Chapter 19 - Aftermath

Author's Note: This fic is almost over. One more chapter, a bonus chapter, and then, the epilogue. :')

~ Amina Gila

Aniya Skywalker

We're on the way back to the bunker that Dooku had been staying at. I suspect everyone will be parting ways after that, or at least many of us will. The Empire was phasing out the clones, and I suspect most of the survivors will gather together and find some way of continuing to fight. There are always things they can fight against in this galaxy.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, and I hitched a ride on the same ship so we could just... talk. We're in one of the cabins together now. We spent a long time resting, too exhausted to do anything else, and I think we only have about half an hour before hyperspace time is over.

"Qui-Gon said you let go of the Dark Side," Obi-Wan says suddenly.

Anakin and I look at him almost blankly. "Did we?" we chorus.

"You don't feel as dark as you once did," he answers, almost uncomfortably.

We instantly glance at each other. I... do feel better. Much better.

"We've been trying," Anakin answers slowly, "We never wanted to become what we did."

"I know," Obi-Wan replies, "You told me. But I cannot forget what you have done."

I look away, shame washing through me. "We thought the Jedi betrayed everything," I say, "They – did betray everything, no matter what the reason. Windu was about to kill Sidious, and yes, I understand why, but that doesn't mean it was right. He was defenseless and already injured. That's against the core of our beliefs."

"We pulled our lightsabers on him," Anakin continues for me, "We tried to stop him, but he refused to stand down. Then... Sidious attacked him."

"And you let him?" Obi-Wan inquires. He doesn't sound accusing, but he also doesn't not.

"It was self-defense," I remind, "Even if... what he did was awful. Windu was about to kill him in cold blood."

"Considering your emotional involvement in the situation, I can understand," Obi-Wan concedes at last, "Though you should have trusted the Council to make the right choice."

"Because they always have, right?" Anakin asks. If it's meant to be a joke, it falls completely flat.

"Not always," Obi-Wan replies, and he shockingly doesn't sound annoyed, "But had Sidious been eliminated, the Jedi would have ended the war. We could have destroyed the Sith earlier."

"No," Anakin objects with certainty, "It is only because of what Plagueis did to Aniya and I that we started realizing how to destroy him. It was only because he forced us closer, forced us to rely on each other, and because of – of what he did to me, that we were able to destroy him. If not for that, we never could have. I felt it when we were on Exegol. He was starting to destroy the galaxy. No one can truly stop death. All of this – no matter how hard it was – happened exactly as the Force intended it to."

I glance at him, smiling faintly at the first real, visible signs of... before. Of way back in the beginning of the war, maybe even earlier, of how we always blindly followed the Force. Then we lost Mom and everything started changing and falling so fast, I... wasn't sure how anything made sense anymore.

But Anakin is right. We can't always understand these things. We're just human.

"Yeah," I agree, tiredly, "It was. I didn't understand it back then but now..."

"What of Sidious?" Obi-Wan inquires.

"He's free, like we all are," I answer. It sounds crazy, to tell anyone else that the Emperor finally became free, but it's – it's what it is. It's hard to see, but he was a slave just like we were. We gave him a second chance. If – if he chooses to waste it, we'll find him again, anyway. But right now, I'm perfectly content with not having to worry about Sidious again.

"Meaning?" Obi-Wan asks.

"Plagueis had full control of him," Anakin explains, "I know you won't believe me, but he did. But with Plagueis gone, the Empire is already gone, anyway. We don't need to worry about that. We let him go."

"What?" I question at the look on Obi-Wan's face. "It's true. And if he's a danger, we'll know when we hear about him again." I wouldn't have offered him to stay with us, obviously – I don't want to be around him. I don't trust him. I probably never will, even if I... still care about him. Though somehow, it still feels wrong to know there's nowhere in the galaxy he belongs anymore.

"That is true," Obi-Wan grudgingly concedes, "Though I do worry of the damage he'll cause."

"Just this once, I think we deserve to settle down for a while," Anakin replies, "To stop worrying about everything."

"Do you think a calm life would be one you can live?" he inquires.

"Was it one you could live?" Anakin asks teasingly.

Obi-Wan glances up at him, something in his expression softening. I haven't seen that look on his face in a very long time. "Well, it was calmer without your chaos."

"Hey, I came halfway across the galaxy to rescue you on Cato Neimoidia –"

"That was not rescuing, Anakin –"

"– and you tried to relieve me of my arm for my efforts –"

"That was entirely your doing. How could I have known you would break very specific orders not to come?"

"How could you not?" I interject, smirking. "I mean, this is Anakin."

Obi-Wan huffs. "Good point."

"If you managed to live a 'calm' life for a year, I imagine we can as well," Anakin replies, dryly. Things haven't felt this light between us since before everything, and I hope it stays that way.

"Yeah, given that your favorite pass-time was cutting droids into four pieces when we could've won the fights much faster if you only did it once," I snip.

"I did not," Obi-Wan objects, insulted.

"Yes, you did," Anakin and I chorus. We glance at each other and crack up. Anakin leans closer to him, wrapping his arms around Obi-Wan and resting his head on his shoulder. I shift closer to him myself.

Whyever the future had to go this way, it's what it is and at least our family is back together again, with... new members. Now, we can only look to the future.

**w**

Anakin Skywalker

I never realized how relieved I was until we touch down, and I sense Padme, Jaufre, and our children again. Padme and Jaufre are outside the moment we leave the ship.

"I knew you'd come back," he calls cheerfully.

Of course, with his inability to admit anything could go wrong, that's the first thing he said. I'm still grateful to him for taking so much effort at bringing the mood up when we were going, because we were all so scared then.

"I know," Aniya says, smiling, hugging him tightly.

"We were so worried," Padme breathes, clinging to me.

"We promised we'd be back," I remind, "We couldn't break that, could we?"

"Hey, and we didn't even get injured this time," Aniya volunteers, "That's better than our war record."

"Luckily," Jaufre replies, "I don't think there's a war left for us to worry about anymore. If the Empire's gone, we should be able to go back to Naboo. We can... settle down there if we want to."

"What do you say?" I ask Padme, looking down at her.

"I want to," she answers, smiling. She looks more hopeful than I've seen in a long time. "I've wanted to ever since I first realized we were going to have a child."

"Sola's probably dying to see our children," Jaufre agrees, grinning, "Dad and Mom too."

"She isn't aware you have children," Padme replies, flatly, "Or that I do. Or that we're married."

"Yeah, we're really in trouble," Jaufre answers, no less amused.

"You've never had the chance to tell them?" I ask, mildly surprised.

"We didn't want to risk going back to Naboo," Padme explains, "We didn't want to put them in danger. The most we could do was let them know that we were alive." I can't imagine what that must've been like for their family, or them even. They were hurt so much because of this, and – I leave it there before my thoughts can start spiraling. Blaming and guilt won't... help. I've accepted that now.

"That's going to be quite the conversation," Aniya says, looking no less amused.

"I think we'll have to name one of our next children Sola to make it up to her," Jaufre agrees, though he looks entirely unbothered.

"We already have five. I don't think we'll be having anymore for a while," Padme replies, amusement obvious.

Now that she mentioned it, I'd like to have more children. To just... have a normal family. Right now, we have more than a handful to deal with, especially since we need to get settled down, but maybe eventually. And I'm not entirely sure I'm... ready for that yet, but I still want it. No, it will never make up for what we've already lost, but this is what I've always wanted.

"Who else is moving to Naboo with us?" Jaufre asks.

"I'm sure Obi-Wan will," I reply, "Unless he chooses to help rebuild the Order instead."

"What's happening about that, anyway?" Padme queries.

"We haven't spoken of it yet," I admit, "But I know Master Yoda will want to. I... am not ready for that." I can't consider myself a Jedi, especially not after I destroyed them. Besides, right now, it's our children that need us most.

"Our padawans will come, too, at least for now," Aniya agrees, smiling, "I'm sure Maul will be visiting, if you don't mind him."

Padme huffs out a breath. "I can't believe you're friends with him."

"He's not so bad," Jaufre says, cheerfully.

"And our house may be... haunted," I add, dryly. Or at least I hope Qui-Gon will be around. I haven't tried reaching for him again. I don't know if it's just a thing we can do if we're deeply immersed in the Force, or if he can appear more frequently.

"... what do you mean?" Padme asks.

"We saw Qui-Gon," Aniya explains, "A ghost. Somehow. I don't know if we can see him again or not, but..." Somehow, at least having another conversation with him made it easier to accept that he's one with the Force now. That was the will of the Force, too.

"Hey, I'm sure you will," Jaufre replies, completely unfazed, "And if anyone could make a ghost come talk to you, I'm sure it'd be you."

Aniya rolls her eyes. "Yeah. I suppose so."

"Then why don't we get ready? I hate living in this bunker. I'm sure Padme misses her clothes and fancy hairstyles and makeup, too."

"Jaufre!"

**w**

Ahsoka Tano

"So," Ventress drawls, approaching us, "I'll be leaving now."

We don't know her well, but I'm still grateful she helped Aniya and I back then, and Alema and I later on. "I assume it's safe to say we'll see you around?" I query.

"That depends," she replies with a fake, sweet smile, "On how many bounties you get on your tailed heads."

"I don't have lekku, in case you couldn't tell," Aniya snips back, smirking. She and Anakin have come out to join us, as has Alema. There isn't much of a reason to see off Ventress, per se, but she's still an acquaintance. Maybe almost something close to a friend. I don't know how it happened, but I do trust her to a point. At least, I can trust her more than I've been able to trust the Jedi lately.

"I didn't notice," Ventress answers, dryly, "The identical strings on your head stick out just as much."

I give her an incredulous look.

"I guess we'll... see you later then?" Alema asks.

"I can't tell if you're about to say you miss me, or if you can't wait to get rid of me," Ventress smirks.

"Perhaps both," Aniya deadpans.

"Yeah, I'm inclined to agree," I concur, snippily. Because, honestly? She is annoying. It's also been nice knowing her, especially when Alema and I didn't have anyone else, not that I'm going to say so.

"Let me know if you need help shredding any more Sith Lords. Especially Dooku," she adds, as though as an afterthought, turning to leave. Shredding? I suppose that's one way to describe the strange way Plagueis had literally disappeared into his surroundings, as though he was never there. It was too dark to watch, and frankly, too brilliant at once, with how the twins were practically glowing with sheer power. It reminds me of Mortis. I've never seen anything like that since then, but it's a reminder of the sheer power they're both capable of. But the Force couldn't've chosen anyone better to give it to. I know that much.

"We will," Anakin replies, looking momentarily amused, "But I do not believe that will be necessary."

"In that case, I'll be leaving," she says, "And don't come begging for my help by tomorrow night. That would be embarrassing."

I roll my eyes. "We could've won even without your help."

"Don't all of you say thank you at once. I lost the bounty on my last mission for this."

"I'm sure you'll find plenty of missions in the future to make up for it," Aniya replies, dryly, "And you know... I don't know that Dooku did what he did to you because he necessarily wanted to."

It's a good point, not one I've considered before. He probably didn't.

Ventress pauses for a moment, eyes narrowing. "It doesn't matter. He still betrayed me."

"I know," Anakin replies, "He betrayed us, too. That's... a key part of being a Sith. In the end, it's only a question of who and how much you're willing to sacrifice for power."

"And he's been willing to sacrifice everything for power," she scoffs, though I don't miss the bitterness.

"He has," Aniya agrees, more subdued, "Regardless of why. I suppose once you start, it's often hard to stop."

Ventress nods, turning away. "Let me know the next time you need saving," she snarks, disappearing from the room.

Somehow, I get the feeling we'll be seeing her again soon enough. Just not because of something else bad.

**w**

Anakin Skywalker

I'm not surprised when Maul comes by to tell us the same thing, that he's leaving to return to his not-Empire and try to take over.

"Going back to the no longer Empire?" Aniya asks him.

"It will be an Empire," he replies, "My Empire."

"I'm not so sure the galaxy will take well to that," I point out, "I think most of them are already tired of it."

I think he already knows that, but he's not likely to be dissuaded. And maybe it's just that he still wants to take what was once Sidious' just to... something.

"They will be more tired of the chaos that will follow without a force in control," Maul replies, dryly.

"Perhaps," I concede, "But still, you cannot rule forever, can you?"

He makes a derisive noise. "Not forever, but for now."

"Well, good luck with that," Aniya offers, finally. I know he could be a good leader, if he was trying to be. Maybe this won't be a bad thing, I don't know.

"I imagine you will remain away from fighting for now?"

"Yes. We are... going home," I reply, adding with a tinge of amusement, "You are free to stop by, regardless of what Obi-Wan says."

Maul looks amused. "He is easily riled. Highly unbefitting of a Jedi Master."

"Hey," Aniya objects, before I can, "He doesn't have any reason to trust you."

"He has no reason to," Maul replies, dryly, clearly still amused though over what, I'm not sure. After a moment, he steps forwards, momentarily touching my shoulder. "I will return in time."

"I know," we say, as one, watching as he turns to leave. Perhaps he's right that we are siblings, if this is what it feels like to have an older brother. A very strange older brother who kidnapped us, and who I still distinctly remember choking me for daring to walk around with broken ribs, though how that was supposed to fix anything, I have no idea. But this is Maul. He would not be him if his mood swings made any sense to me.

We're still standing side-by-side together when I sense someone else approaching.

Dooku.

"What do you want?" Aniya asks, turning to face him.

I still don't know how to feel towards him. He helped us in the end, but that doesn't change everything that he did. (I can still remember the bite of the lightsaber, cutting through my arm, even if I have it back now.)

"Your defeat of the Sith was impressive," he states, neutrally.

"We did what we had to," I reply, uncertainly.

"Yes," Dooku agrees, silently studying us, "I know we spoke of this before, but I did not intend for... things to fall as far as they did. But regrets will change nothing."

I know how true that is, even more now. "It is a question of when the desire to do what is for the greater good will make you overlook the people," I reply, bluntly. I know he was trying to help, in his own way, and that was... corrupted.

"Yes," he agrees, "Qui-Gon had many questions about that too, once."

It doesn't hurt quite as much as it once did, to hear the name.

"Then how did he end up joining you?" Aniya asks.

"He was determined to stop the Sith and keep you away from them. That was my intention as well, but I thought more long-term. That is how I had a rebel network set up in advance."

I nod. "And now that this is over, you intend to return to ruling?" Why is that all Sith want to do? Even as a Sith, I never understood it.

"Some systems are already re-aligning under my new government," Dooku responds, "I will lead them, as before. Preferably, to galactic peace."

"If you ever need us for something important, we may be able to help," I offer, remembering what he'd asked us the last time we spoke. I don't want to fight anymore, but if it was something critical... "And – thank you for letting us stay here and helping us."

"Of course," Dooku replies, some unnamed emotion flickering through his eyes. There's another long pause of silence. "I wish you well on your... future on Naboo."

I'm hardly sure what to say to that, to him showing us some actual concern. "I hope the Separatists will... end up better than last time," Aniya answers, after a pause.

"I am well aware you will not see it this way, but it was not my choice for the movement to lead to war. The systems had their own genuine reasons for desiring to leave," he reminds.

"I know," is all I say to that, because really, there's no point debating it further. He's not all right or all wrong. What matters now is where things go from here.

**w**

Alema Syndulla

I can't help being shaken up by what happened on Exegol. I know Aniya didn't attack me willingly, but it was far, far too similar to what happened in my vision a long time ago after – after the Second Battle of Geonosis. I know it wasn't real, but I can't stop thinking about it.

"Alema," she tells me finally, awkwardly. "I... I'm sorry. I know I couldn't stop it, but... still."

"It's okay," I tell her, and I try to accept that it's true. "I knew it wasn't your fault even at the time. You would never hurt us."

"Still, it... won't be easy to forget."

I think of how it felt to fight Ahsoka on Mortis. "No, it won't be," I agree.

"If you need some time, I – I understand."

She looks ashamed, and I hate seeing her so upset. We should be happy right now. It feels like that was taken from us. "I need to go back to Ryloth," I answer, "Because Hera's been asking for me, but I just got back here. And I miss you."

"I... wish I could have done more for you," Aniya murmurs.

"You did everything you had to," I promise her, "My leaving was not entirely my choice, but it was still me. You couldn't have stopped it. You did your best to help Ahsoka, and I'm just glad she wasn't alone through it all." If Aniya hadn't insisted on going to visit Letta, I can't imagine what I would have done. If I hadn't known Ahsoka was safe, I'd have gone there myself, and could easily have gotten rash.

"Yes," Aniya agrees quietly, finally meeting my gaze again, "We've come a long way from where we started."

I smile, bittersweet memories of Jabi'im and everything during the Clone Wars flashing through my mind. "You helped me. You saved me. I would've embraced the Dark Side eventually, if you hadn't found me."

"I can't imagine you Falling."

"I almost did," I admit, "After... everything fell apart. I was so empty. Everything just felt cold. Then I met the clones, and I left Ryloth, and I guess from there, things started slowly settling out."

"You did well," she adds, "Throughout it all. You've done far more than I thought you could. I'm – I'm proud of what you've become, Alema."

I smile at her, almost shyly. It's been so long since I got to hear this from her. "Thank you."

"It's true," she replies, "You've become everything I once wished I could be. You're so much more than what I've become."

"I don't think you give yourself enough credit," I argue, suddenly blinking back tears.

"Or maybe it's you who aren't," Aniya replies, squeezing my shoulder.

I had no idea how much I missed and those days we were always together until now. "I am where I am now because of you. If not for you, I might've stayed Krell's padawan." I probably wouldn't even have survived the war. If I did, I know I would have Fallen long ago.

"Not only," she responds, firmly, "I wish I could have completed your training, but you are still every bit the Jedi Knight you could have been if I had."

I don't know what to say to that, so I do the only thing I can think of – diving forward and wrapping my arms tightly around her. She holds me close, my lekku squished almost uncomfortably against the side of her head, but I don't care right now.

"I've always been proud of you, little Icicle," she breathes, and the surge of emotion I feel at those words could nearly make me cry. It's not that I ever doubted it, but it's different to hear. Especially after remembering my vision of so long ago, where that unidentifiable Sith figure had been so upset with me, saying that... that what happened was my fault.

I don't know what to say, so I say nothing, just clinging to her. On second thought – "Hey, you know I'm not that little any more."

"Still shorter than me," Aniya replies, smugly.

"Everyone's shorter than you," I huff, "Except Anakin. And Ahsoka, soon enough." She's literally as tall as Obi-Wan, something he apparently used to be very grumpy about, years ago.

"Don't remind me," she says, nearly laughing, as we pull apart. "I can't imagine it."

"Me neither," I reply, flatly. Ahsoka might be my older sister, but she's still been shorter than me for most of our lives – Togrutas just hit growth spurts later than Twi'leks. That's gonna be beyond weird.

"But that means you'll always be the 'little' icicle," she tells me, smugly, patting the top of my head as though to make a point.

I roll my eyes, whacking her hand away. "I think you're getting me mixed up with your children. Maybe I can go see them again."

**w**

I pull Jinx aside to talk to him. I'm not sure how much there is to say, but after a few moments of just saying nothing, he finally leans closer, kissing me. I return it with every bit of the passion I feel in my heart and have for a long time, arms reaching up to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer before I finally break away, panting.

We've both been waiting a long time.

"I want to stay together," I tell him finally. "Whatever we go."

"Where will you go?" Jinx inquires.

"Hera wanted to see me again," I reply, resting my head on his shoulder, still not wanting to let go, "And I want to see her again. I miss them all, but I can only be in one place at a time. There are three families that need me right now. I'm not sure where to go." I keep promising Hera I'm staying. I promised Omega I was there to stay. And I... can't leave the twins again.

Maybe I'll have to alternate, or something. I can't leave any of them.

"Ryloth it is," he agrees, "Though with the Empire fallen, we can communicate freely with each other."

"I'll have to drop by with the boys to tell them I'll be running off for a while again," I reply, "Though there might be something we can have them do on Ryloth. It'll probably be hard to root out the Imperial presence there. We can help now."

Silently, I hope Hera will be able to stay with me. She deserves a peaceful life, though.

I almost wish I hadn't formed such close bonds with people, but... I did. And I can't regret knowing my family. We head off to find them. It's not hard – Fives is avidly telling them some outlandish story that supposedly happened with the 501st. Omega is the only one entertained. Everyone else is either outright ignoring him, or practically rolling their eyes.

"Hey," I call to them, one hand still intertwined with Jinx's.

"Hey, Commander!" Fives yells.

"I'm just Alema now," I point out, "The war's over. Ranks don't much matter. But there's something I need to talk to you about."

I don't know why I'm suddenly so nervous. There's nothing to be afraid of.

"Alright. What is it?" Hunter asks, and the others turn their attention to me.

"I'm going back to Ryloth. I think we could use your help there if you want to go. I keep thinking about trying to settle down after that, but I'm not sure I can handle a life outside of war."

"We don't have anything else to do," Hunter replies, "We tried settling down before, and that didn't go well. But now with the Empire gone..." He trails off, looking at Omega.

"Master Yoda survived," I tell him, already knowing what he's thinking about. "He's going to rebuild the Order, I'm sure. But if Omega became a Jedi, she'd have to let go of her family."

"Whatever happens, we're staying together," Echo answers.

That's what any true family would say. "Well," I say, smiling, "Maybe I will get to stay around a bit longer then." Or, more accurately, we'll be staying together, for better or worse.

Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^

Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)

We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA

ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests