*I still don't own Fairly OddParents or Star Wars: The Old Republic!*
Dialogue Key
"I wish Vicky had a fish head!" = Regular Speech
'May the Force be with you.' = Someone's Thoughts
"Candy was better before! When it didn't make your face implode!" = Someone Yelling
Traitors & Tuk'ata's & Tombs, OH MY!
Timmy's POV.
Training with Lord Rance and Lord Samus was absolute murder! For at least two hours, Kory and I were drilled in all of the Lightsaber forms, especially those that involved a staff weapon like mine, while at the same time we were taught many new abilities that we could use with the Force. By the end of the training, we were so sore that EVERYTHING hurt! Our skin hurt, our eyes hurt, our hair hurt, the very sweat pouring down our bodies from training so much hurt so badly it felt like acid, even our uniforms hurt. After eating a light evening meal, we made our way to the dorms where we went to sleep. I took the couch while giving Kory the bed to sleep on.
The next day, we were still a little sore from our prior training, but we aren't about to let a few stiff muscles stop us from retrieving that holocron and passing Harkun's trial for us. After redressing in a set of new acolyte robes that were left for us with a note that read 'From a friend.', with myself changing in the lavatory to give Kory some much needed privacy, we exited the Sith Academy and started making our way to the Speeder Taxi service that will take us to the area where the tomb of Marka Ragnos is located.
But as we approached the platform, we saw a peculiar sight. Several acolytes seem to have been apprehended and are being held at gunpoint by Imperial Troopers. One operative, woman wearing the standard officer's uniform with a military buzz cut was scanning acolytes with some sort of handheld device that seems to be for something. But I don't know what as of yet.
"Stand and account for yourselves, acolytes. Let's see what you're made of." said an Inquisitor who is tall with a muscular build, black hair that's combed to the right, a small beard, and yellow eyes. "I look at you two, and I wonder… are you among the truly loyal, or do you hide treason in your hearts?"
"Who are you?" I asked genuinely confused.
Both by his approach and what he just asked.
"I am Inquisitor Arzanon, head of security here at the academy… and do not think you can so easily deflect my question." he replied as the female Intelligence Officer stood next to him. "Intelligence reports indicate this valley shelters traitors-acolytes who seek to destroy our emperor's carefully built order and replace it with their own weak-minded heresies."
"They hide among the faithful and obedient, but make no mistake-though they are small in number now, they will destroy us all, given the chance." said the Intelligence Officer.
"We've watched as the traitors scuttle about this valley and plot against us. We know their faces and their names. It is the Emperor's will that the sands of Korriban be slaked with the blood of these traitors. Prove your allegiance by executing them." Arzanon ordered.
Timmy thought about this. While it's true that there's really no tolerance for traitors in any military, there could be another way to stop these heretics. But surprisingly, before he could answer, Kory spoke up and said something that will get them more involved in this conflict than anything else.
"It will be a great honor to serve you, my lord." Kory said with a bow.
"And in serving me, you serve the Emperor. Remember that as both of you exterminate those vermin in the valley." Arzanon said.
The Intelligence Officer took a spare device like the one she was using earlier out of her pocket and handed it to Kory, whom I was still staring at with surprise. Though it went unnoticed by the Inquisitor or the Officer.
"Here. This device will provide you with the means of identifying the traitors. Eliminate enough of them to prove your loyalty, then return to Inquisitor Arzanon." she instructed.
"I will be watching your progress with great interest. Go now. See that the Emperor's will be done." Arzanon ordered.
We bowed in response and trekked down into the valley where these traitorous acolytes are supposedly hiding out. Once I was sure we were out of earshot, I asked Kory my big question.
"So why'd you do it? Why decide to kill these traitors for the Inquisitor when I know that you hate violence?"
"Mostly to get that guy off our backs. If we refused to kill these rogue acolytes for him, he'd no doubt do everything in his power to impede our progress in our trials and keep us from becoming Sith. By killing these rogue acolytes we will at least be able to get him off our backs so our trials can progress smoothly. Besides that, if there really are traitors hiding here on Korriban, it will be essential that we get rid of them before they grow strong enough and great enough in number to pose a serious threat." Kory explained.
With a smile I patted Kory on the back at her plan.
"And this is why you're the smart one between the two of us. You provide the brains in our missions, I back you up by providing the muscle." I said to her. "Smart, strong, and beautiful. A combination that suits you quite well, Kory."
I felt my companion stop abruptly and saw that she was blushing as red as her hair with a look of shock and surprise. But why would she be blushing like that? Wait a minute…
"I said the beautiful part out loud, didn't I?"
Kory just nodded, confirming my suspicions.
"Dammit!" I yelled at my slip-up.
Kory laughed as she found my reaction humorous, causing me to sulk at how easy it is for her to get a laugh out of my own slip-ups. Grumbling as I crossed my arms, I focused on identifying the traitors as we got back to our mission. Fortunately for us, a group of four traitors, the number that we need to kill to prove our loyalty, is hanging out by a few statues making idle conversation as they continued to plot. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. These guys aren't very bright discussing something such as plans to overthrow the Empire out in the open where just about anyone can overhear them.
Kory and I looked at each other and nodded. It's time to see the results of our training with Rance and Samus. We drew our weapons and got ready to fight.
"Okay Kory, you take the two on the right, I'll take the two on the left." I instructed.
Kory smirked at me as she started building up energy for a Force Jump.
"Loser buys the drinks after this trial is complete!" she challenged.
And I smirked at her enthusiasm. Enthusiasm befitting a Sith Warrior.
"That's the spirit!"
Kory steeled her resolve, as she's never killed a human before. Sure, a small hill's worth of beast and robot corpses, but this will be her first kill of sentient organisms. Human flesh and blood. And yet, I can sense that she's not willing to back down. It seems my little pep talk yesterday helped her somewhat.
Kory bent her knees, preparing to pounce with the ferocity of a jungle cat. And when she was ready…
She charged with a mighty roar!
The traitorous acolytes were caught completely off guard as Kory leapt at them with a Force Jump and stabbed one of them clean through the heart. An instant kill. She quickly kicked the corpse off her blade and engaged in blade to blade combat with the other acolyte. Right after using the Force to call the Vibroblade from the acolyte she killed to her hand, of course. The other two surviving acolytes tried to help their ally, but I stopped them by firing a jolt of Force Lightning that stopped them in their tracks by paralyzing them.
"Sorry, bubs. But your fight is with me!" I declared as I ran at them.
Then I used a new move that Rance taught me for the use of my Electro-Staff-Lacerate. Spinning on the balls of my feet in a sweeping motion, I slashed at the two acolytes from the legs up. It didn't kill them, but the two are now struggling to stay on their feet from the gaping wounds on their legs. And they're having a harder time fighting back since I also managed to cut their arms.
I easily blocked their now slower strikes before deflecting what would be their final attack as I slit their throats with the ends of my staff. Either Kory and I have gotten too strong for our own good, or these guys were just plain weak. Oh, and speaking of Kory, it seems like she's just finished off her final enemy as proven by the headless body laying at her feet and the bloody weapons in her hands. But she's shaking like a leaf with tears silently streaming down her cheeks. She's clearly in shock over what she's done. Not that I blame her. Though I hide it well, it never gets any easier to take the life of another sentient being. I just sheathed my staff and brought Kory into a one armed hug knowing that right now she needs a shoulder to cry on.
"There, there, Kory. All will be well. Killing other sentient beings does not ever get easier, but let me ask you… did you enjoy killing them?" I asked.
Upon seeing her shake her head no, I looked into her eyes with a gentle, reassuring smile.
"Then you are not the monster that you portray yourself to be. A monster never regrets taking the life of another. And as long as you don't grow to enjoy killing others, you shall never become a monster. Do you understand?"
Kory nodded and smiled as she dried her tears with her sleeves. She sheathed both Vibroblades across her back in an X-formation and already seems to feel a lot better. I can sense it in the Force.
"That's my girl." I said with a smile of my own. "Come along. We'd best not keep Inquisitor Arzanon waiting."
We walked with a purpose back to the Taxi Pad where Inquisitor Arzanon met us with a proud smile of his own. He must feel that he was right to place his trust in us.
"I watched you deal with those traitors. Well done. Both of you. That was an impressive display of loyalty." Arzanon congratulated as he gave me and Kory a couple of credit chips and badges with the mark of the empire engraved on them. "Take this reward as a token of the Emperor's favor… and wear those badges. They mark you as defenders of our empire. You may resume your trials."
Kory and I accepted our reward and badges with a nod of thanks, proud to have been of service to the continued safety of the empire and its people.
"Stay vigilant. Our enemies lurk where you least expect them." the Imperial Officer offered as a warning.
We gave Arzanon and the Intelligence Officer a bow of respect as we left for the taxi pad and took a taxi to the lower wilds where the tomb of Marka Ragnos is located. Upon arrival we found ourselves at what appears to be a research camp. Hound-like creatures with visible fangs jutting out of the lower lip and a distinct underbite. I was scratching my head wondering just why anyone would want to capture these things. They certainly don't look domesticated, so they can't possibly be being sold as pets.
That's when Kory and I noticed one of the creatures on an operating table, its head mutilated as it was just freshly dissected. And turning to greet us as we walked closer, is a man in Sith Warrior armor with gray hair, a beard, red eyes, and an obese yet muscular appearance not unlike Inquisitor Zyn.
"A couple of fresh, young acolytes come to view my experiments. Good. I am Lord Renning, and I am the head scientist here at this makeshift laboratory. I trust the sight of a messy operating table doesn't disturb you."
In truth, it disturbs us a little because of the prominent smell of dried blood and decaying flesh. No doubt these guys just dumped the corpses of these animals just outside the area to be picked off by scavengers.
"What are you doing, exactly?" Kory asked as she examined the freshly dissected carcass.
"Understanding the Force's will demands that we seek answers everywhere. Even inside a beast itself." Lord Renning explained. "This used to be a Tuk'ata-the hound like creatures infesting Korriban's tombs. On the surface, nothing special. But I alone can see this creature is an expression of pure dark side energy-aggression made manifest."
Kory and I looked at each other and I know that we're thinking the same thing. This guy has totally lost his marbles. But we decided to just play along with the delusional man. Time to put those acting lessons from my elementary school days to some good use.
"Amazing. How did you learn this?" I asked with an exaggerated gasp.
Not that Lord Crazy-I mean, Lord Renning, noticed.
"The Force told me so. It speaks to me." he answered. "The Force is alive. It expresses its will in the physical world. This Tuk'ata was one such form."
Well, he's right about the Force being alive, at least. But I really doubt that these Tuk'ata are an extension of its will. If that were the truth, then these creatures would be using the Force themselves. Even if only in a passive manner. Still, we need more information about what Renning is doing and have to play along just a little longer. Maybe we can find a way to expose him for the fraud he is.
And I can sense it. Kory has the same idea. I guess the old saying 'great minds think alike' holds some truth.
"Am I correct in assuming that we are another one of these forms?" Kory asked.
Lord Renning grinned at Kory and said "At last, somebody who truly understands as I do! Yes, Sith are the highest manifestation of the Force's will. I've dissected hundreds of Tuk'ata, forging a direct connection to the dark side. Each beast I examine advances me toward perfect unity."
Somehow, Kory and I doubt that. I swear, this guy's worse than Crocker ever was back in the day. At least he was right all along about fairies existing. It's just that nobody believed him. But it looks like Renning's not done with his rant.
"I now stand at a new frontier but find myself thwarted. My most perfect specimen-a Tuk'ata Mutant-escaped to the tombs before I could analyze it."
Kory and I shared a look and came to the same conclusion. Seems like we can get a decent combat challenge on the way to getting that holocron.
"Perhaps we could assist you in recovering your specimen." I offered with Kory nodding in agreement.
"Yes. I was hoping as much." Renning said calmly as he gave us some instructions. "My assistant Malora saw which tomb the beast fled into. Find out what she knows, assist me, and you will be rewarded."
"We'll speak with Malora and do whatever is necessary, my lord." Kory said as she and I bowed our heads.
"You've found a great calling in my service. I trust you both appreciate that." Renning said as he turned back to his current experiment.
We walked over to where a young woman, who I am assuming is Malora, is standing out of earshot of Lord Renning. I have to admit, Malora is quite beautiful in her own right. She stands at around Kory's height with the same womanly figure, and has fair skin, black hair done in a sort of bob-cut, and a beautiful set of blue eyes. She wears mascara around her eyes along with the female version of Sith Warrior clothing. She also has a Lightsaber clipped to her hip, unlike Kory and I who use our practice weapons.
"Seeking Lord Renning's lost pet, are you?" Malora asked in a haughty tone as she scoffed. "Don't waste your time. That fool's research is pointless."
I merely scoffed myself as Kory giggled at the implications that we're actually helping that screwball out of the goodness of our hearts.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but we just thought this would be good exercise." I said.
"Nice to see I'm not the only one who thinks my master is a lunatic." Malora said as she began to explain the situation. "Renning deludes the Dark Council into believing he's advancing Sith knowledge. The truth is he wastes the empire's time and resources dissecting mindless animals. Time and money that should be being used to develop better weapons and armor for our troops instead of being wasted on this."
She got a devious grin on her face when she explained the one thing that caught my attention the most in this conversation, besides exactly how much Renning seems to have been crippling the empire in his own way.
"But if his experiments were discredited, he would be banished-and I would be rewarded."
"Then why not simply tell the Dark Council that Renning's a madman? I'm sure they'd listen." Kory suggested before I could speak up.
"Don't be so naive, girl. The Dark Council would never believe the word of an apprentice over her master." Malora said as she shot down that plan. "Look, just a minor alteration to the Mutant Tuk'ata's brain would allow me to reveal my master is a fraud. Bring me the brain before delivering it to Lord Renning, and I'll make it worth your while."
I wasn't planning on doing this for credits, even though it will certainly help Kory and I to afford the essentials we'll need on future missions. I'm doing this to prevent any more of the empire's resources from being wasted like they are. We all know that Renning's lost his marbles, this is just the chance to prove it. And Kory and I were thinking of a way to prove the falsehood of Renning's research not three minutes ago.
Oh, the irony.
"I'm sure we can arrange something." I said to Malora.
And Kory agreed.
"Good. Then we have an agreement."
Malora reached into a crate and pulled out a capsule device. She handed it to me and I started inspecting it with curiosity.
"What I have just given you is a Cryogenic Preservation Capsule. Use that to transport the Mutant Tuk'ata's brain. The Mutant Tuk'ata escaped to the tomb of Marka Ragnos. It's much larger than the others, so it's easy to spot. Return to me with the brain before you see Lord Renning, and I'll take care of the rest." Malora instructed.
We nodded to her and left the research area as we started our trek to the tomb. It's a good thing that Mutant Tuk'ata is in the same area where we're going, as this'll save us a lot of walking. And just as much time searching for it.
"So, are you ready to prove to the Dark Council that Lord Renning's research is just a load of crazy?" Kory asked me.
I gave her a smirk and simply asked the rhetorical question "Is a Smurf butt blue?"
She raised an eyebrow and asked me what a Smurf is and I told her that I'll tell her about it later. And I'll need to save that story for later. After all, this particular endeavor is going to take an awful lot of focus in order for us to complete without incident.
We quickly made our way to the tomb of Marka Ragnos following the directions given to us by Malora, killing several Imperial Soldiers who had apparently gone rogue, along the way. We know we're going to need something to use as bait to draw in the Mutant Tuk'ata, so we killed a rather plump K'lor'slug and collected its fresh corpse to use as bait, planting it on a small altar in a chamber where there's a rather large hole in the wall.
A loud growl resonated through the chamber, prompting us to draw our weapons and take up defensive stances. We were right to do so. The creature roared as it bounded out of the cave it made in the tomb wall, enticed by the dead K'lor'slug we planted as bait and obviously quite pissed off at us for invading its territory. Malora was right about it being larger than the average Tuk'ata. But just because it's big doesn't mean it's smart.
The beast was an utter disappointment to fight. It just leapt at us with its maw wide open to take a bite out of our flesh and all Kory had to do was swing both of her Vibroblades in a crossing slash like a pair of scissors to cut the beast's head off. I didn't even get to do anything in this fight! Not that I was really needed. Although, I'm sure this would have proven to be a challenge for somebody as weak as Ffon. Kory held open the Cryo Capsule as I carefully cut open the skull of the dead animal and removed the brain. She looks a little green seeing me handle an organ like this with my bare hands (I removed my gloves to avoid getting blood on them from something like harvesting a brain. If it were blood from combat, it'd be different). Not that I blame her. I felt like I was going to throw up after doing something so disgusting, even as the brain was placed in the device and sealed up.
"Well, that takes care of that. Let's get out of here and get that holocron." I said.
"Thank the maker!" Kory gasped in relief after putting our cargo away.
As quickly as we could without disturbing the rest of the K'lor'slugs, no sense wasting energy fighting against any more of those things, we exited this tomb and made our way to the main tomb where Harkun's directions told us the monument holding the holocron is located. Along the way, we had to fight against several exiled acolytes who were stalking about in this tomb, piling up more dead bodies for the scavengers.
But our trip didn't last too much longer as we jogged down one particular corridor.
"There it is…!" gasped Kory.
We've finally made it. The chamber where the stone monument that holds the holocron rests. We quickly and efficiently killed the four Shyracks that were looking about this tomb and climbed the manmade ramp up to the top of the pyramid structure of the obelisk where the holocron is encased. Even with the device held within a prison of stone, I can sense immense dark power coming from it. And from the look on her face, Kory senses it too. The monument itself is covered in gouges, scratches, dents and burns. All markings of past attempts to free the holocron within that ended in failure.
"Okay, so how do we get it open?" Kory asked.
"I'm not certain, Kory. But maybe if we recite the Sith Code in the language of the original Sith, it may give us a clue as to how we can open this thing." I suggested.
Kory nodded and began to clear her head, as did I. My idea isn't really much of a plan, but it's all we've got at the moment. And so, as we meditated, we recited the ancient doctrine of the Sith.
"Nwûl tash."
"Dzwol shâsotkun."
"Shâsotjontû châtsatul nu tyûk."
"Tyûkjontû châtsatul nu midwan."
"Midwanjontû châtsatul nu asha."
"Ashajontû kotswinot itsu nuyak."
"Wonoksh Qyâsik nun."
The monument shuddered roughly at what we did, and the shaking tremors seemed to attract a small flock of Shyracks and a Tukata. Kory and I were quick to draw our weapons and fight back against the wild beasts. Feeling confident enough in her skills, Kory took on the two Shyracks while I fought the Tuk'ata. Unfortunately, for us at least, they didn't last long against either of us so I'm not going to bother explaining how we killed these beasts.
Putting away our bloodied weapons, Kory and I looked back towards the stone monument which remains unopened. Scratching my head, I racked my brain to try and figure out how we're going to open this thing. At first glance, this task seems to be impossible to accomplish. My lack of brain power certainly doesn't help my case.
"Kory? I'm open to suggestions."
"Harkun told us that this is a Trial of Intellect. A way to test our knowledge of the Force and how to apply it to solve problems. Perhaps you need to… no. No, it can't be that simple." Kory pondered.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It might be a long shot, but why not try shooting your Force Lightning at the monument?" Kory suggested causing me to raise an eyeridge in question. "Think about it. The markings on this monument seem to be made by physical strikes. Some of which were obviously reinforced using the power of the Force. I theorize that only someone who is strong in the Force can ever hope to open the stone monument. So maybe, if you shoot the strongest Force Lightning you can generate and overload the prison of the holocron…"
My eyes widened at what Kory is implying. Her idea is a long shot, but it's just crazy enough to work!
"Stand back!" I ordered with a grin.
Kory stepped back until she was at a safe distance as I set the power of my Force Lightning to maximum, the electricity turning red as it built up in my hands. And when I was ready…
"OPEN SESAME!"
...I thrust my arms forward and shot Force Lightning as red as blood at the part of the monument containing the holocron. It was quite the draining experience for me, as I've never had the need to use my Force Lightning to such a degree. But it proved to be well worth it as after a full minute of continuous assault, the stone casing crumbled away and revealed the holocron within. While I took a moment to catch my breath after such an assault, Kory took the holocron from its resting place and put it in our storage.
After catching my breath, I started laughing with pure joy at how Kory was right and we'd gotten the holocron. I was so overwhelmed with joy that I grabbed Kory in a hug and spun her around, much to the girl's embarrassment and, from what I can tell, not so secret joy.
"We got it! We got the holocron! You're an absolute genius, Kory! I could just kiss you!" I said without thinking.
My eyes snapped open wide and I stopped what I was doing upon realizing what I just said, and I set Kory down while awkwardly staring off into space as I tried to avoid eye contact. But I can't help myself. This is the first girl I've ever felt a true romantic interest towards, since I figured out soon after Cosmo, Wanda, and Poof left that my feelings for Trixie and Cindy Vortex were nothing more than silly childhood crushes, and I don't want to screw up our friendship if she'd not interested in me as anything more than a friend.
I froze right on the spot, however, as I felt a pair of soft lips against my cheek. Kory just kissed me. She kissed me…!
Turning my head to look at her I see that, while she is blushing even redder than her hair, Kory does look genuinely happy that she did that.
"Like I told you before-you're cute. And who knows? If things take off from here, you may get more than just a kiss." she whispered suggestively into my ear.
It's a good thing my skin is already red so she can't see the massive blush on my face at both her actions and the implications of what she just said. As Kory walked towards the entrance/exit of the tomb I noticed the slightly more noticeable sway in her hips. Clearly she's interested in me as a love interest.
First that Sith Pureblood woman, Loun. Now Kory has fallen for me. What's next?
***To Be Continued…***
Oh, Timothy Turner, you may wish you hadn't asked that question, you lucky sonnamugun. Anyway, as always, if you enjoyed the new chapter be sure to fav and follow the story so you'll stay up to date with all the new chapters that come your way. Also, please don't forget to leave a review on your way out. And I'll see you all in my next chapter! Buh-bye now!