Once again, be warned that this arc contains bits that confront the topic of racism, which again, I personally detest and oppose greatly. Racism is a scary thing that must be confronted. As will be shown in this story, ignorance never prevails.
"It has been a while since you last visited, my old Padawan." Dooku said in a friendlier tone than most described when Comedia asked about him. And, to her great surprise, he seemed to smile a little when he looked at his former student.
From what Qui-Gon described, he and Dooku shared a very special bond for as long as either could remember. Like a father and son. And sometime after Gabby cast the revival spell and it was revealed to the rest of the galaxy, the rumor eventually made its way to Dooku.
Naturally, he didn't believe it, but he had felt a strong change in the Force he couldn't quite explain. And when Qui-Gon himself eventually came to visit him in prison. Qui-Gon thought so many times, if he maybe went to the other side long ago, he could have convinced his former master to leave the dark side, but he never took that risk for the sake of being around for his grandchildren.
The very first time Dooku saw Qui-Gon, he was sure he was starting to go crazy, but Qui-Gon calmed him and told him that they had a very special girl to thank for this. Qui-Gon couldn't get Dooku out of prison, but, without his family knowing, he promised to visit him as much as possible, and he told him all about how the Jedi finally were changing for the better.
"Indeed, it has. However, Master. I have come under rather drastic circumstances."
That was when Comedia stepped up.
"Remember me?" Comedia said.
Dooku got a good look at the alicorn princess before him.
"You do look familar. Ah, yes! I remember. You were that youngling the Jedi so foolishly missed years ago."
"Tell me everything about that day." Comedia said. "Why did you try to take me, and who or what stopped you?"
It was a long time ago, but Dooku remembered it clear as day.
Thirteen years ago...
This was an event sometime before Qui-Gon was killed.
A young Jedi Knight Eeth Koth had returned from an expedition to a magical kingdom called Equinaro, where another Jedi Master claimed he'd sensed a strong Force sensitive youngling to be located. Except, when the two Jedi got there, none of the centaurs were found to be Force sensitive.
Eventually, word got to Dooku. And when he learned they'd been looking for a centaur or some biped, as well as the sentience of the equines, he questioned if they'd checked among the horses, but the other Jedi thought he was crazy to think of such a thing. But, Dooku didn't think so.
Dooku decided to do a little investigating of his own. He went into the holocron vault and found a list that included the name of a youngling in Equinaro by the name of Comedia Evermare, a royal horse. At first, Dooku thought maybe the others didn't get to her because she was a royal and thus heavily guarded. He decided to do a little research, and managed to find a picture of the young foal.
Even Dooku had to admit, Comedia was pretty adorable. But, he also got a bad feeling when he thought about recruiting her. It felt as though her future was undecided. On one hand, giving her to the Jedi would potentially only endanger her of the coming darkness he'd been trying to warn the Council about. But, if his secret Sith master knew about her... that could go bad in a number of ways. With her being a magical creature, and her power being completely different from that of the Jedi's, she could either be a powerful ally or destroy both master and apprentice and spread a darkness too strong even for the Sith to face. Either way, that would put the foal in danger.
Dooku realized he needed to hide that young foal. Someplace where the Sith and the Jedi would never find her. So... he snuck off one night, and was happily surprised to find the very foal he'd been searching for. However, he was confused as to why the foal was out by herself, unguarded. Or so he thought.
He'd tried to pick the filly up, only for her to freak out and whinny loudly enough to attract the attention of what turned out to be another, older horse. And to Dooku's great surprise, that horse had been not much older than the filly. A young emerald green pegasus.
*cue flashback POP!*
"Wait a minute!" Comedia exclaimed.
Comedia took out a picture of her with Emeraldi when they were little.
"Is... this the pegasus that attacked you?"
Dooku looked at the picture and said, "It looks like her. But... that isn't her, unless she dyed her mane."
"What do you mean?" Comedia was confused.
"The pegasus who attacked me, from what I can recall, looked like the one in that picture, but she had hair as yellow as a marigold. And I believe her mane, at the time was tied to the side with an orange ribbon."
"You're absolutely sure?" Comedia asked. How she wished she had Lamenta's power to see the truth.
"I believe so. That is all I recall from back then."
"Did you happen to see another name of a Force sensitive youngling on that holocron? Marigold Hoofworth, by any chance?"
"I did." Dooku said. "Except, after that pegasus attacked me, I chose not to go back. It appeared you could protect yourselves, and you were well off staying where you were."
Comedia snorted and rolled her eyes at that.
"Not as well of as you might think. So, you know for sure the pegasus who attacked you wasn't Marigold?"
"It might have been her. I did not have enough time to look for a picture of her. I could only hope I would sense her the way I did you."
"So, I'm not the only Force sensitive equine there is." Comedia gasped. "But, if she's related to my mom somehow... where is she now?"
Qui-Gon looked at the time and realized it was past dinnertime! They had to get back to the Temple now.
"There is no time to worry about that, Comedia." Qui-Gon said. "Thank you, Master. I wish we had more time to catch up, but we must be off to more urgent matters now."
Meanwhile, back at the Temple, Master Mundi was very nervous as Ms. Greystone was conducting an inspection of the apartment with her assistant, checking every nook and cranny for any signs that Comedia may be having problems at home.
Ki-Adi greeted Brittney's parents, Octavius and Constance, politely.
"Consider yourself lucky we aren't pressing charges." Mr. Parisia said. "If it weren't for my daughter's bad history with horses, I would've thought the horse was to blame. I'm sure Brittney feels terrible for whatever she did to provoke your daughter."
"Like hell." Brittney said.
"Brittney! Language!" scolded Mrs. Parisia
"Whatever," said the mean girl, going back to texting on her phone.
"Ahem. Ms. Greystone. I don't believe you've met my good friends." Ki-Adi said.
Ki-Adi was quick to introduce his other guests. Mace and his family came, as well as Anakin with his, Carmine and Ms. Susy, and Master Plo and his two children. Since each of these families was friends with Ki-Adi, and each had at least one adopted child, they were perfect to testify that Ki-Adi was a good father. Comedia's birth family was there, ready to attest as well. But, Ms. Greystone didn't look impressed.
"I didn't come here for a royal ball. Where exactly is Comedia at this moment?"
"I'm sure she will be here momentarily." Ki-Adi said. "Has anyone here seen Comedia?"
"Last time I saw her, she was with Master Qui-Gon." Ahsoka confessed.
"And she is with me now right here," said the Jedi master himself.
"Sorry, I'm late, Daddy." Comedia said, being greeted with some nuzzles from her big sister.
"Hmm...the young mare does not seem big on punctuality, does she?" Greystone said.
"Rest assured, Comedia is normally on time." Reigna said. "Despite her comedic nature, Comedia can be serious when she needs to be."
"Where were you, Dear?" Ki-Adi asked.
Comedia got nervous for a bit; she couldn't tell him she'd visited Dooku in prison. So, she thought up a quick lie.
"Oh! Master Qui-Gon was just helping me with some lessons on the holocrons, and he was having me keep watch while he was putting it away."
Ki-Adi understood Comedia was discreetly letting him know the holocron was back in the vault already. But how she snuck it from the cabinet, he would discuss with her later.
"Well, now that everyone is here, shall we sit for dinner?" Ki-Adi said, straigtening Comedia's hat.
Everyone sat down for dinner. Ki-Adi cooked a delicious vegetable soup for dinner, one of his and Comedia's favorite dishes, which they often cooked together as one of their family activities. Except, Mace suddenly started sneezing, and Brenda noticed Boba had something in his hands.
"Boba, is that a cat you're holding?" Brenda asked.
Boba looked at his hands, where there in fact was a cat, a brown striped kitten with white paws.
"Aw! A kitty cat!" Turha practically squealed.
"Yeah, he's cute huh?" Boba said, petting the kitten.
"So cute." Emeraldi said.
"Is he yours?" Fantasia asked.
"Not yet. Mom and Dad said I could get an emotional support animal. So, I'm fostering Jingles here to prove I'm responsible enough to keep him."
"Achoo!" Mace sneezed again, and blew his nose. "Well, he's actually making me-Achoo!"
"Sorry, Master Windu." Boba said. "I didn't know you were allergic to cats."
"Maybe put him back in his carrier for now, Sweetie." Padme said.
"Okay, Mom." Boba said, putting the kitten in a little carrier and moving him so he wouldn't keep making Mace sneeze.
"I'm seeing a lot of adopted children here." Ms. Greystone said.
"Yes, adoption has been common in recent years since more and more Jedi have decided to start families of their own." Mace said, wrapping his arm around Brenda.
Kade seemed nervous though, as the social worker looked at him and then his parents.
"Tell me Ms... Brenda." Greystone said. "How old was Kade when you adopted him?"
"I didn't adopt Kade." Brenda said. "He is my biological son."
"Hmm. Somehow I find that hard to believe."
"His biological father was light-skinned, if you must know. Besides, this isn't about Kade. Was tonight not supposed to be about Comedia?"
"An excellent point. Queen Reigna, is it? Tell me of your relation to Comedia."
"Comedia is my second cousin." Reigna explained. "Her biological father is my cousin Gentry Evermare, and her biological mother is Cordelia Hoofworth, who recently divorced my cousin. And both are currently incarcerated."
"'Cause they were found guilty of giving birth to a pain in the ass?" Brittney said.
"Brittney!" Octavius scolded.
"No. Comedia is not a pain either, no matter how many pranks she's pulled." Reigna said, snorting. "Her parents were found guilty of treason towards our kingdom as well abusing both of their daughters, Comedia more so than her sister Emeraldi, at least to my knowledge."
"It's true." Emeraldi said. "Comedia was very unhappy in our old house. It wasn't until she got matched with Master Mundi that she started to finally not be so terrified all the time."
Ms. Greystone didn't look convinced though. Believe it or not, not a lot of people in social services had good things to say about her. Gene had only been her assistant for six months, and he was the longest lasting of all interns made into her assistant. Many described her as a heartless witch. But, the superiors were pretty slow to file the complaints. Believe it or not, Ms. Greystone handled more custody revoking than finalizing adoptions, and not for the reasons you might think.
Brittney's father took a taste of the soup and found it to be extra scrumptious.
"Where did you get such good soup?" asked Octavius.
"Made it myself. Comedia, of course, assisted." Ki-Adi said, patting Comedia's head as she was licking up her soup.
"Brittney, don't just sit there starving." Constance said, taking another bite of soup. "It's really good."
Brittney pushed her bowl away in disgust.
"I only eat gourmet meals." Brittney huffed. "I don't eat commoner food."
"Brittney, be nice!" Octavius said. "You know, not everyone can afford chef-made meals. There are folks who can't even afford bread."
"Sounds like a them problem."
"Brittney!"
"It's the truth. Besides, if Funny Filly's royalty, shouldn't she have those things, and guards, and live in a castle or something?"
"Well, technically the Jedi Temple does kind of look like a castle, and it does have guards." Carmine said.
Brittney just rolled her eyes and just started texting again... until her mom took her phone.
"Hey!"
"You'll get this back later." Constance said, placing the phone in her purse. "Anyway, seeing as we are here...Mr. Mundi, allow me to start with apologizing for what happened between our daughters. I can assure you, we did not raise Brittney to behave so rudely."
"I am sure you are wonderful parents. And I assure you, I would never encourage Comedia to retaliate violently as she did before. Sadly, I must confess that she occasionally loses control due to a traumatic past. She is slowly getting better, thankfully."
"But about this incident at the school..." Ms. Greystone said. "That cannot go unnoticed. Animal or not, the bite begs the question of whether Comedia is abused at home. And whether you're fit to even be a parent."
"I told you before, Comedia is loved here with me. And I'm sure she is very sorry about what she did, right, Comedia?" Ki-Adi said.
"Well, I'll apologize if she does for messing up my sweater, and the way she treated my sister."
"Apologize?" Brittney laughed. "You have no proof I did anything."
"We both saw what you did, Brit. So did more than half the school." Myra said. "You got a lot of nerve!"
"Jedi, perhaps learn to control your children."
"It's not our fault!" Comedia said. "She's the one who bullied us! The only reason I bit her is because she called my dad a big headed geezer, and ruined something he made for me to show his love!"
"Yeah, and we saw the whole thing." Omega said.
"I was the one who calmed her down." Boba said. "Comedia would never bite someone unless they provoked her in some way."
"It's common knowledge, if you provoke an animal, including sentient ones, they will more than likely bite." Reigna said. "And I know for a fact Master Mundi is a wonderful father to my cousin. I only regret not seeing Gentry's true colors long ago."
Except, Ms. Greystone still had a bunch of things she'd written down.
"I have a hard time believing any of you. Based on my inspection of this apartment, I see no horse care related accommodations. No stables, no hay, and I do not see a lot of saddles or reins here." She explained.
"Equinaro horses are not the same as some of the ordinary horses you are familiar with." Reigna said. "We do rest in and eat hay, but many of us also sleep in beds similar to you."
"Ms. Greystone, I can assure you, Comedia is well cared for. She is fed healthy meals three times a day, I bathe her on a regular basis, and I ensure she receives proper examinations for her physical and mental well-being. And she is not the first child I have cared for."
"It's true." Gabby said. "He's looked after me loads of times since I was a baby."
"And done a good job at it to boot." Anakin said. "Not to mention, he is a respected member of the Jedi High Council."
"No wonder he can't have a real kid of his own." Brittney laughed. "What woman would wanna be with the leaders of a bunch of idiots who didn't know a dark wizard was in charge?"
"That is enough!" Padme said. "Your behavior is really uncalled for, Brittney. I don't know who hurt you, but it's not an excuse for you to pick on other kids."
"She's right, Brittney." Constance said. "Apologize right now."
"No."
"Brittney, now!"
"I'm not gonna say sorry for something I didn't do." Brittney said. "Besides, what do I care if she doesn't get to stay here? Getting rid of her would do us all a favor!"
"Brittney Victoria Parisia! That is enough!" Constance then grabbed her daughter by the wrist and pulled her up. "I'm so sorry, Master Mundi, we'll have to cut our stay short. It appears someone cannot control her mouth."
The Parisias left, leaving everyone in an awkward silence for a bit. That was when Ms. Greystone's assistant Gene, broke the silence and shared what notes he had.
"Master Mundi. From what notes I have, it appears you keep a very clean home. Except, you may want to check under your bed. I think your daughter may be hiding boxes of gummy bears under there."
"So you have been stealing my gummy bears!" Gabby scolded Ki-Adi, who started blushing.
"An addiction," said Ms. Greystone. "Just as I thought."
"Hey, it's not just him who eats them." Comedia said. "I do too. Horses love sweet things."
"It's true. And we can eat a lot in one day." Dream Heart added.
"Why do you think my dad made three pots of this soup?"
"I need to speak with each of you now. Alone."
What started out as a dinner was now turning into an interrogation. Ms. Greystone was even crazy enough to bring a lamp to shine over everyone as she had them sit in a chair. At least, the members with two legs.
Boba went first. He held Jingles in his lap and pet the kitten while Ms. Greystone interrogated him.
"I see you were a war orphan." Ms. Greystone said. "adopted at age ten. Parents: Anakin Skywalker and Padme Naberrie. Tell me, how would describe your home life since then?"
Boba pet his kitten and thought back.
"The day I came home for the first time. It was the happiest day of my life. I'd never had a mom before, and I still don't mind her tucking me in at night and giving me kisses. And I got to have real siblings too. Things got really crazy though when we learned my dad's side was royalty and then I got a crown even though I'm adopted."
"Oh that's very nice. From orphaned science project, to prince charming."
"What?!"
"I did a little digging, and it appears you also spent time in juvie, after an attempt on the life of a man you were just having dinner with."
"That was a long time ago. I was angry because I watched him kill my birth father in battle. I didn't know any better."
"Yet somehow, you did not attempt anything while being in the same room with him?"
"I forgave him a long time ago. As much as I miss my birth dad, I love the family I have now. His kids and I are even friends now."
"And that animal you're holding. Why now?"
"Well, after another bully got me and my sister upset, our parents decided it was time to let us get pets. My therapist says animals are great emotional support, and since I like cats, like I said before, my parents said I could foster a kitten so I can prove I'm responsible."
Omega went next.
"Alright, Blondie." said Greystone.
"Omega," corrected the girl.
"Whatever. Let's talk. Apparently, you and Boba are twins, yet you were adopted three years after him. Care to explain that?"
"Boba literally didn't know I existed. Neither did Jango Fett. The Kaminoans raised me."
Ms. Greystone was not playing Good Cop, Bad Cop in her interviews. In fact, she only played Bad Cop with everyone., and said a lot of hurtful words. She even made Kade cry when she basically demanded he confess that he was adopted, or say that he wanted to go with a family that looked like him.
"Mommy!" Kade cried, running out, not even waiting to be dismissed.
Kade ran straight into his mother's arms and cried.
"Can I pound her?" Myra said.
"No!" Mace said.
"What is wrong with that woman?" Anakin said.
"I was just going to ask the same thing." Carmine added.
"That woman has a real problem with interracial adoption, by the look of it. As well as single parents." Susy added.
"How did she even become a social worker?" Boba wondered out loud.
"We all wonder the same thing in the office." Gene said.
While Ms. Greystone was interrogating everyone else, Comedia decided to ask her sister something important.
"Emeraldi? Can I talk to you about something serious?" Comedia asked.
"What about, Sis?" Emeraldi asked.
Comedia had Emeraldi lean closer so she could whisper in her ear. She asked her if she knew about a mare named Marigold Hoofworth. Suddenly, Emeraldi had tears in her eyes.
"Em? What is it?"
"I did know a mare by that name." Emeraldi sniffed. "She was our cousin. Our first cousin. It was a long time ago."
Emeraldi explained to her sister that long ago, she'd found out their mother had a younger brother named Artemis, who had a daughter of his own named Marigold. She and Emeraldi became thick as thieves when they met. Except, Cordelia wanted nothing to do with her brother, and forbid her own children from ever seeing him or their cousin. Then one day, Uncle Artemis came to visit, and he and Cordelia went for a walk.
Cordelia was brought to the hospital after being attacked by a pack of wolves, but Artemis never made it out. After that, Marigold disappeared too. Emeraldi never saw her again; that was why she was so protective of her baby sister, who was too young to remember Marigold the last time she'd seen her.
"Do you have a picture of her anywhere?"
Before Emeraldi could answer, Ms. Greystone yelled for Comedia to enter the interrogation room, which was actually Comedia's bedroom. Reluctantly, Comedia walked in.
"Tell me the truth, Comedia." Greystone said. "How bad is it?"
"Bad?"
"You can tell me the truth. We all know you would be happier back in Equinaro. Just say the word, and I can make sure you go back with your royal family."
"I love Equinaro, but I love it here too." Comedia said. "This is my home."
"No need to pretend in front of me."
"I'm not pretending. Master Mundi is my dad! He's my family. I love him and he loves me. He takes care of me like my parents never did."
"Why do I not believe that?" that was more of a statement than a question. "We all know you should be raised by your own kind."
"What does my race have to do with this?"
"Don't act like you don't see it. I know more about horses than you think. And he cannot do anything a father horse can do. Can he train you to fly or use magic?"
"My sister taught me, and I have a magic teacher too. He teaches Anakin and his family, and he's been teaching me too."
"Tell me, how does a royal princess get adopted by a Jedi?"
"Just lucky, I guess. I was actually matched with him through a ritual cousin Reigna has done for generations. The Ride of Love. And we got matched. But when he found out how badly my parents treated me, he decided to adopt me as his daughter so he could keep me safe. It's an open adoption too, and Cousin Reigna wouldn't have signed the papers if she didn't believe he would take care of me."
"I still don't see how a Jedi can afford all this. or why you even have all these things."
"My cousins helped a little, admittedly. But Benny Bear, my panda, Dad got him for me himself. I'd never had a real toy before, and he gave me a stuffy so I could sleep peacefully at night, and-"
"Get out. You're done."
"But I haven't finished"
"OUT!"
Comedia kicked the lamp as she was started and ran out of the room with a whinny. Quickly, Ki-Adi jumped in and gently pet Comedia's muzzle.
"Settle down, Comedia. It's alright." Ki-Adi soothed. "There, there. What happened, Dear?"
"Ms. Greystone yelled at me and startled me. For someone who claims to know a lot about horses, she doesn't seem to know we spook easily."
"I think you've interrogated everyone enough, Ms. Greystone." Reigna said. "From what I can see, you are doing more harm than good."
"I am only doing my job. What I can't understand is what gave you the idea to put your own cousin with this fool."
"Excuse me?" Ki-Adi said.
"Don't play dumb." Greystone said. "The evidence is clear. You were unaware that a dark lord was in power, not to mention the other evidence I dug up about you. You, Master Plo, and Master Windu were each an accomplice to kidnapping a princess four years ago, accused by none other than Senator Amidala. Not to mention, under your care, Comedia vandalized nearly half the city."
"I was clavatized! I didn't know what I was doing until I was broken out of it." Comedia defended.
"Quiet you!"
"No! I will not be quiet!" Comedia said, flying to look bigger and more intimidating. "I don't know how or why you even became a social worker, but I do know you don't know anything about me! Yes, the Jedi made mistakes before, and so has everyone who's ever lived. And the biggest mistake you ever made was accusing my father of not being a good parent!"
Jingles hissed at Ms. Greystone as if on cue.
"Stupid cat." the lady said.
"Leave my kitten out of this!" Boba said.
"I think I've seen enough. Kade, Turha, Myranda, and Comedia are all coming with me right now."
Greystone grabbed Kade and Turha each by the wrist.
"Let me go!" Kade said.
"No! You can't take Kade!" Brenda said, grabbing Kade's other hand.
"What reason do you even have for that?" Padme said.
"Clearly, this human boy is in an unsafe household. And clearly since you are marrying an accomplice to kidnapping, that makes you an unfit parent, which means I'll be taking Myra. And the same goes for Turha's so-called parents."
"Turha is not in any danger." Plo said seriously, taking Turha's free hand.
"Don't let her take me, Daddy!" Turha begged.
"Ms. Greystone. I can vouch for all these parents that they take excellent care of each of their children." Qui-Gon said.
"Big words from a father who abandoned all three of his children as infants."
"I did not abandon my children!" Qui-Gon said. "I had no choice! Splitting them up was the only way I could keep them safe."
"And who do you think social services is going to believe- OW!" Greystone let go as Kade bit her wrist and ran behind his big sister.
"I think it's time you left, Ms. Greystone." said Queen Reigna.
"You can't kick me out."
"She is correct." Ki-Adi said. "This is my apartment. And I must ask that you do leave, Ms. Greystone. My daughter is loved, and you can be sure we will send a list of complaints to social services regarding tonight."
"Oh, and who do you think they will believe? You clearly are all terrible fits for these children as parents."
"We may not be biologically related to all of our children," said Mace. "But that doesn't make them any less-"
"No one gave you permission to talk. Do you really think Kade is safe in your home? It seems I'm the only one brave enough to say what everyone else is thinking."
"And what is that?"
"What has this world come to? Kade should not be stuck in a family that makes him look like a freak."
"Excuse me?!" Brenda said.
"I'm only stating facts. He looks nothing like you, so you can see why I don't believe he is yours."
"So, this is about our skin color?"
"And my species?" said Plo Koon, crossing his arms.
"Oh, you people are all the same, making everything about race!"
"We didn't make this about race." Myra said. "Believe it or not, this isn't the first time we've come across people like you. And that's being kind. I'd say what I really think, but it's nothing I can say in front of a bunch of little kids."
"The only ones who made a competent adoption was Skywalker. At least he knows how to adopt inside his own race and species." Greystone said. "Unlike the rest of you."
Anakin and Padme greatly angered by that.
"Hold on a minute!" Padme exclaimed. "We didn't adopt the twins because of their race or species."
"My wife and I chose them specifically because they were both in need of a home." Anakin said.
"And their skin color or species, unless your a dermatologist, makeup artist, or a medical professional, none of that is relevant!"
"Mommy told me about people like you!" Kade said. "You're a bad lady!"
"What he said!" Gabby supported. "If you had your way, no one would have a happy family."
"Are you not going to discipline your daughter?" Greystone looked at Padme.
"Not for standing up for what's right." Padme said, taking Gabby's hand.
"I suggest you get going, Ms. Greystone." Ki-Adi said. "It is abundantly clear you never had any of the children's best interests at heart. You only care about race, and that is utterly unacceptable. Now, you can look at me and call me crazy for having an alicorn for a daughter, but I don't need your approval to love her as my own."
Ki-Adi asked the Temple guards to escort Ms. Greystone out of there, but she had one last thing to say.
"You're making a mistake! I am trying to do you a favor. An animal has no place being your daughter."
"Bye, Ms. Greystone." Comedia said, pushing the lady closer to the guards, who began escorting her out.
"You've been warned. I will see you in court soon enough!"
"Well, that went well." Myra said sarcastically.
Gene told the others before he, "Don't worry, everyone. I'll see what I can do about getting a different social worker on this case. Believe it or not, this isn't the first disaster I've seen with her."
"How did she even become a social worker anyway?" Comedia said.
"We all wonder the same thing." Gene replied. "If my family didn't need the money, I would've quit months ago."
Qui-Gon then decided to have a little chat with Gene about his situation.
"Dad? What's gonna happen now?" Comedia wondered.
"I cannot say for sure, Dear." Ki-Adi said. "I do know I am going to keep fighting for you, however long it takes."
"Don't worry, Comedia." Reigna said, wrapping her wing around her cousin. "We're all going to do everything we can. I may have misjudged your birth father, but I know your adoptive father couldn't be better of a match. I don't need the Equinary to tell me that you are loved here."
Comedia still wondered though, "Why does she have such a problem with us being different species and being a family?"
"Unfortunately, that's one question I don't think anyone answer for sure. Ignorance is one of the biggest weaknesses in any universe, and sadly too many people have it towards different things, including the fact that species does not determine who gets to be a family."
"You're not the first inter-species family to get discriminated." Carmine said. "Look at me and my adoptive mother."
"Sometimes it wasn't even my being a Twi'lek with a human son I was discriminated for." Susy said. "Some folks discriminated the fact that I had a child and was never married."
"But that's ridiculous." Comedia said. "Brenda raised Myra and Kade by herself for a long time, and they turned out okay."
"Exactly!" Myra said.
"It's a sad truth," said Padme. "There are always going to be ignorant people in the world, but that doesn't mean we can't stand up for what's right, even when it's scary."
Comedia felt tears come to her eyes when she thought of something else.
"Daddy, I need to tell you something else." Comedia said.
"What is it, Comedia?" Ki-Adi asked.
"I opened the holocron."
"You did what?!"
"I helped her to do it, Master Mundi." Qui-Gon said. "Comedia had an important question, and we made a discovery."
"It turns out I'm not the only one." Comedia said.
"The only one what?" Emeraldi said.
"The only Force sensitive horse. Cousin Marigold was Force Sensitive too!"
That had everyone in total shock. Flabbergasted, even. Another Force sensitive horse?
"But, where is she?" Anakin asked.
"That's the thing. I have no idea." Comedia said. "The holocron didn't have her location. Cousin Reigna, does the Equinary keep a record of past matches?"
"No, that would be in the archives." Reigna said.
"Wouldn't you remember a horse you did the Ride of Love with?" Ahsoka asked.
"Even I cannot recall every single match I have made over the years," said Reigna. "However, I can have the archivists check to see if she was ever matched with anyone. What is her full name again?"
"Marigold Hoofworth."
"Duly noted. I will let the archivists know of this as soon as I get back to the palace. For now, girls I believe it's time we make our way home."
Comedia was at least relieved that the truth was out, and at least for now, she wasn't going to be taken away from her father. But she still felt terrified.
"What if Brittney tries something else later, or someone worse tries to get me taken away?" Comedia wondered as her father tucked her in.
"Don't worry, Comedia. They can send whomever they like. Nothing will split us up as long as I am alive." Ki-Adi said. "I made a promise to you the moment you came home that I would take care of you, and I intend to fulfill that promise to my final breath."
Comedia felt one last tear fall from her eye. She at least knew her family would not stop fighting for her.
A few days later, Emeraldi came back with a little present for her sister. And then Comedia asked Qui-Gon to take one more trip with her.
"Princess Comedia," said Dooku.
"Count Dooku." Comedia said. "I came to ask you something again."
Comedia then showed a picture of Marigold that Emeraldi had given her. She was green and had eyes like Emeraldi's, marigold hair tied in a side ponytail held up with an orange ribbon, gold painted hooves, and she had a mark on her side that looked like three orange and yellow marigold flowers.
"Is this the pegasus that attacked you in Equinaro?"
Dooku took a good look at the picture, and his eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes, that is her!" Dooku said. "Where did you get this photo?"
"Well, apparently, she was my cousin on my mother's side, so she was one of the common ponies. Are you sure you don't know anything about her from after that night?"
"I wish I could tell you more. Truly I do."
Comedia called Reigna and asked her if she found anything. No mention of a Marigold Hoofworth in the Ride of Love records.
Another dead end on this mystery. What happened to Marigold? Was she still alive? If she was, where did she go? Why did Comedia never see her after her uncle's death?
All Comedia knew now was that she had to get through high school as best she could. If Brittney wanted to fight with her, Comedia was not going to give her that, nor was she going to let that spoiled brat ruin her family or her life.
Hope you guys are excited about this little mystery, which I will dig deeper into later. For next chapter, we will be back with the Bad Batch. And remember, you don't have to look the same or even be blood related to be a family, and don't let anyone tell you different.
Also remember, your race doesn't define you either; it does not make you good or bad. It's just a piece of what makes each of us unique. If anything, consider learning as much as you can about your family heritage. Different cultures all have many beautiful things everyone can enjoy. Different foods, different styles of clothes, and all different kinds of ways to celebrate birthdays, friendship, family, and togetherness. So, whatever kind of family you're from, don't forget that you are special.
In the meantime, please be sure to check out my other story Magical Jedi Tales: The Series, and leave a review.