Summary: Padmé Amidala, after learning of her husband's descent into darkness, takes it upon herself to kill the man she once loved. Believing him dead after a battle on the planet of Mustafar, she fakes her own demise, hides her children, and becomes the enigmatic leader of the rebel alliance.

Authors note: I once saw that the original ending of Revenge of The Sith had Padmé attempting to kill Anakin and founding the rebel alliance. Whether this post is true or not, this piece is based off of it. I believe this would have been a much better storytelling choice rather than one actually happened. Lucasfilm really did an injustice to Padmé's character, both the one they established and the one she could have become. I love this character, and my goal is to explore the potential of a story where she survived. This fanfiction will cover the end of Revenge of The Sith, Rogue One, and the original trilogy. Obviously, I will be taking a few liberties. And bear in mind that I haven't written proper fanfiction in six years, so I am a little rusty. Also, a line in this is taken from Matthew Stover's novelization of Revenge of The Sith, which you should read. I hope you enjoy!

THE QUEEN'S GAME

CHAPTER THE FIRST: THE LONG NIGHT

The ship landed on Mustafar, unsettling hot dirt in its wake. Padmé put a hand to her forehead, and one to her swollen belly. She looked out the window at the desolate, red planet. Lava burst from the rivers, and smoke clouded the air. She peered at the building in the distance, and saw a tall figure emerge. They looked towards her, and broke into a sprint.

Padmé rose calmly, almost robotically, and left the ship to meet her husband.

He was still running, disbelief on his face. His arms were slightly outstretched, waiting to grab her. But Anakin stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Padmé stop a few yards away.

"Padmé? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I was so worried about you," she answered, struggling to keep emotion in her voice. This was a lie. She could not stop herself from revealing the truth. "Obi-Wan told me terrible things."

Anakin balked. He seemed to struggle to find words or his voice at all. "What things?" He seemed afraid and angry.

"He said you'd turned to the dark side. That you killed younglings."

"Obi-Wan's trying to turn you against me." His voice grew huskier, darker. He did not deny what she had said.

She looked into his eyes for any sign of the man she loved. There was nothing. She couldn't help but feel desperate to save him, for a moment. "Anakin, all I want is your love," she all but whispered.

"Love won't save you, Padmé. Only my new powers can do that." His new powers. Another nail in Anakin's coffin, as well as Padmé's.

"At what cost? You're a good person, don't do this."

"I won't lose you the way I lost my mother," he said, more to himself than her. He paused. A new light flickered in his eye, and he went on. "I am becoming more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of. And I'm doing it for you. To protect you. Don't you see? We don't have to run away anymore. We don't have to lie. Or hide."

She felt frozen.

"I have brought peace to The Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor; I can overthrow him."

She started to back away. He didn't seem to notice.

"And together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be." His eyes looked black, darkened with his insatiable lust for this life he dreamed of.

Peering into them, she saw visions. Of younglings screaming, crying, and begging for mercy as he slaughtered them. Of the younglings he would do the same to in the future. Of a galaxy in fear. In turmoil. And by his side was her. A shadowy queen with red eyes of blood, sitting on a throne of bones.

And in that moment, she knew. This monster, this beast before her was no longer her husband. This thing had taken Anakin in its grip and swallowed him whole. She knew what she needed to do.

Her hand itched for the hidden weapon in her robe.

A lightsaber. Obi-Wan's lightsaber. The one she had stolen.

The thing in front of her began to speak. It said her name. "Padmé, let's—"

It did not get to finish its sentence.

Padmé ignited the lightsaber and slashed at it. It leapt back in surprise, the glowing blade missing it by inches.

"Padmé?" it asked shock evident on its face. Padmé's face was stone, her eyes glittering like rubies in the light of the lava. She struck at it again, and it leapt away even more urgently.

"Padmé," it repeated, sounding miserable and confused. This only fueled Padmé's rage. It had no right to sound exactly like him.

"Fight me," she whispered. The shock and confusion grew on its face. She began to circle it, like a predator prowling around their prey. It did not move. She took advantage of his stillness, and ran towards it. Padmé knew she was no special being. She had no connection to the force. No training with the lightsaber she held now. What she did have was an unbridled determination; the desire for vengeance: for the children the being murdered, for her husband, her child, and for her life and future that was crumbling before her eyes.

It was forced to ignite its own saber, and the two met in the air with a loud crash and sizzle. She looked into the monster's eyes. The disbelief was now fading, replaced by horror. And anger. It growled and pushed her away. Its strength made her topple back. She was a few feet away now. Her pregnant belly added more weight, making her unsteady on her feet. She already ached. She was unbalanced.

But so was it.

The fury in its face was growing. It twisted the monster's face and made it look even more inhuman.

"Don't you turn against me," it said. Padmé did not respond. Its eyes widened.

"I see now," it hissed. "You are no longer Padmé. She wouldn't do this to me." It raised its weapon. "You will not take her from me!"

At this, Padmé spoke. "I am already gone."

It roared, and ran towards her. Padmé braced herself for the impact. She raised the lightsaber. The two met once more, surrounded by sparks. It hissed and growled in her face, animalistic. She pushed the saber towards him, trying to reach its face. It pushed back, stronger than her. She was forced to take more steps back.

She felt her foot slip. She was on the edge on the piece of land they were on, and below her was a river of flame. She felt fear rush through her body. Even more so when the thing pushed again, moving more towards her belly. Her child was in danger. Luke was in danger.

Her face twisted, and she let out a piercing battle cry. Its face twisted as well, and it looked down where it's saber was dangerously close to her stomach. It pulled back.

"You still carry my heir. Surrender, and I will let you live." It's voice lowered. "Don't make me kill you."

The lava reflected in her eyes. Luke was her's. Only her's.

"He is not yours."

The monster looked at her with hatred, and raised it's hand.

She ran towards it. Their sabers clashed. The sounds nearly deafened her. They moved rapidly, their feet carrying them away. Deep down, she knew it was holding back. As long as she wore her face, it would. She could use that. They ended up in the building, their weapons hitting the controls of the room and rendering them useless in a flurry of electric sparks.

Then, they were on the table, then off. It force pushed her onto the controls. She cried out in pain. A beeping as loud as a storm sounded out. She ignored it, willed away the pain, and rose. Her vision was becoming blurry, and she ran outside. It chased in pursuit.

"Coward!" it screamed. Padmé was no coward. She knew what she was doing.

With every strike, she attempted to push it over the edge of the landing. But her every attempt grew weaker. It basked in this glory, gloating and mocking. Suddenly, a burst of lava rose from the river below. She lowered the saber, and took a more radical course of action. She pushed it with all her might. It staggered a bit, but steadied. It laughed a horrible rendition of her husband's.

Its face suddenly fell. She balked for a moment, and noticed that the walls were moving.

The building was falling.

Padmé couldn't help but scream. She clutched her stomach, where Luke was, and let a tear slide from her eye. I'm sorry, Luke, she thought. She tumbled through burning air, knowing she was going to die.

Something shoved her.

She landed on the hot ground, on her back. She gasped for air, taking in as much as she could. She was hurting. All over. But, she knew that the monster was still there. Somewhere. It must have taken millennia, but she forced herself to stand. The lightsaber was a few feet away, and she scrambled to grab it. She held it in a sore hand, and looked behind her.

There it was. Standing on a rock adrift in the red river, staring at her, and she realized. It had pushed her so she would land on the ground, not in the river. She felt her will soften a bit, but that changed when she saw its eyes. Orange flames danced in them, revealing the fire within it.

"It's over," she said.

"I don't think so," it replied.

It jumped into the air, and Padmé instinctively raised the saber.

The saber cut into the thing's legs, searing through flesh and bone. It screamed, and toppled to the bank of the river. The now un-ignited lightsaber landed at her feet. She was frozen; she could not move a muscle. It groaned and screamed as she took a few steps towards it.

It looked up at her; both hate and love in its gaze.

"Why?" it whispered.

She watched as the lava overtook its body, setting what used to be her husband alight. "Padmé!" it cried, one final time, and then went quiet. Still.

She held back a sob, and picked up the saber that was Anakin's. She un-ignited Obi-Wan's saber and held one in each hand. She turned and started the trek back to her ship. Her vision was even more blurred now, due to pain and the tears. She stumbled around, trying to keep her pace. She saw silver. Though she could not make out the shape, she knew it to be her ship. But when she reached the landing, a horrible pain ran through her belly. She fell painfully to her knees, dropping the sabers, and collapsed.

"Padmé!" she heard a voice say urgently. She heard the whirring sound of a ship, and the sound of a pair of feet rushing towards her. She was picked up.

Then, the world faded to darkness.

"Is Anakin alright?" she heard herself say.

She slowly and painfully opened her eyes. Obi-Wan Kenobi was kneeling beside her.

"Don't give up, Padmé."

She then felt the contractions. Is the baby coming? She yelled. When it had passed, she began to whisper. "Ani-Anakin thinks it's a girl."

With a kick that hard? She heard him say in her mind.

"Padmé—"

"Name her Leia."

Obi-Wan stood, and brushed back her now un-braided hair. He must have done it in her unconscious state. He left, leaving the door open. She looked around at the silver-white walls.

She realized she was lying on a bed. Outside, Obi-Wan began to speak.

"She should be dead."

Another voice spoke. "Your lightsaber, she had. A fight, there was."

"And it should have killed her, Master Yoda. She is no force-sensitive. Not even a warrior."

"Underestimate the senator, you do. Intervene where it must, the force does."

There was silence for a moment. "She is delirious. And badly hurt. Do you think she will die? Is the child already dead?"

A jolt of fear ran through her. Was Leia dead? She was foolish, foolish to take on a sith. She was a stupid girl, even more stupid than she was ten years ago, when she agreed to rule.

Queen Amidala. A fool. But that was who she needed to be right now. A queen. More of a queen than Queen Amidala had been. She had to ensure her daughter's survival.

She pushed, and screamed.

Obi-Wan ran back into the room, crying her name. She ignored him, and continued pushing, and praying. Please let her be alive. Please let Leia live.

She stilled. Someone handed something to Obi-Wan.

"It's a boy."

"Luke."

A small, angelic face came into her view. She reached out desperately for him. Her hand touched his face. "Oh, Luke."

More pain came. She screamed. This time, she thought she was dying. She was fine with that. She had done her duty. She had saved her son.

But, the pain left, and the someone, who she could now see was a silver droid, was lifting another child. Obi-Wan whispered, "A girl."

"Leia," she whispered.

Her heart was flushed with love for the two tiny beings that were now here. She smiled, which hurt her face.

The world went black once more.

She awoke in a proper bed. She was alone this time. She still hurt, but there was a needle leading to a tube stuck in her arm. They must be keeping the pain under control, she thought.

Without hesitation, she ripped the device from her arm and rolled from the bed. The door was closed. Padmé inched towards it.

It opened. Obi-Wan stood two peered at the other, both unsure of what to say. Then, Padmé broke the silence.

"Where are they?"

"She is with Bail Organa and his wife. He will be sent to Tatooine."

"You took them away," she said softly, after a moment.

"It's in their best interest. And yours."

"They're mine," she said angrily, stalking towards him. "And you plan to send Luke to that-"

"Padmé, hear me out. The Jedi are gone. The Republic has been poisoned. If Palpatine and Anakin find out that you are the children are alive—"

"Anakin? He's dead. I killed him."

"But Padmé, I sense—"

"Did you find him?"

Obi-Wan fell silent.

"Then he is dead."

She prowled towards the window, staring out at the gardens beyond. She was quiet for a long time, and so was he.

"You are right."

Obi-Wan perked up.

"My children will be safer without me. But let me see them."

"Leia is already on Alderaan. Luke…"

"Is still here," she finished.

He sighed. "It can be arranged."

"Good."

The next day, she was helped into a blue gown, one with an intricate cape of many colors and waves. The collar was covered in sequins, as were the shoes. It was soft on her bruised skin.

A woman entered the room, holding a bundle.

Padmé reached out, and the baby was put in her unsteady arms. She cradled him close to her chest. She loved him; she loved him so much it hurt. She had never felt anything like this, not for anyone.

He held her finger. A tear escaped her eye and fell to the ground.

Obi-wan entered the room, ready to take her son away. With great effort, Padmé relinquished him. "Obi-Wan?" He looked at her. "Anakin's lightsaber. I want him to have it—when he's old enough."

Obi-Wan nodded, and left with her son, who she knew she would not see again.

Once the sky was black, as the stars looked down upon her, Padmé Amidala was paraded through the streets of Theed, flowers scattered around her and set in her curly hair. She could hear weeping as she struggled to control the rise and fall of her chest. In her fingers, she gripped a snippet of japor.

In another world, a machine of a man cried out, only now realizing what he had done.

Far, far away, a princess was placed in the arms of a king and queen, and the chosen one was placed in the arms of peasants, by a once great Jedi Knight, who then sped into the hot night.

And The Emperor had an iron grip on them all.

The war had begun.