Disclaimer: not mine

Poll is up on ffnet for Strong Enough to Fight, currently equally split between options.

Chapter 9

Obi-Wan struggled to focus on the negotiations but it was hard after his late-night talk with Tim. Was he right? Would Obi-Wan really be welcomed on Mandalore? Did Master Koon really want him as his Padawan? It was all so confusing.

And then he found himself relaxing as Tim's presence brushed his, gloved fingers brushing his arm. Right, focus. The sooner they could make peace, the better. Knowing more Mandalorians were coming, even if they were peaceful ones, was good. Hopefully the incoming numbers would be enough to make the Elders keep the peace.

Negotiations were not going particularly well so far, the Melida and Daan could agree on nothing except wanting the Young dead. How could there be peace when that was the case?

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"May I speak with you Mand'alor?"

Jaster turned and nodded to the Jetii. "Take a seat."

"I wish to speak with you about Obi-Wan but also your son."

"Tim," it had to be him given his gifts, and Koon nodded.

"Had he been born within the Republic; his family would have been approached about sending him to the Order. He is too old now, the cut off age for humans is six, though it is preferred they come younger as they can bond with their crechemates before becoming Initiates. At his current age, he should be a Padawan, like Obi-Wan," the Jetii explained.

"Tim trains with the Goran to control his gifts, he had never consciously used them before," Jaster offered warily. "But he is fast outstripping what they can teach."

"That could be enough for him to qualify as a Padawan but the Order would still be very reluctant to take him on due to his strong familiar ties."

There was something Koon was working up to, but what. If the Order would be reluctant to take Tim, and honestly, Jaster would be very reluctant to let his ad go after what had happened with this war and Obi-Wan, then…was that what he was leading up to?

"I have offered to take Obi-Wan as my Padawan to continue his training but understandably he is unsure about returning to the Temple. I have heard there are some among your number who wish to offer him adoption."

Jaster snorted. "He's intelligent, loyal, and an excellent fighter. It's only my warning them not to overwhelm him or any of the Young that's kept him from being flooded with offers. But honestly, I think it would be best for all of the ade to leave the planet, they'll never get the chance to just live and be free here."

"I agree, there are some planets I would trust to take them in if not all wish to go to Mandalore; Alderaan and Naboo for example."

Jaster nodded, the more options they could give the Young, the better.

"So, you will have one, possibly two, children who could use more structured training but for whom the Temple will not be a good fit. Relationships between Mandalore and the Order have always been…strained." Koon stared at him and Jaster waited. "We have become very closely tied to the Senate; some believe too closely. But there have been no other options."

It seemed that he was right about what the Jetii was thinking.

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Cassie watched Conner and Bart, worried about them. Robin's disappearance had really hit them hard, despite being a team for so short a time. They didn't even know his identity! But they had trusted him, had followed his lead. How could they trust him so much without knowing who he was? Bart said that Robin had wanted to tell them but was bound by Batman's rules. Now Kon was the leader but he didn't seem comfortable with it, oh, he could put on a good act for others but the team could see the hesitation, the second guessing of major decisions.

But what could she do about it? Nothing. Diana had petitioned the gods for word on Robin, but they could give no answers to his fate. She hoped he was okay wherever he was. Sidekicks had to stick together, right?

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Plo was quite pleased by his meeting with Mereel, it had gone far better than their negotiations. Honestly, he could not see peace holding without an outside party enforcing it. Could these New Mandalorians do so when they were complete pacifists? With peace in place, perhaps the Senate would allow the Order to send some help as well. The AgriCorps would be a great help, as would the Medi and EduCorps, and there were some within all of those groups who carried sabres. The Mandalorians had stripped the Elders of their weapons but determined beings could make new ones out of the most innocuous objects.

He knew the Council would not be happy with what he had suggested to the Mand'alor but he saw it as necessary. The Galaxy was growing darker and their numbers continued to dwindle, they needed support. And who better than their historical enemies? It was time to move beyond that history and work together.

He went to find the two children, unsurprised to find them together, Tim working on something on his datapad while Obi-Wan meditated. He took a seat and settled in to wait, Tim glancing up at him but he waved the young man off since Obi-Wan was deep in meditation.

Eventually, Obi-Wan surfaced from his meditation, blinking at him in surprise. "Master Koon?"

"I wished to speak with the two of you about something I have discussed with the Mand'alor." He then began explaining the idea he had brought to the man, watching two sets of eyes widen in shock.

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Neild stared at where Mawat was being held, not sure what they were going to do. But seeing their fellow leader almost insane with his desire for vengeance…it had been the reality check that he needed. How close had he been to ending up the same way?

And it made him think about what Obi-Wan, Tim, and Jango had said during their original talks…that the planet might not be salvageable. But if they did leave, where would they go?

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Obi-Wan joined Tim on watch, they weren't being idiots, they had dis-armed the Elders…for now. And if given the chance they would attack, no matter how idiotic it was. He was getting used to wearing the pieced of armour he'd been given but he was still in awe of those who could wear a full set, and of Beskar at that. Tim had let him hold his beskar staff, there was definite weight to the metal.

"Okay?" Tim asked softly.

"I…I didn't expect this," he admitted, staring at his clasped hands.

Tim's hand landed on his shoulder and Obi-Wan leant into the touch. It was strange, touch had been utterly normal in the crèche and even initiate dorms but once he became a Padawan it had become very infrequent. But once the Young trusted him it was like he was a youngling again. He hadn't realised how much he missed such casual contact until he had it back and he'd watched the Mandalorians enough to know it was normal among them too.

"This doesn't mean you have to choose that option. As much as we'd love to have you on Manda'yaim, none of us would force you."

"I know," Obi-Wan smiled at the older boy.

But Master Koon's idea…it would mean he didn't have to choose. He could continue his training, with Tim even, and go to Mandal…Manda'yaim. He would be Master Koon's Padawan and help with Tim's training while also learning from the Goran as well. It could be good to see how they trained their Force sensitives. Tim was very disciplined, more so than most non-Temple Force users.

So, there could be things they taught that the Order didn't. Going back to the Temple was still an option but did he want that anymore? He missed his friends, yes, but could be go back? Part of him wanted to stay with the Young but a lot of the younger ones had accepted adoption or were seriously considering it.

He'd tried meditating on what to do but it was hard to clear his mind and focus on the Force with his thoughts and emotions in such turmoil. And then Tim's presence nudged his gently in offering and Obi-Wan lowered his shields. With Tim helping, he sank into meditation.

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Cerasi watched as so many of the younger children flocked to the Mandalorians, warming up to them because they were so different to the Elders. It was good to see. She looked up as Jango joined her, like most of his people he still wore his armour with only the helmet removed. "They're so happy," she whispered.

"All ade should be," he agreed with her. "What about you?"

She shook her head. "It's…strange. As much as I wanted peace I…"

"Didn't think you'd ever live to see it," he finished for her, and she nodded.

"What do we do now?"

"You live," Jango clasped her shoulder and she fought the urge to cry. "Whether here or somewhere else."

"I think…I want to leave," she whispered, the words feeling like a betrayal.

"You've given everything to your cause, Cerasi, it's time you got to live for yourself."

"How?" she looked at him.

"One step at a time I figure. Watching Tim heal and find a place with us has shown that works. He doesn't talk much about his life before but whatever happened that led to us finding him…it was bad. But look at him now and he's come so far. You all can do that too." He shrugged awkwardly.

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Bruce watched as Dick trained, his one remaining son…but Tim had never really been his. He'd kept a careful distance and Tim had done the same, because he had parents, then one parent. But Bruce had received the call, Jack Drake had passed without ever waking. He'd immediately filed the paperwork before the vultures could descent, Tim was still his foster son and getting the adoption papers accepted hadn't been that hard. He could use his money for more than backing the Justice League after all. His inheritance would be protected.

Dick and Young Justice were positive that Tim was alive and every search came back with no proof of his death. Tim was alive, somewhere, waiting for them to find him. He had to be somewhere he couldn't escape or make contact from which meant he was relying on them.

He had reached out to Captain Marvel, pushing him into searching with Constantine and Zatanna, to reach out to their contacts. If Kon-El and Clark couldn't find Tim, then it was likely he was somewhere magically hidden or off-world…maybe even further. They knew the multi-verse existed after all.

They would find Tim and bring him home and Bruce would let the brilliant boy know just how cared for he was.

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Plo smiled at Obi-Wan joined him, he could sense the boy had made his decision, but what had he chosen?

"I would be honoured to be your Padawan, Master Koon, and to find a home on Manda'yaim," Obi-Wan told him, bowing.

He settled his hands gently on too thin shoulders bowed by more weight than any child should ever carry. "It is I am that am honoured, Obi-Wan," he told the boy. He gently tugged at where the Padawan braid would one day hang, the hair too short even a year after the last was cruelly severed. "Have you heard of the Mandalorian tradition of cin vhetin, Padawan?" he asked, drawing out the supplies he had asked Mereel for in the hope that Obi-Wan would agree.

"No Master," he answered as he knelt.

"Cin vhetin means a fresh start, the erasing of a person's past. It is symbolised by the colour white, as young Tim wears on his armour, among other colours." He carefully secured the three ribbons to Ob-Wan's hair, feeling the boy trembling slightly. "It ties well with one of their sayings, 'Gar taldin ni jaon'yc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla', which means that nobody cares who your parent was, only the parent you'll be. To them, your past is not as important as who you will be in the future. Speaking with Mand'alor Mereel, I have come to see that our people's philosophies are not as different as many believe."

He braided the white ribbons together with Obi-Wan's messy hair even as he lowered his shields and reached for his new Padawan's Force presence, carefully beginning to weave the bond between them, and then kept braiding the ribbons until he near the end. He then held up the beads he had asked for help creating. One to mark Obi-Wan's Padawanship and the other was one that had not been given in at least a century.

"Master, I don't recognise that one," Obi-Wan murmured, eyes locked on the silvery bead engraved with the Orders symbol on one side and a lightsabre on the other.

"That is because it has not been given in a century, at least. This, Padawan, is a Battlefield achievement bead," he explained, seeing Obi-Wan flinch slightly.

"It is nothing to be ashamed of young one. You have faced things no Padawan should have and you have come through them, without even a lightsabre," he praised. Honestly, many senior Padawans would not have done as well, even some Knights. He braided in the two beads and then drew Obi-Wan to his feet. "Now, go show off your new braid to your friends, as is also tradition."

Obi-Wan bowed and scurried off.

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Neild tugged gently at the braid made of ribbons, checking how secure it was. "You sure about this?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "I meditated on it and…it's not the Temple, we'll be staying with the Mandalorians. Master Koon will be training Tim as well."

"As long as this is what you want, then we're happy for you," Cerasi said, shooting him a look.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan smiled at them. "Have you decided what you want to do?"

"I...I think I will take the offer from Alderaan," Cerasi answered and Neild stared at her. But…it made sense, she had never liked violence. Alderaan was peaceful but not completely pacifist.

That was Cerasi and Obi-Wan leaving, but he'd always known Obi-Wan would leave. He was one of them but also alien in a way but that was okay. The three of them would always be connected, no matter where they were. He hadn't decided yet what he wanted to do, torn.

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Tim showed Obi-Wan to a spare bunk since Ba'jurir Koon had come in a one-man fighter. He was glad they would be going home soon. And it still felt strange, to think of Manda'yaim as home. Gotham had been home his whole life but after a year it had begun to really sink in that he wasn't going back. Either the galaxy was a lot bigger than the Green Lantern Corps said…or he wasn't in his dimension/universe anymore.

Obi-Wan had a small bag, mostly of gifts from the Young who hadn't chosen to come with them. Cerasi had left the day before with a group bound for Alderaan, the Royal family there opening their arms to them. The Evaar Mando'ade had arrived the same day and had moved surprisingly quickly to begin rebuilding the most needed things, like secure shelter, full medical support… and Ba'jurir Koon had sent along the official request for the Jedi Service Corps aide, along with a report for the Senate on the end of the war.

"How are you coping?" Tim asked as Obi-Wan sat on the bunk.

"It…it doesn't feel real yet," he admitted softly.

Tim sat down beside him. "I know the feeling," he admitted. "It still doesn't, sometimes. Life on Manda'yaim isn't perfect but it's not a warzone like you've been in for the last year. And if Ba'jurir Koon ever does something like the one who left you…well, Mando do not react well to demagolka."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "Thank you, for everything Tim. If you hadn't come…"

"You'd have pulled through," Tim told him. Likely with casualties among the Young, especially with what Mawat had pulled… but he really did believe that they would have managed. "So, what should I be expecting from Ba'jurir Koon?"

"I honestly don't know," Obi-Wan admitted. "I've never trained with him before. He is a Council Member and often goes on Searches."

"Searches?" Tim asked, curious.

"Searches travel the galaxy, searching for Force Sensitive children so that they can explain to their families. They either leave information and contact details to ensure the family knows how to deal with a Force sensitive child and how to contact the Temple if they need help or, with the family's blessing, they take the child to the Temple. The Jedi do not steal children, no matter what the rumours say. Sometimes, like with me, permission is not sought due to…danger to the child. I was found almost dead," Obi-Wan whispered, and Tim took his hand.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, not sure what else to say.

"On Manda'yaim, those of us gifted are taught by the Goran. They are the metalsmiths, the armour makers but they are more than that. No true Mando would harm a child for being Force sensitive," he used the Basic word for Obi-Wan.

Kyr'tsad might, he wouldn't put it past them, especially with their calls to return to their crusader roots. Then again, back then, their people often allied with the darjetii so maybe they would want any ade trained like them?

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"You sure you want to train with them?" Jango asked, hearing Tim shift a little on his bunk below.

"Yes, Jango," his vod'ika sighed. "It will be a good experience. The Goran has said there is little more they can teach me. Besides, I thought you like Obi-Wan."

"I do, he has mandokar," Jango admitted. All the Young had it in spades, well…other than Mawat and some of those with him, others had been coerced into helping his little rebellion. They had handed them over to the Alderaanians for justice, they would be fair.

He honestly did like Obi-Wan, it was the Ba'jurir he wasn't so sure of. But he wouldn't say anything, he didn't like jetii but buir was excited for this chance to heal the wounds between their people. And if the first Mando Jetii since Tarre Vizsla was his vod'ika then Jango would be very proud. It was hard to say how the people would take it, the Dha Kad'au had become a symbol since Tarre's death but many did not like the jetii…but Tim was Mando first. Politics.

Still, it would be good to finally be home again.

TBC…

Dha Kad'au – Darksaber