A massive barricade blocked the east entrance to Theed Palace, where clone troopers and royal guards defended every position, desperately resisting the advancing droid army.
Though vastly outnumbered, the clones and Naboo guards fought with remarkable tenacity. Their fighting spirit soared as they continued to hold their ground against the mechanical invaders.
The battle had raged for some time. While the droid forces had been significantly depleted, they still greatly outnumbered the defenders.
Suddenly, a missile streaked down from above, and simultaneously, a vibranium shield flew through the air, smashing numerous battle droids to pieces. The sound of concentrated blaster fire erupted from behind.
The palace guards and clone troopers paused momentarily, expressions of surprise crossing their faces as they looked to identify their unexpected reinforcements.
The droid units were quickly routed by the new arrivals, but instead of immediately entering the palace, the reinforcements turned and rushed back to the corner they had first appeared from.
Soon, the palace defenders observed clone troopers and Naboo security officers guiding numerous civilians toward the palace in orderly fashion. Many appeared wounded.
The guards hastily removed the barricades, while those stationed at the palace rushed out to assist their comrades, establishing a defensive corridor for the unarmed civilians.
At the front of the group were two distinctive figures: one supporting a wounded clone sergeant, while the other carried an unconscious woman in his arms with a small girl clinging to his back, her tiny hands grasping his shoulders.
Naboo guards quickly escorted the civilians and wounded to the secure areas of the palace for medical treatment.
Witnessing this scene, everyone felt a glimmer of hope that the situation on Naboo might be improving.
Inside the palace, news of the droid defeat and the arrival of Gregar, the clone troopers, and civilians quickly reached Padmé. While injured, none of their lives were in immediate danger—the best news she had received all day.
Padmé hurried to the palace's medical wing, accompanied by Captain Panaka.
Upon entering, she was greeted by the sight of injured clone troopers, guards, and civilians resting on medical beds while palace staff tended to their wounds. She quickly located her sister Sora, who lay unconscious with her head bandaged, and her niece Ryoo standing beside the bed.
Padmé didn't recognize the tall man standing next to Ryoo, holding the girl's hand protectively. He appeared deeply concerned for the child, gently stroking her head to comfort her before kneeling down to wipe away her tears, whispering reassurances.
Another man nearby also caught Padmé's attention. He too wore unusual clothing and equipment, and was engaged in conversation with Gregar and a clone sergeant.
"Ryoo," Padmé called out, her voice brimming with relief.
When Ryoo turned and spotted her aunt, the tears she had been fighting to contain finally fell. She rushed into Padmé's outstretched arms, embracing her tightly. "Auntie!" she cried.
"I was so worried about you," Padmé said, hugging Ryoo close and gently patting her back.
"Mom is hurt," Ryoo said, tears streaming down her face.
"It's alright, sweetheart. Your mother will be fine," Padmé reassured her.
"Are you Senator Amidala?"
Padmé was startled by the unexpected question. She looked up to see the stranger who had been holding Ryoo's hand.
"This is my aunt Padmé," Ryoo explained happily to the man, gazing up at him with a tear-stained smile.
"Good to know," Captain America said kindly, offering a warm smile before adding gently, "I hope you'll stay close until your mother wakes up."
Ryoo nodded obediently and turned to hug Padmé again.
"If I may ask, who are you?" Padmé inquired politely, standing with Ryoo in her arms.
"Steve Rogers," Captain America introduced himself. "The man behind me is my friend and comrade, Sam Wilson."
"Senator Amidala, we owe our lives to these two men," Gregar stated solemnly as he limped toward Padmé.
"I thought you'd been left behind, Captain Gregar," Captain America remarked with a rare touch of humor.
"My duty is to protect Senator Amidala and her family," Gregar replied with equal levity. "But I also needed to return alive to properly report your contributions in this battle. Otherwise, your heroism might have gone unrecognized."
"Did Falcon tell you to say that?" Captain America asked knowingly.
"Absolutely not. I intended to say this all along. It's simply the truth," Gregar asserted, shaking his head firmly.
"You protected my people?" Padmé asked, studying the unusual man before her.
Before Captain America could respond, an excited voice interrupted.
"He didn't just protect us—he saved us!" Sergeant Buck exclaimed, struggling to sit up from his bed.
A chorus of agreement erupted as many of the wounded clone troopers, guards, and civilians voiced their support.
Captain America shook his head and exchanged a helpless look with Falcon, who merely shrugged in response.
"Thank you," Padmé said earnestly, "thank you so much. Though we've only just met, my gratitude to you is boundless."
"Please, we only did what anyone would have done in our position," Captain America replied modestly.
"You saved my niece, my sister, my people, and my closest friends," Padmé stated with heartfelt sincerity. "Please, call me Padmé, Mr. Rogers."
After ensuring everyone in the medical wing was properly attended to, Captain America and Falcon were escorted by Padmé to the palace's grand hall, where Naboo's officials, politicians, and nobles had gathered.
Padmé graciously introduced the two Avengers to various dignitaries, including Senator Organa and Riyo Chuchi.
"Senator Amidala," Steve addressed Padmé after greeting everyone, "while I'm pleased to see so many safe within these walls, the palace remains under attack, and many innocent lives are still in danger. Do you have a plan moving forward?"
"Yes," Padmé answered without hesitation. "Our Gungan allies could assist us, but I fear they may have come under Separatist attack as well. Although the invaders' primary target is Theed, we can't discount the possibility they've attacked the Gungan settlement in the swamps."
"How are we handling those warships outside?" Falcon inquired.
"The invasion force isn't as formidable as we initially feared, and our defense fleet remains strong," Padmé explained. "However, considering how many battle droids successfully breached our defenses, I suspect this stalemate won't last. Apart from the Gungan territories and a few other secure locations, the palace currently offers the best protection."
"In that case, we need to venture out and escort those still caught in the conflict to the palace—both clone troopers and civilians," Captain America stated firmly.
"Otherwise, all those outside the palace walls will perish," Falcon added.
"My goodness, such true heroes," a shrill, sarcastic female voice suddenly echoed through the hall.