The Will of the Force

Chapter 9: The Final Battle

Rebellion soldiers moved quickly about the lower level of the palace, establishing communications and securing imperial staff as Padme and Anakin entered. Piett was standing near the turbo lift directing what Padme could only describe as controlled chaos and waved them over to join him. With a salute, he brought them up to speed on the situation. 'This level is under our control and I'm readying forces to push deeper into the Palace and extend our perimeter. Most of the servants and staff surrendered upon seeing our troops defeat the Imperial guards on this level, and they are now being held in the atrium until we figure out what to do with them. However, I'm afraid that upon seeing us breach this level, Palpatine barricaded himself inside the throne room with the remainder of his guard – about five men. The turbo-lift-' he indicated the one they were standing near 'is the only way up and it only carries two people at a time.'

Padme considered the issue. 'Anakin and I will go up first and hope to catch Palpatine by surprise. We should be able to dispatch the guards and keep him busy. After us, send up the clones two at a time, but instruct them not to enter the throne room until the whole unit is present.' She glanced at Anakin, who nodded in agreement with the plan.'

'May the force be with you,' Piett said as they entered the turbo-lift and she pressed the button for the throne room level.

The life slid open a short time later and the two Jedi moved silently forward, having ignited their lightsabers before arriving on the floor to avoid any noise that might draw attention to their cloaked presence. In unison, they raised their left hands and the heavy set double doors flew open, revealing Palpatine sitting on his throne. The guards froze momentarily in surprise at the sudden appearance of the two figures. Without pausing, Padme leaped forward and brought her blade swiftly down onto the nearest guard, who fell with a small cry. At the same time, Anakin threw his lightsaber in a sweeping arc, taking advantage of the guards' state of surprise and easily felling two before returning to his outstretched hand. The remaining two recovered and went on the offensive. One tried to behead Padme with a wide, sweeping slash, but she caught in on the tip of her blade and flicked it to the side before stabbing her opponent deep in the chest, only removing the weapon when he had sunk to the ground and was still. The other, seeing the fate of his companion, seemed to decide he would fare better facing the second of the robed warriors and began to swing his staff in a deadly arc. Only to have it stopped when his opponent reached out his hand. The feeling of shock was his last as Anakin deftly swung his blade and beheaded him.

With all the guards dead there was a short silence in the room before a slow clap began. 'Well done Lord Vader,' Palpatine's voice made Padme's skin crawl.

'That name no longer has any meaning for me,' Anakin replied with venom in his tone.

'Come now, I only ever wanted to help you save your wife.' His golden eyes flicked to Padme and his stomach withered though she met his gaze with an air of defiance, allowing her hatred and loathing to seep through the force. 'Which I see was successful. In fact, it seems to have had some added benefits,' he continued looking back at Anakin.

'You didn't save her. You killed her.'

Palpatine's eyes narrowed and all of the playfulness vanished from his tone. 'I tried to give you the opportunity to become powerful beyond what any Jedi has ever accomplished, but I see now that you are grounded in their weaknesses.' He stood drawing his crimson red blade. 'For that, you die and your pitiful rebellion will regret the day they stood against the might of the empire. He launched at Anakin and the two began dueling so fast that their lightsabers were mere blurs. Padme hesitated for a moment, watching the fight, before racing to Anakin's aid. It was now two against one, but the Emperor held his own. He matched their thrusts and swings, parrying and blocking each one as they came. Padme was thankful for the fact that this left him with little opportunity to be offensive and eventually she managed to get in a strong upward blow that sent his lightsaber clattering from his grasp. His eyes followed the weapon and Anakin lowered his blade to the Emperor's throat.

'The force seeks balance,' he said simply before slashing Palpatine's throat at the same moment as the 501st burst into the room. Padme felt his dark, ominous weight in the force lift. A warm, harmonious feeling spread throughout the force. Balance. Finally achieved after nearly a decade steeped in darkness. She looked at Anakin and knew he felt it. too. She gave him a quick kiss, whispering 'Well done Ani'

A boyish smile lit up his face as he took her hand in his. 'Today will be long remembered, Angel.' He led her to the large windows that overlooked the city and put his arm around her shoulders as the clones began the clean-up behind them. 'Today marks the beginning of an era. One free of Palpatine's influence and machinations.'

'One where we can build a better future for the Republic and the Jedi,' Padme said, leaning into him and watching as the sun rose over the building, the golden glow symbolizing a new beginning for the galaxy.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short! As I said, I suck at battle scenes. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it :)