Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 4! The intense excitement continues and accelerates at hyper speed in this next installment. Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)
Shattered Peace: A Forever Destined Vignette
Part 4/?
Explosions rocketed around them and fire lit the skies of Bandomeer once again. Xanatos cackled evilly, as his blade deadlocked with Qui-Gon's and Obi-Wan's.
"This time, I will have my revenge, my old Master. I'm going to make you both pay for what you did to me," Xanatos said.
"Everything that happened to you was your own fault. It's time you stop blaming my father for your own foolishness," Obi-Wan retorted. Xanatos snarled.
"You won't be so confident when I kill your father right before your eyes," Xanatos spat, as he knocked Obi-Wan away and went one on one with Qui-Gon.
"Xanatos, you need to stop this now! Innocent people are going to get hurt," Qui-Gon pleaded.
"Good...the more casualties, the better. And it's time to make sure you're one of those casualties!" Xanatos screamed, as he brought his blade down on Qui-Gon's. The aging Jedi struggled against Xanatos' superior, inhuman strength. Xanatos chuckled evilly, as Qui-Gon struggled fruitlessly against him. He inhaled deeply.
"Ah...the sweet smell of death," he taunted.
"You must know that Anakin will stop you. You, nor your accomplices stand a chance against him. With every life you take, you only make him stronger and more determined to destroy your Master's evil," Qui-Gon taunted back. But Xanatos only cackled in amusement.
"Skywalker is going to be too busy with other things," Xanatos said mysteriously.
"What are you talking about?" Obi-Wan demanded, as he leapt back into the battle.
"Take a look behind me and you'll understand," Xanatos taunted. It was then that they spotted the figure behind the former Jedi turned Sith. After years of speculation, their fears were realized. Palo smirked evilly at them, as he continued to approach the warehouse.
"No..." Qui-Gon cried, as he tried fruitlessly to get past Xanatos. But the Sith backhanded him across the side of his face. Blood sprayed from his nose and trickled down his chin from his split lip. A large bruise was darkening his skin in the place where he'd been hit. But the pain didn't concern him. Padme was like his daughter and the thought of that monster hurting her again made his blood run cold. After trying to advance on Palo as well, Obi-Wan found himself on his back, sporting a deep, bleeding gash on his forehead. Xanatos brought his blade down on Qui-Gon and he blocked it with his own. Obi-Wan fought a wave of nausea that was sweeping him, as they watched Palo enter the warehouse.
"You didn't really think I was going to let you spoil the fun, did you? I do hope he goes easy on the pretty little Senator, but from what I hear, he's pretty angry with her. I don't think she'll see the light of another day," Xanatos taunted.
"Anakin...you have to get to Padme now!" Qui-Gon cried out silently and frantically to his son through the Force, even as Xanatos continued to dominate the battle between them.
~*~
The lights and tables in the warehouse trembled violently, as the battle raged outside.
"Mommy...I'm scared," Jenna whimpered. Padme picked her up and kissed her blonde hair.
"It's okay baby. Daddy's not going to let anything bad happen to us," Padme assured her. The warehouse door creaked open and a cloaked figure limped inside. The person looked hurt, like they might need help. Padme put Jenna down beside her brother and carefully approached the person that looked like they might be a Jedi.
"Excuse me...are you hurt? We have medical supplies in the back," Padme said, as she tried to see under the cowl. A sudden bad feeling swept through her, as the person reached out and grabbed her waist. The cowl dropped and Padme's heart stopped.
"No..." she cried, as she tried to sever his vice-like grip, but to no avail.
"Oh my God!" Sola screamed, as she saw his face. Padme's frightened scream sounded, as Palo slammed her against the wall.
"Let her go!" Elana cried. But Palo ignored her, as he wrapped icy metal fingers around Padme's slender neck.
"I told you that you'd never truly escape me. You belong to me and it's time I remind you of that," he hissed in her ear.
"Let my mom go!" Luke yelled, as he charged at Palo, with his azure blade blazing. Palo drew his blaster and fired at the young padawan. Luke deflected them harmlessly at the walls and sliced through Palo's blaster. Palo snarled and blocked the light saber blade with his forearm. Luke was stunned when his blade failed to slice through the limb. Palo chuckled evilly, as he applied pressure against the weapon and Luke struggled against his oppressive strength.
"No...please don't hurt him..." Padme pleaded. Luke's saber cracked and fizzled out. Palo laughed evilly, as he picked the boy up and slammed him into the wall. Padme screamed, as her son fell unconscious to the floor, with blood leaking from his skull. She tried to kneel down to pick him up, but Palo held her back.
"Luke...Luke!" Padme cried, as her captor held her at bay.
"Shut up," he snapped.
"Who's next?" Palo taunted. All three of her daughters were crying, but Jayden and Ryoo stepped forward, igniting their blades. Fear gripped Padme, as she cared far more about their lives than her own.
"No...leave them alone! Leave them alone and I'll go with you!" Padme pleaded. Palo smirked. The offer was too tempting for him to resist. He grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door.
"No...mommy!" her children cried.
"It'll be okay babies...mommy will be okay," she said, trying to reassure them.
"I have just the place we can go. You're going to pay, Padme. I've been ordered to turn you over to Master Sifo-Dyas, but not until I break you! Not until I make you pay," he hissed, as he pulled her along outside the warehouse. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan tried to get past Xanatos, but it was no use. Palo marched her toward a speeder in the near distance. She knew Palo planned to torture and rape her. She also knew he might even kill her, despite his orders to turn her over to the Sith Master. But Padme wasn't going to let him do it without a fight. She pretended to trip and fell to the ground on her stomach.
"Get up," Palo growled, as he grabbed her cloak, ripping it off. Padme rolled over and pointed her Sentry blaster at him. She pumped several blasts into his chest, sending him flying back several feet. She scrambled to her feet and took off running, desperately searching for her husband. Palo leapt to his feet, holding his chest in pain. The artificial skin had been melted away and the titanium durasteel could bee seen beneath it.
"You're dead Padme...you're dead!" he screamed, as he gave chase...
~*~
Obi-Wan cried out in pain, as he held the burning gash he now had across his abdomen, as a result of Xanatos' blade grazing him. Xanatos prepared to bring his blade down on both of them again, when an unseen force lifted him into the air and sent him crashing into a post. Mace and Yoda ignited their violet and emerald blades respectively, launching into battle...
~*~
Anakin slashed his glowing blade in a series of vicious swipes, sending flails of searing energy. It was making spare parts out of the droids, but the android soldiers were proving to be more resilient, as it was taking more than one attack from him to dismantle them. As a result, they had already claimed several Clone casualties, as well as the lives of Masters Pablo Jill and Stass Allie. Anakin intensified his powers, as he successfully ripped three androids to shreds. He suddenly sensed an attack coming at him from behind. He turned and caught the Force lightning with his saber. The attacker was the beautiful young blonde woman they had not been able to identify.
"You're making a mess of my Master's creations," she scolded with an evil smirk.
"My heart bleeds," Anakin spat, as he energized his saber with more power, nullifying her attack. He shoved her back with the Force and she crashed into one of her own soldiers. She seethed angrily and then smirked, as she stood up.
"You are strong. I like strong men. It's too bad you won't join my Master. There's much more entertaining things we could be doing, rather than fighting," she taunted.
"Like I'd give a Sith witch like you the time of day," he spat back. She snarled and ignited her blade. Kendra charged at the Chosen One and screamed in horror, as her blade shattered against his upon contact.
"You're way out of your league," Anakin replied, as he speared her through the abdomen. She screamed in pain, as the gaping hole in her stomach burned. She dropped to her knees and glared up at him.
"KILL HIM!" she screamed. Anakin whipped around and blocked Boba's flame thrower. As he successfully deflected the flames, Jango's grabbling cable trapped him in its bindings. Six barbed spears sunk into his skin and an electromagnetic pulse tore through his body with a vengeance.
"Boba, get her back to this ship for medical attention. I'll take care of this Jedi scum," Jango spat, as he whipped the cable around, lifting Anakin off the ground and then slamming him into a metal post. Anakin fell to the ground, writhing in immense, blinding pain.
"Anakin...you have to get to Padme now!" he heard his father call to him through the Force.
"PADME!" Anakin cried, as he felt his wife's intense fear. A cold chill froze his blood in its veins. It was Palo. He was here. He had found her.
"You've got bigger problems other than worrying about your little whore," Jango spat, as he viciously kicked the young Jedi in the ribs.
"You're the one that's got to worry, Fett," Riley spat, as he discharged a blast from his Sentry blaster. Jango was knocked head over heels by the special weapon, leaving him stunned. Riley bent down beside his son-in-law and carefully pulled the barbs out and sliced through the cable.
"Thanks Riley," Anakin said, as Riley helped him up.
"Don't mention it, son," he replied.
"We have...to get to Padme. He has her," Anakin said.
"Who?" Riley questioned.
"Palo," Anakin answered.
"Dammit...can you handle this scumbag?" Riley asked. Anakin wiped the blood from his cut lip.
"Yeah, I'm going to finish him once and for all. Go find her and I'll be right behind you," Anakin replied.
"Well, well, I thought I'd never see the day that Riley Zander deflected to the other side. I heard you were a traitor. I mean, I knew you were always a loser, but a traitor too. Such a disgrace. Riley Zander...the family man," Jango cackled.
"You're the only loser here, Fett. I got lucky and love saved me. But you could never change and you're going right back to Sith hell where you belong," Riley spat.
"Big words coming from a man I nearly killed in our last meeting. Why not stick around and I can finish what I started by taking the other eye," Jango taunted.
"Sorry, but I got bigger fish to fry, like the little bastard that's trying to hurt my baby girl. Rot in hell, sleamo," Riley spat, as he took off to find Padme.
"What makes you so sure that you can really defeat me, Chosen scum? My new android body is nearly indestructible. Your silly weapon you built barely scratched the surface," Jango boasted. But Anakin's eyes were closed and he acted like he didn't hear him. His focus was on gathering and summoning his powers. His love for Padme fueled his ambition as always. The Force recognized his pleading call and gave its champion the unfathomable power he needed, knowing that it would be used to slay evil. Anakin's eyes snapped open. His entire body had white waves of power rolling off it. His eyes were a startling, cobalt blue and his light saber blazed with white fire. Jango snarled and fired his flamethrower, but Anakin walked right through the flames, as his power nullified them upon contact with him. Jango's eyes widened in fear, as the young Jedi closed in on him. The last thing the evil bounty hunter saw was Anakin's white fire consuming his body. And when the white fire died, not even ashes remained. Anakin turned to observe the battle that still raged between the Clones and androids. With a fierce battle cry, white energy erupted from him, searing through all the androids and droids, destroying every single one in his path. He extinguished his blade and clipped it to his belt, as the Clones stared at him in awe. Such an intense manifestation of power had taken a huge toll on him. He relaxed his power, as the aura disappeared, though his eyes still remained an intense, frightening blue. Despite feeling so drained, nothing was going to stop him from finding Padme.
~*~
Sifo-Dyas stood in his ships' med bay, which orbited Bandomeer. Many of the freed convicts, including the De'reux family had already docked shuttles in the landing bay. Boba had just learned that Skywalker had destroyed Jango. The livid young man had quickly left for his shuttle again, seeking revenge on the Chosen One. Sifo paid him no mind, for his plans did not hinge on the survival of Fett or his son. His apprentice, Ysanne Isard, who was also Kendra's mother, was also livid. He wasn't surprised by the girl's predicament. She was a fool to have actually faced Skywalker, but he didn't expect much from the spawn of Sidious. He almost ordered his scientists not to bother saving her. But he needed Ysanne's cooperation at this time.
"Report!" Ysanne demanded of the deformed Xalryn doctor.
"The Chosen One's power ate away at most of her internal organs. But we will sustain her in the bacta tank and begin work on the bio genetics. When we're finished, she'll be whole again, not to mention that she will possess the immense strength and power like our other bio-androids. The process will take time, however,"
"Just save her, you fools, or I'll kill you all!" Ysanne threatened.
"Calm yourself, Ysanne," Sifo warned.
"Master, tell me that you will not allow Skywalker to get away with this!" Ysanne yelled.
"Skywalker is not your concern. Everything is going according to my plan," Sifo replied.
"Skywalker must pay and I'll go take care of him myself!" Ysanne yelled in rage. But Sifo stopped her with a painful barrage of black Force lightning, reminding her that he was still in charge.
"Don't overestimate your value to me, apprentice, because you can be replaced! You will follow my orders. Is that understood?!" he yelled, as he ceased his attack.
"Y...yes my Master," she rasped, her voice laced with pain. He poured more Force lightning into her for several more minutes, before ceasing. He had seen the battle between Jango and Anakin. He had seen the Chosen One's incredible eruption of power. He had to have that power, even if it was in the form of the Chosen One's servitude to him. And then, there was Skywalker's wife. He had to admit that he had developed a bit of an obsession with her. It had nothing to do with love of course, but she fascinated the dark Lord immensely. She was by far the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, worthy to be classified as a goddess. Add to that, she was the source of the Chosen One's incredible powers and she had produced five Force sensitive children. One of which he expected had a midichlorian count almost as high as his father's. He had no proof, but he suspected that young Jayden possessed an abyss of power locked deep inside him; just like his father. And that was where Padme came in. Not only was she worthy to become his Queen, but she was capable of producing him a powerful heir. He knew Ysanne would be livid with him for not choosing Kendra to produce his heir, but the young woman was far from worthy in his eyes. No...only one woman would do. Now, he just had to hope that idiot Palo didn't screw up and brought her to him like he was supposed to. With that thought, he decided that it might be time to take matters into his own hands.
"Calmek, ready my shuttle. We're going down to the planet," he ordered.
"Yes My Lord," Calmek reported.
"Stand by for my orders, Ysanne," Sifo ordered.
"Yes My Master," she answered obediently.
~*~
Padme ran frantically and literally for her life. She reached a cluster of rocky outcropping, just a short distance from a very large lake. As she began climbing around the rocks, she looked back and saw that Palo had nearly caught up to her. She raised her blaster and fired at him again. But he was ready this time and dodged her attacks. She started running again, almost tripping over the rocks. But she suddenly yelped in pain, as he yanked her by the hair, capturing her in his iron grip once again.
"Nooo!" Padme screamed, as he threw her down on the ground. She rolled away just in time, as he aimed a kick at her ribs.
"You don't get it, do you Padme? You belong to me! You're father sold you to my family. I own you!" he screamed, as he balled his fist and aimed for her face. She cried out and shied away. His fist crunched into a good sized rock beside her, turning it into rubble. He hauled her up and slammed her against a large rock, pinning her legs down with his own.
"It's time I teach you a lesson you won't soon forget. Too bad I'm going to have to mess up this pretty little face," he taunted, as he touched her cheek. She shied away in disgust, as she struggled to get away, but his strength was too overpowering.
"Let me go!" Padme screamed, desperately.
"Stop trying to escape Padme. I told you that you're mine..you always have been," he taunted. She kneed him in the groin, a part of him that was still very much organic. He growled in pain and she yelped, as he slapped her face, creating a stinging red mark on her cheek.
"Nice try...you'll pay for that one too, you little whore," he spat, as he pinned her down again. Padme tried to stall.
"He wasn't my father, you know," she said.
"What are you talking about?" Palo demanded
"Ruwee...he wasn't my real father," she answered.
"I don't give a damn. That doesn't change anything," Palo growled, as he put his hands on her hips. He was going to rape her. She was out of time.
"I love you Ani, no matter what happens," she said silently. Suddenly, the side of Palo's head exploded in pain, as a blast from a Sentry blaster slammed into his Temple. It threw him off his beautiful captive and head first into a large rock. The weapon had torn the skin away from half his face, revealing both metal and human tissue beneath. Padme shied away from the gruesome sight, as her father stood there with a smoking Sentry blaster. He was livid, but not at her. His rage was directed at the man who had tormented her for years.
"It happens to change everything, you little bastard. If I'd been around when Padme was little, I'd never have let a sniveling, degenerate like you anywhere near my baby girl," Riley growled.
"So, you're the proud father of the little tramp," Palo taunted. Riley pumped two more blasts into the bio-androids' chest.
"News flash, sleamo. I ain't above smashing you to bits. I used to eat little bastards like you for breakfast," Riley taunted, as he holstered his blaster and helped Padme up.
"Daddy," she cried in relief, as she threw her arms around him.
"It's okay sweetness. He ain't gonna hurt you again," Riley promised, as he held his trembling daughter.
"How touching. Excuse me while I vomit," Palo spat, as he stood up. Riley guarded Padme by standing in front of her.
"I killed that scum of a stepfather for hurting her and I'm going to kill you too," Riley growled. Palo chuckled.
"You seem to be forgetting that my strength is far superior to yours. After I beat you to within an inch of your life, I'll make sure to let you live long enough to watch me torture your baby girl," Palo taunted. His words drove Riley way past rational thinking, as he drew his curved, prized blade from the scabbard on his back.
"You'll do no such thing! I'll never let you touch her again!" Riley screamed.
"Daddy!" Padme cried out, as they charged at each other.
~*~
Sifo-Dyas stepped out of his personal shuttle behind Calmek. The air was thick with smoke and soot, evidence of the battle that raged here. But one thing was clear; Bandomeer would never be the same again.
"Well, it seems I was right. I knew that you would want to come down and see the destruction you've wrought for yourself," Yan said, as he approached. Sifo smirked, as he turned to face his old friend.
"Ah...the illustrious Count Dooku. It's so nice to see you again, my friend," Sifo taunted.
"You've killed hundreds of innocent people in this instance alone! You are no friend of mine!" Yan spat angrily.
"Really Yan, I would love to catch yo, but I have other matters I must tend to," Sifo said. The Count responded by igniting his emerald colored, curved handled light saber.
"You'll have to get through me first," Yan threatened. Sifo chuckled.
"Well, I guess I have plenty of time to kill you while my henchman retrieves what I seek," Sifo said, as he drew his light saber, igniting the crimson blade.
"Find the Senator and bring her to me, unharmed," Sifo ordered.
"Yes My Lord," Calmek answered, as he began his search.
"What do you want with Padme?" Yan demanded. The Sith chuckled.
"I enjoy the lovely Senator's company. With her in my possession, the Chosen One's power is as good as mine," Sifo taunted.
"Anakin will never let you get your hands on her," Yan said.
"We shall see, old friend. We shall see," he replied, as their blades crashed together.
~*~
Palo hadn't been kidding about his superior strength. Riley coughed up blood, as he heaved air into his lungs. Another vicious kick to his chest broke two more ribs in addition to the three that had already been broken.
"Daddy!" Padme screamed in horror.
"Run Padme!" Riley croaked.
"Palo...please stop!" Padme pleaded, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Run now Padme!" Riley screamed, as Palo punched him in the gut, dropping him to the ground again. Since he was someone who had never possessed such power before, he was enjoying abusing it. He smirked evilly, as he started toward her.
"No..." Riley groaned in pain. Palo chuckled, as he slowly approached his victim, who was frozen in fear. He pulled a leather strap from his belt and wrapped it tightly around his hand.
"I'm going to enjoy this immensely, Padme. I'm going to enjoy your screams and pleas for mercy. I'm going to enjoy messing up that pretty face. I'm going to enjoy your blood on my hands. And I'm going to enjoy breaking you," he hissed as he neared her. She raised her blaster, but he viciously knocked it out of her hands, before lunging at her and toppling her to the ground. Padme screamed, as he pinned her legs and raised his hand to strike her. She screamed again and covered her face, waiting for the pain. But it was Palo's pained scream that caused her to look up. She watched, as he held his hand in pain, as if someone were crushing it. And someone was. With Force enhanced strength, Anakin lifted Palo up and hurled him into a sharp, jagged rock in the near distance. He helped his wife up and she threw her arms around him in relief.
"You haven't won yet, Skywalker. My new strength is more than enough to defeat you. And I'm going to enjoy beating you to a bloody pulp!" Palo screamed maniacally. Anakin ignored him for the moment and gingerly caressed the bruise forming on his beloved's cheek.
"Everything's going to be okay now," he assured her, as he captured her lips in a brief, but passion filled kiss. He then turned to the abomination that had dared to hurt the woman he loved. Padme watched in amazement, as a bright white aura surrounded her husband. Anakin knew that he had already used an intense amount of power. Using more would leave him dangerously weak. But if it was enough to make sure Palo never haunted his angel again, then he would do whatever he had to.
"You say that you can handle me...so let's see you back it up," Anakin growled. Palo smirked and ignited a light whip, before charging at the Chosen One, his ultimate nemesis...