Ataxius: I'm not into Greek lore and I was just reviewing names and their meaning and a brief description of Charybdis came up but referred to the monster as "it" so I assumed it was just that.
Chapter Summary: Naruto is requested to meet the Emperor on his personal Station, for reward of his services to the Empire and maybe more.
Chapter Ten - The Emperor
Naruto entered the main room while buckling his tunic, finding Shikamaru and Kory on the couch while Zabuza and Frysus sat at the large table playing Pazaak. It was a day off for everyone, with the exception of Kakashi who was now negotiating for Naruto's control of his homeworld. Couldn't have anyone else do it - although Shikamaru could have but he doesn't pull enough weight in the Sith Empire - as Zabuza, Frysus, and Tayuya would have demanded and threatened to get their way and that would have tarnished his name. And, Tayuya was busy at the moment.
"Could you let the rest of us know what you are doing so that we know not to come back?" Shikamaru spoke out in a bored tone, though his face was disgusted after hearing constant moans, screams, and banging coming from the other side of the damn compound! "Troublesome bastard, nothing is done quietly with you, isn't it?"
As Kory laughed to herself, Naruto finished strapping the breastplate to himself before turning his attention to the Nara. "Do you already forget, Shika, that I can hear everything that happens in and around the compound? Such as five months ago you and Kory have taken your relationship further and that right now she is three months pregnant?" Both went quiet at that, and hollering laughter can be heard from Zabuza and Frysus in the corner while both played Pazaak. "And I also know, Frysus, that you masturbate to me every day, twice when it was your turn training."
Now, it was only Zabuza who was howling while the other three were quiet and red in embarrassment, though it was hard to notice on Frysus, and Shikamaru was grumbling about 'troublesome blondes with enhanced hearing and blunt speech'. It was at this time that Lana came down with many women following behind her; Sateh, Tayuya, Wraith, Krovos and Zash. "Now that you three are back in your place, I'm going to leave for a few hours, most likely all day."
"Where are you going?" Lana asked, catching the blonde by his armor and pulled him into the arms of the six women.
Naruto grinned but slipped on his mask before the girls could try changing his mind from leaving. "I have been personally summoned by the great Emperor himself. Kami Himself knows how rare this is and I wouldn't miss it."
Lana nodded at his excuse, knowing that he wouldn't lie about something like this, and narrowed her eyes as she thought about what he said. "I'll watch over the pets until you come back."
"Meow," Tayuya teased with a grin as she wrapped her arms around the blonde woman and pushed herself completely against the Sith.
Everyone has a kink or fetish when in the Empire, Naruto recalled Lana's words to him when she was willing to have Sateh and Tayuya in this weird harem. As long as I lead all of them, she said to him with a grin unlike all smiles she gave him. A woman who gets off by being dominated by only him, while dominating every woman he so chose, or she chose for him.
With a shake of his head, he made his leave from the compound and headed for one of his personal starships. This one, being a prototype, looked different than any of the Imperial starships. Instead of the large, forward wings of the Fury-class Interceptor, the prototype was shaped much like a 'T' with the wings slanted down and at the far back of the spacecraft. The wings also have a flap on the top and underside of the wings that, when opened up, allows an overcharge of its engine and unlocks the four small laser cannons. The dark panelling along the wings of the ship also absorb solar and galactic radiation from any sun and space within its current system to recharge the engine.
Under the far edges of the wings of the starfighter is two large laser cannons, and inside the crooked nose of the ship is one large rechargeable twelve-barrel rotary laser cannon. Under the belly of the ship is a single torpedo launcher. A single laser cannon in the backside of the ship is operated by the astromech droid. Unlike the other Imperial ships that only reach 2,000G speed, this prototype could reach 2,900G and almost 3,300G while overcharging the engine. The shielding is strong enough to take a couple shots from a turbolaser cannon.
The drawback of this prototype is that its difficulty to pilot requires both a pilot and a copilot, as well as an astromech droid to provide stability to the starfighter. Currently, only Naruto's capital ship, the Red Fox, is equipped with these starfighters. If they do well in their assault against Republic ships trying to take back Balmorra they will begin complete production for his armada.
Sighing while hopping into the pilot's seat, he connected to his copilot's seat with the helmet. "Are you ready, 436?" Naruto pulled up the air-intake mask for him to breathe from while getting an affirmative from the S-79A droid. "Good, we're lifting off in five, four, three, two, one."
Naruto watched as his starfighter exited hyperspace to arrive to a large secluded spacedock between Ziost and Dromund Kaas. He punched a few buttons to hail the spacedock, "Hailing the Emperor's personal space station. This is Darth Charybdis, I've been invited by the Emperor."
A few seconds of Naruto slowly making his approach was interrupted when a monotone voice spoke up. "Welcome, Naruto Uzumaki, please land in Dock 15."
"Thank you," Naruto said as he guided his ship to the correct dock and slowly made his landing. Two sith stood to the side, wearing generic black robes of any Sith, with piercings and jewelry on their face - typical for any of sith specie. He jumped out, motioning for the droid to stay by the ship and fuel up. "I hope you don't mind if I have my ship refueled for my eventual departure."
The two stared at him as he told them his intent. It was the taller sith man that answered him. "I am Servant One, and this is Servant Two. I will lead you to our master. Follow us."
Naruto nodded and followed the man leisurely, looking around in a critique awe of the many statues, robes, and whatnot that line the halls in mysterious guardianship. He noticed other robed sith and human but no other soldier. "Is everyone here Servants also or something else?"
"Everyone and everything is unimportant to you for now." Servant One answered, not turning to face the man he spoke to and instead opened a pair of durasteel doors. "All that matters is meeting our Emperor."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the man before rolling his eyes. "Sure."
The group finally reach a large door that is left unguarded and Servant One pushed it open. The three of them entered the room, to find themselves facing two individuals. The first is a human man a few inches shorter than him, with dark silver hair and beard and steel white eyes. The last is a pale human-sith with black eyes and no hair with the exception of the few small strands that dotted his head.
"Welcome, estean. You have caused quite a stir, in the Republic as well as my Empire." The sith-human stated, turning to face the young blonde. "I wanted to see with my own eyes the man that has killed many in my Empire's name."
Naruto noticed that the younger human man watched him with a serious questioning intellect that seemed to evaluate his own soul. He could tell that the man who spoke to him, the Emperor, is hollow with only a fraction of what the other held. It was then that Naruto knew that he saw through the farce. Calmly staring at the human man, he nodded his head. "It is nice to meet the Emperor of the Sith Empire. All this time, I was beginning to think you were a figure created by the Sith Council or a long dead leader kept alive by the acting government."
It was silent as both men stared at the blonde before the human man laughed lowly, amusedly if Naruto could give a guess. "So you notice my true appearance. Amusing."
"Kinda hard not to," Naruto commented as he crossed his arms. "It's like comparing an apple to it's tree. Hell, I think that even I would be able to be stronger than him. Anyway, other than calling you Emperor, what is your real name?"
The Emperor nodded his head before motioning to his puppet. "This is one of my Voices, my old body that now watches over the Empire I saved and built. It was once known as Emperor Vitiate, but now he is just a face. I, however, now go by the name Valkorian."
Naruto nodded. "So, what, you no longer care for the Empire?"
"No," Valkorian replied without hesitation. "This Empire is a failed project, no longer worth my time. I've diverted my attention to...other things. What I called you here for is to see the foreigner that now gives the Empire hope. Now I know why."
Naruto raised his eyebrows. He felt something off about this situation. The man seemed lax, but the Force fluttered around all three in the area, with the exception of Servant One and Two.
As fast as esteanly possible, Naruto brought his crackling lightsaber to block the attack from a Vitiate clone, who held a red lightsaber to the blonde's face. Pushing back against the opposing lightsaber, Naruto backflipped a safe distance from the clone before narrowing his eyes. Noticing four other clones line up around the first one, he now grinned as he stood straight. "I haven't met a Sith or Jedi that could do those kind of tricks. I'm glad that I'm no longer the only one."
As soon as he finished, black masses of smoke appeared around him and ten pairs of eyes, glowing red with ignited orange blades, walked out of the smoke. Perfect copies of Naruto, with their own weapons but with purely red eyes, walked forward with grins to create a barricade of blondes. Naruto squeezed through his clones, his own eyes glowing red while letting out a blood-red smoke coming from them. "Let's go."
As soon as he said that, he and his clones burst forward fast enough to create a sonic boom from the displaced air. Slashing at the first clone he met, he was met with two more lightsabers from a pair of clones that were created from the dispersed clone. Guiding the right lightsaber towards the left, he cut the leg off of the right Vitiate clone before kicking one from behind into his own clone's orange lightsaber.
Naruto jumped over a Vitiate before being blown back across the room. He spun to land on his feet before sprinting forward back into the mess of Vitiates and Narutos. He created a swirling ball of black energy and rammed it into the stomach of one of the Vitiates, his hand going through the clone like a fist through air. Pushing forward, he met a red lightsaber with his own and took off a hand before slamming into the stomach. Spinning to his left, he parried an overhead slash and, continuing his spin, he sliced through their chest. As he heaved a heavy sigh, he watched the eyes of the last Vitiate clone get killed by his own.
Standing alone as all of the clones returned to their primitive form of the Force, he turned to the Emperor, noticing him standing alone. As his eyes returned to their orange color, he narrowed his eyes in confusion. He looked around, only to notice a single body at his feet; the real form of Vitiate. "Oh…"
Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "I, er, don't really understand what's happening."
Chuckling darkly, Valkorian slowly approached the boy. "That body may have been my Voice, but he was still stronger than all of the Empire. This was my test, a replacement test." At the blonde's confused stare, he elaborated. "I have told you how I do not care for this Empire, but I also think it'd be boring to just let it die. When you were released from the natural shield that your planet produced, I felt your presence almost immediately but left you to see how you would fare in our world. This was my last obstacle. Now, what I want is a game, a sort of trial between two gods among mortals."
"There is only one God, and I am not Him," Naruto spoke, before motioning his hand to continue. "But I see your point."
"What I want is this; I will go away, appearing whenever I want to test you and the galaxy, and I will appear in somewhere between seven to ten standard years. Meanwhile, you get this Empire united to face me when I appear." With a pause, he looked into the blonde's eyes and the amusement the blonde saw within his eyes was frightening. "So, do we have a deal?"
Naruto looked back at Servant One and Two whom stood to the side in unflinching robotic stature. "And what of them?"
"They have been programmed to anyone that is named Emperor. If they follow you, none on the Council may question you. But I will give you one piece of advice before I leave, beware of Darth Thanaton. He has an agenda of his own."
With that, Naruto simply watched as the man left. He was confused; he was now the Emperor of the entire Empire, and he had to prepare for his incoming attack sometime in the next seven years or so. But this was going to be a lot. If he were to come out as the Emperor, not everyone would blindly follow him - many would go so far as to challenge him! He should talk to the Council, especially Darth Marr. That man had the respect of the entire Empire as well as the Council.
When he turned he found Servant One and Two kneeling to him, their heads down to expose their neck - a sign of willingness to give one's life to the other. "What do you will of us, Emperor."
Naruto thought for a second, rubbing the side of his neck, before groaning. "We have to bring this to the Council. This shift in power must be made known. Everyone is coming with me."
"That is good, Emperor." Servant One said as he and Two stood up. "May I suggest bringing the current Wrath?"
"The Wrath? What's that?"
"The Wrath is your weapon, your extended lightsaber within the galaxy. He does your bidding, until he decides to betray." Servant Two answered this time, his unravelled mind confusing some words but Naruto understood enough.
"Okay, Two, get the Wrath and bring him to my ship. I want to leave as soon as possible."
"Understood, Emperor."
Naruto walked with Servant One, meanwhile thinking of everything that has changed; he's now been put into a battle of monsters, him and the man who used to be the Emperor, and has up to seven years to prepare for an all-out war. His power base alone is small in comparison to a whole nation, and if Valkorian has become the Emperor of a new project he is confident in enough to take on both Empire and Republic then this will really require complete dedication against this threat.
"My Emperor" Naruto looked up to see Servant Two with a new sith man, who stood at a threatening six-and-a-half feet, "I have brought the Wrath."
"My Lord," The man bowed his head, his orange eyes flickering to his blue. "You have summoned me."
"Yes," Naruto nodded, addressing the man. "May I get your name?"
"Lord Scourge."
Naruto nodded, turning to his droid that stood to the side. "436, we're taking the shuttle back to my estate. Power it up and prepare for flight there."
"Affirmative." The droid walked away, leaving Naruto with the Wrath and his Servants.
Naruto turned his head to the man, his eyes narrowing quizzically. "Where are your loyalties, Wrath?"
Scourge was taken aback, and he blinked a few times. "With the Empire. My Emperor."
Naruto nodded. "No loyalties to that Emperor? Or do you pledge loyalties to whoever just shows up and ends up being called Emperor?"
"I do not understand." The sith man said. "I pledge myself to my Empire, to the tenets that hold us above the rest. The Emperor may only be so if he holds the tenets as well, and cares for his subjects."
"Mm," Naruto nodded. "Good answer. You may be trusted yet, Scourge. Come. Time to let my friends know what's happened."
Naruto walked out the shuttle with his three followers, ordering his droid to refuel then continue estate procedures. He was first met with Lana and Krovos, who looked at him in confusion and surprise, but he held his hand for silence and motioned for them to follow him. It was silent as they entered through the dual durasteel doors, and into the main room where Shikamaru, Kory, Sateh and Tayuya currently sat. They looked up to him and got to their feet at the sight of the three sith following him.
Saying nothing to them, Naruto pulled out his wrist comm and connected with his estate speakers. "Frysus, Zabuza, Haku, Reaper Squad, report to the main room immediately."
"What is this about?" Kory asked in hesitation, looking at Scourge's intimidating physique.
"He has yet to speak since he landed," Lana spoke, and walked into the view of her love and watched his eyes follow her. "What is happening? Who are they?"
Naruto didn't move, only breathed calmly, however his eyes showed more anxiety and raging thoughts that showed his internal feelings.
"Something happened," Lana more than stated, and only got a nod. "Bad?" She got an uncertain shrug of his shoulders. "Uncertain."
By this time, the missing people finally made it and went on guard when they saw the three mysterious sith.
"Now that we are all here." Naruto spoke, getting everyone's attention. "I have uncertain news to tell all of you. Any and all questions may be answered when I'm done explaining everything so please wait until I'm done." Getting nods all around, he sighed. "The summoning by the Emperor wasn't what I thought. I was confronted by two people, one our Emperor and the other one of his puppets. The man I knew to be our Emperor goes by the name Valkorion now, and he does not seem to be seeing what is happening in the Empire or our tension with the Republic. He instead told me he has a more completed project, where he feels has accomplished what the Empire or the Republic ever could. He instead said that I am now the Emperor and that in seven or so years he will appear and cast war on both Republic and Empire. So now I must get the Council or at least some on my side and get us prepared for his subsequent return."
Silence was given in the room as everyone processed this new information. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he looked away at the wall before his eyes landed on Shikamaru, who stood with his eyes closed but his hands clasped together as he would whenever he thought critically about something. "I will be talking to Darth Marr, as his voice holds a lot of weight in the Council and he can swing their votes. I may be announced, then again it may be smart to keep me in the dark. I will be having you, Tavus, send a letter to Marr to request his meeting at an undisclosed location. Your answers may now be spoken."
Surprisingly, no one spoke up. Harron simply nodded his head in acceptance to deliver the message and his team simply gave each other glances and shrugs at what he said. Lana stood back with her arms crossed over her breasts with a scrutinizing face, and his and her girls were behind her - only Frysus, Sateh, Tayuya, and Krovos since Zash was not here and Wraith was with her team. Zabuza only grunted, crossing his arms and shaking his head - muttering, "crazy brat already Emperor" and "now I have to tell Kakashi" - and Haku just smiled through the uncertainty Naruto knew she felt.
Naruto turned as soon as he saw Shikamaru move from his silent position and met his eyes. All he got, however, was a sigh that turned into a chuckle. "You're troublesome, have I told you that?"
"Plenty," Naruto grinned slightly. "What do you think, Shika? Bad news first, as always, and we'll move into the good."
"The bad? Our trouble just got increased thousandfold thanks to you now being named Emperor," Shikamaru sighed and ran a hand through his hand. "Now, because you are still underestimated by much of the universe and haven't shown much but sheer power and connection to the Force - all of which this Valkorion has shown and proved in several lifetimes. No one is going to easily bow their head to you, but considering this Empire is pretty barbaric in their showing of hierarchy all you will have to do is answer challenges any time they show and eliminate any insurrection without mercy. Beyond that, however, you will have to keep the Council in check in case they try to plot behind your back. Bring it up to them after speaking to Darth Marr, and if any question you, if possible, demonstrate a show of force but do not kill them."
"Why not?" Harron asked from his corner, "If we're eliminating opposition wouldn't it be best to do it to them also?"
"No, that would have the opposite effect," Shikamaru shook his head. "Anyone outside the Council and the apprenticeship of the Council members can not be killed unless they strike first. If you outright kill them that will show that you do not care for the social structure of the Empire. We have to respect their position and try to bring them to us, or kill them when they show to be going against your right to rule. Marr is easy to persuade to your side, as he already likes you, and Jadus and his daughter get along with you pretty well. It's Thanaton, Vengean, and Ravage that we will have the most trouble with. Mortis is fair, and if we get these Servants and Wrath to speak on your behalf then he will likely side with you."
"Interesting," Naruto muttered, "and the good news?"
"The good news is that's all we have to worry about," Shikamaru chuckled and shook his head. "Other than you having great power and influence among your peers, you have a great hand of cards to play with. Now, like a game of chess, we simply set up our pieces with five turns planned ahead."
"Awesome," Naruto smirked before turning to Scourge. "Now, Scourge, play nice with the older kids. Come to me if you want to quit the life of being my Wrath, I won't blame you if you do."
The tall sith man gave a a narrowed, confused look at the slightly shorter man. "Why would I quit, my Emperor?"
Naruto just gave a sadistic and cheeky grin. "Because with us, nothing you face is easy. For I am a monster, and the only people who fight monsters are monsters. And now one has been made Emperor."
Naruto's Power Base:
PLANETS::
Dromund Kass
Estea
Balmorra
SHIPS::
2 Harrower-class dreadnoughts
1 Gage-class Transport
3 Terminus-class Destroyers
Emperor's Spacedock
SITH LORDS::
Lord Krovos
Darth Skotia
Lord Lana Beniko
Lord Scourge
Servant One
Servant Two
SITH APPRENTICES::
Kory
Shikamaru
Frysus
Sateh
IMPERIAL OFFICERS::
Captain Kakashi Hatake
Major Zabuza Momochi
Admiral Ranken
IMPERIAL SOLDIERS::
Sergeant Haku Momochi
Lieutenant Akatsuchi
Captain Kurotsuchi
1.000.000 Marines
Reaper Squad