Disclaimer: Nope sorry, Star Wars isn't ours, these characters aren't ours.
A/N Tinuviel Undomiel:I know that you are probably going to kill me now Darky, because I'm starting a new story, but I just couldn't help myself. When I dreamed up this idea, I had to get it down. This fic is considerably darker than nay of my other fics. When I was proof-reading it, I was chilled by how diffrent it is than form Five for the Alliance or Unofficial Notes of the Rebellion. Anyways, please enjoy.
A/N Nerwen Aldarion: When my sister told me about this idea, I flipped. It was really spooky, and very cool. I did most of the fight scenes, except for the last one. Now sit back, and be prepared to be afraid.
Assassin
Chapter 1: The Apprentice
Alderaan was a green gem glittering in the inky blackness of the galaxy. Not sprinkled with moons or asteroids, just a lovely jewel that seemed perfect from above. That was how little Jan Ors viewed her planet, perfect. Having lived all of her five years in her home, she had never seen another world, although she dreamed of the frosty planets with forever blizzards, and the humid, red volcanic worlds that spewed fire towards the heavens. All of these her father and mother had seen.
Jan fingered the little pendant that hung around her neck; her daddy had given it to her for her life-day. He said it was their crest from Alderaan and that no matter what; she would always be a part of their family.
Her daddy had promised to take her into space, when she was older. For now she was content with life on her world. Jan was always full of mischief, poking her short fingers into deep holes of mystery, racing through dark alleys. Nothing feared her.
Jan hummed along as she skipped beside her mother through the dark streets. Night had fallen, and with no moon, the darkness was increased than on most worlds. Jan didn't mind in the least, she loved the dark, and her mommy and daddy would protect her from anything.
But the darkness was also and excellent place for hiding, so the family failed to see the strange man in black armor standing quietly in the shadows.
While Jan skipped and hummed to the tune she had made up on the spot, she saw a shiny credit lying in the dirt.
"Jan, dear, come on!" Her mother called over her shoulder as the girl was picking up the coin.
Jan's father smiled at his child, but his grin faded when he heard a strange sound. The sound seemed to inhale and exhale in deep breaths, and was clearly done by machinery. Only one person in the galaxy made such a fearful sound.
With a hiss, a red beam shot through the shadows, and cast a crimson glow on the man in the black armor.
"No," Jan's father whispered as he stared at the masked man in horror.
With a hum, the man whirled the blade, striking him through the waist. His torso slid from his legs as his two haves sank to the ground.
Jan heard her mommy scream, then she tried to run to her daughter, but something seemed to have frozen her to the earth.
"Run, Jan!" Her mother yelled, "Get away from here!"
"Mommy?" Jan asked confused. She saw the black armored man and quickly ducked behind a building, peeping out one eye.
The masked man strode toward the woman, his lightsaber off.
"Please," she pleaded, "Don't do this! Have some mercy."
"I despise mercy," He hissed, before he ignited the red saber again.
"NO!" She cried and was cut off as her head lopped to the ground.
Jan looked at the slumped forms of her parents, staring at them in shock and confusion, "Mommy? Daddy?" She whispered.
She looked up and glared at the evil man, whoever he was. The rage built up with in her, and with a childish war cry, she ran over to the man and began to beat at his armored leg with her chubby fists. It hurt, but she was so mad she didn't care.
Darth Vader merely stared at the child foolishly trying to harm him by punching his leg. He picked her up by the scruff of her collar and held her in front of his mask. The girl continued to beat at his arm, looking at him like she wanted him dead.
Without a word he dropped her, and she landed hard on the ground, bruising her bottom.
Before she could make another stand at his leg, he levitated her off the ground using the Force. The little girl was now shocked, and seemed afraid now.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Vader clucked his tongue three times shaking his finger at her in a scolding manner.
The child seemed to hate him more than ever now.
Vader simply smiled, "You are stubborn, child, but you are strong. You have a spirit that will serve me perfectly." He smacked her on the side of the head, hard enough to knock her out. He cradled the girl in his arms, and brought her to his waiting shuttle.
Jan woke up with a dreadful headache, feeling fuzzy inside. She tried to remember everything that had happened, but it was unclear. She could remember seeing a man in black, and her mother's scream as she sank to the ground, but what had happened.
She peered about the room searching for some clue as to where she was. It was small, but hardly cramped. She was sitting in a nice comfortable bed that was much too big for her. The walls were white, but the furniture was black, and shiny. Everything was polished and in the same black and white hues. Jan wanted to be back home in her little bed, with lots of lovely colors, and holographs of ships and different maps of the galaxy.
The door open with a light hum, and she stared through wide blue eyes as the same man in black walked into the room.
A servant dressed in a somber grey walked behind him, carrying a steaming tray of food. Jan's stomach growled at the scents wafting through the air from the food. Her mouth watered as she remembered how hungry she was. The servant set the tray on a table in the corner before leaving.
"Do not fear me child," the man in black said, "I will not harm you."
"Who are you?" Jan asked both curious and afraid.
"I am Darth Vader, second in command of the Empire."
"I've heard of you," Jan said, "but Mommy and Daddy didn't say much."
"No, I'm sure they didn't," Vader sighed sadly, "A terrible shame about their loss."
Jan thought she could remember this man killing her parents, or was she wrong. It was so dreadfully hard to remember.
"Are they dead?" She asked, although the sinking in her little heart spoke the answer for her.
Darth Vader simply nodded his head. The girl sniffled, and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. Her parents were gone, dead somehow.
"Did you…?" Jan started to ask.
"No, dear child," Vader said, "It was agents of the Republic. The spiteful men murdered your parents and would have left you to starve on the streets. Images of two bearded men wearing Republic symbols on their helmets entered her mind. She could see them shoot her parents down, and leave her alone to die. "I found you and brought you here, on my Star Destroyer."
Jan's eyes flickered wide with excitement, "You mean we're in space!"
He chuckled, "Yes we are. Do you like flying, Jan that is your name correct?"
She nodded, "I've never left Alderaan, but I've wanted to fly my whole life!"
"When I was your age, I felt the same," Vader said, a tinge of sadness tainted his voice. He seemed to be lost in a memory for a moment leaving Jan to wonder about what he thought of.
"Where are we going?" Jan asked.
"I'm taking you to a world were you shall be safe from those men who killed your parents."
"If I ever find them, I'll tear them to pieces for what they did to my Mommy and Daddy," Jan vowed with clenched fists.
This was what Vader had been waiting for, "Do you truly want that?"
"Yes," Jan replied with as much bitterness a child could have. Before his very eyes the young girl was losing the innocence every child carries, and being replaced by hatred and coldness.
"I will teach you, Jan," Vader replied, "When you are older you shall avenge your parents' deaths."
"You promise?" Jan asked.
"I promise," Vader replied feeling odd for saying such a childish vow.
"Good," She said. He hard eyes softened when they fell on the tray of food.
Behind his mask, Vader smiled, "I'm sure you are hungry eat and soon we shall reach Diothir, where you shall be trained…my apprentice."
The low ringing of trumpets echoed throughout the large cemetery. The somber music was coming to an end, and the Holy Man of the Royal Family of Alderaan was finishing the last of his speech.
"May the Force take these two brave soldiers of the Republic, and bring them to rest."
Viceroy Bail Organa mumbled the last of the prayer. He pulled the collar of his black robe higher; his dark eyes stared bleakly at the coffins that had held his friends.
When the service for their souls ended, a pretty young woman dressed in elegant black silk approached him. Her auburn hair was cut short, but a small circlet of gold rested on her brow.
"I feel so terrible about this loss," Senator Mon Mothma said sadly.
"The medics said that they were killed by blows similar to a lightsaber," Bail said looking at the small girl clutching the hand of a slender young woman. Leia grieved with her mother, her real mother, for the victims, although she knew nothing of them, or how they died.
"It was Vader," Bail stated. He stared back at his adopted child, knowing what her true father had done.
Mon Mothma nodded, and locked her gaze on the child, but she knew nothing of the grisly secret Bail held, "Gaen and Llyl had a child, right? A daughter? Where is she? Where is the child?"
Bail shook his head sadly, "No one knows. We combed the city looking for her, but she wasn't found. It's believed that they might have taken her with them."
Mon Mothma sighed sadly, "The poor girl will probably suffer on Kessel or some other terrifying world."
"Yes," Bails said with a heavy heart, "We shall never see that child again."
13 Years Later
Lights illuminated the large training room. Several targets rested in their places waiting for use.
A young woman walked into the center of the room, her head held high. The black suit clung to her body, showing off every curve. Around her neck was a circular pendent that nearly reached the low neckline of her tunic. A belt circled her waist with two jeweled daggers lay on each hip, and behind them each, a pistol. Her last weapon was a vibrosword in its sheath on her left. A small portion of the suit was cut at the navel, displaying golden skin. A single, thick braid hung down her back, nearly reaching her waist. The light showed golden highlights in her dark brown hair. She smiled, and her deep blue eyes reflected a sense of confidence.
With a twirl, she whipped both of her pistols from their holsters and fired at the five targets. Each one hit dead center, but this fight wasn't over. A Holographic image of a man ran through the room, without a word, another shot was fired from her pistol, hitting the image square between the eyes. With a creak a door shuddered open.
Three droids came at her with blasters. She ducked the first few shots, and jumped away from the other with an agile grace. She fired a shot at one droid, piercing its neck joint. With a clang it crashed to the ground.
She kicked a second one in the abdomen, it toppled to the ground.
The last droid fired several rapid shots at her. She rolled aside, and fired two shots, shooting away both arms at the joint. The droid danced around, having no weapons, acting bewildered.
With a smiled, she slammed her foot into the droids face, and its head rolled to the floor.
This game wasn't over yet, two droids came through a second door, and this time they wielded knives. She whirled the pistols into their holsters, and took out her daggers, gleaming in the light.
With a grunt, she thrust her daggers at them, blocking their thrusts. One came close to her arm, and touched the sleeve by a hair's width. She cursed herself, and kicked the droid's legs out form under him. She knocked his head off with her foot, and parried the blow from the other droid with her dagger.
She let out a small yell, and kicked the droid high in the neck. Its head fell, back, but still remained attached slightly. With a satisfied smile she drove the blade of her dagger into the exposed throat, and severed the wires. The droid shuddered as its circuits drained out, leaving it nothing but an empty shell.
The woman panted, and sheathed her knives, "Too easy," she replied, "What do you have up your sleeve now?"
The third door opened slowly, revealing a dark shape waiting inside. Darth Vader calmly watched the girl, and lifted his vibrosword.
She smiled and unsheathed her own vibrosword, letting it glint in the light, as she tried to intimidate him.
They circled each other; the only sound that could be heard was the raspy breath of the Dark Lord. Then all at once, they attacked. The first blows they blocked each other quick and easy, each learning the others style and sizing up their weaknesses.
He swung his sword high, and she prepared the block, but it was only a feint and instead came at her low, cutting a shallow cut across her abdomen. She backed away to check the wound then grinned, "It will take more than that to stop me."
"Indeed, I hope so child." And they went at each other again.
After they parried at each other more, dodging and blocking, Vader tried the same move again, this time she was ready for him. She blocked the blade easily and then spun swinging the blade and hitting him on the shoulder. She smiled even wider when the blade drew blood.
"Very good child lets see if you can do better."
The battle raged on, neither finding dominance. They continued to drive harder and harder blows; it seemed neither of them would tire.
She was able to swing her sword around and hit him on his arm near his wrist, but because of the odd angle of her blade. He brought his own sword around and slammed it into hers. Her blade went flying and her eyes followed it. She turned to look at the Dark Lord, who still held his sword and was ready to bring the blow that would claim victory.
He swung his vibroblade towards her aiming low; she was able to jump backwards and began to flip towards her sword. Vader followed her with his sword ready, his arm in route to swing once more.
But she had grabbed her blade; with one hand on the ground for support she held the blade at his throat, while he finished his swing only centimeters from her neck.
They held that position, staring at each other, both breathing heavily. Then, all at once, they retracted their swords and she stood up.
"It appears we are at a draw, Master," She said with a smile.
"Yes," Vader agreed, "You did excellently, Jan, indeed you are ready for the games this evening."
Jan smiled with glee. For months she had been training for the Tournament that was to happen this day. Today was the celebration of the founding of the Empire, and in Emperor Palpatine's honor, the games would be held.
"I will do my best, my lord," Jan said, "I will not fail you."
"I have confidence in your victory;" Vader said, "A true Sith uses his power, and always succeeds. I see that I have trained you well."
"Thank you, Master, you guidance and teaching are what have brought me here."
"In honor of this event," Vader said, "I have something for you."
He pulled out from his black cloak, a vibrosword snug in its sheath. The scabbard was made of black metal, with silver wiring twisting around it. The hilt was made of silver, with a black grip. Along the wings at the base of the blade ran a carving of fire that seemed to really burn. A large red jewel glittered at the end of the hilt.
With a small gasp, Jan put one hand on the hilt, and slowly pulled it out. The blade was unique, with only one small stripe of metal in the middle. Both edges, and the point of the sword, were made of a red crystal that seemed to pulse with life.
"Master," Jan breathed, "What sort of sword is this?"
"One of my own design," Vader said, "Made especially for you. Its blade can deflect anything, even lightsabers."
She ran her fingers down the red crystal, "These are the crystals that lightsabers are formed." She stated.
"Yes, I know you will use this sword proudly."
She accepted the sheath from her master, and slipped the radiant sword inside. With a smile, she bowed to her master, "I will honor your gift, Lord Vader."
"It is time to prove your worth to the Emperor, my apprentice."
The Tournament Arena was packed full of humans and aliens. So many citizens of the Empire had flown to Coruscant to see these events. Whether they went home empty handed, nursing a broken heart and a bottle of whiskey, or richer than a gold mine.
Jan waited in the wings, examining her daggers for any nicks, or weakness. Finding none, she sheathed them, and continued to wait. The games could not begin until the Emperor took his throne of honor. Lord Vader would sit on his right, showing his authority. She wanted for her master to be there and give her some words of guidance before she began, but this was her test alone. She wasn't nervous, merely anxious to prove to her master and the Emperor her worth.
"Please rise to show your respect to our lord and leader his Excellency, Emperor Palpatine!" A herald boomed through the arena. Jan leapt to her feet as the stadium began to cheer and clap for their leader. The Emperor was flanked by two of his guards, and a young woman with fiery red hair in black robes. He looked nothing more than a withered old man, but Jan knew better.
This was the man who had defeated his own master in a duel. This was the man who cheated his way into gaining the title of Supreme Chancellor of the Senate. This was the man who did what no Sith Lord could accomplish in over a millennia. This was the man who had destroyed the Republic.
"May this day mark the twentieth year this Empire has stood," Palpatine began his speech, "And it has been two decades of strength." The crowds roared with applause at the line, "This week we shall remember what we fought for, what we won for!" More cheers broke out, "With the power I have, I bless this event and the Empire I bled for to create. Let the Tournament begin!"
As the crowds applause died, Jan watched the first two contestants take their stance. Jan had been chosen to fight the winner of the next round, so she patiently waited for them to fight.
Each man's weapon of choice was a blaster, and within minutes one of them was down. Jan had observed with her eye the weaknesses of the winner, and felt herself fully prepared for the fight.
As she stepped into the circle, she could her smatterings of laughter. Many thought her crazy for facing a man. She was only a woman. Anger rose within her heart, but she forced it down. Anger was what brought out mistakes. Anger was what killed you.
The winner had chosen a blaster which was fine with Jan; she had used them hundreds of times. It was a shame that she couldn't kill him; the Arena itself was magnetized so any lethal shot was shriveled of its power. The blasters also had to be set on low, and blades dulled. Only in the last round would there be duel to the death.
"Weapons ready!" The herald called, "Begin!"
Jan's opponent fired quickly at her. She sidestepped to the left, avoiding it. He fired again, and this time she stepped to the right. Since shooting her from that range wasn't working, he decided to charge her.
Jan pulled out her blaster and fired one shot at his chest. He fell sprawled on his back.
As the crowd cheered, Jan looked up to her mentor sitting beside the throne. Her look said, 'Is that it?"
Vader just shook his head, and raised a hand to silence her thoughts. He knew it was aggravating how simple it was, but that was because he had trained her so well. Most of these men were hopefuls-she was a true warrior.
For the next several rounds, Jan continued to beat her opponents. Blasters were the most commonly used weapons, and she only fought with her daggers once. All of them were so easy; she wanted a true warrior who could test her skills. None of this was a challenge.
Finally she was declared to the winner to go on to the death round, but a break had to be endured first. That was when her master came.
"You have done well my apprentice." Vader said.
"It was only to be expected," then she confessed, "They were no challenge."
"No they were not, you have become a great warrior indeed, perhaps the death match will bring on a real test."
"I doubt it master; in fact this primitive fighting bores me."
"Then, you may be ready for the real test the Emperor may give you."
Excitement filled her heart, "And that is?"
But he shook his head, "I have already told you too much that is expected, the match will begin soon."
Jan knew better than to beg, that was sign of weakness. She had to prove her strength, and wait for the true test of her abilities.
The death match was simple, as she predicted. Jan had been tempted to play a little with her victim, to draw out the last round a little farther, but decided to get it over with.
The first shot he fired at her right, nearly hitting her shoulder. He did this while running towards her. He fired again, making her duck to avoid the blast. She wanted to congratulate him; he had successfully aimed at her head.
In order to have a little fun, Jan leapt aside right as he was firing another shot, and kicked his legs out from under him. He lay on his back gasping for the air knocked out of him. With her now sharpened dagger, she slit his throat cleanly, and watched as the blood spurted from the gash in his neck. He gargled out his last words, and chocked on his own blood. The red liquid pooled around his shoulders, as he gave one final shudder and lay still.
The crowds gasped at the bloody sight, and then cheered for the winner. The herald announced Jan as the winner of the tournament, and she was brought before the Emperor to receive her medal.
The shriveled man looked at her with yellow eyes through sunken sockets. His pale, thin lips smiled at her, "Congratulations, you have indeed proven your skills," He looked at her curiously now, "Tell me, who is your sponsor?"
"I am." Vader said by his side.
The Emperor turned to his former apprentice, "You are, Lord Vader?"
"Yes, master, I have been training this girl for years now," Vader began to explain, "I saw the potential in her when she was a child. She has exceeded all of my expectations of a warrior."
"Has she?" The Emperor searched Jan up and down, "What skills do you have girl?"
"Your Excellency, I have been trained in the blaster, and I excel in the art of the blade," Jan answered.
"Ah," The Emperor sighed with content, "Then perhaps you would like to show me your skills, against a pupil of mine."
Jan smiled, at last the true test, "I would be honored."
Palpatine grinned, "Mara Jade!" He called.
The red haired woman stepped up from behind, "Yes master?"
"Prepare two vibroblades for this challenge."
"Lord Emperor," Jan said, "I have been gifted a blade that can withstand a lightsaber. Please, your Excellency, permit her to use the true weapon of a Sith."
Emperor Palpatine smiled and nodded, "If that is your wish." He addressed the stadium once more, "The winner will now duel with the Apprentice Mara Jade!"
Back in the arena circle, Jan had her blade ready at her side. She studied her opponent carefully. The Emperor's apprentice was similar to age, and pretty, but that meant nothing. Her fame was built, and prepared for dueling. Jan knew that this girl was strong in the Force; she could see it in her movements, the added grace, and sharp reflexes. Her master was similar in his ways. Because of the years spent together, Jan had grown an acute sense of Force-Sensitivity, although she posses no such powers.
Mara Jade took of her billowing black cloak before joining the center ring. She pulled out her lightsaber, but didn't turn it on.
"Are the contestants ready?" The herald asked.
Jan gave him a cold nod, as well as did Mara.
"Begin!"
A red beam hissed out of Mara's sheath, and Jan saw the crystals on her blade cast a strange red glow. She snapped her attention to her opponent, and parried the lightsaber. As Vader had said, her sword blocked it.
Jan gave Mara a little smirk, before releasing the tight block they were in. Mara struck again, and Jan blocked. Seeing an opportunity, Jan thrust her blade towards her opponent, but Mara's skills allowed her to dodge the attack.
Jan was caught off guard by her quickness, and her carelessness received herself a blow to the arm. Seething with pain, Jan hissed in a breath, and blocked the pain from her mind.
Mara was feeling confident and lunged toward the girl, but Jan whirled away, and her red beam struck air. The red crystalloid sword met the lightsaber, and trailed to Mara's hand. The red-haired woman cried out, and a thick cut oozed on her hand. The blow was only slightly deep, but maintaining a strong grip would be difficult now.
Mara backed away, but Jan followed, forcing their blades to meet again in a deadlock.
"Use your powers, girl," She spat at the Sith, "Use them. That is how you are strong!"
Mara gave a cry of rage. She was strong, and it wasn't because of the Force. This girl was just a mere human trying to be a Sith. She had no power, no strength.
Jan smiled; this was what she had been waiting for.
Both sword and saber met with a crackling hiss. Mara struck again and again, anxious to bring down her foe. Jan blocked her, forced to move faster, but waiting patiently for her chance. Suddenly, Mara felt her legs being swung out from under her, as Jan swept them aside with a kick. She landed hard on her back, and, moved to block the blow that was coming, but her saber was knocked form her hand. She was defeated.
Jan stuck the blade of her sword under Mara's chin and smiled triumphantly. At last she had proven herself. Now she was worthy to be at her master's side.
She raised her blade high into the air, and stared at the onlookers, "Will there be anyone else? Do you dare to challenge me?"
The crowds roared with approval, and sang praises of their champion. Darth Jerec clapped loudly for the girl and smiled.
Vader was pleased with his apprentice, and applauded along.
The Emperor was the only one who didn't smile. His hands lay still at his side, clutched into tight, bony fists. He stared at the girl with hatred; identifying her as a new threat.
At that, Vader smiled.
TBC
A/N: So tell me how diffrent this was. Did you get chills? Its frightning how dark Jan can be, and this is only the beginning.