Disclaimer – Don't own SW, thanks George
A/N I've decided to forgo using the KOTOR Dark Side ending in favor of a fully custom ending which will be a mix of the 2. This will allow me to maintain my story consistency while adding to the arc. And yes I know there is another time jump coming up, but it's the last. This one will bring the story up to Episode II, exactly where I need it to truly begin.
"Spoken"
'Thought'
Spirit
Star Wars
Dark Lords of the Sith
Chapter 3
Past Darkness
Courasaunt
1500 Republica
Senatorial Residence Block
Dormé stood from her seat on the sofa in the main sitting room of Senator Amidala's apartment as the senator in question finally emerged from her room. She still wore the blue tunic and boots from before as she moved to the sofa which sat opposite the other and sat down. The smile she wore was brighter than any Dormé had seen in quite some time. She moved over to the Senator, one of her few close friends, and sat next to her.
"Senator…Padme, are you alright?"
Padme nodded the Talravinian accent from before was still in full force and didn't appear to be receding at all.
"I'm quite alright Dormé, thank you. I've just received some very, happy, news is all"
The pair had always been friends, even as children. When Padme had been elected Queen and discovered Dormé was to be one of her handmaidens she was overjoyed. She simple handed Dormé the Data pad delivered to her by HK-47.
Greetings Senator
If you're reading this no doubt my droid, HK-47, has managed to locate and deliver this message. I know you remember the things I do, our first meeting on Taras, our time together searching for the Star Maps and the subsequent defeat of Malak on Star Forge. So I suppose I can drop the pretense, I miss you Bastila. I know you can still feel me as I can you through our Force Bond. 4000 years, and death itself, haven't dull that. I've never been good with words or expressing my feelings to anyone, but you were always able to read me as if I were an open book.
It may be a while before I am able to come see you in person, a few years perhaps, though I have foreseen our reunion to be a sweet one. You should know I have taken up my old title and reactivated what wreckage was left of Star Forge. Don't worry, I have no intention of doing anything rash, but I do have plans of my own. Plans for the future you are an intimate part of.
Don't worry its noting to serious, though it may send the Jedi Counsel members into fits, which I would love to see. As soon as all is prepared I will send another message via HK containing a detailed layout of what I've planed along with a document packet. All I need of you is to deliver that packet to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, he will understand.
I hope that this will be the beginning of a new golden age for us all, Jedi, Republic and Sith alike. Until then my Bastila.
With all my love, Revan.
Dormé was floored. She knew the message was important to Padme but it wasn't a simple diplomatic one as she had expected. It was more a less a love letter. Dormé handed the data pad back to Padme and pulled her friend into a hug. If anyone deserved some happiness, it was her.
"I am happy for you Padme"
Dormé pulled away and sat back in her seat next to the Senator.
"So it is true then?"
Padme nodded, reading the message over again.
"Even after the visions and everything that happened I still had my doubts, until I saw HK and read this. There's no doubt now I am, or once was, Jedi Bastila Shan"
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Jedi Master Yoda stood in the lift which carried him toward the apartment of Naboo Senator Padmé Amidala. Her handmaiden Dormé had been very rather pointed that the senator urgently needed to speak to a Jedi Master, himself specifically. In the communiqué the senator's handmaiden had mentioned the name Bastila. Curious the aged Jedi Master had consulted the Jedi Archives for any references to the name, he found only one.
Jedi Master Bastila Shan, a member of the order during and following the Mandalorian
Wars and following Jedi Civil War. Following the end of the Jedi Civil War and the redemption of Darth Revan, the only recorded time a Dark Lord of the Sith returned to the light, she and Revan helped reorganize the Order before disappearing into the Unknown Regions. For what reasons they left was still unknown, there was still much knowledge still lost from that era, but the mention of Bastila has piqued his curiosity. After searching the Archives he did manage to locate one item known to have belonged to the revered Jedi Master, her Lightsaber crystal.
With the crystal in one hand and his cane in the other he exited the lift into the senator's apartment. He found her sitting with her handmaiden in the main room, both looking over a data pad and talking quietly among themselves. He could tell that whatever the data pad contained brought the Senator great joy and happiness, happiness shared by her handmaiden for her friend. As he approached the pair stood. Padme immediately bowed to the Jedi Master, in the Jedi fashion. As Padme greeted him the Talravinian accent she used added mystery to this situation. She wore the accent as though she had been born with it.
"Thank you for coming Master Yoda. I'm sure you'll agree I find myself in a most interesting situation"
Yoda nodded and closed his eyes. He focused his senses on the crystal still in his hand, feeling the vague force presence there he knew belonged to its owner. He then focused his senses onto the Senator herself. Her style of dress was accurate to the blue tunics worn by Jedi Knights of the Jedi Civil War era. And her Lightsaber was almost a perfect recreation of the smashed weapon kept sealed away in the Archives. And while this didn't prove anything, the fact that the Force Signature from the crystal and the Senator was a perfect match forced Yoda to consider, and accept, the impossible.
"Indeed, a unique situation you have. Never before has this happened, and trouble me it does"
Yoda opened his eyes and met the senator's gaze. He smiled a bit, of all the people to be a reborn Jedi Master, Padme Amidala was a great candidate.
"Thought admit I do, curious I am, as to how this took place"
Yoda gave a soft chuckle.
"Young you make me feel, Master Shan. Perhaps sit we should, much to discuss we have"
Padme returned to her seat and Yoda sat in one of the adjacent chairs. Dormé excused herself to allow them privacy. They did indeed have much to discuss.
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Sith Throne World
Korriban
4 Years Later
Revan had used the past four and a half years well. With the Sith armada restored to its ancient strength of 20,000 ships strong, his Sith now numbered over 1000 Dark Force users, and Star Forge restored to 50% its original operational status, the time had come to make contact. Though he would have preferred to make contact sooner than this Revan knew the republic would respond in one of two ways.
One they would be receptive, wanting to prevent any conflict due to the budding Separatist movement.
Two, they would deploy Jedi to crush his Sith outright, at which point he would deploy his fleet and smash the Republic.
Revan had already dispatched HK-47 with the packet for Bastila to deliver to the Chancellor. Knowing in advance the Palpatine was in fact a Sith Lord descendant of Darth Bane's "Rule of Two" order would make him easier to predict, though Revan knew he would have to eliminate the man before long. As he stood on the bridge of the Revenge, his personal Interdictor Class, he pondered for a moment the reaction Palpatine would give to his proposal. He would accept most likely, as it would place a formidable armada at his command. With the annihilation of Kamino by Darth Malak some years earlier the Republic would be hard pressed to push back a Separatist invasion force. This would also work in his favor as, according to reports, the Military Creation Act was having a tough bid in the Senate and the any agreement between the Sith Empire and the Republic would give them access to a ready military force.
Either way the Jedi Council would be in almost a panic once word reached them. No doubt there would be some who would not honor any agreement between the Sith and Republic, they would be dealt with as they showed themselves. He had assembled a Battle Group of 10 Interdictors which would deploy to the Capitol once HK returned along with Kaira Strone, the one time Jedi Exile, which he was expected to do any moment. Kaira's mission had been a bit different. Her mission was simply to acquire a ship with which Revan could slip into Courasaunt and out again. He stood looking out the view ports on the bridge with his hands clasp behind him at the waist.
"Lord Revan"
Revan turned to regard the communications officer of his ship. She was a young human Ensign around 23 years in age with thick, regulation cut, short brown hair and off green eyes. She wasn't remarkable attractive, but certainly far from ugly. She held an inner beauty which Revan found pleasing to the eye, but that wasn't all he had noticed about her. For through the force nothing could be hidden forever.
"We've received word; HK-47 has reported completion of delivery and is on his way to the rendezvous point. Lady Storne also reports she has found a ship for you and requests you come to the hangar bay to inspect it my lord"
Revan nodded to the ensign and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Very good, and Ensign"
"Yes Lord Revan?"
"What is your name?"
She was taken aback by that, why would he ask her name?
"Solo my lord, Arena Solo"
Revan had actually had his eye on the ensign for quite some time. She was dutiful and displayed skill at her station, though Revan suspected her capabilities far exceeded her duty if the reports of her superiors were to be believed. The actual stations for the bridge crew were set into several "pits" with the officers walking around on the walkways just above their heads. Revan walked over to the Ensign's station and looked down at her, his masked vestige causing her to blanch a little.
"Are you with child on duty Ensign?"
Ensign Solo's face turned white. Yes, she was pregnant, three months along. And while it was against regulations to continue on active duty after the first month, she wasn't showing it much at all and had wanted to continue to serve as long as she could. And while she had entertained the idea she would be caught.
She never imagined in her wildest dreams it would be Lord Revan to catch her.
She slowly nodded to Revan's question, knowing he hated to be kept waiting.
"Yes, my lord"
"Why?"
"I…"
She took a breath and composed herself. She was terrified she would be discharged, or worse. She loved this, Military service, and as the Republic had no military the Sith offered her everything she could have asked for.
"I wanted to continue serving as long as possible my lord. Once my pregnancy began to interfere with my duty I would immediately have gone on maternity leave"
Revan scrutinized the ensign; he sensed no deception from her.
"So the very moment it became a problem you would have requested leave, even knowing it could threaten your unborn child not to do so"
Solo nodded.
"Yes my lord"
Revan nodded and clasp his hands together at his back once again, his voice taking on a pleased demeanor.
"Your example should be learned from"
Solo looked up at Revan in surprise, that was not the reaction she had expected. She could only sit at her station and look up at the Dark Lord of the Sith with that surprised expression on her face.
"Your superiors speak well of you, they say you possess not only skill in combat coordination and communications but that you are also one of the best shuttle pilots they have ever seen, and your records bare out your skills. Though like them I doubt very much your current occupation is very much of a challenge for you. You will report to the medical ward immediately for an examination. After which your maternity leave will begin and will last until 6 months after the child is born. At which time you will return to active duty and assume your new duty. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the controls of all 4 types of transport craft in service, as my personal pilot you will be expected to master each of them. Now off with you Lieutenant"
The newly promoted Lt Solo slowly stood from her seat and bowed to Revan.
"By your leave my lord"
As she turned to leave she still couldn't quite accept what had just happened. Revan then turned to the captain of the Revenge.
"Have a replacement picked from among the fleet and inform Kaira I am on my way to the hangar"
The captain offered Revan a crisp salute and left to carry out his orders. As Revan left the bridge the COM link on his belt began to beep. The signal from Bastila no doubt, she was always prompt. He immediately headed for the communications center adjacent to the bridge.
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Courasaunt
1500 Republica
Office of the Supreme Chancellor
Same Time
Padme sat in the waiting area just outside the office of the Supreme Chancellors office with the message from Revan in hand. For the past 4 years she had continued on as Senator of Naboo all the while occasionally stealing away to the Jedi Temple to sharpen her skills. It had taken Yoda some months to convince the High Council as to the senator's past identity as Jedi Master Bastila Shan. But through the force they knew it to be true, and gradually she had been accepted as one of them. Acting as sort of a go between, keeping them informed of proceeding in the senate. Some of the council members going so far as to seek her advise on certain issues. Only the council knew of this thought and she had taken to wearing long robes when in senate meetings to hide her Lightsaber.
At that moment thought she wore her traditional blue Jedi tunic with a deep blue robe over that. She had signaled Revan a few moments ago. She had assumed he had wanted her to simply deliver a recorded message. Instead he wanted a live communication. She glanced up from her seat as several other senators filed out of the chancellors office, Senators Organa and Mothma among them. Both nodded to her as she stood and followed the reception droid into the office where she found Chancellor Palpatine sitting behind his desk. He stood as she entered.
"Senator Amidala, welcome, please have a seat"
"Thank you Chancellor"
Padme sat in one of the 3 seats on the other side of the chancellor's desk. At the moment she was forcing her Talravinian accent into submission, which was becoming more difficult to do as time passed.
"Your message said this was a matter of utmost importance"
Padme nodded.
"It is chancellor. Some years ago I began having visions. In those visions I saw myself as a Jedi. I'm sure you're familiar with the name Bastila Shan"
Palpatine nodded.
"Yes quite, she was on of the Jedi Masters responsible for the reconstruction of the Jedi Order following the Jedi Civil War. Also rumored to be the lover of the Prodigal Knight Revan if I'm not mistaken"
Padme nodded attempting to suppress a blush at that memory. She allowed her Talravinian accent to return full force and unmasked her Force presence. Revan's message had been perfectly detailed as to his plans, they also contained information as to Palpatine's identity as Darth Sidious. And droping her guards like this would allow Palpatine to know she was fully serious.
Palpatine himself simply raised an eyebrow at the unveiled well of force energy which easily surpassed his own power as Bastila continued.
"It is no rumor that Revan and I were lovers. Through my visions I was forced to accept the fact that I am Bastila Shan. How I have been reborn I do not know, nor do I know for what purpose, but the fact still remains. I have also discovered, to my joy, that Revan has returned as well. He has asked that I arrange for the two of you to speak…Lord Sidious"
Palpatine narrowed his eyes.
"And just where did you hear that name senator?"
Bastila placed the small device Revan had given her on the desk between them.
"From Revan himself. Also you must recall that I was once the apprentice to a Dark Lord myself. I can easily recognize a Sith. Now if you have no objections Lord Sideous, Revan wishes to speak to you directly"
Palpatine nodded once. He knew that attempting to silence the senator would fail as she held an advantage over him in power, a power born from practice of both the light and dark sides. As the holographic image of the ancient Dark Lord materialized Palpatine depressed a switch beneath his desktop, locking his door and preventing unwanted communication. Even at only 24cm in height Revan was still an imposing figure, and just as the ancient Sith Holocron's had described him.
Greetings Bastila, I trust our conversation is unmonitored.
She nodded.
"Yes Revan, it is good to see you"
And you as well, I look forward to our reunion.
The armored Sith Lord then turned his attention to Palpatine.
Greetings Chancellor Palpatine, or Lord Sidious which ever you prefer. I am Darth Revan, Lord of the Sith and master of the Lords of Korriban. Neither of us wishes small talk so I shall cut to the chase. I understand you are having problems with a certain group of Separatists. I hear rumor your apprentice is attempting to undermine you and take control of the movement to attain his own power. I too have a problem, thought I have resurrected the Sith Order into a stable entity they lack focus, direction, perhaps we can solve each others problems.
Palpatine sat forward in hi seat a bit, this could be interesting.
"oh, and how so?"
The Republic can offer my Sith direction and my fleet can offer you a counter should your apprentice make a power grab. I shall arrive in 2 days time to discuss these issues with you. And while it is true that, even in the old way there could only ever be one Dark Lord of the Sith at any given time. I'm sure you wouldn't want to risk unveiling yourself to the Jedi at this time. So I am certain we can arrive at some form of arrangement which will be beneficial to both of us.
That was true, and conflict between them would be like a beacon in the force to the Jedi and would quickly tip them off. Even should the win, which against Revan he doubted, the Jedi would be kicking his door in strait afterward and would expose him and ruin his plans
"Very well then lord Revan, I shall await your arrival"
Very good, until then Lord Sideous, may the Force serve you well.
"And yourself Lord Revan"
As Revan's hologram disappeared Palpatine looked to Bastila still sat.
"I have the feeling, senator, that things in the Republic will become interesting very soon"
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Revan moved with a purpose back to the bridge of Revenge, once there he immediately began issuing orders.
"Captain Hanna signal the taskforce to set course for Courasaunt and engage hyper drive"
"Yes my lord" Revan then turned and stalked from the bridge, he was late to meet up with Kaira in the main hangar to see this ship she had acquired that would be taking him to his meeting with Sidious. Little did he know that the former Jedi Exile had arranged a bit of a surprise for Revan.
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On the distant moon of Yavin 4, a dark presence awoke from 4 millennia of slumber. How he had now reacquired flesh he did not know as it wandered through it own tomb. Having gathered his own belongings from his sarcophagus he made its way to the roof of the tomb. There in a polished piece of black marble he saw its reflection again. Let black hair pulled back into a tight ponytail crowned his head. On his shoulders, lower arms, and lower legs sat a set of light armor plating, a cloak flowing from beneath the shoulder armor. His jaw line was somewhat square and a pair of dark blue eyes sat fixed in his skull. Across one cheek sat 3 scars, appearing to have been caused by claws. The tattoo that had once adorned his forehead was now missing, but that was a small matter.
He was the Jedi who had fallen from grace and been proclaimed Dark Lord by ancient Sith spirits.
He was the Sith who had slew his old Jedi master before the Republic Senate.
He was the Darkness whose return would fill the Jedi with fear.
He was Exar Kun, Sith Lord, and the Galaxy was his for the taking.
A/N now how many of you actually saw Kun coming. I hope the addition of my all time favorite Sith will (he and Revan are tied for 1st) will make the story more complex and interesting, oh the Jedi Order is SO screwed.
And yes Arena Solo is suppose to be Han's mother, just thought it would be interesting to add her in as his parents are not discussed in any of the sources I have available…at least I haven't seen her mentioned.
Well on to 04