The Apprentice Tournament
Spike smiled as he brought his Lightsaber smashing down on the practice droid, clashing with its weapon and with enough strength, forced it to it's knees. Without hesitation, Spike lifted up his weapon and swirled around, using both hands with enough speed he cut the droids head off.
taking a deep breath, Spike looked around the practice room, four droids lying on the ground. Glancing up, he saw the others watching him from a balcony. Nodding to them, Spike deactivated his weapon before walking out of the room and going up the stairs.
It has been nearly a week since the members of the Darius clan had completed their Lightsabers and officially been granted the rank of Padawan, but the new rank forced them to train harder than before. Every day was now dedicated to honing their skills for what lay ahead, whether that be in the ways of the force or dueling. In one day, every youngling that had passed to the rank of Padawan would be arriving at the temple for the The Jedi Temple Apprentice Tournament.
Almost every new Padawan dreamed of this day, most thinking of little else from the time they built their Sabers. Spike and the other members of Darius clan had been no different and had been training non stop. This tournament would decide their role in the Jedi for the rest of their lives and everyone wanted to make a good impression. Any Jedi could come and watch the tournament.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Spike pushed the door open and stood next to the others, who were already watching some of the other padawans training.
"Anyone interesting?" Spike asked.
"A few." Brandon replied, looking over at another balcony.
Spike looked over, seeing nearly seven people all of them looked surprisingly young.
"So how did I do?" Spike asked, turning back to his clan mates.
"Nearly Perfect." Asha said, grabbing a datapad. "Your use of the force was quite strong but still not as strong has it could be, it can be exploited, but you did nearly excellent when you used your Lightsaber."
"Nah, his lightsaber skills are good enough to make up for his weakness in force power." Zuno continued. "That's all you really need to win a battle."
"Alright." Spike smiled, nodding slightly. "When is the next member of our clan suppose to train?"
"About four more Padawans from other clans have scheduled rounds before Zuno is registered to go in." Asha said before turning to Zuno. "Lets see how good you can do."
"I'll do fine." Zuno said smiling. "If anything it's to easy."
"Easy? I think you're bluffing." Spike said with a smile.
"What makes you think I'm bluffing?" Zuno said to Spike.
"Let's see." Asha said, placing a finger to her mouth. "You're smile says it all and last time I checked, you try to make yourself look a lot stronger than you actually are."
"But... I'm not bluffing this time." Zuno said, trying to think of something to say.
"Sure you are." Asha smiled.
"Instead of speaking, We should analyze everyone." Brandon suggested.
"You have a point." Zuno said.
"Good idea." Spike said, before studying the Padawan below more closely.
He wanted to know how each one of them fought, what their weaknesses and strengths were, and how he could beat them. His eyes looked around as the Padawans switched over, taking in each swing of their own Lightsabers, any variation in their weapons, and any other details he could use. Spike watched in silence, When the time came to face them, he would be ready.
Next day
The room was filled with Padawans, each hoping to catch the eyes of various individuals during the tournament. Around the main floor was a large amount of seats, within which the Jedi Knights and Masters would be sitting and watching the show, deciding which Padawan, if any, would be suitable for them. Spike quickly caught sight of a few that he knew, and smiled as he saw both Master Darius and Master Amber, currently talking about something.
High above the assembled Padawans, on a small balcony on the far side of the room, Jedi Master Windu stood up and instantly, the room went silent as everyone present focused on the Jedi, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Gathered Jedi. Friends, Padawans, Masters and Knights." He said, his voice echoing out across the room. "Today marks the beginning of another Jedi Temple Apprentice Tournament. Gathered before you are all those who have been deemed worthy of competing today and have completed their trials on Illum, it is my great honour to introduce the clans that will be competing today. Ocray clan.
As he said this, the other lights in the room dimmed, leaving the members of Ocray clan as the lightest part in the room.
"Simon clan!"
Another one of the clans was put into the spotlight.
Windu continued, names of the various clans competing, naming four more of them, before finally reaching the final clan.
"And finally, Darius clan!" He finished.
"Every name you will need to know is on the datapads you were provided with upon entering." Windu said, addressing the Masters and Knights. "As for you Padawans, this will be your final step on the road to apprenticeship. To win, all you must do is defeat you're opponent. But be warned, do not kill you're opponent, that is only rule, the fight continues until one members is without a weapon or every Master or Knight has decreed that the fight is over."
Windu gestured for a few of the overseeing Jedi to move onto the main floor, directing the members of the clans to different parts of the stands, where they were seated to await their turn.
"Each of you will have a max of two fights," he continued, "after that, your skills will determine who goes into the final rounds. Now, the first fight. From clan Simon, I give you Padawan Timmy!"
As he said this, a nervous human male arose from his clan's part of the stands, and made his way down to the center of the hall, before turning to face Jedi Master Windu.
"And his opponent," Windu said, glancing down at his data slate, "Padawan Von from Ocray clan!"
Spike let out a sigh of relief. After watching both of the combatants, Spike was glad he didn't have to face them. At a push he reckoned he could come out as the victor, but he knew that it would be a struggle.
"Begin!" Windu shouted, before sitting down to watch the fight.
Time seemed to stretch on for hours as the other Padawans duelled against each other. Both Asha and Briana had been victorious in their rounds but neither Zuno, Brandon or Spike had been given the chance to show themselves off.
"An excellent showing." Windu said, standing up and clapping as the recently finished combatants bowed and made their way off the arena floor. "Next up, Padawan Quaid of Simon clan."
As he said this, a big human stood up and quickly made his way down the stairs to the center of the hall.
"And his opponent. Padawan Brandon of Darius clan!"
Nodding, Brandon stood up and made his way down the steps, standing next to Quaid and turning to face Master Windu.
"Begin!" Windu shouted, before sitting down to watch the duel.
Quickly, Brandon ignited his Lightsaber, holding it in the middle, and watching as Quaid stood there, showing off a bright blue blade. Standing back, Brandon waited for Quair to make the first move. He didn't have to wait long, as Quaid sprung forward, the padawan bringing his Lightsaber around in a blow aimed at his head.
Quickly, Brandon moved his own Lightsaber to intercept the blow, before physically pushing Quaid, using his own momentum to send him stumbling behind Brandon, not giving him a chance he used the force, sending him flying a few feet away before jumping after him, and bringing his Lightsaber down on his back.
"Stop." Windu said.
"Alright." Brandon said, shutting his lightsaber off. "That was a good duel." he finished.
For a moment, Quaid did nothing.
"It was..." He said with slight sadness, before turning on his heels and walking away, returning to his clan.
Shaking his head, Brandon quickly returned to where Darius clan were seated and flopped down into the spare seat.
"Nice." Spike said with a smile.
"Thanks." Brandon said, before leaning forward to watch the next round.
The day progressed slowly once more, as Spike watched the fights with a critical eye. He wanted to know who could be one of the ones to get into the final contest. They had started on the second round, so those who had already fought were going again, and he had already seen Quaid fight his second round, managing to get a win. Still, Spike was anxious to get out there again. Zuno, Asha and Brandon had already had their second fight but both Briana and Spike had still got theirs to go. As the number of potential opponents fell, Spike was getting more and more concerned about who he would fighting.
"Another excellent showing." Windu said, looking down at his roster once more. "Next up, two members of Nexu clan, Padawans Briana and Spike."
Groaning, Spike looked over at Briana as she quickly made her way down to the center of the room and ignited her own Lightsaber, holding it in a high guard position. Quickly following her lead, Spike ignited his own blade, and at a command from Windu lunged forward, his blade pointing straight at Briana.
Parrying Spikes thrust, Briana spun on her heel, attempting to bring her blade down on Spikes back. Barely managing to avoid it, Spike spun his Lightsaber around to reverse where the blade was pointing and caught her slash, easily holding up her blade. Again and again she slashed down on Spike, using her speed to keep the dragon on the defensive, not giving him a chance to attack.
Growling, Spike dropped his stance, sliding backwards slightly and overbalancing Briana just a fraction. Quickly, he spun around, bringing his tail whipping towards her legs, and snatching them out from beneath her. Following up, Spike brought his Lightsaber down towards her.
"Stop." Windu said simply, and Spike looked down to see Briana slightly mad.
"Why did you use you're tail?" She said.
"I can use any of my body parts can't I?" He said.
"I guess, if this was a real battle I would of died so you won. Briana said with a smile, before walking back towards the Darius clan seating area.
"Padawans, Knights, Masters." Windu said, addressing the crowd. "The time has come to watch the final round. After this, you will be allowed to select your Padawan, if any have caught your eye. But until then, allow me to announce the final round. From Darius clan, Brandon!"
Brandon quickly made his way down to the arena.
"And his opponent, from the same clan, Spike!"
For a moment, Spike froze, unsure of what he had just heard. When he had been watching the other Padawans train, he had made notes on how he could overcome their various strengths by playing against their weaknesses, but Brandon made this a lot harder. He hadn't really looked at Brandon in any serious way, but he knew that out of everyone taking part in the tournament, Brandon was the only one who could match him in strength, and his light saber was very unique, he never fought someone with that type of blade.
Making his way down towards the arena for the third and final time, Spike took up his position and looked towards Windu for instructions. He did not have to wait long.
"We shall see what the two of you are made of, begin."
Growling, Spike ignited his Lightsaber, holding it in a normal grip for now, while Brandon ignited his own, holding his hands in the middle. As they both began to circle each other, Spike began to form a rough plan in his mind.
He knew that Brandon wasn't exactly use to that type of weapon, perhaps he could use that to his advantage.
Spike never got any further with his planning, as Brandon lunged forward, slashing towards. Jumping backwards, Spike avoided the worst of the blow, while blocking with his Lightsaber to protect himself from anything else.
As the two blades clashed, Spike could feel that Brandon was not going easy, it's quite amazing how he adapted to his blade so fast.
Brandon, shut off his lightsaber instantly and dodged Spikes slash, With his left hand he forced pushed Spike across the ground, Without hesitation Spike got back up as Brandon ran at him.
Thrusting his claw forward, Spike shot a burst of telekinesis at Brandon, forming a ball of air that impacted on his chest. Brandon was not stopped completely by this attack, but it did slow him down just enough for Spike to roll to the side and get back into a stable stance.
Bringing his weapon up, Spike attempted to slash Brandon across the head but before he could Brandon countered the attack.
Spike was forced to dodge, He ducked the blow and threw his lightsaber at Brandon.
Brandon, jumped up, dodged Spikes blade.
"Not so fast..." Spike leaping up into the air, grabbing his own blade. while both Brandon and Spike fell down to the ground.
"Let's end this Spike." Brandon said while running at Spike.
A smile appeared over Spikes face as Brandon slashed his blade at him. "Got you..." Spike finished as he used the force with his left hand to stop Brandons incoming attack, With his right hand he sliced his lightsaber at brandons stomach but coming to a halt.
"The round is over." Windu said, standing up and clapping slowly. "Gathered Jedi, I give you the victor of this year's Apprentice Tournament, Spike the dragon of Darius clan!"
Panting hard, Spike looked up at Windu, taking his eyes off Brandon for a second before looking back at Brandon.
"Wow that was hard, if this battle lasted any longer I would have lost."
"Maybe... but this was certainly a fun duel even if I lost." Brandon replied.
Both Spike and Brandon made their way back towards the seats to await the announcements of who had been chosen as an Apprentice for a master or a Knight.
The minutes ticked by as every one of the Padawans waited with bated breath, eager to find out what their role in the Jedi would be from this day forward. Every one of them wanted to be taken as an Apprentice, they didn't even want to think about what happened if you weren't.
After what felt like forever, Windu stood back up.
"Padawans! Today you have shown us who you truly are. We have compiled the final list of what your role within the order shall be after today. Now, please, make your way to the center of the hall."
Quickly, the Padawans moved back to the arena floor, jostling to get a better position.
"When I call your name and position, please make your way out of the hall. You will be met by the respective members of the order. You are to receive further instruction from them."
Reaching down, Windu grabbed a datapad, and began to read off it.
"Padawan Quaid, Ocray clan." He called, "Master Iran has chosen you as his apprentice."
The announcements dragged on, and Spike watched as first Zuno was chosen by Master Amber, then Briana, and finally Asha, although she was chosen by a Knight. Soon, it was just Brandon and Spike left on the arena floor once more.
"Padawan Brandon, Jedi Knight Daga has decided to train you."
Brandon looked up at his master, before moving over to the door to meet his new Master.
"Finally, Padawan Spike, also of Darius clan. Master Luminous has decided to take you as his apprentice."
Nodding, Spike quickly hurried out of the room, eager to meet his new master.
"Padawan." A voice called out, and Spike turned to see a tall male human walking towards him.
"Master." Spike said, bowing deeply.
"You know who I am then?" He asked.
"I think you are Master Luminous." Spike replied.
"I am. And you are Padawan Spike, formerly of initiate clan Darius. We shall get to know each other very well."
As he said that, he stuck out his hand, and Spike grabbed it.
"I hope that you live up to the expectations that you showed in the arena." He said, shaking Spikes hand.
"I will, Master." Spike nodded happily.
And that Ends the first arc of the story, I hope you all enjoyed it. I was planning on making this a two part since I wanted to do a few more duels and include a few more things, but I just decided not to. Anyways don't expect to see anymore chapters for awhile since the second arc will take awhile to think of.