The lightsabers clashed. A flurry of blows creating flashes of light left and right. Jackson jumped up into the air and began slashing at Thomas' head. He began parrying them with defensive stances that he had learned from Master Antanko. With a controlled force push, he caused Jackson to lose balance and almost drop his lightsaber. Before he could regain his balance, Thomas disarmed him with a quick side slice and pinned him down. Holding the saber to his throat, Thomas smiled.
"The duel is over. Deactivate your lightsaber youngling." Thomas did as he was told and left the stage and sat down in the stands. He sat next to his best friend, Michal, who was the same age as him. Michal gave Thomas a high five as soon as he sat down.
"Dude, you kicked his butt."
"Was there any doubt?"
"Well considering how much that jerk Jackson sold himself in the cafeteria for the last week or so, I think that the rest of the school would think so." They both laughed.
"Next match, Michal Jenkins and Rose Insion. Please step forward to the duel arena." Michal got up and picked up his training lightsaber.
"Well, this is going to be fun." he said as he got up.
"Oh please Michal. You know that she's been looking forward to this since they day we entered the academy." said Thomas. They both laughed, and Michal made his way up to the podium. Thomas wanted Michal to win, but he also wanted Rose to win. She was about his age, and was one of the strongest Jedi in his class. The three of them had been friends for all of high school, and were on good terms. They weren't best of friends like he and Michal were, but friends nonetheless. The only fault he had with her was her decision to date Jackson. Maybe it was because out of all the people in the academy, she was the only one who he showed kindness to when he was a jerk to everybody else. His thoughts were interrupted however, when an enraged Jackson gave him a slight shove in the back.
"I told you to throw the fight stupid! I gave you ten bucks to throw that match!"
"Yeah Jackson. Like I'd really just give up a chance to go to the Jedi Council after my Senior year just for a measly ten bucks. What are you, five? We're not in elementary school any more. Just because you're a senior back home doesn't mean I have to obey every whim of yours at the drop of a hat."
"Now listen here, just because you, your best friend and my girlfriend are the best juniors at the Jedi academy from Earth doesn't mean that you can be rude to a senior member! I will report you to Master Mike for this."
"Actually Jackson, I already reported YOU to master Mike. Oh, and that whole thing about you going out with that freshman Minevra, I already told him about that to."
"WHAT?! HOW DID YOU FIND OUT?!"
"I work at the hardware store back home, remember? I saw you next door at the restaurant with her. I heard your conversations. I don't think Rose OR the council are going to cut you a break Jackson. So just take a hike." Jackson, furious, pulled out his lightsaber, and took a hack at Thomas. Sensing his motives almost instantly, Thomas jumped out of the way and landed right on the stage, just barely being able to dodge the swinging blades of Rose and Michal.
"Hey, I know you like these duels Thomas, but this is a bit close don't you think?" Thomas thought Michal said this, but he quickly noticed it was Rose who said that to him. He cracked a bit of a smile at this.

"Ha! You do have an aggressive side to you after all!" He was interrupted by a rage driven Jackson charging onto the stage. Using the force, Thomas managed to grab one of the instructors lightsabers and activate it in time to keep Jackson from hurting him or the other two on the stage. Fighting back against his fury of blows, Thomas held his own against Jackson, while also trying to block out the chanting from the crowd and the rambling yells of his opponent. It was about to be disrupted by the Jedi Council members in the room when something unexpected happened. Thomas seemed to reach out with the force and managed to lift Jackson straight up into the air. When it looked like Jackson was just going to break free like every force-sensitive person would, Jackson couldn't break free. Thomas threw him to the ground and stole Jackson's lightsaber before he could react. The masters were stunned. When they regained their senses, Jackson had stolen a different lightsaber. They were about to rush onto the stage to stop the conflict, but one of the senior Jedi council members held them back. The battle clashed still, and Michal and Rose jumped into the battle. Michal fighting by Thomas' side, with Rose at the side of Jackson.
"Rose, you don't deserve him. He's been cheating on you. He's been seeing Minevra behind your back."
"Oh come on Thomas. We've been over this. Just because you don't like me dating him doesn't give you the right to lecture me!" Rose said taking a few swings at him. Thomas took a few steps backwards, causing Jackson to pin him on the ground.
"She's not going to believe you simpleton. Just because you feel like you are 'mr. righteous', you can't win this battle. Rose is mine, as well as Minevra. You can't win. Submit."
"Um...Jackson? I'm standing right behind you." Jackson whirled around and began slashing at Rose, forcing her into a defensive position.
"How could you?! I wasn't good enough for you?!"
"Fool. Nobody is good enough for me. I just wanted you. And when I got bored, I decided I wanted Minevra. I no longer need you. Now die." He then used a force push to knock her back off her feet, causing her to lose her lightsaber in the process. She lay helpless on the ground as Jackson went in for the kill. But as his lightsaber swung down, they stopped in mid-air. Jackson was struggling to try and move his arms, like he no longer had control of his actions. It looked like a technique that only one of the Jedi masters could have stopped him, but in truth it was Thomas who had rendered his attack useless.
"You can take me down, cut me, slice me, hurt me in any way possible Jackson, but I swear, you will not harm one hair on that woman's head!" Thomas yelled as he ripped Jackson's lightsaber from his hand. The Jedi masters decided it was time to put an end to this, and restrained Jackson.
"Jackson Murton of Earth, you are hereby removed from the Jedi academy and will face punishment back on your homeworld." The Jedi guards took him to a nearby shuttle to take him to a transport ship back to Earth. As Thomas was being congratulated and thanked left and right, he noticed Rose on the ground still, with tears in her eyes. He brushed aside all the people and made his way towards her. They were about to follow him when Michal got in their way.
"Let them be people. They've both been through a lot." Thomas sat himself down next to her, and comforted her. She was bawling. She didn't care that there were other people looking right at her. She just had her heart ripped out of her in an instant. Despite showing kindness to somebody like him, she was still treated as less than nothing. She didn't care that Thomas was the only one there to comfort her, she just cried. As soon as she was done, the two of them looked up to see Master Yenzin standing above them with Michal at his left side.
"You both did well here today. And this tournament is no longer necessary. To Michal and Rose, the Council offers you both full ride scholarships into the Jedi University. And to young Thomas here, we offer you a place in the Jedi Order as soon as you graduate high school back on your own world." Thomas was stunned. He was accepted into the Order just like that? He was about to immediately agree, but then had second thoughts.
"You are troubled young Overson. Perhaps you wish to take some time to think about all of this?"
"Thank you Master. I would like that."
"Just so you are aware, if you do wish to go through the University, we are prepared to offer you a full-ride scholarship as well. Let the force guide you in this decision."
"Thank you master." Thomas shuddered a little bit at this. The group left the arena and the next group entered after them. Thomas and Michal made their way to the shuttle back to Earth and grabbed seats next to one another. Michal bumped Thomas' fist once the shuttle lifted off.
"Dude...you kicked Jackson's butt. And you got accepted into the Jedi Council!"
"Yeah...I can hardly believe it myself. I just don't know..."
"Don't know what?! Whether or not you should take the best opportunity ever presented to you in your life?! Dude, this has been your DREAM to join the Council. Why wouldn't you want to join right away?!"
"It's your dream too man. And didn't we promise that we would join the Jedi Council together and become some of the best Jedi's?"
"We were only children then. Dude, if you have a chance to realize your dream, then take it!"
"I know I should, but dude, you're my best friend. I should really consider this decision. And it's not just that. I also think I could become a better Jedi through the experience at the University. I just need time to think and pray about it."
"Still holding on to that religion of yours Thomas? The Force is real. Give up your silly Earthly superstition."
"Superstition? Really Michal? If it were superstition, and the Force is the ultimate ruler of this universe as they all say, then why is Earth the only known planet to keep people from using the force? Just because the rest of the galaxy thinks that it is something to be worshiped doesn't mean I do."
"So even though it seems to be an accepted truth to everybody, you still don't believe in it."
"Pretty much yeah."
"Oh. Okay."