Author's Note: Oh hey Mr. Chaos, time to put out the chapter of this Star Wars fic… on Star Wars Day.

Oh… that worked out.

Uh… maybe you should add some stuff to it? To celebrate?

Yeah, lets do that.

~MC~MC~MC~

"It is a shame that we'll have to get rid of this pretty hair," Padme said as she gently ran her fingers through Eri's mane. The little girl was curled up on her lap like a kitten, having passed out from exhaustion from the crazy day. Padme was honestly ten seconds from joining the youngling, fighting off yawns as she focused on stroking the white silky hair. It was only her years of getting through boring Senate meetings that kept her from just conking out right there. "But its too obvious, isn't it?"

"It is," Obi Wan said, sitting in his recliner, Nemuri resting on the floor beside him, half-lying against his legs. "It will be hard enough with her horn but combined with her eyes and her hair?" He shook his head. "No, we'll need to give her a completely different style."

"It might be nice for her," Anakin commented from Obi Wan's kitchen, where he was getting everyone drinks, Rex hovering nearby mostly because he didn't know what to do with himself. "After I was freed remember how excited I was to get my padawan braid? It was something I knew I could have never gotten when Watto was my master." And how it showed how much Anakin had grown that he was able to openly talk about being a slave. He and Hound Dog had spent months dealing with his issues concerning his childhood and the young Jedi had come to understand that while he could never rid himself of his past he could, at the very least, own it. Let it never be used against him if he accepted it and moved past it. No different than how many of the teachers at UA owned what had happened to them in their childhoods.

(Nedzu especially had proved to be a wonderful hero to talk to, much to Anakin's surprise. The Principal knew what it was like to be trapped in a cage and have forever the scars. While he still didn't like the bear-mouse-rat popping up all the time or his mind games he was someone that Anakin could talk to and find understanding)

"I never understood the appeal of hair," Ahsoka commented from the dining room where she was working on her homework, Hizashi having offered to help her out while Shouta was grumbled in the corner, looking to everyone like he was asleep yet chiming in suddenly if he felt Hizashi was giving Ahsoka the answers rather than guiding her to them.

"I think she's a bit young for us to shave her head," Padme said with a faint smile. "But a color change and a new style would be nice."

Obi Wan kept staring at the little girl. "It was mentioned that there are people that can alter such things with their quirk?"

"Yeah," Hizashi stated. "Some real good professional ones… there is always some actor or actress that wants to try and make something the new 'it' thing. Nem, you know of anyone?"

"A few," she said. "I could call them-"

"I'll cal Tens," Shouta said from his little corner.

"Tens?" Anakin asked as he began to walk around, handing out drinks. Normally he hated it when he was expected to serve but at the moment it was just nice to have something to do. Rex followed after him like a duckling, glancing occasionally at Eri and getting… twitchy.

"Iida Tensei," Nemuri supplied.

Ahsoka frowned at that. "Is he related to Iida? Well… I mean-"

"Yeah, Listener," Hizashi said with a grin. "He's his big brother."

"He's his father in every sense of the word," Shouta grumped. "Their parents are never around… Tensei raised that boy."

"We can get into the Iidas' horrible parenting another day," Nemuri said; it was clear to the Jedi and their companions that this had been an old fight for the threesome. "Why do you want to call Tens?"

"I assume there is a good reason," Obi Wan added, "seeing as we agreed to keep the truth about Eri among as few people as possible."

It had been debated how much to tell the staff and in the end the fewer who knew the cover story of Eri being Nemuri and Obi Wan's secret love child was just that the better. Even Yagi wouldn't be told the truth as while the man had hidden the knowledge of One For All for decades on other things…

Shouta, Nem, and Hizashi all shot Obi Wan a dark look. "Tens is our friend," Nemuri finally stated. "If it hadn't been for Tenya he'd be teaching with us. But raising a child, setting up a hero agency, and starting as a teacher would have been too much."

"He plans to start at UA once Tenya graduates," Hizashi added.

"Of course," Obi Wan said at once, dipping his head. "Apologizes." He glanced at Shouta. "But why call him and not use Nemuri's contacts."

"Her's work for fame seekers and routinely talk to the gossip rags. We are going to have enough vultures going mad when it comes out Nemuri has a kid we don't need one slipping that she changed their hair and eye color. Tensei, more than any of us, deals with vigilantes who know of unlisted salons where they do such things and will stay quiet for the right amount of money."

"…unlisted salons?" Ahsoka asked only for Shouta to shoot her a look. "I'm just saying it sounds… silly."

"It isn't," Shouta said. "There are undergrounds who use them too if they are doing undercover work."

"It's a good idea," Padme said. "We give her some dark hair, either match Obi Wan or Nemuri's coloring… "

"Blue," Nemuri said. "Eyes that is. Obi Wan and I both have that. As for hair lets go with something darker than Obi Wan's. Not sure if we should do my hair color… would be odd to suddenly have a Mini Me running around."

Anakin finished handing everyone their drinks and plopped down next to Padme, getting a glare from her for bouncing Eri, but the little girl merely murmured in her sleep and reached out, grabbing Anakin's finger and holding it tight.

"You okay there?" Ahsoka asked as she saw Rex hovering.

"Yes sir," Rex said.

"Rex…" Ahsoka said slowly.

The captain sighed. "It's the baby Jedi, sir. We were all trained what to do if we encountered one in the field and having her here and not scooping her up is making me… itchy."

"You were?" Obi Wan asked, surprised. "I suppose that makes sense but what were you supposed to do?"

"One brother was to break off instantly and gather them and get them to safety. All missions were abandoned. If they had training we were to get them to the Temple and if they didn't they went straight to the Chancellor."

THAT made everyone blink.

"Rex… why would you take a youngling with Force abilities to the Chancellor and not a Jedi?"

"I… don't know." He frowned, screwing up his eyes. "But they drilled it into us. A baby Jedi went to the Chancellor."

"But that doesn't make any sense," Padme said, shifting slightly to look over at Rex. He was standing in the far corner, fighting every urge to grab Eri and hurry to a spaceship they didn't actually have. "The Jedi would make more sense…"

"There is something we are missing there," Hizashi said with a frown. "And there is no chancellor around to asked."

"Meaning Rex is going to slowly lose his mind because he can't fulfill his training?" Ahsoka asked.

"Thanks, Ahsoka," Rex grumped.

Anakin though looked at Padme. "What would happen if the Chancellor wasn't available? Like he was sick or missing?"

"We'd elect a temporary chancellor."

"Well… since for us we have no idea where Chancellor Palpatine is, I move that the only senator here be voted as Emergency chancellor."

"Ani, I don't think-" He shot a look at Rex and she sighed. "Fine, I vote for myself, no one opposes. I'm Chancellor."

At once Rex's shoulders slumped in relief.

"Huh… that actually worked."

Obi Wan nodded. "We'll need to file that away for later. And you'll need to remember to command Rex to accept Nemuri and I as Eri's guardians."

"Mommy and daddy," Nem teased, causing Obi Wan to blush slightly. "Papa? Dada?"

"Please stop."

~MC~MC~MC~

Palpatine wasn't desperate.

If anyone had tried to claim as much he would have showed them just how slow he could truly be, making their torture last years. He was the Lord of the Sith… he did not react like all others did. He had plans upon plans, counters to the counters of his counters. He understood all of his enemies so well that he could predict everything they would do. The Jedi danced to his song, not realizing he was leading them to a cliff. The clones were his loyal minions just waiting for a single command. The Republic was already his Empire it just didn't realize it yet.

Palpatine wasn't desperate.

It was merely because he wanted to ensure he left no path unobserved that he had come to quiet high rise apartment in the middle of Coruscant's banking district.

It was an apartment that was held in his name, one he had purchased just before the Clone Wars to serve as his home when he retired, or at leas that is what he had claimed. He had never actually entered it, always telling people that he would only cross the threshold when his work was done and the War was over.

The stupid fools ate the lie up with a spoon.

The moment Palpatine entered he felt the emptiness of the space that had NOTHING to do with the lack of furniture. It was a hollow spot in reality, void of everything.

Just as Palpatine had intended it when he'd set up his safety measures.

Walking over to a closet, knowing that he wouldn't be disturbed, he knocked on the false wall before taking hold of it with the Force and tugging slightly, causing the durasteel that had been painted to appear like wood to groan before it slid open, revealing the polished ebony box. From the pockets of his robes he pulled out three layer gloves and carefully lifted the box out, walking to the center of the room and setting the object in the very center. He was careful to make sure that it was only touching the ground, which had been carefully built from wood from Myrkr.

Opening the lid of the box with his hand he quickly yanked his fingers back, staring at the contents.

Within was the long, stretched out skull of a Muun. An unhealthy one, to be sure; one could tell that just from how the bone was pitted, eaten away by disease.

Lowering himself to the ground, resting on his knees, Palpatine waited.

"Ah…" a voice whispered and Palpatine watched as from the skull rose a shadowy wraith, half formed and waivering like a bit of cloth caught in a strong breeze. "I wondered if you were just going to leave me trapped in there rather than seek out my knowledge… my apprentice."

Palpatine stared at the Sith Spirit of Darth Plagueis. "You would have me believe you would ever share such information with me willingly?"

"I did so in life, my apprentice," the dead Muun's spirit stated with a casual air, like they were once more seated in his office at the Banking Clan's Coruscant office drinking tea.

"And then I killed you," Palpatine said simply, not in the mood to mince words.

"And then you killed me," Plagueis repeated, giving a shrug. "Yet here we are. You obviously want something Sidious… so speak."

Palpatine grit his teeth. He hated, truly hated, how Plagueis always made him feel like a child. It didn't matter how old he got he was always looked down upon… quite literally so. It was one of the reasons why he had purposely waited until Plagueis had been lying down before he lashed out… he wanted his last memory of the Sith Lord to be looking DOWN upon him, rather than up.

And yet, even in death, Darth Plagueis was looking down upon him.

"Come now, I have all of time to wait in that box you locked up skull in… but I believe you do not. Now, you summoned me… what do you want?"

Seconds ticked by.

"Skywalker," he finally got out.

Plagueis chuckled at that. Palpatine hadn't forgotten that laugh… the light, 'huh-huh-huh' sound the Muun made when amused by something. "Why am I not surprised. You have hungered for the child since you first learned of him. How long has it been… is he a man yet?"

Palpatine didn't answer that question, saying instead, "Skywalker has disappeared. There is no trace of him." He leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "Did you-"

"What? Take your precious new apprentice?" Plagueis laughed at that, which caused his form to rippled and tremble, like it was fighting to remain together. It probably was, honestly. "You know that isn't how it works. I can not truly interact with the world anymore. I am completely isolated… and not just because of your little box. I could not have claimed him, even if I desired to."

"And you do," Palpatine stated. "You know his power-"

"Power means little. Your little pet, Maul… he had power. How well did that work out for him?" Plagueis' spirit shook his head. "No… power is nothing without something to guide it. After all, the greatest energy source is nothing without a kyber to direct it."

He hated when his master talked like that. Using riddles and metaphors rather than just giving him the answers he sought. "But do you see him? Can you find him?"

"Hmmm," the Muun said, amused. "Oh yes… I see him."

"Where?" Palpatine demanded. When the other Sith didn't answer he rose up. "I asked you where!"

"And what will you do?" Plagueis taunted. "Kill me again?" He shook his head. "No… I think I will prefer to return to the dark, knowing that no matter how hard you try… you'll never find him."

And with that the Spirit disappeared.

Palpatine stalked towards the skull of his dead master. He reached out… longing to hurl the damn thing across the room and into the wall or smash it against the floor or throw it out a window.

But in the end… he simply slammed the box shut with a snarl.

~MC~MC~MC~

Eri wasn't quite sure what to think of everything going on.

She didn't have much experience when it came to things that didn't involve her being poked, prodded, or tested. She had vague memories of being tucked into bed and read stories but that was about it. Almost every memory she had was of the lab and the man in the scary mask.

So being held by Nemuri, who she had learned was going to be her new mama, while the funny man with yellow hair picked out different outfits and declared every one of them would be cute?

That was… strange.

But a good strange.

"It would work with her hair color," Tensei said with a smile. He and Tenya had joined them after Eri had seen the underground stylists he had suggested. It kept startling the little girl to see a flash of redish-brown and realize that was her hair. She did love how short it was, cut in a little bob that she liked to swish about because it made her head so light.

She reached up and touched her left temple, feeling the new little horn there. That was also going to take some getting used to.

("And its safe?" Obi Wan had asked when the stylists, a thin little man with golden teeth, had suggested having his partner use their quirk to create a second horn for Eri.

"Oh, absolutely. There are a lot of people who do it. Mostly cosmetics… symmetry and all that. It won't be connected to her quirk and as the other horn grows you'll need to come back but it will look lovely on her!")

"What do you think, Eri?" Nemuri asked, bouncing the girl slightly.

Eri looked at the two dresses Hizashi and Tensei had picked out before pointing at them both, not wanting to upset either of them.

"Its on UA's dime so why not!" Nemuri declared.

~MC~MC~MC~

"You know," Padme said as Obi Wan looked over the toy section, stroking his beard as he looked at the brightly colored plastic and cardboard, "I expected you to scoff at the idea of getting Eri toys."

"Not at all," Obi Wan said. "Children need mental stimulation. Every one of these will help her develop and grow. Dolls allow her to act out her emotions in a self contained environment. Games teach strategy and patience."

"And stuffed animals?"

"Well those are just for comfort," Obi Wan said.

"Padme?" Anakin called out, holding out a stuffed alien that was brown in color with a long neck, rectangle-like head with large eyes, and a glowing belly. "Does this-"

"Senator Geborp?" Padme said, surprised as she stared at the ET doll while Ahsoka held out a blue furry… thing… to Eri that she promptly hugged.

~MC~MC~MC~

"…no Rex," Shouta said, pulling the clone trooper away from the gun section.

"She's of age."

"If I ever meet you trainers I'm going to have a LONG talk with them about proper child care," the erasing hero complained.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Through here, Madam President," Mera stated.

The head of the Hero Public Safety Commission nodded and stepped into the conference room only to find the man who had managed to somehow get an appointment with her, despite the fact that she did NOT take appointments, was not seated at the conference room table but rather was standing, back turned to her, arms folded behind his back. His fine white suit was perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle, and his posture was utterly straight, filled with determination and strength that so few had. Honestly it made the President wish she could convey such strength just by standing.

"Have you ever truly stopped and considered this piece?" the man said, his voice cultured and refined.

The President, interest piqued, walked over to find the man was staring intently at a rather famous piece of art: The first appearance of All Might.

"From my research this piece doesn't actually depict the very first time All Might ever debuted. That was an apartment fire, where he managed to save 45 people despite his quirk being utterly useless in that situation."

"Yes," the President stated. "There are pieces of that but since it wasn't a villain attack people tend to gravitate to this image."

"It is rather interesting, is it not?" the man gestured at the image. "Rather than show him saving lives what do we see? The Symbol of Peace… in the act of violence. Lifting up a car… no… not lifting it." He shook his head. "Smashing it against this rock here. While one man cowers and another flees. Perhaps they are villains… or perhaps they are the public, fearing the power of this man who just wants to protect them. That… is how things are for all great powers, isn't it? Everyone fears the mighty… when al they want to do is protect."

"Something tells me you aren't here to discuss art."

"And why not?" the man asked. "Art tells us so very much about a society. It is the ultimate way to express one's self. To reveal truths you wish to speak but can't… or perhaps not even realize that you are saying." He gestured at the painting again. "Take this piece. It tells me all I need to know about Japan."

"And that is?"

"That All Might is the pillar you've built your world upon. You are frightened of his strength yet you still find comfort in him. Much like… a parent, I suppose. Yes. A parent." He turned to the President. "All Might is dying."

She started at that.

"Come now, you must see it. He patrols less and less. Is quick to leave the scene of crimes where once he would linger. He is trying to force more time into a smaller vessel. To do more with less. He is dying… and when he is gone the pillar will be removed. The children will be orphans. And… what happens to this society of peace you have built then? When those that fear him…" he gestured at the fleeing man in the picture, "no longer have anything to keep them from turning back?"

The President swallowed. "And you have a solution?"

"A few… if you are willing to consider hearing them from a stranger to your lands."

"…very well," she said. "I will hear them out, Mr…"

"Thrawn," the man said with a small smile. "I am Thrawn."

~MC~MC~MC~

"Is that all we need to get for your daughter, Mr. Kenobi?" Tenya asked as he loaded the last of the bags into the van Nedzu had given them for their shopping trip. While Obi Wan hadn't been originally sure about having his student along for the trip, worried it would be awkward for him to be around so many of his teachers, Tensei had assured him it would be fine; Tenya had grown up around Shouta, Nemuri, and Hizashi and as such it was more odd for the young man to see them as his instructors rather than honorary aunts and uncles.

"I believe so," Obi Wan said, holding Eri close to him while Shouta and Hizashi argued over how to install the booster seat in the back of the van. With Anakin insisting he drive them back to UA, complaining that Hizashi drove like 'a little old lady who doesn't know how to get an engine even warm' Obi Wan had insisted they get the booster to give her extra protection.

"Actually," Nemuri said, "I think there is one more stop to make."

~MC~MC~MC~

"So, going to complain about taking a child to a place like this?" Ahsoka asked as the group made their way towards the diner. It was mid afternoon so the lunch rush was over, which was good considering the size of their party.

Tenya though shook his head, a faint smile forming on his lips. "I remember there were days where Tensei would bring me here to surprise Uncle Shouta… you have noticed that he tends to get by on his jelly pouches, right?"

"Ugh, yes," Ahsoka said. "Nearly as bad as my master eating bugs all the time."

Tenya gave her a quick glance but then moved on form that comment. "I'll admit it isn't the most impressive of establishments but I have some wonderful memories here. I do hope that young Eri will as well."

"You don't get to call her 'young Eri'," Ahsoka teased as the door to the diner opened with a chime. "Not when you have only 10 years on her."

"Obi Wan!" Dex called out as he saw the group. "And Nem! And who is this little gal?"

Eri looked up at Dex before squeezing Obi Wan's hand harder, biting her lip.

"This is our daughter, Eri," Obi Wan said. "We've decided that we have enough stability in our lives that she can stay with us at last."

Dex, to his credit, only blinked for a moment before flashing a sly smile. "Of course, of course." He squatted down, which was hard for him to do with his bulk, and smiled at the little girl. "Aren't you a pretty thing. Come on, I'll fix you up something special!"

Eri gave a small nod as her new family was led to a booth, Dex snagging a table to put beside it so everyone could sit together.

~MC~MC~MC~

Snipe let out a sigh as he stepped into his apartment. Even though it was the weekend, the students back home and UA empty, there was still plenty to do. Not helping matters was the fact that Midnight, Eraser, and Mic had all left him to go play with Midnight and Negotiator's kid. That meant more stuff fell on him…

It was fine though. He kept telling himself that. He was lucky to have gotten this job… after he'd ended up in Japan, utterly confused how he'd gone from Tython to there, why everything was so different…

Jedi stuff. That was the only answer.

He sighed, checking to make sure his guns' safeties were on. That wasn't why he was annoyed… he still meant to corner Kenobi, to see if he could help him out, since his quirk was so similar to…

"You'll never ask him," he muttered. "You don't want the answer he might give."

Removing his hat and his poncho he paused when he heard a rattle and tensed… only to sigh when a small metal ball rolled out from behind the couch.

"Nice try," he said as he adjusted his mask, wishing that whatever had brought him to Earth had allowed him to keep his beskr. He missed his helmet so much. "But I see you."

Grogu let out a gurgle as he toddled over to him, hugging his leg.

"Yeah, I'm happy to see you to," Din 'Snipe' Djarin said with good humor, lifting his charge up and giving him a hug.