Act I | Chapter I

Disclaimer! I am not so knowledgeable in the Star Wars lore/universe in its entirety, but I am interested enough to do some research before completing a chapter so it won't completely throw off any Star Wars enthusiasts. However, with that in mind and in consideration, I admit I may not be always entirely right. But what else is a Fan-Fic made for? That is why I am making an alternate universe, but with mentioned characters involved!

Anyways, if you enjoyed the story/chapter, be sure to vote, comment, and put this in your library!

◹ Return of the true sith ◸

When the Eternal Fleet invaded, the war it brought with its massive fleet made the destructions and countless deaths the Galactic War sustained incomparable to what the current war presented. Especially when the death of the Old Republic was dealt with, and the Jedi Order extinguished to nothing. The event struck the galaxy, even the Sith who had been in conflict with the Jedi for decades on end.

It had been a total annihilation.

However, the war continued on with the Sith Empire, but it wouldn't prove to be an easy task ahead in subjugating the warmongering large magocratic empire as opposed to the destruction it brought upon the Old Republic and the Jedi Temple.

No, it would be more difficult. Especially with Darth Marr in command and leading the Dark Council.

◹ Return of the true sith ◸

"The enemy's fleet is hunting down our retreating warships, but the problem is!" a member of the Dark Council took a moment as he paused, "Where are our retreating warships retreating to?!" he exclaimed. "There is barely any planet that has the necessary fortification it needs to defend against this armada!" the council nodded at the man's point of the enemy's mightily armada versus their weakened defenses and dwindling Imperial Fleet.

In response with a collected tone and unwavering attitude in the face of a stronger adversary, "Then we build the fortifications it needs to repel the Eternal Fleet!" Darth Marr spoke with a solid reign, his characteristic pragmatism surfacing at the risen problem. "We cannot allow to be further pushed back, it is either here and now, or it is the end of the empire." His voice became soft as his volume lowered, yet still retaining the firm tone as he continued with a strong resolve, "Death before surrender. But today is not our day to die. Nor the Empire." Darth Marr's excellent leadership inspired the Dark Council with his speech.

"Where should we then set up this fortification?" another member of the Dark Council spoke up.

Darth Marr once again took a moment for himself as he processed the planets on display by the device. "Kas Dune" he answered, no more to take from and analyze, and no less to think he had no plans in play. "Then we should make preparation in haste." With that concluded the council meeting.

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"Darth Marr, it's a pleasure to return to you." an angelic yet raspy tone spoke highly of the Dark Lord who stopped to turn to be met with a familiar face – saved that for the mask she donned – or otherwise the voice he learned to distinguish under the mask. "Lorna, I take it you've done what has been asked?" she gave a respectful nod as she answered. "Yes, my Lord, the fortifications are in progress."

Before long the Sith Crusader Loran – Sith Warrior – and the Sith Lord Marr walked in pair along the large magnificent hallways. "I see. It is always better to start ahead rather than wait for the Dark Council's decision. Though, it doesn't matter when in the end I am able to persuade the council on ways to deal with the Empire's enemies." Darth Marr conversed with the Sith Warrior who in turn replied to keep the interaction going.

"In times of the Sith Empire's peril, always, you dedicate your whole Darth Marr. The Sith and the Empire will always be grateful, including I, my Lord."

Noticing the seductress-lacing tone, he acknowledged the flirtatious remark but mentioned nothing of it. Instead, he brought up a more pressing matter that needed attending to, and Loran was who he had chosen to accomplish the task. "You are to go to Kas Dune II, and prepare an appropriate boarding fleet." He said until he was interrupted by his companion who had halted in her steps. "You wish for me to not participate in the defense of Kas Dune?!"

Darth Marr had always known the Sith Crusader to be a warrior in heart – who lives on the battlefield – but in times such as these, even bold warriors had to be used strategically than just to be thrown into battle. "That is correct." The Dark Lord maintained the sense of superiority, and authority which had crumbled the Sith Warrior's solid refusal at the command until she submitted. "Yes, my Lord." Loran weakly accepted as she gave once more a respectable bow before dismissing herself from the Dark Lord's presence.

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The armada that assaulted Kas Dune was destructive and devastating that if it had been without the additional fortifications the planetary defenses would have all been destroyed by the intense gunship of the Eternal Fleet's armada. But the assault in space wasn't enough, and the Eternal Fleet dispatched assault to the planet's skies and ground – making the fight fierce with sheer intensity – stretching the Sith thin.

Amidst the assault on Kas Dune, centered in the massive Eternal Fleet, was the flagship that both held the symbol of the Eternal Empire's strength and its Eternal Emperor; Vitiate, the Sith Emperor and known as Valkorion.

However, inside the Capital Ship – the Flagship – was the captured Dark Lord; Darth Marr who was forced to his knees and in the subject of the Eternal Emperor's presence. "Join me, Darth. Despite the foolish failure that the Sith Empire presented, you have proven to be valuable before such a crumbling empire." Valkorion offered instead, brushing aside the strong convictional speech Marr gave at destroying him; the Eternal Emperor.

"You know as much as I, that the Sith Empire provide nothing but weakness, perhaps produce it – the countless failures it breeds – at their consistent infighting and shameless power-hungry fools. You know as much as I, Darth. That over time the Sith Empire is destined to fail, as it will continue to be weakened until it perishes on its own."

In a moment of silence, the Eternal Emperor awaited the Darth's answer.

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"To the Flagship!" Loran ordered the sizeable boarding fleet she had amassed to fight through the Eternal Fleet and to its Capital Flagship. It was chaotic and costly as the casualties were skyrocketing, but most especially the boarding fleet was being thinned out in their numbers to reach the Flagship where Darth Marr was mentioned to be detained. It was a hectic struggle as;

The boarding ship to the left descended to flames, and to the right, it was blown to smithereens. It was a miracle that the spacecraft Loran was commanding made it through with the exception of a few. But their struggles were far from finished as they boarded the Capital Flagship and were met with an intense counter to their feeble assault.

But once again, despite the overwhelming odds at success, the Sith Crusader marched on as she took the fight head-on – displaying the true will of a Sith Warrior – slashing and force choking the enemies in a fit of rage.

When she had heard the news that Darth Marr had been captured, the endless possibilities that could have befallen the Dark Lord made her fearful at the thought. However, now that she was here, the Sith Crusader would push and fight through anything that became an obstacle in her path.

◹ Return of the true sith ◸

Despite the ruckus and the sounds of battle fast approaching the throne chamber, Vitiate still awaited the Darth's answer – uncaring about the bridge being breached – as he stared at the Dark Lord's intense gaze. "Although I acknowledge the flaws of the Empire, I will never abandon nor forsake it. I will live and die for the Empire."

To the Darth's comment, Valkorion replied unapproving of the comment. "That does not answer my offer, Darth."

But just then, the closed gate to the chamber was being harshly and angrily tempered open until in one final push – the force – swung it flying towards Valkorion and the Darth but the Eternal Emperor dealt with it so easily with just the raise of a hand.

At the moment that has transpired within the chamber, it was then when the Darth gave his decision. "It is you who fears death, 'Valkorion'. I do not. I will not kneel!"

With his given verdict to Valkorion, Darth Marr arose from his knees and incapacitated the emperor's guards who had been standing by him. Then just like that, a battle broke out within the main chamber of the Capital Flagship of the Eternal Fleet – alongside the Sith Crusaders that had boarded, with Loran acting as the vanguard.

Rushing into the Emperor's chamber, red lightsabers glowed and slashed through the enemies within the Flagship. Until a bright white shade of yellow lightsaber joined the fray – Arcann, the prince and son of the Valkorion – and began burying hatchet down on the Sith Crusaders that poured into the chamber.

Bodies littered the Capital Flagship, both belonging to the Eternal and Sith. Yet still, the fight continued on strong until Loran made her approach to deal with the troublesome piece – Arcann – who was surrounded by a building pile of Sith Warriors as he slew the last Sith Crusader that had opposed him. At the conclusion with the then-dead Sith that plagued around him, he sensed a stronger Force User that was making its way towards him that he turned to meet the next Sith only to be met with force lightning.

Meanwhile, as Loran was dealing with the prince as she approached him with a hand raised striking him with lighting, and an ignited red lightsaber on the other, Darth Marr was making a handy work on handling the emperor's guard.

◹ Return of the true sith ◸

Truly unbothered, and uncaring at the slaughter of his men, Vitiate simply watched – almost as though to entertain himself from this for what it was worth – until he deemed it was enough as he made a single move. With a concentrated force of lightning, he directed all of it at the Darth. The scene was magnifying, especially with such immensely concentrated force lightning, and the other being the end of the stick; Darth Marr.

At the sight of the sparkling and electrifying production of such force lightning, it had captured all who were present in a state of trance at the unfolding scene.

Meanwhile, time could almost have been believed to have slowed, or maybe even had stopped for Loran, all as she watched the Darth she held in high regard, and secretly harbored a one-sided love became the subject to intense pain. Then almost like the Darth wasn't anything more than a pest that had existed in the galaxy, Marr fell to the ground unmoving.

That was all Loran could remember…

◹ Return of the true sith ◸

Now to the present setting…