Chapter Text
Anakin was a kriffing Seer.
Not long after Danas finished his Form VI training, Master Billaba came up to him and offered him to learn Vaapad.
He was speechless.
Learning Form VII was a dream of many Jedi.
But very few of them got the chance.
Danas accepted.
Master Secura was so proud of her little Padawan.
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The Zabrak found his friend, at the dining hall, sitting with Master Kenobi.
“ ‘Kin! ‘Kin!”
“ ‘Nas! What's going on?”
Danas sat down and whispered:
“You were right!”
“See? I told you! Tell me you accepted.”
“I did.”
“Good. If it has to be someone other than me, I want it to be you.”
Obi-Wan looked at them, confused.
“When did that happen?” he asked, gesturing between the two Padawans. “And what are you talking about?”
“We’re not friends for that long Master. And Danas will learn Form VII.”
“Form VII? And Master Windu will teach you?”
“No, not Master Windu. Master Billaba. Master Windu hates me.”
“He’s a Master of the Order. I'm sure he...”
“Master Kenobi, with all due respect but Master Windu doesn't really hide it well."
Obi-Wan didn't say anything more.
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Danas went to the training area very early in the morning.
Master Billaba already waited for him.
“Good morning, Master.”
“Good morning, Danas. Are you ready to start your Form VII training?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good. Then let's begin.”
Vaapad was even more aggressive than Djem So.
Master Billaba showed him the basic stances and had him repeat them - both with a single and a double blade.
Form VII was relaying on constant pressure, aggression, and unpredictable attacks.
Master Billaba moved her lightsaber so quickly that it turned into a green flurry.
Danas repeated it and it turned out really well, especially with a double blade.
Master Billaba praised him but told him to use Vaapad only against Dark Side users or it may lead to corruption.
Danas nodded but started to wonder.
He modified Shien to work better in one-on-one combat.
Could he somehow modify Vaapad, to be more defensive?
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Danas sat in the Jedi Archives. They proved useful last time so it wouldn't hurt to try again.
On his way here everyone was whispering about his training.
The whole Temple knew.
Younglings, Padawans, and even some of the Knights and Masters.
They all looked at him with envy.
Danas knew they were thinking the same:
‘He's not worthy.’
But honestly, he couldn't care less.
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“Master Billaba?”
“Yes?”
“I was wondering... Is it possible to make Vaapad more defensive? Or implement its aspects into other forms? Because the only thing I could think of is adding lightsaber flurry into Shien, to act as a shield against blasters.”
“That’s... very insightful. I didn't think of such things... Have you tried looking in the Archives?”
“Yes, but I didn't find much.”
“I’ll speak about it with Master Windu. Meanwhile, let's move on to our practice, shall we?”
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“He wanted to make Vaapad more defensive?”
“Yes. And transit some of its aspects to other forms. For example, he suggested adding ‘lightsaber flurry’ into Shien.”
Mace Windu was impressed. And that didn't happen very often.
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“I’m afraid that Vaapad is more about aggressive attacks. Turning it defensive seems impossible.”
“I understand.”
“But adding its aspects to different forms? That is a great idea.”
“You really think so, Master?”
“Yes. Now, show me the Vaapad stances.”
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“Only you would think of turning the most aggressive lightsaber form into a defensive one.”
“Oh, shut it ‘Kin. Says the guy that went pod-racing!”
“Alright, point taken.”
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“Form VII also includes unpredictable attacks. Using, for example, your fists, feet, or a lightsaber hilt.”
“Could it...?”
“After the lesson Danas.”
The young Zabrak laid on the floor panting. It seemed like Master Billaba wanted to sweat all questions out of him.
“What did you want to ask?”
“Since Vaapad is about unpredictable attacks, it doesn't seem much different from Ataru. Would it be possible to mix them?”
“You ask an enormous amount of questions.”
“Something tells me you'll have another student who asks as many questions as I do, Master.”
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Mace Windu and Shaak Ti we're walking through the halls of the Jedi Temple.
Master Billaba asked them to watch her sparring session with Padawan Drak.
When they arrived, they were in shock.
Master Billaba was going all out. Mace knew it since she was his student.
One would think that Padawan won't stand a chance against a Master.
Well... That would be true. Mostly.
Because Danas knew he will eventually lose to Master Billaba.
That didn't mean he gave her an easy fight.
His practice double-bladed lightsaber moved almost as quickly as Master Billaba’s lightsaber.
Combining Vaapad with his Ataru and Shien training, allowed him to dodge most of Master Billaba's attacks while being unpredictable. He even managed to use her attacks against her, although it was rare.
Still, it was impressive.
Eventually, Depa managed to beat the Padawan.
Young Zabrak was lying on the floor, sweaty and out of breath.
"You've improved Padawan Drak. I'm impressed."
"Thank... you... Master" he replied between deep breaths.
"That was truly a sight to behold."
Shaak Ti and Mace Windu entered the training area.
Danas immediately stood up and bowed in respect.
"I'm proud of you, Danas. You came a long way."
"Thank you, Master Ti."
Mace didn't say anything. He just eyed the boy, curiously.
That Dathomirian really was a mystery.