POV Palpatine
I was returning from Byss after the planet went dark. I was unable to contact anyone there, and this happened very soon after a large percentage of the Imperial Navy went missing, so I was worried. I couldn't let anyone investigate since Byss was my most secretive facility, so I left and investigated. But what I found shocked me to my core. The planet and everything on it was dead. I was turned into a dried husk.
'What could even do something like that? I recall something from my old records, but I can't fully remember. And nothing was left behind. Anything of value was either destroyed beyond what I could identify or it was taken. But the number of beings that know of Byss can be counted on perhaps 2 hands.'
I look at my personal guard that I took with me. I knew he wouldn't say anything as he was a mindless slave. But that made me think of what I felt when I stepped on Byss.
'Cold, death and as if the very place was unnatural. Like I was not supposed to be there. Or like someone knew I was there. I have never felt a place was so wrong before. Not even when I was on Korriban or Malachor. I will need to check my Force library for any info on what happened there.'
I see we come out of hyperspace, and I prepare to sneak onto Coruscant. But I freeze when I see what is before us. Well over 1000 warships of various sizes. All of them were Imperial, but I couldn't figure out why they were here. With so many ships sneaking by, I knew that was impossible. So I made sure the specific priority codes were sent. But I was even more shocked when they said they were detaining my ship.
Several Hours Prior...
(AN: The Inner thoughts and the last words spoken by Darish Vol are recorded and broadcasted to the galaxy after the fight ends.)
POV Darish Vol
I was given a mission today by our lord. He had given us the task to take revenge on the Jedi. The Sith Empire needed us. Their fleet would support our great cause. I was given the task of leading our forces against the Jedi Temple.
'Our time has come. For 4000 years, we prepared. We grew stronger. While you rested in your cradle of power, believing your people were safe and protected.'
We walked to the gates of the temple. There were no guards. Proving their laziness and corruption.
'You were trusted to lead the Republic, but you were deceived, as our powers of the Dark Side have blinded you.'
Imperial Guard: "Halt! This is a restricted area! Identify yourself!"
Several guards in strange red armor approached me. I calculated the time and knew the next step was about to begin. The red guards started to increase in number, and I even saw some in white armor. I was confused, but my mind felt muddled like I was forgetting something. Then a loud crash made me remember why I was here.
CRASHHHHHH
A shuttle came to a stop just behind me. We had used the codes reserved for the leader of the Republic. It allowed us to get past all security with no checks. The red and white guards stepped back a bit and ignited their weapons. They looked like force pikes, but I ignored that.
'You assumed no force could challenge you, and now, finally we have returned.'
I ignited my red lightsaber as do the other Sith warriors. Then we charge the enemy. Troopers with blasters appear behind the enemies' lines and attack them. This confuses them, but we don't give them time to respond. As we are fighting, I sense a strong foe nearby. I look over and see a Jedi using a spinning red lightsaber.
Darish: "You die today Jedi scum!"
I rushed at him, and we exchanged blows. I can quickly tell they are fairly proficient in lightsaber combat. But they lack skills in the Force. It was like they were never trained seriously. I shook off that strange thought and continued fighting them. I wanted to break them mentally, so I led them towards the entrance. Once there, I stopped holding back and started to overwhelm them. As they were forced on the defensive, I was able to catch a mistake, and they lost their hand for that mistake. As I saw the fear in their eyes, I let them see what was happening outside. Our fleet had arrived and was attacking their capital.
Darish: "You were deceived, and now your Republic shall fall."
The look of utter confusion and despair made me happy. However, I had to leave the fool alone as I say many of the warriors I led into battle were dead, and I needed to kill the surviving guards.
POV Palpatine
I looked over the report and recording of what happened, and I was beyond confused.
'I was attacked by Sith? But why? How? Only Darth Bane's followers survived up until now. And yet, they were definitely Sith. They attacked my palace because they thought it was still the Jedi Temple, but that makes no sense. Then there is the warships they used. Those were the ships used by the old Sith Empire. There is no way they were produced recently, but neither could they just be old relics that were recently found.'
I entered my palace and saw the destruction that was wrought here. It made me furious, but I ignored it and looked through to see if anything had been taken. And I unfortunately found that everything was taken. Except for my throne, but even that was emptied of everything hidden in it. Once I was certain my throne was not trapped, I sat down. As soon as I did that, a hologram appeared in the middle of the room. I didn't recognize the person, but I knew they were dangerous.
Palpatine: "Who are you?"
???: "I have been called many names. And lived many lives. But you would likely recognize the name Valkorion."
My eyes widened in alarm.
Palpatine: "Impossible. He was killed over 4000 years ago."
Valkorion: "You mistake me for your own weak flesh. I do not End."
Palpatine: "You will find it is you who is mistaken. About a great many things."
Valkorion: "Talking is your greatest talent. It is time I taught you when to listen."
I frown and narrow my eyes at the blatant insult.
Palpatine: "You dare show your face before me after the attack on Coruscant. I will crush you like all others before you."
Valkorion: "My life spans millennia; legions have risen to test me. The scores of dead have nourished me. I am awakened, and I bring with me DEATH!"
I suddenly fell out of my throne as the entire palace started to shake and collapse. I felt a massive wave of Force Energy hit the palace just now, and I realized that the one I was talking to was real. I start to flee the palace as I sense it starting to collapse. But as I am fleeing, I hear one last statement from him.
Valkorion: "You will be consumed by eternity. There is nowhere you can run that I cannot reach."
I barely make it out of the palace before it completely collapses. I catch my breath and realize I am dealing with the reborn Sith Empire.
'I need knowledge on how to defeat him. But in order to get that, I will need to retrieve one of my storgaes. But if he knew of Byss, he will likely know of other bases. My only hope would be to go to Korriban to ask for guidance.'
POV Rio
I go over the reports of our attack on Coruscant. I wanted to make Palpatine worry over a fake enemy while I was able to act freely. I went to Kesh and mind-controlled the many Sith on the planet. I also sought out and captured or recruited other Force Sensitives. Those that had low enough Karma were given a chance to serve willingly. I figured that it would be a waste to kill the Sith there when they could be used to make Palpatine think that the Sith have truly returned. That and the chaos on Coruscant allowed me to steal all of the Force knowledge on Coruscant. I also erased the Force Nexus under the Palace.
'Not to mention the treasure trove of items hidden under the temple that even Palpatine hadn't even found yet. Though most of it was from the Old Republic days. Or would it be called the Ancient Republic since they call the Republic from the Clone Wars the Old Republic?'
No matter what it was called, I got a truly fantastic collection of Jedi and Sith Artifacts. Those, combined with the collection from Kesh, Ossus, Tython, Korriban, Wayland, Byss, Rakata Prime, Malachor, Dathomir, and a few other places, as well as Jocasta Nu's secret storage, meant I had all the artifacts I would likely ever need to train future Force Wielders. I also gained many new members. Mind you, not as much as I could have had, as the Empire was very thorough with exterminating Force Wielders. But I got a few stand-out members. Ood Bnar, an ancient Jedi, A group of 6 Jensaarai, 1 Dathomirian Witch, and 3 Sith from Kesh. But I planned on recruiting some Inquisitors and Hands if I could.
'It looks like 2 Mind-Controlled members and one willing follower are still alive: 2 Sith from Kesh and A'Sharad Hett, also known as Darth Krayt in the future.'
By the time I found Hett, he was already being trained by the spirit of an old Sith Lord. And while he wasn't fully fallen, he wasn't a good person. I gave him a chance to redeem himself and fight the Empire, and he took it. I also purified Korriban of the insane number of ghosts that were inhabiting it. Other than the operation on Coruscant, I had been flying all over the Galaxy, gathering allies or fixing future problems. And there was a lot I still haven't even touched.
'I still have time. Now I think I should send those 3 off to attack Sidious when he shows up to Korriban. They can die protecting a Sith relic. Which will give Sidious the knowledge he thinks he needs. While they do that, I will see about helping Padme get through to Anakin.'
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Authors Note:
So in this story, the Dathomirian Witches were annihilated by Palpatine, and barely any survived. This chapter was very heavily inspired by the Decieved Cinematic from Star Wars: The Old Republic. I strongly suggest you watch it, as it will also give you a visual for what happened in the chapter. That, and it is just a great cinematic. The next chapter will be about what the Imperium has been doing. Until next time Ciao.