The Training of Kruk Jaxx

[Jaxx]

Kruk had received word not more than a day ago, that some of the Jedi Order had taken note of his Charismatic abilities, a message had come to him telling him to travel to Coruscant to begin Jedi training if he would like. After the death of his grandfather he knew that this was exactly what he needed, and he was more than excited to begin. This would give him some direction to his life. First, however, he had to get to Coruscant which would be simple, since words came to him easily. Kruk 'influenced' his way on board the first transport he could find.

After landing on Coruscant he got off of the shuttle, thanking the pilot, Kruk peered off into the hazy distance. The only object he was able to see was the outline of a building, which he knew was The Jedi Temple, that he had come here to find. With a sigh, Kruk began walking toward the temple.

After an hour or so Kruk made it to the steps of the temple, he took a seat, all he could do know was wait, even though he was not completely sure who exactly he was waiting for.

 

[Jabberwocky]

The sun began to settle behind the black buildings on the horizon. The smog of the bustling city usually clouded the orange glow, but today was one of the beautiful days where it could be seen from the Temple. As Rain waited for his Padawan to arrive, he watched the sun, perfectly content. After possibly 15 minutes of gazing, the last rays of light disappeared behind the building and city lights began to flicker on.

Rain looked around and saw the crowd of the Temple considerably less. Nocturnal species began to pour out the doors, most of them had somewhat eerily glowing eyes, but this was offset by their happy expressions. Rain walked down the steps, taking glances at each side in search of his Padawan who had hopefully arrived by now. At the bottom of the steps sat an Ubaran in regal-looking ropes in comparison to Rain's standard brown. He seemed to match the description Rain was given.

He plopped down beside the boy with a sigh of relief and said in a cheery tone, "Kruk Jaxx? Hello there, I'm Rain Adler, you're Master. Call me Master, Master Adler, Master Rain; anything works, really."

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk was startled by the voice coming from behind him. He stood quickly. "Hello Master, it is good to meet you. I am eager to begin my training." Kruk was not sure what to expect from this man, he had heard stories of calm Jedi Masters caring and full of wisdom, but he had also heard of Masters who seemed like drill sergeants from the Galactic Republic Military. Either way he did not care, he knew what he wanted, and that was to become a Jedi.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"I sense eagerness," Rain commented. "That is good, but also remember that you need patience. I'd like you to answer a few questions for me, Kruk. First, why do you want to be a Jedi?" As Rain asked this he thought back to his training and his response to the question.

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk took some time to think about how to answer this question. He wanted to make sure his answer was truthful, yet wise. He stared into the distance for a while, thinking.

"Ever since my grandfather passed away, I have been looking for meaning in my life, and guidance. I need to do something that will be respected, and something that will set me apart from others. I cannot think of a better way to lead my life than to become a Jedi. I know I can accomplish this task with honor and respect."

Kruk was proud of his answer, but he didn't let it show.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"A better reason than most. Know, a more difficult question. To you, what is the Force?"

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk felt stupid, but he thought it best not to make something up. "Master, I can't say I truly know what it is. I have heard stories of men using it, almost as if it were magic, but something inside tells me that it is more than that. Perhaps you could enlighten me a bit?"

Kruk felt his cheeks get warm, he stood silently, hoping his Master would not sense his embarrassment.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Rain smiled warmly and said, "But Kruk, do you not feel it? The reason you were accepted into the Order is because you are sensetive to it? Do you not feel my presence? Or the presence of those around you?"

 

[Jaxx]

"Yes master, and I always have, but is it not more than that? Is the force not more than just the sense of the things around you? I always believed the visions I have sometimes to be caused by it also."


Kruk had hoped he did not sound stupid or arrogant. He did not want to anger his master.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"Kruk, the Force allows you to be in touch with everything around it. I feel your presence, I feel the presence of those around me, and to a certain extent I feel the presence of the plants here. There's nothing more to be desired," Rain said as he leaned back against the stairs so he could stare at the nighttime sky.

"However, with proper training the Force can be used, but not abused, for other applications."

 

[Jaxx]

"I see, so how does one learn to use the force to his advantage? What sort of things can it be used for?"

Kruk hoped that he didn't sound childish, he also didn't want his master to think he was asking too many questions. Kruk sat back down beside his master, and looked up into the night sky, letting out a sigh.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"For the most part, it can't be taught, so much as demonstrated and attempting it. The Force is a part of you, just like your arm. Thinking of moving it does nothing. It's like thinking hard about standing up. You don't think about it, you just do it." As a small demonstration, Rain lifted a pebble sitting beside him with the Force, and it orbited around his head. After a few seconds he let if fall into the palm of his hand and told Kruk, "Now, you try. Simply lift."

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk was a bit shocked by what his master had just done. He knew that Jedi were capable of such things, but seeing it, is a lot different than hearing about it.

Kruk did not want to disappoint his master, but at the same time he wasn't sure how to do what he had been asked. The words played over and over in his head. 'Don't think about doing it, just DO IT.'

Kruk reached out to the pebble, still in his masters hand and tried to lift it. The pebble began to shake, but, then stopped. Kruk sighed. He didn't want to let his master down. This time Kruk concentrated on the pebble with all his might and to his surprise the pebble floated up and away from his masters hand.

A smirk crept across his face.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"Very good, Kruk. I am impressed," Rain said, and he meant it too. It wasn't an offhand comment made to someone accomplishing something, it was a genuine surprise and happiness at the achievement. Kruk surpassed most Padawans' skill in the Force at an early stage. It was likely that Kruk would be very strong in the Force with the proper training.

"Now this may sound boring, but I want you to send that pebble through acrobatics with the Force. Not just lines and curves, but loops and rotations. Imagine it being a rollercoaster cart. Give the imaginary thrill-seekers the ride of their lives. While you do that, I'll go set up a training room in the temple. When you're signifigantly bored, and the rollercoaster occupants are ready to puke, come into the Temple. Take the first door on the right in the big hall, then the third door on the right in the smaller hallway." Rain jumped to his feet and strolled into the Temple, following his own instructions into a training room he'd already prepared. He slumped into a chair and closed his eyes. A quick nap before training began would do Rain wonders.

 

[Jaxx]

If his master was pleased, he was pleased. Kruk had finally done something with meaning in his life. He watched as his Master walked into the temple. He carefully took note of the directions his master had given him.

Lifting the rock was one thing, but making it do swirls and loops was another. Kruk first made sure he was able to lift the pebble without any issues. After about thirty minuets, he could lift the pebble any distance into the air, with ease. He was please with himself. Know the tricky part, making the pebble do what he wanted it to do, fist Kruk brought the pebble into the air, making it levitate just inches from his face. Next he brought the pebble closer to him, before he knew what happened, the pebble hit him in the face. A look of disgust crept across his face. After a few more failed attempts, Kruk could finally move the pebble away from his face then closer. He then attempted to make its do loops, as he was instructed. After about an hour he had it down to a T. He had his roller coaster track all worked out, up down, loop, corner left, corner right, down, loop, back in front of his face. Kruk felt as if the passengers could use a break. He stood and walked to the training room, he saw his master asleep in a chair.

"Master...I have done as you asked."

 

[Jabberwocky]

Rain opened his eyes and stretched. He rubbed his eye and said, "My apologies, Kruk. As an Umbaran I know you wouldn't be comfortable in sunlight, but I'm not used to being active at night and sleeping in the day. The Force hasn't aged me well," he added with a chuckle.

When he recalled that he chould be teaching the boy he stood up walked to Kruk. "Now," he said, "what can you tell me about combat? More specifically, swordplay."

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk didn't like this question, he was embarrassed to tell his Master that he didn't know anything about combat, other than what he had seen back on Umbara.

"Well, I have never fought with a sword, or held one for that matter. I always took care of my problems with words. Not that I am against combat or anything, I just haven't experienced it. I have seen my grandfather fight, but nothing more"

Kruk frowned. He hoped this didn't irritate his master.

 

[Jabberwocky]

"That's good," Rain said with a smile. "because a lightsaber is differs from a regular blade. With a sword, the weight is distrubited fairly evenly. With a lightsaber, however, things change. The only weight is in the hilt, the part of the weapon you grip. Many people are caught off guard when their weightless blade stops when it connects with something. Now that you're atleast partially educated, I need you to pick a form of lightsaber combat you wish to learn."

 

[Jaxx]

Kruk had heard of a few different fighting styles, and he knew exactly which one he wanted to learn.

"Master I believe that the Ataru form would suit my personality best, I like to make the first move, and I don't like to wait for an enemy to attack. The best defense is a good offense, right?"

Kruk let out a small chuckle.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Rain smiled and commented, "While I don't agree with that mentality, I can see why some Jedi like it."

For the next hour or so, Rain instructed Kruk in the basics of Ataru. He was glad to incorporate the Force training with the leaps, flips, and other acrobatic moves the style required. When the instruction was finished, Rain stepped about three meters away from the boy and said, "Come at me with what you've learned," as he took the opening stance of his own favored style of Soresu.