The sound of my daughter crying stirred me from my sedated sleep, it having been carefully calculated to last only a few minutes. I moved with alertness, my Jedi training allowing me to gather my senses quickly in order to see Padmé and her handmaiden, Sabé, either side of me with the midwife droid turned away from me. "Theca! Are you alright? How do you feel?" Tired, and I could feel the pain of my stomach where I had been surgically cut, but I ignored everything else in order to stare in the direction where I could sense my daughter.
"Where is she?" The droid turned, and I first beheld my miraculous little creation.
"She is indeed female." The droid told me, holding her in its arms after having cleaned it and run a diagnostic. "She is healthy and well. All vital signs are normal." I breathed in relief and felt tears beginning to rise as I raised my arms and slowly, she rose from the droid and floated towards me, now settling from her cries as the blanket wrapped itself more warmly around her, and she came to rest in my embrace. She was perfect. So little and wonderful that I could not describe the serenity and love that I felt for her as it swelled within me to the point of bursting.
"Hello my Seya." Her eyes were closed as she wriggled a little in her blanket, drawn to my voice and began to blink herself awake. Already I was drinking in every detail about her as I possibly could, noticing all the smallest of details imaginable. She had my skin, a soft shade of blue but looked like her father in appearances, Nautolan, with the fourteen tendrils no more than little sprouts on her head which were tinged with lilac like my hair. The fact that she had eyelashes was another feature that was mine, and when she opened her eyes, I saw that they were bright golden in colour already, though hazy and unfocused as she cooed, blinking against the light before turning into sleep. So precious, so uniquely wonderful, I loved her with all my being, and I knew then that if I could not raise her within the temple, then I would leave the Order and raise her myself regardless. I would walk away from everything, just for her.
"She's perfect, Theca. You should be proud." Padmé said to me softly as she and Sabe leaned in beside me in order to gaze at my daughter. "She needs to go into incubation now, otherwise she will not complete her development in the right conditions. Don't worry, she'll be safe with us here. I promise." There was nothing I wanted less than to let Seya go, but I had to, both for her sake and mine. At least for now. I passed her into the care of the handmaiden who bowed before placing her in the little incubation pod where she could be monitored and kept healthy, whilst Padmé began to see to the droids to have their memories erased of ever delivering a child from me.
They had already sealed my wound, but it would take time for the deeper layers to completely heal, though I disregarded this for now and began to sit up. I allowed them to finish examining me, giving me boosters and a light anaesthetic for the pain in my lower stomach before I began to make moves to leave. "Thank you for this Padmé. I promise, you will not regret helping me with this." I told her, taking her hands to give them a squeeze before bowing, giving my gratitude to Sabe as well before then going over to my daughter's tank. She looked like a tiny fish in there, floating peacefully, deep asleep and my heart tugged itself towards her with natural magnetism.
I wanted to stay for hours simply staring at her, but I pulled myself away with a whisper to her to vow that I would come back for her before I then turned away and pulled up my hood. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, leave my daughter behind, but I continued forwards and did not look back, hoping that what I was about to do now truly would benefit the many billions of life forms in this galaxy, including hers. Kit will probably be angry with me when he finds out, I have never seen his temper before, but I expected to witness it soon. Still, it was all for the bigger picture, and she was safe. That was all that mattered.
Despite having only just given birth through surgery, I moved with a natural grace and strength that had been trained into me from a very young age. My stomach was already beginning to tighten, aided by the inoculations and aftercare treatment from the droids, allowing me to regain a little of my previous posture and figure which would be enough to be able to defend myself if it came to it, though I hoped it would not and that the chancellor was a mere pawn in all of this, though I sensed a great sinister energy about him the closer I came to the Senate building and his office, the sweeping layers of my gown and cloak rippling with drive and energy as I continued my way forwards, passing through security and continuing my way forwards.
I observed my surroundings, calculated every route and escape, counting each guard and trooper, noticing each security detail around me. The senate was being called to order, the senators were flooding into the grand council chamber in order to discuss the latest development in locating General Grievous. Taking myself up to the chancellor's office, I entered just as he was preparing to leave, and thankfully, I found him alone. "Ah, Master Jedi, have you come with a message for me? Is there more news of General Grievous?" Chancellor Palpatine questioned, brushing off his large shouldered sleeves and preening his appearance in order to appear before the senate. "I must hurry now otherwise I shall be late, so come along now, what is it?"
"Chancellor Palpatine, my name is Theca Rouyn, Jedi Knight, and I have some questions that I hoped you might be able to answer for me. It would take but a moment of your time." I promised him, lifting my hand in order to stay his motions, indicating that he should stay and talk to me.
"Unfortunately I do not have the time to talker, I must be going now…"
"Trust me, you will not regret speaking with me, Chancellor. This will take but a moment." Purposefully standing in his way, my sharp gaze levelled upon him made Palpating give pause, considering me for a few moments and our conflicting energies began to collide. He registered my intent, able to sense me through the Force, and a sudden change came over him so that he was no longer the sweet, kindly man who seemed utterly harmless, but a cold, calculative being who was now beginning to view me as a threat to his authority.
"Then by all means, go on." He invited with a sinister edge to his voice as he smiled at me, placing his fingertips together in waiting as I inclined my head towards him then began to move about the room, glancing to the hologram table and communication panel in order to begin surveying it as I spoke.
"There have been a great many truths that have come to light recently, all of them seemingly being connected in one way or another, and all of them spell deceit, misfortune, darkness, and bloodshed. It is a very long story, but one I have carefully constructed together this tale through private investigating, and I cannot help but find myself being led to you, chancellor." Scowling at me slightly, Palpatine questioned me on whose authority I had done this, to which I answered it was my own. "I decided to take a page from Master Skywalker's book, and it has served me well."
"Yes, Anakin Skywalker has always been…a one of a kind Jedi."
"Indeed. In any case, I shall return to my questions, and hopefully you will be able to assist me in making sense of this strange tale. It begins over ten years ago, with the expulsion of Master Sifo-Dyas from the Jedi Council, on account of his insistence that a great war was coming, and that the Republic would need to build an army in order to defend itself. These ideas were viewed as going against the Jedi way, and so he was removed from his seat. Afterwards, it appeared Master Sifo-Dyas commissioned the creation of the clone army on Kamino, alongside a fallen Jedi, Count Dooku. Conveniently, Master Sifo-Dyas was then killed soon after, in a skirmish that should have been easily settled by a Jedi Master, but not only was his body never found, but his ship and weapon were discovered on a moon orbiting the planet of Oba Diah, where a secret mission to negotiate with the Pyke Syndicate took place, Master Sifo-Dyas being in the company of one personal aid to the previous chancellor, who was then captured."
Glancing towards Palpatine who had taken a seat in order to listen, I continued to move about the room calmly, my hands fixed behind my back as I walked. "All of this was orchestrated by one Lord Tyranus, otherwise known as Count Dooku, who appeared to be covering his tracks in order to hide the fact that it was he who commissioned the clone army, over ten years before even a whisper of war began to circulate. What do you say to that, Chancellor?"
"Perhaps Count Dooku has been conspiring to rule the galaxy for many years. To win a war you intend to begin, one must plan a very long time in advance, to ensure that all preparations are complete and maximise your chances at victory." The chancellor answered me as I paused, turning my head so that my bright golden gaze now settled upon him with reproach.
"Precisely." His face fell once more, resuming the wary glower as I resumed my walking. "The clone wars began long before conflict even occurred, the Separatist movement was merely a guise to hide the truth behind the purpose of this war, and that is the return of the Sith. I take you now to the blockade of Naboo, and the events preceding the incident. My first master, Master Bondara, was killed in the Underworld region of Coruscant alongside his padawan, who had been tasked to return to the temple with an informant in order to achieve knighthood within the Order. However, as far as I had been able to learn, they were both attacked and a battle ensued with a mysterious figure, whom I now believe to have been the same Sith that was faced on Naboo, and killed Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Darth Maul. Are you aware of the Sith Rule of Two, chancellor?"
"Vaguely." He ground out, following me with a sharp gaze as I felt the Dark Side continue to gather within the boundaries of the office, centring upon him.
"There are always two Sith. One master, and one apprentice. What I find interesting, however, that during this conflict, you were the one who was then named chancellor, and you have held office ever since. You have gained power, and you have done well out of it. I now turn to more recent events, the first Battle of Geonosis, where the investigations into the attempted assassinations of Senator Padmé Amidala, brought Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who had been following a bounty hunter by the name of Jango Fett, the template of the clone army. There he was captured, along with Senator Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, who was still a padawan at the time, who had gone to his rescue. This prompted the Jedi Order to stage a rescue operation in order to retrieve our fellow Jedi and the Senator, before they could be killed by Count Dooku and the Separatist leaders present. There the Jedi fought, and reinforcements from the clone army arrived in response to the threat we faced, only to be labelled the instigators of war. Amongst all this, it was you again who benefitted, granted emergency powers to raise an army for the Republic, before war could even be certain. Your role was stronger than ever, and throughout this war, you remain in your lofty position."
"But of course, continuity in time of war is vital for the stability of democracy. I must say I do not exactly understand where you are going with all this, young Jedi. It almost appears as if you are trying to label me the villain in all of this." Palpatine said to me as my thoughts remained calm and collected, ensuring that I covered every single point I needed to make to be certain that I had the truth laid bare before the chancellor, before I could then confront him.
"Indeed, but after the war has ended, do you have any intention of stepping aside?" Coldly, he responded that he would follow the wishes of the Senate, but I noted how he did not openly assure me that he would be stepping down. The dark forces were still gathering, and I could feel the effect as several chills went through me. My attention drifted towards the communication panel on the holo-table, and with my hands hidden behind me, I used the Force to press certain buttons and dials, activating the transponder and directed the communication through every channel throughout the Senate, the Jedi Temple and Coruscant itself. I made it a one way transmission, so that everyone could see and hear us, but we could not see them in return, projecting the images of myself and Chancellor Palpatine for the entire planet to see.
"You claimed control of the banking clan, have discreetly encouraged the war to continue whilst neglecting the needs of the people, drawing funds from vital departments in order to fund this war. Our secrets have been repeatedly betrayed, the Jedi have been toyed and interfered with, and I find myself convinced that your kidnapping was staged far too easily to have gone unplanned. You have aroused distrust and suspicion towards the Jedi, promoting the lie that we intend to overthrow the Senate and rule, even going so far as to placing your own representative on our Council. Darkness gathers around you, and even upon the death of Count Dooku, this war still rages, and I am convinced that he was not acting alone. A Sith Master is behind everything, I am convinced of it, and through all of my seeking, researching and investigating, every path leads back to you." Taking a moment to breathe, I then focused on the aspects of the implants that had been placed in all clones from birth.
I told him of my research, how I had recovered a medical droid from Tipoca City from Kamino, restoring some of its memory in order to learn more about the implants, and from there was able to discover that they had a purpose that did not include curbing aggression in the clones. "They have been programmed, programmed to obey a single order that would lead to the destruction of the Jedi. With this single command, every clone throughout the galaxy would be forced to turn on the Jedi and execute them, altering their minds to see them as the enemy. One clone trooper, Kix, he was led to investigate himself after the death of ARC trooper Fives, and with my help, we were able to uncover the truth. The Separatist droids almost kidnapped him as well, before he could reveal the information, however his distress signal reached me in time and I was able to mount a rescue. He has been in hiding ever since after faking his death, so that he would be safe. He is prepared to come forwards as a witness to testify to the true nature of these implants."
"You have indeed been busy. I am surprised that you have been able to develop such a farfetched tale through nothing but speculation. Why have you brought all of this before me? Why not go directly to the Senate? I am certain they would be very interested to hear what you have to say, especially if it is true that you are suspecting me as having a pivotal role in all of this." Palpatine spoke with a sharp edge to his voice so I stopped my pacing and faced him as he slowly rose to his feet, moving out from behind his grand desk so that we were directly opposite one another with nothing between us. I sense violence would soon be upon us. Fearing that I was now touching upon the point of the confrontation, Palpatine appeared determined to listen and then silence me for good.
"Because I wish to know exactly how it is you have become involved. You are either being manipulated by the true Sith Master and it is they who is in control, or you yourself are the Sith that we have long been searching for." I told him, remaining relaxed and focused. "I sense a great darkness within you, the Force is disturbed by your presence, it warps and convulses around you though you try to hide it, and my instincts have never been wrong. They have led me to you, and so before you I stand. If the war was to end in Republic victory, as it is swaying, then you will be the Supreme Chancellor of the entire galaxy, with power unlimited, and control over the military, the banks, and the Senate. I do not believe you will give all this up. It is not the nature of the Dark Side to be satisfied so easily. If you are Sith, then you will desire more, more power, more control, until you are the Ultimate Supreme, and the Sith Empire will be restored through you. Tell me, chancellor, how accurate would you say my mere speculation to be?"
For the longest time, the chancellor said nothing as I sensed guards now rushing towards the door, but I used the Force to keep it sealed shut as I had my back turned to it, continuing to study the chancellor, who began to smirk and grin until a sinister, chilling cackle began to expand from him until the laughter filled the entire room. "Foolish girl. You should have not confronted me alone. I wonder how it is that a mere nobody such as you were able to discover so much without my notice. I have been so careful in my planning, so precise, and yet you, a Jedi Knight of no consequential power uncovered the truth." The wild cackling was now boiled down to an angered rage as Chancellor Palpatine unwittingly admitted to me that I had been correct, and now, the entire Senate, the Council and Coruscant knew it, for the transponder was still active. "Ah…I see it. You yourself have been touched by the Dark Side of the Force. You have sampled its power, and you move through it with ease."
"I have experienced dark times in my life. In weakness, I almost succumbed, but I prevailed over these trials and returned stronger. I am in perfect balance and harmony, both the Light and Dark within are held in equivalence." I responded freely, feeling no shame to hide the fact that I had been influenced by the Dark Side before, but had learned to temper it within me. It was most likely for this reason I had gone undetected by the chancellor for so long, as he had not thought to observe his own shadows where I had moved unseen.
"No matter what you have uncovered, I sense that you have acted alone, and did not tell anyone of your coming here. You are utterly and entirely alone." Flicking out his hand I observed a lightsaber hilt jump into his grasp, summoned from within his robes through the Force, and with a hum of energy, a crimson red blade appeared at his side. I remained standing perfectly still. "It is true. I am Darth Sidious, Master of the Sith, and the one who will unite this galaxy into an Empire in which I shall reign supreme! Long have I planned, gaining my political power through arduous plotting, and I shall not see my endeavours be overcome by a mere, insignificant Jedi. You shall die alone, and your life shall end in the same meaningless way it began." Releasing a powerful screech, the Sith Lord launched himself at me and I felt the effects of his cry shatter through my serenity.
It threw me off balance, off focus, breaking through my mental barriers and it was only due to my honed reflexes that I was able to react at all. My lightsaber flew into my hand, both blades igniting as I blocked the Sith's first strike which brought me down upon one knee. Red melded with the blue, casting a purple ray over our faces, though Darth Sidious's expression was darker and far more sinister as his eyes began to change to a yellowish red. "So you admit it?" I struggled, barely able to hold back his blade as my arms trembled under the pressure. "You admit that everything was your doing. The war, your rise to power, it was all to end the Republic and reform the Sith Empire."
"Everything I did was for power, unlimited power! And I shall not rest until I have what is owed to me." He snarled, drawing back in order to strike again as I managed to recover a little of my defences. I was unable to parry or attack, merely block, evade and deflect his attacks as he rapidly began to push me backwards. I knew that I would not win a fight against such a powerful Sith Lord, however it was to my great fortune that at that moment, the door was finally burst open and the guardsmen came rushing inside, though now that they had finally broken their way through, they were uncertain of what to do.
The distraction allowed me to regain my footing and balance, strengthening my stance so that I could continue to defend myself against Sidious. "Your reign is over before it has even begun, Sith. You think we have been alone this entire time? You have spilled your secrets to the galaxy, and now everyone knows what you are." Twirling my blades with a flourish, I then held my weapon poised behind my back and pointed over to the transponder, causing Darth Sidious to frown and look. When his eyes fell upon the flashing light which signalled that the transceiver was active, he stood in shock before then shrieking.
Everyone else in the room was forced to cover their ears, the crippling sound rattling at our minds and shattering everything within like we were made of nothing but glass, invoking memories of pain, loss, and fear in its wake. With a slash of his sword, Darth Sidious destroyed the transponder before then turning on me once more as I lay on the floor, slumped against one of the seats in the office from the effects of his scream. Such dark power. I truly had no hope of defeating him. He sprung towards me, flying through the air and I barely rolled out of the way in time, swinging myself back onto my feet though I was trembling.
The guards had their weapons aimed at the both of us, trying to order us both to stand down however Sidious sent them all flying back with the Force before he then turned his hand upon me, releasing powerful bursts of lightning. I dove aside, dodging them and swiftly moved to escape, slashing my blade through a chair to separate it from the wall before launching it at Sidious to give me that split second chance to get away, and it was enough. I was out the door instantly, though I could sense Darth Sidious pursuing. Getting no further than the end of the hallway, I turned in order to engage once more, my flawless defensive style keeping him from breaking through for the most part, though he was now getting closer and closer to landing a blow as he learned my style and began to look for weaknesses.
Pain from my stomach came from the surgery wound which had yet to properly heal, but was masterfully sealed so I did not worry for it opening again, but Sidious quickly noticed it as a particularly weak area for me and aimed for it repeatedly, attempting to use my injury against me as I continually backed up. My reactions and movements were not the result of careful thought and focus, but of sheer instinct and wilfulness to survive even for just a few moments longer. I did not have time to think, only allow my blades to move together as they separated then joined once more, constantly changing grips in order to maintain a powerful defence which could not be broken through.
In an opening, I chose to send Sidious flying backwards with the Force, allowing me time to rush to the elevator and slide the doors open despite there being no compartment. Without hesitation I leaped through it, closing the blades of my lightsaber as I fell rapidly through the dark tunnel of the elevator shaft. I could see the compartment below, descending downwards though I was rapidly catching up as it had stopped but was soon beginning to move. With a Force lift, I decreased the descent of my fall so that I landed lightly then drove one blade through the top in order to cut a circle, breathing rapidly as I sliced an opening and then dropped through into the compartment of people who all gasped and shrieked in shock at my appearance. "Do not fear, I will not hurt you." I told them briefly, deactivating my lightsaber before then exiting at the next door.
My intention was to get help, hoping that clones and Jedi Masters were on their way already in order to capture Sidious now that the truth had been revealed. I only had to lead Sidious out into the open, to make it easier to take him alive and overpower him without risking anyone innocent being caught in the crossfire. I moved quickly, but when I heard that same Sith scream, I launched myself upwards into the air with several rotations, activating both blades and separating my staff in order to use both to block the attack that came at me, using my momentum for added strength to throw off Sidious's attack before landing with a slide, the both of us facing one another again. "Resigned to revealing yourself, have you Sith?" I questioned as all present began to scream and back away, guards rushing towards us along with numerous probes which had come to record the confrontation now that we were out of the Chancellor's office.
"It matters not. By the end of today, the Jedi will all be dead, and I will be the unchallenged ruler of the galaxy." Sidious snarled before beginning to attack the guards, including the clone troopers stationed to protect the senate building. I launched back into the fight, joining the fray in order to protect as many as I could, deflecting blows though Sidious was far too powerful, and with a Force push that arced outwards in a full circle, I found myself soon colliding with the wall which caused me to cough and splutter, but I had no time to recover. Diving aside, the red blade caught a lock of my hair as I evaded the blow which made to cut off my head, loosing several chunks as the smell of burnt hair now filled my nostrils.
"What do you mean, 'the Jedi will all be dead'? Is it to do with the microchips you had implanted in the clones?" I guessed, as it was the most logical explanation as Sidious smirked at me, now looking less and less like the chancellor from before and more like a withered old man who had been physically corrupted by evil.
"It is not how I intended my plan to unravel, but all the same, it shall prove effective." Reaching into his robe, Sidious retrieved a handheld transponder, causing me to frown. My senses and instincts told me that no matter what, I could not allow him to make contact to anyone outside the Senate, and when his aged face grinned at me, the next words he spoke caused all warmth to flee from my body so that nothing but a cold dread remained. "With this order, all Jedi shall be hunted and exterminated." Hunted. Exterminated. No, no I could not allow that. I could not allow the Jedi to become mere prey in a galaxy, to be slaughtered by our thousands. To know what it was to be chased and hunted for years on end, I would not wish a fate upon anyone. A dark fury boiled within me, combining with the fierce intense sensation of duty and willingness to sacrifice anything to protect those I held dear, I thought mostly of Seya as I gripped my lightsaber and rushed forwards as Sidious contacted one of the clone commanders, Commander Cody, and began to speak. "Commander Cody, execute Order…"
Reaching with the Force, I seized the transponder and crushed it, cutting off the transmission as I then rolled my upper body under the swing of the Sith's blade, rising whilst twisting to block the next attack behind my back and as I moved, I twisted the top lightsaber from its twin and turned, guiding the block over my head before then leaping upwards so that my body was completely flat and parallel to the floor, still sweeping my opponent's blade in a full circle downwards and around as he began to open his mouth to scream at me. It was in that moment that my other blade flew through my grip, twirling through my fingers before I thrust it forwards with extreme precision and focus as everything seemed to slow down around me, time itself become nothing but a gradual flow that had been stalled through hyper-focus and intense concentration which took in even the most minute detail of my surroundings.
The light flowed through me, carrying me forwards as I pushed my lightsaber forwards and straight into Sidious's mouth before then slicing it outwards, cutting through the soft flesh of his tongue and cheek to cause him a pain riddled howl. The member of muscle flew from his mouth as I had cut it off, keeping him from being able to form the words and give the order that would lead to the destruction of the Jedi. I knew that the microchip implants would force them to obey a certain command, and I felt that this was it. The command to eliminate all Jedi. Landing upon my feet with a deep exhale of relief, the bright flash of red flared before me and rocked backwards sharply, naturally rising to defend myself though I felt a sudden pain in my leg, my arm, through my shoulder, across my lower stomach right over my surgery wound and then felt the inexplicable pain of having lightning flare through my body.
Screaming, my lightsaber flew from my hand as I was attacked with the full force of Sidious's fury, the energy crackling through me until I was flying, soaring through the air only to crash upon the ground. The sound of the Sith's scream followed, growing more intense the closer he came in his leap and I saw his weapon held high over his head, a horrendous scar now formed on one side of his cheek from where I'd sliced through it, and readied myself for death. I accepted it, already at peace in the knowledge that all life was ephemeral, and that I was to become one with the Cosmic Force, as was my destiny.
The blade swung down, and I maintained eye contact with the Sith, intending to die without fear as he brought his weapon to strike me dead. Before it could be done, however, the crimson blade was blocked by numerous others, a collection of blue, green and a single purple lightsaber which had formed a shield above me, and with a light gasp, I saw the Jedi Masters had finally arrived. I lay perfectly still, staring as in the next moment, they flung Sidious off me and began to duel, Master Windu leading the attack with the other masters also following, including Kit. I could sense his anger, but he had it under control, allowing him to properly focus on Sidious as I began to struggle to get up.
Two clone troopers grasped me under my arms and pulled me back away from the fighting as more Jedi swept through the open hall of the Senate building, troops pouring inside with their weapons raised as they secured the perimeter and quickly escorted all civilians and senators away from danger and to safety. That was when I saw Anakin Skywalker, rushing forwards with a look of alarm, stopping for a moment to take in the scene as I was helped to my feet. "Anakin." I breathed, struggling to recover and felt incredibly weakened from my bought from the Sith. I sensed such darkness within him, clouded and conflicted. "Anakin."
"They can't kill him, I need him. I need him to save Padmé." Confused at his words, I reached out and grabbed hold of his arm in order to read the forefront of his thoughts as they were completely open and unguarded in his state of mind. I saw Padmé in his nightmares, dying in childbirth, and the terror that polluted him. Such darkness, and all of it had been encouraged and manipulated by Darth Sidious, hearing his words echo in my head as he spoke of how he could save Padmé, having learned from his old master how to sustain the life of others through the Force. My grip on him tightened.
"Ani." Speaking with all the affection and wisdom I could muster, I forced him to look at me as I gave a sharp tug on his arm, bringing him around so that we were face to face. "Do not be a fool, Anakin. Even if he could save Padmé, he would not. Not if it meant driving you closer to the Dark Side through your anger and grief. He is using you, as he has used all of us. If you follow this path you are on, I sense you will be the one to kill Padmé." I said as the Force guided my words, prompting me in what to say to him that would make him see sense. "You will lose her, if you lose your way." Letting go of his arm, I then brought my hand to rest over his heart, able to feel it pulsing wildly underneath as he trembled, the fear of letting go holding onto him still. "Trust in your instincts."
It was the greatest advice I could ever offer, for our instincts were attuned in ways that our hearts and mind were not. They could not be tricked, or fooled, or persuaded, they were constant and when practiced, more accurate than anything else in the galaxy. Anakin tensed and made an expression of pure wretchedness as I then winced, feeling my strength waning as my injuries and pain caused me to stagger. Alarmed, Anakin swiftly moved to help me, drawing me against his body in order to support me before ordering that I was moved aside as the Sith then noticed him. "Anakin, you see what the Jedi have accomplished? They seek to take over, they seek power for themselves! If they kill me, then you shall lose everything." He spoke, having killed several of the masters and a great number of clones so that now, only a few remained. "Anakin, I can show you power and freedom unlike any other. Join me. Help me strike down these enemies, and you can save the one you love."
Anakin wavered in that moment, wanting nothing more than to take the extended hand in order to complete his transition to the Dark Side and become as powerful as Sidious promised, all to save Padmé. Yet, he still hesitated. I took this as my chance, shaking off the clones that were trying to pull me away in order to force myself to stand on my own two feet and shouted with all the desperation I possessed. "You are the Chosen One, Anakin, help us!" Flinging out my hands, I followed the will of the Force and allowed it to flow through me, directing it at Anakin with all the hope and light I could summon to send it rushing at him.
Like the burst of a sudden and swift sunrise after the long night, Anakin became fuelled with the pure energy of the Light, and it chased away the hooded confusion and uncertainty of the Dark Side. Memories cascaded through his mind, of his happiest moments in his life, of his loved ones, of Padmé, and how he had grown from a youngling all the way to a man who would most likely become the greatest Jedi Master of us all. I poured it all into him, helping him to break away from the cloud of shadows so that he could think and feel with clarity, and a radiance began to shine around him as a physical manifestation of the Force.
He drew his lightsaber and launched himself at the Sith, engaging in battle as I then allowed my hands to drop and found myself unable to hold on any longer. I dropped, one of the clones catching me and I briefly heard Kit calling my name before I blacked out, unable to tolerate a moment longer of wakefulness.