Mace sighed at the disaster they had at hand. He looked regretfully at the crying boy in his father's arms. Jango Fett. A man he had almost broken the Jedi Code for and killed, had it not been for Anakin. Mace turned towards Anakin, who had Senator Amidala in his arms, as the two of them hovered over their third romantic partner and the reason the Jedi Order had gathered such a huge rescue operation for: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A rescue mission that could have gotten almost 200 Jedi killed, had it not been for Anakin's quick thinking and incredible mastery of the Force and lightsaber. Anakin had taken the vanguard and deflected every blaster shot from the droids, while systematically slicing through them and blasting them with the use of Force. It had been both a scary and impressive show of strength, showing everyone that he truly was the Chosen One. He had made it so that no one had lost their lives. A miracle on its own. Maybe Dooku would think twice before trying to kidnap Anakin's lover now. Both of them.
Dooku...
Mace sighed at that. He could not believe a Jedi would act like this. Send assassins and orchestrate a war.
Then again, he was not a Jedi anymore, was he... Mace thought grimly.
"A tragic day, today is," Yoda said, coming to a stop next to him. "Won a battle, we have. But started a war, we did."
"This is only the beginning," Mace sighed, in agreement.
"The vote went through," Padmé sighed, joining them, followed closely behind by her boyfriends. "The Republic is sanctioning an army. We will be going to war against the Separatists."
Every Jedi in the area could feel her anger, frustration, and defeat. Such a small body, should not be able to feel that much.
"An army of forced and brainwashed, artificially aged, younglings," Obi-Wan sighed, leaving self-deprecation and guilt in the force.
Surely blaming himself for finding them, Windu sighed internally. Which was stupid! He had not ordered their creation or trained them. That was another Jedi… what had gone wrong with the Order?
"They will buy them and treat them like meat droids!" Padme raged, barely containing herself from cursing.
"About that... leave it to me," Anakin told her, much to their confusion- an evil glint in his eyes, one that promised retribution and mischief.
"What will you do?" Mace asked him wearily, getting a headache at all the shatter points surrounding Anakin at the moment.
"You'll see," Anakin replied simply, with a smile that promised so much.
Some months later, the Jedi Council could only stare at Anakin in equal measures of awe, incredulity, and horror.
"How did you do it?" Obi-Wan asked, from his newly earned Jedi Council Seat, looking both amused and done with it all- his normal reaction to Anakin in general.
The Senate had just passed down a decree that clearly stipulates that clones are sentient beings and have the same rights as every other living being. The clones bought from Kamino will become Republic citizens, entitled to their own names, and will stop being aged as soon as they make it into the Republic. The clones will join the newly formed Protection Corps, under the jurisdiction of the Jedi Order and away from the greedy hands of senators. They will be given the choice if they want to fight or not. Most of them did, but many joined the other cops under the Jedi Order. Silk included, though no one really knew why that made Anakin so happy.
"It was not that hard," Anakin shrugged.
"Not that hard?" Master Depa repeated dumbfounded, not even trying to hide her fear at Anakin's blase response. "We are talking about the same sleemo, selfish and greedy senators, that are now acting like good people?!"
"They are still "selfish and greedy slemos" as you call them," Anakin giggled, making Obi-Wan look at him fondly. "But they are scared "selfish and greedy slemos" that want the Skywalker Corporation's last line of droids, armors, blasters, and shields. Not to mention, all the advanced medical technology that's perfect for battle zones." Anakin smirked, as realization dawned on the Council member's faces. "My mother would never sell a piece of technology, as a freed slave, to a group that owns a slave army. Which takes us to the second part of the plan!" Obi-Wan and Plo shook their heals tenderly at their drama queen. At least, someone was having fun during these tense times. "The media in Coruscant might be as corrupt as it comes, but in the other planets it is not. So, if someone might have leaked this information to the news channels and they made the connection to slavery. Can I truly be blamed that people would be outraged and protest? First a war no one wanted and now a slave army! And if those governments pressured their corrupt senators to vote one way when Padmé, my angel, and her friends in the Senate put in motion this decree… well, nothing can be linked to me. It was the freewill of the geverments and their people."
"You are scary," Ki-Adi-Mundi finally said with respect, as Yoda cackled like a the mad troll he was, and the rest stared in awe and horror at the blond. "What I would like to know is how did you get the funds to invest and fund the Protection Corps? And why did you choose Master Shaak and Commander Fox to lead it?"
Because I knew it was coming and made preparations, Anakin thought while maintaining a smile on the outside. Because I know better than to deviate a lot from script, that things have a way to shift back into place. Which is why Fox and his team will stay In Coruscant like they did before, and Master Shaak will remain our point in contact with Kamino. Which is also why all the squads remained the same… at least, as much as I could remember. Thank you Force, for guiding me through the choosing process.
Instead Anakin said: "The Force told me. Well, guided me. I started saving half of every royalty I've earned since I was eleven for something big… it ended up being this."
"Good. Listening to the force, you've been," Grandmaster Yoda praised him with a smile, having finally stopped cackling. "Put them in their place, you did. Proud, you must be. Saved a lot of people, you did."
"Why are you even here for?" Mace sighed.
Right, before the holonet broke the news announcement of the Clones Decree, Anakin had interrupted the Jedi Council with grave news.
"Right," Anakin sighed. "Jango Fett has been killed in prison," bringing the mood of the Council back to grim and serious. "It's believed that it was the Separatists, them not wanting information to fall into Republic's hands."
"How is Boba taking it?" Obi-Wan asked, worried for the kid his girlfriend and handmaidens have been taken care of. "Do the rest of the vode knew?"
"As next in kin, Commander Fox was told about Frett passing and in return the rest of the vode now knows," Anakin informed the Council. "They'll have a Mandalorian funeral and Boba will be given his father's armor. As for Boba," Anakin sighed. "He tried to run away amd kill Count Dooku, to avenge his father." Many councilors winced, while Yoda's ears lowered in displeasure. "He didn't make it out of the apartment, before Sabé caught him. He is... sad. Very sad."
"Understandably," Plo said grimly. "What will happen to him now?"
"As Fox is the highest ranking vode, that will remain in Coruscant constantly, and is next in kin, he will be given guardianship." Anakin answered his master-teacher.
"Good, family he'll need," Grandmaster Yoda agreed. "Something else, you have to say."
"Well, I was planning to say it later," Anakin trailed, looking at Obi-Wan, who sighed, standing up from his seat, and taking his place next to his partner.
"With a war ahead of us, we've decided to get married, all three of us," Obi-Wan announced, shocking the Council for a thousand's time that day. "You are all invited.'
There was a pause.
Then.
The whole room burst into congratulations. For that moment they could all forget that there was a war ahead of them. For that moment they could focus on the light, on the love, and the happiness that coated the Council Chamber.
Naboo was beautiful. Naboo was always beautiful,to be honest. But it was even more beautiful that day. How could it not? There was a wedding about to happen!
Of course, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padmé would get married in Naboo. Padmé had been a very beloved queen and the Jedis were their heroes. So, the monarchy and Naberrie family gathered to prepare a grandiose wedding like no other! The queen would be officiating the Naboo ceremony, while Padmé's parents would walk her down the alley. Obi-Wan had chosen Jocasta and Qui-Gon to stand by his side and walk him down. While, Anakin chose his parents, Shmi and Plo.
However, the ceremony won't have only nabooian traditions. The ceremony would be at night, under the full moon, and there would be a prayer to the three moons of Tatooine to bless their union. As for the stewjoni tradition, there would a ring Exchange, that will symbolize their union.
At the moment, the triad was taking some time off their wedding preparation. Obi-Wan was helping settle down the invited Jedi, that have just arrived to Naboo. Anakin was catching up with his childhood friends, Kitster Chanchani Banai and Wald, who had been on of the first missions of the Skywalker Foundation. They've been Naboo citizens for five years now and had recently graduated from the Navy Academy. They will be joining Anakin's battalion at war.
As for Padmé, well, she was having tea with Senator Bail Organa, his wife the Queen of Aldeere, and Senator Mon Mothma.
"I've heard you will be taking the Skywalker name," Breha Organa commented with a warm smile, she loves happy occasions like weddings.
"I am," Padmé smiled proudly. "The Queen is gracious enough to name my new house part of Naboo's noble tree."
"A Jedi wedding that will be viewed by billions of people and will be named a new noble house!" Bail exclaimed. "Marvelous!"
"Yes, I wanted to do so after Ani's single-handed defeat of the Trade Federation and later with his advice that saved Naboo," Padmé confessed. "But Jedi don't do anything for recognition or glory, but because it is the right thing to do. Even at nine-years-old he had that motto close to his heart."
"A good head on his shoulder and a golden heart," Mon praised. "You've chosen good men."
"I have," Padmé smiled bestowed. "After seeing how Naboo was thriving, not only surviving... I had my own people petitioning that the Skywalker family were rewarded." Padmé laughed at the memory. "Once more I tried, but alas you've met Lady Shmi."
"We have!" Breha laughed. "A delightful lady. Strong and firm when needed, but incredibly kind and fair."
"Doing business with her is always a delight," Bail agreed with his wife.
"I just adore the stories she would share about her son," Mon chuckled. "You can clearly see how proud she is of him."
"She always tells me that the biggest problem in the galaxy was that no one helps each other," Padmé shared tenderly. "She requested in exchange that Naboo would open their doors to rescued slaves... how could I refuse? Especially, since Shmi would give them a jobs at the Skywalker Corporation and it would not affect Naboo's recovering economy."
"Well, you've got your wish at the end," Mon commented.
"Only because the actual Queen phrased it as a reward for my many years as Queen,'' Padmé chuckled.
"Why not Kenobi? Or kept the Naberrie last name?" Bail asked, curiously.
"Well, my sister and my nieces will continue the Naberrie line," Padmé answered. "While, the Kenobi last home is given to outcasts in Stewjon, where the Force is seen as a curse rather than a gift. As for Skywalker, both Shmi and Ani are very proud of all the disadvantages they achieved even after where they were born in. Also... they wished that there would finally be a Skywalker to be born free."
The senators stayed quiet at that admission. Everyone in this room had achieved more than most people can in their lifetime. But they were born lucky, in an advantageous positions. They did not have to go through the hell the Skywalkers did, which only made their achievements more incredible than they had thought.
"My lady," Sabé entered, bowing respectfully. "Your betrothed Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is here, requesting an audience with the Queen of Aldeere and the senators."
"Ani is?" Padmé looked at her friend in surprise. "Well, this is a surprise. Ani does not care for politics, he normally leaves It to Obi-Wan and I."
"I believe this is about the war," Sabé confessed, getting everyone's attention. "Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker received some intel from their contacts in the outer-rim, it seems to have shaken them."
"Have him come in and get him a cup of tea from Obi's collection," Padmé quickly gave the permission. "Oh, Ani," Padme gasped when her betrothed entered the room. She did not need Force to see how bothered he looked. "Seat here Ani," she pointed at the seat next to her, which Bail had gracefully vacated for him and taken the empty seat between the other two women. "What happened?"
"Ah," Anakin sighed deeply, taking a sip from his fresh cup of tea. "Do you know which is going to be the most money making business during the war?"
"Weapons and ships," Mon answered instantly. "There is a reason your mother has been so busy lately."
"Wrong," Anakin sighed, looking more bothered by the second, "Hyperspace routes." His words brought a silence to the room. The senators and queen exchanged looks, how could they have missed that?! "Which the Hutts and Zygerrians own a lot of, key ones at that. Now follow me closely, imagine us going to war against the Separatist and we need to cross through Tatooine, which is a key strategic position. What would Jabba Hutt do? What will that sleemo extort from us? What is the one thing the Republic would never condemn that the Hutts do and is the reason why we do not make deal with them?"
"Slavery," Padmé gasped in cold rage, as her friends looked at Anakin in horror. "The Republic would be forced to look the other way from their slavery and the Hutts would buckle down. Without caring because we would need to work with them."
"What will we do?" Queen Organa asked. "We can't allow them to do that!"
"But if we don't, they'll side with the Separatist," Bail reasoned.
"You can't mean you agree with this?!" Padmé exclaimed enraged.
"Calm down angel, I love your fire but everything has its place," Anakin calmed her down with a kiss on her forehead. The irony of it being said by Anakin, was lost by everyone but the blond. "Senator Organa does not agree, but that is what greedy sleemos in the Senate would say. It is easier to just allow slavery and they can also do some good business under the table."
"That is disgusting!" Mon scoffed, but did not refute Anakin's words. They all knew they were true.
"But we can always count on the Hutts to be corrupt and greedy," Anakin smirked sadistically, taking them by surprise. This was not Jedi Knight Skywalker, but vengeful freed slave Anakin. "Why do business with only us when they can gain double profit?"
"They are planing on double crossing us," Bail deduced sharply. "No, they've already done it."
"I can see why my angels speak so well of you!" Anakin laughed. And how you were able to raise my daughter into such a magnificent woman, Anakin thought fondly. Thank you. "I have proof of the Hutts in Nal Hutta making a deal with the Separatist to convince the Republic to name them our enemy and I'll liberate Hutt Space from these slugs!"
"That will take a lot of time..." Breha told him gently.
"Or not," Bail caught Anakin's hesitation suspiciously. "You've been planning this for a while."
"I have contacts with various freedom rebellions in all Hutt Space planets, bounty hunters that used to be slaves and want revenge, with my Jedi friends and our battalions we can end them in less than a year." Anakin assured them. "I was planning on working from the shadows with the Skywalker Foundation, but if I get the green light from the Senate and Jedi Council, I'll be given so much more freedom."
"What about the slave chips?" Padmé asked worriedly. "Won't they just use the slaves as shields?"
"No, because I was finally able to create an EMP to fry these chips and a scanner to find them," Anakin shared excitedly. "With all of us attacking at the same time they won't know what hit them and won't get time to regroup."
"They'll form part of the Republic?" Mon asked. "After they are freed, I mean."
"That will be up to them," Anakin answered. "After a democratic body is put in place, it will be their choice… as they will finally be free. But we will have them they sign a treaty that says that during this war, we will have free passage through their hyperspace routes."
"What about their economy?" Padmé asked him. "They relay a lot on slavery."
"They were forced to relay on it," Anakin firmly but gently corrected her. "But these planets have many ways to sustain themselves... if we get creative. Tatooine's sand is it's savior as much as it's destruction. When water dries out, a lot of minerals are left. The easy money making ones were mined, but salt? We have it on spades! Culinary refined salt and rock salt for planets with harsh climates. Spices that the core-worlds have never heard of and would kill to have. The sand can be molded into glass for greenhouses to grow food in the dessert and refined into beautiful glass art. If the Hutt Space works together, creating an union, they'll pull through together and aid each other with what they need. No need to bother the Senate, who wouldn't help anyway. Current company discounted."
"Wow... you've really thought this through," Breha praised, as they all stared at him in awe. "Also, the Skywalker Corporation won't mind opening various branches throughout Hutt Space."
"Well, my mom is currently incapable of keeping up with the demand of the Senate and the various planets. Having more factories would help the Republic quite a lot," Anakin agreed mischievously. "It would also create a lot of jobs."
"Well, I don't know about the rest," Mon smiled. "But you have my support."
"Of course, you have mine too Ani," Padmé told him tenderly, with a quick kiss.
Queen Organa and Bail exchanged looks. "For such an honorable cause, you have ours too," Breha assured him.
"Thank you!" Anakin told him gratefully.
"What about the Zygerrians?" Bail asked, having picked their mention at the beginning but not since.
"A confident source informed us that they are planning something similar... but no evidence that the Republic will accept," Anakin sighed.
Not yet, at least, Anakin thought darkly. My dear Zygerrian Queen, you'll suffer your demise at my hands like last time.
Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi's wedding was the biggest event Naboo had ever seen. The whole planet was buzzing with excitement, ready to welcome back their beloved ex-queen and the famous Jedi heroes. The Naberrie family and the royal court pulled out all the stops to make it a night to remember.
The wedding was set for nighttime, under the glow of Naboo's full moon. The place was decked out with glowing flowers and fancy decorations, making it look like a scene from a dream. Guests arrived, wowed by how beautiful everything was, knowing they were in for something truly special.
The Queen of Naboo officiated the ceremony, guiding the couple through their vows with grace and wisdom. Padmé's parents, looking proud and happy, walked her down the aisle, cheered on by the people of Naboo.
Obi-Wan stood at the other end with his mentors, Jocasta Nu and Qui-Gon Jinn, both smiling warmly. Anakin had his mom, Shmi Skywalker, and Jedi Master Plo Koon by his side, showing all the love and support in his life.
The ceremony was a mix of Naboo traditions, Tatooine folklore, and Stewjon customs. With the full moon shining down on them, they said a prayer to Tatooine's three moons, asking for blessings of harmony and love.
The ring exchange was a touching moment, symbolizing the strong bond between Padmé, Anakin, and Obi-Wan. The rings were unique, showing their unbreakable connection and commitment to each other.
When the ceremony ended, the night air filled with cheers and applause. The newlyweds were surrounded by the love and support of their families, friends, and the whole Naboo nation. It was a moment full of hope for the future.
Their wedding was proof that love can overcome any obstacle, shining as a beacon of hope in a galaxy often filled with darkness. Together, Padmé, Anakin, and Obi-Wan showed the power of love, unity, and the endless possibilities that come from following your heart.