PADAWAN

Din Djarin is not himself and the man is terrified.

A/N: I love the story of Din Djarin and Grogu. I don't need anything else. Also I am writing this because of the force/my inspiration Pedro Pascal and not for monetary gain. I have spoken.

Additional Characters: Ahsoka Tano, Gov. Wing

Note: This event happened after Season 2 Episode 16. The chapters might sometimes be long or short depending on the story plot.

Please don't be shy to review and tell me what you think. Thank you!

CHAPTER 7

HOW TO TRAIN A MAND'ALOR

Part 1

Ahsoka Tano raised a brow at seeing someone she instantly recognized. "Please open the gate." She commanded the guards.

Gracefully the Togruta back flipped from the high parapet landing just in time to see the man with the distinctive well-made armor stride inside the heavily reinforced portal.

"An old friend comes back." Governor Wing stopped beside the Togruta, a little out of breath. He exchanged a wide smile with the female Jedi as he fiddled with his official robes. Ahsoka helped the governor fix his collar that went askew on the elder's run to the gate just as Din Djarin stopped to their small group.

"A good day to you, Governor Wing. I request to make a stop within the protection of your city."

"Welcome back to Calodan, Master Mandalorian."

"In Mandalorian culture they show respect by slowly bowing low, governor." Ahsoka supplied as the elders looked curious at the way Din bowed to the governor and some of the elders.

The governor was pleased at learning something about their imposing guest, "Stay as long as you need. Our city and our hospitality are yours for the duration of your stay." The official was amused that the warrior was asking 'protection' in their walls. But in reality it was this formidable fighter and Mistress Ahsoka who freed his city from tyranny.

-o-o-

Counselor Wing as he was called before the day that they named the Fall of the Bell thought that he and his family and everyone in Calodan would die in the hands of Morgan Elsbeth.

When Elsbeth subjugated the city the first thing she ordered was to torch the verdant forest. Months after the forest still burn in some areas and the smell of burnt wood clung to everyone and everything; people got sick especially the weak and infirm. Some of the children developed breathing problems. He had forgotten how many people have died.

The forest used to be their source of food and medicine; they know how to use the different kinds of flora to make balm, potions, tonic, tincture, salve, or elixir but when they were banned from leaving the city the people made do with what they had and then that had run out too.

Then Elsbeth discovered some people were planning a mutiny and soon the members were caught and rounded up. If they resist they were executed and if Elsbeth suspects the person has some knowledge about other mutineers and their leader she would place them on the 'rack'; that electrified device mounted outside the governor's hall until they break down and confess. But to Elsbeth's frustration none betrayed their co-conspirators. They would be executed anyway whether they confess or not so the doomed just prayed for a quick death.

The Togruta had been harassing the guards and soldiers for many months. Counselor Wing often looked up to the parapet hoping to see her mounting that wall to free them. Through the grapevine he had heard she was a Jedi but the councilman wondered if she would be enough to liberate them. Elsbeth had assassin droids, as well as many scout guards in her employ including the mercenary Lang. These men were brutal and never questioned her orders.

Counselor Wing was dismayed that the Mandalorian was another addition to the magistrate's employ because other than another Jedi a Mandalorian could defeat a Jedi too. The Mandalorians were warlike fierce warriors trained from childhood in all kinds of fighting styles and weaponry. What's even worse is that this particular Mandalorian is a bounty hunter by profession. May the Gods protect us!

His hope crumbled upon hearing this latest news. Tears fell as he angrily tossed the note into the brazier. Why? Why have the Gods abandoned us?

The only small hope they had is now about to be slayed by the most formidable walking weapon Morgan Elsbeth could hire in the parsec.

-o-o-

"A cottage has been prepared for your use, Master Mandalorian." Governor Wing shook Din's hand. "Once more, the people of Calodan are extremely grateful for helping Mistress Ahsoka free us from Morgan Elsbeth. We are indebted to you and Mistress Ahsoka forever!"

"I am glad to be of service to you and your city, governor."

"Mistress Ahsoka will show your lodging as you talk. If you need anything please do not hesitate to come to me."

Din Djarin nodded again. "Thank you for the warm welcome, governor." The bounty hunter got a little uncomfortable. He thinks he would never get used to this kind of deference especially when a few towns people who saw him in the small group came over to meet and greet and thank him.

"And that is my cue to rescue you," Ahsoka turned to the leader and the elders with clasped hands sensing the man's discomfiture from all the attention. After bowing for the last time the townspeople left the two alone. "You're not used to that."

Din nodded. He's used to people being uneasy whenever and wherever he appears. He's more familiar with the kind of people who would hastily skulk or run out of his way because either they're scared or guilty of something or that they know he's after them. Then the hunt is on.

Violence, spilled blood in whatever color and broken furniture always follow his appearance when he's on a job. It's a regular day at work if he doesn't use any explosives or if half the town or city did not go up in flames. It's sometimes messy and complicated work as the client once said so he tries his best not to cause a lot of wide-spread damage especially if he fancied the place and wants to come back there for some R&R in the future.

The warrior shrugged, "Not sure if I want to get used to it. It was a nice change, though." The recent memory of Nevarro flashed in his head. "I came here because I need your help on two things."

"If it is in my power then you have my help." Ahsoka gestured that they walk towards the inner wall of the city. On the way to the guest cottage the Togruta openly looked at Din Djarin noting the absence of the carrier bag on his side.

"Grogu found the Jedi." Ahsoka already sensed that the little boy was not on the new ship he flew in outside the city gate. Ahsoka observed her new found friend. She found the energy exuding from Din was a steadying force to her aura. But right now the man is radiating sadness and extreme worry.

"Yes. I was successful." Din paused, head down. There's that tightness in Din's throat again that he fought to control. "We were lucky. The Jedi who came for Grogu was very capable." He cleared his throat, "We have to part so the kid would get better in using his powers."

"Din, the parting is not forever. If Grogu decides to come back to you then you would be together. Many Jedi have done so." She tried to assure the anxious father. The Mandalorians were some of the serious people she had ever known and they take the raising of a young one at heart. Being told that they're not good enough to rear their foundling is like shooting at them between the armor. The man nodded at her words but the sadness remained. Ahsoka couldn't blame him.

Suddenly she stopped. "Wait." the Jedi faced Din and for a moment her eyes took on that inward glazed look, going as still as a statue. "This is...unexpected." The Jedi looked shaken as she took a few steps back.

"Remember I told you I need you to help me with two things?"

"Yeees…?" The woman drawled guardedly.

"That is the first." Din Djarin took a deep breath. He is getting worried that he'd be declined just like Grogu.

"And the other one is?" she looked closely when Din swept back his cloak and reached behind him.

"I need your help to train with this."

-o-o-

Ahsoka looked up at the Mandalorian, speechless for a moment. "You are full of surprises Din Djarin." The Jedi stared at the glowing weapon. "This is the famed darksaber of Mandalore." She shook her head in disbelief.

"I defeated Moff Gideon in a fight after he took the kid on Tython." Din had a feeling that not many things could shock a person like the Togruta.

Ahsoka gazed at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "Do you know what having this means?"

The nod was paired with a deep sigh, "I do. Would you help me?" Din fought to keep his rising anxiety down.

Ahsoka considered the man before her. He's proud and not used to asking for help. "Before I do I need to do a mind meld with you."

"What is that?"

"It is an exercise where a Jedi or a Jedi master enters your mind and create a psychic connection." She checked to see if he would balk at the idea. "It would help me to decide if I would…"

"…if you would help me." There was a tinge of edge in the voice that the beskar helmet could not dampen. "Why?"

"You came with the force in an unconventional way, Din. Being force sensitive is not something like breathing. It needs training and a lot of discipline. Finding someone to help you hone your skills is not like going to a regular school. A Jedi knight and a padawan…"

"Pa..DA..wan?" the foreign word rolled slowly from him. Ahsoka corrected his inflection of the word and his effort was rewarded with a smile. Little by little he's becoming intrigued about this amazing world that he would have never given attention to if not for Grogu, and apparently, he is now one of them.

"A padawan is a learner," Ahsoka slowly began to walk again as she explains. "In the Jedi temple each padawan is tested on the kinds of abilities they possess and they would be assigned to a Jedi knight or master and…if they possess advanced or a rare skill a Jedi master would volunteer to take on the training of the padawan."

"Alright," he said after a minute of silence. "I will submit to a mind meld."

Ahsoka breathed deep. "Alright," she returned the nod but it is she who is now the one feeling anxious. "By the way this is your cottage while you are here."

Din was surprised. The one-storey dwelling has a thatched roof and whitewashed walls. He could see white curtain swaying in the wide windows. "It's very nice."

"Later, someone will help you get settled in." Din followed Ahsoka to another path and to another similar looking cottage. "Welcome to my abode. Please enter."

"Are all these yours?" Din went straight to the various colorful items on the wall and the table.

"A few are mine but most were from my family." Ahsoka pointed to the items on a display shelf while she goes around the room lighting candles and oil lamps. "That one was my grandmother's. She used to wear it for special ceremonies." She pointed to an intricate web of silver and gold mounted headdress on a stand.

"The only memento left from my family was the sigil of our family crest." Unbidden, his hand went up to his chest where the crest was hidden under the padding of his armor.

"Din," Ahsoka pointed to two large cushions on the floor and they both sat facing each other. "We had better begin your mind meld if we are to learn the extent of your abilities. It's different for each person."

"Ahsoka," the Togruta looked back at the opaque visor. "Thank you."

The former Jedi snorted. "Don't thank me yet. For all you know I'll fry your brain." She snorted louder when the warrior tensed.

Din arched his back to relax. He felt so tense. "What do you need me to do?"

"Nothing. But as I begin you might feel a pressure in your head. Tell me if you feel uncomfortable. Do not endure it. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Din nodded. Ahsoka could fathom why she sensed a little trepidation from him but she couldn't just teach him how to use and control the force without knowing if…

As she was telling Din about the Jedi temple old memories surfaced; both positive and negative. The memory of the man who was her teacher, master, brother and friend and how he was lost to her…

"Let's begin." Din copied Ahsoka as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Since Din had not been properly prepared for this mind meld Ahsoka went in slowly so as not to spook the man.

-o-o-

"Please…"

Ahsoka turned…she's in the middle of a ship's bridge. The consoles were all lit up and playing various kinds of scenes all at the same time.

"Please…" came the whisper. Din's voice! There's pain and desperation in the sound.

"Please…" He couldn't breathe. The weight of his armor pulls him to the watery depth but he has to fight it…the monster…

"Please…" The droids are coming! Mom! Dad! Help! Help me…

"Please…" gunfire erupt around him. The shots were pinging on his armor. Surrounded. He's alone…must protect the child…

"Please…" His arm and his chest hurt. The mudhorn is charging again…his rifle's broken…he took out his remaining weapon…

"Please…" The dark trooper's fist pound on his helmet. His blaster was useless. His whistling birds the same…the machine comes at him again...the spear! The spear is too far away…too far away…

"Please…" he whispered in a dire plead. Then he heard that sound; that low hum and the spear slid toward his hand. He grabbed it without a second thought and gave it a mighty thrust. It went through the dark trooper and with a twist he decapitated it.

"Please…" it hurts but you must go. I cannot protect you well…You need someone better than me…someone more powerful…

"Please…" take care of him because I can't…

Goodbye….my son…please do not forget me…

Please…

-o-o-0-o-o-