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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Twenty– Revenge of the Sith Part 5 Duels of Fate
By
Celgress
"In the middle of the journey of our life, I found myself within a dark forest where the straight path was lost."
Dante Alighieri – Inferno (c.1300 C.E.)
Crousant
Darth Plagueis could barely restrain his rage and disgust. Lying before him on the examination table was the broken, scorched body of General Grievous. If Plagueis didn't still require the services of the cyborg the Grandmaster of the Sith Order would have discarded the mangled hulk. It would serve as a fitting punishment for Grievous' latest spectacular failure, along with a deterrent against future stupidity amongst his cohorts & various servants.
With a deep breath Plagueis verbalised his decision "I want him repaired immediately. Furthermore overhaul his entire construct. I wish to minimize the chances of a similar incident occurring in the future."
"Easier said than done my lord" Grievous' personal physician, and leader of the team of droids overseeing the General's repairs, the modified EV droid A4-D stated. "The damage is, most extensive."
"Credits are no object. I want him fully functional and modified to my specifications ASAP, understand doctor?" Plagueis said a deadly edge to his voice. All around the laboratory small objects slowly floated towards the ceiling. Plagueis' previously yellow eyes glowed an eerie blue-white as a continuous stream of small electrical charges emitted from the Sith. The atmosphere grew heavy; oppressive the artificial lights flickered and then dimmed.
If A4-D could have shivered he would have. Such was the wrath of the supreme Dark Lord. "Yes sire, I understand it shall be done."
Zeltros
"Welcome Lady Cyrin and Lord Vader we have been expecting you" Nute Gunray said shamelessly groveling before the two new Darths. "I trust your trip here was a pleasant one?"
"Is the entire Leadership of the Confederacy of Independent Systems accounted for?" Cyrin asked from deep within the recesses of her black hood. Her voice sounded oddly familiar to the Viceroy.
"Yes Lady Cyrin everyone, save Lord Tyranus and Lord General Grievous, are present. Why do you ask?"
"We merely want you all to receive your, just deserts" Lord Vader announced. His face also concealed within the shadows of his black hood.
"Very thoughtful of you both" Gunray squeaked in spite of himself. "Right this way my lord & lady."
Cyrin and Vader followed Gunray into a large room. Around a circular table sat the Confederate leaders. Using the Force Vader and Cyrin sealed shut every exit without a hint of physical movement.
"What is the meaning of this?" Gunray demanded of Vader.
"Your demise" Vader answered activating his blue light saber is such a way that it's blade passed through the mid-section of the unlucky Viceroy, killing him instantly.
"Kill them all" Cyrin ordered the droid guards turning on those they formerly protected.
It was all over in less than a minute. The entire leadership of the CIS lay slain at Vader and Cyrin's feet. The commando droids had killed a third of the leaders while Cyrin and Vader had easily dispatched the remainder.
By the time Obi-wan's party arrived, in their second 'borrowed' ship, a few hours later the bodies of the Separatists had long since been disposed of by the commando droids. Before either Siri or Obi-wan could advise against it Padme was out the door and onto the landing platform. Scanning her surroundings the former Senator called out.
"Anakin, Ahsoka I know you are here! Please, come out. We need to talk!" Padme screamed at the top of her lungs. "I'm begging you both end this before it goes any further!"
"How did you escape the medical facility?" Vader asked coldly.
"Who brought you here?" Cyrin demand a hint of anger in her voice. The two Sith were accompanied by a platoon of commando droids.
"Anakin, Ahsoka thank the Force I found you" Padme said bounding towards Anakin when the snap-hiss Cyrin's activating right hand lightsaber stopped Padme dead in her tracks.
"Ahsoka what are you doing? It is me Padme."
"Not a step further" Cyrin warned pointing her lightsaber menacingly at Padme. "Vader is mine now, we belong to each other. I will not let you poison his mind against me."
"Poison his mind against you? What are you talking about Ahsoka? I'm Anakin's wife. I have every right to talk with him. I don't need your permission or anyone else's" Padme said bitterly. "Get out of my way."
Ahsoka took a step towards Padme. "I'm warning you. Leave us alone or I'll make you."
"Cyrin I can handle this myself" Vader said placing a hand on Cyrin's shoulder. Making eye contact Cyrin nodded deactivated her lightsaber, and stepped away.
"Thank you Anakin, I thought Ahsoka was going to actual hurt me" Padme began only for Vader to raise his hand signaling her to stop.
"You don't belong here. You are placing my unborn children needlessly in danger. Do you care about no one but yourself? Are you truly so conceited?" Vader sneered.
"Anakin you're breaking me heart. How can you say such hurtful things? I would die to protect our children" Padme said in disbelief.
"When they are born you shall" Vader spat. "I would have given you everything, but you rejected my gifts because of your damned Republic! Now it is no more. Your corrupt friends in the Senate are dead along with the traitorous Jedi, once this is over I'll send you to join them! Droids take the good Senator into custody!"
The commando droids scrambled to fulfil Vader's command. They were prevented from doing so by three neon blades of blue and purple. Obi-wan, Siri, and to a lesser degree Katooni made short work of the commando droids.
"You" Cyrin snorted her eyes locking on Padme. "You never intended to 'save us' at all. You brought them here to kill us!"
"No it isn't true, I hoped…" Padme never finished her sentence. She was lifted off her. Dangling in the air Padme kicked frantically. Soon Padme's hands were clawing at her throat which was constricting under relentless pressure from an unseen hand. Padme's gasped for air her pale skin turning blue.
"Release her Anakin!" Obi-wan demanded rightly guessing his old Padawan was behind the assault.
Vader stared hard at Obi-wan his yellow eyes seething with intense hatred. With a flip of his fingers Padme dropped to the landing platform unconscious. "You shouldn't have come. Now you will join your comrades in death my former master."
"Katooni take Padme back to the ship, wait there until we return" Obi-wan instructed never taking his eyes off Vader or Cyrin.
"But I…" Katooni started to protest.
"Do it now child!" Obi-wan shouted.
"Yes do as Obi-wan says, no arguments!" Siri chimed in. Katooni reluctantly did as she was told by her elders.
"Poor girl" Vader taunted. "You have trained your latest lapdog well Kenobi."
"Katooni already possesses more self-discipline than you ever did Anakin" Siri retorted, rising to the bait.
"It's Vader now."
"New name same old, arrogant package" Siri said contemptuously.
"You'll pay for mocking my beloved Jedi" Cyrin snarled.
"What do we have here a little girl playing house" Siri laughed. "A Sith harlot who stole another woman's man, I'm not impressed and certainly not intimidated by either of you."
"You will be" Vader warned. "We have become more powerful than any Jedi."
"We do not fear the Dark Side as you do" Cyrin said. "We embrace the totality of the Force."
"Return my unborn children or die" Anakin declared. "The choice is yours."
"So they can be raised as Sith" Obi-wan said, "never!"
Five light sabers, two green, two blue & one purple, ignited. Four cloaks were tossed aside, two brown & two black. The four warriors circled each other like praetors awaiting the perfect time to strike down their prey.
Crousant
"Grand Master Yoda you survived Order 66, I'm impressed" Plagueis said with a grin.
"Impressed not all Jedi die when you think they should, hmmm?" Yoda mocked. All around the two mighty force users lay the bodies of blue armored clones and the disassembled forms of MangaGuards. Upon his arrival Yoda used a powerful force wave to destroy the security group surrounding Plagueis. Yoda was aware the approaching battle would be an extremely trying one without the interference of the mindless drones.
"I'm equally impressed you tracked me here, to my old secret base in the Works" Plagueis said still reclining on his throne, "care for a beverage?" Plagueis floated a goblet towards Yoda which the latter swatted away.
"Suit yourself" Plagueis shrugged floating a goblet over to himself and taking a drink without ever using his hands. "Before we start I must ask. How would you prefer to die? Are you a fan of crushing, or electrocution, perhaps cardiac arrest?"
The sheer audacity of Plagueis' question galled the usually unflappable Yoda. "Master of pride you are. Over confidence in yourself a profound weakness it is."
"Master of foolishness you are" Plagueis retroted. "Now behold the depth of my power." Plagueis rose from his seat and began chanting. A strange translucent, green mist like energy emitted from his fingertips. Plagueis' yellow eyes now glowed the same shade of green. The tendrils wrapped around Yoda's small body.
Yoda felt his chest tighten. His head grow heavy. Inky blackness seeped into his vision. However the most disconcerting effect of Plagueis' attack was Yoda could feel the Force flee from him. Somehow the Sith Grandmaster was severing Yoda's very connection to the Force itself! Yoda had not thought such a thing were possible, until now. Mustering every ounce of Force power remaining to him Yoda concentrated on only one think maintaining his connection to the Force.
The battle of wills seesawed for several minutes neither combatant willing to concede defeat. Plagueis grudgingly admitted he was impressed by the tenacity of the Jedi Grandmaster. Never before Yoda had a target lasted so long against his midichlorian Force connection denial attack, little own resisted it! Slowly, inexorably the tide turned Plagueis prudently ceased the attack before suffering a potential backlash.
"Congratulations Grandmaster Yoda" Plagueis said slowly clapping his approval. "Never before has any being, no matter their Force sensitivity, overcome my midichlorian Force connection denial, technique. It would appear I must utilize more, conventional means."
Plagueis generated a ball of pure Dark Side energy he causally tossed it at Yoda. Who was barely able to scramble away before the ball impact with the floor resulting in a localized, yet devastating explosion. The attack had left a smoking, medium sized hole in the flooring. Plagueis tossed another ball of energy, then another at Yoda. Each time the Jedi avoided impact with the deadly orb by leaping away at the last possible second. Frustrated Plagueis shot twin torrents of force lighting at Yoda. Each chain of crackling, electricity came at Yoda from a different angle. Growing weary of trying to hit such a small, fast moving, target Plagueis briefly ceased his onslaught of force light unleashing instead a massive force wave which shook the very foundations of the building. Plagueis' latest effort had the desired effect. It knocked Yoda out of mid-air. Plagueis resumed pouring out force lightning pinning Yoda to the floor before the Jedi could regain his bearings.
"Death by electrocution it is, my favorite" Plagueis cackled his expression one of mirth.
Struggling to his feet Yoda slowly step by torturous step, made his way towards the Dark Lord. When he was only a few feet away from his target Yoda thrust out his hands redirecting Plagueis' force lightning back towards the Sith. The result being a continuous circuit of exchange between Yoda and Plagueis, both were wracked by utter agony. Having little choice Plagueis discontinued his attack.
Yoda produced and ignited his lightsaber. Plagueis eyed the short, emerald blade. "How barbaric, alas I see no alternative." Plagueis produced and ignited one of his own ruby blades.
Around the vast chamber the combatants clashed Yoda a whirling, ricocheting ball of energy, Plagueis a gliding, dodging elegant tower of calm. The old Muun's moments had all the grace and precision of the finest ballad dancer. Plagueis swayed back and forth easily side stepping every strike from Yoda which Plagueis couldn't outright parry. Unlike Yoda Plagueis' style was all about economy of movement. Plagueis always expended the minimum amount of energy required for any move or counter. While Plagueis couldn't break Yoda's defense Yoda was tiring at a far quicker rate than Plagueis. Aware of this Yoda redoubled his efforts to overwhelm his opponent with speed and power. When it seemed Yoda was gaining the upper hand Plagueis surprised the ancient Jedi by producing a second lightsaber! Plagueis began a vicious duel blade assault upon the unsuspecting Jedi taking the offensive advantage. If not for Yoda's small size Plagueis' latest strategy would likely have soon bore fruit.
At that instant Yoda was momentarily gripped by a fleeting vision of the future, one which predicted disaster if he should strike down Plagueis likely dying himself in the progress. He must assist in the training of Luke, Leia and the others who would follow over the next two decades. If he did play his vital role the Dark Side would be forever victorious.
Using his telekinetic abilities Yoda collapsed the floor beneath the pair. Plagueis tumbled out of sight. Yoda took advantage of this to escape. A few seconds later Plagueis levitated out of the hole. Noticing his quarry was gone Plagueis screamed through the Force in frustration blowing out the walls of room.
Zeltros
All around the munitions dump Zeltros had become the four duelists moved. Vader paired with Obi-wan while Siri took on Cyrin. The two interlocking duels were purely based upon blade work, all four combatants refraining from the use of force powers. Cyrin in spite of her reverse grip, duel blade style could not overcome Siri's single blade, athletic based style. Nor could Vader's aggressive sword play overcome Obi-wan defensive style. In essence both Jedi were employing rope a dope using the angry energy of the two young Sith against them. As the four entered the main munitions storage facility the patience of the two Jedi paid off.
"This is the end for you my former master" Vader yelled leaping high overhead.
Reluctantly Obi-wan took the opening his former Padwan gave him. Leaping in the air himself Obi-wan cleanly sliced off Vader's tucked in legs above the knees. Howling in a combination of pain and rage Vader fell to the floor dropping his lightsaber as he did so.
"Noooooo!" Cyrin shrieked flying towards Obi-wan her left hand blade angling for a death blow. Siri stepped in front of Obi-wan her purple blade cutting off Cyrin's left arm Obi-wan's blue blade then took off Cyrin's right leg causing the Sith to topple over backwards besides her comrade. Obi-wan picked up Anakin's lightsaber deactivating it, while Siri did the same with Ashoka's lost saber.
"I hate you!" Vader screamed at the Jedi as he slowly crawled towards them on his belly.
"You'll both pay dearly for this!" Cyrin threatened now also laying on her stomach.
Obi-wan noticed the sparks forming on the tips of Cyrin's and Vader's fingers. "Don't push us, or you'll lose more than you already have."
"You'll be the ones who lose" Vader said.
"You'll lose everything!" Cyrin finished her remaining right hand clasping Vader's left. Two roaring streams of force lightning poured out towards Siri and Obi-wan.
Using their lightsabers as grounding mechanisms the Jedi redirected the short, but intense, blasts of force lightning into the nearby piles of shells. The shells started beeping unceasingly. Obi-wan grabbed Siri and leapt out the door the group had entered through. They were less than one hundred yards away when the facility was engulfed in a tremendous ball of flames. A deafening explosion rocked the area knocking the Jedi off their feet.
"We heard a huge explosion what happened?" Katooni asked Obi-wan and Siri fifteen minutes later.
"Vader and Cyrin accidentally set off an explosion of ship shells while trying to defeat us" Siri explained. She and Obi-wan limped into the ship. "They probably died back there. Whatever the case we must leave here, before Plagueis wonders why his new apprentices haven't checked in."
"I'll tell R2 to get us out of here right away" Katooni said heading towards the cockpit. "Where are going?"
"Get us out of this system, then we'll pick a destination" Obi-wan said. Katooni nodded heading towards the cockpit.
"Master Kenobi sir" C3PO said approaching the Jedi. "Mistress Padme requires immediate medical attention. I have been unable to wake her since, the incident involving former Master Anakin. I am greatly concerned about her wellbeing and that of her unborn children."
Obi-wan sat down and put his head in his hands. Siri sat by his side gently rubbing his sore back. Several moments passed in silence. Neither Jedi masters knew what to do. When Obi-wan looked up again he saw his current Padawan standing before him.
"What is it Katooni?" Obi-wan asked with a weak smile.
"Master we're receiving a transmission from Grandmaster Yoda. He wants to talk you with and Master Siri at once." Katooni explained. Obi-wan and Siri exchanged a worried look before the two made their way into the cockpit, Katooni & C3PO followed them.
"Masters Kenobi and Tachi happy you are alive I am" the small, flickering hologram of Yoda said. "Making my way to a secret Death Watch space station I am. Have Senator Padme Amidala abroad you do?"
"We do" Kenobi confirmed. "Master did you say Death Watch, as in the Mandalorian terrorist group?"
"Indeed I did. Formed an alliance with Death Watch directed against the emerging Empire we have. Rendezvous with us at the following coordinates you must."
Crousant
"Prepare my personal shuttle, along with two life support capsules, for immediate launch" Plagueis ordered one of his blue armored guards a troubled look on his face. "I sense Lord Vader and Lady Cyrin are in grave peril."
"What of the Jedi infiltrator sire?" asked one of the blue armored clones. "Should we continue the search in your absence?"
"Of course, once General Grievous has recovered from his little 'accident' he can coordinate the search until I return" Plagueis said leaving the clones to their work.
Secret Death Watch Space Station, exact location unknown
"Why Anakin why!? Padme cried out while the human and droid members alike of the medical term tried to console her. The birthing was proving far more difficult than it should have. Once each baby was born the nurse asked Padme what the child's name would be. Padme called the boy 'Luke' the girl 'Leia'. Her children safely born Padme's own grip on life flattered. No matter what the medical team did Padme's condition deteriorated. At last Padme asked to see Obi-wan and Siri alone.
"My last wish is that the two of you watch over my children. Promise me you'll raise and love them as if they were your own. Don't ever let Darth Plagueis, or his cohorts, anywhere near them. I never believed in pure evil until him." Padme whispered her usually pale completion an ashen-gray.
"Padme there is no need you…." Siri started then hesitated. "We will honor your requests. Won't we Obi-wan?"
"Yes we will" Obi-wan promised without hesitation.
"I know there is good left in Anakin and Ashoka. Help them if you can…."Padme Amidala, Senator and former Queen of Naboo was no more.
Crousant, the following day
Having retrieved the battered, crippled, badly burnt Cyrin and Vader from the ruins on Zeltros Darth Plagueis along with the reconstructed Grievous, whose new look consisted of dark gray armor, a black cape & neon red, electronic, eyes, oversaw their resurrection. The two young Sith were given new robotic limps to replace their lost ones. Their scarred bodies were fully encased in gleaming, protective black and gray armor. Cyrin's new form looked like a modified version of the armor worn by the dark clone of Star Killer in another reality. While Vader's appearance varied little from the fearsome look he sported in the universe in which Sidious not Plagueis ruled, with the exception of obsidian chest plates replacing his torso mounted control panel. Cyrin was the first to awaken. Now she, Plagueis and Grievous clustered around the upright operating table upon which Vader reposed.
"Lord Vader can you hear us?" Plagueis asked the new cyborg.
"Yes my master" Vader answered. "Where are my children? Where is Padme? Are they safe?"
Plagueis hesitated for a moment deciding how best to approach the situation. "It appears Padme died on Zeltros as a result of your assault upon her person. Your children likewise apparently perished there."
"What?" Vader asked clearly in shock.
"They are dead Lord Vader" Plagueis slowly answered.
Pulling himself free from his restraints Vader looked down at his black gloved hands through his new, mechanically enhanced vision. This couldn't be happening, could it? He'd done everything Plagueis had asked, yet he'd in spite of it all he'd lost everything! His loving Wife, his dear children, his friends, his young, healthy, powerful body, even his freedom of choice all gone! Anguish built up in him until it came out in a powerful combination force wave/force scream which shattered the laboratory equipment around him and rattled his fellow Sith to their cores.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOO!" Vader screamed.
"It could be worse" Cyrin said, her voice sounding artificial and tinny. She places a spiked hand on Vader's arm. "We still have each other my love, and one day vengeance against those who did this."
"Promise?" Vader asked looking at Cyrin's new form for the first time. The question bore an undeniable childlike quality in spite of his booming voice.
"I promise, if we must chase them to the end of the Universe Obi-wan & Siri will pay tenfold for everything they've taken from us" Cyrin said with grim determination.
Tatooine, one week later
Under assumed names Obi-wan and Siri were wed. They, the newborns, Katooni,C3PO, A2D2 and with much reluctance Yoda had settled on Tatoonie buying Owen Lars' Moisture Farm. After the death of his father and stepmother Owen had never felt the same about the place. Owen and his new wife Beru were happy to leave Tatooine behind. Thus ends the first half of our saga.
To Be Continued, next up chapter one of Star Wars Rebels stay tuned.