"aaaa" - talking through a holocommunicator or comlink. 'aaaa' - talking through a bond
AN: We are nearing the end of this story! One more chapter and then I will be getting to work on the sequel, which will be my rewrite of the 2008 Clone Wars movie! Thank you to ichigo uhara Shihion for the review! I'm glad that you find this story interesting! Hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 16
The battle was over.
Out of the two hundred and twelve Jedi who had gone to rescue Obi-Wan from Petranaki arena, only twenty returned. Qui-Gon had been informed of their arrival and that his son and former padawan had been injured. He returned to his quarters and hoped that they both would be alright.
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Anakin groaned as he woke up. The last thing he remembered was being in a hangar on Geonosis. As he looked to his left, he saw Obi-Wan sitting by his bedside, his arm wrapped in a sling and his leg covered in a bandage. Then he glanced down and saw his arm. His eyes widened as he saw that it had been replaced by a mechanical arm.
"Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked, looking up towards his brother. "Did we...?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "He escaped," he said. "Yoda arrived. I'm assuming he fought against the Count, but had to let him escape to save us."
Anakin nodded and slowly sat up, being careful not to dislodge any of the wires that the healers had placed on him. Then he carefully tested out his new arm, moving the hand and fingers. It felt really strange and there was a subtle throb where the metal met the flesh that remained. "This is going to take a while to get used to..." he softly muttered.
Obi-Wan nodded. "The Council has assigned you to escort Senator Amidala home to Naboo as she needs to discuss some things with the Queen. Then you will spend the next two weeks there on leave," he told him. "Padmè has been ordered to make sure you rest and recuperate before being called back to the Temple."
"Thanks, Obi-Wan," Anakin replied. Then he sighed. "I'm sorry that I failed when I fought against Dooku."
"You didn't fail Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "I'm proud of you for coming to my aid. You fought well against Dooku, who is a far better swordsman than either of us."
"What happens now?" Anakin asked.
Obi-Wan sighed a little since he had just come from a Council meeting in which the topic had been what Anakin had told Mace before the battle had even started. "Officially?" He asked. "The Republic and the Separatists are at war. Most of the Jedi will be called to serve as Generals. It's not what we were called to do, but we are needed as the Clones are under our command and they will need direction."
Anakin sensed his brother's displeasure on the matter. "I'm assuming that you would rather not fight in this war?"
"That is correct," Obi-Wan said. "But this situation has become so volatile that we don't have a choice. The Jedi serve the Republic and the Chancellor has asked us to fight."
Then Anakin looked around. "Is Padmè here?" He asked.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "She wanted to come and visit you, but got called away to the Senate," he replied.
"Oh," Anakin responded.
Obi-Wan then got up from his seat. "Get some rest Anakin," he said as he turned to look at his younger brother.
Anakin nodded and gently laid back down in his bed. Then Obi-Wan left the room that his padawan had been placed in in the healer's ward.
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The next day, after Anakin had spoken to Padmè over his holocomunicator and was then released from the healer's ward, he went to his apartment that he shared with his brother and Jedi Master. As the door slid open and he walked through it, he saw that both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were sitting on one of the couches near the windows that looked out into the traffic the flew past the temple every day and night. He was glad to see that his brother was no longer wearing the sling around his arm or had the bandage around his leg.
Obi-Wan broke off his conversation with his former master when he sensed his brother's presence in the room. He looked up and saw the young man standing near the door. "Anakin," he said, catching the young man's attention. "How does the arm feel?"
"It feels alright," Anakin replied as he walked across the room and sat down on the other couch. He glanced down at the gold metal appendage that was now his right arm. "I might have to get a glove to cover this up. I passed some younglings while making my way here and they sort of got scared."
Obi-Wan softly smirked. "I was just about to suggest that." Then he thought about what they had discovered on their previous mission. "How did your assignment on Naboo go?"
"It went well," Anakin responded. "I did get to see my mother as Padmè invited her over to the place where we were staying."
"How is your mother doing?" Qui-Gon asked.
"She's doing fine. I know she was really happy to see me," Anakin responded. "Also, Padmè and I talked."
"I'm guessing it was about what we discussed while we were guarding her?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin nodded. "I told her about the prophecy and her supposed part in it. At first, she told me that we couldn't be anything more than friends because of our respective paths, her being a Senator and myself as a Jedi," he said. "I could see that she was currently fighting against her feelings that she had for me, so I told her to take her time and think about what we had spoken about. She finally told me what she had decided on Geonosis just before I left with Master Windu and the strike team to rescue you, Obi-Wan."
"What did she tell you?" Obi-Wan inquired as he was curious to know just what the Senator had told his younger brother.
"Padmè told me that she loves me and that it was fate that brought us back into each other's lives," Anakin replied.
Obi-Wan smiled and then in a teasing voice, asked, "When's the wedding?"
"I still have to get the Council's permission before I do anything else," Anakin responded. "And then there's the matter of the vision that I had while on Naboo."
Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan looked at Anakin in concern, with the elder Jedi asking, "What was in this vision?"
"I was standing in front of the council asking for permission to adopt the young child who I first met in the lightsaber class that I volunteered to assist with and then kept seeing in my dreams," Anakin told them.
"Adopt her?" Obi-Wan asked as he knew who Anakin was talking about. When he saw Anakin nod, he continued as he had read it himself. "But-
"I know," Anakin said, cutting his brother off from finishing the rest of his sentence. Then he sighed. "I can't help but feel as if the Force is telling me that I need to do this."
Qui-Gon looked a little concerned, but understanding at the same time. "Go and ask Anakin. If the Council asks why, tell them that it is the will of the force that you do this."
Anakin nodded at Qui-Gon's suggestion and got up, moving towards the door and leaving once it opened. Then he headed for the elevator that would take him up to see the Council.
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When Anakin arrived in the chamber that led to the Council room, he wasn't all that a little surprised to find that he was allowed entry so quickly. A soon as he walked in, he saw that only two of the usual twelve Jedi Masters were in the room. Yoda and Mace. Nevertheless, he bowed once he reached the center of the room.
"Skywalker," Windu said, addressing the young man who stood before them. "Master Yoda and I would like to congratulate you on the successful completion of your assignment."
Anakin bowed. "Thank you, my Masters," he responded.
"Sense I do, that something you have to ask us," Yoda said.
"Yes Master," Anakin responded. "Senator Amidala has confessed her love for me and I've come to ask for your permission to allow us to get married. I know that our marriage will have to stay a secret. Padmè told me that while I was recovering in the Halls of Healing. She has also convinced me to let her use our relationship to help us uncover just who the Sith Lord is."
Both Mace and Yoda looked at each other as they considered what Anakin had asked of them. Then they remembered the prophecy and what it said.
"As representatives of the entire council, Master Yoda and I hereby grant you permission to marry the Senator from Naboo," Mace told him. "I assume you have an alibi if anyone asks why you keep visiting the Senator?"
"Yes Master," Anakin said. "Padmè came up with it. She told me that the galaxy, especially the holonet, thinks that we are old friends. We have decided to go with that since she and I both know that I will be away from Coruscant most of the time now that the Republic is at war."
Mace nodded, satisfied with the explanation that he was given. Then he sensed a little bit of hesitation from Anakin. "Anakin, are you alright?" He asked.
"With your permission my masters, there is something else I need to ask you both," Anakin admitted.
Mace nodded, gesturing for Anakin to go ahead.
"I had a vision while I was on Naboo with the Senator," Anakin said. "In it, I was standing here, asking for your permission to adopt Initiate Rosella Ngaire."
"Adopt her?" Mace questioned. "Why?"
"All I can tell you is that it's the will of the force," Anakin responded.
The Jedi Master glanced out of the corner of his eye as he saw Yoda nod. He then knew that the Grandmaster agreed with the young padawan and would approve of Anakin adopting the young girl even if he didn't. "Have you spoken to the Senator about this?" He asked.
Anakin nodded. "I have and Padmè agrees with me," he said. "She feels that the girl will need a home with a set of loving parents like she had before she was brought to the Temple. She also told me that even though Rosella is learning about diplomatic solutions and politics here, she wants to help her learn more about those topics."
"Then I will also give my consent," Mace responded.
"Thank you, Master Windu and you as well Master Yoda," Anakin acknowledged. "If you can, bring Initiate Ngaire to Naboo for the wedding. Padmè and I will ask her if she would like to be a member of our family at the reception."
Both Mace and Yoda nodded at him. Anakin bowed, left the chamber and headed for the turbolift.
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Count Dooku's solar sailor came out of hyperspace. The sail retracted into the ship and then it flew down through Coruscant's atmosphere and into the abandoned part of the city.
Much like the underworld, this was a part of the planet that no one went to unless they had a good enough reason to. It was far away from the busy streets, so there was no life. It was made up of factories that churned out massive plumes of pollution into the air. All of them were run by droids, so there was no need to keep the pollution filtered as no one noticed it. Most of the abandoned buildings were unfinished office buildings that had never been completed and probably never would be.
One of those buildings was complete. It had been fully finished for one use. It was to be a secret place for Darth Sidious when he needed to get away from his guise as Palpatine.
Sidious stood off to the side, silently waiting as Dooku's ship came in through the open door. The craft's elegant design had ensured that it blended in perfectly with the never-ending traffic that was leaving and coming to the planet.
The Sith Master came walking towards the ship as it was coming in to land on the ground. Up in the cockpit, Dooku got out of his seat and headed for the rear. Once the legs were safely on the ground and the ramp had been extended, Dooku walked down it, glancing up as he saw Sidious walking towards him. He opted to say nothing until he reached the bottom since he was a Count and therefore had noble blood inside him. He had power beneath his skin. Yet, here he was, apprenticed to a man who was nothing more than a politician from some backwater planet.
Still, he was going to need Sidious as he was the key to gaining the ultimate power. Once he had that power in his grasp, he was going to utterly destroy his Master and implement his plans for taking over the galaxy.
Dooku spoke to his master once his feet touched the floor of the building and walked away from his ship. "The Force is with us, Master Sidious," he said, as the man reached his side. He bowed his head.
"Welcome home, Lord Tyranus," Sidious told him. "You have done well."
As both Sith Lords walked away from Dooku's ship, Dooku began to speak. "I have some good news for you, my Lord," he said. "The war has begun."
"Excellent," Sidious said as he softly smiled underneath his hood. "Even though the Grand Army of the Republic is no longer under our control, I feel as though we can still win this war. The Jedi now have to focus on strengthening their ranks while also fighting in this war. A war that will force them to confront their own shortcomings since the rules of the Order ultimately prevent a Jedi from doing what needs to be done in most situations." He smirked. "Let them enjoy their victory for now. It will not last and they will fall!"
Then the two Sith Lords walked deeper into the facility as they continued to discuss their plans.
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It was currently sunset.
Mace and Yoda had called Obi-Wan up to the Council chamber for a private meeting. Both Master and Knight were looking out one of the large windows, while Yoda was sitting in his seat.
"Do you really believe what Dooku told me about Sidious?" Obi-Wan asked. "I have to admit. I don't like the idea of him having control over the entire Senate."
"Joined the dark side Dooku has. Mmm. Lies, deceit…creating mistrust are his ways now," Yoda said, as he reflected on his former apprentice.
"Nevertheless, I propose that we keep a closer eye on the Senate," Mace told the small group.
"I agree," Master Yoda said.
"Where is Anakin?" Mace asked as he turned to look at Obi-Wan.
"I believe he is spending some time with Senator Amidala in her penthouse before they head to Naboo," Obi-Wan replied. "Are you and Master Yoda sure this is a good idea? Letting them get married?"
"Anakin came and asked both Master Yoda and myself for permission. He told me that if they got married, then Padmé could help us help us uncover who the Sith Lord in the Senate is. He knows that their marriage will have to stay a secret," Mace told him. "He also asked us for permission to adopt Initiate Ngaire and we granted him permission."
Obi-Wan nodded, knowing that Anakin would have married Padmè even without the permission of the Council. He was glad that the Council had allowed his brother to adopt the girl as he knew that she would be a good influence on him and the rest of their makeshift family. Then he grew concerned about what had happened on Geonosis. "I did not want to have to say this, but without the clones, we probably would not have won our first battle with the Separatists," he said.
"Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory," Yoda told him, sadly shaking his head. "The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun a new series of battles has."
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The armor of the remaining clone troopers was still shiny, even after they had done battle on Geonosis. They all stood in straight lines, their blasters propped up against their right shoulders. Behind them, two of the already fully loaded Acclamator-class Assault ships activated their engines and lifted off the ground. Off to the side, two more ships were loading their troops as they prepared to go off to war.
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On a balcony overlooking the staging area, stood the Chancellor, Senator Bail Organa, the Speaker of the Senate, Mas Amedda and a few other Senators. They were accompanied by two of Palpatine's royal guard.
As Palpatine gazed down at the square below, watching as tens of thousands of clone troopers stood there in strict military formation, he grinned to himself as he knew that now the public and the rest of the Senate would have something to distract them as he slowly twisted the war to the outcome that he wanted, which was the creation of his Empire. A new Sith Empire.
He also knew that while the public might appreciate the war since it was just beginning, the longer that it dragged on, the more restless they would become. Soon, they would be looking for someone to blame and he was hoping that the target would be the Jedi.
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A deep sadness marked the handsome features of Bail Organa as he looked away from the Acclamator Assault ships that had just taken off. Then he glanced down at the army below. This was not the outcome they had hoped to achieve. He lightly punched the balcony railing, as he glanced down and realized that like the troopers that were below him, some of the Jedi would not be returning in one piece or even alive.
He snuck a quick glance over at the Supreme Chancellor, noticing that Palpatine's expression was one of sadness, acceptance and determination all mixed together.
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Out on the balcony of Padmè's penthouse, Anakin sat on one of the couches. He was messing with his mech arm as Padmé walked up and sat beside him. They had spent the afternoon together, under the watchful eye of Captain Typho, of course.
"Ani, I can tell something is bothering you," Padmé told him as she saw that he was undoing and redoing the straps that held the covering for his mech arm in place. "What is it?"
"I have something to ask you," Anakin told her. While he knew that Padmè loved him and he loved her, he was unsure of how this scenario would play out. He was sure of a few things though. The first being that getting to spend time with Padmé would be one thing that they would never have as there was a war going on and he would soon be on the front lines commanding his own legion of troops. He also knew he would soon be in charge of his own padawan and was certain that if he and Padmè remained as they were before he marched off to battle and an unknown future, he wouldn't be as happy as he was right now.
Padmè watched as Anakin got off the couch and down on one knee. Then she saw him reach into the pocket of his robes and pull out a maroon box.
"Anakin, what are you doing?" Padmè asked.
"I talked to the Council, specifically Master Windu and Master Yoda. They've given us permission to get married," Anakin said and smiled as he saw the joyful expression on her face.
"Oh Anakin!" Padme exclaimed happily.
"I know that our marriage will have to stay a secret from the public. With the war going on, we will both be in the spotlight and targets for the Separatists as well as any other bad guys who are roaming throughout the galaxy," Anakin told her.
"Not to mention I might be able to help you and the Order flush out the Sith Lord?" Padmè asked, a small smirk on her face.
"You catch on fast," Anakin replied. Then he opened the box to reveal a simple band made out of gold. "Padmè Amidala Naberrie, will you marry me?"
"Yes! Of course, yes!" Padmé said as she flung her arms around Anakin, who then stood up and lifted Padmé in the air, spinning her around. After he had returned her to the ground, he smiled and rested his forehead against hers.
Padmè then pulled away and took the box from him. After she closed it, she said, "I'll keep this with me in a safe place, alright Ani?" As soon as she saw him nod, she smiled and sat back down on the couch, her mind wandering back to the young girl that Anakin had told her about. "What did the Council say regarding us adopting Rosella?"
"The Council has given us permission to adopt her," Anakin responded. "But how are we going to make sure that the Sith Lord doesn't find out about our impending marriage and adoption?"
"Don't worry about that Ani," Padmè replied. "Naboo is a closed system. That means it's separate from the Republic archives."
Anakin stared at her, wide-eyed. "That means we can legally get married and adopt Rosella as our daughter," he said. His smile grew even brighter. "When would you like to go?"
"Let's go right now since you are supposed to be escorting me back home," Padmè told him. "After I finish speaking to the Queen and we inform my parents, then I can start planning."
"Alright," Anakin told her.
UP NEXT: Anakin and Padmè have their wedding on Naboo and formally adopt Rosella.