Author's Note: Nadia's surname Aomori in Japanese means "blue forest' aptly named for the blue oceans that surround the city in Japan and the green forests that dot the landscape. Though my OC is a descendant of Darth Nihilus, I won't have her fall into the Dark Side.
I don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars or its characters, but I only own Nadia Aomori and my other OCs.
Enjoy!
Threads of Destiny
Chapter 69: Back to Coruscant
Obi-Wan, Anakin, Nadia and Chancellor Palpatine along with Artoo and RG-G1 stepped out of the shuttle that arrived to the capital building that took them to the Jedi Temple.
Anakin and Nadia noticed Obi-Wan still lounging by the entrance.
"Master."Nadia said."Aren't you coming?"
"Oh no, I'm not camera ready."Obi-Wan admitted.
"Hey. Hold on a second."Anakin suggested, realising that Obi-Wan was trying to get out of the politics."This whole rescue mission was coordinated by you. You deserve the recognition."
"Ah, but let's not forget that you rescued Palpatine after defeating Dooku while I was unconscious and then making a daring escape with me on your back."Obi-Wan reminded and looked at Nadia."Also, Nadia, you made sure the Chancellor wasn't injured during the whole event."
Nadia simply smiled at Obi-Wan's declaration.
"That's true."Nadia replied."But it's all because of your training that me and Anakin have come this far."
"Anakin, Nadia, let's be fair."Obi-Wan insisted."Today you two were the heroes and you both deserve your glorious day with the politicians."
Nadia shrugged. "You're the boss."
"Alright."Anakin answered with a smirk."But you owe me one, and not for saving your skin for the 10th time."
"Ninth time."Obi-Wan responded adamantly."That business on Cato Neimoidia doesn't count."
Anakin rolled his eyes and Nadia chuckled while Obi-Wan smiled at them.
"I'll see you both at the briefing."Obi-Wan declared.
The entrance closed as the ship began to take off again while Anakin, Nadia, Artoo and RG-G1 began making their way to the Jedi Temple.
Chancellor Palpatine and his entourage approached Mace Windu.
"Chancellor Palpatine, are you all right?"Mace Windu asked.
"Yes. Thanks to Master Kenobi and his two Jedi Knights, they finally killed Count Dooku."Chancellor Palpatine exclaimed and then frowned."But General Grievous has escaped once again."
"General Grievous will run and hide as he always does."Mace Windu declared."He's a coward."
"That maybe true. But with Count Dooku finally dead, he is now the Head of State of the Separatist Alliance."Chancellor Palpatine admitted."And I assure you the Senate will vote to continue the War as long as Grievous is alive."
"Then the Jedi Council will make finding Grievous our highest priority."Mace Windu stated.
Nadia gives Anakin a wink and gestured him to go over to Padmé, who was waiting in the shadows and he gives her a silent thank you before she went to Senator Organa to talk to him.
"The Republic cannot praise you and Anakin enough, Nadia."Bail stated with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Senator Organa."Nadia thanked and smiled."I'm hoping the demise of Count Dooku would mean the end of the Clone Wars is soon."
"Well. That actually depends on the Chancellor."Bail admitted."Though there have been various planets blaming the Jedi for the cause of this conflict. But I think…"
"Anakin, you owe me for this."Nadia thought with a stern tone.
Threepio, Artoo and RG-G1 followed behind the crowd.
"It couldn't possibly be as bad as all that."Threepio assumed.
Artoo and RG-G1 let out a few beeps.
"Well, there, I agree with you both."Threepio answered."In fact, I could do with a tune-up myself."
As Nadia spoke with the Senator of Alderaan, Anakin went up to Padmé and the two of them shared a kiss in the shadows of the Senate office building, keeping their love secret.
Padmé wore a simple purple dress under a rich, voluminous, dark purple robe that enfolded her almost completely. The underside of this cloak was decorated with a spotted pattern. This voluminous robe was designed to disguise her pregnancy, and, coincidentally, blended in fairly well with the shadow she hid in to meet Anakin. The dress also included a pair of heirloom suspensas. Her chocolate brown hair was styled in an elaborate coiffure twin-bun hairstyle that originated in Naboo.
"Oh, Anakin."Padmé remarked as she hugged Anakin."Thank goodness, you're back.
"I missed you, Padmé."Anakin whispered."I've missed you so."
"There were whispers that you'd been killed."Padmé stated."I've been living with unbearable dread."
"I'm all right. It feels like we've been apart for a lifetime."Anakin commented."And it might have been, if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the outer rim sieges."
Anakinstarted to give Padmé another kiss, but she backed away a bit.
"Wait."Padmé whispered."Not here."
"Yes, here."Anakin insisted as he gently held Padmé."I'm tired of all this deception. I don't care if they know we're married."
"Anakin, don't say things like that."Padmé replied.
Anakin embraced Padmé and noticed she was trembling a bit.
"Are you all right?"Anakin asked in concern."You're trembling. What's going on?"
Padmé smiled warmly at Anakin.
"Something wonderful has happened."Padmé remarked."Ani…I'm pregnant."
Anakin became utterly surprised.
The Jedi Knight was silent for a moment before chuckling in delight.
"That's wonderful."Anakin remarked.
"What are we gonna do?"Padmé questioned nervously.
"We're not gonna worry about anything right now. All right?"Anakin admitted with a quiet joyful tone."This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."
Anakin and Padmé shared another kiss before hugging each other.
Elsewhere, General Grievous, now both the political and military leader of the Separatists, arrived on Utapau, where Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray, Geonosian Archduke Poggle the Lesser, Techno Union head of state and Foreman Wat Tambor and others on the Separatist Council remained in hiding.
The Kaleesh cyborg was then contacted by Darth Sidious, who gave him instructions to move the Separatist leaders to a volcanic planet, Mustafar.
"Yes, Lord Sidious?"General Grievous asked.
"General Grievous, I suggest you move the Separatist Leaders to Mustafar."Darth Sidious ordered.
"It will be done, my lord."General Grievous answered.
"The end of the war is near, General."Darth Sidious informed.
"But the loss of Count Dooku-"General Grievous started.
"His death was a necessary loss."Darth Sidious declared sternly."Soon I will have a new apprentice. One far younger and more powerful."
Back in Coruscant, it was now night time.
Despite the late hours, there were some couples spending time together and enjoying themselves.
Among the couples in the Skysitter Restaurant were Nadia and Ferus.
Nadia wore a beige dress with a long skirt that touched the ground and short translucent off-shoulder sleeves. The sides of the skirt had a translucent layer of fabric on top. The sides of the dress were decorated with white flowers from the chest down to the waist. White flowers also decorated one section on the left side of the skirt. On her feet were white high-heel shoes with a bow on the back. A white bead chain with a heart-shaped pendant in the middle was draped across the ankle. On her hands were beige wrist covers with frills lining both ends. A single white flower was placed on top of each cover. Around her neck was a beaded beige necklace coupled with several diamond pendants. A pair of pale yellow flowers with green leaves spreading across the neck sits above the necklace. To the right of the flowers was a bunched up piece of translucent beige fabric. On her ears were small beige heart shaped earrings. Her raven black hair was tied back in a braid. Another braid was tied closer to the front, coming down to the middle of the top of the ear. Several curly strands fall along the side of the face and head. There was a hairpin made of small beige flowers that sat on the side of her head just above the right ear. A couple of short beige bead chains dangled down under the flowers.
Ferus wore a black tuxedo with golden buttons and black shoes. The jacket he wore was left open to reveal his white dress shirt with a matching bow tie and vest. The white streak on his hair was dyed brown to match the rest of his hair.
Nadia takes a sip of her Riosa punch before placing it down.
"It's so nice to spend time with you again, Ferus."Nadia admitted and gave an apologetic smile."Sorry that our previous date had to be cancelled."
Ferus shook his head.
"It's okay, Nadia."Ferus assured with a smile."More importantly, you have come back to Coruscant safe and sound without a scratch."
"Yeah. It's good to be back."Nadia remarked kindly."But believe it or not, me, Anakin and Obi-Wan happen to have a gotten a contact by somebody we haven't seen since she left the Jedi Order."
A surprised look appeared on Ferus' face.
"Ahsoka came back?"Ferus asked.
Nadia slowly stirred her Riosa punch with a tiny spoon.
"Not exactly."Nadia answered."Ahsoka and Lady Bo-Katan contacted us to asking us for help in apprehending Darth Maul in his new hideout on Mandalore. Rex and part of the 501st decided to accompany Ahsoka to Mandalore after me and Anakin got Obi-Wan's permission on the idea."
"That's great."Ferus praised."And who knows? Maybe after this war ends, all of us will be together again."
Nadia stared at her reflection on her Riosa punch.
"Though at times, I feel that I am being fooled and bamboozled."Nadia admitted with a frown."Must be because I am working for an Order that don't really care about those around them. Then again, the Sith Lord's side is not good company either."
"You and I both know that Darth Sidious holds absolutely no regards toward his subjects or allies, Dia."Ferus complemented."To him, they are all just sacrificable lambs."
"Does that mean the Jedi Order here is any better?"Nadia scoffed.
Ferus bit his lip at his mistake.
"Sorry."Ferus apologised.
"No, I'm sorry."Nadia stated with a sad smile."It's just that I was hoping...to get away from the subject of 'Fighting in the Clone Wars' for one night. I've been a little too consumed with it lately."
Ferus became silent before standing up to where he sat and walked over to Nadia.
"Maybe we could change subjects."Ferus suggested.
Nadia took Ferus' by the arm as he led her to the dance floor where the other couples were slow dancing.
Nadia smirked as she placed her free hand on Ferus' left shoulder.
"No more talk on politics?"Nadia asked.
Ferus smiled warmly at Nadia as his other hand wrapped around her waist.
"Deal."Ferus responded.
Ferus and Nadia then enjoyed a lovely dance while a jazz-like theme song played in the background, thus blossoming their romance.
At Padmé's Apartment, the Naboo Senator was standing on the balcony brushing her hair while Anakin leaned against the wall, watching her lovingly.
Padmé wore a glossy nightdress was of a light blue, near lavender. It was low-cut, held up by several ribbon straps. Out of an embossed metal pendant at the center of the top hem came forth six strings of pearls, three on each side, that wrapped around her arms. Several bright blue braids came out of the bottom of the pendant. The back of her nightdress was folded in a decorative fan-styled pattern held in place by several silver clasps. Her chocolate brown hair was down except for a small hair clip. The nightdress was accessorised with the Japor snippet given to her by Anakin when they first met.
"Ani, I want to have our baby back home on Naboo."Padmé suggested."We can go to the lake country where no one will know. Where we can be safe. I can go early and fix up the baby's room. I know the perfect spot. Right by the gardens."
Padmé noticed Anakin was smiling at her.
"You are so...beautiful."Anakin admitted.
"It's only because I'm so in love."Padmé giggled.
Anakin chuckled at Padmé's respond.
"No, it's because I'm so in love with you."Anakin declared.
"So love has blinded you?"Padmé asked curiously.
Anakin laughed lightly at Padmé.
"That's not exactly what I meant."Anakin remarked."But it's probably true."
Later that night, Anakin and Padmé retired to get some sleep to prepare for another busy day to serve the Republic.
However, the Chosen One was struggling to get some sleep due to the nightmare that he was having of his beloved dying from childbirth.
"Anakin, help me!"
Anakin woke up in panic as sweat poured down from his head.
He looked over in the bed and saw Padmé sound asleep next to him.
After putting on his rope, the Jedi Knight gets out from under the sheets and sits on the side of the bed while breathing heavily.
He then leaves the room down a set of stairs.
Padme woke up from her slumber and realised Anakin was gone.
The Naboo Senator gets out of bed and goes downstairs to look for her beloved.
"What's bothering you?"Padmé asked.
"Nothing."Anakin replied before looking at the Japor snippet that was near his wife's swollen stomach."I remember when I gave this to you."
Padmé gives Anakin a sad frown.
"How long is it gonna take for us to be honest with each other?"Padmé questioned.
Anakin was silent for a moment before responding to Anakin.
"It was a dream."Anakin admitted.
"Bad?"Padmé assumed.
"Like the ones I used to have about my mother, just before she died."Anakin explained.
"And?"Padmé said.
"And it was about you."Anakin stated.
"Tell me."Padmé insisted.
"It was only a dream."Anakin declared."You die in childbirth."
"And the baby?"Padmé asked worriedly.
"I don't know."Anakin replied with a troubled expression.
"It was only a dream."Padmé assured.
"I won't let this one become real."Anakin vowed.
"This baby will change our lives."Padmé remarked."I doubt the queen will continue to allow me to serve in the Senate. If the Council discovers you're the father, you'll be expelled-"
"I know."Anakin answered."I know."
"Do you think Obi-Wan might be able to help us?"Padmé suggested.
"We don't need his help. But I think Ferus and Nadia can."Anakin admitted and gives his wife a small smile."Our baby is a blessing."
Anakin and Padme then hugged each other.
The following morning, Nadia and Ferus acted out as the two of them were only friends in the Jedi Temple.
Though the young couple shared a loving glance with each other due to have enjoyed their yesterday's date.
The two of them were soon joined by Caleb.
"Nadia!"Caleb called out."Ferus!"
"Hello, Caleb."Ferus responded.
"How you're doing?"Nadia questioned.
"Great. Thanks. I heard that you, General Skywalker and Master Kenobi defeated Count Dooku."Caleb remarked."Congratulations."
"Thank you, Caleb."Nadia replied with a smile."But it was Anakin who deserved all the credit. I just defeated the Count of Serenno's MagnaGuards while Obi-Wan was nearly crushed by a balcony."
"Either way, you still helped defeat Darth Sidious' apprentice."Ferus insisted."You and Anakin both deserve a medal."
"Ferus is right."Caleb agreed."Since General Grievous is the only Separatist leader left, it means the war will be over before we know it. If you guys beat him, you will be known as the saviours of the Republic from Coruscant to the farthest reaches of the Outer Rim."
Nadia ruffled Caleb's head.
"That's a nice thought, Caleb."Nadia praised."Though unfortunately there aren't many people that don't see me that way as you do."
"That's not fair."Caleb scoffed.
"I heard the Cross of Glory was the highest award given by the Old Republic during the time of the Jedi Civil War."Ferus declared."But nowadays, Jedi don't get medals for their heroic deeds."
Nadia frowned. "That's sadly true."
Afterwards, the two Jedi Knights and the Padawan of Master Billaba headed to the Jedi Temple's Briefing Room to hear the report on the Outer Rim sieges.
Anakin went to see Master Yoda in his private headquarters to tel him about the vision of Padmé dying, but didn't mention the Naboo Senator's name.
"These visions you have."Master Yoda said.
"They are of pain, suffering, death."Anakin exclaimed.
"Yourself you speak of or someone you know?"Master Yoda questioned.
"Someone."Anakin replied.
"Close to you?"Master Yoda assumed.
Anakin nodded. "Yes."
"Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin."Master Yoda warned."The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side."
"I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda."Anakin vowed.
"Death is a natural part of life."Master Yoda exclaimed."Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is."
"What must I do, Master Yoda?"Anakin questioned.
"Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."Master Yoda declared.
After his meeting with Master Yoda, Anakin rushed into the Briefing Room.
By the time he reached the room, the last of the Jedi were leaving.
Only Obi-Wan, Nadia and Ferus remained at the front of the lecture hall.
The trio were shutting off some holograms and electronic charts and maps.
"You missed the report on the Outer Rim sieges."Obi-Wan stated.
"I'm sorry, I was held up."Anakin declared."I have no excuse."
"In short, they're going very well."Obi-Wan exclaimed."Ahsoka has begun her siege on Mandalore while Saleucami has fallen and Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity."
"What's wrong then?"Anakin asked.
"The Senate is expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor today."Obi-Wan informed.
"I don't like it you know."Ferus stated with a frown."The Chancellor is given more support to stay in office more. Even after his term has expired."
"I am sure the Chancellor means well."Nadia suggested."What else explains the many support he got from the Senate?"
Ferus frowned at his girlfriend's declaration.
"Well, that can only mean less deliberating and more action."Anakin declared."Is that bad? It will make it easier for us to end this war."
Obi-Wan and Ferus looked at Anakin with concerned looks.
"Anakin, be careful of your friend Palpatine."Obi-Wan instructed.
"Be careful of what?"Anakin asked.
"He has requested your presence."Obi-Wan declared.
"What for?"Anakin questioned.
"He would not say."Obi-Wan admitted.
"He actually didn't inform the Jedi Council."Ferus stated.
A glimpse of confusion appeared on Nadia's face.
"That's unusual, isn't it?"Nadia said.
"All of this is unusual and it's making me feel uneasy, Nadia."Obi-Wan stated and looked at his companions."You're all probably aware that relations between the Council and the Chancellor are stressed."
"I know the Council has grown wary of the Chancellor's power. Mine also for that matter."Anakin commented."Aren't we all working together to save the Republic? Why all this distrust?"
Nadia gives Anakin a slight tap on his arm as she and Ferus walked off.
"We are, Anakin."Nadia assured."But unfortunately, not many people see things in black and white anymore. Balance has been jeopardized."
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!