If you're taking suggestion... Dad Plo Koon taking care of his Wolfpack babies? Or Mom Shaak Ti taking care of her Domino babies? Also, are Obi-wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka babies in this? I forget if you mentioned it or not
Yes Obi-wan, Anakin and Ahsoka are babies. I had an idea about Plo and the Wolfpack. It might have to go on hold. I just had two deaths in my family in the space of two weeks. My writing is being put on hold. I will work on this soon I hope but I'm not in the right mind space for this at the moment.
Your baby clones in animal onesies stories are the. Cutest. Thing. Ever. In the entire world. I’ve read each part at least five times. I just can’t get over how cute they are! Are you going to keep the story going? I’d love to read more!
Thanks for the ask. As for that story... I've run out of ideas. It's not over but I just can't think of anything to continue it. If you have prompts I will happily hear you out.
So... I started a new series and if you see me over on Ao3 you might know it. But for all my readers on Tumblr I thought I would post it here for you guys. I’m writing a series about Disney movies with Star Wars characters.
These are not scene by scene, word by word, stories of the movies. I am putting my own spin on things and hopefully are staying true to both the movie plot and the characters I am using.
This first one is 101 Dalmatians and the pairing I used it Jango Fett/Obi-wan Kenobi. Without further ado... here is Adopting 99 Troubled Children...
Word Count: 2,625
Characters: Jango, Obi-wan, Anakin, Padme
Summary: My story is not a really long one. I'm not going to spill my entire life story. I just want to tell you about the time my mate and I adopted ninety-nine, troubled children. It's a tale filled with a little romance, finding a family, dangerous masterminds, tricky thieves, a treacherous journey through a Christmas blizzard. I met a lot of good people on the search for my puppies. I hope you can stick with me while I tell my tale.
****
CHAPTER ONE...
Our story begins almost a year ago today. At first, it was just me. Me and my pet Anakin.
We lived above a machine shop near Regents Park. The shop was my pet’s pride and joy. He worked on machines all day until closing (sometimes even after closing). He was determined to make a machine that would change the world.
It was all nonsense as far as I was concerned. Humans and their machines had no use for dogs.
Our story began on a bright spring day. I was sitting in my usual spot by the window while my pet worked behind me on some device.
Oh, forgive me. I completely forgot to introduce myself. How rude of me. I’m Jango. And you probably guessed it but, yes. I’m a dog. Dalmatian to be exact.
Living with Anakin was happy enough. I was fed, watered, had a roof over my head, a soft bed, was taken on walks when I asked, and was generally well taken care of. I will forever be grateful to him for rescuing me from the horrible pound.
The problem with living with Anakin was the state of our home and the loneliness that came often when night fell and it was just me and him in the house.
We both wished for something to change and that something… or should I say someones… came into our lives one early Spring morning.
As I said before, I was laying in my spot in the shop workroom. Anakin had always left a bed for me in there right by the window.
I was bored and was idly watching the dogs and their pets walk across the street outside.
It hit me as I saw a human-mated couple share an embrace as they entered the park.
That would be a perfect cure for our growing loneliness. My pet could have someone that will be there for him and I would have some companionship. Dogs are social beings and we require company.
I set out to find the perfect pair for us. I started with someone for myself.
***
Jango dropped his head on his front paws as he watched the people and their pets go by. Lots of pets with their dogs walked past their small shop into the park.
He saw a long-haired dog. Jango thought about that one. Nope. He decided. Long hair would get everywhere. No, she was not for them.
Another smaller short-haired dog walked past. Was this one…? No. She looked a little snobbish. Jango did not need someone to harp on him when he wanted to clean himself in the middle of the living room.
Another snooty dog came past. Fancy curly hair and all. She tossed her nose up when she spotted Jango in the window.
What was with the females of his species? They all were either too snobby or took too much care.
Jango huffed as an older dog followed by a puppy walked past.
Or too old or too young.
This was hopeless. Jango growled a little in frustration. Just a little one. Anakin didn’t even notice.
Maybe he was going about this the wrong way. He didn’t necessarily need female companionship. He just wanted someone to be there to talk to. Who said it had to be a female?
Jango kept an eye out. A whole hour passed before he saw the right pair. Jango sat up. He placed his front paws on the window sill to get a better look.
Another dalmatian with sleek fur and handsome spots came walking by. The other dog moved confidently but not rudely.
Jango quickly darted his eyes to the dalmatian’s pet. She looked pretty enough for a human, he supposed.
Brown hair and darker skin than his pet. She looked a little on the short side for a human.
Jango saw they stopped to help an older couple.
Jango snorted. Maybe a little too good. But maybe good was what they needed.
Jango followed them through the various windows in the shop as they turned the corner and into the park.
They had to leave now if they were to catch up to them. The park wasn’t that big and if they were only crossing through it, they didn’t have much time.
Jango got up and bounded towards his pet. He barked a few times and gently pulled on his pet’s sleeve.
Anakin stretched and looked up. “What’s wrong, Jango? Do you need to go outside?”
Jango walked over to his leash and grabbed it in his mouth. He went back over to Anakin and dropped it in his lap.
Anakin stood up and yawned. “Alright. I could use a break. Mom always said that being indoors all day was not healthy.”
Jango waited impatiently for his pet to put away his project and lock up their shop. When his leash was finally clipped on, Jango bolted for the door.
***
Jango knew he was strong for a dog. Anakin put up very little resistance as Jango dragged him through the various paths in the park.
“Easy, boy. Slow down. I thought we were going for a walk. Not a run.” Anakin tugged sharply on his leash.
Jango coughed a little when his collar pulled against his throat. He tried smelling out the other dalmatian but the scents were too mixed up. He would follow one scent he thought for sure was them only to come across a different dog.
Jango was feeling frustrated. Where were they? Were they too late? Had they missed them because Jango couldn’t smell a single dog?
Jango jerked to a stop when he saw the other dalmatian. He was sitting calmly by a park bench in the shade of a tree. His pet was sitting above him on the bench with a folder of papers in front of her.
Jango tried to walk like the other dog. Confidently but not rudely. He failed. Badly. Jango walked over to the grass by the pond.
Anakin sighed with relief and dropped to the ground next to him. Jango felt a little bad as his pet panted for air. That was pushed from his mind as he saw the other dog watching him.
Jango looked back as he (yes, the other dalmatian was a male) looked him over. Jango tried hard to not puff out his chest. He wasn’t looking for a mate for himself.
Jango jumped in surprise when his pet ran his fingers over his ears. Jango toppled over, rolled down the hill, and fell into the pond with a splash.
“Jango!”
Jango heard his pet yelling for him. Jango climbed from the pond and shook the water from his fur. He felt something draped across his back.
Jango ignored it as he saw the other dalmatian and his pet pack things up.
Jango ran over to them. The cold slimy wet thing stuck to his back as he went.
“Oh, my word.” The human female chuckled. “That was funny.”
“I know. I wish I had my camera.” Anakin spoke back.
Jango could sense the beginning of something happening between the two humans. Jango headed for the other Dalmatian.
“Hi.” Jango sat down and wagged his tail once in polite greeting.
The other dalmatian looked him over from ears to tail. The other dog barked a laugh. “You have a lily pad stuck to your back.”
Jango liked this other dog’s voice. It had a cadence to it that Jango had never heard before. Oh. Right. Lily pad. Jango turned his head to try and pull it off. He couldn’t quite reach it. It rested between his shoulder blades.
The other dalmatian snorted. “Let me help you with that”.
Warm soft fur brushed against Jango’s side as the other dog gently gripped the lily pad with his teeth. He jerked his head once and the slimy plant slid off his shoulders and landed on the floor with a plop.
Jango turned to look as his pet let out an uncharacteristic sigh.
“That was adorable.” Anakin was watching him.
Jango stepped away from the other dog and shook out his fur again. Jango knew he wasn’t the prettiest dog. His fur was not as nice as some. He supposed that was what happened when you grew up as a pup on the streets. Not enough food when you were growing wasn’t healthy.
Jango’s pet called him over. Jango wanted to stay with this other dog but if his pet was ready to leave… Jango really didn’t want to be left behind.
Jango looked between the other dog and his pet.
“Jango. Come on. We have to go.” Anakin called again.
“It looks like she doesn’t want to leave.” The female human stared at him.
Jango huffed. Was she calling him a female?
“Jango’s a boy. He doesn’t want to leave her.” Anakin clipped Jango’s leash onto his collar.
“Obi-wan is a boy, too.” The female watched the two of them.
Jango turned his head to study the handsome dalmatian before him.
“We just moved here and it would be good for Obi-wan to make friends. Call me and we can set up a time to meet up. I’m Padme.” Padme handed Anakin something.
Jango turned back to Obi-wan. “See you around?” Jango was hoping to aim for casual. No need for this dalmatian to know just how handsome Jango found him. He failed. Again.
“Yes. I think we will if our pets have any say in it.” Obi-wan walked by his pet’s side as she headed off into the park. “See you later, Jango.”
Jango barked once in goodbye.
“Come on, Jango.” Anakin tugged his leash gently in the direction of home. “What’s got you so confused? I'm not that bad of company am I?”
Jango happily followed his pet’s lead as they left the park. Hopefully, he could nudge his pet into a courtship between the two humans. It would be nice having another dog around.
***
A week went by and Anakin did not call Padme.
The loneliness was getting worse. Now that he had a taste for companionship it was like he craved it.
Anakin always gave him pets and belly rubs when he asked for it but nothing could beat the comfort of having the warmth of another dog against his side.
Jango knew he wasn’t being subtle. He watched every day for Obi-wan and his pet to come back to the park. They either did it while he was taking a break to eat or drink, or they didn’t come back at all.
Jango was in his spot huffing at all the other dogs and pets as they walked past. None of them were him.
“Jango. Come here, boy. I have a surprise for you.” Anakin called from the front of the shop.
Jango’s ears perked up. He lifted his head. His pet had a surprise? What kind of thing did he decide Jango needed?
Jango climbed to his feet. He stretched out his back with a deep yawn. Well, time to go see what ridiculousness his pet came up with now. If it was another sweater or hat, Jango reserved the right to bury it in the backyard.
Jango stepped through the doorway into the front room. Jango came to a stop. Sitting next to his pet’s leg was Obi-wan.
Jango walked over, abandoning all attempts to be casual. He didn’t want to look like an even bigger idiot.
“Hello there.” Obi-wan greeted. “No lily pad this time?”
Jango huffed. “I will never live that down, will I?”
“No. I don’t believe so.” Obi-wan wagged his tail a few times. “Our pets have decided to bring us on a walk together.”
Jango looked back at Anakin just in time to see him grab Jango’s leash. “I didn’t hear him call her.”
“I didn’t either.” Obi-wan moved a step away as Anakin clipped Jango’s leash to his collar.
“Come on Jango. Let’s go.” Anakin led him outside their shop. His pet locked the door behind them.
Jango started off walking with Obi-wan at his side. The silence was a little awkward.
“Where are you from? The way you speak… it’s not something I’ve heard before.” Jango tried conversation.
“I’m from Scotland. I was given to my pet as a puppy. I’ve lived with her my whole life. Where are you from?” Obi-wan turned a corner by bumping into Jango’s side.
Jango sighed. “Nowhere that fancy. I’ve only been with my pet for a year.” Jango decided to be honest. “I lived on the streets as a pup until I grew up. I got taken to the pound and escaped one too many times and was sentenced to be put to sleep. My pet rescued me and now I live with him.”
Silence fell again.
Jango couldn’t take it anymore. “If you don’t want to hang around someone who…”
Jango froze as a cold wet nose pressed against his cheek.
“Hush. I’m perfectly okay with spending time with you.” Obi-wan pulled away. He bumped into Jango’s shoulder again. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you. My pet and I pass it almost every day.”
Jango followed Obi-wan as they gently led their pets through the park.
A loud burst of laughter made him and Obi-wan look back. Their pets were giggling over something on one of the human devices.
Jango snorted. Really? His pet was really giggling like an infatuated puppy. Jango rolled his eyes and began walking again.
“Your pet is a little… unusual,” Obi-wan commented.
“I will be forever grateful to him for rescuing me from the pound and giving me a home but sometimes… he’s a little ridiculous. He works with machines and will spend hours at it if I don’t convince him to get some sunshine and do other things.” Jango shook his head. His fur ruffled then settled at his neck.
Obi-wan was quiet. “My pet gets lost in work too. Ever since… well…” Obi-wan looked back at the two of their pets. “Let’s just say not every intended mate went well for my pet. This is the happiest I have seen her in a long time.”
Jango felt the heavy mood settle over them. Jango swallowed harshly and bumped into Obi-wan’s side playfully. “Here’s to hoping?”
Obi-wan looked back at him. “Here’s to hoping.”
****
The next few months rolled by. It was summer when our two pets admitted their relationship to each other and their families.
Obi-wan and I had already known. Obi-wan and I had been in one since our third walk.
My pet was downright giddy at times when she would message or come over. The news really only came as a surprise to our pets’ other families.
Maybe, not so much as a surprise. Sabe surely wasn’t surprised after she had thoroughly interrogated my pet and scared him near to death. I wanted to jump in and defend him but Obi-wan told me to stop.
I had waited as my pet seemed to flounder before saying something terribly romantic that caused the scents in the room to go all soft.
I had sneezed and everyone looked at me.
It was fall when our pets got married. Obi-wan and I had decided to say our own vows and be a proper mated couple when our pets said theirs.
We stood outside by our pets and swore to always be there for each other.
This isn’t all of our story. This is just the beginning. This story is how we adopted ninety-nine, troubled children, after all.
I have more to tell you about dangerous masterminds, scary thieves, and a treacherous journey in the middle of a blizzard with a lot of children.
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All eight chapters of Lost But Homebound in one spot. Thank you for sticking with me on this and following me. I hope you enjoy my stories and be on the lookout for more from me. I have lots of plans.
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
Last chapter for this story. Would you guys like to see a sequel from Din’s point of view? Always remember... YOU ARE LOVED!!!
Word Count: 1,935
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters, Bo-Katan Kryze
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
Grogu couldn’t sleep. He was so close to finding his buir he could almost taste it. Grogu waited in his seat as a million thoughts ran through his head.
Would his buir be happy to see him? Would he even still love and remember him? Was Grogu a ba’vodu? Was his buir a ba’buir? Did his buir still have his toys? Grogu missed his stuffed bantha and his favorite blankie. Did Buir have a home finally? One where Grogu could play outside and catch as many frogs as he wanted? Did buir have a family other than Grogu?
All those and many more ran through his head. More sad thoughts hit his mind.
He hadn’t seen his buir in a long time. Did Buir even want him back? Buir did give him to Master Luke. Did Buir still love him? Does Buir even care anymore about him?
Grogu felt tears coming on. He quickly shut down that part of thinking. He needed a new plan. He would be on Mandalore soon. He had two goals. One. Find the Mand’alor and interrogate him on where his buir is. Two. Go to his Buir and hug him tightly.
Satisfied with his plan, Grogu anxiously waited for them to reach Mandalore. He bounced in his seat and fiddled with his hands. Grogu took a deep breath and pulled out his holo picture. He pressed the button and the familiar picture popped up on the screen.
Grogu traced one claw over his buir’s helmet. What was his buir doing now? Did he stop being a beroya because he was too old? Like Peli stopped being a mechanic because she couldn’t work anymore? Did Buir settle down in a house with a big yard?
Grogu closed his eyes. He could almost see it. A home with a porch and a yard. A pond was off to the side full of yummy frogs and fish. Grogu could learn to swim in it with Buir. Playing with his stuffed bantha on the porch while Buir cleaned his blasters on the table next to him. Playing hide and seek with Buir and hiding in the tall grass.
Grogu didn’t know he was sleeping until the ship jolted out of hyperspace. Grogu yawned and climbed down from his chair. ElleDee unplugged from the charging port and PA flew to the cockpit to talk with the droid piloting.
The ship finally landed what seemed like ages later. Grogu lowered the ramp and stepped out onto the ground.
He instantly froze. A vaguely familiar armored Mandalorian stood at the bottom.
“Hello, Grogu. You’ve certainly led everyone on a merry little chase.”
What was her name? All Grogu could remember when he last saw her was red. Was her name Red?
“Where’s my Buir?” Grogu demanded.
If Red was surprised at Grogu’s speech ability she didn’t show it. She just tilted her head at him. “Halfway home from Coruscant by now, I’d imagine.”
Grogu frowned. Buir hated the Core worlds. Why was he on Coruscant?
“Come with me Foundling. I have had a meal prepared for you.” Red raised an eyebrow at ElleDee when the droid rolled in front of Grogu with its electro prod extended threateningly.
“Designation: LD-3 Protect Designation: Child Grogu. Imprison him = Designation: Unknown Organic will regret it.” ElleDee moved its prod closer.
“Lord Grogu, will not be harmed. I have many capabilities you do not wish to experience, Unknown Organic.” PA whirred up to Red’s face. A little arm full of knives extended from PA’s body.
“Lord Grogu?” Red snorted. “The Mand’alor will love that. This way, Grogu.” Red didn’t seem to mind the droids’ threats.
Grogu followed Red into a huge palace. This couldn’t be where Buir lived, right?
Grogu was led to a massive kitchen. Red made a motion to pick him up but ElleDee zoomed between them and beeped out something not very nice to Red.
Grogu sighed and used the Force to jump up into a chair. Red placed a special seat on the chair so he was level with the table.
“I’m afraid we are fresh out of frogs and lizards but the Mand’alor did say you liked meat. It’s not fresh but here.” Red laid out a plate full of bite-sized pieces of cooked meat. A small bowl filled with broth sat next to the plate.
Grogu reached for a piece and started eating. Quiet fell in the room until Red’s comm began beeping shrillingly.
Red rolled her eyes before picking up the comm. “Yes, Mand’alor?”
“Is he there? Please tell me he’s there and alright. We lost him on Corellia and then Boba picked up a trace of him on Coruscant and we saw his ship take off.”
That was Buir’s voice! He sounded tired like he had gone days without sleep and his voice was a little raspier but that was Buir!
Grogu teared up. He wanted to call for him so badly but Grogu wanted his buir to know he could speak in person.
“He’s here and relatively unharmed. I will have someone give him a bath because frankly, he smells and I will have a medic look over him shortly.” Red spoke more to Buir but Grogu didn’t hear.
Did he smell? He knew it had been a week or so since he last had a bath. The night before the attack happened on Yavin 4. Traveling across the galaxy did not make for easy bath times.
Was he injured? His feet did hurt after Mustafar. Maybe they would have something for him. Grogu only wanted his buir to take care of him though.
“Let me see him.” Buir was demanding.
Red turned the holo screen to face him.
Grogu stared. That was Buir but not Buir. Buir’s face had a few more wrinkles. His hair looked to be a different color at his temples. He wasn’t wearing his helmet. Buir’s helmet was gone.
Grogu whined in distress. What happened to his Buir? Was… was Buir no longer a Mandalorian? He wasn’t wearing his helmet. What happened to his helmet?
“Hey, Ad’ika. I’m almost home. I’m coming back, ad’ika. I… we will talk more there. Are you okay?” Buir watched him carefully.
Grogu felt tears welling up. He wanted to cry his name so bad but the thought of Buir’s joy at hearing him speak for the first time held him back.
“Don’t cry ad’ika. I’ll be home in an hour. We can see each other then.” Buir’s hand came up and he wiped at his face. “Bo-Katan. Take care of him. I’ll be back soon.”
Who was Bo-Katan?
“Will do, Mand’alor.” Bo-Katan hung up the comm. “Are you done eating?”
Grogu grabbed his bowl and slurped down the soup. It wasn’t his favorite but it might be a close second. This sound made the same mouth sing and eyes water that Buir gave him with those yucky rations.
Grogu finished the bowl. He jumped down from the table and took off running. He needed to find a place to hide from Bo-Katan until Buir came back.
“Wait! Grogu!” Grogu vanished down the hall with PA and ElleDee behind him. Pounding footsteps raced after him.
“Scatter,” Grogu whispered to his droids.
They complained but Grogu ducked into a room while ElleDee and PA went straight. The footsteps pounded after the droids.
Grogu sighed in relief when it all went quiet. Grogu waited for a few minutes before peeking his head out from the pantry he found himself in.
Grogu headed down the hall in the opposite direction of ElleDee and PA. Grogu wandered until he came across a familiar scent. He pushed open the door to see a bedroom. It smelled like Buir.
Grogu’s feet were hurting really badly. Grogu climbed up into the bed that smelled like Buir. He laid back on the blankets and stared up at the ceiling.
A few ships landed outside the palace but Grogu ignored them. His feet ached. He wasn’t going anywhere.
A long time later voices came outside the door.
“I’m sorry, Mand’alor. We caught the droids that came with him but Grogu wasn’t with them. We don’t know where-”
The doors to Buir’s rooms slammed open.
Grogu jumped and sat up.
A figure was frozen in the doorway. “Ad’ika?”
Grogu let the tears he was holding back fall. “Buir!” he wailed.
That made Buir freeze. Grogu whined and stood up. He hobbled his way over to the shocked human.
“Buir!” Grogu called again. He held out his arms as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Buir unfroze and picked him up. Grogu tucked his face into his favorite space in the entire galaxy. His Buir’s chest plate.
Grogu let loose all he was feeling. “Buir.” he sobbed. “Don’t make me go away again.”
“Oh, Grogu.” Buir hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry, Ad’ika. I’m so sorry.”
Grogu sniffled. He finally found him. He finally found his buir. He wasn’t going away ever again. Not for a long time. Grogu finally felt at home in his buir’s arms.
Grogu pulled back a few minutes later. “I missed you, Buir.”
A hand softly rubbed his ears and Grogu leaned into his touch. Grogu sighed softly. He missed this.
“Why don’t we get you into a bath, get you looked over by a medic, and then we can sit here and you can tell me about your adventure,” Buir murmured and began moving to the huge fresher.
“Hunt,” Grogu told him. “Not adventure. Hunt.”
“A hunt, huh? A hunt that involved pirates and Wookiees and droids?” Buir turned on the water with one hand.
Grogu’s eyes went wide. “How did you know?”
“I was right behind you, ad’ika. The whole way.” Buir stripped him of his clothes and set him in the warm water.
Grogu hissed when his feet touched the bottom. He raised his feet above the water and toppled over into the bath with a splash.
Buir sighed deeply. “I’ve got you, ad’ika. We will get your feet looked after when you are clean.”
Grogu was soon scrubbed clean, feet bandaged, and cuddled on his buir’s lap in his bed.
“Why don’t you tell me what you have been up to and I can tell you about my hunt for you?” Buir smoothed his hand over Grogu’s freshly washed ears.
Grogu leaned his head against Buir’s side. He told his story of finding ElleDee and his hunt across the galaxy for his buir.
Buir listened to everything Grogu said. “That seems like a really big hunt, Grogu. I’m proud of you.”
Scuffles came at the door before ElleDee and PA barged in.
“Designation: Child Grogu: Happy. Primary Purpose: Mind Healing: Fulfilled. Secondary Purpose: Find BuirDad: Fulfilled. Tertiary Purpose: switching to Primary Purpose. Primary Purpose: Guard Designation: Child Grogu activated.” ElleDee rolled over to the bed and took up its guard position.
“My Lord Grogu, do you wish to keep me on? I make an excellent guard.” PA hovered over Grogu.
“Grogu? What’s with the droids?” Buir waved his hand at PA who was examining him.
“ElleDee and PA want to be my guards. Can they stay Buir? Please? They have nowhere else to go.” Grogu held out his arm and PA settled on it.
Buir sighed. “Alright. They can stay. I can’t turn away anyone who has no place to go.”
“Yes! Vor’e Buir.” Grogu hugged Buir’s arm as best as he could.
“Excellent. Renaming Unknown Organic to Lord Buir.” PA flew over to the window and sat down on the sill.
Grogu leaned back into Buir’s arms. His family was finally all together. Grogu was home.
Lost, But Homebound Chapter Seven - Corellia/Coruscant
So... this one is two planets in one chapter. Coruscant ended up being way to small and I was halfway done writing it before I realized that it was a completely different planet. One more chapter to go. Remember, whatever you are going through, all you have to do is reach out to someone who loves you. You are never alone.
Word Count: 1,561
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
Grogu woke up when the ship lurched out of hyperspace. That was a long nap he took. All the stress of hunting and finding his buir and walking across thin ledges over boiling lava lakes made him really sleepy.
Now if only he had some food and water he would be amazing.
“Approaching Corellia now, Lord Grogu.” PA-4 was at the control board working the ship down into a hangar. “Might I suggest refueling before we depart again?”
Grogu didn’t know if PA meant the ship or himself. Droids really didn’t understand organic nature. Either way, Grogu had no credits and needed a way to get to Yavin 4.
Grogu was starving. He had no food left and the last time he ate was before Mustafar. Grogu would either need to steal food or find a way to make credits. He was too small to be taken seriously as a Beroya. Buir wasn’t here for backup.
Grogu was lost.
Grogu climbed out of the ship. He used the Force to get ElleDee down from the cockpit. PA flew down on its rotors. Where to now?
Grogu hid when a flurry of people came in and started examining the ship. Bounty hunters. Grogu noted the multiple weapons and blasters on their bodies.
“Fett said he should be here. Something about trajectory and fuel lines. Who knows. I just want to find him because he’s the Mand’alor’s and if you cross the Mand’alor you cross Fett and I don’t have a death wish.” One of the bounty hunters grumbled to the others.
“How hard can it be to find one little-” Another complained.
“He was trained by the Mand’alor. He could be anywhere. Let’s go. He’s obviously not here. I’m not wasting my time with some old relic.” The first bounty hunter led the way out of the hangar. He was followed by the other two.
Grogu peeked out from behind a crate. That was the fourth? Fifth? Time this Mand’alor was mentioned on Grogu’s hunt. Grogu needed answers. He needed to find this Mand’alor.
“PA?” Grogu turned to face the small droid.
“Yes, Lord Grogu?” The droid hovered next to Grogu’s side.
“Do you have a copy of that star map?” Grogu pointed to the ship.
“Of course Lord Grogu, Lord Anakin made sure I was as helpful as possible.” PA displayed the map on a little projector. Grogu squinted as he read the planets. Some were too unfamiliar to name. Grogu moved the map back over to Yavin 4. There was one that was familiar.
“Grogu. If you are ever lost, find a Mandalorian. They will help you. Mandalorian looks like this…” A gloved finger pointing at words on a screen. “Or find this symbol and Mandalorians should be nearby.” The same finger gently pulling Grogu’s necklace out from underneath his collar.
Grogu squinted at the words. He zoomed in on the sector. “PA? What does this say?”
“That sector is called Mandalore, Lord Grogu. Do you wish for information on the sector?” PA floated up and down a few times eagerly.
Grogu was about to say yes but he felt those bounty hunters coming back. “We need to go.”
Grogu turned and headed for the door. He knew they weren’t coming back to the ship. Grogu made sure he still had his lightsaber, holo picture, and necklace. All three were safely tucked away on his person.
Grogu knew he was being hunted. He didn’t like it. He didn’t have time to examine and search the planet for his buir. Buir hated the Core worlds and would never step foot on these planets anyway.
Grogu lost his pursuers in the spaceport. He spotted a small passenger ship docked in a hangar.
“ElleDee? Do you still have all your old clients’ stuff? Can you buy us a pass to Mandalore?” Grogu panted as he ran towards a terminal.
“Designation LD-3 Agrees. Status: Accecessing Memory Banks.” ElleDee plugged into the terminal and soon the machine was printing three tickets.
Grogu was thankful that ElleDee included PA in their departure. Grogu quickly boarded the ship just as the doors closed and the bounty hunters shouted after him.
Grogu breathed deeply as the passenger ship shuddered.
“Tickets. Tickets. Tickets.” A droid came up to them beeping the same word over and over.
ElleDee handed their tickets off to the droid.
“Follow me.”
Grogu followed the droid down the hall. ElleDee and PA were on his heels.
They entered a room and the droid left them. Grogu climbed up in a seat. That was a close one. Why did bounty hunters want him? Was Fett a bad guy like Moff Gideon? Did he want to capture Grogu and hurt him too?
Grogu held back tears. This was a huge hunt and Grogu was getting tired. He didn’t want to keep going. He wanted his buir to hold him and tell him he loved him and that everything would be okay. Grogu was only seventy years old! He was too young to be all alone like this.
Grogu sniffled. Tears began pouring down his cheeks and Grogu broke. He cried for his dead friends and lost home. He cried for Master Luke and the betrayal he suffered. Grogu cried for his Buir and the lost time they had together. Grogu cried for PA and being left alone for twenty years. Grogu just let the pain and hurt flow from him and into the Force.
Grogu wiped at his small face. He hadn’t meditated since the morning of the attack on Yavin 4. It had been more than a week since he left. Grogu remembered Master Luke’s words on meditation and how important it was. And he remembered even older words from Master Yoda on how meditation was needed for a Jedi to focus and guidance.
Grogu settled more comfortably in his chair. “ElleDee? PA? Can you keep watch?”
“Certainly, Lord Grogu.” PA flew over to the door and settled down in front of it.
“Designation: Child Grogu Alright?” ElleDee bumped his arm.
Grogu patted ElleDee’s rounded middle. “I’ll be okay, ElleDee.”
ElleDee rolled in front of Grogu’s chair. “Designation: LD-3 Tertiary Purpose: Guard Mode Activated.” ElleDee extended its electro prod and started scanning the room.
Grogu closed his eyes and slipped into the Force. The currents were ragged and hurt-filled. Traces of Darkness began seeping into the Force from another location.
Grogu stepped away from that and built his walls stronger. Grogu fell deep and only broke the trance when the loudspeaker dinged with a message.
“Final destination approaching. All passengers prepare to disembark. Now docking at Coruscant Bay 2-4.”
Grogu looked over at ElleDee. “I thought we were going to Mandalore?”
“Designation: LD-3 Apologies. Planet Destination: Mandalore Unreachable. Planet Designation: Coruscant Closest to Designation: Child Grogu Desired Planet Destination.” ElleDee waited for Grogu to climb down before rolling behind him towards the exit. “Designation: LD-3 Out of Funds.”
“If I may, Lord Grogu, I might have a way we can get a ship to your desired destination. My late Lord never closed out his accounts before his death. He had a lot of credits. I might be able to secure our passage to Mandalore sector.” PA led them over to a computer terminal. PA plugged in and began doing something.
Grogu sat down on the floor and waited. ElleDee rolled in front of him to protect him as people rolled past.
Grogu spotted someone in green armor but his helmet was off. Grogu knew he was no Mandalorian and didn’t move from his spot next to ElleDee.
The fake Mandalorian was barking into a commlink. “I don’t care about your excuses. It was a simple job.” The fake Mandalorian growled. “I guess if you want something done right, do it yourself.” The fake Mandalorian hung up the com with a barked order for his ‘incompetent’ employees to meet him at the palace.
The fake Mandalorian melted into the crowd.
Grogu hunched down against the wall. They needed to leave. It sounded like that fake Mandalorian was hunting for him just like those bounty hunters on Corellia.
“Are you almost done PA?” Grogu stood up. He barely came up to ElleDee’s head. He used that as cover as he spotted a dangerous woman carrying a huge rifle searching the crowd.
A thick data chip landed in the tray and PA scooped it up. “This way, Lord Grogu.”
Grogu followed PA through the spaceport to a private hangar. A ship rested on the landing platform. A droid wheeled out of a corner and beeped at them. PA began speaking in binary and Grogu looked around.
This ship looked fancy and sleek. Grogu didn’t think they could afford this. He was about to call for PA and ElleDee but he caught the end of the talk between PA and the other droid.
“We shall depart right away. If you and your passengers would please climb aboard?” The unnamed droid headed for the inside of the ship.
Grogu cautiously climbed aboard. He was shown to a fancy chair that was very soft and padded. ElleDee let out a squeal and dove for the charging port in the corner. ElleDee hooked up and promptly went into sleep mode.
PA settled next to Grogu as the ship took off. It seemed to dodge something before shooting into hyperspace.
Chapter Six of Nine in the story of Grogu and his hunt for his Buir.
In times of trials you are not alone. Everyone faces problems in life and everyone goes through bad times. No matter if you are the leader of a nation or if you are the mailman. You aren't alone with what you are going through and if you just reach out to those like you you will find help.
Word Count: 1,331
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
The planet was deserted. Lava was everywhere and it was much more dangerous than Navarro. ElleDee kept him away from the lava lakes and Grogu was sure, if the droid could get away with it, Grogu would be high up on ElleDee’s body.
ElleDee kept cursing in binary as they traveled from the space where Sali’s friend dropped them, and then took off in a hurry, to the large castle in the distance. Surely there must be someone there to help them.
Grogu could sense no life forms on the planet. ElleDee couldn’t either. No one was here and if no one was here then that meant that they had no way off the planet.
Grogu would die here.
No.
There was a castle so someone must have lived here. If he could find a hangar and a semi-working ship he could make it off-world at least. Didn’t Buir say that Naboo was a peaceful planet near Tatooine? If Grogu could make it to Naboo he could make it to Buir.
Grogu and ElleDee came across the huge castle’s front gates. A lava lake was below the stone bridge leading to the main castle.
Grogu pushed the gates open with the Force. Just big enough to allow a small organic and droid through. Grogu crossed the stone bridge. He came to a slow stop at the feeling in the Force.
Grogu tightened his shields against the pounding agony the Force was in here.
ElleDee bumped into him to keep him going. “Designation: Child Grogu. Accelerate. Designation: LD-3 Wary of Planet: Mustafar. Planet Designation: Mustafar requires Upgrade.”
Grogu halted by a crumbling statue of a beautiful woman humanoid. The grief and pain echoes were strongest here. It was almost like someone came here to remember and vow vengeance on what happened to her. Grogu noted that the woman’s arms carried a bundle of blankets. Not just her. There were two people this person had lost and suffered greatly from that.
Grogu shivered and pushed on. The Darkside of the Force pressed down on him and Grogu knew that this castle belonged to a Darksider. Maybe a Sith for how strong the feelings were.
Grogu wanted to leave. He wanted nothing to do with a Sith castle. The Sith were bad and dangerous and Grogu wanted to go so badly.
Grogu tightened his grip on his shields. The only way off-planet was through this fortress. Grogu just wouldn’t touch anything. He saw ElleDee already up at the front door.
Grogu touched the woman’s foot softly. “May you rest easy in the Force,” he murmured. Grogu hurried up to ElleDee before the droid activated some leftover Sith trap. “ElleDee, wait.”
Grogu reached out to the door. Just as he thought. It was set up with all kinds of traps. Grogu didn’t need a trip through Spooky Sith Castle. He just needed a ship.
“We aren’t going inside. This way.” Grogu picked a direction and led the way around the castle.
Grogu spent a good hour or two looking for a hangar. What he came across was even better. This ship was a little broken down. It was bigger than what he was expecting. It looked like a G9-rigger class light freighter. It was the only ship on the landing pad.
Grogu jumped down onto the floor. He floated ElleDee down to him. ElleDee scanned the ship.
“Designation: LD-3. Ship Designation: The Twilight = fully operational. Droid work = obvious.” ElleDee pressed a button and the ramp lowered.
Grogu climbed aboard. He headed for the cockpit. He shook his head. This ship was too big.
Grogu turned around and left. He searched along the edges of the landing platform. There was another smaller one halfway down. Grogu jumped and landed lightly with the Force. He floated ElleDee after him. A yellow Aethersprite rested on the circle above a lava lake.
This would be perfect. Grogu looked it over. He pressed a button to open the hatch.
A droid came flying out of a dark shed and attacked Grogu. Grogu fell off the ship and landed on his bottom.
The droid screeched about intruders and calling for someone named Lord Anakin as it whirred and circled Grogu’s head.
Grogu reached out with the Force and caught the little droid. ElleDee came up and started talking with the droid.
They learned a lot of information.
This castle was someone named Anakin’s home. Anakin had built the little droid named PA-4. PA-4 had been guarding the grounds for over twenty years. It was amazing the little droid hadn’t rusted over yet. It spoke of the excellent work PA’s maker did.
Grogu hated having to explain that it was very likely that PA’s maker was dead. The little droid had frozen and stared off for a good three minutes.
“I had assumed as much. He never came back after he said he would. Lord Anakin never would have forgotten about me.” PA whined sadly. “May you rest with my lady, my lord.”
Grogu felt bad for the little droid. Being stuck here for a long time all by yourself would stink badly. Grogu looked over at ElleDee. “You can come with us?” Grogu offered. “We are finding buir. Buir will take you in.”
“I will be honored. Lord Grogu. I shall ready the ship.” PA flew off towards the yellow Aethersprite.
“Designation: Child Grogu. Certain of choice? Designation: PA-4-” ElleDee began.
“Is lonely. I know what it’s like to be lonely. Buir took me in and it’s only nice to keep it up. I took you in too.” Grogu climbed into the Aethersprite. The cockpit was just big enough for him and two small droids.
Grogu got the ship in the air. With PA’s help, they broke the atmosphere and idled in space.
Where did they go now? Grogu was horribly lost and didn’t know where exactly he was. Grogu tried to remember what his buir said about being lost on a hunt.
“When you get lost ad’ika, go back to the start and retrace your steps. There will be something you missed. Either a piece of information or a clue of where your target disappeared to. Keep your mind focused.” A gentle hand eased him off a warm lap. “Now, let’s try a hunt. Here.” A bounty puck held out to him. “I’ll help you, ad’ika.”
Grogu opened his eyes. They needed to head back to Yavin 4. He had to retrace his steps. He messed up somewhere along the way.
“Where is our destination, Lord Grogu?” PA pressed a button and a map popped up on the screen. Grogu was excited. This map was incredibly detailed and showed a lot of planets.
“Yavin 4.” Grogu pulled at the map screen. He found it all the way across on the edge. Mustafar was in the middle bottom part. Grogu had traveled half the galaxy? He needed to head back in that direction and the fastest way was through the Core. Buir didn’t like the Core and complained about stuck-up senators and the fantastic job that the New Republic was doing. Grogu didn’t think he meant that seriously.
Grogu traced his finger across the known hyperspace lanes. What was that one by Yavin 4… Mand-
“I’m sorry Lord Grogu. We do not have enough fuel to reach Yavin 4. This ship only has enough reserves to make it to Corellia. Might I suggest there to start?” PA started pressing buttons on the dash.
Grogu nodded. “To Corellia then.”
Soon they were in hyperspace. Grogu leaned back in the seat. It was a little cramped with ElleDee’s curved body and PA’s stick arms.
Grogu leaned back against ElleDee and he could almost pretend that it was Buir’s chest plate he was resting against.
A faint whirr rose from ElleDee and Grogu’s eyes slipped closed. The last thing he registered was ElleDee’s threats to the other droid if the droid double-crossed them or harmed ElleDee’s charge.
Chapter Five to Lost, But Homebound. I hope you like it and remember... YOU ARE LOVED.
Word Count: 1,516
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
The Wookiee took very good care of Grogu. After he had gotten the ship in the air and the hyperdrive engaged, he found Grogu in the room and offered him a tour of the ship.
With ElleDee translating, Grogu saw a lot of things. This ship was home to this Wookiee and his child. Grogu had asked where the Wookiee’s child was and all Grogu got in response was Mand’alor.
There again was the mention of this mysterious Mand’alor. Maybe Grogu should change tactics and start hunting this Mand’alor. Mand’alor was really close to Mando and Mandalorian. Both of which his Buir was. If Grogu could come across another Mandalorian they should be able to help Grogu find his Buir.
Grogu never got the chance to ask more about this Mand’alor. By the time they were done with the ship tour, the Wookiee was yawning and ushering Grogu off to bed. Grogu wasn’t tired but he could sense just how exhausted the Wookiee was and decided to not make trouble.
This Wookiee was taking him out of kindness and Grogu didn’t want to repay that by being a brat.
Grogu sat quietly in the room he was given and looked at all the toys. There were fancy dolls and toy blasters and model spaceships. They were arranged neatly on the shelves and in a chest.
Grogu basked in the echoes of the room’s real owner. Love and happiness coated every inch of the walls.
Grogu felt tears well up. It reminded him of his own home ship with buir. The Crest was full of memories like this. He never got to get his stuff before Master Luke took him away. Did Buir still have his stuffed Bantha? Did he still have his favorite shiny ball? Did he still have Grogu’s favorite blanket that was really an old cloak of his Buir’s?
Buir had made the old cloak into a blanket. The bottom edge of the cloak was been shredded by the Tusken’s massifs when they got a little rough playing with Buir. Buir had cut away the tears and sewn the edge back and it was Grogu’s favorite thing to snuggle with when Buir was gone.
Grogu let the tears fall as memories washed over him. Bath time with Buir in the Crest’s fresher sink. Going on hunts in his pram and hearing Buir say “Where I go, he goes.” That always left a warm feeling in him. Sleeping in the little hidey-hole curled up next to soothing cool beskar or a warm chest. Going to markets and shopping with Buir. Listening to the latest gossip in cantinas and drinking various soups across the galaxy.
Grogu’s favorite soup was the one they had on that rainy cold planet. It had live food in it and Grogu ate it happily.
Grogu sniffled. He wanted his Buir. Peli would be at the next stop. She would help him find his Buir for sure. Peli was the best.
Grogu felt a little better. Soon he would be on Tatooine and then the lava planet with Cara and Greef should be right around the corner right? Less than a day’s hyperspace travel away if Grogu remembered correctly.
Grogu waited for the ship to reach Tatooine. He was so close he could almost feel his Buir’s desperate searching for him.
Grogu knew he would find his Buir there.
****
Grogu was in the cockpit with the Wookiee as they dropped from hyperspace. Tatooine loomed before them. A giant tan dusty ball of sand and heat.
“Mos Eisley tower to The Wild Shyyyo. You are cleared for landing. Please dock in Hangar 7-9.”
The Wookiee pressed a button and roared back before piloting the ship to the planet below.
Grogu parted ways with the Wookiee sneakily. The Wookiee was starting to be worried and kept asking ElleDee about Grogu’s parents. Grogu snuck off when the Wookiee was busy with a loading cart and droids.
Grogu headed for hangar 3-5. That was Peli’s hangar, right? Grogu opened the door and followed the messy tunnel into Peli’s workshop.
Loud cursing rang out from the inside.
Grogu frowned. That voice seemed off and no matter what happened, Peli never said bad words like that.
Grogu and ElleDee came around the corner and Grogu froze.
That wasn’t Peli. She looked enough like her to almost be her but Grogu knew the difference. This wasn’t Peli. Who was this person? This person that took over Peli’s home and job?
Grogu subtly pulled out his lightsaber. If this… imposter harmed Peli he was going to save her.
ElleDee rolled forward and chirped a greeting. The pit droids seemed to remember him because they crowded around him beeping happily and greeting him in binary.
The Imposter Peli came over to them.
“What are you all chatting about, numbskulls? Oh. Hello there.” The Imposter Peli squatted down to his level. “What’s your name? More important. Where are your parents?”
Grogu pulled out his lightsaber and ignited it. He held it up at the imposter threateningly. “Where’s Peli?”
The Imposter calmly held up her hands. “Easy, Little One. Put the laser sword down. I’ll tell you what happened to my Gran- Peli.”
Grogu lowered it but didn’t put it away. ElleDee hovered at his side with its electro prod out.
“Designation: Child Grogu. Tertiary Purpose: Activated. Guard Mode in progress.” ElleDee moved its prod in the pit droids’ direction.
Grogu motioned to a low crate. The Peli Imposter sat on the provided seating with her hands still in the air.
“I thought she was telling stories. But they are actually true.” The Imposter eyed Grogu with wonder. “Peli is my Grandma. Nice to meet you kid. I’m Sali Motto.”
Grogu stared in sadness and pain. Peli was a Grandma now? But… did that mean Grogu’s Buir was a… what was the word… Ba’buir? Or worse… was he dead? Did he die of old age before Grogu could be with him again?
No.
Grogu reached out for the string connecting Grogu to his Buir. The other end was firmly anchored. Buir was still alive but was he a ba’buir? Was he too old to work like Peli was now?
Suddenly Grogu wished he was any species other than his own. Even one of those mean lizard people would be better than him. Grogu grew up so slowly. He was going to outlive a lot of people.
Grogu shook off those thoughts. He didn’t have to worry about that for another ten or so years. He had time with his Buir and Peli.
“She told me about you. Said you were the cutest little creature she had ever come across. Told me about the time you brought back a shank of dragon meat. That was the last time she saw you. Your Mando on the other hand… last I saw him was a year ago over at the King’s Palace across the Dune Sea. Seems like he’s friends with the King and visits every so often. That’s where Grand- Peli is at. When she got the joint pain too bad to fix ships, she gave this place to me. The King stopped by one day and took her back to his palace. Said it was a favor from a friend.” Sali kept talking. Trying to fill the silence. Grogu let her.
Grogu turned off his lightsaber, sure now that Peli was unharmed. “ElleDee,” Grogu called out.
The little droid tucked away her electro prod and rolled over to him. “Designation: Child Grogu. Requires Something?”
“I’m trying to find my dad. My next lead is on a lava planet. Can you help me?” Grogu tucked his lightsaber in his pocket.
Sali was quiet for a moment. “Sure. I have a friend heading out that way. I’ll talk them into giving you a lift but be warned, they are in a hurry so we have to leave now. Can I get up, Little One?”
Grogu nodded.
“I’d take you to the King but word is he’s off-world. Something about a family emergency. He left his third in charge because his second followed him. Don’t know when he will be back. No one knows who his third is. They operate from a control board. My money is on a droid.” Sali motioned to a ship in her hangar. “Wait here.”
****
Grogu agreed to be taken to the lava planet nearby. He climbed aboard the small ship. It was about the size of the Aethersprite he took off Yavin 4. He was tucked into the seat by Sali’s friend.
They didn’t talk much. Just made sure he was secure before lifting off. ElleDee was in the ship’s cargo area. Grogu had no access to ElleDee until they landed back on a planet.
“Next stop… Mustafar.” The pilot muttered.
Mustafar? That wasn’t right. Didn’t the lava planet start with an N? Navarr something. Oh well. Like Buir said. There are challenges to every hunt.
Grogu learned from this one. Next time… get clarification on what planet he was going to before boarding the ship. Hopefully, someone there can help him.
Chapter Four to Lost, but Homebound. I’d like to let everyone know that in hard times and times where it feels hopeless that all storms end in time and that you can stick it out with the help of your friends and family.
Word Count: 1,645
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Orignal Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY...
Traveling with pirates was very different than other ways Grogu has space traveled. Grogu has seen a lot but this bunch of pirates was something new altogether. Mostly they seemed to play cards and drink to pass the time.
Grogu and ElleDee were shown to a guest room. It was just the right size for Grogu and ElleDee. ElleDee had a charging port in the room and Grogu had his own bed.
The trip would take three days in hyperspace and the Captain was sure of his promises that no harm would come to them. Something about the Mand’alor having his hide nailed to his wall? Grogu really didn’t understand the Captain at times.
Grogu kept to himself and stayed in his room the first day or so. One of the crew members would stop by every so often with food. Dried meats usually.
Grogu sat on the bed just staring out into the room. His mind was struggling to process everything that has happened to him in the last week. He went from being surrounded by friends and people who took care of him to, being alone in the galaxy with only a droid for true company.
“Designation: Child Grogu. Talk. LD-3 Main Purpose: Mind Healing.” ElleDee moved up next to him and prodded him as softly as the droid could. (Which wasn’t all that soft)
Grogu huffed. His eyes watered as he slowly spoke about some things. How he lost his home and was cursed to always lose his homes the same way. How he was alone now and he had to find his buir.
ElleDee waited until he was done speaking. The little droid rolled over a cup of water. “Designation: Child Grogu Not Cursed. Cursed match not found. Designation: Child Grogu Not Alone. Data Bank Suggestion: LD-3 companion.”
Grogu gave a tired smile. Yeah. ElleDee was his companion.
“Designation: LD-3 Suggestion: Child Grogu Low Power Mode. LD-3 Secondary Purpose: Find BuirDad. LD-3: Tertiary Purpose: Guard Mode.” ElleDee rolled to the end of Grogu’s bed and pulled out its electro prod.
Grogu let his eyes droop closed. He listened to the comforting whirr of ElleDee scanning the room every so often. The third time the droid did it, Grogu drifted off to sleep. He didn’t dream once.
****
Days two and three on the pirate ship passed a little more smoothly. Grogu got better at talking and soon was able to hold a small conversation with ElleDee.
Captain Junior Ohnaka stopped by his room on the third day. “Knock knock, Little Jedi. May I come in?”
Grogu waved his hand and the door slid open with the help of the Force. Grogu blinked up at the weequay pirate.
“We shall be hitting atmosphere in an hour, Little Jedi. From there I can take you to a… friend of mine. Don’t worry. He doesn’t harm children either. Wookiees are good like that. Plus… this one knows someone who knows the Mand’alor and no one wants to cross him. I made arrangements for you to travel with my friend. He will take you almost the whole way. I myself can’t go much farther on this trip. Papa crossed the wrong people and some might be out for revenge. Oh! I have a story to tell you. My Papa was around during the Wars and had even captured a few Jedi for a business transaction. They helped him uncover a rebellion among his men and one became a very good friend of Papa’s.”
Grogu stared at Captain Junior as he rambled about a story and someone named Kenobi and how he was really good friends with his Papa, Hondo Ohnaka the First. The name Kenobi rang a distant bell in Grogu’s mind but it was nearly buried under other more important things.
Like why this Mand’alor kept coming up in his hunt and why it sounded so familiar. More familiar than the name Kenobi. Maybe Grogu should interrogate this Mand’alor. Maybe he would know where his buir was.
Grogu opened his mouth, ready to ask about the Mand’alor when he shut it just as quickly. Ol’ Bart came bursting into the room with the message that the Captain was needed on the bridge.
Grogu really wanted to kick Ol’ Bart. Didn’t he understand Grogu needed to ask some very important questions?
The ship gave a lurch and Captain Junior vanished out the door and down the hall.
*****
Three hours later and Grogu was watching the pirate ship blast off into space. Grogu turned with ElleDee on his heels.
Grogu wandered the market looking for any sign of a Mandalorian or his buir.
“Markets are the best place to find any rumors or gossip on your bounty. Dozens of people pass through it every day and if you are lucky, a well-known rumor could bring everything together.” Leather creaked as Buir shifted under him. “Now, the next part can be a little tricky. You have to pinpoint where your target is, how well defended his location is, and how you can infiltrate and take out the target.”
Grogu let the memory fade as he stepped out of the spaceport into the market. Grogu looked up… and up… and up… and up. Grogu’s ears dropped. He had never felt as small as he did right now. He couldn’t even see the tops of the trees and he was already halfway up them.
Wookiees were huge. Bigger than any other species Grogu has ever come across. Even that big mean horned guy that Buir fought on the ship. Wookiees were covered in fur and roars escaped their mouths instead of basic.
That made Grogu’s heart drop. If he couldn’t understand their words, how will he be able to find his buir on this planet?
ElleDee rolled to a stop next to him. “LD-3 Calculating. Switching Language Comprehension from Galatic Basic to Shyriiwook. Process complete. Acquiring Data on BuirDad.”
Grogu left ElleDee to it and was grateful to the little droid. On Captain Junior’s ship, Grogu had shown ElleDee his necklace and picture so ElleDee knew just what to listen for.
Grogu headed towards the market. Captain Junior said that his friend wasn’t leaving for another hour or two. The weequay had given him some credits before running away when some New Republic officers headed in his direction.
Grogu wandered between the stalls looking for something good to eat. Grogu’s eyes drifted to the sweets on display. His tummy growled. Grogu headed for the candy stalls. He was about to grab a bagful when another memory made him freeze.
“Ad’ika. No. Candy is not always good for you. You eat too much of it and then your stomach will hurt and then you will get sick and I am not cleaning puke out of my cloak again. Come on. We can get one piece. But you will have to eat all your dinner before I give it to you.” Gloved hands picked him up and held out a bowl to him. “Pick one. Only one.”
Grogu’s hand fell away from the huge bagful. Grogu remembered getting sick and throwing up down Buir’s back. Buir had seemed a little angry but he took care of Grogu. No one was here now except ElleDee and Grogu couldn’t count on ElleDee to be understanding if Grogu threw up all over the droid.
Grogu moved over to the bowls and grabbed one sweet before dropping a credit stick on the counter. He tucked the sweet in his pocket before reluctantly going over to the food stalls. Maybe someone would have a frog? It had been a while since he last ate one.
****
Grogu finished his trip in the market before heading back to the spaceport. “Did you find him?” Grogu asked ElleDee.
“Match not found. Location: BuirDad Not Here. Designation: Child Grogu. Next location?” ElleDee followed Grogu into a hangar.
Another droid rolled up to them beeping harshly. “INTRUDER!! ALERT!! ALERT!”
ElleDee swiftly began speaking to the droid. Grogu tuned them out. ElleDee and the droid were speaking too fast in binary for Grogu to keep up.
“Designation: Intruder Child. Follow me.” The droid poked Grogu’s arm before rolling towards the ship.
Grogu followed and came to a stop when the droid told him to. A large Wookiee came out from the lowered ramp.
ElleDee began speaking with the large furry Wookiee. The Wookiee laughed before motioning to the ship. Grogu headed up the ramp with ElleDee right behind him.
The Wookiee led him to a room with toys spread out all over it. Grogu felt love and happiness in the Force echoes in this room. Whoever lived here loved this Wookiee a whole lot.
The Wookiee gave a few words to ElleDee before leaving and shutting the door behind him.
Grogu sat on the bed when the ship lifted off ten minutes later. He pulled out his holo picture and hit the button. The screen flickered before the image of Grogu sleeping on his Buir’s chest floated above the device. Grogu pulled out the candy from his pocket. He nibbled on the edge slowly.
“Remember, Ad’ika, all hunts are never easy. There are almost always some challenges that will make your job harder. Embrace these challenges and use them as learning tools for the next time. Sometimes your hunt can take days. Be patient. Your reward will come to you if you use patience. This is the Way.”
Grogu was off to his next planet. Speaking of which… “ElleDee? Where are we going?”
“Planetary Destination: Tatooine. Estimated Time: One Day. Suggestion: Designation: Child Grogu Charge Up.” ElleDee held out the wrapped frog he bought.
Grogu opened the packaging. The frog was cooked. It wouldn’t be as tasty but food was food. Grogu ate the frog.
He was close. Tatooine meant Peli. Tatooine meant he was almost there. Tatooine meant he was almost home.
Chapter Three to Lost But Homebound. Where Grogu tries to find his way home. If you are ever in need, know that there is always people around you who care and love you.
Word Count: 1,381
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
Grogu wished he remembered his buir’s warnings about Felucia. It would have helped to avoid the situation he now found himself in. The memory came too late and now he remembered exactly why his buir went out of his way to not land on Felucia. It has everything to do with pirates.
ElleDee and he had made it to their destination with only a few raised eyes and curious stares. The only time Grogu had wandered outside their room, a well-meaning stranger tried to find Grogu’s guardian. After that, Grogu stayed back and let ElleDee fetch him his meals provided and anything else he needed.
Grogu now understood why ElleDee had been fired from their job as a mind healer. ElleDee was relentless and determined about taking care of Grogu. The little droid was almost aggressive in its tactics. When Grogu didn’t want to eat, ElleDee would almost force the food down his throat with a stern reminder to take care of himself.
Grogu liked the droid. Something about it was very familiar. A word that he almost remembered floated around his brain at some of the interactions with the droid. It was one of Buir’s words.
They went out of the cargo ship onto the dusty surface of Felucia. Grogu wandered aimlessly for a few hours. He must have searched the whole town before ElleDee forced him to stop.
Grogu rested in the shade of a massive plant on the edge of town.
“Designation: Grogu. Purpose?” ElleDee beeped and prodded him with its attachment.
“Buir.” Grogu choked out. “Find Buir.”
“LD-3 Calculating. Match not found. Request more information.” ElleDee rolled a few feet around him in a circle.
“Dad.” Grogu whimpered. He wanted to cry. He was too small and too young and too hot and too thirsty and hungry and everything was too much. He wanted his buir.
“LD-3: Calculating. Renamed Designation Grogu to Designation: Child Grogu. New Secondary Purpose: Find BuirDad. Searching…” ElleDee kept going around in a circle. A small satellite dish sprung up from ElleDee’s head and spun around. “No match found. BuirDad Location: Not Here. Designation: Child Grogu Last Known Location?”
Grogu didn’t want to speak anymore. He stood up. He needed food and water. Grogu started down the path towards the town. Maybe someone would be kind enough to give him some food and water.
***
Grogu walked for what felt like ages. He finally came across a water flask and a piece of bread on a plate. Grogu cautiously approached it. No one was around and it was just sitting on the ground next to a building.
Grogu reached for the flask. His thirst was building in his throat. He would even drink scummy water he was so thirsty.
“Oi! That’s mine!” A weequay snatched up the plate and flask. “What have we hear? Go away, runt!”
Grogu growled. He was hungry and thirsty and tired and was thoroughly done with everything. He pulled out his lightsaber and switched it on. The green blade shot up from the hilt.
The weequay stumbled back and tripped over his feet. “Captain! I think you should see this!”
Another younger weequay dressed in a blood-red scarf and a thick black jacket stepped out of the doorway. He wore goggles on his head. His eyes widened when he saw Grogu.
“Put that away little Jedi. Come in here and stop threatening ol’ Bart, now. We have better refreshments inside.” The Captain waved his hand towards the doorway.
“Designation: Child Grogu warning! Dangerous.”
Grogu ignored ElleDee’s complaints. He could smell meat cooking inside and his hunger overruled his instincts. He hadn’t had meat since Yavin 4 and Grogu was partial to meat. Grogu put away his lightsaber and followed the weequays inside. ElleDee was cursing up a storm as the droid followed him.
***
“Designation: Child Grogu. LD-3: Right Warning. Pirates = Dangerous.” ElleDee was fitted with a restraining bolt and set in a cage next to Grogu.
Grogu was sitting in a small cage with his lightsaber taken from him. He still had his necklace. His holo picture was being examined by the Pirate Captain.
“What’s this, Little Jedi?” The Captain pressed the button and Grogu’s picture fully formed. He nearly dropped it.
Grogu scowled. When he got out of here he was going to…
“Captain! Your father is on the comlink.” Ol’ Bart came up to them and placed a com in the Captain’s hand.
“Papa Ohnaka! To what do I owe this call?” The Captain bowed at the waist dramatically.
“Junior! I hear you have captured an impressive hostage.” An older weequay wearing a flight helmet and a flashy red coat appeared on the device.
“Yes, Papa. It is a little Jedi. I was thinking of contacting the New Republic for surely it is one of theirs.” The Captain trailed off at whatever his Papa’s look was.
“Junior, let me see this little Jedi.” Papa Ohnaka’s voice lost all its happiness.
The Captain moved the comlink so Grogu was in view. “We caught him trying to steal Ol’ Bart’s…”
“Junior. That is not just a little Jedi. That is a child and I thought we agreed on not harming children. Get him out of there at once! We do not wish for the Mand’alor to catch wind of this. We owe him a life debt from both of us. I know you have not forgotten.” Papa Ohnaka sounded worried and exasperated.
The Captain quickly fumbled the keys to let Grogu out. Soon, Grogu’s cuffs were gone and ElleDee’s restraining bolt was broken off. “Ah, sorry, Little Jedi. The mistake was on me. Can I get you some food?”
Grogu was led to a table and a thick slice of meat was placed in front of him. Grogu’s mouth went wet and he grabbed the meat and ripped a chunk off with his teeth. It was the best thing Grogu had eaten in a while and it was gone in three bites. Grogu’s ears dropped when he saw there was no more.
Another piece was put on his plate and was gone in four bites. One last piece was given to him and Grogu managed to eat it in five bites, his chewing much neater.
A cup of water was placed by his plate and Grogu drank three glasses full. When Grogu had his fill, he then looked up at the Captain.
“It seems I owe you a debt, Little Jedi, in apology for mistreating you. I did not know you were a child. Is there anything I can do for you? Maybe find your parents?” The Captain folded his hands in front of him. “Ah. Here you are.” The Captain pushed his lightsaber and holo picture back at him.
ElleDee was mysteriously quiet and when Grogu looked over, he saw the little droid at a charging station.
Grogu sighed. Looks like he would have to talk. “Dad. Lava planet. Ship?” Four words were all he could manage.
The Captain nodded. “I can take you halfway. I do not dare get close to Nar Shaddaa. Bad business there, Little Jedi. You are in luck. We are leaving in an hour for a supply trip. Just enough time for your little droid friend to be fully powered.”
Grogu yawned. He felt sleepy after his stomach being filled. Grogu was lifted into the air and the spicy scent of Captain Junior Ohnaka filled his nose. Grogu was carried across the room and laid down in a box filled with more clothes smelling of the same scent.
“You are a really little Jedi aren’t you? Never fear, Hondo Ohnaka the Second’s crew will not harm you. Get some shut-eye, eh, little Jedi. I will wake you when we are ready for boarding.” A hand clumsily patted his back before withdrawing.
Grogu’s eyes slipped closed, ready for the promise of being halfway to his buir.
****
One hour later, Grogu was woken up. He and ElleDee were on a ship filled with pirates heading for Kashyyyk. Grogu hoped they were headed in the right direction. He didn’t remember it being this long from when he left his buir to Master Luke’s school. Then again, it was twenty years ago that he was taken there and he was smaller back then.
Chapter Two to Lost, But Homebound. A little sad. A little angsty but with the help of those around you, remember you are not alone.
Word Count: 1,552
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original Characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
Grogu tried to catch some sleep while the autopilot steered the ship. Grogu was just waiting for the nightmares to hit him. He really wished his buir was here. Nothing fought off the nightmares better than a strong heartbeat and soft breathing and the feeling of his buir’s cool beskar under his cheek.
Grogu laid back in the too big seat and stared up at hyperspace. He remembered the better times with his buir and long jumps in hyperspace. They would spend time playing in the hold and when Buir deemed it was time to sleep, he would take him up to the cockpit and sit in the pilot’s seat with Grogu in his arms and they would just watch hyperspace go by.
Grogu’s eyes got heavier and heavier. He hadn’t slept for two days now. After that first night where the bad dreams kept waking him up, Grogu had stayed awake. Towards the end and stealing this ship, Grogu had been pulling on the Force to stay alert.
Now, in the familiar feeling of hyperspace, lost in the memories of his buir, Grogu fell asleep.
****
“It’s alright, ad’ika. I’m here. No nightmare will get you with me around.” Comforting words. Spoken from a metal man. Fading, fading, fading away.
“Concentrate Grogu. You can do it. Go from one to the next nice and easy. Slow down a little. That’s it. Let the Force guide your movements.” A well-known teacher. Soft, patient, happy to teach. Falling, falling, falling down a pit of fear and darkness.
“Come on Grogu. Chin up, Youngling. Small you may be, but strong in mind and the Force you are.” Warm, knowing the burden of living for a long time. A comforting presence. Disappearing into the fog known as the Force.
Grogu cried out as each person who had ever loved him faded away. Buir, Master Luke, Master Yoda, friends, family, caretakers all passed him in the mist around him.
He was alone. Alone and scared and hurt and he was so small. Who would care for him now? Maybe he was better off alone. Everyone around him always dies and…
****
Grogu jerked awake as the ship jolted forward out of hyperspace. Grogu climbed up the control board and took in the situation. He had an incoming message. Grogu pressed the button and a voice speaking in basic filled the cockpit.
“Canto Bight tower to Delta-7. You are cleared for landing. Please land in Bay 4-6.”
Grogu came across another problem. He was a youngling and he couldn’t speak back to them. He didn’t want to. He knew how to speak. Master Luke was working on that with him, but ever since the school burned, when he went to speak, his throat closed up and he wanted to cry.
Grogu carefully steered the ship to the planet below. He didn’t know where the spaceport was and hangar 4-6. He was on the last of his fuel. The computer was fritzing too. This ship must have been one of the ships that Master Luke worked on in his spare time.
Grogu spotted a rocky beach below him and aimed for a clear spot. He was flung forward away from the controls as the ship hit the ground. The Aethersprite skidded across the rocks and made a scraping noise as it came to a rest next to a giant boulder.
Grogu grunted as he fell back onto the dash. He had to get up. He was going to be in trouble and people will not understand. They might hold Grogu and keep him locked up. How was he going to find his buir if he was stuck in jail?
Grogu hit the button to open the top. It only opened a little bit before sticking halfway open. That would have to be enough. Grogu made sure that he had his holo picture and lightsaber. He grabbed the necklace around his neck in relief.
Grogu squeezed his way out of the ship. He dropped onto the rocks and hid behind the boulder. He could see people running towards his ship. Grogu needed to be gone. Grogu slipped on the rocks as he crossed from the beach to the city streets.
***
Grogu walked for a long time. Whenever someone official-looking came by, Grogu hid. Grogu kept an ear out for rumors of a Mandalorian. He still needed to get to the lava planet where Cara and Greef were. To do that he needed to find a spaceport.
Grogu was hiding in an alley when a loud noise made him jump. A droid was kicked out of a restaurant’s back door.
“Broken piece of junk.” A humanoid hissed. “You aren’t even worth spare parts.” The human went back inside and slammed the door shut.
Grogu watched as the droid made a rude gesture before deflating. It rolled over to a smelly trash heap and looked about to throw itself in the garbage.
Grogu carefully stepped out from his hiding spot. The droid whirled around with an electro prod extended. Grogu wanted to speak so badly but his throat closed up and tears pricked his eyes. Grogu just stared up at the droid.
Buir thought droids were bad but Grogu had seen this droid act sad when the mean human literally kicked him from the building.
“Designation: LD-3. Designation ‘Small Organic’?” The droid beeped at him in binary.
Conversations with Artoo was one of Grogu’s lessons in learning how to understand binary and also speak basic.
Grogu again wanted to speak. He managed a quiet, “Grogu.” Before emotions made his voice go quiet.
“Renamed: ‘Small Organic’ to ‘Grogu’.”
Grogu turned and headed for the street. The droid rolled after him.
“Designation: LD-3. Purpose: Mind Healing. Purpose failure = LD-3 fired.”
Grogu came to a stop outside a shop. His tummy growled. The last time Grogu ate was before he headed back to the school grounds. The frog was tiny and barely held him over.
“LD-3 detection: Grogu + severe trauma. Purpose: engaged.” The little droid rolled up to a stand and grabbed a piece of food before dropping a small pile of credits on the counter.
ElleDee rolled back to Grogu and handed him the food.
Grogu just stared at the droid. Was this droid really going to follow him around? Grogu slowly took the food being offered and scarfed it down. It was yucky vegetables. But, food was food no matter what it tasted like.
Grogu finally spotted some droids carrying boxes and bags towards a busy building. Was this the spaceport?
Grogu followed the loaded hover crate into the people-filled hangar. ElleDee was right on his heels.
Grogu’s eyes widened and his ears wiggled at all the people and life forms around him. It was too much. Where did he even start? Where did he go?
“Designation: Grogu. Purpose?” ElleDee pushed him over to a side corner. ElleDee blocked his view of the whole room.
Grogu struggled to speak. “Off-world. Buir.” There. Three words were better than none, right?
ElleDee seemed to freeze. “LD-3: Calculating. Match not found. Planet Designation: “Buir” not found. Designation: Grogu. Try again?”
Grogu sighed. He headed around ElleDee towards the cargo-ship-leaving board. It was massive with small lettering and Grogu growled that he couldn’t see it.
“LD-3: Purpose engaged. Planet Destination?” ElleDee came to a stop next to Grogu.
Grogu’s ears perked up at the announcement coming over the screens.
“Attention all viewers. Would the owner of the Delta-7 Aethersprite that landed on Fenway Beach please come forward for questioning?” The screen flicked off.
Grogu hunched down as a vague picture of him flashed on the screen. It was obviously taken from a distance but Grogu was a very recognizable person.
ElleDee seemed to have some smarts in their programming because they zipped over and blocked Grogu’s small form from others.
“Designation: Grogu. Wish for LD-3 to pick Destination?”
Grogu nodded his head.
ElleDee rolled over to a computer terminal. Within seconds the droid came back with a ticket. “Designation: Grogu. Accelerate. Ship Departure in three minutes.”
Grogu followed ElleDee through the spaceport and onto a cargo ship. ElleDee gave the droid taking tickets the slips of paper and they were soon shown to a small room.
“How?” Grogu got out. The more he tried the easier it became to talk.
Grogu let the little droid have its revenge. Grogu remembered well being treated like trash. In the times before he found his buir.
The huge cargo ship lifted into the air and turned spaceward. Grogu felt the jolt as the ship took off into hyperspace. That was one planet taken care of. Grogu had spent nearly a full day walking through the streets and heard no word on his buir or any Mandalorian there. Something occurred to Grogu.
“Where?” He nudged ElleDee who seemed to be in sleep mode.
The circular droid shook itself. “Destination: Felucia. Time: two planetary rotations. Suggestion: Designation Grogu low power mode.”
Grogu laid down in his too-big chair. He curled up tightly. He didn’t want to sleep. The memory of his previous dream came across his mind. Soon. Grogu would soon be with his buir. He just needed to take care of himself a little while longer.
Chapter one to Lost, But Homebound. A story about loss and hurt and how to overcome it with the help of those who love you.
Word Count: 1,686
Characters: Grogu, Din Djarin, Original characters
Summary:
Grogu is a survivor and he wouldn't die again in this destruction. He survived twenty years of the Empire he wouldn't just die in Ben Solo's temper tantrum. But... where would he go? He remembered one home that didn't end this way. With fire and the death of his family and friends. Grogu knew he was cursed but that didn't stop him from wanting a home of his own. His buir would take care of him. Buir was strong and survived a Kryat Dragon! He could handle a Darksider if one came after them. Grogu set out to find his buir and home.
***
STORY
It happened again. Grogu was lost in the flashbacks of another home being razed to the ground.
Flames licked higher and higher around his hut. Force presences flickered out like candles being blown in the wind.
Grogu huddled behind the bush. Was he broken? Was he cursed? Why did every single home of his end like this? In fire and his friends being sacrificed at the whims of a Darksider.
Grogu refused to cry. He was Mandalorian and Mandalorians were brave. Grogu’s buir was brave.
Grogu reached into his tunic and clenched his small hand on the pendant he wore around his neck. It was too big for him but Grogu wrapped it around twice and held tight to the memories surrounding it.
A cold metal covering loving arms. A silver helmeted man had held him and comforted him. He told him he was jate and called him ad’ika.
Grogu only spent a year with him but that year was the best of his life. That home didn’t end in fire and with his friends dead.
Grogu winced as another friend died.
A tiny little idea lit in his mind. This home was lost. The same as his first one. But… one home of his didn’t end in fire and death.
Should he do it? Go find his buir?
It has been a long time since he last saw him. Who knows if he’s still alive.
Grogu reached for the faint bond he had with his buir. It was frayed and thin as a piece of string but it still had another side. His buir was alive.
But… he was cursed. Who was to say that this wouldn’t happen again? That he would kill his buir and Cara and Greef and Winta and Winta’s mom?
Grogu looked around him at the orange flames and the lights going out in the Force. The Force screeched a warning at him. It was now or never.
Grogu ran for the forest as fast as his legs could carry him. He didn’t dare use the Force. He needed to lay low.
“Let's see... Sorgan. Looks like there is no starport, no industrial centers, no population density. A real backwater skug hole. Which means it's perfect for us. Ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months, you little womp rat? Nobody's gonna find us here.”
Grogu faltered as the memory hit him. Grogu shook his head. His ears hit his cheek, snapping him from the warm memory. Grogu hit the treeline and hid in a log.
His third home burning to the ground behind him.
****
It had been three days since the fire and death of his friends. Grogu wandered the woods, searching for a way off the planet.
He locked his Force presence down and only used it to hunt for his food. Frogs and fish were everywhere. When he was hungry, he chased a frog. When he was thirsty he drank from the stream, careful to not fall in. He didn’t have a jet pack like his buir yet and he couldn’t fly out of the water if he landed in it.
Grogu really didn’t want to eat or drink, but he made himself do it. Another memory nearly made him cry but he pushed on for his buir.
“Come on kid. You have to eat. Not eating is bad. Here. I know it isn’t good but…” He returned with a bowl of mush.
Grogu accepted a bite and lit up. What was that? That thing that made his mouth sing and his eyes water? It was good. Grogu ate every bite.
“Jate. Jate, ad’ika.” A warm hand rubbing his ears softly. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. We have more searching to do tomorrow.”
When he was tired, he tried to sleep in logs and small spaces. The nightmares came every night. Eventually, he gave up on sleep. He just stared up at the stars and tried to pick out what one his buir was on right now.
Three days since his home went up and he realized he needed a plan beyond just getting off the planet. He needed to chart a course through the stars as his buir did.
He could check Sorgan but something told him he wouldn’t be there. What was the lava planet that Cara and Greef lived on? If he could find Cara and Greef, surely they could find his buir for him.
Grogu had an idea a few hours later. It was a dangerous idea but Mandalorians never cared about that. Grogu couldn’t begin to count the many fights his buir got in in the short year he had been with him.
Back to his idea. This planet was remote. The only people that had been on it were the school. The school did have a hangar. With everyone gone that left all those ships free for the taking.
Grogu would have to be sneaky. If that Darksider was still around this plan could backfire. Grogu might end up dead. Based on past experiences, the people who destroyed his home rarely stuck around after. Also… it had been three days since he left. Surely Ben Solo was long gone.
Grogu started heading towards his old home. He knew where it was despite being lost in the woods. The Force was bleeding around the site where it happened. Grogu could find it anywhere on the planet.
Grogu remembered when his buir needed to scout out a place before they entered. They had sat on top of a roof watching the building for hours. Buir wrote down who came and went and a few other details.
Grogu had entertained himself with a stuffed bantha that buir had got him. He didn’t remember exactly what buir wrote but he knew they waited for ages before Buir finally entered the building and they didn’t even have to fight that many people.
Grogu wished for that same luck. He didn’t even have his lightsaber. Maybe he could find it in this mess.
Grogu came across the old school grounds. The huts were now smoldering ashes. The grassy training areas where Grogu learned lightsaber combat was smoking black dust. The river where he played and caught fish was dark and clogged with all the ash and debris from the destruction.
The Force was howling and crying in pain and Grogu tightly closed his shields against it. It left him feeling numb and prickly like that time he fell asleep with his ear smashed against his buir’s side and he woke up with his ear hurting from being bent.
Grogu slowly approached his burnt hut. He needed his lightsaber if he was going to be out in the galaxy searching for buir. He needed a weapon to defend himself. No Mandalorian was ever truly defenseless but Grogu was too small to learn to fight without weapons like buir.
Grogu opened up his senses. No living person was on this planet. Grogu wondered what happened to Master Luke. Did he die too? Grogu shook his head and lifted pieces of his hut with the Force. It was shaky but the Force complied with his wish. The bed was nothing but broken and half-burnt wood with his blanket smoking ash. Grogu shoved aside his bed and pulled up the floorboard. Underneath, in the dirt, Grogu had dug a small hole and filled it with his special treasures.
His lightsaber, his necklace when he was forced to put it away, his holo picture he had of Buir and him. Cara had taken it one day on Sorgan when Buir and he had fallen asleep in the sunshine. She had given it to buir before they left and Grogu had snuck it into his robes on Tython. If he was leaving buir then Grogu wanted a reminder. It wasn’t of buir’s face. It was just buir’s helmet but Grogu loved his helmet and knew it as well as someone else would know their parents’ faces. The helmet was buir’s face.
Grogu stuffed his lightsaber into his pocket. The hilt was small enough to fit in his own tiny hand and the blade was just right for his size but it was short to everyone else. The holo picture followed his lightsaber into his other pocket. Grogu made sure his necklace was around his neck. He closed his secret space and moved the pieces of his bed back over it. If someone came looking, Grogu wanted to leave no trace he had been here.
Grogu picked his way through the broken wood and ashes towards the ships. Grogu was hoping for Master Luke’s x-wing to still be there but it was gone.
That was good right? It meant that someone made it off this planet. But it was also bad because Master Luke’s x-wing was the smallest ship here and would have been the perfect size for him. The next smallest would be one of the knight’s starfighters. Hopefully, it would get him where he needs to go.
Grogu climbed into the starfighter. He had no droid to help him pilot so he was on his own. Grogu fired up the engines. He knew how to do that. He had just begun learning how to fly when this attack happened.
Grogu pulled on the controls to get the ship in the air. It was a shaky flight but he got the ship in space and was about to program the hyperdrive. He came to a stop then. He didn’t know where the lava planet that Cara and Greef lived on. He knew it was near Sorgan and Tatooine. But again, he didn’t know where exactly it was.
A warning popped up on his screen. He was almost out of fuel. That was going to be an issue. Grogu scrolled through his options. He selected the nearest big planet. That would have to do. Hopefully, it was in the right direction. Grogu reached for the hyperdrive lever and pulled it. Grogu shot off into space, leaving behind his old home. Goodbye Yavin 4. Hello Cantonica and hopefully his buir.
Part Five of the Dad Pedro Series. Warning for a bit of sickness. Nothing graphic. Poor baby is sick.
Word Count: 1,051
Characters: Frankie, Benny, Will, Santiago, original kid characters
Enjoy some Dad Frankie
***
“Dude? What is with the baby?” Benny came to a stop in front of him.
Will elbowed his little brother. “Not that we aren’t happy to see our nephew, but it is guys’ night.”
Frankie breathed out harshly. “I know. I know it’s guys’ night but Isabella is sick. My lady wanted me to take Carlos so that he doesn’t catch it. I tried to tell her it’s useless that when you have more than one child if one kid gets sick the other is most likely to get sick too, but she was an only child, and… well?”
“At least it’s Carlos and not Izzy.” Santi sauntered into the room. “Looks like we are staying in tonight. Poker anyone?”
Groans met his ears.
“No cheating.” Benny raised a finger at the rest of them.
Frankie settled at the table with Carlos off in a portable play pen. For the first hour or so he was content with laying down and playing with the toys Frankie had stashed in his truck.
Once hour two hit, Carlos let out a fierce cry.
Frankie set down his cards. “Don’t look at them.” Frankie warned.
He scooped up Carlos from the playpen. He checked his diaper and tried to feed him some baby crackers he had in his bag. Nothing worked. Carlos just kept on crying.
Soon the wails got to be too much because the guys slowly drifted over from the card game.
“What’s wrong Carlos?” Will held out his arms for the one-year-old.
Carlos whimpered and shoved his face in Frankie’s neck. Benny tried next to get him to laugh but Carlos just pushed harder at Frankie’s collarbones.
Santi eyed the baby. “You said Izzy was sick? Benny, do you guys have a thermometer?”
“What? No. Just…” Benny reached out and placed the back of his hand on Carlos’ forehead. “He’s a little warm.”
“Let me check.” Will lightly shoved Benny out of the way.
During this whole thing, Frankie noticed as his son got fussier and fussier. When Carlos looked about ready to scream, Frankie quickly began packing up. “Look, I should probably get him home. I ruined guys’ night anyway. If he’s sick then he needs to be in his bed.”
“No way, Fish. You didn’t ruin it. He’s only a little warm probably from all the crying. What do you guys say to pizza, movies and beer?” Benny headed for the kitchen. “I’ll order the pizza.”
Frankie wanted to protest but it had been a while since he last saw everyone in one place. Santi had only recently gotten back from Austraila after spending nearly a whole year there. Will had been on a month long road trip to various military bases and that left only Benny and him.
Frankie placed his hand on Carlos’ forehead. He grimaced. He was a little warmer than usual but he seemed okay. “Alright. One movie. Nothing to explicit. I do have a one-year-old with me.”
“How about Jason Bourne?” Will flipped through movies on their streaming service.
“No. No military. You know the rules. Someone is going to go off on how unrealistic it is.” Santi grabbed the remote out of Will’s hand. “What about James Bond?”
“No spy movies either!” Benny yelled from the kitchen. “They get on my nerves.”
“Guys!” Frankie broke in. Carlos was getting heavy so Frankie sat down on the couch with his son tucked to his chest. “Just pick one.”
“What about Batman?” Will offered into the silence. “I mean, what kid doesn’t like superheroes.”
No one spoke up against it. Will pressed play and they settled down with beer and soon, pizza.
About fifteen minutes into the movie and Frankie knew it was a bad idea. So far there had been death and violence that he just knew his wife would give him grief over from have Izzy see, let alone Carlos.
Frankie stood up. “I really should get him home.”
“Sit down Fish. Pizza just got here.” Benny jumped up when the doorbell rang.
Frankie sank back to the couch. He hoped that Carlos would soon go to sleep.
Another ten minutes of the movie passed and Frankie knew he was in deep shit. Carlos had been whining for the past three minutes and nothing he did helped. Finally, Carlos’ problem was resolved when the one-year-old threw up all down the front of Frankie and Benny’s couch.
Frankie cursed. “Look. Carlos just threw up. He’s sick and I need to get home. Whatever bullshit it is that you want me here for, count me out. I’ve got a sick kid that needs his own bed and some medicine.” Frankie stood up and carried his sick son over to his playpen.
“It’s not bullshit, Frank.” Santi stood up. “This is the first night since that mission in Columbia that we all have been in one place for longer than a week.”
“I get it man.” Frankie whipped off his ruined shirt. He felt a little self conscious about his softened middle but shoved that down. He struggled putting down the playpen while holding Carlos who refused to let go of his dad. “I miss you all too, but I need to get home before we all get sick.”
“Here. Let us help.” Will came around the couch and within seconds, the playpen was folded down, Carlos’ diaper bag was packed up and pizza was shoved onto a paper plate covered in foil.
“Hey, family comes first. We all know that. Next week?” Benny carried the playpen out to Frankie’s truck.
Frankie buckled in Carlos before responding. “Sure. I’ll make sure that we have no underaged minors joining us next time.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Benny let out a whoop. “Catch you later, Fish.”
Frankie drove home. His son was sleeping fitfully in his backseat. Family came first, sure. But his brothers came second. Next week, Frankie was sure to leave the kids at home. Carlos would not be joining another guys’ night until he was eighteen. Maybe twenty one considering some of what they got up to.
Seventeen years seemed a long time away but Frankie knew time went by fast. You just needed to cherish the moments. Frankie looked down at his lap with a grimace. Yeah. Maybe not this exact moment.
Part Four of the Dad Pedro series. How can I not do everyone’s favorite space dad? Enjoy...
Word Count: 1,145
Characters: Din, fem reader, original child characters, Paz Vizla and Grogu.
***
“Are you alright, ad’ika?” Din ran a gloved hand over his daughter’s back. His newest child was tucked to his chest in a harness.
“Buir!” One of the boys called. “Grogu is eating a frog again!”
Din stepped out of the bedroom and took in the chaos. He was alone watching all four kids because his riduur had demanded a day off without them. Last he knew she and Cara were off at a hairdresser?
It didn’t matter. What mattered was that Din was left with his kids alone. He had four of them under his care. Grogu. The oldest. Then there was Nikolas. He was nine and had just sworn the creed. The third was Callan who was five and then the youngest… his daughter that was born only a month ago… Kainda.
“Where did he even get a frog?” Din quickly stepped forward.
“Nikolas gave it to him.” Callan immediately said.
“Tattletale.” Nikolas was about to pull Callan into a wrestling match.
Din stepped between them. “Okay. That’s enough.”
“Buir. I’m bored.” Callan pulled on Din’s flight suit. “Can we go do something?”
“I don’t know ad’ika. Kainda needs…” Din trailed off as he spotted the scowl on Callan’s face.
“Kainda ruins everything!” Callan yelled before running off down the hall. A door slammed so hard that dust rained down from the ceiling. Din carefully shielded his daughter with his hand.
Din sighed. He made a motion to go after Callan but a hand on his arm stopped him.
“It’s alright buir. I got this. Sometimes you just need your big brother.” Nikolas headed down the hall.
Din sat on the couch. He was tired and frustrated and a little hurt. Kainda made a coo against his chest. Grogu climbed up the couch and cuddled into Din’s side.
“Hey, ad’ika. Did you ever think we would get this far?” Din gently ran a finger over Grogu’s ears. “You a big brother. Me a riduur and dad to four. Seems like it was just yesterday it was you, me, and the Crest. Now we are a clan of six.”
Din sat in silence as the memories flowed over him. Din shifted when Kainda let out a small mewl. He was about to get up but three claws touched his arm. A bottle floated around the corner of the kitchen and landed gently in Grogu’s outstretched palm.
“Thank you Grogu.” Din untied the baby harness and settled Kainda down to eat.
A door opened and shut much softer than last time. Footsteps approached and Din’s two sons entered the room.
“I’m sorry buir. It’s just… you never have time for me anymore. You always have Kainda with you and it’s never just me and you for training.” Callan glared at the ground.
“I thought Uncle Paz said you were doing good.” Din knew he messed up big time when Callan turned his hurt gaze at the wall.
“Buir.” Nikolas laid a hand on Callan’s shoulder. “I know you and Mom are busy with the new baby and all but you have to understand. It’s hard on the rest of us when you give all your attention to Kainda and not us. Grogu has taken to purposefully losing focus in class just so you will pick him up. I know how this goes and eventually, you will work it out but Callan doesn’t understand.”
Din stared into the T visor of Nikolas’ helmet. He stood up abruptly. “I’ll be right back.” Din headed for his bedroom and his commlink.
He dialed a familiar number and waited for the di’kut to pick up.
“Vizla. What can I do for you, Djarin?” Paz boomed from the commlink.
“Are you free for a few hours?”
****
Din stepped out of his room after his call to see Callan staring miserably at the wall while Grogu and Nikolas were tucked into his sides.
Callan glared at Din before scrambling off the couch and down the hall. His bedroom door shut yet again with a loud shake of the room.
A knock came on the front door.
“Please let Uncle Paz in Nikolas. Tell him Kainda is in her pen.” Din untied Kainda and placed her in a blanket-filled deep box that came up to Din’s waist and was anchored to the floor. Din knew that having Kainda there when he talked to Callan was not a good idea.
Din strode down the hall and knocked on Callan’s door.
“Go away, Nikolas! I told you it wouldn’t work! Buir is replacing us with Kainda.” Callan’s angry shouts were tempered by the hurt-filled sniffle he let out afterward.
Din’s heart broke and he carefully pressed just right on the door to get it open. “Callan.” Din ducked a stuffed bear that his riduur had made for Callan.
“Where’s Kainda?” Callan scowled at him. “Shouldn’t she be needing you?”
Din sat down on the floor next to Callan’s bed. “Nope. Uncle Paz has her and will have her for the next three hours. I wanted to know what you wanted to do. We only have an hour together then it’s Nikolas’ turn and then it’s Grogu. So… the next hour is all up to you.”
Callan eyed him warily. “You aren’t teasing me?”
“I would never tease about something like this. I swear, I didn’t know how you felt and I’m not replacing you. I love you Callan Djarin. You are ner ad and I won’t ever give you up.” Din held out his forearm in a traditional Mandalorian vow. “Haat ijaa haa’it.” He swore.
“And we can do whatever I want for an hour? Just the two of us. No Nikolas. No Grogu and No Kainda?” Callan raised hopeful eyes to Din.
“Yes, Callan.” Din stood up. “Everything is sorted. Let’s get going. What do you want to do?”
“I want to visit the Armorer. We’ve been learning about the Goran in our classes and I wanted to ask her a few questions.” Callan grabbed Din’s hand.
Din allowed himself to be pulled down the hall and out the front door.
Later that night, when you stepped into the apartment after a day of being pampered, you found your riduur in the middle of a puppy pile on the floor. Grogu was sleeping on top of his chest. Callan was tucked into Din’s side and Nikolas was curled up against Callan’s back. Kainda was on the floor a few inches away from Din’s other side.
You smile and move slowly down the hall. Din didn’t even wake up which told you how rough of a day this was. You pull on some nightclothes and after taking a picture of your family curled around each other, you climb into their pile, pulling your daughter to your chest. Din’s hand found yours.
“Sleep ner riduur. Everything’s okay.” You close your eyes, happy for your family.
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