Avschick33 – Unfortunately, you're right; there just isn't going to be a happy ending for our favorite couple. I'm so glad you're sticking with me though – that means a lot!
ThoseWereTheDays – Thanks for your patience and understanding. I wish I could update more frequently, but my free time is scarce. Hope you enjoy what I cobbled together – it took me awhile to get it the way I wanted it, especially since this is such a key turning point of the story.
meandmysharpie – Aw, congrats on your new puppy! How sweet! I adore dogs of any shape, size, breed, etc. My husband I have a Westie – your puppy was probably bigger than her the day it was born! Ha! As for the story, I'm thrilled that you're continuing to enjoy it. And it's so cool that you noticed the deep friendship developing between Padmé and Obi-wan. He would lay his life on the line for her and not just because he swore he would do so. That's how close they've become.
Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – I'm so glad you think angst is delicious because you practically get a feast this chapter! I love your enthusiasm – makes me smile each and every time.
BabaBiP – Yay! Thank you so much!
Haydenfan89 – Yeah, poor Anakin is not having a good week, is he? And as you will soon see, it's not going to get any better. Yikes!
The Elvish Jedi – Ta-da! Another chapter! Sorry it took awhile – the holidays have really sucked up the limited free time I did have. Hope you feel it's worth the wait though – this is a big chapter! I appreciate the kind words – let's see if I can keep you on the edge of your seat a bit longer.
HaChosenOne – Sorry the update wasn't any quicker – things are crazy these days! But I'll keep plugging away whenever I can!
Eriks leadinglady – It's great to see you again – I understand how hard it to find time to review every now and again, but you sure did come back with a vengeance. I cracked up through the entire paragraph. I can only imagine what you're going to think of Anakin / Palpatine when you get through this chapter. Oooh boy, it's not going to be pretty. :-P Well, I hope you enjoy! We're actually starting to take the first steps towards the finale!
ALL - Finally, an update! I have to warn you though - it's going to get pretty angsty now that we're approaching the home stretch. If you find yourself needing an antidote, I humbly offer a holiday-themed challenge response I recently penned called "A Perfect Illusion." As for this story, I'll post again as soon as I can, but just in case it's not till the new year: HAPPY HOLIDAYS, DEAR READERS!
Palpatine tossed the com-link on his desk, savoring the sweet taste of victory.
He would be the first to admit that his plans hadn't gone as smoothly as he would have liked. In fact, Anakin's unexpected depature had been such a betrayal, he had considered destroying the young man. Thankfully, years in the public eye had taught him never to tip his hand, even when things were at their bleakest. And so, the politician had taken a deep breath and settled in for a wait.
It didn't take long.
The instant his personal com-link buzzed, he had felt the thrill of anticipation clear to his toes. Skywalker's desperation was shrieking across the Force, piercing his senses with the acuity of a thousand knives... Taking a long sip of tea - and then another - he finally decided enough time had passed and lazily accepted the transmission.
It soon became clear that his attempt at punishment was unnecessary - Anakin had already been tortured enough.
It seemed the young man had stumbled across his wife's "funeral." It was a situation Palpatine had hoped to avoid since intercepting Amidala's missive about her faked death, but the situation worked to his advantage more effectively than he could have ever imagined. Anakin had become so distraught, he hadn't left the Naboo hillside... effectively missing the fact that the citizens were mourning a decoy.
The whirr of his datapad brought the Chancellor's attention back to the task at hand. Scanning the screen, he reviewed the status report he had requested earlier that morning. Yes, everything was falling into place. There were only a few more strategic nudges he had to make, and then the Chosen One would belong to the darkness.
Forever.
MUSTAFAR, TEMPORARY QUARTERS OF SENATOR AMIDALA
Padmé's eyes sparkled as she watched Threepio place the last entree on the nicked tabletop. Evidently, the droid had discovered some nice serving pieces and the dishes gleamed beautifully in the candlelight.
"Impressive," she smiled. "I have to say, you have outdone yourself."
"I appreciate the compliment. You see, not only am I fluent in many forms of communication, but I have also learned several culinary-"
"And we are most grateful for your expertise," Padmé interrupted smoothly. "I hate to ask you to do yet another chore, but would you please make sure Artoo has everything he needs to assist Captain Antilles?"
"Yes, of course."
The droid toddled from the room, leaving three amused dinner guests in his wake.
"He's something else," Bail chuckled.
"Yes, he is," Padmé agreed. "I wouldn't trade him for anything though. He's practically family."
"He has also been a great help with the twins." Obi-wan removed the cover from a dish brimming with seasoned vegetables as he spoke, his mouth already watering. "I think they're growing quite accustomed to him - Leia especially. She's just like Anakin; show her something shiny and metallic and she's completely entranced."
"They are beautiful children; Knight Skywalker has got to be bursting to meet them." Noting the sheepish blush that spread across his colleague's face, Bail surmised, "You haven't told him about their birth, have you?"
"Not yet."
"Padmé..."
"Bail, this isn't an announcement I want to make over a Holo-transmission!" she argued hotly. "I sent him our coordinates and told him to come as soon as possible. That's all I can do."
Obi-wan patted her clenched fist until it relaxed. "Anakin is involved in a high-stakes operation, Senator Organa. The Council expected he would be out of touch here at the end. Unfortunately, no one could have anticipated the timing would be as bad as it is."
"Is he investigating Chancellor Palpatine?"
The Jedi paused, considering how to best respond. "Let us just say that he is leaving no stone unturned."
Bail leaned back in his chair. "The results of his investigation must be disturbing, or you wouldn't have asked me to risk coming here for these battle strategies."
"We both know there is a large number of Senators who have refused to turn their back on the Chancellor," Padmé interjected. "They simply have too much to lose if he falls out of power. We must be prepared in case this battle cannot be resolved with words alone."
Bail sighed regretfully. "You are correct, of course."
The rest of the meal passed quickly, the conversation gradually shifting to more cheerful topics. Dessert was a few moments from being served when Obi-wan gripped the table and moaned, shattering the peaceful evening.
"What is it?" Padmé blurted. "Are you all right?" When the Jedi didn't respond, she stood so abruptly her chair went flying. The loud crash woke the dozing infants and they began to sob, adding to the atmosphere of confusion.
"There's a disturbance in the Force," Obi-wan finally ground out. "Something is happening, something powerful. It's dark, oppressive..."
Padmé swallowed her fear, attempting to soothe the twins with her touch and whispered words: "It will be all right. We're fine, everything is going to be fine." Her efforts were rewarded as the cries ceased, yet tiny arms and legs continued to flail in an outward display of unease.
"Master Kenobi," Bail prodded. "What can I do to help?"
"See that Padmé gets back into bed and prepare her belongings for immediate departure. Eight-Bee will be by shortly to change her dressings - make sure she doesn't argue or talk the droid into any shortcuts. I will return to my quarters to meditate."
The two Senators watched silently as the Jedi Master rushed from the room, never looking back.
NABOO - OUTSKIRTS OF THEED
Anakin swiped a trembling hand over his mouth, trying to ignore the incessant churning of his stomach. He hadn't eaten in days so the nausea had only caused him to heave violently until his legs gave out. Blue eyes remained glued to his wife's coffin, silently watching the procession trail into the cemetery and out of sight.
He clawed at the ground, waiting for tears that wouldn't come. He didn't understand how this could have happened. Obi-wan had promised to keep his family safe and his former Master never broke a promise. Why did it have to be this one?
Because he does everything the Council asks, a sickly voice whispered. They wanted her out of the way. No interference, no distractions.
He tried to push the implications away, but they refused to disappear. Was he stupid for following the will of the Council? He only wanted to prove himself, but he never meant...
The voice was there to reassure him. They took advantage of your eagerness, seized on the traits that were ingrained in you from a very young age.. from your time as a slave.
Deep inside, a part of him grew cold with shame before the heat of his rage incinerated even that. It broke over him like a tidal wave, awakening a power he hadn't experienced since the day his mother had died. Yet this time, he couldn't find the will to bury it... or even the desire. Instead, he allowed the tendrils to expand until they blocked out everything... even the excruciating pain in his heart.
And finally, he could breathe again.
"Knight Skywalker? Is that you?" a voice suddenly called.
No more.
He rose, activating his saber with a flick of his thumb. The blade banished the twilight, casting an eerie glow across his face as he lashed out. He felt the give that came with a fatal strike into flesh, but instead of revulsion, he felt... vindication.
The two bodies slowly folded into each other before slumping to the ground. There wasn't time to think, to consider the implications of what he had done... because another approached.
Kit Fisto.
The Nautolan's lekku twitched, the only visible sign of his apprehension as he examined his surroundings. Something was wrong - the shift in the Force had been prominent, even though the meaning behind it remained unclear. Shaking his head, he was on the verge of exiting the clearing when his boot brushed against something soft.
A body. No... even worse... two bodies.
"Whie? Zett? No..."
His dark eyes darted from one side to another, hoping to find something that might identify the killer. As he searched, a dark form materialized from the trees... a young man wearing a Jedi cloak.
"Anakin?" he choked. "What are you doing here? No... You mean... you did this?"
He didn't get an answer, but he wasn't really expecting one. Through the Force, he could sense the darkness devouring the last vestiges of the man he had known as Anakin Skywalker.
And then he fell.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER - CHANCELLOR'S SHUTTLE
The engines pulsed, vibrating the interior until it gave a rather undignified series of rattles. Another burst of power and the ship broke through the outermost layer of Naboo's atmosphere, settling into orbit to await further commands.
Its errant pilot, howerver, was holed up in the 'fresher, scouring droplets of blood off his hand. He had been at it for so long that the flesh had grown pink and irritated, yet he hadn't stopped. Letting out a howl as disinfectant seeped into raw skin, he shut off the water and bowed his head. He might have stayed like that forever were it not for the familiar voice that rang through the cabin.
"Anakin? Are you there?"
He contemplated letting the Chancellor's hail go unanswered, but a sense of loyalty had him trudging into the cockpit and taking a seat before the blue-tinted image. "I'm here, sir."
"Thank the Force! I wanted to speak with you before they came for me!"
"They?"
"The Jedi! They've eliminated Senator Amidala and I'm next."
At this, he sat up straighter. "What do you mean?"
"I knew this would happen. They fear our potential… the power we could have! With my deep knowledge of the Force and your innate abilities-"
Anakin bit his lip so hard he tasted blood. "You... you know the Force?"
"Please forgive my deception, Anakin. I know you've had enough of that the past few days, but surely you realize I couldn't reveal such knowledge - not to the Jedi. They would have destroyed me."
"You're a Sith?" The nausea threatened to return.
"That's nothing more than an archaic title." The holo-image flickered as Palpatine waved his hand carelessly. "I've simply expanded my education beyond the dogmatic teachings of the Jedi. Besides, you might find that my way of thinking is well-suited to you, Anakin. After all, I never would have forbidden you from protecting those you love."
Anakin's heart seized as he thought about his mother... Padmé... the baby he'd never know. The anger broke free from its feeble prison and sank its talons into him once again. Free me and you will free yourself, it promised.
"I can't get there in time to help you!" he cried in frustration.
The Chancellor gave him with a paternal smile. "I appreciate your concern, my friend, but please don't worry; as long as I know you are on my side, I can take care of myself."
"But the Jedi... you're incredibly outnumbered."
"Remember our talks about the clone soldiers, my boy. This is just the type of situation they trained for, but I still need your support, Anakin. The Republic cannot be saved without your loyalty."
Anakin hesitated and the ensuing silence allowed the murmur from Palpatine's Holo-net feed to take center stage. The Chancellor hurried to mute the content, but it was too late. The reporter's comments about Senator Amidala's 'beautiful' funeral had come through loud and clear.
"Do it," Anakin growled as he sank to one knee. "Execute Order 66, my lord, and take me on as your apprentice."
"Very good. You have made a wise decision, my friend."
"What would you have me do, my Master? Shall I return to Coruscant?"
Palpatine adjusted his robes, straightening them until the folds hung smoothly. "I believe you still have some unfinished business, do you not? I would be glad to help with that."
Anakin glanced at the navigation controls, which were now flashing red and green. "You are transmitting coordinates?"
"The shuttle is simply awaiting your command. Go to Mustafar, destroy your wife's killer and avenge her... Those three Jedi were only a start."
Blue eyes flashed yellow. "You know about that?"
"You will quickly learn that there isn't much you can hide from me, my apprentice. The Jedi may have deserted you, but I shall not. Together, we will defeat our enemies and protect the citizens of the Republic. No longer will we allow the nefarious Order to interfere."
"I will contact you when my mission is complete, Master."
"Until then, show no mercy... Lord Vader."