(Orbit Of Coruscant – Bridge Of Devastator)

To say she was furious was an understatement. A very gross understatement.

Born Makirya Jade, also known as Fourth Sister, now new leader of the Inquisitorius after killing her predecessor, was issuing orders left and right for the associates, whom they had been she and Vader recruiting for past three years. Killing Sidious was Vader's job. And hers was to take control of the state of affairs.

They both knew it was not easy to do it. They both had almost impossible tasks to perform. But as Vader said, nothing is impossible if one is fearless, ambitious and patient enough. Words of a true Sith. Others in the Inquisitorius, her three colleagues and others still in-training, thought themselves as Sith. But it was far from the truth. She knew it. They were just tools, pawns in a board where fate of the Galaxy was decided. Nothing more than petty Darksiders. Pawns. Only Sidious and Vader were the Sith.

Nonetheless, what Vader did was foolish and he was being impulsive. So, that was the reason she was furious. He shifted the timeline. Their so-called takeover was not supposed to take place at least a year. And now, they had to deviate from the plan. All the deception, thoroughly hiding the schemes from Sidious, careful planning and strategising, everything could end up in Sarlacc's pit. And for what? So that Vader could save the man whose daughter Vader had a crush on. The girl Vader was forced to execute. For Force's sake, the girl was not even Organa's blood.

'Calm down! Such weakness is becoming.', she ordered herself in her mind. She knew she was panicking, but she couldn't help herself. This was Sidious they were going against. That is why.

She pitied the girl, what happened to her. Really. That day everyone, all the younglings there, learnt a lesson. Very important lesson. In this Galaxy, being powerless is a crime itself. Self-pity, sorrow and grief were useless emotions. Galaxy, as a whole, was not a place where one would simply exist and live a content life. It required power. Power to survive. Not just to survive, but to live the way one would want.

And she was in this, completely and wholeheartedly. That was the choice she made. A choice between freedom and servitude. A choice between being powerful and being helpless. A choice between life and death.

Nonetheless, what's done was done. She had to move forward. Vader had provided her enough credits and contacts to disappear in the Outer Rims, if he failed. But she was no coward. Only cowards fleet for their lives. And she would not live her remaining life in hiding. It was simple. Either she would win or die with her own terms. She would free, one way or another. Free of the chains, shackles that was binding her to Sidious.

But if he succeeds... She would have power. Real power. As an Empress, no one could touch her in her new Empire, along with Vader. Just as he promised.

`Empress Jade. Sounds nice!`, she chuckled.

So, she decided to focus on the tasks ahead of herself. Take charge of the communications, establish control of the military and monitor the individuals of power, both military and civilians.

Eliminating the rivals and obstacles would come later, once that karking Sidious is gone.


(Old Training Halls – Below The Throne Room)

Sidious knew he was at a disadvantage here. He knew Vader was a better duellist between both of them. And he has definitely gotten old. His body was not what was once, when he trained with Plagueis, when he slaughters the Jedi that came with Mace to arrest him. Also the scars from the confrontation with Windu did not help.

For an outsider, it would appear that Sidious was gaining foot in the duel with erratic stabs and slashes. But that all it was. An appearance, illusion. In truth, Vader was in control. Sidious's every feint was ignored and every attack was block. Not even distractions with what others would call unfair means helped. If it wasn't the battle for survival, he would have enjoyed the sparring.

Sidious was in trouble here. And he knew it. Vader chose the location and the time for this battle. He laid out the traps. Therefore, one could say that Vader had home-ground advantage. Hence, Vader was in control of the fight. And Sidious' wicked mind was racing several parsec a second. To think of anything that could be useful.

"So, Sidious, what will be your next move?", Vader mocked.

Sidious was fuming. He had enough of this insolence. He would not have any more of it. Instinctively he raised his hand for Force lightning, but stopped himself in time. No, that would only give Vader a window of opportunity. Instead he fell few metres back to give himself room to regroup and think more clearly.

It was then, Sidious realised something more disturbing. His connection with was heavily dampened. But how? Then the only noticed another detail glaring in front of him. Vader was not using full might to fight him.

"What have you done?", growled Sidious baring teeth like fangs.

"So you have finally noticed it.", Vader replied jovially. "Here's a clue. Alderaan's finest delicacy that you enjoy too much. I heard you enjoyed some with your minions while celebrating the end of Rebellion. For someone as paranoid as you, checking it for poison made it more easy."

As if on the cue, everything fell into pieces. Everyone at the dinner, the night before, were served the same cuisine. If it was poison, it would have prevented by his guards, as they always checked for it. Also others who have consumed it would have shown symptoms earlier as they were not Force-sensitive. The most probable answer to that was simple, yet ingenious at the same time. Ysalamiri blood. In very small doses. Harmless to anyone but Force-sensitives. And the guards would have not noticed it as they would detected in time.

"Then, arresting the traitors was just a ruse?", questioned Sidious icily.

"Of course. Honestly, Sidious, if you had not ordered the execution, you would have lived another few months. Maybe a year, at most."

"Was this all because of that tart of a girl?"

Suddenly, Sidious felt the air around them more chilly. So icy that he could felt it in his bones. He observed Dark side swirling around Vader dangerously.

"Yes, but she is only one of the reasons. Many, many reasons.", said Vader in a cold tone. "All of the reasons are nothing compared to what I feel towards you, Sidious. I am doing it because..."

Sidious stared at Vader, waiting.

"I. HATE. YOU.", spat Vader with such hate and venom that Sidious could feel the shivers running through his spine.


(Detention Block – Near Imperial Palace)

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was meditating in his cell. He started meditating a few moments ago when he was brought back here. He needed to think and clear his mind.

He was deeply disturbed by the events that occurred since the botched rescue mission. Especially, the moments before the Sith Apprentice turned on his Master. For few moment then, he was sure that Vader was going to kill him. Such anger and hate towards himself that Kenobi was sure that Vader was not faking it. No one other in that room, but towards him. Not against Organa, Amidala or Mothma. Not against the Dodonna or others. Not even against his Padawan, not that he would want that.

Kenobi was sure he never met the being, let alone had the opportunity to receive such ire from Vader. So, why? Had they crossed path? Where? When? How? And more importantly, what?

And the most disturbing thing was that the Force was whispering into his ears – something about Vader. That Vader was going his greatest trial, his greatest enemy. Also, his greatest ally. And this disturbed him, tremendously.

He wished he could go to Master Yoda for guidance. Because the Force was not giving more clarification beyond that.

He was pulled out of his meditation when he heard a familiar sound of a whistle. He looked beyond the ray shields to find his Padawan. But she was not alone. With her, Jedi Knights Ferus Olin and Darra Thel-Tanis.

"What? You thought I will let you die. Master would kick my backside, even if she had to come back from the nether-land, if I let you die.", Ferus mocked.

But Obi-Wan was not amused.

"Ferus, how many you have been told to mind your surroundings.", Kenobi said as watched he was at least 50 troopers appear behind his supposed rescuers.

And in a moment, the three Jedi fell to the ground after being stunned.

Obi-Wan sighed as he watched the Jedi being taken by the troopers, probably to their detention cells.

`Youthful arrogance...`


(Old Training Halls – Below The Throne Room)

Vader just stared at Sidious for several moments, which felt eternity for Sidious. Vader knew his opponent was waiting for him to make the next move. Because as he predicted, Sidious was still thinking about his survival.

But the look on the face that Sidious had, said something else. And he knew that look very well, even if it was the first time Sidious had it. It was the look of finality. Good, Sidious had accepted his fate. And with his fate sealed, he was going to take Vader with him.

Then Sidious did something that was not his nature. He let himself open to the Dark side, to let it flow through him, to let it consume him.

Now, Vader might have predicted it to be a possibility, but he actually seeing it happen was different. Sidious was going to use an ancient dark technique that be called a suicide attack. A skill used by low level Sith soldiers thousands years ago. Death was imminent, but destruction of the enemy was real intention. Like a final death cry, the Dark side would provide enough power to destroy to level a city, as the user was a Master, not a lowly soldier.

`Such a sore loser... No dignity, even at his final moments.` Not that Vader assumed otherwise.

While Sidious was focusing on his final attack, Vader took advantage of the moment as he knew that it would require Sidious to tremendous focus on the technique. He activated a trap that he designed for such suicidal attack. With just a press of a button on the control panel on his left hand, several spears pierced through Sidious's body with precise accuracy, before he could complete his ritual for the technique.

Sidious' eyes were wide with shock, but the last thing he saw Vader coming at him with lightsaber. Vader attacked with a large barrage of quick slashes. In a moment, there was nothing left of what once was Darth Sidious as pieces of his body fell to the ground.

A big wave of black energy, that Sidious amassed for his final attack, released from the fallen body, or what was left of it. Vader just stood there, feeling the finality of it. And with a thud, his knees lost his strength. Not because of injury or fatigue, but of mental exhilaration. He had done it. Really done it.


(Planet Of Dagobah)

Master Yoda eyes were opened and he was pulled out of his deep meditation. He could not believe it. He felt the shift in the Force. Such a big shift was not of ordinary.

He expanded his senses and reached out to the Force. No, he was not mistaken. But how?

Then he made a decision. He was going to come out of his exile. He needed to find out what happened. But one thing was sure. Darth Sidious was no more.


AN: And Sidious/Palpatine is dead.

I wanted the fight to go more, but I was running out of patience. And killing Palpatine was boring. Whether be in the movies or several fan-fics.

Also I have new enemies I have thought of that would give this version of Vader run for his credits.

DS2010 from FF, thanks for comment.

Cheire from FF, thanks for your comments too. Also regarding your comments (chronologically chapter wise):
1. The OC is dead. As mentioned in this chapter. But she still affects Vader after her death.
2. Yes, she has crush on Obi-Wan. But this is not an Obidala. He already got Siri (dead) and Satine. And not to mention, several pairings with other characters in fan-fics. Namely, Sabé, Dormé, Quilan, heck even with Anakin. I love his character (it's not flawless). But I hate Kenobists. They think he is some kind of God (seeing their obsession with him). And they think Padmé is better off with him. So, answer your question, yes. But not without trouble.
3. Yes, absolutely karking right. That's why I love Star Wars. It can be about adventure, romance, political, tragedy, comedy, philosophical and many more things. While Force, Jedi and Sith have important part to play, normal beings also matter too and play a big roles too. Spoiler for everyone, Bail and other non-Force users will have their moments too.
4. Good to know that you liked this version of Vader. And yes, there will be pairing of Vader and Padmé. But, as I have said before, not without obstacles. Hint: re-read last part of the first section of this chapter. It would create a lot of drama. Don't you think?

Wait for the next chapter: "Dine With Thy Enemy".

I hope you like it and your feedback is most welcome. May the force be with you!