"Hold on Anakin I'm coming."
"Brother please help us find you."
"Master, take my strength and use it to help you."
"Ani, please come home, our child needs you. I need you."
Anakin
I know those voices, I can hear them, I can hear them all, everyone that I cared about was there for me. It was so comforting to know that they hadn't given up hope. Even though I could sense them I was so weak from the last torture session that I wasn't sure I could communicate with them so I focused all my feelings of pain, exhaustion, and relief of not feeling so alone anymore. With the inhibitors only a portion of those feelings got through, So gently getting up to my arms I looked at the cell door which was the most reflective surface in the room, and building a picture in my mind I pushed that through the bond.
Ani! He's exhausted
What is that on his wrist, it's hard to make out, but oh no
It's an inhibitor gauntlet!
There's one on his neck as well
Together all together focus on the two items along with their weakest point, working collectively we can fracture them till they break.
I could feel the power behind their combined actions and as the cracks began to form I gained a clearer connection to everyone. My Master was there and as soon as I felt his presence I latched onto it revealing in his immense presence of strength and resolve. Ahsoka was next and after doing the same with her as I had done with my Master I could feel all her fears of finding me, go away somewhat. Though once I was in her sight again and she assured herself that I was real those would all go away. Padme was there as well and though I could feel her I could also feel the two bright lights growing inside of her. Then there was Master Tarkington why she was there in the first place wasn't making sense to me, but I was just as grateful for her help anyway.
Finally, the inhibitors crumbled to the ground and Anakin latched onto everyone relying on their strength to supplement his depleting reservoir. Without anything to block their connection, Everything became so much clearer and all the secrets that had been hidden away were now out in the open for all to know. Yet one of those secrets was the most shocking and disturbing.
Chancellor Palpatine was the Sith Lord going under the name Darth Sideous, the Jedi had been looking for him all around the galaxy and he was right under their very noses. He engineered Anakin's mission and subsequent kidnapping on Amuerus. From Anakin's memories, the group learned that he'd also personally oversee or sometimes administrate the torture sessions to Anakin, all in an unsuccessful attempt to turn towards the dark side of the Force.
Soon after receiving this information Anakin collapsed again to the ground and almost slipped into unconsciousness. This caused increasing alarm in all present, especially for Padme.
Wake up, Ani please wake up her screams reached across their bond, her fear forcing him to remain conscious even though all he wanted to do was sleep.
I'm here. I'm awake, sorry for scaring you, Angel. It's just so hard to stay awake
It's all right, Ani I'm just glad you're awake
Padawan
Master? Obi-Wan was beyond the point of pure relief at finally connecting with his old padawan after such a long time fresh fell from his eyes.
I'm here padawan we're all here
Skyguy!
Hey, Snips Ahsoka was just as relieved as Obi-Wan to be reconnected to her master just as much as he was to her. Fears of possible situations, as well as tears, flow through the Force and down her face respectively. Though once her master was actually in her sights, she could feel that he was real, and he was safely behind the walls of the Jedi Temple. Then the rest of the apprehensions would dissipate.
How are you feeling?
Ughh, what's another level of discomfort beyond lousy because I think I've reached it and maybe a bit farther. Right now, I just want to have things return to the way they were before without all the secrecy. Especially the part where I'm lying on something that is actually designed to be a bed and not just this cold hard floor that I've been relegated to. It has been a constant pain inducer for however long I've been stuck down here.
A proper bed will be the first thing you get, for right now we need your help to find out where you are.
Any clues you can give us will be of great help, Skywalker.
Afraid after I was knocked out on Amuerus the first thing I remember waking up to was this metal cell. Sidious was in the room, hold on a minute he wasn't wearing his hooded cloak. He looked like he normally would work in the Senate building, not sure how it helps though.
It certainly does, him being dressed like that more than likely means that you are on Coruscant which greatly limits our search yet Coruscant is not the smallest planet in the Galaxy.
True
Ani . . . While Padme talked with her husband Obi-Wan, Ahsoka and Carrie removed themselves from the meditation circle.
"I'll stay here and help Padme maintain her link with Skywalker while the two of you gather up a team and supplies. Judging by how in pain he is, a traditional medpack may not cut it."
"Understood."
"I'll message you as soon as we find his location, just keep your link with him open. He may need to rely on your strength as well as ours." And with that Carrie returned to meditation, connecting once again with Padme and Anakin.
Everything all right?
Yes, Anakin's just being difficult
Angel!
Ani, I know it hurts, but we need you to get out of there and somewhere safe where we know where you are.
I know, but
No, but's Skywalker, remember 'Do or do not, there is no try'
Is now really a good time to be having a lesson Master, what should I call you now anyway.
Whatever you'd like the familial relationship between is one I would like to have face to face not like this.
Agreed, Urgh
Ani!
I'm here.. still here... just.. need to catch... my breath.. for a second. Allowing Anakin a moment to relax Carrie looked through Anakin's eyes to see if there was anything in his field of vision to identify where he was. He was on a different level than before, yet he was very weak and wouldn't be able to go much further along.
Anakin, I see a sign a little bit away from you that might have a level number on it. If you're rested enough do you think you can get a better view of it?
I think I can, but urgh. . . it hurts to move.
Then let us help you reach out and feel the four of us we are here to help use our strength to supplement your own. Once we know where you are, you can rest inside the next closest room.
Ok, Anakin felt all of them and with their help, he made it to a point where they could all see the sign. Thankfully, his position was right outside something that seemed to be labeled as Janitors Closet. It looks like I'm on the 2000th level in the northwest quadrant.
We're headed there now. Anakin started to relax at hearing his master's voice, almost letting himself go to sleep.
Not yet little one, you could be just as easily found out in the hallways you need to get in the closet with the door closed.
Right, that is the only time you get to call me a young one. He made his way inside and closed the door before slowly collapsing in a heap on the ground losing consciousness.
This.. should... be ok, with that Anakin lost consciousness
"Ani!" luckily Carrie dulled the connection before Anakin could hear his wife's scream.
"It's all right Padme, he's just fallen asleep, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka are already on their way. They will have a medical officer with them from the 501st."
"Anakin's Squad."
"Yes, now we need to make sure that Anakin has a bed when Obi-Wan and Ahsoka get him back to the Temple."
"I'm guessing this bed will be in the last place Anakin would want to be beside maybe that metal cell."
"You know him well" Getting up from the ground the two headed toward the Halls of Healing to inform the head healer about the incoming injured Anakin Skywalker so that they would be ready for whatever he came in with.
"Is this a good time?"
"For what?"
"To talk about you and Anakin."
"It would be if we weren't in the Jedi Temple and I would like to do this with Anakin and Obi-Wan so that all the questions you have can be answered at once."
"All right, I agree on one condition." Turning to face her brother's wife all Carrie's fears came to the surface and dozens of situations ran through her head.
"Yes"
"What's your real name?" Smiling Carrie looked around checking to see if there were any other Jedi in the vicinity that might hear their conversation.
"My name is Athena, Athena Skywalker-Kenobi."
"Oh, now there are a lot more questions that I need to get an answer to no wonder you wanted to wait." The two women smiled and continued to walk toward their intended destination.
Ahsoka and Obi-Wan were already with Captain Rex and the men he had chosen from the 501st when the two Jedi received Anakin's general location. All were in disguises, that did not immediately identify them as Jedi and clones.
"We have Anakin's location, is everyone clear on the plan?"
"Yes, General."
"Then let's get going." From the temple, the two groups split each taking a separate path allowing for maximum coverage. Ahsoka's team took two generic hover cars from the motor pool and navigated the longer route placing them in position above the nearest exit. Leaving four of her men with the vehicles she and her assigned medic headed down to the 2000th level to see if they could render any assistance. The first group was already slowly making their way to the surface when the two found them.
"Master!"
"Hey, Snips." Anakin tried to give his padawan one of the unique smiles, but a small jostle had him wincing in pain. Across their bond, Ahsoka could tell that her master was trying to block how much pain he was actually in. She didn't notice it before, but now being this close to her master she knew. Rolling her eyes she couldn't believe it here he was sporting thousands of wounds upon his body, no left arm, and wearing a mechanic jumpsuit. Even with all that he's still trying to hide from her how much pain he was truly in.
"Stop blocking me out Skyguy, I know that you're in much more pain than you're letting me feel I can see it on your body. I've trusted you with my life more times than I can count now trust me with yours" Anakin was more than a little bit shocked at his padawan's declaration
"Obi-Wan told me that you are no longer the snippy little youngling that I met on Christophis." A small smile sprung on Ahsoka's face as Anakin released his mental shields releasing the adrenaline coursing through her systems. Immediately Ahsoka latched onto him and boosted his strength with her own allowing him to lean on her for support once again.
"Thanks, Snips"
" You were never alone no matter where you are, better remember that."
"I will padawan and thank you." Sending waves of strength his way the group continued their trek up the levels of Coruscant. Within another thirty minutes or so they reached the two hovercar positions. Wherein the lights of Coruscant nightlife caused their injured comrade to conceal himself within the shadows of his comrades. Thus to remedy the situation Ahsoka quickly tore a piece of fabric from her robe. Placing over and around her master's head.
"Better?"
"Better, thank you Snips."
"Your welcome, but now that two more you owe me." Anakin chuckled, however, feeling his cracked ribs jostle he stopped almost as quickly as the pain began.
"Fives, Boil; were ready for pickup."
"Copy that. On our way" Not long after their communications, the two arrived with the vehicles. Slowly they laid Anakin on the backseat Kix and Ahsoka's medic took the backseat with him while everyone else piled into the unoccupied seats of the two vehicles.
Upon arrival at the Temple's back entrance the Healers took over his care and the group relaxed and went their separate ways. Captain Rex and his men retired to the barracks with the promise from their Commander and General Kenobi to be informed as to the condition of their General as soon as they could.
Ahsoka and Obi-Wan met up with Athena and Padme and the four of them waited outside the healing wing for news on their comrade, brother, husband, teacher, and friend.
