Qui-Gon stepped out from teaching a class of younglings the difference between fighting recklessly and thinking on one's feet, and decided to go check on his grandson. Except when he got to Boba's room, he found Boba laying on his bed with headphones on, looking depressed as he basically zoned out the rest of the world.
Most might've considered that typical adolescent or moody teenage behavior, but Qui-Gon's instincts told him that it wasn't puberty making Boba act this way. Lately, Boba seemed to be acting very off. But, everyone had been so busy with other things that they didn't seem to notice. Anakin and Carmine were fighting in the war with their daughters, Caroline was helping Padme get ready for the new baby, and the Jedi were so close to finishing the war. It seemed everyone was so focused on the big emergencies that they were forgetting that the smaller things were just as important.
"Boba." Qui-Gon gently placed a hand on Boba's shoulder, which startled the boy into sitting up.
Boba was relieved to see it was just his grandfather.
"Hi, Grandpa." Boba said flatly, removing his headphones.
Qui-Gon could see that Boba was clearly in a bad mood.
"I'm sensing something is bothering you, Boba." said the Jedi. "Care to tell me what?"
Boba just lay back again and turned away. But Qui-Gon didn't let that faze him.
"Boba... I want to help you. But I cannot if you won't tell me what is bothering you."
Boba still didn't say anything. Instead, he opened his computer and showed his grandfather all the hurtful comments he'd read about him on the now very popular blog Royal Jedi Raves. When Qui-Gon took a look at them, he couldn't believe what they said.
"Well, that isn't very nice, is it?" Qui-Gon said.
"Pft! That's an understatement, don't you think?" Boba said, finally speaking. "What if they're right? What I don't belong in this family?"
"Boba, don't say that. You do belong in this family."
"I'm not even your real grandkid. I'm the only one who's adopted! I wasn't even born with a mom. I'm just a clone made to age like a normal kid. That's all I'll ever be."
Qui-Gon put a hand on his grandson's shoulder as the boy started crying again.
"Boba, don't say that about yourself. Relation and family are two different things. Your sister didn't need you to be related to her to love you. Your parents didn't need to give birth to you in order to love you, and I don't need that either for you to be my grandson or to love you as much as I do now."
"But I'm still different. I'm not super strong like you, or effortlessly perfect like Princess Golden Child Gabby. Even Lamenta gets more attention than I do, and her magic literally puts people to sleep."
"Boba, you don't need to be like everyone else. Believe it or not, I felt different from everyone else when I was your age."
"But didn't you know you were royalty then?"
"I did. But even without that secret, I felt different among my peers. I lived under the old Jedi Code back then, and sometimes I wondered if I would have been better off going back to my mother, my biological family."
Boba's curiosity increased the more his grandfather told him. He asked him why he didn't just go back to his mother if he didn't feel like he belonged. Qui-Gon told him that he'd thought about it countless times, and even went to see her once he found out who she was and where she lived. But, she told him he needed to go back. It wasn't because she didn't want him. Rather, it was because she believed the Jedi could give him what she couldn't, and keep him safe from those who would wish him harm.
"What about the fact that you weren't allowed attachments?" Boba pointed out.
"Mother told me that perhaps I could inspire change." Qui-Gon said. "She said to me, 'Son, you may have super physical strength, but your true greatest strength is in your heart and mind. And with them together, you can inspire change.' And I was determined to do just that. I had no luck, unfortunately. But with good fortune, my children held the same beliefs later and made those changes happen."
"Okay. But what does that have to do with where I belong?"
"Boba, you might not have magic or be biologically related to this family, but you are part of it because we love you. You have more skills than you realize. You just need to open your eyes, look inside yourself, and you will find them. Sometimes, you might even find that the people around you know you better than you know yourself."
Boba sighed as he still looked down. But, Qui-Gon got an idea.
"You know, your sister told me about the first days you spent as a Skywalker." Qui-Gon said, pulling his grandson a little closer. "She told me you needed some quick cheering up."
Uh-oh, Boba thought, and tried to make a run for it, but before he could escape...
"She did it like this!"
And Qui-Gon started tickling Boba on his sides, making the boy laugh like crazy, begging him to stop.
"Grandpa, stop it!" Boba laughed. "I'm -haha! Not a little kid!"
"No matter how big you get, you're still one of my little ones." Qui-Gon teased.
Qui-Gon tickled Boba like there was no tomorrow, and little by little, Boba's depression began to fade away as he laughed. But the tickle torture was becoming unbearable, and he couldn't escape his grandfather's strong grip, even though he wasn't even using his super strength to do it. Luckily though, he was literally saved by the bell. Or, by the beep. That of his grandfather's comm.
Qui-Gon stopped tickling Boba to answer the comm.
"Master Qui-Gon, this is Ahsoka." said the Togruta over the comm. "Fiesta and I are about to land at the Temple with the new guests Anakin informed you about."
"I'm headed to the docking bay immediately." Qui-Gon said. "I'll meet you when you land."
And he hung up.
"Who's coming?" Boba asked.
"Well, your father explained to me that he discovered some rather odd new friends on Skako Minor, but from an entirely different universe than our own."
Boba was confused.
"I was confused as well." said Qui-Gon. "But from what your father has said, they seem like nice people, and they do need help. Why don't you accompany me and we can both meet them?"
"Okay."
Boba got up from his bed, slipped on his boots, and accompanied his grandfather to the docking bay.
Bruno dug his nails into his seat the whole flight. After the crazy way his daughter flew the first ship they were in, he was pretty sure he gained a fear of flying.
"So, you don't have flying vehicles in your world either?" Ahsoka asked Mila.
"We don't even have the technology like your world." Mila said. "If anything, all our moving devices run on wooden wheels, and a set of gears, pulleys, and/or human power."
"The only transportation we have other than walking is carts pulled by donkeys." Mirabel said. "Sometimes horses. But not unicorns, and none of our horses are as colorful as yours."
"They don't talk or have wings either." Camilo said. "But my little brother Antonio can talk to animals."
"I gotta say, Mila... it's pretty impressive you managed to get a starship working without knowing how our technology works." Ahsoka said.
"To be fair," said Mila. "I had help from an instruction manual. Mostly, anyway. We've never even left the Encanto before, much less the entire planet."
"We didn't even realize it was possible," said Bruno nervously. "And that's coming from a member of a magical family."
"It's perfectly safe. My master's not the one flying, so we definitely won't crash. He is a great teacher though. I wouldn't be the Jedi I am now without his help."
"What is a Jedi?" Pedro asked. "Are they magical creatures too?"
"Not exactly." Ahsoka shook her head. "But sort of."
Ahsoka explained to Pedro and the others that Jedi were people with a strong connection to something called the Force, which basically held everything together. She told them how everyone and everything was connected by them and had something called midichlorians in their bloodstreams. However, Jedi, had a much higher count of them than most civilians did.
"Most Jedi in the Order now were taken there when they were very young. Most when they were babies. I was brought there when I was three. Back in the old days, Jedi were forbidden to form attachments, which is why we were taken from our families at a very young age. None of us remembered them, so we couldn't form an attachment to them."
"That sounds so sad." Mirabel said. "Never knowing your family."
"It's because the Jedi become your family. We have had some cases, however, where biological family members have entered the order, so they do have some biological family. Like my adoptive father, Master Plo Koon. He was the one who discovered me and brought me to the Temple. He also has a niece in the Order named Sha. But they couldn't interact much because of the Code. Jedi weren't even allowed to get married or fall in love."
"When did it change?" Camilo asked.
"About three years ago." Ahsoka said. "It was thanks to Gabby, actually. For Anakin, she kept his emotions in check, and gave him a reason to keep moving forward. You see, my master had a pretty rough childhood he never likes to talk about. He and his family were split up when he was just a baby. He and Carmine didn't even get to grow up together, but I think their father should explain that to you."
"What's being a Jedi like?" Mirabel asked.
"Well, for centuries we used to live under a strict code." Ahsoka explained. "While the attachment rules were changed, one thing that hasn't changed about our Code is that compassion is a virtue we all practice. And we never resort to violence. Well, almost never. And we don't seek revenge. A lot of Jedi have started to adjust over the years, and things have turned around. Master Obi-Wan is engaged to be married, some of the younglings have gotten to be in touch with their birth families, and some are even starting relationships or families of their own. They seem pretty happy, even with the war going on."
"Have there been a lot of royal people in the order before?" Mila asked.
"Nope. My master's family is the first. I've never seen Solaris, but they say it's a beautiful kingdom. His father officially became king just last year. It's a long story."
The pilot then notified Ahsoka that they would be landing soon.
"Everyone hold onto your seats." Ahsoka said.
As the ship came to a landing, Qui-Gon and Boba arrived at the docking bay.
The ship soon opened and out came Fiesta, then Ahsoka, who was helping a shaky Bruno out of the ship, the others following suite.
"Master Qui-Gon." Ahsoka bowed.
"Ahsoka." Qui-Gon greeted.
"Everyone, meet Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, king of Solaris." Ahsoka formally introduced. "Master, these are the Madrigals."
"Your Majesty." Bruno knelt in a bow. The girls also curtsied.
"That's not necessary." Qui-Gon chuckled. "What are your names?"
The Madrigals all told Qui-Gon their names. Qui-Gon also let Chika sniff his hand so he could give her a nice scratching behind her ears.
"And who's this?" Mirabel asked, motioning to Boba, who seemed kind of shy.
"That would be my grandson, Boba Skywalker." said Qui-Gon. "My son Anakin's oldest child."
"Hi." Boba said, rather shyly.
"He's just a little shy." Ahsoka said quietly.
"I trust your flight here was comfortable enough?" said Qui-Gon.
"Much better than our first flight." said Mila. "We don't exactly have flying vehicles where we're from."
Qui-Gon was a bit surprised by that. But he noted how dirty the Madrigals' clothes were.
"Well, by now I'm certain you must be tired from your long journey."
"I'm hungry too." Camilo said, his stomach grumbling.
"You're always hungry, Camilo." Mila rolled her eyes.
"Come with us. We'll get you everything you need."
Ahsoka and Qui-Gon took measurements of the Madrigals and told them how various parts of the freshers worked so they could freshen up while they found them some clean clothes to wear.
Bruno felt a little odd in the robes he was given to wear. It wasn't his usual ruana, but it provided proper coverage and comfort. Mirabel was fascinated by the different clothes and fabrics the Jedi used for their outfits. Suddenly, she got all kinds of inspiration for new designs and thought about questioning the Jedi if they'd like some embroidery done to their garments.
The fashion choices were definitely different than those back in the Encanto. Especially shoes. Most people back home wore sandals, and now the Madrigals got to try boots since it wasn't quite as warm here as it was back home. The food was different too.
"Que es esto?" Camilo asked curiously, picking up a strange-looking purple fruit from the commissary. "What is this?"
"That's a jogan fruit." Boba said, scratching Chika's belly. "They're a sweet fruit that mostly grow on planets with tropical environments. You might like it."
Camilo took a bite, and sure enough, he started downing it.
"Pedro, you gotta try these!" Camilo said, getting Pedro a jogan.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Camilo." Qui-Gon said. "Bad manners."
"Lo siento. Sorry." Camilo said after he'd swallowed.
"Has anyone seen Mila?" Bruno asked.
"I'm here, Papi." said Mila. "Mirabel and I were just trying on different outfits."
"Well, both of you have to try the food here." Bruno said, starting to look at the girls. "They've got a lot vari- Ay ay ay!"
Bruno turned to a look of horror.
"Milagro! What are you wearing?!"
Mila was dressed in an outfit she'd found among the garments. A purple tank top with spaghetti straps, matching boots, and a dark green skirt that reached an inch above her knees.
"Just a little something new I threw on." Mila said, turning around like a model.
"More like too little you're wearing!" Bruno freaked.
"It looks fine to me." Boba shrugged, earning a scolding look from Bruno.
"And that's why no daughter of mine is going to wear clothes like that."
Boba scrunched his nose at that.
"I'm only twelve and already have a girlfriend." He said.
"A lot of girls dress like that here." Ahsoka said. "Just look how I'm dressed."
"I don't know the dress codes on your planet, Ahsoka, but where I come from, we wear proper covering."
Mila crossed her arms. "Well, we aren't where we came from now, are we?"
"Milagro Mariana Madrigal, home or not, I am your father, and we are getting you changed into something that actually covers you right now!"
"Papa, I'm not a little kid anymore!" Mila said.
"Vamos, mi hija." Bruno said, taking Mila by the wrist and dragging her to get some new clothes.
"Tio Bruno can be a little overprotective sometimes." Mirabel said.
"I can relate." Ahsoka said, thinking of her master.
"Me too." Boba said.
Mila was brought back after she was put into some garments that Bruno chose. More loose-fitting Jedi garments to be exact, to Mila's reluctance.
"I don't see what was wrong with my outfit, Papi." Mila said. "You're getting worked up over nothing."
"I still don't approve of you showing so much skin." Bruno said.
"It was just my legs and shoulders." Mila said.
"Si. It's not like she was wearing a bikini." Fiesta said. "Bruno would probably faint at the sight of that."
"How did you guys get here anyway?" Boba asked the Madrigals. "Why are you here?"
"We're here about my little sister Rosella," said Mila. "It all started after Pedro and Rosella's gift ceremony..."
Elsewhere...
Rosella was crying her little eyes out as she sat in a cell all by herself. She had no idea where she was, where her family was, and she had no idea how she would ever get home. She had no idea what these monster wanted from her. She was only five years old.
"I wanna go home!" Rosella cried. "Por favor, let me go!"
"Be quiet, you little brat!" Grievous growled from the other side of the cell.
"Not to worry, Rosie." Lady Morpha said, approaching the cell.
"My name is Rosella." the child corrected.
"Whatever. You will be safe. We only want to know how your power works."
"Why?"
"We're curious about you. Your power leaves much to be desired. It is fascinating. A child your age with such amazing powers. Remarkable."
"Why did you take me from my familia?"
"Your... what?"
"Familia. It's Spanish for 'family.'"
"Ah. For future reference, please just use Basic." Lady Morpha said. "I mean it."
Rosella nodded nervously.
"Yes, Grievous took you rather roughly, didn't he?"
"He tried to hurt my family!" Rosella said angrily.
"I'm afraid he has a bit of a reputation of not playing nicely." Lady Morpha slapped the cyborg across his face, surprisingly not hurting her hand, but making Grievous cough. "You, Rosella, on the other hand, have a lot to share."
Rosella gulped.
"Stay with me, teach me about your powers, and I will help you grow stronger." Lady Morpha said. "Tell Auntie Morpha, what you desire. Power? Respect?"
"My mami, my papi, my big sister, and my brother. My family." Rosella cried. "I wanna go home."
"Very well, you shall go home, but only after we complete your training."
Lady Morpha summoned a butterfly to her hand, placing the other over it, and turning the butterfly silver. She opened the cell and blew on the bug so it flew onto Rosella's face, landing between her eyes.
"You must obey everything I say. Tell me all you know." said Lady Morpha. "And furthermore, you shall address me as Lady Morpha or Your Grace. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Your Grace." Rosella said, without question, as she was now under Morpha's spell.
