In the two years which followed young Anakin Skywalker's acceptance as a padawan learner, I often saw him about the temple under the watchful eye of Obi-Wan Kenobi. After defeating the Sith enemy, he had been rightfully granted the rank of Jedi Knight, which now meant that there was a rather prominent gap between his rank and mine. At first I was uncertain of what to do with this change, and distanced myself from him so that we were merely familiar acquaintances, however Obi-Wan made it clear that I was still highly regarded in his view, and sometimes he would have me help train young Anakin, for his endless questions often tested Obi-Wan's patience.
I, however, had patience in abundance, and could answer every single one of the younger padawan's curiosity without ever wavering or growing exhausted, and soon enough I found Anakin would also follow me around like a little shadow, as I had once done to poor Obi-Wan, only my little shadow was a great deal smaller. Not only that, but Anakin never seemed to run out of energy. Once he had adjusted to the colder temperatures than that of his desert home planet, he seemed to be constantly working in overdrive, which I often viewed with amusement and appreciation. Whenever he was not following me and instead with his master, I took those moments to continually visit Ahsoka, who was already beginning her training to become a Jedi.
She would tell me endlessly of the things that she was learning in a manner which seemed like she thought I was yet to learn such things myself, but I paid her my undivided attention and acted as if each thing she told me was something I had never heard before, which would make her endlessly happy, and as long as she smiled, I could feel that warm bubble of peace and contentedness swell within me. Master Plo was now drilling me harder than ever, pushing my training into the next boundary in order to propel me towards becoming more independent, that I could be trusted to undertake tasks on my own and grow from there.
As such, my ability to sense danger on the horizon improved the harder I trained and the deeper I connected to the Force, and so when I received premonitions of someone familiar returning to Coruscant, I warned my master that there would soon be a great deal of trouble for two people I had once been close to. One I felt certain was Aayla, as I could recognise her presence in my premonitions as clearly as if she had been standing directly beside me, however the other took a greater deal of concentration, for although the presence was familiar, it felt stale and aged, as if I had not been near them in a long time.
Once I reached my answer, however, it became all the clearer. Aurra Sing. My instincts were warning me to be wary, because Aurra sing was now hunting Jedi with a ruthless zealousness and if our paths were to cross, I could not guarantee that I would survive. Already Aurra had murdered several Jedi in a bid to carry out her vow that she was the Jedi's greatest enemy, including Jedi Knight Mana Veridi on the planet Kwannot. No sooner had my warning been given, deaths began to occur amongst the Republic Peace Officers where they were slain by the former padawan. The presence of Aurra Sing and her intent to slaughter as many Jedi as possible concerned the Council deeply, and so a taskforce was arranged in order to capture her. Jedi Master Peerce was given the lead for this mission, which also included Jedi Knight J'Mikel and his padawan, Xiaan Amersu. I also wanted to join the hunt for Aurra Sing, however I was denied the request on account that the Council felt that I was too closely connected to Aurra, having grown up with her. They worried that my emotions would come into conflict with my task.
My gut told me that I should be a part of this mission, but I obeyed the will of the Council, and instead awaited the news of the mission's success or failure. What no one expected was to receive a distress signal from little Xiaan Amersu, completely alone in the under-levels with both her master and Master Peerce killed by Aurra. This time I responded to the call, going down to retrieve the sobbing young padawan whereby I instinctively picked her up into my arms and held her, carrying her away from the mutilated and abused bodies of the slain. I comforted the young padawan to the best of my ability, and this time the second taskforce was given to more experienced Jedi, including Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and Master Adi Gallia.
Again I was refused permission to join the hunting party, though this time I argued more strongly that I felt I should be part of the taskforce to capture and bring Aurra back to face justice for her crimes. Still I was refused, though Master Plo understood my reasons for wanting to go. I felt that I could connect to Aurra and relate to her on a personal level, for we both had been lost. If I could use that to distract her just long enough to lower her guard, then we stood a chance in capturing her, for she had proven herself to be viciously skilful in killing, and I feared that more lives may be lost. Still, all I could do was hold my breath and wait alongside Aayla, who joined me as we sat together to watch the sky change colour into the vivid hues of sunset. "Do you think she will be captured?" I wondered aloud as Aayla tilted her head in thought.
"Aurra always was a difficult person to outsmart. She has wits and plenty of them, but the masters going to capture her are experienced and just as clever. I do not think she will outsmart them." Aayla said confidently, so I agreed that she had to be right. "She is still lost, I think. Otherwise, she would not be doing this. Her anger and hatred have set her on this path, and she is unable to save herself from it. Unlike you." Aayla continued, earning a look from me as arched a delicate violet eyebrow. "You came back, you fought to put yourself back together. Every day you fight to maintain your own mind and not stray from the right path. I think you have proven yourself stronger than Aurra."
"I never bested her in sparring. She was always a gifted fighter, though she lacked restraint. I only hope that, at the very least, our Jedi will return home unharmed, and that no more of us will fall by Aurra Sing's hand." I said quietly into the setting sun, as if hoping that my wish would be carried away upon the dimming light and cast out into the galaxy to soar among the endless stars. "What of your upcoming mission with your master? Remember my warning, I sense great danger surrounding you, Aayla. You must be careful."
"Do not worry, I shall stay safe, and my master will be beside me. Strange and unusual as he is, I trust him with my life." Aayla assured me with a light chuckle as we remained perched on our high vantage point overlooking the world before us. "If all goes well, it will be a simple case of investigating the sources of glitteryll and destroying it for good. It should not be dangerous, Theca. I think you are worrying too much. Perhaps you should take some time to relax, I do not wish to see you relapse again."
"All the same, I will feel better once I know your mission is a success." I responded quietly, only half paying attention to what Aayla was saying. Considering my trepidation and worries a little longer, I then reached out in order to take hold of Aayla's hand in order to hold it lightly, wishing there was a way for me to know for certain why I felt so unsettled. "I promise you Aayla, if anything does happen and you need my help, I shall come immediately. I will be there for you when you need me." Slightly taken aback by my sincerity but appreciating it all the same, Aayla eventually relaxed into an affectionate smile and placed her other hand over mine, clasping one another warmly.
"Then I shall await your rescue, my friend." She chuckled smoothly, leaning over to rest her forehead against mine before then releasing me, and I had to watch her as she walked away to go to her master, Quinlan Vos, who was waiting for her. Pausing at her master, Aayla looked back over her shoulder to me in order to smile confidently and broadly, probably as a means to try and ease my concerns, so I did my best to smile back though it was still and forced. My stomach clenched as she then turned away, and as the cold shivering began to settle into my skin, I felt as if I had been frozen in carbonite. This raw, daunting sensation of my unease settled in deep and as I lifted my head to watch the darkening sky, I prayed for Aayla's swift and safe return with ardent fervour. "May the Force be with you."