A/N: For NinjaHaley over at the Red vs Blue Review Crew as a late present! Hope you enjoy, Haley!
He had crashed, that much was certain. Still dazed from the impact on the horrid planet, it took a moment to register what had happened. He had left her, abandoned her so that he may preserve what she held most dear. He had stolen a ship and traveled here to avenge all those that had died at his hands. He then noticed the bending of the ship. With a slight strain, he stood and moved to one of the port windows. He had crashed on a cliff-face. With a sickening groan, the weight of the stolen ship began to bend and break in several points. With the years of combat experience and heightened senses that came from that unholy war, Bao-Dur leaped from the wreckage unto a jagged outcropping along the broken and deadly ravine. With his landing successful, he turned to face the remains of the stolen ship, only to see it fall away into the noxious fog that encompassed most of the planet. Gathering his wits, along with his small survival kit, Bao-Dur tucked his trusted remote away in a small crevice that would allow him to escape if necessary, but also give him cover from the more...unsavory aspects of the planet. As he left, he turned to his trusted friend and creation and whispered, "Await the General...then destroy this wretched place once and for all." Removing the Zabrak Cannon from his back, he set off on his final quest. The quest to destroy Malachor.
Not so far off, an academy resided. Housed within were a variety of students, teachers, scholars, guards, and droids. Along with them, two masters; one of Pain...and one of Treachery. As the cracked skin of the Lord of Pain moved within the darkened halls, a faint feeling brushed against his surface. The feeling of a whisper. One just beyond one's range of hearing...an echo among the yelling and strife of the rest of the universe. Though many of his master's teachings had been long forgotten, he always remembered to listen. To hear what can't be heard, to see what was not always there. To live where there was only death. He had felt the echo before, but could not place it. It was familiar, it resonated within him, but it was but a faint thought. As much as he despised it, Lord Sion went to him master for her 'wisdom'. He found her where she had been since her return. At the heart of the planet. He approached cautiously, so as not to anger her with his presence. As he crossed the solid marble bridge, he felt the anger, hate, and sorrow that emanated from the heart of Malachor...and it nourished him. With every step, every movement closer to his master, he felt as though he was one step closer to finally ending her. At least, that's what he thought.
"Have you no subtlety? If I were a Jedi, I would have felt you resentment half way across the planet."
"Why should I hide what you already know?"
"There is truth in your words. Why have you come?"
"There is someone on Malachor...a Jedi."
"Strange, why is it I have not felt their presence?"
"It is one of the Exile's companions. She must have sent one of them ahead to learn of our defenses."
"Not all maters must revolve around conflict, Lord Sion. The Exile cares for her 'friends'. She cares so much for them, that she would never send a single child in the force to face us. No, this one has come of their own will. I want your assassin's to watch this Jedi, though no harm shall come to them."
"Why?"
"This Jedi has not been sent by the Exile, so we must learn why they have come. If we were to kill them, we may end up losing more than we would gain. I would like to think that even you could not be so daft, Lord Scion."
"...Very well, my master. I shall attend to it at once."
The broken man turned and began to stride back to the academy when he was stopped once more by the voice that had caused him so much suffering.
"Lord Sion."
"...Yes, my master."
"Next time you have these thoughts of betrayal, I would suggest you at least try to conceal them. Lest I show you why I am the master, and you are the apprentice."
With an indignant huff, Lord Scion continued his aggravated walk. From the center of the structure, Darth Traya smirked. She had finally broken Lord Sion, and with something as simple as a woman. She then turned her thoughts to the Exile, and her eventual fate.