Yoda had already gathered any surviving Jedi he could find and assembled them in the Temple's briefing room, where the holotable displayed a map of the nearby area of Coruscant. Beside him stood Senators Organa and Mothma of Alderaan and Chandrila .respectively

"Any Jedi pilots, we need," Yoda was saying as Anakin entered, "A challenge, taking out the Separatist's main battleship, it will not be. However, with Lord Sidious in command, in grave danger we are in."

"I have summoned as much of Alderaan's local militia as possible," Bail spoke up, "I have asked all loyal senators to do the same. Hopefully we can keep the clone and droid armies occupied long enough to take out the Sith Lord."

Anakin looked expectantly at the small Jedi Grand Master as Yoda turned his ancient gaze to him. "Young Skywalker, your ultimate test, this will be, as the Chosen one. Very few here have a chance against the dark lord. Your power, badly needed it is."

In another lifetime, Anakin would have found a savage pleasure at Yoda's admittance of his true skill in the Force, especially after being held back by Obi Wan and the Council. Yet he was a man now, a mature Jedi Knight with a duty to the order, the Republic and Padme.

He merely bowed to Master Yoda and replied, "I will not back down from my duty, Master Yoda."

"Jedi, get to your starfighters, you must," Yoda commanded, "accompany Skywalker, I will. Senators, prepare your ground soldiers."

It dawned just then on Anakin as everyone rushed to their positions that he had never as a Jedi or Padawan, been alone on an assignment with Master Yoda. Like Windu, the green alien Jedi had never quite liked or trusted Anakin, nor had Anakin particularly felt inclined to Yoda. But now, Yoda was placing the fate of the Jedi in his hands, and despite his determination to stay focused, he could not help experiencing a certain satisfaction.

As the Jedi and Senators rushed out towards the hangar, Yoda hobbled over to Anakin on his wooden stick, looking up at the young human Jedi.

"Young Skywalker, elsewhere, I sense your mind is."

Anakin flushes, ashamed but also indignant. Is he just keeping an eye on me? "My... visions, that I told you about... I'm afraid of them coming true. I don't know the extent of his powers." There was nothing to lose in being honest, with the stakes this high.

"Not allow harm to come to her, Obi Wan will," Yoda said, "Your child, healthy it will be."

Anakin could not believe his ears. He stared back down into Yoda's gaze of wisdom, wondering why he hadn't been expelled.

"Master Yoda..."

Yoda waved a wrinkled hand. "Suspected, I did, on Geonosis. Confirmed it was, when you came to me with visions."

"Master, I love her, and she is more important to me than anything."

"For now, let that aside, I will, with such a grave threat."

A shame, that the Jedi are still lying to you, and you still believe them.

Anakin activated his lightsaber, his soul trembling, as a chill ran through the ruined Jedi Temple.

"He's here, but he can't be. He's commanding the Separatist invasion."

"Lord Sidious, your trickery, fool us it will not," Yoda looked around the walls as he likewise felt the serious tremor in the Force.

"Master Yoda, this is not trickery, merely a display of my power that will be the death of you."

Anakin nearly screamed as the cloaked man appeared in the doorway. His deep cowl and robe were black, and his gnarled face was nearly obsured save his corrupted eyes.

"You won't get away again, Palpatine," Anakin snarled at him, charging with his lightsaber.

Palpatine did not move out of the way, but as the blue tip ran through his chest, it did not leave a wound not did it experience the sensation of his flesh.

Anakin found his rage and frustration growing, and pulled his blade out.

With a roar of pure hatred, Anakin swung his blade towards Sidious' neck, and cut through.

His blade passed through the dark lord without making contact.

Sidious laughed, raising his hands.

Deadly lightning came at both Anakin and Yoda, one streak from each hand.

While Anakin caught the deadly energy on the tip of his saber, Yoda raised his green, wrinkled hand and absorbed the crackling lightning in his palm.

In fact, Sidious stood inside his private chamber of his Star Destroyer Eclipse, concentrating intently. He was knowingly sacrificing much of his energy in projecting himself to Skywalker, but he needed to ensure the Sith had a future.

If he was going to die, he needed to ensure that peace did not return to the galaxy, and Skywalker was the one who would wreak havoc across the galaxy.

"A trick of Sith sorcery, this is," Yoda said, drawing and activating his small green blade, "Harm us, you cannot."

"Oh," Sidious laughed mockingly and feigned a tone of concern, "but what about your poor precious Senator on Naboo? If I can appear to you, I can appear to her and nobody can protect her."

"NOOOOOOOO!"

All rational thought evaporated from his mind, Anakin flung his lightsaber towards Sidious. It flew right through him and bore a deep hole in the wall behind the projection.

A cackling followed as Anakin summoned his blade back to him. Sidious disappeared as the terrified Anakin deactivated his saber and grasped his head with utter panic.

Turning to Master Yoda, Anakin said, "I have to go to her, on Naboo. Padme's in terrible danger."

"No!" Yoda glared up at the chosen one, "Trust in Obi Wan, you must. Sidious is only trying to distract you with empty threats."

"I don't care!" Anakin began to run to his starfighter, where Artoo was faithfully waiting.

Inside the old Lake Country villa, Padme was escorted into the delivery room by her handmaiden Dorme and Captain Typho. Obi Wan and Threepio followed close behind.

"I'm sorry Anakin isn't here, Padme," Obi Wan smiled ruefully as the medic gently set her down in bed, "I know you'd rather him be here for the birth of his child than old Obi Wan."

Padme smiled sadly as the medical droid entered. "I would never want him to abandon his duties for me. I of all people understand the pressure he is under." Obi Wan couldn't help but notice that her tone had changed slightly to accusatory, and he wondered whether it was towards him or the Jedi council.

The moment passed and Threepio asked, "My lady, is there any way I might be of help?"

"No thank you, Threepio."

All of the sudden, a menacing shadow passed over the room, and Obi Wan felt a deep, malignant tremor in the Force.

The floor creaked and a man entered. Chancellor Palpatine this time did not appear as his deformed, Sith self but wore his red chancellor's robes and his signature benign smile that matched his warm eyes.

"My dear Senator, I just want to say congratulations on your child," Palpatine said.

Obi Wan was caught completely by surprise, but long-ingrained Jedi calm allowed him to recover quickly and ignite his lightsaber, holding it in a classic Soresu stance.

"What are you doing here, Chancellor?"

Padme screamed at the same time and Typho drew his blaster. The doctor and Corde hid behind the bed in terror.

"My dear Master Kenobi, I merely came to visit my former queen and Senator. There is no need to be afraid." Palpatine raised his hands innocently.

Padme panted wildly, struggling to get up in her delicate condition.

"You... creature..."

Obi Wan stepped backwards slightly in caution, entirely ready to fight and die for Padme and her children.

"How did you get here? I sense you on Coruscant, leading the Separatists, but also here."

Palpatine's smile turned into a frown and his image changed into his true self, his face and eyes reflecting his pure evil and a black cloak draped over him.

"You will never understand the power of the dark side, Jedi. I will take the child and kill your Precious Senator."

Behind Obi Wan, Typho, Corde and the Doctor each reached for their throats, choking simultaneously as Palpatine choked them with the Force.

Yoda Force jumped in front of Anakin, holding up a hand to stop him.

"Skywalker, fall into the trap you must not!"

Anakin, help me!

"But I sense him there!" Anakin was furious now as he glowered down at the one who had long repressed him, had at first denied him training, "He's going to kill her! I'll kill him! If she dies.."

"This is why attachments, Jedi must not have!" Yoda's raspy voice hadn't seemed capable of projecting itself so loudly, "Your duty, come first it must, before your personal feelings."

Anakin, without thinking of anything but the girl whom he'd fallen in love with in that junk shop, activated his lightsaber threateningly.

"Get out of the way, Yoda!"

Yoda raised his hands in preparation for a confrontation. "Allow you to abandon the Republic you swore to defend, I will not."

This was the last straw. With an animal yell, Anakin brought his lightsaber down as Yoda Force pushed him onto his back.

Consumed entirely by his emotions, Anakin leapt to his feet to take out his anger on the Grand Master.

Outside the Temple and throughout the city world of Coruscant, the threeway battle between the Republic, Separatists and Empire raged on, causing building after building to burn and topple.

The mighty capital that had stood proud was crumbling apart.