Dooku flew his solar sailor all the way to Coruscant and landed somewhere secret. There, he met with his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, who hid himself under a dark cloak, his hood concealing his face.

"The Force is with us, Master Sidious." Dooku said.

"Welcome home, Lord Tyrannus," said Sidious. "You have done well."

"Because he had me by his side!" Morpha growled. "And I would've done more if my so-called husband hadn't let me get drenched."

"Lighten up, sister." Mariverde said. "That was actually amusing."

"Oh yeah?"

Morpha grabbed a cup of water and attempted to splash her sister, but hit Dooku instead.

"Huh?" Dooku suddenly felt confused, and he held his head like he was recovering from a hangover or something.

Quickly, Morpha summoned a bunch of moths and had them surround Dooku and carry him away, having the moths follow her to a new location, leaving Mariverde and Sidious alone.

"I have good news for you, my lord." Mariverde said. "The war has begun. However, there is bad news as well. We were unable to hold onto the princess, and it appears they have added new sources of power to their army."

"A minor setback. As long as the war has begun, everything is going as planned."

"Good, and while they have added new sources to theirs, I did think ahead. We shall have new sources of power very soon as well."

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"How did you even know to come help us?" Master Mundi asked one of the sorcerers.

"It was actually thanks to Princess Gabriella." Queen Reigna herself said, walking in. "The Equinary called for her to receive an equine, and that alerted me of the urgency, and I saw a need for backup. And here everyone came."

Before everyone left Geonosis, Padme eagerly awaited the arrival of her daughter's rescuer. According to Queen Reigna, one of her best guards was able to rescue Gabby and get her out of the line of fire, and keep her safe.

Carousella soon flew in with the little girl still on her back.

"Senator Amidala," bowed the alicorn guard. "I believe this little one belongs to you."

"Gabby!" Padme exclaimed, taking her daughter into her arms.

"Mommy!" Gabby hugged her mother tightly and kissed her cheek.

Suddenly, right after Gabby kissed her mother, the scars on her back just... vanished as though they were never there. Queen Reigna was shocked when she noticed this, and so was Padme. But, that wasn't the only time this would happen.

When Gabby saw Obi-Wan was injured, she ran over and kissed his cheek. And... just like Padme's scars, Obi-Wan's scars and pain vanished too! None of the Jedi could believe this.

"It appears Gabriella has also developed a new power," said one of the sorcerers still there. "Healing, by the look of it."

"So, any time she kisses someone who's injured, they'll instantly be healed?" asked Mace.

"It certainly appears that way. This power is not one of the most common, but not an extreme rarity either."

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Padme and Anakin looked at the bottled message that was around Carousella's neck. It reminded Anakin of the message that Sapphire had when they first met. He looked among the horses who'd come into battle, but he didn't see her. It saddened him that he couldn't see his old friend. But then, he asked Carousella if she knew Sapphire. But Carousella said no.

Gabby's parents looked at the note and confirmed Carousella was indeed sent for Gabby, and she was a professionally trained royal guard, the best in the business, as well as great with little children. That was just the kind of pony a little princess like Gabby needed, her parents figured.

"Can I keep her, Mommy? Please, please, please?" Gabby begged.

Padme was okay with Gabby having a guard, but Anakin was worried the Jedi may send Carousella away like they did with Sapphire. He was going to need to have a serious talk with Master Yoda about this.

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Everyone was at least happy to be able to head home once the battle was over, but they knew it was only the start of one war with many battles. As if the death toll weren't bad enough, Lady Morpha escaped from her holding cell, and the only clue anyone could find was that she was a dangerous woman, and that she was of a species called doresho gypsies, a sorcerer with wings like a moth and the ability to communicate and transmit magic through them.

The Jedi were very worried about everything that was happening.

___________________________

Obi-Wan stood with Mace Windu in the Council Chamber as they looked out and watched the sunset. There was one thing that lingered in the younger man's mind that he had to get off his chest.

"Do you believe what Count Dooku said about Sidious controlling the senate?" Obi-Wan asked Mace. "It doesn't feel right."

"Joined the dark side Dooku has." Yoda said. "Mmm. Lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now."

"Nevertheless," said Mace. "I feel we should keep a close eye on the senate."

"I agree."

"Where is your apprentice?" Mace asked.

"On his way to Naboo, escorting Senator Amidala home." Obi-Wan said. "I have to admit that without the clones, it might not have been a victory even with the enchanteds' help."

"Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Clone War has."

And so it has. Millions of clones made from the late Jango Fett marched into many ships, preparing for their next battle, none of them certain of what awaited them, nor if they would live to tell the tale or see the next day, much less the second half of the current day.

But, there was a happy end and beginning to this story.

___________________________

Once Anakin and Kara arrived on Naboo, the former got down on one knee before Padme and asked her the question that would change their lives forever.

Anakin took out a little ring that was carved out of wood, which he presented to Padme. After what happened on Geonosis, he wasn't going to waste any time.

"Padme, I don't know what the outcome of this war will be. But no matter what happens, I hope we will have the chance to join together as one. Therefore, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

At first, Padme was speechless. There was so much to consider, but knowing this may be her only chance, she decided to say, "Yes."

___________________________

And so, Padme and Anakin arrived at a beautiful lake gazebo on Naboo, the very spot, in fact, where they'd had their first kiss. Padme got dressed up in a lovely white dress, which Carousella, Kara, and Gabby helped to decorate with beautiful pink and white flowers to match her bouquet. Kara helped Padme adjust her veil and stood by as a maid of honor and witness.

Padme and Anakin stood in front of each other before a holy man who married the two, with Kara, Gabby, Carousella, R2-D2 and C-3PO as witnesses.

Anakin slid the wooden ring on Padme's finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," were the final words he said.

Anakin and Padme hugged each other dearly, and happily they each leaned in and shared their truly most passionate kiss ever. And this time, this kiss felt truly special, truly magical because this time, they were doing it as a married couple.

Kara tried to hide it, but she shed some tears as she witnessed how happy her brother and new sister-in-law were. Carousella sighed dreamily at how romantic this scene was.

Gabby ran over to her now officially married parents, Anakin carefully picking Gabby up in his arms. And here, they believed they couldn't be happier. Gabby's parents were officially married, their little girl was safe and home with her family, and no matter what, they would always be a family.

"I love you, Padme." Anakin said.

"I love you too, Ani." Padme said, leaning in to kiss her husband once more.

"I want a kiss too," whined Gabby, amid her parents' chuckling. So, they each kissed one of the girl's cheeks.

"Our vows weren't just for each other you know," said Anakin. "They were for you as well. You're part of this family too, and we are gonna continue to do our duty as your parents and make sure we keep you safe, even during this time of war. Hopefully though, you won't have to grow up in war time for long."

"I love you, Daddy. I love you, Mommy."

"We love you too, Baby." Padme smiled.

"More than you'll ever know." smiled Anakin, nuzzling his daughter.

Kara joined in the hug too, and Carousella rubbed up against the humans too. It appeared they were one big happy family now, even if they had to keep it a secret.

No matter what the outcome of this war, the Skywalker family's love for each other would always serve as their beacon of hope, and as long as hope remained, this war would end soon in a worthy victory.

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And that wraps up the 2nd installment of Forces of Magic. Please review.