Chapter Text
23 BBY
A year passed since Danas Drak has officially finished his lightsaber form training. He thought that the Jedi Council will finally send him on his first mission. After all, his best friends Anakin Skywalker and Barriss Offee went on missions, when they were fifteen.
That wasn't the case when it came to him.
Jedi Council (the majority at least) were still wary of him and didn't want to send him on a mission yet.
The young Dathomirian complained about it to Anakin, Barriss, his Master - Aayla Secura, his Grandmaster - Quinlan Vos, Master Sinube, Master Ti... They all were sympathetic, but couldn't do much until the majority of the Council deemed him ready (even though Master Ti did everything in her power).
Danas decided to use the time to his advantage and hone his lightsaber and lingual skills.
The Zabrak was fluent in Basic, Huttese, Binary, and Togruti. Currently, he was practicing Ryl and Lekku and was able to communicate with/read them quite well.
His lightsaber training was going along well too.
Danas was a practitioner of Ataru and Shien combined with several Vaapad techniques. That, combined with his double-bladed yellow lightsaber, made him quite the formidable opponent.
He was able to hold his own against Anakin, despite his friend having twice the amount of midichlorians.
He was able to best Barriss (despite her achieving almost mastery at Form III), Serra Keto (Master Drallig's Padawan and user of two lightsabers), Nahdar Vebb (Master Fisto's Padawan and the one who accompanied him at Gathering) as well as several other Padawans and even some of the younger Knights.
These skills seemed to divide the Jedi Order into those that feared him and those that hated him.
Of course, there was still a small group he was friends/on friendly terms with. But compared to the rest of the Order, it was like a drop in the ocean.
Danas was currently changing into a new set of robes in his quarters. His sparring session with Anakin left him quite smelly. He looked at himself in the window.
Puberty finally caught up to Danas.
Whereas the Zabrak was always rather small, he now stood at 5'10" and still seemed to grow.
His jawline started to become less and less round, getting quite sharp and defined. His horns grew as well, though they were still as sharp as ever.
All of his Jedi training left him with an athletic build, although his muscles still weren't as defined as he wanted them to be. But he was still fifteen. He had plenty of time to train more.
He also entered the age when hormones start to take over his body, tempting him to break the Jedi Code.
Master Secura told him that these feelings were natural. The important part was, he couldn't give in to them.
Danas wanted to say that she shouldn't lecture him on that, considering how close she is to Master Fisto, but bit his tongue and decided it's best not to say anything.
The young Zabrak also found himself discussing these feelings with Anakin, his friend being older and more experienced in that area. Danas often heard Anakin commenting how attractive were most of the older female Padawans.
The Dathomirian didn't know what his friend found attractive in them, but nodded, smiled, and went along with it. After all, how could he say that he found his best friend's muscular body more appealing than female bodies?
His train of thought was interrupted by knocking on his door. He quickly put on the rest of the clothes and answered:
"Enter!"
On the other side of the door was Serra Keto.
"Hi, Reddie. Come with me, the Council wants to see you!"
Danas's stomach growled.
"Can't it wait? I'm kinda hungry..."
"Nope. With me Reddie. Now."
Danas wasn't sure what to think of Serra. After he defeated her in lightsaber combat, she claimed herself as his friend, often teased him, and gave him this stupid nickname 'Reddie'. It annoyed him most of the time and gave 'Kin and Barriss an excuse (not that they needed it, but still...) to laugh at his irritated facial expressions.
Yet, she was nicer than most of the Jedi Order.
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"Padawan Drak, do you know why we summoned you?" asked Mace Windu.
"Probably to scold me for something I didn't do. Again."
Few of the Masters snorted, while others gave Danas unimpressed looks.
"Disappoint you I must" said Master Yoda. "Deem you ready for your first mission, we do."
The Zabrak's eyes widened.
"R-really, Master?"
"Indeed. Outside, Master Fisto, you'll find. Brief you on the mission, he will. Dismissed you are."
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"Master Fisto" Danas bowed. "I was told you'll inform me about my first mission."
"That would be right, Padawan Drak. Tell me, have you heard of Mare Shal?"
"The actress? Yes, I did. Her voice is famous throughout the whole galaxy."
"Two days ago, someone tried to kill her. But they killed her assistant, Shar Sara, instead. Coruscant Police requested our help, as they were unable to catch the criminal."
"I see... Master Fisto, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Why me? I mean, I'm grateful to finally get assigned for a mission but..."
"Master Sinube praised your investigative skills. He said you have a very sharp mind and you'd make an excellent Investigator one day" answered Kit Fisto. "Other than that, I wanted a chance to finally get to know our resident embodiment of the Dark Side" he added in a playful tone and winked, clearly showing he didn't mean what he said.
Danas relaxed. Then, his stomach growled.
Master Fisto chuckled.
"We'll go there tomorrow. Now, I suggest you go eat something."
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Danas found Anakin and Barriss in the dining hall.
"Hi, guys! Guess who's going on a mission?"
"Well, it's about time! Do you know where you're going?" asked Anakin.
"Here on Coruscant. Someone tried to kill Mare Shal, but her assistant died, instead. I and Master Fisto are starting our investigation tomorrow."
"I heard about it. Poor woman... She died because of someone else..." said Barriss.
"On the bright side, you always wanted to be an Investigator. This is a perfect mission for you" added Anakin.
"True. Now, let's eat something, I'm starving."
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The next day...
"Remember to obey Master Fisto."
"Yes, Master."
"And to behave yourself."
"Yes, Master."
"And try not to be sarcastic to everyone who's rude to you."
"No promises there."
Aayla Secura sighed.
"That's as good as I'm gonna get, right?"
"Yes, Master."
"Don't worry, Aayla. I'm sure we'll get along famously" said Kit Fisto, who just arrived. Danas bowed politely.
"It puts my mind at ease, that he'll go with you of all Jedi" she smiled at the Nautolan, who winked in response.
Danas's eyes flickered between them, and a knowing smirk appeared on his face.
They noticed this.
"Something wrong Danas?" asked Aayla.
"No, Master."
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They arrived in Mare Shal's apartment. A few officers and some police droids were already waiting for them.
The one that was clearly their leader, walked up to them.
"I'm glad to see you here, Master Jedi. My name is Connas Wildfred and I'm the head officer in charge of this investigation.
"Pleasure to meet you, Officer Wildfred. I'm Jedi Master Kit Fisto and this is Padawan Danas Drak" replied the Nautolan.
"Please, come with me."
They went inside the apartment.
"How does she feel?" asked Kit.
"She's shaken up. Keeps talking in Ryl. We tried to get a protocol droid for her, but she refused" answered the officer. Then, he lowered his voice. "She's gone crazy if you ask me."
The three of them entered the actress's room. Mare Shal was sitting on the bed, crying.
"Shar. My poor Shar..."
"I never was very good at Ryl..." muttered Master Fisto. "You sure, you can't get a protocol droid for us?"
"When we did, she threw a vase at it. The droid was scandalized."
"Master, if I may... I think I'll be able to help" said Danas.
The other two men looked at him. Master Fisto smiled.
"Go ahead, Padawan Drak."
He went up to the Twi'lek actress and kneeled in front of her.
"Ms. Shal? My name is Danas Drak. We've come to help you."
She looked at him, shocked.
"You speak my language."
Danas nodded.
"I need to ask you a few questions, is that alright with you?"
She sniffed and slowly nodded.
"Do you remember what happened that night? Anything? Every detail may be important."
"It happened so fast... Shar was talking with me... Then we heard something outside... Then someone broke the window... And then..."
She burst into tears.
Danas could feel the loss coming from her.
"Shar... My poor Shar..."
She loved Shar. More than a friend. Danas could feel her broken heart. Tears dwelled in his eyes.
"You loved her, didn't you? She was more than an assistant to you. You gave her all of your heart..."
Mare Shal looked at him in horror.
"How did you-?"
"I felt it. From you. I'm sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what it feels like to lose someone like that. I promise you we'll do everything in our power to catch whoever did this."
"Thank you."
Danas smiled.
"Is there anyone who might've wanted to kill you?"
The Twi'lek looked away.
"She feels ashamed, Padawan Drak" interrupted Kit Fisto. "Ashamed and guilty. She's hiding something. Ask her about it."
The Zabrak nodded.
"Master Fisto says you feel guilty and ashamed. Can you tell me why?"
She shook her head.
"I know it's hard, but I need you to tell me. This might lead to the criminal."
"Urse Dryk."
"Who?"
"Urse Dryk. She was my... death stick dealer."
The Zabrak's eyes widened. Suddenly, he remembered her from Master Sinube's list of dangerous criminals.
"Why would she want to kill you?"
"I started using them to relax. Everything was so stressful. Then I became addicted. Paid her good money. When Shar found out, she helped me out of the addiction. And I stopped. Urse got mad."
"Thank you. I know it wasn't easy."
Danas got up and looked at the other two men.
"And?" asked Officer Wildfred.
"Our best shot is Urse Dryk. She... did some business with Ms. Shal, which ended recently."
"And Dryk wasn't particularly pleased, I assume..." added Master Fisto. "Good job, Padawan Drak."
"What now, Master?"
"We have to get back to the Temple for our cloaks. Then, we're off to the Underworld."