Separatist Hideout, Mustafar
The Council Room was in a frenzy. Leaders were arguing and panicking. One had flung herself off the balcony into the fiery lava below. Nute Gunray held his head in his hands and cowered in his chair. It was all over. It had to be. Their big gamble had failed. Grievous was confirmed dead, Dooku was nowhere to be heard from, and their fleet had been routed and pushed back from Coruscant.
"Everyone, the time has come. We have nothing more to offer. We have lost our Supreme Commander and Head of State. No one in this room has any military experience. Dooku was our only hope against any Jedi. We are doomed. The Separatist movement is doomed!" San Hill cried out, with his Banking Clan members nodding in agreement. Several Council Members mused and hummed in agreement, but the tension was still high.
Wat Tambor slammed his arms on the table, with a bit of steam escaping his pressure mask. "Don't be a fool! We still have several campaigns going on at the moment, critical to the movement! Take Kashyyyk for example! Or Felucia! We can still win this. To simply give up would be cowardice" Tambor turned his head to the quivering form of Nute Gunray, who sheepishly acknowledge the snide comment indirectly taken at him.
"And who will lead us, Tambor? You? Your failure on Ryloth doesn't make you a qualified leader!" San sneered as he and his aide got up to leave. As they neared the door, he turned back to face his former allies. "The Banking Clan is no longer a part of the Separatist Movement. I strongly advise that you all"
The Chairman of the Intergalactic Banking Clan raised into the hair, his long large hands wrapped around his throat, trying to pull invisible hands off of what was holding him up. He flew across the room landed on top of the large conference table.
"Consider yourself dismissed, Chairman," Sidious said as he entered the room on his hologram droid. And with those final words, Sidious twisted San Hill's neck around, killing the Muun. Sidious turned to the aides that were leaving with him. "Get rid of the body. Then I will decide what to do with you." The aides nodded and dragged the body off the table and out of the room as Sidious moved into the chambers. It was dead quiet.
"Do not fear my friend. The deaths of Count Dooku and General Grievous benefit us actually. My new apprentice disposed of Count Dooku after discovering he was going to surrender himself and your location to the Republic. He had given up on the movement."
Murmurs and short cries of disbelief shot out but quickly died down. The leaders knew better than to question Sidious. especially after the brutal execution of San Hill.
"Who is your new apprentice, Lord Sidious?" Nute Gunray bumbled out of his mouth as he tried to sit upright in front of the man who had been running his life for the past 12 years.
Sidious' head snapped to the Viceroy and immediately he quivered before the gaze. "He will visit you soon enough. For now, his identity is mine alone to know. Trust in the plan. Keep pressing forward with our current campaigns. My apprentice will soon be the figurehead of the movement. Tambor, release a statement that the Separatists will not surrender and that Dooku's heir will assume command soon enough. That is all."
The Works, Coruscant
Sidious let out an angry heavy sigh as he took his hood off. The Separatist Council was beginning to get on his nerves. Viceroy was no longer needed. He desperately wanted to just let loose a storm of lightning on them all, hear their scream, and watch them wither before him as they begged for their pitiful lives. He had filled their heads with the delusion of grandeur and promises of power and control. But at their moment's end, they would realize that all they will be remembered for is a stepping stone to his ascent as Emperor of The Galaxy.
It had been four days since the invasion. And the Republic was celebrating. Yes, they were mourning the loss of friends and family, but the invasion had gone in their favor. Dooku was dead, his body was found broken and in pieces in the lower levels of Coruscant. The body was only confirmed to be his via a blood test. Grievous was slain on the Invisible Hand. Yes, people were happy. Sidious himself was pleased.
But he wasn't happy. Not yet. But soon he will be. Soon the Senate, the Galaxy would be eating out of his hand.
The door slid open with a hiss and Impetus entered the room. Sidious was quite pleased with the performance of Darth Impetus. He was on the way to becoming a strong Sith. The perfect enforcer for his upcoming Empire. Sure, he wasn't the Chosen One, but beggars can't be choosers. And corrupting the Master of the Order? Quite an accomplishment.
"Master, Darth Revan's holocron. I could not get it to open," Impetus said as he kneeled before the Dark Lord, presenting the holocron in his hand.
"I did not expect you to, my friend. Holocrons like these tend to only open when the creator, or being inside, wishes to open on their own. However, when you have become as versed in the Dark Side as I have, you tend to learn the secrets to many things," Sidious said with a grin. He levitated the holocron in his hand, muttering in the ancient Sith dialect.
"Urvaz Revan, nu visita sh'jatau tu. Anga nuo nun, anga nuo tave kitok tsis ari. Anga nuo tave jen' garthaz! Nu xuontai zhol!"
The holocron whirred and hummed, slowly, as if it was trying to resist itself. But it lost the battle and opened, with the holographic form of Revan appearing before the two Sith Lord. Revan was not amused. A scowl appeared upon his face.
"What do you want, pretender?"
Impetus titled his head in surprise, but Sidious let out a hollow laugh.
"What do I want? I want to show you just how powerful I have become. I want to show the traitor, the ruined Sith Lord, how far the Sith have come, how powerful we are now, and to reveal to you how I will accomplish what you only were able to dream of."
"Even if you do succeed, there will always be Jedi to stop you."
"And they will be crushed beneath my heel, like history shows. Only I will not make the same mistake as Viviate or the Triumvirate. There will be no survivors. Those who will surrender will join me or die."
"You sound just like my old apprentice, Malak. So sure of himself, so sure of being the strongest."
"Ha! Malak is nothing compared to me. While I admire his prowess and feats, such as the breaking and torture of Bastilla Shan," Revan growled, but couldn't do anything. He was just a holocron. Unable to tap into the Force in any major way, unable to act or attack. All he could do was watch and listen. And Sidious knew this.
"Did you ever find out what happened to her? After you left her? She died of a broken heart. Too long were you gone. She withered away, without you there for her. Why didn't you fight harder against Viviate? Did you not care for her? Did you run away because you didn't love her anymore? Was it-"
"I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE HER!" Revan screamed in anger, shaking with rage and despair. "I FOUGHT AS HARD AS I COULD! I WANTED TO GO HOME, I WANTED TO KILL VIVIATE! I... I did everything I could."
"But did it matter? In the end, you became a battery for him, powering his means for destruction. Is this why you are training Skywalker? As penance for your failure?"
Revan glared at Sidious, contempt and hate seething in him.
That was a good enough answer for Sidious. "Sadly, Revan, you will fail. Once again. Skywalker will die, the Jedi will fall. And once again, it will be because you didn't do enough." Sidious said as he called his lightsaber to his hand. Activating it, he moved with such speed that he was a red blur, slicing through Revan's holocron. The holocron fell to the ground, light fading from it until it was a dark, sparking husk.
"Master?" Impetus asked with curiosity, confused why Sidious hadn't added the holocron to his collection.
"This...relic was a reminder of a failure. Revan never truly choose the Dark Side because he had to. Not because he wanted to. And that is where we are different, my friend." Sidious said as he assumed his seat.
Across the planet, the Jedi all felt a shift in the Force, like a lonely, broken voice finally found its end but met it in despair. But only two men truly felt the effect of the feeling and they both dropped to their knees, clutching their heads in agony and pain until the feeling had passed.
1 Day Later, The Chancellor's Public Office
"My friends, I understand your pleas, but the war is not over. The Separatists have refused to surrender and there are still campaigns going on right now. Until we force them to surrender, I cannot give up my emergency powers, which were granted to me by a vote, if I must remind you all," Palpatine said with a sigh, putting a hand to his head, rubbing both his temples.
Before him sat Jedi Masters Obi-wan, Eeth Koth, Yoda, and Even Piell, who had come to the Chancellor, asking him to give up his emergency powers.
"Chancellor, with all due respect, the Separatists are now simply run by Viceroy Gunray, who is nothing short of a bumbling coward. He cannot lead the Separatists. They will easily fall now. Without Dooku or Grievous to hold them together, they will be able to resist us. They will surrender soon enough," Even Piell gruffed out.
"Well, if that is the case, then why are we still fighting several campaigns? The war is not over, gentlemen. Perhaps another rogue Jedi will leave the Republic and join them. I do hope that will not happen."
A brief silence sat, but it did not linger, as Master Kenobi spoke before anything grew more awkward. "We still recognize the threat of the Separatists. We only hope that you also recognize the importance of giving back the temporary powers that were granted to you because of the war."
"But of course, Master Kenobi! As soon as the Separatists surrender, I will give up my powers. I simply do not want to give them up, only for the Separatists to take advantage of it and have that feeling that I was responsible for the war continuing longer, or gods forbid it, we lose the war. "
Satisfied, Yoda nodded. There was no point to continue with the conversation. "Very well, Chancellor. We shall leave, for now."
As they all got up to leave, Eeth Koth had one more thing to say. "Chancellor, before we go, we had a question we wished to ask. Off the record, if you may."
"Oh?" Palpatine said, raising an eyebrow.
"Before the invasion, Master Windu went missing. Logs show his ship left the Temple, but his hyperspace ring is still in orbit, and we cannot find him. Have you seen or heard anything of him?"
"No, I have not. But I will have my top agents on it. Master Windu is incredibly important to the Republic, and your Order. I will keep this off the record, as you have requested, gentlemen."
Bowing, the Jedi turned and left the room. The elevator ride was tense. Everyone in it could feel the anger radiating from Even Piell. He stared holes into Master Koth's head.
"Is something bothering you, Master Piell?" Koth asked.
"Telling the Chancellor about Master Windu's disappearance was a mistake. It does not concern him."
"Just as it didn't concern him about your imprisonment on the Citadel?" Koth fired back. The two Jedi glared at each other, but once again, Obi-wan stepped in.
"While I think the way we addressed the Chancellor was not ideal, he does have a point. Master Windu is important to not only us but the Republic. We do need him."
Master Piell simply gruffed as the door opened and the four Masters headed for their gunship that brought them here. It rested on the airstrip, with other military and political personnel. Suddenly, a ripple echoed through the Force.
"Wait, do you-"
"Yes, I feel it too. Something is-"
A fiery inferno consumed part of the Senate. Debris rained down upon them all. The Jedi Masters rushed forward, using the Force to catch the debris and set it down, stopping it from crushing people around them.
"That blast came from the Chancellor's office!" Obi-wan cried out as he used the force to blow out the flames on some of the debris they had caught. Several Clone Troopers and Royal Guards approached the Jedi Masters. Even Piell moved to meet them.
"Commander Thire is the Chancellor-" Piell began to ask, but he never got the chance to finish his question. Because Commander Thire had put a blaster bolt through the Jedi Master's heart. The small juggernaut collapsed to the floor. Yoda, Obi-wan, and Eeth all looked on in horror, expecting the other clones or the Royal Guards to react as they were. But they did not. The Clones readied their blasters and the Royal Guard raised their pikes.
"The Jedi assassinated the Chancellor! Order 66 is in effect! Execute them!" Thire yelled, as his men opened fire on the Jedi. The three Jedi activated their lightsabers and began deflecting the bolts back. They were confused. Why did the clones think they were behind the bomb? And what was Order 66? What was going on? but quickly, they shelved those questions. While they were important, their immediate survival was now their top concern. Noticing a fuel canister between them all, Obi-wan deflected a blaster bolt into it. The canister exploded and it knocked the clones onto their backs. When they got back up and the smoke cleared, the Jedi Masters were gone.
Felucia
Jedi Knight Maris Brood walked through the tall beautiful jungle of Felucia with her squad. In the distance, they noticed an advancing droid army. Crouching down, she began to formulate a plan. Hearing the blasters ready behind her, she looked around for droids. It was only when the bolts tore through her again and again did she realize that she was the target.
Galactic Space
Taron Malicos navigated his starfighter through the web of blaster fire as Vulture droids closed in on him. Just as he thought he was done for, ARC-170s came to his rescue and destroyed his attackers. Looking out of his cockpit, he recognized his rescuer. Captain Rainmaker. He activated his communication system.
"Thanks for the save, Rainmaker! Looks like I owe you another drink!"
But there was no quick wit. No chuckle or funny comment. The only response Malicos received was blaster fire tearing through his ship. His cockpit cracked and the pressure of space ripped him from his seat and into the cold, dark, emptiness of space. As he died, all Taron could think was one thing.
Why?
Kashyyyk
Quinlan Vos watched the battle below him unfold, looking for any weakness or exploit that he could use to increase the odds of winning. He was so immersed in the battle that he didn't notice that Commander Gree had left the balcony. It was only when the platform he stood on exploded and wood and fire covered his body did he realize what happened.
Umbara
When Order 66 came through, Captain Rex saw it as a miracle. His hatred for the Jedi was finally allowed to be unleashed. So many of his brothers were killed under the command of a foolish Jedi. It had cost them victories, brothers, civilians, and even their young Padawan, Caleb Dume.
So when the 501st was told they had to execute General Pong Krell, they didn't need an inhibitor chip to make them do it.
Jedi Temple, Coruscant
As the sunset and smoke still billowed out of the Senate building, Jurokk continued to plead with Padawan Ahsoka Tano to enter the safeties of the Temple.
"Padawan Tano, please! It's not safe out here for you. Something terrible is happening. You-"
"I need to know if my Master is safe! He was at the Senate building when it happened! I can't sense him!" Ahsoka argued back. "I promised him I'd wait for him here!"
Jurokk was about to respond when he saw a cloaked figure approaching them, with a large company of clones behind them. The longer he looked, he recognized the markings as those of the 91st. Windu's battalion.
As the 91st approached, Jurokk recognized Mace.
"Master Windu, what's going on? Where have you been? Something terrible is happening, I don't know what-"
A swift purple strike beheaded the Gate Guardian. Ahsoka gasped and looked at Mace, who looked her right in the eyes. His eyes were yellow. Full of pain, hate, and anger. She turned to run, fleeing back to the Temple, but Mace pulled her back to him with the Force. He wrapped a hand around her neck, not choking her but restraining her. He looked at her. The Council and the Jedi were worthy of his wrath, but Ahsoka? She was a child. The thought of letting her go seemed merciful. It seemed right. But immediately the Dark Side began to talk to him, memories of the past brewed within him.
Ahsoka was the padawan of Obi-wan. A Master who was a part of the betrayal. The teachings of the Jedi were far too engrained in her. In all of the Jedi, no matter the age.
In the days of old, before our modern medicine, an infected limb was cut off entirely. Not just the infected area. The entire limb. The Jedi are an infected limb of the Republic, of the Galaxy. Save the Galaxy. Spare the Jedi of their sickness. The Dark Side whispered to him.
Ahsoka looked up at the face of Mace Windu, her eyes pleading for mercy, for help. She cried out to her Master, to Bariss, to Master Plo, to anyone who would hear her call. It was too late. A purple blade exited through her. Her cry of pain was muffled by Windu's metal hand.
"There is no escape," Windu muttered as he let go of her and she fell to the ground. Marching forward, the clone army stormed the Temple. Gunfire echoed the sacred halls of the Jedi.
Across the galaxy, as a blue fighter lay in ruins on the catwalks of Cato Neimoidia, Master Plo fought for his life. His body was broken and he limped out of his ship. Clutching his side where shrapnel had pierced him, he struggled to stay conscious.
He heard the cry of terror. "No. Not...Little...'Soka..." He rasped to himself. Collapsing to the floor, he wept.
What, did you honestly think I wouldn't do Order 66? It was always going to happen. Yes, I made changes, but some things have to stay the same. I want the consequences of Order 66 to be felt. In the movies, we never really got to see Jedi that we really cared about being killed by the clones. It was only after TCW that we felt sad watching them die. Every Jedi in this story can die.
I also hope that I'm not too dark. Ahsoka's death will be the darkest thing in this book, so I won't write about Impetus killing younglings.
And yes, I gave Caleb Dume to Pong Krell as a Padawan. I killed Depa on Geonosis. He had no Master. I took some inspiration from TheRealThing's story about a Dark Obi-wan choosing another weak Padwan to try and mold into a strong warrior and gave it my own small spin.
Sadly, this will be the only time that the 501st will show up again. If yall are really wondering why they haven't shown up yet, I'll give some background lore that I think will help explain things that can really only be explained in an author's note.
To me, during the beginning of the war, any battalion that fell under Anakin's command would become as formidable as the 501st. Anakin's leadership inspired bravery and helped Rex form the 501st into what it became. I decided not to give Anakin the 501st at the beginning of the war because I wanted to wipe out his first battalion, hence why I created Commander Havoc and the 178th. Looking back, I didn't wipe them out as much as I wanted, so I had them removed from his command. I also think that the GAR would be hesitant to give Anakin another battalion after how he recklessly endangered his and Obi-wan's battalions when defending his planet. So he joined with Obi-wan and bonded with the 212th. Hope this helps. I promise I don't hate the 501st, I love my blue boys. They will show up in another story.
2 more chapters to go everyone.