Two weeks. Two weeks of meetings, fourteen days of ongoing funerals, three hundred and thirty six painstaking hours of repairing the planet to her former glory and erasing the stain of the federation. Two weeks for the dead to be counted, for the camps to be torn down, and for the people to decide that this atrocity would never happen to them again. Two weeks until the Republic got off their bureaucratic laurels and finally sent a small envoy to Naboo to pick up Nute Gunray and the rest of the imprisoned Federation lackeys to face trial.

Unfortunately, there were two things that came with the Republic that had ground any progress Padme and I were making to a halt, well… Two people, I should say. What was worse was that as soon as the Republic enforcers took custody of Gunray, he started squealing my identity to anyone who would listen. While this was expected, the two people in the Envoy's party who I was praying wouldn't catch wind of my dual identities got a full, first hand account within minutes of touching down on Naboo. It was almost as infuriating as the two Jedi themselves.

"Release the Zabrak to the Jedi, you will, young Vizsla. A Sith he is, our attention this matter requires," the little green troll of the Jedi order demanded of me and the Queen I was standing beside.

"No can do," I said with a grin that he obviously couldn't see under my helmet. He may know who I was but that was still no reason to take off my bucket.

"And why is that?" Master Windu growled.

"Because the Zabrak in question is no longer on Naboo, nor would I have any reason to believe he is in Republic space any longer," Padme said, regally getting surprised looks from the Jedi. "If the Republic had acted swiftly we would not be having this conversation. He was on my planet for three days before I agreed to hand him into the custody of the Free Mandalorians so I would not have a threat of the Zabrak's caliber among my people."

"So, we should speak to Duchess Kryze for the Zabrak then?" Windu asked with a raised eyebrow. I just gave a bark of laughter.

"If you want to be running circles around the galaxy, then be my guest. The Duchess isn't even aware of the existence of the Free Mandalorians. They don't answer to the Duchess and live by Mand'alor the Destroyers' creed - do I need to remind you of what it says, Auretti?"

"Necessary, that will not be. To these Free Mandalorians, take us you will."

"Ah, now that I can't do. You see, they almost didn't let me be part of their ranks simply because I was a governor's son. Dad knows about them only because he got suspicious and managed to track me to one of the meetings. He's kept quiet about it though and has never once told the Duchess - but, that was more than likely for the best seeing as we did save his and Queen Amidala's lives."

"And were kind enough to gift me this armor," she didn't even have to gesture as the armor itself was more than enough to make a statement on how she felt about the Jedi being here. She was in full gear but her visor was off for the Jetti to see her face - painted white as it always was when she took the throne - with her crimson, beskar reinforced, armor weave cape draped over her left shoulder, leaving the pistol on the throne's right arm exposed for all to see. The Queen's intent was clear, Naboo wasn't on friendly terms with the Republic anymore. "Which saved my life. I owe the Free Mandalorians a debt, one that I will not mar by acceding to these demands of the Jedi which were absent when Naboo needed them most."

"We were unaware of the significance of what was occurring here, your Highness. But, perhaps you do not understand the magnitude of what it means that there is a free Sith roaming the galaxy!" Windu snapped. I reached for the pommel of the sword belted on my left hip, instantly drawing the Jedi Master's eyes to the object. He paled dramatically as Yoda staggered a step back seeing what was in my hand.

"Perhaps you forget your place, Jedi," the Queen snarled at the two, now shaken Jetti. "You are envoys of the Chancellor, yes, but the Chancellor has no right to demand a prisoner of war - neither do the Jedi, for that matter - from a Sovereign System if that System wishes to try the individuals first. Nute Gunray does indeed fall into this category but I have allowed you to take the Viceroy to face Republic justice as I, in my role as Queen of Naboo, cannot try the Trade Federation itself. No, that privilege falls into the hands of the Republic. The Zabrak, on the other hand, has committed no crimes against the Naboo System other than on an individual level (the charges including three counts of battery on agents of the Queen - all of three who were not Citizens of Naboo). Unless there are any other crimes against the Republic or other Systems that would take precedence over the charges the Naboo have already tried him for, that I am unaware of, then you have no right nor reason to ask me to deliver him into your hands."

"No, Queen Amidala, he is not wanted elsewhere but he is a Sith!" Windu snapped at the Queen. He was obviously on edge but this needed to end, quickly, or something would probably happen.

"And as the Queen said," I barked, stepping a pace in front of the Queen. I wasn't sure if I could take two Grandmaster level Jedi on by myself but thankfully I didn't have to. I had plenty of snipers and Heavies in position if it was necessary to take out the Jedi - I'd just repeat the strategy I used on Maul and pray I didn't get thrown off any more cliffs. "Practicing a religion is not a crime against the Republic, use of the Force - outside of the Jedi Order, whether you believe it or not - is not a crime against the Republic. He has not committed any crimes that would warrant the Naboo or her Queen to hand him over to you. And, unfortunately for you, the Queen is in no position to do that anyway as he is in Free Mandalorian custody - not hers!"

"I think it is time for you to leave, Ambassadors," Padme said quietly but sharply. "You have Viceroy Gunray and, as it seems there is no more business for us to tend to, you are dismissed."

"For your time, we thank you, Queen Amidala. Find the Zabrak, should you, to us send him. To Coruscant, we will go. Good day." Grandmaster Yoda said as he turned around and walked out, stamping his cane every step of the way. Master Windu, it seemed, wanted to glare me down for a few more moments before catching up to the Grandmaster of the Jedi.

"Pleasant as always," I muttered to Padme once they were well out of earshot. She snorted lightly as she looked up from the throne and toward me. I pulled off my helmet and reached out my hand to her, she took it with a smile as I helped her to her feet. She stood to her full height but reached up to take her helmet completely off too, setting it on the arm of the throne beside her pistol.

"Indeed," she said, turning back around to face me. "To insult me in my own throne room? I can't decide whether it is boldness or arrogance that drives them."

"Arrogance, definitely arrogance," I said as I tapped the sword hilt again as we walked out of the throne room. Padme grimaced slightly but nodded.

"I still don't like that you took a trophy from killing that Shadow."

"And I don't like that he was sent to kill me, now he's dead and I'm the one who killed him. Now I have his sword and he's rotting in the ground, no need to waste a perfectly good sword now is there?"

"None at all, Perseus," a familiar, drawling voice said from behind us. I turned with a raised eyebrow as I watched the two former Jedi catch up to us. "Master Yoda has lived for too long, he is used to the Jedi being awed - even feared. You do not fit into his view of the galaxy when you do not immediately accept his will. Master Windu, on the other hand, walks a strange line that I had never considered for the Jedi - one close to the dark side. He is arrogant and does not even know it."

"An unfortunate quality for a Jedi to have, one that may be to our detriment."

"What do you mean, Qui-Gon?" I asked slowly.

"You know well that he sent Obi-Wan to Satine and my wayward padawan was aboard your ship when you performed those feats of the force…"

"Oh shit…"

"Quite. Which is why you possessing the sword of a Shadow was something I told you not to do in Master Windu's presence. Obi-Wan will report back all he knows to the council when he learns that I did not report all of my knowledge to them."

"But Mace-"

"Heads the Shadow Order and Council, I am well aware. Holding that sword will just infuriate him towards you even more once his shock has passed… I'm afraid he will do something rash," Qui-Gon looked at the ceiling before glancing at Dooku. "I am unsure if he will try the stunt again or whether he will take years to plan your demise, Windu is a wild card."

"So what are we going to do?"

"As we have already planned. Train the Praetorians and stay vigilant, that is all we can do. As of now we are citizens of Naboo, the paperwork just came in." Dooku said with a gleam in his eye as he passed a datapad to me. I clicked it on and read it as fast as I could, never noticing the two former Jedi glance at each other before walking away.

"Well, well, it seems we have to get ready for the celebrations tonight." Padme's eyes sparkled as I finally looked up from the datapad and tucked it in my belt, grinning all the while.

"In other words, you want to get that ridiculous amount of makeup off your face so we can watch the fireworks from your private balcony?" I said pushing my darker thoughts to the back of my mind while glancing around to find the Jedi nowhere in sight.

"You know me too well," she said with a grin, pushing me into a pillar and leaning into my chest.

"I also know you're insatiable, woman," I grinned right back and let her do what she wanted.

"Maybe," she tilted her head up so we were nose to nose, "but you certainly haven't been complaining, have you Percy?"

"Not at all, Pad," I couldn't help the chuckle and small smile that escaped until she cut them both off with her lips on mine.

"And how many of your men are watching us?" Padme asked as she pulled her lips from mine.

"A few, you know they'll be yours in a few weeks."

"Ah yes, the Praetorians. I still don't know how you convinced Bibble to agree to the idea."

"You'll find I can be quite convincing, your Majesty. You need proper guards, not some half trained band of volunteer pacifists," I said as I spun us around and pinned her to the column. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" she giggled and threw her arms around my neck as I leaned down.

XXX

Later…

Coruscant…

Jedi High Council Chambers…

"The Naboo did not give the Sith over to us?"

"No, master Mundi. The Zabrak is currently in the custody of a group calling themselves the 'Free Mandalorians,' whatever that may mean for the Galaxy. Undoubtedly, they are elusive and will be violent. I doubt we will be able to find them and if we do manage to do the unthinkable then we will lose many of our number in the process. Remember what the Mandalorians of Olde are renown for, the Sith is out of our reach for now. Rest assured, we have people already working to find him without the loss of Jedi lives."

"Master Windu, if this is true then these Mandalorians could be a plague even worse than the Sith should they rise again! You know the stories and reports of the last Mandalorian wars you just mentioned!"

"I also know, Master Mundi, that the Mandalorians have not gathered in force or en masse since that same time three thousand years ago and won't be doing it anytime soon. Their civil war crippled them even further than the fall did. A rogue sect of Mandalorians should not be our priority. I only fear that Perseus Vizsla may continue to be a shadow looming over us until we deal with this problem, he may even be sympathetic to the Sith."

"Sympathetic to the Sith? What could you possibly mean by that?"

"He refused to give the Sith over on the grounds that he had broken no laws of the Republic, having only assaulted three officers of the Queen of Naboo before he was arrested. As such, we had no grounds to demand him be turned over into Jedi custody. While all of this is technically true, this - along with the statements Perseus made to this council - lead me to believe he could be quite a threat to the Jedi as a whole. We do not know what he has done with the Sith - if he's freed him or imprisoned him - or if he's the simple face of a much larger organization. These Free Mandalorians he spoke of give credence to the second though I am unsure without a proper investigation; one that will be nigh impossible to begin simply because we do not know where to begin… As for the Mandalorians as a whole, though? They aren't a threat as of this moment. They have neither the military strength nor manpower to pose an issue for the Republic unless they rally under a new Mandalore and I wouldn't put it past Perseus to vie for the position from what we know of him."

"I agree with Master Windu. The Mandalorians are no threat to the galaxy or to the Jedi as of this moment. We have ten thousand Jedi across the stars ready to be recalled to the temple at a moment's notice. The Sith could strike at us without us even knowing what has happened, recovering the Sith Zabrak should be our first priority without losing Jedi lives… Though I doubt it would be possible to act against Perseus if he is indeed close to the Queen of Naboo. Attacking him may look like an attack on Naboo itself."

"Thank you, Master Gallia. How to recover this Sith, we know not. Only who holds him, has been shared. Padawan Kenobi, if any information he has acquired we should ask?"

"Indeed, Grandmaster. Master Billaba, would you bring the boy in?"

"Yes, Master Windu," the Chalactan master stood and walked to the door, admitting the young man who was standing just off to the side. "Please, come in, Padawan Kenobi."

"Thank you, master Billaba," the padawan bowed as he stepped into the center of the council chambers. "Masters," Obi-Wan said as he bowed to the room.

"Padawan Kenobi, welcome back. I trust your mission was successful?" The padawan looked pained for a brief second before it slipped off his face like a mask.

"I regret to inform you, Master Windu, that Duchess Satine Kryze has no information on the man who is known as Trident. Though it would seem he is rather infamous to the Mandalorian underground as the founder of the Strikers. Masters… Were you aware that Trident leads a team of Force adepts."

"HE DOES WHAT?!" Master Mundi burst out, standing from his chair as the rest of the council looked stunned at the revelation.

"Trident heads the Strikers," Obi-Wan clarified, not missing the crushing atmosphere of the Council Chambers but he did not understand the reason it was so. "They are an elite group of mercenaries - of which there are seven, all of whom I have met personally. In this group there are: Trident - the leader, Lieutenant - also known as 'LT,' who seems to be second in command of the group, Captain, Phantom, Oak, Golem, and Hotshot. All of them aren't only trained in lightsaber combat but the Force as well, assumedly from Holocrons Trident has in his possession. They seem to be connected to a larger mercenary group that the underworld of Mandalore refuses to even whisper of - one that the Governor of the moon Concordia, Pre Vizsla, seems connected to in some way."

"Damn… He was in this very room and we didn't feel as much as a flicker of the force coming from him! Why the hell did we not feel that?!" Master Windu snapped as he glared around the council chambers.

"Qui Gon did not tell you?" Obi-Wan asked, actually surprised.

"He knew!?"

"Y-yes Master Windu… Trident performed a small bit of the force in the bridge of his ship. All I have told you today came from that encounter and the few snatches of whispers I heard on Mandalore - which involved little other than that the people were excited to hear about the alliance of Mandalore and Naboo being sealed with a marriage."

"WHAT MARRIAGE!?"

"The betrothal of Perseus Vizsla to Queen Amidala, Master Windu. Merely a formality but one that is set to seal the alliance until Queen Amidala is out of office."

"Damn it! Why didn't we know about that! We could have stepped in!"

"Master, is it not our duty to stand aside from the rest of the galaxy? To only step in when peace is threatened? What business do the Jedi have in interfering with a marriage for political gains?" The Padawan asked, obviously incredibly confused as Mace slumped into his seat, massaging his forehead as he answered the Padawan's question.

"Perseus Vizsla is the mercenary known as Trident. Now he has allied himself and this alleged mercenary group of his with the Naboo System. The Duchess would have had to either suggested or approved of this match for it to be an official courtship, Padawan Kenobi. Though your words prove you a Jedi yet… You have passed the Test of Flesh on Mandalore and your Test of Insight here today. Kneel." The Master of the Order commanded as he rose from his seat. Kenobi dropped like a stone as the master lit his Lightsaber.

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee Jedi, Knight of the Republic," Mace said, cutting Knight Kenobi's old padawan braid. "Rise, Knight Kenobi."

"Thank you, Master Windu," Kenobi said, his voice shaking.

"You won't be thanking me for this next bit," Master Windu said, retaking his seat as the Council looked on - some approving, others vehemently against what just happened. "Knight Kenobi… Tell me, what do you know of the Shadows?"

XXX

Naboo…

Earlier…

"Percy, can you come over here?"

"What's up?"

"The fireworks are about to start and you're still cleaning your armor."

"It's important!"

"I agree, but you've been scrubbing it for nearly an hour now and the metal is dark grey."

"Well… I, uh… Damn. Okay, okay, I'm coming."

"And put down the rag."

"Alright, it's down. Is there anything else you'd ask of me, majesty?" I asked with a grin, tossing the oiled rag over the left spaulder of my armor.

"Come over here," Padme said from the balcony with the sun setting behind her, a thin robe protecting her modesty. Not that I had much more as I walked onto the balcony in a thin pair of trousers.

"Yes, my queen," I grinned as I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into my side. She smiled softly as we watched the sun set on Theed.

"I can't believe you wanted to cement the Naboo-Mandalore alliance with a courtship," I snarked gently.

"Haven't we talked about this before?"

"Three times, if I remember right."

"You're trouble, Percy. But, as I've told you before, it seemed like the easiest way to convince my advisors to keep you here… And the easiest way to keep you here in general," she smirked as she looked up at me.

"You were probably right," I admitted easily. "Dad would probably have me galavanting all over the cosmos just to keep his little boy away from the big bad queen chasing him into her bed," I smiled as Padme gave her signature bell-like laugh.

"Like you need protection from little old me," Padme smirked as she pressed her forehead to mine.

"No, but we both may need protection when Bo-Katan finally meets you. I'm not sure who's pants she'll try to get in first," I grinned but Padme's smirk turned into a small frown causing mine to vanish too.

"She's the Duchess' sister that you're friends with, right?"

"Yes, and she's my best friend, actually. We've been close since we were in diapers."

"And closer than that now?"

"Yeah, we've had our fun. She was my first actually."

"First?"

"Friend, confidant, sparring partner… Lover…"

"Tell me about it."

"Well… Have I told you about what I had to do to be considered an adult by Death Watch?"

"I don't think so?"

"It's called the verd'goten. Basically, it's usually a thing where father and son will drop into the middle of the woods for about three days on the kid's thirteenth birthday and survive on what's there. It's supposed to see if you're worthy of the name. Death Watch does things a bit differently."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Well, dad threw me out of an escape pod and onto Yavin IV for a week to survive by myself. It was where I found out I could use the Force actually."

"You didn't know you could use the Force until you were thirteen?"

"Among other things."

"Only you, Percy. Well, go on then."

"Right! Well, you see, the end of the Verd'goten is celebrated with a drink… A rather strong drink at that," I shivered just at the memory of the swill that dared call itself a drink. "Bo-Katan and my other friend, Tiber, were there to celebrate with me. Well, after that day I got much closer to Bo and drifted from Tiber. I was thirteen but Bo's drink and mine were spiked with a Love Wallop because Blake Wren - one of dad's crew - decided he wanted to get us together." Padme was silent as we looked over the city with my arms around her belly and her head pressed against my chest. If the city wasn't so quiet in anticipation I might not have heard what she asked next.

"Do you love her?"

"As a friend? Absolutely. We've had years to grow and fight together, it's natural we're closer than most people. But as a partner? Like what we have now? Well… I don't think either of us could be committed to each other the way we would want to. She has her duties as Princess of Mandalore and I have mine as second of Death Watch. A governor's son doesn't have many official responsibilities and, while she may be a member of Death Watch, she's the Queen's sister. Now that I've been outed as Trident, I doubt I can be seen in public with her anymore or she'll be accused of being a 'Free Mandalorian,' too."

"Where did you even come up with that name?"

"Spur of the moment," I said sheepishly. "I couldn't say Death Watch or that would have exposed us to the scrutiny of the Jedi and New Mandalorians. I would have said True Mandalorians but that name was taken by Mereel's little band of rebels Death Watch fought in the Civil War."

"Wasn't that when Kenobi met the Duchess?"

"Yeah, it was," I said with a small frown. "But now the True Mandalorians are dead except for the dar'Fett [1] and Montross. The New Mandalorians are no issue since they're pacifists… Death Watch is the only warrior sect left of Mandalore, though now I suppose you can call them the Free Mandalorians."

"You're a fighter, you love your home and those traditions. You would, no, you have killed for it. You would torture, kill, and burn to make sure Mandalore was safe against all those that would do her harm and erase the memory of your heritage - even if it's your own people. The Duchess may be trying to erase your warrior history but she's made the largest step forward for a foundation for a better life for your people. Now you can cement that legacy without bloodshed. I want you to know peace Percy, you've been fighting your entire life if what you've told me is true. You had the most peace you ever knew with Bo-Katan, didn't you?"

"Even in Death, United…" I muttered in Mandoa as I looked to the moons as Padme wrapped her arms around me. "Yeah. Yeah, she was. She'll always be my best friend, Pad, and I want peace more than you could ever know, but I'm Mandalorian. I am a warrior."

"I knew a man, a Corellian, who once said 'better to be a Mandalorian on Alderaan than an Alderaanean on Mandalore when war breaks out.' Do you know what that means?" I just shook my head.

"I'm not sure."

"It's better to be a fighter in peace than a pacifist in war. I want you to teach me how to fight, Percy, but I want to show you what peace can be."

"I think I'd like that… But there's one thing I have to find before I can find real peace, Padme…" As soon as I said her name, the first of the Fireworks lit up the sky.

"And what's that?"

"Have you ever heard of the Star Forge?"

End of Part One

XXX

[1] - Dar'Fett - literally "not Fett." In this case, this refers to Jango. Jango's canon has been a damn roller coaster so I made my own for him which you can partially find in chapter 2.


AN: I know! I'm horrible! A short chapter and a cliffhanger? What kind of evil person am I? The kind with a plan, yes I am. The cliffhanger should be a good indication for where this story is headed but getting there is going to be one hell of a ride!

Now, to answer some reviews!

First of all, this and the popular Disney+ show The Mandalorian currently have nothing to do with one another. Mainly because Din Djarin does not exist… yet. This is currently set at least seven years before Din is even born. Now, as good as the show is, it will not influence this fanfic.

Character ages?

Percy Jackson Vizsla: 15

Padme 'Amidala,' Naberrie: 14

Obi-Wan Kenobi: 25

Pre Vizsla: 32

Bo-Katan Kryze: 17

Duchess Satine Kryze: 23

Anakin Skywalker: 9

Sam Xophos (Golem): 17

Julius Rau (Phantom): 15

Saorise Anois (Captain): 18

Ayla Tenau (Lieutenant (LT)): 15

Tara Saxon (Hotshot): 16

Ryan Green (Oak): 18

Din Djarin: -7

Yes, I know I missed a few but those characters are the same age as they are in canon and easily available on Wookiepedia.

Now for a few announcements:

One) with school starting back, I don't know how much free time I'll have for writing Fanfiction. That said:

Two) This is the end of Part One of The Wayfinder! We finally got here! Thank you all for sticking with me through this and wish you all the best! This is a multipart story and I'm aiming to have at least the next few chapters written before I post on here again.

Three) Reading recommendations!

To Mr . Omega573 (no spaces, guys, ffn is strange like that), I never realized that you had read this and I love your "The Arcanist: Unspeakable Mysteries!"

Seriously guys, it's so good. Never in my life have I read a story that does OP MCs so believably while being so well written. It's a HP story but if you like this story I'm sure you will enjoy it as well!

"Adas Reborn," by Shahismael - another HP but this time an X-over into Star Wars. Well written, being updated, and one of those stories you just will not want to put down.

"Song of a Northern Sorcerer," by FFdrake - one of my favorite authors struck again. A GOT/Star Wars fic from the Old Republic era, a blind Sith finds himself in the North. A bit slow but the MC is OP and utterly ruthless, makes for quite an entertaining story.

Thanks again, you guys! See you in the next installment of The Wayfinder!

1/23/2021 - Small edits for misspelling.