Promise - Anakin Skywalker

.15

"I can't get ahold of Obi-Wan," Anakin said. He sounded even more stressed out as time passed. "I'll try Captain Rex."

Ella nodded, looking like she felt fine, but she was a mess. Her heart pounded like a drum. She fidgeted with the seam of her cloak. Her breaths were sharp and shaky. Every creak coming from inside the monastery made her stomach drop and her body go numb.

The sky looked beautiful - the clouds turned a deep purple as the sun set. But all was not as serene as it appeared. A raging air battle went down inside the thick cloud cover. Their reinforcements were busy fighting through an enemy armada so they could get to the real fight at the monastery.

Anakin and Ella stood on the second landing pad, anxiously waiting for someone to pick them up before Ventress did.

"We're pinned down in the-!" Captain Rex grunted. In the background, they could hear the sound of shots being fired and the monastery turning to debris. "- the courtyard!"

"Do you need help?" Anakin asked urgently. There was no reply except for the sound of more shooting. "I'll take that as a yes. We're on our way."

"Wait! We've got to get out of here! The Hutt doesn't have much time, Anakin!" Ella said.

"Neither do my troops!" Anakin snapped hostilely.

Suddenly, three shield droids came rolling out onto the platform. "Great!" Anakin shouted sarcastically as they began to deflect everything shot at them. "R2, get the door!" He called through gritted teeth. The droid rolled off, probably eager to get out of the line of fire.

Then Ventress sauntered into the space the droids had left in their line. She had a grim smirk upon her face, her eyes narrow and wild. The smirk grew into an evil smile, baring her rotten teeth. Her image terrified Ella, and just when she was going to look away, R2 had gotten the door slammed shut.

There was a moment of silence, followed by two red lightsabers punching through the thick metal door. It slowly melted, but it wouldn't be long before Ventress broke a hole through the door.

"I think now's a good time for a retreat," Anakin said shortly, his eyes fixed on the red lightsabers.

"You mean we're gonna jump?" Ella said unamused as they peered over the edge of the landing pad.

"She'll either impale or push us off if we don't," Anakin replied.

Ella tilted her body back just before a red beam skimmed the front of her body. Another shot hit the bottom of the pad, shaking it rapidly. Pink, flying creatures came zooming out from under them. She looked behind her. Ventress was almost through the door now. They were out of options.

Then, the Hutt started to squeak waving his hand toward the sunset. Ella looked in the same direction, curious as to what the huttlet could be so excited about.

"Master, a ship!" Ella exclaimed. She pointed to another mountain in the distance with a ship perched on its landing pad.

"That's all I needed!" A smile grew across his face. He took a few steps back and started at a run towards the edge of the pad. As he sprinted passed Ella he grabbed the baby from her backpack and let himself run right off the pad.

"What the-!" Ella began to shout angrily. She was interrupted by a loud crash as Ventress broke down the door. "Fuck," Ella muttered under her breath as she ignited her lightsaber once again.

Ventress did not hesitate to go after her. Ella blinked once and she was already taking swings at her. To Ella's advantage she had two lightsabers as well and a similar fighting style with them.

Block. Block. Block. Strike! Block. Lock! Push!

Both had their lightsabers intertwined and locked together. Barely able to hold her own, Ella used all of her strength to shove back Ventress away from her. A split second later they were back to fighting.

"Yes, Ella!" Ventress hissed as Ella became stronger against her. "Let the anger inside of you fuel you!"

"How do you know my name?" screeched Ella as she scowled at Ventress while trying her best to defend herself. The Sith smirked once more.

"Did the Jedi not tell you-?"

"Ella! Jump!" Anakin shouted.

Not thinking twice about it, Ella felt where Anakin was through the force. At the same time, the landing pad began to crumble and sink from its fastens to the monastery building. Then, with one last metallic groan, it tilted straight up and fell toward the ground. Ella ran straight up the now vertical wall of debris, using the edge of it to jump.

She grabbed Anakin's hand and he pulled her onto the pink creature in which he'd managed to ride. R2, using his jets, came flying up next to them. "It took you long enough!" Ella said as they wildly flew toward the ship in the distance.

And when they made it, Ella had never been so relieved to be on the ground before. "Go prime the engines," Anakin said as soon as their feet touched the ground.

"What are you going to do?" Ella asked sassily.

"That's for me to determine," he replied with a mocking smile.

"Sometimes, I want to punch you in your perfect teeth." She rolled her eyes at him before venturing over to the rickety ship.

"Hey! You're that caretaker droid!" Ella called as she approached the ship. It was the same droid that had greeted them when they first arrived at the monastery.

"What? Oh no, you see I'm-!"

"Alright, we're all ready to go..." A Separatist droid's voice faded out as he caught sight of Ella. Two more droids came bounding down the rickety rusty boarding ramp.

A glare upon her face, Ella ignited her lightsaber. She waited for them to make the first move, wondering if they'd surrender.

"Blast her!" The droid ordered.

"Okay, you're asking for it," Ella said fiercely. She carelessly slashed the three droids, only having to block one shot from them and dodging the rest. Then, she held her lightsaber in front of the caretaker droid.

"Wait-!"

Effortlessly, she cut it across its neck area. Its metal head clanked as it rolled down the ramp. Anakin kicked it out of his way as he walked up the ramp with R2 following close behind.

They eventually found the cockpit after Anakin inspected the entire ship, proceeding to complain about everything wrong with it. Ella rolled her eyes with each complaint.

She let out a deep groan in annoyance. No matter how many times Anakin pressed the button, the engines would not start. In frustration he pressed the dirty red button rapidly, like that would somehow help. To make matters even better, the huttlet began to cry.

"R2, go see if you can spark the ignition," Anakin said, finally giving up.

R2 rolled to the back of the cockpit and tapped into an outlet. The engines began to rev, but they didn't start. Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Try opening the fuel lifters all the way up," he sighed. There was more clicking from R2 trying to operate the ship.

Thankfully, the engines roared to life and the lights came on too. The rickety ship vibrated from all the engine power. Despite the outdatedness, Anakin took control of the ship once more and they soared into the air. As they flew, the ship bumpily hummed.

"Master Kenobi is here!" Ella exclaimed, pointing at the reinforcements who had finally made it.

"Why so excited? I thought I was your master now?" Anakin asked defensively.

"You are!" Ella shrilled. "Just now, we'll see some real action!"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I don't know, maybe the word reckless comes to mind?"

"Says you!" Anakin jabbed back at her.