Hi. This has been in my head for about a year, taking different forms in different eras. Do not expect another chapter everyday.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Old Republic or any characters from that amazing era/game. Only Darth Dragothis is an original character.
Darth Dragothis was more powerful than any of the other council members, by far. He could easily kill any of them, without breaking a sweat. Or even getting hit. He was quite literally second only to the Emperor. He was the most respected Sith Lord on the council, as well as one of the eldest, though relatively young, being only thirty-eight standard years. And he was currently bored. Not impatient, just bored.
Dragothis noticed that the Dark Council chamber was silent, save for the pacing of an impatient Darth Baras and the small, background noise of far off machinery. The eleven present council members all seemed to be getting restless, except for Darth Marr and himself.
The debate as to whether begin without Vowarawn had been fiery at first, but eventually died down. Darth Marr was the one who had had the final say that the decision to acknowledge the Voice of the Emperor, the literal embodiment of their master, required all the council members to be present, whether through holo or in person. Darth Dragothis had maintained his silence during the debate, refusing to publicly take a side. The other members were used to this, but Baras was not, and he desperately needed the acknowledgement of someone who was more powerful than half the council combined.
The doors finally opened, pulled by two Imperial Guardsmen. The last member of the Dark Council, Darth Vowarawn, entered, surprisingly, with another human male sith lord in tow.
"That had better be Darth Vowarawn coming through those doors." Baras said, impatient for the council meeting to begin.
"Don't act like you were expecting me Baras." One of the Sith Lords said, his voice masking his face and voice.
"Interesting…" Darth Marr said, mirroring the idea in Dragothis' own head at that moment. And, after a quick Force-scan of the room, in all the other Council member's heads as well. But Baras, Dragothis thought, Is that … a little …fear I sense? And in the newcomer he felt power and anger and hatred. But no fear.
This would be fun.
"This isn't the time for one of your games, Vowarawn." Darth Ravage said, his impatience overwhelming his curiosity.
"For the voice of the emperor," the newcomer said to Baras, whose back was still turned, "You're uncharacteristically silent. Didn't the emperor warn you of this?"
Dragothis had to agree with this statement. He thought the Emperor would have plenty to say about the idiocy of some parts of the empire, but no commands or even advice had come, except for things that were very like what Baras would say and do, even before his claim.
"I'm merely amused, young one." Baras said, before turning to the council and continuing. "My fellows, this is my former apprentice. No doubt you're acquainted with his defiance. He was unworthy of me so I excised him."
The former apprentice seemed to flare in anger at this, but said nothing as Baras continued.
"The Emperor will inform me what is to be done with Vowarawn." He continued, "For now assist me in destroying this rabble."
The apprentice once again flared in anger, and this time could not hold his tongue.
"Who dares face the Emperor's Wrath?" The newcomer said, his voice holding power.
"Is that a threat, youngster?" Ravage asked, his galaxy-sized ego wounded. "Be careful. You might grant Baras his request."
Darth Marr was one of the more rational sith not he council, usually the one to stop these types of moments. He maintained his reputation here as well.
"No." Marr said, authoritatively, "Baras claims to be the Voice, this lord claims to be the Wrath. I will not provoke the Emperor. The one who lives speaks truth."
"Fine. The master will grant the slave's last wish," Baras said, facing the Wrath. " The Emperor calls for your death. Attack me if you dare."
"I will grant you the first shot pretender," the Wrath stated, arrogantly "The Dark Council will see I can withstand whatever you dish out."
"You have no idea of my power." Bars said, his voice dangerous, his hand unclipping and igniting his lightsaber. The Wrath unclipped his own lightsaber, and ignited the crimson blade. They both charged at one another, Dragothis sensing their murderous thoughts towards one another. The wrath came low striking at the legs of his former master, but was blocked. He recovered quickly and went on the offensive, going into a complicated flurry of attacks, striking high, then low, feinting left, and attacking right, but Baras blocked each attack, with quick succession. Then he went on the offensive, striking in random areas, forcing the wrath back a few steps.
The battle went on like this for some time, gradually getting faster and more intense, with the combatants shouting threats at one another. Soon the crimson blades were only blurs of light, with Dragothis sensing each of the fighter's emotions becoming stronger, and in turn, their power increasing. Finally, it seemed Baras had enough. He took his helmet off, letting it drop to the floor with an ominous clang, before laughing as he gathered his force energy and blasted the wrath with purple force lightning, though the target managed to lift his saber and block the attack.
"Had enough… child?" Bars asked, his face a mask of amusement, despite his contorted breathing, "Can you feel your grip on life slipping?… Why persist in this futile gesture of vengeance? Let go… Embrace your death!"
"You seem… to be breathing as hard as I am." the Wrath replied, truth inches words.
Baras continued the attack for a moment, before stopping, letting his arms fall to his sides.
"You look the worse for wear to me." Bars replied. "Your champion is failing, Vowarawn, and you'll be next!"
Vowarawn took this threat with a grain of agrinium salt, it seemed, and calmly replied "Is that coming from you Baras or from the Emperor Baras? Its hard to tell the difference." This was similar to Dragothis' personal idea as well. Bars did not take it lightly, however.
"Don't mock me, fop!" Baras screeched, before turning and pointing at the wrath, " Your patron just ensured your suffering will be epic, youngster! Now die!"
Thus they continued their battle. It went on like before for a few minutes, before Baras tried to gather his power again as before. This time however, the lightning flashed then sputtered, before disappearing altogether.
"Your depleted Baras." The wrath said, truth once again in his voice. "You stand a breath away from destruction."
"No!" Baras said, almost whiningly, "My powers abandon me!"
"Drink in the faces of your fellows," the Wrath gloated, "See your disgrace reflected in their awed eyes."
"Teh! I call upon the Dark Council to kill this fool! Now! The Emperor commands it!" Baras said, fear radiating from him. "Darth Marr! Strike on the Emperor's behalf, or suffer his disfavor!"
"I believe I'll take my chances" Darth Marr said, waving the order off like a bothersome gnat.
"Ravage, has your sense left you as well?!" Bars asked, "Defend me! Defend the voice!"
"I will not stand in the path of the Emperor's Wrath." Ravage replied.
"You think you've won." Bars yelled. "You think that you can silence the Emperor's true voice? Deliver the death blow then! From beyond darkness I shall strike at you. Someday, vengeance will be mine!"
"Your powers are depleted." The wrath said, however, "Theres no reason to kill you."
The council was silent for a moment, awestruck at this declaration of mercy. Vowarawn was the first to recover.
"He won't remain in this weakened state for long!" Vowarawn ridiculed. "Surely you don't mean to let him go! Hi deceptions are high crimes! Death, imprisonment, or at the very least banishment is in order!"
The Wrath was silent for a moment before finally deciding. "Lock him away forever, then." He said.
"No." Dragothis said, drawing surprised stares from awed council members. "Baras has committed high treason. The punishment is death."
With this proclamation, Dragothis raised his hand and a swirling maelstrom of black Force lightning was released, consuming Baras entirely. When the Darth finally relented, Baras was a skeleton, blackened and charred.
"You had no right to kill him!" The Wrath yelled, angry at this unknown Council Member for interfering. The other members were silent. Usually, Dragothis was one of the more reasonable and quiet members, but that one was apparently gone. The wrath had no idea who he was talking to.
"I had every right, Emperor's Wrath." Dragothis spoke calmly, retaking his seat. "The law for committing treason was set by our own Emperor. If he believes I should be punished then inform me. For now, I believe the council has come to a decision."
"You are acknowledged, Wrath." Marr said, regaining his bearings. "Your actions will not be not be challenged, as long as they do not contradict our own."
"You are answerable only to our ultimate master." Vowarawn declared.
"I look forward to working with each and every one of you." The Wrath stated, taking his time to look at Dragothis, who stared back from beneath his hood.
"Then our power has heightened." Vowarawn said, and as the Wrath began to walk out, he continued, "May the enemies of the Empire tremble! The Emperor's Wrath shalll consume them all!"
The Council stood as one and each bowed in varying amounts to the Wrath as he walked out. Even Ravage and Marr bowed, though the latter gave more of a nod.
As the Emperor's Wrath left, Dragothis had only one thought in his mind. Bars trained you well…
So, I hoped you guys liked it. What did you think? Please give me feedback on what you think I should do. I should have another chapter up and about in a few days. I may also do a Q/A story, sometime. Thanks!
-Darth Dragothis, Lord of the Dark Council, Conquerer of Belsadora and Killer of Jedi Master Zen Novak