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❝𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩! ❞

❝𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘑𝘢𝘳 𝘑𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴é. ❞

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»»-----------►Ｆｏｒｃｅ

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂'𝐒 apparently stabilized Senate could not be any more disarrayed when they had to speak to each other on floating, sleek platforms in absolute mid air over a large, dark chamber.

Don't believe that last sentence? It was very much true, assurance very much reliable.

Queen Amidala, Padmé Naberrie, Rabé and Eirtaé, Captain Panaka, and Senator Sheev Palpatine stood on the Naboo congressional box, which floated before the Chancellor's massive platform in the center of the room. The Chancellor himself stood to address his supporters.

Queen Amidala sat next to her sister on the plush seats provided in the congressional box, gripping onto the other's hands with a fierce intensity, never wanting to let go as Senator Palpatine stepped forward to address his planet's issue after Valorum announced, "The Chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo."

"To state our allegations," Palpatine started, looking ahead at the awaiting Chancellor, "I present Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of Naboo, who speaks on our behalf."

Queen Amidala, with the support of her cloaked sister, shakily stood up and made her way next to Palpatine at the front of the floating box. An applause sparked up among the Senate as the Queen stood tall and proud, not succumbing to fear.

This was it, the moment she had been preparing for ever since the invasion of her planet.

Facing out towards the thousands of representatives from numerous different systems and planets, in a booming, authoritative voice, Queen Amidala addressed, "Honorable representatives of the Republic, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade..."

"I object!" Came the shrill voice of the Senator for the Trade Federation, a similar gray alien to his commanding officer, Nute Gunray. The Senator's name was Lott Dod, and he quickly continued on with his previous objection by exclaiming, "There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth."

The Queen of Naboo's nostrils flared tightly as her blood red lips pulled back into a snarl.

How in Force could he lie straight to the Senate? And about something so serious?

"The point..." Chancellor Valorum interrupted, trying to get the situation under control before it got too out of hand.

Apparently that point was long gone.

The wispy Chancellor didn't get to finish his statement before his Vice Chairman, Mas Amedda, and a few other advisors leaned over to whisper mysterious things in his ear.

Palpatine also took his chance to manipulate the young queen of Naboo even further, coming in closer to whisper coldly into the little girl's ear, "Enter the bureaucrats, the true leaders of the Republic, and on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add, your Highness. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear."

The Queen surely didn't like Palpatine's cold, chilly breath on her ear, but she couldn't help but become less and less reliant on Chancellor Valorum's words of support.

Maybe new action is required.

"The point is conceded," Valorum dismissed as Queen Amidala felt herself becoming more and more angry with the Senate's dismissal of her planet's condition. "Will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"

The Queen of Naboo slowly felt her resolve to keep her anger at bay breaking, causing the Senator right next to her to smile at his despicable plan succeeding, just as he had hoped for.

"I will not defer." The Queen sternly rejected as she looked at everyone gathered around Chancellor Valorum. All the people who had refused to help her and her planet. Her people.

"I have come before you to resolve this attack on my sovereignty now," the Queen harshly imputed, her words holding such venom as she punctuated every syllable, her poisonous green irises glowing with raw anger as she glared at every single one of them, her mouth curling intimidatingly. "I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee."

The Queen took a deep breath before she continued boldly, "If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed... I move for a 'vote of no confidence'-" she paused to look directly at the shocked Chancellor Valorum, her green eyes digging into his powder blue ones-"in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."

Right after that statement - that little statement from Queen Amidala of Naboo - the whole of the Senate burst into loud yells and shouts, each one trying to overpower the others.

Some Senators shouted in support of this newfound vote, and others... did not.

Despite all of the commotion coming from all over the Senate Chamber, Palpatine still grinned with satisfaction, leaning over once more to the young queen, who was looking suddenly bashful and ashamed at her proposition, and whispered, "Now they will elect a new Chancellor, a strong Chancellor, one who will not let our tragedy continue..."

And although that sounded wonderful to the young ruler, she still couldn't shake the feeling of wrongdoing from her mind, especially when Palpatine reached over to tuck a loose piece of her chocolate hair behind her ear, reassuringly saying, "Don't worry, my dear. You made the right choice."

But the Queen of Naboo couldn't help but think of it as the wrong choice.

That Palpatine was the wrong choice, and all of this was just a disaster waiting to happen.

Goosebumps trailed up her arms as she stood there in the cold air of the Senate Chamber, her mind full with contradicting thoughts, as the rest of the Senate continued to bicker and argue, their droning voices never ceasing.

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»»-----------►Ｃｌａｒｉｓｓé

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓?

That question swirled around in my head ever since Naboo's meeting with the Senate, in which I had boldly decided to turn against Chancellor Valorum, one of our strongest allies, and I had absolutely no idea why I would do so.

That very same question led me to looking out at the fading Coruscantian sun from Palpatine's window in the Nubian Discussion Chamber, my thoughts crashing against each other like dangerous waves, and not like the calm ones on the beautiful crystal clear lakes on Naboo.

I caught sight of my reflection in the clear window, and I didn't necessarily like it.

Although my gown was beautiful, in which it looked like I belonged amongst the stars with the intricate patterns of constellations shimmering all over the sleek black background with my chocolate hair in a perfect crescent, my florescent eyes told a different story.

A story in which it felt like I had no choice in any of my decisions, and instead they were decided by government officials and greedy bureaucrats and Senators. I didn't have control of my political life at all, and that severely bothered me that my people were at an all time low, and I couldn't do anything to stop it from happening.

Nothing at all.

"Yousa tinken yousa people ganna die?" My Gungan friend right next to me innocently asked, clearly not noticing my sharp intake of breath and visible wince of emotional pain.

I tentatively opened my eyes as I responded, "I don't know."

"Gungans get pasted too, huh?" Jar Jar questioned again, his bulging eyes looking at me closely, as if he was assessing.

"I hope not," I honestly replied, never taking my eyes off of the Coruscantian horizon shining in the distance.

"Gungans no die'n without a fight... wesa warriors. Wesa gotta grand army. Dat why yousa no liken us, mesatinks."

I hardly listened to the underlaying argument that Jar Jar said with his chin raised proudly in the air. The only words that had stuck with me were only two.

Grand army.

And just like that, my mind began whirling with strategic thoughts of having the Gungans helping us if a war to suffice, which it surely would. My eyes widened in a moment of pure clarity and excitement for my new idea.

It could work, and Naboo would be partially protected.

"I don't dislike your people," I started, my mind continuing to have its eureka moment as I figured to attempt to partially mend Naboo's relationship with the Gungans through Jar Jar. In order for my new plan to work, I needed the Gungans to accept Naboo's apology of internal conflict between our two species. "I've never agreed with the conflict between our two species to begin with..."

But I was cut off as the door to the chamber bursted open as Captain Panaka and a very enthusiastic Senator Sheev Palpatine followed behind him, entering with a bounce in his step, and a crocodile grin on his elderly face.

Panaka quickly bowed (as did Palpatine) once he was in front of me, as we were in the presence of Naboo's Senator, and he professionally informed, "Your Highness? Your Highness, Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."

So that would explain Palpatine's peppy attitude.

I should of been happy with that news, as the Senator from my planet was potentially going to be Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, but somehow it felt like Palpatine was a horrible choice to lead us, the Senate, the Republic.

And I just couldn't fit my finger onto why that feeling lingered.

"A surprise, to be sure, but a welcomed one," Palpatine tried his best to be humble, even though I knew he was more than willing to brag about his accomplishments with the rest of the galaxy. Reading people was one of my many political talents. "Your Majesty, if I am elected, I promise to put an end to corruption."

Somehow, and somewhere, deep down in my heart, I knew his promise wasn't genuine, and it never would be, but for the time being, I had to trust him, and hope that he would do the right thing, even though I was fairly sure he wouldn't.

"Who else can be nominated?" I asked, curious as to who Palpatine would be up against, and it turns out, not very many.

Only three.

"Bail Antilles of Alderaan, Flynn Remingway of Prairia, and Ailee Teem of Malastare," Panaka recited as my head turned from the new information, knowing my two friends, Flynn Remingway and Bail Antilles were tough competitors, and Palpatine would have a difficult time at beating them, as both were extremely gifted in the art of politics.

I wouldn't tell Palpatine this, but I secretly hoped that either Bail or Flynn won the election.

"I feel confident," Palpatine boldly claimed, his chin lifted high into the air as he seemed to radiate gloating pride. I had the urge to roll my eyes as he continued, "our 'situation' will create a strong sympathy vote for us... I will be Chancellor."

I didn't need the Senate's pity though, and I didn't want their sympathy votes.

I just wanted a fair election.

I paced around Palpatine as I proclaimed, "I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there will be nothing left of our people, our way of life... such a thing would be terrible... and I couldn't live with myself if something happened like that to Naboo."

Palpatine clearly didn't like my response very much as he attempted to convince me otherwise.

"I understand your concern, your Majesty; unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet."

And right there, I had made up my mind about the current plan formulating in my mind.

I would go back to Naboo and attempt to convince the Gungans to help us by lending their army.

It was desperate, but I had to try.

For Naboo, and for my people.

"Senator," I started, looking at Palpatine as I walked towards him, willing him to understand, even though he most likely wouldn't, "this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine." I drew in a deep breath, getting ready to announce my decision to everyone in the room, including all of my handmaidens, but minus my sister, who was still checking in with Ric Olie at the loading dock.

"I've decided to go back to Naboo."

Eirtaé and Rabé audibly let out a startled gasp, while Panaka started to protest immediately, to which I reluctantly ignored him.

Palpatine's mouth just hung open in pure shock as he argued with wide grey eyes, "Go back! But, your Majesty, be realistic. They'll force you to sign the treaty!"

I didn't break down as I sternly countered, "I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people. Captain!"

At my last command, Panaka quickly scurried over, asking politely, "Your Highness?"

"Ready my ship!" I commanded once again, wanting to get to Naboo as soon as possible. This needed to work. For Naboo.

I was halfway out the door when I stopped as Palpatine, in one last resolve, pleaded, "Please, your Majesty, stay here... where it's safe." He obviously didn't care very much about my well-being, but two could play at that game.

I turned around, slowly and steadily, looked him straight in the eye, and with all the strength I could muster up in my clouded mind and beating heart, boldly proclaimed, "It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion to the Senate."

And with that, I left the stunned Palpatine in the room.

All by his lonesome.

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»»-----------►Ｆｏｒｃｅ

❝ 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐊𝐘𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 will be decided later, ❞ Yoda, arguably one of the most powerful Jedi, claimed as the green little alien looked at the mentioned young Skywalker standing right in front of him in the Jedi Council Chamber, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon standing behind the young blonde, the older of the two staying relatively closer than the teenager.

"Now is not the time for this," Mace Windu, a dark skinned Jedi Master next to Master Yoda imputed, shaking his head at the three males in the center of the temple as his dark eyes skimmed over the three of them quickly, almost as if he was reading their minds. "The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is returning to her home planet of Naboo, which will put pressure on the Federation, and could widen the confrontation."

Just the name Amidala made Anakin zone out and think about Clarissé Naberrie, and what she was doing at that moment, and how pretty she was.

He hadn't seen her in a while, and he was starting to get anxious about never seeing her again.

And that terrified him more than anything, for reasons he simply couldn't explain.

The Jedi council was wrong when they said the only thing Anakin feared was losing his mother.

There was one particular brunette girl they forgot to deduct from Anakin's Jedi testing.

"And draw out the Queen's attacker," Ki-Adi, an older man with a wispy, twisty beard and a peculiar head shape, mentioned to the rest of the council.

Mace Windu turned back to look at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as he ordered, "Go with the Queen of Naboo and discover the identity of the dark warrior. That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of the Sith."

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»»-----------►Ｃｌａｒｉｓｓé

𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒.

I was actually giving myself to the Trade Federation on a silver platter by going to Naboo.

Those very same thoughts tormented me on my way to my awaiting Nubian ship, my entourage of handmaidens, including my sister (who got extremely angry at me for wanting to willingly go to Naboo, but later understood and forced herself into going with me for my protection) coming with me, all of us packed into a tight little group, with me at the front and center.

I had changed outfits for the third time that day, by the insistence of Rabé and Eirtaé, who, although they wouldn't admit it, loved to dress me up in different patterns and fabrics.

A dark purple dress the color of a plum sat on my body this time, with a navy cloak sitting over it just in case I needed to disguise myself quickly, even though I was very recognizable, from my unforgettable eyes and intricate hair, to my unorthodox makeup and regal dresses.

A lavender headdress with long dark purple stripes in a parallel form to the other streaks sat on my head, covering my hair completely.

That was one recognizable feature checked off.

I clearly walked with a purpose until I saw Qui-Gon standing tentatively by the edge of the loading ramp, as if he was waiting for everyone to get on board.

I walked up to him, about to board my ship, as he bowed towards me and solidified his loyalty to me by promising, "Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." He bowed once again deeply toward me, and I felt the sudden urge to tell him to stand up, that it wasn't necessary for all the bowing. He was just as important as me, maybe even more so.

Instead of telling him that, I simply said, "I welcome your help." And for some reason, I also told him, "Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me."

That statement didn't nearly scare me as bad as Palpatine himself did, so I didn't dwell on his own personal opinion for very long.

Qui-Gon's melting silver eyes hardened as he promised, "I assure you, I will not let that happen."

I nodded once, showing him that I understood his promising words, and led my group of handmaidens into the Naboo cruiser.

I was leading myself into a possible trap, and I was going into it completely blind.

If we failed, Naboo would lose everything, but especially its freedom.

And I wouldn't, couldn't let that happen.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, Anakin Skywalker stood outside of the cruiser, trying to find me as a handmaiden, worried that the cruiser would take off without me, unknowing that I was inside being shuffled around by numerous officials to where I needed to be for the start of our flight.

As simply Clarissé Naberrie, the brilliant, curious little brunette.

And not Queen Amidala of Naboo, the strategic, sharp minded ruler of a great, independent planet.

Oh, how I yearned to be the former.

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A/N: Hey guys! And here we go! Another chapter for all you lovely readers. This one was pretty fun to write, mainly because of Queen Amidala's amazing outfits. They're always so much fun to write about. Okay, but real talk, we're almost done with Episode 1, and as excited as I am for it, I can't help but become a little sad because Clarissé will no longer be the cutesy little girl I know and love. She's gonna be older and a total badass nineteen year old. And I'm so pumped for it, but I also can't help but feel depressed because we're leaving little Clarie behind. Tell me what you guys think.

Fun Fact: Clarissé's original name might have been Luna, but I overall didn't really think it suited her, and felt too unoriginal, so I chose Clarissé, which was the name on my back burner for quite some time now.

Anyways, I love ya great people! And a happy Easter to you guys who celebrate it! And also, testing's almost done for me (one more week!) so more content should be coming out around that time.

Goodbye now!

Word Count: 3293 words