AN: KXR DOES NOT OWN STAR WARS
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Star Wars
Legend of Thaigarus
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Trials and Tribulations; Chapter 9: First meetings, and Premonitions
It was the day before the Apprentice tournament and the council was deliberating Zaaron's eligibility to compete for his rank as a Padawan. In the council chambers Grand Master Satele stood in Zaaron's defense while Master Jaric Kaeden stood to ban Zaaron from the tournament.
"Zaaron should be banned from the tournament due to the use of his powers. He allowed fear to override his body and in doing so gave into the dark side!" Master Kaeden protested from his seat on the council.
"You speak as if he has fallen and joined the ranks of the Sith Master Kaeden. We all saw how Zaaron was affected by his actions, but through his own determination he has come back a better pupil and Jedi." Master Satele countered.
"That may be so. But what kind of example are we setting if we let him compete? It's not as if his actions are not known across the temple." Master Bela Kiwiks added in favor of Master Kaeden.
"Can we truly be so apathetic? Not many initiates even come close to the Flesh Raiders; much less survive if they do. In hindsight of the events that occurred I believe Zaaron's response was most impressive for one his age." Master Tol Braga added.
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As the Masters debated Zaaron stood in the training courtyard facing the most current practice droid provided by the temple. These droids had been programmed to follow the same battle protocols as any Imperial soldier. While most of the time these droids were reserved for Padawans or Knights, due to Zaaron's help in maintaining, repairing and even upgrading them the Master in charge of them allowed him to train with them whenever.
As Zaaron stood to face the battle droid with his training saber drawn Zaaron took a deep breath as the timer countdown until the droid would activate. Drawing the rifle from its back the droid began to take blaster shots set to stun at Zaaron. Deflecting the shots with deep concentration Zaaron began to push the droid to the rings edge. With the droid firing rapid shots and its back to the edge Zaaron twirled his training saber in a figure 8 deflecting the shot before he leaped at the droid and hit it with enough force it shut down before it could draw its blade.
As Zaaron put away his training saber he heard a knocking sound on the rings edge. Turning around Zaaron saw a tall Jed Master with a hood obscuring their face using a wooden staff to tap the stone of the courtyard as if he was clapping. As Zaaron approached the Master they spoke.
"Very good young one, but droids are no great feat of battle. To truly test yourself you must face a true sentient being." The Master said from under his hood.
"None of the other students will train with me; droids are the only alternative to a Knight or Master." Zaaron replied defending himself.
"And why is it none of the other students will train with you?" The Master asked their curiosity piqued.
"They all say I'm too serious and that it's no fun." Zaaron answered with a small hint of sadness in his face.
With a chuckle the Master replied. "Yes that is a common predicament for many who are driven, why a pupil of mine many years ago suffered the same predicament."
"You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions would you?" Zaaron asked hopefully.
"Indeed I do." The Master replied walking to Zaaron.
Gesturing for Zaaron to turn around the Master took a band of cloth and tied it around Zaaron's eyes. "When you use your eyes you see the droid and you can sense it flaws, but take a moment. Now visualize an Imperial soldier. Your mind will then react as if you are in combat with one, and remember to let the force flow through you." The Master said activating the next droid.
As Zaaron began to draw his practice blade he was stunned with several blaster bolts causing a very temporary paralysis. Dusting himself off the Master encouraged Zaaron to try again. With a deep breath Zaaron visualized the Imperial soldier, and just as he finished his exhale Zaaron heard the droid pull the trigger on its rifle, and just as the bolt made its mark Zaaron deflected it and sent a force push in its direction. Using the Force to sense its direction Zaaron charged the droid as it stood up. As Zaaron charged it fired several bolts, but each was dodged by Zaaron using the Force to amplify his senses. Just as Zaaron was about to make contact with the droid he was stunned by a blaster bolt and sent to the ground. Standing up in fierce determination Zaaron began what would be a long day of training.
As Zaaron continued his now grudge match with the combat droid, a newly appointed Padawan wandered the grounds of the Jedi Temple while her Master sat in on the Council meeting. This Padawan was Kira Carsen, a refugee from the World Nar Shadda who had been discovered by Master Bela Kiwiks. As she toured the Temple grounds she finally came upon the sight of an initiate who was only a bit older than her own age being continually thrashed by one of the combat droids. From what she knew of humanoid species she assumed he was Echani, but he didn't look nearly as pale as others she had seen. The boy was tall and well built; she could see the power in every step, move and strike he took at the droid. His hair is what made her question his species however. Unlike anything she had seen before he had silver hair like an Echani but over his right eye was a patch of black hair which confused her.
Finally growing bored of seeing the initiate being defeated by the droid only to get up and repeat the process Kira stood up from her perch and challenged the initiate. "Hey you getting your butt kicked! Want to fight something other than that droid?" She yelled with fire burning in her blue eyes.
Stopping mid strike Zaaron removed his blindfold to find the source of the challenge he had received. When his eyes met the fiery red head with astounding blue eyes Zaaron stood in a moment of shock. Zaaron had never seen this girl before, but she was by far the most attractive he's had the pleasure of encountering. Recovering from his shock Zaaron smirked and replied. "If you think you can handle it."
With a smile Kira started towards the training ring, grabbing a practice saber Kira stood in front of Zaaron in an aggressive stance waiting for him to take his. As Zaaron took his stance Kira took notice of the brightest emerald eyes she had ever seen.
Using Kira's hesitation to his advantage Zaaron lunged forward with his training saber aimed for her abdomen. As Kira reacted at the last moment she glared at Zaaron as he smirked at her mistake. Aiming to wipe the smirk off his face Kira attacked Zaaron with a passion. As the two teenagers sparred the unknown Master smiled from under their hood at the display. Kira was growing steadily frustrated with Zaaron as he continued to either block or avoid her attacks all together, and his constant smirk was driving her mad! As she threw a horizontal strike Zaaron ducked down and with a 360 sweep kicked her legs out from under her. When Kira made a move to get up her nose almost came into contact with his training saber. Looking up Kira saw Zaaron wearing a proud smirk on his-not that she'd admit it-handsome face.
"Thanks for the spar. You really had me going there." Zaaron said with a smile on his face as he extended his hand to her. As Zaaron pulled Kira up an image flashed through his mind.
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It seemed Zaaron was in a body of his future self, and was in what seemed to be a med-bay. Looking to the bed he saw an older version of Kira on the bed drenched in sweat and holding a bundle in her arms, this Kira looked mostly the same except her hair was longer and she had a scar on her right cheek. As the older Zaaron walked to her bedside the older Kira grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss.
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It was at that time Kira slapped Zaaron in the face as he spaced out in front of her. "Did you hear me? I said you didn't do too badly for a rookie, and don't make me say it again!" Kira scolded as she crossed her arms across her budding chest and glared at Zaaron.
"Sorry about that. But what are you talking about rookie? I-." Zaaron couldn't finish his sentence before the unknown Master stepped in.
"Zaaron the council wishes to meet with you now." They said walking to the two teens.
With widened eyes Zaaron thanked the two for their help training and made a bee line for the Council chambers. When Zaaron stood in front of the two huge double doors he took a calming breath, straightened his tunic and entered the chambers. When Zaaron came to face the council his breath stilled in his lungs.
"Zaaron the Council has come to the decision that you are banned from this year's tournament due to your actions during the Flesh Raider attack." Grand Master Satele said gravely as she saw the life in Zaaron's eyes deflate.
To rub salt in the wound Master Kaeden as always had to put his two cents in. This was not an easy decision for this Council, but you gave into fear and anger and in doing so took a life, we must allow time for the weight of your actions to settle in your mind and give you the opportunity to understand." Master Kaeden said with all the righteous indignation only he could muster.
The first emotion to enter Zaaron was sadness, he knew what he had done, and what it meant, but he had vowed to make sure he used his powers wisely at all times because of it. With tears threatening to overflow from his eyes Zaaron bowed his head and was about to leave when a new voice entered.
"This boy has no need for the Apprentice Tournament, for I shall take him on as my pupil." The voice said with what seemed like knocking wood as it grew closer to Zaaron's side.
"Master Tao Kahn! This is unexpected. You have not taken an apprentice for 14 years." Master Tol Braga said as the unknown Master from earlier stood behind Zaaron.
As Zaaron looked up to set eyes on his now new Master he saw a man in his mid-40's with silver hair, silver eyes, and pale skin, that and the name Tao Kahn sounded familiar. That's it! Zaaron thought as he realized his new Master was the Jedi Battle Master!
With Tao Kahn's announcement of his taking up Zaaron as his Padawan Master Kaeden's eyes widened and he began to stutter as to how Zaaron couldn't become his Padawan.
"If I'm correct, you said he could not enter the Tournament, but you never said he could not be accepted as a Padawan." Master Tao Kahn said with a smirk at Master Kaeden's discomfort.
"I see no issue with this arrangement. Does anyone except Master Kaeden have any objections?" Grand Master Satele said as she looked on at the other members of the Council.
When no one raised their hand Zaaron's face lit up as his mood brightened. Looking to his new Master Zaaron was more than ready to enter this new phase in his life.
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So what do you guys think? I've finally introduced Kira, and Zaaron's first Master! I'm pleased to say this story is progressing much better than I expected, I may not have the views I want, but the reviews I have received have all been positive and for that I'm immensely grateful. But now I have to ask for criticism. (I Know Right?) How do you guys view the parts that are supposed to leave you guessing or suspenseful? Is there any suspense or is it pretty plain what's going to happen? Either way I'd like to thank you for reading.-KXR