Chapter 33: Trials Of Knighthood Episode I
[Jedi Temple, Coruscant, Galactic City]
(Van: POV)
Standing in the chambers of the Jedi High Council, Dooku stood by my side.
The members of the high council seated around us in their chairs.
[Insert Image of Jedi High Council Here]
Looking around I saw familiar and friendly faces like master's Koth and Gallia.
But on the same track I also saw unfriendly faces like master's Piell and Jedi master and council member Saesee Tiin.
[Insert Image of Saesee Tiin Here]
Who is the very definition of an introvert, given how others within the order have treated the Iktotchi given his abnormally high telepathic abilities. Yet despite this the man is still loyal to the order to a fault.
A shame.
Well anyway.
Master Yoda moved his gaze between Dooku and I.
"Ready for the trials of Knighthood, you think your Padawan is, Dooku?" Yoda asked.
For that is the reason Dooku and I are in this room right now.
Which I will admit makes me feel a little bit intimidated.
Man, the fact Qui-Gon defies this group all the time tells me just how big the balls on that man are. It also emphasizes to me why I need him on my side. So just like Dooku and Sifo-Dyas his fate is getting changed.
"I do." Dooku replied without a hint of hesitation. "I know my apprentice is younger than most who attempt the trial's, but I believe he is ready."
"Mhm." Yoda mused. He then looked at me. "Padawan Sunrider, believe yourself ready to face the trials of Knighthood do you? Ready to take up the mantle of Jedi Knight you are?"
"I do master Yoda." I replied without hesitation.
Not just because I want to reach the rank of knighthood before the Naboo Crisis next year. But because I truly believe I am ready to be a knight.
"I see. Then the trials of knighthood you shall undergo, Padawan Sunrider. Pass and a Jedi knight you shall be." Yoda told me.
The council then set the date for my trials to begin two days later.
Once they did Dooku and I left the high council chamber.
A few moments after we did so we ran into my childhood friends.
All of whom have matured just like me.
Marcellus has stopped looking like a femboy and has become an extremely handsome man. Which I am secure enough in my manhood to admit.
[Image of Marcellus Antilles Here]
Not to mention he went through a growth spurt like me and now stands at 1.87 meters in height.
Nahdar and Kento look handsome as well.
Oh and Kento finally got himself a master and became a Padawan.
As for who his master is, it's Rannik Solusar.
The father of Kam Solusar.
A Jedi from Luke Skywalker's New Jedi Order, and a member of their High Council in the EU/Legends. Which I will always consider canon, instead of the travesty Disney created.
I mean they killed it with Star Wars: Rebels.
But for pretty much everything else, especially episodes 7-9 where they did Luke Skywalker dirty, I will never forgive them.
Now back to what I was saying.
The girls have matured and certain "areas" of their bodies have become much more pronounced. If you get my meaning.
Yeah, all of them are now super hot.
[Image of Yennali Fonemys]
[Image of Serra Keto]
[Image of Aayla Secura]
And with me being a teenage body again will all those raging hormones that come with it, my life isn't the easiest. Disregarding everything else.
"I will take my leave." Dooku said, after seeing my friends.
He then walked off.
While he did I walked up to my friends.
"So Van, what did they say?" Serra asked me.
"Master Yoda and the rest of the council agreed to let me take the trials." I spoke.
"Congratulations. And good luck." Marcellus said.
"Thanks Marcellus. The same goes for the rest of you as well." I told them.
"When do your trials begin Van?" Yennali asked me.
"In two days." I spoke.
In two days I will begin facing the tests that will allow me to become a Jedi knight.
I truly can't wait.
---------------------------------
Two days came and went in the blink of an eye.
The day of my trials, arriving.
Finding myself standing in the Jedi Trial Chambers I faced half the current high council.
Master's Yoda, Windu, Yaddle, Koth, Piell, and finally Poof.
"Padawan Van Sunrider, you are here today to take the trials of Knighthood." Master Windu spoke. "These trials are not for the faint of heart. It will test all your skills, and push you past your limits. However if you should succeed in them, then you will be named a knight of the Jedi Order. But I ask you once more, are you truly prepared?"
"I am." I replied.
"Then begin the trials, we shall." Yoda spoke. He then tapped the end of his cane on the ground. "The Trial of skill you will face first, Padawan Sunrider. Outlast the attacks of master Koth for ten minutes you must. No other abilties but your skills with a lightsaber you will use." He explained.
Master Koth stepping forward, and unclipping his lightsaber from his belt. Activating it after he did.
"If your lightsaber is knocked from your hands, or you fall to the ground even once, then you fail this trial." Master Koth told me.
"I understand." I replied. I then took a deep breathe and exhaled.
After I did I drew my own lightsaber from my belt and activated it. I then took the opening stance for form II.
Since while I have learned all the lightsaber forms over the years, except form VII, Makashi is the one I have the highest proficiency with at the moment. Not to mention this is the perfect situation to use it in. So I hope it doesn't let me down.
Otherwise all those long hours of training I did will mean nothing.
Seeing me take my opening stance Koth did the same. Going for Form V.
Which just so happens to be the form I have the second highest proficiency in.
I hope that gives me an edge.
"Begin!" Master Yoda shouted.
The second after he did so Koth crossed the distance and struck at me with a powerful Falling Avalanche.
Realizing I had no time to dodge I raised up my blade and caught the attack. Bracing my knees so that I wouldn't fall on my ass. For Koth put a lot of power behind that attack just now.
Pressing his attack Koth pushed his blade down.
Not wanting to let him set the pace I jumped back, breaking our clash.
But the moment after I did so Koth came at me, launching a stream of attacks.
Though this time I was able to either parry or dodge.
Dodging another slash I jabbed the tip of my saber through an opening I saw in Koth's defenses.
Noticing this he moved his blade to block my attack.
As he did so we pushed against each other for several seconds before breaking our clash.
Deciding I wanted to take the lead for the next round I rushed forward and began sending out precise jab's at Koth.
Moving his blade he deflected them.
Though as he did I could see he was looking for openings.
Subtly giving Koth a fake opening I waited for him to go after it. When he did by aiming a slash at me from that position.
Expecting it too come I used Makashi Riposte to send the tip of Koth's blade into the ground.
I then moved into slash him.
Though showing he truly deserved the title of master Koth managed to dodge the full brunt of my attack at the last second.
But he didn't manage to dodge it entirely.
I managed to make a small cut on his forearm, which is also his lightsaber handling arm.
Giving me first blood.
Stepping back master Koth didn't even flinch from the wound I inflicted on him.
But given his speciality in being able to handle huge amounts of pain this didn't shock me.
However I did notice some of the other masters present were a bit shocked.
Namely Piell and Poof.
Putting a bit of a smirk on my face at their reactions I prepared for another clash as Koth charged at me. Coming in for another round of attacks.
Using all the lightsaber skills and experience I had accumulated so far I fought against Koth with all I had.
Our blades clashing over and over again.
Each of us managing to do minor damage to each other, in the form of cuts, but neither of us being able to land a decisive blow on the other.
And despite the fact this was a trial I found myself having an incredible amount of fun.
I couldn't stop a smile from forming on my face.
Master Koth even put one on his own.
The two of us both enjoying ourselves.
But like they say: All goods things must end.
"Enough that is." Yoda spoke.
When he did both master Moth and I stopped our duel and lowered our blades.
We then deactivated our lightsabers.
"Pass the first test you have Padawan Sunrider." Yoda spoke.
"Thank you master Yoda." I told him.
One down, only a few left to go.