36 Chapter 35: Trials of Knighthood Episode III
Ignoring the aching all across my body I entered the Jedi Trial Chamber.
It took me an entire day to recover from my battle against simulacrum Exar Kun.
But it was well worth it.
For not only did I pass two trials instead of one, but I also gained valuable experience on where I can improve myself.
So the pain I feel is well worth what I gained.
Coming to stand in front of the masters who were in charge of my trials once more I watched as master Yaddle stepped forward.
"Greetings Padawan Sunrider, today you will faced the Trial of the Spirit and I shall be your guide." Yaddle explained to me.
"I understand master. And I appreciate you guiding me through this trial." I told her.
"Think nothing of it. It is the duty of the old to help guide the young after all." Yaddle spoke.
She then walked over to me.
Once she did the two of us went to the center of the Trial Chamber and took up meditative poses.
After doing to I opened myself up to the Force and began looking deep within.
Going farther into a meditative trance than I had never had before.
Before I knew it I was somewhere else.
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Opening my eyes I found myself in a pure black space, standing in a silver circular platform.
Looking around I tried to understand what was happening, until suddenly a figure appeared before me in a bright flash of light.
It was myself.
A perfect copy of me.
"So, my trial of the Spirit is literally fighting myself?" I asked...well myself.
"In a sense." My copy replied. "We're not going to fight in the regular sense, but with words." He told me.
"Alright, so where do we begin?" I asked.
"How about wirh your plans for the future." He spoke.
"What about them?" I asked.
"You realize they will lead to the deaths of many others, don't you?" My copy asked.
"Yes, I do." I replied.
"Yet you're still moving forward with them."
"Since you're me you know why I have too." I replied.
"You really don't." He retorted. "We both know there are many different ways you could save the current order, the Republic, and the galaxy from the Sith Grand Plan without breaking away from the current mold."
"Sure, I know I could do that. But even if I did the core of the problems that allowed the situation we are in now would still be around. A corrupt Republic, and a misguided Jedi Order. One who thinks taking children away from their families, teaching their members to be robots and suppress their emotions, and staying tied to the Senate is the right way to go about things. It's not, and I will not live like that." I spoke passionately.
"Then dont." My other self said. "Go your own way. But don't drag your friends, the people you care about into your own shit."
"I won't abandon them." I replied.
"So you're truly okay with having them following you down the path you have chosen? Even knowing you could be leading them to their deaths?" My other self asked me.
"Yes." I replied. "For since they have already placed their trust in me then I cannot back down now." I spoke. "Honestly I know what I'm doing will lead to a loss of life. But if it makes the galaxy a better place in the long run, then I am willing to accept the price."
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
"Really, quoting Mr. Spock?" I asked copy.
He shrugged. "It seemed appropriate for the situation."
"Well you're not wrong." I admitted.
"Thanks." My copy replied. "And remember, don't try to do everything on your own. Rely on your friends, trust in your instincts, and you will thrive." He told me.
"Thank you." I replied.
"You're welcome." My copy spoke. "Now get back out there and walk your path. Letting no one stop you."
"I will." I said.
My copy and I then smiled at the same time.
He was then engulfed in a bright light and so was I.
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Opening my eyes I found myself back in the Jedi Trial Chambers.
A new sense of peace inside of me.
The trial of Spirit just having helped me deal with some doubts and insecurities I have been having for a while now.
Looking at me master Yaddle smiled. "I sense a new calmness in you young Sunrider." She said.
"Yes master Yaddle." I replied.
"Then I pronounce you have passed the Trial of the Spirit." She said.
Once she did the two of us stood to our feet.
We then walked back over to the other masters, where Yaddle rejoined them.
After she did Yoda stepped forward.
"Passed the trials you have. Showed the qualities of a Jedi Knight you did. Proclaim you a knight of the Jedi Order I do." Master Yoda said.
He then brought out his lightsaber and ignited it.
The order masters present doing the same.
"Bow." Yoda told me.
So I got down on one knee in front of him.
He then quickly placed the tip of his lightsaber above both of my shoulders.
"Padawan no longer you are. Now the rank of Jedi Knight you posses, Van Sunrider." Yoda told me.
"Thank you master." I said.
Standing to me feet after I did.
I then grabbed the piece of my hair I had made into a Padawan braid and used my lightsaber to sever it.
For as a fully fledged Jedi Knight I no longer needed to wear it.
Boy, this feels good.
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After the lighting ceremony concluded the masters and I left the Jedi Trial Chamber.
Then I went ro share the news of my knighthood with close closest to me.
The first being Dooku and Komari, the latter of whom I have come to see as a big sister.
After them I went to find each of my friends and tell them the news personally.
Having done so with everyone, except for Yennali.
So I looked for her and soon found her.
Entering a training room I found Yennali practicing her preferred lightsaber form, Shii-Cho. A look of incredible concentration on her face as she did.
Dressed in some tight-fitting black sports pants and a silver sports bra. Which are accentuating her curves in all the right ways.
Before I knew it I was checking Yennali out.
Then once I realized what I was doing I quickly stopped myself.
'No, bad brain.' I thought.
Yennali is my friend.
As such this is not the time to give into the horny.
Working to keep myself calm Yennali finally notched me and stopped her lightsaber practice.
She then quickly closed the distance between us.
"Hey Van." She said.
"Hey." I replied.
"So, how did you do in the trials?" She asked.
"I passed them all and am now a Jedi Knight." I said with pride.
"Great, that's wonderful." Yennali said.
She then started staring at me in a strange way.
"What, something on my face?" I asked.
But Yennali didn't answer.
Instead she grabbed the side of my face with both of her hands, leaned forward, then...
*Smooch*
Kissed me.
When she did my brain short-circuited and was filled with the blue exe. screen.
But as quickly as it happened it was over.
Both my brain short-circuiting and the kiss with Yennali.
Stepping back I saw Yennali get a massive blush on her face.
"So, want to tell me what that was about just now?" I asked.
For I never expected in a million years that what just happened would occur.
Yet it did.
So it shows what I know.
"Van the truth is...I like you. In that way." Yennali admitted.
Her blush getting deeper as she did.
Driving home the point I really don't know things.
Because I never expected this moment to come.
Yet here I am.
What a day.
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A/N: Yennali kisses Van and then gives him a confession. To find out what happens stayed tuned for next week's episode of Dragon Ba-Oh, sorry. Wrong show.
But seriously stay tuned in for the next chapter where all will be explained.
