The Lost Ones
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Problems arise when a group of crechlings have a field trip to the zoo.
Notes: This is a general sequel to The Cry.
Disclaimer: All canon characters are property of the Great Flanneled One and now Disney. I make no money off this endeavor.
Timeline 54 BBY

Speech: " "
Training bond communication: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter One

"Come younglings," Jedi Creche Master Numa Yurashima gave her ten charges that made up the Dragon Clan an indulgent smile. This wasn't the first time she and her Padawan would bring the crechlings out of the Jedi Temple and to the Couriscant Zoo, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Every time she had a new batch of younglings, this field trip was one of the earliest, and most exciting for the children.

/Padawan Aayen,/ Numa could feel the young Jedi's uncertainty through their training bond. Her current apprentice just happened to also be a Twi'lek, but her skin shade was of a slightly different color than hers. She had to go through this whenever she had a new apprentice. /Remember, this is just like when we have the little ones in the Room of a Thousand Fountains./

/Yes, Master./

Just in case, Numa always had harnesses around each of her young charges, that way none of them would wander off too far, especially if they were not in the Temple. She always received odd looks when the children spilled out of the Jedi transport and tried to run to the door that led into the zoo with what looked like leashes trailing after them.

There was an ulterior motive for this trip. This was a good way for her to see which of her charges were stronger in the Living Force than the more predominant Unifying Force.

The ten children were an odd mixture of human, calamari, twi'lek, and pantoran. "Slow down," Numa called to them both verbally and through the Force. Almost all of them slowed and then stopped, obediently turning and waiting for her. One, a young human boy who didn't stop until he reached the end of the strap, stood on the periphery looking up at the stream of speeders flowing by above them. The boy's red hair was so bright it looked fake.

This particular youngling was difficult to keep track of compared to the others, so Numa made it a point to stay near, or at least, keep close watch on him. "Obi-Wan," she came up to him and rested her hand on his head.

He jumped with a short yelp then turned tear filled blue-green eyes towards her. Like her other charges, he had growing awareness of what was around him. Not this time. She knew the signs, and his were classic.

Numa dropped to a knee and looked into his eyes. "Did you see something?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, then burst into tears.

Even though he shook his head she knew otherwise. At this point there was no time for her to help him with his vision. "When we get back to the Temple we can draw. First, though, let's see the animals here at the zoo."

This time Obi-Wan froze and shook his head. "No." He tried pulling away.

Numa gave him a kind smile as she look at him eye to eye. "It'll be okay, little one. I'll be right beside you the entire time." She knew she had to talk to Yoda about this.

Obi-Wan eventually nodded while rubbing the back of his arm across his face smearing the tears.

Numa rose to her feet and reached out her hand. "Come, little one."

After a slight hesitation, Obi-Wan took it and they rejoined the other children. With the younglings between her and Aayen, it was easy, or at least easier to keep watch over all of them.

Numa could have easily asked the zoo's general manager if the place could be restricted to just Jedi for the day, but that would be counterproductive. Younglings needed to be out and about in places other than the temple, and this was the best place to start.

They went through the entrance and found themselves in a wide open area. It always awed her feeling how the area felt like it was bursting with life. It was also in these moments that Numa watched the youngings closely for their reactions. An overall majority of children that came to the Temple were strong in the Unifying Force, which is what Obi-Wan was. But there was at least one in every group that walked in a dreamlike state, eyes glazed over from all the life surrounding them.

"Come younglings," Numa not only called, but used the Force to call to her young charges again. The call was just sharp enough to capture the attention of her lone Living Force child, but not enough to frighten the others. The children understood what she wanted. Although the Knights and Masters around her in the Temple always underestimated just how smart her young charges were. Their reactions, especially when they first understood something was always a joy to behold, and one she would never grow tired of.

But sometimes it was like herding young banthas. This is another reason why she had harnesses attached to them, especially when they went on their rare trips outside the Temple. To keep everyone close, she shortened the straps that she held.

Each section they came to the children looked in awe at the animal as a droid explained about the creature that lived there. Most of the time it was difficult for Numa to be in the zoo, for the animals were held almost without their consent, yet at the same time many of them actually felt safe in this environment.

They moved into the area where the yslamiri were housed. Was 'housed' even a proper term, Numa mused. As they neared several of her charges looked around in confusion while others began to cry. The information droid began its explanation of the animals and their peculiar ability to push the Force away for protection. The children weren't as eager to see anything else after this particular encounter. Numa wasn't even sure if the children would want to remain to interact with any of the other animals. With no contact with the Force she tried to keep an even closer watch on the children.

"Master?"

Numa turned to look at Aayen, "Yes?"

"Have you ever encountered these creatures before?"

It took a moment before Numa realized what she was referring. "Yes, Padawan, every time I come here with my young charges."

Aayen shuddered, "It doesn't feel right. It's almost as if a clear bag was placed over my head." She looked to the children, "And they don't like it."

"I know. Don't worry, Aayen, we shall be out of this section soon enough." Numa gave her young Padawan an encouraging smile. It wasn't every day when a Jedi had to deal with the absence of the Force. Perhaps it'll be as much a learning experience for Aayen as for her younglings.

Gathering up the children, she smiled at all ten of them. "Follow me, and stay close."

The children gathered around her as if she was a mother bird.

"May I have your attention please," a calm voice came over the intercom. "There has been an issue with one of the control panels. Please stay in your area until security arrives to escort you to the exit."

Aayen glanced to Numa, worry creasing her brow.

"Master Numa?" the calamari girl, Bant tugged at Numa's robe.

"Yes Bant?"

"Where's Obi-Wan?"