked in disbelief. He nodded.

"Yes, I'm in love with you Zephany and I want you to be mine," he said. Tears slid down her cheeks.

"Oh Marcus...I love you too!" she cried, as she leapt into his arms. The light of the sunset filtered through the blinds and cast the room in a romantic glow. As Marcus broke the hot kiss, they stared into each other's eyes.

"I want you..." Zeph said, as she smoothed her hands along his chest.

"Zeph...I'm not going to push you into anything..." he responded.

"I know...but I'm ready," she told him.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded eagerly and kissed him tenderly. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed, before gently laying her beautiful form down. Passion burned hotly between them, as they gave in to the feelings at last...

"Oh Marcus...that was..." she couldn't find the words.

"It was amazing..." he finished for her.

"I've never felt anything like...that before. What happened...right at the end?" she asked. He smiled at her.

"That, my love, was an orgasm," he replied.

"Does it happen like that all the time?" she asked.

"Well, I hope it does or I'm not very good," he joked.

"But seriously, it only gets better, especially when you are with someone you love," he explained.

"You mean it wasn't like this for you when you were with...other women?" she asked timidly.

"Not even close, baby. That wasn't just sex, Zephany. We made love and there's a big difference," he explained.

"You really love me. I can't quite get over it," she mentioned.

"I do love you, Zeph. Please never doubt that," he pleaded.

"I won't...I promise," she replied, as their lips met softly...

Blaster fire rained down on Kashyyyk relentlessly. Clone Troopers scoured the lands on foot. Imperial Walkers devastated everything in their wake. Armored vehicles carrying more Troopers navigated the grounds. And Lucia herself hovered over the planet in her massive Super Star Destroyer, observing things from below. The Dathomirians and their Wookie friends were scattering like insects whose home had just been stamped on. She chuckled evilly.

"This will bring Leiana and her brat out of hiding for sure. They won't let what's left of the good side of their race be massacred. And when they finally arrive, I will destroy them all..." she hissed...

A young woman dodged the blaster fire, as it rained around her. She sprinted rapidly, as her flaxen blonde hair whipped around her.

"Stop right there!" a Storm Trooper called. The woman's blue eyes darted around, seeing herself surrounded by oncoming foes. She reached deeply into the Force and called upon her elemental powers.

"Aquamariam Inferio!" she called, as a torrent of water erupted from her extended palms. It blew the Storm Troopers back and she sprinted off again, losing them in the woods. She found her way to a hidden cave and dashed inside.

"Lana...thank the Force you are all right," a young man said, as he enveloped her in a hug. His spiky, dirty blonde hair stood up in all directions and he stood several inches over her head.

"Hunter...it's terrible. They're everywhere!" Lana cried.

"It's all right. We've already sent a distress message to the Queen. When she receives it, I know she and the others will come," Hunter said, as he led her deeper into the cave where they were holding out against Imperial Forces...

"You said it was urgent," Leiana said, as she rushed into the situation room. General Dodonna turned to her with a serious expression.

"We have received a disturbing distress call from Kashyyyk," Dodonna said, as he pressed a yellow button on the console. A hologram appeared in the form of a young spiky-haired man.

"My Queen...Lucia has invaded Kashyyyk. We are under heavy fire and have retreated to the caves to hide, but I do not know how long it will be before we are discovered. We know it is risky for you to return at this time...but we need you and the others...or we will all surely be destroyed," the message was quick and ended after that statement.

"He is right. It is very risky for you to go," Dodonna said.

"And if I don't, my people will be massacred. I must go inform everyone of what's going on. Thank you General," Leiana said, as she left in a hurry.

Marcus came out of the fresher in a towel, followed by Zeph. She smiled and kissed him softly.

"Well, I've never had a shower quite like that one before," she said. He smirked.

"Liked that, did you?" he asked huskily, as he kissed her neck. He grabbed her towel and was about to tug it off when there was a knock at his door.

"Marcus...it's Padme! Leiana is calling an emergency meeting in the common room!"

"Okay...w...I'll be there in a minute!" Marcus called.

"Have you seen Zeph? No one can seem to find her?" Padme called. Marcus looked at her and she nodded.

"She's in here with me, Padme. We'll explain later," Marcus called.

"Oh...okay..." Padme accepted his answer for now and they heard her footsteps retreat.

"What do you think it's about?" Marcus asked.

"I don't know, but nothing good I'm sure," she replied, as they began to dress quickly.

"Mom...what's going on?" Anakin asked, as he and Padme entered, holding the twins' hands. Leiana motioned for everyone to sit and began.

"We have received a distress call from Kashyyyk. Lucia has invaded and the planet is under heavy fire," Leiana announced.

"We must do something," Erika exclaimed.

"Have they gone to the enchanted caves to hide?" Nic asked.

"It's most certainly a trap," Zac added.

"Trap or not, it doesn't matter. Those are our people," Kendra mentioned.

"Please, you must all remain calm," Leiana said. They quieted and waited for her to speak again.

"I am almost certain this is a trap to draw Anakin out in the open," Leiana stated. Anakin stood.

"I don't care. I'm not going to let her murder a planet full of innocent people and creatures. If she wants me...then she'll have me," Anakin replied.

"Sweetheart, I admire your bravery, but I have only been training you a few months. I don't know if it will be enough to go up against Lucia," Leiana said.

"It will have to do. I won't sit here and do nothing when I could be out there helping people," Anakin said.

"I agree, Milady. We've all trained hard and if we were to wait for an ideal time to confront her, it would never come. We can't sacrifice our people just because we aren't sure we're ready to fight her," Zeph said. Marcus smiled at her and clutched her hand, something that did not go unnoticed by any of them. But they all knew it was not time to ask about what could possibly be going on between them.

"Very well. We'll leave in an hour. No one is to go anywhere on the planet without a partner, for Lucia will look to prey on those who are alone. We will discuss our strategy further once we are on our way," Leiana said.

This left everyone scrambling to pack a few things they would need on the trip. Anakin led Padme to their room, while leaving the twins in the common room to play with Han under Dorme's watch. They opened the closet in their room and stared at the two uniforms inside. Their last battle attire had been severally damaged by the battle with Lucia and they had designed new uniforms over the last few months. They shed their training clothes and began dressing in their battle attire. Anakin slipped on a black form fitting muscle shirt, the short sleeves accenting his large biceps. He slipped on a pair of black pants and buckled them with a belt. He threw a leather jerkin on over his shirt and then began fastening his utility belt around his waist. The belt was loaded with weaponry, including two light sabers, his old and new one. He also had thermal detonators, several small knife size vibro blades, a grabbling cable, an ascension gun, and a blaster. He tightened an arm cuff around his bicep and sheathed a dagger sized blade on it. He then picked up his saber sized blade and sheathed in a scabbard at his side next to his light saber. He grabbed a black cape from the closet and through it around his body, fastening it at his collarbone.

Padme donned a pair of form fitting black pants and zipped up her sleeveless leather top. The zipper rested at her bosom and the top accented her cleavage. She secured her utility belt around her waist, with both old and new light sabers. She sheathed several knife size vibro blades, as well as, a blaster, thermal detonators, a grabbling cable, and an ascension gun. She strapped a cuff to her caf muscle and sheathed a dagger there. She threw her own cape around her body and secured it at her collarbone as well. And finally, they both slipped on a pair of black boots.

"Here," Padme said, as she handed him a satchel. His eyes widened, as he looked inside and pulled out his Vader mask.

"You think I should wear it again?" he asked.

"We're bound to run into dozens of Troopers and Officers. It scares the hell out of them and would give us the quick advantage of bypassing a lot of trouble. Besides...it's part of who you are and that mask has saved both our lives many times. I think we're going to need all the help we can get," she said. He smiled and put the mask back in the satchel, before throwing the bag over his shoulder.

"You're right. Promise me that you'll stay close to me out there?" he said.

"I won't leave your side for a moment. We're doing this together, just like we always do," she replied. He stepped closer to her.

"I can't lose you. It would destroy me," he whispered to her, his breath tickling her lips.

"You will not lose me. You're holding on way too tightly for that to happen," she replied in a breathless whisper.

"My heart belongs to you..." he said.

"And mine to you..." she replied.

"I love you...more than I can put into words," he said.

"And I love you. I do not need words to know the depths of your love for me, nor do you to know mine for you," she replied. Their lips met in a tender kiss, before they both grabbed their satchels and left their darkened room...

"Please be careful," Dorme told her husband, as she hugged him tightly.

"I will, my love," he replied, as he kissed her passionately. He knelt down and scooped his son into his arms.

"You take care of mommy while I'm gone," he told the boy.

"I love you daddy," Han said.

"And I love you son," he replied.

"Will you be gone long?" Han asked.

"I hope not," he replied, as he ruffled the boy's brown hair.

"Why do you have to go?" Leia asked, as she clung to her father.

"We have to go fight some very bad people, who are trying to hurt others," Anakin replied.

"Why can't we go with you?" Luke asked.

"It's too dangerous, baby. You and your sister are too little," Padme told him.

"We'll be back before you know it. You'll have a lot of fun with Aunt Dorme and Uncle Dex. You'll have fun playing with Han and Wedge too," Anakin assured them. They both kissed and hugged the twins, before they filed onto the Falcon with the others. Leiana's enchantment on the Falcon was still in effect and this increased the size of the inside without changing the appearance of the ship on the outside. After everyone was strapped in, Anakin took the Falcon up and set the course for Kashyyyk, before engaging the hyper drive engine and shooting into hyperspace...