The Apprentice || Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Chapter 18: Better

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Vader's POV
I sent (y/n) to her room with the clones as an extra set of protection and ran to the chambers, hoping my clones were stupid and it was a false alarm or maybe even catch him on my way here to keep him from getting far. But upon arrival, I was met with an unsettling sight: the cell stood empty, the force collar discarded carelessly to one side, and a broken bobby pin lay abandoned on the floor. How could I have been so stupid? "Son of a bitch."

"Nice work there, Emperor," a voice echoed mockingly through the corridor, prompting me to roll my eyes in frustration.

"Now is not the time for your games. Just tell me how long he's been gone," I snapped, stepping closer to the other man's cell. The absence of Obi-Wan's presence was disconcerting; how he managed to cloak himself so effectively eluded me.

The prisoner lounged on his bed, arms crossed beneath his head like a makeshift pillow. He yawned lazily before replying, "No more than ten minutes. You might want to check on your girl, though. Kenobi may be weakened, but he's furious about that blondie over there. I have a hunch your little pet is his first target, and he might just get inventive." He chuckled, and I responded with a frustrated groan, my fist connecting with the glass as I stormed out of the chambers.

(y/n)'s POV
I finished washing my hands after using the restroom and dried them on the black towel that hung neatly by the sink, its fabric soft against my skin. With a flick of my wrist, I turned off the light and made my way back toward the bed, but my steps faltered at the sound of a sharp knock on the door. Instinctively, I summoned my mask to my hand, slipping it on with practiced ease before walking to the entrance.

As I opened the door, I was greeted by a clone in a helmet. "What is it, soldier?" I inquired, leaning casually against the doorframe.

He cleared his throat, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet corridor. "The Emperor has requested that you be relocated to a safer area."

Pushing off the wall, I furrowed my brow suspiciously. "No, he specifically instructed me to remain in this room until told otherwise, by him." I crossed my arms, feeling the tension in the air as the clone let out a frustrated sigh.

"He changed his mind." He shrugged, reaching for my arm—a gesture that all clones knew was a grave mistake. A chill ran down my spine, and I realized this clone was not one of ours.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice steady as I attempted to summon my lightsaber, only to remember I had left it in the bathroom. In a flash, he drew a blaster, and I raised my hand, sending him crashing backward into the wall of the hallway. The shot he managed to fire barely grazed my arm, a stinging reminder of the danger. Without hesitation, I darted back to the bathroom, snatching my lightsaber from the sink. I ignited one end, the familiar hum filling the air as I stepped out, weapon poised defensively before me. But as I peered into the hallway, I found it empty besides two dead clones laying hidden around the doorframe. "Damn it," I muttered under my breath.

A figure emerged from the shadows, startling me to the core. Quickly, I leaped back, swinging my lightsaber in a defensive arc. The figure grasped my wrist, halting my movement. "It's just me," came the familiar voice of Vader. As he released my grip, a wave of relief washed over me; I had been so rattled that I hadn't even recognized him at first.

I retracted the blade, casting it aside, and shot him an irritated look. "Care to explain why someone in clone armor just shot me?"

His expression shifted to one of alarm. "He shot you? Where?" His gaze swept over me, finally landing on my arm. He moved to examine the injury, but I stepped back, shaking my head to deter him.