Disclaimer: Still not mine… Oh well.
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Tinuviel Undomiel/Nerwen Aldarion: You guys are AWESOME! Still going to need those ideas of yours, don't think I can go a lot farther without damaging my brain in the process :P
So please send them to me whenever you guys have time :)
Sarahbuggs: Thanks for the great suggestion :) I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do, but when I get there, I'll certainly give your idea a shot.
Waygate: Actually, I bought both versions (I'm a dork.) but unfortunately, for my pc, it doesn't work. I can't get off Endar Spire, because once I enter the escape pod, the game crashes /
So thanks for the mod suggestion! But I don't think I'll be able to use it.
Sith Lord Darth Revan: Glad you like this story! Hope you like this chapter too!
Revised Reviews:
Revan's Pet Duck: Yay! Cool, glad you liked it :)
Brazilian Sith Lord: Hey, don't worry bout it. Since your wondering, it's basically going to be Revan/Bastila but yeah well, don't want to give away too much but just wait and see. :P
Well that's it, onto the story!
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Chapter Three: Malak
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His progress had been amazing. She could hardly believe her eyes. This was the same man that she had rescued from aboard the Leviathan just months before. This was Malak, second in command of the Sith, the second most ruthless killer in the galaxy…
Of course the man sitting in front of her with quite an annoyed look on his face looked nothing like what he had used to, which helped her somewhat to keep from slipping out his true identity.
The cold, white, pale face that the former Dark Lord of the Sith had was now still somewhat pale, but overall had improved vastly.
He no longer looked like the walking corpse he had been.
His previously exposed head, albeit the Sith markings, was now being slowly replaced by light brown locks that had grown to be about an inch high now, (I know, I can't even imagine that… Malak, with HAIR? 0.O) giving him a look truly as that of a Republic soldier.
The most changed feature on him however, was his eyes. The bright golden glimmer that burned with hatred and pain was now back to it's original color, a dark earthy brown.
She had to admit; he was a lot better looking then the horrible monster she had seen aboard the Leviathan.
She groaned within her mind, "He's still not going to answer that one simply question…"
She had been working with the young man for the past three months now, give or take. He hated having to answer the same questions everyday almost as much as she hated having to ask them, but it had to be done.
They had to see whether or not the mind wipe had been successful. If there were any signs, any signs at all that indicated the return of Darth Malak, then she had to notify the Masters before he was released.
Rolling her eyes, she tried prompting a response from the newly made soldier. "Well…?"
She glared sharply at him, accenting her annoyance. "Can you answer the question? I know you hate doing this, but please, humor me."
The young man rolled his eyes; He knew that look. There was just no use in arguing. Either he answered now, or she would repeat her question over and over and over again until he answered it…he had learned from past experience that she was persistent, very persistent. There was nothing much that he could do and he needed to kill some time.
He sighed, making his annoyance clear to her before proceeding to answer.
"Still stuck here…but I'm fine." He replied, mumbling under his breath. "Just fine."
The young girl smiled. Better then nothing…
"Good, now have you had anymore of your nightmares?" She asked, obviously curious.
"Why would she care?" He wondered.
Giving her another annoyed look, he replied in an exasperated tone. "I guess jolting up in the middle of the night covered in sweat and out of breath doesn't mean I was dreaming of something nice now does it?" He replied, using all the sarcasm he could muster.
He sighed.
That was question number two on her list of same ten questions that she just had to ask everyday, twelve if he was really lucky…
This was really getting tiring.
He had been asked the same things; the same questions everyday so many times now that he'd practically memorized the whole routine.
It wasn't that he wasn't glad they saved him, but he wondered if the cruel and unusual punishment he was receiving was always standard Jedi procedure after they had saved a guy, if so, he vowed never to need their saving again…
Of course, he was grateful that the Jedi had rescued him, he'd be dead by now from the explosion caused by the thermal detonator that the Sith had planted if it wasn't for them…actually, the young Jedi padawan, Althea to be specific.
It was funny to him how the same Jedi that had saved him from death was now actually, literally boring him to death with those silly questions…
"Now that's irony." He mused silently.
He sighed again; he seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
He just wanted to get away from here.
Jedi were the last things his parents would have wanted him to get involved with.
His father had always complained that the Jedi were 'too troublesome', and that they were 'always getting into other people's businesses' and so on.
"The son of two smugglers now in the company of Jedi." He laughed inwardly at the thought of what his father might say. Then, he shuddered at the thought of what his mother would do to him…
"Is all this truly necessary?" He asked, almost whined.
"Of course." She replied with a soft grin and nod. "We need to see if you are completely healed, after all, that Sith ambush really injured you a lot…you were lucky to have recovered from such a massive head injury." She explained smoothly.
"You wouldn't want to go back to the Republic army on wrong now would you?" She teased. "You might end up fighting on the wrong side." She said casually, testing to see if the mind wipe had worked, hoping he wouldn't notice the slight fear in her voice as she spoke…
"Right, no matter." He smiled. "I'd be doing them a favor by fighting for the Sith now wouldn't I?" He laughed. "I always was a bad shot…never was able to aim that well, heck, I doubt the Republic would care too much if I betrayed them and joined the Sith." He smirked, an odd twinkle in his eyes.
She wasn't able to hear what he had said.
Her heart almost froze.
Had he purposely said those words to taunt her?
Did he really remember?
She looked at him. He had stopped talking now and was now looking at her with his dark eyes…
His eyes were shining brightly with mischief, highlighted with the color of…
Gold.
She gasped.
Before her brain was even able to register what was happening, he smirked evilly, and then pounced on her, ready to end her life…
>>
"Umm…Hello?"
She was snapped back to reality by his voice.
He waved his hand in front of her eyes.
"Jedi person who loves to annoy me?" He teased. "I was just joking…where's your big comeback to everything I say?"
She blinked a couple of times, still unable to talk.
"It was just my imagination…" She thought relieved. "Everything's ok."
She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, must have dozed off."
He smiled back, his eyes glimmering. "Don't worry, it only goes to show how boring this whole thing is now…can I leave?" He asked smiling. "I won't tell if you don't"
She shook her head. "Not until we finish this session, you know that."
She looked at him, blue meeting brown.
"Now, will you just answer and quit complaining?" She asked. "Or do I have to explain to you why we have to do this all over again, for the hundredth time?"
He made a face.
"Please, just answer…you know that it's important for us to know if you're all right or not." She pleaded. "So stop making this so hard on the both of us ok?" She smiled. "It's not like your hiding anything."
"Fine…I guess." He responded, still with some doubt of what she had said.
From what he had heard, it was rare that a non-force sensitive was allowed to spend this long within the Jedi enclave. And he had been here for about three months now.
He sighed, hoping that he would be released soon.
He looked at her, silently waiting for him to answer. "There's just something weird going on here…" He thought, "But she seemed genuine enough…"
He sighed for what seemed like the thousandth time and proceeded in answering those mind-numbing questions.
>>
Three months had passed since they had attacked Revan and Malak's flagships, three long months since the consequences of Revan's actions had forced them to reprogram Malak with a new identity, since Malak was returned to the Enclave, badly injured. Today, now a simple soldier of the Republic army, he was finally fully healed in both mind and body, well enough so that he was ready to be transported aboard the Endar Spire…at least that's what Master Vandar had been desperately trying to convince him of all afternoon.
"Are you sure about this?" Master Vrook asked skeptically. "I still don't think he's ready…"
Master Vandar chuckled at his old friend's protectiveness and gave him a reassuring smile. "Do not worry my friend, I believe young Malak is ready to rejoin the Republic, he has improved greatly."
"Really?" Vrook asked doubtfully. "And what makes you so sure Vandar? What if the mind wipe was unsuccessful? What then? Would we not be dooming the Galaxy by releasing him too early?"
"Ask yourself that question my friend, and what does your heart tell you?" Master Vandar asked. "You know as well as I do that the Malak you knew is gone, perhaps forever, only fragments of him remain…fragments that would be easily brushed off and forgotten." He sighed sadly. "You know as well as I do that Malak's memories are shattered. Only the things that matter remain, things buried deep within his mind that are forever connected to his past…the location of Revan's stronghold perhaps?"
"But that is why we must keep him here!" Vrook exclaimed. "He's the key to stopping Revan."
The shorter Jedi shook his head.
"No, he is a soldier now Vrook, not a Jedi." He explained. "We cannot keep a soldier here without reason."
"Besides," Master Vandar continued. "We should send him back to the Republic…I can feel his thoughts and he's…getting suspicious, restless." The shorter Jedi Master chuckled. "Smart boy."
Vandar was right.
They had to release him back to the Republic, before he started asking questions, before he found out what had been done to him. Vrook knew his old friend was right, and could only stay silent and grudgingly agree, the thoughts of worry still plagued his mind…
He sighed.
A Master will always be worried…
>>
Revan stared blankly into the dark depths of space, planning his next move. Perhaps even obsessing over the young and gifted Bastila Shan…
He shook his head.
That was impossible, he didn't care…he couldn't.
He sighed, getting up from his seat and headed towards the training chambers where his new…temporary apprentice was getting ready to swear his loyalty to him.
He laughed. Another Padawan taken away from the Council by the Dark Lord of the Sith…
"But it still wasn't enough of a punishment for the Jedi Masters…" He thought bitterly.
Should he stop now? No, he wasn't going to rest until they suffered as much as he had…he wouldn't let them get away for what they had done to him.
They had made him lose everything.
He wouldn't rest until he had done the same to them.
His anger got the best of him for a second and he slammed his fist into the hard metallic sides of the BladeRunner, denting the otherwise flawless ship.
At the intensity of the force he brought his fist down, pieces of the metal had cut through the material of his gloves and imbedded themselves deep within his knuckle. His hand was bleeding now, but he welcomed the pain, enjoyed it, letting it wash over him.
It was proof that he was still alive, that he could still feel.
He felt somewhat content.
For that split second, he had wondered what it would be like to live without a care in the world, without having to fight.
He had fought all his life; coming within inches of death more then most men would have in a lifetime.
Killing had been a way of life.
Yet, after what seemed like a lifetime of fighting, the Mandalorian war was finally over and his victory had helped bring peace.
But he had been growing more and more restless as the Code and the Jedi abandoned him.
Nothing was enough.
He was still at war within himself; unable to find the peace he was searching for.
So he did the only thing he could do.
He continued to fight and conquer as he declared war on the rest of the Galaxy.
So had he made the right choice?
There was always a tiny voice, constantly questioning his decision, filling his mind with doubt and poisoning his thoughts.
Was all this still enough for him?Was this truly his destiny?
If it were, then he would gladly embrace it, but what if he had made a mis-
Suddenly, he was snapped out of his dangerous thoughts as an inquiring voice brought him back to reality.
"Master?"
He turned around, quickly abandoning all thoughts of doubt.
He was Revan, Lord of the Sith. The most feared Sith Lord since Exar Kun, the entire Galaxy was at his feet. That was the reality of it and no matter what; his destiny had already been decided.
There was no going back.
As he brought his thoughts back to the matter at hand, he recognized the man before him as his new apprentice Bandon, the young Jedi that had boarded his ship three months ago.
He had been part of the second Jedi strike team sent to 'rescue' Bastila.
He was sure he had killed them all, leaving only one just barely alive to take Bastila back to the Council.
Imagine his surprise when he found him unconscious and bleeding, close to death, but still alive nonetheless. He had contemplated on killing the healer, simply because he could, but he then decided against it after discovering the potential power that the he held.
It was hard, to say the least, getting the young man to see his way. At first, he had been as strong as Bastila had been, reciting the Jedi Code to help comfort him as he was being tortured. But in the end darkness had prevailed and Darth Bandon, Sith apprentice, had finally emerged.
"What is it?" Revan asked gruffly, annoyed by this intrusion.
"Did you not call for me Master?" Bandon asked, somewhat confused.
Revan rolled his eyes out of exasperation. "Of course…that."
Bandon bowed, unfazed by his master's tone. "What is your will my Master?"
"I want you to systematize a couple strike teams together and lead them on board the Endar Spire." Revan ordered. "I want you to kill everyoneand then bring the Republic data back to me…there will be Jedi there, be mindful. Do not hesitate to kill your former allies and friends. They are weak and do not deserve your pity. Understood?"
Darth Bandon nodded and stood up, bowing once more to his Master before turning around and headed towards the door.
"On more thing my young apprentice."
He turned around. "Yes Master?"
"There is one Jedi I want you to sustain from harming. Bring Bastila Shan back to me, alive…or I will have your head."
"Yes Master, I understand." Bandon replied bowing yet again and headed out the door, leaving his Master alone with his thoughts.
>>
Revan knew this was asking too much.
He should just kill her instead of going through all this trouble to turn her.
But he couldn't, he was too…fascinated with her. He couldn't imagine the power that she could have, if only she would only swear her loyalty to him.
He wouldn't admit it, but a tiny part of him knew, that Bastila had become much more to him then just something to severely devastate the Council with.
As much as he hated to admit it, she had become somewhat of an…obsession to him.
She was becoming the only thing that he thought about lately.
He hated it.
He needed to be strong so that others could not take his throne away from him; he needed to sever the connection that the young padawan had formed between them when she used her Battle Mediation on him…
The bond that they now shared left him vulnerable to human faults, human thoughts.
He spat bitterly in disgust at the thought. "She has left me exposed…"
He knew what he must do.
Either the kill her or turn her, it was that simple.
He looked out the window to see them closing in on the Star Forge.
He growled with frustration.
Killing her was out of the question…
Why the Force do I have to do everything the hard way?
He turned around quickly, his dark cape flowing behind at his feet.
He walked out of his chambers and killed the very first Sith solider that he saw, releasing all his pent up frustrations that were within him. The Sith screamed out in pain and was quickly silenced by the snap of his neck, the sound echoing loudly within the bare hallways of his flagship.
Revan sighed.
He really should be careful; turning into Malak was the last thing he wanted.
He was always losing more of his army that way…
He smirked. "The Star Forge will more then compensate for the loss of those idiotic fools…"
With that last thought; he headed towards the bridge as the BladeRunner set itself aboard the Star Forge.
He embraced the Dark side once more; the tiny voice in the back of his mind ceased as all form of doubt was cast away.
With the Dark side, he had a purpose and a destiny.
He was Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith, nothing more, and nothing less. His purpose was simple, to destroy the Jedi and all who stood in his way.
And that was enough for him...For now.
>>
"Padawan Shan?" A timid voice asked. "Bastila?"
A girl, Visas Marr if I remembered correctly, shook me out of my meditation. She was a few years younger then I, perhaps by four or five years. She was of the Miraluka species, and very strong in the Force. I had heard that their kind was blind but had the ability to actually see through the Force, which had always fascinated me greatly.
Perhaps that was why Master Vandar had requested upon her training here under his guidance for some time. He would have wanted to see if others could learn her ability.
She was to leave within the next month, returning to her home world Katarr.
"Yes Visas?" I asked, looking at the girl before me. "Why have you come here?"
"Masters Vandar and Vrook have requested your presence with them." She replied calmly. "They wish to send you on a mission, aboard the Endar Spire."
"The Endar Spire?" I thought.
They were going to send me on another mission so quickly after all that had happened? Did they not care for me?
Perhaps Revan was right…
"No!" I shook that thought out of my head. "Of course not."
"They must truly need me, to send me in a time like this." I thought. "The Masters are only doing what's best…"
"Best for the Republic…" a small voice whispered within my head.
No! I cannot think that way…I must not.
"Whatever is troubling you Bastila, I am sorry that I cannot help you…" Visas said, "I can only say that you will find peace if you remember who you are."
Wise words for one so young as her, she must have felt my troubled thoughts through the Force.
"Thank you." I smiled at her, though I was uncertain if she could see it. Her words had helped me find peace, even if it was for a moment.
Peace was something that I had not had a moment of ever since I had regained conscious within the temple walls.
I was in constant battles within myself, afraid that my thoughts might betray me in the presence of the Masters.
I have also been feeling Revan's presence, though faint, within me…
That was part of what had been troubling me greatly.
What exactly had happened between us? What did it mean?
I brushed the thought away.
It was another worry for another time…
I stood up and dusted myself off, making sure I looked presentable before facing the Jedi Masters.
I looked at her and sighed.
She reminded me so much of myself. We had both caught the attention of the Jedi Masters and we both were still so young. I only hoped that our fates weren't the same; that she wouldn't have to go through the same horrors that I had.
No one should ever to have suffer under the tortures of a Sith Lord…
I bowed to her and she did the same. I turned around and headed out of the room, towards the Council Chambers, ready to hear what they had to say…
>>
He could sense some confusion and bewilderment as she entered the Council chambers. It had only been three months since she had returned to them, too short for his liking to send her on another mission aboard the Endar Spire with the reprogrammed Malak, but they had no choice.
The young soldier was beginning to become restless, and was bound to be asking questions sooner or later, they couldn't have him finding out who he was or even give him any reason to suspect that he was once a dark lord of the Sith.
But that was only half of the reason…
The Republic was losing.
Revan's forces were slowly overwhelming them. They needed their help; they needed Bastila's help.
They had everything to lose.
"Masters?" Bastila asked as she bowed, her face composed. "Did you send for me?"
"Yes my young Padawan." He paused. It was painful of him to ask such a thing of her, but there was no other way.
They were in a war that they had to win, no matter what the cost.
"Master?" Bastila questioned, obviously confused. "I had heard that there was a mission…"
Vrook paused, words unable to form, his mind busily searching for the right words. He couldn't say it.
Master Vandar, feeling his friend's conflict within himself, spoke up instead.
"Young Padawan Shan, it is true. We need you to board the Endar Spire and meet with Captain Onasi." He explained. "You will be accompanied by a few Jedi. Once you meet with the Captain, you will wait for further instructions."
Bastila didn't understand.
"Masters…" She started, her calm face unchanging, her tone even and smooth. "Forgive me, but why do you send me away from the Council to do a task that any other Jedi may accomplish? Am I not needed here?"
Master Vandar sighed. "Trust in the wisdom of the Council young one, it is important that you do. You will be aiding the Republic more there then here. Revan must be stopped."
Bastila flinched inwardly at the name of the Sith Lord, but nodded nonetheless.
Who was she to judge the actions of the Jedi Masters? She could do nothing but agree with their decision.
"Yes Master, I understand…"
"Good." Vandar smiled understandingly. "This is for the good of the Republic Bastila, you know as well as I do that Revan's reign of terror must end."
Vandar smiled. "The Force will always be with you young one, do not worry."
Bastila bowed. "Yes Master. I won't fail."
"Be sure to keep look after Malak." Master Vrook suddenly spoke up as Bastila started to turn around to leave.
The name of Revan's former apprentice stopped her dead in her tracks.
She turned around quickly and stared at her Master, confusion evident in her eyes. "Malak?" She asked.
Both Jedi Masters nodded.
"He has been through a mind wipe Bastila," Vrook explained. "We had to preserve and try to restore the memories of Darth Malak that were imbedded deep within his mind, information that will help us capture Revan.
Bastila nodded slowly, trying to comprehend the situation.
So it wasn't some big important task she had just been assigned to, they were simply sending her off like a watchdog to keep an eye on Malak, to keep him safe.
They could easily have sent someone else to look after him.
She should be at the temple, aiding in the next preparation to capture Revan. But no, instead, they were going to put her somewhere where she would be of no help, somewhere where she could be vulnerable.
A place where Revan would be able to capture her if he tried.
It was after all, only a Republic ship.
The soldiers would be useless against the dark lord; even the few Jedi that would be accompanying her would not be able to fight him.
Was she just as expandable as a common Jedi?
Were they not telling her that she was the only one who could use the Battle Meditation?
Did the Masters not care for her safety?
If so, why were they sending her off on another dangerous mission when her safety and Revan's capture were more crucial?
You are only a tool…
Revan's words came back to haunt her but she pushed his voice away.
She was a Jedi; She had to trust the Council's orders.
She wasn't a tool.
The Masters knew what was best for her…
Didn't they?
Her thoughts of doubt vanished as her Master said her name, her attention returned backto the matters at hand.
"Bastila?" Vrook asked, his voice inquiring. "Do you understand the importance of your duty?"
"Of course Master, I understand." She replied with little emotion. It was obvious to Vrook that something was troubling his Padawan. "I wish you the best then Bastila."
Bastila stared straight at him, her eyes filled with determination.
"I won't fail you Master."
"May the Force be with you then my young Padawan." Vrook replied, still staring at the young girl in front of him.
Bastila nodded.
"And with you Masters."
She bowed; showing her respect to the two Jedi masters, turned around, and left the Council Chambers.
>>
Vrook was very troubled.
He had sensed fear and doubt coming from his Padawan, even if they were only for a second.
This was bad.
He had been able to snap her out of these dangerous thoughts but what troubled him the most was that he didn't know what the cause of them were.
Both were dangerous feelings that would lead to the dark side if not confronted.
He feared for her just as he had with Malak. He could feel his young apprentice struggling within herself and he silently begged the Force to keep Bastila safe and continued on the path of light.
She couldn't fall…
If she did then Revan would win and then all would be lost.
A/N:
I updated…it's a miracle!
Who would have thought that school was my muse? Lol, I love writing when I'm supposed to be doing my homework. :P
Alrighty then, another chapter revised, whew!
Gotta admit, this chapter was HARD to write. Especially Bastila and Malak. I'm very sorry if some things don't seem in character or whatnot. I almost decided to just not include this chapter but I thought it was important.
And for those of you who were wondering bout Malak's appearance, he's like Krillan from DragonBall Z, he shaves his head and waxes it to keep it bald because it's what Sith Lords do, with the exception of Revan. But now since he isn't the Sith Lord anymore and hasn't exactly been conscious to shave his head over the past few months, nor would the new identity even remember to shave his head, no more bald Malak :P
That's the only explanation that I can give to you guys. That, and because I need Malak to look different xP (No Sith mask for him to hid behind, can't have people recognizing him lol)
Hope it makes sense :)
Please review and tell me what you thought!
Until next time…
(OoOoOoO Goody, the Endar Spire, fun for all…except maybe Trask.)