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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Fifteen – Clones Wars Part 6 The Road to Hell
By
Celgress
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
Alexander Pope (1709)
Coruscant, the private office of the Supreme Chancellor
"Ah Ahsoka my dear to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask asked as the young Togruta female entered.
"I can see you're busy" Ashoka said eyeing the swarm of aids which milled about Damask. "I'll come back later." Ashoka rubbing one forearm against the other as if she were cold turned to depart the office.
"Gives us a few moments alone" Damask said gesturing for his aids to leave which they did, in spite of the annoyance evident on several of their faces. Once Damask and Ashoka were alone the former asked "Are you alright my dear, you seem troubled?"
"Its' my master Supreme Chancellor" Ashoka started.
"Ahsoka how many times must I tell you, please call my Hego or at the very least Damask" the old Muun said with a grandfatherly smile.
"I'm sorry sir" Ashoka sputtered. "I don't think it would be proper if I did."
"Ahsoka none of my close friends address me by my formal title. We are friends, are we not?" Damask said a slightly hurt expression on his face.
"Of course we are friends" Ashoka quickly replied feeling bad about hurting the feelings of the Supreme Chancellor. A being who had taken her under his wing from the moment he had met her several months before she had been assigned Anakin as a master.
Anakin her heart ached thinking about him. Anakin if only he wasn't so enamored with that Sith cursed Senator Amidala. Ahsoka had no idea why her master was so obsessed with Padme. Ahsoka only knew his obsession was getting in the way of his and Ahsoka's own relationship. Amongst the Jedi the relationship between a master and his or her padawan was sacred. It was supposed to come before all others.
Ahsoka thought back to how she and her master had spent many hours in this very office, as well as at several fine restaurants and the opera house, chatting with Damask. The Supreme Chancellor was like the grandfather the two Jedi never had. Both had grown very fond of the old being, even though they knew their fellow Jedi would find such an attachment both distasteful and inappropriate.
"A credit for your thoughts" Damask said warmly.
Shaking her head Ahsoka brought herself back to the here and now. "Sorry Sir"
"Sorry Hego or if you prefer Damask."
"Sorry Damask, guess I drifted off there for a second or two."
"Please Ahsoka tell me what is troubling you?" Damask asked with an air of genuine concern. "I know you came here for a reason. Please unburden yourself."
Taking a deep breath Ahsoka let it all come spilling out. "My master, Anakin always takes the side of his 'best friend' Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo over me no matter the situation. Right now Anakin won't speak to me because I blew up at Senator Amidala over her support for Bail Organa before General Grievous invaded Naboo to secure the traitor's release."
"I see" Damask said scratching his long chin with his equally long fingers. "Ahsoka my dear Anakin and the good Senator's relationship is, rather complicated."
"What do you me?" Ahsoka asked dumfounded.
"Their relationship isn't ordinary. It isn't based solely upon friendship. I can say no more without violating the trust Anakin has placed in me."
A few seconds later Ahsoka's eyes grew wide with understanding. "Anakin and Senator Amidala are romantically involved!?"
"I am afraid so" Damask sighed with resignation. "Considering you have pieced the clues together you are entitled to the entire truth. Anakin and Senator Amidala were wed some time ago, several months in fact. It happen following the Separatist raid on Tatooine during which Anakin's poor mother and stepfather perished. Dreadful business that entire episode was" Damask shook his head in sadness. "Please understand Ahsoka those deeply in love often times can see no one else save their lover. He, she, they or it will put the physical and emotional wellbeing of aforementioned lover above all others including other loved ones."
"I understand sir, ah Damask" Ahsoka said the revelation of her master's marital status only slowly sinking in. "Thank you for this talk. You made me feel better, like you always do." Ashoka then hugged Damask which was how they'd ended their meetings several times already. If present Anakin would usually give a chuckle, jokingly call Damask 'gramps' and Ahsoka a 'suck up'. Breaking the hug Ashoka went to leave the room when the sound of Damask loudly clearing his throat stopped her.
"Ashoka my dear I must ask you to please not tell Anakin I told you about his relationship with Senator Amidala. Your master is a very private individual. If he ever learned I violated his trust even accidentally, he'd be furious."
"Don't worry, Damask I won't tell him you told me" Ahsoka said.
"One last thing dear remember do not tell any of your fellow Jedi about Anakin's marriage. Your master is a wonderful knight. It would be beyond tragic if he were expelled from your fine Order over such a trivial matter as this."
"My lips are sealed" Ahsoka said leaving the office. She didn't notice the smirk which Damask now wore as he watched her go.
Jedi Temple
"Destroy General Grievous we must" Yoda said looking around at his fellow council members.
"Agreed" Mace Windu said lacing his fingers together, "Grievous has become a very grave threat. The sooner he is eliminated the better."
"Who should we send?" Kit Fisto wondered aloud.
"I think it is clear only a duelist and force user of the highest caliber can hope to overcome Grievous in battle" Shaak Ti mused.
"It is clear either Grandmaster Yoda or Master Windu are best suited for the task" Luminara Unduli, the most recent addition to the Council, said. "Sending another would clearly be a mistake."
"While I agree, surely we should assign some backup in case anything unforeseen occurs" Siri Tachi said.
"We should indeed send at least two individuals as backup along with whosoever is chosen for the mission" Obi-wan Kenobi added.
"Go I will" Yoda said.
"No Grandmaster I feel it is my place to go, not yours" Windu said almost cutting Yoda off.
"Why feel this way do you Master Windu?" Yoda inquired.
"I believe only my unique dueling style. My use of Vaapad coupled with the shatterpoint ability will neutralize Grievous."
"Very well, choose we shall" Yoda announced.
By the end of the session it was not only agreed upon that Windu would be sent to destroy Grievous but also who would be his backup on the dangerous mission. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano along with a contingent of clone commandoes would provide logistics and back up for Windu. Several days later Republican intelligence received a reliable, anonymous, tip that General Grievous would be returning to his personal castle on the third moon of the planet Vassek for general maintenance of his cybernetic body. The mission was a go.
Grievous' Castle the third moon of Vassek, three days later
"General I trust all is prepared?" the hologram of Darth Plagueis said.
"It is my master" Grievous said kneeling on one knee.
"I trust my special surprise is ready for use General?"
"Your special surprise is ready master. No doubt the Jedi scum will be most surprised indeed. It is unlikely they have ever encountered such a, novelty."
"True, General remember Anakin Skywalker and Ashoka Tano must remain unharmed. You shall not inflicted permanent damage upon either of them. Do what you wish with the rest of the Republican rabble, understand?"
"Of course I do my master."
"Very well make me proud General."
"Worry not master, I shall" Grievous said bowing low at the waist.
"Good, Plagueis out" the holographic image of Plagueis said before blinking away.
Deactivating the holo transmission at his end Grievous slowly stocked out of the control room. The mind of the cyborg Sith was carried back to his first in person meeting with his master, the incomparable Darth Plagueis. The meeting had taken place a mere two weeks after the shuttle crash which had ended his life as the fearless Kaleesh warrior Qymaen jai Sheelal.
Geonosis, more than two years ago
"The medical experts have told you the dire condition of your body, have they not?" the hooded Darth Plagueis inquired of the broken being which floated aimlessly in the specialized bacta tank. By Plagueis' side stood his second in command Count Dooku, otherwise known as dark lord of the Sith Darth Tyranus.
"Yes they have" wheezed Qymaen jai Sheelal through the heavy ventilator which covered most of his face. "What is it to you strangers? Why does my humble fate elicit concern from such powerful beings as the Sith?"
"Because we hate the Jedi as much, if not more, than do you" Plagueis answered.
"I find that difficult to believe" wheezed Sheelal. "No being hates the Jedi as I do. They are a fraternity of self-righteous, self-serving, hypocrites. Whose purposes are self-aggrandisement and the perpetuation of their deplorable Order. They pick galactic winners and losers, heroes and villains, with all the care of a drunken Hutt on a gambling spree. I curse them all to the torments of the Seven Hells! My only regret is that I will soon die while so many Jedi yet live!" Sheelal's rant was followed by a fit of intense coughing. Several medical droids busied themselves attending to the Kaleesh. Once Sheelal's condition stabilized Plagueis continued.
"What if I told you I can make you stronger than nearly all Jedi, even the masters amongst their ranks?"
"I'd say you are insane. What you propose, is impossible. Even before my body was destroyed I lacked any amount of Force sensitivity."
"For me, nothing is impossible" Plagueis proclaimed a sinister grin on the Muun's face. "All I ask in return is your service, you must become a Sith. Will you become one of our apprentices?" Plagueis gestured towards Dooku.
"If you can do what you claim, I will gladly become your apprentice. I will dedicate myself to learning the ways of the Dark Side" Sheelal wheezed before another coughing fit wracked what remained of his body.
"Good, good" Plagueis cooed. "I guarantee you shall not regret this decision Sheelal.
"Prep the subject for surgery!" Dooku ordered.
A week later
In the same laboratory the newly finished cyborg knelt on one knee before the two dark lords. The creature was truly a work of art. The body was similar in coloration and basic design to that of a standard battle droid. Though that was where the similarities ended. At it's full height the creature stood well over six feet tall. It possessed arms which could split vertically into two separate and autonomous appendages. The durasteel plating which covered it's body was near impenetrable. It wore a simple dark-gray cloak pinned to it's shoulders. The most disconcerting thing about the creature was it's obviously organic, cat like, eyes.
Late the previous night the two Sith lords had performed an arcane ritual upon the new cyborg. Over the past decade the two lords, guided by Plagueis, had carefully, painstakingly extracted the majority of the midi-chlorians from the body of deceased Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. It had proven exceedingly difficult to keep the midi-chlorians viable. After much experimentation Plagueis managed to rewire the midi-chlorians in such a fashion so they became undifferentiated. Meaning they became freebooting, no longer linked to their original host. Using this monumental breakthrough in Force manipulation the two Sith had tried, and succeeded in implanting the new variant of midi-chlorians into a new, originally non-Force sensitive being which was once the Kaleesh Qymaen jai Sheelal. The ritual proved a complete success the cyborg was granted Force potential equal to that of your average Jedi Master.
"The Force is now strong with you" Plagueis said placing his long fingers upon the cyborg's forehead. "A powerful Sith and legendary Jedi hunter you shall become." By Plagueis' side Dooku nodded in agreement. "Henceforth you shall be known as Darth, Grievous." Plagueis then removed his touch from the head of the newest member of the Sith Order.
"Thank you my masters" Darth Grievous said bowing his head in submission.
"Arise Lord Grievous" Dooku commanded. Grievous immediately came to his feet.
"May these serve you well in battle Lord Grievous" Plagueis said gesturing towards the four long hilted, lightsabers in the case which Dooku just opened.
Removing one of the weapons from the case Grievous activated it for the first time. With a snap-hiss a crimson blade sprang into being. "I am honored my masters. Worry not, I shall do you proud."
"Of that I have no doubt our new apprentice" Plagueis said.
Grievous' Castle the third moon of Vassek, a week after the Jedi Council meeting
"Doesn't look to be anyone home" clone Commander Rex said as the drop ship hovered above Grievous' darkened Castle.
"He's here alright" Windu said narrowing his eyes. "I can sense him in the Force, a powerful dark presence. Skywalker, Tano your with me. Rex hold your men here in reserve, should we need them."
"Sir is that wise?" Rex asked.
"Need I remind you Commander, Grievous has already slaughtered hundreds perhaps thousands of clone troops. I seriously doubt your battalion would fare any better against him" Windu explained. "Tano, Skywalker let's go!"
The three Jedi descended into the Castle below. They met no resistance on the upper most floor. On the next floor down they were ambushed by thirty MagnaGuards. Following several minutes of intense dueling Windu dispatched ten of the advanced droids, followed by Anakin and Ahsoka who between them destroyed the remaining twenty.
"Stay focused people" Windu ordered. "There is no telling what other nasty surprises Grievous has waiting for us."
Entering the next floor the three Jedi searched each room. "There all empty" Anakin said
"Appearances can be deceiving Jedi filth" boomed the voice of General Grievous. The Sith cyborg was hanging by one arm from the ceiling directly behind the hapless Knight. Turning around Anakin received a handful of strange, glittering, neon-purple powder in his face curtsey of Grievous. Who had been holding the substance in his free hand. "Enjoy the gift of truth from the Sith Order, Jedi slime."
Both Windu and Ahsoka sprang into action. By the time they reached Anakin's position Grievous had already scrambled away, back through the open air duct from whence he came. Anakin was hunched over on the ground, clutching his head in agony.
"Master are you alright?" Ahsoka asked rushing to Anakin's side.
"Skywalker what is it? Are you in pain?" Windu asked kneeling down besides Anakin and Ahsoka.
Abruptly Anakin jumped to his feet. Looking Windu straight in the eye Anakin said. "Master Windu I formally apologize for my actions."
"What are you talking about Skywalker?" Windu asked he and Ahsoka both getting to their feet.
"I've broken the Jedi Code on at least two occasions" Anakin continued. "I've pursued a romantic relationship with …."
"Master don't!" Ahsoka tried to warn Anakin desperately trying to prevent her master from saying something he'd later regret. Windu shot her a withering look.
"Padawan Tano be quiet. I want to hear this" Windu commanded.
Ahsoka looked on helplessly as Anakin first spilled the details of his illegal marriage to possibly the worst person he could tell in the entire Jedi Order. Before Windu had time to recover from this revelation however Anakin dropped an even bigger bombshell. By comparison this made his marriage look like not. Anakin admitted to slaughtering the entire Tusken Raider tribe who had abducted his mother in return for an alleged dark lord of the Sith returning the dying woman to life! Ahsoka felt faint.
Shortly after finishing his second story Anakin got a dazed look on his face and shook his head several times. "Master Windu, Snips what happened? Last thing I remember is Grievous blowing some type of powder in my face."
Looking at Windu Anakin was shocked to see the older Jedi's face contorted with barely controlled rage. Anakin took a step away from Windu, never having seen the man look so angry before. "Is what you just told me true Skywalker?"
"Is what true Master Windu?" Anakin stammered, dreading Windu's words.
"The deal you made with a dark lord of the Sith for your mother's life, and your marriage to Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo. Are either of these true? Don't even attempt to deceive me Skywalker."
"I don't know…"
"Tell me the truth Skywalker!"
"They are both,,, true. They both, happened" Anakin said his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"When we return to Coruscant I will personally see you are expelled from the Jedi Order" Windu exclaimed his dark eyes smoldering with rage. "Skywalker you are a disgrace to the Jedi." Windu started to walk away when Anakin got in his face.
"Please Master Windu don't tell the Council what I have done. Please I beg you. The only thing I've wanted to do with my life was become a Jedi."
"Out of my way Skywalker" Windu said grappling with the younger man. "I sensed the taint of the Dark Side in you from the beginning. You should never have been trained as a Jedi, regardless of what Qui-Gon Jinn thought. You are and always will be, a monster. Now get off me before I take matters into my own hands." With a mighty Force push Windu tossed Anakin aside like a ragdoll.
Finally shaken out of her stupor Ahsoka grabbed Windu's arm. "Please Master Windu reconsider. I beg you. I know my master has made some terrible mistakes, but he is still a Jedi at heart."
"Release me" Windu said shaking off Ahsoka's grip. "No doubt you are tainted by his corrupt teachings." Ahsoka landed on her ass and then skidded several feet away due to the power behind Windu's latest Force push.
"See here!" Anakin yelled once again getting in Windu's face. "You can't treat Ahsoka like that! My actions are not her responsibility!"
"I'm warning you Skywalker get out of my face or suffer the consequences!" Windu bellowed as he and Anakin again grappled neither willing to back down.
Unexpectedly their contest was ended by the snap-hiss sound of an activating lightsaber. A green hued blade exploded from the middle of Windu's chest. Both would be combatants looked down in awe temporarily mesmerized by the sight.
"Son of ah…." Windu said an instant before his eyes rolled up into his head. The saber being withdrawn as his body fell face first on the floor. His falling body revealed a shaking Ahsoka Tano, her bottom lip quivering, an ignited green lightsaber still in her left hand.
On Coruscant Yoda felt a terrible dark tremor in the Force the likes of which he hadn't felt since the start of the Clone Wars. The other members of the Jedi Council felt it to Obi-wan Kenobi, Siri Tachi, Shaak Ti and Kit Fisto most prominently. In a flash it was gone, like a half forgotten nightmare upon the break of day. Secluded in his office Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask felt it to, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Snips what have you done?!" Anakin cried looking down at the body of Mace Windu.
"I had no choice" Ahsoka blurted out tears now running down her face. "He was going to ruin your life master. We tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen. I feared he might kill you. I couldn't allow it. I know you are with the Senator. I can't help the way I feel. You are all I have. I love you master. I love you Anakin."
"Don't say that" Anakin said swiping his hand through his unruly hair. "Don't ever say that, don't even think it."
"I'm sorry. I can't help myself. I love you Anakin. I'd do anything for you."
"That much is apparent" Anakin said with a deep sigh looking down at the slain Windu. "What in the name of Sith Hell are we going to do?"
"I don't know master" Ahsoka sniffed finally deactivating her death dealing lightsaber.
After taking a few minutes to compose himself Anakin reached a decision. The Jedi Knight was painfully aware what was at stake. If the truth came out Ahsoka, his Snips, would be expelled from the Jedi Order and either placed on regiment of Force suppressing drugs forever or worse yet executed. He couldn't allow either eventuality to happen. Ahsoka had only done what she did to protect him after all. He wouldn't abandon her. Galvanized Anakin formed a plan, the best he could under the circumstances.
"Snips give me your lightsaber."
"Why?"
"Don't ask, just give it."
Confused Ahsoka handed her lightsaber over to Anakin who promptly threw it away along with Windu's lightsaber. Which Anakin had removed from the dead man's belt. Hoisting Windu's heavy body over his shoulder Anakin and Ahsoka made their way back towards the waiting drop ship on the Castle's roof. Along the way Anakin told Ashoka their covered story.
"We'll say Grievous ambushed us. The lights were then cut. In the confusion Grievous managed a lucky strike on Master Windu. Grievous would have killed you next which is why your lightsaber is missing, had I not intervened. We then barely escaped with our lives, got it?"
"Yes master" Ahsoka answered her voice barely a whisper.
"Listen Snips you can never, I mean never tell anyone the truth unless I say it is okay understand?"
"Understood" Ahsoka mumbled holding back a fresh wave of tears.
The two remaining Jedi made it back to the drop ship without further incident. Their story was met by sadness and anger by the clones who wanted to bombard the Castle from orbit, an impulse which Anakin quickly restrained. The journey back to Republican space was uneventful.
Coruscant
The funeral of Jedi Master Mace Windu was the largest single funeral the capital had witnessed since the assassination of Co-Supreme Chancellor Palpatine before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. Thousands attended billions more watched on holonet. Jedi Grandmaster Yoda provided the eulogy while Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask was the master of ceremonies. The event was still remembered decades later as a true spectacle one befitting a, at that time, fallen hero of the Republic. It would be several years until the true circumstances of Windu's demise were made public. Until then the truth would remain a closely guarded secret known only by a select few.
To Be Continued