Hey everyone!

Oh my gosh guys, I have some exciting news! Today is the first day of the special event Found, where I'll be updating this story weekly! That's right, weekly! One new update every weekend up until the story is finished, completely. I have an estimated eleven chapters in store, and I can't wait to show them all to you!

Again, sorry for my lack of updates lately, but I'm so excited to get this on the road everyone! Hope you enjoy, and may the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

Tiger Talks (Q/A's and Reactions)

Midnight Luna- Ha ha yes, I love to take your heart! And if those chapters made you cry, wait till you see what I've got in store for you! *Evil Laughter* But seriously, thanks so much for all your support, I couldn't get through without your lovely reviews!

CodenameSpectre7- Wait till you see what's to come next ;D

Lone Laken- But wait, it gets better as the chapters goes on! And by better, I mean heartbreaking! XD

Chelsea- Hm, some of the chapters may be varying lengths from now on, but since they're getting updated weekly it shouldn't be as bad of a wait anymore. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Christ- Your wish has come true!

Emalinewilson2023- Yes, that's a good question! But don't worry, the cliffhangers will only have a week's term effect from now on! Enjoy the chapter! :D

…28 hours left…

Kanan's POV

I stepped out into the cool, crisp air, taking a deep breath as I ran through everything I'd learnt during the past two hours.

Thomas had taught me practically everything there was to know about Kreptors. Their migration patterns. Their attack methods. The correct way to set up traps and how to utilise them in the most effective way. And it seemed that the further we delved into the subject, the more there was to explore.

Footsteps followed behind me as I turned around and faced the man standing in the doorway. He was leaning against the stone frame, arms cross, jaw hardened. "How's the jacket fitting?" Thomas asked.

I glanced down at all the new equipment he had provided me with. A thin, more flexible snow jacket that was surprisingly more insulated than my previous one. Armoured knee and elbow pads. Snow boots with cleats. Snow gloves. You name it, the list went on.

Maybe, just maybe, my risky trade may have actually paid off.

"It fits well," I replied. "Thank you Thomas. You have been the greatest help."

"You made a wise deal," he spoke. Inclining his head, he reminded me sternly "And remember, if the sun starts setting, get inside, and fast. You could have the best snow gear ever made, but you'll never survive the Krachun nights without shelter."

I nodded in both understanding and gratitude. "Thank you sir."

Thomas pointed to the edge of the fence, where his wife was loading different traps and weapons onto the back of a speeder-bike. "Take my bike, you'll need it," he offered. "Just return it when, or, if you come back."

I wasn't sure how to feel about that last comment, but deciding it better to ignore the remark, I said a final goodbye and headed down the path towards the snow-speeder. As I approached, the woman, Sylvia, glanced up from the knot she was tying and bowed her head. At first I wasn't sure how to respond, but as quickly as she'd acknowledged my presence she was back to work. There were only a few more things to load up, but I could see she was having trouble lifting the last two harpoon guns.

Stepping forward, I reached down and gently aided her in her attempts, helping heave the bulky weapons up onto the vehicle. Once we had securely placed them onto the back of the speeder, the woman sighed and started sheepishly "Thank you sir. My husband sometimes forgets that I am not as strong as he."

I smiled warmly, replying "It's no trouble at all miss. Thank you so much for all your help."

Her cheeks glowed a lively warmth, and life surged back into her misty eyes as she admired "Gentlemen like you are not often found in systems such as these. Where might you be from sir?"

"Oh, nowhere important," I chuckled, before adding "But, right now I live with my crew on a ship orbiting Lothal."

"Lothal? Interesting," she mused. "A far way for one to be travelling. What brings you to our humble abode?"

"Well… my son is very sick," I summed it up, finding it easier to refer to Ezra as my 'son' to others rather than saying 'my student who is like a son but not because an ancient code forbids us from having connections'. But I had to admit, it did feel oddly natural calling him the family title.

"I'm looking for an antidote that might heal him before he dies," I finished.

Sylvia's expression softened, and she spoke soothingly "Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that sir. I'm sure you must be worried sick."

"Uh, actually, I-I am," I admitted bashfully, rubbing the back of my neck. "I haven't heard anything for hours, and Hera hasn't contacted me for a while either. I-I'm sure she's got everything under control though."

Her expression beamed, and she commented with a smile "Well, mothers are very competent when it comes to their children, so I'm sure your son is in great hands."

"Mother?" I repeated, slightly confused.

There was an awkward pause, until Sylvia blushed and corrected herself nervously "Oh, forgive me. I just assumed you were speaking about your wife."

"My… wife…" I spoke, rolling the question over in my head. And then I realised, if Ezra was 'technically' my son while I was on this planet, it wouldn't be too farfetched for Hera to be my wife, right?

I knew the Twi'lek would probably scold me if she ever heard my next statement, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"Yes! Hera, that's my wife," I announced proudly. "Yep. My son and my wife."

The woman smiled softly, beginning to tie the final rope that went over the crates. "Family is a beautiful thing," Sylvia spoke fondly. "Nothing compares to the love of one's family."

At first her words warmed me, but then I remembered, her child had been attacked and killed by a Kreptor. So in a way, she was likely on the same road that I could be heading down.

My expression softened, and I said sympathetically "I'm sorry… about your daughter. I'm sure she meant a lot to you."

Sylvia glanced up from the knot, but her face was still surprisingly peaceful as she replied "There is nothing to be sorry for sir. What happens in this galaxy happens for a reason."

I was taken back by her response at first. Thomas had been quite harsh with his description of the event, and as he walked me through the process of how to kill a Kreptor, I could see his innermost demons shifting in the empty pits of his icy eyes. He was hungry for revenge, craving the death of the creature who took his daughter's life.

But Sylvia on the other hand was the complete opposite of her husband. She continued to tie the knot, her cheeks still glowing and her eyes just as lively as before, as if I had never even brought up the subject of her deceased child.

It, confused me somewhat. How could she be so calm about a topic as dreadful as death? And even more horrific, the death of her own daughter?

Tilting my head curiously, I asked "You're not upset about her passing?"

Sylvia glanced up at me with her pale, milky eyes, like two polished pearls shimmering in the sunlight. Her smile had receded ever so slightly, but never the less she was still smiling as she replied optimistically "Yes, I miss my daughter greatly. But I believe the Ashla has taken her soul to a place where she will forever be happy."

My brows furrowed. "So… you're not sad, or angry, for what happened?" I asked cautiously.

She nodded warmly.

"But… it was your child," I continued, unable to wrap my head around the fact she was so serene with this whole ordeal. "How are you able to be so… at peace with it?"

"The galaxy works in many ways we do not understand," she explained, her voice smooth and mystic. "Our bodies are mere vehicles for our soul, and our soul exists within the spirit of the galaxy, the Ashla."

"Forgive me but… I don't understand."

Smiling, she spoke softly "My daughter's life was cut short, unfortunately. But no-one is at blame for this tragedy."

"But what about the Kreptor who killed her?" I asked sharply. "Thomas made it very clear that he blamed everything that happened on it."

Sylvia's expression darkened, and she turned back to the ropes with a much more subdued expression. "My husband is very brash," she murmured. "He never takes the time to centre himself, and so he is always off balance…"

"He used to hunt Kreptors long before our daughter, Luma, was born," she told me in a clearer tone, though still with the same gentleness she always seemed to maintain. "He has been obsessed with catching them even from when he was a child. And his goal to have one stuffed above his mantelpiece did not simmer when we were betrothed."

"You see, me and my family have owned this small cottage for many generations. My father, and his father, and his father before him all grew up on this land. It was all we possessed."

"I remember running around in the snow with my brothers, unaware of the numbness in our fingertips from the icy frost," she reminisced with a smile. "Many days we spent outside, roaming the open land and exploring the caverns and tunnels in the mountain beside us. They were good times."

Sylvia paused for a moment, before in a saddened tone, she said "But the one thing I remember the most from those days was my friend… he used to come by the fence, scavenging for any leftover food. I would sit behind the fence and pass him my leftovers as he sat across from me and ate with what I assumed was gratitude."

"His name was Toby," she smiled.

At first I wasn't sure where she was going with her story, until she turned to me and added "He was a baby Kreptor."

My eyes widened in shock. "It didn't attack you?!" I gawked. From what I had been told by practically everyone was that they were deadly, vicious animals that would tear you limb from limb if they saw you. So this new bit of information was most abnormal.

Sylvia chuckled lightly, nodding her head and replying "He was completely harmless. In fact, he was my best friend."

"And your family didn't notice?" I quizzed.

"Well, I never told my brothers or my parents. Toby used to come around the side, out of view of the others, waiting patiently every morning for his daily snack. He was a good boy." The woman sighed, glancing over at the stone house with sentiment. "I loved this place dearly…"

Her expression went hollow as she continued "But you see, when we were going through a rough time financially, my father made a deal with Thomas' family. I was to become his wife in exchange for funding to our family."

"I obliged, of course. But that meant I was taken away from my home and my family."

"For many years I grew up with Thomas' aunt, and finally when I was old enough, I married Thomas and moved in with him. A year later, I fell pregnant with Luma, and I wanted her to grow up here, at this house. I had so many fond memories with this place, and I hoped she would have the same. My parents gifted the property to me, and not long after we moved in."

"And one day, as I was sitting on that chair, just staring out at the horizon, I saw something moving near the fence. Was it loose snow? Or a piece of ice maybe? But then I realised."

"It was Toby," she grinned, beaming with pride as she spoke "Granted, he was much bigger than I'd remembered, but he hadn't forgotten me as I went up to greet him. It was like nothing had ever changed…"

"So everyday Thomas went to work, I would go out to the front and feed Toby the leftovers. I continued our little tradition all the way up until I had Luma, and even then he was still intent on visiting. He was always passive, and he would just sit at the fence patiently, watching me with those gentle eyes of his…"

Her voice faded, her skin going pale. It was as if she was reliving a memory as she murmured "A few years later and Luma was five. She had grown accustom to our little visits too by then. But one day, Toby didn't show up. I waited all day but, he did not return."

"A week went by and Toby still hadn't appeared. Until one afternoon…"

I could see her hands trembling as she recalled in a shaky voice "I-I was sitting on my chair, watching Luma as she played near the fence. Thomas was sleeping after a long day of work, and I was about to call Luma back inside until suddenly, she shot up and exclaimed to me 'He's here! Mummy Toby's back!'"

"I immediately looked around for him, and after a moment, I saw him."

"He was standing by the fence, practically blending into the snow if not for the red outline of his fur against the setting sun. Luma ran up to him excitedly, and Toby, just like usual, lowered his head over the fence to greet her. He was extremely tolerant, and even from when she was a baby he used to let her touch his face."

"Everything was going like usual, but… I'd forgotten about Thomas," she whispered, tears welling in her large crystal eyes.

"He ran out the front door with his gun, and when he saw Luma hugging Toby, he thought Toby was attacking her. He screamed furiously and fired at him, but the sound of the gun triggered something within him…"

"He snapped, and Luma…" Her voice trailed off, tears falling down her cheeks.

Slowly, I stepped forward and placed my hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

Sylvia sniffled, saying "H-He didn't mean to hurt her… Toby loved Luma like he loved me i-it just… went wrong…"

There was a long pause, the gentle wisp of the wind all that could be heard.

"Toby ran away after that, and he hasn't come back since," Sylvia finished after a moment, glancing down and rubbing the tears from her eyes. "I loved both Toby and Luma with all my heart… and both I miss sorely… but it is something Thomas will never understand…"

My expression softened, and as I glanced over all the weapons, traps and snares that were loaded onto the back of the speeder-bike, I could feel guilt swelling within me again. This new depiction of a Kreptor had seriously changed my views on the creatures, and I couldn't even bear the thought of killing one anymore. But it was also the only way to get the venom…

Taking a deep breath, I steadied my mind.

I would decide what to do when the time came, but right now, the hours were ticking by and I was running out of time.

Clasping onto Sylvia's cold hand between my own, I said "Thank you so much for telling me this. And for everything else you've done for me. You don't know how grateful I am."

Sylvia smiled weakly, the tears still prominent in her eyes. "And thank you stranger, for listening to the story no one else would lend an ear to," she bowed. "Perhaps there are still some good people left in this galaxy."

I smiled and released her icy hands, saying "I must go soon."

"Of course, go, go," she urged as she shooed me towards the driver's seat. "You go and save your son."

I chuckled slightly and took my place on the bike, turning on the engine and glancing over at the woman. She had stepped back, her white hair glowing in the dimmed sunlight as her face beamed with life. "Thank you Sylvia," I called, about to head off, until hesitating. Turning back I added quickly "And, I'm sure your daughter is happy… up there."

Sylvia smiled. "That, I am certain of."

Giving a final wave she called "Safe travels sir. And I pray you and your son find peace, in whatever form it may come."

…15 hours left…

Chopper's POV

"How is he Sabine?" Hera asked the Mandalorian as she stepped into the cockpit.

But judging from the girl's dreary expression, it wasn't good news.

Sabine, arms crossed and gaze downcast, spoke hesitantly "His stomach is out."

Hera immediately swivelled in her seat to face the teen straight on, replying nervously "So what's happening to him?"

Sabine tore her vacant gaze from the floor to meet with Hera's. "It means his stomach has shut down, and if we're not careful, the acid will slowly eat away at the lining of his stomach," she explained. "I'm watching his activity on the censors, and I don't think it will be long until other organs start malfunctioning too."

The pilot bit her lip, tapping her fingers against the dashboard of the controls instinctively. "How much longer do we have?" she asked softly, her voice a mere whisper.

It was a stupid question really. Both Sabine and Hera had agreed to take shifts on sitting with Ezra, and if they weren't with the sickly boy, they were in here, nagging me every five minutes for the time and how much longer was left. But I had a feeling they both knew precisely how many hours, probably minutes for that matter, were left.

"Fifteen hours…" Sabine muttered quietly.

Hera, eyelids fluttering shut, inhaled sharply and straightened her back. "Okay," she spoke, her lekku twitching ever so slightly.

The teen glanced up, and I noticed her expression had harden as she asked sharply "Has he reported yet?"

Hera glanced out at the expanse of space, shaking her head slowly.

Sabine growled, snapping "I knew Kanan shouldn't have gone out there. I tried to tell him but he's so… so stubborn!"

"He would have gone anyway," Hera murmured blankly, her mind in a different place to her body. "It was Ezra… he'll do anything for Ezra…"

"But Ezra's in so much pain, Hera," Sabine argued. "All he wants is Kanan, and we can't even give him that!"

The Twi'lek didn't seem to register her words. Or maybe she did, and just chose to ignore it, I couldn't tell.

The silence drawled on, Sabine tapping her foot against the metal floor in frustration while Hera continued to stare out the window, face neutral. Until finally, after a few more moments, Sabine threw her arms in the air and snarled "Can you at least explain this to me Hera? Why would he go after something, that more likely than not, will actually make things worse? Can you just tell me… why?! I don't understand!"

Emerald green orbs flickered in her direction, before retreating back to the inky black surroundings as she answered honestly "Because Sabine. Kanan loves Ezra."

Sabine didn't have an immediate reply to that.

Straightening her back, Hera turned to face the teen who was now watching her with undivided attention. "Kanan has always loved Ezra. And from the day they met, they had a bond," she explained confidently. "He loves that boy as if he were his own, and nothing ever gets in his way of saving him. Trust me. I've lived with them for years, and Kanan still protects, guides, and loves him the same way he did the day they met."

"I know you may not see it Sabine, especially considering you never saw them when Ezra was younger, but Kanan really was like his father back then," Hera stated boldly. "He'll deny it, I can bet you, but you even ask Zeb. They were inseparable."

Hera took a deep breath, glancing up at the teen with a gentle gaze. "They share a bond that not many do. And when you have something as special and as precious as that, you'll do anything in your power to keep it."

"That's why Kanan is doing what he's doing."

Sabine pursed her lips, and I could see she was still trying to process this new information. After a while, she finally glanced up at Hera, the fire drained from her expression as she said "I… think I understand..."

Hera smiled, inclining her head slightly as she slowly rose to her feet. "I should probably go sit with him now."

"He's awake, partially," Sabine informed her. "He was a bit drowsy, and I'm not quite sure if he actually knew he was awake or not."

Hera rubbed her eyes and nodded. I could see she was tired. She hadn't slept ever since Ezra grew ill, and even if she tried, I'm pretty sure her mind would subconsciously force her to stay up so if anything wrong were to happen, if Kanan were to report, or if Ezra started to fade, she'd be ready for it.

So, wanting to give both the girls a rest, I unplugged from my charging port and wheeled forward. "I'll go stay with him," I suggested loudly once I was at their feet.

The two of them shifted their attention to me, but Hera patted my dome and assured "It's okay, I can handle it."

"Now wait a minute Hera," Sabine pondered aloud. "Chopper is Ezra's droid. Maybe he'd feel more comfortable if Chopper went and sat with him for a while. They are like best friends after-all."

I spun my head excitedly and exclaimed "Yeah, what she said!"

Hera seemed uncertain at first, but she quickly changed her mind and glanced down at me with a weary smile. "Okay, well, just call us if you see anything odd on his scans, okay?" she reminded me softly.

I gave a sharp salute with my robotic arm and started off towards the door. "Don't worry, I'm on it," I called nonchalantly while entering the hallway, the door sliding shut behind me.

If they were clever, they'd take this time to have a rest. But I knew they probably wouldn't. Here they were talking about how stubborn Kanan was when they were both too strong-willed to get some shut eye themselves!

Organic beings were weird sometimes.

Entering the medbay, I approached the medical bed quietly, so not to wake Ezra if he were asleep. Once I was at the base, I propped myself on the tips of my feet to get a better view of the boy. He was still besides the shallow rise and fall of his chest, sweat sliding down his forehead and his crusty eyelids split apart, just slightly. Though I couldn't exactly tell if he was awake or not.

I used my hands to stabilise myself against the bed frame, my claw mere inches away from his pale, limp fingertips.

I could recall the days when Ezra's hand was small enough to fit between my claw. When he was little enough to sit on my head and ride around all day. When his eyes beamed with life, his innocence shinning bright.

That was a long time ago, but I knew somewhere deep within, he still wanted to be, and was that little boy from all those years before.

I released a saddened 'Whhrrr' while scanning over his weakened frame, partially revolted by his condition. He was taking the word 'sick' to a whole new definition.

I was about to lower myself to the floor again when I noticed something in the corner of my vision. It was only a small movement, a simple flex, or maybe a twitch? But I could have sworn I saw Ezra's muscles coil in tension.

My curiosity – if that were possible in a droid – got the better of me as I slowly shuffled to the side and gently prodded his hand. He didn't respond.

I poked him again. No response.

I was about to give up and confirm to myself he was indeed unconscious, until I noticed his fingers beginning to twitch. Not long after, he took a raspy breath and moaned, his eyelids fluttering open as he came back to reality.

I waited quietly at his side, not daring enough to provoke him as he slowly regained his senses. Glancing around, the boy's usually vibrant eyes were dimmed, and stagnant. He seemed dazed almost as he took deep, scratchy breaths, a horrible wheeze attached to every exhale.

Finally, after a few awkward moments, his drowsy gaze locked in my direction. "Ch-Chop…ah-h…" he sighed, his speech disjointed and slurred. The boy raised his slender hand and rested it heavily on my dome, blinking slowly as he murmured "I kn…ew, you'd… come…"

I lifted my arm and patted his hand reassuringly, replying "That's right. It's me pal."

Ezra didn't reply. Not that I really expected him to. He just laid there, watching me with a woozy expression and his hand sitting comfortably atop my head. I didn't mind that he wasn't up for a chat. He was going through a lot right now, so I didn't want to push him in any way.

After a few minutes of silence, Ezra grunted and shifted his positioning slightly. He coughed, at first lightly, until it broke out into a violent fit as he gripped the edge of his blankets tightly in his palms. I tried to reassure him as best as I could, but I wasn't entirely sure how to help in this dilemma. Caregiving was not my particular strong suit.

There were a few moments of panic, mostly by me, until the coughing steadily became less aggressive and settled down to a chesty wheeze. Ezra slowly began lowering himself against his pillow, his eyes half lidded as he slumped into the medical bed.

It took him a few minutes of content silence until he finally remembered my presence, glancing down with an exhausted groan. "S-Sor…ree…. I'm not…. good comp-ny," he teased weakly.

I snickered, replying sarcastically "Of course! Don't you know when I go to see my sickly friends in the medbay I expect A grade conversation!?"

This made the boy smirk. Usually a common sight to my receptors, but one that had been far too scarce during the past 20 hours.

Ezra watched me with unfocused vision, sliding his ghostly hand back to my head and treading his fingertips gently over my rusted paintwork. His brows furrowed. "I nev'r… did get'chu… that flame-thrower… did I?"

'Wrrr,' I sighed, before chirping enthusiastically "I guess you'll just have to install it for me once you're better then."

His expression softened into a grateful smile, rubbing the grit from my eye as he slurred "It's okay, Chop… I know…"

I froze. "You do?" I beeped cautiously.

The boy took a deep breath, his expression worn and strained. He smiled, ever so slightly, and murmured "You were… good friend…"

"Oh come on buddy, d-don't talk like that," I replied, trying to be optimistic in whatever way possible. "There's still time, and uh, I'm sure Kanan will be back any minute now with an antidote."

Ezra, exhaling deeply, rolled onto his side so that he was eye level with me, suppressing a grunt as he adjusted to the new position. It took a moment for the tension to finally unravel from his limbs as he glanced up at me with those murky deep-blue orbs. "I f-feel it… in me," he spoke, his eyes wide in fear. "I sense it… moving, inside me…"

"I feel… empty… in my s-stomach," he described as he clutched onto his waist tightly. "I-I can't feel… my legs… and now, m-my chest… I feel it t-tingling…"

Ezra pressed his quivering lips together and wrapped his hand tightly around my robotic claw, before he whispered shakily "I don't w-want… to die, Chopper…" Tears welled in his eyes. "I want… t-to hold on, Chop… I want to stay so badly… b-but every time… I wake up, I f-feel… weaker… I sense my energy… fading…"

"I know buddy, b-but you just got to stay with us for a little longer, okay?" I cooed. "Were doing everything we can, I promise."

"I know…" he sniffled, his expression pained. "But I can't help… being afraid… of w-what's to come…"

I lowered my head slightly, until a recording from my archives suddenly sprung to mind. It was very old, probably the first memory I could possibly ever recall, and I immediately played it in my mechanical head…

…

A bright light suddenly consumed my wavering vision as my censors slowly booted up.

"H-H-He-llo-o-o?" An unknown voice spoke.

My system gradually started itself again, my eye finally kicking in and taking in the image of a gentle faced, green skinned Twi'lek woman in front of me. "Whhhr?! Whr, wh-whr Whhrr!" I exclaimed as I threw my rusted metal arms into the air furiously.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down little guy," the figure soothed. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Whrr!" I growled, spinning my head around as I tried to identify where I was.

It seemed to be only a small cabin, tools and different mechanical parts sitting around my feet with my sensors reading a heavy sense of oil in the premises. I turned my attention to the lady, who was now sitting quietly on her knees with eyes full of glee. "What are you staring at?!" I snapped.

The woman wiped some of the grease off her face with her sleeve, before she rejoiced "You work."

"Well of course I work!" I argued. "I'm one of the Republic's navigational droids and I demand you take me back to my master!"

Her expression softened into one of sympathy, placing her hand on my dome as she explained "C1-10PR, you were in a crash, many, many years ago. Your master did not survive. The Republic became the Empire, who now rules over the galaxy with an iron fist. I found you in the junkyards and have been rebuilding you. Do you understand?"

My hands lowered slowly. "I… w-was I scrapped?" I asked in shock.

The woman sighed, staring at me with those big green eyes of hers. She nodded sharply.

Glancing around the room once again, I finally realised what everything meant. From the spare bolts and wires sitting on the floor, to the oil staining her orange and grey jumpsuit. Even the fact that my body was now made of mismatched parts, no longer shiny or efficient, but worn and rusted. I had been decommissioned for a long time, practically forgotten, until this lady came out of nowhere and actually gave me life again.

Raising my gaze to level hers, I quizzed "Why? Why help me?"

She smiled warmly. "Because you still have so much potential," she spoke.

"But… I'm useless now! I-I have no master… no purpose…"

The woman placed her hands gently on the side of my face, leaning closer as she said "I can give you a master, and I can give you a purpose, but you must be willing to dedicate yourself. 100%."

I stared at her hesitantly. It seemed like a big ask, but then again, she did bring me back from the dumps, so in a way I did owe her. "Okay," I murmured in defeat. "What should I call you, master?"

She paused, before giggling slightly and clarifying "Oh, I'm not your master. No, no. But you can call me Hera, okay?"

I gave her a puzzled 'Whr?', before asking "Then who is my master?"

"I'll show you to him soon, but firstly," she started, her tone growing stern. "You have to promise me two things. One, you will always protect and bring joy to your master. You are his friend, and a friend till the end. I can tell he's going to love you, and I think once you meet him, you'll love him too."

"And two, teach him to never be afraid," she said in a strong voice. "If something happens to us, his family, please, be there for him. Be his rock when we can't. Be his courage when he can't find any. Teach him that he has nothing to fear…"

Hera sighed and lowered her head, her lekku drooping. "I may not always be here," she said softly, her voice faint. "But, I hope that maybe, you will."

She glanced up at me with warm, gleaming eyes, rubbing her fingers along the rim of my dome as she finished "Do you understand, my metal friend?"

I paused for a moment, watching the dedication, the life, the love in her caring gaze as she waited patiently for my response. And maybe I hadn't met my 'soon-to-be-master', but if he were anything like this woman, then I'm sure it would be an honour to be his droid.

"Count me in," I stated boldly.

Hera smiled. "Thank you, C1-10P."

"Please, call me Chopper."

…

My mechanics heated up at the memory, and I felt my grip tighten on the boy's cold palm. I glanced up at his face and noticed, again, that his gaze had gone vacant. So, mustering the courage, I spoke sternly "Ezra, listen to me."

Drowsy blue orbs flickered in my direction, the teen trying his hardest to concentrate on my figure and my words.

I squeezed his hand between mine to reassure him, before stating "My purpose in this world is to protect you, comfort you, encourage you. When you first met me, you were scared of droids, right?"

Ezra took a raspy breath, slurring "Yea…h…"

"And what made you no longer afraid of them?" I quizzed.

The corner of his lip raised in a weak, sly smile. "You…" he whispered faintly.

"Exactly," I replied with a gentle pause. I waited for a long moment, letting my words absorb into his disconnected mind before continuing.

"Ezra, I was built to make you fearless… I was programmed to bring you confidence… And if you're afraid of a few little insects," I teased, reaching forward and tickling him under the ribs. The boy laughed for a small moment, and even though darkened by the illness, his face still beamed with pure joy.

"Well then," I sighed, leaning back and taking hold of his hand again. "I guess I wouldn't be doing my job then, would I?"

Ezra smiled, his expression weary, but, content.

"What would I do… without you," he murmured, squeezing my hand briefly.

I snickered, answering cockily "Not much."

He sighed deeply, his chest wheezing, before he whispered ever so softly "Thank you… f'r being… my… fr-…end…"

I could feel his grip slowly loosening from my hand as I watched his eyelids beginning to droop. "Come on Ez, stay awake," I said nervously, grabbing his hand with my other claw and shaking it from side to side. "C-Come on pal… stay with me here."

Ezra's breathing weakened for a frightening moment, and his eyes glazed over with a glassy effect. "E-Ezra?" I asked, squeezing his hand between mine.

He didn't respond. I waited patiently for a few seconds, until the seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes became an hour. He'd be okay, I tried to tell myself.

But as I stared into his face, completely calm and serene, I felt something burst from within me. Triumph.

"Don't worry buddy," I whispered, placing his hand back onto the bed and resting my claw inside his open palm. "I'll always be here for you... Till the end, my friend…"