CHAPTER-10

Four months passed, Aarya was five years and a month old. She learned the basics of the force. Her strength grew every day. She grew only in the dark side. Sidious was more flustered by this. Maul became prouder every day. She used the force to grab things. In one more year she would learn to wield a lightsaber. She learned about the methods to build a lightsaber. Though she wouldn't get it right, she knew how it was done. She learnt about few rules of the Sith code. Maul and she were to go to Zygerria. There was a particular artifact collector who was to meet Maul at the word of his master. Aarya was in her new black robes as she grew too tall for the old ones according to Disturb. She boarded the ship with Maul. This time she was more confident. All the pain and struggle she went through was successful as she could hold her ground for a while. Soon they were in hyperspace. Aarya was again mystified by the blue and white stripes. After an hour or so they reached Zygerria. Maul landed near a bar. It was a twenty minutes walk to the bar. Maul turned to face Aarya before entering the bar. He spoke, "Remember what I told you. Do not talk with strangers. If they ask you your name, tell it is Aarya. If they ask any other questions just run inside." Aarya nodded promptly before standing outside as Maul entered inside.

She stood there observing the surroundings; it was beautiful. It was greener than Naboo. She observed the people who walked past. She stood there for fifteen minutes before a man ran towards her and lifted her. He then pointed a blaster at her forehead. "Don't move towards me." He screamed to two Jedi; a Kiffar and a Twi'ilek. The Kiffar stopped dead in his tracks.

"Let go of the child." The Twi'ilek hissed.

"Leave me alone. Step back or I'll blast this one's head off."

"Do it." The Kiffar said.

"What?"

"I said do it." The Kiffar repeated with more boldness.

"I will do it."

"Exactly do it." The Twi'ilek said. The two Jedi stood up straight and crossed their arms. They stared at the man for a long time. The man set the blaster to live rounds. He was about to fire it when Aarya hit him in the stomach with her elbow. She reacted quicker than him. He let her go and she moved away from him. The Jedi rushed towards him and put his hands in binders. Soon the police were there.

"There is our thief, officer. I'm sure we can treat him very well." The Kiffar said before turning to Aarya. "That's a brave thing you did there. What is your name?" he asked her.

"Aarya. And you are?" Aarya asked with more confidence.

"Quinlan Vos. You sure must have a strong elbow because that man was knocked out cold." He joked. Aarya laughed at this.

"So Aarya, are you alone?" the Twi'ilek asked. Aarya shook her head. "So where are your parents?" Aarya pointed to the bar.

"Beautiful." Vos commented. The Twi'ilek then bent forward and touched Aarya on her arm. She then closed her eyes and let out a tiny scream.

"Aayla, what happened?" Vos asked.

"AARYA." A voice called from the back. Aarya turned towards a hooded figure and ran towards it. The two then walked away. Quinlan turned to Aayla and asked, "What happened?"

"When I touched the child, I felt darkness and pain along with loneliness." She replied looking at him.

"It must be something else. Let us go now." He replied. Soon the Jedi and the Sith were on their different ways.

Five more months passed away. Aarya and Maul were on another trip to another system. This time his master ordered Maul to bring her to Coruscant. Maul and Aarya readied themselves to go to Coruscant. Aarya was as excited as she was when they first went out of the palace. They would go to the capital of the Republic. The two boarded the ship. Soon they were in hyperspace. After three hours or so, they reached Coruscant. They landed in one platform near the senate building. Maul shielded his and Aarya's presence from the Jedi. Sidious welcomed them. He took Maul inside his chamber and made Aarya to stand outside. Aarya waited there and observed the senate surrounding. The red and gold along with bronze walls were beautiful. She stood there observing the surroundings. She was so focused in observing the surroundings that she didn't notice the Grandmaster of the Jedi walking behind her. Grandmaster Yoda came and stood behind her and spoke, "Lost are you?" Aarya was caught off guard and tripped on her robes. The Grandmaster helped her stand up. She stood up and stared at the Grandmaster. She shook her head. He then spoke, "Here why you are?" Aarya didn't answer. "Be afraid not you must." He spoke again. He then touched her on her shoulder and helped her calm down. Aarya closed her eyes as the waves of the light side comforted her. Suddenly the Grandmaster moved in discomfort. The force waves he sent had weakened the shield Maul had put on her. Her strong connection to the dark side was revealed slowly. The Grandmaster looked at her as his hand was still on her shoulder. "Your name what is?" he asked. She opened her mouth to answer.

"Ah, Aarya here you are." Palpatine spoke in a mock concern. "We were worried." Aarya ran towards him and Maul. Grandmaster Yoda then stared after her. "She is the daughter of my last relative. She was being taken care of by their trusted friend. They died in a tragedy."

"Hmm, sad that is." The Grandmaster spoke.

"Oh indeed it is. You do not know how hurt I was when I saw their dead bodies. This young bud was but only an infant. Ah, what tragedy!" Palpatine spoke. The Grandmaster nodded. "Might I know on what business does the Grandmaster of the Jedi visit this temple of corruption?"

"Meet a senator I do."

"Oh well that is beautiful. Very well Grandmaster, I must send her off to Naboo." The senator, Maul and Aarya walked away. Aarya turned towards the Grandmaster for one time before going away. The Grandmaster was surprised; the child showed a strong connection to the dark side but by the time he could identify it properly it was shielded. He had to meditate on this. On one hand was this and on the other hand was the prophecy. He still hadn't understood the meaning of the prophecy. He also the felt a strong presence of the light side in a distant sector, which one he couldn't decide.

Four more months passed away. Aarya was training with Maul. She was learning how to wield a lightsaber. She was learning how to hold one at the beginning. Later she learnt how to block the basic shots. She was a quick learner. Sidious hastened the process of the dark shadow in order to stop the Grandmaster of the Jedi to discover Aarya. Aarya was also trained to accept the name Darth Vader. She initially rejected it but later accepted it with great hesitancy. Maul was sent on missions frequently while Sidious trained Aarya. This time she tolerated some pains from the lightning strikes. She improved every day.

One more month passed away, Aarya was five years eleven months old. This time Maul and she would be going to Stewjon. There they were to receive another artifact. Soon they boarded the ship and were in hyperspace. Aarya started admiring the blue and white streaks. After an hour and so, they reached the rocky planet. Maul landed on one platform. He walked out followed by Aarya. This time she was wearing a black tunic and pants. She followed Maul into a cave which had metal doors. He turned towards Aarya and nodded before walking in. Aarya understood what he meant; she was to stay here and not talk to strangers. She stood there waiting for Maul to come. She observed her surroundings. It was rocky and life sprouted here and there. She was busy observing the rocks. She wondered how life actually blossomed on the planet. She was waiting for half an hour. She was so busy that she didn't observe that Maul was there behind her. She was tapped on her shoulder by Maul she turned behind sharply and smiled. Maul smiled at her as he placed a hand on the bag he was carrying. It had a heavy artifact. The artifact was actually heavy. Soon they boarded the ship. Soon they left for Naboo.

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