Before the fall.
"Soon we will reveal ourselves.".—Darth Maul's phrase, used to tease his Master throughout the story.
Prologue: The deadly alliance.
Darth Sidious was aware that his skill and mastery of the Force was immense, enough so that he himself considered it perfect.
This belief only increased after Sidious was able to surpass the space-time line and could see the future. It was only small bits and pieces, but important enough for Sidious to want to perfect this ability.
A real trump card had fallen into his clutches, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity pass him by.
For this reason, despite having a rather busy schedule, he took the liberty of remaining in seclusion, to meditate and expand his senses in the Force for a while. Naturally, his effort was rewarded, Sidious was able to tear the veil of the Force and caught a glimpse of the future...
However, he did not like what he saw at all.
Well, the part where the Jedi were exterminated almost in their entirety if he liked it. Just like him being the supreme ruler of the galaxy... but, the following events after that glorious stage got worse and worse. A fucking civil war, the return of the Jedi, Vader's betrayal... his own death.
Unacceptable.
Now, aware of all the events that would lead to his fall, Sidious thought carefully about what to do about it.
The Clone Wars were already underway, or at least the first steps; the invasion of Naboo was happening right now. Sidious could not stop this event, for it was the linchpin of the other events that would lead to the destruction of the Jedi order, and of him as the Emperor of the galaxy.
However, he could change, alter, the course of history.
So he canceled his apprentice's mission and ordered him to return to his lair, one of many scattered throughout the galaxy, located on Mustafar. Obviously, Darth Maul wasn't happy about it, but Sidious didn't care. In fact, he was doing him a favor by keeping Maul from going to meet those two Jedi.
Unless Maul liked the idea of being cut in two with a lightsaber...but that was a non-issue. The point was, Maul could be useful to him in a way he hadn't thought of before. As could Count Dooku, as could Grievous and other minions.
As for Vader... maybe Sidious could do something about him too, but it was still many years before Skywalker was ready to be Lord Vader. So, for the moment, Vader was not his priority. There were many, many other things to do ahead...
After a time, Maul finally reached the lair, approaching with long strides.
Although on the outside his apprentice appeared perfectly calm, Sidious could feel the red swirls of his anger in the Force. His apprentice stopped a few paces away, and then, knelt with his head down.
"Lord Maul." -Sidious greeted.
"I have returned, Master, just as you commanded.". -Maul said, then, he paused slightly. "Even though I was already halfway to Naboo."
Sidious raised an eyebrow. "Is that a rebuke?"
" Of course not, Master."
"I thought so. We-"
"Soon we will reveal ourselves." -Maul interrupted.
Sidious blinked and then nodded. He would tolerate the interruption, this time, for he fully understood his apprentice's enthusiasm for hunting and destroying Jedi. "Indeed, Lord Maul, soon we will reveal ourselves.". -He said. "I decided to bring you back so suddenly because of something related to that. We must discuss some changes of in the plan."
"However, it will be difficult to abruptly withdraw our troops installed on Naboo without arousing suspicion. Especially with those two Jedi there."
"I know, but it's not about that issue, it's about long term changes. But for the moment, go get some rest, the trip there and back has been long... and there's still someone else to go before the meeting begins."
Maul stood up and bowed. "As you command, Master."
Watching his apprentice leave, Sidious wondered what kind of reaction he would have to seeing this last person. But he had more or less an idea of what would happen; Maul would be pissed. Maul would be furious. However, that would be a necessary evil to alter future events. And hopefully, improve them in his favor.
As always, Maul would have to shut up and obey his Master, whether he liked the order or not.
XXXXX
Sidious could sense his next and final guest once he arrived at his lair. Judging by how Maul tensed, his apprentice had detected him as well. But this was perfectly normal, as this person possessed a strong presence in the Force.
A few minutes later, the former Jedi Master and current Count of Serenno, Dooku, appeared before Sidious.
Dooku merely looked calmly at Sidious and his apprentice for a few moments. Sidious detected his slight confusion in the Force, the Count probably expected a private chat, not in the company of another stranger. But before he could speak, Maul took a few steps forward as he activated his lightsaber.
The two crimson blades instantly sprouted, hissing angrily as did their owner. "Jedi scum!" -Maul roared, twirling his saber in a crude display of bravado. In other lesser beings, maybe that would have been intimidating. But to the former Jedi Master, it was as intimidating as if an ant were screaming at him. "Get ready to-!"
"Enough, Lord Maul.". -Sidious interrupted him. If the two clashed sabers, Dooku would kill his apprentice in a matter of seconds. "He is the guest I mentioned to you earlier."
"But Master!" -Maul said, shocked, but not taking his eyes off Dooku. The other man continued in silence, but with a slightly raised eyebrow. Sidious couldn't identify if that gesture was out of amusement, curiosity, or simply contempt. It was probably the latter. "This man is-!"
"I know who he is." -interrupted Sidious again, his teeth clenched. "Now lower your weapon, Count Dooku is not our enemy, he is an ally."
Maul finally broke eye contact with the Count, to direct a doubt laden glare at his Master. Sidious raised his clawed hands, silently threatening to unleash a furious electric shock on him. Maul quickly deactivated his saber and knelt on the ground with his head down in a gesture of submission.
Sidious nodded in satisfaction and lowered his hands. "I apologize for this rude welcome, Count."
"Don't worry, Lord Sidious. I fully understand how difficult it is to control a wild animal." -Dooku returned his attention to Maul. "I assume this is your current apprentice."
"Indeed."
"I see." -Dooku said to then draw his own lightsaber with a simple tug of the Force. "In that case, Lord Sidious, have you gathered us here to fight for the right to be your apprentice?"
Maul leapt to his feet, again, activating his dual lightsabers and ready to pounce on his apparent new rival. However, Sidious again threatened him with his claw-like hands, this time with an electric shock poised at his fingertips. Maul again dropped to his knees, but without taking his eyes off Dooku.
"I fear you are mistaken, Count.". -Sidious said, giving his apprentice a warning look. If Maul stood up again without his permission, he would electrocute him. "I have called you here to discuss our future plans, due to a sudden and very important event."
Dooku cocked his head to one side for a few moments in confusion, then holstered his weapon. "What event, Master?"
"He is not your Master!" -Maul spat, rising to his feet, defiant.
Sidious electrocuted him. Dooku watched indifferently as Maul writhed in pain and agony on the ground as he received the Force Lightning.
After a few seconds, Sidious stopped the punishment. "Our fall, Count." -He said gravely.
"... May I ask you to be more specific, Master?"
"Of course. You must know that I have seen the future, Count. And I'm not talking about just fuzzy images or unintelligible sounds from the Force. I'm talking about an authentic vision; the future."
Dooku brought a hand to his perfectly trimmed beard, stroking it absently. Sidious' words had caught his attention, and it didn't take research into the Force to realize it. "What have you seen, Darth Sidious?"
"I have seen the Revenge of the Sith after a thousand years; the Jedi order utterly exterminated, at the hands of the clone army. I have seen the republic become one great and unique empire with its undisputed Emperor; me." -Sidious paused. "But I have also seen the defeat and death of Lord Maul on Naboo. I have also seen your defeat and death, Count, shortly before the end of the Clone Wars. I have seen my empire break under civil war, the return of the Jedi... and my death."
Maul, who at some point had recovered, looked at his Master, stunned. Count Dooku appeared calm, but he was just as disturbed. Sidious could feel it in the Force.
"I see..." -Dooku said slowly, after a short pause. "It is not at all uncommon for beings with great potential in the Force to be able to see the future. In the Jedi order, there have been several instances of this... but not in such detail. This must be a sign, the Force is in your favor, Darth Sidious. Splendid."
"You do not doubt my word?" -Sidious asked.
"Is there any reason for you to make up such a story and gather us here to tell it to us?"
"No."
Dooku nodded. "In that case, yes, I believe you."
"Then, now that you know these facts, can I still count on your support for my cause?"
"Absolutely." -Dooku said immediately. "As I said, this is a sign from the Force that this is the right path. The fact that the Jedi order is totally exterminated is proof of that. Otherwise, it would never have happened."
'Of course, years and years of total dedication and effort on my part played a part in that as well, Count.' -thought Sidious, expressionless. "What do you think of the return of the Jedi?"
"A Sith survived the destruction of his order, and rebuilt it from scratch. It doesn't seem far-fetched to me that the Jedi would have done something similar in the future. How many were there, by the way?"
"Only two." -Well, there were three if he counted Obi-wan Kenobi, who died shortly thereafter in his confrontation with Vader. But Dooku didn't need to know that.
"Ironic."
"Yes..." -Sidious said, dragging out the 's', as if it were a hiss. He was inspecting Dooku in the Force, but not neglecting the physical aspect (the good thing about being a politician, was that one could not lie to a liar). But Sidious found nothing to indicate to him that the Count was lying to him or trying to deceive. For now.
"In any case." -Continued Sidious. "I am pleased to hear your answer, Count... no, Darth Tyranus."
Dooku took a moment to understand, then, he put one knee on the ground and lowered his head "It is quite an honor, Master."
Maul, who had been watching everything in silence, jumped to his feet. "Hold on a second, Lord Sidious!" -he protested. "I am your apprentice by right, the Rule of Two states that you cannot-!"
Sidious electrocuted him.
"I am aware of the Rule of Two. And it is not your place to tell me what I can and cannot do." -Sidious growled to his nearly roasted apprentice. "However, with this new development, I think our priority should remain; eliminate the Jedi. Then, stabilize the rule of the Sith in the galaxy, quelling future rebellions. Once that is done, we will finally decide if the old and almost obsolete Rule of Two should be enforced or not."
"So, you mean you'll train both of us, Master?" -Maul said from the ground. He didn't get up, but he seemed fine.
"That's right..." -Sidious looked at his hands in confusion. Maybe he didn't use the right amount of energy? "You two are too valuable and important in your respective tasks to have each other killed... for now."
Maul seemed to consider this and then nodded. "I see." -He looked at Dooku. "Old man..."
"Lord Tyranus." -The Count corrected, frowning. " Maybe you have been under Darth Sidious' apprenticeship for longer than I have. But in terms of combat experience and mastery of the Force, I am your superior."
"Old man." -Maul repeated firmly, heedless of the stern rebuke. "For the sake of the grand plan and the future annihilation of the damned Jedi, at least from my side, there will be no hostility between us."
That statement seemed to catch Lord Tyranus off guard. Sidious nodded in pleasure. Just as he had hoped, Maul's devotion to the Sith, to the grand plan and his infinite hatred of the Jedi was enough for him to be willing to tolerate a rival. However, this, too, was up to the Count. Sidious looked at him, expectant.
And Tyranus didn't let him down either. He nodded. "Likewise, there will be no hostilities between us.". -Tyranus said, then added:" Until we exterminate the Jedi."
"Until we exterminate the Jedi." -Maul repeated in agreement. He stood up and grinned fiercely, baring his teeth. "They won't stand a chance against...this deadly alliance. Soon we will be revealed and the galaxy will be under the undisputed rule of the Sith!"
"Indeed, Lord Maul." -Sidious said, nodding. "Wise words."
"Thank you, Master."
Immediately after, Sidious electrocuted him.
Don't think too much about it, the story is anything but serious, I simply did it out of boredom.
