Alright…. Everyone, I'm gonna be real with you.
Can somebody, PLEASE for the love of god, help me out here. I really have no clue how to send out a message to anybody for a commission for an art piece that reflects the title of this story perfectly because it has been bugging me for some time now and I WANT SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THIS STORY THE POSTER ART BEING ONE OF THEM!
*Cough* Ahem
Yeah that last one was a doozy.
I was so into it I accidentally said soul stone at one point. Meh, minor details.
But anyway moving on, we've got some small setups here that is the kick starter to everything unraveling. Cause sometimes, it's the small thing, the unnoticed details that begin the avalanche of change.
And changes are a coming.
So as I said certain things are gonna naturally be altered, AU in case you need a reminder. Certain episodes and events within the Clone Wars will transpire differently while others may not even happen at all.
Some episodes will occur sooner while others will appear later.
All according to plan.
Other than that, not much else.
But just fair warning, this is in an odd chapter for me because I'm going to address an aspect of Star Wars that I don't think is addressed or hasn't been for that matter and you'll know it when I get to it. As well versed I am in Star Wars, you can't know everything at times so correct me in the reviews if I'm wrong on the subject when I get to it. You'll know what it is.
Also FUCKING FUCK FUCKING MOTHER FUCKING FUCK GOD FUCKING SON A BITCH DAMMIT GOD FUCK. GOD DAMMIT DISNEY YOU GOT GREEDY AND WE LOST HIM. WE LOST SPIDEY FROM THE MCU YOU GREEDY ASSHOLES. AURGH.
Now granted, Sony has stated that as of this moment, for now Spidey is no longer in the MCU. Thanks Disney, all that setup in Far From Home down the fucking drain, just great. We applaud your stupidity.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 10: Never as simple as it appears to be
Steve Rogers has, and always will be, a practical man.
So why is it that the universe has gone out of its way to make his adjustment to the modern world needlessly complicated.
And by world, he now means intergalactic society that he and his friends have been unceremoniously dropped into that was currently in the middle of a war.
He's honestly shocked how he's even operating right now.
Truthfully, Cap would rather take a nap in ice. Because the Ice seems Nice.
Currently, Cap found himself seated at a circular table surrounded by his comrades.
In between them all was a collection of what qualifies as books within this hyper-advanced civilization as they had been looking over the many aspects of this galaxy.
Seated in the Jedi temples own library, the keeper of the library was kind enough to give them their own personal corner with a set of beginners guide to the greater galaxy at large.
Naturally, the Avengers collectively knew that learning anything and everything they could about this expansive galaxy was damn near impossible.
So they settled for basic knowledge, how the republic was formed, the Jedi, the Sith that seem to be their sworn enemies, technology and so on and so forth.
There was a lot of ground to cover so they divvied up the subject matter.
Still, absorbing all this knowledge was easier said than done.
Scott was determined to learn as much as he possibly could on how the technology of this galaxy worked and tried making sense of it all and on how he could possibly integrate it with their own. The Ex-con was rather studious and while he does make his usual witty awkward comments, they've been on the down low for a while now. And it was honestly easy to see why as Steve felt it in his gut that out of everyone on this table, Scott had the greatest incentive to get home.
Lying beside Scott while he read a file on the inner workings of star ships was a photo with three people on it.
Him in costume without his helmet with Hope in the same attire with his young daughter Cassie having both her arms wrapped around their heads, pulling them close as she gave a beaming toothy smile with the two adults laughing. He had been staring at it on occasion now before going to bed.
Sam and Rhodey had been reading up on extensive "books" in regards to Starfighters and basically how to do everything with them, to how they function to how they fly them.
Something Steve had joined in on from time to time as well as he himself, while not an expert, has some flight experience.
Something Rhodey nor Same would ever let him live it down.
In their studies, they found a great deal of similarities and familiarities with the way the fighter pilots conducted themselves in combat.
While the figure four was a new method that Rhodey introduced, there were a few flight patterns that the soldiers could connect back to Earth. Specifically World War 2 dog fights.
A few times now, the trio had gone to the clones stationed on Coruscant at the Jedi temple and the nearby base as well Anakin himself who had taken up on instructing flight lessons with great gusto.
The clones have also shown admiration and respect towards the Avengers for the willingness to listen and learn how to fly. It also helped that Sam and Rhodey in particular were picking up on it greatly and that all three of them were soldiers with years of battle experience under their belts.
It was rather easy to find themselves relating and endearing themselves to the clones.
The rest of the Jedi were pleasant at the very least.
Aside from Kenobi, Skywalker and Tano they hadn't really gotten to know any of the Jedi.
Sure Steve spent some time with T'ra Saa, Tholme and Aayla but overall this place remained a mystery to them.
Still, knowledge is power and they were determined to accumulate as much knowledge as they possibly can during their stay here.
Who knows, maybe one of the public holocrons may have the information needed in finding their way home.
If they were that lucky. Usually, luck for them seldom ever is.
"Ah, the Force spoke to me of four wayward souls." A soothing female voice said from behind Steve. "And here they are."
The four of them turned to see an exotic alien woman whom Steve recognized immediately.
"T'ra." Steve said pleasantly.
"Captain Rogers." T'ra said in turn, giving him a kind smile. "I hope I am not interrupting."
"Not at all ma'am." Steve said. "I think we could actually use the break."
T'ra only nodded, looking to Cap's friends. "So these are the rest of the Avengers I've been hearing so much about these past few weeks. It is an honor to meet individuals such as yourselves."
"Nice to meet you to." Sam greeted friendly. "Any friend of Cap is a friend of ours. Names Sam Wilson."
"Rhodey." The colonel nodded his head.
"Scott Lang."
"It's a pleasure. I am T'ra Saa, Jedi Master. I do hope your time spent here at the Jedi temple has been comfortable." T'ra stated. "I had heard from Grand Master Yoda of a group of individuals who are from a planet that has not achieved interspace travel yet who are aware of the greater universe at large."
"Yeah, that was a bit of a wakeup call a few years ago." Rhodey wryly stated.
"I think by this point, nothing is off the table." Sam flatly stated, sifting through flight operations.
T'ra chuckled at the aviators statement. "I find myself agreeing with you, Mr. Wilson."
"Just Sam, thank you." Sam said light heartedly. "I've still got my youth."
"All five years that are left." Rhodey quipped.
"Compared to the zero that you have."
"Once you guys get a kid." Scott cut in. "Then come talk to me about the years of your youth disappearing."
Rhodey and Sam both opened their mouths to retort only to close them while looking at each other.
A silent conversation ensued between the two as they tried to figure out a way to counter that yet they came up with nothing.
T'ra chuckled aloud at the interaction between the Avengers, finding their rather open jabs at one another rather refreshing.
"Well, some of my concern has been alleviated." T'ra jokingly said. "I am glad to see you are all in high spirits."
"As high as we can be." Rhodey shrugged. "And no weed to help, unfortunately."
"You've smoked weed?"
"Scott, who hasn't at one point in their lives."
Lang gives him a stare.
"Really?" Rhodey looked at him in mild surprise. "Not even once during…"
"Never really appealed to me." Scott admitted. "Guess I was raised right. In a weird way."
Rhodey snorted that, shaking his head in amusement.
T'ra was equally as amused, finding the way these people converse with one another fascinating.
"Anything we could help you with, Master Saa?" Steve asked.
T'ra hummed momentarily in thought, before taking a seat in between Rogers and Rhodey.
"Actually, I am quite curious about your world." T'ra said with genuine intrigue.
"Really?" Sam questioned, though not rudely "Why?"
"I have lived a long life, Sam." T'ra said gently. "Many centuries with only Master Yoda perhaps being the closest one to a lifelong friend and companion. I have studied many cultures, traversed the galaxy dozens of times over and have trained many apprentices. Yet I have never encountered individuals such as yourselves from a world that is devoid of the force. And still, fantastical events occur on your home world as you once alluded to. I wish to know more. Learn more. And who better than from the men who come from this wayward planet."
The Avengers exchanged glances at one another until Sam threw his hands.
"Alright, what do you wanna know?"
Scene Cut
"Grave risk you had done, Skywalker. But rescued your droid and our plans, you have."
Grand Master Yoda along with Anakin Skywalker were walking down one of the many hallways of the Jedi temple.
Anakin had just returned with Ahsoka and the 501st after a daunting mission in regards to rescuing his faithful Astromech droid, R2-D2.
He had been somewhat chastised by Obi-wan and now Yoda and to be honest, he was getting rather tired of hearing the same old shpeal that he had gotten for the past ten years.
It's not his fault these things just happen… to an extent.
As the two continued down their path, Yoda halted in his step. Anakin took a few steps forward until noticing that he didn't hear the soft thumping sounds of a cane hitting the floor.
He looked back to see Yoda standing still, looking off in a different direction.
"Master?"
"Come, Skywalker." Yoda vaguely said, going off towards where he was looking.
Quirking a brow in confusion, Anakin followed after the small green Master.
They had entered through one of the many entrances to the library. Yoda was walking towards the study area where younglings were usually educated on their duties as a Jedi.
What the Grand Master found was a mixed assembly of Younglings, Padawans, Knights, Scholars and Masters all surrounding the temples newest occupants.
"Alright." Scott Lang spoke at the moment a bit bashfully. "Now, I'm not exactly the smartest guy when it comes to this. Thankfully, my daughter Cassie helped me out a lot with this. So… Earth. That's home for us. And it is a lot more different then the planets you guys have."
A youngling raised his hand. "How?"
Scott paused, stammering a bit as he tried to formulate a response. "Uh… well, you see uh… the… Environments! Yes, that's right the environments."
He got quizzical looks from everyone.
Scott momentarily glanced back to his friends with Sam gesturing to the planet Earth that was on display.
He mouthed a few words that Scott caught but most of it went over his head. So he decided to wing it.
"Well…" Scott contemplated for a moment. "A lot of the planets we've seen here has a single kind of environment or, what was the word again? Biome? Yeah, Biome. A planet of snow, a planet of only jungles. Earth has all of those types of places and more."
Rhodey brought up various screens of many environments on Earth. Now to them, this wasn't all that surprising and interesting but to most of the Jedi audience it was something special.
"Fascinating." Jocasta Nu murmured. "How is it possible for one planet to contain so many biomes?"
"That's… a good question that really we don't know." Sam sheepishly admitted. "Most of this is elementary school stuff that we learned when we were kids."
"Which we immediately forgot about as soon as we got out of it." Rhodey remarked with a 'what can ya do' shrug.
"I've never seen something like this." One of the elderly Jedi scholars stated in open fascination. "Every planet within the known galaxy is known for a set biome. Some have various areas but fall under the same condition."
"To think a planet exists with multiple types of environments." T'ra Saa said. "I would very much like to visit."
"Maybe you could help us find our way back." Sam said in wry humor.
"What is it like to live on such a world?" Jedi Master Tholme asked aloud. He had joined as the group began assembling around the Avengers as it went from being a simple conversation between them and his secret lover T'ra to a literal full blown lesson on planet Earth.
"It varies." Steve stated. "No two lives are the same. There's multiple countries, factions, cultures and so on."
"How many are we referring to in retrospect for those you've mentioned?" A Jedi knight inquired.
The Avengers exchanged glances, the four wondering which is the proper answer for this question.
"Let's just say the short answer is a few hundred." Rhodey stated. "And the long answer, if you include the Earth's history, a few thousand."
"All on one planet?" A scholar asked.
"Yeah, pretty much." Scott confirmed.
"Amazing."
"Not as amazing as you think." Sam murmured under his breath with only Rhodey and Steve hearing him, the former nudging him and the two chuckled.
"How 'bout we show you something we know really well?" Scott abruptly said with a beaming grin. "Something I know all of you will like cause everyone on Earth loves them."
There was obvious intrigue at Scott's declaration as he pulled out his phone and brought up a holo-vid, one that made Sam palm his face in amusement.
"Really, Scott?"
"They are royalty and you know it, Sam." Scott dramatically stated, pointing at Sam with a silencing finger without looking up.
Yoda let out a loud chuckle, making his presence known along with an equally amused Anakin who was observing the whole little "lesson" with a smirk on his face.
"Heartening to see, the thirst for knowledge remains." Yoda said, slowly walking forward. "For all ages to seek new information."
"Master Yoda." Jocasta said in respect with the rest of the Jedi present regarding him in the same manner.
"Master." Steve greeted with the other Avengers voicing their own "hello's". "What can we do for you?"
"A moment of your time, Captain Rogers, if you would." Yoda asked.
Tilting his head, Steve stood up to walk after the Grand Master whilst Rhodey and Sam patted Scott on his shoulder bidding him goodbye.
Slightly annoyed by being left alone, Scott faced Jedi that remained as some had departed with a majority of the remaining being younglings and Padawans.
"Alright kids." Scott said aloud with confidence. "It's time I taught you about the greatest music group on my planet."
Yoda guided Steve to a secluded part of the library, requesting Anakin to stay with them.
They had entered a solitary room with only 3 round, cushioned ottomans with the room being shaded by the blinders.
"Come." Yoda gestured to the seats. "Sit. Several things to discuss, we have."
Anakin and Steve shared a looked before the former simply shrugged, holding out his hand for Steve to go first.
Nodding at the Jedi Knight, Steve took a seat with Anakin seating himself right next to him with both men facing Yoda.
The green Jedi sat cross legged before the two men, eyes closed with his walking stick resting upon his lap.
Letting out a small grunt, the aged Jedi opened his gaze onto Steve. It was rather intense, with his eyes conveying the story of a wizened old Jedi who has seen a great many deal of things over the course of his eight centuries of life.
Yet he stared at Steve Rogers with a perplexity of that a young one. Sure, Yoda recognized many traits and characteristics of the super soldier he could easily admire and respect.
But to Yoda, Steve was an entirely new entity. Him and the Avengers.
"Accommodating, your stay in the temple, has been?" Yoda inquired after several seconds of silence.
Steve looked to Anakin who simply shrugged again as he didn't have Steve's answer.
"It's been more than we could ask for." Steve said with honesty.
Yoda nodded his head slowly. "Yet refrain yourselves from more, you have."
"We'd rather not take our chances, Master Yoda." Steve admitted. "We're on a world far from home and we don't wanna go taking advantage of the one place that offered us a place to sleep."
"Sorry the beds haven't been top notch." Anakin said with a wry grin.
"Slept in worse conditions than a simple mat on the floor, Anakin." Steve said knowingly, turning back to Yoda. "But Master Yoda, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Yoda hummed, closing his eyes once more and taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
"A great change has come to this galaxy." Yoda spoke, opening his eyes and facing Steve again. "Your arrival. No warning, no premonition, nothing from the Force. Only your arrival, felt the force has. As did all Jedi, Sith and those connected to the Force. Time passes, and permeation remains. Paths diverging, unclear futures certain. Defined eventuality, hazed in a fog of uncertainty."
Steve couldn't help but find it a bit difficult to process the small green Masters words.
Luckily, Anakin had gotten a good number of years on Yoda speak.
"What Master Yoda is trying to say is that you and your Avengers have changed a great deal of things here in the galaxy." Anakin quickly explained. "Your coming has created a kind of upheaval in the Force. And to be honest, it hasn't really changed."
"So what does that mean then?" Steve asked. "I don't really understand this whole force thing other than the surface level stuff you've already told us about."
"Understand, we do, Captain Rogers." Yoda said. "Difficult situation we find ourselves in, hmmm. Never before the Jedi faced with the event we have before us, has. Many doubts and fears spreading in the temple. The war, clouds judgement. The Sith, in the shadows they remain. Conflict, raging on with many innocence lost. Your arrival… affecting the force, it is. Not of your own volition, it is not."
Steve was a bit wary as on how to proceed in this conversation as he felt that there was a lot he wasn't picking up on.
"I think, what Master Yoda is trying to convey is that your arrival is not your fault." Anakin quickly cut in, a wry expression present. "And that the Force is reacting to you and that none of you are doing it intentionally."
"I… thank you for the clarification. But I still feel like I'm missing something here." Steve said, crossing his arms in thought. "This Force business honestly feels a bit out of my depth here."
"Understandable your plight is, Captain Rogers." Yoda stated. "Do what we can to assist you in your stay here, we shall."
It was at that moment, an idea occurred to Anakin. "Say Cap. Have you ever been to Dex's diner a few sectors down from here?"
Steve gave Anakin a confused look at the sudden proposition.
"Uh what?"
"It's this great place Obi-wan took me to during my early years here at the temple." Anakin, getting up from his seat. "Come on, you look like you could use a break from everything and Dex has some fantastic choices. It'll be my treat."
Steve was still silent, trying to figure out why Anakin was doing but surprisingly Yoda encouraged this.
"Yes, go Captain Rogers." Yoda gestured with his hand. "Find clarity outside the temple, you might."
Frankly, Steve was bewildered at the sudden swerve of the conversation but nonetheless he followed Anakin out of the room and towards this Diner that he had spoken of.
Yoda watched intently as the two men exited, his mind running through a thousand thoughts at once.
He felt it.
Another shockwave in the force.
If he were being honest with himself, Yoda should have seen this coming. They all should have. That unusual shift in the Force felt by the council three years ago perhaps was a premonition. At first, they had discarded the notion as they had received little to no answers as to what it was that the force conveyed. But now, these enhanced beings with powers, technology and abilities outside their understanding appear and the leader tells them that this team had formed three years ago.
While the other Jedi did not bring it up, Yoda recalled that day immediately.
Was this a connection? Or the direct reason?
This change wasn't isolated to their one galaxy.
After hearing the brief but harrowing tales of these Avengers taking on extra-terrestrial enemies that did not exist in the galactic archives, it was rather surreal to realize that life existed outside this galaxy.
Or maybe, this Earth was in their galaxy all along and it was lost somewhere in the unknown regions.
It was hard to decipher with the information they had right now.
All Yoda was assured of… was the shifting Force and the changes to come.
And in a rare instance in his life, Grand Master Yoda experienced a sliver of fear.
But not for himself. Never for himself.
No, it was for his Jedi students, comrades and friends.
Though the code forbade it, in his heart he knew he viewed all the thousands of Jedi within the temple and out there in the galaxy as family.
Every joyful experience, harrowing danger, mourning loss, death, he felt it all as he was connected to them all through the force.
He never infringed upon this connection but to him, all that mattered was knowing the Jedi were alive and well.
Yoda could only hope for guidance from the Force. Have this war end sooner than later and for the Jedi to survive. That's all he could ask for right now.
Scene Cut
It was a strange change of scenery to say the least for Steve.
And yet, the fact that they were in a booth with dozens of aliens occupying other tables. It was bizarre how familiar this felt.
Like a weekday night in Brooklyn back during the 30's.
Another surprise for the soldier to see something like this being universal. And oddly comforting.
After receiving their food, Anakin chowed down whilst Steve observed his platter of alien food that he had never had before.
Tentatively, he ate the food and found it quite good actually…whatever it was and ate with Anakin in relative silence.
This went on with a few comments and small talk passed in between the two until they finished with Anakin leaning back, satisfied with his meal.
"Ah." Anakin exhaled, wiping his mouth clean. "I've been meaning to come here but honestly haven't found the time for it."
"Can't imagine why." Steve remarked innocently earning a wry grin from Anakin.
"Yeah… it's surprising how I miss the simper days sometimes. Back when I was just with Obi-wan, learning how to become a Jedi." Anakin said reminiscently. "But, at the same time-"
"You're glad you can put your abilities to use for something." Steve cut in, garnering a surprised look from Anakin.
"Uh… yeah." Anakin nodded, contemplating for several moments to himself. "I… I never realized how much I actually enjoyed it. Not the war. But actually using my capabilities for good. Something to believe in."
"I second that." Steve said with a faraway look in his eyes. "Back on my world, I come from a time of war. All I ever wanted to do was serve during that time. Fight for my nation. For the world because who we faced threatened the stability and liberties of all. Looking back… I think on it so often now with modern times. How much of that war was actually just after everything that came out of it?"
Anakin didn't quite understand what Steve was referring to, making his confusion evident on his face.
Steve saw this, and let out a weary sigh as he leaned his arms on the table.
"When I went under and was basically frozen in ice for 70 years, the world was at war. When I came out, they told me we won. They didn't tell me what we lost. Not just in body count."
This last comment struck Anakin with a slightly conflicted expression now present.
"What was the cost of everything we had fought for?" Steve went on, hands cradling his drink nearby. "How much of ourselves did we lose to win and make that victory mean something? I had to find out the hard way ever since coming out that not all was as it seemed. It honestly wasn't as simple as it once was. Or so I thought it was."
Anakin crossed his arms, slightly tense now. "Steve… can I be personal with you for a moment?"
Steve gave the Jedi a strained grin. "Haven't I been with you this whole time?"
Chortling at his response, Anakin relaxed a bit though he remained a bit rigid.
"When I first became a Jedi, I was only nine years old." Anakin said, remembering his first days in the temple. "By that point in terms of Jedi standards, I was too old. Jedi start extremely young, four and under and rarely anything above. Me being one of those exceptions."
Steve arched his brow, his mouth down turning somewhat as his brows furrowed at that information. He wasn't aware that Jedi started so young.
Anakin didn't notice, going on with his story.
"But I had gotten in." Anakin said with somber smile. "And it took the Jedi who found me dying to finally convince the council to allow me to join. The moment I joined, I tried so hard to fit in."
Wordlessly, Anakin began to casually levitate one of the utensils on their table with practiced ease.
"Yet I knew I would never truly be accepted. Not simply at least." Anakin remarked. "Not to boast or anything but… I got the hang of a lot in a short amount of time. All those younglings and older apprentices just looked at me like I was some kind of freak even though we were all supposed to be the same. Jedi. I always stuck out like a sore thumb. I did have friends of course, but even then I felt isolated. And don't even get me started on the rules."
Anakin let out a mirthful chuckle. "Oh man, the Jedi code, the rules, the conduct. Urgh, I'd rather let Grievous gut me with one of his sabers then have to read or listen to another lecture about the damn rules."
"Sounds to me that you're a bit of a rebel, Master Skywalker." Steve dryly said with a joking tone. Though in his mind, Steve could see it. He could see what Anakin was truly conveying even though he tried to suppress it.
"I try." Anakin said, chuckling. "Yeah, I wasn't exactly the exemplary Jedi in the Temple. Tried as I might, even with Master Kenobi helping me."
"But you couldn't resist, could you?"
"Heh, well, aside from glider racing at night." Anakin said sheepishly, still cringing a bit from that old memory.
"You know something, Anakin." Steve said conversationally though his voice dropped a bit. "For as long as I can remember, all I wanted to do what was right. After everything I've done and seen…. Sometimes I don't know what that is anymore. Helping people, saving them, going out there to fight the good fight so that others don't have to. That was all I really knew. All I do know honestly. And I find at times questioning whether or not I'm doing it right sometimes. I never wanted to do this for myself."
Anakin stared at Captain Rogers with a slightly stunned expression, feeling his gut clench at those words.
In the back of his head, he heard a soothing old voice he wished he could hear again. Telling him to believe in himself. To fight for what he stands for and to go out there and be the hero she knows him to be.
He couldn't fight the stray tear that escaped, something that did not go unnoticed by Cap.
"You alright there Anakin?" Steve asked in concern.
"Nothing." Anakin quickly brushed off, though with shaky voice. "I just got caught up in how dramatic you were."
Steve now gave Anakin a flat stare which in turn made the Jedi chuckle aloud at Cap's expression. A second later, Steve joined in with the two sharing a laugh at Cap's more Shakespearean side.
"You just wanna save people at the end of the day." Steve said both to Anakin and to himself. "Sometimes, that's you really can do. If only that were the case."
Detecting a sense of familiarity, Anakin couldn't help but ask.
"Who couldn't you save?" He asked the super soldier in quiet voice.
Steve didn't respond at first, eyes facing the window where the bustling planet metropolis of Coruscant.
"I don't know really." Steve said to himself. "I keep asking myself what's worse. Not being able to save my best friend when he needed me most. Or finding out he had been alive the whole time being a brainwashed slave to the very organization we fought to overthrow."
Anakin hummed to himself until registering the last comment. "Wait, what?"
"Story for another time." Steve said with a small smirk.
"I feel like that's gonna be a recurring theme with you and the other Avengers." Anakin stated getting a kind of confirmation with Steve's laugh.
"Well, you wouldn't be wrong honestly."
A comfortable silence befell the two with the background sounds of the Diners patrons and employees going on in the background.
"I'm surprised really." Steve said aloud, breaking the silence. "I guess I didn't realize how much I needed this. Thank you, Anakin. I owe you for this."
Anakin stared blankly at cap until he broke into a calm, content smile. "I think we both needed this. If you ever need a friend to talk to, don't hesitate to ask."
"The courtesy extends both ways, Skywalker."
Anakin mused momentarily, surprising himself as he though back to his mother. She, who before Padme, meant the galaxy to him. And he couldn't save her. Even with all his power of a Jedi. That one thought alone at times consumed his nights on the worst of nights.
And now sits before him a man who clearly is worried for his lost friends. Granted, these friends have abilities that exceed that of many individuals across the galaxy. But still, they were in a galaxy far, far away from home in unfamiliar territory.
The current four got lucky with sheer coincidence. But the others…
These Avengers had already helped the Republic and the Jedi several times already and all they've done is provide shelter.
That honestly wasn't good enough in Anakin's mind. He knew in his gut that these Avengers, they were not gonna just disappear suddenly. They were gonna make a mark on the galaxy.
And Anakin, if he were being truthful to himself, he can't deny that he wants to be a part of it.
"Steve." Anakin began. "I know that you're probably still worried about your friends. I would be to if something like that happened to Ahsoka or Obi-wan."
Steve remained silent, allowing Anakin to continue.
"If you want, you and the others are always free to join me and my fleet whenever you want. We'll help you find the rest of your friends."
"Anakin you don't have to-"
"You're right." Anakin interrupted. "I don't have to. But I want to. You guys have done a lot for us in a short amount of time. The least we could do is help you out in your search for your friends."
Rogers could only stare in slight astonishment at Anakin's blunt proposal. This wasn't like the time with Chancellor Palpatine who had some underlying motive.
This felt and seemed pure. Anakin just wanted to help. Maybe there was something more to this, but right now the Jedi knight offered his help without asking for anything in return.
You learn a lot about a man when you see him fight.
And Steve always had his faith in people over institutions and systems. So this was a chance he was willing to take.
"I appreciate this, Anakin." Steve said earnestly. "I mean it."
"No thanks needed, Cap." Anakin said with a wry grin.
The two solidified this exchange with a firm, friendly handshake and soon departed from the diner.
Rather than returning to the Jedi temple, the duo instead went to the docking bay nearby where Anakin's 501st legion were currently stationed for their momentary reprieve.
It didn't take long for them to find Captain Rex who was going over inventory and mission reports along with Ahsoka Tano who sat nearby on some crates.
"Captain Rex." Anakin greeted his second in command.
"Sir." Rex saluted though Anakin immediately waved him down to relax.
"Heya snips." Anakin said coyly to his young Padawan. "What are you doing out here? Not shirking on your duties as a Jedi, are you?"
"No." Ahsoka said lightly. "Just making sure the men are rested and moral is high. Something I picked up from you. Hey Captain Rogers."
"Ahsoka." Steve nodded at her.
"They grow up so fast." Anakin said whimsically. "What's the status on the men, Rex? Everyone good to go for our next deployment?"
"More then ready sir." Rex assured. "We're just waiting on you. Though I do have to thank the Colonel and Lieutenant."
Steve quirked a brow for clarity, with Rex nudging his head to his side.
Looking over, both men saw Sam and Rhodey speaking with a dozen or so group of Clone Troopers all of whom were clearly entertained by what Rhodey in particular was talking about.
Sharing a curious look with one another, Steve and Anakin approached the assembled group just in time for War Machines closing lines.
"So, since the suit could take the weight I flew the tank right up to the generals palace dropped it down in front of him." Rhodey then emphatically chopped his hands down. "Boom, you looking for this?"
The Clone Troopers all began laughing with many showing clear admiration and were clearly impressed with Rhodey's story. Sam meanwhile only rolled his eyes, a bemused grin on his face as he honestly couldn't believe that that was his fellow Avengers go to story even after everything they've done by this point. Then again, he should have seen this coming. Damaged pride and all.
"I see you guys have been keeping yourselves busy." Steve said aloud, announcing his and Anakin's arrival.
"General Skywalker, Sir." The dozen Troopers all said in unison snapping up to salute.
"At ease men." Anakin said. "We're on shore leave remember?"
"So, gentlemen." Steve began casually. "You've finally heard Rhodey's infamous Tank story."
Rhodey couldn't fight his groan. "Aw come on, Cap. I already heard that nonsense from Tony. And Thor's silence was enough."
"What about Sokovia?" Steve asked.
"I'm saving that one." Rhodey countered.
"Right." Steve took a moment to look around. "Where's Scott?"
"We kinda left him behind at the Temple." Sam admitted. "Didn't seem like he wanted to leave anyway."
"Where do you think he is right now then?" Steve inquired.
"Probably still back at the temple." Sam said.
"Well, it's getting late anyway." Anakin said. "Let's head back to the temple. We've got an early morning tomorrow."
"For what?" Sam asked inquisitively.
"I'll explain to you on the way." Steve said, beginning to stride away with Sam, Ahsoka and Anakin.
Rhodey lagged behind momentarily, sharing quick fist bumps with several Clone Troopers, internally proud at introducing such a simple gesture to this galaxy that will no doubt spread over time.
"Cutup, Fives, see you guys later. Give my regards to Hevy and Echo."
The Avengers and their two Jedi companions returned to the temple soon after.
Upon entering the temple, a strange but familiar sound to the Earthers was heard echoing across the hallways.
"The hell?" Sam craned his ear forward, trying to hear whatever that was more properly.
"What's that?" Ahsoka asked, looking up to her master who was just as befuddled as she was.
"I don't know." Anakin murmured, closing an eye while tilting his ear up.
"Wait a sec." Rhodey held up a hand. "I know that tune."
"Tune?"
They began to walk down the hallway in the direction of the sound and as they got closer, it was easily distinguishable as a song of some kind.
At this point, even Steve recognized what they were listening to. It was after all one of the new things he had heard since coming out of the ice he found himself to really enjoy.
"Wait, isn't that the-"
"MAGNIFICO-O-O-O-O~"
"I'm just a poor boy nobody loves me~"
"HE'S JUST A POOR BOY FROM A POOR FAMILY SPARE HIM HIS LIFE FROM THIS MONSTROSITY.~~"
By this point, the group had stood before a doorway where the song was emanating from.
One which all the Earthers knew very well.
Upon entering the room, they were blasted by cheerful singing by Jedi younglings, Padawans and even a few older Knights and Masters.
To say that it was a bewildering sight would be a bit of an understatement.
In the center of the circular room was Scott Lang, happily sang along with everybody waving his hands along with the song while the rest of the younglings swayed along with him.
Then came the guitar solo and everyone began jamming out.
This was a bit of a surreal sight for those who had just entered the room especially for the two Jedi as this was uncharacteristically uncommon for the Jedi Temple.
It was at that point that Scott swung around and finally saw the others, a big grin on his face.
"Hey guys." He greeted jovially. "Where've ya been?"
"Out." Was all Rhodey said, eyes still on the younglings laughing happily finding that rather endearing.
"So I see you've been keeping yourself busy, Tic-tac." Sam sarcastically stated.
"Hey, it's royalty Sam." Scott said boisterously. "Nothing beats Queen."
And scene.
This was more of a rest chapter if anything but hey, sometimes they're needed.
Next time, we pick up where we left off.
Oh and we're skipping the Lair of Grievous cause reviewing it in my arc outline, I don't see a point to it, same with the R2-D2 retrieval arc.
So, next up, the mission to Meridun.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.