AN: Thanks everyone for not forming a lynch mob after the end of the last chapter. Here's chapter 18!
Anakin and Obi-Wan reached 500 Republica after losing Grievous. They entered the Senate building and went to a computer terminal. They accessed where the three babies were kept, it took too much time in Anakin's estimation. "I wish R2 were here," Anakin said.
"If he were he'd probably insult the computer and it wouldn't give us anything. You're a bad influence on him," Obi-Wan said with a grin.
"Not my fault, it's Threepio's fault," Anakin said.
"Senator Amidala's droid? Well, you did build him, so if you blame Threepio that still makes it your fault," Obi-Wan said.
"That is NOT fair, Master," Anakin said, covering his chest as if he had just been shot, "You wound me deeply, Obi-Wan."
"You'll recover, its just a small bit of what I owe you for the past thirteen years," Obi-Wan said.
"Funny, Qui-Gon said he couldn't think of a more fitting punishment for you than having to train me," Anakin said.
"He would," Obi-Wan said, the banter was interrupted by the computer giving its answer.
"Its about time," Anakin said.
"Lets go. I hope Master Yoda can keep him busy long enough for us to get the younglings," Obi-Wan said, then he got a pained look on his face, "Do you feel that?"
"Yes, Master, I don't think we have a lot of time now." Anakin said. They both sprinted to their destination. Instead of sneaking, as was the plan they just killed all the clone troopers they came across.
"Not very Jedi like of us, is it, Obi-Wan," Anakin said after killing his tenth trooper.
"I would discuss our differences over tea with them, Anakin, unfortunately I left the tea set at the Temple," Obi-Wan said taking down his ninth trooper, "Besides, we are on a schedule."
"Very true, Master," Anakin said. They soon arrived at Palpatine's nursery. Three cribs lined the wall. Each had a droid minding it.
"Excuse me, but you are not authorized to see the Heirs of the Empire," one of the droids said.
"That is correct, please leave," another one added.
"On pain of death," the third one said.
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other and flew into action quickly dismembering the three nanny droids. Obi-Wan went over to the cribs and checked on the infants.
"They seem to be in good health," Obi-Wan said, placing a hand on each of the babies' foreheads, "Both physically and mentally,"
"Excellent. Senator Organa, we found the children come pick us up," Anakin said.
"I've got these two, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.
"Good, I sense something," Anakin said.
"So, the Jedi have been reduced to kidnapping, have they?" Palpatine said.
"Palpatine," Anakin said.
"You will address me as Your Highness," Palpatine said.
"When banthas fly!" Anakin said, "Get out of here Obi-Wan, I'll stall,"
"You mean to fight me, Chosen One?" Palpatine said.
"Yes, I mean to fight you, Palpatine," Anakin said.
"How delicious, your head will look fine in-between Yoda's and Windu's, I'll be sure that your head is visible every speech I make for dear Padmé," Palpatine said, cackling.
"You won't make me angry, I won't turn to the dark side so you might as well save your breath," Anakin said as Obi-Wan made his move. Palpatine sent a bolt of dark power towards Obi-Wan which Anakin blocked.
"This is between us, Palpatine," Anakin said as Obi-Wan escaped with two of the babies.
"You can't kill me, it would mean chaos in the Galaxy," Palpatine said.
"I'm not planning on killing you, you are right it would lead to chaos, however at the same time I cannot in good conscience leave any child in your care," Anakin said.
"You seem to have a problem then, Anakin. I will not let little Pravus go as long as I have breath," Palpatine said and attacked Anakin with a vengeance. Anakin parried his attack and was on the defensive, wondering how he would get the baby and get away without killing Palpatine. He was surprised at just how powerful the old man was though and he wasn't sure if he could succeed in his mission. Palpatine charged him and at the same time sent a piece of a destroyed nanny droid flying at Anakin's head. Anakin ducked and parried Palpatine's lightsaber attack. While he was parrying Palpatine's attacks an idea formed in his head. There was little chance Anakin could get the child and get away without killing Palpatine, however Anakin could put a shield around the boy, protect him from Palpatine's manipulations. Anakin divided his attention and reached out to the youngster and implanted knowledge of the concern, and love that Obi-Wan, Padmé, Owen, Beru, Bail, himself, and most of all his crèche mates all had for him. He implanted a heartfelt apology for not being able to save him now, but that Anakin would not give up until he was home with his true family. All of this he put deep into the infants subconscious. All while parrying Palpatine's attacks.
Anakin then started focusing on escape, and for this Anakin took the direct route, hoping the information he left for the child would bear fruit in the future. Anakin flipped over the Sith Lord, kicked him in the small of the back, then Force pushed him into the wall, which Palpatine bounced off and onto his feet. Anakin sprinted out of the nursery and down the hall, killing any clones that got in his way. He soon made it to the landing where Obi-Wan and Senator Organa were waiting.
"Where's the child, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I failed, Master. There was no way to get him," Anakin said, and then explained what he did do.
"Well, its not perfect, but I know you did your best," Obi-Wan said, "Let's get you home to your family."
"What about Master Yoda?" Bail asked.
"Master Yoda is as we feared, dead. Palpatine was gloating about how good my head would look next to his and Master Windu's," Anakin said, sickened by the thought.
"I see," Bail said, paling. Then the three of them left 500 Republica.