NationStates Jolt Archive

As night fell on the Jedi Temple and the daytime animals slept while the nighttime animals awoke, one Jedi Knight, one warrior of the Light, stepped outside into the twin moonlights of Jurai's sister moons, Tena and Nara. He was soon surprised by a message that reached across the void, a voice that hasn't been heard personally in years.

Brother... Nightshade contacted me, through the powers of the Force.

To say that I was surprised was like saying a tiger has nails. Sister...after all these years...

A dark smirk could be sensed. I have a proposition from you. From the Emperor...

I was about to answer, when I took a double-take. The Emperor? I thought he just croaked and you took the Galactic Throne?

Anger flowed through our link. Not that one. Remiel...

What? How could you let him take it? I stood up from the boulder in shock and anger. He's worse than Palpatine!

An...arrangement has been made between the Empire and Imperium. Nevertheless, he proposed several things...things that might be of interest to the both of us...but first, promise me, as brother to sister, that I will remain unharmed when I arrive. Nightshade answered carefully.

I sighed, looking up at the stars. It was an intruging matter...or it could be a trap. Fine. I'll notify Grandfather. When will you arrive?

Three hours. Came the reply.

Our link collapsed. But questions remain.

What is the Empire, now under Remiel, planning this time?

OOC-I say, sounds interesting.

Mind if Etar tags along for this ride?

Three hours later...

It was a quiet evening when an unmarked shuttle appeared in Jurai space, demanding entry. Normally, it would be turned away, or worse, shot down, but a word from the Patriarch stayed the triggers of the military. The shuttle was let through without further incident and descended onto a field kilometers away from the Jedi Temple. My sister was a Sith Lord, after all.

It was windy tonight, no doubt brought about as an intimidation factor by the powers of Nightshade. I stood firm against the gale, using my own powers to keep it from getting any stronger as I watched Nightshade descend the shuttle's ramp alone.

She wore a red-black robe with black clothing underneath, and her lightsaber was an obsidian hue. The darkness that rolled off her made babies cry uncontrollably in towns far away but aside from that, she had grown much as a woman, both in age and power. If we were to duel today, it would be very close, that I could tell.

"Fiona." I spoke.

"Daniel." She replied. A rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.

"Have you come back to repent?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"I have not." She said coldly. "I have come for this: The Empire grows weary of war. Between Coredian and Coredian. Between Empire and Federation. The Empire wishes for peace, to reconvene the Senate. The Emperor wishes for us to sit as Senators."

"It's an obvious trap." I declared, frowning. "The Emperor will have us lay aside our weapons only to stab us in the back. It has happened before."

She nodded. "And it will be inevitable that it will be so again." She answered in a tone. I caught the double meaning. "But let's not talk of future protends. Let us parlay. Let us rule the Coreworlds together as brother and sister, as it was always meant to be."

I had to admit. It was a tempting proposal. The Coreworlds, reunited. The Senate, reconvened, even if only for a short time. But I know better than to simply take it like a naive Padawan. Remiel was up to something, and both of us knew it. Whether it was a future strike designed to take me out permanently or a second war with the Galactic Federation, or something equally heniously, I don't know. But I did know this. Whatever happened...we'll be ready.

"You understand the peace won't last forever. I still wish to free the people of Tenetia." I said.

She nodded. "And I still have designs to conquer Jurai."

"One will defeat the other. That's the way it will always be." I answered.

"I would have it no other way." She said.

"We are light yet darkness." Something compelled me to say it. I ignited my blue blade.

"Darkness yet light." Something compelled her to say it as well. She brought her blood-violet blade to life.

"The path we have taken, is the path we have chosen." We chanted in an odd way, as if speaking an ancient prophecy. Maybe it was.

Lightning lit the sky as we stared into each other's eyes. Wind roared through the trees, shaking branches off.

And then...we attacked, rushing towards each other at supernatural speeds. Lightsabers clashed once, and then our positions were reversed, facing each other with blades in the classic position, pointing at each other's throats at an angle. A shallow wound opened on my chest, and a wound opened on hers. A blood-pact has been struck.

-----
Jedi Temple Council Chambers

Two people watched the proceedings using the Patriarch's Clarivoyant Ball.

Lady Katrina began to cry. She understood what had happened, though she hated it.

The Pact of Eternity... Our Grandfather sighed, holding her hand to try and comfort her. A single tear ran down his cheeks. He knew the price of such a vow. The most solemn of them all, borne of the Force itself. Nothing can break it, nothing can change our minds. Two will Duel. One will Slay the Other. It is the Will of the Force...

Jedi Temple…Jurai…

Inside one of the guest room, a sleeping giant was out like a light. This sleeping giant was Raidon, a eight foot two inches tall crimson red dragon-man. A Warlock master. He liked being on the surface not in his ship in the Jurai system. Plus, he could watch over Daniel and his family better then he could on his ship. But that was not the only reason, he could watch over the younglings at the temple. To make sure none of them followed the path of the dark side like he did. He has been saved from that path, now. And does want anybody

Then something woke him up. He opened his eyes looked at his door.

“Master, something is happening.” said his Warlock hunter, Baku (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/Baku.jpg). “Nightshade is here.”

“What?” said Raidon as he shot out of his bed. He used the Force to see, if she was here. “Shit. She is here.”

“By herself, too.” said Baku. Raidon was getting his normal set of clothes on; brown pants and a tan robe. With his lightsabers on his body, he head towards the Council Chambers with Baku following his tail. Arriving in the cambers, Raidon saw Master Alex and Lady Katrina. He bowed to both of them. Both him and Baku walked closer to them.

Then he saw what was going on in the Patriarch's Clarivoyant Ball. “Master Alex, what is going on?” asked Raidon.

"They have made a blood-pact." Alex explained as he watched Nightshade head to her shuttle. "Peace will reign for a time, but Daniel and Nightshade both know it won't last forever. In time, they will fight to the bitter end."

Katrina nodded, blowing her nose with a kleenex.

“Oh…” said Raidon. “I bet nobody can do anything about it, too. I will stay out of it.” Baku looked at his master and was about to say something.

“Don’t want to hear it.” said Raidon.

Somewhere, Remiel laughed; a grand and mocking laughter; echoing about the vast hall of Chronosia Prime; through the mighty corridors of the Imperial Palace. Hanging in suspension fields; bound by chains that tied them, inexorably, to the ground; the Emperor gazed through the scrying stones, as brother fought sister; as family turned against itself; as, at last, prophecy was fulfilled. Chaos would tame the New Order and bend it to its will; Darkness in light, Light In Darkness; the force in uproar and upheaval; the Warp pouring over like a vast wave...

And he felt it

Washing over him; pouring over him, flooding him and filling him; the desire to know the future; the yearning to command it, to bend it to his will; to tame the very strands of proabability...To tame destiny. Jurai would be the focal point of his forced armistice between dark and Light; it would be the final piece in such a labyrinthian puzzle; in the game that had went on form years. The destruction of Jurai; the sieging of Tenetia; the constant war; the pointless wars...Usually Remiel would have laughed at the prospect of ceaseless war; but not now...Not with such power under his command. Not with an Empire to run.

As such, the communication was sent forth; booming through space; to surround and vex the Patriarch.

Ah, and I hoped they could at least keep their hands to themselves long enough to negotiate my peace. A pity; I would hardly wish to see my nephews motherless; or without their dear Uncle Daniel A pause; impish laughter all about them Honestly Alex; can we not have peace? When your own house is so in...Disarray; and when Jurai is well known to us, now; thanks to the bounties of your grandsons soul; why fight us, when you could have everything you ever wanted...That Andrew ever wanted? A mocking crooning voice that was not Remiel's burst into seething laughter.

Ido not pit your family against itself for fun as you would watch dogs fight in the streets; I propose a union; a Peace; a united Coreworlds with a place on my Senate; a chance to change things; free of your religious debates. Sith, Jedi; Pathetic little zealotries. Can we not have Order? Can we not have Peace? Can we not have...Brotherhood?

Anger etched on the old Patriarch's face. You talk of peace and yet you slay billions. You talk of brotherhood, yet you conduct plans to destroy us all to the last child. You talk of Order, when you are Chaos incarnate. Is it any wonder why I don't trust you in the least? Is there any reason why we should fall into the traps you obviously will set? Is there any reason why we should cast aside our integrity for a peace that will never last? You think me for a fool, Remiel. But even fools learn the truth when it slaps them in the face.

I do not think you a fool. You are old; your time upon this earth draws short; and all that you wish is your nation reunited; your people as one again. I have offered it freely. I am not some fool as Palpatine was; blinded by years, decades of hatred between Sityh and Jedi. I have true sight; true knowledge. You cannot stand against us forever...And I do not wish you to stand against us. I have returned blood to blood, flesh to flesh. I have served a purpose. Tell me, Patriarch, what are billions that my Empire may stay whole? What are worlds when countless more dwell in the void? Think of all you have killed; innocents in service of evil men. You would claim I am a monster for acts in war that you too could perpetrate. You talk of fools; and tricks; when I have done these things freely. What do you have to lose? Besides a grandson, or a grand-daughter. One such as you, who embraced the Darkness, cannot criticise me for setting aside your rivalries and seeking Unity.

I do not think you a fool. You are old; your time upon this earth draws short; and all that you wish is your nation reunited; your people as one again. I have offered it freely. I am not some fool as Palpatine was; blinded by years, decades of hatred between Sityh and Jedi. I have true sight; true knowledge. You cannot stand against us forever...And I do not wish you to stand against us. I have returned blood to blood, flesh to flesh. I have served a purpose. Tell me, Patriarch, what are billions that my Empire may stay whole? What are worlds when countless more dwell in the void? Think of all you have killed; innocents in service of evil men. You would claim I am a monster for acts in war that you too could perpetrate. You talk of fools; and tricks; when I have done these things freely. What do you have to lose? Besides a grandson, or a grand-daughter. One such as you, who embraced the Darkness, cannot criticise me for setting aside your rivalries and seeking Unity.
Alex sighed. You speak truth, Remiel. I too wish to see the reunification occur before I leave this mortal coil. But do not think that this is a capitulation, for too long we have been enemies, and distrust runs far too deep. I shall reunify the Coreworlds, but not because you wish it so, but because I wish it so. Just remember, that you will be watched, and signs of continued warfare will not bode well for the both of us.

Our hatreds do run deep, old One. I have met death at the hands of your grandchild; I have defied that power, to return; to preach the will of the Gods. I struck my own father down that power could pass rightfully to the Scion of Chaos; I faced down Nightshade that I could ascend to glory...Yet now; your blood is my blood; our blood is your blood...Kin; by forced allegience and bastard blood; by tratior Brother and deceitful Sister. The Days of the Sith are over. And now; a new Era dawns. I shall mend the sundered bonds; I shall make us great again, and you shall have your place in my designs. Set your kin as Senators; set yourself as my ally, not my enemy...And we shall have peace.

Our hatreds do run deep, old One. I have met death at the hands of your grandchild; I have defied that power, to return; to preach the will of the Gods. I struck my own father down that power could pass rightfully to the Scion of Chaos; I faced down Nightshade that I could ascend to glory...Yet now; your blood is my blood; our blood is your blood...Kin; by forced allegience and bastard blood; by tratior Brother and deceitful Sister. The Days of the Sith are over. And now; a new Era dawns. I shall mend the sundered bonds; I shall make us great again, and you shall have your place in my designs. Set your kin as Senators; set yourself as my ally, not my enemy...And we shall have peace.
Alex was silent for a while, mulling over the idea. Indeed, Nightshade's sons are part-Chronosian. But it was a forced alliance, one borne of rape, as he suspects. It can never be a true one. But setting Daniel and Nightshade as Senators...yes. To keep eyes and ears close to the Imperial Senate. That can be arranged, Remiel. That can be arranged.

But it would not be forever, both men knew that much. Chaos was too restless to simply be content with peace. But when that day draws near, Jurai would be ready for it. And so will her allies...

A green hand rested upon the Patriarch's shoulder.

"Masaki-Patriarch, are you well? I sense a dark presence..."

Does the force have a Malal unto itself? The contemplatory voice of Remiel echoed in soliloquay; even as Lightsabre met Lightsabre; as battle between brood and blood seemed to erupt. Does the Force loathe itself and desire its end? Light consuming Darkness? Darkness consuming Light? Each made of the same unfathomable matter; all bound in humanity and their folly...Does that not represent destruction to itself? He reached into the air, cupping a crackling sphere of warp energy; forming it; till it seemed the image of Jurai for him to hold within the crackling Talon of his father; the great weapon of his ancient legacy If you continue your wars of faith and fury; falsehood and thunder; tell me, will worlds cease to turn? Will suns cease to burn? Will the universe collapse upon it's axis; curious to think..That the wars of insects could harm the universe; mother to us all; the body politic in itself.... He closed his hand, the apparition fading.

Your wars will endure long after we have passed into shadow and death; they shall endure even till the ending of time; and I have no doubt they shall be key in it, Jedi...Ask of yourself the price you pay by fighting yourself; your kin. Ask yourself, Old One...the Price of failure and of victory.

Does the force have a Malal unto itself? The contemplatory voice of Remiel echoed in soliloquay; even as Lightsabre met Lightsabre; as battle between brood and blood seemed to erupt. Does the Force loathe itself and desire its end? Light consuming Darkness? Darkness consuming Light? Each made of the same unfathomable matter; all bound in humanity and their folly...Does that not represent destruction to itself? He reached into the air, cupping a crackling sphere of warp energy; forming it; till it seemed the image of Jurai for him to hold within the crackling Talon of his father; the great weapon of his ancient legacy If you continue your wars of faith and fury; falsehood and thunder; tell me, will worlds cease to turn? Will suns cease to burn? Will the universe collapse upon it's axis; curious to think..That the wars of insects could harm the universe; mother to us all; the body politic in itself.... He closed his hand, the apparition fading.

Your wars will endure long after we have passed into shadow and death; they shall endure even till the ending of time; and I have no doubt they shall be key in it, Jedi...Ask of yourself the price you pay by fighting yourself; your kin. Ask yourself, Old One...the Price of failure and of victory.
The price... Alex thought. He got up out of his seat and watched Nightshade's shuttle lift off. The price of continuing this war against daughter of his son...more people dead, more worlds destroyed, more animosity. She would never truly accept peace with the Jedi, she's too far Sith. But then again, she will be held in check by senatorial matters. He sighed. He was getting too old for this...