STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

THE LAST TRIAL OF REVAN

It is a period of uncertainty for the Republic and the Jedi. After years of terrible conflict, the Sith Empire has been crippled by the deaths of Darth Malak and the Sith Triumvirate that succeeded him.

Since Jedi Master Meetra Surik's defeat of the Triumvirate, she has assisted Master Bastila Shan in rebuilding the weakened Jedi Order. But even as their numbers grew Meetra began to search for Bastila's husband, the Prodigal Knight Revan.

After three years Revan has reappeared with Meetra from the Unknown Regions with an unlikely ally, a Sith named Lord Scourge. A defector from the Empire, Scourge comes armed with knowledge of the ancient Sith Emperor's whereabouts.

The group now journeys to Yavin to rendezvous with their past allies. And to ready for a strike against the Emperor himself…

2987 BBY

"Savior, conqueror, hero, villain. You are all things Revan…"

Revan stood in the middle of a barren desert stretching as far as he could see. The former Dark Lord of the Sith wandered aimlessly through the wasteland even as his former apprentice's words echoed around him.

"And yet you are nothing. In the end you belong to neither the light…"

Stumbling over a jagged rock, Revan fell to the ground painfully. A hot, dry wind began to blow across the desert and he pulled up his cloak to shield himself. But even as Revan's breathing grew ragged from the heat everything suddenly grew dark.

"Nor the darkness."

As his eyes adjusted to the blackness Revan felt the familiar cold of the Dark Side creep through his limbs until he could see his breath fogging in front of him. The Jedi calmed himself and rose to his feet, reaching for his lightsaber instinctively.

Before him stood a figure clad in black, illuminated by the violet light from his weapon. The stranger ignited his own red lightsaber and pointed it directly at Revan, challenging him. Not about to back down the Prodigal Knight responded with a powerful Force Push. His enemy was shoved back but remained on his feet, only to face a ferocious thrust from Revan.

The unknown Sith parried his attack and responded with a wide slash, which Revan dodged narrowly. After a quick exchange of blows Revan switched tactics and pressed his hand to the ground. A cloud of dust and rock fragments burst forward and sent the Sith flying back. Revan was already waiting with his lightsaber drawn, and before the other combatant could recover the Jedi was on him.

Thrusting downwards Revan drove his blade through the Sith's midsection.

After a pained gasp and a few moments of twitching his enemy grew limp. Revan withdrew his lightsaber, ready to depart. But he stopped dead as the light from his blade moved across his victim's face. The Sith was wearing his old mask. Something in the back of Revan's mind told him to remove it, but he was afraid of what he might find. The urge grew too strong however, and he ripped the mask away.

Staring up at him blankly was Bastila.

"No… No!" Revan looked down in horror at his wife, his mind going blank in shock and panic. A trickle of blood flowed down from the corner of Bastila's mouth and her eyes were glazed over in death. Frantically Revan looked around them, only to cry out when he saw more bodies scattered around them.

Carth Onasi, Meetra Surik, Canderous Ordo, and all his other companions over the years; their mangled bodies strewn across the desert.

Revan looked down at Bastila in despair, only to freeze in terror. She was looking directly at him now, and her eyes burned with a fiery glow as she suddenly grabbed Revan by the throat.

"You will forever stand alone," Bastila hissed in a voice not her own, and Revan could do nothing but scream.

...

"Wake up!"

Revan nearly threw himself out of bed when he awoke. His eyes darted around, expecting to see another terrifying vision. But all he saw was his dimly lit cabin aboard the Ebon Hawk. Trying to slow his breathing Revan ran his fingers through his hair. He was sweating profusely.

"Revan…"

A gentle hand on his shoulder drew his focus away from his nightmare and Revan turned to face Bastila Shan. His wife, still alive and well, was looking at him in alarm. Bastila's dark hair was out of its usual ponytail, cascading down each side of her face. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," Revan lied. He didn't want Bastila to worry and put on a reassuring smile. Judging by her skeptical look it wasn't working. "It was another nightmare, wasn't it?" When he said nothing Bastila sighed and moved closer to Revan, gently turning his head to face her. "You told me your visions had stopped."

Revan replied, "It was just a dream," and rose to his feet. He opened the shutters on his cabin window and the entire room was bathed in the familiar blue light of hyperspace. After calming himself Revan walked back to the bed and sat next to Bastila, who had stayed still the entire time. "Bastila, I was telling you the truth. I thought my nightmare were over. But…"

He hesitated for a moment. Bastila ran her fingers down his cheek affectionately and whispered, "It's alright. You're safe with me. You always have been." Revan took her hand in his, and remembered what she said to him on the Star Forge years ago.

"Nothing could make me feel safer than to be loved by you." Bastila's eyebrow quirked before she realized what Revan was saying and shoved him away laughing. He pulled her in for another kiss and they playfully wrestled until she was on top of Revan. "You cheeky bastard," she muttered and gave him a smoldering look.

Any fear Revan felt just minutes before was gone, and he began laughing too as Bastila leaned in to kiss him again. But the moment was ruined when Revan sensed someone at their door. "Someone's coming," he said and rushed to his own closet while Bastila did the same. After dressing himself in a simple Jedi tunic Revan reached the door in time to hear a familiar knock.

Revan guessed who it was and smiled as he opened the door for Meetra Surik. His former general and close friend smiled and said, "Hello." Revan responded in kind and glanced behind him briefly. Bastila was already fully dressed, and she smiled when she saw who was at the door. "Good to see you, Meetra."

The Jedi Exile replied, "Likewise," and turned attention to Revan. "We're pulling in to Yavin 4, but Scourge wants to speak to you for a minute." She shifted uncomfortably before adding, "In private." Revan rolled his eyes. "Of course he is," he sighed as his wife bristled noticeably. While Bastila went to the cockpit with Meetra to take the ship off auto-pilot, Revan journeyed to the main hold where their new 'friend' was waiting for him.

Lord Scourge was an intimidating figure, a Sith Pureblood standing over six feet tall and clad in ancient-looking black armor. He carried the usual characteristics of a Pureblood; the red skin, tendrils along his jaw line, and spurs protruding from his brow and cheekbones.

He noticed the Jedi's arrival and said curtly, "Good, you're here." He glanced around them as if expecting company and Revan rolled his eyes. "I came alone just as you asked, Scourge. You know, all this secrecy isn't going to help Bastila trust you." Scourge waved his hand dismissively. "I do not need her trust, I just need her help. You and the Exile are no different."

Scourge began to pace back and forth, seeming to contemplate what he was going to say next. The Sith appeared brutish, but Revan had to admit that Scourge was much cleverer than his simple straightforward demeanor would suggest. Finally Scourge stopped pacing and faced Revan again.

"You must understand, Jedi; the Emperor is one of the most powerful beings to ever live. He has lived for centuries, maybe even millennia." Shrugging, Revan said, "I already know this. What's your point?" Scourge's posture grew skeptical and his eyes narrowed. "You know this, yet you insist on bringing your friends with us? When you know that we may not succeed?"

Revan didn't have to think about it as he answered, "Yes."

When Scourge didn't respond Revan continued. "Bastila was there for me when no one else was. She saved me in more ways than one. And Meetra fought by my side during the entire Mandalorian War. She managed to save me from you, didn't she?" This drew chuckle from Scourge.

"Yes, I suppose. I will be honest; I haven't had much use for friends. Most of my time has been spent enforcing the Emperor's will, carrying out my duty to the Empire. After the Emperor is dead I will be a pariah. Whatever purpose I once had will be gone." Revan replied, "Then you'll have to find a new one. The Jedi Order believes in redemption. And forgiveness."

To his disappointment Scourge shook his head. "No. I have spent too much time serving the dark side of the Force. I will find my own way, but it is not with the Jedi or the Republic."

Revan hadn't expected Scourge to accept his offer. It was worth a try however, and he had meant every word.

If he could be redeemed after everything he had done as Dark Lord, anyone could.

...

It was raining on Yavin 4 when the Ebon Hawk landed. Bastila, Meetra and Scourge all exited the ship with their hoods up. An old, dilapidated temple towered over the group, the site of some lost civilization.

Someone emerged from the temple, and Bastila grinned as she recognized who it was. Carth Onasi's beard was thicker than the last time she had seen him, and his hairline was receding somewhat; but it was him. "Carth!" she shouted, and the two nearly collapsed when she hugged the Republic soldier tightly.

"Ugh… It's good to see you too, Bastila." Carth laughed breathlessly. He looked behind her and grinned when he saw Meetra. "Master Surik," he said and saluted respectfully. She feigned a wounded look. "No hug? I'm hurt, Admiral."

Bastila grimaced when Carth spotted Scourge and frowned. "I assume that's our mole?" Scourge strode past him without pause. "Yes. I'm afraid I don't have time for pleasantries, Admiral. We have work to do."

Carth smirked. "Cheery fellow."

His smirking disappeared suddenly, and Bastila immediately guessed why. Striding down the ramp of the Ebon Hawk was Revan, clad in his old robe and carrying his lightsaber. "I'll be damned. It is true," Carth muttered. Bastila felt Revan stop beside her.

"I wish we could have met under better circumstances, Carth. But I'm glad you're here." The two old friends shook hands and they all began to walk into the temple together. "Trust me Revan, everyone jumped at the chance to come." Revan and Bastila looked at each other, both hoping Carth meant what they hoped he meant. Behind them Meetra asked, "Everyone?"

To this, Carth only smiled.

"Everyone."

Author's Note: I might have mentioned this when I wrote 'Love Lost', but I f***ing LOVE Star Wars!

Now, I want to make something clear. As much as I love Star Wars, I hate, hate, HATE what the Old Republic MMO did to Revan's character, and how it (and the book that preceded it) ended Revan's story. I can't stand how anti-climactic and depressing it was.

So, with the wiping out of the EU as 'Legends' I decided to do my own take on his story. This story takes place in the new canon, incorporating the KOTOR story into the new official timeline. With that in mind, here are the changes to established canon I've made.

1: The Mandalorian War, Jedi Civil war, and the First Jedi Purge happen much sooner in this story than it does in Legends. Hence the date I established, almost a thousand years before the time of Darth Bane. But aside from the different setting/time period, events happened pretty much the same as what we saw in the games.

2: Revan's lightsaber is violet, Meetra's is green, and Bastila has made a new blue-bladed saber for herself.

3: They have not had a child yet.

4: Imagine the aesthetics (tech, clothing, etc.) all looking a LOT less advanced than what we've seen in Legends. If this is thousands of years before the movies, I'd expect it to not look nearly as shiny and chrome.

5: The Sith Emperor and Scourge's stories will have a similar premise to the MMO, but the resolutions are going to be quite different, as you shall see...

If you have any other questions, let me know in the reviews below. And expect an update soon on 'Mass Effect: The Beast'.