The palace's defensive perimeter expanded outward once again as Republic reinforcements transformed the tactical situation completely. High above Naboo's war-torn surface, two LAAT gunships broke through the remaining Separatist fighter screen with surgical precision, their pilots demonstrating the kind of skill that had made them legends throughout the galaxy.
The gunships swooped low over the palace courtyard, their bay doors opening to deploy two massive AT-TE walkers via repulsor-assisted drops. The six-legged assault vehicles touched down with ground-shaking thuds, their heavy cannons immediately beginning to provide covering fire for the ground forces. The LAAT gunships then pulled up sharply, returning to their formations to coordinate the broader relief effort.
"Jedi!" The cry went up from dozens of clone trooper voices, their excitement and relief evident even through their helmet communicators.
Leading the charge toward the palace gates was a sight that brought hope to every Republic soldier on the battlefield: Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, his lightsaber cutting through blaster fire with elegant precision; Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, his blue blade weaving patterns of destruction through the droid ranks; and his spirited Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, her twin lightsabers spinning in defensive flourishes that seemed almost like a deadly dance.
Close behind the three Jedi came their trusted clone commanders—Captain Rex and Commander Cody—leading their respective units in a coordinated assault that pushed the Separatist forces back on all fronts. Rex spotted a super battle droid drawing a bead on Anakin's exposed flank and eliminated the threat with a perfectly placed shot from his DC-17 blaster pistols.
"The palace is just ahead, Master," Ahsoka called out to Anakin, her voice carrying over the sounds of battle. Anakin's expression remained focused and determined as he led his forces forward, but beneath his Jedi composure, his heart was racing with worry for Padmé's safety.
As the group drew closer to the palace's outer defenses, they began to slow their advance, their attention caught by the scale of destruction surrounding the royal complex. But what truly stopped them in their tracks was the massive crater that had been carved into the ground between the droid forces and the palace walls.
"By the Force," one of the clone commanders muttered in amazement. "What kind of weapon could have created such devastation?"
"Anakin!"
Skywalker's head snapped up at the sound of his name, and despite himself, a broad smile spread across his face as he saw Padmé moving quickly toward him. Every instinct screamed at him to rush forward and take her in his arms, but the presence of his fellow Jedi forced him to maintain the careful facade they had constructed. The Jedi Order's prohibition against attachment meant that their secret marriage remained one of the most closely guarded secrets in the galaxy.
"Padmé," he said, his voice carrying all the relief and joy he couldn't express physically, "I'm so grateful to see that you're safe."
"I was about to say the same thing to you," Padmé replied, her own smile reflecting the same mixture of love and enforced restraint.
She turned to acknowledge Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, her expression shifting to one of genuine gratitude. "You have no idea how important your arrival is to all of us. You've saved not just my life, but my entire homeworld."
"Senator!"
Padmé turned to see Steve Rogers approaching at a run, his distinctive shield gleaming in the morning light. The assembled Jedi and clone troopers all focused their attention on this strangely dressed figure whose equipment and fighting style were unlike anything in their experience.
"Captain Rogers," Padmé acknowledged with a respectful nod before turning back to address the Republic forces. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Captain Steve Rogers. He and his companions have been instrumental in defending the people of Naboo. Without their help, I'm not sure any of us would have survived long enough for your arrival."
"Indeed?" Obi-Wan said, his curiosity evident as he studied Steve with the analytical gaze of someone accustomed to evaluating potential allies and threats. "Most impressive. Tell me, Captain Rogers, where exactly did you receive your training?"
Before Steve could respond, another voice called out from above: "Hey, Cap!"
Everyone looked up to see Sam Wilson descending from the sky, his mechanical wings folding back as he landed gracefully next to Steve. "Those LAAT gunships just tore through what was left of the droid army," he reported. "The Separatists are in full retreat across the entire front."
"That's excellent news," Steve replied, then addressed the assembled Jedi and clone forces. "Much as I'd like to take time for proper introductions, we still have a battle to finish."
"Agreed completely," Anakin and Obi-Wan said simultaneously, their shared tactical awareness evident.
What followed was perhaps one of the most unusual combined operations in galactic military history: three Avengers, a Galactic Senator, three Jedi Knights, and an entire clone trooper battalion working together to eliminate the remaining Separatist forces in the area.
"I have to ask," young Ahsoka said with characteristic curiosity, "what exactly caused that enormous crater over there?"
"Oh, that?" Sam replied casually, as if massive explosions were an everyday occurrence. "You can thank Ant-Man for that particular bit of creative destruction."
"Ant... Man?" Ahsoka repeated, clearly puzzled by the strange designation.
"Over there," Sam said, pointing toward where Scott Lang was calmly approaching another squad of battle droids.
Ahsoka followed his gesture and watched in fascination as the oddly dressed figure suddenly vanished from sight, apparently shrinking down to microscopic size. What happened next left her speechless with amazement.
Scott reappeared at full size directly in the center of the droid formation, his sudden materialization causing immediate confusion among the mechanical soldiers. Before they could react, he had shrunk again, this time grabbing onto one of the super battle droids as he reduced in size. The impossible physics of his abilities meant that despite being ant-sized, he retained enough proportional strength to tear the droid's arm completely off.
Using the severed limb as an improvised weapon, Scott proceeded to systematically destroy the remaining droids in the squad before vanishing once again into the microscopic realm.
Ahsoka, along with Rex, Cody, and several other clone troopers, stared at the scene in complete bewilderment, their tactical training providing no framework for understanding what they had just witnessed.
"Did I look like that when I first saw him in action?" Padmé asked Steve quietly.
Steve chuckled and shrugged. "Pretty much. Though you haven't seen the really impressive stuff yet. Wait until they witness what happens when he combines his abilities with explosives."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another Jedi Master. "Skywalker! Kenobi!" came a familiar female voice.
They turned to see Aayla Secura approaching through the defeated droid forces, accompanied by Commander Bly and elements of the 327th Star Corps. Her distinctive blue skin and elegant fighting style made her one of the most recognizable Jedi in the Order.
Steve also looked in the direction of the voice, and found himself momentarily struck by the graceful alien warrior's appearance. "That's... quite remarkable," he murmured to himself, though his words were barely audible over the sounds of the ongoing battle.
"Aayla, perfect timing as always," Anakin called out with genuine pleasure, his lightsaber deflecting a series of blaster bolts from the retreating droids.
"Apologies for the delay," Commander Bly reported to his Jedi General. "We had to take a more circuitous route due to Separatist blocking forces."
Aayla smiled with characteristic humor. "Bly just enjoys taking the scenic route through warzones."
The comment drew laughter from both Jedi and clone troopers, a brief moment of levity in the midst of battle.
With the Republic forces now united as a single coordinated fighting force, the remaining Separatist ground troops were quickly overwhelmed. Above them, the aerial battle had also turned decisively in the Republic's favor. ARC-170 starfighters, Z-95 Headhunters, and LAAT gunships dominated the skies over Theed, while several Venator-class Star Destroyers and Acclamator-class assault ships engaged the fleeing Separatist capital ships in orbit.
On the ground, the three Avengers worked seamlessly alongside their new Republic allies to eliminate the last pockets of droid resistance. Steve found himself fighting beside Aayla, Commander Bly, and Ahsoka in a coordinated assault against a heavily fortified position held by super battle droids.
"Last squad eliminated, General," Bly reported to Aayla as the final droid fell to concentrated blaster fire.
"Excellent work, Commander," Aayla replied, her voice carrying the satisfaction of a mission accomplished.
Suddenly, one of the clone spotters called out a warning: "Incoming artillery! Multiple rounds, danger close!"
Several droid-launched thermal detonators arced through the air toward their position, the explosive devices set to detonate on proximity rather than impact. Before anyone could react to the threat, Steve's shield flashed through the air in a perfect intercept trajectory, striking each grenade and sending them tumbling harmlessly to the ground before they could explode near the Republic forces.
The shield ricocheted back to Steve's waiting hand just as the detonators exploded at a safe distance, the shockwave strong enough to push him back several steps but causing no casualties among his allies.
"Incredible," Bly whispered, expressing what everyone was thinking.
Ahsoka and Aayla exchanged glances of amazement, their Force-enhanced perceptions having tracked the shield's impossible trajectory and the split-second timing required for such a maneuver.
"Thank you, Captain Rogers," Aayla said with genuine gratitude, her violet eyes reflecting both admiration and curiosity about this mysterious ally.
Steve looked at the elegant Twi'lek Jedi and nodded respectfully, though he couldn't entirely hide his own fascination with meeting someone from such a completely different species and culture.
As the last echoes of battle faded across Theed, the first rays of dawn began to paint the sky in brilliant shades of gold and crimson. Many of the combatants—both Republic and civilian—suddenly realized how long they had been fighting. What had begun as a desperate defense in the previous day's afternoon light had continued through the entire night.
Republic supply ships were already landing throughout the city, their cargo holds filled with food, medical supplies, and reconstruction materials. The systematic efficiency of the Republic's relief efforts was a testament to the experience they had gained during the Clone Wars, providing immediate assistance to worlds that had suffered under Separatist occupation.
As the sun rose over the ancient spires of Theed Palace, its light illuminated a scene of hard-won victory. For the second time in ten years, the planet Naboo had successfully repelled a full-scale invasion, proving once again that the spirit of freedom could not be crushed by any army of machines.