A/N: Ah after the little Naboo excursion, which will be followed up later. It is time for the start of the original Chapter Six, so without further delay; Chapter 31: An Invitation!
Chapter 31: An Invitation
After a few weeks on Drommund Kaas and the Sith Empire entered a festive celebration, though the day started like any other in Hiskal. The wind was calm and the harsh blizzard that had masked Waldstahl for the past few weeks had finally died down enough for the overlook to be used again the four girls dressed in similar outfits Nora, whose body should have been in a cast after all of the training she had been doing, but due to the force and her Aura she could still stand. She had a cloak that was dark gray on the outside and a magenta on the inside, while the witch of the order, Pyrrha, whose red eyes showed deep immersion, had a light gray cloak with orange on the inside. They were discussing the relative peace in the Empire as Hiskal hadn't been bothered in days.
To them, it was weird as during this week the Empire was celebrating. As to what they were celebrating the sacking of Coruscant, An event revered in the history of the empire and this was its ninth anniversary. Banners and various imperial regalia flew in the streets below. Malserik had told them of the sacking of Coruscant and his part in it. Weiss detested the idea of targeting a massive civilian center, though she did like the Idea of running the Jedi out of their temple, sending them packing to Tython. As the four watched the streets below, Ruby compared this celebration to the one that they witnessed when they first arrived in Hiskal.
"It's like the day when we first showed up in Hiskal, Weiss," Ruby said in her accented voice, a thing, two of the four of them had started picking up gradually, Weiss and Nora being the exceptions, as despite living in the empire for years Malserik still spoke in a normal republic dialect, and Weiss wanted to keep her dialect the same to show that. Though, after a second of analysis of the streets and the reviling crowd, she replied with.
"It is, kind of." Weiss smiled looking at Ruby was looking out over the city. She looked stoic doing that, like a leader ready for war, surveying her forces from above. Weiss actually came to love Ruby as a Sith more than her old dolt of a self. Ruby was now a person who could be a powerful ally if you were her friend or subordinate. Though. if one betrayed her, her friends or her subordinates, that person's life was moot, a rogue guardsman proved this point.
Though, Ruby, even as a Sith, still maintained a beauty and elegance despite her pale complexion and her gilded eyes. If there was one thing Weiss still was uncomfortable with it was Ruby's right arm, the way the prosthetic looked on Ruby just made her uncomfortable, due to this Ruby kept on the same gauntlet she got from Vader when Weiss was around. Though, after looking at Ruby for a few moments too long she quickly returned her gaze to the city. To think Ruby would become like this, Weiss thought as she remembered Ruby as she was on Remnant, the last bit of that shrill higher pitch of her voice had finally left her, allowing her to sound much more mature.
Aside from these changes, their life at Waldstahl was a good one as it stood, they had found their place in the galaxy.
At this point Ruby, looked over at Weiss, thinking about how much she had changed over their Journey. Weiss took a lot from her former Master in how she carried herself through her actions. She commanded the respect of Waldstahl and Hiskal. As now she was an Heiress again, though instead of it being to one of Remnant's largest corporations, it was to being the governor of an entire region of the Imperial Capital world. To everyone who wasn't a friend Weiss was stoic and cold, even being cruel at times, but inside the group of Waldstahl, she was quite warm and friendly.
"Oh come on love birds, give it a rest," Nora blurted out, smiling as she watched the Red and White members of the knight's exchange glances at each other.
"I will have to agree with Nora here," Pyrrha added as she walked over to Ruby as both the Dove and Raven turned to face the Witch and the Warrior, their faces reddened with a blush. The lover's exchanged glances remembering what happened last time Nora and Pyrrha told them to cool down, it had the opposite intended effect, and it led to an awkward night for Pyrrha and Nora, and an even more awkward discussion the morning after.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Ruby replied, with a shrug, "So, what you want to do at some point, I mean we have to get out of Waldstahl at some point, and that party down their looks fun." Ruby smiled, changing the subject.
"First, Ruby, Let's see if Viridian or Ceres have plans first, " Weiss suggested, as all the Sith rarely spend time together as a group, The knights did, but Malserik and Imperious, rarely joined them, and Weiss was curious if they wanted to take a break. "They might have something planned and would like us to go."
"Doubt it, but its worth a shot, beats sitting around doing nothing," Ruby smiled, as she shifted to lean against the overlook's railing, as she pulled her cup from the table with the force and gulped down the fruit juice.
Away from the gathering out on the lookout, Malserik and Imperious were sitting inside discussing other things along the lines of their plans. Though as the conversation progressed
"Ceres, How many do we have to our order?" Malserik asked for an update on the status of the plan.
"Approximately, forty-five Sith, then I have allies in imperial intelligence and you have the Hiskal Guard Viri," Imperious explained though she teased the orders librarian with a nickname that made him groan.
"Viridian or Malserik pick one please I hate being called Viri," Malserik frowned at the leader of the order, "unless you are happy with me calling you Visorium." Though, as he said this ears listened from outside the study. Malserik trusted these ears as they were those of Balikor and Dornettz, and what they heard had them shaking, as they knew that name from legends.
"Okay, Viridian, point made," Imperious said nervously as she reclined "I'll stop."
"Thank you," Malserik smiled, as his desk's terminal began blinking as a new message came through. Malserik opened his terminal to see the message. It read:
Dear, Darth Malserik, and Darth Imperious,
I am sending this message to inform all the Darths of the empire who took part in the glorious Sacking of Coruscant. I will be hosting a party open to all Darth's and Lords. Though, I would like all participants of the Sacking to attend, if it is convenient with their apprentices, if possible. I feel the need to state this, This will be a peaceful event, though bring your lightsaber just in case some dissident Sith decide to be an annoyance. The party is inside my manor in the main hall outside of Kaas City (Coordinates Attached). food and drink will be provided, I would prefer for all to wear their robes, though how you dress is your prerogative. Apprentices will be in attendance and they are welcome to attend with their masters, though if they get out of line they will face punishment. Along with that some High Moffs and other various Imperial personnel will also be in attendance and allowed to attend under a lord.
Please consider the offer, you may enjoy it.
Darth Leers.
While reading the message, Malserik didn't notice imperious had moved to over his shoulder to read it as well. The message perplexed him as he was not in any form of the term, a social butterfly, like Imperious, who was behind him smiling. The second Viridian noticed this smile on the reflection of her face on the obsidian-like top, he wanted to groan as he knew what she was going to say.
"Well I know what I and Ruby are going to do, You should get out of Hiskal, Viridian, you could use the break, and also so Weiss can be with you as I don't want to have to sign for four lords," Imperious explained as she put her hand on his left shoulder, "you have been overworking yourself, and as your friend I am asking you to take a break okay." Imperious smiled as she wanted to see Malserik relax a little.
"I'll be fine," Malserik replied firmly, he had no interest in these parties Sith threw. He would rather be in his lab working on his projects, rather than dealing with music and dancing, again.
"Hey remember when you and I first met, you were a freshly scorned Jedi and I was just a young apprentice," Imperious said changing the topic to her favor.
"Yeah you showed me the ropes back then, and I taught you what I know" Malserik responded suspicious of his friend, "Why are you bringing this up?"
"Ever since you took over Hiskal, you distanced yourself from me, why?" Imperious asked legitimately concerned about her eye patched friend, "You used to be so much fun remember Skotia? That was fun. Remember how you cut down Zash to save me from that ritual, you shredded her with Sturm. You even helped me in my quest to get my position on the dark council!" Imperious said as she looked into Malserik's green eye with her blue ones, "yet you hide yourself on this mountain, just being the order librarian, you lost all your fun. I mean I wouldn't be anywhere in the dark council if it wasn't for you."
"Ceres, I distanced myself for your protection," Malserik spoke solemnly, "Being my only friends are You, Weiss, Ruby, Pyrrha, Nora, and Dyekar, I don't want you to get hurt by me."
"Nothing you could do could hurt me, Viridian you are my friend," Imperious smiled back with a sweet smile, "What would it take for you to get out of Hiskal, Malserik?" With this Malserik entered a state of deep thought if only you knew Ceres, my curse will kill everyone if I am not careful. Though it seems I'm not getting rid of you. Time to be suicidal I guess. Malserik said as his heart raced as his mind worded the question properly.
"Give me a chance," he said in a way that made Imperious raise an eyebrow, "I want you to give me a chance," It took the Sith a second for it to click in her mind what her friend was talking about.
"Wait you mean having a relationship don't you?" Imperious said her eyes going wide with a realization, she was legitimately shocked by this, "And all this time I thought you weren't interested in me, guess I'm a fool." Imperious laughed still surprised her face turning as red as her robes.
"Well I might as well let you know about my eye, Ceres," Malserik said as went to remove his eye patch, though his movement was interrupted by Imperious's hand who held his patch to his face.
"Don't, you'll show me when you're ready." Imperious said smiling sitting on the edge of his desk, "So we gonna go to this thing tomorrow?"
"Of course, with Ruby and Weiss of course," Malesrik replied, thankful at the fact Imperious didn't cut his head off like the last Darth that tried to suit her. he was further alleviated that there seemed to be mutual feelings as well. Continuing he added, "I am going to ask Nora and Pyrrha to remain here, as I need security here"
"Eh, okay, I understand," Imperious smiled as Malserik stood up, he had a lot of preparation to do for tomorrow.
Later that day Imperious mentioned to Ruby and Weiss the plan for tomorrow. Though she kept the thing with her and Malserik a secret from everyone, minus Ruby. She then informed Pyrrha, Nora, and Neo that they would be in charge of Hiskal while they were out, they were not happy with this but Imperious told them that it was for Security, and she would find a way to make it up to the two left out knights. With that in mind, Imperious wanted to have a pilot for tomorrow, and she knew the man for the job, Roman Torchwick. Who's response to the offer was,
"So boss lady, I'm going to be your pet officer?" Roman asked calmly, slightly concerned why he was being dragged along to a 'Sith' party and the role of the token officer was the first that came to his mind.
"if you want to think of it that way, I just think you make a good pilot for our shuttle," Imperious smirked. she liked Roman, he was snide and calculating, he knew how to route criminals and dissidents as he used to be one, "besides you could use a break,"
"I guess your right," the Criminal turned Hiskalan guard captain said, "Neo has been a bit more annoying than usual."
"Well I have one order for you Torchwick," Imperious spoke calmly, looking at the orange haired man, who looked at his boss with an eyebrow raised, concerned of what she was going to say. Judging by the look on her face he guessed it was going to be more of a joke so he replied with,
"And that would be, my lady?" Roman replied feigning his respect for Imperious, he liked pushing his luck with the Darths, unless it was Red though she was just a lord, yet he feared for his life if he let his nickname for her slip.
"Have fun," Imperious said with a smile that reminded him of Red when she was being playful, and not a pain in his ass or choking him because he slipped up and called her Red.
In the knight's quarters in Waldstahl, which was equipped like a lavish one story home by this point. Ruby and Weiss sat at on the couch. They were excited about the party, to say the least, as they would finally get to see how the Sith really could be, if kept civil. Weiss was excited to actually attend a formal event again, with Ruby this time and not some impotent boy her father picked for her or that dolt, Neptune. Ruby, thank God, learned some formal common sense when it came to these types of things. Though, she would probably be recording any unique lightsaber designs along the way. She would have to keep her under wraps if it got too ridiculous.
"So Weiss, are you ready for tomorrow?" Ruby asked of her lover, as she looked into her ice blue eyes that were lined with silver.
"I am, as I am quite curious about how well Sith can hold a formal event," Weiss smiled looking back into the gilded eyes of Ruby, "also did Imperious really have to get us those fancy robes?"
"I thought you of all people, Weiss, would love to wear something fancy to an event like this? I mean she even went so far as to make them look as nice as possible." Ruby smiled as she remembered how Weiss had changed under Malserik. She was into more practical things now, as her current outfit resembled Malserik's. while Ruby's wore robes like those of Imperious, though Imperious was working on making them their own unique outfits. "the one thing you may complain about is she didn't give you those damn lady stilts," Ruby spoke, citing one con of the Robes for this event, that Weiss most likely would complain about.
"You really got learn how to walk in those," Weiss chuckled, She remembered watching Ruby walk in heels the night of prom at Beacon, that was a site she remembered well and fondly "Of all the things Imperious would have taught you, one would think that would be number one on her list."
"No, not really, have you seen Imperious wear heels?" Ruby asked of Weiss, "I bet you haven't because she hates them as much as I do."
"Really!?" Weiss reacted, as she thought about it. As much as Imperious was like Coco in the sense of clothing, the idea of Imperious wearing heels fit her so well. "Well that's different, I thought she did," Weiss said slightly shocked.
"Nope, she wears boots with hobnails and steel toes" Ruby explained to Weiss about her Master, "She says they help with intimidation and 'kicking an opponent's face in' or 'Curb stomping them'."
"that seems like her, Malserik mentioned she can still be a child at heart and immature at times," Weiss said as she could relate why Imperious liked Ruby as an apprentice, they had a lot in common.
"Speaking of Malserik, you know what happened?" Ruby asked not sure if Malserik mentioned anything about that to Weiss. Imperious let Ruby know like a giddy teenager, excited she got her dream date.
"I haven't, though I suspect I will find out now," Weiss responded interested in what could have happened to him that would make Ruby grin like the Cheshire cat.
"He asked Imperious to go out with him to the dance," Ruby smiled, "I knew he would finally get the balls to ask her, though I think I could have told him Imperious felt similarly about him," Weiss went wide eyed, so that's why he was asking me for advice on dating and romance, dear God this could be good, bad, or hilarious. Though if Imperious likes him that means she could be willing to put any romantic ineptness aside.
"well this is most certainly an interesting development, and how did you know about how Malserik and Imperious felt," Ruby tapped her right temple with her gloved hand and Weiss immediately got angry, "Really! You could get that kind of info from reading someone?!" Weiss yelled as she hated the idea of Ruby being able to actively invade someone's head, let alone the fact she did it on people she trusted.
"Weiss sometimes I can't help it," Ruby pleaded as she couldn't just shut it off, it was something she knew about her force sight ability. Sometimes just by focusing on a single person, she could unconsciously activate her ability, "It can activate on its own and it's not like I can get memories or information just basic feelings and emotions!" Ruby blabbered on her speed semblance engaging, causing her to talk faster than normal as she did when she was nervous.
"Okay if that's the case have you ever used it on me," Weiss asked curiously, she could tell if Ruby was being honest.
"Only subconsciously, so I can only read things like what your feeling, very basic things like what's on your mind. I can only fully read someone when I have physical contact and even at that point it requires effort on my part to do. It's not like I can hear your deepest darkest thoughts. So I have not done it on purpose and I would never purposefully do that to anyone I care about," Ruby said she was being honest about her unique ability. Something Weiss had not discovered, supposedly they all had special abilities or affinities in the force, Ruby's being advanced force sight, Pyrrha's being spirit walk, Nora's was advanced shatter-point and something about Sion. Weiss still had not discovered hers yet. Though, according to Imperious, the longer it takes to come out the more impressive it will be.
"Yeah I just don't want to end up like Jaune did, when you were done with him," Weiss smirked as she knew Ruby couldn't truly rip peoples minds apart, yet, though what she could do was horrifying enough.
"He got what he deserved," Ruby hissed she originally felt bad but it faded and she felt he got what he deserved, for what he said. There still was a part of her that cared about Jaune, but if he wanted to be their enemy, so be it.
"That's not what I was talking about, even Pyrrha agree he got what he deserved," Weiss said referencing Pyrrha and Nora's very verbose opinions of the Jedi and Jaune. After that, they decided it was time to get some sleep to prepare for the party. They had to get some rest, as tomorrow they had a party to go to.
As the rest of Waldstahl laid sleeping aside from the guards roaming and milling around in the halls, Malserik laid in his bed awake, his heart pounding, about the day to come. He knew Imperious had feelings for him, but he was worried about what could happen if his eye patch slipped, or he did something to embarrass himself.
He had confronted Weiss earlier for relationship advice, to which she was a great help, though he couldn't help but be nervous, over the matter as he didn't want her to get hurt by things that he could cause.
After a while, the nervous Darth finally fell into the grasp of sleep. Though sleep was no refuge from his nerves, as his mind tormented him further. What he saw in his dreams was a field of unending ash. As he walked both of his eye's burned. From each direction, he heard one of his friends, who as he turned to face them they fell to ash with a shriek of pain and horror, with the last five being the knights, and the last being Imperious. Then he watched as he himself disintegrated to ash to another version of himself, one broken to the full will of the Darkside, who he could become if he wasn't careful. Then he saw the face of a man that constantly haunted him, taunting him for failing with his curse. He was a man who Malserik assumed would want vengeance for his accidental death, Talos Drellik. Though with that image his sleep thankfully faded into darkness, followed by a calm silence.
On the other side of Waldstahl in a hanger, in the quarters of her fury, Imperious was laying back in her bed. Thinking of the day to come. She was looking forward to the old Malserik to come back out. Even since the death of Talos Drellik, Malserik hadn't been the same, he changed drastically. Talos was their friend long before they met Balikor and Dornettz, They all worked well together and respected each other. Viridian and her up close with the enemy while supported by Talos who guarded the rear.
The friendship between Malserik and Talos was one spurred on by their mutual love for the ancient. They both had valued history, and it's lessons. When Talos was killed in an attempt on Malserik's life, Malserik was powerless to stop the attack, or that's how the report went. It was at that time Malserik had just taken over Hiskal and in his grief he almost cut all ties to everyone, holding up in Hiskal not letting anyone see him for months. During that time Malserik fixed Hiskal. Needless to say, most of the empire was impressed with how quickly Malserik cleaned up Hiskal.
Ceres herself felt horrible watching Malserik be alone and afraid of people getting hurt because of him, tugged at her normally cold heart. Seeing how afraid Malserik was about people getting hurt by him worried the Sith as it told her there was still a little bit of Jedi still a bit of Jedi in his system that was holding him back. Tomorrow was to be a fun day, however, so Imperious decided it was time to get some rest rather than plan on how to help Malserik with his fear of loss.
She glanced at her full Sith robes in the corner of the room with a smile, a thought, tomorrow is going to be fun.
AN: Well with this chapter, we have the start of the original chapter six. A chapter I originally cringed at after the fact, as it was a silly filler aside I came up with but after the fact and after Changing it to a full chapter I thought it went well with the story, as it does handle Malserik and Imperious's story, (and bring in a character that hasn't been seen in a while.) I didn't change this chapter that much minus adding a few scenes, and changing a few more things, like the cringy dialogue at the start of the chapter.
Review responses,
Jar Jar Binks: he would be much more than your great uncle, ancestor more like as this story is set in the EU/Legends: The Old Republic AU, so these events are taking place way before episode one. Good review though!
Hornofdesolation: Yeah, I should go back and describe it, but I will leave it up to the imagination as to what he did as a raider. (I had enough for that chapter for the time being.)
JimmyHall24: I am curious as to what you mean by that?
As for the Next chapter, it will be one dedicated to a criminally underused character Lie Ren on Coruscant. It's a new chapter, (I hope it doesn't turn into Jaune's chapter 2.0) Also apologies for the Short AN last chapter, I kind of rushed it with them. Now with all of that out of the way feel free to ask any questions if you have them, or give suggestions or corrections once again if you have any please give them or leave a review. Alright, everyone, be safe, have fun, and may the force be with you!
Blitzing Raptor
