Out of Nowhere- ROTS timeframe alternate ending

[Astrid]

Out of Nowhere

(please read backstory or backstory summary first. The story now begins in the pre ROTS timeframe, and continues as an alternate set of events....)

CHAPTER ONE

The Clone Wars raged, and Anakin and Obi-Wan were sent to fight them. Anakin was sad to leave Padme, and came back whenever he could, though their visits were sadly short and always under stress of being found out. During the fighting, Anakin went through his Jedi trials and made Jedi Knight! Yoda cut off his braid in a ceremony, and after that he was free to grow his hair again. Within a few months his golden curls were back, very full and beautiful. He had grown into a very handsome man, his tall, skinny frame now filled out, he was even more attractive than before. Of course, Padme found him irresistible. On his brief visits home, he tried his best to find the time to spend with her in private. On one such visit, he managed to sneak away to spend the night with her at her apartment. She made sure all the servants were away, and he told everyone at the temple he was turning in early. Then he dashed off in the night for Padme's apartment.

"Shhh, in here." She whispered, in fear anyone might see the young Jedi entering her residence.

"This is terrible." he bemoaned once inside. "We're married, after all, and we have to sneak around like cheating spouses."

Padme glanced sadly down. "You knew all along what we were up against. We knew this all along, remember, I had my reservations, I told you it would destroy us."

He took her by the shoulders gently. "No, Padme, it will NOT destroy us! Our love is precious, special, how can it be wrong?"

"Our society tells us it's wrong. I'm a senator, and you're a Jedi. Jedi aren't supposed to, feel the things you feel for me."

"That's wrong!" he snapped. "I'm a human, I'm a man, I have feelings. Aren't these feelings of love and caring a good thing for a Jedi?"

"I would think so, but if your masters don't..."

"Oh I wish Qui-Gon were still here! He'd know what to do."

"If he knew what to do, he'd not have left the way he did."

Anakin looked down, then glanced up at her. "You're right. Even he has failed me."

"Do you feel that everyone has failed you? Even me?"

"Not you. The system. The galaxy. The way things are. Maybe even myself." Tears came to his eyes, though he tried to hide them, she saw. She reached gently and wiped them with one finger.

"I love you." She said in a breathy sigh, quietly. "I don't care about anything else." She hugged him and they kissed passionately. Within a few minutes, they had backed up to her bed, and had begun disrobing each other. "Wait!" she said as she stopped him.

"What, why?" he whined in frustration.

"What power can be greater than the force?" Anakin asked.

"I am speaking of another aspect of the force."

Anakin's head shot around. "The dark side?"

"It is called that by those who don't understand."

"Qui-Gon was right! You are the Sith Lord we've been looking for!"

Palpatine chuckled wickedly. "The Jedi are such blind fools!"

"How have you managed to trick the entire order, and the senate?"

"The dark side has not only power, but wisdom in ways you can't understand- unless you want to."

"Are you asking me to be your apprentice?" Suddenly it hit Anakin like a heavy stone. That's why he wanted me to kill Dooku, though it wasn't the Jedi way! He wanted his old apprentice gone so he could have a younger, stronger one- me! Anakin had grown and matured, and his love and feelings for Obi-Wan and Padme had changed him. He would not be turned with these taunts as he once would have. He turned to the Chancellor and stared him straightly in the eyes. "No."

"Don't be so quick to dismiss this chance, my boy. You will go home and sleep on it, won't you? Give it one night- just one more night."

Anakin left without answering. He feared threatening the Chancellor with turning him into the Jedi Council. He would go home and sleep on it, just one night, and decide how to deal with this. Sadly, he knew he could confide in no one. If only he could find Qui-Gon! He went home and was making plans to leave that night to look for Qui-Gon. Together, they could fix things. He couldn't tell Obi-Wan, he was too close to Yoda. He couldn't tell Padme, she was too close to the Senate. No one but Qui-Gon would ever believe him unless he proved it. He'd have to find Qui-Gon, and tell him, and prove it.

But the powerful Sith Lord had other plans. That evening, as he fell alseep in Padme's arms with so much on his mind, the dreams came...

"We must make sure all the shades and curtains are drawn." She stopped to make sure no one could see anything, though it spoiled the moment a bit. Then she returned. "Where were we?" She smiled as she kissed him, using her tongue as well as her lips. He did the same. They were already moaning from the taste of each other, and at last their desire took them all the way. It was a glorious night for their love, a night that would leave something to remember. The twins were conceived at that moment.

In the morning, they awoke still in each others' arms. They were still sad that such a beautiful love had to stay hidden and lied about. All the beauty of their feelings could never be seen by others, and the stress of having to hide it was taking away from the pleasure of their togetherness, though they tried to make the best of it.

"Mmm, good morning, beautiful." Padme sighed as she saw his blue eyes flicker open. They turned to enjoy the sight of her.

"Same to you." He smiled. They hugged again, so close they could feel each other's heartbeats. They could feel something special had happened between them.

"Please, say you won't have to go back to war. I can't bear not having you around, I can't stand the thought of losing you!"

He gave her his pity eyes, and a strained smile as he gently touched her face. "I know, I don't want to go...they say I'll be going back, with Obi-Wan, this time to the Outer Rim. I may be gone for months."

"Oh no!" The sadness showed in her eyes. It hurt him to see it, and to feel it himself.

"I'm sorry..but when I get back, I'll never leave you again."

"You promise?"

"All I can do is try."

"I'll try too. I'll see what I can do in the the Senate to end this war. I want you back, forever."

"I'll be fine. We'll have so much time together in the future, there will come a time when these sad days will not matter anymore."

"I can only hope so." They embraced as she cried into his chest.

"I'm sorry, Padme, I have to go... they'll be looking for me at the Temple."

He got out of the bed, put his Jedi clothing back on, and walked away. They had no more words to express their love, or sadness, their eyes, and their kisses said it all as he left her standing there alone, wondering when she'd see him again, and what the future held for them.

It was over five long months before they saw each other again. If not for their mission to rescue the Chancellor it may have been longer.

Meetng behind a pillar in secret, as always, Padme was escstatic to see him. There had been rumors he was killed, and she was suffering with worry. One look from those beautiful eyes and a word from his lips and she was full of peace and relief, though still never truly at ease because of their forbidden love. When she told him of her pregnancy, he was very happy, though they knew this was going to present a bigger problem than the one they already had. As he told her, this was happy news, don't let anything spoil it.

Anakin and Obi-Wan were very glad to be home. They were not sent back to the Outer Rim as they had feared they would be, their missions would now be based on Coruscant, and involve direct involvement with the government, and the Chancellor. Anakin was especially close to him, and had trusted him completely, having been a mentor of both himself and Padme. Anakin went to visit him often, on Jedi business, but it became something more. Something he wasn't sure he was comfortable with. The Chancellor expressed his concern that the Jedi were against him, and wanted Anakin to spy for him. When the Jedi asked him to do the same of the Chancellor, he felt caught in the middle, with nowhere to turn. He couldn't tell Obi-Wan, he was loyal to the Jedi. He couldn't tell Padme, she was loyal to the government and believed fully in the Chancellor. He thought again, if only Master Jinn were here. If only he had the time to set out alone, to try to find him. Where had he been, what was he doing? He had not sensed his demise in the force, so surely he was alive. In his time in seclusion, Qui-Gon had medidated deeply and had become even stronger in the force. He had watched the news of the Clone Wars from afar, getting a feeling something wasn't quite right. He knew it would do no good to ever tell the Jedi or the government, they'd never believe him. Something had to happen to prove it to everyone. He'd still have to wait until the time was right.

Anakin was able to spend more frequent nights with Padme. They lay togther, discussing dreams of a future with the baby, with only their love and no other worries.

"I want to have the baby back home on Naboo." She declared one night. "We can go to the Lake Country where no one will know."

"You can't leave the Senate, not now that you're needed, and I cannot leave the Jedi. No one can know."

"But they will know! I can't hide my pregnancy forever, they will know, and if they find out you're the father..."

"I know, I know, we know all the dangers we face, that's why they can't ever be allowed to come true, they can't.."

"Anakin, we are bringing a child into this life! We have to think of him, or her. We have to do what's best for us."

"I wish it were that easy. Padme, what are we going to do?"

"You're the one who told me, this baby is a blessing, not a problem."

"I know, I did say that. But you know it is both."

"How can something so precious, so happy, so good, be wrong?"

"It shouldn't be. I can get some time away from the Senate, you surely can get some time away too. We will have our baby on Naboo, and worry about everything else later."

"Padme, you know I might be put out of the order."

"No, you can't be! We can keep it all a secret."

"For how long? Who are you going to say is the father? What will your family say?"

"I will tell them eventually."

"We will have to tell everyone eventually."

"It's going to be all right, it has to be." She kissed him and tried to alieviate his fears, as well as her own. "Give me your hand." She took his hand and layed it on her stomach. He felt a little flutter. "The little Jedi is practicing his moves!" She laughed. Anakin couldn't help but laugh, too. It was so loving, so special, so precious. How could this tender love lead to anything but good?

The next day Anakin, frustrated over his inability to move the boulder which was the Jedi council, went to see the Chancellor.

"What a pity they don't appreciate you, Anakin. You are wise, strong, powerful, yet they treat you like a punished child. Your power and skills are wasted on the Jedi."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been watching you for a long time, Anakin. I know all about you. I know you crave power, and you have the strength to attain these goals. I can help you."

"Help me, what?"

"You can move beyond the Jedi."

"What are you saying?"

"Anakin, you know they are only holding you back. If you come with me, I can give you the power you deserve."

Anakin didn't know what to think. At one time he'd have grabbed this chance in a second, but now, he felt differently. He was very close to Obi-Wan, and would never turn his back on his close friend. He was like his brother. Now he had Padme, and children on the way. He loved them, and didn't want to do anything to hurt them, or their chances at happiness as a family.

"Anakin, there are powers beyond the Jedi, powers you have not yet begun to explore- powers that you can have, greatness can be yours."

"What power can be greater than the force?" Anakin asked.
"I am speaking of another aspect of the force."
Anakin's head shot around. "The dark side?"
"It is called that by those who don't understand."
"Qui-Gon was right! You are the Sith Lord we've been looking for!"
Palpatine chuckled wickedly. "The Jedi are such blind fools!"
"How have you managed to trick the entire order, and the senate?"
"The dark side has not only power, but wisdom in ways you can't understand- unless you want to."
"Are you asking me to be your apprentice?" Suddenly it hit Anakin like a heavy stone. That's why he wanted me to kill Dooku, though it wasn't the Jedi way! He wanted his old apprentice gone so he could have a younger, stronger one- me! Anakin had grown and matured, and his love and feelings for Obi-Wan and Padme had changed him. He would not be turned with these taunts as he once would have. He turned to the Chancellor and stared him straightly in the eyes. "No."
"Don't be so quick to dismiss this chance, my boy. You will go home and sleep on it, won't you? Give it one night- just one more night."
Anakin left without answering. He feared threatening the Chancellor with turning him into the Jedi Council. He would go home and sleep on it, just one night, and decide how to deal with this. Sadly, he knew he could confide in no one. If only he could find Qui-Gon! He went home and was making plans to leave that night to look for Qui-Gon. Together, they could fix things. He couldn't tell Obi-Wan, he was too close to Yoda. He couldn't tell Padme, she was too close to the Senate. No one but Qui-Gon would ever believe him unless he proved it. He'd have to find Qui-Gon, and tell him, and prove it.

But the powerful Sith Lord had other plans. That evening, as he fell alseep in Padme's arms with so much on his mind, the dreams came...

[Astrid]

CHAPTER TWO

Anakin awoke in sheer terror, dressed and went to stare out the window. Waking up, Padme found him there. "What's troubling you?"

It was more than he could tell her- Palpatine a Sith Lord, wanting him as his apprentice! Qui-Gon missing and the only person who would understand! Now, the dreams.

"I had a dream. It was very real, like one I had about my mother when she was captured and killed just before I joined the Jedi. Only it was about you."

"It was just a dream."

"Not with me. My dreams mean something. You die in childbirth."

"And the baby?"

"I don't know."

"I'm not going to die, stop worrying!"

"If only you knew.."

"Knew what?"

"Padme, there is something you need to know. Palpatine is a Sith Lord. He wants me for his apprentice."

"First Qui-Gon, now you! What is this?"

"It's the TRUTH Padme! He was right!"

It took awhile for her to accept. "I don't believe it."

"He told me of the dark side. He asked me to be his apprentice."

"Do you swear you are being honest with me?"

"Yes, how could you even doubt me?"

"Oh, Anakin, how could he have fooled us all?"

"He's not going to go around telling everyone, he's using the dark side to cloud it! He wants power, and this is how he's getting it!"

"Oh, no, and he's been given unlimited executive power, and he's stayed in power after his term was up! I see it now, Anakin, I believe you! What are you going to do?"

"I've got to go find Qui-Gon, together we can defeat him."

"You must tell the other Jedi."

"They won't believe me."

"Do it anyway, how could things get much worse?"

"They can, if you die."

"Anakin, you said he used the dark side to cloud things, right? How do you know he's not using these dreams to trick you, to weaken you?"

"No, the dream was real. I have no time to find Qui-Gon, and the Jedi will not believe me. I must play along with the Chancellor for now."

Anakin meditated deeply before he left, but once again was unable to reach Qui-Gon in the force. He returned to the Chancellor's office, knowing he was going to be pressed for his decision. If he accepted the position of Sith apprentice, how could he ever get out of it? If he didn't, what would Palpatine do, now that he knew too much? Anakin felt doomed either way. Before entering the office, he leaned against the wall, head in hands, until his anguish almost made him cry. Perhaps he should have told Obi-Wan. The door opened. It was too late. "Come in, Anakin my boy."

Anakin glared at him suspicously.

"Thought any more about our discussion yesterday?"

"Something strange happened last night. I dreamed I saw Padme die in childbirth."

"Oh what a pity! And you know your dreams always come true!" Palpatine was unable to hide his smile, and Anakin noticed this. "If you were to join the dark side, I could teach you powers of life and death that might stop her from dying!"

"YOU planted those dreams in my head, you used the dark side to cloud my judgement, to play with my emotions!"

"No, Anakin, of course not." He pretended to laugh, but Anakin didn't buy it.

Anakin stared at him and bravely stated: "I'll never join you!"

Palpatine's smile vanished and his expression turned to one of rage. "You will join me, or Padme will die, your babies will die!"

"How did you even know she was pregnant and that I was the father?"

"I'm not blind, Anakin, everyone in the Senate notices her swollen abdomen, as much as she tries to cover it with uncharactarsitcally baggy garments. As for you being the father, I figured that out myself."

"You said, babies, what do you mean?"

:"She's carrying twins, Anakin, a boy and a girl. They will be very strong in the force. This I have forseen."

Anakin pulled out his lightsaber, but didn't ignite it. "You want to kill Padme, because you know she'll never go along with your plans for our children! You think you can fool me into joining you! I see through your lies, you only want me because of my power, you want to use me for your own ends. I'd never have power of my own if I served you! You will not have me, you will not have my wife, you will not have my children!" He lit is lightsaber and charged on Palpatine.

Palpatine laughed. "You pathetic fool!" He snarled as he let loose with force lightning. Anakin blocked it with his lightsaber as long as he could, directing it back into Palpatine. As he fell to the ground, weakened by his own reflected lightning, he stopped emitting it and called his lightsaber to him. From the ground, he stood back up wiht regained strenght, glaring at Anakin over their crossed sabers.."You could have had it all, now you will lose it all. Don't you see, you are now too dangerous to be kept alive? You will join me now, or your wife will die and your children will be mine!"

"I don't believe you. I will not let you take them from me!"

"You will have no choice, because you will join me now, or you will be destroyed!"

Anakin was full of anger as he fought Palpatine, who was very agile and quite a good fighter, better than Dooku. He held his own, but was soon at a disadvantage as Palpatine used the force to release a sprinkler on the ceiling. Stepping out of its way, teargas aimed and sprayed directly into Anakin's face. He fell backward, losing his grip on his lightsaber, gasping for air. He hit the wall on the way down. In his last second of consciousness, Palpatine stood over him with his lightsaber to his throat. "Tsk, tsk. I told you, I will not lose, and you cannot defeat me. I have everything covered, I always do. This is the end for you, Young Skywalker. I wish it were not so."

That night, when Anakin didn't return to Padme's apartment, she became deeply concerned. After midnight, when she was usually sound asleep because she had to go to work the next day, she stood out on the veranda, staring out into the city and crying. She looked in the direction of the Jedi Temple, hoping he was there and that he just couldn't get away. When dawn came and he still did not return, she assumed the very worst. She was crying in the morning and didn't go to work. A few hours later, Obi-Wan landed his speeder out on the veranda and came to see her. "Padme, I don't mean to be intrusive, but is Anakin here?"

"W-why would he be?"

"Padme, look, I know about you and Anakin and honestly I don't care. It's none of my business. Now, be honest with me. His life may depend on it." He could see the terror in her eyes. He put his arm around her trembling body and led her to the sofa. "I need to know, Padme, everything. I care for him too."

Padme whimpered as she explained about the dreams, and about Anakin's accusations against the Chancellor. She thought Obi-Wan would be upset.

"So Anakin was approached about becoming his apprentice, I am not surprised. Anakin is the most potentially powerful of the Jedi, and he is the most volatile and rebellious, of course he would be the target. I never dismissed Qui-gon's accusations as the others did. It's all so very wrong, the war, staying in power so long, refusing to give up his executive powers, I believe he is a Sith Lord. It all makes sense."

"Oh, Obi-wan, what are we going to do? What happened to Anakin?"

"I don't know. I am not sensing his death in the force, but I cannot feel him."

Padme's voice broke into a cry, and she leaned on Obi-wan for comfort. He noticed her pregnancy."Anakin is the father, isn't he?"

"Of course."

"I will do everything I can to find him and bring him back. You take care of yourself and the baby. Don't go near the Senate building. There may be trouble."

"What are you saying?"

"I am going to suggest the Jedi form a party to confront the Chancellor and demand he give up his executive power. If he refuses, he will show his true self and there will be a fight. Stay here, or better yet, go back to your family on Naboo."

"Oh, no, I can't, they don't know about the baby, I'd have to have time to explain, and besides, I cannot leave with Anakin in danger. I want to be here until you find him."

"He would not want you in harm's way. Please, stay here and remain safe."

She watched as Obi-Wan took his leave, then went back to lie on the bed, and softly sobbed.

Even after Obi-Wan informed the council of the new developments, they were still skeptical the Chancellor was a Sith Lord. Obi-Wan even used Anakin's disappearance as more evidence, that he may have turned him, or killed him. This the masters believed, considering it was Anakin.

"Betray the Jedi young Skywalker will not, unless twisted by the dark side he has become." Yoda spoke via hologram from Kashyyk.

"He could be, if the Chancellor is indeed a sith lord." Master Windu added. "Could it be true, that Qui-Gon knew this all along and we failed to act? Could this be the plot to destroy the Jedi, right in front of us?"

"And take our Chosen One." another council member pointed out.

"Why didn't Skywalker come to us with this news?" Windu asked.

"He knew you'd never believe him, even less than you believed Qui-Gon Jinn. Don't you see, it all makes sense now The whole war, the clones, it was all an evil plan. We've been used!" Obi-Wan waved his arms. "We must act now, or it will be too late. I am going to face the Chancellor. Who is with me?"

"I will go." Windu said as he stood up. Four more were chosen to join him.

"Let's go." Obi-Wan waved them on.

"No, Master Kenobi. You will not go. You are too close to Skywalker. If he must be dealt with, I do not want you there." Windu ordered.

Obi-Wan was shocked. "You mean you think Anakin may have joined him?"

"I do."

"You're wrong, you'll see when you get there."

"Skywalker is missing and added to this new report, it seems he is either dead or among the sith. I do not sense his demise."

"Anakin would not turn! I hope he's not dead, but I can't see him as a Sith.."

"This is why you must remain behind. Stay here, that's an order!"

Obi-Wan was upset but did not argue as the others left and headed for the Chancellor's office. He gazed out the window in that direction, wondering what to do next.

In the Chancellor's office, Windu let his band of Jedi Masters boldy through the door. "In the name of the Galactic Senate, I demand your resignation." He announced.

"Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?" Palpatine answered, taking his own red lightsaber in his hand and charging toward them. In seconds, his fierce dark side style had destroyed all the Jedi save Master Windu. The battle between the two was evenly matched, but Windu seemed to have the upper hand as he felled Palpatine near the window.

"The Sith will never again rule the galaxy! You must be stopped now!"

Palpatine gave one last attack with his lightsaber before Windu knocked it from his hand. He hissed as he resorted to force lightning. Windu used all his strength to send it back into the source. "Your rule is over!" Windu exclaimed, but Palpatine only cackled "no, no no!" Looking behind Windu, he called out for help. His apprentice appeared.

"What is thy bidding my master?" Windu was shocke to hear Anakin's voice say.

"Skywalker, I knew it! You have turned to the dark side!"

"I was a fool to wait so long! Now all the power you denied me can be mine! You had your chance, Master Windu but you and the Jedi have failed me, and now you will pay the price!" With this, the fight was between Anakin and Mace, and it gave Palpatine enough time to rise and regain his strength. He had not been damaged much by the short time the lightning was sent into him, he felt he was able to fight. He was not disfigured as he would have been had the barrage lasted longer, but his eyes had turned Sith yellow, as had Anakin's. With two Sith lords to fight, Windu did not stand a chance. He knew he was doomed. As they both attacked, he flew backwards out the window and was carried upward by wind gusts until he could not be seen.

"Good work, my young apprentice. Together, no one can defeat us. Once more, the Sith will rule the galaxy."

"Yes, my master."

[Astrid]

CHAPTER THREE

"You have done well, Anakin. Now I have a new task for you."

Palpatine called Commander Cody and ordered him to execute order 66- the destruction of all Jedi!

"Show no mercy. You know what must be done." He told Anakin.

"Yes, my master."

Anakin put up his hood and headed toward the temple, an army of clones at his back.

Across the city, Mace had landed safely in a swimming pool atop an highrise. After he recovered from the jolt of the impact and the shock of what he had just been through, he headed right back to the Jedi Temple. Yoda had returned from Kashyyk.

"Master Yoda, you will not believe what I have witnessed."

"Great disturbance in the force I have felt. This is why I have returned. Imminent is an attack on the Temple."

"We must call back all Jedi to help us defend it."

"No time there is. Beacon I have sent, messages I have relayed. Wait we must."

Obi-Wan came running. "What has happened?"

Windu stared at him. "Anakin has turned to the dark side!"

"I don't believe it!"

"I saw it with my own eyes! He called the Chancellor "master." He tried to kill me! I told you he could not be trusted. Our "Chosen One" has betrayed us!"

Obi-Wan put his head in his hands. "I can't believe it, not Anakin! What abou the prophecy?"

"A prophecy misread could have been." Yoda shook his head.

Windu's eyes shot over to Obi-Wan. "Yoda and I sense a great threat to the Temple and the Jedi. The Chancellor is about to attack us. You need to know that if Anakin is with them, you must be prepared to destroy him."

"I cannot destroy Anakin, he's like my brother."

"Gone is the boy your trained." Yoda sadly told him.

"I cannot believe it until I see it for myself."

Windu glanced out the window. "You will not have long to wait. The invaders are here."

They all looked out to see the line of clones marching steady in their direction, led by a hooded figure looking much like Anakin. Obi-Wan was shocked.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing. I won't until he gets in here and I see his face, until he tells me with his own mouth he is now a Sith."

"You will have that chance, and you know what it might lead to. Rid yourself of your attachment to young Skywalker. You know what must be done."

A shadowy, hooded figure appeared in the darkened doorway. He pulled down his hood and revealed a troubled, worn face covered by a greying beard. He had long grey hair and looked like an ancient wizard. "I have stayed out of your way, but now the time has come for my return."

"Come back to say I told you so?" Windu said sharply.

"There is no time for gloating, though had you all listened to me several years ago none of this would be happening, and countless lives lost in this war would have been saved. Now I am here to help you stop this evil from overtaking our galaxy. Are you with me now?

"Yes, you were right and we were wrong, Master Jinn. We should have taken you more seriously. We were all taken badly. The Chancellor a Sith Lord!" Windu admitted.

"Right you were, cost us it did not to trust you." Yoda sighed. "Come back you did, honored and humbled in our shame we are."

I sensed the disturbance in the force and the danger to the Jedi. I feel the pain of the Chosen One."

"The pain?" Windu hollered. "He is with them now, he is a sith lord!"

"I will not believe that until I see it. I am not sensing Anakin is evil. He is suffering."

While Yoda and Windu didn't believe this, Obi-Wan did. "I sense the same, welcome back, my Master." They embraced, near tears. "You have to help me save Anakin."

The army entered the temple. Prepared because of Windu's warning, many Jedi were ready and used the force, and mind tricks, to weaken and deplete the invading clones. Still, they could not all be stopped. "There are too many of them, what are we going to do?" Asked one of the younglings desperately. Yoda hid the younglings in a stone room and held off all who tried to approach and harm them. Meanwhile, Windu, Jinn, Kenobi and several other Jedi battled the clones bravely. A fire started using the force, and some fallen debris, managed to stop or kill a great deal of them. Still, many Jedi fell in the battle as well. Smoke billowed from the Jedi temple, and Padme saw it on the skyline. She was beyond worry and grief as she lost consciousness in the floor.

Chancellor Palpatine watched it all from his window. He was certain of victory. He had not expected the resistence the Jedi were putting up. He was confident his new apprentice could take care of it all.

There reached a point in the conflict in which Yoda decided the only way to save the order was to take everyone he could round up and flee. Yes, flee in failure. He didn't like the idea and it hurt his pride, but he couldn't sit there and have them all destroyed. As Qui-Gon had, they would leave and wait until the time was right. Yoda and Windu took several younglings and other Jedi and escaped in a ship before they could be stopped.

Now no living Jedi were left inside except for Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. They waited for the final confrontation they knew was coming- Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One, the Sith apprentice. He appeared through smoke and backlit darkness. They both stood ready, lightsabers in hand.

"Anakin, come with us, we can save you before it's too late!" Obi-Wan begged. "Look, Qui-Gon has returned! You have been seeking him the last few years, now he is back! Together we can stop all this!" He held his lightsaber down and extended his hand. "Come, my brother."

For the first time, they saw the face inside the hood. It was Anakin's, but it wasn't. The eyes were Sith yellow rimmed with red. There was a look of evil in them they could not see through. His face was stern. He had changed. They sensed no feeling in him for either of them. How had he gone this bad this fast? Was there not a tear of regret, not an ounce of guilt?

"I must serve my Master. All Jedi are evil and must be destroyed."

"Anakin, no!" Qui-Gon shouted, stepping in front of him.

"Anakin, what about Padme?" Obi-Wan begged. "Think of her, don't do this!"

"It is her I am thinking of. Only my dark side powers can save her now."

"What are you talking about?"

"Lord Sidious told me only the powers of the dark side can save her from dying in childbirth."

"Is that why you did this? Oh, Anakin, can't you see, Padme will suffer because of what you've done. You will break her heart!"

"Shut up, Obi-Wan! Do not tell me what I must do with my own wife. I am here to carry out a mission, and you are in my way. The Jedi made an attempt on the Chancellor's life, you all must be stopped for the good of the republic!"

"Anakin, you don't believe that!" Qui-Gon pleaded."Palpatine, I mean Sidious, is evil!"

"From my point of view, the Jedi are evil! Now, both of you, get out of my way or I'll have to kill you!"

"Oh, I don't think so!" Obi-Wan said, igniting his lightsaber. "You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you. But I will do what I must!"

Qui-Gon was stunned and saddened as he saw the two Jedi he loved most engage in battle, and duel to the death. Qui-Gon did not lift his saber. Despite all Anakin had said, he still felt something was wrong. He sensed nothing but evil in Anakin in person, but inside him, he could feel his pain, as if he were crying out for help. He didn't understand this, there must be great conflict inside him. Was it too late to bring out the good in him? What did it all mean?

The battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin continued. They used force pushes, chokes, and of course lightsabers. Qui-Gon had trained them both and thought them eveinly matched, but Anakin's fighting style had changed, as if he had recieved his training from the Sith. He must have been training with Palpatine for awhile preparing for this. How could this be? How could Palpatine have such a hold over him so quickly? The old master continued to watch his former apprentices go at it, not sure what part he should play in this. His cries and pleas to Anakin went unheard and unheeded. He really had thought he could turn Anakin back but it wasn't working. It was like his true self was locked up inside and couldn't get out, couldn't even hear him. He hurt deeply, and his head and body ached from it all. The fight had progressed and became more violent. Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan sliced off Anakin's right arm. He winced and turned his head. But without even much of a scream, Anakin had switched the lightsaber to the left hand, and was still fighting as best he could! Obi-Wan sliced off his left arm, too, and Anakin was left with only his legs. Raising high in the air in a complex Jedi move, he used his legs to kick Obi-Wan to the ground, but before he hit the ground, Obi-Wan managed to raise his lightsaber and cut off both of Anakin's legs. Now he lay bleeding, a limbless, defeated mound on the ground. His face was pale, he could barely speak. "I ..HATE you.." were his last words. His glaring sith eyes closed, and his breathing finally stopped. He was dead.

Obi-Wan collapsed to the ground in grief and agony. Qui-Gon, tears in his eyes, ran to console him. The two of them wept heavily over each other's shoulders.

"I killed Anakin, Master, I didn't want to do it. I loved him! He cursed me with his last words. What am I going to tell Padme?"

"You have to remember it was not Anakin you killed. Anakin was gone, replaced by this sith monster."

"I will try. I can' t believe it."

"Neither can I." Qui-Gon cried. They both glanced over at the pale, lifeless face, mouth still open as if gasping for air, head bent back in pain. They could look no more. Qui-Gon tossed his robe over the body to cover it and give it dignity. Then, together, they took the corpse outside to prepare for a funeral. Come tommorrow, they'd be burning many brave Jedi, and with them, their own Chosen One. What had gone wrong? They still didn't understand.

It was going to be very hard to tell Padme. As soon as she saw Obi-Wan and the long missing Qui-gon she knew something was very wrong, as she had already felt in her heart. Obi-Wan didn't tell her at first he was gone, he wanted to see what she knew before she became upset. Because she had not seen Anakin on the dark side, she'd find it harder to accept than those who did. She tried to take his word for it, but it was hard.

"He told me he knew the Chancellor was a sith lord and wanted him for his apprentice." She told them.

"He knew this? How did he react?"

"He didn't want to do it. He said he had to think of a way to get out of it. Then came the dreams. He said he dreamed I died in childbirth."

"He said that he had to turn to get power from the dark side to save you."

"Oh, no! I told him I thought Palpatine was sending him the dreams to weaken him!"

"I know he did. I sensed it." Qui-Gon said. "Whatever he did to Anakin, it changed him more than I expected. In the end, I couldn't even sense any remorse."

"The--end? Wh-at are you saying?" She backed up from them both, her eyes terrified, her body shaking. "Is he..did you...no...go away..."

Obi-Wan held her and looked into her eyes deeply. She knew it before he said it. "I am so sorry, Padme. I killed him. I had to. He was trying to kill me. He was killing other Jedi at Palpatine's order..."

Padme pushed him away. "You killed Anakin! I hate you!"

"I didn't want to, but he wasn' t Anakin anymore, he was consumed by the dark side! You didn't see him! The Anakin we loved was already gone!"

"How did he die? Did he suffer?"

Obi-Wan didn't even have the courage to tell her the gruesomeness of his death. He only lowered his head and sobbed.

"Get out of here!" She lunged at Obi-Wan with both fists, crying and screaming. "You killed Anakin! I will never forgive you!"

Qui-Gon held her and subdued her as best he could, but she was heartbroken and hysterical. He felt her body strain as she screamed and struggled. Finally, she passed out, and was silent. They rushed her to the medical center.

Padme was not even awake when the twins were delivered in the emergency room. They were both put into incubators and rushed to intensive care. The boy and girl were alive, but premature and weakend by their mother's recent stress. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan ordered all the droids to silence on the identity. They watched as the tiny hearts made the monitors bleep steadily. Then they returned to Padme's bed, and found it empty.

"Where is the mother?" Obi-Wan asked a droid.

The metal nurse answered coldy and without human emotion. "She expired soon after the birth. We have sent her body to the morgue."

Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon cried again. They knew that the horror of losing Anakin in such a way had led to her own death. Though it was out of their hands, they felt responsible, and guilty. When they had gone through all the emotions their bodies could handle, they demanded her body. Leaving the babies unnamed in the medical care of the droids, they escorted Padme's body back home to Naboo. Her parents were devastated by the news. They did not immediately tell them of the babies, they were too important for their existence to be found out. Making her appear still pregnant, a rushed funeral was set for that very night. As countless mourners watched and cried. the beautiful Padme was set out on the beautiful sea she loved so much on a floating pyre. At the last moment, it was lit on fire. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon cried as they watched it sail away. Finally, no one could watch any longer, and did not want to see the flames overtake her. The crowd slowly vanished. As the sun set, she sailed away.

[Astrid]

CHAPTER FOUR

Palpatine, hearing the news, did not waver in his plans. His apprentice had failed, and been destroyed, but he was not going to stop now. Perhaps this was just a sacrifice that had to happen. This is why he didn't try it himself, he was too important. He still had the galaxy to rule, and nothing was going to get in his way, even now.He knew not all the Jedi were gone, and his clones would continue to hunt them down. A final battle between them and his own minions was possible if he didn't achieve this goal.

Padme, who had only been in a very deep coma undetected by the inhuman droids, and unfelt by the distraught Jedi, awoke on the burning funeral pyre boat! Everyone had expected her to drift out to sea and burn where they wouldn't have to witness it, to join the horizon. She awoke, and as weak as she was, suddenly got a very strong will to live. Almost instictively, like any wild animal, she fought the flames. Screaming, she struggled to get past them, even though she knew that going into the ocean was not a way to sure survival, it was better than this fire! By the time she managed to roll off into the water, her hair and clothing had burned almost off.Submerging herself in the water, the fire was put out. She rose up out of it, her short, straggly, charred hair askew on her head, her body almost naked, and fortunate not to have any more burns than she did. The ones she did have hurt terribly, but for the moment, the water soothed them.

She was amazed to have found the strength to do this, and to tread water. There must be something urging her on from somewhere. She didn't understand the force as Anakin had, but seeing it in him she believed in it. Now maybe this mystical energy force she felt but could not control would have in its will to save her? She realized her stomach was now slim again, and wondered what had happened to her baby. She didn't feel that they were dead, she had a strong desire to get back to them, to bond with them. But how? Here she was in the middle of the sea with no land in sight. She couldn't tread water forever. Luck would have it that a large piece of the pyre boat floated toward her, broken off by the fire, but not on fire itself. Shivering, she crawled onto it, lay down, and paddled, having no idea what direction was back to shore. At last, exhausted, she fell asleep. Staying balanced, the board floated on.

Qui-Gon stood next to Obi-Wan at Anakin's funeral. They had watched several other Jedi be lit ablaze on their pyres, late into the night, but Anakin, the Chosen One, was saved for last. His severed limbs were layed where they should have been on his body, and he was dressed in Jedi robes despite his betrayal. Yoda and Mace Windu presided over the service, though Obi-Wan had wanted to speak. Yoda and Mace in their robes lit the flame. They watched Anakin's body go up in flames until they could see it no more.

"I didn't think he was the Chosen One." Mace commented as they walked away,

"Restudy the prophecy we must. Perhaps there is another."

When they were gone, Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon: "Do you think one of the babies is the Chosen One?"

"Perhaps. I have never stopped believing it was Anakin.

"I believed it too, Master, but now Anakin is gone and he didn't fulfill the prophecy."

"Obi-Wan, I cannot stop feeling the cry for help from Anakin."

"I know how you feel, you waited so long, then it was too late. May the force bring you peace."

"No, Obi-Wan, I don't think Anakin is really dead."

"But, master, you saw him die before your eyes. We just witnessed him burning. I cannot believe he is gone, either, but he is."

"It could be his spirit in the force I sense. While I was in my solitude, I communed with the Shaman of the Whills. He had passed into the force, but was able to maintain his individual identity there as a spirit."

"That's fascinating. Can we all attain immortaility?"

"Yes, you and I can. I was told the Sith cannot. So either Anakin was not really a Sith or he is not really dead. I can still feel him."

"I have been feeling the same way. It is probably only because we were so close to him."

"Master, what is to become of Anakin's children?" Obi-wan asked.

"I will take them to Tatooine. They will be safe there."

"In the old cave you were vegitating in the last few years?"

"No. To his aunt and uncle. To Anakin's brother, Owen and his wife Beru. I watched them from afar while I was there. They are not such bad folk as Owen seemed when we were there. They are saddened not to be able to have children of their own. They can raise Anakin's children quietly and safely anonymously until the time is right to begin their training."

"Are you out of this galaxy? You saw the way Owen treated Anakin, he hates force users. He'd never allow them to be trained."

"Then we will have to wait until they are old enough to decide for themselves."

"THAT long? Besides, you must consider, being raised by him they may grow up prejudice against the Jedi. Let's take them ourselves."

"We know nothing of child rearing, especially very small infants. They need a real family. Trust me. It will all work out."

"I hope you're right."

When the sun rose, Padme squinted at the light and awoke. She could hardly believe all that had happened. She was given up for dead and floated away on a burning pyre. Anakin turned evil and killed by his best friend. The babies, where? Palpatine a Sith Lord, democracy in peril. She cried from all her sadness, yet found the strength to go on. In the distance, she saw land! It wasn't the populated city she had been floated out of, or anything on Naboo she had recognized as having seen before, even in books. It was a small, craggy island, rocks all around, and one large, dark stone dwelling atop it all. It was far in the distance, but as she paddled closer, she saw it was real. and she had not imagined it. Time seemed to drag on forever until she made her way to the shore and was able to crawl off her board. Her burned, practically nude body was in much pain as she drug herself up the rocks, groaning the whole time. She had to keep stopping and regaining her strength. She hoped there would be food and clothing, as well as food, inside that foreboding castle on top of the rocks. When she finally reached its door, out of breath, shivering, she got no answer from the knock at the door. She tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. Finally, mysteriously, it opened! There before her stood a creature like she had never seen. He was very tall, covered in black, his face concealed behind a sinister mask. She was frightened.

"Do come in. I've been lonely." It spoke in a mechanical voice.

"Who are you?"

"I cannot reveal who I am. It is much too dangerous to myself and everyone who sees me. Who are you?"

She was surprised he didn't recognize her, the former Queen and senator, then she realized that the way she looked now, hair and clothes burned off, sooty face, burns on her limbs, she was not the picture of Padme Amidala that people were used to seeing. Also, in his seclusion, he may not have known of her. "You don't know me?"

"Should I?"

"I am someone I thought, you might have seen before."

"Excuse me, it's very hard for me to distinguish faces and voices through this mask I must wear. You look and sound so distorted to me."

In a way, she was relieved, for she looked so horrible, and she wanted to keep her identity a secret for her own safety for now. "Can you take the mask off?"

"No, I can never take it off. If I do, I'll die. My lungs were damaged when I was sprayed with a chemical, and now I must use this to breathe with. Besides, there is someone out there who has banished me here and demands my face never be seen again. I have only been here a few days, but I am told I may never leave."

"How terrible! What have you done?"

"It's not what I did but rather what I refused to do. I cannot say more. Only that someone will kill me if I reveal myself. I'm surprised he hasn't killed me already, he must still have plans for me, plans I do not want to go through with. I feared you were he when you arrived." The being-droid turned its frightening countenance toward her, straining to make out her features. "Where did you come from?"

"I cannot say. It is too dangerous."

"I understand. This life is full of bad beings wanting to hurt others. You will be safe with me. Here, let me help you." He took off his black cape and wrapped it around her. He held her close to help warm her body, and though she thought she should struggle to get away, she felt somehow safe in his arms. In fact, so safe she was almost uncomfortable. She started to pull away, sobbing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so- forward. I am in mourning, I have lost my husband. He was killed- in the Clone wars. I will not make advances toward you."

"I did not think you were." The mechanical voice said. "Somewhere, I have a wife. I keep trying to sense her, but something is blocking me from this."

"Sense her? Do you have that, force or something?"

"No, no, I mean just by love, you know."

"My husband had the force. It cost him his life."

"He was a Jedi? I thought Jedi were not allowed to marry?"

"Yes, he was. He was..lost in the Clone wars." She didn't want to give away too much information just yet. "We were married in secret."

"I am sorry. What a waste the war is. Too many lost."

:"I agree." She wanted to say more, but again didn't want to reveal too much about herself that might identify her.It was too late. She had already said enough to spark his interest, and even in his weakend state of mind, he started to wonder about her.

The being summoned a droid, the only other 'person' in the dark castle, to draw her a bath. Afterward, Padme fashioned the cape into a robe of sorts that would sufficiently cover her. The wounds were dressed and she was given small rations of what little food was available. He was unable to eat with her, for he could only remove his mask in a special pod with the lid closed. He was starving, and for some reason had suddenly regained his appetite, which he had lost since being here the last few days. With the mask off, he breathed deeply of the pod's air. He seemed to have no problem breathing, and wondered if he might try to breathe outside the pod. He did consider this could make him die, as the droid had told him. He did not look forward to his life in prison here, both in the mask and suit and in the hidden away castle. For a time thought he would try it and risk death rather than live that way. Then he reconsidered. He was probably being watched somehow and he couldn't show his face. He couldn't put the wounded traveler who was now his guest at risk.

It was so good to be free of the mask, and get to see and hear normally again, and to hear his own voice. He leaned back and wiped the sweat from his face and ran his fingers through his hair. He stared ahead at his reflection, his curly golden hair, his blue eyes, the face that could never be seen again. The face sealed inside the metal mask, because he looked too much like another. The other, his clone, made from his own severed finger at the order of an evil Sith Lord, and grown at a rapid rate over the last 3 years, just in case the original plan of turning him failed to work out. The other, who had replaced him when he refused to turn and serve the dark side.His rejection of the demands of Chancellor Palpatine had gotten him gassed in the fight he was about to win, he had almost destroyed the sith as the prophecy had foretold he would. Now he was hidden away, told he could never show his face again, told he could never breathe again without this horrible mask. What life is this? Why was he even being allowed to live? Why didn't he destroy him? He must still have plans for him. He feared what these plans might be. He wanted to escape before the evil master returned. Perhaps this new visitor could help him? He needed to get back home and see what all damage had been done by his replacement clone. He was not aware that the clone was dead, killed by Obi-Wan, who was saddened by it all. He had no idea Qui-Gon had returned, or anything else that had happened. He felt a great need to find out. He also felt something else- a strong connection to the wounded woman in the other room. He would have to medidate on this, now.

[Astrid]

CHAPTER FIVE

Anakin stayed in his chamber, turned out the lights, closed his eyes and sunk into deep meditation. In it, he could see the funerals on Coruscant, but could not reach anyone. He knew what had happened, he knew he'd been replaced by the clone, now he knew the horrible results. He had to find a way to reach Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan, but if they weren't meditating the same time he was it was going to be hard to contact them through the force that far away. Even in his subconsious, this upset him. He had to get back there and clear his name, and stop Palpatine! Something else came to him, a familiar feeling, but this one was much closer. This one came from the same area he was in. Why had he not felt it before? All the stress and misery of his situation had blocked this feeling, as the specially designed mask had distorted his vision and hearing so he couldn't recognize her face or voice. Padme was here, now, he had to go to her!

He immediately reached for his mask so he could go back out of the pod. Then, something told him, no, you don't need this and he realized it was only a trick to get him to wear it, to keep his face covered, just as it had been designed to keep him from knowing too much through his senses. Something about the suit had also been blocking his force sense too. Then he thought, what if it is true, what if his lungs are permanently damaged by the fumes that knocked him out in Palpatine's office and going out without the mask and suit would be deadly? He decided to risk it. He opened the pod and walked out. He was a bit apprehensive at first, but soon found he had no problem breathing. It was only a cruel ploy of Palpatine's to make sure his face stayed covered! He seemed perfectly healthy and fine. He left the large, dark stone room that contained the pod and ventured out into the corridors.

Then he remembered the droid! The droid had been kind to him, but he was probably programmed by Palpatine to report all activity back to him, or even to harm if it he tried to escape. He had to do away with it. Staying where he was, he closed his eyes and used the force to find the droid's location. It was headed his way! He only hoped it had not trasmitted anything yet!

"You must get back in the pod for your own good." He heard it say.

Anakin didn't argue, he was afraid this might cause the droid to set off an alarm or something. He simply raised his hand in a force choke like motion until he had drained all its power. Once the droid stopped moving and went limp, he dissassembled it to make sure it would not function without his knowing about it. That was one bullet dodged, were there more? Did Palpatine install cameras to spy on him? If he did, was he already aware of the situation and Padme's presence? He didn't see any, he hoped Palpatine was only depending on the droid to transmit. He scanned all the corners of the dark building, now that he wasn't using the mask anymore he could see in much more detail. No spy cameras as far as he could tell. Maybe Palpatine had felt they weren't necessary, he couldn't get off the island anyway and had no means of contacting anyone. He was meant to live out his life in this prison, kept alive for some reason known only to the Chancellor- Emperor.Feeling he need not hide his face, he ran through the castle yelling "Padme! Padme is that you? Where are you?"

Padme, hearing Anakin's voice, was in shock and fear. She believed him dead, Obi-Wan had told her he had slain him. Was this a trick, or could it really be him? She was too afraid to answer, and he had to use his instincts to find her. He swung open the door to the room where she lay, and she raised her head and looked at him. The moment their eyes met, they knew.

"Anakin!" She squealed. "Is it really you, or a clone?"

"It was a clone who was killed by Obi-Wan! The Chancellor really is a Sith Lord! He did try to turn me, and when I refused, he gassed me and sent me here, covering my face with that thing to hide my true identity. He replaced me with a clone he made from the finger I lost to Dooku!"

Padme reached out her arms to him. "Anakin! Is it really you, or are you the clone?"

He ran to her side and held her in his arms, and looked deeply into her eyes. "You tell me. You won't need the force to sense my love for you."

She began to sob and hold him tightly. "Oh, I thought you were dead! Obi-Wan said he killed you, I was furious and upset- I attacked him- I collapsed-"

Anakin now for the first time could see her clearly, and he studied her closely. He noticed that she had suffered awful injuries. "Padme, what happened to you?"

"I died, or they thought I did. I had the babies-"

"Babies?"

"Twins, Anakin. I was only semiconsious but I remember, a boy and a girl."

Anakin smiled with joy. "Are they all right?"

"I think so. They must still be in the med center."

For a moment, Anakin concentrated until he felt their little life forces. "They're alive, Padme, I can feel them!"

"We have to get back to them! Oh, Padme, how did you end up here, like this?"

"They thought I had died. The med droid made a mistake. They gave me funeral and put me on a burning pyre boat and sailed me away on fire!"

"Oh, no!"

"I woke up and saw what a bad situation I was in, and tried to jump off! My clothes and hair caught fire, so this is how I came to be injured. Do I look bad to you?"

All he could do was grab her and hug her. "It doesn't matter, you're alive, you're okay, you survived! The wounds will heal and your hair will grow again. You can get new clothes. None of that matters. You are alive and safe here with me!" He pulled her close and held her tightly, crying. She hugged back and cried too.

"Oh, Anakin, it is you, I love you. What are we going to do? We have to get off this island, and get back to the babies!"

"I know, and I have to let the Jedi know it wasn't me, and I have to stop Palpatine. Surely they know about him by now and believe it..."

"Oh yes they do and Qui-Gon has returned!"

"I thought I saw him in my visions as I meditated. It's going to take all of us to stop Palpatine. I feel so helpless. We could be here for years and no one would know!"

"Don't say that, we have to find a way!"

Together, hand in hand, they ran out of the room and began searching the entire castle. They went to its windows and screamed out. All they saw and heard were the waves crashing on the rocks, and endless sea fading into the horizon. They were alone and trapped. Still, they kept searching. Most of the rooms were empty, but at last they heard a humming and saw a small light inside one of them. Carefully, Anakin going first, they peeked inside. There was some machinery, small colored lights, and a large black stone figure of a man hanging on the wall. At first they thought it was only a sculpture, then they realized the terrifying truth. The man was alive and frozen in carbonite! Who was he, and why had this happened to him? Staring closely at his face, distorted as it had been frozen, they recognized a familiar form, they thought.

"He looks like, no, it can't be." Padme said.

"Who, what were you going to say, that he looked like Palpatine? I was thinking the same thing."

"Yes, that was it! I have known him all my life, I know his face well. This looks like him."

"It can't be. I know he's on Coruscant.I saw him leave when he dumped me here."

"Could this be his clone?"

Anakin got chills as he heard her speak these words. If he had been cloned, why not Palpatine? Was this a clone? Or was the one in Coruscant a clone? Did he have a twin brother? What was going on here? Knowing they'd have to find out, Anakin started fiddling with the controls in an attempt to thaw the man out.

"Maybe we shouldn't, what if he's- evil?"

"I would say if he's locked away here like me, he's not the bad guy. If he is, you stay back, I'll take care of it. He will likely be in a weakened state at first, he won't be able to harm us. Now, let me see..." he pressed the correct series of buttons, and the stone slab hummed, moved, and started to glow. Red and gold lights glowed from the edges of the man's form as the black carbonite melted away. Finally, his body was free, and fell flat to the floor out of the remaining slab.

Padme was a bit frightened, but she looked closely at his face and was sure it was that of Chancellor Palpatine, the Senator from Naboo who had come to executive power. Anakin stood over him as he shook and tried to wake up, breathe, and come back to life. He was covered in sweat and writheing on the floor. When he settled down a bit, Anakin spoke to him.

"Who are you and why are you here?"

The man was too weak to speak. It took him a long time to utter "Where am I? Who are you? I can't see..I don't..."

"It's me, Padme."

"Queen Amidala?"

"No, Senator. Don't you remember my term as Queen is over?"

:"What?"

"I am Anakin Skywalker. Do you know me?"

"The young Jedi they say is the Chosen One?"

"Don't you remember all the times we've talked?"

"No..."

Anakin and Padme stared at each other. They didn't know what to make of this. They were interested, but still very cynical and cautious. This was the face of Palpatine, Lord Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith. Or was it? Neither of them slept, they stayed with the man until he was in better condition. After awhile, his body had come out of hibernation, he could see and breathe and move about again, but was still very weak. As the sun came up, they questioned him.

"How did you get here?"

"I've been trying to recall, and now I do."

"Tell us, it's very important."

"I am Senator Palpatine of Naboo, I have recently been chosen to become the new Supreme Chancellor."

"Is that as far back as your memory goes?"

"That is when they kidnapped me, took me away and froze me. He knew I was about to assume the role of the highest political power in the galaxy, and he wanted that for himself so he replaced me and took my job, and my life!"

Anakin and Padme were stunned beyond belief. Padme spoke. "Are you saying, the man who has been in Coruscant these last few years is not the real Palpatine?"

"No! I am the real Palpatine!"

"You were cloned?" Anakin asked. "I was replaced by a clone and left here in a metal mask. Is the man running the galaxy a clone of you?"

"No."

Anakin and Padme were more puzzled now. "How can that be? If you are the real Palpatine and he isn't, who is he?"

Palpatine turned his head and stared at them as he revealed the bombshell. "Syfo- Dias."

Anakin was full of shock, awe and rage. "So that's who Syfo-Dias was! When Obi-Wan went to Kamino, they told him that the clones had been ordered by Syfo-Dias but we didn't know who that was. They thought Obi-Wan was him."

"I'm not surprised." Palpatine stated. "He is a changeling. He took the form of Obi-Wan when he ordered the clones. He can take any form he chooses. Now he's taken mine."

Cold chills went through Anakin and Padme. "You mean, the man everyone thinks is you is actually Syfo-Dias?"

"Yes. He is very evil. Before I was frozen, I found out he is what you Jedi call a Sith Lord, his Sith name is Darth Sidious. He was the apprentice of Darth Plaugeous the wise."

"You, I mean, he, I mean the man posing as Chancellor Palpatine, he told me about that Dark Lord of the Sith and how he was killed in his sleep by his apprentice."

"Syfo-Dias was his apprentice. Lord Sidious is the new Sith Lord. He has assumed my form and is doing evil in my name."

Anakin's blood went cold. Padme was shaking. "What are we going to do? How are we going to get out of here?"

"I don't know." Anakin said, staring out at the vast empty sea surrounding them. "All I know is, we must, and we will."

[Astrid]

CHAPTER SIX

The waters looked endless. With all his force power, and all Padme and Palpatine's political power, there was no help for them. Anakin walked back to where Palpatine lay, trying to regain his full strength.

"Chancellor, we must work together on this. Let's meditate on it."

"Meditate? Anakin, you forget I am not a Jedi."

For a second he stared quizzically at Palpatine. "I thought you weren't really a Sith."

Palpatine laughed. "I'm not! My boy, I do not have 'the force.'" He chuckled again. "If I did, I surely would have tried to attain power and station much earlier in life!"

This was hard for Anakin to accept at first. This man who he had thought had more force power than anyone, the dark side, the power to save the dead, and come to find out none of it was true. There was no power to save the dead. Palpatine, good Chancellor Palpatine, was an ordinary man with no force sensitivity. The Palpatine running the government was really Syfo-Dias, the changeling who had assumed the form of Obi-Wan to order the clones, then kidnapped the Chancellor at his rise to power and took his form and identity. It was all too much. Anakin sat down and lowered his head.

"Chancellor, I fear there may be more clones of myself. Why would he order clones of an ordinary bounty hunter and not ones with the force? He made one clone of me, am I to believe there are not more?"

"I don't think he made many clones of you, Anakin. You see, he would fear them. One, he could control. Many would be a threat to him. I am sure there was only one clone of you."

"How sure?"

"If I'm wrong, we will find out."

"How?" Padme asked. We are so isolated here. We may never get out of here!"

"Don't say that Padme, we have to! I'll keep trying...anything."

Padme put her head down and started to cry. "What about the babies, Anakin? They think we're dead and they are orphans. What is to become of them?"

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stared at the babies in the medical center.

"How long before they can be taken home?" Obi-Wan asked.

The droid turned to him. "Home? These children have no parents. They are both dead. Child protective regulations require that we know they will be going to a secure home before they are released. We can find adoptive couples if you so request."

"No." Qui-Gon said. "We are going to take them."

"Jedi raising children?" The droid seemed skeptical. "They are helpless infants, not padawans for you to train. You cannot give them the care they will need the next few years of life."

Obi-Wan twisted a piece of his beard. "Qui-Gon, I don't want to give them to Owen Skywalker. I don't feel he is the best parent for them." He said after they were where the droid couldn't hear.

"You heard the droid. They don't accept we Jedi as adoptive parents. We must take them to their uncle."

"Why can't we take them to Padme's family?"

"They never knew of the babies. Besides, if they were with them they'd never be safe. Palpatine is from Naboo, he controls that planet more than any other. He will find a way to take the babies and raise them as Sith, or even worse, kill them."

"I hadn't thought of that, you're right. I don't see how the same thing couldn't happen with Owen, though."

"The empire does not control Tatooine. I don't know if Palpatine even knows where to find that old dirt farm."

"So, we have no choice. The Skywalker ranch it is."

They both had serious reservations about letting the children be raised by someone so hostile to the Jedi. Though Qui-Gon had seen Owen as a good man, and his wife a good woman, he could not forget their first encounter when they first met Anakin. This was a sad situation all around. There was nothing left to do. In a few days, the babies were released to the protective custody of Jinn and Kenobi. They took them on a ship and headed for Tatooine.

"Well, if it isn't the man who killed my brother!" Owen snapped as he saw Obi-Wan approach. "You are not welcome on Skywalker Ranch."

"He died in a battle to the death after turning to the dark side of the force. It was necessary."

"From who's point of view, yours?" Owen protested.

Obi-Wan was getting angry. "As if you cared. You would have killed him yourself if he'd have stayed here."

"The way he killed our mother?"

"Please." Qui-Gon pleaded, his hand extended. "Your niece and nephew need you now. We have brought these children to intrust in your care."

"Do those kids have that 'force' too? I don't want that around here."

"They may." Qui-Gon explained. "There is a chance, since Anakin is their father. Their mother was a non force sensitive, just as you are and your mother was."

"So there's a chance they might be normal?"

Both Jedi were offended by this remark. They did not want to leave the children here. They decided one of them would stay close by at all times in Qui-Gon's old hut to keep watch.

Beru came running out of the house. "Oh, they're here!" She squealed. She walked over and gazed lovingly at them both. "They are so beautiful! I have wanted a son and daughter more than you know. You both have brought joy to my heart!" She smiled at the two Jedi.

Owen scowled. "A good farm worker for me and a house servant for you. That's all I see there in them blankets. And nothing but parasites until they are old enough to work!"

"Owen!" Beru almost cried. "These are innocent babies, your own flesh and blood, please don't think of them that way."

Owen turned away. "I will be tolerant, for you, my dear. But if either of them demonstrate any freakish abilities like their father, I want no more to do with them."

Beru looked timidly and sadly at him, then back at the babies. Jinn and Kenobi sensed her fear, Owen had not always been kind to her. He had the potential to be an abusive father. They committed themselves to keep contact with them.

"You can go now. Get off my land." Owen ordered them both.

"Gladly."

"Ain't you going to help pay for their upkeep?"

"We Jedi have no money."

Owen shook his head and turned away. "Just go."

They left, taking one more glace back. Owen stood with his hands on his hips, staring at the sun. Beru carefully carried both bundles inside.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Obi-Wan whispered to Qui-Gon, though he had already sensed it himself. He took Obi-Wan to his old rugged hermit hideout, and there they both meditated.

Anakin was deep in meditation too, on the island. He was desperate to contact any Jedi still alive, to inform them of his plight, and how important it was that the 'Chancellor' in Coruscant be removed from power. His life force traveled, and a bit of it came through.

Obi-Wan jolted, his eyes shooting open. "Master!" he called out to Qui-Gon, who came out of his meditation too. "The strangest thing happened. I sensed Anakin's life force. I felt it."

"How is this possible? Strange that I have not."

"We were very close in those years after you were gone. He was like my brother. I can feel him."

"Perhaps what you feel is his presence in the force."

"You told me no Sith could survive death as the Jedi can."

"That is so."

"You saw Anakin die a Sith."

"Yes, we did."

"Master, I don't think Anakin is really dead. I don't think that was him who I killed. I had a strange feeling about him at the time, I could not sense him that day."

"That is because the dark side was clouding him."

"Or could it be that it wasn't really our Anakin?"

"Padawan," Master Jinn said, for the first time in years to Obi-Wan. It was almost comforting for him to hear it. "what are you saying?"

"I am saying I sense Anakin Skywalker is alive."

"I understand your deep feeling for him and your regret over his death at your hand, but he is dead, we saw him die in the temple, we saw him burn on the pyre."

"That wasn't really Anakin, I know it."

"Then who was it?"

"Master, why couldn't it have been a clone?"

"A clone?"

"It's not impossible. Clones are made on Kamino, and their growth is accelerated. Could it be that Palpatine made a clone of Anakin and replaced him?"

"That is quite a stretch, but...something in my feelings tell me I cannot rule it out. We must meditate again on this."

After much meditation, Qui-Gon was also convinced Anakin was still alive, though they could not get a clear message from him on what had happened, or his location. They were too far away. In his own desperate prison, Anakin held his head in despair. He felt he had contacted them, but knew they didn't get his message. There had to be something he could do. If only they were closer.

The next day, as the twin suns rose over Tatooine, Jinn and Kenobi headed back to Coruscant. They were going to see Palpatine. They were not yet aware yet it was actually Syfo-Dias.

[Astrid]

CHAPTER SEVEN

Beru snuggled both twins close to her as she rocked them to sleep.

"If either one shows any sign of that...force, you let me know. I'll beat it right out of them soon before it goes too far."

"Owen, they're just babies!"

"Babies grow!"

"Why are you so cruel toward the force? It may be a help to us. Think of it, Owen! If the children are able to move things with only their minds, what a great help that will be around the farm!"

"They can use their hands like everyone else!"

"Owen you're not being fair. To me this force seems a grand and glorious thing, a gift..could it be, you're jealous you didn't get it?"

Owen charged toward her, his hand raised, but stopped short of hitting her or the babies. "Not another word, Beru! Not another word on the matter! These kids will be normal, like us, and that's all there is to it!" He stormed out of the room. Beru lowered her head and cried, her tears falling on each of the Skywalker twins.

------------------------

In far off Coruscant, Jinn and Kenobi had reached the doorway of the Chancellor's chambers.

"Are you sure we can do this?" Kenobi asked. "What if he kills us both, then what?"

"We simply cannot let that happen. We must be wise, ready, and strong. We must cover each other well."

"Yes, Master."

Since no one was guarding the door, they decided to enter and take him by surprise. The door was locked, but they soon used the force to take care of that. Inside, the chambers were very dark. Even though it was sunny outside, all of the curtains were drawn tight, and there were no visible signs of life.

"Can you sense anything, Master? I cannot."

"I feel a life force ever so faintly..." Jinn whispered as he moved some hanging tapestry and stepped through to the next section. "I feel it is someone in touch with the force."

"I sense something now, too, but it's not like a Jedi..or a Sith.."

They could now hear a strange bubbling sound, and they saw a flashing light coming from beneath a closed door. They gazed at each other, winked, and made it open. There, before their eyes, was the biggest shock of their lives!

-----------------------------

Anakin sat on the rocks, staring out at the sun flickering off the endless bouncing waves. His arm was around his beloved Padme. She was still sore from her burns, but healing well. The sandy smelling water splashed them now and then. "Oh, Anakin, I have never known Naboo's waters to be so quiet for so long! There are always some seagoing vessels, or some patrols, a merchant ship, somebody...I can't believe nothing has come this way in days. If I floated here, we couldn't be that far from civilization!"

"Don't worry my angel. I am sure something will happen to help us. The force knows it's important for us to get out of here." He scanned the horizon, where the sky met the ocean. His mind traveled back in time, years ago, to the time when he had first met the Jedi. His thoughts traveled down, down...."Padme!" He called out in excitement. "How far do you think we are from the underwater Gungan world?"

"Oh Anakin that's a brilliant idea! I am sorry I didn't think of it already! Oh, I'm afraid I don't think it's near here..."

"But you admit, you don't know where we are, so how can you say we are not near it, or part of it is not near here?"

"How can we find out? Can you use the force or something?"

"I don't know. I'm going to try to sense something. If I can get a message to them, they can help us!"

"But will they get it, and will they be able to come? Who knows what's going on with that terrible Syfo-Dias in power?"

"Right now, it may be our only hope."

"Then do what you must." She said softly as she kissed him.

---------------------------------

"What in the universe is that?" Kenobi spoke aloud.

Qui-Gon looked more than puzzled as he approached the tank. Inside was an oddly shaped creature, with no identifyable features, more like a big white blob with the form of a body and limbs. From its stomach, an umbilical cord like hose ran through the tank and out an opening into a machine nearby. The two Jedi paced around, taking in everything they could, with all of their natural and supernatural senses. The creature did not seem to move, or be aware they were there.

"Could it be, is this how they made a copy of Anakin? Are they growing a new clone?" Kenobi inquired.

"No, no I don't think so. He appears to be some sort of changling..." Qui-Gon observed. I have seen them in this state in my youth, on some of my farthest expeditions. I am only surmizing he needs this tank to regenerate, to keep himself alive, while he is not in the form of whatever unfortunate sod whose form he's stolen."

"Why would he be here? And where is Chancellor Palpatine?" Obi-Wan said. Just then, his eyes traveled to the well known garb of the Chancellor, lying nearby on the floor, as a human would step out of their clothes and leave them as they entered their bath. All at once, their force sense, and their minds, came to the same possible conclusion. They didn't even need to say it, they knew. They were close to certain that the Chancellor was a changeling. They still didn't know who or why or how, but this was a big discovery nonetheless. They would have to be quiet and careful as they snooped around for more information. But before they could make another move, the tank made an earsplitting sound.....

"Let's get out of here!" Obi-Wan yelled, but it was too late......