"Hey guys, guess what day it is tomorrow?" Rama said casually as he swung his lightsaber from side to side around him. "The Jedi Initiate Trials begin today, Bantha fodder," Lacie mentioned while rolling her eyes. "Yes, I know that. I am talking about the lightsaber duels." Rama said trying to save his mistake. The lightsaber duels were an annual event that occurred during every Jedi Initiate Trials. A tournament would be held between each youngling to test their strength and skill with a lightsaber. Winning this tournament would put you at a great advantage to be chosen as an apprentice to one of the stronger Jedi Masters. They usually take winners or runner-ups of that tournament. "Today I'm pretty sure we have to complete an act of public service after we meet in the common room," Pilks stated informatively. Each youngling, including Kel, Pilks, Rama, Lacie and Vakir, all headed off to the Jedi Order's primary common room to find Master Yoda, Master Mace Windu and Master Plo Koon each standing behind a large podium ready to speak to all 32 initiates.
Once each initiate seated themselves, Mace Windu began his speech. "Welcome young ones, today you will begin your first steps to becoming a Jedi Padawan. You will endure three simple but crucial tasks, your first being an act of social service. You will need to complete an eligible act of kindness to a citizen of Coruscant and have them record it in your datapad. The second trial will be a lightsaber dueling tournament. All 32 of you will be competing for first place in this tournament. And your final challenge will require you to recite the Jedi Order's own code to the Jedi Council. Once these three challenges have been completed over the next three days, the Jedi Council will be ready to promote each of you to the rank of Padawan within the Jedi Order." The younglings whispered amongst each other discussing how they were going to go about the trials. Kel remained silent while Pilks looked a bit nervous. Lacie and Rama were smirking at each other as taunts. After about thirty seconds of whispering, Master Plo Koon stepped up to the podium and began speaking. "I Master Koon shall be supervising the civil service challenge, while Master Windu manages the Lightsaber dueling tournament, and finally, Master Yoda will be leading the Jedi Code trial." Again the whispers started. "The best of luck, we wish you young ones. And may the force be with you." Master Yoda concluded while dismissing the initiates.
Each youngling exited the Jedi common room and began searching around the Planet for a citizen to help. After numerous hours of searching around the cities of Coruscant, Kel noticed a speeder unloading crates into a large warehouse. The two Rodians carrying in the crates looked like they were struggling so Kel asked if they would like some help. The two Rodians laughed while Kel smiled calmly. "Heh heh, no offense kid, but if we're struggling, I don't think your help would make it any easier for us." One of the Rodians said convincingly. "Hey, no, it's alright I'm a Jedi," Kel replied. The silent Rodian gasped. "A Jedi!? Well, I guess, if you're a Jedi, maybe you could help us by using your force or whatever." The other Rodian suggested while raising both of his hands up to his chest. Kel held out his hand and used The Force to assist the Rodians. He led the box into the warehouse and placed it down on the dolly they had ready. He repeated this with the Rodians until they were finished. "Hey, uh, thanks, kid, I guess." One of the Rodians mentioned. "Hey, if there's anything we can do for you we'd be glad to help." The other Rodian added. "Actually, could you sign off my assistance in this datapad here, I'm trying to qualify to graduate to a Jedi Padawan." Kel returned. "Uh, sure kid." One of the Rodians replied while grabbing Kel's datapad. The Rodian signed off Kel's community service and Kel made his way back to the Jedi temple.
When Kel returned to his bunks he listened to Lacie's story about how she helped a young boy find his mother, and Rama showed off about the bandits invading the parliament building, he helped arrest for the Republic Senate. Pilks and Vakir both helped each other clean out an old building for a wealthy investor. "Get some rest guys, tomorrow we're going to need it," Pilks said while tugging her blanket towards her. Each youngling slowly drifted off to sleep a little bit later. When they all woke up, they redressed themselves and headed towards the Jedi Combat Training room located on the east side of the temple. When they arrived the Tournament bracket had been placed upon a holo-projector on the feature wall. Kel was beginning the tournament against a Trandoshan initiate named Vera. He had never heard of him, but he was hoping it wouldn't be too difficult. Kel usually focused a lot of energy on training with his lightsaber, so hopefully, he can win the tournament.
After about half an hour of waiting, it was time for Kel and Vera to begin their duel. Kel set his lightsaber to duel mode, held it in his hand with the emitter pointing behind him, and ignited the orange blade. Kel had found wielding his lightsaber backward easier when he began training with a lightsaber. Training mode would stun an opponent. If an opponent is stunned three times, they will be eliminated from the tournament. Rama and Lacie were yet to have their duel, but if both of them win their duels, they will be dueling each other. Pilks lost her duel and Vakir won his. Vera stepped into the dueling ring and ignited her green lightsaber. Her skin almost matched the brightness of her sword. Master Windu counted down from three and the pair began swinging their weapons at each other. Kel was clearly more experienced than Vera at attacking, but Vera was very defensive, she was blocking and dodging each of Kel's attempts to stun her. Several attempts later, Kel stunned Vera on the left arm leaving a dark mark where he struck. Vera gasped and fell to the floor. The holo-projector on the feature wall increased Kel's match points by one. Kel just needed two more strikes.
Vera regained her composure and returned to her corner. Kel did the same. Mace Windu began counting down from three again. When he reached zero, the duelers both charged at each other. This time Vera seemed angrier, her attacks had more force to them this time. This left her defenseless due to the fact she was only trying to match Kel's score with a strike. She was clearly targeting Kel's left arm, seeking vengeance. Kel found his opening when she was most vulnerable and struck again. This time on her left leg. Once again she fell to the floor and let out a louder gasp. After re-returning to their respective corners and Mace Windu had reached zero again. Vera and Kel rebegan dueling. This time, Kel knew he could take her quickly. He didn't take any chances, he executed his final attack swiftly and effectively, defeating his weakened opponent and advancing to the last sixteen.
Following Kel's duel, Lacie and Rama both won their duels, leaving Pilks the only youngling of the group that didn't qualify for the last sixteen in the dueling tournament. In the next round, Vakir lost his battle. Kel had to challenge a tall Jedi by the name of Pfono. He was a brute, he had high legs with strong arms. The Epicanthix that Kel had to duel was so tall, it gave Kel an advantage and he could easily strike body parts that were undefended due to the fact Pfono's lightsaber was so small compared to him. By the third and final round of the duel, Pfono equipped a second lightsaber he had borrowed from the initiate Pfono had defeated in the previous round. But dual-wielding was still no match for Kel. Despite the extra defense, Kel managed to strike Pfono for a third and final time to make it into the last eight. Immediately after that duel, Rama and Lacie began their duel. after four rounds, the scores were all tied up at two to two. It was sudden death. If they lost this round they will be eliminated from the tournament.
"Three, Two, One, Zero" Yelled Master Windu from the sidelines. Lacie and Rama began fighting. When Rama struck up, Lacie defended up. When Lacie struck down, Rama defended down. It was a tight duel, they showed the same skill. Jedi Knights and Masters watched intensely. Already planning who they were going to take as an apprentice. Finally, Lacie fumbled. She tripped on her feet and fell to the floor. Rama stepped towards her. "You have lost," Rama said furiously and struck her right in the chest. This meant Rama and Kel were the only younglings of the group left in the tournament. And they were dueling this round in the last eight. When their duel came around Kel and Rama showed moderately similar lightsaber dueling skill. But in the end, there was a clear strength in Kel's skill. Rama wasn't strong enough and fell. Becoming one of the defeated Jedi in the last eight. Lacie whispered "Yes!" to herself when Kel made his final strike on Rama's foot. Kel was the only initiate of his group left. He had to advance this round to do his bunkmates proud.
In the Semi-Finals of the dueling tournament, Kel was challenging a young Mirialan Jedi named Barriss Offee. Many Jedi Masters had been watching her closely as they heard she was an extremely talented lightsaber duelist. Especially Jedi Master Luminara Unduli. It looked very convincing Kel was outmatched. Kel tried and tried ut Barriss was too strong, Kel lost his duel three to one. Jedi Master Unduli smiled. She had made her decision. Barriss went on to win the tournament while Kel was sympathized by his initiate group. Lacie looked very angry at Rama however. Pilks looked disappointed in herself. The group began walking back to their bunks when Pilks grabbed Kel's hand. She held it tightly and Kel did nothing to object. Nobody in the group noticed, which was fortunate because it would have gotten both younglings expelled from the Jedi order. "Night guys!" Rama shouted. "Shut up rancor breath!" Lacie shouted back. Rama looked shocked, but left her be, tonight wasn't the right time to make her more upset.
On the third and final day of the Jedi Initiate Trials, every initiate lined up outside the elevator that led up to the Jedi Council room. The line had all 32 initiates waiting to recite the Jedi code to the council. While waiting in line, Pilks said to Kel who was standing in front of her to meet her in the temple's washroom. Kel made his way over and asked Pilks what was wrong. "Mess up the code. Leave the order. We can be together, taking down pirates and threats ourselves. If you don't remember the code, it is mandatory that you will be expelled from the order. Do it with me and we can be together." Pilks expressed passionately. "What? Are you serious? We ca- I can- are you sure?" Kel replied confused. "Yes! I'm certain! Please! I'd love to be with you but the code forbids it!" Pilks replied again with the same romantic emotion she had provided previously.
The pair left the washroom and rejoined the line, but at the back because they lost their previous spaces with the group. Lacie, Rama, and Vakir all successfully recited the code and were assigned new masters and achieved the rank of Padawan. Eventually, it was Pilks' turn. She headed up the elevator and into the Council room. "Begin when ready, you may," stated Master Yoda. "There is no emotion, there is." Pilks stopped. "Problem? Young one?" Master Yoda questioned. Pilks let tears run down her face. "I-I'm sorry master! I-I have failed." Pilks exited the room and into the elevator crying. She held up her act until she reached the bottom floor. Vakir, Rama, and Lacie hugged Pilks sympathetically as Pilks told everyone how she would have to turn in her lightsaber and she would be expelled. She made eye contact with Kel several times as a method of communication to the youngling. Finally, Kel entered the elevator. "Good luck Kel!" Yelled Lacie before the elevator doors closed. When Kel finally reached the council room, he stepped into the center. "Begin when ready, you may." Again mentioned by Master Yoda. Kel stood silently for about ten seconds. He looked very hesitant. The boy was deciding if he was going to take the risk. "Is there a problem, young Kel?" Curiously asked Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. "Sorry."