Leon stared down the exit ramp of the Eagle, a ball of fear growing in his gut. They had killed – killed the Emperor's apprentice. That tended to not leave one in the Emperor's good graces. Even worse, they had been greeted and led to the academy by a small fleet of starfighters from the flagship of the Emperor's Warfleet. "What do you want to do?" Cade asked from beside him. Leon turned to look at the man. Cade was taken aback by the sheer amount of doubt and worry in the younger man's eyes. Gone was the sure but not overconfident Imperial Knight. In that man's stead was a man who could feel the echoes of the future rushing towards him, drowning him in their doom. Cade pitied the man and understood his pain. To be an agent of the Force's Will was not an easy life, and it only cast unease onto those whom it had fated to guide the destiny of a galaxy. But while he understood the pain, he also knew that the boy needed to continue onward regardless. Destiny would not pause, even for a ghost. "Leon, snap out of it. What do you want us to do?"
"We'll follow you anywhere," Mari said from Leon's other side. She smiled and grabbed his hand with her own. Leon smiled at her, the sudden pressure easing the knot in his stomach to the point where he could breathe again. "Even if you're stupid enough to say we're going to have to fight the Emperor and everyone else in this academy by ourselves. You haven't led us wrong so far."
"Barring some hiccups," Leon protested jokingly. He squeezed Mari's hand back and smiled at her. He nodded. "Okay. Deranis, keep the Eagle prepped for flight. Artoo, access the local holonet for control of the station. I absolutely hate to say this, given how badly it always ends, but..."
"Don't worry, I'll take this one," Deranis stated. He turned to walk back into the ship. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Leon nodded solemnly, then nodded for the astromech to follow the Echani. "Cade... I need you to stay close to the Hangar bay. You're the best option to guard Deranis and Artoo, but you need to be seen. You're pretty well known, and the rumors that you are who you are... well, they're pretty widespread at this point," Leon ordered, shaking his head.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Cade cut in, knowing what was coming. Leon would need protection when everything came to a head. "The Emperor sent a guard for you. He wants to meet with you."
"All the more reason for someone as strong as you to survive. You might be needed to bring balance again, Cade," Leon retorted. He shook his head. "This is my decision, you already said. I have a gut feeling that only the two of us need to be there."
Cade sighed. He didn't like it, but gut feelings for Force Users usually meant more than a simple guess. "Fine. I'll stay here." He placed his index finger in Leon's face and shook it. "But you call me if you somehow wind up crossing lightsabers with an Emperor. Deal?"
Leon shook his head. "Someone needs to make it out of this. I don't know if that's going to be me, Cade," he explained. He placed his free hand on Cade's shoulder. "Please."
"I will," Mari cut in. She placed her hand out to Cade and he shook it, smiling thankfully as he did. Leon shook his head, disappointed with the old Jedi for not listening.
"May the Force be with you both," Cade said firmly. Leon and Mari nodded and walked out of the ship together, hands still clasped. As they reached the bottom of the ramp, soldiers marched up from beyond Cade's field of vision and grasped both Sith Imperial warriors by the arms. They were tugged forcefully apart, but they didn't say anything about it. Cade shook his head and sighed. Low enough that no one could hear, he muttered something to himself. "Force knows you need it, Theron."
Leon was meanwhile not amused by the escort being forced down his throat as he walked through the halls of the Ruusan Academy. The weight of this new authority was grinding against him and impressing more worry on his already anxious mind. He didn't know what was going to happen, though he was sure that it would not be good. "It's going to be okay," Mari lied from within the other group of soldiers. They shoved her to the side and she disappeared from Leon's field of vision. He fought down a ball of rage at this; it wouldn't be good to fly into a bloodthirsty rage for no reason.
"Any idea what they want with us?" Leon asked the guard nearest him.
"Shut up," the guard growled.
Leon sighed and decided to instead examine the hallway walls. The path so far had been eerily familiar to him. After a few more turns, he realized why. The guards were leading them to a place he really didn't want to go. "Why are you taking us to Ana's prison cell?" he asked. He didn't get a response. "Hey, tell me."
"The Emperor requests your presence," the soldier responded from behind his helmet.
"This doesn't feel like a request," Mari muttered from the other pod of soldiers. They didn't respond, yet again, and the march continued on in uncomfortable silence. The boots of the squad clacked against the ground as they forced the two Knights onward.
Growing tired of the lonely silence, Leon reached out with the Force. His mind snaked across the hall and jumped to the similarly seeking tendrils of the Chiss woman's mind. There was a mental flash as their thoughts brushed against each other, then it quickly gave way to the silent connection of their minds. There were no words or communication, merely the knowledge that they were there for one another. It was calming for the two of them, but there was little they could do to actually coordinate. They could merely wait for whatever was coming.
When they finally reached the prison cells, the wall of soldiers between them parted and surrounded the two and the entrance. "Enter," one of the soldiers commanded before leveling a blaster rifle at the two. Leon narrowed his eyes and placed his hands on his hips, a move that caused the rest of the soldiers to raise their blasters. He let his hands drop, understanding that they were clearly not just being detained... they were being treated as a threat.
Leon nodded, then opened the door and walked into the cell room. The light was dim, casting deep shadows on those already occupying the room. Leon glanced over at Var and Vallen first. The two were whispering to each other, hiding their mouths with their hands as they did. Leon knew why before looking, though he did anyways. Leon turned in the other direction, where Darth Nernyn was glowering out from beneath his cloak. He was standing directly next to Ana's cell, where the Jedi was glaring out at the five of them with worried eyes. When she saw Leon, her frown deepened.
"Finally. The guest of honor," Nernyn said, gesturing at Leon. The Knight narrowed his eyes at the Emperor and took his place beside Var. His hand drifted to his lightsaber, causing the Emperor to laugh. "Oh, there will be time for that. Don't worry."
Leon unclipped the saber and left it deactivated. "What is the problem, Emperor Nernyn?" he asked. Mari took her place beside Vallen and also drew her lightsaber. "The goon squad didn't exactly tell us."
"Oh, don't worry. That's what we're here to talk about," he said. He raised his hand and waved it. The cell beside him shut off and he grabbed Ana by the hair. She yelped in pain and clutched at the robotic fist atop her head. "Follow me." Then he dragged the Jedi from the room. Leon glanced over at Mari, who shrugged, then followed.
"What's the plan here?" Leon asked his master behind him.
"Unfortunately, I have no plan here," he responded with a low growl as they were led away, towards the hangar bays. "We don't know what he wants, completely. If it comes down to it, you must survive. If he gives you the option... betray me."
"Not on your life," Leon growled over his shoulder. They passed where the Eagle was; Leon caught a glimpse of Cade hiding behind a corner, glaring right at him. The Jedi looked infuriated, but Leon shook his head. He returned his attention to Var. "We're together in this."
"If you do not betray me, I will be sorely disappointed," Vallen told her apprentice.
"All respect, Master? Shut up," the Chiss growled. "We have bigger Bantha to fry."
Finally, the Emperor stopped and opened one of the hangars. He gestured for the others to enter before him. Leon didn't move. "Go," the Emperor growled, yanking up on Ana's hair so she yelped again. Leon raised a confused eyebrow, but did as the Emperor requested before his attention was turned on them.
Then the Emperor followed him in. "I had hoped you died that day," he said, tossing Ana away before turning to glare at Leon. He unclipped his saber and held it out to his side, inactive.
"First Torrus, now you?" Leon asked. He scoffed. "What is it you want?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Nernyn suggested calmly. "I recognized you the moment I saw you."
"Well, I was a member of your Special Forces," Leon suggested. He shook his head and gestured at the Sith Lord. "I think that's normal, don't you?"
"Then you accrued all of these... people. Your people. The child of Mandalore, the girl from our childhood, your lover, and your last surviving relative. You were planning to kill me," the Emperor continued, ignoring Leon's confused statement. "Though, turnabout is fair play, I suppose."
"Don't try to kill me," Leon threatened. He raised his weapon before him and the black blade thrummed to life. Behind him, Marien's weapon flashed to life, followed quickly by the blades of the Councilors. Nernyn laughed mockingly at the gesture and reached into his cloak, taking out two silver cylinders. He tossed the weapons behind him and they clattered to a stop in front of the kneeling, pained Ana Gann. She glared at the Sith Lord for a moment, then scrabbled to grab her weapons. They hummed as they were ignited for the first time in months. "Or it will become fair play."
"Oh, there it is. You've stopped hiding in your... meek and powerless shell, Revan," Nernyn said as he raised his hands to point at Leon. The Knight lowered his blade in a burst of speed, prepared for the inevitable Force Lightning. No such attack came. Instead the Sith Lord began laughing as his hands drifted up further, bending until they clutched the edges of his hood. "Now, just as you tore my mind and body to pieces. So too will I destroy yours." Then the Sith Lord's hood was slowly pulled down. When he saw the lack of recognition on his face, he scoffed. "You don't remember? You really don't, do you?"
"No," Ana whispered as the Emperor's hood fell. Nernyn turned to her, the shattered Twi'lek's yellow eyes glinting with cruel pleasure. His lekku were highly damaged, with highly advanced mechanical substitutes fused to the burnt stumps. Ana began to breathe heavily, hyperventilating at what she saw. Leon, though, was confused. He looked disgusting, but that was par for the course when it came to the most Fallen Sith. Ana's voice became a scream. "No, that's not possible! I saw you die! I saw him" – her lightsaber pointed at Leon, whose confusion was only deepening – "kill you."
"Would someone like to explain?" Var asked, cutting off the screams of his former apprentice. "What's going on before you try and kill us?"
Nernyn nodded. "Of course," he said, turning to the Grey Councilor. "Everyone deserved a last request. Something he -" his head nodded in Leon's direction – "denied me."
The Emperor stepped forward slowly, glaring directly into Leon's eyes. The Knight took a slow step backwards, trying to leave some distance between them. The Emperor stopped and grinned when this happened. He turned to glare at Ana. "I'm sure you will corroborate my story, Ana."
"Rhen..."
The Sith Lord's eyes glowed dangerously, and a spark of Lightning ran between his fingers. "Do not call me that," he threatened, voice low and dangerous. He shook his head. "Though I will claim vengeance for his death soon enough. On all of you." He turned back to Leon, snarling.
"Rhen... Vao?" Leon asked, eyes widening. "You traveled with R-"
"You. I traveled with you, because you are Revan," Nernyn spat, raising his hand and unleashing the energy in his palm. Leon cried out as his saber deactivated and he was thrown into the wall. "You betrayed me, us. You tore my body apart and threw whatever you could back together to create a slave, a reminder of who you used to be that you could keep close so you don't hate yourself."
Leon struggled to his feet. "You... what do you mean?" Leon asked, clutching at his side. He reached out towards his lightsaber and summoned it back to his hand. "Revan is dead."
"Ana," Nernyn gestured at the Jedi to speak the truth.
"You're Revan," she said after a long pause. Leon frowned, brow furrowing.
"W-what are you talking about?" Mari asked. Ana was silent. "Karking tell us!"
"He's Revan. I did the blood test on Coruscant when he was still unconscious," Ana admitted. She shook her head then looked at Leon. "I'm sorry, really. You... Leon Reht never existed. Someone made him up."
"Yes, perhaps you are one of the clones my master attempted to create," Nernyn said, sneering down at the Knight. "Inserted into the military so that his impending death would no longer matter. Or perhaps you are the real Revan. When Ana took your body, perhaps you weren't completely dead. Maybe they cloned you, maybe they wiped your memory and started from scratch just like with your ancestor. Or maybe I never killed you, you just hid. Very, very well. Wiping your own memory, destroying your own history because of how much you hated yourself. I don't know. I don't care."
Leon took a nervous, shaky breath. "I can't be Revan. Those memories are real. My father... he was at the... he was at the commendation ceremonies. He died. He was real!" Leon snapped. He ignited his lightsaber and ran towards the Sith Lord, swinging wildly. Nernyn laughed and sidestepped the attack like it was from a child's weapon. "I can't be... him."
"You can't be the man who destroyed the Miraluka colony?" the shadow of Rhen Vao asked, turning around Leon's next attack and slamming his elbow into the young man's temple. Leon stumbled away and grunted when the Sith Lord's leg slammed into his gut. "You can't be the man who did this to me? Well you are! You're the reason that all of this is happening! Every death in the war, every child now fatherless. That's you."
Leon stared up as Nernyn ignited one side of his lightsaber. "But don't worry. I intend to return the favor," he snarled down at his former master.
"Get away from him, you traitor!" Var snarled. Leon watched as a gray blur slammed into Nernyn's side and threw the Sith Lord across the hangar. Var stood in his place, gray lightsaber raised in front of him. He took a single step to the side, placing himself between Leon and the Emperor. He glanced down at Leon, eyes glowing with yellow hate. "I'll protect you, My Lord." Then the now Fallen councilor turned away and stalked violently towards Nernyn. Vallen soon stood at her colleague's side, her own weapon drawn and glowing red.
Leon's gaze turned from them to catch Mari's, searching for help. For stability. To be seen as Leon Reht. Instead, her eyes communicated that she now saw him differently as well. Those stories she had told about Revan – Theron saving her life, becoming her friend. Each one was worn on her face at that moment. Leon knew, right then, that it was true. There was no way around it. He had never really existed as more than a lie. A cover for a dead man to continue his crusades. He silently cursed Revan, the shade of who he had been that still lived in his mind, and forced himself to his feet.
He turned from Mari just as she raised her hand and called Cade with her communicator. Leon quivered in shock and forced himself to reignite his lightsaber. If this was to be a duel to the death, then he could no longer lose. After all... he had never even been born. Then he rushed towards the ongoing fight, where Nernyn was lazily holding off the attacks of Darth Vallen, Ana Gann, and Doron Var, their old hatreds and betrayals forgotten in the interest of prolonging their own lives.
Cade watched from just outside of the hangar, unconscious and dead Sith soldiers littering the ground around him. His eyes were fixed on Leon as he stalked towards his former self's apprentice. He deactivated his lightsaber and raised his communicator. "Artoo, get us an opening off planet. We'll be on ship in thirty minutes at most. Be prepared for less, just in case. Deranis, we'll need to leave in a couple seconds as soon as we get there. Be ready." He cut the line before they could respond and returned his attention to the battle. He took a deep breath, and entered the hangar, lightsaber igniting at his side. "I'm sorry, Shado. I didn't protect him, and I can't save him. But maybe I'll be able to save someone who can."