Disclaimer: This is an AU involving a combination of The Mandalorian and Legends canon from our FFG Star Wars game. Din gave Grogu to Grandmaster Luke Skywalker, but was invited to come back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant so that their "family" would not need to split up. The Temple houses other aspiring Jedi Padawans, a new Council of Masters, and a few Knights. Current year is 16 ABY, treating all events as if they occurred in this year instead of 9 ABY. A'den and Isslan belong to their creators, who have given full permission for their use.
Your Own Creed:
It had only been a few months, but Din was beginning to get used to the large corridors and high arches of the Jedi Temple's ceilings. Most of the workers chose to stay out of his way, though he seemed to attract attention from the children who trained here. Part of him still wasn't sure why he'd agreed to journey with Grogu, but he didn't regret the decision. Here the kid seemed safe, and every time Din saw him, Grogu showed him a new trick or his progress on an old one. Now he was back again after a successful bounty mission, knowing he had a few more to go before he could get another ship. While the starfighter was certainly great, it wasn't exactly a ship to "live" in. "Ah, there you are." A voice made him turn, but it was a familiar one. Grandmaster Luke Skywalker stood a little behind him, Grogu and R2-D2 at his side. "I know you've just returned, but I have a job I'd like to offer to you."
"More credits never hurt." Grogu toddled over, and Din bent to pick him up. "Hey kid, you doing okay?" Amid the happy burbles and coos, the green child also sent feelings of excitement as he leapt from the ground into his "father's" arms, forcing the bounty hunter to readjust to catch him. "Whoa! That's fantastic!"
"He's come a long way in just a short time," Luke added. They headed for his office, the Jedi closing the door once they were in, turning to the droid. "R2, the message, please." Amid a series of clicks and beeps, a holo-recording was projected. It was of an old human man, clearly some kind of politician, wringing his hands as he spoke.
"My name is Dag Widom, minister of the royal family of Onderon. I am beseeching the New Jedi Order for assistance. A few weeks ago, reports began flooding in about a great beast seen in the wilderness. It was attacking people, seemingly at random, hunting them relentlessly no matter how they tried to hide. All of the people attacked have unfortunately been killed, but friends and family report that they seemed to know when the creature was near. They... "Sensed it", but could do nothing to stave off these attacks. However, the beast also left others alive after taking its victim, and we have gotten some images of it." The recording now showed a massive beast that was bipedal, with large muscular arms ending in four clawed fingers. A crest of spikes and horns adorned its head, and a tusk protruded from either side of its wide, toothy mouth. Again, the man came back on: "Please, we require your aid, for surely this creature is hunting those who can use the Force of the Jedi. Come immediately, before more lives are lost." The recording ended, and Luke folded his arms and sighed.
"Are there creatures than can do that? Hunt Jedi?" Din asked, a little taken aback.
"Unfortunately. The Sith of old delighted in twisting creatures with the Dark Side. I had our archivist Master Tionne look into this, and we think we know what it is: A Terentatek; creatures who prey on force-sensitives and tend to come out of hibernation when the Dark Side is strong. Looks like this one found enough prey to keep it interested."
"So, you need me to kill it?"
"You won't be going alone. There's a small team I think you'll work well with." Din tilted his head, and Luke could feel the uneasiness roll off him.
"I usually work alone."
"You'll need a Jedi to help you find the creature, or at least lure it out. And we're also honor-bound to kill these things that pose a threat to us and other force-sensitives. Come, I'll introduce you." Luke headed through the halls towards the training room, and Din could hear the sound of blaster fire.
"I thought most Jedi fought with light-sabers?" Luke smiled like he knew a secret, and stepped fully into the room. Three people immediately turned from what they were doing and bowed to him. The closest two were dressed in Jedi robes, and they powered off their light-sabers as well. The male of the pair was human, and young, no more than twenty. He had short brown hair and brown eyes, and though he seemed scrawny to Din, there was something about him that made his hair stand up a little. The woman also looked human, though maybe a few years older, with long blonde hair and... Why was she wearing a blindfold?
"I'd like you all to meet Din Djarin," Luke's introduction broke through his thoughts. The third member of this team holstered his blasters, coming over. From the armor, he was Mandalorian, though his was painted dark green with orange trim, with only the vambraces being plain beskar. Two different crests were on his shoulders: A Mythosaur skull and a bird head of some kind. And there was yet a third symbol on the right side of his chest. It looked like a howling wolf with a spiny circle around it. His helmet was on, and when he made no motion to remove it, Din almost breathed a sigh of relief.
"A'den, Clan Ordo, Shriek-hawk Company." The voice placed him at younger than Din, but the way A'den carried himself showed he'd seen much.
"Isslan Baleben," the scrawny Jedi introduced with a slight bow.
"M'Raiya Jennik," the young woman greeted, extending her hand. As he went to shift Grogu in his arms to shake it, she instead touched the child's hand. "So you're Grogu's father?"
"He's a Foundling in my care." She tilted her head at the tone in his voice, but said nothing. "I guess even blind Jedi can sense him." There were chuckles that followed his statement, and M'Raiya raised the blue cloth to briefly show the vestigial eye sockets.
"I'm a Miraluka. We see through the Force just as well as you see with your eyes."
"These three have been recently Knighted, and their bond with each other is fairly strong. You'll need their skills and that teamwork to deal with this threat," Luke broke in.
"Wait, not another Inquisitor." Isslan frowned, turning to the Grandmaster. "Or is it?"
"It isn't, but it's no less dangerous. I'll let Rino know to get the Risky Venture ready, and you four are headed to Onderon to deal with what we believe is a Terentatek. I'll get you everything we know on it so you can look it over on the way there. Also, on this mission, Din will be in charge."
"Yes Grandmaster," the trio replied. Luke nodded in satisfaction and left the group to see if they would talk. M'Raiya turned again to their new ally.
"We've heard about you from Grogu and Lady Tano."
"And the Bounty Hunters Guild," A'den added.
"You're part of the Guild?" There was a brief flare of vigilance that the Miraluka saw go through Din's mind, but then he seemed to shake it off. "Were you part of the hunt for us?"
"No," A'den replied with a derisive snort. "First of all, bounty hunting isn't my main job. Second, you aren't a dar'manda. And third, I don't do anything involving kids unless its returning them unharmed to their families."
"Oh, good. Well, I'll see you all on the ship when we leave, then." Din headed off, Grogu grumbling and whining at him as they headed back to their room. "What, did you want to talk more?" The child sent a wave of frustration and annoyance, and Din realized Grogu wanted him to talk more. "We'll have time on the ship. And yes, I should know more about their skills before we try and take on this creature. If those Jedi are even half as powerful as you, this will be easy. And another Mandalorian would certainly be nice as long as..." The words of the Armorer flooded back into his mind.
'You are a Mandalorian no more.' Grogu sensed the melancholy from his father, reaching his hand to gently stroke the helmet. He hadn't told the kid what had happened after he'd found the covert again, and certainly wasn't looking forward to telling anyone else.
"It'll be okay, ad'ika. It's just a job, and then we'll be on our own again once your training is done." Din lifted his helmet so their eyes could actually meet, and the ear wiggle and happiness he was sent made it all worth it. 'Go to Onderon, kill the creature, and get paid. A simple job again.'
