So. . . Um, where was I? Oh, yeah. I didn't cut the deal to become a Padawan since I turned down the opportunity from Qui Gon himself.
Well, it doesn't sound all bad, mate. I did get a job in the Jedi Service Core. In what, you may ask. As a lightsaber instructor in basic forms for younglings.
. . .
No, I am not kidding. I am teaching Padawans how to stab and slash when it comes to lightsabers. It was all thanks to Cruell who suggested the position because of the fact that I had dabbled way too much in the saber art forms. Another person to thank for being slotted into the job was Yoda, since the little green man ratted me out! I still love him, though,
So, yeah, I was teaching little cutey-pies how to kill people. I still feel weird about that, but I try not to think hard on it. Cruell made sure that the "potential" I wasted was to be put into good uses. . . namely lightsaber fighting.
A few years have passed and I was in my pre-adult age working as an instructor, namely about 17. . . 18? I didn't keep count, okay. The Jedi don't celebrate birthdays so it was hard to keep track. Oh, I know its more easier to visit the doctors or medical droids who would use their tech to confirm for me, but they ain't giving me cakes with candles on them, are they?
Anyway, back on track, lightsaber training. I usually take on the hand on approach by actually sparring the kids with a lightsabers. Sure, the curriculum was strictly more focused on deflecting blaster bolts, but I added an extra lesson plan just for fun. And I even had my own lightsaber to use on them.
It was cool for the Core Service Councils to let me have one lightsaber for myself to instruct the kids with, just know that it wasn't equipped with a crystal that would let me slice things into twines. No it was meant to burn and scar thing more likely, even provide an electrical discharge strong enough zap you silly.
Basically they gave me a stun baton that looks like a lighsaber. Still, it was cool.
On one of the typical days, I was wrapping my class up. The children were all worn out, but their spirit was still high. They were doing deflection training, and the little buggers were having a hard time getting this lesson down for weeks on end before. Now, though, they are doing so well they can basically do it with their eyes closed. It felt good watching them get this far.
"Alright, kiddo, time to wrap things up," I said, clapping my hands that signaled for them to get into formation. They all groaned in pain and stumbled all numbly into row, all of their breath heaving. "So far so good. I like what I'm seeing here. If you all keep this up, then you lads and lassies might be able to get this deflecting down in a pinch."
I watch as they smiled, their confidence rising and so are their egos inflating like balloons. I waited and basked in what seems like their high spirits. Then it was time to put it down. "There is. . . one. . . itty. . . bitty little problem that I might need to address."
Immediately all their smiles disappeared like smoke in the wind. It was. . . beautiful. Time to capitalize on it. "Senko! Your forms was too weak, I need you to button it up. Ayu, you're were still too twitchy for my taste. Try to relax or I'll find something to make you relax. . . and that's a threat. Kima, what the heck was that flourish!? It wasn't necessary. Tone it down. You're deflecting bolts, not playing tennis. Don't ask me what tennis is. Iskor! That wasn't Sicho! I know Sicho! Go back to form one or I'll give you form two, personally!"
Every last child winced as I called them out on their mistakes. There was no mercy. . . only the Force. Okay, that was a corny joke, sorry. Anyway, yeah, there was no room for error. At the end of it all, the kids were left standing in a row with their heads bowed and spirit low. Good, it was meant to humble them.
Done with the stick, time for the carrot.
"Take the time off tomorrow. Continue your studies with the other class, but there won't be any here." I said, watching as they all confusedly look among each other. Cute. "Take the time to review your mistake and relax. And go to the med bay, stat. Don't want no one coming here complaining about sore limbs the day after." I gazed into all their eyes, a sense of relief washing over them. They stood their awkwardly for a moment, unsure, which I had to rectify. "Well, go on. Class dismissed."
All at once, the kids all scrambled out. I heard them whoop in joy, their stomps echoing down the halls as they ran.
I sighed in contend. Another days work for me, it seems. I set about to clean up the class, when I heard some people chuckling at the door. I turned and saw a couple of old faces that I missed for a while.
"Are you even allowed to give them the day off?" Bentas commented as he entered, all brown robes and cloaks. Behind him trailed Lito and Plio, along with Tona who was silently fuming at the doorway.
"Well, well. Look what the Rancor dragged in," I joked as I approached them all for a hug, except for Tona who stood far off. "Ah, it's been a while guys. At this point I had thought you guys had forgotten all about little ol' me."
"Never." Lito said as he hugged back, his embrace was more harder than the other two - Tona stood by door, still, avoiding all the hugfest.
"Ah, Lito. Look at you!" I exclaimed. He has grown, and the nervous look and disposition that was him before was now all grown and more confident.
"It's all thanks to you, Bacchus." He said as he stood more proudly. "I am ever grateful for what you had done for me, and I have made a promised to myself to make you proud of me."
Oh, this boy. Tears were about to shed, but I ain't gonna cry then and there. "Tsk, you already made me proud." I said all corny-like as I hugged him.
"I hope the teacher position has been treating you well?" Bentas asked, clapping his hand my shoulder.
"Yeah, it has, actually." I replied, enjoying the moment among old friends.
"To be honest, I thought you would be stuck as janitor since you clean a lot back then." He sneered, causing me to swipe at him playfully. We all laughed - well, they laughed, I pouted. They are so mean.
"Janitor fits you." Plio commented.
"Ack, et tu, Plio?" I gasped in mock-hurt. "Why do you hurt me so?"
"You clean better." She replied, a small grin on her lips. That set off everyone to laugh some more - well, again, they laughed I pouted some more.
I glanced over to Tona. I noticed she was in her black robe, her twin tails grown longer below her shoulders. Her arms were crossed as she leaned casually against the door frame, looking all aloof and all that.
I smiled her way and called her, "Tona! Come on in, you're blocking the door, girl."
"Tsk." Was all she said as she peeled herself away from the door and entered. Her Orange skin before took on a darker tone, but the speckled spots on her cheeks were new. Must be a new face-paint tradition or something.
"It's been a while, Tona." I said warmly, knowing she's just not used to being addressed to by a friendly face. "How are things? Is Master Sriek doing good?"
She shrugged. "Things have been normal. And Master Sriek told me to take the day off as he goes to meditate on something."
"Meditate alone? Must be something important." I inquire, but that only made her frown some more.
"It's related to the last mission we took but that's none of my business to disclose or for you to know."
It was a tense moment, it seems. The other three were watching her and I warily as we stood across from each other. She was giving me this really intense look.
"I see." I spread my arms apart, and saw her gazing at them curiously. "Can I get a hug from you, too?"
She paused. She contemplated about it. Then she approached me with her arms wrapped around my waist and mine around her shoulders.
I heard the three sighed in relief. I laughed.
"It's good to see you again, my friend!" I cheered, and she only pulled away from the hug with a "Tsk." Well, she was warming up to me, that's something.
They stayed around and we all chatted some more. We all reminisce about the old days and cooed at how adorable Lito was back then. The said person only blushed and groaned in complaint at our teasing. It was great meeting old friends. That is when the worst idea was made known.
"Hey, I have an idea." Bentas exclaimed, drawing all our attention. "How about we spar, huh? Like the old times."
I immediately disliked the idea. Meanwhile, the others were somewhat open to the idea, Tona especially when she set her glares onto me. "That's a great idea," She said, her focus dead-set on me. "It be a good way to see each other's progress. Besides, we haven't sparred with Bacchus before, even during class."
"Yeah, cool!" Bentas agreed, glancing at the other two who nodded in agreement. "What say you, Bacchus? Don't be holding out on us!"
All eyes were on me, and I saw no way of letting down this offer. I tried, though. "Ah, yeah, man I've been rusty, ya know? I don't know if I am up to standard with you guys." I was trying to play it cool. It would have worked, if not for Tona.
"Nonsense. It seems the younglings under your tutelage seems to disagree otherwise." Tona said, her intense stare taking on a whole new meaning of weird.
I wanted to play it off, but the others were piping up in agreement with her.
"Yeah, some masters were impressed at how they've improved for younglings." Lito said, looking all the puppy would when in awe.
"Hey, I sparred with one of them, and they were able to keep me on my feet." Bentas supported.
"You're that good." Plio deadpanned, her finger pointing at me oh-so accusingly.
There was no way out of it, so I just shrugged and stood up to get the practice sabers. I gave them each of their sabers respectively to what they can wield. Bentas had two, though, whilst the others were stuck with one. I kept the one given to me from Core Service Council.
"Alright, Plio and I will go first." Bentas exclaimed, taking his place in the center room. Plio took up the opposite side and took up her stance.
As soon as they were given the go ahead, Bentas was the first to burst into combat. His lightsabers ignited, one blue one green, he took to slashing at Plio more violently than a hurricane. Bentas was fast, precise, and I saw his forms were improving. He danced on the floor, his feet wildly tapping at the cement as loud as his lightsabers hummed and clashed at Plio's.
If Bentas was a storm, Plio was the rock that stood unfazed against it. Her defense were up, her form tightened to make sure his strikes don't pass through her blue lightsaber. It was unreal to how much she blocked his attacks, and the way she stood the same ground she had at the beginning of the match.
It was clear who would have won the match. Bentas speeds picked up as he circled Plio, his weapon poised for the strike. Plio's eyes had tracked him as fast he was, and coiled her body in preparation to spring. Bentas lashed out. Plio ducked. Her lightsaber lashed out as hard and precise as viper would attack.
Bentas was down on his back, his lightsabers lost from his grips, and his robe burned from his waist up to his chest. He laid on the floor as the electrical current took its course, stunning his nerve, making him do the silly dance. I told you it would zap someone silly.
"Plio wins." I announced, walking over to help up Bentas but Plio beat me to it as she carried the poor boy onto his feet.
The two stared at each other for a moment, a tense air taking place in the air. Then, like a melted butter, it dissipated when Bentas smiled and shook hands with the victor.
"Hah, you got me good. Next time, it won't happen again when we spar." He proclaimed with a smile.
"I'll wait." Plio quipped back, a small smile on her lips.
As the two stepped out of the center, I took the time to compliment them. They both blushed at my praise before I went to announce the next up-coming match up: Lito and Tona were up next.
Tona took the floor with that cold confidence that made her look bad-ass! She threw off her black cloak and took up stance across. Her lightsaber ignited, a blue glowing blade, and was pointed towards her opponent.
I expected Lito to cower at her display of confidence alone, but surprisingly the little boy ain't so little when he stood tall with his lightsaber ignited in green luminescence as he took up his stance. I saw the determination in his eyes burning like fire, and they way he glanced at me told me he was out to impress me. I'm already impressed.
"Alright, begin!" I announced.
What surprised me the most was that Lito took the initiative to strike first. Tona was, too, as her defense was raised in a hurry. Lito drew back, his swings smooth and controlled. Tona fell for the feint and left herself open when Lito slashed across her leg. It would have afforded him victory if his slash didn't just slash the surface of the leg-sleeves.
Tona withdrew back and kept her distance. She watched Lito with same amount of surprise I had for the once small, klutzy boy. She then glanced at the burnt legging of her pants below her left knee and huffed in annoyance.
"Not bad, Lito." She complimented, her eyes still trained on her leg.
"Tsk, I missed." Lito berated himself, slapping his open palm to his forehead.
"Yeah, you did," She replied, her eyes turning to her opponent with the fierce look from before. "Big mistake."
Lito drew up his guard just in time as Tona lunged. The lightsabers hissed at their blades clashing. Lito tried to push her off, but Tona withdrew just in time to watch as he stumbled forward. With deadly accuracy she whipped out her legs and kicked at his torso causing him to double forward in pain. Then she spun around his open back and drew up her lightsaber up his back.
"Ack!" He cried as he danced the silly dance before collapsing face-first to the floor.
"Lito!" Bentas cried as he rushed out to help the little one up. Plio joined beside as they fret over him.
"Okay, that's enough," I said, walking over to see Lito smiling weakly as he stood up with Bentas acting as support. "You okay?" I asked.
"Sorry, still have a lot to learn," He responded pathetically, his face dejected and forlorn.
"Nah, I'd say you've done better than last time. The first strike ya did was genius on your part, and that says a lot of your improvement. Next time use the back of your hand to knock her out!" I complimented, ruffling his hair. I watched him grumble, his face blushing at my teasing.
"Now, it's your turn." Tona said. I turned to her and saw her walking over to the center of the room again. She took up her spot from across, watching me with all the same intense she does when she's determined. "Bacchus, you're up."
"Who? Me?" I said, looking around mockingly. "Isn't it close to bedtime, or something? We might get in trouble." Her glare intensify as she walked over. "Plus, you know, I'm bushed." I faked a yawn, hoping it sells.
"You will spar with me, now." She said somewhat threateningly. She stood in front me, her face scowling as she looks up to me. Her eyes burned with some sort of determination that tells me all I needed to know: I can't say no at all.
"Ahhhh, fine," I relented. She nodded out of triumph before she took up her spot. I walked over and took up mine. "Alright, Bentas, you call it.'
I watched as my weequay friend stood to the side, his eyes turning to both of us to confirm if we were ready.
I took out my lightsaber (still a practice saber) and ignited. Tona did the same. I took up form, and so did she.
"Begin!" Bentas announced, stepping back into the sideline with the others.
Neither one of us made a move. Tona observed me with deadly focus, which made me worry that she was taking this way too seriously than I thought.
I stepped sideways and saw her gaze drawn to my movement. It was scary, somewhat, to be at the end of that intense focus; like a predator to a prey.
I watched her form, which was Ataru, took up on a nearly coiled stance. She was readying herself, almost too much. At the moment, I was worried that she might have other intention when it comes to this sparring business. I knew she had one, but I was worried it was more than I initially thought.
She moved. I watched. Tona made the first attempt to strike. I saw the attack and parried it effortlessly with my green lightsaber ignited.. She lunged again, and I redirected her attacks as I saw fit.
Her strikes were strong, almost too strong; it was infused with the Force, it seems. I could sense as much I can sense her movement.
She attacked again, this time driving down from above in a slash. I danced to side and spun around her just the same as she did to Lito. I had the opening, but I knew she was ready for that. So I ducked backwards as her foot lashed out, her sandal-like boots nearly scratching my nose.
She was aggressive, that I saw, but it was almost too aggressive.
I stood forward stepping close into her range that barely left room between us. Her eyes widened as she tried to strike but my close proximity made it too awkward for her to any swinging. I raised my arm and braced against her sword-arm, stopping the lightsaber from cutting me. She tried swinging from the other side but I ducked under it just in time.
She stood back and went for the lunge. I was hoping for that since she was too focused on using her lightsaber to hit me. I sidestepped and watched as she stumbled past me, her sword arm in front of me opened for the taking.
I swung upward and winced as I heard the hiss of the lightsaber made burning contact with her wrist. I heard her cry as she dropped her lightsabers and tumbled forward on the ground.
I saw her body laid still on the ground. I watched her shoulders shuddered and trembled. I was beginning to get worried.
"Tona?" I asked in worry, deactivating my lightsaber I rushed to her. She sat up clutching her wrist and kept herself from looking at me. I sat beside her reaching out my hand to look at her wrist but she withdrew it from me. "Tona? Are you okay?"
I heard her whimper, crying. This was new and I didn't know what was going on! Why was she crying?! Did I do something wrong! I couldn't make sense of it. Was I too harsh?
She turned to me, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me with anger. That look made me froze as I watched wiped her eyes and nose from the snot and tears.
She stood up from the ground, watching me where I stayed kneeling with same look in her eyes at me. "Why?" She asked. I drew back from the question, knowing that this question was becoming familiar with me. "Why did you give up the chance to become a padawan?!"
I was about to answer, but she cut me off. "No! Don't say anything, for I know that would either be an excuse or a lie! You have so much potential but you just threw it away! I can't understand someone like you would throw away such an opportunity, and I am sure I don't want to hear your excuses."
She picked up her lightsaber and rushed out of the room.
"Tona." I called, but she was gone. I looked to floor dejectedly as I stood. I look to the others and saw them glancing at each other awkwardly. Poor bugger are just as confused as I was from all that event. "You guys go and get some rest. . . that's enough excitement for one day, it seems."
"But Bacchus-"
I raised my hands to silence Lito. "No, not now. I. . . I just need time to be alone right now. . . Please."
They begrudgingly accepted my wish and left the room. I stumbled about thinking hard on why she would be so angry at me for turning down being a padawan. I stewed over the thought for a while before just giving up and resorted to cleaning the arena room to keep me busy.
I'll apologize to her tomorrow, I thought. Something's bothering her, and it's my fault. At least, I can do that much. With that decided, I resumed to what I was doing.
I took to the routine just as much I have before. I was just mopping the floors when. . . a presence was behind me. I turn to look but I saw no one there. I wanted to ignore my Force Sense to go back being depress but the tingle at the back of my head were raising alarms in all levels.
I stood where I was, uncertain. I regarded the now dark room as I would regard a room filled with KKK members. I took the mop and placed it in the bucket, and began to approach the room. Weirdest sentence I have ever used, but yeah I approached it.
In a sense the room felt hostile towards me, and I was being careful in case it lashed out at me. It did. I ignited my blade just in time as blue blade ignited against my green one. The blades hissed and echoed in the room as I watched a strange figure with a hood covering his face and a scarf wrapped around his maw to prevent me from seeing him..
I stepped back, but the figure followed. The blue blade hummed as it swung at me. I parried it away and tried to retreat some distance, but the stranger wasn't going to give me no such quarry. I tried to sidestepped but he spun effortlessly and redirected his attacks to drive me back. I blocked the tricky strike but I was back being driven back.
I saw what the person was doing. He was trying to herd me to a wall, hoping to catch me off-guard. I prepared myself as my back met the cement wall. I waited. He lunged. And I pounced on the opportunity. I ducked under the strike and drove my shoulder forward to push him back.
I heard him grunt as he stumbled back. Before he could reform, I feinted a couple of swings at his torso and leg to keep him stumbling and off his toes.
Then he unexpectedly stood his place and leaned into one my feint with his lightsaber, surprising me as he followed my feint with a point to drop my offenses. Whoever this guy was, his form was meant to keep me from being in control of the fight.
I raised my lightsaber to deflect his attacks, but his well-coordinated attacks were exhausting for me to keep up with. One of the swings to my leg was too close for comfort! I was getting desperate. My panic was setting in.
I swung to retaliate but he countered it perfectly and managed to disarm me by shorting out my lightsaber's hilts. I watched as my lightsaber was cut into two, it's hilt head smoldered as it hissed in its sudden destruction. I wanted to whine there and then but the blue lightsaber pointed at my throat stayed me from doing so.
I stood where I was, quiet as I could be as the person just tilted his head with lightsaber pointed me. Then a voice spoke:
"Good," The voice purred. "Very good. I see that my apprentice wasn't misleading me when he said you had potential."
At this point, I was getting sick of this potential gist, but I wasn't going to say anything about it with a lightsaber to my throat. The voice sounded familiar, but for all I know it couldn't be anyone good. "W-who are you?" I asked, cursing my self for stuttering.
"Oh, how unsurprising that my apprentice made no mention of me," He said as he lowered his lightsaber. "Very well then I shall introduce my self." He began to raise his hood and unwrapped his scarf. In that moment my jaw dropped, hanging like a rag in the wind, for I knew who he was. The same combed back hair, the sharp-trimmed beard, the deep-brooding voice that made you think of the word "Nobility" is none other than. . . "You may call me Master Dooku. And from now on, you are my apprentice."
I dropped to my knees as I my brain fused out. He stood where he was and rolled his eyes at me.
"I was warn something like this would happen," He grumbled as he stood over me. "Close your mouth, young Bacchus, it's unbecoming of you." I did I was told. "Good." He hummed in approval as he walked to the doorway.
I sat where I was watched his back, my mind still unbelieving of the situation. He stopped by the door and said. "Well, hurry up. Daylight is waiting for nobody."
"B-but, why?" I asked, and he arched his brow at my question as if unimpressed. "I-I failed the test. And I now am a teacher-"
"That is all taken care. I have talked to Head Council of the Core and made arrangement for your transfer." He said nonchalantly as he stood waiting by the door.
"B-but-"
"Enough," He said so strictly. He approached me and held me by the arms. He raised me up and looked me over. "I can see you are overwhelmed. But know that you are now being chosen as my apprentice - all thanks to my apprentice whose offer you turned down. You turned down so much opportunity before, but you won't have the choice to turn this one down. . . Am I clear?"
He said the last part so threateningly that made me nodded out of fear for my life.
"Good. Now come along. There's so much to be done."
And that. . . was how I became the Padawan to none other than Count Dooku himself. Can this get any more weirder? Oh, wait, it can. Wait and see. . .
