Note 1: Thank you for all the reviews/alerts/favorites that I have received! It's really encouraging and will ensure that this Verse is continued.
Note 2: This takes place during ROTS, right after Anakin and Obi-Wan return from rescuing Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous.
Note 3: Star Wars and its affiliates do not belong to me, only the contents of this Verse.
Note 4: Thank you to my totally awesome friend and new beta reader Young at Heart21. Thank you for all of your support!
Note 5: Sanctuary Moon is another name for the Forest Moon of Endor
Chosen: Restoration
Chapter 6: Sanctuary Moon
By WrittinInStone
"We should be arriving at the Forest Moon of Endor in moments, Anakin. Don't panic, I'm sure there's a good reason why we haven't heard from Padmé." Obi-Wan advised his old Padawan.
Anakin said nothing as his ship hovered in the exosphere, preparing to enter Sanctuary Moon. They had lost contact with Padmé half an hour before Twilight's Rain had arrived at their destination.
Anakin tried to calm himself, but it was difficult; he knew that something was wrong. Padmé would not have gone onto the planet unless something had happened. When she said she would do something, then she did it and she had said that she would wait to go on the planet until their arrival. Anakin closed his eyes as he tried to sense her presence. She was on the moon, but he could not sense if she was hurt or not.
"Prepare to descend, Master." Anakin said, gazing at the moon from his craft. "From my readings, Padmé was here. It looks as though she experienced engine failure and was forced to make an emergency landing."
In his cockpit, Obi-Wan frowned, "That's strange, Padmé's ship is usually in top condition. It's odd that it would be experiencing any difficulties at all."
"Just what I was thinking," Anakin responded grimly, "Sabotage?"
"Maybe," Obi-Wan replied, rubbing his beard, "But who could have done something like this?"
"I don't know, Obi-Wan" Anakin murmured, "But I plan to find out."
"Wait a moment," Obi-Wan said, checking the monitor on his ship, "I have readings on her landing site. Let's go there."
"Roger that," Anakin responded as they both descended onto Sanctuary Moon.
#*#*#*#*#
Padmé groaned as she slowly came to. She sat up, wincing as she did so. This just isn't my day, Padmé thought as she stared at her surroundings.
Padmé had been hovering over Endor when her ship began to beep, indicating mechanical problems. She remembered frowning in confusion; her ship had been repaired and updated just last week; there should be nothing wrong with it. But she had quickly begun the landing cycle thinking it was better to be safe than sorry. When she had almost reached the ground, her ship lost all power. She sailed through the thick foliage of the trees and plants until strong hanging green vines finally stopped her hazardous crash through the jungle. She had been climbing out of her ship when she fainted again, tumbling the last few meters to the ground.
By the Force, Padmé thought fearfully, what is the matter with me? She refused to believe that Anakin had infected her with the virus, so it had to be something else. Padmé resolved to get herself checked out as soon as she returned to Twilight's Rain. I need to know what's wrong with me, she thought, biting her lip, I probably just need some rest and some alone time with Anakin. Yes, she thought, a smile touching her lips, some alone time with Anakin is exactly what I need.
Once more she looked around herself. I guess I can't stay here. I need to move; the data says that this place is hostile and it's getting dark. I'll set up camp and try to contact Anakin and Obi-Wan.
She wiped herself off, grabbed her blaster, and began her hike through the woods.
#*#*#*#*#
"It was a good call to bring the droids, Anakin. They should help us here immeasurably." Obi-Wan said, as they trekked through the dense trees of Endor.
"R2 and I are partners." Anakin replied, looking at the droid affectionately, "I had to bring him or I never would have heard the end of it."
R2 responded with beeps and whistles, agreeing to Anakin's words. Anakin shook his head and smiled as the continued their journey to Padmé's landing site. R2 is an asset to the mission, Anakin thought with a rueful sigh, but if only we had had the foresight to leave 3PO behind. If I hear one more compliant from him I'm going to explo—.
"Well, I don't like it on this dreadful moon," 3PO complained, interrupting his Maker's thoughts. "I don't care if you think it's pretty here!" 3PO exclaimed in response to R2's beeping, "This place is obviously dangerous and knowing Mistress Padmé, she has probably already left her ship!"
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, frowning at the droid's words, "By the Force," he exhaled, "3PO's right. Padmé is probably long gone by now."
Obi-Wan nodded, "I expected that. It is likely that the explosion from her craft drew the natives; they would have been sure to investigate. It was far safer to leave especially since it's getting late. I'm hoping she left a clue as to the direction that she went. The crash site should tell us something."
Anakin frowned, his mind on Padmé. He once again stretched out with the Force to feel her presence. This time, he got a signature.
"She's heading East," Anakin stated, unable to prevent relief from entering his voice. If Padmé was moving, it meant that she was not hurt too badly. "According to this Holonavi, the path we are taking is due east. If we follow it, we should run into her."
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin curiously, "How do you know she's heading east?"
Anakin responded easily, hoping Obi-Wan would see no need to check the truth of his words through the Force, "She usually heads east. When I was guarding her as a Padawan, I asked her if her internal navigator was broken because every time she wanted to go somewhere, she would automatically go east regardless of the actual location of her destination."
Obi-Wan smiled and shook his head, "From what I have heard from some of my non-Jedi acquaintances, human women have a terrible sense of direction," he said, nodding as he rubbed his beard.
Anakin shook his head, looking at Obi-Wan with a smirk, "Don't let the Senator hear you say that, you just might be called before the Council for that little remark.
"Padmé never needs to know," Obi-Wan said quickly, rubbing his beard faster. "And I suppose I can't say much. I don't have the best sense of direction either."
"No, my Master," Anakin agreed, rolling his eyes, "You don't. Do you remember how you fell into that nest of Gund—"
"We don't have to bring that up," Obi-Wan said, waving his hand, "That was a total and complete mistake! My holonavi said that the ship was along the westbound ridge, so I went along the westbound ridge!" Obi-Wan claimed defensively, red creeping up his neck. "Anyone could have made the mistake."
"Yeah. Right." Anakin said, grinning and shaking his head.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, returning to the task at hand. "According to this holonavi, we should be coming up on her ship any moment now."
Anakin and Obi-Wan paused as they broke through the trees. There, in front of them, sat Padmé's ship. It was hanging precariously from the vines of nearby trees. Anakin let out a breath at the wreckage.
"By the Force," He muttered, "She could have been killed…" Anakin's voice drifted into silence as he tried to control the fear and anger rising in his heart. Someone had tried to kill Padmé; someone had tried to kill his wife. Someone would pay.
Obi-Wan crouched to his knees when he saw petite footsteps in the ground. "She was walking when she left, so that's good. From these footprints, it looks as though there was no dragging, so she's relatively unharmed." Obi-Wan said, unknowingly echoing Anakin's previous thoughts. He stood to face the direction Padmé had gone. "You were right, she's heading east. Let's go, Anakin."
"Hold on, Master." Anakin slowly moved forward. "Do you feel that?"
Obi-Wan frowned, "Yes, I do. It feels as though…we're surrounded!"
Lightsabers were quickly pulled as numerous small creatures jumped out of the foliage, whopping and brandishing makeshift spears.
Startled, Obi-Wan and Anakin glanced at each other, surprised. "Wow. They look like little…teddy bears!" Anakin smiled, lowering his lightsaber. He frowned when the creatures came closing, jabbing at them with their weapons.
"Patience, Anakin," Obi-Wan cautioned as Anakin's lightsaber rose once more, "They seem to be the natives of this place."
The creatures moved forward, indicating that they drop their weapons.
"There's no way am I giving these things my lightsaber," Anakin stated flatly.
"Just give it to them," Obi-Wan cautioned as he lowered his lightsaber to the ground.
"I thought my lightsaber was my life, Master." Anakin said, tongue in cheek as he copied Obi-Wan's movements.
"It doesn't look as though we have much of a choice here, Anakin." Obi-Wan replied. "But it's good to know that your ability to be sarcastic is not compromised by this little episode."
A smirk crossed Anakin's face even as the loud whoops and noises coming from the creatures put him on edge. These creatures obviously had no technology, but it would not be wise to underestimate the effectiveness of their weapons.
"3PO," Anakin called, trying to remain still, "Do you think you can communicate with these creatures?"
"I don't know, Master Ani! They seem to be speaking a very primitive diale—."
"Just try." Anakin said as the creatures began to throw rope to one another. It looked as though they were moments from being taken prisoner.
3PO slowly moved forward from his hiding space behind the trees, offering a greeting in the strange language. Upon seeing the droid, the creatures paused and gasped loudly. Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at one another in consternation as the small creatures began to bow and make noises that sounded like a chant.
"Cheeto nomob. Eso nu tono naka!" 3PO said promptly. The natives responded in kind as they continued to bow and chant.
"Do you know what they're saying?" Anakin asked as he gazed upon the reverent natives.
"Oh, yes! They call themselves Ewoks…and I'm kind of embarrassed Master Ani, but it seems as though they think I'm some sort of god!"
"A god?" Obi-Wan said incredulously. A hand covered his mouth as though he was trying to hide a smile.
Anakin was not amused. While 3PO was playing god, Padmé was in this Force-forsaken jungle hell alone. "3PO, try to use your influence to get them to release us."
"Why Master Ani, that just wouldn't be proper! It goes against my programming to impersonate a deity."
"Proper?" Anakin repeated, disbelievingly, "It would go against your programming? I made you!"
"Yes, I know that Master Ani! But it just wouldn't be prop—"
Anakin snapped as his patience ended; he was going to unmake 3PO right now, piece by annoying piece. As he lunged forward, totally bent on destroying the droid, the Ewoks growled and hissed, immediately moving aggressively with their weapons pointed at them.
Anakin and Obi-Wan immediately raised their hands in surrender. "This is just a misunderstanding amongst friends," Anakin said soothingly to the irate natives, "I'm actually his Maker, which should in fact make me a god in your eyes as well. As such, I command you to release us at once."
It made perfect sense to Anakin. Yet moments later as he found himself tied to a log and carried through the woods like a Gandorian hog, he was forced to conclude that they did not agree.
#*#*#*#*#
So this is how it feels to be sacrificed. Anakin thought as he watched the Ewok nearest him began to hum a tune while it arranged firewood under him.
"3PO," Anakin called, "Tell them to let us go!"
"I tried Master Ani!" 3PO cried, "But apparently being a god doesn't mean much here. They won't listen to me!" The droid sat in a seat made of roots and vines. He was positioned in the front of the village, obviously the seat of honor.
"Obi-Wan, I hope you have a plan here," Anakin called to him, "I don't think I'm going to like being burned alive."
"I have a plan," Obi-Wan responded, looking around. "This is a very primitive society, so something small should do the trick."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he gathered the Force to him. Anakin could feel the Force being manipulated as suddenly, 3PO was levitated into the air to hover over the Ewoks. Anakin closed his eyes in embarrassment as 3PO began to scream. By the Force, Anakin thought in exasperation, I never knew that a droid could make noises like that. The droid was emitting high-pitched screams of terror between cries for his Maker and R2. 3PO was actually screaming louder than the Ewoks. I swear that if anyone asks, I will never admit to being the one to make 3PO, Anakin thought in disgust.
Terrified and now in awe of the power of their 'god', the natives quickly moved to obey 3PO's orders to release them. Rubbing his sore wrists, Anakin smiled as R2 electrocuted a rather aggressive native with his electric pike. "Good going, R2," Anakin murmured with a wink. The droid responded with beeps of pride.
Anakin turned to 3PO, "Thanks, 3PO."
3PO sat in the chair, legs and arms splayed as though amazed at his own ability. "I never knew I had it in me." The protocol droid announced in awe. Anakin rolled his eyes at the droid's sentiment. His eyes widened when 3PO suddenly stood and with arm spread wide began to speak in an ominous voice. "I am C-3PO, supreme god of the Ewoks!"
Obi-Wan's mouth dropped. He and Anakin turned to look at one another, their eyebrows shooting to their foreheads. R2 snickered, his beeps indicating his amusement.
"All shall bow before me! I have powers beyond mortal comprehension!" 3PO cried. He then let out a string of orders in the Ewok's native tongue.
They watched in amazement as the natives began to bring forth items. It looked as though they were paying 3PO…tribute!
"This is all your fault, Obi-Wan," Anakin whispered to him as 3PO continued to cry his divinity.
"I didn't know that your insane droid would take what I did as a sign of his right to rule!" Obi-Wan shot back, "Why, for Force's sake, did you make that crazy thing?"
"The more I watch, the less I know…" Anakin replied with a sigh, shaking his head at 3PO's antics. Then he had to smile, "But he's my droid, for better or for worse." R2 beeped, agreeing with Anakin's words.
"3PO," he finally called, interrupting 3PO's cries of godhood, "Enough of this. Ask them if they've seen any sign of Padmé."
"I am C-3PO, supreme god of the Ewoks, I take not orders from—"
"3PO," Anakin said in a tone that clearly showed that he was at the end of his patience, "Find. Padmé."
3PO paused, finally realizing that he had pushed his Maker to his point of endurance. "Right away, Master Ani."
After speaking for a short time with to the natives, 3PO turned back to them, excited. "They said that they did indeed see someone by Mistress Padmé's description. And they know where she is! Not only that, they know the location of General Grevious' ship!"
"Excellent work, 3PO," Anakin said with a smile. "Ask if they can lead us to her."
"Right away, Master Ani."
Speaking once again to the natives, but for a much longer period of time, 3PO finally turned to the Jedi and said in happiness, "Wonderful! After telling them of our adventures, they have now made us part of the tribe!"
As soon as 3PO told them the 'wonderful' news, the Ewoks began to dance around them and talk to them rapidly in their native tongue. Anakin looked around in amusement as the natives came to him and began to pat him and hug him. He looked up at sharply at Obi-Wan's sudden gasp of horror.
Obi-Wan was looking down, obviously aghast, as a female native grabbed him and began making suspicious motions against his leg.
Anakin bit his lip, almost drawing blood to prevent from laughing. He grinned, as he watched the female violate Obi-Wan, "I think she likes you, Master." Anakin said unable to keep the laughter from his voice.
Obi-Wan's face began to turn red as he tried to disengage the amorous female. "Anakin, Anakin stop laughing! Help me get this thing off!"
#*#*#*#*#
Padmé sighed miserably as she huddled in the corner, trying in vain to keep her dying fire alive. She drew her knees tightly to her chest as she moved closer to the flames.
After leaving her ship, she had walked for about two hours before she found the cave nestled in the side of a rocky cliff. She had smiled upon seeing it; it was the perfect hiding spot. She had climbed for what seemed like forever before she had reached it. Now, Padmé sat here, in this damp cave, trying to stay warm in this frigid air, on this Force-forsaken planet.
She closed her eyes and called for her husband, "Anakin." She said aloud, suddenly cross, "Where are you and why haven't you found me yet?" Padmé stated frowning. She knew that she was being a grouch but was not quite sure why she was feeling this way.
"I want a grapefruit." She said abruptly, talking to herself. "And I want it now." She had no idea why she wanted the disgusting fruit, but she suddenly had an undeniable taste for one and it made her angry that Anakin was not there to provide it for her.
"It must be pink!" Padmé said as she jumped up and began pacing. "It must be large! It must be from Naboo!"
"Padmé?"
She started as she heard her name; it sounded like her husband. She walked to the edge of the cliff and there at the bottom stood Anakin and Obi-Wan, accompanied by the droids.
She frowned at the sight of them. The relief that washed over the faces of the Jedi meant nothing to her; there was only one thing she cared about. "Don't come up here if you don't have any grapefruit!" She told them angrily.
At the bottom of the cliff, Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at one another in confusion. "Grapefruit?" Obi-Wan silently mouthed to Anakin who shrugged in dismay.
"Padmé," Anakin called, unsure of himself, "We're coming to get you."
Before she could utter another word, Anakin and Obi-Wan had Force-jumped into her cave. She glared at them as they entered. "It's about time," She said in annoyance, "I've been waiting for you guys all night. Do you have the grapefruit?"
The Jedi exchanged another glance. Obi-Wan slowly moved toward her, as though moving toward a wild animal, "Senator, are you okay? You're acting a bit odd."
Padmé eyes widened when Obi-Wan called her 'Senator.' She paused as she suddenly realized how crazy she must sound. By the Force, she thought, fear filling her, I really am sick. She took a deep breath to gather her bearings, trying to will away her need for the pink fruit. But it would not go away! Her body craved, no, needed grapefruit!
She bit her lip as tears rushed to her eyes. "I just want some grapefruit," She whispered in a devastated voice, "Is that too much to ask?" She turned away from them so they could not see her distress.
The Jedi looked at each other in alarm. "Padmé," Anakin said steadily, horrified by her sudden sadness, "As soon as we reach the ship, I promise you that we will get you some grapefruit."
She rubbed her eyes as turned to look at him, "Really?" She murmured, hope in her eyes.
Anakin nodded, "We promise."
She brightened at his words, and immediately began wiping her eyes. She grabbed her weapons. "Let's go!" She stated determinedly. "We need to find this ship so we can find this cure for you, Ani!" She turned and began to hum as she gathered the rest of her things.
Obi-Wan pulled Anakin to the side, "What in the seven hells was that?" He hissed to him.
"I don't know," Anakin whispered back with worry as he watched his wife, "Maybe she hit her head when she landed. We'll get her checked out as soon as we reach Twilight's Rain. For now, it's probably best to just go with it."
"You're probably right, my young friend," Obi-Wan murmured as they watched the now happy Senator bustle around the cave. "I hope she hasn't caught something while she was here."
"Yes," Anakin said grimly, "I know."
They watched as Padmé finally finished gathering her things. When she turned to them, it seemed as though the old Padmé had resurfaced. Whatever had affected her was now gone.
"Okay, guys," She said seriously, "Let's go find this cure."
"Yes, ma'am," Anakin said, glad to have his wife back.
"Absolutely," Obi-Wan murmured, relief also coloring his voice.
They quickly descended from the cliff and moments later, they were heading toward their destination: the Invisible Hand.
End of Chapter 6: If you loved it, review it. Writers on this site are paid only by the reviews of the readers.
7th Chapter: The Invisible Hand: Anakin, Padmé and Obi-Wan find more questions than answers on General Grevious' ship.
((***If you liked this, please check out my other story: Soul's Scars.))