Monica's Training (3)

[Kassa]

The thirteen year old girl stood carefully on the icy mountains of Alderaan. Having hitched a ride from some troopers, Monica indeed felt that there was no hope for her. This was the third master she's found, the other two were gone or dead. Monica was sure she wouldn't fail this time. Petting the attack stohl wrapped carefully around her neck, she turned to entire the old religious place, which now housed many Knight and Padawan infantry.

"Lady, sometimes I don't think I'm cut out for this. I didn't learn anything from the last master, it was all review from what Master Link taught us. Am I really that bad of a padawan?" Holding up a hand, the young girl applied enough force to cause the door to swing open. Stepping into a training room, Monica turned around, looking for the Jedi who was going to help her in her quest.

With a hiss from her stohl, she turned around to see what looked to be a new person approaching.

 

[Malon]

Varan Krannurak, a large dragon-like alien called a Duinuogwuin, sat in the room as Kassa waked in. The ancient Jedi Master towered high over the human girl. In one of his hands he held a datapad and was going over the information on it.

"Ah!" he said, as Monica entered the room. "Monica, it is nice to meet you. I am Master Varan Krannurak. You may refer to me as Master Krannurak, Master Varan, or simply Master. I've just been reading over your history with us in the Order. Quite a bumpy road you've had, huh?"

The large Jedi Master placed the datapad on a table beside him. After observing Monica for a long moment, he spoke again.

"You have no need to worry about repeating old training. From what I've read, you can control your use of the Force and know the Jedi Code well, however, you haven't learned the Nine Tenets or completed lightsaber training." he continued. "If this is the case, then we will begin with the Nine Tenets. They will easiest to finish first."

The ancient dragon composed his thoughts, crossed his arms and glared peacefully at Monica.

"Tell me what the Nine Tenets are and what they mean to you."

 

[Kassa]

Monica's eyes swelled to tremendous proportions at the sight of the Jedi Master. From fear alone, the dragon-like creature could easily wipe out an entire civilization. Feeling her eyes regain their normal composure, she listened to the creature speak, intent on picking up every detail of it's unique voice.

"It's nice to meet you, Master Krannurak," she says, offering him a shy smile. As he spoke to her about the Nine Tenets, she sighed. They were long and strenuous, but and it meant she had to talk for quite sometime. It subdued her a little bit, and she spoke in a quieter tone. The longer Monica talked, the redder her face got, due to her being overcome by blush.

"The First Tenet tells the Jedi that we are keepers of peace in the galaxy, and that we fight for all life, liberties, and civilizations," Taking a breath, she continued, her cheeks already becoming flushed. "The next tenet advises us to watch out emotions, and to keep them suppressed to keep us from acting out of line or rationality,"

"The Third Tenet tells us not to chase after love, because as Jedi, we can never find it, because it is a form of attachment, and Jedi are to be selfless. Then, the Fourth Tenet tells us to respect any and all life and not to kill unless it's unavoidable,"

"The Fifth Tenet tells us to protect those who are weak and defenseless, and that we are to abide to help the poor, financially or otherwise, as long as they abide the Jedi Code, the Nine Tenets, and the laws of which they are governed. The next Tenet tells us to obey the Jedi Council, not to speak out against their decisions, although we may hold a different opinion,"

"The Seventh Tenet says for us to not see people by their social standings, although personally, I believe that this interferes with the Fifth Tenet. The Eighth Tenet commands us to be mindful of the past, present, and future, and use the past and future to help us better use the Force. The Ninth, and Final Tenet says that we're not the strongest when it comes to military victories, but we're the strongest when we conquer ourselves,"

 

[Malon]

The ancient Jedi Master studied Monica momentarily before nodding his enormous head, "Correct young one." he bellowed.

He inhaled deeply, and then exhaled a breath which easily could've knocked the young girl over if it had been aimed at her.

"Now then, tell me, what have your previous Masters taught you about utilizing a lightsaber?" he asked.

 

[Kassa]

Monica nearly looked at the draconian man with an exasperated expression, but seemed to think better about it. Picking her worlds very carefully, the young padawan said, "I don't know anything about it. We practiced using the Force, and I used one in a demonstration, but it was only a training one. Other than that, I have no clue about which stances I should use, or the names of the stances for that matter,"

 

[Malon]

"I see." the draconian Jedi responded. "Then I suppose it is time you built your own lightsaber. First I must give you a lesson on the weapon of the Jedi.

"A lightsaber is a lightweight sword of pure energy, the only solid part being the hilt, which you will construct soon. It requires three special crystals in order for it to work. These are called focusing crystals. Each lightsaber is as unique as the Jedi who wields it. It is a weapon that symbolizes a Jedi's commitment to the principles of our Order. When you construct yours, you must keep in mind the commitment you are making by doing so."

After he finished, he motioned his clawed hand over to the table nearby him.

"Over there you will find a box containing the necessary parts of a lightsaber as well as the various basic crystals that most Jedi use. Chose which tools you need, which parts you need, and which crystal the Force indicates to you and then construct your weapon on that workbench over there."

 

[Kassa]

Monica looked at the man strangely for a moment, before devouring herself into the creation of her own lightsaber. Being a relatively smart girl, following instructions should prove to be easy. Taking the base of the hilt, already constructed, all she had to do was pick crystals to put inside of it.

This was easier said than done, for there were a vast amount of crystals. In particular, she chose the one's that made her think about her, and the Jedi Order. White, for the purity of the order. Blue, for the color of the Republic. And golden, for the Republic, but also for her own timidness that she wished to overcome. Following the rest of the directions, Monica did something, so that when she pressed a button, the crystals would manifest their powers into a blade.

Pressing a button to test it, it was a light pink. She turned to look at the draconian man, as if she were saying, "What now?"

 

[Malon]

The large Duinuogwuin examined his apprentice's craftsmanship. It was good for her first lightsaber. He hoped she would use it well in the coming days.

"Good." he finally said. As I said earlier, you have already completed the bulk of your training with the other masters you've had. I am here to finish that training. The construction of a lightsaber is a right-of-passage for a Padawan, and means that their training's end draws nigh.

"Now I will send you on a mission here on Alderaan. Not far from this Enclave, in the mountains, there is a shrine used by we Jedi to meditate and find peace. However, recently we Masters have felt a dark taint wash over the area as well as a death in the Force. We believe that one of the other apprentices has fallen to the dark side and struck down their master. Your mission is to go there and remove the dark taint. I will not tell you how, for it is your final test on your path to becoming a Jedi. When you return, I will grade you and decide whether or not you are worthy of becoming a Jedi Knight. One last thing; no other Jedi here at the Enclave can help you on this assignment. Now go, and may the Force be with you."

 

[Kassa]

Monica nods, as she meekly disappears, a tad bit scared. Lady hissed gently in her ear, encouraging her, and offering a right of protection. The girl with the pink lightsaber thus began her trek into the night. Climbing up the steep mountain side, Monica shivered through the cold and moved quickly and silently. Following where the Force led her, she found the shrine, and looked around: Her eyes were intent and clear as she searched for her target. Remaining closer to the shadows, Lady stuck out her tongue and hissed, leading her master further in the direction of a person.

Drawing her pink lightsaber, Monica rotated it viciously around her body, continuously searching for the taint.