The Training of Zol Tsviet

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy fell into the sin of arrogance when he thought he had overcome Siri when his ploy had seemingly worked. However, she blocked the free lightsaber... with her hand?!

"That's a very interesting ability," said Zolotoy, commenting on her ability to dissipate. "I hope you'll teach me that sometime."

Siri unleashed a Force repulse, allowing herself to become free of Zolotoy's lightsabers. She went into a defensive stance, edging him on.

Going head on will present a challenge, thought Zolotoy. I'll have to play this carefully.

Zolotoy twirled his left lightsaber around and held it like a spear. He javelined it at Siri. As he did that, he ran at Siri, skidding next to her, slashing at her legs.

 

[Malon]

"Perhaps I will teach it to you." she replied.

Siri didn't have time to finish her thought. Zol was coming again. His left lightsaber was up, jabbing at her like a javelin. The second was coming from below. Siri crouched and angled her lightsaber at a vertical slant, catching his top lightsaber on her top blade and his bottom lightsaber on her bottom blade. With a twist of the handle, her lightsaber spun, freeing her yet again, only this time, she had an opening.

In the style of Soresu, Siri thrust a quick, tight jab straight for the center of her apprentice's abdomen.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy had hoped one of his lightsabers would reach Siri but both failed. His left lightsaber clattered to the floor behind Siri.

Siri went to attack Zolotoy's abdomen. Zolotoy quickly stabbed his right lightsaber into the ground at an angle to block Siri's attack. Calculating Siri's strength in the block, he would fail to block it by his own arm strength.

However, despite his failure came the fruitition of his plan. He telekinetically manipulated his lost lighsaber to spin behind Siri and fly at her from behind.

 

[Malon]

Siri knew the move all too well. Her master, Haar, had been renowned for his use of telekinetic lightsaber combat; even going so far as to develop his own style with it. In their years together, Siri herself had learn some forms of telekinetic saber combat, but she rarely used it at Haar's own insistence.

Not even bothering to move, Siri reached out with the Force, seizing the lightsaber out of the air and tossing it harmlessly to the side.

"That move would've worked were it not for my prior knowledge to that form of combat. Telekinetic lightsaber combat is nifty, but should only be used against an enemy who is both unfamiliar with it and whom you think you can overwhelm with it. The form has one major weakness; anyone with any control over the Force can simply yank the weapons out of the air or push them away harmlessly, leaving you open for attack." she explained, stepping back and switching her weapon off.

"You and I are very much alike, having similar lightsaber combat forms and Force powers. This I deduced from our match just now. Do you have any questions? If so please ask them before I lay out your training regime for the rest of the time you're with me."

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy turned off his lightsabers. He strapped both of them onto his belt.

"Telekinetic lightsaber combat, from what I've heard, is effective when you have a superior hold on the lightsaber," said Zolotoy. "Is there a way to tighten one's grip as to prevent such countermeasures such as what you did?"

While he was at it, he asked another question. "In curiousity, why does the Jedi Order not teach Force Lightning. It seems like it would be an effective move. It would disable or paralyze an opponent if used correctly. Droids, for the most part, would easily be defeated. It just seems like the Jedi Order is purposely trying to hide parts of the Force from us. By introducing us to the Dark Side, we have a better chance of avoiding the temptation of the Dark Side instead of letting our ignorance and arrogance make us susceptible to the Dark Side's lululaby."

 

[Malon]

Siri's face remained indifferent. She had once had a Padawan that asked similar questions.

"That is a dangerous thought. Using dark side abilities carry the taint of the dark side with them. That taint corrupts. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Even redeemed Jedi have a hard time fighting off their dark instincts. You will soon see that I am not afraid to expose my students to the dark side, so that they know its horror, but I refuse to teach them the dark arts." she replied firmly.

"Your example of using lightning to defeat droids is the common argument given by young Jedi. While it may certainly work that way, there are other ways that do the same thing. For example, the Force technique Disable Droid allows one to simply deactivate the droid's machine mechanisms, shutting it down. The same ability can also overload the circuits of a droid, destroying it completely.

"As to finding other ways to to strengthen your telekinetic lightsaber form, there is none. Learning when to use it is important. Its like this," Siri began holding her hands out to give a visual demonstration through gestures, "If you are locked in combat with a foe, your mind must be focused on that foe, lest you give him an opening. Using telekinesis to control a lightsaber splits your focus in two; half on the weapon and half on the opponent. As long as your attention is split, a foe that has any use of the Force can simply take your lightsaber out of the sky or bat it aside easily.

"To strengthen your grip on the saber, you have to devote more attention to it, and less on your opponent, so while they won't be able to take it from you, you're too focused on maintaining the technique, and leave yourself in a very bad position. Therefore, you should only use it when you are most likely to catch your foe off guard. Simply letting it fall behind them and then reactivate it is the oldest trick in the book, and very few beings with any kind of brains will fall for it, especially if, like me, they're familiar with the technique. If you catch that foe off guard, however, the technique becomes more effective." she explained.

"Is there anything else?"

 

[Dmitri]

Siri's arguement made sense. Same with her opinion on telekinetic lightsaber combat.

"Now, I heard there's an ability that can allow you to create an illusion of yourself," said Zolotoy. "Doppelganger, I think. Would we be able to go over it?"

 

[Malon]

Siri smiled. It was refreshing that there were still such open minds amongst the Jedi Padawans.

She nodded, "If you wish, I will go over that with you. However, I will not have the time to go over each and every Force technique you have interest in, unfortunately. Fortunately, though, there is another path. I will teach you as much as I can during our time together, but, in the event that I don't cover the aspects of the Force that you are interested in, simply consulting the holocrons in the archives will take care of that."

Siri let her words sink in, cleared her throat, and continued.

"Every morning, we will meet here right after lunch. However, I have a training regime that I want you to go through every morning. After you wake up and shower, you are to run ten laps around grand balcony, which is over by the Sacred Spire of the Temple. This will keep you agile and fit. Then, after breakfast, you are to go to the Lake level of the Temple and meditate for at least one hour. Don't even bother coming here to meet me if you haven't done these things. I know its strict, but it will get you into good habits that will serve you well in your years as a Jedi."

 

[Dmitri]

"Being fit is very good," agreed Zolotoy.

OOC: It's a filler post. Not sure what you're wanting and there's not much of an opening for Zolotoy.

 

[Malon]

OOC: Just to give him a chance for any more questions of comments he had.

With that, Siri nodded, pleased with the way the day's training had gone.

"Very well, you're dismissed for today." she said, bowing before leaving through the west entrance.

 

[Dmitri]

"I'll see you tomorrow," promised Zolotoy.

Zolotoy bowed and left. He walked to the Jedi Holocrons. He did a search on 'Doppelganger'. He found a file. For an hour, he read the document. Once he had finished, he decided to try. He imagined seeing himself, closing his eyes. When he opened his eyes, there was nothing.

What am I doing wrong?! wondered Zolotoy.

Zolotoy tried again. Again, another failure. Zolotoy scratched his head as he tried to figure out what was wrong.

What if I'm looking at this wrong? thought Zolotoy. I'm trying to make another copy of myself, but what if I'm to treat it as an extension of myself. Be the Doppelganger.

Zolotoy closed his eyes. He imagined himself being in front of himself. He closed his eyes. As he opened them, he was looking at an image of himself.

The doppelganger wasn't perfect. It was faded, like a ghost or hologram. The focus was bad, blurry.

Zolotoy discontinued the doppelganger and grinned. "Interesting."

 

[Malon]

Siri returned to her room after training with Zol. She was tired. Her daily activities had increased since she'd become a Master. Not only was she training Zol, but she was also aiding the other Masters in training the Younglings and, of course, she still had her own personal training regime to complete; she wasn't about to get lazy and out of touch with the Force.

She showered, washing the sweat she had accumulated during the earlier sparing match off of her body, and then dressed herself in the more traditional garb of a Jedi Master; brown robes, a tan tunic underneath and matching pants, a brown utility belt, and brown boots.

She spent an hour practicing the forms of Djem So and Soresu, her two preferred forms. Then she meditated for the remainder of the evening. After eating a small dinner, Siri easily slipped into sleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for her, and her new apprentice.

He had much to learn, and she had much to teach.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy woke up the next morning. As Siri suggested, he exercised. After showering, he made his way to the room.

A mischevious grin spread across his face. I wonder if she'll notice my illusion, he thought.

Zolotoy used Doppelganger to create an illusion of himself. He had the doppelganger enter the room.

 

[Malon]

Siri was awaiting her student in the room, just as she'd told him. When "Zol" walked in, she initially perceived it to be him, however, something was amiss. Usually, Force dopplegangers were flawless. They could be detected by droids, interact with the environment, and appeared real in every way. However, to a trained Jedi, there was a difference. A void in the Force. Not only that, but Siri had known that Zol had visited the Archives last night, so she had assumed he'd show off his ability soon.

"I see you've learned a new trick. That means you must've done your homework." Siri chuckled, turning to face the copy. "While you're demonstrating your technique, why don't go ahead and explain to me its workings. What you learned from the lessons the holocron taught you on this technique."

 

[Dmitri]

The real Zolotoy entered the room. He walked over to his doppelganger.

"I learned that Doppelganger is not a copy of yourself..." started Zolotoy.

"...But rather an extension of yourself," finished the doppelganger.

 

[Malon]

Siri crossed her arms and nodded, satisfied with that answer.

"Good. Then you've already begun to put the knowledge you've gained to use. This is the first step to learning the mysteries of the Force. Today I will be teaching you about the dangers of the dark side, as well as instilling the values of the Nine Tenets in you. To do this, we will be leaving the Temple and traveling over to the Galactic Senate building. Along the way, I will explain a few things to you and ask you some questions. Once we reach the Senate, I will go over the Nine Tenets with you. Why we're visiting the Senate will become apparent when we arrive." she explained. "Do you have any questions?"

 

[Dmitri]

"I do not," replied Zolotoy.

Zolotoy followed after Siri.


OOC: A bit of a filler post but oh well

 

[Malon]

Siri escorted Zol to a transport vessel awaiting them on the landing pad of the Temple. As the ship took off, veering into a traffic lane headed for the Senate, Siri began talking.

"While we're on this transport, we will talk about the nature of the dark side. Tell me what you think the dark side is, why you believe it corrupts, and why the Jedi are to stay clear of it." she commanded.

 

[Dmitri]

"The Dark Side is the personification of the darker side of things," answered Zolotoy. "Greed. Betrayal. Ambition. Jealousy. All are affected and elevated by the Dark Side."

Zolotoy glanced outside the window. "The Jedi Order has been a symbol of peace. How can one be a non-biased peacekeeper if they're focused on their own ambitions."

 

[Malon]

Siri nodded knowingly, "You're correct." she replied.

"Furthermore, the dark side is the quick way out of things. You want power? With the dark side, you can have it right then and there, but at the cost of something precious. A dark sider's power taxes their body until it eventually withers away. They are controlled by their emotions instead of being the one in control, like those who walk in the light. Always beware the dark taints in things. If it appears to be the easy way out, then it might be the temptation of the dark side."

As she finished, the ship arrived at the Senate building. The two Jedi stepped out of the transport and walked into the halls of the Senate. Politicians walked by them on all sides, not noticing their presence. It was common for Jedi to visit the Senate.

"Tell me what you know of our Nine Tenets."