Her

They reach his apartment in maybe an hour, a strange choice for a descendent of house Palpatine. She remembers him telling her about the big house in Convergence, but this was small and modest place. The distinctiveness in each of Naboo's venues is like black and white. Even in it's people. And Palpatine's new found home didn't match his insane search for power.

"What a beautiful place." Marilla marvels at one big chandelier. "When did you get it?"

"Not long ago." The Hatred in his voice hasn't disappeared since they left the swamp. They are walking what feels like ages and continue through the corridors of the small place.

"Did he make you do it?"

"What?"

"Kill your parents?"

Palpatine stops in his way to the main room. He sighs.

"No. I did that on my own." He speaks the truth, she know it had been a hidden crime, one that would hurt his chances at becoming anything important. She also realizes he isn't lying to her any longer. 'Why?'

Palpatine continues to walk towards a big window; it provides a view over Naboo like no other. "This is why I got it."

Marilla joins him. The city beautiful in the dark, filled with lights and life. "This seems very contrary to your personality, Palpatine."

"Don't call me that."

"Then, what am I suppose to call you? You have no other name, do you?"

"You know very well I do." He turns to Marilla, grabbing her by the wrist, forcefully. "What do you want, Marilla?"

She opens her hand in a fast reflex throwing him across the room. Realizing her doing, Marilla runs to Palpatine, fallen on his back trying to stand up. "Are you insane?" he yells.

"I'm so sorry, Palpatine. Sometimes it's hard to control it." She puts a hand on his arm helping him. But he doesn't need help.

Palpatine raises his hand towards her neck and squeezes the air, just like he did in his morning training. She struggles to find air, her neck tightening. The Dark Side of the Force is hard to reach, so she gets to her lightsaber instead. Tucked well in her robes, she grabs it and turns it on with effort. *SWOOSH* A bright celestial blue comes to life. Marilla swings at Palpatine, forcing him to drop the hand and lose focus.

She breathes heavily on the ground, grabbing her throat and dropping the saber next to them. Palpatine stares at her, weak and then at his hands. His breathing controlled, but a tiny bit scared.

"Don't. Do that. Again." Marilla tries.

He seems lifeless. Why aren't they in an involved fight? 'What is wrong?' she allows herself to wonder.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Palpatine asks facing his hands with a blank stare. "I was powerful! I was controlling it!" this time he screams facing her.

Marilla turns her own hand to him, defenseless. There's an understanding look in her eyes. "It's alright, I feel it too. The weakness, whenever I think of you. That's what we need to fix. That's why I need your help."

Palpatine looks at her with mad eyes. Standing up he leans over Marilla who's still on the ground, hand turned to him.

"Please…" she begs.

"I have no weakness! My name is Darth Sidious! Nothing can stop me, much less a traitor, a padawan!"

"Sidious?" tears grow in Marilla's eyes. "Is that what you want to be called from now on? Huh? When was I ever a traitor, Palpatine?"

Palpatine screams in rage grabbing her once again by the neck through the means of the Force. He reaches for his saber and lights it an intense red. He's ready to strike her, but something stops him. A strong migraine reaches his head and he bows in pain. Marilla drops with a thump on the floor trying to catch her breath. She crawls to get her weapon while he screams in pain.

"That's it, Palpatine! That's what happens! It's some sort of a disease!" She explains while pulling the saber towards her.

Palpatine grabs his saber and tries to strike her again despite the pain, but she stops him just in time. Blue clashing against red. Jedi vs. Sith.

"What is it?" he asks madly.

"Master Yaddle, tells me it's a rare happening. That it can only be explained by destiny. We need to fix it. Otherwise I can't be named a Master Jedi by the council."

They both struggle to hold their ground and not give in to the other one's lightsaber.

"Why?"

"She says it's love."

The word "love" echoes in Marilla's mind, and she witnesses as Palpatine finishes this fight peacefully, by turning off his saber and walking away from her.