Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 28! Thanks for all the great reviews. Six months have passed since the events in chapter 24. Here's an age check, as some have asked for:
Anakin: 20
Padme: 25
Quinlan: 38
Obi-Wan: 36
Sifo-Dyas: around the age Count Dooku is so...old
Hunter: 10
Blake: 4
Ahsoka: 14
Scout: 15
Whie: 16
Here's notes to those individuals that have reviewed. Many thanks! :
Skylanian Writer: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story!
FateOfChaos: Yeah, this world is a bit more screwed up than even the canon. Yeah, Obi-Wan is a bit oblivious. Hopefully, he'll eventually get clued in ;) Glad you're enjoying the story.
Harry2: Yep, Obi-Wan has a hunch, but a meeting is a ways off to say the least. You'll understand reading this chapter. ;)
Toa Naruto: Yes, they suspect that Grievous is some kind of cyborg. No one but Dooku and Sidious know everything about how he came to be. Not really sure that it matters that much though. Droid or cyborg, he's Grievous. It's a small part of a very large plot.
Hannah Jane: Glad you're enjoying the story. Updates will come as much as possible. I have to give equal time to this one, the FD series, and my stories in the Power Ranger fandom as well. But I try to update as much as possible, I promise.
Kennie Loves 'HP'TCoN'TIC: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story!
sexystarwarslover: I love your enthusiasm in your reviews. :) Glad you're loving the story so much.
froovygirl: Glad you enjoy the story and thanks for commenting. :) I'm glad that you're able to enjoy the blended concepts and the family elements. I wish we could have seen that too in the SW canon.
StoryArtistNamedS: Don't worry, I have plans for Whie and Scout. ;) Glad you're enjoying the story.
Avalon West: Glad you like the Scout/Whie. I have plans for them in future chapters. And yes, Obi-Wan suspects he knows Knightblade's identity. This will lead to interesting things too. ;)
Destiny Changer: Scout is about fifteen and Whie is sixteen. They are around Ahsoka's age. They may have sounded a little immature in earlier chapters, but the way I see it is despite being Jedi, padawans are largely sheltered from the rest of the galaxy. Now they're out in the big bad galaxy with no Jedi Temple walls protecting them. That would make them grow up really fast. So that is the explanation for the change in tone. Glad you're enjoying the story. :)
cyclops1340: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story.
force-bringer: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it. See above for the age check and enjoy this next installment. :)
meadow-music: Thanks, glad you're enjoying. :)
whitebabywolf90: Thanks, glad you like the mix of the two ideas.
Alyssa: No, Padme shouldn't really be pregnant if I follow the basic timeline. I may be writing my own plots and changing some things, but if I follow the basic time flow of the canon, it would be way too early. Padme doesn't become pregnant with the twins until the Clone Wars is nearly over. This is just a few months after the Clone Wars have STARTED. If I keep following the basic timeline, she will not be pregnant for about 3 years. That being said, this is AU, meaning things can and will change. That also being said, some things may stay true to the canon. That's the beauty of AU.
Force Jumper
Chapter 28: Family Bonds
"Greetings Masters," Obi-Wan said via hologram, as his image appeared before Mace Windu and Yoda.
"Greetings Obi-Wan, much to discuss, have we?" Yoda asked. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes Master, the Malevolence was destroyed, but Grievous remains at large. However, it would seem that the Senator and her children are safe again," Obi-Wan reported.
"Then she and the boys are not with you?" Mace asked. Obi-Wan shook his head.
"No Master, she again refused the assistance of the Jedi in favor of Knightblade's protection. While I don't agree with it, I don't believe she or the children are in any danger with him," Obi-Wan said honestly.
"That remains to be seen. He is dangerous, perhaps not to Senator Amidala, but most definitely to the galaxy as a whole," Mace insisted.
"He did fight General Grievous, Masters, and I'll have to admit, it may take someone like him to defeat him. Unfortunately, due to his ability, I was unable to track his movements most of the time. Knightblade had no such hindrance and seems to have his ability mastered. Grievous' ability seemed sloppy compared to his," Obi-Wan recalled.
"For all we know, it could have been for show. They both have this strange ability and we must entertain the possibility that Knightblade is in league with the Sith," Mace insisted.
"Hmm…a free agent Knightblade is. His methods, unorthodox they are, but evil I do not sense. Until proven otherwise, treat him as an ally, we should," Yoda suggested. Mace seethed inwardly.
"More you have to discuss, Obi-Wan?" Yoda sensed.
"Yes Master…it's about one of the boys, the older one, I believe his name is Hunter," Obi-Wan said.
"Abilities the boy has, yes?" Yoda asked.
"Yes Master, he has the same Force jumping ability and it is obvious that Knightblade is training him to use it and training him to use a lightsaber. From what I saw and felt, he is clearly Force sensitive and possibly more so that we originally thought," Obi-Wan reported.
"What makes you say this?" Mace questioned.
"He used Force lightning," Obi-Wan announced.
"Then what more proof do we need that Knightblade is in league with the Sith. Force lightning is a Sith technique and strictly forbidden by the Jedi," Mace stated.
"It was different though Master. I sensed no evil from the boy. He used the Force lightning to protect the Senator and his little brother from Grievous," Obi-Wan reported.
"Hmm…adopted the technique of Force lightning, the Sith did. Only evil is it if evil exists in the heart of the person," Yoda said wisely.
"Master…" Mace started to protest.
"Evil…a child is not. Request to meet this boy, I may," Yoda spoke. Mace was silent, knowing that nothing productive would come from arguing with the small Jedi Grand Master.
Obi-Wan remembered what he heard Senator Amidala whisper and wondered if he should mention it.
Flashback
Knightblade leapt at Grievous, furiously exchanging slashes with the droid General. Onlooker's heads darted around the structure of the room, as Grievous and Knightblade teleported all over, high and low, until they finally appeared on the conveyor belt, still exchanging blows. Grievous' metal elbow managed to make contact with Anakin's abdomen, knocking the wind from him and he felt himself begin to fall from the belt.
"Ani…" Padme said in the barest of whisper…but Obi-Wan heard her, or at least believed he did.
"Ani…no, it can't be," he thought to himself, his thoughts now absorbed by the possibility.
End Flashback
He still wasn't sure if he had heard right and decided that until he knew more, he would keep this particular piece of information to himself.
After evening meal, Anakin jumped the four of them home to their apartment on Coruscant. Since she had let it be known that she and the boys would be returning the following morning, they decided to avoid the media by actually coming back to Republica 500 that night. There would likely be Holonet staked out around the complex in the morning, but thanks to Anakin, they'd never get near Padme or the boys. They especially wanted to keep their adopted sons out of the spotlight as much as possible. Neither was comfortable with their perverse fascination they seemed to have with the boys.
The boys were tucked in for the evening and Padme poured wine in two glasses, handing one to Anakin, as they sat together in the living area. Padme's father had also retired and they were effectively alone. Anakin leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss, which she returned with just as much fervor.
"Oh…I almost forgot. I have something to show you," Padme said, as she picked up her datapad and pulled up the encrypted file she wanted, before handing it to him. Anakin's eyes widened in surprise, as he read the documents.
"Hunter Naberrie Skywalker and Blake Naberrie Skywalker," he read. Padme smiled and nodded.
"But…aren't you worried that giving them my last name could be dangerous?" he asked.
"The adoption papers are sealed and the public will know them only by the last name Naberrie. But I want them to know that they're really your boys too. They understand that Skywalker is their secret name," she explained.
"That's amazing, angel, thank you," he said, as he hugged her.
"We're officially a real family now," she replied.
"Not quite…there's still one thing missing. One thing that I've been meaning to make sure is set right," he said. She looked at him with confusion.
"What is it?" she asked. He knelt down on one knee and she gasped in surprise.
"Marry me?" he asked.
"I know it has be to be a secret…but I want to marry you more than anything and make our family complete," he added. A few tears rolled down her cheeks and she nodded.
"Yes…" she answered. He smiled.
"Yes?" he asked. She nodded.
"Of course yes!" he exclaimed, as he hugged her tightly and spun her around.
"We'll go to Naboo and marry at Varykino. It will have to be secret and therefore small," he said. She nodded.
"The people I love most will be there. You, our boys, my dad, Master Quinlan, Sabe, and Master Sifo," Padme replied. He smiled and kissed her passionately. Wasting no time, he Force jumped them to their bedroom and swept her into his arms, as passion took ahold of them.
The next day, Obi-Wan found himself venturing into Dex's diner again and the old alien was happy to see his friend, especially so soon after his last visit.
"Obi-Wan…take a seat and I'll be with you in a minute," Dex called, as he called into the kitchen to get a special started for his friend. He poured a jawa juice and set it down, before sliding into the booth across from the Jedi.
"What brings you by?" Dex asked.
"Can't a friend just come by for an idle chat?" Obi-Wan asked. Dex chuckled.
"You could, but while you're here, you usually hit me up for information," Dex replied slyly.
"Well, what do you expect? Somehow, despite hardly leaving this diner, you manage to know what's going on in this galaxy better than the Holonet ever will," Obi-Wan replied. Dex chuckled.
"Well, I have my ways," he replied mysteriously.
"Yes, I know, so what can you tell me about this Knightblade?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm afraid I know as much as everyone else, save for Senator Amidala it seems," Dex replied, just a little too quickly. Obi-Wan looked sternly at him.
"Come on Dex, I know you better than that. You know more than the average person, I know you do," Obi-Wan replied.
"Why are you interested in Knightblade? He operates outside the Jedi and the Republic, just like mercenaries or bounty hunter. The Jedi don't take issue with a bounty hunter who is running around making money off killing people or trafficking slaves or spices," Dex argued.
"We do take issue with it. But it is not our mandate to deal with them. That's what we have criminal officials. It's their job to police the planet," Obi-Wan argued back. Dex snorted.
"Those officers are overworked, underpaid, and simply outgunned and you know it. They don't have the powers necessary to deal with some of these mercenaries," Dex said.
"I realize that Dex, but that's not the issue. Even if he is doing some good, we can't condone vigilantism," Obi-Wan replied.
"Even when young women and children, who would otherwise continue to endure abuse and slavery, are freed and their lives are saved?" Dex questioned.
"You do know who he is, don't you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No…but even if I did, I know when to keep my mouth shut. He's doing good work and getting the real scum out there. The Jedi are too busy carrying out the mandate of the Senate and letting them decide what they think is important," Dex responded. Obi-Wan sighed.
"It's just…I think I may have a hunch as to who he might be and if I'm right, then it was someone that was important to my Master," Obi-Wan confided in him. Dex sighed.
"Qui-Gon Jinn wouldn't agree with a lot of what's going on, you know. If I remember correctly, he was already at odds with the Council around the time of his death," Dex mentioned. Obi-Wan nodded, shifting uncomfortably.
"Qui-Gon Jinn had an open mind and he would want his apprentice to as well," Dex reminded.
"I know…I do try," Obi-Wan said. Dex chuckled.
"What is it that Master Yoda always says?" Dex asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Do or do…there is no try," he recited the old Master's saying.
"I can't tell you what I know…but I can point you in the right direction," Dex said.
"But if you go telling the Council anything…I'll skin you!" Dex added, wagging his finger at him.
"I promise…I will do what my Master would have done in this situation," Obi-Wan swore.
"Even if it means defying the Council and the Republic?" Dex asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Yes…even if it means that," he answered.
"You might not like what you find. There is a war going on around us that most are not even aware of," Dex stated. Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, but Dex held his hand up.
"And I'm not talking about the Clone Wars. I can't tell you what I know simply because I only have parts of the story. But I know your Master had discovered something…something very big shortly before he was killed. He left the answers for you to find when you were ready," Dex said.
"Ready?" Obi-Wan asked. The diner owner nodded.
"Ready to see the galaxy as it is and not just the black and white view they've ingrained into you," Dex responded. Obi-Wan sighed.
"And where are these answers?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Where do the Jedi keep all their information?" Dex countered with another question.
"In the archives?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief. Dex nodded.
"I don't understand. If these answers are so guarded, then why would they be in the archives?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Your Master was once very close to a Jedi Master named Tahl, an archive librarian, was he not?" Dex asked. Obi-Wan blanched. He knew Qui-Gon and Tahl were more than just friends and so did Dex.
"What does this have to do with Tahl?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Think about it, Ben," Dex replied, using a nickname that only a few knew him by.
"She taught him how to hide the information, didn't she?" Obi-Wan questioned. Dex nodded.
"And how pray tell do I find it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Do you still have your river stone…the one he gave you?" Dex asked. Obi-Wan furrowed his eyebrows.
"Of course…but what does that stone have to do with this?" he asked. Dex shrugged.
"The stone will guide, that's all I know," Dex replied. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Master always did love riddles," Obi-Wan said, as he stood up and dropped some credits on the table.
"Thanks Dex," he said.
"Good luck," the old alien responded, as he watched his Jedi friend leave his quaint establishment.
"March you filthy little heathens," the scraggly man hissed, as he prodded them along with a pike, forcing them to line up in front of another man, who was decidedly better dressed and had better hygiene. By the look of his attire and two armed bodyguards, it was easy to deduce that this man was wealthy.
"A pretty crop this time," he boasted to his customer, as he walked behind the whimpering children, aging from ten to sixteen.
"Yes…my brother will be most pleased with the new product," the well-dressed man said, as he looked over the slaves.
"Then shall we talk payment?" he asked.
"You'll find the amount we agreed upon," the wealthy slave owner replied, as he handed the datachip to the slaver, which contained the account information that he could use to retrieve his funds.
"Excellent…have fun with this bunch. I sampled a couple and they are a treat," he leered, as he put his hands on one of the oldest girls, who whimpered in fear.
"Put them on the ship," the man ordered to his guards. Suddenly, the two guards were thrown back hard against the ship, as a masked figure appeared before them.
"What the…" the lead slaver uttered, but he didn't have a chance to finish his sentence, as the mysterious man's fist was punching him in the mouth.
"Shoot him!" the wealthy dealer called to his guards, who were pulling themselves to their feet. Anakin jumped and grabbed the thugs, disarming them both and knocking them out with ease. He felt a few blaster bolts pelt his armor and turned to the well-dressed man. Anakin appeared just a few inches from his face, startling him, as piercing blue eyes stared straight through him. The coward dropped his weapon and tried to run, but that action was useless against Anakin, as he grabbed him and disappeared. Meanwhile, seemingly left behind, the slaver grabbed his electro whip and snapped it, frightening the slaves.
"Get on the ship, you filthy slugs!" he ordered. He wasn't going to waste an opportunity like this. Not only did he have the man's money, but he now had his fancy ship. He could take his merchandise and find another buyer, all while acquiring a ship large enough to transport three times as many slaves as he could with his old one. But suddenly a boy appeared in his path. He thought for a moment it was the same masked man that had dispatched his buyer and his men, but this one, though he had blonde hair and was masked as well, was noticeably shorter with blonde hair that was a slightly lighter shade
"Get out of my way brat…unless you'd like me to add you to my collection," he hissed, raising his blaster. Hunter smirked and using all he had learned so far, he ignited his light saber and sliced the blaster in half, causing the brute to back away for a moment in fear, before realizing he was backing down from a kid. He threw a punch and missed, as Hunter Force jumped behind him. The large man charged, but the boy disappeared again, causing the man to crash into the wall of the dingy establishment behind them. About that time, Anakin appeared again and smirked at his apprentice's handiwork.
"Nice…somehow it's even more fun when you don't have to even lift a finger to beat them," Anakin said, as he cuffed the sleamo.
"What did you do with the fancy one?" Hunter asked. Anakin smirked.
"He's the younger brother of a well-known slaver and gambler that operates in Cloud City. I just did Bespin's authorities a favor and dropped him on their doorstep. They just don't have the manpower to take on some of the bigger illegal operations," Anakin explained, as he used his device to deactivate the slave chip in the frightened kids.
"It's okay; we're not going to hurt you. My dad deactivated the slave chip in you. We're going to take you somewhere safe," Hunter explained. Anakin smiled, hearing the boy refer to him as dad. It had felt a little odd at first, being that Hunter was only about ten years younger than himself…but it felt right when he and Blake called him that and he knew without a doubt that finding them had been the Will of the Force.
Blake selected another color from the electronic pad and continued coloring on his electronic color pad. He colored avidly in the living room while Padme sat nearby, hosting afternoon tea for a few of her colleagues, including Bail Organa and Mon Mothma.
"He is absolutely precious, Padme. We have to arrange a play date for him and Jobin," Mon said, referring to her own son, who was about six. Padme smiled and nodded.
"Blake would like that, I'm sure. He's a bit shy, but opens up when he gets to know you. I couldn't love him or his brother more than if I actually gave birth to them," Padme mentioned fondly.
"Where is his brother?" Bail asked curiously.
"He's in school," Padme replied vaguely. She felt a little bad that she was fibbing to her close friends, but knew they wouldn't understand her relationship with the man they knew only as Knightblade and protecting Hunter and Anakin took precedent. Before her colleagues could ask any more questions, Dorme entered the room with a nervous look on her face.
"I'm sorry milady, I told him you weren't available to speak with him, but he forced his way in before I could stop him," she said quickly. Padme didn't have time to respond, as Gavin Jothra waltzed into her living room like he owned the place.
"Padme…" he greeted smugly.
"You have three seconds to exit my home, before I have my chief of security toss you out," Padme snapped, as she stood up. Blake's eyes were wide with trepidation, as he noticed the tone in his mother's voice. He looked at this new man that was now in their home and decided that he didn't like his eyes. He had mean eyes like the old man that everyone called Chancellor. Getting up quickly, he dashed to her and peered up at the man, doing his best "Hunter" impression as he called it and gave him his best glare. He gripped a handful of Padme's long gown and inched behind her partway, all while still staring at the man.
"Padme…you have refused my calls and meeting for months," he stated.
"There's a good reason for that. I have nothing to say to you and I never want to see you again. Now leave," she ordered.
"Not until I say a few things," he refused. Padme glared at him and swept her son into her arms, still standing with a firm stance.
"Fine, then say your piece so you can leave," she replied.
"I was hoping that you would agree to discuss this over dinner," he suggested.
"Not if you were the last man in the galaxy," she retorted. He sighed.
"Fine, since you refuse to be reasonable, I'll get to the point," he stated.
"I'm terribly worried about you and what your association with this vigilante will end up doing to you," he told her.
"Not that my life is any of your business, but Knightblade is a friend and he would never hurt me or my boys," Padme replied.
"That's another thing. What has gotten into you all the sudden that you're adopting two street urchins?" he asked.
"You're lucky my son is in the room right now, Gavin, or I'd deck you for calling them that," Padme retorted. The other politician threw up his hands.
"There is no reasoning with you, as usual," Gavin replied.
"Gavin, as an employee of mine, I suggest you watch how you speak to a Senator and a personal friend of mine," Mon reprimanded.
"I am sorry milady, I am just concerned for Padme on a personal level," Gavin said, trying to explain himself.
"Be that as it may, your conduct is highly unprofessional, as was the interview you gave to the Holonet regarding Padme and her relationship with Knightblade. I do hope you won't make it a habit of dragging my friend through the mud," Mon spoke.
"No milady," he responded.
"Well, since you said your peace, you should be going," Padme told him.
"I'd be happy to walk you out, Gavin," Bail said, stepping in on Padme's behalf. Gavin sighed.
"Please Padme…I'm only asking for a few minutes of your time. I have made a lot of mistakes and I want a chance to get back what we had," Gavin implored. Padme smirked and had to try not to laugh, as a toy star fighter suddenly pelted him in the chest. He looked shocked and Blake quickly hid his face in Padme's shoulder, occasionally taking a peek to see if the man was looking at him.
"I think that was your answer, Gavin. My son doesn't like you and neither do I, so kindly see yourself out. Because if Blake doesn't like you, then Hunter really won't like you and he throws harder," Padme joked.
"Since there is no reasoning with you, then I shall heed your request. Good day, milady," he said coldly, as he left with the other Senators. Padme sighed and let Blake down to go play, as Anakin and Hunter appeared in the room.
"Man, I thought he'd never leave," Anakin said, as he removed his mask.
"Yeah, who was that poodoo head?" Hunter asked, as Padme kissed his forehead.
"He was no one that you need to be worried about and watch the language in front of your brother," she chided playfully, as she kissed Anakin. They watched in amusement, as Blake tackled his older brother and they started wrestling playfully.
"So that was the famous Gavin?" Anakin teased. She smacked him playfully.
"Yes, I know. He's awful and I can't for the life of me figure out what I was thinking for even going on one date with that boring sod," she admitted. He chuckled and kissed her hair.
"I would have liked to punch him, but I think Blake throwing a toy at him was more insulting than anything I could ever do. The look on his face was priceless. Rejected by a four-year-old," Anakin laughed, making her laugh as well.
"I should go get dinner started," she said.
"Actually, I was thinking we should go to Yavin IV. The boys can see Master Quin and Master Sifo. We can go for a walk under the stars after dinner," he tempted.
"Master Quin is refusing to eat Master Sifo's cooking again, isn't he?" she asked knowingly. He smirked.
"You've spoiled them. They'll starve without you now," he joked. She rolled her eyes.
"Let's go boys. It's Yavin IV tonight," she announced, as Anakin gathered them up and they disappeared.
Whie traveled around the various vendor stations at the local market, picking out foods for them. After purchasing his selections, he started back toward the hotel where he and Scout were staying. Depa Billaba watched him unknowingly from the near distance. Her first instinct upon arriving had been to ambush the young Force users and take them out. But they had many occasions lately where this tactic had been failing and she decided she would take a new approach, thus beginning her intense observation of her subjects. When the time was right, she would strike, and they would never see it coming…