Clone Wars

War, Injury and Death

Go! Go! Go!, yelled Anakin. The clones hurried forward cutting down droids as they went. Suddenly a huge blast blasted everyone in the air. Anakin felt a searing pain go through his side and when he fell he was pretty sure he landed on his arm the wrong way. "Master!", shouted Ashoka as she hurried to his side. Anakin grunted as he pulled out a piece of metal out of his side. Blood started to flow, "Stay here Master", said Ashoka. She called for a paramedic who hurried over and started to inspect the wound. Rex as well ran over at Ashoka's call. "You okay General?", asked Rex. "Well besides being in a lot of pain right now I've never been better. Do we have the droids in retreat?" "Almost General." "Well then you better get back to it." He saluted and ran off shooting a droid as he went. Anakin was brought back to attention of his injury when he felt pain in his side again. The paramedic wrapped his side and ribs in medical cloths and made a sling for his arm. "Sir you have a broken arm, a big gash from the metal and a few broken ribs. I have immobilized it, but you will need to keep it that way for a month or more. He hurried off to another soldier who was on the ground. 

"Come on Snips, let's go", said Anakin getting up. "Are you going to be okay? You don't want to hurt yourself more." "You're starting to talk like Padme", he muttered. "Who?" "Never mind, I'm fine." But as he started to walk he collapsed in pain. "Master!" "I'm okay Ashoka, but I don't think I can walk on my own right now." He slung his good arm around Ashoka and with her help he slowly walked over to where Rex was standing. "Situation is under control sir", said Rex. "Good, Ashoka we better get going. It's going to take about 3 days to get back to Coruscant for you trials." They headed to the ship and got it fired up. 

Soon they were in hyperspace and Anakin laid down and rested. For the next 2 days Anakin rested and Ashoka studied for her trials. On the third day Anakin was feeling much better, he could now walk without Ashoka's help. He steered the ship out of hyperspace and soon was speeding the ship toward the temple. Anakin set the ship down and he and Ashoka walked down the ship. They were greeted by Obi-Wan and Yoda. And to Anakin's surprised the Chancellor and Padme were there. "Good to have you back you two", said Obi-Wan. Then Obi-Wan eyes glanced at Anakin's injuries. "Anakin what happened!?" "Let's just say I wasn't paying attention to a droid firing a shell with pieces of metal. A piece of metal cut me a little and I broke my arm when I fell from the explosion." "That cut was more than just a little cut, it made a gash in your side", interrupted Ashoka. "And you broke some ribs too." "Snips, you're not helping." Obi-Wan smiled amusingly, "Well if you excuse me and Ashoka, I need to show her the schedule for her trials." They walked away and Anakin turned to Yoda. "Go must I to council meeting, talk later we will?", said Yoda. "Of course Master", said Anakin bowing respectfully. Yoda hobbled away leaving Anakin and the Chancellor and Padme. The Chancellor smiled, "My boy, it's good to have back, I've missed you." "Well I'm glad to be back." The Chancellor's commlink beeped and minute later, "My boy, I'm afraid I have to go to a meeting. Come by later and we will talk more?" "I would love to." The Chancellor got into his speeder and drove away. "Well Master Skywalker I must go as well." He bowed politely while whispering, "See you tonight." Padme smiled and got into her speeder and drove away. 

He made his way to his room and unpacked. About a hour later there was a knock and a young Padawan handed him a note. It was a letter addressed to him and the handwriting was Padme's. He opened and started to read:

Dear Anakin, it's Padme. I know we planned to meet tonight, but I just go a call from Sola. It's my dad and he's very sick. I'm leaving in a few minuets and I wrote this to tell you where I am. Sorry I couldn't stay for Ashoka's trials. Call me later please? I love you very much. Love Padme.

Anakin closed the note and put it into his cloak. He got up and went to dinner at the cafeteria. After dinner he went back to his room and called Padme, but didn't get an answer. He decided to meditate in the fountain room. It was late at night when he finally went to bed. The next day was Ashoka's trials and both of them were up early. The trials started at 9:00 and ended at 3:00. After Ashoka was done they waited anxiously for the news outside the council chambers. Finally they were called back in. "Ashoka Tano, we proudly graduate you to Jedi Knight," said Mace Windu. Ashoka bowed and Anakin cut off her Padawan beads. "Thank you Masters", Ashoka bowed again. "Anakin Skywalker since you Padawan has  graduated to Jedi Knight under your teaching, you are promoted to Jedi Master. And we invite you to join our council." "I would be honored, thank you", Anakin bowed as well and took a seat near Obi-Wan. 

After the council meeting was done Anakin packed his bag and headed to his ship. Earlier in the council meeting he had asked to take some time off to heal from his injuries. He got his ship in hyperspace and contacted Padme to tell he was coming to Naboo. He had to leave a message though since she didn't pick up. He came out of hyperspace and set the ship near Padme's parents house. He walked to the door and knocked and waited. The door opened and Sola let him in. "Thanks for coming Anakin, everyone is in the living room." She led him in the living room where everyone was. "Ani!", said Padme getting up and hugging him. Suddenly the doctor came out of the room where Ruwee was. "I'm sorry, he didn't make it." 

That night was a solemn one. Anakin looked over at Padme who was idlily stirring her food around. He got up and went to get more food. When he came back Padme was gone. "Where's Padme?" "She went on a walk", said Jobal. "I see." After dinner he played with Ryoo and Poojah. "Mr. Anakin, where's Auntie Padme?", asked Poojah. "She went on a walk." Satisfied with that answer she went back to her doll. Anakin put them to bed and read them a story before they went to sleep.  

After reading them a story he went to the kitchen. Sola was cleaning the dishes when he came in. "Thanks for putting the girls to bed." "Of course. Sola I have a question, how close were Padme and her dad." Sola sighed, "Very close. Sometimes they went on walks and talked for hours. He was always kind and considerate." "He sounded like a good man...I wish I dad like that." "You didn't grow up with a dad did you?" "No, my mom raised me on her own." He stood up, "I better go find Padme." 

He found her near the lake looking over the water. "Padme, it's getting late." "I know." He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. "Ani, I just want to be alone right now." "Padme please listen." "I just want to be alone, can't you understand that!", she yelled. Immediately she regretted it and she could hurt on his face. "Ani, I'm sorry...I-I." "It's alright, I'll go." He turned and walked back to the house. Padme watched him go. Why had she yelled at the man she loved most? She stared at the water and closed her eyes. She stood out near the water for a while an then headed inside. 

Anakin was sitting on the bed reading when Padme came in. She sat down, "Ani, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. I have been on an emotional roller coaster these past few weeks. With you being gone, the stress of the Senate and then my dad...", she stopped and couldn't finish. Anakin held her close and he gently touched her cheek. "Ani, I almost forgot, how did the trials go?" Anakin smiled, "Ashoka passed with flying colors and I was promoted to Jedi Master and I'm on the council now." "That's great Ani." She hesitated, "Does this mean you'll be home more?" "I don't really know. With my injuries I can stay for at least a month and maybe with the council meetings I would be on the planet more." Padme was quiet and learned against Anakin. He softly tangled his hand in her hair. He smiled, she was so beautiful beyond words could ever describe.

At 1:00 in the morning Padme was awakened by a beeping. She looked around and noticed Anakin's commlink lighting up. Anakin was sleeping soundly so she shook him gently awake. Anakin woke up with a start. "Is everything okay?" "Someone's calling you." He grimaced when he sat up hitting his ribs. He answered, "Master Skywalker here." "Anakin, glad you picked up", said Obi-Wan. "We need you immediately at the temple for a council meeting. A clone trooper shot at Jedi Master Mace Windu, but didn't kill him fortunately." "I'll leave as soon as possible." He shut off the commlink and got out of bed, "I have to go Padme, but I'll be back as soon as I can."  "I'll be here", said Padme giving him a hug. He smiled and then got dressed and headed out.