5 Years Later.        

        After a long assignment protecting an off-world Senator, a Jedi awoke in the still unfamiliar setting of his Quarters. Having lived most of his previous life on a ship, it was understandable.

Yawning, he sat up and looked out the window at the busy streets of Corascaunt. "That certainly doesn't look fun," he mumbled to himself.

Like all other Jedi Knights, the first thing he did was get dressed and cleaned up. His hair still had a bit of a mangy flair from when he was younger, but now the sides were shaved. He'd also grown a beard a few months back, which he quite liked.

Contrary to his old explorer attire, he now wore a basic tunic. However, unlike most, his was a dark green. His pants were baggy and dark brown with a few pockets. He wore boots similar to other Jedi and a belt for his lightsaber, which luckily hasn't had much use. It was a miracle, considering the Republic just recently delved into in the middle of the Galactic conflict dubbed The Clone War. Though with his past in the Jedi Service Corps, having failed his trials, it was unlikely he'd be sent into battle. He wouldn't last a minute.

With everything in order, he left his room to take a nice walk to the Mess Hall.

        Less and less Jedi were here every day. He'd been away for a year and had just gotten back. It's like half our population is on the Battle Field, he thought. He couldn't help but feel lucky he wasn't there. Many of them don't come back. With his apprentice at Yoda's class, he sat alone, not exactly wanting to engage with anybody. It had been a long time since he'd gotten close to anyone. Not since everything fell apart.

        Meditation was next on the docket. He went back to his quarters to try and clear his cluttered mind.

Sitting on the mat in his room, he closed his eyes and crossed his legs. Breathing in and out, he centered his physical balance and let the Force guide his thoughts. They were mostly centered around the Temple, how he'd never get used to it again. How to this day he still missed his old life.

Suddenly, something new approached his thoughts. It was someone with a small, almost frail looking figure. They were in a dark cloak that covered their face. Their steps were slow and light, but all the more mysterious. Underneath the hood he saw a few strands of smooth, blonde hair.

No... it can't be her.

He tried to find a way this couldn't be the person he thought it was. But nothing else made sense.

As she lifted her head, the hood was drawn back to reveal the soft face of his former comrade. Jolie Peregrine.

The irises of her eyes were now a menacing ring of yellow and orange. They were bloodshot and her eyes were being weighed down by dark bags.

No. That's impossible.

She smiled an eery, toothy smile, and then was blown away by some unknown wind as if she were turned to dust.

His eyes burst open, shock and fear invading his thoughts. His breathing quickened and he put a hand to his forehead.

Then there was a knock at his door. "Master?"

He sighed,"Come in, Synyc."

His apprentice promptly came inside, surely having sensed something was wrong.

"How was the lecture with Yoda?" The Jedi asked his student as he got up to get some water from the kitchen.

"Like you'd expect," he sat down at the small table in the center of the room,"Are you okay?"

He looked over and shrugged,"Yeah. What, did you sense something?"

Synyc cocked an eyebrow,"I'm a Zeltron. Even without the Force we can sense emotions."

He sighed and brought two glasses of water over, then sat down. "I'm fine."

Synyc looked worriedly at his Master, but dropped the subject. "When are we getting a new assignment?"

"Hopefully later today. We get a one week break, though."

Synyc frowned,"It's no fun here. I'd almost rather get another assignment and leave tomorrow," he made a disgusted expression,"Even if it means guarding another snobby, stuck up Senator."

The Jedi chuckled. "Who knows, maybe we will."

That night the pair retired to their neighboring quarters for their second night back at the Temple. He'd like to think of it as home, but the Jedi knew it wasn't. Not after what they did to Jolie.

He fell asleep after tossing and turning for a bit, but wasn't greeted with rest. Instead the distorted, disturbing, alternate reality version of Jolie reappeared. This time she was standing at the entrance of a cave, a pitch black, starless sky behind her. Just before the scene blew away into dust again, she ignited a red lightsaber and let out an evil, blood curling laugh.

The Jedi shot up again, covered in sweat and filled with confusion.

I'm losing my mind, he thought to himself as he stood. On his way out the door, he grabbed his old explorer jacket. He smiled at the fond memories it held and wandered out into the hallway.

As he walked, he had one ear bud in. It was connected to his wrist-comm. The slow, soothing electronic music echoed through his body like a calm wave, helping to center his thoughts. It often did.

When he had an assignment, everything was easy for him. The work distracted his mind from loose ends in his past life. Plus, with Synyc's training he had another person to focus on.

Now, it was just him and his thoughts. All the unfulfilled destinies he'd conjured up with Explore Corps. But he did enjoy thinking back to the good ole days.

His fond memory was interrupted by a strange feeling. It was brief, and he didn't know what it was. Then, as if on cue, his view became fuzzy and dark. The trees in the gardens now had creepy vines growing up the sides and around the branches. The walls of the Temple were now a dark, unsettling purple. It blended in with the night sky, creating a mysterious effect.

Suddenly the Jolie he'd already seen twice today walked regally out of a dark cloud in front of him.

He stepped back and closed his eyes, trying to avoid whatever was going to come next.

The figure didn't move. Didn't say anything. She just stood perfectly, silently still.

He turned and started walking away, but when he looked back it was still there, standing a few feet back. The father he got, the closer she got.

He began to run, praying that would snap him out of it. He was dead wrong. She suddenly appeared in front of him, causing him to stop short and fall back on the cold, stone path.

When he got up and started to run away from her again, the same thing happened. But this time her black hood was off and revealed her disfigured, dark, worn face. The Sith eyes, tangled hair, and veiny skin contrasted the person he knew so long ago.

He'd had enough. Lunging towards her, he ignited his blue, rusty lightsaber and desperately swung. "Get out of my head!"

When he opened his eyes, she was gone. He was alone again in the gardens. It was just him, his heavy breathing, and a whole lot of confusion.

I have to talk to her about this, he thought definitively as he abruptly walked back into the Temple, shaken by what just happened. It was no accident.

The halls were quiet at this time of night. He liked the peace of it all, especially after hearing so much about the war. But after what he saw, it just seemed eery.

He hiked up to the third floor of the Temple.

"334," he mumbled to himself over and over again, making sure he remembered the exact room number.

He bounced quietly from door to door, squinting at each number in the dark. He found it after some searching, but hesitated to knock.

I haven't seen her in years, he thought. But something is very wrong. Alda always knew what to do. He took a deep breathe, and knocked.

He could hear some stirring inside and eventually a very sleepy looking, young  Dathnomirian woman opened the door.

"...Evander?"

        Alda didn't look that different. The only thing that had changed was her hair.  It was cut super short, which didn't surprise Evander. She used to constantly complain about how annoying it was with her horns.

"It's so great to see you!" They pulled away from a friendly hug,"Why are you here?" She asked as they stood in her quarters.

"I had a vision," he began,"Of Jolie."

"Jolie?" She asked,"The old pathfinder Jolie?"

Evander modded,"No, the friendly janitor, Jolie," his voice was laced with so much sarcasm you could practically see it,"Of course the pathfinder." He then explained the three instances that he saw her.

She was quiet for a moment before definitively replying. "We need to talk to Flint."

"Flint?"

She nodded,"He knew her better then we did. Plus he clearly liked her." Alda smiled and chuckled.

He and Alda laughed, remembering all the times he got nervous around her. And how hilarious it was.

"Let's look tomorrow then," Evander yawned,"Synyc and I are exhausted from this lame-ass, lengthy assignment."

Alda crossed her arms and looked lost,"Who's Synyc?"

He mentally face-palmed himself and laughed nervously,"Yeah, he's my apprentice."

Alda smiled and leaned forward excitedly,"No way!"

Evander laughed,"Yep."

"That's so great! I can't wait to meet him."

"So tomorrow?" Evander asked with a slight smirk as he backed towards the door.

She walked him to the door. "See you then."

        Synyc woke up just in time to watch the sunrise. He stretched his arms and walked to the window. Smiling, he looked out above the boggy, musty streets of Corascaunt, focusing on the brilliant pinks and purples of the sky. They matched his skin and hair.

Going about his usual routine he got dressed and ate pretty quickly. Then he left his quarters, sporting a teal tunic.

He knocked on Evander's door, but there was no response.

"Master?" He knocked again,"Hello?"

A Jedi from down the hall walked by while he rolled his eyes and smiled, laughing a bit. "Morning Synyc. Mister Aine stay up too late again?"

Synyc smiled and chuckled,"Probably."

The Jedi wished him a good day and went about his business, leaving Synyc to awkwardly stand in the hall.

Even though some of the Jedi in their hall would joke about Evander's misdemeanors, Synyc had a feeling it was more than old habits.

Being a Zeltron, he could sense and amplify other being's emotions through his own. He didn't even need to be Force sensitive. Nobody could keep real feelings from him.

I'll just call him, he thought as he hurriedly called from his wrist comm.

Evander picked up and groaned,"What?"

Synyc suppressed a sigh and replied,"Aren't we back on the usual schedule?"

"You are. Never said I was," Synyc could hear some shuffling around,"Go get breakfast, I'll meet you."

"Okay." He hung up and began walking, trying his best to not take it personally. Evander was just like this in the morning, he thought, cereal always seems to cheer him up though.

        Synyc entered the line of Jedi waiting for breakfast. The mess hall was usually crowded this early in the morning.

He got a small muffin because he already ate himself. But he made sure to get Evander his favorite cereal: chocolate chunk. He ate it practically every morning

Probably doesn't know my favorite breakfast, he though to himself as he sat down, scanning the crowd for him. All he saw were other Jedi. Except for a few of the usual grumps, they were all having happy conversations. Masters, Knights, and Padawans alike. But Evander was nowhere to be found. Yet still, he set the bowl down in the space next to him.

        Evander could barely crawl off his mat that morning. After having three intense visions and being awake until almost one in the morning, he was practically a zombie.

He smoothed out his beard in the mirror, got dressed, and left quicker than usual. Alda is gonna kill me, he thought, Just like the old days. A smile spread across his tired face as he remember all the mornings Alda would bang in his door so he'd wake his lazy butt up. Those were the days.

        When he got there, he immediately began the search for two people: Alda and Synyc.

After some fast paced walking around the mess hall, he spotted a head of familiar horns and short brown hair.

"Alda!"

She turned and walked over,"Have you found Flint?"

"Can you at least let me eat first?" He asked groggily as he turned to go find Synyc.

Alda just rolled her eyes and followed him, eager to get to business.

"Hey, Master Aine!" Synyc was waving a hand above the other Jedi.

"A Zeltron?" Alda asked, intrigued, as she saw him,"You have more emotional baggage than anyone I've ever met and you picked a Zeltron?"

Evander glared,"It's been five years since we last spoke, can you lay off?"

Alda leaned closer and lowered her voice to an aggravated whisper,"I know you haven't had your chocolate cereal yet but can you take a chill pill?"

He scoffed and ignored her. They finished maneuvering through the crowd and reached Synyc, who only saved one seat.

Synyc saw Alda and looked up confused, then looked to Evander.

"Erm," Evander awkwardly started,"Synyc, meet Alda. Alda, Synyc."

Synyc stood and shook her hand, smiling,"It's good to meet you. I've heard so many stories about you."

She laughed,"Has he told you any stories about him?"

He shook his head and kept back a laugh as Evander glared at Alda.

"Well, I'll have to tell you another time. We have important work to do," Alda replied seriously.

Synyc's eyes lit up,"A new assignment?"

Evander shook his head,"You remember Jolie, right?"

Synyc looked even more excited but he kept his cool,"Yeah. What about her?"

He lowered his voice,"I've been having strange visions of her. We need to find our old crew member, Flint, first. He knew her way better than we did."

"You don't remember his room number, do you?" Alda asked.

"112," Evander hastily answered, much to Alda's surprise. He rolled his eyes and began leaving,"Lets just go."

The three began making their way to Flint's room, hoping he was there. He was never a late sleeper, which was the worry.

"What exactly was your vision?" Synyc asked Evander.

He exchanged a reluctant look with Alda, who shook her head. "I can't talk about it here, but I'll tell you later."

Synyc began to grow worried as the stakes raised. Jolie was so amazing in the stories, what could the vision have been about? He thought.

"108, 110, 112," Alda counted off. She knocked right away, but there was no response.

"He never slept this late and wouldn't ignore anyone. He isn't here," Evander said.

Alda frowned,"Did you ever find out any of his assignments?"

He shook his head,"Our comms changed and I couldn't get in touch with him. Or you."

"Maybe we should split up," Synyc offered,"I mean, I don't know what he looks like but I can try and help."

Evander smirked,"Good idea. But you're not getting rid of me that easily. You're with me, kid," he smiled jokingly at Alda,"Youuu're solo."

She rolled her eyes and laughed,"Fine, call if you find anything out."

"Yes ma'am," Evander replied dryly as he began to walk off again, Synyc in tow.

"What does he look like?" Synyc asked as they walked together through the halls.

"He's about an average height, body structure of a twig, pale skin, really light brown hair, and pointy ears," Evander said dryly, making sure he had a joking tone.

Synyc modded and kept his eyes peeled. "Why did you three split up in the first place?"

"The Council did that. They shut down the Jedi Service Corps. So now there's a handful of Knights now who didn't actually pass their trials," he replied with some sarcasm,"And you've got one teaching you."

"Nice," Synyc replied, trying to match the sarcasm.

Evander chuckled and smiled at his padawan, but made sure it was subtle.

Alda went to go check the library. She knew Flint well, which meant she knew his main interest was knowledge. I wonder if he got to keep his Holocron? She asked herself as she passed the vault inside the library.

She tapped the shoulder of another Jedi who was peering at the shelves,"Have you by any chance seen a Jedi named Flint Ugo? He's got pointy ears and light brown hair."

The Jedi turned, his mouth muffled by an impressive mustache,"The pale kid?"

Alda stuttered, not wanting to be rude to Flint,"Uh, yeah."

"Yeah. His nose has been buried in a computer all morning," he replied,"He's a frequent flier." The older Jedi chuckled a little bit and pointed to the computers in the back,"Good luck getting him away from there."

Alda laughed,"Thanks."

She made her way over, scanning the groups of younglings, padawans, and other Jedi for her d friend. Eventually her eyes fell on a head of light brown hair pulled into a bun, showing two pale, pointy ears.

That's him all right, she triumphantly thought as she walked over.

"Flint?" She asked when she reached the front of his computer.

He waited a second, probably to finish a sentence he was reading, and looked up. His eyes widened and a huge smile spread across his face. "Alda!"

"Shh!" Madame Jocasta hissed from behind a nearby shelf.

"Sorry," The both said in unison.

"What are you doing here?" Flint asked,"Not that it's not great to see you just-"

She cut him off, knowing he'd nervously ramble forever,"We need to talk," she lowered her voice,"Evander and his apprentice are gonna meet us." She quickly turned and started heading for the exit, typing a message to Evander.

Flint was too flabbergasted to move for a minute before he jogged to catch up,"Did I hear you correctly?" He caught up to Alda just as she walked through the big doors to the library,"Apprentice?!"

Alda nodded,"I was as shocked as you are," she laughed,"Still wouldn't surprise me to learn it's all some elaborate prank."

Flint laughed and smiled,"Even if it is, we've almost got the gang back together."

Alda smiled,"Not quite. But we will soon."