Spike's friends were naturally excited and impressed upon recieving the news that he now had his own lightsaber, along with a belt with a magnetic latch and a ring to attach the weapon to. Twilight was particularly proud, albeit a bit pensive about her assistant having such a weapon. The skill she had seen him develop helped to ease her worry.
Rainbow and Pinkie were the most excited to see the blade be ignited, and the most disappointed when Spike said he wouldn't yet. They quickly perked up when he informed everypony that they were invited to a demonstration on Maul's behalf.
It would be taking place in the woods of the Everfree near Maul's current residence. They were all surprised to hear this, and even more so when they were informed they would have no trouble with any of the resident creatures. Spike explained that he and Maul's Force presence allowed the animals to sense that it was claimed territory. This was how Maul had explained it to Spike, though in reality, this was only partially true. It was also Maul's projections of a threatening aura that kept the animals away.
And so, Spike's friends found themselves sitting in the sidelines of a clearing in the woods. In the center stood the master and apprentice, facing each other, with their lightsabers in hand. Rainbow and Pinkie fidgeted in place from anticipation, though the latter was closer to hopping in place. Rarity and Starlight looked on with great interest, particularly towards Spike, something they both noticed of each other but made no comment on. Twilight was in a similar state, though also nervous, her wings shifting every so often and her heart beating a tad faster than usual.
"Before we begin, perhaps we should formally invite our uninvited spectator" Maul suggested, turning his head to look into the trees.
"It does sound like the polite thing to do" Spike replied as he looked in the same direction. "Why don't you have a front row seat with everypony else, Zecora? You'll get a better view" Spike suggested with a kind tone.
The aforementioned zebra emerged from behind the trees with a look of slight guilt and embarrassment. Everypony was surprised to see that she had actually been hiding, and by the fact that Maul and Spike knew.
"Hi Zecora. Long time, no see."
"Hello Spike. Indeed it has been" Zecora replied as she eyed Spike up and down, taking in his new appearance. She had heard of how he looked from Twilight, but never got to see for herself. "Forgive my intrusion, I did not mean to be rude" she said with a humble bow of her head. "I hope your view of me is not skewed."
"I'm mostly just curious why you were hiding" Spike replied with some nonchalance. "But I'm pretty sure you owe my master an explanation the most." Everypony else stayed silent as Zecora approached Maul. This wasn't for them to get involved in at the moment.
"I've sensed your presence before" Maul said, before Zecora said anything, to her and everyone's surprise. "But it was always far off. You give off the aura of a wise individual, and something of a warrior. But where are my manners? I am Maul, Nightbrother" he said with a slight bow. "And you?"
"I am Zecora" she replied with a light bow of her head. "Zebrican shamaness. And hopefully a friendly neighbor" she said as she stretched out a hoof. She grew nervous as Maul looked at the offered appendage, but didn't show it. To her relief, he took her hoof in his hand and shook it gently.
"A pleasure to meet someone seeking no ill will, and of such a prestigious role. I like your mane style" Maul said with a smile as he nodded towards her mohawk.
Zecora's eyes widened and her cheeks blushed at the compliment. No one ever complimented her mane. "Th-Thank you. I like your horns, and what I assume are cultural tattoos." Everyone took note of her lack of rhyme, mostly with looks of great confusion.
"Thank you" Maul replied as he released her hoof. "Since you've apoligized, kindly introduced yourself, and offered your friendship, I offer you the opportunity to witness the demonstration." Maul gestured to where the others sat, where Twilight and Rarity quickly scooted to make a space for Zecora.
"I am honored by your invitation, and accept it with great, though subdued elation" she said with a smile and bow before making her way to the spot. After sitting down, Twilight quietly told her how this was the second time she heard her speak out of rhyme, the others saying it was their first. She whispered her reply. "With serious situations, this tends to occur. This, our first meeting, was such, I think you can all concur."
Having resumed their position after Zecora sat down, Spike and Maul removed their lightsabers from their belts, and moved their arms to point them out to the side. "Ignite the blade" Maul instructed. Simultaneously, both he and Spike thumbed the activators, and the blades emerged. A chorus of oohs sounded from everypony as they stared in awe at Spike's purple lightsaber. Twilight's nervousness even lessened slightly as she was temporarily entranced.
Spike began to slowly wave his saber around, while Maul waited. "Huh. I never noticed the blade's own weight before."
"It is a current of energy. Energy created by your thoughts and actions as they flow through the crystal, becoming one with the blade. The more you weild it meaningfully, the stronger your bond with it, and through that, much easier cooperation. Take ready position."
Spike adjusted himself into a steady stance, holding the saber in front of him. Maul raised his saber and a made a quick strike, to the audience's surprise. Spike's training may have been severely limited in comparison to Sith training, but it was still carried out with the intent of progress. He shouldn't have to tell him where to block. And Spike did not dissapoint.
He was able to raise his own saber, quickly blocking the strike. He raised a brow when he realized the blades were barely sliding against one another.
"Lightsaber blades are drawn to one another, and will lock when they connect. But that lock is not stationary, and it is only as strong as you make it." Maul drew back his saber and Spike returned to his stance. The former quickly delivered some more strikes, Spike successfully blocking them where he had to.
"Good. Now let's go through your forms. One" a low block to the left "two" low right "three" high center "four" vertical dead center. "Faster. One, two, three, four. Again. One, two, three, four, five!" back block. "One, four, two, six" tail protection. Six three one five!"
After that, Maul went silent, not specifying the forms. Spike got them right regardless, moving back and forth as required. Twilight lightly bit her hoof nervously, while Fluttershy partially hid her face behind her hooves. The rest watched with great interest, Rainbow unknowingly making slashing motions with her forelegs. Pinkie did so knowingly. Rarity and Starlight took note of how smoothly Spike moved, gracefully even. They both saw how the other was watching at different times and briefly narrowed their eyes before refocusing in the demonstration.
Maul charged and striked hard on Spike's blade, making him steel himself as he pushed back. "Strengthen the lock" Maul said as he took a step forward, causing Spike to take one back as he grit his teeth. "Push back. Put yourself in charge of disconnecting the blades to force me away."
Spike grunted as he pushed back against his master. He felt him making another step forward, but he didn't step back, putting them very close. He furrowed his brow and released a growl of determination. He put more effort in with his legs and began pushing back. It was slow, but he was able to get his master to step back twice. Thinking quickly, he used his tail to push on the ground, making the retaliation forceful enough to benefit him. He made a strong downward slash, which disconnected the blades as Maul stepped away.
Maul took the disconnect and made a quick flourish of his blade as he stopped his retreat. He then smiled at his readily stanced apprentice. "Good. Now treat this as an ordinary duel. Rrrah!"
Spike's eyes widened the slightest bit as his master lunged at him. He quickly blocked the strikes sent his way, before batting a few away to allow him to strike back. Their audience's heads followed their movement as they moved back and forth. It wasn't all that different from their usual sparring sessions. For a time.
Master and apprentice met for another blade lock, though not as strong as before. Maul narrowed his eyes at Spike before a telltale whoosh sounded. Spike's eyes widened as the Force alerted him to incoming danger. His eyes darted to the side and caught sight of a piece of bark flying towards him. He used his tail to swat it away, and was immediately pushed back and kicked in the chest, sending him back, to everypony's surprise and slight outrage.
"Hey! That's cheating!" Rainbow shouted.
"No!" Spike replied, to everypony's confusion. "It's day two, week six of training. Ignore or deal with distractions while still focusing on the larger battle."
"Yes" Maul confirmed. "Now let's see if you can make up for your misstep."
The sound of various object sailing through the air could be heard as Maul tilted an upturned hand to and fro. Various branches, pieces of wood, and rocks began flying towards Spike. He surprisingly cut through each one before he was hit, the Force guiding him in which way to turn for all of them. The watching ponies looked on with nervous expressions, each striked projectile making them jerk forward slowly. To their astonishment, he was able to stop each one, their slightly burned remains strewn about around him.
They didn't notice Maul rushing him, but Spike did. He blocked the flurry of strikes that initially met him. They were soon replaced by spaced out strikes, and more projectiles. Spike never took his eyes off Maul, moving back as he blocked strikes, made his own, and intercepted the projectiles with his tail or wings. He had to be quick when using his blade to cut them, as Maul took the opportunity of Spike leaving himself open. One instance almost would've left Spike with a mark on his chest. The projectiles eventually stopped, and the duel resumed with its previous state.
Both opponents switched to single handed combat, their free hands behind their backs. Their back and forth bore much more resemblance to a fencing match. The distorted clashes were quicker, and their steps were wider spaced.
Spike came up with an idea, and put a larger amount of space between him and his master. He tucked in his arm, placing the bottom of his hand against his chest. He then made a large lunge forward, stretching out his arm to point the blade tip at Maul. Maul smirked, seeing this as a way to disarm his apprentice. He lunged forward with his darksaber pointed similarly and made an upward slash as the blades met, or rather, when they were supposed meet. His eyes widened as he saw Spike give a flap of his wings to pull himself back. He landed, folded his wings, and quickly charged forward. He used his saber to bat Maul's out of his hand as his disarming intentioned strike ended.
Spike and Maul sidestepped one another and ended up in each other's previous position. Maul stared at his empty hand in surprise before looking at his apprentice, who was smirking as he pointed his blade at his master. Everypony cheered for Spike, Pinkie being particularly loud. Maul chuckled lightly before responding. "Very impressive, my apprentice. But we are not yet finished. Set your lightsaber to its training mode, for now, you will have to make a strike against an unarmed opponent."
Everypony was dumbfounded by this, while Spike merely looked at his master questioningly before doing as he was told. He moved a switch on the side of the hilt, and the blade became dimmer, the white of it turning a muted purple. Spike waved it about, the deep hum changing to a higher pitch. He then striked a nearby tree to test the blade. There wasn't even a scratch. Everypony was surprised to see this, not knowing or expecting a lightsaber to have a safety setting, though it made sense.
Spike repositioned himself, facing his master, who had both hands placed behind his back. After a few seconds, Maul nodded, and Spike charged at him. Maul quickly leaned away from a downward slash and stepped aside. Spike turned around and narrowed his eyes before rushing forward again. He released quick breaths from his nose as he swiped at his master, who expertly dodged and weaved out of the way.
Spike lifted his saber high and swung down, but it was no longer in his hands. He had used his tail to grab it. This was able to fool Maul, who hadn't retreated back far enough for the incoming scorpion strike. But he wasn't so easily bested. He ducked as the strike was made, the blade going over his head. Immediately after the duck, he kicked Spike in the stomach, sending him back. He then used his hand to strike the end of the tail as it followed, sending it into the air and knocking the lightsaber out of it, preventing his head from being struck. The lightsaber deactivated after being released, sailing back through the air toward its owner.
By this point, Spike was also not easily bested. As his master rose, he gave a mighty flap of his wings, sending him forward slightly above ground. He caught his lightsaber, activated it, and used his coiled tail to push off the ground, giving him a strong boost of speed.
Maul's eyes widened as he saw his apprentice bulleting towards him with his lightsaber activated. He almost didn't move his hand fast enough.
"HA!" Spike exclaimed as he plunged his non-lethal blade towards his master's chest. He flapped his wings to keep himself in place. Maul was looking at him wide eyed, almost fearfully, as he leaned back, his legs positioned to keep him steady. Spike shifted his eyes downward and his brow shot up as he saw his technical success.
Maul had moved his hand over his chest, his palm being the receiver of the jab. But what surprised Spike wasn't that his blade seemed to be much shorter, Maul had taught him how to absorb energy through his hands, though they only tested this with intense heat. What surprised him was that there was a green mist emerging from the area around the point of contact. It was similar to the green mist of the tea they drank long ago, though much thicker.
Several seconds passed before Maul chuckled and stepped back. The lightsaber blade returned to normal size and Spike drew back, lowering it before settling himself on the ground. He deactivated the blade before Maul spoke.
"Well done" Maul said, before placing a hand over a fist in front of him. "Spike."
Spike focused himself, secured his saber to his belt, and mimicked the gesture. They both bowed to each other.
"It is with great pride that I tell you, that your training is complete. And to cement this, we have one last thing to do." Maul stretched out his hand and called his darksaber back to him. "Step forward, take a knee, and bow your head, my former apprentice."
Spike blinked in wonder, but obeyed. He took a knee in front of Maul and bowed his head. Maul held the darksaber up and activated it, much to the ponies' confusion and slight worry. Spike heard the weapon turn on, but he felt no danger from the Force, so he remained calm.
Maul lowered the darksaber's blade to hover above one of Spike's shoulders, moving it back and forth between both as he spoke. "By the will of the Force. By the right of my culture. I designate you an honorary Nightbrother, warrior of the Force. I grant you a warrior's name;" he raised the blade in front of his face "Varpa Taral. Translated from the ancient tongue as Spike, the Protector."
He deactivated the blade. "You may rise, brother."
Spike stood up and looked at Maul, smiling and looking on the verge of tears. "Thank you" he said as he offered his hand. Maul reached forward and made it so they took each other's wrists in solidarity. "Brother."
"WHOO!"
Spike's eyes widened at the shout, and he quickly released Maul, turned and shot out his hands. He caught Pinkie with the Force before she could tackle him, leaving her suspended in the air. This didn't stop her from raining her joy on him as she flailed about.
"Way to go, Spike! Full fledged warrior! And total hottie." Spike rolled his eyes, having gotten used to that compliment from Pinkie.
"Yeah, big guy!" Rainbow zipped down beside him and gave him a friendly, though a bit hard, punch to the arm. "All grown up and a total bad ass!"
Spike chuckled as he used one hand to rub his arm. "Thanks."
"And a total hottie!" Pinkie exclaimed in reminder as she popped up beside Rainbow. This made Spike do a double take before looking back at where he had been holding her. There was just empty space.
"Give it a rest, Pinkie!" Twilight exclaimed as she ran to Spike, the others following.
"Yes, darling. We heard you the first time."
"Yeah. No need to repeat the obvious" Starlight pitched in, making Rarity and Twilight pause.
"Wait, what?" they both asked, Rarity lacing her words with a cross tone.
"Nothing! Hooray for Spike!"
Twilight brushed the exchange off while Rarity eyed Starlight suspiciously. Twilight latched on to Spike, giving him the strongest hug she could muster.
"Oh Spike, I'm so proud of you! I was a little terrified for a bit, still kind of am, but you were amazing! And how far you've come is amazing."
The rest of the mares joined in the praise, which made Spike blush bashfully as he rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't able to stop Pinkie from her second attempt at getting him. With everypony around him, she only managed to tightly hug him rather than tackle him. He used the Force to loosen her hold on him, allowing him to breathe better. She soon called for a group hug, which Spike tried to say wasn't necessary, but they were having none of it. He enjoyed it regardless.
Spike felt feathers tracing down to his lightsaber. "Rainbow, don't even think about it."
"Aw, come on! Let me try it out just a little bit. Please?!"
"No can do. Only trained ponies, and even then I'd only let them wave it around in training mode a bit."
"Psh. Didn't know being a badass and a buzzkill was possible." Everyone laughed at Rainbow's remark before breaking up the hug.
"Hey! You know what this calls for?!" Pinkie suddenly asked.
"A party" everyone save Maul said unison.
"Is everypony trying to take the fun out of everything for me today? But yes, A PARTY!" Confetti shot out from behind Pinkie's back from out of nowhere, per the usual. "Tonight, Sugarcube Corner, everyone here's invited! Along with the town. And Maul!"
The aforementioned zabrak had been standing off to the side, watching the exchange with a small smile. He still wasn't used to displays like this, having never partaken in them.
"The invitation is appreciated, but I'm afraid I must decline. I have never been one for parties or other social gatherings. And I tend to stick out rather unpleasantly." There was also the fact that every time he saw Pinkie do unexplainable things with no alert from the Force, he was further put off by her.
"Oh no" Pinkie said determinedly "I've been waiting to get you to a party since you got here. You're going, mister. You should be there for your student after all."
"I'll be with him in spirit" Maul insisted. "Besides, it's more of a celebration for him. I wouldn't want to impose."
"Shouldn't be any imposition at all" Pinkie said through gritted teeth, which formed a manic smile.
"Pinkie" Spike said rather intensely. This caught her attention and caught her by surprise, as she had felt a cold chill when he spoke. "I've been living with Maul for a while during my training. I've gotten to know him a bit and get a feel for him. He's my friend, and he doesn't like parties. Your pestering him. And I don't appreciate it. If he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. Okay?" Spike asked as he looked at her with narrowed eyes.
Everypony looked on in stunned silence at what was transpiring. Maul held back a smile as he felt Spike's anger radiating off of him, albeit to a small degree. Zecora looked back and forth between Spike and Maul, the latter she could somehow tell was holding back a smile.
"O...Okay" Pinkie replied somewhat fearfully. She then turned around to address Maul. "Sorry for pestering you, Maul. I kind of forget that not everyone likes parties. Or that they don't have to. Can you forgive me?"
"You merely care a great deal for your passion. Perhaps a bit overzealous, but you can learn from a mistake. You are forgiven" Maul said with a slight bow of his head.
"Thanks" Pinkie said with a more reserved smile before looking to Spike with a hopeful expression. He nodded with a small smile. Her smile grew with an audible squee. "Okay. I'm gonna head over to the Corner to get things started. My invitation is still open if you change your mind, Maul."
"Noted" Maul replied with a nod before addressing Spike. "Taral. You have earned time for rest and celebration. Go to your home. We shall see each other some other time, brother."
"Thank you, ma-brother" Spike replied with a slight bow. "Hey Twilight, do you have a quill and parchment I could use?"
"Sure. What for?" Twilight asked as she levitated the items to him.
"I wanna go to Canterlot to show the princesses, I'm letting them know we're coming" Spike explained as he wrote a bit on the parchment before tearing it in half. "I also wanna tell Shining Armor to come over to see, and maybe challenge him to a quick spar."
Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile as Spike finished the letters and sent them away one at a time. "Starlight, would you mind teleporting everypony back to town while me and Spike go to Canterlot?"
"Sure thing."
"Hey, I'm going too" Rainbow insisted. "No way I'm missing out on Spike taking on Shining Armor."
Everypony chuckled at Rainbow's remark before parting. Starlight teleported everypony else while Spike requested that they all fly to Canterlot. He took enjoyment in his still recent ability of flight.
Maul's eyes followed as Spike and the other two took off into the sky towards Canterlot, Rainbow challenging Spike to a race. Once they were out of view, he began walking toward his residence.
"Maul" Zecora suddenly said, the only one not to have left. Maul hadn't noticed her continued presence and halted when she addressed him, turning to her.
"Yes?"
"You forgave my earlier rudeness, but I feel I should extend some neighborly goodness. You refused an invitation to a party, but I wonder if you would join your neighbor for some tea?"
Maul's brow raised in slight surprise. He reached out with the Force and felt that her kind offer was genuine. For the most part. But he felt no danger from the little bit of deceit in her. He felt more danger from young pickpockets in the lower levels of Coruscant.
"I haven't had tea for some time. Your offer sounds lovely. I accept. Would you give me but an hour to rest?"
"Of course" Zecora replied jovially. "I would not wish you more labor. I shall wait for you my neighbor."
"Thank you."
They both turned around and started heading for their respective homes. They also briefly narrowed their eyes and shifted them to the side as if looking through the backs of their heads.
After entering the castle, Maul stood still and raised his hand. He stared at the center of his palm where he caught the saber, his eyes narrowed as he recalled seeing a wisp of green smoke. He gestured with his other hand, using the Force to pull his darksaber from his waist and levitate it in front of him. He turned it sideways and activated it with a flick of two fingers. He focused on the goal of absorbing the energy and reached out his hand.
Once more the green smoke appeared as the blade made contact. He continued this for almost a full minute before deactivating the saber and returning it to his waist. He stared at his palm again before closing his fingers into a fist. He had only seen something like this when he, his brother, or his mother had been injured. His plan for Taral's next test would need an adjustment for a slight delay. He had to look into this further.