Disclaimer
All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Seventeen – Revenge of the Sith Part 2 Shadows on the Wall
By
Celgress
"It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, and empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, ends life, kills laughter."
"The answer is darkness."
Gollum - The Hobbit (1937)
Outside the N'Zoth System
The region of space beyond N'Zoth was only about one day travel from Coruscant. While in close proximity to the galactic capital the area was virtually untouched by civilization. This owed much to the fact N'Zoth bordered on a region dominated by a vast uncharted nebula. Being on the 'wrong side' of the galaxy, i.e. away from the main trade routes, helped maintain the isolation.
Inside a Jedi star fighter Master Luminara Unduli watched discreetly as Jedi Knight Ferus Olin maneuver the star fighter into the expansive, unnamed, nebula. Unduli took Ferus, who enjoyed piloting, out this way whenever possible. Unduli was well aware the trips had a calming effect on the troubled young Knight. In the year following the 'Jedi Massacre' Ferus had made a full recovery, at least physically. Psychologically however Ferus was still very fragile. So much so in fact that in spite of a pronounced shortage of Jedi Ferus was still barred from either active military operations or the instruction of padawans.
"How are you feeling Ferus?" Unduli asked
"Better" Ferus answered, not taking his eyes off the increasing murkiness as he piloted the star fighter deeper into the enormous stellar nursery. "Sometimes when I'm alone late at night in my room at the Temple, I can still hear their screams. The younglings pleading with Grievous to spare them, then he laughs the monster actually laughs before running each of them through with one of his blasted red blades. I can't do anything about it you know. I'm back lying on the floor helpless, watching it all unfold again. Once he finishes with the kids Grievous turns and he laughs, he laughs right in my face. He then leaves me there. I'm not even worth a second of his precious time, funny huh? I feel like such a total failure. I want to curl up in a ball and die. When will these memories go away Unduli?"
"In time" Unduli said. "In time the memories will fade. I strongly doubt they will ever completely vanish."
"Please recommend the mind wipe for me" Ferus said, checking the instrument panel. Most of the readouts had gone dead due to the gas cloud interfering with the systems of the ship. "It is the only way I will never have any lasting peace. We both know that."
"Ferus a mind wipe is an extremely dangerous, and delicate, procedure one which carries with a terrible degree of risk." Unduli said. "It is reserved for only the most extreme of circumstances."
"This is an extreme situation. I need help Unduli. I can't go on much longer" Ferus said flipping on the outside running lights of ship. Outside the vessel the nebula was now the constancy of pea soup.
"Ferus I cannot in good conscience recommend you undergo a mind wipe when…. What is going on?" The star fighter was abruptly and violently shook by some unseen force.
"I'm not sure" Ferus said checking then rechecking his readouts, "switching to visual now, oh kif."
Emerging from the fuzzy, darkness of the nebula were at least twenty attack cruisers sporting CIS colors. The nearest ships were firing upon the star fighter. Nimbly dodging the volleys the smaller, quicker craft turned away from the upcoming enemy armada.
"There is only one reason the Confederacy would hide this many ships so close to Coruscant" Unduli said.
"Do you think they're planning on launching an attack against the capital?" Ferus asked
"I'm certain of it" Unduli answered. "We must warn Coruscant!"
"Way ahead of you I'm already,,, kif!" Ferus swore hammering a sequence of buttons in quick succession.
"What is it Ferus?"
"They're jamming our transmission and they've caught us in a tractor beam."
"Can we break free?" Unduli said her face full of dread.
"No, the beam is to powerful. I'm sorry there is nothing I can do" Ferus said pounding the control console with his fist in frustration.
Soon the star fighter rocked again as it docked with one of the battle cruisers. Sparks flew from the rear cabin. Unlocking their safety harnesses the two Jedi prepared themselves for the coming onslaught. The rear docking port collapsed under the weight of a platoon of commando droids lead by four super battle droids. Ferus and Unduli fought well dispatching almost half the platoon along with two of the super battle droids before ten MangaGuards appeared overwhelming the pair.
Coruscant
Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker practically dragged his secret wife Senator Padme Amidala into the private office of Republican Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask. Behind the pair strode Anakin's Padawan Ahsoka Tano. It was early in the evening and other than the presence of specialized blue armored clone troopers the governmental block was all but deserted.
"Ani why are we here?" Padme asked wincing slightly at the tightness of Anakin's grip. "Couldn't we have come tomorrow morning instead? It is so late."
"We have to do it now" Anakin said his face set in determination. "The Supreme Chancellor can save you and our twins Padme. He has the power to do so." Anakin entered the secret code which disarmed the security locks and provided accesses to Damask's inner sanctum.
"Anakin what are you talking about? How could the Supreme Chancellor save me and our babies? Even if he wields great political power he is only a mortal like the rest of us."
"He is far more than that" Ahsoka said almost pushing Padme into the darkened room, "so much more."
"Anakin, Ahsoka you are frightening me" Padme said. The door closed behind the trio.
The overhead lights activated. Before them stood the Supreme Chancellor wearing a black, hooded robe reminiscent of those worn by the Jedi save the color. Anakin and Ashoka both looked upon the Muun with what could only be described as reverence. Padme couldn't help but laugh at the entire scene.
"Why are you dressed like this Supreme Chancellor? Considering joining the Jedi Order are you?" Padme giggled. "Anakin, Ahsoka have you both gone mad? If this is a joke it is in poor taste."
"Padme show some respect he can help you. He knows the true power of the Force" Anakin said.
"How does he know of the Force?" Padme asked
"Because I am Darth Plagueis Grand Master of the Sith Order" Darth Plagueis told Padme nonchalantly.
Padme's eyes grew wide with fear. "You are the Grand Master of the Sith?"
"I am" Plagueis smiled.
"If you're the Sith Master than the war, the war was only, you monster!" Padme screamed hurling herself at Plagueis. Padme futilely beat Plagueis' chest with her fits tears running down her face. "You murderer how could you. My people trusted you! When Damask Holdings invested in our world they saw you as their savior! You let the Trade Federation occupy us! How could you betray our trust! For Force shake they have a statue of you in Theed! Why, why did you do it tell me why!?"
"It was necessary" Damask said without a trace of emotion. "Senator Amidala many things considered distasteful are often needed."
"Anakin, Ahsoka help me we have to stop him" Padme said pleading for help from her companions. Neither moved an inch. "Anakin, Ahsoka don't just stand there do something. He is the one who ordered the strike on the Temple. He is responsible for the deaths of your friends. He sent Grievous and Avengia to murder the younglings, stop him now is your chance. Why are you just standing there?"
"Because only he can help us Padme" Anakin answered sharply. "Only Darth Plagueis possesses the knowledge I need to save you. He can't share it with me if he is in prison or worse yet executed by the Jedi."
"Beside he is right" Ahsoka proclaimed. "The Republic and the Order are corrupt. If both were gone the galaxy would be better off."
"Ahsoka how can you think that?" Padme said turning her attention towards the young Togruta female. "He killed Barriss, remember your best friend?"
"Avengia killed Barriss" Ahsoka retorted.
"He ordered Avengia and Grievous to attack the Temple! He is the one ultimately responsible!"
"Granted I don't like it, but it is war. People die in war, even good people. Anakin and I have killed our fair share on the other side. No doubt some of them were good people to. Do I regret my actions, no war is what it is" Ahsoka said crossing his arms in front of her chest.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. This entire situation is insane. I'm leaving" Padme pushed passed Ahsoka heading towards the doorway.
"Padme don't go" Anakin said grabbing her arm roughly. "You can't go. We still need his help."
"Let go of me!" Padme demanded struggling free of Anakin's loosening grip. "I wouldn't accept a drink of water from Darth Plagueis if I was dying of dehydration on Tatooine! Anakin I suggest you dissociate yourself from certain individuals" Padme's gaze fell on both Plagueis and Ahsoka, "while you still can before they drag you down with them, now out of my way!" Padme stormed out the door.
"That went rather well, wouldn't you agree?" Plagueis said drolly.
Ignoring Plagueis' comment Anakin turned to Ahsoka. "Go after her. Once she has calmed down take her back to her apartment. I'll be waiting for you both there, okay?"
"Is that really such a good idea" Ahsoka challenged. "You saw how she looked at me, right?"
"Snips please" Anakin said placing a hand on her shoulder. "Do it for me."
"Alright" Ahsoka grumbled leaving the office.
"Damask I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can" Anakin said to Plagueis who waved him off.
Once Anakin had left the room Plagueis shut all the windows, locked the door and dimed the overhead lights. Activating the heads up holograph display built into his desk. Plagueis sat behind it throwing the hood back up over his head. Slowly a miniature three dimensional image of a kneeling Lord Tyranus, aka Count Dooku, resolved in front of him.
"What is thy bidding my master?" the image inquired.
"Lord Tyranus our moment of ultimate triumph draws. I trust all is prepared?"
"It is my master" the image responded. "The order need only be given."
"How soon will the surprise arrive if the order is now given?" Plagueis asked slyly.
"Eighteen standard hours, not a second more shall elapse."
"Excellent" Plagueis said clapping his hands together with all the glee of a spoiled brat about to unwrap a long awaited but ill-deserved present. "Execute Operation, Sweepstakes."
"Thy will be done my master" the image of Tyranus bowed before vanishing.
By the time Ahsoka caught up with Padme the latter was inside the Jedi Temple telling masters Shaak Ti and Kit Fisto about Hego Damask being in secret Darth Plagueis. In her version of the story Padme however changed the details of why she was in Damask's office in the first place, so as not to incriminate herself, Anakin or Ahsoka. Ahsoka could hardly believe it the Senator had betrayed the old Muun! Upon hearing Shaak Ti say she would lead the party which would deal with Plagueis, because Yoda was away dealing with one of the many Outer Rim sieges, Ahsoka stealthily escaped the Temple. Ahsoka knew she must tell Anakin what was happening at once. If Master Ti and the others detained, or worse killed, Plagueis before he could share his knowledge with either young Jedi all was lost. Ahsoka silently cursed Padme for what the older woman had done while making her way back to the Senator's apartment where she knew Anakin awaited. Ahsoka only hoped she got there before Padme did.
Somehow Ahsoka arrived before Padme did. Nearly out of breath Ahsoka told Anakin what was happening all in one huge rush of information. Halfway through Anakin made her slow down and repeat what she had overheard at the Jedi Temple.
"I can't believe she betrayed Plagueis" Anakin said grimly. "He is the only thing that stands between her death and that of our children."
"Anakin Padme doesn't care about her death. She told us as much. She'll never accept Plagueis' help. I know Padme is your wife, but she is being a selfish kifer" Ahsoka said plowing on before the startled Anakin could admonish her. "Anakin those children are half yours Padme has no right to make unilateral decisions about their wellbeing. If they were are children I'd never do so. I'd do anything to protect them, to keep our family together even kill."
"I know you would Ahsoka" Anakin whispered looking into her eyes, painfully aware of the truth behind the depth of Ashoka's devotion recalling the fate of Mace Windu.
"I love you Anakin. I would never betray you like Padme" Ahsoka whispered back before the two kissed.
Darth Plagueis stood in front of his desk in his Sith robe head bowed. The era of momentous changes was fast approaching he could sense it. After all this time, all those centuries of careful planning by the Order of Bane the beginning of the end had finally arrived. Here comes the first moment in the sequence now. Jedi masters Shaak Ti, Kit Fisto and two nondescript Jedi knights strong armed their way into his private office.
"Hego Damask of Muunilinst Supreme Chancellor of the Second Galactic Republic and Grand Master of the Sith Order Darth Plagueis, by the authority invested in me by the Jedi Council you are under arrest" Shaak Ti announced all four Jedi activated their lightsabers and advanced towards Plagueis.
None of the Jedi were prepared for what happened next. Two lightsaber hilts slid out of Plagueis' shelves igniting in his hands. At the same time a Force wave of tremendous power pulsed forth from Plagueis smashing the stunned Jedi up against the wall on either side of the door, two on the right two on the left. Plagueis then threw his twin blades forward like javelins fatally impaling both knights through the chest. Quickly wrenching both sabers free with the Force Plagueis spun the crimson blade closest to Kit Fisto like a helicopter propeller. The blade cleanly slicked off Kit Fisto's head as it boomeranged, along with the other blade, back to Plagueis. Who deactivated it putting the hilt away. Three of the four Jedi who had entered the chamber less than ten seconds ago now lay dead. The remaining Jedi Shaak Ti found herself engulfed in an excruciating torrent of force lighting. Utilizing the stream of electricity Plagueis effortlessly pulled Shaak Ti from the wall where she had been struck slamming her convulsing body into the ceiling then into one wall then another at break neck speed before repeating the process several times over.
"It has been a long time since I watched a Jedi expirer from the ravages of force lightning" Plagueis mused to himself. His eyes now a fearsome yellow while a sinister grin spread across his face.
By the time Anakin and Ahsoka arrive ten minutes later Shaak Ti was long since dead. The two looked on in shock at the carnage before them and the black robed being who had caused it. Plagueis leaned casually against his desk, whistling an old tune to himself as if he didn't have a care in the universe.
"It certainly took you long each" Plagueis half joked half scolded. "Luckily I am more than capable of defending myself. I grow weary of this game. Do you want the power I offer or do you not?" Plagueis took several steps towards Anakin and Ahsoka who did the same.
"Exactly how powerful are you?" Anakin stammered looking at the mayhem strewn about.
"I am so powerful I have even successfully influenced the midi-chlorians to create, life" Plagueis said looking directly at Anakin.
"You mean…" Anakin said in disbelief.
"Yes Anakin, if the Force be your father than I am your Grandfather. I was the one who made the midi-chlorians create you. If you do not believe me when this is over you may read my private journal from the time before your birth."
Anakin was dumbfounded. "You created me?"
"Yes, and I have always watched over you. You are my own."
"What about me? Did you create me also?" Ahsoka asked.
"Not exactly, I did experiment upon you though. Upon your mother while you were still in the womb. I greatly enhanced your Force sensitivity. It was part of an experiment I did on Shili to see if I could generate force sensitivity in non-force sensitive beings, you were the first step in the process. See we are all connected, by the Dark Side. Never forget who you are, where you come from. Be proud of your true heritage, feel no shame only pride. You are the future rulers of this pathetic galaxy. Join me, my children." Falling to their knees Anakin and Ahsoka pledged themselves to the Dark Lord of the Sith just as Plagueis had foreseen several years before.
"I will do whatever you ask, my master. Please save my children" Anakin said kneeling before Darth Plagueis. Tears ran down Anakin's face. "I don't care if Padme refuses your help. My children have no choice in matter; they shouldn't die because of her stubbornness."
"I do not care what the Jedi Code states, I love Anakin" said the kneeling Ahsoka. "I will do whatever you want master, if it means Anakin and I can finally be together."
"Good, the Force is strong with you both. Powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth you shall be known as Darth Vader and Darth Cyrin (Sigh-Rein), arise." The new Sith did as their master instructed. Plagueis resumed his position seated behind his desk from which he produced two black robes.
"What now master?" Darth Vader asked putting on his robe.
"A Separatist invasion fleet under the command of Lord Tyranus will arrive here within little more than seventeen hours. Once the invasion has commenced we will deal with both the Jedi Order and the Senate. Those corrupt bodies will then be purged."
"I do not want Padme harmed until my children are safely born" Vader said firmly.
"Worry not Lord Vader. When the time of the Senatorial purge arrives we will make sure Padme is safe" Plagueis said soothingly. "You have my word. Do you doubt me Lord Vader?"
"Of course not master" Vader replied without hesitation.
"Good"
"How will we destroy both bodies master?" Darth Cyrin asked now wearing her own robe. "The Jedi will surely resist your forces."
"Lady Cyrin all will be revealed, in time" Plagueis smirked.
To Be Continued