Exterior: Alderaan, Organa residence, royal gardens, morning.
"Assume a defensive stance, Form III," instructed Galen as Caleb, Katooni, Petro, Reva, Ganodi, Byph, Zatt, Gungi, and a few other apprentices stood in a formation.
As the small class did so in unison, Galen gestured, "Begin," before the class began practising the movements, "Soresu embodies the words 'a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defence, not for attack,'."
"We're at war, why do we need such a passive style?" complained Reva, breaking Form.
"Young one, a Jedi's goal is to preserve and defend life.
Not to take it," firmly stated Galen, in Obi-Wan's voice, "and the war you're referring to may very well be over before your bedtime, dear one.
Now kindly resume your drills, else, this evening, you will be denied the luxury of dessert."
"Yes, Master Kenobi," quipped Reva who quickly got back in position and stance.
"Don't get snippy with me, little one," countered Marek, in Anakin's voice, "that's Ahsoka's job." making the group burst into laughter.
Two hours later.
Raising his hand, Galen signalled, "Cease." before the class ended their drills, and extinguished their blades.
"That's enough for now.
I'm sure your Masters are either patiently awaiting your return," mused Galen, "or meditating if your name's Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"How can you be sure he's meditating right now?" asked Caleb.
"Son, he's preparing for negotiations which may peacefully resolve or violently escalate the war we've been fighting for around three years now, give or take a few months," answered Galen, "So he's under 'do not disturb under any circumstances lest the galaxy pay the price,' levels of stress."
"Eep."
As the group of younglings dispersed and went on their way, Petro inquired, "Since my Master's busy meditating, can I spend the day with Katooni, Master Galen?"
"If that's alright with Kat'ika," answered Galen, "then of course you can."
The Tholothian smiled appreciatively at Galen as she cheerfully took Petro's hand, "Thank you!"
"You're welcome, ner Jetii'ad.
Now go off, enjoy yourselves, and call if you need anything," replied Galen who straightened up, folded his arms, and imposingly loomed over the boy whilst the skies darkened, "oh, and Petro… if you break her heart, I'll cut off your arm."
Mortified and terrified as he turned pale, Petro nervously chuckled, "H- he's joking, right?"
Stifling amused laughter as she led her friend away, and the skies cleared, Katooni replied, "Let's hope we never find out, Pe'ika."
"Agreed." exhaled Petro who observed, "Masters usually take their Padawans to get new kyber crystals and build new lightsabers, but neither of ours have done that yet."
"Since mine knows what happened last time, he told me we don't have to go back to Ilum for a new lightsaber until I feel ready.
And he told me about other worlds with natural sources of kyber crystals we could go to instead."
"Like where?"
"Dantooine, Jedha, Lothal, Hy Izlan, Christophsis, Mygeeto, and he even discovered a rich kyber crystal reserve on Concord Dawn and Mandalore."
"Awesome."
"Father also gave me his original lightsaber as a spare, in case I ever lose or break mine."
"Wow, that's so cool!" exclaimed Petro, "Also you know you just called Galen your father?"
Katooni blinked, "I did?"
"Yeah."
Later.
Interior: Alderaan, Organa residence, conference hall, mid-day.
"Madame Chancellor, I am Cay Marek, and I am pleased to meet you," greeted Cay who gestured to the radiant red Twi'lek by his side, "this is Talon, my wife."
"I am pleased to meet you as well, Lord Emperor and Lady Empress," returned Padme who gestured, "this is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jedi High Council.
And Jedi Master Galen Marek also known as Mand'alor the Starbird,"
"Hello there," greeted Kenobi with a signature smile.
"Su'cuy," added Galen who removed his helmet.
"I thought one with your reputation would be older, Galen," chuckled Talon.
Gathered and seated, the diplomats negotiated and conversed while their security escorts and guests watched in respectful silence.
"It would be greatly appreciated for any and all ancient Sith relics and artefacts to be returned to us," informed Cay.
"Might I suggest a compromise, Lord Emperor?" inquired Obi-Wan.
"I'm listening,"
"We transfer them to the outer rim world of Ossus.
In the days of old, it served as the largest library in the galaxy.
Perhaps it can again,"
"That is… acceptable," decided Cay, "Knowledge is one power all should share."
"I'm so glad you agree, Lord Emperor."
The Imperial diplomats exchanged looks.
"How will we manage the sharing of hyperplanes, and balancing the value of currency in each other's territories?" asked one of the diplomats.
"Czerka can help with-" began a corporate representative.
"You are only here as a courtesy to observe," interjected Mand'alor, "Neither Czerka nor any of the galaxy's corporations have a voice in these negotiations."
"But-"
"Unless you desire every faction represented in this room to turn the resources of their war efforts against the Czerka corporation, hold your tongue," warned Dooku.
Sensing a great disturbance in the Force, all present Force sensitives jumped to their feet, except for the younglings and junior Padawans who collapsed.
The present Masters rushed to check on their apprentices.
Checking Reva's pulse, Anakin breathed heavily, "What just happened?"
"Something is wrong," stated Visas as she regained her composure.
"Yeah, we all feel it, but what the hell is it?"
"Something terrible, walker of the skies."
"Pardon the intrusion," requested an abruptly projected hologram.
"Su cuy'gar, Olin," greeted Galen, "what's up?"
"There's something you all need to see." answered Jedi Sentinel Ferus Olin.
Ferus was a human male with fair skin, brown eyes, and dark hair with gold streaks.
He wore light robes, a black tunic, jeans, boots, vambraces, and a utility belt.
His image moving to one side, Olin projected footage of a world being laid waste to by an ancient machine.
A darkly robed man, wielding a red saberstaff, led an army of dark acolytes, armoured soldiers, and Massassi warriors against hordes of cloaked figures with red lightsabers.
"Who makes these awful superweapons?" inquired Barriss, pale as a ghost, "and what world did they destroy?"
"It was Exegol," answered Talon, "and the Sith faction under siege are a heretical cult of zealots called the Sith Eternal,"
"Many of those warriors attacking them are Massassi," observed Obi-Wan, "Perhaps the vanquisher of the Dread Masters has gained their support?"
With a clenched fist, Cay looked into the Chancellor's eyes, "Agree to help us bring these bastards, their Masters, and their accomplices to justice, and you have your peace treaty,"
"Done," agreed Padme.
"Very well." seconded Dooku.
"Cay, might I recommend you take some time to think this through before acting?" advised Obi-Wan, "acting impulsively will not end well for anyone."
"I am not your Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi!" snapped Cay, "When I want your opinion, advice, or counsel, I will ask for it."
"My sincerest apologies, Lord Emperor.
It was never my intention to offend you.
I only wish for us to know what we're up against before we take action," diplomatically replied Kenobi who zoomed in on part of an image, "for example, who is their leader?
He looks somewhat familiar."
"For the record, we don't care about the Sith Eternal being destroyed.
I was going to destroy them myself, as their cult sought to resurrect Tenebrae.
It's the planet, its lore, and its architecture that we care about.
Exegol is a sacred world to the Sith."
"I imagine I would be equally as infuriated if somewhere sacred to me were subjected to a similar onslaught."
"I'm sorry, did you say those cultists were trying to resurrect Tenebrae?" asked Anakin, "Here's hoping they were nowhere close to succeeding.
The last thing we need is to face that demon again."
"Agreed," exhaled Talon, "the fleet of 'planet killing' Star Destroyers they were in the earliest stages of building was also destroyed."
"Their what, now?"
"When they found out Sidious was trying to build moon sized planet killers, they claimed it was a countermeasure to destroy them.
Obviously I had people sabotaging the efforts of both parties."
Galen closely examined the features of the assault's leader, "I'm getting really tired of ancient Sith being brought back from the dead,"
"I do not know this man.
I've never seen him in our history books," observed Talon.
"He's a Dark Lord of the Sith who's never had any relations with your Empire," explained Barriss, "His name is Exar Kun,"
"One of your fallen Jedi?"
"Legend has it an apparition of Marka Ragnos himself named Exar Kun the Dark Lord of the Sith,"
"Lucky him, and I guess that means he disowned Vitiate and everyone who followed him."
"Hence why you would have an Emperor, over one Dark Lord to rule them all."
Highlighting an insignia on the armour of one of the soldiers, Olin informed, "This is the mark of the Krath,"
"The what?"
"They Krath are a cult of dark siders founded by students of Freedon Nadd, a fallen Jedi turned Sith Magician who ruled Onderon,"
"Dark Jedi make excellent Sith, don't they?" mused Talon.
"The Jedi who fall are the most dangerous of all." recited Barriss.
"Hear me, Galen Marek!" called a disembodied voice before a spectral apparition appeared.
Galen cautiously stood between the spirit and the younglings, "Freedon Nadd?" questioned Galen, "What are you doing here?
I thought your spirit was one with the Force,"
"I bring you a warning, my young Jedi,"
"You're a little late, ya bloody wanker.
They already know about Exar," interjected a voice but nobody seemed to know who'd spoken.
"He is not who I bring warnings of.
Beware the dark shadow of the fallen Skywalker."
"Who are you talking about!?" demanded Anakin.
"He, who is called Darth… Vader," revealed Freedon, "the final Dread Master,"
"The masked figure I've seen in my nightmares, and when someone tried invading my mind… is it him?"
"Indeed, Anakin Skywalker." confirmed Nadd as he vanished.
Turning to his brother, Galen asked, "So, we're going after the last Dread Master, and the Sith Lord who killed the other ones.
Where do you suggest we start?"
"There's a lot of hired guns in the galaxy.
It'll take more than bounty hunters to stop them, but they can be a useful distraction.
And the more heat on them, the easier it'll be to find them."
As the doors flung open, Galen whipped his head around, "Oh, what now?" before Ki-Adi and Seasee entered with their eyes burning yellow, "A Cerean turned to the Dark side?
That's weird, and unnatural."
Igniting crimson blades, Tiin and Mundi charged at Cay, only for Galen to intercept and cut them down with his black blades.
"What was that all about?" questioned Cay.
"All this talk about Dark Jedi must've attracted a few," sighed Anakin, "but I didn't even realise it was possible for a Cerean to turn to the dark side,"
"First time for everything.
Weren't those two on your Jedi Council?"
"They were removed from it.
When Master Yoda decides someone's been on the Council for too long, and are only narrow-minded nuisances stuck in the past, that's saying something." chimed in Depa.
"Master? Not Grandmaster?" inquired Cay.
"Stepped down from the role, I did," answered Yoda who'd, to his own surprise, gone mostly unnoticed.
"When did you get here?"
"Been here, the whole time, I have."
"Right…"
"Much of your father, I see in you.
A good man, he is, as are you, Emperor."
Shortly thereafter.
Interior: Nevarro, bounty guild enclaves.
As every hunter and mercenary on the planet saw the latest bounties posted, they geared up and checked their equipment.
"Before you all get delusions of grandeur and glory, you do understand you're most likely going to die?" questioned Greef Karga, "you're great hunters, but these aren't your typical rogue smugglers or pirates."
"Then I'll take as many of these Krath scum down with me as I can," shrugged one of the hunters.
"There's a reward for every one of these scum we drop," hissed Bossk, "My kind of job,"
Interior: Tatooine, Mos Espa, Garsa's sanctuary, private ensuite.
A hulking, black-furred Wookie grinned in satisfaction at the performance of the sexy, slim, curvy, busty, perky, yellow Twi'lek woman, who lay beneath him.
She was naked, and tied to the bedposts, catching her breath.
His armour, and her dancer's bikini lay discarded nearby.
As his guild datapad beeped, Black Krrsantan quietly growled in annoyance before checking his messages.
Interior: Tatooine, Jabba's former palace, throne room.
Seated upon his new throne, A'sharad Hett didn't so much as flinch when the mercenaries in his presence almost choked on their drinks.
Later.
Interior: Alderaan, Organa residence, banquet hall, evening.
"To peace," toasted Bail.
"To aliit," added Galen.
"And to our hosts." added Cay as everyone took a sip of their drinks.
Catching her son trying to sneak a sip of champagne, Depa pulled Dume into a hug which the boy warmly returned.
"Hugs and cuddles are better than alcohol, my precious one," whispered Billaba, "and you won't be drinking until you're at least eighteen."
"Buir says he was allowed to when he was thirteen,"
"His culture is very different to most Jedi and the Republic.
And he underwent an extremely dangerous rite of passage first.
Also, the Republic's laws state no Republic citizen under the age of eighteen may consume or purchase alcohol,"
"Okay," conceded Caleb, "do you and Buir have feelings for each other, romantically?"
"I helped Aayla raise Galen, so he's as much my son as you are, sweetie," chuckled Billaba.
"Love you too, Dep'Buir." mused Galen, warming Billaba's heart, as he and Katooni appeared by her side.
"Su'cuy, Mand'alor," serenely greeted a Diathem woman with silver-gold hair and eyes.
She wore a flowing, moonlight pale dress, a starlight silver circlet, golden bracelets, a ring, a carven crystal necklace, shoes, and a golden belt.
A white and gold hilt hung from her belt.
"I do not believe we have been properly introduced," observed Galen, "My lady,"
With a graceful curtsey, the Diathem smiled, "I am Queen Galadriel of Iego.
Your heart is strong as kyber, and bright as starlight, Galen Marek."
"So I've been told, my fair lady." acknowledged Galen who gestured to his apprentice, "This young prodigy is my Padawan learner, Katooni Allie."
"It is an honour to meet you, my lady," greeted Katooni with a curtsey.
"The son of Twin Suns has found the daughter of the Moon," observed Galadriel as she looked across the room.
"That's a romantic metaphor," mused Katooni.
"But who are you talking about, your highness?" asked Dume.
"Anakin Skywalker and his wife, Padme." answered Galadriel.
Observing the decorated hilt, Katooni asked, "Are you, or were you, a Jedi?
You have a lightsaber, and you're definitely not a Sith,"
"I am not a Jedi, though my people share a strong connection to the Force,"
"Did you build your lightsaber?
It's so beautiful,"
"I crafted it with the artisans of my people." answered Galadriel as she strode away.
Sensing something off, Galen and Cay thought, "Don't tell me she's at it again,"
"What is it?" asked Katooni as she looked up at Galen.
"Cay and I need to check something,"
"Can I come with you?"
"Yes, but this might be awkward."
Exterior: Alderaan, Organa residence, royal gardens.
Following the sound of lightsabers clashing, Galen, Katooni and Cay found Seventh Sister and Visas fighting, using Ataru.
Except the Inquisitor's uniform lay discarded on the ground.
"Stand down, Seventh Sister!" commanded Cay, "before you cause an intergalactic incident,"
Having lost his patience, Galen separated the two combatants, levitated them above the ground, and held them still, facing towards him and Cay, with the Force, "Enough, both of you!"
"Master Galen, may I please be released?" asked Visas before landing on her feet.
"Seventh Sister!" reprimanded Cay, "what the hell were you doing?"
"My Lord Emperor, the Miraluka told me my uniform was terrible," answered Seventh Sister, "so I thought I'd show her how much better I look without it."
"She doesn't even have eyes!" snapped Cay, "Are you telling me you went commando, and started a fight because a blind woman said your uniform isn't stylish?"
"Well, when you put it like that…"
Covering her mouth, Katooni burst into laughter, "Of all the reasons for fighting, this wasn't one I'd ever expected to hear,"
"I wish I could say the same," groaned Cay, "and I'm sorry you had to see this, little one,"
"See what?"
"I'm sorry I've been a naughty girl, let me make it up to you," seductively said Seventh Sister as she eyed Galen, "Do you like what you see, handsome?
Wanna have some fun up close and personal?" before being dropped into the deep end of a decorative pool.
"Take your frivolous debauchery elsewhere, harlot," dismissed Galen who turned to a small crowd, "Disburse," and ignited one of his blades, sending the crowd packing, then sheathed his weapon.
"I'm soooo sorry, Master Drakkon," purred Seventh Sister as she knelt to her Emperor, and gave an innocent expression, "I'll remember to be a good girl.
Will you please forgive me?"
"You'd better," warned Cay, "and not even those Porg eyes you're giving me will get you off the hook this time.
Now get dressed." before the Inquisitor obeyed.
"Visas, did she make any comments about you or your outfit before the fight?" inquired Katooni.
The lovely Miraluka nodded, "The vexing one did, but I dare not say what, for you are too young and innocent to hear such vulgar language."
"Ah, stop sheltering them.
They'll hear the kriffing vulgarities eventually, love.
Best get it over with.
Now, I have some business with Miss Inquisitor," interjected a scruffy looking human male.
The interloper had fair skin, short blonde hair, and cyan blue eyes.
He wore jeans, boots, a white suit shirt, a red tie, a light trench coat, and a lightsaber on his belt.
Galen looked to his Padawan, "Stay close, ad'ika."
"Hello to you too, mate.
Jedi Shadow Jason bloody Constantine, at your kriffing service," greeted Constantine.
Turning to Galen, Cay asked, "Friend of yours?"
"Not the word I'd use."
"Oy, what about my business with Seventh Sister?" asked Constantine.
"Rent a room together, somewhere nice, private, and away from a diplomatic summit, Jaybird," answered Galen, "keep your more creative lovelife antics in private.
And watch your language around the kids,"
"Piss off, and it's Jason, not Jaybird, you sorry wanker," grumbled Constantine who received a punch to the face, from the Mandalorian, knocking him onto his back, "damn, that's a bloody good right hook."
"I am the Mand'alor, and I will not be disrespected by the likes of you, dar'manda!" snapped Galen as his voice deepened and the skies turned dark.
Then lightning struck barely far enough from Constantine to singe his coat.
"Alright, alright! Message received loud and clear, mate.
Sorry, my manners aren't at their zenith," shrugged Constantine as he staggered to his feet, "now, is that you manipulating the damn weather?"
As the skies cleared, Galen used the Force to send a small packet from Constantine's hand into a bin, "No smoking on the premises.
Rules of the house."
"Bollocks."
"What's going on here?" inquired Obi-Wan as he appeared, "Oh, it's you."
"Nice to see you too, Obi.
And the Force be praised, you got rid of that bloody beard."
"Yes, now why was I told my former Padawan was threatening people with a lightsaber?"
"When we all came out here, the cheeky Inquisitor lady was naked, and getting her shebs kicked by Visas," giggled Katooni.
"If she's arrested for it, the Empire's not paying her bail," mentioned Cay.
"Are the Inquisitor uniforms as cheap as the outer Jedi robes seem to be?" asked Petro as he stepped out from behind Obi-Wan, "people always seem to leave those just lying around,"
"The uniforms are custom tailored and commissioned for each individual Inquisitor, so no," answered Cay.
"Then it's not a one size fits all?"
"It'd have to be stretchier than spandex," chuckled Seventh Sister who stepped towards the little boy, "and what's your name, my pretty?"
Protective, Katooni stepped in front of Petro, and ignited her lightsaber.
"Awww, aren't you precious?" teased Seventh Sister, "Protecting your little boyfriend?" as she stepped closer, only to be Force pushed back into the pool by the Tholothian.
"Seventh Sister, take your friend in the trench coat, and get outta here," sternly ordered Cay, "and leave your lightsaber, it's confiscated until further notice."
"You've never confiscated my lightsaber before, so I must really be in trouble," stated Seventh Sister as she climbed out of the pool.
"Your next assignment is a permanent posting on Zeltros."
"As you wish."
As the two trouble makers left, Cay exhaled, "I need a drink,"
"Says everyone who's ever met Sentinel Constantine," quipped Kenobi.
"Can I have one too, Master?" asked Petro.
"Nothing alcoholic for you, dear one,"
"Okay."
"We've met some interesting people here, Father," mused Katooni as she gazed up at Galen, "and I don't think I'm going to forget seeing Visas fight that Inquisitor anytime soon,"
"Indeed."
"Was she the one Barriss ran into on Hoth?"
"Yes,"
"Does she know the grounds have surveillance cameras and drones?"
"I'd say that only encouraged her antics," groaned Drakkon, "this isn't the first time she's pulled stunts like this."
"And sending her to the endless party planet's going to help keep her out of trouble?"
"Depends whose laws she'd be breaking otherwise."
Later.
Interior: Alderaan, Organa residence, guest quarters, evening.
Tucking Omega and Katooni into bed, Galen softly said, "Goodnight, Omega'ika, goodnight, Kat'ika." and kissed them on the forehead.
"Goodnight," replied the two young girls, at the same time, as he got into his own bed.
"I'll be right here if you need me, okay?"
"Okay. Love you, Dad."
"Love you too, lil uns."
Later.
Interior: Katooni's mind.
Deep within the Trayus Academy, Katooni gasped in horror as Darth Vader emerged, and loomed over her whilst his breathing echoed.
Vader ignited his crimson blade, "There is no escape, youngling."
Trembling, Katooni reached for her lightsaber, "Stay back," and ignited her blade.
"You are no match for me, child.
If you wish to play at being a Jedi, you will die with the rest," taunted Vader as he slashed at her, only for her to block, but the force of impact knocked her back.
"You are weak," said Vader as he flourished, slashed, and flurried, then disarmed her, knocked her back, and Force pushed her into a wall.
Landing face first on the ground, Katooni slowly got to her knees to see the wraith staring down at her.
"You are defeated… unarmed… alone." he declared before his blade motioned to strike her down.
Eyes closed, she braced herself for the strike, but it never came.
As a lightsaber ignited, Katooni opened her eyes to see a blinding light dim, revealing Galen, wielding the starsaber, in a bladelock with Vader.
"Katooni, what you're seeing, it's not real, it's an illusion." informed Petro whose form manifested by her side, "it's all in your mind, but that monster's trying to invade it."
"P- Petro? I don't understand," stammered Katooni.
"This world is an illusion created by your mind.
This is your world, that means you're in control."
As she took Petro's hand, their grim surroundings transformed into a peacefully serene night sky, lush green fields, large, smooth, cone-like rock formations, and the twilight of twin moons and starlight.
Distracted by the drastic change in scenery, Vader was forced out of Katooni's mind by Galen.
Exterior: Katooni's mind.
Interior: Alderaan, Organa residence, guest quarters, midnight.
Slowly awakening as her vision came into focus, Katooni found herself in her bed, with Petro by her bedside, holding her hand, whilst Galen meditated.
Relieved, Petro greeted, "Hey, sleeping beauty,"
With an affectionate smile, she softly said, "I love you,"
Cheeks flushed, he returned, "I love you too."
"What happened?"
"Vader tried to invade your mind, so we used our bond to reach you through the Force." answered Galen who sat by her side.
"Thank you, Father." gratefully replied Katooni who tightly hugged Galen.
As he held up her lightsaber upon the hug ending, Petro informed, "When you were under, your lightsaber kind of short-circuited, and melted." before placing it on a table, "and the crystal shattered."
"Oh…" sighed Katooni before the others hugged her.
"Can I get you anything?" Petro asked, "is there anything I can do for you?"
"Stay with me," Katooni answered, "also, a kiss might make me feel better."
"As you wish." obliged the young boy before the two Padawans kissed.
"Also, this bed's huge.
Will you share with me?"
"If that's really what you want."
"It is."
As they snuggled up to each other, after being tucked in, they peacefully drifted off to sleep whilst Galen returned to his bed.
Interior: Alderaan, organa residence, guest quarters, morning.
Entering to check on the Padawans, Aayla covered her mouth to muffle giggles before taking a photo or two, then Galen walked in.
"Adorable, aren't they, Aayla'Buir?" Galen telepathically asked.
"They certainly are," agreed Aayla, "Dare we wake these precious ones?"
"They need their rest after what happened last night."
"What if they miss breakfast?" asked Secura.
"Already taken care of." assured Galen who telekinetically set down some lidded platters and trays of food upon a nearby table, as well as some neatly folded clothes on the dresser.
Shortly after the two Masters left the room, the Padawans awoke in the safety of each other's arms, and smiled.
"Morning, Kat." greeted Petro.
"Morning, Pe'ika." returned Katooni who kissed his cheek before they sat up.
"Are you okay, after what happened last night?" he inquired, concerned.
"I will be," she assured, "and I smell breakfast waiting for us."
"What about second breakfast?" he innocently asked.
"You're cute," she mused whilst changing shirts, then burst into giggles as he reached over, and tickled her tummy, "Hehehe hey."
A week later.
Interior: Dantooine, Jedi enclave.
"The crystal is the heart of the blade.
The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.
The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
The Force is the blade of the heart.
All are intertwined: the crystal, the blade, the Jedi, you are one." recited Galen as Katooni finished building her new lightsaber.
"Go for it, ner ad'ika," he encouraged before she held aloft a silver blade.
"It's beautiful, Father,"
"Some cultures believe the craftsmanship and beauty of one's sword reflects the innermost beauty of the one who both forges and wields it, Kat'ika."
"That's a really sweet sentiment."
"Indeed, which I daresay they who forged this must have been a sight to behold," mused Galen as he held out his beskar blade.
"Maybe it was the Angel we met on Alderaan."
"Tarre told me it was forged by the Force itself, so maybe there's some truth to the legends of the Mortis Gods."
Katooni gave a puzzled look. "The what?"
Projecting physical images with the Force, Galen explained, "Long ago, there were three celestial beings with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.
The Son, the Dark side personified.
The Daughter, the Light side incarnate.
And The Father, a living embodiment of balance in the Force.
These three were archetypal guardians of the Force.
While the Son's nature was to destroy, the Daughter would rebuild from that which her brother tore down.
And the Father would keep his children in balance."
"What happened to them?"
"While the specifics are unclear, due to conflicting sources, many cultures such as the Nightsisters still worship deities with similar descriptions to the Son and Daughter.
And some temples for those who worship and study the Force have The Ones depicted in their architecture and artwork.
There's several recurring depictions of them in the Jedi archives."
"Temples like?"
"The Jedi temple on Lothal.
Would you like me to take you there, sometime?"
"Yes, please." enthusiastically answered Katooni, "It's where I was born."
"Lothal, huh? I was born on the Wookie homeworld of Kashyyyk," mused Galen.
"Maybe an early memory of Lothal is why, when my mind had a trespasser, we were transported there from wherever it was."
"The original location during that encounter was Malachor V, inside the Trayus Academy."
"Do you think he was there when he was trying to get in my head?"
"I do."
"Also, thanks for helping me strengthen my mind shields, so that won't happen again, or at least not so easily."
"You're welcome, sweetie."
"I love you, Dad."
"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Kat'ika."
"Do you love me enough to teach me how to fly the Rogue Shadow?"
Meeting her gaze, he nodded, "Of course, ad'ika."
"Can I have Petro as my co-pilot?"
"If you trust him to fly with you, then yes,"
"When we flew in the simulators, we were always taking turns piloting and co-piloting, and acting as squadron leader and wing-man, for each other,"
"Good, there's few better teamwork exercises than flying together,"
"Agreed."
Mando'a translations.
Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum - I love you.
Aliit - clan/family.
Ad'ika - little one/son/daughter.
Jetii'ad - child of the Jedi, Padawan.
Kat'ika - little Katooni.
Pe'ika - little Petro.
Omega'ika - little Omega.
Buir - Father/Mother.
Aayla'Buir - momma Aayla.
Dep'Buir - Momma Depa.
Su'cuy - Hello.
Su cuy'gar - so you're still alive.
Mand'alor - sole ruler.
Dar'manda - one without heritage, identity or soul.