Interior: Starhawk, meditation chamber.
As her spirit appeared, Meetra grimly told Galen, "The darkness will consume all it touches.
Stars shall burn black, ashes raining on lifeless worlds, everything ends.
The prisoner holds the darkness at bay."
"Prisoner?" asked Marek, "where is he being held?"
Surik informed, "Within the Maelstrom Nebula."
"Why am I only learning this now? Why not sooner?"
"You were not ready, but now you must be.
For his strength begins to fade."
"How long has he been there?"
"He's been fighting the darkness for many millennia.
But now he must be freed, or he will become the darkness."
Heeding her words, Galen asked, "Who is he?"
"You already know who he is.
He is one whom the Force wills to return and help save the galaxy and restore the balance."
"I'll do this for you, Meetra."
Interior: Starhawk, briefing room.
As he spoke with Jango, Bo-Katan, Kal, Jan, Jun, Carth, Barriss and Ahsoka, Galen informed, "Meetra told me of a secret Imperial prison in the maelstrom nebula that's bound to be well protected.
One holding an ancient Jetii Master, with extensive knowledge of the Sith Empire, who we need to rescue.
She says the fate of the galaxy depends on it."
T3 and T7 brought up a hologram on the holotable.
Curious, Bo-Katan inquired, "Who is this Meetra?"
"One of my oldest friends and most trusted allies.
History remembers Jetii Master Meetra Surik as The Exile, but I know her as family."
"The Exile?" asked Bo-Katan, "But she's been dead for thousands of years."
"It's complicated, to say the least."
"Understood, Mandalore."
"You want in on this? An Imperial prison break?"
"Like you even have to ask.
This'll be fun."
Offee chimed in, "The Jedi Council won't like this."
"Then it's off the books," Kryze stated, "we take a taskforce and do it ourselves."
Crosshair smirked at Barriss, "This ain't no taskforce, so call it what it is.
Welcome to the Suicide Squad."
Kal asked, "How're we getting in, anyway?"
As she stepped into the room with Asajj, Visas answered, "With my help.
I've been there, so I should still have valid access codes to get past their defenses."
"The Imperials aren't that stupid.
They'll have your codes red flagged, since they'll know you're on our side by now.
You use your codes, and they'll know we're there."
"Do you have an alternative, Kal of clan Skirata?"
"Point taken."
Three hours later.
Exterior: Maelstrom prison, landing pad.
Starkiller, Aurra, T3, Fennec, Iden, Asajj, Ahsoka, R2, Barriss, Visas, several Nite-Owls, the HKs, the Bad Batch and the Nulls landed to find themselves face to face with a full garrison of Imperial troops and Sith acolytes whilst alarms triggered.
"I told you so," Kal told the young Miraluka.
"I never disagreed." pointed out Visas.
"That's a lot of guards for one prisoner." commented Fennec, "who did you say we were here for?"
"I didn't," replied Starkiller before the inevitable fight ensued.
Interior: Maelstrom prison, detention block.
Tech, R2 and T3 accessed a terminal and shut down the containment field, keeping the prisoner in suspended animation.
Catching a darkly robed human man with fair skin, long brown hair, and brown eyes, Galen and Barriss gently set the man down and used the Force to heal him of his extensive and more than likely fatal injuries.
Slowly regaining consciousness, the Jedi Master asked, "What happened? Where am I? I can feel-
What? A Mandalorian? What're you doing here?"
"We're here to rescue you," answered Marek, "you're welcome."
"No. No! You don't understand! There's nothing to restrain him now… the Emperor." reprimanded the Jedi Master who inquired, "How did you find me?"
"I had a little help," answered Galen, who patted T3 on the head as he appeared beside him and beeped excitedly before HK-47 ran up to them.
As he allowed himself to smile, the Jedi Master asked, "Tee-three? Old friend, I should have known you'd have something to do with this."
T3 cheerfully beeped and chirped.
HK's eyes lit up, "Joyful exclamation: It's so good to see you alive, Master!"
"Why have you come here?" asked the Jedi as Barriss helped him up.
"As I said: to rescue you," answered Galen, "I'd have come sooner, but a mutual friend didn't deem it time yet."
"Who sent you?"
As she appeared, Surik's spirit told the Jedi, "Your strength fails. You must be free, or all is lost."
"Meetra? You should be one with the Force… finally at peace."
"I could not leave you to suffer alone.
The Emperor makes his final war, and you must stop him, together, my love."
"I will finish what we started, Meetra."
The Jedi Master picked up an ancient lightsaber and an old red and grey mask which were displayed nearby, and turned to Marek who'd removed his helmet.
Igniting a magenta blade and taking a Form V stance, the Jedi Master demanded, "You look like me… who are you? A changeling!?
A doppelganger!? A clone!?"
Maintaining his calm, Galen self-introduced, "No, my name is Galen Marek.
I am Mand'alor: the Starkiller.
And, if you're who I think you are, I'm your heir."
Sensing the truth in the young Jedi's words as he extinguished his blade, the Jedi Master chuckled, "Ironic, I waged war against the Mandalorians, now my own flesh and blood is the Mand'alor.
If he were here, Canderous would never let me hear the end of it."
"What do you mean by that? Who are you?" asked Kal while they headed back to their ships.
"I've had many names, and many titles," answered the Jedi Master.
Alarmed as she recognised the Jedi's mask and apparel upon closer inspection, Bo-Katan turned to Galen, "That's Revan: The Butcher!"
"Apparently so, Bo," replied Starkiller, "now let's get out of here before the fireworks start."
"I… yes, my Lord Mandalore."
"Something wrong?"
"Not sure yet."
Revan asked, "You didn't know you were rescuing me, did you?"
"I wasn't given your name," shrugged Marek, "Meetra's been my spirit guide since I was a child.
I couldn't exactly refuse her request after all she's done for me."
"Do you trust her?"
"I trust her, but I don't trust you."
"You're wiser than I was at your age." praised Revan who asked, "by the way, how long until this place blows?"
"Run."
"Just like old times, then." chuckled Revan before a figure leapt from the boarding ramp of a starfighter hovering overhead.
Galen ordered, "Get Revan out of here, I'll be right behind you." and his companions got moving.
Approaching Marek whose helmet began recording, Darth Drakkon wore a black helmet with a red visor, a black form fitting armor-weave suit, grey plated armor, a knee-length battle skirt, and a flowing black cape.
He also bore the insignia of the Grand Inquisitor.
As Drakkon drew a familiar hilt, Galen demanded, "Where did you get that!?" but received no answer.
Igniting the starsaber, Galen took a Mando Vaapad stance whilst Drakkon took his Juyo stance and ignited his crimson blade.
Fierce, swift and precise, the young Jedi Master and Sith Lord clashed blades, but Galen had a job to do.
He didn't have time to play with this new enemy whom he'd been holding back against.
Without warning, Marek moved so fast, he left an afterimage as he landed a cut across Drakkon's mask, scarring the wearer, before it fell to the floor.
As he stepped back, Drakkon stared into Galen's peaceful blue eyes, through his visor, with brown eyes and near identical facial features.
Aghast as he removed his own helmet, Galen's eyes widened in horror, "Cay?"
"Cay Marek was weak. I, Darth Drakkon, Grand Inquisitor and member of the Dark Council, destroyed him," declared Drakkon, "he's been dead since the fall of his Jedi parents.
And you will soon join him."
"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la," quietly recited Marek, "Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, Ni partayli, gar darasuum, Cay." before he donned his helmet.
Then their blades resumed clashing until he severed Drakkon's left arm, disarming him of his weapon.
The Sith shrieked in agony before a punch to the face knocked him off his feet, sending him to the floor.
Conflicted, Galen stood over his brother's metaphorical murderer, he considered striking him down like he'd done to so many other Sith he'd encountered.
A gentle hand stayed Galen's blade which he lowered whilst a soothing voice said, "Spare him."
Turning to see who'd spoken in a voice so familiar, Galen shed a tear at the sight of Mallie Marek's spirit which faded.
Then he extinguished his blade, healed Drakkon, and regenerated his arm with the Force.
"Why did you do that?" asked the bewildered Sith, "why would you spare me? Why would you let me live? After everything I've done?"
"If any part of my brother is still in there, he's who I want to save," answered Galen, "I know we haven't seen each other in a lifetime, and I don't know what kind of person Cay is.
But I want my brother back, for better or worse."
"Did you mourn his death?" asked Drakkon.
"Yes, more than once." replied Galen before his helmet's radio received a transmission.
"We're at the ships, where are you?" asked Ahsoka, via radio.
"On my way." answered Galen who took his opponent's saber, and teleported to his ship which he boarded.
Getting to his feet, Drakkon turned to a familiar hooded face he couldn't quite place.
"I never wanted this for you. I never wanted any of this for you." Kento's ghost apologized, "I'm sorry, son."
"Your son is dead." half-heartedly exhaled Drakkon as he shed a tear whilst memories long forgotten flooded his mind.
"I failed you… but there is still hope for you. For both of you.
Please, my son, it's not too late."
"Too late for what? Our family to be torn apart?
We spent a lifetime apart, and my own brother just cut off my arm!"
"So he is your brother?" asked Kento.
"He left me for dead."
"You know in your heart that isn't true."
"Then what is the truth, father?"
"You already know."
Later.
Interior: Starhawk, training room.
Sensing her beloved's emotions, Ahsoka asked, "Starguy? What is it?" before he suddenly shouted a long list of expletives, punched a punching bag halfway across the room, ignited one of his lightsabers, activated numerous training droids on the highest difficulty, and attacked them in a fit of rage.
Moments later.
Standing over the scrapped remains of 300 training droids and remotes of different models, Galen took deep breaths, and fell to his knees with tears trickling down his face before Ahsoka knelt by his side and hugged him.
"What happened?" asked Ahsoka.
"That last Sith Lord we ran into on the way back to the ships, Darth Drakkon, is Cay Marek." revealed Galen.
Her eyes widened, "Cay as in your dead twin brother?"
Galen exhaled, "Yeah."
"What are you going to do next time you two meet?"
"I don't know, Soka."
"What else? That's not all that happened, please tell me." asked Tano, "what happened?"
"He robbed our mother's grave! And desecrated one of her lightsabers by bleeding its crystal!" snapped Galen, whose face softened, "and I let him go after healing him of the same injuries I gave him."
Changing the subject, she mentioned, "Speaking of kin, you should check on Revan. He's in the infirmary."
Calmed after a deep breath, he asked, "Why? What happened?"
"Nothing, he's just getting a routine check-up and taking a dip in a bacta tank.
And he was asking for you."
"Didn't need the Force to see that coming."
"You should talk to him."
Interior: Starhawk, med-bay.
Curious to know more about his heir, Revan, who'd showered, cut his hair a little shorter than shoulder-length, and shaved his beard, requested, "Please tell me about yourself, Galen."
Marek recounted carefully chosen parts of his story, leaving out the details he didn't think he should share, to Revan who paid full attention before recounting his own story, leaving nothing out and being fully transparent, honest and non-cryptic.
"Just how thoroughly did you and your friend heal me?
The Emperor did all sorts of experiments on me.
He kept me alive with Sith alchemy.
Thousands of years of torture, but there's no physical trace of his meddling now.
My body, which should've been dust long ago, feels good as new."
"Let's just say I have a slight affinity for healing," replied Galen.
"I see you've inherited Meetra's modesty," approved Revan, "between the two of us, she was always the more modest and humble one.
On the other hand, I ran around in my mask and a cape like something out of a bedtime story."
"Speaking of, the Empire's forces kept mistaking me for you before I changed my colour scheme a bit.
It's like an annoying compliment.
I don't even bother to correct them anymore." mentioned Galen, making Revan laugh.
Finishing her check-up, Barriss informed, "You're all clear and physically perfectly healthy, Master Revan."
"Thank you, Barriss."
Returning Revan's robes, cloak and mask, she mentioned, "We took the liberty of having your clothes washed, dried, cleaned and thoroughly sanitized for health, hygiene, and safety reasons."
Revan quickly got dressed as everyone gave him some privacy.
Galen asked the living legend, "How do you feel?"
"After a few thousand years in stasis? Stiff.
I could use a workout."
"We should have something to eat first."
"Agreed."
Soon thereafter.
Interior: Starhawk, training room.
Donning their respective helmets, Revan and Galen drew one saber each.
"How many lightsabers do you have?" asked Revan as he saw a collection of hilts.
"Not enough," humorously answered Marek as they chuckled before taking their stances, "Wait, do you hear an intense chorus and orchestra?"
"That's just my theme music," joked the Prodigal Knight.
Whilst rhythmically exchanging strikes, with a large audience, the two showcased a masterful display of skill.
"I wish you were by my side back in the day." praised the Revanchist, "I don't think the Sith Emperor would've known what hit him.
Your aura is like mine and Meetra's combined."
"I'm savouring and relishing this moment," admitted Galen, having the time of his life as the two duellists were able to cut loose.
"I'm enjoying this too, Galen. It's like you're learning a new style every time our blades clash." replied Revan, proud of the young champion standing before him.
Six hours later.
Exterior: Hyperspace.
Interior: Starhawk, training room.
Ending in a draw, they extinguished their blades and did the Mando handshake.
"So, how are we telling the Jedi Council I'm back?" asked the Prodigal Knight.
"Let's keep it simple and just casually walk into the temple, fully suited up, and see how they react."
"Does this mean you believe I'm the real Revan? Not some imposter?"
"Well, Meetra, Tee-three and HK-47 all vouch for you.
And I'm psychometric, so I saw the history of the mask and you."
"So, ever considered going by Mandalore: the Starbird?
It sounds more accurate to you from your record and reputation."
"Ner Buir cuyir te sol'yc to call Ni kaysh Starbird.
She suggested it after I said my title for the first time.
I might go with it."
"That's really sweet of you to even consider using your mum's nickname for you as your honorific."
Shortly thereafter.
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, council chambers.
Entering to see the shocked, intrigued, stunned, curious and mortified looks on Caleb and the Council's faces, Revan stood next to Galen.
Pale, Obi-Wan turned to the Mandalorian, "Galen, what've you done?"
"Nothing much, I just broke into an Imperial prison, rescued a prisoner, and blew the place to kingdom come."
"I knew it! You can't go anywhere without blowing something up!"
"It was a clan Wren masterpiece."
As Revan and Galen took off their helmets, Yoda inquired, "Free, you are, Revan. Do what, will you?"
"I think I'll take some time to adjust to this era before getting back in the fight.
There's a lot to catch up on, and some time to spend with Galen."
"Fair enough, this is. A remarkable young man, Galen is.
Proud of him, you would be.
Much like you, he is."
"Which version of me is he most like?
Hopefully not like the part of me that was Darth Revan."
"An unorthodox champion of the Force, he is.
The heart of the Force, I feel I am staring into.
Clash, regularly with the Council, he does."
Anakin asked Revan, "How did you fall to the dark side?"
"I never fell. I became the Dark Lord to prevent a greater evil.
My goal was never to destroy the Republic, but to rebuild it from the ground up.
To prepare and strengthen it, so it wouldn't be helpless against the true Sith Empire."
"What do you mean?" inquired Luminara.
"The Republic was a stagnant beast on its deathbed."
"How weak did you think it was?"
"Malak was defeated, but the Republic and Jedi Order barely survived.
Realistically speaking, no-one won the Jedi Civil War."
"And what of Bastila Shan during the war?"
"When her battle meditation manifested during the Jedi Civil war, I wanted to capture her and sideline her, not kill, break or turn her.
I didn't want the Republic to depend and rely on her battle meditation to win the war for them.
I set a trap for her which was when her strike team confronted me.
Obviously that didn't go as planned, thanks to Malak, and you know the rest."
"That makes sense."
"If I truly wanted to destroy the Republic, I would have.
Instead, I kept its political structure intact.
I was convincing Jedi to join me one way or another.
I had HK-47 and other elite assassins eliminate crime syndicate leaders, despots, tyrants.
Corrupt business and political figures, bureaucrats, and especially Imperial spies."
"I'm not sure if that's assassination, a form of vigilantism, or a public service." let slip Unduli, to her own surprise.
Looking at the ancient Jedi, Caleb asked, "If Galen's related to you, who was your partner at the time his ancestor was born?"
"Meetra… but I didn't know I'd had a kid with her.
I only found out when we were reunited, and I'd recovered all of my memories."
(begin flashback.)
Thousands of years ago, the day of Meetra's exile.
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, Kavar's quarters.
"Meetra?" asked a surprised Master Kavar, "please come in.
Are you alright? I noticed you looked exhausted and out of it back in the Council chambers."
"I'm sorry, Master, there's a controversial favour I need from you before I leave."
"Are you in some kind of trouble?" asked the concerned Jedi Master.
Revealing a newborn baby boy, she cradled him in her arms.
Sensing the infant's immense strength with and connection to the Force, Kavar observed his features, "Is that who I think it is?"
"Mine and Revan's son, and your godchild."
"You've been a daughter to me since I brought you to the Enclave on Dantooine as a child." fondly remembered Kavar, "I am honoured."
"No-one can know his parentage, not even him."
"I will watch over and protect him to the best of my ability, you have my promise, Meetra."
Surik held up her left hand, "Before running off to investigate something in the unknown regions, Revan proposed, and I accepted.
When he gets back from the unknown regions, we're getting married."
"Congratulations, Meetra."
"Thank you."
"Did he say why he's going there?"
"He's looking for something or someone.
Revan's convinced Mandalore wasn't behind the war, but the pawn of a greater evil, and he's gone to fight it.
But what if Mandalore did the same before being turned against the Republic?"
"That's a worrying thought," replied Kavar, "I will reflect on this, but you must go before you're discovered here."
"Goodbye, father." said Meetra, "I love you."
Interior: Dromund Kaas, cave.
As she and Revan lay together, Meetra confessed, "Revan, there's something you should know."
"I'm all ears and open-hearted, Meetra."
"Vaner Shan isn't your only child… around the time of Malachor V, I gave birth to your firstborn son."
Revan's eyes widened, "Wait, what?"
"We have a son."
He wrapped his arms around her, "Meetra, you're full of pleasant surprises."
"To protect him, no-one could know we were his parents.
Not him, not you, and certainly not Malak, or any of our enemies.
And no, I don't know where he is."
"You made the right choice."
(end flashbacks.)
Interior: Coruscant, Jedi temple, Council chambers.
Taken aback, Plo asked, "How did Master Shan react to this?"
"I don't even know if she knew.
I can imagine she'd start yelling at me about having a secret son.
Then pause halfway through to recite the Jedi code, and remember the Council wiping my memories."
"That's very specific."
"A married man who doesn't know his partner is always in trouble," stated Revan who told his tale to the Council.
"What use were you to the Emperor that you were imprisoned for so long?" asked Caleb.
"I've known both sides of the Force first-hand, from multiple perspectives.
The Emperor used me as a conduit, used me as his link to the light side to see visions.
But that same link gave me influence, and I learned thousands of years worth of knowledge."
"Did he get anything from you that you didn't want him to?"
"There was one secret he desired that I never gave him.
A place called The Foundry, another of the Rakatan Infinite Empire's Star Forges.
In the wrong hands, it can wipe out civilisations.
In my hands, it-"
"How do we know yours aren't the wrong hands?" inquisitively asked Dume.
Depa turned to Galen, "Speaking of the Star Forges, did you ever receive word from the scout ship you sent to Lehon?"
"Yes, the Star Forge was destroyed." confirmed Galen.
"I could've told you that if you'd asked," said Revan.
"And you think I'd believe you? Given who knows what could've been done to your mind while you were imprisoned?
The Council of old gave you false memories, the Emperor could've done the same while you were his prisoner."
"Good point, but Tee-Three and HK could corroborate, and you said you were psychometric."
"True."
Observing Galen's body language and sensing his tension, Aayla asked, "Star, sweetie, what's wrong?"
Producing a hologram of Drakkon with and without his mask, Galen replied, "Meet Darth Drakkon aka Cay Marek." then held out Mallie's desecrated lightsaber, "my twin brother."
"Your brother?"
Galen ignited the red blade, "He did this to one of Mallie's kade, used it as a Sith Lord, and he sits on the Dark Council, as well as holds the title of Grand Inquisitor.
I don't know what to make of him." before reaching into the Force and cleansing the crystal before their eyes, turning the blade white.
"That's a nice trick," mused Revan.
"Hopefully healing the crystal brings peace to her spirit." Galen sighed, and no-one had to ask who "she," was.
Aayla asked, "Son, did you have a recording of your encounter with Drakkon?" before Galen produced the holo-recording.
At the end of the clip, Luminara asked, "Galen, are you okay?"
"I've had a messed up family reunion, so I'm a bit worn out."
At the same time.
Interior: Dromund Kaas, Drakkon's fortress, quarters.
Laying in his bed, Drakkon was accompanied by a sexy, petite, curvy, lavender skinned Twi'lek woman with mesmerizing green eyes whom wore a slave collar and skimpy, exotic black lingerie.
As she looked innocently into his eyes, he stroked her lekku, making her shudder in pleasure, and kissed her on the lips with fiery passion.
"I love you, Daesha," whispered Drakkon as their lips parted.
"I'll eternally love you more, my Master." returned Daesha who noticed her owner was somewhat distracted, "Master Drakkon?"
Making up his mind, he permitted, "When we're in private, you can call me Cay."
Mando'a translations.
Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum = I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal.
Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la = Not gone, merely marching far away.
Ner Buir cuyir te sol'yc to call Ni kaysh Starbird = my mother is the first to call me her Starbird.
Jetii - Jedi.
Mand'alor - Sole ruler of the Mandalorians.