Chiaroscuro II
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. This is merely a fanfiction. I gain no income from this story.
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A Mandalorian battle cruiser shot out of lightspeed in the outer orbit of Mustafar. On the bridge, dozens of Mandalorians sat at various consoles, hitting buttons, flipping switches.
The door to the bridge opened, and Plagueis entered, flanked by the Dark Apprentice, Vis and Maris.
The Mandalorian captain saluted the Muun. "Sir, we have entered the planet's outer circulation."
"Right on time," Plagueis replied. "Stay in the outer regions, outside of their scanners."
"Sir," the captain asked. "Are we not attacking Mustafar?"
A smile played on the Muun's lips. "Not quite. Instead, prepare a shuttle. Only myself and our young friend here will walk the planet's surface." He gestured at the Dark Apprentice.
"Very good sir." The captain saluted and went off to make preparations.
Plagueis and his entourage began walking down the bridge towards the main view screen. Maris breathlessly kept pace with him. "My lord," she said. "Are Vis and I not to join you on the planet's surface?"
"No, my dear. You are needed here, to oversee the bridge."
Maris looked down despondently. "It's just that … I was eager to face Vader."
"My dear, please do not misinterpret my next words as an insult … Shaak Tii has trained you well, but you would be no match for the Dark Lord."
"But together – you, me, Vis, the creepy Starkiller clone" - (the Dark Apprentice glowered) – "together we could put Vader down for good."
"No. That we shall not do."
Maris spread her arms. "Forgive me, my lord – wouldn't now be the perfect time to strike? We can take Vader together! What a blow that would be to the Empire!"
Plagueis smiled warmly at her. "You must learn to trust me, Maris. I have greater things in store."
"But if you would just tell us –"
The Muun pointed at the Dark Apprentice. "All will become clear soon, when our new friend here ascends to near godhood!"
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A quiet wind howled along the surface of Mustafar, volcanoes erupting pits of lava, black smoke rising.
Starkiller stood on the landing platform, both weapons at the ready.
Darth Vader held his crimson lightsaber in front of him with both hands. He stood there, breathing.
Both watched each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Starkiller was the first to break. He rushed forward, thrusting with a left-feint, bringing his right lightsaber forward, attempting to break Vader's guard – thrust his blade right into the control panel on the Dark Lord's chest.
Vader turned both his attacks aside simply, without even moving from the spot.
Starkiller flipped backwards away, landing catlike on the landing platform.
And the two stared each other down again.
Starkiller shook his head. "So … Skywalker … the Chosen One … some savior you turned out to be! Bring balance to the Force – what a joke!"
Vader raised his saber. "You seek to overturn Captain Eclipse's fate. Overthrown prophecies should not surprise you." He took a step forward. "In any event, I have already fulfilled the Prophecy."
"What are you on about?"
Vader took another step. "The Jedi foolishly assumed that bringing balance to the Force meant that I would destroy the Sith. But no – the light had tipped the balance of the Force. For over a thousand generation the Jedi dominated the galaxy, held a monopoly on the Force. I merely was the Force's instrument to balance itself."
"By destroying the Jedi," Starkiller muttered. "Leveling the playing field." He threw his head back with a grin. "Overthrown prophecies, huh? How about I undo your prophecy by destroying you – and the Sith - for good!"
"I have already been destroyed."
Starkiller nodded. "… when you lost her."
"A mistake I plan to rectify."
Starkiller stopped. "Rectify?"
Vader was instantly on him, hammering away with his lightsaber. The two circled each other, their blades clashing repeatedly. Starkiller jumped into the air, attempting to bring both blades down upon the Dark Lord's helmet.
Vader caught him in mid-air with the Force and flung him away.
Starkiller repulsed in mid-air and landed deftly on his feet.
Vader was on him with a speed that Starkiller remembered all too well.
Their sabers clashed again and again.
"I get it now," Starkiller was saying. "You wanted me to lead you to Plagueis. You knew he was still out there!"
"The Emperor always suspected as much," Vader replied, blocking Starkiller's slashes.
"You want him to help you. You think he can resurrect Padme!"
At the mention of her name, Vader snarled inside his mask, and gripped Starkiller in a Force Choke. He lifted his gauntleted hand, and Starkiller rose several feet off the ground, hands rising to his throat.
"She was mine!" Vader thundered. "And she shall be again! It will all be mine! The Emperor's throne, the Empire, the galaxy … as it should have always been."
Vader's grip around Starkiller's throat tightened.
And Vader continued speaking. "You are an insignificant speck in this grand drama. You exist only because I willed it. And you will end because I demand it." The grip tightened, and Starkiller could feel his lungs, his very nerves, screaming out for oxygen.
"You have only ever existed because I willed it! I let you live! I spared the original Starkiller on Kashyyyk because I saw in him an instrument of my will! Just as you are. You are nothing more than a shadow, a ghost of a man long dead. And you thought Captain Eclipse could ever love you? She loved a dead man! Her feelings for you are not real."
"Yeah … " Starkiller gasped. "And what makes you think Padme will love you?"
"You will be silent!"
Starkiller was gasping for air, but he still spoke. "She … she loved a dead man too … she loved Anakin Skywalker … she could never … love Darth Vader!"
With a snarl, Vader tossed Starkiller aside. The Jedi Clone rose to his feet, rubbing his now sore throat. He summoned his lightsabers, igniting them in a flash of blue.
Vader was on him in a second, hammering away with his red blade. The two dueled backwards, through the entrance of the bunker, into a command room.
The former Separatist stronghold had hardly changed over the past two decades. It had now been repurposed by the Empire for mining operations.
Starkiller used to the Force to free a control panel, hurling it at the Dark Lord's head. Vader flung it aside. He used the Force to smash a glass panel and hurl the broken glass at his foe. Starkiller used the Force to fling most of the broken glass aside, but was hit by several pieces, his face and chest sliced open, his shirt blossoming red.
Starkiller Force Pushed Vader into a computer console. He unleashed a torrent of Force Lightning, charging all of the terminals, causing them to erupt in a sequence of explosions and electricity.
Vader summoned a Force Shield, protecting himself from the resultant attacks.
Alarms blared through the command room, and live wires dangled from the ceiling, raining sparks on the two titans.
"I've beaten you before!" Starkiller yelled. "Twice! On the Death Star, and again on Kamino! And I'll do so again!"
Vader stood up, his cape now tattered and torn. "You did not defeat me on the Death Star … Galen Marek did and he only won because I underestimated him. You only bear his image. You are not him. And I let you win on Kamino … everything has always transpired according to my plans."
Starkiller spun his weapons. "Oh? And what about your new apprentice? Where is he hiding? Why are you out here fighting me instead of letting your attack hound do the dirty work?"
The Dark Lord didn't respond. Instead, he charged Starkiller, their weapons crossing. A look of realization dawned on Starkiller's face. "You're losing control of him, aren't you?" Vader pressed the attack, and the two found themselves outside on a balcony. "He's gone rogue, hasn't he?"
Their sabers clashed again and again. "It doesn't matter," Vader growled. "I will deal with him after I have dealt with you … as I always intended. But first, you will reveal the location of Darth Plagueis' headquarters!"
"And why would he help you, even if I did tell you?!"
The two clashed again.
Starkiller gritted his teeth. "And while we're on the topic – what kind of a Force virus did you poison Juno with?! Maybe if you tell me that, I'll give you a clue!"
Their swords spun. "I'd be more concerned about finding the cure," Vader replied. "It surprises me that you haven't asked about that yet."
Starkiller stopped. "T-the cure?"
Vader took a step backwards. He pressed a button on his utility belt and produced a vial with an orange liquid. "Did you honestly think I would risk being exposed to a Force virus without having the antidote?"
"Of course," Starkiller. "I was on a mad dash looking for Anakin Skywalker … ironic. The Chosen One does have the means to save Juno after all."
Vader placed the antidote back in his utility belt. "Unfortunately, it will be of no help to you."
"Nevertheless, I will get that cure!"
"You may have it … if you tell me where Plagueis is!"
I can't tell him, Starkiller thought. Juno is with Plagueis. If I fall here, Vader will go to Mandalore, and Juno will be in even greater danger!
"Or, I can just take it from you!"
"You will try."
Starkiller tackled him, and the two went over a railing and onto a mechanical arm below.
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Zarbina sat in her bedroom onboard The Rogue Shadow. Visions of fire, pain, death erupted around her. Her eyes flapped open.
She rushed into the main holding area, where Kaden and Kota were playing card games. "He is danger."
"Who?" Kaden asked.
"Who d'ya think?" Kota spat. "The boy."
"Eh, he's always in danger," Kaden replied.
Pooja was sitting in a corner. "What do you mean, danger?"
"I have had a premonition," she said. "Starkiller is in mortal danger. He is fighting Vader now, as we speak."
Kota stood up. "Where?"
"A fiery planet …"
"Mustafar," Kota breathed. "I always suspected Vader had a stronghold there. Well, no doubt – if Vader's there, this is my chance to destroy him for good!"
Kaden wrinkled his forehead. "Ummm …a fiery hellscape, an evil fortress, and a Dark Lord? Count me out!"
Pooja turned around. "I say leave him. He doesn't want our help, he made that very clear on Mandalore. Besides, he's already beaten Vader before. I say, let him do the dirty work, get the glory … as long as that masked mutant is taken care of!"
Zarbina shook her head. "None of you understand! My old master is behind this. I can sense something. A greater evil is about to be born!"
Pooja cocked her eye. "What do you mean 'a greater evil'?"
"I don't know," Zarbina replied. "I had a premonition, but it wasn't clear. But I sensed … an evil rising with a power far beyond anything we have ever felt. A power that dwarfs even Starkiller, Vader and possibly the Emperor himself!"
Kota put his hand on Zarbina's shoulder. "Sounds to me like someone's been getting a bit too much into the spiced ale."
She shrugged him off. "Joke if you like! I know what I saw! He will need us!"
Kota stood there, solemnly. "Then I say, we go help the boy out!"
Pooja snorted. "Oh right, and have him scream in our faces again how he doesn't need us, we're interfering, blah blah blah."
"Come now, Pooja," Kota replied. "Are you really going to allow your hurt feelings to get Starkiller killed?!"
"Listen to me very carefully," she said. "Starkiller. Doesn't. Want. Our. Help." She folded her arms and looked away.
"Count me out too," Kaden replied. "I want to collect my payment for helping you guys on Onderon … and all the other times I saved our butts … and I want to go on my merry way!"
"I can't believe you guys," a voice came from behind them. Wedge was standing there, arms folded. "He's our friend … Pooja, you should be most ashamed. Starkiller's been in a lot of pain … you can't forgive him just cause he said some mean things?"
Pooja raised her finger, but Kota cut him off. "He's our friend!"
"Friend? Friend?! He abandoned us!"
Zarbina narrowed her eyes. "I sense much more anger in you than should be there … perhaps you've come to care for Starkiller in a different way than the rest of us."
Pooja's face flushed. "I have not! In case you haven't forgotten, he abandoned us in our fight against the Empire! He. Abandoned. Us! If he were our friend, he wouldn't have left me – I mean us – in this struggle alone!"
"He only did that because he was trying to save Juno," Kota replied. "You can stay behind if you want …" He secured his lightsaber behind his back. "But I'm going to help the boy out. Or die trying."
Kaden groaned. "Why did you have to say die?! Fine, you make a good point. Starkiller's grown on me too!"
"Count me in," Wedge smiled.
Pooja shook her head. "Fine. I'll help. That way I can smack him when we see him next."
Kaden leaned in to Kota's ear. "She's so pissed, I'd be surprised if she didn't grab a lightsaber and join Vader in beating Starkiller down."
As the crew began filing towards the cockpit, Pooja stopped Zarbina. "You may be able to have premonitions and stuff … but don't ever assume you know what I'm feeling." She folded her arms. "Why you're along with us to begin with, I'll never understand. Why you would stick your neck out for Starkiller …"
Zarbina cut her off, before leaning into her ear to whisper. "Because … he's my grandson."
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Vis and Maris stood on the bridge of the Mandalorian cruiser. One of the Mandalorian navigators turned his attention to a monitor. "Sir, Lord Plagueis and his new disciple have landed on the planet's surface."
Vis nodded. "Good. Keep the comm open."
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
An alarm blared throughout the bridge. "Sir, Imperial ships are dropping out of hyperspace!"
Vis looked out the viewscreen to see several Imperial Star Destroyers appearing on their scopes.
And they began unloading TIE fighters.
To the Mandalorian captain's surprise, Vis and Maris both smiled. "It is of no concern," Vis said calmly. "Lord Plagueis predicted that we would clash with Imperial forces. He also told us that once their business on Mustafar was complete, the Imperials here would no longer be a threat to us. We only need to keep them at bay for a little while. Scramble the fighters."
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Outside, the Mandalorian starfighters engaged the Imperial TIE fighters in fierce dogfights. Within seconds, the space around the Mandalorian cruiser was filled with explosions, lasers and slag.
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A large mining stalk overhung the river of lava below. On it, Starkiller and Vader were engaged in a titanic struggle.
For Vader, it was déjà vu. He had dueled Obi-Wan Kenobi on a similar stalk … he remembered the lava melting its structures, taking them down to the river below.
He remembered his own overconfidence that had cost him his limbs, forcing him into an existence in this iron lung.
He would not make the same mistake.
For where his greatest defeat took place, he would rise from the ashes and claim his greatest triumph.
Yes, the boy would cave, sooner or later. He would tell him where Plagueis was hiding. Then he would force Plagueis to resurrect Padme, restore her dissolved tissue, return life to her cheeks, beauty to her face.
And then he would do the same for Vader. He would make Plagueis restore his lost limbs, restore the Dark Lord's vitality to his youth, so that he would no longer be required to live in this accursed suit.
Then Vader would crush him.
Then Vader's ultimate goal would have been accomplished. He would become more powerful than the Emperor. He would overthrow him.
And together, he and Padme would rule the galaxy.
His thoughts were interrupted when Starkiller got a lucky shot, his blue blade slicing into the Dark Lord's shoulder pauldron. A jet of sparks issued out of it. Vader backhanded Starkiller, who staggered back.
The two glared at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Starkiller was beginning to feel winded, especially given the thick smoky clouds that hung over Mustafar's air, the acid-like vapor whirling up from the lava flows below. His clothes were already charred, his face bathed in sweat, covered in cuts and bruises. His clothes ripped and torn.
And yet Vader also seemed to be pushing his limits. The Dark Lord's cape was torn and tattered, hanging in near shreds. His armor covered in scoring and various burns.
But neither were willing to give an inch.
"This is the end for you, Clone." Vader took a step forward. "Tell me what I wish to know, and perhaps I can be persuaded to spare Captain Eclipse's life. Perhaps instead of death for her treachery against the Empire, I will merely sentence her to the spice mines of Kessel."
Starkiller shook his head. "Over my dead body."
"You mean over hers." The Dark Lord opened the small compartment on his utility belt and held up the small vial holding the antidote for the Force virus. He walked over the edge of the stalk, and held the vial over the edge, above the lava flows below.
"Don't -!" Starkiller reached out, took a shaky step forward.
"I tire of this game," Vader replied. "This is your final chance. Tell me where Plagueis is hiding, or I will destroy your only hope of saving Captain Eclipse. I will give you until the count of three."
Starkiller stood there, puzzled. How could he have let himself fall into the Dark Lord's trap? Ugh, this was just like on Kamino, when Vader held Juno by the throat and gave Starkiller his ultimatum.
"One." The Dark Lord's words tore into his skull.
He couldn't tell him. He just couldn't! He would kill Juno anyway – and Plagueis, despite his past, had been kind to Starkiller. He had helped even heal Juno! How could he betray him?
"Two."
But Juno's life was on the line. Plagueis could only do so much without the cure! Could he attack Vader now? He could, he supposed, but could he do so without risking the vial being destroyed?
The Dark Lord dangled the glass vial, allowing it to gently slip, before holding it by the very edge.
"Thre-"
"Wait!"
Starkiller held his hands out. "Okay! Just don't drop it! He is on Mandalore." He sank to his knees. What have I done?
Vader nodded. "Mandalore. Then once I am through with you, I will take a whole legion of troops and storm his base. And as I predicted, you have been broken. You will always be my obedient servant."
Starkiller kneeled there, head down.
"As I have always said – as long as she lives, I will always control you."
He stared down at the Jedi Clone.
"… but," Vader continued. "I no longer have any further use for you -"
His fingers opened.
And to Starkiller's horror, the vial dropped into the lava river below - before he could he even reach out with the Force to grab it. It hit the lava river and vanished in a puff of smoke.
"NOOOOO!"
Starkiller's weapons ignited and in a pure, blind rage, he ferociously attacked the Dark Lord, hammering into him. In a moment of pure fury, he launched himself at the Dark Lord, wanting to tear into him, into the man who had ruined his life, who had now, finally, condemned Juno to death.
And the two went over the edge of the stalk together.
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The Rogue Shadow tore out of hyperspace – right into the heart of a space battle. "What the heck?!" Kaden demanded.
All around them, Mandalorian fighters engaged in fierce dogfights with Imperial TIE fighters.
"We come out of hyperspace right into the middle of a battle," Wedge replied. "What did Starkiller get himself into this time?" He gripped the controls as Pooja, Zarbina and Kota joined them in the cockpit.
Alarms blared on the ships' radar.
"Looks like we got company," Wedge grumbled.
Behind them, three TIE fighters had disengaged from their battle with the Mandalorians and were now pursing The Rogue Shadow, spitting blasts of green at the ship.
"Can we make it to the surface?" Kota asked.
Wedge nodded. "I could out-fly these things in my sleep."
The Rogue Shadow spun into a dive, heading right for the planet's surface. The three TIEs hot on its tail.
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Onboard the Mandalorian cruiser, Maris pointed at a small dot disappearing towards the planet's surface. "Look – Starkiller's pals."
Vis joined her and folded his arms. "Yes, as Lord Plagueis predicted. They just don't know how to take a hint."
"Should we order a squad of fighters to go after them?"
"Pheh … they'll make mincemeat out of our pilots. Look, even those three Imperials can barely stay on them. They will be of no consequence, once Lord Plagueis enacts his plans. All we have to do is keep the Empire at bay for just a little while."
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Starkiller and Vader landed on a floating mining platform, hovering several feet above the lava river. The two clashed again and again.
But once again, Vader had gone too far.
Pushed too hard.
Now Starkiller was gathering energy, growing stronger by the second, his rage fueling him.
Perhaps I was mistaken, Vader thought. Perhaps he would have been an asset as an apprentice after all.
Starkiller hammered him, pushing Vader back towards the edge of the platform. Starkiller brought both blades down in an X-formation, Vader's red blade blocking it. Starkiller pressed forward, pushing Vader to the very edge of the platform.
The Dark Lord butted him in the head, before flipping backwards, landing on a ridge on the edge of the river, above a sandy shore. Starkiller turned, glaring at him.
Déjà vu indeed.
Vader's mind went back in time, nearly two decades ago, as history began to repeat.
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"It's over, Anakin! I have the high ground!
"You underestimate my power!"
"Don't try it!"
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Starkiller stared up at Vader with all the hatred in the world.
"You were weak," Vader goaded him. "You are still weak."
Starkiller was filled with rage. "I'll dismantle you. Piece. By. Piece."
Vader beckoned him. "Then attack." Yes, he thought. Rage has blinded him. He will make the same mistake I did. But this time, I will be ready.
And Starkiller prepared to jump.
WHOOOSH!
But Starkiller did not jump.
To his surprise, Vader was blasted backwards from an unseen force. The clone stood there, unsure, then jumped up onto the ridge where Vader was standing.
Vader lay several feet back, spread-eagled. The Dark Lord sprang to his feet, his fist clenched. "Who dares?!"
"Who dares indeed?"
There, standing before him, hands behind his back, was Plagueis. The Dark Apprentice at his side.
Starkiller leaped up behind them and stopped, shocked to see the Dark Apprentice standing with Plagueis. "You!"
The Dark Apprentice looked over at Plaguies. "Now, Master?"
"Yes. Now. Make it quick." With a flick of Plaguies' wrist, Vader was flung over the edge of the ridge into the ravine below.
The Dark Apprentice flicked his own wrists, and two crimson blades ignited. "How I've been waiting for this," he sneered, before charging at Starkiller.
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The Rogue Shadow skimmed the surface of the lava planet. "Looks like we lost 'em," Wedge said. "Easy enough."
Kota flicked a switch. "We need to scan the surface, find Starkiller."
There was a beep from the console. Kaden flicked a switch. "Guys, incoming transmission!"
"Patch it through," Wedge said. "It might be Starkiller."
Kaden activated the voice comm and a familiar voice rang out. "I do say, what in heavens are you guys doing out here?"
Kota's furrowed his eyebrows. "PROXY?"
"Indeed. I wasn't expecting to see all of you here. It warms my circuits to -."
"Where's Starkiller?" Kota demanded.
"Oh, I left him on a landing platform, not far from your position."
"Send us the coordinates."
Boy, you better be alright, Kota thought.
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Starkiller and the Dark Apprentice circled each other, their swords in an eternal dance, neither able to gain the advantage over the other.
Plagueis stood there watching, his hands folded behind his back.
"I don't get it!" Starkiller cried out to Plagueis, ducking from a red slash. "Why help me?! Why help Juno if you only intended to kill me here?!"
"Oh my boy," Plagueis replied. "We are not here to kill you."
Starkiller parried a blow from the Dark Apprentice, whose eyes were hungry for blood. "Yeah, looks like it."
"Enough fooling around," Plagueis snorted at the Dark Apprentice. "It's time."
The Dark Apprentice Force Pushed Starkiller, then unleashed Force Lightning from both his hands, blasting the Jedi Clone back. The Dark Apprentice towered over him.
CHOOM! CHOOM!
Several laser bolts erupted as The Rogue Shadow swooped in. The Dark Apprentice and Plagueis leaped out of the way as Kota, Pooja and Zarbina leaped down.
Plagueis dusted himself off. "Ah, a reunion." He looked over at Zarbina. "My old apprentice. How good to see you still up and about. Are you here to see my ultimate triumph?"
"Enough talk," Zarbina replied. "I don't know what your plan is, but it ends here." Kota activated his lightsaber and Pooja withdrew a blaster. From above, a two-man starfighter appeared – PROXY leaped out of it, transforming himself into a Shadow Guard, his hand wielding a lightsaber-tipped force pike.
"Forgive my tardiness," PROXY stated. "But it feels so good to be able to give my kill programming a workout."
The Dark Apprentice stood by Plagueis. The Muun appeared to be completely unfazed. "Just because you outnumber us, do not assume you have the advantage."
Behind them, a black figure leaped up.
Darth Vader stood there, breathing deeply, his armor dented and his cape in tatters. But still, completely enraged. His hand spit a blade of red, before his helmeted mask fixated on Plagueis. "You!"
"Ah, Lord Vader has returned to join us, I see." Plagueis smiled warmly. "No doubt you wish my help to resurrect your dead wife."
Vader stood there, struck. "How could you have -."
Plaguies smiled. "Join us for now, Lord Vader. Help us take down these scum, and then perhaps we can work out an … arrangement."
Vader stood there, looking at the crowd. Then, with a roar of rage, he hurled his lightsaber at Kota who was standing closest to him.
The Dark Apprentice launched himself at Starkiller. Plagueis calmly ignited his own red lightsaber. Pooja began firing at any enemy she could.
And here they were – Starkiller dueled the Dark Apprentice. Next to them, Kota and Vader were locked in fierce combat, their swords blazing. "Finally," Kota breathed. "I get the chance I've always wanted – to face you myself!"
Zarbina and Plagueis circled each other. "This madness ends today," Zarbina spat. "For what you've done to me – to my family!Today will end in blood." PROXY joined her.
"Yes," Plaguies affirmed. "I agree."
Zarbina's fingertips spat Force Lightning. Plagueis bounced it away with his crimson blade.
Pooja took aim at Plagueis with her blaster, firing. Plaguies deflected the blasts, then extended a hand, lifting her into the air through the Force. "Enough of this nuisance." With a wave, he tossed her aside like a rag doll. She landed, hitting her head on a rock, and was out cold.
Zarbina launched more lightning, which was once again deflected by Plagueis. PROXY rushed the old Dark Lord with his bladed staff. Plagueis deftly blocked his attacks, pushing him away, while Zarbina leaped behind him, blasting more lightning.
Starkiller and the Dark Apprentice crossed sabers again and again. "So tell me," Starkiller demanded. "Who are you really working for?"
"Fool," the Dark Apprentice spat. "Vader created me, but Plagueis gave me purpose. You can't even dream of the power I am about to wield."
"And what of Juno?" Starkiller asked. "Will you kill her as well?"
The Dark Apprentice paused. "If I must."
"Isn't there any part of you that feels anything for her?! You were created from Galen Marek the same as me!"
"You've forgotten Vader's training," the Dark Apprentice sneered. "You must hate what he loved." He slashed Starkiller's side, leaving cauterized burns along his hip. Starkiller staggered back as the Dark Apprentice pressed the attack.
Plagueis easily held off both Zarbina and PROXY. In fact, the Dark Lord seemed to be greatly enjoying himself. He leaped out of the way of PROXY's blade, before blasting Zarbina backwards. He landed, deflecting PROXY's blows, whirling around to deflect more of Zarbina's lightning.
Next to them, Vader and Kota circled. "What's your angle, eh Vader?" Kota asked, parrying to his right. "So what – you're gonna abandon ol' Emperor Wrinkleface for that stretched-out raisin?"
Vader pounded away with brutal blows; Kota staggered from the force of the attacks.
"You know nothing, Jedi" Vader spat. "You know nothing of the Sith and our ways. The apprentice must surpass and kill the master."
"What a sick ideology," Kota retorted.
"it is the true nature of the world, the true will of the Force." Vader blasted Kota back … the aged Jedi was weakening.
Vader raised a hand and Kota was lifted into the air. "A blind Jedi. How fitting."
As Starkiller dueled the Dark Apprentice, he saw what was happening to Kota out of the corner of his eye. "Kota!"
The aged Jedi repulsed himself out of Vader's grip, spun his green blade, slicing across Vader's shoulder. More sparks.
Kota grinned. "This blind Jedi's still got some fight left in him, don't you worry!"
He leaped forward …
Vader blocked, spun around so that he was behind the Jedi, and thrust his blade through Kota's back.
"NOOOO!" Starkiller's scream echoed across the landscape.
The fighting seemed to stop. All eyes were on Kota.
Vader's red blade burned through Kota's back, protruding out from his stomach.
Kota's eyes met Starkiller's. He opened his mouth, his final words echoing something he once told Starkiller.
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"Vader thinks he's turned you … But I can sense your future! And Vader won't always be your master!"
~0~
Vader slid his blade out from behind Kota, who fell to his knees. Starkiller was there in a second, catching Kota before he could fall. He cradled the aged Jedi Master in his lap. "Kota. Kota!"
Kota looked up at his old apprentice. "You've done good, kid. You've done good. I'm …. Proud … of you …"
"Kota, don't you do this to me! Don't you dare!"
"You … have to lead … them now …"
Starkiller rocked him. "Hang in there!"
"… the Force … the Force will be with you … always …" And Kota's voice trailed away, leaving only the wind swirling around them. Starkiller's cries echoed across the barren world.
~0~
Starkiller stood up.
He glared at Darth Vader.
His eyes practically glowed with fury.
He blasted the Dark Lord back.
Even Zarbina, PROXY and Plagueis had stopped fighting, curious to see how this would play out.
"You …"
Starkiller took step after step, one at a time, his rage building.
Lightning gathered in his hands and traveled up both of his lightsabers.
"You!"
Vader held his blade out in front of him.
"You killed my father!"
He unleashed a torrent of lightning. Vader tried to deflect it with his lightsaber but was overwhelmed. His lightsaber flew out of his hand. The lightning entered his body, blasting him, forcing the Dark Lord to his knees.
"You killed the original Galen."
The lightning intensified. Vader was on all fours.
"You destroyed the antidote."
More lightning. Vader screamed in pain and fury.
"You've condemned Juno to death."
Smoke was ascending from the Dark Lord's black form.
"And now – Kota! This is for them! This is for each and every innocent you've killed! For each and every life you've destroyed!"
He stopped, gathering more energy, preparing to unleash the final blow on the man who had taken absolutely everything from him.
~0~
Darth Plagueis nodded at the Dark Apprentice. "Now."
~0~
Starkiller took aim.
And there was a flash of light.
PROXY and Zarbina stood there, confused.
The Dark Apprentice had grabbed Starkiller's hands, re-directing the lightning away from Vader – back into Starkiller's body.
Starkiller screamed as the Dark Apprentice pressed him to his knees.
"We have to help him!" Zarbina yelled. She began running. Plagueis blasted her and PROXY back. "Oh no … nothing will stop his ascent!"
Starkiller was forced to his knees, his hands in the grip of the Dark Apprentice, who sneered down at him. "Finally," the Dark Apprentice gloated. "I will become a god among mortals."
He placed his hand on Starkiller's forehead, closed his eyes, and began muttering.
And Starkiller screamed, as though every nerve in his body were on fire.
Zarbina and PROXY watched in horror as the Dark Apprentice's body began glowing.
Lightning rained down around them, striking the Dark Apprentice's form, instilling more energy into him.
The glow began to encapsulate Starkiller, spreading down his arms, his head and neck, to his torso.
Starkiller struggled, fighting with every fiber of his being.
~0~
And with a sudden explosion of light, Starkiller's body was completely consumed.
~0~
Pooja came to in an instant, bolting upright. She looked around –
No!
Kota's prone form lay there, still unmoving.
And Starkiller …
Starkiller's body lay there, just as still as Kota. She withdrew her blaster.
~0~
The glowing, raging light had subsided. When Zarbina and PROXY could finally see, they saw Starkiller lying on the ground, seemingly dead.
And above …
Floating in the air, surrounding by a sphere of pure Force energy, the Dark Apprentice had ascended to new heights of power. Pure energy bubbled out of the Dark Apprentice's eyes. He raised a hand, and with a wave, the nearby mountain ridges were leveled.
Plagueis called up to him. "Well done, apprentice! Now that you have absorbed Starkiller's midichlorians and claimed them for your own, his power is now yours!" The Muun turned to Zarbina. "You have failed, my old apprentice. You could have had a seat of power in the new regime I am building. He is but the first … he has absorbed Starkiller's midichlorians. Imagine, the power of two Starkillers in one being! Ah, but it won't end there." His eyes beamed with pride. "I happen to have an endless supply of clones of Force users. And once I add Starkiller's DNA to the mix, a never ending series of Starkiller clones for him to absorb. His power will grow forever – he will live forever. There will be no limits! Already, he is the most powerful being who has ever lived!"
Zarbina shook her head in shock. "You're insane …"
Plagueis gloated. "Perhaps a demonstration …"
The Dark Apprentice aimed his hands at Zarbina, attempting to unleash the greatest stream of Force Lightning anyone had ever seen.
CHOOM!
Pooja stood there with her blaster smoking. Her mouth hung open. She had hit the Dark Apprentice square in the chest. But the bolt had harmlessly bounced off of him.
The Dark Apprentice aimed his hand at her.
CHOOM!
CHOOM! CHOOM!
Laser fire sprayed the area as The Rogue Shadow made a strafing run, the landing platform open, Kaden standing on it calling out to them. The Dark Apprentice shielded himself with the Force, the blasts bouncing harmlessly off of him. Plagueis wrapped himself in a Force Shield as well.
Pooja turned. "PROXY! Zarbina! Hurry!" She leaped onto the landing platform. Zarbina used the Force to gather Kota's body into her arms and followed Pooja up onto the platform.
PROXY scooped up Starkiller's body. He held him tightly ... but his sensors could pick it up. He could sense it ever so faintly … a heartbeat.
Starkiller was alive!
But only barely!
PROXY leaped onboard the ship, which took off into the atmosphere. The Dark Apprentice took aim, but Plagueis held him back. "Let them go. Starkiller is no longer a threat to us. You've taken enough midichlorians from him to keep him alive … but just enough that he can no longer feel the Force."
The Dark Apprentice's eyes returned to normal and he alighted next to Plagueis. "He can longer feel the Force," he gloated. He glared down at his fist. "And these new powers … it's incredible! I am the most powerful Force user in the galaxy!"
There was the sound of breathing. Plagueis and the Dark Apprentice turned to see Darth Vader staggering to his feet, his breathing apparatus struggling.
"You, my dear friend, have a tendency to make people angrier than you should." Plagueis knelt down next to Vader, his hand on his shoulder. "I can fix you. But more than that. I have followed you since you were born. The Chosen One. The One prophesied to destroy me … but you can aide me! Together, we can all conquer death, disease, sickness."
Vader looked up at him.
Plagueis leaned in closer. "I can help you resurrect her. I can restore your lost limbs and flesh, free you from this prison Kenobi condemned you to. Join me, Lord Vader. Become my apprentice … you have seen our power firsthand. You can have that power as well. Join me, and we can resurrect Padme. Together, we can vanquish Lord Sidious – he promised you he would help you save her, didn't he? Instead he's turned you into his errand boy. But I promise you … I see you as more than that. You are an equal – a brother! A fellow Sith! Join me, and I promise you will have your vengeance against Lord Sidious … against Obi-Wan Kenobi … against everyone and everything that has ever harmed you! What say you?!"
Darth Vader stared intently into Plagueis' eyes. Into the eyes of the Sith for whose secrets, he gave up everything.
And finally …
"What is thy bidding, my Master?"
~0~
~0~
~0~
Starkiller awoke screaming in the medbay of The Rogue Shadow. He was surrounded by Zarbina, Pooja, PROXY, Wedge and Kaden.
All of them looked like they've been through hell. Their eyes were tear-stained.
But Kota –
Starkiller reached out, attempting to sense his presence.
But … he couldn't!
He stretched out the more but felt only nothingness.
What?
Zarbina gently ran her fingers along his face. "You were unconscious for several hours. You almost didn't pull through."
"What happened?"
"The Dark Apprentice stole many of your midichlorians. He left you with just enough to be kept alive. But … you've been deafened to the Force."
Starkiller curled his fingers into a fist. "I don't understand …"
Zarbina choked back tears. "For … for all intents and purposes … you've been cut off from the Force. You can no longer channel it, feel it, wield it. You're no longer a Force user."
Starkiller's head was spinning. "And Kota?"
Zarbina looked away.
Starkiller swung his legs over the side of the bed, and almost collapsed. Pooja captured him. "You need to stay in bed!"
He broke himself out from her grasp.
"Kota!"
He ran into an adjacent med-room.
Kota's body lay on a table.
Unmoving.
"Kota …" Starkiller stood over Kota's body. He gripped the man's hand in his own. "I'm sorry … I'm so sorry … this is all my fault!" He buried his forehead into Kota's.
"It's not your fault." Pooja stood in the doorway.
"Leave me," Starkiller moaned.
"It's not your fault. Kota willingly gave his life for you. For all of us. He loved you!"
"I said leave!"
Pooja turned to leave, but then stopped. "No." She whirled around. "We lost Kota! He was a good friend! But he himself would tell you to keep moving! Keep fighting!"
Starkiller clenched his fists, raising them to the heavens. "How?! I can't even feel the Force anymore!"
"Neither can I. Neither can Kaden, or Wedge even. But you know what – they've saved our butts more times than I can count! Wedge is a war hero! You don't need the Force to fight evil!"
Starkiller lowered his head, still staring down at Kota's body. "… I've failed him. And Juno is as good as dead …"
Pooja grabbed his face, holding it in her hands. "No. We will not abandon the mission! We will not abandon Juno!"
"How do we even know she's still alive?"
"Search your feelings," Pooja said. "You know she is! We lost Kota … but if there's a chance … we won't lose Juno!"
Starkiller collapsed onto the ground, leaning his back against the table. Pooja sat down next to him. "And I'll be by your side, helping you." Her hand found his. "Always."
Kaden, Wedge, PROXY and Zarbina stood in the doorway. "So will we," Kaden said sadly. "After everything we've been through … we're with you through thick and thin! No matter what you decide next!"
Zarbina entered the room. She kneeled down too and held Starkiller tightly in her arms. "I will never leave you," she breathed. "Never, my grandson."
And Starkiller looked up at her with tear-streaked eyes. "G-grandson?"
~0~
~0~
~0~
The space battle above Mustafar had ended. Now the Mandalorian cruiser was a part of the Imperial flotilla, the Star Destroyers flanking it.
Aboard the bridge, Darth Plagueis stood with the Dark Apprentice along with Maris and Vis. "… and as you can see," Plagueis was saying. "Starkiller is out of the picture. It doesn't matter whether he is alive or dead. And … we have acquired a new ally."
The Mandalorians on the bridge stopped and watched in awe as the newly minted Darth Vader strode along the bridge. The damage he had received on Mustafar had been repaired, and a new black cape hung from his shoulders. He joined Plaguies on the bridge and folded his arms.
Maris cocked her head. "A Sith? Master, you're letting a Sith join us?"
Plagueis grinned. "Sith? Jedi? It no longer matters."
Vis looked over at Maris, before speaking up. "I thought we wanted to destroy the Sith? Unseat the Empire. Why are we allying with one of them? The Emperor's right hand, no less!"
Plagueis waved him away. "That is none of your concern. Leave us. Lord Vader and I have many things to discuss."
Vis and Maris bowed, then turned and departed. As they walked down the bridge together, they exchanged concerned glances.
Plagueis turned to Vader, who was looking out the window along with the Dark Apprentice. "You've communicated with Lord Sidious, I assume?"
Vader breathed slowly. "Yes. The Emperor is under the impression that there was a small Mandalorian uprising here on Mustafar. I told him that I ended it and that the Mandalorians were captured."
Plagueis stroked his chin. "Wasn't he suspicious at all?"
"Of course he is," Vader replied. "I could sense his skepticism. But the Emperor has always known I've had my own agendas over the years. He encourages it. He would be more suspicious if I didn't arouse his suspicion."
"His overconfidence is his weakness," Plagueis grinned. "Excellent. Soon his throne will be mine …"
~0~
~0~
~0~