Coruscant – Galactic Senate
The Senate chamber thundered with overlapping voices. Thousands of pod-like platforms hovered in midair, each filled with representatives of worlds, corporations, and powerful guilds. The clamor of bureaucracy filled the dome as Queen Padmé Amidala took her place at the center podium.
Her voice was calm, but her words struck deep.
"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!"
A hushed silence followed. Even the most seasoned senators leaned in.
At her side, Senator Palpatine of Naboo gave a slow nod, guiding her with soft-spoken confidence. "If I may suggest, Your Majesty, there is a strong possibility that the Chancellor's power has diminished. He may no longer be able to effectively lead."
Padmé turned back toward the assembly.
"I call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."
The pod rippled outward as murmurs turned into a wave of whispered agreements. One by one, other senators began to echo the motion—some out of frustration, others because Palpatine had whispered in their ears days earlier, planting the idea.
Even Valorum himself, stunned into silence, turned toward Palpatine's placid face and saw no sympathy.
Only cold, political betrayal.
Palpatine's Rise
The vote passed by overwhelming margin.
Within days, emergency elections were held. Of the few candidates floated—none carried the sympathy, charisma, or quiet backing of corporate power like Palpatine of Naboo.
His rhetoric was clear, reassuring, full of promise.
And thus, he was elected Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.
Palpatine smiled humbly before the press. His mask was perfect.
But behind it… Darth Sidious grinned.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Jedi Temple – The Test of Anakin
In the still halls of the Jedi Temple, Anakin Skywalker stood before the Jedi Council—his small frame dwarfed by the towering presence of Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and others.
They asked him questions. Tested his mind. Probed his emotions.
But when asked what he feared most…
"Losing my mom," Anakin answered honestly.
That was enough.
Master Windu's voice was cold. "He is too old. His future is clouded. He is dangerous."
Qui-Gon stood firm. "He is the Chosen One. You must see it."
Yoda's ears drooped. "Much fear in him, I sense. Fear leads to anger… anger leads to hate… hate leads to suffering…"
The verdict was clear: the Council refused to train Anakin.
But Qui-Gon was undeterred.
"I will train him myself."
"You already have a Padawan," Windu reminded him. "Obi-Wan."
"Obi-Wan is ready. He is capable. I take Anakin as my new apprentice."
The Council said nothing further.
But the rift was growing.
Return to Naboo – The Gathering Storm
With Palpatine now Chancellor, the Queen prepared to return to her homeworld to liberate Naboo. The Senate would not send troops. The Jedi would only observe.
But Padmé refused to wait for galactic permission.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan accompanied her. So did Anakin—now bound to destiny, but not yet trained.
The Gungan Alliance
Back on the surface of Naboo, the group traveled once again to the Gungan sacred place, where Queen Amidala knelt before Boss Nass, asking for forgiveness—and unity.
"I ask you to help us… no longer as two peoples, but as one."
Boss Nass, moved by the Queen's humility, lifted his heavy frame and shouted:
"Wesa no likin' da Naboo before, but yousa… you have da courage. Wesa gonna help you."
And thus, the Gungan Grand Army was mobilized.
The Battle for Naboo
The plan was clear:
The Gungan army would engage the Trade Federation's droid forces in the plains.
Padmé and her royal guard would infiltrate the palace to capture Nute Gunray.
Anakin would stay in the hangar—safe, or so they thought.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan would confront Darth Maul.
The Duel of the Fates
In the palace hangar, the doors opened—and from the shadows emerged Darth Maul, his face a storm of fury and silence.
A red lightsaber ignited.
Then split.
A double-bladed saber, each end hissing to life.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stepped forward, blades drawn.
What followed was one of the most intense duels in Jedi history.
They clashed through hangars, corridors, and into the massive generator complex. Maul was a storm of rage and precision. Qui-Gon was steady. Obi-Wan, quick and aggressive.
Meanwhile, Anakin accidentally launched a starfighter and found himself in the space battle above, guided by instinct and the Force. He destroyed the droid control ship from within, disabling the entire army below.
The tide turned.
But below, the duel reached its climax.
Qui-Gon was struck down—stabbed through the gut as Maul isolated him from Obi-Wan. He collapsed in agony, whispering with his last breath.
"He is the Chosen One… Train him…"
Fury ignited in Obi-Wan.
The young Jedi leapt from the pit, catching Qui-Gon's saber mid-air, and cut Maul in half with a single, precise strike.
The Sith fell.
But the wound to the Jedi would remain.
The Aftermath
Naboo was freed. The Federation leaders were arrested. Peace returned—for now.
Palpatine arrived as Chancellor, praised by all.
Obi-Wan was granted the title of Jedi Knight. With great reluctance, the Council allowed him to take Anakin as his apprentice.
The future was set.
But not yet secure.
And in the shadows of Overan…
Shepard Kael watched it all unfold.
"Maul failed," he muttered. "Palpatine rises… and the Jedi are fractured."
His fleet was nearly ready.
Phase Two Seraphs were training in full. His orbital shipyards hummed with life.
He had the data of the Sith. The science of the Rakata. The technology of a thousand worlds.
And soon, he would reveal his own answer to the Force.