The Fall | Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

Chapter Thirty Three

Alina stood still as the Geonosians chained her to a cart behind Anakin and Padmé's. Alina exchanged looks with Anakin and Padmé as the Geonosians chattered amongst themselves, sounding amused which unsettled the younger Padawan. "Don't be afraid" Anakin murmured to both girls. Alina only nodded "I'm not afraid to die" Padmé said "I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life" her voice was barely more than a whisper and Alina almost missed it.

She turned her attention to the Geonosians in a futile effort to try and make even the barest hint of sense of their clicks. Anakin and Padmé deserved to have their moment without her eavesdropping. She turned her attention back to the front as the cart started moving into the Arena. She couldn't help but smile a little when she saw her brother kiss the Senator, Jedi code or not if they died today then they deserved to have a moment of happiness before they did so.

She squinted as the sun hit her eyes once she entered the arena, it was a sharp contrast to the darkness of the tunnels and the prison area where they were held for a short while. The loud clicks of the crowd were deafening as swarms of Geonosians cheered for their deaths but Alina wasn't looking at them, her eyes were set on a large balcony overlooking the area where a man dressed in elegant clothes stood next to a Geonosian who she guessed was King Poggle.

On the other side of him stood her Master, she wasn't too surprised to see him as Sylvie had mentioned the part about his traitorous nature in the holocall. Their eyes met for a brief second but neither cared enough about the other and shifted their attentions to the others. Just behind them were two Nemodians and the Fetts, both of whom had their helmets off.

She looked at Boba who was already watching her. This time she did maintain eye contact, at least until her cart drew to a stop in front of five large red pillars in the center of the arena. She glanced at Obi-Wan and Sylvie who were tied to neighboring pillars, giving the three on the carts incredulous looks as they passed. Alina could only manage a sheepish half smile as she shrugged.

The Geonosians crowed as they pushed the prisoners out of the carts and tied them to the pillars. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd got my message" Obi-Wan said. "I retransmitted it Master, just as you asked" Anakin responded. "No, I retransmitted it. You're welcome" Alina corrected, shooting a scowl at the Geonosian who was chaining her to the pillar. "We're about to die. Does it really matter?" Anakin asked "yes" Alina said simply. "Fine. Alina retransmitted it and then we decided to come and rescue you" Anakin said, turning back to the Jedi Knights. Obi-Wan looked up at his shackles "Good job" Alina bit back a snicker "Well, I suppose it would be too much to assume you came in with a plan B?" Sylvie asked.

Both Skywalkers looked away. "Thought so" she murmured. The Geonosian King said something, most likely ordering the execution to begin as five gates opened up in front of them. Out of the first came a black creature with a red, horned head and a tough hide. It let out a thunderous roar. Anakin's creature was a Reek. Out of the next came a green bug like creature with six legs.

Obi-Wan's executioner was an Acklay. Next a white cat like creature with a flat head, long mouth and spikes on its back bounded out. Padmé's was a Nexu. In front of Sylvie was a black wolf like animal with a whip thin tail and predatory stalk. Of all the animals... A Vornskr. She'd heard about them from the archives, predatory beasts who fed on the force.  Then came her creature, a red odd looking insect with let out a guttural screech upon spotting those present in the arena. She saw spots on its back where wings may have been. "I've got a feeling about this" Anakin said. Alina gave him a look "Really now? I wonder why?"

The Geonosians guards forced the creatures to the center of the arena in front of the prisoners. "Just relax, and concentrate" Obi-Wan instructed "What about Padmé?" Anakin asked "She seems to be on top of things" Sylvie said simply as Padmé climbed up to the top of her pillar. The Acklay struck first, stabbing its pincers into the wall which cut off his cuffs.

The Reek charged towards Anakin who leaped on top of it. The red creature drew closer while Alina stared at her cuffs, doing her best to try and get them off her. With a click they fell off her hands and onto the sand below and not a moment too soon as the creature charged at her, hitting the wall she she ducked out of the way.

She heard a cry of pain from Padmé and glanced her way, that cost her as her creature took advantage of the fact that she was distracted and managed to tackle her to the ground, the tentacles around its head reached out towards her face, it's gaping mouth right above her. She flung it back with the force, scrambling to her feet. She looked back at Padmé, smiling as the Senator kicked Nexu back to the ground though she couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for the Nexu upon hearing its whimpers but it soon got onto its feet and the whimpers disappeared along with her sympathy and time to watch as the red creature launched itself at her again.

She dodged it again before glancing back at the Nexu. Maybe... She looked back at where she stood, quickly grabbing the cuffs off the ground as the creature lunged again. This time she flung it against the pillar before throwing the cuffs at the Nexu, drawing its attention to her. The Nexu roared and decided to abandon Padmé for the time being and ran towards her instead just as her own creature got up.

She tensed, ready to jump as they drew nearer. Every instinct screamed at her to run now but not yet. Not until the last second... She sprung up, using the force to leap over the Nexu which ended up striking her creature which roared at it, enraged. Alina didn't hesitate to speed towards Padmé, joining her at the top of the pillar in a few short jumps, aided by the force. She snapped Padmé cuffs off before surveying the arena. Anakin had managed to tame his Reek and was riding it while Obi-Wan and Sylvie stood back to back with the guard's spears in hand.

The Acklay was striking at them from one end and the Vornskr from the other. She watched as Sylvie struck at the tail, cutting off its main weapon though it still had its claws and teeth to strike at her with. A growl from below drew her attention. The Nexu, it seemed had finished off Alina's creature and was back to the pillar only for Anakin who charge at it with his Reek, killing it. "Jump!" He called. Alina let Padmé jump first before following suit.

The Reek then rushed towards Sylvie and the Vornskr, slamming the wolf like creature into the wall. The Jedi Knight stabbed the spear into the Vornskr's head, killing it. Sylvie leaped onto the creature as they moved towards Obi-Wan who struck a spear into the chest of his Acklay. The green creature removed it, snapping it between its jaws as Obi-Wan moved away from it and towards the Reek.

As he leaped on another gate opened and this time several Destroyer droids filled into the arena and surrounded the creature, their guns trained on its five riders.

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