The Greatest Sith... That Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno 06.20.07 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)
• CHAPTER XIII: STALEMATE (Part II)
• CHAPTER XIV: THE PIECES COME TOGETHER
• CHAPTER XV: THE SEEDS OF SUSPICION
• CHAPTER XVI: THE BEGINNING OF THE END (Part I)
• CHAPTER XVI: THE BEGINNING OF THE END (Part II)
• CHAPTER XVII: A THIRD SITH?
• CHAPTER XVIII: IT ALL BOILS OVER
• CHAPTER XIX: SURVEILLANCE, SUSPICION,and SABOTAGE (Part I)
• CHAPTER XIX: SURVEILLANCE, SUSPICION,and SABOTAGE (Part II)
• CHAPTER XX: THE SECRET REVEALED
• CHAPTER XXI: EXPLANATIONS…AND REVELATIONS (Part I)
• CHAPTER XXI: EXPLANATIONS…AND REVELATIONS (Part II)

CHAPTER XXII: ALL FALL DOWN

Danno knew his time was at an end. His vision, blurred, his throat, swollen and parched. The parts of his body that hadn’t already cramped up and/or cried out in pain, held no feeling at all. He didn’t want to admit it, but this match was no longer his to win. Now he only hoped for a quick death. He tried to spit out a final curse, but all that came forth was a raspy gurgle. Summoning all the remaining energy he could muster, he swung the lightsaber in his left hand one last time, the blade connecting only with the hot, acrid air surrounding him. Suddenly, the suns that hung in the sky were at ground level, and the cliffs that lined the walls of the pass were now hanging from the sky. Everything was spinning, then he felt his body slam against something solid, and it all faded to black.

Lords Ruin and Contagion stared down at the prone form lying in the sandy loam a few feet from them.

“Is he dead?” Ruin questioned.

Contagion knelt close to the body, feeling for a pulse. “I would say n…”

Before he could finish, Ruin had detached his lightsaber, ignited it, and brought it down in a wide arc that Contagion had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit by. The blade severed Danno’s head clean off. Then Ruin proceeded to raise the blade up and plunged it deep into Danno’s chest.

“I take it these beings have hearts in generally the same place as humans?” Ruin grunted.

Still lying on the ground, trying to process his master’s actions, Contagion replied feebly, “I…I think…so.”

Ruin deactivated his weapon. “Excellent. It is finished then. Let us be off, I sense the Jedi about to land at the far side of the pass. We should have just enough time to escape undetected.” He turned and started heading back toward his speeder.

Scrambling to get to his feet, Contagion called after his master, “What do you think the Jedi will say when they come upon this…scene?”

Ruin stopped his walk, but paused a few moments before turning around. “I assume they will say that we discovered the traitors plot to reveal sensitive information to the Jedi, trailed him here to Tatooine, engaged him in combat, defeated him, and left before the Jedi arrived.” Ruin then crossed back to his fellow Dark Lord. “I’ve been thinking, Lord Contagion, that perhaps this tale does need to be told. Future Sith need to be aware of what has occurred here, and back on Rattatak.”

Ruin’s change of heart raised his suspicions. “But why, my Lord?”

Ruin spat, “To assure this never reoccurs! Safeguards need to be put in place, do whatever is necessary to assure the Sith never look foolish…again! Though no more than two should know at any one time. Can’t have the lesser acolytes learning of this and using it to gain an upper hand over their masters, now could we?”

Contagion smiled, “no, we cannot.”

Ruin nodded in agreement. “Let’s leave this accursed place, for the Jedi will be here shortly.”

Contagion took a step, but turned and knelt once more over Danno’s body. “You showed such potential, Lord Danno. Yet let your knowledge of the Dark Side drive you to madness. What a pity…for you.” He smiled, stood, and turned…right into the blade of Ruin’s lightsaber. His eyes went wide in surprise as Ruin glared back at him.

“Can’t have you using this knowledge to your advantage, now can I…my Lord!” Ruin howled as he pulled the blade from Contagion’s midsection, allowing his body to fall to the ground, only inches from Danno’s.

Contagion struggled to remain conscious as his precious lifeblood poured from the wound. Ruin once again deactivated his blade, and knelt by his fellow Dark Lord’s head.

“Do you remember what I told you about you being held personally responsible if anything untoward befell the Sith due to Lord Danno’s return? I think all that has transpired would certainly qualify, don’t you?”

Contagion tried to reply, but only managed to spit forth some blood for his efforts.

Ruin mockingly tried to sooth him. “Do not worry yourself, Lord Contagion. I will be sure to tell the others back on Rattatak of your valiant efforts to best Lords Danno and Mortis. Even going so far as to sacrifice yourself to save me…and, of course, that it was I who ultimately defeated them. We will hold a great memorial in your honor, and you will receive very favorable mention in the annals of Sith history.” Ruin smiled down upon Contagion, making sure he saw the hatred that burned within his yellow eyes. “I know my time will come when I will be overthrown, but at least I may rest for the moment in the knowledge that my usurper will not be you! With you out of the way, there are none in the Sith yet strong enough to even think of ousting me. So time is back in my favor.” Ruin then rose, but continued speaking. “I believe what the Jedi will say, once they arrive, is that you trailed the rogue here to this desert world, defeated him before he could meet with his co-conspirators, but your own wounds were such that you died shortly thereafter. Though it might seem a bit odd that, looking at Lord Danno’s corpse, it appears he had been engaged in combat for quite some time, while you look like you’ve hardly been fighting at all.” He paused as he slowly raised his arms. “I believe that can be remedied quite easily, don’t you…?”

Darth Danno