A/N: Hey! Sorry for my absence. Well, I'm not really typing this after I have left for my trip, actually before… but I don't like posting more than one chapter at the time. I like keeping the suspense running. So really I'm typing this the Friday… well- you get what I mean! This is the part in the movie where tear the Younglings get murdered! When I first saw it I was like "OMG ANAKIN DOOOOONN'TTTT!" But he did, and I felt like crying. My friend's mom went to see the movie and she actually was crying! But you can't blame her. Of course my friend said "This isn't too sad." But that doesn't count b/c he doesn't think anything's sad. Oh well, he was the one who got me addicted to Star Wars in the first place so I forgive him-lol- . BTW, sorry for the A/N's, I just like doing them, but I will not put them in the middle of the story again, due to requests. And it's Sidious… Sidious Sidious… I've gotta remember that!
Thank you for the reviews:
Disclaimer: Yadee yada… If I did I'd be really rich right now. I can't believe he's not making another trilogy after the Classics. That's throwing millions of mulah down the toilet. Well, it's his life… If it were me I wouldn't!
Chapter 3:
Anakin awoke. He regained his bearings, looking around. Light was starting to stream through the curtains. He glanced to his right and saw Padme sleeping peacefully, breathing steady and the sheets cast aside. She was restless and often knocked the linens off.
Anakin grinned and leaned over, softly kissing her forehead and leaned down, then kissed her rounded belly. He arose, tenderly pulling the sheets back up around her. Padme turned over in her sleep, no interruption. He walked silently out of the room, trying to remember why he had woken up in the first place.
Artoo's insistent bleeping came to him, and he saw the droid rolling up the hallway, followed closely by C-3P0. Threepio stopped before him.
"Master Anakin," he said, "Artoo says that he has received a message from a Chancellor Palpatine.'
Anakin started, surprised that he was expected so soon to do something for the Sith Lord. He told the little droid to replay the message. Palpatine's holographic image appeared, hooded and menacing.
"Come to me immediately in order to organize 'Order 66'," he commanded. Then, just as soon as his image appeared it disappeared.
Anakin ran a hand through his hair, stressed about this matter. He turned around as he heard the sound of Padme coming. She looked at him quizzically.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing Artoo beeping and Anakin seeming to be stressed.
He stood, staring at her for a moment, then turned on his heel, exiting the apartment.
"I need to go," he told her, "I'll be back soon. Do not leave the house no matter what; just for safety reasons…"
Padme gave a half-hearted good-by as Anakin turned around and mounted his speeder, flying towards the Senate building. When he entered the doors, he could not surpress a shiver. The last time he was here, many had died. Would it be the same way today? He rode up the elevator to the topmost floor. The Chancellor was waiting for him as the door slid open. Anakin could not bear to look him straight in the features for more than a few seconds. Palpatine's true self was now showing- the hideous facial features and the crafty smile which seemed a permanent fixture.
"Darth Vader," he addressed to Anakin, "There are one-hundred Clone Troopers awaiting my command at order 66 and seeking your help. The plans are for this infantry to storm the Jedi Temple, getting rid of the enemies that stand in our way. Others across the galaxy also will follow the order to exterminate the remnants on other systems."
Even this was slightly shocking for Anakin, he was halfway expecting this to happen. All that really stood in the Chancellor's way of succeeding to full power was the Jedi Order. If they were exterminated, then the defenses of the Republic were dramatically lowered. Still remembering to play his part, Anakin nodded to show he was following.
"And what is my involvement to be, Master?" he asked.
"You will assist the Clone Army in their siege of the Temple- leading them inside," he explained in his raspy voice.
"When do I need to begin?" questioned Anakin, searching through the Sith Lord's words for one shred of a loophole in the plan. Maybe time could help.
"Right now," replied Sidious, "The army is outside, ready."
Anakin's heart sank. He gave a short bow and moved towards the exit. He was about to enter the elevator when Sidious's words followed him.
"And please try to do this as we discussed," he warned, "no trying to rebel, as I know it is in your nature."
Anakin nodded again and the doors slid shut behind him. In the elevator, he leaned against the walls, gathering himself. Darth Sidious could probably sense his anger. There was no fear, just unease. He needed to relax, for the Sith Lord could sense his feelings through the Force. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, body becoming less tense. He reached into the Force, finding Padme's presence in it. As he said before a long time ago, her being in the Force and around him was soothing. Immediately he relaxed, opening his eyes just as the doors opened.
On the hanger, he saw many star ships running, awaiting passengers. Groups of Clone Troopers were drilling, their formations perfect and aligned. A commander, recognizable by the yellow upon his arm, walked forward towards Anakin.
"We are here on the orders of the Chancellor," he informed. "We have already been told what to exercise. We just need your help gaining access and assistance with any Jedi that try to rebel."
Anakin inclined his head and turned without a glance towards his spacecraft in the hanger. The army turned on a dime and parted, loading onto the star ships. Anakin lifted off, hearing the spaceships behind him do the same, following him. While he flew towards the temple, his mind was running with ways to prevent this. He could not make a warning transmission, for it would be caught. HE could not part away, for that would be dangerous and they would eventually find him. Before he knew it, the spires of the Jedi Temple came into view. Anakin's stomach squirmed unpleasantly; he was not ready.
They landed at the entrance, filing out and forming ranks. Anakin laid a hand upon the lightsaber at his belt, not reassured by its presence at all. There probably were not many Jedi at the Temple today. Yoda was on Kashyyyk, helping the Wookies. Mace was dead and Obi-Wan was away on buiseness as well, so that left a few Jedi who were probably meditating and instructing the Younglings and Padawans. He put on his hood and entered.
He looked around, not seeing anyone for a few moments. A young Padawan suddenly came up to him, looking behind Anakin's shoulder and a befuddled expression on his face.
"What is the Army of the Republic doing here, Master Skywalker?" he questioned. Many Padawans called him a Master even though he was not because he was already on the Jedi Council.
Anakin stood there for a moment, no reply made because he was unsure on what to do. The Clone Army suddenly took over the problem. A blaster gun went off and Anakin instinctively dodged aside, feeling the energy whiz over his shoulder. It made contact with the young, eleven-year old's chest. Anakin saw an expression of surprise upon his features as the boy fell back, hitting the floor. Anakin stared, rooted to the spot. Minutes seemed to last for eternity as he gazed into the Padawan's stare, the light of life extinguished in them.
Three Jedi suddenly rushed into the great hall of the temple, their lightsabers ignited. Anakin drew forth his and lighted it as well. The Jedi Knights stopped, eyes flying between Anakin, the Clones, and the dead Padawan upon the ground. For a moment, no one reacted, waiting with baited breath.
The Clones immediately burst into action, firing at the Jedi. The Jedi deflected them, causing the light to bounce around the hall before they extinguished. Anakin's mind was whirring, trying to think of a way out of this without getting anyone hurt or killed. And that hope was failing quickly. At his right, one Jedi fell to the ground as a laser from the blaster rifle hit him in the head. Anakin backed away, but the multitude of Clones pushed him forward. He ignited his lightsaber once again and charged forward, flourishing his weapon more than necessary so as to fool the Troopers. Immediately, one he recognized as Kai-Adi-Mundi met him with a wrath of betrayal in his eyes. He blocked his upward attack and leaned forward to where he could talk to the other Jedi.
"I'm gonna get us out of this, Master Mundi," he said hurridly, "Just act like you're fighting me for the moment."
The other looked at him quizzically and then nodded, sparring with Anakin. Slowly, others began to join, but not many. Anakin wished that more were here. As he 'dueled' with the other, a two Clones came beside him. He shook his head, but one fired and hit Mundi in the leg. He gasped and leaned over. Anakin stopped and looked at him with concern, but a small dedenator went off, blasting him forward. He fell to the ground, lightsaber hitting something and coming out of his grasp. He jumped up and looked around for his lightsaber, and saw it standing akwardly. He ran over and saw it sticking out of Mundi's side. He gasped and kneeled beside him, forgetting the battle around him. He gently pulled it out and snuffed the light, muttering "I'm sorry," over and over again.
Mundi shook his head. "No," he said in a low, shaky voice. "Younglings are here. Help them."
He fell back and knew no more.
Anakin stood slowly, lip quivering in a snarl. As he gazed around, all the other Jedi had fallen, the Clone Troopers checking for any other signs of life. The commander came up to him.
"We need to inspect every inch to see whether all are dead," he said, "We need you to look around as well and inform us if any are hiding."
Anakin nodded, walking briskly up the stairs. He did not know where he was going, but closed his eyes and contacted the Force once more, letting it guide him around. He sensed other's presence- young presence. Eyes snapped open as his pace was raised to a jog, the feeling guiding him towards the Council room. He opened the doors and burst in, eyes darting around the dark room. Nothing came to him at first, but then about a dozen small forms timidly came up to him. They were all Younglings, the oldest being about seven. The ages ranged from four to the largest one, who was about seven or eight. He came forward. Anakin could see that he was trembling and his voice was equally shaky.
"Master Skywalker," he babbled, "There are too many- we can't- I mean- fight"-
Anakin raised a finger to his lips.
"I don't know what exactly to do, but I'm figuring it out as I go along," he reassured them, knowing that you shouldn't say I'm not sure to a kid. He was titled 'The Hero with No Fear' to them, and it looked like he was not acting the part as of now.
Suddenly, a crash came to Anakin. He turned, seeing about twenty Clones at the entrance to the door. He drew out his lightsaber, but they mistook his intentions.
"Good," the commander said, "You've found them."
All twenty of the soldiers pelted them with fire. Anakin jerked over, trying to block but was shot in the hand by a ricoshaying beam before he could do anything. Luckily, it was his mechanical one. When he looked up, all the Younglings were collapsed upon the ground. The clones turned away and marched out of the room, leaving Anakin alone in the middle of the carnage. He stared at the little ones all lying around him, and felt emotion well in him. These were all younger than even, some still considered toddlers. They were someone's… child…
Anakin's thoughs flew towards Padme, and his child safe in her womb. Already he was attached to his baby, and he could not imagine what the parents would feel when they learned of their child's fate. He leaned over and respectfully touched one on the forehead, turning and exiting the room. But as he was about to exit the door, the smallest sound came to him, like the coo of a dove. He whipped around and scanned the Council room, searching for the source. There it was again.
He weaved between the bodies of the Younglings, hearing the small moan once more. There was the tiniest movement below him to his right. He crouched over a little four year old, the seemingly youngest one there. Her eyes were closed, but suddenly they opened, a brilliant green.
"Oh shit," he breathed, seeing she was alive. Barely. Her left arm jutted out at an odd angle, a large open wound in it and white sticking out that made Anakin nauseated. Her side was also wounded, as was her leg. She moaned again, lips moving as she tried to talk.
"Hush," he said softly, trying to figure out what to do.
No noise came from the floor below, and he concluded that the army had already left. He gently put his arms around the small girl, and as he lifted her from the ground, her groan peaked to a sharp yelp before she sank into unconsciousness again. He held her tiny body close, reassured that she was still warm and alive as he left the room and strode towards the hanger.
Just as he thought before- the clones had already left. He went to his speeder and gently placed her in front of him, sitting behind the Youngling and lifting off, heading for the center of Couresant. He headed for Padme's apartment, landing.
She came out to meet him, face as white as a sheet. She must have seen the smoke in the distance, Anakin mused. His back was to her as he turned towards the girl on the speeder. Padme's worried voice came from behind him.
"Anakin," she said breathlessly, "Are you alright, I saw the smoke-"
"Padme," he interrupted, "I need any cloth, some water, maybe ointment. Quickly.
"What," she began, then gasped as she saw the hurt little girl in his arms.
"Oh my gosh," she breathed, "They hurt Younglings!"
Anakin made no reply but walked into their house, gently laying the girl on the couch. Padme bustled around, bringing out some bandages and ointment she had in cupboards. Anakin moved aside as she started to doctor her in the best way she could. Anakin saw her grimace as she observed the girls arm.
"We need a doctor," she stated, shaking her head. "I can't do anything."
Anakin ran a hand through his hair, wondering what to do. If he took her to a hospital, most likely they would be swarming with allies of Palpatine and would see that she was a Padawan. Was there someone who could help?
C-3P0 came out, followed by R2D2 and stopped.
"Oh my goodness," he exclaimed. "She needs maintenance."
Anakin nodded in an annoyed way, wondering how they could give her "maintenance" without arousing suspicion.
"I have a friend we could contact in Courusant," Threepio stated. "He is a maintenance droid, M-6P2. He helps humans as well as droids."
Anakin nodded. "We'll take that."
R2D2 beeped and whirred, Threepio standing in front of him and sending out a hologram message. They waited anxiously, the girl stirring somewhat and breathing harshly. Padme cleaned her wounds in the best way she could. Finally, the sound of a spacecraft came towards them, a droid perched atop. He had a case with him, hopefully filled with human doctoring as Threepio had told him. He greeted Threepio and moved towards the little girl who had fainted again. He shooed them out of the room.
Anakin sat down in the kitchen, but Padme paced around, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, a sign she was worried. Anakin stood and walked over to her.
"Ani," she said, "I can't believe- I mean, what do the parents feel? What if that was our-"
"I know," replied Anakin, "I was thinking that too."
He embraced Padme, giving her words of comfort. Finally, M-6P2 came.
"She will live," he informed them, "Thought the damage to her side and arm was severe. I have left pain medication with her, but give it to her only once a day since she is so young. Contact me if anything changes."
With that he left them. Anakin walked over and observed the Youngling once more. She was sleeping peacefully, but as he approached, she started and bolted up, panting and a scream coming from her. Padme rushed forward.
"Shush," she comforted, putting her arms around the little girl, "You're safe."
When the girl had calmed, Anakin came forward. "What's your name?" he asked, wondering if he knew the parents.
"Carmana Kenobi," she said.
"What?" asked Anakin, startled.