01 | AOTC

THE WORLD AROUND Pandora Barlowe continued to spin, even as she struggled to stay alive, especially in the coming years. But at the moment in the present, she was back to back with multiple Jedi and Padmé, fighting against the droid army the Separatists had built. Pandora's eyebrows knitted together as she watched all the droids pause their fighting, standing at attention as they lowered their weapons. They all paused, Jedi lowering their sabers, catching their breath as they continued to be confused as to why there was a pause. "Master Windu, you have fought gallantly, worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished," Dooku said, sounding as if he were bored with the whole ordeal that was in front of him. Pandora nodded her head at Master Plo Koon and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, as she had just recognized them in all of the dust that had finally settled. "Surrender and your lives will be spared."

"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku!" Windu shouted up at the man, annoyed that even such a thing would be suggested. Anakin had an understanding as to where Pandora got all of her sass, mostly because she managed to out-wit him and Obi-Wan constantly.

"Then, I'm sorry, old friend." All of the droids raised their weapons once again, causing Pandora and the rest of the Jedi to lift their sabers, ready to fight to the death.

Padmé shouted, pointing up, causing everyone around her to look up at the sky, never dropping their lightsabers. Multiple ships were coming in, loaded with what looked like soldiers, causing Pandora's head to tilt, the Republic didn't have soldiers. They all started shooting, covering the Jedi and destroying the droid army that was set on wiping out the remainder of the Jedi. "Oh, I love Master Yoda," Pandora said, swiping her saber around, switching them off between hands and rushing into the crowd, focusing on protecting the Senator and her family once again. She focused on protecting those who were rushing onto the ships, only getting herself out of harms way, when Anakin called out her name. She ran onto the ship, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan already on there, a few of the soldiers as well. "That was fun, but I never want to do that again."

Obi-Wan laughed, though he knew she would be on the front lines shortly. "I have a feeling this is the start of something that will be taking years to finish. But it is a nice thought."

Pandora let out a groan, annoyed that she was becoming more of a soldier than a protector, but with Mace Windu as a Master, she had assumed she was always a soldier. Just one that had been hidden, as if she was unready to be allowed into the world to fight the battles that hadn't occurred. As they made their way away from the arena, she stumbled as the ship rocked, dodging the blasters that were being fired their way. Anakin and Padmé grabbed onto the holders at the top of the hold, while Pandora and Obi-Wan held onto the sides, heads sticking out of the opening. "Aim right above the fuel cells!" Anakin yelled to the soldier piloting, who did as he was told and took out one of the towers.

"Good call, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan said, his voice filled with pride. Anakin smiled at his Master, knowing that the man who had basically raised him was extremely proud of the Jedi that stood before him. He tried his hardest not to allow himself to feel prouder than he should, looking over to Pandora who nodded her head in agreement. Many of the ships were dropping to the ground, where soldiers and Jedi were getting off, rushing into battle that was raging on. Pandora's ship continued to fight from the sky, her saber blocking blasters as they continued to dodge shots and missiles sent their way. They all watched as the droids started to retreat, while flying through dust, her hand coming up to protect her eyes, when Obi-Wan found Dooku. "Look over there!"

"It's Dooku. Shoot him down!"
"We're out of rockets, sir."
"Lovely."
"Follow him!"
"We're going to need some help!"
"I'm angry enough to last until then."
"There isn't time. We can handle him."

The two droid ships that were following Dooku were suddenly behind their ship, shooting at them with everything they had. The pilot continued to maneuver correctly as to avoid the blasts, but hit one of the sand hills, causing Padmé and one of the soldiers to go flying off the ship. Pandora's heart skipped a beat for her friend, turning her attention to where she laid in the sand. "Padmé!" she yelled, scared that her friend had died, only to see her twitch slightly. "Put the ship down!"

"Pandora. Don't let your friendship get in the way! Follow that speeder!" Obi-Wan ordered, the protests of Pandora following off her lips, as she knew her friend would want her to go and follow her orders. It was what was needed and it wasn't as if Padmé was alone, she had a protector with her, which only eased the mind of Pandora. They docked, the ship barely even coming to a halt as the three Jedi flung themselves out, sabers ignited and chasing after Dooku. She heard the ship they had arrived on explode, but she couldn't second guess it, only stopping when she noticed Dooku standing there, acting as nonchalant as ever.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Pandora started to spread out throughout the room, trying to minimize the directions Dooku could flee in. "You're gonna pay for all the Jedi that you killed today, Dooku," Anakin said, his gaze menacing as he thought back to all of the people he had lost today. Obi-Wan tried to come up with a plan of attack, but Anakin rushed straight into the fight, causing Pandora to falter slightly. That was not something she was going to get into, taking her time and planning on being the last man standing.

Her breath caught as she watched Anakin get struck with force lightening, her teeth barring slightly at the sight of Dooku's smirk. "As you see my Jedi powers are far beyond yours," Dooku said, ignoring the fact three sabers were pointing at him, walking in a circle. Pandora decided to join them, her sabers slightly raised, as she knew Obi-Wan would eventually need backup as Anakin was convulsing slightly in the corner. "Now...back down."

Dooku struck lightening in the direction Obi-Wan, who easily caught it with his saber, almost bored with the whole interaction. "I don't think so," Kenobi said, glancing to check on Anakin, nodding his head at Pandora, signaling that he had Dooku first.

She ignored the fight going on between the two men, rushing over to Anakin, checking on him first. He looked up at her with a slight smile as she shook her head at the boy. Pandora wondered when he would get over the rushing head first into things, if he ever did. Dooku and Obi-Wan were going at it, their moves seeming to match each other, never being able to outdo each other, until Dooku got the upper hand. He disarmed Kenobi, sticking his saber slightly into the man's thigh, causing Pandora to stand up. She swung her sabers around, still getting used to the feeling, about ready to strike when Anakin beat her to it. "Brave of you boy," Dooku said.

"He's not brave, he's stupid," Pandora said, bringing her saber up to strike Dooku, only to be met with his own, his mind having to deal with a duel with two people and three light sabers. Obi-Wan tossed Anakin his saber, which caused Pandora to get concerned. If there was one thing she knew, Anakin had never properly trained with two sabers. She nodded her head at Anakin, who could deal with the Count for a couple of minutes, while she checked on the Jedi Master, who was groaning slightly on the ground. "You good, Obi-Wan?"

"Yeah, seems Anakin isn't though," he said, causing Pandora's attention to snap back at the boy. Watching as he was immediately disarmed and back down to one saber, which caused her to look back at Kenobi, checking him one last time, before rushing to Anakin's side.

She chased after them, cutting down all the power lines Anakin had missed, plunging them into almost complete darkness. She watched for a minute as they continued to fight, stepping in and bringing her blue saber into the fight, counter stepping with Anakin and Dooku. Only faltering slightly when Dooku cut Anakin's arm off, a growl leaving her lips. "Alright, now you pissed me off," she growled.

They continued their fight, Dooku struggling slightly under the pressure of two sabers coming into his attack. Each move he managed to counter, only losing his footing slightly, annoyed that he was being bested by a nineteen year-old. Only stopping when the sound of Master Yoda entering the room, pushing Dooku back, her sabers still swinging as Yoda spoke. "Check on the others, you must. Not awake, young Skywalker is."

Pandora nodded her head, swinging one more time before closing her lighsabers and rushing towards Anakin. She checked on him first as he received the worst wound, only pausing slightly to check on the fight that was ensuing behind her, resuming to her task of checking on the fallen Jedi. "I got this," she yelled, using the force to push the pipes that were close to crushing all of them. She flung it across the room, catching eye contact with Obi-Wan, who was pleased with her ability to control the force. But, Yoda had stopped, his hands ready to help the three young Jedi, only helping with throwing it slightly, allowing Dooku to get away. She sighed, figuring that they wouldn't be seeing the last of Dooku, only perking up when the sounds of more footsteps came closer, signally the arrival of Padmé. Pandora stood up to help Anakin up, who had regained consciousness in the seconds she looked away. "You good, Sandboy?"

"Yeah, I'm good, I promise," he whispered, allowing himself to lean all of his weight on her. "I promise."

( ...☄️... )

RIGHT AFTER DECLARING war, Anakin and Pandora had escorted Padmé back to Naboo, as she needed time away from the senate for a little bit. She had insisted they visited the lake country for a day before everything went to hell, especially since both the Jedi would inevitably be sent off into war. Anakin had taken a while to get used to the metal that was now attached to him, his new arm. Pandora had constantly stated that he looked cool and very attractive with his new arm. He only smiled, hoping that her comments were enough to push him through the first rough couple weeks. Back in Naboo they were able to do exactly whatever they wanted to, being a couple that was in love with each other and no need to hide it. Anakin had been the one to drop the conversation of marriage into their nightly routine, Pandora stopping what she was doing immediately. It had gone as though she had thought he was crazy, but she couldn't dent the fact that he continued to make great points.

She had said yes, whispering it into his skin as she fell asleep, his mouth curving up into a smile, pressing kisses into her skin and confessing love. That had brought them to their final night on Naboo, her dressed in white and him in his dark Jedi robes, confessing their eternal love to each other as Padmé watched on. She had recently gifted Anakin R2, as he had given her 3PO, as there was never much of a need for a maintenance droid when it came to the simple tasks of being a Jedi. An astromech was needed though, and she had made him promise to share it with Pandora — her wedding gift to them. They had been bound by one of the priests on Naboo, the man sworn to secrecy as he stood there before them, reciting the marital vows that were needed. Sealing it with a kiss, before heading out the battle, proving their worth and becoming something for the greater good.

— authors note

WELL THATS IT. act one has been completed and has been fully brought forth for you guys. GUYS IDK WHAT THEY SAY AT A WEDDING ON NABOO. like what even is said during a marriage ceremony. IVE ONLY BEEN TO ONE AND THE GUY RUNNIJG IT WAS THE DAD. ain't no one could hear over his tears. anyway my babies are MARRIED. but be ready for barely any cute fluffy moments bc it is war time. so up next: (drum roll please) clone wars movie. so AHSOKA TIME BABY. so excited for my baby to be back after me finishing the clone war show.