Chapter Five:

Reunions of Heroes on Tatooine

As the ship traveled through hyperspace, Ahsoka was still looking through the supplies for something she could use to help Stinky, whom Barry brought into the back with Ahsoka. She found a button, with which a hologram of a medical droid appeared. "Looks like this hasn't been used in a while,"

"Make sense, since droids probably had been using this ship."

The droid started mumbling in words they couldn't understand.

"Hey, Dr. Droid, can you hear me?"

"Yes. What seems to be the problem?"

"Great. I've got a sick Huttlet," she gestured to the small patient, "You got a remedy?"

The holo-droid bent over the small Hutt as the sensor light went over it, "Oh, yes. I see."

It gestured to the cabinet behind them which opened to reveal a pair of containers, "You must dispense one of these medical boosters into the infant's mouth."

Ahsoka pulled out a metal vial, as the droid continued, "If you have any problems, please call an actual doctor to assist you."

The droid's image vanished, as Ahsoka pulled out a pill from it, as Barry watched, "I hope this works."

"Me too, one of my friends is a doctor. Though this might not be in her fields, as we only treat humans on my homeworld. We very rarely have aliens. And even then, the only friendly aliens are Kryptonians, the rest are usually the invading kind. We actually dealt with the latter before I came here."

Ahsoka nodded, before turning to the little Hutt, "Okay, sweetgums. I've got some yum-yum for you."

She picked him up, and he resisted before Ahsoka put it in his mouth, "You'll take it and like it!"

Afterwards, the little Hutt let out a foul-smelling belch, much to the pair's disgust.

"There you go. Good boy," She covered her nose from the smell.

Barry covered his bottom face, muttering, "I think I'll check on how Anakin is doing."

He backed away from them, trying not to gag, to get away from the smell.

Barry went into the cockpit, as Anakin turned at his approach as he worked on an upper panel, "How's the kid?"

"I think we found something for him," he sat in the passenger's seat, "hopefully, it hasn't passed its expiration date yet."

Just then, Ahsoka entered the cockpit, carrying the little guy to a table nearby.

She felt his forehead, and smiled, "The medicine, it's working! His fever broke. I think he's going to live to stink another day."

Her new master and friend both smiled, as she moved closer to the seats.

"Great. Keeping him alive wasn't as easy as you'd hope, was it?" Anakin picked a tool from Artoo.

"Master, if you have taught me one thing, it's that nothing is easy when you are around."

She approached the pilot's seat and lent against it, "You think Rex and Master Obi-Wan made it out okay?"

Barry shrugged, "Sure, I've fought with them. If anyone can get through worse situations, it'd be Obi-Wan."

Anakin agreed, "If I know my old master, he has things well in hand. Now help me with this."

Barry stood up from the seat, "I'm not the engineer my best friend Cisco is, or that you are, but I know how to tinker."

Anakin gestured at Artoo to give him what looked like a wrench tool, which Barry took, and Anakin pointed at a lower panel, which Barry knelt at.

"I want the primary systems fully repaired by the time we reach Tatooine."

Ahsoka reached down and picked up another tool to hand it to him, "You grew up on Tatooine, right? So, for you, this trip is like going home."

"Yeah…home," Ahsoka might not have seen it, but Barry did. He saw the look in his eyes, in his tone.

Barry knew right then that Anakin had experienced a lot of pain, and right now, he seemed to be bottling it up. Which, Barry knew, wasn't good for him.

His new friend, he knew, has the same kind of loss Barry did.

And he could only hope that he could help Anakin find a valve for it…before that bottle erupted.

Scene break

In the palace room, they were receiving a transmission from Ventress, which J'onn eavesdropped on.

"The Republic had too many clone troopers, my lord," Ventress reported, "By the time we were able to find Jabba's son, Skywalker had already killed him."

J'onn knew they were lying. He didn't need his telepathy to confirm it. And his fists tightened, desiring to grab Dooku and expose him for the scum he was, but not yet. It was a violate situation, and he didn't want to worsen it, not until Barry and the Jedi made it with the child. But once they did, J'onn would reveal himself and express his displeasure at his deceit.

Luckily for Dooku, J'onn had centuries to learn patience, to bide his time. He would wait.

Jabba's reaction was sadly predictable.

"Most unfortunate," Dooku put on a very convincing act, "This is a very unexpected turn of events. I take it you at least defeated the Jedi?"

"No, Master. The Jedi escaped and are headed to Tatooine."

"I'm sure you did the best you could. We will discuss your failure later."

J'onn didn't miss the threat in his tone, and neither did Ventress, it seemed.

"Yes, my master," Ventress bowed, ending the transmission.

Jabba snarled in Huttese, which his ever-present droid translated, "Glorious Jabba demands to know why the Jedi would dare come to Tatooine."

"To kill you, Jabba. The Jedi plot is quite clear now. They only promised to rescue your son to win your trust. Now Skywalker is…"

J'onn has had enough. While he didn't want to risk exposing himself yet, he could at least send a message, in the form of a migraine.

He saw Dooku rubbing his forehead, before his eyes darted around the room. He knew now that he was being watched…and that someone was not happy with him and his deception.

Dooku knew this before he turned to Jabba, "Forgive me, almighty Jabba. I was…collecting my thoughts. As I was saying, Skywalker's true mission is to wipe the entire Hutt clan."

Jabba roared furiously, as Dooku continued, "If it pleases you, mighty Jabba, this time I will deal with Skywalker personally," he said this as a pair of commando droids approached, their staffs at the ready.

And I will deal with you, as well, J'onn received the thought from Dooku, Whoever you are, wherever you are.

J'onn stayed silent, his centuries of experience keeping him shielded from Dooku's probing.

He managed to stifle the urge to smile predatorily. Dooku was in for a surprise himself when his friend arrived.

Scene break

The ship finally exited hyperspace, and they saw the desert planet in their approach.

"Wow, that definitely looks like a giant dust ball," Barry observed.

Anakin had to agree, "I was hoping I'd never have to lay eyes on it again."

Ahsoka heard the pain in his voice, as she was unable to stop herself, "Okay. What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it. How's Stinky holding up?"

Ahsoka and Barry looked back at the slumbering Huttlet, as the former said, "He seems to be feeling much better. His fever is gone. Even you have to admit he's cute when he's asleep."

"I admit I like him better when he's quiet, but only a little," he smirked.

Just then Artoo beeped at Anakin, and Barry knew he needed to learn binary so he could understand the little guy better.

"No, Artoo. I want the cannon operational first. Leave the rear deflector shields for later."

Ahsoka was concerned, "No rear shields, Master? That's awful risky."

"A strong attack eliminates the need for defense, Snips."

Barry frowned at that kind of attitude. Whatever had happened to him on Tatooine obviously gave him opinions on warfare, Barry wasn't sure he agreed with. Then again, he wasn't a soldier, so he didn't know much about it.

Just then an alarm went off, as Ahsoka looked at the screen in front of her, "Attack ships closing!"

Just then, they were being fired upon, by red blasts.

"Someone doesn't want Stinky to get home in one piece."

Just then the vultures scored a direct hit on them, and they lurched on the controls, Barry holding on the seats for dear life.

"Wow! Quite a welcome home party!"

Artoo beeping frantically at Anakin who ordered, "Set the approach vector and make ready to land."

He pushed a lever, gunning the ship, as they flew closer to the planet.

As Artoo beeped again, Anakin turned to his padawan, "Ahsoka, activate the guns!"

Ahsoka pushed the button to do just that, but… "All the guns are locked in the forward positions. It's too bad you decided not to repair the rear deflector shields," she finished with a smug smile.

Barry had to cover his mouth to prevent his laughter, even in this situation, as Anakin scowled at both of them. "Not now, Ahsoka!"

Anakin piloted the ship to avoid the incoming fire, as he turned to the astromech, "Artoo, see if you can unlock those guns!"

Artoo moved to the plug-in, as Ahsoka teasingly commented, "Sometimes a good defense is the best offense."

Annoyed, Anakin turned to her, "Why don't you go secure your little Huttlet friend?"

Barry chuckled, as he turned to pick Stinky up, "I got it."

Ahsoka turned to Anakin, "None of us are secure with you flying!"

Barry gave the little baby to Ahsoka, as Anakin shouted, "Hang on, both of you!" He pulled the ship up, just as Barry fell against the wall, "Whoa!"

Anakin's insane stunts caused Stinky to cry in Ahsoka's arms, "Great! You woke the baby!"

"Little busy here!" He maneuvered the ship, just as one of the fighters came at him.

He narrowed his eyes, just as the fighter fired at them. He pressed the button on his controls, and fired on the fighter, which exploded.

"Got one of them!"

"What about the other one?" Ahsoka asked.

"One thing at a time!"

Just then, they felt the ship shuddering, as the fighter hit a part on it.

"I think we needed those rear shields after all," Anakin had to admit it.

Ahsoka yelled from her seat, "I told you so!" as she kept a tighter grip on Stinky, as Barry crawled on the floor, but slid down, as Anakin kept turning the ship right, left, and down.

"Artoo, turn those guns around!"

He yelled again, as he moved the ship forward, Barry had to push the little droid toward the plug-in.

The little droid plugged in, and he finally turned the guns around, which fired at the fighter.

Anakin encouraged his little friend, "Get him, Artoo!"

Just then, they finally scored a direct hit on the fighter.

"Good shot, buddy! You've been holding out on me."

Artoo's response was an excited beep, swirling his dome, and pulling out his antenna.

Barry had to agree with his reaction, but they weren't out of this yet.

"Ahsoka, strap in, you too, Allen."

"You've got that 'we're in trouble' look," Ahsoka commented as she did what he said.

"There's a look?" Anakin asked despite the situation they were in.

"You can't miss it." Ahsoka smirked as Stinky cooed affirmatively, with Barry laughing.

"Very funny, Snips," Anakin said, as he pressed the transmission button, "Obi-Wan, come in! Do you copy?"

The Jedi Master's image appeared in front of them, "Kenobi, here. Anakin, have you reached Tatooine yet?"

"Almost, but we ran into some old—"

Obi-Wan cut him off, "Anakin, did you get shot down again?"

Barry mouthed "again?" to Ahsoka who shrugged, then spoke out, "Yes!"

"This ship is too slow," Anakin scowled at Ahsoka, "I haven't had time to modify it yet."

Ahsoka gave him a disbelieving look, then rolled her eyes.

I'm still cleaning up your other mess, but I'll get there."

Kenobi disconnected, as Anakin turned to his friends, "So much for reinforcements."

The junker continued its rapid descent.

"Hang on, this landing could get a little rough," the Jedi Knight said as the ship entered the atmosphere.

"Crashes are rough," Ahsoka disagreed, "Landings are not."

"Then it's a crash landing."

The ship went down to a sea of dunes, the sand cushioning its fall as it landed.

Scene break

Dooku stood again before the crime lord, "Mighty Jabba, my battle droids have shot down Skywalker's ship.

Jabba's droid replied, "Jabba will send out his bounty hunters to see that he is dead."

Dooku bowed, "Allow me. I have much more experience dealing with Jedi."

J'onn, who had been listening, knew it was time to act. He moved deeper into the shadows.

Scene break

Palpatine was listening in on Obi-Wan Kenobi's transmission in his office, as he reported to Master Yoda, who was seated in front of his desk.

"Anakin has reached Tatooine with the Huttlet, Master, but he's still in grave danger. Separatist troops are desperate to intercept him. I think this whole plot was engineered by Dooku to convince Jabba we kidnapped his son."

"If believe this, the Hutts do, ended will our chance of a treaty with them be."

Obi-Wan nodded, as Palpatine emotionlessly watched on, as the diminutive green fool continued, "Join Dooku and the Separatists, Jabba will, yes."

He put on an alarmed face, "That would be a disaster. We must have this alliance with the Hutts if we are to win the war in the Outer Rim."

"In Skywalker is the Republic's only hope. Return Jabba's son, he must."

"Anakin's experience with the Hutts should help," Kenobi interjected, "He'll come through."

The transmission ended, as the doors opened to allow Senator Padme Amidala entry.

Palpatine turned to Yoda, "Please, excuse me, Master Yoda. I must return to the grand adventure of politics."

He raised from his desk, as Yoda hopped off his seat, and they walked to meet her.

"Greetings, Senator Amidala," Yoda smiled.

"Master Yoda. So good to see you," Padme smiled back.

"Good, it is, to see you, Senator," Yoda returned, as he took his leave.

"Padme. We were to discuss—" Palpatine began

"The new security measures you put in effect on Naboo," Amidala finished for him, "My security chief tells me there are several new battles in the Outer Rim."

The Chancellor nodded, "Including a small skirmish with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin."

As Palpatine knew, Padme was immediately concerned about her secret husband. He chuckled inwardly, they were foolish if they thought to hide their marriage from the public. But Palpatine was aware of it from the very beginning. It was information that was very useful to the secret Sith Lord.

"Anakin? Is he in danger?"

"I'm afraid the Jedi's efforts to strike a secret treaty with the Hutts have gone terribly wrong. Jabba believes Anakin has abducted his infant son."

"A Jedi would never do such a thing! Perhaps I can get that treaty signed. I will go to the Hutts and convince them of Anakin's innocence, as a representative of the Senate, of course."

She turned to leave, but Palpatine put on his concerned expression, "That is very courageous of you, Senator, but far too dangerous. Besides, we've attempted to contact Jabba, he won't accept communication from us."

"Jabba the Hutt has an uncle in the old downtown area here on Coruscant. Perhaps I can reason with him and reopen negotiations."

Palpatine kept up the act, "Please, my dear, I beg you, reconsider this."

"Don't worry, Chancellor, I've dealt with far worse than the Hutts."

Oh, if only you knew, you foolish little girl, was his sinister thought. It didn't really matter whether the Jedi would succeed or fail, as long as they kept the war going. And this latest plot would move the Sith one move closer to the Grand Plan's fulfillment. This girl's death could help move the boy Anakin Skywalker closer to his destiny as the apprentice of Darth Sidious. Dooku was a fool if he thought to remain as his apprentice. He was merely a placeholder until his truly powerful choice for an apprentice.

He said aloud, "Do take care, Senator. The Hutts are vile gangsters."

As she departed the office, Palpatine smiled evilly.

Scene break

The dock door opened, as the trio exited, Ahsoka put a hand to her forehead, covering her eyes from the bright binary suns burning down, she looked down at the Huttlet in her arms, "Welcome home, Stinky."

Anakin walked across the dock, with Barry following, "Jabba's palace is on the far side of the Dune Sea."

Barry covered his eyes, "Huh, fitting name. I can't see anything but dunes out here."

Anakin knelt, allowing Ahsoka to put Stinky in the backpack, "We'd better hurry if we're gonna make it by morning."

Flash looked at them, "I could get us there faster than that, Anakin."

"I know," Anakin said, "But Dooku may have other surprises for us, and besides, I want to be a tempting target for him, if he comes personally. It would be great if we could end the war right now, by capturing Dooku."

Barry nodded, "So it's a lot of walking."

"Yup, besides, the speeds you run in; you could cause a lot of sand to kick up. We'd be blind, if we did that."

Barry had to admit Anakin had a point. "All right, let's go."

Anakin jumped down, using the Force. Behind him, Barry used his speed to jump ahead of him, and landed.

Stinky whimpered, wanting Ahsoka with him. She smiled at him, "I'm coming," before jumping down to join her friends.

Artoo beeped nervously, looking at the sand.

They turned with Ahsoka saying, "Oh, Artooie, it's just endless tracts of gritty, abrasive sand. I'll clean your servos later. Come on."

After a moment, Artoo reluctantly activated his boosters and floated down to the trio.

Barry smiled, "Come on, little guy, it'll be all right," he said to the droid, as they started their long trek across the Dune Sea.

Behind them, Barry saw weird little guys in robes approaching the ship, "Hey, Anaki, who are those guys going to the ship?"

Anakin turned back to see them, "Jawas. They're thieving scavengers. They can steal the armor off a Mandalorian wearing it, while he's down. They'd catch droids or scraps. They can often con people into buying their goods, which aren't all that good. Most people here on Tatooine don't have a choice to buy their stolen stuff, because of poverty."

Barry looked back at them, seeing them looking at him especially, or more likely his suit.

"Well, they're gonna have a hard time stealing anything off me," Barry smirked, which Anakin shared.

"Yeah, I'd bet. Come on. Long way to go."

Scene break

A hooded woman was nursing her drink in Ziro's bar, her alert eyes darting around, listening to the music, and the conversation between the huge slug named Ziro, and what appeared to be a weird robot with a weird head. They called those robots droids, it seemed.

"O exalted majesty," the droid greeted.

"What is it, Kronos-327?"

"My mission to the twelfth moon of Yout has failed."

Ziro laughed boisterously at that, "After all these years, my most trusted of assassins has finally failed."

"O Ziro the Hutt, master of the Hutt clan on seven systems, I am sorry, your highness. It will not happen again."

"I know. Take him away and use him for spare parts!"

The droid named Kronos protested uselessly as others of his kind dragged him away from the bar.

This Ziro guy was a piece of work, the hooded woman could tell. Quite an impressive resume, though.

The other customers looked back to see the droid being taken away, then all went back to their business, as if nothing had happened, especially when the band upped their playing.

Just then, she saw a woman in white, her face in covering, but the woman could see her eyes. Intense eyes.

She watched the droid escort her to Ziro, "Your majesty, you have an important visitor."

The woman in white uncovered her face, "Greetings, Ziro. I am Senator Amidala of the Galactic Congress."

The unseen woman raised an eyebrow at that. Since her arrival here, she'd managed to catch herself up on stuff, if she wanted to get anywhere.

"A senator? In this neighborhood?"

Ziro looked intrigued, she could tell. So was she, if she could admit that.

Ziro blew smoke in the senator's direction, which she waved away, "I know that you are the uncle of Jabba the Hutt of Tatooine. I come to ask a favor of you."

"A favor? Hmm?"

"There has been a grave misunderstanding between Jabba and the Order of the Jedi."

"How may I serve you, Senator?"

"I was hoping you and I could resolve this dispute and broker a treaty between the Republic and the great clan of the Hutts."

The woman nearly snorted at that. She had to hand it to this senator. She knew how to flatter that kind of people. She was a politician after all.

"A treaty? A treaty? A treaty is impossible. My nephew Jabba's son has been kidnapped by your Republic Jedi scum."

The senator tried reasoning with the big slug, but the woman knew his kind, even on Earth. He's not someone to be reasoned with.

"But, sir, there's been a misunderstanding."

"There is no misunderstanding," Ziro snarled out.

"It is the Jedi who have rescued his son. If you can put me in touch with Jabba, I am confident I can convince him of the truth."

"No! no more discussion. Escort her out!"

"Please, Ziro! Your nephew Jabba is in danger. You're being deceived."

The woman narrowed her eyes, from the big slug's reactions, Amidala was mistaken about who's being deceived.

"I said throw her out."

The woman watched as the droid forcibly pushed her towards the exit.

She thought about following her, but she needed more information, to get the proof for this woman.

Kate Kane had met a lot of politicians on Earth in her time, but she was sure that this Amidala woman was one of the good ones.

Scene break

Barry wiped his forehead, his suit soaked with sweat. Even his metabolism and rapid healing didn't protect him from the heat of the suns. Plural.

"I think Earth is lucky to have only one sun. Now I know I can't stand two suns."

They came across a giant skeleton, probably from a long time ago, whenever that was.

"Master Yoda has a saying; 'Old sins cast long shadows. Do you know what he means by that?"

"He means your past can ruin your future if you allow it. But you forget it was Master Skywalker who said, 'I don't want to talk about my past.'"

Barry laid a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him. He shook his head, knowing that Anakin wasn't ready to talk about whatever happened there. He knew he lost someone here. An experience Barry knew all too well.

Ahsoka sighed, letting it go for now, "Okay, Speedboy, you never explained, what is the Speed Force?"

Barry smiled, happy to have a good topic, "Like I said, it's the source of my powers. It lets me do what I'm able to do. It's an extradimensional energy of what's called dark matter on Earth. Up until five years ago, it was theoretical. I got my powers when a particle accelerator exploded and unleashed dark matter all over the city—Central City, my home on Earth. At the time, there was a storm brewing. And I was working in my lab. A bolt of lightning hit me and put me in a coma for nine months. When I woke up, I suddenly had super speed."

He held up a vibrating hand to demonstrate, "But the Speed Force wasn't created from it, from what I've been able to find out. It allows me and people like me to have super speed, but there's more to it. There's some kind of a purgatory there, too. I helped send a murderous speedster named Zoom to it. He later became its enforcer, apparently."

Anakin turned back to look at Barry, "Enforcer? You mean this Speed Force is sentient?"

"Kind of, yeah. Its avatar took the image of my mother. To ease things, I guess."

Ahsoka was confused, "Why would it look like your mother?"

"Because she died when I was very young, Ahsoka. She was murdered."

Ahsoka's eyes widened, "Uh, I'm so sorry, Barry."

He shrugged, "It's okay. I made peace with that kind of pain a long time ago."

Anakin turned back, hiding his features. He envied Barry. He never got over his own mother's himself.

Scene break

As the droid escorted Padme to the lift, she looked at the blaster in its hands. Then she made her move, pushing the droid, causing it to drop its weapon. She squeezed through the bars, before the droid grabbed her cloak. She ripped it off, as the lift went down.

She ran back to the bar room, and snuck into the room, as Ziro is in communications…with Count Dooku.

Of course, Padme thought, as she inched closer to listen.

"Your plot is coming apart, Count Dooku! A senator from the Republic was here. What if she found out I helped you kidnap Jabba's son?"

"Don't worry, I have convinced Jabba that the Jedi have murdered his son and are on their way to kill him."

Ziro's eyes widened at that, "Jabba wil slay the Jedi on sight!"

Dooku nodded, "Then the mighty Jedi Order will be forced to bring Jabba to justice, and you, my friend, will be left to take control of all the Hutt clans."

Padme narrowed her eyes as Ziro responded, "Then the plot against my nephew Jabba has succeeded. But what about this meddling senator?"

"If she continues her investigation, have her meet with an accident with extreme prejudice."

She widened her eyes at that and snuck back as Dooku continued his plotting.

"I will have someone in the Senate cover it up."

Padme backed up… only to meet the legs of a droid. She stood up and pulled out her blaster and shot it down, only to be grabbed from behind.

She was shoved down in front of Ziro and the hologram of Count Dooku.

She rose her head to glare at the pair, looking at her old enemy first, "Count Dooku. So, the poisonous traitor rears his ugly head once again."

"I'm equally delighted to remake your acquaintance, Senator Amidala, isn't it?"

"I was just leaving," she turned only to be stopped by the droid that pushed her before.

"I'm sorry, that cannot be permitted now. Ziro, this particular senator is extremely valuable to my Separatist allies. They will pay a handsome price for her."

The greedy look on the Hutt's face was unmistakable, "I like the sound of that. Take her to the dungeon!"

Padme glared at the gangster, as the droid dragged her away, "You will regret this, Ziro!"

"No, I think I will become rich with this!" the purple Hutt laughed mockingly, before turning to the hologram, "Thank you, Count Dooku. This has been a most profitable alliance."

"I will contact you when the Huttlet has been disposed of, your high master of the Hutts."

And the transmission ended.

But Ziro was unaware of a pair of eyes glaring at him from the shadows.

As much as Batwoman would have loved to beat the crap out of this overgrown worm, she had work to do.

She retreated into the shadows.

Scene break

Dooku was putting his holodisk away, just as one of the droids in his service approached, "Count Dooku, we have picked up four life forms crossing the desert. One is a very young Huttlet."

Dooku grinned, "Skywalker," he turned to the commando droids, "You will remain here should either Jedi or this 'Flash' arrive. I will deal with them myself."

He walked to a waiting speeder.

Scene break

The suns were just then setting as the trio continued their trek.

Just then they stopped, with Ahsoka observing, "We're not alone."

Anakin narrowed his eyes, "I sense it, too. It's the dark side of the Force."

Even Stinky seemed to sense it himself from his place in Anakin's backpack, as he pulled down the covering.

"Whatever it is, it's coming for the Hutt. Time to split up."

"We'll face it together, Master," Ahsoka objected, but Barry put a hand on her left shoulder, having guessed what Anakin had in mind.

"No, Ahsoka, I think I know what Anakin is thinking. The Hutt is more important."

Anakin nodded, "I have a far more important mission for you involving him, Snips."

Ahsoka looked conflicted, but eventually nodded, knowing that they were right.

"What do you want me to do."

Both Anakin and Barry smiled.

Scene break

As Padme was escorted to her cell, the droid put her effects on the table nearly.

Just then, they heard a beeping sound from the holodisk.

They approached the disc, as Padme shouted, "Don't touch that! Whatever you do, keep away from it. Please, I beg you. Don't turn that on."

One of the B-1 droids said, "Could be dangerous. I better check it out."

It pressed the disc, and the image of her droid friend, C-3PO, appeared, "At last, you answered! Oh, I've been so worried."

Just then Threepio noticed them, "Wait! Who are you? You're not Mistress Padme!"

Padme called out, "Threepio, get help! I'm being held by Ziro the Hutt!"

Just the droid that escorted her to the cell approached the disc, just as Threepio realized it, "You're in trouble! I knew it! Wait, wait!"

The droid was about to smash it, when suddenly it felt an impact, on its torso. It looked down at an odd shaped red device emblemed in it, and it was beeping loudly. Then suddenly it exploded.

The remaining droids reacted in surprise, just as a silhouette emerged from the shadows, smacking the first against the wall, causing it to drop the blaster.

Padme and the standing droid were shocked to see a masked woman dressed in black, and a red wig, and a cape, wielding a staff.

The droids came at the newcomer, and she twisted her staff, smashing against the first one's head, knocking it off. It walked off, missing its head, before going down, as the masked woman focused on the second, her staff pressed against it. She pressed a button on the staff, which shocked the droid, then she kicked its head off.

She then approached the cell, looking at the senator, who didn't know what to make of her. "Don't worry, I'm here to help."

Padme was partially skeptical, as the masked woman in a wig opened the cell, "Come on, it won't take long for Ziro to find out what's going on."

Padme exited the cell, heading for the table with her effects, "Who are you?"

"I'm Batwoman. What that means is, I'm a friend. Now c'mon, we should get out of here."

Padme disagreed, "I can't leave. Ziro might get away. And we need him to help the Jedi."

She picked up the still active disc, with the image of Threepio looking at her, "Oh, my, thank the Maker! I'm so glad you're all right, Mistress Padme."

"Thank you, Threepio, please get in touch with the Coruscant Guard, and tell Commander Fox what I told you, and tell them to hurry."

"Of course, madam, but what are you going to do?"

Padme looked at her new rescuer, "I'm going to keep Ziro here until help comes."

She deactivated the holodisk, before turning to her new ally, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go"

As the senator turned to walk away, she missed the smirk the masked woman was displaying, as she followed her.

Scene break

It was nighttime, and Barry marveled at the sight of three moons in the sky, "That's a new one. Earth only has one moon."

Anakin smirked, "So seeing more than one moon is a new experience for you, Speedboy."

Barry nodded, "So how long do you think it'd be before we get ambushed?"

Just then, they saw a cloaked old man traveling on an air-bike."

"I'd say not that long," Anakin glared.

The cloaked man moved off the bike, as Anakin and Barry stood tense, the latter's mask reforming.

The Jedi Knight pulled out his lightsaber, igniting it.

"Ah, Skywalker, I suspected I'd find you among the dunes." The old man smirked beneath his hood before turning to look at Barry, "And you must be the so-called 'Flash' I've been hearing so much about it. You have had quite an impact on the Force, it seems."

"Yeah, I've been getting that."

The old man smiled, "I am Count Dooku, head of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and you hold much intrigue, sir. I would like to extend an offer to join my cause. Your speeds could be useful."

Barry pretended to think for a second, before replying, "Sorry, I don't make friends with child-kidnappers."

Dooku frowned, "So be it. Surrender the Huttlet or die, Skywalker."

Just then, much to Barry's shock, the older man began firing lightning from his fingers, and Anakin managed to deflect it with his lightsaber, "You didn't tell me he could do that!"

Anakin only grunted in effort, continuing to deflect the incoming lightning, before Dooku stopped the assault, and he pulled out his own curved lightsaber, which ignited with a red blade of light.

He moved into a defensive position, and the Force-users charged at each other, their lightsaber meeting.

They dueled and parried for a few moments, "Your training has come a long way, boy."

Anakin glared at him, pushing him off.

Barry was watching the duel with widened eyes. He'd never seen anything like this, and Anakin seemed to be moving more aggressively, probably because of his painful connection to this planet.

"Now I remember," Dooku said tauntingly, "This was your home planet, wasn't it? I sense your strong feelings. Feelings of pain, loss."

Anakin then used the force to shove the sand around them on Dooku, who blocked it. Then he used his own abilities to push the sand back at Anakin, who couldn't defend him before it pushed him off his feet.

His lightsaber landed a few feet, and Barry could see Dooku jumping up, about to kill Anakin.

Barry decided he couldn't stand by, so before the old man knew what was happening, the Flash leaped at him and punched him away from Anakin.

Dooku shook his head, glaring at the interloper for daring to stand between him and his kill.

Growling, he raised his left hand, firing lightning at him, but the Flash dodged right and left, and as Dooku fired both hands at the Flash, who, remembering a trick Zoom had used on him in one of their fights, grabbed the Sith lightning fired at him…and redirected it back at the shocked Dooku.

It threw him off his feet, causing him to scream in pain.

Anakin was as shocked to see the Flash do that. He'd seen Barry throw lightning before…but he'd never seen him do that.

Dooku recovered from that attack, and seeing them approach him, Dooku decided to just do what he'd come here to do, and he ignited his red lightsaber, and used the Force to throw it at Anakin, or more precise, his backpack, slicing through it.

He smirked as his lightsaber returned to him, "You've both failed. I have just killed Jabba's son."

Instead, the Jedi and Flash smiled, as the former took off his backpack, and threw it at Dooku's feet, revealing sliced rocks, "You've fallen for my little trick, Count. It's nothing but rocks."

Dooku scowled as the Jedi continued, "The Huttlet is with my Padawan, safely at Jabba's palace."

Despite his situation, the Count smiled, "I expected such treachery from a Jedi. I assure you my web is strong enough to catch your insignificant little Padawan."

Anakin glared at Dooku, "She's more skillful than you think."

"We have more faith in her than you think we do," Flash added.

"You deceive yourselves!" the older man retorted, before using the Force to cause the sand around them, blinding his enemies before attacking with his red lightsaber.

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Ahsoka was walking to the palace, with Artoo rolling along, when she ignited her lightsaber, sensing the disturbance in the Force.

Just then three MagnaGuards wielding staffs emerged from their hiding places. Ahsoka looked at them, unsure if she could take them without her friends, but she knew she had to try. Too much was at stake.

She got into her defensive position, as the droids menacingly approached her.

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Both Jedi and Flash were now on the offensive, keeping Dooku on the defense. For every parry from Anakin, he Force-pushed sand, keeping Flash at bay.

Dooku realized that he needed to do something to keep them off-balance. Just then, he heard a beeping from his holodisk, and smiled sinisterly.

With a mighty Force-push, he threw them off their feet, before pulling out the disc, activating it, "Look, I have a message from your Padawan."

It showed Ahsoka on the defense against his MagnaGuards.

It had the desired effect on Anakin, but before he could jump up, the Flash shoved against Dooku, "You're not going to win, Dooku. Because you don't believe in what we do: people."

Dooku sneered at the Flash, before Force-pushed more sand at his fast-moving enemy, but instead of eluding from it, the Flash instead raised both his arms, and spun them in circles, sending whirlwinds against the incoming, and it sent the sand back at Dooku, who was once again thrown off his feel.

Then the Flash began running around the Count in circles, creating a big whirlwind of lightning and sand, and then Dooku got shocked by incoming lightning at all angles. He was totally unprepared for this kind of combat, and just then, the Flash emerged from the whirlwind, and delivered a lightning punch straight at Dooku's face.

It impacted and he was thrown a few yards away from the Flash.

Dooku shakily looked up at the duo standing above him.

Anakin held his lightsaber at Dooku's face, "It's over, Count."

He glared at them. Skywalker, he could handle, but this fast-moving enemy, he was forced to admit, he was totally unprepared for. But there would be another day. That Count Dooku, Darth Tyranus, vowed.

He gathered the Force within him…and it exploded, repulsing his enemies from him.

Before they could recover, Dooku leaped towards his speeder, and mounting it, turning from his foes, and dashed away.

Before Barry could go after him, Anakin grabbed him. "No, he'll keep for another day. Ahsoka needs us more. Get us there. The palace is that way," he pointed in its general direction.

Barry looked back at Dooku's fleeing figure, and nodded, grabbing Anakin and sped them away from the battlefield.

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The droids were keeping Ahsoka on the defense, but her inexperience was no match for those fast-moving droids. They were clearly more better than the regular ones at combat.

One of them managed to hit her and she went down, sliding down a cliff, with Stinky coughing.

"Thought you liked to play in the sand," she couldn't help quipping.

She heard the droids coming, so she stood up, ready to fight.

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Padme and Batwoman were sneaking around, with the latter skillfully taking down any unaware guards, be they organic, or mechanical. She couldn't help noticing that this Batwoman managed to take the criminals down without killing them, though.

She then saw a group of B-1 droids, accompanied by an IG one, came up at them and pointed their blasters. As good as she was, Padme knew her new ally couldn't take them all, and she seemed to know it, too, so they raised their hands, allowing them to escort them into Ziro's room.

Ziro glared at the pair of them, before looking at Padme, "You tried to call for help, Senator. I believe you are too dangerous to be kept alive."

He turned to the masked woman, "And you are the intruder who tried to rescue her. Who are you?"

Batwoman shrugged, "I'm just a good Samaritan. And frankly, I just don't like scum like you."

Padme glared at Ziro, "Killing a Galactic Senator, here on Coruscant? Are you out of your mind?"

Ziro smirked, "I have powerful friends in the Senate. I'm not afraid of—"

Just then there were explosions coming from various points of the room, as the detonators Kate had planted earlier in her recon went off.

It distracted the droids from the pair. Batwoman moved fast, chopping a head off, and grabbed another one, twisting her body in a Judo move, and threw the droid into the IG, who tried to move.

She slid a downed blaster away at Padme's feet. The senator nodded appreciatively before grabbing the blaster and started shooting at the droids. Just then there was an explosion at the door, and clone troopers emerged through the entrance, firing.

Padme then turned to Batwoman, who pulled what looked like a cable gun and shot it upward, and, nodding at the senator, launched into the opening in the ceiling, just as Commander Fox arrived with his men.

She saw Ziro trying to get away, but being a Hutt, he moved slowly. She pointed her blaster at him, shouting, "Stop, Ziro! Stop where you are!"

All the clones pointed their blasters at him. Just then, Threepio emerged from his hiding place, "Mistress Padme, are you alright? Was I too late?"

She smiled at the droid, "No, Threepio, you timing was perfect."

Commander Fox came up to the senator, "Senator, who was that just now?" he looked up at the opening Batwoman escaped into.

Padme narrowed her eyes, "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."

They turned to Ziro, who exclaimed, "I had no choice! Dooku said he'd kill me if I didn't help him kidnap Jabba's son. You have to believe me! I love that Huttlet!"

"Oh, I believe you," Padme gave him a smirk that clearly told him that she wasn't having any of it.

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Ahsoka got into a defensive stance, just as the droids surrounded her.

Just as they approached her, something happened. One of the droids suddenly turned against them and impaled the first one with its staff.

The other droid turned and attacked its traitorous comrade, but Ahsoka saw something weird happening to it. It glowed red for a second, and the droid's staff went through the weird one.

The droid, not having expected it, stumbled through the intangible droid. The droid did what Ahsoka thought was impossible. It telekinetically lifted the droid and threw it against the cliff wall, destroying it. Ahsoka didn't think droids had the Force!

Ahsoka's mouth fell open. And she thought that she'd seen impossible things with Barry.

Just then, the droid started to shapeshift into what looked like a green-skinned bald humanoid in black clothes and cape, with a horizontal cross on its chest.

Its red eyes glowed in the night sky, "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm a friend of Barry Allen's."

And Ahsoka thought her first day as a Padawan couldn't get any weirder.

Just then, they heard a swooshing sound, and looked up as they saw a trail of lightning moving towards the palace.

"We'd better get up there," the green-skinned stranger, "Before Barry and your friend get into trouble."

Before Ahsoka could say anything, he grabbed her in his arms and lifted off the ground, headed for the palace. She saw that they were about to hit the wall, and she was about to say as much, when suddenly they glowed red and passed through the wall. Just as Barry and Anakin arrived in the palace room in Barry's usual fashion.

Everyone in the room was shocked to see the newcomers coming through the wall. Barry was as shocked as they were, but also overjoyed, as he shouted, "J'ONN!"

J'onn smiled at the Flash, "Hello, Flash. It's good to see you, under the circumstances."

They approached the gigantic Hutt. Ahsoka took the Huttlet from her homemade backpack and presented him to his father.

She stepped by as Jabba looked at his son, and then pointed at them, and spoke in Huttese.

The droid translated to the newcomers, "You are to be executed immediately."

The bounty hunters in the room all pointed their blasters.

J'onn turned to Flash, "You or me?"

Flash looked at them, "I'll do it."

Just then, there was a trial of lightning all around the group, and suddenly their hands were empty, and a pile of blasters was there at their feet.

Everyone in the room was shocked to see that display, as Barry stood over the pile, "Hey, uh, sir. We're not here to fight. We just came to rescue your son," he gestured at the small Huttlet in Jabba's arms, "See? That's what we did."

J'onn came up behind his friend, "Great Jabba, you have been lied to. Dooku was behind the kidnapping plot all along. He planned to murder your son and frame it on the Jedi to get an alliance with you and your clan."

The droid translated Jabba's words, "The almighty Jabba demands proof of this. And he demands to know who you are."

Before the next word could be spoken, there was a beeping sound from the communication device. The droid moved to it, and told Jabba, "Your Uncle Ziro is contacting us."

Without waiting for a reply, it pressed a button, and the image of a beautiful woman in white appeared.

Barry saw the recognition in Anakin's eyes, and…something more.

The woman in white bowed, "Greetings, honorable Jabba. I am Senator Amidala of the Galactic Congress. I have discovered a plot against you by one of your own. Your uncle will admit he conspired with Count Dooku to kidnap your son and frame the Jedi for the crime."

The image switched from her to another Hutt, who definitely looked extremely nervous.

Jabba snarled and spoke in Huttese with his uncle.

Ziro tried defending himself, deflecting all the blame to Dooku, but the crime lord wasn't having any of it.

Just then the image switched back to the senator, as the droid spoke, "Ziro will be dealt with by the Hutt family most severely."

"Perhaps now you will allow the Republic to use your trade routes and hostilities can come to an end."

Jabba chuckled boisterously, before speaking, "Jabba agrees. A treaty is in order."

"You will not regret this, Jabba."

Jabba spoke, "The clone armies may move through Jabba's territories."

Anakin and his friends approached, "Senator, you have my undying gratitude."

The senator turned to face Anakin and noticed the newcomers, but put it aside for the moment, "No, Master Skywalker, it is I, and the Republic, who owes you thanks."

Barry saw the look passing between them, way obvious for him to see.

Anakin cleared his throat, "Well, I couldn't have done it without my new friends."

Amidala looked at the oddly dressed men, "So I see. And I look forward to learn more of them."

The image vanished, as Anakin turned to J'onn, "So you're J'onn J'onzz, huh? Allen here told me more about you and the rest of his friends."

The green-skinned man nodded, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Skywalker."

He held out a hand, which Anakin gladly grasped in a shake.

Just then, the droid added, "Jabba would be most appreciative if you bring Dooku to justice for his crimes against the Hutt."

Anakin nodded, standing at the head of the group, "You can count on it, Jabba."

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Dooku's ship left Tatooine's atmosphere, as he sat in the cockpit, in contact with his hooded master, "It is unfortunate, Master. The Jedi armies will now have their supply routes to the Outer Rim. Our fight has become far more difficult."

"Allow the Jedi their small victory, my friend, for the engines of this war turn in our favor. Now report. You have faced and engaged this Flash? Is he everything your assassin has reported?"

Dooku nodded, "Yes, my master. And more. During the combat, he did an impossible thing."

He shook his head in disbelief as he continued, "He seized the lightning I had hurled at him…and threw it right back at me. Had I not seen and experience it, I would not have believed it."

The hooded Sith Lord frowned, "I see. Then he is even more formidable than we have originally thought. It is now more imperative that we find and capture this 'Flash.' He could turn the tides of war in our favor. Perhaps, even be useful to the Grand Plan. Make this your highest priority, my apprentice."

Dooku nodded, "As you will, my Master, so shall it be done."

Scene break

At the palace, Anakin, Ahsoka, Barry and J'onn all stood in front of a troop, standing at attention, as a gunship came down, arriving at the palace.

It opened to reveal Obi-Wan and Yoda.

They walked down, to meet the group. They saw the green-skinned humanoid.

"It would seem that you've had some interesting adventures, Anakin," Obi-Wan commented as he came up to his old apprentice.

Anakin chuckled, "Yeah, you could say that, Obi-Wan. This is J'onn Jonzz. He calls himself the Martian Manhunter."

J'onn nodded at the Jedi Masters, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Masters."

Obi-Wan bowed, "It is our honor, Mr. J'onzz. I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Master Yoda, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Council."

Yoda hobbled up to the tall green man, "Honored, am I, to have met you. Much, have we, to discuss, J'onn J'onzz. Yes, Much indeed."

J'onn nodded, as he shapeshifted to a normal, dark-skinned visage, "I would agree, Master Yoda."

The Jedi and the Paragons all looked at each other, with Jabba and his son looking from the entrance.

From this meeting, the flow of the universe had truly changed in ways none would have ever seen before or will again.

At a short distance, a blue-glowing figure watched the events and smiled, his robes wrapped around him.

Destiny had begun its changes at last.

Believe it or not, this is only the beginning of a hell of a grand ride. You thought the Chrisphosis arc from before was a ride? Boy, what's ahead you couldn't begin to fathom.

And now, a treat for you.

I'd been inspired by the trailer Free man writer and his crew had written at the end of their timeline chapter in Avengers: Infinite Wars to write one of my own.

To quote the Joker and freemanwriter's words: And… here…we…go.

Barry and J'onn finding themselves in the Jedi Council chamber.

"When we arrived in this galaxy, we were all of us lost in places we don't know."

Batwoman lurking somewhere in the shadows.

"The Crisis' aftereffects were far-reaching."

Supergirl finding herself injured and in an unfamiliar reddish forest, before looking up at the red sun in the sky.

"Our friends are out there, in dangerous places."

Oliver, in Green Arrow form, firing arrow after arrow at an enemy with a mask bearing a spiraling circle.

And we find ourselves face to face with new enemies.

Flash, J'onn, and Obi-Wan facing off General Grievous, who has lightsabers in all four arms.

But we find help in unexpected places.

Sara standing with a group of angels and other species.

Cad Bane getting a blast from a smirking Captain Cold's gun.

"But as the war rages on, new threats will come to light."

A trio of loose leather-wearing beings fly through space, their faces devoid of emotion, except for the eyes…especially in their bearded leader.

A gloved hand draws a bloodied smile on the corpse of a Twi'lek, maniacal laughter echoing in the night.

Lex Luthor conspires with unseen men.

Flash facing off with the Reverse-Flash.

"But we have friends everywhere, and they will come."

Alex Danvers discussing the disappearance of the heroes with Iris, Ava, and Brainy.

Lena Luthor picking up a tech gun from her lab table.

Cisco and Kid Flash picking up the slack in Barry's absence.

But inevitably, a time will come when a greater threat will cause sides to come together.

A giant ship shaped like a skull enters the atmosphere of an alien planet, its tentacles, already reaching for the city below.

And the time will come to combat the greatest evil of the universe.

A pair of red glowing eyes open, before blanketing the screen in bright red.

But that's when hope comes in unexpected forms.

A bearded farmer kneels before a chest, opening it, reveling the blue shirt with the logo of the Kingdom Come Superman.

As always, comment and review!