The Razor Crest flew with grace, minus a few hiccups here and there, but overall Din was pleased with Peli's work. All three sat in their seats with a bit of anticipation when they exited out of hyperspace and a planet came into view.
"Corvus, this is the place, I've detected a beacon, let's begin the landing cycle," Din instructed Osa when she started her usual protocol as the Child had his own agenda and began focusing on the metal nob, force wielding it into his clutches without recollection from the others.
Flawlessly the Crest landed as all three exited the ship and gazed at their surroundings.
"Is this planet going through a drought, cause this forest has seen better days," Osa noticed but Din had become preoccupied by what the Child had in his hand.
"What did I say about that? This needs to stay in the ship," Din tried to explain.
"Someone is in trouble," Osa teased as Din took the nob and put it in a pouch on his belt.
"Not much to see out here," Din said.
"Not much at all, so where do you think a Jedi would live?" Osa asked hoping her father had all the answers.
"Let's head into town, see if we can pick up a lead," when Osa initiated the Crest's security protocol while Din secured the Child in Osa's backpack.
Their journey didn't take long when they approached the entrance to the city where two guards stood on top of a ledge with their commanding officer, "State your business," the officer yelled below.
"Been tracking for a few days, looking for a layover," Din stated.
"Nice armor, are you both hunters, then?"
"That's right."
"Guild?"
"Last I checked."
"Open the gate."
Osa loved watching her father smooth talk the locals, she needed to learn how to do this because her comments were always snarky, sending the wrong message and not achieving her mission.
The two walked in and approached a vendor hoping for some information, but the woman quickly walked away afraid.
"I guess your smooth talk doesn't work on everyone Papi," Osa winked but realized he couldn't see, "Let me try," when Osa noticed an older gentlemen in an ally attending to some kids, "Excuse me, we are in need of some information. You see we are looking for someone, are you able to help?"
The man shooed off the children and approached, "Please do not speak to any of us," he said in fear a troop of guards passed by.
"Why what has you so afraid?" Osa hoped the man would confide in them but the guards stopped and addressed the Mandalorians.
"The Magistrate wants to see the both of you," they spoke in a mechanical voice.
Knowing they had no choice because they were allowed passage into the city, Din nudged Osa to follow. They were lead to a large building hidden behind a set of gates, but lining the sides of the street were several individual holding stocks filled with innocent townspeople.
"Help us," one man begged while getting electrocuted because he got to close to the circular bars restraining him.
"Papi," Osa squeaked in horror staring at the pleading prisoners.
Din glanced at Osa telling her subliminally that there was nothing they could do when the gates opened and they were ushered inside. A second pair of doors opened when a woman stood in the distance preening a bush as she ordered them forward.
"You both are Mandalorian?"
"Yes," Din replied.
"I have a proposition that may interest you."
"My price is high."
"This target is priceless. A Jedi plagues me. I want you to kill her."
"Just like your people," Osa couldn't hold back her tongue, it was as if they were speaking through her.
"What did you say child?" the Magistrate questioned in defense approaching as if to attack.
Din immediately put himself in between holding Osa back, "No need for this to escalate. I will deal with my kin's loose tongue," Din glanced behind his back with a stern glare, declaring his authority.
"I have an empty holding stock if she needs a time out," the Magistrate teased knowing this would anger the younger Mandalorian.
"That won't be necessary, we have our own forms of punishment," Din enforced hoping he could move on with business, "Now about killing this Jedi, that would be a difficult task."
"One that you are well suited for. The Jedi are the ancient enemy of Mandalore."
"As I said, my price is high," when the Magistrate ordered a droid forward that was holding a solid silver spear.
"What do you make of this?" She held it out for Din to take.
Gradually he let go of Osa praying she stayed back when he walked forward and collected the weapon. He carefully teeter tattered it in his hands when he banged it against his gauntlet making an untainted echo; only one source of metal mad that noise: Beskar.
"Pure Beskar," the Magistrate informed, "Like your armor. Kill the Jedi and it's yours."
Contemplating if this was a good idea, Din handed back the spear, "Where do I find this Jedi?"
The Magistrates commander escorted Din and Osa out of the city as all three glared at the desolate forest in the distance. In this silence the Child made some cooing noises catching the officer's attention.
"What is that thing?" he asked Osa while staring at it.
"He is not a thing, Cretan. He is apart of our family," Osa spat.
"Huh," he thought while contemplating if this is what they looked like underneath the armor, "You sure do have a mouth on you, didn't your father teach you to mind your elders little lady?"
"I did, independence has gotten away with her," Din declared.
The commander just nodded his head when Din walked forward knowing Osa would follow.
The three ventured into the forest quietly, meandering their way through the trees while trusting the coordinates the Magistrate had given.
"What no lecture?" Osa started.
"Would you like one?" Din replied.
"Not in particular."
"You are old enough to choose your own words, just be aware of the consequences that could follow."
"You probably wish I was six years old again and still didn't talk."
"Those were quieter days," Din tried to joke but remembered his frustrations on getting Osa to actually speak.
"Ouch, don't hold anything back Papi."
All he could was chuckle as they approached their destination, "Well these are the coordinates, keep your eyes open."
"For what, do you see a residence nearby where we can knock on the Jedi's door, why can't a mission ever be easy?" Osa complained and sat in frustration on a rock.
"Relax, wait right here, I will see what's out there," Din patted her pauldron to bring her at ease, hoping an episode wasn't festering and getting her agitated.
Din walked a few feet leaving his children in the faint distance when he heard nearby rustling, Din ignited his heat vision and saw faint footprints. He glanced around and saw nothing but some creatures on the horizon, when suddenly he heard the buzz of ignited lightsabers and a figure leap at him in attack mode.
The female Togruta slammed her white blades against Din's armor believing she would make an impact, but Din fought hard. He blasted fire in her direction but she somersaulted free of the flames, with quick thinking he shot his grappling wire wrapping it around her hoping to seize her movement but that was another failed attempt.
As if gravity didn't pertain to her, she leaped over a high tree branch and lifted Din onto his tippy toes exposing him when he unhooked the wire freeing both of them. Again he heard the sound of blades as he pulled his blaster and shouted her name wanting to end the unnecessary battle.
"Ahsoka Tano! Bo-Katan sent me. We need to talk," Din extended his hand and lowered his blaster hoping she would stand down as well when something caught her attention.
"I hope it's to talk about them," She nodded her head towards Osa as the Child peered around with curiosity.
Night had come when Ahsoka gathered the Child and Osa in a sitting circle, leaving Din to pace in the background. Everyone was quiet while Ahsoka gently glared at the both of them as this made Osa a bit uneasy.
"You seem on edge?" Ahsoka addressed Osa.
"Well with my life style you always have to be on your toes," Osa stated.
"Or it could be something else, an inner struggle perhaps?"
"No surprise there, what is this all about, why did you also want to see me, he is the one we have to reunite with the Jedi?"
"Yes, and you don't feel you fit that category as well?"
"I am no Jedi, I am a Mandalorian, like my father," Osa clarified.
"Yes, but Yazel says otherwise," Ahsoka revealed.
"Yazel? He never told me his name," Osa said in surprise.
"That is because the both of you have shut yourself off from the Force."
"The Force, no this is getting all to much," Osa rose to her feet, picked up Yazel and walked to her father, "Can we go?"
"What did she say, will she train him, you?" Din asked perplexed.
"Me, was that your plan all along, to leave me here also?" Osa said hurt.
"This is exactly what we have been searching for, answers, and to turn our backs on it now, Osa please," Din actually pleaded, "Please we need to hear her out," he pointed behind when Ahsoka sat on a rock awaiting them.
A bit apprehensive Osa complied and set Yazel on a stone as Din and Osa took their seats. Yazel glared at Ahsoka as if communicating with her.
"Is he speaking?" Din pushed the conversation since Osa wouldn't revel anything.
"In a way, Yazel and I can feel each other's thoughts," Ahsoka said.
"Yazel?" Din said in surprise when the Child cooed and smiled up at him.
"He was raised and trained at the Jedi Temple on Courasant," Ahsoka began, "At the end of the Clone Wars, when the Empire rose to power, he was hidden, someone took him from the Temple. Then his memory becomes…dark. He seemed lost. Alone. I have known one other being like this. A wise Jedi Master named Yoda," Din and Osa glanced at the familiarity of the name, "Can they wield the Force?" Ahsoka asked Din.
"You mean their powers?"
"The Force is what gives them their abilities. It is an energy field created by all living things. To wield it takes a great deal of training and discipline, which I am sure your daughter has learned from you," Ahsoka included.
"My task was to bring him to a Jedi and, with hope, to get answers we have been looking for," Din pointed to Osa.
"The Jedi Order fell a long time ago," Ahsoka said in sadness.
"So did the Empire, yet it still hunts my children. They need your help."
"Papi," Osa pleaded to stop including her.
"Everyone should get some rest, then we can do some testing in the morning," Ahsoka said sensing solace in Yazel but fear in Osa.
Once the sun rose Ahsoka walked everyone to a clearing in order to have some added space. Din held onto Yazel while Osa lagged behind.
"Let's see what knowledge is lurking inside that little mind," Ahsoka playfully ticked Yazel's nose while directing Din to place the Child on a stone to sit.
"What about Osa?" Din noticed Ahsoka didn't request for his daughter.
"In due time," Ahsoka said while picking up a small rock. She stood in front of the Child and force pushed the stone into Yazel's hands, "Now, return it to me," but Yazel was hesitant and instead dropped it.
Ahsoka walked towards Yazel and knelt at his level, taking his hand in hers while closing her eyes, "There is so much fear that surrounds us," Ahsoka said, peering from Yazel to Osa, "You're just like him, secluded your abilities in order to survive, to stay hidden." All Osa could do was be silent because she felt so exposed.
"Let's try something else, I want to see if he will listen to you," Ahsoka addressed Din when he walked over to her as she laid another stone in his hand, "Now, hold it out in the palm of your hand and tell him to lift it up."
"All right, kid, lift the stone," Din encouraged but Yazel refused, "He is a bit stubborn."
"Try to connect with him," Din sighed and pondered for a moment when an idea struck him. He reached into his pouch and pulled out the silver knob Yazel was always fixated on, "Yazel," Din showcased the tiny sphere, "Do you want this?"
The Child became excited and interested, extending his hand and immediately force wielding the knob into his grasp.
"Good job kid," Din was so proud and walked over to Yazel praising him while taking back the knob in order to do it again.
Watching from a far Osa was happy Yazel would be getting the proper care, but yet she really wasn't ready to let him go. In some way he had taught her so much in such a short amount of time, so many years she harbored fear from her abilities and yet Yazel had shown her a hint of light.
Osa watched her father boost with praise when Yazel followed instructions just like when she was young. So many times she had caused chaos and so many times her father only bathed her with affection and reassurance, giving her the capability to keep living on.
Osa wanted nothing more then for Yazel to receive the same praise and endearment, but what would be the way for him, to stay with them or go with the Jedi? While she contemplated Osa saw Ahsoka walk over towards her father and whisper something. Hesitant at first, he peered at Ahsoka warily as if he was warning her, but she must have convinced him of something because he stroked Yazel's ear and then glanced at Osa for one last time.
She didn't want to believe it but his actions said it all. Din began his journey back to the Crest, collecting his pulse rifle and walking away from his children.
"Wait, Papi, where are you going?" Osa shouted but her father would not turn around and continued on his path, "What did you say to him, where is he going?" Osa spoke in a shaky voice, vaguely feeling the stir awakening.
"I told him to do what's right for the both of you," Ahsoka replied.
"No, Papi, come back," Osa begged while running after him.
"You must learn to let go, Osa," Ahsoka tried to distill as Osa saw nothing but her life crumbling before her eyes.
Suddenly the ground began to quake, rocking anyone stable off their feet, cracks started to manifest within the dirt, shooting in any direction while opening up and swallowing anything within its path. The baron trees vibrated with intensity as small portions broke away as if they were being blown apart in slow motion.
With one last plea Osa cried for her father to not abandon her as all hope had been stripped from her existence. She fell to her knees unable to bare the weight of loss as the hidden force was ready to be released.
Osa clutched at her mid section desperately wanting to expel this agony but never wanting to hurt anyone with her despair. From within Osa could hear a voice, Ahsoka's voice trying to coach her through the episode, but Osa quickly closed herself off because only one person could bring her back and he was the one who was walking away.
Din knew this would be a bad idea. He tried to warn Ahsoka of how Osa would react, how powerful she actually was, but Ahsoka persisted, she wanted to see for herself. Din felt the vibration course through the soles of his boots, he knew what was to come, and he couldn't allow it, besides her pleas shattered his heart.
He quickly turned back and ran for his daughter. Once he reached her he fell to his knees clasping his hands on the sides of her helmet trying to make her look at him.
"Osa, I'm here it was all a rouse, I'm not going any where. Breath, hear me, come back Mi Pequeno," Din hoped to reach her but she had succumbed.
With quick thinking Din prepped his last vile to inject into Osa when Ahsoka approached.
"What are you doing?" she said displeased.
"I have to stop her before she releases the blast," Din informed.
"No, I am talking about the serum," Ahsoka seemed disgusted.
"This was given to me years ago by a doctor who helped us," Din said vaguely when the vile mysteriously shattered within his hand.
Perplexed at first, Din looked at Ahsoka and saw her hand make a fist and with her release Din knew she was the reason for the viles destruction.
"Why would you do that? She cannot be stopped, do you realize what you have done!" Din yelled.
"Do you realize what you've done? You are the reason behind the Empire's way of constricting a Jedi's abilities. They hunt us down like prey and once captured hinder our capabilities and then slaughter us!" Ahsoka revealed.
"I know nothing of this, the doctor gave me these in case I couldn't help Osa through an episode, hence right now," Din said in panic when he could see the pulse radiating out from her core as Osa was ready to release havoc, "Please Mi Pequeno, I have failed you, I'm sorry," Din placed his helmet against his daughter's awaiting the blast that would follow but Ahsoka moved into position.
She placed a hand on top of Osa's helmet and concentrated with all her might, penetrating deep into Osa's mind, finding the way to bring her at ease. Finally their surroundings seized in motion and the pulse, ready to create destruction, instead diminished.
Osa gently fell into unconsciousness and into her father's embrace, stunned he glared up at Ahsoka waiting for an explanation.
"How were you able to stop her?" he questioned.
"By silencing her over stimulated Midiclorians. She was not born with them, was she?" Ahsoka questioned but knowing the answer.
"Not to my recollection, she was a victim of the Empire's experiments as a child. Osa said that is was Yazel who gave her her gifts."
"The experimentation never stopped. The Empire is trying to make Jedi. It never ends."
"You saw for yourself how dangerous she can be, Osa needs your guidance," Din begged.
"Their attachments are to strong with you, they can not be trained."
"What, why not, you've seen what they can do."
"Their attachment to you makes them vulnerable to their fears, their anger," Ahsoka warned.
"All the more reason to train them," Din tried to convince.
"No, I've seen what such feelings can do to a fully trained Jedi Knight. To the best of us. I will not start these younglings down that path. Better to let their abilities fade."
"Well they're not, I know she is not telling me, but Osa's powers are growing. There is only so much I can do, she needs someone who understands what she is experiencing, make her see the good in her gifts instead of the terror. Please, for fifteen years we have searched for answers, please don't turn your back on her or on him," Din pointed to his children.
"I've delayed too long. I must get back to the village," Ahsoka disregarded Din's pleas.
"The Magistrate sent me to kill you. I didn't agree to anything and I'll help you with your problem, if you see to it that Osa and Yazel are properly trained," Din struck up a proposition.
He was out of options and would do anything to help preserve his children's future. Witnessing this fathers desperation, Ahsoka realized he wasn't giving up and so made the deal.
"The Magistrate is well guarded, loads of firepower even your laser swords couldn't protect you from," Din stated while they all walked back to the Crest.
"True, but don't underestimate the Magistrate either," Ahsoka said.
"Who is she?" Osa wanted in on the plan," She offered Papi a staff of pure Beskar in exchange for your death."
"Morgan Elsbeth. During the Clone Wars her people were massacred. She survived and let her anger fuel an industry, which helped build the Imperial Starfleet. She plundered worlds, destroying them in the process."
"Yeah, looks like she's still in business," Din replied.
"When you were in the city did you see any prisoners?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes, there are villagers strung up just outside the inner gate," Osa informed saddened.
"Looks like you've already been formulating a plan in order to free them," Ahsoka spoke with a smile.
"Mandalorians and a Jedi," Osa stated.
"They'll never see it coming," Din said as a fact.
The guards stood a top watching over the city in wary incase the Mandalorians didn't fulfill their task. A fog was rolling in when a guard shouted to sound the alarm because Ahsoka was headed their way.
Quicker then lighting, she scaled the side of the building and ignited her blades, taking out the guards and slicing the gong in two. Ahsoka landed below and walked down the main street as the Magistrate, her commanding officer and guards watched.
"Your bounty hunters failed," Ahsoka threw Din's pauldron on the ground as proof, showcasing his defeat, "Tell me what I want to know," she addressed the Magistrate, "Where is your master?"
But the Magistrate wasn't giving anything up and commanded for her officer and guards to kill Ahsoka. Immediately they began shooting at their target when Ahsoka jumped onto the nearby rooftops to escape their blaster fire.
Everyone moved out when the Magistrate walked back to her headquarters and gave the command to execute the prisoners and then the villagers. Following orders the guards drew their weapons ready to fire when a brave villager was about to stop them, but instead two Mandalorians emerged from the shadows and took them out. The older man nodded in gratitude as he began helping Din and Osa free his people.
"Get inside," Din yelled to the man and the villagers as the commanding officer emerged from an alley looking for a different kind of fight.
"So you threw in with the Jedi?" the officer shouted when he watched Ahsoka leap over the wall in order to get to the Magistrate.
"Looks that way," Din replied while Osa felt apprehensive like she was being called to the approaching fight.
"Papi," Osa whispered as they both heard the sound of the Beskar spear banging against a lightsabers blade.
"Go," Din encouraged because he knew his little showdown would not escalate.
Realizing her debacle to get over the wall, Osa deployed the new grappling hook her father installed in her gauntlet, she quickly hoisted herself onto the ledge and witnessed an epic battle, one where the Magistrate was about to play dirty.
"Ahsoka look out," Osa tried to warn but the damage was done.
The Magistrate threw a, what appeared to be a smoke bomb, but instead was the same substance as what was in the injections her father would give to cancel her abilities. Ahsoka tried to hold her breath but she had been unprepared and inhaled a good deal of the hazards gas.
The Magistrate wasted no time and fought vigorously while Ahsoka tried to hold her ground but lost a lightsaber in the process. Seeing Ahsoka struggle and knowing she would not be affected because of the protection of her helmet, Osa leaped to the ground and ran towards the fight.
Without a thought Osa extended her arm and reached through the Force pulling the lost lightsaber out of the water and into her grasp. The feeling as if this weapon should have always been in her possession, Osa ignited the blade and began wielding it with ease. The Magistrate wasn't expecting a second opponent and knew she needed to extinguish the weaker of the two, focusing on Osa.
"So little one, you want to play with the adults?" the Magistrate teased.
"You won't be smiling once your throat is at the end of this blade," Osa snarled and struck first.
Underestimating Osa's fighting skills the Magistrate had more difficulty then she believed, but this was only a rouse by Osa so Ahsoka could gain full mobility again. Blade against Beskar, Beskar against Beskar, Osa could sense her own defeat approaching and tried to kick the Magistrate's feet out from under her, but she jumped giving Osa a window to pitch Ahsoka back her weapon and end this battle.
With one swift move Ahsoka struck both blades behind the Magistrate, who blocked the attack with the spear but couldn't battle simultaneously. Osa pulled her blaster shooting at one of the Magistrate's hands as Ahsoka stripped the spear, forcing the Magistrate to face her and the tips of her blades.
"No tell me, where is Grand Admiral Thrawn" Ahsoka spat.
The city rejoiced by being freed as Ahsoka escorted Din out. She held onto the Beskar spear and handed it over to Din.
"I believe this was your payment," she said.
"I can't accept. I didn't finish the job," Din reminded.
"No, but this belongs with a Mandalorian," she reassured as Din took it, "Where are your children?"
"Back at the ship. I'll go get them," Din said with his voice almost breaking and walked off.
The Crest was quiet, no sounds of playful yells, no sounds of paint slapping on a canvas, dead silence, a sound he would have to get use to.
Din walked up the platform and saw Osa holding Yazel in her arms, almost as if they were subconsciously communicating. Din looked at his children hoping to permanently burn this image of them into his brain when they noticed his arrival.
"Osa, we have to go," Din said trying to stay strong while she inhaled a heavy breath and walked past her father.
Feeling her anguish Din followed when Ahsoka met them at the end of the platform, "I cannot train them," Ahsoka declared.
"You made me a promise and I held up my end," Din stated.
"I cannot train them because I no longer declare myself as a Jedi. My teachings would not benefit them, but there is one possibility. Go to the planet Tython, there you will find the ancient ruins of a temple that has a strong connection to the Force," Ahsoka then turned to Osa giving specific instructions, "Take Yazel and sit upon the seeing stone on top of the mountain."
"Then what?" Osa asked.
"Then the both of you may choose your own path. If either of you reach out through the Force there's a chance a Jedi may sense your presence and come searching. Then again, there aren't many left," Ahsoka said saddened.
"Which system is Tython located?" Din questioned because he had never heard of this planet.
"It is in no system, Tython can only be found by the ones who can hear its call," Ahsoka informed.
"What, but how," Osa was cut off.
"You know where it is, just look for the universal theme," Ahsoka said cryptic, "May the Force be with you," she ended when Din nodded his thanks and walked into the ship.
Osa held onto Yazel as they both glared at Ahsoka in appreciation and worry of the unknown.
"Trust yourself as you do when with your father," Ahsoka hoped to leave Osa with some confidence when Osa nodded her head in compliment and boarded the Crest.
Ahsoka watched them take off, smirking a half grin because she could sense a bright future awaiting.
