Jedi Temple, Coruscant - Core Worlds
Master Irris stood in front of her class, displaying a series of cartoons on a holographic board for the younglings.
"The history of the Jedi Order goes back a very long time. In these early days, the galaxy was very different," she tells them. "Back then the Republic did not yet exist because many planets couldn't interact with each other."
As she spoke, a cartoon depicting Jedi in the Temple's Grand Hall—interacting with joyful expressions on their faces—transitioned into a much more humble setting, with individuals in basic robes looking up at the sky to see two moons: one light and one dark.
Weron raises his hand.
"Not even with a hologram?"
"Not even. Hyperspace travel had not been invented, which limited all communication to the speed of light," Xudi explains. "Even though light travels very fast, it still takes hundreds of thousands of years for it to travel from one side of the galaxy to the other."
"That's so long!" Kurhran exclaims.
"It is indeed," she nods with a small smile of amusement. "But then something miraculous happened. The First Migration of the Tho Yor."
Rylla raises her hand.
"What is that?"
Xudi moves onto the next image depicting a small group of diamond-shaped objects floating in the sky.
"A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, eight ships called the Tho Yor traversed the galaxy looking for those gifted with the Force. To this day they remain a complete mystery: Who built them? Where did they come from? Nobody knows the answer to those questions, but what we do know is that they brought together hundreds of people, many of them just like you, so that they could accomplish something greater."
"Woah..."
The younglings all stare at the pictures in wonder, enthralled by the fascinating story being told. Ahsoka glances over to Jarik with a grin on her face but sees him not even looking up but instead is picking at his nails.
"Psst, you're missing the best part!" she whispers to him.
He shrugs his shoulders, not even looking up.
"It's cool I guess," he mumbles.
Ahsoka frowns in concern and remembers what he's been worried about lately.
"Hey, I'm sure Master Jinn will be fine," she says.
"I know, but... I have a really bad feeling."
"Master Plo told me that Master Jinn is a great Jedi!" she tells him. "He can handle it!"
"I know but... what if something goes wrong?" he asks nervously.
Ahsoka pouts in frustration.
"I think you worry too much," she says.
Jarik simply shrugs again.
"I don't know..."
"Jarik, Ahsoka, is there something you'd like to share with the rest of the class?"
The two younglings flinch in surprise and look up with wide eyes to see Xudi staring at them with her arms crossed and a frustrated expression on her face.
"No, Master Irris!" Ahsoka squeaks.
"Are you sure?" Xudi questions. "It must be important enough that you're not paying attention to this lesson."
The other younglings giggle quietly to themselves.
"Sorry, Master Irris!" Jarik says timidly.
"Won't happen again!" Ahsoka adds.
Xudi eyes the pair skeptically, focusing a little more on Jarik for a moment. He's still worrying over the nightmare he had about Qui-Gon, she's certain of it. Even after the JEdi Master's assurances he still can't help but be afraid.
The more she ponders how to best help the young boy, the more worried she grows. Master Yoda isn't taking this situation lightly and he would absolutely send Jarik to the Service Corps. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it should be the last resort for young Padawans and Initiates who fail their training; at this age, Jarik wouldn't even have a fair chance to prove himself. She doesn't want that for him, but the list of options in Xudi's mind are rapidly decreasing.
Letting out a small sigh she turns away and resolves to ponder the issue at a later time, after she's finished teaching this lesson.
Once again, Xudi found herself entering the tranquil environment of Master Yoda's quarters to find the Grand Master of the Order seated on his cushion in meditation, as he often did. This time, however, the visit was requested by him and not her, which has her feeling wary. Upon her entry into the room Yoda opens his eyes and looks up at her.
"You wished to see me, Master?" she inquires.
He gestures for her to take a seat on the cushion opposite to him.
"Worried I am."
"About Jarik?" she correctly deduces.
Yoda nods his head.
"Informed me about his recent nightmare, Master Plo Koon did," he tells her. "Troubling to hear, yes?"
"I was a bit unsettled, yes," Xudi replies. "But nightmares are just bad dreams after all, so it's unlikely to be real."
Yoda frowns at her with a hum of disapproval.
"Believe your words, you do not."
Xudi grimaces at being called out so quickly, though it wasn't too surprising either. She lets out a sigh and nods her head in response.
"I suppose you're right. I'd be lying if I didn't say I have a bad feeling about it," she admits.
The Grand Master brings a hand to his chin and silently ponders her for a short while.
"Young Xudi, a gifted Jedi you have become," he finally says. "Compassion, one of your strengths, is. Yet attachment in you I fear also."
And now the ancient Jedi's concerns are leveled at her as well now, not just Jarik. That'll make things more difficult.
"Forgive me, Master. I just want to help him overcome this ordeal, that's all," she tells him, shaking her head. "It pains me to watch a child as young as him suffer this trauma."
"And more he will suffer, should Qui-Gon not return from his mission," Master Yoda states grimly.
Xudi widens her eyes in astonishment.
"You believe he's in danger?" she asks.
"Believe in Qui-Gon I do. Hope for the best I do. But know what will happen, I do not," he clarifies, leveling her with a serious gaze. "Anticipate the worst, I must, to ensure our younglings do not fall. Too attached the boy has become."
Attachment. Every Jedi knows the danger of it. Since they were younglings it has been drilled into them what would happen if they succumb to their attachments: it leads to many things, worst among them being fear. That fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. And hate...
...leads to suffering.
Jarik is already afraid and, following that, is on the verge of going straight into suffering.
She can stop that from happening, as can Qui-Gon. She may be a Jedi, but there is so much more she has learned which no other Jedi carries any knowledge of, not even Master Yoda. She can fix this.
"Master, nothing bad will happen, I'm sure of it. And even if the worst does occur, I can promise you that Jarik won't fall," Xudi declares. "I won't allow it."
Yoda shakes his head in disagreement and Xudi's confidence decreases somewhat under his piercing gaze that gives the implication he knows more than she believes.
"Solve this matter, no spell can," he retorts with even more sternness.
Does he know about the things she does? She can't think much about it as Yoda continues speaking to her.
"If control his emotions, the boy cannot, nothing left to do there is beyond a transfer to the Service Corps," he concludes.
Xudi lowers her head in disappointment but concedes to his decision.
"I understand, Master," she says.
Why is she so adamant on advocating for Jarik's wellbeing? It's a surprise to even her. But she feels compelled to do so regardless.
He must be strong should the worst come to pass.
The current class being taught is about the basics of lightsaber combat, specifically proper stances and technique. The lesson is a bit more special this time in that they were in a combined lesson with a few other clans. The Akul clan ended up claiming a space in one corner of the room to practice and spread out to ensure they all had enough room to comfortably manuever around.
Overseeing the whole class is the newly appointed Jedi Battlemaster, Cin Drallig, while the instructors of each clan roam around their groups to assist any younglings who seemed to be struggling.
Right now Cin Drallig's lesson is focused on maintaining balance on unstable footing, which they practiced by performing simple moves while standing on one foot. Unsurprisingly, many younglings were struggling to maintain their balance, though some like Ahsoka showcase their natural talents with graceful movements. Jarik, on the other hand, was not faring as well this time around despite his earlier success in prior lessons.
While standing on one foot the young boy tries to direct his training saber—really just a polished wood stick—in the proper motions as instructed, but whenever doing so he ends up stumbling. Standing over in the doorway of the room, Master Dooku observes Jarik critically as he practices. With each failed attempt he stumbles and sports a frustrated frown on his face, but with Xudi too preoccupied helping Weron there's not much he can do except keep trying.
Gritting his teeth, the boy moves into position and gives it another go. However, an overswing causes him to trip over his feet, and he stumbles sideways in an effort to remain standing.
"Ugh!" he whines in dismay.
While pouting he doesn't notice Dooku approach him until he speaks.
"You seem troubled, youngling."
Jarik looks up at the man in surprise and is momentarily startled by how his height, which exceeds even Qui-Gon's, before registering the question in his mind.
"I do?" he asks meekly.
"One doesn't need to be a Master to see you are worried about something," Dooku states with a raised eyebrow.
Jarik nervously looks down at his feet.
"Sorry sir."
"It's quite alright," Dooku assures him. "I take it you enjoy using a lightsaber?"
Jarik eagerly nods.
"Yes! It feels, uh... good—awesome!"
Dooku chuckles at his enthusiasm, finding himself able to relate with the boy in his passion for the art of wielding a lightsaber.
"I know what you mean. I too enjoy the art of wielding such an elegant weapon," he remarks. "What drills are you practicing right now?"
"Oh, um, I'm trying to do this on one foot but it's hard!" Jarik tells him.
While talking he performed the motion, standing normally on two feet, and Dooku lifts a brow at the smoothness and precision showcased in Jarik's form, particularly impressive given his still very young age. Clearly the boy has the skills and talent, so why is he struggling with this?
"How's your balance?" Dooku inquires.
"I don't know. 'Soka's better at it," he shrugs, his expression glum.
He moves to get into position once more to try and practice when Dooku stops him.
"You thinking too hard about holding your saber," Dooku states.
"Huh?"
Jarik looks up at him in confusion, prompting Dooku to elaborate.
"A skilled practitioner does not simply hold their weapon but wields it as an extension of themself."
"What does that mean?" the boy asks.
"May I?"
Dooku holds his hand out to Jarik's training saber and the boy gives him to him after a moment's pause.
"You must think of your lightsaber as a part of your arm, rather than separate from it," Dooku demonstrates by flawlessly performing the maneuver which Jarik was practicing, putting extra emphasis into his arm and wrist. "Your movements will feel more natural. Precise. Only then will you find that balance comes easier."
"Woah..." Jarik whispers in awe.
Dooku smiles and hands him back his training saber, though it falls away to a more serious gaze as he ponders the boy's inner turmoil.
"However, I don't believe your worries stemmed from your balance alone," he points out.
Jarik's excitement swiftly vanishes and is replaced with meekness and uncertainty. He holds his hands together in front of him, shoulders hunched inward, and stares awkwardly at the floor.
"I have a bad feeling Master Jinn is in trouble," he murmurs.
Dooku's eyes soften.
"I understand. Did you know he was once my student?"
"Really?" Jarik looks up in amazement.
"Indeed. As his Master I often worried over his wellbeing. It's only natural to be concerned about those you close to you," he comments. "But Qui-Gon was an exceptional apprentice, and an even greater Jedi Master. If there is anyone who can face the many dangers out there it is him."
Although he fully believes in his former pupil's capabilities, he also knows that this Sith assassin is no slouch either. A raging beast he may be, he is nevertheless an exceptional combatant based on what he knows.
But that is not something to be shared with a youngling. Or any Jedi, he might add.
While Dooku lost himself in his thoughts, Jarik contemplated the things Dooku said and quickly brightens up with enthusiasm and nods his head.
"You're right, Master! Thank you!" he beams at the older Jedi.
Dooku blinks and looks down at the boy, acknowledging him with a simple nod.
"Of course," he replies, then notices Xudi looking in his direction, as are a few other Masters. "Now, I believe I've taken enough of your time already, so you best continue your training."
"Yes Master!" Jarik nods quickly.
Jarik jumps into position once more while Dooku quickly moves toward the exit, having no desire to interact with or hear any questions the other Jedi Masters might have for him.
Not during this crucial time in history.
Theed Royal Palace, Naboo - Mid Rim
The Battle for Naboo was now in full swing as war raged across the region.
While the Gungan army dealt with the overwhelming forces of the Trade Federation's technological might, the Naboo security force sought to take back their city. Firefights were common across the streets of Theed as the remaining droid forces attempted to repel their Nubian opponents.
The main hangar was not spared from the fight either, and after securing a foothold inside the Queen gave the order for all pilots to get to their ships in a desperate race to destroy the Trade Federation's command ship, thus shutting down their armies.
Once everyone had taken off Padmé, Panaka, and the Jedi quickly strategized their next move in capturing the Viceroy and began to move out. Anakin, noticing the group's departure from his hiding place within the cockpit of a starfighter, quickly stood up to follow after them.
"Hey, wait for me!" he calls out.
"Anakin, stay where you are. You'll be safe there," Qui-Gon orders him.
"But I—" he protests.
"Stay in that cockpit!"
Pointing a finger at him for emphasis and to show he was serious seemed enough to get Anakin into submission. A war zone is already a bad enough place to be for a child. For that child to be the Chosen One makes the risks even greater.
Padmé and Panaka lead their group back out of the hangar; however, before they could leave the main doors open on their own volition to reveal a lone man garbed in black robes with a hood obscuring his face. Startled by the man Padmé and Panaka both jolt to a complete halt, the latter bringing his blaster up to defend himself, and the rest of the team stops behind them.
The dark stranger slowly lifted his head to reveal a red and black face with blazing yellow eyes.
Even though there's only one man against dozens of them, Panaka can't help but feel a sense of dread about their odds. Yet the man's gaze completely bypasses them all as he seeks someone, finding him at the back of the group.
Qui-Gon narrows his eyes at the appearance of the Sith and doesn't fail to notice his gaze lock onto him and Obi-Wan. The dark warrior makes his presence known through the Force as a powerful vessel of the dark side which fills the hangar unseen to most, though Obi-Wan shivers in astonishment at their enemy's raw power.
There were already no doubts in Qui-Gon's mind about the enemy, and this only serves to prove it. This is the Sith announcing their return.
"We'll handle this," he informs the Nabooians.
Padmé readily agrees.
"We'll take the long way."
Darth Maul's lips curl into a subtle smirk.
As Padmé and Panaka lead their officers away to a different exit Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan march forward with purposeful steps. They keep themselves calm and composed, allowing no trace of emotion show itself aside from unwavering determination. Maul's eyes glow with a savage hunger in anticipation of the fight, fury and bloodlust roaring within his mind. He rips his cloak off and the two Jedi do the same.
A firefight erupts at the other end of the hangar but the Jedi push it out of their mind; they can't afford to break their focus against this deadly adversary.
Qui-Gon keeps his eyes trained on the Sith, studying his mannerisms and behavior, noting anything he can in preparation for this battle. He already knows he's a deadly combatant, fast, strong, and highly skilled, but there's something more in him: savagery, and the temperment of a wild animal. The Sith trembles like a beast anticipating the moment to strike at its prey. It's in these details that Qui-Gon knows how to defeat him: patience and control.
Maul unclips his saber from his belt and holds it out in front of him to unveil two blazing red blades from either end of the hilt. By his side, Qui-Gon senses a flicker of surprise and uncertainty from Obi-Wan in the face of this imposing adversary, and so he sends him a wave of assurance. He needs to be strong for his pupil. They can't afford mistakes.
The Sith's gaze meets the eyes of the Jedi Master once more and Qui-Gon senses his focus barrel down onto him. He doesn't back down in the slightest, meeting the Sith's glare with his own.
Growling low in his throat at the Jedi's defiance, Darth Maul twirls his lightsaber and initiates the battle.
Author's Note: And so it begins...