A/N: A big thanks to SirenBanshee. You are one amazing beta!

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With Reor informed and most testing with the Eery Knights finished, Kylo's first course of action was to introduce Fu and his Force User fighting technique to the Base Knights. Although they had agreed to train with the Guard, Kylo simply hadn't found the time nor the opportunity to gather them all in one place for a demonstration. Now, with Fu becoming more antsy with each passing day and realising if he waited for an opportune moment it would probably never happen, Kylo had decided to adapt a Force training session so they could get started.

With all of them now gathered in the training hall of the main building, Kylo could feel the Knights' curiosity and the Guard's excitement. Fu was practically bouncing on his feet. Kylo hummed as Rey arrived after her session with the trainees and called for attention.

"As you all know," he started, "Fu Wento has been developing a strategy for the Guard to stand a chance against a Force User. Before we get started with a demonstration, I will explain to you how and why it works."

The Knights listened intently at his explanation, occasionally nodding or frowning. As they were all focussing on different areas of how to use the Force, dependent on how it could complement their fighting style, they weren't all equally as skilled at tracking opponents through the Force. Out of all of them, Kylo was quite certain that Burman would become the toughest target for the Guard. He figured Quicksilver would be a strong second though, with how the man needed to be aware of every person around him in order to pull off his mind-tricks. That didn't mean, however, that he'd learned to track their movements as well.

"Because the Guard has been working extensively with both Rey and I, they've come to know our fighting styles too well," he ended his explanation. "Which is why the request has been made for the Guard to train with you all in addition.

"This is a training both for them and for you. The more you practice, the easier it will become to track your opponents through the Force."

"You can't fight the invisible," Quicksilver softly said.

"Indeed," Kylo answered. "We're working on that too."

It elicited a raised eyebrow from Quicksilver, which was unusual. Rey was grinning at him but Kylo ignored it in favour of turning around and addressing the Guard.

"I guess it's time for that demonstration," he said. "Half an hour should be enough to get the point across. Start with five and add someone every five minutes."

"You heard him," Fu spoke up. "Chop chop, don't be lazy-asses."

He bustled between the Guards who all moved like they were well-used to his behaviour. Kylo was quite certain that several of them rolled their eyes behind their masks.

Eventually, the floor was cleared—Knights and Rey on one side, waiting Guards on the other—and Kylo readied himself for a fight. At Fu's signal, the Guards attacked. Five of them was barely a challenge and Kylo made sure to let it show. He wanted the Knights to see clearly that it became increasingly difficult even for him to defend himself the more Guards were added to the mix.

By the time there were ten of them, he couldn't afford to slack off anymore. The largest formation of this technique was twelve Guard standing around him in two circles. The inner circle moved around him clockwise, the outer one counter-clockwise. At different intervals, someone from the inner circle would switch with someone from the outer circle, adding to the confusing overlap of input from the Force. The technique resulted in a lower attack frequency compared to if they only had the one inner circle, but made up for it with confusion and surprise attacks.

After half an hour, Fu called an end to the demonstration and the Guard stepped back. Kylo took a breath and threw a look at the Knights. They were looking at him with various degrees of interest and astonishment.

"It takes up a lot of space," Rogue commented, tilting his head in thought. "It will have no use in close quarters combat."

"Entirely true," Fu answered, stepping forward. "I'm developing formations for close quarters combat now that we know for sure this tactic works."

"Can I check them?"

Fu sneered at him, clearly questioning Rogue's qualifications. It didn't seem to bother Rogue, who gave a slow, menacing smile in return.

"Want to have a go at me first?" Rogue challenged.

Cracking his knuckles, Fu's sneer turned into a grin as well. "It's been a while since I had a good fight. Think you can handle me?"

Both men's heads suddenly tipped forward as if someone had smacked them. They turned accusing glares on Kylo but he was just as surprised as they were. He turned suspicious eyes on Rey who threw him such an innocent look he had no doubt it had been her.

"Either pay attention or go do your posturing somewhere else," Ember complained with an eyeroll.

"You,' Fu exclaimed.

"I wish it had been me," Ember answered. "It would have been even more satisfying than simply watching you being smacked. In fact..."

"Right," Kylo intercepted. "The first step here will be to get you trained to follow the Guard's movements through the Force. After, they can start applying their technique on you in small groups. Let's get started."

"I want to try it full-on," Burman suddenly said, eyes intent on the group of Guards.

Kylo gazed at him. "This is different from your training with the droids."

"Sir, with your permission, I would like to try."

"If you want," Kylo agreed with a shrug. "Safety is adamant," he added, speaking to both Burman and the Guards. "As this will be new to all of you, be careful in your movements."

"Yes, sir," they all echoed.

Burman's eyes were practically sparkling as he stepped forward. Kylo clasped him on the shoulder before moving to stand next to Rey.

"Start with three. I'll decide when more come in."

It quickly became obvious that Burman had no trouble keeping three Guards at bay so Kylo almost immediately called in a fourth one. He could see Burman's surprise the first time the Guards overlapped before making a move on him. Burman still caught it though, and he wasn't fooled again. A fifth one was called in and Burman was forced into a defensive style at several moments. Once a sixth was added to the mix, it only took a few more minutes before a Guard broke through Burman's defence.

Burman froze and blinked in surprise, eyes wide. Then he slapped the Guard on the back in a friendly gesture but so hard they stumbled. It startled a snicker out of Dot.

"Oaf," she called out, clearly teasing.

"Sorry," Burman said with a shrug, having grabbed the Guard's arm.

"It's fine," they answered. "I've got armour for a reason."

"That you do," Burman agreed. "This was a good fight. You were difficult to follow."

"That's the intention."

"Good," Kylo said. "Let's get started," he said again.

The six Guard that had fought Burman trooped around Fu to give their feedback while the others greeted the Knights and paired off so the Knights could train how to follow their movements with the Force. Blindfolds were produced and put on. He watched and listened as the Knights realised it wasn't as simple as it looked and colourful expletives were thrown around.

He almost laughed, however, when he realised that, when it came to Quicksilver and his partner, it wasn't Quicksilver who was cursing but the Guard. It was a sight to behold though, a blindfolded Quicksilver sidestepping and subtly twisting in order to avoid the Guard's attacks. His movements were fluid, making it look effortless.

The Guard didn't stand a chance at all. He was about to call for another Guard to team up on him when he noticed Rey had spotted the situation as well and was sneaking up on Quicksilver. Only a fraction before Rey's fist would land did Quicksilver seem to notice her presence. He turned out of the way but the movement was decidedly sharper than before. Rey seemed to delight in trying to trip Quicksilver up, fighting alongside the still-swearing Guard.

He let them have their fun for a short while before walking up to them. Both Guard and Rey stopped their attacks and, having sensed this, Quicksilver pulled away his blindfold.

"It would seem you're already proficient in this," Kylo said. "Burman has been talking with Fu, maybe you should join them."

Quicksilver nodded and walked off. The Guard did the same, seeing if their help was needed with any of the other pairings.

"You should fight Quicksilver," Rey said. "Force prediction against Force prediction. I think it would be mesmerising to watch."

"Why don't you try it?" Kylo countered.

"Because I want to watch."

Kylo huffed a laugh. "Fair enough."

They both looked at the training Knights. Ember was already holding off two Guards with ease but cursed when a third joined. By the set of her jaw, Kylo could see she hated being outdone like this. Part of it was probably because she would have been able to fend them off with ease if she didn't have the blindfold on.

"Mako and Sonea have progressed a lot with their meditation," Rey said out of the blue.

"The two trainees that are still connected?" Kylo asked.

Rey hummed in agreement. "It's obvious that they've been practicing." She looked up at him. "I think we should consider starting their training."

"You think they're ready?"

"I do. And it would be good motivation for the others."

"To alleviate any lasting doubt?"

"Yes."

"Then we will start their training," Kylo agreed. He trusted Rey's judgement.

"Will you train them separately?" Rey asked. "Or with the other Knights?"

Kylo mulled that one over. "Separately for now, I think," he answered, dragging his hand through his hair. "These Knights are still their superiors. And the difference in skill is already too big." He sighed. "I think it would be best if you taught them the basics," he continued. "But maybe we should get the Knights involved as well. We're going to have to rearrange our training schedules to accommodate this." He chewed on his lip in further contemplation. "I wonder if we're going to have to implement a new rite of passage."

"What do you mean?" Rey asked.

"To replace that horrid test that dropped the Knights-to-be on a nearby planet to see if they would survive. Something that will count as an official graduation."

"How does this happen with the Troopers?"

"They go through the program and that's that," Kylo answered with a shrug.

"They're not tested?"

"There are some tests," he said, contemplating. "Of course they need to know the meaning of the commands they're being given and how the hierarchy works. They also need to be able to maintain their armour and weapons. I'm sure there are a few other topics."

Rey was staring at him with disbelieving eyes. "No test of their fighting skills? Or how well they shoot?"

"It is assumed that the training they received at the Academy would suffice. When they graduate they start at the lowest positions anyway. If they have skills, they will move up in the hierarchy quickly."

Rey blinked at him. "That explains a thing or two," she muttered.

"Like what?" Kylo asked.

"You're not aware that the Resistance jokes about the Troopers' shooting abilities?"

"I am not."

"It's an ongoing joke that, if you're at a First Order base of lesser importance, you don't need to be afraid of the Troopers because the odds that they'll actually hit you when they're shooting at you are near non-existent."

Kylo stared at her, oddly offended. "They're saying what?"

Rey shrugged. "It makes sense, no? If you don't test them on their skills, there will be those who have no skill at all and then, by your hierarchy, they'll end up guarding unimportant places."

"Huh," Kylo said, unintelligently. "But they've gone through training."

"Would you allow a mechanic to work on your ship if they had only gone through training but were never tested on their knowledge and skill?"

"Force, no!"

There was a moment of silence where Rey gazed at him looking utterly unimpressed.

"I get your point," Kylo eventually conceded.

Rey hummed. "I agree on giving the trainees a form of graduation though," she said.

They both looked through the room with the training Knights. Fu had the six Guard that had fought Burman earlier now circling Quicksilver. Phasma was also moving through the room, watching and learning from how the Knights fought. Every now and then she would address a Guard. Daze, who was really a marksman and not one for close combat of any kind, had relinquished his Guard to Shadow, who seemed to be having fun.

Kylo raised an eyebrow as Dot approached them.

"Sir," she greeted, "Miss."

"Dot. Do you have a question?"

"Is there a possibility for me to train shooting at moving Guards while blindfolded?"

"You want to shoot the Guard?" Rey exclaimed, horrified.

"Yes, I want them all to perish," Dot deadpanned.

Rey narrowed her eyes, not amused. Dot ignored it and turned to Kylo again.

"You've told me I could shoot targets I couldn't see," she said, referencing to back when Kylo had convinced her of the Force's use. "This," she continued with a wave of her hand to indicate the entire room, "implies I could also track moving targets I can't see and still shoot them."

"You can," Kylo admitted. "But I can't let you abuse the Guard."

"I have a bow with a setting so low it will only sting when it hits."

"Why?" Rey questioned.

"To bully Troopers."

This time, Kylo wasn't entirely sure whether she was being sarcastic or serious with her answer. He decided to ignore it.

"Talk to Phasma," he said.

"Yes, sir."

"Was she serious?" Rey asked once Dot had left. "About the Troopers?"

"Do we want to know?"

Rey shook her head. "I guess not," she answered. "Would it be enough for them to fight?" she said after a moment.

"What?" Kylo asked, not following her train of thought at all.

"The trainees," she elaborated. "As a graduation test, would it be enough for them to fight an experienced Knight? If the Knight deems them worthy, they've passed?"

"Oh," Kylo said, back on track. "We can't let it hinge on one Knight only."

"Others could watch and evaluate?"

"Or the trainee could have multiple fights," Kylo mused. He smiled at Rey. "You're on to something," he said. He looked back into the room. "We should discuss it with the Knights later. I think now we should start helping them though. Ember is getting really frustrated."

Rey looked in Ember's direction and giggled. "I'll leave her to you," she said. "I'll go antagonise Rogue."

Amused, Kylo shook his head and walked up to help out Ember.