Misread Prophecy

AUTHOR: Abigail

SUMMARY: What if the 'chosen one' wasn't Anakin Skywalker? What if the Jedi Council realized their mistake too late?

CHAPTER 13: Freedom

RATING: T

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything that was created by George Lucas.

NOTE: This is the final chapter. Please post any comments you have.

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Maybe redemption has stories to tell...
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell...
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here.

-Switchfoot

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Governor Tarkin quickly strode his way across the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer, making his way to bring his news to the Emperor.

"Emperor, sir?" he said sternly, bowing his head in pitiful reverence. Siddious turned around to face him, his menacing face hidden by his black hooded robe.

"What is it?" Siddious seethed, his apparent anger forcing Tarkin to take a step back.

"Well, sir, we've just received word that an unidentifiable cruiser has broken through the code and is somewhere on the ship..." Tarkin replied quickly, a redness coming to his face. The right-hand man of the Emperor was fearful, knowing that any range of mistake could result in physical harm...or worse. But Governor Tarkin was surprised by the Emperor's maniacal smile that sprung to his face and the low cackle of laughter that erupted from his throat.

"Goooood..." Siddious hissed. "Make sure that Miss Amidala makes her way to my quarters...unharmed," he requested.

"Yes, sir..." Tarkin said automatically, not about to question any of the Emperor's motives, knowing his full power. Tarkin left the bridge, leaving the Emperor alone to contemplate the news he'd just received. His plan was going just as planned...and he knew within in the devices of his mind that it wouldn't belong until he had his apprentice back...

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Padme maneuvered each corner, quite astonished to see that most of the halls in the Star Destroyer were left unguarded and vulnerable. She truly had no idea where she was going, but did her best to communicate with the Force, allowing it to pull her in the right direction. What the right direction lead to, she wasn't sure...but she knew that she could sense the presence of Darth Siddious and it unnerved her slightly.

His presence grew, until she found herself creeping upon a door that lay at the end of a long and narrow corridor. Padme felt for her saber and clenched to it tightly as she tip-toed down the hallway, pressing her back against the adjacent wall. She finally reached the doorway and quickly opened. After a long pause, she threw herself into the room, her saber at the ready...

After a quick survey of her surroundings, she realized where she was. She assumed it was his office. An elegant desk lay at the opposite side of the room and a few pieces of furniture were strewn about. It was then that Padme noticed the figure sitting behind the desk.

"I was hoping you would come back..." a voice fumed, as the figure rose up from their chair. Padme activated her saber and took a step forward, emotions and thoughts twisting and churning inside her head. "It's been hard to rule the Empire without the guide of my...apprentice..." he added, as he revealed his face to Padme. A moment of silence passed as Padme regarded the man before her...once a true and loyal friend...and now...Sith Lord and Emperor of the new Galactic Empire.

"That's not why I've come back..." she said, flicking her saber through the air, unleashing a threat to Siddious. A flash flickered in Siddious' eyes as he walked out from behind the desk, revealing his own weapon...a red light saber. The sounds of their weapons droned and hummed, vibrating against the walls of the room. "I've come to do what I should have done long ago...to kill you..." she whispered, advancing towards him once more.

He began to chuckle, the evil sound of his laughter darkening the room and shrouding the Force. Padme lunged at him with her saber, only to be blocked by his quick movement. Their weapons pressed against each other, fighting for power. "I can feel your anger..." he seethed. Padme suddenly backed away from him.

She could feel herself falling into his web again, the web that he had so intricately spun for her. But Padme wasn't about to let herself get trapped again...She allowed herself to feel the Force and let it slowly penetrate her veins...filling her with the guidance and strength she needed.

"It's not enough, my apprentice..." he said suddenly, forcing Padme's eyes open. "You will only achieve your full potential through the strength of the Dark Side." She ignored his words and walked towards him again.

"No...you're wrong," she said firmly. A pause followed as the Emperor scrutinized Padme's face.

"Then you are a threat to the Empire...and you must die." The words left his mouth slowly and by the time they reached Padme's ears, she was struggling to hold back the blast of Force lightning that Siddious had thrown at her. The bolts continued to fly and spark throughout the room, but Padme managed to hold them back, her tiny palms reflecting the rays back towards their creator.

Her mind was focused, at ease, as she felt the power flowing through her from the everlasting spring of the Force. It swiftly and gently flowed through her veins, coursing out through her fingertips. Slowly, her mind emptied of all thought and was filled with a peace and tranquility that she had never felt before. All sound was gone, all feeling lost, and she felt her power growing. It was as if it had been waiting, building up inside of her until the right moment came...and the right moment was that moment...the moment that her hands outstretched before her frail body and sent the lightning through the air.

She didn't know how long the moment lasted, because all sense of time and gravity was lost...all she could feel was the moment. And as quickly as it had begun, it was over. Padme opened her eyes as an overwhelming sense of accomplishment washed over her, forcing her to fall back against the wall next to her. Her breathing slowed to a normal pace and she glanced over at the crumpled body of the Emperor. The bond was officially broken; the grappling tie severed...that horrifying fragment of her past shattered.

Padme let herself fall into one of the armchairs, as weakness overcame her muscles. She pressed a trembling and warm hand to her sweaty forehead, as she closed her eyes. It had happened all so quickly...yet, she could still feel it. She remembered every single detail of that moment and it was firmly embedded in her mind. For it meant freedom...she was free, from everything that had held her back.

And as Padme let herself linger in the previous quarters of the Emperor, her mind drifted ahead to the future. The warm days ahead of her...a life of her children, a life of Anakin... She stood up from the chair and left the room and the ship itself, just as discreetly as she had entered it. And as if her departure were right on cue, a horde of rebel forces that had been loosely organized hurtled towards the Star Destroyer, penetrating its hull with enemy fire.

That day marked the fall of the newborn Empire, and the rise of the new Republic...and neither would have happened without the fulfillment of one's destiny and the misreading of an ancient Jedi prophesy...