I do not own the characters from the Star Wars movie, only my own origional character. I use direct quotes from the film in certain scenes, and do not claim they are mine.

Vataloni's View

Yoda and Vataloni had hidden in her chambers for nearly a day before they decided to face Palpatine. Yoda meditated most of the time, the rest he talked with Vataloni about anything that was on her mind. She stayed off the topic of Obi-Wan, and conversed mostly about the situation. It was not until the late afternoon that they made their way to the Senate.

"Master Yoda, please I beg you," Vataloni whispered as she wrung her hands together, "I don't want to be alone with him!"

"Long, you will not be," he stated kindly, "Come to him, shortly, I will."

She inhaled slowly and wiped her slightly puffy eyes, hoping they would not betray her and let Palpatine know she had been crying. Yoda gave her one last reassuring pat on the arm, and then vanished down the dark halls. The sun was setting quickly when they entered the Senate, but it soon grew easy to run through the shadows, cloaking both Yoda and Vataloni from any prying eyes.

Straightening up, she walked strongly down the hallway, stopping to summon a guard.

"I'm looking for my Master," she said coldly, drawing her hood up over her head, "Where is he?"

"Follow me," the guard replied in a monotone voice, beckoning her to follow closely down the long halls. She had never been in this part of the building. The Jedi made an effort to stay out of the Senate, unless they wanted to listen to a hearing, or were summoned by someone in power for a meeting. Obi-Wan loathed the building completely, and would usually send Anakin to perform a task he had been asked to do.

"He requested to be alone," the guard mused when they stopped at a large, circular door. Two larger guards stood watch over it, dressed completely in red. Vataloni raised an eyebrow, "He will want to see his apprentice. Stand aside."

The door opened quickly and she strode in with force behind each step and an impassive face. The two red guards accompanied her, leaving the door open and standing at attention. She laughed, "Your guards don't trust me, Master."

She glanced over at his seated figure and watched him chuckle, shutting off a flickering holographic picture of a cloaked Anakin.

"I barely trust you, Silme," he stated, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands placidly over his stomach, "They are interested in my safety."

"I'm sure you are capable of defending yourself," she argued, smirking. Palpatine grinned and Vataloni looked back to the tall, blue character standing behind Palpatine's chair, a spear clutched in his hand. She had seen the man appear beside Palpatine during Senate meetings, but she never assumed he worked for Palpatine as a bodyguard.

"Where are we?" Vataloni inquired, looking dismally around the silver circular room, "I've never been in here."

"I wait in here before going for meetings with the entire Senate," he stated, motioning to the pod he normally stands on when giving announcements, "It's a place for me to gather my wits, and is off limits to most people."

"Should I feel honoured I'm here then?" Vataloni snorted, shifting her weight between the heels and balls of her feet. Palpatine watched her for a moment, "Maybe. Lower your hood... I don't like it when I cannot see your eyes."

"Why?"

"Don't question me," he snarled, making her jump slightly, "Do as I say!"

"I was only curious, Master," she mumbled as she removed her hood, "Women are curious creatures."

"I wouldn't call you a woman, Silme, not yet," he growled, "However... I'm pleased to see you are not cowering anymore. Come, sit with me."

Vataloni looked back and forth, scanning the room briefly for a chair, "Where should I sit?"

"On my desk," he answered, "In front of me... I wish to speak with you about something."

Vataloni swallowed thickly and gingerly peeked back to the door, wishing Yoda would show up sometime soon. Palpatine cleared his throat loudly and she picked up her pace. He moved the chair back so she could fit past him, and she settled herself gently on the hard desk, minding the soft, glowing lamp beside her. Her legs hung limply over the side and swayed side to side as she clasped her hands and placed them on her lap.

"Where is your lightsaber?" he asked, sliding his chair a little closer to her. She shifted uncomfortably, "It's... where it should be, in the holster."

"Give it to me."

"Why?"

"Don't," he hissed, rising to his feet, which caused her to incline her head to keep looking at him, "... question me! I asked for it, and I want it. Give it to me."

Her hand flew to her hip and ripped the lightsaber free from its restraints, quickly shoving it into Palpatine's open palm. He tucked it away into his cloak, "Good girl. You see... That wasn't so difficult. It's for... safekeeping, my little one. I don't think you'll need it any time soon."

"You told me, a long time ago, that a Sith should never be weaponless," she said calmly, gazing up at him, "It makes them weak... Do you want me to be weak, Master?"

He smirked and cupped her chin roughly with one hand, "What if I said yes?"

"You'd be a poor Master," she gulped, gently trying to push his hand away, "Don't you want you apprentice to be strong? Then I can defend you..."

He leaned closer and wrenched her head to the side, pressing his mouth next to her ear, "Would you defend me, Silme? I think you would let me die, if you had the choice. I have Lord Vader to protect me, if I need it."

"Then you don't need me?" she asked, "Why am I here then?"

He chuckled, his breath beating against her ear, "Why settle for one? I am happier with two."

"Only with my weapon am I a true apprentice," she argued, wrapping her hand tighter around his, giving it a sharp tug, hoping it would release her chin. The more she pulled against him, the tighter he held on. She whimpered, "Master... Master, you're hurting me."

"Good," he purred, "Good... Pain is what makes you strong, Vataloni."

Vataloni shot a look at Palpatine's blue bodyguard, but it seemed as though he was trying very hard not to watch what was happening. Palpatine's spare hand slid around her stomach and rested strongly on her hip, while he moved his mouth around her ear. Vataloni felt her insides clench and she knew she would throw up if he did not stop. She pushed against his chest, but he only moved closer.

"Master," she pleaded, "Master, please stop... This isn't right."

"How little you know," he murmured, "Or... How little you pretend to know."

"What do you mean?" she inquired, suddenly feeling herself get nervous. A moment ago, she was sick, but now, she was nervous and sick, which was not a good combination for the young woman. Palpatine's hand moved up from her chin and dug painfully into her cheek, making her gasp loudly as a fresh patch of tears flew to her eyes. She shut them, hoping to keep everything in. Bruises would mark her cheeks tomorrow, she was sure of it.

"You think I'm not aware of that little, green Jedi fool that you brought in with you?" he inquired, forcing her face back to his, "I watched you meet up with both of them... That Kenobi is a very lucky man to have such a pretty little thing fawning over him."

Vataloni turned her gaze away, but his nails pressed harder into her skin and she whimpered, looking back at him. He laughed and finally let go, settling down once again in his large chair. Vataloni delicately touched her cheek, wincing at the pain. Palpatine smirked, "I like you better now, Vataloni. Age suits you."

"So you knew?" she demanded, ignoring his lazy stare, "You knew he's here...?"

"It'll just be a matter of time before he comes," Palpatine stated calmly, "So we shall have some more... alone time to spend."

"I hardly call this alone," she stammered, cautiously looking at the three bodyguards in the room. As she looked over to the ones robbed in red, a small shadow played across the floor. Her heart leapt when Yoda walked in between the pair. They turned; weapons raised, then fell to the floor at a wave of his tiny hand. Vataloni rose off the desk, but something forced her to remain seated, so she stayed. Palpatine's chair turned slowly towards the small Jedi, a rather annoyed expression on his face.

"I hear, a new apprentice, you have, Emperor," Yoda mused, his hands resting peacefully on his cane, "Or should I call you... Darth Sidious?"

"A much better name," Vataloni mumbled, but went silent when Palpatine glared at her from the corner of his eye.

"Master Yoda..." Palpatine greeted, his voice turning even harsher then it was already, and "You survived."

"Excellent observation," Vataloni stated, finally feeling bold again now that Yoda was there. Palpatine flicked his hand at her and she flew off the back of the desk, colliding painfully with the huge pod in the center of the room. She groaned and slipped to the floor, holding her head. Yoda clucked his tongue, "For that, we need not. Surprised I survived?"

"Your arrogance blinds you, Master Yoda," Palpatine spat venomously, "Now you will experience the full power of the Dark Side."

Quick as a flash, his hands were raised, and powerful bolts of electricity flowed out his fingertips and into Yoda, sending the small Jedi soaring across the room and into the wall.

"No!" Vataloni cried, rising to her knees. Her throat instantly felt tight and her air was being cut off, so she stayed motionless. Palpatine stopped chocking her, sending her a nasty glare before turning his attention back to Yoda. The Jedi Master groaned softly on the floor, but lay face down, not moving. Vataloni sat helplessly, urging him mentally to rise. Palpatine banished his guards and rose to his feet, sauntering towards Yoda, cackling loudly, "I have been waiting a long time for this moment, my little green friend."

"Master... Please, leave him alone," Vataloni called, "I beg you-"

"Hush," he snarled, not turning back to look at her, "Don't ruin my moment, Silme."

Yoda began to stumble to his feet, as an old man would, and Palpatine continued to laugh forcefully, "At last... The Jedi are no more."

"Not, if anything to say about it, I have," Yoda stated, raising his three-fingered hand suddenly and using the Force to send Palpatine flying across the room. He slammed into his desk and rolled off it, knocking his large metallic chair over as he tumbled to the ground. Yoda frowned, "At an end your rule is. And not short enough, it was."

Yoda held his hands in a defensive position, showing he was ready to counter any attack made by his opponent. Palpatine let out a fierce growl and used the Force to propel himself forward, back flipping in the air. Yoda too leapt up, but landed directly in front of the Sith as he tried to make a hasty exit.

"If so powerful, you are, why leave?" Yoda inquired, drawing his green blade and igniting it. Palpatine took a step back, "You will not stop me. Darth Vader will become more powerful then BOTH of us!"

He ignited his red blade and Yoda spun forward, leaping over the Sith and landing momentarily on the pod above Vataloni, then somersaulting back off and onto the crowd, parrying Palpatine's attacks with precision. They were at a battle of wills; who would back down first? Vataloni crawled back and out of the way as Palpatine nearly stepped on her, Yoda forcing him back against the pod. He vaulted up and landed on the large pod while Yoda followed the pursuit. Vataloni's eyes widened and jaw dropped as the pod suddenly began to rise and the ceiling spiraled open, lifting the battling duo into the empty Senate.

She rose to her feet finally, and after a moment realized she could not follow them the way they were headed, so she took off in a sprint out of the room, racing through the halls, pushing several guards over as she ran. Maybe if she could summon her lightsaber, then she would be able to help Yoda in this battle. It was a long shot, but it could just work.

When Vataloni finally made it to one of the higher levels of the Senate, she noticed Palpatine standing on the edge of one of the balconies, his arms raised in the air. She frowned, then screamed when two balconies came flying from above him and whizzed down. She ran forward and nudged him to the side, her eyes widening when she noticed Yoda scrambling to dodge the balconies. It was clear that these had not been the first thrown, since there were several destroyed balconies on the floor nearly ten stories below them.

Vataloni jerked forward as Palpatine levitated their balcony outward, moving it along the outer circle of the room. As it moved, Palpatine ripped out more balconies and hurled them down at Yoda.

"Stop!" Vataloni shrieked, grabbing his arm, "Stop! I beg you, Master! Please!"

He shoved her to the side and continued sending balconies zooming down towards the little green Jedi. Yoda finally stopped a balcony, letting it hover in mid air as Palpatine laughed cruelly. Vataloni leaned over the rail and watched Yoda start spinning the balcony, her eyes widening as he flung it back up towards them. Palpatine groaned and jumped to the side, down a few stories to another balcony. Vataloni rolled over and vaulted herself to a nearby balcony just in time as her previous one collided with Yoda's spinning one.

Palpatine stood still for a moment, until Yoda leapt onto his balcony, lightsaber drawn. The Sith extended his hand and lightning bolts shot out, knocking Yoda's lightsaber to the distant ground. Sparks flew everywhere, as Yoda took in the electric current to his palms while Palpatine continued to walk forwards, intensifying the current between them as he did. Soon they were less then a foot apart, and the power was just too strong. Both Yoda and Palpatine were sent backwards, as though they were two magnets that repelled each other. Palpatine managed to grab hold of the side of his balcony, but Yoda plummeted to the bottom of the arena, out of Vataloni's sight. She shook her head, not willing to believe he was gone. Perhaps not dead, but the fall would have broken something or another. Palpatine hung on the bar of his balcony for a second or so, laughing thunderously at his victory. He swung upwards and landed gracefully on his feet in a catlike way.

Vataloni knew her one chance at escape was to make it on her own. Anakin had gone to the Mustifar system... Perhaps Obi-Wan had found him there! She needed to get a ship and make her getaway. This was her last chance at freedom.

She extended her hand and called out to her weapon, which she knew hung snuggly beneath Palpatine's robe. He must have sensed this, but was not fast enough. Her blade flew from his cloak and directly into her hand. Not even taking a second to pocket it, Vataloni back flipped off her balcony and began jumping to the top floor, since she knew there was a hanger on the top floor. Palpatine let out a frustrated howl and followed her, moving a lot quicker then she had expected. Her foot slipped when she landed on one of the balconies and she tumbled in, landing in a heap on the floor.

"Where are you running off to in such a hurry?" Palpatine chuckled as she rolled over, groaning. Vataloni got to her feet, "I'm leaving... You... You killed him."

"I've killed many," he stated, "Yoda is not dead."

Vataloni stared, "Well... Where is he then?"

"Most likely crawling like a rat through the pipes," Palpatine grumbled, "But don't you even think of running off... "

Vataloni flipped up onto the last balcony and hurried through the door, hearing Palpatine land on it as the heavy metal door began to close. When it closed completely, she slammed her lightsaber into the controls. It was a waste of time, but maybe in some mere chance of luck she managed to stab right through and injure him. As the door began to open, however, that hope was dashed and she took off, following the signs to the main hanger. She shoved through a pair of clones and used the Force to start up a Naboo cruiser. It was droidless, but she would just have to fly without one.

"Vataloni!" Palpatine shouted, his lightsaber humming softly at his side as he stopped about ten feet away from her, "If you get in that ship, I will be forced to shoot you down."

"I have my doubts you'll hit me," she stated, "Good bye, Lord Sidious."

"Our paths will cross again, Vataloni," he growled, "You will return back to me... Whether it is tomorrow or years from now... You will always return to me!"

Vataloni ignored him and clambered into the ship. It instantly took off and she rose higher and higher, watching Palpatine's figure shrink. She knew he would send ships out for her in a matter of minutes, but for now, she enjoyed her freedom.