Disclaimer: not mine

So, some changes to SW canon events coming up.

Been working on the for over a week, stupid brain doesn't want to do anything, writing included. Glad I'm not picking up a summer unit this year, think I'm going to need the summer break over Christmas to re-charge. Just have to get through this trimester first.

Chapter 4

Sora bit his lip, curling on his side under the blankets, trying not to cry. He couldn't see! There were bandages around his head and it was scary. It hurt too, even with the icky shots. He'd dropped the button thing to call for help, he could try to use the Force, but…but he was a big boy now, right? He'd be fine, he would.

"Hello?" a voice called, and Sora put a hand over his mouth. "Is…Sora? Is that you? It's Anakin," the voice whispered.

Anakin? Sora whimpered, trying to get lose, and then he felt someone else helping. Warm hands wrapped around his arms, helping pull him upright.

"Sora?! What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Sora reached for him, shaking, and then he was pulled into a careful hug. "Sssorry," he mumbled.

"Your eyes…"

"Sore," he admitted. "Dropped the button."

"Button?"

"Call for meds," he pressed his face into the medical tunic Anakin was wearing. Why was he still there, wasn't he meant to be let out after his surgery?

"Button…" he muttered. "Oh, this thing?" Anakin pressed the device into his hand, and Sora nodded, pressing it.

"Why're you still here?" he asked, relaxing when a hesitant hand began running through his hair. "Thought…" he yawned. "Short?"

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Anakin wasn't sure about staying there but Mister Qui-Gon had been stuck in meetings or something, so the Healers said he could stay the night. And they'd said the transmitter had been deeper than they thought, closer to his spine, so maybe it was better. But something felt…off…scared, someone was scared. He hesitated but then got up, wincing as the skin pulled funny. He left the room he'd been given and moved down the hall, opening another door. He blinked in the dark until his eyes adjusted and he spotted the lump under the covers.

"Hello?" he called hesitantly, not sure what he was doing. But that small form… "Is…Sora? Is that you?" he whispered, moving into the room, hearing a small whimper come from the bed. He saw the kid trying to get up and moved to help. "Sora?! What's wrong? Are you okay?" there were bandages around his head, covering his eyes and he seemed to be in pain.

Sora reached blindly for him, shaking, and Anakin pulled him into a careful hug. "Sssorry," he mumbled.

"Your eyes…" Anakin was worried. What had they done that would need this?

"Sore," the younger boy admitted, sounding tired. "Dropped the button."

"Button?" he glanced around for something that looked like a button.

"Call for meds." Sora pressed his face into the medical tunic Anakin was wearing and Anakin let him, he was just a little kid. Older kids looked after the younger in the salve quarters, kept them safe from the Masters.

"Button…" he muttered, and then something caught his eye on the edge of the bed. "Oh, this thing?" Anakin pressed the device into his hand, and Sora nodded, pressing it.

"Why're you still here?" he asked.

Anakin hesitantly ran his fingers through short dark hair, feeling Sora relax against him.

"Thought…" he yawned. "Short?"

"They let me stay for the night while things are being worked out," Anakin answered. He tensed as the door opened, holding Sora close, protectively.

An older teen entered the room with a syringe and Anakin shifted to protect Sora, not sure what they wanted.

"It's only pain medication," she murmured, hands out. "It's alright, no one will hurt either of you."

"S'okay Anakin, Padawan Healer," Sora mumbled before holding his arm out.

She approached and gently injected Sora who relaxed. She then smiled at them both. "Try and sleep." And with that she was gone.

"Stay?" Sora mumbled, and Anakin nodded.

"Yeah, okay." He helped Sora get comfortable, letting him curl up with him.

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Obi-Wan checked on the room where Anakin was meant to be only to find it empty.

"He's in room five Padawan Kenobi."

He turned and bowed. "Thank you, I must have gotten the room number wrong."

That got a smile. "No, he's keeping a youngling company."

Confused, Obi-Wan went to the room and knocked, when there was no answer, he carefully opened the door to see Anakin curled around a smaller child with bandages wrapped around their head. He couldn't help smiling at the sight. The Council meeting yesterday had gone so horribly wrong, for both of them. He couldn't blame Anakin for his Master's words or actions, he was only a child.

"Anakin," he called softly, not liking to wake the boy, but he needed to eat, his companion likely did as well. He wondered what had happened to the Youngling to require his eyes be bandaged, hoping he hadn't been hurt. "Anakin," he called again, and the boy stirred, blue eyes blinking sleepily up at him. "Good morning."

"Obi-Wan?" he yawned, going to sit up but he couldn't with the smaller boy pinning him down.

"It's time to eat," he answered softly.

"Kay," he mumbled, trying to get out from under the boy who just clung on tighter, it was rather adorable.

"And who is your new friend?"

Anakin eyed him, wary, but Obi-Wan just smiled gently. Tatooine did not seem the kind of planet that encouraged trust in others. "His name's Sora. They did something to his eyes."

A soft whine came from the younger child who began to move only to stiffen, unsure.

"It's alright Youngling," Obi-Wan kept his voice gentle. "I am Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, I came looking for Anakin. Would you like to have breakfast with us?"

The boy agreed shyly and that was that.

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Padme stared out at the never-ending traffic, unable to believe what had happened. She had truly believed the Senate would do the right thing but they had barely listened. The Chancellor had done his best but it was obvious his hands were tied. Senator Palpatine had told her to call for a vote of no confidence…but how could that help their people? The vote couldn't be held quickly enough and the new Chancellor would need time to consolidate their position. He had been upset that she hadn't done it but she would not back down. With or without the Senate, she would free her people.

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Silas was glad to reach his ship, smiling as Riku was immediately there, the small boy so happy to see him. They would be heading back to Mandalorian space for now, things were…tense. Hearing that the Trade Federation had blockaded a planet, illegally, was not good. And it was very strange as well. He'd prefer Riku to be safe until things settled down.

Lately…well, things were changing and he wasn't sure he liked the direction they were heading. The galaxy seemed to be growing ever darker, more dangerous. And Riku was so tiny, so vulnerable. He knew Mirialans as a species were generally sensitive, but he'd seen Riku levitate a ration pack a while back. Had the slavers known of his gifts? Since his first attempt to track Riku's origins, he'd made some more headway. What little he'd tracked showed he'd been taken off a passenger liner bound for Coruscant which meant he was likely being taken to the Temple there. He could take Riku there himself but…he couldn't give him up.

He knew nothing about using the Force himself, he'd seen Jedi sure, but he was pretty sure if it was possible to have negative sensitivity then he had that. So, he had no clue how to help his son or what to expect as he grew up. And he was worried about trying to research it, if anyone tracked it back…their people didn't exactly have the best history. He could try reaching out to Riku's people for how to at least give him some basic training but would they try and take Riku from him? Could his abilities just be ignored, would they fade if he didn't use them?

What was the right thing to do for his ad?

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He snarled, pacing the room. Everything had been going according to plan! Who did she think she was? He'd ensured her election as Queen and now she'd ruined his plans! Yes, the elections would be held soon, but not soon enough. He'd been counting on the 'sympathy vote' to get the numbers needed. In a year and a half's time that would all be gone, the Naboo crisis barely a footnote in galactic politics. He had done his best to stand out only so much, he wouldn't be the obvious candidate due to that…he would have to re-work his plans and fast. And the girl would pay.

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Yan sighed as he looked at the roster, he had just missed them, again. He'd only left for a few days but the duo had managed to return and then leave again…apparently with a child in tow. And it seemed he had missed quite the commotion with the Council too. Would his old Padawan ever stop frustrating them? Then again, he supposed it meant he took after him despite their many differences and arguments.

It was tempting to check the boy again…but he would not give in. If he still felt drawn to the child when he was the appropriate age or at least close to it, then he would look further into things. For now, he would seek a new mission.

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Qui-Gon stared out at hyperspace. The Queen's plan was…audacious but also extremely dangerous. Jar Jar was an exile after all, it was very doubtful that Boss Nass would listen to a plea from him on behalf of the Naboo. And even if the Gungans did have an army and would fight, would it be enough? The idea of them dying did not sit right at all. They had been sent to protect thew Queen, they couldn't fight the entire droid army for her. Against those odds, not even a Jedi would survive.

He would have preferred to have left Anakin safely in the Temple, but that hadn't been possible, not with the boy being left in his care while the Council considered admitting him. How could they not see that he was the Chosen One? Obi-Wan was used to the danger of their missions, the boy wasn't. He'd been obviously overwhelmed by the noise and number of sentients on Coruscant and Naboo would be a different kind of culture shock with all the green and water. He would have to find somewhere safe to leave the boy hidden during the fighting.

He knew he had surprised Obi-Wan when he put him forward for the Trials to the Council, but he had done as Qui-Gon had expected and agreed. Things had become easier as Obi-Wan grew and became less impulsive, less angry. It gave him real hope that what he'd once told the boy was wrong and he would be a good jedi in time. He still focused on the future too much but that should settle more, especially once on missions alone, at least the visions had stopped.

They just had to find some way to stop the Trade Federation, to free Naboo.

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She carefully undid the bandages around young Sora's head. The surgery had gone well, no complications or surprises. And there'd been no signs of his body attempting to reject the implants thankfully, that could be dealt with but it was better if they didn't need to. She had been his main Healer since he had been brought to the Temple due to the issues Hapan biology could throw up now and then.

Ever so slowly, big blue eyes blinked at her in the low light and she waited, watching as they widened in awe and a smile spread across Sora's face.

"I…I can see!" he cheered.

The implants were working.

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Obi-Wan forced himself to breathe deeply, to reach out to the Force for patience, strength, and speed. Why had his Master rushed on ahead and allowed them to be separated? Yes, he could be reckless at times but this…? This…Sith was leading them, surely his Master saw that, knew they had to take him together. The distance between them…even with Force enhanced speed…he wouldn't make it passed all of the laser walls. He reached for Qui-Gon but their bond had never been the strongest and now…it was totally shielded.

He wanted to pace but forced his body to be still, to not waste the energy he would soon need. He kept his grip on his lightsabre firm but not too tight, ready to fight...Now! he rushed forward with every bit of speed he could muster only to stagger to a stop with one last barrier between him and the fight. Why hadn't he waited?

All he could do was watch as the two fought…and feel his heart sinking. No…please no…why wouldn't the stupid wall turn off?! He could see it, surely the enemy could too. Qui-Gon, while not elderly, was also not young…likely decades senior to his opponent…and he was tiring faster. All it would take was one mistake…

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Riku wasn't pouting, he wasn't! Buir was just being a big meanie. He slumped in his seat, arms crossed, staring out at the spaceport. He wanted to go with him! But no, he had to stay on the ship. He looked down at his drawing and frowned, he didn't even know what it was! Weird. A weapon maybe? The closest he could think of was a beskad but that wasn't it, beskad didn't have wings and stuff. But it…it felt familiar.

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"Noooo!"

The scream came from where he knew Obi-Wan was still trapped, still safe. But for how long? He barely felt the floor as his body hit, unable to move, barely able to even keep breathing. Blearily, he can just make out the black clad form pacing before the wall of red…the wall that would fall in seconds…

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"Your little insurrection is at an end, Your Highness. Time for you to sign the treaty... and end this pointless debate in the Senate."

Padme kept her head up, staring at the Viceroy in disdain. Any second now….

"Viceroy, your occupation here has ended!" Sabé's voice called from the hallway, and Padme kept her face blank to give nothing away, even as blaster fire came from the group, taking out several droids.

"After her! This one is a decoy!" Gunray yelled, many of the droids immediately obeying and taking off after the group.

Padme moved and slumped down on her throne as if exhausted and defeated, but immediately hit the security button hidden in the decoration, opening the hidden panel. She grabbed the two pistols within and tossed them Captain Panaka and one of his men before pulling the third free for herself, opening fire.

"Jam the doors!" Panaka yelled to his men as the droids fell around them.

She helped by hitting the door control hidden in the throne before turning to aim at the very shocked Gunray. "Now, Viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty."

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Obi-Wan sat on the cold floor, cradling the cooling body in his arms, unable to let go, not yet. He knew it wasn't very Jedi like but at the moment he honestly didn't care. He stroked back the long hair, his Master did not like his hair to be too unkempt. He refused to look down at his chest, to see the wound again.

The Sith was dead…he'd killed him and he didn't really know how he felt about that, not yet. The body would be gone, he'd need to recover the lightsabre as proof, the Council didn't want to believe the Sith had returned after all. He needed to move, to find out if they'd won, he had a duty to the Queen. But how could he leave his Master?

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Sora was very glad to finally be free of the Healers, his small bag of belongings clutched close as he followed the Padawan. He was nervous, he was finally joining the Initiates, but he wasn't scared…well, he was trying not to be. They came to a door and she gently nudged him forward even as it opened to reveal a Master who smiled at him.

"Welcome to Dragon clan young Sora."

He offered a small smile and shyly took her offered hand.

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Anakin watched the fire burn down. Obi-Wan said he was going to be a Jedi, that he was going to teach him. But he knew the Council didn't like it, didn't want him trained. Qui-Gon had promised…but he was dead now. He knew they'd argued because of him so why would Obi-Wan want him? He didn't understand. But the hand on his shoulder didn't hurt, it was gentle, steadying. And he felt…warm, sad, so sad, but warm too. Nothing like an angry Master.

He wanted so badly to be a jedi but it also scared him after seeing the Temple and the people there. But…Sora had been a normal kid, not like the older ones. And he'd been scared but no one had gotten mad at him, had let Anakin stay with him so he'd feel better. He'd never thought being free would be so confusing and complicated. Part of him…almost wanted to ask if he could stay on Naboo, with Padme, but she was a Queen, she wouldn't have time for an ex-slave anymore.

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He collapsed back into his chair, staring in horror at the message. No…he closed his eyes, reaching out to the Force, feeling the sad confirmation. Qui-Gon…his old Padawan…was dead. He would return immediately to the Temple, Obi-Wan would need support and perhaps a Master to see to his Trials; it was not uncommon for a Master to take on their Grand-Padawan if their Master perished. But then another message arrived…Obi-Wan had been Knighted via a Trial of Combat…by defeating a Sith. No, he would still go and speak with the new Knight.

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Silas read the reports coming through, surprised but also pleased. Go Naboo. Somehow, the small, peaceful, planet had kicked the Trade Federation in the teeth and come out okay! Not what he'd expected when he'd heard of the blockade and then invasion. Turning them over to the Republic though…well, he had the feeling that wasn't going to do them much good. Too much corruption and bribery. Hopefully, things would calm down now but somehow…he doubted it. He had the feeling they'd soon be getting requests from the Trade Federation – bounties offered on the young Queen and her people, maybe even the Jedi involved. He wouldn't be taking any of them, not from those creeps. Not with the Naboo already publishing death tolls from their people, the camps they'd been forced into and the horrid treatment they'd suffered.

He glanced over at where Riku was happily colouring away, previous drawings stuck to the wall above him. Silas honestly didn't know what most of them were meant to be, but it made the kid happy. He'd studied his birth culture; they didn't seem to be from there and Riku had surely been too young to remember anything anyway. He must just have a good imagination…unless he was seeing things in his dreams or something…from the Force? Was that possible? Was he really cut out for being a Buir, especially to such a special ad? He loved Riku, he didn't want to fail him.

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He glared out at the city, seeing the damage done in the invasion. He'd had no choice but to come back, to congratulate the blasted girl on her victory. And even worse, those pathetic Gungans! They would all pay for thwarting his plans, even if only temporarily. Yes, they would pay dearly.

TBC…

The drawing Riku did was of his Keyblade, Way to Dawn. his drawings don't make sense to Silas because they're of things from his old life, things Riku doesn't even consciously remember.