p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c15a4ecb757013c655ad3b500b3b9d7"Buddy scuttled ahead as the doors to Plagueis's secret lair slid open. The air lock hissed as the doors slid shut. Palpatine heard the lock click. His palms were sweaty. He gripped onto his new lightsaber very tightly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5ab0a7ce8cacc9cdcfa69611831483b6"Buddy led him through the twisty gardens to a small courtyard off the main path. After they reached the courtyard Buddy diverted off the path, scuttling into the underbrush. Palpatine suspected Plagueis had prepared it a meal since it seemed overly exuberant./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="78b3407f0f8a92449aa07731a16b4a45"The small courtyard was much dimmer than the rest of the lair. Giant trees squirmed and twisted grotesquely, extended their spindly limbs over the courtyard creating spectral half-light./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="215f3a54fc560758f4fa89db236492cd"There were grand bookshelves set on the far wall, some of the volumes were legible while others were written in long dead languages. There was a desk, partially covered in nasty moss with an open book atop it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f0259c81dee77c7c934f04cfba349ab2"Darth Plagueis stood by the bookshelves examining a HoloDisplay of a very familiar planet. A bit too familiar for Palpatine's liking./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="009cdf0f89c99173854ff04386fb7c2b"Palpatine approached from behind. "Is that Naboo you are viewing?" He tried to conceal the unease in his voice. Something was wrong. He could sense it. The Force was whispering it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d79bc8b65f891495f2df3581f65e0a11"Plagueis turned to Palpatine, his disturbing white mask frozen in a forever smirk. Plagueis answered. "Indeed, it is. It is such a lovely planet." Plagueis hit another button on the display, flicking through the pictures. "And a lovely planet, of course, has such a lovely family." A picture of Palpatine's family appeared on the display./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b52e67c3ece75f805915e9a34a5b19f"Palpatine's brows furrowed. He wasn't sure if Plagueis was threatening him or not. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"There's no reason to threaten me. I've done what you've wanted. /emPalpatine faltered. "Yes...of course."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c1729278eb0806632b3bad3f135bef0b""Family is so precious, Palpatine, as I'm sure you know. Yet family is so easily torn apart, one single em style="box-sizing: border-box;"terrible/em...accident and then you are all alone." Plagueis went on in a mock sorrowful tone. "It is a curse I hope you do not have to share."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f82641d4c89a7160d1630e40719f1c40"Palpatine spoke quickly. "Are you threatening me, Darth Plagueis?" he took the lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. "I've done what you've asked. I've brought what you want. I urge you leave my family out of whatever wrong you have perceive has been done."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5dd725e04dcf30267f107824447036bf"Plagueis scoffed. "It's not the lightsaber I speak of but of this." Plagueis wretched open the drawer of his desk and threw the thing within at Palpatine's feet. Blood spattered Palpatine's boots./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8f86c06f710bdec65fc7a4f246a6d471"It was the decapitated head of Nuvan Girris, Palpatine's Mikkian bodyguard. Palpatine inhaled sharply at the sight but kept his countenance impassive./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c375d2644d3d9f9f1ad04781f4951abb"His eyes glanced at where his tracker had been (on his sleeve), Girris's dead gaze, and then back to Plagueis. He realized the mistake he had made. Plagueis told Palpatine curtly, "Your short sightedness and lack of trust is deeply disturbing, young Palpatine. I am a Sith Lord. Surely you must know I am undeceivable."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cf4e915caf8b704e951a95779abc702f"Palpatine tried to explain, "Plagueis in my defense...I had no indications of your intentions or who you were at the time I sent my location to Girris. I deeply apologize."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e15f49e06c11c322e34713c5503c920"Plagueis went on. "I found this imp skulking about my property! You didn't even call him off! Could you imagine if he told the Jedi? Worse, my son? It would be endless torture for my wife and I to conceal your foolishness."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cbe8bbee7e040f580946309f24fa92d2""Your wife knows about...your true identity?" Palpatine asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1de3738473ce4d68daafc89df84250c4""Yes, of course!" Plagueis put a hand to his head. "Thankfully, nothing terrible occurred. I was able to dispense with it swiftly and unnoticeably." He waved his hand dismissively decapitated head. "This cannot happen again. EVER! This stays between you and I."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dde89bd027d5db64a2a04152408ccff7"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"And your wife, apparently./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c6e5e812ec658078bee7ba2d72501e0c"Palpatine sighed deeply. "What am I to tell Girris's family?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0d11a3dcd1aeac07a99967cacbdb04b2""That is for you to decide. If you are to become a Sith Lord, you must learn to explain the inexplainable and learn to make the unwanted...disappear." He spoke slowly and deliberately. "If you require assistance, I advise you work with my wife. She is especially skilled in causing and concealing disappearances of this sort."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8ff35f7e549f7fba3c8e2eb7a1c0d5dc"Palpatine nodded. "Is there anything else you require of me?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="847a514ff75fa8de37c4aba367c2f5fb"Plagueis went on. "Oh, yes, yes, of course. Let me see what lightsaber has chosen you." Palpatine extended his lightsaber to Plagueis and Plagueis studied it. "No...it can't be. How fascinating." Plagueis' gloved finger ran along the trim of the laser sword./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e57b0bd1aad3d922743f0600438d167a""What?" His face was hot again. Palpatine was unsure if Plagueis' fascination was good or bad. "Is there something wrong with it?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4c49d3700449575f490b01a434e00fe1""No, quite the opposite." Plagueis handed the lightsaber back to Palpatine. "Darth Vanye has chosen you as her next successor."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="55418aa6282ead82c6c891cd427b02c1""Who is Darth Vayne?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="14b513ab1039f3473d9dfce650ec986f"Plagueis typed a few commands into the HoloDisplay and an ancient art piece appeared. Palpatine drew closer to Plagueis' side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6489ff46d34ef9807e91c6445de6ed8e"It appeared that he was somewhat forgiven for his mistake, but he kept his hand close to his new lightsaber. It was unlikely that he could defeat a Sith Lord but there was always a chance. Palpatine hoped it wouldn't come to that...yet./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b657f208b6bdd09e6ac90ca26e719dd1""One of the greatest Sith to ever live." Plagueis pointed her out on the art piece. Plagueis turned to the young Palpatine. "Did she not pay you a visit? It would be quite unusual of a Sith ghost not to."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ab6f06747dbb6c5c71953cbe744d1a7e"Palpatine stared at the golden cloaked figure in the painting. Her hands were outstretched, violet lightning crackling from her fingertips. A civilization crumbled around her, seas boiled, and starships were torn apart in the sky above./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0ee435dd5d620d345549fc8cb2c49d1a"He recalled the cloaked figure from the evacuated Sith ruin. "Yes, I believe she did. Her voice beckoned me to her lightsaber. What was it...she spoke something along the lines of...I can't remember."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aeefae4097814feb21f868f5a3b8685e""She only spoke to you? She didn't attempt to attack you? That's incredibly curious." Plagueis remarked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b518d6f2166b5172c2a3dace94e86853""No, she tried to. I slashed her down."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="547ff41943377f9b6e49b943c287f789""Impressive." Plagueis complimented him. He went on swiftly. "Although I would be wary, Palpatine. Sith ghosts don't take kindly to defeat."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13670449ced98a36e29a6fff81027ec2""What do you mean?" Palpatine asked with a hint of worry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b23f7c24483e606862df26952c5e6270"Plagueis shut off the display. "What I mean is...that she may be back with a renewed thirst for blood." Palpatine stared at him. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Renewed thirst for MY blood?/em Palpatine started twisting his ring./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="170842641bf15625ebd6cab9dabd7dbb""How am I supposed to counter her?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9eddb2ae9cb3cc21ab7ac141288a7eb5"Plagueis ran his finger along the ancient books upon his shelves. "The rest of my potential apprentices died at the hands of their lightsaber predecessors. You would be the first to survive a Sith ghost attack. I must do further research to determine our next course of action." He flipped the pages of a dusty book and titled his head to look upon the nervous Naboo. "I must say, Palpatine, you are showing great promise."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d297447f0d0e0f07f44fd3d20d808c85""Enough to become a Sith?" Palpatine asked. Plagueis laughed to himself making Palpatine redden. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I shouldn't have said that./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="158eced8563d1630603875913ee7aa01""Eager, are you?" Plagueis asked. He shut the dusty book and set it on the table. Plagueis asked bluntly. "What do you want to achieve in life, Palpatine?'/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a44bf3367e771693e98cbe60e197add0"Palpatine blinked a few times. It was a loaded question. One that Palpatine had thought about much and had yet remained uncertain about. "Well, I want to become the Senator of Naboo. Become a Sith, find the secret to eternal life. I suppose that's it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f536a31d6cfc4f1a46264e045d5c4f3d"Plagueis slammed his fist on the table making Palpatine jump slightly. "Why? Why do you want that? Why do you not be a simple man with a simple life, hm?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="db53f18503c610772a00c73a5b6cc83c"Palpatine took a moment to consider. "Because...I...I don't want to die. I want to live life comfortably."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a7d20b6a831c2d5ebab45bae6d47af2""You still haven't explained why. What's your purpose in living eternal life. Your purpose to become a Sith and Senator?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cc95f354db3aee0a0db61426d20ef398"Palpatine was reluctant to reveal his inner thoughts to Plagueis. As the youngest sibling he was used to being dismissed, being underestimated. But deep inside he had always craved power over others./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5a2f6f84a7b2aadc463bf6ef08fa80d6"Palpatine's family hovered over him like a shadow. His father and mother ensured he could get in no trouble at the cost of letting him make no real decisions. His brother, Predune, and his sister, Mairda were there when his parents weren't./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5864553fbdec57f42662234e9c6ee985"They had the power and very little was under his control in the Palpatine Household. He was always considered too young to be involved in any major family decision making./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a84aeea305109acec3653282e1c2f42"At the Model GR was the first time he had felt any true power. His peers hung onto his every word while he spoke he had the attention of everyone within the room. He craved that feeling of power, one he so desperately thirsted for all his life./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="76944589c673a124bcafeff02bf401e1""Palpatine?" Plagueis asked Palpatine bringing the young Naboo back to the present. "I was asking you what your purpose is in achieving eternal life becoming a Sith and a Youth Senator. That is quite a lot of goals."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f878e1e97dc4dfd4c1b60c56c02dc278""My purpose is to live. I want to live happily."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ce85a759709c97fad7cb6a74f472dcdf""And what of power? Would power bring happiness for you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c0d20d840d14f5021a8498a56c401d0e""Only a fool would say otherwise." Palpatine resolved to his thirst for power tucked deep inside lest Plagueis discover the true extent forem style="box-sizing: border-box;" /empower...em style="box-sizing: border-box;"UNLIMITED POWER/em./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ace4b67e78694433ad68a49111ff6d3"Plagueis laughed. "Then perhaps I am a fool." He paused and went on. "What of your family? Do they not make you happy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fb31be6f0b5de748b5aeefa0f7169ab"Palpatine hesitated and lied, "Of course, they do."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="912fcee96ce9dad6f4b690913ed68d0c"Plagueis continued, "Power and passion have a relationship you must understand, Palpatine. Passion with no power is a tragedy. Power with no passion is a tragedy as well. It is a vital bridge of the Sith, passion and power. It is the core of a Sith's being."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="387a20f15e7739d4b78ac5ad4fd2b200"Palpatine bowed his head. "I understand, Darth Plagueis." Palpatine knew his passion was himself, his own interests./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="60ba2d1107511e1f8f2dabf7c75e7e20"Clearly Plagueis loved his wife and son. Yes, he thought he balanced power and passion. But...his family could prove to be a weak point./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0294ca4e8fd9c3e53b7e82f478caa9f2"Palpatine tilted his head back up and stared at Plagueis expecting something. All that crossed the Sith Lord's lips was. "Good, my em style="box-sizing: border-box;"apprentice./em You've taken your first step into a larger world."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b5b02d66dbc7d92e7eecdda10fd9bea3"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Apprentice?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ca07e12bc01e081e4518a4124a43590""I sensed it, your potential, your raw untamed power when I first met you. I knew you wouldn't fail me." Plagueis expressed with deep graveness. He shook his head. "It is a shame that I cannot give you a true ordination in an undisturbed Sith Temple surrounded by the glory of our past and the promises of our future."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="660c09936a4635347af989c17c8d3c54"Buddy scuttled next to Plagueis presenting a withered serrated sword glowing with faint crimson. Writing of an alien language was written on its blade. At the center of the mystical ebony blade, it sizzled with raw crimson energy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aa7237128a9eb8b17dd5c16e717e4be2"Palpatine glanced at the sword with uncertainty, his hand lingered near his waist where his lightsaber hung loosely. "Your lightsaber." Plagueis asked. Palpatine unhooked it from his belt and handed it to Plagueis uncertainly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ba8b711db18cf6db8812ac93d9cde86e"Palpatine watched Plagueis with fascination as the Sith Lord snapped open a compartment in the lightsaber and withdrew a small jagged crimson crystal. Plagueis took off his left glove. The hand was disfigured beyond recognition, scarred, and crooked. Without the slightest wince, Plagueis sunk the crystal's jagged end into his palm./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="30fe4a8526c61640c22974a9a9dbdb2a"Palpatine looked away, repulsed by the act. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Is this some sort of ritual? Tradition of the Sith? Why must they cut their palms? Its so painful...for what? The effect?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f59ccee7d90d9159b11020754f5727c2"Plagueis formed his disfigured hand into a fist letting his blood freely fall upon the serrated sword's blade. Plagueis muttered alien words under his breath./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d5801051637d4d6bdafd231aeade69f"Small specks of blue light glowed through the blood but quickly dissipated. The ancient words glowed violet and Plagueis took the serrated sword into his bloodied hand and held it before him. Palpatine took the hint to kneel respectfully before the Sith Lord./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3b8fc355b34219c1d4ba7411718178f""Do you Sheev Palpatine vow to devote yourself to my teachings and to become a faithful disciple of the Dark Side?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6cd2b3c5a07d5a2f42156c04d4d27f24"Palpatine didn't hesitate in his answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="eff3aee6ae3d99c17c0812af7fcb0f0d""I shall."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="578c25641ea0d9db6d7143735244137f"Palpatine could sense pride wash over the Sith Lord. Plagueis uttered. "I hereby declare your Sith name as..." Plagueis paused for a moment. Palpatine's breath hitched./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fff35ae04d16271cf43805cc753b4fa0"A moment that would linger in Palpatine's mind for years to come. It was yet another moment marking a step closer to the end of Plagueis' life. This was the moment Palpatine received a name that truly suited him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a9ba86dde2e00b73b0e3817a6dacd79""...Darth...em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Sidious/em."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8ef760cb784e3e99b349fb6bbd72a332"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Darth Sidious. /emThe Sith apprentice liked it, he liked it very much. It was...fitting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3f8e44aea599ce232e54deeac06aae33""Rise, Darth Sidious. We have much to discuss." Darth Sidious rose at his master's command and an insidious smile crossed the apprentice's face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5ab0a7ce8cacc9cdcfa69611831483b6"Buddy led him through the twisty gardens to a small courtyard off the main path. After they reached the courtyard Buddy diverted off the path, scuttling into the underbrush. Palpatine suspected Plagueis had prepared it a meal since it seemed overly exuberant./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="78b3407f0f8a92449aa07731a16b4a45"The small courtyard was much dimmer than the rest of the lair. Giant trees squirmed and twisted grotesquely, extended their spindly limbs over the courtyard creating spectral half-light./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="215f3a54fc560758f4fa89db236492cd"There were grand bookshelves set on the far wall, some of the volumes were legible while others were written in long dead languages. There was a desk, partially covered in nasty moss with an open book atop it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f0259c81dee77c7c934f04cfba349ab2"Darth Plagueis stood by the bookshelves examining a HoloDisplay of a very familiar planet. A bit too familiar for Palpatine's liking./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="009cdf0f89c99173854ff04386fb7c2b"Palpatine approached from behind. "Is that Naboo you are viewing?" He tried to conceal the unease in his voice. Something was wrong. He could sense it. The Force was whispering it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d79bc8b65f891495f2df3581f65e0a11"Plagueis turned to Palpatine, his disturbing white mask frozen in a forever smirk. Plagueis answered. "Indeed, it is. It is such a lovely planet." Plagueis hit another button on the display, flicking through the pictures. "And a lovely planet, of course, has such a lovely family." A picture of Palpatine's family appeared on the display./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b52e67c3ece75f805915e9a34a5b19f"Palpatine's brows furrowed. He wasn't sure if Plagueis was threatening him or not. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"There's no reason to threaten me. I've done what you've wanted. /emPalpatine faltered. "Yes...of course."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c1729278eb0806632b3bad3f135bef0b""Family is so precious, Palpatine, as I'm sure you know. Yet family is so easily torn apart, one single em style="box-sizing: border-box;"terrible/em...accident and then you are all alone." Plagueis went on in a mock sorrowful tone. "It is a curse I hope you do not have to share."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f82641d4c89a7160d1630e40719f1c40"Palpatine spoke quickly. "Are you threatening me, Darth Plagueis?" he took the lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. "I've done what you've asked. I've brought what you want. I urge you leave my family out of whatever wrong you have perceive has been done."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5dd725e04dcf30267f107824447036bf"Plagueis scoffed. "It's not the lightsaber I speak of but of this." Plagueis wretched open the drawer of his desk and threw the thing within at Palpatine's feet. Blood spattered Palpatine's boots./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8f86c06f710bdec65fc7a4f246a6d471"It was the decapitated head of Nuvan Girris, Palpatine's Mikkian bodyguard. Palpatine inhaled sharply at the sight but kept his countenance impassive./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c375d2644d3d9f9f1ad04781f4951abb"His eyes glanced at where his tracker had been (on his sleeve), Girris's dead gaze, and then back to Plagueis. He realized the mistake he had made. Plagueis told Palpatine curtly, "Your short sightedness and lack of trust is deeply disturbing, young Palpatine. I am a Sith Lord. Surely you must know I am undeceivable."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cf4e915caf8b704e951a95779abc702f"Palpatine tried to explain, "Plagueis in my defense...I had no indications of your intentions or who you were at the time I sent my location to Girris. I deeply apologize."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e15f49e06c11c322e34713c5503c920"Plagueis went on. "I found this imp skulking about my property! You didn't even call him off! Could you imagine if he told the Jedi? Worse, my son? It would be endless torture for my wife and I to conceal your foolishness."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cbe8bbee7e040f580946309f24fa92d2""Your wife knows about...your true identity?" Palpatine asked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1de3738473ce4d68daafc89df84250c4""Yes, of course!" Plagueis put a hand to his head. "Thankfully, nothing terrible occurred. I was able to dispense with it swiftly and unnoticeably." He waved his hand dismissively decapitated head. "This cannot happen again. EVER! This stays between you and I."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dde89bd027d5db64a2a04152408ccff7"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"And your wife, apparently./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c6e5e812ec658078bee7ba2d72501e0c"Palpatine sighed deeply. "What am I to tell Girris's family?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0d11a3dcd1aeac07a99967cacbdb04b2""That is for you to decide. If you are to become a Sith Lord, you must learn to explain the inexplainable and learn to make the unwanted...disappear." He spoke slowly and deliberately. "If you require assistance, I advise you work with my wife. She is especially skilled in causing and concealing disappearances of this sort."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8ff35f7e549f7fba3c8e2eb7a1c0d5dc"Palpatine nodded. "Is there anything else you require of me?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="847a514ff75fa8de37c4aba367c2f5fb"Plagueis went on. "Oh, yes, yes, of course. Let me see what lightsaber has chosen you." Palpatine extended his lightsaber to Plagueis and Plagueis studied it. "No...it can't be. How fascinating." Plagueis' gloved finger ran along the trim of the laser sword./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e57b0bd1aad3d922743f0600438d167a""What?" His face was hot again. Palpatine was unsure if Plagueis' fascination was good or bad. "Is there something wrong with it?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4c49d3700449575f490b01a434e00fe1""No, quite the opposite." Plagueis handed the lightsaber back to Palpatine. "Darth Vanye has chosen you as her next successor."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="55418aa6282ead82c6c891cd427b02c1""Who is Darth Vayne?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="14b513ab1039f3473d9dfce650ec986f"Plagueis typed a few commands into the HoloDisplay and an ancient art piece appeared. Palpatine drew closer to Plagueis' side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6489ff46d34ef9807e91c6445de6ed8e"It appeared that he was somewhat forgiven for his mistake, but he kept his hand close to his new lightsaber. It was unlikely that he could defeat a Sith Lord but there was always a chance. Palpatine hoped it wouldn't come to that...yet./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b657f208b6bdd09e6ac90ca26e719dd1""One of the greatest Sith to ever live." Plagueis pointed her out on the art piece. Plagueis turned to the young Palpatine. "Did she not pay you a visit? It would be quite unusual of a Sith ghost not to."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ab6f06747dbb6c5c71953cbe744d1a7e"Palpatine stared at the golden cloaked figure in the painting. Her hands were outstretched, violet lightning crackling from her fingertips. A civilization crumbled around her, seas boiled, and starships were torn apart in the sky above./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0ee435dd5d620d345549fc8cb2c49d1a"He recalled the cloaked figure from the evacuated Sith ruin. "Yes, I believe she did. Her voice beckoned me to her lightsaber. What was it...she spoke something along the lines of...I can't remember."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aeefae4097814feb21f868f5a3b8685e""She only spoke to you? She didn't attempt to attack you? That's incredibly curious." Plagueis remarked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b518d6f2166b5172c2a3dace94e86853""No, she tried to. I slashed her down."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="547ff41943377f9b6e49b943c287f789""Impressive." Plagueis complimented him. He went on swiftly. "Although I would be wary, Palpatine. Sith ghosts don't take kindly to defeat."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13670449ced98a36e29a6fff81027ec2""What do you mean?" Palpatine asked with a hint of worry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b23f7c24483e606862df26952c5e6270"Plagueis shut off the display. "What I mean is...that she may be back with a renewed thirst for blood." Palpatine stared at him. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Renewed thirst for MY blood?/em Palpatine started twisting his ring./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="170842641bf15625ebd6cab9dabd7dbb""How am I supposed to counter her?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9eddb2ae9cb3cc21ab7ac141288a7eb5"Plagueis ran his finger along the ancient books upon his shelves. "The rest of my potential apprentices died at the hands of their lightsaber predecessors. You would be the first to survive a Sith ghost attack. I must do further research to determine our next course of action." He flipped the pages of a dusty book and titled his head to look upon the nervous Naboo. "I must say, Palpatine, you are showing great promise."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d297447f0d0e0f07f44fd3d20d808c85""Enough to become a Sith?" Palpatine asked. Plagueis laughed to himself making Palpatine redden. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I shouldn't have said that./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="158eced8563d1630603875913ee7aa01""Eager, are you?" Plagueis asked. He shut the dusty book and set it on the table. Plagueis asked bluntly. "What do you want to achieve in life, Palpatine?'/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a44bf3367e771693e98cbe60e197add0"Palpatine blinked a few times. It was a loaded question. One that Palpatine had thought about much and had yet remained uncertain about. "Well, I want to become the Senator of Naboo. Become a Sith, find the secret to eternal life. I suppose that's it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f536a31d6cfc4f1a46264e045d5c4f3d"Plagueis slammed his fist on the table making Palpatine jump slightly. "Why? Why do you want that? Why do you not be a simple man with a simple life, hm?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="db53f18503c610772a00c73a5b6cc83c"Palpatine took a moment to consider. "Because...I...I don't want to die. I want to live life comfortably."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a7d20b6a831c2d5ebab45bae6d47af2""You still haven't explained why. What's your purpose in living eternal life. Your purpose to become a Sith and Senator?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cc95f354db3aee0a0db61426d20ef398"Palpatine was reluctant to reveal his inner thoughts to Plagueis. As the youngest sibling he was used to being dismissed, being underestimated. But deep inside he had always craved power over others./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5a2f6f84a7b2aadc463bf6ef08fa80d6"Palpatine's family hovered over him like a shadow. His father and mother ensured he could get in no trouble at the cost of letting him make no real decisions. His brother, Predune, and his sister, Mairda were there when his parents weren't./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5864553fbdec57f42662234e9c6ee985"They had the power and very little was under his control in the Palpatine Household. He was always considered too young to be involved in any major family decision making./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a84aeea305109acec3653282e1c2f42"At the Model GR was the first time he had felt any true power. His peers hung onto his every word while he spoke he had the attention of everyone within the room. He craved that feeling of power, one he so desperately thirsted for all his life./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="76944589c673a124bcafeff02bf401e1""Palpatine?" Plagueis asked Palpatine bringing the young Naboo back to the present. "I was asking you what your purpose is in achieving eternal life becoming a Sith and a Youth Senator. That is quite a lot of goals."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f878e1e97dc4dfd4c1b60c56c02dc278""My purpose is to live. I want to live happily."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ce85a759709c97fad7cb6a74f472dcdf""And what of power? Would power bring happiness for you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c0d20d840d14f5021a8498a56c401d0e""Only a fool would say otherwise." Palpatine resolved to his thirst for power tucked deep inside lest Plagueis discover the true extent forem style="box-sizing: border-box;" /empower...em style="box-sizing: border-box;"UNLIMITED POWER/em./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ace4b67e78694433ad68a49111ff6d3"Plagueis laughed. "Then perhaps I am a fool." He paused and went on. "What of your family? Do they not make you happy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fb31be6f0b5de748b5aeefa0f7169ab"Palpatine hesitated and lied, "Of course, they do."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="912fcee96ce9dad6f4b690913ed68d0c"Plagueis continued, "Power and passion have a relationship you must understand, Palpatine. Passion with no power is a tragedy. Power with no passion is a tragedy as well. It is a vital bridge of the Sith, passion and power. It is the core of a Sith's being."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="387a20f15e7739d4b78ac5ad4fd2b200"Palpatine bowed his head. "I understand, Darth Plagueis." Palpatine knew his passion was himself, his own interests./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="60ba2d1107511e1f8f2dabf7c75e7e20"Clearly Plagueis loved his wife and son. Yes, he thought he balanced power and passion. But...his family could prove to be a weak point./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0294ca4e8fd9c3e53b7e82f478caa9f2"Palpatine tilted his head back up and stared at Plagueis expecting something. All that crossed the Sith Lord's lips was. "Good, my em style="box-sizing: border-box;"apprentice./em You've taken your first step into a larger world."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b5b02d66dbc7d92e7eecdda10fd9bea3"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Apprentice?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ca07e12bc01e081e4518a4124a43590""I sensed it, your potential, your raw untamed power when I first met you. I knew you wouldn't fail me." Plagueis expressed with deep graveness. He shook his head. "It is a shame that I cannot give you a true ordination in an undisturbed Sith Temple surrounded by the glory of our past and the promises of our future."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="660c09936a4635347af989c17c8d3c54"Buddy scuttled next to Plagueis presenting a withered serrated sword glowing with faint crimson. Writing of an alien language was written on its blade. At the center of the mystical ebony blade, it sizzled with raw crimson energy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aa7237128a9eb8b17dd5c16e717e4be2"Palpatine glanced at the sword with uncertainty, his hand lingered near his waist where his lightsaber hung loosely. "Your lightsaber." Plagueis asked. Palpatine unhooked it from his belt and handed it to Plagueis uncertainly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ba8b711db18cf6db8812ac93d9cde86e"Palpatine watched Plagueis with fascination as the Sith Lord snapped open a compartment in the lightsaber and withdrew a small jagged crimson crystal. Plagueis took off his left glove. The hand was disfigured beyond recognition, scarred, and crooked. Without the slightest wince, Plagueis sunk the crystal's jagged end into his palm./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="30fe4a8526c61640c22974a9a9dbdb2a"Palpatine looked away, repulsed by the act. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Is this some sort of ritual? Tradition of the Sith? Why must they cut their palms? Its so painful...for what? The effect?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f59ccee7d90d9159b11020754f5727c2"Plagueis formed his disfigured hand into a fist letting his blood freely fall upon the serrated sword's blade. Plagueis muttered alien words under his breath./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d5801051637d4d6bdafd231aeade69f"Small specks of blue light glowed through the blood but quickly dissipated. The ancient words glowed violet and Plagueis took the serrated sword into his bloodied hand and held it before him. Palpatine took the hint to kneel respectfully before the Sith Lord./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3b8fc355b34219c1d4ba7411718178f""Do you Sheev Palpatine vow to devote yourself to my teachings and to become a faithful disciple of the Dark Side?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6cd2b3c5a07d5a2f42156c04d4d27f24"Palpatine didn't hesitate in his answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="eff3aee6ae3d99c17c0812af7fcb0f0d""I shall."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="578c25641ea0d9db6d7143735244137f"Palpatine could sense pride wash over the Sith Lord. Plagueis uttered. "I hereby declare your Sith name as..." Plagueis paused for a moment. Palpatine's breath hitched./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fff35ae04d16271cf43805cc753b4fa0"A moment that would linger in Palpatine's mind for years to come. It was yet another moment marking a step closer to the end of Plagueis' life. This was the moment Palpatine received a name that truly suited him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a9ba86dde2e00b73b0e3817a6dacd79""...Darth...em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Sidious/em."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8ef760cb784e3e99b349fb6bbd72a332"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Darth Sidious. /emThe Sith apprentice liked it, he liked it very much. It was...fitting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3f8e44aea599ce232e54deeac06aae33""Rise, Darth Sidious. We have much to discuss." Darth Sidious rose at his master's command and an insidious smile crossed the apprentice's face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p