ooc: This is fairly simplistic. A POD (Point of Divergence) takes place during the fic. The rest is straight forward. By the way, I don't own Star Wars. :D Please review
Rise of the Rebellion
Chapter 1: Setting the Stage
Anakin was standing in front of the Chancellor. Was he really admitting to him that he was a Sith Lord?
"You know the ways of the dark side?" Anakin asked carefully.
"Anakin, to truly understand all the mysteries of the force, one must learn all aspects of it, not just the tainted view of the Jedi. Only through me, can you learn the power to save Padme from a most certain death."
Anakin ignited his lightsaber, and pointed it at the Chancellor, "You're the Sith Lord we've been looking for."
"Well what are you waiting for. Aren't you going to kill me, and put an end to this conflict?" The Chancellor was now teasing him...
Anakin pondered this for a moment. He knew that he needed to save Padme, however this didn't seem right... His judgement was far too clouded. He disengaged his lightsaber, "I'm going to turn you over to the Jedi Council. They will know what to do with you."
"Of course. That is the right thing to do. But you are unsure of their intentions."
"All will be revealed shortly..." And with that, Anakin left the Chancellor's chambers and headed for the Jedi Temple in his speeder. He was deep in thought as he traversed the Coruscant traffic on his way to the Temple. His love for Padme told him that he needed the Chancellor, his honor for the Jedi Order told him that he was too dangerous to be left alive. His heart told him that the Chancellor might not be telling him all of the truth... Perhaps keeping something from him... Regardless he would talk to Master Windu and the others. Oh how he wished he could talk to Obi-Wan. Or Padme.
He reached the temple and scurried in to find Master Windu talking with Kit Fisto, "Ah, Anakin, we've just received word that Obi-Wan has just defeated General Grievous, we're on our way to the Chancellor's office to ensure that he gives back emergency powers to the Senate."
"He won't do it. I have just learned a horrible truth. I think the Chancellor is a Sith Lord."
The look on Master Windu's face was complete and utter shock. "A Sith Lord?" He asked incredulously, "Are you sure?"
Anakin, still unsure of where his loyalties should lay, "I'm sure. He knows the ways of the dark side of the force."
Master Windu shook his head and said: "Then our worst fears have become a reality."
"Master, the Chancellor is very powerful, you will need my help if you hope to defeat him."
"No, I sense much confusion in you young Skywalker."
"But Master-"
"No. Wait in the council chambers until we return. If what you say is true, you will have earned my trust."
Anakin watched as Master Windu and the others boarded a transport and left to the Senate Building. He returned to the council chambers as instructed and took his seat. He began to meditate. He thought of his beloved wife Padme, his unborn child that he already loved, his father and his brother Obi-Wan... He felt her presence through the force, it was soothing, like all those years ago when they first met on Tatooine. It was then he knew what he had to do, it was his love for Padme that kept him sustained. He knew that she would want him to help the Jedi, and then he would be able to help her. But her health... He didn't know what the future would hold, but he knew he had to do something. He raced out of the council chambers and down to his speeder. He flew to the Senate Building as quickly as possible.
When he arrived he sprinted to the Chancellor's chambers, once there, he found the chancellor's window broken open with Master Windu and the Chancellor on the window sill. Master Windu had the Chancellor pinned in a corner unarmed. When Master Windu noticed Anakin, he held his hand up as if to signal Anakin not to come any closer.
"Anakin! I told you! The Jedi were plotting to take over! Help me! He is a traitor!"
"You are under arrest. My Lord." Master Windu said the last bit with as much sarcasm as possible. And the Chancellor responded in kind with a barrage of force lightning, it struck Mace's lightsaber, however he was quickly overpowered, the Chancellor threw him out of the window. Anakin was afraid now. The Chancellor rose, his face now deformed, likely from the use of the dark side of the force used to conjure the lightning. He turned to Anakin with a wide grin on his face. Anakin took a step back out of fear.
The Chancellor gave a slight smile, "Anakin, Anakin, Anakin... Why do you still defend the Jedi? You have just witnessed their attempt to overthrow me. You know that I am the only one who can teach you how to save your beloved Padme."
"You lie! You are attempting to manipulate me. You do not know such powers." Anakin felt his rage brewing, but calmed himself through the force.
"Anakin, you have come to a crossroad in your life. It is your destiny to join me and help destroy the Jedi and bring order to the galaxy. You will choose now."
Anakin thought for a brief moment. He stretched out his feelings to Master Yoda on Kashyyyk, and then to Obi-Wan on Utapau, and finally to his wife. The person he cared about more than anything in the galaxy... He felt her worry for Anakin's safety. He knew what he had to do. He ignited his lightsaber and got into his battle stance.
The smile vanished off the face of the Chancellor as he drew a lightsaber of his own out of his cloak. "Very well Anakin... You have failed yourself, and rejected your destiny. You will fall with the rest of the jedi." He ignited his saber and lunged at Anakin.
Anakin was taken aback by the speed of the old man. Anakin would have never guessed that Palpatine could move that quickly. He moved with such speed and precision, Anakin couldn't get a chance to counter-attack. He was pushed all across the Chancellor's chambers by the sheer intensity of the battle. Before he was forced against the window sill. At which point Anakin finally was able to hold his ground forcing their sabers to remain in contact for a while. Anakin's bright blue against the Chancellor's deep red.
"Now Anakin Skywalker, you will die."
Anakin had been preparing for another blast of force lightning and prepared his lightsaber to block it, but instead of the lightning, a wave of energy hit Anakin. And he went tumbling, falling out of the window, Anakin realized that he was about to die. He heard the Chancellor laughing hysterically. Anakin closed his eyes and allowed himself to become full of love, thinking of the most important thing in his life. Padme. Just as he was about to accept it, he felt himself land on something softer than he expected. He opened his eyes to find himself in the passengers seat of a speeder. Who had rescued him?
He readjusted himself and turned to look at the driver, it was none other than Padme!
"Padme! What did you- How did you know-What are you doing here?"
Padme didn't immediately respond, but kept driving making sure she was out of sight of the Senate building, before she pulled off and parked in an apartment buildings parking lot. Her beautiful face was disguised by her look of panic.
"So are you going to explain how you knew I was going to be there?"
Padme sighed, "I felt you... I can't explain it. But I felt your presence and your worry, so I came to you." Padme started crying and fell into Anakin's arms.
"I love you so much Padme." Anakin said this as he kissed her forehead.
"I love you too... Oh Ani, what are we going to do?"
"We have to go to the Jedi Temple before the Chancellor orders the execution of all Jedi... I have to warn them. And then we need to leave."
Mustering up her courage, Padme acknowledged this, "I'll drop you off then I'll head back to the apartment to get our things."
"No." Anakin stated this plainly and rather darkly. "The Chancellor knew about us. I don't know how, but he did. He'll soon realize I didn't die, and he'll come after you."
The look of sheer shock and frightfulness spread across Padme's face, "Then what should I do? If I go to the temple with you the Jedi will know about us."
"I don't think that matters. If we don't get their soon, there will be no Jedi Code left for me to follow." Anakin said this matter of factly, and two sped to the jedi temple, when they arrived, the Temple Swords master, Cin Drallig was waiting.
"Ah Anakin, and... Senator Amidala. What is the situation with the Chancellor?"
"He killed Master Windu and the others, and successfully defeated me before the Senator rescued me."
The man looked stern, "Then we must prepare for the worst," he started walking away, while still talking with Anakin and Padme. "We must warn the rest of the jedi across the galaxy, and quickly. Then we should look to our own defenses. Milady, do you think that the Jedi could take refuge on your home planet of Naboo?"
Padme, still shaken by all of the evens started mumbling before responding, "I-I-yes, I believe you could. But there are others in the senate we must seek out, the delegation of 2000 which I led, was a group attempting to limit the power the Chancellor could have in the Senate. We should seek them out, and legally attempt to remove him from office."
"I admire your idealism Senator, but he is a Sith Lord, he will not surrender power. And if this delegation of 2000 had already attempted to show that they do not support his authority, he shall have them removed quickly. I would warn your friends Senator. Anakin, make contact with Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, and the others across the galaxy, I will prepare our defenses here and ensure that we don't get overwhelmed. We'll need an exit strategy and a rendezvous point. Senator, you are sure that Naboo will be willing and loyal?"
"I am sure. I will talk with the queen shortly, after I contact the other loyal senators."
"Very Well. I think we know our plan. We have no time to waste..." Drallig said this as he bolted off.
Anakin and Padme side stepped a bit into a side room to further discuss things, "Anakin, if the Jedi regroup on Naboo, then there is no doubt that you will have to explain things to them..."
Anakin took a moment and starred into space... It would be no question. If the Jedi took time to regroup and make a plan on how to proceed on his wife's home world, they would sense it. The feelings that the two would radiate. And how could either of them hide it? Naboo was the planet where they fell in love. Where they were wed. Where they met from time to time during the Clone Wars. It would be impossible to continue to keep the secret. Even if the Jedi couldn't sense it, he'd wouldn't want to keep it a secret.
"I know. But perhaps its for the best."
"Anakin how can you say that? This is your life, its what you've strived for-"
Anakin quickly cut her off. "No. You are my life. You and our unborn child are what I strive for. If the being a Jedi gets in my way of my duty to protect my family, I will gladly remove myself from the order."
She hugged him, and clung to him harder than she had ever before.
"Padme, I don't want you traveling back to the Senate building. Communicate with all of your Delegation of 2000 members from the temple. But use a private verification code. That way they won't realize you're calling from the temple."
"Alright... Aren't you going to get hold of Obi-Wan and the others?"
"Yes, alright. I'll be down the hall."
Anakin scurried away, but not before kissing Padme once before departing. If the Jedi were to find out about their three-year old secret, he wouldn't hesitate in showing his love for his wife any longer. He reached another communication room, and immediately signaled to reach Master Obi-Wan. It wouldn't be long till the Chancellor attempted to exterminate all the Jedi. The com rand for a moment before Obi-Wan appeared on the holoscreen.
"Anakin, how are you my friend? I assume you have heard about my success?" Anakin could hear the his old masters sense of pride in his voice.
"I have been better master, and yes, I have heard of your victory. However, I believe that your joy may be short lived."
"What is the matter Anakin?"
"Master Windu is dead, along with Master Fisto, Tiin, and Kae."
"What happened?"
"Chancellor Palpatine revealed to me that he is the Sith Lord we have been looking for. The one who is behind the entire war. I then returned and informed Master Windu and the others. But they were quickly defeated. I attempted to rescue Master Windu, but the Chancellor hit him with lightning and killed him... He attempted to sway me to the dark side."
"I am proud of you. You kept your heart pure, and fought off the darkness. However, this does create serious problems. Where are you?"
"I am in the Temple. Senator Amidala was able to rescue me from the Chancellor, and we returned here to inform Master Drallig and the others about the situation."
"Surely the Chancellor will prepare to wipe out the Jedi."
"Yes, we thought of this. Which is why I have contacted you. Senator Amidala has contacted the Queen of Naboo. She believes that the Queen will allow us to use the planet as a place for the Jedi to regroup. I am sending word to all the Jedi across the galaxy to be weary of the Clones, they will surely be a part of Palpatine's plan to exterminate us."
"I thank you Anakin. You have become very wise. Am I to report to Naboo as well?"
"Yes Master. Master Drallig and I are attempting to evacuate the Jedi we have here quickly, and escape. Leaving trace of us disappearing into the deep core."
"Very well. I shall see you and the others on Naboo."