Chapter 19
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Rächen spent a great deal of time meditating on how it was he had lost the fight. He thought back to the final seconds of the battle; he had been knocked down and as soon as he was on his feet again the victory would be his. The Trasndosian was committed to his attack and would not have been able to block the counter-attack that Rächen would have made. He thought of that second opportunity to end the battle and seriously injure his opponent; how was the Trasndosian able to fight like he did; to push Rächen back and be in the position he was in the final few seconds. Again nothing came to him. Rächen's mind kept going back to the final few seconds of the battle, something wasn't right. He had been knocked down and in the process of getting up the battle was called; that was it, he suddenly realized how he had been robed of his victory. Toral had seen the attack coming and called the battle as soon as Rächen was down. He still wasn't sure how it had gotten to that point but that would become clear with time, first he needed to confront Toral.
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Rächen left his quarters and headed for Toral's private chambers and when he arrived he could hear Toral ands Star talking.
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"This Rächen had proven himself to be weak, and making it worse he is cocky and arrogant. Bottom line he is dangerous. He could easily bring us all down and therefore we must limit his training."
"Lord Sanis wants all to be trained; any who can feel the force are taught how to use the power of the dark side. Were those not his orders?"
"Master Sanis wants to share the power with all those that can feel it so that he may strengthen the Brotherhood. If we share it with Rächen it would weaken us. He Believes himself to be more powerful than I. With arrogance of that sort he would hider the progress of others making the collective weak. That is why we must limit his training. I have already ordered all the other instructors not to give him any extra of their time and the same goes for you."
"Very well then."
"Excellent, now if you'll excuse me I am expecting Sankaar."
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Rächen quickly hid out of sight as Star came out. Rächen wanted to go after him to find out why it was that he had agreed not to train him but his attention was drawn away when from the opposite end of the hall he saw somebody coming. He recognized the figure from earlier that day; his opponent in the circle. He could not remember the Trasndosian's name but remembered only a few moments earlier hearing the name Sankaar mentioned. It seemed to be to late in the evening for any training sessions to be taking place, so what could Toral want with Sankaar. As soon as the door closed he moved closer to it to hear what was being said.
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You summoned me Master?
"You were sloppy up there today. You are not practicing the exercises I taught you."
I do not understand, I was victorious today. I have proven once again I am ready for the trails.
"You were called the winner but you were not victorious. How do you think it was that you were able to battle back from the brink of spending the next few months in a Bacta Tank."
I battled back because I was superior to him.
"No, you are not. I do not know where this Rächen came from but some how he has a connection to Star and most likely Danis; therefore I could not allow him to defeat you. So to ensure your victory I aided you with a battle meditation. But even that was not enough, I only ended the fight because you left yourself open to an attack that would have sent you to the medical unit and made him the victor. I am growing tiered of your incompetence, we are never going to overthrow Dains if you continue to demonstrate such incompetence."
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Rächen had heard enough, he went in search of Star to tell him everything he now knew.
Rächen found Star in his private chambers mediating.
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"Toral cheated." Rächen yelled bursting in.
"What are you talking about?"
"Toral used Battle Meditation to Aid what ever that stupid Trasndosian's name is."
"Okay first off his name is Dack Sankaar and second Toral doesn't have the power or knowledge to use a Battle Mediation."
"Think about it, it makes sense. How else could eh have battled back like he did, and why is it that Toral declared the fight over as soon as I hit the ground.. He didn't wait for me to get back up, he didn't even give me a chance to."
"If he was using a Battle Mediation why would he call the fight when you hit the ground, why wouldn't he let you get back up and have Dack wear you down some more and eventually send you to the Medical Unit?"
"Because they are both weak. Toral could only do so much to aid Sankaar who was himself top weak to defeat me. He had left himself open for a huge attack as soon I got back up and there was nothing either could do except call the fight once I hit the ground."
"What makes you so sure of any of this?"
"I overheard them talking. Toral is getting tired of Sankaar screwing up. He is the only thing preventing them form overthrowing Master Danis."
"I have spent countless hours stalking, tracking and unraveling Toral's plot. I assure you it is Sanis who is the mastermind behind the plot. Toral and Sankaar are just pawns in the game."
"Why then is Sankaar still just a student? Why hasn't he gone through your trials?"
"He has turned down the offer many times, he feels he still has more to learn before he is ready."
"That can't be, I overheard him asking why he has not been allowed to take the trials."
"I do not know what you heard but I assure you, whatever you heard you misunderstood. I have seen Dack turn down the offer multiple times."
"I know what I heard; just as I know that you have turned your back on me by agreeing to Toral's wishes that I am not to receive any extra training."
"I do not appreciate you spying on me, and Toral has a point. As much as I hate to say it he is right, you are to weak and arrogant to help the Sith; as long as you remain so arrogant and cocky you will be nothing but a hindrance to us. When I see Master Danis again I will inform him of all that is going on here and of you."
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Rächen turned and stormed out of the room to return to his quarters to spend the night in mediation. During that time nothing but rage and anger came to him; he could not stay inside the academy and meditate. He gathered a few supplies and left for the old academy he had seen in the distance while he was up on the roof.