Chapter 9

"My life begins many years ago, still in the time of the Old Republic," Darth Nexus said. "I was told to stay here, in this room, by my master until the time was right. My master had trained me, a hidden pupil, in the Sith arts. I was a secret, not even my master's most loyal advisors knew of my presence. Especially not my master's current apprentice at the time."

"Who was your master?" Ben asked.

"My master had once been known as the ruler of the galaxy, and if the Sith were still ruled would have gone down as possibly the greatest Sith lord in history. He personally led to the downfall of the Jedi, manipulating them and leaving them completely unaware until it was too late. To the galaxy he was known as Emperor Palpatine, though to a select few he was known as Darth Sidious. That name has not been spoken for over thirty years and now you and I are the only two in the entire galaxy who know of it."

"Master, how could you have been Lord Sidious's apprentice if that title belonged to Darth Vader?" Ben asked.

"That is very simple," Nexus said. "According to the Jedi belief a Chosen One would arise who would bring balance to the Force. Anakin Skywalker was believed to be the Chosen One. Eventually Darth Vader was born and the galaxy was brought under Sith rule. All but a few Jedi lived, hiding in fear of the Emperor. Yet Anakin proved to be the Chosen One of Jedi legend. He brought balance to the Force by destroying my master. However long before my master was destroyed he had a vision of the future, in which it was revealed to him that Darth Vader would betray and kill him. Knowing this was unavoidable my master planned for the eventual day and, to continue the legacy of the Sith, he trained me. I was once an idealistic person like yourself, helping others and the like, until Lord Sidious found me and I discovered the truth of how the galaxy works: only the strong survive.

From that point on I pledged myself to my master and to follow his every command. He had this place built to keep me away from prying eyes, after which he killed the ones who constructed it. Some of the creatures you encountered on the way in were part of the original construction team. After it was built I remained here, meditating the entire time, until the time was right for you to come to me."

"What makes me so special?" Ben asked. "Why call me and not any other Jedi?"

"You have a great legacy within you, Ben," Nexus said. "Aside from your grandfather being a Sith lord. As the Jedi the Sith also have a prophecy about a Chosen One, except ours, instead of bringing balance to the Force, will rule with the Dark side of the Force. The Chosen One of the Sith will extinguish the light of the Jedi and bring the galaxy into a new everlasting Sith Age."

"Am I the Chosen One?" Ben asked.

"It is said the Chosen One will come from one who had died and was born again," Nexus said. "Your grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, died when he became Darth Vader and was born again once Vader died. Yes, Ben, you are the Chosen One of Sith legend, destined to rule the galaxy and restore the Sith to their rightful place of power."

"But couldn't my father, or my aunt, be the Chosen One?" Ben asked. "They are direct descendants of Anakin as well."
"But they are not, Ben, you are," Nexus said. "My master planned for everything that has and will happen. He foresaw the rise of the New Republic and all who would try to destroy it. He knew they would fail. He foresaw the invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong and the birth of the Galactic Alliance. But he knew that the only thing that will succeed where so many others have failed is you. Even my master knew of his eventual defeat after his own rebirth, when his new dark Empire overthrew the Republic. You are the Chosen One Ben. My master had foreseen it, and I have foreseen it. But discussion of the past is over; you know all you need to know for your future."

"Yes, Master." Ben said.

"Now, young Skywalker, your training shall begin," Nexus said. "Remember your first lesson well: Always demand of others for what you want to know. But now your proper training will begin but first a test. You will show me your skill with a lightsaber."

"Yes, Master."
"Should you defeat me, then I will have nothing more to teach you and you will have proven yourself more powerful and stronger than me. But you shall not. Afterward I shall teach you all I know. I will make you the most powerful Sith the galaxy has ever seen."
"Yes, Master."

"Let us begin."

Ben's lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss and launched himself at his master, who's red blade was already out, blocking Ben's blow.

"Is that the best you can do?" Nexus taunted. Ben brought his lightsaber down again but once again Darth Nexus's blade was there to stop him. Ben attacked again and again, putting Nexus on the defensive but each time getting blocked.

Then Nexus started to attack Ben with his red blade. Nexus's slashed at Ben, who barely had enough time to block. Nexus attacked Ben again causing Ben to roll away but in the confined room he did not have much space to go.

"The fight is over." Nexus said and pointed his hand at Ben. Blue lightning shot from his finger tips and ran throughout Ben's body. Ben screamed and was blasted back into the wall. He lied on the ground as smoke rose off his body. "Had I wanted to I could have killed you. You dropped your defenses; never do so again. Now get up." Obeying his master Ben struggled to get to his feet. "You need the proper training, Ben, to fully release your potential. You have always had a strong power, but you kept it locked away. Now I will unleash it and you will fulfill your destiny." Nexus's eyes opened and Ben gazed into their dark depths. He did not scream this time or fall unconscious, he just continued to stare at them until there was nothing but darkness.

"You have done well, Ben," Ben heard his master's voice speak. "Your hidden potential has now been unlocked, as I have promised it would be. Now your training will begin and when it is done no Jedi will be able to conquer you, and you will rule all."