Hey, everyone.

So, I decided to write this story after seeing a couple of youtube videos about this concept. The concept being: what would've happened had Anakin not turned to the dark side and stopped Mace from killing Palpatine. This will be my own take on the situation.

Let's begin.


Chapter 1

Alone in the Jedi Council chambers within the Jedi Temple, Anakin is wracked by his thoughts. He had just discovered that Palpatine, the man he considered a father figure, was the Sith Lord the Jedi had been looking for for so long. He felt so betrayed and angry with Palpatine.

However, he can't help but think about the words that Palpatine said. How he spoke about how the Jedi had never appreciated him. He had spoken about Padme, having gleaned Anakin's worries, and that only through him, Palpatine, could Anakin gain the power to save Padme.

Anakin stands up from the chair where he is sitting and walks over to the window. He looks out over the cityscape of Coruscant, looking towards the direction of Padme's apartment. He feels tears coming to his eyes as he can feel Padme across this great distance. Fear surges through him as he thinks about what would happen if Padme died. She's the only thing that holds him together sometimes. How could he live without her?

Maybe Palpatine is right. He can't think of any teaching of the Jedi that would let him save Padme. Maybe Palpatine is the only way he can save Padme. He has to save her, somehow.

Then, as Anakin is teetering on the edge of going to help Palpatine, he suddenly hears a voice. A voice in his head. "Anakin. No. You know what is right."

Anakin looks up in alarm. He recognizes this voice. How could he not? But how? "Master Qui-Gon?" he asks out loud in shock. This couldn't be, could it?

"Yes, Anakin. It is I," Qui Gon responds.

Anakin is in shock. He had heard something about this from Yoda some time ago, but it was still so hard to believe. After a few seconds, he asks, "How?"

"I am part of the Living Force, Anakin. Despite what is generally believed, it is possible to maintain one's consciousness after death," Qui Gon replies.

Anakin marvels at this. Admittedly, he had agreed with Yoda during his incident with hearing voices that life after death was impossible only as far as they knew, but still, he hadn't necessarily believed it was possible. Anakin feels stunned by this revelation, and also a bit giddy in a way, as he now knows that he is perhaps the only living Jedi to understand this secret. Well, him and Yoda, he realizes a second later. Yoda surely knows about this after his journey.

But Anakin realizes that's the least of what he should be concerned about now. Clearly, Qui Gon is not here to just tell him about this secret, but is speaking to him for some other reason. "Why are you here, Master? Why haven't you spoken to me before?"

"I have tried, Anakin. You did not listen," Qui Gon responds.

Anakin feels a bit ashamed. He has deeply respected Qui Gon from the beginning, and feels a bit ashamed if he really has ignored Qui Gon in the past.

"Now is not the time for shame or reminiscing. I am speaking to you now because now is a crucial moment for you. I am here to prevent you from making the biggest mistake you could make," Qui Gon says.

"What do you mean, Master Qui Gon?" Anakin asks

"Anakin, I know what you are thinking and what you fear. But Palpatine is not the answer. The Sith are not the answer," Qui Gon responds.

"But Master, I cannot let Padme die," Anakin responds desperately.

"The future is never certain, Anakin. Your dreams are only one possible future. However, perhaps you could cause what you fear. One often meets their destiny on the path they take to avoid it. Perhaps, in your efforts to save Padme, you may cause your dreams to come true," Qui Gon says.

Anakin stands there in shock at what Qui Gon just said. He hadn't thought of that. Then, before he can say anything more, Qui Gon says, "Tell me, Anakin. What would Padme think if you turned to the Sith just to save her?"

Anakin stands there, Qui Gon's words ringing in his ears. He had never once thought about what might happen between him and Padme if he took this path. He begins to think deeply on it. Padme loves peace. She loves the Republic. She just loves. What would she think if he joined the Sith, who were only about hate?

Quin Gon speaks again. "Padme is strong. If you believe in her, believe in her ability to fight for her life. Palpatine cannot be trusted. He may very well cause Padme's death in order to drive you further into the dark," he says.

Anakin thinks on this. As he thinks about this, it makes sense. Palpatine had lied to everyone for so long. Everything Anakin thought he knew about Palpatine was a lie. In truth, it would not be unlikely for Palpatine to try something so evil.

"What must I do, Master Qui Gon?" Anakin asks, truly seeking guidance.

"You must do what you know to be right. You must trust in your wife. And you must trust in yourself," Qui Gon says to Anakin. He pauses, then says, "I have said all I need to say. I may not speak to you again for a long time. Until we speak or meet again, young Anakin, may the Force be with you."

Anakin stands there. He hopes Quin Gon will speak to him more, but as the seconds pass, he realizes Qui Gon has departed, and he is once more alone with just his thoughts. Anakin sits there, thinking long and hard about what Qui Gon had said, and what he must do. Finally, he makes his decision. He cannot just stand by, especially knowing the strength of the Chancellor. He turns and races out of the Council Chamber.


(Senate Building)

Mace grunts slightly as he struggles against Palpatine. When he and the other three Masters had arrived, Palpatine had revealed himself as a Sith Lord and attacked them. He had dispatched the other three Masters in a matter of seconds, leaving just Mace alone to stand against him.

Mace deflects another blow and strikes at Palpatine, but Palpatine easily blocks the strike. Mace has to give Palpatine credit. The Sith lord is an incredibly formidable opponent. It is taking all of Mace's skill and his unique fighting style to stand against Palpatine.

However, Mace can tell that he is slowly, very slowly tiring Palpatine. He just hopes he has enough strength to last long enough to tire him out enough to land the killing blow.

Mace attacks Palpatine fiercely, driving him back towards the window. Palpatine tries to stand against him, leaping around a few times, but Mace presses his attack. They finally reach the window, and Palpatine deflect's one of Mace's blows, sending it into the window, which shatters.

Palpatine tries stabbing at Mace, but Mace easily dodges it, and the two circle each other at the edge of the window. They exchange several more blows before Palpatine tries another stab, the two again switching places as Mace deflects it. Mace then blocks two more strikes from Palpatine. The second is a little high, and as Mace forces Palpatine's saber aside, he is able to kick Palpatine in the chest. Palpatine loses his grip on his saber and it flies out of the window as he falls onto his back. He scrambles backwards into the corner of the window, trying to escape Mace, who has his saber pointed right at Palpatine.

"You are under arrest, my lord," Mace says firmly.

Right then, the two realize they have a guest. Anakin has reached the Senate building and has entered the office. As he strides up to the two, Palpatine says, "Anakin. I told you. I was right. The Jedi are taking over."

"The oppression of the Sith will never return. You have lost," Mace declares.

"No. No. You will die," Palpatine declares before casting bolts of Force lightning at Mace.

Anakin recoils slightly from the brightness of the lightning as Mace raises his saber in time to deflect it. Palpatine maintains his attack as he cries to Anakin, "He's a traitor!"

"He is the traitor!" Mace responds quickly, trying to stop Palpatine from getting through to Anakin, all while groaning from the efforts of holding back the Force lightning.

"I have the power to save the one you love," Palpatine says, again trying to manipulate Anakin. As he does, Anakin sees that some of the deflected Force lightning that is arcing through the air is running over Palpatine, disfiguring his face.

"Don't listen to him, Anakin!" Mace says a bit desperately, knowing the influence Palpatine has had over the young Jedi, still groaning in strain from trying to hold back the lightning. Palpatine continues to pour lightning at Mace, despite some of it arcing back at him, further disfiguring his face and weakening him.

Palpatine pleads with Anakin not to let Mace kill him, while also saying softly, in a weak voice, about how he is struggling and too weak. All this time, Anakin is still shielding his eyes from the brightness of the lightning. However, all the time, his thoughts are racing. Despite all he has learned, he still struggles seeing the man who was like a father under attack. However, he remembers Qui Gon's words, and feels himself still struggling.

Finally, Palpatine ceases his attack, unable to maintain it any longer, while also hoping his performance has been enough to sway Anakin. Mace, however, is unaware of this, and levels his saber at Palpatine's face. "I am going to end this once and for all!"

"I can't. I'm too weak," Palpatine says. He then flances to the side at Anakin and moans, "Please, help me."

Anakin looks at Palpatine, and sees the yellow of his eyes. As he does, the truth hits him. Palpatine is a Sith. He has manipulated the entire galaxy for so long, all to seize power. Anger with Palpatine floods him, but he tries his best to keep it down. Instead, he says to Palpatine, "You're not who I thought you were. You're the Sith Lord. You've lied to everyone. I can't trust anything you say. You have betrayed the Republic. I know what you want. I will never be your apprentice, nor will I save you."

Palpatine looks at Anakin, trying to hide his surprise and fear. He had counted on being able to manipulate Anakin into joining him out of fear for Padme's life. If Anakin will not help him…

Mace looks gratefully at Anakin before he raises his saber, ready to attack Palpatine. However, summoning all his strength, Palpatine unleashed another Force lightning attack, this time directed at both Jedi.

Anakin quickly draws his saber and ignites it, blocking the lightning. Mace does so as well.

The two Jedi struggle against Palpatine's lightning. Mace, worn down by the duel and Palpatine's first lightning attack, sturggles against it. Seeing this, Anakin knows he has to do something to protect Mace and stop Palpatine. Having seen the bodies of the three Jedi Masters in Palpatine's office, Anakin reaches out with a free hand and reaches out with the Force. Sensing Kit Fisto's lightsaber, he latches onto it with the Force and summons it.

Fisto's lightsaber comes flying out of Palpatine's office and around the corner into Anakin's hand. Anakin ignites the green saber and begins pressing towards Palpatine, intending to kill Palpatine once he can get within reach.

Palpatine sees Anakin pressing forward. Realizing he can't do anything more, Palpatine ceases his attack and with the rest of his strength leaps out of the window, disappearing into the darkness and bustle of Coruscant.

Anakin and Mace both fall to their knees, exhausted from Palpatine's attack. The two stare at the window, hardly able to believe that Palpatine just jumped like that. However, unknown to either of them, Palpatine is not dead. Below the office, waiting in a speeder, is Mas Ameda. Ameda had been contacted by Palpatine when palpatine had detected the Jedi Masters entering his office, and had received instructions to wait outside the office in case Palpatine needed a quick escape.

Palpatine lands in the spider and settles into the seat beside Ameda. Fuming over his failure, Palpatine says, "Take me to the Industrial Center. You know the building. THings have not gone according to plan. We will need to resort to my contingencies."

"As you wish," Ameda says and he takes off, heading for the industrial sector.

As they travel, Palpatine reaches into the folds of his robes and pulls out a commlink. He activates it, and then says into it, "Execute Order 66."

Back in the Senate building, in Palpatine's office, Mace and Anakin regain their feet. Mace turns to Anakin and looks at him for a few moments. Finally, Mace says, "I was wrong. I've been wrong from the beginning, Anakin. You are a good man, and a good Jedi. Without you, we would not know of Palpatine's true identity. I apologize for doubting you."

"Thank you, Master Windu. I accept your apology, though I suppose I don't truly need it. I can see why you would doubt me, especially given how you think. Still I'm glad to hear you apologize," Anakin responds.

"I suppose I deserve that. I have been rather narrow minded. I hope you will allow me to make up for it," Mace says. Anakin just nods in response. At the same time, Anakin feels a sense of liberation. As if a weight he hadn't known was on his shoulders has been lifted.

Suddenly, Mace and Anakin feel something. A massive ripple in the Force. All they can feel is death and pain. The two look at each other in shock and horror, then turn as one and race out of the office, knowing they have to hurry back to the Temple.

As they hurry down, Anakin is thinking about what could be happening. Then, he senses something. A familiar presence, but fearful. He recognizes it a second later. Ahsoka.

"Ahsoka!" he gasps out. Without stopping running, he pulls out a commlink and activates it.

Soon enough, the commlink produces an image of Ahsoka, who is crouched down. "Master," she says in surprise.

"Ahsoka! Are you okay?" he demands.

"I'm fine, for now. Master, i don't know what happened. Rex and the clones turned on me. I'm not sure why, but they received an order. All I heard was the words Order 66," Ahsoka says.

Mace and Anakin grind to a halt, shocked to hear this, their minds racing and connecting the dots. "Are you okay?" Anakin asks,

"Yes, I'm unhurt, and I'm hiding for now. We successfully captured Maul, but I let him loose to cause chaos on the ship so I could hide and figure out what's going on. But Master, there's something you should know. Before he started attacking me, Rex looked like he was struggling to stop himself, but couldn't. And right before he started firing, Rex told me to find Fives. I was just able to find records about Fives with the help of some of the astromech droids on board, and I found a report about Fives that Rex made after his death. He mentioned something about inhibitor chips placed in the clones' heads during development, and that he thinks after what happened with Fives that this chip has a purpose we don't yet understand," Ahsoka says.

Mace and Anakin look at each other, everything coming together. And they realize just how long of a game Palpatine has been playing. Anakin quickly refocuses on Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, you need to know this. We just discovered Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord. He killed three Jedi Masters, and Master Windu and I almost killed him, but he escaped. I think he is behind this. Palpatine must have had those chips implanted in the clones to ensure loyalty."

Ahsoka looks at Anakin in shock. Mace then steps in to speak to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, you need to find a way off that cruiser and return to the Temple if possible," he says.

Anakin, however, has an additional idea, and says, "Ahsoka, if you can, try and remove Rex's chip, and any other clones you can. We're gonna try and figure out if there's a way to stop the clones and turn them back to normal quickly. And please, be careful."

"I will, Master," Ahsoka says, and she terminates the transmission.

Anakin looks at Mace and says, "The clones. Of course. He hardwired them to kill us," he says.

"Yes. But there has to be a way to break that hold. In any case, we must hurry back to the Temple," Mace says.

As the two get to a speeder and take off for the Temple, Anakin realizes they're going to need non-Jedi help. He quickly places another call with his commlink. Seconds later, padme and Bail Organa appear.

"Anakin! Are you okay?" Padme asks.

"For now. Padme, Senator Organa, listen carefully. Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord. We forced him to reveal himself, and he's killed Jedi Masters. Master Windu and I almost beat him, but he escaped. I just spoke with Ahsoka, and she says that the clones she's commanding have turned on her. Master Windu and I fear this is happening across the galaxy, and that palpatine is behind it," Anakin informs them.

Padme and Bail stand there in shock at this revelation. Mace then speaks up and says, "Senators. We need your help. You need to find a way to convince the Senate of the Chancellor's treachery. If we want any hope of saving the Jedi and the Republic, we need the Senate on our side."

"We will do our best, Master Windu," Bail affirms.

Padme looks at Anakin, fearful for her husband's safety. He just mouths, "It'll be okay." Padme nods and says, "We will speak to our closest allies in the Senate, and work on expanding from there. We will contact you with updates as we go."

"Understood," Mace says before the call is ended.

As Anakin and Mace fly over the streets of Coruscant, the two are thinking hard about everything that has happened, and what they need to do now.


And, I'll end there.

So, I decided to have Palpatine live so as to maintain the challenge for the Jedi, and also because I don't think he'd been so easily beaten.

I hope you like this first chapter, and are looking forward to more. For now, follow this story, leave a review, and stay tuned!