Chapter Two: The Nursery, Discovery, and new experiences.

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Being reborn was…. Different, I guess.

Especially when you are constantly surrounded by caretaker droids and other futuristic technology that takes care of your every need. Withholding the information that every few days or so, a group of kids -about five to six in number- would come in and communicate with us very one sided.

But despite the language barrier, it was easy to pick up on what certain words or phrases meant, like my name, for instance. Aurebesh, as it would turn out, was a very thickly laced language and reminded me slightly of old English from that one lesson in Uni -very old- English.

Being reborn had so far had its advantages and disadvantages; Being a baby and having no comprehension of the local language was such disadvantages I had experienced so far. With the obvious pro being the fact that I was an adult mind in a human body. As I thought of my previous…accident, my cheeks flushed.

‘God.’ I shut my eyes, ‘I need to gain control of my body's muscles.’ I tried to sit up, to no avail. ‘I hate this shit, It's so embarrassing…’ Rationally, I knew that -given that I was a newborn only a week old- it would take time for my muscles to develop enough to do basic movements like rolling in my crib.

‘But I don't have time for that.’ My resolve firmed, ‘I need to be faster, I need to do better.’

My progress was slower than I liked, but perfectly reasonable. But, here's the thing- The old me would have been okay with that, being average. Needless to say that given this opportunity, I wanted to be a cut above the rest. And more than that, A diamond in the rough. I had the knowledge, I had the means, Now I just need the work.

I needed to adapt, and I needed to adapt fast. The faster I learned, the better my chances looked in this galaxy. But as stated before, I didn't plan on surviving, but thriving.

The next few days -’or weeks?’- I don't know exactly, time sort of blurred together, were spent on attempting to gain more motor control of my body. My adult brain had been crammed into a tiny, uncoordinated infant form, and let me just say, it is frustrating. Every time I tried to move an arm or a leg, it felt like I was controlling it through a fog. It didn’t do what I wanted it to do. But I was determined. I worked on wiggling my fingers, then clenching my fists. I practiced lifting my head, rolling over, all those basic motor skills that babies take months to master.

By the time the first month came to an end, I had gained sufficient control over my body, for now anyways. Now, It was time to gain a bare bones idea on what these droids were saying. The droids looked like the typical nursing droid, rotund and a slight teddy bear appearance -or maybe rabbit- with a baby blue paint job.

Using and combining my prior life’s knowledge in University from studying multiple languages with my knowledge of Aurebesh as a star wars fanatic, I was able to somewhat get an understanding, although granted I still couldn't quite make it out. Everyday, on repeat when they would feed us, they would repeat our names and give a variety of greetings. And while we drank, or ate I supposed, they would pronounce short equivalents of: “AA, Ma, da, etc.” And it was definitely helping me understand.

By then, the second month had come and gone. Entirely spent of attempting to learn the language from both the younglings that would occasionally come in and the droids. It wasn't an entirely fruitless venture however, as I had learned how to say the basics of things, no doubt in part due to the trait, “Smart Cookie.” Which I had begun to worship.

“Good morning, little one,” a droid chirped as it hovered over me. Its voice was soothing, like a warm blanket. “Are you ready for your day?”

I blinked up at it, momentarily stunned by how normal this all became. The droid adjusted my blanket and offered a soft hum that I assumed was supposed to be comforting.“Let’s get you nice and cozy,” it continued, its mechanical arms gently tucking the blanket around me. “You’ve got a big day ahead.”

Big day? I couldn’t even crawl yet, but sure, let’s call it a big day.

But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I had to learn, and I had to learn quickly. So, I focused. I practiced moving my fingers, then my hands, then my arms. I worked on sitting up, on holding things, on making sounds that sort of resembled words. And, believe it or not, I got pretty good at it, really quickly. The droids had begun to notice my “aptitude” for learning, and had begun Introducing me to more complex topics, like colors and shapes.

Fast forward four months, and I could say in confidence that I was truly leagues above and beyond my peers. At just six months, I had learned the equivalent of basic English one would expect from a 4 or 5 year old in Aurebesh. I of course never displayed this, instead choosing to display my long since leaned ability to say my name and a week later, crawl.

It would seem that crawling was my physical limit however, as I just didn't have the muscle yet, but I was close. Some more crawling and building up my muscles would do just the trick. And, It would seem the droids knew this too as they would give me opportunities to crawl and “play” with the toys they gave me. Of course, I played with them totally to blend in, and not at all to have fun with children's toys. *Sweats*

looking out the tall windows into the metallic visage that was the Coruscant planet and the distant Senate building quickly became my favorite pastime.

‘The heart of the Republic, huh?’

It was just as the Prequels and Clone Wars T.V show had depicted. And while certainly not as beautiful as Naboo or as elegant as Raxus Prime, (-before the empire-) it had its own charm.

“Ethan,” I turned my head, spotting a nursing droid making its way over to me with a bottle of blue milk, which I had grown quite fond of. It picked me up, surprising me yet again at its gentle -albeit cold- touch.

Playing into the toddler persona, -not at all because I wanted the milk…- I reached out towards the bottle, taking it and clumsily drinking from it. If the Droid had emotions, I'm sure it would have laughed. That was one of the better things about having these droids as caretakers, I wouldn't be constantly teased or laughed at when I fell or the like. The Auburn haired kid from my first day would ensure that I knew he found those moments enjoyable…

The droids however would always act pleased whenever I tried something new, no doubt due to its programming. ‘Probably coded in to make the environment more encouraging for children.’

Speaking of which, the droid tilted its head as if it were smiling as I drank. “Good Ethan, keep drinking and you'll grow up in no time!” it whispered in its oddly chipper voice, making me question just how their creators and programmers could make a droid so… personable or pet-like?

‘I mean, just look at the common B1 battle droid! It acted and spoke like a person, a dumb one, but a person nonetheless.’

Either way, the droid's words of encouragement meant little to me as I didn't necessarily need it, but regardless I knew what they meant. “keep doing what you’re doing, and everything will be fine.” And for now, that was good enough for me.

My thoughts went back towards the Auburn haired kid. ‘Speaking of younglings, they are intriguing to say the least.’

It was the same group of six, all 5-6 years old. The only one that stood out was the Auburn haired kid, but that was really only because of his hair. What was interesting though was their meditation. While taking care of us, they would rotate in groups 3. One taking care of the rest of us, and the other meditating with the Jedi minder.

Their meditation had been inspiring to me, and I would try to Garner more information on how they're meditating. I had tried to copy them the first time about a month ago, but that led to nothing. So, as they had come in for the second time this week, I wanted to try again.

The Jedi Minder walked around the small group, smiling as he corrected each child's method. “Meditation is a very sacred art of the Jedi, and a necessary skill to have if you want to be Jedi, Younglings.” He raises his hand, causing his lightsaber to twirl mid-air.

‘Hey! There's kids here, didn't your parents ever tell you to not play light swords in the house?’

Actually on second thought, he more than likely doesn't know or at least remember his parents at all…

Now feeling awkward, my attention shifted to the only kid that seemed to be successful, the Auburn one. As he meditated, I noticed that not once did the elder Jedi correct him. He sat in a lotus position, eyes closed but relaxed, and hands on his knees. This didn't exactly explain how he did it though. And as I found it previously, meditation was more than a physical thing.

Although today was slightly different, the Jedi had finally given them verbal advice on how to connect with the force, something that the previous Jedi never did, or maybe they had and I had never paid attention…..

ANYWAY!

“Feel the Force, grasp onto it.” He said as he tapped his cane on a blonde boy's leg, causing said boy to sit up straighter. “Let your emotions, your thoughts be aided by the Force. Remember the code.” The Jedi paced around them as he said this, head held high.

That would soon change however, as everyone suddenly heard snoring. The Jedi Whipped his head to the Auburn kid, as I deadpanned.

‘Meditate my ass. This kid was sleeping the entire time, no wonder he looked so relaxed.’

I listened closely at the information provided nonetheless, and mentally stowed it for later as the Auburn haired kid had been awoken with a sigh by the Jedi. “Initiate Kenobi, I know that our lessons can be….. boring, but I -we- expect you to follow them with rapt attention!” He spoke with restrained annoyance.

He circled him, raising his finger with each point, numbering two eventually.

“Being a Jedi is more than just lightsabers and combat. A Jedi is a peacekeeper, a powerful being that serves the people, ensuring their security and promoting order in the galaxy." He was now holding his face in his hand as he massaged his temples, “You have a lot of potential, young Kenobi, but you will only reach it through mastering this first step.”

“But master, I-”

“That's enough! I need no excuses, I need your best,” He sat in meditation by…Kenobi. “Perhaps now with me beside you you'll build the motivation necessary to pass this?”

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It was a statement more so than a question, but he had answered anyways with a sad expression only a kid could have. “Yes master….”

Okay, first of all, Jackpot. I knew I was reborn during the rise of the empire, or the waning days of the Republic, but I didn't know exactly when. And while I didn't know the exact date, I knew it was very far off from the Events of the Phantom Menace, Which was very good to say the least.

Secondly, that Auburn kid was fucking Kenobi? A moment of awe passed through me before I realized he was the one that had found my struggling amusing, none other than Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the main characters? My left eye twitched as I stared at him with promised revenge. ‘you’ll get yours!’

…

Obi-Wan felt tingles going through his body as he looked at one of the stranger babies of the lot, but upon seeing the baby just staring and then laughing he shrugged. This would however gain him the ire of the Jedi beside him, causing the Jedi to lightly smack his head.

Grunting in annoyance while rubbing the spot that was hit, Obi-wan closed his eyes. Needless to say, no progress was made that day.

…

The Force,

I knew what it was. I knew how it worked, theoretically anyways. But knowing and doing are two very different things. I couldn't practice it out in the open, so everything had to be done secretly, more so than my practiced speech and physical development.

I started by observing. The droids were efficient and predictable, following routines that I quickly memorized. They were excellent caregivers, but they weren’t perfect. They had blind spots, times when they were less attentive. I made note of these, planning how I could use them to my advantage later.

The Jedi younglings were another story. They were curious, energetic, and still learning the ways of the Force. Some were more skilled than others, but they all had a natural connection to the Force that I envied. I watched them closely, trying to mimic their actions, their movements, even their expressions. It was all about fitting in, about blending into this world until I was ready to step out of the shadows.

I would practice whenever I had the chance, and at month 13 was when I felt it, the barest hints of it, But I felt it. Joy filled me, and it would seem it wasn't just me that was happy. The Force rushed me, enveloping my being and started…singing? It was confusing as hell, but as quickly as I had felt it, it disappeared

I concentrated on the feeling again, gaining a small thread of it in me as I turned my attention to a small toy lying just out of reach, having fallen from me playing with it earlier. Using this connection, I concentrated it on the toy starship willing it to move.

Nothing happened.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that easy. I tried again, this time focusing more on the feeling of the Force, trying to sense it around me. I imagined it like a current, something that flowed through the air, through everything. I visualized the toy moving, imagining what it would feel like to control it.

Still nothing.

I sighed as the feeling left me fully this time. I felt strangely tired, perhaps the first instance of feeling the force leaves a person tired? It was an outside force -Natural but at the same time unnatural.

I spent the next several weeks practicing in secret. Whenever the droids weren’t watching, or when the other babies were asleep, I’d try to tap into the Force. Sometimes, I’d feel a slight twinge, a hint of something just out of reach. Other times, it felt like I was trying to move a mountain with a spoon. Progress was slow, painfully so, but I was getting there. Little by little. Before the 15th month came, I had my first instance of success

‘Baby steps’ I joked as the toy slightly moved, surprising me as I had expected another failure. ‘I DID IT!!!’ an intense feeling of joy filled me, one that the force seemed to share. Its energy bolstered my next attempt, flinging it across the room and hitting a droid in stasis. ‘oop, shit.’

I ducked my head and pretended to be asleep as the droid was abruptly interrupted from its recharge cycle, powering on briefly as it noticed the toy on the floor, looking at it before bringing it to the box in the corner containing the rest. Once done, it went back to its station and shut down again, a whirring replacing its sound of movement.

Sighing in relief, my face took on a grin. ‘Let's keep practicing!’

By the 18th month, I had figured out how to push objects, though they were all small and lightweight. The only thing that changed really is that we were allowed to walk out of our cribs and interact with the others. But, I didn't really do that, it felt weird to interact with kids twenty years younger than me, and so I instead focused on building my leg muscles by constantly walking, and it was surprisingly exhausting.

I heard the occasional comment about how I was “socially inept,” by the droids and Jedi, and I guess it did kind of seem that way. Everyone else had made friends with one another, and I hadn't. I rarely even talked to them, unless spoken to. As much as I looked it, I wasn't a child. Not really. And any attempt to play with me was met with indifference, thus ensuring that the kids would leave me alone.

“Ethan, do you want to play with us?” : Silence

“Ethan, why won't you play with us?” Silence.

I would answer other questions though, as I didn't want them thinking I was incapable of speech.

For instance, today when someone asked me my favorite color, I told them blue. I would occasionally engage the droids with questions as well. I was much more interested in what was happening in the galaxy, or the temple itself. This was more than enough to show them that I was truly not socially inept, but they did say I had social anxiety. I inwardly chuckled at their attempts to figure me out.

Everything had fallen into relative monotony for me, as the days blended together until I hit 20 months old. That was when everything changed.

…

I was playing with a miniature figure of a Delta-7b Aethersprite -don’t judge me- when I felt it, a heavy but somehow light presence descended on the room as I whipped my head to source, wide eyes. The same singing was intense, leagues above my own.

As the door slowly hissed open, a small green alien walked in. My grip on the figure slackened as it fell through my hands. The Force enveloped him, Yoda, tightly. And it spoke out to me, and I felt it begin to envelop me too, as Yoda’s eyes snapped to me, studying me before smiling and walking to the center of the room.

He may be small, but when he enters a room, you feel it. The air gets heavier, like someone turned up the gravity just a notch. The droids quieted down, the other toddlers stopped fussing, and even the Jedi younglings seemed to stand a little straighter.

Once he reached the center of the room, he walked over each toddler, observing them, asking questions about them and gently twirling them in the air as they all laughed, until he eventually reached me.

“Who are you, Hmmmm?” he asked, hands behind his back.

I snapped out of my stupor, stammering over my words, “Ethan, sir.” I straightened my back, “Ethan Sunrider.” I was understandably nervous, this is the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.

Yoda stared at me with interest as he bent over and picked up the toy I was playing with, analyzing it. “Like starfighters, you do? Wish to explore the galaxy, you must?” he used the force, floating it back into my hands as I caught it. He turned around, heading back to the center. “Interesting Jedi, you may become.”

When he reached the center, he sat and called all the others over as the younglings left the room and then sat down. Needless to say, I was the first to head there, nearly tripping over my feet as I hurriedly sat down before him. “Hm hm hm hm, eager, you are. Good it must be, to be young.” I nodded excitedly as the others finally made it, sitting down with me in a half-circle in front of him.

Yoda looked over all of us, his gaze lingering on me as he closed his eyes. The Force surrounding him picked up before he brought out three small metal balls and threw them up in the air using the force as he spun them around us, much to our joy as we, even I, laughed in joy and Amazement.

Before long, he had stopped as we all stared at him in amazement, one kid even yelled excitedly, “how did you do that?!?”

Yoda opened his eyes as he laughed and stared at the kid and picked him up as he twirled him around mid-air. The others laughed as he twirled, but I just stared in Amazement as I felt things begin to click into place as I watched him use the force. It was all starting to make sense, I had been taking the wrong approach the entire time. Instead of listening to the force, I had been demanding, not requesting from it.

Yoda had gently let the boy back down in his original spot, laying on his back. Unaware that he had just helped me figure something out, he began to meditate as he answered his question when they all settled down.

"The Force, it is, all around us it flows. Like a gentle breeze, it touches every living thing, connecting us, making us one. Feel it, you can, like a warm hug from the galaxy. When calm and kind you are, stronger in the Force you become. Listen with your heart, younglings, and the Force, your guide, it will be.”

He opened his eyes, before staring at all of us again and settling his eyes on me. “The Force, my ally is. And a powerful ally it is.”

“How do we use the force?” Another kid piped up, this time a girl with longer hair. To which Yoda chuckled,

“Feel it, you must, search for it. And find you, it will.”

He began guiding us all in meditation, giving us the same advice as the Jedi gave the younglings a few months back, but it somehow felt better than his, wiser.

I closed my eyes, drowning everyone else out as I had taken my recent enlightenment as a result of Yoda's accidental teaching to me. Instead of deepening my concentration alone, I opened myself up to the Force, and that's when I felt it. A rush of energy like the day I first felt it came, but this time it stayed as I opened my eyes.

Yoda stared at me, his curiosity filled expression now instead stunned before he schooled his expression, smiling but saying nothing to me. Eventually, Yoda began to leave, but not before staring at me one last time and smiling wisely, hands once again behind his back. He turned around, chuckling quietly and just like that, he was gone.

…

**Outside, Yoda.**

‘Ethan Sunrider, hmmm?’ he stared down at the younglings outside practicing deflecting blasters whilst being blinded. Spotting young Kenobi excelling where the others failed.

He couldn't help imagining Ethan down there, deflecting the blasters. ‘interesting, he is. Much potential, he has.’

He walked down to the Jedi master in charge of them, Cin Drallig. “Master Yoda! To what do I owe the pleasure?” he politely asked while bowing. Yoda smiled at him,

“The younglings, how goes their training? Good, I hope it is, yes?.”

Master Drallig nodded, “Yes Master, they get better everyday.” His gaze lingered on the notoriously rebellious Obi-wan Kenobi. “Especially initiate Kenobi, he is displaying a remarkable ability with lightsaber combat. He has taken to form IV quite well.”

Yoda stared at him with interest, thoughts still lingering on Ethan. “Good, that is. Far, he has come.” Cin Drallig nodded, crossing his arms.

“The next Clan sorting, remind me when it is.”

His fellow master stared for a moment in curiosity before answering. “Four months, master Yoda.” Yoda nodded and began walking away. “Did one of the Kids catch your eye master?” Yoda turned around, nodding.

“Say that, you could. Ethan Sunrider, his name is. Much potential, he has.”

Drallig’s eyes widened, if master Yoda said someone had potential, then there was no doubt in his mind that this Ethan Sunrider would make a good initiate hopeful. His mind wandered.

‘Ethan Sunrider, huh?’

…

It was the middle of the night, and I was practicing using the force again. I wrapped it around the toy, and pulled it towards me. The toy starfighter flew to my hand as I grabbed it, smiling. I learned how to do it successfully a week ago.

As one could guess, the difficulty scaled with the weight and size of an object. The heaviest I had been able to lift was one of our old cribs, which was a lot better than struggling to lift a toy. Yoda’s first visit had been eye opening with his mastery of the force, and he had made many such visits since then.

Each one had taught me more than the last, and with the help of the droids, I had grasped how to read the equivalent of children's books. But it would seem most force sensitive kids could grasp academics easily, given they weren't too far behind.

Yoda would come by daily and give us lessons on the force, the Jedi order, the different races of the galaxy, etc. As he was depicted in the comics, shows, and movies, he was an excellent teacher. Often when he taught us, he would leave me with just as many new questions as answers. And it would seem as if he was challenging me personally.

‘And I don't mind that.’

I laid back in my assigned bed that we were recently provided in place of the cribs, a true upgrade, I decided.

‘It's fun, the way he challenges my thoughts and knowledge. He provides a whole new perspective on things.’ I twirled the toy in the air using the force. “I've come a long way…”

And I wasn't wrong.

I had become more than that boy who wanted to be different, to exist with purpose. I had long since stopped questioning my reincarnation, deciding to just live on. I embraced it, anything was better than living like that.

And here, all my fears of old just left. I didn't need to worry about upcoming taxes, rent, school, etc; instead, I got to be given free daily lessons on how to be a super powered individual who could become one of the strongest warriors out there!

I chuckled

On a serious note, I was going to be a Jedi, I decided. It wasn't just for a selfish reason like before either, surviving. It had developed into a genuine desire to protect the temple, as I observed the daily happiness that went through the room. Kids smiling, Jedi masters teaching, and that was without mentioning the Force.

It's hard to explain, but whenever I connected to it, it had its own desires, its own will. And I felt it travel through the entire building, feeling the emotions of others. The fall of the Republic, the culling of the Jedi, order 66, I wouldn't let it happen.

And as these thoughts came and went, I felt myself slowly growing tired. ‘ah that's right…. tomorrow is my Birthday.’ A grin found its way on my face as I wondered. "When will it be......"

Next Chapter: time to be sorted…

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