Disclaimer: Characters are not the property of the author but of George Lucas.
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Chapter 12: A New Beginning
Following the rebel attack at Corellia they also struck at Chandrilla where they destroyed the defence fleet stationed there. Upon their return to Coruscant both Anakin and Padme were punished for their failure. For the following year the battle against the rebellion was fought with very little influence from either Anakin or Padme. They were instead travelling the galaxy searching for Sith relics on behalf of Palpatine. Their trip took them to the uncharted sectors of space. They discovered a great many secrets upon their journey which few in the galaxy knew anything about. Upon their return they went before Palpatine to debrief him about their travels in his throne room.
"I sense you have learned much over the course of you travels," Palpatine said, "Tell me what have you discovered?"
"We have discovered a great deal," Anakin replied, "Ancient Sith Holocrons giving lessons on great many things."
"And what have you learned?" Palpatine asked.
"Much of what you have not taught us yourself," Padme replied, "Force techniques that we could have used to destroy the Jedi already."
"Good," Palpatine said, "Then your next line of business will be ending the Jedi menace forever."
"Oh it will be," Anakin said stepping up towards the throne with Padme, "But not on your behalf."
"On the trip we learned that being a Sith means killing your master once you have become more powerful," Padme said.
"And by now we have most certainly become more powerful than you," Anakin added.
Palpatine's face contorted itself into a look of absolute fury. His beady yellow eyes flashed red momentarily as he raised his hands. Before he could do anything else however, Anakin's lightsaber flashed on and Palpatine was left standing with two cauterized stumps on his arms where his hands had been. He dropped his handless arms to his side and slowly a wicked grin appeared on his face.
"So now the apprentices have become the masters." he said, "Before I depart this world I have but one last parting gift."
Suddenly Palpatine's lightsaber sprung to life on its own and whizzed towards Padme. Anakin blocked it with his own blade as Padme ignited her own lightsaber and plunged it straight into Palpatine's chest.
The Emperor's lightsaber deactivated and fell to the floor. Palpatine looked down at the crimson blade that was sticking into his chest. A strange look crossed his face, it was almost a look of both relief and despair. His body then burst into blue lightning as he disappeared from existence, his robes collapsing to the floor. The lightning caught Padme and sent her to floor writhing in agony. Anakin managed to avoid and quickly helped her up to her feet.
"Are you okay?" Anakin asked, slightly worried.
"Fine," Padme replied gruffly brushing aside his aiding arm.
She took two steps before she staggered and dropped to a knee.
"Something's wrong," Anakin said, "What is it?"
"It's nothing," Padme said, "I absorbed Palpatine's power and added it to my own, I'm just not used to that much power yet."
Anakin tried to help her up again but, she shoved him away roughly.
"I've got to get used to this on my own," Padme said, "Help only diminishes me."
Anakin thought about the dozens of Holocrons that they had discovered in their journey and how Padme had studied each one thoroughly. She clearly understood being a Sith much better than he did. He watched in awe as she got to her feet and began proudly walking out of the empty throne room. Anakin caught up to her and knelt down before her.
"You are my master now," Anakin said, "Please teach me the ways of the Sith."
Padme looked down at him in confusion, "I am not your master," she said.
"Yes you are," Anakin assisted, "You know so much more than I do, please."
He looked up at her with a desperate, pleading look in his eyes. Padme considered for a moment.
"Very well," she said finally, "I shall teach you what I can."
"Thank you my Empress," Anakin said bowing deeply.
"Empress," Padme muttered as she grinned evilly, "I like the sound of that."
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The changeover from Palpatine as Emperor to Padme as Empress went incredibly smoothly. There was a quick elimination of factions loyal to Palpatine only and not Padme. Once Padme had the government completely under control she had the imperial senate executed for "treason", since they slowed down the processing of laws. However, to keep the population appeased they were all replaced. The new senators however, were mere puppets, voted in through rigged elections.
Anakin became her enforcer and military strategist, a slight step up from the role that Anakin had held underneath Palpatine. However, Anakin was beginning to question his decisions in the past. Was it really necessary for him to join Palpatine to save Padme? It looked as if he had sacrificed everything he had loved about her. Gone was freedom fighting, democratic senator he had fallen in love with. Now she was slavery inducing, tyrant. Every time he was sent on off world mission Anakin would see great suffering amongst a majority of the people on the planet and always amongst the non-humans. Her own home planet of Naboo was being transformed from a paradise into an industrial power house with massive shipyards that would rival Kuat. To make matters worse the labour force for all these changes were Gungan slaves who were poorly fed and were dying off by the thousands everyday but nothing was being done about. He also rarely spent any time with her at all. Even though they were married they hadn't slept together in several weeks. That wasn't all that bothered Anakin either. Padme was beginning to show her corruption. Her skin had become remarkably pale, almost vampiric and her eyes were now a crimson red. It made it difficult to look at her with out feeling frightened.
Finally Anakin managed to work up the courage to discuss these matters with Padme.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," she said after Anakin had stated all his grievances, "but I'm trying to run an Empire here. I think you can understand that it's not the easiest job in the galaxy."
"Maybe not," Anakin said, "But that doesn't account for all the people you're hurting."
"Maybe you haven't been paying attention to lessons I've been teaching you," Padme said. "People get hurt all the time. If they can over come it they become stronger for it."
"But thousands are dying," Anakin said.
"That's because they are weak," Padme said angrily, "And I will not tolerate weakness. Now if you'll excuse me I have business to attend to."
Anakin stared at her departing figure. He realized what it was that he missed the most about the old Padme; it wasn't necessarily what she believed in but that she had loved him back. It wasn't just a one-way emotion as it was now.
I'll win her heart back some how, Anakin thought.
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And interesting chapter to say the least. Will Anakin be able to win back Padme or has dark side consumed her too much? Keep checking for updates and giving reviews to find out.