Luke hid in the scrap pile, trying to control his breathing. He was so scared. Ever since the big door closed, he couldn't find his way off the Sandcrawler. Panicking, Luke hide behind the scrap piles that he had been searching through. It was so dark. The only noise he could hear was the roar of the Sandcrawler's engine as its treads crunched the sand beneath it and the rustling of the inactive droids beneath him.

He was so scared. Too scared to move. He wanted to run home, be in his father's arms, hear Aunt Beru read a story, play with Leia, watching Uncle Owen cook. But he couldn't. He was stuck under in the Sandcrawler, terrified.

Was his father even going to be looking for him? Did they even know he was missing? Thoughts about being forgotten raced through his mind. Hot tears leaked out of his eyes and rolled down his face. He would do anything to be home, anything. The fear being put in time out meant nothing to him now. He just wanted to be home. A door hissed open and a jawa walked into the scrap room, a flashlight in his hand. He was searching for something. Luke quivered. He slowly moved back, trying to avoid the flashlight, when he bumped into something.

He had bumped a droid. He looked up at it for a second. It's large white oval head looked at him with empty eyes, before the yellow photoreceptors turned on. Sparks flew out bounced out of it's chasis and limbs and it's long arms grabbed Luke and hoisted him up. Luke screamed, kicking and fighting, trying to get away from the droid. He couldn't get away.

A guttural electronic whine came out of the droid, as if it was trying to speak but it was too damaged to do so. It shook Luke, screaming back at the boy. Blue lightning swallowed the droid and the light disappeared from it's eyes. It slumped over and it's grip on Luke softened, enough for the child to break free and land on his back. Whimpering, he looked up to see a Jawa standing over him, a smoking ion blaster in his hands. He spoke in a language that Luke didn't know. His yellow eyes stared at Luke.


Luke sat in a chair, wearing a jawa robe to keep warm. It smelt horrible, but it it was more important to keep himself warm. A protocol droid stood next to him, as a large jawa sat across from him. The jawa spoke in a language Luke was unable to understand and only make the child more afraid of his situation. The protocal droid reminded Luke of Threepio, except his head looked like that of a bug and was rusty all over. It's was disoriented, but not to the point where Luke couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Greetings,-ZZT- I am T-3PX. My master, Chief Nebit would like to know who you are and how you got aboard his sandcrawler."

Luke looked down at the ground, afraid to meet the gaze of T-3PX and Chief Nebit. Nebit spoke again.

"Chief Nebit wants you to know that you are not in any trouble. We are just curious as to who you are and how we can get you back home."

"My dad and Uncle said not to talk to strangers," Luke mumbled to the ground. Uncle Owen and his father had made sure that Luke and Leia knew that they were not to talk to strangers. Luke knew that his father was already going to be mad about being stuck on the Sandcrawler. He didn't want to make him even more mad by talking to strangers.

"Child, unless we know who you are and who your parents are, we will be unable to get you back home."

Luke bit his lip. It a dilemma. He didn't want to be away from home. That would make his father sad.

"My name is Luke Skywalker. I live on my Uncle Owen's farm."

Nebit leaned forward, intruigued. He had never seen a child on Owen Lars' farm, nor did he hear of one. There was only one person on the farm that could have a child. Sebast Shaw? But the last name didn't match. Perhaps Luke was recently adopted?

"Thank you for telling us, young Luke. We will -"

Nebit's comlink rang rapidly. Multiple calls were coming through to him. Confused, he picked it up.

"Yes?"

"Chief, there's a man out here. He... he says you have his son?" The jawa on the other end said. The voice sounded pained and almost like the jawa was struggling to breathe. Taking Luke by the hand, Chief Nebit walked to the elevator. Something felt wrong. Off.

The elevator door opened with a sharp hiss and the two figures walked out and looked outside. The ramp had been lowered. Destroyed guard droids littered the area. Crushed by some unnatural force. Some had blaster holes in them. It was scary, even for an elderly being like him.

In the sand stood a figure. His blaster pistol still in his hand, he walked forward and into the light.

"Luke?" The figure asked softly, his voice cracking ever so softly.

The boy broke free of Nebit's grasp and ran to his father, crying as he did so. As he wept, he apologized profusely to his father. Trying to justify his reasoning as to why he got on the Sandcrawler. His father reassured him that he was okay, happy that he was safe and unharmed. Tears fell from father and son. Nebit was surprised, touched and moved by the display of affection.

The identity of Luke's father raced through Nebit's mind. For a fleeting second, the name Anakin entered his mind, and left just the same. But as it left his mind, Nebit and the father's eyes met.


The speeder bike roared as it came across the Dune Sea. Not 15 minutes ago, Anakin had torn through the mountains of rock and sand like a madman, putting the engine to it's limits. When he drove, the memories came back to him. He had driven the exact same bike with the exact same ferocity the night his mother died. Anakin was at the point of tears when he arrived at the Sandcrawler and found Luke. HE wanted to unleash his pain, his anger and frustration onto the Jawas. He saw them as the ones that kidnapped his son. He knew that wasn't true, but something deep inside of him said that was the case. And even if it wasn't, who was going to complain about a Jawa clan going missing?

Something felt off. Anakin looked to his left and saw that a sandstorm was approaching. Almost out of nowhere. Anakin didn't even bother checking about the weather when he went out. All that mattered was getting his son back. Swearing to himself, he maximized the speed on the speeder bike, the engine being pushed to it's max. Ahead of them was a canyon. If they could reach it, they could hide out in the caves and wait out the storm.

He looked to his left, seeing that the storm was getting closer. He was almost there, so close. Almost-

Anakin had been so focused on getting to the canyon that he didn't recognize that the engine was getting louder and louder, smoke billowing out of it. Without warning, the engine shut down, stopping immediately. The momentum change sent Luke and Anakin flying over the handlebars. Luke screamed, almost flying out of Anakin's reach, but the father was able to grab his son and pull him close, protecting him as they crashed into the sand and rolling over a few times. Coughing, Anakin stood up, holding Luke in his arms. Taking the speeder goggles off of his face he put them on Luke, then tore his cloak and wrapped around Luke's lower face. Luke fussed, but Anakin grabbed his hand.

"Luke, this is very serious right now. You need to listen to Daddy, okay? Keep the goggles and mask on. It'll keep you safe. Got it?" Anakin said sternly as he wrapped his own face. Luke nodded. No sooner than he nodded did the storm swallow them and sand began to cut across their skin. Groaning, Anakin moved against the wild winds, hoping to reach the canyon. It would bring him to safety. The winds hollowed and the sand whipped at Anakin's body. He felt sand dig into his exposed skin. He wrapped his arms and cloak around Luke, doing his best to protect him. Luke was crying, his tiny hands gripping tight onto Anakin's body. The sandstorm pushed against him, refusing to let Anakin advance. But Anakin's determination was stronger than the storm's will. He moved forward with each agonizing step, until the storm settled. He could tell he was in the canyon. It mitigated the effects of the storm, but they were still at its mercy. Anakin moved forward, refusing to stop. He would not risk Luke's safety.


Luke stayed huddled under his father's chest as they both were curled up behind a rock. The sandstorm was still around them and night had fallen. The storm had drained Anakin of all his energy. They had managed to find a series of rocks in the canyon that allowed some small shelter from the storm. It was better than nothing. He hoped to have enough strength to complete the journey home in the morning, or find an outpost that could assist him.

An uneasy feeling crept upon Anakin. Like he was being watched. He pulled Luke closer, as if to shrink the two. Rocks tumbled behind him. Moving on instinct, Anakin found himself facing three Tusken Raiders. He froze. If he tried to attack, Luke would be put in danger. If he didn't attack, Luke would be put in danger. Before he could act, the leader Tusken made the first move. And it was unlike any other Tusken. He quickly outstretched his hand and it made contact with Anakin's forehead. A rush of energy overcame Anakin. He tried to fight it, but he was too weak. His eyelids fluttered and eventually closed as he collapsed to the ground.


The Temple Hall were littered with bodies. LAAT's roam outside, shooting down any speeders or Jedi trying to escape via the windows. Explosions and blaster fire still echoed around the Temple. The Jedi had lost. Some refused to give up their home. Some were still in shock. Some attempted to flee. Anakin managed to save three other youngling clans while the Temple was besieged. But he wasn't able to save all of them.

Whie Malreaux, Bene, and Scout ran with Anakin. He had managed to rescue them from the new clone troopers. Clone Assassins, they were called. A highly-trained black ops group that were trained to combat lightsaber wielders. Apparently they were used to cut down rogue Jedi. The entire GAR's trust in the Jedi were shaken by the actions of Quinlan Vos and Pong Krell.

"Come on, the speeder is just up ahead!" Bene yelled.

An explosion rocked the floor they stood on, causing Scout to stumble. Whie helped his friend back up, and the four of them continued to run.

"Are you sure it's still there?" Anakin asked as he limped forward, struggling to keep up with them.

"Master Drallig said it would be," She responded.

When Anakin had recused the three padawans, they were on they're way to Master Drallig's speeder. It was hidden in a secret hangar. Anakin insisted on going to assist Master Drallig, but the padawans convinced him that he wouldn't be of much help. Anakin's leg was fractured. He had been running on pure adrenal, fighting through the pain. But now it was immense. He struggled to even walk. He wouldn't be of much help in a fight.

Entering one of the large halls, the four Jedi could see the carnage around them. Jedi were being slaughtered. They watched as a Rodian Jedi Master try to defend herself and her padawan, but both were gunned down. A Nikto Jedi Knight was blown to bits as a grenade rolled under his feet. Anakin could only watch in horror. The hall grew quiet as the last Jedi standing fell to the ground. A tug on his tunic brought Anakin back to reality. Following the padawans, they pushed a statue to the side and Bene entered a code into the keypad that was revealed. The wall behind them opened with a quick hiss, revealing a dim hallway with flickering lights. With no other option, the four Jedi ran down the hallway, the door sealing behind them.

The corrider lead to a garage where several speeders were. Some were being repaired. All that mattered was getting out. Anakin slammed the activation button for the blast doors. They slowly opened and stared over the night sky. The low hums of LAAT were above them.

The padawans hopped into a speeder and started it up. Scout sat in the drivers seat, with Whie in the passenger seat.

"Where will you go?" Anakin asked Scout.

"Anywhere is safer than here. I''ll try and find some Masters or a Senator. The Republic won't stand for this."

Anakin tried to respond but was cut off by an explosion above them.

"May the Force be with you both," Anakin said, nodding to the padawans.

"May the Force be with you, Master Skywalker", the Padawans said, before the speeder shot out of the hangar, slipping under the LAAT's and into the night sky.

Anakin turned to Bene. "Are you going to come with me?"

Bene bit her lip, before shaking her head. "No offense, Master Skywalker, but I think it'd be more dangerous for me to go with you. You're the Chosen One", Anakin rolled his eyes, "and the General of the 501st. These clones will know how to hunt you. And youre going to be a even bigger target for them. A small fish like me wont even matter to them."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Anakin asked cautiously.

"I'm sure."

"Take care, Bene. May the Force be with you," Anakin said as he turned on his speeder and disappeared into the night sky, setting a course for Padme's apartment.


Anakin slowly opened his eyes. He tried to sit up, moving his arms back to support him, but he fell onto his right side. Looking down, he realized his prosthetic was missing. He was sitting on a blanket, a bowl of liquid next to him, with black melons on the side. The sand was softer than usual, but still irritated him.

"Welcome back, young Skywalker. I hope you feel better than when we found you," A voice said. Anakin turned to the figure that spoke.

Sitting with before him with his legs crossed was Tusken Raider. But not just any Tusken. He may have worn the Tusken mask and his flesh was covered in bandages and cloth, but he also worn a born Jedi tunic. A braided pony tail rested on his shoulder. Two unique lightsabers hung from his belt. There was only one Jedi that looked like this.

"Master Hett?" Anakin asked in shock.

"I'm glad you recognize me, Skywalker," Hett said as he stayed seat. "I was not aware that you survived the Purge. I was under the impression that it was only me."

"Where's my son?"

"The boy is safe. His injuries were not as intense as yours. He is playing with the young."

There was a slight pause.

"I'm glad you are alive, Master Hett. I was unsure of how many survived the Purge."

"There are more Jedi out there?"

"I saved four youngling clans, sent them to a friend who I trust. I escaped the Temple with some padawans and escaped Coruscant with Master Windu. We parted ways from a space station. I don't know who is alive though. The Empire formed some sort of Inquisition that hunts down Jedi survivors."

"Mmm. I had felt several others pass. Being this deep in the desert, I don't have the need nor desire to check the holonet."

Anakin nodded. Grabbing one of the black melons, he drank it's nutrients, letting himself be refreshed and sustained. "So, you've been leading this Tusken clan?"

"I have consolidated several clans under into a war tribe."

"War tribe?"

"To bring peace to the lands. To restore what was rightfully stolen."

"What was stolen?"

"The land. Farmers hunt us. Even far into the Dune Sea, Jabba's mercenaries chase us down for sport."

Anakin paused. He could feel the hatred pouring out of Hett. "I'm sorry for your people's loss, Master Hett."

"Are you? I remember a few years ago, you were the one that slaughtered an entire tribe to avenge your mother. Killing the ones not even involved."

Mixed emotions swirled in Anakin. Since the death of his mother, he had bad blood with the Tusken Raiders. Even since he moved to Tatooine, sometimes he would dream of that night again. Qui-gon's voice pleading at him to stop his rampage as he slaughtered indiscriminately. It was his darkest secret, but one that he was proud of. Animals he called them. In a fit of rage, he tried to cut down Master Hett when they were standard during a battle. Hett decided to let Anakin wrestle with his inner demons. But even was Hett walked away, sparing Skywalker from the Council ever finding out, Anakin truly believed that he had done the right thing.

Times had changed though. The fall of the Order, Ahsoka abandoning him, the horrors of Operation Knightfall, and the journey of raising his family had softened Anakin. Whether he was too tired or sad to hate like he did in his past, he recognized the error of his ways. But it seemed that the Force was testing him, throwing him and his son into the hands of the people that he butchered.

Hett could sense Anakin's frustration and fluster. While the rise of the Empire had broken Anakin, softened him, it hardened this Tusken's heart. Butchering his own troops, he tapped into the Dark Side to escape, barley surviving. With nowhere to go, he went back to his home and joined his tribe. The stories of farmers and mercenaries hunting and destroying the Tusken's angered him. These were his people and they were suffering.

Both Jedi had suffered at the hands of each other's kinds. Anakin's mother had suffered at the hands of a tribe. Skywalker responded in kind. Hett's people were hunted like animals, bounties being placed on them by townsfolk and Jabba. Hett and his tribe had cut them down with no remorse. They were the same side of opposite coins.

"I was a different person back then. I was a foolish boy, who acted impulsively. It is one of my greatest failures and regrets," Anakin said softly, staring at Hett's black circular lenses. He hoped that the Jedi Master could see his remorse on his face. The guilt that sank into his body like a knife.

"I believe you, Anakin Skywalker," Master Hett said. He stood up and extended a hand to Anakin, who took it and hoisted himself up.

"Walk with me, Skywalker," Hett said as he left the tent. Anakin obliged, using his hand to cover his eyes from the blinding Twin Suns. He squinted for a while, adjusting to the shine and glare. Hett led him through the tribe's ground and they watched a group of children play. Anakin could easily identify Luke. Joy was all over his face as the children chased each other in the sand. Joy that Anakin had kept him from. Rather than grow up in a community, Luke was growing up isolated, away from people. Anakin constantly told himself that it was for everyone's safety, but perhaps he was wrong.

"Who is his mother?" Hett asked, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Senator Amidala. We were married right after Geonosis."

Out of the corner of his eye, Anakin could swear that Hett was staring at him under the mask with a dumbfounded look on his face, but then turned to watch Luke. "That explains where he gets his gentleness from. He was very respectful and obedient when I spoke to him. I introduced myself as your friend. He was confused, saying that you didn't have friends. He had no idea what a Jedi was."

Anakin knew that underlying message of that sentence. Hett was asking why Luke wasn't training to be a Jedi yet.

"Yes, I've avoided talking to Luke and Leia-"

"Leia?"

"His twin sister. I've avoided talking to them about my time as a Jedi. It stirs up memories I'd rather leave in the past. The Order is gone. We lost. There's not point."

"Power dwells in them, Skywalker. They are your children, children of the Chosen One," Hett said, using the title that the Order used on Anakin. He wanted to see how Skywalker reacted to being called such a thing. In the past, it had fueled his arrogance. But now, Anakin reacted like someone had kicked a loth cat. He grimaced and Hett could see the heaviness in his eyes.

"Well the prophecy must be wrong, because I didn't bring balance. I failed. Master Windu and I were sent flying out of a window, the Jedi are wiped out. For all I know, you and I are the only ones that are still alive. The war is over. The Sith won. I won't drag my children into the same war I was thrown into. The Sith already have the power they need."

"And once Palpatine senses your children's potential, I'm sure he will simple ignore them because he already has enough power," Hett challenged, knowing that Palpatine would never stop. "Your children are bound to tap into the Force, one way or another. Our actions are like a ripple in the Force. It travels and affects other parts."

Anakin shook his head. "The Sith will never notice us if we keep our heads down and going the right thing."

"And the right thing is to do nothing?"

"I won't put my children at risk, they're innocent-"

"Those children at the tribe were innocent too, yet that didn't stop a Force-wielder from cutting them down," Hett snapped.

Anakin looked at the Jedi Master in shock. "Go to Hell, A'Sharad."

With that, Anakin stormed off, marching over to Luke and picked up his son, and returned to his tent.


Night had fallen on the camp. Anakin and Luke had only left their tent a few times to retrieve food. Whenever they left, A'Sharad was nowhere to be seen. Anakin decided that in the morning, he and Luke would leave the camp and begin a journey home. They would find an outpost that would get them a lift.

Despite the thick cloth of the tent, Anakin could see dim flames open appear. They seemed ceremonial in a way. Drums began to beat and an unseen force opened the flaps of the tent.

Anakin heard Luke whimper in fear.

"Luke, stay behind him and do exactly as I say. Got it?" Anakin asked sternly.

"Yes, daddy", Luke said, clutching onto his father's cloak.

Anakin walked slowly out into the open and observed the scene before him. The tuskens had set up torches in an very large arc around the tent's entrance. They all sat there, watching in silence. Hett stepped forward and threw a wrapped item to Anakin. He starred at Anakin, silently telling the young father to open it.

Slowly, Anakin knelt down and unwrapped it. It was Anakin's prosthetic arm. In it's fist was one of Hett's saber. Looking up, he saw that Hett held the other one in his own hand. He met Anakin's gaze and nodded. Anakin turned to Luke.

"Go sit with the children."

"But I-"

"Now," Anakin said in a low tone. Luke nodded, hugging his father before leaving his side.

Anakin rolled up his sleeve and attached the arm, feeling the neurolink and sensors activate. It was always a painful process. He stood up, leaving the saber on the ground though. He had a feeling that Hett was scowling at him.

"Anakin Skywalker, you stand accused of murder of an entire Tusken tribe. You indiscriminately slaughtered those who kidnapped your mother-"

"He doesn't need to hear this!" Anakin interrupted, trying to stop Hett. But the Tusken Jedi paid no attention to his protests.

"You claim to show remorse. I will be the judge of that," Hett stated, extending his hand. His lightsaber on his belt flew to it and a green blade shot forward eagerly.

Scowling, Anakin called the saber in the sand to himself. He ignited it, as Hett and Skywalker charged towards each other.