Glitter and Gold
Chapter 2
23 ABY – Outer Rim Territories
Kylo Ren and his knights had become Snoke's newest apprentices this year. They had come to join the First Order after they'd slaughtered everyone at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Temple – children and all.
More than a year after her first kill, Vex was now a practiced hand at murder. But even she found them repugnant.
Snoke seemed entirely enthralled by them, Kylo Ren especially. She minded little when Snoke's attention shifted from her to him. Kylo Ren seemed smug over the matter, but Vex only wanted to laugh. Soon he would realize the pain of Snoke's instruction. While his focus was on them, Snoke hadn't forgotten her. Vex still had to train with him for at least an hour every day – and then she had to spar with them.
The first time she'd sparred against one of the Knights of Ren, she had not-so-accidentally killed him. She could not stop the smile that had unfurled on her lips as his body twitched at her feet.
The others had stared at her in shock before Kylo Ren had begun to advance on her. It was Snoke's laughter that stopped him in his tracks. He stretched his hand out to her. Vex turned off her blood-red lightsaber as she stepped over the body to approach her master.
As she passed Kylo Ren, she made sure to catch his eyes with her own. There was anger there, hurt. He will never love you like you want, she whispered into his mind. He reeled back in shock, lightsaber extinguishing at his side. Vex turned her gaze forward and closed the distance between her and her master, placing her hand in his.
Snoke drew her closer, a smile on his lips. "My ferocious child," he cooed. "How did it feel, striking him down?" he asked.
"Good," Vex answered, searching her emotions.
"What did it taste like?" Snoke asked, smile widening.
Vex took her time answering, considering the question. "Sweet. Like Chantilly crème," she answered.
Snoke laughed again, cradling her face in his huge hands. By now, she knew to never shrink away. "Like Chantilly crème," he repeated, mirthfully. "Why do you think it tasted so sweet, unlike your other kills?" he asked. Vex shrugged. "Reach inside yourself with your emotions, Vex. Tell me,"
Vex obediently closed her eyes, searching down inside herself for the answer. He was bad, her instincts told her. "Because I hated him," was the answer Vex gave.
A smile of pure joy crossed Snoke's ruined face. "Hate is sweet, is it not, my child?" he said. Vex nodded lightly. "I am so proud of you," Snoke continued, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
He pushed the emotion out at her, pride and cold satisfaction surrounding her. It took every fiber of her being not to flinch.
"You aren't going to punish her, Master?" Kylo Ren asked suddenly, as if confused. The oppressing cloud suddenly dispersed around her. Snoke released her, and Vex stepped to the side so he could face Kylo Ren.
Her hand still lay atop Snoke's as she stood beside his throne. He liked the pretense of affection between them. Her eyes found the new apprentice before her, expression fading into blankness.
"What would you have me punish her for, boy?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.
"She killed Cado!" Kylo Ren exclaimed.
"Lady Vex has only done what I have taught her, Kylo Ren. She hated the boy, and he was too weak to defend himself," Snoke said. "My child is only thirteen years old. If she can defeat a boy almost twice as old as she… it is he to blame,"
"She killed one of your apprentices!"
"You murdered the younglings of your last Master, Kylo Ren," Vex pointed out.
Suddenly his angry eyes were fixed upon her. "They were weak! Killing them was a mercy!"
"Is that what you call murder, Kylo Ren? A mercy? Then, by your logic, all I offered your friend Cado was mercy," Vex retorted.
Snoke's laugh broke through the tense moment. "Would you like to kill Kylo Ren, my child?" he asked. Kylo Ren looked between the two of them with alarm.
"Yes," Vex answered bluntly, fingering the lightsaber hanging from her belt.
Snoke laughed again. "Not today, my sweet. Kylo Ren's power may even rival yours. We will keep him," he said. Kylo Ren's shoulders slumped with relief, expression pulling down in a frown. "Leave, all of you! I will speak with my beloved apprentice alone," he said.
Kylo Ren and his knights left eagerly, quickly, after what Vex had done, and what Snoke had said. "Master, what is it?" Vex asked, turning back to face him.
"It is time, my child, for you to take a command position," Snoke said.
"I don't understand," Vex said, brows furrowed.
"You, my dearest apprentice, will begin training with your own legion of clones. They will be yours alone to command," Snoke said.
"Mine?" she asked in confusion.
"Yes, Vex. Your loyalty is without question, my child. You have shown yourself to be obedient and dutiful, despite your young age."
"What will I do? With a command?" Vex said, beginning to look worried.
Snoke smiled, tapping her face "You will carry out my orders – special missions I can trust no other with,"
Vex tried not to show the hope that consumed her at the thought of being able to leave the Supremacy. She hadn't left the ship since her parents had given her over to Snoke. "I do not know what to say, Master," Vex admitted.
"Say nothing, my child, and be thankful. In a month, the clones for your unit will arrive and you will begin to train them." Snoke said. Vex gave a nod. "They will be of an age with you when they arrive. Their growth is accelerated, they will age quickly as you train. By the time you're ready in a few years, they will have reached adulthood. By then, you will be ready to leave the Supremacy on your own ship for your first mission," he continued.
"My own ship?" Vex was taken aback.
"I've already commissioned it, my child. The Vexation will be ready when you are," Snoke said.
"Thank you, Master," Vex said, awestruck and unsure of what else to say.
"Go on, child, go about the rest of your day," he ordered, gesturing for her to go. Vex left his side, heading for the door. "One more thing, Vex," he said. Vex paused turning back towards him. "I care not about the rest, but if you kill Kylo Ren, I will be very displeased with you." He warned.
Vex dipped her head in acknowledgment. "I understand, Master." she said. He waved a hand at her, dismissing her from the room. Vex stepped through the doorway, the doors hissing shut behind her.
Kylo Ren waited for her outside in the hallway. "What did he say to you?" he demanded, expression creased in anger.
Vex lifted an eyebrow. "He gave me a command," she answered honestly.
His response was visible. He grit his teeth, squeezing his gloved hands into fists. "The Supreme Leader gave YOU a command!? A little girl!?" Kylo Ren said.
Vex rolled her eyes and nodded. "It seems our Master has more faith in me than you, Kylo Ren. After all, I did not betray my first Master," she pointed out.
Kylo Ren's hand darted towards his lightsaber – Vex threw out her hand and his froze mid-movement. He let out a furious growl, face turning red at the exertion of fighting against her power. "Do not be foolish, Kylo Ren. Just because the Supreme Leader forbade me from killing you does not mean I cannot defend myself," she said.
"You'll regret this, Vex," he hissed.
Vex only smiled in response. "I only do as my master commands, Kylo Ren. If you wish to take it up with him…" she suggested. He paled. She released her hold on his arm, and Kylo Ren swiftly turned and marched away without a word.
Within the month, Kylo Ren was the only Knight of Ren left.
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