Act 1 Part 13
The Apprentice's Choice
"I am not afraid… I was born to do this."
Joan of Arc
She was exhausted, they'd been sparring for nearly 5 hours. Her legs felt as though they were about to collapse at any moment, yet still she remained standing. Unable to hide the fact that she was on the brink she embraced it instead, showing clearly that she wouldn't give up until she was unable to go any further.
She was soaked, her hair was messy and wet from a combination of sweat and water. Her clothes were soaked in a similar manner to her hair, wet through and through due to the many times she'd fallen to the ground. But she always got up no matter how tired she was nor how much it hurt to do so. Her saber technique and footwork had long since stopped being the refined display that it usually was, now it was replaced by laboured breathing, heavy steps and weak swings.
Her master was also clearly showing signs of fatigue at this point yet he hadn't stopped, everytime he beat her to the ground he waited for her to get up again. Then they repeated it over and over again until now when she could barely stand and her master's breathing was getting louder and louder.
She lunged forward with her saber in a stabbing motion, it was met by his sabers and deflected before the two collided in a less than graceful manner. This time they both fell to the ground, hard. The water's cool embrace against her skin was heavenly, but even so she immediately went to get up again. But this time her arms and legs wouldn't move, she could only lay there on her back, aching and breathing heavy laboured breaths.
Then it hit her, that was the first time in their sparring Vader had gone down to the ground. With her last strength she managed to get him to fall to the ground, an immense feeling of pride surged through her at this realisation. Then she felt a hand grab her shoulder, it was still for a moment before it gave her a shake.
"You're ready… my apprentice." She tilted her head with what little energy she had in her to look at her master. Laying down in the shallow water of the pond on his back as well, just like her. Then he began laughing, it was strange, it was a mix of what sounded like laughter and coughing. Her head tilted back to look straight up to the sky, then she began laughing as well. Her laugh was a mix of coughing and actual laughs as well, the overwhelming taste of iron in her mouth and the acidic sting made it hard not to cough.
They just laid there for what felt like a solid moment, just taking it in. Then she felt the hand holding her shoulder tighten a bit.
"I had a padawan with a similar spirit like you once…" There was a pause filled with a couple of deep breaths coming from his respirator. "But I think yours might be a whole lot more fiery when it needs to."
More pride filled her, her old master never gave her such praise, it was just good job that and good job this. This was different, it felt genuine, there was a feeling behind those words of praise and not just words without deeper meaning.
He then got up from the ground and grabbed her hand and pulled her up so that she was standing, it hurt like hell but there was something else that caught her attention. There was something squeezed between her hand and his, he let go and it was revealed, a black and white spherical pearl. She just looked at it in astonishment, was this for her? Then she felt his hand on her shoulder again, she looked up into Vader's faceless mask probably with the most dishevelled and messy face he'd ever seen.
"This is the core from a Krayt Dragon's Pearl, it will serve as your new saber crystal." Her new saber crystal? She looked down at the pearl in her hand once again.
"But I already have a saber crystal?" She asked, why did she need a new one? It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the gesture but there must be something more to it than just being a new saber crystal.
"Yes you do, but this one is for the new saber you'll create, the one for your new life. Also, blue isn't really the colour of the Sith, you'll find that this one fits much better in that regard."
She couldn't help but laugh a little at his last comment… a new crystal for her new saber… for a new life. It was a part in her journey to become free, to rid herself of the shackles of her old life… the shackles the Jedi gave her.
Hyperspace
She was sitting in a meditative stance, contemplating deeply. They were on their way to a planet called Mustafar, it was where she would continue her training. It wasn't far from Naboo so returning every now and then wouldn't be a problem.
Just before they had departed was when she'd completed her new lightsaber, it wasn't too dissimilar from her old one but it was still different in some aspects. A long smooth silver hilt with indents for her fingers to grip, she'd changed the emitter to more closely resemble that of her new master's sabers. A mace-like crown now circled around it. Other than those changes there wasn't much else of noteworthy change. The blade now came out further than it did on her old saber, it was an observation from Vader which he thought would be beneficial for her.
But it wasn't her saber that she was contemplating over, it was the question Vader had asked her just before they departed for Mustafar that was plaguing her mind.
"Power without purpose is meaningless. What will you do with your power once you've attained it?" Is what he'd asked her, he hadn't said anything else, just that simple statement and the following question.
What was she going to use her power for?
She'd been trying to figure this out for the past hours, so many thoughts had gone through her head… so many ideas. The world was open, there was no path before her, only a metaphorical field in which she stood in the middle of. She could explore the galaxy, become a bounty hunter, even just find a farming colony in the outer rim and settle down. So many things laid spread out for her within her grasp. But none of those ideas were appealing to her, no… she had something entirely different in mind.
Vader was in the cockpit going over something on a datapad when she walked in and sat down in the co-pilot's seat.
"Master?" She asked, Vader's head lifted from looking at the datapad and turned towards her. He didn't give an answer so she continued. "Right now, I don't have a purpose of my own to attain power for. Although there is one thing I know I must do."
Vader put down the datapad and turned fully towards her. "And what might that thing be?" He asked while crossing his arms.
She took a breath before answering. "I want to repay you for saving me, for giving me a second chance and the choice I never had."
There was a few seconds of silence before Vader gave a response. "My purpose for seeking power is a tall order even for me with everything I have at my disposal… the things I might ask you to do could include everything from torture, killing and many more things in the same category. Would you be prepared to do those things?"
She knew from the beginning that this might be a possibility, he'd been honest and upfront with the fact that he was a Sith… and of course, they don't shy away from acts of evil. But if there was something she had learnt these past months then it would be that there is no black and white, it's a whole lot of grey in the world. A mother who steals food for her children is not evil and a soldier who fights for money alongside freedom fighters is not good. Nothing is cut and dry evil or good, and Vader's reasons for doing what he does are probably not either.
"Why, would you ask me to do those things?" There wasn't any hostility or disbelief in her voice, she wanted to know why… what purpose would those acts have in achieving his goal?
"To do what the Jedi couldn't… give the galaxy peace." Another silence rang out only filled by the hum of the ship's engine. "I understand that your view on what a Sith is will still be affected by what the Order taught you. But know this, I will stop at nothing and would rather die trying than give up on this goal. I swore an oath to do so, and I will keep it."
Do what the Jedi could not… give the galaxy peace, at any cost. She soaked in his words, hearing them over and over in her head. That was something worth fighting for… something worth attaining power for… she was pretty sure she would've still helped him if his reason was different but this only solidified her choice.
"Then I will serve you, my Master." She bowed her head slightly, it was more of a reflex but still… it was fitting. This time she chose to willingly serve a cause, to willingly dedicate her life to that cause. This was her life to do with as she wished, and if that wish was to help someone else attain what they wanted then that was how it would be.
The moment was disrupted by a beeping sound from the console.
"Seems we have arrived." Vader said. The blue and black swirls dissipated and they were greeted by the sight of a red and black planet, it looked almost like it was on fire.
"Welcome to Mustafar, a hellish planet of stone and molten rock. This is where your final test will be." His voice carried a sense of stoicism in it. She had thought that what they'd just done was the second test that Vader had been talking about but seemingly not.
"What is it I have to do?" Dalia asked a little absentmindedly, she was staring at the planet which even from space she felt the darkness emanate from.
"Take your final step to freedom and become Sith."
Vader's Castle, Mustafar
The roaring ignition of a newly made saber, the cold black stone on a planet made of fire, the sound of a blade made of light moving through the air. The sudden embrace of the finality of death.
Everything was still, everything was quiet except the hum of her lightsaber and the rhythmic sounds of her master's respirator. She released the breath which she'd been holding in and then opened her eyes. Before her was the lifeless corpse of a Bothan, Jedi Knight Baruk Tare. There was a weird feeling creeping up her spine, it wasn't unpleasant but it certainly made itself known. This was the first time she had killed someone in cold blood, she thought she would've had a stronger reaction to it, one of disgust or the like… but there wasn't one.
On the contrary… her shoulders felt lighter, like a burden had been lifted from them. Is this how freedom feels? Like everything is lighter, that things are easier to do with nothing stopping you. This was it, the thing she'd been missing all her life. And now that she had it she couldn't imagine ever letting it go, no one would take it from her… she'd sooner die than allow that.
"I am proud of you my apprentice, you have finally severed your bond to your past life… now you are free." Vader's words cut through her thoughts and made her return to reality.
"Thank you, Master… for everything." She might not sound like it or exude it but there was a genuine happiness surging through her soul… one which she had never felt before, it felt so incredibly alien… but all the same, it felt right.
"I think it is time…" Vader said in a low voice. She turned to face him with a confused look on her face, what was it time for?
"Kneel, apprentice." She complied, numerous thoughts were running through her head. But one stuck out, a memory from her old life of how she'd seen a knighting. Was this the Sith version of that?
She could feel how Vader's presence in the force surged, it was reaching out encompassing everything around them. Then after a moment she felt it searching through her mind and own presence in the force. Then it retreated back and a deep breath audibly released from Vader's modulator.
"From this day on, Dalia A'parr is no more. I bestow upon thee the title of Darth and the name Felix. Henceforth you will be known as a Dark Lady of the Sith, now arise… Darth Felix."
Mustafar Platoon
Place your trust in the man standing beside you. When the moment of truth comes, that trust will mean more than anything else in the world.
"So what do you say Boomer? One or two?"
"Two, that'll probably be best."
"Now… which two to choose."
"Imp and Champ?"
"They might be a good duo but asking them to do anything but blow things sky high is something that has never occurred, ever."
"I think you've spoiled those two, they have to learn to do other things someday… although I can't deny, they're damn good at blowing things up."
"That may be so, but we need two people who can put their heads together and do it quietly, Imp and Champ do not fit that description."
"Yeah, quiet and independently smart… Guido and Chess maybe, it can't be one of my guys."
"Agreed, I think those two will do, and hopefully they can get us some results."
"Are you sure we should do this? We got pretty clear orders to stay put in the barracks. Shouldn't it be the two of us instead of us sending someone else?"
"Now that you point it out, that would probably be the safest option. We'd both get in trouble anyway if they got caught. If just the two of us get caught… well, we could probably make up a plausible excuse for why we disobeyed direct orders."
"Anyway what do we even know about this planet except that it literally looks like hell made manifest in the real world."
"We're under the direct command of Supreme Commander Darth Vader, so the head honcho of the entire Imperial military… and apparently his personal base is on a planet that looks like hell and is called Mustafar. That's it, if you have any more to add go ahead."
"Yeah… I got nothing."
"So are we doing this or not?"
"Yeah… and if we get in trouble we'll just have to deal with it."
Suddenly both of their comlinks went off.
"Well Stag seems like we don't have to risk our necks sneaking around, let's go get geared up and gather the guys."
"Lead the way Lieutenant."
Two months… two months of gruelling training and experimental medical procedures. Since Stag received those orders to pick out some of his best men and return to Kamino he knew something big was going on. His brothers shared his suspicions and concerns about what was going on, when they met with the first squad they got the same questions they'd been asking each other. What were they doing here? Why pick them?
The training they did during those two months was back breaking, not a single day did they go without aching. But they pushed on nonetheless; the medical procedures started shortly after they returned to Kamino. Muscle enhancement, reaction time improvements and many more things… although, the most important change was to their very DNA. The growth acceleration was removed… they wouldn't age at double the speed of normal humans anymore.
They got new equipment as well, black beskar armour along with a veritable armoury for each and every one of them to pick and choose from. Whatever Vader was planning on having them do… he clearly wants them to have every chance to succeed. There were even banned weapons like disintegrator rifles for them to choose.
Now they were here on Mustafar, the namesake of their little gathering of clones, waiting for their first mission, which was seemingly now. The two squad commanders rushed off towards the barracks to get themselves and their brothers geared up for whatever their new commander wanted them for. When they'd all put on their armour and geared up they followed the small mouse droid that was there to guide them to wherever Vader wanted them… and it didn't take long until they were in the hangar stood up in two double lines with each of the respective squad leaders standing at the front of their men.
Soon after arriving they were greeted with the sight of the blast doors in front of them opening to reveal two dark figures, one significantly taller than the other. Both had a similar black cloak that covered their body and each had a mask as well but they were a bit different from each other. The tall figure which Stag presumed to be Vader was completely blank with no real discerning features. The mask of the shorter person resembled a skull but unlike Vader's you could see the person's eyes. They were a pure golden yellow, just like… he didn't continue that line of thought and simply focused on the present.
"This, Felix, will be your personal troops. I think you will take a liking to them pretty quickly." The deep and dark voice of Vader rang out across the hangar whilst he and his companion made their way over towards.
"Master, are you sure?" The one Vader called Felix said those words, they were clearly modulated to sound different but it was clear that it was a girl by the sound and tone.
"I understand your reservations, but there is no need to worry there should be no problems regarding allegiances. I have business to attend to on Coruscant, I've already prepared a mission for you so that you can become more acquainted with your new soldiers, it should not be an issue." Vader stretched out his arm and gave a datachip to Felix who took it without hesitation.
"I will not fail you, master." Felix gave a bow. Vader began walking over towards a starfighter. "I don't foresee that you will…" He stopped and turned facing towards Felix.
"That Jedi is gone… you need not fear the repercussions."
There was no response from Felix to his words, Vader didn't seem to care and simply turned and got into the starfighter and flew out of the hangar. The entire conversation was confusing to Stag, especially that last line Vader had said. That Jedi is gone, what did that mean? What repercussions should this Felix person not fear?
"Your orders Ma'am?" Stag questioned. Felix looked over towards him and to Stag's surprise she laughed, after which she reached up behind her head. The distinct sound of depressurization echoed in the large hangar.
"Long time no see, Stag." What? How? Stag was at a loss for words.
"I'll explain later… right now we have a mission to complete… just like old times."
Author's Notes:
There is now going to be a time skip of about a year and a half. Last two chapters have been shorter than average, and had a bit of a hard time sealing up the bag for the timeskip. I think I did at least a good wrap up for Vader's and Padmé's perspectives in this story which are the two important ones. Haven't fully decided how I am going to structure this second part of the overall story but it's leaning towards a really heavy Vader focus.
"Spoiler Warning"
There is going to be a reunion between our Romeo and Juliet, I have a pretty good idea of how it is going to happen but depending on how things play out it might lead to an exclusion of the rebel line until the reunion happens. Gonna be some major psych issues, I feel more confident about being able to shape Padmé's path to the reunion after it has happened, so it will either be through flashbacks or a more vague ish scenario where Padmé explains what she's been doing all that time.