Familiar from the Stars
Chapter 5
Note: Some of the stuff in this chapter was influenced by Hill of Swords. I suggest reading it. It is a genius story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Z had been training Louise for a few weeks now and she was showing much improvement in the Jedi arts. When she wasn't studying for her classes, she was either meditating, learning techniques in Force manipulation or lightsaber combat. Currently, Z was having her duel him in lightsaber combat blindfolded, letting the Force guide her movements.
Z deflected a strike from Louise's training lightsaber and forced her to dodge his retaliatory strike, "You are improving."
"I have yet to land a single hit on you," said Louise as she righted herself.
"I've been doing this a lot longer than you, youngling," said Z.
Louise sighed. Z had taken to calling her by that nickname, saying it was a level of experience and growth for Jedi as they were recruited from infancy to learn the ways of the Force.
Louise took off her blindfold and saw that several of her classmates had gathered to watch her training session.
"My my Louise," said Kirche as she found her voice again, "you never mentioned that you knew swordplay."
"What of it, Zerbst?" asked Louise in a tired.
"It's just, I never took you as the type to wield a sword," said Kirche.
"Unexpected," said Tabitha.
"Technically they're not swords," said Z.
"Where did you get such wonderful magic swords?" asked Guiche, ignoring Z.
"They're not magic," said Louise, "and Z had them."
"Your familiar?" asked Guiche in surprise.
"Yes," said Louise, "he's been teaching me some stuff."
"What could a commoner have to teach you?" asked Guiche.
"You recall that I beat you quite easily," said Z.
"That is because you are some sort of demon," said Guiche, "changing your form was proof of that."
"I am no demon," said Z, "but I admit that I am not human."
"Then what are you?" asked Kirche.
"Isn't that a personal question?" asked Z.
"Are you hiding something?" asked Guiche.
Z chose to ignore the blond fop and turned back to Louise.
"Let's get back to your training," he said.
"Alright," said Louise, "what am I doing now?"
"I'd like you to meditate again," said Z, "but try to maintain control this time."
"Alright," said Louise.
Louise's classmates watched as the petite pinkette sat down on the grassy field and began to meditate.
"What is she doing?" asked Kirche.
"She's meditating to fell the flowing Force that flows around and through all things," said Z.
"What are you talking about?" asked Guiche.
Z shrugged, "There is a living and unifying Force that flows around and through all things. Those that are capable of harnessing it can use it to perform great feats."
"What kinds of feats?" asked Kirche.
With a smirk, Z motioned toward Louise and her classmates gasped as they saw her floating a foot off the ground in the lotus position with various pebbles floating in the air around her.
"No way," said Kirche, "Zero's actually doing magic."
"It's not exactly magic," said Z, "she is manipulating the living and unifying force that is flowing around and through her, granting her the ability to use a form of telekinesis to manipulate the environment around her."
"Impressive," said Tabitha.
"Can anyone use this ability?" asked Kirche.
"Unfortunately no," said Z, "there are certain requirements that need to be met that cannot be confirmed without a blood test."
"Blood test?" asked Tabitha.
"I would need to take a sample of blood and put it through an examination to determine if the required factors are present in the blood of the person in question," said Z.
"So Louise has the certain factors?" asked Kirche.
"Indeed," said Z, "and because of that I am teaching her what I know. You can stop now," he added to Louise.
Louise let the rocks fall to the ground and extended her legs so she moved into a standing position.
"You are progressing nicely," said Z, "soon I might teach you some of the more advanced techniques, but for now, you should get changed and head to class."
Louise nodded and hurried to her room to change into her uniform.
"I was wondering," said Kirche, "why do you have her wearing such unusual clothes?"
"The clothes I have her wear is more practical for her training," said Z, "you wouldn't run laps or do physical exercise in a blouse and skirt?"
"Why would she be doing physical exercise?" asked Kirche.
"To master the skills that I am teaching her, she must be in her best physical and mental shape," said Z.
"Why is that?" asked Tabitha.
"To truly use the Force to its fullest potential, one cannot just wave their hands and move stones," said Z, "one must learn the way to fight using the force to guide your movements, ergo a better physical condition is best."
"Understandable," said Tabitha.
"Alright," said Louise as she ran up, "I'm ready."
"I'll see you afterwards," said Z before walking off.
xXsceneXx
Z wandered the schoolyard while his student/master was attending her classes. He observed the numerous creatures that were resting in the sun, noting that he had seen nothing remotely similar in all his travels.
"I've never seen such diverse creatures in the same place," mused Z as he pulled out a ration bar and looked around, "I wonder if I could change into some of them?"
Suddenly he felt a presence and turned to see the blue dragon that he recognized as Tabitha's familiar looking at him with its head cocked curiously.
"Why hello there," said Z, "you seem like a friendly one."
The dragon cocked its head at Z and continued to stare at him like a cute dog begging for a treat.
"Are you hungry?" asked Z getting a nod from the dragon, "Then here you go."
Z held out the ration bar and the dragon eagerly snapped it up.
"I'm glad you liked it," said Z.
The dragon responded by nudging Z affectionately as if it were a pet cuddling its master.
"You sure are an affectionate one," said Z as the dragon continued to nuzzle him, "you also seem to be quite intelligent. I wonder…"
Z placed his hand on the dragon's head and sent a subtle push of a Force Probe into its mind, getting the dragon to jerk in surprise.
"Oh," said Z, "sorry girl, I didn't know you were like that."
At the pouting look he got from the dragon, he chuckled, "Ok, I promise never to do that again and that I will keep your secret…Illococoo."
At that the dragon practically pounced on him, causing the force user to nearly fall over as she gave him a pleading look.
"I promise," said Z as he stroked the dragon's head, "I have secrets of my own so one more wouldn't hurt me."
The dragon began to purr from Z's stroking of her head ridges and nuzzled into his hand affectionately.
"You really are the cute thing," said Z, "tell you what, next time I get some leftovers from the kitchen staff, I'll save some for you."
The dragon trilled affectionately and cuddled Z again, knocking him onto his back.
"Alright," chuckled Z as he petted the dragon, "easy there."
xXsceneXx
Z met up with Louise after her classes had ended and they went back to the courtyard where he had her continue to work on her lightsaber forms.
"Keep your guard up and let the force guide your movements," said Z as he parried Louise's attacks while she was blindfolded.
Louise focused and struck out again, allowing the force to guide her blade. Z sidestepped her strike, but it twisted and gave him a burn across his arm.
"Very good," said Z, "I believe you will be ready for the next level."
"What do you mean?" asked Louise as she took off her blindfold.
"I think it's time for you to fight with a lightsaber of your own," said Z.
"Are you going to give me a real one?" asked Louise eagerly.
"No," said Z, causing her to deflate a bit, "you're gong to build your own."
"What do you mean?" asked Louise.
"A lightsaber is an extension of its owner's body," said Z, "I have taught you what you need to know to build one and will provide the parts that are needed. All I need from you is a focusing crystal."
"A focusing crystal?" asked Louise.
"A gemstone that will focus the energy into a blade," said Z, "you will provide that and then you will build your saber."
"When do I begin?" asked Louise.
"I'll have everything ready by tomorrow," said Z, "you don't have classes, right?"
"No," said Louise.
"Good," said Z, "tomorrow it is."
xXsceneXx
That night, Z didn't come back to the room. Louise sat awake in her bed, wondering what she could use as a focusing crystal. She recalled that Z said that the lightsaber would be an extension of herself, so she wanted to use a crystal that would mean something to her.
Suddenly she had an idea and headed to her dresser. She rummaged through it for a while before pulling out a broach with a pink ruby that matched her hair set into it. She had been given it by her sister Cattleya on her birthday and she treasured it. She thought of no better gem to use to create her lightsaber.
xXsceneXx
The next morning, Louise awoke bright and early, eager to meet up with Z and start building her lightsaber. She dressed for the day and grabbed the broach she was going to use and placed it in a pocket of her uniform before grabbing her training lightsaber and her wand and heading down for breakfast. On the way she was stopped by Kirche and Tabitha. Kirche then began to question Louise about her training.
"So Louise," said Kirche, "why are you getting all of this training from your familiar of all people?"
"He said that he saw vast untapped potential in me," said Louise.
"Untapped potential?" asked Kirche.
"Yeah," said Louise, "I was going to meet with him now."
"Oh?" said Kirche, "What for?"
"That's not any of your business," said Louise.
"And why is that?" asked Kirche.
"For one, you aren't his student," said Louise.
"And you are?" asked Kirche.
"That's right," said Louise.
"I bet I could learn this stuff," said Kirche, "anything you can do, I could do better, Zero."
"I don't have time for this," said Louise as she walked off.
"I'm coming with you," said Kirche.
"Likewise," said Tabitha, thinking of her first meeting with the shapeshifter.
"Ugh, fine," said Louise before continuing on her way.
xXsceneXx
"Good," said Z, "you're here. And I see you brought friends."
"Yeah," said Louise, "they wouldn't leave me alone."
"I would like to become your student as well," said Kirche.
"I'm sorry," said Z, "I only take one student."
"Why is that?" asked Kirche.
"That's how things work," said Z, "there is always one student per master."
"Is that your personal rule?" asked Kirche.
"No," said Z, "it's a rule that has existed for centuries for both the light and dark side of the Force. There is always one master and one apprentice."
"That's a strange rule," said Kirche.
"The rule has helped keep order in both factions for centuries," said Z before turning his attention to Louise and emptying a sack filled with metal parts and wires in front of her, "this is everything you will need to create your lightsaber. Do you have the crystal?"
Louise held out the broach and Z used the force to remove the gem from the metal setting.
"Alright," said Z, "I assume you remember what I taught you about lightsabers?"
"I remember," said Louise.
"Then you may begin," said Z.
"What is she doing?" asked Kirche.
"Accomplished Force users usually wield one of these as weapons," said Z as he drew a lightsaber and ignited it, "this is a lightsaber. A beam of focused energy, condensed into a blade that cuts through almost anything."
"That sounds pretty impressive," said Kirche.
"It is," said Z as he glanced at Louise as she worked with the parts, "building one is part of the training of the Jedi and the Sith."
"Jedi? Sith?" asked Tabitha.
"The Jedi and the Sith are two orders that use the power of the Force," said Z, "they Jedi are the supposed defenders of the galaxy and users of the light side of the Force, while the Sith are beings that have been corrupted by darkness and wield the dark side of the Force."
"So which are you?" asked Kirche.
"Neither," said Z, "I follow a more grey path and as such, have a wide variety of abilities at my disposal."
"What kind of abilities?" asked Tabitha.
"Now that's a secret," said Z.
"So you won't take me as an apprentice?" asked Kirche seductively.
"Child," said Z, "you are centuries too young to be trying to seduce me into do anything?"
"Centuries?" said Kirche, "What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying that I'm older than I appear," said Z.
"How much older?" asked Kirche.
"A couple hundred years," said Z.
"You can't be serious," said Kirche.
"I'm very serious," said Z.
"How old?" asked Tabitha.
"I'm a little over 200 years of age," said Z.
"How is that possible?" asked Kirche.
"Not human," said Tabitha.
"That is correct," said Z, "I'm not human."
"If you're not human, then what are you?" asked Kirche.
"I'm a shapeshifter from a planet far from this one," said Z.
"No seriously," said Kirche.
"I am being serious," said Z, "I'm a Shi'ido."
"So you're some kind of shapeshifter?" asked Kirche.
"That's right," said Z.
"Then what's your true form?" she asked.
"That's private," said Z.
"But…" began Kirche, but Tabitha stopped her.
"Don't pry," was all the blue haired mage said.
"Thank you," said Z getting a nod from Tabitha.
"You two seem quite friendly," said Kirche, causing Tabitha's cheeks to gain a very slight pink tinge.
"We talked a bit when I first arrived," said Z.
"I'm done," said Louise.
Z turned toward his student and raised his eyebrows at her unique lightsaber design. In addition to the normal handle, she had placed a guard similar to one on a rapier.
"This is truly a unique blade," said Z, "ignite it."
Louise ignited her lightsaber, causing a pink blade of energy to extend.
"Impressive," said Z, "a fine weapon."
"You made this, Louise?" asked Kirche.
"That's right," said Louise.
Z deactivated the saber and tossed it back to Louise, "Now set it to low power and we'll see how well you can use it."
A lightsaber slid into Z's hand and he ignited it to reveal a bright purple blade. Louise ignited her pink blade and held it ready with one hand. Z then rushed forward and sent a series of thrusts and slashes at her that she deflected with her blade.
"Very good," said Z as he continued to attack, "your new blade suits you quite well."
"Thanks," said Louise as she continued to defend against his attacks.
Kirche and Tabitha could only watch what could almost be called a dance of blades as the master and student sparred.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Kirche asked Tabitha once she picked her jaw up from the ground.
"Skilled," said Tabitha.
"I'll say," said Kirche, "who knew that Louise could fight like that?"
"She has a good teacher," said Tabitha.
"I'm going to have to learn more about him," said Kirche hungrily, getting a sweatdrop from Tabitha.
Unknown to any of them, the bluenette was also admiring the form of the familiar and wondering if possibly he could help her save her mother one day.