Alex Rider: Jedi Knight
Jedi Goat
Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider or Star Wars.
Author's Note: I know I've been gone for a long time and I apologize.
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Chapter 16: Training
Over the next few days, Alex's condition improved gradually. He grew restless, and he would pace around the room, trying to find something to occupy his time. Neither he nor Sabina was allowed out of the building; oftentimes they would explore out in the hospital to find something to do.
That afternoon, Alex and Sabina had found the jackpot: a boy a few floors down had just come in from tonsil surgery, and he lent them some of his books.
"It's about time we found someone our age," Alex crowed triumphantly as they headed back to his room.
Sabina grinned and nodded; she was carrying the books, so as not to strain Alex's healing shoulder. As for her own injury, she was almost completely back to normal: her limp had disappeared, and the only reminder of her broken and bleeding ankle was a thin cut, and soon that too would heal over.
Her training had continued; Alex was quite pleased to say that she was adept at using the Force. The only area she hadn't yet tackled was lightsaber dueling, because Obi-Wan had forbidden his use of a lightsaber until he was fully healed.
The two friends slipped back into Alex's room. Sabina dumped the pile of books on the bed, flopping unceremoniously down and beginning to search through the titles.
"The Hardy Boys, James Bond," she read aloud, glancing up at Alex and smirking. "Somebody likes mystery novels."
Alex laughed. "Well, I've seen the real thing."
Giggling, Sabina raised another book, this one hard-covered and large. "And a science textbook!"
"Man, I completely forgot about school!" he exclaimed.
Sabina got an evil look in her eye. "I bet you'll have loads of homework when we get back!"
"You will, too," he shot back. If I go back, added Alex silently. He gazed out the open window. He hadn't yet decided where to go; if he returned to school, surely MI6 would continue calling him out on missions. If he went with the Jedi, he wouldn't get blackmailed, but, well…that would mean giving up his relationship with Sabina.
He turned to her now, seeing her watching him with concerned blue eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Alex reassured her. "Just thinking…."
They spent the lazy afternoon lounged about, reading.
After dinnertime rolled around and Ferus took over on guard duty, Alex had a new idea. He pulled the Padawan aside and told him his plan; Ferus looked surprised, but he nodded.
"Hey, Sab," Alex called. She looked up. "You know how I can't train you in dueling?"
She brightened. "Obi-Wan changed his mind?"
Alex laughed, "No. But allow me to introduce your new teacher…" He gave a mock bow and said, "All hail Ferus Olin!"
Sabina laughed.
"Hey!" Ferus complained good-naturedly, smiling slightly.
Sabina sat up on the bed. "Well? You're supposed to teach me, aren't you?"
Ferus nodded, snapping back into work mode. "You'll need a lightsaber…"
Alex unhooked his and tossed it to him. "Break it and die," he warned.
Ferus smirked and gestured for Sabina to stand. "Lightsaber fighting is kinda like sword fighting or fencing… have you ever tried those before?"
Sabina shook her head.
"Okay then… let's start from the beginning." He handed her Alex's weapon. "Point the hilt away from you and be very careful. The Masters will kill me if you get hurt."
Sabina examined the silver hilt for a moment before pointing it toward the ground and pressing it on. The emerald blade whooshed out, humming softly.
She raised the lightsaber, giving it an experimental swing. It was as light as a feather, an extension of her arm.
Alex shifted on the bed, watching her. "Use the Force. Can you sense the lightsaber?"
Sabina focused on the glowing blade and nodded.
"Now, can you sense everything? Just like you were meditating."
Sabina reached out to the Force, taking in everything. She gasped quietly, still amazed by the absolute peace and unity with her surroundings. She nodded to Alex.
"That is the frame of mind you need for battle. You need to be fast. Instantaneous reactions, or you'll be dead. Ferus?"
The Padawan stepped forward, igniting his own gold lightsaber. "Attack me," he said easily.
Sabina glanced at Alex; he nodded, and she advanced slowly.
Staring at her opponent over the green blaze, she carefully calculated the distance between them. Then, she struck, rapidly slashing downward. Ferus caught her blade and flipped it up and back behind her head. He held her in that position, calmly saying, "Fight harder. Put your strength into it."
Sabina growled something incomprehensible, struggling against him. Then she twirled around, knocking aside his blade.
"Good job," Alex complimented, watching the battle.
Sabina nodded wordlessly; she rushed forward again, and the two lightsabers clashed together with a hiss. For a moment they struggled against each other, and then Ferus stepped aside.
Sabina toppled over with a surprised cry.
"Keep your balance," Ferus instructed her. "Otherwise, this will happen."
Sabina clambered back up, breathing hard. "I never knew this would be so hard!" she panted.
"You just need practice." Ferus moved back into a ready position.
Sabina's lesson continued for the rest of the evening, until Master Siri came to relieve Ferus of his duty. He left, with the promise that they'd continue teaching her tomorrow.
Sabina flopped down on her bed with a sigh, closing her eyes.
"You worked hard today," congratulated Alex.
"It was hard," she groaned. "How can you duel a Sith Lord like this?"
Alex shrugged his good shoulder. "Well, you get better with practice, like Ferus said. And eventually it's just second nature."
"Lucky you, " she mumbled, and drifted off to sleep.
To be continued...
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