I'd just like to thank everybody for their inspirational reviews. Also, a question was asked about Anakin and Padme's relationship, so I'll clarify...they have never met in this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

PART THREE

Into The Undercroft

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The terrain of Korriban was desolate and barren. With one sun and seven moons, the gloomy planet had once been populated by over 25,000 inhabitants, though now it had none. The world was literally devoid of any life. The Sith had once dwelled in the temples that resided on the planet, and that very thought sent a shrill shiver down Padme's spine as she and Sabe climbed out of their X-34 landspeeder. However, it wasn't long before her uneasiness turned to elation. For just ahead of them, carved into the sheer rock walls of one of the canyons, was an immense temple that she could only guess contained the desiccated, mummified remains of the various Dark Lords of the Sith from various millennia. Other findings on Korriban had found just that, but this temple…this temple had not been entered since the time of the Sith. Padme's adrenaline began to pump at the sight of it.

"Look at that," Sabe said, exhilarated by the impressive scope of the temple. "It's huge."

"Yes, it is," Padme agreed.

Their eyes never even strayed from the structure when two more speeders pulled up behind them. Having brought along their equipment and supplies, the guards who had been charged with the duty of protecting the two women climbed out of their vehicles and skeptically surveyed the area. The rest of their crew were to meet up with them later.

"Are you ready?" Padme asked, glancing over at her concerned friend with a sympathetic smile. "Sabe, you know you don't have to go in with me."

"Don't be ridiculous," Sabe retorted. "Besides, you need a translator. Seeing as how I'm the only one here, that doesn't leave us with a whole lot of options."

Padme turned her attention back to the temple and let out a ragged breath that she didn't even realize she had been holding in. "Alright…let's get started."

Padme led the way towards the towering edifice, Sabe and the guards trailing just behind her. She hesitated ever so slightly when she reached the bottom of the stairs that led inside. Fear rose within her as she studied the entryway. Of course, she would never let something like fear stop her. Squaring her shoulders and holding her head high, she began to march up the long staircase. Sabe and the guards followed suit a few seconds later.

Once they had reached the top of the stairs, they stopped and attempted to peer through the shadows and spider webs that hid the temples interior from view. Padme nearly leapt out of her skin when she felt a hand clasp her shoulder from behind.

"Sorry, milady, I didn't mean to startle you," the guard apologized. "Perhaps it would be best to let us go in first." Padme opened her mouth to protest, but the guard cut her off before she could say a word. "I insist."

"Very well," Padme reluctantly complied.

The guard gestured for the rest of his team to follow in tow and they were soon pushing their way through the thick sheet of webs that covered the entrance. Once they were inside, they called Padme and Sabe in. Just beyond the massive ingress was a large, empty room with several doors leading in different directions. Padme's eyes widened and she took a long moment to take in her surroundings before speaking.

"It's amazing," she said in awe.

"It's so big," Sabe added. "How will we know where to start?"

Padme glanced around at the many doors before pointing at one. "That passageway over there is the most prominent. That most likely means whatever's inside is important."

"Well, shall we go take a look?" Sabe asked, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat.

Starting towards the door, Padme took out her handheld flashlight and switched it on. The darkness seemed to be almost impenetrable. Once she reached the threshold, she pointed the light through the doors opening and found herself standing at the top of a flight of stairs that led down into the black nothingness of the temples lower chambers.

"I'm going to lead the way this time," Padme declared. "I insist."

The guards grimaced. "Yes, milady."

Doing her best to compose herself, Padme began her descent down the steps…

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