The Ghost and the Millennium Falcon reach Coruscant. Using fake transponders provided by Jyn, sensors on the Imperial capital register the freighters as Imperial shuttles, and they are allowed to the surface without incident. The two ships accompany Jyn's shuttle, and land in the palace's main hangar. Jyn and her rebel allies fight their way through the palace, easily overcoming any opposition, thanks to not only Jyn's knowledge of the palace, but also to the various skills of her allies. Eventually, the group reaches a large double door, flanked by two royal guards. Jyn uses the force to turn the guards to dust.


"Here we are. The throne room." Jyn says.

"That was easier than I thought it would be." Luke says.

"We are… exactly where the Emperor wants us. It was easy for us because he allowed it. The real challenge is through these doors." Jyn says, as she closes her eyes, and puts her hand on one of the doors.

"Are you okay?" Luke asks. Jyn opens her eyes, and looks at Luke.

"Ask me again when the Emperor's dead." Jyn answers.

"So, how do we proceed?" Barriss asks. Jyn steps away from the door, and turns to face the others.

"I'll deal with the Emperor. The rest of you… split into teams and fight the Inquisitors. Those of you with blasters… keep your distance and provide cover fire. It will distract the Inquisitors. The best duelists among you should be team leaders. I suggest Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka Tano, and Sabine Wren." Jyn answers.

"I would think Barriss is better than me." Sabine says.

"Barriss will be with Ahsoka. It has been suggested that they fight better together. I've seen you fight. You know what you're doing. So, you'll lead one of the teams." Jyn says.

"Thank you." Sabine says. Jyn nods.

"What we are about to do will be the greatest challenge we have ever faced. Some of us may very well lose our lives today, but I hope not. Believe in yourselves, and each other. Trust in the force… and I believe we will prevail." Jyn says.


Jyn and her allies enter the throne room. Emperor Palpatine is seated in his throne, with a royal guard on each side of him. Standing near the throne is Grand Inquisitor Jerec, a balding, middle aged near human male, with a strip of fabric over his eyes. At least, where eyes would be on a human. Also present is First Sister, a young blonde woman, and Seventh Brother, a middle aged, slightly overweight twi'lek male.

"Welcome, Lady Thana. I have been expecting you." Palpatine says.

"I'm glad I haven't disappointed you." Jyn says.

"I know that you are no longer loyal to me. Yet, I did not realize the depth of your betrayal until now. You… are with the Jedi." Palpatine says.

"I have joined forces with the Jedi, but I am not one of them. I follow my own path." Jyn says.

"I see. Kamron Varr… one of my own Hands betrays me?" Palpatine asks.

"You're not my master anymore. She is." Kamron says, pointing to Jyn.

"Foolish boy! Those who betray me will be destroyed!" Palpatine says.

"We'll see about that." Jyn says.

"You are my daughter, and my heir, Thana. Destroy these rebels, and all will be forgiven." Palpatine says.

"You… enslaved me! You erased my memory and brainwashed me! Darth Thana is a lie, created by you to further your own agenda! I reject you, and your lies! Your reign ends here!" Jyn shouts.

"You dare to challenge me?" Palpatine asks.

"Yes, I dare." Jyn answers.

"Very well. Inquisitors! Destroy the rebels! I will deal with this traitor myself!" Palpatine says. The Inquisitors activate their lightsabers. Palpatine rises from his throne, and aims both hands at Jyn, who takes no immediate action. The Emperor fires force lightning directly at Jyn, who simply absorbs the attack into her right hand.

"You have grown strong." Palpatine says.

"I have learned many things since I broke free of your control." Jyn says.

"Ungrateful child! I gave you everything! I made you strong! In time, the galaxy would have been yours! Now, you throw it all away! You... will die with nothing!" Palpatine says, as a lightsaber emerges from the sleeve of his cloak. Jyn throws back her cape, and takes the previously concealed blacksword from its thigh holster. Jyn activates the weapon, and flames emerge from the blade.

"You… found the blacksword. Good. I will add it to my collection." Palpatine says.

"You'll have to take it from me first." Jyn says.

"Don't worry. I will." Palpatine says, as he ignites his lightsaber.

The Emperor and Jyn charge toward each other and begin fighting. They both move with great speed and intensity as they exchange attacks.


As Jyn duels with the Emperor, her allies battle the three Inquisitors. Luke is with Ezra and Anakin, fighting First Sister. With no lightsaber of his own, Anakin is using a vibrostaff. Sabine, using Ezra's secondary saber, is fighting Seventh Brother, assisted by Zeb and Kallus, who are armed with bo-rifles. Finally, Barriss, Ahsoka, and Kamron face off against the Grand Inquisitor. They are assisted by Petro and Katooni, former Jedi who now serve with the Knights of Ren. all other rebels keep their distance from the Inquisitors, using their blasters for cover fire. Seventh Brother is quickly taken out, as he proves no match for Sabine's skills.

"Alright! Let's go help Ezra!" Sabine says.

"Right with you!" Zeb says.

Sabine, Zeb, and Kallus join the fight against First Sister. Soon, Anakin breaks through her defenses, and hits the Inquisitor in the face with his staff. This disorients the young woman, and allows Luke to score the killing blow.

"Good job, son." Anakin says.

"Thanks." Luke says.

"We still have to take out the other one. Luke, Anakin, with me. The rest of you… go help Barriss and Ahsoka." Ezra says.

"No. I don't want Luke fighting the Emperor." Anakin says.

"I don't either, but… Luke has to be there." Ezra says.

"Has to be there? Did you see this in a vision?" Anakin asks.

"Yes. He will face… a trial, and… so will you." Ezra answers.

"Okay. That doesn't tell me much." Anakin says.

"You'll know what to do when the time comes." Ezra says.

"I hope so." Anakin says.


Jyn and Palpatine continue to fight, with neither seeming to gain an advantage.

He's toying with me. I know him too well. Jyn thinks.

Luke, Ezra, and Anakin join the fight. Soon, Barriss, Ahsoka, and Kamron join them, having defeated the Grand Inquisitor.

"Lord Vader… how?" Palpatine asks, taking note of the fact that Anakin is no longer in the armor of Darth Vader.

"I freed him from the prison you forced him into, and I freed him from the constant pain from injuries that could have been healed twenty years ago! You didn't want to help him. You wanted a slave." Jyn answers.

"Yes. That's all he has ever been." Palpatine says.

"I woke up. I realized who I really was. I'm not your slave anymore. I will be no one's slave ever again." Anakin says.

"You just like to play games with people's lives, don't you?" Luke asks.

"Who do we have here? Are you Bridger's apprentice?" Palpatine asks.

"I'm Luke Skywalker, son of Anakin Skywalker." Luke answers. Palpatine shuts off his lightsaber.

"Well, my boy… I am not what they say I am. I simply want to bring peace to the galaxy. My efforts have been… misunderstood." Palpatine says in a gentler tone of voice.

He's trying to turn Luke. I've seen him manipulate people like this before. I won't allow it! Jyn thinks.

"The Jedi have lied to you about many things, including the nature of the force. I give you an opportunity to learn what your true potential is. Join me, and I will help you to understand the power within you." Palpatine says.

"He… is not for you." Jyn says.

"You… care about this one. You have grown weak, Thana." Palpatine says, returning to his normal voice.

"My name… is Jyn Erso." Jyn says.

"It matters not. Soon, you will be no more. But first, I have one final lesson for you." Palpatine says. He suddenly fires force lightning at Luke. Not used to such an attack, Luke is unable to stop it, and falls to the floor, dropping his weapon in the process.

"Aargh!" Luke screams as the Emperor attacks him.

"Luke!" Anakin says.

"No!" Jyn shouts. Palpatine stops his attack.

"See where your weakness has led you, child! I will spare this one, on one condition." Palpatine says.

"I will not play your games anymore!" Jyn shouts.

"Kill Lord Vader, and kill Ezra Bridger! Do it, or the boy dies! Make your choice!" Palpatine says.

I will make you pay for everything you've done! Jyn thinks.

"Frack you!" Jyn shouts. She charges toward Palpatine, who resumes his attack on Luke. Jyn steps in front of Luke, and blocks The Emperor's lightning with her blacksword.

"Brave of you, but… you underestimate me. This… ends now." Palpatine says.

As Jyn is using all of her focus to stop the Emperor from attacking Luke, Palpatine suddenly reactivates his lightsaber, and stabs her through the stomach.

"Aargh!" Jyn screams. She drops her weapon and falls to the floor. Luke, who has now recovered, runs to her side.

"Jyn!" Luke says.

Erso's out of the fight, and Palpatine wants to turn my son to the darkside. I can't allow this. No matter what. Anakin thinks.

"You know what you must do, Anakin." A disembodied male voice says.

Obi-Wan? Anakin thinks.

"Welcome back, my old friend." Obi-Wan Kenobi says.

Obi-Wan… I'm sorry. For everything. Anakin thinks.

"I know you are. I forgive you, Anakin. So do the others." Obi-Wan says.

I don't deserve that. Anakin thinks.

"You do. You have overcome the lies of the Sith, and are now on the path you are meant to be on." Another male voice says.

Qui-Gon… Anakin thinks.

"Yes, Anakin. I have always been with you. You have never been alone, not even in your darkest moments." Qui-Gon Jinn says.

I swore… I wouldn't use a saber ever again, but… I have to help my son. Anakin thinks.

"Then, do what you feel is right, Anakin." Obi-Wan says.

"I will be with you. Your mother will be with you. Padme will be with you. We will always be with you. No one is ever really gone." Qui-Gon says.

Anakin closes his eyes, and Luke's lightsaber flies into his outstretched hand. Anakin examines the weapon he constructed long ago, then ignites its blue blade.

"Remember. The force will be with you. Always." Obi-Wan says.