I've always loved Star Wars and have much respect for Lucas' creativity in creating such an intricate and intriguing universe. While I genuinely enjoyed Episode III, I wasn't really a fan of the way in which he portrayed Anakin's turn to the Dark Side. It seemed far too rushed and not exactly believable. (Then again, maybe I've just had too long to think about my own version, and of course, it's always easier to edit something somebody else already created.) In any event, here's my humble attempt at portraying the turn...

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

Star Wars Episode III: Turn of the Jedi

The Separatists' war against the Republic intensified.
Jedi warriors Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker
rescued Chancellor Palpatine from the clutches of
Separatist Commander, General Grievous. Although
Grievous escaped, Anakin killed Count Dooku, renegade
Jedi and Sith Lord. Chancellor Palpatine appointed Anakin
as his personal representative to the Jedi Council, a
move that disturbed the Jedi Masters. Nonetheless, the
Jedi Masters have in turn asked young Anakin to report
to them on the Chancellor. Meanwhile, as Anakin remains
tormented by visions of the deaths of his wife Padme and
their child, the Chancellor has summoned him to the Opera
house to deliver intelligence crucial to the war…

The kindly old man looked upon the concerned face of his young friend as the two sat alone in the Chancellor's box in the opera house. "It will be alright," he nodded, "the death of someone close to you is certainly cause for concern, but I think that, together, we can surely find a way around this."

Slowly opening and closing his fists in fits of nervous energy, Anakin Skywalker shook his head. Although the elegant opera dominated the view, his focus was elsewhere. "Master Yoda believed it was the way of the Force," he spat bitterly.

"I'm sure he did," Chancellor Palpatine replied almost harshly. "The Jedi have always held a rather," Palpatine paused, as if choosing his words carefully, "uncaring view of the individual. Present company excluded, of course," he said with a respectful gesture in Anakin's direction. "I respect the Jedi for their power, but not always how they use it."

The young man looked confused. "The Jedi are not about power, Chancellor," he began, as if reciting. "They exist to help people."

Palpatine made vigorous movements with his hand. "Of course. And what greater power is there, than the power to, help, people?" He looked compassionately at the youth. "Especially those you care about the most."

Anakin's breath quickened. "I must help her. I cannot lose her!"

The Chancellor gripped the Anakin's shoulder in support. "You know, my young friend," Palpatine began smoothly, "what you saw is the future. The future if we do not act." He looked right into Anakin's eyes, trying to reason with the conflicted youth. "The Jedi will do nothing to help, but we will! Whatever I have at my disposal is yours. With my influence and your power, together, we will save her life!" The Chancellor was caring, yet forceful.

Anakin seemed to breathe more easily at his mentor's comforting and nodded his head appreciatively. "You have always been such a good friend, Chancellor. I'm sorry for burdening you with my problems. That's not why you sent for me today."

"Nonsense, Anakin. Your problems are my problems. I remain honored by your friendship," Palpatine replied warmly. "But perhaps I have some good news. Our Clone Intelligence Units have discovered the location of General Grievous. He is hiding in the Utapau system."

Looking up with determination, Anakin spoke quickly, "At last we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war."

The Chancellor shook his head in an almost resigned manner. "Well, said. I hope so, too." He looked away.

Anakin sensed his friend's concern. It permeated the entire box, despite the Chancellor's attempts to disguise it. "There's something wrong. I can feel it."

Palpatine turned back around to face the youth, an exasperated sigh escaping. "Oh Anakin, it is me who shouldn't be burdening you. You already have so much to worry about. And I worry if I involve you, it could, no, no I shouldn't. I can't."

As the Bith soprano strained to hit the high note far below them, Anakin replied earnestly, "After all you've done for me, you must let me help you!"

There was a dejected, humorless smile creasing the Chancellor's lips. "That means more to me than you could possibly know, Anakin. But how can I possibly justify putting you at risk?" The Chancellor's eyes were almost pleading.

Anakin was resolute. "Because that's what I do, Chancellor."

Palpatine appeared humbled by Anakin's reassurance and seemed to draw strength from it. He sat straight up in his chair and dutifully adjusted his Chancellor's robes. Looking cautiously around, despite the otherwise empty box, he leaned in close to the young Jedi. "I, I have come to realize that once this war is over, the Council means to betray me and take control of the Republic."

Anakin looked at his friend with astonishment. "What!?"

"I'm afraid," Palpatine began wistfully, "that they are just using me to avert this crisis, and that when I am expendable, they will dispense with me."

Shaking his head vigorously, the young Jedi could not believe his friend. "That's not possible," he started, though his confusion betrayed his misgivings. "They've…" Anakin trailed off, lost in a swirling sea of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He grew silent, turning his eyes towards the floor.

"You feel it, too, my friend, don't you?" the Chancellor asked. Leaning in even closer to Anakin, his voice now barely a whisper, Palpatine continued, "They have already tried to involve you, haven't they?"

Anakin turned away from his friend, unable to face him. The Chancellor's voice waivered slightly as he leaned still further, his head now almost touching Anakin's. "They, they asked you to spy on me, didn't they?"

The young Jedi stood up in shame, turning his back to Chancellor Palpatine and placed his head in his hands. "Chancellor, I," the youth began, trembling, "I, I don't know what to say, I…"

Standing up and throwing a comforting arm over Anakin's shoulder, the Chancellor replied warmly, "Anakin, my friend, what they have asked you to do is wrong, but I know you will make the right decision. I have always known that." The Chancellor turned the young Jedi's face around, gently lifting his chin up. Anakin slowly opened his eyes, looking shamefully at his friend. Palpatine continued, nodding his reassurance, "But believe me, I know that you will never betray me."

There was an uncomfortable silent pause. Anakin didn't know how to respond. Thoughts pounded around his head. He realized that the Chancellor was his friend; the person who had never asked anything of him. In a sea of discord, the thought calmed him. "No, Chancellor. I won't betray you."

Relieved, the Chancellor patted Anakin on the back several times. "I know it, my friend. I know it." He took several deep breaths. "I suppose this is also something that we will have to face together."

Anakin nodded sincerely. He was extraordinarily appreciative of the Chancellor's understanding. In the background, the opera rose to a thunderous crescendo.

The Chancellor clasped Anakin's hand tightly. "However, despite our misgivings, you probably should inform the Council of Grievous' whereabouts. Regardless of what they do to me, we still must end this war as soon as possible."

Anakin was taken aback by his friend's willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good. The young Jedi determined not to let that happen. Surrounded against the enormity of the open-aired opera house, and faced with such adversity, the Chancellor seemed like such a small man, yet somehow regal in his devotion to his cause. Anakin was suddently very proud. "Of course, Chancellor. I'll tell them immediately. I won't let you down." He turned around to the box's exit and opened the door before pausing to look back. "And, thank you, again, for all of your help, Chancellor." With that, he ran out towards the hanger to deliver the news to the Jedi Council.

Chancellor Palpatine smiled warmly at the departing youth, displaying a sense of pride and admiration. He turned around and sat back down in his seat, the warmth fading from his eyes, but the smile remaining. "No, Anakin, thank you."

Far below, the opera house lay in silence as the last chords disappeared into the ether.