Authors Notes: Finally! I have returned to writing. Being forced to take an unwanted hiatus from all of my works, and add to that; completely dry on any creative juices. But, I am back, and starting off just after the last chapter left off. Enjoy, and be sure to leave a review and let me know what you think!
Path of Destruction
Chapter 9
Bloom watched as the blonde haired girl floated in the kolto tank within the medical bay of the ship. She was alive, but if only barely. The young sith apprentice's eyes burned brightly with hatred as she remembered the events just a few hours prior. The red haired sith had left the sand people in a smoldering ruin by the time she was done. Save for Stella and herself, not a single being was left alive.
After what those animals had done to her best friend, her only regret was that their deaths were quicker then she would have liked. Closing her eyes for a moment, she turned and left the med bay, not wanting to see the condition her friend was in any longer.
"You succeeded in your mission." The Sith Lord stated from the holo terminal in the center of the room. Earning looks from the three specialists that where gathered around.
"I thought my mission was to get in and out without being noticed." Bloom replied, knowing full well that she utterly failed in that aspect. Not that she really cared. Those beasts deserved their deaths.
"No, that was your goal." Viticus reminded her, though he didn't sound particulary disappointed that his apprentice had failed to achieve that goal. In fact, he almost sounded pleased with the outcome. "Your mission was to retrieve your companion."
"Sounds like you were expecting this to happen." Riven put in, casting a glance between Bloom and the Sith Lord, though he found it hard to look at the former. Her eyes disturbed him greatly, bringing back memories when her dark persona took over under the control of Darkar.
"Or maybe he wanted it to happen." The blonde prince commented, keeping his eyes locked on the Sith before him.
"Or perhaps both." Jaesa taunted, earning a glare from Sky.
"You are correct." Darth Viticus broke the silence. "I did expect this outcome."
"Sand people are not known for their tolerance of other beings within their territory. The fact that your young friend is still a live is a sheer miracle." Quinn stated as he entered the room.
"How is she doing?" Riven asked, shifting his attention to the dark haired man who had just entered the room.
Quinn didn't answer right away, instead looking between the Sith Lord and his apprentice as if waiting for permission. Bloom nodded in response, giving consent.
"Her injuries are grievous, but she is in stable condition. I expect she will make a full recovery in time." He reported. "However, I do expect her to have some mental scaring when she awakens."
"Where to next, Master?" Bloom asked, looking to the large alien next to her. She wanted to get her mind off of what had happened to her best friend, and the best way to do that was to set off to another destination; any destination and kill anyone in her way. She didn't care. Jedi, Republic; it didn't matter to her.
"Korriban." came the reply.
"The Sith home world?" The young apprentice was a little taken aback by their destination.
"I believe you are ready to face the Sith Trials." Her master explained.
"What are the Sith Trials?" Bloom asked, a little confused. Up until now, neither her master nor Jaesa made any comment about these trials or what they would entail.
"Think of it as a test similar to the ones you took at Alfea." The Sith Lord replied, earning a look of shock from Sky that he knew such information. "Much like how you obtained your fairy forms."
"How do you know this?" Sky asked, clearly alarmed. He hadn't even told the Jedi he was with about where he had come from, only that there had been an accident of some sort and he and his friends were separated.
"I told him." Came Bloom's response while glaring at the blonde prince, clearly annoyed by his outburst; before turning her attention back to her master. "What do I gain after I complete the trials?"
"Confident are we?" the Sith Lord grinned behind his mask.
"A Sith never fails." she replied with a cocky grin of her own.
"Complete your trials, and you will be made a full Sith." The Sith Lord paused for a few seconds, before continuing, as he gauged his apprentice's reaction. "You will be granted a title, and more power within the Empire."
At the prospect of more authoritative power within the empire, the young girls eyes lit up.
"No!" Sky intervened. "Absolutely not! No more!"
"Shut it, Sky." Bloom warned. Her yellow and red eyes narrowing at the blonde prince, clearly irritated by his outburst. Because he dares to get between her and more power.
"No Bloom, I won't." He argued. "Maybe you can't see it, but he is turning you into a monster! Look what you did to that village, the Bloom I knew would never do that!"
"Sky!" Bloom seethed, as she balled up her fists in anger and hatred as the memories of the condition Stella was in came rushing back to the front of her mind. "Those beasts deserved what I did to them. They acted like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals; and I would do it again without a second thought."
"Just look at your eyes Bloom!" Sky exclaimed, pointing out the obvious change in his girlfriends appearance. What were once bright and blue, was replaced with a malice looking yellow and red full of hatred.
"My eyes are fine." The dragon flame fairy replied. Though she was caught off guard by his statement; she didn't want to appear weak before him or her master.
"That is the mark of a Sith." Darth Viticus stated. "That is why she is ready to face the trials."
"And you!" Sky stated while pointing to the Sith Lord. "You're the cause of all of this! I don't care about what deal you two made. It's over now. Next station, we're leaving!"
Feeling that he had left no room for debate, the young prince turned to leave the room, only to be spun around by the large Sith Lord and violently back handed, which prompted the poor prince to spin around once more from the sheer force alone. Then, with no chance to react or even regain his footing, Sky felt a cold piece of medal clamp to the back of his neck.
Looking up, he met Riven's horrified look before being brought down to his knees as jolts of electricity shot through his body from the device that was fixed to the back of his neck. Screams of pain erupted from the blondes throat as the currents ripped through his body, then it stopped.
"Enjoy your new gift." The Sith Lord stated. "I am sure your friend can explain how exactly it works."
"Aww, that was my new collar." Vette pouted, earning a confused look from Riven and Timmy, to which the twi'lek just shrugged. "I'm a masochist."
"I thought you weren't allowed to hurt us." Sky ventured, as he slowly stood back up. Wiping the small trickle of blood that formed at the corner of his mouth. "You've broken your end of the deal."
"That is where you are mistaken, my young prince." Viticus smirked. "The agreement was to keep you alive, not unspoiled. If I were so inclined, I could torture you every day, until I grew bored of your screams. So long as you still draw breath, our bargain would stay intact."
The color drained from the young princes face from the revelation. He had assumed the entire time that the agreement between his girlfriend and the Sith Lord implied that they couldn't be harmed. However, Bloom apathy towards what had just happened seemed to prove what the Sith Lord said to be true.
"Be warned, you step out of line or annoy me in any way." The Sith Lord began as he held up the collar remote in his left hand to enforce his point. "I will test out the warranty on your new accessory. Do I make myself clear?"
Sky, too afraid to speak only nodded his head in response.
"I would also suggest not to tamper with the collar. They have a tendency to blow up." Viticus grinned, letting the implications sink in.
"Set a course to Korriban." Bloom gestured towards Quinn, all the while keeping her eyes locked on Sky. As if challenging him to interfere again.
Quinn hesitated for a moment, looking to Darth Viticus for approval; whom nodded in response. Quickly, the Imperial Officer made his way to the cockpit to lock in the coordinates in the NavComp.
Korriban, 2 Hours Later
Bloom stared down at the red planet before her from the cockpit. Closing her eyes, she focused on the ancient Sith home world. Feeling the Dark Side of the Force radiating off of the surface in waves. The young Sith could feel the planet calling out to her. Beckoning her to land and delve into it's many secrets.
In a word, she was excited.
Opening her eyes, she peered back where her boyfriend stood. The metallic collar still clamped firmly to the back of his neck. Fear evident in his face. Fear, and concern. She didn't care though, the Force was telling her that this is what she was destined for. Not to be some fairy defender of the realms.
"Prepare yourself." Her master spoke from behind her. "These trials will test your strength, knowledge, and power. To fail, means to die."
"I will not fail." She replied confidently. "I see now that I was destined to be Sith."
"Your trial, is to venture into the tomb of Ajunta Pall, and with the artifacts there; create your own lightsaber." Darth Viticus instructed. "Be wary, for that tomb has been the end of many Sith. Acolytes and Lords."
"Then they were weak." Was all the young Sith Apprentice replied with, earning an approving nod form her master.
A few moments later found them on the planets surface, docking in a hangar in the back of the Sith Academy, specially reserved for high ranking Sith. Mostly for the Dark Council members, but as her master was ranked second only to the Emperor himself, the council members were forced to concede to the Dark Lords stature.
"You will remain here." Darth Viticus instructed Sky and the others. "Only Sith, Imperial's, and slaves are allowed to set foot on this planet's soil."
"And what if she fails?" Timmy asked the question that Sky didn't even want to think about.
"Do you doubt her ability?" Jaesa taunted.
"No, I just want to make sure all bases are covered." The specticaled specialist replied. Not necessarily intimidated by the sith woman.
"If she were to fail, then you would be set free to do as you wish." Jaesa smirked darkly. "Though, how you leave this planet is your problem. But I know she will succeed where many have failed. The Dark Side is strong with her."
The last part of the statement seemed to be focused mostly towards Sky, as if trying to antagonize him to do something to earn another shock from his slave collar. Wisely, the young prince did not rise to the bait, though it was evident that he still did not approve of his girlfriends actions.
"Pierce, Quinn." Viticus announced. "Keep an eye on these three. They are not to leave this hangar."
"Yes my Lord." The both responded.
With nothing else to say, the three Sith departed the hangar and made their way through the academy. As they made their way through the ground floor of the academy, Bloom couldn't help but notice the many sets of eyes locked onto her and the quiet murmuring between the other sith acolytes. No doubt jealous of the fact that she was learning from the Emperor's Wrath himself.
"Ajunta's Tomb is directly outside, in the center of the Valley of the Dark Lords." The Sith Lord stated as they arrived at the front of the academy itself. Giving Bloom her first look at the valley.
Massive statues of long dead Sith Lords lined each side of the valley, giving the young apprentice a sense that they were watching her.
"Is there a time limit to this trial?" Bloom asked, turning to her master.
"No." He answered. "Though after forty-eight hours we will assume that you have failed."
Bloom nodded, satisfied with her answer.
"Now go." Viticus commanded. "Forge your lightsaber, and claim your mantle."
Without needing to be told twice, Bloom marched forward to the gaping entrance of the tomb before her, as her master had instructed.
After nearly an hour of exploring the tomb in question, she was beginning to feel a little disappointed at the lack of action and danger that she was lead to believe was held within these ruins. The only thing she had come across had been a few off world looters and a nest of kor'slugs. All of which she dispatched effortlessly with her lightsaber.
However, despite the lack of any real danger, she pushed on. Letting herself be susceptible to the call of the Force, that seemed to be leading her deeper into to tomb until she reached a large empty room with what appeared to be a bench like structure in the center. As she approached it, she could see various crystals and other parts of what appeared to be pieces of a lightsaber.
Keeping on her guard, she approached the work bench. Content that no danger was immanent, Bloom set to work to design her own lightsaber. After a bit of deliberation, she opted for a curved handle with what appeared to be a claw at the base. Giving it a sinister like appearance.
Even though she had no prior knowledge of crafting such a weapon, the Force lead her flawlessly from step to step. Setting the crimson crystal perfectly in the center. Once she was finished with setting the crystal, she finished off her construction, satisfied that it was completed.
"Moment of truth." Bloom muttered to herself as she ignited the crimson blade.
A dark smile graced her lips as she gave her newly forged weapon a few practice swings. Noting how comfortable it felt in her hand and formed to her palm perfectly.
Suddenly, the Force screamed out at her, prompting her to turn and extend her hand towards the massive piece of rubble that had been launched her way. Using the Force, she pushed the large chunk to the side, giving her a good glimpse at her attacker.
A gigantic creature that she had never seen before. The she could feel whatever it was, it had a strong connection to the Dark Side. Narrowing her eyes, she extended her hands towards the lumbering beast and shot out a stream of lightening to incapacitate it quickly. However, it didn't seem to have any effect as the creature just shook it off and roar in anger.
"Okay, Force abilities have no affect on you." She concluded, backing up slowly to keep her distance from the beast. Reaching out to her right, she used the Force once more to hurl one of the chunks of rock at the beast.
To her delight, it connected solidly into it's side, eliciting a painful shriek from her attacker.
"Not immune to physical attacks, I see." She smirked, feeling the dark side of the force swell up inside her.
Letting out a furious battle shout she charged forward with her lightsaber activated, prompting the savage beast to do the same.
Additional Authors Notes: Uh oh, cliff hanger. Will Bloom survive her encounter with the dreaded Terentatek!?
Hope everyone enjoyed this much over due update, and yes. More are coming now that I got my creative juices flowing again. As well as updates to my other stories as well. So be on the look out Dynasty of Evil, Shepard of Fire, and a new story titled Dead Winters Reign.
