A few moments later, the group found the sacred Gungan dwelling. It was a well-disguised clearing with broken ruins surrounding the area where indeed, the Gungans were hiding out. Several Gungan guards led the group toward Boss Nass, who was sitting on top of a broken statue head.

"Your honor," Captain Tarpals spoke up. "Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

The group approached Boss Nass, Jar Jar feeling a little nervous as he approached.

"Uh… hello, Boss Nass," he greeted.

"Jar Jar Binks…" Boss Nass noted, a disapproving look on his face. "Who are these… outsiders?"

"Your honor," Padme spoke, stepping forward. "I am Padme Amidala… Queen of the Naboo. I come before you to ask for your aid in reclaiming our home from the Separatist forces."

Boss Nass gave a dubious look in response, clearly not onboard with the idea.

"These machines are here because of you," Nass accused. "Why should we help clean up your mess?"

"Because what happens here has affected all of us. Whatever differences we've had in the past, they don't matter while our planet is under siege."

"We Gungans will survive. We always do."

"Uh, Boss Nass," Jar Jar spoke, trying to step forward, but was met with several spears pointed at him. "May I say something, please."

"You have nothing we want to hear, Jar Jar Binks. You side with those who would put themselves above us. That think us… savages."

"But that's it, they don't," Jar Jar insisted, getting Boss Nass' attention. "If they were really so high and mighty, we wouldn't be here."

"He's right," Padme continued. "We cannot win this fight without you. Your people and their warrior spirit is what we need to turn the tide in this conflict. And for that I ask you," Padme then proceeded to kneel in front of him. "No, I beg of you to help us.."

Seeing this, Obi-Wan knelt as well, prompting everyone else to do the same.

"We are your humble servants," Padme concluded. "Our fate is in your hands."

Boss Nass looked down at them with intrigue, unsure about what he had heard. Everyone else remained silent in trepidation, unsure as to what he would do next. To their surprise however, he started chuckling.

"So, you don't think yourselves better than the Gungans?" Boss Nass asked.

"No, your honor."

"You see, Boss Nass," Jar Jar addressed. "All they care about is protecting their people… just like us."

Boss Nass thought for a moment, before smiling in response.

"Yes… maybe we can be… friends."

The Gungans all cheered in response, gaining much adulation from the heroes. The alliance had been forged, and the Battle for Naboo was about to begin.

-X-

Inside the palace hanger, Darth Maul's ship entered the hanger as Dooku and the Nemoidians arrived to meet him. The ramp lowered as Maul disembarked. The Nemoidians were still nervous at the presence of the Sith Lord, but Dooku remained undaunted, keeping a neutral expression as Maul approached.

"Welcome back, Sith Lord," Dooku greeted as he approached.

"Count Dooku," Maul replied. "Have the young Queen and the Jedi arrived?"

"Y-yes," Gunray confirmed. "We have tracked their starship to the swamps, though as to why, we are unsure."

"I see… we will be patient for now. Let them make the first move."

"As you wish," Dooku replied, his contempt toward the Sith seething just below the surface.

-X-

On a grassy plain at the edge of the swamp, a Gungan guard was sitting on a statue head keeping watch over the area. As soon as he caught sight of something, he turned down toward Anakin, who was standing nearby.

"They're coming!" he called out.

"Right," Anakin replied, running toward the others. "They're here!"

Padme and the others looked up to see several speeders heading toward their location, containing Panaka and several palace guards.

"Good," Padme let out. "They made it."

"Any intel they have will be most beneficial to us," Plo Koon commented.

As the speeders pulled up, Boss Nass was speaking with Jar Jar off to the side.

"You did well, Jar Jar," he commended. "You helped bring us and the Naboo together against this common enemy."

"Oh, well…" Jar Jar replied nervously.

"And because of your efforts, we're gonna make you… General of the Bombad Army."

Jar Jar was shocked by the news. "General?! I…" Jar Jar paused for a moment before his face became serious. "Thank you, sir."

Boss Nass nodded before going to join the others. Obi-Wan then came over, a smile on his face.

"Congratulations, my friend," Obi-Wan told him.

"I still don't like to fight… but if I don't defend my home, who will?"

"Now you sound like a Jedi," Obi-Wan remarked before gesturing over to the others. "Come, Panaka and the others have arrived. I want to hear their report."

Jar Jar nodded as they went to rejoin the others.

"Captain," Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke as Jar Jar and Obi-Wan came up. "What have you to report?"

"The civilians have been taken out of the city and put into prison camps," Panaka relayed. "I've been in contact with Lieutenant Typho and he and several other guards have managed to organize an underground resistance. Some of his forces have come back with us, and they brought something."

The others turned to see two guards walking over, carrying the remnants of a destroyed Battle Droid. They set it on the ground near the group.

"They thought we could study it for potential weaknesses."

"R2," Padme requested, prompting the astromech to roll over and plug into the droid.

"I must be candid, Your Highness," Panaka continued. "The reports say the Separatist Army is much larger and stronger than we were first led to believe. I don't think this is a fight we can win."

"The battle is only a diversion," Padme reassured. "While the Gungans draw the Droid forces from the city, the rest of us will sneak into the palace through the underground passageways. Once we get inside, Captain Panaka will create a diversion while we will make our way to the Palace and capture Count Dooku and his allies," she then turned to Obi-Wan. "What do you think, Master Jedi?"

"It is a bold plan," Obi-Wan replied. "but not without risk. For both the Naboo and the Gungans."

"We're prepared to do our part," Boss Nass replied, with Jar Jar nodding in response.

At that moment, R2 beeped in response.

"R2 says he thinks he's found something that can be helpful," 3PO relayed, getting everyone's attention.

They all turned toward R2 as he displayed a holographic projection of several Battle Droids and the Trade Federation ships blockading the planet.

"He says that all the Separatist Battle Droids are controlled from the network of Control Ships that are currently blockading the planet. However, there is a control system setup within the palace that is sending signals to the control ships."

"Does it say where?" Panaka asked.

R2 beeped once again.

"The throne room, I believe," 3PO answered.

Anakin pondered for a moment before an idea came into his head. "Could we use that to shut down the Battle Droids?"

R2 beeped more, answering his request.

"It's possible," 3PO relayed. "but to issue a shutdown command for every Battle Droid on the planet would take a full system reboot. The only way would be to trigger that would be the destruction of the central control ship."

R2 then displayed the central Droid Control Ship in the midst of the fleet.

"Then that is what we must do," Padme declared. "During our assault we will free what pilots remain and have them fly up to the Central Control Ship while we go for the control station here. Once we deliver the shutdown command, our pilots will destroy the Control Ship, and disable the Separatists army, making capture of Dooku and his allies much easier."

"Let us worry about Dooku," Plo Koon reassured."Even without the droid army, he will be a powerful foe to face head on."

"Concentrate on capturing the Trade Federation representatives," Obi-Wan insisted. "Even if Dooku escapes, their capture will severely cripple his forces."

"Then that is what we must do," Padme declared.

Everyone then started to head out to complete their tasks. Anakin meanwhile ran over to catch up with Panaka and the Jedi.

"What about me?" Anakin asked. "What can I do?"

Panaka turned toward the Jedi.

"I would hesitate to put the boy in danger," Plo Koon admitted.

"There's no way I'm waiting on the ship while everyone else risks their lives. I wanna help."

"Have you ever faced battle before?" Panaka asked.

"No… but I can fly one of those ships."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan spoke up. "Combat flying is much more difficult than-"

"I know! But if this is as big as everyone says, it's going to take all of us."

"That may be," Ki-Adi-Mundi admitted. "But what we are facing means life or death for all involved. And if the Council's suspicions are true, we can't afford to lose you."

This irritated Anakin. "I can't just sit on the sidelines," he turned to Obi-Wan. "Please… let me help."

Obi-Wan paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He turned toward the two other Jedi, hoping to get their advice.

"The decision is yours, Obi-Wan," Plo Koon told him. "He is your responsibility."

Obi-Wan thought strongly as he turned back to Anakin. He knew he didn't want to put Anakin in danger, but also sensed the spirit inside Anakin, and knew he would find a way to get involved regardless of what he tried to do. Eventually, Obi-Wan let out a sigh.

"Alright. But only as support. And no unnecessary risks."

"I understand… and thank you."

Obi-Wan nodded as they all went off. Obi-Wan gazing off to the side, hoping he made the right choice.

-X-

Back in the palace, a command droid entered the throne room where Dooku, Maul, and the Nemoidians were.

"Sir," the command droid addressed. "A large army is massing near the swamplands."

"So, that is the young Amidalas game," Dooku mused. "She has allied herself with the primitives."

"They will be no match for us," Gunray reassured.

"Then tell your forces to proceed. Deal with this nuisance."

"As you command," Gunray replied, heading toward the nearby control station to issue the command.

At the same time, Maul closed his eyes, feeling the Force around him.

"I sense there is more to this attack. And…" his eyes flashed open. "The Jedi has returned… and he's brought allies."

"Then, I will leave their fate," Dooku spoke, rising from the throne. "To you."

Maul smiled maliciously. "Excellent."

-X-

At the edge of the swamp, all is peaceful and quiet. Then, slowly but surely, Gungun soldiers come emerging from the fog, riding on Kaadu and causing the creatures of the swamp to flee to get out of the way. Eventually, the entire Bombad Army had risen out. They all marched their way toward a massive grassy field where they expected to engage the Droid Army. Each warrior was armed to the teeth, ready for the fight ahead. They had also brought catapults and energy spheres for the attack, as well as large lizard-like creatures called Kaadu, which were carrying energy generators on their backs. At the front of the army were Captain Tarpals and Jar Jar, the latter of which was nervous about the coming conflict, but stood firm regardless. He turned to Captain Tarpals and nodded, giving him the cue to turn to the others.

"Energize the shield!" he called out

At that request, the Gungans on the Kaadu hit switches on their saddles, causing energy to pulse through the generators and shoot at the emitters on the Kaadu behind them. This causes an energy beam to shoot into the air that activated a large energy shield that encompassed the entire Gungan army. Just as the shield was completed, several Separatist tanks and transports came rolling over the hill. The Gungans all braced themselves as the tanks rolled into position. Inside one of the lead tanks, the droid commander looked through its macro-binoculars to get a good look at the forces they were up against before turning to the tanks.

"Open fire!"

The tanks obliged, blasting at the shield but doing no visible damage to it.

-X-

Inside the palace, Padme, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Plo-Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and R2 got into position near the hanger as Padme flashed a small light toward the other side of the courtyard. Panaka, standing by with several other guards, flashed a similar light, giving the signal. At the same time, Obi-Wan turned toward Anakin.

"Remember, stay close to me until we get to the hanger," he instructed.

"I got it," Anakin reassured.

As they spoke, one of the royal speeders moved into position, aiming its cannon at one of the tanks. Before it could fire though, 3PO suddenly rounded the corner.

"Hello!" he let out, getting everyone's attention. "Excuse me, might someone be of service?"

"Halt!" one of the droids demanded, causing 3PO to freeze. "State your business."

"Of course. I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations. I am designated to serve in Queen Amidala's court but I can't seem to find anyone."

"Queen Amidala is no longer in power. This entire system is under Separatist control."

"Separatist? Unbelievable. Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?!"

"You are not authorized to be here. Stand down or-"

"No, I will not!" 3PO insisted. "Now, I wish to speak to your-"

Just then, the speeder's cannon fired, destroying one of the tanks and alerting the droids.

"It's a trap! Open fire!"

The second blaster bolts started firing, 3PO ran for cover. Not the easiest thing to do since he wasn't built for speed. Obi-Wan, Plo Koon, and Ki-Adi-Mundi stepped forward, each activating their blue lightsabers as they deflected the oncoming blaster bolts to guard the others' break for the hanger doors. Plo Koon deflected each blast back at a Battle Droid with graceful precision, taking them down one after the other. He then used the Force to pick up a fallen droid and throw it at a group of them, knocking them down easily. Ki-Adi-Mundi held his lightsaber with one hand, deflecting blaster bolts before moving in close and slicing down Battle Droids swiftly and efficiently.

At the same time, R2 rolled over to the door while Padme, Panaka, and the guards laid down some cover fire.

-X-

From the Throne Room, Dooku and the others watched as the battle carried out.

"I thought the battle would take place far from here," Gunray voiced. "This is too close."

"Patience, my friend," Dooku reassured. "We were prepared for something like this. Have your forces corner and capture them. I am certain the new Queens public execution will silence even the most elusive thoughts of future rebellion."

"Yes… that can work. But what about the Jedi?"

"That is why our friend is here," Dooku replied, turning to Maul. "Lord Maul, their fates are in your hands. Deal with them as you see fit."

"With pleasure," Maul replied, turning away to carry out his work.