"- Candidature rejected."
Heavy rain was pouring outside the vast council hall and hammered on its transparent windows. But the cold outside was nothing in comparison with the freezing ambiance the several sat Master Jedi created. Master Windu was categorical above anyone else in the room. Master Yoda remained silent and had difficulties to face the harmed and physically exhausted female warrior who stood in front of him but stayed curious. Despite his counterparts' understandable rejections he couldn't stop feeling that something else could be done with this lost child before his eyes. Blood leaked from her body and stained the velvet red central carpet. Despite her equivocal wounds, she remained still and perfectly emotionless. Her long and curly red hair covered a part of her harmed face but left space for her fierce golden-colored eyes to stare at each of her opponents.
"- The Jedi Council will never approve the adhesion of a traitress and moreover a Sith.
- Agreed. It will cost us all if you ever sit on one of those chairs. Reiterated Master Qui-Gon Jinn. We cannot agree on that Darth Ira.
- You bunch of idiots …
- Excuse m-
- You have no idea of what is coming for you! Ira's expression radically changed. Her traits became tensed and deformed by anger. They are coming for you all and you won't make it without me. Master Windu stood up, unable to take such a discourse.
- Enough Ira, the Siths are long gone, defeated by the Jedi Order a long time ago.
- Is that so? Why am I standing here then?
- Because you are a filthy traitress.
- I don't need useless comments from a newbie master, Qui-Gon!"
Another rejection. How painful it was for her again.
All the Jedi Masters straighten up in the prevention of what could be happening. The room turned colder than ever and all could witness her difficulties of self-control. And yet they knew it, they knew her, her temper and her struggles. But facing the influence of the Dark Side has always been a hard job for all Jedi masters and apprentices. Softly both parties realized that trying to have a civilized dialogue was useless. The walls of the council started to rumble and the very ground shook. The circle of masters looked at each other, conscious of what they had just tickled. In this very temple of light, the dark side manifested. Master Windu tried to reach the old Master who was sitting by his side but Yoda remained impenetrable and silent. Calm though. He was aware of the force that stood before him. She was something else, something never in his long life he has ever faced. But he could feel her heart and her helpless despair. She was not just a mere dark lord, she was more than that, a hybrid result of two polarized universes. In spite of his curiosity, he knew that Windu made the wiser and most reasonable choice. Why then he felt the need to protect her …
The air turned unbreathable as a halo of smokes emanated from her and slowly surrounded them.
"– Ira, listen to me you will … The smoke appeared thicker as he tried to come into contact with her mind. The walls crackled under such pressure. Ira, tortured child, trust in me, you must have. Calm down and look at me, I am asking you to."
Yoda's calm voice resonated in her very bones. She needed that. She needed someone among them to be at ease to understand and feel her. He kept trying to calm her and eventually reached her. Carefully she closed her eyes to focus on his healing voice. A part of her mind took control back from her revolted and ever angry heart. Without any warning, the tension in the council room disappeared and the very air became breathable again. She was breathing loudly and her body was still shaking with the frustration of unsatisfied anger. She threw a last disgusted look at Windu but connected with Yoda's voice. In his head, she revealed him that she felt something before her escape. A child. An incredible child who could become the one to be able to bring balance to the Force. Such a hope will be brought to life very soon. Yoda nodded and asked her if she was sure of such affirmation. She switched her focus and her fierce golden eyes on the tiny old master. Without revealing the location of the targeted sandy planet, Ira confirmed him that she will find this child and raise him to become the Chosen One.
"- Of that sure, we cannot be
- He will be … my Chosen One."
[ - ]
The spectacle displayed before their eyes was stunning. Dozens of Stormtroopers rows erected neatly in front of her, immobile and perfectly straight. She took a moment to admire the scenery. It was like she never left, it seemed like it was just yesterday they standing before her just like the way they are doing right at this moment. It almost felt possible for her to sense his presence next to her before everything collapsed and she had lost him. Among the white and black crowd, a different soldier demarcated himself from the rest. A taller one, more charismatic one came to her position and tried to bow. But the obvious height difference between the Sith female Lord and the silvered Stormtrooper rendered the gesture extremely uncomfortable for the Captain.
"- The whole troop is pleased to welcome you back, My Lady." Ira smiled at the hearing of a female voice and figured out the pain this last one was enduring. She put her hand on the tall and uncomfortable soldier's shoulder.
- Stand up. No proud leader should be facing such embarrassment. Captain Phasma, silently grateful straightened in a sign of her respect. What is it they call you?
- Captain Phasma, My Lady."
As she was focused on the voice of the Captain an abrupt revelation crossed Ira's consciousness. She could read her. She could sense relief and nervousness agitating her heart. How possible … they are clones ... She then turned her head and scanned the rest of the Stormtroopers in front of her. She could read them all. Humans. They changed my clones to human beings. She violently turned back to face General Hux and looked him in the eyes.
"- Disappointing." She murmured loudly enough for him to hear it.
Proud military man, Hux didn't blink or moved. How could he lose face in front of his regiment?
Kylo Ren stayed withdrawn until he realized that he had already summoned his Master to announce his arrival and wouldn't risk making him wait. He ordered Phasma to escort them to the Supreme Leader.
As they were walking through the numerous maze-like corridors of the spaceship Ira noticed some similarities in the architecture of this new generation of spaceships with the Empire ship she used to live on a long time ago. This thought sunk her back into painful memories. It reminded her that everything has changed and despite her come back he was gone forever. Kylo Ren who was walking behind her noticed that she clenched her fists strongly almost as if she was trying to pierce her skin with her fingers, yet her hands were covered by black thin gloves. They walked this way for a few minutes more, following the rhythm of the Stormtroopers' military cadence, and eventually reached the elevator that would lead them to Snoke's den. Ira, still in her deep thoughts, gets back to herself when the soft pressure Kylo Ren exerted on her back to force her to move forward startled her. She didn't care about his physical contact and rushed into the elevator. It took only a few seconds for them to reach the top of the vessel. Captain Phasma was the first one to leave the elevator but waited patiently for General Hux to leave first. After a moment Kylo Ren lead them to the majestic gates. They opened softly to reveal all the greatness of the surroundings. Ira was amazed by the beauty of the shining ground covered by black onyx and the terrifying shades of ruby red on the walls. She progressed silently towards the narrow radiant bridge while she could hear Hux's voice at the center of the mysterious place. Ira observed discreetly the red-hooded guards who were surrounded them. Passed over the bridge she stepped forward to admire from afar the magnificent throne that stood majestically before her but was still unable to discern its owner. She wondered which unfitted vermin used to sit on it during her absence Kylo Ren stopped her until Hux was done talking to his master. He bowed quickly and turned back. As he was proceeding towards them she noticed the sneering smile Hux threw at Kylo Ren, however she remained unable to see Kylo Ren's response because of his mask. Few more steps and she started to put a face on the skinny and tall figure. Kylo Ren stopped again and bowed revealing his master's identity. Finally, she could see the Supreme Leader and discovered herself unsurprised of the result. Everyone around her bent the knee but she stayed still. As if Snoke didn't notice her standing behind Kylo Ren, he addressed to his apprentice.
"- You wonder why I keep a rabid cur in such a place of power? A cur's weakness, properly manipulated, can be a sharp tool. How's your wound?
- It's nothing. Despite his firm response, Ira sensed something lying underneath, a lie. Master, I brought you someone that wished to meet you.
- Hmm … And who desires to see me but don't make the effort to show respect to me? As he stood up Ira stepped forward and lowered her hood. In one movement she let her thick cloak slid on the floor revealing her full figure. Her pale skin tone was intensified by the blazing of her red long hair pulled back behind her ears. She wasn't thin nor tall but had the body sculpture of fierce warriors of earlier ages.
- Oh … Snoke bent his back forward to welcome his guest and sat back with pride on his throne. As if he wanted to make sure it was his and only his. Welcome back, Darth Ira … I didn't know you survived, though we have looked for you for years after his fall.
- Did you? An ironical smile trimmed her face, who was the last Lord who died only after being locked up in a cell? Snoke tried to find words but he knew he was wrong. Who do you think I am?
- We should have searched more.
- You should have indeed."
Both looked at each other for a moment spreading oppressing tension around the place. None blinked nor moved. Snoke broke their exchange to order everyone to leave, except Kylo Ren and Ira.
"- May I ask you, Lord, to Lord the purpose of your visit?
- I heard of the big failure your apprentice faced with the little rebellion scumbags. She looked at Kylo Ren.
- Ah … The mighty Kylo Ren, when I found him I saw what all masters live to see.
- Raw and untamed power, Ira murmured to herself.
- And beyond that, you must know that, the potential of his bloodline. A new Vader! Frissons roamed all over Ira's body.
- He is far from being ready.
- Maybe I have been mistaken."
Kylo Ren stood up angrily.
"- I've given everything I have to you. To the dark side."
You-don't-understand-the-dark-side. Ira thought deep inside her head. You don't know the dark side, you stupid little child.
"- Take that ridiculous thing off."
Ira turned her head and fixed Kylo Ren's slow movements. He revealed his mutilated face to Snoke who stood up to come closer to examine the shameful wound.
"- Yes, there it is. You have too much of your father's heart in you, young Solo.
- I killed Han Solo. Responded sharply the apprentice.
- And you really think that what matters, you fool."
Kylo Ren disfigured with his eyes the insolent women who just dragged him down in front of his master. Snoke smiled. He was pleased to face the one who will probably help him vanquish the Rebellion and take control back over the Galaxy. Now he started to consider the option that was obviously presented to him.
"- You are just a child in a mask!
- He needs to learn control, Lord Snoke.
- Yes … He saw the temptation of such proposition. And will you teach him?
- I taught fiercer than him. Hand him over me, I'll train him well."
Snoke fixed a moment his apprentice. He knew she was right. He was not able to tame the struggle within his apprentice's heart. He only knew how to seduce him into the dark side. But she could. She did before with one of the greatest Dark Lord the Force had ever encountered. Kylo Ren didn't have any word to say on the subject. Snoke agreed and disappeared in a beam of light leaving his apprentice disconcerted and furious. Ira sensed it. His perpetual anger. She could identify with it because her heart was never at ease either.
In the elevator that will bring them back to the spaceship main compartment, she waited patiently for him to express his furor. It was only a matter of time, she faced such temper in the past and knew that he wouldn't stand the frustration much longer. She stayed set back fixing the mask Kylo Ren was holding in his covered hand. He glanced at it a second and carried away by his anger he crushed it on the wall many times. Ira waited for him to be tired and feel the hurt in his arm to block the doors from opening. She pushed him slightly to the side to face him. His emotionless eyes didn't refrain her at all. She knew his pain way to well to be lured. It was just a self-defense.
"- Your anger and pain is the main source of your power Ben. At the evocation of his name, he lifted his eyes up to the height of hers. But so many promising sith perished because of a lack of control. Untamed anger will only lead you to one path, and it's not the way of the dark side but only death.
- Self-control is a Jedi thing, not the dark side's rules.
- Then maybe these hypocritical bunch of Jedi isn't that stupid after all."
Kylo Ren stared at her, trying to understand. What kind of Sith Lord would follow or give credits to the Jedi's practices? He felt something strange about her. He knew she was a legend, she stood by his grandfather's side all his life until his death but how on earth she could come up with such ridiculous theories. The world as he knew it has always been divided into two polarities. The light and the Dark Side, you have to choose one of them.
The doors of the elevator opened and Ira left first. Kylo Ren followed her with his eyes until she stopped and turned her head back to him.
"- Get yourself back together today. Tomorrow your training begins."
And we have a lot to catch up …
[-]
Author's notes
Thanks a lot for reading! I am very sorry, English is not my mother tongue but I try my best to render it as clear and understandable as possible
I am so eager to hear your comments and impressions on this first chapter of the story :) what do you think of the turn and what were your expectations on the new character?
I'll try to upload the next chapter very soon :)
