The Force works in mysterious ways. It is hardly clear in its intentions, but the hints are always there. At best, they could be clear, such as strong emotion or unease, but for the most part, it's as simple as a little nudge in the back of one's subconscious. For eons, the civilizations of the galaxy have picked at and studied this odd but ever present power. Some dedicate their entire lives to unraveling its mysteries. Others sought only to use it as their tool, to skyrocket them to great wealth and power. Yet despite the intentions of the sentient mind, there was one thing for certain that Revan had come to understand in his strenuous 44 years of life; the Force itself, untouched and undisturbed, was a shade of gray. His old masters had always preached to him that it was light, but his last, a wizened old woman named Kreia, had taught him otherwise. It also made him careless. His insatiable desire for knowledge had eventually led to his downfall. He delved deeply into the teachings of the Sith and the Dark Side as the Mandalorian Wars neared its close. By the war's end, he had all but pledged himself to the enemy he had once swore to fight and destroy. The True Sith Empire had sealed his fate.

As he and his apprentice Malak scoured the galaxy for the emperor's super-weapon, they had come across several planets that seethed with Dark Side energy. While most had been written off as too volatile to be of use, there was one in particular that they found could serve most useful.

"And here I am coming back," he muttered as he gazed at the seemingly serene blue and green world.

The aging jedi knight sat back in the Ebon Hawk's cockpit, his index finger set against his chin, his thoughts sifting through past memories that had been, at one point, shattered.

-Master = Concerned?-

He looked to his right at the silver utility droid that had followed him through thick and thin. He couldn't help but smile.

"I'll be fine T-3. This planet is bringing back some old memories."

The droid made a long, low tone to show his worry for his master. He had stored in his memory banks many accounts from their adventures for the Star Forge, and knew that the jedi's resurfacing memories often meant danger. Revan couldn't agree with him more as he gazed at the deceptively calm planet. While he and Malak had been able to set up a small base on its surface, the impatience of the Emperor forced them to leave before they could actually make use of it. The native, and massive beasts that roamed these lands could easily lay waste to any Republic army. At best, the Emperor had considered it, but quickly wrote it off as too dangerous even for them. He would not risk the lives of his own men for some creatures that may or may not be controlled. The two newly christened Sith had no choice but to agree, but they hadn't left before properly equipping the base to be an academy for acolytes. For the next couple years, it had been locked up and tightly secured within the caves of a valley near a local city, until the emergence of new jedi prodigy starting tipping the war in the Republic's favor. As a result, Revan left their armadas with a small engineering team and a single frigate to improve upon the base. Malak adamantly voiced that it was a waste of time, but Revan, ever planning ahead, said otherwise. They had been able to flesh out a more workable outpost until the needs of the war forced them to leave once more.

The planet itself had been a side thought. He could sense on approach in hyperspace that the Empire had never assimilated the planet, much to his surprise. What he could sense, however, was that the darkness he had experienced with Malak had grown much more powerful, and that worried him greatly. The Emperor had cared for his people, if only to keep their trust for ease of rule. His decision made, Revan steadily piloted into the planet's atmosphere. With his memories all but fully restored, he could remember vividly where the base was hidden. He flipped a switch and light bent around the ship's hull, effectively masking it from sight. He didn't want to alarm the locals. Revan watched the forests rush below him. He wondered how such a beautiful planet housed such terrible power. Then again, maybe he didn't want to know.

He sighed as he reached his destination. The valley was massive, housing a mighty lake and a waterfall that came crashing down between two massive statues. He learned from the locals, whose language he had been able to learn rather quickly, that this place was known as the Valley of the End. While majestic to look at, Revan could sense the Force running strongly throughout the unnatural crevice. A great battle had once taken place here, and its residual energies had long since remained. It was the perfect spot for their little academy.

Revan touched the Ebon Hawk down in a clearing in the forest, a short walk away from the valley proper. As he rose from his seat, he grabbed his brown cloak and pocketed a small datapad he'd been fiddling with. He knew that the Empire was still far from ready to emerge, so he figured he had some time to spend on this young, powerful planet. He felt the Force rushing through him, far stronger than most places in the galaxy, but it wasn't dark. No, the dark energy was housed in those massive power houses, those beasts the locals knew as demons. The Force was simply strong in this planet. Only the beasts and the unrest between rival nations had taint, and it was this taint that flared out into the stars.

"T3, I'd like you to stay here with the Hawk for the time being. I have to check if the base is still operational. If it is, you will have droids arriving to collect our cargo," he said as he passed.

-T3-M4 = Ready and standing by-

With a hiss, the access ramp released and touched the ground. Almost as soon as he stepped out into the forest, the jedi channeled the energy into his legs and rocketed off at an incredible pace. He loved the feel of it. He had always been strong in the Force, but here he felt so much stronger. It filled him to his very being and never faded. It was exhilarating. Had he less important responsibilities, he would have gladly settled down. He then remembered his wife whom he left back on Coruscant.

"Bastila would love this place too," he thought as he shot through the trees, quickly coming up on the valley itself.

"Then again, she would probably want to set up an academy proper if she came here. So much potential on this world..." A smile came to his face as he remembered his love. Of course, the demons would prove to be a problem. It was a thought, but a fleeting one at best. He halted at the cliff edge, looking down into the massive lake below. It gave him a sense of peace. Yes, this place will be perfect.

"Malak my old friend, we chose well," he said aloud.

He walked along the edge for awhile, ever searching for that one outcropping that hid his quarry. The cliffs themselves weren't deathly high, but it sufficed enough to discourage the possible passerby. As he neared the waterfall and the twin statues, he finally found it. Smirking, he jumped down to the ledge below, just wide enough for three men to stand side by side. He grew even more confident when he faced the wall to see a smooth rock face. A few beeps on the data-pad he had brought along had the hologram fading away, revealing a large metal sliding door. He started remembering back to when they had returned to improve the base.

They had stayed for a few months, Revan and his engineering team, carving out the innards of their cave. He stepped up to the control panel. The screen lit up at his touch as he punched in an old, once forgotten code, causing it to give a high pitched tone and green glow. A hiss followed as the door slid open, revealing the base itself. The fledgling school was reminiscent more of the Jedi Temple than the Sith Academies he and Malak had visited. Despite their dislike, and later hate for the Order, they had to agree it was far more welcoming than the brooding black Sith were ever so fond of. He strode through the halls, making note of a workable command center, a small mess hall, dormitories to accommodate up to ten students, a library, training rooms, the master's quarters, as well as a security hub and maintenance bay. It was here he found the small group of droids he had left to maintain the outpost in his absence. Physically, they were exact replicas of HK-47. Inside, they were programmed for construction, mechanics, electronics, and long-term maintenance, not assassination and general bloodlust. The plain, white eyes lit up as he stepped forward, the droids coming out of a long hibernation.

"Statement: HK-48s active and ready to serve, master." said on droid.

Revan had been surprised at being recognized so easily, but didn't show it.

"I am here to make this installation operational. You will find my ship at these coordinates." He transmitted the data from a small wrist computer. "My utility droid will accompany you back with the necessary cargo."

"Affirmation: it shall be done, master."

Revan watched the troop file out, mapping out his plans for the coming, but still distant, battles he would be waging against the Empire. He chuckled to himself, he must have lost it. He of course had contingency plans in the event of failure, but plans usually fell through, especially if you had a personal mission against a faction strong enough to force the Republic to its knees. This Sith Empire had been waiting almost a thousand years for their revenge. Despite how little he could do up front, he hoped some cloak-and-dagger and sabotage would give the Republic time to rebuild. But to do that, he'd need a team, one made of companions who had no ties with the Republic, with the Order. No, they would have to be unknowns so that the Sith wouldn't lash out prematurely. And he knew exactly where to start.

"I wonder if you will remember me too, Sarutobi-san."

XXXXX

A/N: Hey guys! I remember starting a fic like this YEARS ago, but never really completed it. Eventually, the old computer became corrupt and I lost the story. It was a good 15 chapters too... but oh well. The idea came back to me today and now I'm giving it another shot. I hope you will too :) Anyway, first chapter is complete. I will get into more details as the story goes on, revealing them to you guys as I reveal them to the cast. Reviews are always welcome, I love feedback. Stay tuned for more!