Padmé Amidala had always prided herself in being prepared. The former Queen of Naboo and current Senator of the Galactic Republic was known for her uncanny ability to anticipate any and every scenario that might come her way.
Assassinations? She would remain stoic, not reacting, and focus on identifying the assassin.
Political rivals? She would dismantle their arguments and bring them to their knees with her keen intellect and persuasive words.
But even this was to much for her to be prepared for.
She stood in front of the massive durasteel doors that marked the entrance to The Throne Room, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. The Grand Chamber in which she was about to enter was infamous throughout the galaxy for being the seat of Emperor Vader's power. The former slave boy she had once known as Anakin Skywalker had become a force to be reckoned with, and now she faced the daunting task of trying to persuade him to listen to reason.
As she stood there, she recalled the day they had first met on the dusty, sun-scorched plains of Tatooine. Anakin had been a young boy, full of hope and dreams of becoming a great Jedi Knight. Never could she have imagined that this innocent child would one day transform into the imposing figure of Emperor Vader, a man whose rule was marked by tyranny and darkness.
The doors to the throne room opened, revealing the dimly lit chamber within. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by the flickering torchlight and adding to the sinister atmosphere that permeated the room. Padmé took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to face the man who had once been her friend and ally.
As she walked towards the towering figure of Emperor Vader, she couldn't help but marvel at the transformation he had undergone. He was now 6 feet 5 inches tall, clad in black boots, pants, and a tunic that was covered entirely by a flowing black robe. His once bright blue eyes were now a menacing crimson yellow, and a jagged scar marred his right eye, a testament to his warrior status.
The sweet, innocent boy she had once known on Tatooine had been replaced by a powerful, fearsome ruler. Gone was the arrogance of youth, replaced by an air of confidence bolstered by the aura of authority that emanated from him. This was not the Anakin Skywalker she remembered. No, this was a man who had been forged in the fires of war and had emerged as a dark and powerful leader.
"Ani--" Padmé began, her voice barely above a whisper. She was interrupted by the angry outburst of one of Emperor Vader's subordinates, a Red Skinned Chagrian male. He slammed his foot onto the ground as he marched down towards her from the stairs.
"ON YOUR KNEES! NONE MAY ADDRESS THE EMPEROR WITHOUT SUBMISSION!" he roared. As Padmé glanced around the room, she noticed the guards who had escorted her in were already kneeling with their heads bowed.
The Royal Senate Guards who accompanied her looked equally confused before reluctantly dropping to their knees and bowing their heads. Padmé followed suit, paying her respects to The Emperor.
She could scarcely believe that this tyrant had once been the kind-hearted boy who had helped her free her people. If it hadn't been for him upgrading R2-D2, the droid would never have been able to destroy The Droid Control Ship over Naboo.
The transformation was almost unimaginable, and she struggled to reconcile her memories of the young Anakin Skywalker with the man who now ruled with an iron fist.
The chamber was not as crowded as Padmé initially thought, but two of Emperor Vader's wives were present, Bastila Skywalker formerly Bastila Shan and Anissa Skywalker, also known as Darth Revan. The two sat on his lap in a loving way feeling up his body.
Padmé couldn't help but feel an intense jealousy when she looked at them, knowing they shared a life with the man she had once loved. Her heart ached with the memory of what could have been.
"What is the purpose of your visit, Senator?" Emperor Vader questioned, his voice low and menacing.
"I was sent on a diplomatic mission by The Republic." Padmé replied calmly, her gaze never wavering from the Emperor's piercing eyes.
"Really? Then why bring Jedi with you?" He asked, his voice dripping with suspicion.
Padmé's breath hitched in shock. The Republic had sent a Jedi Strike Team disguised as Royal Senate Guards, more specifically, Jedi Shadows. She had also been followed by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi since they knew each other since The Battle of Naboo. Her mission, it seemed, had not been as covert as she had thought.
As she contemplated her response, Padmé knew that she would need all her wits about her to navigate this dangerous situation. The Dark Council, though not present in the room, was a force that lurked in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. The stakes were high, and Padmé was determined to face the challenge head-on, no matter what the cost.
Padmé struggled to maintain her composure as she prepared to respond to Emperor Vader's question. She couldn't help but be distracted by Bastila and Anissa, who seemed to have noticed her jealousy and were now subtly flaunting their relationship with Anakin.
They stood close to him, occasionally whispering into his ear or touching his arm in a way that sent a pang of envy through Padmé's heart. She had to remind herself to stay focused on the task at hand.
"The Jedi were sent as a precaution, Your Highness." Padmé explained, hoping her voice didn't betray the turmoil she felt inside.
"Their presence is not meant as an offense, but rather as a means to ensure the safety of all parties involved in this diplomatic mission."
Emperor Vader's eyes narrowed, and he seemed to consider her words for a moment. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold and filled with disdain, "It is interesting that you would mention safety, Senator. The Jedi have long been the ones to persecute my people, those who follow the Sith religion. Their so-called 'peacekeeping' efforts have often resulted in the suffering and death of those they claim to protect."
Padmé hesitated, knowing that the Emperor was not entirely wrong in his assessment. The long-standing conflict between the Jedi and Sith had caused immeasurable pain and destruction on both sides.
"I understand your concerns, Your Highness. However, I assure you that the Republic's intentions are peaceful. We seek to find common ground and work together for the betterment of the galaxy."
Anissa and Bastila exchanged smirks, clearly amused by Padmé's attempts to smooth things over. Their behavior only served to fuel her jealousy, as it was evident that they were not taking her diplomatic efforts seriously. Yet, Padmé knew that she could not let her emotions control her actions. She had to remain steadfast and determined in her mission.
Emperor Vader studied Padmé for a moment, seemingly weighing her words. Then, he turned to his wives and nodded, "Very well, Senator Amidala. I will permit your diplomatic mission to proceed. However, I must insist that the Jedi who accompanied you remain under close supervision for the duration of their stay."
Padmé bowed her head, grateful for the small victory. "Thank you, Your Highness. I assure you that the Jedi will comply with your requirements."
Emperor Vader led Padmé and the Jedi to a spacious meeting room where they could discuss their diplomatic mission further. The chamber was decorated in a similar style to the throne room, with murals of Sith victories adorning the walls and a large, obsidian table dominating the center of the room.
As they entered, Padmé couldn't help but notice the Royal Sith Guards stationed around the room. Clad in armor reminiscent of the Jedi Temple Guards but with darker, more crimson colors, they exuded a sense of menace and power. The guards watched the Jedi carefully, stalking beside them with a 6-foot distance maintained at all times. It was evident that Emperor Vader was taking no chances with his guests.
Bastila and Revan continued to flaunt their love for Anakin, seemingly enjoying the discomfort it caused Padmé. Revan ran her fingers gently along Anakin's face, feeling the texture of his skin, while Bastila stood close to him, caressing his arms and chest muscles. The intimate display was almost too much for Padmé to bear, and she had to clench her fists at her sides to maintain her composure.
As they all took their seats around the table, Padmé struggled to keep her focus on the task at hand. Her intense jealousy threatened to overwhelm her, but she knew she could not let her emotions get the better of her. This diplomatic mission was too important to be derailed by personal feelings.
Qui-Gon, attempting to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand, addressed Emperor Vader, "Your Highness, we understand your concerns regarding the Jedi's presence. However, I want to assure you that our intentions are peaceful. We seek to find a way for the Republic and your Empire to coexist and work together for the benefit of all."
Emperor Vader regarded Qui-Gon for a moment before responding. "I appreciate your assurances, Master Jinn. However, given the history between our factions, I trust you can understand my need for caution."
As the negotiations continued, Padmé had to summon every ounce of her diplomatic skills to stay focused on the mission. She knew that finding a way to bridge the gap between The Republic and the Sith Empire was crucial for the future of the galaxy, and she was determined to see it through, no matter how difficult it might be.
Anakin became increasingly affectionate towards Bastila and Revan. The two women reciprocated his displays of love, sharing kisses and tender touches, much to the discomfort of Padmé. The jealousy within her grew more intense, but she kept her emotions in check, unwilling to show any weakness.
Finally, Anakin stood up and announced, "I believe we have discussed enough for today. I will allow you and your delegation to remain in Mustafar's atmosphere, on your Naboo Royal Frigate. You will have enough supplies to last weeks. We will reconvene at a later date to continue these negotiations."
Qui-Gon and the other Jedi delegates exchanged wary glances but nodded in agreement. They understood that they were at the mercy of Anakin and his Sith Empire, and they had little choice but to accept his conditions.
As the meeting came to a close, Anakin shared one last passionate kiss with Revan and Bastila, much to Padmé's dismay. But as everyone began to leave the room, Padmé silently thanked Anakin for ending the meeting early. She was grateful for the small reprieve from witnessing the intimate moments between her former love and his new wives.
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Back on the Naboo Royal Frigate, Padmé felt a mix of emotions. As she reflected on the meeting, she couldn't help but believe that she was the only one truly worthy of Anakin. She felt a deep connection to him, one that she believed Revan and Bastila could never truly understand. However, she knew that such thoughts were not productive, and so she focused on the task at hand.
Padmé, Qui-Gon, and the other Jedi decided to relay the information they had gathered to the Jedi Council and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. They convened in a secure communications room and began the transmission.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu, Chancellor Palpatine." Padmé began her voice tight with emotion, "We have made contact with Anakin Skywalker, now known as Darth Vader, the leader of the Sith Empire. He has agreed to allow us to remain in Mustafar's atmosphere while we continue negotiations."
Qui-Gon added, "His power and influence are far greater than we anticipated. We must tread carefully."
Obi-Wan, unable to contain his disdain for Anakin, interjected, "I believe it would be in our best interest to assassinate him. He's nothing more than an arrogant child, unworthy of the power he wields."
Padmé's eyes widened in shock, but before she could object, Master Yoda spoke up. "Rash actions, that is, Obi-Wan. Understand the situation, we must, before making such decisions."
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine chimed in, "I agree with Master Yoda. We cannot act recklessly. We must gather more information and assess the situation carefully."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms and huffed. "Very well, but we must not forget that he is a Sith. The Jedi have always fought against the dark side, and we cannot let our guard down."
Padmé clenched her fists, frustrated by Obi-Wan's arrogance and unwillingness to see the potential for change in Anakin. She knew that the Jedi's hatred towards the Sith only further fueled the divide between the two factions. However, she also knew that voicing her thoughts would not help the situation, so she remained silent.
The Jedi Council and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine instructed the delegation to proceed with caution and continue their negotiations with Anakin. As they ended the transmission, Padmé, Qui-Gon, and the others knew that the fate of the galaxy hung in the balance, and they would have to navigate the treacherous path ahead with great care.
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I wrote this with the hopes of getting into the more emotional and effective ways of thinking about the story. I thought it'd be fun and it was let me know if you want more chapters like this in the future.
Now in this chapter, we explored a tense meeting between Anakin and a delegation of Jedi led by Padmé and Qui-Gon Jinn. With The Sith Empire getting much recognition in the galaxy which The Republic hates.
Anakin's immense power and influence are on full display, as well as the deep-seated animosity between the Jedi and the Sith. As Revan and Bastila flaunt their relationship with Anakin, Padmé struggles with jealousy, believing she is the only one worthy of Anakin's love, despite her abandoning him on Tatooine.
The chapter also provides a glimpse into the darker side of the Jedi Order, with Obi-Wan serving as an example of the Jedi's arrogance and hatred towards the Sith. The delicate negotiations continue as the Jedi relay their findings to the Jedi Council and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, with Obi-Wan suggesting assassination as a potential solution. Keep in mind Obi-Wan never trained Anakin here so he'd just view him as yet another Sith.
As the story unfolds, expect more twists and turns, as well as the introduction of both minor and major original characters. Remember, this is an alternate universe, so not everything will align perfectly with established lore. But one thing is for sure – Anakin's unrivaled power will be a driving force in the chapters to come. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
Anyways that's all I have for you today, don't forget as always I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you guys also have any suggestions on what you want to see in the story, I'd be happy to hear your ideas for it and I'll see if it fits in with what I have planned for this story. Don't be afraid to comment your suggestions down below, I love seeing the comments ❤️
Anyways peace-out readers!!
Word Count: 2569
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