Disclaimer: Well, let's just say that anything you recognize most likely belongs to George Lucas. Sun belongs to my friend, and Aran is mine. I think that about sums it up.
Padawans watching would call it "the duel of the century" and it was a favorite topic of conversation for the next few weeks.
Aranrhod called it "good exercise." Letting out a feral roar, she double-flipped in the air and landed behind her friend, sensing Qui-Gon moving for his old Padawan. Aran tried a reverse stab at Sun's back, but Sun turned gracefully and parried her blade.
Sun followed by cutting low at Aran's legs, but Aran jumped over it and swung at the other padawan's head. Sun blocked the strike above her head, darted forward and kicked Aran squarely in the stomach.
Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were dueling fiercely, faces grim. No one watching could discern that the two were the best of friends. They whirled their blades through the air with deadly seriousness, slashing and parrying with all their skill.
As Sun essayed to press the momentary advantage she held over Aran, Qui-Gon sensed his teammate's danger. He disengaged from Obi-Wan and placed himself between the two Padawans. Regaining her balance, Aran went this time for Obi-Wan.
The duel continued with even greater intensity than before. Both Qui-Gon's and Aran's styles were very aggressive and involved subtle blade work, although Qui-Gon was obviously more skilled. Obi-Wan's style was more defensive, letting his opponents come to him and Sun's fighting style utilized a lot more martial arts than the others'.
Both padawans were talented, but it required all their skill to stay out of the reach of the older men's blades. The four dueled back and forth across the practice room, at times blue facing off against green as the all paused momentarily to gain their breath. They were sweating profusely, the salty liquid dripping down their brows and irritating their eyes. At other times, all that those watching could make out was the strong flow of the Force and the rapid movements of the colored blades. The distinctive hum of lightsabers filled their ears and the acrid smell of ozone wafted through the air.
After many, many long and tiring minutes, the duel reached its rather anticlimactic resolution. Obi-Wan and Sun were back-to-back in the center of the floor, and Qui-Gon and Aran were attempting to wear their guard down.
Suddenly, everyone made their move at once. Obi-Wan sensed an opening and slashed at Qui-Gon's heart. Aran jumped in front of the blade, taking the force of the blow as she slashed her 'saber across his throat. Her momentum and the unbalance caused by the hit she took carried her blade across Sun's back as Sun finished the work Obi-Wan had started and placed the tip of her 'saber over Qui-Gon's heart. Both Aran and Obi-Wan landed on their backs on the floor.
For a moment, everyone was still, chests heaving as they breathed deeply and wiped the sweat form their faces and necks. Qui-Gon was the first to speak.
"It appears we are all dead and no one has won this round," his grin showed in his eyes. He helped Aran up off the floor as Sun assisted Obi-Wan.
"Everyone OK?" Sun asked as they moved off the practice floor to make room for others.
"A few burns, but I really am glad our blades were set on low power," Aran commented.
"I'm hungry. What do you say we all freshen up, tend to our burns and then meet in the cafeteria for lunch?" Obi-Wan suggested.
Everyone nodded their assent. As they parted in front of the room Aran and Sun shared, Aran heard Qui-Gon's voice in her mind.
/I appreciate your attempt to save my life./
Aran was startled but pleased the Qui-Gon would speak to her that way. It meant they had some kind of bond forming, which gave her hope for padawan-ship.
/We are a good team,/ she replied as she entered her room.
Qui-Gon noted her use of the present tense.
A/N: So what did you think of the duel scene? I'm rather proud of it myself, but I'd really like to know what you think! Thanks a bunch to our one and only reviewer so far, Aqua Heart.