Star Wars: The Lost Episode

Entry 6

After successfully constructing my lightsaber, I learned the lightsaber forms.

Nycomé started my lightsaber training with a lot of Shii-cho. I learned the form very easily and I was great at simple zoning and guarding. Form I also relied heavily on random strikes to catch the opponent off guard. Blast deflection training was difficult at first, but I got the hang of it. Out of all the techniques, I took a liking to the disarming slash.

After weeks of practice in form I, confidence in battle flourished. Nycomé saw this in me, and tried to instruct me. "Vector, you show great aggression in your strikes. But that's not what I'm teaching you this form for."

"So, what's it for them?" I inquired.

"Form I is useful for multiple opponents and in blast deflection. I teach you this form because the only reason you would have to use a lightsaber would be in self-defense in a mob attack. Otherwise you should never reveal yourself to have a lightsaber. While some Force sensitives my carry one, they aren't trained like you are. With only three weeks of training you could probably take almost any common force sensitive with a lightsaber. There is no need for your level of aggression."

I agreed, although remained defiant in practice. The way I looked at it, the second I pull out a lightsaber is the second I'll need to kill any who desire to hurt me. I guess she sensed this in me, or saw my defiance outright. Lightsaber training slowed down and Force training took its place. I learned force valor and augmentation, which I took a deep liking to. I used my super-human strength and agility to aid my assaults. Nycomé saw this in me.

"Still my young padawan," she began, "You show aggression where none is needed." I glared over and gave a defiant look. Nycomé made me practice vigorously every day in Force abilities, which I only used a few augmentations and force lightning every once in a while. These new techniques she instructed me in wasn't my go to battle moves.

Although I became defiant in to my master, Nycomé couldn't deny that I had mastered the ropes of Form I. I was able to break her down one day. I woke up early one morning.

"So," I yawned as I stretched awake, "what's for today."

My master was just outside the cave we retreated to for weeks on end for training. Without warning, she lunged at me with her lightsaber. Panicked, I used force pull to grab my lightsaber. I ignited my blade and crossed it with my master's. My high guard and poster left little room for me to work my way up. I used a force push to get her out from over me. She stubbled back and I rose to my feet with my blade facing toward her with a two handed grip. I realized that she was in the middle of the opening of the cave and had more movement room. I quickly formulated a plan. I turned and ran deeper into the cave. My master followed me just as I expected. I slashed stalagmites to my sides and kept running. She jumped over them with ease. I stopped running and resumed my formal guard. She slowed down and met my guard with her own high guard, blade pointed downward.

"Is that all?" my master questioned playfully.

"Not even close," I said with a smirk. I used force pull on the severed stalagmites and they were going straight for Nycomé. I hit the floor to dodge any that would miss.
Nycomé was struck by the side and stumbled. I went on the offensive. Nycomé went into a defensive position, trying to regain footing as she defended. I saw an opening and used the disarming slash to separate my master from her weapon. I used force pull immediately on her feet and she fell to the ground. I towered over her and held my blade to her throat.

"Seems you have been bested, my master," I smirked. Nycomé said nothing, only smiled. Suddenly I felt emotion in the Force. I turned my head to see my masters lightsaber floating in the air, and slashing before me. I was over whelmed and went into a total defense. She worked her way around my defense, knocked my lightsaber from my hand, and force slammed into the wall. I was confused and disoriented, but I could make out Nycomé extending her hand. The cave stalactites over my head began to shake and I formed a force shield over my head. Nycomé rained down the rocks and I used all my strength to try to repel them. We struggled for a while and then my shield gave out. I shielded my eyes and waited for pain, but it never came.

I opened my eyes and saw the stalactites next to me. My master nodded her head, "Good. You've lasted longer than I expected you to. The use of the stalagmites was pure genius, and if this was a battle to the death you would have killed me." I gave a smile.

"Well," she began, "If I wasn't holding back so much."

We walked out and had breakfast. While we were eating, I asked her about the form she was using in the battle.

"What was the form you were using?" I inquired. "I haven't seen one like that before."

"It is the sixth form, Niman," my mastered answered, "It is founded upon the principles of moderation. It takes little practice to be good with Niman. Thus it is dubbed the 'diplomats' form. And it is the next form you will learn."

The next weeks were hard. Shii-cho and Niman both are similar in theory, both being simple in learning. However, I ran into the same problems I had with Shii-cho. I was too aggressive in my practice, being left open in defense, and forgetting a main feature of Niman training. While stringing Force based attacks with lightsaber sequences is normal for me, I am more naturally inclined to use my blade in reflex. I feel shameful, because I know I failed at Niman in practice, because my philosophy in battle is different. My progress in Niman slowed to a halt. Nycomé sat me down one day after practice.

"Vector," she began, "In you I see a great Jedi ready to come out. But--"

"But I'm a failure," I cut her off.

"But I'm holding you back."

I was confused. "Holding...me back?"

"Ever since I layed eyes on you I knew I was going to train you, but I denied my feelings. And I also knew that you would have great destiny in the Force. I saw in your eyes what I saw in my old padawan' eyes: a warrior. I wanted to deny such things."

"But, why?"

"I was scared you would share his fate. That you would die fighting a battle you couldn't win. I'm far older than you believe, my padawan. I have seen war. I wished to escape it, so I fled here. For over 2,000 years the Force has sustained my body, and as long as this planet is strong in the force, I shall live still."

"T-two thousand years!" I stammered in shock. "That means you--"

"Fought in the Clone Wars? Yes."

I looked at my master in amazement. "But how did you..."

"A combination of both the light side and dark side of the force can sustain me. This planet, it is thick in the force. As long as I stay here I can remain young and youthful, like in the war. But it comes at a price. I am not allowed to leave this place, for when I do, I will die."

"You...were alive during the Great Jedi Purge."

"I was. My pupil, Daxel Owyn, wasn't so lucky. He was at the temple the day of the purge. He was badly injured in a previous mission and still recovering. When Vader attacked the Temple, he gave his life to save all the younglings. There are rumors some survived that massacre, but Vader hunted them all down." She took a minute to gather herself. She turned to me, "You resemble him a lot. The urge to help the innocent. The eyes of a warrior. A heart of pure gold. I was afraid that teaching you like I taught him would end in your demise. If I die, you are the last of the Jedi. If you die our way dies. That's why I wanted you to stay hidden. To train others as I have trained you. To allow our order to repair itself. But I see that my path isn't yours."

She looked me intently in my eyes. "Vector," she started, "I will train you as a Jedi Guardian."