PROLOGUE

It is a time of corruption. The Emperor's plan for Anakin Skywalker to retrieve battle station plans from an abandoned factory on Nkllon has failed and has resulted in the young Jedi killing Count Dooku and joining the Sith Master, Darth Sidious, revealed to be the Emperor himself. Afraid for not only her own life, Padme Skywalker has admitted that she is pregnant with Anakin's child and has been confronted by her angered husband, only to be rescued by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Bail Organa. Due to Padme's pregnancy, it has been agreed that she, Obi-Wan, Bail, Dorme, and the two trusty droids, go into hiding so that the Skywalker child is protected from the Emperor's evil plans and will not fall down the same path its father has.
CHAPTER XXXIII

Early that morning, before the sun even rose over the horizon, Padme had begun packing. She didn't agree with everyone's advice, but in this case, she felt as though she didn't have a choice. A few hours ago, Mace and Obi-Wan had returned from their encounter with Anakin and felt that it was the best decision if Padme went into hiding. Bail and Dorme were in the room when they advised that, and the two immediately agreed. Padme felt as though Anakin was just "blowing of some steam", but the look on Obi-Wan's face showed her that he wasn't. It wasn't the fact that they were leaving that bothered Padme, it was the reason. She had seen Anakin get angry before, but this time, she had to admit he was out of control. But was it that bad that they had to go into hiding? Padme thought. As she was thinking of Anakin's behavior while packing, Bail, Obi- Wan, and Mace sat in the living room discussing the situation. "Anakin's behavior was too aggressive," Obi-Wan said. "Palpatine has controlled him into being an agent of evil, there is no doubt of that." Mace nodded at the observation. He looked at Bail, who had just found out about Palpatine being a master of the Dark side. Something in Bail told him that he always knew something was evil about Palpatine, but he never would have brought himself to believe that he was a Sith. "Why don't we tell the Senate about the Emperor?" Bail suggested. "They won't stand for this." "The Senate is now practically controlled by Palpatine," Mace said. "Besides, he has too many friends in there who would do anything to keep him in control. It's hopeless to ask the Senate to overthrow him." "You're suggesting a revolution?" Obi-Wan asked Mace and Bail. "Aren't there enough members of the CPR to call a vote of 'no confidence'?" "Hardly," Bail answered. "They are powerless compared to the rest of the Delegates and Senators. I've left the committee to be headed by Senator Binks. He was the only one I knew well enough to handle the stress. My friends, I hate to say it, but it looks like the Republic we have fought for is completely falling apart." Mace sighed at the same thing he had been thinking about for weeks. "Nonetheless, I want Padme to be hidden. Since Anakin is still alive, the Emperor will do everything in his power to control the child. The best thing we can do is make sure the Emperor can't find her or the child." "Agreed," Bail said. "Alderaan is the safest place." "Alderaan?" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "Don't you think that the Emperor would try looking there first when he realizes you and Padme are gone?" "No, I don't," Bail said. "A few years ago, when Palpatine was Chancellor, I passed a bill securing certain planets from the Republic. Sure Alderaan was still represented in the Senate, but it was a neutral planet. We outlawed weapons and basically declared a state of peace. We didn't want to get into the war, what with the University of Aldera and everything. So if the Emperor actually goes as far as invading Alderaan, I can safely say that he can be removed from power for breaking Republic law." Obi-Wan couldn't argue with what Bail just offered, but only one thing stuck in his mind. "Bail, you do realize though that Palpatine is being corrupted and tempted by the Dark Side? He won't listen to order. He will only give it." "I understand," Bail said. "What do you think Master Windu?" Mace sat, leaning back in his seat, thinking about the hiding of Anakin's wife and unborn child. No matter what, he thought, Palpatine must never find the child. "She should leave as soon as possible," was all Mace could say. He looked at the two other men, who looked back and nodded.

Dorme walked into the bedroom, carrying her own personal belongings, which weren't much. She set them in a small suitcase and shut it. She stood there with the suitcase closed, just staring at a piece of art on the wall. Her mind wasn't on the art, but rather on the fact that she and Padme had to go into hiding. She had moved from place to place with Padme in the past, but this time, someone could be after them. While staring at the art, Padme moved over to her friend and put her hand on her shoulder. "You're going to be okay," Padme reassured. Dorme turned around and stared back. "How can you say that?" Dorme asked. "Padme, you are the one going into hiding, and here you are telling me that I'll be alright? Think about yourself, please! You've always been brave enough to not worry about yourself and rather those around you. Haven't you ever considered worrying about yourself?" Padme bit her lower lip and lowered her head. Dorme is right, she thought. My whole life, I've never thought about my self. My sister told me, my mother told me, and now my friend is telling me. "You're right, Dorme," Padme realized. "I should realize that this situation is very serious. I just can't believe Anak-" Padme cut off and began to cry. She slowly lowered herself to the floor and sat there sobbing. Dorme responded by crouching down and hugging Padme. The two sat there, rocking back and forth knowing that the lives they had were becoming dark ones.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Mace and Obi-Wan walked onto one of the many balconies of the Jedi Temple. The sun was at the point where it was minutes away from breaking the horizon. A few streaks of orange and red covered the sky as traffic moved by. Not that many vehicles were out at this time. Those who were out partying during the night had gone to bed and those who had work were just getting up. Mace walked slowly next to Obi-Wan with his hands behind him and head pointed to the floor. Obi-Wan realized that the very balcony they were on was the same one he Qui-Gon visited quite often when he was an apprentice. He smiled at the fact that the last conversation he had on the balcony with his late master was about Anakin's future. Qui-Gon had such high hopes for the boy, and nothing would stop him from training him, Obi-Wan thought. Except for the Sith, Darth Maul. He closed his eyes at the memory of losing Qui-Gon to the red and black tattooed villain. He did his best to shake away the thought and he walked on with Mace on the balcony. "Do you think Padme will be safe?" Obi-Wan asked Mace. "If the Emperor doesn't find her, she will," Mace responded. "I just can't believe this is happening," Obi-Wan admitted. "Palpatine's darkness, the crumbling of the Republic, Anakin being used by Palpatine." "Are you suggesting Anakin hasn't yet joined the Dark Side?" Mace asked. "I've known Anakin for over a decade," Obi-Wan stated. "And if there's one thing I know, it's that Anakin has anger that has built up more and more. Being separated from his mother, being trained at such an old age, his mother's death; they are all things that have hurt him. And through the years that I have trained him, I've noticed the only thing he wants is to be the best. He thinks that by being the best will help him protect others and make him feel better about all the hurt and pain he has experienced. There is no other explanation for why he is following the Emperor." "Palpatine is tricking him to believe he can give him power, isn't he?" Mace asked. "I think so," Obi-Wan answered. "He can be turned then." Obi-Wan glanced up at the other Jedi. "I hope so," Obi-Wan responded. "I know you can do it," Mace said. "You are the only one he'd listen to." "What about Padme? He would always listen to her." "From what Anakin did to the two Jedi that were guarding his pregnant wife, I wouldn't bet on it. Anakin feels he's been betrayed, but why is that?" "I know," answered Obi-Wan. Mace turned his head to look at him. "What is it?" "When I recovered from my burns from Nkllon, Bail and I visited Padme to tell her about Anakin's fate," Obi-Wan began. "One thing led to another and Padme hugged me, sobbing. I could nothing but return the hug. As we stood there for a few moments, Padme's cries grew softer and the two of us saw a speeder outside the window. It flew off and we didn't think twice about it. Who knew that Anakin was still alive? "But now.now we have no choice but to hide his wife. The one he said he'd love forever. The one that is bearing his son. His son, Mace! How could Anakin do this? He wasn't just my apprentice, Mace! He was my friend! And now I have to protect his wife from him or the Emperor. Why did this happen, Mace? Why are you and I forced to leave Coruscant because of the Emperor and his evilness?" Mace didn't respond and walked over to the edge of the balcony. He grabbed the railing and stared off into the rising sun. "You must go without me," Mace confessed. He continued to stare off into the distance as Obi-Wan walked closer to him. "Why?" Obi-Wan asked. "My place is here," he said, looking over the edge at the rest of the Jedi Temple below. "When you leave, I'll be the last Jedi here." Obi-Wan didn't respond, and instead just stared at him. "My whole life was dedicated to the safety of the galaxy," he continued. "Ever since I was a young Jedi, my mind was focused on there being peace in the galaxy." He looked up at the few remaining stars in the sky that hadn't disappeared due to the rising sun. "But look at all of them. There's no way all of them could be protected from evil. There billions of them, and I can't save this one." "No one can, Mace," Obi-Wan said. "We all tried, and have been defeated. But we're not gone forever. One day the evil and corruptness of the Emperor will end, I promise." Mace smiled. "If only that were true, Obi-Wan. I've fallen from my power with the Force and I-" "Fallen?" Obi-Wan asked. "What are you talking about? You're still powerful. You and Master Yoda are the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy." "Next to you, we are the only Jedi in the galaxy," Mace responded. He now turned around to face his friend. "And I know that you are the one to lead Padme's child down the right path. Protect the child well, Obi-Wan. You never know what kids get into nowadays." He smiled and reached out and hugged Obi-Wan. The two Jedi patted each other on their backs and pulled away. "I'm worried about you, Mace," Obi-Wan said. "Don't worry," Mace reassured. "I'll contact you when you arrive and scramble the signal to not arouse any suspicion." "I understand," Obi-Wan responded to with a nod. "Good-bye, Master Windu." "Not good-bye, Master Kenobi," Mace said with a smile. Obi-Wan turned to walk out the door of the balcony. As the door opened, he spun around and asked, "Mace?" The other Jedi looked back at him. "May the Force be with you," was all Obi-Wan said as he turned again and walked out. The doors shut behind him and Mace stood there, staring at the closed doors. He never broke concentration until an engine roared above him and a small speeder took off into the sunrise. Mace could do nothing, but stare and say, "May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan Kenobi." As Mace took one final look at the speeder growing smaller and smaller, a frown formed on his face as he realized what he had to do. He walked back inside the Temple and proceeded to his own shuttle. He walked with grace, with his robe flowed behind him until reaching the small landing platform. He jumped in his speeder and punched up a picture of his destination: the Emperor's office.

CHAPTER XXXV

The sun reflected off of many assorted glass objects around Padme's living room. Pieces of art and mirrors sent beams of light in all directions. The light, however, didn't bother the people in the room. Padme and Dorme sat next to each other on a couch, while Bail marched slowly around the room, keeping one hand up to his chin as if he were coming up with an idea or theory. C-3P0 and R2-D2 kept to themselves by the bags of luggage near the elevator. The two had been arguing earlier, but were told to shut up by Bail, who had been worried about the hiding ever since he suggested it and didn't want to hear two droids bickering. Words had not been exchanged for quite a while until Padme asked, "Where's Obi-Wan?" "He was meeting with Master Windu," Bail began, "but I hope nothing has gone wron-" He was then cut off by the noise of the elevator and a Jedi walking into the room. "We must go, before it's too late," Obi-Wan commanded.

The shuttle arrived to a hanger a few hundred feet down from Padme's penthouse. It was dimly lit, and used the sun as its light source. The ceiling was low, but high enough for the Alderaanian Diplomat Transport to fit. It was all white and had blue stripes, with the official Alderaan seal on each side. When first Obi-Wan saw it, it reminded him of the Republic Cruiser he and his former Master used when the two attempted negotiations on a Trade Federation ship the many years ago. As the humans and droids approached the ship, Bail stuck out an arm and asked, "So, what do you think?" No one responded, but that didn't stop Bail from talking. "Similar to a Republic Cruiser, only a bit smaller. 105 meters, Dyne 490 radial atomizer engines, quad-arc DT-4.1 hyperdrive, enough shields for- " "What about stealth?" Obi-Wan interrupted/. "Believe it or not, but this has got a THX cloaking device built in," Bail answered. "The Republic doesn't have any ships this small for a formidable weapon such as cloaking, but Alderaan sure does. So, what do you think, Padme?" She didn't respond and instead walked up the ship's ramp, carrying a bag. A few moments passed until Dorme, 3PO, and R2 followed. As the four disappeared into the ship, Bail turned to Obi-Wan. ""I'm sorry for acting like that," Bail confessed. He sighed and walked over to the side of the ship and grabbed it, slouching. "I still can't come to grips that her life and the infant's are in danger, Obi-Wan. I've known her for years, and I never imagined her to be in the middle of this mess." Obi-Wan walked over to Bail and stood in the same position, leaning forward and grabbing onto part of the ship. "What you have to realize, Bail," Obi-Wan began, "is that this will pass. It wasn't until now that I realized that. Palpatine cannot be in control forever. We will find a way to stop him and rescue Anakin from being seduced. But until then, we need your help to protect Padme at all costs." Bail looked at the Jedi and patted his shoulder. "Let's go, then," Bail said as he turned and began to walk up the ship's ramp. "Send Artoo to my ship," Obi-Wan said. "He'll help me keep track of you when you're cloaked." Bail responded with a wave and disappeared into the ship. Obi-Wan began to walk to Anakin's Jedi Starfighter, which had been brought there automatically when it was agreed that going into hiding was necessary. When Obi-Wan reached it, he ran his hands over the scorched battle hits it took during the Battle of Nkllon. He closed his eyes and tried his best to tune into Anakin's mind, but nothing. The best Obi-Wan could see was anger. But anger for who? Obi-Wan thought. As he concentrated harder, he jumped at the sound of a beep as R2 approached. Obi-Wan spun around to see not only the blue droid in front of him, but also the roar of the engines of the transport starting up to engage in a journey that was only just beginning.

CHAPTER XXXVI

The room was quiet as Emperor Palpatine stood, looking out his office window, like he did any day. However, this day was not any ordinary day. This day was the day that he would begin instructing a young ex-Jedi. He did not know what to expect from him, but planned that it would be most to his liking. The sun finally reached Palpatine's eyes and the old man squinted and turned away. He typed a button on his desk that resulted in a dark shield covering the windows from sunlight. As the shields closed, he didn't notice the Alderaanian Transport and Jedi Starfighter in the distance heading off into the sky. But the one thing he did notice when he turned on the office lights was a figure in the front of the door. He was tall, powerful, and angered as he walked closer to the Emperor. In order to reach the main part of the room, he needed to walk past two red Royal Gaurds to the Emperor. They turned on their Force pikes and prepared an attack, but instead were given the hand movement of Palpatine to stand down. "Do accept my apologies, Master Windu," Palpatine suggested. "Security has grown tighter and tighter in the past few years. Oh, please sit." Palaptine motioned for the Jedi to sit, but Mace stood, staring coldly back. "I see," Palpatine said. "You are angry about something, aren't you? But what could it be?" "You're corrupt, Palpatine," was all Mace said. He stood his ground as Palpatine stood and walked over to the Jedi. "How dare you," said Palpatine. "You come into my office with this tone after all I've done for you." "How dare you!" Mace responded. "You've played us all for fools: the Jedi, the Senate, the whole galaxy! I've given my life to the Jedi and protecting the Republic and you have done nothing but destroyed it! Never in my life have I thought that someone I trusted could betray me. Never and I thank the Force that your reign will end now." A smile formed on the Emperor's face as Mace finished. He turned his back on Mace and returned to his desk. He sat down and smiled at the Jedi. He placed both hands in front of his face as if he were praying or planning something evil. "Well said, Jedi," he commented. "From now on, that is what the rest of you will be referred to as; no names, just Jedi. And when it comes down to the three or two of you, no one will be able to stop me. That is unless you do something now. You did say you were going to put a stop to this, didn't you?" Mace pulled back his robe, revealing his lightsaber. Its metallic surface shined as it was hit by the sunlight. The initials B.M.F. were engraved on it, in memory of Mace's master after Yoda. He grabbed it and held it tightly in his right hand. "Yes, I did," answered Mace. "Well in that case, Jedi, I do hope that the deadly martial art of echani is not too much for you," Palpatine crackled. At that instant Mace spun around igniting his lightsaber as the Emperor's two Royal Guards began approaching the Jedi. As they walked closer to Mace, they pressed a button on their staffs, releasing a small red energy field on the end. Wanting to do this the easy way, Mace used a Jedi mind trick on the gaurds. He telepathically ordered them to surrender, but they continued to approach. Before Mace could think what was happening, the first guard drove his pike down on the Jedi. A purple blade met a red, short, thick blade as the two stood their ground. I can cut that metal pike in half, thought Mace. He swung at the gray pike, but the red armored guard blocked the blow by spinning his own pike at lighting speed. A surprised Mace pushed with all of his might, forcing the guard back a few feet. It was then that he spied the other guard approaching in a sprint. The duel began again with a different guard, but this time Mace felt that this one was not as experienced. He lacked the strength and skill of the other one, Mace thought. As soon as the second duel began, it ended. Mace quickly sliced the long handle in half, and kicked the guard back against the wall. As the guard flew back, the red blade followed, slicing him right through the chest. Mace turned to the other guard who was now typing in a code on the Emperor's desk. A secret door flew open and Palpatine ran through it, leaving Mace with the guard. He jumped at the red figure and the two began their fight.

In a dark room, a figure stood in front of a glass window. On the other side, Mace was battling and was not able to see through the thick, camouflaged glass. The watching figure stood with its arms folded in front of it and face hidden in the shadows. While it stood, watching, a shorter figure approached it. "Watch his movement," the Emperor said. "See how his eyes stay on his opponent at all times. They dart back and forth between eyes and weapon. He anticipates the next strike and deflects. But when the moment comes he surprises his opponent and." At that moment, Mace flipped over the guard and swung, slicing its head off. ".delivers the final blow."

Mace stood in the Emperor's office, panting from the duel he just had. A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. He shut off his lightsaber and shouted, "It's going to take more than a few guards, Palpatine! I can feel your presence and I won't stop, even if you leave the planet! I will find you Palpatine and I will not grant mercy, I promise you that!" With that, Mace shut off his lightsaber and ran out of the room. He ran past the empty spot outside the office that Sly Moore usually stood at and stared off down the empty hallway to find a few more red guards approaching. He bolted down the opposite end to the landing platform his speeder was on.

The two dark figures stared at the bodies in the Emperor's office. No words were exchanged when Mace announced his threat and ran out the room. "Now, you will be assigned your first mission," the Emperor said. "Just like your encounter at the apartment with the two Jedi, you will now be facing one of the best in galaxy. All you need to remember is that the Dark Side brings you power. Trust in its power of hate. You hate the Jedi for destroying your life, and now destroy theirs. Follow you destiny and give into the Dark Side, my young apprentice." Upon hearing his orders, Anakin Skywalker walked out from the shadows and stared back at the older, shorter man. He then reached behind his head and pulled up a black hood. "Yes, my Master," Anakin responded. "I will not fail."

CHAPTER XXXVII

The Alderaanian ship pulled out of hyperspace, quickly followed by a Jedi Starfighter. The starfighter deployed its hyperspace ring and flew behind the larger ship. Inside the controls, Obi-Wan stared as the planet of Alderaan came into view. Its green and blue surface boldly stood out from the other dull planets Obi-Wan had seen. White and gray clouds covered parts of the planet as small bits of lightning could be seen striking in a few of them. "Stay close by, Obi-Wan," Bail said over Obi-Wan's headset. "I've notified Alderaan of our arrival and they are trying to stay hush-hush about it." Obi-Wan guided his ship closer to the other and put it in automatic in order to not get separated. R2 let out a few beeps over the comlink to the Jedi pilot. "No I haven't been, Artoo," Obi-Wan answered. R2 responded with a funny noise and whistle as Obi-Wan looked at the translation, "Really? Well that makes two of us!" Obi-Wan smiled at the droid's humor and awaited the sights of Alderaan.

After flying through the clouds, nothing but green, blue, and mainly white could be seen. Far, rolling hills of grass covered the ground. Separating the enormous grasslands were small bodies of water. But what would catch anyone's attention were the massive white structures. The curved surfaces covered the grasslands and had long stretching roads linking bodies of land separated by the blue seas. The buildings all matched together, yet all differed in design. Some were tall, narrow structures, reaching high into the skies. Others were short and domed and had windows stretching all around them. Traffic wasn't plaguing the skies as in Coruscant, but rather was scarce in the sky. On the roads that were connecting the grasslands, a low amount of vehicles traveled back and forth. Bail sat back guiding the ship towards a large center. Since Alderaan was his home planet, he had to smile as the three others in the ship stared out the cockpit window at the white city. "This is one of the largest centers," Bail sated. "Its called Crevasse City. And right over there is the University of Aldera." C-3PO leaned farther forward, trying to see the planet's surface. Instead he leaned to far forward, hitting an emergency brake pad. From Obi-Wan's view the ship looked as if it had frozen in time as he passed right by it. He did a quick u-turn and approached the ship. "What's wrong?" he asked into his headset. "Nothing," Bail responded. "Threepio hit the emergency brake. Hang on a second while I take it out." Bail released the brake and the ship kicked back as it proceeded back on course, with Obi-Wan following. The two ships approached the landing platform as voice came over their speakers. "Confirmation code?" the voice asked. Bail reached into a small compartment and pulled out a small sheet of paper. "325-5321-1138," Bail said over the speaker. "Accepted," the voice responded. "Confirmation code?" Padme asked Bail. "Just to make sure no troops arrive before we do," Bail reassured. He had been worried that somehow, word of their going into hiding would get around, and Palpatine would send troops after them. The worst thing Bail could think of would be if Palpatine attacked his planet. If that happened, he knew he could get enough support to impeach him. Business in the Senate will have to wait, Bail thought. Padme's safety is our major concern. Her safety and the child's. As Bail landed the ship, Dorme helped Padme up from her sitting and guided her to the ramp. Bail took off his headset and began to walk out of the cockpit before throwing a glare at 3PO for hitting the emergency brake. He proceeded down the ramp, where Padme and Dorme were walking towards Obi- Wan. Bail had to smile at himself for how well the trip had gone and that Padme was safe from the Emperor. "Well, I suggest we take you to your apartment, Padme," Bail began. "I would feel better if we got you inside as soon as possible." "Fine," Padme responded. Bail had noticed she looked sick on Coruscant, but after the trip, she looked much worse. There were bags under her eyes and her face was pale. His once cleanly braided hair had pieces hanging in her face. "I am feeling a bit tired." Upon that comment, Padme's eyes rolled back in her head and she fell forward. But before she fell, Bail grabbed out and caught her. "Medic!" he screamed to the landing station's main building. He looked down at Padme, who had sweat covering her entire face. Her eyes were completely white and her mouth hung open. "We've got to get her to a hospital," Obi-Wan said. "No problem," responded Bail. "Alderaan has some of the best medical facilities in the university. She'll feel better in no time." Upon that comment, a shuttle lifted up from behind the main building, and landed right next to the group. The shuttle's small doors revealing two medical druids. They wheeled out to Padme and inserted two needles into her. Fluid flowed into her bloodstream and her breathing returned to its normal pace. The two droids then pulled two metal poles apart, revealing a plasma-like stretcher. Bail and Obi-Wan helped lift her on it, and the droids carried her off. "Follow us," Bail said to Obi-Wan, proceeding to the shuttle with Dorme and the two droids. Obi-Wan turned back to his ship and proceeded towards it.

The hospital was one of the largest buildings in the university. Its white color blended in with its surrounding buildings, but its structure stuck out. It curved like a wide U and two domes on each ends. Windows covered the entire building, as patients looked out onto the green land and blue water. Emergency ships landed near the front and the patient was rushed in. Obi-Wan noticed that it didn't seem that crowded as he saw the emergency shuttle land, and the two droids carry a stretcher with Padme on it out. "There are some visitor pads you can land on," Bail said over the speaker. Obi-Wan looked around and found an empty one. "Ask information what room we'll be in, okay?" "Fine," Obi-Wan said as his starfighter landed calmly on the pad. He looked around the cockpit of his apprentice's ship. No. Is he still my apprentice? And what about Padme? The two are still husband and wife, aren't they? Thoughts plagued Obi-Wan's mind as he hopped out of the ship and proceeded to the entrance to the hospital.

The hallways were all white, with potted plants scattered along the walls. In between the plants, paintings rested on the walls, depicting sunsets and woodland creatures. Patients gazed upon these as they walked or were hovered through the hallway. The patients varied from all different species, as well did the doctors. They walked down the hallways with clipboards, writing things down, while their young college assistants would follow with wide eyes. Obi-Wan had already found which room Padme was in and was looking for it. He passed a few patients who just stared as his robe flowed behind him. He turned a few corners and ran into a patient mumbling to himself. Obi- Wan's eyes opened widely as he stared into the empty sockets of the elderly patient. "Beware!' the old man said. "We're all doomed! The end is near! Our planet will be gone! We're all dead! All of us!" As the man continued to scream, two men came from around the corner and whisked him into a room. The screams faded and the listening public went back to their own business. What the man said stayed in Obi-Wan's mind as he proceeded towards Padme's room. He turned one last corner and saw the room at the end of the hallway. Inside Padme could be seen in bed, with Dorme next to her, holding her hand. Padme's eyes were closed and was breathing comfortably on a respirator. Bail was talking to a doctor outside the room, but Obi-Wan couldn't make out what they were saying. When he got closer, Bail turned his head and saw Obi-Wan. He looked surprised at first, but then smiled. He grabbed the doctor's arm and the two quickly walked by Obi-Wan. Curious as to why the two didn't say anything, Obi-Wan began to follow, but was distracted by Dorme calling him. He turned to her and then returned back to Bail and the doctor, but the two had disappeared down the hall. He frowned and entered the room. "Bail says she has some sort of heart disease," Dorme said, with tears in her eyes. "Her blood pressure is too high, and if she isn't treated, the baby's going to die before birth." She set her head on the edge of the bed as tears began to run down her face. Obi-Wan walked to the window and stared out at the beautiful, white architecture. His eyes darted back and forth, as his mind raced at lightspeed about what to do with Padme. As usual, before he got anywhere, he turned to see Bail in the doorway. He looked stressed as if a ton were added to his shoulders. As soon as Dorme lifted her head from the bed and looked at Bail, his face turned into a happy one. "What did the doctor say?" Dorme asked. "She said everything is going to be fine," Bail said, walking over to Dorme. He placed his hand on her shoulder. He didn't know what to do to Dorme. Her best friend lied there, unconscious. Bail turned to Obi-Wan while Dorme lowered her head to bed again. "What is it?" asked Obi-Wan. "She's going to be fine, Obi-Wan," Bail said. "There's something else," Obi-Wan said, digging into Bail's mind. "What is it?" "Ask me again sometime," Bail responded with a nod. Obi-Wan returned the comment by staring. Bail knew that he wanted to know what he was hiding. "Dorme," Bail said to the sobbing handmaiden. "Would you be okay if Obi-Wan and I left for a few minutes?" She looked up and nodded her head. ''I'll send a few guards to the room, and try to get Threepio and Artoo back here," he said. "Who knows what they've gotten into?" At that, he and Obi-Wan left the room and began walking down the long hallway.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

The roof of the hospital was surprisingly clean. It was used as relaxing for certain patients. Pillars and greenery stretched on it for anyone that wanted to escape the feeling of a hospital. Obi-Wan had expected Alderaan to have a few dirty areas, but the roof was just as clean as any part of the university. The two walked over to one of the edges of the building and stared off onto the university's campus. Students could be seen walking to classes, with books under their arms, flirting with each other, unknown to the evilness and corruption of the outside worlds. Their minds were focused on the fact that they could become anything they wanted to be, and nothing could stop them from doing so. "They're so young," Bail observed, staring at one of the couples, hand-in-hand, with the boy carrying his girlfriend's books. "They have no idea where this galaxy is heading." "Where is it heading, Bail?" asked Obi-Wan. "To Hell," Bail answered. "Straight to it, if you ask me. When I started the Coalition to Protect the Republic, I figured things would change for the better. I felt that Palpatine did nothing to help the Republic. I never knew that I could be more than right. Jar Jar and I worked so hard to recruit Senators and Delegates. And we thought we were indestructible. We were like our own little rebel force. Much like those students down there, we thought that nothing could stop us from doing what we thought was right and that would help the galaxy. And we failed. We failed to help those in need. We failed to destroy the corruption in the galaxy. We failed to protect the Republic." Bail lowered his head and continued to stare at the passing students. "Keep in mind, Bail, that the Emperor won't be in power forever," Obi- Wan said. "We will find a weakness and launch the entire galaxy against him. He can't take over the entire galax-" "Obi-Wan! Don't you see?!" Bail shouted. "The galaxy is already under his power! He's been playing us all for years and you think that a little group of rebels can defeat him? He's too powerful! First of all, who in the world would be crazy enough to form a rebellion to destroy his reign? Second, what do you think will happen after he's removed? Do you know that his friends will still be out there? Who knows how many he's made during his reign! You can't just form your own defense that quickly and strong!" "You can," Obi-Wan answered. "What?" asked Bail. "You can lead that rebellion," Obi-Wan repeated. "Bail, you are one of the strongest, most headstrong people I know. You are destined to bring order back to the Republic. There is still goodness left in the Republic. There are Senators that would follow you, just as you have done with the CPR. Jar Jar Binks, Orn Free Taa, Mon Mothma. They would all follow you. You are their leader." Bail smiled. The two continued to talk about the future, unknown to a group of white figures scattered behind different hiding spots on the roof. Their armor blended in nicely with the white roof. One of them held a speaker device and was recording everything the two said. As Bail continued to talk, Obi-Wan zoned out of his voice and focused on the disturbance he felt in the Force. He blocked out everything, except for his own breathing of himself. He closed his eyes and saw the storm troopers. He didn't actually see them clearly, but felt them through the Force. Their height, their boot sizes, their weapons, their thoughts, everything. He knew it was a trap and he opened his eyes and returned to Bail. Bail was still talking and looking puzzled at Obi-Wan when he motioned the fact that they were being spied on. How many? Bail mouthed. Obi-Wan held up eight fingers. What now? Bail asked. "So, what did the university rank this year?" Obi-Wan asked, facing forward and motioning for Bail to do the same. Bail caught on and continued the conversation, "You wouldn't believe this, but we got first again." The two continued there "conversation" while the storm trooper with the recording device stopped it and attached it to his belt. He stood up behind a pillar and looked at another trooper a few feet away. He motioned for them to go into attack on Bail and Obi-Wan. The second trooper agreed and pressed two buttons on his wrist, indicating to the other troopers to move in for capture. The seven other troopers confirmed by typing into their wrists and raised their weapons. They left from their hiding spaces and walked towards were Bail and Obi-Wan were standing. Instead, they weren't there. The troopers quickly searched the roof, but couldn't find anything. The lead trooper cursed himself, and ordered the others to follow. They followed and rushed down to the opposite side of the building, where a large enough shuttle waited for them. They all got in and flew off, disappearing behind a collection of buildings. The roof laid empty for a minute or two until a body flipped up from the side of the building onto it. Obi-Wan leaned over the edge and grabbed an arm, pulling the body up. Bail hopped up next to Obi-Wan and the two stared at each other. "What are they doing here?" Bail asked. "Palpatine better have a lot of explaining to do. We are neutral to his powers." It was then that Obi-Wan realized. "Padme," he gasped. The two sprinted to the nearest staircase leading into the hospital.

CHAPTER XXXIX

A light switched off as Mace took his final look into his apartment. His desk was cleaned off and all of the belongings that were on it were destroyed. The many books and scrolls that he stored were locked in the case he held. Inside was also a hologram of his first master and some clothing. He had never used the case before, and had never planned to use it when one of his old friends gave it to him. That friend had always hoped that he would take a break from the council and see the galaxy, but he never did. Instead, he would go into hiding. Sure he would see the galaxy, but only one part for the rest of his life. Or until the evil is destroyed, he thought. Until then, I will focus on the Force, and the Force alone. The automatic door shut behind him as he walked down a corridor, passing Yoda, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Plo Koon's old rooms. They were large, and the only four apartments on the side of the Jedi Temple. The doors were locked shut to the three other Jedi's apartments. Yoda had taken only a few things when he went into hiding, and Mace followed the same idea. But where was he? asked himself. Yoda is one of secrecy. He had kept his feelings on Palpatine hidden for a long time, and he probably won't reveal his hiding space anytime soon to Obi-Wan or Bail. And it was probably better that he didn't. Mace was planning to hide on a planet he and his first Master went to settle a border dispute. It was only a few parsecs from Alderaan. There he could focus on the matter at hand: Palpatine, the Republic, the galaxy. Mace then realized that there was one last place he had to look at before he said his final goodbye to the Jedi Temple.

The night had finally revealed the stars shining in the sky. Traffic continued as usual, but the ships stayed away from the Temple, as Palpatine had warned the public not to go near. It was almost as if an invisible field surrounded the Temple, not allowing ships to penetrate. Miles stretched from around the Temple, with no ships nearing. Mace stared out the window of the Jedi Council Chamber. For decades he had sat in that room, with the eleven other members, working together as protectors of peace in the galaxy. He remembered every single thing that came through the doors he just walked through, asking for aid or advice. He looked where the old members sat, but where their chairs used to be were empty spots. Ki-Adi's and Plo's were removed a few days after their deaths. Yoda's was removed when he left to go into hiding. But Mace's sat where it always had. He walked over to it and rubbed his hand over it. More memories shot through his head, but the one that stuck in his mind was the first time he saw Anakin Skywalker. His abilities with the Force were remarkable, Mace thought. But what he remembered most was the face Anakin gave him when he broke the news he would not be trained. Mace was talking with Qui-Gon Jinn at the time, but he could feel Anakin's anger boil. His glare and hate-filled eyes stared at him, but Mace couldn't read what was going on deep inside. He couldn't break through the hate. The memory faded as a disturbance in the Force filled Mace's body. He spun around to see the closed doors where they always had been. But as Mace stared at them for a few moments, they opened. Standing in the doorway was a dark, tall figure. He donned a black robe, with a hood pulled over its head. He stood there for a few seconds until he began to walk in the council chamber. His black boots made a low thudding sound as he walked through the doorway. He took a few steps until the door shut behind him. "Who are you?" Mace shouted, reaching for his lightsaber. His hand rested on it as the figure walked over the door mechanism and punched it with all its might. It shattered and little sparks shot out of it. The figure then, with its back turned, pulled down its hood and took off its robe. As the figure folded the robe and tossed it at the wall, Mace looked at its attire. It wore a black leather vest, black undershirt, and black pants. Black gloves covered its hands as they ran through its hair. "I asked a question, now answer it!" Mace shouted. The figure began to chuckle and shake its head. "Oh, Master Windu," it began. "Always demanding, never doing." Mace's eyes opened wide in shock. "Anakin," he said. The figure then turned to reveal Anakin smiling and holding his lightsaber. "Your insight serves you well," Anakin complimented. "Let's see how well it can against mine." In a quick flash, Anakin ignited his blue lightsaber and spun it around in the air with amazing skill to only bring it back to his side. "That took me an hour to learn." "Don't do this, Anakin," Mace said. "Palpatine is clouding your mind. He will betray you, just as he has all of his followers. Come back with us and we can stop the evilness." "You can't expect me to actually listen to what you're saying to me, do you?" asked Anakin. "I'm supposed to give into the very same people who betrayed me? All my life, I wanted my mother to be happy, I wanted to be happy. But thanks to the Jedi, I've failed. And now my mother lies died, buried in a grave in the middle of a desert! Her death will be avenged!" Anakin raised his lightsaber and leapt at Mace. A blue blur of light spun in the air as it came onto contact with a purple blade. Mace held it there with both hands and stared back into the black eyes of Anakin. Anakin smiled at this moment, for it was his first duel with a Jedi. The very people he had learned to hate because of their jealousness and betrayal. He pushed hard onto the purple blade, but Mace returned it, pushing so hard that Anakin gets pushed away from his stance. He stared at Mace as the Jedi quickly took off his robe and tossed onto his and the only chair in the chamber. The two warriors circled each other in the middle of the night, in the abandoned Jedi Temple. The hallways lied empty, the lights were shut off, and silence contaminated everything. But from a distance, the only part of the Temple that was alive was the chamber where blue against purple lightsabers could be seen striking each other in the dimly lit room. Anakin chuckled as he swung from side to side at the Jedi. It wasn't necessarily a funny experience, but rather an exciting one. For the first time in his life, he believed he was doing something for the good of the galaxy that made him feel good at the same time. "What's so funny, Anakin?" Mace asked, blocking the blows of the opponent's blade. "Nothing," answered Anakin. "Nothing at all. Just the fact that I will be the one to save the galaxy by destroying you, Jedi." "Your wrong about two things," Mace returned. "You won't be saving anyone by joining the Dark Side, Anakin. You will suffer the same way Palpatine has. You might not feel it now, but trust me, you will feel the pain." Mace sliced from the side, only to be blocked by Anakin. "And the other thing I'm wrong about?" Anakin asked, pushing Mace away with the force of his blade. "You won't be destroying any Jedi," Mace said, lowering his defenses. "I'll be sure of that." Anakin stared at the Jedi, whose lightsaber was now pointed down. The two stood there, staring at each other, while the night sky grew darker.

CHAPTER XXXX

The hospital was the same as it was when Obi-Wan and Bail had gone up to the roof. Doctors and their assistants still walked down the hallways, while patients were here and there. The two men sprinted down a hallway near Padme's room. Obi-Wan tried to tune into the Force and feel the storm troopers' presence, but could feel none. He pressed on, while Bail's mind was thinking the worse. She's gone, he kept on thinking. Palpatine knows about her baby and wants him. We're too late. We're too late. Obi-Wan could feel Bail's worrying and assured, "Don't worry, Bail. They probably haven't gotten to her yet." Bail tried to see it from Obi- Wan's point of view, but couldn't. As the men reached the long hallway leading to Padme's room, they saw that the door to her room was wide open and Padme wasn't in bed. In fact, no one was in the room. The two men looked at each other and sprinted down the hallway the fastest they could. When they reached the door, Obi-Wan pulled out his lightsaber, while Bail pulled out a small blaster. They looked at each other and nodded. They jumped into the room, expecting to find troopers waiting for them, but instead found something to their surprise. "Where have you been?" Dorme asked. She sat in chair by the window, while Padme sat on the ledge. Where they were in room, couldn't be seen through the doorway. Dorme had a book on her lap; with her hand in it to mark the page she had just finished reading. Padme turned to see the two men and smiled. "Sorry about fainting like that," she apologized. Bail blew a big gush of air out of his lungs and looked at Obi-Wan. He turned away from the group and tried to relax, while Obi-Wan walked over to Padme. He crouched down and looked at her closely. "You must listen to me carefully, Padme," Obi-Wan began. "Bail and I were on the roof and were almost caught by storm troopers, the Emperor's new warriors for the Republic. We hid ourselves and realized that they were here for someone: you. I don't know how the Emperor found out, but he has sent a small group here for you and the child. What we need to do is get you out of this hospital, quickly." Padme stared back at Obi-Wan with tears in her eyes. "When is it going to end, Obi-Wan? All of this running and hiding? I can't take it anymore, and you know that. I'm dying, I know I am, and I need you to save me. No more running, no more hiding. I want you to deal with this, please." Obi-Wan knew what she was asking. "Padme, killing these troopers won't stop the Emperor. He'll keep on looking for you, and nothing will stop him." Padme looked back at Obi-Wan, as a tears rolled down her face. "Get out." "Padme," Bail began, "Obi-Wan is right. If we were to-" "Get out!" Padme screamed with tears pouring down her face. Obi-Wan turned away and walked out of the room, followed by Bail. Dorme grabbed Padme's hand and held it close to her mouth, feeling the pain. "I want to sleep," Padme said, in a monotone voice. "The baby is tired."

Obi-Wan and Bail stood outside the door in silence. Minutes passed until the door opened and Dorme quietly came outside. "What was that all about?" Bail asked her. "Something's wrong that she's not telling us." Dorme shook her head. "I don't know. I haven't seen her get that mad in a long time." "How could the Emperor know about the child?" Obi-Wan asked the group. "We were the only ones who knew." Dorme's eyes opened wide as she finally realized something. Bail saw this and was surprised. "What is it?" "The Emperor doesn't know," Dorme said, staring in empty space. "Padme never told Anakin." "What?" asked obi-Wan, walking closer to Dorme. "When he confronted her on Coruscant," she continued, "I wasn't in the room, but I overheard the argument. Padme never told him she was pregnant. There has to be some other reason the storm troopers are here." Bail felt relief flow through his body. But at that moment, fear began to run through. "I know why they're here," he said. "Why?" Obi-Wan asked. "For me," answered Bail. "Why you?" asked Dorme. "Because of who I am," Bail answered. "I don't know what he has planned, but he needs me. I must find out." With that, he turned from the group and began to walk down the hallway. Obi-Wan looked at Dorme. "Lock this door," he instructed. "Never let anyone enter, unless it's Bail or myself. You understand?" She nodded and Obi-Wan smiled before running off to catch up with Bail.

Bail had already made it down the hallway, before Obi-Wan caught up with him. "What do you plan to do?" "I'm going to get caught," answered Bail, as he pressed a button for the elevator. "But you are in control of Alderaan," argued Obi-Wan. "What the Emperor is doing is illegal. You said it yourself. Have them arrested." "And then what?" responded Bail. "Just wait for Palpatine to make his next move? I don't think so." "Listen Bail," Obi-Wan began. "I don't think you should go marching into this. Padme needs you. We all need you." "Obi-Wan, if they kill me," started Bail, "Palpatine will on the number one hit list in the galaxy. I have friends who will pay big money to have him killed. He will pay for all that he has done. Come on, Obi-Wan. If anything goes wrong, I can handle myself." At that instant, the elevator doors opened, revealing eight storm troopers. The leader immediately jumped at Bail, hitting him in the chin with the butt of his gun. Bail fell to the ground as seven storm troopers surrounded Obi-Wan. The leader pointed his gun at Bail and shook his head. "Get up, scum. We have a room waiting for you."

CHAPTER XXXXI

Dialogue had not been exchanged between the two warriors. Instead, for the past few minutes, Mace and Anakin did nothing but stare back at each other. Mace had turned off his lightsaber but held the handle, while Anakin held his activated. The two stood there, reading each other's mind, anticipating who would make the first move. Mace closed his eyes for a brief moment, to focus his mind on the Force. When he opened his eyes, Anakin caught him off-guard and plunged his lightsaber into his stomach. Mace screamed and punched Anakin square in the face. Anakin flew back, sliding on the floor into the wall. He groaned in pain, but looked at Mace, who begun to walk to his chair. He gripped the arm and slowly sat down. He groaned as he shifted in his seat to get comfortable, and looked at Anakin, who was getting up from the ground. Anakin approached and stood right in front of the seated Jedi. The two stared at each other until Mace lifted his hand up. "You'll never win," Mace whispered, offering a handshake to Anakin, who he had known for over a decade. Anakin just stood in front of the dying Jedi Master. He turned off his lightsaber and attached to his black belt. His eyes locked with the Jedi Master as he smirked at him and turned his back. Mace sat watching the dark warrior slice open the locked door with his lightsaber and leave. Now all the Jedi could do, with his hand gripping his wound, was await death. Death that was inevitable.

From the traffic's point of view, Palpatine's office was completely dark. The black room stayed dark from the night sky and lack of lights. Palpatine's chin rested in his hand as he stared off into the distance.

Sly Moore stood outside the doors leading to the office, as Anakin marched down the hallway towards her. She glared as Anakin grew closer. He had a cocky smile on his face, and if there was one thing Sly hated was Anakin's self-confidence. When he began visiting Palpatine those years ago, she didn't have any feelings towards him. But when the Emperor became his Master, her hatred grew and grew. Anakin quickly walked by Sly who watched his movement into the Emperor's office.

When Palpatine heard the doors open, he awaited his apprentice's approach. Anakin walked to the front of Palpatine's desk and bowed with a smile on his face. "Greetings, my Master," began Anakin. "I bring good news." "Master Windu?" Palpatine asked, with his chair turned "Dead," smiled Anakin. "I took care of it personally." Palpatine did not smile back at Anakin. Instead he continued to look out the window. "I've received word from the gangster Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine of a proposition I am interested in," Palpatine began. He didn't feel any change in Anakin or his face upon the mention of Tatooine. He then dug into Anakin's mind and found what he was looking for. Anakin grabbed his mother's dead body tightly. He lowered her and with his hand closed her opened eyes. Anger began to boil, and hate began to rise deep inside his heart and mind. He set his mother down and held his lightsaber as he ripped through the Tusken tent and sliced the heads off of two Tusken Raiders. He raised the blade as a Tusken ran towards him, which he decapitated in seconds. As the body fell to the floor, the head rolled towards a child Tusken. The child walked towards it and stared at it for a few seconds, until he looked up to see black eyes staring back at them. Dried tears were on the figure's cheeks as he raised his lightsaber at the child. Anakin! Anakin! Nooo! shouted a voice. Palpatine came out of the trance, not believing what he heard. That voice, he thought. I have not heard that voice since. His thoughts trailed off as Anakin repeated asking, "Master? Master?" Palpatine shook his head and continued speaking with Anakin. "As I was saying, an offer has been made by a close friend of the gangster for an item we can access." "What item is that?" Anakin asked, curiously. "A lightsaber," answered Palpatine, spinning around in his chair to face Anakin. "The late Windu's lightsaber." "How much is being offered?" Anakin asked. "It is none of your concern, my friend," reassured Palpatine. "All your concern should be is to retrieve the Jedi's weapon from where you.'corrected' him of his mistakes." Palpatine smiled evilly at Anakin, who bowed and left room to return to the Jedi Temple.

CHAPTER XXXXII

The cell was empty except for the Jedi leaning against the wall. He had been there for the past hour while Bail sat, chained to a block in the center of a room. The room had crates stacked on top of each other. Three storm troopers stood around the seated figure, while two guarded the door to the room, another two in front of Obi-Wan's cell, and one crouching down in front of Bail. The storm trooper hadn't asked Bail a single question, but instead smacked and punched him. Blood dripped from Bail's nose, and bruises and gashes covered parts of his face. "What do you want?!" Bail shouted. "I give in! What is it?!" The trooper stopped striking him and grabbed a small rag. He wiped the blood off of Bail's face and blotted the openings. He threw the rag on the ground, and waited for the blood to stop dripping. The wounds stopped bleeding, and trooper walked away from Bail. "I'm asking you," he began, "What do you want? What does Palpatine want? I'll tell you what you want to know!" The trooper stopped in his tracks, and with his back turned to Bail, asked. "Really? You'll tell us anything?" He spun around, walking slowly back to Bail. "Yes!" shouted a relieved Bail. "I've been saying that this whole time! You must believe me!" The trooper stuck his face right in Bail's face. With both hands behind his back, he said, "Well, the unfortunate thing is that we don't." The trooper quickly brought the blaster rifle he was holding behind his back to Bail's skull. A loud THUD sent Bail over to the side; knocking over the block he was sitting on. He lied on the floor, tied to the block, as the troopers in the room began laughing. Obi-Wan turned in disgust as Bail lied in pain on the ground. He walked over to the opening and beat his hands against the wall. From outside the cell, Obi-Wan's shouting words were muted by the soundproof walls. He gave up as the troopers continued laughing at the fallen Bail. Walking back and forth, Obi-Wan searched for a plan. Looking through the bluish walls, he spied his lightsaber attached to the belt of one of the storm troopers guarding his cell. The Force became his only ally as Obi-Wan tuned into a storm trooper's mind. It was easy to do, and soon enough Obi-Wan commanded through thought, Open the door. Do not attract attention. Hand me the lightsaber. Open the door. Do not attract attention. Hand me the lightsaber. He repeated these over and over to the storm trooper guarding his door. The trooper pulled a key from his belt and slid it through a reader on the outside wall of the cell. The door disappeared and the trooper walked towards Obi-Wan with the Jedi's lightsaber in his hand. Obi-Wan smiled as everything was going perfectly until voices shouted, "TK- 15, what are you doing?" "It's the Jedi!" "Blast him!" Obi-Wan grabbed his lightsaber out of the storm trooper's hand with the Force and activated it. Blasters began shooting at Obi-Wan, as the bolts hit the mind-tricked storm trooper or bounced off the outside walls of the cell. The storm troopers picked hiding spots in the room, as Bail lied on the floor, tied to the block. Obi-Wan ran out of his cell and grabbed Bail's body. He quickly dragged the body and block behind a stack of crates. Bail was unconscious as Obi-Wan left him, searching for troopers. The Jedi moved from crate to crate, quickly and quietly. He used the Force to find the enemies, but Bail's pain from the beatings weighted his mind. As Obi-Wan was about to turn the corner of a crate, the feeling of a blaster placed on the back of his head made him stop. "Jedi scum," the trooper said. "I thought the Emperor had gotten rid of all of you." At that instant, all of the seven other troopers came out of their hiding spots and pointed their blasters at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan shut off his lightsaber and held the handle at his side. "On your knees, Jedi," the trooper ordered, keeping the blaster to the back of his head. Obi-Wan obeyed and got down on both knees as the trooper backed away from him to join the other troopers. "I must notify the Emperor of this. We shall have the honor of executing the last of the Jedi." Obi- Wan closed his eyes and awaited the fire of the troopers. But just as soon as he closed his eyes, he opened them to find something to his surprise. Between the storm troopers' legs, he could see the door to the room. It opened slowly, a quick blur shot through it, disappearing behind a crate. The blur then dived behind another crate, moving closer and closer to the line of aiming troopers. As it grew closer and closer, the lead storm trooper ordered the rest to fire on his command. One. Two. "What was that you said about the last of the Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked. The blur shot past behind the troopers. The lead trooper lowered his arm and stared at the kneeling Obi-Wan through his helmet. "That we would have the honor of executing the last of the Jedi." Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm not the last." A warrior scream and the activation of a lightsaber was the last thing two of the storm troopers heard as a green figure flipped over the group. It stopped in front of the remaining six and held its lightsaber close to it. Yoda shook its head at the group and dived at two of them, stabbing one in the stomach, and slashing the other across the chest. The two bodies fell to the floor, but the little, green Jedi was not finished. He stuck out his arm and used the Force to grab the rifles out of the hands of the three remaining troopers. The weapons flew off and hit the wall, quickly followed by the troopers themselves as they were Force-pushed the thirty feet away. Yoda lowered his arm and deactivated his lightsaber. He attached it to his belt and stared at Obi-Wan. A face of sorrow was on the creature. As he began to walk towards Obi-Wan, the lead storm trooper ran out from behind a crate holding a blaster, aimed at the little Jedi Master. "Master!" Obi-Wan shouted, as Yoda quickly turned around to find a blaster pointed at him. The trooper fired the weapon, and the blast shot out from the weapon at Yoda. Right before it was fired, a bloody hand held a blaster and fired at the trooper. The two different blasts traveled at the same time: one towards Yoda, and the other towards the trooper. Millie-seconds before the blast hit Yoda, the Jedi's lightsaber shot into its hand and the green blade blocked the red blur. The red blast returned back to the shooter, and the trooper was hit by both blasts, sending him back into a crate. Both Jedi Masters turned to see Bail holding a blaster, leaning his side against a crate. His face was bleeding in certain places, and his black eye was prominent. He turned dazed to see Yoda. "Nice to see you," he said in a slurred way, as he walked to the two Jedi.

CHAPTER XXXXIII

Anakin stood at the main entrance hall to the Jedi Temple. It was in the middle of the night, and the world around him was silent. Off into the distance, lights flashed, shouting and club music could be heard, but Anakin zoned out from the faint noises, and kept his mind on the Temple. He began to walk up the steps and enter through large door he left open when he was last there. The main entrance and hallways were completely dark. No light shined on them, and Anakin was forced to use his lightsaber as a source for light. When Palpatine had ordered for him to go to the Temple, Anakin went during the day when it was light, and then waited for nightfall. Then, when the night did fall, Anakin made his move. The blue lightsaber hummed and echoed in the tall and long hallways. Moving it from side to side created moving shadows on the wall. Shadows that followed Anakin all along his journey. The memory shot through his mind of the factory on Nkllon, where he relied on the light of his lightsaber to find Count Dooku. Count Dooku, Anakin thought. Count Dooku. He couldn't think of anything to think about the Ex-Jedi turned Sith. All he could do was walk to the elevators that would lead him to his destination.

The Jedi Council chamber lay dead silent. The dim light stayed lit from before, as it cast shadows on the walls and floor. Long, thin shadows, like fingers stretched towards the sliced open doorway. As they stretched closer and closer towards the door, Anakin appeared. He walked through the cut-out door and stopped dead when he saw Mace sitting in the same chair. His eyes were closed and he clutched his lightsaber in his left hand. His right was clutching the lightsaber wound in his stomach. Anakin slowly approached the dead Jedi. His footsteps echoed from the room into the hallway. Step after step, he stuck his hand farther out to grab the lightsaber. Little beads of sweat trickled down his chin. He wiped them off and returned to reach for the lightsaber. The closest step to Mace was made, and Anakin stood there, staring at Mace, with his hand outstretched. His fingers began to twitch, and small beads of sweat formed on his knuckles. One trailed off his hand, and landed right on Mace's leg. The sound of a bucket of water hitting the ground went through Anakin's ear. He flinched upon hearing it and drew his hand back. He took a few steps back and wiped the sweat from his face. He gathered his strength and walked straight up to Mace. In an instant, the lightsaber came alive and a purple blade shot right up to Anakin's face. The blade came centimeters to Anakin's face when it stopped. Anakin stared cross-eyed at it, and then moved down the blade to the person holding it. Mace stared with his eyes half open at Anakin. "Like I said," the Jedi began, "you'll never win." Anakin could do nothing but stare at the purple blade, pointed right in the middle of his face. "Why are you doing this?" Mace asked. "For what purpose? Is it out of anger? Hate? Fear? What is it, Anakin? I didn't want you to be trained, and I was right. Look at what you have become! You're killing people for no reason, betraying the Jedi, who gave you a new, free life, going agai." Mace's voice trailed off as Anakin's mind captured those words: .the Jedi, who gave you a new, free life.Freedom? Anakin thought. I've never been free. But now I am. Anakin then remembered what he was there for. As Mace continued to talk, he quickly grabbed the lightsaber from his belt, and struck the blade in his face. The purple blade fell to the side as Anakin rolled over in the opposite direction to avoid the Jedi's weapon. He gathered his footing and checked Mace up and down. The Jedi Master had stopped clutching his stomach where he was hit, and instead stood tall holding his lightsaber at his side. Anakin spun his lightsaber in the air as he had before. The two Jedi were done checking each other up and down, and charged at each other with lightsabers blazing. The two blades met with a force Anakin had never felt before. His lightsaber came towards his face as Mace pushed down on his. The two fighters separated and spun their lightsabers only to come back again. Mace spun in circles as his lightsaber went with him. Anakin blocked one of the spins, but ducked as the second spin nearly took his head off. While crouched down, he took a stab at Mace's legs, to which Mace flipped over Anakin. When Anakin quickly stood up, Mace kicked him in the chest. He flew back and hit Mace's chair. Pain shot through his body as he reached back, grabbing his neck. Mace walked towards the fallen Anakin, not feeling a bit of sympathy. "I am not the one to destroy you," Mace said, shutting off his lightsaber and attaching it to his belt. He put both hands on his sides and walked over to a window. "Your destiny lies somewhere else. Not with me." Anakin was now relieved of his pain, and began to get up from the ground, staring at Mace. "Leave me. I'm giving you the decision to chose the right path." Anakin began to walk closer and closer to the Jedi. "But if I find that you are using the Dark Side." When Anakin was a few feet behind him, Mace spun around with his lightsaber ignited. ".I will destroy you." Anakin blocked the swing and the two began dueling again. Anakin spun around, blocking stabs with his back turned. He brought the lightsaber across Mace's front, only to be brought back as Mace sung underneath it. Anakin started walking backwards as Mace pushed on, spinning and swinging, swinging and spinning. As Anakin jumped to avoid a swing at his legs, Mace's lightsaber slashed his left shoulder. The black vest burned and sizzled as the lightsaber met with it. Anakin grabbed his shoulder in pain; feeling bits of his flesh burn away. Mace stepped away while Anakin tried to push away the pain. He swung his lightsaber at his side, as Anakin began breathing heavy. Images raced through Anakin's mind as he crouched on the floor, holding his shoulder. The images of him killing Dooku, confronting his wife, and when he thought he had killed Mace flowed through his mind. Arise, my friend, a voice commanded. Arise and destroy those who wronged you. Anakin slowly stood up and raised his lightsaber. Mace jumped at the moment, and the two dived into their fighting. The blue and purple blades shot back and forth, from side to side, blocking and jabbing at each other. Kill the Jedi, Anakin. Anakin pushed forward, causing Mace to be right up against a wall. Mace rolled to the side, only to have Anakin strike the wall, slashing into it. He quickly brought his lightsaber out and swung while Mace's back was turned. Instead of slicing Mace in half, Mace brought the lightsaber behind his back and blocked the swing. The two of them spun their lightsabers and had them meet while they were staring at each other. The "X" the lightsabers formed allowed them to look into each other's eyes. Mace's were strong and heavy, while Anakin's were black and solid. The two pulled away from their position and jumped back a few feet. Anakin stuck his arm out and Force-pushed Mace back into a wall. The Jedi was caught off guard as he managed to push himself off of the ground and regain his footing. Anakin caught Mace off guard and grabbed the hand that was about to stab. He used this moment to stick his lightsaber into Mace's thigh. A scream filled the room, and echoed through the Temple. Mace grabbed the hole in his leg as he fell to the floor. His lightsaber fell a few feet from him as the pain grew and grew. Anakin smiled and walked right next to the Jedi. He crouched down next to him and patted him on the chest. The new wound he made in him, and the old one in his stomach caught his eye. "One, two wounds," Anakin smiled. He stopped looking at them and locked eyes with the Jedi. Mace's face was covered in sweat and his eyes were red with pain. "I can't believe you're trying to win." Mace sputtered as blood trickled out of his lips and ran down his cheek. "Y-y-you w-will never w-win, Anakin." "I know," Anakin responded sarcastically. "I know, Master Jedi." He then stood up and turned his back to Mace. "But there's one thing." He quickly spun around and ignited his lightsaber and plunged it into Mace's chest. ".you lose." Mace closed his eyes and gasped for air as his chest burned through. Anakin slowly turned the blade and then pulled it out, staring at the Jedi. Mace opened his eyes and stared at Anakin. Moments passed when Mace didn't blink or breath. Anakin then knew that the Jedi was dead. He attached his lightsaber to his belt and began to walk out of the room, until he remembered. The lightsaber rested next to Mace's dead body and was picked up by Anakin. He looked it over and then walked out of the room, leaving the Jedi Master lying dead in the center of the Jedi Council chamber floor. The lights burned out and the body was left in darkness, alone with the night.

CHAPTER XXXXIV

Yoda closed his eyes in pain as he felt the spirit of Mace leave his body. He gripped a nearby crate and supported himself on it, while Bail picked up the shot storm trooper. "Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan asked the Jedi. "Are you all right?" "Fine," Yoda answered. "A voice I heard, screaming." Obi-Wan pondered what the Jedi said, until he was distracted by Bail throwing the storm trooper up against a crate. Bail grabbed a blaster on the floor and pointed right at the trooper. "Why are you here?" Bail screamed, pushing the blaster tightly into the trooper's chest. "W-we-e were s-s-sent here by the Emperor," he sputtered. "He has something planned. I don't know what, but something to do with the Coalition to Protect the Republic." "Does he want me dead?" Bail asked. "No," the trooper answered. "At least, I don't think he does. He knows how powerful you are. He told me to torture you and then bring you to Coruscant to witness the end of the Republic." "The end of the Republic?" "Yes. Those were his exact words. He's creating a new government, one that you can still be a part of. He said if you don't join, you and your people would be destroyed. I don't know how he'd do it, but he seemed serious." "Who else is involved?" "All I know are two other names: Mon Mothma and Jar Jar Binks. He's sent troops to Chandrila for her, but he said he would take care of Senator Binks personally." "Why torture me?" "He wanted you to suffer for all the years you've abused him," he answered. "He awaits your answer." The trooper pointed to a hologram device on a table. Bail stared at it and returned his eyes to the trooper. He spun him around and threw him into a nearby wall. The breaking of a neck was heard as the trooper's body went limp. Bail walked over to Obi-Wan and Yoda, who had both remained quiet during Bail's interrogation of the trooper. "What now?" Obi-Wan asked. Bail didn't respond. Instead, he looked at hologram device. "Would you two please leave?" he asked. Obi-Wan looked down at Yoda and the two left the room. Before the two Jedi left, Obi-Wan turned and said, "We'll meet you back at the hospital." Bail nodded and the two exited. When the door closed, Bail turned on the device and began his message to the Emperor.

The blue, static image shined on half of the Emperor's face, keeping the other half in complete darkness. His eyes stayed straight on Bail's face as the hologram shook and split a few times. "I agree with you, your Excellency," Bail said. "When your 'new government' goes into effect, I would be pleased to represent Alderaan in the Senate. Again, I apologize, your Excellency, for my past behavior in your Senate and I look forward to serving you and the galaxy in the future." As Bail's image bowed to the Emperor, he pressed a button in front of him, pausing the image. This was the third time he had listened to the recording and still smiled. Everything and everyone is going my way, he thought. Nothing can stop me now. Palpatine then sensed Anakin's presence. He is successful, Palpatine foresaw. He pressed a button on his desk, making the hologram disappear and the lights come up just as Anakin walked through the doors. He walked with a great stride, yet also weak from the fight. He walked up to the Emperor's desk and handed him the lightsaber, handle first. "His lightsaber," Anakin beamed. He was awaiting congratulating words as the Emperor took the weapon, but instead was rewarded with silence. The Emperor held the lightsaber in his hands, looking it over. He could feel bits of Mace's midi-chlorians on the weapon. His eyes closed as he looked back into the past at the fight between Anakin and the Jedi. He had been giving Anakin guidance during the fight, and was happy it paid off. "Your Excellency?" a hologram of Sly Moore was presented on the desk. Palpatine opened his eyes and looked back at the image. "Yes?" "Your guest has arrived," Sly answered. "Shall I show him in?" A smile formed on Palpatine's face and he nodded. "Bring him in." When the hologram shut off, Palpatine looked at Anakin and said, "This is where your next mission begins." Anakin was confused about what the Emperor was saying. Who is this guest? he thought. Then, the doors to the office opened and Sly began to walk down the corridor into the main part of the office. She was so graceful; she almost glided to the Emperor. Footsteps could be heard, coming from behind her, echoing in the metallic, wide room. When Sly reached the steps leading up to the Emperor's desk, she stopped. "Your Excellency," she began. "May I present Boba Fett?" She stepped to the side revealing a twelve-year-old boy standing behind her. The boy's eyes were dark, and his black hair was messy on his head. A scar on his left cheek went from ear to the middle of his cheek. He was a little over five feet, but stood tall, holding a blaster rifle to his side with gloves. Green armor rested on his shoulders, arms, legs and chest. Underneath the armor he wore a gray suit, and a belt with a different gun on it and a few packets. Anakin couldn't believe the outfit on him and scoffed as he saw the young boy. Boba quickly snapped his head to Anakin and stared at him. "Is there a problem, Jedi?" Anakin stared. "I'm no Jedi, friend. I'm better." "Me too," he smiled, and returned his eyes to Palpatine and bowed. "Emperor Palpatine, I presume." "Arise, Boba Fett," Palpatine ordered. Boba stood up as Palpatine motioned for Sly to leave. Sly glared at the guest and left the room. As soon as the doors closed, Palpatine grabbed Mace's lightsaber and handed it to the boy. Boba stood there, staring at it, but then shook his head and reached for it. It slid into his hand and he gripped it tightly. He smiled as a small tear rolled down his cheek, hitting the scar on his face. The tear stopped at the scar and rolled down it, hitting his mouth. Boba attached the lightsaber to his belt and looked at the Emperor. Wiping the tear from his face with one flick of his finger, he smiled. "And I have something for you as well," Boba said. "It's waiting in three cases in the lobby." He quickly turned and walked towards the doors. "Help him," Palpatine ordered to Anakin, who was unsure as to who this person was. Anakin obeyed and followed the boy out into the lobby. There next to Sly Moore sat three silver cases. Anakin lifted one and groaned from the weight. "What's in these?" Anakin asked. "The payment for the lightsaber," Boba answered, lifting one of the cases. "Let me lift that other one for you," Anakin offered, suffering from the weight he was lifting. Boba grabbed it before he could and lifted it with ease. "I think I'd do better with it." Anakin sneered at him as the two walked into the Emperor's office. They set the cases down next to the desk, and sat down in the chairs in front of Palpatine. "We are grateful for your payment," Palpatine thanked. Boba nodded and Anakin rolled his eyes. At the press of a button on Palpatine's desk, the lights dimmed down and a screen came down on one of the walls. "What I am about to inform you on is one of the most important missions for the cleansing of my new government," Palpatine began. "You both will carry out this mission due to fact that you, Boba, have been recommended by your boss, a close friend of mine, and you, Anakin, because of your loyalty to me. Now let's begin." Twelve images of Senators popped up onto the screen. "Before you are the leading members of a group known as the Coalition to Protect the Republic. They are a group of Senators that.disagree with my ideas and feel that it is a wise decision to provoke me. They have caused other Senators to leave the Senate, but no worry. I am ordering you two to help me rid of the 'viruses' of the Republic. When that is done, the Republic will be cleaner, yet stained. But my ideas are none of your worries right now. All that you two need to know is that these Senators must be eliminated. Immediately. In the next few hours, the group will be having a meeting in the apartment of former Senator Jar Jar Binks. All leading members are supposed to be there and I hope that you two can be there as well." An image of Jar Jar Binks popped up on the screen. "I believe you have a past with this creature, Anakin. His stupidity and ignorance have died down through the years, and his intelligence and argumentative skills have improved. He is too powerful and could help me in my plan. So, he lives, everyone else dies. Understood?" Anakin and Boba nodded slowly at the same time. The two figures stood from their chairs and began to walk towards the door. "You two," Palpatine began. "Remember: I want Binks alive." "As you wish," responded Boba. "I will not fail, my Master," Anakin answered with a bow. Palpatine waved his hand and the two left the office. His chair slowly spun to the window, and Palpatine stared off into the sky. The sun will soon be rising, he thought. And those Senators will never see it again. The Emperor cackled to himself at the thought.

CHAPTER XXXXV

As soon as the cloth reached one of the wounds on Bail's face he bit his teeth and squeezed his eyes closed. The pain went through his body as the medicine mixed with his blood. "That really hurts," Bail whispered, with tears forming in his eyes. Dorme rubbed the wound softer and smiled at the man in front of her. He opened his eyes and a few tears rolled down his cheek. She broke into laughing at the sight. "You big baby!" she laughed. "You can take getting punched in the face, but you can't handle a little antibiotics?" Bail smiled and wiped the tears from his face. "They aren't tears of pain, it's just that this stuff really burns!" Dorme laughed a bit more and threw the cloth into the trashcan. She reached for a bandage and opened it. "Wait," Bail ordered. "What's that?" "This?" Dorme asked, slapping the bandage onto the wound. Bail growled and gritted his teeth, partly laughing. "You know you're not much of a nurse," commented Bail. "Well, you're not much of a patient," responded Dorme. The two smiled at each other and stared at each other.

The hallways were quiet and empty as C-3PO and R2-D2 traveled through. The two droids had been walking around the campus all day and had finally returned to the hospital. "I told you not to correct that security droid," 3PO said to the small, blue droid. A few beeps came back to 3PO. "I don't care if you're not a student, you don't talk to higher authority like that!" R2 made a smart-alecky noise and wheeled ahead of the other droid. "I am polite. I never talk poorly to others! I only speak when spoken to. And during those other times I am completely silent." R2 wasn't listening and instead was quite far ahead of 3PO. "Artoo! Wait for me!" 3PO shouted, chasing after the droid. But after R2 turned a corner, 3PO was lost in a dark hallway. "Oh, no!" The droid walked down the hallway with caution, looking from side to side, and doing his best to watch his back. Water dripping could be heard echoing in the hallway and 3PO was getting very frightened. Whispers could be heard quietly, then growing louder and thicker. That was enough for the droid and he began "running" down the hallway. His stiff legs didn't take him far when a hand grabbed him and pulled him into a room, shutting the door behind him. A light turned on and 3PO found himself staring a crazed, old man, muttering to himself. His hair was sticking in all directions and his beard had not been groomed for years. He walked over to 3PO and poked the droid's chest. A thudding sound was heard, and he then knocked the chest with his fist. "Excuse me!" 3PO shouted, and the man responded with incoherent shouting and babbling. "Droids!" the man shouted. "Droids are all over the place! They break in here at night and give me medication! Medication! Bah! I don't need it! All I need is to prove them I'm not crazy! And I know how. You know how I can?" "How, sir?" asked 3PO. The man smiled and turned his back. Metal began clunking as a box was being rummaged through. 3PO looked at the man's turned back and wondered what he was doing. "Excuse me, sir?" the droid asked. "I think I might need to meet my-" "This!" the man shouted, holding a small saw in his hand. "This is how I will prove to them droids! I'll prove I'm not crazy when they see your head outside my door!" The saw headed straight for 3PO's head. He quickly dodged it and scrambled over to the door, which was locked. "Stop droid! It won't hurt!" The man began chasing 3PO around the room wielding the saw, planning to get what he wanted. 3PO began shouting for help, which was soon drowned out by the sound of a saw cutting through the door. A small rectangle was cut out from the door and the piece fell to the floor. From outside rolled R2, sliding the blade back into its interior shell. "R2! Help!" 3PO shouted as the man grabbed the droid's head and positioned the saw on his neck. R2 quickly rolled over to the man and withdrew a small black device. The droid whistled and got the man's attention. Electricity shot from the small device hitting the man in the side, sending him down to the floor. His eyes closed as the stun device went into work. 3PO took one look at the unconscious man and headed straight for the door. R2 shook his top dome from the lack of gratitude from his frightened friend. 3PO tried to fit through the small rectangle made in the door, but got stuck and cried for R2 to help him once again.

Obi-Wan and Yoda sat on a bench in the middle of the university's campus. The stars had been out for an hour and the two had watched them appear. There were no late classes for the students, so the two Jedi could have an actual conversation without interruption. "Where have you been Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan asked. "Mace and I were beginning to worry." "Many places I have been, Obi-Wan," Yoda answered. "Some I would never want to see again. Things I have seen that make me feel the worse about what is happening." "And what is happening?" asked Obi-Wan. "Too much evil," answered Yoda. "Meditating I have been in seclusion. See things there I couldn't see anywhere else." "What do you see?" "Suffering. For Anakin, for Padme, for galaxy, for everyone. Something terrible has happened on Coruscant. Feel it I can. You must go." "To Coruscant? Why?" "Answer waiting for you there. In Jedi Temple. Getting to old for adventures, Obi-Wan. You must go alone." "What is waiting for me?" "Answers." Obi-Wan didn't respond, but instead seemed eager to find what was waiting. He stood up and bowed to Yoda. He walked off, down the sidewalk to the hospital for his Jedi Starfighter. "Obi-Wan," Yoda called after the walking Jedi. Obi-Wan turned to green figure on the bench. "When come back you do, a decision you must have," Yoda ordered. Obi-Wan didn't know what decision he was supposed to have, but nodded and preceded to the hospital.

The roof was empty except for the figure leaning against a pillar. Greenery and pillars covered the roof and a fountain sat in the center, displaying different colors and shapes of water. But none of this made Padme feel any better. She had been up there for the past hour, thinking of her child. Breeze blew, causing Padme's silk robe to flutter and move. She ignored her hair getting in her face, and instead stared at the colors in the fountain. Almost hypnotized by the colors, her mind began wandering. Anakin. Jedi. Hate. Anger. Love. Alone. Naboo. Tatooine. Coruscant. Palpatine. Senate. Obi-Wan. Battle. War. Life. Death. Betrayal. Deception. Light. Darkness. Padme didn't realize that while her mind was wandering, so was her body. She had moved from one of the pillars to the edge of the roof. Her hands rubbed the edge, as her mind was lost in its own world. Anakin. Slavery. Freedom. Courage. Wisdom. Confidence. Anxiety. Fear. Aggression. Light. Darkness. Padme was now standing on the edge of the roof with her arms spread out wide. The wind kicked up again, and her hair and robe followed with it. A tear rolled down her cheek as she looked up to the sky. The stars shined at her and a few twinkled. The tear rolled of her cheek and fell the thirty stories below. Padme watched as the tear fell, fading from her view. She took a deep a breath and took one last thought before jumping. Anakin. Love. Hate. Peace. War. Light. Darkness. None of it matters. Padme looked down one last time and jumped. Her clothing and hair flapped in the wind, as the ground grew closer and closer. Lights from the hospital rooms flashed by as her body fell right by. Seconds from hitting the ground, a final thought went through Padme's mind. Anakin. Child. Anakin's child. My child. It does matter. Padme realized she had made a terrible mistake and screamed as she met with the ground.

Her eyes opened and Padme found herself on the roof. She was curled up on the ground in front of the fountain. She shivered as the cold wind blew on skin. What happened? She looked at her arms and legs, realizing that she never jumped. It was just a dream. A dream. She sighed and stood up, rubbing her stomach. She could feel the baby kicking inside and smiled. I will never take your life, my love. With that she walked to the staircase leading back into the hospital. As soon as she disappeared, a figure came out from the shadows. His cane tapped lightly on the ground as he made his way to the edge of the roof. He gripped the edge and shook his head. Yoda had never felt worse. He had used the Force to save lives before, but never like this. This was the first time he had ever saved someone from killing themselves.

CHAPTER XXXXVI

Jar Jar's apartment was a few miles away from the Senate, and it sat at the top of the apartment complex. A ship flew by the penthouse and lowered itself to bottom of the building, a hundred stories below. A few other ships were on the landing bay, and the ship landed next to them. The hatch opened and out waddled Orn Free Taa. He held both hands in front of him as he walked into an elevator on the platform. He pressed the top floor and the glass pod shot up to its destination. The Senator was a little nervous and wasn't very happy that the pod was glass. For the past few days he had been getting very bad feelings that he was going to be assassinated. He and the Emperor had had an argument in the Senate a few days ago, and the next day he received a death threat in the mail. The thought came through his mind to get bodyguard, but he never did. Instead, he stood alone in the elevator as it neared the top floor. A few moments later, the elevator stopped dead. Orn Free was sent to his knees and began to fear the worse. He hit all the buttons to different floors, but none of them would work. He pounded the door to elevator, until he heard a loud groaning. The sound of metal being stretched filled his ears. With a loud snapping sound, the elevator began to plummet downward. Orn Free grabbed the railing and held on tightly as the elevator sped down to the landing platform at an unbelievable speed. Despite his size, the Senator was lifted up into the air, but held onto the railing. His feet raised into the air, as he waited crashing into the ground. But instead, the elevator began to slow down. Orn Free fell to the ground as the elevator slowly came to a stop on the platform. The Senator slowly stood up and pressed a button to open the elevator door. The doors opened and Orn Free stared at a tall figure and a shorter one. Their faces were hidden by shadows, but the Senator could tell what they were when he felt a blaster rest right between his eyes. The last thing he heard was his heavy breathing.

Jar Jar Binks sat in a chair with a desk in front of him. The circle window behind him showed the traffic in the dark sky. A bit of pink mixed in at the horizon, as the sun was to rise in the next hour. Captain Typho stood near him with his usual blaster armed. He had never left Jar Jar's side ever since he denounced his Senatorial position. In front of Jar Jar were eleven chairs. They were curved into a semi-circle and had ten Senators seated in them. The third chair from the right was empty, and a few of the Senators were curious as to where Orn Free was. Jar Jar knew that Orn Free was never late for a meeting, and feared the worst. Instead of waiting he stood up with his arms open. "Mesa friends," Jar Jar began. "Mesa afraid dat Senator Orn Free Taa issa not here. Wesa will comensa of de meeting witouta him." The Senators agreed and waited for Jar Jar to begin the meeting.

Anakin and Boba stood in the elevator without exchanging words. Anakin kept his hand on his lightsaber, while Boba held his blaster with both hands. His belt still had the gun attached to it Anakin had seen earlier and had a few other packets. "Have you ever done anything like this before?" Anakin asked, breaking the moment of silence. Boba smirked and looked up at his partner. "Worse."

Jar Jar stood up and walked in front of his desk. He leaned onto the edge of it and began to speak when the noise of the elevator arriving caused everyone to turn around in their chairs. The doors slowly opened, revealing the body of Orn Free to be standing in the doorway. He was so far away from the other Senators, that they didn't notice the hole in his forehead. "Ah, Senator Taa!" Jar Jar exclaimed. "Mesa so happy yousa maden it!"

Orn Free stood in the elevator opening, not moving or saying a word. The other Senators looked at each other, confused as to why the large, blue Senator didn't say or do anything. "Senator Taa?" Jar Jar asked. Orn Free fell to ground, revealing Anakin behind him. He stared at the Senators, holding his lightsaber handle. "Annie?" Jar Jar asked. "Mesa haven't seena yousa foreber! Wasa yousa doin here?" "This," answered Anakin. From behind one of the elevator's walls, Boba jumped out aiming his blaster at the Senators. He fired, sending blast after blast at the panicking Senators. Those who had not been shot, jumped up screaming, looking for a way out of the apartment. But do to the furniture and amount of Senators, those who were running around, tripped and fell to the floor, only to be sliced by Anakin's lightsaber. Two Senators avoided fire and ran out of the room into the rest of the penthouse. Boba saw this and chased after them. Before getting to the doorway, Typho pulled off two shots at him. Boba turned the corner in time to escape them. Anakin Force-threw a chair at the captain. It broke on contact, sending Typho flying back into the window. Anakin smiled, expecting the glass to break, but Jar Jar prevented it by grabbing Typho's arm. Anakin still smiled, but this time in amazement of Jar Jar's bravery. He walked towards Jar Jar, slicing a Senator, who was pretending to be dead on the ground. Jar Jar set Typho's limp body on the ground and grabbed his blaster. He hid it behind his back as Anakin sliced through another Senator. As Anakin was feet from the desk, Jar Jar brought the gun up to dark warrior. "I'm sorry, Ani," Jar Jar said, with a tear rolling down his cheek. "Anakin!" Boba shouted from a doorway. Anakin looked up at Jar Jar ready to fire, when he heard Boba yell, "Get down!" As Anakin did, Jar Jar fired at Boba, who dived from the blasts and rolled on the ground. When he regained his footing, he grabbed his belt and threw an object at Jar Jar. It hit him in the chest, sticking to his clothing. He tried to pull the small device off, while Anakin Force-grabbed the blaster from his hand. Boba walked over to Anakin, who held his lightsaber and the blaster. "What is that thing?" Anakin asked, while Jar Jar tried to pull of the device in a panic. "You'll see," reassured Boba. "It better not hurt him," Anakin ordered. "We need him alive." Fear went through Boba as he realized what he had done. Jar Jar screamed as his body jolted and shook. After shaking, his body turned stiff and his eyes closed. "What did you do?" a shocked Anakin asked, walking towards the frozen figure. "No, no, stay back," ordered Boba, pulling Anakin away from the figure. The frozen figure began to shake again, and as if he were being erased, tiny particles began falling to the ground. Jar Jar's body began falling apart into little pieces of dust. Beginning from his head down, the former- Senator of Naboo began disintegrating. A few minutes passed until all what remained was Jar Jar's clothing and a small pile of dust on it. Anakin walked over to the clothing and dust and tapped it with his foot. Nothing, he thought. Nothing left. Palpatine! Anakin looked at Boba and grabbed him, pulling him to the doorway. "Hey!" shouted Boba. "Get off! What are doing?" Anakin glared at him. "Do you know what you just did?" "Yeah, I saved your life!" answered Boba. "No, I could have handled myself. What you did is that you killed the very thing we were here for! You disobeyed the Emperor's orders!" Boba did not answer, and instead stared at the room of dead Senators, as the elevator doors closed shut.

Palpatine did not say anything when Anakin broke the news to him. Instead, he stared at Boba, long and hard, making the boy uncomfortable. His plan had been broken to have Jar Jar be one of the lead Senators in his new government. No worry, Palpatine told himself. Senator Organa and Mothma have agreed to serve and that is good enough. Boba couldn't take the silence any longer. "Emperor Palpatine, I am so sorry this happened. Binks was about to shoot Anakin. I had no choice but to save him." "I could have saved myself!" Anakin blurted in. He did not like the fact that Boba was making him look like he was inexperienced. Also, Anakin noticed that whenever Palpatine was upset about something, he felt the same way. Palpatine raised his hand to keep Anakin's frustration down. "Boba Fett, I am sending you away from my sight, but here this, if you are ever called upon to serve me, you will do exactly as I say." "Yes, your Excellency," Boba answered with a bow. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and set it on the Emperor's desk. "This should compensate you for the mistake I made." Palpatine nodded, dismissing the young boy. Boba bowed again and turned to Anakin. "Until we meet again, huh?" he asked, extending his hand. Anakin grabbed it and shook. "Yeah, I guess so," Anakin answered. Boba smiled and walk out of the office. Anakin watched as the doors closed, and looked back at the Emperor, who was standing at the window, looking out at the sky. The sun was minutes from rising and the Emperor knew this was going to be the last day for the Republic.

CHAPTER XXXXVII

The Jedi Starfighter pulled out of hyperspace farther from Coruscant than other ships. After the hyperspace ring detached, the ship took off to the all-city planet. Ships flew by, noticing the Jedi ship, and shaking their heads in disproval. Word was around the galaxy that Jedi were now the enemy of the Republic. They were considered to be dangerous, crazy or both. Obi-Wan knew that ships flying by could see who he was, and didn't care. The only thing he did care about was if Republic officials saw and arrested him. Just to be sure, he protected himself by flying next to larger ships, hoping that lookout towers wouldn't see him on their radar. He moved between buildings, staying away from political and news buildings, and stayed more to the run down and grubby ones. The Jedi Temple came into Obi-Wan's view and he was shocked at what he saw. Not a single ship flew near or in a mile radius of it. The starfighter flew towards the Temple, hoping that nobody would see him. He flew in at the lower section and landed on one of the many empty platforms. The cockpit window opened and Obi-Wan hopped out, his robe flowing with him as his feet made contact with the ground. A small pain went through Obi-Wan's body as he looked up at the Jedi Council tower in front of him. Something is up there, Obi-Wan thought. Something. He walked towards the main entrance with caution.

The elevator's lights were dim and flickered from time to time, as it sped up to the top floor. Obi-Wan anticipated the moment as the doors opened to reveal the Jedi Council chamber door sliced and melted open. Pieces of metal and ash lied on the ground, as Obi-Wan approached the entrance. He stepped on them and gasped at what he saw. There, lying on the ground was Mace's body. "Mace!" Obi-Wan shouted, running to his Jedi friend's side. He picked up his head and held it close to his side. "Mace." The Jedi sat in the center of the room, holding the lifeless body of Mace Windu, as the sun began to shine into the room.

The early-afternoon sun was shining brightly as the Senate became filled to roof with Senators, Delegates, Coruscant citizens, and news reporters. The last time it was this full was when Bail and Palpatine confronted each other many weeks ago. But this time, no arguments or slanders would be made. Palpatine had called this hearing to announce his new government that would change the galaxy in many different ways. Many different voices filled the chamber until Mas Amedda walked onto the center pod. He stuck his hand up in the air for everyone to stop talking. The voices did die down when he opened his mouth and announced, "Senators and Delegates, Coruscant citizens, and others, I present to you, his highest Excellency, Emperor Palpatine!" Mas grabbed the side of the pod as hundreds and hundreds of life forms erupted into applause and cheers. The Senators and Delegates were very professional as they stood and clapped, while the citizens hooted and cheered, jumping up and down. A white, bald head made its appearance in the center pod, and Sly walked over to her side area as the crowd anticipated the next arrival. A few moments passed and Palpatine walked calmly out into the center of the Senate. He smiled and nodded at the many different pods and figures aligned on the top floor. The cheering and applause continued and he did not stop any of it. Minutes passed, and the applause continued. Twelve minutes passed and it began to die down. As soon as it did Palpatine leaned over to Sly and whispered into her ear. "Find out who stopped clapping first," Palpatine ordered. Sly nodded at the request. "And have him killed." He turned back to the audience and moved his hand up and down, causing the rest of the applause to die down. Clearing his throat the Emperor began his speech. "Today is a new day, my friends. Today is a day where the galaxy will be changed forever. Today is the day that the Republic will fall and be replaced by the rise of a new government! The Empire!" The audience burst into their cheering and applause, but were soon silenced by Palpatine's hand. "What I have planned will change all of our lives in deep and profound ways. If you put your faith in me, my power will be used for the good of the galaxy. As for you Senators and Delegates, I have the pleasure to announce that Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan and Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila have agreed to return to their positions in the Senate. I am sad though to report that Senator Jar Jar Binks of Naboo was in fact one of the Senators assassinated during a CPR meeting. We will miss those who dedicated themselves to the Senate. I do admit that there have been hard times between those Senators and I, but nothing can bring them back." A few claps were heard here and there from obvious haters of those Senators that were killed. "But what will be brought back will be order and justice. The galaxy will no longer have the Jedi to 'protect' it. The Jedi are no more, I am pleased to say. But I have the pleasure to announce my own, personal bodyguard was once a Jedi." Whispers could be heard around the Senate. Jedi? Personal bodyguard? "Please, please," Palpatine continued, holding his hand up. "This ex-Jedi is Anakin Skywalker, the very same person who foiled the plans of Count Dooku. And I know that-" "Palpatine! Palpatine!" a voice shouted from the top of the of Senate chamber. "Palpatine!" "ORDER!" Mas shouted over the voice. "This is highly irregular, sir!" Palpatine whispered into Mas's ear and turned back to the person shouting, who now had been given a microphone. "At this hearing, I was hoping to announce a new era," Palpatine confessed. "But I will listen to what you have to say, sir. And remember that the whole galaxy is watching." The figure made its appearance, revealing to be Grehr Hehey. The 345-year- old creature lifted the microphone up to its mouth with one of its six arms. He breathed heavily into the microphone as Palpatine realized who it was. "Ah, Mr. Hehey!" Palpatine exclaimed. "I haven't seen you for well over a year! Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. Heyey. He has been to every Senate hearing for the past century and a half!" Applause erupted again. Everyone thought that any friend of Palpatine was a friend of theirs. "What I want to say is that Count Dooku was an ex-Jedi as well, and look what he did," Heyey said. The Senate went silent as everyone looked at Palpatine, wondering what his reaction would be. Palpatine stood, staring as Heyey continued, "I remember and have the notes in my pocket of when you, sir, were declared Emergency Powers. That role you have not given up, and you now want to the Republic to just go away to make way for 'the Empire'? Gain a high position, make the Jedi outcasts, and declare your own form of government? Is that how you run things? Back- stab and make friends at the same time?" A dead silence covered the room as Palpatine stared coldly at Heyey. Moments passed until he opened his mouth to say, "I would like to demonstrate how law enforcing works now. When something becomes a problem, you get rid of it." Palpatine waved his hand and four storm troopers stood behind Heyey. The old creature slowly turned around to see the four white- armored guards. One grabbed his old, ragged shirt collar and yanked him out of his place. The five figures disappeared through a door, and Palpatine returned to talking. "Speaking of new law enforcements, I am pleased to say that recruiting will never stop for the Empire's new army of storm troopers. Now, we will feel the justice of the Imperialists as they bring the peace and order that the Jedi never brought. The Imperialists will cover each inch of the galaxy if it is what it takes. Whether you are on the streets of Coruscant or in the middle of a desert, we will be there. We will never fail you, the people. There will be no more crime. There will be no more corruption. There will be only the Empire!" "EMPIRE! EMPIRE!" the crowd chanted at the tops of their lungs. Everyone went ballistic as Palpatine began waving to the crowd. Cameras flashed from all around the chamber, practically blinding Mas and Sly. But Palpatine stood still, with his eyes open. Never had he dreamed that the day would come. They are all mine, Palpatine thought, looking around him. All mine.

CHAPTER XXXXVIII

The sun had already set, but the sky was still covered in orange and red. Traffic was thin as most people were watching the Emperor giving his address or were actually present in the Senate chamber. The thinning of traffic didn't affect the Jedi Temple as no one had neared the place in days. The halls were the same color of the sky as faint light reflected off of glass. The Jedi Council chamber was lit with oranges and reds. Obi-Wan ignored them as he sat, meditating, with Mace's dead body lying in front of him. The Jedi had been sitting there the whole day, from when the sun rose and until it set. He opened his eyes and looked at the dead Jedi in front of him. The only thing that had been on his mind was what to do with Anakin. Anakin, Obi-Wan thought. What is it? What is causing this? Is it me? Padme? Where is the anger coming from? "I can't see it, Mace," Obi-Wan confessed. The life-less body did not answer and Obi-Wan continued. "I need to help Anakin and I can't without your help." He bowed his head on the Jedi's burnt chest as a tear rolled down his face. "Mace will always be with you," a voice said from behind Obi-Wan. He spun around quickly to see Qui-Gon Jinn standing with his arms folded. Obi-Wan immediately stood up and stared at the ghost of his old master. "Qui-Gon." The Jedi ghost walked over to Obi-Wan and smiled. "Hello, Obi-Wan." A dumfounded Obi-Wan asked, "How?" "Never underestimate the power of the Force, my friend," Qui-Gon answered, patting Obi-Wan's shoulder. "When I left you those twelve years ago, I found myself to be in the power of something I never knew existed. I never spoke to anyone about it. No one on the Jedi Council would have understood, not even Master Yoda. I can't explain what happened, but what I do know is that Anakin Skywalker is the reason." "Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked. "But how?" "I didn't understand at the time, but now I do," Qui-Gon continued. "When I came across Anakin on Tatooine, it was not a coincidence. Something brought us together. A power within the Force no one knew existed. A power given to young Skywalker at birth. Not given through his mother, but through the Force. You see, Anakin is the Chosen One, there is no doubt." "But how?" Obi-Wan asked. "He's turned to evil. I thought the Chosen One was to bring balance. He's helping the Emperor destroy the Jedi." "Clouded by the power of the Emperor," Qui-Gon continued. "Anakin can pass his power from being to being. The power allows the spirit to leave the body and be one with the Force. However, I have not made my physical form to anyone but you, Obi-Wan. If I showed myself to Anakin and told him of his power, he would think he is invincible. It was my mistake to go against the council. I should have obeyed them, and now I have cursed the galaxy." "Qui-Gon, I trained Anakin," Obi-Wan responded. "If anyone is at fault, its me. I followed your dying words. I could have not kept them, but I didn't." "You are loyal, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon complemented. "You have served the Jedi well during this dark time. I am proud that you have been able to see the darkness that was so hidden when I was your Master. But I do know that when your life ends, you will have the same power I do. Your connection with Anakin is strong. When someone makes such a large change in his life, they are given the power. I found him, you trained him, we both share a connection. However, your connection is much stronger. When I fell to the Sith warrior those years ago, I hadn't even begun Anakin's training. Even though I discovered the boy, I did not have as close a relationship that you have with him. As a result, my spirit took a long time to adapt to the living Force world. It stayed with my ashes for years, until it was freed to connect between the Force and living matter. You are more fortunate, Obi- Wan. Your strong connection will allow your spirit to leave the body immediately. But until your day comes, you must save the galaxy from the evil that is growing." Save the galaxy? Obi-Wan thought. "How?" "You must face and destroy Anakin," Qui-Gon answered. "What?" a shocked Obi-Wan asked. "He's my friend, my apprentice." "Apprentice? Friend?" Qui-Gon questioned. "Obi-Wan, someday you are going to have to realize what he's become before its too late. Before the Clone Wars, Anakin went against the council's orders and went to rescue his mother, Shmi, on Tatooine. She had been captured and tortured in a Tusken Raider camp. Anakin found her and held her as she died in his arms. I would know because I was there. I did not show my form, but my presence was there, feeling and guiding Anakin to not give into hate. I failed, and Anakin responded to the death by slaughtering the entire camp. Men, women, and children all fell to his lightsaber blade. I screamed for him to stop, but he would not listen. That moment made me realize what he truly was. He is being seduced by the Dark Side of the Force, that much is clear. His whole life, he has been angry. I don't know why I didn't see it when I first met him, but it's always been there." "But why must I destroy him?" Obi-Wan wondered. "Why not destroy the Emperor? He's the source of the evil. He's been corrupting the Senate and the whole galaxy for years. He's the one who must be destroyed." "He is too powerful, Obi-Wan," responded Qui-Gon. "Even for someone as gifted as yourself. If he were to be destroyed, then Anakin would grow stronger with hate and anger and his journey towards the Dark Side would be complete." The two sat there in silence for a few moments until Qui-Gon shook his head and began again. "I just can't believe I didn't see what the Emperor really was those years ago," Qui-Gon sighed. Words that Count Dooku gave Obi-Wan popped into his memory. He was careful about how to ask Qui-Gon of his former master-turned-Sith. "Qui- Gon, I knew." "Count Dooku told you, didn't he?" Qui-Gon asked with a small smile. Obi-Wan was surprised and answered, "Yes. He also told me that you would have helped him with the Separatist Movement." "This is unexpected and unfortunate," Qui-Gon responded. "Why is it unfortunate?" Obi-Wan asked. "Unfortunate that I know that you would side with a Sith?" "No," answered Qui-Gon. He slowly looked down to the floor, bringing guilt to Obi-Wan. "Unfortunate of his turn to the Dark Side. He was my Master, Obi-Wan, and I loved him very much. When he told you that he wished I were there to help him, that is because I spoke with him years ago." "You spoke with him?" Obi-Wan asked. "When? "After he left the Order, he lived on one of the moons of Bogden, and took on the name Tyranus. This was when his partnership with Darth Sidious was beginning and I could feel it. I confronted him in his dreams and he showed me his true side." "What side is that?" "He felt betrayed by the Jedi because of my death and was upset with the corruptness in the Republic. I cared for him very much and told him if I were there I would help him. However, he took my words from a certain point of view and believed that I would side with him, instead of turn him back to the Jedi Order. He fell down the wrong path, and I would have followed him into the darkest corners of the galaxy to stop him. His rebellion from the Republic was a trick, something to distract the galaxy from the true puppet-master." "The Emperor," Obi-Wan interrupted. Qui-Gon nodded and continued, "I never saw it, and neither did anyone on the Jedi Council. Now that he has made his move to take over the galaxy, everyone must be kicking themselves." "No," Obi-Wan said. "Just the opposite. No one except for the few Jedi know of his evilness. His supporters believe he has defended the galaxy and should reign for the rest of his life." "Even if they knew the truth, he would still be in power," Qui-Gon responded. "He's been pulling the strings for years. He was the one that caused the Trade Federation blockade of Naboo. He was the one who ordered the Republic's clone army-" "How?" Obi-Wan interrupted. "Master Sifo-Dyas was killed the same time Dooku left the Jedi Order. After he left, he began training to be Darth Sidious's apprentice. That same year, the two worked together and ordered the clone army under the name of Sifo-Dyas. Dooku hired the bouny hunter Jango Fett and broke into the Jedi Archives and removed Kamino." "He was one of the people behind the forming of the army?" Obi-Wan asked. "But why did he form droid armies all around the galaxy? He spent ten years forming a rebellion to take over the Republic while he was also helping the Republic?" "He didn't help anyone, Obi-Wan," informed Qui-Gon. "I am so sad to see that he followed the path of the Emperor. The Trade Federation, the Commerce Guild, the Banking Clan were all pawns in the plan for the Emperor to take over the galaxy. Dooku unfortunately believed that he would be the right hand man to the Emperor. How wrong he was. The Emperor betrays all that befriend him. But one person seems to be an exception. That person is Anakin, Obi-Wan. And you know why must be destroyed." "Why destroyed?" "Because of what's going to happen," Qui-Gon answered. He stared at Obi- Wan, who was obviously wanting to know what was going to happen. "If Anakin continues to follow the Emperor and his evil deeds, then he will become an agent of evil. A Sith." A chill ran through Obi-Wan's body upon hearing those words. A Sith. My own Apprentice. "Once Anakin starts down the path to the Dark Side, it will dominate his destiny. I've know what its like, Obi-Wan. My first apprentice fell down the Dark Path. Xanatos made me realize that Dark Side was easier and more seductive. I couldn't destroy him, Obi-Wan. I let him go and I haven't heard of him since. But let Anakin live, I guarantee that you will hear from him. Few Jedi know of the true nature of the Dark Side. Yoda is one of them, and I hope someday you two will be able to discuss it. But until that day, Anakin must be destroyed." "But his wife, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said. "And his child." Qui-Gon shook his head. "None of that matters, Obi-Wan. Anakin doesn't care about the life he had or could have had. He only cares about the power he wants. Putting the thought of Padme or his unborn son into his mind would only anger him further. His wife and child must never see Anakin, and Anakin must never see or know of them. If he knows about the child, then he and the Emperor will stop at nothing to find it. If they can't find it, they will go after Padme. She isn't a threat to them unless they know of her pregnancy. So, whatever you do, Obi-Wan, if Anakin or the Emperor finds out of the child, Padme cannot exist." "You want me to kill Pamde?!" a shocked Obi-Wan asked. "No, no," Qui-Gon reassured. "But from now on, Padme is "dead". If she's "dead", then she can't bear a child. Remember Obi-Wan, a Skywalker is on the way to be born and we cannot have it fall down Anakin's path." "I can't do it, Qui-Gon," argued Obi-Wan. "I can't kill Anakin." Qui-Gon sighed and stared at Obi-Wan. "You will have to face and destroy, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan," Qui- Gon repeated. "It is your destiny." Obi-Wan turned from his master and fought the emotions running through his head. I can't do it. Never. Anakin cannot fall to my lightsaber. But if he lives, he will curse the galaxy. I must turn him to the Light Side. "Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon tried to get the Jedi's attention. Obi-Wan didn't answer, but instead looked back at his old master, trying not giving into the voice that told him to destroy Anakin, but to the one that told him he could save him from the Dark Side.