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Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Black or the Chronicles of Riddick which are the creative and legal property of David Twohy. Any constructive criticism is welcome.

New chapter, hope you enjoy it!

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Reflections

Chapter Three - Flawless Perfection

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Heavy footsteps echoed throughout the antechamber as Vaako stomped his way through the Necromunger ship, casting a glare at anyone who dared look in his direction. Back perfectly ridged, he came to a halt at the entrance of his chamber. He inhaled deeply through his nose, the muscles in his neck tightening as he raised his head higher and marched through his quarters towards his wife, stopping within a few paces of her chair.

"Dame Vaako." he inclined his head in greeting, his powerful voice resounded through their sparse chamber.

A delicate hand lifted the smouldering coal pencil to the bottom lid of her eye. With a well-practised skill, she drew the hot coal across her skin, thickening the already solid black line under her eyes. Finished, she drew it away from her face, placing in softly down on the table before flicking her eyes to catch her husband's reflected in her mirror.

"Husband, how was your mission? You were victorious." She asked, but it was no question. Their race had power over all and with Vaako leading them, they would never be defeated.

"As always. The soldiers of that worthless planet proved no concern to our forces."

"I must say I am disappointed." Hands in her lap, she smoothed the skirt of her dress as she stood to face him.

He drew to his full height, a questioning glare settling over his features. "And why, my lady, might that be? We were victorious."

"Because dear husband, that Furyan has taken your rightful position as Lord Marshal and you did nothing to stop him. You practically let him take it." She fumed as she strode across the room him. "He could end us. He could bring an end to the Necromunger way." Opening the door to their wardrobe she pulled out another dress. "He resisted all attempts made to convert him to our way. He has the power to destroy everything due to your slip. If you had killed the Lord Marshal as we had planned… None of this would have happened."

Neatly clipped nails pierced the inside of the thick leather of his gloves as he craned his neck to follow her retreating back, resisting the temptation to raise his hand to her. "It was not my intention for the Furyan to take what was to be mine. But things can be rectified."

Garment held to her front, she twisted to look at the perfectly controlled anger of Vaako. How far could she push before it snapped? "As I should think. Our plan was flawless. It was to be our greatest victory; I was to have power above all."

Control waning he was upon her in a few menacing strides. Grip tight, his fingers dug into her arms as he gave her a brief shake and pulled her closer. "Do not forget your place, wife! It is by my side, at my rule! I will not have you defy me." Words ominous, the menace in his voice barely restrained, he released his grip, casting her from him.

Mouth agape in disbelief she made to argue, but thought better of it and decided to reconcile. "Never, my husband. My place is; and always will be, at your side. I only wish the best for us." Pausing she assessed his demeanour, looking for any indication that he had calmed before continuing. She may have wanted to push his control, but he was a man to be feared.

"We'll just have to devise a plan to overthrow him. He, unlike the former Lord Marshall, is only a man and will be easy to kill. The only problem we face in achieving his demise is that Riddick happens to be quite a capable warrior, almost animalistic and instinctive in his abilities." She said.

A frown set deep on Vaako's face at the admiration in her voice. Spying his sour look, she sauntered to him, hips swaying enticingly. Reaching him, she let her dress fall, discarded to the floor, and she slid her hands up his strong armour covered chest to his broad shoulders, drawing her body up his to whisper sweetly in his ear. "Everything I do husband; is for us, for you. To bring you power over this unconquered empire and all the planets in all the systems. I do it only for you, my Lord."

Drawing his earlobe into her mouth she bit down, hard and dragged it through her teeth, before letting it fall from her mouth. With a growl he grasped her hips, pulling her body closer against his. "You, wife, will be the death of me."

A breathy laugh escaped her lips as she ground her hips against his. "Yes, as it should be husband. As is the Necromunger way, you keep what you kill. You are mine and I will keep you."

Another growl worked its way from deep within his chest as he wrenched her skirt to her waist and seized the backs of her thighs.

Caught by surprise, she gasped at his impulsiveness but quickly wrapped her legs around his hips as he lifted her from the ground and marched them to their bed chamber.

Depositing her roughly on their bed, he removed his breast plate before crawling over her. Glaring intensely down at his wife, it amazed him that even with her skirt gathered around her hips and the almost ugly curl of her lip; she was the epitome of perfection. Not a hair out of place, makeup impeccable. How he would enjoy ruining this perfection.

Dame Vaako smirked at the intensity of his smouldering gaze, as he moved up her body. She had always enjoyed when her husband loosened the hold over his control, allowing himself to be brash and impulsive. Emotional. She would almost go so far as to say she loved that side of him, but she did not love him. Just as he did not love her. They were merely tools for the other to use in their ascent to the top, it just happened to be an added benefit that they shared a physical attraction. But he belonged to her, and no other.

She could not deny that Vaako was flawlessly sculpted; the embodiment of male perfect. None could compare to him in his physical beauty. He was dark and haunting, but beautiful. Yet… there may just be one other: Riddick.

Head tilting to rest on her shoulder, she smiled demurely at her husband as her thoughts lingered on the new Lord Marshal. He didn't have the dark beauty that Vaako embodied, but he was pure male; masculinity at its finest. Rugged, dirty, powerful. If she thought she could convince him to take her to his bed before her husband killed him, she would. And she would enjoy it.

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Light absorbing eyes took in the dark patterns carved in the ceiling above his bed. A deep sigh rumbled through his chest as he stared into the inky blackness where he lived his life. The darkness held no secrets from him, but when he closed his eyes, all he wanted to do was escape the truths it told.

Riddick knew he should try to sleep, if only for a few hours, but he couldn't; no matter how much he wanted to, give into the solace of dreamless, lifeless slumber. What he really needed was to rest, but his mind wouldn't stop. Wouldn't stop thinking, remembering, replaying the past with soul crushing clarity.

Behind his lids he could see her, at the beginning, before she was spoilt. Perfect. She was pale and delicate in the glorious suns that hid so much of her from him. When she came to him in the skeleton of the ship, he could smell the fear coming off her in waves. But there was something, something that was hidden beneath the fear and sweat. He could almost place it when he tempted her closer. But when his unprotected eyes caught hers, his sense of smell had diminished. He had even failed to notice that the kid was approaching until it was too late and she had ran away from him.

He had originally followed her into skiff to tease her with the hidden truth of Johns, a truth he'd leave her to discover for herself. But deep down all he really wanted was to see more of her.

And see he did, the fear and the trepidation that ran unchecked through her body and across her face as he had lent over her shoulder. He could smell the sweat that lingered on her skin and the underlying scent from before; he had wanted to run his tongue down the cord of her neck, to take in more of her scent; to taste her. But he feared her reaction, her rejection. And he withdrew, leaving her alone quivering in the skiff.

The next time he was alone with her, they were in the rain. Both completely sodden, he had appreciated the way her form fitting clothes clung tighter to her body outlining her curves to his hungry eyes.

He beckoned to her, pleading with his hidden eyes for her to leave this planet, to come with him. To survive… with him. And she listened. For the briefest of seconds she had agreed, had moved toward him, toward her salvation. He had held her, hands lightly resting on her hips guiding her, fingers twitching, wanting to sink into her flesh and pull her closer and never let her go.

But her conscience had kicked in and she turned on him, pushing him back to land in the mud, with her landing heavily over him. Rolling them over, he was again struck with the urge to sink into her body, to enjoy the way her curves melded to fit him. But he held back, afraid. Afraid of her and afraid what he'd do if she refused him. Whilst he may be a beast, he would never have forced her. But what he would do to himself was another matter, and it terrified him that she had so much control over him without even knowing it. He was not an animal to be caged!

Angry at himself and at her, he lashed out. Asking her why? Why would she sacrifice herself for the few pitiful people that still lived when they could leave; survive. Would she die for them? Would she die for them just so she wouldn't have to be with him?

Yes. She would die for them. But she didn't, she never does, not for them. Every night she dies and every night it is for him. And it kills him. Every night a little more of his humanity dies with her.

Riddick woke. Something was coming; the piecing silence that surrounded his quarters was far too quiet. Slipping off the bed, he slid on his pants and moved to the door with quiet grace. Muscles taut and ready to fight, he waited.

The faint tapping of boots filled his ears, probably his entourage coming to escort his to the dining hall. Fuck that. He pushed away from the wall to go back to bed, but not before he caught the faint sound of a sharp clicking over the monotonous thudding of the soldiers boots. The noise came closer to his quarters not stopping with soldiers.

Riddick was forced back as the large doors flew open and the Dame Vaako flounced through. She stopped short of him, her dark eyes running the length of his partially clothed body, eyes lingering on the tanned skin of his hips displayed by the low rise of his pants.

"Lord Marshall." She addressed him, a smirk playing on her lips as her eyes met his.

He gave a small chuckle, when would the woman learn flattery wasn't going to get her anywhere with him. "Dame Vaako. What a surprise to see you here. What can I do for you?" He asked, arms crossing his chest.

"Pleasant, I hope. I am here on the behalf of my husband. I had…" she sauntered toward him as she spoke, stopping abruptly as he dared to cut her off.

"Why'd he send you? Vaako's a big boy." Riddick smirked at her pinched expression. The woman didn't like being interrupted, but he just couldn't resist.

Her eyes narrowed before her face once again changed to the false grin, "As I was saying, I had thought you'd be far more enticed to join my husband in a sparring match if I asked."

Dancing around him, she came to a stop on his left, running her hand down the thickly corded muscles of his bicep and forearm. She breathed in deeply; she could just imagine what he could do with those beautifully bronzed arms. She relished in the heat of him. Riddick was a bronzed man, hot and brazen, where Vaako was a porcelain god, cool and shrewd. The two were a vast contrast.

Her delicate hand grasped Riddick's, feeling the rough worked skin of his fingers as she lead him from the room. Her stomach clenched at thought of those hands running across the compass of her skin, catching on the fine hairs that covered her body. He would be an experience to enjoy. A sultry smug smile settled over her lips as she led him from his chambers.

Riddick could smell the excitement on the woman hanging off his arm. Just what the hell did she want from him? He watched the laboured rise and fall of her bosom displayed enticingly by the low cut of her dress. The material moulded to her like a second skin, pushing her breasts up for any appreciative eye to see. But he had a feeling it was intended only for him.

Together they strode into the training area. Vaako was standing to the west of them sharpening his weapon, his attention drawn away from his task at their entrance. Riddick noticed the way the Necromunger's jaw clenched, and so had the Dame. Her grip on him tightened; possessively, before slipping away to watch from a safe distance.

Spear in hand, Vaako approached. An arms length between them he thrust out his free hand toward Riddick. Peering down at it the Lord Marshall noticed a knife glinting temptingly at him. He smirked. It was the same blade he had forced in the former Lord Marshall's head, taking his life and his kingdom.

He lifted his head to look at the Necromunger, and saw the faint smirk that tilted his mouth. Riddick chuckled quietly and took the blade from him, twirling it around his hand, getting a feel for it again. 'He musta pulled it from the guy's head. I know I sure as hell didn't. So, he wants to try his luck against me with the weapon that bested two of the Necromunger's finest warriors.' He chuckled at the thought, what chance did this punk stand.

The men backed away to stand at opposite ends of the training mat. Riddick waggled the tip of the knife a Vaako. "You ready for this? Coz I'm going to kick your ass."

His opponent only snorted, his smirk spreading across his face before giving a slight nod to signal his ready.

Knees soft, Riddick's hand was lax on the weapon's hilt. He'd been aching to let go of this tension in his body, fight until he could no longer stand and collapsed in exhaustion. Vaako was about to oblige him by willingly stepping forward to be his punching bag. A feral smirk twisted his lips.

Weapons in hand, the two warriors circled, muscles twitching in anticipation of who'd make the first move. It was Vaako. Lunging forward, he shoved the spear towards Riddick's unprotected body, knowing he'd miss. He'd seen Riddick take down one of his strongest men with little effort and more recently, the Lord Marshall, and that was no small feat. He would have to be smart about this; he could not simply take the man down relying on brute strength alone.

Riddick inwardly snorted at the poor attack of the Necromunger soldier, he had expected better. Throwing his hands up, he straightened from his stance, "Don't make me laugh!

Where's the fearless Nerco I've been hearin' about, huh? Now quit bein' some pansy assed fuck and FIGHT ME!" he roared, charging at Vaako.

Dame Vaako watched in delight as the two males danced across the sparring mat, the Furian's aggressive attack pushed her husband back, keeping him on the defensive. She could see the irritation marring his face. If this was how the fight was going to continue, Riddick was going to win with little effort at all.

This realisation made her snarl in disgust at her husband's obvious weakness. He was the leader of the Necromunger's forces and he couldn't hold his own against one lowly Furian!? Their people had swarmed the Furian planet and destroyed all traces of the inferior race; except one, the most important one. He alone had survived and accomplished the very thing the Lord Marshall had feared, the reason he'd destroyed the planet and its inhabitants. The prophecy that a Furian would take his throne and Riddick had done just that.

Riddick lunged forward again, pushing his opponent further back. He'd had enough of this damned cat and mouse game. Vaako had barely made an attempt to try and attack him in return. What the fuck was he playin' at? Snarling in anger, he turned the blade in his hand, and stomped towards the Necromunger.

Curious, but wary of the Furian's approach, he made use of the cease fire and swung his spear towards his opponent. Riddick anticipated the attack, and stepped in towards Vaako to avoid the attack, knocking the thrusting arm away and shoving Vaako's shoulders forcefully.

"What the fuck, Vaako. What are you playin' at?" Riddick bellowed.

Vaako straightened, regaining his balance. He inclined his head, as if daring the Furian to challenge him. Refusing to respond.

"You tryin' ta tire me out, deflecting all of my attacks until I'm too tired to defend myself.' Riddick chuckled mirthlessly, 'Don't make me laugh. I could keep goin' all day long. You dunno what I could do to you, Vaako. But you keep fuckin' with me like this and you'll find out." He drew his fist back and swung at Vaako and connected sharply with the man's nose. A crack resonated through the quiet training room. Shaking his head, Riddick left.

Dame Vaako lunched herself from her chair. She hadn't expected Riddick would have attacked her husband in such a way and gaped at his retreating back. Doors slamming closed she turned her attention to her husband. She could clearly see the red blood marring his pale skin. If she got closer she knew she'd too be able to the see the bruising blossoming at the bridge of his nose.

Vaako looked up at his wife. He had watched her as she had watched Riddick leave the training area, the disbelief going unchecked on her face. A frown creased his brow when she had finally turned her attentions to him. Rage mixed with the disbelief behind her eyes.

He waited as she made her way down from the stands and across the mat. The pulsing of her rage could be felt with every step she took. Halting in front of him, she let out a restrained screech and slapped him. She raised her hand a second time, but he caught her wrist before her palm could make contact.

"I let you get away with it once. Do not try it again, wife, or I will punish you. This is your only warning." His grip left red welts around her delicate wrist, bruises to match his own. Glaring at her once more he strode away from her, as if never sustaining the injures to his face.

The Dame swallowed her tongue. She knew better than to test her luck. She was surprised his hadn't struck her for what she had done. But she was furious. Once again, he had failed their cause, failed her! It had been her plan that Vaako would spar with Riddick, until the Furian was too tired to stand. She knew all too well that he hadn't been sleeping. That some unknown ghost was lurking behind his eyes, haunting his dreams.

All Vaako needed to do was hold him off until he tired, but she had underestimated his capabilities. She let out an enraged scream, the frustration causing her to buckle falling to the floor in a heap. This colony would be hers even if she had to take it herself.