Chapter 26: Perdidit in Tenebris

—Part Two—

CORUSCANT: IMPERIAL PALACE: EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM

The black thunderclouds had started to recede toward the horizon, leaving the morning sun to once again shimmer over the ruined cityscape outside his window. Darth Sidious wrinkled his nose and sneered at the view beyond the transparisteel. A warzone—that's what it reminded him of. Flashing blue and red lights of emergency vehicles darting back and forth between buildings, putting out fires, attending to collisions, each one attempting to return some semblance of order to the chaos. A bloodied and beaten warzone.

Almost one standard hour had passed since Lord Vader's fury had laid waste to Coruscant, and yet Sidious knew the true storm was still to come. Vader would come looking for him next. Compelled by his need to blame someone other than himself for his misery. And Sidious would be right here, waiting for him. As always. Ready to endure his overly emotional outburst, fully prepared to beat him back down into submission—violently, if necessary. Which, unfortunately, was more often than not the case.

Shaking his head at the carnage outside, Sidious moved from the window and returned to his throne. He looked to the chamber doors between the black urns, counted the minutes. It wouldn't be long now; he could feel the hum sing along their bond. The hate; the anger; the fear... they all gave him away. And yet, like the many times before this, Sidious found himself wondering—Would today be the day? Would this be the moment the apprentice challenged the master?

In some ways he longed for it, wanted Vader to challenge him, if only to know the boy still had it in him. Sure, Vader was powerful—too powerful. But Sidious had been all too aware of that fact when he had decided to take him for his own. His mind, however... that was Vader's greatest weakness. His constant need for approval; his clinginess; his desperate want for some kind of meaningful attachment. That was how Sidious controlled him. Through gifting him with offers of approval and fatherly affection whenever he'd lived up to his expectations... or, conversely, retracting his attention the very instant he failed or disappointed him.

Suddenly, a resonating rumbling tremor shook the Force to its core. The lights flickered, then dimmed; as if being sucked dry of all power. Screams and howls of pain echoed from the halls beyond his chamber, followed by loud thumps and cracks—no doubt from bodies of unsuspecting palace guards and officers being tossed from his path.

He steepled his fingers together upon his desk, and stared at the entrance—waiting.

A moment later, the doors burst open, and Sidious watched as the two red-robed royal guards stationed outside suddenly rushed forward. They didn't make it very far—and with surprisingly audible cracks, their robed-bodies dropped limp to the floor.

Respirator echoing, Lord Vader charged into the throne room; his heaving stride thundering across the marble, the long length of his cloak billowing behind his back. The depth of his rage was immense; an all consuming black mass of hatred and despair, so palpable, that it seemed to warp the very fabric of the Force itself. In one swift movement, Vader thrust his gauntleted hand into the air midstride, seized hold of Sidious's throat with the Force, and yanked him up from his throne.

"YOU... DID THIS!" he roared, storming across the chamber, his robotic voice booming.

Paralysed by the power of his apprentice's Force-scream, Sidious could do nothing but hang there and gurgle and cough. He refused to give Vader the satisfaction of seeing him claw at his throat as he dangled above his own command desk. He'd been caught off-guard, fully aware that his apprentice was angry, but not truly expecting him to come in quite so hot.

Vader stopped by the foot of the stairs. His shaking hand still clawed and outstretched. "That meeting... yesterday..." he snarled, noticeably clenching his teeth. "You told her... to go... with HIM!"

Sidious stared into the lenses of his apprentice's black mask, willing himself to focus on the eyes hidden behind them. Vader's Force-choke was strong; yet he seemed to be holding back, unwilling to take that next final step. Hilarious, considering he was outright accusing him of sending his dear little wife away with their enemy. He mentally chuckled—amused by the thought. Ah, Anakin Skywalker... Loyal to the last.

Sneering triumphantly, Sidious dragged in a breath, then cackled.

He had him.

The vice-grip around his throat lessened. Not enough to release him, but sufficient enough to allow him to speak. He coughed once, then twice, his mouth filling with spittle. "Your precious Padmé abandons you... and you come here... looking to blame me," Sidious scolded.

He resisted the urge to douse Vader with lightning for daring to touch him with the Force. Punishment would make him submissive again, and with his anger surging—as glorious and radiant as it was right now—he was powerful. And he currently had further use for that power, he just needed to redirect it.

Clearing his throat, Sidious focused his will and mind, determined to wrangle his disturbed apprentice back under control. "It would seem... you've been made a fool of, my son."

Evidently confused and unstable, his gloved hand still shaking, Vader growled and tightened his grip—choking him again. The ominous in-and-out rasp of his mechanical breathing all but devouring the pregnant silence. After a moment, he looked down, seemingly conflicted. Then, as if suddenly realising what he was doing, he let out an angered snarl... reluctantly released his hold—

And carefully lowered Sidious back to the floor.

Vader had backed down, and Sidious knew he'd need to work quickly. He stood tall and straightened his cloak around his shoulders, then, securing the hood back over his head, he took a deep breath and composed himself. Anger wouldn't work in this particular instance, Vader was lost in his misery, in desperate need of compassion and understanding. And Sidious would provide it, knowing the pay-off would be worth the investment.

"Now... my son. I understand that you are upset," Sidious said, cautiously moving from his desk. He stopped at the top of the stairs, briefly assessed his apprentice. Vader remained silent, swaying uncomfortably, working his fists and repeatedly shifting his weight from foot to foot. Expelling an exhausted sigh, Sidious started down the stairs toward him. "It pains me a great deal, to see you this way, my son," he said soothingly, briefly concerned by the truth of his statement. "But I assure you... I had nothing to do with your deceitful wife's decision to abandon you."

A despondent groan echoed between them, and Vader's black mask slowly shook left and right.

Sidious continued down the stairs, reaching out tentatively toward the unresponsive Vader along their Force-bond as he did so. He concentrated his manipulative efforts, working to fulfil the promise he'd made to Amidala yesterday during their little confrontation. "On the contrary, Lord Vader..." he purred, descending the final steps to the landing. "Since the two of you never had the opportunity to have a proper ceremony, I offered to make the truth of your union public."

Vader looked up at this, his attention seemingly piqued.

Sidious smiled and quickly continued, feeling him take the bait. "I thought, perhaps on Empire Day, I could give the two of you the opportunity to renew your vows," he said, closing the distance between them. He placed one hand heavily upon Vader's armoured shoulder. "Make your marriage official in the eyes of our Empire?"

Vader stared at him from within those two bottomless black lenses, his mask directly in front of his face.

Faking a frown, Sidious looked away and shook his head. "But your precious Padmé wouldn't have it," he said. "Of course, I could be mistaken... but it seemed to me like she was—dare I say it..." —He hesitated, turned to face Vader front on, and again locked gazes with his mask— "as if... she was almost ashamed to be associated with you, my son."

Still resisting, Vader dropped his gaze to the floor and shook his head. "No..." he rumbled disbelievingly. "No, she... last night... Padmé said—"

"Ah, yes. Last night," Sidious curtly interrupted. "When you succumbed to your wife's pressure, and desperately chose to embrace the Light to please her?"

Vader stiffened and looked up, a bolt of fear surging from him across their bond.

Sidious snarled. "What?You didn't think I would notice?Of course, I noticed. I know everything." He hissed and turned his back to him, purposefully taking several steps toward the chamber doors. He stopped rigid and glowered at the urns, forcing himself to keep his composure. After a moment, he reached out to touch the left urn, the one Plagueis was sealed inside of, and let out a long, frustrated breath.

"And now you've been made a fool of, my son," Sidious said, shaking his head. "Denying who you are... forsaking everything you believe in..." Irritated, he spun around on his heel, a vicious sneer tugging at his lips. And for the first time this morning, he raised his voice. "All for what, Lord Vader? For your precious Padmé to throw it back in your face?"

Vader bristled. "She accepts what I have become."

What I have become—Sidious noted—not, Who I am. Interesting. So, Skywalker was still holding on. "You say that... yet, you do not believe it," he hissed, pointing his finger. "I see through you, my son. I know you better than even you know yourself."

Vader's breathing echoed between them.

"I feel your fear, Lord Vader," Sidious said, deciding to go straight for the jugular, and determinedly striding toward him. "Your torment... your anger. You know... don't you?" He stopped directly in front of him again, so close their dark bodies were almost touching. "You know... it is only a matter of time, before Padmé's love for democracy and justice overpowers her feelings toward you."

The respirator hitched and caught. "I... I don't understand, Master."

"Yes, you do... I know you do," Sidious reaffirmed, his gaze firmly planted on Vader's lenses. "I suppose... it all comes down to a question of how long..."

"How long?" Vader nervously choked out. "How long before what?"

Sidious sniggered and patted his shoulder. "Before she can no longer justify your actions to herself, my apprentice."

They stared silently at each other, their bond flaring into life like the blazing hot fires of Mustafar. Sidious reached out to him through the Force, nudging persuadingly, fighting to seal him in tight. Vader seemed to hesitate. Then, instead of acknowledging his advance—

He took a heaving stride back, slowly lowered to one knee... and subserviently bowed his head. "I understand... My Master."

Unable to wipe the smile off his face, Sidious stood over him; taking in every delicious detail of Vader's massive black form kneeling submissively before him. His broiling anger was still prevalent—but his will was completely at his mercy. Sidious leaned forward and heavily patted his shoulder again. "Rise, Lord Vader," he said, still smiling. "I think it is time... for us to try again."

Vader lifted his head, and Sidious offered him his hand. "Come, my son," he said. "Let us return to the altar. I am confident, that if we work together... there is nothing we cannot achieve."

With a nod, his apprentice took his hand and allowed Sidious to pull him to his feet. They left the throne room together. Their strides perfectly in-sync. Vader's cloak lazily swaying behind him. Sidious's robe dragging along the floor at his feet.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Alright, so I've decided to start releasing these chapters after I have finished one or two scenes, as I feel terrible for the waits being so long. This should get the chapter parts out to you all a bit quicker. I won't apologise for time spent editing, however, as I feel the editing process is pivotal to the cohesiveness of the story.

For anyone wondering: Yes. Vader is about to leave Coruscant and return to Obi-wan and Syrennè (fun times ahead) but he needed to see his Master before he left. As for what Sidious is referring to in this part, all will be revealed shortly. He has a specific goal in mind and is always working toward it. Much like his Sith Master before him. Perhaps, with the help of our beloved Chosen One, he can actually succeed where Plagueis failed, who knows. As for Padmé, we jump to her next.

For all of you asking if I was watching Obi-wan, yes. I loved it. But I cried my eyes out at the end of their scene together. That heartbroken yet rage-filled wail broke my heart . Not saying anymore in case some of you haven't seen it yet. I don't wish to spoil anything.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, and for your reviews/follows/favourites, they mean the world to me. I hope you enjoy, and as always MTFBWY.