Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's part 3! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Wicked Planet: A Forever Destined Vignette
Part 3/?
They met on the landing pad at dusk and the Clones helped load the luggage onto the ship.
"All right, everyone on board. Let's go!" Riley called anxiously, as he sprinted up the ramp. Just as Jayden was about to follow his siblings up, he saw Natalie arrive in a speeder with her father. She got out and he ran toward her, hugging her tightly.
"Thanks for coming to see me off," he said.
"You're welcome, but I didn't. I'm going with you," she replied. Jayden noticed the sour look on Bail's face.
"Nat, this could be dangerous," he protested.
"That's what I told her, but she'll just run off and follow you there anyway, so I might as well just let her go," Bail said, clearly unhappy that he and Natalie had argued and he had lost.
"Daddy, I told you I'll be fine as long as I'm with Jayden. Besides, this is a great opportunity for me as a young legislator to participate in the diplomatic solution to bringing peace to Dathomir," Natalie argued.
"Nat, I have to agree with your Dad. The diplomatic solution to this situation is probably going to involve aggressive negotiations," Jayden argued.
"I'm going. My travel case is in the back trunk. Will you carry it up for me?" she asked sweetly. He rolled his eyes and grabbed it out of the trunk.
"Take care of my stubborn daughter for me," Bail said. He nodded.
"Don't worry Sir, I'd never let anything happen to her," Jayden promised, as he led Natalie up the ramp. Bail remained until the ship took off, leaving the Coruscant atmosphere en route to Dathomir.
The next morning
Padme awoke to the sound of chirping birds and for a moment, almost forgot where they were. She lifted her head from her husband's chest, just as he stirred as well.
"Morning," he mumbled sleepily. She smiled, as she let her hand slide appreciatively along his bare, shredded torso.
"Good morning handsome," she replied, as she pecked him softly on the lips.
"Did you sleep okay?" he asked.
"Surprisingly well, but that's probably because you were holding me," she replied, as she sat up and covered herself with his cloak. She fished the ground for her dress.
"If we're going to be traipsing through the jungle, I'll have to cut a lot of this skirt away," Padme mentioned. She was more than a little miffed that all her clean clothes had sank with their ship. And given the chance, she would be giving those evil witch sisters a piece of her mind. Her husband sensually stroked her bare legs, as he pulled her into his lap.
"Well, I'm all for you showing more of your legs, but I'm not sure we should wander too far from here," he said.
"You think the Queen has her people looking for us?" Padme asked.
"Most likely. Unfortunately, that means her sisters have people looking for us as well, so don't wander too far," he told her.
"Don't worry, I won't be leaving your side. Do you think there is a source of fresh water somewhere on the island so we can clean up?" she asked.
"Artoo went and scouted for me this morning. Hey Artoo, did you find a pond with any clean, non salt water for drinking and bathing?" he called.
"The little droid responded from outside the tent and Anakin read the translator.
"Yeah, only about a mile from here," he told her, as he pulled his pants on. She wrapped herself tightly in his cloak, as they prepared to make the trek to clean up and fill their canteens. Suddenly, they heard Artoo let out an angry string of obscenities.
"What's wrong now?" Anakin asked, as they peaked out. And neither could help it, as they burst out laughing making the little droid even more irritated. A bird had flown from the tree he was standing under and had deposited its feces on Artoo's domed head. The little droid blew an electronic raspberry at them.
"We're sorry Artoo, we shouldn't laugh," Padme apologized with a giggle.
"Yes we should. Wait until Threepio hears," Anakin teased. Artoo whirled angrily.
"I'm kidding buddy, we won't tell him," Anakin promised, calming the irate little droid down a bit. They joined hands, as Artoo led them to the pond he had found.
"Mistress, we believe we have found where they have been stranded. Should we move in immediately?" one male soldier asked, as he rushed into the Throne Room. Rianna and Roxanna looked at each other and smirked evilly.
"None of you weaklings would be able to capture one such as the Chosen One. We will personally greet our guests. Take us to them," Roxanna ordered.
"Yes your Highness," the man groveled.
"This will be so entertaining. I do hope he puts up a good fight," Rianna said excitedly.
"If the stories are true, he will and we must be prepared," Roxanna replied. Rianna nodded, as they left their base to move in on their prey.
They arrived at the small pond and it had beautiful crystal blue water and Padme was now looking forward to taking a dip in the clean water. Just as she prepared to remove Anakin's cloak from her body, she became self conscious. What if they were being watched? She wondered this, just as Anakin was also about to undress.
"Ani…what if we're being watched?" Padme wondered.
"I doubt that. If they knew where we were, they'd already be here, because they want to find us before Rayna's people," Anakin told her, easing her tension a little.
"Besides, if they somehow were able to watch us, they would most likely be the witch sisters, so I feel okay about letting you undress, because I know if we were being watched, which we're not, there aren't any men watching," he reasoned, as he unbuckled his belt. She realized that he was right and grabbed his hand.
"Ani…if those witch sisters are watching, then I'm not sure I'm too comfortable with you just stripping down. I don't like the idea of other females getting to see all of you," Padme whined. He smirked and leaned down, kissing her tenderly on the lips.
"No one is watching. And even if they were, all they would be seeing is a man who very much belongs to his wife, which happens to be you. They would only get to see. You're the only one that gets to…touch," he leered, as he stared down at her with passion in his eyes. She stared back up at him and she snaked her arms around his neck. Their lips met passionately and Anakin undid the cloak, tossing it away.
"Now, let's clean up," he said. She smirked.
"It seems like all we're doing is getting dirty again," she teased, as their hands roamed and Padme undid his belt. She turned, looking back at him coyly, as she jumped into the pond. As she surface, she looked at him expectantly.
"Well…what are you waiting for, sexy Jedi?" she questioned, making him smirk.
"Take if all off and show me what's mine and only mine," she tempted. He undressed completely and joined her in the water. As he surfaced, he pulled her into his arms and their lips met with searing passion. Padme giggled, as their lips parted.
"We're never going to get clean this way," she teased.
"Yeah…you're probably right," he replied, as he splashed her. She gasped and her mouth fell open in mock outrage.
"Oh, you're going to get it now," Padme warned. He laughed, as she started splashing him, in which he retaliated to.
Callista's speeder hovered over an island and waited for her assistant to do another scan.
"There are two life signatures on this island that don't match the patterns of animal life signatures. They are much stronger," he said. Callista nodded.
"It must be them," Callista replied, as he took the speeder down.
"Well, I guess it will have to do, but I think I look ridiculous," Padme said, as she stepped out of the tent wearing the Senatorial gown that she had come in, the only clothes she had now, only she had cut away the length of the skirt so it was now knee length, allowing her a little more maneuverability. He too only had the clothes he came in, which consisted of his usual Jedi uniform. His brown tunic had been ripped to shreds during the storm, so he was now only wearing his pants and his leather jerkin, which left Padme an appreciative view of his chest and biceps.
"Angel, you could wear a sack and still look amazingly beautiful. You most certainly don't look ridiculous and I'm very much enjoying the view of your sexy legs," he said, flashing his trademark smirk at her. His smile suddenly faded, as he felt the dark tremor vibrating in the Force and she felt it through their bond.
"Ani…" she uttered, as he was by her side in an instant. She held onto his waist, as he held her tightly, while his eyes darted around the area. And that's when they appeared. They could only be described as shadowy figures that moved through the air like wispy clouds.
"What are they?" Padme whispered to him, as the dark, billowy figures circled them.
"Witches…" Anakin whispered back with a hiss, as he glared at the threatening beings. There was an evil cackle, as five of them manifested before them. They were all ugly and bald, instantly reminding him of Asaaj Ventress and he realized that this was likely their true form
"A fitting true form for a witch," he thought.
"Who are they?" Padme whispered to him.
"I'm guessing the two in the center are Roxanna and Rianna and the rest are their top lackeys," Anakin replied.
"But that's not how the Queen described them," Padme said.
"I'm guessing that this is their true form. The Queen and her sisters must prefer to change their appearances," Anakin replied.
"How right you are, Chosen One," the woman in the center hissed, as her homely appearance shimmered away and changed to one of a very attractive redhead, just as the woman next to her changed into an equally attractive blonde.
"He's even more handsome than we imagined, sister," Rianna said to Roxanna with delight.
"Changing your appearances is pointless really. Your souls are still black," Anakin retorted with a glare. They only laughed in response.
"I heard you were a witty one and that statement is definitely true," Roxanna hissed, as she glanced at Padme.
"You and the little pixie you call a wife are coming with us," she continued.
"Not a chance in Sith hell," Anakin growled, as he guarded Padme behind him.
"Come quietly and we won't have to hurt either of you," Rianna growled back. Anakin smirked, unnerving them.
"You really have no idea who you're dealing with," Anakin responded. They snarled and the five witches faded into their shadowy forms again, as they swirled around them, their dark tendrils reaching out to try and capture them. But Anakin ignited his light saber and it exploded with brilliant white light. He made a quick slice, sending a wave of gold laced crackling silver Force energy at the swirling witches. They cried out in pain, as they were caught by Anakin's powers and all thrown to the ground in a painful heap.
"Tell me that's not the best you've got," Anakin goaded, as they started to pick themselves up off the ground.
"You're even more powerful than I imagined. How exciting," Roxanna hissed.
"You were right sister, his powers are amazing," Rianna said in amazement.
"Now that you've seen what he can do, then you have to know that you are no match for my husband," Padme told them fiercely. They only cackled.
"You have yet to see our true powers too, Senator," Roxanna hissed.
"Well, it will have to wait until another day! Get in!" Callista called, as she hovered the speeder as low as possible. Anakin grabbed Padme around her waist and used the Force to leap up into the speeder. Callista punched the throttle down and escaped.
"NOOO! Follow them!" Roxanna ordered, as they morphed into the shadowy forms and ascended into the air, but thanks to Callista's own spell, the speeder they were in was masked by the Force magic.
"We have lost them!" Rianna exclaimed.
"Curse our sister!" Roxanna cried.
"What now?" Rianna asked.
"We return to the village and plan an assault. Ysanne has given us what we need to win and we will soon attack, destroy our sister and her stupid clan. Then, we'll capture the Chosen One and Ysanne will make sure we become the unquestioned rulers of Dathomir," Roxanna said. Rianna smirked evilly, as they and their three strongest followers faded into the wind in shadows.
"Looks like you two and the droid are none the worse for wear," Callista mentioned. Artoo blew an angry raspberry at her.
"I agree with Artoo and why did you fail to mention that Asaaj Ventress was a Dathomir witch? It makes perfect sense, but I don't think it's something that just slipped your mind," Anakin called. Callista shrugged.
"The Queen is not proud of Dathomir's sordid past," Callista replied.
"Or the fact that one of your people was a Sith assassin during the Clone Wars and savagely committed genocide on planet after planet," Anakin said.
"Look, I know we should have told you, but it's why the Queen chooses to change her appearance," Callista replied.
"The Council might see it as withholding information. They're going to want to know what else she is hiding," Anakin argued.
"She has her reasons and I'll let her explain when you meet her," Callista replied, as she took the speeder down into a very large village.
"You let them get away?" Ysanne roared and the night sisters cowered. Even though she was just a hologram before them, they knew what a powerful Sith Lord she had become.
"Forgive us Mistress, we are planning to wage an assault of epic proportions, thanks to the gifts you have provided us with to use to control the Chosen One," Roxanna said.
"I can't believe you were hair brained enough to take him on without the controlling mechanisms I provided you with. How stupid of you to believe that your foolish parlor trick magic could combat his powers," Ysanne scolded.
"It won't happen again, My Lady," Rianna assured.
"See that it doesn't," Ysanne snapped, as she cut the transmission. She was in her Throne Room aboard a technological marvel. Her beloved Sidious' vision had finally been realized and was now complete. She was aboard the most grand, spectacular space station to ever have existed. It could travel like a ship and had the power to destroy a planet…with a single blast. Such a thing was truly unbelievable, but it soon would be believed by all when she made an example out of a planet of her choosing.
"Tell the bridge to set a course for Dathomir," Ysanne ordered to her daughter.
"It's about time. Those stupid witches are going to ruin everything," Kendra spat
"That's why we are going. The Chosen One and his family will not escape this time," Ysanne said.
"The course for Dathomir will be set immediately," Kendra said.
"Good…and see that he is ready," Ysanne said.
"He will be. The Chosen One will fall at his hand and our revenge will be sweet," Kendra replied, as she left to see that her mother's wishes were carried out.
Callista landed the speeder, instantly drawing the attention of the people of the village. It seemed that Rayna's followers all chose to use magical enchantments to change their appearance from homely looking beings to attractive human looking males and females. It was no wonder that the words Dathomir and deception were almost synonymous with each other.
Most of the females, including Callista, wore outfits that consisted of cropped tops and loose knee length skirts, making them appear as jungle dwelling people, which they were. The colors varied from tan, blue, green, and gray. The men were all bare-chested and some wore pants. It seemed that they were the workers, builders, and heavy lifters. Then there were some men wearing ridiculous looking skirt type garments. It was clear that they were servants and on display, as well as submissive to the women.
"So much for equality," Anakin said, as he hopped out of the speeder and then helped Padme.
"We've drawn a lot of attention," she mentioned.
"I suspect they don't get a lot of visitors," Anakin said. The Queen exited her temple and descended the stairs. She wore an outfit like the other women, only it was shimmering gold in color and she wore a matching billowy robe made of shimmersilk. Her ensemble was completed with a gold headpiece covering the top of her head. The crest was adorned with what looked like fresh flowers and it was clear that the Queen's obvious vanity played a large role in their choosing to alter their appearances with permanent magical charms.
"Welcome, I'm Queen Rayna and it is an honor to have you in my kingdom," Rayna said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm Anakin Skywalker and this is my wife Senator Padme Skywalker," Anakin introduced.
"We are so incredibly honored to finally meet you both in person. As you know, your reputations precede you," Rayna said, looking at Anakin with admiration. It didn't escape Padme's attention for a second that the Queen seemed enamored with her husband, but she had suspected this would be the case.
"I don't think your sisters are as thrilled about our visit as you," Anakin mentioned.
"I know and please accept my deepest apologies for my evil sisters and their ways. You must both be famished and we are preparing a feast in your honor. In the meantime, we have prepared quarters for you to rest. You'll find a fresher where you can clean up, as well as clean clothes and necessities. If you will follow me, I'll take you there," Rayna said. Anakin nodded, as he Padme, and Artoo followed the Queen and her entourage into the temple like jungle palace before them.
Padme was ecstatic to learn that despite their dwelling in the jungle, the Queen's temple or palace, had all the modern comforts of home and right now, Padme was enjoying a real shower. She was content to let the hot water poor down on her head in gallons for a few more minutes, even though she knew she needed to get out.
"Are you going to stay in there all night? I need to shower too," Anakin called. She smirked.
"Then get in here," she called. She heard the rustling of clothes, before he quickly stepped into the shower stall in all his naked glory, of course, and she let her eyes wander appreciatively over his lean, muscular physique.
"Took you long enough," she said, as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Well, you were enjoying so much that I wasn't sure if I should interrupt you," he replied. She smirked and kissed him passionately.
"Oh, but I'm enjoying myself so much more now," she replied sultrily, as their lips met again.