Title: In a Moment: Vignette. 4 "Mine."

Main Characters: Palpatine

Summary: Palpatine considers the prizes he has won.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Star Wars, but I do have a birthday coming up in August… *looks hopeful*

A/N: The reviews I got on Padmé's vignette inspired me to finish the one I'd started long ago for Palpatine. It is meant to be a glimpse into Palpatine's thoughts in that last scene when he's standing side by side with Vader.

As always, I thank my Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the source of all inspiration.

I hope you enjoy it, and please let me know what you think!

Mine

Coruscant. The galactic capitol. The jewel of the Republic. A once-shinning beacon of democracy.

It - and the galaxy with it - now belong to me.

They are mine to save or destroy. Mine to lead. Mine to command. Mine to shape as I wish.

I cannot deny that it is a heady feeling.

I have waited years, decades, skulking in the shadows, hiding in plain sight, weaving an intricate web of lies and deception. It was a laborious process and often unrewarding, yet, I remained patient, all for this one moment. The moment I would claim my prize.

And what a prize it is.

But, another victory is sweeter still - my victory over the man who stands at my side.

The Chosen One, the One who was destined to destroy me.

I could have simply killed him; that alone would have assured my place as the greatest Sith the galaxy has ever known.

But, any being can kill their enemy. It is another thing entirely to bend them to your will, to shape them until they become a weapon you can wield.

Vader will be my weapon.

He will be the symbol the galaxy fears…the monster lurking in darkness, the soulless villain the citizens of the Empire - my Empire - shall whisper about in the streets. He is, of course, not what he could have been; his injuries have left him greatly weakened. But, that is, perhaps, convenient. Betrayal is the way of the Sith, after all, and someday, he will outlive his usefulness. I will need to ensure that he never believes I have outlived my usefulness, however - or failing that, that he never feels confident enough to act on his ambitions.

But, that is not my immediate concern.

First, he will need to recover from his wounds - to the extent possible - and then, he has much to learn. His brashness, arrogance, and impatience made him quite useful to me in the past - but I shall not tolerate that now. If he is to be a weapon, he will be a finely honed blade, not a bludgeon.

He hates me already; I can sense it. He blames me for his own failures, for his wife's death, though in truth, no hand was laid on her but his own. But, power is an unquenchable thirst for the Sith - and those who seek it must first learn from those who have already achieved it.

So, yes, he will learn from me, and learn well.

My lips curve into a smile.

He is, after all, mine.

Fin

Please review and let me know what you thought!

Thanks for reading! Take care and God bless!

Ani-maniac494 :)