Just to refresh everyone's memories ... because it's been four years since I updated … in order to prevent the total destruction of the galaxy, the Force sent the great-grandchildren of Anakin Skywalker and the grandson and great-granddaughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi into the past. The two family units were separated during the journey into the past … Thane and Merit Solo ended up being unceremoniously dropped into one of the fountains in the eponymous Hall in the Jedi Temple only days before Qui-Gon Jinn's arrival with his padawan and Anakin Skywalker; while Aidan and Amidala Kenobi were deposited on Rattarak, where Ky Narec and Asajj Ventress were trying to get off planet. All four immediately began working on their assignments … to Thane, Anakin entrusted the mission to save his former Master in whatever way he could. Merit, too, was to save someone … several someones, the Jedi younglings. During their time at the Temple, Thane found several ways to make Obi-Wan Kenobi's life far less complicated, and allowed him to save other Jedi from their various fates … and it cost him his own life during the Battle of Naboo. As Merit reels from the loss of her brother, the first bond is created between Obi-Wan and Anakin as the two agree to take care of the young woman who is becoming a friend to them both. But trouble looms, even as the Duel of Fates has concluded. There's still a Sith Lord to be dealt with, a Jedi Order to be saved, and Darth Cadeus has sent his apprentice, Darth Heinous, into the past … creating even more trouble for Cadeus' daughter Merit and anyone who matters to her.

Author's Notes: Despite what appearances might tell you, I've not abandoned this story. The characters just stopped talking to me for a while. They do that on occasion. I actually started planning this chapter back in December, after going to see The Force Awakens, and because I'm weird like that, I had to acknowledge that in some way, even though this story is based on the Extended Universe (besides, can you imagine Anakin's freak-out at what Kylo Ren is doing?). After nine months, I finally figured out how I wanted to do that. Oh, and I realize that I'll be proven wrong when the next movie is out, but I'm going with the idea that Rey is Luke's daughter. Plus, I realized that there was another group in the prequels that seriously got screwed over and it was high time I started taking care of them. Also, I've given up on figuring out when the last afterlife section will be, as they keep changing their minds. So, in this chapter, Anakin is most displeased with a grandchild other than Jacen; Obi-Wan receives a wondrous surprise; Thane tries to deal with his new reality; and there are many, many new arrivals in the Force.

Chapter Seventeen

Lost Children

Stars' end, if I ever get my hands on that boy, I will shove my foot so far up his ass, he'll be tasting boot leather for a week!

Language, Anakin, Obi-Wan Kenobi gently chastised his former padawan, although his heart really wasn't in it. Especially not after the distraught look the young man sent his way. He'd known, as soon as this alternate timeline began playing out, how Anakin would react. Though Anakin hadn't spoken yet, aside from cussing out his fallen grandson, Obi-Wan saw his fear and guilt. Had they done this when they sent their children into the past … had they created an even worse future for Anakin's family? He squeezed the younger man's shoulder gently, adding, Remember. This is but one potential timeline, and in truth, I don't believe the children sent into the past have anything to do with it.

Obi-Wan's right, Skywalker … Anakin … this started to unfurl even before the children went back, Mace observed. Anakin looked at the second in command of the Jedi Order with more than a touch of hope in his eyes, and Mace went on, See how none of the events leading up to rise of the Empire have changed? This … oh. Of course. This is an alternate timeline mapped out by the Force. Much like the flight simulations. The air whooshed out of Anakin and he all but sagged against Obi-Wan in relief. The younger Jedi Master looked at his former Master's crèche mate in askance … flight simulations? Force simulations? Mace merely offered a tiny shrug that only someone who knew him well would recognize.

So … so you're saying that this didn't really happen? That this is all just a … just a possible scenario, like the Force was trying to figure out the best way to change things? Leia's son didn't really kill his father? Anakin asked hopefully and Mace inclined his head. Which wasn't entirely an agreement, but Obi-Wan wouldn't call Anakin's attention to that. At least not right now. As it was, the journey undertaken by young Rey reminded him entirely too much of Luke's story … down to the Sith apprentice killing his father/father-figure.

I think it would be wiser to say that this was the Force's ace in the hole if we hadn't gotten over ourselves and done something about the past. But no … Ben Solo doesn't kill his father. Obi-Wan, I believe there are some old friends who are waking up and are in need of a friendly face. And Anakin … Thane could probably use some reassurance as well, Mace answered, nodding to the tall, dark-haired man who was watching the exact same scenario that they were and looking every bit as distraught as Anakin was. It was nearly a standard week since Thane Solo joined them in the Force, and a little over a day since he awakened. In the meantime, the Victory Parade was held, along with his funeral and the journey back to Coruscant.

It was odd for Obi-Wan, to watch his younger, past self interacting with someone who wasn't born yet, who wouldn't be born for another seventy-five years, give or take. He imagined it was every bit as strange for Merit Solo, now truly alone in the galaxy. She kept a brave face up, as much for Anakin's sake as her own, but Obi-Wan could see how lost she felt. And though he was reeling from the changes in his world, his younger self could see it as well. Obi-Wan was a little nervous about his younger self's relationship with the pretty young Knight … there was a hint of an attraction between them, and those never ended well for Obi-Wan. However, as uncomfortable as it made both versions of Obi-Wan, he couldn't turn his back on his new friend, especially not while she was hurting so badly.

Later in the day, she had a meeting with the Jedi Council, something they postponed as long as they dared while she grieved for the loss of her brother … for the loss of everything she knew and held dear. But with so much riding on what Merit knew of what was to come, they could postpone it no longer. Something she accepted and understood. Even now, she sat alone in the quarters assigned to her by the Council, meditating … trying and failing to release her grief and rage into the Force. Mace said somberly, What she has to say will be rejected by the Council. And yet, if we are to survive, they must listen. We must listen. Obi-Wan inclined his head, glancing at Anakin, who was torn between his great-grandchildren. Mace observed, You must trust in the strength and resourcefulness of your great-granddaughter. For now, it is your great-grandson who needs you most. Anakin swallowed hard and resolutely turned away from not just the images of Kylo Ren, but the grieving Merit, walking over to Thane. With Anakin seen to, Mace told Obi-Wan, Come with me, old friend.

Curious and more than a little intrigued by Mace's furtive behavior, Obi-Wan fell into step with his fellow Council member, stopping short as they entered the Force-representation of the Jedi Temple infirmary. He choked out, Mace? This wasn't real … it couldn't be real. He turned half-hopeful, half-frightened eyes to his 'uncle,' not sure if he wanted this to be real … Mace, unexpectedly, smiled and that, more than anything, convinced Obi-Wan that what he was seeing was real. That the thousands of still bodies within the infirmary actually existed.

It seems the Force doesn't just want the Jedi and the galaxy in general saved … but them as well. I thought you might want to say hello to an old friend, help him adjust to his new reality, Mace said softly, giving him a small push toward a Force signature he knew as well as his own or Anakin's. Obi-Wan stumbled forward until he came to rest at the bedside of a very familiar man. Sensing his approach, the man opened his eyes … and all the color drained from his face. His lips formed words, but he didn't speak.

It didn't matter. Obi-Wan beamed down at his lost friend, murmuring, Hello, Cody … I'm so glad you've arrived!

SWSWSWSWSWSW

Will it matter? he asked, sensing the approach of a particularly strong Force signature. He didn't turn around. He didn't need to. A gentle hand settled on his shoulder and much to his astonishment, the other Jedi didn't speak for a long time. Instead, they both watched the drama playing out. In the beginning, he feared that his and his sister's actions led to this scenario … but Master Jinn (and apparently, he was on everyone's poodoo list right now) assured him that this was a back-up plan the Force had, if the Jedi hadn't paid attention to Merit's Force Visions.

Everything we do matters, Thane … even the tiniest of attempts. Already, you and your sister, as well as Aidan and Amidala, have changed things. The last time I checked … after Master Windu reassured me that this was an alternate scenario … your father had lost over seventy-five percent of his troops. The little green troll would tell you that 'always in motion, the future is,' and he's right. But what you four have done so far has already dramatically improved your own timeline, his great-grandfather answered.

Thane released a breath, nodding. It was a little over a day, as time was counted here (not that it actually was counted in the afterlife), since he awakened. According to his grandmother, who spent the first ten minutes after his awakening scolding him for getting himself killed (followed by the tightest, fiercest hug he'd ever gotten from her), he slept through the Victory Parade and his own funeral pyre. Both were fine with him, until his grandmother added that Merit kept flinching throughout the Victory Parade … especially whenever Palpatine approached.

While she was forbidden by the Force to warn the Jedi about Palpatine, she did tell Yoda that she thought it was a very bad idea for the new chancellor to have much to do with young Anakin. The tiny Grandmaster's ears flattened against his head before he answered, Agree with you, I do. Has a master already, Anakin does. Of course, it also didn't hurt that Jinn was made Anakin's master in the wake of Thane's death. He asked his great-grandfather as the picture changed from Rey advancing toward Uncle Luke with his lightsaber in her hand and an imploring look in her eyes to Merit lying in her bed in the Jedi Temple, Have any of your memories changed yet?

Quite a few. I remember falling asleep in Merit's lap more than once … the smell of her hair. Making plans with Obi-Wan to take care of her, since she worried more about taking care of us than anything else. Also … realizing that she didn't have much respect for Padme, and not really understanding why. Mind, she never bad-mouthed Padme, but … she just didn't have a lot of respect for her, Anakin admitted.

She respected the office, but she has never much liked pacifists, or politicians. Ami Kenobi is the same, only more outspoken about it. I suppose because of how her mother died. How bad was it? Thane asked. He really wasn't that worried … more than likely, Merit was coolly polite to the young queen. Anakin's small shrug told him that he was right, and Thane went on, When is she scheduled to meet with the current Jedi Council? His eyes never left his sister's prone form as she lay on her bed, holding a pillow tightly to her chest. She wasn't weeping … at the moment … but he knew she was grieving. He could feel it in the Force, even now.

This afternoon … or that afternoon, however you want to put it. She was never rude … at least, not until years later when Padme said something singularly stupid to her. She wasn't even rude when Sola questioned why she disliked Naboo so. She just … wanted nothing to do with the planet. It never stopped her when Naboo was in trouble, Anakin admitted. He went on, Right now, she's sharing quarters with Master Obi-Wan, since he's been Knighted and doesn't yet have quarters of his own. She stood at his side during the knighting ceremony, along with Bant and a few other of his age-mates. In fact, I seem to remember Merit putting her head together with Bant to plan the celebration afterward.

Do I … need to worry about them? Not Bant … my sister and Obi-Wan. I mean, I could tell a friendship was growing between them, but … is there anything more? Thane questioned. He was not particularly reassured when his great-grandfather hesitated. That … didn't sound promising. Not that Thane had a problem with Obi-Wan … but Merit was his little sister, and he'd spent the better part of his life protecting her. One of the few good memories he had remaining of his father was the moments after Merit was born and his new little sister was placed in his arms. This is your baby sister, Thane, his father told him, kneeling beside them both and keeping steady hold of them, her name is Merit and it's your job to protect her.

Thane firmly pushed that memory away, because the good memories inevitably led to the bad … coming home from his lessons to find his mother sobbing in the corner of their kitchen, crouched down and terrified as the Dark Side of the Force swirled around his father, his baby sister crying at first and then yelling at their father for making their mother cry. He was half-convinced the real reason his father hated Merit wasn't because of Allana's death at all, but because she Force-pushed him away from her and their mother when she was six years old, and it knocked him on his ass. That had to be embarrassing for a Sith Lord … being sent flying across the room by your six year old daughter.

And Anakin distracted him from the horror of that day, saying thoughtfully, Not … yet. I know Obi-Wan is attracted to her, but he's wary of those emotions. Remember, at this point, the Code is still in place, and he's very cautious about breaking that Code. Besides, Master was always a consummate gentleman and right now, acting on his attraction to her would be ungentlemanly. She's in mourning and while she's a Jedi, that grief still makes her vulnerable. He won't do anything for a while, if he does do anything.

That … was something of a relief. On the other hand, given what she lost when they came forward in time (seeing Ral die, realizing that Aidan felt the same way about her) … interfering really wasn't the best thing for Merit. Besides. This was the legendary General Obi-Wan Kenobi they were discussing, and if he wasn't good enough for Thane's baby sister, who was? (All that being said, Thane still wasn't convinced that anyone was good enough for his sister). Not that he would tell Anakin that. Instead, he looked again at the tear-stained face of the young girl named 'Rey' and asked, So, she won't come into being?

As she is now? No. It's possible that she'll exist, but not as we see her now. She would be your cousin, you know, Anakin observed and Thane nodded. The newly-arrived Jedi looked over his shoulder, saw Obi-Wan approaching with a tall, well-built man who seemed vaguely familiar to Thane. Anakin nudged him, adding, C'mon. Let me show you around some more. Master needs to help Cody acclimate to the Force. Remind me to visit your sister at some point, and nudge her toward doing something to help the clones as well. That's assuming she doesn't figure it out on her own. They were victims of Order Sixty-Six as well.

Thane nodded, feeling more than a bit lost, and followed his great-grandfather, who went on, The first thing you need to know is, time doesn't exist here. At any given moment, you can see Merit in the days of the Old Republic … or any other time in history.

SWSWSWSWSWSW

In some ways, his own life ended with Order Sixty-Six. The moment he ordered his brothers to fire on General Kenobi, the man who was Commander Cody gave way to … someone else. Something else. He was no longer Cody. He never would be again.

And he still wasn't entirely sure why he was here, in the Jedi afterlife. Oh, General Kenobi (who insisted that he now be called 'Obi-Wan') explained that it was the Will of the Force … but that didn't tell him anything, especially since he betrayed his general. One by one, his brothers would wake up and be reunited with the Jedi they turned on. Cody was still trying to figure out the best way to apologize to his general, when the auburn-haired man said quietly, You did nothing that requires an apology, Cody. Once I realized that you weren't in control … there's nothing to forgive, truly. But if you desire my forgiveness, you have it. You always have.

Cody glared at the other man, whose lips quirked up into a small smile. He added, No … I didn't read your mind. But we're in the Force, old friend, and you are broadcasting rather loudly. Again … I have never held the events of that day against you. But if you need to hear it, I'll say it again. I … forgive … you. Cody looked away, determinedly blinking, and Obi-Wan (strange, how it was becoming easier to think of the man by his name) casually moved ahead, continuing, There are many others for you to meet. Anakin's children, for one.

General Skywalker … had children? But … He glanced at the other man, who just shrugged with a small smile, adding, It's like we said during the war … Anakin has a habit of making the impossible look merely difficult. He has two children, a set of twins: Luke and Leia. Not long ago, we sent Leia's younger two grandchildren into the past, along with my grandson and great-granddaughter. It's our hope that they can change the past … ensure that so much heartache is avoided. They've already started changing things. Hmm. I wonder if that's the real reason the Force brought you to us. It wouldn't surprise me … and it wouldn't surprise me if one of the Four manages to save you and your brothers.

Cody's mind reeled as he struggled to process everything that happened to him. The strangest thing was, even as he listened to his general, some of his memories were changing. He said slowly, I'm remembering a young woman with long dark hair. She wasn't a soldier, though she clearly was a Jedi … instead, he saw her as he and his brothers raced aboard an evac, hearing her yelling for them to hang on, the ride would get bumpy. He went on, half to himself, She wasn't a soldier … she was a pilot, and she flew evacuations … sometimes she brought us supplies. We called her Ruusaan, because she was always there when we needed her, but her name … her name was Merit. Now more images were swamping over him. The sensory overload would have driven him to his knees, if not for the bracing hand of his general. Cody didn't even remember closing his eyes … but when he opened them, he found himself staring at Obi-Wan Kenobi. The other man was staring at him anxiously, but before he could ask if he was all right, Cody rasped out, I remember her, General. She wasn't there before, but I remember her now.

To his credit, his former commanding officer didn't ask what he remembered (because it was clear to Cody that while he remembered their Ruusaan, the general didn't … at least, not yet). Instead, he smiled gently, saying, Then there are other people you should meet, old friend. Including some you might want to kill … again. Cody raised his eyebrows at that, but Obi-Wan didn't elaborate. Instead, Cody was led past General Skywalker and another man, who were anxiously watching something from the past. It didn't matter, who else he would be meeting. It only mattered that he and his brothers were safe, and for the first time in their lives (and afterlives), they were free.

TBC