Across the Stars: A Cinderella Story

By Serena Kenobi

Author's note: Once again, thanks for all of the reviews!! I'm so sad (sniffs) that it's the last chapter!! (bursts into tears) It's actually over!! At least until we start on the next story... THANK YOU for sticking with me for so long, and I hope you return to join Padme and Anakin on their next fairytale adventure in my own rendition of Beauty and the Beast. Until then, may the Force be with you!

Disclaimer: Aw, man. Do I have to do this again? Fine. Own, Star Wars, I do not. Like to, I would, though.

The Final Chapter

Panaka cried out abruptly as he was shot in the back by a clone's blaster rifle. The droids began to fire back at the clones that were suddenly pouring into the palace and began to eliminate the adversary.

"Artoo!" Padmé exclaimed as the little blue droid rolled in, amazingly avoiding all the blaster fire going on. He hurried over to the control panel and released the ray shields; but he was suddenly shot by a random laser bolt and screamed, jumping back.

"Artoo, are you all right?" Padmé cried, running over to him. She patted his dome. "You're so brave, Artoo."

Don't I know it, the droid beeped weakly.

Anakin brought up his lightsaber and eagerly rejoined the fight, slashing down droids and returning the enemy guards' fire.

A familiar person jumped in front of him, cutting down the droid that he was just about to kill.

"Obi-Wan!" Anakin exclaimed, surprised, "what are you doing here?"

"Only saving your skin for the seventh time," the older Jedi grinned, "I have to get even with you, you know."

"Hey, you owe me ten," Anakin shot back playfully, hurling another guard to the side.

"NINE, Anakin, nine," Obi-Wan corrected, throwing his lightsaber into another droideka. "That business on Cato Neimoidia doesn't… doesn't count."

In the meantime, Padmé had run into another wing of the palace where more fighting was taking place. As she turned around to fire at another droid, a blue and brown blur leapt in front of her and tossed a lightsaber at the droid. It fell over in pieces.

"Aayla!" Padmé said, grinning, "long time no see!" She blasted away at another group of droids, and they burst into pieces.

"Padmé, are you all right?" the Twi'lek Jedi called as she did a back-flip in the air and speared two droids at once.

"I'm fine," Padmé grunted, dodging some blaster fire, "I've just been nearly shipped off to Viceroy Gunray as payment for these blasted droids. On a different note, I got my glass slipper back."

Aayla gave her a strange look and quickly stared at her foot.

"For Force's sake, you're actually wearing the thing now!" Aayla said, shocked.

Padmé looked down and smiled sheepishly, pulling a droid out of the way.

"Oh yeah," she replied, "I guess I am. I must've forgotten to take it off." She then went back to blasting at the droids. Aayla muttered something incoherent and swung her lightsabers around, cutting down a few more droids.

A few hours later, the enemy had been vanquished, leaving just the clones, the Jedi, and Padmé. Anakin looked around for his love, wondering where she'd gone. Obi-Wan came up to him, drawing back in his lightsaber.

"Looking for someone?"

Anakin nodded. "Yeah, I don't know where Padmé got off to," he replied.

Artoo rolled up to him and whistled.

"Thanks," Anakin said, heading off towards the other wing of the palace.

Obi-Wan followed him, shaking his head and smiling. "You've fallen hard, my old Padawan," he chuckled. "I'm happy for you. But from what I've heard from Master Yoda, she is striving to be a politician. You can't trust them."

"Padmé's different," Anakin argued. "First, she's been a servant for most of her life, second, she's also a Princess, and third… well, she's not like the others."

Obi-Wan nodded, grinning broadly. "Ah, I see," he said, unable to wipe the smile off his face.

Two clone guards brought Jobal and her daughters to them, who were screeching up a storm.

"LET ME GO, I'M THE QUEEN OF NABOO!" Jobal hollered furiously, trying to wrench herself from the clone's grasp. Anakin glared at her.

"Not anymore," he answered coldly, "you're being put on trial, along with your horrible daughters. I'm going to personally see to it that Padmé takes your place as Queen."

"How… DARE YOU!" Jobal screamed, eyes flashing wildly, "She's nothing but a common pauper!"

Anakin sighed. "Enough already, I know who she is."

"And I've got the archives to prove it," Aayla spoke up, waving a datapad around. She marched in proudly with Padmé at her side who held a smoking blaster in one hand. Anakin grinned and put his arm around her.

"I was wondering where you got to, angel," he said, kissing her forehead.

Aayla cleared her throat, and everyone turned to her. "Eh-hem. It says here," she read, "Padmé Naberrie Amidala. Parents: King Ruwee of Naboo and Queen Selena of Naboo. Status: Firstborn daughter and heir to the throne of Naboo.'"

Anakin smirked at Jobal, who was glaring daggers at all of them. Obi-Wan nodded.

"Well, that clears up everything, doesn't it," he remarked, folding his arms.

"No, it's a lie; you made that up! They're forged archives!" Jobal screamed in rage.

Anakin rolled his eyes and motioned for the clones to take her away. They did, with her kicking and screaming. The two stepsisters quickly followed, whimpering.

"Finally," Padmé sighed, plopping down into a seat. Anakin grinned at her, and then looked at her foot. She opened one eye and saw him staring at the slipper. "What?"

"Did you wear that this whole time?" he asked, amusement in his voice.

She scrunched up her nose stubbornly. "So what if I did," she mumbled.

Anakin began laughing, and so did Obi-Wan and Aayla. Padmé glared at them but soon joined in, finding the situation quite humorous.

"When's the wedding?" Obi-Wan asked, crossing his arms.

Padmé and Anakin glanced at each other. "We, um, haven't thought of that yet," he stammered.

"Actually, you haven't even asked me yet, laserbrain," Padmé shot out.

"Haven't asked her yet?" Aayla said incredulously, "Didn't the slipper mean you asked her?"

Anakin quickly nodded. "Uh, yeah, that was it," he replied uncertainly, now getting a glare from Padmé. "But I think I should ask the right way." He knelt down in front of her dramatically. "Padmé, you are the love of my life and always will be. Will you do me the honor of accepting this unworthy Jedi who's fallen head over heels in love with you?"

She stared at him for a minute. "Of course, you high-and-mighty Jedi," she laughed, embracing him. He groaned.

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?"

"Not on your life, Anakin."

Anakin didn't have time to reply because Padme was kissing him.

A short month later, Anakin stood in front of a large assembly, watching his beloved walk down the aisle. With her creamy white dress trailing behind her as she floated down the aisle and her chestnut curls falling in front her face, she truly did appear as an angel. She was, of course, wearing the glass slippers that had finally brought them together.

Obi-Wan was Anakin's best man, and Padmé had chosen Aayla to be her maid of honor. Aayla was very happy to comply, as she had never been to a wedding before.

The couple said their vows in front of hundreds, both finally feeling calm and at peace.

The galaxy was finally brought back into balance.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest said, nodding.

Anakin, instead of lightly kissing Padmé, grabbed her, sweeping her off her feet, and giving her a searing, passionate kiss.

Aayla sighed happily, watching the touching scene in front of her. A touch on her shoulder made her turn. "Hello, Kit," she smiled.

"Aayla," Kit began, "Um, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me tomorrow night for dinner."

"Kit, you know the rules of attachment," she replied sadly. Kit shook his head, giving his famous grin.

"I just talked to Master Yoda," he continued, "and he said that they were going to get rid of the 'no attachment' law. Because Padmé and Anakin work out so well together, he and the Council decided to let all the Jedi be able to love."

Aayla brightened up immediately. "Well, in that case," she said, "I'd be more than happy to accompany you."

Anakin and Padmé had a wonderful marriage. A few years later, Padmé became pregnant and had twins, Luke and Leia. Both children went on to become powerful Jedi, and Leia followed in her mother's footsteps and became a senator. Luke was exactly like his father: kind, smart, and brave. He became the most powerful Jedi ever to exist, learning how to master emerald lightning, a Force lightning which no Jedi had ever been able to create before.

Aayla and Kit married a few months after Anakin and Padmé, and they were happy and content.

Obi-Wan eventually married his old love, Siri Tachi, and became known to the Skywalker children as Uncle Ben. He and Anakin never wavered in their strong Force bond.

As for the couple themselves–Anakin and Padmé–well, let's just say they lived happily ever after.

And of course, they did.

The End

One more time, I have to thank all of you for your support. You guys rock!!

MtFbwy,

- Serena Kenobi