Meditation [Jace and Jerek/Open]

Jarael had been standing alone in the spacious sparring room. He watched the Younglings spar. His Padawan braid laid on his shoulder. He looked down at the training saber strapped to his brown belt. He had yet been able to construct his own lightsaber. He was a bit depressed about that. Jarael ahd his arms crossed. He didn't wear his brown cloak indoors, only his Padawan robes.

The sun cascaded through the room, lighting it so those inside could see to spar. He was watching two younglings going at it, when he was approached by an older Padawan. He had sensed him before he saw him. Jayden Storm stepped up and asked Jarael to spar. Jarael turned to the taller, older Padawan to answer. "Yes, I'll spar with you. I'll say this now though, I've only a training saber." These words embarassed him a little.

Jarael waited for Jayden to reply to his statement, hoping it wouldn't drive his request into the dirt.

Jayden laughed quietly, amused by Jarael's obvious embarrassment. Of course he wouldn't use a real lightsaber against a training-saber. He would just have to borrow one of his own. Walking over to a nearby wall, Jayden grabbed a training-saber from one of the racks, twirling it around in his hand to test out its weight and size. It wasn't what he was used to, but at least he knew it wouldn't kill Jarael. Making his way back towards the young Padawan, Jayden stood in front of him, bringing up his new training-saber in a defensive position in front of his face. "I'll just have to improsive then, won't I?"

He wouldn't be able to push himself like he usually could, not when using an unfamiliar lightsaber, and not when dueling a younger, less experienced Padawan. It wouldn't be fair. But he could at least use this fight to work on his lightsaber forms. He still needed to master his Shii-Cho form and work on the other three that he had learned. This could be the perfect opportunity to hone his skills. "It's your move."

In one swift movement, Jayden raised his training-saber, bringing it up to point it at Jarael, extending his left hand in front of him like he had been taught by his old master. This was his favorite position in which to start a duel. Closing his eyes briefly, Jayden called upon the Force, feeling it move around him. His skin crawled; a tingling sensation that Jayden was very familiar with. It thrilled him, exhilerated him. He was ready for the fight to commence.

Jarael watched as Jayden extracted a training saber from a rack against the wall. Jarael unclipped his own as Jayden returned. Jarael opened himself to the force as Jayden dropped into his own stance. Jarael gripped his saber with both hands, then ignited it. The crystaline-blue blade came out of the handle with a vrmm. Jarael could sense Jayden's thoughts of an unfamiliar saber and not going all out against Jarael.

He shouldn't underestimate Jarael. Young though he may be, Jarael had mastered the Lightsaber form of Shii-Cho. Jrael bent his legs, still gripping the saber. He closed his eyes, allowing the Force to cintinue to wash over and through him. He opened his eyes to make his first move. He made a harsh swipe for Jayden's legs. The saber's blade went through the air with a whoosh.

Jayden sensed the boy's move before it happened, and he brought his saber down in a clean swipe to block his opponent's blade. Their training-sabers now having met, Jayden stepped forward, dealing a few strong blows towards Jarael's chest, his blue blade slashing through the air in a flurry of light and sound. He soon surrendered himself to the will of the Force, dancing along with his new lightsaber as if it were his own. He would do his best to win this battle and gain somewhat of a reputation in the sparring room.

His moves were without fault - it surprised him. Jayden would have thought it would have been difficult to fight with a lightsaber that was not his own, but he quickly found that he wasn't even holding back. The duel was actually starting to get competitive, exciting. Jayden went all out on the young Padawan. After having all of his slashes and swings met, Jayden spun about on his feet, finishing his maneuver with a strong, downward swing towards Jarael's head.

Jarael matched the older Padawan's blows, surprisingly well. He too was allowing the Force to guide his movments. The sabers struck each other, making short sparking sounds, and even emmitating sparks. Jarael continued his bloacks to Jayden's blows, then Jayden brought his saber down at Jarael's head.

Knowing he'd never be able to hold the force of it, Jarael manipulated the Force into his legs and rolled to the left, coming right back up to his feet almost instantly. He was now a few feet away from Jayden. He gathered the force inot his legs again, then jumped for Jayden. He did a flip in midair to land in behind Jayden. Jarael slashed his lightsaber for Jayden's back.

Jayden was amazed when the younger boy actually managed to dodge his blow, rolling away from him, and flying at him from behind. Jayden, acting on impulse, spun around to counter Jarael's blow, but only barely. The force of the attack was surprisingly strong for one so small. "Good job!" Jayden exclaimed, pushing back on Jarael's blade so that he could get a good slash at him. He decided to test his force abilites by jumping up in the air, twisting around, and landing behind Jarael, just as the boy had done to him moment's before. He landed on both feet sucessfully, which was good, and brought his blade down in a slash towards the Padawan's feet.

Thinking that Jarael would most likely jump over his training-saber, Jayden immediately brought his blade upwards. If it were a sucessfully move with a real lightsaber, it would cut the boy clean in half. His old master had taught him that one. "Try dodging that," he thought to himself with a grin, allowing the Force to guide his hand.

A hint of a smirk crossed Jarael's face as the older Padawan exclaimed his comment. Jarael was taken aback as Jayden propelled himself over Jarael's head. Jarael was about to spin around and block any blow, when Jayden swung at him with intence speed, then change his attack direction with even more speed.

Jarael thought fast. He quickly gathered the Forc ein his legs. He pushed off with one foot, propelling himself off to the right. He looked back at the dumbfounded Padawan. As Jarael neared the wall, he brought his feet up, once again gathering the Force. He pushed off of the wall as soon as he reached it.

He went flying torward Jayden once more. He landed to Jayden's left, after slowing his decent witht he Force, as to not hurt himself. Then, Jarael charged at Jayden, using the force to augment his movements. He reached Jayden quickly, but at the alst possible moment, he side-stepped to the left and brought his lightsaber down to Jayden's neck, fast and hard.

The fight was becoming quite the display. Many younglings gathered around the two duelists, staring in awe as Jarael propelled himself off the wall, launching himself at Jayden. It was quite an amazing spectacle. And, as soon as Jayden could even think, Jarael landed to his left and charged at him, using the Force to speed up his movements. Jayden took a deep breath, raising his training-saber in front of his face to protect himself. It would be hard to dodge or block the boy's next attack, but he would have to think of something.

The ring of inspired younglings that had gathered around the duelists gasped when Jarael side-stepped, swinging himself around Jayden to aim an attack at his opponent's neck. Jayden couldn't react swift enough, not even when relying upon the Force, and he brought up his training-saber behind him in a clumsy attempt at a block. Jarael's swing was so powerful, it easily knocked Jayden's saber aside, catching the young man in the side of the neck. It hadn't hit him full-force, but it stung horribly, and it would have been a fatal blow if the two had been using real lightsabers.

Gasping, Jayden raised his hand, signalling for a time-out, and rubbed the back of his neck, panting. He was drenched in sweat, his arms were sore from blocking and swinging, and his feet dragged as he walked. But he still wouldn't give up. Waving his hand, Jayden signalled that he was ready to begin again, and he raised his training-saber again, waiting for Jarael's next move. "You won't catch me off-guard again," he said aloud, smiling. The boy was good; he had to admit that much. But this time Jayden would use a more aggressive lightsaber form - Ataru. Jarael probably wasn't as familiar with that form of combat.

(I still can't believe such an abomination as a 13 year old who has mastered Shii-cho was approved *grumble grumble*)

Jace was glad to get out of the council chambers and stretch his legs. He still hadn't gotten used to sitting in a chair for long durations, even after all these years on the council. Jace had lately taken to walking around the temple, especially to where younglings and padawans trained. His new found enjoyment of teaching, played a large part in why he began to do this recently.

Jace heard some commotion as he was nearing the training areas which the young ones used. He knew it wasn't anything dangerous, so he quietly made his way to the room where the noise was coming from. Rather than enter the room, he stood outside the doorway, keeping his presence to a minimum. What he saw were two young males sparring, and rather well at that.

Jace was intrigued, for when he looked at the older boy, something in Force seemed to nudge him. He had not received this type of signal from the Force since he took on young Kel Dor padawan years ago. He watched as the training sabers flashed back and forth; how others watched in amazement. Jace could also see something in the older boys movements that translated to loss and pain.

This is quite an interesting match....

He remained quiet though, he didn't want his presence to affect the outcome of this duel. All too many times he had seen Jedi go overboard or lose their confidence while trying to impress older Jedi.

Jarael didn't smirk, he didn't smile. He bowed as his odler opponent called a time-out. It was unbelieveable what Jarael had just done. Though his breathing was heavy, Jarael didn't bend over, or show that his arms were sore as well. He also had sweat on him. He brushed his braid aside to lay on the back of his shoulder rather than the front.

He deactivated his saber, watching Jayden. When Jayden called upon the next round, Jarael thumbed his saber's ignition switch. He watched as Jayden dropped into the Ataru stance. Jarael ahd never trained into this form. This could prove troublesome for him. He dropped into his stance, however.

He then swung for Jayden's ankles, but stopped his blwo halfway through to make his saber flourish upward, then redirect for a blow torward Jayden's right shoulder.

When Jarael ignited his saber, Jayden was ready for him. And when the boy stepped forward and swung at him, Jayden still waited. He knew that the younger Padawan would probably try another fancy maneuver. Closing his eyes, relying on the Force to guide him, Jayden allowed his hand to be led upwards instead of towards his ankles, thus blocking Jarael's attempt at a trick. For some reason, the Force had felt stronger than it had been only moments ago, like it was closer to him than it ever had been before, and he had no idea why. It thrilled him. Pushing Jarael's training-saber back, Jayden brought up his own blue blade in a strong, powerful upwards slice.

And then he fell into the dance once more, swinging his saber to-and-fro, just as he had been instructed by his master. The Ataru form really was a beautiful thing to witness. Blue clashed against blue, the fake sabers immitating the wonder of a true lightsaber. This time around, Jayden relied on his strength to win the battle. He could not use his speed and cunning against and even swifter opponent. His swings were heavy; they would be very difficult to block. By using this form, Jayden hoped to tire Jarael out to win the fight. Surely he would suceed.

To finish his move, Jayden brought his training-saber up one last time, aiming for Jarael's right shoulder. He put as much force as he could muster into the swing, crying out as he did so. Only by sheer luck could Jarael hope to dodge it, and he most certainly would fail at blocking it.

The audience of younglings cheered, amazed by the sudden ferocity in the two Padawans' fighting. They had never before witnessed such a duel.

Jarael held back his emotion, held back his shock at Jayden's skill. Well, he wasn't shocked, considering Jayden's age advantage. Jarael didn't scowl as Jayden blocked his blow. He continued to dance alogn with Jayden, blocking and striking. The two Padawans were merely conductors the Force manifested through. The Force controled their movements, as the Padawans coudl control the Force's movements. It was a symiotic circle. Equality.

Jarael was abrely holding up against Jayden's strength, hoping to use his speed to get by the wall of strength. The Force guided Jarael's movements, helping him block Jayden's strikes. Then, came the ferocious blow from Jayden. He cried out into the sparring room. For a pslit second it fell silent.

Jarael had no hope of dodging, and he couldn't possible block. He wouldn't give up though. He summoned the Force as strong and as fast as he could into his arms. He brought his lightsaber over his head to a vertical defense position next to his right shoulder. He didn't even watch to see if his attempt at blocking had worked.

[Let's get this over with, K? ]

Jarael surprised Jayden even more when he raised his training-saber in an attempt at a block. His move was impressive, even though it failed, and Jayden found himself holding his weapon at Jarael's neck. He had won the second round. "Nice try," said Jayden, the hint of a smile on his lips. The fight had really roused his spirits; Jarael was a brilliant duelest for his age. He had bested Jayden in Shii-Cho, but Jayden had won in the end by using Ataru, and he was quite proud of himself. "Are you alright?" he asked, putting his training-saber back on the rack. Jayden himself was very tired; he was covered in sweat, breathing heavily, and sore, but he wouldn't let any of that show in his walk.

As he turned back to Jarael after having put his weapon away, Jayden noticed Master Jace, the Battlemaster, standing in the doorway, watching him. He hadn't noticed the Jedi Master before. Jayden nodded to him, bowing politely, saying, "Hello, Master," before facing Jarael once more.

Jace watched quietly as the duel ensued, and Jayden switched over to a more aggressive form, which he recognized as Ataru. It was sloppy but Jace knew that was only because the young one wasn't advanced in it. He remained silent even as the duel seem to have ended, a faint smile touched his lips.

This does bring back memories of days long gone. Master had always encouraged me to train with others to further my skill.

There is no way to truly improve without gaining experience from true battle. Jace had a good deal of experience, more than he would care to admit. His days as a shadow had him fighting for his life daily, and not just with a lightsaber. It was a battle of the mind, of the will, of his self.

The older one had finally noticed him, breaking Jace out of his reverie. He inclined his head slightly acknowledging the welcome and the duel.

"That was quite the duel young ones. You both seem to have much skill at such young ages. You both look quite tired, some fresh air in the courtyard might do you well, come" he stated with a smile as he turned around and exited the training room.

Jarael prepared himself for the sting of a training saber. It didn't come, however. He let out a deep breathe he didn't know he'd been holding. He deactivated the saber in his hand and strapped it onto his belt. He gave a small grin to Jayden, saying "Good job, yourself." He burshed his barid back onto the back of his shoulder again. He sensed a Jedi mMaster nearby. He had not sensed the master while dueling.

He had been too concentrated on his opponent. He turned to see Master Jace Beleron. He bowed to him out of respect. Jarael spoke after Jayden. "Greetings, Master Bleron." He lsitened as Master Beleron invited the two Padawans to the courtyard. Jarael had a feeling he'd be intruding if he went; he also knew it was only out of politeness that Master Beleron had invited him.

It was Jayden he wished to speak with. Jarael was always overlooked. He didn't allow his emotions to get the better of him. A Jedi couldn't allow it. It led to the Dark Side. Jarael looked up at the Jedi Master. "Thank you, Master, but I believe i'll either go study in the archives or meditate." Jarael bowed, excusing himself, then walked otu of the training room.

Jayden nodded once more to Jarael, smiling gently. "I hope to see you again soon." Perhaps they could have a rematch sometime; the younger Padawan had definitely been a difficult opponent. The fight had only made him stronger. But now he had other things on his mind. The Master had requested his presence in the courtyard. Did he really want to talk with him? Had he really thought the fight that impressive? "Thank you, Master," said Jayden, bowing again and following him out the door to the courtyard.

Usually when a Jedi Master requested the presence of a youngling or Padawan, it was to point out some mistake, teach them a lesson, or give them some advice. He couldn't get his hopes too high, only to have them dashed, so Jayden didn't think about what the master wanted. His only care was to catch a breath of fresh air outside in the Courtyard and have a nice chat.

Jace did not say a word as they walked through the hallways. He watched as other Jedi walked by, or milled around and interacted with others. There was always something going on in the Temple, yet he feared it may not be so for much longer. It took them a few minutes to reach the courtyard of the Temple; he inhaled deeply to take in the fresh air.

"Jayden was it? I heard about your Master, I am sorry for your loss" he said finally breaking the silence. He remained silent for a few moments before continuing.

"Have you given thought of what will happen to you now? have you decided what you want to do?" said Jace in a soft voice, which hinted at his concern for the young one.

The loss of a master was not easy for any student, but it happened, Jace knew that all too well. Many tended to submit to grief and leave the Order. Others took a more dangerous path, and slowly but surely fell to the darkside. There were others though, others who pushed on. They took their loss, accepted it, and became stronger because of it.

Jace wondered which type Jayden was....

When the two reached the courtyard, Jayden stretched his limbs, inhaling the fresh air deeply. Now that he thought about, he was worn out, and he the break in his training was a welcome one. When the master mentioned Jayden's old master, the young man frowned, a look of pain contorting his features. The death had been a recent one; Jayden would never get over it, but he couldn't let it haunt him for the rest of his life. He had to think positive thoughts. His master had transformed into the Force, and he was much better off now than he had been before. That calmed him down a bit.

Concern showed in Master Jace's voice, concern that Jayden hadn't heard before. When the other Jedi at the temple had heard of his master's death, they had been saddened by his loss, but they hadn't actually cared to help him. That touched Jayden deeply.

"My master's death was very difficult to accept, and I'm still not completely healed, but I will not let it affect my training. I will be a Jedi Knight," said Jayden assuredly, raising his gaze to meet Jace's.