Here we are, the final chapter! Please leave a review. As always, nothing belongs to me.
The Doctor sat down in the central concourse with his friends and the Kaminoans. The bodies of the cloned officers of both sides, at the Doctor's insistence, had been cremated. The droid parts had been melted down, and Kamino looked the same as ever now.
"You have our gratitude for saving us, Doctor," said Lama Su.
"We can offer you quite a sizable reward," added Taun We.
"Could I have one of your grenades?" asked Strax eagerly.
"Nah, nothing for me, thanks," said the Doctor. "Just…when this war is over, try and use that amazing technology of yours for something other than killing, won't you?"
They nodded, and there was a silence around the table for a few moments.
"Anyway," the Doctor said. "Time for us to be going. Allons-y, Strax."
"But sir, I never got any grenades for my collection!" he protested. The Doctor restrained from burying his face in his hands with great difficulty.
"Can someone get Strax a grenade, please?"
Ahsoka hurried out and returned moments later with a grenade, which he gave to the Sontaran. The Kaminoans bowed respectfully to the Doctor, who inclined his head. Strax saluted.
"C'mon, Snips," Anakin said. "Let's go with them."
"Why, Anakin," said Obi-Wan in pretend surprise. "You're finally learning the art of polite diplomacy. What took you so long?"
"I learned everything I know from my Master," Anakin said innocently as they started down the corridor. Obi-Wan ran a hand down his beard.
"If that were so, I must have taught you nothing at all."
The Doctor smirked and exchanged winks with his old friend.
"C'mon, Master Kenobi, Skyguy's not that stupid," said Ahsoka. Anakin wheeled around to glare at his Padawan. Only those who knew him well could have seen the twinkle in his eye.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, uh, obviously it was a reference to your highly developed sense of style and intelligence, Master," Ahsoka said with her most innocent smile.
"Obviously."
By this point, they had reached the landing pad. Kamino's usual downpour had reduced to a drizzle, so they all stepped out where the TARDIS was waiting. The Doctor patted the side.
"Hello, old girl," he murmured. Turning back to his friends, he smiled.
"Thank you all for everything. And it's been a pleasure. Really, it has."
He stepped forward and hugged Ahsoka.
"I'll see you later," he told her. She looked puzzled.
"You will?"
"Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey. My past, your future, that sort of thing. Spoilers, as someone once said. Anyway, be careful. May the Force be with you."
"Will you see me, too?" asked Anakin. A mournful look came into the Doctor's eyes.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I'll see you later, Anakin. Be well."
He embraced the young Jedi Knight and whispered in his ear: "Say hi to Padme for me."
Anakin looked at him, startled. The Doctor winked and turned to Obi-Wan.
"We never just get to hang out, do we?" he asked.
"I don't know," the Jedi Master replied. "We hung out on Kashyyk, didn't we?"
A vivid memory of the two of them desperately grasping onto a tree branch a thousand feet above the forest floor flashed through both men's minds. They smiled and gripped each other's arms.
"Be well, Doctor. I won't tell you to be careful or stay out of trouble, because I know you never will, but if you ever need my help, you can count on me."
"Likewise."
They smiled and embraced. The Doctor stepped back and nudged Strax, who had been respectfully standing back.
"What do you say, Strax?"
The Sontaran snapped a salute. "Sirs, it has been an honor to fight alongside you this day. I hope to meet you in the glorious field of battle where I will crush the life from your worthless limbs. Try and get some rest."
The three Jedi saluted as well. The Doctor gave a slightly pained smile.
"All right, time to go."
"Sir."
He touched a finger to his forehead, stepped back, and snapped his fingers. The doors swung open, and he stepped inside. Strax followed.
"That's a new trick," said Obi-Wan.
"Oh, you know me," replied the Time Lord, smiling slightly. "Always full of surprises."
He stepped backwards, gave a final nod, and closed the doors. Moments later, a grinding, wheezing sound started up. The light on top started flashing, and a wind sprang up, stirring the water around and splattering it on the cloaks and tunics of the Jedi. Ahsoka raised a hand to her eyes to wipe away the moisture, and when she lowered it, the TARDIS had become a faint outline, which disappeared as she watched. The three Jedi stood in silence for a few moments.
"Come on," said Obi-Wan. "Let's go inside."
And so they did.
Far away and not too long after, in the office of the Supreme Chancellor, Chancellor Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Dark Lord extraordinaire, sat brooding. His fingers were steepled together under his chin, and his eyes gleamed with decades of hatred for the Jedi, the Republic, and all those who foolishly believed that light could win out over the darkness. He spun his chair around and glared out the window, where the lights of Coruscant were blazing, a feeble and puny defense against the encroaching dark.
"Doctor…" he growled. "Always interfering. Always meddling. You may have saved your little friends today. But it will be for the last time. This I swear!"