Three Starlights (Book #2 in Bridging the Gap)

Chapter 3 - Things that Weren't (Teagan)

Anakin lands in his speeder outside the Senate building, scrambling out and running towards Palpatine's office. Inside, the Jedi and Sith continue to fight furiously, the latter Force-leaping around during the struggle. A stray swing of Windu's lightsaber hits the enormous window in the office, shattering the glass. Soon, they're fighting right on the ledge of the window.

Windu Force-kicks Palpatine, knocking him to the floor as he loses his grip on his lightsaber. It falls out the window to the ground far below. Windu steps closer to Palpatine as he scrambles away from the purple lightsaber until he's backed against the wall, just as Anakin races into the room.

"You are under arrest, My Lord," scowls Windu.

Palpatine's gaze flicks towards Anakin. "Anakin! I told you it would come to this. I was right. The Jedi are taking over."

"You old fool," growls Windu, "The oppression of the Sith will never return. Your plot to regain control of the Republic is over. You have lost."

"No! No! You will die!" shouts Palpatine, raising his hand and shooting lightning bolts at Windu, who immediately blocks them with his lightsaber.

"He is a traitor, Anakin," Palpatine insists.

"He's the traitor. Stop him!" argues Windu.

"Come to your senses, boy. The Jedi are in revolt. They will betray you, just as they betrayed me," urges Palpatine, "You are not one of them, Anakin. Don't let him kill me."

Anakin steps back from the two, attempting to shield his eyes from the blinding lightning.

"I am your pathway to power. I have the power to save the one you love. You must choose. You must stop him," insists Palpatine.

"Don't listen to him, Anakin!" argues Windu.

"Help me! Don't let him kill me. I can't hold on any longer," cries Palpatine, doing a good job at looking pathetic.

As Windu slowly continues to approach the Sith, the lightning begins to arch back at him, changing his appearance to Sidious. Slowly, his eyes turn yellow – proof that he's fully drawing on the Dark Side.

"I can't... I give up. Help me. I am weak... I am too weak. Don't kill me. I give up. I'm dying. I can't hold on any longer," moans Palpatine as the lightning finally dies down and stops.

"You Sith disease. I am going to end this once and for all."

"You can't kill him, Master. He must stand trial," protests Anakin.

"He has too much control of the Senate and the Courts. He is too dangerous to be kept alive," replies Windu.

"I'm too weak. Don't kill me. Please."

"It is not the Jedi way," argues Anakin, even as the Jedi Master raises his lightsaber for the kill. "He must live!"

"Please don't, please don't," begs Palpatine.

"I need him."

"Please don't!" cries the Sith Lord again.

"No!" screams Anakin, igniting his lightsaber and swinging towards Windu, severing his right hand. It and his lightsaber fall out the window to the ground far below. Palpatine's previously horrified expression turns to glee, and he shoots lightning full force at Windu.

Anakin steps back before deactivating his lightsaber, seeming stunned by his actions. After several more seconds of being hit by the lightning, Windu is thrown far out the window and falls out of sight, presumably to his death.