Here we go with Chapter 3! I'm appreciating all of the views, favorites, and follows that this story is getting! I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am!
One thing I would like to explain: a guest reviewer mentioned that perhaps Anakin and Obi-Wan came a little to quickly. Here was my logic when I was writing this: first of all, Anakin said it himself that it was as if Padme had lost that spark. I promise you, our favorite spunky senator will be back to her old, confident self soon enough. But also, becoming a family has shown Anakin and Padme that they can't take all of the risks that they used to. Anakin was willing to surrender on behalf of his family, to keep them safe. That's why they seemed to be captured so easily.
I hope I cleared it up! Enjoy Chapter 3! Drop a review if you can!
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"Mama? What's going on?" Luke looked over to his teary eyed mother.
The three of them were sitting in a small hidden room. It was very empty, containing a few benches, with a cabinet holding some rations and blankets. A dim light kept the room somewhat illuminated. Padme looked at her son, then her daughter.
"I-I don't know. We must be quiet, Luke." she replied silently.
"But what about daddy and Uncle Ben?" he persisted. Padme sniffed.
"We must have faith." she said, moving to the same bench as her children, wrapping her arms around their shoulders. Luke and Leia exchanged a confused glance, not knowing what was really going on.
Suddenly, there was a noise at the wall where the hidden entrance was. It was, at first, a slight tapping. Then, it turned into a loud banging. Padme stood up, still grasping the twins' shoulders.
"Get behind me and stay there." she ordered, pushing them behind her so they might be somewhat out of sight. She began to fear the worst for Anakin.
A bright beam of scarlet burst through the wall. It moved in a circle, creating a large hole. It took every ounce of strength in Padme to not scream or cry. She had to be brave, for Luke and Leia. For Anakin and Obi-Wan. The circle cut by the lightsaber was pushed away, revealing a tall figure. A togruta.
"Well, well! What have we got here?" a voice called. One that Padme immediately recognized.
"No." she whispered. Ahsoka chuckled.
"And who are they? Tano continued, looking at Luke and Leia, hidden behind Padme. "I knew Skywalker was reckless, but to go as far to have a few kids? Interesting."
"Where are Obi-Wan and Anakin? What have you done!" Padme said, driving Ahsoka's attention away from the children.
"Oh, yes. No worries. They're fine, for now. Once we're on Coruscant, that will be changed I assure you." she replied. "Emperor Palpatine will be very excited to see you all. Come on, get moving." she waved them out of the room. Ahsoka shoved Padme forward, separating her from the twins.
"No!" she cried, turning around in protest. She was met with the butt end of a stormtrooper's blaster, knocking her to the ground.
Now young Leia Skywalker, who had just reached the age of six, had a beautiful mix of her mother's courage to stand up for what's right and her father's will to do anything possible to protect those she loved. She, with fierce determination stepped before the tall togruta, glaring at her.
"Don't hurt her!" she yelled. Ahsoka sneered, pulling the young girl into a durasteel grip. Leia lost the daring look, gazing fearfully into the dull blue eyes before her.
"Listen, kid." Ahsoka spat. "You don't tell me what to do. I'll be the one ordering people around. Now be a good little girl and get up against the wall."
"L-Leia, listen to her. Do as she says." Padme said softly, getting up off the ground. Leia only puffed up her chest and stuck her chin out.
"No." she replied sharply. Ahsoka narrowed her eyes. She's too much like him for her own good. she thought. Reminds me a bit of how you used to be. another part of her called in her mind. She dismissed the thought, grimacing.
"Very well." she released the girl and turned away. Leia allowed a small, smug smile to spread across her face. Ahsoka allowed a smile to creep onto her face as well, as she spun on her heel and flicked her wrist. Leia found herself flying through the air, suddenly hitting a wall with a thud. She fell to the ground in a crumpled heap, unconscious.
"No!" Padme yelled, louder now. A deep anger burned in the older woman. She stood up a little straighter, looking over to her young daughter. A small spark flickered momentarily within her.
"Don't you dare hurt my children! Don't you dare touch them!" she hissed, breaking free of a stormtrooper's grip.
She managed to kick the back of his knee, sending him to the ground. Another stormtrooper rose, moving to strike at at her, but she caught his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. It wasn't in the best form, but for being out of practice it was pretty good. She had managed to take down two more troopers before she heard a sharp click from behind her right ear. The click of a blaster. Ahsoka walked over to Padme, standing over the groaning soldiers.
"Come now, Padme. Put your hands up and we could do this like civilized people." she clucked. Padme huffed, frustrated, but complying. She raised her hands over her head.
"That's better. Now, trooper, I want them on my ship as soon as possible. We don't have enough cells to separate them, but I feel that could work towards our advantage. Prepare for take off. I must inform Emperor Palpatine of our progress."
"Yes ma'am. Right away." the trooper said, but Ahsoka was already out of the house.
Padme held Luke close as they were led out of the house and to the large ship. They slowly walked up the long landing ramp, and Padme turned around to look back their house for what she knew would be the last time. They had done so well, she thought for sure that they could actually pull off the whole "hiding from the Empire" thing. She felt as though she had failed Luke and Leia. She bent over to Luke, kissing the top of his head, whispering a silent "sorry" into his ear. He simply looked up in confusion as a reply.
They were led down a small hall and stopped in front of a durasteel door protected by a ray shield. The shield was lifted and the door was opened, revealing a now awake Obi-Wan and Anakin. Anakin offered up a weak smile to his wife as she and Luke were pushed into the little jail cell. A trooper carrying Leia came in behind them and set her on one of the small cots and left, locking the door behind him. Anakin's face fell as he looked at his daughter. He stood up and sat beside her.
"What happened!" he cried, looking her up and down. Obi-Wan joined him, placing a hand on her forehead, using the Force to wake her up.
"Daddy?" she croaked. Anakin looked over to Padme.
"You gave Leia too much of your personality, that's what happened." she retorted, chuckling a bit. Anakin huffed, standing up.
"I guess that's possible." he shrugged, embracing her, and bringing Luke into the hug. "Did she hurt you, buddy?"
"No. But is Leia okay?" he asked. He looked back over to his twin.
"A broken wrist and a bump on the head. She'll be just fine." Obi-Wan grinned, ruffling her hair.
"Thanks Uncle Ben," Leia smiled back, using her good hand to brush the hair out of her face.
The ship rumbled and groaned, causing Anakin, Padme, and Luke to stumble.
"So that's that." Anakin said, "We're off to Coruscant. Off to Sidious." The words were bitter in his mouth as he looked over to Obi-Wan.
"Perhaps it's what the Force wants. Perhaps it's time." he replied, soberly. "I suggest meditation. Would you like to join us, Luke?" Luke's eyes brightened.
"Yeah!" he exclaimed, glad that he got to finally do a "Jedi thing".
The two men and the boy sat together on the ground as Padme sat on the cot with Leia, holding her close. A few moments passed as the two Jedi cleared their minds. Their concentration was suddenly broken though, by a loud gasp from Luke.
"What is it, Luke? What happened?" Anakin asked, looking worriedly at his son.
"Artoo and Threepio! We forgot Artoo and Threepio!"
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"Artoo?" See-Threepio called from a closet. Artoo had directed him in to it, exclaiming that 'it was happening' and 'they found us'. Threepio, of course, knew what that had meant. Master Anakin had added a program that was set for this situation. "Artoo-Detoo, where are you!"
There was a click from the other side of the door, and it opened to reveal the little astromech.
"Where have you been? Where is Master Ani and Mistress Padme?" he asked.
"THERE ARE NO LIFE FORMS DETECTED. MASTER ANAKIN AND FAMILY ARE GONE." Artoo bleeped in reply.
"Oh dear, oh dear. What are we to do? We must help them! Who knows what that dreaded Emperor Palpatine plans to do to them."
"THERE IS ALWAYS SENATOR ORGANA. HE COULD BE OF SOME HELP."
"Perhaps. But we would have to go to the communication center in town. You know how Master Ani was, not wanting a long range communicator in the house."
"IS, GOLDENROD. MASTER ANAKIN IS NOT DEAD YET. NO SPEAKING OF HIM IN PAST TENSE. NOT NOW, ANYWAY." Artoo blipped sharply.
"Hmph. Sentimental bucket. Well, if we are to go call for help, we should do so with great haste. Who knows how long Master Ani, Mistress Padme, Mistress Leia, Master Luke, and Master Kenobi have."
"WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET'S GO."