The following day… on Mandalore, Ezra Bridger is in the training room used by the Jedi-Bendu. He is with Finn and Jyn Erso.
"Alright, Finn. You ready to get started?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah. I'm ready." Finn answers.
"Normally, I'd have Kira handle basic saber training, but she's on a supply run to our base on Selasco, so you get me for your first day. Since Jyn isn't that busy, I've asked her to help out." Ezra says.
"I kind of know what I'm doing. I've used a lightsaber before." Finn says.
"You have close quarters combat training, which doesn't even begin to cover what you need to know. A lightsaber… is more than a weapon. It's an extension of yourself. SInce you don't have a saber of your own yet, I'll loan you this training saber. You won't be able to cut through anything with it, but you'll be able to learn the basics, and you'll be able to practice whenever you want." Ezra says, as he hands a silver and black lightsaber hilt to Finn. Finn examines the weapon in his hands, then activates it. A green blade emerges.
"It looks just like a real saber." Finn says.
"It is a real saber. It just won't cut anything. The blade strength is locked on the lowest setting." Ezra says.
"Oh." Finn says.
"Alright… let's get started. Finn, do you know what this is?" Ezra asks, as he shows Finn a small, white ball.
"A training remote. I've seen Kira practice with those when we were on Garos." Finn answers.
"That's right. There are actually different kinds of remotes, including those that fire full power blasts. Meaning… they're just as deadly as a blaster. I don't like using those. I don't want my students to accidentally get killed in training." Ezra says.
"I know all about the lethal ones. Saw made me train with them when he was teaching me how to fight." Jyn says.
"Saw Gerrera… was insane." Ezra says.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." Jyn says.
"Funny. Alright, kid. This… will be your first test. Your objective… is to block every shot." Ezra says.
"Okay. Sounds easy enough." Finn says.
"Don't be so sure. With each difficulty level, the rate of fire will increase, as will the remote's movement. Now, let's see how you defend yourself. Begin." Ezra says. He presses a switch on the side of the remote, and the device floats away from him, toward Finn. The remote stops in front of Finn, and fires a single shot, which Finn easily blocks.
"That's it?" Finn asks.
"That's just level one. I usually only use that for children just starting out." Ezra answers.
"Okay. Bring on level two then." Finn says.
"Alright. Level two it is." Ezra says. He uses the force to recall the remote to him. He presses a switch on the device, then turns it loose. The remote floats toward Finn once more, and stops in front of him. It then moves quickly to the right, then fires. Finn blocks the shot.
"Good. Most students fail their first time on level two. Now, let's see how you do with level three." Ezra says, as he recalls the remote to him. He adjusts the device, then turns it loose. Finn readies his saber in anticipation as the remote approaches. The device stops in front of him, and fires. Finn blocks the shot easily.
That's it? I thought this was supposed to get harder… Finn thinks.
Suddenly, the remote quickly lowers itself and fires again. Finn barely gets his saber in position to block the shot.
"Not bad. Let's keep going, huh? Level four." Ezra says. He recalls the remote to him. Jyn sighs in frustration, and looks at Ezra.
"This is bantha shit! He's not a child! Put that thing on level ten!" Jyn says.
"Ten?" Finn asks.
"That's right. I've heard you're a good fighter. I want to see it." Jyn says.
"Finn… will go through every level. That's the standard training program that Kira and I set up. We need to see how he reacts to each scenario." Ezra says.
"Kira practices on level ten… with three remotes at the same time! Hell, even the kids practice on level eight or nine! I could do level four blindfolded while using the saber with my feet!" Jyn says.
"It's his first day, Jyn. We need to be patient with him." Ezra says.
"It's alright. I'd like the challenge. Put it on level ten, like she said." Finn says.
"Are you sure about that? It's a lot harder than what you just did." Ezra says.
"Yeah. I'm sure." Finn says. Ezra stands in silence for a moment as he considers Finn's request.
"Okay… level ten it is." Ezra says.
"Wait a minute! Didn't you just say you wanted him to do every level?" Jyn asks.
"Yeah, but… he wants to challenge himself, and I respect that. So, I'll give him the chance." Ezra answers.
"A chance to fall flat on his ass… " Jyn whispers.
"What was that?" Ezra asks.
"Nothing." Jyn answers.
"That's what I thought. Alright, Finn. Here it comes." Ezra says.
Ezra releases the remote, and it floats toward Finn. It stops in front of him, then suddenly shifts to the right and fires.
Ezra made level ten sound like a big deal. This thing's a lot faster, but I think I can handle it. Finn thinks.
Finn blocks the shot, but as he does, the remote floats upward and fires again. Finn blocks this shot as well. The remote then goes even higher, and flies over Finn's head. He turns around, expecting it to fire. Instead, the remote quickly drops until it's only a foot from the ground. Then, the remote fires twice. Finn is not able to get his saber ready, and is hit in the leg by both blasts.
Man, he wasn't kidding! That stings! Finn thinks.
The remote floats back and forth for a few seconds, then starts to move toward Finn's left side.
Okay… I think I know what it's doing. Let's see if I'm right. Finn thinks.
The remote suddenly moves backward, floats up several feet, and fires twice. Finn is able to block one shot, but the other hits him in the shoulder.
"Alright. I think that's enough." Ezra says, as he shuts off the remote with the force and recalls it to him.
"That wasn't even five minutes!" Jyn says.
"It was his first time. He did better than most students." Ezra says.
"I can go again." Finn says.
"No. We're done for now. You can pick this up again tomorrow with Kira. You'll go through all ten levels, and you'll only practice with level ten when she thinks you're ready for it." Ezra says.
"Fine by me." Finn says.
"A tip that might help you out… learn to anticipate your opponent's next move, otherwise, you're going to be in a world of hurt when your ass is on the line." Ezra says.
"How am I supposed to do that?" Finn asks.
"It's too bad there isn't a way for you to sense your surroundings, like… some kind of… force." Jyn says.
"Oh, right. I'll give it a try." Finn says.
"Or you could just do it." Jyn says.
"Jyn…" Ezra says.
"There's a war going on! Everybody needs to be doing their part! You're being too soft on him!" Jyn says.
"Easy, Jyn… " Ezra says.
"Do you have some kind of problem with me? I've never even talked to you before today." Finn says.
"In fact, I do have a problem. Since my team and I came to this time, I've gotten to know most of the people here. Some of them have become my friends. Like Kira. You cut yourself off from her, because you allowed yourself to be ruled by your fear. When you did that, it really hurt her. For an apparent best friend, you've been doing a shit job!" Jyn says.
"I know. I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life." Finn says.
"So, you don't even have an excuse for it." Jyn says.
"There is no excuse. I was an idiot." Finn says.
"You abandoned her!" Jyn says.
"I thought… I thought I was doing the right thing. To protect her." Finn says.
"You thought wrong." Jyn says.
"Yeah, I did." Finn says.
So, that's it. Jyn feels that Finn has betrayed Kira. It bothers her so much because it reminds her of when Saw betrayed her. I'm going to have to talk with her about this. Ezra thinks.
"Alright, you two. That's enough. We're here for training. You can finish this later." Ezra says.
"Later, then." Jyn says.
"Alright, moving on. Finn, I want to see how you do in a fight, so… that's why I asked Jyn to be here. I want you two to face each other in a practice duel. Jyn, stick to one saber for now. Finn's not ready to go up against Jar'Kai." Ezra says.
"Got it." Jyn says, with a hint of disappointment.
"No force powers, no hits to the head, and no other weapons. The match goes until one of you gets a hit or loses your saber. Now, begin!" Ezra says.
Jyn takes one of the sabers from her belt, and ignites a yellow blade. Finn activates his green practice saber. Jyn strikes first, swinging aggressively toward Finn's torso. Finn manages to block the attack, but the force of the impact knocks him back a little.
"Going a little rough, aren't you?" Finn asks.
"This isn't playtime, so no point in holding back!" Jyn says.
Jyn strikes again, and Finn blocks it.
"Oh, what's this? You can actually defend yourself? That's a surprise. You stormtroopers can't fight worth shit!" Jyn says.
"I'm not a stormtrooper anymore!" Finn says.
"No, you're just a damn coward!" Jyn says. She prepares to attack again.
Alright, Jyn. That… was uncalled for. Time to stop this. Ezra thinks.
"Jyn! That's enough!" Ezra shouts. Jyn is momentarily distracted by Ezra's outburst, and Finn takes advantage, as he hits Jyn in the leg with his practice saber.
"You fracker!" Jyn shouts.
"Still practicing aren't we? No holding back right?" Finn asks. Jyn scowls, and prepares to respond, when Ezra raises his hand.
Nice comeback, Finn. Regaining that confidence, I see. Ezra thinks.
"Finn's right. You let your guard down, and he took advantage of that. Don't let yourself get distracted. Not even in practice." Ezra says. Jyn closes her eyes for a moment, and seems to calm down.
"You're right. I should know better by now." Jyn says.
"Okay… I was going to have you do a few practice matches, but… I think I'm going to go ahead and end things here. Finn, I'd like for you to start going to Kira's saber classes. She'll cover all the basics with you. Every day, in this room at 0600. I'll be handling the other parts of your training. We have a lot of ground to cover." Ezra says. Jyn and Finn shut off their sabers.
"I know. I'll do whatever I have to do." Finn says.
"Okay, Finn, you can go. Jyn, a moment please." Ezra says. Finn leaves the training room.
"I know. I'm being hard on him." Jyn says.
"Yes, you are. You're angry with him, not just because he cut himself off from Kira, but you also feel… like he isn't pulling his weight." Ezra says.
"Ahsoka recruited me and my team to help you fight this war, and I'd like to think we've been doing that. We face a powerful enemy, capable of who knows what! Everybody needs to be doing their part, not sitting around eating junk and watching holos!" Jyn says.
"I understand how you feel, and, I admit, I'm not happy about what Finn's done either. But… he's trying to turn his life around , and I think we ought to give him a chance." Ezra says.
"I'll try." Jyn says.
"There's something else we need to talk about." Ezra says.
"What's that?" Jyn asks.
"You… are a great fighter, and a natural leader. You are also very strong with the force. However, this anger of yours needs to be kept in check, or… we could have a problem." Ezra answers.
"I know. Anger leads to the dark side. I've been working on it, but… I've been angry for all of my life. It's hard to just… stop it." Jyn says.
"I realize that. You've been doing better, but keep at it. Keeping your emotions under control is an everyday thing. If anything's ever bothering you, talk to someone about it. Don't just keep things bottled in. You're only hurting yourself. Trust me, I know." Ezra says.
"Alright. I'll keep working on it." Jyn says.
"Thanks, Jyn. I know I'm no Ahsoka, but I'd like to think I'm helping. Even if it's just a little." Ezra says.
"No, you're fine. I'm the problem. I know it's been six months, but… I'm still not used to this Jedi stuff." Jyn says.
"That's okay. It took me a while too." Ezra says.
"You? Really?" Jyn asks.
"Yeah. Believe it or not, I haven't always been an old man. When I started my training, I was reckless, and basically useless in a fight. Learning… takes time. You'll get there eventually. Just… have faith." Ezra answers.
"I'm working on that too." Jyn says.
"I know that… having faith… can be challenging. You've had a rough life, but… things are different now. You're not alone anymore." Ezra says.
"If it weren't for Ahsoka, I would have died on Scarif. Thanks to her, I have a second chance. I don't intend to waste it." Jyn says.
"A second chance… is a rare thing. Make the most of it." Ezra says.
"I will. Thank you… for everything." Jyn says.
"You're welcome, Jyn." Ezra says.