01 | AOTC

THE BURIAL OF Shmi Skywalker was simple and elegant. Everyone said something about her, save for Pandora, who had sadly never met the woman. Anakin had recovered from his breakdown earlier, pushing forward, as if he was beginning in a new path. He pushed away all the tears that were brewing at the surface at the sight of her mother buried in the ground. It wouldn't do him any good to sit there and cry, especially when there was nothing for him to do about it. Pandora watched with a broken heart as he struggled to even find the words to focus, especially as he was whispering his goodbyes. There was a part of her that understood, especially since she mourned the parents that she never knew, while Anakin had gotten nine years with his mother.

She turned her head at R2D2's beeping, as Padmé questioned his presence and 3PO translated. Pandora had a small smile gracing her face as she started to understand what the droid was saying for the first time after being with him for so long. "It seems he is catching a message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hmm. Master Ani, does that name mean anything to you?"

"Great. He's probably in trouble again," Pandora grumbled, sharing a small look with Anakin. Obi-Wan seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble, especially when he was left along to his own devices. It was usually Anakin's job to save him, besides the couple times Pandora was with the Jedi Master.

Anakin only nodded his head, not even bothering to say goodbye to Lars family, walking towards the ship. Pandora nodded her head, while Padmé, who was always friendly, said goodbyes, both of them trailing after the Padawan. "Anakin, Pandora, my long-range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant. I have tracked the bounty hunter, Jango Fett, to the droid boundaries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take deliver of a droid army here, and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is being the assassination attempts in Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guilds and the Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming a—Wait. Wait." The transmission showed Obi-Wan breaking out his lightsaber and getting into a fight — a fight he lost.

"Anakin, Pandora. We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the senator at all costs. That is your first priority," Windu said, his eyes never leaving Pandora's.

"Understood, Master," Anakin and Pandora said, her head dipping in a small nod as she understood what he had meant. Windu had always placed those he served or protected above his own life force. So when Pandora heard him say at all costs, she knew that she would put her life on the line for Padmé, even Anakin, if it came down to it. She hoped it didn't.

"They'll never get there in time to save him," Padmé said, worried at the thought of her friend dying and not doing anything to save him. "They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look. Geonosis is less than a parsec away."

"If he's still alive."
"Sandboy, the man is a cockroach. He'll die on his terms, and his terms only."

"Anakin, are you just gonna sit here and let him die?" Padmé asked, worried at the answer. "She's your friend, your mentor. He's—"

"He's like my father!" Anakin replied, having enough time to thoroughly process what was happening. Between his mother and now his Master, it had been a hell of two days. "But you heard Master Windu. He gave us strict orders to stay here!"

"He gave you strict orders to protect me."
"Oh, Padmé, how I love you."

"And I'm going to help Obi-Wan," Padmé said, sending a quick to Pandora. "If you plan to protect me, you'll just have to come along. Pandora, I love you too."Padmé starts the engine of the ship, causing Pandora to let out a whoop, sitting in the pilots seat, helping her. Anakin let out a smirk, poking Pandora so that she would move, though when she didn't, he picked her up and placed her in the back. Pandora stuck her tongue out at the boy, annoyed that he wouldn't let her drive. 3PO was getting worried, so she leaned over, calming the droid, which led to a lengthy conversation, making the flight fly by.

( ...☄️... )

THEY HAD FINALLY made it, cruising through the barren landscape, which made Pandora sigh. It wasn't as if it was a beautiful ride, it was boring truthfully. She had gotten bored, having played a game of guess what the droid was saying with R2. Essentially he would say something, she was try her best to guess and 3PO would tell her what he had said. She wasn't the best, but it was helping her understand what he was saying which was a win in her book. "See those columns straight ahead? They're exhaust vents of some type."

"That'll do," Anakin said as he headed down the vents, expertly moving the ship around to ensure they didn't destroy it.

"Look, whatever happens out there, follow my lead," Padmé said, which caused both Jedi to scoff.

"Nope. Sorry, Senator, but I'm the one in charge here," Pandora said, trying her hardest not to roll her eyes. Padmé clearly had a death wish the way she walked around. "This is my thing, it's Anakin's thing. You follow my lead unless we end up in some political bit, which then of course you can lead. Deal? Perfect," she said, heading off the ship, not even waiting for an answer.

Anakin strolled up behind her, Padmé lingered behind, a little upset that things hadn't gone her way. "Thanks for that," he said trying his hardest to not be upset that she was leading them. "She was gonna get herself killed going in like that and that would end up hurting me even more because she's like the older sister I never had."

"Of course, Sandboy. Someone has to make sure she doesn't get herself killed, because she runs all over you," Pandora said, patting him on the shoulder, a small smirk gracing her lips. Anakin had opened the door, only to be greeted with numerous amounts of Geonosians, all pointing their weapons at them. "Force."

The Geonosians escorted them throughout the facility, Pandora's nose screwing up at the smell of things burning, wishing she could escape from this hell hole. "I'm in charge now," Padmé said, her voice proud that she was going to be the one leading despite the objections. Pandora loved her, but at some points she wanted to strangle the girl, from her need to push herself into dangerous situations. They walked into a room that had a large table, where Count Dooku found himself at the center of it, a large throne like chair behind him. Pandora scratched her former statement at wanting to kill Padmé. She wanted to kill this man, this failure of a Jedi, a man who stood for nothing more than terror. "You're holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm formally requesting you hand him over to me now."

"We don't recognize the Republic here, Senator," Count Dooku said, clearly done with the situation that was in front of him. "But, if Naboo were to join our alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency." Well, Pandora had to give it to him, he had everything he needed in his brain to get what he wanted, whether it was them in the alliance or them dead.

"And if I don't join your rebellion?"
"The Republic cannot be fixed, My Lady. It is time to start over."

"I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guild, and the others, Count. I will not forsake all I've honored and worked for, and betray the Republic," Padmé said, her head held high, her eyes sparkling. This was what she was meant to do, fight for others, for her people. Padmé was always headstrong, leading others, and never letting herself get scared at things. Pandora had to give it to her, she looked over to Anakin, raising her eyebrow at the woman would surely be the reason they got killed. As long as both Jedi died before Padmé, Pandora saw no reason as to why they should argue.

"Without your cooperation, I've done all I can for you," Count Dooku said, causing one of the Geonosians to bring them away from the conference room, and into a trial room.

Pandora wanted to smack her head against the wall, annoyed with the fact that Obi-Wan had ultimately been the reason they had been brought here. According to the Geonosians, they were found guilty of espionage, which Padmé had something to say about. "You're commiting an act of war, Archduke. I hope you're prepared for the consequences." Of course he was prepared for war, the man built weapons constantly, giving him unlimited power in what he was bringing upon himself.

Having been brought to carts, Padmé being split up from them, Anakin and Pandora looked at each other, prepared for what is to come. "Don't be afraid," Anakin said, trying his hardest to move as close to Pandora as possible, hoping the confidence radiating from his body was enough for both of them.

"I'm not afraid, I'm pissed off," she said, fiddling with the cuffs, having been given a hairpin by Padmé, who figured they could be useful in the future. She winked at the girl, who smiled back, turning her attention back to the boy in front of her. "Well, I guess since the ultimate feeling of death that is looming over us, but you have always been a pain in the ass."

"Gee, thanks."
"Shut up, I'm tryna talk here."
"Sorry, go on then. Inflate the ego."

"I'm gonna hit you once my hands are free," she snapped, still wearing a smile on her face. "Back to what I was trying to say. Despite being a complete pain in the ass, I am so completely in love with you, Anakin Skywalker."

"You love me?"
"Well, that was a love declaration, wasn't it?"
"It was. Can't take it back now."

"I have no plans on ever taking it back," Pandora said, leaning in closer to Anakin. He leaned back in, placing his lips upon hers, both of them not even caring that Padmé was watching on with a silent smile. Their kiss was rushed and hurried, unlike the other one, it was filled with love and worry. Worried that they had only just found each other, only to be possibly ripped away by death. They were home.

— authors note

fun fact of the day! i am. my boyfriend actually sent this to me so I decided that it was going to be a good use dor this chapter. especially since my BABIES ARE IN LOVE. well i'm watching the amy winehouse move rn and it's actually breaking my heart, very much like the way these two will. still haven't decided how many acts im going to be doing or even if they plan on moving into the original trilogy, but i guess we will find out. but obi-wan is CONSTANTLY getting into trouble and this man attracts it, cant tell me otherwise.