five years later...
"So, I take it the Jabba's Empire is finally neutralized?" Plo Koon asked, sitting in the seat that used to belong to Mace Windu, the seat directly to the left of him empty, as well as the seat to the right of Master Yoda.
They have been for the past two years.
In the center of the chambers, Anakin, Evelyn, Gungi, and Anakin's apprentice for three years now, Zett Jukassa - a fifteen-year-old humanoid, are on a hologram reporting to the council.
Anakin nods, a smile on his face, "Yes Master, the Hutt Empire has finally fallen," he says proudly, "The slave rebellion led by Owen Lars has managed to overthrow Jabba and his forces, freeing Tatooine once and for all."
Yoda smiled, knowing this brought a great amount of peace to Anakin, "Done well, you have. Return to the temple, Knight Gungi and Padawan Jukassa, will," Yoda says, pondering his next words, "Sending Master Skywalker and Master Zaad to Takodana, we are."
Evelyn and Anakin exchanged puzzled glances, wondering about the purpose of their mission to Takodana, "You're going to be meeting an old friend of ours there," Plo Koon explained, "She has the location of one of the first temples of the order," Anakin and Evelyn nod in understanding, "We need you two to go there and recover the ancient texts so we can further our knowledge on balance with ourselves."
"Yes, Masters," Anakin says, ending the transmission.
Once the council meeting concluded and the Jedi and their Padawans parted ways, Anakin and Evelyn made their way to their ship - a Corellian YT-1300 that Anakin was gifted after freeing slaves from the Pykes on Corellia.
He's been heavily modifying it with Evelyn, and he's almost finished.
"You ready?" Evelyn asks Anakin, who gives her a quick kiss, something falling out of Evelyn's robe; a necklace that she had tried to keep hidden from the Jedi.
Anakin wiggles his eyebrows at the necklace that fell through her robes, "Can't have anyone seeing that," he says teasingly.
Evelyn looked down at her ring, which Anakin had lovingly crafted from gold and a part of his old kyber crystal, the same crystal that had been accidentally destroyed during a mission they embarked on four and a half years ago, helping The Bad Batch recover lost clones from Mount Tantis.
She rolled her eyes playfully before reaching under Anakin's robes, retrieving the gold ring that she had crafted for him.
"Oops," Evelyn smiles at her husband innocently, "Guess we're both caught," she says, causing Anakin to smile, shaking his head.
"I love you," Anakin says, still amazed by his wife of four years, leaning over to kiss her.
As they continued their playful exchange, another item slipped out from Anakin's robe - a blue crystal, elegantly suspended from a sturdy necklace crafted from Mandalorian beskar. A tribute to both his fallen master and the woman Anakin knew to be the love of his master's life:
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine Kryze.
Evelyn playfully shrugged, a hint of humor in her voice, "Who wouldn't? I'm awesome," she said, getting a laugh out of Anakin, and kissing him on the cheek, "I love you too," she said before putting her hand on the hyperdrive switch, "Now, shall we?"
Anakin nodded, his heart full of love and anticipation. The two Jedi boosted themselves into hyperspace, setting their course for Takodana.
Two hooded figures walk into a castle, taking in all of the extravagant details of the interior, careful not to draw too much attention. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.
"SKYWALKER!" A female voice booms throughout the cantina, and all heads turn towards them.
"So much for subtle," Anakin mumbles, getting a hearty chuckle out of Evelyn. He then ran his hands up his head, removing his hood, revealing his long brown locks, tied behind his head.
Evelyn followed suit and removed her hood, her majestic light brown hair cascading down her back. He addressed the source of the booming voice, "Maz Kanata!" He responds, a sly smile playing on his lips as he glances around at the curious onlookers.
Maz Kanata stepped forward, her orange eyes gleaming with amusement, "Ah, Skywalker and Zaad, a pleasure to see you both again," she said warmly, holding a lot of respect for the two Jedi who saved her on their almost failed endeavor to Mount Tantis, "I see you haven't lost your talent for making an entrance."
Anakin grinned in response, "Well, we've had plenty of practice," he quipped.
"I assume this isn't a personal visit then?" Maz presses, getting straight to business.
The two Jedi shake their heads, "I'm afraid not," Evelyn says before leaning down, "Can we talk?"
Maz eagerly nods, leading them down to her basement where they'll have some privacy. Once the three get to a secure location, Anakin interrupts the silence, "We're looking for the birthplace of the Jedi Order," he says, cutting directly to the chase.
Maz Kanata's eyes widened with intrigue, "The birthplace of the Jedi Order, you say?" She asks, Anakin nodding in confirmation, "That's no small task. What brings you on this quest?"
Anakin and Evelyn exchanged a knowing look before Anakin continued, "We believe that the knowledge hidden within the first Jedi temple can help the Order find its true path once more; to find the balance within ourselves."
Maz nodded thoughtfully, "Very well, Master Skywalker," she conceded, pulling out a silver circular piece of metal with a blue orb in the middle, "Everything you need to know is in this star compass."
Evelyn takes the trinket from Maz, running her fingers across the artifact, amazed, "Where did you get this" She asks, "It looks like something that was made in the Old Republic."
"Because it was," the historian responds, "The ancient Jedi used this to navigate the anomalies of the Galactic Barrier to find the worlds of the unknown regions to serve as their staging grounds."
"Where does this map lead us?" Anakin wonders aloud, curious where they would find themselves.
"This will guide you to Ahch-To," the two humanoids peer up, curiosity piquing, "The birthplace of the Jedi Order."
Maz shows them out of her castle, "Thank you, Maz," Anakin says, a smile on his face, "You've helped us a great deal."
"It's no problem, Skywalker and Zaad," she calls back, seeing that Evelyn peers at Anakin, "Or should I say, Skywalker and Skywalker," she accuses, giving them a knowing look.
Anakin and Evelyn's eyes go as wide as saucers, their jaws dropped to the floor, shocked as to how Maz figured it out, "Oh please, you two are so obviously attached to each other," she says, calling them out, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone of your secret illicit romance," Maz says with a cheeky grin, the married couple's cheeks covered in a blush.
"Thank you, Maz," Evelyn says with a giggle, burying her head in Anakin's arm, "We were really that obvious?"
Maz waves a reassuring hand, "Oh, I don't doubt that you two behave in the temple, but on Mount Tantis? Yes, absolutely all over each other."
The three share a laugh at Maz's words, "I hate to cut this party short, but we have a temple to find," Anakin says with a smile, "Thank you for everything."
Maz Kanata smiled, her ancient eyes filled with hope, "May the Force be with you on your journey to Ahch-To, my friends. And may you bring back the wisdom that this galaxy so desperately needs."
And with that, Anakin and Evelyn walk up the ramp, departing for their final destination before returning home.
As their ship emerged from hyperspace for the last time on this long journey, Anakin and Evelyn couldn't help but be mesmerized by the breathtaking sight below them.
Evelyn's voice barely above a whisper, she turned to her husband, her eyes wide with wonder, "Oh Anakin," Evelyn uttered, "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Anakin nods in agreement, still at a loss for words. He skillfully guided the ship toward a small, picturesque island, gently settling it on an open stone pad.
Hand in hand, they stepped out onto the sun-kissed terrain, their overcoats left behind in the ship to combat the planet's warmth.
Evelyn turned to Anakin, a soft smile gracing her lips. "You ready?"
Anakin turns to his wife, kissing her, "I was born ready," he says, causing her to wrap her arms around his middle.
With a playful tug, Evelyn yanked Anakin's sleeve out from its tucked position, once again, her eyes filled with love and a sense of adventure.
"I'll race you to the top!"
And as husband and wife raced their way to the top of the temple, two glowing blue figures watched them from afar, their smiles reflecting the immense pride and happiness they felt in that moment. The boy they had both played a pivotal role in raising had finally found his eternal happiness with the woman who had saved him from the depths of his inner darkness and turmoil.
The Chosen One was only just beginning his journey, and right by his side was his equal.
Anakin and Evelyn Skywalker would continue to shape their legacy with every step they would continue to take, spreading their permanent symbol of hope and serenity throughout the galaxy.
fin