Breakdown

[Darth Morrow]

While many of the Sith began their decent to the dark side semi willingly, some are brought into the mix at such a young age they had never truly been given the chance to decide. Vixen Brakesly Ryder had been one of such people with little to no part in her training being a decision of her own hand; Abandon on Korriban she was forced simply to learn or die, and she was a survivor.

Since masters began attempting to teach Ryder of her natural affinities to the force, she held little to no interest in their words. Her records if any had really been worth keeping would state things such as she'd disappear for days at a time, fights would be instigated between her and other acolytes and of course then there was the general trouble that got old rather quickly. While this girl truly was the embodiment of mischief, it could only be attributed to her skills.

If she hadn't held such a talent in the ways of the dark side, surely at least one of the lords about could have put a harsh stop to the problematic child. However it's always an entertaining game of chase when the child can use cloaking abilities and speed with ease.

Reports of her negligent behavior over the years continued to pile until eventually many had become entirely fed up. It wouldn't be until one day the lords became so fed up the decided either kill her or shove her to something worse than a bit of torture. A request had been sent, a promise of an incredible apprentice should she be broken. [member="Darth Carnifex"] would have been informed the day she decided to start more problems, not like it had been unusual.

--

As the evening droned on a small crowd of acolytes had gathered in a courtyard at the end of day. Most by that time would be on their way to rooming for study, meditation or even just sleep. As the light began to fade from the sky a beautiful orange hue overtook the sky, and Ryder was appreciating it from the top of a high rock with a cigarra in her hand.

"Hey Ryder, you still owe me one of them!"

The girl looked down to view the boy not too far off her own age staring up to her. In truth she didn't even really remember his name, it hadn't seemed too important.

"If I remember correctly you got dragged away during our last fight, don't matter who was in the lead since it was never finished. But if they didn't drag your little carpace away I would have totally ended you. You should be giving me another to enjoy after this one." With a sly smile she chuckled to herself before inhaling another puff of smoke and glancing back to the sunset.

"Yeah right, if you feel so competent come finish it."

Over the months countless fights between her and others had been pulled apart. Generally fighting is allowed, for training that is, not fighting for remains of cigarras and drink that could be smuggled to the acolytes. That they didn't allow.

Putting out the burning end on the rock under her she'd tuck the remains of it behind her ear, jumping down a puff of sand would fill the air and Ryder would land a foot before the boy, having a good few inches over him.

"I don't thinks that's really necessary now, is it." Her blue eyes glowed red for a moment as she stared him down, getting right in his face. A look of pure fear filled his own eyes for a second before he quickly backed off. His mind for those few seconds had been packed with images of Ryder ripping him to shreds, pulling him apart piece by piece. "Go run to your mommy. She'll protect you." A sly grin spread across her lips as she watched the other child start running off quickly.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

A solitary Sith walked along the bridge connecting the landing platform to the larger complex behind him, his three-clawed hands clasped behind him in a rare display or nervousness in his species. High Overseer Tsangu was known by the Korriban Academy as a fierce and unforgiving teacher, no doubt a byproduct of his Trandoshan proclivity for aggression and violence. To many who knew of his reputation, there seemed nothing that could pierce his implacable demeanor.

But then again, none were so intimate to witness Tsangu's reaction when he received a transmission from the Sith Emperor himself.

And that he would be arriving on Korriban within the hour.

The sound of shuttle engines reached his ears long before the sight of the vessel came into view, its predator silhouette casting a long shadow over the High Overseer as he came to a stop several meters from where it would land. Light from the setting Korriban sun cast a red haze over the entire compound, shrouding the Emperor in a red haze as he emerged from his shuttle flanked by two of his intimidating Crownguard. Tsangu bowed deeply in respect at his approach and gestured towards the academy for the Emperor to follow him.

"My Emperor, what an expected pleasssure. We are honored by your presssence." The High Overseer's sibilant lisp and his raspy reptilian breathing was a sharp contrast to the Emperor's clipped and commanding baritone, "You may dispense with the pleasantries, High Overseer. I did not come here to be lauded at every step. I have received multiple reports about a troublesome acolyte who has been giving your Overseers considerable trouble. I would like for you to give me a tour of your facility, and bring this miscreant to me personally."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

It hadn't been long before the area cleared, most acolytes heard of the visitor unbeknownst to them, knowledge that had also been passed to Ryder. Though the young woman really couldn't have cared less. Not as if he'd have any interest in her let alone any other acolyte. That was until she heard several overseers begin their search of her.

With a devilish smile another cigarra was extinguished on the very same rock she sat on before, really all this girl sought was a moment of peace. Unfortunately the day to receive that was not today as she blended into the shadows of the setting sun and melded to be one with the force. She hadn't held a talent in many skills yet, but hiding and causing trouble were perfected to a tee.

Looking up to the skies she paid watch to any unbidden birds or drones as she made her escape to the further outreaches of the compound. Within ten or so minutes they'd realize she hadn't been in her room or the library as she had been instructed, and no acolyte was going to speak of where she usually rested, should they value their sanity.

In truth her hideaway wasn't too far off what many expected, it was just a torturous climb. Up on a farther peak of one of the towering wall of the valley is where she stayed to get a better view of the world around her. Hidden about were stashes of small supplies and perhaps a toy or two she stole for her own amusement; by toys the truth was blasters, knives, and perhaps a few cans for practice. It wouldn't be until she reached this safety she allowed herself a brief moment of pause. Considering she viewed the chances there was no way most of them could track her so far she could relax and watch the sun fade over the horizon entirely. Few specks of purple and red dotted the skyline still as she waited for nights embrace, messing with a carving on a nearby wall.

Yeah let me just go stand in front of the Emperor. I'm sure that would go well. Chuckling to herself she'd use a free hand to light yet another smoke. Really, it was a miracle this girl was still alive at all.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Of course, his arrival would've accumulated a crowd, acolytes and overseers alike prying for a glimpse of the man who had engineered the Sith's resurgence on the galactic stage. For the most part, he paid them no attention, not even a cordial wave at the masses who had come out of the woodwork like roaches. He just continued to press on, letting the High Overseer guide his steps through the academy, through classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, common rooms, and everything else in between and beyond.

Truthfully, he didn't need the High Overseer's direction. When the Sith Empire had taken Korriban, and thus the academy on it, he had taken it upon himself to memorize its layout in excruciating detail. There wasn't any room within the complex that was unknown to him.

It was all for spectacle. Draw the population of the academy out to witness his arrival while his shadow searched the grounds for the child that had made such a mockery of the overseers. Silently and tenacious, it scanned every room and every corridor, moving like a splotch of black ink on the ground faster than one would expect. And when no trace of her could be discovered within the building, then the shadow forced itself through a small crack and onto the academy's exterior edifice.

That's where it found her, the shadow blending into the darkness along the rocky cliffs surrounding the academy. The setting sun afforded it the perfect cover as the sky grew dim and the land was shrouded in twilight gloom.

When it returned to him, the Emperor had already dismissed the High Overseer and stood at the base of the climb the young girl had taken to reach her elevated hideaway. He reached up, fingers finding suitable purchase, and began to climb up the rockface himself. It was an easy task, at least for him. He had spent months isolated on notable death worlds such as Dxun with less than what he carried on him at the present and had learned to survive in nearly every environment.

What had truly saved his life a hundred times over, however, was his ability to do so without making a sound.

So when the over eight foot tall Dark Lord of the Sith unexpectedly vaulted up onto the rock out of nowhere, it was sure to be a complete shock to the young troublemaker.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

The moment he broke the line of sight Ryder turned around in not even a tenth of a second. Placing a hand on the rock beside her she rose to stand without pushing off the ground with any physical force, the waves of force being all it took to lift her body from the surface beneath her. It wouldn't be as though he hadn't startled her, he had, and she managed to keep herself calm, though there was also that ever present grin.

"Lord Carnifex. I wondered how long it would take you to find me. I heard you had arrived and thought to play a game of cat and mouse." Dropping the formal act she placed a blade back into her side holster and bowed slightly.

"I assume punishment will be swift or long and torturous something or other whatever the overseers usually say?" Ryder smiled slightly at her bereavement of them; she had little to no respect for a man who had others do his dirty work, but the man before her was the exact opposite. He led by hand, by force.

The small red headed woman took time to view the form of Carnifex before her, surely intimidating but her own ego still towered very high. Knowing very well she could never win in a fight, she played cards close to her chest though perhaps she could win something from this engagement.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor brushed himself off, dusting away the bits of rock that had accumulated on his clothing during his long climb. In that time he bothered to not reply to or even acknowledge the younger child's words, instead focusing on their surroundings and taking account of every minute detail. One of her toys, a knife specifically, lifted off of its resting place and flew unbidden into his suddenly outstretched palm. He ran his gloved thumb over the flat end of the blade, studying it and feeling its weight in his hands before he let it fall to the ground, the tip burying itself into the rock.

"You are [member="Vixen Ryder"], are you not?" He asked in a very matter-of-fact way, obviously already knowledgeable about her identity. "Your overseers have compiled quite a long list of grievances with your behavior, child. They are quite keen to see you punished for some, if not all, of your transgressions no matter how minor."

Another toy flew in his hand, this time a blaster. It was unsurprisingly simplistic, no doubt something one of the other students had smuggled in. He flipped the safety off and took aim in the distance, but he never squeezed the trigger. Like the last weapon he had called to him he dropped this one on the ground as well, the gun tripping end over end before coming to rest in a little nook nearby. "Fortunately for you, I am not one to bend to the whinings of lesser beings, and so I suspect that you are the same way. You do not handle authority well, at least when it is exercised over you. Unlike many in this academy, you have an exceptionally notable independent streak, a quality not often seen in a Sith until after they leave the title of acolyte behind them."

"Is that a fair assessment?"

 

[Darth Morrow]

The moment a knife few to his hand her own reached to her belt where a small folding knife rested, not pulling it but readying herself to. There was no chance she could ever win a fight against the Emperor himself, however she wasn't about to give him a free win if it came to it. Observing his movements, her hand inched away as he dropped the weapons.

"They see independence as a crime. Expect me to be locked in her and have a sense of self after being treated as everyone else. It's no wonder most acolytes dread leaving their masters." Running a hand through her overdue for another dye hair Ryder's eyes focused on the symbol on Carnifex's forehead for a moment.

"You're right to say I am independent. Though not an idiot. I know who holds power far beyond my own, though when another refuses to use their own abilities and simply tell another to 'handle the situation'. That is rather pitiful."

Contrary to what he seemed to be told, Ryder was respectful when someone earned the pleasantry. He had been informed he was dealing with an entirely defiant, useless and general problematic child. In truth she was partially those things but what she really was better labeled as was curious, perhaps even that she just sought something higher. The general training they offered at the academy had long since bored her interests, her skill level far above most in her position. This was likely what could have caused the behavior.

"I am sure in your youth you were not expected to bend the knee to every passing knight and lord. There are some that clearly don't deserve such titles. Especially some among the overseers here."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Indeed?"

He could indeed empathize with the young Ryder on her predicament, she was superior to most of the other acolytes in the academy and had quickly outpaced most of them in terms of study and power in the Force. The Emperor wasn't so dissimilar in his youth, he had always possessed a mind for accumulating knowledge and had thus moved beyond the teachings of his tutors, always learning more than they had taught him and even becoming more knowledgeable in their fields of study than they were by the end of it.

Carnifex had even become more powerful than his Sith mentor at one point, leaving him behind when he realized that he had nothing more to teach him.

"Who deserves what is irrelevant, all that matters is who has power. But you are correct, I do believe some of the Overseers at this academy have grown... complacent. Evaluations will need to take place to ensure that the next generation of Sith is being taught to the highest standard, I would demand nothing less." The Emperor firmly believed that education and competency would usher in a bright new future for the Sith over the next several generations, which is why he diverted so many monetary resources into establishing academies and temples in every sector of the Empire.

"And as for you, what are your opinions on the Empire as you know it?"

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Taking a moment and choosing her words wisely Ryder thought up a response that wouldn't earn her the death sentence from the pure embodiment of power before her.

"I believe we are not doing all we can to display the level of power we truly have. Opposing powers are getting away with what they'd like and we simply permit it to happen. Some of these leaders need to either be beaten to submission to the empire or annihilated as an example. Your leadership is unmistakably better than former Lords however there are many knights and lords that need to be put in their place as well much like these overseers." She paused for a moment to look at the horizon for a last moment.

"I believe if given the opportunity I'd make a decent example of what these acolytes should be. Perhaps even some of the knights. However here I am forced to sit and take lesson after lesson of basic knowledge that greatly impedes my ability to progress. In all truth I was hoping to get kicked out to progress further on my own."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"A valid observation."

The girl was smart and attentive, that much was true. She recognized some of the failings of his Empire and even had her own solutions to the problems readily available, though it would not be as easy or simple as she suspected. There was a great deal of tradition to upheave and replace to completely reform the academy system, one that had been passed down to the Sith generation to generation with very little deviation in the structure.

It was something worthwhile to bring up to [member="Darth Saarai"] or [member="Taeli Raaf"] in the future, they were both wise and saw things from a different perspective than he.

"Well, I believe that's all I need to know, Acolyte Ryder. So I will pose you a choice. End your education at this academy, forgo everything you once knew and become my apprentice... Or remain here among the mediocre and watch your talent and potential rot away. I will give you a full rotation to decide." And without giving her a chance to answer on the spot, the Emperor suddenly turned and disappeared off of the cliff ledge. Before she could scramble over to the edge to catch another glimpse of the man, he would have already disappeared into thin air.

But now she had a choice to make, one that would alter her destiny forever.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

Forgo everything you once knew.

The girl stayed quiet while he recited his small monologue. Her eyes had been fixated on the darkening sky as she took a few silent breathes and enjoyed the fading heat with the small incoming breeze. Running an idle hand through her hair she thought about what it might mean to "forgo everything she knew". In truth, it wasn't much aside from a few horrid lessons and the one or two people she might have considered associating with. Perhaps she wouldn't have to give up habits at least, for a little while that was.

As he descended down the wall to take off in a hurry, she hadn't even bothered looking back, she knew he'd already have disappeared. Ryder was more focused on the thoughts floating about in her own mind of what the future would hold with either option.

Remain here among the mediocre and watch your talent and potential rot away.

There was little chance it wouldn't happen. Eventually being held here her ability to prosper would shrivel to nothing but a distant dream, her eyes set on being another weak Sith with that dream faded off into the darkening sky of the horizon.

With the sky finally darkened she sat on the edge of the cliff once more and leaned against a rock to enjoy the quiet of the world, the overseers has stopped chasing her, she had nowhere to be; it was peaceful, something she had sought for a long time.

--

The rotation had passed without a doubt in her mind. Later that night she had emptied her room of what little contents she had, said goodbye to her few associates, tossed the remainder of her pack to another, and kept one last ciggara for herself on the rock.

Carnifex hadn't mentioned another place to meet, so she assumed he would meet her where they had met before. Strapping her knives, blaster and saber to her belt she watched the remainder if the light fade from the sky once more as her belongings waited to be carried off a few feet behind her, the last bit of the ciggara beginning to burn out.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"You chose wisely, Vixen Ryder."

The shadow themselves seemed to part to reveal the titanic form of the Sith Emperor, his presence in the cosmic Force completely nullified up until the point of his reveal. Now the darkness flooded out to infect the air around them, burdening it with his malignant taint. "You have now taken the first step into fulfilling your destiny, the sign of a true Sith."

A deep rumble permeated the stone plateau, followed by the distinct whine of a ship's engine as a gargantuan shuttle rose up from the nearby recess in the rock. The starship floated across the nearby cliff before coming to an idle stop near the plateau's edge, a single boarding ramp extending down to allow the Dark Lord and his new apprentice access.

"It is time to take your next step..."

​

​

​

Six Months Later

The Emperor's body was slick with perspiration, his muscles taut beneath the scarred skin as he moved powerfully through the air. In his right hand, he held a meter long blade of dulled durasteel, enough to break the skin on a direct hit but not enough to cause serious damage to the muscle and other tissue beneath. The durasteel had been infused with Devaronian blood-poison which was excessively agonizing to the touch, let alone if the poison entered the bloodstream.

It was with these weapons that master and apprentice sparred with.

Ryder's task was to land a blow on her master within an hour, and if she accomplished this task then she would be allowed a request of hers to be fulfilled. But nearly forty minutes have passed and she hadn't managed to land a single hit on Carnifex, the Sith Lord's control over his own body enabling him to avoid her every attempt. In contrast, he'd smacked her several times with the flat end of his blade, leaving her skin rashy and bursting with painful welts.

"Should we end practice early, apprentice? You don't appear to be any closer to achieving your goal than you were when we started."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

In truth, she hadn't even really considered what she wanted if she had beat him. The things the man was capable of granting could be endless. A new body more powerful than anything she could ever dream of, a minion of undying loyalty all of her design, weaponry that could far outmatch anything any challenger would ever present. But she hadn't thought of these things.

No, her mind had been so focused on the stinging pain that filled her mind and body as she did everything she could to land a simple blow on her opponent.

"I might not be capable of landing a blow, but surely giving up is no solution." Swinging the blade with clean motions, the girl attempted to land a strike along Carnifex's right shoulder. "We only grow better with practice, no?" The sound of pain dripped from her tone, though she had done her best to keep calm. Welts spread across her arms and shoulders.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"True enough, apprentice. You have learned well."

The Emperor twirled his blade, catching Ryder's own and deflecting it away from his body. He then proceeded to swipe at her body, again with the flat end of his blade rather than the sharpened edge. "But you still have much left to discover." He countered another attack by his apprentice, again smacking it aside as he reached out with his left hand. The air shimmered out from his palm as he sent a concentrated cone of telekinetic energy out through the air to connect with Ryder's body. The force of the impact carried enough weight to send her sprawling across the floor for a good three meters or so.

"Recite to me the strongest of the Exiles who founded our order, apprentice. Then tell me which one of them became the first Dark Lord of the Sith and how." His words were accented by a menacing flourish of his blade, his stance proud but alert.

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

She thought for a moment as she collected herself off the hard floor beneath their feet. With her head spinning there was trouble bringing the information to mind, perhaps she didn't know it at all; really she wasn't sure which was true.

"I can't say I have the answer." Bracing herself for a harsher attack, she leaped to her feet holding the blade in hand. "I would say I was never taught the answer, though that blame also falls on me."

Before he had a chance to attack, Ryder made one more swing at her Master, knowing the attempt was futile, she wasn't going to simply allow herself beaten to a pulp. Plus, she had finally decided what she had wanted.

The emperors form was created for his purposes, I want a form of her own. Not made for strength but for durability. The genetics of Shi'ido, Caprine, Keshiri and Epicanthix all in one single body. Shi'ido for their shifting abilities, Caprine and Keshiri for base look and survival, Epicanthix to keep others out of her mind.

These thoughts all came to her in about half a moment as she saw the next strike coming.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"A failure that I will soon rectify."

The Emperor again caught his apprentice's blade, catching it in the groove of his own before a flourish of his wrist sent his apprentice's weapon clattering away. He held her by the point of her sword for several seconds before he lowered the weapon, indicating that their bout was now concluded.

"I sensed the thoughts on the periphery of your mind, apprentice. You want your own body made for you."

It wasn't too uncommon amongst his apprentices, often they had seen the wonders his custom-crafted body had done for him and wished to emulate his techniques. The last time he had done so was for the body of Darth Morrow. Her body had been severely damaged in a bout with the Lady Imperia and required immediate transferrence or else she would remain a cripple the rest of her life, and so the Emperor had acted on his own accord to save his pupil.

Ryder was different. This wasn't out of necessity, this was out of want.

"Elaborate on your desires, apprentice."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

She wasn't surprised he had picked up on the desire. It wasn't very well protected or fortified. With a sigh she acknowledged the end of the fight and began explaining.

"Well, simply put, the form of a human is weak. My parents were weak, the body they created was weak, and thus there are the limitations of power I can ever reach, physically and mentally. While I'll never take a body for granted, this one simply will hold me back once I reach a level of progression."

Her mind thought back to the scrawny good for nothings she was often given a description of as her parents, the slight hatred burning in her core for their very existence at this point, however she was created thanks to them.

"My body is a half breed of two weak races. I wish to test the power of a body crafted for my abilities. I am not strong, nor do I intend to ever rely on it. Though having something with more access to it than my fragile frame would do all the better. I am not meant for direct attacks, I acknowledge that, though I am built for ambushes and surprise, its what I have always been good at."

Taking a moment to think to herself, the girl separated the races she had thought best for a moment for this creation and began to figure the entirety of their uses. Shi'ido were good at blending in, tricking others into thinking they were something else. Caprine were strong and rather beautiful, while they aren't exactly the most intelligent, they had other bolsters to their worth. This combined with the additional power of the Keshiri genetics would make an excellent base if she ever needed to fight or got caught, thought she was hoping it would never come to that. Finally, as many were aware, Epicanthix, a piece of genetics often used in the emperors own form in order to bolster his mental resistance, something Ryder so desperately needed.

"I understand power comes from how hard a being may train, however, there are limitations to ever body and race."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"A Sith overcomes adversity, my apprentice. When the body fails, the mind remains a Sith's sharpest tool. Though I would normally reject your request, I can sense that you would serve the Sith better given a more suitable conduit for your potential." Indeed, he could envision his apprentice as a powerful Sith Lady, leading the armies of the Empire against its enemies with uncompromising ruthlessness and brutality.

She would be a valuable instrument in the eradication of the Jedi.

"Return to your quarters and await my summon, apprentice. I will prepare the reagents for your ascension, provided you survive the trials I will lay out before you." He wasn't about to hand over this powerful key to Ryder's potential so easily, she would have to claw for every scrap he was prepared to offer. The tribulations ahead would strengthen her resolve and determination, and prove to the Sith Emperor that his apprentice wasn't just looking for an easy path to power; that she deserved to receive his gift.

"And should you fail, know that your fate will be little more than food for my pets. You are dismissed."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​

 

[Darth Morrow]

With nothing more than an added nod she got up and made way to her quarters. During her time there she spent most of it reading the accumulating collection of novels and journals stacked in every corner of the small quarters, including now starting to pile on the foot of her own bed. Peering over some of her own physical notes as well on the history of the Sith.

Time began passing rather slow as she made it to her third novel of the night, running her hand through her half dyed hair and blinking tired blue eyes. Idly wondering when her trials would begin Ryder shifted her focus to the information she failed to know during the fight earlier.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor sat in his private study, scribbling down notes on a simple sheet of flimsiplast as the hours dimmed from darkness back to light as Bastion's sun peaked over the horizon of the continent-spanning city. Around him were mounds of tomes, datacrons, and tightly bound scrolls dating across the many eons of galactic history. Several pillars lined the outer wall, each one capped by a humanoid skull coated in a reflective metallic substance. Trophies of the Emperor's many campaigns, taken from those whom he deemed to be his greatest challenges in each battle.

Jedi Masters.

Mandalorians.

Military Commanders.

All had a place in the Emperor's menagerie of trinkets. One of them, however, stood out among the rest. It was vaguely humanoid but disfigured with grotesque partly canine features as if it was mid-transformation between one form or the other.

The most striking feature, however, was that the skull was coated completely in a thin layer of beskar.

Placing the stack of flimsiplast down on his desk, the Emperor rose from his seated position and strode towards the study's exit. He had been mulling over exactly how he planned to test his apprentice's strength and cunning in preparation for her transition to her new body, which was currently in development in his gene labs below the palace's main structure. Several trials had been concocted within his mind, all that remained was to decide which ones to include and how exactly to implement them.

"Summon the apprentice Ryder to my throne room," the Emperor commanded to his guards, "Inform her that her trials are ready."

[member="Vixen Ryder"]​