CHAPTER 15:

THE TWO EX-QUEENS

They had just managed to arrive back at Alnus, with a bunch of helicopters, as Tyuule learned the aerial machines were called, being sent with soldiers to render the carcass of the Flame Dragon. They intended to use the head as proof that the beast was dead. However, despite the injuries, taking apart the carcass was still going to be a hassle, as were the logistics of removing the parts.

Tyuule wandered the streets of the Alnus settlement, having asked Anakin if she could have time to herself. While she felt safer here than before, with less of a suicidal ideation, the truth was, she still felt acutely the fact that her people despised her. Delilah may be able to spread the word, and there may be others willing to give her the benefit of the doubt…but Tyuule knew that she'd probably checking her back for daggers, periodically(1).

She almost didn't hear the voice calling out to her, so distracted was she, but she did hear it all the same, and turned to look at the young woman standing there, flanked by a pair of guards. "Your Majesty, may I have a moment of your time?" Padme Amidala asked.

Tyuule scowled. "Don't call me that. I'm not a queen anymore, and I have no kingdom to rule over, even if I was."

"My apologies," Padme said, bowing her head. "I've been told something of your history by Princess Pina Co Lada, as well as Delilah. I thought you were due respect according to your former station."

Tyuule bit her tongue to prevent the angry, embittered retort from issuing forth. A little more calmly, she said, "Few people have thought that."

"…I'm sorry to hear that. Please, come with me…"

Tyuule followed with some trepidation, with Padme heading with her escorts to her spaceship, as it was called, that gleaming silver arrow. Tyuule hadn't met R2-D2, though Anakin spoke of the droid, so when it greeted her with a series of whistles and whoops and beeps, Tyuule was bemused. It was her first time seeing a droid. "So…you use these droids as servants?"

"I suppose it could be argued as slavery, but droids are generally built to fill specific functions," Padme said, kneeling down and patting the cylindrical droid's 'head', eliciting a whir of contentment. "However, R2 has been in my service since my homeworld was invaded, and I've come to think of him as a friend. Ani built his own droid, a protocol droid called C3PO."

"Protocol droid?" Tyuule asked. Anakin had mentioned C3PO, but not his function.

"Helps people with etiquette and being an interpreter. Something like a herald and diplomat by your terms," Padme said, before leading onwards into the ship.

Tyuule looked around in amazement at the gleaming white surfaces, so clean and regular, and yet, it wasn't harsh and utilitarian. It looked beautiful. She allowed herself to be led into a room on the ship, which seemed to be a small dining room. "I took the liberty of asking Delilah about drinks your people enjoyed," Padme said, as a droid brought in some drinks. And Tyuule stiffened as a familiar scent hit her nostrils…a scent that she hadn't smelled in ages. "She mentioned a form of tea that grew in the regions you called home, one that all species on this world can drink. She said you were fond of it."

Tyuule nodded mutely, trying to hold back the memories unlocked by that primal sense of smell. But she couldn't stop the tears beginning to trickle down her face. "…I was," she said quietly, her voice husky with emotion. "I haven't had it since that bastard…that bastard…" Her voice caught in her throat, and it took a moment for her to regain her composure. She just spent a moment, inhaling the rich scent of the tea. "I'm sorry."

"No, I should apologise. I obviously stirred up some painful memories."

"The memories themselves aren't painful…just the fact that they're painful reminders of what I have lost," Tyuule said quietly, her ears drooping.

"And yet, you regained some things. You have your freedom. Believe me when I know how precious that can be," Padme said quietly. "I very nearly lost it."

Tyuule nodded. "Anakin told me a little of the Trade Federation invading Naboo while we were travelling to destroy the Flame Dragon. So, Senator Amidala…why do you want to talk to me?"

"Please, call me Padme. I want to talk to you about a few things…including Anakin."

"…Wait, are you two…?" Tyuule asked.

"Together? No, no!" Padme protested, shaking her head. "…No, we've only just met again for the first time in years. I mean, it's good to be friends…but with Anakin…he had this infatuation towards me, so Rory Mercury told me. I mean, he's handsome and has a good heart…but he's a Jedi Padawan, and I'm a senator. We move in different circles. They overlap to a degree, true, but they're not exactly conducive to a relationship. Besides, Jedi have precepts against relationships, I believe. It's something about avoiding too many attachments. But…I think Ani would fight to the death to protect those he cares about."

"So, this isn't out of jealousy?" Tyuule asked.

"No, no," Padme said, though Tyuule felt that the young woman was protesting just a touch too much. Not enough to put the lie to her denial…but certainly enough that she wasn't quite telling the whole truth, even if she didn't realise it consciously. "Anyway, you and I both know that, after what you went through, you're not going to be falling into another person's arms any time soon. Life doesn't work that way."

"No…no, you're right," Tyuule said, before sipping at her tea. It was brewed to near-perfection, she thought to herself. "I spent the last three years as Zorzal's fucktoy. The Japanese woman, Sergeant Kurokawa, and the Elf girl, Tuka, mentioned counselling. Maybe I should avail myself of that."

"I recommend doing that, Tyuule. I'm glad Anakin freed you. Nobody deserves such a horrible fate."

"I don't need your pity," Tyuule scoffed.

"Pity? Tyuule…I have nightmares, of what may have happened had Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi not come to Naboo's aid. I have seen much of the evils the galaxy has to offer. People say that I'm an idealist, and I'd like to think I am, but I'm not blind to the inequities of the galaxy, and I try to redress them. I say that I am glad that you're freed because you do not deserve that fate."

"…Then what fate do I deserve?"

"That's up to you. It's a big galaxy out there, Tyuule, filled with opportunity. Or maybe you could do something with your people."

"If they bothered to listen to me," Tyuule sneered.

"You managed to persuade Delilah of the truth," Padme pointed out.

"No, Anakin raised the possibility with her earlier. It took me goading her into trying to stab me in the back to get her to think," Tyuule said bitterly. "No…I can't be a symbol for my people to rally around. It would be better to be someone else. To them, I am a traitor beyond compare."

"And? Many of my people felt I abandoned them when I went to Coruscant to plead our case to the Senate. Even when I returned with the Jedi, and with Anakin, there were many who blamed me for the suffering, even the deaths that occurred. Tyuule…you were strong enough to try to sacrifice your freedom and your body to save your people. I wouldn't have done that. You're better than you think you are, Tyuule."

Tyuule scoffed. She could understand the sentiment. Padme was trying to reassure her, to boost her morale. As Tyuule sipped at her cooling tea, she said, "You don't know me, Padme Amidala, any more than I know you, even from Anakin's stories. I know this sounds rude, given how kind you have been, and I am truly grateful for your kindness…but it's the truth. What kept me going when I was Zorzal's plaything was not strength. It was spite and hatred. A desire to see everything he cherished crumble around him, and with him, the Empire that delighted in seeing my people enslaved. If I was stronger, I would never have had to submit to him in the first place. Anakin took that opportunity away from me with his good intentions, and I don't know what to fill the gap with."

Padme nodded. "I can't tell you what will fill that gap, Tyuule. Partly because you are right. I don't know you as well as I would like to. But…making friends can be a good start. People who can be there for you, and that you can be there for in return. Besides…from what I heard about the fight between you and Delilah, you're still pretty good at fighting."

"And? I can fight. There's sure to be plenty of fighters in the galaxy who could match or vanquish a Bunny Warrior, as much as it pains me to say that. Anakin mentioned the Mandalorians. And our people haven't encountered weapons like those the JSDF use, or that the galaxy use. Firearms, tanks, mortars, bombs, blasters, lightsabers…no, we are but small fish in a big pond."

"There are opportunities other than fighting. Being a diplomat, being a representative of your people, of the people of this world, for example. Or learn something new. You're still young, and in any case, Chancellor Palpatine once told me that learning is a lifelong commitment."

"Palpatine…Anakin mentioned him to me. He used to be the Senator for your world, didn't he? Only, he became Chancellor of your Galactic Republic," Tyuule said.

"Yes. He taught me much about galactic politics…even the less savoury side," Padme said. "In any case…all I'm saying, Tyuule, is that you now have another chance. You're still alive and sane, and you have the will to live. And I think, despite your fixation on revenge, that you are a good person. And Ani thinks that too, I'm sure."

Tyuule raised an eyebrow. "Ani? Are you sure you two aren't together?"

The tongue-tied noises Padme emitted was worth it…

The two parted ways as, if not friends, then at the beginning of a friendship. Tyuule knew that Padme meant well. But it still wasn't easy to change the way one had become accustomed to thinking for the past few years. Not to mention that she was still coming to grips with the fact that she was free after three years. Three years that felt like an eternity, being frequently filled with that bastard Zorzal fucking her and torturing her psychologically.

She found herself at the tavern, and wandered in. The reception she got was considerably warmer than before. As she sat at the bar, Delilah wordlessly served up another mug of their tea. "…I'm surprised you're able to get this," Tyuule said. "I thought Zorzal set fire to our fields, the ones we cultivated this in, out of spite."

"Count Formal enjoyed our tea, remember? One of the few supplies left in Falmart is in the fields around Italica," Delilah said quietly. "So, Padme spoke to you? Ex-queen to ex-queen?"

"At least she left her position honourably," Tyuule said bitterly. "I disgraced it by offering myself to Zorzal…and he disgraced it further."

"Look, while it was drastic, what you did…I have to admit, it took guts. But Zorzal was dishonourable scum. We knew that even before you made your offer," Delilah said quietly. "Look…I've been speaking to some of the others. Griine and Mamina have accepted your story, along with a few others. But others still want your head. And frankly…there is no Bunny Warrior Kingdom anymore for you to rule."

"I wasn't fit to rule anyway. Even before Zorzal and his peons attacked, I barely coped with ruling our people," Tyuule admitted. "People kept comparing me to my mother, Delilah, how she was a much better ruler. That I could, and should, have done better."

"I know. I said the same thing myself. And after learning the truth about Zorzal's lies, it's something I've been beating myself up about." After a moment, Delilah seemed to come to a decision, and stood, gesturing for Tyuule to follow her. The two Bunny Warriors went into the back rooms of the tavern, and into what seemed like Delilah's quarters. Tyuule noted the idols to Emroy, Hardy, Palapon and Deldorot. Delilah took a letter from beneath her pillow and handed it to Tyuule. "I received that earlier this morning. Normally, I would have kept this silent, but still…"

Tyuule read the letter, and her eyes widened in shock. "No…why would Countess Formal order you to assassinate Noriko?"

"I don't know. With Japan and the Saderans beginning negotiations, this would throw a spanner into the works. I'm surprised they didn't call for your assassination. But it has the correct seal."

Tyuule's mind was whirling, until she remembered something. "Delilah…I was in contact with the Haryo while I was Zorzal's plaything. I think they, either under Zorzal's orders or on their own initiative, have done this."

"The Haryo? Why would they back Zorzal? He despises demi-humans, let alone those half-breeds in the Haryo!"

"Yes, but maybe Zorzal's so desperate to stop the peace…he probably wants me back under his thumb. The Haryo have contacts within the Formal household. I know for a fact that Bartholomew owes a Haryo usurer money."

"Bartholomew?!" Delilah hissed.

"Yes, he's probably sold at least one copy of the Formal clan seal," Tyuule said. "Delilah…we should bring this to one of the JSDF immediately. They might have some means of tracing who actually sent this. That girl, Noriko, she only suffered Zorzal's depravities for months, but suffered she did all the same, and she does not deserve to be murdered."

"…I feel like a damned oathbreaker doing this," Delilah said quietly. "The Formal Clan have shown us nothing but kindness in exchange for our loyalty."

"And I don't doubt that they are deserving of your loyalty. Someone else sent this missive, I am sure, and we will find out who…"

CHAPTER 15 ANNOTATIONS:

So, here's the latest chapter. I'm afraid the next one will be some time coming out. I know I keep saying that, but as I said before in the previous chapter, I'm still considering where to take the story (which is NOT an invitation for you to send me ideas, all right? I'm the author here, remember), and this chapter, rather serendipitously, wrote itself.

I thought giving some more insight to how adrift Tyuule still is was nice…and the rebuilding of trust between her and Delilah. The reason why Delilah showed her the letter (and yes, Zorzal IS using the Haryo, with them having approached him after Tyuule was taken away) was because learning she was wrong about Tyuule forced her to question her own assumptions. And as Delilah was sure that Myui wouldn't order an assassination of someone relatively innocent, she decided to bring it to Tyuule's attention first. Luckily…

Also, isn't it nice to have Tyuule and Padme have a conversation? I mean, not like it truly went anywhere, but the two have an understanding.

Incidentally, before I go onto the review-answerings, I beg my readers, please, please, PLEASE to go and give MMiFwI's Universal Impossibility a read. I personally think it's the best crossover of this type out there, and it deserves way more love than it's getting. Plus, it just recently updated, with Luke Skywalker and Rory Mercury finally meeting!

Review-answering time! last admiral: No. You're not changing my mind. This story is Anakin/Tyuule. I would happily accept any reasonable alternate pairings for Padme, though. I can't think of any alternate ones off the top of my head, unless you want to somehow get her with Obi-Wan, or one of the GATE characters (and only Tomita or Furuta spring to mind as really suitable suitors…or maybe Yanagida if he holds back the smarm).

rmarcano321: I don't know.

zetsubougintama: You have it on the money about Tyuule and her vengeance blinding her, but the anime doesn't do her that many favours in making her sympathetic. I have no plans as of yet to include the OCs I created for Parva Sub Ingenti, though. And you're exactly right about my having a soft spot for 'rescuing' characters from crappy circumstances. In pretty much every one of my Nasuverse fics, I always try to ensure Sakura gets rescued in some way or another. A Gintama crossover sounds vaguely interesting, though admittedly, I know little about that series. As I said, if you decide to post any challenges, you're more than welcome to in the forums of DZ2 and whitetigerwolf.

Wacko12: No, they'll be around sooner rather than later, just with rabbit ears.

nooneshome87: The first one was always going to happen in this story, and as for the second one, I always intended to write a sequel that is an AU of Episode II if and when this one is finished. The third option is never going to happen.

1. Tyuule's thoughts are based on a similar joke made by a wary Obi-Wan sneaking on board Padme's ship in Episode 601 of Darths & Droids.