Star Wars Invasion: Episode X, Chapter Seven

TICKET TO CHAOS

   Standing on the Star Forge's observation deck, watching the enemy's futile attempts to attack the station, Waru felt as if he should feel pleased that his plan was going to succeed. But he didn't. Instead, he felt... disquieted. 

   At first, he thought he was simply getting used to his new body, which had once belonged to the Dark Jedi who had called himself the Revanchist. But he soon figured that that was not quite it....

   A sharp jab of pain stabbed him in the side. Waru staggered, arousing the attention of Emperor Necros and the Avatar.

   "Master," the latter said. "Are you all right?"

   "I'm fine," Waru snapped, a bit too hastily. "I'm just... getting used to this body."

   Necros narrowed his eyes skeptically. "How did you manage to... transcend to that new body?"

   "Ah, ah, ah!" Waru chuckled. "A magician never reveals his tricks."

   Necros simply snorted and returned his attention to the battle, failing to notice the grin which had formed on the face of Waru's host.

   Be careful where you tread, the Watcher thought. I may soon find need of another vessel to carry me.

*  *  *

   With their mysterious device in tow, Zerev and the others followed Trek out of the Coruscant Underworld and made their way to the industrial region known as the Works. Once there, they entered a building in close proximity to where the Battle of Coruscant was taking place. 

   Inside the stuffy building, the Exiles soon came across three unexpected individuals.

   "Animus?" Durus exclaimed. "Anakin? What are you two doing here? And who's the two-headed freak?"

   "Good day to you, too," said one of the Troig's two heads.

   "His name is Janus," Animus said. "He's one of us, though I don't know if you've ever met him personally."

   "I have," Zerev said. "He was one of the first of us, along with me, Animus, and Xilus."

   Animus nodded at the large portal which Dah carried. "I take it that at least one of you were received the full details of the plan."

   "I was," Trek said, directing his gaze at the Troig. "It hurt my brain. Don't ever do that again."

   Both of Janus' heads smiled. "My apologies. I was simply testing your loyalty."

   "What is that thing?" Anakin asked, gesturing to the portal device.

   "Our ticket to the Star Forge," Janus replied.

   Anakin gave the Troig a questioning look.

   "I don't really have time to explain," Janus said. "But, in a nutshell, the Rakata created this device so that, in case the original Star Forge was to be destroyed, they could escape through it and end up here or another one of their conquered worlds."

   "So, it can work both ways?" Anakin asked.

   "Yes, but only this one," the Troig said. "There may have been one on Korriban, but... the point's moot in that case."

   "There is one catch, though," Animus said. "Once we go through this portal, you can't go back. The device will become effectively dead."

   "I understand," Anakin said, nodding. "Sacrifices must be made, right?"

   Much to everyone in the room's surprise, Animus smiled. "Right."

   Janus signaled for Dah to set the portal down and to activate it. "So, are you two ready?"

   Both the Jedi and the shape-shifter nodded.

   "Then go save our hides."

   The Troig stepped out of the way, allowing the two to jump through the portal.

*  *  *

   Starfighters zipped back and fro. Flagships pounded each other with firepower. Explosions appeared like fireworks being rapidly fired off. 

   Given the grand scale and sheer chaos of this battle, it would be highly unlikely that one would notice a lone starfighter enter the foray, jumping out of hyperspace barely out of range for the Star Forge's sensors to detect it.

   Sitting in the pilot's seat of the Apex Invader, Atha Prime turned to his sole passenger.

   "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "There's no turning back now, you know."

   "I know," the other man replied, unbuckling from his seat. "I've made my choice, Atha. There's no point in going back."

   Atha bowed his head. "I understand. In that case, I wish you luck, Toah Jarsan."

   Toah smiled. "There's no such thing as-"

   "It's all I have to give you, so you'd better accept it."

   The former Jedi Knight nodded. "Then I do. It's been nice knowing you, Atha Prime."

   "Likewise."

   Toah rose from his seat and made his way to the small shuttle attached to the Apex Invader. Once inside, he detached his vessel from the starfighter's hull and made his way towards the Star Forge.

*  *  *

   This time, Waru was certain that there was something wrong with the body which he possessed. He fell to his knees, clutching his head. The pain practically blinded him; thus he failed to notice the Avatar rush to his side until he spoke, his voice faint.

   "Master, what ails you so?"

   "He's here," Waru rasped. The words seemed to come out of his mouth without his intent. "Toah Jarsan."

   Necros gave him an incredulous look. "Who is Toah Jarsan?"

   "The one who ended the Imperial-Sith War," Waru said, struggling to rise to his feet. "He vanished not long after. Why would he be here, and how can I-?"

   Waru paused, realization coming upon him, and then growled. "It's this accursed body! It allows me to feel him through the Force!"

   "But you are detached from the Force," the Avatar said. "How could you possibly use it?"

   "It must be the clone's connection with his template," Waru muttered, finally rising up. "I cannot continue to stay in this wretched body."

   "Well, then," Necros said with a sinister grin. "It's too bad you don't have a spare body to use."

   Waru returned the grin. "Oh, I wouldn't go that far."

   Without warning, the Revanchist's body crumpled to the floor, devoid of any life. Before Necros and the Avatar could properly react, the latter suddenly staggered, his emerald eyes becoming gold.

   "It is time for you to live up to your moniker." Waru's voice emitted from the Avatar's mouth. "Now then, shall we bring an end to this strife?"