general palpatine

I don't think so. There are many other characters in fiction who could be considered equally or even more skilled manipulators.

Well, Palpatine's background is filled with secrecy and deception. He was a master of political manipulation and used his Sith powers in the shadows to gain control. His early life was marked by his apprenticeship under Darth Plagueis and his plotting to overthrow the Republic.

Maybe Palpatine sees Ezra as a potential tool or apprentice at first. He tries to manipulate Ezra into joining him. Ezra, on the other hand, is conflicted because he might see some good in Palpatine's grand plans for the galaxy, but eventually realizes the cost of following the dark side. Their relationship would be a complex dance of manipulation and resistance.

Maybe some of the Jedi Council members. They were the ones who were constantly in conflict with Palpatine's plans, so they could be in the story to show the power struggle between the Jedi and Palpatine.

Yes, usually Palpatine novels are considered canon if they are officially licensed and part of the established Star Wars universe.

Yes, Palpatine is often considered one of the most manipulative villains. His schemes and political machinations in the Star Wars universe are incredibly complex and far-reaching.

The story could also center around Palpatine's relationship with other key characters in the Star Wars saga. For instance, his interactions with the Jedi before he fully revealed his true nature. It could show how he managed to deceive them for so long, his schemes to undermine the Jedi Order from within. It could also touch on his influence on Anakin Skywalker's fall, exploring the details of how he lured Anakin to the dark side step by step.

It would likely have led to a very different outcome for the Star Wars universe. Maybe peace would have been restored earlier.

Perhaps Ezra gets transported back in time and encounters a younger Palpatine. Ezra tries to prevent Palpatine from turning to the dark side, but in the process, he has to face the challenges of the political and social environment of that time. This could lead to a complex story of moral dilemmas and power struggles.

Power play. Since both Palpatine and Vitiate are powerful Sith - like characters, the fanfic often focuses on their struggle for power and control. For example, they might compete to manipulate the various factions in the Clone Wars.