AN: Well, here I am again. Apologies for being gone for so long (almost a month!) If I'm honest, this chapter was quite hard to write. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do, but getting it down in any way that felt right was difficult to say the least.

That, and there were a few birthdays and a holiday that got in the way of sitting down for a while. Oh, and of course I got into Space Engineers again. Can't wait for the announcement they are sending out this month, SE 2 anyone?

Anyways, here is the chapter. No questions answered at the end of this one, mostly because I want to get it out to you all as fast as possible and I'm too lazy to go back and find each of the reviews for the previous chapter.

Ruby tilted her head, watching Vader closely as an odd tension seemed to settle over him. His silence stretched on, his gaze unfocused, staring past her like he wasn't even seeing her anymore. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what to say.

"Are… you okay?" she asked again, a little quieter this time, trying to read the slightest hint of his mood.

Vader's face remained impassive, but there was something about his stance—just the tiniest shift in how he held himself—that felt off to her. His shoulders tensed, barely noticeable, but enough for Ruby to sense that whatever was going on, it wasn't good.

He inhaled sharply, almost as if he'd snapped back to the moment. "Leave," he said, his voice as cold and measured as ever, but there was a strain beneath it. "I need to be alone."

Ruby blinked, confused. "But—"

"I said leave." His tone grew firmer, cutting off any further questions.

Ruby hesitated, biting her lip. It wasn't like him to just send her away like this. Well, maybe it was—he was always kind of distant—but this felt different somehow. He hadn't yelled or shown any real anger. Just… something else.

"I'll be back tomorrow," she offered, trying to break the awkward silence as she took a small step back.

Vader didn't respond immediately. He just stared into the distance, as if lost in his own thoughts, before finally nodding once. "Tomorrow."

Ruby's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned, feeling the odd weight of the encounter in her chest. Whatever was going on, it was serious. She could tell. And not for the first time since they'd started meeting, Ruby left with more questions than answers.

She stepped away from the clearing, glancing back at Vader one more time, seeing him standing rigidly still, staring down at his hands. His expression was unreadable beneath the ever-present mask of intensity he wore, but there was something…off about his stance. Something that made Ruby's stomach twist with unease.

Why did he ask me to leave?

She wasn't used to him pushing her away like this. He had been cold at first, sure, but over the past few days, she'd grown accustomed to his gruff nature. There was something different this time, though, as if whatever was going on inside him had just changed drastically, and she wasn't sure what that meant.

Still, Ruby couldn't ignore the slight thrill she felt at the thought of coming back tomorrow. Something about being around Vader made her feel…more capable. She didn't really understand it yet, but she wanted to figure it out.

She just hoped that whatever was wrong with him would get better by then.

Vader stood in the clearing, the weight of the Force bond heavy on his mind. He could still feel Ruby's presence, faint now that she had gone, but there—like a pulse at the edge of his awareness. It was unsettling. Unwanted.

Ever since Ahsoka had left him all those years ago, he had carefully avoided forming another bond. He couldn't allow it. Not again. Losing her—losing the trust, the connection—had been a wound too deep, one that had festered beneath the surface for years. The pain of her departure had driven him deeper into the Dark Side, and he had welcomed it, embraced it. The anger, the hatred—they had become his shield, his weapon. They made him powerful.

But this… this bond. It was dangerous.

He had not acknowledged it, not even to himself, but somewhere, buried deep in the recesses of his mind, there had always been a fear. A fear of connecting with someone again. Of feeling that attachment and then losing it. He had pushed that fear down, drowned it in the cold certainty of the Dark Side, but it had never fully left him. It lingered, like a shadow, waiting for the chance to strike.

And now, without warning, without consent, the Force had thrust this bond upon him.

How is this even possible? Vader clenched his fist, his anger simmering just below the surface. The Dark Side was where he was strongest, where he was most efficient. It fed him, sustained him. He could wield its power with precision when he allowed himself to fully immerse in it. Anger, hatred—these were tools. They sharpened his focus, made him unstoppable.

But this bond—it threatened that control. Already, he had felt it influencing his emotions, tempering his reactions, making him more patient, less quick to anger. He had not realized it until now, but the bond had been shifting his responses, softening the edges of his rage.

It was unacceptable.

I will not be bound to anyone again.

Vader's breath came heavier, his mind racing. He needed to sever this connection before it grew stronger, before it could weaken him further. But how? The bond was already forming. It wasn't something he could simply will away.

Yet, despite the anger building within him, there was a small voice—a whisper in the back of his mind. A memory, a time when he had not been Darth Vader, but Anakin Skywalker. When bonds had made him stronger, not weaker.

He silenced that thought instantly. That man was dead.

Vader stood motionless in the clearing, the forest around him fading into a blur as his focus turned inward. The bond was there, tethering him to Ruby, and he could feel it pulsing through the Force—stronger than before, deeper than he had initially realized. He narrowed his mind's eye on the connection, probing it, trying to determine just how much of an effect it had on him.

The more he pushed, the more unsettling it became.

It's already too strong, he thought, his expression tightening beneath his mask of calm. It was not something he could sever easily, not at this stage. He could feel the influence of the bond subtly shifting his emotions, calming his impulses, dulling the sharp edge of his fury. It had already begun weaving its way into him, altering the very fabric of his being.

This was no simple connection. It was growing, intertwining with his mind and his senses like a vine wrapping around the trunk of a tree. He could not just cut it away—the bond had become too entrenched for that.

I should have noticed it sooner, he scolded himself. This should never have been allowed to happen.

But he couldn't change what had already occurred. And whatever had caused the bond to form in the first place—whether it was the Force itself, some unexplainable fate, or something about Ruby herself—Vader recognized that it would likely persist. He couldn't simply cast it aside. The Force would keep the bond intact, perhaps even protect it, as long as the two of them remained connected.

The thought struck him with chilling clarity: there was only one sure way to rid himself of it.

I would have to kill her.

Vader's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his new sword, his fingers tightening around it. It would be simple, clean. One stroke would be enough to break the bond forever.

But then, something stopped him.

No.

The word rang out in his mind, unbidden, but it resonated with undeniable strength. It wasn't the Dark Side speaking. It was something deeper, something more primal, more personal. A part of him he had tried to bury for years.

The feelings he had now, as much as he wanted to deny them, as much as they angered him, would stop him. The bond was already influencing him in ways that went beyond just emotion. It was changing him.

I cannot kill her, he realized, though the admission burned in his chest. Whatever had caused this bond—whatever had bound him to Ruby—had made it impossible for him to sever it without going against his very instincts.

Vader stood still for a long moment, his thoughts whirling as the realization settled in. He was bound to Ruby, and the bond was strong, perhaps even irreversible. But the more he pondered, the more another possibility began to surface in his mind. Slowly, almost cautiously, he allowed himself to entertain the thought.

I don't have to break the bond.

His mind sharpened around the idea, and the weight of the bond seemed to lessen, if only slightly. He had been looking at it all wrong. There was no need to sever it. There was no need to kill Ruby or even push her away. If the bond was tied to her emotions, to her light... then the solution was simple.

I can turn her to the Dark Side.

The thought coiled through his mind like a serpent, and he felt a familiar surge of power ripple through him. Yes. If Ruby fell to the Dark Side, if she allowed herself to embrace it, the bond would no longer dull his rage, no longer temper his anger. Instead, it would amplify his emotions, his power. Strengthen it. Strengthen him.

The emotions Ruby had, her sense of hope, her ideals about making the world a better place—those were obstacles, but they could be broken. She was naive, but there was potential in her. And the bond would ensure that he could influence her more easily, guide her down the path of darkness. It was only a matter of time, of showing her the truth of the galaxy, the harsh realities that would shatter her idealism.

He didn't need to remove the bond to regain his strength in the Dark Side. He needed to corrupt it. Corrupt her.

As the idea solidified in his mind, Vader's gaze grew more calculating. He had been too quick to assume that Ruby was just a child. But now that he thought of it, she had spoken of her weapon often. Crescent Rose, she called it. A scythe that doubled as a high-powered rifle. A strange choice for someone who wanted to be a hero.

But he had never seen her fight. She hadn't demonstrated her true abilities, her strength—or lack thereof. If she could prove herself in combat, if she had real potential, then she might be more than just an inconvenience or an obstacle. She could become a useful apprentice, perhaps even one worth training, if her Force sensitivity was strong enough.

I will test her.

If Ruby had the power within her, then turning her to the Dark Side wouldn't just be a solution to this bond. It would be an opportunity. And if she failed to prove herself... well, there were always other ways to deal with weakness.

The more he considered it, the more the path ahead became clear. Vader's expression hardened with resolve. Ruby Rose would either be broken, remade in his image—or she would fall like all the others who had failed him.

Vader exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his decision settle into place. If he were to test Ruby, to see if she had the potential to walk the path he intended, he would need to be prepared. His new weapon, while serviceable, still needed refinement in his hands. It was unlike any weapon he had wielded before—he would have to adjust his techniques, push the blade to its limits to see what it could withstand. And so he resumed his practice, focusing intently on every strike, every stance.

With each swing, he poured more of the Force into his movements, channeling its power to enhance his speed, his precision, his strength. The blade hummed through the air, ringing with a certain resonance that felt almost... alive. He studied it as he practiced, noting the way it resisted his strikes, the angles at which it held or wavered. Slowly, he felt himself syncing with the blade, finding a rhythm that allowed him to flow through movements as naturally as he once had with his lightsaber.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting soft patterns over Ruby's room as she stirred awake. She stretched, yawning as she rubbed the last bits of sleep from her eyes, a sense of anticipation buzzing through her. Today, she was going to see Vader again—hopefully, for more answers this time. Yesterday had left her head spinning, and while he hadn't seemed exactly happy to see her, she could tell there was more he hadn't shared.

Throwing on her clothes and lacing her boots, Ruby made quick work of gathering her things and checking her bag. She'd even packed a small lunch, just in case. After a quick breakfast with her family, she was out the door, her feet already moving faster than usual along the path toward the clearing where she usually found him.

As she walked, her thoughts circled back to the day before. Vader had been... different. Something about him seemed more intense, as if he was wrestling with something under the surface. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that he might be going through his own struggles, things he wasn't ready to talk about.

The familiar path through the forest felt shorter this time, her footsteps light as she hurried along, weaving between trees and brushing past low-hanging branches. Her mind raced, thoughts circling around Vader, his unusual presence, and the mysteries he carried with him. She wondered, too, if she'd finally managed to get past some of the walls he put up. She was sure he needed someone to talk to, even if he wouldn't admit it.

After about an hour, she neared the clearing, the morning sunlight now fully spilling through the trees. She slowed as she approached, her eyes scanning for any sign of movement. When she didn't see him at first, she hesitated. What if he's not here yet? Or… what if he doesn't want to talk today either?

Just as she was about to take a few more steps into the open, she spotted him, standing a little ways off, a faint shimmer catching her eye as he held his blade in his hand. Ruby felt her breath catch slightly—he seemed lost in focus, every move deliberate and measured, his gaze intense on the weapon in his grip. It wasn't like watching her fellow students spar at Signal, not even close. Vader's movements were slower, sure, as if he was testing, measuring each swing.

Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat softly. "Morning, Vader."

He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly before he nodded in recognition. "You're early," he observed, his voice low. "Good."

Vader's gaze shifted to Ruby, assessing, a glint of something calculating in his eyes. "Did you bring your weapon?" he asked, his tone neutral but somehow expectant.

Ruby nodded, instinctively resting her hand on Crescent Rose strapped to her back. "Of course! I never leave home without her."

"Show me," he said, extending a hand.

She unslung the rifle-scythe, holding it in its compacted state as she stepped closer. His gloved hand reached out, and he took it from her, inspecting the details carefully—the craftsmanship, the balance, the modifications. He looked over it with the intense focus of someone studying a rare specimen.

"And now," he said, handing it back to her, "transform it to its scythe form."

Ruby blinked in surprise, but she obeyed, flipping the switch with practiced ease. In a fluid, mechanical shift, Crescent Rose unfolded into its full scythe form, the crimson blade gleaming in the light.

Before she could react, Vader lunged, his weapon swinging toward her with startling speed.

Eyes widening, Ruby stumbled back, instinctively raising Crescent Rose in defense. The force of his strike reverberated through her arms, her muscles straining under the impact as she braced her stance, barely holding the block. "Wha—Vader!" she gasped, trying to steady herself.

"Show me your skill, Ruby," he said, his tone unwavering, almost cold. "Or you will not last long."

Ruby barely had a moment to process his words before Vader attacked again, his strikes unrelenting. Each blow was precise, deliberate, and incredibly powerful. Crescent Rose shuddered under his assault, sending shockwaves through her arms that nearly numbed her grip. She stumbled backward, desperately trying to maintain her footing.

He's… so strong!

She quickly realized that directly blocking his attacks wasn't working. Shifting her stance, Ruby began angling her weapon, letting his strikes slide off her blade instead of trying to meet his power head-on. She deflected the next blow with a twist of her wrists, feeling the impact glance off to the side. It was still jarring, but manageable.

Vader's expression remained unyielding, eyes sharp as he advanced again. His movements were fluid, refined in a way that suggested years of practiced technique. He watched her with an unsettling intensity, his demeanor as cold and distant as if she were some sort of training exercise rather than a person. Ruby's heart pounded, fear and confusion mingling in her thoughts.

"Why are you doing this?" she managed between strikes, her voice laced with both frustration and wariness.

He didn't answer, merely pressing forward with another swing, faster this time. She barely dodged in time, the blade slicing through the air with a low hum as it passed her shoulder. Instinct flared within her, urging her to retaliate.

Ruby lunged forward, Crescent Rose aimed in a determined arc, but Vader deflected her strike with a calculated twist of his wrist. His blade slid across her own in a brutal counter, the force of his strength knocking her off balance. Before she could recover, he struck with the flat of his blade, catching her in the chest.

The impact launched her back, her feet skidding along the ground as she fought to stay upright. A sharp flare of crimson light surrounded her as her Aura took the brunt of the blow, dulling the worst of the impact but leaving a deep ache beneath her ribs. Ruby's jaw tightened as she scrambled to catch her breath, watching him through a daze of pain. She caught a fleeting look of interest in his gaze as he observed her Aura, as if assessing it—and her—for some hidden quality.

But the pause was brief. Without a word, he resumed his assault, closing the distance with an unrelenting intensity. Ruby felt panic surge as he swung again, faster than before. Instinct took over, and she activated her Semblance in a burst of rose petals, slipping out of his reach just before his blade cut through the space she'd occupied. She reappeared a few feet away, breathing heavily, fingers white-knuckled on her scythe's handle.

Vader's gaze followed her movement with a glint of something—approval? Calculation? She couldn't tell. But he gave her no time to think, no time to process. With a silent command, he came at her again, as if testing her limits, watching how she would respond.

As the fight progressed, Ruby started to notice a pattern in Vader's attacks. Despite the intensity and power behind each swing, he was not exploiting every opening she gave. There were moments when she was clearly vulnerable—too slow to recover or too startled to move effectively—yet he chose not to capitalize on these opportunities. Instead, his attacks, while forceful, were direct and predictable in a way that allowed her to anticipate and react.

This realization brought a new understanding to Ruby. He's holding back. He's not trying to hurt me; he's testing me. With this in mind, she adjusted her tactics, focusing not just on defending herself but also on observing him—his movements, his choices. Why would he do this? Was there a lesson he expected her to learn?

Vader's next strike came as a sweeping blow, aimed high and easy for her to duck under. As she crouched, she swung Crescent Rose in a wide, low arc, aiming to catch him off-guard. He stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blade, and for a moment, his posture shifted, as if he was about to launch a counterattack that could end the sparring session. But instead, he paused, his weapon held steady.

This hesitation confirmed it for Ruby; he was definitely pulling his punches. Each attack served a purpose, to push her, to test her reactions, but not to defeat her. Encouraged by this knowledge, Ruby grew bolder. She twirled her weapon, shifting from defensive to offensive, her movements growing more fluid as she adapted to his style.

Her confidence built with each exchange, and she began to push the boundaries of their duel, testing how far she could go. Vader responded in kind, his attacks slightly increasing in complexity but still within a pattern she could manage.

As the duel intensified, Ruby became more adept at maneuvering around Vader's strikes. Her Aura flared visibly with each glancing blow he managed to land, the crimson light pulsing as a protective barrier around her. Though the impacts jarred her, none matched the directness or the force of that first punishing strike. With growing determination, she dodged and weaved, making sure to avoid another direct hit.

Each encounter with Vader's blade tested the limits of her Aura, reminding her of its protective capacity. It became a rhythm: the swell of her Aura absorbing the shock, then her swift counter as she spun away, leveraging her speed. She was learning, adapting to his combat style, which was both relentless and controlled, a methodical application of power that she had never faced before.

Vader, for his part, seemed to be assessing her response to each challenge, his attacks purposeful but measured. Ruby could feel his eyes on her, evaluating, perhaps considering her potential in a way she hadn't anticipated.

In a surge of momentum, Ruby twirled, her movements aligning perfectly with an opening in Vader's defense. With a quick, fluid motion, she swung Crescent Rose forward, and to her shock, the blade made contact. Instead of clashing against an invisible shield of Aura, as she had expected, the edge sliced through fabric and skin. She gasped, nearly stumbling backward as a line of red appeared on Vader's arm where her scythe had grazed him.

For a moment, everything seemed to pause—Ruby frozen with shock, her eyes wide, and Vader halting his motion to look down at the wound. The cut was superficial, but it was clear and stark against his skin.

Then, the air shifted. The brief silence was shattered as Vader's demeanor turned cold, his previous restraint vanishing in an instant. He attacked again, his movements suddenly much faster and more forceful than before, as if fueled by a surge of anger or retaliation. Ruby barely had time to raise her weapon in defense, the sudden intensity of his strikes overwhelming her.

Each blow was powerful and precise, pushing her back step by step. Ruby struggled to keep up, her previous confidence shaken as she realized the change in his approach. This was no longer a controlled test; it felt like a genuine battle, with Vader using his full capabilities against her. She dodged and blocked as best she could, but his aggression was unrelenting, each strike harder and faster than she could have anticipated.

Ruby's breath came in sharp, rapid gasps as Vader's assault continued, each strike pushing her to her limits. Her Aura, once a bright crimson shield, now flickered erratically, the light dimming with every blow that landed. The pain from each impact began to seep through the protective energy, registering more acutely in her muscles and bones.

As the fight wore on, her movements grew more sluggish, the fatigue setting in as her body struggled to keep up with the relentless pace. She could feel her reflexes slowing, her responses a fraction of a second delayed, and that fraction was all Vader needed to press his advantage. Each swing of his weapon was a blur, and she found herself reacting more out of instinct than strategy.

The air around them was charged, the only sounds the clash of metal and her labored breathing. Her mind raced for a solution, a way to turn the tide, but Vader's ferocity left little room for her to mount any effective counterattack. The realization that she might not be able to withstand much more began to dawn on her, a cold, sinking feeling that knotted her stomach.

Ruby tried to rally, channeling what energy she had left into a desperate parry as Vader's blade came down once again. But her arms felt like lead, and her scythe's response was lethargic. She barely managed to deflect the attack, the force of the blow sending a painful jolt through her arms, warning that her Aura was near its breaking point.

As she staggered back, trying to regain her balance, her lungs burned for air, and her vision blurred slightly around the edges. The realization that she was truly outmatched—both physically and in terms of combat experience—was bitter, and her heart pounded with a mix of fear and frustration.

I need to end this, she thought desperately, before I can't fight back at all.

Ruby's footing faltered, the relentless barrage finally tipping her balance. She fell backward, hitting the ground with a thud that knocked the wind out of her. As she scrambled to right herself, Vader loomed above, his blade raised for a decisive strike. Panic flared in Ruby's chest; she knew she had no viable options left.

Her arms shook too much to hold up her scythe effectively, and the pain and fatigue that ravaged her body left her too slow to dodge. Her Aura was so drained that using her Semblance could be catastrophic, likely causing it to shatter completely, which could leave her defenseless and in severe physical distress. As the blade descended, time seemed to slow, her mind racing through her desperate situation.

In that critical moment, with no conscious understanding of what she was doing, Ruby felt a surge within her—a force rising instinctively in response to the imminent threat. Without thought, driven by sheer survival instinct, she extended her hands toward Vader, her fingers splayed.

And then, unexpectedly, Vader was thrust backward. He didn't fall, managing to stay on his feet, but he was pushed back several feet, his attack abruptly halted. Ruby gasped, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at her own hands, not comprehending what had just occurred. She had never experienced anything like this before; it was entirely outside her understanding of her own capabilities.

Vader, however, paused only momentarily, his posture straightening as he regained his balance. There was no surprise on his face, only a cold, calculating look as he watched her reaction.

Ruby lay there, breathing heavily, her mind racing to make sense of what had just happened. "What... what was that?" she managed to stammer, her voice a mix of fear and awe. The world she knew, the rules she understood, had just expanded in a way that left her reeling.

Vader lowered his weapon slightly, observing her with an intensity that felt almost tangible. "That, Ruby, is your true potential," he stated, his voice deep and resonant. "That is the power you hold within you, the power of the Force."

Vader extended a hand to Ruby, who still looked bewildered by the revelation of her unknown power. She took it hesitantly, and he helped her to her feet with an ease that belied his earlier aggression. Without a word, he led her away from the training area to a small campsite he had set up nearby. There, he had prepared some food ahead of time, anticipating that the day's exertions would leave her drained and in need of sustenance.

As they settled at the campsite, Ruby took a tentative bite of the food Vader had prepared, her mind racing with everything that had happened. After a few moments of silence, she couldn't hold back her questions any longer. "What was all that about?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion and curiosity. "What did I just do?"

Vader paused, considering his words carefully before responding. "Yesterday, I sensed a potential in you," he began, his voice low and measured. "A potential that goes beyond what you understand about yourself and your abilities."

He shifted slightly, his gaze meeting hers with a seriousness that made her straighten up. "There is a power within you, Ruby. It's called the Force. It's an energy that connects all living things, and it can be harnessed in many ways, one of which you saw today."

"Remember when you found me in the forest?" Vader continued, leaning back slightly as he gauged her reaction. "You saw me holding that Grimm in the air, crushing it. That was the Force at work. What you did today, pushing me back without touching— that was you tapping into that same power."

Ruby chewed on her lip thoughtfully before venturing another question, a comparison forming in her mind. "It's like a Semblance then?" she asked, trying to fit this new concept into the framework of her world.

Vader regarded Ruby with a contemplative gaze before posing a question, almost as if he was guiding her to a specific realization. "Is it possible," he started, his tone deliberate, "for someone to possess more than one Semblance?"

Ruby, catching on to the direction of his questioning, quickly shook her head. "No, that's not how it works. Everyone only has one Semblance. It's tied to our soul, unique to each person," she replied, certain of this fact.

"Then, considering that," Vader continued, his voice calm but authoritative, "if you already possess a Semblance, what you experienced today with the Force cannot simply be another Semblance, can it?"

"But just because it isn't my Semblance doesn't mean it can't be yours," she argued, her voice rising slightly with her confusion and disbelief. "You're telling me all this about the Force, but maybe it's just your own Semblance. Maybe you're just... different. There's been stories about some Semblances that can give other people speed or strength or things like that."

Vader listened quietly, his expression unreadable behind the stoicism that always seemed to cloak him. Before he could respond, a sudden realization struck Ruby, halting her train of thought. She remembered the moment in their sparring when she had managed to land a blow, her scythe cutting into his skin rather than being repelled by an Aura.

"Wait," she said, her voice dropping as she remembered something. "When I hit you—it cut you. If you had your Aura unlocked, it shouldn't have done that. It should have bounced off, or at least not actually hurt you. And if you don't have your Aura unlocked, you can't have a Semblance either. So, what's going on?"

Her confusion deepened, mixing with a growing sense of being utterly lost. The rules she had learned, the foundations of her understanding were being challenged, and the inconsistencies were piling up, making it harder to dismiss Vader's claims as mere fabrications.

Vader nodded slowly, acknowledging Ruby's deduction with a reserved tilt of his head. "You are correct, Ruby. I do not have my Aura unlocked. In fact, I had never heard of such a thing until I came here."

Ruby's eyes widened, a mixture of intrigue and confusion painting her features. "Came here?" she echoed, her mind racing. "You mean to Patch? And where in Remnant could you possibly have been that you wouldn't know about aura? Everyone knows about aura here."

Vader's expression remained impassive, the hint of a guarded secret lingering just beneath his calm demeanor. "That," he said deliberately, "is a matter for another time. It is not relevant to our current discussion."

Vader's gaze fixed on Ruby intently, as if assessing her readiness for the next step. "Tell me, how did you feel when you called upon the Force? What was that moment like for you?" he inquired, his tone serious yet probing.

Ruby paused, her brow furrowing as she cast her mind back to that intense moment of instinctual reaction. "It was... overwhelming," she admitted slowly. "I didn't really think about it; it just happened. It felt like a rush, like something inside me just... exploded out. It was scary, but also kind of exhilarating."

"Good," Vader nodded slightly. "Now, close your eyes. Try to reach for that feeling again. Feel the energy around you, within you."

Ruby closed her eyes, her expression one of concentration. She tried to recall that surge, that power, but all she felt was the normal flutter of her heart and the usual sounds of the forest around them. After a moment, she shook her head slightly, frustration evident. "I can't. It's not working. I don't know how to find it again."

Vader observed her struggle, then made a decision. "Very well. I will help you," he stated, his voice dropping to a deeper, more resonant tone. He closed his own eyes, centering himself with a deep, measured breath. Then, slowly, he opened himself up to the Dark Side, letting its power flood through him, a stark contrast to the tranquility of the forest.

As he did, the air around them seemed to thicken, the ambient energy of the place subtly shifting. "Feel now," Vader instructed, his voice almost a whisper against the backdrop of his power. "Reach out with your feelings. Sense the Force as it exists around us, through us."

Ruby took a hesitant breath, reaching out mentally and emotionally. This time, something was different. There was a palpable presence, a sort of vibration in the air she hadn't noticed before. It was dark, powerful, and somehow beckoning. She could feel it enveloping her, pulling at the edges of her consciousness.

"Yes, that's it," Vader's voice came again, reassuring yet commanding. "Let it in. Let it guide you."

As Ruby felt the energy swirl around her, a sudden realization dawned on her—it was familiar. This was the same overwhelming, almost song-like sensation she had experienced a week ago when she first stumbled upon Vader meditating in the forest. The dark, pulsing energy that now enveloped her was the same she had felt emanating from him that day, thick with emotion and power.

It clicked in her mind, the memory vivid and clear: the darkness, the raw emotions that had seemed almost tangible in the air around him—anger, pain, but also a fierce joy. These had all poured off him in waves, just as they did now. It was this strange and powerful force he spoke of.

Understanding this connection, Ruby's initial fear shifted slightly towards awe. She could instinctively tell now that she was touching something ancient, something vast and beyond the simple reality she had always known. It was as if she was a small vessel suddenly filled with an immense ocean.

"That's what I felt from you before," Ruby murmured, her eyes still closed as she clung to the sensation, trying to understand it, to mold it into something she could grasp. "That day in the forest... it was you, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Vader confirmed, his voice low and somehow distant, as if his attention was partly on maintaining the connection they shared in this moment. "What you sensed was the Force flowing through me, as it does now. This is the power that binds the galaxy together, and now, you are becoming part of it."

Ruby blinked, her focus snapping back as Vader's words echoed in her mind. "Becoming part of it?" she repeated, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "What do you mean by that? How am I becoming part of it?"

Vader regarded her thoughtfully, his response measured. "Last night, I sensed a potential within you—a potential connected to the Force. It is rare, and it is significant. The Force is not merely a tool to be wielded; it is a living energy that connects all things. When you touch it, when you use it, you become a part of its continuum. You're not just learning to use a power; you're becoming integrated into the very fabric of this energy."

Ruby processed his explanation, the gravity of his words sinking in. The idea that she was becoming intertwined with this vast, mysterious force both thrilled and overwhelmed her.

Vader, internally, felt a twinge of annoyance. He had hoped to guide her more gradually, to reveal the nature of the Force—and the bond it had created between them—in a controlled manner. However, her sudden and unexpected tap into the Force during their training had accelerated things. Now, he was navigating this new reality, careful to manage the information he shared.

He made no mention of the bond, a deliberate omission. Discussing it now could complicate her training, potentially steering her focus away from mastering the Force to questioning the nature of their connection.

Vader's tone took on a more compelling edge as he continued, ensuring Ruby grasped the uniqueness of her situation. "The potential to use the Force as you can is exceedingly rare," he explained. "On this world, as far as I am aware, I am the only one capable of training you in it. This is a path few can walk, and fewer still can guide others along."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over Ruby. She looked at him, a mixture of awe and apprehension in her eyes, digesting the reality of her rare gift and the singular nature of the mentorship offered to her.

Vader extended his offer more formally, his voice resonating with a gravity that underscored the importance of his proposal. "I offer you the opportunity to become my apprentice," he said. "Under my guidance, you will learn how to harness this power fully. You will become stronger, not just as a huntress, but in ways you have yet to imagine. I can help you reach your true potential."

Ruby paused, a practical concern surfacing amid the swell of opportunity. "When you say 'become your apprentice,' what does that mean for my training at Signal? Would I have to stop going to the academy or...?" Her voice trailed off, unsure of the commitments Vader's training would entail.

Vader considered her question, understanding the significance of her current commitments and the life she had known. "Typically," he began, his tone acknowledging the gravity of her concern, "the training I offer would demand a significant portion of your attention and time. It is immersive and rigorous, designed to challenge you on every level."

He paused, gauging her reaction before continuing. "However, since you are currently on break from Signal Academy, it provides an opportune moment to begin your training with me. This will allow you to experience and understand the depth and nature of what I teach. If you find the training to be more beneficial and aligned with your goals, you can choose to continue. It's not about stopping your education—it's about enhancing it, taking it in a new direction that could vastly expand your capabilities."

Ruby's thoughts swirled with the possibilities Vader's training presented, each idea layering over the last with increasing excitement. The prospect of gaining new strengths and abilities was deeply appealing, especially when she considered her sister, Yang, who always seemed a few strides ahead in her own training. Yang was powerful, confident, and capable, qualities Ruby admired and, admittedly, envied a little. The idea of catching up, of standing on equal footing with her sister, was an enticing thought.

"This could really help me, couldn't it?" Ruby mused aloud, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and determination. "I mean, if I get stronger, learn all this... Force stuff, I could really make a difference, like Yang. I could help people even more."

Vader, sensing the shift in her motivations, subtly encouraged her line of thinking. "Indeed, Ruby. The Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... exceptional. It will not only enhance your physical capabilities but also deepen your understanding of the world around you and your place within it."

As Vader spoke, his presence—a conduit of the Dark Side—subtly influenced the space around them. The Dark Side, with its seductive whisper of power and potential, began to weave through Ruby's thoughts, though she remained blissfully unaware of its subtle touch. Her desire to grow stronger, to be more like her sister, and to be a better Huntress resonated with the Dark Side's allure, making her more receptive to the possibilities Vader presented.

Ruby nodded, feeling a surge of purpose. "I want that. I want to learn everything you can teach me," she said, her resolve firming. "If I can become stronger, I can do more good. I can be a better Huntress."

Vader approved of her enthusiasm and ambition, qualities that would serve her well in her training. "You have taken the first step toward a much larger world," he acknowledged. "We will begin your training at once. Prepare yourself for rigorous lessons and new disciplines. You will learn to control and harness the Force, and through it, you will discover your true potential."

Vader watched Ruby's determination with a keen eye, noting the fire of eagerness in her posture and the way her thoughts seemed to race with possibilities. He raised a hand, signaling a pause in their planning. "However, before we commence with your training, I suggest you take the rest of today to rest," he advised, his voice carrying an undertone of command. "Tomorrow we will spar again, but at a more reasonable pace. I will also begin to teach you how to harness the Force."

Ruby's initial impulse was to protest, to dive into training immediately, but she recognized the wisdom in his words. The intensity of today's revelations and the physical exertion had taken a toll, and she knew she needed to be in peak condition to absorb new skills and information.

"Okay, I'll rest. And I'll be ready first thing tomorrow," she agreed, nodding with a mix of reluctance and acceptance. "Thank you, Vader, for this opportunity. I won't let you down."

Vader merely nodded in acknowledgment. "See that you do not," he responded simply, the slightest hint of approval in his tone. "Prepare well, Ruby. Tomorrow, your journey into the Force truly begins."

With those parting words, Ruby turned and left the campsite, her mind alive with thoughts of the future. She felt a complex mix of anticipation, curiosity, and a touch of nervousness as she made her way back through the forest toward her home. The day had been unlike any other, and she knew that everything was about to change.

As she disappeared from sight, Vader stood silently, watching the space where she had been. His thoughts were a guarded maze, considering the potential of his new apprentice and the paths that lay ahead.

AN: And there it is, chapter 10 and the end of the first true part of the story. Expect a bit of a time skip in the story now, though not too far. A few weeks at most.