RyanSquad-I agree wholeheartedly! I always found Revan and Anakin to be almost the same character, the main difference being that Revan had the right teachers who taught him to truly live to his full potential, whereas Anakin was always bogged down and enslaved to one belief or to another. Revan's understanding of Anakin is what makes him a great teacher, truly

Above the Winter Moonlight-Glad you liked it! Me and ComparedDread12 (the creator of Sedyn) have some nice plans for where that little plotline will end up going, and we're quite excited to get that out!

Guest #1-Yoda had his suspicions about Palpatine, but I never found them to be anywhere near as strong as Revan's, and he, too, would have a difficult time believing Palpatine was Sidious

Greer123-I have been doing well, thank you :)

Guest #2-Perhaps you could elaborate on Obi-Wan being a stick in the mud, as you say? I think he's pretty in-character, but I'd love to hear your thoughts as well. As for the picture, well, not quite everything goes according to Revan's plan, now does it ;)

Well, that took longer than I had hoped. I assumed the last one took so long because of writer's block or something, but it was less than a week ago that I realized my writing system wasn't working for me. So I adjusted it, and now here I am, with a new chapter. I think this will result in the next chapter coming out quicker, too, but I'd rather not make another promise :P

Also, I'd like to alert everyone that I will no longer be responding to comments within the chapters anymore (with the exception of guest comments) and that I will now be responding through DMs instead.

With all that in mind, please enjoy :)

Anakin broke sleep in a cold sweat and a heavy breath. It was another nightmare. More death in his head.

It was the same as all the other ones. Padme was crying out for help, tears and fear on her face as she gave birth to a child he could not see. On some nights, he could see Obi-Wan easing her into the next world. He still didn't know why it wasn't him with his wife. Sometimes he worried it was because he was the cause.

He had told no one other than whom the nightmares were focused on. He had not even told Obi-Wan or the Chancellor. Or Revan.

Anakin shook his head. It wasn't time to tell him yet. There was no reason to, not to mention he didn't trust the old Jedi nearly enough yet.

Anakin winced as he checked the time on a nearby chronometer. It was about an hour before he planned to wake up, though he imagined the clones were already up. He knew he wasn't going to get back to sleep any time soon, so he got up from the bed, put on his robe, and left the large tent, hoping that maybe conversation would steer away images of the death of his wife.

The air outside the tent was just cool enough to have a pleasant freshness, and as Anakin expected, clone troops were running their drills and morning exercises. Amusingly, Revan was out with them, jogging, squatting, and whatever else with them. It was no wonder they got along with him so well.

He told Padme about the dreams before he left for Mandalore, but he hasn't brought it up to her since, not even her call with her before. There were just too many other things going on, too many other things to worry about.

Revan probably knew more about these things. He seemed so calm and relaxed, allowing his emotions to intervene only when useful. He seemed to always be in control, to have a solution to every problem, to be able to do what he needed.

Well, daydreaming about it wouldn't do Anakin any good, so he decided to speak with Revan about it later - no specifics, of course, but just enough. For now, he was hungry. Perhaps he would find conversation at what constituted as a cafeteria in the camp.

And find conversation he did, for Ahsoka seemed to be getting herself situated at a table. Following a wave, he walked over to join her in fresh conversation.

Ahsoka generally liked to wake up later, so he wasn't quite sure why she was up even earlier than he was - unless, of course, she had her own hidden nightmares.

Come to think of it, it may have been a result of the Force Bond shared between Master and Apprentice. Anakin couldn't help but smile. It filled him with joy to know their bond was still there after all this time, if he was correct. An answer would be nice, though.

"Hey, Snips," Anakin said as he joined her at the table. "You're up early."

"I was having trouble sleeping," Ahsoka replied, "and then Revan ran into my tent pole on accident. Spent ten minutes putting the thing back up before I decided to go eat."

Anakin chuckled. "He never ceases to surprise, doesn't he?"

"Well, I hope he surprises everyone else soon with his real identity," Ahsoka replied. "The Mandalorians are getting suspicious."

"What makes you say that?"

Ahsoka gestured her head upwards. Anakin looked behind him to the giant mural on one of the many buildings of Mandalore. Revan was in the dead center, the style painting him separate from the Jedi, depicting them as small and weak, but Revan as strong and larger than life, just like the Mandalorians beside him.

"Oh," Anakin simply remarked.

"The Mandos are whispering, too," Ahsoka continued. "Some are dismissing them as superstitious, but a lot of them think Revan is actually back."

"Think that'll encourage him to reveal himself here?" Anakin suggested.

"Does he even know?" Ahsoka returned. "He certainly hasn't said anything about it, and I doubt the troops would want to say anything around him."

Anakin sighed. "You make a good point. We should probably tell him."

"But why even keep it secret?" Ahsoka went on. "Doesn't he want to build up trust?"

"All I know is that he thinks if Sidious finds out he's back, his plans are gonna be stunted. A lot."

"And what are his plans?" Ahsoka continued inquisitively, clearly trying to get somewhere.

"I don't know!" Anakin shot back. "I don't think he tells the Council anything, let alone me!"

"He told us he was playing dirty with Maul, didn't he?" she persisted. "Also, if that's how he usually works, is he even that trustworthy?"

Anakin was now surprised by his old apprentice. "Ahsoka," he said calmly, "you heard his reasoning."

"Which is sound reasoning, don't get me wrong," Ahsoka said, "but if he's willing to do that, what else is he willing to do?" Ahsoka leaned forward. "He was a Sith Lord once, wasn't he?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm trying to say that I doubt his habits have entirely changed," Ahsoka replied. "He still manages to use the Dark Side, he's striking deals with Sith Lords, and keeping just about everything a secret. Doesn't that sound off to you?"

"Of course it does," Anakin answered, "but we also don't have the full picture, and Revan probably has his reasons. He's trusting you and me more than everyone else, can't we trust him?"

"That's exactly what I'm asking: can we?"

Anakin thought in silence for a moment.

"We'll just have to find out," he said. "Me and you."

"You want us to do what?" said Dryden Vos, the 'leader' of the Crimson Dawn.

"Our contacts in the Senate are the majority of the reason we have so much power to begin with!" cried out Ziton Moj, the 'leader' of the Black Sun.

Marg Krim, the 'leader' of the Pyke Syndicate, remained silent.

"Need I remind you of what happened to your predecessors, Ziton?" replied Maul, the true leader of all three organizations. The leader of the Shadow Collective.

"My lord, do forgive me if we are a little concerned by your new command," said Vos, his ask for forgiveness coated in angered sarcasm.

Maul snarled at them. "I command you to do this now because new factors are now being introduced," he said, venom in his voice for the purpose of putting his puppet leaders back into their proper places. "Factors who are trying to prevent you all from losing much more of your power in the future. Make this sacrifice now, and your power will return in time."

Moj raised his eyebrows. "Who, you say?" he said with mocking laughter. "So you have a master of your own, then?"

Maul replied with a silent death stare, quickly informing Moj that his days were numbered.

"You will do as I command, or the consequences will be most severe," Maul finalized before ending the transmission.

Was this to be his reign? A Sith in charge of nothing but petty criminals, himself ruled by whoever chooses to? Well, there was the Mandalorian named Gar Saxon standing behind him. At least he knew his place, and at least he had worth.

Nevertheless, he was shaken. He couldn't have cared less about what the crime lords thought, they were merely a means to an end. His concern stemmed from Maul's new command to him and his kin.

His command to leave Mandalore.

It was not part of Revan's command, no, but Maul decided it would be better for his forces to withdraw than surrender or die.

Saxon merely stood at attention, his mannerisms stoic as always, but Maul could sense the conflict within him, the confusion, anger, even...

But he was silent. The emotion inside was nearly swelling, but his lips never even twitched.

He was... expectant. Expectant for an explanation. Ah, yes, that was his reason for silence. He trusted Maul. Trusted him to have a reason for this, of course, but there was a trust beyond that, as well. He trusted Maul as his leader. He would fight and fight until his last breath for his command.

Maul was only sorry he did not take advantage of that trust sooner. Nevertheless, that trust had to be maintained for it to be of use in the future.

Maul turned his head, a gesture for Saxon to speak his mind, an action he was hesitant to speak, but after a breath, spoke nonetheless.

"This is about that Zaykanian, isn't it?" he said.

Saxon was no fool, and he proved it here once again.

Maul was to remain in charge, of course, but he would still need someone in the midst of the action to take charge under him, someone to be there with his men and deal with them personally. Saxon's trust of Maul made him a perfect candidate. As such, he needed to be aware of the situation.

"Zaykanian's motivations are not... perfectly aligned with the Jedi's or the Republic's," he spoke, his arms still clasped behind his back, but now turning to face Saxon. "They do, however, align with my motivations."

"And, my lord?"

Maul considered his words for a moment. "He and I came to an arrangement," he said after a moment, walking along the room past Saxon. "I am to allow myself to be captured by Republic forces, but I will secretly be allowed to keep total control of my assets in return for accomplishing certain... goals."

Saxon furled his eyebrows, realization leading to more questions. "Such as your command to the crime syndicates?"

"Mainly, yes," Maul answered him, "although more confidential matters will be attended to by myself, as well." Maul turned to face Saxon once more, locking eyes with him. "You must lead the other Mandalorians in my absence."

Saxon stood in silence for a moment, processing what Maul just said, looking off to the side before looking at Maul again.

"You're certain this will work for us?"

No. Not in the slightest.

Revan severely underestimated Sidious, believing he could manipulate the master manipulator, win a war that was rigged against Jedi like him from the start. Revan was a fool.

But alas, he was a powerful fool, and forcing Maul into his submission was simple for him. He would make an attempt to escape, but he was aware of the consequences for doing so. After all, Revan lacked the moral restraints most Jedi place on themselves, making him more dangerous than any of them ever could be.

But Saxon didn't need to know that. For now, Maul would run along with Revan's plan, of course, but he had no interest in falling vainly alongside him. He would rather be the one to say I told you so.

Saxon, however, only needed to know the first phase, and that's what Maul told him, but it seemed this particular question required a lie - no, perhaps not. A half-truth would suit his purpose better.

"In the long run, yes, I believe it will," Maul ended up answering. "Now go; consolidate your forces for our last move."

Saxon simply bowed before leaving.

Fordo would never have guessed he would be doing this. He still didn't know why he was doing it. It wasn't even an order.

Nevertheless, he was racing his new Jedi General, Elijah Zaykanian, to a gunship. The ARC Captain was somehow barely ahead of him, though he seemed to be exerting himself far less.

It was odd from start to finish. First, the General wanted to run the training drills along with the clones. Somehow, he managed to keep up with them very well. He stayed at the head with Fordo during their jogs, making small talk and such as he practically led alongside Fordo. After some time, he managed to get everyone into a good mood despite what they were doing.

The men were in a such a good mood, in fact, that Jasper jokingly said the General should race the Captain. The General didn't quite take it as a joke, and the rest of the men quickly followed suite. Fordo was generally jolly as a rock, but even he couldn't help but get a little light-hearted due to the General's attitude.

And so, next thing he knew, he found himself sprinting just beside the Jedi, barely half a meter between them. Fordo wasn't giving it his all, though. Just enough to get him ahead, then go for a final burst just before their finish line, an LAAT/i Republic Gunship. The General was probably planning something similar, but it was no groundbreaking strategy, to be fair.

They were approximately halfway to their destination. It was to be a quick race, only a hundred meters, and Fordo could keep at a good sprint for the full distance without exerting himself too much, and it seemed the General was capable of the same.

"Having trouble keeping up with an old fella' like me, Captain?" the General teased sarcastically.

"What part of my expressions makes it look like I'm having trouble, sir?" Fordo found himself teasing back.

'What expressions? You're wearing a mask!" the Jedi laughed back before they reverted their focus to the race.

A mere ten meters from the gunship, Fordo finally gave it everything he had, seeming as if he nearly doubled his speed. Unsurprisingly at this point, the General did similarly.

Fordo won, of course. It was surprising enough that the General was able to keep up so close, but either way, the training of an ARC Trooper was far more rigorous than the training of a Jedi. It was a miracle there was any comparison to begin with.

"And I thought an ARC Trooper would be faster!" General Zaykanian teased, albeit out of breath.

Fordo merely shook his head. The General was an interesting fellow, to be sure.

"You boys go have breakfast, me and the General have something to discuss," Fordo called out to his men, who quickly nodded and left.

The Jedi and his Captain waited a moment for the troops to leave before Fordo spoke.

"So, uh, is this gonna become... normal, sir?" Fordo asked before they were to begin.

"There a problem?" the General replied.

"No, sir. Just wondering."

Zaykanian took a moment to remove his mask, which he had been wearing throughout the entirety of the drills. "If one is to lead soldiers, he himself must be a soldier, Captain."

That statement alone removed all doubt about the subject. "Very good, sir."

Zaykanian turned his mask to face him, took a rag, and began wiping off some of the dirt and grime that had gotten on it. "Maul will make a move soon. We must be ready."

"Have any idea where or when?" said Fordo, crossing his arms.

"Not at the current moment, no," Zaykanian replied, throwing the rag onto a nearby bench. "It would be wise to control that, though, wouldn't you agree?"

"Wholeheartedly, sir," replied Fordo, now crossing his arms behind his back. "What are you thinking?"

"As for when, as soon as possible," the General answered, examining his mask. "As for where... well, not overly specific there, either." He put the mask back on so he could use his hands to talk with him. "I need something enclosed, but out in the open. Something enclosed enough to give him some difficulty escaping, but also open enough to easily drop in reinforcements we may need. Any ideas?"

Fordo thought for a moment.

"The palace, sir," he said after a moment. "Big, open building with plenty of windows, right in the middle of our territory."

"Very good, but why would Maul want to go there?" Revan asked, seeming to have an answer, but interested in Fordo's input nonetheless.

"General Skywalker and Miss Tano seem to be withholding information from Prime Minister Almec's interrogation, sir," Fordo replied without missing a beat. "I recommend looking there first."

Zaykanian found himself slightly surprised by the blatant nature of Fordo's statement, but saw enough of a point to slowly, silently nod.

"I will be handling that, Captain," the General said. "You double-check everything and see if you can find any alternative locations."

"As you wish, sir."

General Zaykanian walked away a few steps before stopping, then clasping his hands behind his back.

"Things are getting set in motion, Fordo," he said in that rather typical cryptic Jedi fashion. He looked back, a smirk underneath his mask. "Exciting, isn't it?" Fordo couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Sure thing, sir," he replied dismissively. "Anything else to discuss?"

"Nothing for now, Captain," the General replied. Then, after a quick salute, Fordo turned and left, leaving Revan to his own planning.

No one would have guessed how depressed Revan was feeling that morning. He woke up early, ran drills with the clones, tried to have fun with them, but all he could do was hide it.

Ever since Anakin and Ahsoka confronted him about him and Bastila, he just couldn't take his mind off of her. He barely slept, remembering both their adventures together and the peaceful life they shared before Vitiate, the time they loved each other as a husband and his wife before Vitiate snatched it away from him, the son that Vitiate snatched away from his arms, a chance to redeem himself as a father snatched away by Vitiate...

His sadness was briefly overcome with rage. Never in his life had he felt such hatred toward anything or anyone.

He couldn't stop asking himself why. Why me? Why is this necessary? Why couldn't the Sith just stay dead? Why did balance matter so much?

Revan could have been happy. He could have left war behind and live a peaceful life with his family and friends as a respected war hero. Now he had everything taken from him and forced to fight yet another war. It couldn't even be a simple matter of hacking at bad guys. He needed to be involved in politics now, the underworld, scum and villainy of all shapes and sizes, and many other behind-the-scenes tasks that were yet to be revealed, not even mentioning the issue of Anakin, and right now he found himself questioning why he burdened himself more with Ahsoka Tano.

Blast it, he needed help. The least the Force could have done was take Meetra with him. At least she would have-

No. That was selfish. He could handle the task on his own, there was no need to take another down with him, especially one who had gone trough all that Meetra had gone through.

Even so, he was so alone. After all Revan had seen, how much hopelessness he had felt at times, the mental strain and even reset at one point with the further stress and crises that that created, he was left a far more shattered man than most people knew.

This was honestly precisely why he married Bastila so soon after the war. He loved her, of course, but he desperately needed that shoulder to lean on after having lacked one for most of his life.

He never got along all too well with Meetra, with their stark moral contrasts and all, and while Malak was often the one who kept the two from splitting up entirely, he wasn't exactly the huggable type, to put it mildly.

Revan, Jedi Master, Dark Lord of the Sith, Butcher of Mandalore, the Prodigal Knight and savior of the Republic, just wanted a blasted hug.

It was frustrating.

Revan took a deep breath and cleared his mind. Well, he tried to, but the best he could do was suppress it for now. This wasn't the time to release it.

He crossed his legs, closed his eyes, wiped away some loose tears, and began to take slow, rhythmic breaths, in his nose and out his mouth.

He searched for purpose. Eventually, he found it.

He preached so often about sacrifice and how necessary it was to achieve what you wanted, yet here he was, unable to fully handle it himself.

It was difficult. It always would be, it seemed. But his cause would alleviate the suffering of so many others, and so he chose to keep striving through it all. Perhaps a good death would make it all worth it in the end. Ensure that this war would be his last. That he would see Bastila again.

He interrupted his rhythmic breathing with a quiet laugh. Here he was, thinking about how nice death would be. He truly wasn't the man he once was. But then, perhaps this new man was what the galaxy needed.

The struggles he endured would grant him strength, and he knew that. He needed to embody strength itself so those who followed him would have it, too.

Using the Force, he pulled his mask back into his hand, and put it on again.

That was who he was. That mask was his face. And so he slid back into that identity. One of practicality, of intelligence and wisdom, of a leader.

It seemed to be what was needed at that exact moment as a missile flew overhead. Clones began shouting orders at each other, blasters began going off, and Revan got up and ignited a green lightsaber.

The end of the siege was near.

Maul was making his move.

Revan's sad, stuff is happening, and Anakin and Ahsoka are getting curious about what Revan's hiding. I'm thinking this arc will be wrapped up in the next chapter with an interlude following that, but I suppose we'll all have to wait and see. Please feel free to leave a review, and may the Force be with you :)