Author's Note: I know we've all been fascinated by order 66. In the poetic, terrible tragedy sequence when we watch the Jedi become the victims of their loyal clone troopers. I was watching Episode III the other day and I thought to myself What about the Sith? What about the Sith? So, I decided to write a story about a Sith who lived during the Clone Wars. This is the tale of Tyler Stargazer—Darth Aronis.

Prologue

Memories

The alien leapt forward, its maw gaping ajar. Tyler Spacegazer rolled away just in time, the monster's jaws closing just a hair's breadth from him. His green lightsaber ignited as he force-pushed the monstrous being. Blaster fire lit the air and he easily deflected bolts with the glowing green beam, sending them ricocheting off in random directions, or, if he was lucky, into the droids attacking him.

All the while he moved forwards, chopping silently through their ranks, his Jedi robes flapping about him. Around him, his fellow Jedi ruthlessly attacked their opponents, cutting down the droids with sober expressions on their calm faces, moving quickly about their business. They were warriors all, fighting for peace and freedom for the Universe.

Tyler dodged under a battle-droid's extended arm and cut him in half. The last droid fell to the ground. Around them, the burning world faded then blinked away, storing itself in its digital file. Master Yoda limped towards them, "Good, good," he murmured to the younglings. "Very good." A single student still stood, his face illuminated in the dim setting by his training lightsaber. "Deactivate your weapon, you must, Tyler Stargazer."

The youngling gazed longingly at the weapon but eventually switched it off. Yoda "mmmed" disappointedly. "Done are we for today, younglings." The younglings all ran off. Only Stargazer remained. "Is there a problem, Tyler?"

"Master—I felt something—something—good, warm, powerful during the simulation and I was just—"

"Mmm, experience the dark side of the force, you have," said Yoda slowly. "A path down which many tread, unfortunately. Careful, many lose their sight in to such feelings."

"I won't, master," Tyler said, bowing obediently. "I'll never turn against the Jedi."

"Good it does to my heart to hear you say that, youngling," said Yoda cheerfully. "Fallen, if you were, you would be a great threat to the Jedi." It took Tyler a moment to realize that the master was paying him a compliment. He bowed and gratefully thanked the Jedi Master. As he exited, he placed the training saber on the platter, his hand sliding along it longingly.

"Concentrate, padawan, concentrate!"

Tyler kneeled alone in the middle of a vast temple. It was a Jedi Crystal Cave. Here he was receiving his crystal to make his lightsaber. For three years he had slaved to accumulate the other pieces. He was the last in his class to do so. But he finally located everything and went with one of the master's to the crystal cave. Tyler was unfortunate. Mace Windu was a fearsome fighter.

Unfortunately, he was also a fearsome teacher.

Focusing his center, Tyler Stargazer focused intensely. His mind was clear, his soul free and floating outside of his body, peacefully constructing the weapon that would end the lives of so many. "Very good. Now, listen closely," said the constructor. If Tyler listened to the instructor, he'd lose his concentration. Thus, he kept his mind on his slow work. "The crystal is the heart of a Jedi," began the instructor. Tyler's crystal came to an abrupt stop, floating before him in the air.

"The Jedi is the Crystal of the Force," Mace continued, watching young Stargazer interestedly. The crystal's two golden container pieces floated up. "The crystal is the heart of the lightsaber." The two container pieces floated up on either side of the crystal. "The lightsaber is the focus of the Jedi." The container clicked together, sealing the crystal within. "The Jedi is the focus of the Force." The lightsaber encasing split apart then sealed over the crystal container.

In Tyler's hand, the weapon roared to life, activating a green beam instantly.

"You've done well, Stargazer," said Mace Windu. "Return to the Jedi Order. Your new master awaits you in your quarters."

"Master Windu?" Tyler Stargazer had entered his quarters anxiously. Who was his new master going to be? Would it be an unknown, rising Jedi Knight or an ancient master who already sat on the exalted council? He found it to be the latter. He found it to be the solemn Mace Windu standing calmly and coolly in his quarters as if they were his own. "You are my new master?"

"Yes," said Mace casually. "I trust that's not a problem, my apprentice."

"No, master," Tyler said quickly, moving fully into the room. The door slid shut behind him.

"I am pleased to hear it," Mace said with a thin smile.

"But master, you have to take me with you!"

"No, Tyler, I cannot take you to Geonosis," said Windu. "It's too dangerous. Your training is not yet complete!"

"But you've taught me all you know, master! You've taught me vaapad and you've taught me to use the Force! You've taught me to channel my fear and—"

"The answer is no, padawan," said Mace coolly. "Be waiting for my return." With that Mace stepped up the ladder to his Jedi Fighter and slid into the cockpit. Tyler stepped back as the engines flared to life. The Jedi Fighter slid into the air and then zoomed away with the other space ships. Mace never looked back.

Tyler's fists closed into balls of rage.