-Chapter 81: The Birth of a Legacy-

Location: Various

"Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it."

"Wraith?" She called, hoping he'd respond. when none could be heard, she started to get worried. "Wraith!" She called again, more urgently this time. Still nothing. The Togruta ran around the room, looking high and low for some sign, some trace, anything to indicate where he might've gone. But there was nothing.

The Wraith had vanished!

"WRAITH!"


Tython - 25,783 BBY

It was unlike anything Wraith had ever experienced before.

One minute he was talking to Ahsoka, the next he was hurtling through some sort of red subspace, a tunnel of infinite light with no visible end. It was intense, his entire body feeling like it was being forced through dimensions he was never meant to travel. He cried out as he tried to end the trip and get a grip on his mind. But he kept moving, kept getting propelled towards an unknown destination.

And then the red suddenly vanished, replaced with vibrant green.

Tumbling head over heels across the ground, Wraith eventually rolled to a halt in the midst of the grass and took a moment to recover from the strange occurrence.

Then it occurred to him... grass?

"Parnassos has no grass." He stated, bolting upright. One look at his surroundings showed him clear skies, rich plantlife and blades of grass a deep green in shade. "What is this place?" He wondered aloud, standing up. Wraith then realized the sliver of stone was still in his clutches... and he had to wonder...

Then he thought about Ahsoka. Where was she? Panic set in all of a sudden and Wraith forsook any logical path in favor of finding his love. "Ahsoka?" He called moving deeper into the trees. He started running, seeing no sign of the chamber or Calliope station, and was growing desperate to find her. "Ahsoka!" He cried again, breaking into a run as he pounded through the woods, swatting aside leaves and branches in his mad quest to return to Ahsoka.

Finally, Wraith stumbled out into the open, discovering a peak that looked out upon a vast and sprawling landscape of green life.

This was not Parnassos.

The pristine nature of the green world took his breath away. Never before had Wraith ever seen something so... wholesome before. In the skies above, twin moons orbited the planet, one appearing lighter than the other as the celestial bodies looked down in a way that struck Wraith as familiar. He'd seen this place before, through images in archived data. "Where is this? It looks like... Tython?" He whispered, attempting to wrap his head around this strange and sudden change. Wraith then spied a clamour taking place in a clearing down below, watching groups of people engaged in heated combat with coloured blades of pure energy. They did not look like lightsabers. They seemed more... archaic. "Wait... those are Force sabers..." He realized with wide eyes, his studies in galactic history coming in handy once again, "that tech is old, it dates back to the..." Wraith blanched as he recalled the exact period those weapons were used in, "the Force Wars." Struck by the sudden, impossible reality of it all, Wraith fell to his knees in shock. "Twenty-five thousand years ago." He breathed.

How was this even possible?

There was no way that he, a man from twenty-five thousand years in the future could've travelled back in time to witness this. It was simply impossible!

As the notion set in, emboldened by the reality before him, depression weighed heavily on Wraith's shoulders as he thought of all he had lost... and who he had lost.

"No..." He whispered in a broken voice, "I can't go to her... I-I'll never be able to find her again... and she... she loves me." Her words echoed over and over in his mind as Wraith tortured himself with the memory of her profession. I love you, she had said. Three little words that meant more to him than life itself.

And now he had lost it all... through means beyond his comprehension, his love had been taken from him.

"No..." He cried, eyes brimming with tears beneath his mask. He doubled over, pounding the ground with a clenched fist as he struggled to keep himself together. "No!" He shouted, anguish consuming him as the belief he'd lost Ahsoka for good settled in.

Throwing back his head, Wraith let it all out, "NOOOOOOOOO!" He screamed, venting his pain and agony into a single cry.

Though he did not realize it, Wraith allowed his feelings to pour into the Force, as all things do. Contrary to what the Jedi taught, the Force reacted greatly to emotion, bound by it's characteristics and matching actions with consequence.

And as Wraith's emotions reverberated through the Force, raw and unchecked, they unleashed terrible consequences upon the world around him.

Tython's environment was remarkably sensitive to the Force, and The Wraith, unleashing all of his fervor and anguish into this highly charged atmosphere, unknowingly started a cataclysm in the form of immense Force Storms and groundquakes that would ravage Tython's surface. The skies darkened, clouds swirling with charged power, so much of it that even a few of the combatants below stopped and turned their gaze up. Wraith's lingering cry wove it's way through the increasingly-violent weather, the atmosphere of Tython feeding off his emotions. The ground shook and trembled with his anger, the skies thrashed and boiled with his sorrow.

But the worst was yet to come, taking place only shortly afterwards.

Wraith's radiating, unfettered emotions cracked Tython's biosphere, and the continuing Force Storms would permenantly shatter it, the world effectively rendered uninhabitable by his single act.

The changing weather did not deter Wraith who, even as the wind wildly whipped around him and churned up leaves and debris, looked down at the small stone in his hand. All he had done was touch it to set off this misfortune. All at once his emotions shifted from despondance to anger, bordering on rage.

"Take me back! Take me back you sonuva-!" The super-soldier disappeared in a flash of red before he could complete his curse.


Lehon System - 25,200 BBY

Another bright flash, another tunnel of red, and Wraith was suddenly uddenly deposited onto cold steel. Jarred from his current state, the super-soldier looked up from the shard and was shocked to realize he was no longer on Tython. "But where the hell is this now?" He wondered, exasperated. It didn't look like the chamber on Parnassos either. It looked more like a hallway, the kid of corridor found on a ship. Wraith glanced back down to the shard and internally cursed it. "I'll worry about you later." He grumbled, picking himself up. Tapping into his sensors, Wraith was able to slowly map his terrain as his scanners went to work. Grateful that his scanners were hardwired and not connected to the Separatist network, which didn't even exist yet, Wraith started walking. His metal boots clicked against the floor with every step, echoing through the empty corridor. It was very quiet and very desolate. Wraith could not detect any nearby life signs, but the amount of energy radiation he was seeing was off the charts. Something powerful was nearby and it was hard at work, generating massive amounts of energy.

Picking up his pace, Wraith started jogging through the corridor, passing a multitude of smaller rooms as he went. They were all sealed behind doors, but the super-soldier was in no mood to be curious. He just wanted to leave and return to Ahsoka... but not before he figured out where he was in history. If this shard could take him all the way back to the Force Wars, then where else might it take him?

He had his answer soon when the corridor mercifully came to an end. The door ahead slid open, only to reveal a pair of beings that caused Wraith to stop in his tracks.

They were Rakata.

While barely a presence in the galaxy of his time, Wraith knew exactly who and what these were. The words 'Infinite Empire' shot through his mind and his memories of history texts came flooding back as he swiftly determined where he was in history... over twenty-two thousand years in the past. "Great." Was all he could say as the two Rakata advanced upon him with spears leveled. They tried speaking with him in their own tongue, but Wraith failed to comprehend it. The super-soldier calmly put out his hands in a display of passivity. The Rakata did not seem to take that well and started using gruffer tones, one of them going so far as to jab Wraith with his spear. It generated some kind of shock on impact and Wraith recoiled as a brief pain flashed through him. "Not in the mood to talk, huh?" He mused. "Well... neither am I." The next time the Rakata tried to prod him, Wraith kicked the spear to the side so it missed his body, the Rakata stumbling in response. Wraith then grabbed the weapon, wrenched it out of the Rakata's hands, spun around and thrust it through his head, blood splattering across the floor as he was impaled. His partner got over his shock and attacked with a snarl, Wraith sidestepping the thrust and retaliating with a hook kick to the side of the guard's head. The super-soldier followed up with a straight kick to the abdomen before collecting the Rakatan's spear and using it against him. with practiced ease, Wraith performed a few quick slashes resulting in an x-shaped cut across the Rakata before slicing upwards and cutting clean through his face, nearly bisecting it. The Rakata fell dead as blood began to flow, Wraith dropping the spear and dusting off his hands. "Nice work, you've just killed a pair of twenty-two thousand year old enemies. Bet no one else can say they've done that!" He said with a smirk, pleased with himself. Then he looked down and saw a fresh divet in his armor, made by the Rakata's spear. It was then that he came to a conclusion. "This suit is better at handling radiation than a point-blank blow." If he wished to survive to return to Ahsoka, he would likely need a fresh set of protective gear. Thinking the Rakatan had some armor around, Wraith chose to duck into a nearby room, hoping it was a guard armoury of some kind.

What he found instead was far more beneficial.

A set of machines filled the room, one a terminal with a slowly blinking light next to a input station. Approaching the terminal, it's screen simply read INSERT COMMAND. Pondering its abilities for a moment, Wraith slowly reconginzed some of the parts to resemble the fabrication tech Scipio used and, hesitantly, typed in a very specific command. The machine went to work, parts moving and working as his sensors detected a sudden spike in energy. It appeared this device was drawing power from the station to function.

By the time it was finished, a pair of small power cells rolled into a tray along the side. Wraith scooped them up and eyed them with a grin. Now he needed to get home, he had something to give Ahsoka from this little misadventure.

Having proven this was indeed fabrication tech, Wraith concluded that it would definitely be of use. "I can use this to build new armor." He mused, getting ready to type in more commands. Then another thought occurred to him, "Maybe I should change my look though..." He mumbled, already starting to come up with more ideas.

He knew not why he suddenly considered the change in appearance. Perhaps it was fate or destiny that drove him to change from looking like himself to resembling someone, or something, else...

Wraith had no desire to build a totally new suit of armor. But he did have a few ideas for armoured overlays that would change his appearance enough. Using this fabricator, Wraith was able to craft everything he needed for his new outfit. Removing the armor atop his chromium-painted jacket, Wraith donned an all black armourweave cloak that hung down to his knees and was as long as his gauntlets, covering up his autogun and ballistic weapons and changing his look without actually altering the hardware. Fitting his chestplate back overtop, Wraith then strapped new spiked shin-plates to his boots and then fitted some toe-guards with protrusions shaped like claws to the ends. He'd also crafted a new tactical visor out of opaque transparisteel with twin vertical horns to cover the front of his helmet, allowing only his twin red optics to be seen while the rest of his helm was clouded by a smoky, hazy substance. To complete his look, Wraith slipped on a hood from behind, one that had been affixed to his cloak. A pair of slits had been cut into the top to make room for the horns, allowing him to maintain an appearance that was anything but normal.

One might say his new look seemed rather... demonic.

"Now I should look nothing like the real me." He confidently mused, concluding his actions were born out of a desire to not attract too much attention while trying to return. "Now... I know Rakata exist... but in what phase of the game are we? Better yet, where the hell am I?" He wondered aloud.

His curiosity getting the better of him, Wraith decided to keep looking around.

Returning to the hallway, Wraith resumed his walkabout, ignoring the dead Rakatans still lying on the floor. The door through which they had come piqued his interest, so he went that way. The door slid apart to reveal a large hangar bay, filled with ships and craft of ancient design. Wraith slowly stepped out onto the walkway before him and looked down to see a cluster of four beings, three Rakata and one human, below. The human appeared to be chained while all the Rakata had spears, Wraith quickly putting two and two together. "I need more info... and I bet he can give it to me." He determined as he reached behind and drew his axe as well as Tyth. Leaping over the edge, Wraith landed not far from the Rakata and gave them a pretty good scare.

And that was before he tore into them.

The species might be Force-sensitive, but they were no match for Wraith's fast and brutal strike, his axe embedded in a Rakatan's head and Tyth setting another on fire with a quick stab. The third did not last long either, a wave of flame pushing him back before Wraith lept upon him and plunged Tyth clean through his throat, killing him instantly. Standing up, Wraith put his axe away as he approached the shackled human. Wraith finally got a good look at him as he drew closer; bearded and wearing tattered but simple brown clothes, he looked like he'd seen better days but was well-cared for. The man looked up with wide green eyes, visibly frightened. Wraith stopped before him and put Tyth away. "Do you understand me?" He asked.

"Y-Yes..." The man stuttered in response.

"Good." Kneeling down, Wraith took hold of his chains as the man shied away from him, only to look on in surprise as Wraith broke them, snapping his cuffs apart. Examining his freed hands in awe, the human rubbed his chaffed wrists as Wraith stood. "Who are you?" He asked.

"I... I am Bur." The man answered, appearing to still be in awe.

"What are you doing here, Bur? And what do the Rakata want with you?" Wraith questioned.

"I-I am a slave. I serve their upper classes." Bur responded. "They brought me here so I could help them. I'm part of the slaves that work here on the Forge."

"Forge..." Wraith repeated. He stopped and looked at his surroundings again, the pieces starting to come together.

The realization hit him like a lightning bolt.

"The Star Forge." He said aloud.

"Y-Yes, it's what we are on right now." Bur affirmed, watching the strange actions of this dark figure. "W-Who are you?" He stammered.

"I am..." Wraith stopped, suddenly lost for a name. What as he to call himself so many years in the past? Unable to come up with something decent, he simply replied, "here to help."

"You... Y-You look like a demon." Bur said as he stood, eyeing Wraith warily. A demon. Wraith kind of liked that. Surely there were worse things to be called. 'Demon of battle', now that sounded cool.

"If that is what you want to call me, I will not object." He answered. Bur nodded and turned to gaze upon the corpses of his former masters.

"You killed the Rakata... are you here to free us?" He asked, hopeful.

"That depends... do you need my help?" Wraith responded.

"Yes... yes!" Bur eagerly replied, expression changing from fearful to excited. "This way, please, follow me!" The renewed man suddenly took off, running towards a nearby door. Wraith gave chase, following him as he ran down a corridor and past a series of doors, before stopping at the last one and opening it. "They think I'm just a slave, but I've been busy. I have learned and studied, taking my time and my changes, working with other slaves. We are working on a disease." He stated. Having studied the history of the galaxy, Wraith knew exactly what he was referring to.

"The kind of disease that can kill the Rakata."

"Yes! We have been ground under their heel for too long. Every slave across the galaxy has had enough! Except for maybe their hounds." Bur continued as they entered the room. Against one wall sat a table full of lab equipment as well as another fabrication machine. Bur walked right to the table and opened a single canister, revealing a test tube full of a green substance. "The virus is simple and straightforward. I managed to acquire blood samples and was able to create a strain that targets only Rakata cells." He explained.

"Impressive." Wraith mused. Clearly this Bur was something of a virologist and a genius.

"Indeed. But it won't be enough. They have this power, a thing I've only heard of in legends surrounding people called Jed'aii." Bur continued. Wraith understood exactly what he was referring to, understanding that, this early on in galactic history, The Force had yet to be named. Many members of the Jed'aii and those familiar with them simply called it the Way or the Power of the Cosmos. "They are an order of sorcerers who have great power, perhaps not nearly as much as the Rakata but it is still great, or so I've heard." Bur elaborated

"I know of whom you speak." Wraith stated.

"I have been trying to find a way to neutralize it, but no known compound works." Bur dejectedly told him. "Without nullifying their abilities, the disease will only last a short time." Wraith understood, contemplating what it would take to 'stop' the Force. There were very few materials in the galaxy capable of doing so and most of them came in single increments.

As he thought, he suddenly recalled that he had one such material on hand, having completely forgotten about it.

Reaching behind, Wraith withdrew his bloody axe.

"Here. Shave off a little bit from the handle." He suggested, holding it out to Bur. The human eyed the weapon curiously.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"It is made of a substance that is immune to the... their power." Wraith responded, stopping himself before he almost used the term 'Force'. Scipio had dubbed them 'antichlorians', a unique organism that seemed to render simple materials immune to the Force and could not be affected by it. They were in the blood on his clothes from his time on Virujansi as well as in the axe, actually a part of the molecular structure. Bur accepted his word as well as his axe, using a scalpel on the table to remove a little bit of the pommel and into a beaker. Returning the axe to its owner, Bur then ground up the pieces and mixed them with a fluid solution. Letting it sit for a moment, he retrieved another vial from a rack hidden under the table and prepared a quick dish of a Rakatan blood sample. Using an eyedropper, Bur collected a small dose of the new concoction and applied it to the blood sample. "How did you get all of this tech?" Wraith asked.

"Not only can I manufacture what I need, thanks to the power of the forge, I have gotten good at taking little things bit by bit so that the Rakata do not notice."

"A thief and a genius. You are a dangerous man, Bur." Bur did not reply as he set up a powerful magnification system and set his dish of compounds within it. After a few seconds of looking, he pulled back with another excited look.

"This material... it is working! It should help to nullify their abilities." He reported, making a few notes before beginning the tedious task of incorporating the solution into the greater disease. "I just need a few more materials and then the plague will be complete, primarily a binding agent that will help keep all of these separate molecules bound together." Bur added, carrying on as he set about his work. Fortunately, Wraith was able to keep up with that he was saying.

"It is an unstable reaction?" He inquired.

"When put into gaseous form, yes." Bur replied. "It dissipates too quickly and each individual component separates into nothingness. Trust me, I have tried many times only to be met with failure. I simply do not know the right combination or even the right resources to use." He explained. Wraith started thinking, pondering the problem as he took everything into consideration. The disease needed to stay together in order to be properly unleashed. While this wasn't his strong suit, he did know a few things about chemical compounds. They needed something strong and organic, a mixture that would have the unique qualities necessary to keep the molecules bound together. Running over multiple potential qualifiers in his head, Wraith narrowed down his search by coming to a startling reality: they could essentially calcify the mixture with a high concentration of Calcium and Vitamin D.

To that end, he needed something that contained a lot of Calcium and something that contained a lot of Vitamin D, likely something that absorbed a lot of sunlight... and was unknown to the Infinite Empire, or at least, was outside Rakata territory.

Suddenly, he had it. He knew of a place where he could find both necessary materials.

"I think I have an idea." He said aloud.

Later...

It had yet to be discovered, it had yet to be named and its inhabitants had yet to be known throughout the galaxy. But Wraith was perfectly fine with that.

After all, he was the only one at this point in time to know about Shili.

It had been a risky gamble, Wraith calling upon the power of the stone to transport him to the homeworld of the Togrutas. But upon opening his eyes and seeing the endless savannas full of red-orange grass, he knew he was in the right place. Pinging his sensors, Wraith started moving. If anything, the fact that he stuck out like a sore thumb might attract the creature he had in mind. Finding the other ingredient would likely be a bit harder, but was a bridge he'd cross when he came to it.

For now, he had another objective in mind.

He started walking, taking a moment to actually enjoy himself. Shili was proving to be a beautiful, tranquil place with particularly stunning scenery. He knew he had to get back to Bur on the Star Forge, but this was something he simply had to take in. "Sure wouldn't mind living here one day." He mused.

Wraith kept moving, walking in a random direction with the hope of eventually finding his target. He basked in the warming rays of afternoon light and wondered just what he, clad in dark shades and solid armor, looked like on this colorful yet pristine terrain. It might be the most ridiculous clash of colours ever, but it was ultimately inconsequential. He had a job to do and his attire enabled him to carry it out with swift efficiency.

A job that quickly became obvious as a heat signature appeared on his HUD.

Wraith started to move even quicker, breaking into a jog as he tracked the signal. The signal drew closer... and so did another one. Soon they were multiplying, from two to three, then four, then five, until there were six in total. Believing that luck was with him, Wraith tracked the signals until they were just beyond the ridge of a rolling plain. Slowing down and crouching, Wraith peeked over the edge to view his quarry, only to discover a far different situation than he anticipated.

Five Akul were closing in on a lone Togruta, a huntress, given the strategic placing of the leather straps she wore.

Wraith knew they would be more than she could handle and would likely die. One Akul was hard enough to kill. He could keep moving or wait until the Akul had finished and then get the drop on them. But one look at the huntress, young to the point of adolescence, her life likely flashing before her eyes. It just didn't seem right.

"What's a good deed every now and then?" He said aloud, his mind made up.

Namarra held only a knife as the five Akul closed in on her. She wasn't expecting a pack, this wasn't usual behavior for them. Usually her people cornered lone Akul. Why were there so many. The beasts, with long snarling snouts that drooled and snapped as they advanced, were full of razor sharp teeth ready to do her in. She'd heard of others dying by Akul, none could escape their jaws once trapped. it sounded like a horrible way to go.

She feared this would be the end that befell her.

Namarra tried to steel herself for death, but could not stop the quaking in her limbs. It would not be a quick death... it would be slow and would likely hurt. But as she was trying to prepare herself, the circumstances completely and drastically changed.

A black shaped darted down off the adjacent hill, wielding what looked like a torch. It thrust it into the nearest Akul's orange fury, driving deep enough to throw the beast onto its side where it died with a whimper. Namarra's eyes widened as she caught a flash of red coming from the being's all-black face and realized that he carried no torch but a sword made of fire. The daylight seemed to be absorbed into his form, revealing traces of a black skin-like substance covering him. It glittered in other places, not unlike the rocks they used to make spearheads and knives. Namarra continued to watch as the being swung his blade at an incoming Akul, severing its head from its neck in one fell swoop. Another attack from the opposite side, trying to maul him with its claws. But the being delivered a swift punch that shattered several teeth, knocking the Akul sideways where he thrust his blade up through the neck, killing it instantly. Another lept with jaws wide and clamping them down around his arm. It started to shake furiously, the being's sword falling from his hand as he struggled to recover. Namarra knew this would be the end of him. That was what Akul did to kill their prey, this one would not stop until he was dead.

But then the being stopped, halted in place as his clawed feet dug into the ground, the Akul's neck twitching as it tried to move him.

The black figure remained planted in place, as though he had strength beyond that of a normal Togruta. Namarra continued to watch, rooted in place, and gasped as the being applied his free hand to the Akul's mouth, slowly wrenching open his jaw with a guttural roar. Such brute strength was enough to tear the lower jaw completely off and the Akul collapsed as blood watered the ground. The final beast lunged the figure, tackling him to the ground as being and beast rolled over and over, until the black figure came out on top with his hands on the Akul's head. With another roar, and a sharp twist of his hands, he snapped the Akul's neck with an audible crack. The creature fell limp as the figure stood tall, rolling his shoulders as his crimson gaze fell on Namarra. She swallowed nervously, feeling like his gaze was penetrating every fibre of her being, looking straight into her soul.

Such strength, such fury. There was no way this was a normal being. It had to be something supernatural... something demonic...

Wraith took a few careful steps towards the Togruta, collecting Tyth as he did. He was easily a head or two taller than her, his massive black frame towering over her. The huntress looked horrified, backing away from him with big, frightened eyes and a knife in her shakey hand.

"Daemon! Daemon!" She cried. Wraith quickly deduced his actions had terrified her, so he made to prove he was not some malevolent spectre.

"Set!" He cried. His sudden use of Togruti caused the hunter to stop where she was. She stared at him wide-eyed and Wraith thought for a brief second that she really resembled Ahsoka for some reason, if not for her red skin, cyan montral stripes and brown eyes.

Maybe that was the case for all female Togrutan adolescents...

"Mi friend. Mi nah enemy. Mi nah hurt yeh." He continued, using his Togruti to the best of his abilities. The huntress seemed to view him quizzically.

"Yeh do not sound et unt d'us." She slowly responded, eyeing him curiously. "Ko are yeh?"

"Mi... Daemon." He answered, deciding it was best to stick with that term if only to prove himself trustworthy. "Ki yeh? Ko yeh name?"

"Mi... am Namarra." She slowly answered, putting her knife away. He nodded in understanding.

"Mi need yeh omak." Wraith continued, requesting her aid. Wraith had never been to Shili before, only seen images, and needed some assistance. The huntress smiled and chuckled a little. "Ko?" He wondered, tilting his head.

"Yeh talk karo." She responded. Wraith rolled his eyes and shook his head, knowing his Togruti was imperfect and broken. Ahsoka had said the exact same thing...

"Mi k'ya Akul adu. Mi k'ya marg sabl." He continued, listing off what he needed. The huntress understood and pointed to the dead creatures behind him.

"Those are Akul 'dai yeh. Yeh killed them mjet, so their adu are yours ke Kuhk." She stated. Wraith nodded, already knowing those were Akul.

"Grre tanan." He thanked her. Unsheathing one of his knives, Wraith went about the task of collecting the teeth, forcing them out of the gums so that he might take them back to Bur. But Akul had plenty of teeth and there were five of them here. He'd have enough to take back and then some. Glancing back up at the red and white Togruta, Wraith held out a handful of bloody teeth as an idea came to mind... though he had a feeling she wouldn't spring for it. "Mi dau yeh montrradress. As tanan." He offered. Surely there were enough to make one. But the huntress raised a hand in denial and shook her head.

"Th-Thank yeh. B-But nah. Mi did na'h svhau them myself, so mi have na'h earned det right ke wear unt." She declined, stammering as she did. perhaps she did not wish to offend him? Wraith understood, having expected such a response despite offering.

"Oh." Was all he could say as he went back to work, his knife digging deep into the Akul's jaw and prying loose another tooth.

"Y-Yeh deserve unt! Yeh killed them mjet... unt sa bare hands." Namarra continued, looking over the death Akul with a sense of wonder and amazement. One being had done all of this?! "Mi've nagh seen or heard d'anyone hue that enne." She trailed off, looking astonished. Wraith kept working, even as Namarra's gaze left the Akul and became fixated on him and his work.

Three Akul later, Wraith was confident he had enough teeth for Bur, as well as a few for himself. Tucking them into a pocket within his robe, Wraith stood and addressed Namarra,

"Mi valmi'." He told her. The Togruta quickly nodded.

"Comrro... m-mi will show yeh where ke find det marg sabl." She responded. Wraith followed as she led him towards the open savanna. They walked side by side in silence as Namarra led Wraith across the plains of tall, waving turu-grass. There were times when her body seemed to blend right in with the scrubland, a trait Wraith finally understood now that he could see how her red skin and white thigh markings meshed with the multi-shaded grass. But Namarra also seemed uncannily quiet, walking with her gaze down and arms close together, as though she were scared of being herself. After a few minutes, Wraith couldn't bear to see her so troubled.

"Yeh okay?" He asked. Namarra appeared startled, before composing herself and responding in a demure voice,

"Forgive me, mi have nagh met a daemon before. Mi do not know ko ke te'aan." Wraith was surprised by how nervous she was. It seemed his abilities and appearance, in this era of history, were enough for someone to think of him as some great and powerful being.

"Mi normal. Yeh talk how yeh talk ke others." He calmly assured her. Namarra nodded, but didn't seem too convinced.

"Mi did not mean ke offend yeh eh refusing sa svah. But ke me and du Togruta, unt may only wear det adornments d'an Akul as a ahk d'achievement. It e'ma than an tarvik ke us."

"Mi sorry. Mi understand." He apologized.

"Yeh offered ke dau me a montrradress... so yeh know du Togruta wear them. Yeh know tean about u'." She stated. Wraith realized how much of a giveaway his comment had been, but rolled with it.

"Ku. Me am mitr unt Togruta." He replied, figuring it would be safe to tell her the truth. She just didn't need to know when his Togruta 'friend' was from.

"He taught yeh tean?" Namarra inquired, assuming his friend was a male. Wraith shook his head.

"She." He corrected, surprising Namarra. "Mi learn ke... ke impress her. Aasha she better et mi." Wraith slowly responded. That was very true, he had hoped that learning Togruti and using it would impress Ahsoka. He'd done only a few things to try and impress her, but this was his greatest effort of them all.

"Teeb... she mean a lot ke yeh?" Namarra asked. Wraith nodded slowly, remembering Ahsoka thousands of years in the future.

"Ku."

"Do yeh... d'bhem her?" The Togruta hesitantly pressed.

"Ku." He said again.

"Does she... yeh?"

"Mi... lehta sure." Wraith slowly answered with a nod. Ahsoka had said she loved him after all...

"Ko e'she et?" Namarra wondered. Wraith paused, his thoughts now fully on Ahsoka.

How was he to even begin describing her?

"She bold. She umnaa. Mi daark'a. She lait'a." He finally said, smiling under his mask the more he thought about her. "She... lehta. Very lehta. She jahimees." Surely Namarra would understand that one. Wraith knew those didn't even begin to describe how highly he thought of Ahsoka, but Namarra only needed a general idea and not every detail. The Togruta beside him fell silent once again, taking it all in. Getting up today, she did not expect for this to be happening to her. Today was the day she was supposed to hunt and kill her first Akul, and then a demon saved her from five! Growing up, Namarra and other younglings gathered around campfires and whispered scary stories about demons and other malevolent spirits. Demons were supposed to be fierce, powerful beings who thrived on chaos on death. They were something to be afraid of, so much so that the Elders of her tribe warned everyone about enticing and trying to invite such spirits. Namarra was a good girl, how did she suddenly meet a demon who was in love with another mortal?!

She then realized the demon was staring at her and was waiting for an answer.

"Forgive me again. Mi have... nagh heard d'a daemon ki e'eh d'bhem unt a mortal." She apologized again. Wraith simply nodded. "E'she unt a tribe?" Namarra asked. Wraith supposed the Jedi could be thought of as a 'tribe', as far as archaic terms went.

"Ku."

"Does her tribe know about her and yeh?" She asked. Wraith shook his head.

"Nah. Det others... they nah d'behm. She only unt that do." He told her. That was... fairly accurate. Namarra understood, other likely wouldn't take kindly to a union between one of their own and a demon.

"Ko e' her name?"

"Ahsoka." A look of understanding suddenly came over Namarra.

"Ah... 'She ki e'strong'." She replied, surprising Wraith with the definition of Ahsoka's name in Togruti: She who is strong. There could not have been a more perfect meaning to her name. He nodded in agreement.

"Ku, she strong." He replied. "Ko do sa name mean?" He then wondered.

"'She ki rises unt det Suun'." Namarra replied. Wraith nodded, understanding that to mean She who rises with the sun in Basic. "Du khos tells me du meht named me that because mi would always wake uba yihl va det Suun rose." Namarra continued with a laugh. Wraith chuckled in agreement.

"Not grre sa be rahulik and vaikne." He commented. Namarra laughed along with him and for a moment the brevity seemed to wipe away any sort of tension between them. As the laughter died down, Namarra continued to smile as she regarded her demon partner, her dark eyes gazing at him fondly. Wraith took a moment to appraise her features, noting the way her broad and rounded cheek markings hugged the underside of her eyes and lined her chin in a vertical fashion. They were unique, a testament to her species and how wonderous he thought they were. Her lingering gaze caused him to tilt his head, "Ko?" He wondered.

"Sa friend, Ahsoka. She has found an honest being ke et." She responded. They both stopped walking, taking a break as Namarra continued, "Mi sa och it eh sa actions and te'ama. Yeh may be a daemon, but yeh are... yehsa at behm." She explained, pointing to his chest. Taking a breath, she continued on, "Du kind are honest Togruta. Na yeh k'ya ke be ghu ke her, embody det ideals d' our Togruta: share equally, work together, dau her ona." Wraith accepted her instruction and took it to heart "Mi know yeh te'aan yeh understand us. Na yeh do, then yeh know how ke treat sa Ahsoka." Wraith paused to dwell on her words and the message behind them. Who would've thought that in such a primal age that such sage wisdom could be found? Perhaps there was something to be said for these simpler times, without the convolutions of war and politics and duties and societies, where understandings between individuals simply boiled down to a matter of who they were at heart.

Wraith then thought of Ahsoka. Applying Namarra's words to her, Wraith answered a question he hadn't realized he had; Ahsoka was not a Jedi at heart, she was a Togruta at heart. The best way to appeal to her was through that which resonated with her most: her heritage and her identity as a Togruta.

It all seemed to make so much sense now.

"Mi understand." He replied. Namarra nodded.

"Treat her for ki she e'and she will d'bhem yeh." She stated in conclusion. With a final nod of affirmation from Wraith, they started moving again.

It wasn't long until Namarra had brought him to a plain full of flowers, each one a bright white with unique petals that reminded Wraith of carvings of the sun and the rays extending out from it.

"This marg sabl?" He asked, as if unknowing. Namrra nodded.

"Ku. Yeh sa tell because it opens et det sunrise igal homikul."

"Ah." Wraith knelt down and picked two, his optics scanning them over and deducing a very high amount of Vitamin D within them. Since these were known to open every morning like the rising sun, Wraith had a hunch these flowers tended to absorb a lot of Vitamin D, which made them perfect for Bur's concoction. He rose, stuffing them both into his robe. "Grre tanan." He thanked her. Namarra nodded, but then touched his shoulder, as if asking him to follow her further.

"Comrro. Mi will Kuhk yeh ke du village." She offered. Wraith cocked his head, her suggestion an odd one... and something that didn't sit well with him.

"That... yehsa idea?" He wondered. Now it was Namarra's turn to look at him askance.

"Yeh do not k'ya ke?" She asked. Wraith mulled the idea over in his head. He had what he needed and Bur was waiting for him, so he needed to leave.

"Mi daemon. Mi scare them." He attempted to protest. But Namarra tugged on his arm insistently,

"Yeh are not scary. Maybe va hunting, but not usually. Mi k'ya du Togruta ke meet det daemon ki saved me." She responded. Wraith was hesitant to oblige her, given how long he'd already been here for. As much as he loved both Shili and the Togrutan people, he needed to move on. But to leave so suddenly... one look at her deep brown eyes and Wraith just couldn't deny her this one request.

But it would have to be brief.

With a nod, Wraith agreed and Namrra led the way with a smile

Her village was located in a valley, under a canopy of dense trees with green leaves. Having read about this in databanks, Wraith was seeing it for the first time and now understanding it. They were your typical kind of stone and wood huts built on the ground, but with the cover of dense trees in darkness, the Togruta would be virtually invisible to any predators, especially Akul whose sight was as good as their far-distant cousins; the Nexu. Wraith followed Namarra down only a little ways until they stood on a ridge just before the edge of the treeline.

"Comrro, du village e' just nab here." The Togruta directed him. But Wraith held back, knowing his time was limited and knowing he couldn't get caught up in anything.

"Mi set here. Let they och me. Dau sure they nah scared." He responded. Namarra agreed with a nod and started down, leaving him behind. "Namarra," Wraith called after her, causing the Togruta to stop and turn, "Mi hope yeh get Akul 'unt da." He said. Namarra smiled, accepting his words.

"And mi hope yeh and sa Ahsoka enjoy a ona yau together." She replied, wishing him well before darting down towards her village.

No one was expecting her back so soon, so as soon as Namarra surged into the village in such an excited state, her fellow Togruta couldn't help but take notice. "Everyone! Meht! Khos! Yeh have ke comrro och this!" She cried, rushing to her hut. From it emerged her parents, two matching red-skinned Togruta with long blue-striped headtails and large ornate facials markings.

"Och ko?" Her mother asked.

"A daemon! Nehl saved me ta a pack d'Akul! Nehl killed five unt nu bare hands alone!" Namarra told them as other crowded around. Those present began to excitedly discuss among themselves. They weren't as curious about the demon as they were about what he'd done to the dreaded Akul. It took a great deal for one Togruta to kill a single Akul, but for someone to kill five? It was simply unheard of.

"A daemon?" One wondered.

"She e'crazy!" Another scoffed.

"Daemons are n'ah real." Another denied. Then, from their ranks, an aging male Togruta with long headtails and ornate attire, including a Togruta sash and the pelts and teeth of many animals surrounding him, approached Namarra. Leaning against his long staff, the orange male spoke to her,

"E'nehl here, child?" Namarra nodded excitedly.

"Ku Elder Tahno! Nehl e' just over so det ridge!" She exclaimed, pointing to the village entrance behind her. The old man looked with bright blue eyes and nodded to where Namarra pointed and, in his elderly wisdom, made a decision.

"We should och this daemon young Namarra speaks d'." He declared. The other villagers agreed and followed them both, Namarra leading the way. She arrived at the entrance first and was happy to see the demon was still standing on the ridge.

"Yut! Nehl e' yut!" She told the others, pointing ahead. They joined her in clusters and, as soon as they saw the being in question which validated her seemingly outlandish claims, they erupted into a frnezied state of mixed shock and dismay.

"Daemon!" Some shouted, terrified.

"A Daemon!" Others whispered in awe as they gazed dumbfounded at the dark, almost formless being with piercing red eyes.

"Hide det tungu!" Another cried.

"Ko has she done toomine him here?!" One screeched.

"Nehl will bring ruin ke us!" Another bemoaned. Namarra's parents both clung to their daughter, fearing for her safety. She had been in the company of this thing? This shadowy creature? Who knows what ill-effects he might've inflicted upon her! Elder Tahno looked upon Namarra's demon with amazement. He, like all of them, had heard the stories meant to scare younglings... but to see one himself?

Wraith stood tall and still watching as this assembled crowd reacted quite strongly to his appearance. He could see their visible agitation, though most of it seemed wrought from fear, and was concerned about possible violence. Perhaps it was best he left. After all, nobody would discover Shili and the Togruta for another two hundred years. To him, it seemed good that history remain that way. Reaching into his robes, he withdrew the stone shard and whispered a prayer that things would work out fluidly again...

"May it go well with you all." He blessed under his breath as he clenched the stone tightly. Closing his eyes and concentrating on Bur and the Star Forge, Wraith felt like he was being pulled...

In a flash of red light that forced the Togruta to shield their eyes, the demon vanished. By the time they looked around again, there was no one on the ridge. Namarra couldn't believe it. Who was this being that had such power?

For a brief moment, she hoped he would come back, but then realized he had probably sensed the fear in her people and had left to avoid causing further chaos. It was a simple gesture, but one that told Namarra he might not been as entirely evil as demons were made out to be. A hand came to rest on her shoulder and Namarra turned to see the Elder Tahno regarding her.

"Ko ky nehl et, Namarra?" The village elder asked, eyes wide for an old man. Namarra turned with excitement rising in her voice.

"It ky uskumatu Elder Tahno! Nehl attacked five Akul mjet ek himself and nehl had det strength ke free himself ta det jaws d'unt!" She exclaimed, much to the excitement of the others. No one had ever broken free from the jaws of an Akul! No one! "Nehl spoke unt such a deep, daark'a voice, et nehl was ta a different kaharia!" She continued. "Nu ghna was et kaala iron and nehl carried a shhk made d'ghya!"

Namarra would continue to retell her tale well into the evening, exciting the Togruta with her vivid descriptions of the Demon as well as what he was like. The tale would be carried down from generation to generation in the tribe, Namarra telling her own children about her experience, until someone decided to write it all down and called the tale 'the Huntress and the Demon'...

The Forge...

Stumbling from the light, Wraith found he was back on the Star Forge, given the familiar design and structure of the hangar he was in. Hoping he was on the right level, he tucked the stone within his robes and started following the same corridor Bur had once led him down. Passing multiple doors on either side of him, he paused at one near the end of the hall, the same one Bur had used, and knocked.

"Bur? You in there?" He called, hoping that no other Rakata had found him. Waiting a few seconds, he knocked again. "Bur?" With no further response, Wraith was starting to wonder if he was at the right door or if some ill fate had befallen his ally. But then the door hissed open, revealing the bearded man who looked up wide-eyed while breathing a sigh of relief.

"You came back!" He cried, sounding overjoyed. "You were gone for days!" His comment struck Wraith, surprising him. It hadn't been that long, maybe an hour or two at most. But he shook it off and continued as though Bur were accurate.

"My apologies. It took... longer than I thought it would. You are well?" He responded.

"Yes, yes. Just worried you had forgotten." The man replied.

"Of course not." Wraith stated, reaching inside and fishing around his robe for the components. With a handful of Akul teeth in one hand and a pair of marg sabl in the other, he passed them over, "Here, these should help stabilize your compound." He told him. Bur looked over both items quizzically, offering Wraith an uneasy expression.

"...are you sure?" He hesitantly asked.

"Yes. The teeth have a high calcium concentration and the flowers have been absorbing enough vitamin dee. Their organic properties should be enough to bind the molecules together." Wraith affirmed with a nod. Being an intellectual man with a knack for science, Bur nodded in agreement.

"Yes... yes it should..." He mused, turning and heading back inside. Wraith did not immediately follow, reaching back into his robe and pulling out the stone shard as he had a sudden epiphany. If he had in fact been gone for several days as Bur claimed, then perhaps this stone had taken him to Shili and back, but using the timespan of a week to do so.

"This shard is tied to time." He quietly mused, multiple possibilities coming to mind as he slowly came to comprehend the power of the stone. "Maybe if I focus, I can use it to return to my time." With this hope in mind, Wraith opted to see this through to the end, knowing he now had more control over his fate.

Following Bur over to his table, Wraith watched as Bur used the fabrication equipment to extract the necessary elements from his findings, the teeth turned to powder and the vitamin d becoming stored within a vial. The man mixed the two together before beginning the process of adding it to his compound.

"Alright, nearly there," he reported, "I'm about to start testing." With that, he picked up a small container filled with a white substance and passed it to Wraith. "Here, take this. Just in case something goes wrong." He said. Wraith did so, studying the contents for a moment.

"Is this a cure?" He asked, wondering if this should be something kept far away from the Rakata.

"No, just something to help combat the viral effects of the virus. It will temporarily break up the molecules in order to relieve the symptoms. A liquidizing counteragent, really." Bur explained.

"Sounds like a cure." Wraith rumbled.

"Perhaps when mixed with the right immune system. But it is not a cure." Bur repeated, firm in his description.

Wraith waited for several hours as Bur conducted his experiments, testing his revised disease and making a few notes as he mixed samples with a seemingly infinite supply of Rakatan blood. Wraith assumed Bur has taken a chance and collected some with the Rakata he'd killed, but did have to wonder where the rest came from...

Finally, Bur stood and turned to Wraith with a look of triumph. "It's done!" He announced. "It is finally done and ready! I shall start manufacturing more straight away!" Wraith straightened up.

"It is a viral infection, yes?" He inquired.

"Yes! Once one Rakata gets it, soon they will all receive it." Bur confirmed. Wraith nodded, placing a hand on Bur's shoulder.

"Good work. You will be the savior of the galaxy, Bur." He praised. "You will be remembered as the one who felled the Rakatan Empire." Bur nodded eagerly.

"And I do look forward to finally throwing off our oppressive overlords." He stated. "But how to deliver it? Where to even start? I dare not do it myself for fear of discovery. I've been up here too long, surely those below have sensed something is wrong." He wondered, his mind reeling with infinite possibilities. To that, Wraith had but a simple response.

"Leave that to me."

On the terrestrial surface of Lehon, the homeworld of the Rakata, it was another normal day. It seemed like today would be a quiet one, the recent infighting between the power sects having calmed down for a day, and ta he general populace made to take advantage of it.

In the busy city streets, vendors, merchants, civilians and more milled about as they went about their daily tasks. Some brought their slaves with them, others destined to oversee their slaves hard at work constructing new monuments to the Rakata's majesty. They assumed it would be business as normal... but today would soon be anything but normal.

For today marked the beginning of the end.

It started when a lone fighter flew in low above the city, much lower than most and when it stopped to over in place, people began to really take notice. It was an odd occurrence and many could only wonder 'why' in response.

But then... 'it' came.

Appearing as if from out of nowhere, a dark figure crashed down in the middle of the marketplace. His body dark yet gleaming in the sun like polished obsidian, the great horned entity rose up, head and shoulders above many Rakata. His crimson gaze raked them over, warriors approaching cautiously with weapons raised. They called to it in Rakata, but it did not answer. It was then that the being struck, drawing a sword made of fire and cutting down Rakata left and right. The populace screamed in terror as fire exploded out from his red blade, incinerating all in its path as the devastation began. The being was methodical but also unrelenting, his power unleashed upon the Rakata in a way no other had before. Pushed beyond sense and sensibility, the violent neater of the Rakata overwhelmed them and they rushed to attack this foul creature.

But they were only rushing to their death.

The being enveloped himself in fire, searing the Rakata before killed them mercilessly. Not even the Rakata's own senseless violence could match his. Their weapons could not penetrate his body and nothing they tried seemed to work against him. Blades broke on contact, blaster fire simply bounced off him. And as he continued, he dropped little canisters here and there, which expelled a colourless and odourless gas which would ultimately spell death and certain defeat for the Rakata.

He freed slaves, tearing their chains to pieces with his bare hands. In their hands he thrust more canisters, commanding them in a voice they could only describe as demonic, "Spread it far and wide. Today the Rakata die." As dozens of species once nothing more than slaves made their escape, the figure turned his wrath against the Rakata and their city. Hours turned to days as he slaughtered his way across the surface of Lehon, fire and blood and bodies left in his wake. Those who ran from him had only one word to tell their compatriots. A word that would later be translated into 'demon'...

And then, it was over. Just as suddenly as it had started, it had stopped in the same way.

The desolation of Lehon left the Rakata shaken, their empire crumbling around them as the seats of power were overthrown and cut down, singlehandedly destroyed by this demon. He had vanished without a trace, the signs of his coming being the fire and death that was rampant across the planet... as well as the plague.

One by one the Rakata fell victim to it, first those on Lehon and then Rakata across the reaches of the Infinite Empire succumbed to its effects. Many of them died slow deaths, but others survived, only to be faced with a grave reality. The disease created by Bur mutated, the antichlorians introduced into the Rakata cutting off their connection to the Force permenantly by killing off the majority of their midichlorians as they took effect. None of the Rakatan scientists could understand the phenomenon, all of them trying and hypothesizing only to fail to come up with a cure. The surviving Rakata were rendered Force-blind, unable to sense the Force or use it in any capacity. This collective loss crushed whatever spirited hope was left in the survivors and ultimately killed the Empire as a whole.

In the end, the Infinite Empire fell and the Rakatan species was almost decimated. Stories would circulate in the slave communities, told by those present on Lehon when a great being of shadow and fire laid waste to the Rakata and unleashed the plague that started their downfall. He gave the plague to the slaves and charged them with taking it to all Rakata to ensure they would never rise again. Their stories would eventually fall into the realm of legend only to be lost and virtually forgotten as time marched on.

But the surviving Rakata never forgot.

Those who had been on Lehon at the beginning of the decimation told of their plight to other Rakata, who quickly wrote down the tale and the story of their downfall. Scattered pieces of information would come from various places, some of it grandiose and some of it lacklustre. But the truth lay in the words of the survivors, those who survived or lived just long enough to tell or record their tale, who referred to the master of their defeat as... 'the Iron Demon'.


Rakata Prime - 3959 BBY

The burst of red light faded, leaving behind The Wraith, still clad in his dark garb. This time, the shard had taken him to a durasteel corridor, not unlike those found in a cruiser.

"Kriffing dammit..." He growled under his breath as he surveyed his surroundings. "I just want to go home!" This wasn't his first stop after felling the Infinite Empire, the shard having taken him through multiple points in galactic history. The Mandalorian Wars had been quite the experience. Wraith finally understood the heritage that drove the people of Mandalore, but quickly concluded that the Mandalorians of his time were a far cry from the fearsome warriors of the past. The legacy and ancient reputation of Mandalorians, he determined, was all that remained of the people.

But he only spectated the event and did not participate. He wanted to go home more than he wanted to watch... and this certainly wasn't home.

But where was this?

Taking a minute to calm down with a sigh, Wraith analyzed his surroundings. It certainly did resemble a ship, but there were a few design choices that told Wraith this was no modern vessel, either Republic or Separatist. Behind him stood a door, which likely led to another room or compartment. Pinging his scanners, Wraith discovered low-level energy radiation coming from all around him, not unlike the kind emitted by a cruiser or starship.

His scanners also picked up heat signatures... and voices.

Creeping close to the door, Wraith adjusted his audio receptors as his scanners highlighted two figures on the opposite side.

"Production on the Star Forge continues as hoped, Master." A male voice was saying. "Soon the armada will outnumber even the greatest fighting force the Republic could muster."

"They are still weak after the Mandalorian crusades. They will resist, but their potential has been greatly limited." Another male voice declared. Wraith did not immediately recognize them, but, in adjusting his sensors once more, pinpointed the design of a telltale mask on one and a metal jaw on the other. That information alone was enough to clue him in.

"Darth Revan and Darth Malak." He realized. Perhaps the most famous Sith in history and his apprentice... alive and walking. But at what point in history? The two had long and storied careers, both as Jedi and Sith. Wraith needed to know exactly when in their story he had arrived, if only to deduce where he was in history.

Taking a few steps back as the two Sith turned around, Wraith adjusted his posture and quickly composed himself, creating a sense of how he would speak and act in the presence of these two. The Rakata faced only his wrath, there was no need for conversing or to act civilized. So how was he supposed to speak with a pair of Sith? He oculdn't just act like himself. He had to think quickly, and continued to think as the door sensor beeped, indicating their imminent appearance.

It was time to get into character.

The entrance slid open to reveal both Sith, making to leave. They stopped suddenly in their tracks upon seeing Wraith and their hands went for their lightsabers.

"Who are you?! And what are you doing here?" The one in red, Malak, demanded. Wraith calmly started walking, striding past them and onto the bridge, putting on an air of superiority and calm and confident supremacy.

"I see you've found the Forge as well. A nice place, just built by the wrong people." He nonchalantly mused. The Sith behind him studied him closely. While Malak was prepared to deal a swift end to this intruder, the studious Revan saw something his apprentice did not.

"I know you." The masked one in dark robes, Revan, stated. "I saw you in a relief down on the surface. You are the Rakata's Iron Demon." He proclaimed. Malak turned to his master, questioning if this was real. "But... you look different." Revan trailed off. The images he'd seen showed only a shadow with eyes and fire. This was bipedal being. Wraith could only raise an eyebrow under his mask upon hearing the moniker. Maybe that's what the Rakata were shouting during his rampage, or maybe they were just screaming in pain.

Either way, Wraith now had his new persona.

"I assumed a form your mortal minds could comprehend." Wraith told him, attempting to sound otherworldly and even omnipotent. "Now, what are you doing in this cursed place? Are some sort of wayfarers or smugglers?" He wondered, turning back to face them.

"Hardly. We are the leaders of the Sith Empire." Malak announced. Wraith tapped his chin with one finger, feigning to take his words under consideration.

"Sith... yes. I know Sith. Many of them." He mused, beginning to pace back and forth. "What business do you have here, Dark Lord? What brings you to this epicentre of overindulgence?" He inquired.

"We seek-" Malak began, only to be silenced as Revan held up a hand. He would handle this.

"We came here following maps and we discovered the Rakata. They told us their history and showed us how to use the Star Forge. We are building an infinite fleet with which we will conquer the Republic." The Sith answered. His words gave Wraith the evidence he needed to understand his place in history. This was shortly after the Mandalorian Wars, just before Revan and Malak re-emerged as Sith heading the new Sith Empire.

"A new empire. An 'infinite' fleet." He mused aloud. "I feel like history is repeating itself."

"The Sith way is true, Demon. The Republic has grown weak since the Mandalorians attacked. We will stabilize things and restore both peace and order." Malak vowed. Wraith acted thoughtful again and returned to looking out the viewport.

"I know of Mandalorians too. Warriors. Fun to kill." He said, causing Revan and Malak to share a glance. "Why is it this galaxy seems to constantly be embroiled by those who wish to reign supreme?" He wondered.

"This time it will be different." Malak promised.

"You're not the first to say that." Wraith responded.

"Are you of the Sith or against it?" Malak continued.

"Both, or possibly neither. Maybe even one or the other." Wraith cryptically told him.

"Have you come here to warn us or pester us?" Revan demanded.

"Both, perhaps." Wraith replied, shifting towards him. "Those who cannot take a few verbal barbs do not deserve power of any kind. That is my first warning. My second is far simpler: do not take on more than what is necessary." He instructed them.

"Are you telling us not to build a fleet?" An insightful Revan asked.

"I'm telling you to not use your fleet to your own ends." Wraith responded. "Do what Sith do best; promise better things, wage war with the Jedi, so on and so forth. But do not become so caught up in your efforts that you seek to dominate rather than liberate." He suggested. "Dominion is a dangerous thing. Those who seek it tend to meet a... grievous end." He cautioned. Revan did not answer, silent and pondering. Malak did and he did not take his words well.

"You dare to threaten us?!" He challenged, drawing his lightsaber and igniting the red blade. "We will have your head!" Neither Wraith nor Revan moved even as Malak advanced towards him. The Sith stopped just a few inches away, his cold grey eyes staring into Wraith's mask. The super-soldier never budged, simply chuckling in response.

"A certain Rakata said that to me once." He mused. His crimson gazed shifted as he turned to look upon Rakata Prime. "His bones lie down there. Or somewhere else, I'm not sure. I killed a lot of them."

"I find it hard to believe that the likes of you could-" Malak was cut off completely as Wraith drew Tyth from behind and ignited it, the whoosh of crackling flame forcing the Sith to stagger back as Wraith held up his weapon. Revan still did not move, simply watching closely as Wraith displayed his unique power. His weapon was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, the kind of saber allocated to legends and stories. Wraith tilted his head as he regarded the cowed Malak, who put his own blade away.

"Believe." He simply growled, lowering his weapon. "What makes you think you are the ones to rule the galaxy? What makes you think you will be the ones to come out on top?" Wraith inquired. Malak did not respond, seeing for himself that this had to be the Demon of legend. Having done much thinking, Revan stepped forward.

"Give us your blessing, Demon." He simply asked. "We will rule and act only by your permission." Wraith slowly nodded, seeing Revan to be the level-headed, ingenius powerhouse history had made him out to be. While Malak sought confrontation, he sought conversation.

"Very well. You shall have it." Wraith agreed, putting Tyth away. He knew his words to mean little in reality, but the fact both of these Sith believed in his character meant he needed to really sell it. "But be careful you do not grow beyond your positions." He wanted again, stepping towards them.

"Why?" Malak questioned.

"The Rakata grew beyond their status and declared themselves to be 'infinite'. So I had to step in and become involved." Wraith responded, making for the door. "I will let history testify to what happens when I become involved." He added over his shoulder. Stopping before the exit, Wraith quickly devised a few final words. There was nothing for him here and he needed to move on. "May it go well with you, Revan and Malak. Be wary of using the word 'infinite', though... it tends to invoke consequences." With that, Wraith stepped through the entrance and left the bridge, the door sealing behind him. Quickly reaching into his robe, the super-soldier withdrew the red shard. "Time to leave!" He stated, clenching his fist and focusing his attention on memories of his time, specifically those of Ahsoka and Parnassos.

As he vanished in another burst of red, the door opened as Malak and Revan looked for the Demon, sensing a disturbance in the Force. Seeing nothing, both Sith quietly deduced that the legend of the Demon was far more than Rakatan superstition and went on to record their private thoughts on the matter. Malak ultimately chalked it up to an annoyance and the Demon to be no more than a pest and not the raging Dark Side power that his master had described.

But Revan would remember that day and the Demon's words for a long time to come... especially after Malak sought to grow beyond his position and was ultimately cut down by Revan himself only a few years later...


Jedi Temple - 3655 BBY

The red light faded as solid ground appeared and Wraith found himself within a room full of shelves, each lined with countless datapads. It was a sight Wraith had seen in archived information only a few times before... "The Jedi Archives..." Ηe breathed, turning around "But what year?" He did not know the layout of the Jedi Temple all that well and therefore did not know if anything in the archives had been changed over the years. "Am I back in my present time?" He wondered aloud.

Pinging his scanners, Wraith discovered he was alone and decided to have a look about the place. He started walking, traversing the many rows as he started exploring. A nearby data terminal caught his eye and Wraith quickly powered it on. Checking the internal chronometer, the date revealed left him puzzled. The system seemed wrong, the numbers didn't look right.

Then it hit him.

"This is before the Treaty of Coruscant." He realized. The Republic's dating system was only put into effect after that event had taken place, utilizing BTC and ATC to refer to years before and after, meaning dates and time were recorded a little differently before that. Since he didn't recognize the system, this must be before then... but how long?

Little did Wraith realize it was only two years before the Treaty.

Disappointed, Wraith decided to see if there was a clue that might pinpoint what era of history he was in. Something innate was driving him, he felt compelled to keep exploring. So he did, meandering through the archives until he found himself between shelves, at a set of double doors. for some reason, Wraith felt something calling him in there. He was here for some reason, there was something about that door he simply couldn't shake.

He felt drawn, led to this place... he needed to find whatever was behind this door.

He pried it opening, revealing shelves full of relics and items of interest to the Jedi. Wraith questioned if some of these might still be in the Temple of his time and, if they were, how much dust they had accumulated over the centuries.

He walked in, passing by rows of holocrons, datapads, weapons and trinkets. Very few of them caught his eye... save for a silvery-blue mask near the end of one shelf. Approaching the piece, Wraith paused to examine it, observing the lines and edges, the shape and design. It looked good, like it had been shaped and forged by a masterful crafter. Someone had taken great care in designing such a piece... but why was it of importance to the Jedi? Wraith stared into the empty black holes, longing for an answer. He might have to do some research when he returned to his time...

Suddenly, a pair of red eyes began to glow within the holes of the mask as it took on new life. A startled Wraith pulled back as a voice greeted him.

"Ah... I had sensed you would come." It said, speaking calmly. There was something cold about it, but also sophiscated. "Welcome, demon of Shili." So this mask knew of his time on Shili, as well as the persona he'd adopted. Wraith glanced around, seeing no one else with him. The voice must be coming from within his head, possibly speaking to him telepathically.

"You know me... yet I do not know you." Wraith responded.

"I am called Momin." The mask answered.

"Are you some sort of spirit, Momin?" Wraith asked. "Or does this mask have a life I do not know about?"

"Both the former and the latter, Demon. I died many years ago." Momin informed him. "But my spirit has seen fit to linger within this mask. So long as it survives, so does my life and my power." Power. That was a word that struck Wraith. This Momin was unknown to him, yet he seemed to be so assured and confident, even in speaking from beyond the grave.

"You said you sensed my arrival." Wraith continued, opting to test Momin in order to better discern who he was.

"Yes. Even in death my connection to the Force is strong and has not wavered. I was foretold I would meet you one day."

"Who told you?"

"Why, the Force, Demon." Momin replied. His reply intrigued Wraith. He'd heard about visions of the future, but there was something in the way Momin described it that seemed to hint at something... more. "It told me you would come seeking answers, and that I would have them."

"If the Force told you this much, why not tell you what I want to know as well?" Wraith responded, testing him. "If your control over the Force is so great, then how is it you do not know my very thoughts?"

"I already see one lesson you need to learn." Momin observed. Wraith cocked his head as the spirit continued. "The Dark Side is not meant to be harnessed or controlled. It is to be served above all else. I honored the Dark Side with my creative talents." That was certainly new. Beneath his mask, Wraith arched an eyebrow as he digested Momin words.

"The Sith would say that's foolhardy."

"They are the real fools, Demon. They think the Dark Side requires destructive power. They are wrong. The Dark Side likes to see displays that honor it." Momin explained. "I would know. I became a Sith because my talents were best used in the name of the Dark Side."

"What were your talents?" Wraith inquired.

"I was a sculptor, and I came to understand that if an individual did not feel anything when viewing my creations, then I had created nothing." Momin answered. "My greatest achievement was to freeze an entire city in a moment of terror. But then I was stopped by the Jedi."

"The Sith would say you were not powerful enough. That you were weak because you focused less on mastering the Force." Wraith mused, curious as to his response.

"That is what makes them weak." Momin stated. "By choosing control over servitude, the Jedi and Sith weaken themselves. They think they will grow powerful the more they learn to harness the Force... but it is the opposite that is true." He revealed. Such a notion was unheard of to Wraith. Perhaps the reason why he'd never heard of Momin was because the Jedi and Sith locked his contrary teachings away where no one else might learn of them. "Serve the Dark Side, Demon. And it will reward you." Momin promised.

"Serve? Serve who?" Wraith demanded. "The Fanged God of Jedi religion? Or some other entity?" Momin chuckled in response.

"For all your power and prestige, you really are quite simple-minded." He chided. "There is no one entity to represent the Dark Side, such notions are blasphemous! The Dark Side is the Force, as is the Light. It is everywhere, all encompassing. All you have to do is reach out to it, to accept it, to honor it and serve it." Momin stated. "It really is that simple. But power-hungry fools like the Sith overthink things and believe there is much more. The doctrine-centric Jedi bray themselves in texts and claim to dictate otherwise. But they too are fools. They think it can't be that simple... but it can."

"As I have learned." Wraith readily agreed. Momin chuckled.

"So you've met some, have you?" He wondered. Wraith nodded. "Yes... I can sense you through the Force. Your power, your potential... you are a masterpiece waiting to happen." Momin mused. "A masterful depiction of the Dark Side..."

"You are using words I do not comprehend." Wraith said. "What do you mean by 'masterpiece'?"

"Why, the things you will do!" Momin excitedly replied. "The potential you have is simply bursting at the seams, I can sense it! All it needs is the right moment, the sudden burst of fervor... Ah... I see it now."

"What do you see?"

"The moment of your ascension. The moment you hold your heart in your hand and truly grasp the power at your fingertips." Momin told him. "Yes... your life is revealed to me Demon. Your story... the Dark Side tells me it is full of chaos." Momin thoughtfully stated, dwelling on a topic both unseen and unknown to Wraith. "Ah..."

"What?" Wraith pried.

"Your story will be a living monument to the Dark Side. How marvellous! Never in all my days had I thought to create the living as a testament." Momin proclaimed. The spirit fell silent again, as though focused on what he was comprehending. Wraith was left in a state of apprehension, his curious piqued and left unsated. "Yes, yes... your story will be full of the virtues and precepts of the Dark Side. Anger, sorrow, death..." Momin trailed off, leaving the word to hang in the air. "You will die... in a sense. You will die by thrusting a blade through your heart." He suddenly stated. Wraith started, body tensing as Momin's words registered with him.

"You... I will kill myself?!" He spluttered.

"Did I say that?" Momin replied rather coyly. Wraith cocked his head.

"What are you on about, Momin?" He growled, demanding to know the truth.

"I speak only what I have witnessed. The truth behind my words is for you and you alone to discover." The Sith replied, unwilling to go further. "The Force is telling... but it speaks in riddles."

"As do you, it would seem." Wraith surmised.

"Perhaps I am one with the Force then." Momin quipped. "No. Not yet." He said to himself. Wraith shook his head. Spirits were strange ones. "Heed my message, Demon. The true path to power is travelled on bent knee. Serve the Dark Side, do not try to control it, and it will bestow great blessings upon you the likes of which you cannot fathom." Momin continued.

"Are they blessings? Or curses in disguise?" Wraith inquired, having seen individuals become consumed beyond recognition by the Dark Side. He wondered if the allure lay in power, but the price was paid in wretched servitude, forever lost and destined to become a shadow of who they once were.

But the Sith before him stated otherwise.

"Oh, Demon," Momin sighed, as if disappointed in him, "when the Dark Side gives, it gives freely and in great abundance. The power you will possess, many could only long for." The way he spoke, with such certainty about the future, gave Wraith pause. What did Momin see? What did he know about him? He seemed insightful and trustworthy, and the notion of power seemed so promising... But Wraith wasn't Force-sensitive. Never before had he ever displayed powers like a Jedi or a Sith. What power was he destined to receive? "Now, use that shard and be on your way." Momin instructed. Wraith started again, looking down at his clenched fist.

"You know what this is? Tell me more." He urgently demanded. Perhaps this Sith knew how to better control it and how to return him to his time.

"I cannot. That is a path you must travel alone. No one may help you on that quest." Momin denied, his voice growing quieter. "Go now Demon. You don't want to be late for what is to come..." He added, the light in his eyes fading away.

"Momin?" Wraith called after him, seeing the light die. "Momin!" But the spirit had faded, the eyes gone and the mask reduced to a simple artifact once more. Wraith reached out and touched the mask, but nothing happened in response. The spirit of Momin had faded, it was done talking to him.

Wraith paused to reflect on what he'd learned, taking a moment to mentally contemplate and catalogue each thing the ancient Sith had said. He seemed different from the others. The other Sith Wraith had encountered all seemed to radiate a passionate sense of vengeance coupled with a subdued hatred. But Momin seemed calm and collected, wise and sophisticated. His voice did not radiate seething fervor or fiery wrath. Perhaps there was something to be learned from his words. Maybe the Force wasn't the impersonal yet emotional thing Wraith believed it to be. Maybe it did need to be treated like a person after all...

Wraith left the room of relics, fishing the shard out of his pocket as he did. He hoped this next jump would take him home as he had much thinking and researching to do. Casting one last look at the room and the distant shape of Momin's mask, he let out a brief chuckle. "Out of all the Sith I've met... I think I like him the best." He mused, before concentrating on the memories of his own time and vanishing with a burst of red energy.


Coruscant - 3653 BBY

The red came to an end, dropping Wraith out into yet another room.

Only this time, the situation was drastically different.

Within a split second, Wraith took a moment to analyze the situation. To his left was Darth Malgus and before them both was an army of Jedi. Malgus stood alone, his Sith Troopers nowhere to be seen. Just as Malgus turned to him, Wraith recalled Momin's final, parting words

"You don't want to be late for what is to come..."

Perhaps this was that moment. Arriving any later and Malgus would've been besieged by the Jedi. Wraith knew how history played out, Malgus would be victorious, but maybe his efforts with the shard had caused a temporal ripple that might change some aspects. He didn't know for certain but, taking Momin's words to heart, he decided to intervene.

Standing beside Malgus, Wraith drew Tyth from behind him, igniting his firesaber. Malgus watched him in quiet awe. He recognized him from the writings of Darth Malak and Darth Revan, his description matching the Iron Demon of Rakatan legend. His power was said to be vast, his nature like that of the Dark Side incarnate.

He was about to find out.

The two allies of Darkness shared a silent nod of understanding as they stood shoulder to shoulder. The Jedi rushed them, uncaring for who the newcomer was. Malgus and Wraith laid into them, their combined power more than a match for the Jedi of ancient history. Together they attacked the forces of the Light with unfettered hatred and unmatched power, the fiery blade of Tyth carving through them as The Wraith brought his combat skills to bear against his thousand-year old opponents while Malgus did similarly beside him. They shared no words, only glances as they butchered the Jedi Order. But to Malgus, each glance from the Demon spoke volumes, like an unsung prophecy was being revealed to him. Each glance told a different story; "This is right", "This is destiny", "This is the way". Unspoken affirmations drove the Sith Lord onwards, determined to put an end to the Light here and now. He pressed on, bound and driven, leaving the Demon behind as he unleashed his fury upon the Jedi. Wraith watched him go, seeing this situation as being under control, and no longer felt a need to aid him.

By the time the Jedi in the hall had been devastated, only Malgus was left standing. Sensing a disturbance in the Force, the armored Sith rose and turned around... but the Iron Demon was nowhere to be seen.


Ruusan - 1000 BBY

Stumbling out of the red light one more time, Wraith found himself on another world. "For kriff sakes... this isn't Parnassos either!" He grumbled, wishing he could simply pound this stone into dust, if not for the fact that he needed its power.

This shard had taken him on quite the trip, bounding across the eons in a slow path back to where he belonged in time. Along the way, Wraith had been able to behold some truly remarkable events in galactic history. The sack of Coruscant had been an interesting thing to witness, and Wraith made special note to observe the tactics and methods Darth Malgus used to almost conquer the planet in its entirety. He also made note of the one flaw that cost him total victory: his willingness to heed the cries of Republic leaders and accept a truce.

It served as a reminder to never give an enemy what they want, as they will likely use it against you.

With a sigh, Wraith made to examine his surroundings. The world was a rocky desert, with actual tan sand this time, and appeared inhospitable and dry. In the cloudless sky above, the massive sun beat down on him mercilessly, no shade around for him to use as cover. Wraith pulled the edge of his cloak further over his face to keep out the glare as he continued searching. He could see no visible signs of settlement and wondered for split second what in the universe he was doing there.

But that's when he turned around... and saw the stairs leading up.

Curious, Wraith made for the base and started to climb. One foot after another, Wraith gradually ascended higher up the incline. The way was long and the stairs numerous, he stopped counting after twenty. The top, the very edge of whatever he was climbing was coming into view. The sun continued to beat down, the glare that pierced his gaze every time he looked up was unbearable. Wraith kept his head down as he neared the top, simply watching each stair that he walked on. Finally, a flat even ground appeared before him and Wraith knew he was at the summit.

But before he could look up, the telltale snap-hiss of a lightsaber caused him to pause as a crimson blade was pointed at his chest.

"Stop right there stranger." The voice of a man commanded. "I sensed you coming long before you arrived. You trespass on Sith grounds, identify yourself." Wraith did not recognize him and raised his head, his eyes widening as his gaze laid upon the man before him.

It was Skere Kaan. Better known as Darth Kaan; ruler of the Brotherhood of Darkness.

Behind him, the members of the last Sith Council stood assembled, watching their leader confront him. Wraith pieced together he was a couple thousand years after the Treaty of Coruscant, putting him close to the end of the New Sith Wars. And if the Sith Council was here, then they must be on Ruusan.

But when?

There were seven battles for Ruusan, each one deadlier and costlier than the last. Wraith knew he needed to find out in order to speak properly. These Sith, like all the others, would be able to see through any lies he might tell. He needed to be awfully convincing...

"Tell me, Sith," Wraith began, lifting his hood so his 'face' could be seen, "is this how you treat all your visitors?" Kaan's expression changed from inquisitive to shocked, his arm dropping and lightsaber switching off as he comprehended the sight before him. Several Sith behind him, the more studious ones, started conversing among themselves, just as surprised as their leader.

"It can't be..." Kaan gasped, "the Iron Demon?!"

"Ah, so you do know me. Then I suppose I'm really no stranger after all." Wraith mused, taking a step closer. At 6' 3", Kaan was only an inch shorter than Wraith, making the two almost equal in terms of physiology. But it was the sheer presence brought on by Wraith's Iron Demon getup that granted him the advantage.

"The writings of Malgus spoke so highly of you. To see that you are here among us, at this time, surely it is a good omen!" Kaan announced with a joyous look. His statement to Wraith suggested the battle of Ruusan must be close at hand... but was it the final one?

"I have been omen for many things, Kaan. Why do you call me 'good'?" A curious Wraith inquired, trying to make it sound like he were testing the Sith Lord.

"Your presence signals doom and misfortune for those in power! The Jedi come for us, but seeing as you have arrived, surely that marks the beginning of their demise!" Kaan answered. "I always knew their end would come. But seeing you here, and now, I am even more certain." There was a sense of giddiness about him, but Wraith could not deny the charming aura Kaan had about him. He seemed like an honest man... for a Sith Lord.

"You deduce well, Skere Kaan." Wraith replied, quickly falling into the character he'd crafted over this strange adventure. His words of praise produced another smile from the Dark One. "I have come with the sole purpose of visitation, to bear witness to this mighty collective of Sith not unlike me in nature. They stand tall against the Jedi, ready to prove themselves superior."

"We are honored by your presence, mighty Demon." Skere replied with a smile and a slight bow, something Wraith noted.

"You show me such respect, but I have done nothing to earn it." He mused.

"What more is there to say? History testifies to your mighty works." Kaan replied. "I have already mentioned Darth Malgus, but the likes of Darth Malak also mention you, though you appear to be more than his assumptions."

"Is that so?" Wraith mused.

"Though to some, you're just a legend. Nothing more than written words." A new voice bluntly declared. Kaan turned around with a furious look as Wraith looked up, spying a lone armored female at the forefront of the group.

"And what am I to you, Githany?" Wraith inquired. The Sith lady could not hide her initial shock at Wraith using her name, but quickly shook it off in favor of her scowl.

"You know me?" She demanded.

"I know you all." Wraith casually told her. "Kopecz, Bane, I am fully aware of who you all are." He said, gesturing to the group. "Now, I ask again, what am I to you, Githany?"

"A man in armored robes. Someone who can fall just as easily as anyone else." Githany boldly replied. Well, she's not wrong. Wraith thought to himself. Still, it might be worthwhile for him to flex his combat prowess. It would good for him to get some training in against a Sith.

"You seek proof. Go ahead then, test me." He offered. Githany sought no further invitation and, with a smug grin, drew and ignited her crimson lightwhip. Wraith watched with intrigue as she cracked it in the air while on approach, the weapon new to him while the mechanics and core aspects still the same as a vibro or electrowhip. Githany moved quickly, her abilities enhanced by the Force. Leaping high into the air, the SIth lady spun and built up momentum, lashing out her arm and channeling it into her whip. Wraith drew his axe as the whip cracked around, using the blade to parry Githany's attack. The tip of the lightwhip bounced harmlessly off his blade as Githany landed on the ground. Gaze shooting up with a look of consternation, obviously not anticipating the impervious nature of his axe, Githany made to attack again and drew her lightsaber as well.

"For being a Demon, there's not much about you that's demonic." She jabbed, rushing forward to attack Wraith once again. Whipping one hand forward, her lightsaber went flying through the air like bladed death. Wraith blocked with a gauntlet raised at the perfect time, the lightsaber spiralling away as Githany continued her assault, whip pulled back and ready to strike. But Wraith quickly stowed his axe in favor of Tyth and lit the fiery blade before driving it into the ground, generating a wall of flame that rebuffed Githany's whip. The Sith looked on in shocked awe, Githany among them. "By the nine hells of Tartaka!" She swore, slowing down as Wraith pulled his weapon back. Stabbing forward, a column a flame burst towards Githany, the powerful Force fire enough to knock her down. The observing Sith were amazed by the Demon's sheer control over fire. They could all sense his fiery essence, but to see it in use... surely he channelled his fire from within and controlled it like an extension of himself. Putting Tyth away, Wraith approached the fallen Githany.

"Have you found your proof?" He asked, offering her a hand. Githany simply frowned and batted his hand aside, picking herself up. "See now that the legends are true." Wraith growled, turning to the assembled Sith. "Let it be known, without further question, that I am the Iron Demon." He declared.

"Few of us ever questioned your validity." Kaan stated. "Forgive dear Githany. She's not what you call 'spiritual'."

"Understandable." Wraith responded. "But you'll find I'm not so spiritual either. I understand mortal life just as well as you all."

"Are you not of the Force?" Kopezc asked as he drew closer to the Demon.

"In a sense. I am not the embodiment of the Force." The Demon answered, quickly making up a believable story he'd slowly been crafting over his many visits. "But the Force is within me too, for with it I transcend age and reality. I view the course of history as if it is one moment passing before me." That sounded like a spectral entity... maybe even god-like. "I am timeless, Kopecz."

"It is... hard to comprehend." The Twi'lek Sith quietly mused.

"Of course. I would not expect a mortal to grasp the concepts practiced by a being like myself. I transcend all manner of reality, Master Kopecz, moving as I will to where I need to be."

"The writings are true... you are like the Force itself." The aged Qordis stated, seeing the power the Demon had over fire just like his fellow Sith had.

"But I am not 'the' Force itself, Master Qordis." Wraith replied. "I embody much of the Dark Side, yes, but I am not 'the' Dark Side. I simply have a far stronger connection than any mortal, as I have been steeped in its power for eons."

"Tell us more Demon." Qordis urged him, his greedy nature seeking the power of the Demon. Wraith paused to consider his options, recalling his various studies into the backgrounds of the Jedi and the Sith. He needed something believable, something he could capitalize on in order to cement his reputation with them.

"The gods of Mortis the Jedi look up to." He finally said. "You may consider me like them."

"They are real?" An astonished Kopecz asked.

"Oh yes. Flawed, faulty and otherwise useless, but real." Wraith affirmed. "My species exists below them, but we are as timeless as they are, with an eternal reach throughout history."

"Time demons..." Kopezc breathed.

"A fanciful term. I simply prefer the title I earned when the ancient Rakata cried out in fear. They cast their gaze upon me and screamed in fear the name which I go by." Wraith stated.

"The Iron Demon." Qordis mused, Wraith offering but a simple nod of affirmation.

"Tell us Demon, you have seen the future, are we to succeed against the Jedi?" Kaan inquired. Now at a dangerous crossroads, Wraith feared throwing the future into chaos with a simple act of imbalance. History had to be perfectly maintained in order for his present to remain intact.

"I cannot speak of the future to any mortal in their present time." He replied, once again taking on a celestial and otherworldly tone. "But I will say this; what transpires in the coming days will direct the course of history forever." He added, only hinting at the outcome of their battle with neutral words.

"A good omen indeed." Kaan agreed. "Come Demon, join us for a moment." He offered with hand extended.

"For only a moment." Wraith agreed.

Kaan and his Sith Council basked in the presence of the Iron Demon for a time, Wraith regaling them with stories from his onslaughts on both Lehon and Coruscant to wow the weak-minded and using the power of Tyth to convince others of his superiority. These Sith really were a foolish lot, he supposed, and was not alone in that conclusion. Darth Kaan seemed hellbent on commemorating this occasion, much to the disdain of the likes of Bane and Githany, whose belief in their leader already hung by a thread. To see him appear so giddy before this rather insignificant-looking being made him look more like a child than the leader of the Sith. While Githany begrudgingly decided to stick with the Brotherhood, still believing that the Skere Kaan she once knew might be salvaged through loyalty, Bane chose a more direct path and made plans to leave the Sith Council and the Brotherhood behind once and for all. He would not abandon the Sith, only this incarnation of it. Perhaps it was time for a new order, a new rule, to be established...

Wraith had not come here to be lauded by Skere Kaan, but the praise was a notable asset to his character's profile. However, the amount of animosity coming off of Bane was painfully obvious, so much so he didn't need the Force to sense it. Wraith knew how history unfolded, he knew what was to happen and also understood that these events needed to happen lest his own future be thrown into disarray.

Perhaps it was time to nudge things in the right direction...

That evening, as the moons of Ruusan rose high in the sky, a lone Bane was approached by the Iron Demon.

"I know you think little of me, Bane." He began, standing beside the hooded Sith.

"I suppose I am not one for the 'higher spirituality' the Jedi tend to preach." Bane gruffly responded. "To me, the Force is a question of fervor and power, not some astral machinations."

"A wise course of thought." Wraith praised. "I came here not for Kaan's praises, but to see you. I know what the future holds and while I will not tell you of it, I am here to ensure all goes according to plan." He revealed. That intrigued Bane, but only a little.

"What can you tell me?"

"That Kaan's weaknesses will drive him to madness." The Demon informed him. Bane nodded solemnly, having sensed such a time was coming. Kaan was many things to many people, but at his core he was weak in both will and mind.

"So it is good I leave this collective once and for all." He mused.

"Yes. Though you must do so on good terms with Kaan. He will seek to speak with you at a pivotal moment, and you will answer him." The Demon continued, offering only vague details into what the future held.

"What shall I tell him?" Bane inquired, now a little more invested.

"Three words," the Demon said, looking to him, "the Thought Bomb."

Bane asked no more of the Demon, but did see the suggested ritual as a means to an end. A means to wipe out the old and disorderly failure that was the Brotherhood of Darkness and replace it with a better, stronger way for the Sith to follow.

After the Demon left him, Bane pondered the notion in his writings, recalling the Demon's final words to him. He would mark it down and eventually use it as the founding principle that would guide the Sith for centuries to come.

Skere's proclamation of the Iron Demon's arrival as a good omen resonated with his followers and they believed they would be victorious over the Jedi Lord's coming for them as the Battle of Ruusan unfolded. When pushed to their limit, Darth Kaan sought out Bane before the final battle and Bane gave the answer the Iron Demon had told him. As Bane departed with his apprentice, Kaan then asked his followers to join him in the detonation of a Thought Bomb to level their enemies, telling them, in his lunacy, that the Iron Demon had informed him they would be powerful enough to survive its effects.

They were not.

As the Sith were swept away they realized the deception too little too late, Kaan himself realizing that the Iron Demon's arrival had been far from a good omen as his body was turned to ash and lifeforce used to annihilate Lord Hoth's Jedi. Just as the Iron Demon had appeared to the Rakata and ended their empire, to Malak and Revan only for their attempted empire to be undone, to Malgus only for his plan to totally destroy the Republic to be halted, so too had he appeared before the Brotherhood of Darkness... and had effectively ended them.

Darth Bane would later look upon these accounts and determine in his writings that the appearance of the Iron Demon was a curse upon the Sith, and that his presence would spell their impending, if not immediate, doom.


Thune - 38 BBY

The light faded and Wraith found himself on a rooftop under a night sky. This greatly surprised him, having expected yet another durasteel corridor. But considering he'd just left the openness of Ruusan behind, he supposed anything was possible. Assuming there may be some purpose for this visit as well, Wraith adjusted his scanners and started looking around. He discovered a vast city skyline, illuminated both by millions of twinkling lights as well as the massive white moon above. It seemed to resemble Coruscant, but there was something that didn't seem quite right. The cityscape was too small, seemingly clustered around one center and not vast and sprawling.

Before he could contemplate further, Wraith's scanners picked up a thermal reading as well as distant radio chatter. Adjusting his audio receptors, Wraith went on the prowl.

"Tahget's in pahsition. Jus' say tha word an' he's done fo'." Rounding a corner, Wraith caught sight of a person kneeling on an adjacent rooftop, a sniper rifle in hand. If the Wild Space accent wasn't a dead giveaway, then the shape of his face and body were unmistakable.

It was a young Corsair.

Wraith's eyes widened at the discovery, taking a moment to analyze Corsair's face without the scars and without the goatee. He still wore the same bandanna around his head, another clear and obvious giveaway. Realizing he had the drop on his future foe, Wraith was suddenly determined to end Corsair here and now and drew his blaster pistol, taking aim right at the future merc's head.

And then an ear-splitting ringing filled his head.

Akin to the worst possible headache amplified by a thousand, Wraith lost all sense of focus and control as he clutched his head, desperate to put an end to this head-splitting pain. His arm dropped as Wraith fell to his knees, growling in pain. He could feel some warning in the back of his mind as he tried to regain control, trying to get even a single shot off at Corsair. It was like something was telling him 'Don't do it'. He had no idea what that reason was, but the more he struggled against it, the more the pain intensified. The ringing simply wouldn't stop.

Wraith fished out the stone with his free hand, determined to get out of here. He cast a glance up, just in time to spot Corsair's gaze fixed on him. Their eyes locked for a split second before Wraith vanished and everything turned into red light again.


Shili - 33 BBY

Wraith was unceremoniously deposited onto a stone floor by the time the light dissipated. Thankfully, the ringing had stopped, giving him a moment to recover. "Ow." He growled, collapsing onto his side. Putting his pistol away first, Wraith lay still for a second as his senses came back to him. "What the actual hell was that?" He grumbled aloud, both confused and annoyed by the suddenness of it all.

As things calmed down, he realized he had made a blind jump, not really focusing on where this stone would take him out of a desperation to leave the pain behind. This sobered him quickly and Wraith instantly became alert. Picking himself up, he didn't immediately recognize his surroundings. He was in a building, one made of stone with wide and tall windows allowing copious amounts of sunlight in. Shoving the stone back into its pocket, Wraith did a quick turnaround and discovered that the room was rounded, but small. "Where... is this...?" He slowly asked, both curious and uncertain.

His scanners suddenly picked up movement behind him and Wraith whirled about just in time to see a small shape dart behind a distant stone column. Based on the small stature, Wraith assumed the being in question was a child, and carefully approached before kneeling down only a short distance away. He could see the outline of someone cowering in the shadow, one wide eye peeking out to look at him. "It's alright little one, you have nothing to be afraid of." He whispered, hoping they would believe him. He stretched out his hand, offering it to them in a sign of passive friendship. Ever so slowly, the child left its hiding place and approached him, stepping into the light to reveal themselves. "Oh sweet Force..." Wraith gasped, suddenly realizing who this was.

It was Ahsoka... she was only three years old.

Though everything about her was small and her facial markings were not fully developed, Wraith recognized her in a heartbeat. His breathing still as Ahsoka drew closer, her hands held together in a fearful expression of nervousness.

"M-Monster?" She quietly wondered with a trembling lip. Wraith realized his appearance would surely be enough to frighten a child and felt bad.

"Mi nah monster." He whispered, Ahsoka's gaze perking up at hearing the language of her people. "Mi nah k'ya scare yeh. Mi nah hurt yeh." He promised. And he meant it. The infant Ahsoka seemed to grow a little bolder and got even closer to him, reaching out to touch the tip of his extended fingers. Her little hand clasped his digits and she looked up with a small smile as her confidence grew. "Och? Mi friend." Wraith whispered. Ahsoka continued to smile brightly as she took a few steps closer, still grasping his fingers. She stumbled a little, but Wraith snapped out his free hand and gently caught her before she could fall entirely. He lifted her up and she giggled, causing Wraith to do so as well. Seeing Ahsoka so young and innocent, before the war and before the Jedi, sparked a newfound love for her within Wraith. He watched her act like a normal child, curious and full of wonder, as she reached out to touch his mask. Wraith let her little fingers land on the smooth design of his tactical visor. He watched with amazement as she suddenly used the Force to pull it off, revealing his helmet beneath. "So powerful... even now." He breathed, amazed by what she was capable of. Ahsoka played with her newfound toy as Wraith retracted his mask, exposing his mouth and chin.

"E'dai! E'dai!" Ahsoka playfully cried, holding up his 'face' as Wraith set her on his bent knee.

"Ku. Du e'dai." He responded, unable to stop himself from smiling. Watching Ahsoka, she suddenly became even more real to him. Somewhere there was a woman who gave birth to her, a man who was proud to call her his daughter. She had parents, the potential for a family, maybe even siblings.

He wondered if they could hear about her exploits, read the news and see their daughter at the forefront. A renown commander, fighting for the Republic, a pioneer of military and combat maneuvers. He wondered if they were proud of her... or missed her...

"E-Excuse me." A voice said from behind him. Wraith was suddenly jarred from his reverie as he realized someone was with them. Gently taking his visor from Ahsoka and quickly putting his headgear back together, Wraith set the little Togruta down as he stood. "You'll pardon me sir, I..." the man continued as Wraith turned to face him. The individual in question was a human wearing the robe of a Jedi. His stubbly features and wild black hair as well as the wide and frightened eyes gave Wraith pause. One look at his dark and foreboding form and the man seemed to be overcome with fear... something most Jedi would not actively show. "I am of the Jedi Order and I have come for the child." He plainly said. His words registered, but Wraith knew how history had unfolded. Plo Koon, a Kel Dor, was the one to find Ahsoka and take her to the Jedi Temple... not whoever this was.

Something was wrong.

"If that's the case 'Master Jedi', show me your lightsaber." Wraith demanded with a low growl, now certain that something was wrong.

"My... yes. O-Of course." The man responded, reaching for his belt. The hesitation in his voice was enough for Wraith and, the instant he saw the blaster, he attacked. Knowing a three-year old Ahsoka was in the room, Wraith reigned in his bloodthirsty desire in favour of striking with a few simple chops to the neck and a punch to the temple, effectively knocking Ahsoka's would-be kidnapper out cold. The man sagged forward and into his arms as Wraith caught him, and he turned to see Ahsoka watching him with widened eyes.

"Nehl sleeping." He quickly told her. "Yeh stay. Mi put him ke bed." Ahsoka nodded in understanding as Wraith quickly hoisted the imposter over his shoulder and carried him outside.

He dumped the man a good distance away from the building and he realized he was back on Shili. It was far from a world of empty savannas now, having been advanced as time continued on. He checked the stranger over, finding no means of identification and assuming him to be a pirate or smuggler of some sort. Suddenly worried about the possibilities of others, Wraith turned and raced back towards the building... but was stopped as he picked up a multitude of thermal signatures. Wraith stopped and crouched just below one of the windows, watching as a crowd of adult Togruta surrounded both Plo Koon and the infant Ahsoka. The Kel Dor knelt before her, hand extended, and Ahsoka reached for him.

Though disappointed to see her go, Wraith knew all would be well and that history remained the same. Seeing Ahsoka again, he felt a strong desire to return to his time and Wraith fished the stone from out of his robes.

"See you soon, my dear." He whispered as a bright red light enveloped him.


Naboo, Nuvo Vindi's Laboratory - 21 BBY

It was becoming a familiar sight, plain durasteel walls lining a long corridor, and Wraith was growing increasingly frustrated with every stop that wasn't Parnassos. "Now where am I?" He grumbled. "Is it too much to ask to take me back to my own place in time?!" He asked in exasperation. Tucking the stone away, Wraith checked his scanners and discovered the darkened nature of the corridor, backlit only by red alarm lights. "Why do I get the feeling something's off..." He quietly mused, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. Wraith quickly performed a chemical and molecular sweep of the room, seeking out the possibility of foreign particles that might lend to his feelings of uneasiness.

His sensors began to display a list... and one chemical compound that shocked him, as it matched something stored in his database. "Blue Shadow..." He realized as his sensors registered each molecular component. Wraith knew it well as one jump had brought him to its origin thousands of years ago. He had watched as the airborne incarnation swept across the galaxy, killing millions while he stood by and watched.

He'd read about the virus once before and seeing it in action had brought him to realize just how devastating it could be.

Questioning who owned this lab and why traces of a supposedly dead disease were now in the air, Wraith started moving, adjusting his scanners as he did. It wasn't long before he came across the familiar form of offline B1 droids. "Thank the stars... I think I'm back!" He cried, breathing a sign of relief. Each droid bore a scorch mark that tore through the internal circuitry, indicating they'd been shot and leading him to a conclusion. If this was a Separatist lab, then it was before his time as a prominent figure and before he was privy to such secretive endeavours like this one.

He hadn't read much into germ-warfare... but wasn't there something-...

His scanners suddenly registered thermal signatures not far ahead. Picking himself up, Wraith got a move on and traced the signatures to around a corner and he braced himself up against a wall while listening as his audio receptors picked up voices.

"What a waste." The voice was feminine and one he recognized.

"With all due respect senator, it's what these men were born to do." Clones... and Senator Amidala.

"I hope that their sacrifice brings us closer to peace." The senator continued. Wraith paused to wonder where he was that would involve Padme and Clones discussing something in such grave terms. Then there was another fit of coughing, coming from someone else based on the pitch.

Wraith's eyes widened as soon as he heard their voice.

"It will, Padme. *cough* you just, got to believe..." Wraith and Padme uttered the same name simultaneously.

"Ahsoka!" Acting on instinct, Wraith rounded the corner without any thought to secrecy. Entering the room, he saw Padme, Rex, a few Clones, Jar Jar Binks... and a very sick Ahsoka, seemingly unconscious in Rex's arms.

His sudden presence caused them all to look to him and react with shock and surprise. But Wraith couldn't care less about them, his gaze drawn only to Ahsoka. Given the lack of protective gear and the sickly state of them all, Wraith concluded they had all been infected. But if Ahsoka was passed out, then she was in a worse state of infection... and that much closer to death.

"Oh no..." He breathed, breaking into a run.

"Stop... Stop right there!" Rex commanded, his statement interrupted by a cough. "Who are you?" Wraith slowed to a halt, but did not answer. His mind was busy, quickly piecing this all together. Jar Jar was still alive and none of them recognized him, meaning that none of them had encountered The Wraith as of yet. Based upon Ahsoka's tube top, an outfit he saw her wear once near the beginning of the Clone Wars, Wraith assumed this was early on in the war. "Who are you?!" Rex demanded again, a little firmer this time.

"I am more than you could ever imagine Rex." Wraith answered. The Clone seemed taken aback by the mention of his name by this unknown figure he'd never encountered before. "You do not know me, but I have no ill intentions. Let me see her." He requested. Maybe this was what Momin was talking about... that which he should not be late for... Although looking reluctant, Rex did so, letting Wraith take hold of Ahsoka's body and lift her into his arms. He knelt, cradling her close, able to see the damage better. Her veins were darkened, skin looking pale, and for a moment Wraith was briefly reminded of the dark version of her that used to torment him.

But this was her, the real Ahsoka. Having spent what felt like an eternity travelling through history, Wraith was relieved to see her again... even if she did not love him yet.

And she wouldn't, unless he could get this virus under control.

Wraith pondered his few options, recalling what he could about Blue Shadow. It was a viral infection and spreading through her blood. Given how she was alive and well in the future suggested to him she did survive this... but at this stage of infection, that didn't seem likely.

Then it hit him. Bur's counteragent. He still had it! Its eroding effects should break the virus up enough to keep her alive until a cure arrived.

Reaching inside his robe, Wraith withdrew the bottle of white liquid.

"What are... What are you doing?" Rex questioned between coughs.

"I have something that should slow the rate of infection." He responded, lifting the lid.

"Please... give us some too." Padme begged, coughing as she did.

"There's only enough for one dose." Wraith responded. "And I need to give it to her."

"Why?" The Senator asked. Wraith did not immediately respond, trying to come up with an answer. He needed to keep his real identity a secret and what better way than to add a little extra flourish to his current persona.

"You have not seen what I've seen. The future... it depends on her survival." He told her.

"Are you... from the future?" She asked, some of the Clones now leaning forward as they grew invested in the conversation. Wraith chuckled internally. They had no idea what was going on... hell, he'd probably kill some of them at a later date, if they didn't succumb to this virus.

"I am omnipresent. I chose to manifest my spirit now and intervene." He replied, speaking the first idea that came to mind and recalling his talk with Skere Kaan and the Sith. "Now be silent. And let me work." He commanded. Tilting Ahsoka's head ever so slightly, Wraith gently opened her mouth and poured the contents down her throat. Ensuring she had ingested it, Wraith returned Ahsoka to a resting position within his arms, watching her intently for signs of change. "Du d'bhem," he whispered, "mi need yeh." Cupping her face, Wraith held her close as her veins became less obvious, the dark within them fading a little as the dark around her eyes lessened as well. Eventually, much to everyone's relief, Ahsoka coughed and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, looking tired and weak, but still managed to regard the dark being with red eyes with shock and surprise.

"Who... W-Who are you...?" She weakly asked, gazing up with big blue eyes full of wonder and curiosity. Beneath his mask, Wraith couldn't help but smile.

It were as though he'd discovered his love for her all over again.

"I am on your side." He whispered, gently stroking her cheek. "You will survive this." He promised.

"Wha... W-What about them?" Ahsoka asked, pointing to Padme and the Clones.

"They will too." Wraith assured her. If the future was anything to go by, this virus would not kill either Rex or Padme. "Rest now, my dear. Save your strength." He encouraged, setting Ahsoka down and leaning her up against a crate.

"Thank you..." She whispered. Wraith stroked her cheek one last time, confident in Ahsoka's survival. He rose and made to leave, even as Padme doubled over in a coughing fit.

"Please..." She begged his retreating form, feeling weak-kneed and lightheaded, "Help..."

"A figment of your imagination cannot help you..." Wraith responded over his shoulder, before rounding the corner and disappearing from sight.

"Wait...!" Rex called, stumbling after him. But as he also rounded the corner, the figure was nowhere to be seen... and left him scratching his head as he returned to Padme.

In the aftermath of Naboo, none of the survivors ever reported seeing a shadowy figure that restored Ahsoka's consciousness. The Togruta herself could not even recall the moment and so they all wrote it off as being a figment of their infected minds, the virus having likely altered their perceptions to the point of near-lunacy. Jar Jar always believed otherwise, but his lone report was not enough to convince anyone. The Gungan took the memory of what he witnessed to his grave...


Medical Frigate TB-73 - 21 BBY

Emerging from the red, Wraith found himself within another durasteel corridor, this one very familiar.

"Why does this look like a ship?" He wondered aloud. Checking his sensors, he quickly found his answer. "Because it is a damn ship." He grumbled. He was reading a high energy output, the radiation matching common Republic vessels. But then he observed another reading that made him pause. "Wait... why is it so cold?" He could feel it very faintly through his armor, the air around him was cooled, below the average of any ship. "Massive temperature drop, way below normal levels... practically freezing." He realized, thermal sensors registering very low levels all across the ship. Adjusting the settings, Wraith began to trace the temperature readings, curious to see if he could find the source. His sensors led him down hallways, past collapsed Clones... and frozen worms lying on the ground. He examined one briefly, recognizing it to be a fabled Geonosian brain worm, a creature which could supposedly bring the dead back to life... as well as corrupt the living. A file had been available on the Separatist databank and he'd read it once.

But he couldn't remember it being used against the Republic.

Continuing to track the cold, Wraith followed the drops in temperature, each step leading him towards the coldest part of the ship which was likely the origin for this change. It eventually led him to , the door sealed. His thermal sensors showed two new signatures behind it, both of them bodies with rapidly decreasing temperature.

Wraith hit the door release and gasped upon setting his eyes on who was inside.

Ahsoka and Barriss Offee lay on the ground huddled together. A dying brain worm lay not far from Barriss', her body looking much weaker than Ahsoka's. The poor Togruta was shivering, trying to stay alive while keeping her unconscious friend warm. How long had she been in the cold for? Wraith didn't know, but knew he needed to act. "'Soka..." He breathed, kneeling by her side in an instant. She was cold to the touch as his glove traced her bare arm. She still wore a tube top, the same one from Naboo. This had to be early on in the war as well and he made a note to look into the brain worms later. If this was just after the second battle of Geonosis, his younger self might be on the planet now, laying waste to a Republic depot.

But enough about timing, he had bigger concerns.

He had to warm Ahsoka up, get her body temperature back up to an acceptable level, or at least above frostbite and hypothermia until help arrived. Just like Naboo, given she was around in the future she likely survived this. But to what extent? Being alone in the cold could take a toll on anybody. Deducing the thermal conductors in his armor would do the trick, Wraith pulled Ahsoka away from Barriss and into his arms where it would be much warmer. She was barely awake, in a state somewhere between passed out and just barely clinging to consciousness. Feeling the sudden change in posture, Ahsoka looked up to see the dark, red-eyed being above her again.

"I... I-I-I remember y-you..." she whispered through chattering teeth, "y-you were on N-Naboo... you s-saved me." Wraith nodded, her recollection precise and accurate.

It suddenly struck him that her future self had never raised this issue with him and Wraith was left wondering what Ahsoka believed about Naboo in his time.

"W-Who are y-you?" She asked. He wanted to tell her the truth but couldn't for fear of upsetting future events. Their relationship had to unfold the way it did.

"Someone who cares about you very much." He answered, holding her close. "Someone who wants to make sure you're safe."

"M-My own p-personal guardian." She quipped. Wraith couldn't resist chuckling at that.

"Are you well?" He inquired.

"I'm f-f-fine." She answered, despite her chattering teeth. She really wasn't dressed for the cold. "Wha... W-What about B-B-Barriss?" She asked. Given how the future unfolded, Wraith was confident in his answer.

"She too will live. The dying remnants of the brain worm have seen to that." Wraith told her.

"A-Are you r-real?" She asked.

"What do you think?" He wondered. The shivering girl took a moment to assemble an answer.

"I... I-I-I think my fr-frostbitten m-mind is i-imagining th-things." Ahsoka responded. Wraith lightly chuckled.

"For a busy young woman, you have an active imagination." He stated.

"M-My m-master says it c-could get me in t-trouble." Ahsoka said with a smile, despite the cold.

"The galaxy needs more active thinkers. Do not lose that spark." Wraith encouraged her. He held her for a few more minutes before his thermal sensors picked up new seat signatures, almost a dozen of them, roaming the halls and working their way here. "I must go now." He gently told her, slowly easing her back next to Barriss. Ahsoka did feel a little warmer now and was determined to keep her friend alive.

"Th-Thank you..." She stammered as Wraith rose. He turned around to leave when Ahsoka called after him. "W-Wait!" He paused, wondering what she wanted. "Will... W-Will I s-s-see you a-... a-again?" She asked, almost hopefully.

"When the time is right." He responded. Wraith then stepped through the door and, as soon as it shut behind him, fished the shard from out of his robe.

Maybe he would arrive back in the present this time...

Mere moments after he vanished, Kit Fisto and a company of Clones arrived to take Ahsoka and Barriss to the medical station.

In the aftermath of her ordeal, Ahsoka chalked up the sighting of the shadowy man to her scattered senses and wandering mind, simply a figment of her imagination that had been conjured up by the sub-zero temperatures and the harrowing nature of the brain worm attack. In believing such a thing, she did not report it to anyone... but did wonder for a fleeting moment if seeing him twice in a row was either coincidence or fate...


Coruscant - 20 BBY

As the Jedi returned to the Temple with ill news concerning the fate of Daav Philo'nis, Ahsoka couldn't help but feel something bugging her. Something from deep within the recesses of her mind that had been triggered during her first sighting of The Wraith. The outfit, the bright red optical receptors...

She felt like she'd seen him before...


Author's Note: *whew* lots to cover in this one. By all means, read it a few times!

This was a long one, one of my longest so far I believe, hence the reason it took so long. Hopefully y'all enjoyed it!