Author's Note: Hello, everyone! So, I know that it has been a year, and I am sorry for litterally never posting, so I really hope that you like this! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Chapter 6: The End

Anakin's head hurt. It hurt so badly that, at first, he had no idea where he was. He lay there for a few moments, trying to let his vision un-blur.

After a while, he slowly pulled himself up to a sitting position. Then, everything came crashing back to him, and he jumped to his feet. He quickly regretted it as he wavered around and had to brace himself against a council chair before he could topple over.

"What time is it?" he asked himself suddenly. A wave of panic set over him as he realized that he had no idea how much time had passed. He hadn't even been in this building when the force ghosts had visited him.

The force ghosts.

Padme

Shaking his head to try to clear it, he looked at the Chrono just below his com-link. He had only been out for five minutes? How could that have been?

Never-mind. He had to get to the Chancellor's office. Everything depended on it. Padme's life depended on it. He had seen what happened to her if he continued down the path that lay in front of him. Anakin was known for his strategies on the battle field, and he knew that the path before him would not save his wife. It was time to try a different tactic.

Bracing against the headache that pounded on his skull, Anakin burst out of the Council Chambers and into the elevator. He slammed his fist over the buttons several times as though it might make it go faster. Seconds seem to drag by, precious seconds that meant everything to his wife's life.

Finally, after an eternity, the doors slid open and Anakin sprinted out of them.

Anakin knew what he had to do. As he ran, he felt the Force flowing through him. He opened himself to its call, feeling for the first time, completely balanced. Equal light and dark. The determination of the dark side and the power and resistance of the light. The hope. As he ran through the halls, he felt the Force calling all around him, almost as though it were singing. Anakin knew exactly how to use it. While Master Windu might have taken some skilled Jedi with him, he did not nearly have enough.

As he ran, he brought the com-unit up to his mouth and spoke rapidly. "Calling all Jedi to the Chancellor's Chambers. Every Jedi! This is a matter of Dark and Light sides. Come immediately!" he panted into the unit. He knew that he had spoken with more than just words. His voice echoed through the Force. As he ran, he was suddenly aware of Jedi running beside him. He felt them through the Force, and he could sense them opening themselves to its power as well.

He was going to surprise Master Windu with the largest group of Jedi he had ever seen in one place. Anakin couldn't help but smile at the thought of the shocked look on Windu's face when he saw that Anakin Skywalker was the one to back him up.

Anakin raced into the hanger bay for star speeders. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw other, fellow Jedi, even padawans and a few younglings, climbing into their own speeders and zipping out of the hanger bay.

Though the others had a head start, Anakin's ship was soon zooming past all of the others and Anakin pulled out all of his tricks for flying. He spun around and over other ships, using the right wind currents at the right time to propel him forward. The Force hummed constantly in his ears, whispering directions.

Everything he ever knew and loved all depended on him getting to the Chancellor's office at the right moment.

Anakin suddenly angled his ship vertically up, pushing it as fast as it could go. The ship shot up like a bullet, almost to the atmosphere.

Anakin leveled out, looking down at the tall skyscrapers and winding highways that patterned the planet.

Then, he spotted the senate building. He pointed his ship down and let it fall towards the large, dome-like building. The inertia was so powerful that he felt himself press against the ship's seat.

Though Anakin and Mace Windu were never even considered to be close in anyway, Anakin could still feel the man's fear. Anakin sensed him being over-powered.

"No," he gritted.

If Mace Windu lost this battle, the galaxy would lose too. Everything depended on the right moment. If the Sith destroyed Windu before the other Jedi got there, he would be ready for the rest of the Order by the time they arrived. The Sith would win. Padme would die.

"Hold on," he growled, pushing the ship farther.

The dome seemed to expand in size every second until it filled all of Anakin's view port. But Anakin didn't waver. He braced himself for impact, knowing that what he was doing was dangerous, but it would give Windu enough time.

He closed his eyes and saw Padme in front of him.

Her hair seemed to flow in non-existent wind. The white flowers in her hair glowed like stars, and he long blue dress she wore made her more beautiful than the sun. Anakin reached out a hand to touch her, but she was too far away. His angel.

And she smiled at him.

Then, everything exploded as Anakin's ship broke through the glass of the Chancellor's window, skidding on the floor, and crashing into the wall. Fire exploded around the ship.

Anakin half used the force and half cut his way out of the ship. The window above the cock-pit split open, and Anakin flipped out, his light saber landing on Palpatine's. As he had predicted, not only was crashing the quickest way to the office, but also a distraction.

"What are you doing, boy?" the Sith growled. "Your wife will die because of what you have done."

Anakin's heart ached at the words, but he attacked with all that he was worth, Mace Windu fighting next to him.

"She might," Anakin said. "But then, she will see me when she does."

The Sith emanated so much dark force energy that it made Anakin feel sick. Though Anakin was there to help Master Windu, both of them were no match for the sith. Palpatine seemed to be a haze of red and lighting as he spun around, slashed, electrocuted, sliced, and stabbed with his energy. When Palpatine slashed with his saber, Anakin felt the man's Force-presence bash against his own, tearing away at it. Anakin stumbled back, fighting with every bit of energy and Force he had. But it was not enough.

Anakin and Windu were losing ground.

Palpatine shoved his hands forward, and the dark side exploded both of the Jedi back. The man cackled insanely and spread his arms, sending a wave of force lightning over the entire room.

Anakin felt every fiber of his being light on fire as the electricity shot through him. He screamed as wave after wave of lightning coursed over him. Dully, he felt his mechanical hand clenching and unclenching before finally dying. Everything was a blur of pain and dark force energy. Anakin couldn't even think. This was it. After all that he had gone through, he was going to die. With each flash of lightning, Anakin saw Padme, with flowers in her hair, standing over him. Even though all he felt was pain, everything was pain, he smiled when he saw her.

Suddenly, it stopped. Anakin gasped in breath as he convulsed on the ground.

Palpatine gave a sickly laugh that rang from the room and seemed to come from the room itself. Anakin couldn't tell if he heard it through is ears or in his mind. "Your wife will die, Chosen One," he cackled. "The galaxy will be mine, and all because of what you have done. Thank you. But you will not live to see it."

The Sith lord raised his arms, preparing to give one final blow to kill both of the Jedi. Anakin didn't even try to brace himself. He wished there was something he could have done. He had tried so hard, come so far, only to have it end this way. He thought he had been the Chosen One. Apparently, that was a lie too. Though Anakin knew that he would see Padme one day, he also knew that he had failed her.

"Love, forgive me," he whispered.

Sparks crackled from the Sith's fingers as he pulled on the force.

Then, the door erupted open, and Jedi flooded the room, their lightsabers out and war cries in their throats.

The sudden surge of light force energy and determination seemed to snap Anakin back to reality. Grinding his teeth, he rolled onto his hands and knees. Smoke rolled off of him as he grabbed his lightsaber. Growling in pain, he agonizingly pushed himself to his feet. In the background, there was a dull roar of lighting, yells, lightsaber fights.

Anakin flicked his lightsaber on, and the blade hummed to life, ready for another fight.

Then, Anakin threw himself into the fray.

The first thing that hit him was the pure, white energy of the force. He felt as though he were being electrocuted again, but instead of it drawing away his power, it fueled him with more. He suddenly felt connected to everything in the room. He felt the office vibrate with the simplest thought. The Force sang around them all, giving them its aid. Anakin felt the energy from all of the lightsabers as they rippled with the Force. He felt one Jedi fall, then another, but he also heard the cries of the others as they pushed their attack.

Palpatine's face was stark white with both fear and hatred. He screamed as he spun around in circles. His lightsaber seemed to constantly be locked with another blade. The light side all around him seemed to be crushing him. He felt his power waver, and his lightsaber strokes faltered.

In a desperate attempt, Palpatine lashed out with the Force. A shock-wave of electricity shot through the room, and the Jedi's cries filled the force. All except Anakin's.

He was still standing, his gaze steady.

Palpatine felt sick at the sight of him. He could feel so much light energy around the Jedi that he could practically see it. "You disgust me! We could have been the future! I would have shown you what true power meant. But you will die here. I will show you the true meaning of the dark side."

Anakin smirked. "I hope you'll at least try your best," he said, holding his blade up.

Palpatine didn't even raise his lightsaber. He simply dropped it and thrust his hands forward, unleashing every bit of dark side power he had ever felt.

The lightning was so bright that it was all anyone could see. It exploded into Anakin, who skidded back a few feet, but he kept his ground. His lightsaber was not strong enough to deflect the powerful energy. Power raced over him and he felt his will seeping away. It was all he could see, feel, or hear. He kept his arms crossed in front of him, bent against the power. There was so much energy. Too much. He felt himself stagger and he groaned.

Then, he felt a familiar presence, followed by another. He looked up to see Ahsoka standing next to him. Her eyes were closed and her arm was outstretched. He felt her Force joining his. To his right, he saw Obi-wan doing the same thing. He knew that they were not physically here, but they could sense his danger and were giving him as much Force as they could. Then, Anakin saw Qui-Gon, glowing a soft green on Ahsoka's other side. Shmi was also there and she smiled at her son. Qui-gon and Shmi lay their hands on Anakin's shoulders, and Anakin took a step forward. He felt his foot hit the ground, and he dragged the next forward.

Palpatine's sadistic smile faltered for a moment as Anakin fought forward.

The lightning was Force, but so was he. With each step he took, he felt himself absorb the lightning. His power grew and he sunk deep into the Force. Soon, Anakin was standing right in front of Palpatine, no longer trying to ward off the lightning. Palpatine could sense equal sides of the Force in the young man before him: balance.

"You…this is not possible!" he shouted, trying to push the lightning harder.

Anakin pushed all of the Force forward, and Palpatine shrieked as he began to glow with power. White light shown brighter than a star. Suddenly, the Force erupted all around them. Anakin felt himself fall back, and he grunted when he hit the floor.

He fought to keep his eyes open, and he slowly pulled himself up. All around him, Jedi were getting to their feet, looking at him with wide eyes.

The room was dark and silent. In a crater in the middle of the office, Palpatine lay broken. His breathing was ragged, and his eyes were dim. He looked up at Anakin, and Anakin could feel the man reach into the force for what he knew was the last time.

Palpatine's voice crackled for a moment before he could get the words out. "So this is balance," he croaked.

Then, his eyes went dim, and Anakin felt him fade into the Force.

It was over.

Anakin had fulfilled the prophecy.

The next few days were mania. Chips were discovered in the clones that could control them. While no one paid due attention to Five's sacrifice the year before, the realization of a sith running the galaxy was enough for further examination (Rex lead that). Now that the war was over, most of the clones became body guards for both Senate and Temple. Padme even helped a few become Senators of the Clan of Brothers, as they called themselves.

Because of the horrible and sudden revelation/death of Palpatine, the Senate held an emergency vote. Due to all of her work and achievements of the war, it was no surprise that Padme was elected new Chancellor. What was a surprise was when she reviled that she had been married and was pregnant. However, the fact that she still chose family as a main duty only spurred on her popularity. However, it did not help with Anakin's. Of course, they had both discussed bringing their marriage out into the open, but once it happened, Anakin partly wished to hide it again. Especially as he stood in front of the fuming council.

"Not only did you did you directly disobey one of the oldest rules in the Order, but you also did it for years," Mace Windu complained.

"I also saved your life," Anakin said bluntly. While he knew that he had played that card many times over the past few days, it was true. Plus, it was nice to see Windu squirm a bit.

Windu fidgeted slightly. "That is true, but, nonetheless-"

"I also saved the Jedi. I brought balance to the Force, as was foretold," Anakin continued. Every council member, except for Obi-wan and Yoda, were looking extremely uncomfortable.

"I will not lie. I fell to the Dark Side," Anakin said openly.

The look on Obi-wan's face crushed Anakin. He looked desolate and as though a bit of him were dying inside.

"But I came back," he continued softly, keeping eye-contact with Obi-wan. "And my wife is the cause of that. I did all of this for her. She is my lifeline. She keeps me sane, literally. My attachment to Obi-wan gives me something to fight for. Along with Ahsoka. Attachments are not tools for manipulation but for grounding. Whether or not you expel me, you cannot deny that I came back to the Light Side and saved your lives because of an attachment."

His words rang throughout the council room, and all of the members thought over this deeply.

"He is right," Obi-wan said. "While I never formally did anything, I had an attachment with one of the most wonderful women that have graced this galaxy. I was just to stuck to see it."

"Believe Skywalker, I do," Yoda spoke up. "While young he is, bring balance he did. Gives him experience and seniority, this does."

That pretty much sealed it. The other councilors mumbled and nodded about how profound this new revelation was, which made Anakin want to roll his eyes. The council decided that the rule would slowly be abolished as to not cause disorder.

Suddenly, in the middle of the meeting, Anakin's commlink went off. It rang through the room embarrassingly loudly.

"Sorry," Anakin said, dismissing the council and opening the com. "Skywalker, here."

"Anakin Skywalker, this is the Senatorial Hospital. Your wife has gone into labor and is being held here," a calm voice said.

Anakin's body seized up and his hand shook as his breathing became fast. Obi-wan quickly stood and strode over to him, holding him. "Everything will be fine. Breath, Anakin," he instructed calmly.

Anakin had no idea how Obi-wan had stayed so calm, but he did take a deep breath. His master's arms around him helped to calm him.

"Masters, excuse us," Obi-wan said, pulling Anakin out of the council room. Immediately, they headed to the hospital. Anakin did not even realize that it had started to snow. There was already a light dusting on the ground. Had he been paying attention, he would have remarked how beautiful it was. However, he didn't even shiver since he was so distracted.

It seemed to take hours before they reached the room in which Padme was being held. Anakin rushed in and skidded to his knees next to her, not even caring about the nurses and doctors and droids that protested. Her face was red and contorted with pain as tears flowed down her cheeks. Anakin held her hand, and she barely registered that he was there. Ahsoka was standing on her other side, looking extremely worried. Anakin's heart twisted in his chest as the doctor held out their little baby boy. Even as an infant, the Light swirled around him and the Force hummed pleasantly.

"Luke," Anakin and Padme said at the same time. They had both agreed that if they were to have a boy, Luke would be the name. There was nothing particularly special. Anakin only had his mother as a relative and he could barely pronounce any of Padme's family names. It was simply a name that they liked.

"Doctor, the next one is almost here," the nurse said.

Anakin felt all of his blood drain from his face and even Ahsoka's normally rust skin turned to a light peach. "Twins? More than one? Like more than one kid?" he asked.

"That is usually what the 'next one' means, Skyguy," Ahsoka said softly, wincing slightly as Padme crushed her hand.

"Twins, my love. There are multiple children," Anakin whispered to Padme.

Within the next hour, both children, Luke and Leia, were being held in their parent's arms with their segregate older sister next to them. It had been an extremely long labor, but it was all done now. Padme had delivered them well.

"We guess that the stress of all of her senatorial duties made her go into labor prematurely," one of the doctors said as he checked on Padme's vitals. Anakin leaned his forehead on his wife's shoulder, not caring that her sweaty hair stuck to him.

"Their beautiful, my angel," Anakin said.

Ahsoka smirked. "Not to break the moment, but please don't get all sappy on me! I could barely handle the 'we're not married, honest' phase."

Anakin gave her a hard smirk, and she shrugged innocently. "What are you going to do now, Snips?" Anakin asked.

"I thought about the Order again. I really did. For weeks, honestly. But, I don't think I'm meant to do that. I was wondering if your new little Sky's need a body guard?" she asked.

Anakin smiled at her. "Of course."

Ahsoka smiled genuinely at him.

Padme mumbled something, and Anakin felt horrible for asking the weak woman to repeat herself. "Merry Christmas, Anakin," she said softly.

"Christmas?" Anakin repeated. He looked through the window at the snow that fell outside. It was indeed Christmas. In everything that was happening, he had completely forgotten about Christmas.

He looked down at his children, his wife, his Padawan, Obi-wan outside, and felt the balance in the Force.

All was right in the world.