Chapter Ten – The Way Of The Sith
Palpatine's cell was mostly dark with only dim lighting. He was securely bound by metal restraints round his chest and shoulders to an upright metal recliner. His wrists were manacled with binders with chains that were fixed into the floor. They had a built-in shock system so that if the prisoner tried to pull or fight them they would receive painful electric shocks. The same was on the binders which secured his ankles and upper body to the recliner.
The Sith Lord could have broken free from these mere restraints if it wasn't for the infernal caged reptilian creatures which were on the far side of the cell. Ysalamiri, creatures which had the ability to repel the Force by creating a Force-neutral bubble up to far distances.
Deprived from his power, Palpatine was nothing but a weak old man. Nonetheless, Sidious was determined to strike when the moment was right. Nothing was going to interfere with all his years of planning. The Senate would protest when they heard of his arrest. He was the most loved politician in the Republic and many would demand him to be freed and that the charges against him were false, then they would all turn against the Jedi.
Another question he kept asking himself was where had Anakin been? He had planned everything and foreseen him informing the Jedi, having to fight the masters and Anakin would be so driven in his desperation to save Padme that he would come and prevent Windu doing anything to him. But he hadn't come. Why had that happened? He just couldn't figure it out. Had he been wrong? Was Anakin too loyal to the Jedi after all, and tempting him to turn to the dark side hadn't worked? But he had seen it when he'd convinced Anakin to kill Dooku. The darkness inside him was there. His thirst of revenge against Dooku for taking his arm on Geonosis. It was there and he had proved it by beheading the man. But for some unknown reason he had not followed his desperation of learning the power of stopping death. He had not come. Palpatine just couldn't figure any of it out.
The cell door opened, taking him by surprise. The moment he looked up he saw that the guards outside were still standing obediently to attention, and into the cell walked...
"Anakin!" Palpatine exclaimed in delight the moment the door closed behind the young man. "I can't tell how relieved I am to see you."
Anakin met his eyes and Palpatine could see that the young man's face was an expression of pain. "My boy, are you alright?"
Anakin shook his head. "No, I'm not. I feel betrayed. Ever since I met you, I have always looked up to you, almost like a father. And yet all this time you were our enemy. Worming your way into our minds and gaining millions of people's trust, including mine."
Palpatine didn't answer him, he just regarded Anakin, knowing that he probably had more to say.
"And worst of all, you somehow dug into my mind and found out things which were not for other people's ears to hear or even know. I cannot begin to express how devastated I am to now lose someone who I thought was one of my truest friends who was not a Jedi."
Palpatine shifted his wrists which still ached from the restraint of the strong binders. This was probably the last chance he would get to achieve what he had been waiting and working hard for all these years.
"Anakin, please give me the chance to explain. I promise, I never meant to corrupt our friendship. A Sith Lord I may be, but I swear I only meant to bring peace and a new order to the galaxy. An order which would stop the fighting and keep the galaxy and all the planets pacified. And bring an end to the pointless bickering of so many politicians."
Anakin clenched his black gauntlet. "If that was always your intent, then why allow all the droid armies and the death and destruction? That is hardly the work of a pacifist." He almost spat.
Palpatine showed no annoyance at Anakin's tone, he kept his face a mask of sad sorrow. "It was necessary. If I was to recruit many living followers to fight for me, then too many lives would be lost, well at least those who deserved to live. Too many living soldiers were too much of a risk, flesh and blood minds could easily turn and betray at any moment. But not the programming of the droids we created. And imagine the bloodshed and boredom normal men would feel and suffer if they were on constant patrol and having to deal with criminals who refuse to see reason or accept peace."
Anakin's expression had not changed all through Palpatine's explanation and he wished he could feel what the young man was feeling. That way he could see if Anakin understood.
The young Jedi began pacing slowly back and forth. "All the same, you lied to me and kept stuff behind my back. And somehow you or some wretched spy found out my secrets." He stopped pacing and looked Palpatine straight in the eye, his voice low and demanding answers. "How did you do it? Tell me. Did you have someone spy on me or did you use the Force and dig into my mind?"
Palpatine still displayed the face of a distraught old man. "I have the ability to see many things Anakin, even what will happen in the future. That is how I knew about your wife and that the Jedi had made you a spy."
Anakin's jaw opened but no words came out, he took a small step back from the shackled man.
"I swear I meant you no ill will in doing so, my boy. The reason I was looking into you was because I saw great potential in your skills. And I saw that if you were to join my side as my apprentice, you would gain power beyond your wildest dreams. No one could stand up to you or tell you what to do as you have been all your life. First as a slave and now as a Jedi. You have never been allowed to make your own decisions."
Anakin took another step back and though Palpatine was hiding it, he was getting more anxious at Anakin's visible fear and distrust. "Do you not remember what I told you about Darth Plagueis, The Wise? If you joined me, together we could discover the power he once held and prevent people we care about from dying. And you could save Padme from the death you constantly foresee."
The young Jedi almost lost his balance in the blinding shock of the Sith Lord's words. He instantly drew his lightsaber and Palpatine almost dropped his placid guard, it took all his strength to keep the distraught mask on when the blue blade was activated and lit up the whole cell with its blue glow.
"You know about that! How do you know about that?!" Anakin's sharp tone was one which demanded an immediate explanation.
"I told you, Anakin, I can see things. So yes, I know about the frightening future visions you see at night. It pains me so much to see you suffering through the agony of knowing all this and yet there is no one you feel you can turn to. Because you know that if the Jedi find out, you will be expelled as a traitor and with no help to save Padme you will be left alone with no purpose or place in this galaxy." Anakin's gaze fell as he took this all in, but he still held his lit blade up.
"You must sense that the Jedi are trying to take control of the Republic. They don't trust you because they know that you suspect something and they fear your power. If you joined me Anakin, we could fix all this and not just save Padme, but the whole galaxy. We can restore the constant battling politics, make them see reason and peace. I would be the voice of reason and lead everyone to a bright and glorious future. And you could be their protector, you could continue being who the people all know you as, "The Hero With No Fear." Except you wouldn't have to follow any Jedi laws. We can make the decisions ourselves and make things the way we want them to be with no conflicts."
Anakin met his gaze, but the pain was gone from his eyes, his blue orbs now looked interested, and his blade lowered some more.
"The way we want?" He asked quietly.
Palpatine felt his enthusiasm rise at Anakin's interest and chipped in. "The rules will be ours to make and under my guidance you would become more powerful than any enemy you ever faced. You would have the ability to force them on their knees begging for death. And once the enemy is destroyed, you could live with Padme and there would be nothing left to come between the two of you."
The lightsaber deactivated, Anakin lowered the hilt back to his belt and Palpatine relaxed. "I know the Jedi will expel me. I know that their true loyalty is to the Jedi code and they won't help me save Padme. But I can't do this alone. I cannot live without her and I need power to save her, if the dark side is the only way," Anakin said quietly with his head lowered not meeting the older man's eyes. "Ok, I'll do anything you say, just help me gain this power. As long as it will protect Padme from dying."
Palpatine smiled to himself as he cherished his victory. Finally, with Anakin's help he would succeed and take his place as the Emperor of the Universe.
"Very well, we will get to that important business when we're in a more convenient place. For now, it will be impossible for you to break me out while these creatures block the Force and our power. Plus, with the prison guards and Jedi standing guard, you will be too noticeable and no doubt you will be overpowered."
Anakin met his gaze and the Sith Lord could see in Anakin's eyes the same pain Anakin had when he'd first entered the cell. Turning to the dark side was painful to begin with, but soon he would get used to it.
"So what are we going to do? How can we possibly overthrow the Jedi? It would take more than just the two of us and the droids won't stand a chance. Look how many have been destroyed by the Jedi and with the Clone Army fighting at their side," the boy said his voice blank.
"Come closer, my apprentice." Anakin stepped over and Palpatine whispered, "I have had this planned as well, don't fret. Once I am freed from here and my power returns, I shall initiate the end of the Jedi. My plan was so secret that not even the Jedi realize that they will meet their end at the hands of people they know. That there are already dozens of them in their ranks waiting for me to give the word."
"The clones? But there's no way they would turn against the Jedi. They've served them faithfully for the past three years."
"Fear not, my apprentice. I swear that I will explain everything to you, but for now I need you to go to the Separatist's secret base and instruct them to forge another secret army to invade this prison. Only then will you be able to break me out with plenty of distractions."
Anakin nodded, his gaze still looking to the ground. "Ok, but what if they won't listen to me? I am one of the many Jedi who has been fighting against them for a long time now."
Palpatine shook his head. "Don't worry, they will obey you. I informed them beforehand that I would be sending my new apprentice to brief them and give them further instructions. And since you have accepted my teachings, a powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth . . . Vader."
Anakin met his eyes for a moment before giving him a bow and averting his gaze. "Alright, where do I meet them?" he whispered.
"I instructed them to relocate to the planet Mustafar if General Grievous was defeated. They should already be there and be all set up by now, ready to receive orders."
Anakin straightened up and nodded slowly. "When I get the chance to slip away, I'll fly there as fast as I can."
Troubled with the boy's downcast look, Palpatine gave him a sympathetic smile. "Don't fear my friend, if you follow my given instructions then we'll be together again soon and be able to get started on your training."
Anakin nodded once and then headed to the door. When he reached it he was just about to activate the switch when his hand paused in mid-air.
"Thank you...for giving me this," he said.
Palpatine smiled. "Of course, Lord Vader. You're the most powerful force user I've ever known and the only one worthy as my new apprentice."
Anakin activated the door which opened. "That wasn't what I was thanking you for," he said, not looking round.
Palpatine stared at him in confusion, and then to his shock, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu came into view the cell's doorway. Anakin turned back round to face him.
"I was thanking you for the location of the Separatists."
The Sith Lord could not believe what was happening.
"I did truly believe you were a great man. But I can see I was wrong. You're nothing but an evil, lying fiend who cares about no one but yourself." His voice then became tight. "I don't want to ever speak to you or see you ever again!"
"Anakin! You don't know what you're doing!" Palpatine pleaded desperately.
"Farewell…Palpatine," He turned away and exited through the cell's doorway.
Obi-Wan gently touched Anakin's shoulder as he passed and walked away. The two older Jedi entered the cell and stood facing Palpatine with their arms crossed. Palpatine felt his anger rising like a fire on the brink of becoming an inferno.
"You turned him against me!" he snarled through his teeth.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "This was Anakin's idea, not ours."
Mace Windu took a step forward. "So, all this time you were trying to poison his mind and turn him against us." He tilted his bald head to the side. "Was that part of your plans as well? Were you hoping he would come and save you while you were fighting myself and Master Fisto?"
Palpatine didn't answer; he just glared at them silently with malice in his eyes.
"Your silence is answer enough. So you're also a coward, too scared and weak to fight alone so you needed a strong and powerful apprentice to come charging in to save you," Mace continued.
Then Obi-Wan spoke with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. "It also appears that Anakin is stronger than any of us thought he was. He was strong enough to resist the temptation of the dark side. He has proved himself a true Jedi to us this day. And in doing so, all your plans have failed Darth Sidious."
Unable to hold it back any longer, Palpatine threw himself against the restraints and let out a blood curdling yell of ultimate rage. The binders shocked him so violently that he fell back against the recliner and was almost knocked out by the electric blast. He looked up at the Jedi Masters with the putrid yellow eyes of the Sith.
After leaving Palpatine's cell, Anakin encountered Captain Rex who kindly offered to escort him to the prison's exit. It wasn't quick because the cell was in the deepest part of the prison where its high security prisoners weren't granted the privileges to interact, dine or walk free from their cells with the other prisoners. So the journey back to the surface was quite a walk. The clone captain didn't question Anakin's distressed demeanor and only saw to it that no one stopped them and ensured that Anakin left the building. When they stepped out into the clouded daylight he gave Rex a brief "Thanks" and headed off at a normal pace.
Once he was sure Rex was back in the building, Anakin broke into a run until he was far enough away that he could finally feel the Force again. Overwhelmed, he leaned against a building and took several deep breaths. The area was deserted, which Anakin was relieved about because he wanted a moment alone to accept that he had succeeded in his mission to get the confession out of Palpatine. He had known that the only way to get a confession out of him was to play with Palpatine's desires and make him believe he was joining him. Knowing the old man could not feel or use the Force with those creatures imprisoned with him, made it even easier and better, because he would not sense that Anakin was lying or that Obi-Wan and Windu were there right outside the door the whole time. Plus Palpatine had been so engrossed in the conversation and his hunger of power that he also failed to remember the security cameras. There would be a full recording of evidence to prove his identity and guilt to the Republic, along with the footage of his fight at the Senate.
Nonetheless, it had pained Anakin to say all those treacherous things about the Jedi even though they were not true. He had achieved the almost impossible and had succeeded. But none of it had done anything for the pain he still felt from the betrayal and deception of the man who had almost been like a father to him. But now that he had confirmed the location of the other Separatists, he was sure Palpatine would stand trial where he would be declared responsible for starting the Clone Wars and attempting to take ultimate control of the galaxy.
Well Anakin had no desire to be present at his trial because he never wanted to lay eyes on the man ever again. He would not even attend the execution when it happened. Opening his eyes he straightened up and walking at a normal pace, made his way back to the Jedi Temple.
When he arrived, sure enough he found Padme, Ahsoka and the droids waiting for him in one of the corridors.
"Ani?" his tense stance melted as he felt his wife's soft hands gently hold his cheeks. And Ahsoka's hand gripped his flesh and blood hand, which hung limp at his side.
"Oh Padme, oh Snips," his voice carried a shudder which told them he was distressed. Together the two females led him down the hall until they found a comfy bench seat. The three of them sat down, Anakin sat between them.
"Master Ani," are you alright?" Threepio asked with concern in his voice. Artoo beeped with an equal concern for his friend. And gently bumped against his knee. Anakin put his real hand on the droid's dome and took several deep breaths.
"Was the mission a success?" Ahsoka asked, keeping her hand on his back.
Anakin nodded. "Yes. He told me where the rest of the Separatists are hiding."
The Togruta girl patted his back. "I knew you could do it, Sky-guy. I never lost faith in you."
He turned to face his former Padawan and her warm smile was enough to return a smile of his own.
"Thanks, Snips" he said quietly. She leaned in and gave him a hug which he returned.
He then turned to Padme. "But what I had to say to fool him, it pained me, the whole time I was lying, everything I forced myself to say, to think I could have actually meant all of it."
Padme put her arms round his neck. "It's alright Ani, it's all over now. You'll never have to do anything like that again. You're with us now and always will be."
He looked to his wife, his former student, now friend, and their loyal droid friends. He couldn't have been happier that they were all here to comfort him. His family. Without any words to convey his gratitude, he wrapped an arm round the two females and they hugged him tight. He smiled at the two droids, and Artoo let out a happy whistle while Threepio placed a metal hand on Artoo's dome. Together they all let happiness surround them just as a strong beam of sunlight broke free from the dark clouds and shone through the window, bathing them all in its warm light.
Author's Notes
Hello there Everyone! I bet this chapter caught you by surprise after that cliff-hanger. It is one of the few earliest chapters I ever wrote and have had on hold for ages. Please let me know what you thought in your reviews. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be ready but keep enjoying the story as I'm almost sure I've got all the future chapters set out.
Thank you Carrie2sky for you great Beta reading!
May the Force Be With You!
LouisaJane007