Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 5! 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 5/?
Sifo-Dyas chuckled evilly, as his saber crashed down upon Dooku's with unrelenting power.
"I...will not let you destroy my family," Yan said, as he struggled against the Sith Master.
"You puzzle me, Yan. You could have joined me all those years ago and the galaxy would have been ours! But instead of choosing unlimited power, you chose to adopt that brat and raise him with that insignificant woman. What a fool you are," Sifo taunted.
"Elana and Qui-Gon saved my soul from the same darkness that has destroyed yours. And I may not possess the power to destroy your evil, but Anakin does," Yan warned. Sifo chuckled
"Ah, but not even the Great Chosen One can expel as much power as he has today and still not be drained from it. He will be ripe for my picking when Palo finishes with him. That stupid pawn is going to put Skywalker and his wife exactly where I need them! His power will soon serve me and the Senator...will bare an heir for me! Nothing can stop me now!" Sifo ranted, as he shoved his foot into Dooku's gut. The aging Jedi rolled away from the Sith's deadly thrust and quickly got to his feet again.
"You haven't won yet and I will see to it that you don't," Yan replied, as he engaged the Sith Lord in battle again.
~*~
Even against all four of them, Xanatos held strong, thanks to the fact that he never got tired. The same could not be said for the four Jedi Masters. Despite all their skills and years of training, the bio-mechanical monstrosity before them seemed almost unstoppable.
"We can't keep this pace up much longer," Obi-Wan whispered to his father, as they watched Mace and Yoda duel him while they caught their breath.
"Obi-Wan!"
"Anakin?" he asked, as he heard the call through the Force.
"Draw on my power through our bond. It's the only way to defeat Xanatos," Anakin said.
"No Anakin, your power is already at dangerously low levels," Qui-Gon protested.
"It doesn't matter dad. You have to destroy Xanatos now while you've got him cornered," Anakin insisted. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged a worried glance.
"Do it!" Anakin called. Qui-Gon ignited his blade and jumped back into the fray to distract Xanatos. Obi-Wan ignited his blade and did as Anakin instructed, drawing on the power his brother was lending to him. He looked on in shock, as the blade blazed with white fire all of the sudden. His hands shook, as he held the hilt tightly. Anakin made it look easy when he handled this magnitude of power, but it was by no means easy. Obi-Wan calmed himself with the Force and waited for his opening. Xanatos laughed maniacally, as the three seasoned Jedi struggled to hold him at bay.
"Pitiful, the three of you are. I'm about to eliminate three of the most prominent Jedi Masters on the Council. My name will live in infamy after this day," Xanatos boasted. Suddenly, the bio-android felt searing pain pierce his artificial nerve endings. He looked down and saw the glowing white blade protruding through his body.
"No, you'll just be a bad memory," Obi-Wan replied.
"It's not possible!" Xanatos screamed, as the fire of the Chosen One ate away at him. Mace finished him, by swiping his blade through Xanatos' neck. The white flames squelched him out of existence.
"Go to help Master Dooku, we will. In grave danger, Anakin is. Go, the two of you will," Yoda said, as he and Mace left to help Yan. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan headed in the opposite direction to help Anakin and Padme. They were so focused on their task that they didn't notice that Jayden and Jenna, who had shuck away from their grandmothers, were following them.
~*~
Anakin doubled over in pain, as Palo landed an unfair punch to his gut. Lending his power to Obi-Wan had taken an even bigger toll on him, but Xanatos had been destroyed and that was in their favor. But someone had trained him not only how to fight, but how to wield a light whip. But it didn't matter how strong he was. Padme's safety was all that mattered to him. He saw Palo's next punch coming and he caught the psycho's fist in his hand.
"You're weak Skywalker. Your powers are drained," Palo taunted. Anakin smirked.
"I still have enough left to kill you. I got accused of killing you last time, but I didn't actually get the pleasure of doing it. This time I will and I'll make sure you can never come back to hurt her!" Anakin said, as he thrust his knee into the bio-androids chest. He quickly recovered and pummeled his fists into Anakin. The Jedi ignited his glowing white blade, as Palo swung his light whip around. Palo grimaced in pain, as he felt several blasts slam into his back, chipping away at his artificial skin. He turned and glared at Padme.
"So you want to play too?" he asked, as he sent his glowing weapon whipping toward her.
"Padme!" Anakin cried. The whip came just three inches short of striking her. Anakin roared, as he toppled Palo to the ground, wrestling the weapon from his hands. Palo shoved his feet into Anakin's chest and with a vicious double footed kick, he threw Anakin off, snapping four of his ribs in the process. Anakin landed on the ground, out of breath, and screaming in pain, as he held his chest.
"Anakin!" Padme screamed in terror.
"No...Padme run!" Anakin cried, as he saw Palo stalking toward her. But Padme was frozen in fear by the man approaching her. The look on his face promised that he would show her no mercy.
"You're mine Padme and you're about to get a very painful reminder. When I'm done with you, you'll never defy me again!" he screamed at her, as he drew his light whip. Padme screamed, as he light whip came at her.
"Padme!" both Riley and Anakin screamed. But the light whip was ceased by the crossed emerald and sapphire blades, belonging to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked. She nodded.
"Go check on Anakin," Qui-Gon requested of her. She quickly got up and raced to her husband's side.
~*~
Yan breathed heavily, as he struggled to his feet.
"You fought valiantly, my friend. But you are defeated and I have more pressing things to deal with," Sifo said, as he raised his light saber, preparing to bring it down upon Yan in a killing blow. But an amethyst blade parried his and Sifo felt himself be thrust back with the Force. He regained his footing and set his sights on the small Jedi Master that was responsible for it.
"Well, well, Master Yoda. I should have known you'd come to your old apprentice's aide," Sifo said.
"Enough damage, your evil has done on this day. Allow you to take more lives, I will not," Yoda responded. Sifo chuckled.
"We shall see," he said, as he hurled black Force lightning at the tiny Jedi. Yoda caught it in his hand, but the strength of it proved to be too much and threw him back several feet. Sifo chuckled, preparing to pour more of his attack into the vulnerable Jedi, but Mace caught the black lightning with his violet blade. He struggled against the intensity, as Yoda got to his feet. He ignited his emerald blade and Yan ignited his sapphire saber. Sifo ceased his lightning attack and drew his own weapon, as battle erupted between them.
~*~
Qui-Gon cried out, as he went skidding to the ground and groaned painfully as Obi-Wan was thrown into him.
"Blast!" Obi-Wan groaned in pain. The bio android had worked them over good, especially since they were already tired from their battle with Xanatos. Palo stalked toward Anakin and Padme again. Anakin struggled to get up with Padme's help.
"Surrender to me Padme and I'll let them live," Palo said. Anakin gritted his teeth in pain, as he stood between his wife and the advancing monster.
"Not a chance, you bastard," Anakin spat, as he wiped blood from his lips. Padme saw the blood that trickled from his mouth and knew it meant he was bleeding internally. She stepped in front of him and faced him.
"Ani...you're hurt. You can't fight anymore," Padme pleaded.
"It doesn't matter. I'll die before I let him touch you," Anakin replied, as he drew every last bit of power he could muster, intensifying his aura.
"That's what I'm afraid of. I won't lose you!" she cried. But he sidestepped her and ignited his shimmering white blade. Anakin's saber crashed against the light whip, but his strength was weakened and Palo remained strong. Anakin fell to one knee, as he struggled to keep pace with Padme's tormentor. Padme took her Sentry blaster and squeezed the trigger, pummeling blasts into Palo again. He growled and reached out to her. She yelped, as he lifted her by the neck with one hand and tossed her away like a rag doll. Anakin waited for her to get back up, but she didn't.
"Padme!" he cried, as his light saber flickered from white to sapphire. The aura around him faded and he felt Palo slam his elbow into the space between his shoulders, sending him to the ground.
"I've been waiting years for the chance to kill you, Skywalker. You ruined my life! And now you'll die!" Palo screamed, as he prepared to drive a vibro blade into Anakin's back. But Riley roared angrily and jumped on the bio android's back, wrestling him to the ground. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan came to his aide, as Anakin crawled to Padme. She was just waking up and he nearly collapsed on her.
"Oh Anakin," she cried, as she held his handsome face in her hands.
"You have to get out of here Padme. He's too strong," Anakin said.
"I will not leave you. He may be strong, but he's not stronger than our love," Padme insisted. They heard Palo cry out in rage, as he threw his three attackers of.
"I told you fools that I'm too strong for you now!" Palo screamed, as he stalked toward them again.
"Draw energy from me through our bond, just like we did all those years ago when we were trapped by Garret Wells. Do you remember?" she asked.
"How could I forget?" he said, as he recalled the memory.
~*~
"It's strange that we're able to even communicate thought the Force with each other," Anakin mentioned.
"Why do you say that?" Padme asked.
"Because I shouldn't be able to feel it at all and I can't, except through you," Anakin replied.
"What do you think it means?" Padme asked.
"I think it means that our love is strong enough to overcome anything," Anakin replied. Padme smiled, as his lips descended on hers.
"I think so too," Padme said, as she contemplated what else it could mean.
"Ani...what if you're not feeling the Force through me necessarily, but maybe because of me," Padme replied.
"What are you getting at?" he asked.
"I'm saying that if this drug is supposed to cut you off from the Force completely, then in reality, it should have cut me off too, because I feel the Force through you. I've heard your grandfather say what a strong Force presence you have. What if the drug isn't strong enough to suppress you fully? It would only be a matter of time before you became immune to it," Padme said. Anakin looked at her in amazement.
You're brilliant," Anakin said, his eyes wide with hope. Before she could react, he crushed his lips against hers in a searing, passionate kiss. Though their bond, he opened himself to the Force. He could feel the battle between the drug and the midichlorians in his blood, as his whole body was tingling. He kept himself open, as long as he could before the drug managed to close him off. Anakin broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.
"My body is fighting it. You were right. My midichlorians will eventually win and I'll become immune to it," Anakin said. Padme grinned, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly.
~*~
It's the only way to destroy him," Padme told her husband.
"Maybe, but it's too dangerous. I won't risk your life like that. I'd be drawing energy off your very life force," he replied.
"And I won't lose you! I'll be fine. Our love is too strong and we can do this together. He's my demon and it's only right that I help vanquish him," she said passionately. And he realized that she needed this. He still haunted her in her dreams from time to time, especially since they had found out he was alive again in android form. He nodded to her, as they helped each other up. Their eyes locked, as their souls entwined.
"I love you so much," he rasped, as he could feel the essence of her love filling him up.
"And I love you and I won't lose you to anymore, least of all this monster," Padme said, as she brought her lips to his in a tender, sweet kiss. Anakin took his light saber in his hand and it blazed with white fire. Palo roared in anger, as he thrust his light whip at them. But it shattered into pieces, as it crashed against a glowing white shield. The others could only look on in wonder and Palo could only look on in fear.
~*~
Sifo Dyas felt the explosion of power coming from the Chosen One, though something about it felt slightly different. This was his chance. The Chosen One and his wife would be easily captured. He hurled Force lightning at the three Jedi Masters and took off running with Force enhanced speed.
"We have to stop him," Mace called.
"He's after Anakin and he has an interest in Padme as well," Yan said.
"Dangerously low, Anakin's energy is. Fight another battle today, he cannot," Yoda said gravely, as the three of them followed the Sith Master.
~*~
Padme gazed up into his dark blue eyes and put her hands on his, which held his weapon. What was happening between them was unfathomable, as the pulsing energy all around them had been created solely by their love.
"No...this isn't possible!" Palo roared, as he struggled to stay on his feet and shied away from the blinding energy.
"You'll never hurt her again," Anakin said, as flail of white energy erupted from them and cut through him like nothing. Two more flails hit him and he screamed in pained rage, as his body erupted in white fire. A blinding explosion ended him for good, as even his ashes burned to nothingness. It was over. Palo was dead forever. The light around them dissipated and they ell to their knees in each other's embrace.
"That was pretty intense," Anakin told her with a smile.
"It was. But now we need to get you to Bant," she said.
"Mommy! Daddy!" their five children called, as they bounded to them.
"What are all of you doing here?" Padme exclaimed.
"We were worried mommy," Jenna said.
"These two wandered off and the three of us came to find them," Leia explained.
"What have Daddy and I told you about wandering off?" Padme questioned her young ones.
"But you and Daddy were in trouble! We felt it!" Jayden said.
"I know sweetie, but it's still too dangerous out here," Padme replied.
"Mommy's right, you two," Anakin added, as he grimaced in pain when he tried to move.
"Daddy, are you hurt?" Kimberly asked.
"Daddy's fine, tiny angel. Don't worry," he replied, flashing her a reassuring smile.
"Anakin, we need to get you to Bant," Padme repeated.
"I'll be fine Padme," he insisted stubbornly. Padme sighed and turned to her oldest son.
"How's your head, sweetie?" she asked, as she caressed the bandage on his forehead.
"Fine. Bant said, it was just a bump. No concussion," he replied. Anakin chuckled.
"We Skywalker's have really hard heads," he joked.
"Yes we do. And you are still going to see Bant, my hard headed, stubborn husband," Padme replied sternly. They looked over to see that Rex and Cody had arrived.
"The De'reux family has escaped, along with many of the other convicts. We have managed to capture several though. They were put in a prison transport and are on the way to Kessel as we speak," Cody reported.
"And the droids and android soldiers?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Thanks to Master Skywalker, the android soldiers have all been destroyed. We took care of the remaining bucket heads," Rex said.
"We nearly have the planet secure again," Cody added.
"Good. We need Republic transports to aide us. It is better if we move all our people off this planet as soon as possible," Qui-Gon said.
"Several Republic Navy transports are already en route to Bandomeer," Cody said.
"Yeah, they should be here in a couple hours," Rex added.
"Perfect. That's plenty of time for you to get those ribs healed. You too Daddy," Padme said.
"Really Padme, I'm fine," Anakin complained.
"Rex, will you help my husband up and get him to Bant?" Padme asked.
"Yes Ma'am," Rex obeyed, as he gingerly started helping Anakin up.
"You look like hell, Sir," Rex teased.
"Very funny. I order you to disregard my wife's order," Anakin said. Rex chuckled.
"Sir, I may be a Clone, but I ain't stupid. Even I know that it's unwise to upset a woman, especially one carrying a blaster," he joked.
"You're a real comedian today, Rexie. And stop calling me Sir," Anakin barked.
"Do you make it your life's mission to be a royal pain in the ass?" Rex asked jokingly.
"Oh, you have no idea," Obi-Wan chuckled, as he suddenly sensed something; a small twinge of danger in his senses. And the others felt it too. Padme gasped, as she felt the barrel of a blaster against her head. Calmek's' clammy arm secured itself around her neck in an effective choke hold. She struggled, but the puny, deformed Xalryn Commander was far more powerful than he looked.
"Padme!" Riley called, as he advanced toward his daughter. Calmek chuckled evilly, as he squeezed the trigger on his blaster. The bolt exited the barrel of the weapon and pierced Riley in the abdomen.
"Daddy...DADDY!" Padme screamed in horror, as he dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach.
"Daddy!" Padme cried, as tears streamed down her face. Anakin growled, as he started toward Calmek unsteadily.
"Don't take another step. My blaster is trained on the little one and I will shoot her," Calmek threatened, as he aimed at little Kimberly.
"No...my baby. Please don't hurt her," Padme pleaded. Anakin stopped in his tracks, trying to remain composed, despite the fire in his chest.
"If you value your life, then you'll let her go," Anakin growled.
"Save the bravado, Chosen One. Your powers are almost completely depleted and your injuries are extensive. You are no threat to me," Calmek retorted. Anakin glared daggers at him.
"Now Senator, Master Dyas wishes to have your company. You'll be coming with me," Calmek said.
"You're not taking my wife anywhere!" Anakin growled.
"What...does Sifo-Dyas want with me?" Padme asked, afraid of the answer.
"I'm so glad you asked that, my dear, because I would be happy to tell you," Sifo said, as he arrived. Padme struggled against Calmek, but she was soon trapped in the iron grip of the Sith Master. She cringed, as he held her chin with his hand, forcing her to look at him.
"Not many capture my attention the way you have, Senator. Your beauty and grace is unparalleled by any woman I've ever laid eyes on; worthy of a goddess-like status. In the ancient times, the Xalryn would have worshiped you as such, for you are as fair as they come," he said, as his eyes looked her up and down. She tried to jerk her head away, but he held her steady.
"Truly exquisite, you are. It's easy to see why you are the wife of the Chosen One. I'm not impressed very often, but I have been quite taken by you, ever since I first met you on my home planet. That's why I've chosen you to become my Queen and bare me a strong, Force sensitive heir," he announced. Padme gasped in horror. Anakin felt rage swell inside him.
"Get your filthy hands off my wife!" Anakin roared, as he started toward Sifo-Dyas. Black Force lightning erupted from his fingertips and knocked Anakin on his back. He writhed and howled in terrible pain, as Dyas tortured him.
"No...stop please!" Padme pleaded. The Force lightning tossed Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, her father, and the Clone Commanders back. Luke and Leia tried to get themselves and their siblings behind the rocking outcropping. But she knew his aim would be for them next.
"Stop please! I'll do anything you want, just stop hurting him!" Padme cried. Sifo-Dyas ceased his attack and Anakin struggled not to slip into unconsciousness.
"Calmek, bring the Chosen One. He'll be coming with us," Sifo ordered, as he started leading Padme away.
"Mommy!" Jayden called, as he started running toward her, having successfully gotten away from Leia.
"Jayden stop!" Leia called. Sifo noticed the small child and raised his fingertips.
"No please...he's just a boy. Don't hurt my son!" Padme pleaded.
"Sorry my dear, but there will be no more interference," Sifo said, as he unleashed his Force lightning. Padme screamed in terror, as Anakin tried to get to his feet.
"Jayden!" he cried in fear. Jayden stopped in his tracks, as he saw the lightning coming at him. He closed his eyes and covered his face, waiting for the pain. But when it didn't come and his mother's scream stopped, he curiously opened his eyes. He was astonished to see a shimmering Force shield was protecting him. The Force had answered his call again!
"I was right about the boy, after all. His powers are incredible. He too will serve me, just like his father," Sifo said.
"No...you leave my son alone!" Padme cried, as she kicked and struggled against him. Sifo chuckled.
"You are a feisty one. How exciting," he taunted.
"Let my Mommy go!" Jayden called.
"I'm sorry young one, but your mother belongs to me now," Sifo replied.
"No she doesn't! You hurt my Daddy and you want to hurt my Mommy! You're a bad man!" Jayden screamed, as his shield intensified in power and sent the Sith's Force lightning right back him.
"Impossible!" Sifo cried, as Padme wrenched away from his slackened grip, as his own attack slammed into him. He writhed in pain and stared at the child in disbelief. Just then, Yoda, Mace, and Dooku arrived.
"This is far from over, Chosen One. You and I will settle the score another time," Sifo said, as his eyes locked on Padme.
"We'll meet again soon, my lovely Senator. I never give up when I want something," he warned, as he took off at Force enhanced speed. Calmek tried to follow, but Obi-Wan had captured him and placed him in stun cuffs. Padme picked up Jayden and ran to her husband's side.
"Ani..." she cried.
"I'll be fine Padme," he said, as Rex helped him up.
"Daddy!" Padme cried, as she saw Cody and Qui-Gon looking him over.
"I'm okay sweetness. I've had worse than this, believe me," he replied.
"All the same, it's time to get you both medical attention," Yan said, as they saw the arriving Navy transports fly overhead. It was time to leave Bandomeer.