Star Wars Multiverse

Universe 66: The Rise of Skywalker

An apology saved the Republic. After proving his apprentice's innocence, Anakin Skywalker led Ahsoka Tano back to the Jedi Council, where the wisest of the Jedi all offered their sincerest apologies not only for what happened to her, but also for their doubting her innocence. It is at this point where we find our divergence.

In Universe 1, Mace Windu called Bariss Ofee's betrayal and subsequent framing of Ahsoka Tano the latter's Jedi Trial, instead of apologizing for his own doubt. It was this comment that solidified Tano's decision to leave the Jedi Order, an event that would crush Anakin's trust in the Council and the Jedi as a whole, which contributed greatly to his eventual fall. But in THIS Universe, Mace said something different.

"I suppose that this entire event has been a learning experience," said Windu as he nodded solemnly. "We were too quick to judge, and too quick to condemn. For that, I offer my own humble apology."

This simple apology helped Ahsoka choose to return to the Jedi Order, where she was promptly promoted to Jedi Knight. More than elated, Anakin and Obi-Wan celebrated Ahsoka's return and promotion. Plo Koon also joined them, and in private, he thanked Skywalker for helping to prove Ahsoka's innocence.

The Clone Wars continued to ravage on. When General Grievous mounted his surprise attack against Coruscant, Ahsoka Tano was the one to help defend the planet alongside Master Windu and Master Saeesee Tim. Anakin also joined in the defense, leading to Obi-Wan being the one to aid Bo Katan in Mandalore...

Anakin and Ahsoka teamed up to rescue the Chancellor, who had been kidnapped by Grievous. The two mounted a brave assault on the droid general's ship, eventually encountering Count Dooku himself. However, the two proved a highly effective duo; their combined aggressive styles easily overpowered the Sith Lord, disarming him almost instantly.

"Kill him," ordered Chancellor Palpatine.

"Absolutely not," Anakin growled, grabbing Dooku and placing him in cuffs. "He's been beaten in combat, and he will stand trial for his crimes."

"He's too dangerous to be left alive!" Palpatine sneered.

"The Jedi don't execute their opponents once they've been defeated and disarmed!" Ahsoka argued back. Dooku sneered; it was at that moment he decided that Sidious' time had ended, and that as Darth Tyrannus, it was his turn to be the Master.

The fallen Jedi turned Sith was taken prisoner by Anakin, as Ahsoka took the Chancellor to safety. This was Tyrannus' chance...

"Promise me leniency," said Dooku. "And I will tell you the identity of Darth Sidious. Let us both put an end to this ridiculous war!"

"Why should I trust you?" Sneered Anakin.

"Because Sidious will kill me first chance he gets," said Dooku. "And besides, he is too close to winning this war and overthrowing the Republic. Don't let him win!"

"I don't believe you," said Anakin. "But I'll have you brought before the Jedi Council; they will decide your fate."

"You are a blind and stubborn fool!" Dooku angrily exclaimed, before composing himself. "Sidious...is Palpatine."

"That's a lie!" Anakin angrily exclaimed.

"Think of it!" Dooku said. "Did he not demand my death? Has he not sown doubt in your mind regarding the Jedi? Have you not noticed the ease in which you rescued him?"

"It was easy," said Anakin, turning off his lightsaber.

"But you are unconvinced," chuckled Dooku. "Communicate with one of your Clone troopers. Any would do."

"Why?" Asked Anakin.

"I've got your proof," Dooku replied. Anakin took out his communicator, and contacted Captain Rex. Dooku grinned and said "Execute Order 66."

"It will be done," Rex said in a hypnotized manner. He turned towards Obi-Wan and began to shoot him, only for the Jedi Master to deflect the shots back towards the clone, ending his life.

Anakin watched in horror, dropping the communicator.

"Convinced?" Dooku asked. "Palpatine can issue this command to the Clones at any time; he's only waiting for the right moment. I told you, he's all but won."

"Not yet," Anakin sneered.

On the surface of Coruscant, Chancellor Palpatine was escorted to his office by several Clone troopers. Within hours, Anakin came to visit the Chancellor.

"Chancellor Palpatine," said Anakin, hiding his intentions. "You'll be pleased to hear that Dooku has been found guilty of his crimes, and sentenced to death."

"Good, good," said Palpatine, subtly reaching for his lightsaber. "Has he talked?"

"He chose silence," lied Anakin. "He refused to so much as give away the location of the Separatist Council."

"I see," said Palpatine, grabbing his lightsaber. "Young Anakin, I am so sorry to see you trying to lie to me."

"I figured you'd see through me," snickered Anakin, drawing his lightsaber. Then he angrily said. "You're too dangerous to keep alive."

With a mighty leap, Sidious rushed towards Anakin Skywalker, who held his own against the Sith Lord. However, Sidious' command over the Dark Side gave him a slight edge, putting the Chosen One on the ropes.

SLASH! CRASH! BAM! The clash of lightsabers was heard across the Senate building. Clone Troopers and Senators alike rushed to see what was happening, only to be met with the horror of their Chancellor wielding a red lightsaber. It was in that instant that Sidious knew, his machinations had been foiled.

"No, no, no!" Sidious yelled, attempting to escape, only to be cut off by Mace Windu, Yoda, Saeesee Tim, and Kit Fisto.

"The tyranny of the Sith ends here," said Anakin as he stabs Sidious with his lightsaber. As he looked over the corpse of who he once thought of as a friend, Anakin tightened his fist. "The war is over."

Within days, the Clone War had ended. Grievous was hunted down and killed by Ahsoka Tano, and the Separatist Council was arrested. The Republic elected a new Chancellor, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, who led the former Separatist worlds in an unconditional reintegration into the Republic. Maul was also detained and frozen in Carbonite, as was Dooku. At long last came the end of the Sith.

Padme left the Senate shortly after, officially going on vacation. However, the truth was that she returned to Naboo to give birth to her children, Luke and Leia. In a move that stunned the Jedi, Anakin opted to leave the Order to stay and raise his children. His marriage to Padme public at last, the Skywalkers could at last lead the happy life they deserved. Once the twin's Force sensitivity was discovered, they were sent to the Jedi to be trained. Luke trained under Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Leia trained under Ahsoka Tano. The twins would go on to be known as two of the greatest Jedi to eve live.

All this, thanks to a held tongue.