2k words

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Shackled Lives

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(Y/n)'s POV
"I'm sorry Anakin, but there isn't anything I can do." I heard Master Kenobi from below me and I paused my movements, hoping he wouldn't hear me rummaging through the vents.

After I was cleared by the doctors, the first thing I decided to do was attempt a prison break. Will I be getting in a crap ton of trouble for this by the council and possibly thrown in a cell myself? Absolutely. But do I care? No.

They placed him in the cells that resided in the lower levels of the temple, ones that are meant for the Jedi that stray — it's basically a glorified time out corner. As far as I know, he is only meant to be in there for three days as a punishment for what he did, which I think is stupid because he didn't do anything wrong. I know Mace is a liar, I have this new scar across my cheek as proof.

I heard my Master sigh in annoyance, "Did you even try?"

"Of course I did," Kenobi countered in a tone that sounded like he was offended by Anakin's question, "But with everything going on and all the focus being on the healing of the Padawans and these entire events in general, no one can be bothered to listen to me about this." He wasn't lying about that. After Anakin killed that thing and got taken away — the sole focus of the council switched to figuring out what that thing was, who placed it here, and the well-being of the Padawans and younglings that survived.

There was a moment of silence that lasted for nearly thirty slow seconds before I heard my Master speak again, "Can't you just let me out of here?"

"I would if I could, Anakin, but all that would do is get us both into trouble and I'll end up being in there with you. I think you should sit tight, be patient, and wait out the three short days they sentenced you."

"Three days," Anakin scoffed, "Three days for nothing. He tried to kill her, Obi-Wan."

"And I believe you, but with him being a council member and it being your word against his—"

"Just go," Anakin cut him off, "I want to be alone."

Master Kenobi sighed, "I'll come back and see you soon and bring you dinner — your favorite."

Silence fell once again and I assumed it was Master Kenobi waiting for Anakin to give him a response. But once the silence lingered on, I heard him sigh again, followed by his footsteps echoing away.

I waited a few seconds before continuing forward the small distance and gently undoing the vent so no one would hear me. I was successful and hopped down to the floor, which was on the other side of the room from where he was. He was the only person down here, so thankfully there was no one to alert the temple guards of my presence.

I walked over to the cell he was in that had thick plexiglass which was strong enough to keep him inside with no issues. Inside there was a table with a chair and a single twin bed — that was it. It looked like a dull and miserable place.

He was laying on the bed on his back with his arm draped over his eyes to block out the bright light. It infuriated me that they stuck him in here like this after everything he's done for them during this war, it's like the Jedi have no real sense of loyalty to anyone besides the code— or at least some of them don't, "Master?" I called him.

Instantly, he removed his arm from over his face and turned his head before opening his eyes, "(Y/n)?" He uttered in surprise as he sat up and turned so his body, sitting at the edge of the bed, "What are you doing here?"

I smiled as I held up my lightsaber that I had finally gotten back and ignited it, "Getting you out of this hell hole." I said right before sticking the lightsaber through the door where the lock was and melted the metal. It only took a few seconds before I was able to push the door open and walk in the cell,"Hi." I smiled innocently up at him as he approached me like I wasn't disobeying the entire council by doing this.

He smiled back and raised his arms up where he still had cuffs on to dampen his abilities, "So I guess it's not just me you don't listen to."

I shook my head, "Nope, I only listen to myself," My gut has always told me what I should do, and it is hardly ever wrong, "Now hold still, we wouldn't want me to cut off your other hand." I took a step back and eyed the middle of the cuffs, aiming to get a clean cut.

"Hold on," He stopped me, "The moment you remove these, my presence in the force will return and they'll know I'm free. So do you have a plan?"

"Uh," I scratched the back of my head, "To be honest, I didn't even think I'd get this far."

He chuckled, not looking surprised, "It's okay, I do," He spread his wrists as far apart as he possibly could with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "Make the cut and prepare to run."

Alarms blared throughout the entire temple, signaling Anakin's release.

With his hand gripping my wrist tight, we ran together through the halls, avoiding every person that crossed our path. Thankfully it was only Jedi that seemed to have no idea what was going on, "Where are we going?" I asked loud enough for him to hear me over the alarm.

"To steal something," He answered with an excited smile. He was enjoying this, a little too much. But then I remembered that this is Anakin Skywalker, the biggest rebel in the order. And I can see why he enjoys it so much too, this was thrilling.

He turned us around a corner that led to the docks where the ships were and we both froze. Our path was blocked by clones and certain members of the council, the worst ones, "Skywalker, (y/l/n), this is unacceptable behavior-"

"Eat shit, I did nothing wrong and you know," Anakin told Mace before tightening his hold on my wrist and pulling me in a different direction. We heard their footsteps rushing behind us, "You do know if we get caught, you're getting locked up with me. And now it will probably be a week, not three days."

"Then at least neither of us will be alone," I said without hesitation. I will admit that even though he's an asshole half the time, I have grown attached to him. I have a lot of loyalty when it comes to him, he's done enough for me to earn it.

He didn't say anything more after that and about a minute or so later, we reached the roof where over a dozen speeders were parked. I expected us to jump in the first one and take off, but my Master was taking his sweet time as he looked over all of them. He moved fast when he did, but I still felt it took up more time than it needed to.

Finally I grew frustrated when I heard shouting coming from the ones chasing us, signaling just how close they were, "Oh my god Anakin, just pick one, they are all the same."

"They are not all the same," He argued, "Some of them have open cockpits, which I prefer, and the speed capabilities are-"

"Just pick one!" I yelled as the door to the roof burst open.

"Fine! That one," He pointed to a yellow speeder at the very end of the row and pulled me to it. I almost got whiplash from him picking me up and basically shoving me head first into the passenger seat before he hopped into the drivers side. He hot wired it faster than I've ever seen and I began to wonder just how often he's done something like this. Not the escaping thing obviously, but the stealing of a vehicle.

I finally was able to sit in the seat properly after adjusting myself and my eyes widened when I saw just how close our pursuers were. It included the clones, Mace Windu, Yoda—who seemed more amused than angry as he stood behind everyone and watched with his hands resting on top of his cane—Master Piell and a black cloaked figure that was standing next to Yoda.

The moment I noticed the cloaked figure, they raised their head and I made eye contact with him and it was like time slowed. He felt familiar and he even looked familiar—he reminded me of someone, but I wasn't sure who. Unfortunately I couldn't put it together in time, before Anakin slammed his foot on the accelerator — leaving my thoughts of the stranger behind with the dust.

The speeder took off faster than I thought it would and I screamed in surprise as I grabbed Anakin's arm and held on for dear life, "Will you stop screaming!" He yelled at me as he dropped the speeder down and it seemed like we were headed straight for the ground to crash.

I buried my face in his shoulder to silence my yells and tightly held on. I thought him driving a ship was scary, but this is so much worse. I truly thought this was about to be my last night alive.

I felt the ship whip to the side, pushing me further into him. Then after a few more minutes, I noticed our speeding finally slowing down, "You can open your eyes now, I lost them."

I listened and removed myself from his shoulder, realizing that we were now in the lower levels of Coruscant. I had only ever been here once with Master Ti, although I can't remember why we had been here, "It smells like sewer water and urine down here."

Anakin chuckled as he drove us smoothly through the buildings that were actually quite beautiful. It was a beautiful and bright place if you ignored the smell, "Are you hungry?" He asked,

I snapped my eyes to him with a smile, "God yes." I knew eventually we would have to return and we were going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble. But for now, I see no reason why we can't enjoy this temporary freedom from our shackled lives.

"I know the perfect place."

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"This is so much better than the temple food," I stuffed my face with the fries and whatever else it was that he ordered for me. We were at what looked to be a bar, but it was also a restaurant that sold the best food I have ever tasted.

My Master smiled as he sipped the drink he ordered before setting it down on top of the bar, "This place isn't very well known, but the food is amazing. It's a hidden gem that I like to come to once in awhile when I want to get away from the temple."

I couldn't respond to him because my mouth was full, so I simply judged the basket of fries in his direction to share — he hadn't ordered anything for himself besides an alcoholic beverage and I know he's hungry.

"Thank you," He accepted my offer and grabbed a few before tossing them in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed before sighing and taking a long gulp of his drink, "There's something I need to talk to you about."

After swallowing my food, I nodded, "If it's about returning to the temple, I know we're going to be-"

"No it's not that, let's not worry about that now," He brushed it off as he spun his empty glass on top of the bar with his fingers, "I know you know."

I furrowed my brows in confusion, "Know what?"

"About my past," He side-eyed me, "I know Padmé told you everything."

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