Chapter: 12 Rivals of the Temple
"It's never too late to make another effort."
A fiend ended! Anna and Elsa Dellian helped save their Rovani friend Ezzie from the dastardly Clud Frollo. With the baron dead and Rovani freed, those dwelling in the Jedi temple return to a level of normalcy. Injured during the previous ordeal, Jedi Master Destin Mattias finds himself in the medbay while his Padawan wonders what will become of her training. While Mattias' mobility and recovery time remain uncertain, the need to complete Jedi Trials becomes a greater concern for Anna, who feels like she's falling behind.
To most Jedi in the temple, Padawan Tori Vica was either a heckler or white noise. Ever since she was a youngling, the Pantoran's behavior garnered concern from masters in the Order. While her jealousy and pompousness never extended past petty ordeals, Tori never seemed to change with age. Perhaps it was her stunted progress that prompted many of her harassment targets to not take her seriously. She was lucky to have Surk, for the Zabrak Padawan was witless enough to follow her lead. Yet in a twist of karmic fate, it was Surk who had received an offworld assignment with his master first. Alone and out of her mind, Tori would slip further into sternness. Elsa had been right when she couldn't help but bring others down to partake in her misery. Despite Tori's spiteful, stone-faced resolve, her master still found a way to shatter it.
Contrary to the Tori so many knew and gossiped about, the Tori behind closed doors was greatly distressed. Her heart pounded as she scrambled to dress for early training. It mattered not if she'd beaten her alarm by a whole ten minutes, Tori knew time would catch up with her. She rushed to fix her bed and neatly style her hair. "No no no," she whispered as her thick, pale purple locks rebelled. Her eyes darted between the mirror and the clock as she forced her hair into buns. When a cluster of strands fell against her forehead, she hurriedly curled it and rushed out the door. She'd lost track of how many times she'd checked the time in the elevator and while she traversed the upper level halls. Tori was about to enter her master's room when she caught herself forgetting a vital portion. She dashed for the nearest refresher and scrubbed her hands thoroughly before returning. Using her sleeve to cover her hand, Tori knocked twice.
"Enter," a deep yet barely audible voice responded. Tori had grown accustomed to hardly making out his words through the door. Her master was not a man who liked to repeat himself. Even if she didn't catch what he said, Tori would have to go with it. She composed herself and opened the door to her master's quarters. The room was completely dark except for the crack in the shades: just the way he liked it. Tori quietly shut the door behind her and stood at attention. Although she had done this routine daily, she still found herself holding her breath when looking at him.
Her master was a proud, dark mass knelt in the darkest corner of the room. His wide back alone appeared taller than Tori was standing. Two toned, silvery forearms rested on his knees while another pair was raised in a meditative stance. Tori waited, painstakingly tightening her nervous muscles while her master finished meditating. He knew she was there and took his time. Not because there was a lesson to learn in patience, but because he could. Tori stared closely at her master's short, black bun. It was nestled just below the prominent crest all Besalisks possessed.
As time stretched on and Tori's anxiety persisted, she thought on Elsa's words.
"But I have to hope opportunities come to us at their own pace. We can use this time to prepare for them so they don't pass us by," the eldest Dellian had said.
The more Tori thought about Elsa's comforting words, the more she realized what banta fodder they were. Easy for her to say, Tori thought. She can encourage all she wants because she's actually had missions. So has stupid Anna...and now even Surk. Why is it that people only drop advice when they think they've got it all together? Pathetic. If I'm going to get what I want, I need to speak up and take initiative.
Tori's bold thoughts translated to a bitten lip and trembling fingers. "G-..." she began and noticed her master's head twitch at the sound. She took a deep breath. "Good morning," she dared to say. Her master didn't budge and continued meditating. Tori cleared her throat and broke her stern posture. "Master Krell, I said good morn-"
"I heard you the first time, Padawan." Krell answered loathingly. His tone was enough for Tori to slink back into attention and hang her head. Pong Krell was towering and fit for his typically short and pudgy species. He stood over Tori and examined her neatly pressed robes and tunic. His beard dipped against his bulbous wattle as he leaned closer. Tori glared at his deepening scowl as Krell intricately swatted the remaining curl from her forehead. "Careless," he mumbled gruffly.
Sweat glistened against Tori's blue skin. Krell examined the yellow markings which curved symmetrically on both of her cheeks. Another pair streaked across her chin while a separate line dipped from her forehead and forked at her nose. "The hypocrisy of this Jedi Order will always astound me," Krell said. "A Jedi is supposed to cut all familial ties and attachments, yet you Pantorans bear the marks of your families."
"With all due respect, master." Tori mumbled. "My facial tattoos are more cultural than they are personal."
"Connections are connections," Krell scoffed. "It's a miracle Pantorans are allowed to be Jedi. Your kind's nobility and aristocracy sees them more fit for the realm of politics."
Then why would you pick me as a Padawan? Tori thought to herself.
Krell shoved a box into Tori's hands and jabbed a thick finger at her. "You've got five minutes before we head out, Padawan. Like your hands, they had better be spotless."
Tori popped the case open to reveal a pair of collapsible, double-bladed lightsabers. She hurriedly grabbed a cloth and proceeded to intricately swab each unique hilt. She could deny proof to the contrary as much as she wanted, but Tori knew why Master Krell had chosen her. It was the same reason he'd justified most of his impulsive, yet strategic choices: Because he could. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. Krell understood that principle and realized the Jedi valued education above most other tenets. Taking a Padawan learner meant proving he was resourceful. It meant showing the Jedi Council that he was capable of leading. Tori had picked up on Krell's obsession with the ongoing war. He lusted for action and would give anything to be given command of a clone unit. Tori couldn't help but feel like she was a pawn in his systematic plan. She was merely his Padawan because she was available. She tried to dismiss feeling like a glorified servant, but it was difficult when she was literally polishing the Besalisk's lightsabers. Despite Krell's mistreatment and jeers, Tori chose to remain strong. She figured all she had to do was graduate to knight and then she'd never have to see him again.
Tori completed scrubbing and gingerly handed the weapons to Krell. "Finished, master." she uttered.
He grimly inspected each before snorting. "These hilts are neater than your saber form," he grumbled.
"Perhaps we can fix that?" Tori suggested.
"I decide what our itinerary consists of," Krell growled. "And you will remember your place. Now come along, we have work to do."
The last time Anna was in the temple medical center, she recalled being much angrier while floating in a bacta tank. Now she stood at her master's bedside, urging him to take a handheld device.
"For the last time, Anna-" Mattias sighed. "I'm not playing your silly game."
"You're bed-ridden. What else are you gonna do?" Anna insisted. "Plus Jawa Crossing is all the rage right now."
"Jawa Crossing?" Mattias blurted. "In all my years of service to the Galactic Republic and democracy, I have never heard of such nonsense. These games probably rot your brain, or deplete midi-chlorians!"
Anna cackled and gave Elsa a nudge. "Would you believe grandpa over here?"
"He's just looking out for his health," Elsa said. "You should too." Her answer left Anna glaring at her sister. Elsa averted her eyes and sulked against the nearest wall.
"Well none of this would've happened if you'd let me in on the situation," a flustered Yelena muttered from a bedside seat.
"We feared you wouldn't support our little...endeavor," Mattias quipped and swatted away Anna's video game. "We didn't know where you stood on the Rovani issue."
"Then ask next time. I thought we were closer than this," Yelena replied. "I surely wouldn't have let you walk into such an obvious trap. Always maintain the high ground. Never give it up even if your opponents are below you."
Mattias didn't take too kindly to Yelena's rising hostility. "I feel like I'm getting more of a lecture out of you than Elsa has in the last week," he remarked.
All eyes were on Yelena as she scoffed from her seat. "Yes, well..." With a heavy sigh, Yelena let down her rigid walls. "Perhaps I pushed myself away from you all. How could I have expected you to seek my help if I'm not even being approachable?"
The Jedi paused as a white-coated official stepped in. It was so common to see medical droids that noticing a human doctor was a fresh change. With a calming set of blue eyes joined by his gentle voice, the man brought comfort to his Jedi patients. "Good morning, Mattias." he greeted. "I'm Dr. Der Sheparr. How are you feeling today?"
"I'm not feeling much," Mattias admitted.
Sheparr scrolled through his datapad and flashed an image of ravaged bone. "The blastershot severely damaged one of your thoracic discs. I wouldn't give you hope if I couldn't promise you it. Master Jedi, we live in a world of cybernetic limbs, eyes, and even brains. Had this happened to you in the Outer Rim, I'd say you'd be confined to a power chair for the rest of your life. A blaster wound like this digging that deeply into the spine means paraplegia." No matter what news Sheparr delivered, he remained soft-spoken and confident. Anna held Mattias' hand on impulse as the doctor continued. "But we live in the capital of the Galactic Republic, which is spearheading ceaseless projects in medical innovation. Mattias, with my help...I'm going to see to it that you walk again."
Anna eagerly shook Mattias' hand while Elsa rejoiced from the sidelines. Only Yelena seemed skeptical as Sheparr awaited his patient's response. "I trust you, doctor." Mattias said. "But curiosity's gotten the best of me in wondering how you can accomplish such a feat."
"I'm going to develop a cybernetic disk to insert into your spine," Sheparr explained. "Once the surgery is finished, we'll take the next steps towards rehabilitation and getting you back on your feet."
"And you've done this procedure before?" Yelena inquired.
Sheparr paused. "Not with a thoracic disk no but-"
"Then don't go dropping false hopes on the ailing," she intoned. "You'd best do your research and-"
"Master Jedi," the doctor assured. "All precautions will be taken. Your friend is in the best hands here."
"Do what you must, doctor." Mattias said. "The Force will be with you." On that note, Sheparr departed and soon had a nursing droid in tow. Mattias' friendly grin vanished once his doctor left and he turned to the others. "Anna, Elsa...I'd like a moment with Yelena."
Yelena looked like a time bomb slowly ticking as the Padawans exited the room. Her timer burst as the door shut behind her and she leaned towards Mattias. "You could be permanently paralyzed," she growled. "I should've been there."
"This wasn't your fault," Mattias retorted. "It was the gunman's. I knew what I was getting myself into."
Outside of the room, Elsa stood idly by while Anna paced about. She couldn't hold it any longer and finally spun from her tizzy. "Do you have a problem with me?" Anna asked. "Because what was that whole 'watching out for health' thing about back there?"
"You seem to view life as expendable in how easily you take it," Elsa answered. Her nonchalant tone was all the more irritating to Anna.
Anna stomped off. "Oh seriously? You're comparing my master to an evil man like Frollo? Elsa, he died in combat."
"I could've saved him. The same way you might've been able to spare half the men you fought. Then they could answer for their crimes."
"They did answer for their crimes," Anna grunted. "Why is it so hard for you to get that through your head?"
"I used the saber techniques you taught me to protect myself," Elsa said. "If I'd known you'd use the Force to murder I'd have never-"
"Elsa stop it!" Anna gave her a heavy shove. "Quit making me sound like some kind of evil killer. I did what I was trained to do in self-defense. My master is hospitalized and the last thing I need is you kicking me while I'm down."
"I'm just looking out for you," Elsa insisted.
"Looking out for me?" Anna snapped as if she'd blow a fuse. "So this is about control to you?"
Meanwhile, the situation only escalated in Mattias' room. "But that's just it," Yelena countered. "You just go for it. You think being more lenient is worth getting closer to your student but in the long run-"
"It is," Mattias' voice deepened. "You should try it some time. Elsa barely has a master so it's no wonder she tagged along with us. Is it any surprise she got a saber technique from my apprentice before she got one from you?"
"Are you questioning my teaching skill after you constantly put them in danger?" Yelena snapped.
Mattias bit his lip. "You want to go there? Fine. Yes I am. The only connection Elsa has to you is one set by the rules of the Order. She is a kind and respectful young Jedi so she won't provide evidence to the contrary. At least not directly. But can you blame her for seeking help elsewhere when she has a master who abandons her after she makes a mistake?"
Yelena's eyes widened and she spoke through gritted teeth. "I did not abandon her."
"You just stopped trying. The second your seemingly perfect student stumbled, you called it quits and I thought you were better than that."
"Mattias," Yelena spoke sternly. "Elsa cost the Republic Avinaria. That's an entire planet now susceptible to the confederacy. She was the final line of defense and she failed."
"And your treatment of that failure speaks volumes," Mattias replied. "You did abandon her. You know why?"
Yelena huffed. "I'm sure you'll tell me."
"Because Elsa's a kid. All of these Padawans are the closest things any of us will ever have to kids. When a child messes up, especially over something you can't figure out, that isn't the end of the line. That's only gonna sever ties and lead to further resentment. And we both know where all that fear, anger and hate leads to. When one of our own slips up, we have a choice. We either stand with them or save face with the crowd. I almost made a terrible mistake once. Since then, I promised that I'd side with Anna no matter what. If I go down with her, so be it. Because if she can't rely on her master, who can she rely on?"
Yelena hung her head. "Sometimes I feel like I have the weight of the galaxy on my shoulders."
"No," Mattias interjected. "If you're gonna pull the great burden thing, then don't have a Padawan. Because Elsa deserves someone who will see her through to knighthood. We all have past problems and our own situations, but that's gotta get moved aside."
Yelena sighed somberly. "I don't know where to start, old friend. Perhaps I've missed my chance."
"It's never too late to start over," Mattias said and held her hand. "I know you Yelena. I've known you for thirty-four years-"
"Five months," Yelena added.
"And-" Mattias glanced at the nearest data calendar. "Twenty-three days." The masters shared a laugh together as things briefly made sense. "Just be there for her," Mattias said. "Small steps like that will go far. I'm gonna need your help anyway." Yelena raised a brow. "Being bed-ridden leaves me out of commission to continue Anna's training. Can I trust you to-"
"You can't count on me to train the ladies," Yelena said. "You just focus on recovering. And don't let that white-coated charlatan-"
"Yelena..." Mattias grumbled.
"Okay," Yelena relented. "Get well soon, dear friend. Try to sleep some, alright?"
"Take care," Mattias replied. "And please tell Anna to work on her somersaults! She's not going to add them to Ataru if she can't stick a landing!" With his final proclamation, exhaustion caught up with Mattias and he found his bed extra comfortable. He gently reclined, only to feel his neck press against a metallic device. Someone had slipped a mysterious item under his pillow and he cautiously reached for it.
His heart sank as he accidentally activated a start button and a digital voice called out "UTINNI!"
A smirk crept across his face as he withdrew the handheld device. "Oh Anna," he laughed to himself.
Alright then, Yelena thought to herself. Two Padawans, one master, plenty to teach. Let's get to work. Yelena entered the hall to find the girls unleashing barrages of insults into each other. Anna was furiously pointing fingers while Elsa faked walking away multiple times. "Ladies!" Yelena commanded their attention to no avail. Instead the sisters redirected their volleys towards her.
"She's coming at me for doing my job!" Anna snapped. "Elsa has no right."
"I suppose those you killed had no right either!" Elsa countered.
"That is enough! Mattias has left me in charge of both of you and I will not tolerate this squabbling." Yelena boomed. "Both of you take a walk and then meditate for ten minutes."
"About that," Anna grumbled. "I don't really do meditation. It's not my thing."
"But all Jedi meditate," Yelena intoned. "It's one of the first things you're taught as a youngling."
"Yeah," Anna's sarcasm stretched throughout the word. "I was a good faker. My mind wanders too much to be confined to-"
"Then you stay and meditate with me. I'll teach you," Yelena explained. Elsa stopped across the hallway and shot her master a look of betrayal. "We'll reconvene at the level two dojo in ten minutes."
The dojo was quieter that morning and almost made Yelena consider reattempt to train Anna in mediation. "You mean to tell me you still couldn't clear your mind?" she asked.
"That is correct," Anna admitted proudly. "Too busy thinking about my next fight, my master's condition, or what's for lunch. Appreciate the effort though, Master Yelena."
"Yes," Elsa murmured as she trudged over. "Efforts much appreciated."
Yelena glowered at her apprentice but chose to make the most of it. "Right then," she said. "I don't know how long Mattias is going to be hospitalized, but I'm going to train you girls as long as it takes. I hope we can step into this dojo with calmer minds than what I saw earlier."
"Don't look at me," Anna said with a shrug. "I didn't start anything."
Elsa huffed and kept her mouth shut as they entered the dojo. Her squinted eyes darted between Anna and Yelena. She couldn't fathom the concept of her master's neglect. She'd put up with it for years, always telling herself that it was part of apprenticeship. But after seeing how Anna and Mattias treated each other, Elsa realized what she'd been missing out on. To make matters worse, Yelena was already willing to train Anna and give her extra time on meditation of all things. It mattered not if Elsa went off on her own. After all, she'd be used to it. The thought boiled within Elsa as she bit her lip. Any anguish she had only doubled when she saw Anna sharing a laugh with Yelena. Then a dreary thought dawned upon Elsa. It festered between all of the jeers and taunts people had heckled her with. Perhaps the problem was herself all along.
"Now then," Yelena began. "Mattias said you must work on your somersaults, Anna. I must agree because acrobatics are a key component of Ataru."
Anna craned her neck in wonder. "They are?"
Yelena nodded and gave one of Anna's biceps a squeeze. "You are what I'd like to call a power-hitter."
Anna smirked and spoke breathily, "I like the sound of that."
"Mattias has been focusing on endurance and strength training to hone that, but Ataru is so much more. The aggressive Form IV is made extremely effective by leaps, dives, flips, and slides. It's designed to overwhelm your opponent, not to power through them in a straight line." Anna's eyes lit up at the idea of overwhelming her foes. "For starters, I want you to practice flipping off the balance beam. Then proceed to wall running and hurdling. I'll see if I can get some training droids." Anna eagerly sprinted off to get started.
"And what about me, master?" Elsa interrupted. "Should I just go meditate again?"
Yelena sighed. "No, of course not. We can work on getting you a saber technique."
"I have one," Elsa intoned. "I've had one."
"Right," Yelena grumbled. "Form II, Makashi yes?"
"Niman actually."
"Form VI does make more sense," Yelena admitted.
"It figures you wouldn't remember," Elsa scoffed.
"Excuse me?"
"You've had it out for me ever since the Avinaria incident," Elsa said. "I already rarely saw you, but after that it only got worse. You stopped altogether. You were there, only you weren't."
"Elsa-"
"Here's something we can work on," Elsa asserted. "You can work on telling me the truth. Why did you lie about Aren?"
Yelena's eyes widened and she immediately looked around the room. She hurriedly grabbed Elsa by the wrist, made for the nearest storage unit, and shut the door behind them. "Who told you?" Yelena interrogated.
"Senator Finc," Elsa admitted. "Someone I felt actually supported by. Given your reaction, it's safe to say he was right. So why didn't you tell me?" Yelena swallowed hard and struggled to find an answer. "Please, master." Elsa begged to understand. "Why wouldn't you tell me about the state of disarray our homeworld was in?"
"Oh," was all that slipped out of Yelena's mouth. Her expression changed from frightened to relieved, leaving Elsa all the more confused. Yelena recollected herself with a heavy breath and answered. "Aren is a planet in the furthest reaches of the galaxy. Most have forgotten it, and I didn't want you or your sister dwelling on its suffering."
"But it's our home," Elsa defended. "If it's in such a state of turmoil, shouldn't we be stepping in as Jedi?"
"I've been trying," Yelena admitted. "All those times I've been gone on important assignments, Elsa? I was venturing to Aren, but it's people refuse to make peace."
Elsa tightly shut her eyes and shook her head. "I just don't understand why you'd keep this from me. You wanted to teach me of diplomacy. I could've been with you actually dealing with relations instead of almost dying with Master Kenobi."
Yelena rested her hand on Elsa's shoulder. "There is no passion, there is serenity. I went because I believed myself to be a seasoned Jedi Master capable of setting aside attachments to my homeworld. I didn't want to subject my student to the wiles of such passions and the lure of the Dark Side which follows. I can only hope you understand."
Elsa nodded solemnly. "I do, master. You were only trying to protect me and I'm grateful for that. But-" Yelena's brows raised as Elsa continued. "I hope you understand that once I become a Jedi Knight, I will stop at nothing to bring peace to Aren."
Yelena brandished a wavering smile. "Let's just cross that bridge when we get to it."
"I'll cross it," Elsa intoned. "Once I'm a knight, I'll have that freedom."
"Elsa," Yelena chuckled. "You'll have the freedom to take a Wookie Padawan if your heart desired. Now while we're in here, please help me get the training droids."
Elsa happily obliged because her future was the only thing swirling around her mind. With a beaming grin, Elsa merrily rifled through shelving units to pick out training droids. She imagined the Padawan braid on her shoulder being severed and how she'd be a knight among thousands. Elsa related picking out a training droid to how it would feel for a master to choose a Padawan. While it was typically more acceptable for masters to have apprentices, it didn't stop knights from taking them. After all, if someone as reckless as Anakin Skywalker could have a Padawan, Elsa felt like she'd make a nurturing mentor. The excitement of it all was so overpowering that she had to reel herself back to the present. Yelena was just relieved to have her Padawan thinking about a different subject and taking the pressure off her.
Outside of the storage unit, Anna was busy breaking a sweat over her acrobatics routine. "Okay," she whispered to herself and steadied her feet on the balance beam. "You got this Anna. You were born ready." With a determined glare and proud swing of her arms, Anna performed a back handspring. Once she secured herself, she somersaulted off of the beam and flipped onto the nearby mat. Her balance was off and she fell sideways as the doors slid open behind her.
"Poor Anna. Always falling flat on her face," A nasally voice brayed across the room only to be silenced.
Anna knew the irksome tone anywhere and rolled over with a groan. "Tori, don't you have a-" she froze upon seeing the hulking Besalisk at Tori's side. "-master...to...disappoint?"
When Krell was done scolding Tori for her jeer, he stomped towards the balance beam. "Are you done with this?" he asked.
Anna shook her head and slowly rose. "No I'm still-"
"You look finished," Krell intoned. "Padawan!" he growled. "Get up there."
"What?" Anna snapped only to have Krell stare her down. His eyes, though yellow like Tori's, were cold and unfeeling in contrast. The unblinking orbs focused intently on Anna as his shadow loomed over her. He emitted an intimidating snarl while Tori trained on the balance beam.
"So this the Anna I've heard you rambling about," Krell inquired. Tori offered a nod before resuming her practice. "Then you're an embarrassment, Tori. This child looks hardly capable of anything, so it should be impossible for someone with my training to struggle against her."
Krell had struck a nerve as Anna pursed her lips. How she wanted to boast about defeating the Bug, but it killed her knowing she never could. As if any of that mattered now that the Bug escaped. "I'm sorry," Anna dared to say. "How many Dark Side demons has your Padawan vanquished? Or you for that matter?"
Krell scoffed. "And I'm supposed to believe the words of an arrogant Padawan?"
Yelena and Elsa returned with a trio of training droids in tow. While they would've thought Anna was merely taking a break, they could sense the rising tensions. "Master Krell," Yelena mumbled distastefully to Elsa. "I'll handle this."
The Besalisk's stern stare listed toward Yelena. "Is this spitfire yours?" he asked.
"This young mind is under my temporary tutelage," Yelena answered.
"Well you should know she's got terrible balance. My Padawan is better suited for the beam so we'll be taking over. Go train her on something smaller."
"That's outrageous!" Anna blurted. "I fall off once and you think you can just commandeer it from me?"
Yelena gently, yet assertively ushered Anna back to her sister. She placed herself in front of Krell and stood tall against him. "Master Krell," she said. "Our training has only begun and you will honor that. There is plenty of equipment for you to use elsewhere."
Krell took his time to observe Yelena. "You're Aren, aren't you?" She remained firm against his words. "The temple speaks of the little 'Aren Quartet' but I can see your relation delves deeper."
"What do you know?" Yelena retorted and instantly regretted giving in.
"I know you share the same hypocrisy my Padawan here does. We're supposed to cut all ties to the past and limit passions, yet I see what you wear." Yelena's heart raced as Krell advanced to her. Even Tori stopped practicing as all three Padawans listened closely. "Those pale robes reminiscent of their furs...the patterned sash tied along your utility belt. You're one of those wintry savages spacers tell stories about."
Yelena fought to conceal her anger. yet her face spoke volumes. Her nose wrinkled as she glared up at Krell. "They are not savages," she said.
"So it is true then," Krell taunted. "You are Northuldra."
The term was foreign to all except the masters. "Leave us be," Yelena said.
"I've heard the Northuldra are also practitioners of single combat." Krell proudly pat the lightsabers at his sides. "If you are so culturally inclusive, I see no problem with you challenging me. One on one and the winner gets to keep the balance beam."
Knowing what Krell was capable of, Tori smirked deviously. While Elsa expressed a rising concern for her master, Anna offered a less subtle approach. "You can take him, Master Yelena!" Anna cheered. "Mop the floor with him."
Krell rolled his eyes and stared Yelena down. Her gaze swayed between his collapsible sabers and ceaseless, frigid stare. Despite the perceived pressure from her peers, Yelena chose another option. "I have nothing to prove to you, Master Krell." she said firmly. "Students, let's go train elsewhere. The last thing we need is two masters swelling with pride."
"But the training droids," Anna blurted. "There's other equipment we can use in here!"
"Trust me," Yelena said. "You do not want to share the room with this kind of negativity."
Yelena departed with her head held high and Elsa tried to mimic her posture. Anna, on the other hand, was furious watching Tori on her balance beam.
"I didn't think there were cowards among the Northuldra," Krell's venomous voice boomed across the dojo.
Yelena didn't grant him a response as they left into the elevator. Elsa and Anna looked to their master on different levels of perplexity as she stood idle. The sound of floors passing by was entrancing as Yelena waited for someone to inevitably break the silence. "You let them walk all over us," Anna accused.
"Mind your tone," Yelena answered monotonously. She never blinked while staring at the doors.
"Mattias would've taken that wattle-faced knifer down."
"Mind your language."
"No!" Anna snapped. "I can't just let that slide. You know why none of the younglings bullied me in Brith Clan? Because I stood up for myself. You let them push you once and they'll never stop. That was pathetic, master."
"Not everything has to be solved with a lightsaber, Anna." Elsa snapped to defend her master. "Yelena did what was best for us."
"Best for you maybe. You don't need any physical training. But I'm trying to improve and-" Anna angrily tugged at her hair. "And Tori was there to see the whole thing. All the weakness, all the pitiful-...ugh!" The elevator opened and Yelena stormed off onto a verandah. Anna trailed after her with an onslaught of spiteful words. "How could you say you had nothing to prove, master? You had to prove you cared about us!"
"I do care about you!" Yelena intoned. "You too, Elsa. I know I haven't always been there but I am now. The only thing I would've proven in that dojo was that Master Krell was a better duelist than I am. I would've solidified the primitive belief that knuckle-headed brutes have to wrestle over prizes and humiliate their weaker adversaries. That's how men like Master Krell get what they want. They're bullies, Anna. Now I know that Master Mattias would've probably done things differently, but he's left me in charge and I play the long game. What you perceive as weakness, I view as strategy."
"I don't understand," Anna said while Elsa listened eagerly.
"People can say whatever they want to try and bring you down, but you have to give away your own power to make it effect you. Revenge is not the Jedi way, but I don't shy away from shining in front of people who didn't believe in me. Personal success and a happy life will speak volumes rather than wasting time butting the same head with someone." Yelena peered around for a metaphor and noticed a storm looming over the upper city. "Lightning is unpredictable. It strikes in the darkness when you least expect it. I want you to think of yourself as a lightning bolt. We're a trio of bolts in the clouds right now and our hair is an absolute disaster." Yelena rejoiced in making the Padawans chuckle at her imagery. "Now, we're going to stay up there working hard. We don't have to pay any mind to the people bickering below the clouds or those who sound like annoying speeder engines. No, we keep our plans to ourselves and focus on improving. When the timing is right and we've done everything in our power to be the best we can, we strike. We explode from the clouds and catch everyone by surprise to the point that they can't even keep up with our successes. We'll have left them in the dust and none of their concerns no longer effect us. Because it was never about them. It was about becoming a better version of ourselves."
"That was poetically powerful," Elsa admired.
"I think I got the meaning of it all," Anna added. "But just in case, what's the summary?"
"You want to get back at someone who irked you, improve yourself." Yelena summed. "In your case, keep besting this Tori girl. Just always remember to still see her as a person."
"So many rules," Anna groaned. "I thought the lightning metaphor was pretty cool though."
Yelena sighed. "It comes from a...Northuldran proverb."
"The senator mentioned the Northuldra as one of the warring factions on Aren," Elsa realized.
"It's true," Yelena admitted. "They are...were my people. Still I honor them while the Jedi Order is my home."
"How can they stop being your people?" Elsa asked. "I understand attachments are forbidden, but-"
"It's complicated," Yelena said. "But they don't consider me true Northuldra due to my absence from their lives. Those trips I took consisted of futile attempts to reconnect with them and establish peace. Not only was war a consistent factor, but the Northuldra wouldn't even hear me out. Aren doesn't want to be saved, so the most I can do sometimes..." Yelena ran her fingers across her sash. "-is honor it."
"Well to heck with them if they don't want Jedi aid," Anna said. "If they want to be like our parents and cast us out, maybe they asked for all that chaos."
Yelena's brows furrowed as a deepening sadness took hold of her. She shrouded such emotions and ushered the Padawans away from the verandah. She led them towards a bridge overlooking the temple's grandiose courtyard and took in the sight. "Might as well get some outdoor training in before the rain hits us," she said. Anna and Elsa seemed equally puzzled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to make you climb the temple wall." While Elsa humored the thought, Anna had chilling flashbacks to when she almost died sneaking down.
Yelena leaned over the bridge and noticed a group of Jedi performing renovations to the courtyard's garden. "The Jedi Agricultural Corps," Elsa identified.
"I don't even know why they put Jedi in the name," Anna murmured. "Isn't that one of the groups made up of washouts and rejects?"
"Show some respect," Yelena asserted. "Just because those in the AgriCorps failed their Jedi Initiate Trials, doesn't mean their work any less important than yours. But they do give me an idea."
Yelena took the stairwell down and beckoned the nearest AgriCorps member to her. "Pardon me," she asked. "I couldn't help but notice the amount of excess rubble you've accumulated during your project."
The Theelin woman seemed worried by the master's sudden conversation. Her green eyes listed back to her team while she scratched three of the six horns on her temple. "Yes?" she answered inquisitively. "Our dig should be within temple procedural guidelines if this is what its about. We're adding new foliage."
"And it looks great," Yelena reassured. "I was merely going to ask if my students and I could commandeer your excess rubble for training purposes. We'll of course dispose of it when we're done to take that burden off of your hands."
The Theelin's team consisted of unanimous, sweaty nods. "By all means," she inevitably answered.
Once the Agricorps moved further into their garden, Yelena advanced on the rubble with the sisters. She surveyed the dismantled bricks and rocky clusters all while whiffing the strong stench of soil. "This exercise will give me an idea of where to move forward from," Yelena stated. "Elsa, I want you to use the Force to lift as many pieces of rubble as you can without letting one drop."
"I should be able to do most of them," Elsa said.
"Good, then you'll have no problem flinging them at your sister."
"Wait, what?" Anna and Elsa blurted.
"Oh and after you hurl them at Anna, you're still not to let the projectiles touch the ground. This is all about control for you. You might be strong in the Force, but if you can't regulate how much power you're using and when, that gift is going to waste." Yelena brought her attention to the younger sister. "Anna, utilize acrobatics to evade what Elsa hurls by any means necessary. Elsa, don't hold back. Doubles...triples...Whatever you can handle."
"I don't know," Elsa worried.
"Come on, sis." Anna assured. "Trust me, you won't land a hit because I won't let you."
"I think that's a challenge," Yelena quipped. "Begin."
Elsa slowly hoisted her hands and called on the Force while Anna steadied her posture. The pile of rubble dispersed as the fragments swirled above Elsa's head like a rocky tornado. She manipulated the vortex to tilt towards Anna and stretched out a hand. Elsa sought to control her projectiles with one palm while balancing the rest in her other. They didn't even start and sweat was already forming on her forehead.
"Excellent, Elsa." Yelena complimented but her student was too concentrated to notice.
With a flick of her wrist, Elsa sent the first stone hurling towards Anna. She easily leapt over it while Elsa strained herself to stop the stone from hitting the ground. She then carefully returned the stone to her vortex while Anna waited impatiently. The same, slow routine occurred twice more until Anna turned to Yelena. "This seems more like an exercise for her. I'm not even breaking a sweat!" she jeered. Elsa grit her teeth and launched a trio of stones towards Anna. It forced her to front flip over them and gaze at her sister in awe. Anna smirked and squinted her eyes. "Okay, now it's on." Elsa unleashed barrage after barrage of rocky debris and strained herself to catch each one. Anna spun and flipped to maneuver past the rising amount of projectiles. While Anna remained excitedly on her toes, Elsa had gone to a completely different state of mind.
Elsa was there, only she wasn't. Her arms were focused on the routine of catching and shooting stones, but her eyes were on Anna. Every throw Elsa made seemed to have greater strength to it as a series of thoughts crept in. She remembered feeling so abandoned after the Avinaria incident and how Master Chuza had talked down to her. She visualized Frollo's corpse and thought about how she could've saved him had Anna not interfered. Elsa felt an anger creeping up within her, filling a void she didn't know she had. It caressed her like a friend, yet reeked like a foul foe. She sensed the same malignancy she'd felt in the Huzwan temple, only weaker but just as dark. It was a pull of sorts, tugging at her emotions and calling her to despise her sister. Elsa felt like she could throw more stones...and harder. The volley increased as Anna struggled to keep dodging. Sweat soaked Elsa's face as she recalled how Anna murdered people so freely and talked down to her like Master Chuza. Her emotions changed when the thought of a stone striking Anna's face crossed her mind. Elsa's eyes widened as she recognized the darkness creeping within. The violent imagery was all she needed to finally define it. While she knew the Dark Side wasn't easily defeated, it was far from invincible. By the Light Side of the Force, she rejected its sinister pull and clenched her fists.
"No!" Elsa screeched and unleashed a Force repulse so powerful, that all of the stones around her disintegrated. Anna and Yelena were knocked off their feet from the energetic blast. The courtyard went eerily silent as the projectiles' grainy remnants rained down on Elsa's body.
Anna brushed the hair from her face and fought to catch her breath. "That...was awesome."
"Elsa?" Yelena worried and cautiously aproached her. "Can you hear me?"
Elsa stood with wild eyes and a dusty face while the ringing in her ears subsided. "M-...master?" she whispered.
Yelena put an arm around her. "It's alright," she spoke soothingly. "You're safe."
"I think I'm done for the day," Elsa admitted. "I just want to go to my room."
"You've demonstrated an amazing feat," Yelena admired. "Maybe we can-"
"Please?" Elsa begged.
Yelena looked into her student's reddened eyes, undoubtedly irritated from the dust masking the rest of her face. Seeking to be a more understanding master, Yelena sighed. "Of course, Elsa. Go rest. Anna, why don't you help-"
"It's okay," Elsa assured. "I can do it."
Yelena relented and looked to Anna. "I suppose it's just us then."
Anna checked the time. "I actually have to head to the Archives to help a friend out," she said. "See you for training tomorrow though!"
Anna dashed off, leaving Yelena standing alone as rain started to patter against her robes. "Was it something I said?" Yelena asked herself.
The Theelin from earlier jogged over to her. "Storms coming, master!" the youth exclaimed. "Need any help clearing out the debris? The AgriCorps doesn't mind lending a hand to-...By the Force! "How'd you manage dispose of all that so quickly?"
Yelena simply smiled, pat the Theelin's shoulder, and strutted inside while lightning flashed overhead.
There is no emotion, there is peace, Elsa told herself as she scrubbed dirt from her face. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. She let the shampoo cleanse her hair of rocky granules. There is no passion, there is serenity. Elsaraised her head so the shower would blast water across her face. There is no chaos, there is harmony. She purified her hands in moisturizer. There is no death, there is the Force.
Elsa returned to her room feeling refreshed from her ordeal. She tried to find confidence in how she'd warded off the pull of the Dark Side and flopped onto her bed. Her long hair flowed free of any ceremonial braids behind closed doors. In those moments, she felt like she could just be herself, left with the unanswered questions of what she'd experienced and how. Elsa recalled learning about the Dark Side as a youngling in Brith Clan.
Her teacher, Master Adersen had said, "For as long there has been light, there has always been dark. You are young and free of such vices for the time being, my students. But when you are older, the Dark Side's temptations will always be there. They will seep into your mind in forms of jealousy or pry at you in moments of weakness when you've suffered greatly. No Jedi...no person is immune to these seductions. However, you can be strong enough to resist them. Trust in the Light Side. Focus on the fundamental disciplines that keep you strong, for only the weak give themselves to the Dark Side. And are any of you weak?"
Elsa remembered the resounding "Nooooo," the younglings in her clan responded with. She saw herself kneeling in the back of the room, wearing a training helmet that was much too big for her little head.
She had to believe she was strong in the courtyard. If the Dark Side ever reared its ugly head to tempt her again, she'd grant it the same rejection. The incident also helped Elsa realize that Yelena was wrong to limit the Dark Side's reach to attachments. Keeping Aren a secret from her didn't make her immune to evil's trickery. Seeking to cleanse roots of resentment with closure, Elsa called Anna on her comlink. She steadied her breaths with each passing second until Anna answered. "Hey sis," Elsa greeted. "I was wondering if you'd like to swing by my dorm. We could work on my droid and I could show you where some of the-"
"Gee, Elsa." Anna huffed while sounds of shuffling items echoed behind her. "I'd really love to but I'm kind of swamped with some Archive work. I'm helping a friend with uh...research."
"I see," Elsa replied. "Then I at least need to get something off my chest."
Anna sighed. "Alright, what's up?"
"Anna," Elsa took a moment. "I can't control what you do with your adversaries on the battlefield, nor do I want to. I want you to respect my choices the same way I do yours."
"What are you getting on about? Is this still about the Frollo thing?"
"You had no right to deny me a chance to save his life. Criminal or not."
"Elsa, some people can't be spared or reasoned with. If you live with that mentality, people will walk all over you. If you did something like that again, you bet I'd step in. Someone has to."
"That's your problem," Elsa asserted. "It leads me to my next point. You claim none of the other younglings bullied you in Brith Clan because you stood up for yourself. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it was because you were a bully?"
There was a long pause over the call. "I can't believe what I'm hearing," Anna growled. "This conversation is over. I have work to do."
"Anna!" Hans' shouted from a distance. "Have you finished with that stack yet? I needed that done by yesterday."
Wait," Elsa said as her brows furrowed. "Anna, is that who I think it is?"
"Bye," Anna scoffed and hung up.
Elsa stood in shock and fought to conceal her frustration. She set her comlink at her bedside and let out a resigned groaned. As soon as she sat back, a device started ringing. "Anna?" Elsa hoped but was surprised to find her holocom blipping.
In the Jedi Archives, Anna and various other Jedi came to a similar realization as their holocoms chimed. Yelena was on her way to the temple medbay when her device started going off as well.
From his recovery bed, Mattias was very much distracted with his nose buried in Jawa Crossing. "Incredible," he said to himself. "I can have my own island and everything. These Jawas are so adorable and...oh no...a krykna spider!" Mattias steadied his finger on the joystick to inch his avatar closer to it. "Come on, Mini-Mattias. You got this. Your Jawa villagers are counting on you. Easy now..." He was just about to snag the spider when the holocom on his bedside table rang. It startled him into moving his character too far and the spider gobbled him up. Mattias hurriedly shoved the game underneath his pillow and reached for his holocom. Like him, so many recipients activated their devices to receive the same message.
A hologram of Jedi Master Plo Koon projected once the call was activated. "Members of the Jedi Order," he announced. "I send this message as an invitation for greatness. Working closely with officials in the Corellian city of Coronet, the Jedi Council has agreed on the creation of a tournament. One in which masters will have a chance to demonstrate how far their students have come. It is a competitive event where Padawans will be put to the test all in the service of educating the galaxy on the Jedi arts. The first ever Corellian Cup has been set in motion. Any Padawan not actively serving in the war is eligible to try out. Aside from commendations, the Padawan who wins the Corellian Cup will be granted a passing mark for the Trial of Skill. This is an opportunity to not only show Corellia, but the galaxy, what the Jedi of tomorrow have in store. May the Force be with you all."
As Master Plo's message ended, a new excitement filled the temple. Youths were riled while their masters began to formulate plans. Where some saw healthy competition, others viewed rising rivalries. Everyone from Anna to Elsa to even Tori had the Corellian Cup in mind.