Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine.
Yoda and Obi-Wan allowed Anakin to contact Padme. Like they could stop me, Anakin had thought to himself.
Padme's image appeared on the screen, "Anakin!"
"Hello, angel. How are you and Leia?" he asked.
"We miss you," Padme said bluntly, "When can you come home?"
"Soon, my love, though I don't really consider the Temple 'home'," he replied, masking his disgust.
"Me either," Padme answered, "The Jedi have been kind to me, though."
I'm sure. I'm sure they are poisoning you, my love. Anakin thought hatefully.
"Ani?" Padme said quietly after a moment.
"Yes, angel?"
"Anakin, why did you try to kill me?"
Anakin felt horrible. He knew they had to talk about it. He hated himself so much for what he had done. He looked at his wife, ashamed, "I am so sorry, Padme. Something had hold of me. I know you deserve better. If you want to leave, go ahead. I understand."
Padme's eyes watered, "No, Anakin. I love you! I don't want you to go. Master Windu told me that the Dark Side influenced you. It wasn't really you doing it. That doesn't make it right though."
"I know. I am so sorry," Anakin replied, ignoring what the Jedi had said to his precious Padme.
Padme nodded. She turned, hearing Leia cry, "Ani, I have to go. Leia needs feed and changed."
"Of course, angel. I will be home soon. I love you. Kiss Leia for me."
"I will. I love you, too."
The transmission ended. Anakin exited the ship and walked over to where Obi-Wan and Yoda were waiting.
"Padme and Leia are well," he told the two masters.
Yoda nodded, "Now, meditate on what is troubling you, we will." Anakin...
Anakin woke up with a start. Someone had said his name. He looked around, but didn't see anything.
Anakin, you need my help to destroy the ones who killed your son.
Anakin's eyes widened. It was Palpatine's voice, but how was he contacting him? Anakin quickly and quietly slipped inside the ship. He was careful not to wake Yoda and Obi-Wan as he left their hut. He saw that the comm was flashing. Anakin flipped it on.
Palpatine appeared, "Hello, Anakin. You received my message I see."
"How?"
"Anakin, my mentor taught me about the Force, in both the ways of the Light and the... Dark."
Suddenly it all clicked, "YOU'RE a sith lord!"
Palpatine nodded, "The Jedi are evil, Anakin. I've known it for many, many years."
"I know that now," Anakin agreed, "they must be destroyed."
"Yes."
"I have touched the Dark Side. Can you teach me the ways?"
"Yes, I can. Neal down. You must pledge yourself to me," Palpatine grinned.
"I pledge myself to you, my new master. Teach me the ways of the Dark. Help me avenge my son's death. Help me make those who hurt the woman I love pay," Anakin fell to his knees.
"Rise, my new apprentice. You shall now be known as Darth Vader," Palpatine decreed, reaching in the Force for a name.
"Thank you, my Master."
"First, you must kill Kenobi and Yoda. I will meet you back on Corescant."
"Yes, my Master."
"I will retrieve your wife and daughter before the Jedi murder them."
"Thank you, my Master."
The transmission ended. Lord Vader walked out of the ship. He clutched his lightsaber tightly. He would do what he must to keep his family safe.
"The Chancellor wishes to see you, milady," Mace Windu informed Padme. He had stopped by her quarters, "I don't think it's a good idea."
"It would not be wise to upset the Chancellor," Padme countered.
"He wishes for you to bring the baby," Mace said.
"He is close to Anakin. The Chancellor just wants to see his daughter," Padme responded. She just wanted to get out of the Temple for at least an hour. She wasn't going to lose her opportunity
Mace reluctantly agreed, "Alright, but Master Kit Fisto will accompany you."
"Thank you, Master Windu. You may inform Master Fisto that I will be ready within the half-hour," Padme stood and bowed. Mace left. She went to prepare her and Leia to see the Chancellor. Darth Vader crept out of the ship, lightsaber gripped in his artificial hand. He knew that he could beat Obi-Wan, but he wasn't so sure about Yoda. He knew that Obi-Wan's love for him would weaken him. Vader had to think of a way to kill Yoda.
Vader decided to deal with Yoda first. He crept to the small Jedi Master's hut. He looked in through the window. Anakin called Yoda's lightsaber to him. He dropped it into the swamp. He turned back to the window and clenched his fist. Sufficating Yoda was much easier. Besides, Vader wanted to save his energy to kill the real offender, Kenobi. Padme, Leia, and Kit Fisto entered the Chancellor's quarters.
"Chancellor," Padme greeted, holding Leia to her chest.
Palpatine smiled at her, then glance curiously at the Jedi, "Protection?"
"I'm afraid so," Padme smiled sadly, "the Jedi think I am in danger."
"I heard about your son. I'm terribly sorry."
"Thank you," Padme answered. She swallowed the grief that threatened to escapte, "I will miss him."
"Milady, did Anakin tell you what the team turned up?"
"No, he didn't. Do you know who did it?" Padme asked, wondering why Anakin hadn't told her.
"Prehaps we should discuss this in private, milady," Palpatine suggested, glancing at Master Fitso.
The Jedi nodded, "I will step back here. I won't listen on, but I must keep an eye out."
"Of course," Palpatine nodded. He guided Padme to his desk where he pulled up a screen. He punched in a few keys, bringing up the ship, then the room where the blast had occured.
Padme had to look away, tears stinging her eyes. Palpatine waited until she was ready. He showed her a recording of Anakin pulling something out of the wreckage. Padme watched his body go ridged in shock. He turned and rushed out.
"He found something that was planted near the bomb," Palpatine hit a button to open a compartment in his desk.
Padme gasped when she saw what he pulled out. It was a Jedi Military Medal! Whose could it be? She took it from Palpatine, hand shaking. It was far too damaged to identify. Palpatine pulled out a scanner. He took the medal from her. He ran it over the medal.
Padme's knees grew weak. She fell back in the chair behind her, holding Leia tightly. She knew whose signal that was. It was Obi-Wan's.
"But...why?" Padme murmured, "Why would they try to kill us?"
Palpatine shook his head sadly, "Milady, Anakin is the most powerful Jedi out there. His children are equally powerful. The Jedi can't control him. They certainly won't be able to control his children so death is the only way to be rid of the problem."
"But... why Obi-Wan?" Padme mumbled. This didn't make any sense. How did Palpatine know so much about the Jedi? Why would Obi-Wan do such a horrible thing? What was going on?
Master Fitso, having seen Padme's dismay, hurried over to see what was going on. Palpatine rushed to stop him, "Leave her be."
Padme stood up, "Chancellor, may we continue this another time? I'm afraid-"
"No!" Palpatine whirled around, "I am not letting you go!"
"What?" Padme was taken aback. Let her go? What was he talking about?
"Run, milady!" Master Fitso yelled, pulling out his lightsaber.
"You will not take her from me! I have worked too hard for things to be the way they are!" Palpatine snapped. He called his lightsaber to him and in a few swift strokes, killed the Jedi.
"You're-you're a..." Padme stuttered, not believing what she had just seen.
"Sith Lord," he finised for her, "just like your husband."
Padme shook her head, "I-I don't believe you. Not Anakin."
Palpatine chuckled, "Now really, Padme. Don't you see? The Jedi are evil. They killed your son. Why would Anakin stay loyal to them?"
Padme backed away, shaking her head, "No, you're lying! I don't believe you!"
"You will," Palpatine responded calmly. He used the Force to take Leia from Padme's arms and to him.
"NO! Don't you dare harm her!" Padme screamed. Palpatine reached out and began to choke her. Padme grabbed her throat, shaking her head. Palpatine droopped her. Her last thought before dropping into unconsciousness was Anakin, help me! Yoda had sensed Anakin's approach. He saw his lightsaber fly out of the window. Yoda felt Anakin reach out to constrict his throat. Yoda pushed back, knocking the young Jedi back a few steps. Yoda rose from his bed and exited the hut. He approached Anakin.
"Gravely mistaken, you are," Yoda stated. He called his lightsaber to him from the muck.
Vader grinned. It wouldn't work. Vader ignited his, "And now, Master Yoda, your time is up."
Vader was losing. He knew he was. Yoda was better then he, of course, he would never admit that. Vader saw Obi-Wan watch the fight. Obi-Wan would come if Yoda needed any aid. Vader felt insulted. Obi-Wan was underestimating him again! Vader had to get out there, fast. He glanced around at his surroundings. Perfect. Vader grinned. He flipped far away from Yoda and used the Force to pull down a giant tree towards Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan wasn't strong enough to knock it aside. Yoda had to stop his fight with Vader to help Obi-Wan. Vader grinned as he sprinted to the ship and climbed aboard.
As Vader took off, he thought, I guess Count Dooku did teach me something. Anakin, help me!
Darth Vader awoke suddenly. He had heard Padme's voice! She was in danger! He ran to the comm unit. He tried to call Palpatine, but he didn't answer. He tried Padme's room, no response. He almost put a call through to the Temple itself, but changed his mind.
Worry filled Anakin's face. He was worried about his wife and daughter. He couldn't lose them. He could not live without Padme. If they lost Leia, too, Anakin knew that it will shatter Padme. He would have failed again.
Anger seethed through Anakin. Darth Vader's eyes narrowed. He would find whoever was doing this and destroy them. Then, he would deal with Kenobi. Yoda turned to face Obi-Wan, "Find him, we much. Dangerous he is."
Obi-Wan nodded. He didn't want to ask this next question, but knew he had to, "Do you think he found a Sith Master?"
"Found him, the Master did, but who?" Yoda responded.
Obi-Wan walked away. They had to find a way off this planet. There were no cities, no technology. He didn't know what they would do.
"So certain are you of our outcome?" Yoda chuckled. He motioned for Obi-Wan to follow. Yoda led him to an escape pod which had been hidden by a rotting tree, "A way out of here, we have."
Padme woke up strapped to a pillar in Palpatine's quarters. She could see Leia asleep on a couch.
"Good, you're awake," Palpatine said to her.
"What did you do to her?" Padme demanded.
"Nothing. Your daughter is fine," he waved his hand dismissively, "now, what to do with you."
Just then, a comm went off. Palpatine hurried over to it and answered, "Yes?"
"He has just landed, my lord," a voice called.
"Good. See that he finds himself here," Palpatine responded, then turned off the comm. He walked over to Leia. He waved his hand and an attendent entered.
"Take the child. Kill her when I give the signal," he ordered.
"NO!" Padme screamed as the attendent left with Leia. She struggled against her bonds, "Leave her alone!"
Palpatine chuckled. He could sense Lord Vader's approach. Palpatine cut her bonds. She lunged for her blaster, which had been laying on the table nearby. She shoved him down and held it to his throat, "Where is she?"
Anakin ran in just then. Palpatine looked paniced, "Anakin! She is trying to kill me!"
"No! Ani, he took Leia! He is going to kill her!" Padme yelled back, still holding the blaster to Palpatine.
"The Jedi have warped her! She is not to be trusted, Anakin," Palpatine told him, adding persusion with the Force.
"Anakin," Padme called again. Palpatine was struggling. She couldn't hold him much longer.
Anakin didn't know who to believe. Padme, or Palpatine. His wife or his Master. He stood there, begging for some type of clearity.
Just then, Yoda and Obi-Wan burst into the chamber. Vader whirled around to face his former Master, "YOU!"
"Obi-Wan! Leia has been taken away! She's going to be killed!"
"By HIM!" Vader screamed. He pulled out his lightsaber.
Obi-Wan held his tightly in his hands, "Anakin, what are you doing?"
"That's not my name any longer, Master."
"Anakin, what's going on?" Padme cried out, but he didn't appear to hear her. Palpatine took advantage of Darth Vader's distraction and turned tables on Padme. He rose, her in his grip. He fled from the room, taking her with him.
Vader, not noticing his wife in peril, brought his blade down on Obi-Wan, who in turn, blocked it. Vader pushed Obi-Wan deeper into the Chancellor's quarters. Yoda hurried after Palpatine and Padme. The Dark Side of the Force surrounded Palpatine. He was a Sith Lord! How stupid he had been to not have learned that earlier, Yoda thought. He managed to cut Palpatine off, jumping in front of him.
"I will kill her," Palpatine swore, holding the blaster to Padme's temple.
"Think not, I do," Yoda reached out with the Force to grab the lightsaber. Palpatine fought the Force pull.
Padme took advantage of Palpatine's distraction. She twisted from Palpatine's grip. She knew she had no hope in taking the weapon. She had to find Leia and fast.
"Run!" Yoda shouted to her.
Padme was already on her way. She rushed out of the room, heading back to where she was help captive. She ran out the door and the sight before her broke her heart, stopping her in her tracks.
Anakin had Obi-Wan backed into a corner. He held his lightsaber high over his head. Obi-Wan managed to dodge the attack, Padme had no idea how. He knocked Anakin's lightsaber from his hand and flipped over him. Obi-Wan ran towards her, "RUN PADME!"
"NO!" Vader growled, "You will not kill her!"
"Kill her?" Obi-Wan was confused.
"Kill me?" Padme was confused.
Vader didn't answer. He called his blade to him and ran after Obi-Wan. Padme realized then that she had no idea where Leia was. How was she going to find her herself?
Three Jedi Masters appeared and ran past Padme to meet Anakin. She couldn't believe her eyes. Obi-Wan ran to her, "Come on, I can sense her."
"What's..." Padme began to ask, but was cut off when Obi-Wan grabbed her arm and ran.
"That's not Anakin," Obi-Wan stated, clearly distraught.
"Who is it then?" Padme demanded hotly.
"Anakin has turned to the Dark Side. The Anakin we knew is dead," Obi-Wan explained as they stepped into a turbolift.
Padme fell to her knees, "I thought you were going to save him!"
"We tried, but-"
"Your Jedi! You should have been able to sense it! You are suppose to help him! You failed, Obi-Wan! You and the rest of the Jedi," she accused.
"Padme, I am so sorry," Obi-Wan said gently.
Padme shook her head, waving her hand to stop him. She had a part in this too. If only she had tried harder to help him. If only she had taken off some of the pressure. If only she hadn't fallen in love with Anakin. Then Luke wouldn't have been around to die and drive Anakin to darkness! NO!, she told herself. They still had Leia. Padme squeezed her eyes shut, tears leaking out of them, "Oh Ani, what happened to you? Why couldn't I help you?"
The turbolift stopped. Obi-Wan gently helped her to her feet.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," Padme apologised.
"It's fine. Come on, I can sense her," Obi-Wan told her.
Padme nodded and began to run.
Yoda and Sidous fought in the Chancellor's office. Sidous had the upper hand. Yoda twisted and turned all over the place. He was able to deflect the dark side lightning that Sidous dispersed.
The fight had been going on awhile. It was taking its toll on Yoda. Sidous pushed Yoda down a hallway. He wanted to kill the little Jedi Master quickly. Sidous knew that his apprentice was in danger. He couldn't lose Anakin. He also knew that if he didn't kill everyone who witnessed the events today, he would be killed. He especially had to kill Padme. Everyone believed Padme. The people loved her. If she let the puble know what she saw, Sidous would be ruined.
Darth Vader killed the three Jedi he had been fighting. He had drawn more than ever on his hatred for Obi-Wan and the Jedi. Darth Vader didn't even take note of who he killed. It didn't matter to him.
Vader took off in the direction Obi-Wan had taken Padme. He would not let Kenobi kill his daughter and take his wife from him. Obi-Wan had always been jealous of Anakin.
Vader didn't even wait for the turbo lift to come. He jumped down the shaft, controlling his fall with the Force. He landed on the top of it, then cut a hole in the top and fell through. He ran out.
He could sense his former master and wife nearby. He was getting close.
"Hurry, Padme!" Obi-Wan called. She was running behind him. He could sense Anakin approaching. Padme sped up. Obi-Wan led her down a hidden emergency staircase. It let out to a landing platform where a shuttle rested. It was preparing for take-off.
"She's on there!" Obi-Wan yelled. Padme nodded and they bolted up the ramp. Obi-Wan could only sense four beings aboard the ship- the pilot, the person who had taken Leia, and two guards. Obi-Wan quickly took care of the guards. He then went into the cockpit to deal with the pilot.
Padme ran to the back of the ship. She could hear Leia's cried. The aid looked terrified as Padme burst inside the room. Padme pointed a blaster at the aid, "Get away from her!"
The aid backed away. Padme ran forward and scooped up Leia. She held her to her chest with one arm, and with the other, pointed the blaster at the aid, "Get off the ship."
Padme followed the aid to the ramp and watched as she ran off the ship.
"Get in that speeder and never come back," Padme instructed, leaving no room for arguing. The aid nodded, terrified. The aid jumped inside a speeder and took off. Padme then hurried back inside. Obi-Wan was standing in the cockpit.
"I had to kill the pilot," Obi-Wan sighed. He hated killing.
Padme nodded. She turned to leave the ship when suddenly Obi-Wan shoved her to the ship, "No! He's here! You have to stay in the ship. You have to leave, Padme!"
Obi-Wan ran off the ship. Padme looked out the viewport in horror. Anakin was wanting for Obi-Wan, lightsaber ignited.
Padme sank down in the pilot's seat, clutching Leia. She couldn't leave. She couldn't leave Anakin to die.
"Anakin, you have become the very thing you swore to destroy!" Obi-Wan shouted.
"You killed my son! You lied to me, Obi-Wan. You're jealous!" Vader raged, circling Obi-Wan like a bird stalking prey.
"Jealous? Of what?" Obi-Wan had no idea what Anakin was talking about, "Anakin, why do you think I killed Luke?"
Vader didn't answer. He swung his blade at Obi-Wan. He blocked it. Vader threw attack after attack at Obi-Wan, his death in mind. Mace Windu ran to where he could sense Master Yoda. He grimanced as he saw the dead bodies of Jedi. He found Yoda and Sidous in a hallway. Mace immediantly joined the fray. He and Yoda gained the upper hand.
Sidous was very angry. He was going to die! He had failed his Master. The Sith would die out! Sidous was knocked the side by a powerful kick from Windu. He lost his lightsaber. He tried to use Force lightning, but Windu held it off. With a sweep of Yoda's lightsaber, the Dark Lord of the Sith was dead.
Yoda and Mace exstinguished their lightsabers.
"Find Obi-Wan, I must," Yoda instructed, "Take care the body, you will."
Mace nodded and Yoda hurried off. They could both sense the grave battle occuring. Padme watched in horror at the battle in front of her. They were evenly matched. Each knew eachother's weaknesses. Padme knew she had to stay with Leia. Leia, who could feel her father's termoil, was bawling. Padme tried everything to soothe the baby, but to no avail.
Padme glanced down at her daughter. Poor Leia. She had lost her twin brother and now this. Padme brushed her fingers over the girl's hair. Hopefully this would be over soon and Anakin would come back to them. They could be a family again.
Padme looked back up at the fight. She let out a scream. She held Leia tightly and ran out of the ship. Obi-Wan dodged Vader's blade again. He glanced at the ship. Why hadn't Padme left yet? Obi-Wan flipped to avoid another attack.
Suddenly, Vader jumped back, screaming. He had felt his master die! The Jedi killed him! Filled with a new burst of rage, Vader thrust his lightsaber toward Obi-Wan. They were getting closer and closer to the edge. Obi-Wan was barely able to hold Vader at bay. He finally found his chance. Obi-Wan twisted his blade around and thrust it into Anakin's side.
Vader looked down at his wound. Rage coursed through his veins. He kept attacking, pushing Obi-Wan to the edge. Obi-Wan couldn't hold him off any longer. Vader grabbed Obi-Wan's wrist with his mechanical hand with amazing speed. He squeezed tightly and Obi-Wan dropped his saber. It clatted to the ground. Vader then thrust his lightsaber through Obi-Wan and let go. Obi-Wan fell off the platform into the dark abyss.
General, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, was dead.