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Part 1 of Anime Wars series
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2025-10-07
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2025-10-10
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5/?
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Anime Wars: A New Hope

Summary:

Princess Lucy Heartfilia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galaxy. Farmboy Ash Ketchum teams up with smuggler Natsu Dragneel along with two droids, Alphonse and Tails to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice to the galaxy.

Chapter 1: The Cast

Chapter Text

The Cast:

Ash Ketchum (Pokemon) as Luke Skywalker

Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail) as Han Solo

Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail) as Princess Leia

Van Hohenheim (Fullmetal Alchemist) as Ben Kenobi

Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) as C-3PO

Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog) as R2-D2

Amy Rose (Sonic the Hedgehog) as Chewbacca

Mordred (Fate/Aprocrypha) as Darth Vader

Disclaimer: I would like to confirm that I do not own "Star Wars: A New Hope" as it is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, the Disney Corporation as well as its original creator: George Lucas. Any Anime characters that are mentioned in this story, I do not own as they are the property of their own Anime franchise and owned by the writers and editors and artists who helped conceive these unique characters. This is a passion project created for fun.

Chapter 2: Flames Over Tatooine

Chapter Text

Chapter 1:

 

The stars above Tatooine glittered coldly, their light dwarfed by the fiery chaos erupting in the planet’s orbit. The Tantive IV, a sleek consular starship, streaked through the void, its silver hull battered but defiant as it fled for its life. Looming behind it was the Devastator, an Imperial Star Destroyer, its massive, dagger-like silhouette a grim promise of annihilation. Green turbolaser bolts lanced through the darkness, each shot hammering the smaller vessel with relentless precision.

Inside the Tantive IV, panic reigned. The ship shuddered under the onslaught, its pristine white corridors lit by flickering emergency lights and choked with the stench of burning circuits. Rebel crewmen scrambled through the chaos, shouting over blaring alarms as they battled fires sparked by overloaded systems. Sparks rained from shattered panels, and the deck quaked with every impact. The ship was a wounded creature, limping toward Tatooine’s orbit, its fate teetering on the edge.

A deafening explosion tore through the starboard side. The primary sensor array erupted in a fireball, debris scattering into the void. The blast triggered a chain reaction, frying the starboard shield projector in a shower of sparks. A secondary detonation rocked the power generator system, plunging the ship into near-darkness as the main reactor’s hum fell silent. The Tantive IV was crippled, its engines dead, drifting helplessly under the glow of Tatooine’s twin suns.

In a narrow corridor, its white walls scorched and dented, two figures stood amid the turmoil, distinct from the frantic human tide. Alphonse, a towering droid clad in gleaming silver armor, moved with stiff, deliberate steps, his polished surface reflecting the red emergency glow. Despite his imposing frame, his posture was slightly hunched, as if bracing for disaster, his voice tinged with a nervous quiver that betrayed his polished exterior. Beside him was Tails, a smaller, fox-like droid with a sleek orange-and-white frame, his twin tails swaying with restless energy. His sharp eyes burned with determination, his agile form weaving through the chaos with quiet courage.

“Oh, heavens, Tails!” Alphonse exclaimed, his voice high-pitched and trembling as the ship lurched again. “The main reactor’s shut down! We’re doomed, utterly doomed! This is an absolute catastrophe!” His armored hands flailed in a panicked gesture, clanking loudly as he steadied himself against the wall.

Tails glanced at him, his expression a mix of resolve and mild exasperation. “Cool it, Alphonse, we’re not scrap yet,” he said, his voice steady and clear, carrying a bold confidence. “The princess needs us to keep it together. We’ll figure this out, but we gotta move fast.” His tails flicked with purpose, his tone reflecting a fierce loyalty to the Rebellion’s cause.

The ship rocked violently, a deep groan echoing through the hull as another turbolaser struck. Rebel troops flooded the corridor, their faces grim as they rushed toward a sealed hatch at its end, blasters drawn and ready. Alphonse flinched at the noise, his armored form shrinking back slightly. “Oh, my circuits! The Empire’s relentless! We’ll be blasted to bits if we stay here!” he wailed, his voice rising in a comical pitch of panic.

Tails shot him a sidelong look, his ears twitching. “You’re not helping, big guy. Those Rebels are holding the line, and we’ve got a job to do..” His words were firm, not a trace of robotic subservience, but brimming with the bravery of a droid who chose his own path.

Alphonse and Tails ducked into a shallow alcove to avoid the stampede of soldiers, who took up defensive positions, their blasters trained on the hatch.

Tails rolled his eyes, but his grin was warm, almost fond. “Stop worrying too much, Alphonse. We're in this fight, same as the princess. We’ll make it.” His tone was encouraging, his loyalty shining through as he nudged Alphonse forward.

The corridor trembled as a heavy thud resonated from beyond the hatch—the Devastator’s tractor beam locking onto the Tantive IV. The Rebels braced themselves, their eyes fixed on the door, now glowing red-hot from an Imperial breaching charge. Alphonse’s armored hands clutched at his chest, his voice a squeak of terror. “They’re boarding! Oh, Tails, we’re done for! The Empire’s agents will dismantle us without a second thought!”

Tails planted his hands on his hips, his fox-like features set with determination. “Not if we get outta here first. Come on, Alphonse, you’re tougher than you think. Let’s keep the princess’s hope alive.” His voice carried a spark of defiance, a promise to fight on, no matter the odds.

The Tantive IV was seconds from being overrun, and for Alphonse and Tails, survival meant escaping the doomed ship—carrying the Rebellion’s fragile hope into the unknown.

Disclaimer: I would like to confirm that I do not own "Star Wars: A New Hope" as it is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, the Disney Corporation as well as its original creator: George Lucas. Any Anime characters that are mentioned in this story, I do not own as they are the property of their own Anime franchise and own by the writers and editors and artist who helped conceive these unique characters. This is a passion project created for fun.

Chapter 3: Shadows of the Empire

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

 

The white corridors of the Tantive IV echoed with the fading rumble of explosions, the air thick with the scent of ozone and charred metal. Alphonse, his silver armor gleaming faintly under the dim emergency lights, clutched at the alcove wall as if it were his only lifeline. His voice trembled with that familiar mix of dread and exasperation, the words spilling out in a high-pitched flurry. “Oh, this is the end for us! We’re absolutely doomed, Tails! There’s no way out now!”

Tails, his orange-and-white frame steady despite the chaos, tilted his head with a determined glint in his eyes. His tails flicked once, a sign of his unyielding resolve. “Hey, don’t give up yet, Alphonse. We’ve got a job to do—the princess is relying on us. We’ll find a way through this, just like always.” His voice was clear and optimistic, laced with the clever confidence of a droid who thrived on challenges, not cowered from them.

Alphonse’s armored hands waved frantically, his tone rising to a near-squeak. “No escape for the princess this time, I’m afraid,” he muttered, just loud enough for Tails to catch. Mere moments before the Devastator‘s assault had begun, Captain Shino Aburame had pulled the droids aside in a hurried whisper, his stern face etched with urgency. He’d issued strict command protocols: safeguard all data related to Lucy Heartfilia’s identity and her presence on the ship, restrict access to vital information, and protect it at all costs. It was a heavy burden for two droids caught in the crossfire, but Alphonse couldn’t shake the weight of it.

A sudden cacophony of metallic clanks and groans reverberated through the hull, like the jaws of some massive beast clamping down. Alphonse’s head swiveled wildly, his voice laced with panic. “What in the stars is that noise? It sounds like the ship’s being torn apart!”

Tails paused, his sharp senses analyzing the vibrations. His ears twitched, and a frown crossed his fox-like features. “That’s no ordinary hit. Feels like a tractor beam— they’ve pulled us right into their hangar. Those clanks? Magnetic locks securing us tight. We’re trapped like prey in a monster’s gut.” Indeed, the Tantive IV had been ensnared, drawn into the cavernous underside hangar of the Devastator. Though the bay gaped open to the void of space, the smaller ship was immobilized, held fast by unyielding Imperial technology.

In the corridor, the droids pressed against the alcove as Rebel troops held their ground, blasters primed at the sealed hatch. Tension hung thick in the air, every breath shallow and expectant. Then, without warning, sparks erupted along the hatch’s edges, a blazing circle of heat cutting through from the other side. The metal buckled and exploded inward, smoke billowing like a storm cloud.

Through the haze stepped a stormtrooper, clad in pristine white armor that gleamed with mechanical precision. His helmet, a faceless mask with black lenses and a grim vocoder grille flanked by air nozzles, made him look like a soulless automaton. He fired his blaster rifle in a sharp burst, the red bolt streaking toward the Rebels. But the defenders responded with a volley of their own, cutting him down before he could advance. Another trooper surged forward, stepping over his fallen comrade without hesitation, unleashing a hail of fire. He too fell, but the floodgates had opened—more stormtroopers poured in, identical in their armored uniformity, their movements a relentless tide.

From their hiding spot, Alphonse and Tails watched in horror as the battle unfolded. Blaster bolts crisscrossed the corridor like deadly fireworks, slamming into walls and bodies alike. Rebels dropped one by one, their cries swallowed by the roar of combat. A stray bolt exploded against the wall near the droids, sending shards of metal flying. Tails let out a sharp yelp of alarm, his agile frame darting to the opposite side of the alcove. “Whoa, that was too close! Come on, Alphonse, we can’t stay here!”

Not one to be abandoned in such peril, Alphonse scrambled after him, his heavy steps clanking awkwardly. “Wait for me! Oh, mercy, those bolts are everywhere!” Miraculously, as they crossed the narrow passage to a facing hatch, the deadly projectiles whizzed past without touching them. The droids slipped through, the hatch sealing behind them just as the Rebels began their desperate retreat.

The surviving troops fell back, scattering to other sections of the ship, but the stormtroopers pressed on, securing the corridor with cold efficiency. Then, they parted instinctively, making way for a towering figure who strode through the shattered hatch. His armor was a stark contrast—silver and black plating that absorbed the light, giving him the aura of a living shadow. Horns curved menacingly from his helmet, and red lines glowed around his armor and in his helmet red eyes glowed from it as well. Each step was accompanied by the rhythmic hiss of his mechanical breathing, a sound that chilled the air. Beneath it all lurked an unbridled fury, barely contained.

This was Mordred, the Sith Lord.

Mordred spared no glance for the fallen stormtroopers or the Rebel corpses littering the floor. Pity was foreign to him; remorse, a weakness he had long discarded. With a brash confidence that bordered on arrogance, he stepped over the bodies, his voice a gravelly growl through the vocoder. “Pathetic. These fools thought they could stand against the Empire.” He proceeded deeper into the Tantive IV, his presence a dark promise of interrogation and destruction.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit subhallway branching off from the port airlock toward the escape pod tunnel, Tails stood alone. He’d lost Alphonse in the scramble, figuring the silver droid had either wandered off in panic or found a nook to cower in. But Tails had no time to search—fate had thrown him into a critical encounter. There, huddled in the shadows, was Princess Lucy Heartfilia, her fair skin pale under the low lights, blonde hair tied back practically, clad in a flowing white gown and sturdy travel boots. Her eyes, sharp and determined, betrayed the distress in her voice.

“Tails, thank goodness I found you,” Lucy said, her tone firm yet laced with the warm concern typical of her compassionate nature. She knelt beside the fox-like droid, her hands steady despite the distant echoes of blaster fire. “The Empire’s boarding us. I need you to take this—it’s the Death Star plans.” She held up a small data card, her gaze intense. “You have to get it to the Rebellion. Deliver it safely, no matter what.”

Tails nodded, his eyes widening with the gravity of the task. “You can count on me, Princess. I’ve handled tough spots before—I’ll make sure these plans get where they need to go.” His voice was earnest, brimming with that loyal spark, ready to tackle the impossible.

Lucy inserted the card into a slot that appeared in the right side of his head, then activated his holographic recorder. She leaned in closer, her words urgent but infused with her clever wit. “And this message—it’s for Edward Elric. He’s our only hope. Tell him Princess Lucy Heartfilia needs his help. The Rebellion depends on it. Promise me you’ll find him.”

Tails’ tails twitched with determination as the recording captured her plea. “I promise, Princess. I’ll fly through a black hole if I have to. Edward Elric will get this message—consider it done.” He stopped the recording, his frame humming with purpose.

From nearby, Alphonse’s voice echoed in a frantic wail. “Tails! Where are you? This is madness!”

As Lucy slipped back into the shadows, pressing against the wall to hide, Tails moved toward the sound. “Over here, Alphonse! Keep your voice down!”

Alphonse rounded the corner, his armored form clanking with every nervous step. “At last! I’ve been searching everywhere! They’re coming this way—what are we supposed to do? We’ll end up slaving away in some forsaken mine or reduced to scrap!”

Tails brushed past him, heading for the escape pod tunnel without hesitation. “No time to freak out. We’ve got a mission—let’s get to those pods and blast off this ship.”

Alphonse hesitated, his voice a mix of confusion and alarm. “Hold on a second! Where do you think you’re going? We can’t just abandon everything!”

From her hiding spot, Lucy watched the droids disappear down the tunnel. She let out a quiet sigh, her heart heavy but hopeful. It was all in Tails’ hands now—she trusted his ingenuity and bravery to see it through.

In the Tantive IV‘s operations forum, stormtroopers marched captured Rebel troops past Mordred, who stood like an unyielding monolith. His clawed hand wrapped around Captain Shino Aburame’s neck, lifting him effortlessly off the deck. Shino’s face twisted in defiance, but Mordred’s grip was ironclad, his voice a harsh demand laced with that knightly arrogance. “The plans—where are they? You intercepted transmissions; don’t deny it.”

An Imperial officer hurried in, saluting stiffly. “My lord, the Death Star schematics aren’t in the main computer.”

Mordred’s helmet turned toward Shino, his mechanical breath hissing louder. “What have you done with them? Speak, or suffer the consequences.”

Shino gasped, his voice strained but resolute. “We… intercepted nothing. This is a consular vessel… on a peaceful diplomatic errand.”

Mordred’s fingers tightened, his tone dripping with contempt. “A diplomatic errand? Then where’s your precious ambassador? Answer me!”

When silence met his demand, Mordred’s patience snapped. A sickening crack echoed as Shino’s body went limp. The Sith Lord flung the corpse against the wall like discarded refuse, then turned to a nearby stormtrooper. “Commander, rip this ship to pieces until you find those plans. And the passengers—bring them to me. Alive.”

The stormtroopers saluted and stormed off, their boots thundering through the corridors as the hunt began.

Disclaimer: I would like to confirm that I do not own "Star Wars: A New Hope" as it is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, the Disney Corporation as well as its original creator: George Lucas. Any Anime characters that are mentioned in this story, I do not own as they are the property of their own Anime franchise and own by the writers and editors and artist who helped conceive these unique characters. This is a passion project created for fun.

Chapter 4: Escape and Capture

Chapter Text

Chapter 3:

 

The port subhallway of the Tantive IV loomed like a shadowed abyss, its dark walls swallowing the faint emergency lights. A squad of stormtroopers advanced with calculated silence, their white armor gleaming like ghosts in the gloom. Their footsteps echoed softly, a harbinger of danger, until one spotted a flicker of movement—a glimpse of Princess Lucy Heartfilia’s white gown as she crouched against the wall, her breathing steady but tense.

“Target sighted!” the stormtrooper barked, his voice distorted through his helmet’s vocoder. He hoisted his blaster rifle, adjusting its settings with a quick twist. “Stun mode—now!”

Lucy sprang from her hiding spot, her movements fluid and resolute, a fire in her eyes that mirrored her unyielding spirit. She leveled her laser pistol and fired, the bolt slicing through the air with a sharp crack. It struck the nearest stormtrooper square in the chest, his armor crumpling as he collapsed in a heap.

But as she turned to flee, another trooper unleashed a paralyzing ray, the blue energy catching her mid-step. Her body hit the floor with a soft thud, the pistol skidding from her grasp.

The squad leader approached, his black-lensed gaze sweeping over her still form. “She’s alive—stable enough,” he said with a curt nod. “Report to Lord Mordred: we’ve got a captive.”

Farther down the ship, the muffled crackle of blasterfire reached Alphonse as he trailed Tails through the escape pod access tunnel. The silver droid’s joints clattered with every anxious step, his armored frame quivering under the ship’s tremors. He’d expected Tails to lead them to a safer chamber, but instead, the fox-like droid veered toward a hatch. Alphonse’s optics widened in horror as Tails began to pry it open, revealing the cramped interior of an escape pod.

“Stop right there!” Alphonse cried, his voice rising in a panicked trill that echoed his cautious nature. “That’s off-limits! If they catch us, we’ll be scrapped for sure—oh, this is a terrible mistake!”

Tails stepped inside without a second thought, turning back with a cheeky grin. “Quite acting like a clueless thinker and chill out, Alphonse. This is our way out,” he said, his voice brimming with the bold enthusiasm of a fox who lived for the thrill. “I’ve got a hunch, and it’s a good one—trust me!”

“Don’t you dare label me some clueless thinker!” Alphonse shot back, his arms flailing in protest. “Get out of there before we’re spotted and dismantled!”

Tails leaned casually against the pod’s wall, his twin tails swaying playfully. “Not a chance, buddy. I’ve got a special mission to do—something big. You in or what?”

Before Alphonse could argue, a violent explosion rocked the ship, the shockwave rattling his metal frame with a deafening clang. Tails flashed a knowing smirk. “Still wanna stick around and get fried? Your move!”

With a groan of reluctant surrender, Alphonse stumbled through the hatch, his clanking steps filling the tight space. “Oh, I can already feel the regret sinking in,” he muttered, his tone heavy with dread.

The hatch slammed shut with a resounding clang, followed by a muffled blast as the pod’s latches disengaged. Rocket engines roared to life, hurling the small craft out of the Devastator’s open hangar and into the starry expanse.

On the Devastator’s bridge, the chief pilot’s eyes tracked a blip on the main viewscreen. “There’s another one breaking free,” he noted, his voice calm but attentive.

The captain glanced at his sensor readouts and waved a hand. “No need to waste shots. Sensors show no life signs—probably a malfunction. Let it go.”

Inside the pod, Alphonse pressed his faceplate to the small circular viewport, the only glimpse of the outside world. The Tantive IV, cradled in the Devastator’s hangar, dwindled in the distance. “Well, that’s peculiar,” he remarked, his voice tinged with reluctant awe. “The damage looks less severe from this angle.”

Tails beeped a cheerful response, his stance relaxed as he monitored the controls. “Told ya we’d pull through,” he said with a confident chuckle. “This pod’s got some fight in it!”

“Are you absolutely positive this thing won’t fall apart?” Alphonse asked, his skepticism clear as he eyed the pod’s flickering panels. “I’d rather not end up as space debris!”

The pod continued its descent, the Devastator fading to a mere speck as it hurtled toward the rugged surface of the planet below, its journey a fragile thread of hope.

Back on the Tantive IV, the stormtroopers revived Princess Lucy with a surge of energy, her body stirring as they fastened binders around her wrists. They escorted her through the corridors, now scarred and thick with the bitter tang of blaster residue. Lucy’s steps faltered, but her mind buzzed with determination, her sharp intellect plotting even in captivity.

As they turned a corner, Mordred stepped into view, emerging from an open hatch with a black-uniformed officer at his side. The stormtroopers halted, and Lucy found herself staring up at the Sith Lord. His horned helmet cast a menacing shadow, his mechanical breathing a constant, ominous rhythm.

“Mordred,” Lucy said, her voice steady with a hint of her clever defiance, “you’ve got some nerve pulling this stunt. The Senate won’t let this slide—they’ll raise a storm over an attack like this...”

Mordred’s head tilted slightly, his tone a low growl laced with his knightly pride. “Spare me the theatrics, princess. You weren’t on some peaceful errand. I know Rebel spies contacted this ship, and I’ll uncover what you’ve done with their data to the plans.”

Lucy met his gaze, her expression a mask of innocence tinged with her quick wit. “Data? What plans? I’m just a senator on official business to Alderaan—nothing more to it…”

“You’re a member of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor!” Mordred snapped, his clawed hand flexing with impatience. “Take her to the detention level!”

The stormtroopers pulled Lucy toward the Devastator, her mind racing with resistance. As they moved off, Mordred turned to the officer, who struggled to match his long strides. “This could backfire,” the officer cautioned. “If word spreads, the Senate might turn against us.”

“She’s my lead to the Rebel hideout,” Mordred replied, his voice cold and unyielding. “That’s all I need.”

“She’s too stubborn to crack,” the officer pressed, quickening his pace. “She won’t talk easily.”

“I’ll handle that,” Mordred said with a dark edge. “Send a false distress call, then report to the Senate that the ship’s crew is lost.”

At a corridor junction, Imperial Commander Praji intercepted Mordred, saluting briskly. “Lord Mordred, the plans aren’t on board, and no signals were sent. An escape pod launched, but our scans detected no life.”

Mordred’s fury simmered, his breath hissing louder. “She stashed the plans in that pod. Send a team to recover them. Oversee it yourself, Commander. There’ll be no one to stop us this time.”

“Yes, sir,” Praji replied, turning to execute the order as Mordred’s imposing figure dominated the corridor, his hunt intensifying with every step.

Disclaimer: I would like to confirm that I do not own "Star Wars: A New Hope" as it is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, the Disney Corporation as well as its original creator: George Lucas. Any Anime characters that are mentioned in this story, I do not own as they are the property of their own Anime franchise and own by the writers and editors and artist who helped conceive these unique characters. This is a passion project created for fun.

Chapter 5: Sands of Separation

Chapter Text

Chapter 4:

 

The escape pod let out a final, weary groan as its battered hull settled into the ochre sands of Tatooine, half-buried like a forgotten relic in the endless sea of dunes. The air shimmered with heat, the twin suns blazing overhead like merciless overseers, casting long shadows across the desert’s rippling surface. Inside, the pod’s systems hummed softly to a stop, the whine of cooling metal the only sound breaking the profound silence of the wasteland. The wind whispered over the dunes, carrying grains of sand that danced in lazy spirals, a deceptive calm in a world that could swallow the unwary.

Alphonse was the first to emerge, the hatch hissing open as he stumbled out, his silver armor sinking slightly into the soft sand. He shielded his optics from the glaring light, his voice a high-pitched whine of discomfort. “Oh, this heat is unbearable… it’s like being baked in a furnace!” he complained, his tone laced with the familiar timidity that often accompanied his armored form’s clunky movements. Dust already clung to his joints, and he brushed at it futilely, his formal demeanor cracking under the harsh environment.

Tails hopped down next, landing nimbly on his feet with a soft thud, his orange-and-white frame adapting quickly to the shifting ground. He scanned the horizon, his sharp eyes taking in the vast, undulating dunes that stretched in every direction, shimmering under the relentless suns. “Well, this is what I’d call the back end of the galaxy,” he quipped, his voice carrying that clever, optimistic edge from his adventurous roots. “No signs of life, no paths, no nothing. But hey, at least we’re not space dust.

The Empire’s bound to come sniffing around soon, though—they don’t leave loose ends.”

Alphonse turned to him, his helmeted head swiveling with a mechanical whir. “You really think they’ll pursue us all the way down here?”

Tails nodded, his twin tails flicking thoughtfully. “Absolutely. We’ve got the galaxy’s biggest secret tucked away. If they trace the pod—and you know they will—we’re prime targets.”

A heavy silence fell between them, broken only by the wind’s gentle tug at their frames. The two droids stood side by side, the vast desert making them seem even smaller, more vulnerable. Tails broke the quiet first, his tone shifting to a more somber resolve. “We can’t stick together. It’s too risky.”

Alphonse’s posture stiffened, his voice rising in alarm. “Split up? But why? We’re better off as a team!”

“If the Imperials show up, they’ll expect us to be in one place,” Tails explained, his words measured and strategic, reflecting his independent mindset. “Going separate ways doubles our odds. If one gets nabbed…”

“…the other might slip through,” Alphonse finished, his tone reluctant but understanding. He hesitated, his armored hands clenching. “But this desert… we’re not equipped for it. The heat alone could fry our circuits. If something goes wrong while we’re apart—”

“I get it,” Tails said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Alphonse’s arm. “But think about the princess’s message. It has to get to Edward Elric, no matter what. Even if it costs me, I’ll make sure it happens.”

Alphonse stared at his companion, processing the weight of the words. Finally, he nodded slowly, his voice tinged with a quiet resolve. “You’re correct, as always. I suppose that’s why you’re the one with the plans.”

Tails offered a faint, encouraging smile. “Hey, sometimes I wish I was wrong. But we’ve got this.”

Alphonse went his own way and waved ‘bye’ to Tails. “Take care of yourself out there.”

“You too, big guy. Find some shade, stay hidden, and if you spot any Jawas… steer clear.”

Alphonse tilted his head curiously. “Jawas? What’s that?”

For one last moment, they stood together, the wind swirling sand around their feet. Then, without further words, Tails turned and began trudging eastward, climbing the nearest dune with determined steps, his twin tails swaying rhythmically. Alphonse headed west, his broad silver form gradually vanishing into the heat haze. Neither looked back, the desert swallowing their paths as if they had never been.

Hours dragged on under the relentless suns, and Alphonse found himself muttering complaints to the empty air, his voice echoing faintly across the dunes. “This is utterly exhausting,” he grumbled, his heavy steps kicking up puffs of sand that clung to his armor like unwelcome guests. “I’ve trudged so far, and not a single sign of civilization. I do hope Tails is managing better than I am—oh, what a mess this is!”

Tatooine’s skies had grown overcast, muting the twin suns’ glare but doing little to ease the oppressive heat that seeped into his joints.

He plodded past the skeletal remains of a massive, long-necked creature, its bones bleached white and jutting from the sand like ancient warnings. Alphonse trembled at the sight, his formal politeness giving way to a timid shiver. “What a dreadful place… if that poor beast has any kin lurking about, I’d rather not make their acquaintance.”

As he continued, he noticed a small issue—a metal O-ring had jarred loose from his left knee joint, likely lost forever in the shifting sands. With each step, his sand-clogged gears ground horribly, a grating symphony that made him wince. Despair crept in; he was on the verge of collapsing into the dunes and powering down.

Then, on the distant horizon, something caught his eye—an angular shape with a flickering light, massive and mechanical.

“Wait a moment… what’s that?” he said, his voice lifting with a spark of hope. Despite the distance, his optics confirmed it: a large vehicle, rumbling across the sands.

“A transport! Salvation at last!” In his loudest voice, he shouted, waving his arms frantically. “Over here! Hello! Assistance, please—help!”

Relief washed over him as the vehicle altered course, turning toward him. But as it drew nearer, his optimism faltered. The transport was a hulking, rusted behemoth, and its drivers—small, hooded figures with glowing eyes—were far from welcoming. Alphonse soon learned what Jawas were: opportunistic scavengers, chittering in their alien tongue as they surrounded him, their intent clear. “Oh dear… this might not be the help I was hoping for,” he murmured, his panic rising as they closed in.

As the twin suns dipped below the horizon, Tatooine’s temperature plummeted, the desert transforming into a realm of cool shadows. From every crevice and hole in the canyon walls, nocturnal creatures stirred, their chirps, croaks, and hisses filling the air like a sinister chorus celebrating the night.

Tails had never felt so unnerved. He muttered to himself as he navigated the treacherous terrain, his voice a small anchor in the growing darkness.

“Okay, Tails, you’ve dodged worse than this—keep it together,” he said, his tone brave but edged with caution, his independent spirit pushing him forward. He’d already skirted deadly sandpits that could swallow a droid whole, crossed jagged ground that jarred his circuits with every step, and daringly rappelled down a sheer cliff to reach the canyon floor. These feats were mere hurdles in his mind, puzzles to solve with his clever ingenuity.

But nature was one thing; the living denizens of this world were another. “Just my luck—night falls, and every creepy crawler comes out to play,” he grumbled, his primary photoreceptor switching to radar mode, allowing him to peer through the gloom. Yet even with enhanced vision, the unknown loomed large. Night was prime time for scavengers and predators, and Tails knew he was an outsider here, a mechanical intruder in a domain ruled by instinct and hunger. “If something big decides I’m dinner, I’m gonna need more than smarts to get out of it,” he whispered, his tails twitching nervously as a distant howl echoed through the canyon. He pressed on, his steps careful, his resolve steeled against the encroaching fear.

Disclaimer: I would like to confirm that I do not own "Star Wars: A New Hope" as it is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm, the Disney Corporation as well as its original creator: George Lucas. Any Anime characters that are mentioned in this story, I do not own as they are the property of their own Anime franchise and own by the writers and editors and artist who helped conceive these unique characters.

Notice: This is a passion project created for fun.

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