Need for Speed (Darth Ophidia)

[Asajj]

Abandoned Jedi Academy​

Tython​

​

"Finally off Coruscant for once..." Asajj spoke to herself as she stared up at the the ruined academy left by the Jedi. From the outside little remained to show it's former beauty, but that was obviously not what she was here for. The academy in it's prime had many obstacle courses and testing areas for their students, and although the place was sacked by the Sith, much of the internal structures still remained. What better place to practice something than over the corpse of Jedi culture?

She had suggested the place be the next meeting point for her and her master, Darth Ophidia, since there was already a particular skill she had in mind to learn. The ability to enhance one's speed through the force was something Asajj could benefit greatly from, especially with her small stature. Inside the academy there was once a course where Padawans tested their acrobatics, speed and movement; no doubt most of it still remained in some form. However, it was only an option, and however Ophidia felt was the best way to teach it, Asajj would agree.

Speaking of which, she turned around and looked out in the forest.
She's going to appear out of nowhere again...

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Tython - Darth Ophidia had not visited the planet much before, but her apprentice had made a sound request when asking for training there. Force Speed was one of the first skills the Rattataki had practiced under her own master, and Asajj's father. It was also a hallmark of the Sith Assassins. Ophidia had positioned herself within the ruins of the old Jedi Temple and sat in meditation. Feeling her apprentice nearby, she sent out a sensation through telepathy. Not a word, but a sensation. She left something of a trail between herself and Asajj, curious on whether or not the girl would pick up on the trail.

She had positioned herself on a piece of rubble in the main entrance of the temple, hardly difficult to find, yet not obvious upon entering. She was revelling in the residual anguish left after the Jedi's defeat, right where she sat. If one were to look, there were probably still skeletons of dead younglings strewn somewhere. As her apprentice -hopefully- would come closer, the alluring sensation would become stronger and clearer.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj sighed as her master did not come from nowhere, as she was expecting. Surely she wouldn't be late, she seemed quite the punctual person on their first meeting. It was then she felt it, a little feeling inside her. Her eye twitched slightly as she looked around. Something was there. She hadn't developed her force senses specifically, but her natural affinity thanks to her bloodline had helped somewhat in improving them. Distinguishing between light and dark feelings was something she could just about do, but anything more detailed or specific was beyond her current ability, however she was relieved when she worked out the signature was not a Jedi.

Making her way towards the main entrance, the scent grew stronger. Whatever it was, it was prospering upon the remains of pain and suffering around the temple, she could feel that much. It was only when she reached the main entrance itself was she strongly drawn to look to the rubble on her right. There, looking as ominous as ever, was her master.
"Playing hide and seek are we now?" Asajj smirked, then looked around at the temple walls. "Like the place I chose? Thought it'd suit the lesson."

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Isn't that what we always do? Hide and seek."

She opened her eyes and looked at her apprentice. While they had once appeared pale grey, they were now red like burning embers among ash. Something stirred deeper within the light-deprived ruin of a Jedi Bastion. Something large, snorting out air and moving uncomfortably. The Rattataki stood up from her seat of rubble and took a few steps towards her apprentice.

"You chose well, both in location and in lesson. Force Speed is a very important skill to know, and I will teach it to you like your father taught me."

Looking at Asajj, she estimated that she herself had been about the same age when she was taken into the Sith Assassins and given training by Darth Ferus. How long ago was it? 5 years? No, 7 more like. It felt like only a few months had passed since she left her mercenary band at the age of 17. Now at 25 she was a Lady of the Sith, a Darth, and her master's flesh and blood stood before her, an apprentice. She broke from her musings with a smile as her left hand extended towards the darker parts of the building.

"Come with me, Asajj."

Keeping her left hand extended, Darth Ophidia glided over the broken stone floor of the academy until she reached a once grand door, opening into an elongated courtyard. The rubble had been set up in a circle, containing many makeshift hinders to get over, under and around. One would have to be careful as bent iron bars protruded from the duracrete blocks like grasping fingers. To make matters worse, something followed behind them, just out of sight. Something less than human.

"Do you carry any weapons?"

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj had nothing to say at her master's first point, it made sense and there was no rebuttal to be had. As she tried to listen to what Ophidia was saying, she couldn't help but feel odd again. Another feeling, but this time further away. It was odd, but maybe it was just the fact that this whole place seemed to give off darkness, what with all the slaughtering that went on. Not for one minute did she think anything else was near them. Returning her attention to Ophidia, she just about caught the question.

"Just my dagger really... Why?" She raised an eyebrow in confusion. This was meant to be a lesson on speed, not combat. Unless...
A quick glance behind her gave no answers, but still something was bugging her. What could it be?

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Then I suggest you start running, dear."

Ophidia smiled and kept her eyes to the front. Something large approached them from behind; a large, shaggy creature with fierce horns and an unnaturally stiff gaze. It stomped the ground as it walked closer behind them, then presented its head-mounted weapons.

"The lesson is simple. Outrun the Uxibeast, or he will run you down. Feel the force and run it through your body. Let it empower you, and you may live."

Fear, anger, pain, panic. Passion fueled the Dark Side, and would in turn fuel Asajj's Force energy. If she could not outrun the Uxibeast, then she was not worthy of being an apprentice. How her father would take this, she did not know, but she was ready to stake her life on her apprentice's ability. They would both die if she failed, but Ophidia knew she wouldn't.

"Remember: Peace is a lie - There is only passion. Through passion you gain strength. Use your emotions, feel the passion. Now run!"

She had the huge, shaggy herbivore under mind-control, but could only direct it loosely. Beast-taming was not within her repertoire of skills. However, Mentalism got her far enough down the way. They would simply have to slaughter the beast after, and a knife would not do much against it. With a roar, the beast charged after Asajj through the ring.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

She knew it! Well... she'd thought it. There was something else, and it didn't look happy to see her. A beast she'd heard of, but never encountered before, and now it was charging straight for her. Without hesitation she broke into a run towards the makeshift obstacle course. Vaulting over a piece of rubble brought her into the ring, yet a second after she'd cleared it the beast smashed through, it was picking up speed at an unbelievable rate. Asajj on the other hand would be trampled in seconds if she didn't speed up.

Sure enough, the emotions she needed came quickly. Fear was the most prominent, and it gripped her as if holding the reins of a steed. She ran knowing that one slip up or any loss in speed would result in her horrific death, something she definitely didn't want right now. Faster, she had to go faster. The force flowed through her, and as it did she grabbed hold of it, bending it to her will. Fueled by fear, she charged forward, the force propelling her legs to move faster than they'd ever done before. However, it wasn't as simple as just running anymore. Constant obstacles tested her agility. Blocks of fallen stone and rubble lay haphazardly in her path, causing her to vault over or weave around them. One such layout forced her to slide along the floor, narrowly passing under an arch-like arrangement of rock. The beast was not hindered by anything, merely smashing through towards her.

The ring was coming to an end, a wall infront of her, but she had an idea. She kept going, as if trying to run through the wall and of course the beast followed. It was only when she reached the wall did her course change. Still empowered by the force, she planted her foot on the wall and propelled herself upwards, performing a backflip to land behind the beast. Unable to steer clear fast enough, the creature slammed in the wall, causing it to cry out in pain and spin around. It was dazed, but only more angry now. Yet again she found herself running, and the beast soon followed again.

How much longer could she keep this up for? She wasn't quite sure...

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Ophidia was impressed with Asajj's agility, she was quickly picking up on how to gain speed from the Force and how to use it in rough terrain. However, she would have to run quite a bit more, as the Uxibeast would not be satisfied or discouraged. With a little touch to its mentality, Ophidia helped it orient itself after Asajj and withheld it for only a split second before letting it fly off after her.

It's massive form knocked aside or simply crushed the rubble in its path and Ophidia wondered why they were't running in a circle. To her it seemed like the easiest way to keep it behind her without being pinned. Of course, the apprentice's little wall-trick was impressive.

Breathing quickly, the shaggy beast chased Asajj once more, its horns pointed forward to gore the apprentice and its feet ready to trample. Nothing could stand in the way of the rage-fuelled monster. How longer would she have to run from it? Until Ophidia no longer found it amusing, most likely.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

More and more rubble, obstacles for Asajj but nothing for the beast. She needed ways to keep her direction changing without losing too much speed, she had to stay ahead of it. As the chase continued, one idea came to mind. Coming up on her left was a sloping pile of rubble, perfect for her plan. Running to the rubble, Asajj launched herself off it's side, flying suddenly to the right while the beast when straight on ahead, hitting nothing but the air she had previously occupied. Landing took a mere second, and then she was on the run again. Once more she had outwitted the creature, forcing it to take precious seconds to turn around and rebuild it's charging speed. By the time it had, she was already ahead, having got the hang of increasing her speed at will.

Maybe now was the time to start thinking of a plan to be rid of the beast, but she knew it would take some time, it was quite obviously strong. To her right she spotted a weakpoint in the ceiling, cracks where stone had luckily not fallen in the initial destruction of the temple. However, it was on the other side of the ring. Keeping her force-aided speed up, she made a beeline for it, while her pursuer followed.

"Hope you're having fun..." She muttered to herself, thinking of Ophidia...

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The the shaggy pursuer almost tipped over as it trued to turn, which delayed it even further. It rushed after Asajj, but seemed unable to catch up, and it was growing weary from lugging its heavy body around. Ophidia found that the beast's rage was getting harder and harder to rekindle. It would seem Asajj had not only outrun, but was about to out-endure the Uxibeast. Ophidia made no effort to redirect the beast, but found herself amused by the turn of events. She kindled its fury to a new height and tried to reinvigorate its body through a bond of the Dark Side. It would make for one last charge as it set after Asajj. Ophidia appeared to be cleaning her nails, but she was watching all the time. Internally, she was not nearly as calm as she appeared to be. She had grown to be quite invested in her apprentices, however, not overprotective.

Spoiler

Though this method is amusing, it's also difficult to make much interesting posts. Sorry if they become rather brief.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj put all her effort into her speed, determined to make this final stretch. A quick glance backwards helped judge the distance between them, and despite the beasts difficulty in keeping up, the gap for her idea was going to be very small. The end of the ring was coming up straight ahead, the broken roof nearly right above her. She sped underneath it, putting herself a good few meters ahead of it in fact, before turning around to face the beast. It roared as expected, increasing the ferocity of it's charge as it finally had it's target locked down. That was until Asajj raised her hand, channeling the force around the loose parts of the ceiling, then thrust her fist downwards, bringing rock down with it. The creature was right where she wanted it, and a result the heavy boulders collapsed straight on it. Initially the beast was trapped, yelping out in pain as it tried to free itself, but another fall of debris squashed it's head into the floor, silencing it for good.

A sigh of relief came from Asajj, but she couldn't rest yet. The sound of crumbling and cracking still echoed from above; it seemed like her plan had disturbed the structure of the area around it. More rock began to fall, but this time in large chunks that threatened to flatten her instantly. If there was a time for speed, it was now. Empowering herself with the force again, she sprinted to safety, barely escaping a gruesome death. Only when she reached Ophidia did she stop, and the sounds of falling stone finally came to an end.

"Master..." She breathed, slightly out of breath, but not as much as she thought she would be after such an exercise. "You were watching, right?"

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"I am always watching, my apprentice."

She turned to Asajj as she came running with force-enhanced speed, having picked up on it quicker than Ophidia had expected. The Uxibeast she had made chase Asajj around was effectively crushed under the rubble, and on her way back she had been able to dodge many a dangerous situation. Ophidia was impressed, yet again. The crumbling ceiling threw dust up in the air, but Ophidia waved a hand, making a wave to push the dust-cloud back so it would not intrude on their conversation.

"You did welll, Asajj. Once you know how to strengthen your speed, you may also use the same knowledge to give yourself greater strength. I imagine it will come in handy considering your weapon of choice."

She was thinking of Asajj's chaingun. While they had perhaps not fought much side-by-side, she had seen the big shooter laying around. She had not initially planned to involve this in the lesson, but some times she would simply had to think on her feet. How indeed would she show it? Her eyes glided over the rubble of the area and her lip curled into a small smile.

"Come with me, and I will show you."

Smooth as only a Makashi practitioner could be, she glided over to the rubble.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj resisted the urge to question the phrase that could have come across as worryingly creepy. Instead, she focused on her talk of gaining strength through the force. Such an ability wouldn't be her focus, but it would definitely be useful. Maybe she'd finally be able to lift her prototype rocket launcher...
"I try my best." She replied to her master's praise, something she would never get enough of in it's rarity. Excelling in things was always in her nature. Perhaps it was her bloodline, or just a natural talent, but the force had always come easily.

Once her master moved, so did she. Along the way she noticed the fluidity of Ophidia's steps. Makashi influenced that, no doubt, but other than serving the purpose of reminding her of Ophidia's main form, it also gave her an idea. The next lightsaber form on her list to learn? Makashi, of course. However, she tried not to let her mind get too far ahead, right now was the time for strength.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

What she had meant by the words was of course that by becoming Master and Apprentice, a bond was forged. This was as true with Sith as it was with Jedi. She could feel her apprentice more clearly than others and as they spent more time together, it would grow stronger. She could not help, but watch how her apprentice performed.

"Strength has never been my main focus, but I have found myself in situations where, without it, I would have perished, or worse: Fail."

There was a clear indication in those words, linked to Ophidia's personal philosophy: Success or Death. It was better to die than fail in ones mission. Only the best were fit to call themselves Sith. A life without the ever-looming presence of a sudden demise was no life for a Sith. After all, peace is a lie, there is only passion. She folded up the sleeves of her robe before stepping over to one of the largest bits of rubble. Channelling the Force through her body, she steeled her flesh. The rubble stood as tall as she, and far greater in girth than the slender woman. She clenched and unclenched her fingers before crouching down and gripping the rubble with both hands. Then, she stood up, raising the rubble over her head with a grunt of effort. It was heavy, very much so. Yet she held a mass greater than her own over her head. With a bit more strain in her voice, she spoke again.
"Of course, I could always use Telekinesis, but some times you simply don't have the time"

She swung the rubble down and into the ground, smashing it into three equal pieces. Ophidia clapped the dust off her hands and wiped some sweat from her brow.

"Phew, what a workout. Go on then, remember what you learned and give it a try."

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj's powers were only in their initial growing stage, little did she know that their was an actual force bond between them. In time she would notice it, but for now it was but a hint in her senses. The words spoken by Ophidia showed alot. She already knew it was a do or die world in the Sith, but just how far her master saw that through was starting to become clear. However, her thoughts on the matter were cut short as she watched the almost unbelievable display of strength.
"Woah..." She gasped quietly, before realizing it was her turn.

Moving over to a slightly smaller piece of rubble, and hoping Ophidia wouldn't notice her purposeful choice, she grabbed hold of it's sides firmly. Allowing herself time to prepare, she began channeling the force into her muscles and body, strengthening them as best she could. Once the lifting began, the rock felt like it weighed much less than it physically should. She could hardly believe what she was doing, but did her best not to be distracted by her awe. Of course, she realized she couldn't quite pull off what Ophidia had done by holding it over her head, but the essence of the power was there. Without the force, lifting the rubble would have been impossible, no doubt about it.
"It feels... weird..." She commented, before grinning randomly. With a hefty swing, she attempted to throw the rubble across the ring. It didn't go as far as attended, but still it crashed into another pile, breaking into chunks by the sheer force. "It's... great... Although could do with improvement..." Yet again, it was never good enough for herself.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Improvement, yes. Skills can always be improved. The day you think you know it all is the day you fail as a Sith."

She nodded in agreement to the throw of the smaller boulder. With another feat of Force-imbued strength, she bent down and picked up one of the three pieces her big boulder had broken into. Then, balancing it on one hand she grinned and tossed it towards Asajj.

"Apprentice, catch!"

It was not too strong a throw, but the boulder would still pin her down if she didn't catch it in time. Considering how close they stood, telekinesis would be more difficult than enhancing her own body. This was one such instance where strength came in handy. This, and dealing fatal blows with a lightsabre. She was curious what form Asajj would choose, as Ophidia did not know of Asajj's silent choice. Any form had instances where strength could be useful, some more and some less than others.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

"Hey!" Asajj shouted in surprise as the boulder came towards her. Quickly channeling the force into her muscles again, she caught the rock just in time before it smashed right through her. Her catch was nowhere near elegant, she nearly fell over backwards, but nevertheless she stayed on her feet. After sighing with relief, she threw the boulder aside, letting it crash into another pile of rubble.
"Almost had me there..." Asajj smirked, bypassing the roughness of her catch. "Two powers in one session, you're quite the teacher. I'm sure I'll be slinging people around in no time, maybe even be called 'Darth'." This time came more of a subtle smile. twisted in her own way. The thought of power yet again drove her, but there was no worry of it consuming her. Atleast not yet...

"So, that it for today?"

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"You have a long way to Darth yet, but perhaps one day you will prove yourself worthy. There is one more application of augmenting one's body I would like to show you"

She picked up one of the bits of rubble and threw it between her hands before tossing it up into the air. As it came down, Ophidia enhanced her body with both strength and speed to deliver a vicious kick to the falling rubble. It looked like it would hurt, and it did. However, the concrete was nearly pulverised as her leg smashed through the dense material and stopped at a near vertical angle. Calmly, she let her leg down and looked at Asajj once more, a wicked smile on her lips.

"If you can time it right and land an enhanced blow on your opponent, you can break bones and fracture skulls."

After dusting off her leg, she clasped her hands behind her back and gestured with her head for Asajj to follow. Again with smooth and elegant steps, she walked back to the main entrance hall where they had met before the lesson. Watching her apprentice, Ophidia had decided it was time she was put to the test and made useful to the One Sith. It was time she came with her on missions.

[member="Asajj"]

 

[Asajj]

Asajj watched the display, her mouth slightly open. So much she could do with one basic ability, it was quite impressive. The words 'break bones and fracture skulls' interested her especially, but she managed to contain an evil smile. As Ophidia made her way back to the entrance so did she, trailing alongside her with a quick glance back to the mess she had caused. "I think next time we should do something less... accident-prone?" Her voice had a hint of sarcasm. She wanted danger and death more than anything, but she'd rather they happened to her enemies instead of herself.

"Inventive idea though, sounds like something Dad would think of..."
Yep... He had a thing for putting his student's life on the line.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]