(AN: Double release this week, go back to ch 26)
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The door to the penthouse suite slid open with a hiss, and Corvus immediately Paused to take in his surroundings.
Inside the room there was surprisingly little compared to the grandeur of the gallery that he had just been in.
Strictly speaking, this was a large, empty room. Empty save for a long maroon carpet that led to an uplifted platform with a swivel chair throne. Upon which sat Prince Xizor.
Clasping his hands together like a pyramid, Xizor was mimicking one of the classic poses that one would see when googling 'businessman.'
Scaly, reptilian, and green, the Falleen had a long black ponytail, and was dressed in a tasteful maroon robe that had gold highlights.
Standing next to him was his high end android companion, Guri. Looking no different than a blonde blue eyed college cheerleader dream, the droid was highly intelligent, and extremely deadly. Considering how dangerous someone like General Grievous could be, Xizor was likely relying on her for his protection. Although she looked like a harmless woman, Corvus wouldn't allow himself to drop his guard around her.
Besides these two, and an awesome view, Corvus noticed a few buttons on the side of the throne. His Awareness was directing him towards the central spot of the room.
Focusing on it, the Force warned him, and he was hit with a rare moment of precognition.
Just like when he was at the Temple and had a vision of Anakin dueling another Jedi Master, Corvus saw a brief vision of himself.
This time, he was speaking genially with Xizor, and then seemingly for no reason, the Falleen said something condescending, and pressed a button, triggering a trap door.
This wasn't an ordinary trap door either, as it encompassed the entire room besides where Xizor sat. Corvus quite literally would have nowhere to maneuver once that button was pressed. The only safe place was at the throne.
Now of course, Corvus could simply turn around now, and jump out a window. However, after witnessing his future self's potential demise, Corvus was feeling rather vindictive.
As much as it might not seem like it, what with his penchant for violence, Corvus actually preferred to talk things out. He had dumped everything into Persuade afterall.
But some people in games, and in real life were simply so stuck up, that no matter how well spoken you were, they would never negotiate or compromise.
Thus, Corvus decided to punish Xizor.
When words failed, the fist prevailed.
Unpausing, Corvus cast [Speed/Valor/Energy Resistance/Force Barrier] and then moved at the green reptilian man.
Xizor pressed a button, dropping the floor out from under him, just like in the vision, but Corvus was prepared, and had leapt just before the floor had disappeared.
However, despite this, it was looking like his jump would be short.
Xizor wore a self satisfied smug smirk on his face, but was quick to reel back in shock as Corvus used the forbidden Force power: double jump.
Throwing the ancient Falleen mask out underneath him, Corvus mimicked the Jedi from most videogames, and 'double jumped' his way towards the throne.
Guri pulled out a pair of DL-44 heavy blaster pistols (same gun Han Solo uses) and opened fire.
The power behind these shots wasn't weak, and Guri's trigger finger, as well as her targeting systems must've been fine tuned, because Corvus struggled to block these heavy shots.
Right when he thought he was going to triumph, and the bolts he deflected were going right back at Xizor, a see-through red curtain of energy erupted between them.
An energy shield-like the one that separated Obi-Wan from Qui Gon during their duel with Maul-currently protected the Prince.
"Well. You certainly are a skilled assassin aren't you?" Xizor drily remarked, then steepled his fingers as if he had complete control of the situation.
Whilst Xizor monologued, Corvus searched around the room, and discovered a solution to his predicament.
"Ah, a man of few words. Why don't we play a game? I guess your identity before my guards arrive, and if I'm right, you tell me the name of your employer. I'll start.
You must be a member of the Revanchist. As an avid collector, I'd recognize that mask anywhere. Ah, what was the Jedi's name again, Guri? Mala-something? The ancient texts weren't quite clear." Xizor said, and swirled some wine, then opened his mouth to be fed some cheese.
"Malak, Prince Xizor." The robot woman supplied.
"Yes, but I prefer Reva-"
"You talk too much." Corvus said, then waved his hand.
Depressing a button on the throne, the energy shield dropped, and with how close they were-less than 10ft away-there was nothing Guri could do to stop him.
Oh she tried. The droid had admirably fast reflexes, and even shot past his guard a few times, but [Energy Resistance] was simply too good.
Closing the distance, Corvus deflected a bolt at Xizor, only to discover he had a final back up plan. Both Xizor and Guri were wearing personal energy shields. That meant both of them would be resistant to the slashes of a lightsaber.
Corvus maintained his cool, and responded appropriately.
[Force Lightning] left both his hands, and began to fry both man and machine.
Xizor's skeleton began to show, and Guri's circuits started to malfunction, rendering her inoperable.
"Aughhh!" Xizor screamed in agony as Corvus shocked him.
Unfortunately for both of them, Force abilities could only be blocked by shields made from the Force, and if Palpatine's lightning hands were super effective against Vader's suit, then Corvus figured his own [Force Lightning] would work just as well-or better-on an android.
Causing both beings to perish, Corvus got a pair of notifications granting him exp.
[+2,500 exp]
[+7,500 exp]
After he saw this notification, he used his Computer skills to cancel the silent alarm from the throne, close the trap door, and then placed a hand on Xizor's corpse. He cast both [Heal] & [Revitalize].
Black eyes that had moments ago rolled over, and a face that was once nothing more than a burnt marshmallow now looked at Corvus with barely concealed terror. Drawing in a ragged gasp, Xizor breathed heavily, as if he might go into a panic attack at any moment.
Falleen were a species that prided themselves on maintaining their composure. They thought very highly of their culture, and believed that warm blooded species wore their hearts on their sleeves. That being cold blooded and reserved was the pinnacle of Falleen society.
Xizor in particular held these beliefs to a ridiculously high standard.
To see his composure break so completely, Corvus felt as if Xizor was in an incredibly weak state right now, ripe for the plucking.
He had walked into this room looking to make an associate, to become 'professionals with benefits.'
But now, Corvus saw that he could make this trillionaire into an asset, Xizor just needed a little push.
"Who are you? What have you done to me? What. What was that?" Xizor spoke with a calm facade in an attempt to regain his cool.
However, the Force was telling Corvus that no matter how much Xizor appeared like he was in control, he was figuratively…and literally shitting his pants right now.
Fortunately Corvus had installed that gas mask modification on his mask before he set out.
Instead of answering his questions, Corvus reached a hand forward, and let sparks arc between his fingers.
The Falleen Prince flinched, and leaned as far back into his chair as possible, like a cat that had been sprayed by water.
Corvus almost felt bad for this guy, as he didn't like inflicting pain on people, but he swept such thoughts aside, as no one became a trillionaire in this galaxy without getting a little blood on their hands. Besides, Xizor was canonically one of the worst villains in the galaxy, by taking him to heel now, Corvus could mitigate a lot of suffering throughout the universe.
"You died, Xizor." Corvus eventually said, pulling his hand back.
Xizor remained silent, and Corvus was in no hurry to speak as he turned his back to the reptilian man, and gazed out the window into the nightlife of Coruscant.
Flying cars went by, and the hum of the city became white noise. This white noise was interrupted as Corvus heard the click of Xizor repeatedly pressing the button for the silent alarm. He did so with all the subtlety of an excited child pressing an elevator button a dozen times in half a minute.
Corvus found such an action to be quite comedic. Here was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy sitting in one of the most opulent expensive super structures, and because he thought he was such a chad gigabrain with a few fancy traps, he risked his own life so that he could witness his enemy's demise. All for the thrill of it.
It just went to show that arrogance was what killed the best laid plans. Hell, Corvus just now almost lost to his own arrogance! If he didn't have that moment of precognition, he wouldn't have acted with violence from the beginning.
Not that the trap door was particularly threatening since he had his forbidden 'double jump' technique, but regardless, arrogance was certainly something Corvus would have to watch out for.
Nodding his head, Corvus turned around to see Xizor reaching for one of the blasters on the floor.
Pulling it into his grasp using the Force, Corvus silently pointed it at Xizor's forehead.
Xizor defiantly glared at Corvus. The Falleen was a mess of emotions, but he wouldn't beg.
"Respectable." Corvus softly intoned, then placed a bolt of red hot plasma between his eyes.
[+0 exp]
Corvus was both saddened and relieved that he couldn't derive any exp from repeat murders. Because if he could spam farm 2,500 exp from this guy like he had just done, it would be a lot faster than grinding mines, and a lot more unethical.
He didn't care for this type of negotiation, and it was very un-Jedi like. However, he was a Jedi Shadow. The equivalent of black ops within the Order. Some things were left off the record for a reason.
Reviving Xizor one more time, Corvus placed the handgun in the alien's lap, and stared at him.
"What do you want?" Xizor eventually got out after a few tense minutes.
"Are you interested in immortality, Prince Xizor ?" Corvus responded with a question of his own.
Xizor didn't outwardly change his expression, and his pride refused to let him speak, but the Force SANG his desire.
Of course Corvus couldn't really make someone immortal, but Xizor didn't have to know that. Being brought back from the dead was a pretty big miracle as it was.
Heck, if some mysterious robed guy brought him back from the grave when he lived on Earth, he'd probably worship him as some kind of god.
Corvus nodded at Xizor, as the reptilian was too stunned to come up with an answer.
"I know you wish to rise through the ranks of the Black Sun syndicate. I will help you. In return, you will secretly advance the cause of the Jedi, slow down your shipments of military goods, and damage the efforts of Sheev Palpatine at every turn. Put your pressure on those senators who support him, strip him of his authority. Use the impending economic crisis I have engineered to squeeze the Empire dry." Corvus commanded.
"If you are so powerful, why not slay him yourself?" Xizor gathered his courage and asked.
"You are so rich, why aren't you the leader of the Black Sun's yet?" Corvus replied.
Xizor didn't seem to like that very much, but didn't retort, as he must've felt that he was standing on thin ice.
"By the end of the year, your competition for the rank of Vigo within the Black Sun shall be over. Depending on your efforts, the position of leader may very well be within your grasp as well." Corvus declared, and then turned to leave.
He then deliberately, slowly walked over the trapdoor on the way out.
Xizor could press the button at any time, reactivating it…but he didn't.
As Corvus reached the threshold to the door, he paused, and spoke over his shoulder.
"You're mine now, Prince Xizor. Not even death is an escape from me."
Then Corvus turned invisible right before Xizor 's eyes, and disappeared from the room.
"...yes….Lord Revan."
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AN: Bit of a darkside chapter tbh. Revitalize won't be used like this moving forward unless it's a dire situation, or against someone incredibly heinous. Xizor kind of fits the bill if you know anything about his character.
Palpatine POV in 2 ch, Yoda/Obi in 3.
Read up to chapter 78 at: patreon.com/KarpQQ
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