Chapter Text
Tatooine had been deemed not safe. And now Ben Kenobi was pretending not to hear the couple arguing while he kept an eye on the toddler on the ship with them. He had helped Owen and Beru sell their farm, sell just about everything, and then found them a ship to use privately to get to some other planet. Owen was still angry that Beru let Ben come along, because he didn't trust Ben. But Beru was adamant that they, and Luke, would be safer with a Jedi there.
It was a bit awkward, really. But Ben didn't care what they thought as long as he could keep Luke safe. And eventually train him. Understandably, Owen blamed Ben for a lot and didn't trust him. Ben was okay with that. He kind of deserved it, and it was nice to have someone who didn't pity him, like Beru did. But then, she seemed to think there was probably more to the story, not that Ben would ever admit to it.
Because ultimately? Owen was right. Ben had failed somewhere with Anakin. He wasn't sure where, or maybe it was from the very beginning, but somehow he had not realized he had completely failed to teach how to love without attachment. How to think, apparently. And it was Ben's fault Anakin was dead. He killed him after all. Or he was supposed to, and now there was truly a monster where Anakin used to be.
Right now, they were arguing about where to go, where was safe enough to put down roots so that Luke could have a stable life. Ben sighed and picked up Luke when the toddler raised his arms and demanded up. So now he was cuddling a little toddler who was getting sleepy.
“You don't like living on the ship,” he spoke up. “I understand that. Why don't we make a stop, find a place to stay for the night, and go from there? A good night's sleep and a break from the ship will do you some good.”
Owen huffed.
Beru smiled. “That is a wonderful suggestion, Ben. Thank you.” She came over and took Luke from him. “And it looks like it's nap time for someone.”
Luke fussed for a moment then rested his head on her shoulder, yawning.
Owen walked over to Ben while she took care of that. “And what will you be doing?”
“Ensuring no one knows who Luke is and checking on current events. We can't trust the news in Tatooine. It tends to be out of date.”
Owen crossed his arms. “Stay out of our way and get a different room. I don't care what you do otherwise.”
Ben nodded. “I can do that.”
.
It ended up not being as simple as Ben thought. There was a ton of news to catch up on, a lot of details that never made it to Tatooine at all. Vader was still on a rampage looking for him. Now he had his inquisitors and his purge troopers to find and kill Jedi. Specially trained.
And then Ben heard that they were looking for Jedi. His heart stopped. They knew about him. And he had to ensure they didn't know about Luke. So he went looking for the purge troopers. Looking for trouble.
He followed the rumors to the outskirts, to a building that was supposed to be abandoned. And as soon as he entered he froze. Because there were a few shocking things about this. No inquisitors, all clones. In fact, one of the clones was definitely Cody. His Force presence was almost gone, but it was definitely Cody's. They had already cornered the Jedi they were looking for; it wasn't Obi-Wan.
It was Mace Windu and Kit Fisto. They were alive. Mace seemed to have a prosthetic hand and Kit was keeping very still. They were very much haggard, very much had been through a lot over the last two years. They were alive, they had made it off of Coruscant, despite all reports saying they had died in the Chancellor's office.
Obi-Wan held onto the door for support for a moment as he had to swallow down his emotions to deal with later. For now, he just needed to get them out of this situation and then he could deal.
Now calm, he straightened and walked forward, reaching out and tapping on their shields as he did so. They didn't visibly react, too well trained for that, but they did reciprocate, relief and joy to see him.
Obi-Wan quietly took out the troopers at the back. He had learned well from his time on Tatooine, honing the skills Quinlan had taught him about being sneaky. And then it was just Cody, telling the two Jedi to get up in a flat, emotionless voice that wasn't like him at all.
“They're not alone,” Obi-Wan stated, lighting his lightsaber and pointing it at Cody. “And now you are alone.”
Cody spun and glared at him. “More Jedi. Kenobi.”
“Cody.” No trace of recognition. “I suppose we have to fight.”
“Traitor.” Cody lunged forward.
Obi-Wan fought him, leading him away from Kit and Mace, up the stairs and up to the roof. He knew he wouldn't be able to kill Cody. Knew there was something wrong with Cody. So he was making the best choice he could here. They could fight on the roof, and then Obi-Wan would help Kit and Mace get out.
It took him a while to figure something out. He ended up using the Force to pin Cody to the roof with some left over equipment. Once he did that, he sighed, looking over at Cody. Then he sat down and looked up at the night sky.
“We used to be close you and I. We used to stare up a stars like these all the time. I don't understand what happened, but I don't think it was your fault. I think you're still in there, deep down.”
Cody remained silent, struggling under the weight of what had him pinned.
Obi-Wan sighed, staring up at the stars. “So many stars out there, and you wanted to explore many of them, to see what the galaxy has to offer. I don't blame you. It's a big galaxy out there, and you never had a choice. And now you have less of one. I promise, one day you'll be free to explore as you wish. You won't be forced into this life, won't be controlled by the Empire. I will find a way to help you.” He left.
Cody watched him go, then stared at the stars. The chip in control, the robot in control could not compute that the traitor left him alive. But Cody? Cody deep down was screaming. He was happy he didn't kill Obi-Wan, happy that he had survived after all, but screaming because now the Empire would know.
Cody couldn't do a thing. He was a prisoner in his own mind. But... It was nice to know that Obi-Wan was still alive, still out there, still being a true Jedi. Only a true Jedi would refuse to kill him. Only Obi-Wan would have done his best to avoid too much collateral and too much injuries. He bet that once his body got free, he would end up finding that most of the purge troopers were alive.
And... the stars were pretty. Cody did remember watching them with Obi-Wan and he wished he could do so once more. Wished desperately he could get free. But there wasn't a chance. He had watched his body be an empty shell, a puppet, for two years and could not get free. But how he wanted to let Obi-Wan know he was right. Cody was still there.
.
Obi-Wan hurried down to help Mace and Kit. Kit was injured, blaster bolt to the shoulder and a twisted ankle. Obi-Wan helped support him.
“Obi-Wan, it is good to see you.” Mace smiled at him. “You arrived just in time.”
“I noticed. I'm glad I did. But... how did you survive? Both of you?” Obi-Wan planned on taking them to his room and figuring something out in the morning.
Kit grimaced. “It was a bad blow to the chest, but nothing that would actually kill me immediately, I was still conscious at the end of the confrontation, and the person they sent to clean up the bodies helped me get out of there. I don't remember how, it's all a blur, but I ended up at the same place as Mace.”
“Anakin threw me out a window after cutting off my hand. I managed to slow my descent, but I don't remember much either between the loss of my hand and the loss of Jedi in the Force.”
“And then you made it off Coruscant and ended up here?”
“With a lot of running along the way. What about you?”
Obi-Wan hesitated, then looked around. “Not here, I have a room for the night, so when we get there.”
“Alright. You weren't surprised when I mentioned Anakin. You found out?”
“Unfortunately. I saw... footage in the Temple. Of him killing the younglings.” Obi-Wan could still feel that grief, even two years later. Not only were their lives cut short, his own padawan was the one who had done it.
Kit and Mace shared his grief. Kit spoke first. “I'm sorry that's how you found out, Obi-Wan. That wasn't fair to you.”
“At least I found out before I found out the hard way.” Obi-Wan sighed.
“I know I questioned your faith in him, but I could never have suspected him to go so far... and now he is unrecognizable.” Mace was tired, it was in his voice as much as his Force presence.
“I know.” Obi-Wan fell silent, contemplating how to tell them. How to explain the whirlwind that saw him end up an exile on Tatooine, what was going on. And what would Owen say? He wouldn't be happy about dragging more Jedi with them. But... there was a chance he would accept Kit and Mace for training Luke far more than Obi-Wan. This... actually could work out for the best.
It wasn't until he was helping Mace take care of Kit that he spoke again.
“Yoda survived as well, we were picked up by Bail Organa. We went to the Temple to change the beacon to keep everyone away. And after seeing the footage of Anakin killing the younglings... Yoda went to face Sidious and I went to confront Anakin on Mustafar by sneaking on Padme's ship. Turns out they'd been married the entire time, like we hadn't suspected, and she was pregnant. He tried to kill her for turning on him. I fought him... thought I killed him. He was right at the edge of the lava, with only his prosthetic arm... I shouldn't have left him to suffer.... and now we have Darth Vader roaming the galaxy.”
Mace sat back, staring at him. “Padme is dead.”
“Yes. She died giving birth to twins. Leia is safe with Bail and Breha on Alderaan.”
“And the other?” Kit asked softly.
“Luke is here with his aunt and uncle. Anakin's stepbrother and wife. I watched over Luke for two years on Tatooine before they decided it wasn't safe, and now they're looking for somewhere to live that's safer. Owen doesn't trust me.”
“The Force must have led you here. We had been considering Lothal as a place to go, that should be out of the way enough for Luke to grow up. There is also a Temple there, that isn't in many records so the Empire wouldn't know about it.”
Obi-Wan stared at them, then nodded. “That would be a good place to go. I just hope they give you a chance.”
“Why do they not trust you, Obi-Wan?” Kit asked.
“They blame me for what happened to Anakin. Well, Owen does, Beru has been rather kind. Apparently if Anakin had never left Tatooine things would be better for him. And as his primary teacher, I get the blame.”
Mace shook his head. “Let us talk to them. I think they will agree. And if they do agree, you do not need to keep watch over Luke any longer.”
Obi-Wan blinked. He had not considered that far ahead, just that maybe Mace or Kit would be good teachers for Luke. “That... is not a luxury I had considered ever having.”
“What will you do with it?” Kit asked.
“Well... clearly more than Yoda and I have survived the Purge. And the Jedi that survived... how many end up in your situation, but with no rescue coming? I need to do something for them, to help them. So I think that is what I will do. I can't send them all to Lothal, but I hope I can find other suitable planets, other safe havens. We'll need codes, and I think Bail would like to be able to contact you, he was planning on running underground operations to help people, Jedi and more, escape the Empire last I talked to him.”
“Come to Lothal with us, plan further, and you'll have it all sorted before you leave. Maybe we can visit the Temple together and seek guidance from the Force.”
Obi-Wan brightened. “That is a good idea. And now I realize we should sleep before morning or it will only be harder to talk to Owen.”
.
Owen's face when he saw Obi-Wan helping Kit limp to their ship with Mace walking along side them... it was full of rage. He met them at the ramp.
“More Jedi?” He hissed. “They were looking for Jedi last night.”
“I'm aware. That's how I found them. Rescued them from the situation.” Obi-Wan's voice was dry. “There's several ships leaving today, no one is here to see them, no one will know it was this ship. They also have a suggestion on where you can go to safely raise Luke.”
Beru stepped outside with Luke and sighed. “Owen, we can help them. Let them join us.”
Owen grumbled but stepped aside, eyeing them suspiciously.
“Thank you,” Kit said as he limped up the ramp. “I am grateful for your hospitality.”
Owen crossed his arms, huffing. He waited until they were locked onto their destination (Lothal; he agreed to check it out) to say anything. “So how did you fail the galaxy?” he asked grumpily.
“We tried to arrest the Chancellor for treason before he crowned himself Emperor. He almost killed me and left me for dead,” Kit replied softly, watching Luke toddle around, giggling, after Beru.
“I almost had him beat before Anakin defended him and tossed me out the window.”
“And I then witnessed Anakin pledging his loyalty to the Sith lord Sidious before being named Darth Vader, as I was conscious at the time,” Kit finished.
Owen spun on Obi-Wan and glared at him. “You said Anakin was dead.”
Obi-Wan winced. “I did,” he agreed. “At the time I had not known of Darth Vader's survival. And even if I had... While there's a chance someone could reach him and pull him back to the Light, we have to assume that the Anakin we knew is gone. I witnessed him try to kill his wife myself, despite her pregnancy, and if he was even willing to take his rage out on her, I don't think many of us have a chance. But he's always wanted a family.”
“You would raise Luke up to be a sacrifice?”
Obi-Wan sighed.
Mace cut in, giving Obi-Wan at sympathetic look. “That would never be any of our intention. No, Luke, and any youngling who can escape the notice of the Empire are our greatest hope. Those of us who survived the Purge... we don't have much hope, and we are scattered, unable to offer help to each other. A new Jedi, a child of Skywalker, emerging in a couple of decades, fully trained, when resistances are underway? That will bring hope to the galaxy.”
Kit nodded. “Beyond the basics of protecting himself, we would never teach him more than what he wants. It's all his choice once he is old enough. I believe what Obi-Wan was trying to say is that because Anakin wanted a family, there is a decent chance, though not a huge one, that meeting his son would bring out at least some hesitation, maybe bring him back to the Light. It is a greater chance than any other Jedi would have against Vader.”
Beru gave Owen a look. “I told you that Ben was blaming himself enough for what happened. That you didn't need to keep laying it on him. And now we have more of the story. Thank you,” she added to Kit and Mace, “I had wondered but hadn't been certain I wanted or needed the answer. Now. Can you tell me about how much 'blame' falls at Ben's feet as Anakin's teacher?”
Mace bristled. “Absolutely none. Obi-Wan had far more patience for Anakin than the rest of us, and always brought out the best in Anakin. He had faith in Anakin until it was proven wrong.” Then he sighed, letting go of the anger. “I could see why even if I worried about how Anakin handled many pressures. We worked well together.”
“Besides,” Kit put in, “Anakin hadn't been Obi-Wan's student for three years, and had taken on his own for most of that time. Hard to blame Obi-Wan for a decision made at the end of the war when everything was all up to Anakin.”
Owen stared between them, still suspicious, but relaxing. He turned to Obi-Wan. “Ben, why didn't you tell us any of this?”
Obi-Wan fixed him with a dry look. “When have you ever given me a chance to explain myself? And while they're right that ultimately the blame all lays with Anakin. With Vader... I've never been quite able to put the blame aside myself. If only I'd been able to teach him better how to let go. How to love without obsession. If only I'd actually killed him instead of leaving him there, assuming he was dead.” He shook his head. “No, I was comfortable with the status quo and saw no need to challenge your point of view when you were already so angry, and with good reason. And you can't say you would have accepted any of the explanation two years ago. You're still suspicious, still angry. It would have been worse if I tried to explain properly right away.”
Owen glowered at him. “Always so reasonable. It makes me angry.” He walked off grumpily.
Beru stared after him, shaking her head. “He'll come around. He just does not do well with his worldview being shaken so. Now, is there anything I can get you two?”
Mace and Kit both declined.
Obi-Wan stretched. “I think I shall go meditate. It was an interesting night and I didn't get the chance to this morning.”