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Cal's POV
I felt like I was seconds from throwing up based on how much smoke I was inhaling. But I couldn't leave, not without the one person who I have yet to find in the mass of rubble that the ship has become.

Rex, Yoda, and Mando were surprisingly okay, except for Rex being unconscious, and Yoda having a slight head injury that was being tended to by the Mandalorian. He on the other hand was protected by his armor, and he's the one who helped me get both Rex and Yoda out. I wasn't in the best shape either, and I was positive that I had at least one or two broken ribs.

But I couldn't worry about that right now; I was searching for Anakin who I last saw in the cockpit. He fainted and about thirty seconds later is when the ship crashed into the concrete ground; throwing us all in separate directions with me flying out of the shattered window.

Using the force, I moved debris out of my way and continued on my search for Anakin; praying he was still alive. We already lost Ti, and my heart hurt for both her and Ahsoka, who I'm dreading on telling. So I didn't want to lose anyone else, especially someone else she cares about deeply - this would destroy her, "Anakin!" I shouted through the ship. The lights were flickering, giving off an ominous atmosphere, "Anakin!" I called again with a cough while moving through the ship.

After a few moments with no luck; I finally got a response, but it wasn't from him. I could hear beeping, and the sound of something rolling along the metal floor. Through the large amount of smoke, I could make out Artoo and his lights as he wheeled towards me slowly.

I sighed with relief when I saw that he was okay and rushed towards him. But before I had a chance to get close enough, he spun around and rolled away from me.

For a split second I was confused on his reaction, until I realized that he probably just wanted me to follow him. So before I could lose him in the thick smoke, I quickly went in the same direction as him. I had to step over small debris, and use the force to move large debris out of my way, that Artoo can conveniently squeeze through, but I unfortunately couldn't.

It only took a few moments for Anakin's figure to come into view, but when he did, I hastily made my way to his side to make sure he was alive. I bent down next to him and the first thing I did was check for a pulse; I let out the longest sigh of relief when I felt one. It was weak, but I was thoroughly convinced that I would find him dead. So for him to be alive, even if it's by a small thread, well I was beyond relieved.

Artoo beeped sadly, and although I don't understand droid, I already knew that he was asking me to help his owner, "Don't worry Artoo, he'll be okay," I tried to convince myself more than him as I placed my arms under Anakin, and attempted to pick him.

He weighed more than I expected and my broken ribs were causing me an abundance amount of pain, so it wasn't easy. But after struggling for a few seconds, and fighting through the pain - I was able to throw him over my shoulder and carry him out.

"I got him!" I announced while gently dropping his unconscious body next to Rex outside.

Our surrounding area looked like a battlefield. The ships crash destroyed multiple buildings, the area was covered in smoke and dust, while flames in separate locations rose high. Many innocent people from inside of the buildings, or even just walking along the street lost their lives. So not only does it look like a battlefield, it's become a graveyard.

Yoda slowly moved to Anakin's side; his cheek was bruised, and he had dried blood on his temple from his head injury that he now had bandaged up. He weakly hovered his small claw over Anakin's stomach wound, and attempted to heal the fatal injury.

But nothing was happening.

"What's wrong?" I asked Yoda who had his eyes closed and appeared to be meditating.

Mando came over and kneeled down by my side as Yoda responded, "Too weak I am," He sighed solemnly, but still continued to try saving our friend.

As I felt Anakin's life force slowly diminishing, an idea came to mind. I reached over and held Yoda's hovered claw in my hand, his eyes opened and met mine, "Then get a little strength from me." I handed over my consent for him to use my own life energy to aid him.

He simply nodded without saying a word, and closed his eyes once more. Moments later, the yellow glow beamed down from our joined hands as I felt my body grow a bit weaker.

I could already feel Anakin's own energy increasing. It was very slow, seeing at how close he was to death, but the fact that it's increasing is all that matters right no-

My thoughts were interrupted by the piercing sound of something searing against metal.

The back of my neck burned slightly, and I turned around just enough to see behind me with the corner of my eye.

There standing behind me was Lilith, her lightsaber was mere inches away from my back, but Mando intercepted her assassination attempt with his beskar spear. Something I didn't realize was strong enough to deflect a lightsaber until now.

Now that's something I would normally be impressed with, fascinated with actually. But my mind was stuck on one thing alone, besides saving Anakins life - it was stuck on the fact that she really just tried to stab me in the back; to kill me.

Me.

That's proof enough for me to know that this isn't the person we all used to know anymore. This woman looking down at me with hateful eyes is nothing like my old master, she would never try to harm me, never.

This was a stranger. Sidious must've done something horrible to her. But what could be so horrible that not only would she try to kill me, but Anakin.. even after forgiving him and learning the truth?

My brain is going to fry from trying to figure it out, and something tells me I won't get any answers from her.

Lilith quickly shoved Mando away and he flew back; landing and rolling against the debris covered floor, "Stay out of my way," She spat at him before turning her amber eyes to Yoda, Anakin, and I, "Trying to save him? Cute, but we can't be having that." She raised her weapon to swing at me again.

But before I had the chance to defend myself; Mando returned and repeatedly began hitting his weapon against hers, leading her away from us as they engaged in a battle, "This is for Aayla!"

I feared for Mando's life. He appears to be skilled, but with the way it's going, and how powerful she really is; she'll have the upper hand soon enough. Then we'll have to add another name to the list of the dead.

The only way for us to help him now is to save Anakin. He is truly the only person here, besides Master Yoda, who has a high chance of outmatching her skill level. These two are the most powerful force users left alive; Anakin is even stronger than Sidious, and in their grief over the pain of losing someone they love - I think that's something they've forgotten.

I quickly turned my focus back ahead of me, while Master Yoda had his teary eyes on my old mentor; heart ache flashed through them, "I know it hurts, but Anakin needs your focus right now." I spoke to him softly, tightening my hand around his small claw.

He nodded and took a long deep breath as a tear slid down his cheek; then his eyes closed and the yellow glow shined from his palm once again.

As I put my focus on helping Yoda save Anakin, I could still hear the battle ensuing behind me. I listened as her lightsaber repeatedly sizzled when it made contact with the cut-less metal, and the noise their feet made as they shifted on the gravel ground. Their breathing deepened as they tired each other out, and a laugh from her broke out that sent a chill of fear down my spine - she had something up her sleeve.

I turned my head once again to look at them when I heard Mando yell in pain. Lilith was now standing over him as he laid on the ground, unmoving, and I feared he was dead.

With the flick of her hand, the helmet flew off and I could now see his face. His chest was moving slightly to let me know that he was still alive; so it seems that she only knocked him unconscious.

I'm sure killing him is not something she would have minded doing, and in any other circumstance he probably would be dead by now. But as soon as he was out of her way, her focus was back where she wanted it to be; on us.

"How much longer?" I asked Yoda with urgency as Lilith stood there for a moment, glaring in our direction. The wind picked up and blew her hair over her face, but I could still make out her venomous eyes. And I'm doing my best not to panic or worry over the large clone army that was not far behind her; standing by idly, awaiting any orders from her. But it seems she wants to handle us herself.

Yoda never gave me a response, instead he kept his full attention on his task at hand, while it was now my job to keep Lilith away from us - without breaking my connection with Yoda.

Oh this is going to be easy...

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I'm already starting the next chapter ♥️
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