Chapter 7: Felling a Darth and Ancestor

Zash's office

Naruto and Khem walked into Zash's office. Zash was reading something on a datapad when she heard them enter and put her datapad down. "Not a moment too soon, apprentice. Tell me you were successful. Tell me we have what we need to destroy Skotia." She said.

Naruto smirked as held the neutralizer in his hand. "One cyborgs worst nightmare. As requested."

"Fantastic. Then the time to do the deed is now. Skotia is in his chambers as we speak. Be ready, for even with the power you have over him, he will be a frightful sight." She cautioned. Khem had other ideas.

"The little Sith and I will feast." He drew a hand across his throat in the universal 'kill' gesture.

Zash smiled. "Quite. Set your nerves of cortosis; turn your fear into hatred. Remember, Skotia stands between us and glory."

"Do you know what you must do?" Zash asked, wanting to make sure he knew the plan.

Naruto answered, "The Trandoshan's, once seeing the relic we recovered, should stand down and not assist Skotia. Then we use the cyber neutralizer to disable his cybernetics, making him an easier target."

"Such knowledge and foresight. I am proud of you, Naruto." Zash beamed with pride. A noise came from her wrist, probably a schedule alert of some kind. "Well now. I'm due to make an appearance at the Nexus Room Cantina. Meet me there when your done , my dear apprentice."

"By your will, master." Naruto said as he respectfully bowed.

Skotia's office

Naruto and Khem waited for a few minutes until she had left the Citadel before Naruto Force Cloaked both of them and they snuck into Skotia's office, closing the door behind them.

Upon undoing the Force Cloak, one of the Trandoshan's spoke, "My master, the soft-skinned one, the toy of Zash approaches."

"I see." Skotia answered irritably. It was bloody obvious that Zash's apprentice approached him. He sometimes wondered why he put up with these stupid Trandoshan's.

"What you have us do, my master?" The other one asked.

"Nothing, yet. What makes this slave so bold as to enter my chambers? Tell me, slave, are you insane or do you have a death wish?" He asked snidely.

"Definitely mad." Naruto grinned, "If you think this is bad, you should see my other personality." Skotia was not phased at that, and instead laughed.

"Skeesk?" He addressed.

"Yes, my master?" The Trandoshan asked.

"Kill him." Skotia ordered.

"It will be our pleasure, my master." He began to advance on them, and Naruto calmly pulled out the relic. They jerked in surprise.

"I'm your master now." Naruto stated.

"The tablet! It has the tablet!" Skeesk was in shock clearly.

"Skeesk, my brother, what should we do?" The other asked.

"It has the tablet, we must obey." Then they bowed to Naruto, and turned around to face Skotia.

"Heh, clever. Zash must have stayed up many a night to think of that one. I suppose you'll be sending them away now. Or maybe you'll order them to kill me?" He still didn't seem phased. It seemed to Naruto that Zash was right. The guards were probably for show.

Naruto addressed his new servants and ordered. "Kill him."

They charged him as one. Skotia stood from his desk and with a sweep of his hand, Skeesk was thrown aside, smacking into one of the pillars, Skotia Force Choked him to death. The other was Force Pushed into the wall, his neck breaking from the impact.

The cyborg jumped over his desk to face Naruto.

"You shouldn't have done that. The bodyguards, they're nothing. Show. But you subverted my authority, took my slaves from me. And that...makes me angry." The cyborg snarled, clenching. "And killing you will be over too soon." He paused then, seeming to think. "No, I think you're going to have to suffer first."

Skotia's aura and eyes glowed red, a visible sign of Force Rage and leapt into the air towards Naruto, drawing his lightsaber.

Naruto pulled out his red lightsaber he got from Zash and blocked the attack. He thought briefly about using Makashi but quickly squashed that idea. Skotia, with his artificially enhanced strength, was the worst type of opponent for a Makashi wielder to fight. So, Naruto decided on Djem So.

"Me? Suffer?" Naruto smirked as he held Skotia there. "You must have me confused with a normal apprentice!" Skotia didn't see Khem approaching until the Dashade had backhanded the cyborg into the wall.

Naruto advanced quickly in a dash, his feet barely touching the ground, and swung his lightsaber down at the cyborg's head. He blocked it with a grunt. He shoved Naruto back and swiped at his stomach, which Naruto parried. Naruto sliced Skotia's neck, but Skotia blocked with a vertical guard. Skotia used a falling Avalanche Strike, which was basically swinging the lightsaber down with two hands as hard as one could. Naruto did not attempt to block it, instead used his superior foot work to maneuver out of the way. Naruto then tried to end it by stabbing Skotia in the chest, but Skotia parried him.

They traded blow for blow for a good 30 seconds, but Naruto had to switch to Soresu, and even then, slowly gave ground. For all of Naruto's strength, even when enhanced with the Force, was slightly weaker than Skotia's artificial strength when enhanced with Force Rage. The deadlock was finally broken when Skotia swung again at Naruto's head and Naruto ducked. Skotia used that momentum to sweep down and trip Naruto onto his back.

Naruto quickly rolled to the side as Skotia brought his lightsaber down. It pierced the metal floor where Naruto had just been. Naruto rolled backwards and flipped to his feet. Khem rushed at Skotia and slammed his fist into the cyborgs face. Naruto took the opportunity to pull out the cyber neutralizer.

Before he could use it, Skotia Force Pushed him into a wall. Naruto fired one round while he was flying but it missed Skotia. During the momentary distraction, Skotia punched Khem 3 times in the face, before he Force Pushed him into a wall. Naruto aimed the neutralizer again and almost got a shot off.

But Skotia Force Choked him and Naruto dropped the weapon. He sent a blast of his red lightning at Skotia and the cyborg was forced to block it with his lightsaber, canceling his Force Choke, while Khem attacked Skotia again. Naruto gasped for air as Skotia knee'd the Dashade in the stomach, before chopping his neck, somehow knocking the mighty Dashade out.

Skotia and Naruto glared at each other. Skotia Force Pulled the neutralizer to him. Naruto also exerted a Force Pull on the Neutralizer. The Neutralizer was suspended in midair as both struggled for dominance. Their continued struggle caused them both to skid back a few feet. Their struggle continued until finally, the neutralizer was pulled in half, and the release of energy it caused knocked both of them off their feet.

Naruto cursed himself as he pulled him his feet. He was careless with the neutralizer, now it his victory was not certain.

"Hahaha!" Skotia laughed darkly as stood up. "Oh, now I see what the plan was! You planned to neutralize my cybernetics with some kind of localized electromagnetic pulse, did you? You are not the first to try to use something like that, slave. And you won't be the last."

"What did you do to my Dashade!?" Naruto demanded angrily as he activated his red lightsaber.

"He's unconscious. His strength and talents are wasted on you. He will prove a better servant to me once I kill you." Skotia taunted. "And once I'm done with you, I'm going to torture your beloved master until she begs me to kill her."

"RRRAAAAAHHH!" Naruto roared in rage as he leapt into the air and slammed his lightsaber down on Skotia. He managed to block it, but even while under the effects of his Force Rage, he found himself being overpowered.

"What!? Impossible!" Skotia exclaimed. With his cybernetics and Force Rage, he should be having no trouble overpowering the boy. That's when he realized what was going on. Naruto's already enhanced strength was further enhanced with the Force like last time. And the red glow in younger man's eyes. Naruto was using Force Rage! Naruto normally didn't need to use his dark emotions to help him fight his battles. It made him a raging berserker and that was no good for a Makashi master. His skill with a lightsaber and Force Powers were normally enough. But now, with Khem down and the neutralizer destroyed, he was at a serious disadvantage, and needed to pull out all the stops to win.

Luckily, no one could hear what was going on, because Skotia's offices were soundproof.

Naruto's attacks resembled a flurry of blades as Skotia managed to match his speed but was pushed back slowly until his back hit the wall. Furious that a mere apprentice was getting the better of him, he unleashed a Force Scream, and Naruto had to break his assault to put a Force Barrier. Skotia's kicked Naruto in the stomach as he let the barrier down, which sent him into the air, but Naruto flipped around in the air, landing on his feet, and quickly unleashed a powerful two-handed Force Push, sending Skotia crashing into the wall.

Naruto Force Sped over to Skotia and delivered a Falling Avalanche Strike on him, which the cyborg blocked from his kneeling position. Skotia forced Naruto off and managed to get to his feet before he was immediately assaulted again by Naruto's brutal, rage-powered Djem So. Once again, Skotia was forced to use Soresu as Naruto's vicious assault forced him back.

Naruto tried an uppercut to knock Skotia's lightsaber out of his hands, but the cyborg deflected the blade, and spun to regain position near the hallway to his inner office. Naruto brought his lightsaber down on Skotia's with one hand, which was blocked, before spinning around, his twirling lightsaber meeting Skotia's two times, before Naruto finished his spin and sliced at Skotia's chest, which was blocked. Naruto swiped at Skotia's legs, which was parried, before swinging to decapitate the cyborg, though Skotia managed to block it, and force Naruto's blade to the side. Skotia stabbed at Naruto's chest and Naruto parried him. Skotia grabbed Naruto's free hand before he brought his blade down. Naruto brought his blade up and defended himself in the awkward position. Naruto blasted Skotia with a quick burst of red Force Lightning, forcing him off and allowing Naruto to regain his position.

Naruto's storm of strikes and slices fell upon Skotia and forced him through the narrow hallway that lead to his other office. Naruto's enraged swipes struck the walls of the narrow hallway, causing sparks to fly. Naruto and Skotia locked for a moment and Naruto maneuvered it out the way, slicing one of the many databanks that lined the walls of his office.

Naruto finally managed to twist the lightsaber out of Skotia's grip, and send it the ground and brought his lightsaber down in a one-handed overhead strike. But Skotia punched Naruto in the face, breaking his nose. Skotia grabbed Naruto's lightsaber hand with one and wrapped the other hand around his throat and began squeezing. Naruto used the force to resist his squeezing while he brought his lightsaber free hand up to the right side of Skotia's face, placing it on his cybernetics, and blasted him with red Force Lightning. The blast caused the cybernetics in Skotia's face to smoke, and his cybernetic eye exploded outward. Skotia pulled back as he shouted in pain, and held the right side of his face. He pulled his hand down to recall his lightsaber to his hand as Naruto got back to his feet, showing that there was blood pouring from where the cybernetic eye used to be.

Skotia's back was to the hallway leading back to the first office as they traded blows so fast that a normal human wouldn't have been able to follow. After a few seconds they both stabbed at each other, their blades in a deadlock. Skotia and Naruto pulled their free arms back and thrust them forward, each Sith using a powerful Force Push. Both of them struggled for dominance, the room shaking as they did. Naruto managed to overpower Skotia and sent him flying back through the narrow hallway and into the first office, his back hitting the wall.

Naruto Force Sped through the hallway and leapt at Skotia in rage, bring his lightsaber down on cyborg. Skotia got up as Naruto came down, narrowly avoiding his opponents lightsaber and bringing his own lightsaber down in a slash. The cyborgs lightsaber struck true, slicing through Naruto's lightsaber that was gifted to him by Zash. Naruto tried to backtrack and pull out one of his other lightsabers as Skotia stabbed at Naruto. Naruto tried to dodge, and Skotia's lightsaber lightly grazed Naruto right arm on the outside, leaving a horizontal cut. Skotia slashed diagonally, his lightsaber cutting Naruto from his left shoulder to his lower right rib, before cutting him again from lower left pectoral to upper right pectoral. Skotia then Force Pushed Naruto into a nearby pillar and stabbed toward his heart.

For Naruto, time seemed to slow down as Skotia's blade was inches from ending his life. 'Not enough time!' Naruto thought as he couldn't dodge it or pull out another lightsaber with it this close. He brought both hands up and cupped his right hand around his left, and channeled as much Force Energy as he could into both hands in a desperate attempt to deflect the blade.

What happened next, neither opponent could have predicted. Sparks and smoke began to come to life from the point where Naruto's hands and the point of Skotia's blade met. Skotia was in disbelief and anger. Naruto was desperately using all his power to stop the blade, but he slowly felt his strength returning and the pain from his cuts lessen. Naruto had managed to catch the blade.

"Impossible!" Skotia breathed. 'Damn that Zash!' Skotia thought in rage, 'To think she would pick an apprentice that had the potential to use that skill!'

Naruto slowly pushed the blade back, before he wrapped his left hand around it and forced it further away from him. Skotia, roaring in rage, punched Naruto in the face with his free hand, causing the blonde's head to turn sideways as blood flew from his mouth. Skotia tried to punch him again, but Naruto caught his punch with his right hand. Naruto groaned as he pushed Skotia's fist back.

Then Naruto slowly spoke, taking several breaths between his words, "Thanks...for giving me…an opening!". Skotia realized too late what Naruto was doing as the blonde roared as he transferred the energy he was unknowingly absorbing from Skotia's blade and converted it into his red Force Lightning, which he poured through Skotia's metal arm, using it as a conductor, as he blasted cyborg with the red Force Lightning. Skotia roared in pain and Naruto roared in anger as Skotia was blasted with Naruto's most powerful Force Lightning. 10 seconds later, and explosion occurred between them, and Naruto flew back.

The explosion woke Khem up. Naruto slowly picked himself put, using his Force Healing to heal the damage done to him. The ground where Naruto and Skotia had been and several feet around it, as the desk, were burnt black. It was then that he saw Skotia.

The Cyborgs entire left arm, as well as the left half of his chest and abdomen had been blown off. Blood and oil trickled down the sides of his burnt body.

"Well...done. Zash...chose you well." Skotia breathed as he fell to his knees. "But you…are so…blind. Think of…how many years…she's wanted my death. Once you're…no longer…useful, she will…kill you…too."

Naruto grunted as he pulled Skotia's lightsaber into his hand, and ignited the red blade, before position himself in front of the kneeling robot. "If she ever makes that mistake, she will fall. Just like you." With that said, Naruto chopped off Skotia's head.

Naruto stared at Skotia's corpse for a few moments. He was thinking about how close he had come to dying. The last time he been this close to dying, was against Sasuke. 5 years since his last, true near-death encounter. In the end, part of him felt like he still lost the fight. He only won because of some new ability that he managed to discover during the fight and the momentary distraction of Skotia that he used. But he was alive. He could get stronger. 'And next time, I will win because I was truly better.' He swore to himself silently.

"Little Sith," Khem said, snapping Naruto out of his inner monologue. "You won a great victory today."

"Yeah, but I barely pulled it off," Naruto said. He turned to Khem and said, "Let me heal your injuries."

Naruto healed Khem's injuries up, then he turned them invisible with Force Cloak as they snuck out. But before he left, Naruto made sure to pick up the pieces of his master's lightsaber and take Skotia's lightsaber as well. He also got rid of any evidence that he was there.

Nexus Cantina

1 hour Later

Naruto and Khem walked into the cantina, though Naruto covered himself in a black cloak to hide his injuries.

All around him, he heard laughter, bigotry talk, and people having a good time. Naruto went up to the 2nd level of the cantina and spotted Zash, sitting in the corner at a table with an older human woman with graying brown hair, and a human male with darker brown hair and an overabundant beard. "Well, when I heard that she ran off with a Mandalorian I was scandalized. Just scandalized!" She sounded disgusted.

"A Mandalorian! Does nobody value Sith blood these days?" the stupid male said. Naruto scoffed quietly as he stood behind his master.

"I know, I know. Don't you think so, Zash?" the old woman said, rudely not addressing Zash by her proper title.

Khem said out loud, "These prattling creatures call themselves Sith? The legacy of Tulak Hord is lost." Naruto smirked at his words and agreed with him. He was just saying that these Sith weren't true Sith. Just a bunch of whining children.

The two humans glared at them but Naruto didn't avert his gaze from them. Zash looked behind herself and smiled at him with amusement. "I'm sorry, will you excuse me? I need to have a quick chat with my dear apprentice."

The old woman glared at Naruto one last time then turned her attention to Zash. "If you must." Then she turned to the pathetic human male. "Now as I was saying..." Her voice trailed off as Zash, Khem and Naruto walked away to a private room to get some privacy.

"Thank the Emperor you've arrived." She sounded so relieved that it made Naruto smile. "It doesn't matter how much one drinks, these parties are just dull dull dull! I hope you've come to cheer me up."

"I have dismantled the machine." Naruto said simply. Zash chuckled.

"He's dead then? Excellent." Naruto felt better at the praise. "You have performed magnificently, apprentice. None of this would've been possible without you."

Naruto got a little nervous as he told his master, "But I have to be honest master. We almost did not pull it off."

Zash took notice of his nervous expression and grew a bit concerned. "What is it, Naruto?"

"There is a reason I'm walking around in a cloak. I can't cover up my wounds." Naruto said as he took off his cloak, so Zash could see the cuts in his armor and on his arm.

Naruto then proceeded to tell her every detail about the fight, from turning the Trandoshan's onto Skotia, to the moment when he blocked his lightsaber, and when he chopped off Skotia's head after blowing off half his body.

"Tutaminis," Zash said in wonder as she looked at Naruto's hands and found they were not injured.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"Apprentice, what you used to catch Skotia's lightsaber is a rare ability called Tutaminis. It's an extremely rare ability that allows one to draw potentially harmful heat or electrical energy into their bodies and diffuse it or channel it away completely. In addition to deflecting energy weapons, this ability can eliminate the harmful effects of other energy-based Force powers such as Force lightning. With additional effort, after absorbing a blaster bolt or Force power, the user could utilize the absorbed energy to heal his or her wounds or manifest other Force powers." Zash explained before going on.

"Very few Force users can use it, and even fewer have such talent with it that they can catch lightsabers. In fact, Satele Shan is the only other force user alive that can currently use this skill."

"You're not angry?" Naruto asked uncertainly as held the pieces of the lightsaber she gave him. "I mean, yeah I took Skotia's lightsaber but this was gift from you and it's ruined now."

"Naruto," Zash said soothingly as she rubbed his face affectionately, "While I'm a bit disappointed that my old weapon was destroyed, it is only a lightsaber. It can rebuilt. My apprentice's life though? Not so much."

She pulled her hand away and said further, "And don't worry about the armor too much. I'll have a few more sets commissioned for you."

Naruto smiled in relief but that was soon cut short. A sound went off on Zash's holocom interrupted the playful banter. She answered it.

"Lord Zash." An older man said.

"Darth Thanaton! I'm honored." Zash said. Was it just Naruto or did her voice have a hint of sarcastic mocking behind it?

"Uh, yes...I'll...just let you two chat." Naruto said as he made to walk away.

"Don't go anywhere just yet, apprentice. This call won't take long, and I have some further instructions for you." She informed Naruto. He nodded and took a couple steps back. "As I said, my lord, I'm honored, but why call me?" She asked innocently.

"You have nerve, Zash. Nerve. But I thought you were smarter." Thanaton stated with a hint of anger.

"With all due respect, Darth Thanaton, I don't know what your talking about." Naruto had to admit, Zash was an amazing actress. If he hadn't killed Skotia himself, he might not even believe that Zash had anything to do with it.

"Don't play ignorant with me Zash. Skotia's dead and you killed him." Thanaton accused angrily.

"Skotia dead? That's the first I heard of it. When did this happen?" Zash mockingly asked.

"Just an hour ago, Zash, and you know it. Did you think I wouldn't notice with the ruckus caused by Darth Jadus's death? What did you expect to gain? His position? His title? You know it doesn't work that way. Where's your discretion!" He accused.

Zash raised an eyebrow. "Discretion? I've been at this party for ages. I admit I may have had a few drinks, but I'm fairly certain I haven't murdered anyone." She defended herself perfectly.

"Zash! I don't want to have this conversation over holo. Report to my chambers in the Citadel. Now!"

Zash wasn't phased what so ever. "Yes, Darth Thanaton. It will be my pleasure." She replied in sweet innocent tone. She signed off and turned her attention to Naruto.

"He doesn't know, does he?" Naruto asked nervously. "He couldn't possibly know. I made sure to clean up any evidence that I was there."

Zash noticed his reaction and placed a finger on his lips to silence and calm him. "Shh Naruto. You did wonderfully. You played your part perfectly, now it is time I play mine. Don't worry about a thing. Take a few days to relax and recover, then meet me in Darth Skotia's chambers. If all goes well it will be my new office. We did it, apprentice. I'm so proud of you."

1 hour later

Naruto's apartment

Naruto and Khem walked into the apartment that Naruto owned on Dromund Kaas.

"There's a couple guest room's if you need a bed. I usually keep a fully stocked fridge, and there's a training room next to the living room. I'm gonna catch some sleep." Naruto said to Khem.

The Dashade then walked off to find himself a room.

Naruto, with some difficulty, pulled off the armor on his upper body and looked in a mirror. The scars, thankfully, were only light scars, it doesn't change the fact the he had them now. Sighing, Naruto walked to his locker.

This locker had many security features. It had thumbprint scanners, genetic locks, voice activation, blood tests, eye scans and 9 digit code. Plus, it was made of Mandolorian Iron and the inside was lined with Ysalamiri leather. The Mandalorian Iron was so a lightsaber could not cut through it.

The Ysalamir were small lizards that were native to the planet Myrkr. Thousands of years of evolution and being hunted by the Force-Sensitive predator also native to that planet, the vornskrs, caused the lizards to develop the natural ability to repel the Force. Ysalamiri did not actually negate the Force; since all existence was infused with Force energy, this would not be possible. Rather, they projected a bubble inside which users were unable to exert any influence over the Force. A bubble produced from a single Ysalamir lizard measured up to 10 meters in diameter. Now, the leather made by these creatures, Naruto found, when attached to an object, actually made that object immune to influence by the Force. So, this was the perfect locker to store his most prized valuables. Like Marka Ragnos's holocron.

Naruto pulled it out and sat on the bed. "Well, let's see what new tricks I can learn."

Next Morning

Naruto sipped on a glass of milk and slowly ate his food as he read the news. Apparently, while he was fighting Skotia yesterday, a terrorist who called himself The Eagle blew Darth Jadus's capital ship. Pieces of it fell on Kaas City and everyone was in a panic. Darth Jadus was also apparently among the casualties. Naruto also read that he was to be replaced by his Daughter, Darth Zhorrid. He saw a picture of her and briefly if her father had given her that cut along her mouth, as a way of dehumanizing her. Naruto also read that Lord Grathan's wife and son was killed roughly the same time that he and Exal were in there.

Naruto thought about something then pulled out his holocom to call Exal.

She came up on the Holo-call. She showed relief when she said, "Thank the Force you're okay. When you didn't call yesterday, I started getting worried something happened."

Naruto was touched by her concern. "Thank you, Exal. I appreciate the concern, but I am alive."

"Anyway, I believed I promised you a dinner date and since I'm obviously alive, well…" Naruto trailed off.

"Thankfully, my master doesn't have anything special planned for me, so I have time." Exal said with approval.

"6 pm, I'll pick you up and we'll have dinner at the Yozusk Steakhouse." Naruto said.

"I'll see you then." She promised with a smile. She sent the coordinates for her address as she hung up.

Later that Night

Naruto pulled up to her apartment as she walked out. Naruto looked at her appreciatively. Instead of being clad in her usual battle attire, she was in long black and silver dress with a slit on the left leg, complete with black high heels.(For visual image, look up "Celestial Black and Silver Wrap Maxi Dress Lulus".) She had a black purse that probably carried one of her lightsabers.

Naruto himself was in a black suit and shoes, and white longsleeved dress shirt underneath his suit and a silver tie.

"You clean up nicely, Uzumaki." Exal complimented with a smirk.

"You're looking fabulous yourself, Kressh." Naruto complimented back. He extended his arm out like a gentleman. "Shall we?"

Exal smiled and took his arm as they got in the taxi that was waiting for them.

Yozusk Steakhouse

30 minutes later

"This steak is great." Exal sighs as she ate her steak made from a Yozusk with Naruto chuckling a bit at her reaction.

"I told you it was pretty great." While continuing to enjoy his Gundark chops, Naruto looks back up and Exal and couldn't keep himself from smiling at the sight he was seeing in front of him.

Exal happens to catch him staring and asks, "What?"

"You're just really beautiful." Naruto confesses smoothly.

Hearing those words, touch Exal and she smiles back sadly. "Thank you, Naruto. There a few that wouldn't think so."

"Because you're a Sith Warrior and not an Inquisitor?" Naruto guessed with Exal nodding.

"Yeah, it seems no matter where you go, women will always looked down upon when they fill a role that is traditionally filled by men. I can only be pretty if I'm an Inquisitor." Exal said bitterly.

Naruto reached across the table, took her hand in his, and affectionately rubbed said hand. "Who cares what they think? Anyone who tells you that is an imbecile and deserves to be eaten by a Terentatek."

"You are an intelligent, beautiful, passionate, strong, patriotic and witty woman who yearns to prove herself in a society that is filled with bigoted idiots and outdated tradition. A woman after my own heart." Naruto said in a heartfelt confession.

Exal stared into his eyes with lust and-was that love Naruto saw? "Pay the bill." She ordered as they had both finished their meals.

Naruto's apartment

Lemon Time

Naruto and Exal stumbled into his apartment as they were kissing each other fiercely. Naruto ran a hand through her long black hair as Exal wrapped her arms around her neck. She soon slipped him out of his suit jacket and shirt as he removed her dress, letting it fall harmlessly to the ground.

Naruto kicked off his shoes and socks before doing the same to his pants and sitting on the bed, and Exal sat in his lap and straddled him while they continued it make out before he kissed his way down to her breasts.

Naruto played with and groped Exal's breasts for a bit, eliciting sweet moans from the beautiful Sith Juggernaut. Naruto worked his magic on her for several minutes before moving downward.

Naruto flipped over so her back was on the bed and kissed his way up her right leg, building her anticipation as he moved his mouth closer to her cunt. Finally, he reached his prize, inserting his tongue in her pussy and licking it.

"Oh, Naruto," Exal moaned, her voice filled with lust. She placed her hand on his head, urging him further onward as with every skillful lick, he was rewarded with a moan from Exal, bringing her closer to climax.

After 5 minutes of him licking her cunt, Exal reached her climax. "Oh god Naruto. I'm cumming!" She moaned as she came all over his tongue. He eager licked up her love juices until she finished her orgasm.

Naruto pulled his head up, savoring her taste, "Mm, sweet as honey." He said. As she lay on her back, leg spread wide, Naruto positioned himself over her, the length on his massive rod rubbing against her outer folds, teasing her as his mighty sword eagerly desired to be sheathed.

"Stop teasing me already, Naruto," Exal moaned.

"Ahh, but something tells me you love being teased," Naruto whispered as he nibbled on her ear playfully while still teasing her.

"Beg for it," Naruto whispered huskily in her ear. After several more minutes of relentless teasing, Exal finally gave in.

"Please" Exal pleaded, and Naruto relented.

Smiling lightly, Exal nodded in appreciation, before her face scrunched up as Naruto began to bury himself into her for the first time in a week.

Naruto smiled down at Exal as he completely sheathed himself inside of her, before he French-kissed her, as she grabbed onto his shoulders, paralyzed by the pleasure of his cock being buried in her cunt. "I-It's so good." She whispered with a gasp.

"I love how tight you are, Exal." Groaning, Naruto kissed Exal again, lustfully, and began to pay attention to her breasts again.

After a minute of Naruto staying motionless and kissing Exal, the women finally bucked her hips against his, showing she was ready. "Fuck me." Exal smiled.

Naruto pulled out only until the tip was in and with a hard grunt, plunged his cock back into Exal. The sudden hard thump made Exal moan loudly, her mind losing focus.

Bracing himself on his fists, Naruto began to hammer away into Exal, as he lost himself in her tight walls "Fuck." Naruto hissed, as he suddenly turned Exal onto her stomach and laid atop of her, as he continued to pound away, as a moaning Exal turned to kiss him, as the headboard began to slam into the wall, as they both lost themselves in their pleasure.

Morning

Naruto woke the next morning with Exal spooning him and sighing contently. "You know," she said, "it's nice to not have to be strong all the time. To just be normal."

"You can always be like that around me, Exal. I like the tough warrior but I also like the woman beneath the armor." Naruto said as they shared a kiss. Exal traced her finger across the scars on his chest.

"Who did this to you?" She asked, "These weren't here last time."

Naruto looked at the ceiling for a moment before saying, "It was Skotia."

"Skotia? As in Darth Skotia!?" Exal demanded as she sat up in anger. "What the hell were doing fighting a Darth!?"

"Hey, it wasn't like I had a choice!" Naruto said as he sat up. "Skotia sent one of his weakling apprentices after me the moment I became an apprentice. Clearly, he has a problem with Zash and was trying to keep her on a leash, so he wanted to make sure she didn't get an apprentice. And when I met him when we arrived of Dromund Kaas, I knew he would be gunning for me. Even if my master didn't put me up to it, I would have been plotting his death. Her training probably helped keep me alive."

"Well," Exal said as she crossed her arms and turned her back to him. "At least your master actually trains you."

"Wait, Baras isn't training you?" Naruto asked as he wrapped his hands around her waist and rest his chin on her shoulder.

"No," She sighed as she relaxed and her anger abated some and leaned her head against his, "He just sends me to do his errands and kill his enemies. I don't think he wanted an apprentice so much as a soldier."

"I could show you some things." Naruto offered as he had some things he could teach her. She looked at him with something akin to hope.

"Would you really?"

"Yes," Naruto said sincerely as he looked into her eyes, "I would gladly help someone I care for as much as you."

1 hour later

His training Room

"You gotta be kidding me." Naruto complained.

When Naruto agreed to teach her Force Lightning, and explained how the best way to learn it was to basically get shocked and absorb the energy into herself, he did not expect her to actually ask him to shock her! He was very concerned about this because he could unleash blasts of Force Lightning that could kill multiple people at once.

"Look, you said it yourself. I need to know how it feels before I can truly comprehend the power. It's best way. Come on, just do it." Exal demanded.

Naruto finally relented and gave her a light shock and had her writhing on the ground for a few moments.

"Come on, you call that lightning? Naruto, you promised you would teach me how to use it." Exal reminded.

"I'm trying, Exal! You don't understand how powerful this stuff is! If I'm not careful, I could end up using a blast so intense that I could kill you in one shot! You don't know how difficult this is for me." Naruto told her, his fear of causing her permanent damage on full display. "You know what my life was like before I joined this Empire. I couldn't bare the thought of causing you permanent damage or…killing you by accident."

Exal gained an understanding look as she walked up to him, saying, "I get it. This is the first time you've ever taught anyone Force Lightning and given how powerful you are, you fear you might lose control. And I'm the first real friend you've had in 5 years, and there is a fear in the back of your mind that by hurting me during training, I'm going to turn against you. I understand you don't want to hurt or lose me. But Naruto," she held his hand in hers, as she looked into his eyes, "You're not going to lose me if you hurt me a little bit during training that I more or less requested. My feelings are not so fragile. And besides, I trust you."

Naruto looked into her eyes and saw the complete trust she had for him. It certainly helped him get over his fear of injuring her and damaging their relationship beyond repair. But it was better he taught her. Baras wasn't going to teach her. So, he had to. It was the best way to he could keep her safe, by making sure she understood the power, could use it herself, and knew how to defend against it.

"Okay," Naruto whispered with determination as he stepped back a few feet.

"Ready?" He asked. She nodded.

He raised his hands and unleashed his red Force Lightning at a level designed to cause pain and torture the victim. Exal was hit by the blast and grit her teeth in pain.

"Don't fight it, Exal. Remember, take it into yourself. Understand it's nature, and then unleashed it." Naruto shouted over his lightning.

Exal after a moment, let go of her control and let out of cry of pain as she truly let herself feel the pain of the lightning. She concentrated, even while she was writhing and screaming on the ground, and took some of the energy into herself and held it there.

"You've taken it into yourself. Now, release it. Release all at me, Exal." Naruto told her as he let up his barrage.

Exal roared in anger and unleashed tendrils of blue Sith Lightning at Naruto. Naruto used Force Deflection to block the lightning.

Exal let up on the barrage after 10 seconds.

She huffed as she looked at her hands and the blue lightning spark across them while Naruto healed her up quickly with Force Healing.

"I did it." She breathed.

"Yes, you did." Naruto said with pride.

He stood up and held out his hand for her to take. "Now, I some other abilities I could teach you that don't involve me using to use them on you to understand them."

She took and pulled herself up.

Naruto showed her how to use Force Deflect, Force Barrier, Force Repulse, Force Persuasion, and showed her a little Force Healing throughout the day. They met up for several more days, before it was time for Naruto to report in to Zash.

2 days later

Upon entering Skotia's former chambers, decked out in his new and undamaged armor, Naruto noticed a few things. The first was that everything looked clean, like a lightsaber battle had not taken place. The second was that two Sith were snooping around.

Naruto glared at them with is hood up as he stalked closer. "What, pray tell, are you two doing here?" Naruto demanded, his voice filled with venom and anger.

"There he is. Lord Zash's apprentice, surely he knows." One of them said to his partner, sounding desperate.

"He wouldn't tell us even if he did, Kirnon." He replied to the Lord without looking away from his searching.

Naruto heard Khem growl and hold his hands to his ears. "More prattle. It hurts the ears." Naruto smirked and patted his back shoulder in sympathy.

"Still it doesn't hurt to ask, does it, Calaverous?" Kirnon said, having not heard Khem speak.

Calaverous groaned and finally turned to Kirnon. "Let it rest, will you?"

"I will not let it rest. Everyone knows Lord Zash was at the party when Skotia was killed and yet everyone knows she killed him." Naruto narrowed his eyes in annoyance and subtly snaked his hand to one of the lightsabers hanging on the back of his belt. Kirnon continued, not knowing Naruto was about to kill him to shut him up. "She's somehow devised a way of being in two places at once. If I let it rest, we'll all be dead!"

"Mind your tone in my presence, or you will learn the hard way why you do not anger me. I killed Skotia. Zash had nothing to do it." Naruto proudly declared.

"Now your're being silly." Kirnon, rolled his eyes with a sneer.

"I wouldn't underestimate him, Kirnon. He looks dangerous enough to me." Calaverous said as he walked a little closer. Clearly, somebody had a good head on their shoulders.

"But a Dark Lord of the Sith? He's only an apprentice, Calaverous!" Kirnon objected before turning back to Naruto to pester him further. "Please, you must tell me-how did Zash kill Darth Skotia?"

"Okay," Naruto said as he walked a little closer. "Here's what happened."

Without warning, Naruto plunged his hand into Kirnon's chest and gripped his heart, causing him to gasp in pain. Naruto violently ripped out the organ, letting the corpse of the pathetic Sith flop to the ground.

"Here you go Khem, little something to cheer you up." Naruto said as he placed the heart in Khem's hand.

"Much appreciated, little Sith." Khem said gleefully as he took and devoured the heart. This was to cheer up Khem and to scare Calaverous, who was looking deathly afraid.

Naruto flicked the blood off his hands. He turned to Calaverous and said, "I trust you are not as stupid as he was."

Calaverous shook his head in a no and Naruto said, pointing behind him, "Then take his worthless corpse and get out of here before you share his fate."

Calaverous quickly gathered Kirnon's body and high-tailed it out of there.

"Come on, Lord Zash is waiting for us." Naruto said.

"It's Darth Zash now, my most prized apprentice." Zash said, coming out of the narrow hallway, she looked the same, with exception to the piece on her shoulders, showing her status as a Darth. "And please enough of this 'Lord' and 'Darth' stuff when it comes to us two. Just call me Zash."

Naruto was a bit shocked. 'What? How could she even ask that of me? No, I can't do that, its disrespectful.' Naruto thought.

"No, I shouldn't do that Master. It would be disrespectful to your position." Naruto said. Zash smiled at him.

"And is it anymore disrespectful to ignore my request for you to call me by my name, apprentice?" Her tone was firm, but amused and kind all the same. She did have a point though.

"Yes, you are correct. Zash." She laughed, and it had a calming effect on him.

"That's alright Naruto. Come we have much to discuss." She beckoned for them to follow her. They entered a private office and she stopped in front of her desk. "You always have the most perfect timing. I just met with that insufferable Thanaton, and I have good news." She beamed at him.

"So how did it go?" Naruto asked.

She sighed happily. "Oh, you would be so proud of me. I went in to a reprimand, but emerged a Darth."

"Congratulations Zash, you've earned it." Naruto said.

"All because you, Naruto. You've made me so proud. My becoming a Darth was just one of many possible outcomes to your amazing work." Naruto wondered how she could twist those words around and make it seem like Naruto did all the hard work. Yeah, he killed Skotia, barely, but what she had to do was tough as well. Convincing the Dark Council to basically give you a promotion for offing your superior was probably no small feat and required a silver tongue that he did not have yet.

"In any case, we are free to act." She walked around her table, her red robes swaying to her movements, showing off the fit body underneath. Hey, his master was hot. He'd totally tap that ass if she was willing. "Remember the map you found on Korriban that pointed us to the power of Tulak Hord?"

Naruto nodded and she continued. "The first piece of that artifact, that power, is here on Dromund Kaas. This piece is in the deepest chamber of the Dark Temple. Skotia always hoarded the key to the chamber like a Hutt hoards his credits. Now I have Skotia's title, his chambers, his research and his key. He always said I would enter the Dark Temple over his rusting corpse." Naruto could not contain his chuckle. Then quickly clamped down on his laughter. She just looked on amused.

"Sorry...that was just...ironically funny." Naruto said awkwardly.

"It's alright." She cracked a smile and then continued. "Now I won't be the one to go into the Dark Temple. You will."

"I always have to do your dirty work." Naruto teased with a smirk. She chuckled.

"Yes I suppose you do. Listen. Before I went to Korriban to choose an apprentice, a furious apparition awakened in the Dark Temple, implacable in its anger, murdering all who trespassed on the innermost chamber. But I had a dream. An apprentice of low origin humbled himself, before the apparition, pacifying it. That's why you and your peers were chosen."

"Naturally. I am amazing after all." Naruto spoke the truth. Then something she said crossed his mind.

"Wait...You want me to bow to this apparition?" Naruto asked.

She nodded. "You must go into the temple and face the apparition, and when you do, I believe your humility will be the key." She paused and her smile faded. "Still...I...I want you to know, I'm not certain you're the one from my dream. I fear I may be sending you to your death."

Naruto boldly placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about me Zash. I did not come this far, overcome this many odds, just to fail now." Naruto said as seriously as possible. She threw her head back and laughed.

"You're right. You unlocked the holocron and found the map when no one else could .You even defeated a Darth by yourself. You'll be fine." She smiled and stood from her chair, coming around to stand in front of him. "Tulak Hord's power awaits us both, my little one. We must not lose sight of this goal."

She handed him something, it looked like a tablet of some kind. "Use this glyph to enter the innermost chamber of the Dark Temple. Humble yourself before the apparition, and bring back the piece of the artifact."

"Of course, Zash. You can always count on me." Naruto said.

"I know I can. Stay safe." She smiled and kissed my head before sitting at her desk again. I turned to leave, with Khem trailing behind. It was time to get to work.

Dark Temple

All around the Temple grounds, soldiers, scientists even Sith were possessed by these apparitions. Naruto had to kill more than a few, and found an extra 3 lightsabers from acolytes he had killed that lost their minds, but finally, he came across the inner chamber that Zash had mentioned.

A massive door blocked their path, there were eight creepy faces with their mouths opened in silent screams. Naruto stepped forward and placed the glyph in an indentation on the door. The door opened after a few seconds.

Naruto looked around in the chamber, before spotting a coffin. Believing this was it, he walked forward, slowly looking around for a ghost.

Naruto sensed something behind him. He turned but saw nothing. He looked back in front of him as and saw a ghost. The ghost raised it's hand and Naruto was flung into the air before he was slammed back down onto the ground with the force. Naruto sent a blast of Sith Lightning at the ghost but it had no effect. The ghost Force Choked Naruto, with Naruto desperately trying to think a way to survive this. Just before his vision began to fail him, the choking stopped and he gasped for air.

"Yes...yes! I have been waiting for you. I felt your movements in the Force, and they stirred me from my nightmare. I am still too weak to leave, but I knew if I made myself enough of nuisance, you would eventually come. The Sith throw flesh endlessly at what they cannot control. And here you are...blood of my blood. Here you are."

Naruto coughed as he tried to fill his lungs with precious oxygen again. Seriously, he needed to learn Force Resistance and Force Immunity so he could stop getting choked all the time. "Blood...of my blood?" Naruto choked out. "Who...the fuck are you?"

"You don't know me?" He sighed and rubbed his head in annoyance. "Has our family fallen so far that the son of my sons does not know the name of Kallig, the name so long revered in the annals of the Sith?" He shook his head at the faces on the wall in front of Naruto. "You are my descendant, by how many generations I do not know, but know this: your strength in the Force has awakened me from my stupor."

"I...I don't understand." He wasn't making sense. Descendant? Blood of his blood? "What do you mean I 'awakened' you?" Naruto asked.

"When the weaklings of this planet trespassed my tomb, I arose, resuming my former life. This temple became my kingdom, and I was once more a Lord of the Sith." He explained. "But when you first grasped the hilt of your lightsaber, I knew my hour had come and gone. That your strength, not mine, would return our family to glory."

"What are you on about? I come from a planet that had a Sith Alchemy spell around it that surpressed Force potential and hadn't even been discovered by the Empire until I accessed the Darkside." Naruto said.

"Most likely, my family created this field you speak to hide from my enemies after they went into hiding. That is my shame. I was once one of the greatest Lords of the Sith. If I'd been wiser, I could have secured my family's greatness. But I let down my guard and was betrayed by a man called Tulak Hord, whom I trusted as a friend."

"And you speak as if alive. I would serve my master well to correct that." Khem angrily spoke. If Lord Kallig was bothered it did not show.

"Ha! Your master is dead, beast. You serve the child of Kallig now." He addressed Naruto then. "Flesh of my Flesh, you should teach you servant to obey." Naruto glared at his ancestor.

"I will deal with him as I see fit, Kallig. Just because I am your descendant, doesn't give you the right to tell me how to handle my followers."

Naruto did, however, turn to Khem and said. "No need to get worked up, Khem." He grunted and crossed his arms, standing at his full height.

"Fair enough. I only caution you not to take obedience for granted. In restoring our bloodline to glory, you must not make the same mistake I did. Treachery is the Sith's endless game, you must win." Kallig warned.

"Then I will win it. I'm no fool." Naruto said.

"Beware your master, beware your apprentice. Never be taken by surprise. Do these things, and you will be unstoppable."

"But you have not come to see me; you have come for the artifact I managed to wrest from Tulak Hord before he died." He swept his arm out to the coffin. "Take it, but be careful, I know not what it does. Only that betrayal follows it everywhere."

"If betrayal shows up. I'll just kill it." Naruto was talking about those that betrayed him.

"If only all things were so simple. Keep your eyes open." he cautioned. "I hunger for the day when our power will be restored. To aid you, I have a gift." He waved his hand and a statue crumbled to dust to reveal a black Sith Holocron. "My personal holocron, containing my vast knowledge of lightsaber techniques and every Force Power I was capable of using. We will meet again."

"Before you go, I need to ask you something," Naruto said. "This is the second time I have had to deal with a ghost. I seem to attract ghost's like a flame attracts moths. How do I stop this?"

"You can't," Kallig said, "Listen, flesh of my flesh, I have felt something in you since the day I awoke, and now that you are here, I understand it better. You have a rare pull among ghosts. It's source of great power, but it has destroyed many a Sith."

"A pull among ghosts? I don't understand." Naruto asked.

"They sense you from far away, as I did, and you rouse strong emotions in them, as with me."

"I see. So what do you think I should do?" Naruto asked.

"In my time, there were mystical movements among the Sith that sought to communicate with ghosts and harness their power. A Sith named Ergast was said to devour Force users. His knowledge was buried with him near the Dark Temple. Seek this knowledge." He advised me.

"I can do that but, how will that help? How did he 'consume' force users? Was he a Dashade?" Naruto asked.

"No he wasn't a Dashade. Defeating this ghost will onlygive you the power to guard yourself against ghosts but also give you immense power. Ergast performed a ritual that allowed him to consume ghosts of the dead, gaining him their power. If you seek this knowledge and learn this ritual, you can protect youself next time you encounter a ghost."

Then suddenly he vanished into thin air, a purple swirling energy signaling his departure. Naruto opened the rocky tomb. Inside was the artifact, a square like object, looking a lot like a holocron.

Naruto picked up the first of Tulak Hord's artifacts and pocketed it away, before summoning the holocron of Kallig to him. Now he had two holocrons he needed to study. This was good.

Dark Temple

Ergast's Tomb

Naruto made his way through the Dark Temple. Naruto entered Ergast's tomb, his Force sensitivity and instincts guiding him to it. There were a few ancient droids around, guarding the tomb, but he easily easily dispatched them.

Ergast's tomb was much the same as Kallig's tomb, only his had a glowing red pyramid holocron at his altar, it looked much the same as the one in the Tomb of Marka Ragnos on Korriban. Naruto climbed the steps to it and touched it. He was instantly blasted backwards as the holocron sent out a shockwave of purple black energy. Naruto landed on his back at the bottom of the steps. Naruto groaned as he got up. "Welcome, seeker. I am the servant of Ergast, Lord of the Sith. Keeper of his knowledge. Who stands before me and what do you wish to learn?"

Naruto climbed the stairs until he faced the servant. He bowed respectfully. "Wise Keeper. I seek the ritual that will allow to me to consume ghosts."

"There is no such ritual, the spirits of the dead cannot be consumed." He paused momentarily before he continued. "But ghosts may be bound and their strength borrowed, for a time. You must pull on the tether that connects life and death. You must learn to bind both sides of the Force, life and death, in what is known as the Force Walk Ritual."

"I am willing to learn, if you are willing to teach." Naruto stated.

"Note the bones that lay around you. Not everyone is able to master the ritual of Force Walking. But if you are willing, drink from the cup before me. It is poison, but it is not the kind that will kill you."

In front of the pyramid altar, Naruto noticed the cup. "Have you drunk? Good. The poison will take effect quickly. Then you may learn the Force Walk..." No sooner had he finished that sentence did Naruto feel it take effect. His body stiffened and refused to respond. Naruto slumped and fell to the ground. Yet he wasn't dead.

Darkness

The world around him was of dark nothingness. Before Naruto, stood the black skinned servant of Ergast. "Now that you are unconscious, we may begin. The ritual has two parts. First is the pacification. An angry ghost cannot be tethered..."

He showed Naruto how to do so, a chant of sorts to calm a raging spirit. Naruto practiced this for what felt like hours until he mastered it. "Good. The second part is the binding. A willing ghost is easier to bind, but by leaving the ghost it's will, you draw roughly half of it's power. A pact may be formed to bind the ghost willingly, sealed with blood. Or the ritual of binding may be performed."

Once more he showed Naruto how to proceed. After a certain length of time, they stopped when he mastered that step. "Good. You're a quick learner. It's been a long time since a creature of such promise has entered my tomb."

"So, what's next, Ergast? I imagine there is some kind of final test." Naruto said, realizing that this was Lord Ergast. The now identified Lord Ergast smiled, pleased that Naruto had realized who he was.

"Now that you have learned the Force Walk Ritual, this is the test. Bind me and you may go free. I'll walk with you for a few years and see the Empire once more. Fail, and I kill you." Ergast said as darkness took Naruto again.

Tomb of Ergast

Naruto gasped as he awoke and stood up, once more back in his body. He saw Ergast's spirit in front of him. "And do not bother trying to make a deal with me. I'll not go willingly."

Suddenly, Naruto felt a pressure in his skull and heart. Naruto raised his hands, channeling the power of the Force Walk. Purple energy swirled around Naruto's body and a pulsing blackness encased his hands. Naruto finished the ritual as Ergast's spirit disappeared and he felt his power skyrocket.

Then, Ergast's voice spoke in his head. "Very good. I am now your slave. My life is bound to your death, my death to your life. Use my power to shield yourself against your foes." Naruto sighed in relief. Now, he could protect himself from other ghosts.

As Naruto walked out of the Dark Temple, his holocom went off. He answered it and Zash appeared on holo. "Yes master?"

"My dear apprentice. Do you have the artifact yet?" She asked with smile.

"You wouldn't want me to spoil the surprise now, would you?" Naruto grinned as she chuckled.

"Oh Naruto, you never cease to entertain me. But I will take that as a yes my little one. Come, hurry back to Skotia's...I mean, my chambers. I have a surprise for you." She sounded excited about this.

"On my way now, master." She waved off the title and smiled before disconnecting. "Come on, let's go." They made their way back to Zash's office.

Darth Zash's chambers.

We walked into Zash's office in the back room, she was standing by the virtual library. They walked into Zash's office in the back room, where she was standing by the virtual library. She took notice and put away her datapad.

"Fantastic Naruto. You're just in time for my surprise. Since you left for the temple, I have been reading nonstop. Skotia's chambers are a treasure trove of research. Who would have guessed that a man like that had such a curious intellect. It almost makes me disappointed he had to die. Almost." Zash said.

"Well he was a machine." Naruto said with Zash agreeing. "So, you mentioned a surprise?"

She laughed and leaned against the desk. "Patience, Naruto." Naruto playfully pouted. "Don't give me that look. You'll love it I promise. But first I am curious. How did you pacify that apparition?"

"We were related." Naruto said seriously. This was nothing to joke around with. "He is my ancestor and he wants me to restore our bloodline to power. And it turns out, he was Tulak Hord's right hand man, once. He said he was Lord Kallig."

"Fascinating." Zash said in wonder. "That would make you the last descendant of Aloysius Kallig. He was an extremely powerful Sith, the right hand of Tulak Hord. His skill with a Lightsaber and strength in the Force were so great that Tulak Hord feared his potential enough to have him assassinated. After that, his family went into hiding. I can only assume that they fled to the planet where you were found on."

Zash placed the artifact Naruto gave her on her desk and sat down. "I have been studying Tulak Hord's artifacts closely for some time, and one glance at this one you've brought back confirms everything I've suspected. These artifacts will change everything, Naruto, you especially. They will make you more powerful than you could imagine. I have foreseen it." She smiled at Naruto, the excitement she reflected in her eyes.

"What do they do exactly?" Naruto asked.

"This artifact is one of five that, together, describe a peculiar ritual used by the great Tulak Hord when he conquered the Dromund System. Until I have all the artifacts, however, I cannot understand the full nature of the ritual, but I have foreseen that you alone will wield the ritual's power." She explained. "The artifacts scattered across the galaxy; some hidden by Tulak Hord himself, and some wrenched from his hands by betrayers. Documents I found in Skotia's effects point to Balmorra and Nar Shaddaa, but I will need to do more research to locate the other two."

"Understood mas...I mean Zash." Naruto corrected when she gave him a pointed look. "Um...how will I..."

She smiled, a slow satisfied smirk. "That Naruto, is where your surprise comes in. If you're going to find these artifacts you are going to need something to get you there, correct?"

"What is it? A shuttle pass?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing quite so...primitive. To get to these artifacts you will need..." She paused purposely to build anticipation. "...a ship."

"Mast-I mean, Zash. This too much. I'm not worthy of such a gift, but I will take it nonetheless and use well." Naruto stammered through his words.

"You'll find your ship at the spaceport. Then, the galaxy is yours to explore, my dear Naruto." She informed him. "Don't forget to contact me when you reach each planet for more information on the artifacts' locations. Good luck. Feel free to contact me anytime as well."

"I can't thank you enough for the ship." Naruto said thankfully.

"Yes and you deserve it. Now run along, Naruto. I need to get some research done." She smiled and ushered them out of the room.

"She will never command the power of Tulak Hord." Khem growled to Naruto. "Remember, little Sith, I am always hungry."

"I know Khem and I will feed you so much you'll never want to eat another Force-user again."

"Not likely." He groused, though Naruto could hear the amusement in his voice. With that, Naruto and Khem walked out of the Citadel, making there way to the spaceport.

Dromund Kaas Spaceport

Fury Hanger

When Naruto saw the Fury-Class Interceptor that would be his ship, he had to admit, he was really excited to see the inside. The inside was just as amazing. Just as he was about to explore a mechanical voice had me rooted.

"Oh! Ah, I mean...greetings master!" He said finally. "I am Toovee Arrate (2V-R8), factotum droid for this vessel. You must be my new master. Gentle, kind new master..."

"A ship and my own droid? Sweet." Naruto said excitedly.

"I am relieved..." Naruto glared lightly at him. "Er, pleased, that you find me so agreeable. I will never disappoint you, master."

"Good. Now, what can you do?"

"I am programmed for a wide array of tasks, including but not limited to: Meal preparation, ship maintenance, janitorial duty and etiquette. Come, let me show you around." He gestured to the room they were in for starters. "Welcome aboard this Fury-class Imperial Interceptor, a versatile craft combining a starfighter's maneuverability with armament to rival larger military vessels." He walked forward toward a large holoterminal. "You'll find all the stranded amenities, including your own private captain's locker for storing valuables, it is in the storage area that I will show you momentarily." Naruto placed both Marka Ragnos's and Kallig's holocrons on the bed, as he had made sure to bring both so he could continue to study them.

"Interstellar communications are accessed via the ship's holoterminal." He gestured to said terminal in front of Naruto. He walked away and Naruto followed him to a room that had the Imperial flag on either side of the door. "This is your private quarters, master. Where you can sleep, enjoy a bit of entertainment, shower or bath, and any research you may need at the terminal inside." Naruto nodded in approval. He was going to love it. The droid lead the Sith to two rooms in the back of the ship, gesturing to the right first. "In here is where you can speak privately with any crew members, though there are none but me at the moment, and use the intercom to give out orders if need be." He turned to the left. "This room here is the crew member housing, there are ten beds, a connected large bathroom and storage cabinets for crew member gear."

"Very nice." Naruto said.

"I'm glad you approve. This way please." Naruto followed him back out into the hallway. "The door there is for escape pods, should the ship come under attack. There is another set on the other side of the ship as well." He lead Naruto to another room with two beds, a kolto tank and a terminal. "This room is the medical bay. Should your crew members receive extensive injuries we can take care of them here, or yourself if need be." He led Naruto to another hallway and into the right room first. "This is the lounge, where crew members or yourself can spend your time during hyperspace transport to enjoy yourselves. There are plentiful chairs, tables and entertainment systems available to you." Then finally the last room. "And this is the cargo hold storage area. Where you can keep various valuables and findings on your explorations. The captain's locker I mentioned is right over there." He pointed to a large cabinet that looked solid and could hold many valuable pieces of treasure or artifacts. "Now if you will follow me, I will show you the final area in the tour." He led Naruto back into the man room and up a small set of stairs into the cockpit. "Here you can find the astrogation console, which contains a constantly updated map of the known galaxy. This is where the pilot and co-pilots operate if this were a normal ship."

"What do you mean?" The blonde Sith asked.

"Well, to travel all you have to do is active the astrogation map and plot a course to a planet, starship or space station and it will automatically start the engines and plot the fastest and safest course to your destination. Whether out in space or planet side."

"Wonderful." Naruto said.

"Yes. Well...any questions, master?"

"No not at the moment." Naruto said as he pulled out his Holocom.

He called Exal on his holocom. "Hey there, lover." Exal smiled.

"Hey beautiful. I was just calling to let you know that my master is sending me on a long term assignment. I'm heading to Balmorra first." Naruto said to her.

"What a coincidence. Baras is sending me to Balmorra to clean up his mess." Exal said.

"I'll see you there, Exal." Naruto said as he hung up.

"Let's see what this ship can do." With those words Naruto excitedly activated the galaxy map and located Balmorra. Once done the engines started up and left the spaceport. Entering the void of space, the ship then jumped into hyperspace. It was a lovely sight, the colors and lights danced wonderfully together as Naruto made his way toward his first destination.

Chapter End

Man that was long. Anyway, here it is. Happy Thanksgiving.

11/25/2018 update: Added a call scene between Naruto and Exal that I forgot to add when I posted this.