It seemed they didn't understand.
Why was it that two former Mand'alor would rise from retirement to stand before the Foundlings and to test them so brutally? Was it for their own amusement? Was it for their own ego?
Gods forbid. No. This was to teach the next generation just how high the stakes were. Fifty long years ago, Mandalore itself was broken by the Sith Empire. Mand'alor the Infernal was betrayed - the accord she struck with Darth Carnifex torn asunder, just like Mandalore's north. Before that, the Jedi had wounded Mandalore time and time again. Modern history was a patchwork of stories, showing that the Jedi and Sith, Republics and Empires, would not hesitate to take the sword to Mandalore's flesh.
Thus, the next generation
must be ready. They must be bold enough to stand against literal gods made flesh, if necessary. They must be cunning enough to play to one another's strengths and to turn their disadvantages into victory. This is why
Mand'alor the Reclaimer and
Mand'alor the Liberator stood before them on this battleground. This is why they pushed the Foundlings so hard. Not for their own sake. Not for their own glory.
But to prepare them for what would inevitably come their way.
The battle continued to rage on. The young Zabrak froze, dropping her weapons as fear took root. The Jedi-turned-Mandalorian couldn't capitalize on the blow she scored upon Isley's brow, focusing instead on suffocating the flames which had now littered the battleground. The tactic took some of the bite out of the fiery-shocking mass that Isley launched; but it did not eliminate it entirely. She then focused on contesting Mia in the melee. The fiery mass was ultimately stopped by one young warrior who leapt in front of its intended target. She tanked the blow beautifully, falling to the dirt in the process.
For a moment, Isley was proud of how the young warriors relied on one another. They didn't give up. They didn't fal-
Wait.
As the young warrior fell to the arena floor, still covered in the electricity from the fiery mass, the one who had unleashed the fiery ordnance to begin with disengaged. She moved to the edge of the arena and began to conversate with an observer. Isley's gaze narrowed beneath his helm. Of all the things happening on the battlefield, it was
that which divided his attention. So much so that the wielder of white lightsabers was able to resuscitate her ally unopposed. Enough that Isley did not immediately raise his guard when the Togruta lashed out against him.
The Battle Meditation which he had corrupted came to a close. In its place was
pain. Pressure built in his helm and in his chest, causing the Mand'alor to stagger forward a step. Blood flooded from his nostrils and mouth freely before he, with a frustrated grunt, repulsed the telekinetics which attempted to lay him low. His sulfuric gaze settled upon the warrior then as he began to charge; and as he advanced, fierce words rose above the crowd.
This is meant to be a fight, not a slaughter! were the words which filled the former Mand'alor's ears.
"You damn fools." he seethed aloud, his voice thundering across the field.
"Do you think we're here for our health? No. This generation needs to remember what they're up against. Beyond our worlds, the Light and Dark await to destroy them. Shall I lead them to the slaughter by holding back? Shall I offend our Way by leaving them unprepared?"
Mia's lightning coursed into his gauntlet - the opportunity was there. The Togruta was advancing. The young warrior who had decided to take a break from combat chose now to remember that she was
Mandalorian and that there was no such thing as giving up. All he had to do was take the shot: he could take a shot at either soul...but instead, he siphoned the power partially. The lingering electricity hung in the air, devouring the rounds which were fired from the bystander who now entered the field.
Now, instead of a subsequent blast, emerald flames danced upon both of his wrists momentarily, depositing some
old reliable pieces that had fallen out of his own use. Once they were in place,
Mand'alor the Reclaimer advanced. His dominant hand flew to his utility belt, plucking free a duo of sonic charges. He hurled them across the field - one for Jaikell, and one for Jett.
As he advanced, Jett's blaster rifle sang true. Though he weaved as he stormed forward and altered his path, the space between Isley's shoulder plate and collarbone fell victim to one of the bursts. The energy ripped clean through his flesh, causing a momentary pause in his advance. Nonetheless he charged, the pain giving him valuable fuel, until he was within arm's reach of the Togruta. There, his beskad came down mightily, attempting to strike the young warrior's torso with a savage overhead strike.
They wanted just a fight? Fine. He'd give it to them.