It is better to lose with honor than to win unworthily.
Ups and downs! After an unsuccessful training session with Dooku, Santal has a nightmare in which she is condemned for cowardice. Oddly enough, it helps her to believe in herself and become the best in the group. But one day she is summoned to the Jedi Council for an unknown reason.
Santal was following Master Shaak Ti. She was both excited and scared and curious. Usually, a call to the Council is associated with something bad in adults and children. So the girl began to remember all the actions lately. And I concluded that most likely she would be praised. But, on the other hand, it can't be just that. Santal sensed a catch. Anything could happen today.
And then it was like a bucket of water was poured on the girl's head. Memories of literally yesterday evening came flooding back.
"Guys, you know what I thought," Max said at breakfast.
- what? Dasha asked, taking a bite of jogan.
— I want to arrange ... a VECHE ... — the boy was just about to shout, when he remembered that there were witnesses around, he spoke in a whisper, — a party.
— Great! Nick said. — And about what?
— Why does the party need an excuse? Max replied with a big smile. — Let's do this. We'll all meet together at my place after class and have fun. Let's enjoy an easy and carefree life while we have the opportunity.
— How are we going to have fun? Grace asked.
— I'll tell you. But not here.
After school, the children found a quiet, modest corner for conversation. Max read out the entertainment list with a datapad in his hand.
— I'm offering a pillow fight, a bunch of sweets.
—Is that all?" Strict Landa asked skeptically.
- no. There will be games and various contests. But which ones, let's decide together. Who has any ideas?
—A candy wrapper game," Grace suggested.
— What kind of game? Santal asked.
"The rules are simple," the blonde explained. — There are several colorful wrappers in the ball with a hole. You choose any one, read the task and do it.
—Hit the target game,— Anna shouted.
The noise started. The guys tried to shout over each other. Everyone wants his idea to be accepted. Suddenly Nick gave out:
— And let's have a horror story contest! We'll sit in a circle and scare each other. Whoever tells the most terrible story will win and receive a secret prize. And those who refuse to participate will get a farting pillow under the ass for not tickling their nerves.
"Are you sure it won't be too creepy?" Grace asked anxiously.
— Don't be a coward. Think of it as a kind of "Who will tell a tall tale" contest. And in general, horror stories of children are not scary," Nick assured.
As a result, games of candy wrappers, "hit the target", a horror story contest, a ball game were approved, and a person responsible for treats was appointed. The guys decided that they could not do more. They'll get tired.
And at 6 o'clock the guys gathered in an empty hall with all the preparations. Needless to say, the Younglings took risks. If someone had noticed them, the party would not have taken place. Fortunately, everything went well.
Santal was a little more nervous than the others because she had never been involved in such cases.
— Let the party begin! Max commanded, raising his hand.
Dasha reacted first. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at Svante. The real battle has begun. The younglings threw pillows, beat each other with them, shouted, laughed, raged until they fell down from fatigue.
— Ugh, I'm so tired. That was awesome! Adrian held up two fingers.
"I'm hungry,— Risha said.
The younglings began to eat the biscuits, ice cream, cakes and other sweets they brought. Santal did not miss the opportunity to try all kinds of treats.
When everyone had eaten, the celebration continued. As a result, there was one horror story contest left for "sweet". The children sat around a lamp burning yellow.
— Who should we start with? Max asked.
— Let's start with me. I've been dreaming about this contest for a long time," Nick said and began to tell. — In a black city on a black night...
Santal listened attentively to the stories and wondered why she was almost not afraid. Maybe because the horror stories are too... childish? Implausible? Indeed, all sorts of six—eyed monsters or the walking dead are fiction. They don't really exist. But, for example, an evil blue man in a hat really exists.
The girl was brought back to reality by the voice of Max, who was sitting next to her:
— And suddenly they heard a terrible scream from the darkness. Wow! It came out into the light of a lantern. And they realized: it was a rabid womp rat! U-a-a-a! The restless boy got to the point where he jumped up, pointing his left hand forward.
— I personally liked the story of a knight with a sword instead of a hand, and what Green told me. — Justin said in a boring voice, — Can you tell me the moment about the closet again?
— How else? The closet door creaked softly, he turned around and saw... A fur coat made of cat skin! The girl threw up her hands.
Fayon shuddered. Svante shivered. And Grace panicked:
— I'm tired of listening to all this! I'm going to die of fright! Shall we go to our rooms?
— Be patient. It remains to listen to Santal's story," Nick said and switched to her. — Go ahead. And remember, the main thing is a terrible pitch.
Santal thought about it and began:
— Once on a distant planet, a little girl couldn't sleep on a dark night. She was looking out the window and looking at the sky. Suddenly she saw two strange white lights. Out of curiosity, the girl decided to see what it was. It turned out that it was a ship. The girl was just about to leave when the door opened and out came... a vampire duros! A tall, skinny, long-armed creature with red eyes and sharp fangs. He had a hat on his head and tubes sticking out. Something else he never took off.
— And why did he never take them off? Grace asked, shivering.
— Well, it's obvious! "Light is fatal to vampires." That's why he wears a hat for protection. And the tubes provide additional oxygen. To drink less blood.
—It is," Santal said. — The girl was looking at the creature carefully. She had never seen anything like it, so she didn't run away. And when he noticed her, it was too late. The uncle grabbed the girl and dragged her to his ship. The girl begged for mercy, but in vain.
"And then what happened to her?" Max asked.
— No one knows for sure. This girl has not been seen since. But there are rumors about this uncle to this day. It is said that this is a terrible monster that attacks people, especially Jedi, and begins to drink blood until it sucks it all out.
— What a horror! Grace's hair almost stood on end.
— He loves little girls most of all. The less, the more I like their blood. And in general, the duros was scary. The Duros have never inspired such horror.
"I thought the Duros were a peaceful people,— Grace said.
— I thought so too. But, alas, we are all different. So the duros is a vampire, even though he is smart, like his relatives, but only his soul is blacker than the night. For him, killing Jedi and offending little girls is a common hobby. And most of all he likes to hunt at night. As soon as he sets a goal, he immediately rushes in pursuit. He will chase prey across the galaxy until he finds and kills. How many witnesses have seen disfigured corpses. But no one could have known that the vampire duros had another terrible weapon. Bite. It is worth biting once, and the victim becomes addicted to hats. Then the further away, the scarier. In the end, the victim will kill. The bitten ones knew about it. But no one could prove anything until the full moon came and...
When Santal finished, she saw that her story had made an indelible impression. Someone was even trembling with fear.
"I think the winner is obvious," Nick said, swallowing.
"Yes, that's for sure," said Max, one of the few who was almost not scared. — Your story about the vampire duros turned out to be the scariest. And the most realistic.
— That's enough scares. Not funny anymore! Grace was offended. — That's it. I don't hear anything, I don't hear anything! Talk nonsense as much as you want, I still can't hear anything!
And ran out of the room.
Santal was surprised that her horror story would affect her fellow clansmen in this way. But while she was telling, she was telling the truth only at the beginning, and then she began to compose and improvise. Say whatever comes into your head.
Grace ran with jumps to her room.
— And I'm not afraid of anything! I don't believe in scary fairy tales! I only believe in good fairy tales!
Thank the Force that Santal told the last. Otherwise, while she was sitting, she would have died of fear, unable to listen to horror movies anymore.
Suddenly the girl stopped.
"Is there someone there?" — she thought she heard a sound, but she immediately began to calm herself. —Easy, Grace Young, easy. There can't be anyone there, it's just the wind. Or I thought I did. That's always the case. When horror stories are told at night, something immediately begins to appear.
So Grace hurried to her room. I ran into the room and ducked under the covers, breathing heavily. Suddenly there was a creaking sound, and Grace ran screaming out of the room.
But Santal didn't know about all this, but she was still sure that she was going to be scolded. She could just imagine being told: "Shame on you! Scaring is not Jedi!". One Master of Mace Windu is worth something. There are rumors that he forced his interlocutors to remember all their sins with one look from the age of 5!
However, when the girl walked in with Master Shaak Ti, there was no anger on the faces of the Council members. Or rather, their faces did not express anything at all. Mace Windu sat thoughtfully, propping his chin on his hand. The others just sat there, looking dispassionately at the newcomers.
— Good afternoon, yunling Sabura, — this time Yoda greeted first.
— Good afternoon. Santal decided to follow Nick's advice. He said that in such a situation, you should always start with politeness. Even if you feel that you messed up, do not rush to repent, and suddenly the Council does not know anything. As a result, you will have problems. — You called me, here I am. Something happened?
— We would like to clarify. Did your aunt ever tell you your parents' names?
The question did not bode well. Santal's stomach was already cold. So much time about her parents did not remember, and here... And most importantly — why?
- no. She preferred to be silent. And why do you ask?
— Have you ever heard of a Jedi named Revan? Mundi asked.
- no. I haven't read about him. And who is he?
— This is a real legend. One of the most powerful adepts of the Force of his time, who visited both the Light and the Dark side. He has done a lot of good and evil in his long life. But there is no time to talk about it. You'd better read it in the library. Moreover, we called you for another reason.
"Last night I had a dream," Mace went straight to the point, "in which I saw Revan in front of me in his armor with purple and red swords. I was about to approach him and ask him what he needed, when suddenly he took off the mask and your face appeared under it, Yunling.
Santal was in shock. She was definitely not ready for such a turn of events. And Mace Windu continued:
— That's why we asked you about your parents. Now tell me, did you have the same dream last night? And in general, have you ever had such dreams?
— I had different dreams. But I never dreamed of Revan.
— good. Because it seems to me that this is not accidental. The last dream should not be ignored, you need to understand its meaning. And you could help us if you knew the names of your parents or read about Revan," with these words, Windu showed a hologram depicting a man in armor, wearing a mask and with swords. He looked quite formidable. Santal already shuddered.
— Do you think that I am the heir of Revan?
— There is a possibility that it is. But we can't check, because his last heirs deleted all their data. We can't do DNA, blood tests and so on. It remains only to build theories. Just don't think you're being accused of something. If you don't know, it's okay. I thought I had such a dream for two reasons. Or he hints at who you are, which, alas, we cannot verify. Either that we are connected or we will be connected. But considering that you didn't dream the same thing last night, it's probably not true.
— Could it be that the dream hints at my future? Santal suggested.
—Perhaps,— Master Windu agreed. — I think we both need to figure it out and think first. You can go now. Just answer one question first.
Santal braced herself inwardly again. Well... As soon as she relaxed, as imperceptibly crept up...
— Yesterday, when I was walking in the evening, I saw your classmate Grace Yang rushing screaming without even noticing me. Do you happen to know why? Magister Gallia asked.
"I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question either," Santal said, not wanting to betray Max.
— We shouldn't have called Santal. She doesn't know anything," Adi Gallia said.
"If we hadn't called her, we wouldn't have known she didn't know. Negative information or lack of information is also information," Mundi objected.
— What are we going to do next?
— Watch and wait. I'm sure we'll get more surprises.
A week later, sitting with Barriss in the library, she learned the incredible news. The Jedi Temple Apprentice Tournament is coming soon.
An annual competition hosted by the Jedi Order at the Temple on Coruscant. In it, the young generation could show their skills to attract the attention of a potential teacher. A lot of knights and masters came to the tournament to find a padawan. The students trained hard before the competition, as they were afraid that because of the defeat they might be sent to one of the buildings.
Thirty-two students participated in the tournament, fighting one-on-one with lightsabers in each round. The round ended after one of the participants did not give up or did not get three burns. Before the start of the battle, all the students gathered around the place of battle. Only the top eight students who fought as a group participated in the final round. The first two fights traditionally took place in the Martial Arts Hall or, as it is also called, in the Sparring Arena. With further progress, the conditions became more and more realistic.
Of course, you can come to the Tournament as a spectator. So all the younglings who did not grow up to the competition were invited. The very next day, Santal's group kept discussing the Tournament and everything related to it.
— Unbelievable! I've never seen a Tournament before!
— When will we participate in it?
— It must be very dangerous!
— We will be the audience! Cool!
— What kind of tests will there be, I wonder?
— Who will win?
All these conversations reminded Santal that they still had the trials of the Younglings ahead of them. Usually, these tests included a demonstration of the use of a lightsaber and the Force, knowledge of the code and meditation skills. But they were still a long way away, so there was nothing to worry about. For now.
There were a lot of people in the Martial Arts Hall on the day of the Tournament, however, when was it otherwise? The Santal clan decided to sit on the first and second rows so that everyone could see everything.
Santal turned her attention to the participants of various races standing in the corner, among whom were several Twi'leks. The girl mentally wished them good luck.
The arena itself was in the shape of a bowl and was located at the back of the Temple, completely white, with black and white chairs placed against the wall so that the audience could sit and watch. The center of the room was used for combat and usually remained empty, but various distractions could be scattered throughout the room.
From the upper-level control cabin, a Jedi or a technical operator can adjust the room to one of five settings. Changes in the room included fluctuations in gravity, changes in interior lighting, changes in temperature, as well as more diverse weather and other variables. The room was equipped with a protective field that would catch any student who lost his balance and fell from a dangerous height. The shield projector was positioned in the floor so that it could cover the entire room.
Santal did not even suspect that at that time Magister Dooku came into the Hall, who had just returned from a mission yesterday and wanted to rest at least a little in the Temple. After all, the Jedi Council can call at any moment. Dooku realized this a long time ago. Ever since the first mission. And now, because of him, he could not do one very important thing.
Dooku wanted to apologize to Santal for hurting her so much. Right away, the day after the quarrel. But right at 6 a.m., he was called by the Council on a mission, after learning which the old Jedi realized that the mission would take a long time. For a very long time. The native of Serenno was annoyed. He thought that when he returned, it would be too late to apologize. For example, a girl will simply forget everything. Although it is very difficult to forget this. As the proverb says, a word is not a bird, it will fly out — you will not catch it. Therefore, often the wound from the word is much deeper than from the sword.
The feeling of guilt on Dooku's conscience was a heavy burden throughout the mission, which sometimes caused the master to lose concentration, but not so much as to fail the task.
Upon returning to the Temple, Yoda met him and invited him to watch the Tournament of Students. Dooku understood that the old teacher offered him such a pastime for a reason. He hoped that his former student would like someone and he would want to take the latter as a padawan. The green-eared Jedi once hinted that even though Dooku is old, he will still have time to train at least one Youngling, pass on his wisdom and knowledge to him. The master himself did not agree with this. No one can outshine Qui-Gon.
A few minutes later, after Santal's group had settled down, everything went quiet, and the judge, a woman who looked like a man, but with white hair and narrow long ears, came out into the center of the hall. She raised her hands in the air and began to speak:
— Let's Start The Tournament! First of all, by tradition, I will remind everyone of the rules. Try not to leave the circle, the fight will end when one of you gets three burns or gives up by shouting the word "Sola!" And now we will draw lots so that the participants will find out who they will fight in the first round, which, like the second, is traditionally held here.
After the distribution, sixteen pairs were formed. The fights have begun. All the attention of the audience was concentrated on the circle, in which couples took turns entering and fencing.
Santal, like many other Younglings, was genuinely amazed by the skill of the duelists. It seemed to her that the participants were great fellows. That she herself would never be able to repeat even half of their tricks. Especially the girl paid attention to how people and twi'leks fight. I even thought of adopting some techniques.
The first and second rounds were about the same, but the third, according to the rules, is always either group fights, either underwater or in zero gravity. Group fights can be held in different places from the dining room to the corridor. And the second and third options are exclusively in a special place. Swimming pool and anti-gravity room.
This time there were group fights in the corridor. On the appointed day, three couples who made it to the finals gathered, namely twi'lek, two humans, Wookiee, Arkanian and duros. And, of course, a lot of viewers. This time there were no seats, so I had to stand.
The duel has begun. As in the previous two times, Santal studied the participants, because each time she got to know them from a new side. Firstly, the purple-colored twi'lek, very flexible, demanding of herself, relies most on acrobatics. Somewhat similar to Landa. Secondly, people use different tactics, a kind of bouquet of styles. Third, Wookiees often use brute force. Fourth, the Arcanian is precision, subtlety and strategy. During the duel, he seems to be leading a game of dejarik, trying to anticipate the actions of opponents. Santal was sure that, quite possibly, he would win. And the last one, duros. When the girl saw him, she was a little scared. He looked too much like his uncle, only less. Santal even thought, what if this boy is his son? Or just a relative?
— I keep forgetting to say, I'm offended at you, — the girl heard Grace's voice from behind.
— For what?
— For that horror story, if you forgot. Because of you, I had nightmares, I was afraid of every rustle. — Grace went so far as to push Santal, but accidentally used Force.
As a result, the girl flew far ahead, touched the Arcanian, which caused him to fall.
— Why are you getting in the way? he growled.
— I didn't do it on purpose. I was pushed," Santal stammered.
— You talk to me again! Get out! The Arcanian stood up, barely managing to parry the Wookiee's blow.
Santal decided that most likely he was about to lose. And when they lose, they always get angry at everyone. The girl knew for sure, she had to go back to her own. But how? After all, she is in the middle of the circle and every now and then swings a training sword or someone jumps.
— We must stop the duel! — Dooku, who saw everything, firmly decided.
The man was eager to intervene, but Yoda, who was standing on the right, stopped him.
— Patience, my former student. Santal's health is not in danger. She will cope, despite your doubts. And I remember the last time you were unhappy with her. Was there a quarrel between you, hmm?
Dooku winced, as if he had a sharp attack of toothache. Yoda made him remember his breakdown on the poor girl. It is necessary to apologize as soon as possible, to get rid of the heavy burden of guilt.
— Yes, last time she disappointed me with her skills, and I snapped, which I'm very ashamed of, — the master replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
— She'll surprise you again.
— Are you offering a bet?
— Maybe.
Santal understood that she could not stand for a long time and make others nervous. We have to do something. Suddenly, she heard Dooku's voice in her head: "That's your trouble. You were initially determined to lose. And you also let fear control you. You need to trust the Force and your feelings. That's the main reason why you're not doing it right."
The girl closed her eyes, inhaled, exhaled. I took the first step.
"The Force is not a sentient being to talk to. She needs to open up. Close your eyes and feel it. Concentrate and imagine how it flows around you, penetrates you through and through," a voice whispered to her in her head.
Santal resolutely moved forward, skillfully dodging the training swords and movements of the participants of the Tournament.
The daughter of the Jedi was so focused that she did not even suspect that all the attention of the older Jedi was directed at her.
— Unbelievable! Ki-Adi-Mundi said.
— She's like the wind. Anticipates the movements of the participants and deftly dodges, while she herself does not want to fight with them. I can clearly see how she is completely focused on her goal," Windu mused.
"So that's it. She does as I taught. I feel her strong connection with the Force she's deeply immersed in," Dooku realized in a whisper.
—Master Dooku, it seems that your actions have only benefited Santal," Shaak Ti, who had previously overheard his conversation with Yoda, said with a smile. — She did a great job. I've never seen a better youngling.
— Despite the fact that she is still a baby, she has already shown her spiritual development, - said Adi Gallia.
"Well, you were right, my old teacher," Dooku said, not at all upset about losing.
— Oh, you ... — the Arcanian swung at Santal with a training sword, so much so that she almost burned herself.
This was a fatal mistake for him. The guy felt that now attention is focused on some kind of piglet, who allegedly happened to be in the center, but it's hard to believe. The Arkanian was determined to teach the girl a lesson, fearing that because of her he would lose and he would not be taken as a padawan. And he's almost thirteen. Dangerous mark. After which, most likely, there is one road — the Service Building.
However, it was precisely because the Arcanian switched to Santal that his loss of concentration allowed the twi'lek Racha Sitra to inflict three burns on him.
— The Winner Of The Tournament Is Rachi Sitra! the judge announced.
The Arcanian couldn't believe his ears. To say that he was angry is to say nothing. The guy was furious. The blood turned into lava, boiled, bubbled like in a cauldron. Anger desperately demanded an outlet. An energy discharge was needed. The Arcanian aimed at Santal. And no, he wasn't going to maim, just punish, so that she would remember once and for all that she shouldn't get in the way of her elders.
When Santal saw the Arcanian fall due to three burns inflicted by the twi'lek, she initially thought of helping, but changed her mind when she saw how furious he was. The girl ran up to her fellow clansmen, who were in shock.
"Just when I think Santal won't be surprised by anything, you immediately change your mind," Justin said.
"I'm sorry, please, I didn't mean to," Grace began to apologize.
— It's not worth it. I'm sorry you scared me. Anyway, I'll go. I want to rest.
Walking down the corridor, Santal suddenly felt that someone was following her. Purposefully pursues.
The girl was abruptly thrown against the wall and after a few seconds she realized that she could not move. She was made a helpless doll. But what is much worse, Santal felt as if her throat had been squeezed.
"It's because of you, bitch! — The girl looked down and saw the same Arkanian from the Tournament. He's strangling her!
— no! That was all Santal could manage in a hoarse voice.
— If you hadn't boldly invaded the Tournament, I wouldn't have been distracted and won! You have no idea what winning meant to me! You're just a kid living in a pink world, thinking that everything is a game! But for me it was, one might say, the last chance to prove what I'm worth! The Arcanian threw Santal to the floor and started attacking, trying to hit her with a training sword, causing as much pain as possible. So that there would be at least some kind of payback.
And again Santal dodged, simply because she almost did not own a sword, and she did not have one. Suddenly the girl remembered the trick with the wall, accelerated, ran along the wall, did a somersault and landed behind the opponent's back and snatched the weapon from his hands by Force.
— I'm not to blame for your trouble. If my classmate hadn't pushed me, none of this would have happened. I assure you, I'm telling the truth," the girl returned the blade and, turning around, went her way.
But when Santal walked seven meters, she heard three sounds. The first is the sound of sword activation. The second is the sound of a weapon being thrown. The third is how someone got in front of her and grabbed him.
The girl turned around and saw how Dooku, who had caught the sword, sent her abuser into an easy flight.
— Is everything okay, Santal?
The girl nodded.
— good. Don't be nervous," then he turned to the Arcanian. — So this is how Raymond Candrom behaves in a duel. Shame and shame! Even a much younger girl has more honor than you! — shouting, the master of the Arcanian scolded. He typed the word so that he did not answer and retreated.
Santal was trying to catch her breath. So much has happened in a short time. She incurred anger, then they wanted to beat her, and now the one who had yelled at her before stood up for her. Someone she respected. How nice it is! It was as if she had fallen into a protective dome that nothing could penetrate.
Dooku turned to Santal and knelt down on one knee. He sighed and began:
— Santal... I... — how difficult it is sometimes to say "I'm sorry"! "I owe you an apology for yelling at you.
"You were annoyed by my cowardice," Santal replied quietly, who by that time had already begun to forget a little about the quarrel. As soon as a blood clot formed, there were suspicions that the blood would flow again.
— It's still not an excuse! Dooku retorted firmly, making a gesture with his left hand. — I shouldn't have said that! I snapped at a small child, succumbed to anger. It's not Jedi. I have to make amends. You know, you surprised a lot of Jedi today. How you dodged the blows and plunged into the Force. You have a talent.
— I do not know what to say.
"You don't have to. I have an interesting suggestion for you. Starting tomorrow, I decided to take care of you properly, because today I clearly realized that you have more potential than I expected. I will study with you for an additional two hours after the main classes. We will develop different skills. By the way, I almost forgot, did you know that the Jedi Council gave you a gift?
— Which one? Santal was intrigued.
— You were given a guarantee that you will not be sent to the Maintenance Building. That is, you will definitely have a teacher.
— Are you implying that... you want to take me as an apprentice? the girl's eyes widened. She even thought she was having auditory hallucinations.
- yes. If you don't slack off, be lazy, try hard, strive upward, then when you pass the tests for the younglings, I will take you under my wing. So what? Do you want to become a great Jedi?
- yes! Santal shouted loudly.
— Then I am your master! Dooku announced solemnly.
— Santal was ready to cry with happiness.
As a result, she couldn't stand it and screamed, jumping up high, raising her hands up: "HURRAH!"
Dooku stood nearby and smiled kindly. Like, children are children.