Rise of the Dark Lord-

This is my first story on , I'm still developing my style. This is an AU story about Darth Sidious, taking place over many years. Hope you enjoy-

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

Night had fallen on the lush, green world of Naboo. On the balcony of an elegant, aristocratic villa overlooking the gushing waterfalls, a couple stood facing a snakelike Thisspian Jedi Master. The husband was dressed in the robes of a wealthy Nubian politican while the wife rocked in her arms a baby. The bundled infant was very much awake, but he was not making a sound. Rather, the newborn son of Cosinga and Apailana Palpatine was studying the old, whitebeared Master Oppo Rancisis with unnatural interest.

"I assure you, my graces, that it is a great honor for any family to produce a child as strong in the Force as your young one here, and he will reflect very well on your family."

"With all due respect, Master Jedi," replied Apailana tentatively, "we've already decided to raise our son as a politican. He'll attend the Legislative Youth program, and continue our family tradition."

Master Rancisis sighed, thinking it over. He had no authority to force the Palpatines to give up their son, but there had been so few new recruits to the Jedi Order, and he sensed a midichlorian count in the infant that would rival that of Grand Master Yoda.

"Mr. Palpatine," Oppo Rancisis directly addressed Cosinga, "imagine the favor you would gain with the Naboo monarchy if they knew that your son was a Jedi Knight. The king would appoint you to the highest position in his court and eventually, you may be able to secure the crown for yourself."

As his wife held the baby tightly to her, Cosinga Palpatine considered this. The Jedi's argument made sense, the Jedi were looked upon very highly among the local government. What did he have to lose.

"He's all yours, Jedi," Cosigna declared. He grabbed at the bundle in Apailana's arms, but she pulled the still-quiet baby boy away.

"Consigna, no!" she exclaimed, shocked at her husband's sudden selfishness, "Our son will not become a political tool!"

"I won't force you to do anything," Rancisis bowed his scaly, bearded head respectfully.

"I am the man of the house, and I have made my decision," Cosinga replied with an air of finality. He was seized by the thought of glory. His rivals would be forever silenced when the public found out that he was the father of a Jedi knight.

"No!" screamed Apailana as Cosinga pulled the silent infant out of her arms, "please, don't take away my baby!"

Cosinga suddenly came at his wife, his fist cracking against her cheek. Apailana gasped, and stumbled back against the balcony railing. Cosinga carelessly dangled his son by the bundle in one hand.

Rancisis used the Force to restrain the angry man and said, "That's enough." He glared at Cosinga sternly, but with standard Jedi calm.

"Forgive me, Master Jedi," Cosinga replied sheepishly, then turned on his wife. "We'll produce another son to raise as our own, but I insist on giving this one to the Jedi."

Apailana trembled, still in shock from the blow, and said, "y-yes-s, si-rr."

Cosinga handed the infant to Oppo Rancisis, who rocked the baby gently. He hoped to give the newborn a better life at the Jedi Temple than he'd surely receive here with his parents.

"That'll be the end of it then," Cosinga said curtly to the Jedi Master, "if you'll see yourself out, Master Jedi."

Rancisis slithered back into the house, anxious to get the poor infant out of there as soon as possible. In his reptilian arms, the newborn stared up at his face curiously.