Redemption// Anakin Skywalker x Reader (Book 2)

Chapter 7

The former Padawan walked to his Master and gave him a hug. They let go after a few moments with grins on their faces, but held onto each other's shoulders. "How have you been?" Anakin asked. "I've been well, and you?" Obi Wan responded, keeping his eyes on his friend. "Living the life." Anakin said sarcastically. Obi Wan chuckled, "I see you've kept your wit."

"And you're still complex."

"Perhaps more than ever in these troubling times. I've come here because I need your help Anakin. Possibly your friend's assistance too. What's your name?" Obi Wan asked. "Luke Skywalker." The boy replied. Obi Wan eyed Anakin, indicating if the boy knows. Anakin lightly shook his head 'no.'

Obi Wan still had a beard, which was grey along with his grey hair. Anakin however had his dirty blonde hair still, with a slight stubble. Both of their hair was messy and somewhat long. Anakin tried to keep his hair the same as it was years ago. It was his favorite hairstyle. Obi Wan kept his trimmed the best he could.

"Well, Luke. I need both of you to help me and the Rebellion. It is time, my old friend. The Empire's reign must come to an end, sooner than ever." Anakin frowned, "I can't come out of hiding. It's too dangerous. For everyone and the Rebellion." Obi Wan responded, "I think that time is long gone. They need you. You must restore the balance, or all hope is lost."

Anakin was quiet. His mind pondered with the options laid before him. He wanted to help and bring balance, but that would mean having to face the Emperor, and Kreia. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

"I'm sorry, Obi Wan. I can't." Anakin told his friend. "Then all hope is lost. The Empire's rule will become stronger and the people will suffer longer." Obi Wan was disappointed. He thought Anakin would want to help, especially be in action again.

"What about you, Luke? Do you want to come with me and help the Rebellion and I take down the Empire? You could even learn the ways of the Force." Obi Wan looked over Anakin's shoulder, meeting Luke's eyes. "The Force? You're a Jedi?" Luke questioned. "A long time ago. The Force is strong with you, Luke. Do you want to come with me?" Obi Wan asked. "I-" He hesitated, "I can't. My Uncle needs me to help with the harvest." Obi Wan's head lowered, but Luke spoke briskly, "This R2 unit has something for you, Anakin. And maybe you too, Obi Wan."

Sitting down in the sandstone chairs, R2 positioned himself and played the message. The young girl dressed in white appeared once more, pleading, "Help me, Anakin Skywalker. You're my only hope."

Anakin froze at the sight. His daughter, begging for his help. Although Anakin acknowledged how Leia and y/n's beauty resembled each other's, he could only think of her plea. As the message played over and over, Anakin knew what he had to do.

"I'll come with you." He turned to Obi Wan. Obi Wan nodded and asked Luke, "Are you sure?" Luke's face looked disenchanted, "Yeah. I'm sorry, it's just we don't have enough droids. Speaking of, I should get back home."

"We'll come with you." Anakin said, without consulting in Obi Wan. He wanted to see his son before he left, probably for good.

-

Stopping at a Jawa transportation, they saw the smoke, unmoving bodies and metal parts that laid outside of it. "What happened?" Luke asked as they got closer. Observing the scene, Anakin noticed the tracks that were side by side. "This was definitely the Sand People. Look, theres bantha tracks and gaffi sticks. I've never heard them hitting something this big before." Luke spoke.

"It wasn't them. We are meant to believe it was them. See the tracks? They're side by side, but they travel single file to hide their numbers." Anakin explained. "These are the same Jawa's that sold us the droids." Luke said. "And the blast points, too accurate for sand people. Only Imperial stormtroopers are so precise." Obi Wan stated.

"But why would they slaughter Jawas?" Luke realized when he moved his eyes to the droids who waited below the small hill. "If they traced the droids here, then that means they traced them back.. home." Luke ran to the speeder and Obi Wan and Anakin followed, but Luke was too fast. "It's too dangerous!" Anakin yelled as Luke drove away.

"He doesn't know yet?" Obi Wan asked. "No. I don't know what I'm gonna do." Anakin said, watching the dust fly up behind the speeder, behind his son.

-

Luke jumped out of the speeder that stopped outside of his black-smoked house. "Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru!" He called out, longing for an answer. It was when he saw two burnt skeletons outside the doorway was when he stopped in his tracks.

Looking down, then back up, Luke saw the true consequences of the Empire. Watching the smoke burn and his Aunt and Uncle with it, Luke realized what he had to do. He needed to avenge them and all others who suffered from the Empire.

-

Opening the cell door, Darth Kreia walked in and saw Leia sitting on the metal bed. "Now, your Highness, we will discuss the location of your rebel base." The mind probe flew in, with it's needles and shock devices attached to it. "Don't make this harder than it has to be. I don't want you to get hurt, all you have to do is tell me the location." Kreia spoke in a relaxed tone.

Kreia's could feel Leia's fear. She didn't want this for the young girl, but she had to do what must be done. "What will it be, Princess?" She questioned one last time, but Leia stayed quiet. "Very well."

Darth Kreia held out her hand next to Leia's head, focusing on her mind. Leia was strong in keeping her thoughts hidden from her and somehow kept her away. Using more energy, Kreia pushed past Leia's blockade and found something. But it wasn't the something she was looking for. It was memories of when she was a baby. Mostly feelings, but nevertheless, Kreia couldn't stop. She needed to know the location.

Trying harder, she only got deeper into the feelings. Pain, sadness- devotion filled her body. Then she felt something, something so familiar from so long ago. "Don't leave me." The broken and frightened girl begged, breathless. Her husband beside her, giving her the only comfort she needed. "I won't. I promise."

Kreia stumbled away from the young girl, shaken at what she saw. "It can't be.." Her modified voice spoke. Leia looked confused and uncomfortable. Darth Kreia was confused and asked, "Were you adopted?"

"I'm not telling you anything." Leia spit at Kreia's helmet. Wiping the spot her saliva hit, she had enough for the day. Kreia allowed the droid to do what it was best at. She left the room and the door closed behind her, leaving the wails of pain behind her as she headed to her chambers.