The Greatest Sith... That Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno 03.21.07 12:01am
Previously:

• CHAPTER I: MEDITATION and REFLECTION
• CHAPTER II: SEEKING THE SITH
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part I)
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part II)
• CHAPTER IV: THE LEGEND OF THE MASTER
• CHAPTER V: A PADAWAN FLEES
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part I)
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part II)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part I)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part II)
• CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part III)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part I)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part II)
• CHAPTER VIII: THE PRODIGAL RETURNS (Part III)
• CHAPTER IX: ENTER THE APPRENTICE
• CHAPTER X: AN UNEASY ALLIANCE BEGINS
• CHAPTER XI: THE APPRENTICE REVEALED
• CHAPTER XII: SUSPICION GROWS

CHAPTER XIII: STALEMATE (Part I)

The two Dark Lords glared at each other, each assuming their combat stance. Danno twirled his twin blades with ease, hoping to egg on his opponent into making the first move. Lord Ruin would have none of it though, holding his ground and motioning toward Danno for him to take the offensive. The other gathered Sith could only watch and wonder how this would end. It was Darth Contagion who finally broke the silence.

"Lord Ruin! Lord Danno! Stop this insanity at once!"

Neither of the two paid him any mind. it wasn't until Lord Bloodbath spoke up that everyone took notice.

"Perhaps Lord Danno is being framed!"

Both Sith disengaged from each other to look upon Bloodbath. Ruin deactivated his saber and ordered Bloodbath to meet him in his chambers.

"What about Lord Danno? Darth Gallows questioned.

"He's free to go...for now." Ruin replied. "Verify his apprentice's whereabouts." With that he turned and headed toward his meeting with Bloodbath. Contagion followed behind, but Ruin stopped him. "I'll speak with him alone."

"But..." Contagion contested.

"I have spoken, Lord Contagion. There are too many questions for my liking, and not enough answers. You have fourty eight standard hours to get me at least ONE answer to my many questions, or I will replace you with someone who can."

Once inside his private chambers, Ruin bade Bloodbath to sit, then sat himself.

"Explain." Ruin commanded.

"It is common knowledge that we Sith are known for treachery and deceit," Bloodbath began. "It is also well known Lord Danno is not well liked. Who would care if he were killed or met with an unfortunate accident."

Ruin's previous discussion with Contagion regarding this exact same matter ran through his mind, but he didn't let on to his guest about it. "Continue."

"We have just lost two fellow Dark Lords, my Liege. I suggest we be sure of our accusations before we terminate a third."

"And to what do we warrant this uncharacteristic display of loyalty?"Ruin asked. "What has Lord Danno promised you?"

"I resent your accuastion, my Lord. I'm just suggesting we do all we can to keep Lord Danno an ally, at least until some something substantial is found to implicate him. He would make quite a formidable enemy. We've seen what he did at the Jed..."

"All that transpired at the Jedi Temple is classified as heresay. No one here SAW anything!" Ruin drummed his fingers against his mouth before continuing. "So what I'm getting from our conversation is that you stepped in to save me. You don't think I could have beaten him."

"Lord Ruin! You are an excellent swordsman. I'm sure..."

The rest of his sentence was cut off, as Lord Ruin used the Dark Side to constrict his windpipe. Bloodbath clawed at his neck, trying to release the invisible grip that surrounded it.

"I'm not sure what Lord Danno or his apprentice are up to, nor am I sure what your part in it all may be. But you have precious moments left to prove to me your life should be spared."

Bloodbath gasped to get air, dropping to his knees, using Ruin's desk for support. His savior came in the form of the door chime. Ruin glanced at the door, then down at the groveling Sith in front of him who was now turning blue. Finallly he released his grip, and Bloodbath fell face down onto the floor.

"Enter." Ruin beckoned, paying no more attention to the Dark Lord at his feet.

Lord Gallows entered, then bowed slightly. "My Lord, Danno spoke the truth. Lord Mortis was indeed in the training room, and claims to never have heard any explosion."

"Of...course," Ruin replied snidely. "And where is Lord Danno now?"

"I'm not sure, My Lord." I could..." It was then that Lord Gallows noticed Bloodbath trying to get up.

"Leave me." Ruin said with a dismissive gesture of his hand. "Take Lord Bloodbath with you."

Gallows bent down and helped the fallen Sith to his feet. As they were leaving "Ruin barked a final command. "Lord Bloodbath. You should do whatever you can to stay out of my sight. There may not be a door chime to save you next time."

Contagion went through Danno's room for quite awhile, looking for anything that might shed some light on these dark mysteries of late. He did the same to Mortis's, then Vikuru's, and finally Rage's quarters. Finding nothing, but considering he didn't expect to. He knew Danno was very clever, perhaps too clever. Maybe they would never figure out what was really going on until it was too...the ship! Perhaps the key could be found there somewhere. Tonight, he would know for certain.

Darth Danno