Chapter Text
Hours after Anakin's triumph on Earth, Padmé faced the most defining moment on her career. The vote had finally started.
Senator Jor Aleck dominated the Senate hearing, bombarding Padmé's leadership with insults, stating how terribly she had managed the post-Clone Wars crisis, despite economic and social indicators rising. He underlined how "protecting" Earth exposed how crippled the Grand Army was under her leadership. Mon Mothma and Bail Organa refuted the claims, bringing hundreds of pages of evidence against Aleck's arguments, showing a montage of the most important, through the Senate's holo projector, for all the rotunda to watch. The young Senator, Arane Ryala, normally a nervous wreck, she pulled through. Her testimony of how Xandar benefited from Padmé's post-war policies, started to sway the Senate against Jor Aleck. She had delivered a great speech, earning her the first standing ovation of her career.
Jor Aleck didn't let it go unanswered, he moved to the middle of the Rotunda, preparing to attack the Chancellor once more, looking to ignite chaos in the hearing, the only way he knows to harness votes.
Just as the scummy senator was about to speak, Anakin out of nowhere, riding alongside Senator Organa:
-Honourable Senators. I bring forth, undeniable, and undisputable proof that the Empire that threatens this Republic is far more dangerous than we believed. -Anakin held a datapad in his hand. The Rotunda goes silent, some gasping in shock. - However, as of seven hours ago, our navy has successfully broken the Empire's warship, and liberated the planet of Earth, on the Mid-Rim. The same planet that sparked this vote of no confidence, is now free for the Imperial aggression, and willing to join our Republic.
No one spoke after Anakin's declaration.
-Thanks to the valiant efforts of our clone troopers, admirals, officers and technicians, we have once again proven that our strength isn't diminished, quite the contrary, this proves that when we stand together. Mon Cala and Xandar proved invaluable, when they provided us with better ships and fighters. All of this because of the woman that stands in front of us. Senator Amidala. - Anakin raised his hand, proudly pointing to his wife, who almost swooned. - She brought us closer after the war. She made Separatist reintegrate the Republic with no conflicts. Our economy has never been stronger. Our communities thrive. And now, when we pool our resources and work to our common goals, we can surpass any obstacle, even those who seemed impossible at first. Please, hear my words, not the words of a Jedi Knight nor the ones of a husband, but the words of one of your General, if it weren't for chancellor Amidala's leadership, our Republic would not be strong enough to hold a vote of this magnitude and defeat an enemy fleet outgunning us and outnumbering us. Together we can, and the chancellor has showed us that it is possible.
The rotunda applauded the brave General, after his speech and announcement of their victory.
Jor Aleck sneered in anger:
-And who approved this mission? Any military action must be approved by this Senate. What you describe to us, General is treason.
-It would be. - Mon Mothma approached the two pods. - But Xandar and Mon Cala acted on their own accord. Their ships are not military assets. They simply did their duty as responsible citizens of this galaxy.
-But these records show Republic assets involved in the campaign.
-Of course they do. But if you looked closely, they are a marked as a "relief vessel". The Resolute was not acting as a military vessel, but as a humanitarian one. - Ryala joined the dispute, having mustered the courage to bring forward the devastating detail. - When this Senate approved Chancellor Amidala's new policies, they gave her the powers to dispatch relief vessels to system in need, especially those ravaged by war.
-THE CLONE WAR. Not this! - Aleck snapped.
-The documents clearly state a war. Not the "Clone Wars". Chancellor Amidala protected the interests of this Republic. She kept us safe from the Imperial threat. She showed our strength, our resolve., while respecting each and every law she swore to uphold. Chancellor, in the name of the system of Xandar, you have my vote. - the young senator declared.
-You think you are so smart, little miss. Just you wait. This chamber isn't for little idealists. You have no idea what you are doing here. I will end your career. - Jor Aleck threatened her.
-If my last act as Senator is upholding the responsibility my people trust me with, I can say I had a far richer one than you. - Ryala answered, leaving Aleck alone in the middle of the Rotunda, as votes began to be cast.
The result was a shocking landslide victory for Padmé. She beat the vote, and Jor Aleck's position in the Senate was left in a very shaky position, as he began to lose support, even inside the opposition he led. After all was said and done, there was only one last thing Padmé had to do.
She and Anakin returned to Earth, not as heroes this time, but as leaders of the bigger galaxy Earth was propelled to. She spent time visiting Paris, the areas that were devastated. She talked to soldiers, firefighters, clean-up crews, civilians. She took a stroll down the streets, after Ladybug's cure sweep over them. She showed support to the little blue planet. The Empire showed them they weren't alone, but Padmé showed them they had friends.
For an entire week, the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic walked the streets of Paris, met with the newly elected President of France, the EU's parliament, the secretary-general of NATO, even the President of the United States waited for a meeting with her. On the final day of her "tour" she finally stood in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Hundreds of World Leaders sat in front of her, all of them eager to hear her speech, officialising the new treaty of cooperation, The "New Frontiers Resolution", where Padmé explicitly welcomed Earth into the Galactic Republic, not as a member in the Senate, due to the technological gap, but with all the benefits and security guarantees.
Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Arane Ryala and Anakin stood behind her, with Anakin almost bursting with pride.
-Esteemed leaders of Earth. My name is Padmé Amidala Naberrie Skywalker, but many of you know me as the Chancellor of the Galactic of the Republic. Before I start, I wish to speak to you, on a more personal note. I have been on this stage for my whole life. I started as the Queen of my planet, Naboo, when a terrible invasion threatened my people, I turned to the very Republic I lead now. I was faced with several setbacks, and troubles, and that's why I want to personally assure you, that no matter the situation or the cost, the Republic will always be there to support you. Your planet had no stake in the galaxy, but you fell victim to Emperor Palpatine's schemes. He mistook your planet for a small and insignificant one, easy to conquer, but thanks to your unmatched bravery and resilience, you have shown that you are not small nor insignificant. You never bent your knee, never yielded in the face of certain defeat. You endured and persisted until victory was yours. Many people in your newspapers and... social medias? I apologize; I am not so familiar with these terms. - Padmé's small hesitation brought out some laughter in the room, breaking the quiet ambience for a few moments. - I suppose we have a lot to learn from you. They labelled my appearance here today as a new chapter in history, one that I am proud to start with you. Let our collective memory remember this day, as the day Earth no longer stood alone, and found itself surrounded by allies. The path to the future is reached when we all stand together, united as one. Your star once burned alone, but as of today, all our stars burn as one. I salute you all! Welcome to the Republic. Welcome to galaxy.
The Assembly cheered, applauding the chancellor, while she proudly displayed the signed treaty, framed in a classy wood frame.
The Assembly Hall emptied out, Rex step towards Padmé and her entourage. Tony Stark and Ahsoka followed him, since Padmé asked them to be her security team.
-Ma'am the shuttle is ready. We only need you now.
-Of course. Thank you, Rex, I will be there shortly. - She turned towards Stark and Ahsoka. - It's been a while since I saw you two. How are you doing.
-Better, now that my city isn't under siege. - Ahsoka joked. - Thanks for coming.
-Of course I would. - She looked at Tony. - What Stark did for us in the Clone Wars couldn't be forgotten, nor repaid. This was our way of saying thank you.
-And you couldn't have done it better. Does this treaty mean we can now travel freely through your planets? Are you planning on building a space port here? - Stark started to ask his questions.
-Well - Padmé laughed. - You might want to talk here to Mon Mothma. I usually have her take care of those projects.
-And who do you get to write your speeches? That one was amazing, - Ahsoka asked, joining the joke.
-I am glad you enjoyed Ahsoka. But you have to praise senator Ryala for the speech. - Padmé stepped aside, gesturing towards a shy girl with brown hair and deep black eyes.
Ahsoka and her locked eyes, both incapable of muttering a word, remaining intoxicated by the other.
-Ma'am, we need to go. - Rex spoke, jolting the two girls back to reality.
-I am sorry, dears, but we must be going. This whole Empire ordeal has raised some... delicate matters. But hey, whenever you want to visit us, call Rex or Anakin. We could really use a babysitter for Luke and Leia, once in a while.
-I'll think about it, Chancellor. - Stark said his goodbyes. - Thanks for everything.
The senators smiled and waved, as they walked down the Assembly Hall. Ryala looked back, stealing a fleeting glance of the Jedi. Ahsoka met her gaze, watching her leave the room.
When she looked at her side, Stark was looking at her, with a mischievous grin.
-Don't start. - she declared.
-I wasn't to. - he spoke, still grinning.
-You were.
-What was I going to start. Are you implying something? - his grin stretched.
-What?... No. I was... Let's go. - Ahsoka blurted out, frustrated by how easily she fell for Tony's trick.
She stormed off the back doors, while Stark speed dialled Alya.
The war was over, and for the first time in a week, they could just breathe again. That is, until Monarch returns, crawling out of his deep, dark hole, to continue his relentless pursuit of the Miraculous.
But, just for this moment, that is a problem for tomorrow. They can now enjoy a nice bowl of shawarma, once they return to Paris.