Inspiration for Chapter 1: The forum, "Star Wars Fates", in the many threads where my roleplay OFC Thuria Drinna had conversations with various Jedi Knights, and the ones that trained her, when she was a Padawan learner.

Inspiration Music for Chapter 1: Dantooine – Jedi Enclave from the video game "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic".

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Thanks goes to SwingingBeskar for helping me proofread this chapter. :)

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Katrina slept, enjoying the dreamless sleep she was getting. She didn't know what else to do with her time, but sleep seemed the right choice. Her brunette hair was messy as she slept, which meant she rested well. In time, she woke up, stunned these brown and white Jedi robes kept her comfy.

While her skin was white, complete with a pinkish hue, she had fair features like her sister Scar-ra, when they were in their human forms. Katrina was in her human form for the present moment, as she didn't want to alarm too many Jedi, if she transformed into her scarred lioness form.

The last time Katrina saw her sister Scar-ra, they had been traveling together throughout the Pride Lands. Katrina found Scar-ra too demanding, giving her orders and acting like she was the only leader in the whole Pride Lands. She hated that! She hated what Scar-ra was doing to her.

It was too much for Katrina to handle, enough that it drove her away from the Pride Lands and into the Galaxy Far, Far Away. In fact, as she breathed in Dantooine's fresh air, when she arrived on the lush, green planet, with its waterfalls and Jedi Grove, she felt at home, like she belonged there.

She couldn't think of any other reason, except to stay and wait to see what happened to her. She looked at the restored Jedi Temple, surprised to see other Jedi were traveling to and fro, doing reconnaissance missions to their delight. So far, she didn't see any Padawans being trained by their Masters. Odd.

Katrina made her way into the temple, where she met the blue-skinned Twi'lek named Teela Leshin, who proved she was capable of training young Padawans. Katrina wondered whether or not she could trust Teela, but so far it seemed they would have good relations with each other.

Katrina made sure to transform into her human form, where she was dressed in white robes, grey pants, and brown boots. She looked at Teela, as they neared the temple, heading inside before making their way to the guest room.

"This is where you're staying. Do you need anything?" Teela asked, curiously.

"No, this is fine. Thank you," Katrina said, unsure how to react.

"Let me know if you need anything," Teela said, leaving the guest room.

So, this was where Katrina stayed, resting on her bed and quietly thinking of what would become of the Jedi Order.

Her mind reeled with thoughts about the Jedi Order. From what she caught Teela saying, it was 2000 years after Revan and Meetra Surik met the Sith Emperor Vitiate. Did that mean it was only 2000 years for the Galaxy Far, Far Away? Was that the only galaxy whose time slowed down? Or were there other galaxies like it?

Hmm. It was a good question. She might not have had all the answers, but it was still a plausible argument to ask the Jedi about.

Katrina opened her eyes, welcoming the darkness and the nightlight that was present in the room. She sat up, wondering why she was here. Hours ago, she was mad at her sister. Had it really been hours since they last spoke? She checked the clock. Four hours? She'd been asleep for four hours? She yawned. Yeah, four hours was long enough to take a nap. The clock told her it was afternoon. Her stomach growled. Yup, it was time for lunch.

She stood up, turning on the light. A second yawn protruded, giving her a reason that she had slept long enough. She was tired, but also had a light headache. Yes, it was time to eat.

She jerked downwards at the sound of someone knocking on her door. She turned around as the doors slid open, revealing Teela and a utility droid. The droid lit up upon seeing Katrina. Katrina didn't understand! Was this droid interested in her? He certainly stuck close to Teela.

"T3, shush!" Teela shushed the droid, returning her gaze to Katrina with a wide smile. "Are you ready?"

"Um… I'll be along. I need to eat," Katrina said, her stomach growling.

Teela giggled. "We'll get you some food. Lunch should be out in the mess hall." She said, waiting for Katrina to follow her. Katrina did, keeping close to the droid, who stayed in between the two women. "So, how do you like it here?"

"I like it. It would seem the temple is being restored," Katrina said, pleased.

"Yes. This temple has been restored," Teela said, intrigued. "Many Jedi have come to do reconnaissance missions, train youthfuls… you've come at an impressive time."

"Yes, it would seem that way," Katrina said, bumping into a few Jedi.

"So, I was hoping you would become my Padawan. What do you say?" Teela asked, leading Katrina down the hallway and into the mess hall. Katrina stopped by the doorway, unsure what to do.

"Um… Teela, you're very kind, but I didn't ask to become a Jedi," Katrina said. Her mind reeled, telling her, What? Are you crazy? Join the Jedi! There were some days when she wanted her mind to shut up. She grinned sheepishly, not knowing what to expect.

"Oh. Forgive me, I was expecting, hoping, you would become my Padawan," Teela said, somber.

Katrina sighed. She knew where this was heading, and she didn't like it! "Look, you're nice and all, but I've got to go."

"Oh, can't you stay? There is so much for you to see," Teela said, treating her kindly. Katrina looked at her in angst. She wanted to go, see how the scarred lionesses were doing. Surely, Scar-ra wasn't treating them too badly… or what if she was? Then Katrina would have something to say!

Katrina sighed, realizing she didn't have many options. "All right, I'll stay."

"You don't have to. I'm sure there's a speeder that can take you off-planet," Teela said, understanding. "I guess I'll look for another Padawan."

"What do you suggest we do? I mean, I suppose I could stay and train with the Jedi. Is that allowed for the shapeshifters?" Katrina asked, curiously.

"Of course. Shapeshifters can be trained. Does this mean you'll stay?" Teela asked, curiously.

"Yes. Of course, I'll stay," Katrina growled.

"Hey, I didn't mean any offense! I know you have work to do," Teela said, finding her way over to the tables to grab her tray and utensils. She was surprised when Katrina joined her. That gave her hope! "Oh, you're deciding to stay!"

Katrina shrugged. "Yeah. Yes, I suppose I am."

"Great!" Teela cried in exuberance. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders, grateful to hear this. "I'll train you to be the best Padawan around! Who knows? You may reach Knighthood and train with your own Padawans."

"Right," Katrina said, wondering how she got roped into this mess. She looked around the mess hall. There were so many tables and chairs strewn about the hall, complete with its own red walls and white ceiling. There were some Jedi eating and drinking at a few of the tables. To Katrina, it seemed all right, but she wondered about the days to come.

She returned her gaze to Teela, as she said: "Teela, what was it like here when Revan and Malak were around? I heard they fought and Revan won. Revan must have been special to do all that."

"Well, they fought on the Star Forge. Revan won and became a Prodigal Knight. He was really splendid, but I'd be ashamed of what happened to him after he was taken prisoner by Vitiate," Teela said in turn. She sighed, heavily, "It's not a pretty story."

"Did he survive? Did Revan escape the Emperor's wrath?" Katrina asked, curiously.

"There is a rumor that Revan escaped the Emperor's clutches. He fell to the Dark Side and that was how he died," Teela admitted freely.

Katrina didn't understand how any of this tied into what she was about to do. That didn't mean she wasn't going to take her chances on leaving the Order now, not after what she heard. She looked at Teela, admitting, "Teela, I'm sure we will be good friends."

Teela nodded, smiling in recognition, "I hope so. And I hope I'm the one who gets to help you complete your training." She said, grabbing some food and dessert from the buffet tables. Katrina did the same, picking out her selection of food and drinks, before joining her new Master over by one of the empty tables. "A Jedi must learn patience. 'There is no emotion, there is peace.' That is the code we live by. Everything must be done with peace. As long as you can control your emotions, then nothing will happen to you."

"Right," Katrina said. She wondered what happened to her husband, Valo Ensi. Surely, he must be around here somewhere. If he wasn't… what difference did it make? She was to become a Jedi! Surely, she could handle this. "So, when can we begin?"

"We start now. Remember the Jedi Code:"

"There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force."

Teela recited, as if she knew the code all her life. She looked at Katrina, while she ate, explaining to her, "These are the codes we live by. As long as we have no passion, then we cannot lose ourselves."

Katrina growled internally. She couldn't help but think that Teela's earlier strange actions to her had meant something, but even Katrina was acting strange. More than anything, she wanted to believe that Teela was not like the other Jedi, that maybe emotions were a good thing. Oh, how much she wanted to take the Jedi Code and toss it away, change it into something where passions were allowed. What was wrong with compassion? Honestly! She had her husband, Valo Ensi, Valentino was his name. Surely nothing could go wrong there.

Still, she lowered her head, realizing what this meant if she stayed with the Jedi, "Teela, I'm sorry but I'm married. My husband… well, he's alive… reincarnated, but alive. I know you want me to stay in the Order, but I'm fearful that I might leave it to join my husband. I hope you understand." Internally, she was still growling. She hated the Jedi Code, at least the way it was. Wasn't there a way to change it?

"Oh! Well, I'm sorry, but I don't think I can train you," Teela announced, softly.

"What?" Katrina looked at her in shock. She didn't mean that… she couldn't. No!

Teela whispered, "Jedi aren't allowed to marry or have children. I'm sorry, but if I trained you, then it would reflect poorly amongst the Jedi."

"What do you mean?" Katrina asked, looking on as T3 rolled in.

"I mean, Jedi aren't allowed to marry or fall in love. It's the way of things. I'm sorry. Here, I thought you were a deserving companion, a Padawan who I could train. But since that's not possible, then I cannot teach you," Teela said, standing up and walking away.

Katrina looked away in shambles. This was the last thing she needed right now! Oh, she wanted to ensure she could fight, ensure that she could carry a lightsaber with pride. She wanted it more than anything. She sighed in defeat. Wasn't there a way she could receive training from someone? Anyone?

She looked up as another Jedi entered the dining room. There was something odd about him, with his grey hair. His skin changed colors: from pink to green with black stripes, before returning back to pink. No way! Another shapeshifter? This was her chance!

She got up, charging towards the robed man. She stopped, catching her breath, before asking him, "Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to be a Jedi, would you?"

The man laughed, surprised to hear her words, "Are you having trouble making friends?"

"No. The Master who wanted to trained me declined me. Teela is her name. You wouldn't happen to know her?" Katrina said.

The man laughed again, clearly impressed by her determination. "I am a new Jedi Knight. My training ended a week ago. I've been meaning to look for a Padawan. Thaden Green. You may know me as Master Green. And yes, I am a shapeshifter."

"Good. That's good. I…" Katrina was interrupted. A woman came over to Thaden, leaving him a note, which he read. Katrina looked at him with sad eyes. She wasn't going to get him for a master now, was she?

"You'll have to excuse me. Something came up. It seems the Jedi have found me a Padawan," Thaden said, patting her shoulders. "Don't worry. We'll find you a Master." He walked away, leaving Katrina scarred.

Katrina returned to her table, sitting down in shame. She guessed she would have to wait for the Jedi Masters to see about finding her a new Master. But who could train her? She didn't want to follow the Jedi Code. If there was any hope for her, then she would find it. But who could she go to who wanted to train her?

"A shame you couldn't train with your sister," a woman's lithe voice spoke up. It was her sister, Melena. Katrina looked up at her, surprised she was wearing those brown robes again and carrying a staff. The woman smiled back at her in intrigue. "Hello Katrina. A long time since we last met."

"Melena. What are you doing here?" Katrina asked her, quite confused.

"Don't worry. I'll be your teacher," Melena said, grateful.

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References:

The Jedi Code comes from the "Star Wars" universe. T3-M4 comes from the video games, "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords".