Chapter Text
She was dreading this moment. She knew this moment had been coming for a long time. Ever since she heard that he had survived what she had done to him on Mustafar. The time had finally come. The moment where she faced Vader. No. He would always be Anakin. The little boy from Tatooine she raised as her padawan.
She had been training for this moment for years. Years of being a hermit on Tatooine in the wastelands. Amid the hot dry sands she had practiced for this, her death at the hands of her Padawan. The boy she had watched grow up. The boy she had raised.
Where did she go wrong? It was a question that had burned in her mind since he fell. She failed as a teacher. But Luke… she had watched Luke grow from a young boy to the young adult he was today. The good, kind adult who had just burst out of a corridor and was watching her with horror all across his young face.
“If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” She stares as her former pupil brings his lightsaber around to her head.
This was it. She was ready. Ready to see all her old friends who had passed long before her. She was ready to go home.
She casts one last look at Luke and gives into the Force around her, just as Anakin’s red blade passes searing heat through her body. Her time alive was done.
*****
Obi-wan didn’t have time to marvel at the feeling of being ‘one with the Force.’ She felt light and warm. That was all she registered before noises reached her ears.
Luke shouted her name. She heard shots from a blaster. Anakin turned to go after the others. His red lightsaber was raised high. Luke was being an idiot and was just standing there, watching where she disappeared into the Force. She had to act or all would be lost.
“Run Luke! Run!” She yelled as loud as she could.
She knew it was hopeless. She was dead. She was safe in the arms of the Force. Something weird happened though. She had the thought she needed to see them escape. Luke and his sister Leia, the space smuggler Han Solo and the Wookie Chewbacca. She needed to see them gone and away from here before she could truly go home.
Luke seemed to hear her because he ran for the smuggler’s ship. The ship took off without any more problems except the blaster fire at their tails. But they got away. She smiled. Her mission was complete. She faded away and let the currents of the Force carry her to where it wanted. They had been tugging at her the entire time she was here.
She knew where she wanted to go. To see her old friends, Quinlan, Bant, Siri, Garen, even Bruck, despite him bullying her. She wanted to see her fellow council members, Plo, Mace, Depa, Shaak, and Kit. She wanted to rest knowing that she had done everything possible and her time had come. She wanted to go home.
Something pulled her off course. She was swept away in the gentle waves of the Force being tossed to and fro until a space began to solidify around her. She ended up in a large spacious temple. The ceilings were high as they were on the temple at Coruscant. Large windows were on the far wall letting in light. It wasn’t quite light like the light given from a star. Instead it was a white light that was softened. Obi-wan glanced around her. In a corner was a glowing fountain of water that was spouting a few inches in an arch. As she listened the water began sounding with a heavy ominous feeling to it.
She was so busy looking around at the tapestries and painted walls and the tall wide windows that she didn’t see or register the people seated in chairs much like the ones in the Coruscant temple but more personalized.
“Obi-wan Kenobi.” A deep voice called her name. It was full of gentle fond amusement.
Obi-wan startled and turned with a practiced easy smile to the group of beings. Was this some tribunal about to sentence her to her fate? If that was so, Obi-wan had a lot in her past that she thought would condemn her. Oh well, best to show them that she was not afraid. She entered the space and immediately bowed. “Masters.”
As she bowed to the tribunal she cast her gaze at them trying to see who had the pleasure of judging her. Her first impression: there were many different species. Seated around her in a semi circle was many species ranging from a member of Yoda’s species to a humanoid looking one encased in metal armor.
Obi-wan felt jittery. Almost like her heart was in her throat and her breath was caught. She was dead so that was impossible. Especially if that was who she thought it was. Obi-wan felt nerves well up as well as fascination. That couldn’t possibly be…
“Obi-wan.” The armored Jedi lifted a hand towards her and gestured for her to raise up. She recognized his voice as the warm fond amused tones that called her name before.
There was no doubt as to who this was. One of the greatest Mandalorian Jedi to ever walk the galaxy. A sinking feeling rose in her stomach. Tarre Vizsla was going to judge her? This could not be good.
Obi-wan let nothing that she was feeling show on her face. She was calm, composed and mildly in control as she stood straight. “Master Vizsla.”
“You know your history.” The Mandalorian sounded pleased. A smile formed behind his helmet.
His helmet was not a full one like the modern Mandos of her time. Tarre Vizsla’s helmet showed portions of his face like part of his mouth and cheeks. Obi-wan wanted to ask all the questions burning in her mind. About his helmet, about where she was, about this council, about his past, she tempered herself though. If this was a tribunal, (which was seeming less and less likely), then she needed to compose herself. Not that she couldn’t fish for information though.
This… was not going in the direction she was assuming it would go. Master Vizsla looked happy to see her. From what she could see through the slats on his helmet he was actually smiling.
“I have always been fascinated by Mandalore and your culture. Not to say that it’s the only one I find intriguing. Many other cultures are simply… amazing to witness.” Rambling was good. Throw your opponent off course with your words and you might get away unscathed.
She cast a look around the room again. There were murals painted onto the walls she itched to look at and beautiful tapestries that fluttered in the slight breeze in this light and airy temple.
“Master Kenobi has always been interested in history and culture. As I said, a fresh perspective and a good heart that is willing to learn.” The deep rumble of a familiar voice spoke with fondness.
That voice was bringing tears to Obi-wan’s eyes. Obi-wan desperately looked to the left where that voice was coming from. If she could, she would have cried. Sitting amongst the others on a plain marble white chair with gray cushions was Master Plo Koon.
“What?” She clasped her hands together inside her robes and took a deep breath to center herself. “What can I do for you Masters?”
Because this wasn’t a simple tribunal. This was something different. Something more. This was a council yes but it far surpassed the one on Coruscant from long ago.
“It’s what you can do for us, Master Kenobi.” Tarre Vizsla leaned forward in his chair. “This war has been going on for decades and it will continue to spread darkness until it is stopped for good. The Force may have chosen the Skywalker line to bring balance, but we feel you are the better choice. Many of us have seen what you have done over the years and we were quite impressed. You have Mandokarla.”
Obi-wan was glad she was dead. The pleased flutter in her chest made her aware that she would probably be flushing with the praise from one of her greatest heroes that she admired with a great deal of respect. She didn’t get genuine compliments often. Sure many complimented her looks, her intelligence, her fighting, but those were empty compliments. A comment about her looks was offered in return for a pleasure filled night. Someone saying something about her intelligence was offered because they didn’t like how she out maneuvered them. And comments about her fighting were always because they were frustrated they couldn’t beat her.
A darker thought took over her mind. Would he still compliment her if he knew all that she had done? What she had truly done and thought. Even if they saw all the good, what about the bad? What about the dark time after Anakin had turned where she had drank and drank her sorrows away until she was so numb she couldn’t feel a thing. Where she contemplated eating a blaster because she couldn’t cope with all the loss and death.
She had to be diplomatic about this. She knew that Master Vizsla thought she was good but she felt she was not. Quite the opposite in fact. “Thank you Master Vizsla but I seriously doubt anything I did was-”
“No?” The Mandalorian Jedi huffed. He tapped his fingers as he listed her deeds. “You stopped a planet from exploding by offering up your own life to save others. You helped stop a war that had devastated a planet to the point where demagolka were killing and forcing children to fight as warriors. You have loyalty to the Order and the light side. You have the tenacity to fight for the things you want. You have the aggression to stand up for others who can’t do it for themselves. And you have a lust for life that outshines almost every Mando’ade that I have seen. If that is not Mandokarla, then what is it?”
Obi-wan was speechless but not for long. Did Master Vizsla really think that? There was only one response on her mind. “I call it doing the right thing.” She sassed.
Tarre Vizsla laughed in deep joyful rumbles. He was joined by the soft chuckles and smiles of the other masters around him. The Force seemed to dance with Tarre Vizsla as he chortled. “Yes. Mandokarla indeed.”
Obi-wan sighed. This was going nowhere. The more she argued against it, the more Master Vizsla was going to insist. She needed to get back to the topic at hand. “What exactly have I been chosen for, Masters?”
“To have a seat on our council for one. For the other... well, we shall see. Come. I have much to discuss with you.” Tarre Vizsla dropped a hand on his lap and beamed like he had told her the greatest news ever.
*****
Obi-wan stared in shock as Tarre Vizsla just calmly knelt on a purple mat. She didn’t know what to think about the proposition that this insane jedi just laid out as casually as asking if she wanted to go for ice cream and a trip to a park.
“Pardon me? What exactly do you want me to do?” Her brain just could not compute anything this crazy Jedi was saying. They wanted her to do what? And why her? And how the.. And to what means and… It was crazier than anything she had ever seen before. She was Qui-gon Jinn’s padawan for many years and had Anakin Skywalker as a padawan for many more. Crazy was kind of her thing.
“We wish to send you back to the beginning to save the Jedi and bring balance to the Force.” Tarre cracked open an eye to stare at her with humor.
Obi-wan was starting to think that this was Master Vizsla’s default setting. Amusement.
“No need to think about it now. Let’s focus on your first task and then you can give us your answer on the second.” Tarre waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal.
“My first task,” Obi-wan repeated numbly. That was something only slightly less insane than the second request.
“Yes.” Tarre Vizsla shifted on the cushion and sighed. “To show that you are acceptable to this council, you must complete a task to prove it. It’s just a little thing.”
“May I ask what exactly I have to do? I am already dead. There isn’t much else dangerous I can do.” Obi-wan clutched her hands in the sleeves of her robes. This was… All she wanted was to rest. But a flame of hope was burning in her. If she went back she could… no. She was not thinking about that.
“No. Nothing dangerous. More like a task to show your skill and wisdom. Your youngling, Luke Skywalker, still needs help. He is attempting to eradicate this darkness and he still needs your guidance. Follow him. Help him. When you come back, we will discuss your second task.” Tarre Vizsla reached out his hand. “May the Force be with you Obi-wan Kenobi.”
He touched her forehead and she dissolved into a blue wisp. She didn’t even get a chance to agree or not. To copy from a clumsy Gungan… How rude.
****
Obi-wan groaned, a little disoriented, and she found herself floating outside in space in the middle of a dogfight. She was in space?! Obi-wan yelped and instinctively held her breath and flapped her arms around, before remembering she was dead and one with the Force, therefore, space can’t hurt her.
She floated nearby as one by one, the small rebellion fighters were taken out. She needed to help. She was trying everything. Walking wasn’t making her move. Running was pointless. She felt stupid just standing there with her hand twirling a lock of her hair in thought. Only three remained. She needed to do something! She tried a swimming motion to lower herself and when that didn’t work, she tried willing herself down there.
In between one blink and the next she had moved so she was by one fighter with a familiar presence inside. It zipped past her heading for a trench in the middle of the massive ship she had died on. She willed herself again to be by the fighter and this time she made sure to keep going alongside it.
This fight was getting intense. One fighter was taken out and she could feel the pilot being taken back into the Force. It made her wince in sorrow. All these lives, ruined because of… Nope. Not going there. She couldn’t let that distract her. Luke. She needed to show him what to do. But how? A memory came to her of being back on the Death Star and getting Luke to run. It can’t be that simple, right?
“Use the Force Luke.” She tried amplifying her voice. “Let go Luke.” She could see him look around for half a second before focusing on his fighter.
It wasn’t enough. He could hear her but he wasn’t acting. Not fast enough. She could sense Anakin nearby. If she didn’t do something soon Luke might be in more trouble. She waited for Luke to put away the tracking device. Not working. She had to try again. This time with more oomph to it. “Luke. Trust me.” She poured her feelings into the words.
Her feelings for the little infant she brought to his family. Her feelings for the toddler that raced to see her before she was banned by the Lars family. Her feelings for the preteen she watched work the farm and make friends. Her feelings for the teen she watched fly speeders and shoot at womp rats. Her feelings for the young adult that fought before her now.
It seemed to work. She hovered with baited breath as Luke turned away the tracking computer and she felt him reach out with the Force.
The smuggler’s ship comes swooping in just in time and takes out one of Anakin’s tie fighters. The second tie fighter panics and is destroyed against the wall of the trench. Anakin goes spinning out into space with a damaged ship.
She had a brief flash of panic and worry but she shrugged it off. He’s survived worse. There’s no way a ship with that minor of damage would take him out. She swears Anakin could build a droid out of some scrap pieces of metal and rusted parts. Heck she knew he could because of C-3PO being proof.
Luke fires the torpedoes and hits his target. Obi-wan let out a proud grin. That brought back so many memories. Too many to comprehend right now though.
Obi-wan didn’t let her smile drop as Luke flew away from the Death Star. The giant planet-killing space station exploded into a supernova of sparks and pieces of metal. She did wince as she felt the influx of people being folded into the Force. They may have been evil, but they were still people.
Obi-wan willed herself to hover beside Luke’s ship as Luke and Han Solo flew back to the rebel base they saved. Job well done in her opinion.
*****
She hides her smile as she watches Luke celebrate his victory. Hugs and cheers were abundant as the rebels felt the high of a victory well won. She floats alongside Luke and Leia who were laughing and drinking from a bottle that must have contained some kind of liquor based on the rowdiness of the group surrounding them.
“You did good, young one.” Obi-wan murmured softly. She felt the Force tug on her and let it pull her away to where it wanted to take her. Which was back to where the council summoned her. She blinks and she is back in the massive temple from before.
“Very good Master Kenobi.” A high melodic voice calls from behind a chair. “A very good start.”
An older Togruta steps between a chair with bright cushions splashed with colors and a chair with gold paint blooming across the armrests and back. Her blue and white montrals stand tall and her striped lekku swing down to her hips. She was dressed in Jedi robes that were a little darker than the ones Obi-wan wore. “I am Master Kiwiiks. I have information for you to help you decide what to do next in your task. If you would come with me?”
Obi-wan deliberates for a moment. Master Kiwiiks waits patiently by the hallway leading off into more light filled spaces and bright tapestries. Obi-wan did need to know where to go next. She sighs and follows the Togruta down a side hallway to a meditation room covered in Force sensitive flowers. Tall windows let in light for a warm atmosphere. The flowers were humming. They shone with the Force and the light around them danced to an unheard melody.
Master Kiwiiks seated herself on a blue meditation pillow. Her knees were under her in a meditation pose. She waved a hand at the cushion opposite her. “Have a seat Master Kenobi. I will show you what to do next.”
Obi-wan folds herself into a comfortable position on the offered yellow plush mat. She didn’t know what to expect. Was Master Kiwiiks going to show her a vision or tell her what her choices are? She said show though. Was she going to…
“See your choices.” Master Kiwiiks closes her eyes in an obvious Force meditation. Master Kiwiiks seemed serene as she settled even deeper into the Force that she already was as a ghost.
“I thought with being dead I wouldn’t have to meditate anymore.” Obi-wan grumbles as she moves into her pose for communicating with the Force. She settled with her legs crossed and her hands resting on her knees. She closed her eyes and breathed deep. It was easier to do this when she was dead than when she was alive. She could hear Master Yoda saying… “Luminous beings we are. Not this crude matter.”
“Even dead, we can still learn.” Master Kiwiiks breaks her from her thoughts and takes her hands. “Your choices, Young One.”
Obi-wan slips deeper into the Force with Master Kiwiiks guidance. She saw two paths laid out before her. Murky and leading deeper into some kind of forest. In the distance she could see trees and swamp down one. Down the other was mountains and the faint hint of orange on the horizon.
She stepped towards the left swampy path. Green flares her vision and she sees images race by too fast to comprehend. The feelings are fleeting and she only manages to catch the big ones. Determination, fear for a loved one, agony, sadness, victory after a long battle. They pass almost too quickly for her to really hold onto. The only thing she knows for sure about this path is it leads to Yoda.
She pulls back and steps to the right. Her heart aches as she gets a feel for who this path is about. Ahsoka.Her grandpadawan. Again, images race by too fast for her to catch. Feelings race by slower… betrayal, pain, heartache, darkness, hollow victory, defeat. Red explodes across her field of view and she is yanked from her vision.
“Now, you must decide.” Master Kiwiiks rested her hands on her lap and slipped into her own meditation as Obi-wan thinks. Her calm feelings produce a good way for Obi-wan to sort through her thoughts.
Yoda or Ahsoka. Ahsoka or Yoda. Why would those two be her choices? Why would the Force give her those two to choose from and what does it have to do with her first task. Victory against the Empire? No. What is it? Something about… It hits her. Luke. Her first task. He needs to be trained and she cannot do it herself.
If she chose Ahsoka, that would bring up old memories. Luke was her Master’s kid. Would Ahoska even be willing to train him? A scary thought hit her of a much younger Ahsoka getting into trouble with a Skywalker youngling. She shuddered. If that ever happened the universe would implode.
But… Yoda…
He had to be almost nine hundred years old by now. If he was still alive, would he have the time to train Luke the right way? To teach him the right ways of the Order? Would he even be willing? Yoda had faced a lot in his long life. Surely he couldn’t live for much longer? After seeing all he had seen, Yoda might have lost faith in the Order. Would he be willing to take on one last Padawan? Unlikely.
“Have you decided?” Master Kiwiiks watched her with interest in her blue eyes. She was studying her like she was honestly curious about Obi-wan and the choice she would make.
Obi-wan thought for a few more minutes. Her hand came up and twisted a lock of hair around her finger. She sighed and made her choice. Ahsoka was younger but she was more hurt by what Anakin did. Obi-wan did not want Ahsoka to feel the pain of training someone who was so close to Anakin. Yoda was older and would be impartial to training Luke Skywalker. “Yes, Master. I have chosen Master Yoda.”
Master Kiwiiks gave a happy smile. “You have passed. While my kinsman might have made a good teacher once, the pain the Skywalker youngling would have brought up would have wounded her proud heart and warrior soul. Master Yoda is the better choice.”
“But… will he even be willing? I don’t know how long his species lives for but nine hundred seems a little old.” Obi-wan got lost in the feeling of sharing her worries. Shaak Ti had been a good friend. Obi-wan would forever remember the calm Togruta for being a good friend who was there to lift her up when she was feeling down and vice versa. Maybe it was the way Master Kiwiiks was the same in serenity but with an underlying sensation that if you messed with one of her own you would feel her wrath.
Master Kiwiiks gave a smile that made her look years younger. It was impish and proud. “He will be willing. Go now. Your youngling needs you. You will find Master Yoda in the Dagobah System.”
Master Kiwiiks touched her forehead and she again disappeared into a blue wisp.
****
Obi-wan frowned as the sensation of moving through the Force raced through her. “I have got to learn how to do that.” She blinked, still a little confused, as she came out on a frozen tundra. The wind seemed to be blowing. Snow was being kicked up in flurries around her. The sky above was getting dark with a cloud cover that indicated a storm was on the horizon. Wherever she was she knew that if she wasn’t dead, she would freeze in less than five minutes.
Luke was somewhere out here. She needed to find him and fast. She willed herself to run along the snowy ground. It took no effort to race along drifts of snow and the wind didn’t even bother her. She was running in the wind and snow and it was like she was in space. Nothing to block her and nothing to slow her down.
There was something on the horizon. A dark shape that was slowly being buried by snow. She gasped when she recognized that Force presence. Luke! She ran a few more steps before huffing. She was dead. She didn’t need to run there. She willed herself to be by his side. Between one blink and the next she was standing next to Luke who was lying on the ground.
Luke was shivering violently. He was panting like he couldn’t get enough air and his blue eyes were glazed. Cold snow was caked on his blonde hair and in his thick jacket and snow pants. Luke was gasping and hurting and there was nothing she could do. She wanted to wrap him in her arms and share body heat. She wanted to drag him to someplace with a fire and give him something warm to drink. She needed him to live.
She reached down to touch him but her hand passed through his shoulder. She felt the tears well in her eyes. She couldn’t save him! Luke was from Tatoonine! He wouldn’t survive the cold. She remembered when Anakin first came to live with her. He was so cold on Coruscant because he was so used to the warmth of the two suns on Tatooine. What did she do? Could she go get help? But then she would have to leave Luke.
“Luke. Luke.” She whispered sadly. She wished she could help him. But she was just a ghost now. Nothing but a memory.
“Ben?” Luke croaked out between cracked numb lips.
To her amazement, Luke seemed to see her. His blue eyes were filled with fear and sleepiness from the hypothermia and frostbite he was sure to be getting.
She could tell she didn’t have long for Luke to remain conscious. Soon he would pass out and if he didn’t get help soon, he will die. She wanted to say so much more to him but her time was limited. She had to prioritize. Did she waste her time with useless sympathies and remarks or did she instruct him on where to go next if he survived this cold. She made up her mind.
“You will go to the Dagobah system.” She called to him, amplifying her voice with her feelings.
“Dagobah system?” Luke seemed delirious but he seemed to understand her. He repeated after her with the dazed exhaustion one could only do when they were on the verge of fainting.
“There you will learn from Yoda. The Jedi Master who instructed me.” She tried to say more but the connection seemed to be lost. Yoda didn’t technically instruct her but he did raise her. As far back as she could remember Yoda had always been a presence in her life.
Her heart broke as she watched Luke call out for her in his cold-induced delirium. She fell to her knees in the snow as the kid she watched grow up, steadily got colder and colder. Tears stung her eyes as Luke slowly stopped shivering. That wasn’t a good sign. His body became limp as his shivers were dying down.
“Oh, Luke.” She murmured. She hit the snow in frustration. She couldn’t do anything! The little boy she watched grow from infancy was going to die.
She saw someone riding on a large animal in the distance. She shouted and waved at the figure. The rider and tauntaun moved in their direction. Obi-wan watched with bated breath as the rider on the tauntaun approached. She cried and breathed her relief into the Force as Han Solo risked his life to save Luke. It was so cold that the tauntaun dropped dead as the far away sun disappeared over the horizon and the darkness fell over the land.
“I owe you a debt, Han Solo.” She murmured as the Corellian smuggler hauled Luke inside the dead tauntaun’s stomach. She swore she would repay him somehow.
The entire time, Luke had not stopped calling out for her and repeating her words even in his unconsciousness.
“Help is here now, Luke. Help is here.” Oh how she ached to run her hand through Luke’s hair in comfort. Obi-wan breathed in relief. Luke was safe. He would survive this. He was alive. That was good. It was really good. Obi-wan closed her eyes to calm herself. Luke was alive. He was safe. That was the important part about this.
****
Obi-wan didn’t know what happened. It was as if darkness swept across her vision and when it cleared she was somewhere else. It was like a very long blink. She was now standing hip deep in the middle of a swampy lake. She makes a face and wills herself to float above the muddy water. She smiled. There were some perks to being a ghost.
A familiar ship flies overhead and crashes into the middle of the swamp. She frowns. How much time did she lose? That was Luke’s X-wing. The last she remembered was him almost dying on that ice planet. How much did she lose and what exactly was that wave of darkness? That wasn’t a good thing. She would have to bring this up with the council later.
Obi-wan floats near the embankment as Luke and Artoo make their way to the damp shore. They made it but not without some difficulties. Luke’s ship sank deep into the murky water and Artoo nearly got eaten by a swamp monster.
Dagobah was an… interesting place. Thick trees, mud everywhere, predators and prey were abundant, frogs and lizards skittered across the paths. At least she knew Master Yoda was well fed. The trees were so large the sunlight couldn’t reach in some places. She had to admit that Yoda really knew how to hide. Almost no one was on this swampy planet. She could feel one Force presence nearby. That was it. No other presence seemed bright enough to be a sentient being.
Luke was walking into the murky woods. Obi-wan floated along behind Luke as he tried to make camp in the driest place he could find. The spot he found was a clearing in between several trees. The ground looked very wet. The air must be very humid because she could see Luke starting to sweat.
Obi-wan could feel that familiar Force presence coming closer. Yoda had been a constant throughout her whole life. From her humble beginnings with the Order, Yoda was always there for advice and to help Obi-wan see a way out of problems. The war really put a crimp in their relationship but Yoda tried his best. She couldn’t wait to see the wise old master.
When Yoda appeared out of the foliage, she smiled. It dropped into a frown of concern. Yoda had quickly aged since she last saw him nearly twenty years ago. He seemed more frail, thin and fragile. He reminded her of the elderly Jedi she had seen in the temple as a child. He might have been approaching the end of his life but he was still spry. It was good to see an old friend’s face.
She did laugh when Yoda got into a playful tug-a-war with Artoo over a lamp. Yoda met her eyes with a twinkling gaze before laughing and leading Luke back to his home built into the roots of a tree. It seemed the little troll still loved his games.
Yoda must have known exactly why she was here and why Luke was here. As soon as they entered his home, he headed for his kitchen and started making soup and idle chatter. Meanwhile, Luke got even more agitated and angry. It was not a good sign. She hoped Yoda would train him. Yoda instead seemed to be testing him.
As if the old green Master caught those thoughts, he turned to look at her head-on. “I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience.” He announced firmly.
“He will learn patience.” She tried to persuade Yoda to take on the boy. Where were her skills as the famed Negotiator? She really needed them right about now.
“Hmm. Much anger in him, like his father.” Yoda raised an eyebrow at her in a solemn challenge.
She nearly flinched at the reminder of her failure. Calm and composed. That was her. Besides, she was an angry teen too. “Was I any different when you taught me?”
“Ha. He is not ready.” Yoda scowled. He turned back to his soup and stirred the contents of the pot.
Luke tries to defend himself. Words tipped in frustration came from him. It was not really helping. Especially when he bangs his head on Yoda’s pans when he tries to get up. The low ceiling was not the right height for any humanoid.
Yoda goes on a small rant of his protests to the situation. The entire time he stirred his swamp stew and moved around his small kitchen.
Obi-wan’s hopes were dashed the more Yoda went on about why he shouldn’t teach Luke. She feels like she failed this when she spotted Master Kiwiiks in the kitchen. She held eye contact with the ancient Jedi when she rejoined the conversation. “So was I, if you remember.” She spoke absently as she raised an eyebrow at the old Togruta.
Master Kiwiiks touched Yoda briefly, before smiling at Obi-wan and vanishing.
Yoda sighs deeply and turns to face her. “Will he finish what he begins?”
That was a loaded question. Yoda was asking her if Luke will bring balance and continue to do what Anakin didn’t. Obi-wan held her peace. She just gazed at Yoda as memories raced across her mind. She couldn’t answer that. She knew from her past that she couldn’t promise that Luke would finish what Anakin began. And Obi-wan didn’t make promises she couldn’t keep.
Obi-wan was bombarded by the past. So she says nothing as Luke swears the same thing she swore to her Master when he agreed to take her on.
****
She was back in the temple council room. No one was there. Obi-wan sighed and stared strolling around the room. She stayed away from the fountain. Something about those waters made her really wary. She had to think. What did she do? Her first task was on pause for a moment. Luke was getting some training in with Yoda. Not nearly enough for a proper Jedi education but enough to keep some traditions alive.
Her second task… Did she want to be alive again? Did she want to go through all the pain and heartache just for a slim chance she could change things? Could she even make a difference? She was one person. One jedi amid the centuries of plans by the sith. One Jedi to stand against Palpatine and his plans. Did she even have what it takes? She would be all alone against the Sith trying to change the minds of stubborn Jedi. She was so tired. All she wanted was to rest. Didn’t she? How could she ever manage to do this without knowing all the facts? She felt like she was still missing pieces to the story.
Obi-wan started looking around at the murals to take her mind off her dilemma. They were stories of the deeds of some Jedi. If she didn’t know any better, it almost seemed like their greatest achievements. That was impossible. The Jedi did not boast about their deeds. But these… They told stories about the Jedi on the council.
Obi-wan passed paintings and tapestries of various Jedi doing various things. A Rodian standing among a crowd of others with an object of peace in their hands. Master Kiwiiks in a battle on a mountainous planet. Tarre Vizsla sitting between Mandalorians and Jedi. She froze when she got to Master Plo Koon’s. She touched trembling fingers to a picture of Plo Koon surrounded by identical men in gray and white armor with wolves decorating the plastoid.
“Tales, these are, of our history and life. A reminder of what we have done and why we deserve to be on this council.” A warm creaky voice almost startled her.
For a second it reminded her of Yoda and she almost thought Yoda was in front of her. She turned around to face a member of Yoda’s species, yes, but not Yoda. The being before her was hunched from age. Her skin was wrinkly and green. Her face had a kind smile on it. A cane was in her hands. Much nicer than Yoda’s old gimmer stick. She had more hair than Yoda that was let loose around her shoulders.
Obi-wan’s mouth opened and closed. She didn’t know how to respond to this. This is the third being of this species she had met and yet all of them were very confusing. Yaddle, Yoda, and now her? She had heard rumors about an initiate in the temple of Yoda’s species but she had never met them in person.
“Come. Troubled, you are? Talk with me about your second task, you may.” The thump, thump, thump of a cane brought back memories as she followed the smaller Jedi down the light infused halls.
This time she was taken to a garden. She stepped outside the temple to a place overflowing with flowers and plants. The grass was soft and plush when Obi-wan walked on it. Over by a tree offering shade from whatever light was given in this place, was a stack of mats. The old master grabbed one with the Force and laid it out on the grass with a snap. A larger one was unrolled and placed before the smaller of the two.
“Have questions you do, yes? About your second task, they are.” The small Jedi sits down on her mat and gets comfortable. Her cane laid next to her on the grass. The old master motions to the mat opposite her. “Sit. Sit. Bite, I do not.”
Obi-wan sits on the one offered for her. She did need guidance. Some help would be appreciated. She got comfortable “Thank you, Master. I have a lot of questions.”
“Ask then. Answer them, I will.” The master started pouring tea from a set that was not there before. Obi-wan dismissed the action. She was dead and in the Force. Who knew what they could possibly do now?
“Why me? Why not Anakin? I know there is still good in him. He’s hurting over the loss of Padme and what he thinks is his child. What I don’t understand is how Anakin survived. He should have died, I - I left him there. He should be dead.” Her voice got quiet at the end. Obi-wan stared off into the garden as her thoughts wandered to lava and shouts and hatred being thrown against her shields. Obi-wan was brought back to the garden by the old master humming and a three fingered hand resting on her knee.
The old Master was silent for a moment. Large brown eyes met hers in sadness. “Lots of tricks, the Sith have. The Living Force he used to take her life for his.”
Her mouth dropped open in horror. Palpatine did that? Obi-wan could not comprehend the disgustingness and wrongness that came from those words. “That’s… that’s…”
“Horrible, yes.” The small green hand patted her knee in comfort.
Horrible. What an excellent understatement. Horrible didn’t even begin to cover the absolute disgust and sheer roiling in her very being she felt at the fact that ability was possible. Stealing someone else’s lifeforce to make another being live was despicable. You had to be the worst person in the galaxy to do that. It went against every belief that Obi-wan had been taught her whole life.
The green Jedi met her gaze with steady eyes. Compassion and sympathy shone in those large brown irises. “Want to stop this, we do. Choose you, the council has.”
Obi-wan sighed. She was afraid of something like this. They wanted her to go up against a Sith with no back up. No one she could trust or would understand what she had been through. No one that she could lean on. In the past she had Quinlan and Shaak and Luminara and if she went back she would be alone. No one to stand with her. She didn’t know if she could do this.
Obi-wan huffed and hid her face in her hands. “I don’t think I can do this. I would be alone. I lived through all this already once and it broke me. Living through it a second time would shatter me and I don’t think I can do this ag-”
“Not alone.” The small Master snaps out. Her words were not harsh but more scolding. “Never alone. When you meditate, there we will be. Never alone again, you will be Obi-wan Kenobi. Always have us, you will.”
Obi-wan couldn’t help the watery snort that escaped from her lips. She had been alone for years and now she had some of her family back. She had her family. Why would she want to leave this to do it all over again?
“Free to stay here, you are. Rooms are being prepared for you.” The small Jedi stood up. Her cane flew into her hand. The master walked past Obi-wan. “Think, you will, on your decision? The right choice, I know you will make.”
A soft three-clawed hand rested on her head for a moment. The old master stroked her hair back. “Never alone, you are Obi-wan. Never alone.”
The old master turned and left the garden. When she reached the temple floors the soft tapping noises from her cane drifted down the hall.
***
Obi-wan sat in the garden for a long time. The light from outside never shifted. Obi-wan thought over her choices. After a while she had exhausted all she could think about her choices. She didn’t feel the urge from Luke so she got up thinking she would explore this temple.
The garden was small. It seemed it was on a balcony with an edge that had flowers and vines dripping down the rock walls. How they managed to grow a tree this far up on a balcony was a little confusing to her. What was being used as a light source in this place was also still a mystery. Obi-wan had tried looking up but all she saw was a shimmering blue with no obvious light in the sky above. No sun stars. That was clear to see.
Since Obi-wan couldn’t explore this area any more, she turned towards the temple. It was built into a mountain. It was tall and reached high up towards the shimmery blue that was the sky in this place. Light shone out of every window that she could see. It would be nice to see at least a little of the temple where she might possibly be staying for the foreseeable future.
Obi-wan went towards the door and paused in the hall. Which way did she go? To the left where it looked like the training halls or to the right where meditation rooms were. Obi-wan deliberated for a moment before she headed towards the left. The training halls would be more intriguing than meditation rooms. Once you have seen one meditation room you have seen them all. The halls were interesting because you never knew who you would encounter training.
As Obi-wan walked, peeking through the empty rooms, she thought about her situation. Why would she go back to the past? She already lived through it and had her family here. Sure it wasn't her actual friends and family from the time she knew of. The only one from there she had seen was Master Plo Koon. Not even Mace was here.
That thought stopped her in her tracks. This council seemed like something important. If what she had seen with the murals and tapestries, this seemed to be a good council of Jedi. If Mace Windu, the best Jedi the Order had ever seen in a thousand years, was not there, then why was she here? She didn’t understand any of this. Maybe… Maybe Mace had declined the position so she was the second choice? Mace probably wanted nothing to do with the council now that he was dead. She could see Mace being thoroughly done with everything and wanted to be a normal person just hanging out with his friends on a beach instead of being wrapped up into another council.
Obi-wan was pulled from her thoughts as she drew near to one of the rooms. That wasn’t your usual Jedi training noises. There was no hiss of a lightsaber or the sound of any training droid. Instead it was grunts and thuds like fists on flesh. Who was fighting in hand to hand combat? That wasn’t the Jedi way. It sounded foreign. Especially in the Jedi training halls.
Obi-wan stopped outside a large training room. This wasn’t your typical Jedi training room. Sure it had elements of it. The golden lines showing where the feet placement goes for the lightsaber forms. The tall windows let in light. The high ceiling that showed off a balcony for observers. The differences were stark in comparison. There were weapons showcased around the room. Actual swords were leaning against the wall in a stand. Various blasters from different time periods were on the walls in cases. Soft training mats were laid spread out on a corner of the floor and some walls. Sandbags for training hand to hand were leaning against the blaster case. The most striking difference was a door in between the blaster case and the mats.
Obi-wan eyed it carefully. The door sang in a language she distantly knew. As she listened closer it wasn’t singing exactly. It was more like a war chant. A battle song. Obi-wan knew what it was but not why it was there. That was Mando’a. That was a Mandalorian doorway. Why it was there, she had no clue.
The grunts and thuds were coming from Master Vizsla who was training with one of the old fashioned punching bags. It was incredible to watch. The Mandalorian Jedi went from one punch to the next with a flow that was soothing to witness. It was almost like a moving meditation. Obi-wan had never tried fighting as a moving meditation. No Jedi she knew would but it looked calming. Obi-wan decided idly it was something she might like to learn.
Master Vizsla stopped punching and kicking the bag. Master Vizsla held the bag still. “Su cuy’gar. Me’bana?”
That was definitely Mando’a. She knew a little but not enough to be fluent. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean.” Obi-wan stepped further into the room. The light shone so brightly here and complimented the war chant in Mando’a coming from the corner.
“Ah. Obi-wan.” Tarre Vizsla smiled as he approached her. He dismissed the tape on his hands with a flick of his fingers. “Care to spar? Fighting with a partner is always more enjoyable. The bag gets monotonous after a while.”
Obi-wan folded her hands in her sleeves. This was an opportunity to interrogate the Mandalorian Jedi. He seemed so sure of her being the right choice and Obi-wan had a burning curiosity to find out why. “I have questions. And I would like them answered.”
Tarre Vizsla smiled widely. He gestured at the center of the room. “Spar with me and every hit you land, I will answer a question.”
Obi-wan thought for a moment. It would be good to exercise. She might not need to anymore but it was always good to keep up with the practice. Cody’s insistence on keeping in fighting shape was strong in her mind. Obi-wan pulled off her outer robe for better ease of movement. She stepped into the golden square traditionally used for sparring. “Rules?”
“No cheap shots? I believe that’s what they call it now. Other than that… we’re already dead. Not much else to have by way of rules.” Tarre dropped into a fighting stance with his fists raised in defense.
They circled for a bit neither willing to make the first move. Obi-wan observed Tarre carefully. He was leaning on his right foot. Tarre kicked out with his left leg. Obi-wan spun and ducked out of his way. She kicked low at his right leg. Tarre nimbly flipped over her kick and landed behind her. Obi-wan side stepped his punch. While his arm was extended, she pulled up her own fists and tried to nail him in the side. Tarre easily moved away.
They went back to circling. No words were spoken as they eyed each for the next move in this fight. Obi-wan went first this time. She made a motion to do a right hook and when Tarre went to block, she landed a kick that Cody would have been proud of.
It felt weird. It felt like her foot was going through syrup and she got a tiny hint of what he was feeling. Joy, worry, and deep-seated pain caused her to flinch and falter. She stared at the Mandalorian with wide eyes. How was he feeling all that and still was joyful? All that pain and worry and yet he still smiled and still showed happiness. It was something Obi-wan desired but didn’t think she could ever achieve. She was too broken, too jaded by her past to ever believe she could get her own happiness.
Obi-wan’s hands dropped to her side and she stepped out of the sparring square to signal she yielded and the fight was done.
“Yes. You have felt it. My people have suffered greatly because of this Sith Sidious. They are now spread out among the galaxy in hiding, suffering, and I cannot help them. Not anymore. A once-great people, brought low by war and death and destruction and darkness. One of my wishes is for you to save them.” Tarre Vizsla crossed his arms and watched her with fondness and worry in his eyes. “I wish for you to reunite my people and spare them from the darkness heading their way. Once, my people worked for the dar’jetii. This was after my time. I wish for them to be brought back to the light. We are good people, Obi-wan. Just a little too passionate at times, but that can always be guided in a more positive way.”
Obi-wan was at a loss for words. Vizsla was a popular name among the Mandalorians. Tor Vizsla was the leader of Death Watch. A group so extremist that the Republic labeled them as a terrorist group. Tor was violent and insane and the cruelest person Obi-wan ever heard about. He was right up there with Palpatine in terms of war crimes.
Pre Vizsla was no better. He oppressed Satine and her people. He sent people to blow up hospitals and kill innocents. He terrorized children and made them into heartless killers. Pre was the worst Mandalorian Obi-wan ever had the displeasure of meeting. And Tarre wanted her to do what?
Maybe Obi-wan misjudged Tarre. Obi-wan would refuse to work with Death Watch if that was indeed what Tarre was implying. This was unthinkable.
A fire burned inside Obi-wan. There was absolutely no way she would ever work with those… cowards. They were heinous. They were despicable. They did not deserve the right to call themselves Mandalorians. Obi-wan clenched her hands into fists as that fire burned inside her. She threw a glare at Tarre Vizsla. “You want me to help Death Watch?”
Tarre Vizsla frowned in confusion before a look of dismay crossed his face. “No. Never. I’m afraid my family has fallen into a pit I can’t pull them from. My brother’s descendants have gotten even more radical since the first Vizsla. I wish for you to help…” Tarre Vizsla trailed off.
A tug of the Force almost knocked Obi-wan off her feet. The Force urged her and pulled at her clothes. Obi-wan tried to resist the pull. She still needed to talk with Tarre. She had a lot more questions and things to ask. Like why her? What was he going to say? Help who?
“You must go, Young One. There is trouble with your first task.” Tarre Vizsla reached out to touch her head in the way both he and Master Kiwiiks have used to send her somewhere.
Obi-wan ducked his fingers. She raised a finger and scowled at Tarre. “We are continuing this discussion later. I still have more to say.”
“Of course, Master Kenobi.” Tarre was amused. She could feel the fondness and chuckles dancing in the Force around him. He reached out lightning quick and tapped her on the forehead.
Obi-wan frowned as she dissolved into a blue wisp for the third time. He totally pulled that fight. He was testing her abilities. Assessing her. But why? What for? Obi-wan vanished from the Jedi Temple, the war chant in Mando’a ringing in her ears.
******
Obi-wan blinked and shook the disorientation away. She looked around herself and found she was back on Dagobah. The swamp greeted her with the dark cries of animals and the thick foggy trees. A lot had been accomplished apparently. Luke’s X-wing was out of the water and was resting on the shore with the compartments open. Luke was busy moving boxes and crates into the empty space. Obi-wan frowned. He was packing his ship by night to leave.
“You must complete your training.” Yoda protested Luke’s leaving. He stood by the shore frowning in disapproval as the blond human moved back and forth with his arms full.
Luke was frantic as he shoved the last box into the compartment on his fighter and slammed the space tight door shut. It was sealed with a hiss.
She observed the situation and listened to the two arguing back and forth. Luke was leaving to rescue Han and Leia? From what? Obi-wan had the bad feeling it was most likely Anakin. Tempers were rising and she could sense Master Yoda’s displeasure and ire. Luke was incensed. He was desperate to save his friends from danger.
His distress reminded her of Anakin’s during the war whenever Rex or Ahsoka was in trouble. Obi-wan would never forget those memories. Ahsoka was so dear to her. Her grand padawan who was forced to grow up too soon. If she went back she would fight her hardest to make sure Ahsoka never grew up in that environment again.
There were differences in Luke’s desperation than Anakin’s hot burning rage and fear for his loved one’s lives. Luke’s Force presence was lighter and more pure than Anakin’s darkness tinged supernova presence. Luke wanted them to be safe and to live their lives. Anakin wanted them safe yes but he wanted them to stay with him. Anakin’s was darker than Luke’s desire.
How long exactly was her Padawan falling before he reached the point of no return? Obi-wan dismissed those thoughts as the tension between Yoda and Luke rose higher.
“You don’t know that. Even Yoda cannot see their fate.” She cut in. Hopefully this would ease their tempers, but there was a twinge of doubt.
If Luke was anything like a young Anakin there was no changing his mind. Honestly. What was it with Skywalkers? Were they all so reckless like this? Or was it just the male Skywalker gene that activated it? Leia was not like this. She was more even tempered. Was it because of her upbringing as a Queen and Consort’s daughter or was it because of Padme? Now that she was thinking Padme was not quite as reckless but she was in her own subtle way.
Obi-wan noticed the quiet. She looked at them wondering why they stopped arguing. Luke was staring at her like he had never seen a human before. Why was he…? Oh. She was visible to him again.
“But I can help them! I can feel the Force!” Luke turned away from her with reluctance. He started to climb into his fighter and start the pre-checks. He was heedless of their warnings and caution.
Luke reminded her so much of Anakin dismissing her worries and going off to save Rex or Ahsoka in his own fighter that she had to give this warning. Just to spare the thought of another she watched grow up to turn astray. “But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you when you will be tempted by the Darkside of the Force.”
Yoda urged Luke to listen to her and remember the cave. He seemed tired and worn out like there was almost nothing holding him here anymore. That sense of this person having death following them was strong. Yoda was at the end of his life and yet he still held on.
The cave was worrying. What cave? She shuddered to think of what kind of creatures lived there. Probably equally as dark and damp as this place. Maybe worse by the way Luke had paused and grimaced lightly.
Luke promised to return and finish his training. He flipped switches as the X-wing’s engines powered on.
Obi-wan felt it deep in her gut that if Luke left now, he would get no further training. Yoda was barely hanging on as it is. He would not last another few months for more training. She had to make Luke see reason. “It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer.”
“And that is why I have to go.” Luke stared at her and she could read everything in his eyes. His determination to save his friends. His faith that he can do it. Those blue eyes asking to have trust in him.
It hurt too much. It reminded her of Anakin when he first came to the temple. Obi-wan frowned. That hurt. It stung like a battle wound. “Luke, I don’t want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost Vader.”
Luke looked her in the eye and swore that she wouldn’t. More flight checks were made as Luke tested all his systems.
Yoda began ranting at Luke about being a fully trained Jedi Knight. She nearly snorted. Training to be a Knight took years. She herself was a Padawan for eleven years before reaching Knighthood. Even then it was forced on her early because of Qui-gon’s death and her injuring Maul. This was extenuating circumstances though. There was no more Jedi order. All their traditions, their rich culture and history was lost. All at the whims of one evil man.
Now that she thought about it, it was the same for the Mandalorians. Two major cultures rich in the galaxy’s history were wiped out at the hands of the Sith. How many more planets had their people killed and way of life destroyed and lost? Alderaan was one. The Jedi were another. Mandalore, the clones, many many more were oppressed and defeated and killed until their history was gone. Maybe she could change that?
“Patience.” She warned Yoda and Luke when tempers flared in the Force. She gave an inaudible sigh. There was no stopping him. Luke was set on this path. He was too much like how Anakin used to be. “If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere.” That much she knew from the feelings deep in her soul. She could guide and offer advice but outright fighting was impossible.
Luke agreed and closed the hatch on his ship. Artoo was in the droid spot on the X-wing.
“Luke. Don’t give in to hate. That leads to the Darkside.” She gave one last warning to Luke. A warning she wished Anakin had listened to.
Luke grabbed the controls. His ship lifted into the air and was soon gone through the mist and mossy branches that hung over the swamp.
Yoda looked over at her with a tired scowl lightly on his face. “Told you I did. Reckless is he. Now matters are worse.” He slammed his gimmer stick on the muddy ground.
She stared where Luke’s fighter disappeared above the trees with sadness. “That boy is our only hope.” She spoke softly.
“No. There is another.” Yoda was silent. He probably was remembering the tragic births of the Skywalker twins.
Obi-wan thought about Leia Organa. The other Skywalker she never got to see grow up. “I know.” She whispered into the wind. She was sad and wished for a future that could have been. A future that might be possible were she to choose and succeed in the council’s second task.
“Taken an interest in Young Skywalker, you have.” Yoda got up from his perch and moved slowly, like every bone ached, towards his home. “Join you soon, I think I will.”
She gave a small smile to the old Jedi. This was equally sad but being dead herself she knew the relief the old master would feel when he was finally at rest. “I’m sure you will have lots of fun after.”
Yoda cackled in delight. “Oh, fun, you say? Hmph. See about that, we will. Come. Much to discuss, we have.”
*****
Obi-wan floated over Yoda’s chair. Since this was the real world she couldn’t access it as easily as she could in the temple. This was the best she could do under the circumstances to meditate. She didn’t know how to do the thing to get back to the temple and the Force was not calling her back. She needed to see where to go from here. Meditating was the only way she knew how to achieve that. So Obi-wan crossed her legs over the plant-made seat and closed her eyes.
“Doing something, are you?” Yoda sounded curious. He rested on his bed with a weary huff of breath.
“Even dead you cannot escape meditation. I have met with some others and they are teaching me things.” Obi-wan cracked open an eye to look at the being she considered her true grandmaster. “I am sure that soon, you will meet them too.” Obi-wan closed her eyes again and focused on the Force. Breathe in, breathe out, let the Force guide her.
Images raced by her, she barely registered what they were before it flipped to the next one in a rapid succession. Luke giving himself over to Anakin and the Emperor. Leia falling in love with Han Solo. A child being born. A little boy filled with goodness that slowly is corrupted into darkness. The little boy growing up into a man. His fear of Luke and dark obsessive hero worship of his grandpa. Turning to the Darkside and wanting to bring Anakin back from the dead.
A little girl being abandoned. Ignorant of her history and lineage. A wide expanse of sand even greater than that of Tatooine. A droid. They began to flicker faster and faster. A wild ocean cliffside. Hatred. Anger. Fear. A lightsaber fight in the snowy woods. The images devolved into colors and then emotions before fizzling out. Red clashing with blue. Death. Destruction. Fear. Darkness.
She blinked and rose up out of the current of the Force. She was dizzy from what she had seen. She put her hand to her forehead and tried to blink away the disorientation. She couldn’t remember much but from what she saw, the Darkness doesn’t really go away. Not for another generation of kids.
She was torn about her choice. If she went back she could stop all that. But then that means that those children might never be born. The little boy with the curly black hair and the little girl with the braided buns, still clinging to the light side despite where she came from.
She thought about their fates. The Darkside clinging to the boy. The little girl with the buns doing everything to save him and be his light. Maybe… if she went back, they could have different lives. Different fates. But if she stayed and rested… would that be selfish of her? She was tired of the pains of living and being alive.
She sighed and rubbed her forehead hard. She didn’t know what to do. “Master?” She looked up and met the wise calming brown eyes of the being that had taught her all her life. Yoda might have an answer. He guided her throughout her life. Maybe he would have some advice now in her death. “If you had the chance to go back before all this happened, before the Jedi were killed, and before the Emperor began his reign, would you? Would you go back and save what you could and stop this madness?”
Yoda eyed her without saying anything. He contemplated her request quietly. “Sometimes, I wish it. Sometimes, I do not. To think about the past, Jedi are not. But, yes. If I had the chance, I would.”
Obi-wan was quiet as Master Yoda released his regret into the Force. It swirled around her in a cloudy haze before dissipating. Obi-wan thought back to all she could change. She was promised she wouldn’t be alone. She didn’t know what time period she would be sent back. Hopefully before the Naboo Crisis. She still had lots of questions that needed answering. She needed to get back to Tarre and finish their conversations.
“Meditate long, you have. Shown you the future the Force has?” Yoda sounded curious about the things she could do now that she was dead.
She opened her mouth to respond and tell him about the warmth and ability to be in space without a ship and other things, but gave a full-body flinch as a dark death crashed through the Force. Her eyes went wide. Jabba the Hutt died? He did not go quietly. That was a violent death that caused waves. Somehow she knew Luke was involved. She had spent too much time here. She needed to leave. Right now.
She immediately floated to standing. “I have to go. Something happened. I’ll see you again, Master.” She gave a short bow to Yoda before willing herself to the side of her charge. She did it without thinking.
Obi-wan blinked a little, startled that it worked. She was on Tatooine; she knew that for sure. The twin suns gave it away along with the familiar landscape. She was standing on a land speeder being piloted by a dark-skinned man. Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke, and Leia were standing behind him. Artoo and Threepio were also on the speeder.
Jabba’s party barge was exploding behind them in a bang of fire and metal being blasted everywhere. She could feel the spots of light being folded into the Force. It pinged against her senses with every one that passed.
She remembered why she was here. For a death that violent, someone murdered Jabba the Hutt. Obi-wan tore her gaze away from the light show of Jabba’s barge exploding and frantically studied Luke’s Force presence for any hint of darkness. It was one thousand times easier now that she was one with the Force.
There was nothing unusual. She sighed in relief. Luke’s presence was the bright shining sun he had been the last time she saw him. He was strained with some kind of knowledge that was troubling him, but he was still firmly in the light. There was no burden or darkness from killing another sentient being.
Her eye caught on the other Skywalker of the group. She studied Leia carefully. Where Luke was like a sun in the Force, bright and burning with warmth, Leia was like the moon. Not as bright and a little cooler but still comforting in her own way. Leia’s presence had a touch of the Darkside on her. She must have been the one to kill Jabba. If not directly, then at least indirectly.
She felt the currents of the Force pulling at her. It was time to go. She shot one last look at her charges before she let the Force carry her back to the Masters of the council.
****
Obi-wan opened her eyes to find herself standing near the fountain of water. The sound was heavy but she felt her gaze drawn to the surface as she thought. She didn’t know what to think. Leia just killed someone. Granted a cruel evil being but a sentient all the same. Was this the darkness coming for the Skywalkers again? Why were the Skywalkers a magnet for the darkside? It was worrying.
There was a light from the fountain that drew her attention. Was it her? Or did the water seem to still from its burbling and seem to be showing a younger version of her face? She hadn’t had that haircut since she was a young padawan. Just what was this…?
“Careful. The Fountain of Chiara shows you many things. Things you might not want to see.” A melodious voice warned. There was no censure in the words, just a kind warning to not get lost in the water.
Obi-wan knew that voice. Obi-wan looked up and met the eyes of Master Kiwiiks. “Master.” She bowed to the older Togruta.
Master Kiwiiks smiled at her softly. “Is there something troubling you, Obi-wan?”
“Jabba the Hutt is dead. Leia Organa killed him either directly or indirectly. She used the Darkside of the Force to do it. I’m worried because of what I have seen in the future and in the present time.” Obi-wan slipped her hands in her sleeves and stepped away from the fountain. It was getting really weird and she didn’t want to accidentally do something she shouldn’t.
Master Kiwiiks studied her. She gave a sad frown. “We cannot control others' actions. The Skywalker line will always be targeted by the darkside. The darkside is greedy and covets the power that they wield. Be mindful of the darkside. It craves power and will corrupt any source it comes across. Even the best of intentions can go wrong.” Master Kiwiiks turned as a noise caught her attention. Whatever it was, it was out of the range of a humanoid’s hearing.
Obi-wan followed the older Togruta down the halls towards whatever noise she heard. They walked in silence past the empty light filled halls. They came to a cross section and Master Kiwiiks turned to the left.
“Have you thought about your second task? I sensed you looking to the future. You have a talent for it.” Master Kiwiiks complimented her. Master Kiwiiks shot her a side look.
Obi-wan grimaced at the visions she saw in the Force and in the past. “Sometimes, seeing the future isn’t all that good.” She had a history of visions and the after effects of them.
Master Kiwiiks inclined her head to her. Her lekku bobbed down and her montrals tipped. “A wise statement. But in this case, what have you decided? You have seen what comes next for your charge and where he will end up. What will you do?”
Obi-wan grew silent as she brooded on what to do. To stop all this she needed to go back to the past. Go back to being alive. At what point though? Where did she start and what could she do? Who would be with her when the nightmares got bad? How would she explain her trauma and the fact that she still flinched and dissociated when she heard blaster fire? How would she cope with the temple in Coruscant when the last memory she had of it was death and destruction?
She remembered the pain that Tarre Vizsla carried despite him showing joy. What about his wish for her to unite the people of Mandalore? Now that she had some time to think through her interactions with him, he obviously didn’t mean Death Watch. Was he asking her to help Satine and her people? She didn’t get that impression. A distant cord tugged in her mind. Didn’t she read decades ago about a third faction? Hot something? She was sure she was remembering wrong.
She still had the question of why her? Why should she help the people of Mandalore? Why should she be the one? She wasn’t Mandalorian. She was a Jedi. No way would the Mandalorians of her time unite under a Jedi. This job wasn’t for her. Shouldn’t saving Mandalore be a job for an actual Mandalorian? No matter what Tarre thinks of her or how much Mandokarla she might have, no Mandalorian would ever listen to her. That was a job for a Mandalorian. Not her. Never her.
Master Kiwiiks and her drew close to a room that buzzed happily with the presences of the Jedi in the temple. They were planning something. Jedi went back and forth carrying various party themed things. Flowers in vases. Paper weaved into streamers. Ribbons tied into bows. She spotted a Rodian talking excitedly to another as they raced down the hall with boxes of fabric.
A familiar tap, tap, tap, reached her ears as the Jedi that was Yoda’s species hobbled her way down the hall. She was beaming and shining excitement in the Force. The Force seemed to dance around her with her joy.
“Pardon me? Are you throwing a party?” Obi-wan was confused. What was the occasion that required a party?
“A great day this is.” The female of Yoda’s species motioned for Obi-wan to lean down.
Used to Yoda’s antics of being carried on the shoulders of Padawans and Knights, she knelt on one knee for the Jedi to hop onto her back. That wasn’t what she did. Maybe that was a Yoda specific thing? She couldn’t remember if Yaddle ever did that.
The old Jedi Master placed her three-fingered hand on Obi-wan’s cheek. She patted her face, mindful of her claws, in a maternal way. “Good, it is, to see you again. Succeed you will, Obi-wan. Have faith in you, I do. Come. See you will, my sister’s son. Many, many years since I have seen him. Know him, you do.”
She let go of Obi-wan’s face after tucking her hair behind her ear. She turned and kept going towards the party room. The tap, tap, tap of her cane is a soothing noise in the clamor of the party.
Obi-wan blinked in shock. The party was for Yoda? (She tried not to feel the jealousy of Yoda getting a party and not her). Was she talking about Yoda? If Yoda was dying that meant… Luke. He needed her. She could feel the swirls of the Force pulling at her. She didn’t have a lot of time.
“Master Kiwiiks?” She turned to face the Togruta with regret. “I’m afraid I cannot join you at this time. If Master Yoda is dying then Luke needs me.”
Master Kiwiiks laid a hand on Obi-wan’s shoulder. She squeezed gently. “I will let the others know. May the Force be with you Obi-wan.”
Obi-wan didn’t smile. She could feel the Force currents pulling her. This was going to be a somber affair for Luke. It might be a celebration on this side but to the living, death was always painful and sad. Obi-wan gave a small smile. “Give my regards to Master Yoda.” She let the Force pull her through its currents to Luke’s side.
****
“I can’t do it, Artoo. I can’t go on alone.” Luke was sitting on a large rock outside Yoda’s home with the feisty old droid next to him. His head was in his hands and the sorrow coming off him was strong.
She was too late to witness Yoda’s passing. The old troll was gone. He was probably entering the party right now. Luke’s grief swirled around him like a heavy shroud. Luke was floundering. So many emotions were clamoring for the top spot in him. Obi-wan could sense sadness, pain, confusion, hurt, and betrayal.
“Yoda will always be with you.” Obi-wan made her presence known. She addressed the grief in Luke first. Yoda wouldn’t be gone for long. Of that fact, she was sure. Where he was headed, she was almost positive that the old master would be back. He was stubborn and meddlesome that way. No way would Yoda give up until the light was regained in the galaxy.
Luke jerked his head up to see her when he heard her voice. Hurt and betrayal shown in his blue eyes. Obi-wan felt guilt rise in her chest. What had Luke discovered that left him feeling those emotions towards her? “Obi-wan! Why didn’t you tell me? You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father.”
Oh. That’s why. She sighed and felt every ounce of her sixty plus years despite looking like she was in her prime. “Your father was seduced by the Darkside of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man that was your father was destroyed. So what I have told you was true, from a certain point of view.” She knew she was really stretching that lying thing at the moment. She knew Luke was right. She should have told him. But the pain was too much to bear. She couldn’t think of all that Anakin was.
“A certain point of view.” Luke scoffed angrily. He scowled and turned away from her.
She sensed the hurt in him and that made her feel doubly worse. “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
Luke just stares off into the foggy swamp with hurt still heavy around him. He didn’t look at her. His gaze was trained on a patch of shawl like moss swaying in the breeze.
Obi-wan knew she was making a mess of this. “I don’t blame you for being angry. If I was wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn’t have been for the first time.” She felt a flash of pain at the sensation of coldness radiating from a usually warm golden presence. She pushed aside the memories of Cody’s betrayed feelings and her stint as Rako Hardeen and focused on Luke. “You see, what happened to your father was my fault.” She paused as another image swam across her mind. Lava and a fight across scaffolding until it ended at a lava river where Anakin was supposed to die.
She began telling Luke the truth of her history with his father. It devolved into a discussion on whether Vader still had good in him. Luke insisted he did. Obi-wan squashed the hope growing in her chest. She failed once before. She couldn’t do it again. Hope still rose inside her despite her best efforts of quelling it. Luke was light and good. He had his mother’s gentle spirit. Maybe… Just maybe… no! She couldn’t do this.
“I can’t kill my own father,” Luke spoke firmly. His eyes were serious as he stared at her. He was adamant that he was not going to kill Vader.
“Then the Emperor has already won. You were our only hope.” Force, this hurts! Being with Luke and seeing so much of the old Anakin in him. She couldn’t help the despondence in her tone of voice. She didn’t want to do this again. She didn’t want to get attached to yet another Skywalker only to see them fall.
“Yoda spoke of another.” Luke gazed at her evenly. His eyes were trying to pry out her secrets and all that she had hidden from him. His face wore the expression of someone saying ‘Don’t lie to me again.’
Obi-wan gave up on the secrets she had been burdened with.“The other he speaks of is your twin sister.” She looked off at a shadow in the tree just behind Artoo. Yet another thing she kept from him, but this one was for both of their safety. She refused to feel guilt. She did this to protect them! To protect the innocence and the good pure infants that was the only thing she had of Anakin. His and Padme’s children needed to be kept apart for their own good and safety.
“But I have no sister.” Luke was confused, she could feel that clearly. That and the cautious hope rising in him.
Obi-wan explained why she kept this from him. Maybe he wouldn’t be so angry when she revealed all. She told Luke of his and Leia’s birth. A heavily edited version and maybe she spun a few untruths, but Force damnit This was difficult.
Luke immediately protested Leia getting involved in this. Obi-wan agreed and let him know that. She tried one more time to see if he really will kill Anakin. Luke denied her. Luke flew off out of the atmosphere of the planet they were on. She watched him go, thinking deeply.
If she left and went back to change things, would he be alright? Would he survive on his own? He was theoretically the last true Jedi to be trained. Yoda and she were the only Masters who survived when their men turned on them. The rest were padawans that had been hunted down and killed. Very few Force sensitives were left in the galaxy. None of them knew everything about their culture and heritage.
She blinked back her sadness when she thought of the 212th. Cody, Longshot, Boil, Waxer, Gregor, all her men either died or had something done to them that caused them to be erased somehow. She didn’t know or understand! Why would her men turn on her? Why would any of them do that? She thought they had a good relationship!
A fire ignited deep in her. She needed the whole story before she could choose. She had to understand why. Tarre and her were long overdue for a conversation. Obi-wan scowled. She knew who she needed to see to have her answers. She blinked and arrived back in the massive temple. She had a Mandalorian to find.
*****
Obi-wan arrived at the temple amid happy chatter and excitement. She didn’t feel like celebrating. The longer she deliberated the more this fire scorched her. She needed answers and she needed them as soon as possible.
Obi-wan reached out with the Force. She found Master Vizsla’s familiar presence in the same area at the training salles. She started through the temple. Each footstep got more forceful until she was pounding out her frustrations on her way to see the Mandalorian Jedi.
Obi-wan walked into the room without knocking. She had a scowl on her face. Her hands were tucking into her sleeves so she didn’t reach for her lightsaber to threaten the master. It wasn’t his fault that she was confused and angry. “We need to talk, Master Vizsla. You owe me answers and…” She trailed off and froze in place. Two Mandalorians were seated before Tarre on thick cushions laid out near the blaster case.
Tarre Vizsla’s amusement danced in the Force. He looked up from the table where utilitarian cups full of a dark drink were placed “Ah, Master Kenobi. Is there something I can help you with?.”
The Mandalorian to the right of Tarre gave a violent lurch at the sound of her name. She could feel his heated glare. Some dark emotions started flowing into the air like smoke from a fire. “Kenobi.” He greeted her stiffly.
Obi-wan turned to face the man who said her name with such derison. A ready snappy response was on her lips. All retorts died when she recognized that armor. Her eyes traced the lines and colors of blue and gray painted beskar. She looked up and met the dark accusing eyes of Jango Fett. If he was going to be rude and say her last name she was going to meet him with the same. “Fett.” She greeted calmly and coolly. Calm and composed. That was her.
“Come sit.” Tarre Vizsla made a motion and a fourth thick cushion appeared in the spot between the unfamiliar Mandalorian and Tarre. “We have much to discuss.”
She walked in a wide berth around Jango Fett. He was radiating hostility and anger into the Force. It almost seemed directed at her specifically. Why was Jango Fett here in the Jedi temple willingly? How did he get here? Come to think of it, if this was the afterlife, where did everyone else go? The other species and cultures? Was… Cody and her men somewhere? Could she see them?
“We Mando’s have our own council.” Tarre began. He made a fourth cup appear and poured from a jug the same dark drink as the others. “The Ka’ra is what we believe. The Ka’ra has a place for all the Mand’alor’s that came before us and after us.” Tarre Vizsla handed her the cup. “There are some cultures and species that have their own councils besides us Jedi.”
Obi-wan looked down into her cup as she took in all that Tarre before her was saying. So why was there no one else here? Was it because they believed in a different afterlife? Where was the vode then? Were they in a place where she couldn’t reach? That thought made her sad. Tarre had said that there was a council of Mand’alor’s. Based on her knowledge, Tarre had been a Mand’alor. Did that make these other two Mand’alor’s? But that means… She turned her curious gaze to Jango. She ignored his anger and rage he was projecting pretty clearly. “You… you were Mand’alor?” She was fascinated. Why didn’t she know this?
“No thanks to you Jetii.” Jango nearly snarled. A dark glower was on his face. His rage raised in its potency.
Obi-wan was offended. What exactly was his problem? What did she do to Jango that caused him to be this aggressive and show outright hatred? She glared and was prepared to snap something rude back at him. She knew it would only escalate things but she wasn’t thinking clearly. Her offense was loud in her mind. It only flamed the fire in her higher.
“Peace.” Tarre Vizsla sent out a calming wave with the Force. “There is no fighting here unless it is a friendly spar. Master Kenobi, Mand’alor Fett has every reason to hate the Jedi. It is understandable but there will be no acting on it here.”
Obi-wan felt like a scolded child. Tarre’s voice was reproachful. It was like he poured water over the fire in her. Obi-wan felt ashamed she let her temper get the better of her. Jango must have felt the same because he ducked his head.
The other Mandalorian in the room cackled in laughter. Obi-wan studied them with shrewd eyes. He was wearing black, red and gray armor. A splash of yellow was here and there. His helmet rested next to him on the floor. He was older in appearance. His hair was dark sprinkled with gray in a salt and pepper look. His nose was crooked, probably from being broken. He had laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. His skin was only slightly darker than Jango’s. In all the Mandalorian seemed like a good guy. At least he wasn’t radiating anger and aggression like Jango. He was exuding a calm quiet interest and curiosity.
Whoever he was, he must have been someone close to Fett, because, when he laughed, Jango shot a betrayed look at them. Family. They must have been as close as family was. Maybe not brothers but… parent and child?
“Master Kenobi, this is Mand’alor Mereel and you already know Mand'alor Fett.” Tarre Vizsla gestured to the unnamed Mandalorian and Jango. “Let me tell you their story and then you may give us your answer on whether you will help us or not.”
Obi-wan set the cup on the table. She could already sense this tale was not a happy one. But if she got the answers she needed she will sit and listen. Despite Jango’s frustration and anger clouding the Force around her.
Tarre Vizsla began his tale with the reformation of Mand’alor Mereel and how he was trying to unite his people. He talked about the skirmishes between the factions. Between Duke Kryze and Death Watch. Obi-wan had been right. There was another faction. The True Mandalorians. He continued by telling of Death Watch’s hand in Mand’alor Mereel’s death at the betrayal of his second in command. Jango had only been fourteen and had taken the mantle of Mand’alor. He told about Galidraan and the Order’s part in it.
Obi-wan felt horror rise up in her when Tarre got to that part. “I never knew. If I was there I would have…” She stopped talking when Jango’s rage reached an all time high. Obi-wan’s temper flared with indignation and offense. He was blaming her? She had nothing to do with this!
“What? Destroyed even more of my people.” Jango snapped. Rage and accusation burned those dark eyes into something fearsome and terrifying.
“No,” Obi-wan growled out. She didn’t like how Jango had treated her while she was here. The hostility and aggression was not warranted or wanted. “I would have stopped it. But instead, I was stuck on a war-torn planet where children under the age of twelve were fighting a war against their parents to stop the fighting! I was only thirteen at the time!” She glared at Jango. Her voice rose with every sentence until she was shouting in anger and frustration. She took a calming breath and kicked her feelings into the Force. “You are not the only one who has gone through losing your family like that and you won’t be the last.” She talked as calmly as she could. She pointedly turned away from the shocked Mand’alor’s and turned to face Tarre. “Tell me more. What happened next?”
After a brief pause where Tarre Vizsla shared a look with Mand’alor Mereel, he went on to tell about Jango’s time being a slave and how he hated the Jedi. He told how he broke free and recovered his armor. He told about how Jango was approached at the right moment by Dooku. How Dooku took advantage of him after a difficult job he did. He told of the clones and the horrors they faced. The decommissioning and the fights they were forced into by the trainers.
Obi-wan’s heart ached. Her poor men. Her brothers suffered so much and for what? A pointless war that achieved some of the greatest crimes this galaxy had ever seen. She ignored Jango as his anger shifted to guilt. Why were his emotions so strong? He was starting to give her a headache. She was dead. She should not have to deal with headaches.
Tarre Vizsla paused to look at both her and Jango. “When you are dead, you tend to see the whole picture instead of parts of it. Mand’alor Fett agreed to take down the Jedi, but he didn’t know exactly how it was to be done. He knows now and the consequences of his actions. The vode had microchips in their heads disguised as tumors. They were placed there by the Sith Sidious. He only knows the full list of orders and one of those was order 66. That order was to wipe all resistance from them to do the purpose that Sidious had created them to do. The Jedi were truly their saviors for many of the vode. Generals who were kind to them and earned their trust and care were highly favored. You were one of these General’s Master Kenobi.”
Tarre Vizsla continued the story about how the men were ordered to kill their Jedi because they believed them to be traitors to the Republic they believed in with their whole hearts.
Obi-wan’s heart broke. “So Cody and the others they…” She hated how her eyes welled at the thought of Cody and her men. She felt a lot of emotions. Relief that this wasn’t of their own free will. Rage at the callous treatment of her men. Hurt that they suffered so much and grief that now she might never see them again. Her feelings were so convoluted, she didn’t know what to do.
“They never willingly betrayed you, Young One.” Tarre Vizsla rested his closed fist on his knee. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “It was Dooku and Sidious’ plan. Mand’alor Fett has hopefully seen the error in his ways.” Tarre shot a mildly stern but fond look at Jango. “Two wrongs, Mand’alor, do not make a right.”
Jango looked away towards the Mandalorian door in the distance. “I see, now, how wrong I was.”
Obi-wan heard the Mando’a war chant echo in the quiet. She now knew where that door led and why it was here. That door connected this temple to the Mandalorian afterlife for them. Tarre was both Mandalorian and Jedi so it made sense that he would have access to both.
A thought occurred to her. This didn’t seem complete. She had heard about Mandalore being glassed and the terrible things the Empire did to their culture and history. Complete and utter destruction followed Mandalore in the wake of Satine’s death and the rise of the Empire.
“But what happened to the True Mandalorians after Galidraan?” Obi-wan brought up the fact that the story did not feel complete. Not based on what Tarre himself felt and said earlier.
Tarre’s face fell into an unreadable mask. “Without the Mand’alor to lead them, the Haat Mando’ade fell apart. Some still had hope to cling to because they had faith that their Mand’alor still lived. After Jango was confirmed dead, they lost that hope. Many defected into Death Watch and still, others went over to Duchess Kryze. Only the Old Clans stayed true. The Empire descended on Mandalore for the beskar we carried within our mines. They wiped out many of our people and glassed our home. Few remained and our history, our culture was lost.”
Obi-wan now knew what she had to do. The fire she could feel burning inside her at the injustice and needless suffering at the hands of one man made up her mind. She might be one person, but she was not alone. Palpatine was one person too. And she now knew what was going to happen. She will stop him if it was the last thing she did. “I will go. I will go back and I will do my best to save our people. Both Mandalorians and Jedi.” Obi-wan swore to him. “Yoda’s Aunt said that I won’t be alone if I go back. When I meditate, you will be there.”
Tarre Vizsla’s smile was wider than anything she had seen before. He felt lighter too as if a burden had been shared. “That was not a question, Young One.”
“Can I count on you to be there when it comes to your people? I know I am not Mandalorian and I doubt I ever will be, but I could use your guidance dealing with the hard-headedness of your people.” Obi-wan raised her chin and stared at the Mandalorian Jedi head-on. She would not back down and she would not mince her words. Mandalorians were dense and obstinate and she would face those traits with all the stubbornness she had been accused of in the past.
Tarre Vizsla’s eyes twinkled with merriment as he studied her. “You will have my full help, Young One. Vor entye.” Tarre placed his hand over his chest and bowed to her solemnly. His sincerity rang through the Force like a hammer on metal.
Obi-wan felt unsettled by the Mandalorian Jedi’s seriousness and whatever vow he had just made. She didn’t understand a word but she knew that he had sworn something to her. Whatever it was she wanted to know. She didn’t like it when things came back to bite her in the butt. She was about to comment but a shudder shook the room slightly. A wave of light washed over the room making everything brighter and warmer.
Obi-wan sucked in a teary breath. Anakin. That was pure, light, and good Anakin. Luke did it. Luke somehow convinced Anakin to renounce the dark. “He did it.” She whispered. “He really did it.” She wanted to bounce in place, but she restrained herself. Jedi masters did not bounce like a youngling. Oh, she was so happy though. Anakin was home where he belonged! The Force was singing and dancing and pulling on her clothes gently. “He did it!”
“Did what?” Jango had his hand by his side. He was reaching for one of the blasters on his hips. “What was that?”
“That was the passing of the Chosen One into the Light side.” Tarre Vizsla nodded at Obi-wan. He reached out and placed his hand carefully on her shoulder. “Go say your goodbyes. For when you come back, you will begin your journey a second time.”
Obi-wan let the Force currents pull her and disappeared from the room in a flash of blue.
“What do you think, Jaster?” Tarre looked over at the man who had been quiet throughout the entire ordeal. Tarre valued Jaster’s opinion and knew he would never mislead him. Jaster was a good man and easily one of Tarre’s closest friends.
“I think… she would make an excellent Mando’ad.” Jaster looked at the spot where Obi-wan vanished with thoughtful eyes. “You were right Tarre. I can see her as a Mando’ad. I’m almost upset you got to her first.”
“Buir.” Jango’s voice was full of dismay. “You wouldn’t. She…”
“Has enough Mandokarla for ten Mando’ade. I agree.” Tarre Vizsla stood up and dismissed the table and untouched cups. “I called dibs. A shame you did not meet her first, Jaster. Come. We have much to do before she gets back.”
“But…” Jango sighed when he was ignored. In his opinion it was a good thing Jaster and Kenobi had never met in person. The thought of Kenobi as his sister made his skin crawl. He stood up and followed Jaster towards the door. The entire time Jaster and Tarre were talking about how Kenobi would make a fine addition to the Mando’ade. Jango huffed in annoyance. There was no changing their minds. Maybe Kenobi was right. They were hard-headed people indeed.
*****
Obi-wan was overjoyed when she saw Anakin for the first time since his death. The Anakin he once was, before the Emperor got a hold of him. Her smile fell as she felt all that hurt come welling back up.
Anakin was looking like he was in his prime. He was hovering around the celebration the Ewoks and rebels were putting on. He seemed peaceful while he observed the collection of beings rejoicing that the Empire was no more. When he noticed her, Anakin turned halfway to see her. He acknowledged her with a smile before looking at Luke when Han Solo let out a whoop and Chewbacca raised Luke on his shoulders.
“Anakin… I…” She took a deep breath. In, out. She needed to let this go if she was going to have any success in achieving what she is going to be doing. She wanted this off her chest. “I am so sorry. I failed you.”
“Master. You didn’t fail me, I failed you.” Anakin turned to face her fully. He looked down at the ground in shame. “I know my actions were wrong. I have decided to keep an eye on my family.” Anakin stared off at Luke who was sitting by a fire after that ride around the camp by an excited Wookie.
Rebels and Ewoks danced around as music was beaten out on bones and drums. Firelight danced around them and the rebels celebrated the end of the Empire. Loud singing and noises rose into the night air on a victory cry.
Obi-wan knew it wasn’t completely over. The images of the black-haired little boy and the dark-haired little girl came to her mind. The darkness still has one more round to make. That could wait. Tonight was a night of celebration.
“Luke wasn’t your only child.” Obi-wan was ready for Anakin’s anger to make a reappearance. It didn’t happen. Instead Anakin’s expression shifted into fatherly pride.
“I know.” Anakin’s gaze turned to Leia who was seated with Han Solo laughing at some joke the Corellian told. “She looks so much like her mother.” He murmured softly. “I almost missed it.”
“She has your temperament, though. Luke I think is more like Padme.” Obi-wan watched the Skywalker twins as they celebrated the victory they fought hard for. Obi-wan could feel the tugging of the Force. It was time to say goodbye. When they met again, things would be different. “Anakin. I am so sorry and I wish you the best of luck in keeping an eye on your family.”
“Master.” Anakin turned to face her with alarm spreading across his features. “Where are you going? You sound like you are saying goodbye.”
“I am saying goodbye.” Obi-wan smiled at him. “There is a council of Jedi and they wish for me to do a task for them. I might not see you for a while or ever again.” Obi-wan reached her hand out and cupped his cheek. “Just know Anakin, I love you like a brother and I will always love you like a brother. Goodbye, my Dear. You have done the impossible and I am so proud of you.” Obi-wan tousled his hair one last time and let the Force have its way.
******
Obi-wan faded from the party and found herself back in the council meeting room with the Fountain of Chiara bubbling ominously in the background. “Masters.” She bowed before them. She was ready for this. A fire had been ignited and she would not give up until Palpatine was defeated and the Sith was no more.
“Obi-wan Kenobi.” Tarre Vizsla began formally. His voice boomed loudly and rang with the power of the Force. “You have been given a dangerous task for this council and the good of others. Do you accept it?”
“Yes, Master.” Obi-wan raised her chin and stared with conviction and truth. She was ready for this. She was going to change things and make a better future for everyone involved.
“Then we will send you off.” Tarre Vizsla came over to her and kissed her head. He murmured some words she didn’t catch before backing up.Something about knees and guy? It was in Mando’a and at this point, Obi-wan was wishing she knew more. “By the power of this council, we task you with going back to the beginning and stopping this darkness before it can take hold of the galaxy. You will have help with the other members of the council should you ask.”
As Tarre Vizsla bled power from the Force the other masters joined in. Master Plo sent her a wave of faith in her. With every word out of Tarre’s mouth, Obi-wan felt her sense of herself getting lighter and being whisked away.
“Go forth and save us, Obi-wan Kenobi. May the Force and the Ka’ra watch over you.” Tarre’s last words rang out with one final chord from the Force.
The rest of the masters echoed Tarre’s words. With one last pulse of power, Obi-wan stumbled and fell to the floor of the council room. Faster and faster her head spun until she blacked out from the dizziness and floating feeling.
She woke up and felt herself being rocked on the waves of an ocean. No, not an ocean. Obi-wan blinked open her eyes. Why was her vision blurry? She could barely see two feet in front of her. She needed to concentrate to even comprehend what she was seeing. She focused hard on what was in front of her. She was wrapped in a blanket and held to someone’s chest. Someone large that was swaying and humming.
A realization washed over her. The council had been saying since the first time she was asked this that they were sending her to the beginning. She felt fear and defeat well up. Oh, dear. They really did mean the beginning. She kicked her chubby legs and gurgled in protest. She was an infant again. Just her luck.