DISCLAIMER: I do not own star wars and if I did I would be way to busy making movies and I am in no way related to Lucas arts or any affiliates, I am just someone with to much free time and so don't sue me please!
STARWARS: Episode 1 – Spirit of shadows
Chapter 1: Exile and acceptance
In the deep reaches of space, right in the corner of a large galaxy was the peaceful planet of Cycona. Not as grand as the built up sky scrapers of Choruscant, but more developed than the desert planet of Tatooine. It was known as the stone planet, one of the favourite battle grounds of the last great sith war. It was a simple existence, the only thing to fear were those who feared you, the sky above your head and a mixture of sand and gravel below your feet. The air was warm that day, no, not warm, Humid. The kind of atmosphere where tension could be cut by a knife, for deep within this planet of Gaia was one of the many Jedi academies spread throughout the galaxy, the latest sparring match taking place, a practice used to teach young padawans how to defend themselves in combat.
Today's combatants were the experienced student Eliza Haro, a long time student at the academy whose skill could only be matched by her appearance, being the heart throb of many of the padawans, but never to be under estimated by her opponents, constantly being challenged by male students trying to impress her, very few did. Her latest challenger was Ralo Galask, an equally as long time student at the academy, but not nearly as skilled. Ralo was a very unique padawan; standing at 5'8 this young man of 17 years was very passionate about his position at the academy. Always expecting to much of himself and already under watch for being to reckless in combat he was on his last strings, having nowhere else to go he was under a great deal of pressure to succeed.
The sound of cheers instantly shatters the silence in the wide arena, all the other padawans of their group cheering them on, a simple ring of stone created the battle field, stumps of wood scattered around them. They were encouraged to try and fight while standing on these stumps to try and teach balance, though not compulsory. A tall man slowly steps into the centre stage draped in robes, a man of age and newly accepted the rank of master. A single hand raise, running his eyes across the room slowly looking on at his pupils cheering, A swift cut through the air signals the start of combat, silence falls over the young crowd as he leaps out of the stage, the 2 students starting to circle each other.
The eyes of these 2 temporary rivals locked in combat of their own, both waiting for the other to strike, the only weapon available is the Dummy light sabres, no where near as powerful, but a great deal heavier. Quickly grabbing her staff, Eliza lunges into the air attempting to finish the battle swiftly, but Ralo wasn't about to be taken out that quickly, taking his own staff he manages to hold the swordstress back, a single hand and cane pushing them back but like a cat landing on her feet. Once again the two begin to circle, Ralo taking no chances quickly lunges full on at Eliza, a flurry of swings and skilful swipes fly towards her, managing to block most but a single hit forced into the side of her arm finishes the attack, an injury she attempts to shrug off.
Lifting her staff, the pain of the attack to her arm forces to hold it down at her side, knowing that she can no longer defend herself fully she decides that she has to finish this now. Forcing the cane against the ground she runs towards the waiting Ralo holding the cane ready to counter. Eliza scars the stone ground with her cane running towards him, finally ripping the cane into the air she smashes Ralo's staff in 2, lifting the defending Ralo into the air, a scar against his chest, only to come crashing back down again, All this in a single swift motion. Ralo stumbling to his feet looks at what remains of his weapon, still a fair length, but only enough for very close range combat.
Taking the other half of his cane he grasps the 2 as if they were both fine swords, looking towards Eliza he sees that she is looking towards Kiesa waiting for the match to be declared over. Taking this single chance he lunges towards her, a swift strike to the same point as the last attack on her arm makes her cry out in pain, using her other hand to hold the cane she tries to defend herself but is only forced back by the flurry of 2 canes being swung at her viciously. Managing to keep herself in place at the very edge of the arena she begins to get used to using her other hand, Ralo getting desperate quickly smacks both canes as hard as possible onto her wound causing the girl to stumble in agony, Ralo finally finishing the match kicks her out of the stage making her fall to the ground, her body falling into a silent crash.
Silence falling over the crowd as the call "The match, Ralo!" finishes it officially, every person in the stadium rushing to the fallen maiden except her former foe, the now victorious Ralo. About to join the huddled mass he is stopped by master Kiesa, a disappointed look on his face. "Come with me", a single request, Ralo unable to refuse decides to go with him. Walking down the paths and corridors the silence was deafening. This wasn't the first time Ralo had left another student injured, in fact it happened in most of his sparring matches, despite countless warnings and teachings on how he shouldn't let desperation get the better of him. It was that very reason why he was paired with Eliza; Kiesa had hoped that given her beauty he wouldn't try to hurt her, and given her skill he wouldn't get the chance to.
Approaching 2 large doors the teacher and student entered Kiesa's chamber, the basic room, computer equipment, a rack of different light sabre models, some photos, and one large window over looking the city below them. But that wasn't why they were there. Typing a code into a small device the centre of the platform began to glow, emerging from the strings of light was the image of the most famous of Jedi masters, and who was considered the head of the council, master Yoda. "Greetings master Yoda" the hologram now looking around soon sees Ralo next to him. "Over the session is?" Master Kiesa simply nods to the question, still the depressed look splashed across his face.
"Happened again it has" Kiesa once again nods; Yoda turning to Ralo begins to look sad, as if he had lost hope. "Sit down you may" staying on his feet he waits for what the master has to say. "Understand you must, tried we have" Knowing where this speech may be leading starts to form a tear in his eye, not from sorrow but from sheer fear. "Injured are many, learnt you have tried, but still have not" Kiesa seeing where this was leading started panicking just as much as Ralo, amazed by Yoda's decision. "Keep you we cannot, a place here you cannot have" seeing the pain in his eyes Yoda tries to soften the blow. "But worry do not, care for you I have" Kiesa unable to allow such a thing to happen to one of his own students is still trying to take in what's happening, but not thinking, he quickly challenges Yoda's decision. "Master Yoda I must ask you to reconsider, he's incredibly talented, and it would be a shame to lose him!" Shooting an angry look at Kiesa he soon turns back to Ralo, a look of pity and sorrow deep in his eyes. "Sorry I am, think of everyone I must, taken into care at the end of the day you will" Kiesa drooping in defeat leads Ralo silently to the door, a stream of tears and heavy breathing coming from the former student, the door quietly shutting behind him.
Turning back to the hologram it is obvious Kiesa is angry at Yoda's choice. "How can you do that master? He has nothing else!" Yoda trying to defend his decision retorts calmly, "Driving him his passion is, push him further and to the dark side he will fall" Kiesa knowing Ralo personally refuses to believe that he would ever turn to the dark side, Ralo had been picked off the streets into the academy personally by Kiesa. "He wouldn't do that though!" Yoda still trying to remain calm in the difficult situation can only give him one answer "Talented he is, if teach him we do, then stronger he will become" a single sigh making a break in the speech "Clouded his future is, risk this we cannot, Train him we must not. Remember you must, new to the council you are, still learning you are also" Kiesa being persuaded by the wise man simply nods "Ok master, I will do my best, if anyone attempts to train him then I will do my best to try and stop it, I just feel really bad for him". The lights that created the small master begin to fade away as he nods sadly, quickly flickering into nothing.
