Everyone started looking for Anakin after he'd run away and hidden. They were all worried about him. All those who'd known him the longest especially.
For as long as anyone had known Anakin, they'd never seen anything scare him. Not big hairy spiders, not heights, getting shot at during battles, not even scary movies or Halloween spooky houses. Who would've guessed Anakin Skywalker of all people would have stage fright?
"Daddy?" Gabby called, searching the lower halls for her father.
"Any luck?" Ahsoka called from upstairs.
"He's not down here." Gabby called.
"He's not in the stables either." Peppermint confirmed.
"He's not hiding in the kitchen either." said Boba, licking the frosting off a cupcake.
"Definitely not in the kitchen." Remix supported, a bunch of frosting and cake crumbs on his face.
"Have you guys been sneaking cupcakes again?" Ahsoka said.
"This is no time for postres." said Fiesta. "Besides, those are for la coronación."
But Obi-Wan knew Anakin longer than everyone else to figure out where Anakin was hiding. And he found him in the hangar, hiding in a ship.
Anakin was hugging himself, breathing heavily.
"Anakin..." Obi-Wan said, startling Anakin into growing some poison ivy that nearly hit Obi-Wan.
"Oh, it's you." Anakin said.
"Anakin... what happened?" Obi-Wan asked, carefully stepping over the ivy.
But Anakin just looked down and didn't say anything.
Obi-Wan knelt beside his former Padawan and looked at him the same way he did when Anakin was a little boy and was emotionally troubled. He loved Anakin like his own little brother.
"Anakin, I've known you since you were nine years old, and I've never seen you react to anything that way," Obi-Wan said as gently as he could.
Anakin looked down again in shame.
"Anakin, what's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked, touching Anakin's shoulder, only for Anakin to flinch and run off again.
Vivian sniffed all around and caught something.
"I've got his scent!" Vivian said, following the smell.
It led her to a tree, where Anakin was trying to hide. Anakin tried to escape, but Vivian bit the side of Anakin's robes and pulled, and they started to rip.
"No! Not again!" Anakin said, stopping Vivian from pulling a big hole in his robes.
"Again?" Gabby said, sounding confused.
Anakin got Vivian to let go and started to run again, only for Sapphire to stop him this time.
"Anakin! We want to help you." Sapphire said. "But we can't if you won't tell us what's wrong."
Everyone brought Anakin to an empty room to talk. Only a small group of friends and family was in there with Anakin.
Sapphire, Lamenta, Carmine, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Gabby, Boba, Carousella, Remix, Crescent, and Qui-Gon.
"Okay, Uncle Anakin." Lamenta said. "This is a safe space. You can tell us what's wrong."
Anakin was silent. Carmine was first to speak up.
"Okay, the reason we're here is because Anakin, apparently, has stage fright." Carmine said. "Anakin, we're here to help. And that starts with talking about your fears."
"Anakin," said Carousella. "In all my days as a guard, I've seen many terrifying things, but even the bravest fighters are afraid of something. For example... I'm afraid of cockroaches."
"And... I'm afraid of tarantulas." Crescent said.
Everyone named something they were afraid of. But what they were all afraid of more than anything else was losing the people they loved or just seeing them hurt.
"Every fear comes from something." Sapphire said, coming closer to Anakin. "Most come from a traumatic experience or personal worries."
"Precisely." Qui-Gon said. "Anakin... is there something about performing in front of people that frightens you?"
"You usually sing to me very well." Gabby said.
"You were a baby when I started singing to you." Anakin said. "You wouldn't judge me then."
"What about when you mastered your powers?" Gabby asked.
Anakin looked confused for a moment... until Gabby and Lamenta performed a memory spell and showed a memory from months ago.
Flashback to after Carmine's time in the Gathering...
Anakin:
A hurricane of jacarandas
Strangling figs (big), hanging vines (this is fine)
Palma de cera fills the air as I climb
And I push through
What else can I do?
"You've got some great pipes, Master." Ahsoka smiled, hearing her master sing in the memory.
"Spontaneous musical numbers are different from performing on stage." Anakin said. "Besides, that was when it was just me and Gabby. No one else was around to hear us."
Lamenta had a sense, much like the others, that there was more to it than that.
"Anakin, why won't you just sing in front of anyone else?" Carmine asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it." Anakin said, turning away.
"Daddy, we won't laugh at you." Gabby said.
"How can I be sure?" Anakin said.
"Daddy..." Gabby said more firmly. "You always tell me to face my fears instead of running from them. What kind of lesson are you teaching me and Boba here now? So, I'm gonna ask again. Why are you afraid to sing in front of anyone other than me?"
"Because the last time I did I got humiliated! Okay?" Anakin snapped, then turned away, cradling his head into his knees. "Just let me be."
But Qui-Gon, out of concern for his son, came up and sat in front of Anakin.
"How did you get humiliated?" Qui-Gon said.
"Even I sang a wrong note once or twice, Bro." said Carmine. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"It was worse than that." Anakin said.
Seven years ago...
It was another night in the Temple. But it was unlike any other.
As part of a new undercover mission, some of the Jedi were practicing singing karaoke because their mission would take place at a karaoke place. And, being one who loved to show off, a then fourteen-year-old Anakin was one of the first volunteers to sing.
He stepped up to the mic and chose a really challenging and upbeat tune.
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
Anakin proved to be surprisingly good at dancing when he just let loose. And his vocal abilities showed a plethora of talent within him.
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
Young hearts, out our minds
Runnin' till we outta time
Wild childs, lookin' good
Livin' hard just like we should
Don't care whose watching when we tearing it up (you know)
That magic that we got nobody can touch (for sure)
Back then, despite the Jedi Code preventing passion, even the greatest Jedi present couldn't help being impressed and entertained by Anakin's singing.
Looking for some trouble tonight (yeah)
Take my hand, I'll show you the wild side
Like it's the last night of our lives (uh huh)
We'll keep dancing till we die
But Anakin was so lost in song, he forgot to watch where he was going, and then his robes got on something, and then...
Rriiip!
And then other younglings started laughing. Anakin looked down and saw that his pants were torn! And the hole exposed his underpants which were decorated with little clouds in the sky. Anakin took off his outer upper robes to cover the hole in his pants and dashed out of there like a mouse in a cat convention. He was mortified!
Present Day...
"The whole rest of the year, everyone in all my classes called me Cloudy with a Chance of Underpants.!" Anakin said, his face very red with embarrassment. "I couldn't sing a note since."
"So that's why you refused to wear traditional Jedi garments that day." Obi-Wan said, having not witnessed the event back then. "And why you were crying when I got back from my mission."
Obi-Wan felt terrible. He remembered very well. He'd gotten back from a mission halfway across the city that same night, but when he checked on his Padawan, he was hiding under the blankets in his room, crying.
Anakin's robes now were made from a much stronger material less likely to rip. But that didn't stop him from worrying about Vivian's sharp teeth ripping them. The part wolf princess once tore up an entire leather sofa.
"Master..." Ahsoka gasped. "I had no idea that happened to you."
"Why would you? Everyone expects me to be this tough, powerful Jedi who isn't afraid, doesn't get embarrassed, and doesn't care what anyone else thinks of him."
"Anakin," said Carmine. "You've shown you never cared what others thought of you before."
Anakin sighed.
"Well, who says I gotta serenade?" Anakin said. "I can get Padme a necklace or something."
Except, Anakin seemed to stammer as he said that.
"Anakin... you seem nervous now."
"I'm not nervous. I'm fine. That stuff's in the past. No need for me to face it now."
Anakin scratched behind his ear, which he only did at the rare time he was nervous.
"Anakin..." said Ahsoka.
And then, unexpectedly, Anakin burst into another number as he looked at Ahsoka.
Anakin:
I'm the strong one, I'm not nervous
I'm as tough as the crust of the world is
I fight battles, I stop curses
And I glow, 'cause I know what my worth is
I don't ask how hard the work is
Got a rough indestructible surface
Diamonds and platinum, I find 'em, I flatten 'em
I take what I'm handed, I break what's demanded, but
Under the surface
I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus
Under the surface
Was Hercules ever like, "Yo, I don't wanna fight Cerberus?"
Under the surface
I'm pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service
Anakin thought of the many times he'd fought a battle during the Clone War, all the times he'd saved the people he loved or done anything to keep his good reputation as a strong Jedi, even if he was tired and needed a break, worried that people would think less of him if he refused.
A flaw or a crack
The straw in the stack
That breaks the camel's back
What breaks the camel's back, it's
Pressure, like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa
Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa, oh, oh
Give it to your master, your master's older
Give him all the heavy things we can't shoulder
Who am I if I can't run with the ball?
If I fall to
Pressure like a grip, grip, grip, and it won't let go, whoa
Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa, oh, oh
Give it to your master, your master's stronger
See if he can hang on a little longer
Who am I if I can't carry it all?
If I falter
Under the surface
I hide my nerves, and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us
Under the surface
The ship doesn't swerve as it heard how big the iceberg is
Under the surface
I think about my purpose, can I somehow preserve this?
Line up the dominoes
A light wind blows
You try to stop it tumbling
But on and on it goes
And through it all, Anakin wished he could forget all his fears and just kick back without a care.
But wait, if I could shake the crushing weight of expectations
Would that free some room up for joy
Or relaxation, or simple pleasure?
Instead, we measure this growing pressure
Keeps growing, keep going
'Cause all we know is
Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa
Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa-oh-oh
Give it to your master, it doesn't hurt, and
See if he can handle every single burden
Watch as he buckles and bends but never breaks
No mistakes, just
Pressure like a grip, grip, grip, and it won't let go, whoa
Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa, oh, oh
Give it to your master and never wonder
If the same pressure would've pulled you under
Who am I if I don't have what it takes?
No cracks, no breaks
No mistakes, no pressure
Anakin breathed heavily after that. And Ahsoka walked up and wrapped her master in a hug.
"I think, Anakin, you put a little too much pressure on yourself." Ahsoka said. "I'd still love you the same even if you weren't the Chosen One."
"So would I." Sapphire said, nuzzling her rider.
"So would I, Daddy." Gabby said, hugging her father's leg.
Carmine joined in on the hugging too. So did Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
Anakin was surprised at first, but feeling so much affection from everyone around him right now, he started to feel better. Now they only had to figure out how to help Anakin with his stage fright.
Carmine got Anakin alone and told him a trick he usually used.
"You might think because I perform on stage for a living, I don't get scared." said Carmine. "But rest assured, I'm terrified before every concert. But I have pre-show rituals of my own, and a stage trick I use every time."
"Which is...?" said Anakin.
"I usually look at the audience and imagine them looking really silly. For me, I imagine everyone in the audience in a pink bunny suit."
Anakin started laughing as he imagined that. Carmine smiled.
"See? It's working already. Imagine that, and everyone looks so silly, you don't even remember you're nervous. You can imagine anything you want. Maybe try imagining everyone looking like clowns, if that works."
So, as Carmine suggested, Anakin tried imagining everyone he saw looking like clowns, only to end up screaming.
"What's wrong?" Carmine asked, seeing Anakin looking really uncomfortable.
"I'm t-t-terrified of clowns!" Anakin said.
"You? Scared of clowns?"
Anakin shuddered.
"They creep me out."
"Well, now I know where Gabby and Lamenta get it from."
"Just wait til I show you some horror movies with them."
Boba had the suggestion that maybe he just needed to sing with a partner.
"I had stage fright when I did karaoke for the first time." Boba said. "And then Remix came in and encouraged me to sing with him. After that, I didn't feel scared anymore."
So, Gabby stood on stage with a microphone in hand.
"Come on, Daddy! Let's sing!" Gabby said excitedly.
Gabby:
If you want it, take it
I should have said it before
Tried to hide it, fake it
I can't pretend anymore
I only want to die alive
Never by the hands of a broken heart
I don't wanna hear you lie tonight
Now that I've become who I really am
And then Anakin jumped in and sang the next verse, feeling better when he looked at his little girl.
Anakin:
This is the part when I say I don't want ya
I'm stronger than I've been before
This is the part when I break free
'Cause I can't resist it no more
Both:
This is the part when I say I don't want ya
I'm stronger than I've been before
This is the part when I break free
'Cause I can't resist it no more
"Yes, Daddy!" Gabby said. "You actually sang!"
"I guess I did." Anakin said. And then he thought of something. "But the song I want to sing at the ball is a solo. How am I supposed to get past my fear of that?"
And then, Gabby had an idea.
Gabby left and came from her room... with a necklace. It was a simple necklace with a silver chain and a charm shaped like a little tiger.
"What's that?" Anakin asked.
"Well, Daddy." Gabby began. "Recently, I've been mastering spells to enchant objects that can give people amazing powers. And I enchanted this necklace so when you wear it, you won't be scared to sing no matter how big the crowd is."
Anakin didn't believe it at first.
"A necklace making me brave?"
"Yup. Crazy, but true. Just put this on, and you'll have the bravery of a tiger." Gabby said, giving Anakin the necklace.
Anakin put the necklace on and stepped up to the microphone and chose a song for Remix to play.
Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion
Anakin quickly found that as he sang, he didn't feel scared. He started to loosen up a little bit and clapped to the beat as he continued.
And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?
And Anakin sang louder this time.
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
Everyone around cheered as Anakin tossed his hair back to finish off. And, to his surprise, he didn't feel like running off.
Anakin looked at the tiger charm. He really didn't feel scared. And he suddenly started to feel really confident about singing at his wife's coronation.
Featured songs in order
1. Die Young by Ke$ha
2. Surface Pressure from Encanto
3. Break Free by Ariana Grande
4. Fight Song by Rachel Platten
