Junta's Training

[mazola]

Junta was meditating inside of his quarters. The room was small and rather cold. As he meditated many thoughts ran through his head such as his mother and where she might be now. At other times he would think of his father, and how much he detested him and wanted to kill him.

Junta awoke and stood up from his meditation. He prepared himself for another training session today with Master Shinn. He would be allowed passage as a sith if he could pass the academy. Junta carefully walked down the maze of halls into the main room, where his master waited…

[mazola]

Shinn: Are you prepared for your training? If so, come with me.

Junta: Of course, master.

Junta stood and followed the aged human. They arrived in the chamber.

Shinn: Right, by now you should know and understand the code of the sith. Say it as I begin each phrase.

Peace is a lie.

Junta: There is only Passion.

Shinn: Through passion,
Junta: I gain strength.
Shinn: Through strength,
Junta: I gain power.
Shinn: Through power,
Junta: I gain victory.
Shinn: Through victory,
Junta: My chains are broken.
Both: The Force shall free me

Shinn: Good, but anyone can simply repeat words from a book. Let’s see how much you understand the code.

You master teaches you a new power. You eventually master it and become very strong in the force. You possibly have the ability to overcome your master. Do you take this opportunity?

Junta: Of course.

Shinn: Why?

Junta: Treachery is the way of the sith.

Shinn: Well done. You have been studying well I see, I’m impressed. You have shown that you can understand the philosophy of the sith, which means we can move on…

[mazola]

Shinn: Over you time here, I have taught you how to feel the force. You must understand that the force not something that should be taken likely. It is everywhere, filling all gaps and consuming all spaces like water flowing through a great bay. Do you understand?

Junta: Yes master.

Shinn: Good. Now, you must understand that the sith follow the dark side of the force. The dark side of the force is what gives us sith our true strength. Emotions such as anger, lust, passion, rage, fear and aggression; these emotions feed the dark side, making those who can control it far stronger. The dark side offers power for power's sake. You must crave it. Covet it. You must seek power above all else, with no reservation or hesitation.

Junta: I understand master.

Shinn: You will only truly understand it when you can feel it my young apprentice. Come sit with me…

[mazola]

Shinn: Close your eyes and listen only to the words eye say…

Junta concentrated hard, thinking only about the words that came from Shinn’s mouth.

Shinn: Imagine your home, the scorching hot desert of Kalist VI. Remember the endless nights of torture and suffering your father put you through.

Junta: What? How did you…

Shinn: Shhh, only to the words I say apprentice. Remember you mother, how venerable she was. How your father would take advantage of her every night for his own sake.

Junta became very angry. He found it difficult to control his rage as Shinn spoke his words.

Shinn: Now remember that time he abandoned you; left you for dead. Threw you off a cliff and sold your mother to a slave driver; all for his own greed.

Junta started to become enraged, but he kept his cool and carried on meditating.

Shinn: But you survived apprentice. Imagine where your father is now. What would you do if he was stood right here now? Kill him? Or would you make him suffer like he made you and your mother suffer for days on end. Awaken, apprentice.

Junta opened his eyes.

Shinn: How do you feel apprentice.

Junta: I feel…different. I felt like all my perceptions were…burning, becoming stronger.

Shinn: Ah good. That is the dark side you felt apprentice. From now on, you need to focus on controlling those feelings, as they will serve you in the future.

Junta: Yes master.

Shinn: That is all for today, you have made much progress. With each step you take, you are entering a much larger world apprentice…

[mazola]

Junta spent the next 6 months practicing what he had learnt. He practiced concentrating and focusing his emotions so that he would be able the control the dark side without losing control or not having control at all.

Eventually it became second nature, and he was eventually ready to start learning about using the force as his weapon. Not to mention, new lightsaber techniques. Over his time here, Junta had become fairly adept in form I, the most basic of all saber forms. Eventually he would start learning about more advanced forms.

[mazola]

Junta met with Master Shinn again for another day of training.

Shinn: Ah there you are Junta. Right lets get started. First of all let’s practice your ability to raise and lower items with the force.

Shinn took his data pad and placed it on the floor in between him and Junta.

Shinn: Place my data pad on the table over there using only the force.

Junta concentrated on the data pad and it eventually floated into the air and onto the table.

Shinn: Good start. Now…

Shinn placed another data pad on the floor.

Shinn: I want you to swap both data pads over, placing the one on the floor on the table, and the one on the table on the floor. Do it one-at-a-time first until you get used to it.

Junta concentrated on the data pad on the floor and it eventually floated into the air and onto the table. The second one wobbled a bit but it eventually made its way to the floor.

Shinn: Good work. Now do the same thing but with three data pads.

Junta managed to barely get all three data pads swapped over. It required a lot of concentration but he managed it well.

Shinn: Excellent, one more time, move all three pads around the table at the same time.

This was very tricky. Junta needed to concentrate hard to accomplish this. The first and second data pads made it into the air with no problem. The third wobbled a bit, but he barely managed to get it round the table without messing up.

Shinn: Outstanding. You are showing good progress young one. Return to your quarters and practise what you have learnt today. Remember to feel the weight of the object, don’t just let if drift away from you or you might lose track of it.

[mazola]

Master Shinn: Now apprentice, I think you have enough grasp of the force in order to start advanced lightsaber lessons. Go to the duelling chamber. There you will meet Dao fen Mazola, one of the orders most prominent duellist and the academies finest lightsaber instructor. Do not keep him waiting; patience is not one of his best virtues…

Junta made his way to the duelling chambers and met Dao Fen Mazola. He was a tall and muscular Zabrak sith.

Dao Fen Mazola: What do you want human?

Junta: I am Junta Chan; I seek your lightsaber training, master.

Mazola: So you’re the human they sent me; hmm, you’re shorter than I expected. Well let us not waste any time. Lets get started. Draw your lightsaber human!

Junta drew a single bladed lightsaber and spun it round his body several times.

Mazola: Lets see what your made of, besides soft flesh and weak bone!

They started sparring. It was almost obvious that Mazola was holding back. Junta tied his hardest to break his defence but could not do so. Eventually they stopped.

Mazola: That’s enough human. Hmm, not bad, I can see that you have been practising well. You have excelled in the main aspects of the basics of lightsaber combat. But now I think it is time for to learn some new skills.

Mazola drew his lightsaber again.

Mazola: Watch student.

He started doing particular moves and stances of which Junta had not seen before. As he done this he described the nature of the form.

Mazola: This form is called Form V, also known as Djem So, the Way of the Krayt Dragon. Form V is mainly an offensive form, focusing on powerful strikes aimed at overpowering your opponent. Users of form V, use their entire body including their arms, shoulders, legs and forward momentum to overwhelm their opponent with sheer brute strength. A user of this form requires high stamina and strength. Users often lock their swords and use their strength to drive their opponents back and corner them into a more vulnerable position. Masters of this form can strike with such kinetic power and fury that they can literally knock their opponents to the floor.

Djem So stylists are often moving towards their opponents, striking with each forward step. Since Djem So utilizes strength and power into each of its strikes, it requires the user to generate that power with their entire body, footwork, and forward motion. It also makes their movements predictable and fairly rigid, as they would constantly charge ahead towards their opponents. Another weakness in this form is that its aggressive style can also lead to carelessness or even recklessness, as they're so caught up in the attack that a user undermines their own defence.
The philosophy of Djem So not only emphasized strength and power in defeating an opponent, but more importantly on action. This makes it a more favourable combat form for us as sith who seek quick resolutions and favour "aggressive negotiations." Bold, powerful, fearless, and confident are also traits used to describe practitioners of Djem So.

Users of Form V are often highly skilled at deflecting blaster bolts. Form V practitioner’s excel at redirecting the blaster fire back toward the opponent. This action simultaneously defends the user and efficiently injures the enemy. Form V emphasizes strength and power over opponents. This will suit you well.

Mazola stopped and faced Junta.

Mazola: There. I have shown you the basics, now you try.

Junta tried to pull off the complicated moves of Form V but struggled slightly. It took him a while to fully grasp it.

Mazola: Hmm, your technique is sloppy and your rhythm is slow. Understandable I suppose. Leave now acolyte and practise what I have taught you. Return once you think you have fully grasped this form.

Junta: Yes master.

[mazola]

Junta returned to his chambers. He spent several weeks practising this new form. It was a very powerful form which focused on powerful strikes aimed at overpowering his opponent; a perfect form for Junta.

[mazola]

Mazola: Right student. Let’s see how well you know this form.

Mazola and Junta drew their lightsabers and sparred. As usual Mazola looked more dominant, but Junta had improved greatly. His technique looked a lot more promising and he actually looked like he knew what he was doing. They stopped duelling.

Mazola: That’s enough, student. Not bad, not bad at all. You are showing a lot of potential young one. But it could be better. You need to be faster with your attacks. Allow each strike to follow through with the next. Don’t think about each individual strike or you will confuse yourself. Tell me student, what do you feel when you fight me?

Junta: Fear, master.

Mazola: Fear? Fear of what? Fear of losing, fear of dying?

Junta: I’m not sure master.

Mazola: Very well. Do not think that fear is a bad thing. Fear is useful. Fear allows you to know your limits so you do not take stupid risks. Let us spar again, student.

Mazola draws his saber, followed by Junta.

Mazola: This time I want you to think of something that you hate, detest.

Junta: What I…hate?

Mazola: Yes. Concentrate on it. Let it flow through your mind as you fight me. It will give you focus. Lets go!

They started fighting. At first Junta was a little slow. After a while Junta started to speed up intensely. His form tightened up completely. He started to move at a blinding speed. They carried on duelling. Onlookers around the chamber started to watch them duelling.

Mazola: Ok student…that’s enough!

Junta: No! I’m not finished!

Mazola then made a huge strike at Junta’s saber knocking it out of his hands. He then kicked him in the chest knocking him to he ground. He then pointed his saber right at his eye.

Mazola: I said, that is enough, acolyte…

Junta then stood up.

Mazola: Now listen student, you show a lot of potential. But you need to learn how to control those emotions of yours. You are like a great fire, growing stronger, more intense and more dangerous as it is fed more oxygen. You need to learn how to let the dark side of the force flow through you naturally, without letting it blind and confuse you. Otherwise you shall not succeed as a sith. Emotions are important, but they prove more danger to you than your opponents, unless they can be controlled. Do you understand, human?

Junta: Yes master.

Mazola: However, what you showed there was quite impressive. Did you feel your emotions and the dark side of the force, feeding your power, giving you more focus and speed?

Junta: Yes master, it was unlike anything I had felt before, since…

Mazola: Since what?

Junta: Sorry master, I would prefer not to say.

Mazola: Very well human. One more thing before you leave, human; during our duel, what did you think of?

Junta: The one and only person who I hate the most.

Mazola: And that person is?

Junta: My father.

Junta then left without saying a single word.

Mazola: I see…

[mazola]

Junta spent the next week mediating in his chamber. Constant thoughts about his father flowed through his head. He would try to come to terms with it, but no matter how hard he tried, the mere thought about his father would completely infuriate him.

However, this was a good thing. It made Junta a lot more focused on becoming stronger and more attuned with the dark side. These feelings are what gave Junta his true strength. It gave him focus and made him far stronger than he had ever been before. It was only a matter of time until Junta would be able to control these feelings completely…

[mazola]

Another year had past. Junta was slowly becoming moulded into what was formally known as a sith. Soon, the time would come for Junta to take his ‘Sith Trials’. The sith trials were a set of tests that a sith had to go through in order to prove that he had the true potential to be a sith in full. Those who didn’t pass the sith trials were killed during the tests or if they were very lucky, critically injured. It was made to weed out those who were weak and to leave only the strongest. To enter the sith trials you needed to be picked by a sith master to enter the trials.

Master Shinn and Master Dao Fen Mazola, who both saw a lot of potential in him, picked Junta. He would be watched carefully over the next few months…

Once those who are strong enough pass, they will move on from the rank of Acolyte to the rank of Adept. After the pass as a sith in full, they obtain the rank of Dark Knight.

The sith trails consisted of several goals which needed to be completed. These goals had no time boundary and could be completed in any way that the acolyte saw fit.

Trial of Strength
The Trial of Strength usually consisted of a lightsaber duel with another person, which showed the acolytes superiority and skill in combat.

Trial of Flesh
The Trial of the Flesh involved the acolyte overcoming great physical or mental pain, hardship, or loss. It could also test the acolyte's mastery of detachment from physical pleasure and people.

Trial of Power
To pass the Trial of Courage, an acolyte would fight courageously in battle, complete a mission with a low chance of survival, or defeat a superior enemy.

Trial of the Force
To pass the Trial of the force, the acolyte would have to look deep within them, and see what they were truly made of. Often times, the acolyte did not like what they saw and it could be a highly traumatic experience and they would appear mentally broken afterwards. This trial is often the trial where most acolytes fail, mainly because they are not mentally strong enough.

[mazola]

Sith: So, you’ve been selected to take you’re sith trials eh?

Junta: That is correct.

Sith: Heh, well good luck with that. Not many acolytes actually pass the sith trials. Last year, around 3-5 acolytes passed out of around 35-40. Most of ‘em died.

Junta: Those who do not show the strength to be a sith deserve to die.

Sith: You sound like you’re pretty confident. Hey aren’t you that guy who went mad at master Mazola?
Junta: Why, are you interested in seeing it happen again? Because if you cross me, you shall be joining those who die during these trials.

Sith: Ha, careful where you stick your tongue, it might get bitten off. I was just gonna say, you might wanna enter the lightsaber tournament tomorrow. If you win then that might show your masters that you have some pretty impressive skill.

Junta: If that is all you have to say then I have no further desire to indulge you.

Sith: Whatever…

[mazola]

Despite what Junta said, he took his advice to heart and entered the competition. It would start the next morning. Junta prepared himself physically for this…

[mazola]

Junta arrived at the duelling chamber. At the chamber were many acolytes who had entered with hopes of passing the trials. Master Mazola was also there, keeping a close eye on Junta and his progress.

Junta was set up in his first fight. He was up against a rookie fighter, who had little experience in lightsaber combat. It is unknown what he hoped to accomplish by entering this contest. Junta easily defeated him by fatally wounding his left leg and right arm in a rather gruesome fight.

The next fighter was slightly different. He was a very skilled fighter and a user of form II. Form II was very elegant and focused my on small precise movements. At first Junta was nearly overcome by the precision of this form. This fighter was very skilled. However, his fancy footwork was no match for the might of Junta’s Form V. He quickly overpowered him with mighty blows until he eventually knocked his lightsaber out of his hand and cut off his arm.

Junta fought several more fighters, each one more challenging than the last. But Junta prevailed and defeated each one showing great proficiency.

The final fighter was apparently the best acolyte at the academy. He was the only fighter who had been able to accomplish the feat of defeating a master, who was apparently quite skilled in combat. However, this made him arrogant in his fight with Junta.

Junta went for a new tactic of waiting him out, allowing him to become tired. This eventually worked and Junta simply kicked him out of the battle area, which subsequently, won him the fight. This fighter however, would not accept this. He took one final force jump towards Junta. However Junta made a swift move and plunged his saber into his chest. He then fell to the floor and died.

Junta now had one final fight. His opponent; Master Dao Fen Mazola. The fight started and was very intense. Neither of them looked as if they would falter. Junta looked as impressive as ever as he used his Form V to try and out power Mazola. However, Junta unfortunately was no match for a Sith Master of combat. Mazola made an unorthodox combo of moves, which made Junta stumble. He then took the opportunity and cut Junta’s arm off…

[mazola]

Junta had lost the fight, but not the battle. Later on that week he had a cybernetic arm implanted to replace the one that was cut off. Later on he met Mazola again. He informed Junta that he was impressed with his skill despite his loss at the end. Even though he lost he showed that he had the courage and the skill to become a sith.

Junta had passed not only the trails of strength, but also the trials of flesh, for losing his arm in the duel with Mazola…

Mazola: You have done well human, but know this; there is no secret to ultimate victory other than hard work and devotion…

[Cyberguy]

(Wait... those sith trials... aren't they just... the Jedi trials?)

[Cyberguy]

(Well... it's not canon... hmmm... lemme check on that...)

[Cyberguy]

(Well, now that you mention it, I've noticed that every single Rp post you've made here has been... well... with yourself... Now, I don't know if that's you goal here, but, if you'd like, you can get yourself in any stroyline, just ask..)

[mazola]

Junta awoke in his chambers. He placed his right arm on his bed…it felt different somehow. It didn’t feel natural anymore, almost as if there was nothing there, but hard, cold metal. To protect the sophisticated parts of the cybernetic arm, he wore a specially made gauntlet with tough ribbing and clamps to ensure it fitted tightly. It was clamp fitted with an auto seal, which wrapped the glove around Junta’s arm. The arm took a while for Junta to get used to, but after a while he got used to it and it became almost natural to him.

Although he didn’t show it, Junta held a lot of anger at what Mazola had done to his arm. Someday, Junta would plan to get his vengeance for what he had done…

[mazola]

Shinn: Ah Junta, I heard about that little lightsaber contest last week. Very Impressive Junta, and you passed both your strength and flesh trials?

Junta: Yes master.

Shinn: Well, that will be a big step forward for you I’m sure…um, your arm, I’m sure that didn’t happen by accident?

Junta: Master Mazola.

Shinn: Ah, take care not to take any imprudent risks my apprentice. You are strong, but Mazola is one of the orders supreme duellists.

Junta: Don’t agonize; he will compensate for what he has done, but only in the long run. For now I must get stronger, for the upcoming trials master.

Shinn: Hmm, I see, this will be most interesting…