Through The Sands Of Time Our Fates Are Defined.

[Triton Kozak]

Ballen remained quiet for some time most likely contemplating on what to say to the teen. When the Pureblood finally said something it was a compliment something that Triton least expected he was taken aback by the Knight being impressed. Triton would keep his uninjured arm across his torso holding his ribs as he attempted to keep up with [member="Ballen-Ist"]'s pace.

Triton would keep his silence when Ballen continued to compliment the teen on surviving. Triton watched as the Pureblood brushed away a branch with an outstretched arm revealing an Imperial shuttle. Triton wondered where the beat up piece of junk freighter was. They made their way to the ship's boarding ramp which gave a hydraulic hose as it hit the ground. Two droids would stand guard as the duo entered.

Ballen-Ist began to speak about how he knew that Triton had potential ever since they met. And that his training would only intensify as it progressed. Then something Triton hadn't expected happened, Ballen said a joke... He said Triton was only human so he might not be able to handle the up-and-coming tests.

Triton smirked at this and gave a half-hearted chuckle, his side would shoot up in pain when he did.

A smirk was apparent on the teen's face. "Do I sense a bit of humour B, I can handle whatever you throw at me." The teen would say as he followed Ballen closely.

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The two droids standing on guard proceeded to board the shuttle, the ramp sealing behind them as they entered the craft. Hovering into the air, the wings of the Sentinel-class shuttle unfolded, before the engines roared and propelled the ship into the sky. [member="Triton Kozak"] swiftly followed behind the silken clothed Pureblood, who was clearly moving with a purpose. Making his way through the corridors of the fairly sized landing craft, Ballen-Ist came to a stop in front of a door before it opened to reveal a medical bay within. "There won't be any jokes from this point on. I suggest you spend your time here for awhile," the Sith recommended, lifting an arm from beneath his robes to motion towards the medical droids and their limited resources.

"Get some bacta on those wounds, and make sure you didn't catch anything out there." Ballen-Ist commanded, not wanting to be responsible for bringing anything contagious on board. Then again, the only two living beings on the ship were them, for it would become apparent that droids appeared to be maintaining the ship. Pushing the Acolyte through the archway and into the medbay, Ballen-Ist began to slink away, heading towards the cockpit as the door closed, obscuring him from view. Triton would probably have to wait for a more equipped facility before all of his injuries were taken care of, leaving him in a state of constant but mild pain. It would be good fuel for the trials ahead.

 

[Triton Kozak]

He followed Ballen-Ist until they reached a door. Ballen said that there would be no more jokes. Triton could tell by the tone in the Pureblood's voice that he was serious. Triton fell silent, he didn't want to argue especially in his pained state. Ballen suggested that Triton stay in the med bay for a while. The Pureblood said to get bacta on it and do a check for any unwanted bacteria that he might've caught on the moon. Ballen shoved him in and the door closed.

Triton would sigh and make his way to an exam table. Soon a droid would make its way towards the troublemaker. "Apply bacta to my arm...And maybe the blaster burn...Oh and do a scan for any diseases." He would lay down on the table and close his eyes as the droid went to work.

"If you do any unnecessary prodding I'll have you scrapped." He warned the medical droid. He didn't wait for the droids response.

Honestly it was nice having a place to stay again, hopefully Triton could finally get some rest after being alone for so long, even if it was with that jerk Ballen. Triton's ribs still ached as he drifted off to sleep.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

What might have felt like hours turned into days for [member="Triton Kozak"], as he fell into a temporary coma. The injuries and illnesses that the Acolyte had sustained on Dxun had been far greater than he thought, his dark side fueled state having allowed him to endure as if he were experiencing a slight headache. There would be no unnecessary prodding from the medical droids as they went to work, examining the boy and treating him to the best of their ability. The mere flesh wounds were treated within hours, the broken bones and burns taking a bit more time to return to their natural state. Upon waking, Triton would find himself in an almost cavernous area, though upon closer inspection the walls were curved but refined, as smooth as the tiled floor beneath him.

The room was large and obviously did not belong to any star ship, for outside the massive transparisteel windows the terrain was quite noticeable. Scorched and deformed earth covered the planet surface, a volcano in the distance spewing forth streams of magma that stretched into deadly rivers. Having been put to rest upon a large expensive looking bed, the youth would find that his lightsaber had been returned to him, placed idly within a container on the nearby bedside table. The exits appeared to be sealed, leaving the boy to ponder the meaning of this by himself. Not for long however, for through the force he would sense immediate danger.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Triton woke, his heart beating like crazy, sweat covered his body. His cuts and bruises were virtually gone, yet his arm was still not fully healed seeing how he couldn't stretch it out and his burns still stung a bit as the air touched them. He would look around for a second expecting to see something or someone else in the room, yet the place was unfamiliar. The walls and tiles were unfamiliar, through the large windows an unfamiliar landscape stared back at him. The teen would sit up feeling his ribs strain just a bit. The pain was still there yet it was faded. Triton threw the covers off his legs and pushed himself out of the bed. He looked around, on the bedside was a table that held a container. He would open it. There say his lighsabre, he would grin a bit as he felt it in his hands. It would definitely take him some time before he got himself reacquainted with the blade.

Triton looked towards the exits, there was no apparent way to get out, no panels on the doors or anything.

"Damn B, you prick." He would say to himself as he would begin to walk towards one of the doors. The sense of danger ate away at him with each step, and Triton didn't like it. He ignited the lightsabre and held it in front of his body.

"Where the hell am I?"

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The door nearby slid open, disappearing within the wall as footsteps approached. A large and shiny IG-100 MagnaGuard stood beside Ballen-Ist as he entered, one end of the electrostaff in its grip slamming into the ground as it came to a halt. The Sith continued, walking passed the droid and [member="Triton Kozak"], making sure that he was out of the way. "We are in my droid production facility, on Alabash. This will be the site of your training, for how long, who knows?" The Sith questioned rhetorically, already knowing the answer himself. Until he was satisfied with the Acolyte's progress, he wouldn't be leaving the volcanic planet anytime soon. Seeing as he had ignited his weapon before hand, the Pureblood gestured towards the youth, causing the MagnaGuard's glowing red eyes to brighten as it powered up.

The electrostaff also activated, its ending emitting a vibrant purple light as electricity began to concentrate. The weapons were extremely powerful, capable of stopping the heart after only five seconds of contact. The droid itself was even more dangerous, possessing thousands of hours of combat recordings in order to slay Jedi back during the Clone Wars. Triton was no Jedi, but would soon find that even the droid could be a deadly opponent if caught off guard. Twirling the staff as it advanced quickly, the MagnaGuard began to prod directly into the boy's stomach with fairly straightforward jabs. Triton's raw force power had increased greatly since Dxun, but it was about time he was taught a bit more about lightsaber combat.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Triton furrowed his brow at the sight of the IG-100 making its way through the door, followed by Ballen-Ist. Ballen simply stated that they were on the planet of his droid production facility and the sight of his training. Droid production facility? Ballen-Ist owned a droid production facility? Triton tilted his head.

The droid's eyes began to glow and its staff was ignited and it began to spin it. Triton noted the electrified ends, they looked extremely lethal if used right, and Triton guessed the MagnaGuard knew what it was doing. Each step that the droid made caused Triton to flinch. He moved his previous injured arm to see if he could move it freely. Doing that only caused pain to shoot through his arm. Each jab was precise and it made Triton noticeably nervous. He grunted when he jumped back. He wanted to say annoyed remarks to the Pureblood, but decided against it seeing as he needed to concentrate.

He continued to avoid the droid's jabs. He would've attempted to disarm the droid, but they were flexible as far as Triton knew, he didn't want to chance it.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

"If you cannot defeat this droid, you have no future among the Sith," Ballen-Ist taunted, watching as [member="Triton Kozak"] continued to evade the MagnaGuard with impressive agility. The boy's defenses were not bad at all, reminding the Pureblood of his own training in the form of Soresu. "Have I been wasting my time?" He commented further, trying to aggravate the apprentice into a rage fueled state, something he had yet to witness. Though his battle with the Mandalorian had demonstrated incredible resilience and quick-thinking, there was still something that had not been displayed.

Transitioning from the more accurate jabs of Makashi, the MagnaGuard suddenly slammed one end of its staff into the ground, running forward and jumping in an attempt to perform something similar to a pole-vault. The droid aimed to soar above Triton's head, utilizing a style reminiscent of Ataru as it attempted to land a devastating kick to the side of the Acolyte's head. If it were successful, Triton would either be severely injured or killed instantly upon impact.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Triton dodged another shot as he heard Ballen-Ist mocking him. Triton was growing frustrated his lightsabre seemed to be too light in the teen's hand. He had become accustomed to the Alchemy altered blade. While he moved he was careful to keep his sabre up as he continued to jump back. Another comment from the Pureblood caused Triton to lose focus. As soon as he dropped the guard, the droid lunged at the opportunity and slammed the staff into Triton's chest. It was only a quick jab thankfully but the shock had caused Triton to drop his lightsaber and fall to a knee. As it hit the ground it deactivated and rolled off to the side.

The MagnaGuard didn't let up. He slammed one end of the electric charged staff into the ground and vaulted towards the troublemaker in an attempt to eliminate the teen. Triton grunted as he rolled off to the side avoiding the incoming attack. Triton looked towards his lightsabre and reached out with the force, grasping the sabre and levitating it to the teen. As soon as it touched his hand he reignited the sabre. From a crouched position he stuck out his free hand and look towards Ballen as the MagnaGuard recovered.

"You're wasting my time with these annoying tests B, I just started to feel better." Triton complained. The effects of the shock were felt but he had to push through. He charged the MagnaGuard and attempted to attack it with a strong overhead chop.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

[member="Triton Kozak"] was doing fairly well, all things considered. The advanced mechanics that allowed the MagnaGuard to move made it a good match for the Sith Acolyte, especially when considering its main directive. The electrostaff whirled through the air, slamming into Triton before he performed a roll out of harms way. Watching his lightsaber return to his hand, Ballen-Ist sighed, having known the true issue the entire time. Raising its arms, the MagnaGuard blocked the overhead chop Triton executed, swinging the electrical staff end into the red beam of plasma.

Afterwards, Ballen-Ist lifted a hand, motioning towards the droid as it began to back off. "You do realize what this droid represents, don't you? In its time, it was a Jedi-killer. I don't care if you're just starting to feel better, it should be more than enough if you are Sith." He spat, making his intentions quite clear. This training was going to be strict and brutal, for Ballen-Ist was no longer a friend from the academy. He would have felt bad for the youth, if he were not so focused on other things.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Triton's hit was deflected causing him to stumble a bit. That was when [member="Ballen-Ist"] interjected. The MagnaGuard backed off which made Triton let out a breath of relief. He deactivated the crimson colored lightsaber, but kept it at the ready just in case the Pureblood decided to send the MagnaGuard to attack Triton again. Triton rolled his previously injured arm in an attempt to exercise it.

And that was when the Sith Knight spoke. The knight's voice sent a chill down Triton's spine, the tone that the pureblood used made Triton know he meant business. He reminded the troublemaker that the MagnaGuard line was once Jedi killers, and that his current health should be good enough for a Sith. Triton looked down at the floor. Then he brought his gaze up to Ballen-Ist. Triton was a bit ashamed that he continued to complain. He would let out a sigh.

"Apologies...I'll do better..." Triton said, he didn't want to argue, especially if it was a losing battle.

 

[Ballen-Ist]

"You'll destroy this droid, is what you'll do," the Pureblood snapped immediately, turning to exit the living chambers. Pausing at the door, Ballen-Ist glanced over his shoulder to meet [member="Triton Kozak"]'s stare. "Only then, will the true training begin. Your emotions will give you power, draw on them instead of suppressing them as a Jedi might," the Sith continued, wanting to impart some advice to the acolyte before he left.

"Draw from your battle with the Mandalorian. Remember the struggle, the pain, the frustration. But most of all, the satisfaction when it was all over." Stepping through the archway, the door closed behind the Knight, though this time it was not completely sealed, as if Ballen-Ist wanted the youth to follow once he was successful. And he did, for he sensed the potential within Triton, and wanted to help him achieve it.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Ballen was right, for too long had he been suppressing his emotions, possibly because there was a piece of being a Jedi he did not want to let go. [member="Ballen-Ist"] had made it clear. If he was to advance in training he would have to destroy the MagnaGuard. The only way he was going to do that would be if he drew from his emotions instead of suppressing them as if he were still a Jedi. The Pureblood reminded the Troublemaker of his battle with the Mandolorian not to long ago. He was told to draw on the emotions he felt then,the struggle, the pain, the frustration, but most of all the satisfaction he got when the Mandolorian was finally dead.

He made his exit and Triton faced the droid. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, remembering the fall from the air hitting the branches, his bones breaking. the pain, He drew on the anger he felt for Ballen-Ist and the frustration of the MagnaGuard's defensive capabilities, Upon opening his eyes he would raise his lighsaber and ignite it. the crimson beam of plasma hummed to life.

He stepped a bit closer to the droid, the whole time keeping his guard up. He was never used to making a first move, he had to change that. when he was close enough he would test the droid by sending a diagonal slash its way.

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Just like that, the acolyte would find that his strength had increased, the pain his body felt slowly numbing as the dark side flowed throughout him. Ballen-Ist had left the chamber and descended to the lower levels, for through the wide transparisteel window was a view of the volcanic planet's horizon. The Pureblood had purposely put [member="Triton Kozak"] on the top floor, for the ventilation to it had been cut off as to increase the heat that rose from below.

It may not have been noticeable at first, but the acolyte was slowly but surely adjusting his body to the harsh environment. With the added surge of dark side power, the diagonal strike he sent at the MagnaGuard sliced it's electrostaff right in half, causing it to take a few steps backwards. Whether this would save the droid or not had yet to be seen, but it now began to rapidly spin both halves of the staff, trying to slam Triton brutally into the ground.

 

[Triton Kozak]

The pain that had once troubled the teen's arm and ribs had all but faded under the numbness. The heat he had once felt when he first regained conciesness had gradually disappeared.

The cocky teen grinned as his sabre sliced through the MagnaGuard's electrostaff. He would have gloated aloud but the Droid evaded the rest of the attack and began to rotate the two halves of the split electrostaff.

Triton grunted. The MagnaGuard was too close for comfort. He took a step back attempting to give himself breathing room.

He closed his eyes and deactivated his lightsaber, contemplating on how to proceed. He felt a darkness around him...it oddly gave him reassurance. He opened his and reignited his sabre. He was certain of two things, one: he was going to defeat the droid, and two: he was going to catch up to [member="Ballen-Ist"]

"Jedi killer or not, you'll be scrap by the end of this..." Triton said flatly. The troublemaker then rushed forward and attempting to launch himself over the MagnaGuard and catch an opening. As he jumped one thought ran through his mind. That this was only the beginning.

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The power of the dark side flowed through [member="Triton Kozak"], allowing him to push past his limits as he faced the deadly droid before him. The previous damage and strain on his body was all too real, but would only become apparent once his mind had calmed. The mechanical opponent was similar in that aspect, though it ran on a backup system within his torso, that allowed it to continue fighting even after dismemberment.

As soon as the acolyte had deactivated his lightsaber, the IG-100 MagnaGuard began to move forward, both arms swinging inwards in an attempt to crush the boy's neck between the electro-staves. The Sith apprentice was able to act in time, leaping over the droid instead of being killed for his mistake. That was how the MagnaGuard saw it, unable to comprehend why Triton had lowered his guard. It tried to swing at the boy as he soared overhead, though the hit was not guaranteed to land, or even severely injure.

 

[Triton Kozak]

Triton's mind was racing, was he really prepared for what was to come? He let out a grunt. He had to clear his head if he were to win the fight against the Droid.

As Triton leapt, the MagnaGuard slashed at him while he was in the air. Triton needed to get behind the MagnaGuard for just a second so he could take the Droid out, he wouldn't be able to do that if the Droid hit him. Triton definitely didn't want to be caught in the receiving end of any side of that electrostaff.

Triton brought his lightsaber in front of him attempting to block the incoming strikes, he hoped that he brought his guard up in time. If all went well, he'd block the strikes, push off, and land behind the Droid.

The teen had to focus on the fight at hand, he couldn't be bothered to think about where [member="Ballen-Ist"] was or what he was doing.

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Luckily for the MagnaGuard, it's programming was not so obsolete after all these years. It's upwards swing met with [member="Triton Kozak"]'s, the red blade of the Sith's saber impacting with the electric end off the half-staff. However, the droid's opponent utilized that moment as leverage, pushing off to land behind the metallic model. That did not stop its assault, as it continued to move into its next attack.

The next move made by the Sith apprentice could determine the results of the ongoing battle. The MagnaGuard swung with a single hand, spinning briefly to face Triton while also trying to strike him in the head with its weapon.

As for Ballen-Ist, he was in the control center of the droid factory, having just heard some bad news from one of the communications officers. Trouble was brewing on the planet Doneer'so, trouble that directly involved Holowan Laboratories and what it represented. "I will be in my personal chamber." That was all the Pureblood had to say, as he disembarked to the lower levels of the facility.

Their planet of choice had made construction difficult, and the chamber was not extremely far down, though still far enough to feel the intense volcanic terrain under all of the reinforcements. A small and dark circular chamber was the room furthest down, where Ballen-Ist began to enter his Sith meditation, concentrating on his most powerful emotions to sharpen his strength. Memories of the past and present were like fuel to his passion, the dark side burning ever brighter as he sat in silence.

 

[Triton Kozak]

The fluidness of the MagnaGuard's movements was amazing, Triton was getting the feeling of frustration again. Out of the corner of the teen's eye, a hand swung for the teen's head. He had to think fast.

He quickly dropped low to the ground and brought his leg out attempting to sweep the machine's legs. He had no time to run through the chances of the Droid falling.

If he could get the Droid to the ground he could finish the fight.

Fatigue hadn't hit him, at least not yet. He was definitely going to pay for it later.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The electrostaff swiped over [member="Triton Kozak"], as he quickly dropped to the ground and made his move. The sweeping kick had force behind, but it was not enough to topple the heavy, metallic construct. The power of the dark side was on the boy's side, but he still had yet to fully tap into it. Within the boiling chamber below the facility, the Pureblood could sense this, feeling the growing frustration within his would-be apprentice.

Triton had faced many challenges thus far, and if things kept progressing as they were, Ballen-Ist would have to keep throwing obstacles in his way. Only when Triton had truly proved himself, would the real training begin. The MagnaGuard pulled its arm back after the swipe, ready to defend against the boy's attack, not expecting the low sweep. While it budged the droid somewhat, it was hardly effective, seeing as the droid almost immediately followed up with another attack, shooting its own leg out in an attempt to kick the Sith away.