Star Wars Episode I: The Familiar of Zero

by Snarky Miracles

On the verge of being expelled from school, Louise Valliere refuses to give up. Her final chance to prove herself worthy of her heritage is to summon a familiar. But she gets much more than she bargained for when the frightening Calista Zarkot crashes into her life. Instead of becoming the master, Louise has become the servant and learns what it means to be Sith...

9. Corruption

Chapter Seven - Corruption

Louise passed by a large group of second year students, they were all busy training their familiars for the upcoming exhibition. All except for Guiche, he had his big mole on his lap and was petting it while talking to that first year, Katie. Louise sighed and guessed that he'd have to change one small step at a time if he ever would. Louise then looked over at Kirche who was busy playing with her giant red fire salamander of a familiar and noticed that her heart didn't seem to be into it. That fiery spirit of her's which compelled her to do anything and everything with passion was just absent from her. Louise considered going up to her and asking her if she was alright when she noticed Tabitha sitting near her reading, she knew that if Kirche needed anything, Tabitha was the one she'd go to and left it alone.

Louise arrived at the clearing in the forest where she and Calista trained and found that she was the first to arrive for once.

"This is strange. Calista's never late." observed Louise.

Derflinger popped out of his scabbard, "Yeah, that is weird. Oh well, you wanna tell jokes while we wait?"

Louise chuckled, "You have any good ones?" she asked.

"Yeah, I got one. What's the difference between snowmen and snowwomen?" asked the sword.

"What?" asked Louise.

"Snowballs" stated Derflinger.

Louise shook her head and then stuffed Derf back in his scabbard, but she still snickered at the joke.

"I can hear you laughing Louise! Don't be a prude!" came Derflinger's muffled voice from inside the scabbard.

"My apologies for my tardiness. Matilda kept me up. Apparently, it's been ages since she's been able to chat with someone her own age and we both missed breakfast."

Louise chuckled at that, "So the mighty Sith has a friend to talk about boys with!"

Calista shook her head, "Don't go there with Matilda. She hates being single. I tried to explain to her that it's perfectly natural for women our age to be unmarried and focus on other aspects of our lives, but, that seems to be unheard of in this backwards culture."

"So what's today's lesson?" asked Louise as she took a seat on the grass.

Calista smiled proudly. "Not bored anymore?"

Louise looked at her hands. "A lot happened last night that I don't want to really think about."

"You were in a situation that compelled you to take lives. Don't be ashamed."

"Matilda told you everything huh?"

"No. I was with you the whole time."

Louise widened her eyes, "So it was your voice I heard last night!"

"Indeed. If you had died, you would have taken me with you, and your friends would have perished as well. You did well. And you've proven yourself worthy of my teachings. You're fully capable of being Sith."

Louise looked at the ground solemnly. "Thank you."

"Don't be timid Louise. Don't feel sorry for the people who dare to get between you and your goals. Don't be humble either. Those are traits befitting of slaves, not Sith. The Force has granted you power, and a great destiny. Look around you. You've gathered unto yourself a teacher, and followers. Like Matilda, and Guiche, more will come, and in time they will look to you to lead them."

"I'm no leader Calista. I'm no warrior. I don't even know what I'm doing here anymore! I'm just making you waste your time with me!"

"Not all Sith are Warriors Louise. Some are politicians, architects, or scientists. Some of our greatest have been historians, philosophers, poets, even composers. I myself am a Pilot and an Assassin. I rely on speed, stealth, and cunning. Other Sith focus on sorcery, still others are indeed juggernauts on the battlefield. Cast aside your doubts Louise. The Force is guiding you towards what you are meant to become, don't resist it, embrace it, accept it. Trust the Force to guide you. Trust yourself to choose your path."

"I don't understand…"

"Of course you don't. You don't know what it means to be Sith yet. Tell me, how did you feel after you rescued your friend?"

"It felt good. Like I was able to do something for her after all she's done for me. But I don't like that feeling, after what was done to her, it just feels wrong."

"There's nothing wrong with feeling proud of your victories. Don't focus on the negative. Your friend was hurt, violated. But through your actions she was avenged."

"Guiche killed Mott, not me."

"That doesn't matter. You put him in the right place at the right time to accomplish a goal for you. It may have been his hand that defeated your enemy, but it was your leadership that made it all happen."

"Matilda was in the lead."

"Stop being humble. Who's idea was it to go there in the first place?"

"Mine."

"Exactly. Yours. Your leadership. Your followers. Each using their own strengths to accomplish a goal that no one of you could have achieved on your own."

"I guess that makes sense."

"Good. Now, onto your lesson. You've earned this bit of knowledge. As Sith, we live by a code. This code defines us, tells us who we are, and what we must do. It is this code that's given our people the will to survive and endure for thousands of years."

"Tell me. I want to know!" demanded Louise.

Calista smiled at Louise, she was starting to understand. She was like clay ready to be moulded, and now, Calista would begin to reshape her.

"Peace is a lie, there is only passion." she started while walking around her apprentice.

"Through passion, I gain strength." Calista came out in front of her again and met her eyes pleased to see the wonder growing in them.

"Through strength, I gain power."

Louise sat up on her knees and looked deeply in Calista's eyes, she was eating this out of her hand.

"Through power, victory."

Calista sat herself down before Louise so they were eye to eye, and then continued with firm conviction in her voice, the most passionate Louise had ever heard her speak...

"Through victory, my chains are broken! The Force, shall set me free!"

"This is the Sith code Louise. Commit it to your heart, and you will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to. No matter what obstacles you face. Do you understand?"

"I don't. Teach me. What does it all mean?"

Calista was filled with pride. "Good. Very good. This is how it should be. I can't always spoon feed my knowledge to you. From now on, you have to figure out what you need to know and take that knowledge from me. That too, is a part of being Sith. Now, the code. There are as many interpretations of it as there are Sith who follow it. I'm going to give you the outline, and let you understand it as you will."

Louise nodded eagerly. "Peace is a lie. This statement is taken as a fundamental truth of the universe. The idea is that conflict is natural, and required for growth and evolution. In nature, animals constantly vie for dominance in any given area. So do people. Everyone has an idea of what's right or wrong, and the outcome is ultimately determined through conflict. This conflict doesn't have to be violent, but calling it peaceful is a lie. Any debate is a conflict of ideas, and it's this conflict that drives progress."

Louise had a look of wonder in her eyes, it made perfect sense to her as she looked back at all the conflict in her own life she recognized the influences it had on who she had now become and who she would eventually become.

"There is only Passion. Only passion can drive you to accomplish anything. If you feel strongly for a cause, you will devote everything to it. The dispassionate will sit back and wallow in self pity at the injustices of the world, but the truly passionate will always stand up and be counted. These are the people who reject reality and substitute their own, and then go on to impose their reality upon the world around them. Passion, grants you the strength of mind, body, and spirit that you need to overcome fear and face the challenges before you."

Louise nodded her understanding. "Just like how my fear of Count Mott didn't stop me from saving Siesta."

"Precisely. Through your passion for your friendship, you found the strength to go rescue her. Through strength, you gained the power to defeat your enemies, thus, achieving victory. Through victory, you saved your friend and released yourself from the emotional burden of her captivity. Thus breaking your chains. And through the Force, you set yourself free of that feeling of powerlessness that's plagued you all your life, and for the first time, you rejected the reality you were otherwise powerless to change and imposed your will upon the world. You changed your reality."

"If you hadn't shown me the Force... Siesta would still be with Count Mott, and I'd end up begging and pleading with whomever would listen to do something for her. But nobody with the power to do anything about it would have gone out of their way for a commoner like her."

"Don't fall into the 'what if' trap Louise, there's seldom any escape for there. Instead, realize the truth. Peace is a lie, there is only passion…" started Calista.

"Through passion I gain strength. Through strength, power. Through power, victory. Through victory, my chains are broken! The Force shall set me free." finished Louise.

"Very good. Now let's apply what you've learned thus far."

---

Matilda started work that day in a better mood than she had been for a long time. Her talk with Calista the previous night did wonders for her. It'd been a long time since she had any meaningful companionship in her life, not since she was separated from her sister. But her mood instantly soured while she was replacing various books on their shelves for she could feel the annoying little rodent between her feet staring up at her. She'd had enough! She wouldn't tolerate this old pervert a moment longer. She had the goods to deal a much harsher blow to him, but it was too soon to do anything with it yet.

A familiar is a mage's lifelong friend and companion, a creature that spends every moment of everyday with its master. Matilda wasn't agile, she had strength, so if she tried to stomp the little mouse it could easily escape, if she tried to grab it, it would be the same result, instead she whipped out her wand and levitated the Rodent. She took the creature into her hand and started to slowly squeeze it, savoring each of its fearful squeals as her mind focused on just why she felt so much revulsion for Osmond and his lowly Familiar...

---

Eight years ago

"It's your turn Matilda! Good luck! I just know you'll get an amazing familiar!" said her best friend Samantha in her most encouraging voice.

The magical academy of Albion didn't have nearly the prestige of some of the others. Most nobles sent their children to their ally of Tristain, but Matilda prefered to stay in her own country, especially since the school was so close to home she could get back for weekends to spend time with her newly adopted sister.

Matilda pulled out her adamantium wand, a family heirloom passed down through the generations that her fellows would eye with envy since adamantium was exceedingly rare. She strolled up to the summoning space with a bright and confident smile on her face.

"I, Matilda de Saxe-Gotha, call out to you my familiar spirit. Answer my summons and take your rightful place at my side!"

She then directed her wand forward and out of thin puff of scattering dirt a majestic Grey Wolf leaped out at Matilda and tackled her to the ground where it started licking her face, The young grassy haired girl started to giggle uncontrollably while she finished the ritual. "Pentagon of the five elemental powers, bless this humble creature and make it my familiar!" she said while touching it with her wand to complete the contract and then gave it a small kiss on the muzzle to seal it.

"Wow Matilda! That's so beautiful! Can I pet him?" asked her friend with an awestruck voice, followed by others all eager for a chance to pet the wolf.

"Sure! He seems friendly enough."

The mighty wolf lay down on the ground and turned its belly up for everyone to scratch him, thoroughly enjoying how all the children were spoiling him rotten.

"D'awww, what are you going to call him?" Matilda pondered that after everyone gave her and her familiar some space, the Wolf sat before her as if eagerly awaiting a name.

"I'll call him Prince, he's certainly being pampered enough to qualify!" declared Matilda.

Weeks later, Matilda was out on a date with one of her classmates, they had decided on a stroll in the forrest. Matilda dearly loved the forest, she always felt such a deep connection with it and not only because she was an Earth Mage. Saxe-Gotha depended on the forest for sustenance, their carpenters were second to none and it was the most important aspect of their economy. Hunters depended on the creatures of the forest to feed themselves and their families and it was up to the leaders of the town, the Saxe-Gotha family who were named for it to ensure the balance of the forest remained intact. Taking too many trees from one place could irreparably harm the ecology, the people all understood this and very seldom required intervention to ensure things remained fair, but outsiders tended to come and start making a mess, and so the family would have to be vigilant. This was a duty Matilda had been taught her entire life and took seriously.

"I love the forest. I love coming out to play, or to watch the animals. Name the trees and flowers. So why did you want to bring me out here?" she asked curiously.

"Because I want to break up with you Matilda. I'm in love with Samantha." Matilda widened her eyes at him.

"What? But why? What did I do wrong?!" she asked as tears started building up in her eyes.

"It's not anything you did. I just don't feel a connection between us. I'm sorry."

Matilda's sad face turned into an angry scowl, "But you feel one with my best friend?!"

The boy shrugged, "Sort of. We haven't done anything, so please don't feel betrayed. We're just friends, but I want to ask her out, and it would just be wrong to do without telling you this first."

Grief stricken, Matilda pushed him away and ran out into the forest. She found a tree that had fallen over, she tightened her cloak around herself tightly and sat down on it to let her tears flow. She didn't know when it came, or how it managed to sneak up on her, but Prince was sitting beside her and nuzzling his snout against her comfortingly. Matilda couldn't help but smile at the creature's loyalty. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and cried a mix of sadness and happiness. Sadness for her failed love life, and happiness for having her familiar.

As the months and years went by, Matilda's love life never improved. She'd get a date here or there but the men just never felt any connection to her. Her family tried to arrange marriages for her but Saxe-Gotha wasn't considered important enough for any of the other noble houses to consider as a good alliance.

So Matilda did the only thing she could, she poured herself into her studies and training. She received the best tutelage with a sword that her family could afford and she became highly adept with a Rapier. She practiced her magic day and night and perfected techniques that left her instructors in awe. She remembered the day she summoned her infamous giant golem, her teachers and fellow students nearly voided themselves, in fact, she was sure some did, especially some of her former boyfriends whom she was sure were regretting passing her over at that moment.

But that was nothing compared to the horde of adamantium knights she perfected and trained with every day. By practicing her fencing art against her own constructs she improved herself and her control over them to an as yet unheard of degree.

Besides of all that, her favorite past time involved her familiar, and a stick. She loved playing with her Wolf and taking him for walks in the forrest. She was always teaching him tricks that impressed everyone she'd show off too. At night she let him sleep in her bed with her instead of out with the other familiars. It always gave her a sense of warmth and security, especially in the bitter Albion winters where it would get so cold that everything would be covered in ice.

At home, Matilda and her sister would play together with Prince all day long, and share warmth with him at night. He was just one of those things that brought the two sisters closer and gave the adopted girl some measure of happiness in her otherwise miserable life full of rejection and fear.

Matilda was zealously protective of her sister, and any time anyone would dare to say anything about her she'd respond with all of hell's fury. Being born out of wedlock was a social stigma that would forever haunt any person in their society. Adopting these sorts of children was considered dodgy by the vast majority of noble houses and caused the Saxe-Gotha family to draw much ire. Especially considering the rumors of just who's bastard the little girl was. She became something of a symbol for the corrupt rulers of Albion that others were only too eager to use as fuel for a growing fire of rebellion. But Matilda loved her sister more than anything, from the first day her father brought the little girl home and explained her situation, Matilda instantly took to her and became her over protective big sister.

Matilda graduated from the Albion Academy at the top of her class. One of the first missions she undertook for Saxe-Gotha was to clear out a group of bandits that had taken up residence along one of the roads leading into the town. With her wolf and her Golems at her side word would quickly spread that Saxe-Gotha was raiding ground for only the most suicidal of thugs. Poachers soon learned that lesson as well as only a very lucky few lived to warn others of their misfortune. Even nobles who tried to use their lofty status to excuse their shady activities around the town weren't spared from the wrath of Matilda de Saxe-Gotha, who by now had earned the title Matilda the Adamant. She was the enforcer, and she zealously imposed their rules on anyone who dared to violate their lands.

That was when the rebellion broke out. Matilda was the first to volunteer for the defense of Saxe-Gotha. It wasn't that she was a fervent patriot who loved King and Country, she just loved the land and would fight tooth and nail against anyone who'd abuse it for whatever purpose. With her Wolf beside her, Matilda set out to find any rebel forces who'd dare to set foot around Saxe-Gotha and crush them without mercy.

As the number of her victories in battle increased, so did her fame, and the attention that goes with it. The Kingdom sent soldiers for her to command, and with her father's council, utilized them flawlessly in the defense of their land. Reconquista could not gain any foothold in Saxe-Gotha and were content to ignore it for the time being, but that wouldn't last. At the behest of the King's Generals, Matilda was asked to destroy an enemy fortification not far from her town to cut off their supply lines. With her mighty rock golem, she was perfect for the task and accepted the mission.

Little did she know the consequences of drawing so much attention to herself. The Reconquista forces made their reprisal in full force and invaded Saxe-Gotha. The family made plea after plea to the King through the generals in command of the region but no help was ever sent. Matilda held the line as long as she could but even her power had limits. Wave after wave of enemy soldiers died at her hands, with all her golems raised, and her body empowered with the Strength of the Earth she single handedly fought off thousands, but there were limits. Her body couldn't cope with the strain of all that magical power flowing out of her into the golems, including the titan she'd send to smash their siege weaponry and crush whole squads of soldiers.

As she collapsed from exhaustion, not even the unbreakable determination she had to defend the town could get her back onto her feet, her body had given out. Her golems crumbled around her, and one lone enemy soldier approached her, ready and eager to be the one to bring down this monster, raised his sword only to be tackled by a giant Grey Wolf that ripped his throat out. Matilda smiled at Prince, he saved her life, she was so glad, she knew he'd protect her until she could get back up, which she did start doing, she propped herself up on her sword and got herself up, only be knocked back down by an arrow to the chest. As she lay on her back, tears filled her eyes and flowed like a river. For before her eyes was her companion, she didn't realize but he'd taken several arrows for her while she was getting up and lay dead at her side. He fought for her until his last. He had protected her.

---

The old man stood up from his chair and rushed over towards her pleading for the life of his familiar but it fell on deaf ears, the mouse gazed into her eyes and pleaded for its life with her while the old man did the same. Just as its life was about to expire she sighed and handed the mouse back to Osmond. It wasn't the creature's fault its master was a dirty old man, her gripe was with him, not the mouse who could only obey and didn't even have a sense of right and wrong for itself. But Matilda had made her point to the old man, she glared at his eyes to let him know she'd never again tolerate such indignities.

As the woman sat down at her desk to resume her work her but heart just wasn't in it anymore. She remembered all too well what it felt like when her familiar was taken away from her at the battle of Saxe-Gotha, but at least her familiar died in battle, the way any truly noble warrior should. And her familiar was indeed a warrior, the most beautiful wolf she'd ever known, killed in battle with the throat of one of their enemies in its maw. It brought a tear to her eye to remember that day, how truly crushed she was when she felt him die.

Matilda stood up from her desk and tearfully slammed her fists down on the mountain of paperwork that she still had to sort through. "You make me sick Osmond! You really make me sick!" she yelled in tearful fury as she stormed out of the office and slammed the door loudly behind her.

Osmond shrugged and looked at his familiar as it recovered on his desk, "Red you said? Hmm, must be that time of the month then."

Matilda ran out of the tower, through the students that stopped to look at the tearful secretary as she ran past them and out the gates. She only had one destination in mind, she needed a friend right now, she needed to take action, and she needed council.

---

"Yes, good. Use the Force. Now, the next rock. Feel it."

Louise was seated with her legs crossed on the grass beside the river bed, it was ironically the site of her very first date, and it was here that she finally managed to use the Force of her own volition. Floating around her was Derflinger, Calista, and a number of rocks that kept growing with every passing moment.

"Good, keep focused. Don't ever hesitate or hold back, the Force will not obey half hearted commands. You have to impose yourself upon it, make it obey. Never show anything the slightest pity, or mercy. Everything has two choices before you, either to obey, or to perish!"

"Calista! Calista I need your help!" yelled Matilda as she finally found them at the riverbed.

Calista felt Louise's hold over her faltering, "Oh kri-Louise. Louise you need to concentrate! Concentraaaate!" she screamed out as she fell to the ground on her behind, gravity had once again taken her without any regard for her dignity, "Poodoo! Gravity two Calista one!" yelled the petite Sith as she petulantly stomped her fists into the ground.

Louise sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." she apologized dejectedly.

"I know that Louise, but now do you see why I started you off by teaching you those meditations? You have to learn control, you have to learn how to remain focused through any and all distractions."

"I'm sorry you two. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Calista stood up and dusted off the seat of her pants before adjusting her robe, then she saw Matilda's face and sighed. "Yes I know, I look weak and pathetic."

Calista smiled at her, "Yes. But that's alright. There's no shame in having emotions and expressing them. I sense you've come seeking council?"

Matilda shook her head and sat down with a heavy sigh, "I don't know how your 'senses' are always so spot on Calista. That's exactly what I've come for. I was just on the verge of doing something rather rash and I decided the better option would be talk it out with the two of you before I did something really, really, stupid."

Calista sat down beside Matilda while Louise came over and joined them. "That's usually the right thing to do. While I usually advocate trusting your feelings, sometimes, it's wiser to take a step back and evaluate your options."

Matilda nodded, "In this case, my feelings are telling me that now is the right time to evaluate options."

Calista put a hand on her shoulder and nudged her to continue.

"As you both know, the Familiar Exhibition is coming up soon. One of the letters Count Mott delivered before his timely death was a notice that the Princess herself would be attending the exhibition."

Louise widened her eyes at that information, "The Princess is coming here?! Cali, now you have to participate in the exhibition!"

Calista glared at Louise with her bloody sulfur eyes and made the younger girl feel only an inch tall. "We've been over this Louise… go on Matilda."

The bespectacled woman nodded, "I was thinking, if there was anyone to present our case too, it would be the Princess herself. Then she could take direct action on the spot. I don't see her dismissing this out of hand or trying to bury it to protect some corrupt nobles. She doesn't seem the type."

Louise nodded at Matilda furiously, "Mhmm, Princess Henrietta would never let a thing like this stand."

Matilda took a deep breath to control her anxieties, "So the question now is, how do we get an audience with her without tipping off any potentially unfriendly ears?"

Louise smiled brightly and spoke confidently, "You leave that to me. I'll get it done!"

Matilda and Calista eyed Louise skeptically. "You seem awfully confident. Is there something we should know?" asked the Sith.

"Well, you see… the Princess and I… we sort of grew up together. Our mothers are best friends."

Calista started laughing vigorously, followed by Matilda who couldn't resist the infectious laughter.

"What so funny?!" demanded an angry Louise who petulantly stood up and started stomping her foot, "Stop making fun of me!"

Calista took a breath to contain her mirth, "I'm sorry Louise, it's just that, for someone who tried to jump out a window because she doesn't have any friends, you seem to have many and very powerful friends coming out of the bloody woodwork!"

Louise's anger grew to where she was now well and truly pissed off! "How the hell do you know about that?! You weren't even here when that happened! And there's no way in hell that Siesta told you about it!" yelled Louise at the top of her lungs.

Derflinger popped out of his scabbard to voice his opinion on the subject, "Louise, we're going to need to have a very long talk about this!"

Louise simply fumed in her place.

Calista took another deep breath to control her laughter and Matilda followed suit, "Ahhhh, Louise, you're going to find that, the Force is more powerful than you've yet to realize. It exists in the past, present, and future. In time, you'll learn to use it to see many things that have been hidden from you."

Louise rolled her eyes and sat down to continue fuming, "The Force is starting to seem like it grants more power than anyone should have…" she stated with indignation.

Calista smiled, "That's good Louise. Keep that fear close, it'll make you respect the power you've been given. Never abuse it for anything frivolous, and never, ever, take it for granted."

"I remember I started talking to you about power last night Louise. I told you that only you can decide what to do with the power you have. This seems like the right time for you to consider that question." said Matilda in all seriousness.

Louise looked up at the sky contemplatively. "I don't know. I just don't know."

Calista watched her apprentice with interest as she considered the question posed to her. "Louise. I can only offer you the benefit of my experience, but in the end, like Matilda said, it's entirely up to you."

Louise looked at Calista and with her eyes invited her to share her experience, Calista nodded and began, "All power corrupts. Having power will fundamentally change who you are, and there's never any going back. You have to decide your own destiny, because that's what it means to be Sith. The greatest of Sith set out to conquer and impose their will upon others. The reason why these people become the archetype of what a Sith is expected to be is because in the process they gain the most fame and recognition. But throughout history there have been untold thousands of Sith who only wanted to use their power to protect the people and places they cared about. They lived long and happy lives and contributed some of the greatest works of art and literature to the Empire. They died in a bed surrounded by their friends and families completely fulfilled in their lives."

"What about you then? What do you do with your power?" asked Louise.

"For me… I suppose I may have lost sight of that a long time ago. At the beginning, I was just like you. I wanted power for its own sake. I wanted the power to show up my peers, to prove I wasn't a failure, to get the respect and acceptance I craved. You see, in the Empire, non-humans aren't treated well. As you know, I'm only half human. So acceptance wasn't something I found in the Sith Academy. Even among my mother's people, I was rejected as a mutt. Growing up, life was just a day to day struggle for survival. My best friend was a droid, I was forced to murder the first boy I ever fell in love with. I was nearly raped so many times, and I was beaten bloody almost every day. I wanted power to protect myself, to prove myself, and to make everyone else feel the pain I was feeling."

Louise and Matilda both gasped at her words and then she continued.

"When I passed my trials and was taken as an Apprentice, I was thrilled. I had won the game with the deck stacked against me. But as I grew up, I started meeting people. I learned how to be a pilot, and I found something that I was truly good at. I joined our ship's fighter squadron, the Nightwing. There were so many tribulations in that period of my life, and I was still just going through the days of my life searching for some higher purpose. I didn't care about the Empire as much as I should have, all I had to care about were my comrades, and so that became my purpose. To protect these people the best I could, to serve my Master faithfully. But then my Master betrayed me in the worst possible way and I killed him for it, and I was alone again without purpose. I had my squadron, and I'd even met someone I could fall in love with again. In the end, flying was my passion, and my friends and comrades were what I had to live for. So... I suppose the real question is not so much about what's worth striving for so much as... what's worth living for? Once you have the answer to that question, the rest sort of just falls into place."

Louise shook her head, "I have my friends. Siesta, Marteau, you, Matilda even. But I don't know if that's enough."

Calista smiled at her, "It's a start Louise. You're still young, there's time for you to form your personality and your own ambitions. If you take your time, and if you open your heart and mind, the Force will guide you to the answers you crave. But you won't find them until you start living your life to the fullest and start gathering experience."

Louise stood up and nodded at Calista, "I'll remember that. Thank you for the lesson. I'd better get to class now." Calista nodded back with a smile.

The Sith turned her attention to the secretary and smiled brightly at her, "So, I take it that you're not going back to work now. Care to spar with me?"

Matilda gave the Sith a sly smirk, "I'd love to! Maybe I can pick up a few of your moves."

Calista laughed, "That's exactly what I was thinking. I've never seen a fighting style like what you use. This'll be highly educational!"

---

"So Louise, what're you and Calista going to do for the exhibition?" asked Kirche after the class was dismissed.

Louise shrugged, "Calista doesn't want to participate, and it's not like I can make her."

Kirche frowned, "Awww poo, I was hoping to see her do something really exciting!"

Derflinger popped out of the scabbard to throw in his two coins, "Maybe you should try pissing her off then? Put yourself out of our misery?" he said and added a chuckle at the end.

"I might melt you down and turn you into a chamber pot if you're not careful sword!"

Derflinger laughed, "Ooo! I'm shaking in my scabbard!"

Just as Kirche was about to offer retort one of the third years students threw open the class door and yelled to everyone in excitement, "Hey everyone! Miss Longueville is fighting Calista outside!" Guiche widened his eyes at that statement and started running to see, Louise and Kirche exchanged horrified looks and started running as well.

Louise had to push her way through a crowd of what she'd guessed was the entire school to get to the front of the group and there she saw the two going at it with everything they had. There were thankfully no golems, and no Lightning, and by the happy looks on their faces and all the cheering students it didn't seem to be a real fight but a friendly sparring session gone way out of control. Matilda had answered Calista's Lightsaber staff with a pair of adamantium rapiers and that was the final clue that this was indeed just a friendly duel, if it had been for real, Matilda would have her wand out.

Calista went after Matilda with the single most elaborate series of spins, flips, and kicks Louise had yet seen from her, she'd pulled all the stops for this fight, but Matilda was easily blocking, deflecting, and dodging the Lightsaber strikes and just took the kicks and remained unphased by them. Then Matilda took the offensive, fencing the Sith off with one of her rapiers while thrusting with the other which caused Calista to start stepping backwards while flourishing her staff defensively in a circle of absolute defense, there just wasn't an opening for the thrusts to ever come near the petite Sith Lord. When Calista found an opening to resume the offense she did something entirely new, she split her staff into two separate weapons and answered Matilda blow for blow with them. The crowd was going wild and Louise's ears started ringing from the loud cheers. Just when she thought they couldn't get more excited Calista threw one of her sabers to the side and it started spinning around until it was behind Matilda and suddenly it was like the secretary had two separate opponents with a single blade each. Calista was using the Force to attack her from behind while she was attacking the front, Matilda turned herself sideways to block both blades while she stepped back to bring both of them in front of her and the Lightsaber returned to Calista's hand.

"That was a hell of a dirty move Calista!" said Matilda with a friendly and playful tone.

The Sith recompiled her staff and went back on the offensive. "You liked that?" asked the petite snowy haired girl.

"I loved it!" answered Matilda in excitement.

Beside Louise the students started to wonder in amazement, "Where the hell did Miss Longueville learn to fight like that?!" asked one student incredulously. "Never mind that! Look at Calista go! Woooo!" meanwhile some of the more enterprising students started shouting about the betting pool they would be taking, they stepped out in front of the crowd and started shouting the odds and accepting bets. That's when Professor Colbert stepped out to them. The look on his face seemed like he was about to scold them furiously but instead he pulled out a few gold coins. "Five on Longueville." he said and then grinned. The shameless betting then began in earnest as almost every student started holding out their money.

Louise walked up to Professor Colbert curiously and tapped him on the arm. "Professor, shouldn't you be putting a stop to this?" the older man looked down at Louise and shrugged his shoulders gently, "I probably should. But she needs to blow off steam. Besides, with all the troubles going on I haven't seen the students this excited about anything in a long time. So I suppose I can let it slide just this once."

Calista disengaged one end of her Lightsaber and started swinging it wildly at her in grand sweeping moves that Matilda found difficult to predict or defend against, Louise recognized the attack sequences as something Calista had taught her, the First Form. Then Calista spun her blade and engaged her with a new style Louise hadn't seen yet.

"What's this now Cali?" asked Matilda.

"The second Form. Makashi."

For this Matilda did have an answer, it wasn't unlike the fencing style she was used to and answered with gusto, holding one blade behind herself and her dominant right arm out to extend her reach with the long rapier and the two started moving backwards and forwards blocking and thrusting at each other vigorously. When Calista felt that Matilda was getting the upper hand and keeping the offensive she stepped out of the engagement and spun her blade into an entirely new stance and deflected the attacks with a different series of grand sweeping strikes that each deflected her attacks and left no openings in her defense.

"This is the Third Form. Soresu. Absolute defense."

Matilda stepped back and held her twin rapiers at the ready, she wasn't getting anywhere with this and she knew it, she had to invite Calista to reengage to get any chance at striking her. Calista took her staff apart and engaged with one saber held in reverse and moved with a particularly vicious combination that seemed like two separate martial arts in each of her hands until the two found themselves each with a blade the other's throats.

"A draw?!" protested one students who'd apparently just lost a lot money.

The betting pot was then divided between Kirche and Tabitha who were the only two to bet on a draw. Calista disengaged her Lightsabers while Matilda stabbed her swords into the ground and tapped them both with her wand to dissolve them back into the Earth. The two combatants then shook hands in a friendly manner for everyone to see before Colbert bade them all to disperse and get to their next classes.

"Thanks for that Cali. I feel so alive when I fight you."

Calista smiled and inclined her head at the taller woman, "I feel the same way. I hope you picked up some good tactics from all that."

Matilda nodded vigorously while wiping sweat with her sleeve. "I don't know how you know so many different Martial Arts. But yes, I think I did manage to pick up a few new moves from you."

Calista looked at the runes on her hand, "Honestly. I have no idea how I know it all. I never trained in many of those forms beyond their absolute basics as a prerequisite for my training in Form Seven. But when these runes start to glow, they just seem to complete my knowledge of all of them."

Colbert overheard their exchange and made meticulous mental notes before he started back to his workshop. He decided that he would indeed have to inform the Headmaster.

---

Louise decided to skip the next class and snuck into the Servant's quarters where she found Siesta sitting at a table with Marteau, the two were having a friendly enough conversation considering the murder in Marteau's eyes. It was a look Louise had seen enough of, he apparently had heard about what happened to Siesta. Louise went and sat with them and the chef immediately poured her a cup of water.

"Why is it that my daughters have to have so much trouble? Why must life be so unfair?!" demanded Marteau to nobody in particular.

Louise stared into her cup as if it had the answer to his question while Siesta let out a long sigh. "I'm thinking I'd like to go home for a while. Since I'm not exactly getting hired back here, I'd like to spend some time with my family."

Marteau smiled at her encouragingly and Louise reached over and placed her hand on her shoulder. "I think that's a good idea Siesta. You should be in a comfortable and safe place right now." stated Marteau.

When Siesta looked at Louise the pinkette nodded in agreement. "I think so too Siesta. I think you should be with your family for now. At least until we clean up around here."

Siesta narrowed her eyes at Louise, "I mean the situation with the Headmaster! No silly pun intended. Really! I swear!"

Siesta kept her eyes locked on Louise, "Ok, maybe a little silly intended."

Siesta then cracked a smile and she and Louise shared a laugh.

"It's nice to see you can still laugh Siesta." stated Marteau in all seriousness.

"The day you stop laughing is the day you may as well be dead." stated Siesta with a smile.

"More wisdom from your father?" asked Louise.

"Mhmm, but this one isn't his. This one came from my great grandfather. He was apparently always annoyed with everything, but he could always laugh." said the maid with a gleeful expression.

"We could all learn from him. They say he came from another word and couldn't get back home. So instead of beating himself up about it he stayed and started a family. And that's how I ended up here."

Louise blinked at Siesta. "Your great grandfather came from another world? You mean like Calista?"

Siesta shook her head, "No. Not like Calista. If I remember right, he said he was from a place called Japan."

Louise blinked at Siesta again, "Why didn't you mention this to Calista? She might know that place!"

Siesta shrugged, "It never really occurred to me. Everyone thought my Great Grandfather was crazy, so we just sort of dismiss the stories. If you want to know more, you'd have to ask my father."

Louise nodded with a smile, "Alright, when I come visit, I'll ask him!"

Siesta widened her eyes, "You want to come visit Tarbes of all places?" Louise chuckled, "Well of course silly! It's where you'll be, so why wouldn't I?" Siesta sighed, "I guess there's no reasoning with you once you've made up your mind. Just don't expect much in the way of hospitality, we really don't have very much to offer."

Louise grabbed one of Siesta's hands gave it a squeeze, "Siesta, I don't care about that kind of stuff. Not anymore at least. Where you go, I'll go. That's the end of it. Alright?"

Siesta smiled at Louise happily. "Alright. I'll introduce you to my family and show you around the farm. I'm sure it'll be great."

Louise nodded, "That's the spirit! Oh, and don't worry, I'll leave Calista here. So it'll just be us."

Siesta laughed, "Alright! It's not that I have a problem with her or anything, she just, scares me."

Marteau nodded solemnly, "That woman scares the nobles so much they crap themselves at the sight of her. She's got them all eating the proper foods too so no more of my non-junk food is going to waste. She even got the fat kid running laps around the Academy every day. She's got that look on her face that says 'act right or i'll murder you in your sleep!' That makes her alright in my book. These kids need to be scared straight."

Louise and Siesta both rolled their eyes at him.

"She takes things to extremes though." said Siesta.

Louise nodded, "She does, but she's given me power. Real power. I'm thankful for it."

Marteau smiled at Louise, "You're going to have to show us what you've learned. After all those months of back to back practice in our little space it'd be nice to see the payoff."

Louise chuckled at the chef, "Marteau, you sound like my father when he used to ask about my grades."

Marteau looked at Louise seriously, "If your real father isn't checking up on you all the time, he's doing it wrong. I'm always informed about what my kids are up to. Even my surrogates like you two!"

Louise blushed at the man, "It sort of feels nice, to have someone do that. My real father did it to scold me, but you're doing it to encourage me."

Marteau nodded firmly at her, "Damn straight I am!"

Louise sat back in her chair and closed her eyes, "If Calista saw me do this now she'd be very grumpy. So don't tell her." said Louise as she focused on the water jug and cups on the table and made them float up.

Marteau widened his eyes. "I'll be damned! My little girl's levitating things, without blowing them into dust!"

Siesta gained a big bright smile and started clapping for Louise. "Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

Louise smiled and almost dropped the items but quickly regained control and set them down. "It takes a lot of effort to do it. But, I guess what's important is that I can do it."

Marteau stood up and threw his arms around Louise, ripping her from her chair and pulling her into a tight hug. He could probably wrap his arms around her twice he was so much bigger than her but she still felt safe and warm in his embrace rather than intimidated as she remembered being the first time she met him and hugged him back. "I'm so proud of you Louise."

---

"Are you absolutely certain of this Jean?" asked Osmond to his Deputy.

"I wouldn't have brought this to you if I wasn't. The Familiar runes match perfectly. My direct observations of the powers granted to Miss Zarkot are a perfect match as well. There's no mistake. Everything makes perfect sense now, everything about Miss Valliere's explosive magic. About her summoning a Hum… well, let's call it a sentient, familiar. Through my conversations with her, I learned she isn't actually Human."

Osmond closed her eyes and pondered the implications. "Even that's unprecedented."

Colbert slammed a fist down on the Headmaster's desk, "Everything about this situation is unprecedented! Miss Valliere has to be informed."

Osmond shook his head, "You will do no such thing. I will see to it that the Palace is informed, and we will await their instructions."

Colbert glared down at Osmond, "Are you really going against me on this matter? You know damn well this is far beyond where I draw the line Osmond. I won't allow one of my students to suffer unjustly for something she has no control over!"

Osmond shook his head at the man across his desk, "This matter is far above both of us. These decisions were made at the very highest levels. You don't have a choice."

Colbert took off his Professor's cloak and threw it over the desk. "Yes I do. Consider this my resignation. I'll have no part in this."

Osmond stood up from his seat and held out his staff. "Colbert, I need your silence, not your resignation. I'll have it one way or the other."

Colbert turned around with his staff raised. "You really think you're a match for me old man? If you do, go ahead and try. But even if you were able to kill me. I very much doubt you'd be able to beat the familiar. Just now she fought Longueville and came out in a draw. Don't think I don't know who your secretary really is Osmond, and don't overestimate her loyalty to you. Or do you want to find yourself surrounded by enemies with not even a single ally? Because that's where you stand now! Pompous old fool."

Osmond stared Colbert down for a long moment, "I have many powerful allies Jean. I don't need you, or Matilda."

The two men pointed their staves when there was a knock at the door. Colbert turned around and walked towards it, he knew without a doubt Osmond wouldn't try anything with witnesses around. He opened the door to find the Guard Captain there. The two men nodded as they passed each other. "Sir, I have a report about the security situation for the Princess' visit." Osmond sat back down and gestured for the captain to approach while Colbert shut the door behind him. He knew his time was short and that he'd have to act quickly.

Colbert ran out of the central tower, Louise wasn't in her class but based on what he knew about her, he surmised two possible locations for her besides her dorm room. His first guess took him to the servant's quarters where he got his first lead, she was last seen with the Head Chef. Colbert then ran back to the central tower and sure enough he found Louise and Siesta sitting and joking around with Head Chef Marteau.

"Miss Valliere! I must speak with you and your familiar at once. It is most urgent!"

---

"Very well Colbert. We're here. What is it?" asked Calista as she sat down across his desk while he himself was busy packing things away.

"Are you going somewhere Professor?" asked Louise in turn.

"Yes, and you should too. Get as far away from here as you can." Louise was taken aback by his request and panicked tone.

"What? Why? What's going on? Why are you so nervous Professor? Nothing ever scares you! Not even Calista!"

Colbert shook his head. "Plenty of things frighten me Miss Valliere. No one is without fear."

Calista nodded, "Wise words. Now would you mind telling us what's driving your fear?"

Colbert stopped what he was doing and looked at the two young women. "We don't have time for a long explanation. I believe the Headmaster wants to have you killed Miss Valliere. And me as well because I don't intend to let him get away with what he's doing."

Louise sighed, "I guess he found out that we know." she said.

Calista nodded, "It was inevitable that he'd find out about Count Mott."

Colbert looked between the two. "What are you talking about? You know about your magic?"

Louise looked at Colbert, "You don't know that we ki-"

Calista quickly stood up and covered her mouth. "Colbert. Perhaps you should start over. From the beginning."

"By summoning you Calista, combined with the runes on your hand, there's no doubt that Louise Valliere is a Void Mage."

Calista was interested now and sat back down.

"I'm a Void mage? How can that be? Void magic is lost!" stated a shocked Louise.

Colbert shook his head. "It was never 'lost' that's just what they tell people. It's known to a very select few. I was privy to this knowledge as I was being groomed to be Headmaster. The last Void Mage in Tristain was the King. I don't know who the rest are, but I know there are suppose to be four. Only four, only ever four. No more, no less. When one dies, the power moves on to another. It's suppose to be their descendants, but as we all know, the Princess is a Water Mage. It seems the power was passed onto you for some reason and not to her."

Calista nodded, "Are we talking about the reason they call her the Zero? The explosions she causes?"

Colbert nodded. "I should have deduced it from that alone. But there are a myriad of ways for magic to fail to fully develop, so I callously assumed this was one of those cases. But when she summoned you, that's when I began to suspect. Void Mages, like the Founder Brimir, summon Human familiars. Because the spells are suppose to take a long time to cast, they need a Familiar that can protect them while they work."

Calista nodded, following closely while Louise's mind seemed to be shutting down. Calista promptly stomped on her foot, "Pay attention! It's not like we're talking about your life here! So why do you suspect he wants to have her killed?"

"He said Miss Valliere was not to be informed about any of this. He said he had to inform the Palace to take measures. Since the Void power didn't pass on to the Princess, they had no idea where it went, and we were instructed to watch all the young people for any signs that it may have moved onto them instead. They'll probably try to determine why it moved out of their family and take measures to return it to themselves. Because of its power, they fear it could be used by the successor to bring down the Royal Family. I'm sure the situation in Albion has a hand in that line of thinking."

"Wait a minute! I thought my lack of magic was a result of my being sensitive to the Force like Calista said. Since she started training me, I've had power. What does Void magic have to do with anything?"

Colbert sighed deeply, "I don't have answers for you Miss Valliere. I only have this warning, I promise I will do what I can to protect you. But you need to leave here before the Princess arrives."

Louise widened her eyes, "The Princess would never do anything to hurt me!" Louise balled a fist and shook it at the professor petulantly, "I just know it!"

Calista reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Louise. Calm yourself. Clear your mind. Use the Force. Think."

Louise sighed, took a deep breath, and sat back down.

"Let go of your bias towards the Princess. Use the Force. Tell me what you feel."

Louise shook her head, "Scared." she answered honestly.

"I know. But don't center on your anxieties for now. Calm yourself. Expand your awareness."

Colbert watched with all of his scientific curiosity as Louise made herself comfortable in her chair and closed her eyes again. He watched Calista take her through a breathing exercise and she seemed to begin to calm.

"I feel, I feel like, the Force is vibrating inside me. It, it feels heavy, in my chest, in my heart."

Calista closed her eyes and took a breath, "I feel that as well. It's a disturbance in the Force. Not unlike what I felt just before you summoned me."

Louise opened her eyes and looked at Calista, "What does it mean?" she asked.

Calista opened her eyes as well and looked into Louise's pink orbs, "You tell me. Trust your instincts. Listen to that little voice that tells you what to do when you're afraid. That's your survival mechanism, what is it telling you now that it's been exposed to the Force?"

Louise fidgeted nervously, "Don't center on your anxiety. That fear is a good response to danger, but don't let it distract you. It's done its job, it's alerted you to danger. Now tell me how to avoid that danger."

"Use what we have. Move on Osmond first before he opens his mouth. Take out his credibility, and whatever he says after that will fall on deaf ears." said Louise matter of factly.

Calista smiled proudly at Louise. "Now that is cunning befitting of a Sith. I agree with you. They say the dead tell no tales, but that's not always true. If you can't ensure his silence, you have to deafen the world to him."

Colbert looked between the two girls and blinked, "How do you intend to accomplish this?"

Louise looked at him and then to Calista who shook her head. "That's for us to know Professor. For now, I suggest you take steps to ensure your own safety. We'll be just fine." said Calista pointedly.

"One more thing though. When does the Princess arrive?" asked Louise.

"Tomorrow." stated Colbert. "Then that means she's already on her way. It's at least a day's ride to Capital. If we're going to get to her before Osmond. We have to meet her halfway." the two girls nodded to one another.

"But you have to leave in such a way that won't arouse suspicion." noted Colbert.

Louise looked between the two, "I have an idea about that. Though… I'm not going to like it… what about you then Professor?"

Colbert smiled, "Don't worry about me. I didn't survive all the horrible things I've endured in my life just to die like this. Besides, Osmond won't make a move if there are witnesses. I'll simply gather some students for a research project until you return."

Louise nodded and bade Calista to follow her.

---

"Kirche…" said Louise as if it left the most bitter taste in her mouth.

"What do you want Zero?" asked Kirche who was laying with her head against her familiar and gazing into a flame at the tip of her wand.

Calista eyed Kirche curiously.

"See something you like Cali?" asked Kirche with the most sultry of tones and the most sly of grins.

"It's not that. You're just reminding me of someone I knew, that's all."

The petite pink haired girl rolled her eyes, "Was she a pyroslut too?" asked Louise.

"Sticks and stones Louise. If you're bothering me just to try and insult me, I'm really not in the mood today." she said before turning her attention back to the flame on her wand.

Louise balled her fists and shut her eyes tight, it was time to get it over with. "No. I'm here because… because… because I need your help! Damn it!"

Kirche widened her visible eye and coughed at Louise. "Excuse me?" she stuck a finger in her ear and made like she was cleaning it. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Louise looked away petulantly, "You heard me."

Kirche laughed, "I heard you, but I don't believe you."

Louise groaned in irritation, "Don't make a big deal of this Kirche! You know damn well I wouldn't even consider asking you for anything unless it were life or death! And that's exactly what it is!" she yelled.

Kirche's interest piqued. "Alright, fine. Let's hear it. What could make you this desperate?"

---

Kirche knocked on the door to Tabitha's room furiously while trying to open it with the handle but it wasn't budging.

"It's locked. Maybe she's not in there?"

Kirche rolled her eye at Louise. "Trust me, she's in there." suddenly Kirche was able to open the door and ran up to Tabitha shouting the whole way and making grandiose gestures. But she wasn't shouting about anything even remotely related to what they were actually there to see her about. Calista shut the door behind her as she entered and watched Kirche and Tabitha curiously. The blue haired girl picked up her staff and waved it about slightly.

"Tabitha! Get ready, we need to head out in a hurry."

Tabitha didn't look up from her book, "We have class."

Kirche looked at her, "Oh don't give me that. I know exactly how important classes are to you. Or rather, how unimportant they are. Look, we need your help. Louise is in deep shit unless we get to Princess Henrietta before Lord Osmand does something really bad. Understand?"

Tabitha shook her head.

"Oh right. You won't move an inch unless I explain everything to you…"

Calista was impressed, Kirche took a very deep breath and blurted out the entire sequence of events as they were related to her faster than the fastest turbolaser battery.

"Tabitha Louise is in deep deep shit Osmond wants to have her killed because she figured out he's part of a big slave trafficking ring and since slavery is illegal he could get end up with his neck on the chopping block so he plans to slander Louise to the princess to make sure she can't rat him out but we can't get to her before they do without the help of your familiar!"

Kirche got on her knees beside Tabitha with her hands clasped together in a gesture of prostration. "Please, you've gotta help us!"

Tabitha closed her book and nodded at no one in particular.

"You understand now? Oh thank you!"

Tabitha got up from her bed and walked over to her window, she opened it, leaned out, and whistled loudly. Calista had to rub the ringing out of her ears.

"You can whistle really loud, you know that?"

Tabitha turned to the Sith and nodded at her, "Wind Magic." was all she offered as an explanation.

Louise followed up and offered the details. "Tabitha's a wind mage, their power is all about manipulating air. They can also manipulate sound and redirect it across a greater distance."

Calista raised a curious brow, "I've only seen Earth Magic used to its full potential. I'd be curious to see Tabitha at her best."

Kirche grinned at Calista, "If you think Fouquet is strong, you haven't seen anything yet. Tabitha's code name is Snowstorm." said Kirche with a wink.

"You know, I keep hearing these code names, but what do they mean? How do you get one?"

Kirche shrugged, "You earn them. Tabitha the Snowstorm, Matilda the Adamant, Kirche the Ardent, Louise... the Zero."

Kirche finished that with a smirk at Louise. Louise started fuming at that before Tabitha's familiar, Sylphid the dragon arrived and started hovering out the window.

"I'm growing more and more fond of your Sylphid each time I see her." said Kirche with pride in her voice.

Louise meanwhile rolled her eyes, "And I'm growing less and less fond of that stupid name each time I hear it from you!"

Kirche was about to retort to Louise when Tabitha asked the important question "Which way?"

Kirche then looked to Louise for an answer. "I'm not actually sure. She'd be on the road from the capital."

Tabitha leaned forward so the Dragon could hear her speak, "A Royal carriage with guards escorting. Don't eat them."

Calista blinked, "Don't eat them? Alright, how do I get one of these? If you have to supplement your orders with that, then this is truly a creature worthy of a Sith!"

Louise laughed, "You'd have to summon one. But you're a familiar yourself. You're suppose to be just like this dragon!"

Calista chuckled, "After all that's happened. I bet you're glad I'm not a dragon then."

Louise chuckled again, "Very much so."

Calista stood up and used the Force to keep herself upright and in place on the Dragon. To everyone's horror, she held out her hands and enjoyed the sensations of the wind flowing over her.

"I love flying! This is my passion Louise! Through passion, I gain strength! As a pilot I was one of the Empire's best. My comrades called me the 'Night Flyer' and they made me their mascot. For the longest time, I hated that name. You see, when I was training to become a pilot, I had to do it after hours, when everyone was sleeping because my Master wouldn't let me. When they caught on to me, that's when they started calling me Night Flier. I wanted to go around killing people until I realized why they were really doing it. They didn't call me that because they disrespected me, or didn't like me. They did it because they had accepted me. Because they made me part of their family. Tornado, Whips, Pyro, Barber, Doggie, Ice, Sword, Fat-bottom, Rocks… everyone had a stupid nickname in the Squadron, so I had to have one too."

Louise smiled up at Calista and the look of total happiness in her face. It was the first time she'd seen the dark woman smile so radiantly and with such sincerity. Kirchhe beamed a smiled up at her and felt a sense of awe, she was as bright as the sun, and she looked amazingly beautiful. Her good mood was infectious for Louise and Kirche, Tabitha however, kept her eyes ahead.

"Zero, by its definition means 'nothing' but you let it be a negative instead of a positive. But that's a mathematical paradox. Zero can't be negative or positive because it's absolutely nothing. Anything you give it, erases it because then it's not nothing anymore. Get it?"

Louise closed her eyes and widened her smile as she stood up next to Calista to try what she was doing, Master and Apprentice each wrapped an arm around the other to hold each other up. "No Master. I don't get it all. But my feelings tell me that I'm going to. So which one of them is your boyfriend?"

Calista looked down and blushed, and Louise and Kirche both widened their eyes at her.

"Cali is blushing?!" said Kirche with an incredulous tone.

Calista laughed. "So much for my evil visage… Barber was my boyfriend. He got that name because he was into hair. He wanted to become a stylist for all the famous people and run the best salon in the galaxy. It was such a stupid dream but he was so passionate about it. People teased him for his ambiguous sexuaity and I think that's what made him start flirting with me. He was persistent. Actually, he was a lot like Guiche if you can believe that. Just not quite so over the top."

Louise burst into laughter and had to sit back down.

"Cali has a boyfriend who's just like Guiche! Bwahahaha!" exclaimed Kirche, and then Louise and the buxom redhead fell on each other laughing completely unable to contain their mirth.

"Laugh it up. But underneath all that stupidity and flamboyance, he had a heart of gold. I'm sure the boys or girls who capture your hearts won't at all be what you expect either."

Calista smiled down at the two girls laughing until their sides ached. She was sure they came a long way from where they started. Though she was also sure they had a long way to go, but being able laugh together like that, was surely a big step in the right direction. Kirche was a strong girl, whom she was sure was going to grow into a stronger woman. Louise needed an ally like her, she'd need all the allies she could get in her future, and former enemies always made the most reliable allies.

---

When the carriage came to an unexpected halt, Princess Henrietta de Tristain could feel her guards, the Musketeers on edge. When she heard the flintlock rifles cocking she opened the window to take a look against the protests of her caretakers, what she saw caused her to widen her eyes in terror, she pushed the women off her and threw open the door and ran out to her guard demanding they not shoot and put away their weapons.

Agnes de Milan, captain of the Princess' guard lowered her weapon and ran to tackle the Princess. "Highness! You can't be out here! They're blocking the road who knows what they'll do!"

Calista, Louise, Kirche, and Tabitha stood in front of Sylphid who was sitting in the middle of the road, the big Blue dragon was easily the best possible road block they could use as she was sure to get attention. When the guards all lined up with their muskets primed and ready to fire Calista sighed. The Sith leaned over to her apprentice...

"Louise?"

"Yes Master?"

"All her guards are women. The majority of the students in the academy are women. Where are all the men on this planet?"

Louise shrugged, "I wonder that too sometimes."

The Sith chuckled to herself lightly.

"But Agnes! That girl there is my friend! I command you to unhand me this instant!" demanded Princess.

Agnes sighed and let the Princess go. She then ran out in front of the firing squad and held out her hands to them, "Put away your weapons this instant!" once the weapons were gone, Louise stepped forward and dropped to one knee before the Princess, Kirche and Tabitha stayed back with Calista and both kneeled. Calista looked around and sighed.

"So that's the Princess of Tristain? Well I'm more beautiful anyday. Right Tabitha? Right Cali?"

Calista and Tabitha looked at each other then at Kirche, "Well…" they both drew out the word in unison, their tone left no mistake that they thought the Princess could give the fiery girl some serious competition. She was young, the same age as Louise if Calista had to guess. About the same height as the Sith, slightly taller than Louise, which set Calista's mind onto a tangent...

"You know… another point besides the female to male ratio. Kirche is the tallest girl I've met here, but suddenly, I'm feeling average in height. Everyone where I come from is Kirche's height or slightly taller."

Kirche looked up at Calista from where she was kneeling. "Cali, you're suppose to kneel before a Princess."

Calista shrugged. "I don't owe her my allegiance. Sith kneel only to our Masters, and before our Emperor. Nobody else."

"You don't kneel before me Louise, stand up, give me a hug!" said the Princess as she pulled Louise up into a tight hug. "It's been far too long."

Louice seemed genuinely happy to see her friend, Calista was surprised again, though this time she didn't burst into a fit of laughter. "What are you doing out here Louise?" asked the Princess.

"I'll be honest your highness, this wasn't a social visit. I'm in trouble, and you're the only one who can help me."

Henrietta smiled widely at Louise. "You remembered the promise I made you?"

Louise nodded, "That you'd always help me out if I was ever in a bind. Believe me, I wouldn't be bothering you if I weren't."

The Princess started pulling Louise along with her. "Come, you and your friends will ride with me, tell me everything."

The Princess sent her attendants to ride in the other carriages and brought Louise and her companions into the royal carriage with her, once Sylphid was out of the way they proceeded along the road.

"You haven't introduced me to everyone yet Louise."

Louise blushed, "I'm sorry, that was rude of me. Princess Henrietta, these are…"

Kirche piped up when Louise hesitated, "Her friends." and nodded at Louise.

"We're not friends Zerbst!"

Kirche glared daggers at Louise, "Oh hush. I've saved your life, I've loaned you cloths, and we gave you a ride out here. I wouldn't do any of that for someone I thought of as my enemy. Get over it already Louise and don't make it suck more than it already does!" yelled Kirche begrudgingly.

"A Valliere, and Zerbst as friends… I suppose stranger things have happened." said the Princess with a smile.

"This is my best friend Tabitha." said Kirche introducing her best friend who in turn inclined her head politely.

Henrietta then regarded Calista who had her arms tucked into her sleeves and held them under her breasts sagely, her eyes closed as if meditating. The Sith inclined her head politely and made her introduction. "Lord Calista Zarkot. A pleasure your highness."

The other girls all looked at Calista in confusion, "Lord?" they all asked at once.

"In the Sith language, Lord is a gender neutral title. It marks my station as being above an Apprentice, and below a Darth. As a Sith Lord I may take charge and issue orders on any battlefield as I see fit should the need arise, so long as it doesn't countermand any Sith above me. It's complicated."

Henrietta blinked, "Sith?"

Calista smiled, "That's also a long story, and it isn't why we're here." she took a hand out of her sleeve and gestured towards Louise.

Louise took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts to into a cohesive, and highly detailed story, Calista would have omitted everything about her Sith training, but that was Louise's call to make. Sometimes, a Master had to sit back and let their Apprentice do what they needed to do and correct them on their own time. Calista wasn't sure if this was one of those times or not, but she trusted her feelings. Louise knew what she was doing, it was her life on the line. She was in effect, giving the princess everything she needed to put together the truth of Louise's power. But Calista could sense the Princess' fondness for Louise, she couldn't foresee any danger from her, and that was enough for now.

Though when Louise explained the death of Count Mott, that was when she thought she was about to be royally screwed. Louise took the credit for it, normally this would be a good thing, the leader should always take responsibility for the actions of their subordinates, but Calista was cringing right up until Henrietta dropped her own bombshell...

"I'm not sorry that he's dead. I really wish you didn't have to be the one to stain your hands with that fool's blood, but, were I in your place, I would have done exactly the same. Don't be ashamed Louise. I've always known you to be a true and loyal friend, and I'm proud of you for going as far as you did to protect your friend."

"So you're not upset with me Princess?"

Henrietta shook her head vigorously at Louise and mustered a big bright smile for her, "I'm glad that pompous idiot got what was coming to him. Honestly. It was my father who had appointed him, I wanted nothing to do with him but I couldn't get rid of him. He had too many friends at Court. His death caused quite a stir, but now that I know what happened, and once I have this evidence you gathered, I'll finally be able to clean up the Palace."

Louise sighed with immense relief.

"This incident is, I'm afraid, just a minor symptom of a much bigger problem." started the Princess drawing everyone's undivided attention to her.

"Many of the Nobility fear that Tristain is a sinking ship. They're trying to salvage as much as they can for themselves and are seeking alliances with noble houses outside of Tristain. Ever since Albion fell into civil war, Tristain's position has been so severely weakened. We don't have the military or political strength that we once had. At Court, everyone paints a picture that everything is roses and sunshine, but sometimes, I sneak out of the palace, and what I see is not at all the picture they give me. I don't have advisers I can trust. I don't have my Father's strength. All I have are my gut feelings, and I'm not confident enough to run a nation based on that alone."

"Uhh, Princess Henrietta, I applaud your candor, I really do. But. I'm from Germania, as you know, and my friend here is from Gallia. We're not under any illusions about how our home nations are positioning against you. Should you really be so candid in front of us?"

Henrietta looked at Louise for a long moment, and then back at the two girls, "Louise trusted you with her life today. For that, I will put the same trust in you. If you feel compelled to report back to your home countries, I can't stop you. But I'd rather give you the opportunity to earn my trust and be disappointed, than forever seclude myself away while my country crumbles around me."

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I rather like you Princess. You're impossibly naive, but there's hope for you. You have passion. I can respect that. So I'll vouch for the two of them, for whatever my word is worth." said Calista with a sagely tone and nod.

"So will I Princess." added Louise firmly.

"Kirche is bully and a pyromaniac, but she has a strong sense of personal honor. Tabitha, well, nobody can figure her out. But from what I've seen, she's honorable, she's not much for words, so she leads by example."

Tabitha nodded while Kirche pouted, "I'm not a bully…" she said in a soft and innocent tone of voice.

"Yes you are." stated Calista, Tabitha, and Louise flatly.

Henrietta giggled childishly at the other girls. "I'm sorry.. it's just that, I've haven't felt like, you know, one of the girls, like this in a very, very long time."

Calista smiled. She couldn't have foreseen how well this worked out. The head of state as an ally, this was indeed fortuitous. Calista looked at Louise who was smiling and laughing happily with the Princess and the other girls. The Force was indeed strong with her she concluded.

"Umm, Lord Zarkot. May I ask, why do you always seem to have your eyes closed?" asked Henrietta.

Louise glared at the Sith contemptuously, "She's got a point Calista. It's rude not to look people in the eyes when you speak to them! Especially royalty!"

The Sith chuckled in response. "You still have much to learn Louise."

Calista regarded the Princess through her closed eyelids before opening them, causing Henrietta to gasp in fright at the sight of her blood and sulfur eyes.

"Your eyes deceive you. Don't trust them. Sometimes I consider simply gouging them out, they're so useless to me."

The other girls suddenly felt very uncomfortable with the mental image of Calista ripping out her own eyes. Kirche especially winced and looked away from Calista.

"I don't understand, how can you find your eyes useless? Is it because of, you know. How they look?" asked Henrietta.

Calista shook her head, "No your Highness. Perhaps if you have time to join Louise and myself while I instruct her, you'll gain some understanding."

Henrietta looked at Louise and then back at Calista, and then nodded, "If I can, I would love to!"

---

At the appointed time, the students of the Tristain Academy of Magic lined the pathway into the school grounds to welcome the princess. The Academy guards stood just ahead of the students to ensure there weren't any problems from them and at the end of the path, the Academy staff kneeled in deference to their head of state as her carriage pulled up before them. Before the Princess would exit, her personal guard, the Musketeers formed a perimeter and made a quick check for any possible threats before the Captain signaled the Princess's carriage that all was well.

The Princess' attendants rushed from the second carriage to the Royal carriage and opened the door. That was Osmond's first sign that something was amiss, the Princess's handmaidens should have been with her, but they were in the coach behind her, then who was riding with her he wondered?

Once the door opened, the first one to be helped out of the carriage was Tabitha. The students who were cheering suddenly fell silent and confused, next was Kirche who stepped down and started waving at her fellow students in the awkward silence. Calista was the next to get out with her hood covering her face in shadow. Followed by Louise and even greater confusion to all but Osmond, when he saw the two of them he sighed, he knew he'd been outmaneuvered. Colbert chuckled to himself when he saw old Osmond's face. After the Princess herself stepped out of the coach the five of them walked towards Osmond. The students around Colbert shrugged and started to applaud which then spread to the rest of the student body.

The Princess raised her hand to everyone and gestured for silence before turning to Osmond and staring down at him, surrounded by her childhood friend, and her friends, Henrietta spoke confidently. "Lord Osmond. I'm afraid this is no longer a social visit. Guards. For crimes against the people of Tristain, Lord Osmond is to be arrested and imprisoned until trial can be arranged." two of the Musketeers rushed up to Osmond and quickly relieved him of his staff. He offered no resistance and went with them quietly, he knew he'd been out played for the time being.

"That was too easy…" muttered Louise to herself.

Calista instantly smacked her in the back of her head.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?!"

Calista shook her head, "Never tempt fate so brazenly Louise."

The pinkette rubbed the back of her head after the impact, "I never would have guessed you were so superstitious."

Calista looked up at the sky wistfully, "I wasn't always. Some lessons just have to be learned the hard way though..."

---

"All you need to do is follow the money your highness. In this case, at the time each girl was sent to Count Mott from here over the years, this extra money came to Lord Osmond. Ever since your father made it mandatory for all money to be banked and recorded for taxation and prevention of counterfeiting, he also made it stupidly easy to track these types of crimes by simply looking at the financial transactions." explained Matilda about her findings in Old Osmond's records.

Calista laughed, "You've just invented the banking system my people use, but your criminals still haven't figured out proper money laundering. Enjoy this while it lasts." she stated.

"What else have you found Miss Longueville?" asked the Princess who was presently seated at Osmond's desk while her guards searched through all his belongings.

"Count Mott's finances were a mess. He's had fortunes flowing in and out of his accounts for a while now. Most of it appears legitimate, import and export, personal loans going out, repayments coming in. But that was until Calista explained the idea of 'money laundering' to me. It's a practice of hiding money in plain sight where you disguise your income and expenses as things which are perfectly legitimate. Following Osmond's paper trail, I matched the funds coming to him from Count Mott's trade business, he was buying out the girl's contracts to work for his shipping company."

The Princess nodded, "Except we know though Miss Siesta's first hand experience that's not at all what's happening. And if I follow your reasoning, if we were to follow this trail of money, we'd find everyone who had their fingers in this pot."

Matilda nodded, "Yes indeed your Highness."

Henrietta let out a very long sigh which turned into an angry growl halfway through before she stomped a fist on the table in anger. "I can't believe a member of my court was involved in something so unspeakable! It makes my blood boil! What makes it even worse is Lord Osmond, the head of the world's most prestigious Academies of Magic, where the nobility of the world, and the royal families beg for the opportunity to send their children. What will this do to our reputation?"

Calista chuckled, "Absolutely nothing your highness."

Henrietta blinked at Calista, "What do you mean nothing?"

Calista sat herself down and chuckled in amusement drawing an irritated glare from the Princess's guards for her apparent disrespect.

"I've learned that there are enough similarities between your culture and my own to draw the following conclusion. Nobody gives a damn about the common people. It's survival of the fittest out there. The strong survive, and the weak perish. If you can't understand this basic law of nature, then you're not yet ready to rule."

Henrietta held her hands over her heart, those words stung her to her very core, "That's rather harsh…" said a dejected princess.

Matilda interjected in support of Calista, "If you're going to make good decisions about the future of your country your highness, you need the harsh truths."

Calista nodded at Matilda in agreement, "Indeed. You said yourself you don't have trustworthy advisors, I'm simply giving you some of what you crave. Sour, blunt, unrefined, truth. If you intend to make your country strong, you need to take a lesson from the Sith. You can't be loved by all your people all the time. Those who don't love you, should come to fear you. Disobedience must be severely and consistently punished without mercy. Loyalty and service should likewise be justly rewarded. In both cases, punishments and rewards should be handed out transparently for the people to see. They should fear the consequences of defying you, and crave the rewards of serving you."

Henrietta leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as she took in the Sith's words. "My father was good at handing out punishments. But I can't stand the idea of some of what was done. It's hard to argue with the results he got, but I can not bring myself to order the death of another person. I just can't do it."

Calista shook her head, "Sometimes, you have to. But dealing with criminals on a day to day basis, that's beneath you. Your first order of business should be to appoint the right Ministers. Clean out your cabinet and bring in new people. This is how you demonstrate your leadership abilities. You can't always have the right answers to everything, that's an unrealistic expectation to set for yourself. What a leader needs to do is be aware of, and understand the problems, and be able to judge the merits of the solutions being presented to them."

"I've thought about that, but the Ministers are all nobles. I can't just dismiss them from their posts without good cause. It could incite rebellion."

Calista smirked, "If you are to be the ruler, you can not show weakness, or suffer the weak to be in your service. Your ministers should be people of intellect, but they should also be firmly under your control. Right now, it sounds like these ministers of yours believe you to be their puppet. They do as they please so long as you remain ignorant. You have to make examples. If they would seek to steal from you, then you must strip them of their standing, and liquidate their assets. Show the people that what you give, you can also take away. When you show that you can enforce your will upon even the most powerful, that will make others think twice about going against you."

"You seem to be a very learned young woman Lord Zarkot. I wonder if I might impose upon you to continue to advise me like this in the future?"

Calista inclined her head respectfully, "Certainly, your highness."

Henrietta gave a small smile before returning her full attention to business. "Agnes. I want your Musketeers on this. Right now, you're the only military force I can trust to be incorruptible."

Agnes approached the Princess and bowed before her slightly, "I can assure you that your trust is not misplaced, but who could I entrust with your security while we go hunting criminals?"

"All too easy." the Sith thought to herself.

"The Princess was concerned about the reputation of this Academy before. I very much doubt it would be amiss if she chose to remain here for a time to ensure the stability and prosperity of one of her nation's most vital assets."

Agnes glared at Calista through narrowed eyes, "And I suppose you'd ensure her Highness' security yourself?" said the Captain with a contemptuous tone.

Calista shrugged her shoulders, "It wouldn't be difficult for me. I could probably take you, and all of most elite soldiers on at the same time and win."

Agnes burst into contemptuous, maniacal laughter at the petite Sith. "You think you're scary just because you never open your eyes pipsqueak? And who the hell wears so much black anyway? Are you going to a funeral?!"

Calista smirked very slightly, "Maybe I am? Would you care to test yourself against me?" she said with a an amused tone.

"You've got yourself a fight! Let's take this outside! Right now!" yelled Agnes in petulant fury.

"Enough! Both of you stop acting like children!" demanded the Princess.

Agnes folded her arms and looked away from the Sith, Calista half expected smoke to start rising from her ears as she fumed quietly and smiled in amusement at the Captain's plight.

"You're right Lord Zarkot. This academy is one of Tristain's national treasures. I would be highly remiss in my duty if I were to allow scandal to sully its reputation. And about your concern for my security Agnes, I think it's important that I place my trust in the staff of this institution. If I show everyone, especially the students, that I am willing to place my life in their hands, it'll go a very long way towards maintaining their trust, and more importantly, the trust of their families."

Calista's lips curled into a small smile, though young, inexperienced, and too easy to manipulate, the Princess clearly wasn't an incompetent. Calista could foresee her becoming a very strong leader in due time, all she had to do was work her way into the Princesses' confidence and she'd be in a position to subtly accumulate all the power she'd ever need.

Then another thought entered her mind, Calista realized that she herself was inexperienced at this game, even though she thought she was playing it well so far she mostly let her new apprentice do the work, as any student should for their master, but this one, Calista had to work on her own. This was her student's homeland and she knew the ins and outs better than Calista ever would, but she still needed the challenge to test her own skill with politics and cunning. The only way to learn to swim was to jump in the water, and now, Calista would jump straight into the deep end.

"Very wise your highness. I believe Miss Longueville here would be in the ideal position to advise you on matters to do with the administration of this institution. She was Osmond's secretary and thus has intimate knowledge of all the ins and outs."

Matilda bowed her head, "Indeed your highness. I would be happy to advise you if you require it."

---

Calista took Louise through the next Shii-cho velocities before she would instruct her further. "Excellent Louise. I'm impressed at how quickly you're learning." said Calista with a sagely nod to her apprentice. Louise had mastered the basics of Shii-cho at an impressive rate.

Henrietta clapped happily for her friend, "That's so amazing! Louise with a sword. I never would have imagined it."

Louise gave the Princess a bow, "I never would have imagined it myself. Since I summoned Calista, my life's taken all sorts of strange turns."

Agnes huffed contemptuously, "That form of combat looks so stupidly simple that a child could learn it. What good is it in a fight?"

Calista looked at Louise, "Children do learn it, and use it very effectively in battle. Louise? May I borrow Derflinger for a few minutes? I think it's time I taught this arrogant schutta some respect."

Louise looked at Henrietta while Henrietta looked at Agnes who was in turn staring down Calista while holding her sword tightly in its sheath at her hip. "No. I forbid it. I know how you are Agnes, it's why I know you can protect me. I don't know Lord Zarkot very well yet, but I can tell just by looking at her she's more than a capable fighter. I won't have you two injuring one another. Especially not while I have need of you both." she stated in her most regal and commanding tone of voice.

Calista inclined her head respectfully to the Princess while Agnes fumed. "Don't look at me like that Agnes. Violence doesn't solve problems. Find another way to work out your differences."

Calista smiled mirthfully, "Respectfully your highness. In my experience, if violence doesn't solve your problems, you simply aren't using enough of it."

Agnes snorted contemptuously at the statement, "I hate to admit it, but my experience agrees with her statement."

Henrietta shook her head, "Mine doesn't. As long as I'm in charge, you'll all do as I say."

Calista smiled, the Princess certainly knew how to give orders. Pity she seemed to lack the ability to choose the correct followers. Not that she had a problem with Agnes at all. Far from it, Calista could tell from her posture that she was probably more than a capable combatant, and they way she was always looking for threats seemed to go far beyond what a normal bodyguard would do. This woman was a zealot. To have earned such loyalty, the Princess must be doing something right. Her Echani side was frothing at the mouth for a chance to fight and learn more about this woman and her motivations. It was just that, pushing her buttons was highly appealing to her long repressed childish side, which for some reason, Agnes just seemed to draw out like a magnet. Probably because she was just so easily provoked.

"Very well then, Now that the interruption is over. It's time for your next lesson Louise. Since your society is based so much on magic, I'm going to introduce you to some basic Sith magic. Or more precisely, Sith Sorcery." this piqued Louise interest who gave the snowy haired woman her undivided attention.

"But first, a very stern warning Louise. The power we wield. As you've learned, the destructive power of the Force, what we call the 'Dark side' which empowers all Sith, can be bent to your will. But beware, the more powerful the spell, the greater the toll it will take on you. Some powers, simply carry a price no one is willing to pay. Be mindful of what you choose to pursue, and be mindful that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Louise nodded her understanding, the serious look in her eyes told Calista she was indeed listening, if perhaps not fully comprehending yet. Calista opened her eyes and looked deep into Louise's eyes. "My eyes, are the result of physical corruption from using the power of the Dark Side. It's a price that will eventually be taken from you as well, and as you go on, you may become more and more powerful, and a toll perhaps greater will be taken from you."

Louise widened her eyes at Calista, "Do you mean that, this power, can affect my body? My looks?"

Calista nodded, "Yes. It could. Will it? I can't say. It's been said that the power of the Force is like a disease. But it has also been said that it is a disease no Sith would ever wish to be cured of. This isn't something that will happen to you overnight. Many Sith go their whole lives without any physical corruption. But my warning to you stands. Beware of how deep you go, from some holes, there's no crawling back out."

"What do you mean exactly?" asked Louise with frightened curiosity.

"When my eyes changed, I was just a little older than you. I was fighting for my life and I tapped deep into the power of the Dark Side. I was surrounded by enemies, my soldiers were all dying around me and I had no choice. I needed power. Power to change my fate. Power to save my men. Power to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. I created a powerful Lightning storm all around me and electrocuted the enemy troops."

Calista gestured to her eyes with two fingers, "And this was the price I paid. I think it was a fair trade in retrospect. My eyes used to be a very bright blue. Now they're this, bloodshot sulfur."

Henrietta raised her hand and coughed to get attention, "Lord Zarkot, may I ask, what is this Sith Magic capable of?"

Calista took a breath while she gathered her thoughts to compose a response. "Power. Limitless power. With the Force, anything is possible. And I do mean that literally. Anything. Is. Possible. The only limits are those we impose upon ourselves. A Sith's ultimate goal is to free themselves of these restrictions. Now. Louise, I'd like you to try the telekinetic push on me."

Agnes narrowed her eyes and glared at Calista while Henrietta smiled with innocent curiosity.

"I can't do that! I can't muster that kind of emotion against you..." declared Louise.

Calista smiled, "It doesn't take all that much to use such a basic ability Louise. Remember how you levitated everything? It's the same principle, just clear your mind of doubts, and direct the flow of the Force."

Louise nodded and pulled her hand back, she closed her eyes tightly, it still took a lot of concentration for her to produce these effects. As she mustered her resolve Henrietta widened her eyes as reality itself seemed to ripple and distort around Louise's right hand and then something she couldn't comprehend moved towards Calista at a very rapid pace. The Sith herself widened her eyes at the sheer power of the telekinetic wave moving towards her and held out both of her hands to deflect the incoming attack. The wave seemed to split and dissipate around the woman and left the two observers speechless.

"Alright… that was impressive Louise. But try to scale it back a little." said Calista with a sly grin and a wink.

"I thought I was always suppose to give it my all in every ability?"" asked Louise who was now looking at her hand in awe.

"Yes. But some abilities and effects can be controlled more than others. Remember, you're trying to push me, not crush me." said an oddly enthusiastic Calista.

Louise nodded and pulled her hand back again before pushing out with the Force towards Calista. The effect wasn't nearly as potent as the first and the Sith put out her forearm out to meet the incoming energy and absorbed it.

"That wasn't what you did the first time. What did you just do?" asked Louise.

"That's called Tutaminis. It's the same principal as what I did the first time. The first was a deflection, the second was an absorb. These are just two examples of the tools I'm going to be teaching you. The first allows you to deflect incoming attacks like a shield. The second allows you to take that energy into yourself and redirect it. The latter is a more advanced technique we'll get into later, but I just want you to be aware of what you're working towards." explained Calista.

Louise nodded the understanding. "So how do I do the deflection?"

"I'm going to strike at you with a small electrical attack. I want you to imagine the Force around your hand like a protective bubble, and use your will to make it a reality. Understand?"

"So, the same thing I do with everything else? Tell myself it's possible, and then make it possible?" asked Louise.

Calista smiled sincerely, "Exactly. You're getting it now. Let's begin."

---

That evening, Siesta was cleaning and bandaging Louise's hand for her. "How do you always manage to hurt yourself like this?"

Louise shook her head, "This was all Calista's fault..."

Sietsa turned her head to glare at the Sith. "Don't give me that look. If she were in any real danger, she wouldn't still have a hand right now. It will heal. Quickly. As long as Louise remembers to channel the Force as she meditates, small wounds like that will rapidly regenerate."

Siesta widened her eyes in shock, "You call this a small wound?!" she said while holding up Louise's charred and blistering hand.

"Yes. It's quite insignificant. It won't even scar. Believe me, I know something about these things."

Siesta kept up her glare for a few moments before her face softened, she remembered only too well when Calista first arrived and they undressed her to reveal all the horrible scars she had over her body. If Louise's badly burned hand was insignificant by her standards, she dared not even imagine the immense pain it must have taken to inflict those scars upon the snowy haired woman.

"But anyway. How are you Siesta?" asked Calista, her tone wasn't vague and Siesta knew what she was really asking.

"I'll be fine. I won't let it keep me down."

Calista nodded and Louise used her good hand to squeeze her friend's shoulder. "I wish I could be as strong as you are." she stated.

Siesta smiled and put her hand on top of Louise's and gave her a soft smile. "I'm going to try this meditation healing thing. Calista, will you teach me how?" the Sith nodded sagely and stood up off the chair and reseated herself on the floor in a kneeling position.

"Calista. I'm, honestly, a little afraid. What you said, about how the Force could change me…"

Calista opened her eyes and looked deeply into her Apprentice's, she composed a carefully worded response for her before speaking in a serious and even tone...

"Some fear is good for you. It keeps you alert, mindful, and when you're backed into a corner, you can use your fear to grow strong enough to get out of that corner. But fear of Power does not benefit you. You have to decide for yourself how far you are willing to go for what you want. I can't make that decision for you. I can only guide you with my knowledge and experience. What you do with it, is up to you. Just know that you have a choice that I was never given. I didn't choose to become Sith, that decision was made for me. I was thrown into the Sith Academy and told that I was to become Sith, or die. But you, you have the choice. You can become Sith, or you can go back to whatever it was you were doing before you summoned me here."

Louise closed her eyes and shook her head, "You say your only choices were to become Sith or die. My only choices are to become Sith, or live a life of living death… this Force, if it really does have the power to control the destinies of everyone and everything, is really cruel, isn't it?"

Calista snorted derisively, "Indeed it is. That's why a Sith strives to take control of their own destiny, while our enemies, the Jedi, enslave themselves to it... accept it without question. I've never been one to simply accept things as they are. I never accept the unacceptable or tolerate the intolerable. I have power! And I will use that power to make my life better."

Louise heaved a sigh, "Why did this have to happen to me? Why couldn't I just have an ordinary life?"

Calista shook her head, "Don't start on what if's Louise. We've been over this. They never lead you down any productive lines of reasoning. Keep your mind on the here and now where it belongs. That's how you begin to change your reality. In time, I will show you more about how to use the Force to inform your decision making. Assuming you even decide to continue with your training."

Louise shook her head, "I don't know. I just need to think. And I still have so many questions that I can't put into words."

Calista listened attentively before responding, "Things have happened around you faster than you can keep up with. I understand that. If you need time to sort your feelings, take it while you have it. Because I only foresee more upheaval on the horizon for you."

Louise tried not to think about that ominous warning and instead positioned herself in her preferred meditation posture, with her legs crossed and her hands resting on her knees.

"Just, tell me what to do to heal myself."

Calista nodded sagely as she closed her eyes and relaxed her posture. "Start with your breathing. Empty your mind. Feel the Force flowing through you. And now, know that you can channel the Force, not only outwards, but inwards as well. Command it, bend it back into you. Feel it flowing to your injuries. Most minor injuries will heal nearly instantly. More substantial injuries will take more time."

For ten minutes, the three sat in silence. Louise then opened her eyes and looked at her bandaged hand. She carefully unwrapped the bandages and was shocked to see the burns were erased, as if they had never been.

"That's incredible!" gasped a surprised Siesta.

Louise was stunned speechless by what she was seeing, Calista simply sat on her knees and didn't move a muscle except to speak.

"With the Force, anything is possible. Throughout the ages those who can use this power have been feared, ostracized, murdered, reviled, and even worshipped as gods. But we are not gods. We are ordinary men and women with extraordinary powers. Only one in a billion people is sensitive to the Force. I hope you can comprehend that number. That's how fortunate you are Louise. Don't take it for granted, and don't let it go to your head. Inflated egos have been the downfall of beings far greater than we..."

"What is the Force exactly Calista? You've mentioned the Dark Side is what we use, does that means there's a Light Side?" asked Louise.

Calista nodded, "The Force, is an energy field created by all living things. It has a Light side, and a Dark side. Yes."

Siesta shook her head, "Sounds like you're talking about good and evil."

"Breaking it down into Light and Dark is like trying to separate the intrinsic nature of any living being. We associate light and dark with good and evil because that's what a small mind can comprehend. Thus the ignorant masses have come to associate the Jedi with good, and the Sith with evil. But it is not that simple. Conflict brings out the good and the bad in each of us. A Jedi wielding the power of the Light Side is just as capable of causing harm as a Sith using the Dark Side. The source of your power doesn't matter nearly as much as what you choose to do with that power, and that is what defines you. In the end, it isn't a battle between good and evil at all. It's a battle of one way of life versus another."

Louise looked down as she took this in, "Peace is a lie."

"Exactly. You're in a state of conflict inside of yourself as well Louise. You lack direction, purpose, experience. I can only guide you, but you have to start living your life instead of just watching it pass you by."

"What do you mean exactly?

"If you don't already know Louise. Telling you won't make you see it. You have to find out for yourself. And I foresee that you will."