Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 45! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Forever Destined
Chapter 45: Danger at Every Turn
Seyed Alcon removed the scanner from his eyes and chuckled at his good luck. An evil smirk marred his face. The humanoid Corellian Bounty hunter stood at six feet nine inches tall and was as burly as he was tall. But Alcon was smart and unlike most, he worked with a partner. He raised the comlink to hips and spoke into it.
"You were right Zeph. They're here and probably heading back to that filling station," he said.
"I'm already here, right outside their ship," a woman's voice responded. Zeph Stone was a petite woman with long, dark hair. She lacked the brute strength of her partner, but she was a Master in the art of hand to hand combat and stealth.
"Excellent, I'll be there soon," Seyed replied, as he hopped into his speeder and sped off into traffic.
Zeph crept around to the ramp of the Nubian cruiser, as the mechanic made routine checks. She watched as a small astro droid rolled down the ramp to do his own checks. A noisy golden droid followed him down, chattering incessantly about something. The little droid clicked and beeped at the other.
"What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm helping you check over the ship, like Master Ani asked us to," Threepio replied.
"He asked me to, chatterbox, not you," Artoo clicked.
"Chatterbox? Why you rude little rust bucket! I'll have you know I'm simply supervising you to make sure you don't miss anything," Threepio said. Artoo blew an electronic raspberry at him, as he rolled around to the starboard side with an annoying Threepio chattering after him. Zeph quietly crept up the ramp. Being an expert in stealth, Zeph knew how to conceal her presence from a Jedi and she had done it many times before. If Seyed failed to capture them, then she would take them by surprise. She crept into the storage area at the back of the ship. Quietly, she slipped into an empty compartment and the door slowly slid closed.
Anakin and Padme arrived back at the shop late in the afternoon and strangely the mechanic that ran the filling station was no where to be seen.
"Hello!" Anakin called, but an eery silence met him.
"Something's not right. Get the twins on the ship," he told Padme. Before she could get very far, a spinning device came out of nowhere. Upon contact with Padme the device opened up and a black net swallowed her. She fell to the ground, now trapped in a net.
"Ani!" she cried to warn him of two more of the same devices heading for him. In a blinding flash, Anakin ignited his sapphire blade and destroyed each contraption.
"Show yourself!" Anakin demanded, as his saber hummed in ready position. A very tall, burly man stepped from the shadows. An evil smirk marred his already scarred and unattractive face.
"Who are you?" Anakin demanded.
"Just a simple man, trying to make his way in the galaxy. And you and the pretty little wife are my next payday," he sneered.
"That's what you think." Anakin growled. The man, who towered over Anakin, drew a long, silver blade, shaped like a bow. Anakin recognized it immediately as a Corellian bow blade, extremely sharp and able to withstand the pressure and heat of a light saber. Anakin's saber collided furiously with the man's bow blade, which he wielded expertly. His brute strength was evident, as Anakin's muscles burned from the impact of his blows.
"Mama! Mama!" the twins wailed, as Padme struggled fruitlessly to free herself.
"It'll be okay babies. Threepio, get the twins onto the ship!" Padme yelled. The golden droid stumbled down the ramp.
"Oh my, Miss Padme!" Threepio cried.
"Help the twins first!" she cried. The children wailed, as Threepio pushed the hover stroller up the ramp. Artoo wheeled down the ramp and over to Padme. His cutting tool popped out and he carefully sliced through the netting.
"Thanks Artoo, I want you to get to the controls of the ship and be ready to get us out of here in a hurry," Padme said, as she ran up the ramp. The twins were crying uncontrollably, but calmed slightly when they saw her.
"It's okay angels, it's okay," she cooed, as she kissed them both.
"Threepio, stay with them. I have to go help Anakin," Padme said, as she drew the blaster from her cloak and tossed the garment aside, before running back down the ramp. Padme watched, as the huge man slammed her husband against the wall. Anakin shoved his foot into the man's but, before driving him back with furious swipes from his saber. The man swiped his blade at Anakin's mid section, slicing his tunic open. Anakin evaded another swipe meant for his legs by jumping and flipping over the man's head. As big as he was, the bounty hunter moved quickly enough and whirled around. The man brought the blade down harshly on Anakin and he struggled to push him back, as his saber hissed and crackled from the contact with the sharp blade. Seyed glanced over at Padme, who was ready to fire on him if she could get a clear shot.
"How much do ya think I'll get for her, huh?" he taunted. Anakin barred his white teeth in anger.
"I thought about turnin' her over to the authorities like they want, but I bet she'd fetch top dollar on the market," he goaded.
"You won't touch her," Anakin growled.
"The brothel owners'll take one look at her and ask me to name my price. Those pretty brats will fetch a good price too," he chuckled evilly. His last two comments would be the death of him. The bounty hunter did a double take, as he swore Anakin's sapphire eyes grew darker into almost a cobalt color.
"You'll never touch them," Anakin growled. The bounty hunter suddenly looked frightened, as the ground underneath his feet suddenly shook. Suddenly, his blade was plucked from his hand. Sheer terror covered his features, as he watched as an unseen force bent the blade almost in half, before it finally shattered into pieces. Padme watched in awe, as a white aura of power surrounded her husband. The aura of power suddenly extended to his weapon and the once sapphire blade blazed with a crackling, blinding white energy. The man cried out in terror, as Anakin slashed through him. The energy ignited the bounty hunter's body in flames of white fire. After a blinding flash, the light and smoke cleared, revealing just ashy remains of what had once been a man. Anakin's eyes widened and he dropped the saber in surprise. The blade disappeared, as it extinguished upon impact with the ground. Padme ran over to him, as he sunk to his knees in utter shock. She knelt down beside him and took him in her arms.
"Ani..are you all right?" she asked.
"I...I think so. What did I do?" he asked.
"You saved us...that's what you did," she assured him.
"But...I don't even know how I did that," he replied, as he slowly stood up with his saber in hand. Timidly, he ignited the blade, only to find it to be its normal sapphire color.
"I don't know exactly what happened, Ani, but it was amazing. It was like the power inside you erupted all the sudden," she said.
"But how? And why now?" he wondered.
"I don't know," she replied. He sighed.
"We should go, before we run into anymore trouble," he said, as he took her hand and they sprinted back to the ship. After strapping in, Anakin took them up and they left Corellia behind...
Serra hung painfully by her arms, as another jolt of electricity coursed through her body. Grievous was watching her from the shadows, as the machine attacked to her shackles fed the bolts of electricity into her body in timed intervals. She sobbed, as the torture never seemed to end.
"Why...why haven't you come for...me!" she screamed.
"Why...hasn't anyone...come for me!" she screamed in rage.
"You're dead to them. They don't think you survived that explosion...and frankly they never bothered looking for you," an evil voice inside her head told her. Serra flashed back to that horrible night...
Seven months earlier...
Serra Keto crouched behind the bunker, as she peered around it. Standing right there, outside this makeshift bunker, was General Grievous himself. He had not been seen in months. Not since Anakin had faced him on Jabiim. This could be her chance to take him down.
"Serra, where are you?" a voice came from her comlink.
"Master Swan, I've found Grievous," Serra said into the device.
"Good Serra, stay there and wait for back up," Bultar ordered. Serra rolled her eyes at Master Swan's order. She would have never told Anakin to wait for backup, for he didn't need it. And neither did she. She felt a stab of pain in her heart, as she thought of Anakin. She had never told him this, but she'd been in love with him for years and held onto the hope that he would fall for her as well. All those times she'd told him that she was okay with just being friends who were sometimes lovers was a complete lie. She'd done that to be with him and hopefully in turn be loved by him eventually. But things had not gone her way...and she'd lost him forever to a beautiful, yet vulnerable Senator. The sun rose and set on Padme...and she was cast into the shadows to watch and love him from a distance. She'd tried to get over him...but she realized it was no use. Anakin Skywalker was not someone you could just 'get over'. She shook those painful thoughts from her head and turned her attention back to her real task, just as she noticed that Grievous was getting ready to move out with several of his droids.
"Sorry Master Swan, but I'm not letting this bastard get away again," Serra said, as she jumped out from behind the bunker and ignited her emerald blade.
"Get her!" Grievous ordered to his droids. Serra made quick work of them and went after Grievous. The droid General ignited two of his blades and brought them down on the young Jedi.
"Foolish little whelp, you are no match for me," Grievous taunted.
"We'll see about that, you murdering bastard," she spat, as they engaged in a heated duel. Unfortunately, Serra found that Grievous was as formidable as people said. While she was trying fruitlessly to evade his attacks, Grievous was formulating his plan. His Master had ordered him to capture this one alive and make the Jedi think she was dead. He had told Grievous that this one had the potential to turn to the dark side if she could be broken. Grievous didn't think so, but he would not disobey Master Sidious. Grievous quickly switched from defense to offense, as he shoved his metal foot into Serra's gut. The young Jedi cried out, as she fell flat on her back. She screamed, as Grievous grabbed her by the hair and hurled her into the bunker. She fell to the ground unconscious, as blood pooled from a wound on her head. He lifted her form over his shoulder, leaving her cloak next to the blood. He pulled a thermal detonator from his cloak and activated it, before tossing it into the makeshift structure that had acted as his base of operations the last few days. The structure exploded into flames, quickly spreading and catching Serra's cloak on fire. He rasped an evil chuckle, before carrying his victim off to meet her new fate...
End Flashback...
"I...still love you...Anakin," Serra rasped, as tears streamed down her face.
"Why...why couldn't you love...me? WHY?! We were...so good together...so good," Serra cried, as another hallucination flashed through her.
He was kissing her and oh Force, she was in heaven, as he plundered her mouth.
"I love you Anakin..." she said.
"I'm sorry Serra, but I don't love you. I'm in love with Padme," he said, as suddenly, the dark haired beauty appeared beside him.
"He's right Serra and he belongs to me now. I'm the one he loves...the one he makes love to every night...the one who gave him two beautiful children. You met nothing to him,"
"She stole him from me...I could have given him everything..." Serra snarled. Grievous laughed at her.
"Like he'd ever want trash like you. You were fine for him...until he met her and moved on to better things. You're a worthless piece of trash," Grievous hissed, as he lashed her back with his whip. Serra screamed, as he beat her ruthlessly.
Embrace the dark side...it is the only way to end the pain. It is the only way to enact your revenge on those who have wronged you. Kill the Jedi for abandoning you...kill Skywalker's beloved and make him suffer that pain. Torture him until he bends to your will and gives you the love and respect you deserve! Only with the dark side are these things possible!" the voice taunted. Her head pounded and her eyes flashed yellow, as the whip tore at her back again and again.
"Stop!" Serra begged. Grievous grabbed her by the hair and tore her head back.
"I'll stop when I feel like stopping, useless brat!" he snarled, but then noticed her eyes bleeding yellow.
"I would like to speak to my Master. There is something...I wish to tell him..."
Anakin sat on the floor, deep in a meditative trance. Padme was putting the twins to bed and he was searching for the Force for answers to his earlier explosion of power.
"What happened to me...what was the power? What does it mean?" he asked.
"You are the Chosen One, Ani," he remembered his father saying.
"You have great power, young one. You are special. Never seek the power you need, but let love rule your heart and it will bring you all the power you need," his father had told him.
"Was the Force opening to his call for strength in the most desperate of times? It gave him the strength and power to save his family but was it also preparing him to face the Sith?
"Yes young one. Do not fear the power. Embrace love and embrace the Force," a voice that sounded like his grandfather's told him. Anakin came out of his meditative state, just as Padme came to find him.
"Hey there, beautiful," he said, as he pulled her into his lap.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," he replied, as he kissed her softly.
"The twins finally calmed down and they're sound asleep," Padme said.
"Good. I hate that they were scared," he replied. She stroked his cheek.
"But daddy saved us and now they feel safe. They did them moment you returned to the ship," she assured him.
"Does mommy feel safe too?" he asked, with a smile.
"You know I do," she replied, as she cupped his face in her hands, as they kissed hard and passionately.
"Force...I am the luckiest man in the galaxy," he said, as he stared at her gorgeous face. She blushed slightly.
"Stop..." she protested.
"It's true. You're so beautiful," he said, as he fixed an intense gaze on her that made her melt.
"It's only because I'm so in love...and only because I have two beautiful children by the man that I share this amazing love with," she said softly.
"No, it's definitely because I'm so in love with you," he replied. She looked at him teasingly.
"So love has blinded you?" she asked. He gave her a withering look.
"That's not what I meant, star nymph," he replied playfully.
"But it's probably true," she replied. He chuckled and dug his fingers into her sides, tickling her mercilessly. She squealed and laughed, as he tickled her.
"No Ani..." she laughed, as he kept tickling her.
"Pay backs, angel," he teased.
"Mercy my love," she breathed through a giggle.
"Do you surrender, my beautiful Queen?" he asked playfully.
"I surrender to you, my handsome Jedi. You may have your way with me," she replied. He smirked and leaned down over her and kissed her passionately.
"I like the sound of that," he said. Padme stared up at him into those beautiful eyes that she loved to get lost in. His wrap around tunic was half unwrapped, revealing a generous amount of his muscled chest and torso for her view. She feathered her fingers along his skin, as he stared down at her with a passionate gaze.
"So, I happened to make sure we packed a couple bottles of wine in stores. Why don't you go get in bed...and I'll bring the wine and you can make...me surrender to you again," she said sultrily.
"Don't be long," he said, as he watched her go, before heading for the bedroom, where he shed his tunic. He raised his hand and used the Force to ignite a couple candles to set the mood, just like she liked it. But her frightened scream and the overwhelming sense of danger sent him running to find her...
Count Yan Dooku stepped into the Chancellor Office, having been called there per his request.
"You wanted to see me, you excellency?" Yan asked.
"Yes...has Jedi intelligence turned up anything on your grandson?" Palpatine asked. Dooku walled up his emotions and remained stoic in front of the Chancellor.
"Nothing yet, but that's not surprising since Anakin knows exactly how to keep off the radar," Dooku replied. Palpatine smirked.
"You would tell me if you knew anything, wouldn't you Master Dooku?" he asked.
"Of course Chancellor," Dooku lied.
"I think we both know that you are lying, Count Dooku," Palpatine smirked.
"What are you implying, Chancellor?" Dooku asked.
"I think you know. The truth is that I will get no help from the Jedi when it comes to tracking down Skywalker," Palpatine said.
"He was sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit," Dooku retorted.
"Then who did kill Palo? Answer me that, Master Jedi," Palpatine replied.
"We believe it was the Sith," Dooku said honestly.
"Yes...the Sith Lord that no one has ever seen. Do you honestly believe such a creature exists? Perhaps, he is merely a figment of the Council's imagination, for none of you can seem to find him," Palpatine goaded.
"He cannot elude us forever; nor will he," Dooku replied.
"So you say. In the meantime, your grandson is running away from his problems and one of my employees has carelessly abandoned her post to help a fugitive," Palpatine said.
"He is her husband and you sentenced him to death! I do not know where they are, but I assure you, that no one will find them," Dooku said.
"We shall see. In the meantime, I have ordered Queen Apilana to permanently replace Padme with someone trustworthy. She was clearly the wrong choice for Senator of my home planet. I hope you and the rest of the Republic will welcome Governor Danae as he takes his new post as Senator," Palpatine said, with a smirk.
"You've given Governor Danae her position?" Dooku asked in outrage.
"Yes, he will serve me well, unlike your granddaughter-in-law. I do wonder if she'll be interested to know that in light of Governor Danae's promotion to Senator, that her father has filled his position as Regional Governor?" Palpatine asked offhandedly.
"I'm sure she will feel that he is a poor choice to lead any group of people, just as Governor Danae is," Dooku replied.
"The bounty on your grandson's head will be collected and they will be brought to justice," Palpatine said.
"You can't do this. Anakin was framed and I will find the evidence," Dooku promised.
"Come now my friend, we both know that...there is no evidence. And I assure you, everything I've done is well within my powers afforded to me by the Senate in these times of war," Palpatine replied. Dooku pushed his anger down and he silently cursed Palpatine.
"Is there anything else, your excellency?" Dooku asked in disgust.
"No, that will be all. See you at the execution when he's brought in," Palpatine said, as Dooku stormed out.
"Fool...I don't care if you find your evidence. Your time...and the Jedi's time draws near an end, my friend," Palpatine said, as the floor panel opened and he walked down in his secret chamber. It was time to check up on his future apprentice...and put his plans into motion...
"How is our guest, General?" Sidious rasped.
"I think she is ready, my Master. She wishes to speak to you," Grievous said. Sidious was pleased to see that the young woman's eyes were bleeding yellow.
"Are you ready to accept your fate, Jedi Keto?" Sidious asked.
"I am ready to learn the ways of the dark side, my Master," she answered.
"Good...with the dark side, you will have your revenge. Pledge yourself to my teachings, my apprentice and together, we will bring the galaxy to its knees," Sidious hissed.
"Help me get what I want. I pledge...myself to your teachings," Serra said.
"Release her from her bondage, General," Sidious ordered. Grievous did so and Serra bowed to him.
"They will pay for my pain...and he will pay when I take away everyone he loves. It is his turn to feel the pain of losing someone you love...like I lost him when he tossed me aside. They will pay for abandoning me...they will pay!" Serra screamed.
"Yes...you are embracing your true nature now. The dark side will make you powerful and they will tremble in fear. From this day, you will now be known as Darth Xana...Lady of the Sith," Sidious declared.
"Thank you My Master, I shall serve you well," she answered.
"General Grievous, you will now go retrieve the Separatists leaders and take them to Mustafar. Darth Xana...you will go as well and train in the harsh environment of Mustafar. It is strong in the dark side and will serve your training well," Sidious said.
"Yes My Master," they answered together...
Anakin ran into the storage area and found a dark haired woman a long, very slim blade to Padme's throat.
"Looks like my partner failed to capture you. Looks like I'll have to take care of the job myself," the woman sneered.
"Your partner is dead for coming near my family. You'll meet the same fate for touching her," Anakin retorted.
"You don't scare me, Jedi. And if you think I won't slit her throat, then you're sadly mistaken," Zeph said, as she pressed the blade closer. Padme whimpered, as the sharp metal touched her skin. Anakin froze, knowing the bounty hunter would do it without a second thought.
"Now...take the light saber from your belt and slowly hand it to me. If you try anything, this blade will cut through her throat like nothing with just a little more pressure. She'll be dead before you can kill me," Zeph threatened. Anakin did as she asked and the bounty hunter tossed the saber into the empty storage area where she'd hidden herself and closed the hatch.
"Now, put your hands up, turn around, and walk slowly to the cabin," she ordered. Anakin grit his teeth in anger, but did as she asked. The woman pushed Padme along after him, until they were in the living area of the cabin. The woman pushed Padme onto the sofa and approached Anakin with a pair of stun cuffs.
"Don't move, Senator," Zeph said. Anakin looked at her.
"I'm going to take care of her, Padme. I need to run to the nursery and lock yourself in," he told her through their bond. Padme took a deep breath and did as he asked, running for the twins' room. Zeph turned and yelled at her.
"Get back here, you little bitch!" she yelled. Anakin punched the bounty hunter and knocked the shackles out of her hand. The surprised woman crouched into a defensive stance.
"So, you can fight without a light saber. Most Jedi rely on them too much," she sneered.
"I think you'll find that I'm not 'most Jedi'," he retorted, as she leapt at him, kicking and punching. Anakin met her blow for blow and swept her feet out from under her. The bounty hunter tried to use her momentum to get to her feet again, but Anakin kicked her down again. The bounty hunter grabbed her blade and thrust it upward. Anakin evaded it and pulled it from her hand, tossing it away again. She charged him again and he managed to get his arm wrapped around her neck in a one arm head lock.
"I'm truly sorry...but I can't let you hurt my family," Anakin said simply, as he clenched his bicep and twitched her head slightly. There was a sickening crack, as her neck snapped, killing her instantly. Anakin let the body fall to the floor and he lowered his head sadly, hating that he had to kill another person. But then he reminded himself that this same person would have killed Padme without a second thought.
"Threepio," Anakin called. The golden droid timidly stepped out of his hiding place.
"Take the body and dump it in the space shoot," he ordered.
"Yes Master Ani," Threepio said, as he lifted the body and carried it away. Anakin went to the nursery and tapped lightly on it.
"It's okay Padme...she's gone," he said. Padme opened the door and it seemed the twins had thankfully slept through the whole thing. But Padme was trembling, as her husband pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay Padme, she's gone," he assured her.
"Why can't they...just leave us alone," she wept against his chest.
"I'm sorry angel...I'm so sorry. I'll find us that place...that place where they can't find us, I promise," he said, as he kissed her hair.
"I know...I know you will," she replied, as she slowly calmed down, as he kissed her deeply. She gasped in surprise, as he swept her up into his arms.
"Now, my beautiful Queen, I think you surrendered to me just before we were so rudely interrupted," he teased. She giggled.
"I did, my handsome Jedi. Whatever will you do with me?" she asked teasingly.
"Oh...I have a few things in mind," he replied playfully, as he blew in her ear. She giggled, as he carried her to their bedroom and the door slowly slid closed behind them...