What Could Have Been Part 2: Anakin's Trials

Breaking, Entering, and Exiting

Padme

Padme jumped at the sudden jolt of movement as the transport groaned to life. "What was that?" she asked R2. R2 whistled as C-3PO answered, "Yes Artoo, we seem to be moving." Padme sighed, "Finally," she muttered. She wanted to get to her family as soon as possible and her hiding spot unfortunately smelled like the equivalent of her husband when he would come in from working on his ships; motor oil and dead tuantuan. And I thought it smelled bad on the outside... she thought.

As the transport lurched into motion, Padme hoped that no one would realize they were on board. She was most definitely breaking the rules by accompanying Mace Windu's strike but the moment she found out about K18, she knew that she would have to stop it. She couldn't allow the Alliance to take her family along with Rett Lisban's base. The only flaw in her plan was the fact that she had no idea how she would stop them.

"Miss Padme, if I may ask, what are we doing here?" the stolen droid asked impatiently. Padme rolled her eyes, "I'm working on it," she hissed. R2 beeped a few times and 3PO patted the little astromech droid's dome, "I know Artoo, but it seems even a protocol droid like myself who was designed to interact with organics and programmed primarily for etiquette and protocol, will never be cable of understanding women!" he spat. Padme glared at the droid, "That's it!" she mumbled before switching him off. R2 whistled what sounded like a stretched out sigh as Padme waited out the ride in peace.

Leia

Leia followed her father and Han down the a stream of hallways. A sudden jolt in the Force made her stop in her tracks. "Luke!" she said abruptly. Anakin and Han turned around, their boots squeaking as the spun. "Who?" Han asked. Leia stared wide-eyed, "My brother. He's in danger." she explained with worry dripping from her voice. She turned to her father who swallowed hard. "Dad, something's wrong. You need to find him."

Her father seemed to only hear a fraction of her words, "Come on," he said firmly as he started off down the chrome lined hall. Leia let gravity hold her feet like a heavy weight, "Dad, I can't come with you. It's too dangerous," she replied with fear holding back her confident intentions. Anakin frowned at her, "No Leia, you're staying with me. I need to protect-" Leia stepped forward, "This is protecting me. Darth Midas wants me and Luke. I have to get out of here," she said quickly. She felt the tug of her brother's fear and it showed through the desperate tone in her voice. Her father furrowed his eye brows, "But who's going to-?" he glared at Han, "No. Not him Leia. It's too risky. I can't lose you." Leia was only a foot away from her father now. Her brown eyes begged him to trust her. "Dad, Luke needs you. You have to believe that I'll be alright. Please Dad..."

Anakin

Anakin closed his eyes. He began to feel Luke's call for help but it was strained by Darkness. He was running out of time and he knew what he had to do. "Fine," he said softly, opening his blue eyes to focus them on his daughter. He turned to Han, laying a strong hand on his shoulder. "Son, I'm trusting you to get Leia out of here. No matter what happens, keep moving. Do you hear me?"

Han seemed to absorb every word with extreme care. "You can count on me, Sir," he answered bravely. Anakin smiled briefly and then returned his fierce stare, "And if anything happens to my little girl..." he said lowly. He quickly cut his sentence short, "...Don't let anything happen to my little girl."

"Dad!" Leia whined. Anakin let his threat hang in the air and finally turned back to his daughter. "Keep moving, and stay safe... Please," he said with a lump swelling in his throat, "May the Force be with you..." Leia pulled him into a hug and her voice came muffled into his tunic, "I love you, Daddy..." He stroked her hair, "I love you too, Princess."

Luke

Darth Midas had to have the worst breath in the entire galaxy. At least, Luke thought so as the Dark Lord held onto him with the Force choke. He leaned closer, "So, my boy, you thought you could save your sister?" he chuckled. Luke felt his head grow fuzzy from the lack of air, "Where is she?" he coughed. Midas relinquished his grip and Luke dropped to the ground sputtering. "She is safe with me, I can assure you," Midas answered easily. Luke held his throat and looked up to see guards pulling Obi-wan away. "And what about Master Kenobi?" he continued weakly. The sinister man only shrugged, "I have no use for him, but he may be of service to perhaps one of my spice mines..." he said, thinking aloud. Luke stayed on his knees, still dizzy after being deprived of oxygen. "And what about me?" he finally asked with strained anger in his tone. Darth Midas grinned as he pulled Luke to his feet with the Force. "Patience child. Your fate will be the same as your sister's. All I ask of you now is for your lightsaber," he instructed, extending an arm.

Luke glared at the man and unclipped his lightsaber. Without a split-second of deciding, Luke sprung into the air with a backflip. He landed with his sword ignited and a smirk growing on his face. He spun around and saw Obi-wan watching in terrified confusion as he Force pushed the guards away from him. The officers clattered to the floor and Obi-wan pulled out his lightsaber. The two blue blades hummed in unison but as Luke turned back, expecting a surprised look on Darth Midas' face, he himself was surprised to see the dark man smiling as wide as he was. "Well done, well done..." he congratulated. Luke narrowed his eyes, trying to piece together why the bad guy was happy to see him disobey.

Midas stepped forward slowly, "It takes a lot of courage to do something so foolish," he continued cruelly. In a swift motion, he yanked the lightsaber from Luke's hand and pinned Luke to the ground with his foot. "You've asked your questions so now it's time I ask mine!" he hissed, leaning down and pressing his boot against Luke's ribs. Luke winced, "I'm listening..." he whispered, trying to hide the pain. Midas' yellow eyes glowed with hatred, "Where is your father?" he demanded.

Luke craned his neck to see Obi-wan running out the door. At the same time, the Force seemed to tug at his mind and he assumed it was doing the same to Master Kenobi. Dad... Leia...

Luke finally connected the last bits of the puzzle. Midas had wanted Luke to free Obi-wan so he would go find his father. Another trap.

Hey guys! As this story nears the end, I thought I would try to fit all the Skywalkers into each chapter. A lot is going on now and I hope it's not too confusing. If you guys have any questions, ask me in the comments! Hope you guys liked this chapter! Until next week, may the Force be with you!