Wow, I got more reviews for the last chapter than any of the others. Thanks to all for the comments. There were also a few questions asked and I guarantee that they will all get answered before too much longer. Until then, enjoy…
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

CHAPTER 13

Descent

The fresh Naboo snow crunched beneath the feet of the cloaked figure as it approached. The Jedi Knight awaiting his arrival stood in place – firm and unwavering. Even though its face was hidden under the dark hood it wore, Anakin Skywalker already knew who it was that stepped up the white set of stairs. It was an old friend, a man that once mentored him and had lent his support when the council would not…but none of that mattered anymore. He was only one thing to him now: a treacherous Sith Lord that had murdered the only family he had ever known since his days on Tatooine. Having concealed his identity from everybody – including the Senate and the Jedi Order – for many years, the corrupt politician had managed to destroy the Jedi while creating an Empire. Under the guise of a kind-hearted Senator from the very planet that had given the fallen Order refuge after his betrayal, Palpatine had climbed to the ranks of Supreme Chancellor and eventually gained the power he had so desperately desired.

The Republic had trusted and believed in the Chancellor – and because of that misplaced faith – it had been shattered and replaced by a revolting government built on dictatorship. Within the first days of the new Empires reign, countless lives had been sacrificed. Anakin knew that if something wasn't done before it was too late, the galaxy would be thrust into a dark age of repression and many more would perish as a result.

He incisively silenced his inner musings as Darth Sidious made his way up the last several steps that led to his place in front of the immense palace doors. With a careless wave of his hand, the Emperor gestured towards a defeated Count Dooku. The two imposing figures clad in red robes that walked with him obediently left his side and started for his apprentice. Both of his hands missing at the wrists, the man also known as Darth Tyranus was helped to his feet and escorted back down the steps.

Sidious casually pulled his hood down once he reached the young Knight that glared at him from the top of the staircase.

"Oh, Anakin, I cannot begin to express how happy I am to see that you are safe," he said with a friendly chuckle, his voice soft and kind. "I knew the clones would have trouble with you."

Lightsaber still blazing, Anakin remained where he was and skeptically watched the seemingly harmless Sith. However, he knew full well that the words 'Sith' and 'harmless' could never go together in the same sentence.

"How could you do it?' he asked in disgust. "I trusted you. We all trusted you!"

"Believe me, Anakin, I never intended to hurt you. I would never mean to harm the Chosen One," Sidious assured the furious Jedi, a regretful expression of compassion and understanding on his sympathetic face. "I wanted you to join me – to help me forge my new Empire…but sadly, you could not be swayed. I tried and I tried, but you failed to see the flaws of the galaxy as I could. If only you could have viewed the workings of the Senate from my point of view, Anakin. The people must be cleansed of the corruption and greed that the unstable Republic has created."

"By killing the entire Jedi Order?" Anakin questioned as he took an enraged step forward.

"It is the only way," Sidious calmly replied. "Sometimes we must do what is necessary. Without change, we are all destined to repeat the same mistakes of the past."

"I should strike you down where you stand," Anakin retorted, his gaze burning with anger and hatred.

Sidious' lips curled up into a crude smile at the open display of emotion. "Maybe you should, my young friend. Kill me and avenge the deaths of the rest of the Jedi I have slain."

"Don't think I won't do it," Anakin impatiently threatened.

"I can sense your anger, Anakin…I can feel it giving you strength," Sidious growled, taking a step forward himself. "Strike me down and free yourself. The dark side can give you power beyond your wildest dreams. You know it is what you want, I can feel it inside you."

Anakin made no move to attack. "We do not all desire power, Chancellor."

"But you do, Anakin," Sidious said matter-of-factly. "You know you do. How long will you keep lying to yourself? Unleash your gift, I beg of you."

"You can beg all you want," Anakin remarked as he began to slowly circle his old friend, intently studying his position.

"You will become a great Sith – the likes of which the galaxy has never seen before," Sidious confidently stated, peering into the unrelenting Jedi's intense stare. "You cannot deny your destiny forever. You were made for a purpose, my friend, and you will fulfill it…I have foreseen it."

"Maybe you are not as wise and all-powerful as you think you are," Anakin retorted. "I will not turn. You are wrong…"

"Am I?"

Without warning, a lightsaber appeared as if out of nowhere and its crimson blade burst to life in the Sith Lord's readied grasp.

"We shall see, Anakin…we shall see."

Sabe raced down the winding halls of the palace, accompanying Queen Jamillia and the rest of her handmaidens while they fled from the invading clone soldiers. Captain Panaka trailed behind them with a group of royal guards – having ushered her majesty away from the presented danger after the first opportunity had arisen. As much as he hated to abandon Senator Amidala and the two Jedi, defending the queen was and always had been his main priority. Hopefully, the guards that had stayed behind would be enough to protect them.

"Your majesty, we have to get you off of Naboo," Sabe continued to plead.

"I will not leave my people during a time of crisis," Queen Jamillia replied, still running as fast as her legs would carry her. The cumbersome gown she wore did nothing to help her speed or mobility. "We will get to safety and wait for reinforcements to arrive, but I will not leave Theed."

"Very well, milady," Sabe finally sighed in resignation.

As they rounded the corner to turn down another hallway, they suddenly came to an abrupt stop when they spotted a highly unexpected individual.

Sabe's eyes immediately widened at the sight of the familiar Jedi Master. "Obi-Wan?"

Padme could do nothing but watch while Anakin and the self-proclaimed Emperor of the galaxy slowly walked in circles, cautiously sizing each other up for the duel that was sure to come. She felt fear and dread wash over her as she nervously peered at them from the place on the ground where Aayla Secura's unconscious body rested. She could tell that Anakin was growing angrier with each passing second and it worried her…Palpatine was clearly succeeding in his plot to infuriate and enrage him further.

Her breath caught in her throat and an unnerving chill ran down her spine when Anakin lunged towards the menacing Sith Lord, instantly beginning the battle as their lightsabers clashed.

Blue and red glowing blades pressed against one another until Anakin over-powered his adversary and pushed him away, knocking him back a short distance. The former Chancellor only cackled and returned the shove with a blow of his own. Once again, blue and red met.

"Good, good," Sidious said in delight. "You are doing well, Anakin. Let the dark side guide you!"

Anakin's only response was an attempt to plunge his ignited weapon into Sidious' torso, but the Sith was too fast and he easily parried the attack. Anakin then flipped through the air, whirling above his enemies' head and gracefully landing on the ground behind him untouched. Sidious spun around, skillfully blocking his swipe and cackling yet again.

"Your passion will help you grow," he proceeded to taunt the Jedi, an arrogant grin never leaving his face.

"I have heard enough out of you!" Anakin declared as he sprang forward.

Sidious quickly stopped his advances with a powerful Force shove, hurling the Knight several meters through the air. Anakin expertly somersaulted as he flew back and rolled to his feet within seconds of his landing – instinctively bracing himself for the next assault. When Sidious only stood and waited, he himself summoned the aide of the Force to increase his speed and dashed towards his foe, resuming the fight without hesitation.

"Yes, that is it," Sidious encouraged him, deflecting the incoming strike with minimal effort. "Take revenge for the others…for your peers, your mentors."

"The Jedi will stop you," Anakin growled.

Another feral grin covered the Sith Lord's callous face. "They will try."

"You will never win!" Anakin heatedly exclaimed, barraging his adversary with a series of powerful blows with his lethal blade, but having no success in penetrating his defenses.

"I have already won, my foolish friend," Sidious boasted as he protected himself. "I have seen the future. You will not stop me, you will join me!"

The skirmish only lasted a moment longer before Anakin's lightsaber was sent sailing through the air, noisily clattering down the palace steps and leaving him unarmed.

Padme's heart skipped a beat when she saw him lose his weapon. Frantically searching for some way to help him, she spotted Aayla's own lightsaber resting on the ground beside her and grabbed the small device without thinking.

"Anakin!" she cried out, tossing the weapon to the cornered Jedi.

Much to her relief, it reached his hand and was activated the instant it met his awaiting palm. He swiftly deflected a blow just before it made contact with his neck and resumed the duel without skipping a beat.

The Emperor became visibly agitated as he blocked the next strike that came his way. Anakin pressed on and managed to catch the startled Sith off balance, taking advantage of the turn of events and focusing on his adversaries hand. Sidious' red blade disappeared when the hilt of his lightsaber was sliced in two and he found a blue blade pointed directly at his neck as the separate halves dropped to his feet.

"It is over," Anakin bitterly remarked, holding his weapon only inches away from piercing the dark lord's throat.

"Indeed it is, Anakin, well done," Sidious replied in mock concern. "I suppose this is the end for me. Go ahead, I deserve to die after all I have done…finish it."

Padme watched the exchange in horror. It was obvious to her that Anakin wanted nothing more than to deliver the fatal blow that would kill Palpatine, but it was also obvious that he was struggling with himself and contemplating what course of action to take. She prayed he would make the right decision this time.

"You're right, you do deserve to die," Anakin replied.

A long, tense time was spent in silence before the Knight took a reluctant step back and lowered his blade. Calling upon the Force, he retrieved his lightsaber from its place on the stairs and brought it to the ground at their feet.

Sidious' fearful expression turned to one of pure confusion and shock. "What are you doing?"

"Pick it up," he ordered, still glaring at his old mentor. "Killing in the heat of battle is one thing, but Jedi do not kill in cold blood."

"Why not just arrest me then?" Sidious spat in disgust.

"What prison would be able to hold an almighty Sith Lord such as yourself?" Anakin sarcastically countered. "You will not be going someplace where you can escape, Chancellor…this ends today."

Sidious' rages boiled at the unprecedented challenge. "I grow tired of these games! If you will not accept your path, then you will die!"

Anakin had no time to react before the Emperor's onslaught of Force lighting struck him square in his chest, rapidly consuming his entire body and causing him to drop the lightsaber he held.

A terrified gasp escaped Padme as she witnessed the lightning ravage his tall frame and take him to the ground, helpless and without a weapon. She sharply turned to the royal guards gathered in the area to call out a command to open fire – no longer caring that they had been remaining neutral in hopes of avoiding a blaster fight – but she caught a glimpse of a stunning sight before she was able to find her voice.

"Sidious!"

Furrowing a brow, the Sith withdrew from his assault and glanced back over his shoulder towards the direction the intrusive voice had come from. Padme's eyes immediately shot back to Anakin's lifeless form and her heart began to pound…she couldn't even see the rise and fall of his chest to indicate that he was still breathing.

"That is quite enough, Emperor," Obi-Wan Kenobi shouted with authority, tightly clutching the hilt of his ignited lightsaber in both hands.

"Master Kenobi, how nice of you to join us," Sidious greeted the Jedi with a warm smile. "So you miraculously survived as well, did you? How…fortunate."

His furrowed brow soon grew to wide-eyed bemusement when two more lightsaber blades came to life behind the incorrigible Jedi – one of them shining with the distinct violet hue that he had always despised.

"Master Windu," he sneered.

Mace Windu and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi kept their eyes locked on the stunned Emperor as they drew closer. Then, leaning heavily on his walking stick while he emerged from the palace entrance, the bothersome Jedi that he had wanted dead most of all stepped out… Master Yoda.