Darth Tyrannus and Moff Panaka were walking back and forth in one of the hallways of the Royal Palace of Naboo.
Tyrannus spoke, "We must keep them hostage until Amidala shows up."
Panaka asked, "But what if she is really dead? What will happen to the others?"
Tyrannus replied, "Oh, they will be executed, for treason of course."
He then said, "The information we received from Fett makes the Naberrie family a target. I believe that figure must have been Amidala."
Panaka asked, "If I may point out, it could have been anyone, one of our inquisitors or maybe agents for all we know."
Tyrannus turned to Panaka and asked, "Are you questioning me? Are you perhaps becoming sympathetic to the traitor?"
Panaka replied, "I am a loyal Imperial. I am only suggesting what would be in your best interests."
Just then, a stormtrooper approached them and said, "My Lord, someone called Palo Reliaz is requesting to see you. He claims he has information in regards to Amidala."
Tyrannus replied, "The son of the senator of Naboo. Send him in."
A minute later, Palo Reliaz walked in through the door of the area and approached the two.
He said, "My Lord, I have information that will help the Empire."
Tyrannus said, "Speak up."
Palo then said, "Padmé Amidala is alive and it seems she is back with the rebels."
Panaka said, "So it is true."
Tyrannus said, "Tell us where she is if you know and you shall be rewarded."
Palo asked, "May I ask what it will be?"
Tyrannus replied, "Anything you ask for, as long as your information is correct."
Greed and lust overpowered any sense of righteous hesitance in Palo Reliaz as he listened to what Tyrannus was telling him.
He was fully ready to betray the same girl who had been his friend.
And he said, "Padmé Amidala is at her parents house as we speak. She is being accompanied by a Togruta called Ahsoka."
Tyrannus smirked and said, "I knew Vader didn't have it in him to train an apprentice in the ways of the dark side, but I didn't expect it to be this way. He certainly didn't train her to be loyal to my master if she is guarding the traitor."
Palo then said, "I have a request. Let Padmé be my slave. A life of slavery is worse than death."
Panaka turned to Tyrannus and said, "My Lord, I don't think this is necessary. Please don't agree to this. I don't think we should…"
Tyrannus silenced him with a wave of his hand, cutting him off, "She is yours. This will require the Emperor's permission though, but I am sure he will agree, Palo Reliaz."
Palo smiled even as he entertained the idea of forcing Padmé into his bed.
And although Panaka would not admit it, he was horrified at what he had heard.
And within a few minutes, a shuttle set out from the Royal Palace hangar.
Meanwhile at the Naberrie residence…
Padmé had been talking with her nieces for quite a long time right before lunch, even though everyone else had been ready to eat.
Padmé had been so happy to eat with her family after such a long time that no one had noticed Palo's absence at the table until it was time for dessert.
Jobal was just serving shurra fruit ice cream to Ahsoka when she suddenly asked, "Jobal, have you seen Palo anywhere? He didn't come to eat."
That's when everyone realized that Palo had been missing for a while.
Sola suggested, "Maybe he's still in a bad mood and sulking around."
Ruwee said, "He can be for all I care. But still, I haven't seen him anywhere nearby."
Just then Pooja who was sitting in between Ahsoka and Padmé patted Ahsoka's lap.
Ahsoka turned to her and asked, "Sweetie, is something wrong?"
Pooja cutely replied, "Uncle Palo went out."
That was enough for Padmé and Ahsoka to go pale in the face.
Jobal asked, "Padmé, Ahsoka, is something wrong?"
Ahsoka cried out, "I should have known he was going to! We have to leave!"
Padmé said, "Ahsoka's right. You all need to get out of here now!"
Jobal asked, "What do you mean? This is our home."
Ahsoka said, "I sensed Palo was up to no good. If I'm right, he's probably telling the Empire where we are."
Jobal protested, "But Palo is an old friend. Why would he do that?"
Ruwee said, "It turns out Palo had an ulterior motive all along. He was trying to force Padmé into being with him."
Jobal asked, "But that can't be. Why would he do that?"
Ahsoka said, "He is up to no good. Trust me, I can tell. The point is, you need to leave this place. Get your things and leave. We'll head to the lake house and take the shuttle."
Jobal asked, "But what about Shmi and her family?"
Padmé replied, "Anakin is alive. He's back. And we're all going to meet with him and get out of here."
Sola suddenly said, "Wait, you never told us about Anakin."
Padmé said, "Get your things first. Then I'll tell you everything."
Darred said, "I'll go pack our things. We had some packed for the kids anyways, but we're going to be needing a lot more, so I'd better head back."
Sola said, "I'd better come with you. For all I know, you'll probably mess everything up."
Darred made a slightly frustrated face, which turned into a meek one when Sola glared at him and he said, "Alright, let's hurry."
Ahsoka called out, "Go to the lake house directly afterwards. You'll find Anakin there."
A little while later, Jobal and Ruwee were standing in the living room with packed suitcases, ready to leave.
Padmé called out, "Everything ready?"
Ruwee replied, "Yes. Got a blaster for safety anyways."
Just then, they heard the sound of a shuttle landing.
Ahsoka cried out, "He's here! Dooku's here. Do you have a backdoor leading to a garage?!"
Ruwee said, "There's a way to the garage without going outside for sure. I have a speeder there."
Ahsoka cried out, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Just then, the door was blasted away and a figure stepped in, with a red lightsaber ignited.
It was none other than Darth Tyrannus.
Tyrannus said, "I'm afraid it is too late for you to escape, people."
He then turned to Padmé, and was surprised for a moment but then said, "So my master was right. Vader has indeed disobeyed him. You must be brought to him at once."
Ahsoka ignited her lightsabers and said, "Don't touch her! She belongs to my master!"
Tyrannus smirked and said, "A green lightsaber? I highly doubt you are actually a sith. And you are supposed to obey your masters, are you not?"
Ahsoka said, "I answer to Vader alone."
Tyrannus said, "I find it hard to believe you are actually a Sith. And I answer to the Emperor, as your master must. Now, hand her over."
With that, he moved towards Padmé, but Ahsoka suddenly blocked his path and swung one of her blades at him, causing him to block in defense.
Tyrannus said, "So you and Vader are really not loyal to the Emperor, as he suspected."
Ahsoka ignored him and continued to clash blades with him.
She managed to block a strike to the shoulder but Tyrannus, an expert in Makashi, blocked her strike towards the neck.
Tyrannus sneered, "You are an inexperienced child, it is obvious from your fighting style."
Ahsoka said, "If I can last this long, then you'd better be afraid of what Anakin can do to you."
Tyrannus said, "You have hate, you have anger, but you don't use them. Again, another sign that Vader has betrayed us."
Ahsoka said, "He is not as vile as you are." even as she attempted to strike at his waist.
Tyrannus moved but the side of his waist got singed by Ahsoka's lightsaber.
Tyrannus looked at her in anger and said, "Foolish child, you shall pay for this. Do you know that Vader killed children?"
Ahsoka said, "I know everything, because you and Palpatine drove him mad with grief."
With that, she attempted to scissor-strike him with her lightsabers, and Tyrannus barely managed to block her.
But then, he expertly turned around, and with a force push, he sent her flying straight into the corner where Jobal was standing.
Ahsoka barely managed to turn off her lightsabers before crashing into Jobal. Both fell, and before Ahsoka could get up, Tyrannus had used the force to confiscate her lightsabers.
Meanwhile, at the lake house, Shmi was waiting by the shuttle even as Owen and Cliegg entered with suitcases followed by C3PO who was in a conversation with R2.
"If the Empire finds out we're here, we're doomed!" C3PO was saying.
R2 beeped a series of annoyed beeps in response.
"They as good as already know?!" C3PO exclaimed, "Then we are doomed!"
Anakin who was standing nearby said, "Threepio, stop that pessimism. Mom, I'm sorry about this."
Shmi said, "Don't worry about it. I'm used to his chatter."
All of a sudden, he said, "Oh no, I sense something."
Shmi turned to him and asked, "What's wrong sweetie? Are you alright?"
Anakin said, "I am, but I think Padmé and Ahsoka are in danger."
With that, he rushed off towards a nearby speeder and was about to start off when Obi Wan suddenly jumped in and said, "Anakin, I'm coming with you."
Anakin started the speeder and he and Obi Wan sped off at once.
Meanwhile, Tyrannus was holding his lightsaber above Ahsoka.
All of a sudden, there was a cry of "NO!" and the next moment, an amethyst lightsaber blade was blocking Tyrannus' blade.
Tyrannus looked to his left and noticed Padmé wielding the lightsaber to defend Ahsoka.
By this time stormtroopers had entered the house. Even as one took Ahsoka's lightsabers from the air, Tyrannus turned his full attention to Padmé and said, "I did not expect you to wield a lightsaber."
Padmé said, "Surprised?" and with that, she kicked Tyrannus in the groin and attempted to stab him. Tyrannus was forced to dodge and block, withstanding the pain all the while.
But then he snarled, "You are merely a novice, unfit to wield a weapon like this."
Padmé responded, "I am a slow learner." and with that, she expertly blocked a strike, thanks to the training that Anakin had given her.
But then, Tyrannus managed to pull out and the two exchanged a few blows. At one point, Tyrannus' blade nearly grazed Padmé's shoulder and she let out a cry, but the strong woman that she was, she kicked him in the groin once again and this time, scored a hit on his shoulder.
Tyrannus snarled in rage and attacked again. And this time, although Padmé managed to just block his strikes, she was being forced back, and soon, Tyrannus' blade cut through the hilt of the light saber, barely just above Padmé's hand.
Although her hand was unharmed, save for a minor burn across a few fingers, the weapon was destroyed. Padmé attempted to pull out her blaster, but Tyrannus used the force to pull it towards him.
Ahsoka attempted to attack Tyrannus but he held her in place using the force and soon, Ahsoka was standing in force-suppressing handcuffs.
Tyrannus smiled evilly at Padmé and said, "You thought you would be safe here, but it seems betrayal follows you everywhere you go."
Just then, a familiar figure approached them and stood at Tyrannus' side.
Everyone except Ahsoka gasped and Ruwee cried out, "Palo?! You sold us out?! How could you?!"
"Silence!" Tyrannus shouted before turning to Palo and saying, "You have done well, Palo Reliaz."
Palo replied, "Thank you my lord."
He then turned to Padmé and said, "You see, I had warned you. But if you won't listen, then I will have to make you learn the hard way."
Padmé growled, "Palo, you are a selfish, evil man. You always wanted me to act like your willing slave. That's what made me break up with you in the first place!"
Palo said, "I wanted what was best for you, but you can't see that. You're the selfish one, and you need to learn your place."
He then turned to Tyrannus and said, "My Lord, about the reward?"
Tyrannus turned to him with an angry look and said, "Reward? What reward? Troopers, kill him at once!"
"What?!" Palo cried out in shock, "BUT I DID WHAT…"
But at that moment, three troopers fired their blasters at him and he fell down to the floor, dead, the blaster bolts having hit him in the heart and stomach.
Padmé was shocked at Tyrannus' brutality, yet couldn't help feeling a little satisfaction at Palo's fate, even as the truth dawned upon her.
Betrayal would always strike back in the end.
She was shaken out of her shock by Tyrannus commanding his men, "Take her and the Togruta to the shuttle."
The lead stormtrooper asked, "My Lord, what about the family members?"
By this time, a few inquisitors had come inside and were holding Ruwee and Jobal down.
Tyrannus looked at them and ordered the inquisitors, "Kill them all."
"It will be done my Lord," a burly male humanoid inquisitor replied.
"NO YOU CAN'T", Padmé cried out, "PLEASE DON'T!"
Tyrannus said, "You should have thought about that before daring to oppose my master."
Two inquisitors raised their blades to kill Padmé's parents, but then suddenly, before anything else could happen, they were simultaneously pulled back and impaled from behind by a red lightsaber and a blue lightsaber.
The bodies fell away, revealing the attackers to be Anakin and Obi Wan.
Anakin cried out, "Let them go!"
Tyrannus held his lightsaber to Padmé's throat and said, "If you try to attack me, I will kill her here and now."
Anakin cried out, "You are a coward for daring to try that! Let her go!"
Tyrannus mocked, "Go on child, go on, traitor, go on lovebird."
Obi Wan said, "Anakin, don't let him provoke you. Focus."
Tyrannus then turned to the two remaining inquisitors and stormtroopers and said, "Kill them both."
Even as the inquisitors charged them, Tyrannus and a few troopers dragged Padmé and Ahsoka.
Anakin managed to kill one inquisitor and rushed outside towards Padmé.
But before he could get to the shuttle, by which time Padmé and Ahsoka had already been forced onto the shuttle, a volley of shots rang out. Even as Anakin defended himself, deflecting the shots away, Tyrannus force- pushed him away and closed the shuttle door.
Anakin looked up to see the shuttle lifting off.
It was too late.
"NO!" Anakin cried out in grief even as the shuttle quickly flew away from the house, not noticing Obi Wan who had emerged from the house, throw something onto the shuttle.
Obi Wan rushed to Anakin and cried out, "Anakin, are you alright?"
Anakin cried, "What do you mean alright? I failed…"
"Anakin", Obi Wan cried out, "Pull yourself together. I've placed a tracker on that shuttle. We need to…"
But before he could complete his sentence, another volley of blaster bolts suddenly zoomed towards them, and the two barely managed to deflect them.
Obi Wan deflected one backwards, and it went and knocked a blaster straight out of the hands of a young tanned skinned boy standing nearby, clearly, the one who had fired the shots.
Even as Anakin and Obi Wan approached him, the boy suddenly pulled out a knife and said, "Don't think you can kill me easily, Jedi!" with as much venom as he could.
Obi Wan asked, "Who are you?"
The boy retorted, "Why should I tell you that?"
Anakin suddenly realized who it was, by looking at his combat attire and weapons and face and hair.
He said, "Obi Wan, that's Boba Fett, son of Jango Fett."
Boba said, "Yeah, and the Jedi deserve to die!"
Obi Wan asked, "And why do you think so?"
Boba replied, "Because Mace Windu killed my father! He was the only parent I had, and he killed my father! I hate the Jedi!"
Anakin suddenly said, "What if I told you that Vader had a hand in the death of Mace Windu?"
Boba was taken aback and he stammered, "Wh, What?"
Anakin asked, "What if I told you Vader killed Mace Windu?"
Boba replied, "I guess I can believe that. If Vader really killed the one who killed my father, then I owe him."
Anakin said, "Because, here's the thing, I was there that night when Mace Windu was killed, in that suit that Vader wore. I held the weapon which killed Mace Windu. And I was not myself. I was full of revenge towards him for having supposedly killed my mother, which turned out to be a lie. And that revenge turned out to be for nothing."
Boba was taken aback as realization hit him.
Vader had avenged his father.
But why would this person in front of him have been in Vader's suit, holding his weapon, and wanted revenge, unless, perhaps…
And then it hit him.
He asked, "Are you Vader?"
Anakin did not say a word.
Boba then said, "Then I'd better tell you something. The Emperor wants Padmé. He's announced to the galaxy that you're a traitor."
Anakin asked, "Were you involved in capturing Padmé?"
Boba replied, "Yes. I spied on her family and reported to Lord Tyrannus when she and a Togruta came here. The Emperor wants to kill her on Coruscant."
That was enough for Anakin to suddenly run towards the backyard of the Naberrie household where he and Obi Wan had parked their speeder and speed off towards the lake house.
Meanwhile, Obi Wan was trying to comfort Padmé's parents who were distraught with worry.
Jobal was crying even as she said, "Please, Obi Wan, please save my daughter."
Obi Wan said, "Anakin's going to get her but he should have waited for us. Wonder how we'll get out of here."
Suddenly, Boba said, "You can use my ship. I'll help you out."
Obi Wan turned to him and asked, "Why should I trust you?"
Boba said, "I'm doing this because Anakin or Vader, whoever he is, avenged my father, and if you're his friends, then I owe it to him to help you. And I will not turn you to the Empire and dishonor myself as a Mandalorian, for him."
Meanwhile, Anakin's yellow and black starfighter, which had been parked near the lake house, lifted off the ground and set off towards outer space.
