The Second One(Ben's training)

[Emperor Gary]

Um, yes, of course. Ben nodded.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Niman is not a weak form. While many other lightsaber forms bolster the wielder's abilities in one area, while leaving him vulnerable in others, Niman is capable in all situations but has no dramatic strengths. It provides no edge in battle, but achieves its worth in not leaving its wielder as exposed as some of the more aggressive forms. Its strength is its balance. The form is also considered a basis for more 'unorthodox' fighting, as Jedi who use it are less frequently using automatic reflex than constantly thinking and often have time to invent unusual strategies for combat. It also provides a decent defense versus enemy Force powers and blaster fire. Sometimes, sparring with another one can achieve a state of meditation, and the Niman form is one of the best such techniques. Its great strength is the way it allowed the Force to flow through its practitioner, revitalizing him even in the middle of combat. The philosophy of Form VI is "the leaf swept in the winds of the Force." Users of this lightsaber form achieve a mindset of one who is not troubled by their surroundings, but simply rides the current of the surrounding turmoil, being well-balanced within. One of the attacks utilized by Form VI is referred to as "Draw Closer". It consists of the duelist telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling the enemy into the path of his blade. A technique that is the reverse of the "Draw Closer" was also developed, dubbed the "Pushing Slash", in which the duellist slashes an opponent before blasting him aside with a Force push, Kalza explained at great length, giving her student something of a lecture. It was fundamental he understood Niman before he went about trying to understand it, so this all necessary. She wondered if his concentration would break at all whilst she talked.

 

[Emperor Gary]

I see... Ben spoke when his master finished talking. It really is impressive. I can't wait to begin learning it. He smiled.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

"Very well," Said Kalza with a short nod. "Then let us begin our instruction almost immediately, do as I do," She said, igniting her lightsaber, and twirling it around into the standard Niman opening position, blade pointing slightly downwards and held out in front of her.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben nodded. Understood. He said and repeated his masters' actions, entering Niman's opening stance.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza nodded approvingly, before doing a standard 360 slash in the air with her lightsaber, making sure she was standing far away enough from her padawan so she would not accidentally burn him in the process. When she was finished, she gestured for him to copy again.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben slowly did a 360 slash in the air with his lightsaber, copying his master. "Sweet, I'm doing great." He thought and looked at his master for further instructions.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

"Very good!" Kalza exclaimed. Immediately, she began to talk to her padawan about the next step in his combat training. "Now - I want you to let the force flow through you. Let it become one with you, let it guide your every moment. When you feel it does, attack me,"

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben concentrated. "Ok... let the Force guide me..." He began running towards his master, and holding the lightsaber with two hands, he slowly attacked from the side.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza deflected the blow easily, and encouraged her padawan. "Now, faster - with more grace!"

 

[Emperor Gary]

Alright! Ben shouted, quickly turned around and made the 360 slash he was just taught, aimed straight at his master's chest, all the while keeping his balance perfect.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza deflected this slash too, but it knocked her back and gave her padawan a temporary advantage before she slashed forward towards his chest so that he will have to block the orange blade.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben wasn't quite ready to block yet. He managed to block the strike, but it threw him off balance, so he fell to the ground. Ah, crap.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza smiled, helping her padawan up again. "You did well - perhaps I was a bit harsh on the counter-attack," She admitted. "You're making great progress, however. Do you think you're mastering this form?" She asked, interested in her padawan's own perspective of his learning so far.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben stood up and nodded. Yes, it seems like something I can master. I like the balance in the Force that I'm feeling. Let's continue. He once again gripped his training lightsaber.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

"Very well, initiate the attack and I will attempt to strike back this time," Kalza explained, stepping back and igniting her orange lightsaber before twirling into the Niman starting position.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Alright. Ben said before activating his green training lightsaber and entering the Niman opening stance. He soon started his attack, getting closer to his master and slashing her sideways, holding the lightsaber with two hands and keeping his balance the whole time.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza deflect the attack, but it almost knocked her back. She countered with another attack to her padawan's middle and then another swipe to his legs in quick succession.

 

[Emperor Gary]

Ben blocked the mid-section slash, and when he saw a swipe coming to his legs, he immediately used Force Jump and rose a few feet in the air, quickly doing a 360 slash towards his masters head.

 

[Mr. Crunchy]

Kalza leaned back, the lightsaber whizzing past her head. Impressed, she used the force to push at her padawan hopefully knocking him back in mid-air before slashing upwards with her lightsaber.