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 74: Departures
Ferus and Nadia stood next to Padmé within the J-type Naboo star skiff, waiting for Obi-Wan and Anakin to return.
When the duo heard footsteps coming from the ramp of the starship, they immediately went to see who it was.
But to the two Jedi Knights' shock, they saw Obi-Wan had returned by himself.
"Obi-Wan, where's Anakin?"Ferus demanded.
Obi-Wan looked down at Ferus' question.
"I couldn't save him."Obi-Wan declared.
Ferus' heart sank at what he just heard.
"His gone."Ferus murmured.
Tears appeared on Nadia's face as she began to get angry.
"You left him to die on this hellish planet?!"Nadia shouted angrily as more tears fell down her face."How could you?! His our friend! His the father of Padmé's child!"
Nadia started hitting Obi-Wan with her fists, only for the Jedi Master to grab her by the shoulders.
"Nadia, stop it! There was nothing we could've done for him!"Obi-Wan declared sternly."If I didn't defeat him, he would've come to the ship to kill you and Ferus! The man we know it's gone!"
Nadia's face got messed up with tears and she clenched her fists as Obi-Wan hugged her.
"I am sorry, Nadia."Obi-Wan apologised softly.
Ferus quietly made his way to where Padmé was and saw the Senator of Naboo slowly opening her eyes.
"Ferus…is Anakin all right?"Padmé asked with a hint of hope.
Ferus looked at his older sister sadly and doesn't say anything while brushing her chocolate brown hair back.
Padmé then went back into unconsciousness and fell asleep.
Ferus glanced at Artoo.
"Look after her, Artoo."Ferus instructed.
Artoo let out a soft sad beep.
After lightly tapping Artoo's head, Ferus left the room to join Obi-Wan, Nadia and Threepio.
The Jedi Knight saw his girlfriend sitting on a opposite seat and appeared to be avoiding eye contact with Obi-Wan.
Ferus quietly went to sit down next to Obi-Wan as he started piloting J-type Naboo star skiff
But none of the Jedi said a word to each other since they were quietly grieving of losing Anakin.
Anakin/Vader wasn't dead and was slowly crawling away from the lava to prevent his damaged body from being burned more.
The fallen Jedi growled angrily as he thought about Obi-Wan, Ferus and Nadia.
They've done this to him.
They made Padmé turn against him.
Anakin's heart was now filled with utter hatred as he thought about his former friends.
Then an imperial shuttle arrived and closed its wings as it settled on the coal ground of the planet.
Commander Thire and his squad exited the shuttle followed by Darth Sidious.
"Your Majesty, there he is."Commander Thire stated.
"He's still alive."Darth Sidious complemented."Get a medical capsule immediately."
"Yes, sir."Commander Thire replied."Right away."
The Shock Troopers walked away while Darth Sidious made his way to his fallen apprentice and knelt down to look at the gravity of his burns.
On the isolated asteroid Polis Massa, Master Yoda meditated and heard the spirit voice of Master Qui-Gon Jinn.
The Bail arrived into the room that the last Grand Jedi Master of the Republic was in.
"Excuse me, Master Yoda."Bail responded."Obi-Wan, Ferus and Nadia have made contact."
The J-type Naboo star skiff arrived on the landing platform of Polis Massa.
Master Yoda and Bail watched as the ramp lowered causing Obi-Wan to carry out while carrying the unconscious Padmé in his arms.
Ferus and Nadia followed Obi-Wan out of the J-type Naboo star skiff.
Artoo and Threepio came out of the starship as well and followed after the three Jedi.
"We'll take her to the medical centre."Bail declared."Quickly."
It was now raining heavily on Coruscant.
Dark clouds and lightning darkened the city as the Emperor's shuttle landed outside the Grand Republic Medical Facility.
Darth Sidious and the Shock Troopers leave the shuttle while Anakin's body was carried along in a floating medical capsule.
The Sith Lord had saved his apprentice from the edge of death using a stasis pod and Sith medicines held in his shuttle.
But now it was time to give the fallen Jedi a new body due to the damage he received from the lava from Mustafar.
In Polis Massa, Padmé was given emergency medical treatment by the facility's droids.
The Senator of Naboo wore a simple white dress, was barefoot and had her chocolate brown hair down after being put under the care of the Polis Massans.
Nadia fiddled with her hands slowly as Ferus nervously paced forward and backward with a fearful look on his face.
Then one of the medical droids went up to the four Jedi and the Senator of Alderaan.
"Medically, she's completely healthy."the Medical Droid explained."For some reason, we can't explain. We are losing her."
A horrified look appeared on Ferus' face.
"What?"Ferus whispered.
Nadia paled at what she heard, immediately realising what it meant.
Padmé was not going to survive.
"She's dying?"Obi-Wan asked in shock.
"We don't know why, she has lost the will to live."the Medical Droid explained."We need to operate quickly if we are to save the babies."
A confused look appeared on Bail's face.
"Babies?"Bail asked.
"She's carrying triplets."the Medical Droid admitted.
Master Yoda, Bail, Obi-Wan, Ferus and Nadia looked at each other as the room was now filled with complete silence.
Ferus let out a heavy sigh as he then looked at the small holo-projectors that showed his older sister's three children.
In the Grand Republic Medical Facility, Darth Vader was being rebuilt.
He was wide awake and apparently unanesthetized as he was given an entire surgery that was carried out in true dark-side form, leaving him moaning, screaming and writhing in excruciating agony.
The fallen Jedi was given new legs, a new arm, mechanised lungs and other 'replacement parts'.
In Polis Massa, Ferus was in the medical room and held Padmé's right hand while Nadia stood on the left side.
"Don't give up, Padmé."Ferus instructed softly.
Padmé was crying in pain as she was giving birth.
Then there was a small cry and a Midwife droid held up the first baby.
"It's a boy."the Midwife Droid said.
"Luke."Padmé replied.
Ferus smiled at his newborn nephew as he picked him up with a towel.
The Jedi Knight then showed him to Padmé, who weakly touched his head.
"Oh, Luke."Padmé murmured with a soft smile.
The Naboo Senator gave another cry as the second baby was being delivered.
Nadia looked at Padmé with a fearful look before a cry earned her attention.
Then the Midwife droid then revealed the second baby that was crying.
The Midwife droid said something, but Padmé couldn't hear it.
"It's a girl."Nadia remarked.
"Leia."Padmé admitted.
Nadia got a towel and picked up the newborn girl as a small smile crept up her face.
The female infant gurgled in the raven haired girl's arms despite her eyes being shut.
Padmé was struggling to breathe as the Midwife droid was delivering the third baby.
"Padmé, take a deep breath."Ferus instructed calmly while holding Luke."Just one more push."
Padmé winced in pain before an infant's cry was heard and the droid held up the last baby.
The third baby gave out a small cry, but immediately began gurgling quietly unlike her triplet brother and sister.
"It's another girl."Ferus stated with a small smile.
Padmé smiled weakly as she glanced at her third baby despite her sight getting weaker and tears of joy appeared in her eyes.
"Lisa."Padmé whispered.
In the Grand Republic Medical Facility, Darth Vader was dressed in black armour after his surgery was completed.
Then a face mask was sealed tightly on the fallen Jedi's scarred face before a helmet was fitted in it.
Darth Vader began to breathe through his mask.
In Polis Massa, Padmé was struggling to live which caused Ferus and Nadia to panic.
"Padmé."Nadia sobbed, tears falling down from her eyes."Please keep your eyes open."
Ferus leaned over to Padmé while carrying Luke in his eyes.
"Please, Padmé! Don't go!"Ferus begged as tears fell down from his eyes."Your triplets need you! Mum, dad, Sola, Ryoo and Pooja all need you! We all need you! I need you!"
Despite the begs she was receiving from her adopted younger brother and his girlfriend, Padmé slowly took her last breaths.
"Ferus...there's good in him."Padmé whispered weakly."I know...I know there's still..."
Padmé then trailed off and closed her eyes forever.
The Senator of Naboo had died still believing in the man she loved before his violent acts against the Jedi Order and the Separatist Council.
Ferus closed his eyes tightly as more tears streamed down his face, knowing his sister will never open her eyes again.
Luke, Leia and Lisa all began to cry as the newborn triplets felt their mother's departure.
Nadia rocked Leia slowly even when she began to cry as well for losing the older sister figure that she grew to love.
Both Bail and Obi-Wan had mourn looks on their faces while Master Yoda dropped his ears and shook his head in grief.
In the Grand Republic Medical Facility, Darth Vader was raised to a standing position as he began slowly breathing.
Darth Sidious appeared next to his apprentice.
"Lord Vader, can you hear me?"Darth Sidious asked.
Darth Vader began to speak through his vocabulator to the Emperor.
"Yes, Master."Darth Vader replied and looked around."Where is Padmé? Is she safe? Is she all right?"
Darth Sidious, seeking to cut Vader's last tie to his old life and permanently cement the Dark Side in his heart, lied to his apprentice, telling him that he accidentally killed his wife while Force choking her.
"It seems, in your anger, you killed her."Darth Sidious stated grimly.
"I...I couldn't have."Darth Vader denied and became furious."She was alive! I felt it!"
With his last shred of hope and love now gone and his mind broken by the realization he himself killed the person he wanted to save, Darth Vader ripped himself free of the operating table.
The Dark Lord unleashed a powerful scream of rage, shame and grief through the Force, shattering the droids and equipment as Darth Sidious looked on with an evil grin.
"NOOOOOOOO!"Darth Vader screamed in sorrow.
On board the Tantive III, Nadia quietly walked by herself in the corridor of the diplomatic cruiser as she quietly thought about what had occurred.
The Jedi Order was gone.
Darth Sidious has taken over the galaxy and changed the Republic into a Galactic Empire.
Anakin betrayed the Jedi Order and had become the Sith Lord's new apprentice known as Darth Vader before wiping out the Jedi within the Temple with the help of the Clone Troopers.
She, Ferus and Obi-Wan tracked Anakin to Mustafar, only for her former friend to choke his own pregnant wife and then left for dead on the hellish planet.
But now he was gone.
Padmé gave birth to triplets; Luke, Leia and Lisa before dying due to have lost the will to live over Anakin's horrendous actions.
Now she was gone as well.
Suddenly overcome by grief at losing two of her most important friends, Nadia covered her face to cry.
She had failed.
She had failed all of them.
Just like she failed her parents, older brother, sister-in-law and her unborn niece/nephew.
However, she blamed Darth Sidious and the failure of the Jedi since they were the ones responsible that had caused this to happen.
If the Jedi Council stopped following that corrupted Jedi Code that ridiculously not allowed Jedi to form attachments and actually valued those around them, none of this would've happened.
Especially, treating Anakin unfairly and questioning the loyalty of those among the Jedi Order just like they did to her and Ahsoka.
But now the big question was who was going to look after the Skywalker triplets now that both of their parents were dead?
Nadia slowly made her way to the nursery room within the cruiser and went to the cribs which was where the Skywalker triplets were sleeping.
The raven haired girl brought her attention on Luke, who was whimpering a bit and went over to his crib.
There Nadia saw Luke's eyes slowly opening and was beginning to wake up, so she slowly took him in her arms.
Nadia slowly rocked Luke as he stared at her with his blue eyes.
Anakin's eyes.
Nadia just gave a small yet weak chuckle as she stared at Luke.
"You have Anakin's eyes."Nadia murmured softly and gave a kiss on his forehead."May you become an amazing Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker."
Luke gurgled as his little hands fiddled with Nadia's chest.
He then drifted to sleep before Nadia carefully placed him back on his crib.
Nadia slowly glanced over to the cribs that held Leia and Lisa.
The two daughters of Anakin and Padmé both appeared to be sleeping, but noticed their hair tufts were different.
Leia's hair was chocolate brown like Padmé's while Lisa's hair tuft appeared to be dark blonde just like Luke's.
Since both Luke and Lisa had dark blonde hair, it meant they inherited their hair colour from their father.
She did recall being told by Ferus that Anakin had dark blonde hair when he was a small boy living in Tatooine.
Nadia carefully made their way to the two female infants' cribs, only for their eyes to slowly open, surprising her.
Did Leia and Lisa both sensed her just like Luke did?
Leia and Lisa both started gurgling as their eyes slowly opened which made Nadia smile wistfully.
Both the two girls had Padmé's warm brown eyes.
Though it still hurt her deeply that Anakin and Padmé would never know their own children.
"Hey."
Nadia glanced at the entrance of the nursery and saw Ferus walking inside.
"Hey, Ferus."Nadia replied."I'm so sorry about Padmé."
Ferus didn't say anything as he walked up to the cribs that held his nephew and nieces.
"You can come with me to Naboo now that Corellia has fallen to the Empire's rule."Ferus suggested quietly.
"I know. Our paths do lead in the same direction."Nadia admitted."But there will be a time...that we have to stop this mess that Darth Sidious had caused."
Ferus looked at Nadia at her declaration.
"Nadia..."Ferus started.
"I got a contact from Hal a moment ago."Nadia declared."He told me that he, Mai and the younglings can gather enough people who will rebel against this Empire, so they can hold off until the triplets grow up. But in the meantime, the two of us have to make sure your adopted family know of Lisa's existence."
A frown appeared on Ferus' face.
"So Padmé's kids are going to be separated from each other?"Ferus retorted."Even though my sister planned to raise her kids at the Varykino Villa with Anakin."
Ferus let out a scoff.
"But I guess plans changed since my second older sister and older brother figure are both dead now."Ferus murmured.
Nadia slowly brought her hands up to touch Ferus' face as well as gently wiping away the tear on his right eye.
"How did things end up so wrong?"Ferus muttered.
"Ferus. I know this is hard for you. But this is hard for me as well."Nadia declared with a soft tone."Though Padmé didn't survive, she gave to her children and those children are the new hope for the galaxy to be free again."
Ferus looked at Nadia in the eyes.
"If I can be by your side, I will endure any hardship."Ferus stated honestly."You are a shining star that lit my way from the moment I laid my eyes on you. Before I met you, I was lost because I lost my parents and nearly attended to follow the corrupted code of the Jedi Order."
Ferus then gently touched Nadia's shoulders.
"But now things are different."Ferus stated with a soft yet firm tone."I have experienced both happiness and fear. Happiness in experiencing the light which is your love and fear of losing it. A light that is more precious than life itself."
A light smile formed on Nadia's lips.
"It will never disappear, Ferus. My love will shine like the stars forever."Nadia admitted gently."I thought I wasn't someone capable of love because I am the last living descendant of Darth Nihilus. But, you and our friends taught me this important lesson that is no matter where you come from, what's more important is who you choose to me."
Ferus and Nadia rested their foreheads against each other.
"No matter what happens, we are one."Ferus admitted.
"Always."Nadia whispered.
The young couple then embraced each other before sharing a loving and passionate kiss.
On Naboo, Bail's Tantive III approached the city of Theed.
After the Tantive III landed on Naboo's capital, Obi-Wan, Ferus, Nadia, Master Yoda and Bail sat at a conference table to discuss the futures of the Skywalker triplets.
"Hidden, safe the children must be kept."Master Yoda informed.
"We must take them somewhere where the Sith will not sense their presence."Obi-Wan stated.
"Split up, they should be."Master Yoda suggested.
Master Yoda glanced at Bail, sensing that the Senator of Alderaan wanted to say something.
"My wife and I will take the girl, Leia."Bail admitted with a smile."We've always talked about adopting a baby girl. She will be loved with us."
Ferus looked at Master Yoda.
"Master Yoda, can me and Nadia take Lisa to Naboo to raise her there with my family?"Ferus requested hopefully."We can protect and teach her the ways of the Jedi in secret."
Master Yoda nodded at Ferus.
"No happier fate could any child ask for, Young Olin."Master Yoda responded."With our blessing and that of the Force, let you and Young Aomori be Lisa's guardians."
Both Ferus and Nadia smiled at Master Yoda.
"We'll be honoured, Master Yoda."Nadia answered.
"Thank you."Ferus replied with a grateful smile.
"And what of the boy?"Obi-Wan asked.
"To Tatooine."Master Yoda replied."To his family send him."
"I will take the child and watch over him."Obi-Wan stated.
Bail, Obi-Wan, Nadia and Ferus then stood up from their seats.
"Until the time is right, disappear we will."Master Yoda commented.
Bail, Nadia and Ferus bowed at Master Yoda before leaving to get the two infant girls.
Obi-Wan turned to leave as well, but Master Yoda stopped him.
"Master Kenobi, wait a moment."Master Yoda instructed."In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you."
"Training?"Obi-Wan asked in confusion.
"An old friend has learned the path to immortality."Master Yoda explained."One who has returned from the netherworld of the Force, your old master."
Obi-Wan's eyes widen in surprise.
"Qui-Gon?"Obi-Wan whispered.
Master Yoda nodded and smiled at Obi-Wan.
"How to commune with him, I will teach you."Master Yoda remarked.
At one of the hallways within the Tantive III, Bail introduced Threepio and Artoo to Captain Antilles.
"Captain Antilles."Bail greeted.
"Yes, Your Highness?"Captain Antilles asked.
"I'm placing these droids in your care."Bail admitted."Treat them well. Clean them up and have the protocol droid's mind wiped."
"What?"Threepio asked in shock.
Artoo let out a beep.
"Oh no."Threepio said in a sad tone.
Ferus gave Threepio an apologetic smile as he and Nadia walked up to them.
"Sorry, Threepio."Ferus apologised."It's for the best."
Nadia bent down to stroke Artoo's head.
"Make sure to help Senator Organa look after Leia, Artoo."Nadia instructed kindly."And don't feel sad. We'll see you and Threepio again later."
Artoo let out a soft beep as he said goodbye to Ferus and Nadia.
On Naboo, the sky was dark and grey.
Padmé's funeral took place in a solemn ceremony in Theed.
There was a large crowd in the street, following an open casket being pulled by four gualaars.
Among the mourners were the Naberries, Queen Apailana and Jar Jar Binks.
Within the crowd of civilians was Ahsoka wearing a silver robe with a matching hood.
Ferus wore a new disguise with a dark blue robe and held hands with Ryoo and Pooja as they followed their relatives from behind with heavy hearts.
Nadia followed them from behind while wearing a dark red robe and magenta pink dress and stood next to Jar Jar Binks.
Though her face was not shown, tears were slowing falling down her Nadia's as she stared at Padmé's lifeless body.
Padmè wore a simple dress that was done in a light pleated aqua blue fabric under an iridescent dark blue cloak studded with pearls. Though she was in a flowered coffin, she was seen as though she was floating in water, the element she was so connected with. The colours of the dress with her chocolate brown hair gently fanned out and her body surrounded by fresh flowers and leaves evoked the symbol of her soul returning to the lake at which she and Anakin were wed and first expressed their love.
Her pregnancy was clearly visible, in order to protect the triplets from discovery by making it appear as if they had died within her, before being born.
In her hands she clasped the Japor Snippet given to her by Anakin when they first met as she was slowly led away to her final resting place.
On a Star Destroyer, Darth Vader walked along the bridge to join Darth Sidious and Grand Moff Tarkin.
Grand Moff Tarkin gave a bow to the Emperor and the Sith Lord before walking away from them.
The Emperor and Darth Vader watched as a moon-sized battle station was being built in space.
Somewhere, the Draco Meteor landed in an unknown planet and when the ramp lowered, Hal came out wearing a brown cape to cover himself.
Hal looked around for a moment before gesturing to Maybelline, Katooni, Zatt and Gungi to come out as well.
Maybelline, Katooni, Zatt and Gungi were all wearing capes as they came out of the ship before departing with Hal to parts unknown.
Back in Naboo, the Naberrie Family Members were outside still mourning over the death of Padmé.
But then Ferus and Nadia showed Lisa to them and told the family everything even that they were going to be guardians to the baby girl.
The Naberrie Family gladly took Padmé's daughter and promised they would protect, love and care her.
That night, Ferus, Nadia and their adopted family smiled at their newborn family member as Sola gently stroked her newborn niece's cheek.
In Alderaan, Bail arrived back in his home planet on board his Tantive III.
Once his diplomatic cruiser landed, Bail made his way to the Aldera Royal Palace, also known as House Organa which was an elegant, centuries-old building in the heart of Aldera, capital city of Alderaan.
There he saw his wife, Queen Breha, looking at the Triplehorn mountain; the snow-capped peaks that bordered the Royal Palace of Aldera.
Bail joined his wife on the balcony while holding Leia in his arms and brought her to his arms.
The royal couple gazed happily at their newly adopted daughter.
On Tatooine, Obi-Wan rode up on an eopie to the moisture farm homestead that belonged to the Lars family.
The Jedi Master dismounted as he takes Luke out of a papoose on his back and walked toward Beru, Anakin's step-sister-in-law, who walked over to greet him.
Obi-Wan brought Luke into Beru's arms.
Beru smiled and then walked up to Owen, who was standing on the ridge near the homestead watching the twin suns set.
Seeing Luke with his step-relatives, Obi-Wan left on his eopie and headed to his exile in the Jundland Wastes.
Owen and Beru, holding the infant Luke, then looked out to the horizon and watched the setting of Tatooine's twin suns.
(Curtains close)
The Clone Wars are over.
And here wraps up Book 1, but the story of Nadia Aomori is not over. See you all in the sequel, Book 2: Fire of the Rebellion and have a good day!