Chapter 13
After School Duel
After I turned in my drawing, I was allowed to free-draw for the rest of art class. So I spent the rest of the time chatting with Gary and Arleen while doodling random things on a piece of printer paper. Caitlyn was so busy trying to add some last-minute details to her masterpiece that she was too distracted to speak to any of us. The exchange students did nothing but stare at me while they drew random things.
I was sad when the bell rang to end art class. I was having so much fun just goofing off, and I wanted to continue for a little while longer.
I packed my bag and went to my locker. When I opened it, two books and a folded piece of lined paper came tumbling out. I shoved the books back in and opened the piece of paper. Scribbled on it in horrible handwriting was a note addressed to me.
Lia,
I hope you haven't forgotten about our little duel today! You had better not have forgotten your lightsaber again. I brought an extra one just in case you did. So regardless, I am dueling you today! I will meet you on the soccer field right after school. Be there, or be the laughing stock of the Star Wars fan club.
-Russell
I hadn't forgotten about our duel, and had packed my lightsaber in my backpack the night before. I quickly packed up the necessary books, shut my locker, and headed for the soccer field.
Apparently, Russell had spread the news of our duel, because when I got to the field, over two-dozen people were gathered to watch us fight, and more people were arriving by the minute. Regardless of if I won this duel or not, I was going to strangle Russell for attracting so much attention to this stupid little conflict of ours.
As I approached the crowd, I heard the faint ring of the bell that ended the school day. They were talking loudly amongst themselves, and six more people came running from the parking lot, the gymnasium, and the school courtyard to watch the upcoming duel.
As I neared the crowd, I was able to discern some familiar faces. Among the masses were Amara, Liz, Ann, Janet, Kristen, Arleen, Katherine, Lita, and Gary. I recognized one of the Freshmen, two Sophomores, and a half-dozen Juniors and Seniors. Among the Seniors was Will, the moderator and referee for all official lightsaber duels at Central High. Next to him was his apprentice, a Sophomore named Karl who would take over as referee if Will ever managed to graduate.
The rules and protocol of the official lightsaber duels of the CHS Star Wars fan club were very strict and formal. The dueling system started off as something done for fun, but soon became a legal practice worthy of the involvement of an attorney. The Star Wars fans at CHS took the duels very seriously, and there were certain rules, protocol, and etiquette that each duelist must follow. The dueling system seemed weird to most people, but we considered it a very effective conflict-resolution technique.
A Star Wars fan needed to align his or herself with either the Jedi or the Sith before the fan could participate in any of the official duels. The fan could switch sides at any time, and no one cared. After choosing an allegiance, the fan was required to buy a plastic toy lightsaber. The lightsaber needed to reflect their allegiance, and therefore a Jedi could not have a red lightsaber, and a Sith could not have any color other than red.
Once the lightsaber was purchased, the fan could participate in duels. There were two different kinds of duels: fun or practice duels, and the problem-solving duels. The practice duels were purely for fun and exercise, and did not require a referee. Problem-solving duels, however, did.
When one was challenged to the second type of duel, the two opponents needed to negotiate the stakes before the start of the duel. Once the stakes were worked out, the actual duel could begin. Each opponent needed to agree on the date on which the fight would take place. The duel could only be carried out in the presence of the official referee/moderator to ensure a fair fight. The referee also acted as a neutral party to witness and notarize the terms. With the neutral party, neither opponent could back out of the terms of the duel. The punishment for violation of the terms was serious and almost intolerable humiliation, ridicule, and outcast status among every Star Wars fan in the school. If one refused a challenge, one could face a less serious, but still horrible, form of the same punishment.
There used to be three official moderators. Two graduated last year, and were stupid enough to take apprentices in their own grade. So the apprentices that were supposed to take their place also graduated last year. That left Will, who failed three of his classes last year and was held back because of it, as the only remaining official moderator.
The Master and apprentice relationship in Central High was less formal than in the Star Wars universe. Each Sith Lord and Jedi Master took apprentices, but the apprentices were little more than people who were friends with the Masters and hung out with them all the time. One achieved the status of Sith Lord or Jedi Master and could take an apprentice when one became a Junior. Those aligned to the Light Side of the Force were Padawans as Freshmen, and became Knights as Sophomores. Those aligned to the Dark Side were just called "Sith" or "Sith Warriors" until they became Sith Lords in their Junior year. The apprentice could even be another person of the same rank as the Master. The system was so messed up and unofficial that no one cared about it. It was the one system that the Star Wars fans paid little or no attention to.
There was also a Jedi Grand Master and a Dark Lord of the Sith in the school that acted as the primary leaders and organizers of the club. These people could only be Seniors, and were elected by the members of their Order. Will acted as Jedi Grand Master in addition to his duties as official referee. A girl named Serena Tenn acted as Dark Lord of the Sith, and was the first woman in the history the fan club to be elected Dark Lord.
No one had ever wanted to claim me as their apprentice, so I was just waiting for Sophomore year to end so I could take an apprentice myself. Caitlyn agreed to be Arleen's apprentice when they became Juniors, and I was still searching for someone who wanted to be my apprentice.
When I reached the crowd, my friends cheered. I found Russell standing in the center of the crowd. He looked at me and smiled tauntingly, and I nodded calmly at him.
When Will saw me, he beckoned Russell and me to come closer. I pulled my lightsaber out of my backpack, handed my bag to Janet, and joined Russell and Will.
"Have you two agreed on the terms?" Will asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Excellent," Will replied. He held out his hand to Karl, and Karl rummaged through his bag and pulled out a legal pad and a pen. Will began to scribble the beginning of the written copy of the terms, which would be the official record of our duel and the document that held us to our agreement.
While he was writing, I looked around at the assembled throng. Caitlyn had finally shown up and was in the second row. To my surprise, I also caught sight of Emily. She always thought that these duels were stupid, and never came to watch. I supposed that as a real Jedi, Emily felt mocked by our practices. I wondered why she chose to show up today.
Equally surprising, I saw all five of the exchange students standing behind Emily. Liz was smiling and waving at them, but Arleen, Amara, Katherine, and Lita all supervised her and placed themselves between her and the exchange students. Liz kept trying to nudge her way past them, but they held her in check. I laughed at the scene.
After a few minutes, Will turned to us and said, "please state your names and ranks."
"Russell Backes," Russell replied, "Jedi Knight."
"Amelia MacIntosh," I replied, "Sith."
I heard several people murmur, but I couldn't tell who they were.
"And what are the terms?" Will asked.
Russell immediately recited the terms if he won the duel.
Will scribbled down these terms and turned to me. "And if you should win?" he asked.
I recited my terms.
"Do you wish to enact the 'sore losers clause'?" Will asked.
"Yes," I immediately responded.
Russell sighed and agreed.
The "sore losers clause" was an optional part of the dueling process. If each opponent wished, this clause could be enacted, which would prevent either one of them from challenging the other to a rematch over the same conflict. This was a way of ensuring that sore losers could not keep insisting on rematches. Most people chose to do this option, and since I knew that Russell would demand a rematch if he lost, I was insistent on enacting this clause.
Will wrote this down and scribbled some more things down before holding out the pad and pen. "You each need to sign it," he replied.
Russell took the pad, signed his name, and handed it to me. I looked over the contract.
On this day, September 27, at approximately 3:10 pm, a duel took place between Russell Backes, a Jedi Knight, and Amelia MacIntosh, a Sith. The duel was officially endorsed by the Central High School Star Wars fan club, and was carried out in the presence of the official referee and moderator William McConnell, Grand Master of the Jedi Order. It was a fair challenge that was accepted by both parties, who were well aware of the stakes prior to the commencement of the duel. This is the official written record of that duel.
I, William McConnell, certify that I will supervise the duel and ensure that the fight is fair. I also agree to be witness to and notarize the agreed terms, and will enforce said terms and ensure that they are not violated.
The terms of the duel:
If Russell should win, Amelia must rejoin and remain unwaveringly loyal to the D&D club and his campaign. Russell has also agreed that he must change the date of the club meetings to a day other than Tuesday. If Amelia wins the duel, she can do as she pleases, and will be able to quit the D&D club and the campaign if she so chooses. Russell must also not pester her about rejoining the club and campaign and cannot discuss it further.
By signing this contract, each party agrees to withhold the terms of this duel at all costs. Any violation will be met with the appropriate punishment established by the Central High School Star Wars fan club. Each party is aware that because this contract is notarized by a third, neutral party, it is binding. The terms cannot be revoked or changed after the commencement of the duel.
Each party has also agreed to enact the Sore Losers Clause. Therefore, neither can challenge the other to a rematch over the conflict of the D&D club. Violation of this clause will be met with the same punishment as violation of the terms.
I, Russell Backes, on my honor as a member of the Jedi Order, agree to uphold the terms and carry out a fair fight.
I,, on my honor as a member of the Sith Order, agree to uphold the terms and carry out a fair fight.
This contract is notarized by .
The official victor of this duel is . I, by signing this, agree that I saw win this duel and declare him/her (circle one) the winner. The winnings cannot be challenged or refuted by the losing party as part of the Sore Losers Clause.
I suppressed a laugh. This contract was ridiculous and sounded like something a lawyer would write. This school's Star Wars fans seriously needed to get a life.
I signed my name in the correct blank and handed it back to Will, who notarized the contract.
Will hushed the crowd and told them to step back. They did so and formed a very large circle around Will, Russell, and I. I glanced over at Emily, who looked less than amused, and the exchange students, who looked confused and were probably wondering what in the world was going on.
Russell and I faced each other. Will backed up a little and said, "you will observe the proper dueling etiquette by bowing to each other."
Russell bent a little, and I bowed in return. We then turned around and took five steps away from each other. When we turned around and faced each other again, Will said, "Sith draws first."
I extended the red plastic blade of my lightsaber. According to the dueling protocol, if the duel took place between a Jedi and a Sith, the Sith always drew first. If two Jedi or two Sith dueled each other, a coin was flipped to determine who drew first. Whoever created this dueling system sure thought of every detail.
Out of the corner of my eye, saw the exchange students whisper to each other while staring and pointing at me. I ignored them and focused on Russell. He drew his green lightsaber blade, and we took firm stances.
"I look forward to you rejoining my campaign!" Russell called.
"HA!" I retorted. "You wish! I look forward to seeing you struggle to find a replacement for my character. That will certainly be an amusing sight!"
"Maybe my campaign can move forward now that you're actively playing!" Russell cried.
"Good luck finding a new sorcerer, because that just isn't gonna happen!" I shouted back. "Besides, even if I was back on the campaign, it would never move forward, because you're a horrible Dungeon Master!"
"And I'm gonna prove you wrong!" Russell shouted.
"Do you honestly think you have a chance of winning against me?" I asked with a laugh. "Didn't you learn not to mess with me the first time I kicked your ass? Remember that duel our Freshman year?"
"Yes," Russell grumbled, "I remember, and I don't plan on losing to you again! I've been practicing, and I'm ready to beat you this time and get your sorcerer back on my campaign."
"Are you ready?" Will asked, interrupting our conversation.
We nodded, and Will raised his arm. "I want a nice, clean duel," he reminded. I prepared myself. Will dropped his arm and yelled, "duel!"
Russell and I lunged at each other, and clashed lightsabers in the center of the circle of spectators. The crowd cheered us on as we fought. Russell was stronger in the arms than I was, but I was the better runner, and was therefore quicker and more agile in my footwork. It looked like all those lacrosse practices at least did something for me.
People were ooing and awing at us as we fought, and I even heard someone say "wow, she's got some sick skills with a lightsaber!"
I tended to take the offensive in duels because I was better on the offensive. It was part of the reason I chose Sith as my allegiance. However, I wasn't shabby on the defensive either. Sword fighting was one of the only things I was really good at, and I practiced during my spare time. I learned my techniques from watching Star Wars more times than was healthy, and playing the Star Wars games so many times that I practically memorized them. I was particularly fond of the aggressive offensive techniques used by the Sith, and I always used them during duels. They just seemed to work for me.
Russell struggled to block my endless volley of blows, and tried to move away. Eventually, he was able to back away from me and run to the edge of the circle of spectators. I smirked evilly and approached him. He took the offensive and charged at me, screaming and wielding his lightsaber like a jousting lance. I leapt out of the way, and as his momentum carried him past me, I lunged forward and brushed his neck with my red blade. Russell gasped, and Will held up his arms and shouted, "Russell, you have been beheaded. You are now dead and defeated."
"NOOOO!" Russell screamed, beating his lightsaber against the ground. He turned to me, and asked "Lia, best of three?"
"No!" Will insisted. "The duel is over. You cannot demand a rematch."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Russell cried. This was exactly why I wanted the sore losers clause.
"Lia won perfectly fair and square," Will said, approaching me. He grabbed my wrist, held up my arm, and announced, "I declare Amelia the victor of this duel!"
The crowd cheered, and Russell screamed "NOOOOO!" again. Will wrote the last bits on the contract and handed it back to his apprentice. Karl placed the contract in an envelope, sealed it, and wrote the date on the front. The duel was officially over, and I officially won.
Proper dueling etiquette discouraged the winners from gloating, so I wasn't going to rub my victory in Russell's face. However I couldn't resist saying, "good luck finding another sorcerer, Russell, cause I am OUTTA HERE!"
Russell swore angrily, retracted his lightsaber, and stormed off. My friends swarmed toward me and each took turns hugging and congratulating me. They cheered for me, and I beamed and thanked them. I saw Emily and the exchange students standing in the back of the crowd of my friends. I could have sworn I heard one of the guys say to Emily "the Force is strong with her, but there is so much anger! I sense the Dark Side in her."
I ignored him and headed for the courtyard, with my friends close behind me.
"Lia," Janet said, "you were amazing!"
"Yeah," Katherine said, "like something out of a Star Wars movie!"
"You have got to show me some of those moves sometime!" Janet cried. "How did you learn all of those? Did you take fencing lessons or something?"
"No," I replied. "Just watch the movies and play the games a lot, and you'll be good too."
"Will you teach us your moves?" Janet asked.
"If you want," I replied. I beamed. All this praise was a great boost to my self-esteem. Emily was probably going to give me another lecture about the suspicious skills and moves, but I didn't care. I was having a moment, and nothing could spoil it for me.
My group of friends broke apart when we got to the courtyard. A few decided to hang out at the school for a little while longer, some headed to the driveway to go wait for their rides, and a few more left to begin their walk home. Emily and the exchange students were the only ones that remained with me.
I started to make my way to the bike racks when Emily tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "I need to speak to you, NOW!"
I knew this was about the duel. I broke away and said, "later. I need to get home. I have things to do. Call me, okay?"
"Lia, this is important," Emily insisted, "that duel-"
"Later," I said, turning aside and heading to the bike racks without another word. I heard Emily let out a groan of annoyance, but I ignored her.
I unlocked my bike, hopped on, and coasted down the sloped driveway. Emily glared at me as I passed, and I waved pleasantly. When I got to the bottom I saw Katherine, Ann, and Janet waiting for their rides. We all waved at each other before I turned down the street.