When the Sun Sets

Chapter 13 - Coming Darkness

Aniya Skywalker

The trip is nerve wracking. It feels like I can't breathe. Everything depends on this, and this alone, perhaps even the fate of the entire galaxy. I can't lose my only hope at saving my brothers and sisters and Padme and – everyone. The only person not on the line is Jaufre.

I don't know who's doing what, but we're about to find out, and I'm terrified.

We're moving as fast as we can, but it's already dark when we finally arrive at the Senate and head for Palpatine's office, even if we run the entire way. Every second counts, and I can sense the turmoil here.

When we sprint through the door into the entrance room, Palpatine is on the floor by the now-broken window and Windu is standing over him, lightsaber ignited, hovering right over him. "You are under arrest, my lord."

This is exactly what Palpatine had warned us about – he's defenseless, and Windu won their duel, somehow, and – and I can see his... intent. He's about to carry through with it. I can feel it, but I don't want to believe it.

"Anakin, Aniya, I told you it would come to this!" Palpatine shouts, "I was right. The Jedi are taking over."

"The oppression of the Sith will never return," Windu replies venomously, "You have lost."

"No, no, you will die," Palpatine shouts, a blast of lightning shooting from his fingers, striking Windu's lightsaber.

I flinch back, memories burning through my mind. I haven't been electrocuted much, but it's enough to know I never want to feel it again. It was always worse for Anakin, and I can feel his raging emotions as he turns away, shielding his face from the brightness.

Dooku used that on him, back on Geonosis. It's – none of this brings any pleasant memories, and... Palpatine can use Force lightning. Of course, he can. He's a Sith. But – that hardly does anything to stop my hammering heart. What are we supposed to do?!

Windu is moving closer now, lightsaber hovering dangerously close to Palpatine, and the lightning is deflecting back, burning his face. And yes, he's using a very dangerous Sith ability, but he is defending himself. Windu was about to kill him. He's still trying to kill him. And maybe he's a Sith, but that doesn't mean it's not treason.

"You must choose," Palpatine calls. I know that, and I don't know what to do. Anakin looks just as desperate. Whatever we decide, it'll be together, but that doesn't answer what. I have no idea. Windu is in the wrong here, clearly, by betraying everything the Jedi hold dear, but Palpatine is a Sith.

"Don't listen to him!" Windu grits out, struggling to block the lightning.

Palpatine is smoking now, and – I don't want to watch this. We need to do something. We have to stop this. But – what Windu's doing is wrong, and it's horrifying, because being slowly electrocuted to death is a horrible way for anyone to die, but he's a Sith and he started the war. He's dangerous and he's evil and he needs to be stopped before he does anything worse, but what Windu is doing is – it's sickening. He's not doing it to defend himself, he's doing it to kill, to hurt. (Just like Obi-Wan did in my vision.)

"I can't hold it any longer. I'm too weak," Palpatine moans, the lightning abruptly stopping. His face is burned and scarred horribly, and –

"I am going to end this once and for all," Windu growls, a look of fury shining in his eyes. A look that always promises pain to one's opponent – a desire to hurt that won't be satisfied until it's done. And seeing that on the Master of the Order, someone we're supposed to look up to and respect, is...