A/N 1: I do not own Harry Potter nor do I own Star Wars.
A/N 2: I appreciate all the reviews and they are very motivating.
A/N 3: Just a reminder, this is AU for both HP and SW. So I am interpreting the force a little differently here than what I have normally seen.
Spells or Force Powers
------- Perspective change
Chapter 17: Peace Through Superior Fire Power
October 24th, 2007
Hogsmeade UK
Heto watched as Revan stalked towards him. A frown of disappointment flashed on his face when he realized that Revan was not radiating any of the fear that he had sensed during their first meeting. Still leaning against the wall, he taunted "Well look, the Jedi has come back to play. Are you ready to be schooled again?"
Revan was halfway across the street when he responded "It will take more than a wet behind the ears Sith Apprentice to teach me anything." As he walked slowly, he absent mindedly deflected away stray curses with his light saber.
The casual confident moves that Revan was using were disconcerting Heto. How did the Jedi know he was just an apprentice, had he faced Sith before? "You don't have any idea of the power I wield, but I will be more than happy to give you another lesson. Maybe I will spare the female after I am done with you and keep her for a special lesson." Heto said with a lecherous grin.
Revan didn't respond. He simply raised his light saber and prepared to attack.
Heto drew his force blade and attacks quickly. Throwing up his left hand, he pushed at Revan with the force trying to throw him across the street.
Smirking, Revan held his light saber in front of him and used it as a focus as he pushed back, letting the force flow through him in a tidal rush. The air rippled around him as he diverted the Sith's attack. He just stood calmly in the center of a growing vortex of power.
Heto was not as relaxed. Sweat started to break out on his forehead as he struggled against Revan. His hand clenched around the hilt of his force blade he fed his hat and anger into his attack but still Revan stood there in front of him. A tentative step forward brought him closer to Revan in an effort to strengthen his attack.
A wide grin spread onto Revan's face. While standing there watching as the Sith grew increasingly distressed, he marveled at the freedom he felt. With a flash of insight he realized that it wasn't only his fears that had fallen away, his doubts about his actions and his regrets about the deaths he had caused had also dissipated.
The ripple of power around him grew in size. There was something different, the force was singing to him as it never had before. He had never felt so complete either as a Jedi or a Sith. Why should now be different? What was different about his connection to the force? Again another insight struck in as many seconds. It wasn't the force that was different, he was different. He was opening himself to both the light and dark sides of the force. The teachings of both the Sith and Jedi were wrong. The two sides were not in conflict with each other, there were complimentary. They worked together naturally to maintain the cycle life and death, creation and destruction. Only together could the cycle continue. The Jedi and the Sith were breaking that cycle by ignoring one side of the force, only by opening oneself to the light and the dark and truly accepting both sides would you be able to understand the need for balance and the power associated with that understanding.
A surge of power roared into him, almost as if the force was rewarding him for finally realizing this basic truth. A green-gold colored glow emanated from his body and his eyes were radiating power. With a loud cry of exultation, reveling in the freedom, completeness and power he felt, Revan pushed the full strength of the force against the Sith.
An explosion of light and sound followed and a distortion wave spread outward from Revan. Before Heto could react, the wave slammed him into the stone wall behind him. Windows shattered all over Hogsmeade and the ground shook. Bastila, James, the Death Eaters, everyone flew through the air as the wave passed and came crashing down to the ground.
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Even as the wave dissipated, ripples continued to spread through the force. Wizards and witches everywhere on Earth that were set in their ways, unwilling to take a stand for what they believed in sensed the awakening of something powerful and were filled with fear for the birth of something beautiful and terrible. The others, the ones willing to fight felt a surge of hope and promise for a future that would be filled with change and wonder.
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Dumbledore sensed the power and signaled the Order of the Phoenix. Whatever it was, it was in Hogsmeade and could be a threat. Anything or anyone that powerful would need to be contained before it could threaten the wizarding world.
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Voldemort was sitting in his throne room, waiting to hear the results of the attack on Hogsmeade. A cold shiver ran up his spine, the power was immense. There was a new player in this war and now the question was which side he was on.
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Kael was brooding as he waited for his apprentice to return. He was shocked by the feelings coming through the force. It couldn't be the Jedi; they were ignorant to the power of the dark side. Whoever he had sensed was a threat to the empire and would soon learn to fear the Sith. He would not give up this planet, regardless of the success of Heto's mission; it was time to call in additional forces.
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Elsewhere in the galaxy, Kreia was broken from her meditation. A smile spread out across her face. In a pleased voice she said "Revan, finally you have realized your potential. Finally, you are ready to take up your true role in the galaxy." Standing from her position, she made her way out of her chamber. It was time that the brothers once again take their place side by side to stand against the darkness and the galaxy would tremble at their footsteps. With a whispered command into a secure communications link, she set her plans into motion.
-------
A soft groan escaped the Sith as he slumped to the ground dazed. Revan just stood his ground waiting, while the Sith rolled back to his feet.
Hate radiating from his being Heto raised his force blade into attack position and charged Revan. His vicious downward strike was met by Revan's blood red light saber. Sparks flew and ozone could be smelled in the air when the energy in the two weapons clashed.
Pushing up and forward, Revan forced the Sith to take a step back. Immediately, he began his own attack, slashing across his opponent's chest. It too was blocked and the two battled back and forth for several minutes.
Revan remained calm and in control while the Sith grew increasingly frantic. In desperation, he used the force to augment his strength and speed. Revan followed suit and soon the duel was a blur of red light and flashes as the blades met over and over again. Unbeknownst to either Revan or Heto, the other battle had never restarted and the combatants, Unspeakables, Death Eaters, and the newly arrived Order of the Phoenix, were watching the duel, marveling at the skill and power being displayed.
Tiring, Heto overextended an attack. With a quick maneuver, Revan blocked the attack, swinging the force blade away from his body and leaving the Sith open for retaliation. A quick slash to the Sith's right thigh left a deep wound and the smell of burning flesh.
Heto hissed in pain and in desperation jumped over Revan's to land on the roof of a nearby house. As soon as he landed he fed all of his hate and fear into another attack. Yellow-gold lightning began to arc between his fingers before he thrust his hand out shooting a bright bolt towards Revan's position.
Without pause for thought, Revan held out his free hand and called the lightning to him. It collected in his hand, forming a shimmering golden sphere with electricity arcing over the outer shell. Again, acting on instinct, he threw the ball back at the Sith.
Eyes bulging, Heto leaped away back to street before the lightning hit the roof his leg screaming with pain when he landed. The upper level of the home erupted in flame as the lightning spread over the wood igniting everything it touched. Heto was only just able to raise his blade in time to stop Revan's next strike but he was slowing due to fatigue and the wound to his thigh.
Revan, tiring of the game, spun low as if to sweep the Sith's feet from underneath him. Instead, his slashed his light saber across the Sith's ankles severing the Achilles' tendons in both legs.
Pain lanced through his legs and he screamed out even as he collapsed to the street, his legs unable to support his weight without causing massive pain.
Revan wasted no time. He kicked the force blade out of the Sith's hand and held his own light saber just above the man's chest. "I told you it would take more than you to teach me anything."
Trying to sound like he was in control, Heto spat "Just finish it Jedi. My master will avenge my death!"
"Yes, tell me more about your Master. Where can I find him? I need to tell him how disappointed I am with his teaching if your skills are any indication. If you tell me, I may make your death quick, otherwise…" He just left the statement hanging allowing the Sith to make his own conclusions.
Glaring, the Sith turned his head hoping that a Death Eater would be able to distract the Jedi. Unfortunately, all he saw was the Unspeakables and Order watching in morbid fascination. The Death Eaters had taken advantage of their distraction and port keyed to safety. Rather than answer he tried to pull his blade to his hand using the force. Before it could reach him though, a scream ripped from his throat when Revan calmly pressed the tip of light saber through his wrist. The bones and tendons were burned away leaving his hand attached to two thin strips of flesh.
"I asked you where you Master is, I suggest you don't test my patience." Revan said as if this was just an ordinary evening.
Revan sighed when the Sith did nothing more but grit his teeth and glare at him. "Fine but are you sure he would show you the same loyalty?" Even as he asked his question, he pressed the saber against the Sith left upper arm and allowed the blade to slowly burn through flesh and bone. "It doesn't have to be like this, I will make it quick if you just give me the information I need."
Another scream broke the silence of the night. Tears of pain ran unbidden down Heto's face. "My master will destroy you and your family for this. The Massassi will come and then you will see what real power is." He gasped out.
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James paled when he saw the Revan was torturing the man. He started to walk forward to stop him when he felt someone grab his arm. Turning he saw that it was Bastila.
"Don't" she said simply.
"How can you stand there and let him torture that man? It isn't right." James argued.
"You know what they did to Revan. Do you really think he would do this to just anyone? I don't think there is any other viable method for getting information from him."
"That is a Sith?" James asked incredulously. "He looks so normal."
"What did you expect them to look like, monsters?" Bastila asked sardonically.
James muttered "It still doesn't seem right though."
"You of all people should know that sometimes we need to do things we wouldn't otherwise do."
Reluctantly he nodded and she released his arm. "It doesn't mean I have to like it though." He said finally.
"No it doesn't and you never should."
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"Really, I thought you were going to show me the power you have? Obviously it wasn't anything too impressive. If you won't tell me where your Master is, tell me the location of the Death Eater's headquarters." Revan figured the Sith would have less loyalty to Voldemort and may be willing to give up the information.
Doubt filled Heto's mind. Could he give the Jedi this information? The Death Eaters were his master's allies but it wouldn't be threatening his master directly. He knew he wasn't going to live and his resolve was weakening.
Revan saw the determination fading from the Sith's eyes and pressed the blood red blade against his chest. The blade sank in just into the muscle before he stopped. The pain and fear were obvious on the Sith's face now. "I am tiring of this game. If you don't give me the information I want, you won't have any limbs left before I finally decide to kill you." He said coldly.
Heto stared into Revan's gold-green eyes and was about to speak when he saw his chance.
Albus Dumbledore approached Revan; disgusted by the man's actions he grabbed his arm distracting him. He said authoritatively "You can't torture this man. I won't let you."
"Who are you to stop me from doing anything old man?" Revan hissed.
Heto saw Revan's distraction and with one final scream forced himself up and onto Revan's light saber. It burned through his heart and killed him instantly.
Revan's eyes blazed when he saw the Sith's body. "You better have a damned good reason for interrupting me. He was our best chance to get the locations of the Death Eaters and his master."
"You were torturing that man. The Unspeakables may have the authority to track and kill Dark Wizards but I don't think that extends into torture. Why didn't you simply use Veritaserum?"
James and Bastila approached and joined the argument. "Dumbledore what are you doing here, the Order has no authority to interfere with an Unspeakable."
Bastila was furious. Because of this old fool they had lost their best chance of finding the other Sith. "You have no idea what you have done. He was our best chance to get that information and because of you the source is dead!"
"He's dead because Revan decided to torture him instead of taking him into custody." Albus drew his wand again and pointed it at Revan. "I'm afraid that I can't let you go, you will need to come with me. If you explain your actions to my satisfaction I may let the matter drop."
By this time, the Unspeakables had taken up positions behind Revan, James and Bastila. The Order had taken up a counter position behind Dumbledore.
"I don't have to explain anything to your satisfaction. In fact, I suggest you put that wand away right now. You are threatening authorized agents of the government. Are you really prepared to face the consequences? Are you followers prepared to spend the rest of their lives in Azkaban?"
The Order looked a little less certain but none of them lowered their wands. Clearly they were prepared to follow Dumbledore regardless of the repercussions.
"I'm sorry my boy. You mean too much to the wizarding world for me to allow you to go down this dark path." Dumbledore pointed his wand at Revan. Hoping to catch Revan by surprise, he silently cast Stupefy. The red beam shot from his wand but was intercepted by Revan's light saber. The beam was deflected towards an Order member who was forced to dive out of the way.
The Order was shocked for a second that Albus Dumbledore would attack Revan Potter. The feeling of shock wore off almost immediately so they followed his lead and started firing stunning and disarming spells at the Unspeakables.
All but one of the Unspeakables dove out of the way and began to return fire. James joined the other Unspeakables and began attempting to disable the Order members. Bastila waded into the order, swinging her light staff while dodging spells.
With a small grin at the attack, Revan just stalked forward to face off against Dumbledore. "You just made a big mistake old man."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes faltered for a second before he fired of a string of spells. Revan again deflected the first two spells harmlessly but the third spell was an explosion hex that detonated on impact with his light saber. The explosion knocked the light saber from Revan's grip and he crashed into the ground with a loud grunt.
Holding out his hand as he rolled to his feet, Revan called it back to him using the force. Before Dumbledore could react, Revan leaped forward in the air, diving over Dumbledore's head. Even as he landed, he swung high at an Order member directly in front of him. The man screamed when the blade sliced into his wand arm just above the elbow joint, severing it completely.
Dumbledore spun ready to cast another explosive hex at Revan. Before he could snap it off, Revan thrust his hand forward pushing with the force. Dumbledore felt like he had been slammed by a great weight that sent him flying from his feet. With a wall rapidly approaching, he apparated to a position behind Revan with a soft pop.
Revan quickly spun looking for Dumbledore. He took the opportunity to quickly survey the battle and noticed that the Unspeakables had stunned or disabled many of the Order members. Those not stunned were maimed and clearly showing wounds from Bastila's light staff. Arms and legs were missing, each injury crippling an Order member.
When Revan heard the soft pop signaling Dumbledore's apparition, he flung his light saber using the force to balance its flight and help it to fly true. Albus had just reoriented himself from his apparition when he saw the light saber flying towards him. Showing a surprising amount of agility for a man his age, he dove quickly to right side. Unfortunately, he was not quick enough and it speared him through the left side of his lower abdomen.
Revan walked over to the man who was clutching his side. Summoning his light saber back to his hand, Revan clicked it back on and held it to Dumbledore's throat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't end your life right now!" Revan growled.
James and Bastila hurried over. Though the action could be justified, it would be a political nightmare if Revan were to kill Dumbledore. So James put his on Revan's arm light to push the light saber away. Dumbledore simply glared up at them while he clutched at his side in pain. "It would be more trouble than he's worth to kill him now. Let the Unspeakables have him, he can be brought to trial for attacking us."
Revan didn't release the light saber; he simply studied Dumbledore and then James before clicking it off and stepping back. "Old man, you try something like that again and I will see your position and life destroyed in the wizarding world. When I am through with you, the people won't trust you with anything."
James held out a hand to help Dumbledore stand, only to have it slapped away by the man. "This isn't done; you overestimate your power here. When the public hears of your actions tonight, they will turn away from you."
"And who will they look to in order to fight this little war, you? You have had your opportunity and you are still screwing it up. What I did tonight was necessary to crush the enemy, you may not be willing to do it, but someone has to." Revan said scornfully.
"I guess the public will have to decide." Dumbledore responded confident that the public opinion would swing his way.
Before Dumbledore could leave James added one final comment "Dumbledore don't think that because I'm not arresting you right here that you have gotten away with anything. Expect to receive a visit from the Aurors tomorrow."
After Dumbledore and the Order apparated or port keyed away, James turned to Revan. "Revan, I can't say that I agree with what you were doing but Dumbledore didn't have any right to stop you."
"It is not something that I particularly enjoyed myself." Revan replied. James could swear he heard an unspoken 'anymore' somewhere in the statement.
"Dumbledore is right about one thing though, there is going to be public and political fallout from this. I won't delude myself into thinking that the Daily Prophet won't have a story on the front page tomorrow announcing what happened during the attack."
"Nothing else had any chance of success; his mind would have been too strong for your Veritaserum. Though, it would have been prudent to interrogate him away from prying eyes."
Bastila asked "What was that shockwave? I can still feel the ripples of it in the force but they are fading quickly."
Revan mulled over his words before answering "I came to realization about the force or more specifically about the light and dark sides of the force and their true relationship. It allowed me to experience the force in a way that I never have before."
"What relationship, they are opposites diametrically opposed to one another."
Revan just shook his head and explained briefly his insights into the force. He knew that until Bastila truly accepted the dark side as more than just a tool or necessary evil, she would never have the same experience. In fact, there were only a handful of other people that could truly understand his revelations. For just a moment, the image of his friend and brother appeared in his mind, not as he was now but when they were young before they had started on this path. There was another friend who could understand the significance of this but she had already paid a high price for her involvement with Revan.
Voldemort's Mansion, Little Hangleton UK
Voldemort was sitting tensely in his throne room as he waited for word from his Death Eaters. If all went according to plan, then Revan Potter would be dead and the forces holding back his rule of the wizarding world would collapse. However, it wasn't the lack of news that was making him tense. No, his ally was waiting with him. Not that he would ever admit it aloud, but Kael Corpus frightened him. The hate that continually radiated from the man made his own pale by comparison.
It was bad enough having to wait with the man, but then that wave of power washed over him. Since then, Kael had been alternating between fear and determination. Voldemort watched nervously as the man paced back and forth arguing with himself. Despite his best efforts he was unable to catch more than the occasional word. Still, if Voldemort could find whoever it was that controlled this new power, he may be able to break himself away from Kael's grasp.
After what seemed like an interminable wait to both Kael and Voldemort, the Death Eaters returned. Immediately upon their arrival in the throne room, they knelt down with their heads touching the floor.
Kael looked on with disgust, knowing that Voldemort needed such displays as a symbol of his power. The man was worse than an amateur. Every day he regretted bringing him back to life but the fear he had inspired in the wizarding world had seemed worth it at the time. Now he wasn't so sure. The Jedi had been amazingly effective at neutralizing him and his influence so much so that there was now only a minor undercurrent of fear despite the continued attacks.
"Speak" Voldemort ordered.
Acciter raised his head and gave his report. "My lord, the attack went as expected. Revan Potter, the woman and James Potter showed up along with other Unspeakables. I didn't see much of the fight between Revan and Heto."
Voldemort asked "Where is he now?"
Acciter swallowed nervously "I'm not sure my lord, but I suspect he is dead. Revan was torturing him for information when we port keyed out."
"Crucio" Acciter had been expecting the torture but still writhed on the floor as pain exploded in his body. Screams and moans echoed off the walls of the chamber for more than a minute before Voldemort released the spell. "Why did you leave him behind?"
Shuddering and gasping for breath, Acciter said with his head bowed "We would not have survived my lord. Our only chance was to escape while they were distracted."
The unmistakable sound of a blade being drown could be heard by all in the room. Acciter was forced to look up into the cold emotionless eyes of his lord's ally. Swallowing nervously his Adam's apple rubbing up against the force blade held against his neck, Acciter reconciled himself to whatever fate this man had in store for him.
Kael could feel his rage simmering beneath the surface, just waiting to be unleashed. If his apprentice lost to the Jedi then he deserved nothing less than death. No, what upset him now was the humiliation he would face if he lost this world. As much as he was loathe to admit it, it was time to call in for the Massassi warriors. He would need troops more capable than these pathetic wizards.
Still, the fact that his apprentice deserved his fate did not mean that this man as leader of the Death Eater force would escape punishment. "Rather than join my apprentice, you fled like cowards." He stated while putting more pressure behind the blade. It was just enough for the tip to pierce the skin but not deeply, any further and he could slice into the man's windpipe.
Acciter could feel a small trickle of blood roll down his throat. Because he was still recovering from the Crucio he was able to avoid showing any signs of pain from the blade. He swallowed again, trying to pull away from the blade at his throat only to have his head pulled back sharply by his hair.
"My apprentice may have deserved death for his failure but you deserve death for deserting him." Kael said sharply.
Acciter turned panicked eyes to Voldemort, pleading for mercy. Kael didn't wait any longer, he made a very fine slice across the man's wind pipe and nicked his jugular but otherwise left the man unharmed. He knew that untreated, the man would die within the next few minutes from suffocation or blood loss. Either way, he would enjoy watching the panic in the man's eyes as his life faded. Before stepping back, he kicked Acciter in the chest forcing him backwards to the ground so he was lying on his back.
None of the other Death Eaters dared to move. Kael simply watched enjoying the scene as the man died and raw fear radiated from everyone else in the room, even Voldemort.
Acciter was struggling to breather, he could hear air whistling in his wind pipe and feel the steady pump of blood down his neck from his jugular. Black spots started to flash in his eyes and as death approached he started struggling even harder to catch his breath. It wasn't long before blood loss and lack of oxygen rendered him unconscious.
His entertainment finished for the time being, Kael turned to Voldemort. "You will notify me of any future attack plans. I will kill this Revan Potter personally." Not bothering to wait for a response, Kael turned sharply on his heel and stalked out of the chamber to return back to his head quarters. He had a message to send to the Sith Empire.
Potter Manor, Godric's Hollow UK
Revan, Bastila and James had just returned to Potter Manor when his communicator signaled him. With a tired sigh, Revan clicked it on. "This is Revan, go ahead."
Commander Halcyon's cool professional came through. "My lord, I apologize for contacting you so late, but there is something up here that requires your attention. I have taken the liberty of sending a shuttle to pick you up."
"Is that necessary, can't this wait until morning?" Revan asked a slight whine in his voice. The adrenalin from the battle had long since worn off and his muscles were getting heavier. He chose to ignore Bastila's grin.
"Yes my lord, I believe it is."
"Very well" Revan said and clicked the communicator off. Head hanging in self-pity he trudged outside to wait for the shuttle.
James chose to go outside and wait with Revan. At first he was going to ask about the torture but then he decided it was too fresh in his mind right now. They ended up talking quietly about the battle and how Revan was dealing with the aftermath. Despite some of his actions in questioning the Sith, James was proud of the way Revan handled himself and mastered his fears.
Revan didn't look at him but said none the less "It wasn't just my fears, tonight I found peace with my past decisions and actions."
"I'm proud of you Revan; it couldn't have been easy reliving what they did to you. I'm not sure I could've done it."
"There was no choice, even Bastila couldn't defeat the Sith right now. She could probably match many of them in skill, but she doesn't have their viciousness."
James was about to respond when the now familiar roar of the shuttle engines signaled the arrival the shuttle. The two men watched silently as the shuttle landed. Revan was striding towards it even before the loading ramp had finished opening.
"I should be back by tomorrow morning." Revan said.
Decimator, High Earth Orbit
Revan was greeted in the landing bay by Commander Halcyon. Curiosity was burning in him now; the commander would not have greeted him personally unless it was something serious.
"What was so urgent that you had to bring me up here tonight?"
"Before I go into that, we have detected multiple incoming ships. By our current estimates, they will arrive in approximately 8 days."
"Do we have any information on the composition of the incoming force?"
"It appears to be a relatively small task force; we have only picked up 15 hyperspace signals."
Revan nodded. It could be a lot worse, his fleet was significantly larger but they would still need to make sure that none of the ships got away otherwise Malak would know the exact composition of his forces. "What is the breakdown of ship class?"
"There are 4 capital ships based on the information and the remainder appear to be composed of a mix of cruiser and destroyer class ships."
"Move the gravity well generators further out; we need to make sure that none of the ships get away. Continue work on the defensive batteries as well, without a source for spare parts yet we can't afford to take too much damage."
"Yes Lord Revan." He led Revan away from the shuttle towards the lift.
"What is the real reason you brought me up here?" Revan asked. While the information on the incoming fleet was important, it was not sensitive enough to require a face-to-face meeting.
"A small cargo ship dropped out of hyperspace earlier this evening. Unlike the scout ship it did not flee. Instead, it flew straight for the planet."
"What was its cargo?" Revan asked as the two men left the hanger bay and entered the lift.
"It didn't have any cargo to speak of, just the normal stores for a long term voyage." Commander Halcyon paused for a moment when the lift doors opened. "There was only a single occupant on the freighter."
"Who was it?" Revan asked.
The lift opened up again onto the detention level. Rather than answering the question, Halcyon led Revan over to the only occupied cell at the moment. Inside was a woman of medium height. Revan recognized her immediately though it had been a few years since they had last seen each other. In fact, he had not seen her since the battle at Malachor V.
"General? I thought you were exiled by the Jedi Council."