"Padmè you really didn't have to drive me back, I was alright walking." I spoke up tiredly as we made our way through the early morning traffic of Coruscant towards me and Anakins apartment. It wasn't far at all, the tiring part was how early it still was. The sun wasn't even up yet but I'd felt like I should head back. Only some when along the way I must've woken Padmè because she'd insisted upon driving me.
"Nonsense," She spoke up seeming to have more to say but being interrupted by her own yawn. I chuckled a little and leant over to rest my head on her shoulder and pull my robe round her for warmth. "It was no trouble really, I needed to come this way anyhow." She replied, almost missing the turning off towards our apartment.
"At this our? Really? Come on Padmè admit you're just being protective." I chuckled while looking up to her face with a amused smile. She rolled her eyes while slowing the speeder down to stop outside the complex.
"Alright maybe you have a point, come on let's get you home." She in turn chuckled while getting out, offering me a hand as she turned back. Accepting her hand I smiled and pulled myself from the speeder, a happy content feeling in my heart as we approached the building. The lobby was still empty apart from the odd droid as we made out way to the lifts.
"Thanks for looking after me Padmè, for always looking after Anakin and I, you're a really great friend." I spoke quietly while glancing up towards her as the lift proceeded to move up through the buildings levels. The still delusory looking senator smiled at me and ran a hand round my shoulders.
"(Y/n) it's a pleasure honestly, you and Anakin are like family, I want to help you however I can and I promise I always will," She responded kindly with a warm glint to her eyes. The lift sounded with a ping as it came to our level, doors sliding back to reveal the long hall of doors. "Speaking of which.." Padmè began again as we exited the lift and headed along towards our door. I glanced back over my shoulder giving her my full attention once more. Well as full as it got at five
In the morning. "I'll give you a call later on with an appointment time for what we discussed, I know some people who may be able to do it off the books but it'll take a few calls to arrange," as she spoke of the abortion we came to a halt outside my door, standing around until the conversation was done. "Just be ready and try to avoid travelling off world until I know more. I promise I'll be as quick as I can."
"Okay, thank you, I'll make sure not to get assigned any missions for the next couple of days, shouldn't be to hard after my recent beating." I jokingly responded though I'm sure the gratitude was shown in my eyes. Then I struggled to stifle a yawn, my eyes closing as I leant of the door.
"You're welcome honey, now go get some rest and I'll speak with you later," The senator responded sweetly rubbing her hand over my hair before using a keycard to open the door before her. "Now shoo, go on, get some rest." She added ushering me into the room beyond.
"Alright alright, thanks for everything." I responded with a sweet smile, looking back as she gave a last smile and closed the door.
The apartment was complete quiet as I walked in further, anyone inside must've been asleep still. Heading to the kitchen I made myself a coffee before walking through into the living room and towards the large window. Staring out I watched as the sun began to wash the whole of the city beyond with a warm orange glow. It seemed so peaceful, tranquil even. The quiet was almost eerie, how you couldn't even hear the speeders passing by outside, and not a noise stirred within the apartment itself. Drifting into the hood of the force my eyes tracked a blacked out speeder through the air, a cold feeling sending a shiver down my spine just before it travelled out of sight.
"Huh...master you're back." I heard a familiar voice speak behind me, almost relieved it wasn't Anakin. Turning round my eyes crossed to the young teenage girl, offering her a small smile. I needed her light right now, and I could also sense she was the only one around.
"Ari, I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner, also I'm sorry if I woke you, it's very early still." I responded calmly while taking a couple of steps towards the girl, who surprisingly enough didn't appear to by in her pyjamas. She wasn't wearing her robes either, no looked more like a fitted flight suit - the kind my master used to wear. The girl offered my a grin and ran a hand back through her to tasseled brown curls.
"Don't worry it's fine, my and the guys only just got back actually...well we got back a few hours ago but me and Dice had this whole bet going and so one thing led to another, anyway I only dropped by for my snack-pack." The girl replied in her chattery cheerful way, her words fast pace and raising many questions. I won't deny I'd didn't like the idea of her being out so late, even with the clones there was still a chance she'd run into danger. Still I was in no place to reprimand her tonight.
"Late night picnic?" I asked instead while raising a brow in friendly curiosity.
"Yeah, me Soka Dice and Rex were going to head to the military base tower and watch the sun rise, I should hurry back actually or I'll-
Before she could finish a loud crash broke through the quiet from behind me and glass flew by from the now shattered window. Thrown forward from the blast I felt the wind knocked from my lungs as I collided harshly with the ground. Immediately my heart picked up its pace with fear and my hand reached for where my saber would usually lie. But of course it wasn't there, I hadn't had it since the mission. Cursing under my breath I rolled behind the couch and sat up, only then hearing the ignition of two sabers. Eyes darting after the sound fear filled my heart as my vision was consumed by the sight of my padawan facing off against an all to familiar sith.
It was my father former apprentice, the one that had tried to torture me for information. Visions of that terrible night filled my mind as each scar across my body flared up in pain, his cruel words echoing round my mind as my fear quickly became panic.
"Ari no! Stay back he's dangerous!" I called out while scrambling to my feet, ignoring the pain as glass shards cut at my palms. The tall man pushed my padawan back against the wall and flourished his red blade, turning to my with a mocking smirk.
"They let you teach? How pathetic, the order must be desperate," the sith mocked as we began to circle each other. Though he held the advantage since I hade no weapon. "First my sister now you, how pitiful." He chuckled darkly before suddenly pulling me close with the force until his fingers gripped round my throat. Wincing I clawed my fingers against his hold, kicking a foot out towards his leg as he pulled me up into the air.
"You're...you're Daramar Starfallen, aren't you..?" I stuttered out at a loss for breath, trying to keep him talking in the hopes help would arrive during such. The longer I dragged this out the better our odds where. "You're the one..W-who tried to blow up the council as a kid..." I added when he didn't appear to want to respond, watching as his yellow eyes shone and smirk grew at my comment.
"That'd be correct, I saw the light, so to speak...and your father took me in as his protege," He replied with a sick expression as he learnt his face closer to mine. I winced as he dug his nails into my neck, eyes crinkling with a cringe. "...but he was weak...just like you, tainted by emotion, I lack that weakness so don't even think of trying anything funny." He added with a half growl resonating in his throat, gold eyes narrowed into a sharp glare that bore right into mine. My hand suddenly dropped form trying to pull a lamp over to smash into him and instead I gasped as he cut of my airways completely. Gagging from the lack of oxygen my lips began to tingle and heart throb loudly in my chest, the fear made worse by the fact it was him inflicting this pain. This man before men had plagued the darkest corners of my mind ever since that incident, his laughs echoed in my nightmares every night I spent alone. Closing my eyes I tried to reach through the force towards Anakin but felt myself growing to lighthearted.
"...Ari...run..." I whispered knowing she probably wouldn't hear, black spots filling my vision as I began to pass out.
Ari's pov
Crouched down at the end of the couch I pushed away my comlink mid message as I felt masters fading consciousness. Master called this man Starfallen, but as far as I was aware that name was her masters - the scary lady with anger issues. But this most definitely wasn't her, he had a red lightsaber for starters - so he had to be a sith right?
Well there wasn't time to dwell on it: whoever or whatever he was he was trying to take (n/n), and I wouldn't let that happen.
"Hey bantha breath!" I shouted out to get his attention while spinning up onto the back of the couch and igniting my saber. His head darted round, scary yellow eyes glaring at me with hate. Well now I had his attention, time to do what I do best and irritate the hell out of him. "Anyone ever told you the whole 'black mullet' look is about as attractive as being a purple skinned trandosion named Keith?" I added with my signature bright smirk, twirling the hilt on my blade through my fingers and watching with satisfaction and anger ignited in his eyes. The man threw my master across the room to fall against the nearest wall, turning his attention fully towards me with fury.
"You bratty little...
"Brat? Ah wait you can't really use that twice in the same sentence can you?" Interrupting I hoped down from the back of the couch, expression unchanging from the usual grin as he strode over to look above me. Again I could see the anger rising in his eyes. This was almost to easy, provoking younglings and other padawans in furling practise had always been a simple fun trick - but insulting a sith? Wow he looked passed.
Not entirely sure wether that was a good thing yet.
"You're not the brightest are you big guy? Maybe less time in the gym more time in class eh?" Again o quipped watching his muscles tense or more importantly fingers tense round his lightsaber. He was about to make a move.
"Ignorant little girl." Sure enough after muttering that simple insult he swung the blade with both hands right towards me. Luckily my skills come with movement being a 'little girl', so I ducked and weaved round, clashing my blade to his on the defensive.
"Ooo not happy are we? Tell me, what will your master say when I beat you - hah, I but he'll be soooo pissed." I chuckled while parrying a few strikes while bobbing and weaving round his like a weasel-rat. Irritated further his strike momentarily grew more aggressive however also more sloppy. Humming as I spun on my feet practically running laps round the giant of a man I remembered something Master Skywalker had said not to long ago.
It was during our mission to intercept Grievous, we were navigated this place called the Balmora run or some such when all the scopes went dead and well then we ran into trouble like always. But anyway he said to trust in the force, let it guide me back to the group. It sounds simple I know...but I usually struggle with connecting to the force around me. Listening to it then, it was like I instinctively knew what to do.
A punch to the jaw bought me back to reality, my body flying back and hitting the nearest wall. Giving a groan I opened my eyes and watched him fast approaching. A glance to my left confirmed my master was still unconscious on the floor. I couldn't let him get to her. Feeling a little panicked for the first time since the fight began I tried to calm myself, following master Skywalkers instructions and reaching out into the force. I closed my eyes and bit my lip, desperately trying to focus for the sake of the unconscious woman beside me.
Suddenly things seemed to become clear: rolling to the right, blocking with the force then parrying back across the living room. The moves flowed easily, like for the first time ever I was taking things seriously. No longer was a wearing a mischievous grin but instead an actual expression of focus - o surprised myself even catching a glimpse in the nearest mirror. Well before it shattered during the fight.
Finally I'd managed to push him back towards the gaping hole where the window had once been, the wind whipping through my hair. That's when my concentration broke, after just over a minute the thin thread snapped as the wind managed to blind me.
I let out a Yelp as I felt myself tugged across the floor my my wrist, gasping in slight pain as my lightsaber was wrenched from my grasp. Staring up through the raffled stand of my fringe I watched the mans lips curve into a creepy smile, my blood running cold at the sight.
"Brave little girl," he chuckled darkly placing a finger under my chin and tilting my head back. "But foolish all the same." He added swiftly while suddenly tugging my up by my wrist and dangling me of the edge of the building. My heart began to race at the sight of the dizzying drop. There was no way even I could survive that kind of fall. If he tossed me I was dead.
"Don't move!" I suddenly heard a modulated voice shout from inside the apartment, torch light shining out upon the both of us. Squinting into the spotlight I grinned as I caught sight of a familiar green saber.
"Soka I-Ah force!" My elation was interrupted by the sudden rush of wind as the sith realised me and I began to free fall having already missed the apartment ledge. Unable to see what was going on above I heard a few blaster shots before feeling myself caught mid-air and pulled back up to safety. Landing right atop Ahsoka in a tangle of limbs I immediately hugged my best friend tightly.
"Thank you thank you thank you." I spoke quickly, extremely grateful for the save since that had been a little to close even by my standards. Ahsoka briefly embraced me back with a small relived looking smile.
"What are friends for?" She replied sweetly before we both scrambled back up to our feet. Saber now drawn once more we stood before our clone captains defensively eyeing the sith, all those friendly expressions dropped and replaced by defensive confidence. "Care to introduce me to your friend? I'm guessing by the mess he wasn't invited here." Ahsoka spoke in a colder tone as her eyes stayed pointed in a glare towards the sith. I twirled my saber through my fingers and listened to in hum, looking from the tall dark haired man then across to my friend.
"No he wasn't, he-Ahsoka get down!" I yelled suddenly noticing the mans saber flying back though the air right towards where she was stood. Without any time to waste I took a running jump and pushed my friend to the floor, shielding her from the baked while feeling and it instead cut a gash into my shoulder. In an attempt to to cry out I big down hard on my lips and screwed my eyes shut as my body collapsed over hers.
"Easy there, put the weapon-"
Footsteps echoed past us along with the hum of a speeder engine.
"Call it in! We can't have him escape!" Dice shouted over the uni stable ring of his heavy assault rifle. All the noise however was just one loud ring for me as the pain in my shoulder grew.
"This is CT-7567 requesting back up off the Coruscant west apartment complex, we have a target moving,
"North north east!"
"North north east, target is armed and deemed to highly dangerous, we will require...
Rex's voice faded from my hearing and ringing in my ears grew louder, Mya hole body beginning to shake as I rolled off Ahsoka and onto my back with my eyes still close.
"Ari, Ari..!" I heard Ahsoka gasp before feeling hands of my forearms.
Why did this feel familiar? Like I'd seen it all before in a dream...
Anakins pov
Down in the lower levels I was drowning away my doubts in alcohol since I was still miserable (y/n) hadn't come home. The apartment had felt so empty without any of them around, I just had to escape it. It didn't help the Chancellors words were still echoing in my head, I'd been hoping the alcohol would help drown them out but know such luck.
At some point during the night..,or perhaps morning, it all looked the same here. Anyway at some point I'd been dragged back to one of the booths by this waitress...I think she said her name was Destiny but honestly I was and still am to drink to be sure. Let's just say I'd drank so much it was no longer my brain doing the thinking, and this chic had it all going on - not in the subtle, elegant way (y/n) was beautiful, this woman looked liked she'd been designed by teenage boys in a lab some place. Still that didn't give me an excuse to let her kiss me...and I knew that, gods I knew that.
It was so wrong, she was so wrong, the whole situation was completely wrong.
But it my intoxicated state I just didn't care to push her away.
It's not like I spoke with her, or even laid a hand on her for that matter. I just didn't turn her down when she grew close to me.
"What's that." She mused actually managing to gain my attention for the first time since this all began. I looked to where she was pointing and my wrist and saw my comlink flashing. Immediately I wobbled up to sit up straight and fumbled to press the button to pick up.
"Speak." Was the only word I managed to slur out in my miserable state as I stared at the little device.
"General Skywalker, there's been an incident at your apartment, general (y/l/n)'s been attacked by what we're believing to be a Sith Lord, the commander managed to defend her but she'd also been injured, we could use your help with those one sir." At first my mind was wondering from thought to thought over which clone this could be and how they were all the same, normal drunk stuff. But then when he mentioned (y/n) a suddenly stood up pushing the table forward slightly and spilling whatever remained of my last drink. For those moments I was completely sober and worry stuck me like a lightening bolt, worry and guilt for not having been there.
"Imma on my way." I think I just managed to slur out as a response while grabbing my cloak and heading for the door with swaying steps.
"You're leaving." That fake chic pointed while walking beside me with does eyes that likely would've worked had I not just been told my fiancé had been attacked.
"Yeah." I replied simply as a mumbled while slipping my cloak on. The thought I shouldn't drive in this state hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Aww, well come back soon," she whined before wrapping her fingers round my shoulder and leaning so her lips were right there by my ear. "...I'll be waiting." She added with an annoying false giggle.
"Don't." I replied in a grumbled mutter while pushing her off me. I hate clinging fake woman...
Passing out onto the street a guy in a black cloak practically attempted to walk through my shoulder, shoving me slightly to one side in the process. I turned with a frown to watch after where he'd left hoping to give him a piece of my mind. Spotting the back of his head I then decided against the idea however on noticing he was speaking with that same chic who'd been fawning over me all night.
"...there's only one word for women like that.." I mumbled with a roll of my eyes before heading back towards my speeder at a hurried pace, just wanting to get back to the only person who I could ever truly love.