Blood Isn't Always Red

[grammaticus]

The Rancor was a brutal, violent and straight forward creature. For generations the Sith and other Dark Side Entities had been taming the beasts, using them as weapons of war. Animus respected those warriors, willing to risk their lives to bring the beasts into line, however such profession never interested him. For one, Rancors were always a bit too...small for his own tastes. However, such shortcomings were easily corrected, especially when one was an accomplished Sith Alchemist. A single Bull Rancor had been brought from off world to the capital, and there Animus had experimented on it, before releasing it into a section of the wilderness that was cordoned off by the Imperial military as a testing area.

Animus stood at the edge of the tree line leading into the testing zone, his eyes glancing around in the shadows as Imperial soldiers patrolled the perimeter, several large weapon batteries aimed not at the sky, but towards the forest itself. Experimentation was an important part of discovery, but one could never be too careful. You had to keep science under control. Turning, Animus looked down at his newest Apprentice, regarding him for a few seconds before turning back to the forest.

"Your first test is in there. You are to find the creature within, defeat it, and bring me back proof of your victory. I assume I do not need to tell you what should happen if you fail." His words held little emotion as he stared into the darkness of the forest, his mind already working through the possibilities of what was yet to come.

[member="Darth Doom Destroyer"]

 

[Mike V'Trechen]

Doom was never afraid. If he did, then he showed little of it. He was taught as a child to push his fear down to where no one can see it. He started to walk along a path to get to the Rancor Pit. He decided to enter into the Rancor Pit. Before he went inside, he ignited his training lightsabre. He went in and started to marvel about all of the pictures and hierogliphs on the walls.

 

[grammaticus]

The forest was eerily silent, not a single living creature made a sound, if there were any present to begin with. Shadows covered almost every inch of the forest, with several large clusters of trees seemingly haven been torn from the ground roots and all, and discarded in haphazard piles. Those observant enough would know that something large had moved in that direction, though if the creature in question was crafty enough, it could very well be an obvious trap to lure in unwitting prey. In another direction, several large caves could just be spotted in the distance, large enough to hold a small freighter if landed properly. These caves could pose a threat to the brash hunter, or potentially a safe haven from which to regroup and prepare for the hunt ahead. In the distance, the roar of a mighty beast echoed across the dead forest, encouraging the one who had just entered to make a decision.

[member="Darth Doom Destroyer"]

 

[Mike V'Trechen]

Doom heard a growl sound. He did not realize it until he came face to face with the Rancor. Doom said to the Rancor, "You are a nice creature. You do not want to kill me, you just want to be very nice, right?"

 

[grammaticus]

The Bull Rancor barely paused for a moment before it stepped forward, one of its massive fists rising up and above its head before coming down and slamming into the ground, sending vibrations through the earth in all directions. Debris was caught up in the blast as well, and showered the youth with dirt and broken branches as the Rancor rushed forward, its augmented size and mass seemingly mattering little to its speed as it rushed across the clearing, its pure red eyes glaring at the intruder that dared to set foot in its new domain.

 

[Mike V'Trechen]

Doom jumped out of the way. Without realizing it, he force jumped. Doom was shocked and a little disoriented. He started to think of his actions. Doom decided to let the Rancor try to ram him again.

 

[grammaticus]

The Rancor roared in frustration as his prey got out of the way of his attack. Without waiting the Rancor charged once again, its two massive arms held out to the side to form a crushing grip on its target once it drew closer. At the same time, it began glancing around the terrain, seeing what was there. The Rancor's intelligence had also been increased by the actions of Darth Animus, and even as it prepared to launch its next assault, it began to plan how it would trap its prey, and finish it off once and for all. It would not let this meal escape.

[member="Darth Doom Destroyer"]

 

[Mike V'Trechen]

Doom saw the Rancor and dropped down. As the Rancor started to ram him over, he ignited one side of his lightsabre and it went through the Rancor killing him instantly. Doom turned the Rancor up and over him to get up He started to skin the Rancor. After Doom did, he started to crawl his way out of the cave.


[member="Darth Animus"]

 

[grammaticus]

Animus was silent as he stood at the edge of the forest, rain pouring over him as he stood waiting.

[member="Mike V'Trechen"]

 

[Mike V'Trechen]

Mike started to limp over to [member="Darth Animus"]. Mike was very tired and out of breath. Mike given him the coat that Mike made for him and said, "Woo.. One minute! Here!" Mike passed out. He started to have another flashback of his parent's. Mike wished that they would stop, BUT they would not leave him.

 

[grammaticus]

Animus did not move to catch his Apprentice as he collapsed to the ground. The blood on his clothes told him all that he needed to know. Turning to the nearby Imperial soldiers, Animus briefly pointed down to [member="Mike V'Trechen"] before gesturing towards the forest. "Get him back to his quarters in the government building. The rest of you, head in there and get the corpse. Even in death it can teach us much." The soldiers quickly saluted before moving to carry out his orders. Animus took another second to look at his Apprentice before turning and departing from the scene. His Apprentice was strong, but reckless. He was too clouded by the ghosts of his past to fully step into what he could be. He would have to work on that.