Author Note:
Here we go the second re-written chapter.
I fixed a few inconsistencies in this one, so hopefully it reads a bit better.
I've also changed Di-Wan's reactions a bit to better keep her in character, as I thought her instantly becoming attached to little Oslo a little OOC.
I also wanted to fix in this chapter how he is speaking perfectly normal and then in the next his speech seemingly devolved for no apparent reason.
For this fic you may have noticed little Ozzy is a little slow communication wise, this is due to the effects of being de-aged.
He's also smaller than you're average toddler as I've always thought Oslo looked a little on the thin side in the show, it might just be the animation or a trick of his white uniform but I thought it'd make sense if he was small as a kid too.
Any way I'll quit nattering, enjoy the chapter and I'll try to keep re-writing the story at a decent pace so we can get finally get to some brand spankin' new chapters.
As Always reviews and criticism are welcome, flames will be used to bake cookies for our sweet little Ozzy. :3
Chapter Two (The Transformation)
Di-Wan let out a groan as the world came back into focus. Slowly she picked herself up, rubbing at a few sore spots knowing she'd have bruises later.
Looking around to see what remained of the room she was surprised to see it largely intact, most of the damage centered around the center of the room and ceiling above.
Unable to see her Commander, Di-Wan began to slowly approach what remained of the machine. Warped and charred debris were scattered around it, some still smoking and glowing red.
Carefully she started moving the debris with her powers, hoping to find her Commander underneath; alive and mostly unharmed.
Moving some ceiling remnants revealed a hand, too small to belong to her Commander.
'A Child?' She thought to herself before carefully shifting a sheet of metal hiding whatever the hand was attached to.
Underneath the sheet of metal was indeed a child, he lay silent and unmoving. He wore a miniaturized version of the Sphere Commander uniform, and bore a striking resemblance to Oslo.
By now the other Commanders and their seconds had gathered round, and sounds could be heard from the Admin's side of the room.
"What is it?" One Admin asked, as from their position it was hard to see what their subordinates were looking at.
"It appears to be a child." One of the Commanders answered.
The boy in question began to stir, groaning as his eyes fluttered open. Trying to sit up he cried out in pain, tears threatening to fall as he finds his right ankle trapped under a heavy piece of metal.
Di-Wan is quick to react, moving the chunk of metal off his leg with her powers.
The boy looks around nervously at the adults surrounding him, a few whimpers of pain and fear escaping him.
"Wh… who all y… you?" He stutters out.
"Who are we!? You have some nerve you little brat! This is a highly restricted area, now who are you and what are you doing here?!" Snarled the Commander who had been taunting Oslo earlier.
The boy flinched at the harsh tone and looked ready to burst into tears. Knowing this would get them nowhere fast Professor Ye came to his rescue. "There there little one, it's alright; no ones going to hurt you." He soothed the child, gently brushing away the gathered tears threatening to spill over. Wide blue eyes looked up at the crouching adult, accompanied by a few sniffles. "There that's better. Now can you tell us your name?" Professor Ye asked kindly.
"I… it's Oslo." He stuttered out, flinching again at the sudden sound of gasps. The professor rose suddenly, slowly backing away from the child; causing Oslo to look around nervously scared that he had said something wrong.
Di-Wan recovers from the shock first and asks. "Do you know where you are?"
Oslo shakes his head before looking down at his leg stating simply. "Leg hurts."
"You're a Seijin so whatever's wrong with it will heal quickly." Di-Wan replied offhandedly, Oslo then asked something that shocks all present.
"What a Seijin?"
A simple question, asked with the pure innocent curiosity of a child left everyone in the room speechless.
"W well a Seijin is a person with special powers who works for The Sphere." Di-Wan awkwardly replies as the others break out into frenzied murmuring. They are then shocked back into silence by Oslo's next question
"What a Sphere?"
What was few short moments of silence seemed to stretch out into hours before the other Commanders and their seconds all burst out into laughter.
The Commander who had spoken to them when they had first arrived spoke, barely able to contain his laughter as he did so.
"He, he doesn't e even know about the organization he works for!? He's supposed to be a a Commander… a and he's clueless…" He broke off into fit's of laughter, unable to continue.
"Enough!" Boomed the voice of the first Admin.
"Professor Ye can you reverse what has been done to Commander Oslo? Or will it wear off on it's own in time?" He continued, addressing a very nervous professor.
"Uh, um well… I I'm not sure. He may be stuck like that and have to grow up all over again." The professor replied fidgeting with his glasses.
"And what of his memories?" Asked a worried Di-Wan.
"One once again, I'm not sure. They may come back or be lost forever." He replied.
The First Admin's voice cam booming out once more. "Very well, we have decided that Di-Wan shall watch over the young Oslo for now."
Di-Wan was both surprised and annoyed. 'I'm not some babysitter.' She thought to herself but knew she had no say in the matter. "yes, of course." She instead replied with a respectful bow of her head.
"Well I guess that makes Di-Wan Oslo's new Mother!" One of the Commanders mocks, the others bursting out into a new round of laughter.
"I hope he's potty trained!" Another yells out bringing fresh roars of laughter.
"Tch." Di-Wan grits her teeth, doing her best to ignore them as her Commander had when they had first arrived.
She snatches Oslo up from where he sat, ignoring his cries of pain as his ankle is jostled.
With tears streaming down his checks Oslo buried his face into Di-Wan's chest, much to the amusement of the cackling crowd; sobs wracking his small frame.
Stalking past the Commanders and their seconds Di-Wan was pleasantly surprised to find the elevator still in working order.
She was not in the mood to walk down an almost endless set of stairs, especially not while carrying Oslo.
The elevator doors opened allowing Di-Wan to promptly enter, doors sliding shut behind her; she was grateful for the closed doors blocking out the Commanders continued verbal abuse and mocking laughter.
She sighed and leaned against the wall, eyes closed as she breathed deeply; once again trying to regain her composure.
Opening her eyes and looking out the transparent front of the elevator she found the Monolith had moved. It was now a fair distance away, it's massive shape now rendered tiny against the horizon. Looking down at the dock she could see an S-22 patroller in it's place, a small squad of Brigs standing motionlessly to attention just outside it.
Oslo though still sniffing a little had mostly calmed down, and was looking out the elevator with curiosity. Di-Wan looked at him with a thoughtful expression, this small child was such a stark contrast to his former cold, confident, harsh self. And she couldn't keep the small smile from form forming as she watched him look at the world with such innocent curiosity.
Oslo looked up at Di-Wan when he felt her gaze upon him, and offered a little smile in return of her own.
Once the elevator had finally reached the docking gangway Di-Wan strode confidently to the waiting patroller. Suddenly finding herself grateful for the emotionless, unquestioning, unopinionated Brigs; as this meant she wouldn't have to deal with any nosey idiots until they made it back to the Monolith.
The small squad of Brigs promptly saluted Di-Wan, waiting for her to board the craft before filing in after her.
"Take us straight back to the Monolith." She ordered while settling Oslo onto one of the benches.
As the patroller began to glide smoothly towards the Monolith Di-Wan sank gratefully onto the bench next to Oslo. Sighing and rubbing her temple with one hand, trying to dispel the oncoming headache.
Oslo let out a small unhappy sniff, reaching out and taking hold of Di-Wan's sleeve seeking comfort. Surprised Di-Wan snatched her arm away, snapping at the boy. "What do you think you're doing!?"
Oslo flinched once more before looking up at her with wide innocent eyes brimming with tears, he opens his mouth to speak but changes his mind; instead silently lowering his gaze to the floor.
Di-Wan felt a sharp guilt riddled pain in her chest and a lump forming in her throat at the crestfallen action. 'Calm down Di-Wan, he's just a child.' She chided herself in her head. "I I'm sorry, I'm just not used to being around children." She apologized softly, gently placing a hand on Oslo's shoulder. He looked up at her, fear plain to see on his face. He nodded in seeming acceptance of her apology before returning his gaze to the floor.
"If you have any questions you're free to ask them, I'll answer them if I can." She prompted in an attempt to repair the rift she had created.
"Wh where we go?" Oslo asked, still refusing to meet Di-Wan's gaze.
"Uh, well we're heading for the ship known as The Monolith which is your home." She replied softly. Oslo nodded a bit at her answer and gingerly moved closer to Di-Wan, shooting suspicious glances at the Brig seated next to him.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, Oslo leaning up against Di-Wan; until finally she just had to ask.
"Um…" Di-Wan started, a blush tinging her cheeks pink. She looked down at Oslo who had looked up in curiosity when she had begun to speak. "I hate to ask, but… you are toilet trained, aren't you?" She asked sheepishly.
"Yes. I not a baby." Oslo replied seeming almost offended.
"Oh, that's good. Just how old are you then?" She replied with relief.
I four." He replied holding up three fingers, noticing he was one short quickly added a fourth.
"I thought so." Di-Wan replied again allowing Oslo to lean his against her once more, head resting on her arm.
'He's small for his age, but then Commander Oslo was always thin; sometimes almost underweight. It makes sense he was a small child.' She thought to herself as she looked over the small frame of her Commander turned toddler.
Oslo had begun to relax, feeling a sense of safety with Di-Wan. However this allowed the stress of the day to hit him full force, a wave of exhaustion crashing over him. For the second time that day darkness claimed Oslo.