You Must Be Strong As A Tyrannosaurus

[J3C0]

Mierin nodded slowly. So he was exerting some amount of control, but was it because of the fear of pain, or because he wanted to learn to stop himself. Likely it was far more the former rather than the latter, but either was good in truth.

She slowly began to circle him, a predator animal stalking its meal.

“I see.” She said softly. “The rage. It bubbles within you. It burns your flesh. It calls you to destroy and dissect whatever lays before you.”

None of what she said was a question, simply statements of facts. She could feel the hatreds flow throughout him, and she could feel him become more and more anxious as time went by.

But it was not yet full control.

 

[Mantorok]

As she circled him his eyes followed her, which was easier to do when your eyes were situated upon the sides of your head. Funny really, monocular vision had an association with prey animals, rather than the predators. Apt for the moment. Of course, this was a clear-cut case of reptilian biology but let's not dampen the metaphor here.

“I AM RAGE,” he conceded in his typical rumbles, snarling and snapping all the while.

It hadn't subsided, his entire being trembled with the fury that ran through him. Mantorok was fighting against his own nature and it was difficult, he could barely hold on, but as she said:

He would try, and try until he mastered his own anger, or until Mierin lost the remnants of her patience and killed him.

“IT IS WHO I AM.”

 

[J3C0]

“Use it.” Mierin said calmly. “Guide it. Do not waste the rage that you feel.”

The Darkside of the force flowed around Mierin, she tried to show him, she tried to create an example for him. Raw emotion flowed through her, the darkside swirled within her, and the force seized her entire body. Her voice became distorted, changing as the reverberations of the force threatened to tear her apart.

“Think before you act, then. Unleash the hate.” At its most primal state, the act of a Sith teaching an apprentice was creating your own killer. Of course in the One Sith such a thing had mostly been discontinued, yet at times the Dark Lord would allow a powerful apprentice to kill their master, though only if the Master had failed in some way.

She wondered if it would be so with Mantorok, or rather...the parasite within.

 

[Mantorok]

Use it.

It was difficult to understand, still difficult to comprehend but one didn't pick up the finer elements of the dark side in a day. Well, some did but usually in an ill-written and cringe worthy manner. We don't play it like that, there's a struggle, time has to pass, you have to learn, absorb, grow!

However Mantorok tried, he observed her as she played with the fabrics of the Force, an example of the control of emotions that was required to be a decent Sith. Admittedly it made him somewhat nervous, as if were standing next to a generator upon the edge of catastrophic meltdown feeling the malicious energies swirling and sparking. He wanted to take a step back, yet he didn't.

The higher concepts of it all still struggled to permeate his understanding, he tried to think, still sitting on the bounds of control and chaos.

“I DO NOT KNOW HOW. YOU ARE TOO QUICK.”

Thank the Force for that worm, huh?

 

[J3C0]

Mierin let out a sight. The worm couldn't grow fast enough.

She let out an impatient sigh for a moment, and then she turned to regard the lizard, stopping her pacing around him. Of course most people would have simply lashed out with an attack of the force, struck out with their natural instinct of lightning and power. For a moment she waited, doing nothing until her hand clasped shut.

“So speed yourself up.” She said simply. “You'll never be able to match me, not yet. But you can go faster. Let the force flow through you, let it take you, let it strengthen your muscles, your tendons, your bones. Let the Darkside take you.”

She began to thrum slightly, her skin vibrating and resonating as the force flowed through her. She tried to show him an example.

Stupid lizard.

 

[Mantorok]

At least she spelled it out for him.

Said plainly Mantorok could understand. The Force could strengthen him, bolster him like no stim before him. Yes, yes, that was it. Exactly the comparison needed. Stimulants. He had used before of course. Battle, alacrity, stamina, strength. Stims were a mercenary's best friend if who you worked for was wealthy enough to supply them.

He could imagine that the dark side of the Force was like the ultimate stim, packaged with hatred and rage that had the potential to be compacted into a shot that was the ultimate physical and mental boost. That was how the Chistori understood it, and with understanding could come learning.

Of course, given that the control was so shaky his fury had to be trickled through his system inch-by-inch, being that the reptile would have exploded if he tried to boost himself so suddenly. Like fire in his veins he felt it trickle through. It was raw, dangerous, explosive even.

The ultimate stimulant.

Mantorok suddenly burst, moving forward with more speed than he was usually capable of. No clawing, no biting, but rather he moved to shoulder tackle the Sith, hoping to catch her spear the red woman to the ground.

Hey, he's not perfect. Brute by nature.

 

[J3C0]

[member="Mantorok"]
Mierin had expected speed, and the lizard had brought it. He dashed towards her, and The Sith Purebloods eyes popped open all of a sudden. She tried to move out of the way, tried to dash just in time. Unfortunately Mierin was not quite the master of speed Shara had been, and as the raging monster came at her, she was only able to sidestep the half of him.

His body struck her, glancing her to the side and throwing her against the floor, though not beneath him.

She flew to the floor, smashing her head against the heavy rubber mats and bouncing up slightly. Rage and indignation spiked through her, only slightly obscured by a feeling of pride. She lashed out with the force, throwing a massive wave of energy towards Mantorok to once again toss him against the wall.

 

[Mantorok]

Success.

Quite great success too. Usually for an Apprentice to even achieve a glancing blow upon their Master was fairly impressive, although being their Mierin was a smart woman it wasn't likely that the same sudden charge tactic was going to work again.

Mantorok found himself thrown backwards, slamming against the bulkhead once more with a vicious clang. Not quite the polite impact of the rubber mats there, but hey, he was a hardier fellow.

For a moment it interrupted his flow, his concentration.

Getting back to his feet the Chistori released a snarl in her general direction. He had to gather himself again. Reign it all in. Control was hard. Progress isn't instant. He wasn't the archetypal Sith Apprentice but he was trying. Shoot up that stim. Mantorok stomped forward this time, seemingly charging at her once more. Didn't he learn?

Maybe.

Just before reaching her the large lizard opted to dive down at her legs instead, trying to knock her off her feet once more by barreling through her knees.

 

[J3C0]

Though the Chistori was ready with an attack, Mierin saw him coming this time.

He had been clever in the way he moved, but Mierin was more weary now, more cautious. As soon as she saw him dive Mierin jumped into the air, leaping over him and landing on the ground back where he had started. She whirled around in an instant, drawing her lightsaber and igniting the blade. She whirled the thing across the room, taking no regard for Mantoroks safety.

After all, if he couldn't dodge this, he didn't deserve to live. Worm or no.

“Good!” She yelled to him over the whirling sounds of the blade, encouraging him to attack more and more. He was learning, slowly, but he was learning.

 

[Mantorok]

Sadly there were no knees to hit with the chop block as she leapt over his diving attack.

The snap-hiss of her lightsaber came into play as he swiftly got back to his feet, he whirled around just in time to catch the Pureblood throwing the blade across the room like a boomerang.

Even instinct was right about this one, and the brute dropped to the ground onto his belly with immediate effect. Hey, when you're as tall as that you've got to be aware that ducking just isn't enough sometimes. It's not worth getting a little off the top, you know, you need the top, that's where the brain is.

He though that perhaps stealing her weapon and using it against her might have been a sound tactic to employ, and on the lightsaber's journey back into the grip of the Master the reptile scrambled up into a crouch reaching up to try and snatch the deadly twirling weapon out of the air.

But something stopped him, his arm refused to reach any higher and lightsaber spun harmlessly over those reaching digits. Thank you, Mister Worm. Likely saved a claw or three there.

Standing up to his full height, he charged again. Brave considering how easily his life could have been ended her blade. Or perhaps stupid given he was practically unarmed besides what nature gave him. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. He stood with his back bent and arms out, as if he was ready to wrestle and once close enough attempted to dash at her to close the gap, reaching out to grab both of her wrists.

 

[J3C0]

Mierin didn't let the brute touch her this time.

Her head was already swimming and she couldn't let herself get hit again, her pride would not allow it. What she could allow however, was to give Mantorok a small victory, a tiny win that would make him feel better. As the lightsaber returned to her palm Mierin instantly deactivated the blade, placing it on the moving hissing belt.

Then she flashed to the side. He moved to the left of Mantorok and caught his foot with her own, she tripped him, pushing him to the ground and pinning him in place.

“Enough.” She said, hopefully halting his advance.

He had learned a measure of control, and that deserved a reward. Mierin was pleased with her apprentice.

 

[Mantorok]

How caring, giving her Apprentice a small victory. Was this sentence sarcasm? Ah, you'll never know.

This time she got him, using her methods of momentum to trip him and send him crashing onto the ground. Hey, Chistori weren't made to fall with grace, rather slam with power, cause a rumble in your jungle, if you know what I'm saying. Innuendo? I don't know, maybe.

It was another training session over, this one with some real progress in there. Mierin had managed to push the concept of channelling rage into the blunt mind of the reptile, and he himself was almost content in the fact that he'd managed to hit her, even if it had been with a glancing blow.

Mantorok relaxed, letting his anger try to naturally dissipate, if Chistori could do such a thing. She relented, no longer pinning him to the ground and he stood, nodding briefly with a huff of his nostrils.

 

[J3C0]

She let out a long satisfied smile, seeing that the Chistori at least attempted to relax.

“You have done well.” She said almost silently, as if she was lost in thought. “However, you fight as a savage still. Biting, gnawing, gnashing, clawing your way to victory.”

It was not meant as an insult. These tactics worked well against opponents like Soldiers and mercenaries, but when fighting a Sith or a Jedi, they simply would not do. A lightsaber would like through him like butter, and a skilled user would kill Mantorok before he could even land a claw. “You have progressed enough for me to teach you to wield a true weapon of war.”

She didn't say lightsaber, after all, there were many options available to them.

 

[Mantorok]

It wasn't a statement that offended him.

When you're equipped with the weapons of nature it made sense to use them. Fighting with literal tooth and claw was one of the most satisfying things to do in the world of combat. It was you, you were actively destroying your enemy, rending flesh from bone, snapping tendons and tearing muscles. It was so deliciously personal and primal.

Although, he wasn't just a savage. Like most mercenaries Mantorok was versed in the world of blasters, opting for a rifle rather than a pistol. Bigger is better. Thug logic.

However the prospect of a new weapon was one that practically made the Saurian salivate. Anything that could aid the fury, the destruction.

“WHAT KIND OF WEAPON?” he queried, not knowing if she meant a lightsaber or something else more suited to his in-your-face charge-you-down style of fighting.

 

[J3C0]

Mierin waited for a moment, letting the atmosphere sing within the room for a moment. The choice that Mantorok made here would be an interesting one. He could go with a standard lightsaber, or he could utilize a more unique weapon.

The One Sith had access in full to the tools offered to them by the Yuuzhan Vong. Amphistaffs, Hydra Staffs, Tsaisi Magnus. The living weapons that Tsavong and his company created. As a Hand of the Dark Lord Mierin could acquire an example of all of these for her apprentice. The choice was his in what he wanted, a lightsaber, or something more...versatile.

Mierin used two of the weapons. One of the unique Hydra Staff's, and then her own lightsaber.

“One you may use to fight the Jedi. One that is resistant against Lightsabers.” She paused for a moment as her Hydra Staff loosed itself from her spine and slid up her hand and into her palm. “There are many choices.”

 

[Mantorok]

There was a growl, and a tilt of the head as the Sith went on to further explain weapon choice, as he observed her staff come to life. He was used to dealing with blasters and vibroblades. Not living weapons that slithered and crawled. The sight of it caused the Chistori to stiffen.

Although in the same breathe it piqued his curiosity.

Something that could make him deadlier. A weapon that could hold up against those blasted glow sticks. The way they sliced through his scales already made him uncomfortable, but if he could counter that. Yes. Yes. Stronger. Better.

This was a whole new world of weaponry, and Mantorok was far too unfamiliar to make a solid judgement regarding what should be his weapon. There's no shame in asking, I mean, she's already been kicking your arse five ways from Friday. “WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND, MASTER?”

 

[J3C0]

She mused for a second.

“A lightsaber will be too small, and too elegant for you.” The words were not meant as an insult, but simple truth. A single one handed blade was far too smooth for Mantorok, far too simply. He would need something more...brutish. “A Saber-staff perhaps?”

The Sith Pureblood began to wander around her apprentice once more, inspecting him and watching him.

“No no. That wouldn't be right.” A saber-staff would be too defensive, the weapon was meant as a distraction until one could lash out more easily. That would not do for Mantorok, someone who was always on the attack.

“Perhaps a Hydra Staff.” As she said the words two of the heads from her shoulder lifted themselves and hissed. “No...too complicated.”

As she waltzed around him, thoughts swirled in her head,

 

[Mantorok]

She rattled off weapons that by and large Mantorok was unfamiliar with.

He knew of lightsabers, of course he did, Mierin had been gradually slicing him up with one for the past few weeks and well, he wasn't that dim. However, saber staffs and hydra staffs summoned no prior knowledge for the reptilian creature. Of course, the face that her living weapon actively responded to the words hydra staff really gave what that mystery prize was.

The Chistori clenched his fists, almost becoming impatient at the way the woman was rattling off weapons that he shouldn't use instead of listing ones that he should. He remained completely still however, the placement of his eyes making it easier to trace her predatory movements around him.

“THEN. WHAT?”

[member="Darth Mierin"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Mantorok"]
“An Amphistaff.” Mierin said finally.

“An inelegant weapon, but a very effective one.” She purred the words. Yes an Amphistaff would be perfect for Mantorok, deadly in more ways than one, and above all adaptable. Mantorok would fare well with one of the snake like staffs. “The living staff the Yuuzhan Vong use to such effect. Pliable, sharp, and deadly. Perfect for you I think.”

Getting one would be more difficult.

Titan Industries bred them in droves, and it was true Mierin had access to where they were created, but they would have to find one that selected Mantorok, just as he selected it. That process was slightly more difficult than one might think, though she was sure they could manage it.

“Come.” She commanded as she turned away from the training field and headed out the door.

 

[Mantorok]

Amphistaff?

Thankfully Mierin had the foresight to describe this weapon further for the Chistori. Huh, it turned out that beyond the blasters the bashers and the blades there was a whole world of weaponry out there that had eluded him. Not that he would complain, of course. Weapons led to violence which was the perfect cure for rage, or cause, potato potato.

“YES?” the excitement was very clearly held in those roars.

Like a dutiful dinosaur he followed Mierin out the door and onwards to...well, onwards to where? He didn't know, presumably to acquire an amphistaff but as he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box the Chistori just cut the crap and decided to ask.

“WHERE ARE WE GOING?”

[member="Darth Mierin"]