Chapter 37 – Exegol
Exegol system – The Unknown Regions
Snoke – POV
The Epsilon Landra Class shuttle burst out of hyperspace as the blue swirling etheric tunnel it has been travelling through fell back into individual pinpricks of streaming light. Before they too fell away into the individual stars that spanned the cosmic void.
Snoke was aware of all this, even as he had his eyes closed in concentration as he allowed himself to surface from his intense focus on the Force, back into the material world. Snoke felt his mind pull away from the vastness of cosmic space and time as his grip on the Force relaxed.
As always, coming back to his mortal body after such a deep immersion left him feeling with a strange sense of apotheosis. As if he was an ancient deity that had left the ethereal realm to converse with mundane mortal affairs. Snoke forced a gnarled smirk from his face, as he considered that his analogy might not be as far from the mark as others would think.
But now was not the time to dwell on such vanity. As he stared out the viewport of the shuttle as the world that he had wondered and dreamed about came into view.
There it was, his missing world. The one that the finest and most dedicated survey droids and scouts of the First Order, claimed it not exist.
The one that even he, with all his knowledge of the Force and the Unknown Regions, had no memory off.
In truth, they should not have been able to make it to the planet at all. Without the coordinates within the navi-computer. The ship should not have been able to travel the distance through hyperspace to get to the planet.
Even then it should have been impossible. After all, the Unknown Regions were unknown for a very good reason.
Rampant black holes, sudden gravity wells, exploding quasars or wandering swarms of Perrgil were only a few of the most well-known dangers to hyperspace travel within the Unknown Regions. The few stable Hyperspace lanes within the region could collapse without warning. Never mind all the other strange phenomena that you could encounter before you even took the local species into account.
Without some form of navigation or a suitable pathfinder device. The planet should have been inaccessible to any known navigational equipment.
But Snoke had refused to allow such mundane facts to hinder him.
He already had a solution to the first problem; location.
For reasons that had yet to be clarified. The planet was calling out to him in the Force. The feeling was faint, due to the distance across the galaxy. But the intensity behind the call was strong. Snoke was confident that with proper concentration, he would be able to track it to its source. No matter how far away it was.
But that still left him with the second problem; travel.
Even if he knew where the planet was. He knew that without accurate galactic coordinates to put into a navi-computer. No ship could travel through hyperspace to the destination safely. Even Snoke's enormous command of the Force, could not account for every variable to arrive at 100% accurate coordinates. They needed to be accurate because even a single minor mistake could send his shuttle flying just a bit to close to the system's sun.
That would end his journey, his reign and his life in very short order. The fact that it would also claim the life of his apprentice and thereby the future of the Sith, made it an even more unacceptable risk.
Snoke had been forced to turn to an untried solution. One that he himself had never been forced to use. But one that he was aware of none the less.
Snoke had received access to all the First Order's most sensitive top-secret files when he had assumed the throne. This had also included, all the old Imperial records that had been transferred to the hidden bases in the Unknown Regions as the Empire crumbled under the Rebel onslaught and the effects of Operation Cinder.
Snoke had utilised amble time studying all of those records, for just such an occasion.
It was thanks to this dedication and wise forethought that he was aware of the mission that Darth Vader and Grand Admiral Thrawn had taken to the Unknown Regions, shortly after the battle of Atollon. The records, contained a detailed account of all the many strange and dangerous things that Vader had encountered in the Unknown Regions.
Including a detailed account of how the Chiss Ascendancy was able to overcome the hinderances of the Unknown Regions to effectively expand their territory.
If he had not read it with his own eyes, Snoke might have considered it a joke.
Whole fleets of ships guided with nothing more than a military sub group of Force Sensitive children. Children blind and deaf to the Force in all other ways with the exception of this gift of force -sight? Children that always and seemingly without reason, that lost their abilities in this one field as they grew older.
Snoke could not imagine a more cruel fate for any being in the galaxy. To be given a taste of the Force. A taste of actual power (however limited) only to have it snatched away in a few years. Without any hope of maintaining it or expanding it to become a person of true worth?
For a master of the dark side like him. The thought of being cursed to such a cruel joke was truly terrifying.
But, despite the circumstances of the technique sending a chill through his withered bones. He nevertheless knew what he needed to do to reach the planet that called to him through the Force.
Therefore, when he had set out from the Supremacy with his apprentice. He had engaged the hyperdrive and stretched out with the Force. He used his power to simultaneously, guide the ship to the planet. While also using it to navigate around and away from dangers that were set in his path as he did so.
The ability to steer a ship that was travelling faster then the speed of light to avoid comets, supernova's, black holes and entire planets was nothing short of transcendently awe-inspiring and reaffirming in his power. But Snoke had managed it with little, difficulty.
Truly the power of the dark side offered unlimited power to those with the strength and the will to claim it.
But he left his musings behind as he surveyed the destination of his journey.
Snoke was not sure what he had expected to see or feel when he arrived at the coordinates that the mysterious call in the Force was originating from. But when he did see it and feel it in the Force, he was more certain then ever that something was very wrong.
The planet was radiating with the dark side in a way that Snoke had seldom felt before.
He had travelled to all the great monument worlds of the Sith. Korriban, Dromund Kaas, Ziost, Oricon and Nathema, just to name a few.
He had also travelled to worlds that were not Sith bases historically. But did have a strong natural connection to the dark side. Such as Umbara and Ambria.
The power of these worlds in the dark side was considerable. But given that the worlds had been 'officially' abandoned by the Sith for centuries or millennia. The power that radiated from them was a dull echo that spoke of past glories and distant accomplishments.
But what he felt that this planet was very different.
The world seemed to blaze with the power of the dark side. The force of the power and darkness that emanated from the planet was so strong and so potent. That it nearly sent Snoke to his knees before he was able to get a grip on himself and assert his own power in response.
Now that he knew what to expect, he drew on the dark side and let it emanate from him as he felt the same power from the planet wash over him and accept him as a fellow wielder of the darkness.
Even without his enormous power in the Force. Snoke would have known that this world was steeped in the dark side just from looking at it with the naked eye.
The planet was set a good distance away from the system's sun. So not too much light was reaching the surface. But even then, the world seemed to be almost entirely shrouded in storm clouds. As he watched, he could see flashes of light as violent lightning storms were arching back and forth across the world in a way that seemed like the entire planet was raging.
Snoke, knew very well that this was not simple weather phenomena, or a situation brough about by any occurrence found in nature. It was a physical manifestation of the power of the dark side that coursed through this world.
Similar storms could be found on Dromund Kaas. But even on Dromund Kaas, the storms occasionally broke in pockets of calm. On very good days, sunlight could even be enjoyed in the days when the planet served as the Sith Empire's capital.
But it was clear that nothing of the sort would ever be found here. The storms seemed constant with no rest or break between them. This planet's power in the force was so great that it would have been impossible for Snoke to have missed it in his many searches during his long life. It would also have been impossible to miss by his many ancient Sith texts that had detailed the existence of worlds imbued with the Force.
But what he felt in the Force was only half of what made Snoke uneasy about this situation.
The planet felt, eerily familiar.
Despite the fact that he was very confident that he had never set eyes on the planet before. He could not shake the feeling that he had been on this world before. That he knew it somehow.
But no matter what his instincts were telling him. He could not answer them with actual memories. In fact, it was almost as if his mind rebelled when he tried to summon facts from his past that could relate to this strange world.
He did not like that fact. Or the implications it could mean.
He was forced to break from his musings as he heard his apprentice enter the cockpit.
Kylo Ren had been meditating in the central chamber for the duration of the voyage, at Snoke's instruction. While his master guided the ship through hyperspace. He wanted his apprentice to centre his mind and gather his power. Snoke did not know what they would encounter on the planet.
But he was willing to gamble that it would be hostile.
So, he wanted his apprentice at his best and ready to perform at peak performance.
"You sense it too." Snoke said. His words a statement rather than a question.
Kylo Ren nodded as his hand instinctively tightened around the handle of his lightsaber on his belt. "Yes master. I sense the presence you mentioned. It is so strong now. I don't understand, why I was not able to sense it before." Kylo Ren agreed with obvious tension as he allowed the presence in the Force to wash over him along with the unfathomable darkness that was pulsing from the planet before them.
Snoke, nodded his satisfaction. "This presence, whatever it is, did not want to be found. It was able to hide itself, and possibly this entire world in the Force."
Kylo Ren glanced at his master. "Until it chose to reveal itself." He concluded with ominous certainty.
Snoke nodded. "Indeed."
Snoke did not carry on the conversation as he engaged the engine and began to navigate the ship towards the planet.
There was no need to rehash plans and contingences that had already been made and accounted for before they made this journey. There was every possibility that they were walking into some kind of trap. But the situation had not allowed for any other course of action. Sending a fleet of susceptible soldiers and pilots carried the risk of defection or destruction. Sending his apprentice allowed carried similar risk and was a loss Snoke was not yet willing to risk.
The only viable option had been for them to travel together to face whatever awaited them. The fact that this presence only seemed to call out to the Supreme Leader originally seemed to indicate that this was the intended result this strange presence wanted.
"There is a structure on the planet that the presence is originating from. I am taking the ship directly there. Prepare yourself apprentice." Snoke commanded as the ship began to descend through the lightning infused clouds on its way to the planet surface.
Kylo Ren nodded and walked out to the cockpit to gather himself for the expedition ahead of them.
Ancient Temple - Planet Surface
Snoke POV
The temple that they entered was oddly shaped. It was nothing like the pyramid designs that the ancient Sith had favoured. Nor did it match the domes and elegant architecture favoured by the Jedi. But that did not mean it did not have some features that Snoke recognised.
In many ways it reminded, him of the ancient temples of the reconstituted Sith era. A time when they had begun to pull away from the stone grandeur of their ancestors and instead began to favour a more stark and angular design in their buildings.
As they walked through the temple's massive grandiose entrance, they began to see more evidence that this planet and temple were of Sith origin.
The central walkway that both master and apprentice walked through was steeped in darkness and eery cloudy mist that permeated the planet surface. It would have been impossible for either of them to be able to see where they were going if they were not able to perceive their surroundings through the Force.
But the frequent bursts of lightning that forked across the sky and slammed into the barren ground allowed illumination that enabled them to see the structure of the temple, even as they walked within it.
They were surrounded by massive statues. The statues were of figures that could not be identified as they were all shown wearing the typical robes and enveloping hoods of the Sith. They features were intentionally hidden so it was impossible to make out separate features. Or even if they were human or alien, male or female.
Some of the gargantuan statues carried jagged force blades. Similar in appearance to the force resistant blades wielded by the Jedi and Sith before the construction of the lightsaber. The famous sword of Ajunta Pall came to mind as an arch of lightning cast the sword wielding stature nearest to him in a sinister shadow.
Other statues carried staves of unknown design, but some that resembled the famous sceptre of Marka Ragnos. Others carried holocron's in their hands and other's wielded chained artefacts.
Regardless of what the statues were depicted holding or what species they were meant to be beneath the hoods. It was clear that they represented ancient Sith Lords. Snoke was reminded of the statues that had dominated the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban for thousands of years. In fact, some of the original statues continued to do so to this very day.
But Snoke was not here to admire the architecture of the temple. He would have time to indulge his academic curiosity later. For now, he had more immediate and important concerns to focus on.
He strode purposefully through the temple as he homed in on the presence that was pulsing through the Force. Stronger than ever.
Behind him he could hear and sense Kylo Ren following closely. His black boots thudding on the stone floor far louder than Snoke's soft golden slippers. He could also sense Kylo Ren had his lightsaber in his hand. It remained un-activated. But Snoke knew that his apprentice was ready to bring the crimson blade to life in a heartbeat if he sensed danger.
Which was as it should be.
As they moved deeper into the heart of the temple, they came to a circular platform that dominated the main chamber of this level of the temple. A minor command in the force was all that was needed to initiate the platform and soon they were descending down to the lower levels of the structure.
The intensity of the presence continued to grow. This was the only confirmation Snoke needed to know that they were heading in the right direction.
As the platform descended, the pasted by more statues of ancient Sith. More of which were found as they made their way to the central antechamber of the temple in the lower levels. It was beyond any shadow of a doubt that this world was a world steeped in the history and lore of the Sith.
This made the fact that Snoke could not name it and hadn't even known of its existence that much more disturbing. Combined with the odd but unmistakable sense of familiarity that Snoke felt with the planet, made it even more disturbing.
Snoke was wise and far more knowledgeable than most in the galaxy. But he would never claim of be omnipresent or omniscient. Even he did not know everything.
But the number of things he did not know was a number he preferred to keep low. And the ever-increasing uncertainties he felt about this world and their mission here. Did nothing to asway his caution.
As they moved deeper into the temple. The darkness became even more oppressive. While the lightning of the sky continued to arch and provide bouts of illumination. It was no longer enough to work with practically.
Snoke heard the snap and hiss of his apprentice's fiery red lightsaber bursting into life. Kylo Ren held his blade before him in a Makashi grip stance. A stance well suited to keep the light giving blade before him. While also being ready to deflect or block an incoming attack.
Snoke did not carry a lightsaber. He felt that there was no need due to his immense power in the Force and the fact that his gnarled and decrepit body did not allow for mortal combat. Even with the Force empowering his limbs and muscles.
But that did not mean he was unarmed. A master of the Force, be it light or dark side was never unarmed.
With both their defences raised. Snoke and Kylo Ren made their way along the temple hallways. Or at least what might have been called hallways centuries ago when the temple was first constructed.
It was to long before they found themselves leaving the corridor and stepping forward into a chamber of truly gargantuan size. The room was so vast that for a moment, they both wondered if they had found their way back outside on to the barren planet surface.
But as they became more aware of their surroundings. They realised that they had not stepped outside. But rather, they had entered a massive amphitheatre. Along the walls in a semi-circle that dominated the seemingly infinite vastness of the hall. They could perceive rows and rows of stairs and benches as that formed an arena like structure.
The floor that they were currently standing on seemed to be the proverbial sand of the coliseum that they had entered.
Snoke turned to face his apprentice, to start giving directions for the search of the temple to locate the presence.
But when he turned his head to face Kylo Ren. He saw that his apprentice's attention was firmly focused on something else that was located on the opposite side of the temple arena. His gaze was rooted to the location. His burning golden Sith eyes were unmoving and looked as if no power in the galaxy could compel him to look in any other direction.
Snoke turned to face the same direction.
And instantly saw what had captivated his apprentice's gaze so intently.
Across the wide expanse of the temple arena floor. Was a small raised platform that formed a rising dais. The dais seemed to formed from the rock of the world and temple. It was roughhewn and seemingly lacking in any adornment or masonry that would convey artistic intent.
From it, jagged rock spikes rose from the floor and the sides of the formation that while containing notable symmetry, were also lacking in refined construction. In truth, it almost seemed like it could have been a natural formation done through sheer accident of nature.
Except for what was placed atop it.
The throne, (for it could be called nothing else) was formed from the same rock and stone as the rest of the temple. It was as if it had been carved from the cliffs and walls of the temple itself. It was black, the stone was jagged and jutting. The lightning that continued to arch and fork across the sky and into the temple structure. Seemed to catch the throne's spike formations with strange frequency.
The throne was as roughhewn and unadorned as the rest of the temple. In truth it seemed to fade into the darkness to the point that they had missed it at first. But now that they were aware of it. There was no denying its presence. It might not have been covered in gold or electrum. But the throne never the less gave off a presence of utter majesty and dominance. It seemed to convey its power and authority simply by existing, better than any decoration could have.
The throne gave off an unmistakable air of menace. It seemed to radiate, power, awe, fear and sinister intent with each moment that passed.
And that was just from how it looked to the naked eye.
In the Force, the throne also gave off a presence and aura. But it was made up of something far more impressive than simple aesthetics.
The throne radiated, with the power of the dark side. Now that both Snoke and Kylo Ren were able to bring their full attention to bear. They were able to see that the throne was not just pulsing with the dark side. In the force it burned like a fusion torch of dark power.
On a world this heavily steeped into the dark side. It was no surprise that dark side artefacts would be here in the temple. But the power emanating from the throne was somehow very different.
Sith thrones, tombs, artefacts and centres of power were known to radiate and be strong in the dark side. But this power was often the remaining echo of greater past glories and purposes. In fact, his own throne on the Supremacy often echoed with the dark side. But beyond that it was a simple construction of metal.
But the power coursing from the throne before them was not faded in the slightest. Indeed, the power was potent and vibrant. As if the throne had housed a Dark Lord of the Sith only recently and often.
Snoke was again consumed by an all-encompassing certainty that he knew this temple. That he knew this planet and he definitely knew this throne. The sensation was similar to how he had felt earlier as he descended down to the world in the shuttle. But now after seeing this strange throne, the feeling increased tenfold.
The lack of memories that he could focus on remained. But now he felt something actively working against him in his mind. It was like the memories where there but they were sealed so that he could not access them. He was uncertain if he was correct in his speculation but he knew that something very strange and potentially dangerous was occurring.
While he had been musing, Kylo Ren had moved to approach the Throne. But before he could even take a few steps. He was forced to stop as an incredible sense of foreboding washed over him. At the same time, his force sense suddenly registered another presence in the enormous throne room. He was certain that no matter how oppressive the dark side might be on this world. That he would have noticed such a strong presence much earlier.
The only explanation, was that the presence had been purposefully shielding itself. Masking its presence in the material world and in the force, to make it invisible to his senses. But now the illusion was gone, and Kylo Ren turned sharply to the corner of the room as his eyes fixed on the location that the presence was emanating from.
As he did so. He noticed that his master's attention had also become focused on the same spot and now his cobalt blue eyes were staring as he tried to penetrate the darkness and gloom that shrouded the temple.
It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust enough to the darkness (Or maybe it took a few moments for his force powers to pierce the oppressive concentration of the dark side that had previously hidden the individual). But soon enough he was able to make out a human sized figure that was stood still, as it silently watched them.
The figure was wearing unadorned black robes, with a raised hood that effectively hid the person's features from sight. To mortal mundane eyes the man looked incredibly unimpressive.
But Kylo Ren could sense the enormous power of the dark side. Emanating from him, with such a fierce intensity, that it seemed to cause a faint rippling of the air around him. It was almost as if the strength of the dark side was causing space itself to warp around it.
Kylo Ren hesitated, as he felt his uncertainty for this situation increase. He had known from the start that this mission would be dangerous. Like the majority of his missions. And he had known that he would probably to forced to confront a powerful foe that was the source of the presence on this planet that had drawn them here.
But his strength in the dark side had increased ten-fold since Starkiller Base. And with his master here. He had never seriously considered that they might be actually threatened by whatever was causing this strength sensation in the force.
Now however, he was suddenly less certain of victory then he had been moments ago.
As he watched. The figure began to move from its previous position. It moved with a calm grace, as if it the person was taking a leisurely stroll through their garden. Nothing in their walking pace or posture indicated that they realised they were under threat from two powerful Sith Lords.
That realisation did not make Kylo Ren relax his guard in the slightest.
But the figure was not walking towards them. Instead, it seemed to ignore them completely as it moved along the length of the chamber until it was standing before the throne that dominated the chamber, they all stood in.
Neither Kylo Ren, nor his master made any noise or made any sign that they intended to take any action. Instead, they simply watched as the figure slowly, (with seemingly practiced grace and regality) ascended the rough carved steps of the throne and sat down upon it.
For a few moments, no one did or said anything. As Kylo Ren and his master stared pointedly at the mysterious stranger on the throne. Meanwhile, the figure continued to observe them through its face remained completely obscure within the depths of its black hood.
Finally, after what seemed like hours. The silence was broken.
"Welcome, young Kylo Ren." The eerily voice called out from the depth of the black robes, echoing around the chamber. "I have been expecting you".
Kylo Ren's grip on his lightsaber tightened noticeably.
He was not sure how, but he swore that the voice was familiar. Yet even as he came to that realisation, he was confident that he had never heard it before. He was sure, that he had never directly encountered this voice or person before. But something internal and primal within himself, was screaming that he knew this person. Or at least knew of him.
Of that much, he was certain.
"How?"
The question came, not from him. But from his master. As he turned to look at Snoke, he found that his master had stepped forward and was now standing directly in in the line of sight of the throne. His expression was calm but there was a noticeable hardness to his eyes and gnarled expression that conveyed his seriousness.
"How did you survive?" Snoke asked as he elaborated on his earlier question.
Kylo Ren frowned in confusion.
Clearly his master knew this person. But from where?
The sound of laughter brought his focus back to the being on the throne. The person was laughing the noise ringing out as it echoed around the gigantic chamber. It was an awful sound. The sound somewhere between a hacking cough and a malicious cackling that would not be out of place on a holo-drama villain.
The laugh stretched on for a long moment. Seemingly too long to be normal. But Kylo thought that maybe the echo of the laughter all around him was confusing him.
Finally, the noise died away and the figure in the throne regarded his master.
"Snoke, my old friend. You should know better then any other. That the dark side of the force is a path way too many abilities some consider to be be…... (the figure stated as he leaned forward in the throne with his hands gripping the arm rests)
Suddenly a burst of lightning shot across the sky and momentarily illuminated the temple interior. As it did, the harsh jagged light revealed the face of the mystery man in the throne.
Kylo Ren's eyes widened so much it would almost be comical as he saw the face of the man. Through he had never seen him personally before. He had seen his image throughout his life in school, documentaries and historical recordings in both school and during his time with the First Order. Now he also understood why his voice was also familiar. He had heard it in one way or another through his life.
"Unnatural." Stated Emperor Palpatine.
He was moving before his mind had even had time to catch up with the situation.
The next thing he knew he was flying through the air, his lightsaber activated in his hand. Taking the blade in both hands, he raised it over his head as he descended on the throne and the resurrected Emperor.
He did not know how Palpatine had returned from the dead, or how he had come to be on this world.
But right now, he did not care.
He would learn these things by exploring the temple and all its secrets. Once he had bisected the old bastard. He might not know much about this scenario. But he knew that Palpatine's return and call to them had to be some kind of trap.
Whatever his future plans were. Kylo Ren was certain they would not benefit him or the First Order. So, he was determined to cleave him in half, just like Obi Wan had once done to Darth Maul. Hopefully with better and more permeant results.
His jump brought him down on top of the throne and his arm muscles were taught as he began to bring his lightsaber down in a savage arch that would destroy the throne and its occupant as the fiery blade sliced through them both.
But before his blade could make contact with anything solid. He found himself hurled back by a force push that sent him flying backwards through the air. The force of the impact surprised him as it ripped through his force barrier and made contact with his body. Even if he had been half expecting it. But he was able to maintain control enough to turn in the air and land gracefully on his feet with his lightsaber raised in a defensive Niman position.
Palpatine chuckled as he lowered his hand that had sent out the blast of power before turning to regard Snoke, then Kylo Ren and back again.
Snoke stared right back unmoving while Kylo Ren maintained his stance with his lightsaber ready in front of him. Ready to burst into action at a word from his master or the first sign of weakness from the resurrected Emperor.
Snoke and Palpatine regarded each other for a moment longer. The combined weight of their power was enough for it to physically hurt Kylo Ren. The immensity of it pressed down on him with the combined force of a glacial avalanche. Both of them radiating cool and constant darkness.
Finally, Snoke broke the silence once again. "I am aware of the many dark side techniques to delay death, hold it and bay or drive it off. I am also aware of the many legends and theories of past Sith Lords who were said to achieve eternal life." His master said with all the calm collected tones of a scholar discussing an interesting subject.
"The dark side can be used to survive otherwise fatal injuries. The deeds of your first apprentice, Darth Maul show how the body can be sustained with the power of darkness. But you were cast into an energy reactor and vaporised shortly before the Death Star exploded into atoms above Endor." Snoke continued.
"Even the dark side cannot repair or sustain a body gone to dust. Yet here you are before me." Snoke mused in obvious fascination and interest. "You are no imposter or duplicate, that much is obvious. So, I ask again. How are you still alive?"
For a long moment, the Emperor simply stared at the Supreme Leader. Just when Kylo was beginning to think that the question would go unanswered; Palpatine replied.
"You are familiar with Darth Andeddu are you not?" He asked
Snoke nodded. "The so-called immortal god-king of Prakith. One of the most ancient Sith Lords and one of the first to claim the Darth title. Creator of the ritual of Essence Transfer. His holocron was claimed by the founder of your Sith Order; Darth Bane. Bane learned the technique but the teachings died with him after his duel with Darth Zannah." Snoke recited as if reading from a historical datapad.
"The holocron's disappeared around the same time along with the Dark Jedi, Set Harth. Until it was recovered recently by Quinlan Vos under the orders of Count Dooku, otherwise known as your apprentice at the time; Darth Tyranus." Snoke summarised.
"Palpatine nodded as he leaned back into his throne. "Do believe I would have allowed Tyranus to have the holocron without learning the most valuable secret of Darth Andeddu for myself? He asked sarcastically. "I learned and mastered the ritual of essense transfer from the holocron's as soon as it came into my possession. Only then did I allow it to be returned to Tyranus. I knew he would not be able to pull the knowledge from the holocron as well. At least not in the time remaining to him. And the weapon designs he was able to learn were useful to my plans."
To Kylo Ren, that seemed to answer the question of how the emperor survived. But Snoke remained unconvinced.
"The ritual of Essence Transfer can only be performed once, as it destroys the practitioners original body. And the ritual caster needs to be in direct contact with the victim to be effective. You were in contact with no one when your body was destroyed on the Death Star." He pointed out with the same curious interest he had displayed until know.
Palpatine grinned as the lightning illuminated his face once more. Casting the smile into a sickly and malicious rictus.
"That is the ritual at its most basic level. I imagine Darth Bane would have had time to better understand it had his life not been cut short soon afterwards. The life of Darth Vitiate as the Immortal Emperor, showed me that with enough concentration and power. The ritual to transfer my spirit into another body could be done across immense distances of space."
"I had decades to perfect the ritual and master all its aspects to the point when I was confident that if the need arose, I would be able to leave my body for a new one, even if that new body was not even in the same star system as me."
"Naturally I would have preferred further testing before that fateful day on Endor. But I achieved success nonetheless. Before I was engulfed by the reactor I had already discarded by old body and my spirit burst into the material world. If Skywalker had been wiser or more experienced, he would have recognised it for what it was. Instead, he assumed it was simple a chemical or energy reaction originating from the reactor itself.
"By the time the Death Star exploded I had long departed that wretched Star System. My spirit travelled across time and space and finally came here. I had installed Kamino based cloning facilities on this planet years before, during my reign as Emperor. Enhanced with Sith Alchemy and cutting-edge technology I was able to settle into my new body quite nicely." Palpatine finished his explanation as Snoke seemed to nod in understanding.
"Yet you remained in hiding." Snoke pointed out. "You could have returned immediately, taken command of the Empire and continued battling the rebels. Why didn't you?" Snoke asked. Though he was confident he knew the answer already.
Palpatine's smile turned into a look of distaste. "The Empire had failed. I watched as the military made one blunder after another. World after world erupted in rebellion and anarchy. It lost two Death Stars after years of research and construction. Even Vader proved to be flawed and weak in the end. It was even unable to keep its own Emperor alive when confronted by a group of pitiful rebels and a half-trained Jedi." He spat in disgust.
"I realised then that the Empire was a hopeless failure. It was mired in weakness, incompetence and indolence to the point that it could not be restored. It was unworthy to survive and was only fit to die!" He proclaimed. "I saw that my attempts to turn the Republic into the Empire had failed. The same flaws of the Republic. Corruption, indolence, and many others had seeped into the Empire from its roots in the Republic."
"I then came to an understanding."
"I would have to burn the Empire and the galaxy down to its foundations. I would need to clear away the rotting carcass and start over from the ground up." He spoke. "I initiated Operation Cynder and took careful note of who was willing to carry out my orders. Do what needed to be done. And those pathetic individuals who fled to the rebellion and pled ignorance, and innocence and regret. Once I knew who my true followers where, I made the call to my chosen and worthy forces to gather in the unknown Regions to begin laying the foundations of the First Order and by extension, my new Empire." He finished knowingly as Kylo Ren immediately took the meaning from his words.
Palpatine had laid the foundations of the First Order to prepare for his triumphant return to the galaxy. Once he did so he would undoubtably expect to resume his place on the throne as Emperor and Dark Lord of the Sith.
And a galaxy with an Emperor, did not need a Supreme Leader.
Kylo Ren raised his hand. Preparing to unleash Force Lightning at the distracted Emperor. Hoping that maybe he would be able to injure or at least occupy him long enough for his master to kill him in a sudden attack.
Snoke stood for a moment. Before he chuckled slightly and returned his gaze to Palpatine.
"You have proved yet again your will to survive and defeat your enemies, Darth Sidious. Like a true Dark Lord of the Sith, you have even managed to spit in the face of death itself. The ultimate goal of the Sith since the order's founding." Snoke complimented with genuine sincerity in his tone of voice. "Indeed, I commend you for your skill and all you have achieved, that puts many of the previous great Sith Lords to shame." Snoke summarised.
Palpatine and Kylo Ren watched Snoke with anticipation. Knowing that this would not end with Snoke complimenting Palpatine in good spirits.
And sure enough.
"But for all your achievements, you have clearly learned nothing in regards to ruling. I tend to agree with my Grand Admiral when it comes to discussing your rule of the Empire. You truly were an absentee landlord when it came to actually ruling your Empire. You held yourself separately from the administration of the government and only involved yourself in matters you deemed worthy of your attention. You were so unconcerned with the daily matters that you never named a successor or even a second in command who could step in if you were ever unable to." Snoke stated as his obvious contempt grew.
"The Moff council supplanted your rule long before you supposed death on the Second Death Star. They ruled the Empire while you acted as the figurehead on Coruscant. An Emperor that rules their Empire in name only, is no true Emperor." Snoke said.
"You have allowed the same to happen again with the First Order and your planned new Empire. Only you have managed to alienate yourself even more from you intended subjects. Instead of being a figurehead, they don't even know you are alive! I supplanted your rule years ago when I came to the First Order and provided knowledge that allowed the order to survive. My commanders and Admiral's have no regard for you and thanks to my Grand Admiral see you only as a cautionary tale of how not to rule."
Snoke smirked as he drew himself to his impressive full height (as much as his decrepit body would allow him) which dominated over standard humans.
"I have the entire First Order and my command and you are outnumbered two to one. Your time is done, Sidious. I and my apprentice are the future of the Sith and the Empire." Snoke proclaimed as he regarded the former Emperor with distain.
Kylo Ren braced himself as he watched Palpatine and his master with great intensity. Palpatine in case he made to attack his master. Snoke in case he made the first move and Kylo Ren needed to support him.
Palpatine sat one the throne unmoving for a long while as he simply regarded Snoke with his burning yellow eyes. For a while he seemed that he was not going to respond to the condemnations that the Supreme Leader had heaped on him.
Then surprisingly, he started to laugh.
"Hahahaha" He cackled. It was an awful sound as it echoed around the massive chamber of the temple. The sound of it gouching into Kylo Ren's ears.
After a moment, Palpatine seemed to get himself under control as he calmed himself and turned to face Snoke again.
"It is always amusing to play these games of deception. The subtle inuendoes, the veiled threats, the secret plots. It is all so entertaining." Palpatine chuckled as he regarded Snoke as one might regard an amusing toy. "The most amusing part with these games of intricacy, is that you can never tell who is one whose side until the game is over." Palpatine said as his amused visage became almost gleeful with anticipation.
"You truly think that I have not had control of the First Order since its inception?" He asked Snoke with the tone that clearly indicated only a fool would think so. "I have had agents and informants in the First Order from the beginning. I have received constant updates and I have access to all forms of information within the First Order at all times. The First Order has not made a move or a decision without my knowing about it. The only choices that I didn't know about are those not worth knowing." Palpatine chuckled.
"The fact that you are standing here on this world alone and without a fleet at your back is proof of this. How else do you think that this world was wiped from all First Order records in the first place? You know how many surveys and patrols are conducted in this section of space. How many people must be loyal to me in order for this world to have never come to your attention?" Palpatine questioned rhetorically.
Snoke's grin had faded as he was forced to admit that what Palpatine was saying was true. When he returned to the Supremacy. He would need to conduct a purge of all officers, troopers and servicemen who were even suspected of being an agent of the Emperor. If the corruption went as deep as Palpatine indicated, he would need to avoid involving the First Order Security Bureau. There were almost definitely traitors in their intelligence service.
He would have to rely on Kuvira heavily for this task. Her hatred of Palpatine made her one of the few officers he was certain was not in his sway.
But Palpatine was not finished.
The Emperor leaned forward to stare at Snoke intently as the glee in his eyes somehow seemed to increase to the point that he seemed to be on the point of manic laughter.
"But for all my agents, spies and loyalists planted in the First Order. The truth is that all of them combined have not been half as valuable as my most loyal and useful pawn." He said with sadistic malice evident in his voice.
"Tell me, Supreme Leader." He said while placing mocking emphasis on the title. "You only found this world because, I allowed you to find it. If I had called out to you through the Force. You would not have known that this planet existed. You think I would do that if I did not have a reason for wanting you here?"" Palpatine asked.
Snoke did not answer. But the look in his eyes and his aura in the Force provided all the needed confirmation.
"Yet as you have walked on the surface of this planet. You have felt that it is familiar. You have sensed and felt that somehow you have been on this world and within this temple before. Yet despite all your instincts telling you this, you have convinced yourself that this is not possible. You would surely remember a world so deeply saturated with the Dark Side and with clear ties to the ancient Sith."
"Therefore, your instincts must be wrong. Because the only other explanation."
"Is that your memories are wrong. Or deceived." He smirked knowingly.
Snoke still said nothing. But the look of uncertainty was starting to appear on his deformed face.
Palpatine studied Snoke's ruined features as through looking for something deep within his cobalt eyes. "Think carefully on the life you have lived, Supreme Leader." He whispered. "Think hard on all that you have done and seen that lead you to where you are now."
Snoke stared for another moment into Palpatine's eyes while Kylo Ren looked on in confusion at what was taking place in front of him.
"This little game has been endlessly amusing." Palpatine smirked with clear amusement. "But the block has served its purpose. I release it. I release you Snoke. My most valued puppet!"
Snoke suddenly felt himself pulled away into a Force vision of such intensity. That he was momentarily convinced that he had in fact time travelled from his physical location. He was not certain if the vision was orchestrated by Palpatine or if it had been pulled from his own consciousness by the words that were being spoken.
He saw his life pass before his eyes. The vision was simultaneously too fast to truly see while also being projected with perfect clarity.
He saw his time as a Sith Lord of the Sith Empire in the closing days of the Third Great Galactic War.
The Sith Empire was collapsing into Chaos. The death of Emperor Vitiate and his successor Empress Arcina had caused the Sith to turn on each other in a devasting civil war. Planets, fleets entire regions of space were being claimed by Sith Warlords as they vied for the throne. The Sith Empire as a unified forces ceased to exist as dozens of separate regions pledged loyalty to their ruling Sith Lords who soon fell into an orgy of back stabbing, assassinating and politicking to secure more power for themselves.
The Republic was likewise in deep and sharp decline. Sick of the constant war and suffering, planets broke away to form their own independent regions of space. The Jedi had been devastated forcing them to retreat back to Coruscant to heal and defend what they could. Military fleets were in chaos as ships defected to one of the many breaks away states in the mid-rim. Individual Jedi left the main order and remained on planets as leaders, generals and even kings to ensure that the planets would not fall to the Sith.
It was the start of the galactic dark age.
With both of the galactic superpowers in turmoil. Neither side was able to amass their forces to destroy the other at their time of weakness.
Snoke had been as involved in the civil war among the Sith as all the others. In his determination to gain an edge over his rivals. He had researched the existence, legends and eventually learned the location of the ancient Sith world.
Exegol.
The world was almost lost to myth and legend. Even among the lost learned of the Sith. Only a few passing references to the world existed in the present day. Along with some vague references to a Sith Lord named 'Darth Nul'.
But Snoke had managed to locate it and had travelled to the planet with his fleet.
But his enemies had followed him to the planet and had engaged his forces in orbit around Exegol. During an apocalyptic battle, his forces had been forced to retreat lower orbit before finally being driven to the surface by the unrelenting pressure from their enemies.
The battle had lasted for days. But eventually, Snoke had managed to claim victory. Killing his rivals and slaughtering their forces.
But the victory came at a heavy price.
Snoke's own forces were almost annihilated. Those that managed to survive were quickly driven mad by the power of the dark side that saturated the planet and killed each other in a fit of feral madness.
Snoke himself had been greatly injured. His body having been crushed and virtually shattered in the battle, resulting in his mangled appearance and left him in a state of near death.
Without medical technology he had been unable to heal himself. But with the power of the dark side, he had been able to stay alive, despite being in a state of pure agony.
The larger problem was that the battle (along with the electrical nature of Exegol's atmosphere. Had destroyed all the ships and fighter's that had been able to survive the battle. Along with rendering off world communication impossible. This had left Snoke victorious. But had rendered him alone and stranded on the planet with no way to call for help or to escape the planet.
Almost any other person would have died or simply given up. But Snoke was a master of Sith Alchemy and Sith Sorcery.
Using the power of the dark side that enveloped Exegol. Snoke had placed himself into a force stasis that had allowed him to remain alive. This state had allowed his body to remain alive and heal to a small degree. It had also allowed him to endure the passing of centuries as he used the force and the dark side of the planet to maintain the stasis and prevent his body from ageing. However, the strain of channelling the dark side for such a length of time had caused his body to wither even further then it had due to the injuries he had sustained in the battle.
He had felt the centuries and millennia pass as if in a dream. Being only semi aware as he slipped deeper into the depths of the force and allowed his mind to endure the passing of time without going completely insane. But while his mind remained intact, his physical body continued to wither to the point that it became the gnarled broken figure it was today.
Finally, after a length of time that he could not truly perceive (but later learned to be roughly 3600 years). His slumber was disturbed by an Imperial survey patrol that had been sent to the planet.
Snoke snapped back to himself as he was momentarily overwhelmed by the flood of information that had hit him.
Most of the information he had already known. He knew his origins with the Reconstituted Sith Empire and his stasis that had allowed him to survive into the current era. But his memories were at odds with that he had just seen.
But he had no recollection of Exegol or his discover by the Imperial scouts. He had only recalled that he been discovered by a First Order patrol deep in wild space that had allowed him to arrive at the ship of the Grand Admiral Rae Sloane. Once there he had provided the knowledge, he had amassed during his life in the Sith Empire to provide the First Order with the information it needed to survive.
So had begun his rise to Supreme Leader.
Snoke did not know why his memories and his instincts were conflicting with each other. But he was wise enough to know who did understand.
Turning to Palpatine. "What did you do?" He asked with fury burning in his eerily calm voice.
Palpatine laughed again. "When I discovered you on this planet. You mind and body were pushed to their limit due to your long stasis. In that state it was pitifully easy to overwhelm you." Palpatine said.
"I could have killed you then and there. You were no match for me and it would have been as easy as swatting an insect. But I saw an opportunity in which you could prove useful."
"I decided to take a leaf out of the Jedi's book. I do hope you can appreciate the irony in that." He quipped mockingly. "I used the same technique that they once utilized on Darth Revan. I entered your mind and began to rewrite your story. With your mind still reeling from the passage of thousands of years in stasis, it was almost too easy. Most of it I left intact, but I was able to easily erase all your memories of Exegol and you're awakening on this world. After all I had plans for this planet and I could not run the risk of you returning at an in opportune moment. I simply replaced your memories and implanted a few new ones." Palpatine explained.
"I was also able to implant a number of hidden commands within your psyche. Ones that you would carry out without having any conscious knowledge of them. The art of Force Persuasion and dominance taken to its highest level. For all his lack of vision. Lord Kaan was skilled in its use and provided a number of helpful idea's of how best to utilize it."
"Once this was done, I placed you back in stasis until I had need of you. When I fell at Endor and returned here I released you into the galaxy with my commands embedded in your mind. I have been whispering in your mind ever since I let you out into the galaxy."
Palpatine exalted himself as dawning comprehension started to appear on Snoke's face.
"I influenced you to contact the First Order and to rise to claim leadership from Grand Admiral Rae Sloane. I urged you to take Kylo Ren as you apprentice. I have been at the shadows once again as I laid the ground work for my eventual return while you acted as my proxy in plain view on the throne."
Palpatine leaned forward in his throne to really drive the point home. "You say I was nothing but a figurehead during my time as Emperor. But what does that make you?" He demanded harshly.
"You. An old relic of a bygone age that I dusted off so that you might serve some small use."
"You call youself, the Supreme Leader." Palpatine asked sardonically. "You are nothing more then a pawn. No, I take that back, your even less then a pawn. A pawn can at least act on its own initiative. You are nothing but a puppet. A talking doll of withered flesh and old bone. Programmed to act in my service like a droid. Even there, you are less then a droid. At least a droid knows it is only a programmed tool!" Palpatine mocked.
Palpatine regarded Snoke with malice as his eyes burned with the power of the dark side. "And like any broken droid that has outlived its usefulness." He said with quiet danger in his voice.
"It is time to throw it out with the rest of the trash." He proclaimed as he stood up from the throne.
Kylo Ren had listened to all of this in pocker-stiff shock as all his assumptions and believes around his master, the First Order and indeed is own place in the galaxy were torn down by the revelations he had learned on this planet.
Now he turned his attention back to his master.
The pain, shock, rage and sorrow on Snoke's face was almost physically painful to behold.
Like him, he had believed that he was the master of the First Order, soon to be master of the galaxy and ruler of the Sith.
Now he had learned that he was not the master of the galaxy. By the Coreillian Hells. He was not even master of his own mind!
His world and image had been shattered as he was forced to question every thing he had ever commanded. Every decision he had ever made to see if he could identify what choices had truly been his.
If any.
His emotions were all over the place as he found himself unable to process what had occurred in his world or just how his confidence and self-assurance had been shattered. His mind was awash as he tried to get a grip on his focus. But even that proved challenging.
After all. How could you get your mind in order, when apparently your mind was what had been used against you in the first place?
There was no word in the scientific community that came close to describe the state of being that Snoke found himself in. But the closest example would be described as a massive sudden personality disorder as the Supreme Leader no longer trusted his own mental faculties.
For a long moment the ancient Sith Lord simply stood stiff as a range of emotions flew across his face and his force aura flared and ebbed widely to those who could perceive it in Palpatine and Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren was no expert in these matters. But for the first time he could sense and perceive his master's emotions, thoughts and intentions.
Normally these had been masked behind his impenetrable force barrier that he kept shrouded around himself in at all times. Kylo Ren might have been able to pierce the veil these days but only if he concentrated hard enough and had no concerns for subtlety. Something he had never done in the past out of simple self-preservation.
But now he was able to read his master entirely. And what he was reading indicated that Snoke's psyche was cracking under the mental strain of the recent revelation. He was quite literally on the edge of going insane. A state not helped by the sheer power of the dark side that would have driven lesser beings to madness mere moments after arriving on Exegol.
Hesitantly, Kylo Ren took a step back and re-settled his fighting stance. It was a small change. But it now allowed him to be prepared to defend against attacks from both Palpatine and his own master. Right now, he had no indication of how this would end. But he knew that he was not yet a match for either of the powerful Dark Lords. One of whom owed him no good will and the other who was on the verge of losing his grip on reality.
Snoke began to temple slightly as his body jerked and twitched. He raised his hands to clasp the sides of his mangled skull as if he was in the grip of a terrible palsy. He closed his eyes tightly as if against incredible pain radiating from his skull.
Kylo Ren realised that his master was having some kind of fit and took yet another step backwards.
Finally, he seemed to calm himself slightly. He lowered his hands and raised his head to stare with fixed determination at Palpatine.
"So, I am a pawn, am I?" Snoke asked in a dangerous whisper that nevertheless radiated with power. As Kylo Ren watched. Small arches of lightning were dancing between his fingers and black wisps of dark side energy were issuing from his frame.
"You may have used me for your plans, Sidious. But for all your vison. All your power. You still have not learned two of the most important lessons." Snoke stated as Palpatine raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"To overcome your master. Is that heart of being Sith. Something that not even, for all your arrogance can escape." Snoke stated as one would lecture an ignorant student.
Palpatine laughed at that. "Haha, is that so? Very well I will indulge my curiosity. What is my other fatal short coming?"
Snoke stared directly at Palpatine.
But there was no longer any hint of defeat or doubt in them. Only rage!
"That even a pawn. Can kill a king!"
Authors Note
Hello everyone. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
As is often the case I must apologies for the length of time this chapter took to write. This is mainly down to three reasons.
One. Work has been very demanding for the last two months and long hours of overtime leave me with little or no desire to do more writing on my computer, even for personal reasons.
Two. The new SWTOR update 'Legacy of the Sith' is coming out soon and I am almost certain that it will contain some information on Exegol and its origins. I was hoping to learn these before I released this chapter. But clearly the update will not be out for a while and I don't want to delay for that long.
Three. This chapter is obviously very important for many characters and the story as a whole. So, I kept revising my word choices and description to make sure I do it justice.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. I hope to get the next one out sooner. As always, reviews are appreciated.
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