AthenaRome,-
Alright here's the big finale to the Spirits and Power arc, in this chapter Tethys Gigantes binds the Spirits she's been hunting, Lord Scourge and Xalek lead a raid on The Valley of The Dark Lords, Juno Thermosphere and Illontra Ryz support The Wookies in The Battle of Kashyyyk, Anaka Skywalker and Ashoka Tano encounter a dark presence on Athiss, Tethys leads a expedition to Tython under the guise of colonization.
Chronologically the missions are Korriban, Kashyyyk, Athiss, and Tython. Each mission will be separated by Tethys binding the Spirts, this is her chapter by technicality. I'm sorry for saying that Anaka's corruption would happen last chapter, I wanted to include it but I don't want to interupt the main story, Anaka's subplot here and her perspective next Chapter will include the Corruption. I promise.
Anyway I'm gonna be using The Clone Wars chapters to show Anaka's fall and transition between Main Story arcs. Read, Review, and Enjoy!
The Consequences of Forbidden Force.
Chapter VI.
The Hunt For Spirits and Power. Part III.
Tethys Gigantes.
The Chancellor was safely returned to Coruscant and the Separatist attack is putting pressure on The Jedi and The Senate. Palpatine promises that massive counterattcks on The Confederacy of Indepedent Systems are in the works. I had a feeling that the attacks would be on some very specific planets, perfect.
Juno, Illontra, Xalek, Scourge, Skywalker, Tano, and I were summoned to The Chancellor's Office, everyone seemed rather confused, though I sensed that Skywalker felt a strange familiarity to Palpatine. I however knew exactly what would be happening, I'd be getting what I asked for.
"Hello Jedi." Palpatine have a warm smile and received some quick greetings "The people of The Republic are pressuring me to force a counterattack. Inquisitor Gigantes has been researching, she says that the best options will be Korriban, Kashyyyk, and Athiss."
"Korriban would be a symbolic victory, Kashyyyk is in a ideal strategic location, and Athiss is a major fueling station for CIS Star Destroyers. I hate to say it but the plan is good." and I just plain hate you Scourge.
"I thought so aswell, in her research Tethys also found the coordinates to the lost world of Tython, once your missions are over could you investigate?" Palpatine asked.
"I think it would be best that I direct all four missions, I am extremely familiar with Korriban, Kashyyyk is a planet I have done much research on even before I was displaced, These very robes I gathered from Athiss, and The combatants should get rest instead of a expedition." I used the Firce to add a lot of persuasion to that statement, with any luck the Jedi won't realize what happened.
"Logical. Jedi, your opinions?"
"I hate to admit it but it seems like a solid plan." The Jedi nodded in reluctant agreement at Juno's statement, Xalek said nothing. Her support was obvious enough.
Korriban, Ashara Zavros will serve me again.
Lord Scourge's perspective.
Nox, Xalek, and I were heading to Korriban, the planet didn't have a blockade, though Separatist General Ulkon Tas Abarr bases his forces from the Anceint Sith World, Tas Abarr was a Cybornetically enhanced Killik with the brain of the Last Sith Pureblood. It was a disgrace, the last survivor of my species gets his brain put in a cross between a insect and a droid.
I was wearing heavy black Jedi Armor, my Vibrosword on my back for offense. and a Curved-Hilt Lightsaber on my belt for defense. Juno once used the Lightsaber, it had a unique Green Crystal with a Black Core, she got the crystal from one of the Rakghoul Infestations, I can't remember which one of the top of my head. She had modified the Lightsaber to be more suitable for me, I had quickly begun to favor the Curved Hilt.
Xalek was doing some quick modification to her Double-Bladed Lightsaber, the Kalee was famous for being a extremely durable warrior and her combat style reflected that, but Xalek was now researching a combat style from our time, a style for Sith Assassins called Hatred, it focused on a mix of Force and Lightsaber attacks to destroy enemies. Xalek said she was going to use techniques such as Charging her Lightsaber with Lightning and using Dark Side energy to form Death Fields, it was similar to the Force Storms used by Nox but smaller and faster.
Tethys Gigantes herself was sitting in her Battle Aspirant Robes, she was oddly silent, she seemed to be either thinking or plotting. Likely the Former.
"Lord Scourge," she said suddenly "Why are you staring at me? If there is something you want, just ask." The red-skinned Twi'Lek winked at me, I glared at her.
"Before you act like the lowest members of your species Gigantes, keep in mind that I cannot feel anything. If I wanted your offer I would've taken it while you were a common slave and I was the Emperor's Wrath." My goal was to anger and infuriate the Twi'Lek, instead I just made her laugh.
"You could have yes, but you wouldn't have because because you can't feel, I could stab you right now and aslong as it isn't fatal you wouldn't know, it will be amusing when someone finally kills you, because of what the Emperor did you won't even know." that was cold, even by my standards I was about to continue the bickering but Xalek interrupted.
"Master, Scourge please we have a mission. We need to kow what we are doing."
"Alright, Xalek, you and Scourge lead the Clones on a full Assualt on The Separatists in The Valley of The Dark Lords while I secure my own Tomb and all the Armaments my subjects left me, once I'm done I'll assist you in The Valley." Tethys' plan would be sending us straight into the enemies while she is nowhere to be seen? No.
"And why can't your Tomb wait? Because the Armaments of my entire Sphere of Ancient Knowledge seems rather important wouldn't you agree?" of course she had to have a point.
The Valley of The Dark Lords looked awfully similar despite that nearly Four Thousand Years had passed, on different areas of the planet many new Tombs have arisen but The Valley remained the same, except for the fact that the Acedemy was now ruins being terribly preserved by Ulkon Tas Abarr and his Droid Army. Gigantes had left for her own Tomb.
I activated my Rakghoul Black-Green Lightsaber and Xalek activated her Yellow-Orange Double-Bladed Lightsaber. We walked out of the Shuttle with a Squadron of ARC Troopers, it was the now Ancient Offworld Orientation, the Separatists had included modern Supports to preserve the rusted and weathered Metal, destroyed by Centuries of Sandstorms.
We were surprised when Tas Abarr himself approached the shuttle, 8 Super Battle Droids and 4 Droidekas accompanied him. The Massive Insectoid was twice my height. He had the Four Arms that all Killiks had with two additional Cybornetic Arms. His head had a massive metal section in the back. It must've held the Sith Brain.
But there was something much more surprising. Tas Abarr had a blatant Force Signature.
"I sense Darkness within you but I also sense Hostility and Light and I see Clones. Tell me what brings you to Korriban."
"Your destruction." I growled.
"Tell me my sister, do yo really want to kill me? I am one of the very few Purebloods left alive. Is my destruction really a good thing? Do you wish to endanger our kind even more?" I could feel the Darkness and Hatred growing in me, how dare this Insect imply that we are the same species? He is no Pureblood he's a Sith Brain in the body of a overgrown Roach.
"Your Destruction is nothing but a good thing, your a Parasite living of your glory days as a Sith." I Force pushed the Killik into the wall, Xalek instantly used a Death Field to destroy the Battle Droids. I twirled my Lightsaber as I approached the Killik. He would die for his bullshit claims of similarity.
The insect quickly got up and pulled out a Lightsaber Pike, the Red Blade deflected mine before he pushed me away. Retreating into the actual Valley, me and Xalek followed.
While we chased Tas Abarr we decided to tip the scales. As much as I hate her I will admit that working under Tethys gives many more Strategic Advantages.
I used my wrist communicator to send Tethys a brief permission message, I saw a Green Light. Then I changed frequencies to the Venator-Class Star Destroyer, sent them a Green Light. A Orbital Bombardment destroyed the Entire Valley of The Dark Lords. General Tas Abarr was trapped by ruble.
"Clones! Fire!" I gave the Order and the ARC Troopers decimated The Killik with a Sith Brain.
"Tethys, its Scourge, Bombardment was successful, Tas Abarr is deceased." as I informed my unfortunate Commander I saw the Clones taking the Sith Brain, they mostly likely wanted it as a souvenir.
Tethys Gigantes' perspective.
"Excellent, The ARC Troopers are securing the Armaments of The Sphere of Ancient Knowledge. I'll move out once I'm done looting."
"Only you would loot your own Tomb." Scourge replied with disdain.
"Well most don't get the opportunity." I hung up after that. I was following the sense of a corrupted, once Light presence. I was following the presence of Ashara Zavros.
The Togruta was one of my closest allies, she was a very loyal apprentice and she was dependable. If I could bind her spirit then I'd have more power and a calmer, more collected voice in my head, Ashara would be a major help in the long run.
I eventually reached Ashara's burial chamber. It didn't take long for her Spirit to enter.
"Who dares disturb my-master." Ashara spirits was in awe "Andronikos said you were sucked up into the Century Engine, in the back of my mind I always knew you'd return. That's why I made this Tomb so public, I hoped you'd find me."
"I did Ashara, and I'm forced to ally with The Jedi. I am concerned for my own survival, I need power."
"Master, Tethys you know what happened last time you binder Spirits." She warned.
"Yes we'll this time I have you to keep the other Spirits in check." I smiled at the Ghost of the Togruta.
"Well then Bind me Master."
Juno Thermosphere's perspective.
After Lord Scourge and Xalek cleared and glassed The Valley of The Dark Lords Tethys Gigantes dragged me out of our Chambers while I was half naked, she threw some of my Brown Robes and Armor at me, told me to get my Padawan, and then told us to get on the Star-Destroyer heading to Kashyyyk.
I'm not saying that the Mission to Kashyyyk isn't important, I'm just saying that Tethys could've been more polite about getting us.
That was approximately 14 hours ago, presently Tethys, Illontra, and I were entering the Wookie Capital as Clones and Wookie Warriors set up on the Beach. The Separatists Army was coming from the Ocean, likely to avoid a Orbital Bombardment like the one on Korriban.
I wasn't particularly happy that Scourge, Xalek, and Tethys used such destructive methods but atleast the Tombs that more-or-less acted as Temples for those seduced to The Dark Side were finally gone. According to the mission report the ruins of The Sith Acedemy are partially glass now, it's not the way I would've done it but Tas Abarr is dead, The Valley of The Dark Lords is destroyed, and we have a major symbolic victory.
"You two direct the Clones, I'll do what I can while protecting the village." That was surprising, I would have never expected a Sith Lord to say that.
"Well first off we need to find whoever is in charge." Illontra said. I liked the young Mirilian, it takes awhile for her to get out of her shell but around people she's used to she can be rather fun, though her self-doubt was still a problem. Illontra wanted to be like me but she didn't think that was possible, little did she know I started out as a humble trainee on Tython, nothing special.
"That would be me." My Mandolorian mask had translation functions, I could translate his growls, technically I could do the same with the Force but that gives a rather imperfect translation. My mask allows me to get the exact translation, I'd likely have to explain some details to Tethys and Illontra.
"I am Jedi Knight Juno Thermosphere, this is my Padawan Illontra Ryz, and my companion Inquisitor Gigantes. We are here to direct and support to defensive efforts." Luckily most Wookies could understand Galactic Basic, just not speak it because of mutated vocal cords.
"I am Kalazaar, Chieftain of Kashyyyk." he roared, the Wookie King was massive, his chin was equivalent to the tips of Sargeant Rusk's horns. The Wookie was extremely muscular, he was a massive wall of dark fur "You wish to raise a Wookie Army against a army? That sounds like what the Great Kuuson Thios did, he raised a army of Wookies against oppressing corporations that your Republic supported."
"We are simply here to destroy the Separatists, I will personally insure that no oppression comes to Kashyyyk." Kalazaar eyed me very, very carefully, after a few minutes he spoke again.
"Your demeanor suggests a confidence and power that only a honest and honorable warrior could project. Your Clones have already incorporated themselves in the front lines on the Beach, my navy reports that the Droid Army is fast approaching." I bowed to Kalazaar.
"Thank you Chieftain, I promise you that the Separatist will not take this village!" Illontra bowed after me and followed me to the elavator down to the beach.
"Clones! Wookies! The Separatist War Machine seeks to claim Kashyyyk, but The Republic is putting its foot down. After Coruscant we must show the Confederacy of Independent Systems that they will no longer step all over the Galaxy. Now listen to my Master, she will lead us to victory!" I smiled under my mask, Illontra was certainly becoming much more confident as I continued her training. Since the Coruscant Skirmish I've stepped up Ryz's training, I can now officially say she has mastered Niman, her skill in Shien and espeically in Vaapad is increasing at double the rate it was before.
"The heavy artillery will focus on the Separatists in the water, Clones focus on armored targets, and Wookies destroy the remaining Droids. Me and my Padawan will be assisting in every way we can. Now let's destroy these droids, For Kashyyyk! For Coruscant! For The Republic!"
Tethys Gigantes' perspective.
The Republic and the Separatists clashed, Juno and Illontra charged the Droids, missiles and laser were flying everywhere. The entire beach was in chaos yet I could clearly see Juno's distinct Black-Blue Lightsabers and Illontra's Yellow-Green Double-Bladed Lightsaber ripping droids to pieces on the very Front Line. Perfect.
Everyone was distracted, eitherng fighting, supporting the fight, or watching the fight. I could detect the Force Signature of Kuuson Thios in this very village. I followed the Force Signature.
"Master, Kuuson Thios was a Dark Jedi but he fought against the Corruption of The Republic, not the actual Republic, will you do anything to get him to conform or will you force him?" I heard Ashara's voice in my head. I planned to seduce Thios to my goals and if not I'd defeat him and bind his spirit by force.
"Kuuson Thios." His spirit appeared to be locked in some kind of meditation. The Chamber he was in seemed to be some kind of Wookie Tomb.
"Tethys Gigantes, Thousands of years ao you were a Dark Lord of The Sith. From what I've heard of you, you bind spirits of dead Sith" his Spirit rose to his feet, the Rattataki looked like a warrior, not a leader "Tell me, why should I serve you?"
"Because I intend to eventually fight The Republic, but first I need to secure power. I have already binded the Spirit of one of my Apprentices, after you I intend to bind three more spirits. After that I plan on training several apprentices and raising some sort of military force. I hope that eventually my small force will evolve into a Sith Empire."
"Your plan small enough to be realistic but ambitiously enough to have a hope of your end goal." he stopped to think for a few minutes "Fine you can bind me but make no mistake I will be making demands that you will obey or I shall rebel!"
I didn't respond to Thios' demands, I won't let him think he can control me. I used Force Walk to start the binding, he rebelled but I had learned something. I unleashed a deadly stream of Lightning at his spirit, he wasn't expecting that due to the Force Walk he would take the full power of the electrouction.
"I have the power of two Sith at my disposal and the ability to harm you! Obey or I'll destroy you and take all that's left!" he didn't immediatly respond so I increased the Lightning into a Force Storm, after a minute I began tapping into Ashara's power. I could've used more of my own if it wasn't for the fact I need to keep the Force Walk active. His spirit has screaming and he was trying to counterattack but the sheer power of the Force Storm kept him disabled.
"Fine, bind me you witch!" So I did.
Anaka Skywalker's perspective.
Inquisitor Tethys Gigantes had been directing the assaults on Korriban and Kashyyyk, I knew me and Ashoka would be going to Athiss soon. While I had been trying to teach Juyo to Ashoka she still strongly preferred Shien, I was angry at the fact that Thermosphere takes Illontra Ryz as a Padawan and has already made more progress then I have with Ashoka. Right now I just wanted to get away from the politics of the Jedi Temple.
I wasn't needed today and Ashoka was with Barriss Offee. I subtly made my way to the Speeder Hanger, I didn't know if I was going to the Apartment to see Padme or the Senate Building to talk with The Chancellor but I did know that I needed a couple of hours away from the Jedi Temple.
However when I got to the Speeder Hanger I saw Gigantes in her blacks and orange robes leaning on the hood of my speeder.
"Inquisitor Gigantes, why are you here?" I asked.
"Because your supposed to be getting to the Star Destroyer heading to Athiss, I had to leave and come back to get you and your Padawan, I sensed you approach and this speeder is just tacky enough to be your's. I figured that angering you would speed you up."
Athiss is a distant Sith Planet that was once under the rule of the Sith Lord Vodal Kreesh, Kreesh was eventually dispatched but later the Sith and Republic attacked and disposed of The Dead Lord's Prophet and Cult. Gigantes was part of that assualt, she will lead us into the Chamber where the Prophet was destroyed and the Separatist Command on the Planet is likely based, once the Command was disposed of we'd search the Tombs for stragglers and weapons. The Twi'Lek wanted complete destruction of the Separatists on Athiss.
We landed in a small Valley near the Tomb structure. The Valley was rather unremarkable but the Tomb ahead was deep underground, we'd either have to use a elavator or jump are way down.
"Clear the Perimeter, we'll take the elavator into the Tomb and work our way to the Burial Chamber, it's the largest and grandest room, I'm betting the Separatist Leadership on Athiss is based there." Ashoka and I nodded and the former Sith Lord's orders. I ignited my blue Lightsaber and Ashoka activated both her green Lightsabers, we destroyed any Droids unfortunate enough to be in our presence, Gigantes used Strikes of Lightning to overload Droids from a distance, she didn't even bother to take out her Lightsaber.
We took the elevator and then proceeded through the Tomb Complex, Tethys was blasting Lightning left and right, very rarely using her Black-Purple Lightsaber, Ashoka used her duel Lightsabers to brutally cut down Droids and occasionally added Force Abilities to her combat, I personally preferred to cut down Droids with my Lightsaber. Eventually we reached the Burial Chamber, it was a large room lined with statues and had a grand stair case in the middle. The Separatist Council of Athiss sat in the room, four infamous targets.
Arralios'Kavads, a Chiss Prince who decided take a small portion of the Chiiss Ascendency and side with Count Dooku, the Ascendency labeled him a rebel and a terrorist. In any case he was going to die.
Cabaal Agatt, a Cathar Bounty Hunter who Count Dooku relied on for silencing political rivals, the Separatist feared her and all she got was a seat on a Council of Leadership on the Planet of Athiss.
X66-YF757-2, a Prototype Assassin Droid that had gone rogue and murdered the staff of the factory that had created him, he rampaged out into the streets of Nar Shaddaa before The Separatists disabled and reprogrammed the Droid, earning the Killing Machine for their cause.
And finally Retasza Ullion, a female Kel-Dor who had come to Athiss with the intent of starting a Dark Cult, her followers were gunned down by Battle Droids and she herself smiled at the fruition if the desk she made with Dooku. A rebellious Prince, a Bounty Hunter, a Assassin Droid, and a Treacherous Cultist.
They reached for their weapons, me and Ashoka reached for are Lightsabers but with a Force Storm Tethys brought the room into a fatal Anti-Climax. The four Separatist Warlords killed in seconds, not by Light, but by the Powe of the Dark Side.
What happened next was completely unexpected. A Force Spirit materialized directly in front of us. The Spirti was a Echani female in traditional robes. This was the Force Spirit of Tesalla Je.
"Tethys Gigantes, you come to my domain and use the Dark Side, you want my attention yet you cannot simply ask?" The Echani Spirit laughed and began walking back and forth in front of Tethys "You and I have much in common, we both directed a powerbase against the leaders of our enemies. You want me to be binder to you? Then I accept, I am a Spirit of the Dark and I will serve the Dark!"
"Binding?" Ashoka asked.
"Yes, Force Walking, a ancient technique of gaining power Forbidden by the Jedi, like many powerful abilities. The Dark Side is power but the Jedi refuse to allow students to reach their full potential, Sith are unleashed fury, Sith are deadly, Sith are absolute!"
"But why would the Jedi not allow me to reach my full potential, especially in times of war?" I asked the spirit.
"That is the very question that made Revan raise her army against the Mandolorians, she was a Sith but she fought for the Galaxy as a whole, I battled corruption like Kuuson Thios before me, only I was smart enough to escalate myself in the process. Me and my Assassins cashed in on Bounties and other Lucrative Crimes all for the purpose of destroying Corruption in The Republic and I am labelled evil. The Jedi are hypocrisy!" Tethys then demonstrated the Technique of Force Walking on Tesalla Je.
Me and Ashoka watched amazed at the power of the Dark Side.
Tethys Gigantes' perspective.
As my expedition to Tython Landed I could feel the power of Ashara Zavros, Kuuson Thios, and Tesalla Je, the Three Dark Jedi fueled me and because of the comple loyalty of the two women I was clear of any risk of Kuuson rebelling. They claimed that they could hold down the Spirits of Pion Que Drosto and Kazo Remon in addition to Thios' dwindling willpower.
Tython was a beautiful mountainous forested Planet, as me and my Battalion neared the ruins of the Old Jedi Temple I had to stop to take in the sights. The Lost Planet was one of the last examples of true beauty left on the Galaxy, and because of the way The Chancellor agreed to my commands he'd get to ruin it. The Chancellor had stabbed me in the back at every opportunity, he had played me for me forcing a ultimatum on him.
The Valley of The Dark Lords was destroyed, The Spirit corrupting Kashyyyk was now gone and The Republic had gained a major strategic planet, if it wasn't for Anaka's and Ashoka's interest in the Dark Side I would've been exposed on Athiss, and now I had ruined a planet that had once been vital to the preservation of my species would now industrialized by the Forces of Palpatine's Corruption. The bastard had played me with a scheme worthy of a Sith Lord.
I turned and electrocuted each and every clone in the expedition.
As I approached the Jedi Temple I decided that when I return to Coruscant I'd claim that the Flesh Raiders managed to destroy the Company and I survived due to the fact that unlike the Clones I was competant. The Ruins of The Temple had clear scars of the last major event at the building, Que Drosto and Remon's revolt. Corpses filled the building and I could sense hundreds of Jedi became in with the Force in this very Temple. The revolt must've been a massacre, much bloodier than even the Jedi Archuves had reported. I followed the sense of Dark Force.
Pion Que Drosto and Kazo Remon's spirits were sitting in the Jedi Council Chamber making a mockery of the room. They sensed me enter.
"You are the one that committed the massacre outside, excellent work. Trying to follow in the footsteps of me and my master are you?" The Cathar Spirit asked.
"Quiet Apprentice." the Zabrak Master then faced me "We had donned the Robes of Sith and manufactured red crystals, we entered the Jedi Temple and murdered many teachers that disagreed with us. The entire Jedi Order rushed us, we killed hundreds of Jedi for a entire 24 hours. By the ime me and my Padawan were silenced we got our message clear accross. The Sith still live in one shape or another and it is a honor to be in the presence of a actual Sith Lord." he and his Padawan bowed.
"You Two are not Sith. You are pretenders that simply committed a single good goal against the true Forces of Corruption. The Jedi are hypocritical fools that limit power and it is time that the Jedi get punished for their evil. I needed help and power, if you two pretenders accept binding I shall make you Sith before I release you. Do you accept?"
"Yes!" the stupid ambitious Dark Jedi were overenthusiastic about becoming Sith, whatever they were servants now, nothing more.
Ashara Zavros, Kuuson Thios, Tesalla Je, Pion Que Drosto, and Kazo Remon. I now had the power of five Dark Jedi. My Hunt for Spirits and Power is over, it is time to gather disciples, it is time for my final steps towards open rebellion if the Jedi Council!
We have 800 views, 4 Favorites, and 5 Followers! This story is getting attention faster than I could've possibly expected and I'm extremely grateful to my readers for that. Each and Every one of you is amazing, if anyone wants to make any requests or suggestions for this story go right ahead! I appreciate reviews, honestly I appreciate any attention this is my very first story after all. But seriously thank all of you!
Next Chapter is The Clone Wars Part II, Anaka Skywalker has seen what the power of the Dark Side is and she is taking a interest in the the other side of the Force. As Chancellor Palpatine continues his subtle corruption of Skywalker and her need of Padme's love drive Anaka over the edge will anything be able to bring her back?
After Chapter VII The Army of Tython arc begins and I have high hopes for that sub-story. Read, Review, and Enjoy!
-AthenaRome.