Chapter 11

Here is the next chapter finally. I'm so sorry about the long wait!

All usual disclaimers apply.

Alone, Anakin Skywalker waited in the Council chambers. He was unable to stop the wave of despair washing over him. He knew that Master Windu and the others with him would die by the Sith Lord's hand. He had to help them, but he must obey orders. His thoughts were interrupted as Palpatine's voice spoke in his head.

You do know that if the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost, the voice said.

He stood up and walked over to one of the many large windows in the vast chamber. The silver top of the Senate building gleamed in the dying rays of the sun.

A tear rolled down his cheek. He turned around, and walked out of the room.

He knew what he had to do.

SAS

The doors to Chancellor Palpatine's office slid open, permitting Jedi Masters Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin entrance.

Palpatine's chair revolved to face the Jedi.

"Master Windu. I take it that General Grievous has been destroyed," he said pleasantly. "I must say you're here sooner than expected."

Mace only reached into his belt and ignited his violet blade. "In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you are under arrest, Chancellor." Two green blades and one blue joined Mace's humming lightsaber.

"Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?" The Chancellor asked, his voice suddenly obtaining a cold edge to it.

"The Senate will decide your fate," Mace replied harshly.

"I am the Senate!"

"Not yet," Mace disagreed.

The Chancellor rose from his chair. With barely a flick of his wrist, a lightsaber appeared in his hand. "It's treason, then," he said coolly.

With that, he ignited his ruby blade and leaped into the air. It took him two deadly thrusts of his blade to make a quick end of Masters Kolar and Tiin. Kit Fisto was able to hold out a little longer, but it wasn't long before he too fell to the Dark Lord's lightsaber. Only Master Windu was left. Again and again their blades clashed as they parried and thrusted, each one aiming to kill.

A few more clashes of red and violet until they were caught in a deadlock.

SAS

Having left the Council Chambers, Anakin landed the temple speeder outside the senate building and jumped out, running down the carpeted path in a great hurry. He arrived to see that Mace had the Chancellor cornered against the wall, his violet lightsaber millimeters from his throat. Sidious had lost his lightsaber, and the long glass window had been shattered.

"You are under arrest, My Lord," Mace said mockingly.

Anakin turned his attention to the cowering Chancellor. He cried desperately, "Anakin! I told you it would come to this! I was right! The Jedi are taking over!"

"The oppression of the Sith will never return! You have lost!" Mace announced.

Palpatine began to shout, "NO, NO, NO! YOU HAVE LOST!" Blue lightning sprung from his fingers, and Master Windu screamed as it came in contact with his body. Anakin stood and watched the battle.

"He's a traitor!" Palpatine yelled, still shooting Force lightning at Mace, who had caught it on his lightsaber. But even a Jedi as powerful as Mace Windu couldn't hold off a barrage of force lightning that strong.

"He's the traitor!" Master Windu cried, screaming in pain.

Both duelists begged help from Anakin.

"I have the power to save the one you love! You must choose!" Palpatine wailed in agony.

"Don't listen to him Anakin!" Mace .

Anakin realized what he had to do. Palpatine didn't have the power to save Padme. He did. His future, his destiny, was influnced by the choices he made. And right now, the Force told him that his destiny was to destroy the Sith. And to to that, he had to help Mace.

Anakin Force-pushed Master Windu away from Chancellor Palpatine. The pain was excruciating as the lightning coursed through his body. The lightning he had experienced on Geonosis was nothing compared to the pure, unadulterated agony he was feeling now. He ignited his own lightsaber and blocked the source of his pain.

He realized only seconds later that the attack had stopped. Of course, he mused silently. The

Sith Lord wouldn't want to damage his 'future apprentice.'

He glared into the vile yellow irises of the Darth Sidious. "Leave him," Anakin snarled. "Fight me. Let me prove that I am worthy to be your apprentice- My Lord," he sneered mockingly.

Only then did he raise his lightsaber, and attacked.