I'm just gonna say this up front:
Trying to write a lightsaber duel is the worst. I do not recommend it. Thankfully, I don't have to write another one for quite awhile.
The mid-afternoon Coruscanti sun cast a warm glow on the courtyard of the Jedi Temple. It was another day, the weather warm, the air clear.
Perfect for more lightsaber practice.
An emerald beam of energy sprang from the hilt of Star's lightsaber. "Shouldn't we be using training sabers for this?"
Kit chuckled. "It is important that you become used to your own lightsaber." He held up his own deactivated weapon in front of her face. "The kyber crystal at its heart has a strong connection to the Force just as you do. You must form a bond with it. When you've formed a connection with your lightsaber through the Force, it becomes a part of you, an extension of yourself. You move as one." He looked past Star at Marco a few dozen yards away, who was practicing on his own. "Just look at Marco."
Star turned and watched as Marco went through the classic motions of Shii-Cho lightsaber form. The blue blade slashed and spun through the air almost effortlessly, great sweeping movements that seemed to flow almost effortlessly from one, into the next, into the next.
"Marco has a very strong connection to his weapon despite his own low connectivity to the Force. Mostly because he really, really wants to," he added with a chuckle. "The Force guides his arm and his blade together." He whispered, "And Marco doesn't even realize it." And he winked at Star. "Once you learn the forms, you'll be able to use any lightsaber just as well as any other, but learning will be easiest with one you share a bond with."
"I still feel like I should be using a training saber," Star said. "I don't want to accidentally cut you in half...or cut myself in half."
"You won't," Kit laughed. "I will not let you." He ignited his own green-bladed lightsaber and stood facing Star as Marco extinguished his and came closer to observe. "Now," said Kit, "take a deep breath. Just relax."
"Okay," Star said nervously. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the breath out slowly.
"Reach out from within. Touch your lightsaber not just with your hand, but with the Force. Feel that living crystal inside, giving your weapon life."
Star breathed steadily, letting her subconscious slip away into the Force, focusing on the lightsaber in her hand.
"Go ahead, Star," Marco urged. "See how it feels."
Her eyes still closed, Star slowly gave her lightsaber a small flourish and twirl, the blade's hum changing pitch as it moved.
"How does it feel?"
She turned the sword over in her hands. "Actually, it feels...different."
"Different?"
"Yeah...different." She opened her eyes.
Kit smiled. "I suppose that's a start." Kit took his ready stance, holding his lightsaber low directly in front of him with both hands. "Are you ready, Star?"
"I guess..." She took her own ready stance, mirroring Kit's, but, as she always did when she wielded a laser sword, something did not feel natural.
Marco could see the discomfort written on her face. "Everything okay, Star?"
"Uh...this just doesn't feel right. Master...can I try something different?"
"Of course, Star."
Star gave her blade a twirl and then changed her stance, holding her lightsaber one-handed and pointed out to the side, her other hand behind her back at the opposite angle for balance. "This feels better."
"Interesting..." Kit noted.
"In a bad way?"
"No, just interesting. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
"You can do it, Star!" Marco said encouragingly.
Kit raised his lightsaber and then struck, and Star blocked the attack. A steady stream of successive strikes followed, and Star blocked each one, wielding her blade with just one hand, using the Force to fortify her grip.
"Not bad, Star," Fisto said, stepping back and returning to neutral position. "Not bad at all."
"I've practiced enough to do alright with the basic stuff. Plus, you're not really trying to kill me like you do when you duel Marco."
Kit laughed heartily. "That is true. I do usually fight Marco like I'm trying to kill him."
"Which is why we use training sabers," Marco said.
"Exactly. Even so, perhaps we should take it up a notch." He stepped forward again and let another barrage of attacks fly, some a bit outside of the normal Shii-Cho techniques, and still Star managed to defend against each one.
"Very good, Star. But you may want to try attacking me back. One does not win a battle on defense alone."
Star clenched her teeth together nervously. "Yeahhh..."
Kit once again gave an initial attack, and Star spun to the left out of the way, using the momentum to swing her lightsaber at Kit. Fisto blocked it and his movement carried into his next counterattack. Star tried to do the same, but halfway through her movement, with her lightsaber facing completely away from her opponent, froze as Kit's emerald blade stopped an inch from her neck.
"I have you," Kit said simply.
Star sighed. "Let's try again." And both Jedi returned to their ready positions. They fought again as Marco watched, and for a second time, Star was defeated as she tried to transition between a counter and an attack, and then a third time after that.
"Okay, I'm tagging out," Star announced, switching off her lightsaber and stepping back. "You're up, Marco."
"Come now, Star," said Kit, "we've only just begun."
"I know. I, uh, want to watch Marco fight you and actually pay attention to what he does. Maybe I can see what I'm doing wrong."
"Not a bad idea. Marco?"
Marco already had an idea of how to help Star's technique, but he thought perhaps he would wait until he and Star were alone. Besides, after his most recent defeat, Marco was eager for a rematch. "I'm always ready, Master." He took Star's place, assumed his ready stance, and ignited his blue lightsaber. "It's been awhile since we've dueled each other without training sabers. Maybe we ought to switch."
"I'm sure we will be fine. And I'll be sure not to bonk you on the nose when I beat you this time," Kit joked.
"Not gonna happen, old man. I got your number today!"
Kit smiled. "Those are some strong words, youngling." Kit assumed a much more aggressive ready stance than he used against Star, brandishing his lightsaber toward Marco. "I hope you can back them up."
"I think you know I can!"
"Will you two please just fight already? I am trying to learn!"
"Sorry, Star," they chorused.
They stared each other down for a few more seconds, both opponents waiting for the other to make the first move. It was Marco who struck first, and Kit countered, his movement flowing into his first offensive strike. Back and forth, their lightsabers clashed for a solid minute, then two, then five, each looking to gain an advantage while Star observed more closely than she ever had before.
In a surprise move, Marco extinguished his lightsaber and used the one Force-maneuver he had learned decently well to push off from the ground and vault over Kit's head, twisting around in mid-air and landing facing Kit's back. He ignited his blade again and struck, but Kit flippped his lightsaber behind his back to block it. When the two beams of energy bounced off each other, Marco was propelled backwards a step, creating a slight pause in the duel.
"Oh, I see," Kit said as he turned to face Marco. "You're resorting to tricks again."
Marco grinned tauntingly. "So what if I am?"
"Perhaps I will have to use a bit of trickery myself." Kit held his left hand out toward where Star stood observing.
"Hey!" Star yelped as her lightsaber flew from her hand and landed in Kit's. Her lightsaber hissed to life, the green blade joining his own. He gave Marco a teasing look.
The Padawan was unfazed. "You taught me how to defend against a duel-wielder, remember? You still aren't going to beat me this time."
"We shall see about that, Master Diaz," Kit joked. He swiped both blades at Marco from opposite directions. Marco ducked under both and managed to get one parry in before the pair of swords against him let loose a barrage of quick attacks.
The three glowing blades created a blur of color so fast that Star's eyes could barely keep up with each move. They fought for three unbroken minutes and, even though Kit clearly had the upper hand, Marco managed to block every single move the Jedi Master made. Finally, they separated, each returning to a neutral stance.
"Someone has been learning Form III from Master Kenobi," Fisto said with a grin. "I recognize his style."
"Well, he has been in a heck of a lot of duels and the guy is still alive," Marco said with a shrug. "I figured he must be doing something right, so I watched a holorecording of him practicing with Master Skywalker a few years ago."
Kit chuckled. "Oh, Obi-Wan sure does have a lot of experience. I can't disagree with you on that." The instant the words left the Nautolan's mouth, he launched himself into the air, intending to repeat Marco's earlier trick to catch his opponent off-guard.
Marco, however, had plenty of time to react, and jogged four steps backwards. When Kit landed, there was only about half a meter separating them, catching the Jedi Master completely by surprise. Marco swung his lightsaber with all his strength while Kit was still trying to regain his balance and knocked Star's lightsaber from Fisto's left hand. It spiraled into the air over Marco's head, and he dove backward to catch it.
"Star!" he yelled, and he tossed the green saber past Kit and back to its rightful owner. Drawing the hilt to her hand with the Force, Star easily plucked the lightsaber out of the air. "C'mon, Star!" Marco called, "let's take him together!"
Fisto laughed. "What is the matter, Marco? You do not think you can best me on your own? Because-" He showed off his teeth as he smiled at Marco. "-I can still take you both."
"We'll see about that! C'mon, Star! What are you waiting for?"
Star did not move from where she stood. Her prospective opponents both motioned for her to join them, each smiling at her encouragingly. Still feeling the pull of hesitation, she joined Marco in facing Kit.
"I don't know that I can beat him alone," Marco said. While he still sounded determined and upbeat, there was weariness in his voice. This was easily the longest duel the Padawan had participated in, and, while Kit Fisto was still standing tall, Marco was beginning to tire. "Think you can help me?"
"I'll try my best."
"I should warn you two," Kit said as he slowly flipped his lightsaber over and over in his hand, "the speciality of Form I is fighting multiple opponents at once."
Star looked at Marco. "Are you sure about this?"
"Of course. Just look for your opportunity. Go!"
Marco sprang into action with a swift attack to Kit's far left. His directional shift placed Star behind Kit, the Jedi Master between his two opponents. As Marco dealt blows as quickly as he could from the front, Kit would spin his lightsaber all the way around his body to block in the front and, in the same motion, parry at Star behind him. The cacophony of hums and crashes of three lightsabers reverberated through the Temple courtyard, the blades becoming a blurry swirl of blue and green.
Star blocked each and every one of Kit's strikes with relative ease, watching his motions carefully. Two minutes in, she realized that Fisto was forced to block against Marco nearly every time his lightsaber orbited his body. If she dodged his parry against her instead of blocking it, it shortened the time it took Kit to bring his lightsaber back to his front, allowing him to strike against Marco. That made the time it took to spin his lightsaber around his body back to her a tiny bit longer.
And that left a tiny gap in his defense that Star might just be able to take advantage of.
She watched every dip and spin and twist of Kit's blade, waiting for-
-there it was, a parry she could duck. Star spun on the ball of her foot as she ducked, snapping back up to full height as the momentum carried her lightsaber.
"HOLD!"
Marco and Kit froze, their lightsabers mid-clash. Detecting the singe of ozone in the air close by, Kit turned his head ever so slightly and found Star's emerald blade two inches from his neck. Marco's eyes lit up as he looked at Star.
"I, uh...I got you." And Star switched off her lightsaber. Kit and Marco's respective blades shrank back into the hilts of their weapons, as well.
"Way to go, Star!" Marco cried.
Kit smiled with pride at Star. "You see? You're better with a lightsaber than you thought!"
"Oh, please. There's no way I could have beaten you one-on-one."
"Perhaps." Kit returned his lightsaber to his belt. "But you were able to avoid being defeated yourself, and you were able to figure out how to win. Being a great swordsman is not all about form and technique. Sometimes, it's just about being able to outsmart your opponent. And," he continued, "we have learned perhaps the most important lesson of all." He paused impressively. "You and your friend Marco here make a very formidable team. Often, that is the most valuable asset of all."
"Wise words, indeed, Master Fisto."
Marco, Star and Kit all looked in the direction of the new voice to see Saesee Tiin, Agen Kolar, and the one who had just spoken, Mace Windu, approaching from across the courtyard.
"I apologize for interrupting, younglings," Windu said, "but I'm afraid we require Master Fisto on a matter of utmost importance."
Kit was visibly confused. "What is it?"
"I will, uh..." Windu looked at Star and Marco, who were watching and listening very closely. "I'll explain on the way. Please," he said, motioning for Kit to accompany them, "We must leave at once."
"Yes, right away," Kit said, but as the other three Jedi Masters left he did not immediately follow. "Well, Marco...Star...It appears my services are required elsewhere." He bowed to the two Padawans, who returned the gesture.
"We are honored as always, Master," Marco said.
Kit smiled. "As I am. To tell you the truth, I think some of the other council members are a little jealous that you ask me to train with you and none of them." And he winked at them, evoking some giggles from Star and Marco. "I suppose I had better hurry and catch up with them," he said, looking toward where the other three Jedi masters had headed. "I wonder what adventure might await me today. Probably something very, very boring."
All three of them laughed this time.
"Have a good evening, you two," Kit said, and he hurried away.
"So long, Master!" Marco called after him. Then he looked to Star. "So?"
"So what?"
"So you just beat a Jedi Master in lightsaber combat! How's it feel?"
Star shrugged. "You know. Whatever."
"'Whatever'? What do you mean 'whatever'?"
Star shrugged. "Uh, you know...I didn't really out-duel him. You had him pretty well distracted, and I took advantage of that. All I was doing was blocking until I had an opportunity."
Marco clipped his lightsaber to his belt and sat down on a large rock. "That was my whole plan."
Star crossed her arms. Her reply dripped with sarcasm. "Oh, really? You had a plan?"
"I saw when you were dueling Kit one-on-one that your defensive technique is good, but you tended leave yourself open when trying to strike. So, with both of us fighting him on opposite sides, if I could attack non-stop, he'd only be able to block me. I knew that meant he would throw all of his attacks at you, and that would leave him open to make a mistake." Star wasn't sure if she'd classify Marco's tone as bragging, but he definitely was not being very humble. "Which I knew you would take full advantage of."
Star rolled her eyes. "Surrre. All part of your plan."
Marco hopped back to his feet. "So you wanna go get some food?"
"I am actually kind of hungry, now that you mention it."
"Star, all I have to do is mention the mere suggestion of food, and you magically become hungry."
Star shrugged. "What can I say? It's a gift."
As they walked side-by-side out of the courtyard, Marco asked, "What do you think Master Windu needed Kit for?"
"I don't know, but did you notice that he wouldn't say in front of us?"
"I did, as a matter of fact. Must be something really, really important."
"And secret, clearly."
"Yes, and secret. I wonder what it was."
Kit stood patiently, watching from the open personnel bay of the waiting Republic LAAT/i gunship as Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker slowly walked toward him in the hanger of the Jedi Temple. He couldn't hear what they were saying to each other, but he wasn't paying much attention anyway. Their mission to ensure the Chancellor would relinquish his emergency powers had been explained to him, but he didn't think that would be difficult to accomplish. Chancellor Palpatine was a very reasonable man, after all. Besides, Kit was fairly certain that this visit to the Senate building would mostly involve a back-and-forth dialogue between Windu and the Chancellor while he, Tiin, and Kolar sat behind Mace and listened. So certain he was, in fact, that he was not even thinking about the proceedings that would commence at the end of this impending gunship ride. He was far too busy thinking about how he might change his form a bit to beat Star and Marco when he challenged them to a rematch tomorrow.
Skywalker and Windu stopped as they reached the gunship.
"If what you've told me is true, you will have gained my trust," Kit heard Windu say. "But for now, remain here." Windu hopped aboard the gunship. "Wait in the council chambers until we return."
"Yes, Master," Skywalker replied. Kit thought he sounded quite dejected.
He likely just wants to come along. Anakin has never liked being told to stay behind, regardless of what the mission is. He is going to be so bored now that the war is over, sitting around in the Temple all day.
Could be good for the rest of us. He'll probably volunteer himself for any mission that will get him out of the Temple. Those of us with older bones can get some much needed rest while he takes care of all of the field work.
The gunship slowly took off from the hanger, bound for the Senate building.
"What was Anakin saying?" Saesee Tiin asked Windu.
"He was probably just asking if he could come along," Kit laughed. "Am I correct, Master?"
Windu slowly turned around, his expression serious. "Skywalker has just informed me of something very concerning." He paused. "He says he thinks the Chancellor is a Sith Lord."
Kit's large, dark eyes blinked in surprise. "Pardon me, Master...WHAT?!"
I hope you've enjoyed Chapter 2! If you have, please leave a review. Knowing that anyone is enjoying my story really helps maintain my motivation to keep writing, and this story is going to be so long, I'm going to need a lot of motivation to see it through to completion!
I posted this Chapter because I finished writing Chapter 6. When I finish Chapter 7, I will post Chapter 3.
