AN: KXR does NOT own Star Wars
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Trials and Tribulations; Chapter 10: Crossing the line
It had been several days after Master Tao Kahn accepting Zaaron as his padawan learner, and Zaaron was elated to study under an Echani Battle Master, and was even more so when his mother personally crafted his Padawan braid. Today would be Zaaron's last day on Tython before Master Kahn took him on their first mission off world, and Zaaron was anxious beyond belief.
Walking through out the courtyard with Cander at his heels Zaaron reflected on his training on the grounds as an initiate. He especially remembered his friends Aurora and Kymen. Of all within the Dragon Clan they were the closest. Aurora a Twilek, whom challenged Zaaron mentally, and was always a breath of fresh air when studies became too strenuous, and Kymen a Kaleesh whom Zaaron had always loved to spar with, both were quite close until they reached the age of ten. That's when things started to sour. It seemed as if Kymen was always in competition with Zaaron, always out best him in everything, and it was especially worse when Aurora was around. Kymen's behavior however strained their relationship. While Aurora and Zaaron would occasionally study together it was often interrupted by Kymen, and after a period of time they had all drifted. But after the drift Kymen continued to harass Zaaron, but he had never taken the bait.
Zaaron was pulled out of his memories when he saw Kymen in his face yelling. "What to ashamed to admit I became a Padawan before you?"
"No actually, I became a Padawan two days ago." Zaaron said pulling his Padawan's braid to his shoulder and putting it on display.
The anger in Kymen's eyes would have made any Sith Master proud, and it only intensified when Zaaron began to walk away with Cander at his heel. In anger Kymen ran to Cander and kicked him several feet away, in shock Zaaron to his companion to ensure his safety.
"What's your problem Kymen?!" Zaaron yelled growing tired and angry with Kymen's persistence on tormenting him.
"I don't know what you're talking about I didn't do anything. Your mangy dog just jumped across the yard." Kymen said lying through his teeth.
With a grunt Zaaron healed Cander from what little damage he sustained. As they walked away Kymen crossed a line he would soon wish he hadn't. "So much for a great warrior, you're nothing but a pathetic half blood." Kymen said with a laugh.
Fed up with Kymen's taunts Zaaron stood up and stalked towards him with a purpose. Just as the two fourteen year old boys squared off Master Kaeden interjected in between the two.
"Is there something going on here Padawan." Master Kaeden asked referring to his Padawan Kymen.
Before Kymen could respond Master Tao Kahn appeared out of nowhere. "I believe our students were about to engage in a friendly spar, after all, both are well versed in their respective martial styles." Master Kahn said with a smirk.
Catching on to his Master's intentions Zaaron played along. "Yes Master Kaeden. Kymen and I were good friends as initiates, but it has been some time since we've sparred. We were thinking of inviting a few of our friends to watch as well." Zaaron said smirking at Kymen knowing he would take the bait.
"Is this true Kymen?" Master Kaeden asked not fully trusting Zaaron or Master Kahn.
"Yes master." Kymen replied taking the bait, hook, line, and sinker.
"Well you to may meet in the tournament grounds in thirty minutes, you may spar then." Master Kaeden said leading Kymen away who gave Zaaron one final glare.
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In the holding area just outside the arena Zaaron was addressed by Tao Kahn.
"Zaaron understand that this will not happen again. I will only allow this once." Master Kahn said sternly looking Zaaron in the eye. Nodding in his head Zaaron reached for his training saber, but grabbed air when Master Kahn took the saber from him before saying. "You are required to complete this fight with no weapon, other than your body." Master Kahn said with a grin. With a grimace at his master's request Zaaron walked into the arena.
The arena floor was made of sand with walls made of blue tile with gold trim on the ceiling on floor, and in each corner stood the same statue of a Jedi with their lightsaber drawn. Standing in front of Kymen Zaaron held eye contact with him. Kymen's eyes drifted to Aurora who stood on the side edge of the ring. At the last minute Kymen removed the top lair of his tunic exposing his developing body. Looking to where Kymen did Zaaron saw the girl he had sparred a few days ago standing next to Aurora, looking to Kymen Zaaron shrugged and did the same, and revealed much more definition than Kymen had.
Eyes growing wide at Zaaron's action Kymen took a swing at Zaaron's head with his training saber in anger. Zaaron dodged the strike and punched his back as Kymen stumbled forward.
In the crowd watching the fight Master Kahn and Kaeden stood side by side. "It seems your apprentice is giving into anger Master Kaeden." Master Tao Kahn said as if he was talking about the weather.
"And it seems that yours is arrogant. He disrespects his opponent by not taking a weapon." Master Kaeden said with a snarl.
"We both know Zaaron is the better warrior, but your apprentice does not realize his limitations. My apprentice however has no idea the strength he posses and he acts with more dignity and respect than your apprentice shows kicking a defenseless animal. Maybe you should take care to make sure your student does not fall." Master Kahn said with malice.
At these words Master Kaeden remained silent.
As the fight continued on many more were added to the small crowd that had first gathered, many looked on in shock at Zaaron's martial skill, while a few of the older masters looked on in disapproval. Taking another missed swing Kymen's anger grew. Throwing his saber at Zaaron Kymen charged at Zaaron. Dodging the thrown saber Zaaron sprawled as he felt Kymen tackle his hips hoping to pin him to the ground. In his sprawl Zaaron began to elbow Kymen's back while simultaneously kneeing his midsection. Due to Zaaron's blows Kymen loosened his grip on Zaaron's hips allowing Zaaron to deliver a kick right into his solar plexus knocking him onto the ground. Mounting Kymen Zaaron began to rain punches onto his mask forcing him to feebly block with his arms. Taking Kymen's right arm Zaaron pinned the arm and force Kymen into submission with an Americana. Feeling Kymen tap Zaaron released the hold before whispering. "Let this be a reminder, my dominance can't be denied." Zaaron said as he rose up.
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AN: Hello dear readers of Trials and Tribulations! I'm so sorry for missing last week's installment. (My family and a friend took an impromptu trip to Ocean City) I hope this chapter has satisfied you, and as always I appreciate your feedback. Now if you are wondering how I formulate the fight scenes the answer is that I've taken martial arts for eleven years and write the fights the way I would in that situation, but I would actually like to hear what you guys think of whether it's realistic or not. (It may seem realistic in my head, but it may not come off that way.) Also Trials and Tribulations has about 8 to 6 more chapters left before we enter the time period that takes place within the game! I plan on staying true to the canon within the game, but there will additions unique to this story. But as always thank you for reading Trials and Tribulations.-KXR