Fear

Heather walked through the Imperial palace casually, having returned from an errand. She hummed a tune to herself and occasionally gave a nod of acknowledgment to an Imperial Guard or stormtroopers tasked with protecting the palace. As she passed a corridor she was suddenly grabbed by the arm and pulled with surprising force and speed before being thrown against a wall.

A cold hand wrapped around her throat and menacing amber eyes burned into hers. Heather stared back, smiling beneath her cowl. "Hello Dread," she said casually to the Sith lord.

"You were following me!" Dread spat quietly, teeth bared in rage.

Heather arched her brow. "Whatever do you mean Dread?" she asked innocently.

With a growl Dread tightened his grip around her throat. "Don't toy with me witch!" he hissed in a hushed tone. He was barely containing himself, but he needed to know if Heather had been watching him.

At this Heather's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Let me go," she commanded firmly.

"Why were you following me?" Dread demanded harshly. A moment later he felt something poke against his throat. He glanced down, finding Heather had a knife in hand and had raised it up to press it against his throat in warning.

"Let. Me. Go," she repeated. Her voice was low and firm and the warning in her words was clear.

Dread glanced up from the knife to meet Heather's eyes. They glared at each other in silence. Then with a grunt and a shove Dread released her and took a step back. Heather put her knife away before stepping forward. She met Dread's eye and stared before motioning sideways with her head.

She turned and began to walk. Dread fell into step beside her. He looked toward her to find her glancing around, wary of the guards making their rounds around the palace. When they reached an empty length of hallway she finally spoke.

"I was ordered to follow you by Lord Drago," Heather confessed. Dread's shoulders tensed and his fists clenched anxiously. "He believes your loyalty is in question," she explained.

"Absurd!" Dread exclaimed in false appalment. "I am loyal to only my Master," he asserted.

"Indeed," Heather agreed. But then she stopped. Dread stopped as well, and she turned toward him. She leaned in before whispering, "But to which Master do you refer?" Heather asked knowingly.

Dread kept his features smooth so as to not give anything away. "What are you implying, Sister?" he challenged. He was probing to see what proof she or his master might have.

"Lord Drago believes your powers have grown far too strong and far too quickly," Heather started as she turned to resume walking.

Dread waited a moment before following.

"I'm inclined to agree," she continued. "In addition, my sisters and I have observed things that could rouse suspicion."

"What observations?" Dread asked warily.

"Like how you sometimes whisper to the shadows and whenever I'm with you I feel as if we're being observed. Specifically, you," she revealed.

Dread's heart began to race nervously. He hadn't realized Heather had been observing him so closely. He'd been too careless. Something he would have to rectify. He glanced sideways, viewing Heather out of his periphery. He had to kill her before she could report her findings to Drago.

"Then there's that Stennes Shifter I observed you talking to a short while ago," she added. "Had it not been for my abilities I wouldn't have been able to perceive him. Which leads me to believe that Lord Drago suspicions are confirmed."

Dread's hand began inching toward his lightsaber. He was already trying to formulate a story for her death.

"Not to worry though, Brother," she said, causing him to hesitate. "Your secrets are safe with me," she said with a conspiring wink.

Dread stopped, brow arching in disbelief. "I thought your loyalty was to Drago?" he questioned suspiciously.

Heather tutted and shrugged her shoulders. "Oh Dread, unlike you Sith; who's only loyalty is to your own power, our true loyalty is always reserved for only each other," she explained.

Dread eyed Heather skeptically. He'd always held his doubts on the allegiance of the Nightsisters. For they, like his master and himself, were of the darkside. Which for almost all who'd given into it meant there came an intense desire and need for power and dominance. Ultimately, he felt they were driven by ulterior motives, and they were open about this for the most part, using Drago and his forces to build their strength by providing them access to more males to increase their numbers.

Still, he thought it best to use this opportunity to his advantage. The longer he could maintain his ruse to the other Sith lord, the more likely he and his true master's ambitions might come to fruition.

"And what do you get from keeping my secret?" he challenged.

"Your silence on my sisters' and my doings," Heather answered.

"What doings?"

"Never you mind Dread. Just know that my sisters and I may step away here and there. To further my own master's aspirations. When that happens, just remain silent," she said, raising a finger to her lips for emphasis.

"And you feel secure that I will keep your machinations a secret?" Dread asked.

"I do," Heather replied with a nod. "Mutually assured destruction makes for quite the compelling motivation. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Dread?" she asked teasingly, a smirk beneath her cowl.

Dread scowled; he didn't like anyone having power over him. But he was no fool. Killing the witch would prove difficult. He wasn't even sure if he could. It would also raise far too many questions. Not to mention possibly spark a war between the Sith and the Nightsisters.

With little choice Dread released a sigh and relented. "Very well Heather. We have an agreement," he muttered disdainfully with a nod.

She chuckled softly before raising a hand up. He tensed, but refused to back away and show weakness. Her hand extended slowly before coming to rest on his cheek. She smiled demurely before giving his cheek a few condescending pats.

"There you go Dread. I knew we could come to an agreement," she cooed.

Dread felt indignation flare up within him. But Heather chuckled before retracting her hand and taking her leave. He glared after her and contemplated his new ally. He seemed to be safe for the time being.

He opted to watch his back for the foreseeable future; perhaps while also looking for an opportunity to plunge a knife into hers.

Heather meanwhile smiled to herself. The Sith were such a foolish sect in her opinion. So easily driven by their lust for power. Never truly trusting anyone, not even their compatriots.

It made it all too easy to play them against one another.

The Jedi were in a room that they'd made a makeshift council room. It was often the place where they convened to discuss matters concerning the Force and their order. They had reconvened after a few hours allowing them all to take a moment to rest and acquire sustenance so they could focus on the important matter Rapunzel wanted to discuss with the two knights.

"Hmmm. This is quite the dilemma," Hiccup said thoughtfully. He, Rapunzel, and Elsa were discussing the younglings and their desire to join the war effort. "They're good. But they're still so young."

"We were younger when we joined the Clone Wars," Elsa pointed out.

"True. But we'd also been in training a lot longer," Hiccup reminded her. He sighed, sitting back in his seat. "I don't know if they're ready for the battlefield."

"Were we ready?" Elsa asked rhetorically. "Is anyone ever truly ready? You can only prepare them so much. In the end you just have to believe you've done enough and hope for the best."

Hiccup let out a breath. Elsa was right. "I see your point. But I still don't like the idea of taking kids to war. Maybe with some further training."

"Perhaps we should give them an improvised version of the initiate trials? To see what exactly they've learned," Rapunzel suggested.

Hiccup and Elsa exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. Then the doors to the room slid open as their friends came in. They were greeted by Merida, Eugene, Anna, Toothless, Jack, and Kristoff. The Jedi smiled at their friends in greeting as they gestured for them to take a seat. Merida took a seat next to Hiccup, staring at him pointedly and wondering why they'd called them here.

"Thanks for coming everyone," Hiccup said with a nod as he looked to them all.

"No prob Hic. But really, what's all this about? And why the secrecy?" Jack asked as he lounged beside Elsa.

The Jedi exchanged a glance, nodding in agreement. Hiccup looked at all of them, his face and eyes serious. "What I'm about to say must stay between us. At least for the time being." Everyone nodded in understanding.

"We suspected this around two years ago. After the death of Dagur," Hiccup began. Merida frowned at the thought of the Sith Lord who nearly killed her family and Hiccup. "And ever since then the Force has become shrouded in more darkness," he shook his head in frustration. "It's only gotten blacker, fouler, and we think we may know why."

Everyone stared at him in anticipation.

"We believe there's another Sith Lord. Someone unaffiliated with the emperor," he revealed."

Everyone tensed, dread setting in at the thought of another Sith roaming the galaxy in search of galactic conquest.

"How can you be sure?" Jack asked, sitting up and attention grabbed.

"We aren't to be honest," Elsa answered. "But it's what we feel to be true. After Dagur's death the scales should have tipped back towards the light. But they haven't, not in the least. It's the only conclusion we can come up with."

"So what does this mean exactly?" Eugene asked.

"It means we have another enemy," Hiccup answered. "But this could be a blessing in disguise," Hiccup added. Everyone arched a brow, wondering how he could see it that way. "The Sith are doomed to destroy one another. That's why there's only two at any given time. If this Sith Lord isn't associated with the emperor it's only a matter of time before they clash."

"And when that happens-" Merida began.

"It may be easier to take one or both of them out at once. Two birds, one stone," Jack finished.

The Jedi nodded in confirmation.

"This other Sith, whoever they are, they're elusive. They're sticking to the shadows, biding their time. We need to draw them out. Somehow," Hiccup reasoned.

"How can we do that?" Merida asked.

Hiccup pursed his lips. He raised his hand up and made a see-saw motion. "Working on that," he answered vaguely.

Everyone exchanged a glance, taking in the severity of the situation. They looked to the Jedi and nodded in understanding.

Merida reached a hand out and grabbed Hiccup's hand. She smiled up at him in appreciation. "Thank you for telling us this Hiccup."

Hiccup nodded. "Of course. You guys are the New Order's closest allies and confidants. But remember, secret," Hiccup repeated. Everyone nodded one last time before Hiccup adjourned the meeting. The others stood up to leave while the Jedi sat back down.

"Is there more?" Jack asked curiously.

"We still have things to discuss," Hiccup answered.

"Jedi business?" Merida asked. They all nodded. "Alright then," Merida said with a shrug. She leaned down and gave Hiccup and peck on the lips, making him smile up at her appreciatively before she and the other left the Jedi to talk.

Hiccup checked the time before sending out a long-range transmission, the hologram projector in the room soon displayed the hologram of the New Order's latest member.

"Gogo," Hiccup greeted. The woman's Hologram nodded as she was displayed in a chair across from him.

"What's up guys?" the Miraluka asked as she looked around the room with her bandaged eyes. She was an official member of the New Order, even though they'd yet to meet her in person. She operated independently, fighting alongside one of the smaller fleets with her own Padawan.

"Just checking in," Hiccup answered. "How's the fleet and your apprentice?"

"Same old, same old. Hiro is doing well, I've been giving him lessons based on the advice you've given me," she explained.

"Good to hear," Hiccup said with a nod. "We've told the others of our suspicions."

"About the other Sith Lord?" she asked for clarification. They nodded. "I see," Gogo said thoughtfully. She let out a breath. "I still haven't been able to find anything, but I still think you guys are right."

"If anything changes, please let us know," Hiccup requested. Gogo nodded. As Hiccup was about to end the transmission Gogo suddenly spoke up.

"Wait," she said, making Hiccup pause. When they all looked at her, she continued. "I need to tell you that the emperor has gotten a new apprentice," she revealed. The Jedi blinked in surprise before leaning in to listen. "I fought him some time ago. And he's quite powerful. Not to mention dangerous and devious as well."

The Jedi exchanged glances before Elsa looked back to Gogo. "Is there anything more you can tell us?" Elsa pressed.

"This wasn't the first time we'd fought. I'd faced him before, at the Dark Academy. He was only an Inquisitor then, to have become this strong in a short amount of time makes me think he was holding back the last time. This guy is shrewd," she said suspiciously. "There's more, when I looked at him it was...odd."

"Odd how?" Hiccup asked.

"It's hard to explain. It felt as if there was someone with him, even when it was only the two of us fighting. Almost like someone was following him...like a shadow," she explained.

The Jedi didn't know what to make of that, the Force sight of the Miraluka was powerful, they had no idea what it was she'd seen. Unfortunately, the dark side had the tendency to be hard to see, and that extended to the people who wielded it.

Hiccup nodded as he took the information in. "Ok. We'll have to proceed carefully from now on. Thank you Gogo," Hiccup said with a nod.

Gogo nodded and bid them farewell. The transmission was cut, and her hologram disappeared. In unison the Jedi let out a breath.

Their list of enemies and problems seemed forever unending. They had so many enemies to face, the rebels counted on them, looking to them to lead the charge. But the Jedi were so few in number. They all felt a heavy burden on their shoulders that only seemed to grow with each passing day.

But with so many people depending on them they couldn't afford to falter and shirk away from their responsibilities and duty.

They stood up and made their way out of the room, coming to the conclusion that there was only one thing they could do with the giant weight being placed upon them.

Stand fast and plant their feet.

Somewhere else in the galaxy, on a Gladiator-class Star Destroyer, a contingent of Imperial forces had successfully engaged and captured a group of rebels. Floating in the vacuum of space was a severely damaged and immobile CR70 corvette. The ship and crew had put up a hell of a fight, but they'd been outmanned, outgunned, and outmaneuvered by the enemy.

The ship had been incapacitated before being boarded, and any of the crew that hadn't been immediately killed upon boarding had been subdued and dragged back to the Star Destroyer. The lower ranked officers were thrown in the brig while the commanding officer was taken to an interrogation room.

Leading the interrogation was an Imperial Inquisitor. He was known by most of the Empire's forces as the Rock, for his tough exterior and ability to remain stone faced in the performance of his duties. He was a Tof, a large bodied and green skinned humanoid. He'd been attached to this Imperial unit to search and hunt for Jedi, whilst attacking and capturing any of the Rebellion's forces they came across.

Rock had his hand raised and hovering before him was the rebel commander. The man's face was twisted in pain, his face was red and the veins on his head were bulging as he did his best to fend off the Inquisitor's mental invasion. He, like many of the Rebellion's officers, had been given training to thwart the mental probing as the Empire's forces began to see a steady rise in the inclusion of their Force sensitive soldiers.

"Your will is quite strong," Rock commented. He lowered his hand and the commander fell to the floor. He gave the man no respite as he thrust his hand out. With a yell the rebel was thrown across the room and into the far wall.

He was pinned there, an invisible force pressing against him, crushing him. He felt hard pressed to even breathe. He felt like any minute he'd be completely flattened.

"I will get the information from you, rebel scum," Rock said with a sneer. "You can decide how painful the process will be."

The rebel said nothing as he grit his teeth and clenched his fists, refusing to yield. He was privy to too much information. He couldn't let what he knew fall into the hands of the Empire. Rock only grinned wickedly as his mind began formulating the ways he would acquire the information. With a snort he lowered his hand and the rebel fell to the floor painfully.

The man was lying on the floor and gasping for air. Rock raised a hand to his wrist comm device, "Send in the droid," he ordered. The rebel felt his blood turn cold at the mention of the machine. It could only mean they were opting to use an interrogation droid. The stories he'd heard of what inhuman things they did to extract information were whispered about the alliance with dread.

Rock smiled at the paleness of the man's face as a hatch in the ceiling opened and the black orb slowly descended into the room. The rebel's eyes widened and he broke out into a cold sweat as it slowly hovered down, fixing him with a menacing stare from its red optic sensor.

His breathing started to pick up and become harsh as he was on the verge of panicking. His mind fumbled for his training as he looked between the Inquisitor and the droid. To his shame he couldn't deny that he was beginning to contemplate telling the man all he knew if could save him from the hell that was surely coming for him.

Rock stood off to the side smiling as he enjoyed the man's fear. He could feel his will on the verge of crumbling. He must've seemed like a savior in comparison to the soulless machine slowly bearing down on him.

Suddenly Rock stiffened. A chill traveled down his spine, and he looked up, staring at the ceiling as he sensed something. Something was approaching. Something was coming. Something dark and foul. He activated his comm device and gave a sharp command. "All hands to battle stations!" he relayed before running out of the room, leaving the rebel officer baffled.

On the bridge the flight crew were at their stations as their scanners picked up something coming out of hyperspace. It was a ship comparable in size to their own. It was a dark black, nearly invisible in the void of space. It was of a design that all but a few of them were ignorant of.

"What kind of ship is that?" one of the deck officers asked aloud.

"It's a Hapan Battle Dragon," an older, higher ranked, officer answered.

"It's coming right for us!"

The door to the flight deck opened as Rock came rushing in. He immediately came to stand before the viewpoint as he laid eyes on the foreign vessel. And from it he could sense a darkness approaching. One he'd only ever felt in the presence of his master.

"Move to attack!" Rock shouted. But before the crew members could do anything they all froze up. A wave of fear washed over them, paralyzing them on the spot. Many sank to their knees and found themselves struggling to breathe. Rock felt it too and barely managed to stave it off. "Captain! Snap out of it!" he barked toward the commanding officer.

But the man was on his knees, staring wide eyed at the approaching ship like it were some great terror closing in on him.

The other vessel was the first to draw blood. Now within firing range it began to bombard the Destroyer with a barrage ion cannon fire. The Destroyer's shields were rendered useless within moments before an assault of turbolasers followed soon after. The Destroyer was helpless as it was battered, the first barrage having knocked out many of the electronics.

The Destroyer shook and rattled, and the explosions sounded in the distance. The officers of the flight deck fell to their knees from the violent rumbling of their capital ship. Rock was trying to relay orders and snap his forces out of their paralysis. He shouted at the men, grabbing and shaking them furiously.

His eyes wandered to the flight deck's viewport where he saw a squad of six starfighters approaching. He cursed as he saw them make a run, dropping a payload of proton bombs. The Destroyer was riddled with explosions, blowing chunks of the hull off. Rock growled as he struggled to stay standing and looked out toward the enemy force.

Whoever this enemy was, they were ruthless. They wanted him and his forces crippled with no hope of fighting back. He looked around at the crew and deemed they were beyond saving. He swore as he left the flight deck and began making his way to the hangar to get to his TIE and make his escape.

Meanwhile the enemy ship drew nearer, and from it a few shuttles swarmed out before making their way toward the helpless Destroyer. Rock was running through the hall of the Destroyer. Stormtroopers were strewn about the corridors. Some were passed out, rendered unconscious from sheer terror while others were struggling to regain their senses.

Rock shoved them aside as he went. He reached the hangar bay right as three shuttles landed. A handful of troopers had managed to steady themselves as they raised up their weapons in preparation. As the boarding ramps to the shuttles opened they all could spy hooded figures preparing to rush out at them.

But from the center positioned shuttle a flurry of black shot out, buffeting the stormtroopers. They were blinded, vision obscured by a tempest of what felt like sand. Even Rock had to shield his eyes from it as it swirled around the hangar. It then surged outward in a wild frenzy, blowing past Rock and down the corridors of the Destroyer. It knocked countless men off their feet.

But what followed after was a tidal wave of uncontrollable unadulterated terror. The men began to scream and shout. They began to discharge their weapon at the walls and each other as if they were surrounded by monsters. The whole Destroyer began to descend into pandemonium.

In the hangar a wave of attackers followed after the sandstorm and began laying waste to the stormtroopers. Tall figures in dark robes and gaunt figures attacked, cutting down the panicked troopers with long limbs that brandished deadly claws. The stormtroopers were barely able to catch a glimpse of the ghoulish faces of their attackers, laying eyes on scaled gray skin, large gray black eyes, and a plethora of facial crests dotting their skulls.

They attacked with brutal lethality, leaving no man in the hangar alive before they turned their attention to Rock. His eyes widened as he realized they'd noticed him. His eyes drifted to his personal TIE and he began to make a dash for it. The figures were on him in moments, surrounding him and attacking him with their unsheathed claws.

But Rock proved to be more of a match for them than their previous victims. He had his lightsaber drawn as he found himself surrounded. They attacked him, swiping at him with claws that rivaled the deadliness of vibroblades. But Rock held his ground as he slashed at them. He sliced the arms off a few, leaving the creatures writhing in pain and grasping at stumps; though more always seemed to take their place.

With a shout he threw his arms out and unleashed his power. His attackers were thrown away from him by a powerful telekinetic wave that sent them flying and flailing. With his momentary reprieve he broke out into a sprint to his TIE, cutting down a few that tried to impede his escape. He was almost at his fighter when a wall of sand suddenly blew right past his face.

His fighter was suddenly surrounded by a swirling vortex of black sand. He backed away as it whipped at his face. It was so intense that his TIE became barely perceivable through the swirling tempest. He cried out in frustration as he dared to press forward. The sand seemed to grow more violent in response to his efforts.

It suddenly converged before crashing into him. He was thrown backward. He lost grip of his lightsaber in the process before he hit the ground hard. He rolled along the ground wildly before coming to a stop. He gave a groan of pain, his body aching from his impact with the hangar floor. But his senses alerted him to an impending threat and he pushed himself up and dragged himself to his feet.

The enemy was bearing down on him. He looked around before spotting his lightsaber a few feet away. He extended a hand and used his power. It rose from the ground and began to move toward him before it suddenly froze. He flinched, narrowing his eyes and focusing his power more in an attempt to draw it to him.

But it remained where it was, held on the spot by some power greater than his own. It suddenly flew in the opposite direction. He watched it in shock as it sped away from him and into the outstretched hand of a figure he'd just noticed.

"Master?" he whispered in shock as he gazed upon his master standing before him with his lightsaber in hand. Drago stared at him with eyes full of contempt and a malicious smile. Rock's mind raced, wondering if this had all been a test by his master.

Had he failed? The thought sent a chill up his spine and he stood frozen to the spot. Suddenly a sharp pain assaulted his senses as his right shoulder was pierced through from behind. One of the ghoulish enemies had managed to sneak up on him. He looked to see a claw sticking out the front of him.

Suddenly he felt more pain in his left leg. He felt blood seep from a slash from the back of his thigh. He fell to his knee as his attacker grabbed his arms and held them behind his back. The one stabbing him withdrew the claw as their compatriots began to encircle him. He struggled against his captors before going still as his master approached him. His face paled and he found himself struggling to breathe.

"Master, I apologize for whatever my failings! I beg of you-" he began, trying to beg for his life.

Drago interjected before he could finish his plea. "Are you afraid?" he asked darkly.

"Master?" Rock asked in confusion. Drago gave no response as he raised a hand. Rock screamed in agony as he felt a force seize him. He was lifted off the ground. The veins on his face and neck bulged as he was racked with excruciating pain.

"You are afraid," Drago stated in satisfaction. He began to laugh as his form began to fall away. His form fell to the ground in heaps of sand, leaving a new hooded figure in black robes standing before the Inquisitor.

Through his suffering rock could make out the tall, hooded figure with pale-gray skin and silver-golden eyes. Rock could sense the dark side of the Force emanating from him with a power that dwarfed his own. It was a level of power he'd only ever felt from his master.

"Who-" Rock began hoarsely through his torment. Who was this being before him? Who could wield such power with the dark side besides his master and the apprentice, Dread?

"I am Darth Kozmos," the man answered with a malevolent smile.

"And I am Sith."

new chap.