Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter or Star Wars
AN: Thanks to all of those who read, followed, favorited, or left a constructive or kind review. Also, apologies for the long wait. A new job and family obligations have kept me extremely busy as of late. Also, I edited Chapter 3, and took out the time-traveling scene that I now hate and was not going to enhance my story at all like I intended.
Calebros- a terentatek is a Sith creation that feeds on the blood of Force-sensitives. Very nasty and very hard to kill. They thrive in places strong in the Dark Side, and their claws and tusks are poisonous. It is theorized that they were rancors experimented on by Sith alchemists. And the asteroid explosion works because it's magic :) physics often take a back seat when magic is involved.
Yavin IV, four days after the trial, 3994 BBY
Exar Kun, Antonin Dolohov, and Ulic Qel-Droma sat at the controls of the Corsair, the ancient Sith ship that once belonged to the Dark Lord of the Sith, Naga Sadow. This particular ship had once allowed Naga Sadow to survive death at the hands of the Tetan fleet by using its destructive power to cause solar flare activity on a nearby star to destroy his pursuers. The ship was powered by crystals imbued with Sith Magic that allowed it to do that and so much more.
"Do you think we could use the Dark Reaper to take down Ossus?" Antonin asked Exar. They had been discussing ways to eliminate the Jedi threat, and a powerful super weapon like the Dark Reaper would definitely be able to do that.
"Unfortunately, I received word an hour ago from Victor that the Dark Reaper was dismantled shortly after it was used on Alaris Prime. He says that a Jedi Mage wearing a dark cloak of invisibility and wielding powerful magic was responsible for its destruction," Exar said with a scowl.
"Potter," Antonin growled. It had indeed been Harry Potter, who had incidentally been on Kashyyk to relocate the centaur herd and the other magical creatures to Endor when he had sensed the destruction the Dark Reaper was wreaking on Alaris Prime. He had proceeded to dismantle it and hide the pieces in three different locations. Not that the Sith knew that though. They just knew that the Jedi Mages were becoming a pain.
"Perhaps we can achieve multiple objectives if we plan this out. The Corsair has the capability of achieving the destruction of Ossus. All we need to do is use the crystals on the Corsair to rip the core out of one of the stars in the Cron Cluster. The chain reaction would cause all of the stars in the Cluster to explode. The cataclysmic effect would devastate the nearby planets, including Ossus. This would also give us the opportunity to loot for artifacts and knowledge while the Jedi flee," Exar Kun said.
"But who would pilot the Corsair? Anyone on board would be disintegrated. And only someone learned in Sith sorcery can wield that power enough to use it as weapon," Ulic said. While he was not as learned in Sith magic as Exar or Antonin, he did understand how it worked.
"There are a few amongst our numbers who are competent enough to use the crystals to that effect. I believe Jorak and Sion are best left to their tasks on Korriban. Using Aleema is tempting, given her backstabbing nature. But she has become a powerful asset, and I still have use for her in the battles to come," Exar said.
"I know that Victor is the obvious choice for this. He has failed far too often. First on Coruscant, now on Alaris Prime. He may be my son, but sacrifices must be made in order to achieve our goals. And he has become a hindrance to us as of late. Hopefully his brother will be a more suitable heir," Antonin said.
While Antonin did not like the idea of sacrificing a fully trained Wizard, especially his own son, he knew it needed to be done. Trying to save him in front of the Dark Lords of the Sith would show weakness, and that was something he could not tolerate. Fortunately, there were ways to spirit his son to safely without Exar and Ulic knowing.
"Agreed. But we will give him the chance to be useful to our cause one last time. His death will bring about our greatest victory yet. Many Jedi will die along with him," Exar said with a grin.
"I hear the Mandalorians agreed to your challenge," Antonin commented. Exar had contacted the new Mandalore and had challenged them to take Onderon. Exar had used the great warrior's pride against him, and the warriors of Mandalore had set off to conquer the planet.
"Yes, the Mandalorians will no doubt take the city. The Mandalorians will be great allies to us once I defeat their leader and take control of his army. I intend to face him if he survives the coming conflict," Exar said with a wicked grin.
Victor arrived on Yavin IV later that day, stewing over his loss of the Dark Reaper. That blasted Mage hadn't even stuck around to face him, choosing to flee with the pieces of the Dark Reaper while leaving the bodies of his men lying dead in his wake. But hearing that he would be leading an attack on Kemplex IX and learning the secrets of an ancient Sith weapon had brightened his mood. Crado and a few Massassi would be joining him. Apparently Crado had begged Exar to allow him to prove himself in the coming battle due to the failed assassination attempt on Jedi Master Thon that he had led.
"I will send word once we have drawn out the Republic forces from Ossus. The Jedi will know the power of the Sith," Victor promised his father as he made his way to the Corsair. He knew his father had been disappointed with him lately, and he wanted to change that.
"Good. Do not fail me, boy. Exar is becoming less tolerant of your failures as of late. He will not tolerate another. Show him what you are capable of," Antonin said. He then handed him an old boot.
"When you use the weapon, it will cause a chain reaction and destroy the Cron Cluster. The passcode is "Voldemort." Use it when the time is right, and it will take you to Jabiim. Lay low there until I recall you," Antonin said. Antonin then put the necessary enchantments on the boot.
"I will not fail you, father," Victor vowed. Victor was extremely grateful that his father was not going to let him die in this attack. And with that, Victor boarded the Corsair alongside Crado and a couple of Massassi crew and took off to Kemplex IX. Exar, Ulic, Aleema, Antonin, and an army of Massassi followed them. All was going according to plan.
Ossus
Inside the Great Jedi Library, the recently arrived Jedi Knights Dace Diath, Shoaneb Culu, and Qrrrl Toq gave a status report to the four oldest and most respected Jedi Masters in the Order. Jedi Masters Thon, Sirius Black, Algernon Croaker, and Ood Bnar were the last four remaining members of the old guard of the Jedi Order thanks to the machinations of Exar Kun and the Sith. They were the longest serving members of the Jedi Order.
The only other Jedi Masters that were over a hundred years old still living were Penelope, who had decided to leave the Jedi Order and remain on Endor with the Jedi Mages after nearly four centuries of service, and Vander Tokare, a diminutive being of unknown origins who had been with the Jedi Order for nearly 350 years. However, he preferred to spend his time serving the Order at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, alongside other Jedi Masters such as Kavar and Vrook Lamar.
"We have to do something about this! Eight Jedi Masters are dead due to Sith treachery," Dace said heatedly. He and his fellow Knights had just returned from finding the bodies of Jedi Master Dominus and the fallen Jedi Knight Zona Luka, his former apprentice.
"We have no idea as to where the Sith are hiding, Dace. Our attempts at tracking the Sith Mage Victor Dolohov after the attack on Alaris Prime were thwarted when we lost them trying to navigate the Roil nebula. Considering that this is the fourth time we have lost them in that area, it's safe to assume that they are likely hiding in the western part of the Gordian Reach. But with much of that region of the Outer Rim unexplored, it will take years to find them unless they slip up," Sirius said with a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Ulic is undoubtedly with them," Cay said, his sorrow at the betrayal of his brother apparent on his face.
"We must be patient. They will reveal themselves in time. We must put our feelings aside. This is a war of light and darkness," Master Thon growled.
The Jedi Beast Master had barely finished speaking when Tott Doneeta and Seamus burst into the room.
"More bad news. We just received news from Kemplex Nine in the Auril Sector.. the Cron Cluster. They say they are under heavy attack by an ancient Sith ship!!" Tott said. Ossus was a peaceful planet, but they had some defenses and a well-equipped fleet. They were the only planet close enough to the Cron Cluster to provide aid to the battle station on Kemplex Nine.
"I fear this attack is a feint. What could they want at Kemplex Nine? Everything Exar Kun could desire is here on Ossus. We must be vigilant," Thon said.
"I agree with Master Thon. This smells of a trap. And the fact that they are in an ancient Sith ship is concerning. I remember all too well how deep the Sith Empire delved into the Dark Side of the Force," Sirius said darkly. Naga Sadow's Sith Empire had left scars that would never truly be healed. Sirius had been with Gav and Jori Daragon when they had inadvertently discovered Korriban, and he would never forget the horrors of the Dark Side that he had witnessed there.
"Let the three of us lead the counterattack on Kemplex Nine. We'll lead the fleet," Dace said, motioning to Qrrrl, Shoaneb, and himself.
"Yes, give us ships and we'll scorch those Jedi killers!" Qrrrl Toq said passionately.
"No. I will lead the counterattack on Kemplex Nine myself. You must remain here and protect Ossus," Croaker said with authority. The Jedi Knights could only nod with respect and yield to the wishes of the aged Jedi Master.
"Are you sure about this?" Sirius asked Croaker. Croaker was a researcher at heart, and was not someone who enjoyed fighting at the front lines.
"Yes, I am. Although I will bring ones of those Portkeys you gave me just in case. May the Force be with you all," Croaker replied. Only Sirius, Thon, Bnar, and the other Jedi Mages knew Croaker was a Jedi Mage, as his identity was still a secret to the majority of the Jedi Order. There were still a large faction of Jedi who did not trust the Jedi Mages.
Croaker knew in his gut that this attack was a trap. Unfortunately, it was one that he and the Jedi could not ignore. He only wished that he could leave the Republic troops behind, as he knew that he could not save them if it was a trap. But he needed their firepower against the forces of the Sith. And as they approached a now devastated Kemplex Nine, it became apparent that the Sith had firepower in spades.
"We're too late. There are no survivors." Croaker said sadly.
"I'm picking up an ion trail! The Sith are still here. After them!" the Republic commander ordered, flying in the direction of the Sith ship.
"No, it's a trap!" Croaker yelled. But he was too late as the star erupted. Croaker barely managed to activate his Portkey before a wave of heat and energy destroyed him. The fleet had been destroyed completely, and Croaker believed that he had been the only survivor as he appeared suddenly on Ossus, reeling from the devastation. But he was wrong about that...
Rhen Var, moments later
Victor Dolohov and Crado appeared in a flash on the surface of Rhen Var, landing face-first in a pile of snow. Crado tried to stand up, only to fall over in a heap. It was clear that the sudden transportation had disoriented the Cathar Dark Jedi. Granted, Victor had failed to warn him that they were abandoning ship to avoid certain death. Crado had not been made aware of the ship's abilities, let alone that they had been betrayed and sentenced to die.
"What the kriff was that?" Crado asked angrily, spitting out snow as he spoke.
"That was a gift from my father. That feeling in the Force, the one where it is as if many beings have been snuffed out in a sudden explosion? The Cron Cluster was detonated, killing hundreds of thousands. The coming heat wave will kill even more and decimate the surface of Ossus. Exar Kun intended for us to be among them," Victor informed the now horrified Crado.
Crado badly wanted to believe that Victor was lying. But he knew in his heart and through the Force that Victor was telling the truth. He was shocked by the betrayal of Exar, the man he had followed with unquestioned loyalty. He had sacrificed everything for the Dark Lord, including the chance for a life with his mate, the Jedi Knight Sylvar.
Crado was so consumed by the betrayal that he completely missed the next one. Victor's killing curse struck Crado in the back, killing him instantly. Victor pulled out a necklace out of his robe that his late mother had given him.
"Sorry Crado. But I will not let death end my mission. I must become immortal like my father. He really shouldn't have left that book lying around. I must become stronger than my father and take his place as a Lord of the Sith," Victor said with a sadistic smile. And so Victor began creating a Horocrux. And due to the great number of deaths in the system no one felt the strong wave of Dark Side magic on Rhen Var.
Ossus
The evacuation of the planet of Ossus was no small feat, as one would imagine. Ships were filled to the brim with refugees, and the Jedi scrambled to save what they could from the Archives. The Archives held priceless artifacts and documents collected over thousands of years. It would take years to collect it all, and they only had a few hours.
Croaker had been forced to reveal himself as a Jedi Mage, as the evacuation needed him as a Jedi Master Mage more than a Jedi Master. He, Sirius, and Seamus had been Apparating all over the planet trying to inform the people of the coming disaster. Two hours in, Croaker collapsed. His age and rust caught up to him, and he had been loaded onto an evacuating ship. Getting people out was the priority for the Order.
For one new Jedi Master, the most important thing on the planet was hidden in Odan-Urr's old room. The last remaining copy of the ancient Jedi Master's modified Jedi Code. Jedi Master Atris believed that this Jedi Code should be adopted by the entire Order, and vowed that she would convince the Jedi Order that this was the best path forward for the Order.
Sirius slowly strode up alongside Thon, breathing heavily. Seamus had his hands behind his head, trying to catch his breath. Both knew that they needed a break or they ran a good chance of Splinching themselves or passing out. Thon nodded at the two Jedi Mages as they approached him. Nomi, Oss Willum, Tott, and Cay stood by the Jedi Master as they had also been exhausting themselves trying to help the evacuation.
"We've warned everyone we could. I just hope it was enough," Sirius said sadly.
"We are doing everything we can," Tott replied.
"We should be able to do more," Cay said bitterly. Far too often as of late he felt powerless to stop the darkness. He felt like a failure.
"It is already lost. Ossus, Ossus..." Thon said mournfully.
"Master Thon, we must get to one of the transport ships," Nomi told the Jedi Master. She held her eight year old daughter Vima close to her. She refused to risk her daughter's life by remaining any longer.
"The Marauder is ready to depart. Dace, Qrrrl, and Shoaneb have already evacuated with artifacts and several Jedi in tow. We should do the same," Sirius said.
"I'll grab Master Bnar and Sylvar. They can ride with me on McGonagall's Pride," Seamus said, quickly making his way towards the last place he saw the Neti Jedi Master.
"Look, that ship! Can you feel it?" Cay asked with excitement.
"It's Ulic! I can sense him! He came back to us!" Cay said, answering his own question.
"Ulic! I can't believe it!" Nomi said, a smile appearing on her face.
"You missed the fact that Aleema is with him. They aren't here to help us. They are here to rob us. Bombarda!" Sirius said, taking aim at Ulic's ship. The left wing exploded, causing the ship to spiral out of control and crash in the distance.
"What are you doing?!" Cay cried out in alarm.
"Taking out an enemy ship. I can sense Exar and Antonin here as well. We need to get out of here now. This is not a battle we can win," Sirius replied firmly.
But Cay had already started running towards his ship, the Nebulon Ranger. He refused to give up on his brother, and intended to try and talk some sense into him. He quickly took off and flew towards the spot where Ulic and Aleema had crash landed.
"He's going to get himself killed. I'll get him and try to get him out of here. The rest of you had better take off," Sirius said.
Just as he finished speaking, Seamus Apparated a few yards away with an unconscious Sylvar and Ood Bnar in tow. Seamus then passed out from magical exhaustion. And even worse, Seamus had lost his left hand while Apparating. Sirius quickly raced over and used his knowledge of healing to stop the bleeding.
"What happened?" Nomi asked with a gasp.
"Exar Kun is here. Young Finnegan had to knock Sylvar out to keep her from attacking him. He saved my life and these priceless lightsabers," Bnar said, showing them a chest of ancient lightsabers that had been used in the early days of the Jedi Order.
"Seamus did well. We need to get him to a proper healer. Master Thon, Master Bnar, you must leave this place. Oss, take the McGonagall's Pride and get everyone out of here. I'll go after Cay," Sirius ordered.
"I'm coming with you," Nomi said firmly. She had no intention of leaving Cay or letting Ulic get away again. And neither did Tott.
"Fine. Let's go," Sirius said with a sigh. He knew that he had very little chance of convincing Nomi and Tott to leave, and they didn't have time to argue.
Cay landed next to the wreckage of Ulic's ship. He saw Ulic standing next to the destroyed ship, holding his side. He could see that Aleema was still inside what was left of the ship. Cay quickly got out of his ship and approached his brother.
"Ulic, you are hurt! You're bleeding," Cay said.
"It is an old wound, a Sith wound. There is nothing you can do. Stay back, Cay. Don't make me hurt you," Ulic said with a snarl. Cay noticed that Aleema had been badly hurt, and had a large metal shard impaled in her chest. She was likely to die if she didn't receive immediate treatment from a Jedi Healer. And that was unlikely at this point.
"Ulic, I don't want to do this. But I have to save you from yourself, and from the Dark Side," Cay said sadly. Tears welled in his eyes as he ignited his lightsaber. Ulic ignited his lightsaber in response, and charged his brother with deadly intent.
It was shortly thereafter that Sirius, Tott, and Nomi arrived in the Marauder. As they landed, they saw Ulic take advantage of an opening and cut off Cay's arm that he had lost and replaced on Onderon during their battles there. The three Jedi raced off the ship as Ulic advanced on his brother. Sirius pulled out his wand to disarm Ulic.
But Sirius was too late, as Ulic slashed his lightsaber downwards. All three of the Jedi felt the life leave Cay through the Force. Ulic looked down at his brother's body in shock and dropped his lightsaber.
"Cay, my brother! What have I done?!? Cay!!" Ulic wailed as the weight of his actions hit him in that moment.
"Ulic, you are forever cursed for what you have done! See what has come from your own pride and your appetite for revenge? You brought this upon yourself. The Jedi Masters were right, Ulic. You must face the consequences of what you have done," an enraged and distraught Nomi said.
Nomi drew deep into the Force and gathered its' power. A silhouette of light surrounded her as she prepared to punish Ulic for his crimes against the Republic, the Jedi... and against her, the woman who loved him.
"I imprison you in a wall of light. A fortress to block you from the Force and blind you to your Jedi powers!" Nomi said.
"Nomi stop! What have you done to him?" Tott asked in horror as he rushed over and tried to stop Nomi from cutting off her former love from the Force.
"Something Master Odan-Urr taught me. A Force-blocking technique to neutralize an enemy without violence. But I never thought that it would be so strong... so complete! And I have no idea how to undo what I have done!" Nomi said, slightly horrified by the finality of her actions.
"I'm blind to the Force! I am no longer a Jedi!" Ulic wailed as he realized what had been done.
"It's been a long time since I have seen that technique used. Not since the Great Hyperspace War. I had hoped that it would never have to be used again," Sirius said sadly, a haunted look on his face. The memories of the terrible events that the Jedi Mage Master had experienced in his lifetime were something that the man could never truly be rid of.
"Master Sirius, I was so enraged, so horrified... I lost control! I couldn't stop myself!" Nomi cried out, tears streaming down her face as the guilt of her actions set in. Tott put an arm around her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
Sirius turned to the sobbing and distraught Ulic. "I understand the devastation and guilt that you feel, Ulic. I know how it feels to lose everything. But we must stop Exar Kun. He can not be allowed to continue his rampage. We need to know where he is," Sirius told Ulic firmly.
Ulic gathered himself and got to his feet. "I know where to find him. I can take you there... to Yavin Four!" Ulic said with a determined look on his face.
"We will rally all the Jedi against our final enemy!" Tott said. He wanted nothing more than for this nightmare of a war to end.
"We've got to hurry and get to the Marauder! The shockwave is coming," Sirius said.
But just as they turned towards the ship, a ball of Dark Side energy was hurled at them. Aleema, against all odds, had gotten up despite being on the verge of death. And she intended to take the Jedi down into the grave with her.
Unfortunately for her, the Jedi were in no mood to die. Sirius used the Force to stop the Dark Side energy back at the treacherous Sith Sorceress. The other Jedi gaped at the show of Force Mastery that Sirius displayed. And Aleema could do nothing but stare and gape in shock as her own attack was turned on her. The ball of energy consumed and vaporized her body. She didn't even have time to scream. There was nothing left of her but ashes and dust.
"Come on, let's go," Sirius said as he turned back towards his ship. The others followed, still in shock over Sirius's power and the tragedies that they had been forced to endure that day. And moments later, the surface of Ossus was devastated by fire and storm. And nothing would ever be the same.
AN: And done! FINALLY!! Took me way too long to finish this. My next update won't take as long. The final showdown with Exar Kun is about to begin. Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed.