Disclaimer: I forgot to add the disclaimer on the last chapter, but I do not own Star Wars, and in case I forget again, this is valid for the whole story.

A/N – Ok.. took me a little while longer than I expected. Busy week. But here is the second part of this chapter. Just one more left. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Eight: Revenge of the Sith (Part II) – The Trap

"Please Padmé, don't go! It's too dangerous!" he pleaded, again. But as he begged her resolve only grew stronger. And yet, even though he could see the valuable opportunity, all he could think of was the vision, the heat of flames embracing her in a deathly hug, her screams of pain. He knew he was running out of time. Every time he had the dream, the vision became clearer and clearer and still he couldn't see what was happening.

"Anakin, you know I must go. I'll be alright," she ran her soft hand down his cheek, he needed to shave.

"What if it's a trap?" he asked sheepishly. He could cry, but he wouldn't.

"I have a duty, Ani. You know what that is. Please don't stop me from doing mine,"

"I'll get on my knees and beg if I must…"

"It wouldn't make a difference," he knew it wouldn't. He would try harder but there was no point. Nothing he could do would ever change her mind. How defeated Anakin felt, how useless and powerless; if only he could go with her and protect her, but he couldn't. There wasn't a chance in the galaxy the Council would allow him to leave Coruscant after the assignment they had given him. And apparently, the Separatist Senators had made it very clear that they didn't want Jedi anywhere around them.

"Just be careful," he asked, gaining him a gentle smile and a kiss. She promised she would be, but as Anakin saw her leave his heart tightened. He felt as if this was the end of something… he only hoped it was the beginning of something else.

All that he knew at that moment was that Padmé was going to die. He didn't know when or why, that's why he feared that trip so much. But he knew he had to stop it, even though he had the sense that the clock was ticking and it was about to go off. Yes, time was almost up and he had to stop it. He thought he should meditate, and try to get more accurate information about what was to come, but he knew the Force only gave him pieces and he felt it was cheating him, it was only giving him bits and pieces of the events that he couldn't translate into actual facts. It was unfair! Why show him moments in the future if it did nothing to help him stop it?

Anakin arrived at the Opera House at last, he climbed the stairs two steps at a time with a sense of urgency that had nothing to do with him being late to his meeting. The Chancellor was waiting for him, but if he could tell the truth he didn't give a damn about the old man. What made him run was his lack of time. It was if the Force was telling that everything had to come to pass with a speed that Anakin couldn't keep up with.

He took a deep breath before entering the Chancellor's box and slowed his pace. The only thing that lightened the atmosphere was the Mon Calamari dance of light that erupted from the stage, other than that the environment in the box was heavier than Anakin ever cared to experience. He just didn't know why. There was something dark and heavy in that place. He looked around and he couldn't identify it. The more things happened to him, the more powerless he felt. All he could see was that all the seats were taken in the Chancellor's private Opera box, so with apparent calm the Knight approached Palpatine and bent over so he could speak in a low voice.

"You wanted to see me Chancellor?" he asked.

"Yes Anakin, come closer. I have good news," the young man did as he was told, he crouched beside the Supreme Chancellor, "Our clone intelligence units have discovered the location of General Grievous. He's hiding in the Utapau system,"

"At last, we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war," despite Anakin's fears, this had been the best news he had received in a long time. It should've been the ones that Padmé had given him just hours before, but all the Knight could see in those was the overwhelming potential for a trap.

"I would worry about the collective wisdom of the Council if they didn't select you for this assignment. You're the best choice, by far," the elder man's flattery was unwelcome for Anakin, but unbeknownst of the Chancellor, he was on assignment already, and if he wanted to gather the information he required, he was confident that the best course of action was to remain silent at the subtle affront against the Jedi Council, so he just smiled politely. Palpatine seemed to notice his discomfort though. How he picked up on people's feelings so easily Anakin couldn't understand, but he supposed one wouldn't be able to rise so high in the politics ladder without some sort of clairvoyance. "Sit down," he requested and then turned to his staff and with the most demanding and cold voice Anakin ever heard and he ordered them to leave. The tone itself frightened him. They did as commanded immediately and Anakin took a seat beside the Chancellor.

"I trust you know of the diplomatic meetings that are to occur to discuss the end of the war?" Anakin nodded nervously in response and received a faint smile from the Chancellor, "Senator Amidala was more than happy to represent the Republic. I'm sure the negotiations will be short, and very much to our benefit, considering the circumstances,"

"I would've felt better if Jedi were sent on these negotiations," the young man replied, "We are peacekeepers after all," The comment incited a long, deep breath from the Chancellor and his semblance became one of an old man, lined with worry and a hard life. The complete opposite that he had just shown before his subordinates.

"Anakin, you know I'm not able to rely on the Jedi Council," he said pensively "If they haven't included you on their plot they soon will,"

"I'm not sure I understand," he said, but he did understand. The Jedi no longer trusted the Supreme Chancellor, and neither did he.

"You must sense what I have come to suspect. The Jedi Council want control of the Republic, they're planning to betray me," Anakin was taken aback by the accusation.

"I don't think…" he stammered.

"Anakin, search your feelings. You know, don't you?"

"I know they don't trust you," he said. Anakin had a mission, it was to gather information so he was feeding the Chancellor with a bit of his own that he knew was more than public already,

"Or the Senate, of the Republic, or democracy for that matter," The Chancellor spat with despise. Anakin felt insulted, but did his best not to show it. "Even you Anakin, even you have been different. The Council asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn't they? They asked you to spy on me, didn't they?"

"No," Anakin said with little conviction as he shifted uncomfortably on his chair. Not because he felt uncomfortable with spying on the Chancellor but because he was astonished as to how he had obtained this information. Was there a traitor among the Jedi Council? The mission wasn't even on record, so how could he know?

"I see…" he said as he glanced at the graceful spectacle in front of him, and then he started again "Remember back to your early teachings. All who gain power are afraid to lose it. Even the Jedi,"

"The Jedi use their power for good," the young Knight interjected with confidence,

"Good is a point of view Anakin. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power," Anakin eyed the Chancellor suspiciously, and all of a sudden he seemed a lot darker than usual.

"The Sith rely on their passion for their strength," he explained, "they think inwards, only about themselves,"

"And the Jedi don't?"

"The Jedi are selfless, they only care about others,"

Palpatine did not reply, he took one long look at the young Knight beside him. Anakin felt watched, observed, as if the Chancellor was studying his every expression, so he kept it blank, as any good Jedi would do. But the conversation they were having was frightening. He knew that the Chancellor was a man of great knowledge; that he had studied in the best schools and with the best tutors. But how would he know anything about the teachings of the Sith? Anakin's heart was racing in his chest, contrasting with the serene expression on his face. His feelings had already betrayed him once, when Palpatine had inquired him about if he had been asked to spy on him, and the young Knight was not about to let his thoughts betray him once more.

"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis, the Wise?" the Chancellor asked and Anakin looked at him, astonished and almost out of breath. Were it not for the Force he would've panicked when confronted with the perilous course of their conversation.

"No," he answered curtly.

"I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you," his tone was subtlety scornful but he proceeded, "It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith so powerful and so wise, that he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create… life. He had such a knowledge of the Dark Side! He could even keep the ones he cared about from dying,"

In that moment only one thing jumped into Anakin's mind, Padmé engulfed in burning flames of fire… if only… No! Was that possible? Could that be true? Why was he telling him this? He was confronted with a dilemma, one he would have to sort later. For now he needed to know more! But he couldn't, no he couldn't but he had to! His heart, which was racing to begin with was now verging a heart attack and Anakin felt he couldn't think clearly. Was this a chance or a trap? He didn't care, maybe he could save Padmé… all he wanted was to save Padmé! And his mind was blank… completely blank.

"He could actually save people from death?" the treacherous question finally came.

"The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural,"

"What happened to him?" Anakin asked, with that sense of urgency that he tried leaving out the door but had finally run to catch up with him.

The Chancellor smiled, "He became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course he did. Unfortunately he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. It's ironic, he could save others from death, but not himself,"

"Is it possible to learn this power?" Anakin asked a question that would seem impossible to have asked just a few minutes ago. To ask if he could learn a Sith power. In the back of his mind there was a tiny voice that begged him not to do it, but he shunned it. Maybe that's all he needed to save Padmé…

"Not from a Jedi," But there had to be a way and he was going to find out. He was going to save her, no matter the price it would cost him. Anakin felt the need to leave. He didn't want to talk to the Chancellor anymore. He didn't know what to say, and he thought all the information Palpatine had he already shared it with him. He didn't stop to think of why and how he knew these things.

He should have…

He stood suddenly and made his excuses as he headed towards the door. But before he reached it he turned to the Chancellor one last time, "How do you know these things?" he asked.

"I had a good teacher… he taught me many things," the Chancellor smiled and Anakin was satisfied with the answer. He finally left. He sped towards the Jedi Temple and barged inside. He headed straight to the Archives and sat at a computer terminal. He researched Darth Plagueis and no results showed up, then midichlorians, and nothing useful came up. He tried and tried, all night he sat inside the old Archives room, the busts of the Lost Twenty stared at him all night as if they were telling him to stop, but he ignored them. He continued until the light came up from the windows. It was blinding him and he had found nothing! It was as if this Darth Plagueis never existed at all. He wondered if the Chancellor was lying to him, but what would his purpose be? The Jedi didn't trust him already, if they suspected he had any allegiance with the Sith, even if it was unknowingly, they would trust him even less. He had to find out how the Sith had done it nonetheless. He thought of looking through the holocrons, since he had access to the vaults now that he was in the Council, but before he could go his comlink rang and he was summoned to a Council meeting. He had forgotten about it completely. He could go back later, for no one in the Council could suspect what he was trying to do. He knew they would stop him somehow and for the first time in his life he thought of the Jedi of weak and scared creatures, too afraid to venture into newly acquired knowledge. Imagine what the Order could do with such a power, all the millions of lives that would be spared in every war and every conflict they faced, how many innocents wouldn't have to perish. Yes, Anakin Skywalker decided he would discover how to stop people from dying, not only to save Padmé but for the sake of the whole galaxy.

Anakin sat on his Council seat and relayed the finding of General Grievous on Utapau as the Chancellor had told him the night before. He didn't mention the fact that he asked him to lead the campaign because it was a bad time to leave Coruscant. He didn't even think he should go anyway, nor that it was his place to request the assignment for himself. But when it was decided that Obi-Wan would go his heart dropped a little. He could use his Master around him at a time like this. But he said nothing.

Later that day, after a few more hours spent in the Jedi Archives, Anakin walked with his Master towards the ship that would take him to Utapau. He felt the urge to say goodbye to his former Master, it was also a little habit they had created over the past few years, they always said their goodbyes to each other whenever they had the chance. But this time it was different, Anakin had the strange feeling he wouldn't be seeing his Master for a very long time. He didn't share it with him, but deep inside he knew this was more than an usual goodbye.

"How did your meeting with the Chancellor fair last night?" his Master asked as he joined him outside his chambers.

Anakin shrugged his shoulders and decided to omit most of the conversation, for obvious reasons. "I don't think he trusts the Council very much, but we don't trust him either. I believe he caught up to that," he could've at least told him about the Chancellor believing the Jedi wanted to take over, but if he started speaking he didn't know if he'd be able to shut up. The Master nodded.

"You look tired, Anakin," he said changing the subject completely, "have you been sleeping?"

The young Knight shook his head and gave his Master a poor attempt of a smile, "I'll be fine," he said even though he probably wouldn't be.

"Are these visions of yours still troubling you?" his former Padawan merely nodded in response. "Dreams pass in time. This war has been a heavy burden on all of us,"

"I know…" he smiled sadly, "You're gonna need me on this one, Master," he said after a pause. They had always worked well together, even the Holonet labeled them as The Team.

"Oh I agree, however it might turn out just to be a wild bantha chase,"

"Master, I've disappointed you," he said in earnest just as they reached Obi-Wan's ship "I haven't been very appreciative of your training,"

Master Kenobi smiled and placed his hands on his Padawan's shoulders, "Anakin you are strong and wise and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy, I have taught you everything I know and you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be,"

"No, I haven't. There is no greater Jedi than you Master," Obi-Wan chuckled. Both Jedi shared a hug, as brothers, as friends and as father and son saying their final goodbyes.

"Obi-Wan, may the Force be with you," Anakin said as his Master descended the platform towards his ship.

"Goodbye old friend, may the force be with you," and as Anakin saw his Master leave he tried to remember his face, for he knew he wouldn't see it for a very long time. He wanted to cry, but Jedi don't do that.

What Anakin didn't know was that there were still many tears he'd have to shed…

After he left the Jedi Temple hangar he went back to the Archives and even entered the vaults to research on Darth Plagueis and his midichlorian manipulations. There he spent all his free time over the next three days. But to no avail for there was no trace of the man or any of his achievements.

Anakin was tired, he hadn't slept at all ever since his visit to the Opera House all those days before. Not that he hadn't tried, but he couldn't. There was too much he had to do. After all that research he finally gave up, there had to be another way of finding out about this mysterious Dark Lord of the Sith, and it wasn't in the Jedi Temple. He left, feeling defeated, and he headed back to yet another Council meeting and as he walked this feeling he had been having was becoming more intense. He thought that it was becoming paranoid with exhaustion. He didn't rush. He walked calmly… but suddenly he knew his senses weren't betraying him after all.

Something happened…

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Obi-Wan stretched his legs as he left his starfighter. Three days was too long to be cooped up in a space that small, but it was the faster he could've gone in that small ship and Utapau was a long way from Coruscant.

He looked around at the sinkhole planet. He had landed on one of the upper levels' hangar of Pau City, there were many more beneath him. It was not a beautiful place, tainted as it was by pollution and sentient handiwork, but the Pau'ans were a peaceful people and had kept their neutrality for the whole course of the war. He looked forward, the Master of Port Administration was awaiting him, Tion Medon was his name. Obi-Wan approached him and bowed respectfully, he sensed he was being watched.

"Greetings young Jedi," Tion Medon started the conversation in his peculiar Basic accent, "what brings you to our remote sanctuary?"

"Unfortunately the war," the Negotiator replied.

"There's no war here, unless you brought it with you,"

"With your kind permission I should like some fuel, and to use your city as a base as I search nearby systems for General Grievous," Tion Medon motioned his men to refuel the Master Jedi's ship and took a step forward.

"He left just hours ago, but his army his here. We are being held hostage, they are watching us," the Pau'an said and Obi-Wan's suspicions were confirmed. He could still trust his senses.

"I understand," he replied simply.

"Tenth level. Thousands of battle droids," with few whispered words Tion Medon explained the whole situation.

"Tell your people to take shelter. If you have warriors, now is the time," the Master Jedi bowed again and left towards his ship. He ordered the astrodroid to take it back with a message to the awaiting clones. Grievous wasn't there, but there was still a battle to fight. While Cody didn't arrive with reinforcements Obi-Wan searched for Grievous' base, maybe he could find something there. It was empty, only a few battle droids roaming around. Obi-Wan decided he had definitely missed the feared General, he couldn't sense his distinctive presence anywhere near.

He hid and contacted the Jedi Council, to report his finding, or lack of thereof. All the members were present, even if few were actually in the Council Room.

"Master Kenobi, did you find the General?" Windu asked and Obi-Wan was sad to admit he hadn't.

"It appears I missed him for only a few hours. No one seems to know where he went. Nevertheless the Separatist army has taken Utapau and they require our assistance. I might not have Grievous, but I still have a battle to fight,"

"So they sent you on a fool's errand. That's just great," Anakin chimed in.

"Yes, it appears so. Masters, I am worried of the negotiations on Mandalore. I fear that with Grievous on the lose it might be a problem,"

"I am near Mandalore," Master Plo Koon declared, I will go and make sure all is going according to plan. I should be there in a matter of hours. Obi-Wan couldn't help but notice a small sigh of relief coming from his former Padawan; he was acting stranger every day. He did not have time to dwell on the subject however, for his men arrived and he had a battle to fight. The Council meeting adjourned before he could say anything more.

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Senator Amidala arrived at Mandalore with high expectations. She hadn't been there in a very long time, as she abandoned her ship she observed that things were quite different from when she was a child, the city was more organized, cleaner and the citizens visibly happier. She enjoyed the sight and smiled at it. She, and her small clone escort were greeted by Duchess Satine, a woman that Padmé did not know well and yet admired at a distance. They certainly shared the same pacifist views, even if Padmé's were not as radical. She felt slightly ashamed for that. Satine had taken a stand and fought, succeeding, for Mandalore's independence and neutrality. As she looked upon the regal yet beautiful blonde woman she thought that maybe she should've done the same when she was the Queen of Naboo. If she had left the Republic and declared neutrality she would have brought the peace she so longed for to her home planet. On the other hand, she felt the Republic was one of the few institutions, along with the Jedi Order, that were actually worth fighting for. In the end it was hard to know if her decision had been right or wrong, but her youth, at the time of her rule of Naboo, did not aide her resolve. She was young, yes, and more than that, she had principles. She was not only of Naboo but of the Republic.

"Welcome to Mandalore Senator Amidala," Satine greeted her, with a warm smile adorning her beautiful features, "I am happy to host the negotiations for peace in the Galaxy. We all long for it,"

"Duchess Satine, I am honored to see you again," she bowed respectfully, "I can't tell you how much I, and the Republic, appreciate this gesture,"

"My dear, the Jedi Council asked me. And everyone knows I can't say no to Master Kenobi. We are very old friends," she let out an amused giggle as she motioned Padmé to walk with her, "Come, we will show you your chambers for the remaining of your stay and later today your counterparts await you,"

Mandalore's Royal Palace was nothing short of Naboo's in beauty, even if the style was completely different. In Naboo there was the worry that the infrastructures were harmonized with the natural splendor of the planet, but on Mandalore their designs were modern and streamlined. The rooms that had been assigned to her were no less beautiful. They were spacious and the colors soothing. She was finally left alone. Her trip to Mandalore had been quite long, two days was the time she had to prepare for the decisive meetings that were upon her, but for now she needed some rest. She looked at the chrono beside her bed, she still had two hours to kill before the meeting started. Padmé decided to lie down, maybe have some sleep, but the truth was she was too excited. She could end the war, she could do it; it was within her grasp. She found herself thinking of the future, she imagined herself and Anakin lying by the lake in Varykino. Their life would be simple and carefree, they'd marry right there. When she was just a child, like every other girl, she had dreamed of her wedding, she'd marry in a white dress with a lace veil. She had imagined her children's names. If she were ever to have a boy his name would be Luke, and a girl would be Leia. Maybe she could have both, with the husband she had always dreamed by her side. She felt so happy, she had never felt so happy over the course of her entire life. All the responsibility that had been laid upon her since a very young age denied her many joys most women her age had. But now she could have it all; all she wanted the most. She could have peace, and then Anakin and then children. She didn't ask for much once the war was over, she didn't want to continue involved in politics, she would finally be able to live her life; the happy life she had always dreamed of. Padmé thought it would be impossible, that day on Geonosis when Anakin had told her he couldn't admit his love for her had broken her heart, but contrary to her belief it was not without repair, for he had come around to her, to hold her in his strong arms. She was smiling and she didn't even know it.

Yes, Padmé Amidala was a happy woman, and everything she wanted was so close that she could almost feel it.

When the time came for the meeting Padmé stood, invigorated by all the hope that those two hours of daydreaming had given her. She left her chambers, accompanied by the clone troopers that had been stationed at her door the entire time. As she entered the room that the Duchess had generously bestowed upon them she had a most pleasant surprise, one that widened her smile even further.

"Mina!" she exclaimed as she saw her old friend, the woman she had learned so much from. Mina Bonteri was an example for everyone who had the desire of becoming a hardworking, honest politician and she was also a friend in whom Padmé knew she could trust with anything. Sometimes having an imaginary line separate people didn't mean they couldn't respect each other. That was the case with Padmé and Mina. They did not share the same opinions, nor did they want the same things, but they respected and cherished each other's friendship. When Mina decided that Onderon was to leave the Republic and join the Confederacy of Independent Systems, she couldn't deny that she had been sad, almost disappointed to see her dear friend turn to the other side. But Mina Bonteri was right about something, the Republic hadn't been functioning as it should for a very long time. Maybe she just had betted on the wrong horse, but she believed that being with the Separatists was the best for her people and Padmé could do nothing but respect, if not her choice, her intentions. Unfortunately the event had led them to be separated for three years, the entire duration of the Clone Wars. But now they met yet again, under the most pleasant circumstances.

"Padmé, how wonderful it is to see you again," the two friends hugged each other warmly, "It has been far too long,"

"How is Lux? I imagine he is so grown up,"

"Very well and very grown indeed, a certified teenager," they both laughed. "You look happy," her friend observed.

"I am,"

"You must tell me who he is, and I wish it could be now. But if these next few days go according to plan, we will have much time to talk,"

They ended their friendly conversation for more than one reason. The first was because they had work to do, and the second was that there were more people in the room, people Padmé didn't trust, or even Mina for that matter. Some discussions should always happen in private. Padmé finally looked about the large conference room and for the first time she felt very little. There were several senators from the Parliament of the Confederacy and she was on her own. For the first time she wondered why, but then she brushed the thought for there was no use to it now. What was done was done. Of course she was outnumbered but this was no battle.

They sat at the round table. Padmé felt alone and often looked over her shoulder to eye her small clone escort, even though no menace lay upon her. The first day of negotiations was long and strenuous, but went well enough. She knew there would be more; she knew that a three year long conflict would not be resolved peacefully in a matter of a few hours. But that night, she went to rest sound and at peace. She had the most beautiful dream. She and Anakin were having a picnic on the green grass by the lake on Varykino and there were children running, playing and laughing around them.

The next day started early, at the same round table.

"Milady," the Techno Union senator mused in his robotic voice, "we cannot agree to reintegrate the Republic, as you are well aware,"

"Padmé, we left the Republic for a reason. We want peace in our worlds as much as you do in yours, but we want to be independent," Mina observed and Padmé could understand. But she was not about to give up just yet.

"Senators, the Republic has stood for…" a loud bang sounded in the background, interrupting Senator Amidala. She looked back and watched the clones barge out of the room. The sounds of weapons could be heard loudly now.

"What is the meaning of this?" Padmé demanded of the Separatists, but they seemed as surprised as she was "These were supposed to be peaceful negotiations!"

"Padmé, I swear to you that I don't know!" Senator Bonteri said, she seemed truly genuine. They had no time to discuss the matter further, when a Mandalorian palace guard entered the room. Mandalore was a peaceful world, police and guards were as close as they had to an army. He was badly wounded. Mina rushed to close the door behind him and Padmé took the man on her lap.

"Grievous…" was all he was able to mutter before he the force abandoned him for eternity. Padmé looked at her dress, it had blood on it. This was a trap, and there was no way she could escape this room. Anakin, she thought of him. He was right. A tear threatened to escape her eye, but she resisted it.

"We didn't know where he was, I swear Padmé!" her friend approached her, taking her blood stained hand in hers. "I swear," she insisted. She looked at the other Senators, they were clearly clueless as to what was happening.

"I know…" she said, trying to comfort her friend. She managed a smile, however meager it was.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered, and as she did a squad of droids entered the room, weapons engaged to fire. Padmé suddenly stood and straightened up, looking as resolved as she could, the head of the Mandalorian guard that had been on her lap fell to the floor with a loud thump.

Grievous entered the room, metallic hands clasped behind his back.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. My dearest Senators, what is the meaning of this?" he asked as he shook his head disapprovingly, his cloak flying behind him as he walked, "The war does not end until I say it ends. You are traitors and do you know what I do to traitors?" he asked. His only answer was the petrified look on the Senators' faces. Even his own people feared him. He didn't do anything for a moment. Padmé seized the silence and gathered all her courage.

"You are interrupting peace negotiations, General. You should leave," he started laughing and the laughter soon became an annoying dry cough. He approached Padmé and took her arm on a firm grip; she couldn't help but gasp at the pain.

"Senator Amidala, you are a guest in my ship," he said as he pulled her on his way out of the room; before they stepped out Grievous stopped for a moment and turned to his droid squad. "Shoot them," he ordered. Padmé was already outside when she heard the Senators being slaughtered. Their screams were audible for a few seconds and then complete and utter silence was all that came from that room.

Grievous walked very fast, she stumbled on her feet to accompany him. She felt like crying and screaming, but she wouldn't. Padmé Amidala did not scream, she fought until there was no breath left in her. As they were walking through the corridors of the Mandalore Royal Palace she could see it, droids were everywhere, there were hundreds of them; her small group of clone troopers was dead, their bodies scattered on the floor amongst dozens of royal guards, equally lifeless. Landed right outside the Palace was a small shuttle, Grievous threw her in and tied her up. There was no way should could free herself. They soon parted, there was no one in the shuttle but the two of them.

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"General, we are under heavy fire. We are under attack… Grievous is here! He's… AAH!" That was the transmission Master Jedi Plo Koon received as soon as he left hyperspace above the atmosphere of Mandalore. He knew it then, Grievous had deceived them once again and they had fell right into his trap. He just didn't understand what in the galaxy was the interest of attacking a planet with only one Republic Senator there? Or maybe it was just an excuse to finally take Mandalore by force.

"General, Grievous's shuttle, dead ahead!" Admiral Vosen yelled at the Jedi Master. He looked at it, there was no doubt that it was the small shuttle Grievous always traveled in, there was no mistaking it, he knew it too well.

"Shoot it Admiral," the Jedi ordered in his usual calm tone. But there was nothing calm about him. Somehow he knew something was wrong, but this was a chance he couldn't throw away.

"But General," the Admiral seemed to know too. Admiral Vosen was a young human who had climbed the hierarchic ladder of the Republic Navy fairly quickly. He was a skilled man in the arts of war "why would Grievous run if he has no opposition in the planet?"

"Grievous always runs, shoot the ship Admiral. We cannot miss this opportunity. The General escaped Utapau, he will not leave Mandalore alive," the Master said gravely and seconds later, Grievous' ship was nothing more than a fuming ball of fire.

Now the war was over!

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Padmé had finally given in to her own despair. She was crying, now she could, for Grievous wasn't watching her, he was far too occupied piloting the small shuttle they were in. She couldn't see it, but she felt they were leaving Mandalore´s atmosphere.

"Anakin, please help me, please…" she pleaded almost silently, tears were streaming down her cheeks and she didn't even notice that she was sobbing loudly. She didn't have the Force but maybe Anakin could hear her through it. It seemed fruitless, for soon she felt Grievous doing evasion maneuvers for the shuttle balanced violently, throwing small objects on her. She kept begging for her lover's help, but it was worthless. It hadn't been five minutes since they left the planet when she felt a surge of heat around her. She screamed his name one last time and then it was over. The last thing she saw was her final dream, Anakin and herself, sitting by the lake on Naboo, the sun lighting their skins and the cool breeze freshening it. There were two children running and laughing around them. That was the future they could've had.

Then there was nothing but darkness.

Padmé Amidala was dead!

A/N2: In case anyone is wondering. Yes, Padmé is really dead and no, she will not be coming back. Death is very definitive in her case. I hope you enjoyed. Please leave a review. :)