Author's Note: Sorry to desert you over the weekend – hope this chapter makes up for it! A big welcome to Rachel791 and Eriks leadinglady – so happy you found the sequel. And to meandmysharpie, HellishRedDevil, Hopeless4Life and Niraha Skywalker – thanks for sticking with me! Now, on with the chapter!

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With a resigned grimace, the group headed for the hologram trying not to dwell on the other contestants. Quickly, they stepped out of the iceblades, listening intently as the hologram's voiceover began to speak.

"Welcome to Lake Icesier. You have reached a Blockade - a task only one person can perform. Now, who likes taking a nice, cool drink?"

With a sigh, Anakin and Mace stepped forward, regarding the shimmering image before them with a bit of hesitation. Sensing the choice had been made, the hologram began to issue the instructions.

"Contestants will be competing in a Ginper swim meet - a popular sport of endurance and bravery. First, the selected team member must make their way into the hut marked with their name. In there, they will find an insulated body suit, designed specifically for the planet's wintry environment." The image changed to show a full-length body suit, lightly quilted for warmth. After a momentary pause, the voiceover continued, "Once the contestants have donned the suit, they must make their way to an available ice lane, easily identified by the holes in the ice at the start and finish line. Once the lane has been selected, contestants must enter the water and swim under the ice until they reach the far end. This task must be completed in twenty seconds - the typical qualifying time for a Ginper champion."

With a look of horror, Mace and Anakin noted the large distance between the two holes. Out of the corner of their eyes, they could see several contestants making their way back to the starting line, an air of dejection spreading through the air. Biting back an oath, they turned and headed for the huts as Padme and Obi-wan settled in to wait.

Moments later, Padme pressed her lips together to keep the laughter from springing forth. There was her husband, dressed in a bright blue body suit, its stiffness making his movements awkward. Even funnier, he was trying to run to keep his slim lead over Master Windu, who didn't appear too pleased at her husband's antics. Obi-wan made a sound like a cough, but Padme suspected he too was trying to hold his amusement at bay.

She noted that Anakin and Mace took the lanes closest to each other, the better to keep tabs on each other's performance. Hearing the chime that indicated the start of the race, they dove into the water, moving under the ice slowly, their progress hampered by the water's temperature despite the suits they wore. Finally, they popped up on the other side, looking at the judging droid expectantly.

"Twenty-four seconds," it called. "Try again."

Mumbling, they hurried back to the starting area, as Padme shivered in sympathy. After a moment's pause, the chime sounded again and they plunged into the water. This time their movements seemed a little quicker, although they slowed neared the middle as the cold stole the strength from their muscles.

Suddenly, Padme saw Anakin slow to a stop as Mace continued past him. Slowly, his body rotated until his face was pressed up against the ice, his eyes lifeless and unmoving, his lips parted and blue. Jumping up, she ran to him, pounding and scratching at the ice until her fingers began to bleed. "Anakin! I can't get to you! Help me! I can't- Anakin!" Her screams echoed across the open space. It seemed they would never stop.

With a gasp, she jerked back to the present which drew a concerned look from Obi-wan. Forcing a bright smile, she returned her eyes to the end of the ice lane, where Anakin and Mace waited for their time scores. For a moment, she simply drank up the sight of him. Alive. Healthy.

"Nineteen and a half seconds!" the droid announced happily.

Pulling themselves out of the icy water, Anakin and Mace headed back to the hut to shed the awkward suits. Padme didn't smile this time - her mind was still haunted by the scene that had burned its way into her brain. Stiffly, she followed Obi-wan to the waiting area where they would receive their next clue.

Moments later, Anakin emerged in his regular clothes, his lips slightly blue from his trips through the water. Unable to hold herself back any longer, she flung her arms around him and held him close.

"You're welcome!" he said, laughing. "You really didn't want to do that one, did you?" Pulling back, he noted the worry in her eyes. Before he could question her about it, Mace came to stand next to them and the hologram sparked to life.

"You have completed the Blockade - congratulations! Now, you must re-board your ships and take yourselves to the Planet Populousi, Sector 19-B. Once you've landed in the docking bay, proceed to the Main Square. Your next clue awaits!"

POPULOUSI DOCKING BAY - THREE HOURS LATER

Padme was relieved to see Anakin's cheeks were once more full of color, his lips no longer an eerie blue- the color they were in my vision, she thought darkly. Shaking her head as if to clear the horrible sight from her memory, she jogged behind Anakin who had evidently spotted the Main Square. Vaguely, she registered the sound of another ship landing - Obi-wan and Mace must have finally caught up with them. Once again, they had gone the wrong way as soon as they exited Ginper's atmosphere. She smiled softly, imagining the argument that must have ensued.

Glancing up, she saw Anakin turning towards her, his hand stretched out in encouragement. She slipped her hand in his and waited for the hologram to start. Artoo beeped quietly behind them.

"You have reached a divergence," it began. "Perform or Deform. In Perform, teams will need to provide some sort of entertainment on the Populousi's main stage. Once you've earned 30 credits in tips, you must give it to the stage manager who will then present you with your next clue. The task is not strenuous, but several teams may be competing at once so it could be difficult to get tips." After a pause, the explanation continued, "In Deform, teams will have to travel to Sector 25-G where they will find a series of decommissioned monuments. Teams will have to trek across a steep course to retrieve a container of acid, which they will then pour on the monument until it disappears. The task is fairly simple, but will require a great deal of physical exertion."

Without hesitation, Padme and Anakin agreed, "Perform." Hurrying across the square, they gathered the red container marked with their names and set it on the stage. Before climbing the stairs, the manager gave them each a corresponding red sash to tie around their waists so the audience would know which container belonged to them. Taking a deep breath, they stepped onto the stage, their hands intertwined.

The three teams that had made it there before them appeared to be acting independently. One appeared to be doing some sort of skit, another was taking turns singing a popular wedding song. Padme wasn't sure exactly what the third team was doing - it only appeared as though they were arguing. "Well?" she whispered.

"Galaxy Waltz," Anakin replied with a smile, bowing deeply. With a grin, she placed a hand on his shoulder and at his waist and laughed delightedly as they began to move. Easily, they skirted around the perimeter of the stage, twirling and spinning, keeping perfect time with the music in their minds. Catching a glance at their cup, Padme saw they had reached 13 credits - almost halfway there.

Easily, Anakin lifted her off the ground, using the momentum to release her into a perfect jump. She grinned, relishing the opportunity to dance with him again. All worries and concerns vanished from her mind as she was once again encircled in his arms, swirling from one side of the stage to another. She caught another peek - 22 credits.

As they started back to the middle of the stage, Padme saw an uncomfortable Obi-wan Kenobi and Mace Windu. They were wearing green sashes around their waists and didn't quite look like they knew what to do with themselves. Sensing their discomfort, Padme whirled away from Anakin and danced towards Obi-wan, her feet following the complex series of steps that the audience immediately remembered as the Zobaa. Over the wild applause, Padme mouthed an idea to the Jedi Master and saw him give her an imperceptible nod.

Meeting back up with Anakin, she sent him a thought - Just go with it- and felt her hair whipping her cheek as he sent her into another series of tight spins.

Suddenly, she felt someone catch her elbow and turn her away from her husband. Pretending to look shocked, she came face to face with a mortified Obi-wan Kenobi. Before they could get far, she found herself being pulled away again - this time by Mace who looked even more uncomfortable than Obi-wan. Seconds later, her progress was halted once again, as she was 'deserted' by the Jedi Masters as they pretended to start a duel, the movements quick and sharp. She didn't need to peek into their minds to hear what they were thinking... Now this is more like it! Moving quickly, Anakin came and scooped her up, lifting her high above his head as she extended her arms gracefully, holding the position. 35 credits!

Rushing off the stage, they heard the crowd whistle and applaud. Giving each other a quick kiss, they retrieved the container full of credits and handed it to the manager. Silently, he verified the contents before handing them the clue. Thanking him, they took the envelope outside the main stage where they could concentrate a bit more easily.

Leaning her head on Anakin's shoulder, Padme read along with him. "Climb the stairs to the top of the Eastern hillside. There you will find your transportation to the Second Destination. Hurry! The last team may be eliminated."

Glancing around at the surrounding hillside, Anakin spotted the staircase. "There!" he cried, pointing. Immediately spotting the lengthy series of steps, Artoo released the hovering camera droid and it buzzed beside them quietly.

Feeling a fresh surge of adrenaline rush through her body, Padme sprinted next to Anakin, her braid bouncing against her shoulders. Moving quickly, they climbed the staircase, their breath coming harsh and fast. Hearing a scuffling noise behind them, she realized Obi-wan and Mace had caught up. Apparently, their 'duel' had been very well received! Silently, she begged her legs to go faster and was happy when they seemed to obey.

Moments later, they came to the top of the hillside. With a quick glance around, Padme saw the method of 'transportation' the clue referred to - a giant piece of fabric meant to slide down the endless maze of tubes that stretched out before them. With a bemused grin, she followed Anakin to the nearest blanket, settling down in front of him. Quickly, Anakin wrapped his arm around her before pushing off.

Their laughter reverberated around them as they flew through the narrow passages. The curves were sharp and almost caused them to topple over a few times, but they managed to keep their momentum. With a whoosh, they emerged from the final tunnel and hurried to untangle themselves from the large swatch of fabric.

Up ahead loomed a large palace where the host droid waited patiently steps outside the main entrance. Standing up shakily, Padme heard another whoosh as Obi-wan and Mace emerged from the tunnel, instantly springing to their feet. Grabbing Anakin's hand, she raced alongside him as the Jedi Masters tried to pass. With a final burst of speed, she and Anakin managed to land on the mat inches before their friends.

"Liri and Kaide," the droid intoned. "You are team number three!" After sharing a tight embrace, Anakin and Padme stepped aside to let Obi-wan and Mace step forward.

"Dake and Tarv," the droid continued cheerfully. "You are team number four!"

"We would have beaten them, Dake, if you had listened to me and leaned back," Mace insisted as he stalked off the mat. "We would have been more aerodynamic."

With a frown, Obi-wan retorted, "I thought we were already aerodynamic since you don't have any hair, Tarv."

Continuing to grumble, Obi-wan and Mace made their way into the palace. Anakin thought briefly, "Good thing our light sabers are locked away on the ships."