As was expected, Coruscant was near a flaming ruin by the time the Separatist assault had died down. The disorganized Republic and militia defense was assembled on the steps leading up to the Jedi Temple, grouped around a few key figures.

The Gungan army stood alongside the Alderaan milita as Senators Organa and Mothma took the center, along with Representative Jar Jar Binks in lieu of Padme Amidala.

All the surviving Jedi were present, including the Younglings who had survived the onslaught of the Temple. A funeral would be held that night for all the fallen, as well as millions of others who had died in the catastrophic climax of the Clone Wars.

"This, as we all are aware, had been a tragedy," Bail Organa said to the crowd, raising his voice as much as he could, "Countless lives have been lost not just today, but over the course of the long war. We shall mourn those who have died and tend to the wounds that have been dealt to the galaxy.

"However, at the end of the dark time, we enter a new era. One of peace and stability, and we must ensure the protection of our Republic!"

Applause followed, but no cheers; the atmosphere was too grim.

Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One and hero of the battle, was nowhere near the denouement.

His starfighter, Artoo as always in the Wing socket, came into orbit of Naboo, which was as lush and green as it had been when he'd first arrived as a child. Now, with the worst behind him and Obi Wan, Padme, and his two children waiting, Anakin felt as innocent and youthful as he had back then, at nine years old and more naive and idealistic than he would ever be again.

"This definitely feels like Podracing, Artoo," Anakin remarked as they passed through into the atmosphere, over the capital city Theed and the flora and fauna that blessed Naboo's countryside.

He could feel her presence growing closer as he approached the Lake Country where they had once spent several days together and later married above the sunset-stricken lakeside, with no politics, no plotting, no war...

Anakin touched down gracefully and, with Artoo at his side, rushed onto the complex, with several figures joyfully waiting.

Anakin's heart warmed as he heard the cries and saw his wife, his sweetheart, the angel he'd fallen in love with, holding a baby bundle. Obi Wan, his father, his brother, the Jedi who had bonded with him following the Battle of Naboo and continuing for all the years since, held the other baby.

"Oh, Artoo, you have no idea what I've been through," Threepio said as he reunited with his counterpart.

"Anakin Skywalker, meet Luke and Leia Skywalker," Obi Wan's mustache was forced upward by his beaming lips.

Anakin placed his flesh hand onto Leia's forehead, soothing her. He reached over to Luke and touched him as well. Both babies calmed and merely made infant noises as they were cradled. Anakin could feel their force potential, but none of that concerned him now. All that mattered was that they were all okay.

Anakin turned to Padme, the woman who had kept him going all those years, and planted a hard, passionate kiss on the lips he knew so well. As she returned the kiss, the droids joined them on the villa's front lawn, happily.

"Never again will our proud democracy be divided!" Bail was shouting, increasing the enthusiasm and gradually lifting the spirits and the applause of the crowd surrounding him, "Never again will we fall prey to corruption! We shall stand proud for all time, and ensure freedom and justice for all systems!"

"Yahoo!" Jar Jar cheered, and the Younglings joined in the cheering. The older ones merely clapped, but their faces reflected the same relief and rejoicing, mixed with the bitterness of the immense loss that loomed over the victory.

As Anakin took baby Luke from Padme, he put his knuckle to the japor snippet around her neck. Obi Wan proudly handed Leia to Padme as she let out a laugh.

Anakin suddenly grew serious as the happiness around them diminished slightly.

"Master, it's Yoda, he..."

"I know, Anakin." Obi Wan put up a calming hand. "He would not want us to mourn at this time, but rejoice that he has become one with the Force."

"I suppose you're right." Anakin kissed each of his children, then wrapped his free arm around Obi Wan while holding Luke in his other.

All of the sudden, Obi Wan's comlink on his utility belt blinked, causing Anakin to silently and sadly curse all of time and space for ruining the all too short eternal precious moment.

"Yes?"

"Master Kenobi?" The voice of Quinlan Vos sounded over the lightyears of distance from Coruscant to Naboo, "We need all Jedi back in Coruscant."

Tears coming to his eyes as his fears of loss became all too real, Anakin took his saber from his belt and handed it to Obi Wan. Obi Wan stroked the metal in his hand and held back tears of his own. He knew what this meant, and while it had always been inevitable, it would never have been any less painful.

"You are my brother Anakin. I love you."

One last hug between Master and Padawan.

Then, Obi Wan exchanged kisses on the cheek with Padme, then kissed each of the Skywalker babies.

Anakin and Padme watched together with bittersweet emotion as Obi Wan turned and headed back to the hangar out back where his own starfighter awaited.

They stood there with their babies and the droids as Obi Wan's red and white fighter launched off into the blue sky and disappeared in the clouds...

On Coruscant, the Jedi council met in the round chamber, as Master Kenobi shook hands with Chancellor Organa.

The Senate applauded as the new constitution was ratified, effectively reinstating all defected Separatist systems into the Republic and declaring the Clone Wars over.

The clones entered thousands of rehab centers across the Core Worlds as all droid armies were shut down, planets from Naboo to Tatooine, Utapah to Kashyyyk celebrated victory and peace.

Master Kenobi stood alone in the council chamber, looking out to the sunset. His mind and heart was far from Coruscant and the Jedi Temple, touching down on a household on Naboo.

Standing on the balcony, Anakin gazed at the sunset across the lake, sensing his Master and wishing him all the strength of the Force.

After putting both of her children to rest in the nursery, Padme came by his side and patted him on the back. They were joined by Artoo and Threepio, as well as Owen and Beru, having been invited from Tatooine, looking over the lake that extended into the jungles beyond...

Above the water, amidst the horizon, a single, blue ghost appeared. Anakin smiled in recognition as Qui Gon proudly watched over them all.

Inside the Temple, Obi Wan peacefully smiled as he too sensed the presence of his old Master.

Beside Qui Gon appeared Yoda, filled with peace and purpose and ready to guide future generations with all the wisdom of his lifetime.

A third figure appeared amidst the two Jedi, one not as strong in the Force, but able to come back from the Netherworld in spirit to watch over her son and grandchildren. Anakin choked and felt a lump in his throat as Shmi Skywalker gazed down at him.

Then the family turned to go in, entirely happy and at peace. The spirits over the lake remained a while longer, then faded into the dusk.

The end