Star Wars: The Trials of the Force (Part One)

Katooni ran into the Jedi Temple, tears of anger streaming from her eyes. She didn’t understand why Petro was so angry at her for being Silverstream’s Padawan. She had never seen him that angry at anyone before, more specifically at her. Had she done something wrong? Did Petro hate her for being chosen?

She was too scared to ask Petro now. She dared not to go talk to him. He most likely didn’t want to talk to anyone right now.

She was running so fast that she didn’t see through blurry vision that Silverstream was right in front of her. The two of them bumped into each other, falling over.

Silverstream reached out her right claw to help her Padawan up, a look of concern in her eyes. Katooni stood up and tried to back away from her master and run away again, but Silver blocked her.

“Katooni, where are you going? Are you okay?” Silverstream asked her.

Katooni shook her head. “I don’t want to tell you. I want to be alone. Please, let me go.”

“Not a chance,” Silverstream told her. “I saw you running while I was practicing with my lightsaber. What happened back there? Are you okay? Tell me.”

Katooni sighed. Fresh tears came to her eyes and she let them spill. She had to be honest with her master, “Silverstream…Petro…is mad at me for being your Padawan…”

Silverstream gasped. “Petro? Why?”

“I don’t know!” Katooni exclaimed. She took a few deep breaths. “I told him the news and he got angry. He told me to get out…so I did. I know he wanted to be your Padawan after you saved the galaxy from the Sith, but…” she trailed off.

“…you thought he’d be happy,” Silverstream finished for her.

Sniffling, Katooni nodded slowly.

Silverstream put her claw on Katooni’s shoulder. “Katooni, I’m sorry. I…can’t believe he was that way to you. He was…I didn’t think-…I’m sorry.”

“What do you think he’s going to do?” Katooni asked.

“Hopefully nothing,” Silverstream responded, “I’m going to tell the Council about this. They have to know.”

Eyes going wide, Katooni shook her head vigorously. “No! You can’t tell the Council! He’ll be expelled! Remember what happened to Ahsoka?”

“But Katooni,” Silverstream didn’t understand. “He’s showing signs of going to the dark side. If the Council doesn’t intervene-“

“Please…” Katooni pleaded. “Don’t tell them. I’m sure if I talk to him later, I can make him see reason. Please just give me the chance to talk to him.”

Silverstream looked into Katooni’s pleading eyes and finally relented. “Alright, fine. But I’m doing this against my better judgment. I’m only doing this for you. But if this happens again, I’ll have to tell them. Understood?”

Katooni nodded slowly. “I’ll be okay, Silverstream. I promise.”
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Petro stormed into his bedroom where he activated the transmission device, reaching out to the remaining Separatist holdouts in the unknown regions of the galaxy.

A hologram of a man appeared on the platform, “My lord, what is your business contacting-“ He paused, “You’re not Lord Sidious.”

“No,” Petro said, “Sidious is dead. I’ve heard about you guys from a conversation I heard last night about loose remaining holdouts of the Separatists in the Unknown Regions of the galaxy. I’m hoping to unite them for an attack on the Galactic Senate.” He was making stuff up as he went along as he had no plan other than unite the remaining Separatist holdouts for an attack. Now he realized the grave risk he was taking. If the Jedi found out it was him masterminding the attack, he could be expelled from the Jedi Order like Ahsoka once was and/or executed for treason. Was this really worth it? He shook his doubts aside. Of course it was.

“The Republic will never stand for such an attack,” said the Separatist leader, “We’ll be wiped out in an instant! What’s a Jedi like you doing working against the Republic anyway?”

“The Republic doesn’t mean anything to me,” Petro told him, “They and their corrupt Jedi must fall. I have become disillusioned with the system. In exchange for helping launch the attack, I will help you become a far greater force than the Republic has ever been in all of its eras. We will take revenge on our enemies. I know how the Jedi work. With my help, you stand a chance at regaining your place in the galaxy.”

There was a pause and finally the Separatist leader replied, “You got yourself a deal, rebel Jedi. Be on a look out for three Star Destroyers coming out of hyperspace at dawn tomorrow.” The hologram shut off.

Well, Petro thought, My fate is sealed now. I better not get caught.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Silverstream was awoken from her sleep by an explosion sound. She and Katooni both woke up immediately. Katooni was sleeping with her for the night.

“What’s going on?” Katooni asked.

“I can’t tell,” Silverstream told her. She grabbed her lightsabers and opened the door, “Let’s find out.”

The two ran outside and saw about four Star Destroyers unleashing an attack on the Galactic Senate as the sun was rising over the horizon.

“The Senate!” Silverstream realized, “Why would Republic ships attack their own government?”

Katooni looked closer at the ships, “Master, these aren’t Republic ships. They look like them, but look closer. The symbol of the Separatists is imprinted on the top. And the designs look slightly different.”

“The remnants,” Silverstream realized, “That’s what Ahsoka was trying to warn me about.” She faced Katooni, “Stay here. I have to get everyone out before the place blows!”

“It’s too dangerous, Master! You’ll never-“ Silverstream didn’t get to hear the rest of Katooni’s warning as she was already running at top speed, her Padawan’s warning only faint and distant by this point.

Silverstream reached the Senate, barging in, where she saw all the Senators in a panic, trying to reach the exit as the building shook from the explosions.

“I’m going to get you guys out! Follow me to the exit!” Silverstream told them. The Senators complied, following her as she opened the door. Just then, one of the Star Destroyers crashed into the Senate building, causing the roof to break loose and fall.

Silverstream acted fast. She quickly thrust out her claw, using the Force to lift the falling roof and hold it in midair as everyone ran out. She began tiring out. As soon as she knew everyone was safe, she released the falling rubble and flew out at top speed, just as the roof crashed down onto the ground.

Suddenly, she was struck down by blaster fire. She looked up. It was Commander Rex and Commander Fox.

“Commander Rex!” Silverstream greeted, trying to get up, “How are you?”

“Not good today. You’re under arrest.” Commander Rex told her.

Silverstream didn’t understand, but she let them take her to the Jedi Temple just as Republic ships were beginning their attack against the Separatist Star Destroyers.