Basic Combat, Jedi Holocron (Closed)

[Michael Scott]

Two days after his last learning experience, and his encounter with the former Jedi Master Agen Kolar, Kunda decided to go back to the archives and learn more about his profession. With the first annual Jedi Ladder Tournament approaching fast, he knew that he could use a little bit of extra training. He checked out a training saber from the Library Master and went to the holocron room to pick out which training might help him the best. Just like his last visit to the holocron bank, he took an hour deciding which one to study, finally he chose one that was label, "Basic Lightsaber Combat for Padawans," and went to the same exact room where he went last time. But before he entered, he saw his friend meditating in the archives, he went to retrieve him.

<<Yuma,>> he said through the force, <would you like to join me in watching this holocron?>>

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma was thinking about what Master Kara said, how would he become more efficient with his force powers? At least he wouldn't be facing the Sith right off the bat, if at all. He focused himself and began thinking back to his teachings, thinking where he went wrong. Suddenly a voice came into his head, asking him to join him to study a holocron, just what he needed, something to lift his spirits.
"That would be excellent Kunda," Yuma said as he stood up waiting to follow him into the classroom.

 

[Michael Scott]

Doing the same routine as last time with Yuma, they sat in the middle of the room and he turned out the lights with the force, noticing that it was easier to do than last time. He opened the holocron and began listening with his eyes closed, he took a deep breath and was focused. The instructor was not Agen Kolar, the ghost who he spoke with last time, but a new one.

"Good day class," the human began, "as you know I am Master Cin Drallig and today we will be learning basic lightsaber combat. This was recorded during the Stark Hyperspace War, after the death of Master Tyovkka. Many of you will be participating in the upcoming Jedi Apprentice Tournament and will hopefully find a master that will take you in under his or her wing. But first you must learn how. In order to first understand basic combat, you must learn how to use the force to your advantage.
"The lightsaber is a very versatile weapon, owing to its unique lightness and omnidirectional cutting ability. It can be wielded one-handed or with both hands. Early in the weapon's history, when the Sith were numerous, the art of lightsaber dueling flourished. In later periods though, only rarely would Jedi face an adversary with a weapon capable of repelling a lightsaber.
"Although the blade itself is weightless, two-handed slashes are the most common movement. This is because inertia is needed to cut through solid objects, as solid objects are repelled by the blade arc until they were changed to gas or plasma. Therefore, inertia is required to counteract the initial repelling force. The stronger the swing, the faster and easier the blade will cut. If little force is applied to the swing, the repelling force of the blade arc would leave shallow cuts. When two lightsaber blades came in contact with each other, the two repelling forces made the blade appear to be solid.
"Also, the field that caused the energy to arc back into the blade caused some gyroscopic effects. While technically weightless, the blade still had some resistance to changes in motion. The slight gyroscopic effects are easily controlled by a trained force user, but could become problematic for lay person who isn't familiar with the force.
"Jedi are trained to use the Force as a conduit between the wielder and the weapon. Through this bond in the Force, the blade will become an extension of your being; it moves with instinct as though it were a part of the body. The Jedi's attunement to the Force accounted for the almost superhuman agility and reflex illustrated in the use of the lightsaber. The only weight that a lightsaber has is its' hilt, it would be very dangerous to let an untrained person use the lightsaber.
"There are six lightsaber forms, only few have dared to attempt the seventh known as Vaapad. As a padawan, it is not recommended for you to learn anything but what we are going to teach you until you have a Master to further your training.
"We will start with the most basic, the principle most widely known as Form 'Zero'. Jedi should only use their lightsabers when absolutely necessary, an alternative solution is recommended to solve a problem. Master Yoda is right when he says, 'the best blades are kept in their sheaths,' and you should do good to remember that as well. Remember, your lightsaber is an invaluable tool. Even when inactive, it can solve any political problem. Even though Form 'Zero' is the main principle a Jedi should use before entering combat, there are times when it is necessary to act rather than to negotiate.
"After Form 'Zero' we look to Form One as the basis of all combat. It is named, Shii-Cho: The Way of the Sarlacc. Originally lightsabers were used for ceremonial purposes, no fighting methods were developed.However, as lightsaber technology developed and they became usable in combat, a combat form tailored to make use of the advantages offered by lightsabers and compensate for their weaknesses became needed. Thus, the first form of lightsaber combat was developed. As the most ancient style of lightsaber combat, Shii-Cho was developed during the transition period from swords to lightsabers. Lightsabers were wielded in a manner similar to swords, so many of the maneuvers, such as attacks or parries, remained unchanged, as the key principles of the old sword-fighting methods continued to be incorporated. The simplicity and persistent methods of the form led it to being dubbed the "Way of the Sarlacc" and the "Determination Form". As Shii-Cho was developed prior to either the emergence of Dark Jedi or Sith Lords, it was not created with lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat in mind. Despite this, it was the preferred form of such groups when they began appearing, as it was quite simply the only option. As lightsaber duels between practitioners of the Force became increasingly common, Form I was judged as being inadequate for the task, leading to the development of the second form of lightsaber combat; Makashi. Despite the development of a combat form tailored to lightsaber dueling, Shii-Cho was not rendered obsolete. Its simplicity and basic focuses left the form ideally suited for basic training, and it was used to provide initiates with an early introduction to lightsaber combat. Shii-Cho remained an effective form of combat for thousands of years, its simplicity making it a good fallback option when no other form would do.
"As Shii-Cho was an extension of traditional sword-fighting styles, it retained the basics of attacks, parries, and body zones established by such ancient methods. Shii-Cho fostered an emotionally-heated mindset, which resulted in the considerable temptation to execute combat with lethal intent, requiring great restraint to exercise the form without going too far. Despite the pull to kill, the style was designed for the purpose of disarming without seriously injuring. Shii-Cho swordplay was simplistic and raw. In the hands of a master, the bladework was described as 'like watching water flow over the falls.' However, less adept practitioners displayed much more basic and somewhat clumsy performance. In combat, Form I encouraged deliberate tactics, calling for continuous, step-by-step advancement while cutting off the opponent's angles. Shii-Cho was specialized towards engaging multiple opponents, the wide, sweeping motions being ideally suited towards attacking numerous adversaries. However, Form I was not as useful against single opponents, as such enemies had complete mobility and could find a weakness in Shii-Cho's comparatively clumsy bladework.
"The basic rules of attacks, parries and body target zones were established by Shii-Cho combat. Shii-Cho also had two methods of combat which determined how these moves were executed; Ideal Form and Live Combat Form. Ideal Form was mainly used in sparring, and all the moves and maneuvers were executed at perfect horizontal/vertical angles, with attacks and parries being perpendicular to one another. The Live Combat Form was much more functional, the attacks being diagonal strikes at each respective body zone, the goal being to increase speed and reduce actual movement. The body target zones were numbered as follows; 1 - head, 2 - right arm and side, 3 - left arm and side, 4 - back, 5 - right leg, 6 - left leg. Shii-Cho philosophy emphasized victory without injury and as such, the sun djem mark of contact was traditionally employed by Form I practitioners. Keeping with the use of sun djem, one of the attacks utilized by Form I practitioners was referred to as the "Disarming Slash", consisting of a strike directed at the opponent's weapon in an attempt to rip it out of their grasp. Another of the techniques utilized by Shii-Cho was dubbed the "Sarlacc Sweep", a wide sweeping attack in which the duelist struck against multiple enemies. Other maneuvers included the basic Form I horizontal slash. Form I was created by the ancient Jedi during the transition from metal swords to energy beam lightsabers, and the principles of blade contact remain essentially the same. Because the ancient Jedi did not have lightsaber-wielding enemies, Form I does not address the lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat.
"However, Kit Fisto was not without his weaknesses. Form I was ideal when heavily outnumbered and effective against many opponents, but a single opponent was able to find flaw in it. Shii-Cho's main 'weakness' is Form Two, Makashi, but we aren't here to learn about that today. Now I want you to pick up your training blades and power them on, stand up and face your fellow padawan with the Shii-Cho stance."

Kunda stood up and placed his dominant arm parallel to the floor, his other arm doing the same while his hands were on top of each other, his training saber buzzing in his ear.

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma was listening to the Jedi Master, he actually focused on each and every word he had said and took it into memory. This was the first time that he felt the force flowing through himself, this is exactly what I needed! When Yuma heard Cin Drallig tell them to stand up, he did so at the same time Kunda did. He took the fighting stance and as he held the lightsaber in front of his face, he felt the force grow stronger inside of him.

 

[Michael Scott]

"Don't be afraid when the training saber touches your skin," the holocron said as he took the fighting stance, "I want you to thrust your blade toward your opponent as fast as you can."

Kunda stepped forward and thrust his blade towards Yuma, it stopped just before his face. He saw Yuma's blade close to his nose as well, their blades were crossed and appeared as one entity. He began to feel the force take control of his body.

"Now," Cin picked up where he left off, "swing your blade behind your head, putting your strength behind the blow as it heads towards your opponent. Continue the swing and use the momentum to do the exact same movement, stop when you swing back down."

Kunda conducted the movement, letting the force control his body as he swung his training blade.

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma listened as Cin instructed, he had already thrust his blade as he stepped forward, putting his power into the thrust, having faith that he would not hit Kunda. When he finished his movement, Cin was telling them to conduct another swing, Yuma put his weight on his front foot and his arms began moving the blade just as he had been instructed. He noticed that neither of their blades hadn't touched for either of the swings, the swings were well orchastrated, the two blades moved smoothly as they passed each other. Yuma was enjoying his new found strength, he knew he was ready to advance in the ways of the Force.

 

[Michael Scott]

"You have successfully completed your first attack movements," the image of Cin Drallig said as he powered down his lightsaber, "stay true to these simple movements and you will have learned the basics of Form One. You can deviate from these three moves, but they will always serve as the basis for all forms and lightsber duels. A few extra swings are simple, yet effective. Swinging horizontally, upward, toward the ground, and even the thrusts will keep your opponent forcing to guess your move. As you have noticed, the Force will assist you in your strikes no matter what. Take a couple of minutes and practice these moves with your partner."

Kunda swung horizontal from his left side and toward Yuma.

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma knew he was there, yet it was unfamiliar to him; the Force had taken control of him as he listened to Cin Drallig. He focused and let the Force control him, until he realized that the Force was waiting for him to control it. Yuma focused more and took control of his body as he countered Kunda's swing with an upward swing, his strength almost knocked the training saber out of his hands. He took his own swing at Kunda, he twisted his saber around his shoulder and used the force to swing hard at Kunda.

 

[Michael Scott]

The counterattack from Yuma nearly knocked Kunda off his feet, his friend was no longer weak in the Force. Good job my friend! Kunda thought as he blocked the downward swing from Yuma, each attack was fueled by the Force and Yuma had full control of it. Kunda focused and rallied his strength from the Force and performed a thrust at Yuma, it was his strongest attack yet.

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma felt it coming, he stepped to the side as Kunda thrust his saber towards his last position and was about to perform a downward swing when he realized that using the Force in combat, even training combat, was dangerous; someone could get hurt real fast. Yuma stood still with his training saber facing towards the ground, waiting for the holocron to continue the lesson.

 

[Michael Scott]

"Alright good," Cin continued, "you may have noticed that the Force will control you during your attacks. This can be used against your opponent, and against you. Shii-Cho is one of the Force driven lightsaber forms, in order for it to be most effective you must fully release yourself into the Force and become one entity against your opponent. Some of you have felt the Force take control of you when you focused and took control of it, this form requires you to fully let go and give the Force permission to take you under control in order to be more random and more powerful when facing an enemy that threatens your life. Now that you have finished your sparring, you have fully learned how to use Form One. Next lesson is Sokan, using the terrain against your opponent. Sokan is more of a principle like Form 'Zero', you will dictate your opponent's position and force them into a position that isn't good for fighting. For more information, ask the Lore Master. Good day"

The pair left the classroom.

 

[Guardian Six]

Yuma left the classroom with Kunda, but went back in there to meditate; he would find out how to conjure the Force to be his strength. He kneeled onto the ground and closed his eyes and began concentrating. After ten minutes Yuma felt nothing and powered on his training saber using the Force to toggle the blade. His aura began to glow as the Force flowed through his body, muscles and vains; he drew his powers from the lightsaber, his choice to become a blade specialist was the right one. Yuma thought about letting the Force control his body but trusted the Force do to him justice, he consented the Force to control his body. Suddenly he stood up and he began practicing the movements with the saber, they were flawless. Yuma let the Force take over completely, both mind and body; his arms were moving the blade swiftly without hesitation. Yuma moved forwards towards a chair, he would soon collide if he didn't change his course, but he moved it with the Force. As he conducted the moves of Shii-Cho, his left hand let go of the hilt and moved towards where the blade just was and pushed the chair across the room; he was five paces away. Yuma suddenly realized what was happening and even though he let the Force control his body and mind, he knew he could dictate was the Force did even as it controlled him. He pulled the chair pack to his position, it came too fast but he managed to slow it down. He rearranged the classroom into an obstacle course using his new techniques, push and pull. He began the obstacle course, running into a row of five desks. He utilized his speed and jumped over all five and into a stack of chairs, he backflipped off of them and went into a crawl underneath the five desks. When finished the course, his body began moving into a handstand. His thoughts suddenly exited his mind, he had reached an inner peace; he had a new focus, he needed to hydrate. As he was in his handstand, he put his weight on his dominant hand and pulled the moisture out of the air and created a bubble that was suspended above his hand. He manipulated the water into his mouth, ended his drought. He had no more thoughts, he was weak; Yuma opened his eyes and was fully aware what had happened, and hungry. He manually cleaned the classroom and left the room, shutting the door and turning off the lights with the Force. Yuma finally found he medium, it was combat.