Sahceth stared blankly into the glow of the city lights that polluted the Coruscant sky. Despite the warmth and relative safety the planet seemed to emit, he couldn't shake the disgust rolling his stomach.
Greed, gluttony, lust...all those rolled in this city. Disgusting.
Why his master chose to rule this cesspool was beyond him. Chaos and anarchy could rule better than that farce called diplomacy ever could.
And still his Master was more focused on Anakin Skywalker and this government than creating a true universe of chaos.
Why?
What did that man have to offer for his Master's interest?
"...SeBot." He called out and a tiny robot scurried over to him, apologizing for the perceived delay.
"Send out a missive. The Emperor will be moving cargo, weapons and ammunition of such from Kamino to other forces in a fortnight."
"Yes sir."
Sahceth smiled as the robot scurried away, resuming to stare out the window at the blinding lights of Coruscant.
Perhaps it was time...for a little experiment.
"I still think my design would have been better."
"Come on Anakin," Ahsoka said chuckling as they glanced at Leia's side as her lightsaber on her hip. "Get over it."
"But-"
"Each padawan makes their own design from how they feel the device should be. You know that. It was a miracle we found all the right materials for it."
Anakin pouted.
"I know, but still…"
"I think you're jealous because the design is closer to mine." Ahsoka hummed, earning a pointed look from Anakin and she smirked, before it gentled as Leia walked over to them, confusion on her face.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing at all." Ahsoka replied with a chuckle. "Just discussing some Jedi things, Padawan."
Leia frowned, clearly pouting, but shrugged.
"Anyway, there's a call for Fulcrum." Leia remarked and Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Don't even start."
"Fulcrum is a horrible codename."
"It means something that plays a central or essential role in an activity. Considering I'm handing out missions to other squads, it fits."
"But there's no fear associated with it."
"Oh like Vader is going to strike fear into the hearts of the Empire."
"Well it might!"
Leia rolled her eyes, meandering away to where Rex was, who looked up and chuckled.
"They at it again?"
"Yup." Leia replied, rolling her eyes as she sat down with a sigh. "Honestly, I wonder if Mama was like this with Dad."
"...from what I remember, those two were very much in love. Sure they fought, but nothing to the extreme." Rex said after a moment and Leia smiled.
"I see."
Rex was quiet, staring at the young girl before sighing.
"You remind me of her, actually."
"Really?" Leia asked, perking up and Rex nodded.
"She always fought for what she believed in, stubbornly even. She respected many species, and was respected by them, and she treated us like we were more than just clones. And she looked a lot like you. Same smile and everything."
Leia smiled softly, shifting as she twiddled a strand of hair in her fingers, staring out into the distance. Rex felt guilt slide in. He didn't have a mother, but he couldn't imagine what she had to go through. Or what Anakin went through for that matter.
Neither deserved this.
And yet...
"Leia….maybe you should know…"
"Know what?"
"Well...your mother-"
Rex stopped when the light for an incoming message lit up. Leia beamed when she recognized the code.
"It's The Ghost!"
"Is it now?"
"Mhm. Probably Ezra. I'll talk to you later, Rex, alright?"
"Alright." Rex said, waving as Leia hurried away, smiling. It took only a few moments before Rex sighed.
"Hiding are we Sir?"
"Rex."
"Sir." the aged clone said, not bothering to turn as Anakin slowly turned around the corner.
"What were you going to talk to Leia about?"
"I think you already know."
"...Rex, that's not your responsibility-"
"With all due respect, Sir…" Rex interrupted turning, "no one seems particularly inclined to tell her anything about her mother. Least of all you."
"We can't."
"When she does find out, because she will and you know it, do you think she'll be more upset if it comes out as a surprise, or if someone tells her beforehand?" Rex asked quietly and Anakin grew still. "She'll eventually want to know more about her mother, who she was, her name...everything. She's an inquisitive person. Are you prepared to tell her that?"
Anakin was quiet for a moment.
"You don't get to spring it up on her without telling me, Rex." Anakin finally said. "When she's old enough, I'll tell her on my own."
"And when is she going to be 'old enough'? She's already thirteen." Rex finally asked and Anakin stared at him, the room becoming uncomfortable.
"Anakin! We've got a situation!" Ahsoka called out, hurrying into the room, pausing for a moment as she looked at both men both staring at one another, almost like a challenge. "Are you two alright?"
"...What is it Ahsoka?" Anakin asked instead of answering, and Ahsoka frowned, but decided to question Anakin later on. It could wait.
She lifted the report.
"Trouble."
"So how are you, Ezra?" Leia said as she sat down on her bed, cross-legged. Ezra shrugged. "Giving Zeb and Chopper a run for their money on being annoying?"
"Oh ha, ha. Very funny. And I'm alright I guess."
"You guess?"
"Kanan's stopped doing my training. Again. We were doing fine with the basics I guess, but he tried to get me to feel the force with Zeb and Chopper throwing things at me on top of the Ghost and it...didn't turn out well."
"He...has some issues he needs to work out, Ezra. You know that." Leia tried to say gently, but Ezra grumbled regardless.
"He's talking about trying to find another teacher."
"Again? There aren't any left. We've told him that."
"Yeah, well he thinks there have to be other jedi master's somewhere."
"Well that's stupid. Dad would have found them if they were still alive."
"That's what I said."
"I'll set him straight!" Leia said hotly. "Where is he?"
"In the city getting supplies."
"Well when he gets back, he'll get a stern talking to." She huffed and Ezra snorted.
"That is something I can't wait to see."
"Hey I can be plenty terrifying when I want to." Leia said. "In fact just last week-"
Leia paused as the door to her room opened up and Anakin walked in. The look on his face told her enough.
"I'll call you later, alright Ezra? Something just came up." Leia said, looking back at her friend. Ezra frowned in concern, but nodded nonetheless. "What's wrong Dad?" Leia asked as the tiny hologram screen clicked off.
"We have a mission. Intel that the Empire is smuggling something under the guise of Empire Day."
"Why would the empire smuggle things?"
"It's probably something that the Emperor doesn't want the Senate to know about. We're going to have to sneak into the city and...delay...the shipment."
"We?" Leia repeated. "I'm coming?"
"Yes, but if anyone asks, you're name is Ani Lars."
"Ani...Lars?" Leia repeated, looking at her father in disbelief, and Anakin could hear Ahsoka and Rex trying not to laugh in the hall.
"What's wrong with that name? It's my nickname and my brother's surname."
"Oh nothing, nothing at all..." Leia replied dryly. "Just don't complain about other people's aliases any time soon."
Ahsoka and Rex couldn't help it this time, and laughter echoed into the room.
"I look stupid."
"You do not."
Luke sighed as he shifted around, looking back and forth in the mirror of their home. Red really wasn't his color. It made him stand out even more than normal, and his cheeks seem to become redder when wearing the color. He looked like some jester or a joker.
Still Padmé patted his head slightly, smiling at his reflection.
"You look regal."
"We're going to a parade."
"Just because I'm a Senator of Naboo doesn't mean I still don't have royal blood, and the same blood runs through you." She hummed and he sighed.
"I know." He replied and she smiled.
"It will be fun."
"It's a parade Mother." Luke replied. "We sit there and watch people and ships drive by."
Padmé rolled her eyes with a sigh. How Luke had developed this dislike for crowds was beyond her, but he was much more of a solitary person than she was. He was still polite and cordial with people, but the idea of being forced to endless parties and never ending. He wasn't for pomp and circumstance. He was for action and reaction. When things needed to be changed, he didn't understand why it couldn't just be done.
And during those rants of people not doing anything...she saw Anakin.
And her heart ached.
Sighing, she kissed the top of Luke's head.
"Do it for me, alright? And I'll take you to visit the shipyard."
"Really?" Luke said in excitement
"Yes, really." She said with a smile and he cheered, grinning excitedly. She smiled gently, glancing up at the window as the voice drifted through the speaker, announcing their arrival.
"Let's go get ready." she said and he sighed, before nodding.
"Luke!"
"Hi Joi. Winter." Luke said as he and his mother stepped off of the ship, stumbling back a bit when Joi latched onto him. He rolled his eyes, but seemed to relax as Joi began to bombard him with questions, dragging him away. Padmé smiled, chuckling under her breath as Bail walked over.
"Joi's been looking forward to this for awhile now." Bail said, chuckling. Padmé returned the laugh, smiling brightly.
"Luke won't admit it, but he's excited too." Padmé said. Bail smiled before it lessened slightly.
"What is it?"
"Garen and his mother are arriving shortly as well."
Padmé's expression changed for a moment, before frowning. She and Mya hadn't spoken since the fight years ago, now always on opposite opinions. She knew it was to just be spiteful...but it didn't matter.
"That's fine. I doubt she'll let Garen near Luke or Joi."
"Let us hope." Bail said with a sigh, and though Padmé smiled, she found she didn't really believe her own words. It seemed only moments later she spotted Mya in the crowd, her son by her side.
"Padmé."
"Mya." She replied as the other woman walked over, back stiff, ever formal, but now there was no warmth in her voice towards Padmé. Garen glared at Luke, who barely managed to offer a similar look, before he was grabbed by Joi and pulled away, the other girl giggling innocently, but glancing at her father, both sharing a secretive smile. Bail returned his attention the two female senators, smiling politely, listening to the discussions as crowds began to gather.
"Let's go, Luke! I want to get a good spot for the parade!" Joi chirped as she tugged Luke onwards, Winter following behind, amused.
"We have one every year, Joi." Luke bemoaned but the younger girl wouldn't be denied. Luke grunted as he bumped into someone.
"Sorr-" he began to say, but turning to look, felt his amusement drain away at the boy glaring at him.
"Watch it Amidala." Garen muttered and Luke glared back.
"It was an accident." Luke replied coolly.
"You know all about those, don't you?"
"What did you say?" Luke asked. Garen smirked.
"You were an accident right?" Garen asked lightly and Luke's ears colored pink, and Joi frowned.
"Leave him alone, Garen."
"Come on Joi. Let's leave the bastard alone to sulk. I'll take you to visit Lake Country."
"I'd rather kiss a Hutt than go with you, Garen." Joi responded sourly, dragging Luke away with Winter, leaving Garen alone.
"Luke…" Joi said gently as she reached the other tween, watching as he rubbed his eyes quickly before turning.
"What?"
"Don't let what Garen said get to you. He's just being a jerk."
"...he's not wrong though."
"Luke-"
"Just drop it Joi, alright?"
Joi frowned at the expression on Luke's face before she glanced back at the crowd, and at Garen one last time. She glared at him, before hurrying over to her father and Padmé, dragging Luke with her.
"Papa, can Luke show Winter and me around Naboo? I want to go visit Lake Country." Joi asked, purposefully looking at Garen whose face had colored. Bail blinked in surprise.
"Lake Country?"
"Joi, I thought you-"
"Mhm." Joi replied, interrupting Luke.
"I don't know…what do you say Padmé?" Bail asked, glancing at the female Senator who looked at Luke for a moment before offering a gentle smile.
"I don't see a problem. Luke has been down there a few times. Take Moteé with you. Once the pomp and circumstance is over, we'll join you for a picnic."
"Yes Mother." Luke said, offering a grin of his own, before being dragged by Joi and Winter. Bail smiled.
"Those three are very good friends."
"And I'm glad for that." Padmé said as the two turned.
"...he'd be proud of him as well, Padmé." Bail said gently, and if Padmé's eyes started to burn it was only because the sun reflected off a passing TIE fighter.
Anakin glanced at Leia as she belted her saber to her side, looking to her left as R2 rolled in beeping. She smiled and laughed.
It was though Padmé was back with him.
He didn't try to think about it often, how with each year, Leia looked more and more like her mother. She was only a year away from the age Padmé was when he had first met her. How could he tell her about her mother? How could she not wind up hating him?
"-ad? Everything okay?"
He blinked out of his thoughts, smiling at Leia.
"Just fine."
"...alright."
"Once we enter Kamino we'll need to be as stealthy as possible." Anakin said, changing the conversation quickly to avoid suspicion.
"Isn't that the planet that all the clones were created at?" Leia asked in surprise and Anakin nodded, frowning.
"I thought the planet was abandoned after the empire was formed. Why would they be bringing things there. Are they starting to clone again?"
"I can't imagine the Emperor needing them. He discontinued the original clones shortly after the end of the Clone War." Anakin replied. He knew that to be truth...so why would the Emperor have any reason to go back to Kamino? What purpose could there be for the Emperor to go there? He didn't think much further about it as the indicator beeped on of entering Kamino's atmosphere, and he quickly turned on the cloaking device. Leia stared at endless ocean around her, almost in awe.
"I can't remember seeing this much ocean ever." She murmured softly, pressing a hand on the glass to get a better look.
She pulled it sharply back as a stinging sensation went through her hand, frowning at the feeling. It was familiar, and yet...
Something...something felt wrong.
Like it was calling out to her, but it was screaming danger.
To stay away.
"Dad…are you sure this is right?" Leia found herself asking as the chill lingered in her spine and Anakin glanced at her.
"You feel something?"
"Icky." She muttered, staring out into the horizon as though looking for something or someone. Anakin frowned, scanning the area as his ship slowly landed on an abandoned platform.
"...be on the lookout." He muttered and Leia nodded, biting her lower lip worriedly. R2 began to beep in anticipation or possibly worry of something happening, but was silenced by a look from Anakin.
"R2, stay here alright?" Anakin ordered. "Make sure the ship is ready to leave if we have to escape quickly."
The droid beeped a worried affirmative and rolled back to the ship. They quietly slipped out of their ship, hurrying to find some cover. Anakin frowned.
"I don't see any Imperial ships…" Leia murmured, voicing her father's concerns. "Is it because we're on an abandoned station?"
"Possibly…" Anakin replied, though he didn't really believe it. "Come on."
The two hurried further into the corridors, keeping low under the windows.
Leia frowned when she chanced a glance into one of the rooms that the hall was above. It looked...empty. Abandoned.
Something wasn't adding up.
"Dad, I don't see anyone." she whispered and Anakin frowned. "Are we sure-"
The sound of a blaster before Leia's screech echoed down the hall as Anakin spun around to see Leia collapse, curling up in agony. Anakin swung around, spotting the stormtrooper. The soldier was flung backwards moments later, his head hitting the wall with a sickening crack. Anakin then raced
"Leia?!"
"Jedi Master Skywalker."
Anakin froze, turning to see a large man, his face partially covered by a breathing mask. Red eyes stared at him and the chill crawled up his spine, almost stealing his breath.
Red eyes, a sneer...and he was falling into a sea of red.
That dream...that dream on Garel. No. Not a dream. A vision.
And this man was in the center of it.
"So we finally meet. I've heard so much about you."
"Funny, I was thinking the exact opposite for you." Anakin said, pulling out his lightsaber and activating it. The man in front of him remained quiet for a moment. Then he sprung forward racing to Anakin who blocked the blow easily. Both men continued their duel, dodging their blows with a grace that very few possessed but many wished they had.
Still, Leia's eyes widened as Anakin stumbled backwards, blocking a blow from this Sith's saber. She could practically feel the Sith smiling under his mask, his intent clear.
He yearned for blood.
Death.
"No!" she said at first, with little strength as she stumbled back to standing, hurrying to her father. He stumbled back, blocking another blow, hissing when the saber grazed his arm.
She felt panic and anger rush through her, the overwhelming feeling flooding her senses. She was alone, but she didn't feel alone. She felt...
Connected.
The familiar pull of the Force flooded every fiber of the body, and she almost felt that another person stood next to her, holding her hand as she raised it up, stretching towards her father.
"NO!"
"I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, Joi." Luke said as they looked at the caverns. He glanced towards the fields, easily spotting Moteé under a tree. They were allowed to explore, but not go too far back into the caves. "It's not this grand adventure…"
The Alderaan princess looked over at him hotly.
"Do the Slolsu worms glow or not?"
"Well yeah they glow...but I've only ever been here at night when that happens with Mungo. I'm not sure-"
"Then let's go!" Joi said, practically skipping to the levabike. Luke sighed, glancing at Winter who shrugged.
"Is she always like this?"
"When she's excited."
"So yes."
Winter laughed, following Luke after Joi. Luke mounted the levabike, the two girls sitting behind him as they went further into the caverns. The sounds of the nearby waterfalls echoed through the hall of stone. Joi seemed to be beside herself with excitement, practically rocking back and forth, yearning to go explore. Luke rolled his eyes as they went further into the caves. Slowly the sound of the rushing water began to vanish, and Luke slowed his bike, turning off the light. A faint glow began to appear above them and Joi almost squealed, clutching at Luke.
"Are these the worms?"
"Yeah. No offense, but most girls I met don't really like worms."
"Well I'm not like most girls, am I?" Joi asked with a grin and Luke had to sigh.
"That's true." He replied, slowly setting the levabike down, turning it off. The glow began to grow brighter at the sudden silence and Joi jumped around giddily, staring up at the ceiling.
"Wow! This is so pretty, Luke!" She chirped happily. Luke couldn't help the smile that crawled on his face. But it slid off as he noted how close to the edge Joi was.
"Joi, Joi wait!" He said, hurrying after her. She turned to look back at him, and her foot stepped backwards, and met nothing but air. Luke grabbed her hand but the sudden weight and momentum had him pitching forwards after her. He felt Winter grab his hand to try and stop the inevitable, but it was too late.
All three screaming, they fell into the abyss, sliding against a mossy and slimy side of the crevice. Luke felt his head hit a stone and suddenly he couldn't hear, couldn't speak.
And the world went dark.
And suddenly he was floating in darkness. He recognized it. It was the abyss again. His head hurt, a dull ring sounding in his head. He thought he felt a tug on his hand. Guiding him.
"Help me…"
He looked around in surprise. The voice was familiar...a comfort.
"Leia?"
"Help."
This time the voice was more insistent, begging and he felt the tug now. How could he help though? How…
That feeling, he realized. Maybe he could push that feeling to her?
"HELP!"
He closed his eyes, the sensation washing over to him like water and he could picture the same little girl standing there, hand extended towards him, eyes wide with worry and fear.
He would help her.
He would help.
He would…
He-
And then the space became a blinding white and he could swear it was screaming…
Screaming...
"NO!"
Anakin and Sahceth looked over to see a wall flying towards them. Anakin managed to dodge, Sahceth taking the full brunt of the hit, careening into the parallel wall. Anakin looked at Leia, who was panting from exertion, legs trembling. For a split second he thought he saw a second person standing behind Leia, before the figure vanished and Leia tumbled forward, breathing heavily as though she had run a mile. He raced over to her, dragging her up and ran with her down the hall.
"How did you do that?!" he snapped as they slid around a corner. She struggled to keep up with him.
"I don't...I don't know. The Force…" She trailed off as Anakin kept running down the hall. It seemed almost impossible for someone so young in the force to yank a wall, partially destroyed or not and throw it that distance. It didn't make sense. Now if there were two…
Anakin almost froze but shook the possibility away.
Now wasn't the time.
Alarms began to sound and Anakin cursed, pulling Leia to go faster. She stumbled and he picked her up, practically throwing her over his shoulder. He pushed a group of stormtroopers out of the way with a flick of his hand, shutting the door.
"R2! Get the ship ready, now!" He barked into his communicator, a flurry of beeps that he was sure was not a kind remark replied back to him.
"I can walk." Leia finally said and he didn't argue, letting her slide down and she now kept pace with him. He suddenly shoved her forward, and spun around, parrying an attack from the Sith Lord now hell bent on fighting them.
He gritted his teeth, his boots sliding a bit against the smoothed stone floor. Sahceth looked at him, a maniac smile on his face, then slowly his gaze changed to behind him. Anakin looked behind his shoulder and saw Leia was now trying to keep the automatic doors closed as stormtroopers attempted to force their way in.
And Sahceth was looking at her like a starving crazed animal would look at a bowl of meat.
Something in Anakin's mind snapped. Using the force, he yanked Leia's lightsaber from her hip, flicking it to his other hand, turned it on, and whipped it up, and heard the satisfying sound of the blade connecting with flesh.
Sahceth let out a grunt, but not a sound more and Anakin slammed his foot into his midsection, propelling the Sith backwards. Anakin turned and grabbed his daughter's wrist again, dragging the stunned girl who was staring at the arm that lay on the ground, blood pooling around it.
Anakin however didn't hesitate this time and by the time they had reached their ship, several troopers lay on the ground, either dead or wounded. Anakin couldn't tell.
Leia was staring at the bodies, aghast, but Anakin dragged Leia further, practically throwing her into the ship, running to the pilot's seat as the engines roared fully to life. Anakin took off into the sky and Leia peered out to see several Imperial ships shooting after them.
"Dad, they're coming!"
"I know! Hang on, all right?!"
Leia barely managed a response before Anakin pushed the the throttle further and the engines practically screamed as they moved faster. Instead Leia began to fight her stomach as her father began to do barrel rolls and pitchbacks all while avoiding the fighters behind them. Leia looked and felt her heart drop as she spotted a cruiser appear out of hyperspace.
"Dad?" She said weakly, but Anakin didn't respond, glancing at the cruiser and avoiding shots fired at him.
"R2, get the coordinates ready for me and when I say go, we go!" Anakin said and R2 beeped an affirmative. Anakin aimed his blasters forward and as a ship flew towards him, pulled the trigger and the ship exploded. Leia winced as they flew through the fireball, but they were clear of the wreckage.
"Now!" Anakin yelled and punched the coordinates and the stars around them seemed to elongate and with a bang, they vanished out of the Kamino system.
"Luke?! Luke, are you okay?"
He blinked several times, shaking his head, staring up at the panicked girls.
"I'm fine...sorry…" He mumbled as he sat up, feeling like his head had gone through the gong. Probably from hitting his head, but that had been a strange dream.
"The screams...who was screaming? Joi or Winter, maybe?" He thought as he looked around.
"I lost my footing...I'm sorry." Joi whimpered.
"You're alright right?" Luke asked and the girl nodded. He smiled.
"Then that's all that matters. Come on...let's get back up and get the bike." He said, pulling the small grappling hook from around his belt and aiming it upwards. A solid 'THUNK' echoed and he smiled at the slight tug and no give came back. He held both girls, praying that it wouldn't give and the three shot back up to a ledge. He spotted the bike lying on its side and went over to it.
"It doesn't seem too damaged." Luke assured them easily, being reassured himself as the engine roared back to life. He helped Joi and Winter up onto the bike, before mounting it as well and taking off.
But now...there was a problem.
He couldn't see anything. Pitch black and absurdly silent, the cave didn't offer any respite to find a way out. Joi and Winter clung to him as he maneuvered the bike, trying to avoid stalagmites and stalactites.
"Luke, I'm scared." Joi whimpered.
"It's okay, be brave Joi." Winter said and Luke felt guilt flood into him. They were only in this mess because Joi wanted to make him feel better and-
Suddenly that feeling...the same feeling he got when he had been kidnapped, and that same feeling he had felt just moments ago, seemed to reappear again, tugging at his hand like a small child yearning to show him something.
Angel…
He didn't ask questions...didn't hesitate.
Instead he revved the engine, and started off after the sensation.
"Luke?!"
"Luke, what are you doing?!" Winter shrieked, but the boy didn't answer, just focused on the guiding sensation, a soft gentle feeling...almost like his mother. A gentle laugh seemed to echo. The feeling was getting closer, the yearning desire for freedom so close, he could almost taste it.
"Luke! Luke there's nothing there! Stop!" Joi cried out, tugging on the boy, but earning no response. It was as though a veil had been placed over Luke rendering her and Winter's pleas mute.
He kept going, stubbornly. He could hearlaughter echoing through the caverns, his mother's voice easily recognizable, another he couldn't pinpoint, but it still sounded familiar. Someone he had never known but at the same time, he had known all his life. He wasn't in the cave anymore, he was on a field in Lake Country, watching a younger version of his mother sitting among the flowers, glowing with happiness. The man wasn't as clear, his face blurry...maybe if he focused-
He broke through a waterfall like a rocket, sputtering out of his trance from the water dousing him. He shook his head, blinking several times, recognizing they were back in Lake Country.
Glancing back he stared at Joi and Winter, water dripping off their faces and who were looking back at him stunned.
"How did you know the way out?"
"How did you do that?"
Both girls asked simultaneously, but Luke frowned.
"I don't know...I just did. Maybe there was a path?"
"Path?" Joi asked in surprise as the leva-bike began to slow and began soft glide to a field of flowers. "I didn't see a path."
"Like I said, I don't-"
"Luke!"
"Joi! Winter!"
All the children looked over their shoulders to see the respective parents rushing down the hill.
"Papa!"
"Mom!"
"Are you three alright?" Padmé asked as she reached Luke, and Luke felt guilt crawling through his stomach. "When we reached the area, Moteé said she hadn't seen-"
"We were looking for Slolsu worms and just got a little turned around in the caverns. We found our way out though. We're fine. Nothing happened."
"Are you sure?"
Luke paused, thinking to the scream he had heard before escaping the cave. What had that been about? Maybe his mother shrieking for him? No...that didn't make much sense.
"Yeah, nothing happened. Don't worry, I'm fine Mom." Luke said with a smile, deciding to not distress her with tales of hearing phantom screaming. Joi and Winter stared at him, but either deciding to not get themselves into more trouble, or to save him from being babied by his mother remained quiet. Luke offered a smile, before following his mother.
He would have to tell her eventually, but not now.
Now he just wanted to forget all about the caverns and the visions.
But try as he might, he couldn't shake the visage of his mother and the unknown man in the fields and couldn't help but wonder who he was.
A figment of his imagination?
Or...something more?
Sahceth stared blankly at the wall in front of him, not reacting a bit as the medidroid worked on his arm.
"If you feel any pain sir-"
"I feel nothing. Finish your job." He responded coolly. The droid returned to his duty, remaining quiet now and Sahceth went back to his thoughts.
So curious.
A padawan and a jedi master. History repeating itself again.
And yet...Anakin Skywalker didn't fight like a Master would for an apprentice. No...he fought like something more.
True, he thought off-handedly, a Padawan was a rare occurrence. They had all been wiped out. No Padawan's existed anymore. Still, he couldn't help but feel that there was something more to that Jedi's protectiveness.
And that girl…
He recognized her from a brief visit to Lothal. Then he had only had inklings of her powers. But now, the power she had had...it was almost the same energy he had felt somewhere else years ago in that boy. That attempt at taking the young Amidala boy had failed miserably, and he had learned quickly from his Master to not interfere with the Senator's child. His Master would one day collect the boy for his own devices. But that girl...
She looked so familiar for some reason.
He'd have to look into that girl.
His Master wanted the Senator's son…
But surely, he thought-a smile growing on his face that seemed to chill the room-surely his Master wouldn't miss another Padawan. Soon, soon he would get his own apprentice. And soon, he could set his own plans in motion.
Leia hissed in pain as she smeared some healing ointment on a laser burn of her arm. Even if that had been her worst injury, it still burned. They were lucky they hadn't had a repeat of a few years back. She slowed her smearing as her mind drifted back to Kamino. It had been the first time she had seen her father kill.
Sure, she had known he killed. Back in the Clone Wars, during dogfights in space...but she had never seen him actually kill a person in front of her. She swallowed, curling up as she stared at the wall adjacent to her.
Would she have to kill eventually too?
Before she could delve into that thought any further, she was interrupted as her holocall beeped to life and after accepting the transmission, smiled at the familiar face.
"Hi Kanan."
"Ezra said you wanted to...set me straight, I believe?"
"...He wasn't supposed to tell you that." She huffed, before wincing again.
"You alright?"
"Well Dad and I got...into a bit of trouble. We're fine, managed to get out." She added quickly. "Mission was a trap though."
"Yeah, well...I didn't have much luck on my latest mission either. Did your father ever tell you about Jedi Master Luminara?"
"He might have mentioned her in a lesson...why?"
"If he receives any intel of her being a prisoner of the Empire, it's a trap and don't believe it."
"How do you…"
"I was going to try and rescue her. Perhaps she would have been willing to train Ezra. but they're using it as a way to try and get other Jedi. They might have managed to prior to this...but now..."
"...well glad to know that all of can still get tricked." Leia muttered, rolling her eyes. "Thanks for contacting us, Kanan. Now we know."
"Yeah, unfortunately that didn't work."
"Not your fault." Leia replied with a smile. "It's better we know rather than going there and dying." She continued. He was silent and she watched him, curiously. "Yet, something is still bothering you."
"You're getting better with training, aren't you?"
"Training has nothing to do with that, Kanan." Leia replied teasingly. "Your expression is enough."
"…I…I can't train him."
"Why not?"
"I just can't. I'm not a Jedi. Not anymore."
"Kanan…"
"I still think your father would be better at this than me. He's at least trained a Padawan prior."
"You are aware he's training me correct? I'm a handful enough to be trained without Dad having to take on another padawan. Besides you're right there on his home planet and from what I could tell is comfortable with you, and he seems to really like you."
"Well yeah…but…"
"Worried you won't make a good master?" Leia questioned and Kanan shifted. "You're overthinking it, Kanan. You'll do fine as a Master."
"I haven't been a Jedi in years, Leia. There's a big difference from being a Padawan and being a Master."
"My father wasn't all to keen on taking Ahsoka as his apprentice when they first met, and now she's his second hand…well third hand since there's me." She replied with a smile. Kanan chuckled at that. "I'm being serious though, you'll make a fine Master. You just have to trust in yourself."
"I can try, but…"
"Don't try, do. Like my dad always says, there is no try." She replied with a grin. He returned the smile. As he signed off, Anakin entered her room.
"Come on. We have to go again."
"Please tell me it isn't some Emperial planet again." Leia whined as she pulled on her boots again. Anakin barely smiled.
"No. It's not. The Empire would never think of going there."
"Then...where are we going?"
"A place I never thought I would willingly go back to. My homeworld."
"Your homeworld?"
"Yes." He said as they reached the hangar and headed to the small starfighter that roared to life and R2 was lifted into.
"Where's that?" Leia asked, eyeing her father in confusion. He was silent for a moment before sighing.
"Tatooine. We're going to Tatooine."
I finally got this sucker completed!
I'm so sorry this took so long!