Okay everyone, AmusedLight here, and I am going to make an announcement.
Because of my current financial situation, I'll now be commissioning for a reasonable price, for more information or if you want to be interested, contact me via PM, also I now have a ptr on at /Amused Light.
I'll be open to write for anything so long it ain't some of the degenerate stuff that I cannot mention here.
Now enjoy the story
[Tatooine]
While still inside the Homestead, Cliegg Lars began explaining what had happened based on what he had heard earlier. The news was unnerving.
"It was just before dawn," Cliegg Lars, Shmi Skywalker's apparent liberator and husband, explained grimly. "They came out of nowhere, a hunting party of Tusken Raiders. Your mother had gone out early like she always did to pick mushrooms that grew on the vaporators. From the tracks, she was halfway home when they met her."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, prompting Cliegg to continue quickly. "It was your friend Mutani's clan. Friendlies. Even trading partners sometimes. They offered to escort her home when…"
"When what?" Anakin nearly snapped. Naruto put a hand on the Padawan's shoulder.
"Easy…" Naruto told him. Allowing Cliegg Lars to continue.
"...They just came out of nowhere. Men in black armor. Armed with advanced slugthrowers. Nothing I've seen before. The night air was filled with gunshots, enough to light up the desert. Them poor Tuskens didn't stand a chance. The ones they didn't just kill in cold blood they captured. It happened so fucking fast. And when I finally got the balls to try to stop them…"
Cliegg glanced down at his bloodied and bandaged legs; his body trembled so hard they feared his wheelchair would collapse.
"...Where did they take her?" Anakin finally asked, anger and worry filling his voice.
"...Your funeral if you want to avenge her. But if I had to take a guess, it'd be at the Tusken's camp," Cliegg answered bitterly. "I'm betting my credits that they wanted as many alive as possible. That's probably the only reason why they left some alive. For what, though…I dunno."
Hearing this, Anakin appeared visibly uneasy. Padmé placed a hand over him as they listened to Cliegg, who was trying to verbalize how to continue.
"I always thought the Sand People were vicious creatures…but these men in black….they were seen beating the female Tusken and her child…I don't know how to describe it, but they dragged their bodies into the back once they were done. And they sped off to look for their camp." Cliegg said, "Thirty of our people tried to head out this morning, but only three came back…I believe something bad has happened. I don't want to give up on her, but she's been gone for nearly a day…and those men have shown no mercy…there's little hope she lasted it with them."
Hearing this, Anakin stood up. In silence, his reaction was to look outside, which caused Owen Lars to ask.
"Where are you going?"
Anakin turned to his step-brother and answered, "To find my mother."
Cliegg just looked up at him and said, "Your mother is dead, son, accept it."
The people in the room couldn't help but look sorry for Anakin, as this was the worst-case scenario by this point. And it was Naruto who then proceeded to ask.
"Where was the camp the Tuskens set up?"
Cliegg turned to him, "Why are you asking that?"
"Because we're going."
...
A few hours passed, and it was dawn at this point, with three speeder bikes set ready, the ones leaving were Naruto, Chewbacca, and Anakin, with Hera and Padmé waiting outside, all three prepared their bikes and were ready to go.
"You do not have to do this," Anakin said, finishing the bike with a wrench-like tool, "You don't. This is my mother-"
"I don't have to, but my friend Mutani is perhaps in danger," Naruto said, placing a bag over the backseat of the bike. Chewie, are you ready?"
Responding with a growl, Chewie put his bow-blaster into the back and nodded before he sat on his speed bike.
Naruto was ready and observed intently as Anakin confidently strode to the Naboo senator. He positioned himself comfortably close to her, far beyond what would be considered appropriate for a Jedi interacting with a senator.
"You're going to have to stay here. These are good people, Padmé, you'll be safe."
"Anakin…" Padmé embraced him into her arms, and the Padawan did so in return. Showing the two were considerably close.
Ending the hug, Anakin walked over to his speeder bike, which he joined as last as Naruto got then to his bike and hopped on.
"I won't be long."
The three speeder bikes' engines turned on and left into the desert. Leaving the two women as they watched on.
"Do not worry," Hera laid a hand on the Naboo woman's shoulder, assuring, "They will be okay."
"I sure hope so." Padmé said, releasing a heavy sigh, "I hope…"
…
With night coming to the planet and the sky turning dark red, the three speeder bikes with Anakin up front, Chewbacca to the left, and Naruto to the right, dashed across the desert.
While speeding, Naruto was close to Anakin and could see his face was incredibly focused but also angry. Given the situation involving his mother's life, he could understand.
The anger, however, was troubling to sense from him…
'Keep an eye on him, kid.'
'Will do.'
…
The night was close to falling as the trio stopped outside a Jawa spot where multiple sand crawlers were stationed. Anakin was seen talking to one of the Jawas, who gave him directions before the little feller walked off.
Now, they knew where to go.
[Geonosis]
After carefully descending from his ship and landing on the rugged surface of Geonosis, Obi-Wan Kenobi navigated his way through a narrow, pillared corridor that echoed with the sound of his footsteps. Each step drew him closer to a large, open well, which appeared to be a vast vent shaft plunging deep into the planet's core. Peering over the edge, he was struck by the sight of an immense underground facility sprawled out below him, revealing the ominous purpose of his investigation.
What lay beneath was a sprawling droid factory, teeming with activity and focused on the relentless production of droids designed for warfare. Conveyor belts snaked through the facility, each one dedicated to different models of droids, from battle droids to specialized units. Geonosian workers, with their insect-like features and translucent wings, flitted about, busily assembling parts and overseeing the intricate machinery. The air was filled with the mechanical whirring of machinery and the fugitive sounds of industrious labor.
Continuing deeper into the facility, Obi-Wan entered a vast cavernous space adorned with immense, towering pillars that rose majestically towards vaulted ceilings. The architecture was reminiscent of a bizarre blend of Gaudi's organic forms intertwined with Gothic elements, creating a fantastical yet foreboding atmosphere. Stalagmites jutted from the ground like ancient stone sentinels, adding to the eerie silence that enveloped the area, which was starkly devoid of life.
As he crossed the expansive square, his senses heightened. A muffled chatter drifted through the stillness, catching his attention and breaking the oppressive quiet. Obi-Wan paused, straining to listen.
Listening as he darts behind a pillar, he could see the Archduke of Geonosis, Poggle The Lesser, with Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation, Wat Tambor of the Techno Union, and there among them, Count Dooku.
"Now, we must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty."
Just then, Obi-Wan hid behind a pillar, eavesdropping on the conversation as they continued to speak, not knowing who else was among the group.
"Where I am from, Count, I will hear the deal out first before signing this treaty." One grumpy man voiced his opinion, "I am not as easily convinced as my Kiri counterpart."
Obi-Wan looked on in shock as he found himself levitating in the air. Before him stood an old man with a triangular beard and a mustache with angular corners, a prominent red nose, and thick eyebrows. The man's garments resembled those of a shinobi.
This man was Onoki, the Tsuchikage himself, who was floating beside the Count. The Separatist leader had invited him to help break the deadlock in the negotiations; however, his presence was not without consequences.
"Why is he here, Count? This was not part of the deal!" The Neimoidian form of Nute Gunray, as ever a man with short but impolite words, complained of the presence of the old man, "This Jedi or whatever he is should not be among us!"
"Watch your mouth, red eyes; I'm not here for fun and giggles. I am trying to get a good deal out of this Separatist Alliance that works for my village and country." The levitating form of Onoki stopped right in front of the Trade Federation viceroy, who was easily intimidated by a simple glare, crossing his arms, "And be lucky my entourage isn't here because one of them already does not like your attitude before we even started."
"You cannot speak to me like that!" Gunray pointed his finger out, "Show respect!"
"Respect has to be earned, not given, slimeball." Onoki told it right into his face, smirking, "Perhaps grow a backbone before speaking to me, will you?"
"There's no need for hostilities, gentlemen." Dooku said, holding his hands out between the two and guiding them, "Proceed to follow."
"What about the Senator from Naboo? Is she dead yet?" Nute asked, as this was part of the deal why he was here in the first place, "I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on
my desk."
"I am a man of my word, Viceroy," Dooku assured him.
"With these new Battle Droids we've built for you, Viceroy, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy." The voice of Wat Tambor spoke, and the Techno Union representative spoke confidently.
Once the party had walked through the corridor, Obi-Wan decided to follow them from a distance. He pursued them in the hope of learning more about their intentions. Doing so, he happened to go through a flight of stairs before walking up them and then stopped at a narrow gothic archway. He looks down through it.
The Separatists were in a conference room, with all of them sitting. Dooku was the center of attention, with Poggle the Lesser and his two aides sitting on the count's left while the Tsuchikage sat on his right as he addressed them. Dozens more people were in this room—powerful people.
"As I explained to you earlier, I am quite convinced that 10,000 more systems will rally to our cause with your support, gentlemen," Dooku told the news to those around the conference table.
"[What you are proposing could be construed as treason.]" One of the members spoke in his native tongue.
"The Techno Union army–" The voice communicator device of the Skakoan foreman of the Union disrupted before he puts the frequency right, "-is at your disposal, Count."
One of the other representatives, a Muun named San Hill, voiced himself, "The Banking Clan will sign your treaty."
"Good. Very good." Dooku sounded pleased to know he was getting results, then turning to the Neimoidians, "Our friends from the Trade Federation have pledged their support, and when their battle droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy."
"The Jedi will be overwhelmed - The Republic will agree to any demands we make."
That was all Obi-Wan needed to hear. With his heart pounding like a war drum, he vanished into the shadows, moving swiftly and silently toward his ship, desperate to transmit the critical information back to Coruscant.
Unbeknownst to him, another figure was already onto him, lurking in the darkness, tracking the Jedi.
[Tatooine]
The Tusken Raider settlement, weapons at the ready. As the trio crest the final stretch into the middle of the night on foot, a horrific sight unfolds.
"What…what happened here?"
In the settlement, the bodies litter the ground, sprawled in unnatural positions. No signs of life remain. Sand-colored tents stand silent; their occupants are struck down where they stood. Children, warriors, and elders alike lay motionless, victims of an unnatural attack.
The silence, the deadly silence, was unnervingly present.
"...Let's look for survivors."
The trio approaches the camp cautiously; Naruto is the first to move forward, his ninja training evident in each calculated step. Chewbacca growls softly, his fur bristling as he scans for threats. Anakin's face hardened, he hadn't seen something like this in proximity, nothing close to what he had anything seen before.
They spread out, surveying the carnage. Starting to look for survivors, but it's clear that whatever had come here and ravaged this camp, it was brutally effective.
Spotting one of the bodies hurled to the ground, a warrior holding onto his gaffi stick with a firm grip and his face dug into the sand, the Tusken had ropes tied to his wrists, and so did the others, all of whom were seen having the pattern.
'Kurama?'
'I noticed - they were all tied up but somehow managed to escape - I think whoever entered this camp had something planned for them.'
'Still, I see no signs of violence, no shootings, no beatings…nothing.'
'Look at the ground, there you find your answer.'
As told, Naruto looked down, and a few feet away from him laid canisters, empty canisters by the looks of it. And then he began to notice they were scattered throughout the village, almost one to two at every entrance of a hut.
Kneeling, Naruto grabbed one of the canisters and saw whatever was in it was empty by now, but a small minuscule amount of blue powder that he grinds in his gloves.
Then Naruto just realized, "This is-"
'That's poison, kid, back off!'
After dropping the canister, Naruto backed off a few feet, pulled a bandana from his pocket, and held it over his mouth, immediately calling out.
"Chewie! Skywalker! Cover your mouths!" Naruto shouted out, "There's poison around here! Do not touch the canisters!"
Chewie ran over to him, growling a few times, he motioned to the canisters and asked what was wrong.
"Poison gas, here!" Naruto threw a rag to the Wookie, who caught it and pressed it over his mouth, "Whatever this is, it killed everyone in here. Let's find Skywalker and get out of here."
"aaahnruh uughghhhgh." Pointing to the hut that had the entrance, Chewbacca kept on,
"Grawl!"
"He's over there?" Naruto asked, "Then let's go."
…
As Naruto and Chewbacca stepped into the dark, musty Tusken hut, the sight before them made their hearts ache.
Lying on a rough bed made of sticks and animal furs was Shmi Skywalker, her once radiant skin now marred with dark bruises that stretched across her arms and legs. Her wrists were swollen from the tight ropes that bound her, and she looked like a mere shadow of herself, barely holding onto life. Laying in his arms, Anakin Skywalker held onto his mother tightly, his entire body trembling as he took in the state she was in. The stench of sweat and fear hung heavy in the air, making it difficult for her to breathe. It was a heartbreaking scene.
Shmi took notice and slowly turned her weak head to the other two, asking her son.
"Ani…who are they?"
"They're friends, mom. No worry…" Anakin told her, putting her at ease while he held his mother, trying to calm her, "You're safe now-"
*Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*
Shmi began to cough harshly, interrupting her son's chance to speak further. This sudden fit of coughing stirred a wave of concern in Anakin, who then noticed additional wounds that were of an unusual kind.
Dark blue spots marred the skin on her legs, stark against her pallor, and there were blotches of blood pooling beneath the surface, refusing to flow properly. These ominous marks had spread from her legs to her armpits and even further down to her feet. It was as if they were silently creeping across her body, a sight that young Skywalker either failed to see or perhaps chose to ignore in his distress. By now, Shmi Skywalker had been poisoned by whatever substance lingered in those ominous canisters outside the modest Tusken hut.
And she was on the verge of death - if not minutes away from it.
"My son…My grown-up son…" Shmi muttered, stroking her son's cheeks and praising him in her weak voice. "I'm so proud of you, Ani."
The emotions overwhelmed Anakin as he responded, "I missed you."
The sight was painful for the young blond to witness, seeing a son and mother's moments like these, knowing exactly what was to happen next.
"I love y…"
Anakin pleaded, "Stay with me, Mom. Everything…"
"I love…"
By then, a hand was laid underneath Shmi's head, as Naruto had given some support, allowing her head to stay on the same level as her son's.
"I...love...you...Ani..."
With those final, heartfelt words, Shmi Skywalker exhaled her last breath, offering it as a farewell gift to her son. Her head gently reclined into Naruto's supportive hand, and the light in her eyes gradually dimmed until it flickered out completely. Her suffering came to an end, and she slipped away quietly in the presence of her beloved son.
A profound silence enveloped Anakin, an echoing void that followed the shattering moment of witnessing his mother's departure. He stood motionless, grappling with the weight of loss, as Naruto observed him with quiet empathy before breaking the silence with softly spoken words.
"My condolences..."
Naruto's gaze shifted to Shmi's serene yet lifeless face, her eyes still open, staring into the infinite beyond. With a gentle touch, he closed her eyes, granting her the peace and dignity she deserved in eternal rest. He then respectfully laid her head on the small bed and stood up, watching Skywalker mourn for his mother.
"Chewie, let's go outside."
…
Sniffing, crying, and sobbing could be heard from outside the Tusken tent as both Naruto and Chewbacca were standing outside and waiting. Hearing the Jedi break the code by emotionally coping with the loss of his mother.
This, however, did little to both warrior Wookie and the young, experienced former Shinobi blonde, as they had unfortunately grown accustomed to this kind of moments of atrocities like this as they were still standing in the middle of one that they arrived into, with the bodies of the massacred Sand people still laying around.
Sighing as he looked up, Naruto held his chest armor and shook his head before going into an internal conversation.
'What a mess.'
'A son seeing his mother pass, that I am used to.'
'Still, it feels so wrong…'
'I advise you not to think about this too much - that breeds that anger inside of you that you've used before. That Jedi Skywalker will have to figure it out on his own for now. Nothing you can do for him now, so leave him be - for now at least.'
'Perhaps it is for the best…'
*THUD!*
Naruto felt a push on his shoulder and reacted to Chewie's gesture, which was pointing towards the distant road, indicating that something was happening.
Something was coming to the destroyed settlement - and it was a lot of them.
"They're back…" Naruto grabbed his belt and ordered, "Get to cover Chewie!"
Groaning, Chewbacca did so and ran for a good place to hide with his blaster while Naruto ran over to the door of the tent Anakin was in, bashing his fist against the wall for warning.
"Skywalker, we got company! They've returned!" Naruto tried and got no response, "Skywalker!"
'Get out of sight, brat!'
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed to himself as he ran for some cover to hide behind a couple of empty crates that were there. He watched as the unknown party arrived.
They arrived on speeders with dust covering the entire area, as boots hit the ground the moment they arrived, a squad fans out in a choreographed sweep, weapons at ready. The team, clothed in black gear, boots, helmets, balaclavas, and other equipment, began to move through the ruins of the Tusken settlement methodically.
"Check for survivors."
Orders were being given, and the black-clothed men began checking buildings and scanning for threats. The settlement lies in eerie silence, hyper-alert for any movement or sound that could signal danger.
Their team leader signals silently, directing half the death squad to investigate a partially collapsed structure while the others secure the perimeter. As they breached the building, shots could be heard fired as two of them walked out with discharged pistols.
"And?" One of the leaders asked his team, "What was it?"
"Some mutt and some family that were twitching, sir." One of the killers responded to his commanding officer, "Just a bullet to finish the job."
Witnessing this from a distance, Naruto watched as the death squad that he recognized by their clothing were looking for anything alive in this camp and noticed the same emblem he saw on their shoulders - a cross.
'Kid, that's the same group, that cross.'
Hearing the fox out, Naruto pulled out from his pocket the small item and compared it - identical - it was the same people whose bodies had been discovered in an ambush earlier the day he arrived on Tatooine.
*Crack!*
"Do not move!"
"Stand still!"
Caught off guard was a stupid thing for Naruto to do, as he turned his head around to see two of the death squad guys in black gear had sneaked up on him, aiming their rifles at him as they began to call it in the comms.
"Sir, we've got a live one, but he's not an animal."
"Terminate on a sigh-"
*CLICK!*
"What was that?" one of them barked, eyes scanning the surroundings with suspicion.
*BOOM!*
A deafening explosion shattered the night as one of the Tusken tents, where the main group stood, erupted into a fiery blaze. The shockwave caught several members of the death squad off guard, hurling them through the air. Some collided with nearby structures, while others were slammed flat onto the ground, where they lay motionless, either severely wounded or lifeless from the brutal impact.
"We're being attacked!" another voice shouted, panic creeping into the words as realization dawned.
"KRRRREEEERRRRRHHHH!" From the midst of the smoldering ruins of the obliterated tent, Mutani the Tusken Raider emerged with a fierce war cry as he was filled with desired vengeance, he charged forward, brandishing his gaffi stick with deadly intent. With a swift, powerful swing, he brought it crashing down across the head of the nearest black-clad mercenary.
SQUELCH!*
The gaffi stick met its mark with a sickening crunch, penetrating through the helmet and mask of the first mercenary. The figure crumpled to the ground, defeated, as Mutani swiftly hurled another thermal detonator. He vanished into the shadows before the remaining mercenaries could even begin to react, their cries of alarm still echoing in the air.
"It's a Tusken! Kill it!" one of the mercs yelled, desperation lacing his voice as they scrambled to regroup and retaliate against the unseen, relentless foe.
*BIAO!*
A searing blaster shot ripped through the gut of the team leader of the shadowy mercenaries, snuffing out his life in an instant. Chaos erupted as Chewbacca unleashed a relentless barrage from his bowcaster, each shot finding its mark with deadly precision.
The first mercenary, rifle trained on Naruto, froze in disbelief. "What's happening here?!"
"Forget questions!" barked the second man, swinging his weapon towards Naruto. "Take the kid out!"
*TSHWW!*
The eerie sound snapped their heads around-
*SLASH!*
*SLASH!*
In a blink, the first merc's arms were severed cleanly, his screams mingling with the sound of his limbs hitting the ground. His comrade crumpled beside him; his head cleaved from his body by the blazing lightsaber of an enraged Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin, the Padawan seething with fury, surveyed the battlefield. His gaze locked onto the armless mercenary desperately crawling away, directly in Naruto's line of sight.
The bereaved Jedi, haunted by the loss of his mother, advanced with grim determination. The mercenary could do nothing but plead pitifully for his life.
"No! Please, no!"
*SLASH!*
[Coruscant]
Meanwhile, back in the Jedi Temple, inside the meditation room, Grand Master Yoda heard and saw some images plaguing his mind. Visions of events now happening somewhere in the galaxy were not good from what he was experiencing.
'Anakin! Anakin!'
Men are getting cut down by the dozen.
'KRRRREEEERRRRRHHHH'
'No!'
But it wasn't over; the small, powerful Jedi saw more.
One armed man in black fell to the ground with a knife sticking into his neck, with the handle being gripped with anger…
Anger…
Just then, the doors opened, and Master Windu entered the room. He saw Yoda sitting there, so he took the meditation seat next to him.
Yoda's eyes fluttered open, revealing a troubled gaze that seemed to pierce the very essence of the Force. His expression was etched with concern as he looked at the dark-skinned Jedi Master, his ears slightly drooping under the weight of his thoughts.
Sensing the disturbance, Windu leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet filled with curiosity. "What is it?" he inquired, his brow furrowing in anticipation.
"Pain, suffering..." Yoda intoned his voice a low murmur as he lowered his head, each word a heavy burden. "Death, I feel." The grand master's words hung in the air like an ominous cloud, casting a shadow over the tranquil room.
Windu's eyes flickered away from Yoda, reflecting the gravity of the revelation. Momentarily lost in contemplation, he turned his head, and the weight of what he had heard settled heavily on his shoulders.
"Something terrible has happened," Yoda continued, his voice tinged with a profound sadness as he attempted to weave his thoughts into coherence. "Young Skywalker is in pain... terrible pain."
The words were a somber melody, echoing the deep connection between the Jedi and the unfolding darkness.
[Geonosis]
Shortly after their arrival, Jango Fett and his son found themselves undergoing some adjustments on the arid planet, having been forced to flee from Kamino following an unexpected visit from a Jedi dispatched from Coruscant. This surprise encounter was swiftly followed by a brief skirmish with the bounty hunter before their hasty departure. Jango had to deal with the persistent Jedi who had tracked him to this desolate world, confident now that he had effectively eliminated the threat. Seeking refuge, Jango found himself on a planet that was the burgeoning hub of a Separatist Army, comprised of various types of droids and heavily financed by several powerful corporations. Coincidentally, this was also where his employer roomed.
With young Boba safely tucked away in their private quarters, Jango walked through the dimly lit hallways, accompanied by Count Dooku, the leader of the Separatist movement. Dooku had arranged these accommodations, and he now wished to converse with Jango privately. The underground catacombs of the Geonosians echoed their footsteps as they walked.
"I am pleased to see you are in good health, Jango," Dooku remarked, his voice resonating softly through the subterranean passageways. "However, I must mention that my associate, Nute Gunray, is far from satisfied with the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Senator Amidala."
Jango nodded, keeping his eyes on the path in front of them. "I apologize for that, Count. It was an unexpected complication."
"Unfortunate? I would call your colleague being captured by the Jedi anything but unfortunate," Dooku brought up, "Let alone then getting assassinated by your old comrades-in-arms from the Terran-Zygerrian War."
Jango raised his head to the count and begged his pardon, "Excuse me?"
"I already know what happened on Coruscant, Fett, to where I do not blame you for the results," Dooku responded with a chuckle, "I heard the moment your friend Zam exited that club in their territory in the lower levels, she would be an open target for those Ölüm Revolutionaries."
"I must've heard you wrong, Count, but Revolutionaries?" Jango asked.
"Would you believe friends have become somewhat of a celebrity cause for many circles?" Dooku said to the bounty hunter, "Their stories alone on Kessel, Terran, that small town of Hurriya, it ended up getting everyone in that group to be popularized, which is understandable," Dooku said, finding rationale in it, "It is not every day a group of slaves managed to escape and fight from planet to planet for their freedom in even the most unfair conditions."
Jangi simply responded, "They were just trying to survive,"
"Surviving can bring out the best in people, as also their supporters," Dooku replied, "but it can also bring in unintended enemies, and it's not only the Zygerrians whom they have made enemies with," Dooku said as they entered a large chamber.
The room was filled with Geonosian leaders and Separatist representatives. Many of whom represented the core of the Separatist cause but also its main donors. Among them was Nute Gunray.
Giving him a cold glare as he entered the room, Jango made sure to make no bad impressions on people who could put a bounty on his head in a matter of moments, but he kept his expression neutral.
"Let us spare the introductions and get to the point," Dooku took his seat at the head of the table and gestured for Jango to stand next to him. "You all might know who this man is and know he is a useful ally of us. After all, we had just finished discussing with the Banking Clan and the Techno Union; now we can discuss other essentials."
"Ally? Don't make me laugh, Count, he's anything but one." Nute Gunray spoke up, his tone accusing. "I know for a fact he helped those Terran scum destroy part of my leased fleet-"
"That, I might add, was under the supervision of the Zygerrians who started that war and lost it." Jango corrected the Neimoidian oligarch with a warning, "If I were you, don't underestimate those Terrans; they've got a history of fighting when the odds are against them."
"We're not here to discuss some history, bounty hunter, we're here to make sure we can't afford any more mistakes like that," Poggle the Lesser said. "Our droid armies need to be ready for battle soon."
"For of which I have to ask - why am I here?" Jango asked the people in the room for some clarification.
"Well, we wish-"
"Excuse me, sir." One of the B1 battle droids entered the room and approached the Geonosian leader, Poggle, "One of our scouts has spotted an unidentified ship that is not far away from our plants."
A few clicks and other words, the Geonosian said. It took a moment for his words to be properly translated.
"[Do not waste my time with trespassers, you droid. Handle the situation by yourself.]"
"But sir, we found out he is trying to contact outwards to multiple planets."
"[As in?]"
"First Coruscant and then Naboo, sir." The droid informed his master, "Now the transmission is going to Tatooine of all places."
The mention of that alone prompted reactions inside the room, with Nute Gunray being the first to stand up.
"It's the Republic - handle it!"
"Do not worry, it will be handled,"
The men inside the conference room turned to the now silent form of Onoki, who had been like this for a few hours now, having just spoken up. The 3rd Tsuchikage then gave a confident smirk.
"My entourage might be enough to handle that Jedi of yours."
[Tatooine]
Back on the desert planet, it was the early morning when the sun finally came up once again-
*THUD!*
The full result of last night's carnage was revealed with the whole Tusken settlement nearly burned down from the intense fighting, black ash and dried dark blood covered the surrounding grounds that were once filled with life and now only had a few people there doing the only respectable they could do: Bury the dead.
Under the scorching glare of Tatooine's twin suns, Naruto and Chewbacca toiled with grim determination. The oppressive heat was relentless, beating down upon them as they moved among the fallen, lifting bodies with care and arranging them in the massive grave. The grave itself had been dug by Naruto's clones, who had vanished at his command—he wanted to ensure the burials were conducted with the dignity they deserved.
Row upon row of shrouded forms filled the grave, each one a silent witness to the brutality visited upon the Tusken tribe. Men, women, children, and even the domesticated animals that had shared their lives lay together, organized by family. It was a stark testament to the horror of what had transpired, a chilling reminder of the violence that had swept through their lives.
Naruto landed softly on the sandy ground, his boots caked with dust and dirt. He cradled the last of the victims in his arms, wrapped tenderly in a bundle. With reverence, he placed the small body next to a family, knowing it was the youngest victim of the onslaught. The young Tusken, barely five years old by the looks of it, was now at rest.
As Naruto looked upon the deceased family, the somber scene weighed down his heart; he felt the sting of a wasted life.
"GRAWL!"
Naruto turned to face Chewie, who was holding out a large, furry hand to him. Without hesitation, Naruto reached out and took his friend's hand, allowing Chewie to pull him out of the hole and onto solid ground.
"Thank you, Chewie," Naruto said sincerely, feeling grateful for his friend's unwavering support.
Chewie let out a soft, rumbling growl, his warm breath mingling with the cool desert air. The pair then turned their gaze back to the grave, a palpable sense of solemnity hanging over them. They understood vigil would be temporary; patience was required as they awaited Mutani's return.
Suddenly, a thunderous cry pierced the stillness.
"Kreh!"
The sudden sound snapped them from their daydream, and their eyes widened as a herd of Banthas appeared, their massive forms moving rhythmically across the sand. At the forefront, Tusken warriors gracefully dismounted from the lead Bantha, their weathered faces hidden beneath traditional garments. Among them, Mutani stepped forward, his presence commanding as he approached the blond and the towering Wookie.
"Mutani…"
The Tusken looked over to the grave site and noticed the lineup of the bodies before looking back to the two who prepared it and nodded to them before patting both of them on their shoulders, making a few Basic sign language patterns to commute with Naruto, telling him he and his other Tuskens he found will take care of the bodies.
"Understood," Naruto acknowledged and spoke his condolences, "May the Force be with you."
Giving a graceful nod, Mutani jumped down to the grave as the others followed suit Naruto and Chewbacca walked back over to where their speeder bikes were parked and noticed the amount of Tusken Raiders that had arrived was in the dozens, if not nearly fifty by the looks of it.
The two then reached the
"KREEEEEEH!"
The angry cry got Naruto and Chewbacca to turn to where they could only guess where the cry came from, the place where the bodies of the deceased mercenaries were laid, ripe for the vengeful Tuskens to unleash their hate for the humans underneath their uniforms, with some kicking, hitting or even stabbing their gaffi sticks into the corpses of the those who murdered the entire village.
But what was seen among many of the dead mercenaries were the lightsaber cuts, through their chests, stomachs, and heads, and the headless, limbs torn off, and those with burn marks across their clothing - they had suffered painful deaths.
Shaking his head at this, Naruto sat on the speeder bike, joined by Chewbacca as they activated them.
"Back to the Lars Homestead, Chewie."
Rushing away from the settlement, the former Shinobi and the Wookiee warrior sprinted across the planet to where Anakin had already arrived after leaving earlier to bring his mother home.
A funeral that needed to be attended to.
…
Once upon arriving at the Lars homestead, the atmosphere was that of depression as Anakin had already brought his deceased mother Shmi inside the household with the grave being prepared by both Owen and his fiance Beru, while Cliegg was with his wife..mourning on his own for now.
As Naruto descended the creaking wooden stairs, the ambiance around him shifted, filled with the faint echoes of hurried footsteps. Just as he reached the final step, he hears-
"Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her? I know I could have!"
It sounded like Skywalker. Anakin must have been speaking to the senator, Padmé, who had brought down a tray of food. So Naruto stopped his steps and proceeded to listen.
"Sometimes there are things that no one can fix." Senator Amidala responded, trying to comfort the grieving Jedi, "You're not all-powerful, Ani—"
"Well, I should be!" Anakin snapped, even when Naruto could not see it. From the sound of it, he was having a hard time, sniffing in between. Someday, I will be. I will be the most powerful Jedi ever!"
'He's not taking it well.'
'Kurama?'
'Naruto, the boy is not handling this well, so whatever you do - just listen and hear.'
"Anakin…" Padmé was heard saying, making Naruto listen further, eavesdropping on the conversation.
"It's all Obi-Wan's fault! He's… He's jealous! HE'S HOLDING ME BACK!" Anakin yelled as something was heard being thrown, probably a tool, into one of the room's back. The sound of the young Padawan alone should've made it clear to anyone that he was in a clear state of distress, but this didn't stop the young Naboo woman.
"What's wrong, Ani?"
Then a pause could be heard, before Naruto could hear Anakin speak, about what happened last night.
"I… I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead. Every single one of them."
Proceeding to listen, this was close to a confession to something that was witnessed by the blond.
"And not just men, but the wounded, and those who surrendered too…They're like animals! And I slaughtered them like animals. I HATE THEM!"
And there it was. Anakin, consumed by a torrent of emotions, laid bare his soul before the senator. He spoke of his deep-seated desire for revenge, fueled by the anguish of his mother's death. The weight of his pain pressed down on him, and he sank to the floor, tears glistening in his eyes, while the senator watched on with a mixture of sympathy and concern. The blond figure in the corner felt the heaviness of the moment, a silent witness to the unfolding drama.
Padmé, her heart aching for Anakin, tried to reach him with a gentle voice, "To be angry is to be human."
But Anakin, battling his inner turmoil, insisted, "I'm a Jedi. I know I'm better than this…" His voice trembled, a fragile façade of strength cracking under the pressure of his grief.
Realizing that his presence was only an intrusion in this moment of vulnerability, Naruto quietly turned away and climbed up the stairs.
Later that day.
A small group gathers in somber silence around a simple marker gravestone, the air heavy with grief. Anakin Skywalker stands at the forefront, motionless beside Padmé Amidala. His face is a mask of sorrow, eyes filled with unshed tears as he gazes down at the earth that covers his mother's final resting place. Beside him, Cliegg Lars leans heavily on a weathered cane, supported lovingly by his son Owen and Owen's wife, Beru, who stand close by, providing silent strength.
Cliegg, his voice calm, addresses the grave, "I know wherever you are, it's become a better place. You were the most loving partner a man could ever have." He pauses, as memories flood his mind, before adding, "Goodbye, my darling wife. And thank you."
As the moment transitions to Anakin, Padmé gently places a hand on his arm, her presence both comforting and grounding. He takes a deep breath and steps forward, kneeling on the soft, freshly turned earth, his heart heavy with the weight of his emotions. He places a trembling hand against the cool soil, fingers digging in as if he could somehow reach through to his mother, yearning for her embrace. The others stand back, heads bowed in deep respect, allowing Anakin his moment of solace.
With a voice choked with emotion, Anakin whispers, "I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom. I wasn't strong enough." His shoulders tremble slightly, the pain of loss etched across his features. He then rises to his feet, the vulnerability in his expression giving way to a fierce determination. "But I promise I won't fail again."
He looks up at the sky, his chest rising and falling, and with a heartfelt ache, he proclaims, "I miss you…so much." The silence that follows wraps around them, a poignant reminder of the love that lingers even in the absence of those they hold dear.
Also standing among them was C-3PO and from a distance observing the funeral, the form of Naruto and Chewbacca, who watched as then the Wookie looked at Naruto and made a sad noise.
"Yeah…I know Chewie…" Naruto responded to his buddy's words, sighing as he watched, "It's tragic really…"
"Oh, it certainly is, young man," C-3PO spoke to the two bystanders, "But I believe you misheard the Wookie, he was saying he spots a little droid approaching us."
"Little droid?"
'Look behind you, kid.'
Suddenly, a series of beeps interrupted the moment. The little astromech droid, white with blue accents, rolled into the scene, catching the attention of everyone at the funeral.
"R2? What are you doing here?" Padmé asked, surprised.
R2-D2 continued to beep and whistle, and C-3PO quickly translated.
"It seems he is carrying a message from Obi-Wan Kenobi," C-3PO announced. He then turned to the Jedi and asked, "Master Ani, does that name mean anything to you?"
Once inside Padmé's Nubian Starship, the senator and Jedi were preparing to watch a transmission when Naruto unexpectedly joined them. They then listened to the message that the astromech droid had managed to obtain. As soon as the hologram of Obi-Wan activated, the message began.
["Anakin, my long-range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant."]
Hearing this, Padmé turned around and pressed a button, doing so as the transmission went on to Coruscant, with Obi-Wan continuing this message after a small pause.
["I have tracked the bounty hunter and Ölüm member, Jango Fett, to the droid foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala."]
["The Commerce Guilds and the Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming– wait."]
Obi-Wan halted as he spotted something and pulled out his lightsaber, deflecting blaster shots on the hologram as he was pushed back, a Droideka was responsible as it overwhelmed Kenobi.
But then also something jumped through the hologram, a hooded figure that then held a kunai and ended the transmission by taking out the hologram projector.
The findings of Obi-Wan caused Anakin and Padmé to look at one another before they then turned to Naruto who proceeded to stare back at them, this was a situation of awkward revelations, given an Ölüm member was behind the attempts on the senator in the same room as one of its commanders.
["Anakin."]
But before questions could be asked further, the holographic form of Windu entered, addressing Kenobi's padawan immediately.
["We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the senator at all costs. That is your first priority.]
Upon hearing the orders, Anakin nodded solemnly, "Understood, Master." The holographic image of Master Windu flickered and vanished, leaving Padmé with a look of deep concern etched on her face.
"They'll never get there in time to save him," she lamented, her voice tinged with urgency. "They have to come halfway across the galaxy." With determination, she moved swiftly to the starboard computer, her fingers dancing across the controls as she pulled up Obi-Wan's coordinates. "Look," she pointed out, her eyes lighting up with hope. "Geonosis is less than a parsec away."
Anakin's expression shifted to one of conflict as he followed her into the cockpit, his gaze briefly meeting Naruto's. "If he's still alive," he argued, his voice edged with doubt, just as Padmé turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Ani," she implored, her voice a mix of pleading and frustration. "Are you just going to sit here and let him die? He's your friend, your mentor—"
"He's like my father!" Anakin interjected passionately, the words spilling out in a rush. Yet he hesitated, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "But you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here."
"He gave you strict orders to protect me, and I'm going to help Obi-Wan." She turned decisively, her movements purposeful as she began preparing the ship for takeoff. "If you plan to protect me, you'll just have to come along," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.
'She kinda got a point there,'
"Naruto, prepare for takeoff." Padmé says as Anakin to the co-pilot seat, "Tell your Wookie friend you'll be leaving with us. Say it's an emergency."
"Alright then, allow me," Naruto said walking to the back of the cockpit, while the two droids were preparing themselves for the journey they found themselves having joined into.
"I'm not worried, R2." C-3PO said while sitting down, admitting, "It's just I haven't flown in a very long time."
As the engines of the Nubian starship roared to life, it gracefully lifted off from the arid surface of Tatooine, leaving behind the dusty dunes of the desert planet. The crew focused on the coordinates that would guide them through the vastness of space toward Geonosis. With the stars beginning to twinkle in the twilight sky, the ship surged forward, embarking on a daring mission to rescue their allies from the clutches of danger.