The next morning, Padmé woke up rather early. She had slept horribly. Feeling slightly better, she walked over and looked out the window, wondering where Anakin was.
She shook her head, feeling guilty for not believing him, and then got dressed slowly, trying to decide what she should do. She wandered around the house, thinking to herself, and sat down on a love seat.
Time slowly passed until she hear a call come through the transmitter.
"Senator! Padmé, please come in. I bring important news."
It was Obi-Wan's voice at the other end.
She nodded and got up, walking over to the transmitter.
"I'll be there soon."
She told him and left the house. Soon, she arrived, wondering what the news was.
"Thank goodness you've made it Padmé."
Obi-Wan greeted her at the Jedi Headquarters, escorting her the council's private corridor. While walking toward the conference room Obi-wan began to speak.
"I heard from master Yoda that Anakin remained with you last night,.. By the way, my deepest sincerity for your well-being. I'm glad you are no longer ill. Besides that matter, I have to ask you any valuable information you may have on-"
Obi-Wan turned to activate the opening of the large sealed doors which led to the conference room.
They stood in the door way as Obi-Wan finished his sentence.
"-Anakin, we need to know where we may be able to locate him."
Having said this, he led her inside the large oval-shaped room, draped with fine curtains, and finished off with a large metallic table, seating magnificent leather chairs. Together, they walked up 2 steps to the converse table where they took seats across from the Jedi Masters.
"Why?"
she asked, looking at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan looked for the council back to Padmé.
"I best let master Windu explain."
He answered. Padmé nodded, shifting her gaze to master Windu.
"I do not know where he is. After I- well, he left, and he didn't tell me where he was going. I have no idea...I could only guess,..."
Padmé told them quietly, remembering why Anakin left and trying to think of any possible place he could've gone. Mace looked down before continuing.
"Sources have confirmed the Sith have been plotting a war against us, as we were already aware of, though they plan to strike in a matter of days. We have no means of being prepared. The most we can do is keep the clone army on stand-by and alert them when they are needed."
Padmé nodded.
"I'll try to find out where Anakin is, but I honestly don't have any idea where he would go - I mean, he's changed, I think, so I really wouldn't know..."
The loud sound of explosions around them caused the room to shake and interrupted Padmé.
They looked at the large bay window over looking the town when they came to realize they were being attacked by large armies. Bombs were exploding in every direction around them.
"This is excellent,"
Padmé muttered sarcastically under her breath, so that no one could hear.
The Jedi council was startled as they all ran around unsure of what to do. Mace, Yoda and they other fill-ins contacted the clone troops to descend for battle.
Padmé wondered what they wanted her to do; she looked around at the chaos.
Padmé nodded, thinking of how long this would last, and when she would see Anakin again.
"Alright, we must go, the Jedi can take care of this with the army, and I'm certain master Yoda is capable of handling this, he's faced many wars before. I will stay with you, our main goal is to keep you safe."
He guided her down the slate steps of the corridor into the main lobby, the large windows held out floods of dust and dirt caused by the attack. Their large frames no longer projecting light and the mid-day sun. "If only Ani where here..." He whispered under the stunning sounds of the explosions.
Padmé followed Obi-Wan, amazed that there had been so much destruction in so little time. It would be far worse by the time it was over, she thought to herself.
Quickly, they ran towards Padmé's air ship she had taken to reach the council. Obi-Wan used himself as a shield to protect Padmé from any gun blasts or debris. He guided her safely into the ship where they sat uneasily in the large winged-seats.
"We best take off now and head out right away, we can plan our stay on Tatooine once we get there, for now, it seems the most safe planet. Genosis, Naboo and all the others are already involved in this, it's our only hope."
Obi-Wan turned in his seat, staring at the floor while shouting
"Anakin, you man the guard station while I-"
It took him a while to realize that Anakin was not there, he corrected himself, and turned his seat forward.
"I'm sorry about that, i seem to appreciate his companionship more and more when he is gone...he was like a son to me. Now i understand why you felt so strongly about being with him. You truly love each oth-"
A large blast vibrated the ship, turning them into a spiral. R2 Righted the ship and they continued on course.
"Besides that, how much longer till we get to Tatooine?"
Padmé sighed and shook her head, looking at the floor.
"There are probably hundreds, thousands of innocent people out there, dying, right now, because of this...Anakin hated it when innocent people lost their lives, but I don't understand...he probably killed hundreds of innocent people when he was with the Sith's..."
"I know it's not of much help, but it would be best to try and forget Anakin for now, until this war is settled. Until then, we will have to pray for him. Afterward, we can search for him. I know he's out there, you and I both know how strong he is.."
Obi wan lifted Padmé's titled head to face his.
"Don't give up hope Padmé, you still love each other, and he knows it where ever he is."
He smiled and removed his hand from her chin.
"And besides, he did kill the dark lord, they are of less power, he has sacrificed so much for us, we can only be proud of him, not worried"
"You're right,"
she said, wondering when they would arrive. She tried to forget about Anakin.
Obi-Wan turned and faced the digital map.
"According to these co-ordinate, less then one quadrant away, we should arrive shortly."
The sound of the blasts and gun shots had faded as they neared Tatooine. Shortly, they arrived, the large ship managing itself as it landed farther from the main city and closer to the location of stranded homes, such as Lars'. Once the ship had landed and was steadied, they departed from the deck and walked toward the shelter.
"It's a shame we are barging in like this, also, without having brought any luggage for you, Senator."
Obi-Wan said.
"Please, call me Padmé."
She turned and walked back to the air ship. She soon returned with several pieces of luggage, containing everything she needed. She smiled at Obi-Wan.
"I kept this on the ship in case something like this happened."
Obi-Wan was surprised with her thinking and returned the smile. "Why, you seem to plan ahead, no wonder the city treasures you." Just then Lars and his son walked up to greet the visitors.
"Hello there, we received news of you coming, your Jedi masters transmitted a message to us. We have a separate shelter less then 1/8 of a quadrant away from here, if you would like to stay there. My son here can give you directions."
Lars hovered over to them in his wheel chair to provide a firm, yet friendly, handshake. While Appointing his son to hand them a map data disk.
"Load this into your mapping screen, and it will provide a direct route, you could walk by foot, but with the luggage, it may be awkward."
Obi-Wan signaled Padmé to turn around as the two boarded the ship once more. "R2, start the ship, change of plans." He turned back to Lars.
"Thank you! We are very grateful!"
He followed Padmé onto the ship and took a seat. From there, they reached the private home of Lars. They on boarded the ship again, Padmé carrying her luggage. She followed Obi-Wan inside, and she sat down. "How long do you think the war will last?" she asked.
Obi-wan shook his head as he replied to her question.
"I'm not sure M' lady. The least we can do is hope our differences will be settled, and that not too much damage will be caused to our cities. But, this involves so many planets, and the Sith. It could go on for a long time. I just wish-"
Obi-Wan corrected himself.
"Never mind that, the most important thing at this moment is keeping you safe an-"
He pointed out the window of the ship.
"-I think that's the home Lars spoke of. R2, land the ship. C3-PO, assist Senator Amidella with her things after we land." He pulled back lever, helping R2-D2 land the ship before the home.
They un-boarded the ship and walked inside. Padmé put down her luggage and looked around.
"It's nice."
Padmé said as she looked around, grabbing her luggage once more and taking it to one of the bedrooms. She then came back into the living-room and sat down on a love seat.
Obi-Wan looked around the home, each room was lain out the same, a single bed in the middle, furnished with a night stand and a lamp. Simple, yet the only safe hide-out for them. The kitchen held a food-storage component and cooking devices. The living area was simply a large table, with couches, chairs and many smaller tables surrounding it in a circle.
"I don't think anyone would ever suspect we would be here,"
Padmé said, getting up and standing in the doorway, looking outside. Thoughts about Anakin drifted into her mind; she quickly tried to forget about him again.
"Well Padmé, make yourself comfortable, we may be here a while. Don't worry, if anything happens, I'm here to protect you."
Obi-Wan wandered off into one of the rooms he claimed for himself.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, a large battle was taking place on Coruscant. Every living Jedi could be seen running around holding their light sabers and fighting for peace. The clones were a big part of their army also. Each one helped the Jedi and people of Naboo fight. The city was pure chaos. Children were screaming, and crying, and with explosions everywhere, it was hard to tell if one would live or die.
The battle continued on for weeks, and still, the Sith remained powerful, not giving in to the Jedi.
"Your Jedi, he killed our master"
A large pack of warriors from the Sith surrounded Mace Windu and an un-known Jedi. Suddenly, all the jedi who had come to help were encircled by an even larger amount of Sith rebels. Those from the dark side began to kill them off one by one, until a large group of them were left lifeless on the ground. The war seemingly ended, as each side stood up for the circle of fighters. The clones rushed in to protect the jedi, when a large destroyer ship and many other Sith came and killed them off, with ease. They were now out-numbered.
"We will never give in to you, not even if you would spare our lives. We will never be slaves of evil"
Mace Windu shouted with bravery. The leader of the Sith stepped forward to the cornered pack of very few jedi and the odd clones.
"In that case, say good-bye to everything Master Windu, take a good look around, this is the way you will remember your precious planet, destroyed and corrupted." He smirked and raised his hand, signaling his army to aim and ready their fires. At that moment, a large shot to the group interrupted them. Many of the Sith's army were shot, as the leader turned. They all looked up to see a large space craft just above them, recklessly killing off the Sith's army of droids.
"Come to save us, has master Anakin." Yoda said to Windu.
"Ani-? It's Anakin?" Windu asked him. Yoda nodded and pulled out his light saber, charging at the leader.
Anakin continued shooting and killing off the droids until it was down to the leader. He landed the ship and pulled out his light saber, heading towards Yoda.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu, I hope I'm not too late." He called out, readying his saber.
"Where's Padmé?" He asked.
"No time to explain, but don't worry, she's safe with Obi-Wan. We need you Anakin, hurry."
Mace Windu shouted while managing to ward of the leader.
Yoda leapt into the air and dodged one of the leader's gun shots. The laser beam ricochet off a pillar behind Yoda and caused it to crumble down. Yoda sprung off of a platform behind him and swung his light saber at the leader, hitting him and pressuring him to the ground. Master Windu joined in, swinging his light saber steadily at the master, slicing his arm. Anakin came running toward them when suddenly, he stopped. He paused, with a shocked expression on his face and collapsed to the ground. A gun shot was heard as the leader pulled his gun out of aim from Anakin and aimed it at Windu.
"Now, it's two on one, the odds are a bit more even."
He relished an evil smirk and stood up, over-powering the two. Yoda charged at him, furiously, striking his leg and managed to slice it off. The leader gasped in pain as his limb went flying from his body and he was surrounded in a puddle of his own blood.
"You bastard, you'll pay for what you've done to Anakin."
Master Windu shouted, while about to finish the leader off. He slowed down and stood, towering over him. His boots drenched in the blood lost from the leader's thigh, where his leg had been parted.
"You will die, to let you know how Anakin felt. You killed one of us, so I will kill you."
Windu raised his light saber and with a large blow to his abdomen, his light saber sliced through his robe, flesh and ribs, where it remained for the next while.
"You have won this time, but the Sith can only grow stronger..." The leader trailed off as his life slowly drained out of him. He lay there lifeless. Mace and Yoda stared at him, pleased, yet disgusted at the same time.
"All we could have done, it was. Now, bury Anakin we must. This, wanted Anakin would have." Yoda finished, holding back his emotions that hardly were noticeable through his age. Master Windu walked over to Anakin, he lifted him up, and a slight amount of blood was left marked in the sand and stained Windu's robe.
"Poor Anakin. He saved us all, without him, this war would have never ended. We have won at least." Windu spoke, as he carried Anakin over the Jedi council building, surprisingly, which had not been damaged.
"Won we have not, yet, lost we have. Lost Anakin we have master Windu." Yoda said, bowing his head in silence.
Master Windu carried him into a cellar and placed him in a wooden box, the exact size of his body. They used it as an old coffin and Windu then dragged it to the ship Anakin had used to kill the droids.
"I will bring him to Padmé and Obi-Wan, if anyone needs to say goodbye first, it's them. She truly loves him, and Obi-Wan saw him as a son." Windu sat the coffin just outside of the ship.
"But first, I'm sure we should announce the victory to the people."
She shook her head, feeling guilty for not believing him, and then got dressed slowly, trying to decide what she should do. She wandered around the house, thinking to herself, and sat down on a love seat.
Time slowly passed until she hear a call come through the transmitter.
"Senator! Padmé, please come in. I bring important news."
It was Obi-Wan's voice at the other end.
She nodded and got up, walking over to the transmitter.
"I'll be there soon."
She told him and left the house. Soon, she arrived, wondering what the news was.
"Thank goodness you've made it Padmé."
Obi-Wan greeted her at the Jedi Headquarters, escorting her the council's private corridor. While walking toward the conference room Obi-wan began to speak.
"I heard from master Yoda that Anakin remained with you last night,.. By the way, my deepest sincerity for your well-being. I'm glad you are no longer ill. Besides that matter, I have to ask you any valuable information you may have on-"
Obi-Wan turned to activate the opening of the large sealed doors which led to the conference room.
They stood in the door way as Obi-Wan finished his sentence.
"-Anakin, we need to know where we may be able to locate him."
Having said this, he led her inside the large oval-shaped room, draped with fine curtains, and finished off with a large metallic table, seating magnificent leather chairs. Together, they walked up 2 steps to the converse table where they took seats across from the Jedi Masters.
"Why?"
she asked, looking at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan looked for the council back to Padmé.
"I best let master Windu explain."
He answered. Padmé nodded, shifting her gaze to master Windu.
"I do not know where he is. After I- well, he left, and he didn't tell me where he was going. I have no idea...I could only guess,..."
Padmé told them quietly, remembering why Anakin left and trying to think of any possible place he could've gone. Mace looked down before continuing.
"Sources have confirmed the Sith have been plotting a war against us, as we were already aware of, though they plan to strike in a matter of days. We have no means of being prepared. The most we can do is keep the clone army on stand-by and alert them when they are needed."
Padmé nodded.
"I'll try to find out where Anakin is, but I honestly don't have any idea where he would go - I mean, he's changed, I think, so I really wouldn't know..."
The loud sound of explosions around them caused the room to shake and interrupted Padmé.
They looked at the large bay window over looking the town when they came to realize they were being attacked by large armies. Bombs were exploding in every direction around them.
"This is excellent,"
Padmé muttered sarcastically under her breath, so that no one could hear.
The Jedi council was startled as they all ran around unsure of what to do. Mace, Yoda and they other fill-ins contacted the clone troops to descend for battle.
Padmé wondered what they wanted her to do; she looked around at the chaos.
Padmé nodded, thinking of how long this would last, and when she would see Anakin again.
"Alright, we must go, the Jedi can take care of this with the army, and I'm certain master Yoda is capable of handling this, he's faced many wars before. I will stay with you, our main goal is to keep you safe."
He guided her down the slate steps of the corridor into the main lobby, the large windows held out floods of dust and dirt caused by the attack. Their large frames no longer projecting light and the mid-day sun. "If only Ani where here..." He whispered under the stunning sounds of the explosions.
Padmé followed Obi-Wan, amazed that there had been so much destruction in so little time. It would be far worse by the time it was over, she thought to herself.
Quickly, they ran towards Padmé's air ship she had taken to reach the council. Obi-Wan used himself as a shield to protect Padmé from any gun blasts or debris. He guided her safely into the ship where they sat uneasily in the large winged-seats.
"We best take off now and head out right away, we can plan our stay on Tatooine once we get there, for now, it seems the most safe planet. Genosis, Naboo and all the others are already involved in this, it's our only hope."
Obi-Wan turned in his seat, staring at the floor while shouting
"Anakin, you man the guard station while I-"
It took him a while to realize that Anakin was not there, he corrected himself, and turned his seat forward.
"I'm sorry about that, i seem to appreciate his companionship more and more when he is gone...he was like a son to me. Now i understand why you felt so strongly about being with him. You truly love each oth-"
A large blast vibrated the ship, turning them into a spiral. R2 Righted the ship and they continued on course.
"Besides that, how much longer till we get to Tatooine?"
Padmé sighed and shook her head, looking at the floor.
"There are probably hundreds, thousands of innocent people out there, dying, right now, because of this...Anakin hated it when innocent people lost their lives, but I don't understand...he probably killed hundreds of innocent people when he was with the Sith's..."
"I know it's not of much help, but it would be best to try and forget Anakin for now, until this war is settled. Until then, we will have to pray for him. Afterward, we can search for him. I know he's out there, you and I both know how strong he is.."
Obi wan lifted Padmé's titled head to face his.
"Don't give up hope Padmé, you still love each other, and he knows it where ever he is."
He smiled and removed his hand from her chin.
"And besides, he did kill the dark lord, they are of less power, he has sacrificed so much for us, we can only be proud of him, not worried"
"You're right,"
she said, wondering when they would arrive. She tried to forget about Anakin.
Obi-Wan turned and faced the digital map.
"According to these co-ordinate, less then one quadrant away, we should arrive shortly."
The sound of the blasts and gun shots had faded as they neared Tatooine. Shortly, they arrived, the large ship managing itself as it landed farther from the main city and closer to the location of stranded homes, such as Lars'. Once the ship had landed and was steadied, they departed from the deck and walked toward the shelter.
"It's a shame we are barging in like this, also, without having brought any luggage for you, Senator."
Obi-Wan said.
"Please, call me Padmé."
She turned and walked back to the air ship. She soon returned with several pieces of luggage, containing everything she needed. She smiled at Obi-Wan.
"I kept this on the ship in case something like this happened."
Obi-Wan was surprised with her thinking and returned the smile. "Why, you seem to plan ahead, no wonder the city treasures you." Just then Lars and his son walked up to greet the visitors.
"Hello there, we received news of you coming, your Jedi masters transmitted a message to us. We have a separate shelter less then 1/8 of a quadrant away from here, if you would like to stay there. My son here can give you directions."
Lars hovered over to them in his wheel chair to provide a firm, yet friendly, handshake. While Appointing his son to hand them a map data disk.
"Load this into your mapping screen, and it will provide a direct route, you could walk by foot, but with the luggage, it may be awkward."
Obi-Wan signaled Padmé to turn around as the two boarded the ship once more. "R2, start the ship, change of plans." He turned back to Lars.
"Thank you! We are very grateful!"
He followed Padmé onto the ship and took a seat. From there, they reached the private home of Lars. They on boarded the ship again, Padmé carrying her luggage. She followed Obi-Wan inside, and she sat down. "How long do you think the war will last?" she asked.
Obi-wan shook his head as he replied to her question.
"I'm not sure M' lady. The least we can do is hope our differences will be settled, and that not too much damage will be caused to our cities. But, this involves so many planets, and the Sith. It could go on for a long time. I just wish-"
Obi-Wan corrected himself.
"Never mind that, the most important thing at this moment is keeping you safe an-"
He pointed out the window of the ship.
"-I think that's the home Lars spoke of. R2, land the ship. C3-PO, assist Senator Amidella with her things after we land." He pulled back lever, helping R2-D2 land the ship before the home.
They un-boarded the ship and walked inside. Padmé put down her luggage and looked around.
"It's nice."
Padmé said as she looked around, grabbing her luggage once more and taking it to one of the bedrooms. She then came back into the living-room and sat down on a love seat.
Obi-Wan looked around the home, each room was lain out the same, a single bed in the middle, furnished with a night stand and a lamp. Simple, yet the only safe hide-out for them. The kitchen held a food-storage component and cooking devices. The living area was simply a large table, with couches, chairs and many smaller tables surrounding it in a circle.
"I don't think anyone would ever suspect we would be here,"
Padmé said, getting up and standing in the doorway, looking outside. Thoughts about Anakin drifted into her mind; she quickly tried to forget about him again.
"Well Padmé, make yourself comfortable, we may be here a while. Don't worry, if anything happens, I'm here to protect you."
Obi-Wan wandered off into one of the rooms he claimed for himself.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, a large battle was taking place on Coruscant. Every living Jedi could be seen running around holding their light sabers and fighting for peace. The clones were a big part of their army also. Each one helped the Jedi and people of Naboo fight. The city was pure chaos. Children were screaming, and crying, and with explosions everywhere, it was hard to tell if one would live or die.
The battle continued on for weeks, and still, the Sith remained powerful, not giving in to the Jedi.
"Your Jedi, he killed our master"
A large pack of warriors from the Sith surrounded Mace Windu and an un-known Jedi. Suddenly, all the jedi who had come to help were encircled by an even larger amount of Sith rebels. Those from the dark side began to kill them off one by one, until a large group of them were left lifeless on the ground. The war seemingly ended, as each side stood up for the circle of fighters. The clones rushed in to protect the jedi, when a large destroyer ship and many other Sith came and killed them off, with ease. They were now out-numbered.
"We will never give in to you, not even if you would spare our lives. We will never be slaves of evil"
Mace Windu shouted with bravery. The leader of the Sith stepped forward to the cornered pack of very few jedi and the odd clones.
"In that case, say good-bye to everything Master Windu, take a good look around, this is the way you will remember your precious planet, destroyed and corrupted." He smirked and raised his hand, signaling his army to aim and ready their fires. At that moment, a large shot to the group interrupted them. Many of the Sith's army were shot, as the leader turned. They all looked up to see a large space craft just above them, recklessly killing off the Sith's army of droids.
"Come to save us, has master Anakin." Yoda said to Windu.
"Ani-? It's Anakin?" Windu asked him. Yoda nodded and pulled out his light saber, charging at the leader.
Anakin continued shooting and killing off the droids until it was down to the leader. He landed the ship and pulled out his light saber, heading towards Yoda.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu, I hope I'm not too late." He called out, readying his saber.
"Where's Padmé?" He asked.
"No time to explain, but don't worry, she's safe with Obi-Wan. We need you Anakin, hurry."
Mace Windu shouted while managing to ward of the leader.
Yoda leapt into the air and dodged one of the leader's gun shots. The laser beam ricochet off a pillar behind Yoda and caused it to crumble down. Yoda sprung off of a platform behind him and swung his light saber at the leader, hitting him and pressuring him to the ground. Master Windu joined in, swinging his light saber steadily at the master, slicing his arm. Anakin came running toward them when suddenly, he stopped. He paused, with a shocked expression on his face and collapsed to the ground. A gun shot was heard as the leader pulled his gun out of aim from Anakin and aimed it at Windu.
"Now, it's two on one, the odds are a bit more even."
He relished an evil smirk and stood up, over-powering the two. Yoda charged at him, furiously, striking his leg and managed to slice it off. The leader gasped in pain as his limb went flying from his body and he was surrounded in a puddle of his own blood.
"You bastard, you'll pay for what you've done to Anakin."
Master Windu shouted, while about to finish the leader off. He slowed down and stood, towering over him. His boots drenched in the blood lost from the leader's thigh, where his leg had been parted.
"You will die, to let you know how Anakin felt. You killed one of us, so I will kill you."
Windu raised his light saber and with a large blow to his abdomen, his light saber sliced through his robe, flesh and ribs, where it remained for the next while.
"You have won this time, but the Sith can only grow stronger..." The leader trailed off as his life slowly drained out of him. He lay there lifeless. Mace and Yoda stared at him, pleased, yet disgusted at the same time.
"All we could have done, it was. Now, bury Anakin we must. This, wanted Anakin would have." Yoda finished, holding back his emotions that hardly were noticeable through his age. Master Windu walked over to Anakin, he lifted him up, and a slight amount of blood was left marked in the sand and stained Windu's robe.
"Poor Anakin. He saved us all, without him, this war would have never ended. We have won at least." Windu spoke, as he carried Anakin over the Jedi council building, surprisingly, which had not been damaged.
"Won we have not, yet, lost we have. Lost Anakin we have master Windu." Yoda said, bowing his head in silence.
Master Windu carried him into a cellar and placed him in a wooden box, the exact size of his body. They used it as an old coffin and Windu then dragged it to the ship Anakin had used to kill the droids.
"I will bring him to Padmé and Obi-Wan, if anyone needs to say goodbye first, it's them. She truly loves him, and Obi-Wan saw him as a son." Windu sat the coffin just outside of the ship.
"But first, I'm sure we should announce the victory to the people."
