"Look it's Luke!"

"Luke!"

The called boy looked up, blinking in surprise as his classmates rushed over to him. He blushed softly at the newfangled attention he was getting.

"Wow, we heard what happened!"

"Are you alright?"

"Did you fight all those kidnappers by yourself!"

"You were probably really brave!"

"I uh…well I guess…" He muttered, blushing as he scratched his cheek.

"We heard you crashed a ship."

"Uh, yeah." He chirped, cheerfully, clearly trying to downplay it. "I mean it was the only way to get out."

"Wow!"

The kids swarmed him and he blushed brightly at all the questioning. Their teacher however brought the attention to a stop with a clap of her hands.

"Children, children, come along, into your pods!"

"Aaawwww…"

"You'll have plenty of time to talk during lunch, now into your pods."

The students assembled into a room that had several lowered platforms in floor, climbing down the steps. As soon as Luke's feet hit the bottom of the floor, a holodome lit up above him and he took his seat, staring up at the holoscreens popped up.

Their lesson for today seemed to be the history of the end of the Republic and its conversion to the Empire.

"Continuing our discussion from last time, after the Emperor was rescued, Sepratists escaped to the Outer Rim Territories in a vain attempt to win the war. The Jedi and clones followed after them and started what would become known as the Battle of Utapau and Kashyyyk."

"I don't get it. If these Jedi are so good, why don't we ever hear of them now?" A voice rang out in the darkness as they watched playbacks of the battles on the two planets. Luke heard the teacher scoff at the question, and frowned himself.

"Because they betrayed and attempted to murder the Emperor when he was Supreme Chancellor of the Republic."

Gasps and murmurs filled the air.

"The final battles were a smoke screen for the Jedi Order to attempt a coup. The Emperor was badly injured in the attack but survived while the Jedi who attempted to murder him were all killed."

"So what happened to the other Jedi?" Luke asked. A hush filled the room. "I mean, it couldn't have just been those who attacked the Emperor, right?"

"They've become a legend now." The teacher replied tersely. "None exist."

Luke bit his lip, looking at the different images that flashed over his screen, something curling and twisting in his gut that he didn't like, but didn't know why.

Lothal was…not what she was expecting.

Sure, it had civilization, but other than that, it was pretty desolate. The Empire had certainly done its part in destroying what could have been what was once a thriving population. She kicked at a clump of grass as she sat down at the edge of the ghost, staring out into the vast expanse of fields.

Something was calling her.

"Leia, pay attention!"

Her head turned and she yelped as a bolt from the trainer bot zapped her hand. She swore under her breath, waving it in the air to alleviate the pain. Anakin looked amused.

"Where did you learn that word?"

"…Around?" She offered, her eyes blinking innocently. Anakin chuckled.

"Mhm, right. That around wouldn't have anything to do with three retired clones would it?"

"…No?" She replied, looking away and Anakin sighed.

"I'll be having words with Wolffe. He's not well known for holding his tongue, but it would probably be better for you to not learn all those words before you're old enough to fly a podracer."

"Didn't you fly podracers at my age?" She asked. He opened his mouth, before closing it, his brow furrowing as he thought about it. She grinned.

"Regardless, don't curse like that. At least not until you're 50."

"Hey!"

He grinned, ruffling her hair. She looked up when she heard footsteps and scampered over to Kanan and Hera.

"Any news?"

"We've contacted Fulcrum."

"Well that's good."

"Fulcrum? Whose…" Leia trailed off at a look from Anakin, though she was still confused.

"They said they would send someone to pick up as soon as they could." Hera explained. "They'll be here in a few hours at most."

"That's good."

"In the meantime, we need to stop in town and get some supplies, see if there are any jobs that need to be done for some credits."

"Ooh! Can I go?" Leia asked, dodging the trainer bot and hurrying over to them. "I'd like to see the town!"

"Leia..."

"Please?" Leia begged. "I can always train, but I never get to see the same planet twice!"

Anakin was quiet, feigning a look of him contemplating the idea. Hera bit her lip to hold back the laughter before Anakin seemed to concede defeat.

"Alright. We'll go. But you are to stay close to us."

"I will! Promise!"

She looked absolutely giddy, wanting nothing more than to explore. A twinge settled in his heart. She was still only a child. She didn't deserve such stress on her young shoulders. No child did.

"Come on then." Anakin remarked and she followed the group happily as they went to the main area in town.

"Get back here!"

A young dark haired boy panted as he scrambled around a corner, a piece of fruit clutched in his hand. He dodged some stacked boxes, grateful that he was skinny as he was, even if the reason for that was due to haven't eaten a good meal in nearly a year.

So maybe stealing food from the local group of lothal-rats had been a dumb idea, but Ezra Bridger had been desperate.

"You stupid thief!"

He turned again, and saw the glow of the exit of all the alleyways and picked up his pace. Just as he reached the outside, a large grubby hand grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back. Air whooshed out of his lungs as he was slammed into the wall, the piece of fruit falling pathetically out of his hand.

"Think you could steal from us, you stupid boy?" A voice snarled and smashed him into the wall. His head cracked against the stone, and lights danced in his eyes. He was tossed to the ground. Before he could even get up, a foot connected with his midsection and he grunted, collapsing again. Ezra was curled up, his body tensing as he waited for the next kick. However, it never came. Instead yelps echoed around him and the rattling of cans and trash-bins and then the sound of hurrying feet. He slowly opened up his eyes, looking up to see the other Lothal street-rats bolting around a corner. He then heard chuckling and turned to see a young girl standing there.

"Bunch of bullies. Deserved everything they got," she muttered before hurrying over to him, "are you okay?"

"Um...yeah, yeah I'm fine. Thanks." Ezra replied, staring at her. She blinked and then smiled.

"That's good." She replied.

"Why...why did you help me?"

"Well that's silly. They were being a bunch of bullies! Bullies don't deserve to get away with being mean!"

Ezra stared at her before shrugging.

"Well thanks...name's Ezra."

"Leia." She replied with a smile, helping him stand. He stumbled a bit and she caught him by the shoulder.

"You might have hit your head."

"I'll be fine."

"Nu-uh...come on, I'll let my Dad look at you. He should be able to see if you're alright or not." She replied, giving him no choice to refute as she yanked his arm with her and hurried back into the main road, looking around. Suddenly she beamed and hurried towards several people. Ezra stiffened, unsure as to where this was leading to. He had heard about kids on the streets being snatched up by slavers. Even if slavery was outlawed, it didn't mean that it didn't happen. But as they turned around a corner, he saw, to his relief, that she was just dragging him to three rather normal looking people.

"Dad!" Leia called out and a man turned, and for some reason Ezra suddenly felt safe; something that hadn't existed in a year. The girl next to him beamed, continuously pulling Ezra to the group. Her father seemed to observe him.

"Leia, who is this?"

"This is Ezra," Leia explained, "I just helped him against some bullies."

"Did you?" He asked, seeming almost amused. Ezra blinked, the stature seeming to be familiar for some reason, but he couldn't place it. He rubbed the side of his head.

"Are you alright?" A twi'lek woman asked in concern.

"Yeah...my head got in the way of a foot. it's okay. I've gotten used to it." Ezra replied, but it didn't seem to sway the twi'lek's concerns. Then his stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him why he had been beaten up in the first place.

"Hungry?"

"A little." He said bravely, scoffing slightly.

"If that's a little, what does a lot sound like?" Leia asked earning a slight cuff to the back of her head by her father.

Ezra felt a dull pain of jealousy as he watched Leia grin up at her father, sticking her tongue out towards him.

"Where are your parents?" Another man asked, crossing his arms. Ezra looked away, wiping his sleeve over his nose.

"Don't have any." He finally replied, trying to sound tough, but even to him it sounded meek and lonely. Leia blinked and then frowned, glancing at the twi'lek.

"Kanan…"

"Hera, we can't-"

"At least to let him have a good meal."

Kanan sighed and Leia bounced on the soles of her feet before grabbing Ezra's arm.

"Yeah, Kanan! At least for a meal!" Leia chirped. "In the meantime, Ezra can show me around!"

"Leia-"

"Bye!" She said and hurried away, dragging Ezra behind her. Kanan sighed and Anakin chuckled.

"Go and follow them, Kanan." Anakin suggested.

"What about you?"

"I'll stay here with Hera. I'm a wanted man Kanan," Anakin replied with a grin, "can't let myself be seen too much, can I?"

Kanan grumbled and then followed the two kids and Hera glanced at Anakin.

"Any reason you wanted Kanan to follow them?"

"The boy...I think he and Leia found one another for a reason." Anakin replied.

"Is that right?"

"Yes...and I think Kanan is connected to that."

"He's not going to accept it."

"We'll see. Kanan's stubborn, but I don't think anyone has met someone as stubborn as Leia."

Hera laughed.

"Ezra, wait up!" Leia called out as she raced after him. As she passed a small group, she crashed into a shape and fell backwards.

"Sorry!" She called out, rubbing her face. A hand reached out slowly and she took it.

Automatically she felt as though she had been doused with cold water. Looking up, she stared into red eyes, dark lines tracing down his cheekbones, the rest of him hidden by a heavy cloak. She swallowed, her stomach seeming to try and make its way up her throat.

"You should be careful. Not everyone in Lothal is as friendly as I."

"I...I'll keep that in mind. T-thanks." She managed faintly, pulling her hand out of his grip, her stomach squirming.

"Come on Leia!"

"C-coming!" She called out and she hurried a bit faster after Ezra. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the man seemed to be staring at her, his eyes never leaving her even as she turned the corner. As she looked up, she saw Kanan and Ezra standing there. Kanan was strangely pale and she swallowed panicked.

"Leia? You ok?" Ezra asked, looking back at her.

"Yeah...just cold." She muttered, clearly uneasy. He frowned slightly, clearly not believing her.

"Let's go." Kanan remarked briskly.

"Kanan?"

"Now." He stated and grabbed both by the wrist and walked briskly, almost running.

The group hurried to where Anakin and Hera had been, Leia constantly looking over her shoulder. Anakin glanced up and stood abruptly, before he walked briskly over to his daughter.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, sir." Ezra replied, but Leia was strangely quiet.

"Leia?"

"I just ran into someone. And I felt...weird…"

"Weird?"

"Mhm...like my insides were dumped in ice." She replied. "The guy was just weird, alright?"

"Probably some creep since he was staring at you." Ezra commented and Leia glared at him as Anakin seemed to stiffen.

"Kanan?"

"I felt it too…" He admitted. "And I've only ever felt that once...back during the Clone Wars."

Anakin was silent, before grabbing Leia's wrist and walking away.

"Come on."

"Coming…" Leia stated, hurrying after her father. Ezra, curious followed the group as well. Kanan and Hera didn't seem to object to him following them.

"Where are we going?" Leia asked.

"Back to The Ghost."

"Why?"

"You aren't to leave The Ghost until our pickup arrives."

"What? Why?"

"Because, something about that man you said was staring at you bothers me."

"But Dad-"

"No buts."

Leia glared at her father's receding back, before blinking and frowning, looking towards the other direction. Ezra watched her, his head cocking to the side as he walked to her side.

"What's wrong?"

"...dunno...I feel like...like I need to go that way."

"But there's nothing that direction. Some mountains, but that's it."

"Leia, let's go!"

She frowned before hurrying after her father.

"Dad, you once said that the Force sometimes tells one where to go, right?" She asked, ignoring Ezra. Anakin paused and turned to look at her.

"Yes…?"

"Well the Force is telling me to go that way." She explained, pointing towards the vast fields of Lothal. "I've been feeling it all day, but it feels stronger now."

"Is that right?"

"I'm not lying." She huffed out, crossing her arms. "Besides the feeling is farther away from the town."

Ezra looked at Leia as though she had grown two heads. Feeling? The Force? That was directing her right now? Had she lost her marbles? But as he looked at the others, they didn't seem disturbed at the idea, in fact her father and Kanan seemed almost...proud?

"If we got The Phantom, we could go and see where Leia's feelings are directing her." Hera suggested. "I doubt Zeb would care for a little detour while we wait for your ride."

"Alright...we'll go." Anakin finally conceded. He glanced at Ezra, "what about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to go with us?"

"Out there?" Ezra repeated, pointing in the general direction that Leia had pointed at. "That's crazy!"

"Never heard that before, have I?" Anakin replied with a smirk, before shrugging. "Alright. Well, it's been nice meeting you, Ezra Bridger." He said, patting the boy on the shoulder and then walked over to his daughter who glanced at Ezra sadly, before following her father, Kanan, and Hera. Ezra stared at them, then back at the town, back at them, before groaning. He felt a tug in his mind towards the others, the feeling he had had multiple times that he had listened to before, and it had never failed him then.

"Wait up!" He called out, hurrying over to them. They paused momentarily as he hurried over, and Ezra noted Leia perk up. "Fine, I'll go."

"You sure Kid?" Kanan asked. Ezra glanced at him before nodding.

"Alright. Let's get back and then Leia, you have the lead." Anakin said and Leia smiled before nodding and the group headed off.

"Mom...were the Jedi bad?"

Padme looked up and glanced over towards the entrance of her room, as Luke shifted uneasily.

"Where did you hear that?"

"In class. Our instructor for the day said that Jedi were murderers and attempted a coup against the Emperor."

Padme bit her lip as each word stabbed her in the gut, the mere thought of Luke thinking that Anakin or the Jedi as some deranged group of murderers making her sick.

"What do you think?"

"I don't know…" Luke admitted, "it just...my gut is saying that that couldn't be true. That...they couldn't all be murderers."

"Listen to your gut."

"...really?" Luke asked in disbelief as Padme walked over and knelt in front of him, resting her hands on his arms.

"Really. Luke, the one thing you have to realize is that history is only written by those who win. Those who lose do not have a voice."

"But the emperor-"

"Can lie, cheat, and swindle those who are easily swayed by his words." She interrupted softly, as though the walls had suddenly grown ears. "But for those willing to not hide their eyes from the truth and to not deafen themselves from the cries of those who need help, can see the truth."

Luke was quiet, stewing over the words before nodding.

"I want to help those in need, Mom." He finally replied, and she smiled.

"And you will." She promised. "It's in your blood."

"It is?"

"Yes." She replied. "Luke, you are going to do some extraordinary things as you grow up. I just know it."

He blushed, before offering a smile.

"Mom...can I start going with you to the Senate again?" He asked. She blinked.

"You really want to go back?"

"Yeah. I can find out about other planets and their struggles. I want to make this world a better place and all the other worlds as well."

Padme was silent as she thought about it before sighing and nodding.

"But you must remain by my side. I don't want you to just vanish when I turn my back."

"Promise. I won't leave your side. Who would?" Luke replied and Padme smiled.

Hello, sorry this took so long! I had some writer's block plus a surgery, so I was a bit busy! DX Anyways, I hope you like it...