A/N: Well I am back and here is Chapter 17: A New Master!
Chapter 17: A New Master
Back in the warehouse after those words haunted the girl's mind. Ruby wanted to strangle Roman, as did Weiss but they felt like they would gain nothing from killing a man who was incarcerated when the first incident occurred. Feeling some pain watching Roman trying to help Neo tore at their hearts, as much as they wanted to, they couldn't harm them. They saw sorrow like they were the only thing the other had. That's when the girls thought, they are from Remnant we should help them. That's when Ruby and Weiss after looking at each other ran over to Roman and Neo.
Neo had multiple wounds that were not critical like the stabs through her knees and elbows to immobilize along with the choke marks on her neck. Minus those wounds, it seemed Ruby had interrupted that Sith, she would recover but she looked like a broken doll. Ruby and Weiss took out their field first aid kits and began work to stabilize Neo. Ruby felt horrible as she knew how the beast that did this to Neo worked. Looking over, he was still dead on the floor next to them. Ignoring the body they continued working quickly. Weiss was quick with medicine, along with Ruby who got her stabilized after a few seconds.
Roman's eyes went wide as plates when the dark-haired girl looked over at him he knew immediately who it was all's he could say was in horrified awe,
"Red?" Neo had informed him what happened to her team. Many times his plans were foiled by the girls but he couldn't help but feel bad when he heard four of them were killed. Yet here she was now, like a guardian angel, she was here helping Neo even though Neo said they had killed Adam and gravely wounded Cinder. He thought he would easily be on their shit list, but they were here, helping them.
Looking at Red, He was shocked at how much she had grown. After Neo was stabilized, Ruby and Weiss looked up at each other almost with a look that told the other, 'we did the right thing.' Standing up Ruby took out her scroll and set it to the frequency of the Hiskalan Guard and said, "Warehouse is clear we have two survivors with us that will need to be brought back to Waldstahl with us, proceed with clearing operations." After finishing the sentence, Ruby picked up the unconscious Neo and Weiss asked Roman,
"Torchwick can you stand?" her voice sounding cold, as it was apparent that he was the last person they expected to see.
"Yes I can, why are you helping us?" He asked standing up. His outfit along with Neo's were complete rags, his appearance in general sloppy as he had grown a bit of a beard and his hair was much longer. The same went for Neo, minus her injuries, her body showed signs of being malnourished among other things. Happy to get out of the warehouse, They walked out into a crowd of guardsmen as they filed past them revealing their shuttle waiting for them with Captain Balikor standing in the passenger area.
"My ladies, who are these two?" Balikor asked gesturing to take Neo from her hands which Ruby let him as he signaled a medical officer from the crowd of Hiskalan Guardsmen.
"Consider them guests on our part," Ruby spoke calmly and clearly almost referring to them almost as friends, despite there being no such relation.
"Yes, My lady" Balikor said as the medical officer got to work on Neo in the shuttle.
"Have a seat Torchwick" Weiss suggested as Torchwick was uncomfortable with the girls. He saw what Red could do to a person. Seeing a smaller girl snap a tank-like man's neck with her hand would put any person on edge with said girl. He was further shocked by how her eyes matched Cinder's yellow eyes.
"So why are you helping us?" Roman asked again. He really wanted to know, but Red's reply told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth any longer. She was definitely a piece of work now,
"You're a long way from home," is all Ruby smirked as she looked at the ragged mobster. He noted the burns on her face, something that made the young teen only look more intimidating, for someone who was a cute nuisance before she evolved. Though, before they took off, Ruby pulled out her scroll to report their success to their master.
On the flight to Waldstahl, Roman explained what exactly happened to him and Neo, how they were partners and how Cinder abandoned him and forced Neo to work for her. Apparently, Roman had seen Cinder's force powers prior and he was legitimately terrified of them, and betrayed him and took advantage of Neo who was his partner in crime. Then he got to his 'fun' times in the swamps of Drommund Kaas.
He told them how horrible it was having to evade every form of life they came across. They even people, as they had a tendency to shoot first ask questions later. Specifically those, 'assholes in blue armor,' They even had encountered a Gundark from the sounds of things.
Roman and Neo had to survive for six months in the swamps till they found their way into the mountains of the Hiskal Region and they had to climb them to avoid the wildlife, as apparently. After a few weeks, they found their way to the City.
They tried to settle in by hiding in less-used locations until they found themselves in this warehouse today and whilst colorfully cursing the brute who attacked Neo, explained how the apprentices operated. They were ordered to slaughter innocents to draw out a person by the name of Malserik.
Weiss explained who Malserik was, to say this unnerved Roman was an understatement. Ruby remained uncomfortably silent during the flight. Weiss could feel her unease, though it wasn't for the reasons she thought. Ruby felt uneasy with what she did, despite how justified it was, there was a part of her mind that didn't like what she did.
Off on Korriban, Two Figures stood around a secure blue hologram of a hooded figure who spoke to inform those on the other end of potential danger, as she and the Librarian were attacked. This shocked the two figures who were glad they were safe, though they were informed to tread carefully, as information about their group could have been leaked. Shutting down the communication system, the two Darth's walked out of the hidden room.
"So what do you think is going on Velocitous?" the Mandalorian female asked her yellowed eyes locking with the blood-red of her Chiss counterpart.
"Just another attack on Hiskal," he said in coldly dignified response, "Though we must be cautious, more than ever." The Chiss said turning to the former bounty hunter, who still wears her battle armor even though she is a Darth now.
"That's obvious, so just go about normal business?" the Mandalorian asked of her Chiss counterpart.
"As always, Volitika" He responded tactfully, though he quickly changed the subject to something more relevant to Korriban, "Now what's this I've heard of a tomb witch?"
"Oh, that?" She said "that's something the academy is getting quite concerned about," Volitika replied with a slight grin, "She's a feral acolyte or that's what they would like to think, in reality, she only appeared after the massive disturbance."
"So you think they could be related?" Velocitous inquired if this was the case their boss might want to know about this.
"Most certainly, though right now the other Darths are trying to eliminate her" Volitika smiled, she wasn't going to put her apprentice against that bitch, "so for now let's let her keep doing what she's doing."
Returning to the events at Waldstahl, as the shuttle Touched down Captain Balikor had Neo and Roman was taken to the fort's hospital. Ruby and Weiss were briefed on the attack by Dornettz, who led them to the Study where both Malserik and Imperious were sitting discussing the situation that had just occurred as Malserik's troops secured the fortress.
"Ah your back my apprentices, " Malserik said with a smile, his right eye wrapped with a gauze pad and bandages. Ruby and Weiss kneeled down and presented the four lightsabers they collected. As Malserik took them and examined them, he smirked: "I assume you realized the monsters these Sith were?"
"They were despicable wastes of life" Weiss cursed, Her voice callous and cold. With that said Ruby followed suit with,
"They were monsters, that did not deserve to live." Though, this line shocked Ruby herself, what was she becoming? A part of her realized what she was saying and hated it, though another part made her want to smile.
"That they were, I'm glad you two are safe and unharmed," Malserik smiled as he gestured for Ruby and Weiss to stand. He was legitimately happy for their safe return. Knowing that they could handle themselves now he announced, "From now on, your training will be more hands-off with you two in the field, but -"
Malserik was interrupted as a blast shook the entire city. By the vibrations, Malserik knew it came from the mines. "Damn it, what is today!?" Malserik cursed, activating the communicator, he contacted the miner Foreman who was a scraggly bearded man "Foreman what in the name of the force just happened!"
"I don't know, Lord Malserik, other than we found some weird crystals and mined a few of them by hand but we had to blast the wall they were in and I guess they were explosive," the little blue hologram responded. This announcement made Weiss's heart skip a beat. Explosive crystals, She thought, something that caused her next interjection,
"Foreman, do you have any surviving Crystal samples?" Weiss said interjecting in the conversation, earning a 'you don't think...' look from Ruby.
"We have a few my lady," The foreman responded not expecting one of Malserik's apprentices to interject.
"Please send them up here and cease all mining on the section of the mine till I can examine them," Weiss said earning looks from both Malserik and Imperious for her bold action. Who realized the looks she was being given, replied, "It could be Dust."
"Foreman please get that sample up here as soon as possible" Malserik said terminating the call then looking at his white-haired apprentice and asked, "Weiss do you have a technique we could use to mine Dust?"
"Of course, my old family's company was based on the mining of dust so I could tell you how to do it," Weiss smirked. Though, while Weiss explained this, Ruby saw her reflection in the glass. Her eyes, it was her eyes that caused her to panic. Weiss and Malserik told her eyes switched color but she never saw it herself. she saw the sick sulfuric yellow they became her eyes reminded her of Cinder's eyes. Seeing this she slipped out.
During the time Ruby disappeared, Weiss explained everything about dust for a second time for Imperious, along with debriefed Malserik, on Roman and Neo, but when she gestured to Ruby who had disappeared and neither of the three noticed she did. That's when Weiss paid attention to her bond with Ruby, she was distressed, something was tearing her apart at the heart.
Looking outside through the curved window, Weiss knew where Ruby most likely was she found a gazebo and overlook platform along the mountains that they went for lunch and dinner when they weren't training or learning, though the weather really kicked up it was easily mountain top blizzard conditions as Ruby had just gone outside in that. Weiss huffed and went over to the door, saying "you daft dolt!"
"Weiss stay here", Imperious ordered harshly "I'll go find her," her voice filled with determination, walking out, and Weiss and Malserik wondered why Imperious was determined to do this.
"No Ruby is my lover, I'm going with you!" Weiss admitted as she actively disobeyed Imperious, and was going to follow her. Imperious wasn't upset at Weiss instead she understood her determination. These two are truly inseparable, Imperious thought as she and Weiss raced across Waldstahl
"Great now I'm alone in this office," Malserik huffed sitting back down at his desk, "Really, what in the name of the entire universe is today!?" Malserik took the lightsabers and walked out of the room to go deposit them in his lab then he decided to go see the people Balikor mentioned were in the hospital.
The cold air felt nice to Ruby as she sat in the path of the mountain's wind, she looked at her right metal hand after taking the gauntlet off, as she looked at the mirror she snagged off the wall. Ruby studied her face and the changes that had unfolded, mainly the eyes which really concerned her she had the eyes of a monster, dark yellow eyes that seemed to almost glow, the slight scarring that ran up the right side of her neck and her right cheek didn't help her case. Looking at how the skin around her eyes seemed darker and ashen she realized she looked evil, she also noted a slight change in her hair the red tips were now slightly brighter and went up the length of her hair further.
"Why did this have to happen to us!?" the young woman that was Ruby whimpered, as tears made contact on the cold mirror and her hand. Looking down she didn't see her face but the one of Cinder like she was haunting her with her own eyes. She screamed out as she saw that smirking face tormenting her. Though, as the blizzard engulfed her a dark apparition appeared behind her as well.
"You are weak, Fleurnoire!" a voice boomed echoing in the snowy wind. This voice Ruby recognized as the voice of Vader. Turning around Ruby saw him standing behind her, standing up Ruby faced him, "you have so much power yet you limit yourself! You yourself hold back!"
"So if it means I don't become like them I'll be happy!" Ruby yelled back while trying to use her ability to read people on him, though she was getting nothing from this man if he even was a man. The towering figure intimidated the now technically seventeen-year-old Ruby. Just looking at him gave her chills.
"Your gifts are great; you are the daughter of two of the greatest force users ever known, though you are so weak, as you don't fully embrace their gifts!" The masked man boomed at Ruby as he snapped forward, grabbing her neck and lifting her up by the throat, choking her. Ruby quickly snapped back at the vision unleashing a force push to release herself.
"you are trying to walk a line of moderation, a fool's errand, embrace the dark side and its power," the Sith's voice boomed. He could feel her body was so strong in the dark side, but like many Ruby tried to moderate her exposure to it, "Now fight me like a Sith, Fleurnoire!" Vader boomed as Ruby grabbed him using the force grip on his throat, giving in to her anger, blindly, something Vader quickly retaliated with a powerful force push that slammed Ruby into the Gazebo,
"You still have much to learn," Vader's voice boomed in his victory. Walking over to the defeated teen, in a display of power, the black-clad Sith ripped Ruby back to her feet with the force as he said, "Remember why you took up the mantle of the Darkside, and it was the same reason I did, though the outcomes were different." Ruby, shocked to be back on her feet took a moment to reply, though what she asked was;
"What do you mean by that?" She was highly concerned about what the Sith meant by what he was saying.
"You managed to save the one you love from death, I killed mine," Vader explained, "I killed her because I let myself become blinded by the darkness and hatred," As Vader spoke Ruby could feel a sadness, a regret from the seemingly emotionless mask that was Vader's 'face.' "If you relent Weiss could be killed, but don't be so blinded you forget why you fight and why you use the darkness." The dark lord said as he faded away into a black mist.
Ruby awoke in the position she was in while examining her face hinting none of what just occurred was real Ruby. She slumped down to think, what did he mean the daughter of two force users so did that mean Taiyang her father was a Jedi too? Looking back down in the mirror seeing her still yellow eyes again though they were different this time, Ruby began to cry in her head, am I meant to do this, am I meant to become like them. Weiss seems not to have a problem with it at times. I think she enjoys the idea of holding power, she's done it before, and I'm not used to power. just a team leader from Remnant who just wants to be a hero. I don't feel like a hero if I have to kill people. the way I killed that Sith was cruel he should have stood trial, how did I even break his neck, is this hand that strong? Why did I enjoy killing them, am I truly meant to do this! What did he mean by 'If I relent Weiss could be killed'? Ruby's mind was running wild with thoughts. Churning and overflowing, one side of her mind took hold and burst forward.
"Killing isn't right!" Ruby screamed out loud. Slamming her metal hand in the snow as the cold began to nip at her face. The spot where her prosthetic arm was fused to her limb was starting to ache as well from the cold.
"I would normally agree with you, Ruby," An accented female voice said from behind her, as she felt two warm hands on her shoulders, "Though, right now if you hadn't killed them they would have killed you, thus most likely leading to Weiss's death as well," Imperious spoke feeling the inner turmoil, in the young girl. "The Jedi are the same way, and they will kill, in this galaxy you have to kill to survive sometimes, lest you want to be destroyed by it."
"I'm agreeing with Imperious, you complete utter dolt! I'm not crazy about killing but it should be evident, We couldn't leave them alive," Ruby heard Weiss's voice scold her as she sat down next to Ruby, "So why did you run off?" Weiss asked calmly hugging Ruby.
"My eyes, they are the eyes of monsters!" Ruby cried as she looked Weiss in the eye. Weiss immediately saw the issue, her eyes hadn't returned to normal this time. Imperious walked over to see for herself.
Seeing this, she smiled and said, "You are not a monster, if you hadn't killed those four monsters, Hiskal would be in ruins by now," Imperious explained as Ruby looked up with her tainted eyes, they carried a dark beauty that made her look distinct, or at least that's what Imperious thought. "As for your eyes, that is the dark side making its mark on your body, you both have signs of it though it affects everyone differently. It's a sacrifice we must make to do what we do, though if I had to make a bet you two won't really see much of it, your bodies seem to be capable of controlling the dark side quite well, much more than most force users in fact. though, it also depends on how deep your immersion goes."
"So it won't get any worse Imperious?" Ruby asked as Weiss was actually quite curious. Her explanation set Ruby at ease. Though, as she looked at Imperious, she was legitimately being kind and caring. It was at this point She offered Ruby a hand to get up, as Weiss stood up. Sliding her gauntlet back on she took Imperious's hand and stood up.
"If anything you'll just get what I got," Imperious chuckled, the way the Darkside affected someone depended on so many factors, it was impossible to count or predict the effects of immersion. "I lost most of the pigment in my hair and skin and for your case Ruby, you will keep those gorgeous frosted golden eyes of yours, the sooner one can fully embrace the dark side the more your body can adjust to using it," Imperious explained with a smile despite her apparent age compared to the girls, she seemed to be one that reminded Ruby of her Mom. "Also, girls, you can call me Ceres when it's just us."
"Okay Ceres," Ruby smiled quietly, while Weiss nodded acknowledging this fact. Though Ruby noted something about Weiss had changed, the silver flecks in her eyes had turned gold.
"How about we go back to Waldstahl before Malserik goes insane, or we freeze to death out here." Ceres jabbed, Poking fun at her estranged friend, and the fact the wind chill made it quite unbearable to go outside. "Also Ruby, just know this you are a Hero to those of Hiskal, you saved and avenged lives today, sometimes eliminating a threat is the best option, remember that."
Getting back to Waldstahl the three Sith talked about how to get used to their new lives, it was then Imperious realized the shortcomings of Malserik's teaching methods he really didn't teach them how to utilize their flow of emotions properly. This caused her to make a decision, she was to help the girls realize their goals as Sith. Though, as she looked at Weiss and Ruby they reminded her of how she was when she was an apprentice to Zash, though they had one thing she didn't, each other. A bond that was their greatest strength, though it was also one of their greatest weaknesses.
Though, she knew Weiss would most likely work well with Malserik, so she smirked as it was the time she took an apprentice. That apprentice being Ruby Rose.
While they walked Ruby knew what she had to do, she had to become stronger, she needed to embrace who she was becoming. Vader was right, if she faltered Weiss could be killed, Something Ruby could not allow. She needed to realize her potential and become strong enough to face Vader, and Imperious seemed like the right person to help her.
In the Waldstahl hospital ward, Malserik met with the cleaned-up and trimmed Roman Torchwick and the Recovering Neo. Malserik entered carrying a folding chair and introduced himself. After which he asked the most pertinent question he could come up with.
"So who exactly are you two?" Malserik asked as he sat down on the bed next to the recently awoken Neo, as he sat in a chair he brought into the stark white room. The interior of which was coated with advanced medical technology.
"Well, we are from Remnant, like 'Red' and 'Ice Queen.' Though, there we used to be enemies," Roman shrugged coolly. He was really wishing he had a cigar at the moment, but it really didn't matter as surviving the horrors of the swamps and the fact he had a limited supply to start meant he had to go clean for months.
"Yet they saved you?" Malserik inquired, confused, unsure of why the girls would save former enemies.
"I guess it's because we are from Remnant," Roman guessed, looking at the man in his one green eye, which actually for Roman, made him more comfortable, "honestly I don't know? When I realized it was Red I was expecting my head to be on the floor."
"Well, maybe they figured you could become allies here," Malserik proposed that as the most likely reason, or that they didn't want to see them getting killed. Malserik's guess was as good as Torchwick's.
"Well, there isn't much we can do," Roman explained calmly, thinking the blunt approach would work best he continued with, "We were criminals."
"Well, Mister... You never told me your name," Malserik said slightly deflated and with an unamused frown on his face, as Weiss hadn't gotten to telling him their names, as Ruby had to go and runoff.
"Well I'm Roman Torchwick, this is-," Roman spoke only to be interrupted by Malserik, He wasn't going to have another awkward encounter like Weiss and Ruby's again.
"Let her introduce herself," Malserik said not wanting a repeat of an awkward event. His tone was kind and understanding as he looked at the tricolored hair girl with a pleasant smile.
"She can't, she's mute," Roman replied bluntly deadpanning. He could understand what he was trying to do, but with Neo not being able to speak and this man probably not knowing sign language, it had to be said.
"Oh, apologies then, continue," Malserik said, facepalming at his own awkwardness sometimes, though the girl did do some weird motions with her hands at Malserik. Unfamiliar with what she was doing Malserik raised an eyebrow.
"She says 'hello, my name is Neopolitan, you can call me Neo for short'," Roman said watching the girl's hands as she signed so he could translate what she signed.
"Well back to what I was saying, even criminals have skills, you look like a leader, Mister Torchwick," Malserik spoke realizing how Torchwick could be useful.
"I did lead a group called the White Fang a while back," Roman admitted. Malserik noted this as Ruby and Weiss mentioned the White Fang on multiple occasions. Referring to them as the most hated enemy.
"Could you lead an army?" Malserik asked to figure a role for Roman.
"I suppose, why?" Roman asked back pondering the idea.
"Balikor I think I found your man," Malserik said into his gauntlet, after listening to his earpiece Malserik replied with, "Yes it's the one Ruby brought back, please train him, I have a good feeling about him." Malserik smiled closing the communications "How would you like a job as a Commander of the Hiskal Security force?"
"Any job is better than none, what about Neo?" Roman asked what will become of his friend.
"Intelligence most likely, I sense she has experience being people she's not." Malserik smiled as he sensed Neo tense up figuring he guessed it,
Neo signed her response, which roman translated, "She says 'You are correct while I was forced to work for Cinder I had to take up many disguises, doing that for a living would be fun,'"
"Dornettz I've found your agent, " Malserik said into his bracer again "she's going to need time to recover but she's what you're looking for," Once again they couldn't hear the responses.
"How is she mute?" Malserik asked as Neo showed a small pinhole scar on her neck showing physical damage was the cause. This caused Malserik to smile in a way that made Neo even uncomfortable, "Well Neo we could get you prosthetic vocal cords if you want?"
She smiled and nodded at Malserik, as the door hissed open and Ruby, Weiss, and Imperious walked in. Malserik saw Ruby's eyes, their new color was not that of the Sith sulfuric yellow, but gold, pure gold.
"How are they doing?" Ruby asked lowering her hood and the EKG that Neo was connected to jumped a beat as she saw Ruby and Weiss.
"They are fine, and they will be joining up as members of the Hiskalan Guard," Malserik smiled as a doctor walked up, a new eye patch for Malserik in hand. holding his hand on the gauze pad he released the bandages allowing them to fall to the ground still covering the eye with his hand and the gauze pad still in place over his eye, he slid the new eye patch over the gauze pad, after it was affixed he pulled the gauze pad from out from underneath the patch.
"you still owe me an explanation on that patch," Imperious said, disgruntled at Malserik, "and also I found your training of these girls lackluster," this sentence made Malserik's eye go wide. "Yes, you failed to teach them how to apply their emotions and control them. Also, I noted Ruby's style involves paired sabers which she lost one of, with that, I will say, Ruby will be my apprentice now," this statement almost made Malserik's jaw drop, and Ruby and Weiss's eyes went wide as dinner plates.
"I told you, you can't separate these girls!" Malserik yelled, starting to get angry at Imperious, thinking she had plans to take Ruby back to Kaas City with her. Imperious expected this misinterpretation and decided to drop the planned metaphoric bomb on his head.
"I won't take her back to Kaas City. No, I will stay at Waldstahl to train her," Imperious announced, making the girls sigh but Malserik was internally panicking. "Don't worry Weiss will stay your apprentice," Imperious smiled as she approached the shaking Malserik.
"That's good, though what do they have to say about this arrangement," Malserik asked as he slammed on his uncaring facade, though Ruby could sense the truth out of him, He was nervous. He was a man with something to hide. Despite this knowledge, Ruby's response was still,
"I like the Idea of Imperious being my master," With this Ceres smiled, she finally had the apprentice she longed so much for.
"Ruby, are you sure about this?" Weiss asked concerned about her girlfriend's choice, in this regard. Ruby looked back at Weiss with a solemn smile, and replied with,
"I am sure Weiss, I think Imperious would be a great mentor to me, She seems to know what she is doing, and I feel like I can trust her," Ruby explained as she put her metal hand on Weiss's shoulder. Weiss sighed, She knew Ruby was set on this.
"Well then Malserik, you shall continue training Weiss. While I remain here and train Ruby," Imperious Smiled at her friend who was still panicking inside, as she put her hands on his shoulders. "Ruby, Weiss come with me please I would like to talk to you two." As they walked out Malserik sat there as Roman and Neo looked at him as he buckled. He was in shock, he wanted Imperious nowhere near him, considering what his curse reminded him of today. He didn't want her to suffer the same fate as Talos did during his one slip-up, something that scarred Malserik, as he and Talos were good friends. He tried to focus on the present, he needed to go to his lab, now.
Seeing Malserik skulk off. This action made Roman start to laugh. Though the door quickly opened to two men, Balakor and Dornettz. To which Roman's response was
"Well, shit."
Back home in their quarters. Weiss and Ruby sat down on the couch While Imperious sat down in the chair offset from the couch with a smile. She chuckled and said,
"of course, he would have given you the room he built for me," That explained the more elaborate decorations and the color pallet, to Ruby and Weiss. "And before you two worry, I am going to have my own accommodations flown in," She smiled, hoping they didn't fear that she was going to take their room. Studying these girls with her eyes, she groaned at Malserik's simple clothes he had made for them. While doing this she also felt their power in the force.
They both resembled Jedi of the past, She couldn't remember their names for the life of her. That was beside the point, The prophecy said they had a heritage, as the blood of Jedi flowed in their veins. After sitting there in awkward silence for a few seconds Weiss spoke asking a question she wanted to know the answer to, urgently, "So why did you just take up Ruby and not me as well?"
This question caught Imperious off guard, though she quickly formulated her response, "Well, Weiss, from what I know of you, you would work better with Malserik. With one apprentice I think Malserik would be a good mentor for you. considering I have told him what he needs to teach you," Imperious explained to Weiss, who raised an eyebrow at the woman, "Normally, a Sith only takes up one apprentice, It allows for more focused training, with that in mind Viridian will teach you well Weiss." Imperious smiled as she continued in a hushed tone "and if he doesn't, he'll regret it."
"Well then I want your guarantee that Ruby will be safe in your hands," Weiss spoke, her voice sounding more like a demanding parent than a concerned lover. Ruby was about to speak, though Imperious raised her hand to stop her, Imperious had a smug look on her face as she spoke.
"Weiss, you are pushing demands on a Dark Councilor, you know," Imperious's face shifted smiling a wicked smile, as she decided to take a page from Malserik's book. "Most of the dark council would be quite offended at you right now Weiss, and when one offends the Dark Council it doesn't end well." Weiss rolled her eyes at that, she had heard examples like this before, "But fret not, I will not harm Ruby, I merely want her to be the best she can become."
It was at this point Ruby spoke up, "Weiss, I understand, but I think Imperious may be a better master for me, Malserik really didn't teach me as much as he taught you," Ruby explained looking over at her white-haired lover. "I mean, you and him use the same lightsaber form!" Ruby exclaimed as Imperious chuckled.
"That brings me to the next point, Ruby uses paired sabers as I do," Ruby nodded with a smile, "so I could give her a few pointers, and from what Malserik told me she is very physical and aggressive in her style, so I am really curious as to what she can do," Imperious smiled as she took Castle and Jackle off her harness, connected them and set them on the little coffee table in front of her, and gestured for Ruby to pick them up, which she did.
The bent hilts felt weird in Ruby's hands, the checkered wood paneling felt more at home on a gun than on the side of a lightsaber, yet it worked well on the silver and black hilts. Then she thumbed the ignition switch, expecting to see a red blade. Though, both Weiss and Ruby were shocked to see blue blades.
"Like Malserik, I don't use a red blade," Imperious spoke to respond to the odd looks she was getting from both of the girls. "I used to use red, but blue just fits me better now I think," Imperious explained as the only reason she used blue is that she liked the color. She really had no other reason, minus Malserik's inspiration and unwillingness to conform to the use of the red blade. While holding the blades themselves the dark side permeated the blade, it was still a weapon of a Sith despite looking otherwise.
"So red crystals aren't required?" Ruby asked, just curious if there was some weird law against having a nonred blade.
"It's more a tradition for most, though it is one of those things that is left to personal discretion," Imperious smiled, there were a few Sith that didn't conform to the red blade tradition, though mostly they stuck to violet or orange blades. "then you have various shades of red, the Blade color is entirely up to the user, as different colors can affect the handling of the blade," She explained as Ruby separated the sabers and maneuvered the blades around at which point, Weiss spoke.
"Ruby you look weird with blue sabers," Weiss chuckled, as she stated this Ruby deactivated the blades with a sigh.
"Like I don't know that," Ruby retorted sarcastically, as she set the hilts back on the table, for Ceres to pick back up.
"With your eyes, Ruby, a red blade works quite well," Imperious smiled Ruby flopped back down next to Weiss. She still wasn't used to her eyes, but if she had to live with them, she would. Though at this point the door opened and Dornettz popped his head in.
"Lady Imperious, your ship has landed in hanger four A," Dornettz spoke quickly, not wanting to take up much of her time.
"Thank you, Dornettz," She smiled, as she stood up and dismissed him, as he left, she said, "Well, I think I am going to head to my ship, so please rest up to you two. You two had a long day," She smiled as she walked towards the door. As it hissed open, Ruby made a decision she wanted to talk some more with her new mentor.
"Hey Weiss, I am going to go with Imperious, wanna come?" Ruby asked despite her being able to feel Weiss was exhausted. Though, secretly she didn't want Weiss to come, as some of the things she wanted to talk about could potentially upset Weiss.
"No Ruby, I am going to take a shower and get to sleep," Weiss explained punctuated with a yawn, "Try not to be gone too long okay?"
"Alright, I will try not to be gone too long," Ruby Smiled as she gave chase to Imperious.
Imperious was smiling, she finally had an apprentice. Ruby had extremely high potential and didn't even know it, and she wanted to unleash it. She was walking gleefully, a bounce in her step, a grin on her pale face. She earned odd glances from the Hiskalan Guard patrolling the corridors. It was getting dark, and the guard was on high alert after today.
Though in a split second she was halted by a sudden air blast from behind. Looking in front a cloud of red and black petals fluttered together, though standing in front of her was Ruby in her cloak. Imperious's eyes widened at the display of speed, Malserik said they were fast, but that was insane.
Putting her hand on her chest to calm her racing heart, she asked calmly in her accented voice, "Yes, Ruby?"
"I was wondering if we could talk some more, Ceres?" Ruby asked politely with a smile, her gilded eyes shining into Imperious's soul.
"That is fine by me," Imperious smiled, happy to see Ruby already taking initiative in her training. "Come on then," She smiled as she continued, and Ruby followed her. They got to the hanger at which Ruby's jaw hit the floor. The ship she saw in front of her was massive. Apparently, it was called Fury-class interceptor, to Ruby this ship was gorgeous. The ramp at the back lowered at their approach and they were greeted by a droid who addressed Imperious, and Ruby as they entered. His designation was 2V-R8, and he was the only other person on the ship minus them.
After they had a seat in the conference room and 2V made them some tea, Imperious asked, "So what did you want to talk about?"
"I want to be stronger, more powerful, I want to be able to protect my friends and family," Ruby explained. With each word, Imperious's smile grew. She could tell Ruby had a passion, a fire that shined in her now golden eyes. Imperious smiled as this was something that needed cultivation.
"Ruby, do you know the Sith Creed?" Ceres asked as she interlaced her fingers and looked at the seventeen-year-old. Ruby's reply to this question was serious and quick,
"I do,"
"Would you care to recite it?" Imperious asked with a smile, to which Ruby smiled as she started to recite the creed.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion." She recited with vigor from her heart. Imperious smiled as Ruby's eyes showed the recently ignited fire.
"Through passion, we gain strength." Ruby spoke, changing 'I' to 'We,' something Imperious found very interesting. Yet, she ignored this and let her new apprentice continue
"Through strength, we gain power." Her vigor with this line was paramount like she enjoyed saying it.
"Through power, we gain victory." Ruby recited boldly, as Imperious was really curious about why she was saying 'we."
"Through victory, our chains are broken." Imperious's Cheshire grin was present as Ruby continued with the final verse of the creed.
"The Force shall free us." With those words out of Ruby's mouth, Imperious smiled, clapping slowly. Though, she had to ask,
"Ruby, why did you use terms for a group?" Imperious ask. If her answer aligned with what she was thinking, she was indeed perfect.
"United we stand, divided we fall, that's how it is between me and Weiss. If we get separated we will fall, though together we cannot lose, when we are together we can achieve anything," Ruby answered her new master's inquiry.
"Would you say the Sith, if they could co-operate could do the same?" Ceres asked of Ruby, curious to hear her response and to truly judge if she could be let in on her plans and organization.
"At that point, I think the Sith would be unstoppable," Ruby spoke giving her opinion on the question, much to Ceres's delight. Strong, passionate, cooperative, Ruby was seemingly perfect to Imperious, who replied.
"Well, my apprentice, I will train you to be the best you can be," Imperious smiled though Ruby had to continue with one addendum as she stood up.
"I don't want you to hold back on me. Push me as hard as you can," Ruby demanded. she didn't care if the training broke her, she needed to become stronger at all costs.
Weiss at this point had long finished her shower and found she couldn't sleep. Lying awake, she awaited Ruby's return. She had her scroll out and was reviewing all of the documents relevant to dust she had, attempting to distract herself from the thoughts in her head.
She feared what Imperious could be doing. Weiss trusted her to an extent, but she feared she could manipulate Ruby, turning Ruby into one of those Sith they fought today. Though these thoughts were interrupted by the hissing clatter of the bathroom door opening followed by a thud of Ruby throwing her belt onto the counter.
The sound of running water made Weiss sigh, thankful Ruby was back. Ruby was remarkably quick with her shower, finishing in only ten minutes. Afterward, the door to the bedroom opened revealing Ruby, clad in her nightwear, literally just her white tunic and trousers, as they did make for some comfortable lounge and sleepwear as well as standard clothing.
"You took your time," Weiss chided, as Ruby had been gone for quite a while, "So, how is she?" Weiss asked as she sat up and turned on the lights to the room.
"She's nice," Ruby replied as she walked over and hopped in bed next to her snowy-haired partner. After getting comfortable, Ruby continued with, "kind of reminds me of my mom a bit,"
"So you trust her?" Weiss asked, she already knew the answer, but she just had to ask.
"Yeah, I do," Ruby responded, "she wants me to be the best I can be, as a matter of fact, my training starts tomorrow." Ruby continued as she shut the lights off and said, "Let's try to get some sleep, okay."
"Sure," Weiss replied, unsure of the situation.
As Ruby slept, she received a vision, she was standing, dressed in fine clothes with her hood up, the right side of her face masked by something, her sabers in hand, though different than what she was used to. The dream was lucid, she could feel her equipment and her body as she started to walk the path in front of her.
She could tell the force was influencing this dream, but she had no idea. Walking forward she entered a chamber, in the center she saw herself, her younger, more innocent self. She approached herself as Vader spoke into her ear,
"Prove to me you have learned, Strike down your former self," feeling her thumb on her saber's hilt she ignited the blood-red blade impaling her former self. Ruby understood what was going on, she had to let go of her former self. The goody-two-shoes, the hero, so naive, Ruby thought as she stabbed her former self in the heart. Just looking at her former self before the incident-filled her with pain. She lamented what could have been, but she was long past that. Seeing the horror on her former self's face reminded her of the horrors she endured eight months ago.
Though her thoughts were interrupted by a loud thunderous scream. Just by the way it sounded Ruby could judge it was one of pain, anger, and denial. Hearing this, she withdrew her blade from the fading corpse and pointed it at the brown cloaked figure standing in front of her, with twin violet blades ignited. Her face was shadowed and prevented identification.
The interloper was panicked, having seen this type of dream before, though to her this dream was off, something was different. Little did she know the force heeded her call, but not in the way she wished.
A/N: So that was the end of Chapter 17. This chapter was a pain to write as I had some writers block in the middle of writing the last bits. I feel they are more polished now, also that cliff hanger of a dream will be continued next chapter. Speaking of next chapter, I am going to be focusing on the Jedi again. So I hope people like this chapter and with that, I would like so thank everyone for reading. I hope everyone is enjoying the story. So please everyone have fun, stay safe and may the force be with you!
Blitzing Raptor
