Chapter 6
The Honour Duel/ Precursor to Fate
The week went by rather quickly, and Robin and An-Dru would cross blades very soon, (t-minus one hour to be precise,) but Robin had arrived early to the Arena. The Arena was where all Jedi settled personal disputes when words failed. It was fortunate that Robin had come to the Jedi already capable of martial skills, so his week of practice was actually more rewarding than anticipated, or so he'd been told by Luke during training. Robin had been accosted by An-Dru and his cronies since his arrival months ago and had been saved by many a timely intervention from friends, and Luke once or twice. He'd tried to reason with An-Dru, but An-Dru just wouldn't listen; instead, the lunkhead just acted tough, likely trying to rattle Robin's nerves since he couldn't do anything to Robin with witnesses. Robin still held out hope that An-Dru could change for the better, but that it had gotten to this point where combat was called for was a telling sign for An-Dru's future, and perhaps for Robin's own.
Everyone had noticed Robin's new gift from his Master, the weapon known to pretty much everyone, both in and out of the Order. He felt more confident despite having not mastered Form IV, (Ataru, an aggressive combat style combining strength, speed, and agility; his new preferred style also relied heavily upon acrobatics). Despite this, he was still very capable, having mastered Lightsaber forms one through three. Form I: Shii-Cho, a mirror of most rudimentary sword skills like blocks and parries. Form II: Makashi, excellent for those who fancied duelling; it was a counter to form one in design; both Forms I and II were centred around lightsaber combat. Form III: Soresu is a very defensive technique that is best utilized against blaster fire or anything long-range; it requires minimal movement to preserve energy while providing solid defence until the enemy shows a weakness that could be exploited.
Today he would show the ignorant, the arrogant, and the foolish why he belonged here and that he deserved their respect. An-Dru arrived with half an hour to spare; his own practice lightsaber was hooked to his belt. He gave Robin a look of hatred when he saw him already stretching out and preparing, as though it were his fault that An-Dru arrived later. Robin just scoffed at the arrogant attitude An-Dru had.
The referee arrived promptly; it was Master Sabaa Sabatyne, one of Luke's former students who was also one of the Council members who had been in favour of aiding and teaching Robin and his mother. While known for being an ally of Luke's, she was also known as an impartial judge; she cared enough to stop someone from playing dirty if she thought it necessary and wouldn't take sides unless compelled by honour or duty. Honour and respect were huge cornerstones of Barabell culture. (The Barabell people were lizard-like humanoids that relied on their tails for balance or combat purposes. A very warrior or honour-based species, they were well equipped by nature for battle with sharp teeth and talons, yet just as able to compose poetry or a speech). She held out her hands, and they each surrendered their lightsabers; after a little tweaking, they were returned to them. The energy blade would only temporarily paralyse limbs and other areas struck, so neither could lose a limb or an eye.
By this time, a crowd was rapidly gathering. Apparently, news of the fight had spread like wildfire. Even some Masters were in attendance: Corran Horn and Kyp Durron, both stalwart supporters of Luke. As Master Sabatyne directed the two combatants to their assigned positions, Robin couldn't help but notice the various-sized stones brought out for use in the duel, though only as defensive measures, not offensive ones.
"This match is a challenge issued by Padawan Robin Stace, student of Grandmaster Luke Skywalker, to Padawan An-Dru, student of the late Master Hoth, over the matters of respect, honour, and belonging, core tenets of the Order's creed. If the challenger loses, he will leave for another academy, and vice versa, as previously agreed." Master Sabaa Sabatyne made sure that she had everyone's attention before continuing. "Now the rules: no adjusting the output on your lightsaber; no use of spare or hidden weapons; stones are to act as shields or diversions, not for offensive purposes. No lasting damage; that means no squishing each other, and, I can't believe I have to say this, no biting." She said this to both of them, but it seemed to those who knew her that it was directed at An-Dru, because she knew that Robin was a good man with a strong warrior's pride, and An-Dru had been causing more and more trouble, with each complaint increasing in escalation. But it was only hearsay, or had been until Robin officially challenged him. Now the truth would be forever known; even if Robin lost, An-Dru would be under such scrutiny that he'd be sent packing before you could say "podrace". A change that Master Sabatyne welcomed. Either way, Robin won…
"Gentlemen… begin!" Master Sabatyne proclaimed before jumping out of the way as the two took fighting stances. Both opened with Form I Shii-Cho to test the waters. This was where it would begin and end. An-Dru had perfected his fighting style, which was not a standard Shii-Cho; as it was far more aggressive, relying on brute strength with the goal of breaking enemy defences early and providing a quick opening. So as they clashed, Robin seamlessly transitioned to the elegant fluid Makashi (Form II) to counter the overly aggressive Shii-Cho, allowing him to weather the storm of blows with dodges, blocks, parries, and riposte, though desperation lent An-Dru greater speed and strength; the damn fool was drawing on the Dark Side.
Yet nobody interfered, as this was Robin's battle; they'd intervene if they considered it necessary, just as Luke agreed when he first found out about the fight. Robin needed this, one way or another. No more coddling.
The two young men clashed with blades and energy; stones broke from shockwaves, and while An-Dru was putting pressure on his opponent, it was clear to most in the audience that Robin would have the upper hand if he could outlast the barrage or create an opening.
Robin grew tired of defending. An-Dru had weakened himself enough by attacking that Robin felt confident in breaking out his incomplete but still very dangerous and near-mastered Ataru style; his natural affinity to augment his speed, strength, and agility with the Force matched his new fighting style perfectly, and he'd completely master it soon, just as he had Forms I-III.
In only an instant, Robin had gained breathing room and flung himself at An-Dru. The sudden shift to offence tripped his foe up. Robin landed a strike to his opponent on his left hand and right foot before he got outside An-Dru's range with a backflip made from the momentum of a kick delivered from An-Dru. Robin's guard was up yet relaxed when he landed; An-Dru was panting and sweating from his failed attempt to win fast with his beautiful, if limited, Shii-Cho. (Robin appreciated his foe's skills like one warrior to another, even if they were enemies; skill recognizes skill).
"An-Dru, surrender and apologize. You're beaten; you can't win. We both want to serve the Jedi Order as well as possible; we don't have to be enemies." Robin spoke kindly and compassionately, though, for all of his compassion, An-Dru just grew angrier and angrier. "You think you're better than me?! Think again, scum… you're NOTHING!" An-Dru screamed, drawing heavily on his inner darkness; his rage at being upstaged by a new guy with a tenth of his experience getting the better of him. "The man needs to meditate more", Robin thought sadly, then his danger sense activated, and a split second later, several boulders slammed at him, too fast to dodge. Still, the Masters didn't intervene, not even Master Sabatyne, which suggested they had few worries regarding An-Dru's blatant disregard for the rules of true honourable combat or the victim of his cheating.
The audience gasped and then collectively held its breath as the dust cloud cleared, revealing Robin in his torn and tattered Jedi garb, a slightly bloodied cloak in a slight depression, surrounded by crushed and cut stones. This was confirmation of his handiwork with both the blade and the Force; and while incomplete, his skill in Form IV Ataru was great, as evidenced by a few stones with still-hot edges. Robin's blade locked with An-Dru's once more, who looked not just shocked, but scared too.
An-Dru saw the crushed and cut stones, baffled at how his foe was relatively unharmed except for a few dozen small cuts from chipped stone and a broken arm, (don't worry. It was only a hairline fracture). He was even more dumbfounded by the fact Robin's blade was somehow now pointed right at his throat, their blades no longer locked, his right arm having been rendered useless by a lightspeed fast strike that he hadn't even felt in his rage-induced state or seen his foe enter a striking range. Robin's blade was so close that any movement would result in an electrical scar, and had the lightsaber been set to max output, An-Dru knew that he'd have probably died. To cut stone with a low-output lightsaber wasn't impossible per se, but it was beyond most people's capabilities at Robin's level of experience, that much An-Dru knew for certain. "I blinked, and suddenly Robin was no longer blade locked with me, but in a position of undeniable victory. How?" An-Dru wondered furiously, but no answer came to him. He did know that he hated Robin all the more for his mercy; he'd not even bothered incapacitating or hurting him.
"As Padawan An-Dru has broken the rules of today's bout, he loses by default, though I'd say it's obvious Padawan Robin required no such handicap. Your late Master Hoth would be so disappointed in you, An-Dru. Not only did you break the rules of honourable combat, but you were also drawing heavily on The Dark Side, and you sought to seriously injure, possibly kill, a fellow Padawan and classmate. Your punishment for losing and transferring to another academy is too light a sentence for such terrible abuse of the skills and abilities bestowed on you. You're to make your way to Grandmaster Skywalker for a more fitting punishment." Master Sabatyne declared, her voice cold and contemptuous.
An-Dru went to retrieve his weapon when Master Sabatyne spoke again. "Leave the lightsaber. I don't think you'll need it, and I know you don't deserve it." Master Sabatyne said, with cold fury. That was that; she'd all but said it, and everyone knew that the Grandmaster would no doubt agree: "Leave and get out; you're not Jedi material." Luke and most Jedi are a forgiving lot, but today's open display of dishonourable behaviour, coupled with his harassment of Younglings, (little kids,) and Initiates, would be reason enough for An-Dru's expulsion from the Jedi Order. An-Dru's cronies were still academy students, though they would hopefully have a better appreciation of where they stood now that An-Dru served as an example against bullying and intolerance. One wrong move, and they'd be gone as well.
"I'll have my revenge, Robin Stace, if it's the last thing I do. I'll make you suffer and feel just as powerless as I do right now!" An-Dru cried at Robin in fury, knowing full well what to expect. Robin turned his back on him and realized that he almost felt sorry for him, tempted to the darkness by his weak ego. An-Dru could've been great. But he was happy his daily tormentor would be gone; even if it came with a vow of revenge, he'd be wary but ready.
Master Sabatyne Force pushed An-Dru to a nearby Sentry Jedi to "escort" him to Luke's office at the top of the academy's tallest tower. Thereupon, she flashed Robin a smile and set his broken arm and broken rib, which he'd missed with the force. She had to raise her voice to advise him to see a proper Jedi Healer; and though admittedly very loud, Robin couldn't help but rejoice in the approval and cheers from the audience. Whatever came next for him, his future seemed brighter.