Plo POV:

The suspicions the Council has about Petro wouldn't hurt so much if I didn't think them true.

Ever since his injury on Naboo, my apprentice's been distant, closed off even. I thought creating new living arrangements with Skywalker's apprentice, Katooni, would help him in some way, but now I am not so sure. The reports I received from fellow Jedi around the Temple have been that the girl has been attending his classes while he has been nowhere in sight. Such were the reports that fulled the suspicions of the Council weeks ago.

I shouldn't have neglected them. I thought it an accurate behaviour of Petro's to neglect his studies and isolate himself. It has gone too far.

Master Kenobi went to visit Skywalker, who, surprisingly, found other accommodations outside the Temple while I took his quarters. The idea was to confront our Padawans together, but I could not wait, knowing my apprentice could be the target of a Sith.

I could hear the arguing before I even went through the doors. Who thought that putting two young adults together was a good idea? The anger radiating was so strong that the bond they developed on Naboo seemed impossible.

"Greetings, young Katooni." I saluted her calmly, but I could see how overworked and red her eyes were.

"Master..." She sighed, putting a hand to her head. "I apologise if you heard anything unpleasant."

"There's nothing to forgive."

I turned to Petro, who was facing his back to me.

"Padawan Drake, perhaps you can give me a moment with my apprentice?"

"Of course." She bowed politely.

"No, no." Suddenly, said Petro, turning around. "Katooni loves to meddle in my business, Master! She can stay."

Petro's face was finally in view. It seemed his burned scars were still red, which clashed intensely with the cybernetic eye that replaced the one he lost. The soft trail of blood around his metal implants made me shudder at what Petro must have been up to.

The worst part is that I do not know. Our bond has been completely shredded by him anyway.

"Meddle?!" Repeated the young Tholothian.

"Please, stay calm. Petro, the Council and I are concerned."

Out of nowhere, Petro turned to Katooni with a newfound fury on his face.

"What have you been telling the Council!?"

"Nothing!"

"Is that what you meant by ''helping me''? By rating me out to my Master?!"

"Petro, I didn't tell your Master anything!"

"You're a liar!"

I dragged the girl back before it got out of hand.

"Petro, I came because you are unwell."

"Since when do you care!?" he yelled, pointing at me. "You dumped me to be Katooni's problem! Just because you couldn't stand me! Well, unlike you: I don't have the luxury to hide how monstrous I look!!"

The Clone Wars made me go through ups and downs. Nothing worse than the pain I feel now. The soft gasp from the girl was overshadowed by the immense resentment flowing through my veins. But the anger was not mine: it was his. And all that remained of our bond as Master and apprentice.

"You're the monster!" Yelled Katooni.

"You think I don't know that! You're only here out of pity! I don't need nor want it!"

"I loved you! You cannot possibly mean that: Master Plo Koon is like a father to you!"

Petro looked me straight in the eyes as I stood there and obliterated what little heart I had left.

"Just because we are both disfigured creatures doesn't make me your son!"

It seemed all the memories of my apprentice had slowly crumbled. Suddenly, a hand came smashing against Petro's injured cheek! He moaned in pain, holding his face as he turned to Katooni, who looked horrified. Emotions were high, but she finally said.

"I have never hated you as much as I do now."

"Kat." He gasped.

"Stay away from me. Don't ever approach me again!"