I walked into Chancellor Palpatine's office, the fear in my heart growing with the sight of my old friend at lightsaber point. "You are under arrest, my lord," came the voice of Master Mace Windu, the tip of his violet lightsaber to the face of the corrupt politican. Windu held up a hand to me, not taking his concentration from the old man.

"Anakin, I told you it would come to this. I was right. The Jedi are taking over!" His voice was strained, as if he had been fighting for hours against a master of their lightsaber form. He had fought and lost.

"The oppression of the Sith will never return. You have lost." The emotion in Master Windu's eyes and voice was uncharacteristic of a Jedi, especially a Master of his level. I was conflicted.

"No…no, no…you will die!" A sinister voice grew from the old man as blue lightning leapt from his fingertips. The lightsaber blade was raised, blocking the energy from the Sith lord and sending it back at him. I turned my face away for a moment, no desire to be hurt in the backlash.

"He is a traitor!" The strain shone in the Jedi Master's voice, his blade growing closer and closer to the old man's face. Each bolt of lightning twisted and morphed his skin, progressively aging him faster.

"I have the power to save the ones you love!" Palpatine pleaded to me, and for a few moments, he had me convinced. Here he seemed, a helpless old man being attacked by a Master of the Jedi Order. "You must choose!"

"Don't listen to him Anakin!" I was conflicted. How could I let my dear friend die, especially if he did have the secrets to saving Padme? This Jedi Master had given me no solution to my problem.

"Don't let him kill me! I…can't hold it…any longer…I'm too weak…Anakin! Anakin, help me!" The lightning ceased, the lightsaber tip to the Chancellor's throat again. "I…I can't hold on any longer…"

"I am going to end this once and for all." The anger in Windu's voice was appalling. He was starting to sound like a Sith himself.

"You can't. He must stand trial." I stepped closer, pleading to the Master. Chancellor Palpatine was breathing heavy, barely able to speak.

"He has control of the Senate and the Courts. He's too dangerous to be kept alive."

"I'm too weak! Don't kill me…please…"

"It is not the Jedi Way. He must live!" Master Windu tensed, his lightsaber slowly moving back into a strike.

"Please…don't…" The Chancellor pleaded, his red eyes filled with fear.

"I need him!" I pleaded to the Master, as he drew back his lightsaber for the final blow. "No!" I drew my own, deflecting the blade and facing the Master. Our blades flashed, stepping off the window sill and crossing blades. Our lightsabers locked as the Chancellor stood.

"Good Anakin, good. You will make a fine Sith Lord." The sinister emotions dripped from his voice. Sith Lord? No, that can't be. I am nothing like the Sith! My blade lowered, as I dropped the hilt to the ground.

"No…" I turned to the Chancellor, calm in my speech. "No, my old friend. I am nothing like you. I am a Jedi of the Republic." Pulling my lightsaber to my hand, I ignited the blue blade. "You are under arrest, Sith Lord."

"I offered you the power to save Padme, and you betray me like this?" The Chancellor drew closer, his hands raising. "So be it."

Lightning flashed from the fingertips of the Sith, striking my body. I cried out in agony, but quickly blocked the bolts with the blade of my saber. In the blink of an eye, Master Windu was at the side of Palpatine, and with one swift movement, removed the Sith Lord's hands and head. The body crumpled as the head plummeted to the city below.

My knees collapsed as the realization that my oldest friend in the Senate was not only a Sith Lord, but was also dead. A hand pressed against my shoulder, warm against my clothing. I looked up to the calm face of Master Windu, extending a hand to help me up. "You've done the Republic well, Anakin."

I shook my head, grabbing his hand and standing. "No, that was not the Jedi Way…"

"Sometimes, difficult decisions must be made for the greater good. That man," he said, gesturing to the body, "corrupted your mind and heart. However, in the end, you chose the Light. You have brought balance to the Force." Master Windu placed a hand on my back, guiding me out of the office.