Forces of Infinity

The ambush against General Grievous laid out by Captain America, Master Kit Fisto, and Nahdar Vebb would change the Galaxy forever. But no one could ever have anticipated what it would lead to. And being in his home, learning his past and how he became a monster…it would change how Steve Rogers would see himself.

Meanwhile, Natasha Romanov would continue doing what she did best. Learn about her enemy.

-An excerpt from The Fight For Justice, by Luke Skywalker

Grievous jumped out of hyperspace and arrived at the planet he resided on.

There was beeping from his controls and he pressed a button, causing the hologram of Count Dooku to rise up.

“Yes, my lord?”

“General, the ongoing string of losses we have endured since the Malevolence has become unacceptable. Three of our planets have been taken and seven fleets destroyed in two days alone. Now Nute Gunray has been captured. There is concern that you have lost your focus. Lord Sidious demands more dramatic results in our favor. More dead Jedi and Avengers.”

“You expect victory over Jedi and these Avengers, but all you give me to fight them is battle droids!” he screamed. The General slammed his robotic fist against the off switch and ended the transmission.

He piloted the fighter down to the planet below and arrived before a large door in a cliff. He flew inside and landed.

The Cyborg walked through the halls of his home to find something strange.

Silence.

“Guards? Gor? Gor, where are you?”

All eight of his MagnaGuards emerged from the darkness.

“There you are. Continue your patrol. I will be in my quarters.”

Suddenly, they activated their staffs, the electricity coursing through them.

“Huh?”

They spun them around and charged at the General.

Grievous responded by pulling out two lightsabers and blocking their attacks.

“What is going on?! Answer me!”

They said nothing and continued to strike at him relentlessly.

He growled and grabbed one of them with his foot. He squeezed, stabbing into it, and destroyed the droid. He then hurled it towards two of the others. The impact caused them to deactivate.

Three more tried to attack him, but he swung his blades and cut them in half at their cores.

The last two managed to jab the kaleesh on both sides, sending electric shocks through his body.

Grievous growled in pain before promptly slicing them both vertically.

He roared as he harshly kicked their bodies and continued down the hall.

A consular class ship flew from the nearby planet of Rodia and into space. Onboard were Master Luminara Unduli, Padawan Ahsoka Tano, and Natasha Romanov.

“Captain, have you made contact with the cruiser?” the Jedi asked.

“Yes, General. We’ll patch you through now.”

The screen turned on to show Senate commandos.

“Jedi cruiser Tranquility, this is General Luminara Unduli requesting permission to land.”

“You are cleared, general. We await your prisoner’s arrival,” the Captain said.

“Thank you, Captain Argyus. I look forward to delivering him to you.”

Natasha watched as the Viceroy spoke to Commander Gree.

“I am a man of great wealth, and I can be very generous to my allies,” he offered.

“That is a very tempting offer, Viceroy,” he responded sarcastically. “In the meantime, I have a gift for you.”

He pulled out a pair of handcuffs.

The Black Widow snorted.

Their vessel approached the cruiser up ahead.

“Finally. It has been such a boring trip,” Ahsoka said.

Soon enough they were walking through the Venator’s halls, with a very annoyed prisoner.

“This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice! I demand my litigator!”

“Keep moving,” Gree said as he hit him with the end of his blaster.”

Five Senate commandos stopped right in front of them.

“Greetings, General. Avenger. We have the brig all ready for this traitor,” Argyus said.

“Very good, Captain,” the Jedi nodded. “Commander Gree, let’s get underway.”

“Right away, sir. Let’s move!” he shouted into the Neimoidian’s ear.

Ahsoka gave the new guards a perplexed look.

“Senate Commandos? How does a money-grubbing worm like Gunray rate all this security? He doesn’t look that dangerous.”

“You’re right, kid. But his allies are. They’re likely gonna try to spring him, so we need to be ready,” Nat said

Dooku bowed before the hologram of his master.

“Gunray’s capture could be a serious threat to us, my friend. The Viceroy will not last long under Jedi interrogation.”

“I have already put a plan into action, my lord. I have recruited a turncoat to help us in this situation. They will either free Gunray or silence him.”

“You are putting a great deal of faith in a traitor who could very easily fail,” he pointed out.

“I’m afraid our resources are limited at this time. The Republic’s current assault is proving difficult even with our numbers. They seem to know where all of our forces are. And with Ventress in custody, I cannot send her on this mission. And Grievous has returned to his estate and refuses to answer my calls.”

The Dark Lord of the Sith growled.

“Is this truly what those Avengers have reduced us to?” He paused for a moment. “We shall recover from this. We must exercise patience. Just as our predecessors in the Rule of Two, going all the way back to Darth Bane.”

The Sith Apprentice nodded but frowned, which did not go unnoticed by Sidious.

“Is there something on your mind, Apprentice?”

“Why have you pushed for the Imperial Star Destroyers this early? I thought we were to purposefully misuse them, and keep the conflict in a never ending struggle?”

The Master paused.

“The Avengers’ arrival and continued aid to the Republic has shifted the scales in the Force. I’m certain you have felt it. It continues to side with us, but they have clearly had a stimulating effect for the Light. In order to counter this, we must transform the Republic further into the Empire at a faster rate. Hence the Star Destroyers. Their very presence and usage will be an act of darkness.”

It did not surprise the Count that there was a shift in the Force. He had indeed felt it. What did surprise him was that it was enough to elicit this reaction from Sidious.

If the Avengers posed this must of a threat to his master, then it was imperative that he recruit them.

And that Maximoff’s sister has just been found.

A woman who bears strong resemblance to Force Sensitivity.

Her brother had had an effect on him during their conversation. They were of a similar mindset, and it was implied that she was as well.

Call it a gut feeling. Call it a sign from the Force. But somehow he knew that Wanda Maximoff would play an essential part in his future.

I will kill that droid! was Grievous’ thought as he climbed out of the trap door in his estate’s halls. Sparks flew and a loud screech was heard as he clawed at the floor.

The only one who had access to the security systems was his droid doctor. And the General immediately blamed him.

He pulled himself up and let out a loud roar. The Kaleesh marched down the hall but at a much slower pace, keeping up his guard.

A clang was heard and Grievous sharply turned in that direction and placed a robotic hand to a lightsaber on his waist.

“Gor?”

No response.

Suddenly, the lights went out, encompassing the halls in total darkness.

He pulled out two sabers and ignited them, green and blue light surrounding the cyborg.

Something suddenly slammed into him from behind, knocking the General face flat against the floor.

The object bounced across the walls and was caught by a figure in the darkness.

Grievous stood up and narrowed his eyes, recognizing who this was.

“You should never have come to my home alone, Rogers!” he growled.

Captain America stepped into the light and smirked.

“Who said I was alone?”

Two clones emerged from behind the Avenger, blasters raised and ready. The Cyborg turned at the sound of lightsabers igniting and saw two Jedi. One was a Mon Calamari and the other was Jedi Master Kit Fisto.

“Welcome home, General,” the Nautolan began with his trademark smile. “I’m afraid I must request your surrender.”

“How goes the interrogation? Has the Viceroy cracked?” the Senate Captain inquired.

“Not yet,” Gree answered. “Neimoidians are a slippery lot, but the Jedi and Avenger will wear him down.”

The three interrogators stared down the Separatist in his cell.

“Your thoughts betray you, Viceroy. I can sense your concern, the fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the War has given you,” Luminara observed.

“I have…no idea what you’re talking about,” he lied unsteadily.

Ahsoka crossed her arms in annoyance.

“You hide a great many things. The names of your secret allies, the locations of their bases.”

“I am an innocent pawn in all of this!”

“Well, he’s telling the truth there,” Romanov said. “Not the innocent, but definitely the pawn part.” She leaned against the table. “So why don’t you go ahead and just tell us what you know about who you’re trying to protect?”

“I’m not protecting anyone! I know…I know nothing.”

The Padawan slammed her hand against the table.

“Liar! Liar! I’m tired of all this whining!” She ignited her lightsaber and brought it to his neck. “Tell us what we want to know right now or I will gut you like a Rokarian dirt fish!”

The Viceroy screamed in terror and fell to the floor.

The Russian grabbed Ahsoka by the shoulder and pulled her aside.

“Padawan, terror is not a weapon the Jedi use!” Unduli chided in a whisper.

“I wasn’t serious,” she defended.

“I know,” Natasha said. “But that was too much. How about you two hang back? This was something I specialized in, back on Earth. Besides, I can show you how to do this and make it their idea.”

The Jedi Master contemplated this before the ship shook from an explosion.

“Captain, status report?” Gree asked into his comm.

“Droid fighters, incoming. They’ve brought boarding ships.”

Luminara turned to the Avenger.

“Stay here and finish the interrogation. We will return soon enough.

The Jedi ran out of the cell, leaving the Separatist alone with the Black Widow.

“Sorry about that,” she lied. “She’s young. Still learning.”

“Ah, yes,” he responded as he got back in his seat. “But it seems I am about to be rescued,” he smirked.

“Or killed so you don’t talk,” she pointed out, causing him to gulp. “So, let’s start from the beginning. What do you know about Darth Sidious?”

Yoda sat with Wanda and Vision in his quarters at the Jedi Temple. His eyes were closed as he reached out with the Force and basked in their combined presence.

Obi Wan was right. They were like a beacon and a storm. The Force surrounded them, it flowed through them to an extent, yet it was not the center of their strength.

The stone in his head was unlike anything he or perhaps any other Jedi had ever felt. It harbored more power than even Anakin.

Maximoff was a different case. There was something powerful locked away deep within her. He had absolutely no idea what it was. But it was strong.

“This a great honor, Master Yoda. However, If you could elaborate on the urgency-”

“Why are we here?” Wanda cut in bluntly. The android gave her an annoyed look. “You were taking too long.”

“Well, he is a key figure on the Galactic stage, so it would be best for us to treat him with the utmost patience and respect.”

“Viz. He called us here because he has something very important to tell us. So we shouldn’t beat around the bush.”

The Jedi chuckled at their banter, catching their attention.

“Please. Sit,” he offered two seats before him. The two did as asked and sat down, crossing their legs like the Master. “Glad I was to hear that your comrades found you.”

“We’re happy too. But that’s not why we’re here,” Wanda observed.

Yoda shook his head.

“No. Strange you two are. Powerful you are. Connection to the Force you have.” He turned to Vision. “Begin with you we shall.”

The android nodded.

“I believe the reason for that is this.” Viz tapped the Stone in his head. “From what Thor told us, this is the Mind Stone. One of six. Unfortunately that is the limit to my knowledge on the subject. However, it is immensely  powerful. It gave Wanda and Pietro their abilities.”

The Jedi tilted his head.

“Truly?”

Wanda nodded.

“We were a part of an experiment to create new Super Soldiers. My brother and I were the only ones to survive physical contact with it.”

“Hmm. I see. And you are Force Sensitive, yes?”

The two shared a look.

“According to Master Kenobi, I am. But I never even noticed it until arriving here.”

“Far away your Galaxy is. A weaker presence the Force must have. But strong enough it was to open you to the Stone.”

Wanda and Viz’s eyes widened at the implications.

“You’re saying that the Force is the reason Pietro and I survived?”

“Yes.”

“It’s possible,” Viz stated. “In our brief time since being found I did some research and learned that being able to use the Force comes from a genetic trait.”

Wanda was silent for a few moments.

“So what does this mean now? I can use the Force?”

The Master nodded.

“Yes. But beware the Dark Side,” he said with conviction that surprised them both. “For it is very dangerous.”

“I’m afraid to ask…but what is the Dark Side?”

“Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.” He bowed his head solemnly. “As it did my apprentice.”

“Dooku,” Vision surmised.

Wanda didn’t know what to say. She’d had a lot of experience with those emotions. And yet…

“Forever? Really?”

Yoda sighed.

“Many who have used the Dark Side have fallen beyond salvation. Terrible things they did. Trillions dead. Worlds gone. Loved one killed by their own hand.”

“What?!” Wanda practically screamed at that last part.

“Yes. To become a Sith means to sever any connection to the Light. Kill everything of their old life they do.”

“…Even their family?”

The Jedi nodded.

Maximoff immediately covered her mouth, looking like she might retch then and there. The idea of committing such an action appalled her to no end.

Suddenly she felt a soft hand on her shoulder, and saw it was Vision’s. He was giving her a soft yet confident expression.

“It will be alright, Wanda. We just need to be careful.”

She gave her friend a soft smile.

“I know, Viz. This is just a lot to take in all at once.”

“Apologize I do, for my abruptness,” Yoda said regretfully. “But know the danger you must. An ally you are. My duty it is to help you stay on the right path.”

Maximoff tilted her head.

“Are you going to train me like a Jedi?”

That question caused the green alien to stiffen up.

“That’s a no, isn’t it?”

“Train adults we do not. But speak with the Council I will. An Avenger you are. Trust you I do to use your abilities for good.”

“And what of the rest of the Council?” Vision asked.

The Grandmaster thought for a moment.

“Uncertain I am.”

“Any other advice you can give, in the meantime?” Wanda asked.

He nodded.

“Trust in your allies. Strong in the Light they are. Lead you on the right path they will.”

But what Yoda didn't mention, mainly because he didn't fully understand it, was that he felt something else about Maximoff's presence. Something deeper and locked away within her. Something beyond the Force and the Stone's energy.

Something chaotic.

Ahsoka and Luminara blocked and deflected blasts heading in their direction. They stood in front of a large group of clones in the hangar bay. Marching towards them were  several B2 battle droids.

“These things are annoying and all, but shouldn’t there be more of them?” Tano noticed.

The Mirialan paused.

“You’re right, Padawan. There only seems to be enough droids to occupy the hangar.”

“Is it because of the Republic’s offensive?”

“Perhaps. And yet…”

“What is it, Master?”

“There is something in the Force. Though I am not certain as to what.”

The Padawan shrugged.

“Well, I’m sure Natasha is having a better time than we are.”

Speaking of the Black Widow, she was in the midst of questioning Gunray, and was getting good results.

“Darth Sidious first contacted me over ten years ago. He told me that we could work together in a mutually profitable partnership.”

“And what did that partnership include?”

“He would bring inside knowledge of the Senate to me, and I would act on it.”

She raised a brow.

“And he never asked for anything in return?”

“Well…no. But he said that he was powerful and dangerous as an enemy, and demonstrated as much. And he would share ideas on how I could profit.”

“Such as?”

“Sidious first suggested that become the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Soon enough there was a conflict between the local mining companies on Dorvalla. They eventually merged and allowed the Trade Federation to export their lommite ore. I took credit for this victory and was promoted.”

“I see. What did he do next?”

“He offered to remove the members of the Directorate. I accepted and when the Eriadu Summit occurred, they were all killed. I then filled their positions with my Neimoidian associates.”

“So he helped you rise to power. Was it his idea for you to join the Separatists?”

“Yes. He warned me that the Republic would work to nationalize the corporations. So Wat Tambor, San Hill, the others, and I all joined the separatists.”

Romanov digested the information before nodding.

“Do you know who he is?”

The prisoner shook his head.

“Do you have any way of knowing? What else was he involved in?”

He hesitated.

“Naboo. It was his idea to blockade the planet.”

“So the Jedi are right about that. But why?”

“There was a disagreement with the planet on the contract for their plasma. We had learned about it a few decades earlier through the brokers at Damask Holdings.”

“Damask Holdings?”

“They are a division of the Banking Clan. They have brokered many deals, and financed many projects for various corporations across the Galaxy.”

This stuck out to the spy for some reason.

“Have they been involved with the ones that joined the Separatists?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

She shrugged.

“Just curious,” she said.

Gotta look into these guys later. Might find something.

“And that’s all you know about Sidious?”

“Yes,” the Neimoidian answered honestly.

“Alright. Thank you for your cooperation.”

She turned to exit the cell and was met by Captain Argyus and Commander Gree on the other side.

“What did he say?” Argyus inquired.

“Enough. Not much more than what we already knew, but still, he was useful.”

“That’s good,” Gree stated.

“Come on, let’s go help with our uninvited guests.”

The Avenger and clone moved towards the elevator, leaving the Viceroy with the Senate Commandos.

The Captain’s wrist comm began to beep and glow green.

“What’s that, Captain?” one of the guards questioned.

“Oh, nothing to worry about.”

Then the unthinkable happened and Captain Argyus turned and shot all of his squad. They fell to the ground dead.

“What are you doing?!” Gree yelled in disbelief.

Argyus fired upon them, leading the two to dash behind some pillars. They then shot back at him with their own blasts.

The Captain easily dodged them, with a few lasers hitting the cell shield. He elbowed the controls, shutting down the shield, and grabbed hold of Gunray.

“No, please don’t!”

The traitor held onto him and used the Neimoidian as cover.

“Oh, do shut up. Count Dooku is paying me a fortune to deliver your slimy carcass, so please try to stay alive.”

He marched them a few steps forward before Gree and Natasha emerged from the pillars and trained their guns on the commando.

“Stop! This is your last warning!” the Clone spat.

“Don’t shoot. I am an innocent pawn,” the Viceroy cowardly begged.

“They won’t shoot. They want to damage their prize.”

Gree narrowed his eyes under his helmet.

Romanov turned her pistol slightly and pulled the trigger.

The plasma struck the Separatist right in the knee and he fell to the ground, screaming in pain.

Argyus’ eyes widened in surprise.

Then Gree shot the man’s blaster out of his hands, and the Avenger finished him off with a stun blast.

The Separatists' attempt to rescue Viceroy had failed.

“Cooperate, Grievous, and perhaps the Senate will be merciful,” Fisto said to the droid General.

“It is you who shall get no mercy.”

Grievous leaped to the ceiling and crawled along it 

The Kaleesh swung his blades. One at Fisto and the other at Steve. The two blocked his strikes while Nadar lunged for him. The Cyborg grabbed the Mon Calamari’s arm with his foot and flung the young Jedi at Kit.

The Master instantly deactivated his blade as his former apprentice crashed into him.

With his other hand free, Grievous began to swing both sabers at Captain America.

“Men, now!” Steve ordered as kept his shield up.

The clones fired ascension cables at the Separatist’s legs, making him groan in frustration.

“Don’t let him go!” Nahdar commanded as he and Fisto rose back up.

The green skinned Jedi swung his blade in an attempt to sever the Kaleesh’s legs. Seeing this, Grievous leaped away from the attack and towards the clones holding him down. He tackled two of them to the ground and stabbed them with his feet. Then he flung their bodies at the other soldiers and began to run away, tearing off the cables as he did.

“After him!” Fisto shouted.

The group charged after the Cyborg. The clones fired blaster bolts at their target, but every one missed him.

Grievous stopped at a wall and started bushing the tiles to unlock the hidden room. The door opened and closed after he ran through.

The Republic team came to a halt and lowered their weapons.

The clone Commander grinned under his helmet and offered a detonator to Steve.

“You wanna do the honors?”

The Avenger took it with a smirk.

“Gladly.”

The General marched through the control room feeling much calmer.

“Doctor? Where are you?”

He saw the droid sitting at the main computer. Getting no response he turned the seat around and saw the medic was dead with a few blast marks. But the real issue was the pile of thermal detonators that were now beeping.

Grievous screamed as he ran out the room. Just as he opened the door, the bombs detonated behind him and the explosion flung him into the hall, falling face flat against the floor.

He groaned groggily and tried to get up, but was suddenly smacked across the head by Rogers’ shield. In response, the General pulled out a lightsaber and blindly swung it in his attacker’s direction.

Steve easily parried it and kicked the saber out of his hand. He then raised his shield and brought it down against the Kaleesh.

Grievous barely managed to move out of the way and the disk cut right through the floor. It went on like this for the next minute with the Captain coming close to impaling him, and Grievous fearfully backing away.

It came to an end when the Cyborg felt his back press against a wall. He’d literally been cornered.

A blaster bolt struck Grievous in the shoulder, making his arm go limp. The rest of the group had arrived and was ready to take him down.

Desperation taking hold, the Separatist roared angrily and leaped towards the ceiling, then off it and briefly hovered over the Avenger. The Kaleesh took hold of his main opponent with his foot and slammed him against the floor as he landed. He pulled out a remaining saber with his good hand and placed the blade at the Super Soldier’s neck.

“Don’t come any closer!” the Cyborg threatened.

“Let him go, Grievous!” Fisto warned.

“Don’t make me destroy you!” Nahdar added.

“Never!” Grievous bared back.

“Ugh…” Steve groaned out. “Grievous…is this what Ronderu would want?”

The Kaleesh stilled and his eyes widened at the use of that name.

Seeing that their target was momentarily distracted, the two Jedi let out a Force Push and pinned him against the wall. All the clones fired stun rounds and then everything went black for the Cyborg.

Over One Month Later

The Avengers were once again gathered at Padme’s residence. This time they were introducing Christmas to their galactic friends.

The living room was decorated with sleigh bells, holly, and lights. At least the closest things they could find. All in all it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Everyone was even wearing an ugly sweater.

“I still don’t understand how this Santa can deliver presents to every home on your planet in one night,” Anakin stated.

“Well, he’s not real,” Rhodey explained. “He’s a story that parents tell kids.”

“Ah. And the tree?” he asked, gesturing to the Kashyyykian tree (branch, those things are ginormous) covered in ornaments.

“German tradition that spread to America,” Steve answered. He was dressed like an elf.

“From where to where?” Ahsoka asked.

“Oh, right. We haven’t explained countries yet. To make it fast, Earth is divided into multiple nations instead of being united like the ones here,” Sam explained. “America is where most of us are from. Germany is another.”

“Almost sounds like Mandalore at times,” Obi Wan mentioned, recalling a mission from his days as a Padawan.

Steve shook his hand in a “so-so” motion.

“We’re getting off track,” Ahsoka cut in. “What exactly is this holiday about anyways?”

The three soldiers looked at each other.

“It began from as a religious holiday, but it’s since become a universal time for getting together with people you care about and showing appreciation through gifts,” Steve said.

“It’s also an excuse to party, eat, and get drunk,” Sam added before taking a sip of Corellian ale.

“That too,” Rhodey chuckled.

In the kitchen, Vision was cooking meals at such a fast and efficient pace that 3PO and R2 let him do all the work. So now Padme, Wanda, and Nat were standing back with glasses of wine watching the android work while the droids.

“I must say, Mr. Vision, your culinary skills are most impressive. Even surpassing my own,” the golden servant praised.

R2 let out a few beeps and whirs.

“What do you mean that’s not a high bar?! I am an excellent cook.”

The astromech responded flatly.

“How dare you?! I did not give Mistress Padme food poisoning! And you know very well the real reason was because she is-”

“3PO!” the Senator exclaimed with wide eyes. Then she cleared her throat at the looks of confusion and amusement that Wanda and Nat were giving her respectively. “That’s very private. So please, don’t mention that in front of guests.”

“Oh dear! I am so sorry, Mistress Padme.”

“It’s okay, 3PO. Just be more careful.”

“Your droid’s right, though. Viz really is a good cook. While we were stuck on Orto Plutonia he cooked most of my meals. I didn’t even ask him to do it,” Wanda said fondly. 

“That’s how I have been living since becoming a Senator. I get so frustrated after a day in the Senate that I only cook for special occasions,” Padme mentioned.

Wanda looked down at Amidala’s beverage. It wasn’t wine.

“Whatcha drinking?”

“Blue milk. It calms my nerves.”

It also is the baby’s favorite.

On the balcony, Pietro was introducing the other guests to Christmas music.

A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots

Is the wish of Barney and Ben

Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk

Is the hope of Janice and Jen

And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Everywhere you go

There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well

It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow

“I like this one,” Bail said. “What’s the name of this singer, again?”

“Michael Bublé,” Pietro answered. “He’s regarded as the best Christmas singer right now.”

“I really enjoyed that one from earlier. What was its name? I don’t want a lot for Christmas by Mariah Carey?”

Pietro nodded.

“That one’s a classic.”

“The ones by Dean Martin were very nice,” Cody said with Rex nodding in agreement.

“I don’t know,” Mon added. “That song about it being cold outside seemed a little…”

“Rapey?” Maximoff winced.

Mothma nodded.

“Yeah, not gonna lie, that one’s a bit much. But I’ve heard that’s not what he was trying to do when he wrote it. And that it was actually transgressive for its time.”

“Your world sounds odd,” Riyo said.

Pietro shrugged.

“You’re not wrong. But maybe it’ll make more sense if I show you around someday.”

That comment made the Pantoran blush a deeper shade of blue. This went unnoticed by the speedster. However, the other two Senators saw it and shared a grin.

After a nice meal it was time for gift giving.

Rex got Cody a picture of when they graduated from their training on Kamino. Cody gave him a souvenir from their first mission together. The twins got Vision a dejarik board. He gifted them with a book of Sokovian poems and literature that he had memorized and copied down. Anakin and Obi Wan gave each other training holocrons. Padme offered Natasha lessons from 3PO on different languages of the Galaxy. She responded, very discreetly, with a holobook about newborns. You all get the idea. But the key big thing was that the Avengers pitched in with Anakin and Obi Wan on a gift for Ahoska.

“You’re offering me what?” the Padawan asked, surprised yet a little giddy.

“We’re offering to contribute with your training. We think you could learn a lot from us,” Romanov explained.

“Th-thank you! But why me?”

“You’ve impressed us, Kid,” Rhodey answered.

“You took on Grievous and came out alive. I’ve seen fully trained Jedi fail at that,” Steve added.

“You helped me out pretty easily against Dooku’s guards on Tatooine,” the Black Widow continued.

“You’re quick on your feet and can be very resourceful. Like you were at the shield on Christophsis,” Sam said, causing Skywalker to groan at the memory.

“You have a lot of potential, Ahsoka,” Rogers said. “We and your Masters agreed that with our help you could become a great warrior.”

Maybe even an Avenger one day, he and Natasha thought to themselves.

“We could teach each other what we know. And what we don’t know, we can learn together,” Wanda said and summoned some psionic energy to dance around her fingers for emphasis.

The Togruta was beaming, with her Master smiling in pride.

“When do we start?”

“Tomorrow,” Anakin answered.

Padme then stood up, getting everyone’s attention.

“Now that everyone has given each other their gifts, my fellow Senators and I have one more,” Padme said, getting everyone’s attention. “We brought your request for aid in constructing the hyperspace ring to the Senate.”

The Avengers leaned forward in their seats.

“And?” Vision queried.

“After everything you all have done for the Republic, the Senate agreed to begin construction immediately,” Bail answered with a smile.

The teams smiled in absolute joy.

“When does construction begin?” Rhodey asked quickly.

“A month ago,” Chuchi stated simply. “We wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Then it should be finished in a matter of weeks,” Viz concluded.

The Avengers couldn’t believe it. After half a year of being stuck in a galaxy far from Earth, it was finally happening.

They were going home.

Later That Afternoon

“I do not need the Force to know that something is bothering you, Steve. What’s wrong?” Kenobi asked his friend.

Steve sighed as he leaned against the balcony railing.

“I’ve been thinking about what happened at Grievous’ place.”

The Jedi ran a hand through his beard in thought.

“I take it this doesn’t have to do with the mission itself.”

“No. We found a trophy room when we arrived. So many lightsabers and Padawan braids. But there was also this journal. A journal written by Grievous.

“Go on.”

“He wrote about his life before the Separatists. He was a freedom fighter. He had a lover. And he lost everything.”

“Like you did,” Kenobi realized, recalling the stories he’d been told.

Steve bowed his head.

“Yeah. And half the reason he joined the Separatists was because San Hill offered to pay off his people’s debts.”

“And the other?”

“He wanted to fight. The only thing he knows how to do anymore is fight.”

“Do you feel…sorry for him?”

Rogers took a moment to ponder the question.

“I can relate to his pain. But that in no way excuses the things he’s done since. The innocent people he’s killed. It’s too familiar. That’s what’s really bothering me.”

Obi Wan’s eyes widened after a few moments.

“You’re afraid of becoming him.”

Cap nodded.

“He’s never stopped fighting. I haven’t either. I don’t know what else I’d do at this point. But comparing who he was to who he became…it’s not a thought I like.”

Kenobi placed a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s good that you’re thinking about this, Steve. As Jedi, acknowledging our flaws is essential for our path in the Light. You don’t need to figure everything out right now. This is enough.”

Steve smiled at his friend.

“Thank you, Obi Wan.”

“Your welcome, Steve.” The Jedi smirked. “Besides, your help on the battlefield has kept me from gaining a few gray hairs.”

The two shared a laugh at that.

Later That Night

Anakin and Padme were cuddling on the couch now that everyone else had left. Content to be together.

“I got you something,” Anakin said, pulling out a gift.

Padme laughed at the sight.

“It’s so messy! You can build droids and fix ships, but you can’t handle paper?!”

“You try handling this stuff! It just doesn’t want to cooperate,” he defended over her laughter.

“I did, actually,” she responded, pulling out a gift of her own, neatly wrapped up.

The Jedi just rolled his eyes as they handed each other their presents. He unwrapped his first and gave his wife a furrowed brow at the simple communicator.

“Nat helped me with this. It’s the most secure and private communicator you’ll ever have. So whenever you have a moment to spare, we can contact each other with no risks.”

Skywalker beamed and hugged her softly.

“It’s perfect.”

She left his embrace a moment later to unwrap his present for her. Underneath the paper were two crystals. One green and one blue.

“I made a trip to Illum. Figured that since there’s no way that our daughter won’t be Force Sensitive that she’ll need a lightsaber.”

“Son,” Padme corrected Anakin with and rolled her eyes fondly. “But why two?”

He shrugged.

“Daughter. And I don’t know. Just had a feeling. Maybe she’ll want to duel wield?”

“Son. And thank you. I know he’ll love it.”

“Of course she will. She’s-”

The Jedi was cut off by his wife silencing him with a kiss.