Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 53! Thanks for all the great reviews!

Forever Destined

Chapter 53: Sith Lord Revealed

"Come on...come on...pickup!" Anakin cried, as he and Padme kept sending hails to his grandfather's penthouse. It was the middle of the night on Coruscant and no one answered at the Temple. He figured that had a lot to do with what Mace and Zia were currently doing in Palpatine's office. Finally, a very groggy Obi-Wan answered.

"What in blazes, it's three a.m.!" Obi-Wan cried, until he saw it was Anakin.

"Anakin..." he said, softening his tone.

"Ben, you have to wake dad and grandfather now! It's a matter of life and death," Anakin exclaimed.

"No need son, we're already up," Qui-Gon said, as he and Dooku entered the living area and joined Ben at the comm station.

"We've been worried. We expected you and Padme hours ago," Qui-Gon said.

"I know. The alternator in the hyper drive failed and we had to land on Tatooine. We fixed the ship easily enough...but Sidious' new apprentice caught up to us," Anakin said.

A new apprentice?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"It's Serra Keto," Padme said. All three looked surprised.

"Serra, but how?" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

"Padme and I guessed the Grievous must have captured her and planted evidence to make us think she was dead. Grievous probably tortured her then and I think Sidious must have used the feelings...she still has for me to turn her," Anakin said sadly.

"Her turn is not your fault, Ani," Dooku assured him.

"I know. I just wish...I could have helped her," he replied.

"Anyway, Serra or Darth Xana captured us and was going to take us to Mustafar. She said her Master had ordered her to keep me from coming back to Coruscant," he said.

"Then he's getting ready to do something drastic," Dooku replied.

"And Anakin and I think we know what it is," Padme replied.

"Before we could take off, Siri showed up. She got Xana off the ship so we could get away," Anakin paused, as he looked at Obi-Wan.

"I tried to get her to come with us, Ben, but she wouldn't," Anakin said regrettably.

"I felt her die in my sleep. I thought it was a dream," Obi-Wan replied softly.

"She died to save us. She said that it was imperative that I return to Coruscant. She called me the Chosen One," Anakin said. Dooku sighed.

"We never told her about that, but Siri found history fascinating and she studied the archives as often as she could. She could have stumbled upon the prophecy and made her own deductions about you," Qui-Gon said.

"Well, Padme and I have made some our own deductions," Anakin said.

"What do you mean?" Dooku asked.

"Serra said something that bothered me. She said that her Master has had the means to take out the Jedi for some time now," Anakin said, pausing to let the implications sink in.

"We think she meant the Clone army. She implied that the Jedi have never really been in control," Padme said.

"But that's absurd. The only other person that has any kind of control over the Clones is Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan said. Anakin and Padme looked at them, as that implication sank in.

"Sweet Force..." Qui-Gon exclaimed.

"The Force is telling me that Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Sidious are one in the same," Anakin stated.

"Force...it has been him all along," Obi-Wan said in disbelief.

"We merely thought he was another puppet for the Sith to manipulate...but it is clear now that he is the puppet Master," Dooku said.

"I agree, but the Senate will laugh at us without proof," Obi-Wan replied.

"Then we have to hope Mace and Zia find that proof in Palpatine's office," Qui-Gon replied.

"But if Palpatine is the Sith Lord, won't he somehow know of their presence?" Obi-Wan asked.

"He's right. We need to get them out of there," Dooku said.

"Grandfather, I think he plans to turn the Clones on us. We need to warn the Jedi in the field and evacuate the Temple into the underground shelters," Anakin said.

"He's right," Qui-Gon said.

"Obi-Wan, you go to the Temple and tell Master Yoda what is going on. Send a message out to all Jedi in the field and then start getting the younglings and padawans into the Temple shelter. Barricade the Temple entrances and sound a red alert. All Knights and Masters must be prepared for battle. Your father and I will go to the Senate building and get any Jedi there out, including Mace and Zia," Dooku said. Obi-Wan nodded and went to dress quickly.

"How far out are you, Anakin?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Three hours. Two and a half at best," Anakin replied.

"Land at the Temple and I'll have Obi-Wan waiting to take Padme and the twins to the shelter. By then, I'm sure Palpatine's secret will be out. We'll try to keep him in the Senate building," Dooku said.

"Be careful...all of you," Anakin said.

"And you too, my son," Qui-Gon replied, as the transmission went dark.

"Oh Ani...I'm so scared," Padme cried, as she threw her arms around him.

"I won't let anything happen to you or the twins," he assured her, as he threaded his fingers through her hair.

"I know. It is not myself or the twins that I am scared for. It's you..." she cried.

"I'll be fine, my angel. I have to do this. I have to destroy him before he can destroy the galaxy," Anakin said.

"I know...I knew this day would come. I...I just don't know what I would do if I lost you," she choked back a sob.

"You won't lose me, Padme. You're my strength and with your love, I can conquer anything. No one can keep us apart...I think we've more than proved that by now," he said, as pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

"I'll never let you go," she cried, desperately, as she kissed him hard and passionately.

"You'll never have to," he promised, as her lips assaulted his again.

"I need you," she whispered. He lifted her into his arms and carried her back into the cabin. The twins were still sound asleep under Threepio's watch and he carried her to the bedroom, where take comfort in each other for the remainder of their journey...


"How could you let him get away!" Sidious roared.

"I am sorry, my Master. Tachi interfered, but I took care of her," Xana said, as she bowed before him from her comm station.

"I do not care about Tachi! Things would go much more smoothly without Skywalker here!" Sidious yelled.

"I will confront him as soon as I land, my Master," she replied.

"No, you will not. Your feelings for him cloud your judgement. I will take care of Skywalker and I will destroy him!" Sidious growled.

"But Master, I think he could be much more useful to us alive," Xana said.

"Are you questioning me, my young apprentice?!" Sidious hissed.

"No Master, of course not," she replied.

"Good. Upon your arrival, the 501st legion will be waiting for you. At that time, I will execute Order 66. Take the Troops and storm the Jedi Temple. Kill everyone and show no mercy," Sidious ordered.

"It shall be done, my Master," Xana responded, as the transmission went dark.

"Anakin..." she whispered, as a tear slipped down her cheek. She remembered all the good times they'd had together before...before HER! The blackness in her soul squelched the light again, as anger and hate took over.

"If I can't have you...then neither will she..."


Zia and Mace looked around the secret control room in amazement.

"What..is this place?" Zia wondered. Mace went to the control panel and slipped in a disk to begin copying the contents of the database.

"This place...is the answer we've been looking for," Mace said gravely.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Mace pressed a button and a recording appeared. It was a young woman that he immediately recognized as Serra Keto...and the Sith Lord himself.

"Sith hell..." Zia swore, as they took in the visible features of the Sith Lord from under his cowl.

"Chancellor Palpatine is Darth Sidious," Mace stated in disbelief. Suddenly, a red light on the console began blinking and a message appeared on the screen, reading "initiating self destruct sequence."

"He knows we're here," Mace exclaimed, as he ejected his disk, hoping he got enough evidence.

"Let's go!" Mace called. Zia ran up the steps, but the opening was sealed off before they could get out.

"What are we going to do?" Zia asked frantically. Mace contemplated their chances of survival and knew they were slim unless he was able to somewhat shield them with the Force. He threw his cloak around her and pulled her tightly against his chest. He held her tightly and they covered their faces...as the console exploded.


Sidious cackled, as he read the display on his console in his home office. The display read that the self destruct sequence was complete.

"Sorry Master Windu...but I couldn't have you revealing my secret prematurely," Sidious smirked evilly. Thanks to the explosion, his office would be in shambles. He would use this to tell the Senate that the Jedi attempted to assassinate him...and then there destruction would begin. He opened a comm channel with his chairman, Mas Amedda.

"Call an emergency session of the Senate immediately and assemble in an hour. It is a matter of grave importance...


Mace coughed, as he slowly came around. Their surroundings were a mess and there was debris everywhere. He cradled Zia against him, as she whimpered and came around.

"Mace?" she asked weakly. He smiled down at her.

"Hey there," he said softly.

"You saved us. We...we shouldn't even be alive," she rasped.

"Well, with the Force as your ally, anything is possible," he smiled. She returned his smile and then suddenly yelped in pain, holding her abdomen.

"Zia...are you okay?" he asked.

"Oh Gods...my water broke..." she cried, as she began to panic.

"Stay calm, everything will be all right," he said, as he found a clear spot on the floor and laid her down. She cried out, as a contraction swept through her.

"It's too early! I can't have the baby here!" Zia cried.

"Well, the baby seems to think it's time. Don't worry, I'll be right here with you," Mace told her. Zia cried out, as another contraction hit her and Mace positioned her to give birth.

"Just breathe Zia. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," he assured her.

"Oh Mace...it hurts," Zia whimpered.

"I know, but it will be over soon, I promise," Mace replied, as he checked and saw she was fully dilated.

"Okay Zia, on your next contraction I need you to push. The baby's head is crowning, so it will be a big push," he told her and she nodded. Zia cried out, as the next contraction hit. Mace held her hand, as she pushed with all her strength. She gasped for air, as the first push was over, but there was no rest, as another contraction hit and she pushed again.

"Push Zia. It's almost over," Mace promised. Zia cried out in pain, as she pushed as hard as she could. A baby's cry pierced the air, as Mace cradled the tiny infant. He smiled in wonder, as happy tears pricked Zia's eyes.

"It's a little girl," he said, as he wrapped the baby in his cloak and placed her in her mother's arms. Tears streamed down Zia's cheeks, as she cradled her tiny daughter.

"Hello my little one...my little Mara," Zia cooed.

"She's beautiful, just like her mother," Mace said.

"You saved us both," Zia said, as she looked up at him.

"Well, I certainly wasn't going to let anything happen to you or the baby," he replied.

"How are we going to get out of here? This place is almost completely caved in," she said.

"I'm sure Yan and Qui-Gon will come looking for us," he assured her. Zia stared up at him and he became lost in her green eyes. Slowly, the distance closed between them and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss...


Yan and Qui-Gon stalked up to the Chancellor's wing with Whie, Scout, and three other senior padawan's following them. The Red Guards standing outside his office crossed their staves in front of the Jedi to stop them.

"I'm sorry Masters, but we cannot allow you to pass. This is a crime scene," one guard said.

"We must be allowed in!" Dooku yelled.

"We're sorry Master Dooku," another replied.

"So am I," Yan replied, as he and Qui-Gon ignited their blades. The padawans followed suite and the Red Guards were cut down. The Jedi barged into the destroyed office.

"What happened?" Qui-Gon wondered.

"An explosion. Palpatine knew they were here," Dooku said.

"Mace! Zia!" they called.

"Down here!" they heard Mace call.

"They're alive," Qui-Gon said, as they began moving debris away from the opening in the floor that had been caved in.

"Are either of you injured?" Qui-Gon called.

"No, I don't think so. But Zia went into labor and I had to deliver the baby. They're both fine, but we need to get them to Bant! I'm going to hand the baby up to you first!" Mace called. Mace lifted the baby up and Yan carefully placed her Scout's arms.

"Listen carefully, Whie," Yan said.

"Yes Master," he answered.

"I need you and the other padawans to take Miss Jade back to the Temple and to the shelter where Bant is. Then, stay there," Dooku said.

"Yes Master," he answered, as Qui-Gon and Dooku lifted Zia out of the opening and placed her in Whie's arms.

"Don't worry Miss Jade, we'll get you to Bant," he said, as he and the other padawans hurried for the nearest landing pad. Qui-Gon helped Mace climb out of the secret room and helped him stand.

"Palpatine is the Sith Lord," Mace said.

"We know. Anakin and Padme figured it out too," Dooku replied.

"Well, whatever is on this disk should be enough to prove it to the Senate," Mace replied, as he held up the disk. Suddenly, Adi Gallia ran in frantically.

"Adi, what is it?" Dooku asked.

"The Chancellor has called an emergency session tonight. He is claiming the Jedi tried to assassinate him!" she cried.

"Come on, the Senate needs to know the truth about our esteemed Chancellor," Mace said. The four Jedi left the office and headed to the rotunda where the Senate was meeting. They arrived at the observing balcony where Master Yoda was waiting and listening, as the Chancellor began his speech.

"My fellow colleagues, it is with a heavy heart that I come before you tonight. Earlier this evening, Jedi Master Mace Windu attempted to assassinate me in my office with an explosion device. Thankfully, my guards got me out before the blast, but Windu and his accomplice did not. I'm sad to inform you that we can no longer trust the Jedi in any capacity and their involvement in the Republic...must be removed. Only this will ensure our continue safety. So, it is with a heavy heart that I must place us under Martial law until this crisis has abated. I am sad to do this, but I also must declare the Jedi...enemies of the Republic!" Palpatine announced. There was an uproar in the Senate, but somehow Dooku's voice carried over it.

"The Chancellor is lying to you! There was no assassination attempt on the Chancellor! The attempt was on the life of Master Windu by the Chancellor! But it failed...as you see Master Windu is very much alive!" Dooku called.

"Your claims are absurd, Master Jedi!" Palpatine yelled.

"Delegates, your Chancellor is not what he appears to be!" Dooku said, as he motioned to Adi from the other side. She had the disk and slipped it into the holo projector. There were gasps and cries of outrage, as the hooded Darth Sidious appeared on the screen with his female apprentice bowing before him. The likeness between Sidious and the Chancellor was unmistakable, even if they couldn't see Sidious' eyes.

"Is he dead, my young apprentice?" Sidious asked.

"Yes, my Master. General Grievous perished on Mustafar and the Separatists have been given safe passage to Korriban," she replied.

"Excellent...you have done well. You may begin your search for Skywalker. See that he does not interfere with my plans to take over the Republic and dissolve the Senate. The Jedi will not stand in my way much longer..." Sidious cackled. Adi paused the transmission, as the constituents were up in arms.

"Your reign of terror has come to an end!" Qui-Gon called.

"Fool us anymore, your deception will not!" Yoda called.

"Chancellor Palpatine, you are under arrest!" Dooku called. Palpatine seethed angrily and his eyes bled yellow, causing people to cry out in terror. Yoda, Mace, Qui-Gon and Dooku drew their sabers. Palpatine produced his saber from the sleeve of his cloak. Two emerald, a sapphire, and an amethyst blades extended from Yoda, Qui-Gon, Dooku, and Mace's sabers respectively. A crimson blade extended from Palpatine, as expected.

"There's too many innocent people in here," Qui-Gon said.

"Then draw him out of here, we must," Yoda said. Palpatine leapt into a pod and slew the unfortunate Senator in it.

"Adi and I will try to start evacuating people," Qui-Gon said, as he ran around to the rotunda entrance. Mace, Yoda, and Dooku leapt into three empty pods. They maneuvered toward the Sith Lord's and their sabers clashed with his. Sidious cackled and struck them all with Force lightning. Dooku was thrown back and Mace was hurled over the edge of his pod. He managed to use the Force to flip himself into another pod. Thousands of Senators watched from the ground floor and the balconies. Holonet reporters captured it all with their holo recorders. Palpatine snarled, as Yoda caught his lightning in his palms and battled against the powerful attack. They struggled endlessly, neither one willing to give up...


Anakin and Padme hurried down the ramp, as it landed at the Temple. Kit Fisto was there to greet them, along with Obi-Wan.

"There's a speeder waiting for you. I'll take them to the shelter," Kit said.

"Thanks Master Fisto," he said, as he put Luke in her arms, as she already held Leia. He kissed both the twins on the head and then caressed Padme's cheek.

"Come back to me..." she choked back a sob.

"Always...always and forever, angel," he said, as he crushed his lips against hers in a searing, passionate kiss. He plundered her mouth, kissing her hard and deeply, memorizing her taste, scent, and feel of her. The kiss ended, much to their chagrin and Anakin sprinted toward the speeder. Obi-Wan followed and hopped into the passenger seat, as Anakin sped off toward the Senate.

"Senator Skywalker, I must get you and the children into the shelter," Kit said. She nodded and followed him into the Temple...