SIDIOUS: Lord Of Darkness - Chapter 11

65 BBY - Mustafar

On the planet of Mustafar, Darth Plagueis would be meditating next to the Sith cave on the mountain which he stood atop of in this very moment. For hours, the Dark Lord had been waiting for his Apprentice, Darth Sidious, to return from Brendok, and had only now begun meditating to search for Sidious's presence in the Force. Thunder boomed in the sky above him, and Plagueis suddenly felt Sidious standing right behind him. ''You survived the Jedi and the Aniseyai on Brendok.'' Plagueis remarked, opening his eyes and standing up. ''I'm impressed.'' He continued, turning to lock eyes with Sidious.

The sight that bestowed itself upon Plagueis, however, was not one he had expected. Palpatine's faced was ripped open in several places, drenched in dry blood, as were his political garments, which also had their fair share of tears in a few pieces of the fabric. ''Cantaros was stronger than I thought, for someone who hadn't used their power in a long time...'' Sidious admitted, looking down at a bag he now held in his non-dominant hand. ''I've recovered his Lightsaber, Master. Now, what about the...?'' Sidious began to ask, when Plagueis held up one finger to silence him. He took a few steps towards the edge of the mountain, looking up at Mustafar's clouds. ''It appears we have...       company.''

Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Yord Fandar would only now just drop out of Hyperspace, as the planet of Mustafar came into view. He had to admit the sight that lie before his gaze was nothing like the stories he was told as a Youngling. That, and he could already feel the Dark Side clawing at his soul. But no matter. He was here to avenge his fallen Master, and he would do this regardless of whether he had the Jedi High Council's approval or not. Yord flew his ship through the clouds, sensing the presence of his Master's killer was close by. Touching down on Mustafar's charcoal surface, Yord exited his ship, seeing a mountain towering above him. A waterfall of lava could also be seen flowing down from it's peak.

Yord turned to his ship, pondering the thought of going back to the Temple on Coruscant. No. He told himself. There will be no turning back from this mission. He thought silently. Without a second thought, Yord ran towards the mountain, jumping as high as he could, all the while, using the Force to propel himself even higher. Landing on the peak of the mountain, Yord could sense the individual behind the death of his Master was close by, yet all he could see was a cave as old as, seemingly, time itself. Fandar slowly unclipped his Lightsaber from his belt, just in case something caught him by surprise. ''Ah, Yord Fandar.'' A voice called out. Yord snapped his head in the other direction, seeing a Muun standing opposite of him. He cocked an eyebrow at the Muun. ''S-Senator Demask...?'' He asked. ''Wha..     What are you doing here of all places!?''

A smile slowly crept it's way across Plagueis's face. He walked past Yord, making his way towards the cave. ''Oh, not much. Just admiring the beauty of this firey place...        But also serving as an audience for the events to come.'' This made Yord even more confused. His thumb found it's way to the ignition button on his hilt. ''What exactly do you mean by this, Senator?'' Yord asked. Out from the shadows of the cave, a head was thrown, landing at Yord's feet. At the second glance, Fandar could recognize the head belonged to his Master. ''Lord Sidious...        Deal with our friend.''

Inside the cave, Sidious ignited Cantaros's Lightsaber, the lilac blade illuminating his scarred face in the darkness. Yord followed suite, igniting his own golden blade and charging at the Apprentice. Sidious thrusted his free arm forward, blasting Yord backwards across the mountain. Rushing the Jedi, Sidious twirled in the air, first landing a kick to the side of Yord's face, before the duel commenced. Sparks of blue and yellow flew everywhere with each clash the two of them made. Thunder boomed in the sky, roaring over the sounds of the duel. Reaching out with the Force, Yord attempted to pull a nearby rock towards Sidious from behind, but Palpatine ducked, allowing the rock to hit Yord in the face instead.

''That was the same mistake your Master made...'' Sidious remarked, entering a defensive position. ''And look where it got him.'' He continued, a smile etched across his face. Yord screamed, lashing out at Sidious with all his might. ''I WILL kill you for what you've done!'' He roared, blasting Palpatine backwards with the Force. Sidious just barely managed to grab onto the edge of the mountain before he could fall, and swung his weapon at Yord, striking him across the shoulder. The two of them got into a blade-lock, crimson lightning flashing behind them. ''You'll never leave this place alive, Jedi!'' Sidious yelled.

Yord said nothing back, breaking the blade-lock and swinging his weapon in multiple directions at once. Plagueis watched in amusement, as Sidious found it more and more difficult to keep up with Yord. The Jedi began to back his opponent further and further inside the cave, flashes of blue and yellow crossing their line of sight again and again. Finally, they got into another blade-lock, the tip of Sidious's weapon just inches away from Yord's throat. Lightning flashed behind the two of them, as Palpatine attempted to press his attack. ''That's enough, young boy!'' A voice called out. A gust of wind overcame Yord, and Sidious was sent flying backwards through the dark tunnel of the cave, landing somewhere on the other side. 

Tutning his head, Yord saw the three figures of Masters Verosha Sol and Vernestra Rwoh, as well as Sol's Padawan, Jecki Lon, standing a foot behind him. ''Don't scare us like that again, Yord!'' Jecki called out, entering a defensive position. ''What kind of splinter Order do you represent!!??!?'' Sol demanded, looking directly at Plagueis. ''Splinter Order?'' Plagueis retorted. ''Oh, no, no, no, no...       We are no Dark Jedi.'' He continued. Yord tightened the grip on his weapon, staring directly at Plagueis. ''Then what even are you...?''

Plagueis laughed. ''To many, Sidious and I have no names...        But to you Jedi..     We are an Order than has been hiding from your line of sight since Ruusan.'' Master Rwoh's eyes widened. ''No..'' Plagueis chuckled even more. ''Yes! For a thousand years, we have been hiding from you vile animals, plotting our return. Though the time for our Grand Plan has not come yet, it will only be a matter of time before your Order falls...'' Plagueis continued, igniting his own Lightsaber at his side. ''And the worst part is...        None of you will live long enough to see everything you represent crumble beneath your feet.''

At that moment, Fandar broke loose, rushing towards Plagueis with nothing but rage in his eyes. Plagueis held out one hand, and before Yord could complete the attack he was about to make, he was suddenly frozen in place. With the flick of the wrist, Plagueis threw Yord to the side, and then slammed his hand into the ground, sending a shockwave of Force energy at the three other Jedi, who were all flung backwards. Sidious reemerged from the cave, Lightsaber drawn and blood dripping from his nose. ''Go deal with the Apprentices. I will handle their Masters.'' Plagueis ordered.

''As you wish...     My Master.'' Sidious replied, turning his attention to Yord and Jecki, all the while, twirling his Lightsaber around in his fingers. ''I like you, Yord Fandar.'' Sidious said mockingly. ''I wish to see who lasts the longest between you and your young friend Jecki.'' He continued. Yord once again shouted at the top of his lungs, igniting his Lightsaber and pouring all of his strength into his attacks. Jecki followed, reigniting her own emerald blade and attacking Palpatine from behind. Sidious laughed with joy whilst defending himself, soon entering into a blade-lock with Yord and Jecki. ''I sense the darkness is strong in you, Yord Fandar. Perhaps we can negotiate a double Apprenticeship with my Master.''

''I'll NEVER join you!'' Yord roared, punching Sidious square in the face. In response, Sidious reached out with the Force, pulling a nearby rock towards Jecki from behind. The rock smashed into her shoulder, catching her off-guard. The Apprentice twirled around, kicking Jecki in the ribs, causing her to fall. Yord swung his Lightsaber over his head, but Palpatine thrusted his arm forward, launching him towards the cave and watching him smash into it's obsidian walls. Jecki groaned, rising back to her feet with her weapon drawn. ''Master Cantaros will be avenged!'' She declared, pointing her Lightsaber in Sidious's direction.

A smirk came across Sidious's face. He deactivated his Lightsaber, still holding the weapon in his hand. ''Kill me. Kill me now.'' He said, reaching his arms outward. Jecki shook her head. ''I want to, but I shouldn't.'' She said, gripping her Lightsaber with both hands. The smirk on Palpatine's face transformed into a smile very quickly. ''Do it.'' He commanded. Jecki, without warning or second thought, immediately charged Sidious, swinging for his head. Sidious dodged every strike, hands behind his back. Finally, he reignited his blue-bladed Lightsaber and entered a blade-lock with Jecki.

''Sol taught you well...'' Sidious remarked, pressing his attack. ''But he didn't teach you everything!'' He declared, placing his foot on Jecki's kneecap. Jecki smirked. ''He's taught me more than you think.'' She retorted. Palpatine heard a clicking noise, coupled with the sounds of another Lightsaber being ignited, and just barely dodged Jecki's next attack. What was once a single-bladed weapon in her hands now appeared to be two seperate hilts, both with matching emerald blades.

Palpatine cackled, as he twirled his weapon around in his fingers. ''Smart move.'' He complimented, rushing Jecki. ''But it will not save you from your fate!'' He shouted, continuing the clash. Once more, the two of them got into a blade-lock, with both of Jecki's Lightsabers on either side of Sidious's neck, threatening to behead him at any moment. Thrusting his leg forward, Palpatine kicked Jecki in the leg, and then dove forward, slicing Jecki's abdomen open with his weapon. Reaching for his belt, Sidious then turned around and drove his knife into the back of Jecki's neck, injuring her even more. Jecki screamed in pain, as Sidious ripped his secondary weapon out of her newly fresh wound. ''Didn't see that coming, did you?'' He said, placing the knife back in it's sheath.

Jecki staggered back, wheezing and rapidly losing strength. With all of her remaining willpower, she rushed Sidious, who quickly and easily disarmed her. Catching her shoto in his free hand, Sidious violently thrusted the blade through her heart, instantly killing her. ''Jecki!'' Yord cried out. Palpatine turned his head, and saw that Yord was now back on his feet, his eyes now glowing as red as Mustafar's flames. Deactivating the shoto, Palpatine grinned. ''Let's see the real you now, Yord Fandar.'' He said, just as Jecki's body collapsed to the ground behind him. Yord screamed at the top of his lungs, igniting his yellow Lightsaber and leaping towards Sidious, resuming their previous duel from earlier.

''After I'm through with you, your Master will be next!'' Yord shouted, pressing his berrage of attacks. Sidious laughed with glee, keeping up with the clash until an opening revealed itself. Kicking Yord in the ribs, Palpatine struck upward, slicing through almost the entirety of Fandar's left arm. Yord cried out in pain, before Sidious struck him across the leg, deactivated his Lightsaber, spun around behind him, and grabbed both sides of Yord's head, twisting it in the opposite direction. A loud and violent crack was heard in this moment, and Palpatine could no longer see even the slightest sign of life left in Yord's eyes.

Sidious grabbed Yord by his now broken neck, tossing his corpse to the side next to Jecki. He heard the sounds of Lightsabers clashing on the other side of the mountain's peak, and turned to see Plagueis was still dueling Sol and Vernestra, neither of whom had been struck down just yet. Pulling Yord's Lightsaber to his hand, Palpatine ignited the golden blade and hurled it at Vernestra from behind. The Lightsaber instantly sheared through Vernestra before she could press her attack on Plagueis, and a few seconds later, she collapsed to the ground next to Sol, with smoke billowing from her now cauterized abdomen.

''NO!'' Sol screamed, kneeling down next to Vernestra's body, but it was too late. The life had already left her before she even hit the ground. Reigniting his own lilac blade, Sidious shook his head slowly. ''If only you knew the power of the Dark Side, Master Sol...'' He said, twirling the weapon around in his fingers. ''Perhaps you would have been able to save your Apprentice if you weren't so grounded in your beliefs.'' Sol briefly looked up into Mustafar's horizon. Drawing his own blade, Sol lashed out at Sidious the same way Yord had earlier. ''You killed a child you MONSTER!!'' Sol roared, blasting Sidious backwards across the mountain peak.

''There's always a sacrifice to be made, even in the youth!'' Sidious fired back, charging Sol and fighting back with all of his might. Sparks of blue flew everywhere with each strike the both of them made, and the duel lasted for several minutes on end, lightning flashing behind Sol every so often. The fight continued, until Yord's Lightsaber suddenly came spinning back to Palpatine, slicing Sol across the leg. Using this to his advantage, Palpatine jammed his elbow into Sol's face, and then sliced off both of his hands by the wrists. Catching Sol's Lightsaber in his other hand, Sidious swung both blades at Sol's hip, bisecting him by the waist. Sol gasped, staggering back towards the edge of the mountain. For a moment, a look of terror crossed his face, before he fell backwards and tumbled over the edge of the mountain, one half of his body splitting away from the other on the way down.

Deactivating both Lightsabers, Sidious tossed Sol's blade to the side, and turned to Plagueis, who couldn't have appeared to be more delighted in this moment. ''You killed three Jedi Masters, one Knight, and one Padawan in a single day...        I'm impressed.'' Plagueis admitted. Sidious knelt down before Plagueis, exhausted. ''Now, what about the bleeding of the Kyber Crystal, my Master?'' Sidious couldn't help but ask. ''Oh yes, let us enact that ritual, as was intended before Fandar interrupted us.'' Plagueis replied, gesturing for Palpatine to rise to his feet. ''Come. Let us enter the cave on this mountain, shall we?''

Sidious rose to his feet, following Plagueis inside the cave with Cantaros's Lightsaber hilt still in his hand. Plagueis flicked his wrist, shooting a small jolt of electricity towards the far side of the cave. In an instant, multiple candles were lit at the same time, illuminating the cave. Writings of an ancient language were carved into the walls, and in the middle stood an altar of sorts, cracked on one side, most likely from when Sidious was sent smashing into the wall by the other Jedi. ''So, what key elements must I use to bleed Master Cantaros's Kyber Crystal?'' Palpatine asked, opening up the hilt and taking the Crystal out of it's shaft.

Plagueis smiled. ''Pain.'' He said, igniting his Lightsaber and slicing Sidious across the back. The Kyber Crystal flew out of Palpatine's hands, landing perfectly on the altar. ''And rage.'' Plagueis continued, blasting electricity at Palpatine from behind. Sidious screamed in pain, collapsing before the altar under the pressure of the lightning. For a moment, as he was being tortured, Palpatine found himself back home. Back on Naboo. Back in the living room. Back to being whipped by his father for his telekenetic outbursts. ''Use your hatred, my Apprentice! Bend the Crystal to your will!'' Plagueis commanded, intensifying his sudden attack.

Sidious cried out in pain, looking up at the altar. Reaching out, the Apprentice began tapping into the Force, and the Crystal began to levitate. Using all of his strength, Palpatine pushed himself up onto the altar, further closing his hand into a pincer. The Crystal's blue hue began to change, turning from yellow to green to purple and back. Plagueis further pressed his attack, and Sidious continued his own attack on the Crystal, pouring as much of the Dark Side as possible into it. A white glow began to emmanate from the Crystal, which was beginning to turn crimson. Palpatine roared, grabbing hold of the Crystal. But almost as soon as he did so, a blinding white light overcame his vision, and he no longer felt any pain coming from Plagueis.