The next day, a small red Republic ship sailed up the Theed River. Aboard was a small contingency of Senate guards along with the newly-elected Chancellor Palpatine.

Queen Amidala, along with Obi-Wan and Anakin stood on the docks awaiting his arrival. Captain Panaka, meanwhile, awaited the Senate guard along with the Viceroy and his advisor who both stood in chains.

As the ship began its docking, Queen Amidala turned to the Viceroy. "Now, you get to go back to the Senate and try to explain yourself."

Captain Panaka scoffed at him. "I'd say you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye."

Chancellor Palpatine walked down the gangplank with a wide smile on his face. He strolled up to Obi-Wan, who bowed at his approach. "We are indebted to your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi." He then turned to Anakin. "And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest."

They all watched as the Senate guard escorted the Viceroy and his advisor up the gangplank. After they had been led below deck, Chancellor Palpatine then walked to Queen Amidala.

"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor."

"Your boldness saved our people, your Highness, it is you who should be congratulated. Together, we can bring peace and prosperity to the Republic."

Later that day, just before sunset, the members of the Jedi Council arrived for Qui-Gon's funeral. As preparations were underway, Master Yoda summoned Obi-Wan for an important face-to-face discussion. Obi-Wan knelt on one knee as Yoda stood in front of him. Yoda held out his short green Lightblade and with a quick stroke, he cut off Obi-Wan's Padawan braid.

"Confer on you the rank of Jedi Knight, the Council does, but agree with your taking of young Skywalker as your Padawan learner, I do not."

"Qui-Gon believed in him."

Yoda sighed. "The Chosen One, the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger, I fear in his training."

"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin, without the Council's approval, if I must."

Yoda gave a grunt of frustration. "Qui-Gon's defiance, I sense in you. Need that, you do not." He shook his head. "Agree with you, the Council does. Your Padawan, Skywalker will be."

That night, along the Theed River, Qui-Gon's body was placed atop a large pyre. The entirety of the Jedi Council, along with Obi-Wan, Anakin, Queen Amidala, Chancellor Palpatine, Jar Jar, and even Boss Nass stood in a semicircle around the pyre and watched as the first flames licked at its base. Within minutes, the flames had enveloped the pyre.

All in attendance watched solemnly as the fire slowly consumed the Master Jedi they had all respected, even if at times they had not agreed with him. Embers flew off into the night sky, dancing on currents before fading away.

Anakin looked up to Obi-Wan. "What will happen to me now?"

"The Council has given me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi, I promise."

As everyone watched Qui-Gon's pyre settle and throw up more embers, Mace Windu turned to Yoda. "There's no doubt that dark warrior was a Sith."

"Mm, always two, there are. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice."

"But which was destroyed? The master? Or the apprentice?"

This was something the entire Jedi Council would need to meditate on. Dark days lay ahead.

The next morning, there was a massive celebration in front of Theed Palace. The Gungan army, playing great warhorns and drums jubilantly, marched up the main thoroughfare as crowds cheered them on. Atop decorated mounts, the heroes of Naboo rode slowly towards the palace's front steps, waving to the amassed crowd. Overhead, flocks of ennone flew in formation.

Queen Amidala stood atop the steps, flanked on one side by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, now dressed in traditional Jedi garb. At her other side stood Chancellor Palpatine and Naboo's senior governor, who held a glowing glass sphere.

The Gungan heroes climbed down from their mounts and lined up at the base of the steps. Boss Nass led the procession, with Jar Jar and Captain Tarpals following closely behind.

The senior governor passed Queen Amidala the sphere and they watched as the Gungans climbed the steps. At the top, she ceremoniously handed Boss Nass the sphere.

Triumphantly, he lifted it above his head, and in a voice loud enough for all in attendance to hear, he called out the word they all waited for. "Peace!"

Everyone cheered, thankful that the tragedy had ended. Queen Amidala smiled and turned to Anakin. He wasn't just the one who had saved Naboo, to her, he was a friend. He smiled back, and for both of them, they would remember those smiles for the rest of their lives.