Hello! I've always wanted to know what Mando's (Din Djarin) early life looked like. So I've decided to try a Fanfiction about him. I hope that you enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, nor the Mandalorian. All credit goes to George Lucas who founded the wonderful Star Wars universe.

Author's note: This is one of my first fanfics, so it will probably be quite rough. I am open to critiques and suggestions.

~ I ~

A tall Mandalorian strolled down the long narrow hallway, pausing for a moment to allow two young boys to run past him. Underneath his helmet, he cracked a grin. He couldn't help it. He simply loved the young children who aspired to one day be a Mandalorian. Their eager expressions and adorable faces was contagious, and the Mandalorians who cared for them couldn't help but smile at them, even if no one else saw their faces.

Most of the children there were foundlings-orphaned children-in which a Mandalorian had brought them back to the cohort to be cared for and trained. The Foundlings were important in the Mandalorian religion because traditions and ways were passed down to them keeping the Mandalorians going.

The Mandalorian continued his pace down the hallway, his thoughts drifting back to his own Foundling in which he had rescued nine months ago. He and the Foundling had a difficult start in their relationship, as the Foundling seemed wary and afraid of him, even after he had rescued the boy from certain death had he not intervened. He didn't understand why the boy withdrew from everyone, even himself. The Foundling hardly talked to him, something that he struggled with. The Mandalorian liked to talk and be sociable with everyone he knew, and especially with the children. He liked to listen to their ideas and dreams, and seeing their faces brighten as they talked. But his Foundling was the complete opposite of him, preferring to be quiet and reserved, and saying as little words as he could possibly utter. The Mandalorian sighed as he shook his head. He needed to figure out a way that helped the boy open up a little. Just something to get him talking.

"Hey, Pierce!" A voice from behind him startled the Mandalorian from his thoughts, and he jumped. The Mandalorian named Pierce, as everyone called him, berated himself for not turning on his sensors embedded in his helmet. The younger Mandalorians liked trying to test their stealth abilities on their old Masters, always hoping to catch them off guard.

"You didn't see me coming?" The other Mandalorian chuckled as he walked up to him. "You must be getting old, if you didn't see me with your sensors. I've been trailing you for a while."

"What do you want, Derek?" Pierce asked, trying to sound gruff so that he could mask his amusement from the younger warrior.

"It's Rush, he wants to talk to you," Darek said, suddenly growing serious. "It's kind of urgent."

"Rush?" Pierce asked, feeling a twinge of worry. Rush was the head of the Foundling's training and a schooling. He was the one who organised the training and also dealt with issues that arose during the training. "What's wrong?" Urgent requests from Rush meant that there was an issue with the Foundling.

"He wouldn't say much, except that it's about Din," Darek said. "You better go see him."

Pierce nodded and thanked the Mandalorian before hurrying to Rush's chamber. He wasn't sure what Rush would say, but it sounded serious especially with his own Foundling involved. Pierce never thought of Din as a trouble maker-he couldn't imagine it especially with his Foundling's demeanor. So what was the issue? He knew that Din wasn't improving much in his training, but then, he reasoned, that was because Din had only joined the cohort barely nine months ago. And he probably was still getting over the shock of his parents killed. The Mandalorian arrived at the chamber and knocked.

"Come in," a deep commanding voice rang through the door, and Pierce pressed the "open" button that allowed the door to slid open. He stepped in and strolled up to the desk where Rush sat waiting. Next Rush stood a female Mandalorian in her light green armor.

Rush was larger Mandalorian, and sported light blue armor crafted out of Beskar, tone of the strongest iron in the Galaxy. The Mandalorian gestured to the chair in front of the desk, and Pierce obliged.

"You requested my presence?" Began Pierce, eager to get down to business. He glanced up at the female Mandalorian, feeling fear grip his heart. Why was the Head Trainer here also?

Rush nodded and leaned forward, his arms resting on the desk. "It's your Foundling, Din Djarin. " He said, his voice sober, pausing a moment to collect his thoughts, "he has failed all the physical exams and nearly failed the school exams. He doesn't look good."

Thank you for reading part one!

~MJ