The Day after Innocence

by bluemoongirl27

AU Sequel to Last Night of Innocence. Begins with the morning after the fire place confession in ATOC. What will be Anakin and Padme's fate, now that they've decided to give into their love for each other?

15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Recollections of the Chosen One

The two Jedi starfighter's soared side by side towards the star system of Mustafar; a gigantic ball of flaming fire floating in space. It's surface was covered with huge dark mountains surrounded by a vast sea of scolding magma gushing liquid fire flowing down, and erupting up in explosions. The smell of burning rock, and sulfur filled the suffocating hot air. An old mining collection facility stood on one of the tallest mountains. It had become the latest separatist leader base, and a place to sift through the boiling lava for precious minerals.

"The war is over lord Sidious promised us peace, we want." Nut Gunray let out a horrified scream of agony as Lord Tyranus disposed of the separatist leader by slashing him through his heart. Tyranus triumphantly stepped over the bodies of his many pathetic foolish victims. Staring down at the mangled bodies he did not notice the vivid red glow of something burning through the durasteel of the control center's closed door. The Sith lord immediately reached for his lightsaber positioning himself into fighting stance. The door incinerated before his Sith blinded vision. Two hooded figures stepped into the dark room quietly. Slowly they lifted their hoods to reveal their identities.

"This time we'll do it together." Obi-Wan said quietly to Anakin.

"I was going to say that." Anakin whispered back to Obi-Wan.

"Ah Master Kenobi and young Skywalker. I've been looking forward to this."

"The feeling is not mutual." Anakin finished his words by removing his robe and igniting his lightsaber.

"My Master told me you'd be paying me a visit." Dooku said, his Sith blade flaring a violent shade of red.

"You won't get away this time Dooku." Obi-Wan stated firmly removing his robe and turning on his weapon. The bright blue plasma of his blade expanding.

"We'll see." Count Dooku replied back smugly.

Without waiting for any further invitation Anakin, and Obi-Wan charged forward holding their energy blades tightly stabbing fiercely towards the count. Dooku parried by swinging his lightsaber around, and under both of their blades. The motion caused Anakin and Obi-Wan to slightly stumble back. Anakin and Obi-Wan were in perfect synchronization as they attacked Dooku from right then left, but Dooku fought them off easily.

Bracing for his concentration and stamina, Obi-Wan held onto his lightsaber clasping his sweaty palms tightly around the handle of his weapon. Wicked delight captured Dooku's ravenous eyes lifting his mechanical right hand up. Sensing Anakin's approach from behind Dooku jerked his foot back to Force kick Anakin into a nearby wall temporarily knocking the wind out of him. A sudden and unbearable chocking sensation captured Obi-Wan; he felt the floor leave his feet. Dooku had lifted the Jedi Master above the ground; he then tossed Obi-Wan like a rag doll towards the separatist console. Light blue holograms of droids moving about through the collection plant reflected through Obi-Wan's body as he crashed hard onto the console, and ricocheted onto Nut Gunray's dead body.

Regaining his strength Anakin shot up from the floor kicking Dooku hard in the stomach causing him to somersault backwards through the stiff stagnant air, and landing gracefully on his feet. Anakin was right there to meet him. They moved their blades back and forth furiously; twisting and turning in dizzying motion until finally red, and blue energy met crossing over one another.

"I sense great fear in you young Skywalker. You have hate, you have anger, but you don't use it."

"You're gravely mistaken. It's your fear you sense."

Anakin used the Force and his body strength to push Dooku away, and with tremendous momentum lifted his lightsaber over his head to slam it down. Dooku successfully blocked the blow, but was growing tired. Youth over old age was finally catching up with the former Jedi Master. With a quick sudden motion Anakin pushed his blade down, and directly through the mechanical right hand of Count Dooku.
The severed smoking wires gave off a few faint sparks. Shocked at his defeat Dooku watched with wide eyes as his mechanical limb crashed to the pavement. Anakin effortlessly caught Dooku's weapon in his outstretched arm, and crossed both blades threateningly around Dooku's head. Disgraced and humiliated at his loss, Count Dooku prepared himself for the inevitable end.

"Tell me how to reverse the clones and I won't kill you." The soft glow of red, and blue was reflecting off of Anakin's handsome features from the two weapons he held in his hands.

"I knew my Master was wrong about you."

"Tell me now."

Lord Tyranus's red glassy eyes glared with hatred. A sneer of arrogance moved across his mouth. "You'll never get anything out of me Skywalker."

"Then I guess we'll have to burn it out of you. Obi-Wan cut off his boots; if you take off a few toes that's ok too. Let's see if the Count will enjoy a nice stroll over to that shore of lava outside."

Obi-Wan turned on his weapon. The blade gently sliced away the smooth black leather of Dooku's boot. Sweat began to gather on the Sith Lord's brow staring bug eyed at Obi-Wan's movements. Anakin was still holding two lightsabers scissor-like around Dooku's neck. A shriek of pain flew out of Tryranus's mouth from the searing blade branding his shin. Dooku could keep quiet no longer and hollered. "Please, please I'll tell?"

"What's the code Dooku?" Obi-Wan asked in a demanding cold tone.

"Tell us now, or you're losing your other arm." Anakin's threat echoed into Dooku's ears.

"Order 77" Dooku spit out before he could stop himself.

"Thank you Dooku, now that wasn't so hard was it." Obi-Wan grinned patting Dooku on the back in a mocking fashion.

"If you open your mouth, or your mind up; I'll Force choke the life out of you. So keep it shut. Force cuff him Obi-Wan.." Obi-Wan reached into his belt, and pulled out a pair of Force cuffs. The Jedi Master shackled the remaining parts of Count Dooku's wrists tightly.

At that moment an alert sounded off in the room buzzing loudly. A small red screen next to them was blinking the shape of a ship entering the atmosphere. Anakin shut off both lightsabers. He quickly ran out to the old decrepit command bridge, and threw the Sith blade off the balcony into the river of fire. Through the dark thick smoke rising from below he saw a Nubian Cruiser soaring through the blood-smeared sky. The cruiser descended down from the dark thick cloud of ash. The pale moon above barely peeking through.

The shiny elegant ship landed gracefully on the landing platform. Padme gazed out of the pilot's window, and saw him standing on a bridge across her way. The towering blast of lava behind him highlighted his silhouette as he sprinted towards the ship knowing who had come to him. The two young lovers ran towards each other. Tears of joy fell from Padme's eyes when her lips reunited with her lover. Anakin held Padme protectively in his strong arms; while steam and sparks of illuminated cinders flew around, encircling them. A hellish glow of orangey red radiated off the couple.

"I saw your ship. What are you doing out here?"

Padme held his handsome face in her shaking hands. "I couldn't stay away. I've been so worried. I had to know you were ok."

As Anakin smiled at her beautiful angelic face; he sensed a powerful familiar dark presence in the Force approaching quickly towards them. The expression on his face changed from happiness to horror. "Padme you shouldn't have come here."

From above Anakin's shoulders Padme saw Obi-Wan walking towards them with his lightsaber at the throat of a shackled Count Dooku.

"Obi-Wan's here with you why didn't you tell me?"

"I can't explain any further Padme."

"Anakin what's going on?"

"You must hide on the ship now Padme, he's coming."

"Who?"

"The Chancellor." Anakin said quietly.

"Why is the Chancellor coming here, I don't understand?"

"Listen to him Padme." Obi-Wan said firmly.

Padme looked at Obi-Wan with a puzzled expression. "Obi-Wan what's going on?"

"Go with him Padme and hurry. There's not much time."

Before Padme could ask anything further, Anakin took her by hand, and walked quickly onto the Nubian Cruiser. Anakin called out to R2. The little droid had been watching the whole confusing exchange. "Follow us R2." R2 beeped and followed them quickly to the ship.

Padme looked up at his face, but Anakin did not look at her. "Ani will you please tell what's going on?"

Anakin said nothing as he opened up the escape hatch door. He locked his eyes with her. Padme had never seen a more focused determined look from him. "Listen to me very carefully. I want you to swear to me that you will not leave this escape hatch."

"But Ani."

Anakin cut her off by placing his index finger to her lips. "Promise me."

Padme nodded with tears beginning to gather in her eyes. "I promise my love."

"Wait for me love." Anakin gathered her in his arms, and passionately brushed his lips against her soft sweet inviting mouth for a moment.

Anakin gathered all the strength in himself to let her go, and closed the escape hatch door. He turned to the two droids. "If there is any trouble alert me on my commlink immediately. I want you two to stand watch of this door. Under no circumstances are you to leave her side, unless I contact you. Do you understand?"

"Yes Master Anakin, absolutely." CPO replied back quickly, and R2 beeped his solemn promise back.

"Thank you."

The reality that she was now over six months pregnant on this violent dangerous planet made him even more determined to succeed. If he failed he knew it would be the end for all of them. The supreme chancellor's shuttle was already landing when Anakin walked out of the doorway of Padme's Nubian Cruiser. Chancellor Palphetine crept slowly over to Anakin, and Obi-wan still holding Dooku prisoner. The billowing dark robe with its massive hood covered the evil grin on Palphetine's face.

"Hello Chancellor nice of you to join us." Obi-Wan said wryly.

"I see we have an unexpected guest. I feel another strong presence with us." Palphetine replied back ignoring Obi-Wan's dry sarcasm.

Anakin and Obi-Wan just stared at Sidious and said nothing.

"She is hiding in the ship. I can sense her fear, and I see Count Dooku is still alive. Why didn't you follow my orders?"

"We thought he should be brought to justice Chancellor." Obi-Wan answered while moving his lightsaber away from Dooku's throat.

"Ah I see. So be it." The vile tone in Palphetine's voice startled Obi-Wan and Anakin. Out of instinct they quickly stepped back from Dooku. Palphetine raised his shriveled up hands with his fingers held out in front of his body slightly crooked. His hands pushed forward. Long jagged edged blue lightning bolts of electricity shot out. Anakin and Obi-Wan jumped away, and ducked as Dooku began to convulse. Dooku tried to move out of the way, but it was useless. His screams of terror were drowned out from the roar of the volcanic blast bursting dangerously close to them.

The sizzling electricity was so powerful it bounced, and radiated off of Dooku's quaking body back to his attacker. Obi-Wan and Anakin watched the pale wrinkled flesh of Darth Sidious melt into ghoulish white decay. An evil ugly mask replaced his face. The Sith Lord's piercing chilling cackle would be the last sound Lord Tyranus would ever hear. Darth Sidious cackled louder flinging his outdated useless apprentice into the boiling lava. Sidious enjoyed the devilish sight of Dooku flaring up, and decomposing into the dancing white-hot flames. Anakin and Obi-Wan opted to turn their focus away from the morbid picture.

"Now Lord Vader it is time."

"Yes my Master." Anakin walked over to Darth Sidious's side, and moved his finger slowly on the activator switch. The bright blue energy blade flared and hummed to life. For a moment all that could be heard was the sound of buzzing blades, and rushing lava. Obi-Wan waited and studied the two men holding their lightsabers threateningly in front of him.

Anakin began to move towards Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master held his weapon protectively in front of his body moving back. Suddenly, Anakin swung quickly towards Obi-Wan. Their blades crashed with the force. It was a contest of strength. Both men held tightly to their lightsabers applying heavy pressure on their blades. The crackle of their weapons alerted Sidious's feverish anticipation of victory.

"Kill him Lord Vader, kill him now."

Anakin did not turn to him and continued to stare at Obi-Wan. Sidious's command made Anakin grind his teeth together; his eyes turning a dark black onyx with an angry expression spreading across his handsome face.

"My name." Anakin paused for a moment to catch his breath. He gathered his strength and concentration for the challenge before him. "Is Skywalker."

Before Sidious could react; Anakin roared the name louder then any rancor through his vocal cords. Anakin somersaulted backwards, and spun around quickly to face the shocked Sith Lord. He met Sidious's first strike with his crimson red lightsaber swinging towards him.
A burning explosive star of energy and emotion; Anakin blocked red strikes of light with tremendous momentum. Obi-Wan had flipped to the other side of the Sith lord. Sidious pivoted on his feet spinning backwards with his blade swinging in the air to counter Obi-Wan's attack.

A thunderous collision of power screamed crackling heat surging through their weapons. Lustrous light lit up the dark red shadowy atmosphere. Back and forth over and over again Sidious cut his blade towards Anakin, and then swung back at Obi-Wan. Similar to his deceased apprentice Darth Sidious fought in a rigid controlled fashion. His stabs and thrusts were managing to parry Anakin and Obi-Wan's onslaught, but Sidious felt himself retreating back rapidly to create space between his younger agile opponents.

It was a battle for heroes with good verses evil, victim fighting villain; Jedi against the Sith. Anakin was fighting a man he never thought he'd fight in his life. The person he thought was his friend was really his enemy, everyone's enemy all along. He was a force of nature with one thought dominating his mind, to rid the galaxy of this evil once and for all. Even if the price to pay was his own life; Padme and his child were not going to fall victim to the dark side.

They were nearing the edge of the hangar. In a matter of moments he'd be falling to his death, but at the last moment Sidious somersaulted backwards. He then twisted his body in a roundhouse kick to Obi-Wan's mid section; temporarily knocking the Jedi Master off his feet. Anakin slashed thin ribbons of light with his blade chopping fiercely up, and around forcing Sidious back into a large triangular-like doorway leading them to a short bridge outside.

There was a view of volcanic activity as far as the eye could see. Angry eruptions of lava and hot rock began to blast around them. Suddenly, Anakin and Obi-Wan found themselves jumping, and rolling past scores of steaming volcanic matter. Sidious cackled moving his arms back, and forth amused at Anakin and Obi-Wan's attempts to dodge his attacks.

At one point Obi-Wan almost lost his footing off the bridge, but Anakin grabbed his hand. Sidious approached Anakin from behind attempting to slice him through his spine, but Anakin sensed him, and jerked his arm around his back with his lightsaber blocking the strike. Lifting his left leg up, Anakin kicked Sidious in the gut, and pulled Obi-Wan up over his head with the Force. With his lightsaber placed defensively in front of his body Obi-Wan leapt at Sidious kicking him hard in the chest. Sidious flipped back several times colliding into the wall of a small metal corridor. The Sith lord jumped to his feet as Obi-Wan came hurtling at him chopping his blade down high over his head. Sidious rose up meeting Obi-Wan's blade with his own.

A loud deafening sound filled the small corridor with all three men barreling through. Bright white sparks of metal were bursting out of the durasteel frame from the impact of hot energy blades. Obi-Wan parried cut after cut by Sidious, and pushed his forearms forward. The action caused Sidious to stumble back into the control room. Anakin charged at Sidious; their lightsabers colliding and sliding into one of the control panels. A loud alarm sounded off throughout the facility. The stronghold shields had been deactivated.

Obi-Wan was right there to meet Sidious spinning his blade with an overhead sweep attacking without mercy. Desperate to create distance, the Sith lord blocked Anakin's strike, nudged him hard with his shoulder, and kicked his leg high making contact with Obi-Wan's chin.
The dark lord smashed the control button to the side of him, and the door to the outside balcony opened swiftly.

Sidious was astonished at the unexpected challenge it was to fight Anakin and Obi-Wan, who had not seemed to tire in the least. In fact, Anakin seemed to draw in the energy around him, even through the volcanoes themselves. The young man continued to keep Sidious retreating back.

"You are a traitor to the Sith, and you will suffer dearly for your mistake."

"It was your mistake to mess with me, and the Jedi Order. You're the traitor, you liar." Glaring with hatred burning blue in his eyes, Anakin yelled angrily back at the Sith lord.

Darth Sidious laughed with a monstrous cackle. Lifting his free hand durasteel pillars bent and broke off from the old command bridge. Long sharp spikes came shooting at them. Anakin and Obi-Wan used their lightsabers to cut the beams in half, and managed to throw a few back at Sidious with the Force. One of the beams hit the Sith lord in the shoulder sending him to the ground, but the Sith Lord quickly jumped to his feet before they could get to him, and ran to the edge of the balcony.

Anakin and Obi-Wan found themselves jumping onto the collection plants power conduit to catch up with Sidious with nothing to break their fall, but a bed of fire. They wobbled from side to side attempting to hold their balance. Sidious was already half way across the long thin smoking pipe. It was very difficult for two let alone three men to stand on the power conduit no wider then their arm. Tiny maintenance droids were floating and buzzing around them. Large puffs of orangey tangerine smoke shot up from the fragile pipe. Sidious did not stand around long enough for Anakin to try to get a decent swipe with his lightsaber. The Sith Lord had already jumped high with the Force to a much wider platform. Anakin and Obi-Wan followed his path and jumped onto the catwalk that led to the collection plants arm. With the shield now down, the entire mining complex was in a state of destructive chaos. It rumbled and roared with volcanic eruptions. The horrific blast of lava came out of the deepest darkest chasm of hell showering over the collection arm, and barely missing the three men hurrying out of the way.

Anakin and Obi-Wan ran to the side of one of the support beams holding up the collection mining arm. Darth Sidious ran to the other side of the durasteel pillar. A torrential downpour of red sparks of fiery metal fell all around them. A powerful catastrophic blast of lava sliced through the collection facility. It sent the lava collection crane toppling down in a screeching descent. Obi-Wan and Anakin sprinted up the long collection arm. They ran for their lives with Sidious on their heels barely climbing high enough to miss the wall of lava bursting up from the gigantic durasteel structure slashing into the raging river. The tall scorching tower teetered and bobbed in a circular motion traveling down the strong current. Climbing up the superstructure, and gripping tightly onto Obi-Wan's hand for extra support; Anakin barely made it half way up before Sidious began a series of vicious chops towards his legs.

Anakin let go of Obi-Wan's hand to fend off the Sith Lord. Their blades clashing several times violently; Obi-Wan stared down helplessly watching Anakin fight Sidious with a foreboding realization that he had been in this position before that had ended in a great loss. Master Qui-Gon had been like a father to him. His Master had died at the hands of the Sith lord Darth Maul. He couldn't reach them in time being blocked off by several force fields. Obi-Wan did not intend to lose another friend. On that thought the Jedi Master was about to climb around the collection arm in attempts to help Anakin fight off Sidious, but then he saw it. Hot wind, and smoke blew in his face revealing the cataclysmic destination the riverbed was carrying them to. The lava was thinning out charging towards a deadly fire fall leading to nothing, but a cloud of thick lethal smoke.

Obi-Wan grabbed Anakin. "Anakin look!"

"Force." Anakin screamed out above the loud churning cauldron that was about to engulf them.

The Force called them towards two detached thick cables dangling nearby. Obi-Wan and Anakin leapt onto the cables swinging aimlessly. Sidious quickly followed swinging wide cuts at both of them. The three opponents swung back and forth twisting and turning in mid air several times. Obi-Wan eyes flew open with fear as Sidious swung high charging towards him, and then there was a loud snap. In the next second the Jedi Master was hurtling towards the scolding river. Reaching out with all his strength, Obi-Wan managed to catch Anakin's left leg. Sidious was charging at them again when to their relief the Force signaled a rupolsorlift platform floating near by. Reaching out to the Force Obi-Wan jumped onto the floating platform followed by Anakin.

Landing safely, the two young men watched the crane deck flare up into a towering melting inferno. The tall stern collection arm was disintegrating into a mass of molten metal. For a moment Anakin and Obi-Wan thought their troubles were over, but the Force whispered otherwise. In a running frantic leap channeled through the Force, Darth Sidious landed on a tiny repulsorlift droid. Anakin and Obi-Wan braced themselves for the next round of their grueling battle.

------

On the other side of the still intact part of the lava collection facility, R2D2, and C3PO were dealing with their own problems. In their Master's absence a group of clone troopers had wandered up the landing ramp of the Nubian Cruiser startling the two droids occupying the ship protecting their beloved mistress.

C3P0 let out an "Oh dear." R2 contributed to that statement with an "Oh".

"What are you two droids doing here?" The clone commander asked.

"Hello, I am C3PO human-cyborg relations and this is."

The clone trooper wasted no time cutting him off. "Shut him down."

A clone trooper walked behind C3PO. "Oh please don't I." CP3O never got a chance to finish what he was saying as the golden flare from his eyes flickered out.

Realizing they were in great danger, and remembering his Masters command R2D2 quickly signaled Anakin on his commlink.

"Open up in there." The clone trooper called out banging his fists on the door, and pressed a control button. The escape hatch door flew open. Padme was startled to find a group of clones pointing their riffle blasters directly at her.

"Senator Amadala, what is your reason for trespassing on these premises?"

"I am not trespassing."

"We have strict orders from Lord Sidious to capture, and on orders kill all un-welcomed inhabitants on this planet. You are now a prisoner of Lord Sidious and Lord Vader?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Why are you taking orders from a Sith Lord? What happened to the Chancellor?

"The Chancellor is Lord Sidious."

The name fell out of Padme's mouth like a stone. "Chancellor Palphetine, and who is Lord Vader?"

"He is the Sith Lord's new apprentice."

"This doesn't make any sense. I came here to see my fiancé Anakin Skywalker."

"Yes, that's him."

"What?"

"Darth Vader was formerly known as Anakin Skywalker." Padme was sure her heart had stopped from that last piece of information.

-----

Anakin and Obi-Wan squinted their eyes from the blinding electric blue lighting bolts rushing at them. Using their lightsabers; Anakin and Obi-Wan shielded Sidious's powerful charges of sizzling energy. Sidious had circled around them several times on his small maintenance droid. The dark lord of the Sith had finally flipped onto the repulsorlift platform practically knocking Anakin and Obi-Wan off in the process. They were not going to last long; the separate jolts of energy were too powerful to hold off. Their feet were already at the very edge of the lift. In seconds they were going to fall into the fire. Obi-Wan could feel his legs giving out, his biceps and back ached from the tension. There had to be a way out. He glanced over his shoulder, quickly jerked his hand to pull at Anakin's arm, and the two young men flipped backwards onto the short black sand hill. They took a few deep breaths holding onto their lightsabers as Sidious used the Force to direct the floating platform to the shore.

"It's over Sidious we have the high ground." Obi-Wan announced triumphantly.

"You were foolish to think you could trap me. You have only trapped yourself young Skywalker. If I die, I take all my knowledge with me. There is no escape my apprentice; Padme will die. Give yourself to the dark side; it is the only way to save her.

"I'll never join you." Anakin yelled back at the Sith lord.

"You vowed yourself to the Sith. Use your aggressive feelings boy. You cannot hide from it. I can feel the anger flowing through you. Give into your hate."

A voice Anakin was unfamiliar with screamed through his lungs. "You will not take her from me." Suddenly, Anakin felt an insistent buzzing on his hip. He looked down with enormous fright at the flashing bright green light of his commlink blinking franticly. Anakin had felt its gentle sting earlier, but could not reach for it in the middle of battle. He knew if something had happened to her he'd feel it in the Force, but he could also sense that she was in grave danger. His commlink was signaling his worst nightmare. Anakin let out a gasp sucking in the hot sulfuric air. His heart pounding in his ears, a tired mind ached with debilitating fear dilating his pupils. Dizziness filled his head that made everything appear to be spiraling, and hurling into oblivion.

"You underestimate the power of the dark side. You will pay the price for your lack of vision. My foolish friend she will die." Darth Sidious closed his bulging baggy eyes for a brief moment. The fires of Mustafar could be seen blazing within as they slowly opened. A grin slithered over his mouth; his words hissing out like a snake rattling its tail. "Good, I sense her fear. It is the most horrifying moment to realize you are going to die. Only now at the end do you understand. My troops are loyal, and obedient. They surround her as we speak. All I have to do is give the command. If you will not join me then she will meet her fate."

The scorching heat of a thousand suns filled his soul. A hoarse roar vibrated out of Anakin's dry throat. "I hate you."

"Anakin don't give into it." Obi-Wan gripped Anakin's shoulder. Anakin turned to look at the Jedi Master briefly. Obi-Wan's heart was bleeding from the tears of pain pouring out from his friend. He knew Anakin was grappling onto the last drop of strength that was keeping his mind from snapping.

"Good, I can feel your anger; take your weapon strike him down with all of your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete. It is unavoidable; it is your destiny."

For a long moment Anakin's dark blue eyes traveled back, and forth from Darth Sidious to Obi-Wan. It was a choice of hanging onto the seductive thought of manipulating control over the galaxy, or having the guts to hold on to the faith that things would some how work themselves out. His decision was clear; it was the only way. With a deadly grip Anakin lifted his lightsaber and stared dangerously into the eyes of his trusting friend. Obi-Wan did not move, or reach for his lightsaber. Instead he stood, and watched the determination churn through the young man who had been like a son to him.

Anakin twisted his torso holding his weapon high above his head. He gathered the momentum to swing with all his might. Through the force, Anakin summoned all the strength he had in his body, heart, and soul. From deep within all the joy, pain, love, and fear released in clusters of potent powerful emotion. It coursed and flowed through his muscles. They tore and ripped from the sudden movement; his biceps whipping back snapping from the strain, and pressure. The energy blade flew out of Anakin's hands with a wave of power the Sith lord himself could not conjure. The light blue rod seemed to spin and twirl in the air for a lifetime. The fate of the universe was riding on its successful journey. Suddenly it met its destination.

Bright sparks of seared metal burst from underneath his boots combined with the powerful charge of lightning blasting from Sidious's bony fingertips. The long ultraviolet streaks of deadly energy hit nothing, but open hot smoky air. The overwhelming shift in balance and power lifted the repulsorlift platform tilting, and breaking it apart sending Darth Sidious to his doom. A cry of shock escaped through his throat as his cape held him prisoner encased in flames tearing through the thick dark material; the scalding contact of the lava melting away the thin wrinkled white-flesh of his hands, and face.

Sith blood poured into the lava, the thick red substance blending perfectly to the molten liquid. Shrieks and screams howled out of the Sith lord from the excruciating unbearable agony of meeting his demise. The volcanic lava lit up in blinding bright red exploding with a sizzling electrical surge bubbling, and bursting up high above their heads. The raining blazing fire barely missed Anakin and Obi-Wan scrambling out of the way, and running up the black gravel hill. On top of the hill Anakin and Obi-Wan watched the darkest of pure evil and sin washing away from the most natural substance to create, and build land for life to flourish.

Obi-Wan stared ahead shaking his head. "So un-civilized."

Anakin's commlink went off again. "Padme, Obi-Wan she's still in trouble."

"Let's go!"

Pure adrenaline and the will of the Force carried Anakin and Obi-Wan back to the Nubian Cruiser. With tired aching limbs they ran with all the strength they still had left hoping it wasn't too late. Anakin had barely made it through the door when he saw the heart-stopping sight. Padme was being held at gunpoint. A group of clone troopers were pointing their riffle blasters directly at her belly. The young mother to be was hysterically crying, and shaking uncontrollably with her hands placed protectively over her stomach.

"No, cease fire; put your weapons down now." Anakin screamed out through his raw sore throat.

"Lord Vader we have taken her prisoner."

"Leave this ship now. I will take care of her."

"Absolutely my lord. Do you wish for us to kill Master Kenobi?" The clone commander asked as the group of clone troopers moved away from Padme, and pointed their riffle blasters at Obi-Wan.

Anakin waved his hand slowly in front of the clone commander's face. "You will leave this ship now and wait for my instructions."

"We will leave this ship now and wait for your instructions." The clone trooper nodded in delusional agreement and addressed the other clones. "Let's go!" The group of clones turned and left. Anakin and Obi-Wan finally breathed a quick sigh of relief.

"Master let's get out of this bed of Sith's hell."

"Right away Anakin, I'm on it." Obi-Wan ran to the pilot's chair, and the engines roared to life.

Anakin walked over to Padme; she was trembling with tears running down her chin. Anakin gathered the bewildered frightened young woman in his arms. "Are you ok?"

Padme looked up at him and nodded. Anakin wiped away her tears with the pads of his calloused thumbs. He cradled her in his arms and rocked her gently. "Everything's alright my love; it's all over."

"The Clone Troopers they said your name was Darth Vader, and that you were the Sith Lord's apprentice."

"No, no I'm not. I never was." Anakin said in a quiet gentle voice stroking her hair.

"Why, why did they call you that name?" Padme's shaky voice stuttered the question out.

"It's a long story. I'll explain everything to you in a moment. Try to calm down and relax. I'm so sorry you had to go through all this. I thank the Force you didn't go into labor from the stress of it all. Sit down here; I'll be right back ok?" Anakin sat her down slowly on a soft bench.

Padme nodded her head and Anakin kissed her forehead. He then turned to R2. "R2 please keep her company for a few minutes. Try to calm her down. I need to talk to Obi-Wan." R2 beeped happily rolling over to the shaken, and very confused galactic senator.
Anakin walked over to C3PO to turn him back on.

"Oh hello Master Anakin."

"Hello 3PO." Anakin replied back, walked past the protocol droid, and strode to the front of the ship.

Obi-Wan turned his head and smiled at Anakin. "Well my old friend you did it."

"Thank you Master, but I couldn't have done it without you. Did you contact the Jedi temple?"

"I was just about to. I wanted to get us out of this Force forsaken planet first."

Anakin patted Obi-Wan on the shoulder and smiled. "Good, the sooner we contact the Jedi temple; the faster they can punch in the clones reversal code through the Jedi Temple Archives computer system."

"I'll take care of it Anakin. Go to her now."

Anakin nodded flashing a smile that showed his immense relief. "Thanks, call me if you need any help."

Anakin walked back to Padme. "Come on my love. Let's go in the back. We'll lie down for awhile, and I'll explain everything." Anakin reached for her hand and pulled her up. They walked to Padme's sleeping quarters and lied down on the bed. A sob fell out of Padme's throat when the young couple fell into each other's tender arms.

"I was so scared."

"I know; I was too." Padme laid her head on Anakin's chest. He stroked his fingers soothingly through her mahogany tresses. "Shh It's ok it's alright. It's all over. They're both dead they won't try to hurt us anymore."

"Who's dead?

"Count Dooku and Chancellor Palphetine."

"Who killed them?"

"Count Dooku's was killed by his Master Darth Sidious."

"I can't believe that Chancellor Palphetine was Darth Sidious. The Sith Lord was the supreme Chancellor for all this time, and no one even knew. We were all so blind."

"Yes, and I killed him."

"You killed him." Padme lifted her head to look into his eyes.

"Remember the prophecy I told you about? I am the chosen one to bring balance to Force."

"Yes I remember. My gods Ani that's incredible, but how did the Sith die."

"Darth Sidious shot Sith lightning at his apprentice, and tossed him off the landing platform into the sea of lava. Sidious died when I threw my lightsaber with the Force at the platform he was standing on over the lava bed. Obi-Wan and I had fought him brutally, and we practically got burned alive at the bubbling mountain of lava that erupted while Sidious screamed burning up. Even after all the fighting I had done against him Sidious; he still tried to convince me to strike down Obi-Wan, but I did not give into his evil coaxing. I had felt my commlink signaling that you were in danger. I knew he had you prisoner. He threatened to have the clones kill you if I didn't obey him. Obi-Wan has always drilled into my head that my weapon is my life. I was taking a huge chance. Thank the Force it worked."

"I'm so relieved you and Obi-Wan weren't hurt. I can't believe all this; it's so much to take in."

"I know it's a lot to swallow."

"Ani I'm so proud of you and Obi-Wan. I thank the Force that your both here on this ship safe, but why didn't you tell me all this before? How could you leave me in the dark like this?"

"That's the whole thing angel, I couldn't tell you. Darth Sidious was a very powerful Sith Lord. He had the ability to read minds, and possessed telekinetic powers among many other abilities. He was a Master of manipulation. If I had told you what I knew, and what I was up to; Obi-Wan and I could not have trapped the Sith. Sidious could have read your mind."

"How long has this all been going on?"

"For almost two months. Do you remember the night I first had that horrible nightmare of you dieing in child birth?"

"Yes of course."

"I was a complete mess. I was terrified I was going to lose you just like I had lost my mother. I was convinced of this because of my previous nightmares with my mother. I had not gotten any sleep, and was exhausted. The next night I went to a club and got blasted. Obi-Wan showed up looking for me. During our brief conversation, he told me that Master Qui-Gon had actually spoken with him at the Jedi Temple gardens.

"But Master Qui-Gon is."

"Dead I know, but somehow he came back as a ghost to warn Obi-Wan that I was in great danger. The Sith was going to try to seduce me to the dark side."

"Master Qui-Gon actually said that. How did he know?"

"He sensed it, and gave Obi-Wan strict instructions on what to do to help me."

"That is absolutely amazing."

"I know, I thank the Force for having enough sense to listen."

"But I still don't understand why the clones troopers called you Darth Vader."

"Don't worry, I'm getting to that. After Obi-Wan had warned me, I went to the Opera House to protect Chancellor Palphetine.
Palphetine started talking about the Sith, and how a Sith Lord named Darth Plagueis could stop people from dieing because he was extremely powerful with the dark side."

"That's absurd."

"I know, but at the time it was tempting, extremely tempting. However, I became suspicious. It was the first time ever that my trust in the man was shaken. I realized that Palphetine could very well be the Sith Lord. That night after the show I commlinked Obi-Wan, and we talked. I met him at the same club. He told me everything that Qui-Gon had said, and we hatched a plan to trap the Sith."

"So you mean to tell me all those nights you came home late you were with Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, whenever I could get away from Palphetine. Obi-Wan trained me and I listened to every word. We found a new understanding, and trust in our relationship as Master and apprentice. We became better friends then we ever were before. We became brothers. Everyday we worked on our telekinetic powers, blocking, and calming my mind with the Force. Not to mention countless hours of exhausting lightsaber sparring."

"So does that mean your back with the Jedi Order?"

"No, I mean I'd like to, but nothing has changed. I'm still resigned. I'm not sacrificing our future together. The rest of the Jedi Order didn't even know about any of this. One of Master Qui-Gon's requests was to not alert the Council. He felt that it would only bring disaster.
He explained to Obi-Wan that I was the chosen one, but I could not succeed in defeating the Sith without his help. As I worked closely with Palphetine my views on a lot of things began to change."

"How so?"

"I realized that Palphetine was taking over the entire senate, and for that matter the galaxy. I saw how he manipulated his way through everything, and everyone especially me. I began to hate the man. He relentlessly tried to convince me that the Jedi were evil. Palphetine worked like an old ancient puppet master pulling my strings to get what he wanted. I tried extremely hard to control my anger, but it was when he tried to turn me against you that I lost it."

"What did he say?"

"He said you were a traitor to me, and the Republic because of your involvement with that petition. I was livid holding my lightsaber dangerously close to his throat. I was this close to killing him, but I stopped myself at the last minute realizing it would only lead me to the dark side. Shortly after that he revealed his true identity, and asked me to be his Sith apprentice."

"What could he possibly say to make you do such a thing?"

"He told me that if I joined him he could help me save you from dieing."

"So you told him about your nightmares, and he used it against you. That is the most evil sick thing I've ever heard.

"No, he knew about the nightmares. I never had to tell him."

"I don't understand."

"Like I said before, Darth Sidious was extremely powerful in manipulating the mind. Obi-Wan and I believe that it was Sidious himself that caused me to have those nightmares in the first place."

"What, but that would mean?"

"He planned all this Padme, all of it. From the trade federation blockade on Naboo to the Clone War. He did all of it to gain more power in the senate. Then he could trap me into becoming his apprentice to help him rule the galaxy. After he asked me to be his apprentice it only got worse from there. At that moment I thought about you and our baby. I knew the only way to trap the slippery serpent was to play by his rules. Holding my Force shields down, and keeping my mind as calm as possible, I bent down on one knee pledging myself to the Sith. Sidious deemed me a powerful Sith Lord and named me Darth Vader. He wasted no time giving me orders to destroy all the Jedi, and all the senators that had taken part in the petition of the two thousand."

"What were his orders?"

"I was to go directly to the Jedi Temple, and kill every Jedi there including the younglings. Then I was to contact Obi-Wan, and convince him to go with me to the Mustafar system. Obi-Wan and I would kill Count Dooku. Finally, Sidious would meet us on Mustafar, and we would kill Obi-Wan together."

"Anakin please, I don't want to hear any more; this is too sick." Padme placed her hands to her ears.

Anakin smiled, and pulled her hands away from her ears. He lifted her palms to his lips kissing them both lightly. "Don't worry my love. I was playing along, but not giving in. As soon as I had been told all this, I sent a message through my telekinetic powers to Obi-Wan to warn him to go back to the Jedi Temple immediately."

"You were able to warn Obi-Wan? Is that who you meant when you said, "that is between me and my Master?"

"Yes, I'll never forget it as long as I live. It seems like all a blur even though it was only hours ago." Anakin lied back on the soft fluffy pillow beneath his head. Padme laid her head on his chest as he began to recall the whole ordeal.

-----

I left Sidious's office and was soon met by Clone Commander Cody. Everything had been completely revealed. I now knew what Sidious meant by "their betrayal will be dealt with." The clone troopers were there all along to help destroy the Jedi, and take over the galaxy. There was no time to pull out my commlink. So once again I used the Force telepathically to warn Obi-Wan about the clones so he could try to warn the Jedi.

There were hundreds of clones troopers behind me as I marched up the Jedi temple stairs. The light inside the temple beckoned to me. I waited until every clone was inside the temple. One by one I used the Force to tightly shut the front doors of the temple leaving nothing, but a cold blanket of pitch black. The soft blue glow of my lightsaber provided the only light in the Jedi temples great hall. Even though the clone troopers wore specialized equipment in their helmets to help them see in the dark; the darkness would still put them at a disadvantage by dumbing down their senses.

"Lord Vader what is your command?"

I answered by waving my hand slowly in front of Commander Cody's eyes.

"Take off your commlinks, and destroy them with your blasters."

I wasn't sure if a Jedi mind trick would work on so many living beings at once, but it was my only chance. Clone troopers were after all weak-minded. I had to ensure that they could not alert Palphetine. To my relief it worked. Commander Cody ordered the entire army to throw down their commlinks and blast them.

"Lord Vader shall we proceed with the plan?"

"Not yet. Wait here until I return. I won't be long."

"Yes my lord."

I proceeded down to the secret lower levels of the Jedi Temple when I was met with a Padawan learner who was not much younger then me.

"Anakin Skywalker." The Padawan learner replied holding up his green lightsaber.

"I'm here to help. Where is Master Kenobi?"

"With the younglings"

"Good, are they holding their Force shields down?"

"Yes as tight as they can."

"Excellent, are all the older Jedi Padawan's holding theirs down?"

"Absolutely, thank you for warning us."

"Don't say another word just lead me to where they are. We must get there quickly. There's very little time. My Jedi mind trick will not last long."

We walked down an old, winding staircase that led us to a room I had never seen, but I had heard about. It was to be used only in an absolute state of emergency. If I had not warned them they all would have been sitting shaaks probably hiding some place foolish like the Jedi council chamber. We walked a little further and were soon met by Obi-Wan.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to get here."

"Very funny Master. Where are the children?"

"Follow me."

We followed Obi-Wan into another smaller room. In the corner were dozens of younglings huddled close together. I wasted no time and began to reveal my plan of action. At first Obi-Wan hesitated to put it into effect, but then agreed it was the only way.

"The oldest Padawan learners will come with us. The rest of you stay here. Remember keep your Force mind shields down as tight as possible. Not for even one second let go, and under no circumstances are you to leave unless you are contacted by myself, Anakin, or the rest of the remaining Jedi counsel."

"Yes Master Kenobi." The Jedi Padawan's and younglings answered back.

With that we left the younglings with a couple of teenage Padawan learners to watch over them while the rest of us went out to meet the clone army. Even though we only had one official Jedi Master in our group, I knew that many of the Jedi Padawan's were old enough, and possessed the skill to be worthy of knighthood. While we strode back up the great hall Obi-Wan, and I got a chance to speak briefly.

Obi-Wan began to fill me in. "Master Windu and Master Fisto met up with Master Ti. They were able to get to Llum to stop the battle droids from blowing up the caverns. They're on their way back as well as Master Yoda."

"Good, thank the Force." I replied back in relief.

"I was able to warn Master Windu, and Master Fisto before they reached the Llum system. Master Yoda escaped from Kasyykk with the help of the Wookies. Unfortunately, we tried to contact the other Jedi, but there was sadly no answer. We greatly fear the worst may have already happened. They were all on their own, and with far too many clone troopers completely out numbered. If I had known what Sidious was up to with those clones we could have been more prepared."

"I know, but there was no way to know that. You did not alert Master Yoda, or Master Windu of where we are going next correct?"

"No, I was tempted believe me, but I vowed to follow Master Qui-Gon's instructions to not alert the counsel. Their job now is to watch over the temple."

"Master Qui-Gon is the wisest, and kindest man I've ever known; he believed in me and freed me from slavery. I know he would have freed my mother as well if he could have. When you told me that day in front of the senate building what he said, I knew I couldn't ignore his warning and let him down."

"Words cannot describe how extremely proud I am of you Anakin."

"Thank you, but right now we have an army of clones to defeat. If any of them escapes this whole plan will be ruined. We might as well hand over the Sithdamned universe to the bastard."

"Over our, and the rest of the remaining counsel's dead bodies."

"Absolutely, but regardless we need to trap the Sith, and find a reversal code for those clones. I don't want my kid growing up in a galaxy like this."

"Don't worry Anakin, it won't come down to that, but right now we have a job to do."

"Yes Master."

We moved quickly and very quietly into the great hall. My heart was throbbing in my chest along with a sharp pain in my left temple.

"Get ready." Obi-Wan whispered to me.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I whispered back.

A chain reaction began when Obi-Wan lit his weapon. A mixture of greenish blue light from our lightsabers encircled us, and the clone troopers we surrounded.

"Lord Vader what is the meaning of this. Our orders are to attack." Commander Cody asked impatiently. I detected a hint of fright in his voice and through the Force.

"Orders have changed."

For a long moment nothing could be heard, but the harsh sound of our breathing, and the humming of our weapons before Obi-Wan shouted. "Now."

We charged at them like wild banthas determined to take down each, and every one of them down. The clones opened fire shooting mercilessly with little success. Red blaster shots traveled in all directions. The loud deafening sound rang, and hit off the thick surrounding walls as we wiped out clone after clone. Using my weapon, I blocked thousands of blaster shots. I even deflected several away from Obi-Wan, and the other Padawans. Considering how many troops we were fighting, the battle was easier then expected. Although the clones had blaster rifles, we had our lightsabers, Force ability, and considerably much more sophisticated defense training on our side. They were no match for us. Obi-Wan and I threw them around with the Force, and dismembered them two at a time.

When there were finally only a few dozen clones left, the troopers tried to run further into the temple, but they didn't make it far. I raised my free hand, and through the Force formed a tight fist with my hands. One of the tall thick columns began to crumble in the middle. A loud rumble shook the room. A huge heavy chunk of stone fell upon dozens of clone troopers flattening them to the floor. Unfortunately, when it was all over there were some of us who did not survive the battle. Several Padawan learners had been killed by blaster riffles, but most of us had survived.

We wasted no time, and cleared out of the great hall to put the rest of the plan into effect. I knew that in order to fool Sidious; we had to create the full allusion of destruction. Most of the Padawan learners retreated back downstairs to watch over the younglings. The rest of us traveled up to the highest towers in the Jedi Temple to finish the job. Obi-Wan and I went to the Jedi Temple archives to secure all security codes, and then entered the Jedi Temple council room.

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea Anakin."

"It has to be done Master otherwise Sidious won't buy it."

Obi-Wan nodded, and we went to work destroying the room with our lightsabers.

Soon the council room was filling up with thick black smoke. There were small fires and broken council chairs everywhere. We shattered some of the windows so the smoke of burning furniture could travel out into the night air. Small fires were set on the tops of the other Jedi towers to create the same effect. We knew setting fire to the temple towers could be dangerous, but we felt confident that the younglings would be safe for the time being hiding in the lower levels of the temple protected by the older Padawan learners. Master Yoda and the rest of the remaining Jedi Council would be back soon enough, and would put out the fires.

"Master Yoda and Master Windu are not going to be happy when they see this." I said laughing at the sight of the ransacked room.

"No they're not, but we don't have time to dwell on it now Anakin."

"I have to contact Sidious to let him know the job is done."

"What about all those dead clones?" Obi-Wan asked me.

"I'll tell him they'll stay here just in case any surviving Jedi come back. All we need is enough time for him to believe the illusion.
His over-confidence is his weakness."

"That it is my friend."

I'll signal you and we'll travel together to Mustafar. But first I want to check on Padme. She must be worried sick."

"Alright Anakin, but don't be long. This battle is far from over."

----

The sound of Obi-Wan's pleasant lighthearted voice traveling through the ships speaker system brought Anakin, and Padme back to the present.

"How are you two doing back there? Do you need anything?

"No Obi-Wan everything's fine thanks." Padme answered back happily.

"Great, we'll be back in the capital in no time. Get some rest my friends."

"We will, thanks Obi-Wan." Anakin replied back.

"Its very nice of Obi-Wan to pilot the ship back to the capital after what you both just went through."

"Yeah it definitely is." Anakin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He gathered the strength, and courage in himself for what he was about to admit. "I guess if I told you all this. I might as well tell you everything."

"There's more?"

"Yeah, but I'm afraid If I tell you the whole truth you might not want to marry me."

"That will never happen Ani, just tell me."

"You see I know in my heart that if it wasn't for Master Qui-Gon, I'd have given into the dark side. I really would have become Darth Vader. I would have done all those horrible things out of my fear of losing you, and wanting to gain power over my life. I would have started down that path even earlier if it hadn't been for Master Windu accompanying me to the Tusken raider camp. I'm a weak man Padme."

"Anakin Skywalker don't you ever say, or think anything like that about yourself again. You are the bravest, kindest, loyalist, most giving man I know. You didn't give into it; that's what counts. You stared into the most demonic grotesque face of evil, and resisted it. You beat it. You beat your own demons. Don't you see my love you're free?"

"You're right thank my love, but I still can't shake this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach."

"What feeling?"

"If I had given into the dark side. I know it would have been me in that lava. When I watched Sidious burn combusting into flames somehow I knew it would have been me. It would have been me Padme."

Happy holidays everyone please take the time and review. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really wanted to try to do something different and unique with my story. I worked extremely hard to try to make it a reality. I have no idea how many times I watched the battle of Anakin vs. Obi-Wan. Were you surprised? Did I achieve my goal. I told you I had a reason for doing what I did in that last chapter. Make no mistakes about this I HATE Sidious/Palphetine with every fiber of my soul. When I saw ROTS I knew exactly how I wanted him to end up in my story. I got my own revenge so to speak he, he, he. It has taken months to work up to this chapter. I had to figure out a lot of things. I wanted to really have a lot of twists and turns. I wanted it to be a real nail biter. The next chapter will be the last, but there will be an epilogue and authors notes. I will reveal my reasons, thought processes, and secrets on both stories. Please, please take the time and review for this chapter. I can't believe I finally finished it. It took forever to write. I really would love to know what you thought. Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing.