TW: Glad to hear it.
Coruscant
Early afternoon
Wearing a cloak, Bail walked into the center of town in one of the seedier parts of the city planet. Stepping into the town square as instructed, Bail waited. He did not have to wait long, feeling a presence behind him. Barely turning, Bail saw from the corner of his eye a similar cloaked figure standing behind him.
"Thank you for coming Senator," The Doctor said, not turning to face him.
"Why contact me?" Bail inquired, confused why The Doctor had chosen to reach out to him.
"I needed a Senator I could trust," The Doctor said simply.
"Why would you think you could trust me?" Bail asked confused.
"Because I've done my homework. You're as honorable in this timeline as any other," The Doctor said simply. "I need your help."
"What can I do for you Doctor?" Bail asked confused.
"You're a trusted ally of the Jedi. I need you to find Master Yoda, if he's still alive," The Doctor explained.
"He is. I've already found him; your ship brought the others to him. They are safe," Bail assured him and The Doctor almost let out a breath of relief.
"That's good. I need you to get a message to them," The Doctor said. "Tell them the time is coming. They need to return to Coruscant soon. It's time to take back the Republic and defeat Sidious."
"You have a plan then?" Bail inquired and felt The Doctor nod.
"One that will allow us to expose Sidious for what he is to the public. But only a Jedi Master can stop him. Yoda and the others have to return here and face Sidious," The Doctor explained.
Tantive III
Same time
"So the TARDIS just took off?" Rory asked in disbelief as Amy led him down a corridor.
"According to Rex, yeah. It's been gone since yesterday," Amy said, as perplexed by this as her husband.
"Another one of those 'it takes you where you need to be' things?" Rory asked dryly.
"I'd assume so," Amy shrugged.
"So this happens often?" Rex asked as he walked over to them.
"Often enough that it's a bloody pain. Rory, this is Rex. Rex, my husband Rory," Amy made the introduced.
"Well, it's an honor to meet you Sir," Rex said as he held out a hand to Rory.
"Please, just Rory," Rory said politely as he shook the man's hand.
"Someone that fights alongside three Jedi and holds his own is someone I call Sir," Rex said with a smile as they dropped hands.
"He's modest, just call him Rory," Amy said with fond exasperation in her voice.
"Noted Ma'am. So you reckon the ship'll turn up again?" Rex inquired.
"It'll show up eventually. We just can't say where or when," Rory said with certainty.
Dabobah, on the TARDIS
Same time
Obi-Wan, Yoda and Windu were still in the console room when they heard footsteps. Looking up, they saw Anakin and Ahsoka walk in.
"Skywalker. Alright, are you?" Yoda inquired, sounding concerned and Anakin smiled tightly.
"No, but I think I will be," Anakin said and paused. "About…what I saw in the cave-"
"Anakin," Obi-Wan cut him off. "Whatever you saw…it's for you and you alone."
"Our concern is that you don't dwell on it and it doesn't cause you to lose focus," Windu added.
From the looks on Obi-Wan and Yoda's face, Anakin doubted that was their only concern. But still, he nodded.
"So, any idea how to pilot this thing Master?" Anakin asked as he looked at Yoda.
"Know how to pilot the TARDIS, I do not. But trust in her, I do," Yoda said as he looked at the console fondly. "Know she will take us where we need to, I do. Trust in her as well, you should."
Barely had the words left Yoda's mouth when the Console came to life, beginning to move.
Tantive III
Seconds later
Rory, Amy and Rex turned around as they heard the telltale sound of the TARDIS arriving before it appeared in the hallway.
"Well that was fast," Rory said surprised before the doors opened and the five Jedi emerged.
"So, we miss anything Rex?" Anakin asked, flicking is wrist and the TARDIS doors closed behind him.
"No, it's been quiet since the ship took off you with Gen – Anakin," Rex corrected himself at the last minute.
"Where'd the TARDIS take you anyway?" Amy asked and the five Jedi exchanged a look.
"I don't think you'd believe us if we told you," Ahsoka said after a moment.
"Rory, how are you feeling?" Obi-Wan asked kindly.
"Well, shoulder's a bit stiff but I've had worse," Rory said nonchalantly.
"We haven't been introduced. Hi, I'm Ahsoka," Ahsoka introduced herself and Rory nodded.
"Rory Williams. You've already met my wife," Rory noted as he glanced at Amy.
Later, the group sat in one of the rooms on the ship.
"Has there been any contact from The Doctor or Senator Organa?" Windu asked and got three shakes of the head.
"Not yet. I'm starting to get a little worried," Amy admitted.
"The Doctor's been in worse situations. He'll be fine," Rory tried to reassure his wife, although he wasn't sure how much he believed that.
"Agree, I do. More worried about Senator Organa, I am. Should he be discovered, I fear what the Master may do," Yoda said grimly and a moment of silence passed between the group.
"Sirs, what about the Clone Wars? I can't imagine the Separatists will let the fact that the Jedi have been all but wiped go to waste," Rex pointed out.
"The Master orchestrated this war to wipe out the Jedi. Now that he has, he has no more need for the Separatists," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"So what happens to them now?" Ahsoka asked.
"Well, if it were me, I'd start by wiping out all Separatist Leadership," Anakin mused.
Mustafar
Same time
Blaster fire was heard throughout the room of the small structure on the planet. The cries of the Separatist Leaders were heard as they were gunned down, their droid bodyguards easily destroyed by the blaster bolts of the Clone troopers. Soon, the only one left was Nute Gunray, who backed up fearfully with his hands up as the Troopers approached.
"I surrender! Please, I surrender!" he begged.
Gunray's pleas were ignored as one of the Clones fired. The glister bolt hit him in the chest and he went down to the ground, eyes staring without seeing.
Tantive III
Same time
"What about Grievous? I can't imagine he'd just walk away," Ahsoka noted.
"Perhaps not, but without the backing of Sidious or the Separatists, there is not much more that can be done. Sidious will have no more use for a Droid General," Windu noted.
"So that's it then, the Clone Wars are over?" Anakin asked in disbelief.
"It would seem that way Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly.
The five Jedi and Rex were all silent, absorbing this. It was what they had fighting for over the last three years. And yet they had no joy from it. For all intents and purposes, Darth Sidious had won. For the moment.
The doors to the room suddenly opened and Captain Antilles walked in.
"I apologize for the Interruption, but Senator Organa has made contact. He wants to speak with all of you," Antilles explained.
Coruscant
Not long after
In his office, Palpatine stared as the hologram of a Clone Commando appeared on his desk.
"It is done My Lord. The Separatist leaders have been eliminated," the Clone said and Palpatine nodded.
"Well done Commander. It is finished; the Clone Wars are officially over. Return to Coruscant at once," Palpatine ordered.
"As you wish My Lord," the Clone said before the hologram faded.
Left alone with his thoughts, Palpatine considered what he would do next. Obviously he would have to send word to the Trade Federation Ships that all droids were to be shut down, but he would need to halt his plan to reorganize the Republic into the Empire, at least for now. At least with those few remaining Jedi out there. With Anakin not at his side.
His plans for Anakin had been completely disrupted by his old friend. The Doctor was still out there, still close, Palpatine knew. But it mattered not; The Doctor could not stop him this time. As for Anakin, Palpatine was confident that he could still turn him. And if not, well, it was a good thing Padme was carrying his spawn.
If he could not have Anakin as his apprentice, he would have the next best thing: someone with Anakin's bloodline that he could mold from birth.
Tantive III
Not long after
"Good to see you are alright, it is Senator," Yoda said as the Jedi, Rex, Amy and Rory walked into the communications room, where they were met with the holographic form of Bail Organa.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch, a lot has happened since I returned to Coruscant," Bail apologized.
"What's happened?" Anakin asked and Bail shot him a look that he didn't understand.
"Much. Things I'd rather discuss in person. But I've had contact with The Doctor," Bail announced to their shock.
"Is he alright?" Amy asked worriedly.
"He seemed fine when I spoke to him. But he's requesting that you all return to Coruscant. He says it's time to take the Republic back and defeat the Chancellor," Bail said and the Jedi exchanged a look.
"Then that's what we'll do. Captain, I think it best to prep the ship for flight," Windu said as he turned to Captain Antilles, who nodded.
"Of course Sir," Antilles said before walking off.
"I shall see you all then," Bail said once Antilles had departed.
"May The Force be with you Senator," Obi-Wan said and Bail nodded.
"And with all of you," Bail said, shooting Anakin that same look before his hologram faded.
"Was it me or-" Ahsoka started.
"No, I saw it too Snips. He kept giving me that look," Anakin said, having seen it to. "Although why, I don't know."
"I imagine you'll find out once we arrive back on Coruscant," Obi-Wan pointed out.
Anakin nodded, reasoning Obi-Wan was right. It was time to return and take back the Republic.
Not a very exciting chapter I know, but I thought it was important to deal with the ramifications of whipping out the Jedi on the Clone War in a galaxy where Anakin didn't turn. Hope you all enjoyed it regardless.