A/N: He's mad, he's crazy. I am very proud of this chapter! Also, holy moly, 2 chapters within a week! Me oh my.


Chapter 57: Ascension


As the members of team PRWN looked at each other in their new outfits, smiles were plenty. Ruby specifically turned and darted up. It was a blizzard of petals, though once it cleared it was evident that Ruby gave Imperious a hug.
"So I take it that you like your outfits?" Imperious asked as she moved Ruby off of her. She smiled herself, upon seeing the fit of their outfits. She was proud of how they fit on the girls. They all looked to Imperious. Pyrrha looked at her and held her scepter and gave her statement.

"I see you played to the nature of Nora and I's old titles," The former Tomb Witch said as she examined her outfit. "Though, you are making me wish I was a pureblood with this outfit, Imperious," Pyrrha said with a bit of envy that she wasn't a Sith pureblood. Nora on the other hand just gave her response with

"I like the bones, it reminds me of Tatooine," Nora grinned as she hooked her lightsaber to her bandoleer and muttered quietly in a musical fashion, "Bones, bones, bones…" as she gave the outfit a twirl. The bones decorating the sand person-like outfit clattered as she did so. Weiss stood, almost mimicking Viridian's posture. Clipping Mitternacht to her belt she finally gave her thoughts on the outfit.

"I am grateful that you kept things simple," Weiss said, glad the detail was minor and wouldn't get in the way of her ability to fight. She moved around even mimicking Malserik's hand behind-the-back walk style. Despite all the recent drama between her and her Master, she thought I owe him for all that he has done, and I plan on honoring him. She then stood tall, her posture, despite her shorter stature could still tower over lessers. She carried herself with a look of superiority now. "Well, I am quite happy with this." Weiss smiled "Ruby we didn't get a good look at you," Weiss said with a chuckle as Ruby stepped back and the group could see the bone-white mask on the right side of her face covering her burns. They saw how flowy the outfit was as Ruby spun around.

"Well, I really like this," Ruby stated as it made her remember her old outfit. Though it was a new more armored-up option. Weiss herself found the outfit a tasteful callback, and it fit Ruby's new frame very well. Though Imperious spoke up wanting to add some further information.

"I hate to say it, but Ruby's outfit was the one I put the most thought into." Imperious shrugged, though she got to look over her work and it made her smile. "It does look damn good, you are definitely going to stand out amongst your peers, Ruby" Imperious said with pride as she personally couldn't wait for Ruby to really bloom into the role she had planned for the young Sith. "Thank you four for humoring me, I know it is a little weird but I felt you four needed your own styles," Imperious said happily. It made her day to hear that they did like their outfits. Ruby threw her long low ponytail behind her as her hood was finally down.

"So what are we going to do in the meantime before the trials?" Pyrrha asked as she leaned back on the scepter. Though Ruby looked at her and said, "You guys can do whatever,, I need to go see… my Dad," Ruby said, she knew how neglected her dad felt at her hand, and she knew she needed to fix it, or at least try to.

"Well I will be at your side," Weiss stated as she moved her hand out, attempting a dramatic flair with her cloak. The cloak did aid her and she did end up liking the results of the flare.

"I am going to go with you too, Ruby," Yang spoke up wanting to come with her sister as she stepped forward. Pyrrha and Nora both shrugged and then looked at one another curious about what to do then decided to follow Ruby, figuring they needed to talk to those who just came back with them.

"Well then, let's go," Ruby frowned, as her mind thought, By the force, I am not ready for this. She thought as she left the room, she smiled looking back to see Weiss and Yang following her with Nora and Pyrrha tailing. As she walked she took her mask off and looked at the inscription inside it. Though as to avoid questions, she put the mask back on her face.


In the medical bay, Taiyang felt the Sith architecture was a bit disconcerting to the nature of the healing process, let alone considering he was being tended to by a droid than a person. The droid had popped his arm back together. Then fit a cast on it as Raven stood guard, tense, her head on a swivel as she looked for threats to her or Taiyang. Though the door opened and Ozpin entered with a grim look plastered on his face.

"Oz, you don't make that look lightly, What's up?" Taiyang asked, looking at his friend. The look on Ozpin's face only soured further at this question. He sat down in a nearby chair.

"They refused to aid Nar Shaddaa…" Ozpin said as Taiyang started to feel anger that his daughters would refuse to help a world in need. "They said unless the Sith empire acts, they will not act." To Raven's ears, that response was reasonable maybe to them, if just they intervened, it could be suicide. She thought as she looked at Ozpin taking her mask off.

"Ozpin, maybe they don't have the forces to do so, remember, Nar Shaddaa was a massively overpopulated moon that may be a death sentence, it would make sense for them to get the details first before they say what they are going to do, and want to know they aren't going to be the only ones sticking their necks out," Raven said as she played the devil's advocate. Though this didn't help Ozpin, it did however help Taiyang, who was hoping that Ruby would jump at the ability to fight the Grimm. Though the door opened again and the three looked to see Ruby, Weiss, Yang followed by Nora, and Pyrrha entering the room. Ruby had a tall and powerful stride, Weiss stood like a noble. They saw the outfits they wore now, making them look almost villainous by Remnant's standards. Though Taiyang gravitated towards the mask on Ruby's face. It looked weird to him. Though she stood at the edge of the door looking inward.
"Hey, Dad. Hello Raven and Ozpin, as well," Ruby spoke, her imperial accent in full. Something that they were not expecting to hear as she walked in. her new armored boots clicking against the metal floor. "So, what happened to your hand?" Ruby said as Raven looked at Ruby and gave a smile as Weiss and Yang decided to stand.

"Ruby… I can see the resemblance," Taiyang said as he looked into those gilded eyes that were broken up by a sparse spattering of ice blue from Weiss's eyes. Ruby sighed hearing that, she knew what that meant. "Yeah, but you are still my dad," Ruby added with a smile, she didn't want her dad to feel that pain, she could already feel that he was, and it made her hurt.

"Your mother too, I take it you know she is a Jedi?" Taiyang inquired. This got Ruby to look at her dad. His face curled in terror at the face she was making as it looked malicious. Weiss herself gave a smile, Yang even drew concern from this look, Weiss just simply smiled as she watched the looks form.

"Well, yes I do, I wonder how many other lies she has?" Ruby asked, her voice riddled with hatred and contempt. This shocked Taiyang and Ozpin, as this despise in her voice, seemed unnatural for a person who used to idolize her mother. What has my daughter become? Taiyang asked as he looked at Ruby. though all he could muster was.

"Ruby, you really have changed," This got Ruby to smile as she just laughed, though not like she used to, she sounded like she was about to lose it. That's when it hit those with any doubts in the room with the fact Ruby was a full Sith. Ozpin himself frowned as Ruby laughed, feeling a wave of emotion. He felt like he had failed. He could curse Ironwood for his actions, but that didn't change the fact that Ozpin was intimidated by the four sith that were before him. He was saddened that four of his best students had become this, but he was impressed they weren't full-on tyrants. He was concerned when he last saw the wayward Rose, but he only felt sadness. he wished she hadn't been tormented by Ironwood. Looking at her, he saw Revan in Ruby, but he also saw Taiyang, he sighed as Ruby spoke.

"Well, I know you probably hate what I have become, but the four of us are Heroes." Ruby's voice was coarse with emotion as she didn't see herself as a bad person, her accent was still surprising to Ozpin, but seeing her now, he did say something to PRWN.

"You four are heroes on Remnant as well," Ozpin stated, as Pyrrha and Taiyang looked shocked, Ruby smiled and Weiss's eyes went wide, and Nora along with Raven simply didn't care. Ruby looked at her former headmaster and gave him a powerful look that said 'elaborate on that.' "Your Black Knight motion gave people of Remnant hope through the darkness." Ozpin explained as Yang remembered the image she saw of Ruby on that scroll. Taiyang remembered too, thinking it was merely a phase set upon by grief. "You made people unite, under black cloaks and red blades," Ozpin explained as Ruby stood up and looked to her team as they all had thought of their home. Though Weiss was the one to bring it up. It was weird for the four as they didn't feel the anger they thought would be associated with the revelation that they darkened Remnant. Though that is when Weiss asked the question she knew the other four were thinking.

"Ozpin, what happened to Remnant, after we, well left?" Weiss asked her voice concerned by the way Ozpin said they united Remnant in darkness. This question was a unified front as all now wanted answers to this question.

"The Grimm attacked all across the world, and they kept attacking. That is why I am here, in fact, I wanted to retrieve the people we lost during the Amity incident as Remnant's ability to resist is dwindling, I personally am shirking duties I have, as I am worried for humanity's extinction" Ozpin explained with a tone that the girls had not heard before, it was one of worry. This prompted Ruby to pull her mask off with her head held low, she looked to her team, then her father, Yang's mother, and then Ozpin, her mind raced, She wanted to save Remnant one person, one sith can't take on the horrors of Remnant, We will need forces, more than just Remnants. We need the full weight of the empire to end that threat… Ruby thought and that thought is what prompted Ruby to speak.

"Ozpin, if you can find a way to return to Remnant, We will return, though under one term…" Ruby said as she looked at Ozpin, her look cold and serious. Ozpin nodded fearing what his former student would say, "I want Remnant to join the Sith Empire."

"I think that should be Remnant's choice Ruby," Ozpin replied, honestly terrified by what the girl just said, though he was not the only one pretty much everyone in the room was stunned by what Ruby had said. "Ruby, I am not too keen on your Empire, I don't think Remnant would be either." It was at that point Ruby said something that showed how far Ruby had come along intellectually.

"You're right Ozpin, I would like to have a vote on it then, Ozpin, we aren't tyrants," Ruby stated with a confident smirk that made the other three Sith smile, all out of pride at what Ruby just said, though Weiss then decided to add her point.

"I would love to see the Grimm survive a strike from a Harrower," Weiss stated giving a cold grin, as she looked at Ruby, who just looked back with a grin. Though Taiyang looked at his 'daughter' with shock, she had inspired darkness and had given it momentum. Though another person walked up to the conversation.

"Ruby?" a quiet slightly nervous voice inquired, though this one made Ruby's face light up as she saw an old friend that she hadn't seen in years, let alone talked to after the mine incident, Ruby looked over and saw the girl who saved her from that errant vehicle all those years ago. She barely remembered that she was here, as her mind was focused on the Grimm.

"Sorry about earlier Penny," Ruby said the metal girl approached, not appearing to have aged one bit as Ruby looked at her and walked over, excusing herself from the room and smiling at her old friend. "It is a relief to see that you are still in good condition," Ruby said with a smile as she looked over Penny, she saw the damage on her body that allowed people to see what she truly was.

"It is alright, Friend Emerald is in the Kolto tank," This name reminded Nora and Pyrrha to speak though the Tomb Witch got to it first and stated. Though Nora looked over to the Kolto tank and a lightsaber could be heard igniting, This got the whole room to jump as Nora held her lightsaber as she walked toward the tank. Though almost like he walked too fast, anomalously so, and stood in front of Nora.

"Out of my way, Ozpin," Nora growled as Ruby followed by Pyrrha. Then the burning orange blade of Pyrrha's lightsaber was ignited, and the Tomb Witch stood with the War Maiden. "I don't want another Grimm explosion, so MOVE!" Nora yelled as her hand tightened around Blodsverd's hilt as the pink blade hummed as it pulsed.

"She was one of Cinder's group," Pyrrha stated as Nora reinforced the Tomb Witch's hostility. It was at that moment Ruby's eyes went wide, and a grin started to curl on her face when she remembered Amity. Though Ruby stood alongside as Ozpin spoke out.

"While that may be the case, she is not cursed by Salem's magic." Ozpin said as he looked over the Sith before him, "She is of no danger right now, and I will not let you kill someone while they are incapacitated, I would prefer if you didn't kill at all." Ozpin stated as Taiyang and Yang looked at PRWN, two with lightsabers drawn as Ruby looked at both Pyrrha and Nora. Though Penny stood in the way with Ozpin.

"If Ozpin claims she is safe, then she is safe," Ruby said trusting Ozpin, though Ruby did give a grin. "besides it means we can get some info on what was really going on at Amity." Ruby said a bit smug that she could actually get some answers pertaining to what propelled her on her journey to becoming a Sith. "Though I personally think we all could use a nice rest, we are going to have a big night tomorrow."


To pass the time, Ruby wanted to rest, maybe interact with the guests, but she sighed as she found herself tinkering with Rose De Sang, making sure there were no major signs of wear. Weiss was in the training in the droid bay, though she found herself joined by Malserik who helped her spar. Nora just passed out on the couch in her full outfit, feeling she was ready for the fight. While Pyrrha was meditating, convening with the spirits that guided her. Yang decided to stay near Ruby, while Raven Ozpin and Taiyang stayed in the Medical bay. The next day was a slow one, Imperious and Malserik saw to the duties of Waldstahl as the four of PRWN waited for their call. As the day drifted into the night, the call came. It was like the force was pulling them. Ruby bore a grin, Weiss a scowl, Pyrrha, a neutral expression, Nora a Cheshire, face splitting slasher smile. Though all those who knew the force could feel the call.

This was the culmination of years of training, hardship, and fighting to survive. Going outside of Waldstahl in the dead of night, as the bitter cold of the winter's grasp and the storming forces of a blizzard made it quite difficult to navigate by natural sight. The force was guiding them to their destined point. Once there, the generally ever-present force storm clouds broke to show a starry night sky. They felt the weight of their new outfits as they walked through the blizzard. Though it started to form an eye and swirled around them. Following to observe the proceedings were Malserik, Imperious, Yang, and Ozpin. Under the light of the stars, they saw four standing before them. Those who came to observe finally got to see them, the four men who started PRWN down their path. The air was disturbed by the wheezing gas mask sound of Vader's breathing as his cape fluttered behind him, his red blade illuminating his presence. In the minimal light afforded by the stars and the crimson of his blade, came the glistening of Bane's Orbalisk armor. The hums of Exars blue blades as he stood tall, standing out with his blue blades, as his armor rattled slightly in the wind of the blizzard. Then there was the last man, his insect-like armor creaking announcing the presence of Krayt. Seeing them they looked at one another and nodded. With that, the girls stood in front of the men who unlocked their powers, who showed them their way. They pointed their blades to say to the girls "Fight us like Sith." Taking to the Challenge the girls took out their sabers and ignited them. Watching, Imperious knew exactly what they were facing, physical manifestations of the force meant to test the girls. Though standing behind the two Sith was a figure. In a snow-coated tree above the location a rusty metal droid watched on his parameters updated, he was to make contact with his new master as mandated by his old.


Ruby stood before Vader with a smirk on her face. As their eyes locked, Ruby felt the heat. The environment morphed, almost like this was a trial of the force itself. She sighed as she saw the dark room she saw all those years ago. Looking out the window she could see the lava fields of a world she never knew. Feeling his pain, She sighed as she could now feel it, the force flowing through her. Ruby brought both her cross sabers to bear on the black-clad Sith, letting the force guide her strikes. Vader, who was managing to keep pace with her relentless assault. He was blocking and defending as he was keeping the focus on his challenger. He lashed out in a hard strike against the rosy As she parried his blade and immobilize it using her red glyphs, to lay a kick into this chest only to get intercepted by Vader's left hand. Bringing her off-hand to bare Ruby released an intermediate burst of force lightning causing the lord to unlock his metallic grip. Needing to hastily retaliate, Ruby engaged her semblance of speed. She blazed her blade in multiple ways as Vader dodged. Gritting her teeth, she was getting fed up with this and decided to use her semblance in a very creative way, drifting the blade into blazing rose petals drifting off her blade. Then, as they drifted through the air, she ripped them forward with a massive force wave, causing minor light cuts to the avatar of Vader. Though as he was distracted Ruby leaped forward in a bullet dash her lightsabers held out front causing a red spiral of death. Vader repulsed this attack with a force push. Ruby slid back to a stop though before launching herself forward again she used her summoning glyphs to summon glowing red, normal-sized Nevermores, hoping to distract Vader. The tall man was battered by the birds and sliced them out of the air sealing his fate as she blasted forward in a crack, that said she broke the sound barrier. Her red cross-blades blurred as she slammed forward. She locked Vader's blade to the side as she kicked upward. With a loud crack, her armored boot made contact with the gorget on his neck tearing his mask off his face, which clattered against the floor. This caused his suit to struggle and fire off an alarm as he was staggered by the hit. Seeing his burned and scarred face and hearing his life support system failing Ruby went in for a swift kill. Though Vader ripped her back with a force push out the window. Crashing through the glass, her cloak saved her from any damage and she landed on her feet as the eighteen-year-old woman slid back her hob-nailed boots, scraping the surface with a harsh squeal, though the boots were quick to grip the obsidian-like floor. Though she was quickly followed by Vader out onto the balcony that overlooked the lava fields. Ruby growled as every attack she gave got repulsed by the cybernetic Sith. Feeling standard saber technique wouldn't cut it on Vader she locked her cross sabers together forming a double saber and attempted a flourish as she yelled out and as her saber staff connected to with his single-bladed saber, she tried to twist around him to force a connection on his shoulder armor which the flash of sparks signaled was successful. He grunted as she saw flesh under the armor and decided while he was distracted to give him a kick on the center of his chest. With a loud thud her armored shin connected with Vader's torso control box. Though recovering from the shock he grabbed Ruby by the leg and attempted to sever, though Ruby parried and forced Vader to throw her away. Seeing that the saber staff worked, Ruby smiled grasping the center of the connected hilts of Rose De Sang. Magnetically extending the hilts, to their full length she had one side of the saber set to its normal mode though on the other end she clicked the selector switch, turning the left quillon into a full-sized blade whilst shortening the main emitter to the length of a quillon. Holding the now light scythe, like how she would hold Crescent Rose so long ago she darted forth. Her body moving rapidly she leaped against Vader. Her strike was low clipping off the now sluggish Sith's feet as he was not prepared for her to deploy a light scythe. As he fell, she whipped the blade around her body, using the force to switch it back to its normal saber staff. This was so Vader fell neck first on the blade decapitating himself. His body fell to the ground headless, fading away into a cloud of black smoke though this smoke made Ruby think of the Grimm. Though panting as the environment she could only suspect as someplace important to Vader. She deactivated De Sang and kneeled down as the snow of Hiskal returned to her and her trial was complete.


Weiss saw the mountains of Hiskal melt away into the rough humid jungles with that red gas giant over her head. She found herself on a bridge with a waterfall to her left as she stared down a set of two small temples that stood along with the jungle's trees. Before her, stood Exar Kun with his blade burning blue. Weiss initiated the fight with a prideful form II saluted and the battle was on. Weiss's chosen tactic was obviously trying to duel Exar Kun into the ground. The force guiding her every move. Every single shift of her feet was guided by the force as she tried to stay ahead of her competition. Her face bore a scowl of determination. Her stabs and thrusts were very aggressive as like Ruby, she was keeping pace with the brute of a man that was Exar Kun. She kept his blades at bay with a mix of evasions, dodges, blocks, and parries whilst keeping the offensive momentum that she possessed. Her parries proved to be detrimental as she would often use them to exploit a further weakness or an opening. Her moves were deft and elaborate flourishes making her blue blade blur that was hard to predict the movements she was making against him. Though Exar quickly adapted to the fight he was facing and worked to stagger her momentum by throwing her a bolt of lighting her way. She caught it at the last possible second with her blade, halting her momentum as Exar took this time to try and get an attack in, trying to get an attack in on her neck. Weiss deflected the attack, with grace and speed. Seeing that Exar had stopped her momentum, she switched to a new offensive strategy, which was powering her blade with an ungodly amount of force lightning. Though she then pulled the Trigger on Mitternacth's hilt engulfing the blade in fire dust, making the blade erupt with blue flames. With the added effects applied, she struck out at Exar's left arm. Though, Exar did attempt to block her strike. Though for the young Sith that was part of her plan as her blade contacted his all the lightning stored in the blade jumped down his and shorted out the upper emitter on his saber. The Avatar of Exar was quick to adapt bringing the other blade around in a Shein reverse grip. Weiss countered with her glyphs using them to channel lightning to distort the rocky floor ground beneath the feet of Exar's avatar, this distortion shook the bridge as stones were loosened. With a flick of her wrist, she spawned a glyph that ripped sharp spikes of stone up from the ground cracking the bridge beneath his feet. Exar lept back as the center of the bridge started to buckle also allowing him to avoid this attack. He saw Weiss had lept back as well. Standing on the other end of the chasm, Exar retaliated with a saber throw. His now one-bladed saber, spinning towards the white-haired sith. Weiss countered by stopping the blade with her glyphs and then ripping his saber out of the air. She brought his saber to bear in her hand as she started to dash forward. She accelerated using her speed and glyphs over the chasm. Moving, she threw Exar's saber back like a spear. It moved with such a velocity, It shattered the sound barrier as it flew towards its master. This unexpected attack got Exar to try and push his own saber back, but it was too late, it didn't hit him in the head but his right arm and severed it. Weiss stood glaring at him, her eyepatch on her left eye her right eye watched Exars right arm fall to the ground as the limb faded to nothing. She stood undoing her eyepatch as she glared at Exars avatar. Though she smiled and put it back on her face, she wasn't going to win like that. Looking down at the avatar so close to death, she started to electrify him using the power of his own amulet as he felt the sting of her fingertips as the lightning erupted. As his body took the extreme power of her lightning, the Sith faded with a scream of pain as her electricity pulled the man apart. As he faded from existence she kneeled down and felt the return of the cold air of Hiskal on her body. She smiled, while she liked the location, she was happy to be home with her trial complete.


Pyrrha saw the world melt back to the dusty tombs on Korriban. It was a place she knew all too well as well, the tomb of Marka Ragnos. Who the spectral Sith of old was sitting atop of his throne in the room, where his statue would normally be. He was looking at both Pyrrha and Bane. Under the judgment of those of old. Pyrrha stared down at the man who was called Sith'ari as he was standing in front of her. Their arena was open as she began bracing her retrosaber in its guard saber mode cocking her scepter off to the side. Bane on the other hand was standing ready with his bent hilt lightsaber. Pyrrha walked around Bane, as the two of them circled each other. They were analyzing each other for weakness and where to strike. Pyrrha was also letting the force guide her letting her see weaknesses beyond even the normal eye. She spotted the opening she wanted and tried to exploit it. So she bolted in, starting the attack with a blast from the scepter, which was a mistake as the Orbalisks absorbed the blast of dark side energy. Giving Bane a bit of a kick in power as they clung to his skin. She bolted around him trying something new, on the back of her belt was a small pouch she fitted. Inside were ferrous throwing darts, she pulled them out and used her polarity semblance to hold them up in the air over her shoulder. She rapidly heated the tips of the double-ended projectiles and whipped them through the air at her target, who in true sith fashion was she was looking to kill. Bane seeing this unorthodox method smiled as he intercepted the red hot darts as they flew with the force halting them as he grabbed them and just what Pyrrha wanted. Slinging Ragnos's scepter on her back she focused massive bolts through the air the knives chaining off them and into his body as she hit him with a force push. The jolt of energy caused the orbalisks, to overload and it fried a large amount off of his body causing them to fall off and fade into oblivion. Stunned by the voltage he just endured, bain lept back as applause could be heard as the Sith of old were impressed by Pyrrha's show of force. With this encouragement, Pyrrha returned her scepter to her hand. Leveling it at Bane, she ripped the dark side energy from the body of the avatar. Sapped of his strength and feeling immeasurable rage. Bane could be seen returning the favor, he tried to run up the beam as it hit him. Pyrrha smiled expecting this. Bane then saw how this was anticipated as a spirit parried his attack for Pyrrha. Bringing down his blade on the spirit as he shoved forced lightning down the blade of his lightsaber. The spirit fought valiantly as Pyrrha used him as a distraction. Retracting the connected spirit that boosted her power, she tore forward slamming the base of her scepter into Bane's gut. Swinging her leg up she swept his head with her leg, Slamming him into the hard stone of the floor. Marka Ragnos smiled at the show that they were getting at the hands of Pyrrha. Enraged, and with a scream as flipped up from the floor in a violent attack. Bane slammed his saber into the retrosaber's cable. Pyrrha smiled as it was due to Sith alchemy reinforcement wrapping the cable it prevented Bane from cutting the cable. Seeing this attack, Pyrrha kicked the man back, staggering him back. Collapsing the guard handle, she put her saber back into a normal configuration she re-engaged Bane, targeting his saber. She was pressing the unstable orange blade on his crimson one, causing a roaring light show as she pushed the saber lock breaking the lock with a kick to Bane's groin. Taking the opening, She then slammed him back with a force push powerful enough to smash his avatar into a crater on the wall of the tomb. After he fell down, Pyrrha, found herself grinning as she started to bring down the scepter. She leveled it to the weakened Bane. She targeted and focused its beam on the avatar and dismantled it. She could feel the energy flowing as the sith gave their applause for the show they got. The scepter did its job and absorbed the Darkside energy. With the chanting she kneeled down, her test was complete.


Nora felt the heat of the desert as it formed around her, the cold air twisting into warm dryness. She could see the brown rock bridge forming over a canyon. She saw Krayt was standing at the other end, staring her down as the War Maiden charged. Blasting forward with a coattail of lightning. Their lightsaber's clashed and this duel was one of brute strength. Her pink blade clashed with Krayt's red blade. She was fighting the lock as her muscles tensed with torrents of self-inflicted force lightning. Due to her semblance, the crazed battler could take it with no damage. At least no damage the lightning caused her. The current of the lighting increased her strength to inhuman levels causing Krayt to be bent backward as the young sith roared. Early on, on Tatooine, this caused her serious issues as her body tended to try to tear itself apart when she did this causing her to hold back. Now, broken bones, torn ligaments muscles, and tendons were rendered completely irrelevant. None of these pains were new to her anymore as she had the ability to piece herself back together internally and her aura would heal it making her even stronger in the end. By now her body had fully adapted to this technique. Even as she pushed her broken arm to force Krayt back, its shape held as the force kept her in the fight. Though she looked to make an opening so she fired blodsverd's extension mechanism toward the ground to launch herself upward and out of the saber lock. She then maneuvered in the air and saw a shatter point to hit on Krayt's back so she came down with an elbow strike on his back. With the impact, the crazed sith could hear the cracking of the bones of the vision, as she saw a dent in the chitin-like armor he wore. Krayt roared as he got knocked off the bridge and impacted a large boulder, cracking his armor further Just like opening up a crab Nora thought as the cracking of the unknown carapace was music to her ear as she retracted the light pike back into a one-handed saber, she readied for her next attack. Leaping down for an attempt at finishing this quickly, Krayt locked his saber with hers for a second time. Though fueled by pain and rage, he stood up with a grimace and a death glare that Nora returned as the sith stood pushing her back this time. Nora grinned as this was just what she wanted. Her smile split her face as she was struggling against Krayt so she could adjust her blade to angle the opposite end of her saber down at his leg. Seeing the alignment, she lurched the trigger back and activated the blast extension system for a second time. Darting forward, the force pike tipped end extended forth bringing her saber hilt to its full six-foot length. Though this violent expansion was heralding a sharp crack as the length of the pole pierced the chitin armor of his leg shattering and fragmenting both the femur and fibula. His leg is pinned in place. The wounds surrounded by black fog, she ripped the pike back out of his leg, the flanges tearing more black material from the body of the dark lord's avatar. With this he blasted her with a force push into the canyon wall, causing her aura to flare and a few sickening cracks to be heard. Recovering with her disturbing grin, she slammed the pike on the wall, causing it to retract. she brought the blade to bear as Krayt charged her with the force of his namesake. Though his vision was clouded with rage. Nora exploited this by piercing the fresh hole in his leg with her blade as she threw a punch at his helmet. The sheer energy of which cracked it as she torqued her saber upward, severing his leg. This plus the punch sent him toppling over and looking down at the wounded avatar Nora let the force pike extend one final time, though this time into Krayt's forehead, cracking his skull with the velocity of the impact. Nora could be seen smirking as she made the man fading man in front of her into a "Sloth." Seeing the vicious work she smiled. Though that smile faded as she saw the desert recede and return to the mountains of Hiskal as she finally kneeled down. With that, all four trials had been completed and the four had proven themselves.


During the trials, Imperious and Malserik smiled as they watched the four simultaneous battles through what almost seemed like windows in the force to places unknown. the vulgarity of the combat was quite impressive. They saw the deft skills of combat on the part of the knights. Their fighting styles integrated flawlessly with their auras, semblances, and force abilities. Though Imperious got a feeling that if these were the real Sith lords this may have been rougher on them, but the mix of abilities that they possessed made for quite the trick to combat. Their movements were advanced Ruby's speed and acrobatic prowess, Weiss's use of her semblance and the force, Pyrrha's use of her Spirit walk and her scepter, Nora's brute strength, all of these things impressed Imperious and Malserik. Ozpin and Yang were shocked by the unadulterated violence they witnessed. They saw how they worked in full. Yang's heart sank as her eyes was on Ruby as she saw how she handled someone like that. She could have killed me… Yang thought, happy that Ruby maintained control during the rage-fueled duel she had with Ruby. Ozpin, on the other hand, was concerned, he never thought that these girls, could be this violent. He remembered the grief and pain they felt after the incident. I failed them… I made a mistake, damn you Ironwood. He curse mentally as the trial concluded, the four sat under a lone tree watching as each battle unfolded. As the windows closed, they heard the heavy breathing return along with other figures. Looking over they saw the men they just defeated standing in front of the girls, showing their natures to be tests of the Darkside itself.

"Ruby Rose, come forth," the black-clad Sith lord said with his lightsaber ignited, addressing Ruby with her name, an act that sent a chill down her spine. As Ruby stood in front of this man he said a lone word "Kneel," in his heavily modified voice. The Raven of Hiskal did as she was told, and kneeled before the apparition of the dark lord, taking his saber from one shoulder to the next as if he was knighting her he spoke in his booming voice, "Your training is complete Ruby Rose! I hereby name you a full Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Fleurnoire," Ruby looked up her gilded eyes watched as the avatar of Vader faded away. This declaration got Imperious to smile as Ruby stood tall a smug, almost evil grin on her face. Though it was another turn and Malserik perked up to watch this.

"Weiss Schnee, step forward," the Avatar of Exar Kun spoke to Weiss, using her name. The icy Sith came forward with pride in her step. her face curled to the left in a smirk that showed her excitement. Now Exar looked and spoke to her. "Like me you have become a Sith. Yet, to many, you are not Sith, let this be hearsay no more, Weiss," He spoke verbosely as he gestured for her to kneel, she did, her smile on her face as he did the same knighting action as Vader, "you are now Sith, Darth Glatteis," he spoke with pride in his voice, as he faded to the wind. Malserik watched as his former apprentice got her title, and she stood tall, her cloak flowing like snow in the wind. She smiled looking back at Malserik.

Bane then gestured for Pyrrha to come forth, which she did, her face showing the side of her she formed in the dire tombs of Korriban. Looking at the woman he set on the path, a few other specters showed themself. Two stood out to the veteran Sith, Naga Sadow, and Marka Ragnos as Bane finally spoke "Pyrrha Nikos, you have earned the respect of the old lords, something in my time in the tombs I could not do." Bane Spoke using Pyrrha's name as well, he then looked, at her, "I had a vision of two sith and only two. I see the error of that prospect for this fate, you are set to be great Pyrrha Nikos" he spoke as she kneeled and was inducted as Darth with the word's "So take the title of Sith, Darth Noxcaedis!" He said 'knighting' her and giving her the title of a full Darth. Pyrrha stood up as the chanting could be heard in the wind as Sadow and Ragnos chanted, "Noxcaedis!"

Nora was the last to be acknowledged, though it was by design, as Krayt spoke loudly in his insect-like armor. "Nora Valkyrie your abilities in brutality are unmatched, come forward," Nora followed Kryats avatars orders, walking forward as she stood ready with her extended lightpike. Then Krayt spoke again, "your soul burns fierce Nora. You are a combatant who understands the sheer power of the forces you wield. Nora, you are like that of the Krayt Dragon," Krayt boasted comparing the young woman in front of him to one of the fiercest creatures in the galaxy. Though Nora knelt down as Krayt followed the process set by the three before him and christened her. "So for your dedication and ferocity I name you Darth Svarttrost!" With that, Nora stood as the four men were gone, and they looked at one another.

"Well Ladies," Malserik said as he approached, "You are full Sith, Darths," Malserik said stating that these titles were now valid. Though as they made sure to stow their weapons. Imperious stepped forward and looked the four of them over as Yang and Ozpin watched them. Though it was clear Imperious had one final formality as she activated a recording device.

"Sadly, I have to do this for formalities sake as I have to approve your titles, and put you on the list of Darths" Imperious said as she looked to her former apprentice first. She gave her a smile and then stated. "Ruby Rose, I hereby invest you with the title of Darth Fleurnoire, Do you accept your title and duties as Darth under the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge," Imperious stated coldly as she looked directly into Ruby's icy gold eyes.

"I do, I take the title of Darth Fleurnoire," Ruby smiled as she loved her title and her heart skipped, as Imperious nodded, then she skipped over Weiss who gave her a look, though Imperious gave a look to Malserik. She sighed as Weiss chuckled, of course, she would make this more complicated, she thought as Malserik approached.
"Malserik, I give you the authority to name one Sith before you as a Darth," Imperious stated as she moved aside as Malserik took his position.
"By the power of Imperious, Weiss Schnee, I hereby invest you with the title of Darth Glatteis, Do you accept your title and duties as Darth under the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge?" Malserik asked as Weiss smiled to him and gave her response.

"Henceforward, I take the title of Darth Glatteis, and the duties I shall have with my new title," Weiss said as Imperious gave Malserik a pat on his back. Though, it was now time for Pyrrha to which Imperious approached the Tomb Witch. She spoke the words, like it was a religious sacrament.

"Pyrrha Nikos I hereby invest you with the title of Darth Noxcaedis, Do you accept your title and duties as Darth under the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge," Imperious said as Pyrrha looked at her with eyes burning crimson and spoke.

"I take the title of Darth Noxcaedis." Pyrrha said with a nod finding this redundant but realized this wasn't meant to be a normal preceding, this was a ritual, one to confirm their titles and authority. Though imperious sighed to the fidgety Nora and spoke.

"Nora Valkyrie, I hereby invest you with the title of Darth Svarttrost, Do you accept your title and duties as Darth under the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge," Imperious said hoping Nora would be professional for this statement as it was an official recording.

"Of course I do, I am now Darth Svarttrost," Nora said with a smile as they looked to one another and Imperious smiled with that response. The four looked happy, proud of their trials, and it showed, they were now Sith and Imperious and had one final line. "With your trial's complete, I hereby name you four full Dark Lords of the Sith, may your enemies tremble in your wake!" Imperious declared. Ozpin and Yang looked to the four before them, it was like they changed, they were full-on Darth's now, Ruby smiled as she walked over to the two, after being declared a Darth, and asked,

"So did you two enjoy the show?" She asked as Ozpin and Yang looked into her golden eyes. The woman before them was hard to call Ruby Rose now. It was like that ritual was one that almost renamed them, she was now Darth Fleurnoire, a Dark Lord of the Sith, not Ruby Rose, a huntress in training.


A/N: well that was Chapter 57: Ascension and we have hit a huge milestone, PRWN are now Darth's, and well frankly that is huge! Also I put a lot of gravitas on them becoming Darths as it is a huge moment. I personally am very happy with this chapter. The next Chapter I think maybe a Jedi Chapter or I may try something new as RWBY gave me more to play with since I started writing this. Also big thanks to Rairi Valelira, for their help in spotting a few errors I made. Fixes should be up with this chapter. So thank you for your help. Once again sorry for the confusion on Chapter 50/55. Well looking forward I am probably going to take some time to finish this semester up and get another job, I want to get something out for May 4th so we will see what happens. Also, I would love to know your thoughts on the new cover and the appearance of PRWN, once again thank you Deerie for taking that commission.

So, with all of that out of the way, Thank you all for reading, if you have any comments, critiques, suggestions, or corrections, feel free to leave a review or PM me if you can, anything can help the Story. Now then, please everyone be safe, and may the force be with you all. Thank you all for reading, reviewing, following, favoriting, and sharing SWTOR X RWBY: Dark Side of a Rose!

Blitzing Raptor

Edit: Fixed a (Ctrl C Ctrl V issue.)