𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 82: the streets filled again

[some weeks later.]

Celebrations poured through the streets, welcoming in the New Galactic Republic and the inauguration of its new elected Chancellor— Padmé Amidala. Clones happily marched through the bright streets of Coruscant in an organized fashion, grinning at any children wearing their own helmets they might have bought from one of the sellers carrying such accessories. Everyone you looked at had a smile on their face as they listened to the music and cheered of a planet—a galaxy— truly free.

Palpatine had been officially convicted with crimes against the Republic, using further evidence from all across the galaxy. Though he kept things well hidden, the Jedi 'detectives' were determined, and their searches proved fruitful. The clones were officially renamed the Grand Army of the Republic and procedures were swiftly done on all of them to remove the control chips on Kamino, undoing their conditioning. People across the galaxy were informed of the true mind behind the war and the man running both sides of it, as well as clearing up the lies that had been told about the Jedi.

Today's celebrations served not only as a welcoming of the New Galactic Republic, its chancellor and constitution, but also as a celebration of the true end of the Clone Wars, and a memorial for all the Jedi who were unjustly killed in the execution of Order 66. The clones, however, were forgiven for what they had done, and were promised to be well taken care of in this time of peace across the galaxy.

The Jedi were slowly rebuilding. Repairs on the Temple were finished, but the large building would serve as a museum of the Clone Wars and a memorial to the lost Jedi. Obi-Wan's proposed Jedi headquarters were housed on Ahch-To, a planet far into the unknown regions of the Outer Rim. He planned to build a much smaller central building where Jedi could come to train and congregate. However, they would not be required to stay there, and the building would instead serve as a meeting place and training area, holding treasured Jedi Artifacts and keeping the Jedi Order separate from the government. The planet was secluded and peaceful, and though it was beautiful, it wouldn't attract many visitors because of its distance from most civilizations in the galaxy.

Akya, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan had all been invited to take part in the parade by the new chancellor herself, but had declined simply because they all preferred to watch. Clone Force 99, on the other hand, had accepted her offer, and along with Captain Rex, rode on a float that led the Grand Army of the Republic through the streets of the city.

The Jedi Temple Memorial and Museum had opened the previous day, and many people came to pay their respects and see the lightsabers and robes of the fallen Jedi, along with all the training rooms, and any artifacts from the war that they had housed there.   On the same day, Akya was given her knighting ceremony, which attendees to the museum were invited to watch as a representation of Jedi traditions.  Afterwards, they did a lightsaber demonstration and allowed any children to have a go with wooden sabers, taking a lesson in various practice forms from Akya.

Akya had always liked parades. Not that she'd been to many— she supposed she just enjoyed the idea of people coming together to celebrate something in a beautiful way. She had enjoyed the celebrations from the sidelines with her husband, still finding their staying close in public a little unfamiliar. Their lives had thoroughly improved throughout the weeks since Palpatine's death, finding the ripples from the event echoing everywhere they turned. People thanked them for what they did. They knew their names. They treated them with respect. Akya wondered what it might have been like if they had never known the truth.

"Look, look," Anakin called, tapping her shoulder.  She looked up to see Rex on a float with Clone Force 99, smiling at the two familiar Jedi.  After a second, he continued waving at the crowds.