Chapter 38

Laetitia held Chuckles' body in her arms. He was the only person in her legion that treated her like a kid or expected her to act like a kid.

My legion.

She remembered that her legion had wanted to stay behind and fight. She gently put Chuckles out of her arm and ran to find her soldiers.

Laetitia passed by thousands of her fellow Jedi on her way. No one survived. Only the younglings or Padawans were killed by a blaster. The highly-trained knights or masters died by a cut from a lightsaber.

She heard the shoots of blasters from the main hall, so she ran there with her lightsabers ignited. It was 502nd legion. She knew it. She saw a Force-sensitive wielding a blue lightsaber.

It must be the person who killed all the younglings and masters. So it's a Dark Jedi.

Anger took over her body. She was about to come out of the shadow and fight but froze when she saw who it was.

Anakin Skywalker.

He was holding his lightsaber and attacking the 502nd clones, who were fighting for the Jedi.

Laetitia froze, literally. She couldn't see clearly because of the tears in her eyes. Her father, Anakin Skywalker, the Hero with no fear, was the Dark Jedi who killed master Drallig, the younglings, Madame Jocasta Nu and every other Padawan, knight and Jedi master in the Temple.

She couldn't move from being shocked. She could swear that her heart stopped for a second.

Every clone in her legion was dead except Raven. He was the last one standing.

"General Skywalker. Why?!" He asked with clear hurt and betrayal in his tone.

Anakin didn't say anything and just approached slowly and cut the clone.

Laetitia gasped. She put her hands on her mouth, trying so hard to not make any noise.

Raven was lying on the ground when he saw his general hiding in the shadows in the corner of his eye. Anakin clearly didn't see her. Raven held his hand up, telling her 'stay there and don't move'.

The clones gathered in circles around Anakin.

"Sir, we have checked. Every Jedi in the Temple is dead." A clone said robotically.

"Good." Was all Anakin said before he rushed to his Starfighter.

500 Republica

Padme was worried sick about her daughter. She had heard that Anakin was alive and okay but there was no news about Leah.

The attack on the Jedi Temple was so brutal. She could see the smokes and screams from where she was.

The baby in her belly kept kicking. He was worried. She was, too. About a lot of things. Anakin, Laetitia, the Republic, the Jedi, people and etc.

She placed her hand on her belly to calm the baby.

"Don't worry, baby. I'm sure your sister's fine, too."

She whipped around when she heard a Starfighter parking near her apartment. It was Anakin. She knew it.

She ran to him and kissed her husband.

"Are you alright? I heard there was an attack on the Jedi Temple. You could see the smoke from here!" Her voice was shaking.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." He reassured her. "I came to see if you and the baby are safe. Where's Leah?"

"She's not here."

Anakin blinked in anger and annoyance "She's not? I told her to come straight here."

"You saw her? Is she alright?"

"Yes."

"What's happening?"

"The Jedi have tried to overthrow the Republic."

Padme gasped "I can't believe that."

"I saw master Windu attempt to assassinate the chancellor myself."

"Oh, Anakin! What are you gonna do?"

"I will not betray the Republic. My loyalties lie with the chancellor and with the senate and with you, my family."

"What about Obi-wan?"

Anakin said sadly "I don't know. Many Jedi have been killed. We can only hope that he's remained loyal to the chancellor."

Knowing his old master, he knew that was impossible. But he could only hope that Obi-wan would start to see things his way.

"Anakin, I'm afraid." Padme said with tears in her eyes.

Anakin touched her face "Have faith in my love for our family. Everything will soon be set right. The chancellor has given me a very important mission. The separatists have gathered on the Mustafar system. I'm going there to end this war. Wait for me until I return. Things will be different. I promise."

"You're not gonna look for Leah?" Padme asked in her surprise. She had expected Anakin to run around the city to look for their daughter.

"She can take care of herself. Call me when she gets home." He said as he kissed his wife.

"Please, wait for me."

Laetitia was walking around Coruscant like a zombie. Her clothes were covered in blood and her face was full of tears. She still couldn't believe that it was her father that killed everyone in the Temple. Every Temple guard, every youngling, every Padawan, every knight, every master. EVERYONE.

She took a look at herself. She was literally carrying the blood her father spilled around. She tried to get it off. She was rubbing it violently when she suddenly remembered something.

Mom!

Her dad was gonna go there. She forgot about the blood and ran to protect her mother.

500 Republica

Padme was watching the news when she heard a speeder near her building. She went outside and saw Jedi master Obi-wan Kenobi entering her apartment.

"Obi-wan! I'm glad to see you alive." She said as she embraced him.

"Yes. Well, it appears I got lucky." He said bitterly.

"Anakin will be happy to hear you're alive."

Obi-wan looked down.

Anakin.

How was he supposed to tell the senator about what happened to Anakin? What he did?!

"Padme, when is the last time you saw him?"

"Yesterday." Padme said uncomfortably as she walked away.

"And do you know where he is now?"

"No." She said firmly.

Obi-wan could tell she was lying. Apparently, he had underestimated his Padawan's bond with the senator.

"Padme. I need your help. He's in grave danger."

Padme whipped around and asked worriedly "From the Sith?"

"From himself." Obi-wan choked out.

Padme frowned. She had never seen him like this.

Obi-wan took a deep breath and slowly said as he put his hand on her shoulder "Padme, Anakin has turned to the dark side."

Padme immediately rejected the comfort and said as if she had been insulted "You're wrong! How can you even say that?"

"I've seen a security hologram of him … killing younglings."

"Not Anakin! He … couldn't."

Why would Anakin hurt children? He's a father himself and would never do that.

"He was deceived by a lie. We all were. It appears that the chancellor is behind everything, including the war. Palpatine IS the Sith lord we've been looking for." He explained "After the death of Count Dooku, Anakin became his new apprentice."

Padme winced in pain. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. If what he said is true, her entire world was getting upside down.

She said in denial as she fell on the sofa "I don't believe you! I … can't."

"Padme, I must find him."

"You're going to kill him, aren't you?"

Obi-wan swallowed and said "He has become a very great threat."

He didn't know if he was convincing her or himself.

Padme shook her head "I can't."

"Padme …" But he was interrupted by a voice that sounded like shrieking.

"Mom! Is dad here …?"

Laetitia jumped in but stopped when she realized her mother was not alone.

Done :(