Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 1 Episode 15 [segues into]
Year is 22 BBY

A GALAXY AT WAR
Chapter One

"Great leaders inspire greatness in others."

Self-doubt and anxiety flooded the young Jedi's thoughts while she waited in her chambers. The negativity's intrusive presence was all too common for the seventeen year old. Most of it was spurred on by the other Youngling's and Padawan's comments towards her. The blue skinned female was a rarity within the ranks of the Jedi Order, hardly anyone was ever born Force-sensitive in her culture. Not to mention that her yellowy golden colored eyes were a common trait among Sith Lords and nearly all of the younger Jedi were wary of her because of it. All of the resentment from her peers when combined with her own lack of combative ability with a lightsaber created the ideal grounds for feelings of unworthiness. The one aspect of herself that she found solace and strength in was her strong connection with the Force.

It was due to her unusual proficiency with the Force that Zenovia Royce had won the Apprentice Tournament. In a stunning display of a fighting style without relying on heavy saber combat, the Pantoran had bested all of her opponents. She won by altering her fellow Youngling's stances and out maneuvering their attacks by augmenting her own physicality through use of the Force. Despite her clear superiority, in regards to the spiritual aspects of the Jedi Order, Zenovia was left unwanted by all of the Knights and Masters of the Order. Fearing that her skills were not sufficient enough to warrant anyone requesting her to be their apprentice Zenovia worried she would be sent to the Jedi Service Corps. After all she was the oldest Youngling and soon she would be deemed unfit for knighthood.

Unbeknownst to her, a popular general in the Grand Army of the Republic had moved quickly to seek an audience with Master Yoda to inquire about the prospective Padawan. Obi-Wan Kenobi had seen all of her matches and was greatly interested in being her teacher and seeing how no one else had desired her Master Yoda approved the assignment. That very same morning Zenovia was informed via a holographic message sent to her shared dormitory that she would be moving to the Padawan living quarters as she had been claimed as an apprentice to Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. It took several minutes for the weight of the situation to be absorbed and she reread the message countless times. Disbelief and surprise were equally coursing through her veins. Zenovia was in a state of shock at finally being chosen by a Master, her anxious nature from the tournament in the days before had left her feeling abandoned by the Order. Since she had no belongings other than her robes and lightsaber cleaning out her living space was an easily accomplished task. Prior to leaving her soon to be old room Zenovia stood before the mirror in the area where the Youngling's bathed themselves. Standing in front of the mirror Zenovia looked at her reflection, her purple hair was a lilac shade and was much too long to be a Padawan. With a pair of scissors in hand Zenovia cut her waist length hair down to her shoulders, save the strand she left for braiding. The rest she pulled back into a bun.

After she was satisfied with her new haircut Zenovia changed out of her beige Youngling robes and dawned on her freshly made Padawan clothes. The new attire she had received was primarily white in color with grey accents seen on her utility belt, in the under layers of her tunic, and on her trousers which were all complimented by darker grey boots. As she prepared to leave her old lifestyle behind Zenovia clipped her lightsaber to her belt and finished tying her Padawan braid. She had ignored the other Younglings who had been in their dorm and read her message about her Padawan assignment. The news quickly spread throughout the close by rooms as Younglings sneered when she walked by them in the halls. They called her names of frosty variants due to her heritage but Zenovia paid them no mind. She had been personally requested to be the Padawan learner of a legendary general in the Grand Army of the Republic. While she was worried about being in a war zone her emotions of excitement and wonder were front and center. Though she was still apprehensive in terms of her own skills Zenovia was reassured by knowing that Master Kenobi would be there.

The Padawan living quarters were a few floors above the Youngling's dorms. As the door slid open Zenovia was greeted by a few surprised faces. She recognized some of the other Padawans in the room; Nuru Kungurama a Chiss who, if Zenovia remembered correctly, had lost his master in the battle of Geonosis and Ferren Barr an Iktotchi who's assigned mentor was alluding Zenovia's personal knowledge. She was older than both of them and they seemed astonished that the Pantoran had finally advanced to their status. There were a few other apprentices in the room who Zenovia hadn't met but she was slightly familiar of seeing them around the Temple. Before the awkwardly long span of silence could continue a female Mirialan approached Zenovia for an introduction.

"Greetings new Padawan learner," she spoke in a clear tone and bowed to Zenovia. "my name is Barriss Offee, and my mentor is Master Unduli." She finished and stood waiting for the returned formality. Zenovia was slightly taken back by the Mirialan's apparently strict dedication to maintaining a professional composure at all times. Nevertheless she bowed back to Padawan Offee with equal respect.

"My name is Zenovia Royce. I have just been assigned to Master Kenobi." She stated which caught the attention of a Nautolan male who's red-black eyes widened at the sound of the famous general. There were only the five of them in the room, but there were six beds and an equal number of small dressers beside each one. Zenovia looked around to see which ones were unclaimed. Noticing her wandering eyes the Mirialan moved to assist her.

"This one here is yours, Padawan Royce." Offee informed her while walking to stand by one of the empty beds. She continued on to explain of all who resided in their shared dormitory. "In the meantime, while our new personal living quarters are being renovated, there are six Padawans assigned to these chambers." She explained thoroughly. Zenovia had heard about the training accident that ruined some of the rooms in the Temple, fortunately no one had been harmed in the process. In her further explanation Offee introduced the Pantoran to Padawan Knox who was learning under Master Halsey.

"Leave me out of the boring formalities and call me Knox!" He declared in a stark contrast to how Padawan Offee conducted herself. "You've met everyone already, that is, aside from Ahsoka- but I'm sure you'll be spending lots of time with her since Masters Kenobi and Skywalker are often paired together." Knox spoke to her with his purple and green head tentacles practically twitching in excitement. "What's he like?" The Nautolan pressed on.

"I don't know, I have yet to meet either of them." Zenovia informed him hoping to quell his brimming energy. Upon realizing his over enthusiasm Knox requested that she tell him later about the two iconic generals. Padawans Kungurama and Barr left without a word and suddenly a new holographic message appeared on the screen by the doorway. It was addressed to Zenovia and instructed her to meet her master down in the hangers to depart on a mission. Knox was delighted for her and Padawan Offee wished Zenovia well on her first mission.

After saying her parting words to her newfound fellow Padawans, Zenovia hurried down multiple floors to the docking bay. She had only been down this far into the basement levels of the Temple when she had participated in the Gathering with a group of other Younglings years ago. It was then that she had constructed her own lightsaber and since then she had still lacked in forming a strong fighting style with it. Several combat instructors within the Temple had tried to work with her to improve and she had made only a little progress. Trying to clear her mind of the repressive thoughts Zenovia focused on locating her new master. She was wandering around several ship's landing platforms when she found Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Albeit they were dressed unusually warm for the weather on Coruscant. They had dawned on thick coats and pants fit for a blizzard.

Suddenly Zenovia faltered. Her previously assured and almost confident steps had slowed to a halt. She wondered to herself if this was real... if the real Obi-Wan Kenobi actually asked to be her master, he who had been the first Jedi in countless years to destroy a Sith Lord, was it really happening that someone finally wanted her? She paused in the middle of the hangar surrounded by ships and clones going about their business. She was becoming overwhelmed with nerves and was frightened by the idea that Master Kenobi would send her back and refuse to be her teacher. As it would happen, Obi-Wan noticed her from across the docking area and motion for her to approach.

Taking a deep breath Zenovia walked forward towards her awaiting teacher.

"Ah yes, hello there my new Padawan learner." Kenobi said with a smile. "Anakin, allow me to introduce you to my new apprentice Zenovia Royce."

"Yeah yeah, nice to meet you. Don't let this Padawan of yours slow me down Obi-Wan." Skywalker stated rather intrusively. "Who's apprentice were you beforehand anyways? You're much too old to still have been a Youngling-"

"Enough of that Anakin." Kenobi said waving that topic out of conversation. "Speaking of Padawans, where is yours?"

"Ahsoka isn't coming on this one, she's fallen behind in her studies and needs to catch up." Skywalker informed them and something in his tone of voice told Zenovia that this was not an uncommon occurrence. "Well, I better see what Rex has gotten himself into. I'll see you on the ship." Skywalker said as he left them to inquire about the clone captain.

"I know Pantorans are particularly custom to the cold, but you may want these." Master Kenobi said offering her grey gloves.

"Thank you, Master." Zenovia said putting them on.

They turned to walk up the ramp when Kenobi carried on their conversation. "I would like to compliment you on your impressive victories during the tournament." He said and Zenovia could hardly believe his congratulatory words. "Nowadays many Jedi are too quick to draw their lightsabers in my opinion. I would have waited till after this mission to have a proper meeting with you, but as the Force would have it we are going to Orto Plutonia and it seemed only natural that you came along." He continued on as they entered the main deck of the ship where several of the low altitude assault transport ships were waiting. Zenovia had never been on a ship of this star destroyer size, and curiously let her gaze wander over the attack cruiser's sheer magnitude. She remained focused on her Master's words and answered his questions.

"No, I have never been to Orto Plutonia- though I have met Senator Riyo Chuchi previously." Zenovia informed him. The first time she had met Senator Chuchi she asked the young Jedi why there were no golden tattoos upon her face marking her family affiliation. It was often something that other people would asked Zenovia about if they knew enough about Pantoran culture. Zenovia had been taken from her birth planet at an early age due to her parents dying prematurely and that was also why her name wasn't very native of Pantora, rather she had been named by another prior to coming to the Jedi Temple before her first name day.

"Ah, well that's good. I am sure the Senator will appreciate seeing a familiar face." Master Kenobi said before continuing on with a hint of a dismal nature. "We are going to investigate an outpost on the planet that has since stopped responding to our messages and we can't seem to get a hold of anyone there."

"Do you think the Separatists are behind this, if it is an attack, Master?" She asked, after the start of the war the only foes in the world appeared to be those under the confederacy council.

"It is much too soon to be certain who is responsible for the drop in communications. It could be any number of things, weather interference, technological problems, or something to do with the clones themselves." Kenobi explained to her. Zenovia's observant nature noted that he seemed to be impatient or at least acutely aware of the time passing. A pang of worry fell over her as she ponder if it was her new arrival and slow start that was causing her master this woe. The notion slipped away from her as she realized he was fretting about their impending departure- if their party was not fully present soon they would be late and due to the unknown nature of the mission this could come to haunt them.

Their whole party had finally arrived on the ship. Master Skywalker had found Captain Rex and the other clones assigned to the mission. The troops were also well prepared for the snowy weather and were going over their rations and other supplies. Skywalker called to the command center that they were clear for take off and seconds later they departed from the Jedi Temple hangar. The dignitaries from Pantora were gathered around each other and Zenovia could not see Senator Chuchi directly yet sensed her familiar presence. Zenovia's self doubt was still prevalent in the back of her mind as they jumped to hyperspace. However, one thought prevailed- she was finally a Padawan.