Chapter 3 – Stage One Begins

"I trust Master Kenobi has told you some of what will be happening.," Mace Windu continued. "You shall be dueling Jarven first. But, before we get started, please give me your lightsaber. You too Jarven."

Both young men raised their lightsabers at nearly the same moment, and Mace Windu gently took the lightsabers from them. With a wave, the lightsabers sailed to him.

"We do not wish to risk grave injury or worse. To ensure this I am turning down the power setting on your lightsabers. I assure you this will not affect the outcome in any way," Mace said.

He pushed a button or two and suddenly the lightsabers leapt back into the hands of their owners.

"Better than having you fight with training sabers, since the lightsabers you have built are as much a part of you as the Force. Now, begin," Mace said in a commanding voice, and for the first time Anakin realized that the entire Council, Obi-Wan too, had moved off to the far side of the Hall.

"This entire Hall is your battleground. Pay us no mind," Mace said.

Which meant that they would have plenty of room Anakin thought. Good. He proceeded to the center of the Hall and stared across at Jarven. Jarven bowed and Anakin bowed back. He was impressed. The fear in Jarven's eyes was gone. He could feel the Force gathering around the boy. Jarven was powerful, Anakin could sense that. But he, Anakin Skywalker, was more powerful; and more skilled with a lightsaber. Just then the boy leapt at Anakin, catching him somewhat off guard. The first blow, surprisingly, backed Anakin up a bit, and he struggled to get his balance as Jarven attacked with blazing speed. But his attack was also sloppy, and Anakin caught him going the wrong way. Jarven missed Anakin completely and went tumbling down. Anakin pounced. Jarven caught the attack but was pushed back by Anakin's ferocity. Anakin realized that he was attacking like he was trying to club Jarven to death. "Sometimes I think that your sole style of fighting with a lightsaber is to pound your opponent so hard that eventually their arms fall off," Obi-Wan had once said to him. Anakin knew it was true. Especially when he was angry, and he was angry now. Not really at Jarven, but at himself for letting Jarven get the upper hand in the first place. Anakin was going to have to fight four more people today, Jedi more skilled and powerful than this boy. If this little duel gave him trouble, then maybe he wasn't the Chosen One everyone whispered about behind his back. Anakin backed off his attack a little, and calmed himself through the Force. Jarven was down on the ground, visibly shaken by the ferocity of Anakin's attack. I've never seen such power, the boy thought, and Anakin could hear his thoughts. There was fear now, paralyzing fear. Jarven's attack came much slower this time, and lacked conviction. Anakin smiled to himself. This boy really wasn't a match for him. He could end this anytime he wanted. Which might be a good idea given that he had to fight 4 other people today. Anakin brought his saber down hard against Jarven's, and he felt the boy's arms buckle. He then twisted his wrists slightly, got position underneath Jarven's saber, and basically batted the saber right out of the boy's hands. The lightsaber went flying across the room, extinguishing before it hit the floor. Anakin lightly touched Jarven on the neck, which elicited a small cry of pain from the boy, and the match was over.

"You fought well," Anakin said turning off his lightsaber. He didn't really mean it. The match had been easy and quick. But it was what he felt he should say to keep the boy's spirits up. Anakin didn't like to see anyone suffer.

"Yeah," Jarven said dejectedly, but also with a glint of pride. If the famous Anakin Skywalker was giving him compliments, then maybe he hadn't been so bad after all. "You fought well too, really well," Jarven said again, in a tone that bordered on hero worship. He bowed deeply, a gesture Anakin returned, and they both turned to face the voice that was now coming at them.

"Fought well, you both did. Learned much I hope. Learned much did we all," Master Yoda said in a gravely voice that held more power than any other voice Anakin had ever heard. What power the Force had.

"Yes, you both fought well," Mace Windu said. "Anakin, go to your Master. Jarven come with me."