Chapter 4: Round One
Kam Solusar warily eyed the waiting trainees. They were scattered in loose groups throughout the dueling hall of the Jedi Praxeum, waiting for the lightsaber tournament to begin. Kam could sense their eagerness and anticipation flooding through the Force, but below it some anxiety as well. This tournament was an opportunity for each trainee to prove their lightsaber prowess to a potential Master.
Of course, it was also an opportunity for burns, bruises, broken bones, and other bodily harm.
Kam sensed a somewhat familiar presence and turned. "Han Solo," Kam greeted. "Come to see your children participate in the tournament?"
"Wouldn't miss it for a plateful of Moappan honey-seaweed," Solo informed him with a straight face.
"That's an interesting turn of phrase," Kam replied. "You've vacationed on Mon Calamari lately, I take it?"
"Was it that obvious?" Solo grinned. "So how does this tournament work, anyway?"
"The students are aged thirteen to eighteen. In the first round, each one will compete in one-on-one duels ending when a student scores three hits, is knocked unconscious by their opponent, or surrenders. Students are eliminated when they lose two duels. When six students remain, the final, surprise round will take place."
Solo grimaced. "I'm glad I'm only watching," he admitted. "Who's your money on, Solusar?"
Kam shrugged. "I'd have to pick your youngest son," he said. "Even if Anakin's only fifteen, he's the obvious choice here. He definitely takes after Luke in lightsaber technique."
"He does," Solo agreed. "But then again, Anakin's also gullible like Luke. It'll take some dirty fighting to win— I'm betting on Tenel Ka."
"Dirty fighting? Tenel Ka?" Kam asked in genuine confusion. The red-haired warrior princess was as straightforward and honest as anyone he had ever met.
"Hey, her mother Teneniel was good. She jumped out from behind a rock and pounded Luke's head into the ground that one time on Dathomir. And the other side of her family, the double-dealing, manipulating, scheming Hapan part? They've taught Tenel Ka how to take out the competition."
"I'll take that bet," said a voice behind them. It was General Airen Cracken of NRI, looking as unruffled as ever. "One hundred credits says Tahiri Veila wins the whole thing."
"You're on," Solo replied immediately. Kam had to agree. Tahiri Veila? She was a surprising choice. One of the more talented trainees, certainly, but Kam still wouldn't put her anywhere near first.
"What about you, Solusar? Are you in?" Cracken asked.
"Jedi aren't supposed to gamble," Kam replied regretfully. "But I'll see Master Skywalker about a possible exception to that rule."
"Wrrorrraaarrowww?" Lowbacca growled inquisitively.
Em Teedee, his translator, quickly converted the Wookiee's growl to Basic. "Master Lowbacca wonders if you would be amenable to accompanying him to the dueling hall to find the names of your opponents."
"Let's go," Tahiri agreed. She had to walk quickly to keep up with Lowbacca's long stride, but she did not mind the exercise. Having decided that failure to win was no option, Tahiri felt nothing could rattle her.
The pair entered the hall. It was high-ceilinged, with raised seats for spectators on one side. The names of the opponents were posted on a sheet of flimsi pinned to one wall.
Tahiri ran her finger down the long list of names until she reached "Veila, Tahiri". Opposite it was the name "Horn, Valin".
Tahiri almost felt a little let down. Valin was thirteen, a full year younger than her— and he didn't spend all his time training with older students, like Tahiri had. Even though he was the son of highly respected Jedi Corran Horn, he was no match for her. And she would feel bad about crushing him.
Lowbacca growled something unintelligible.
"What?" Tahiri asked.
"Master Lowbacca is set to duel against Raynar Thul," Em Teedee translated. "He wishes to inquire the name of your opponent."
"Valin Horn," Tahiri replied, beginning to feel a little insulted. Did the Masters really think so little of her fighting ability? Tahiri decided to channel her slight resentment into determination to prove them wrong.
Before Lowbacca could reply, Master Solusar cleared his throat loudly. The room fell silent almost immediately. "It's time to begin," he announced.
Luke Skywalker opened his eyes. The world was suddenly very salmon-colored, and he couldn't make out distinct shapes.
Everything moved, and Luke realized he was staring into the mottled Mon Calamari arm of Cilghal. "Good afternoon, Master Skywalker. Please lift your arm."
Luke complied. His muscles felt stretched and overworked, and his hand shook a bit.
"You can put it down now," Cilghal directed, producing a light to shine into his eyes. She was going through a standard medical checkup, but Luke could not remember why. And stranger still, her Force presence was a curious mix of relief and worry . . . and guilt, directed towards him?
"Master Skywalker?"
Luke looked up into Cilghal's face. There was no doubt— even Luke, a human, could read the emotions written all over her face.
"You can't leave yet," Cilghal replied, gaze sliding down slightly. "You shouldn't be up and dealing with Academy business just yet."
The Academy!
It all came flooding back. The Dark Jedi that had somehow slipped onto Yavin 4. Cracken, waking him up. Cracken, yelling at him. Cracken, taking advantage of his weakened state to make him take an apprentice.
"Luke?" Cilghal asked, alarmed.
Luke realized that he had shot to his feet. "I'm going to kill him!"
"Calm down, Luke," Cilghal said soothingly, reaching for his arm.
But Luke pulled back. "You let Cracken pull me out of a bacta tank to force a promise on me when I couldn't defend myself!"
"I'm sorry," Cilghal told him. "I—"
Luke didn't let her continue. He just glared accusingly, feeling a small stab of pleasure as Cilghal cringed in the Force. "I'll remain here for a few more hours." He made his voice as frigid as only a Skywalker could. The kind of iciness that made minions step out of Darth Vaders path, Imperials tremble in fear at the look on Princess Leia's face, and stormtroopers cower behind the nearest vegetation when Luke Skywalker's name was mentioned.
Cilghal nodded hastily and scurried out of the room.
Luke gently slid off the medical platform, testing his legs. They were slightly shaky, but would support him, as he had no intention of following Cilghal's medical orders.
He stood up.
Calling on the Force, Luke limped across the room, pausing only to summon his lightsaber from the plasteel table where it lay. The door slid open soundlessly. Luke knew just where General Cracken would be: in the dueling hall, manipulating his new apprentice. Wait a second. Luke blinked. He had just referred to Tahiri as his new apprentice. It hadn't even had time to sink in, but it already felt automatic. And he did promise . . . .
Luke entered the side door of the dueling hall. Two Jedi trainees were swinging practice lightsabers in the center, The audience was absorbed by the flashing of the brilliant blue blades, giving Luke an opportunity to painfully pull himself up the stairs to the viewing area unnoticed and slip into the seat beside Airen Cracken.
"How's my new apprentice doing?" Luke asked innocently.
Cracken turned his head slowly, but Luke knew that he had startled him. "Very well, actually. She's soundly defeated Valin Horn, Eryl Besa, Raynar Thul, and Wurth Skidder. That's guaranteed her a spot in the finals.
Han and Leia Organa Solo, who were viewing from the row ahead of Cracken and Luke, turned around. "Luke!" Leia said. "You're not supposed to be out of the med center."
Luke make a quick decision and hoped he wouldn't regret it. "Don't worry. My new apprentice is doing all the fighting."
Their jaws dropped.
"New apprentice?" Han asked, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"Well, yes," Luke replied airily. "I decided that Leia was right. An apprentice will be a very good thing for me." He placed just enough emphasis on the I decided part that Cracken would notice. He accompanied the words with an unflinching stare that dared Cracken to disagree.
Cracken was smart enough to nod in concurrence. "That's right. Master Skywalker was just telling me how the obvious talent and intelligence of his new apprentice made the decision all too simple."
Leia recovered first. "That's great, Luke!" she congratulated. "Who is it?"
Kam's voice cut through their conversation. "The six contestants remaining contestants are Anakin Solo, Jaina Solo, Tenel Ka Djo, Tahiri Veila, Lowbacca, and Wurth Skidder. The final round will now take place."
Knowing that Kam was about to announce the rules of the surprise round, Luke left Leia's question unanswered and started making his way down from the viewing area again.
Kam continued. "This round will be held on the outside dueling arena. It will be an apprentice free-for-all— with a catch. Each apprentice will be allowed to team up with one of the willing Jedi Knights or Masters in the arena. When either partner is eliminated, the other must step off the field as well." He stepped back and addressed the final six. "You have half a standard hour to find a partner and talk strategy, so I suggest you get moving."
The audience's noise started up again. Luke stepped towards Tahiri, who turned around and came face to face with him. "Come on," he said quietly to her, indicating the door. The two slipped out of the dueling hall and into a deserted corridor. Luke was about to speak, but Tahiri held up a hand.
"I know you're expecting an apology," she burst out, suddenly flushed with fury. "But you're not going to get one. I'm not a pathetic little girl anymore, and there's nothing terrible about having to train me. I'm going to be the best apprentice there ever was. I amsorry that you got hurt because of me, but I'm never going to fail you again." She gave him a hard, blistering look. "You're going to be glad that I'm you're apprentice."
It was then Luke knew that she was right. "I know," he said. "But are you sure you want me to train you? I'm not exactly the easiest person to be around, as a lot of people tell me. I'm reckless, unhappy, easy to manipulate, and not nearly as valiant as people seem to think I am."
"You're not any of those things. You only say that because you don't know yourself nearly as well as I'm going to," she informed him firmly, the bright spots of color not faded from her cheeks.
Luke smiled a genuine smile for the first time in what seemed like months. "Okay," he promised. "We can do this."
Tahiri grinned back, and Luke stepped forward to hug her. She was surprised at first, but returned the embrace. Luke sensed a flood of positive emotion towards him, and he was certain that this was going to work.
A/N: Thank you very much to Skywalker05, who reviewed the last chapter.
If you're reading my story, I'm really glad! It is kind of discouraging though to only receive one review. If you could just write me a quick note, even a couple words, I would really, really, appreciate it.
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