Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

-Sun Tzu

STAR WARS

RELICS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC

It has been nearly five years since the fall

of the GALACTIC EMPIRE under the rule of

EMPEROR PALPATINE and DARTH VADER.

In the years after that, JOHN SMITH has been

training in secret to further develop his force

powers and searching for relics from years past.

Hearing word that a group of SITH reside within a

dark region of the known galaxy, Smith explores the

region, only to be captured by the Sith lead by DARTH

KRAYT called the SITH RULE OF ONE...

Chapter Text

On a planet the name of which the whole galaxy had forgotten, John Smith was in a cage with chains wrapped around him, pining him to the bottom of the cage.

"Now, I know what you're thinking," Smith said to himself. "'Oh, no! John Smith is in a cage! How did this happen?' Well, that is a bit of a long story. See, I'm originally from Earth, a planet some millions upon millions of lightyears away from here. I fought against a group of rebellious Terrans that tried to conquer a planet and fought in two civil wars, the last one ending with the collapse of a tyrannical empire. Since that time I've been going all over the galaxy, trying to hone my force powers by myself (which I'm starting to realize may not be the wisest decision in my life), hearing rumors about Thrawn's return or about Ezra Bridger being seen (all of which have gone nowhere), and now here I am, all because of a rumor about a group of Sith in a dark corner of the known galaxy. Naturally I felt I should check it out and that is how I meet you."

Smith looked at the skeleton that was in the cage and its jaw broke off.

"By the way, how much longer will it be?"

The cage jolted for a moment.

"Oh, here we go."

The bottom of the cage fell and Smith fell into a cavern. He went down, down, and down until the chain straightened out, holding him a foot from the ground upside down.

Smith noticed he was in a throne room made of stone. As the chain turned him around, he noticed a throne twenty feet from where he hanged from. On the throne was a man in some strange armor that Smith had never seen before. On both sides of the throne were alien creatures that wore black armor.

"General John Smith," the man on the throne said.

"Ah!" Smith exclaimed. "A'sharad Hett! You son of a gun, you're still alive. I thought you were killed by your clones like many of the Jedi were."

"I was, in fact, one of the few who survived. I was train in the ways of the dark side by the Sith spirit of Xoxaan."

"Who?"

Hett ignored the question. "And now, I plan to destroy the Sith Lord Sidious and the Empire that he has formed, with my own army of-"

"Wait, wait. Hold that thought." Smith grunted as the chain were turning him away from Hett. "I'll be back around in a second." He slowly regain his view of Hett. "Okay, slight problem with that. Sidious is dead and the Empire is no more."

"Really? Well, then I will conquer the galaxy planet by planet until I rule everything. I will reign unopposed with my Sith Rule of-"

"Wait, hold on." The chains continued to spin Smith around still. "I promise you, I'm not the one doing this, okay." Smith again faced Hett. "So, conquer the galaxy and rule unopposed. Got it. I might as well tell you what I'm going to do. First, I'm going to break out of these chains; then, I'll beat the crap out of your Sith; last, but not least, knock that ugly leotard off your face."

Hett chuckled. "I am Darth Krayt, Dark Lord of the Sith Rule of One. What makes you think you can stop me?"

"Because I'm a soldier," Smith replied as he opened his hands. "And my duty is to protect the Republic from all threats, both foreign and domestic."

There was an awkward moment of silence.

"Funny, I thought I timed that right," Smith whispered to himself. "Guys! That was your cue."

Krayt felt a disturbance, looked up, and saw two people sliding down the chain. One of them activated two white lightsabers and cut the chain. The chain unraveled around Smith and fell to the ground. Smith got up and force pulled a lightsaber from the other person's belt.

"About time you two showed up," Smith said.

The two individuals were Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren.

"Sorry," Sabine said. "We had a hard time getting here."

Smith activated the blue blade of his lightsaber and Sabine activated her green one.

"You cannot expect to stop me, Jedi," Krayt said.

"We are no Jedi," Ahsoka said.

"Nevertheless, you will die here and now. Warlock, Talon, Nil, kill them!"

As Sabine and Ahsoka fought Warlock and Nil, Smith faced Talon, a red female Twi'lek. The Sith clearly was using every advantage she could use, even the mere erotic nature of her body and beauty.

"Just so you know, you're not the first woman I have fought and beaten," Smith said.

"What? You have a problem with my kind?" Talon asked quite sexually.

"No. I just prefer blue Twi'leks."

Talon roared angerly and charged at Smith. He just moved slightly to his left and back slapped her on the back of her head.

"Anger will get you nowhere," Smith said jokingly.

Talon rose her lightsaber and brought it down. However, Smith grabbed her wrist and slightly pressed the center, causing the lightsaber to slip from her grip and made her yelp in pain. He let go and Talon held her hand close to her.

"You broke my hand!" Talon exclaimed angerly.

"There are two hundred and fifteen bones in the body of a female Twi'lek," Smith said. "I merely broke one."

"Enough!" Krayt exclaimed angerly. He raised his hands and Smith, Sabine, and Ahsoka froze in place. They rose up and floated toward Krayt. "You have fought valiantly. Now, it is time to-"

"No." a deep voice said. "Time."

Krayt turned and saw a white Loth-wolf appear from the shadows. "What is this?"

"Triumvirate."

"Triumvirate?" Smith asked.

"Traya. Nihilus. Sion."

"The Sith Triumvirate!" Krayt exclaimed. "What about them, animal?"

"Resurrection. Death."

"No, it can't be. They can't return."

"Can someone tell me what is going on?" Smith asked. "What is the Sith Triumvirate?"

"A trio of ancient Sith from four thousand years ago," Ahsoka explained. "They are going to rise from the dead."

"Doom." the Loth-wolf said and disappeared into the shadows.

A red-black portal opened behind Krayt's throne and three people in black robes appeared from it. 

"Who are you?" Krayt asked. "Are you the Triumvirate?"

"We are," said the one in the middle. "We have return."

Smith observed the Sith Triumvirate. The one on the left wore a white mask with red marks, the one on the right appeared to be in a state of decay, and the one in the middle was a blind woman that was missing her left hand.

"The pain is strong," said the decaying one. "It feels good."

"It gives you strength, my apprentice," the one in the middle said.

"Yes, my master."

The one in the mask sniffed the air and seemed to look toward Ahsoka. He pulled her toward him and spoke some language Smith never heard.

"It seems that Nihilus is hungry after so long a rest," said the middle one. "Feast, my friend."

"HEY!" Smith shouted. "Hungry eyes."

Nihilus looked toward Smith.

"Pick on someone your own size."

Nihilus looked at Ahsoka and back at Smith. He moved Ahsoka to one side and pulled Smith to him.

"Wait," the one in the middle said. "Let me see him first."

Smith floated toward her.

"If he is Nihilus, my guess is your Traya and ugly over there is Sion," Smith said. "Am I right?"

"You are correct," Traya said. She placed her hand in front of his face. "Oh, so much pain. Betrayal. Darkness."

"Everyone has a light and dark side to them. It's not just a Jedi/Sith thing."

"You're hiding something dark inside of you. No, it's not you hiding it. It is hiding itself. Let us see what it is."

Traya placed her hand on Smith's forehead and griped something. She pulled it into her palm and looked. It was a small orb of red energy.

"So much violence. Ah, you are a soldier."

Traya looked closer at the orb. She saw something in it. It was the face of a man.

"Finally," a voice said.

The orb flew out of Traya's grasp and went to the center of Krayt's throne room. The orb expanded until a man stood in the center. He wore tight black clothing from his neck to his feet. He turned and his face was...

"Smith, he has your face," Sabine said.

"Yes, I have returned after so long," the man said.

"Who are you?" Krayt asked.

"My real name is not important. But you can address me as the Warlord."

"Why do you have this man's face?" Sion asked.

"Because I am him, you idiot, or must I spell it out for you?"

Ahsoka moved what she could with her fingers and managed to free Smith from his hold. He charged at the Warlord with his lightsaber and was about to strike, but the blade stopped short of a few inches from the Warlord's neck.

"Unlike me, you still have much to learn, John," the Warlord said. He force pushed Smith away and took his lightsaber, activating the blue blade. "You carried this for almost thirty years since Aayla was killed. I hope you don't mind, but I think I'll keep it." He deactivated the blade, used the force to pull out the cyber crystal, and Smith watched in horror as the Aayla's crystal changed from blue to blood red. The Warlord put the crystal back in the hilt and activated the newly made crimson blade. "That's more fitting for the Lord of War."

Smith was slightly grunting his teeth, but regained his self-control. "When we meet again, I'll take back what you stole from me."

"Oh, you read my mind." The Warlord loosed Ahsoka and Sabine from their grip. "Go. Leave this planet and warn your Republic that we are coming to make war."

Krayt scoffed. "Who are you to command me or my followers to-"

"KNEEL!" the Warlord shouted as red lightning cracked out of his fingers. "And acknowledge your new master!"

"I kneel to no master," Krayt said.

"Then take this advice: leave with them or suffer for your disloyalty."

Ahsoka called her ship down and it landed in the throne room. Krayt called his followers to join him, but only Talon and Nil joined him and left on Ahsoka's ship.

"And what about you?" the Warlord asked the Triumvirate.

The Triumvirate kneeled before him.

"We are your humbled servants, my master," Traya said.

"That's more like it. Now, tell me what you can in regards to your apprentice, Traya."

"He is here. You can ask him."

"Oh, nononono. I'm not talking about Sion. I'm talking about Revan."

Traya sighed. "I will tell you everything."

Chapter Text

There was a solemn silence as Ahsoka's ship travel through lightspeed. Despite knowing that the others were arguing about what to do, Smith couldn't hear any of what it was they were saying. He still couldn't come to terms with what had happened. That thing that had his face and stole Aayla's lightsaber from him left him at a disadvantage in this conflict.

Suddenly, the sound returned and the arguing started to get to Smith.

"Will you all just shut up!!!" Smith shouted.

When the silence returned, Smith noticed it was only the Sith arguing and Sabine and Ahsoka coming out of the cockpit of the ship.

"So, where do we go?" Ahsoka asked.

"Concordia," Smith said. "There is something there I need to get."

"What could possibly be on Concordia that is so important?" Krayt asked.

"A weapon."

***

Once on Concordia, Smith went to his hidden compartment and collected the weapon he needed: Revan's lightsaber. He activated the blade and the purple blade came to life.

"Good," Smith said. "Still works."

Smith arrived back at the ship, but he noticed something.

"Where is Sabine?" he asked.

"She is going to see her home," Ahsoka said.

Smith headed there, though he didn't rush toward the Wren palace. Once there, he noticed the ruined palace on the other side of the lake and saw Sabine sitting on the banks of the lake. He sat down next to her and noticed in her hand was a copy of Ezra Bridger's last message before he vanished with Thrawn.

"You miss him?" Smith asked.

"Of course," Sabine replied. "I've wondered how things would have been had I not let him leave that station. Maybe if I told Hera what he was planning, things probably be different."

"Regardless, it happened. There is nothing we can do to change that. Just know that there is still the chance that he is alive. He'll be back or he is waiting for you to get him back home."

"What makes you think he is waiting for me?"

"Well, he said that he was counting on you. Maybe bringing him back to Lothal is what he is hoping."

Sabine thought for a moment. "Eleven years and a thought like that never crossed my mind."

Smith nodded. "I do believe the others are waiting for us."

"Just a few more minutes."

"Okay. I'll stay with you until you're ready to leave."

"Leave to where?"

"We need to make a quick stop at Kalevala."

"Why Kalevala?"

"To get help from an old friend."

***

Once on Kalevala, Smith entered the castle that belonged to Lady Bo-Katan Kryze, who was in a deep state of depression and glum.

"Lady Bo-Katan Kryze," Smith said as he entered.

"Who are you?" Bo-Katan asked.

"It is John Smith of Earth. I know you still remember me."

"What do you want?"

"A war is coming. One were the enemy is the Sith of old and new. I have come to seek your help and your army."

"So, you have come for my help and not the Republic's?"

"The Republic is still small and weak. It will still take time before they are ready for the next conflict."

"Then it appears you've come here in vain. My forces have forsaken me after I failed to return with the Darksaber."

"But what about that Imperial frigate that I heard that you captured?"

"They took it with them and now they are rooming the galaxy as mercenaries."

"And now you hidden yourself here in your castle, giving up on Mandalore? And for what? Because you couldn't get back a lightsaber?"

"That lightsaber is a symbol of Mandalorian strength and leadership. Anything else is fakery."

Smith pulled out Revan's lightsaber, activated it, and said, "Does this look fake then?"

Bo-Katan stood up from her throne and a look of shock, even fear, appeared. "Where did you find that?"

"In the ruins of Malachor V, thirteen years ago. Revan's force spirit gave it to me. I learned from ancient records that Revan was feared by the Mandalorians. Is that not true?"

"It is true. Revan stooked fear into the hearts of the Mandalorians, even wearing a Mandalorian helmet to add insult to injury."

"Well, unfortunately, I don't have a Mandalorian helmet on me, but this alone should bring your fleet back to your side."

"Highly unlikely. You would still need to challenge their leader to single combat."

"No. You'll be the one to challenge their leader."

"I can't. He challenge me for the position and defeated me."

"Then challenge him again and beat the son of a gun. And after you do, you'll help me defeat the Sith."

"In exchange for what?"

Smith pulled out of his pocket a small green mineral. "Mandalore."

Chapter Text

Edaakie

Very little was known about the planet Edaakie, as it was discovered during the Empire's time, and was still in early settlement. It had a landscape similar to Earths, though its only bodies of water were twenty-eight lakes that spread out across the surface.

Ahsoka and Bo-Katan's ships flew toward the planet and began to scout out the surface. They soon discovered Bo-Katan's old fleet in an open plain just beyond a settlement. They landed near the fleet and walked out, with every member of the fleet staring at them with contempt.

"Don't worry, guys," Smith said. "I'm sure Lady Kryze can handle this. I hope."

"That's him," Bo-Katan said as she pointed out the leader. "Axe Woves. Now, when I challenge him, remember-"

"-Don't interfere. I know all to well the customs of Mandalorians."

"Wait here."

Everyone stopped as Bo-Katan went further to make the challenge.

"Is it necessary to have them out here as Lady Kryze does this?" Sabine asked.

Ahsoka knew she was referring to the Sith. "They're in the same situation as we are."

"Besides, if anyone knows the deepest, darkest thoughts of a Sith, it is another Sith," Smith said.

Krayt grunted, though was more out of agreement then simply out of angry.

Bo-Katan made her challenge to Woves and they began to fight. It started with hand-to-hand combat, then changed to the weapons at their disposal, like Bo-Katan's shield or Woves's flamethrower on his wrist. When all was said and done, Bo-Katan won the challenge against Woves.

"You may have control of the fleet again," Woves said. "But without the Darksaber, it means nothing."

"I have something better than the Darksaber," Bo-Katan said. "I have the man that carries the lightsaber of an ancient Jedi."

"What does any simple lightsaber have to move us more than the Darksaber?"

"Not just any lightsaber."

Bo-Katan gestured to Smith to come over. Smith walked over and pulled out Revan's lightsaber, activating it. Woves at first scoffed, but after looking closer at the hilt, he backed up in fear.

"This man wields the lightsaber of Revan, the slayer of Mandalore the Ultimate!"

The Mandalorians got up and aimed their weapons at Smith, but he calmly walked forward, still holding the activated lightsaber.

"Mandalorians, I don't come before you as an enemy," Smith said. "You fear the man who wielded this lightsaber four thousand years ago, but you need not fear me. I come as a friend and ask for your help. I am no Jedi, but a know the force like they do. The Sith Triumvirate have returned and have an army of Sith with them, as well as a Sith that has my face. You have the valor to challenge the Jedi in countless wars, but does that valor extend to war with the Sith?"

The Mandalorians slowly lowered their weapons, calming down a bit after Smith spoke.

"And what do we get in return?" Woves asked.

"What you desire more than life itself," Smith said as he pulled out the green mineral. "Mandalore."

Woves looked at the mineral. "Where did you find this?"

"A merchant that said he got it directly from Mandalore. I did tests on the mineral and it is the real deal. It also means life is starting to blossom again on the planet."

"We can retake Mandalore."

"But will you help us in exchange for this?"

Woves looked to Bo-Katan, who nodded.

"Yes, you have our help," he said.

"So, where do we go now, General?" Bo-Katan asked.

"Lothal," Smith said. "We make a stand there."

"Why Lothal?"

"I marked the planet were we encountered the Sith and it is eight parsecs from Lothal, on the edge of the known galaxy."

"If the Sith plan to conquer the Republic, they'll need to get pass Lothal first."

"Now you starting to catch on. Also, I need you to go to Nevarro."

"Why do you want me to go to Nevarro?"

"To get more help."

***

As the fleet headed to Lothal, Smith was on the frigate contemplating on something that was on his mind. He went to the comm on the bridge.

"Woves, clear the comm room," Smith said.

"Why?" Woves asked.

"I need to use the comm for personal reasons."

"I can't just let you use the comm for whatever reason is on your mind. Unless you have a better-"

Smith quickly smashed his fist down on the comm, leaving a dint in the metal. "This is not up for debate! Clear the comm room, now!"

Woves scoffed. "Clear the room. Let the general have his private time."

Once the room was clear, Smith activated the comm and the hologram figure of Sam Shepherd appeared.

"John, good to see you again," Shepherd said.

"Sorry that I've been off the radar for so long," Smith said. "There were somethings that needed to be dealt with."

"So, where are you now?"

"On a captured Imperial frigate that the Mandalorians have."

"The same one that Moff Gideon was captured on?"

"The same one."

"Hey, dad," A voice over the comm said. "Is that Uncle John?"

"Is that Sammy I hear?" Smith asked.

"Yeah, he is visiting with his family," Shepherd said.

Suddenly, a giant head of a reptilian creature appeared on the comm. The creature made Smith jump back down toward the ground with a yelp.

"Good heaven above!" Smith exclaimed. "A dragon!"

"Hello, Uncle John," the dragon said. "It's been a long time."

"Sammy? Is that you? How?"

"It's a long story."

(Hello, this is the author speaking here. This is the part where Sammy tells Smith about the events of the Dragonworld story arc. If you like to know what happened, go and read my other work- Dragonworld: A Star Wars Story.)

"Wow," Smith said. "I really missed a lot during the years I've been gone. So, um, anything else that is new?"

"Siveth and I are about to have our fourth child soon."

"And with the adopted sons, it's a total of six children altogether."

"Yes."

Smith heard a knock on the door behind him.

"I've got to go. I'll be sure to catch up with you later."

"All right. See you soon."

"Sam, I've got to go.  I'll call you later."

"See you later, John," Shepherd replied.

The comm went off and the door opened.

"Are you done?" Woves asked.

"Have we reached our destination?" Smith asked.

"We're currently in orbit over Lothal."

Smith walked slowly to the windows on the bridge and looked at Lothal. He looked over the devastation of the planet and sighed over it.

"Mercy me," Smith said quietly. "It's like how it was ten years ago. A dead planet."

Chapter Text

The Mandalorian fleet made the ruined city as the main base of operations. They did what repairs were required to make it more homely. They placed the frigate behind the moon that orbited Lothal. Smith set camp at the tower that Ezra lived in before he joined the Ghost crew, the main compartment broken off and the tower itself laying in two parts on the ground.

Smith forced open the door to Ezra's tower with hands and looked over the room.

"What a mess," Smith said. "It may take many years to rebuild everything."

He set up a portable comm station and tested it to see if he could contact the frigate.

"Woves, this is Smith. Can you hear me?"

"Hear you, loud and clear," Woves replied.

"Good. Only use this channel if you see the Sith coming."

After turning off the comm, Smith began to reminisce about the days he was part of the Ghost crew. He remembered the time Ezra joined them, Kanan and Ezra confronting Vader in the city, encountering the Loth-wolves, Kanan's sacrifice to save their lives, and Ezra sending Thrawn's fleet to someplace unknown along with himself. He remembered that painting that Sabine painted in honor of the Ghost crew.

"Let's see if I can remember where it is," Smith said to himself.

***

Smith flew in a captured TIE fighter over the mountains that the crew made their hideout when they were in the process of retaking the planet. He landed on a platform that was on one of the mountains. He hopped out of the fighter and noticed the Sabine's painting inside the cave.

"Ah, there you are," Smith said.

As he walked in, he noticed Sabine looking over her work. She ran her finger across the face of Ezra's image as a tear ran down her cheek.

"Reminiscing?" Smith asked.

"You could say that," Sabine said. "I thought about what you said in regards to what Ezra was referring to."

"And?"

"He said that he couldn't wait to come home. It's been eleven years now and I think it is time for him to come home."

"If you go find him after we take care of the Sith, I suggest you go with Ahsoka."

"Why?"

"You never know what you will encounter out there in the unknown." Smith noticed while they spoke that Sabine didn't move her eyes from the image of Ezra. "You love him, don't you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Your eyes told me that."

"My eyes?"

"The eyes can tell everything about how one truly feels about someone they care for."

Sabine sighed. "I knew there was something there. A feeling that I couldn't understand at the time. At the time, I only considered Ezra as a friend, but after the years passed on, it felt like it was becoming more. It has been only recent that I began to understand how I truly felt for him."

Smith nodded. "You know, I've also noticed a change in your character. You always seemed to be the most rebellious of the Ghost crew, but I wonder. Was what happened here changed your outlook?"

"No. Ezra did."

***

The Warlord sat on Krayt's throne on the unnamed planet. He sat in silence with his eyes closed. As he sat there, Traya, Nihilus, and Sion entered into the throne room.

"My lord," Traya said. "The fleet is ready to launch."

The Warlord sighed. "Do you harbor any plans to betray me?"

"I am your humble servant, my lord. It would be foolish of me to betray you."

The Warlord chuckled. "Don't play coy with me. Darth Nihilus, the lord of hunger; Darth Sion, the lord of pain; and Darth Traya, the lady of betrayal. These are the titles given to the Sith Triumvirate. Now, I'll ask you one more time." He raised his right hand and red lightning shot out of his fingertips, but they hit the ground around the Sith without touching them. "Do you have plans to betray me?"

Traya sighed. "Yes."

The Warlord stopped the lightning and pulled his hand back. "I thank you for your honesty. Now, we move to war."

Nihilus spoke in his strange tongue.

"Does anyone even understand what you are saying like at all?"

"He asked where we are going," Traya said.

"Good question. Lothal. I sense Smith's presence there." The Warlord grunted. "Strange. There is something else going on there."

***

Smith stood alone in the cave with Sabine's painting. He felt like he should be there, like something wanted him to stay there. Suddenly, a light shone through a crack in the cave wall that clearly wasn't there five minutes ago. The rocks moved and a box moved out of the hole. Smith looked at it in interest and noticed it was locked. He broke the lock off the box and opened it. Inside was a ancient Mandalorian helmet, but the red and white colors on it made it look like it had a fresh coat of paint.

"This is Revan's," Smith said as he pulled out the helmet.

"Smith, do you copy," Woves said on Smith's comm.

"What is it?"

"Lady Kryze is back and she has a member of that cult with her."

"The Children of the Watch and just the Mandalorian I was expecting to join us."

"Who?"

"Din Djarin."

Chapter Text

Smith flew back to the ruined city and prepared to meet the new arrival, Din Djarin. Unlike other Mandalorians, Djarin didn't bear any colors on his beskar suit, which helped him to standout from all others.

"Din Djarin," Smith said as he approached the Mandalorian. "My second favorite Mandalorian." He shook Djarin's hand. "How's life been treating you?"

"Good in a way," Djarin said. "Though 'second favorite Mandalorian'?"

"Sabine is my favorite."

"Well, that doesn't sound odd at all," Sabine said.

"Sabine, you know you're like the little sister I never had."

"Yeah, if your sister was forty years younger than you."

"Thirty-eight, to be more accurate."

"But you both look similar in age," Djarin said.

"True, but just by appearance," Smith said. "I'm actually sixty-eight years old, going on sixty-nine in three months."

"Lady Kryze told me about a situation that you currently have that involve the Sith."

"Let's head to the command center. I'll explain it there."

***

Smith and the others entered the ruined cantina that was setup as the command center.

"General," Woves said.

"Woves," Smith replied.

Djarin entered and noticed Krayt, Talon, and Nil in the corner to the right of the entrance. He was going to pull his blaster out, but Ahsoka stopped him by placing her hand on his.

"It's okay," Ahsoka said. "They are with us."

"But they are Sith," Djarin said.

"Yes, they are," Smith said. "But she is right. They are here to help us."

"Besides, if you want someone to get into the head of a Sith," Krayt said. "It is another Sith."

Smith found it odd that Krayt repeated what he told Sabine on Edaakie. He began to wonder if he had placed the seeds of betrayal inside Krayt's head.

"Anyways, let's set out the battle plan," Smith said. He activated a hologram of Lothal and its moons. "This is our battlefield. Any suggestions?"

"As we all know, the frigate is hidden behind one of Lothal's moons," Bo-Katan said. "Once the Sith have approached the planet, I think we should damage their ships and send them to the surface where we can finish them off."

"They'll land on the planet without hesitation," Krayt said. "If I know better, this Warlord will want to go after Smith."

Smith thought over this. "Krayt is right. If the Warlord is my evil self, then he will be coming for me."

"What makes you think that?" Woves asked.

"Because that is something I would do. Once they have landed, the frigate will bombard the ships and we guide the Sith down the highway here. We set up a barricade on the outskirts of the city along the highway."

"They'll be all over us if the Warlord and the Triumvirate are among them," Woves said.

"Leave them to us," Smith said. "Ahsoka, Krayt, Sabine, and Djarin will take care of them."

"How?" Bo-Katan asked.

"The mountains in the southern hemisphere. We will lure them there away from the other Sith."

"Sounds like a plans," Ahsoka said.

"First things first, I need to get a few things before we head out to the mountains."

***

Smith went through the items in Ezra's tower, though it appeared he was looking for something specifically important.

"I know it is around here somewhere," Smith said to himself.

He moved a random piece of metal and saw a small crate in the corner.

"Ah! There you are."

He cleared the table and placed the box on top. He opened it and observed what was inside it.

"My old uniform from the Clone Wars. It seems to still be in one piece. Let's hope it still fits."

After putting on the uniform, he observed himself in a mirror he had placed in the tower.

"Still fits like a glove. A bit dusty though."

He patted the dust of the chest of the uniform and he heard something land on the ground. He picked it up and noticed it was a recording device.

"I didn't put you in that crate. Who put you in there?"

He placed the recording on the table and turned it on. A hologram of Ezra Bridger appeared from the device.

"Hey, Smith," Ezra said. "This is one of three recordings I made. Hopefully, you have already seen the one I made for all of the Ghost crew. I made another one for Sabine and this one is for you. The reason I did what I did to defeat Thrawn was needed, though if anyone who could understand why, well, why not the one who knows the art of war better than anyone I know? You were a true friend to me, even like an uncle to me."

Smith chuckled.

"I came across your old Clone Wars uniform in the mountains. I decided to leave this recording in that crate, along with the one I made for Sabine. Please, give her the recording before she decides that the time has come to bring me back to Lothal. I hope to see you guys again, especially Sabine. I know that you know about how I truly feel about her. May the force be with you."

The recording ended and the holo-image of Ezra disappeared.

"And may the force be with you too, Ezra Bridger," Smith said.

Smith looked inside the crate again and moved his gloves that were still in there. He found the other recorder and placed it in his pocket. As he walked out of the tower, he took one more glance inside and closed the doors with his hands.

***

The Warlord sat at the command center on his flagship, christened the Emperor's Labyrinth, looking into the vastness of space. The ship remained motionless as he was waiting for something, what it was was unknown to the other Sith on the ship.

Suddenly, there was a ship that appeared on the port. It was a New Republic prison ship.

"Ah, finally," the Warlord said.

Nihilus stared at the ship and raised his hand.

"No, Nihilus, not yet. There is someone on this ship that I need to get off first. Warlock, you have the comm."

"As you wish, my lord," Warlock said.

The Warlord took an old Imperial shuttle over to the prison ship. When he got on board, he was greeted by the captain and an squad of prison guards.

"Pleasant greetings, captain," he said. "I find it strange for a prison ship to be this far in the Outer Rim."

"I find it strange to find you out here, General Smith," the captain said. "Let alone on what I could only describe as an Imperial ship."

"Well, I have been travel the galaxy for years on my own. Besides it suites me well."

"So, what brings you here, general?"

"I understand you have an important prisoner here on board. Is that not so?"

"That all depends on who it is you are referring to, general."

The Warlord grunted. "I've heard enough of that." He forced all the guards away and choke hold the captain. "'General' sounds like a demotion from 'Lord of War'."

He broke the captain's neck and walked down the halls of the ship, dealing with all the guards along the way. As he entered a block of prison cells, a massive red-scaled dragon faced him and blow ice particles at him. The Warlord took the ice and shaped them into giant ice spears and sent them into the dragon's head, neck, and chest, killing it. He walked on until he came to the cell he was looking for. He forced open the door and stared at the prisoner. He used the force to remove the prisoner's cuffs.

"Are you Morgan Elsbeth?" the Warlord asked.

"Who are you?" Elsbeth asked.

"You may call me the Warlord."

"A Sith lord. What brings you here?

The Warlord pulled out a small circular object. "I believe this belongs to you."

Elsbeth took the object in her hand. "Why would you help a daughter of Dathomir?"

"Because there is a chain of events that must be set in motion. But be warned. There are those who will follow you to where you will find Thrawn at. Also, get off this ship as fast as you can. There is another Sith lord on my ship who is very hungry."

Chapter Text

As night fell on the southern hemisphere of Lothal, Smith and his team sheltered in the mountain. Soon, they were all sitting around a campfire that gave them warmth from the night air.

"Djarin, I was just wondering," Smith said. "How much practice have you had with the Darksaber?"

"Not much," Djarin said. "The last time I used it, I nearly took my leg off."

"Maybe you should practice with Sabine. I'm sure she can help a fellow Mandalorian how to use a lightsaber."

"Well, I did have position of the Darksaber for a time," Sabine said.

"You wielded the Darksaber?" Djarin asked.

"Until it came to Bo-Katan. Come on. I'll show you how to use it."

As Sabine and Djarin went to practice their lightsaber skills, Smith turned his attention to Krayt, who was silent since they left the city.

"Well, since we are alone here," Smith said. "I have some questions for you. If you survived Order 66, how did you end up the Dark Lord of a Sith movement?"

"After I escape the horrors of the Jedi Purge," Krayt said. "I went back to my roots on Tatooine, becoming the leader of a group of Tusken raiders. A decade had passed by before I found someone there that I had no idea was on the planet: Master Obi-wan Kenobi. He knew that I was there and had come to stop my raids on Tatooine. We fought, which ended with me losing my right arm and the leadership of my Tusken raiders. Kenobi told me to leave Tatooine and never return so long as he was alive. I listened and left my home for good. I wondered the galaxy alone until I came to the Sith world of Moriband. I came across a Sith holocron and it opened up. The spirit of Xoxaan appeared to me and trained me in the ways of the Sith. After my training was complete, her spirit guided me to the planet you found me at and gathered wondering force users to the planet. There, I began my new order."

"So, I guess Xoxaan is an ancient Sith to those we would call the ancient Sith?"

"It's possible. She never told me about her past, only what she had learned and taught me."

"How many Sith make up the order of yours?"

"There are three hundred Sith knights all to together, but there are also ten thousand Sith troopers that follow them."

Smith wondered for a moment. "And with the Sith Triumvirate and the Warlord to lead them, even if we win, it maybe a costly victory."

"Indeed."

***

Two hours passed before Sabine and Djarin returned from their lightsaber practice. Smith was still awake when they came back.

"So, how did it go?" Smith asked.

"It went okay," Djarin said. "I'll still need to practice more in the future."

"You'll catch on eventually," Sabine said. "You're a Mandalorian after all."

When Djarin went to get some sleep, Smith said, "Here, Sabine, take this." He tossed her the message that Ezra made for her.

"What is this?" she asked.

"After we win, check the recording that is on that device. Okay?"

"Okay."

When Sabine left, Smith pulled out Revan's mask and just stared at it in silence, though his thoughts wondered. Why was Revan's mask here on Lothal? More importantly, who placed it in this cave?

"Revan," a deep voice said.

Smith turned and saw the white Loth-wolf step from the shadows.

"Do you know something about this?" Smith asked.

"Rise."

"What do you mean? Is Revan going to rise and help us?"

"War."

"Is it strange that I have a hard time understanding what you are trying to say?"

"Sleep."

Smith suddenly went limp and slopped over on the ground.

***

Smith opened his eyes to find himself in a field of tall grass, similar to the grass that Lothal had before the Empire laid waste to the planet. He turned around and saw a man standing three feet away, who wore ancient Jedi robes.

"Who are you?" Smith asked.

The man removed his hood and revealed his face. He was a man between thirty and forty years of age with black hair and facial hair. He had several scares on his face, mostly circular in shape.

"It's been a long time, Smith," the man said.

"Who are you?"

"You know who I am. You met me on Malachor V."

"Revan?"

"So, you remembered?"

"How could I forget? So, why am I here, let alone talking to you?"

"I see you have found my mask."

"Yeah."

"You must carry my mask with you when you face the Warlord. When the time comes, you will know what to do."

"I don't understand."

"You will when the time comes. That will also be the moment your training begins."

"What training?"

"To become one of my knights. A Revanite."

Smith thought for a moment. "Oh, I get it. Revanite, as in a knight of Revan."

Revan looked up to the sky. "You must wake up now. The Warlord is here."

***

"Smith!" Sabine shouted.

Smith jolted awake. "What is it?'

"Woves contacted us," Ahsoka said. "The Sith are here."

"Alright, let's get ready for what is to come."

Chapter Text

The Warlord marched off his ship with his Sith troopers following suite. He looked over the valley before him and the ruined city within it. He took a deep breath in and let it out with a sigh.

"The smell of war," he said. "How I've missed this. So much blood has been spilt on this ground. Still, more blood will stain it again."

The Warlord sensed something and looked out in the distance away from the city.

"Smith is in the mountains. Warlock, Nihilus, Sion, you three will come with me. Traya, show our Mandalorian combatants that 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', please."

"As you wish, my lord," Traya said.

***

Smith laid crossed-legged on the ground looking toward Sabine's artwork of the Ghost crew. He could hear the feet of the enemy coming closer to him.

"Tell me, what's your take on this piece of art?" Smith asked.

"By a professional genius," the Warlord said. "Yet one who carries sadness with each stroke, because someone she cared so deeply for is gone."

"Actually, there are two people who are gone in this case."

"Ah, yes, Kanan Jarrus. Though, he is dead for sure. Ezra Bridger, on the other hand, may still be alive."

"I wager that only one of us will live to see for sure if Ezra is still alive."

"I'll take that bet." The Warlord activated his weapon and the other Sith followed suite. "Ah, I see you have Revan's lightsaber."

Smith turned to his adversary and activated his weapon. "So glad you noticed."

"I'll deal with him," the Warlord said to the others. "Find the others."

"Oh, they are not far at all," Smith said.

A small metal ball rolled to the Sith's feet and smoke hissed out, which quickly filled to whole cave. From the smoke, the Sith saw six more lightsaber blades lite up beside the already lite up purple one: two white, two green, one red, and one black.

The Warlord chuckled. "This is going to be fun."

***

Bo-Katan saw the Sith army coming down the highway. She noticed one Sith at the head of the approaching force.

"Well, it seems that one of those Sith didn't go with the Warlord," she told Talon and Nil.

"No matter," Talon said. "We will deal with them when they come."

Bo-Katan activated the comm channel. "Woves, take out their ships."

"Copy," Woves replied.

From the city, the Mandalorians witnessed the destruction on the Sith fleet that the captured frigate brought down on them.

Traya looked toward the destruction and said, "Wipe them out. All of them."

***

In the thick smoke, it was hard to tell who was who, though the duelists only could tell by the color of the blades who was friend and who was foe. For Smith and his group, they just needed to avoid attacking Krayt, who wielded his Sith weapon along with his father's green blade.

Ahsoka was fighting one of the Sith, who stroke with heavy blows to her own blades. She noticed the combatant was using both his hands to wield his weapon and maintain his balance while fighting. She began to strike furiously until he lost his grip with one hand and Ahsoka force pushed him toward the edge, barely grabbing the ledge before he could fall.

Krayt noticed this and made his way out of the smoke and stood at the edge. He could tell that the Sith was Warlock, his former first hand.

"My lord?" Warlock said.

Krayt scoffed. "Such a waste of opportunity."

He swinged his lightsaber and cut off Warlock's hands, sending him falling to his death. Krayt turned and suddenly a lightsaber plunged into his chest. He noticed Nihilus stand over him and placed his hand over his face. He groaned in pain as he felt his life fade and power being absorbed.

Behind Nihilus, a green blade slit the Sith lord in half. Black smoke shot out of the black robe and all that remained was a white mask on the ground.

"Where is he?" Sabine asked.

"I don't think Nihilus was really here," Ahsoka said as she stared at the mummified corpse of Krayt.

"Hey, a little help here," Djarin shouted as he locked blades with Sion. "This one is hard to kill."

"Where is Smith?" Sabine asked.

***

Smith and the Warlord continued to fight as they went deeper into the mountain. Soon, the Warlord tripped Smith onto the ground and brought his blade down, but Smith blocked it with just inches to spare. The Warlord pressed his weight onto the blades and Smith fought to kept his blade from touching his throat.

"Before you die, you need to know something about me," the Warlord said. "I'm not a monster or a mad man. I'm the lord of war. So, tell me, what makes you so special?"

Smith closed his eyes and breathed slowly, listening to mediate silence that fell around him.

"It is time, Smith," Revan's voice spoke to him.

Smith opened his eyes and said, "I'm a soldier."

Lightning flickered on Smith's hands as he pushed the Warlord off of him and grabbed Revan's mask from his belt.

"Revan, rise up once more and fight for us!" Smith shouted.

The mask flew out of Smith's hand, as the lightsabers that the Warlord and Smith had followed suite. Suddenly, the whole peck of the mountain flew off, leaving the area from where Smith was and the opening of the cave was as the high point of the mountain.

"What have you done?" the Warlord asked.

"Oh, I didn't do anything," Smith said. "That was Revan's doing." He raised his fist in front of him. "How about we do this the old fashion way?"

"Gladly," the Warlord replied.

***

Talon and Nil held off the Sith warriors as best as they could with the Mandalorians. It became difficult as soon as they faced Traya. In conjunction with her Sith blade, Traya had three purple lightsabers flying around her. Talon and Nil dealt with her, but Traya proved to be the smarter one. As Nil blocked one of her blades, another pierced his back, killing him. Talon blocked one with her lightsaber and forced blocked another with her open hand. Traya prepared the third for the final strike when suddenly a loud boom of thundered roared overhead.

Coming from the south, a figure in a white robe with two lightsabers, one red and one purple, flew toward the Sith army engulfed in lightning. He landed on the ground, sending a shockwave of lightning at the Sith troopers around him. He raised his head and the Sith noticed his head was covered in a hood and an ancient Mandalorian helmet.

"It's Revan!" said one Sith trooper after the other.

"Yes, I am Revan!" he said. "And beside me, you are nothing!"

Revan charged at the army of Sith, lightning flying off his lightsabers with each strike he made.

***

Ahsoka, Sabine, and Djarin continuously strike at Sion, yet the Sith lord of pain wouldn't go down.

"Does anyone have any ideas on how to kill this Sith?" Djarin asked.

"Our flame wrist," Sabine said. "Let's try them."

"Good idea."

Sabine and Djarin used their flame wrist on Sion. At first it seemed to do nothing to him, but then he fell on his knees and soon he went limp on the ground in a chard state.

"Good job," Ahsoka said. "Let's find Smith."

***

Smith and the Warlord laid on the ground, beaten and bruised all over. Their breathing was raspy and their mouths were dry.

"Give up?' Smith asked.

"I don't give up so easily," the Warlord said as he got back on his feet.

Smith got on his feet at the same time.

"Well, neither do I."

The Warlord threw a punch, but Smith dodged it and slammed his fist in the Warlord's elbow, bending his arm out of place. Before the Warlord could comprehend what just happen, Smith grabbed his neck and ripped it out, blood flying onto the ground. The Warlord gripped his neck and fell onto the ground. Suddenly, his body turned into pure energy and floated off.

"We will meet again," the Warlord's voice echoed to Smith.

"And I'll be waiting for you," Smith said.

***

Revan cut down the last of the Sith troopers and now faced Traya.

"Revan, surprised to see you again," Traya said.

"I can't say the same to you," Revan said. "This is the end of the line for you."

"We'll see."

Revan and Traya fought as the Mandalorians watched on. Traya had Revan pinned by two of her levitated lightsabers and readied her third one to make the final strike. She forced the lightsaber toward Revan and... it stopped just short of his eyes. Traya felt something grab her neck, yet there was no hand around her neck.

Revan moved his arms done, yet the levitated lightsaber stayed where they were. He walked over to Traya and stared at her through the visors of his mask.

"It is time to go to sleep again," Revan whispered.

He plunged his lightsabers into her chest and she evaporated into dust.

***

Smith and his comrades returned from the mountains. They meet up with Revan.

"Well done, Smith," Revan said. "You and your allies have succeeded in defeating the Sith Triumvirate and saved the Republic."

"To be fair, you helped us too," Smith said.

Revan nodded. "I believe these belong to you."

Revan handed Smith his lightsabers and vanished, becoming one with the force again. Smith looked over Aayla's lightsaber and activated the blade, a look of surprise appeared over his face as he noticed the blade was blue again.

"Lady Kryze," Djarin said as Bo-Katan approached. "What are our loses?"

"Fifty-eight dead and thirteen wounded," she said.

"Where is Talon?" Smith asked.

"We don't know. She just disappeared after the fighting stopped."

"Lady Kryze!" a Mandalorian shouted from the city. "We need help!"

Bo-Katan made her way into the city and entered the field hospital that was set up within.

"What is it?" she asked.

"One of the wounded is making raspy sounds," a Mandalorian said. "She is having trouble breathing."

"Let me see," Smith said.

Smith looked over the Mandalorian's chest and her face. He pulled out a knife and plunged it in her side. She gasped for air and breathed out.

"Welcome back," Smith said. "Get her an extra comforter."

She stared at Smith and tried to say something.

"What's your name?" Smith asked.

"Sacha Wren," she said raspy. "Who are..."

Then Sacha past out and fell back on her comforter.

"I need a syringe now!" Smith shouted.

As soon as he got the syringe and pulled out some of his blood from his arm. He shot the blood into Sacha's bloodstream.

"What are you doing?" Bo-Katan asked.

"My blood carries a super soldier serum within me," Smith said. "It will give her the healing factor that comes with it."

Smith placed his hand on Sacha's shoulder.

"John," he whispered. "My name is John Smith. That's my name."

***

A week after the battle on Lothal, Sabine readied herself to head out with Ahsoka to find Ezra. She took one last look at her artwork in the peck less mountain. She turned to see Ahsoka waiting and walked up to her.

"You're ready?" Ahsoka asked.

"Let's bring Ezra home," Sabine said.

They got on Ahsoka's ship and headed out to the galaxy in front of them.

Sabine went into the cargo area and activated Ezra's message that Smith had given her.

"Hey, Sabine," Ezra said. "If you are watching this, then it means Smith found and gave you this. I feel like a owe you an explanation. I did what I did in order to save you all. I know that for the most part that I may have been a pain in the neck when we first met, but I hope that you could tell that I matured a lot, though I know that most of it was because of what happened on Malachor V and the dark path I took for a time. When we met, I was love-struck by you, but as I grew older, I did genuinely grew to love you as you and not just because you are beautiful, smart, and strong, though you are all those things."

Sabine smiled.

"So, to finish off, I hope you find me soon and, while I long to see Lothal again, I hope to see you again most of all. May the force be with you."

With that, the message ended.

Sabine sighed as she wiped away a tear that had rolled down her cheek.