The night appeared quiet in the undercover meat factory, the working Klatooinians continued with their duties while the main boss resided in the next room counting his credits. Their daily routine was on track when they were caught off guard once a Mandalorian stepped foot into the factory. Suddenly on edge, the Klatooinians tried to stay calm as the Mandalorian meandered his way through and found what he was looking for.
The job appeared easy enough, bring in Kaba Baiz alive or dead and then Din would receive the whereabouts to the new Mandalorian covert. He figured this was the way since his own tribe had diminished by two.
Din entered a cold looking room as Baiz sat behind a desk while three other Klatooinians stood guard.
"You look lost," Baiz stated.
"I'm here for Kaba Baiz," Din replied.
"What makes you think he's here?" Baiz played dumb hoping to steer the Mandalorian away, but Din showed a beeping tracking fob declaring his bounty was near, "What do you want with him?"
"He owes someone important money."
"Who?"
"That's not my business. I'm here to bring him in," Din confirmed.
"Well if I see him, I'll let him know," Baiz chuckled believing he got the best of the Mandalorian.
Din hesitated because this would have been the moment his daughter would have said a witty remark, but none came. Din released a sad sigh and instead illuminated a hologram with Baiz's face, "I see him right now," Din clarified.
"That's not me. That doesn't even look like me," Baiz laughed off.
Again Din waited, actually believing he would hear Osa's voice chime in when he noticed several Klatooinian's filtering in the room prepping for a fight.
"I'm gonna give the rest of you the opportunity to walk out that door. I have no quarrel with you," Din offered.
"They're not going anywhere. Looks to me like you're surrounded. But you look like the practical type. Let's discuss our options."
Din wasn't having it, "I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold," when he reached for his blaster but a Klatooinian savagely bite him on the hand.
Screaming more in shock as the leather protected him, Din head butted his assailant and took out his most lethal weapon; the Darksaber. The Klatooinians were no match against Din, his armor, or the blade. Continuous fire blasted his way but the Beskar held up when Din swung around and sliced through his enemies.
The loss of their lives didn't bother him, somehow something began to take him over, a darkness of intense emotions. Din continued his massacre because the Klatooinians wouldn't seize fire, he wielded the saber but with every strike the blade began to get heavier and heavier for him to lift.
Din struggled but couldn't stop now and paid the price, in his attempts to strike down another Klatooinian instead he struck himself. In agony Din let out a groan reaching for his injured leg but noticed the fight wasn't over yet. Two last assailants made their attempt to end Din when he sliced them in half. Baiz seeing an opportunity began blasting at Din but Din inserted his Vibroblade into Baiz's chest, power drove him into a table and then sliced him in half.
Din, for so many years, always felt calm, solace, and joy, but not now. The overbearing weight of rage, loss, and grief struck him all at once. It was as if everything he had been bottling for weeks had surfaced and the Klatooinians were paying the ultimate price.
Din released one last scream while slicing off Baiz's head as the pain from his leg fueled him to keep going, the dread in the pit of his stomach told him to move on, while the ache in his heart reminded him of his loss.
So much fire, so much turmoil, an uneven balance constantly tipping the scale, a tidal wave of emotions seeping through. She could feel them all but she couldn't decipher which were her's or her father's.
Never in her whole life did she ever experience these thoughts or emotions stem from him, he was in so much pain; physically and mentally.
"Papi!" Osa yelled without thought while awakening from her meditation.
Osa glanced around and noticed she had not disturbed Master Luke or Yazel out of their own meditation. Sighing a form of relief Osa lowered her head in sadness. She had to help her father, but Master Luke already scolded her several times to stop spying on him, but it wasn't intentional.
Whenever she closed her eyes it felt as if her subconscious would find him. Was this the Force working in a mysterious way or was this Osa desperately missing her father? Technically this was the first time the two had been separated. Osa didn't count the times when she was left at the Mandalorian covert, because it would only be a few days her father would be on a bounty and then return.
Within a few years she would join the Guild herself and accompany him on those bounties, so this literally was her first time on her own, but wasn't this what Osa wanted; eventually her day of independence? The more she thought about it the more she was in regret.
"Focus Osa," Luke interjected, "I am sensing an inner conflict."
Osa tried to divert these conversations with Master Luke because they always circled back to the discussion about the path to the darkside. Osa knew she would never go down that path, she possibly couldn't, because the way Master Luke described it, it felt lonely and miserable.
Luckily on cue Osa's stomach growled and addressed that instead, "Inner struggle indeed Master Luke because when are we going to eat. I am famished with all this sitting around," Osa winked at Yazel as he smacked his lips in approval.
"I know you think this is pointless, but these exercises are key to seeing the whole picture, to reflecting from within, and, in your case, to control your over stimulated abilities," Luke reminded.
Osa released a frustrated sigh and tiled her head backwards hoping the sky would give her some answers.
"You're frustrated," Master Luke pointed out.
"What tipped you off?" Osa replied when she noticed Master Luke point around to the free floating objects, "At least I stopped exploding things," and with a deep inhale followed by a slow release, Osa gently placed the objects down.
"You have come along way Osa. I have seen growth with so much potential in the both of you. I think it is best we end the lessons for today and pick up tomorrow."
"I won't argue about an early day. Come on Yazel let's eat," when Osa picked up her brother to head towards their campsite.
A few more weeks passed by of intense training, daily meditation, and several discussions with Master Luke about Osa and Yazel's dedication to the Jedi Order. Osa couldn't speak for her brother because he had been through this type of ordeal before, but for Osa this was all new. Granted she understood about allegiance to a cause, hence her being sworn into the Mandalorian Creed, but becoming a Jedi felt extremely different.
There were so many don'ts of don't form attachments, don't look to the past, don't fall to the darkside. Osa wasn't sure what she could do. She needed some alone time and ventured into a hut Master Luke encouraged for training exercises.
Osa glanced over some of the items and noticed a Rebel pilot's helmet and immediately had the urge to put it on. Over the past few months Osa felt naked without her armor or helmet, almost as if she felt tarnished and needed to be cleansed.
Osa put it on and could see the battles play out in front of her. So much Master Luke did to help save the galaxy, Osa felt honored being trained by him. In the short amount of time she had been with him he had helped her find control with her abilities, no more fear of what could happen, and instead accept and move forward.
"I guess old habits don't die out," a voice said from the huts entrance.
Becoming startled Osa turned around to see a familiar face, "Ahsoka. Right the helmet," Osa walked over but still kept it on.
"Feeling exposed in more then one way?" Ahsoka stated.
"How can you tell?" Osa chuckled, "It's weird, when I wore my armor all I wanted to do was rip it off, but now all I want is to have it all back on. It's as if I'm a snake and shed off a layer of skin," Osa glanced down at her exposed hands seeing her skin instead of gloves.
"It's only natural Osa. Your up bringing mandated this requirement and you feel you still need to uphold your oath."
"Something to that sort," Osa lowered her head.
"Or does this have to do with your father?" Ahsoka questioned but already knew the answer.
"He is very diligent about following the Creed and the rules. Even though he removed his helmet before I left, I still feel like I'm letting him down. Granted my armor isn't even here but I feel I should still uphold the Mandalorian code."
"In my days I have known a lot of Mandalorians, even been to the planet and trust me when I say you are not breaking any law," Ahsoka placed a hand on Osa's shoulder, "And for thinking you are disappointing your father by not following the Creed. I don't believe that for a second. I saw his love and compassion for you. He only wants the best."
"Then why can I not shake this overwhelming sadness? I miss him so much," Osa revealed.
"It's completely normal to miss someone."
"But Master Luke says I am too attached to my dad, that I must be careful and learn the difference between missing him and the fear of losing him."
"Luke of all people should understand when it comes to fathers," Osa glanced up not understanding Ahsoka's underlying meaning, "And he does have a point. You can love your father, miss him, but you mustn't obsess about possessing him. You have to understand everyone will become one with the Force one day. You cannot become selfish and dwell on the thought of preventing this outcome. This idea will lure you to theā¦"
"Yeah I know the darkside, but how I feel and what you and Master Luke describe are two different things."
"For now, until you are to far down the path and become blinded. Please Osa, you must learn to let go," Ahsoka removed the helmet and looked deep into Osa's brown eyes, "Once you conquer that you will see the galaxy in a whole different light." Ahsoka walked out of the hut with the helmet under her arm, so Osa wouldn't get the urge to fall back into old habits, and instead to finally make her own choices.
Osa wasn't sure how to take Master Luke and Ahsoka's teachings. She didn't see herself as possessive over her father, technically he had been way more possessive of her, even contemplated on not allowing Osa to receive her independence and Mandalorian title, but the fear of losing him had crossed her mind constantly.
The reason for this was because Osa had been the reason for her father's close encounters with death. So many times he could have perished because she was unable to control her abilities. She had allowed that fear to consume her, giving her powers control instead of her being in control. This flaw never stopped her father's love for her, or hers for him, but these feelings of hurt, rage, and grief swelled double because these weren't just her own these were also stemming from her father.
Master Luke, Yazel, and Osa sat quietly on a hill practicing their meditation. The three sat cross-legged, eyes closed, and concentrating on their breathing. Suddenly Yazel became distracted and began using the Force to bring one of the hopping frogs closer for a snack.
Sensing Master Luke's frustration with his padawans, Osa whispered for Yazel to stop when Luke (eyes still closed) raised his hand lifting dozens of frogs into the air with the Force. Osa and Yazel gazed in awe when Luke released the amphibians and suggested they go for a walk. Luke went on about how Yazel reminded him of a great Jedi Master named Yoda.
"I know that name, the Empire had a file on him back on Tolarian where we were kept," Osa informed.
"I have come to find out the Emperor was doing a lot of devious works while in control," Luke sadly said.
"Like experimenting on children and killing them in the process. That must never happen again," Osa declared almost in tears.
Luke stopped and faced Yazel and Osa, "I am so sorry on what you both went through. The horrors you had to undergo breaks my heart, but I promise you both this, yes the galaxy can be a dangerous place, but you will never have to fear again. I will teach you both on how to protect yourself. When under my protection no harm will ever come to either of you," Luke promised while sensing a presence.
Peering in the distance, Osa and Yazel felt drawn towards the newest temple Luke's ant droids were building, when Luke suddenly changed course and all three headed in the opposite direction.
"Come, I want to show you both something," Luke strapped Yazel on his back when he began in a run.
Without thought Osa followed mimicking Master Luke's motions, timing his rhythm perfectly so she could keep up and not miss a beat. Knowing his padawan's capabilities, Luke climbed up a bamboo limb when Osa let the Force flow through her as she scaled with ease. Luke waited on top when Osa stared from the treetops at the beauty the planet gave.
"Look," Luke began, "The wide world exists in balance. Feel the Force all around you," the three closed their eyes as the breeze blew past them along with a heavy feeling, "Through the Force, you both will find balance as well."
The three weaved with the tree limbs when Yazel and Osa saw a starship take off in the distance. Immediately Osa knew who it was because she was the one who unconsciously gave him the coordinates to their location. Without a word Osa slide down to the ground when Luke followed.
"Are you angry with me?" Luke asked already able to sense her emotions.
"You purposely kept us away from him, but then I purposely gave him the coordinates to where we were. I don't know who should be mad at who," Osa said.
"I do not mean to keep your father away from you. The both of you have grown so much since your arrival. I would hate for all your hard work to unfold," Luke stated.
"It won't," Osa didn't sound convincing and walked past Luke.
"Why don't we try a simple exercise about our recent lesson in balance," Luke pointed out towards a fallen tree branch for both Yazel and Osa to practice on.
Seeing as she wouldn't be able to get out of it, Osa and Yazel picked a limb and placed all their weight on their right leg. Not as graceful as they would have liked to be, the both of them teeter-tattered and lost balance but caught themselves before falling into the water below.
"This was why I was never a dancer," Osa declared, but Luke's only instructions were to use the Force, "Is that his solution to everything, use the Force?" she mimicked when Yazel giggled.
Luke just sighed and instructed they take the lesson inward. Yazel and Osa chose another tree limb and continued their balancing act when Luke ignited his lightsaber and practiced his maneuvers.
"I wonder when we will get ours?" Osa whispered to her brother who just stared in awe.
The three moved on to another exercise when Luke pulled out a round ball he called a training remote.
"This will text your reflexes," with a flick of Luke's wrist the device hovered in the air and rotated.
"So is this suppose to bore us to death," when a small laser blasted in their direction sending them backwards and on their butts, "Geez that thing is armed," Osa screeched.
"Get back up. Always get back up," Luke instructed.
"Easy for you to say, you're not in the line of fire."
Luke raised his eyebrows and shook his head still not use to Osa being sassy. The training remote fired again but this time Yazel and Osa leaped out of the way.
"This would be way easier if we had a lightsaber," Osa pointed out.
"That would defeat the purpose of the exercise then," Luke informed.
"There's always a lesson to be learned with adults."
Understanding that the two would have to work together, Yazel and Osa formed a strategy, leaping from rock to rock so the device couldn't pin point a target. Osa took lead while Yazel used the Force to keep up when each of them stood their ground on a rock and cornered the device.
Yazel and Osa reached out with their hands and locked the device in mid-air with the Force, they then simultaneously closed their hand into a fist crushing the nuisance. Yazel looked over at Luke proud of himself and his sister when Osa shouted, "I hope that wasn't your favorite training remote," Osa said through a sarcastic smile, when she turned back to her brother making a fist for him to bump it.
Yazel didn't understand the concept when Osa went to him, sat down and pulled Yazel into her lap teaching him the gesture. She didn't want to impose as she sensed Luke in a discussion with Ahsoka.
"Their father was here," Luke said.
"As I told you he would find them," Ahsoka stated.
"More like he was guided here."
"Osa showed him the way, she is becoming quite powerful."
"Indeed."
"He shares a strong bond with his children."
"Indeed."
"He brought them each a gift," Ahsoka showed him two small packages.
Luke glanced down and then over to his padawans who stared out into the distance as if waiting for their father.
"Sometimes I wonder if their hearts are even in it," Luke speculated, "What should I do about them?"
"Trust your instincts," Ahsoka instructed not just to Luke but also to all who were listening.
The three of them sat inside the finished temple, Luke on one side while Yazel and Osa sat on the other side of a red blanket that had been laid between padawans and Master.
Luke revealed two small cloths that were each containing a gift. He untied the first one which had a tiny Beskar chainmail shirt that would fit Yazel. Luke then untied the second one and revealed a Beskar signet that was an exact replica of her father's Mudhorn but the horn was instead of a lightsaber.
Osa would truly be a full fledged Mandalorian with this signet, but she didn't have her armor. She knew her father to well when she peered around Master Luke and noticed her full set in the corner.
"As you know your father was here and wanted you both to have something," Luke said.
Yazel and Osa reached for their gifts when Luke stopped them.
"Before you take it, I will give you a choice," Luke pulled out two lightsabers from a wooden box that was by his side.
He ignited both blades, one green, the other blue, and offered them a Jedi's weapon. Yazel went to reach for both when Luke continued.
"But you may choose only one, if you choose the armor you both will be returned to your father. However you will be giving into attachment to those that you love and forsaking the way of the Jedi. But if you choose the lightsaber, you both will officially be the first students in my academy, and I will train you to be great Jedi. It will take many years to master the ways of the Force, and you may never see your father again."
Osa and Yazel both stared at their gifts, one that came from the heart, as the other was just a choice for them, no sentimental feeling.
"Which do you choose?" Luke asked but their minds had been made up ever since their arrival.
