Rattatak

Vetris and Anakin landed their ship on the rugged terrain of Rattatak, the barren landscape stretching out before them. The planet seemed mostly deserted, with only a few signs of life scattered among the mountainous region and a small, dilapidated village in the distance.

"Okay, apprentice," Vetris began, his tone firm but instructive. "We will go down to investigate before we signal the ship. Understand?"

"Yes, master," Anakin replied, nodding as they descended toward the village.

As they approached, the village appeared nearly abandoned, its structures crumbling and weather-worn. The wind howled through the narrow streets, and there were only a few signs of life—a handful of villagers watching cautiously from the shadows.

"Wow, this place looks… mostly abandoned," Anakin remarked as they walked through the desolate streets.

"Very well," Vetris responded, his eyes scanning the surroundings, always alert.

Suddenly, a group of Weequay pirates stepped out from the shadows, their weapons drawn and smirks on their faces. The leader, a grizzled Weequay, eyed them with interest. "Well, what do we have here? Looks like some new blood for the arena."

Vetris raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but commanding. "You seem to have us at a disadvantage. Who are you?"

"We're the Weequay pirates," the leader sneered, his grip tightening on his blaster. "And you're standing on our turf."

"Who's in charge here?" Vetris asked, his tone unwavering.

"The Warlord, Osika Kirske," the pirate leader replied. "She runs this place. If you're looking to survive, you'd best stay out of her way."

Vetris's expression remained neutral, though his mind was already calculating the next steps. "How would I go about speaking to her?"

The pirate smirked. "That's easy. You'll find her at the arena. If you're still alive by the time you get there, maybe she'll be interested in talking."

"Looks like I'm heading to the arena," Vetris said, casting a quick glance at Anakin before turning toward the direction of the imposing structure looming in the distance.

Anakin, ever curious but always ready for action, followed closely behind as they made their way toward the arena, knowing that whatever awaited them inside would reveal whether Rattatak would become an ally—or an enemy. As Vetris and Anakin approached the arena, the oppressive energy of the dark side lingered in the air. Anakin glanced at his master, his expression tense. "Master, do you feel that?"

Vetris nodded. "Yes, there's a dark side user here, but it's too weak to be Dooku."

The two of them had made it to the arena without any trouble, but now the scale of the crowd was overwhelming. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people filled the stands, cheering and shouting as they eagerly awaited the next fight.

"That's a lot of people," Anakin said, scanning the crowd.

"There must be underground structures," Vetris replied, noting the sheer size of the audience.

Spotting the warlord, Osika Kirske, sitting in the stands with her entourage, Vetris stepped forward. "If you're Osika, I wish to talk."

Osika smirked. "If you win, I'll think about it."

Before Vetris could respond, he was led into the arena. The atmosphere shifted as the doors shut behind him, and across the sand-filled pit, the source of the dark presence revealed itself.

A Zabrak woman, bone-white skin contrasting with her dark robes, stood across from him. Her lightsabers ignited, casting a red glow over the arena. "So, you must be my opponent," Vetris said, his tone measured.

"I'm Ventress, a Sith," she replied, her voice dripping with menace.

Vetris tilted his head slightly, examining her stance and presence in the Force. "Interesting," he mused, his own red lightsaber springing to life. "Then let's see it in action."

The two clashed, their blades colliding with a series of rapid strikes. It didn't take long for Vetris to realize that while Ventress was trained, she hadn't been fully molded by a true Sith. Her form was aggressive, yet lacked refinement—evidence of a self-taught warrior or a hastily trained apprentice.

Vetris, sensing this, decided to toy with her. His attacks became deliberately slow, almost mocking, as if to stall for time and gauge her reaction. Ventress grew increasingly frustrated, her strikes wild and unfocused, while Vetris remained calm, blocking each attack with minimal effort.

"What if we kill her," Vetris said, nodding toward Osika Kirske in the stands, "and then talk about your future?"

Ventress paused, taken aback by his casual offer. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Whoever this man was, wielding a red lightsaber and easily deflecting her attacks, he wasn't just toying with her—he was offering her a way out, to kill Osika as if it were nothing.

Ventress's mind raced. She had no loyalty to Osika, and with the power this stranger wielded, she saw an opportunity. "Fine," she said, lowering her lightsabers slightly, her mind made up.

The alliance between Ventress and Vetris had been forged in the heat of combat, but what came next would reshape their futures—and perhaps even Rattatak's.

"Alright, apprentice, send the signal and come back and help us fight," Vetris instructed as he and Ventress prepared to confront Osika.

"Yes, master," Anakin replied, moving swiftly to send the signal to their allies while Vetris and Ventress turned their attention toward the warlord and her forces.

As Anakin initiated the signal, Vetris and Ventress made their move toward Osika. The arena became a battleground, but it quickly became clear that the only real resistance came from Osika's pirates and her own soldiers. Even then, their only advantage was sheer numbers—and that wasn't enough to stop two skilled Force users.

Vetris moved with precision, his red lightsaber a blur as he cut through the pirates, deflecting blaster fire with ease. Beside him, Ventress fought with a savage intensity, her dual blades carving through enemies with brutal efficiency. The two of them were unstoppable, cutting their way through the defenders as if they were mere distractions.

By the time their opponents' numbers were halved, the battle had turned into a massacre. The remaining soldiers fell quickly, unable to mount any real resistance against the combined power of Vetris and Ventress. It was only a matter of time before they reached Osika, who had been watching from her perch in the stands.

As they approached her, Vetris paused, allowing Ventress to step forward. He had promised her this moment, and he could sense the dark satisfaction radiating from her as she stood over Osika. Without hesitation, Ventress struck, her lightsabers cutting the warlord down in a swift, merciless execution.

With Osika dead, the arena fell into a stunned silence. The warlord's reign had ended, and Ventress had proven herself. Vetris stood beside her, knowing that this was only the beginning of their work on Rattatak. As the dust settled and Osika's reign came to a violent end, Vetris turned to Ventress, his expression calm but expectant. "Now, I think introductions are in order," he said, sheathing his lightsaber. "I am Darth Vetris, and this is my apprentice, Anakin."

Ventress studied them both for a moment, her demeanor still guarded despite the alliance they had just formed. "While you already know my last name," she began, "it's Ventress, not my first. My name is Asajj Ventress, and I'm originally from Dathomir. I was taken as a child by a slaver named Hal'Sted, but he was killed when I was still a girl. After that, I was taken in by a Jedi who trained me. For the next decade, we defended the people until a sniper murdered him. Before I could get my revenge, I was captured and forced to fight as a gladiator here, for her amusement."

Vetris listened intently, noting the deep-rooted pain and anger in her voice. "I see," he said, his tone measured. "What do you know of the people here?"

Ventress's expression hardened. "Because of centuries of warfare, they are a battle-hardened people. Many of them tend to be Force-sensitive as well."

Vetris's eyes gleamed with interest. "Now that is interesting," he mused. "You've helped them for years. Can we be allies—or more?"

Ventress considered his question carefully. "Yes," she said finally, "but I want something in return."

"Of course," Vetris said smoothly, nodding. "Come."

As they turned to leave the arena, Ventress caught sight of a battalion of clone troopers outfitted in silver, maskless armor, standing at attention near the ship. She paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on them as she took in the sight. Vetris had brought more than just a simple force to Rattatak—he was building something far greater than she had anticipated.

An alliance, yes, but one that could reshape the balance of power in the galaxy. Vetris stood before his clone commander, giving precise orders. "Commander, I want you and your men to remain here. Keep control of the area until we return."

The clone commander saluted. "Understood, General."

With the command given, Vetris turned to the commander . "Ventress, my apprentice and I will be taking my ship. We will return once our business is concluded."

The three boarded Vetris's ship, and as they lifted off from Rattatak, the silence between them was soon broken by Anakin's curiosity.

"Master, where are we going?" Anakin asked, his tone respectful but eager for answers.

Vetris glanced at his apprentice, his voice calm and measured. "I'm taking the two of you to meet my master."As they arrived on Dathomir, the air thick with the dark energies of the planet, Vetris, Anakin, and Ventress were met by Mother Talzin, her imposing figure emerging from the shadows. She bowed slightly as she addressed them.

"Lord Vetris, you honor us," Talzin said, her voice echoing through the quiet. Her eyes moved to the two with him. "Who is this?"

Vetris gestured to his companions. "This is my apprentice, Anakin, and this is Asajj Ventress."

At the mention of Ventress's name, there were murmurs among the Nightbrothers and witches nearby. Talzin gave Ventress a curious look but said nothing more.

"Now, my master is expecting us. We should not keep her waiting," Vetris said, his voice calm but commanding.

"Yes," Talzin responded. "She is in the temple. Come."

Vetris led Anakin and Ventress into the heart of the temple, the atmosphere growing heavier with the dark side as they approached. In the center of the chamber, Darth Tanya stood waiting, her presence dominating the room.

"Vetris, welcome," Tanya said, her lips curling into a cold smile. She handed him a small case. "I have a gift for you."

"Thank you, Master," Vetris replied, accepting the case with a respectful nod.

Tanya's gaze shifted to Anakin and Ventress. "Who have you brought before me?"

Vetris gestured to them. "This is Anakin, my apprentice, and Asajj Ventress."

Tanya's eyes flickered with recognition as they landed on Ventress. "The child that was taken… interesting," she muttered, before focusing on Anakin. "Tell me, apprentice, do you know why Lord Vetris has brought you to me?"

Anakin knelt before her, lowering his head. "No, Master."

"You've been taught respect—good," Tanya said approvingly. "Vetris wants me to test you, to see if you are ready to earn your name. But you're not ready."

She then turned her gaze to Ventress. "And you… Vetris wants me to see if you're worthy of training, but I can already tell—you are not."

Turning away dismissively, Tanya seemed to provoke something deep within Ventress. Seething with anger, Ventress ignited her lightsabers and leapt at Tanya, intent on striking her down while her back was turned. But before she could even land a blow, Tanya raised her hand, effortlessly lifting Ventress into the air with the Force and choking her.

"Foolish," Tanya said coldly. With a wave of her hand, she sent Ventress crashing across the room, leaving her gasping for breath on the floor. "You are like a wild animal—just anger and ferocity. No discipline. It takes more than rage to be a Sith."

She turned to Anakin. "You, apprentice—defeat her and earn your name. But remember, I want her alive and unmaimed. She's of no use otherwise."

Anakin ignited his lightsaber and stepped forward. As he fought Ventress, he quickly realized that Darth Tanya had been right. Ventress fought with raw anger, without the discipline and control Anakin had learned from Vetris. It wasn't the hardest fight he'd faced, but he couldn't be careless. With careful, calculated strikes, Anakin adapted his form to counter Ventress's wild attacks, and within minutes, he had disarmed her.

Tanya's voice rang out. "Good. You adapted your form to counter her style—smart." She stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Anakin. "I grant you permission to take your new name."

She then gestured for Anakin to come closer. "A new name marks a new stage of life, a new identity. From this moment forward, your name will be Vader. The slave boy Anakin, who trained under Braylen, is gone. Now, you are Vader."

Tanya's eyes bore into him. "But remember—Vader's story has yet to be written. You may let Anakin remain with your beloved and your mother, to be a husband and father in their presence. Or let Vader consume you, to crush your enemies and bend others to your will. The choice is yours. You have already seen the results of Vetris's decision."

She gestured toward the lightsaber at Anakin's side. "That lightsaber was made by Anakin. Vader must create his own."

Turning her attention back to Ventress, Tanya said, "As for you, girl—consider yourself an acolyte under Vetris. You've just experienced the beginning of his training."

With her commands given, Tanya waved them off. "Go now. I look forward to seeing the choices you make, Vader."

"Vader," Vetris said, his tone firm but calm, "I believe all the parts you'll need for your new lightsaber are in the ship. Make sure you're ready."

"Yes, master," Vader replied, his expression serious as he began to contemplate the task of building his weapon.

Vetris then turned his attention to Ventress. "Ventress, I expect you to keep your word."

"Yes, master," Ventress replied, her voice steady. Though she maintained her usual guarded demeanor, inside she felt a sense of relief. She wouldn't admit it openly, but the idea of having a real teacher again, someone who could truly guide her, gave her a glimmer of hope.

"Good," Vetris nodded, satisfied. "Then let's pick up Padmé and head back to the fleet."

With their plans set, the group prepared to leave Dathomir, ready to continue their journey with new allies and fresh purpose.