- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 -

it was war, it wasn't fair

MUFFLED VOICES filtered into Regina's ears as she regained consciousness. She slowly became aware of the hard ground she was laying on, the cold and warm air that mixed together, and most of all, the unbearable pain that encompassed her entire body. Her head throbbed and her skin felt as if it were on fire.

Slowly opening her eyes, Regina took in the faint firelight that illuminated a large cavern; quiet chatter coming from the clones drifted toward her and she could make out pieces of various conversations. As she tried to sit up and get a better idea of where she was, movement surprised her.

"Master Sitara!" exclaimed a shocked voice from beside her, a figure moving into her vision. "Don't move. You need to rest." Regina slowly turned her head to see Ahsoka sitting at her side. The Togruta looked worried but relieved at the same time.

"What happened?" Regina inquired, following the Padawan's orders and resting her head back on whatever was supporting it.

Ahsoka looked grim. "The Separatists destroyed the shuttle. We barely made it out alive. Now, we are waiting for the Council to send someone to rescue us." Regina smiled slightly at the irony. They'd come here as a rescue yet they were in need of being picked up themselves.

And then she remembered.

"Ahsoka, where's Echo?"

The Padawan turned her head away, not looking Regina in the eyes. A bad feeling filled Regina.

"He didn't make it," Ahsoka slowly explained. "He took most of the blast."

Regina was silent.

She should have been able to save him. If she had tried, she could have pushed him out of the way, figured out a way to save him. But it was too late. He was gone.

"And how did I get here?" Regina asked the apprentice. Ahsoka shook her head. "I'm sorry–"

"Don't apologize," Ahsoka said quickly. "I just think Master Skywalker should answer your questions..." She looked over to the side–the spot Regina couldn't see without getting up to peer over a rock. "...But he's busy."

"Why should he tell me?" Regina asked, a feeling of alarm filling her.

Ahsoka shook her head. "Oh, it's nothing bad. It's just... When the explosion happened, I've never seen him act like he did. He wouldn't leave your side. He kept repeating that you were alive and that he couldn't leave you."

"Did someone think I was dead?" Regina asked, her eyebrows raised.

Ahsoka shook her head. "For a minute, yes. But then Master Piell took your pulse or something and you were alive and well again. But my master insisted on carrying you. Blue and Breaker volunteered to do it, but he refused to let them."

Regina blinked.

Anakin had been so worried about her that he'd risked discover in order to carry her away from the battle? The thought warmed and worried her at the same time.

"He brought you all the way here, carrying you. You were unconscious the entire time. Most of us thought you wouldn't make it..." Ahsoka drifted off again.

"Well, I do feel horrible," Regina remarked, trying to change the subject. But her mind was still on Anakin insisting on bringing her himself. He'd do that for her? In front of two Council members? And there was Echo... She pushed that away. There was nothing she could have done.