Chapter 1 – Masked Darkness

Disclaimer – I do not own anything Star Wars Related in this Fanfiction, I do however own the plot and my Original Characters, I hope that you enjoy this story.


7th September, 4:30pm; Imperator-class Star Destroyer: Imperator, Bridge Tower: Bridge

Though Anakin Skywalker was a General of the Grand Army of the Republic for once he had to admit one thing, he was stumped. The Confederacy of Independent Systems had been flying back and forth across countless Sectors attacking two specific Shipyards, the Shipyards at Bilbringi and Ord Mantell however Anakin couldn't be sure why the enemy was doing that, it could be possible that they were trying to stop the building of more ships or trying to send a message – the amount of casualties and destroyed incomplete Ships in Drydock sure attested to either of those outcomes.

The Imperator was an impressive ship or at least it was something that Anakin could agree to, the Imperator and a few others Limited Production Ships were the new Prototype Design for the next Generation of Star Destroyer and Anakin had no problems giving a thumbs up, the Imperator was far more aligned for Heavy Firepower and Shielding with an acceptable Acceleration and Fighter Complement. It had been Proteus who had insisted to his father that since the Resolute had been destroyed then Anakin required a new temporary Flagship, so Proteus had bullied his father into giving Anakin the new Ship which Anakin was grateful for, though Proteus had claimed jokingly that he wasn't getting Anakin anything else for his birthday for the next fifty years.

"Still dumbfound?" snickered Proteus from where he leaned against the Tactical Map with his usual smirk.

"Am not" countered Anakin and Proteus laughed lightly before quieting down as Admiral Wullf Yularen walked over with a calm and measured pace.

"We have one last chance to corner Grievous' Forces and defeat them before Operation Nobility" announced Yularen and Proteus smirked.

"Father told me about that, apparently we are moving on one of the Confederate Capitals in force, I could always convince my Father to give me a Fleet Group to chase after Grievous while you continue to the Operation Zone" commented Proteus and Anakin frowned.

"Wouldn't you be putting yourself in danger?" asked Anakin and Proteus gave a dismissive wave.

"And you're putting yourself in Danger every day of your life, a life at the limit, I would rather that than some dotting life in a mansion somewhere" answered Proteus with a smirk "don't worry, I'll be fine, do what you need to do"


12th September, 10:30am; Anaxes Sector: Anaxes System – Over Anaxes, Allocable-class: Home Zeta, Bridge Tower: Command Level – Strategic Room

The Jedi Masters Mace Windu, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before the Holographic Table and spoke of what Operation Nobility would attest to in the scale of the war, Anakin Skywalker and Asoka Tano stood watching on the other side of the Table with looks of concentration as they looked on at the information before them. Off to the side was Commander Cody and Captain Rex, the two Officials would be the main invasion corridor for the Selerno System as he stood calmly to the side, Proteus Lai was not a part of the meeting as he had talked his father into allowing him to look into Grievous' attempts on the Republic in the last Month however that left Anakin wondering if that was the only reason.

Of course Anakin had other things to worry about when he heard rumours about Padmé Amidala having children nine years ago and that he had gone to Naboo on one of his breaks during that same year, partying and visiting the Royal Palace to get to know those in charge at the time however Anakin's memories of such breaks were…distorted and Anakin bet that a Jedi got involved, starting at thirteen he had filled out rather quickly in more than one way but Anakin could only question if the rumours were true. Because of these rumours he had latched onto Padmé worrying that they had been true with his faulty memories of his visits, for some time he had been happy until Proteus Lai had stepped into the light and shattered Anakin's resolve, even Anakin's Force powers fluctuated when near the Republic's Prince depending on the case.

"Anakin, are you listening?" asked Obi-Wan and Anakin looked up suddenly with a surprised look on his face.

"Sorry, I was…thinking" answered Anakin with a dismissive wave.

"About?" prodded Mace as he glanced at the Chosen One.

"I think that this operation is putting a lot of resources on the line for an Operation that has no guarantee to succeed" announced Anakin quickly to show he was listening.

"A good point, young Skywalker promoted" commented Yoda as he leaned forwards on his staff "Dooku's plans, we know not"

"That is why only the three of you will be the Jedi who take part in the Operation, I will head to another frontier of the War while Master Yoda returns to the Jedi Temple to coordinate the War, however I sense something foreboding…"

"Always in motion, the future is" announced Yoda with a far off stare.


13th September, 5:00am; Serenno Sector: Serenno System – Serenno, Dooku's Palace: Lower Levels – Hidden Hall

Asajj Ventress smiled darkly as she descended into the lower levels of Dooku's Castle as the communication from Savage Opress had reprehended to her earlier this day, she noticed the hooded shadow of a powerful Darksider along with the armoured form of Savage, she nodded as she stepped forwards and quaked at the Darksider Power flooding off the shadowed one.

"You have brought the means to finally kill Dooku?" asked Ventress and a laugh echoed behind her.

"Wrong" announced Darth Thiole calmly as he appeared behind Ventress "I called the three of you here: Ventress, Savage and Maul"

"It's been a long time" announced Darth Maul as he threw back his hood with a cruel smile "Darth Thiole"

"What is the meaning of this!" snarled Ventress however a demanding wave of Force Energy echoed from the helmeted individual silenced her.

"The Force shouldn't be used by only two or an entire Order alone, nor should only Light or Dark be used alone, a rainbow of colour needs to be called into assessment in my NEW Sith Order" announced Thiole as he crossed his arms "first you three then the Galaxy"

"Why us?" questioned Savage and Thiole smirked under his helmet.

"Because in the New Sith Order there is a curious blend of hatred and forgiveness, hate your enemies but forgive allies that have wronged you in another life, in this case you should forgive Ventress for her manipulation of you or kill her if she refuses to join" announced Thiole calmly as he outstretched a hand "what of you, Maul? Completed the training tasks I gave you during your banishment?"

"Yes, my Master" kneeled Maul and Thiole smiled as he tapped Maul on his cloaked shoulder "I am your humble servant"

"Stand Darth Maul, Master of my New Sith Order, you are the first of many" announced Thiole as he turned and walked up until he stood before the soundproof Window "what of you, Ventress?"

"What of Dooku, my Lord?" questioned Ventress and Thiole smirked darkly under his masked Helmet.

"His future will end with an untimely demise, it isn't your problem to try and change his destiny but you can help me put his demise into place, he shall die with his goal only just in reach" smiled Thiole as he stepped towards the Assassin "by someone he least expected, someone who will become our greatest member by my side, someone who Darth Sidious would have replace him"

"What a lovely treat" commented Ventress with a dark smile.

"Take your places, Maul will continue to train Savage on the Planet...Vjun while I trained Ventress in the New Sith ways, however I'm sure that you can learn some of the training on your own with your skills" commented Thiole with a cruel smile under his helmet "my new Apprentice"

"Yes, my Master" nodded Ventress before standing.


Meanwhile; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant – Galactic City, Senate District: Republic Executive Building – Chancellor's Office

Darth Sidious frowned as he looked out at the City with countless people either walking or travelling about at great speeds in their Speeders, what really caused his raised eyebrow however was the change in the Force that he had sensed and sought after with a grain of salt, the disturbance he had felt momentarily in the Darkside of the Force was impossible to recognise – like a mirage it was there one moment and faded before the Sith Lord could look again. What could be hidden from Darth Sidious when it was he who had plotted to pull down the known Galaxy alone, Sidious could only wonder and watch from the side of the road like some old fool who couldn't act against the changes in time and space, Sidious decided on one thing though…he didn't like these changes and to survive he would have to be very cautious.


15th September, 12:45pm; Serenno Sector: Serenno System – Serenno, Northern Hemisphere: Battlefield

The Anakin's Invasion Force descended down to the Planet and joined the Republic Army that was already attacking the Separatist Forces on the planet, Anakin looked about the battlefield and noted that the first line of Separatist Droids were Droidekas that mowed down the frontline of the Republic Clone Troopers, a group of Stormtroopers charged at an obvious shortcut behind the enemy flank only for them to go flying back as a powerful Force Push. In the gap between the pillar of rock and the Cliffside stood a masked menace that wielded the Force in such a curious way, the Force around the being was a hurricane at one point or a calm trickle at some point at the individual echoed multiple aspects of the Force that to Anakin seemed entrancing, the youth paced forwards and raised a hand causing a field of Force Energy to bar the way of any attacks directed against him as he moved past the Clone and Droid Armies with nonchalant care.

"Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One" nodded Thiole as he stepped opposite Anakin with a calm sense in the force "I am Darth Thiole, the Sith'ari"

"Oh…kay" started Anakin but was cut off as Thiole continued.

"You are the Chosen One of Light while I am the Chosen One of the Dark, the Ancient Celestials were led by a denizen of each – the first, we must at one point bring Balance to the Force together" announced Thiole as he drew his markings covered Bent Handled Lightsaber from his belt "but for now, I'm content with simply ripping you to shreds!"

Anakin dodged back as Thiole's Lava coloured Lightsaber Blade slashed out and almost took off the Jedi Knight's Head, Anakin charged at the Sith'ari and reached out with the Force sending a Droideka at the Darkside's Chosen One however Thiole quickly whipped out a blast of Dark Blue plasma from his palm that eviscerated the Destroyer Droid with an echoing thunder clap, Anakin frowned at the ability as it reminded him of the kinds of power that he had seen on Mortis.

"A True Chosen One must have the Ability to call on not only their own born alignment but also the alignment of their opposite, from those basics it is easy to combine the Lightside and Darkside energies into far more extravagant attacks, what you saw was Force Destruction and Force Lightening contained into a beam through Force Deflection" commented Thiole with a heavy sigh.

"Tired you out, didn't it?" commented Anakin and Thiole scoffed.

"Not totally, shall we?" indicated Thiole as he moved into a Vaapad Stance and Anakin shrugged as he moved into a Djem So stance, they paused for a moment before charging at the other, and the Universe shook between them.


12:50pm; Hyperspace: On Route to Coruscant, T-6 Shuttle: Epsilon, Bridge

Mace Windu shuddered as a Shockwave rocked his Universe and was glad that the Shuttle was currently on autopilot in Hyperspace otherwise there would have been some major problems, Mace and Yoda had been out traversing the Hyperspace Routes from Anaxes to Serenno to see if the supply route was clear to the battlefield, the Force shuddered and the clarity that Mace had pulled up around himself as a Jedi Master slipped away like sand through a sieve no matter how he reached out to still it.

"What was that, Master Yoda?" asked Mace as he turned to look at the Grandmaster and froze at the sight of Yoda leaning his head tiredly back in his chair "Master, are you okay!"

"Looked into the event, I did, like looking into a Supernova it was" answered Yoda as he laid his head back onto the seat "rest I need now"


Meanwhile; Coruscant Sector: Coruscant – Galactic City, Senate District: Republic Executive Building – Chancellor's Office

"And that is what…" started Palpatine but gave a gasp as he leaned on the desk before frowning slightly.

"Are you okay, Supreme Chancellor?" asked Bail Organa as he leaned forwards in his chair and Palpatine looked up just as quick, his eyes flashing sulphur yellow before returning back to their original colour, the frown on his face being replaced with a pseudo kind smile.

"Very well, Senator" answered Palpatine as he looked paused for a moment "sorry for the surprise, I have been unfortunately tired as of late, let us get back to work so that we can finish up here so that I can gain the rest I have missed. I don't know about you, Senator Organa, but I'm hoping for an early night tonight"


1:00pm; Serenno Sector: Serenno System – Serenno, Dooku's Palace: Lower Levels – Hidden Hall

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka snuck through the lower levels and into a hidden hall that the schematics showed that was the only way for miles underground to reach the higher levels of the Castle directly, their target was Dooku's head and they intended to complete their mission as soon as possible and with ease together, what they didn't expect was both Dooku and Ventress standing at the back of the Hall awaiting their arrival.

"Welcome, my friends" announced Dooku as he looked down at the pair of Jedi "young Skywalker has finally met a challenger that will test him to the very limit of his powers, Thiole is strong enough to kill any Jedi however against the Chosen One it'll be a close call friends, for Lord Thiole is the Sith'ari that will take this Galaxy and flood it in a maelstrom of chaos!"

"Obviously you haven't noticed, Count. Good always prevails, it's how we Jedi have defeated you Sith for centuries and its how we'll defeat you this time around, Light will always cut through the Dark" dismissed Obi-Wan as he thumbed on his Lightsaber.

"The Sith'ari is Darkness incarnate that can wield the Light for itself, a Morningstar born of Darkness, it was this Darkness that along with the Light of the Chosen One balanced the Universe between Harmony and Discord in the ancient times" commented Ventress and Dooku raised an eyebrow "or so Lord Thiole explained it"

"Enough games!" snarled Ahsoka as she lighted both her Lightsaber and Shoto before charging at Ventress who lit both of Komari Vosa's Former Lightsabers before also charging into the battle.


1:10pm; Serenno Sector: Serenno System – Serenno, Northern Hemisphere: Battlefield

Light and Dark smashed the Battlefield to ribbons sending Droids and Clones flying in all directions, the Orange Lightsaber wielded by Thiole clashed against the Blue Lightsaber wielded by Anakin, the two of them twisted and flipped about the battlefield with inhuman speed and agility. Thiole launched a blast of Ebony Force Lightening at the Chosen One however as though following the steps of a dance, Anakin lifted a hand and caught the Lightening in Force Deflection before absorbing it into his palm when its energy had dissipated enough, Thiole launched another wave of ebony Force Lightening however white Force Lightening from Anakin's right hand met halfway causing a shockwave that spread out across the nearby area.

"You lack control, find some, we can't have the Darkside controlling the Light within you" commented Thiole with chuckle "you must control the Force and work with its direction as an ally at the same time, only through both means can you be powerful enough to fight and join with me, to control both the Darkside and the Lightside, to bring balance to a Galaxy spiralling into destruction"

"I have something to live for" commented Anakin and Thiole nodded in understanding.

"You have a Destiny, I have bestowed you a chance to fulfil such a Destiny in time, remember that we are the Force incarnate!" announced Thiole as Darkside energy spiralled around him and he disappeared.

"To learn all aspects of the Force, is that even possible?" wondered Anakin as he leaned against the Cliffside.

The Battle was turning against them as suddenly a burst of Force Lightening above caused a window to shatter before Obi-Wan and Ahsoka fell from above, Anakin reached out with the Force and caught the two Jedi before slowing their descent to the ground, looking past their descending bodies he swore that he noticed Darth Thiole standing in the shadow of the window and that he was the one that had caused their fall.

"General, are you okay?" asked Rex as he ran over with a pair of Clone Trooper Medics.

"Worry about Obi-Wan and Ahsoka" announced Anakin as he motioned the Medics towards the two unconscious Jedi "what news do you have from the front?"

"We have reports that a Massive Separatist Fleet has arrived in Orbit and are in conflict with our Forces, in a short amount of time we'll lose Space Supremacy and then Air Supremacy, also unknown Separatist Reserves have appeared in ambushed locations and attacked the other invasion corridors along the planet" announced Rex as he walked beside Anakin "we also have confirmation that our Supply Route and Reinforcements from Anaxes has come under attack by General Grievous' Fleet, at this rate…"

"Call a retreat" announced Anakin as he gripped the bridge of his nose between finger and thumb "we have to withdraw from this space otherwise we'll be worse off for wear"


Author's Note – And then we introduce the bond I am going to be playing with throughout the Series let alone this Season, unmasked Thiole yet or have you all been taking peaks at my other stories? Review!