Malora's voice echoed as she shrieked out in anger throwing her lightsaber "damn it how could we let her escape, what even was that!" Kyradia sighed once again Zash had escaped but t this time it was different she'd caused her to run because she was scared, that made her vunerable.
Ashara tried to calm down Malora "well there's no use getting angry and throwing your lightsaber away Malora we don't have time to waste finding it" Malora's stone face turned to her as she held out her hand
Seconds later the saber was back in her had "don't be ridiculous this thing is magnetically linked to my hand so I don't lose it" Kyradia wanted one of those, she frowned as she looked at Malora she looked weirdly jittery as she continued her echoed voice seemed choppy "What are we going to do the bitch destroyed the speeders" Kyradia wasn't exactly sure but they should definitely find shelter
She checked her datapad "kriff no signal, Andronikos should notice our absence if we're gone for a day though. We need to find shelter and just wait this out" she knew Andronikos was already paranoid about them so it shouldn't be too long
Malora nodded "fine I'll find us an adequate shelter" she picked out a scanner and began walking towards a nearby outcropping of rock
Ashara frowned "how many gadgets does she have on her?" Kyradia chuckled she was certainly more prepared than either of them
Malora responded tersely "I have a number of 'gadgets' for this exact scenario so I can't be bested by a coward, I'd advise that in future you come more prepared" Ashara glaced to Kyradia giving a 'sheesh' face
Malora strode ahead leaving the two of them to talk, Ashara was quick to ask "hey are you doing ok?" Kyradia didn't know quite how to answer that, everything was so full on at the moment that she may just be compartmentalising her searing rage
Kyradia answered "I think I'm ok, Zash ran because we injured her that makes her vunerable and I count that at least as a little win" Ashara's eyes were wide clearly surprised by Kyradia's calmness
Ashara folded her arms "so you're not mad that she got away?" Kyradia laughed she wouldn't quite put it like that
She responded "oh no I'm angry but I'm not giving it the time of day for now" Ashara nodded a unsurprised look crossing her face "by the way Ashara I noticed something about the Mirialian, she seems to genuinely believe we're the bad guys" Ashara nodded clearly having also picked up on this
Ashara stroked her chin "yeah I have a feeling Zash has been lying to her and if so I worry for her safety" Kyradia nodded it may be a weakness Zash hadn't accounted for
Kyradia nodded "Zash relies on her though maybe if we could use her against Zash then she could be exploited" Ashara's face turned to a frown giving Kyradia a silent glare "oh and save her from Zash as well" Ashara sighed clearly unimpressed with Kyradia's idea
Ashara continued "I doubt we'd have to manipulate anyone and I would not allow that, we just need to so her the truth" Kyradia nodded falling quiet it really was easy to fall back into her old ways
Kyradia looked away "I uh sorry that kinda just slipped out I didn't mean to uh" Ashara cut her off before she could flounder anymore
Ashara shook her head "it's ok Ky Zash is bound to bring back a lot of old habits" Kyradia nodded looking away awkwardly
They walked towards the ridge for a while longer before they found a suitable cave, Malora spoke "precipitation levels around this cave suggest a perfect source for a small supply of water if I set up some collection points and it will also house a suitable temperature for temporary residence" Kyradia blinked not quite understanding any of that
Ashara clarified "she means it's suitable as shelter in non nerd speak" Malora shot daggers at Ashara as she was setting up what looked like little basins
Malora tutted "it's not a crime to be well prepared Jedi, it's why I have been able to survive so long" Kyradia noticed it again as she jittered a bit and her voice became choppy. She would ask about it but she wasn't exactly one to talk about having weird sith quirks. Malora seemed to notice it though and got up "please excuse me I need to modify one of my gadgets" Kyradia frowned but really wasn't in the mood for questions today and just sat down eating some of the jerky Malora had provided
She smiled "you know she's got a point being prepared has its benefits" Ashara nodded but her eyes were still on Malora as she went out of sight a distinct frown on her face "Hey Ashara you're doing it again" she joked
Ashara turned to her confused "w-what do you mean" Kyradia chuckled she knew that face she was so clueless
Kyradia grinned "you're trying nose into a siths business, I know that face" Ashara frowned looking back to where Malora had left
She shook her head "no I'm not I uh I'm just worried about her intentions" Kyradia gave a sarcastic nod "and I'm not nosy I'm just careful" Kyradia couldn't help but stifle a laugh
She raised her eyebrow "Ashara you know more about me than anyone in the galaxy even you have to admit you're a little nosy" Ashara looked away embarrassed, it felt good to be right.
Ashara conceded "Ok maybe I am nosy but you gotta admit there's something weird going on with her, have you seen the chip on her neck" Kyradia had seen it when they met on Ossus
She nodded "well yeah but siths all have something weird about them I'm not exactly one to talk, she's resourceful and seems genuine that's enough for me" Ashara had never been very trusting and she doubted the fact Malora was acting suspicious helped
Ashara looked at her confused "I just… what if it's something bad or that's hurting her she said it was helping her cope but I just I like to know a siths intentions, I'm sure you understand why" Kyradia shuddered she really had damaged Ashara hadn't she
She sighed "yeah I suppose so you're right to be careful most of us are awful but Malora never stuck out as one, even when on the dark council" Kyradia chuckled "though I could take the ego down a notch" Ashara smiled a little. Kyradia looked away "if you're so worried about her why don't you just ask her?" Ashara looked away and sighed
She responded "she won't listen to me she thinks I'm just some Jedi who only wants turn her to the light" Kyradia could understand that worry but Ashara was definitely not like that
Kyradia put a hand on her shoulder "then show her you're not cause no offence you're not the shining example of a jedi what with the crowd you hang around with" she chuckled "seem like a bad influence if you ask me" Ashara gave a reluctant smile
Ashara got up "ok I'll try I'm gonna be upfront and honest" Kyradia nodded she had no idea how this was gonna go but she hoped it would make the bickering stop she had a feeling there was something else there
Kyradia joked "you sound like you're about to ask someone to a dance" Ashara shot her a glare her cheeks turning a darker orange
She folded her arms "shut up" she had a little smile as she 'stormed' away
Kyradia sat there silently for a couple of minutes wondering how it was going and trying to keep a sense of calm, maybe she should try that meditating thing again. She put down the food she'd been snacking on and tried to clear her mind, however as she did she felt a force pull her back to a familiar place
She opened her eyes and was back in the void space with an enraged Zash "I bet you think you're pretty clever" she was nursing her shoulder a clear burn mark where Kyradia's saber had gone through "but if you're going to avoid me I'll just have to make the connection myself" Kyradia was again surprisingly calm seeing Zash so rattled was kinda vindicating
Kyradia folded her arms "what do you want Zash I thought you were too busy running away" Zash snarled at her the true form bringing back many bad memories for Kyradia.
Zash grabbed her arm "you only stand a chance because of this power you hold I'm well on my way to finding it but I need to be one step ahead and you're going to help me" Kyradia felt Zash try and access her memory but she was ready grabbing onto Zash's head
Kyradia sneered "I think you've over-extended yourself here" she felt Zash's memories becoming clear "remember 'Master' this is a two way street" with that she felt them travel back before suddenly stopping falling into what seemed like an alley.
Kyradia could hear explosions and battle all around her, the architecture reminded her of the republic Zash got up looking around in surprise "NO how did you? Here?" Kyradia smiled at the clearly surprised Zash
She smiled "struck a nerve have I?" Zash went to lunge at Kyradia but she moved effortlessly out the way "you're not the only one who can use this bond Zash, now let's see about you" Kyradia had to admit she was curious
Zash's face was covered with rage "you think this is going to affect me, I'm not ashamed or hiding anything like you" Kyradia watched as a family rushed into the alley hiding behind the dumpster. Zash continued "this is Corellia during the Great Galactic War and that is me" she pointed to a little girl with the family
Kyradia folded her arms "I bet you were secretly wrinkled as a baby too, you certainly weren't a cute one" Zash ignored the comment as they watched the family trying to keep the young Zash quiet
Zash scoffed "they were useless, it's no wonder we ended up in a warzone" Kyradia frowned at the contempt she clearly felt towards them, as she spoke Kyradia noticed a platoon of soldiers pass by the alleyway. Zash laughed "here he comes 'my saviour'" Kyradia frowned as the platoon stopped and the looming form of Darth Malgus came into view but a much younger version who lacked the breathing mask he would become so known for.
Kyradia looked to Zash "So what he killed your parents and you resent him come on Zash you're better than petty revenge" she paused "well then again I guess you aren't" Zash turned to Kyradia raising her eyebrow
Zash laughed "don't be so sure you know me apprentice" she turned to Malgus "I believe he's back right? He really is the definition of a cockroach no one could kill him not even his greatest ally" she chuckled "but that is the way of the sith" Malgus strode up to the family and called them out
He looked at them folded arms "I sense someone among you, they could be valuable but only if they were strong enough" Zash seemed to be trying to suppress a grin
The parents began to deny the fact "no there's no one special here we're not anything special just factory-" Malgus cut them off as he looked closer at the child
He bent down "why are they trying to hide you child" the little Zash looked away not making eye contact with Malgus, "you know what I think, I think they're trying to hide your potential I think they're scared of you" the little Zash nodded. Malgus smiled lifting up a piece of rubble with his hand crushing it "but to reach your potential I find the weak must be snuffed out, to be honest they should be scared of you" the little Zash smiled "now can you prove yourself to me" she nodded turning to the parents
Kyradia's eyes widened looking at Zash "y-you killed your parents" Zash's face was transfixed on what was happening
Zash cackled "no Kyradia I slaughtered them" Kyradia watched as they began to gasp for air as they were lifted high off the ground and soon were being slammed against the wall "he was right they were holding me back, but that was the only thing he was right about" Kyradia felt a little sick as the parents fell to the ground dead
Malgus ruffled the kids hair "very good I think you're going to fit in well with my associate" the vision faded leaving them in the blank space
Zash smiled "I don't believe that had the desired effect Kyradia" she didn't even seemed phased by it she almost seemed energised by it
Kyradia shivered "you really are a monster aren't you, I don't think you need the sisters gift" Zash only smiled deviously
Zash tutted "I'm not a monster I'm a pragmatist nothing will stand in my way and if something only enhances my best traits I don't see a downside do you?" Kyradia had never thought in her wildest dreams Zash was this rotten she had to be stopped "you know you would've liked him too but hey what do I know I'm just a monster" Kyradia suddenly jolted awake leaving her back in the cave.
She breathed heavily not quite sure what she just saw and who were they talking about?...
Meanwhile Ashara made her way to see what Malora was doing, she snuck up so as to not disturb her and found her fiddling with the chips trying to pry it off.
She seemed like she was having a lot of trouble with it and after five minutes Ashara decided to speak up "um Malora do you uh need some help" she turned around shocked and quickly the surprise turned to anger
Malora sneered "no Jedi go away! I'm fine" Ashara folded her arms raising her eyebrow
She responded sarcastically "really because you've been trying to fix that thing since we got here, I know it got broken in the fight you can at least let me help get it off" Malora looked away still fuming
She shook her head "this is something I have to do myself it's not that simple" her anger seemed different it was more like defensive anger than offensive
Ashara wasn't giving up "I promise I'm not gonna judge you or try and turn you I'm not actually a proper Jedi I mean I have more sith teachings than Jedi you" Malora cut her off
She shook her head "It's not that Ashara I don't think people should see me like this" Ashara frowned
Ashara walked up to her "hey I mean I promise I won't judge you I've seen some pretty messy things but I don't think it's good to hide things" Malora didn't make eye contact still clearly angry at her
Malora gritted her teeth "I'd rather that no one see me like that but" her voice echo seemed to shift and change "the lightning short circuited it, it can't contain everything" Ashara was confused by what she meant
She sat down next to her "well then we need to fix it right?" Malora looked away nodding
Malora sighed "but I don't want… Why am I telling you these things Jedi? what are you trying to do!" Ashara nodded understandingly
Ashara shrugged "uh nothing really I came to try and clear up what you wanted from us but now you seem in pain I kinda wanna help with that"
Malora frowned at her "why? You don't benefit from that" Ashara's eyes widened
Ashara smiled warmly "I'm uh not trying to gain anything Malora but I see a person in pain and I can't really leave them it's kinda annoying at times Kyradia could tell you all about it" Malora looked at her stil jittery
She laughed "you have a compulsive need to help people? That must be awful" Ashara couldn't help but laugh
She nodded "yeah it's pretty annoying but really I just want to help" Malora nodded fiddling with the screwdriver she'd been using
Malora frowned "I am being genuine I don't want anything but my plant back after everything fell apart it was a sign I could still perform experiments and maybe fix this" Malora frowned looking at Ashara "why am I telling you all this I never tell people this stuff" Ashara stroked her chin thinking
Ashara responded "well I doubt you've been around many people that don't want to stab you in the back" Malora slowly nodded agreeing with the idea
Malora mumbled "I still don't trust you Jedi, no one is this nice just for the sake of it" Ashara didn't blame her really
Ashara nodded "I don't really trust you either but at least that's one thing we can agree on" Malora stifled a laugh "hey was that a laugh?" Malora's eyes widened
She shook her head "no! This chip is just causing me problems" Ashara looked at it, it seemed to be sparking every few seconds
Ashara picked up a screwdriver "well I can help you remove it if you want" Malora's anger returned
She shook her head "no I don't want anyone to see that it's worse" Ashara frowned it couldn't be that bad
Ashara tried to persuade her "come on I promise I won't judge you" Malora seemed torn as she jittered
Malora sighed "I uh I don't want people to see me as I monster ok I'm a scientist and this mistake it doesn't define me" Ashara started to understand
Ashara folded her arms "I won't see you any differently one of the greatest scientists in the galaxy is a giant slug Malora, and the most pretty person in world can be rotten to the core just look at Zash"
Malora conceded "Fine but don't say I didn't warn you" she turned around and let Ashara get the chip off her neck with a quick pry
But as she did she heard an echoed shriek from Malora as her hair suddenly shot out of her head draping over the majority of her body, Ashara saw as her skin hardened and her armour seemingly jutted out as if something had grown underneath. Her boots seemed strained as Ashara heard the echoed voice turn to a much more raspy pained voice as she fell to the floor.
She collapsed on the ground hardly visible under all the hair she spoke up a pained raspy voice exiting her mouth "the chip suppresses the extreme growth, I uh did an experiment that went wrong and it's what caused the growth of the spines, the hair and the skin hardening" She brushed the red and black hair out of her eyes and looked at Ashara, she could now see Malora's skin was solid and cracked the spines much more prominent on her face "still think I'm not a monster?"
Ashara was baffled unsure of what to do "I uh I was not expecting that" Malora sighed picking up the chip and beginning to work on fixing it
Malora mumbled "I knew it this was a mistake, don't tell anyone Jedi or I will make sure you never speak another word" Ashara was still stunned but she had to make it right
Ashara shook her head "no no I don't think you're a monster I mean it I just I thought you'd turned yourself into a rakghoul or something" Malora shook her head as she tried to work on the chip
Malora responded "no of course not only a madman would do that, I tried to use an ancient sith ritual to give me more power but when I tried to apply it scientifically the ritual cursed me for daring to think different" she sighed "I got the power but it turned me into this, you haven't even seen the worst of the spines under the armour" Ashara sighed she had no idea Malora was going through this
Ashara comforted her "You're not a monster Malora you clearly just weren't like the other sith and believe me I can respect different sith" Malora nodded as she continued
She seemed much sadder without the chip on "I designed this thing almost immediately to combat it but it hurts and the more time that passes the more I grow and the more strained the chip is" she seemed to be getting frustrated "this hair is the worst part I can hardly see a kriffing thing!" Ashara thought about that she might have a solution
Ashara sat down next to her "well we could always braid it" Malora looked at her frowning her stoney brow cracking a little as she did
Malora joked "what are we apprentices talking about boys" Ashara chuckled
She shook her head "well no but surely it'd take strain off the chip right" Malora considered the idea for a second
Malora responded "well yes but for that I'd need someone else to do it" Ashara raised her eyebrow at her starting to brain the back "hey what are you doing!" Ashara had to admit maybe Malora wasn't so bad once you got passed her stoney exterior
Ashara ignored the protests "I'm helping you Malora I can braid it for you and then you won't be as strained controlling the spines" Malora didn't seem happy about it but seemed relieved to be able to work on her chip
Malora conceded "fine but if you make me look stupid I will make sure you don't live to see morning" Ashara nodded as she began an eleborate design that would hopefully make her look like less of a wookie
Ashara questioned her "so have you found any other way to combat it minus this chip?" she didn't know if she was getting too personal
Malora seemed engrossed in her work "yes that's what the plant was about I've been investigating similar compounds that may hold a way to stop the growth" Ashara understood now why she was so intent on helping "it seems impossible to reverse the damage beyond what the chip managed to compress but I may be able to stop it getting worse" Ashara nodded this was gonna take forever
Ashara thought she'd reassure Malora "to be honest Malora you don't look that bad like the skin is obviously worrying and the voice isn't ideal but you still look just fine" Malora didn't seem to be too fazed by the comment
She tutted "forgive me if I'm not flattered by you saying I look fine minus my entire body" Ashara knew Malora knew that wasn't what she meant "ok I've fixed the chip how are you doing?" Ashara had ages left to go
Ashara stammered "we're gonna be here's for a few hours Malora this is kinda complex and I'm not so good at it" Malora sighed as she put the chip back on, this metamorphosis was much less extreme as her voice and body returned to normal
The echoed voice rang out "fine but if this is the case we're going to do it silently I've done enough sharing today with you Jedi" Ashara nodded that was fair enough...
Hours later Kyradia was sitting by the fire still a little shaken up as Ashara returned with Malora who now had a long braid of hair running down her back where the heck had that come from "so we're not gonna talk about how you two had a brading party and didn't invite me?" Ashara chuckled sitting down next to Kyradia
Ashara smiled "I just helped Malora with her chip don't worry you didn't miss much" Kyradia frowned she'd know Malora was hiding something about herself but she'd assumed it wasn't hair of all things
Kyradia joked "it seemed like I missed a gals sleepover you owe me one both of you" Malora's glare was very clear as Kyradia continued to joke "unless it was a different kind of sleepover" both their eyes widened
Ashara punched her in the arm "shut up you're the one who told me to go and help her you jerk" Kyradia chuckled watching Ashara go deep orange was always fun
Kyradia sighed getting serious "well while you were gone Zash tried to mess with me again" Ashara was ready to freak out but Kyradia stopped her "don't worry I actually messed with her, she's losing her temper and that's good news for us" Ashara seemed to consider that
Ashara folded her arms "well still we should be careful are you ok" Kyradia didn't quite know how to answer
She nodded "mostly I was just reaffirmed at how evil Zash is" she hated she'd ever been close to that
Suddenly Kyradia's comm sprung to life "Kyradia come in are you there" Andronikos' voice rang through she could always rely on Andy to be prompt
Kyradia smiled "ah my saviour get to these coordinates and quick if we're here any longer I feel like there may be a confession" Ashara's face turned to embarrassed anger as Kyradia chuckled. "I'm just kidding hun we need to get back to Odessen pronto Zash is vulnerable right now we gotta strike the iron while it's hot"...