Chapter 78: Hostage Crisis
A secret shared is a trust formed.
Recap: Despite recent victories in the Outer Rim, criminal minds plot at the very heart of the Republic! The bounty hunter Cad Bane has assembled some of the deadliest criminals in the galaxy and plans a daring attack to seize members of the Senate. What can be the aim of this despicable act?
The bounty hunter Cad Bane was shown flying a speeder through Coruscant. He wasn't alone, he was accompanied by some associates he had rounded up for this assignment, and with the plans he took from R2, the group was about to execute their job.
"Here we go," said Bane to the droids in the speeder as they all ducked down.
"Attention, attention. This is a restricted area. No landing is permitted without permission. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extend of the law." said the voice of the P.A. system as they saw Bane dock.
The bounty hunter got out as the pirate beside him stayed in the passenger seat. Bane was heading to meet with the group of Senate commandos who were coming toward them.
"Put up your hands," said the Senate commando in charge.
"I've got business with the Senate. How 'bout you fellas step aside?" said Bane keeping his head low and pushing his hat up a bit.
"On your knees. Raise your hands, slowly." shouted the Senate commando in charge as the others had their weapons on the bounty hunter.
"Son, I wouldn't be so hasty if I were you," Bane warned the soldiers in front of him.
"Cuff him," said the commando in charge.
One of his men went to do that when out of nowhere, they were shot. It was Aurra Sing as the bounty hunter was snipping from afar. The others all moved and took cover behind something as the shots continued.
"Where's that coming from?!" asked the commando in charge.
"I see the shooter up in the tower. Over there." said one of the commandos as he pointed to the tower Aurra Sing was in.
She fired and then shot the person as she continued to take out the rest. Bane tackled the commando in charge as he had him in a headlock. His other associates got out of the speeder and began to open fire at the rest of the commandos as they were all shot. Bane then twisted the commando he had in a headlock as a snapping sound was heard. Once everything was clear, Bane gave Aurra a signal.
"You two, get these uniforms on and get this platform clear," instructed Bane to some commando droids.
"Base to platform, what was all that? Report." said the commando's comlink.
"Protesters against the war, we've taken care of them," said one of the commando droids as they modified their voice to sound like one of the commando soldiers.
"Finish getting those uniforms on and clear this platform now," said Bane to the droids. "Everybody else, follow me." said the bounty hunter to the rest of his crew.
While the group was heading inside, a few levels above in Senator Amidala's office, certain individuals were having a talk. Padmé was at her deck as she was typing some stuff on her computer. She wasn't alone as her husband and Storm were also present, with the former trying to convince his wife about going on a short vacation to relax.
"Hey, I'm supposed to be on a meditative retreat. We should go away together. I know a place far from here where no one would recognize us. Yeah, it would be like we're actually husband and wife, instead of Senator and Jedi." said Anakin as he got up from lounging in a chair and walked toward his wife.
"Yeah, but keep in mind, Anakin. Who's gotta cover for your ass if you do that!" said Storm as he knew he couldn't divert the Jedi Council for that long without them getting suspicious, at the very least, Obi-wan.
"Storm's right. I... I can't, Annie," said Padmé to her husband.
"What do you mean you can't? It's only two weeks; we'll be back before anyone even notices we're gone," argued Anakin.
"I have to bring this bill before the Senate. It's important," stated Padmé.
"More important than the way you feel about me?" the Jedi Knight countered.
"Not more important, but important. The work I do, the work we both do, is in service to the Republic. To protect those who would otherwise be powerless to protect themselves." said the Senator to her husband as he walked to her other side.
"Of course, but those are ideals. Isn't our love more important to you?" said Anakin.
"But I..." said Padmé before the Jedi Knight cut her off.
"No. No, "but." To me, there's nothing more important than the way I feel about you. Nothing." said the Jedi Knight to his wife.
"Anakin, don't be so -"
"You don't believe me," said Anakin as he cut Padmé off.
"I didn't say -"
"I'll prove it. Just watch. When I finished constructing my lightsaber, Obi-Wan said to me, "Anakin, this weapon is your life." This weapon is my life." said the Jedi Knight as he held his lightsaber in front of his wife.
"No, Anakin, I can't. A Jedi lightsaber is..." said the Senator as her husband put his weapon in her hand. "Wow, it's heavy than I thought." Padmé was surprised to see that the despite being called a lightsaber, it had some weight to it.
"You're not the first one to say that, Padmé? It's not called a lightsaber because of how easy it is to lift it," stated Storm, as many assumed that a Jedi's weapon was easy to pick up.
"It's yours. Believe me now?" said Anakin to his wife.
"I think I should go keep watch," said Storm as he got up and left the room to give the married couple some privacy. Once the teen exited, Padmé sighed as she addressed her husband.
"If all you want to do is make fun of me, I think you should just go," pouted the Senator.
"That's not what I want. Not at all," said Anakin as he lifted his hand to stroke Padmé's cheek.
The Jedi then leaned in as he and Padmé shared a kiss, with the Senator setting his weapon on her desk. At the same time, Bane and his group were making their way to the control room of the building.
"Stop!" shouted the Senate commando guarding the door.
The droids shot the guard as he fell back into the room where the droids inside looked on. Bane and his group showed no mercy to them either as they shot them all dead.
"You know what to do," said Bane to one of his group members, a male Patrolian bounty hunter named Robonino.
"I'll figure it out," replied the Patrolian.
"You better not fail me, bubble brain," warned the bounty hunter.
"Don't worry, I'll have the power out in no time," stated Robonino.
"The rest of you come with me," instructed Bane as the others followed him.
Back in Padmé's office, she and Anakin were still kissing as they heard a banging on the door. Outside, Storm noticed 3P0, Senator Organa, and Rarity heading in his direction. The Jedi Knight did a quick knock as it got Anakin and Padme's attention as they heard some commotion.
"But Senator Organa, it just wouldn't be..." said 3P0's voice.
"Quick, hide!" instructed Padmé to her husband.
"The situation cannot be delayed. Now stand aside," said Senator Organa as the door opened.
"I apologize for my abruptness," said Organa as he addressed Padmé, who had Anakin's lightsaber behind her back. As for the Jedi Knight himself, he was hiding behind his wife's desk.
"Oh, Senator Organa, how good to see you," said Padmé trying to play it off cool.
"Pardon me, Padmé. But why is Storm here?" asked the fashionista.
"Oh, he was... just visiting, is all. He was just leaving when you all barged in," said Padmé before turning her attention back to Organa. "What is it?"
"Senator Filo has called a meeting in the lobby before we vote on the Enhanced Privacy Invasion Bill," said Senator Organa.
"Right, Privacy Invasion Bill," said Padmé while ensuring her husband heard.
"We must hurry if we are to stop the vote," said Senator Organa as he, Rarity, and 3P0 all turned to leave. Padmé turned her head to look over her desk as Anakin saw her. "Coming, Senator Amidala?"
"Of course," said Padmé as she began to walk with her friends.
Once in the hallway, she turned back as Anakin's head peeked out. The Jedi Knight gestured with his eyes for his wife to follow them as she smiled.
"Don't worry, we're about to leave," said Storm as he and Anakin had to get back to the Temple.
"Thanks," smiled Padmé as she left.
Bane and his cronies were sneaking around the halls. They hugged a wall as he began to speak.
"Guard change happens... now," said the bounty hunter as he saw some Senato commandos heading into the barracks. "Here we go." He activated a denotator as it began to tick while he quietly approached the barracks. He then threw the bomb inside as the door shut. He walked away as an explosion occurred that knocked the door down.
"Now let's go talk to some Senators," said the bounty hunter to his crew.
As they were walking, Aurra Sing saw one of the commandos on the floor as he was still alive. He had his hand out to the female bounty hunter.
"Help me," said the man as she pulled out her blaster and aimed it at him.
"No! Aah!" She shot him as she continued on.
In the atrium, all the Senators were starting to arrive to discuss the bill.
"We can not allow the Chancellor to move this Enhanced Privacy Invasion Bill forward," said Senator Organa to the others as they filed in.
"We are all in agreement then," said Senator Philo as he was the one who called the meeting.
"Morning, Senators," said Bane as he entered through one of the doors and fired his blaster into the air. "You should all consider yourselves to be in my power. As long as everybody behaves, this will be quick and painless. Do nothing, and it will all be over soon." The rest of Bane's crew all emerged from the other doors as they had the Senators surrounded.
"I don't know who you think you are, but I for one, have no intention of listening to this kind of insolence," said Senator Philo as he walked past Bane and looked to leave. The bounty hunter then aimed his blaster as he shot the Senator in the back and fell to the floor. Everybody gasped at what they saw.
"All right then. If you all gather at the center of this lovely atrium, my co-workers and I will relieve you of any communication devices," said Bane as he warned all to comply.
"I see five of them here in the room. If we -" said Padmé to Organa.
"What are you going to do? It's not like we carry weapons," said Senator Organa as they were all defenseless.
"Chancellor Palpatine."
"What is it, Senator Orn Free Taa? I think you should see this," said the Senator as he played the messenger for the Chancellor.
"Sorry to bother you, Chancellor, but I've taken control of the east wing of your Senate Building. The occupants are now my hostages. If you care about them, I'd advise you to free Ziro the Hutt from the detention center." said Bane as he appeared via hologram.
"You should know that the Republic does not take kindly to such threats. If you have attempted such a fool-hardy action as to kidnap a Senator, I assure you it will be met with appropriate force," stated Palpatine.
"This ought to do it," snickered Robonino as he pulled a lever that would make the entire place shut down its power.
"What's going on?" said Anakin as he emerged from Padmé's office and was looking to leave with Storm.
"Some kind of blackout," said Storm as all the lights turned off and red.
"Let's find out," gestured Anakin as both Jedi Knights took off.
"I'm in control. I make the rules now," said Bane as he had the whole place locked down.
"Orn Free Taa, help me with this door," said Palpatine to the Senator as they tried to pry it open.
"It's no use, sir. Someone's gotten into the central control panel. They've triggered the security system. The Senate buildings have sealed themselves." replied the Senator.
"This is Chancellor Palpatine. There is an emergency at the Senate Building. Jedi Council, come in. Is anyone there?" said Palpatine as he was looking to contact the Jedi for help.
"That's no use either, sir. They've cut off all communication with the outside," said Senator Orn Free Taa.
"Hand over your communication devices, please," said Bane as he went around to collect them from the Senators.
"I can't let them search me," whispered Padmé to Rarity and Organa.
"What? Why not?" asked Organa.
"I have something they must not find," replied Padmé.
"What is it?" Rarity whispered to her friend.
At that moment, Bane came up to them.
"Well, hello there, little lady. And who might you be?" said Bane as he grabbed ahold of Padmé's face.
"Keep your hands off of her!" said Rarity.
"It's fine, Rarity," said Padmé, as she didn't want her friend to get hurt. "I am Padme Amidala. Senator from Naboo. And I demand that you release us immediately. The Galactic Senate will not treat with terrorists."
Anakin and Storm had heard Padmé as they crouched and walked into the room. They were on the upper balcony of the atrium as they looked down and saw their friends being held captive.
"Ain't you awful young and pretty to be a senator?" said Bane as he looked into Padmé's eyes. Padmé then shifted her focus upwards as she saw her pals. But so did Bane as he followed Padmé's gaze and soon saw the Jedi. He then fired his blaster at them as the pair began to move.
"Skywalker?! After him! And his friend!" shouted Bane as he didn't forget that Storm punched him in the face when they caught him on Naboo.
Some assassin droids and a Weequay pirate named Shahan all began to chase after their targets.
"Hello, come in. Anyone there?" said Anakin as he was hoping to get a response from his comlink but got nothing. The same thing with Storm as he tried earlier.
The pair ran as they turned the corner and saw some assassin droids waiting for them. Anakin looked to reach for his lightsaber but realized he didn't have it. Their pursuers chased the pair as Storm deflected some shots as he and Anakin turned. As they ran, the pair split up. Most of the assassin droids went down the path that Storm turned as Shahan and one of the assassin droids chased after Anakin.
The pair turned the corner as they came to a long hall. They both walked slowly ahead as they scanned the many rooms, thinking the Jedi Knight would be hiding in one of them. As they checked each room, Anakin was shown hiding in one of the rooms at the very end as he peeked his head out to see his chasers. He entered a room with a communications center as he began getting to work. He could hear the pair's footsteps as he didn't have much time. He was now hotwiring his comlink as he hoped to get in touch with the Chancellor.
"This is General Skywalker, Chancellor Palpatine. Can you hear me?" said the Jedi through the transmission.
"My dear boy, I'm glad to know you're there and all right," sighed the Chancellor as he had some stress lifted.
"What is going on down there?" said Anakin.
"I hear it too. Coming from up ahead," said Shahan as he and the droid heard Anakin's voice in the distance.
"They've sealed the entire building. Nobody can get in. And we can not get out." It's up to you and Storm. You have to get to the power control room and turn off the security seal." said Palpatine as Anakin looked to the doorway.
Shahan and the droid entered the room, expecting to see the Jedi, but to their surprise, Anakin was nowhere to be found. The Jedi was hidden behind the communication device as he waved his hand.
"You have two more floors to check," said Anakin using the Jedi mind trick.
"Come on. We've got two more floors to check," said Shahan to the droid as they walked away.
They came to a flight of stairs.
"You take downstairs; I'll go up. We'll meet on the other side," informed Shahan to the assassin droid.
They split up as Anakin was shown, following the droid silently behind. The droid made it to the floor below as it walked forward, scanning the area in front of it. Anakin was creeping up on it as he was about to make his move when his footsteps got a bit loud when he stepped off the stairs. He tackled the droid to the ground as they began to struggle for the gun. Shahan was almost done with his floor upstairs while checking every room.
Anakin and the droid struggled as the robot backed the Jedi against the wall. The Jedi Knight thrust his hand out to use the Force and push the droid back, allowing Anakin to pulverize the droid. Just then, he heard footsteps; he disappeared just in time as Shahan came down the stairs and saw his comrade on the floor. He approached the defeated droid as he saw the head was off, but it looked more like it was yanked rather than sliced.
"No lightsaber cuts. Interesting," said Shahan.
He soon returned to Bane as he and Aurra saw him enter.
"What happened? Where's the droid?" asked Bane.
"The droid's gone, but there's good news. The Jedi's unarmed," said Shanan.
"What?" said Bane.
"It doesn't look like he has his lightsaber."
"And what about his friend?!" asked Bane.
"Don't know; most of the droids went after him," stated Shanan.
"Go, bring them back to me," Bane instructed Aurra as she left with Shanan to track down both Jedi Knights.
Anakin had made it to the control room as he hugged the wall and peeked his head. The door opened as emerging was Robonino, who saw the Jedi Knight,
"Woopsie! Hurry, hurry, hurry!" said Robonino as he pushed the button on the door to open. He managed to slip in just as Anakin was coming at him.
"The lightsaber, I've got it," said Padmé as she showed off the weapon she was hiding in her sleeve to Rarity and Organa.
"What?" said the fashionista.
"Why do you have a Jedi's lightsaber?" asked Senator Organa.
"The question is whether we should try and get it back to Ana... the Jedi Knight. Or use it ourselves," said Padmé as she almost called Anakin by his name rather than his title. A blaster shot went off as Bane fired his weapon to get everyone's attention.
"Everybody quiet. I've got a call to make," said Bane as he began communicating with the Chancellor. His hologram image appeared before Palpatine as he began to lay his demands. "So here's what you're going to do. First, you're going to make a pardon disc; you can give it to your friend there."
"Hmm, me?" said Senator Orn Free Taa.
"My ship will come and pick him up and take him to the prison. Once Ziro has been released and is handed to me, then your associates will be released. Understand?" said the bounty hunter.
"Oh, I do. But I feel it is my duty to warn you that you will end up paying for this outrage," stated Palpatine.
"I can live with that," snickered Bane as he had no care.
"Come on, open the door. I won't hurt you," said Anakin to Robonino inside as he pushed the button, but it wasn't opening.
"Well, well... What have we here?" said Shahan as he found Anakin.
The Jedi Knight turned to look at him as he used the Force to pull the weapon out of his hand. He aimed it at the bounty hunter, who put his hands up. He then dropped down to reveal Aurra was aiming at him with her sniper and fired a shot that knocked the blaster out of Anakin's hand.
"Blast it!" said the Jedi Knight. He then dodged more of Aurra's shots as the door opened behind him, and out came Robonino, who jumped on him and tasered him as down he went.
"Tie your little pet up. We'll bring him to Bane," said Aurra.
While Anakin had been subdued, another Jedi was still being hunted. The group of assassin droids chased after Storm was led on quite a run. They entered a massive room and scanned around to see where the boy was. Storm was shown on the ceiling as he saw his foes enter. The Jedi Knight dropped behind them as they all turned their blasters on him. Storm smiled as he put his hand out and flicked a lever down. All the lights shut off, and nothing but darkness was shown.
Soon a sound was heard; a yellow light pierced through the dark and zipped in and out of frame as red lasers flew all over the place. The lights came on as Storm stood as severed parts of the assassin droids lay by his feet. He then exited the room and went to go find Anakin. He didn't get far; when he turned the corner, he came into contact with Aurra Sing, Robonino, and Shahan, dragging an unconscious Anakin Skywalker. Storm stood his ground as he could take them. Just as he was about to make his move, he was stopped.
"Surrender, or she dies!" said Aurra as she pulled up a hologram of Rarity being held at gunpoint by Bane.
Storm hesitated as he saw his friend in danger. He could see the tears flowing as if she were praying for her life. The boy knew that he couldn't risk Rarity dying.
"Alright," said Storm as he turned off his lightsaber. He tossed it over to Aurra Sing as Robonino approached the boy and put some cuffs on him.
"Here's the pardon disc," said Palpatine as he gave it to Senator Orn Free Taa.
The door to his office opened up as an assassin droid showed up.
"Let's go," said the droid.
"Why do I have to go to the jail for this?" asked Orn Free Taa to Palpatine.
"Move it," ordered the droid.
"Sorry, Senator. But everyone has a job to do," said Palpatine as he saw the Senator being escorted.
The droid had his blaster aimed at the Senator as they headed out of the building and to their speeder.
"Hurry up!" stated the droid to the Senator as it shoved him forward.
They soon got into the speeder as it flew toward the prison. Back inside, Bane heard the door open as Aurra and Shahan were shown dragging Anakin by his feet as he was still unconscious. Behind them was Storm as the boy had his head down. Padmé and the others were shocked to see Anakin unconscious, and that Storm was cuffed. Robonino had taken the boy's lightsaber as he looked to keep it as a trinket or sell it at a later time.
"Young Skywalker. Not so impressive without your lightsaber, are you, Jedi?" taunted Bane. "Toss him in with the others."
They heard Bane's command as they flung Anakin to where the Senators were as Storm joined them.
"Storm?"
"Hey, Rarity. Chuchi," said the boy as he gave a small smile to his friends.
"And you!" said Bane as he got Storm's attention. The bounty hunter reeled his hand back and punched the teen straight as he fell to the floor. "Don't think I forgot what you did to me? Consider that payback!"
Bane laughed as Storm could feel his anger boiling. The Jedi Knight quickly got up and, as hard as he could, reeled his head back and delivered a massive headbutt to the bounty hunter as it sent him flying along the floor with his hat coming off. Everyone was surprised as Storm managed to make Bane go down like a ton of bricks, while his hands were tied.
"I don't take shit from anybody, bitch!" growled Storm as the rest turned their guns on him and the hostages.
"Storm, please!" said Chuchi as she put her hands on him.
"Calm down. Now's not the time for you to play the hero," pleaded Rarity as she, too, put her hands on him.
Both girls managed to quell the Jedi Knight's anger as Bane got up. The bounty hunter spat out a tooth that came loose when Storm made contact with the headbutt. He then picked up his hat and dusted it off while Padmé tended to her husband to see if he was okay.
"3D, are we on schedule?" asked Bane through his comlink.
"Arriving at the prison now," said the droid as they were about to dock.
Clones were stationed along the entrance as they were informed to not engage. All they could do was comply with the bounty hunters as they had to let Ziro the Hutt be set free. The droid aimed his sniper rifle at the Senator as they got out of the speeder.
"Unlock the doors," said the clone in charge as he had no choice.
"Oh, it's so bright out here! Why couldn't they do this at night when it's cooler?" said Ziro as he was escorted out of prison.
Back at the Senate building...
"Go and get the parting gifts," said Bane to his crew. They knew what he meant as they began to put laser-triggered bombs around the room.
"Oh, look at Senator Orn Free Taa. He looks so unhappy. Now get me as far away from Coruscant as possible! Now!" demanded Ziro to the droid as he wanted to leave this wrenched planet.
"Well, Mr. Chancellor, thanks to your calm leadership, the crisis has passed. I got what I want, so I'll return your Senate and your Senators. Enjoy them, but don't try anything until the sun has set. Understand?" said Bane.
"We are to rendezvous back at the Senate Building," informed the droid to Ziro the Hutt.
"What?! No, no, no, no! The Outer Rim, not the Senate, you stupid machine! I don't want to go to the Senate!" complained Ziro as they flew off into the distance.
"We need to get to the landing platform. Is everything ready?" asked Bane.
"Yep, yep," replied Bane.
"Turn on the field. If you so much as breathe on one of these lasers, the whole room will blow up," stated Bane as Storm quickly grabbed Chuchi and pulled her in to avoid touching a laser when it came on. "Senators, Jedi, I bid you all the most respectful farewell. Let's go."
They all left as Storm growled, seeing that his lightsaber was gone forever. Padmé quickly got to Anakin's side as she checked on her husband to ensure he was alright.
At that moment, clone gunships were shown heading to the Senate building. They landed as the clones got out. Palpatine was in his office when the window behind him shattered as clones came in and breached.
"All clear! Sir, are you all right?" asked Commander Fox.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," replied Palpatine.
"Mission accomplished, sir. The Chancellor is safe," said Commander Fox over the comlink to Senator Orn Free Taa, who told the clones to stop the bounty hunters.
Well done, trooper," sighed the Senator.
Bane and his crew were exiting the Senate as the clones got out of their gunships and lined up with blasters aimed at them. Bane then turned on his communications device as Palpatine was contacting him.
"You were foolish to think you could get away with this, bounty hunter? Now lay down your arms and come quietly," demanded Palpatine.
"No, Chancellor. I am afraid it is you who have been foolish with your Senators' lives. One false move and the east wing of the Senate Building goes up in smoke." said Bane.
"Please, Annie, wake up," pleaded Padmé to her husband.
"You win, bounty hunter," said Palpatine as the transmission ended.
"Holster!" shouted Bane as he had his finger over the button, ready to blow up the bombs remotely.
"Stand down," said the clone in charge.
They all put their weapons down as the bounty hunters walked ahead with the biggest sinister smiles. Inside, Anakin started coming around as he saw Padmé before him.
"What are you looking so sad about?" said the Jedi Knight. He brought his hand up to cusp Padmé, but she put it down as they had to remain professional since it wasn't just them.
"The bounty hunter said we should just sit here. I think we should just sit here," said one of the Senators as Padmé helped Anakin to his feet.
"Well, that's not a very good idea," said Storm.
The bounty hunters approached the end of the platform as their ride appeared. Ziro was in the back, surprised to see who had set him free.
"Come on. Let's get going," said Bane as everyone got onboard while he rode on the top.
"Too bad I don't have my lightsaber," said Anakin.
"You mean this?" said Padmé as she pulled out her husband's weapon and played it off. "I found it where you dropped it. Now, quickly, we don't have much time."
"If only I had my lightsaber," said Storm. "I wish I had it in the palm of my hand!"
Soon something happened. Storm's pendant that Twilight gave him glowed. Soon the boy got his lightsaber back; as it materialized in his hand in a flash of light. Everyone was surprised by what they saw.
"How did you do that?" said Chuchi.
"I... I don't know. But I'm not complaining!" said Storm as he quickly cut his cuffs off as Padmé did the same for Anakin.
At the same time, someone else noticed it.
"AH!" shouted Robonino.
"What's the matter?!" asked Aurra.
"The boy's lightsaber, it's gone! It's as if it's disappeared like... magic..." said the bounty hunter.
"That's impossible. Magic doesn't exist!" said Aurra as she wasn't buying the excuse.
However, it was no excuse. Just as Twilight had experienced shooting out some magic beams. Unaware to the boy, some kind of power rested in him that allowed him to call his weapon to appear in his hand whenever he couldn't get to it using the Force.
"Now, quickly, we don't have much time!" said Anakin to everyone as he and Storm had to work fast. The pair stabbed their lightsabers into the ground and began to circle around them and the Senators.
"Well, Hutt, it doesn't look like prison had too adverse an effect on you," said Bane.
"Ooh, you can't imagine the unspeakable things I've suffered! The horror! I doubt I'll ever really recover!" said Ziro as he played it all up in an over-the-top dramatic voice.
"How about some dead Senators as payback?" asked Bane with a smile as he pushed the button.
The bombs were now going off remotely as they began to get louder. Storm and Anakin were nearing the end of their circle as they made the final cut and connected. Their small circle platform dropped down to the level below them just as the bombs went off. Everybody crashed onto the floor, especially Storm, who had Rarity and Chuchi as the two girls fall on his back. Bane and his crew had made their escape when all the Senators started to get up, with Anakin extending his hand to help his wife up.
"You girls, okay?" said Storm as he got up and sat on the piece of the circle they cut.
"We're good," said Chuchi.
"Thanks for coming to our aid, Storm," said Rarity.
The boy gave a thumbs up as he clutched his side.
"Another daring rescue, Master Jedi," said Padmé to her husband.
"I do my best, Senator," responded Anakin.
"Congratulations on a job well done, bounty hunter," said Ziro.
"Time to pay up, Hutt. I don't work for free," stated Bane.
"Oh," groaned Ziro as he rolled his eyes.
They were heading off into the distance. Once Anakin and Storm ensured Padmé and their friends were safe, they headed to the Jedi Temple, where they informed everyone of what went down. Safe to say, the Jedi Council was put on high alert as it seemed a dangerous criminal was now on the loose, once again.
Author's Note: And so we now have an escaped convict on the loose. Not to mention that it seems Storm has some kind of power that has been awoken in him, unlike Twilight who has a connection with one of the Elements of Harmony. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts.