Anakin soon found himself outside of Palpatine's office. He only hoped the Sith Lord was still in there. Not missing a beat, Anakin forced the door open by hot-wiring the control panel, ready to take down the tyrant who had nearly (and in many ways, already) destroyed his life. The older, scarred man still sat at his desk, facing the window. He felt a strange deja vu come over him. He knew he had been here before, but now would be different. He had a mission. He had to destroy the man that already nearly destroyed the universe. He was quickly pulled out of his thoughts as the Emperor's chair turned to face him.
"Skywalker. You're a little early. Your execution isn't until morning." he said, calmly.
Anakin huffed. "I think you know why I'm here, your majesty." Palpatine raised a disfigured eyebrow.
"Oh? Please, humor me."
"I am here to put an end to your rule, Palpatine." Anakin replied sharply, pointing a gloved hand at the older man.
"You dare try to defy me, boy." he snarled, standing up.
"You lied to everyone. The Jedi were wrong, but they didn't need to be destroyed. You were the one who was destroying the Republic, not them." Anakin continued, holding his ground.
"You made it too easy, Anakin. You were so desperate for a friend. All I had to do was convince you that your precious Padme would die. Eventually, I would have killed her, but by then it would have been too late, and you would have been mine."
Anakin struggled to hold his temper in check. One slip up, and he'd be back to where he was during the Purge.
"How dare you." Anakin hissed. "You will pay for your deceit."
"You really think you can defeat me, Anakin? Just make this easier on yourself. Surrender to my teachings, and all will be as it should," he coaxed, grinning.
"Enough. I will do what I must. I can't allow you to continue ruling over the galaxy." Anakin raised his lightsaber.
"You foolish Jedi. Anakin, I was so sure that you had some sense. I had hope for you, that you would join me and rule the galaxy by my side," he said, grin fading in slight disappointment.
"I see all those years, you manipulated me. I blame myself. I made it too easy for you, a mistake I will never make again. I am a Jedi. I will never betray the Light." Anakin replied sharply, assuming his attack position.
"Then, old friend," Sidious started, igniting his own lightsaber, "You will die.
Sidious jumped towards Anakin, his blade meeting the young man's. Anakin was surprised at the strength of the Sith Lord, not expecting so much from the older, seemingly frail man. That didn't stop Anakin from fighting back, brushing off one of Sidious's strikes with a Force Push. Anakin charged Sidious, who was regaining his footing, only to have the Sith jump over him. Luckily, Anakin was quick enough to parry a slash to his back. He turned back around to face his opponent, managing to get another shot at Sidious's throat, though it was blocked. Neither man let go of the hold their lightsabers got into, each pushing against the other with the same amount of force. Anakin pulled away, causing Sidious to fall forward slightly. Anakin raised his lightsaber to Sidious's back, but he hesitated. It had been so long since he had killed. After that awful night, he swore he'd never do kill anyone again. But this was different! It should be easy! Come on, Skywalker! Do it! he mentally screamed at himself.
This hesitancy was all Sidious needed to suddenly catch Anakin in a Force Choke-hold. He turned back around to face his opponent, cackling with satisfaction. Sidious then slammed Anakin against one of the walls, leaving a large crack in it. No sound came from Anakin other than a loud gasp as he struggled to take a breath. He was flung again, across the room, and into the grouping of sofas and caf tables. He could feel the splinters of balka wood poking into his skin. He was released from the Force Choke, taking a full breath. Anakin turned his head to see his lightsaber lying a few feet away from him. He reached his arm out, and it was immediately called to him. Ignoring the immense pain as old wounds were reopened, he stood up and ignited his 'saber. Sidious laughed indignantly.
"You think you can beat me? You're too weak. You've already lost, Skywalker." Sidious lowered his lightsaber, and continued, "Unless you join me. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy! I can give you ultimate power!" Anakin's lightsaber remained raised.
"You liar!" Anakin shouted, "You have destroyed so much! If I joined you, I'd only become a pawn, just like Grievous and Dooku. Like Ahsoka. The only reason you want me is because you fear me." Anakin took a step forward, managing to hide the pain he was in. Sidious frowned.
"The Sith fear nothing because they are the most powerful beings in the universe, Anakin. And I will prove that to you. But if you will not join me, then I will get to you, one way or another. I will kill those closest to you, I will kill your family and that pathetic old master of yours. I will kill anyone who has even the smallest of ties to you. And then? Then you will come to me, begging for my knowledge. It is then that I will kill you. I will remind you that it was you who destroyed the lives of all those who had even dared walk into your own pathetic life. Your death will be slow, and painful, and only then will you see that I was right. In your last moments, you will see that the Dark Side is the pathway to power, and you will beg for me to teach you all I know. You will beg to rejoin me. And it is then that I will drive my lightsaber through your already broken heart." Anakin could feel the anger and frustration growing inside the Sith Lord. He knew the old man meant every word he said. I have to end this. He positioned himself in a defensive stance, ready for an attack.
With a yell, Sidious swung his lightsaber towards Anakin. It was blocked, but Anakin lost his defensive position. He then stabbed towards Sidious's left side, which was easily deflected. As Anakin was pulling his lightsaber back to strike again, Sidious kicked him in the chest, causing him to stumble backwards. This gave Sidious an opening, where he slashed his lightsaber across Anakin's face, who cried out and fell to the ground, covering his right cheek. Before he even had a chance to recover, Sidious willed lightning to burst from his fingertips. Anakin writhed in pain on the ground. I can't! he thought. I can't, I have to get out of here! The lightning ceased, and Sidious stepped closer to Anakin, looking down upon him.
Forgive me, Qui-Gon! Master Windu! Master Yoda! Obi-Wan!
"And now, Anakin Skywalker," Sidious chuckled, "You will die."
Oh, Padme. Luke and sweet Leia.
Anakin. The voice of Qui-Gon Jinn sang through the room, however Palpatine didn't seem to hear. With Qui-Gon's voice came a sudden surge from the Force. The inhibitors had finally worn off. He felt stronger, his mind no longer foggy.
Now is your chance. All of your training had led you to this moment. Now seize it!
Anakin barely registered his old master's words before he was once again engulfed by lightning far more powerful than ever before. Any strength he thought he gained from his renewed connection to the Force was suddenly gone. Everything around him turned to white, his screams drowned out by a buzzing in his ears.
Anakin. He could still hear Qui-Gon. Let go of it all. Accept what the Force wills, and you will be able to stop him.
Let go? How the kriffing hell could he just "let go"? Anakin could hardly get thoughts through his brain, let alone tap into the Force. But white was turning to black, and he knew it wouldn't be much longer now. Palpatine seemed to be pushing harder and harder. Anakin could feel blood vessels exploding, his spasms were leaving bones and muscles damaged, possibly beyond repair. He recognized the warm trickle of blood running down from his nose, his skin was on fire. He was dying. He knew he was, there was no point in trying to fight it.
And in that moment of defeat did Anakin Skywalker finally understand what he was meant to do.
With incredible determination, Anakin began taking deeper, slower breaths. The lightning lessened as Palpatine raised a confused eyebrow. The room around the two men began to shake as Anakin raised his hands, putting them in front of his body outstretched towards Palpatine. Suddenly, Anakin found that the lightning wasn't hurting him anymore. It wasn't even hitting him anymore. The lightning was being absorbed into his hands, helping to somehow strengthen him. He felt all of his fears and worries disappear, his guilt lifted from his shoulders. He was no longer thinking about the prophesy, no longer focused on fulfilling it. He thought of his family, and the freedom they should have to live the lives they deserved. He let go of his self-hatred and focused on giving them their best chance. He was no longer focusing on himself in relation to his family, but now he was focused on the rest of his family and how they deserved better. And stang, he was going to give them that better life, whether he was meant to be part of it or not. Palpatine lowered his hands and the lightning ceased. He dared to step closer to the younger man, who still laid on the ground with his eyes closed and chest heaving.
"Impossible. Impossi-!"
Palpatine was interrupted by Anakin, who managed to jump up and, in the process, kick Palpatine in the chin. Anakin landed and called his lightsaber back to him, positioning the blade right at the base of Palpatine's neck.
"No. Anakin, no!" he whimpered, suddenly sounding weak and helpless. But Anakin wasn't fazed.
"Enough is enough, your highness." he replied coolly.
He didn't hesitate this time, and he drove the lightsaber through the Sith Lord's throat. Anakin allowed himself to finally breath as the Emperor of the entire Galaxy fell to the ground, dead.
You have done well, Ani. he heard the proud voice of his old master, and he smiled.
No, it was more of a grin. A grin that soon caused tears to run down his cheeks as a weight that had burdened the galaxy was finally lifted after so many years. Anakin knelt on the ground before the dead tyrant as the sun began to peek out of the black clouds, and continued to cry tears of joy as he realized that he had done this. He finally managed to save everyone. He fulfilled the prophecy. He really was the Chosen One.
Anakin's moment of pure joy was suddenly interrupted, though, by the sound of someone clapping behind him. His smile faded, and he felt his breath catch in his throat as he slowly turned around to face Ahsoka Tano.
"Well, well! I must say I'm very impressed." she hissed, a smirk plastered on her face.
"Snips." Anakin breathed out, frowning at his old apprentice. "I gotta admit, I'm not surprised at all. Unfortunately for you, the others should be off planet by now. Palpatine has failed."
"Oh, believe me, Skywalker, having you kill Palpatine was a bonus. You were my prize all along. As for your family, I'd say I'm doing them a favor by getting rid of you." Ahsoka shifted her weight, her fingers twitching at her lightsaber. Her smirk melted into a frown. "You don't look too good, Skyguy."
"You should know it takes a lot to slow me down." Anakin replied gruffly, though he knew it was a facade. He slowly stood up, using up every ounce of strength he had left to keep from falling back down. "Please, Ahsoka. It doesn't have to be this way. I came back from the Dark Side, and I believe you could do it too."
"Please, spare me," Ahsoka laughed, rolling her eyes, "These foolish religions mean nothing to me now. Forget the Jedi and the Sith. The Light Side and the Dark Side. Pft. I don't need any of that. I just wish it didn't take the person I cared for the most betraying and abandoning me to see that." Her tone of voice had grown darker, as she glared Anakin. He looked away, ashamed.
"I know I really screwed up, Ahsoka. I failed you in so many ways. And I know I will never have your forgiveness." he paused, hoping to see her lessen her hostilities, "But please, please don't do this."
Ahsoka merely responded by pulling her lightsaber and igniting it, a snarl on her face. Anakin sighed, pulling his own weapon out. Before anything else could be said, Ahsoka rushed Anakin, jumping at him. Anakin barely had time to ignite his lightsaber to defend himself. Their lightsabers continued to criss-cross in a flurry of blue and red, a pattern of Ahsoka charging Anakin and Anakin coming to close to being hit by her lightsaber. Anakin was suddenly reminded of their old sparring sessions, but this was different. Ahsoka had changed. Her form was no longer what he remembered. It was more aggressive.
Gone were Anakin's memories of him always beating her in their duels, her exasperation at his cockiness. It was no longer a matter of how long could the master give the padawan the impression that they were actually winning, but a matter of how long the dying could hold off an old friend intent on finishing the job.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi heaved a great sigh as he felt the Force flowing through him again. The inhibitors had worn off, which meant he could sense Anakin through the Force more clearly and not just through their bond. But it didn't take much effort for Obi-Wan to feel immense light coming from Palpatine's office. He did it. Obi-Wan grinned, momentarily forgetting his and the rest of the Skywalkers' predicament.
Imperial reinforcements had arrived and the rebels no longer had an escape route. Worst of all, Ahsoka had disappeared. While Obi-Wan had been grateful for her help in getting them out of the prison and getting them this far, he knew she had different plans for Anakin and for this he decided she couldn't be fully trusted.
Obi-Wan could sense the pain Anakin was in. Sidious had done a fine job with beating the poor man up over the past two weeks. There was no way Anakin would make it through another duel.
He quickly scanned the senate terrace-now turned battlefield- to find Padme. They had been separated when the reinforcements arrived, he had led a counter-attack while she had taken the children to hide. He found them pent up behind a large pillar, Padme blasting anyone who came near them. One stormtrooper had gotten too close, and Padme jumped him, taking him to the ground while still sending other troopers to their graves.
Obi-Wan moved speedily toward the pillar, taking out a few more troopers along the way. Padme flashed him a smile as he watched her back.
"Just like the old days." she shouted back at him.
"Yes I suppose it is!" he replied. The two friends backed each other to the pillar, where they had enough cover to speak.
"Anakin did it," Obi-Wan stated proudly, "Palpatine is gone."
Relief washed over Padme's face. "Then where is he? We need to get out of here!" Obi-Wan shook his head.
"I have a feeling someone has a score to settle with him."
"Ahsoka." she stated, frowning, "Stang! I knew I should have kept a better eye on her."
Silence was shared by the duo as another explosion lit up the terrace. The rebels were making another comeback as a multitude of A Wings descended from the sky.
"Is Anakin okay?" Padme asked, looking up at Obi-Wan. He closed his eyes, then opened them.
"He's in pain. He barely made it through the duel with Palpatine. I have to go help him."
Padme nodded, understanding.
"Take Luke and Leia to the ship. I'm sure the A-Wings were able to rip a hole in the Empire's defenses. They should be able to get a transport out now. I'll go get Anakin."
"And then what?" Padme asked, scooping Luke, who was still unconscious, into her arms. Obi-Wan offered up a smile.
"No worries. Anakin and I will find a way out of here." he replied. "We'll see you soon."
Padme chuckled and shook her head. She took hold of Leia's hand and started for the Tantive IV while Obi-Wan took off for the Imperial Palace, hoping to find Anakin still in one piece.
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Another one done! As you can probably guess, our heroes are not done fighting yet. Anakin and Ahsoka still have to finish things off, and Obi-Wan still needs to step in and duke it out with Ahsoka. I decided to split it all between two chapters, partially because the last half hasn't been completely finished yet and also I don't like super insanely long chapters. It's better this way, just trust me. Plus I know a couple of you are really wanting to find out what happens next.
Anyway, sorry about the little cliffhanger here, but I figured if I'm going to split this chapter into two, here would be the best place to stop.
This story has really taken off and I'm so excited for where we're going. Thank you all so much for the reviews and PM's! I truly hope that you guys understand that you are a part of this story, too. All your encouragements and pointers have really helped me shape this story. I'm not even using the original story as a reference anymore. I hope that you can see that in the story. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Whew, alright enough of my blabbering. I'll update as soon as I can, but we all should know by now that it either means I'll update next week or next month. We'll see how it goes.
Review/Follow/Favorite, etc.
Until next time!
rennywrites