Chapter 25
Eight years later...
The training of Skywalker is complete, his Force Powers now reaching the peak of their potential. The only thing he still hasn't learned is managing his emotions, something which Vader shall amend shortly given they are making impressive progress. That adventure has been interesting but Vader is successful in teaching him since he is using their time together to assume the role of a therapist as much as a mentor.
Qui-Gon is helping too as well of course and so is his mother.
Vader loathes to admit it, but his younger self is more controlled than he was at that age. He was unstable emotionally, missing his mother dearly and enduring the Jedi's lectures about how attachments lead to the dark side, on top of that the limitations that have been placed on him by the Jedi.
However, this Anakin Skywalker is different, being able to release his emotions to Vader whenever need be, his fears not being condemned and neglected but also taken into consideration, his attachments being welcomed and accepted by Vader, and his maturity also being taken into account.
That was not a simple change. Anakin Skywalker lacked maturity in the original timeline because of his slave mentality but it is more than that. The Jedi failed to understand his insecurities, and whenever he brought them to light, they always brought him down - even unfortunately Obi-Wan - and they couldn't accept him for him unless it suits their needs best.
They were each selfish, but Vader is grateful that at least Obi-Wan admitted his flaw in teaching Skywalker at one point. The same cannot be said for the others. Skywalker was a slave until he was 9. His interaction was with some other slave children, but mostly with his mother and his master.
After that, he was taken away from his mother and friends and raised by a group of sexless warrior monks who followed traditions that were 1000 years old and that Anakin - having lived in horrendous conditions for the first 9 years of his life - had to think were removed from reality at times or at least the reality of the galaxy at large. All the while he's in love with someone, and he can't love this person because the sexless warrior monks were incapable of even understanding attachments and bonds even if they form them. If the Jedi have taught about love and helping their students, perhaps individuals like Skywalker and Ventress wouldn't have fallen under manipulations from the Sith.
Now, with childhood and teen years like those examples that have just been described - how would anyone be mature? How would he know how to talk to girls, or make reasoned arguments? Arguments such as those are foolish.
Padmé's treatment - as abusive as it was at times - was understandable. She didn't understand an element of slavery or the ways of Tatooine and the side effects of enslavement so her treatment of him especially when she was wrong, while not justified, is excusable.
The Jedi, on the other hand, has been in his presence long enough and should have grown to understand him as he did with them through time. To think, their archives would have logically given them knowledge about what happens to the galaxy outside of their range and helped them to better understand the students who they have trained but even that was not enough for them to learn from.
This only furthers the belief that Vader would have to fix the Jedi by allowing them to destroy themselves before at last bringing about the rise of a new Order, but that doesn't mean the Jedi Holocrons would have to be destroyed as Sidious has commanded all those decades ago, but now is a galaxy where he would have to rely on his training and his Force Powers instead of those memories.
Speaking of which, Vader has assisted Skywalker in his possession attachments. While he still does adore his loved ones, gone is the personality that has been his ultimate downfall, the inability to accept, and outright selfishness. If the Jedi have passed off proper guidance and accepted him for him, Sidious's Empire may have never risen, and Darth Vader for all intents and purposes may have been avoided.
Who knows? Perhaps Plagueis wouldn't be as invested in attempting to assassinate Padmé nor would neglect her presence. While Plagueis is certainly as cruel as his other Sith ancestors, Vader knows that his key tactic is manipulation and bending others to his will is a preferable key for him.
On that front, Vader would have to be vigilant.
His younger self draws his attention, and he is proud of what he sees. The now teenager Anakin Skywalker is moving around with the Force fueling through him, drawing onto his willpower and slicing at the bolts of the training droids, all collapsing into a heap onto the ground, drawing more on the offensive than defensive.
"Well done," Vader praises, smirking at the progress his younger self is showing. It is only a matter of time before his ability would match that of Windu and Yoda, though that outcome may come in another decade, no matter how long Vader would have to be patient, he would see it through that his younger self becomes the Chosen One he was meant to be.
Anakin grips his lightsaber tightly, breathing heavily as he stares down and deactivates the lightsaber. He is gaining progress but he knows that there are many years before he can be able to match any trained Force Users in terms of combat.
"How was it today?" A gentle voice asks.
Both men turn to Shmi Skywalker, who had changed drastically out of all of them, including arguably Anakin. What once been a malnourished woman who lacked muscle mass has been replaced by a strong middle-aged woman, who knows how to fight after many training sessions which Vader himself has ordered, and now has a blaster at her belt.
Gone are the clothes that she had worn on Tatooine now wearing a white robe. Vader is not truly understanding why she preferred such clothing but he is not willing to be controlling over her.
'As long as she is safe.'
Vader didn't want to entangle his mother in this kind of life where fighting and defending herself is the only way for her to live but he would not allow his feelings to get her killed again. Anything old happens in this changed timeline, meaning she would have to be ready to fight those and be victorious.
"Good, mom," Anakin replies, smiling at his mother before wrapping his arms around her.
"It was just yesterday that you were a young hopeful man who wanted to become a Jedi and now you are becoming even better," Shmi replies, grinning deeply at the man who her son has become. While watching her son become a young man was quite disheartening for her, she was happy to see he would have grown up surrounded by people who cared for him and protect them no matter what or who gets in their way.
"Mom," Anakin complains, hating whenever she gets emotional around him.
Frankly, Vader does too, but that is not a confession he is yet ready to admit. Out of respect for the Skywalkers of this timeline, he opts to remain silent, especially since he isn't her son, at least not the one of this timeline despite the blood DNA with his younger self being a perfect match.
"Where is Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan?" Anakin asks after a moment, a tad bit disappointed that both important figures in his life aren't present to observe the results of his training.
"Both have just gotten back from a supply run and are sleeping in their respective quarters," Shmi replies.
Vader is well aware of the fact that Qui-Gon and his mother are beginning to form a deeper relationship. While the age difference is quite drastic, and while he is still overprotective of those who he loves and cherishes, that doesn't mean he isn't willing to allow her to find someone who she could fall in love with as long as they don't harm her.
He trusts Qui-Gon not to, especially since he was an ex-Jedi who certainly have the power to protect her in a time of conflict. Speaking of which, Vader has taught him in different lightsaber forms, testing each one on him until he found the perfect one which was ultimately a combination. He has taught him Juyo for mannerisms of aggression, as well as Soresu in means of defensiveness, heightening his ability in the light side of the Force and teaching him ancient and lost knowledge from the galaxy before.
Obi-Wan too is learning Soresu, something due to Vader and him sparring every day out of him growing more and more adept in the form, as Ataru would have only led him to predictable tragic results where he would have been cut down now shortly. Each time Vader wins of course, but Obi-Wan's defense is growing better and better. It would never match the likes of Vader and Yoda, but it could be enough to match particular Jedi if he is careful. As proven on the Invisible Hand with Dooku, Soresu does have flaws but also has its advantages as shown on Utapau with Grievous, whereas many other Jedi would have perished as demonstrated in the war.
"Your training is incomplete but we would be able to fight against the forces that battle against us," Vader chooses to take the initiative to speak. "Horrible as it is, Jabba the Hutt must be assassinated so Tatooine would at last be freed and we would have a location to plan about with operations. We need a base and army to stand against the Republic."
Both Anakin and Shmi are surprised that Vader was willing to go through such... such violence to bring an end to slavery. While he certainly isn't opposed to violence as shown on multiple occasions with them throughout the years, the fact that Vader is bold enough to assassinate a great Hutt lord and grant them a target is beyond courageous if not stupid.
"Assassinate him?" Anakin murmurs, doubt flashing about across his expression. It isn't that he wishes to assassinate the likes of Jabba but they would have to continue to run until they are eventually haunted down until their final breaths, and not to mention that they have already painted themselves as a threat to the Jedi, especially since what happened all those years ago.
And yet Vader is willing to carry through this just to save some lives, showing his selflessness and capability to care about those who are suffering. He has taken in both his mother and him as extra leverage when he didn't have to do so.
"Too many innocents are suffering," Vader insists. "We cannot stand aside any longer."
Anakin stares at the floor and closes his eyes, considering his options. There is no doubt that Vader knows the consequences of what would happen should he commit the death of the powerful crime lord, but they are so many that are going through pain, their hope of being freed long ago being squashed by endless beatings, enduring the agony that is all type of assaults unless you are fortunate like Anakin, and having to face the loss of parents due to those horrible slavers having no galactic judgment among them.
The dragon within his soul, awaken from so long ago, fuels across his expression. Now, there is nothing but righteous hate and anger, his eyes burning with absolute determination. It isn't fair that so many have to suffer while Anakin and his mother are freed and training each passing day to become stronger, being able to eat whenever they need to, and not having to suffer physical labor.
Vader is correct that slavery must be put to an end, but would the death of Jabba stop all the Hutts especially since there are planets like Nar Shaddaa and Nal Hutta where the Hutt Clans rule powerfully? That means they would have to continue fighting until slavery is all but wiped out from the face of the galaxy if that is even possible.
"We have to do something about that monstrosity," Anakin responds, a wave of power coursing through his fingertips, his eyes reversing from Vader and his mother. "They could not be allowed to be torture any longer. The Jedi have turned a blind eye to it, and we have made vows and obligations to not repeat that same mistake."
Shmi eventually nods, her face morphing into fear, conflict, and at last acceptance before staring up at the two men, "Ve-very well, but I want a way to help. I don't appreciate my son being dragged into danger."
"Years ago, you have declared that you never wanted to be on Tatooine again so I don't wish to reawaken those past traumas, Madam Skywalker," Vader replies, positioning both hands behind his back. What goes unsaid is that he is not willing to allow her to risk her life for someone like himself. He would never be able to live with the burden if she is killed by Jabba or one of his bounty hunters because of risking doing the right thing and getting his mother killed in this timeline.
"While that is true, Vader, I would not allow others to endure torment even if it torment me. Tatooine itself is not the planet that is immoral, but the natives that live on it, and those who are unfortunate to be enslaved." Skywalker's mother replies, crossing her arms across her chest and staring into his eyes fiercely.
"Very well," Vader concedes after a moment, sensing his younger self's displeasure at the thought of placing his mother in harm's way but he knows that there is no changing her mind. "You would need some armor. Unlike me and Skywalker here, you are untrained in the ways of the Force, meaning that bringing you to the likes of Jabba's palace would get you killed."
"Threepio could come along," Anakin responds, shooting a little nod of appreciation towards Vader for his consideration surrounding his mother.
Both Vader and his mother cast him with a stare as if he has just lost his mind with that proposal. In his time under Skywalker and even during the era of the Rebellion, Vader remembers Threepio as a useful asset namely translation, spreading knowledge to those who need it but growing intimidated in the face of a battle, not someone who should be dragged into a battle.
C-3PO was created as nothing but a servant droid, not a battle-designed individual who has to be exploited. He was additionally programmed to operate and repair binary systems. However, his design was based on the "protocol" Droid model commonly used throughout the galaxy for language interpretation, etiquette, and diplomacy.
"I know you both probably think me insane for such a proposal, but I have programmed him in a superior mannerism. We have to fear about the Jedi, right, well I have programmed battle techniques within him as well. It has been one of the most complicated tasks I have ever assigned myself to do but I think it work." Anakin continues, a mischievous grin now plastered across his lips.
"Very well," Vader replies, knowing his younger self would always be a decent engineer and thus only he could element such an upgrade on a droid who originally was programmed for alternative methods. "Demonstrate."
Anakin nods before rushing to the storage room, leaving behind Vader and his mother from another timeline. There is still a mini twist of guilt within his mind whenever he is around her, a sadness about the reminder of what happened back on Tatooine all those decades ago, and about how he left her because the Jedi told him to do so.
"You know," his mother from the alternative timeline decides to start a conversation. "While we may have hardly engaged in conversation, I wanted to thank you for taking me and my son in without a second thought and help us leave behind Tatooine."
"It was only right and more slaves shall receive the same treatment," Vader replies, hating to destined himself from her but knowing that the lesser conversations between them the better as she was one of his greatest failures, combating his failure with Padmé and his children, but his failure with Padmé have come with the safety of the galaxy while his failure with his mother have been worthless, a life taken too early. "The Jedi and the Republic have ignored those innocent lives for far too long and I would not make the same mistake."
Shmi smiles. "I have never seen someone who show much selflessness as you do, Vader."
Vader smiles, sensing her proudness within him that he has missed for decades, before replying. "Madam, I am far from selfless as I have committed many deeds that involve the opposite on many cases in my younger days especially. I am not a moral person especially given I committed many deeds that still hunt me to these very days."
Shmi smiles painfully. "You may not see yourself as selfless but Anakin greatly admires you. Your behavior is beginning to rub off of him, his maturity starting to reveal itself in a way I have never seen from him before nor have expected due to him hardly trusting even Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan."
Vader tilts his head, knowing that is becoming true but the fact that his younger self admires his older self is quite odd, even for him. He knows that the Force has plans for all of them, throwing challenges at Vader. He is still attempting to control this timeline before either the Jedi or the Sith Order under Plagueis would be able to do so.
"That is good, but there is still much healing." Vader replies. "You should join our therapy sessions. You need help as well."
"I wish not to put that extra weight on you after everything you have done for us," the woman offers, despite how tempting the offer is.
"You still have much problems that needs to be discussed about, Madam," Vader replies. "Do not be reluctant in asking for my help should one of your traumas reveal themselves."
Shmi simply nods, thankful for Vader's kindness.
They end the conversation in time, for Anakin returns just then, the form of the Threepio Unit flanking behind. However, the Droid is different from the servant Droid that Vader have once known from his timeline, with a blaster gripped in his hand, a chestplate which have been augmented with armor, his hands having been replaced with claws, a programmed flamethrower in the droid's wrist that would activate among command.
The only part of the Droid that has not changed is the head. What has his younger self done with Threepio? How could he have transformed from a Droid who didn't even understand war into a machine that appears seconds away from mowing down entire armies? Many others would have thought the droid's new appearance is exaggerated, but he knows his younger self could program things that appear impossible almost flawlessly, something that would provide them with an advantage.
"Lord Vader, I am ready to serve you and Lord Skywalker."
Even the voice appears to be modified into a deeper voice. Vader has to admit he is impressed. While he welcomes the presence of Threepio numerous times especially since he was a preeminent asset whenever Skywalker and Padmé needed him, this Threepio could be beneficial in their war against the Jedi as well as whatever army they would cross that could be a threat.
Only Vader and Skywalker could ever change the entire programming of specific Droids like C-3PO or R2-D2 designated with little to no trouble or without quitting mid-way. The fact that his younger self was able to create a superior droid than the pathetic B1s and B2s back on Naboo and even throughout the Clone Wars is heavily embarrassing, but also shows that Skywalker could achieve wonders with his technological mind.
Vader smirks, planting a hand on his shoulder, never admitting his younger self have been able to impress even him. Another part of the Droid which has been changed is its height, now taller and standing over him, over all of them, showing that his younger self has placed his heart's desire into the Droid. Whatever creations Skywalker would be able to create in the future would only improve in time.
Skywalker in his younger days wanted to become an engineer of some sort, but the Jedi was not exactly happy with that goal of his.
Shmi smiles kindly. "You didn't have to change his entire programming, Ani."
"Yes, I did, mom," Anakin's smile diminishes as he eyes Vader who appears to be examining his upgrade creation before locking eyes with his mother. "We need weapons and none of us could be taken advantage of."
"Your mother is right, my boy, but if you feel obligated to gain my approval and attempt to impress me, don't," Vader replies, knowing that allowing Anakin to continue to harbor that slave mentality would only end in a tragic result. "You are a person and you have obligations to yourself, not to me nor anyone in this entire galaxy, but you have outdone yourself and that is something that should be recognized."
Anakin nods, thankful that Vader is proud of him regardless of whatever he does. While Vader has made it clear that he doesn't need his approval, thus proving himself as the father Anakin wanted for so long but also disciplines him verbally whenever he makes the wrong decision.
Vader would never paddle him unlike the slavers but he would condemn him whenever he misbehaves. It feels good having a father figure that would help him whenever he needs it, a father who would reward him and grant him with affection and love that he longed for so many years as well as protect him, and also a father that would scold him, thus helping him become a better and far more matured person.
It is because of this that Skywalker feels like repaying Vader's favor.
"Threepio can place the bombs on Jabba's palace," Anakin chimes in, slightly smugly. "Mom could be in charge in assuring that the bombs are activated from her part."
"For now," Vader declares, reaching out with the Force and gripping the hilt that once belonged to Sidious's apprentice, dismantling the lightsaber and snapping them all with a mere stare except the Kyber Crystal and placing it on Anakin's hand. "Before we confront Jabba, now is the time you must create a new lightsaber, one that is bonded with you and you alone, not of a past lightsaber wielder "
Vader reveals a bookbag that has pieces inside. He had been careful when collecting these, knowing exactly what hilt would sort Anakin best.
"Those are lightsaber pieces," Vader answers the unknown question, planting a hand on the younger man. "A lightsaber is one of the greatest challenges involving a Force User, Skywalker, and it is for you to bond with it. That crystal would cherish you as much as you would cherish it."
Shmi, appearing to realize that her presence here is unnecessary as of now, walks off, tapping his shoulder before walking into the cockpit. Threepio follows her after a moment, leaving only the different versions of the Chosen Ones alone with the kyber crystal and lightsaber pieces.
"How could a crystal would be able to bond with me?" Anakin queries, knowing full well it is possible by past Jedi and even Sith but not believing that he could do it.
"That is a question you would have to discover for yourself, for crystals are specimens who react differently to each user," Vader replies, knowing that Anakin must be allowed to learn on his own without guidance, especially since his younger self's destiny must not always be granted with guidance since his potential would be matched without learning on his own and finding the personal balance.
"Meditate."
Anakin collapses onto both knees.
"Close your eyes."
Anakin follows the command.
"Clear your mind."
Anakin does so without argument, purifying his thoughts and finding clarity. It is only due to the teachings of Vader, the fact that he could trust him unconditionally, that this is proving to be easy.
"Concentrate."
But that changes just as quickly.
And there it is...
The dragon is fighting back and appears to bite his very veins, reminding him of past transgressions, unmercifully tearing against him, bringing out insecurities: insecurities about what could happen, fears that his father figure, his mother, the man who has become like his brother, and his grandfather figure would leave him, not being able to accept him for who he is and abandoning him. He feels anger at the slavers for abusing him and his mother for nine years without any mercy. He feels rage at the Jedi for casting all figures within his life, including himself, as enemies and forcing them to live in seclusion. He feels suffering at living in an environment which he soon learned was abusive instead of normal throughout the galaxy, slavery that was common on only the planet he has been raised on among others, all ignored and cared little by the Republic.
That day meeting the Jedi in the Chambers is flesh in his mind. They have been completely the opposite of what the boy at the time envisioned them to be, beings that have been completely stoic and careless compared to powerful individuals that certainly can be able to liberate the slaves should the need arise. They have been precisely the opposite of what Anakin imagined for them to be, an unforgettable moment where his beliefs about the Jedi shattered.
"Control. Feel, but control yourself and your impulses. Dwelling onto the past would not change anything."
The voice of Vader appears distant from an unknown location even though minutes ago he was standing over him. What happened? Where is he?
'Do not halt. Continue.'
Anakin listens to the voice of his father figure, wishing to argue out of his curiosity but not willing to fail Vader even though he highly doubts his father would ever be able to judge him especially since he has shown even in times of failure that he cares about him.
However, he owes it to Vader to not fail him after so much training and trust that he has placed into him since he was nine, training him to become the Force User he once wanted to be, and teaching him how to wield powers with little to no limits, something that he owes personal loyalty to.
He would not fail.
He continues, pressing onto his emotions while attributing to his knowledge of the Force. He would never quit, would never be that failure that the Jedi have treated him like years prior, no matter what.
And he would fight for what's right. He doesn't have to be a Jedi to do it. He could still be extremely powerful in terms of the Force while fighting for the peace the Jedi have claimed to be fighting for centuries, but through the history and the Holocrons Vader has collected, it was obvious that the Jedi have lost sight of what they have become.
The light begins to brighten behind his vision. Anakin knows what it is. The kyber crystal.
Extending his senses to the Force, Anakin begins to extend his energy to the crystal, binding it to him. What comes as a result is a power and energy. He can see the Zabrak from Naboo, him bathing in the blood of the many, the weapon becoming a symbol of hell that the past Sith Lord was known for.
Instead, he refocuses his energy on the crystal itself, amplifying his connection to it, and allowing him to bond with it. Unlike Sith, who twisted crystals to their will, or Jedi wishing to avoid attachments even with their own lightsabers, Anakin strives to become someone who has a natural connection with those around him.
Another vergence of power hit him as the crystal connects to him again, forming the bond he has been waiting to feel. The crystal wanted to be his, wanted to be freed from the enslavement its past owner forced it to be.
Still deep in the concentration of the Force, Anakin extends his focus outwards. He knows that he is to remain connected to not only the Force but to the galaxy and all beings. His loyalty is to keep many innocents as he can safe from unnamed threats. In the depths of the Force that is wrapped around him, Anakin pushes against the remaining resistance of the Sith before soon evaporating his presence completely and at last drawing the crystal to him and him alone.
He can feel his body moving involuntarily, grasping together the components while still deeply attuned to the power. The hilt is beginning to form together.
And at last, the power that is the crystal, is encased in the shell of the lightsaber.
Before the Force spurs outwards, and he is consumed...
"LIAR!"
The voice comes from his lips which appear to be unmoved. He feels nothing but a burning hole...
Betrayal...
Betrayal...
She betrayed him!
She will pay for it!
They both will!
He opens his eyes when he feels the Force itself sway, seeing that he is now on the ground, shaken at what he has just seen. It could have been the creation of his lightsaber causing him to see visions, but he can swear that was his voice. In that, he was not under control and he was sadistically wishing to save...
Who? His mind is not yet powerful to extend back and remember who was the person that betrayed him. He didn't get a good look at them as all he saw was the dark side tearing away at bitter defensives in his mind.
Vader's outstretched hand reminds him what is his priority as of now. Deciding to put the questions about the visions aside for later, Anakin stares at the lightsaber and stands to his feet. He hopes that the construction of the lightsaber has been successful.
By the way the Force trembles, it must have been but Anakin cannot help but wonder.
Anakin calls his lightsaber over to his hand, his interest proving to be too much to be denied as he activates the lightsaber. The hilt feels odd in his hand but it also feels right, feels as if it perfectly suits him, and he knows it is only a matter of time before he gets used to it.
What has been once a crimson crystal has been replaced by a purple one. His interpretation of the crystal is completely different. Whereas before, he has felt nothing for the lightsaber aside from alliance and him using the lightsaber to protect himself from enemies and training, now the crystal and he has a bond, a deep seed of loyalty.
"You have done well," Vader praises, proud to see his younger self wielding a lightsaber of his own which signifies not loyalty to the Jedi or the Sith but who he is meant to be, and showing the young man that he now controls his own destiny.
Anakin nods. "Thank you."
Vader acknowledges his words with a simple tilt of his head, replying. "Let's prepare to go to Tatooine."
Master Windu stares over at the Strike Team that he assembled, his eyes going from face to face. He would have to hunt down Vader and stop him before it is too late, meaning he would have to go from planet to planet until he finds him. Those who have become his allies would have to also be stopped.
They all felt the sudden shift in the Force... a being already powerful appearing to triple in that strength.
Windu clears his throat and folds his arms across his chest, saying with finality. "I can sense it and I'm adamant that you all can too. Skywalker have grown twice as powerful as he has once been when he stood before us in the Council Chambers. Vader have exploited the boy and have tripled his power and we should have done this years ago. How far until the Sith grows stronger in power before we finally act and stop them?"
"Vader is a threat to the Jedi," Eeth Koth agrees, "we cannot limit ourselves to politics and allow the threat of the people to linger over us. Vader intends to start a Jedi Civil War and we would have to only react in kind before it is too late."
"I know what we are about to do would be considered a breach of the Republic's law, but we cannot allow Vader to live as a free man with all the damage he have done to this Order being beyond words and the allies he would recruit. We cannot risk losing any more of our allies to the likes of Vader continue to recruit those who doubt our codes or worse strong Force Sensitive beings which he would." Windu adds, knowing that this action could stop a war before it begins if they manage to eliminate Vader or bring him into custody within the safety of the Temple to face judgment before they could corrupt others to their mad cause.
Ki-Adi-Mundi, Saesee Tiin, and Sora Bulq, three Jedi who have been excluded from the Strike Team in the risk that Windu and the rest would fail, lay a hand over his chin, and begins processing what he is being told in his head. The last time he saw Vader, he had been cut down by the man long ago verbally, but now Windu is prepared against what trickery the threat has planned.
"Are you certain about us not coming along, Master Windu?" The Cerean Jedi Master questions, knowing that Windu has his reasons but he doesn't agree with the Korun Master in that front of him not joining them.
Saesee Tiin agrees, "You'll need all the help that you have at you against Vader, and us excluding Yoda from this swift of action as well as the other Masters..."
"No, I need for both of you to be the beacon, Ki-Adi, Saesee," Windu dismisses curtly, staring at him with such intensity that it makes the Cerean even back away slightly. "If I fail, the Order would still be able to stand strong against Vader, and that is why I am agreeing to this in the first place. We need those who can stay behind and the lead the others. In this battle, we'll learn how powerful Vader really is, and I'm not afraid of the possibility of death."
Both Jedi sigh as one, knowing that the Korun is right and have merits about why he has to stay here instead of coming with the others.
"May the Force be with you, Master Windu."
The Korun nods. "May the Force be with you, Master Mundi."
That may be the last time Windu, Bulq, and Mundi would ever see each other again, but they know that the Force would be guiding them as it always does.
Darth Plagueis sits on the throne, his hands on both sides of the chair, probing through the Force to feel the presence of Vader and Skywalker. The Force is swaying among each passing day surrounding those two individuals that are the only ones who could stand a challenge against his Force Powers, sensing that Skywalker's Force Powers have increased drastically in that sudden moment.
Vader's powers never waver nor increase, only extending across the Force greater than any being before like all those years ago. The Force itself fuels through him and it offers powers that not even Plagueis have yet been able to discover, the Force itself striding through him and making his allies as a concealed blanket and his rivals as those who would be succumbed by his iron fist.
The bonds he has with the companions remind him of those of the Jedi Exile centuries ago. Not only he recruited disciples across the galaxy but he is making the Jedi afraid of his very name and what he represents. This is a reason why Plagueis do not wish to form him into a threat, for even Yoda is now acting recklessly.
There are soft sounds of footsteps entering the room and walking up to him. Darth Misericors, a disciple of his formerly known as Ky Narec, who have been angry with the fact that the Jedi were willing to leave him and his apprentice to die without hesitation, only being saved by Plagueis who have dispatched all of them. While he was at first hesitant at allowing such a prized Master and loyalist to the Jedi Order, Plagueis knows recruiting Jedi from their Order is a necessity.
"Have you felt it?" Plagueis muses, staring down at the younger Sith who he has recruited some time ago. Even with the dark side at his command, Misericors is far more stable than Sidious has been, making him thus another perfect apprentice who could be the future of the Sith when Plagueis's powers fail him and he finally perishes.
"Yes," Misericors replies, his face appearing to be devoid of all emotions. "Skywalker has just grown far more powerful, his signature in the Force slowly starting to match Vader. If we would manage to track them down before the Jedi, they would be valuable assets, even the Jedi that have associated along with Vader's crew. I have no doubt that Qui-Gon Jinn's depression would spiral after what happened to his old Master..."
The rest of the statement goes unsaid, though Plagueis hear the implications within them.
"Jinn's presence in the Force is changing every moment," Plagueis responds, knowing that, while he has not talked with Vader for quite some time, the man is still intent on carrying out his side of the deal. "Perhaps Vader would recruit him into his fray and receive his undying loyalty or perhaps Jinn would no longer shy away from the dark side of the Force, at least not enough for him to hear Dooku out and join us, allowing a representative to highlight the future of the Order. Even should he not join the dark side, Vader have gained influence of the Chosen One which is another accomplishment. While he still presents a challenge, and while I should logically only experiment him, even I can acknowledge the threat that boy can pose should he turn against Vader. That boy can become another Revan. He already has the foundations to surpassed the powers of the ancient Sith Lords."
"Vader is similar to Darth Traya which raises the question: would he be yet another Lord of Betrayal?" Misericors replies.
"The Lord of Betrayal was extremely powerful and has always held the galaxy by the throat, but even she had her weaknesses. She failed to keep a firm leash over her allies which only led to her being betrayed by both Revan and the Jedi Exile, her failure with the latter leading to her death. Vader is not foolish enough to make the same mistakes despite the wisdom of Traya's knowledge. Plagueis replies, knowing that Vader would proceed carefully before sending the galaxy into its grave as well as not willing to cast his companions to the side.
For the next few seconds, the two Sith remain quiet, reveling in the Sith's history.
"How is she?" The humanoid chooses to change the subject, his thoughts going on yet another option.
"She is still drunken of the dark side and want revenge against the Jedi but I am teaching her how to control her sanity and her urges," Misericors responds. "Without her power being left under observation for now, she would always be trapped to her own emotions that would only lead her to her inevitable downfall. At this rate, she is not yet prepared for doing combat against the lowest of the Jedi without falling to their might."
"The dark side is not an easy path for even fallen Jedi, my friend," Plagueis replies, not going to cast even unstable beings aside even if her emotions are not in balance. "Her potential is not to be underestimated, especially since she is still learning the ways of the dark side. We mustn't allow hubris to bring down our Order unless we would become as weakened as the Jedi."
"Of course not, Master," Misericors replies, narrowing his golden eyes at that statement, "the Jedi's stupidity mustn't reached our new Order. Their incapacity of keeping their students in check would lead to their inevitable downfall, a result of their arrogance."
"So far," Plagueis replies after a moment, "I have been coming in access of the ancient Sith Holocrons of past Sith on Korriban that have been left behind which have been assisting me in becoming more powerful, and learning past Sith's lightsaber forms, thus helping me become stronger in terms of the dark side in all fronts. It is only a matter of time before I engage in combat with such Jedi like Yoda, meaning that my powers would have to be attuned and I would have to be prepared."
"My lord, if I may ask, shouldn't you already be deeply in touched with the darkness like Sidious was, given you have been taught by your Master like all Sith before us was?" Misericors inquires.
Plagueis's golden eyes burn with absolute hate at the mention of the weak fool his Master was. While he respects his Master for not following the rule of two, a rule that the Muun took after, he feels nothing but hates at his former Master for keeping his abilities limited for the other apprentice.
"Of course, you would believe for that to be, my young friend, but shall I tell you a tale of my Master?" Plagueis replies, standing up and walking over to the window, motioning through the dark side itself for the Sith to take a step forward, a gesture that is followed through without hesitation. "My Master was Darth Tenebrous, whereas like myself, have broken the Rule of Two, but he wanted another apprentice to eventually ascend over me and kill me and be the one who lead the Sith down a path of glory, Darth Venamis, which I eventually defeated and conducted midichlorian experiments on him until he became unusable. Venamis would have become a Sith that would have eventually led the Sith to failure much like Sidious, the traditional ones of Bane's Order."
"So, if you came to battle Yoda or Windu before..."
"I would have perished in battle," Plagueis finishes, resenting to admit such a thing but even he has to confess that there are limitations involving him and even the dark side. "As said before, I was limited in my training, my Master was busy planning to use my body for possession. Instead, I essentially trained myself in abilities that Yoda and Windu would be able to counter. I was not experienced in battle and that is why I haven't revealed myself to the best of the Jedi, though that would be change soon."
Misericors frown thoughtfully. "Vader and the Jedi are soon going to have a confrontation..."
"Yes, surely you have sensed it," an outline of a smirk is on Plagueis's lips. "The Master of the Order is forming a strike team, intent on hunting Vader throughout the galaxy and finally bringing him back to the Jedi Temple for imprisonment, undoubtedly locking him permanently in the Jedi so he wouldn't be able to recruit further Jedi or track down Force Sensitives."
"That is foolish," Misericors replies disappointedly, staring daggers at that, "and it is a wasted effort, for Vader have been proven to be powerful before their very sight, containing the entirety of the Council when they would have been able to imprison any other Force Users."
"Yes," Plagueis replies, sensing the sudden pulsating anger from the younger Sith. "Windu would be driving into his destruction should they engage Vader let alone Skywalker. That is the type of poison that have filled the Jedi Order, a disease that is going to be allowed to continue without being contained, and that is why they would inevitably failed. Even should Yoda participate in the strike team, they would be destroyed by Vader, and that is why the Grandmaster is refusing to get involved, choosing to remain in the Temple no doubt for another plan."
"He fears Vader," Misericors replies slowly. "He fears what he could do without observation and could create another Jedi Civil War if he so wished - if he hasn't done so yet. He fears the fact that Vader is morphing acolytes that could be based on a foundation of a new Order. He fears that he has recruited two gifted Jedi like Kenobi and Jinn. Fear has driven the Jedi into ground."
"Their oversight... would soon be their downfall."