Before we get into this, I'd liked to extend a massive thank you to sketchywolf, who provided the OC in a request I didn't see coming, but he had such a vision on the OC that I simply couldn't refuse to write it out! Thank you, you absolutely epic human!

This chapter will serve as the prologue to this hopefully long story!

Set about a year before the events of the Clone Wars movie.

ENJOY!

A Jedi enters battle calmly. Emotions such as fear and anger leads to the dark side.

The words of the ancient Grand Master Satele Shan, rang through his body and soul as the mantra that has been passed onto him from his mother. After millenniums passed from the time of the great Jedi, her descendancy has left a legacy that is to be revered.

Certainly, a legacy that elicited a unique kind of pressure for those who are among her descendants.

A pressure that one Garrick Shan has had to deal with, for most of his life.

This was all that was flowing through the troubled mind of the fourteen-year-old Jedi youngling.

Troubled, considering the predicament that he is in, having a high chance of missing out on the opportunity to become a Padawan, due to the fact that he is almost fifteen, where it would be all the more too late for him to be selected by the council.

Potentially becoming the first Shan in three thousand years, to not have been selected as a Padawan.

He had been meditating to prevent any more trouble from clouding his judgement, seeing as it was starting to take its toll on his temper.

Focus starting to ease in when a voice decided to interrupt his thoughts.

"Relax Rickster… there's no point in meditating if your mind isn't as calm as your physicality"

"Ahsoka" he tried to send an annoyed wave through the force, knowing that the thirteen-year-old is tapping into his own Force "I thought Master Yoda said to not invade others space unless asked to"

A small giggle escaped the Togrutan's lip, prompting the other boy next to her to speak up.

"You know she can't help it Garrick. She can't beat you in a lightsaber duel so she used the safer method in the Force instead."

"Shut it, Caleb" was all she said while maintaining her meditating pose, prompting a snigger from the older teenager.

Silence then befell them once again. This time, with the residue of calmness slowly encompassing Garrick's mind.

Having two of his closest friends from his stint in the academy help him meditate really does quite a good change of atmosphere, especially since he had been pretty stubborn to agree to do so when they had practically begged him to join them.

"How's your session with Master Windu earlier?" the Togrutan had decided to speak up.

Garrick gave a bored sigh out of recollection of his training session "Boring, he made me do the whole rock into a basket routine again"

"That so? Did you do well?"

"Somewhat I guess" he gave her a nonchalant shrug "At least most of them actually got into the baskets for once"

"Hey… that's good then!" Ahsoka temporarily went out of her meditation stance to give her troubled friend a proud look "Means that you're getting a better hang of it"

A scoff was all he was able to let out "Says the one who already can levitate an entire wall"

"Well I'm not the one training Vapaad under Mace kriffing Windu"

"Guys" the younger Jedi learner interjected "This is not doing well for my confidence"

"Relax Dume you still have a while to go"

"Doesn't make me feel any better"

Ahsoka breathed softly to bring the initial calmness back to group "With the way you're going now, you should be well on the way to becoming a good student Caleb. Have more faith in yourself"

Her sentence eventually stamped satisfaction to the ten-year-old, once again bringing silence to the meditation session.

That is, until Ahsoka audibly groaned, which Garrick immediately took notice in.

"What is it?"

"I sense a di'kut incoming"

Albeit his current predicament is quite stressful, it wasn't however, the only thing that had been flaring his temper over the past few days.

"Hey there, Garrick Shan"

All Garrick could procure was an annoyed sigh, not even bothering to open his eyes, remaining on his sitting position. He'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere.

"What do you want, Sikaro?"

The voice in front of him snorted, further pushing his temper "It's Padawan Sikaro to you now"

Half-unbelieving, Garrick peeked through one eye, looking up to see that the boy had his Padawan braid brandished on the underside of his hair.

Ahsoka herself gave a quick peek towards the same area, before getting straight at the older boy.

"Congratulations to whoever got paid to bump you to the front of the pack"

The two boys beside her chuckled at her jab, but the standing boy was too far up his own behind to be offended by it.

"Whatever, Tano" Ahsoka's features tightened at the tone he was using, already hating where it was going, "One day, you'd be among all the ladies that's pining to get into my-"

"Uugh… Never" she interjected before he could complete his words, and with a mild wave of her hand, pushed the standing boy a good few meters back and causing him to fall over, landing on his butt.

A few other younglings who were passing by saw the scene, and sent a few waves of chuckles as they went along their own way. Which wasn't taken kindly by the humiliated boy.

"You puny Togrutan… I'll show you" the sound of his lightsaber igniting brought the attention of the three meditating younglings right at him.

And even before the target of the threat was able to respond, another lightsaber had already lit up, which the new Padawan realized was Garrick's brilliant blue instead of Ahsoka's own green.

The boy almost flinched when he acknowledged the fearsome glare that the Shan descendant is currently firing at him, almost daring him to make a move.

Ahsoka only smirked, knowing full well that as stupid as the Sakiro boy could be, he won't be that dumb to challenge her friend with no preparation whatsoever.

As much as he doesn't want to admit it, even with the slight disadvantage in size, and the lower level of attunement with the Force, no one in the academy is anywhere near as proficient as the sitting boy when it comes to the multiple forms of lightsaber combat.

In a rare act of wisdom, the Padawan retracted his lightsaber. Snapping it back to his belt before crudely remarking "Think you're tough now huh Garrick? Whatever. Whenever you get too big for yourself, just remember who gave you that scar on your cheek! Taran Sakiro, Obi-Wan Kenobi's next big success after Anakin Skywalker!"

Feeling victorious nonetheless, the Padawan turned tail and went off to wherever it is that he had to go, not the other three cared.

Satisfied with the Padawan running off, Garrick retracted his own lightsaber moments later with a resigned sigh, prompting Caleb to comment on Taran's words.

"Don't think about it, Garrick. You know he cheated on that sparring session"

Yes, he knew that. The session was already declared over by the overseer, when that idiot decided to have another slash at his face. But it still annoys him to no end that he now has this x-shaped scar on his left cheek.

If only that boy's parents weren't big political partners for the Republic, he would've gotten sent off to Force knows where.

Instead of that, now the ungrateful bastard gets to study under one of Jedi's most reputable warrior.

Oh how great and fair life is.

He was still stuck in his own head when Ahsoka herself let out a resigned sigh.

"I feel bad for Master Kenobi, he's about to have his patience run straight to the limit with that unbearable thing following him around"

"Tell me 'bout it"

After a moment of contemplative silence, the booming voice of a temple guardian nearly toppled the three from their stances.

"Youngling Garrick, your presence has been requested by Master Shan"

Recovering from the small shock, Garrick gave a small eye roll to the other two, "Guess that's my call"

"Good luck Rickster"

He slipped a small smile in reply, before standing up and walking towards the direction of the Master's quarter.

A few minutes of walking and he eventually arrived at the door of the quarter. Giving it a soft knock, he heard a "come in" and proceeded to walk in, seeing the Jedi Master on her meditating position who immediately recognized his arrival.

"Ah good, you're here"

"You called for me, mother?"

Jedi Master Kali Shan has always appreciated the comfort that her son has with calling her mother in private, a development that she hadn't thought to be possible due to the circumstances that the Jedi Code have over the lives of both Force wielders.

"Let's take a walk, son"

Garrick gave her an inquisitive look, wondering what she has in plan for him. She would usually have barely any time to spend with him, not with the council having many duties to do, and with an impending war with the Sith looking like it's ready to explode. So, to see her take it slow is somewhat of an unexpected change to him.

Unexpected, yet definitely not unwelcomed.

Falling into step with his mother, they began walking accompanied by a peaceful yet tentative silence.

It continued for a while before Kali broke the silence.

"So, how has your training been recently? Master Windu said that you have improved your Force stability quite impressively"

"Really? Never really can tell if I'm doing well or not when he's teaching" Garrick made a face "He'd always look like he would rather be anywhere else in the galaxy when he's training any of us"

Kali gave a short chuckle to her son's comments "Trust me, he's not much different during council meetings"

The two shared a laugh, before turning back to silence, prompting Garrick to inquire of her intentions.

"Is that all you wanted ask? That's a bit little to ask about for a walk like this"

"Oh no, most definitely not" Kali seemed to be reviewing something in her mind, before looking for what she was searching for "Ah yes, I've been notified that a youngling in your group had been selected as a Padawan, was it Ahsoka?"

A fleeting thought of disappointment went through Garrick, knowing that as much as his mother loves him, his limited attunement in the Force really makes it a difficult barrier to overcome in terms of being selected as a Padawan. But he decided to let it pass and instead gave her a low scoff "Yeah, that would've made sense wouldn't it? But no, instead it's that Sakiro kid"

"Oh… no wonder Padawan Skywalker was laughing at his master earlier" Kali sighed in sympathy for her fellow council member "Hopefully it's nothing he can't handle"

"Trust me, mother" he shuddered in remembrance of the troublesome Sakiro "Master Kenobi is going to need everything he has to not chop that kid in half"

Kali smiled at his advice "I'll be sure to notify Master Kenobi of your suggestions Garrick" she noticed that they were approaching the door to their destination, before said door suddenly opened to reveal none other than Anakin Skywalker, who immediately took notice of the Jedi Master and her son.

"Master Shan" he gave a slight bow in respect to her presence, which she replied in kind.

"Padawan Skywalker" she nodded towards the room he just went out of "Did you get a good session in?"

"Sure did Master. I tried taking on two shooter bots just now, got stung once or twice. Guess I still need some work on my form" he then proceeds to turn his attention to Garrick, who had been silently admiring Obi-Wan Kenobi's famed Padawan, "You must be Garrick then? I've heard a lot about you from your mother. Impressive that for youngling to have already started learning Vapaad, I wondered why it wasn't you that they choose for Obi-Wan to take later on after I go"

Garrick was still half-frozen when his mother nudged him with a smile on her face. He immediately regained his senses "Oh it's nothing much, Padawan Skywalker"

The Padawan gave him a short chuckle "Hey don't sell yourself short buddy, it's rare to see Master Yoda and especially Master Windu to hold someone in such a regard, you should be proud" giving the youngling a pat on the shoulder, before turning back to the Master "I'd love to chat some more but Master Kenobi is currently expecting me in the hangar, another time Master Shan?"

"Another time Padawan Skywalker, send my regards to Master Kenobi" she replied accompanied with a nod.

"Will do Master Shan" the Padawan bows to signify his exit, and proceeds to send a wink to the youngling "See you around kid"

Garrick barely had time to process everything, but snapped back to focus "See you too Padawan Skywalker, and may the force be with you"

Anakin simply laughed "You too buddy" and proceeded to head towards his quarter, before Kali asked him one final question.

"Sorry Padawan, I forgot to ask, is Master Secura in there?"

Anakin looked back for a bit, before replying "Yeah she is, she was just finishing up on her session"

She gave him a nod, before he continued his walk and proceeded to look back to her son who looked a bit at awe.

"Quite a personality, isn't he?"

"Yeah, and tall too"

His comments elicited another chuckle as they went into the training room, almost instantly coming face-to-face with a beautiful Twi'lek, who took notice of Kali and Garrick, and went straight in to asking,

"Is that him?"

Garrick was slightly caught off guard with her straight forward attitude, but didn't mind it since his mother doesn't seem troubled whatsoever.

"Yes Aayla, this is my son, Garrick, the one we discussed about earlier"

Discussed? Discussed on what? Was all that flew through Garrick's mind.

The Twi'lek seemed to nod in affirmation, and gestured the space behind her to Garrick, who's still finding himself a bit perplexed by the situation when she said,

"Alright then Garrick… the floor is yours"

Garrick only looked at her in confusion, noticing her arm that was presenting the training room behind her "Wait, pardon me Master, but what am I doing?"

She had a confused look on her face as well "Your mother did not tell you?"

The boy only shook his head, the two then averted their attention to the Jedi Master in question, who only had mischievous smirk gracing her features, bringing Garrick into realization.

"I knew it! There was more than just a simple walk wasn't it?"

Kali finally let her pent-up laughter in satisfaction, placing a hand on his shoulder "It was a good walk wasn't it? You'll like this, I promise you"

Taking his saber into hand, he grumbled annoyedly while walking past the amused Twi'lek, who walked up to stand next to Kali "Well this should be interesting"

"I don't approve of this… tricking your own son" he mumbled as he positions himself in the centre.

"Oh quit the yapping and trust your mother" she proceeded to nod towards the remote that the Twi'lek is holding "Feel free to start"

She nodded an affirmative and pressed a button that activated a nearby shooter bot, positioning itself adjacent to the youngling.

"Let's start with one first, when you're ready youngling"

Activating his saber, he got into focus and strengthened his stance. Caught a good grasp of what he needs to do, and stared the shooter bot dead on the centre.

"Ready"

With the press of a button, the bot began its round of steady shooting, all of which were blocked in quick succession.

He focused his vision and mind in predicting the bots shooting and swerving path, effectively positioning his saber after each shot, until the bot stopped shooting and stayed stationary.

"Good, now faster and harder"

Was all he heard before the bot seemed to reset and began shooting in a much faster pace, all while shooting in irregular patterns and swerving much more randomly.

All the while, the two bystanders watching were analysing his moves, with the Twi'lek initially commenting.

"He's good, consistent too. But if he's all that Windu has said about him then this should be a walk for him"

"Well" Kali nodded to the other Master "Feel free to challenge him as you see fit"

"Will definitely do"

Which eventually turned to an unexpected twist for Garrick, for when he's focusing on the one bot, it suddenly split itself and began to shoot even more rapidly from two opposing directions.

Quickly adjusting to the situation, he switched his stance sideways to provide better vision on both bots, using his body to evade some shots and deflecting the rest with ease.

The two masters watched in awe as the youngling held the effort for a few minutes, before realizing that both bots had entered a position that was basically in complete opposite to each other.

This forced the youngling to bide his time, continuing to dodge and block the bolts, before finally taking his chance by jumping out of the way, right when both bots take a shot, and ended up taking each other out, immediately putting the two machines out of commission.

Still breathing heavily and on his landing pose, he almost forgot that he had an audience, when a small round of applause erupted.

He looked back to see his mother and the Twi'lek, accompanied with a crowd of other training younglings and Padawans giving him a good hand after what was technically, something quite impressive for a youngling to be able to do.

Slightly embarrassed by the attention he garnered, all he could procure was an awkward bow, before seeing the crowd dismiss their selves, leaving only him and his original two bystanders.

"Impressively done Garrick. Even a Padawan with Skywalker's calibre was still slightly struggling with two bots, and you went by virtually unscathed" the Twi'lek had commended with sincerity.

Garrick couldn't help but felt pride swelling in his chest.

His mother was beaming, she held her smile for a few seconds before clearing her throat "So, Master Secura, final assessment?"

The Master in question looked at him with a certain shine in her eyes.

"Oh yes, he'd do exceptionally well as my Padawan"

Thinking that he had heard her sentences wrong, he almost choked on his own saliva "P-pardon me Master?"

Kali laughed once again, while the Twi'lek had a low chuckle "Forgive me Garrick, I haven't properly introduced myself"

She walked up to him, all while Garrick is still frozen in realization.

"My name is Aayla Secura, and I will be your new Master, Padawan Garrick Shan"

Any kind of feedback is very much appreciated! Thanks for reading through the entire chapter :D