Chapter Summary: Naruto challenges Merken, Harkun's old apprentice, and Assistant Overseer, to a Kaggath for dishonoring his name. The Dark Council comes to find this, and they are amused with the boy's spirit.

Chapter Two - Meeting Old Friends

Naruto walked into the large Academy with a look of awe. He never saw a building made of metal before, and the statues inside were perfectly smoothed into daunting robed figures. Most were humans, but there were a few "Twi'leks" and "Sith" as they were called. There were a lot of Sith Lords gathered here, and acolytes and apprentices mingled and learned though the apprentices were demanding in how they treated the acolytes. It was clear that the Empire followed a hierarchy system within its order.

Hearing a voice interrupt him, he turned to see a young human looking at him. "Come here, acolyte." Naruto did so, walking over to the man. "I am Assistant Overseer Merken, and you must be one of the slave acolytes that Harkun is forced to test. No wonder he was horrified. However, Lord Zash has made it clear that all new acolytes must learn advanced martial skills as well as take their trials. Although, how anyone thinks someone like you can be trained to be Sith is beyond me."

Naruto's eyes went from amused to furious in a second. "Someone like me? I am the someone who has spent his whole life trained to fight battles and wars. At ten I was forced to take my first kill. At thirteen, I had already fought a battle and killed over a hundred men single-handedly. I am the one who was used as a shield against a Sith Lords attack and lived. Now, Assistant Merken, I haven't been able to look at this Empire's history because I have been denied any time to, but for you to just treat me like the ground you walk on is intolerable. And to save the honor I have earned on my planet, I challenge you to a duel!"

Merken laughed. His laughter gathered the attention of others, and even a few Sith Lords who heard of the Estean were slowly making their way over. "You, a slave, challenges me, who has trained to be Sith longer than you? That's hilarious!"

"Then you have nothing to worry about, coward." Naruto's eyes slowly turned washed away into an orange-blue haze that shocked Merken.

It was especially amusing to a Sith Lord who was on her way to watch her acolytes come. She especially wanted to look at the delectable little blonde that has rattled much of the Sith in the past hours. His status had reached the ears of the Dark Council as soon as he was found on Estea and many were curious as to this Force-Beast he held within him. It was after this second trial that she was going to bring him to the Council, but it seemed they would get a spectacle ahead of schedule.

"You can't be serious, you little insignificant worm! How dare you challenge me to a duel! I should kill you where you stand!"

"But where's the sport in that, you worthless twat?" Naruto grinned, amusingly getting under the other man's skin.

Suddenly they were interrupted by the approach of boots. A bunch of them. Both turned just in time to see twelve Sith Lords approaching them undeterred as everyone moved out of their way as quickly as they could. Heading the group was a man in full metal armor, and a red hood over a metal mask. Naruto felt that it would be incredibly difficult for anyone to walk with all that weight but saw how largely built this man was.

"Dark Council!" Merken stood straight before bowing down to the group.

Naruto looked at the Assistant Overseer quizzically before looking back at the group. So, this is their commanding governance. They all look strong, and to have such a presence around everyone speaks volumes of their experience and power. This would prove interesting.

Glancing behind to see if Kory was still with him, he stepped back when the man in metal armor started to approach them. "Starting trouble already, Estean? That would get any lowly slave killed."

"I'm sorry, but if I was actually told your laws and rules I would have a better idea of what to do, sir." Naruto retorted back, looked at the man's masked face. "But, I still have to protect my honor when insulted by someone who isn't even in a position of Overseer or any other Sith Lord I've found. He insulted me, so I retorted back and challenged him to a duel. A duel of honor, to the death."

"The Kaggath," Someone among the Dark Council whispered to another, getting a nod.

"But that means that the slave would have to fight against the full might of an Assistant Overseer." The man responded.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Kaggath? Is that what you call a duel?"

"The Kaggath is an ancient and rarely used rite of Sith." The metal man responded. "A sith may challenge another for whatever reason, and the challenger will choose the setting of which they'll fight. You will have to use whatever you have at your disposal to defeat your enemy. However, since you are a slave, you have no one to back you while Merken has the utilities of an Overseer at his back. It is not wise to do at your current status."

Naruto paused and he though. He had Kory, and if he chose the setting correctly he would be able to make a decisive victory. He can choose Estea where he knows the whole layout and he had friends back there. If they agree to help him and he wins, he could easily grant them some power with him.

"What happens to the victor?"

The Sith Lord paused for a bit before answering, "He gets the spoils of his enemy. Whatever assets, bases and apprentices or otherwise, are now the victors. The beaten dies and whatever position from Lord to Council is now filled by the victor."

"Is there a restriction to what setting I can choose?"

Murmuring started to rise in the crowd that has gathered but it ended as soon as the Lord answered. "No. You choose the setting and then it starts."

Naruto gave a malicious grin. "Good. Then I challenge Merken to a Kaggath. The setting will be my home planet Estea where my friends from there and Kory will be my assets. No village is my base. You are restricted to just the planet, so if Merken doesn't have a base there he'll have to create one."

The crowd got louder in their whispering and Merken was looking spooked frozen, but the Dark Council weren't giving much of a change in expression. They looked mildly interested, though it was more for a surprise that a slave would challenge someone trained in the Force. Nothing like that has happened before in the last 1000 years and it was going to be real interesting to watch.

"Then the Kaggath will start," the Dark Lord spoke, turning to look at Merken. "You will gather whatever assets you have and bring it to Estea. Tell your Overseer the change, now."

"Yes, Darth Marr." Merken bowed before leaving.

Naruto watched the man leave with an evil glint in his eyes and a malicious grin. "Thank you, Darth Marr. You had just made my ascent into the Sith Order a lot easier than it would have been."

"I've seen what your ninja can do, and are capable of. I almost feel bad for Merken and Harkun now." Came the deep reply from the Council member. "I will arrange a ship to bring you to Estea."

Naruto smiled kindly before bowing lowly to the man. "Thank you, my Lord. But may it be prudent to ask for a book of your Empire's history and law? My planet hasn't seen anything like this before."

Marr was quiet, though a low rumble came from his chest. "I will send it with your transport."

"Yes, sir."

Naruto turned to Kory and gave her a wink. "Looks like we won't have to deal with this place any longer."

"Don't you think you were a little brash?" Kory asked as she followed the blonde. "I mean, we aren't exactly trained to use the Force like he can. We're don't have a chance in the galaxy to defeat him."

"You'd be right, but you're not seeing a few things." Naruto spoke, stopping the girl as he turned around to face her. He leaned down until he was looking into her eyes. "I know my planet better than him. We wouldn't win if it was open combat, and I know for sure the Empire doesn't want its new world to be destroyed, but that's why we're going to fight with guerilla warfare. My planet has large trees and forests that my friends and we can hide in."

Straightening once more, he looked around as many whispered about him. Yes. He was the one with the advantage. All their large weapons won't be able to do anything if they can't see him. He just hoped an apprentice or acolyte were brought along so he could steal their lightsaber. That weapon could cut through anything and would prove useful to use.

"Slave," a soldier interrupted his thought as they approached. "Your transport has arrived. You are to get to your planet to gather your assets before we start the Kaggath."

Naruto nodded and waved his arm. "Then lead, sir."

Meanwhile

While Naruto and Kory made their journey to Estea, the Dark Council gathered together with Lord Zash and Overseer Harkun present. Zash had a smile on her lips, thinking about the blonde soon-to-be-Lord, and Harkun was scowling at the insult and embarrassment his once-apprentice Merken and he were given by the slave. He had given enough assets, Merken being promoted to Sith just two weeks ago, to occupy a continent. 2500 imperial soldiers, 10 transport ships, 40 imperial walkers, acolytes Xerde and Frysus, and his own apprentice Anlin. He wanted the slave beaten. He wanted him killed.

"Overseer Harkun, we have been informed you have already given your old apprentice assets." Marr startled the Overseer with the sudden statement. "2500 of your soldiers, 10 transport freighters, 40 Walkers,4 gunships, 4 bombers, and two of your acolytes an apprentice. Are you that worried for Merken that you think he may actually lose to a slave?"

"Of course not, my Lord," Harkun shook his head, "I just-"

"You will also know that since you supported Merken with assets, if he loses you too will lose your title as Lord and all of your assets will be siezed." This time it was Darth Mortis who spoke; a human male with brown hair and dark eyes, complete with a beard. "The Estean will then decide your fate whether by combat, execution or exile. Be aware of that, Harkun."

"There's no way that slave will win against a Sith." Harkun hissed out with dark eyes. "He will die on his own planet."

"He may be a slave but his planet has held no contact with the outside galaxy." Thanaton spoke this time from his own seat. "His people have hardened themselves to be warriors at a young age, if what Spindrall had told is isn't folly."

"Spindrall may be in that tomb too long, but his visions are rarely ever wrong." Zash assured the Darth, her voice melodiously reaching everyone's ears as she hummed to herself. "Killed someone himself at ten, was in a war at thirteen, and is currently seventeen. His experience is unquestionable, and his power is untapped. We don't know his limits as of now, and that among few is an advantage in itself."

"What do you mean, Lord Zash?" Darth Mortis asked, curious as to what the blonde woman meant.

"He chose his planet, which he has lived on his whole life. His people are 'shadow warriors' that use stealth and warfare that we do not. He understood that with his lack of intellect about our weapons would be his downfall in an open battle, so he chose home advantage where he can easily use the land to maneuver. Merken has no knowledge of the landscape, and he has been restricted in damaging the world too much, so he will be forced to fight against a group of warriors who know the land, who specialise in sabotage and stealth, without even knowing where they are."

Zash listed off every advantage Naruto had given himself with a voice of excitement and glee. The intelligence of the blonde, though not from an advanced civilisation, was able to create a battle that he will have an advantage in where there was none. And once the Kaggath started, he was at is own home, a place where people trusted him. Sith invaded the world, so Merken would have a hard time getting anything from the locals if it came between the two. It was the perfect setting for a sweet battle.

And Naruto, as everyone started to realise, had a more than likely chance to succeed in this Kaggath.

Imperial City, Estea

Naruto stepped out of the ship as it landed on a landing pad. His once-small village of Konoha was now turned into a growing city of metal much like that of Korriban. Where the Hokage building once stood was now a large steel spire, the banner of the Empire shown outside the walls. The Hokage Monument was destroyed within the battle and was now being remade into the future citadel for the ruling Sith governor. Houses were being rebuilt of metal and technology was being introduced to the Esteans who didn't oppose the new occupation.

Turning to Kory, the blonde looked at the soldier that was going to escort them. "Can you lead us to where they would keep the name of all occupants. We'll be picking up five people from here."

"Yes, this way." The soldier said before walking towards the large building to the west.

It didn't take long walking through the streets for Kory to notice the murderous looks being given to Naruto. Many were from old and young children. A few seven-year-olds, two boys and one girl, ran up to the blonde, stopping the three soldiers. The blonde teenager looked at them with a blank stare, yet she saw sadness and regret in his eyes as he looked at the three. The girl started crying before she picked up a rock and threw it at him.

Naruto didn't bother dodging it, just letting it hit him in the stomach before watching the girl run off. The two boys kicked Naruto a few times and spit at his feet before running off after the girl. Kory and the soldier looked on at shock as the blonde just looked at them before turning back down the street they were walking and ignored the other looks. The soldier took point once again, the the glances he sent expressed his confusion. Kory was the only one to voice it.

"Why did they do that?" She whispered loud enough only they and their escort can hear.

"When it was discovered many of us on the planet held the Force, we were sent to a Sith station on whatever planet. There, we were evaluated and tested. However, to make sure there was obedience here on Estea and from us, we were given a death match. Only one of us were to be trained to be Sith, and it just happened it was me. I killed twenty people, some of them being my friends. For the pleasure of the Sith Lord, I was announced the winner publicly."

"That's...horrible." Kory whispered, her eyes looking at her blonde companion in sadness.

"But the thing is, they made me this way. With being given the Force-Beast I was naturally stronger than all others, and so I was trained to be a weapon for them to use. It was just their bad luck that I was turned on them." Naruto laughed at the irony before rolling all bad emotions he had off. "But I still have a few friends. It doesn't matter."

Korry nodded slowly and just looked at the blonde for a few moments.

To clear it up, Naruto was sent to the Sith Academy three and a half months after the Empire invaded. The Sith are going to not seem much of bad guys because you are going to see it from their point of view and not just the Republic. Note, I am sort of biased against the Jedi because I don't like the whole 'block your emotions' and 'love leads to pain which leads to the Dark Side' BS. Also, he is not technically a slave because his planet was conquered but occupied/integrated into Imperial control. But because he comes from an invaded planet some of the lower Sith see him as that slave.

Other than that, there is a poll on my profile that you may vote on. It'll be for one other Imperial class that'll be in this story, while I will make one for two Republic classes when I post the third chapter. Anyway, review and everything.