The rain drops came slowly at first, Darth Yang held out both bare hands. He could barely even feel the pin-prick sized drops touching his skin. He could feel the latent pulse of the dark side as it flowed through every fiber of his being. He reached down, unclipping the lightsaber from his belt - igniting the cerulean blade with a flourish. As he did so, his eyes shut slowly as he absorbed the fuel the dark side provided.

Darth Yang was dispatched to the barren wasteland of Ulabos, to reflect on the ways of the dark side. It wasn't the typical mission that he'd be assigned, but he relished these moments nonetheless. Here, amidst the frozen tundra he'd be able to refine his techniques - an opportunity he was rarely afforded.

While many amongst the Sith fancied themselves philosphers, Darth Yang made no mistake of the fact that he lived by the sword. Perhaps some day he might die by the sword. This is not to say that Darth Yang was not well aware of the rich history, and power of the dark side, as well as the intricacies therein. No, Darth Yang spent a great portion of his time reading the ancient texts, absorbing their knowledge, and even studying the ways of the ancient Sith via holocrons - of which Maximus Tyranus possessed many.

<i>Shii-Cho, Makashi, Soresu, Ataru, Djem So, Niman, Vaapad</i>. These were the seven forms of lightsaber combat. Of course there were a few others, <i>Sokan, Jar'Kai, Form Zero and Dun Möch</i>. Of all these forms Darth Yang preferred <i>Ataru</i>.

<i>Ataru</i>, focused on acrobatic maneuvers and abilities which seemed physically impossible. The aid of the dark side made a wielder of <i>Ataru</i> seemingly a blur. The use of <i>Ataru</i> emphasized acrobatic strength and power, two attributes which were frowned upon by traditional Jedi. Combined with its aggressive nature and use of the dark side, <i>Ataru</i> was ideal when dealing with one-on-one combat.

Of course, Darth Yang had the ability to change forms in fluid fashion when necessary, although there were some forms which he despised. <i>Soresu</i> and <i>Shii-Cho</i> were both forms that Yang would only utilize when absolutely necessary. <i>Shii-Cho</i> was ideal when dealing with conventional blasters - although if the situation called for such a tactic, Darth Yang much preferred <i>Djem So</i> which allowed him to deflect the bolt directly back at his attacker.

Of all the forms which Yang practised, and he practised them all - he yearned to master the art of <i>Vaapad</i>. <i>Vaapad</i>, in Yang's eyes was the ultimate form. More than a fighting style, it was a state of mind. Any chance he got, Yang would study the ways of <i>Vaapad</i>, long thought dead after the passing of Palpatine. Yang, however recently came across the texts which detailed the usage of Vaapad. Maximus Tyranus had granted Yang the use of the texts after witnessing his mastery of <i>Ataru</i>. Ever since, Yang's mission had been to master <i>Vaapad</i> with a proficiency which would put it's creator - Mace Windu, to shame.

In time, Yang knew his goal would be attained. But the sheer excitement he'd felt when introduced to <i>Vaapad</i>, was insatiable. Yang was on a mission to master the long-forgotten form. Perhaps, in his search for the Sacred Sphere held on Ulabos, Yang might truly discover the way of <i>Vaapad</i>.

Darth Yang was sent to Ulabos to focus on the ways of the Force so that he might discover the next Sacred Sphere, if Yang had his way, an epiphany regarding <i>Vaapad</i> would be the greatest goal he could achieve. Maximus Tyranus however, had his own ends in mind. The Seven Sacred Spheres were almost discovered, soon Tyranus would be in possession of all Seven. Then, the Sith would return to their rightful place as rulers of the Galaxy.

Perhaps the domination of the <i>Vaapad</i> technique should be no more than a blip on Yang's RADAR. However, for Darth Yang it was all he could think of.

There was no way Darth Yang would be able to <i>master Vaapad</i> in the short time that he'd spend here on Ulabos. The mastery of such a strict discipline would take <i>years</i>, perhaps <i>decades</i>. But there was no doubt in Yang's mind that he would leave this rock with a working knowledge of the <i>Vaapad</i> technique, it wouldn't replace <i>Ataru</i> as his favorite form, but he would have a firm foundation of the basics.

<i>Who knows how long I'm even gonna be </i>on<i> this rock. Could be days... weeks. Hell, it could be </i>months.

In truth, Darth Yang wasn't certain what his mission was. At least, he wasn't sure what he would have to do, specifically. Maximus instructed him to visit the ice ball, Ulabos, and meditate on the dark side of the Force. Then, in time, his mission would reveal itself. It also had something to do with one of the seven spheres. What? He wasn't sure. If Maximus had known what Yang was up against, he wasn't saying.

Instead of worrying about what he'd face, he did as he was told. Out on the frozen tundra, Yang stood bare-chested and defiant. Calmly practicing the basics of the <i>Vaapad</i> technique, slowly, repeatedly, and accurately – emphasizing every movement. Every once in a while, he'd take a break from the redundant exercises and meditate on the dark side.

He sat there – legs crossed, eyes closed, a hand resting on either thigh. He focused on lessons long past, allowing his anger and frustration to seep into every pore. The dark side igniting within him like M’shinni firecrackers bursting to life. A sinister grin escaped his steadfast form.

Yang placed thoughts of <i>Vaapad</i> in the background, but he couldn’t shift his focus entirely. It was like some carrot dangling in the distance – a reward for hard work not yet accomplished. Darth Yang could taste it, <i>almost</i>.

Then, when Darth Yang allowed his concentration to strengthen – he felt it. A call from beyond. A shrill voice heard faintly in the distance, beckoning him over with a disarmingly alluring invitation.

Darth Yang’s eyes opened halfway at first, as he turned to survey the horizon. Storm clouds had formed in the distance which he hadn’t noticed during his meditation session. His eyes widened as he looked on, not knowing what he was about to get into. <i>Excited</i>, at the proposition.

“Khidir,” Darth Yang said flatly, he spoke in not more than a whisper.

“My coat.” The Sith said – and no more, as the droid moved with haste to bring him his coat.

Khidir the droid returned to Darth Yang with his parka. Yang put the hood over his head, the fur-lining sure to keep him warm even in this climate.

Yang's eyes narrowed as a smile formed across his black-tattooed lips. Lightning crackled in the background as storm clouds swirled slowly in the distance. Yang placed a comlink in the pocket of his parka, as he turned back to the droid Khidir.

"Pick me up when I call." Darth Yang ordered, knowing that the true reason for his visit to Ulabos would become clear; <i>soon</i>.

The droid hesitated before responding, knowing that Darth Yang was not seeking a response.

Darth Yang marched intently towards a location which held something, yet Darth Yang was unsure what that something was. The one thing Darth Yang was fairly certain of after having served Maximus Tyranus since his earliest memories was that this was some type of test.

Maximus had instructed Yang that he would find one of the Seven Sacred Spheres here on Ulabos, and Yang did not doubt his Master for a moment. Knowing the nature of the Spheres, Yang also knew that this wasn't a matter of simply finding the sphere. There would most assuredly be some obstacle in the way.

As Darth Yang got closer and closer to the eye of the storm, the winds got heavier, the temperature got colder, and the snow became almost blinding. The lightning had come to a halt, the flurry of snow had caused the visibility to become almost nil.

Without vision, Darth Yang reached out with his feelings. Shutting his eyes he searched through the Force, for some lifeform; <i>something</i>. But there was nothing.

Then the voice penetrated the silent tundra like thunder echoing after a nearby lightning strike.

The voice wasn't loud, yet there was no way Darth Yang couldn't hear it.

"Hello, Xander." The familiar voice said. There was a tone to the voice, a sense of satisfaction that translated through his words.

Yang saw the outline of a man who stood nearly 10 meters away from him, but through the thick snow he could not make out the details.

Yang did not respond, as he stood there ankle-deep in the soft snow looking to the left and right, to see if this unknown person had a partner.

"I'm talking to you, Xander Wolfe." The voice continued, and this time Yang got the impression that the voice was talking to him.

"My name's not-" Yang began but was cut off.

"Would you prefer I call you <i>Darth Yang</i>?"

"How did you know-" Yang started but was again cut off.

"Your name? I know everything there is to know about you, Xander." The voice said, and as it did shivers ran through Darth Yang's soul. There was something off-putting about the voice.

"You know nothing about me..." Yang said, still trying to catch a glimpse of his adversary, trying to sense his presence through the Force. Yet there was <i>nothing</i>.

The storm slowly died, as the multitude of snowflakes almost instantly decreased in number exposing the man who stood across from Darth Yang. He was of average height, but Yang could not make out any of his features as he was adorned in a white robe and his hooded head was slunk into his chest; causing his face to be covered in shadow.

"Show yourself!" Yang ordered, as the man paced back and forth before turning around.

"In time, Xander. In time."

Yang knew that the test had begun.

There was a strange aura exuding from the man, something familiar yet so <i>distant</i>. Yang was determined to find out more about this character.

"Do you ever wonder what life would have been like back on Metellos, Xander? If Maximus Tyranus had never stolen you from your family and trained you as a Sith." The ivory-robed figure asked as he strafed slowly.

"Metellos? How did you!?"

"I told you Xander, I know everything there is to know about you." The figure replied as he stopped in his tracks, just a few meters from Yang. He removed his hood to reveal his face, the recognition that Yang thought might come, <i>didn't</i>.

But there was something strangely familiar about the olive-skinned man. His hair was short, black. His steely blue eyes stared deeply into Darth Yang's soul.

"Who are you?" Yang shot back.

"As I said, Xander. All will be revealed in time."

"Perhaps you'll start talking when I remove your spleen forcibly with my bare hands." Yang said, and it wasn't a question or even a threat. It was a subtle statement of fact.

The dark-haired man smiled.

"Good." Yang said. "I'll enjoy wiping that smile off your face."

Yang darted forward, unclipping his lightsaber simultaenously but before he could ignite the blade and rain death upon the unknown man, his blade met the resistance of another with a crackeling thunder.

Seemingly out of nowhere the man had retrieved his own emerald-colored lightsaber to parry the incoming attack. Yang took the offensive and struck blow after blow trying to wear down the defenses of this unknown man.

Yang pressed the attack furiously trying to overcome his opponent, but the man simply stood back repelling the attacks seemingly with ease.

"Who are you!?" Yang ordered as his blade crashed against his opponents'.

"You already know the answer to that, Xander."

Yang grit his teeth and pressed his blade forward, frustratingly trying to overpower his opponent.

"Search your feelings, Xander. Look past the hate. You <i>know</i> who I am."

Yang raised his blade high above his head sending crashing it down towards his patient foe, yet the angry attack was easily parried.

"Your anger reveals the truth, yet you are too scared to acknowledge it." The man said as Yang continued to attack recklessly.

"<i>I</i> am <i>you</i>, Darth Yang."

Furiously, Yang continued his assault. Ignoring, if only momentarily, the words of his unknown opponent which were thought to do nothing but throw Yang off balance.

The ivory-robed man effortlessly switched his stance from <i>Djem So, The Way of the Krayt Dragon</i> to </i>Niman, The way of the Rancor</i>. The mysterious figure seemingly glided on air, smooth and calculated he parried Darth Yang's attacks with seemingly little to no effort.

"Where did you learn these tactics?!" Darth Yang demanded as their blades met, crackling to life. <i>Niman</i> was thought to have been extinct since all the practitioners of the lightsaber form had perished during the Clone Wars.

"You refuse to see what is right in front of your eyes, <i>Sith</i>. I told you, I know everything there is to know about you Xander..."

"My name is Yang!" The Sith interrupted thrusting his weight forward, causing the unknown assailant to retreat.

The man sighed, "If you insist, <i>Darth Yang</i>. I grow weary of parrying your poorly telegraphed attacks."

"Then allow me to relieve your boredom and strike you down!"

"No, the time for games has come to an end. If you are to accept the truth, it appears that I must beat it into you."

The figure leapt forward, raining several strikes down upon the Sith Lord. Darth Yang nearly lost his balance falling back into a defensive form doing all he could to parry the lightning-fast attacks.

Horror overcame Darth Yang as he realized that his opponent had adapted the style of <i>Vaapad</i>. Not only was this unknown man utilizing <i>The Way of the Vornskr</i>, but he was far superior in technique to anything Yangg had seen, even in holos.

Yang fell back, doing his best to parry the attacks as he was knocked off balance. At the first possible moment, Yang conjured all his strength tto leap backwards several meters out of the range of his opponent.

"<i>Vaapad</i>?" Yang questioned, his fear almost palpable as he came to the realization that he was no match for his opponent.

The figure walked forward slowly, the tip of his emerald blade dragging in the snow as he approached the Sith.

"Do you still refuse to acknowledge, that I, am <i>you</i> Xander Wolfe?"

"I told you!" Yang said, reasoning only with himself at this point. "My name is-"

"I know, <i>Darth Yang</i>. You've said as much. Have you truly never questioned where you came from? Or did Maximus Tyranus convince you that you were harvested in some bio-lab?"

Darth Yang snarled but failed to respond.

"You are from Metellos, Xander Wolfe. 'The Coruscant that never was'. You were robbed from your parents, just a boy. Perhaps Tyranus had you convinced that your parents did not want you? Perhaps Tyranus told you tales of how he liberated you from parents that abused you?

"It is time Darth Yang. It is time to renounce your evil ways, and turn to the light. It's not too late."

"Good? There is no good in me. Perhaps you are not as omniscient as you appear."

"There is good in you, I can see it. Locked down deep within the darkness, struggling free itself. Yet you are content to keep it hidden. Search your feelings, Xander. See in me, what you could be if you only allowed yourself. 'Through victory, my chains are broken', is that how the saying goes? If only that were true, would you feel the way you do? Imprisoned your own guilt? Your actions fueled by hatred you have for his very Galaxy, the hatred you have for <i>yourself</i>?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Yang shot back angrily.

"Yes I do. You know I do. The words I speak resonate within the recesses of your soul. The light shining within you begs to be unleashed. Release it, Xander. Allow yourself to be free."

Yang stood there for a moment, the thoughts swirling within his mind were a mess. It was too much to comprehend. <i>A trap?</i> This had to be a test by Maximus, to test Yang's loyalty to the Sith.

"You don't see it do you, Xander? Your own mirror image stands before you, telling you that which dwells in the bottom of your soul, things that only you, <i>we</i> know. And yet you still refuse to allow me to rescue you, to free you from your bonds of hatred."

"You're not even real! You're a spectre! An apparition! A concoction of Sith Alchemy created by Maximus to trick me into disobeying him! I will not be fooled. Tell me where the Sphere is. End this charade." With that, Yang raised his lightsaber preparing to attack.

"You don't want to do that, Xander. I'll strike you down if I must..."