Ways of the Force

by TheLoneClone

In the wake after the ceremony on Yavin 4, Luke Skywalker must make a tough decision: stay with the Rebellion or leave with Han Solo and Chewbacca. After choosing the former, the Rebel base is attacked, leaving the Rebellion homeless - and in panic. Now breaking off from the Rebellion and on his own, Luke must find out if he is really a Jedi - or face Darth Vader and his spies.

1. Not Alone

The wind whistled past young Luke Skywalker.

Even though he was a hero, Luke didn't feel like one. He felt…depressed. Ever since Obi-Wan Kenobi died, Luke didn't feel himself. Heck, ever since the droid duo C-3PO and R2-D2 showed up he didn't feel himself.

Sighing, Luke looked up to the sun of Yavin 4. It felt different having only one sun instead of two. It's not as hot as Tatooine was. The blond-haired Jedi-in-training crossed his arms, looking down to his brown pants and black boots. The extra weight of the blaster pistol on his right hip didn't seem to add anything, since Luke was thinking about his future.

His new friends Han Solo and Chewbacca were about to depart from the Rebel Alliance, and they had offered to give the former moisture farmer a lift. However, Princess Leia Organa had also suggested that he stay alongside the Rebellion while they battled against the Galactic Empire. Weighing the two alongside each other, Luke began to give in more to staying with the rebels…partly because of Leia herself.

Ah, Luke, she's outta your league. She's a princess, not a peasant from a low-downed, ransacked Tatooine town like Mos Eisley or Anchorhead. You'd be better off gallivanting around with Han and Chewie.

Suddenly, a bush behind Luke rustled, and the young rebel hero whipped his shiny pistol from its slim, leather holster, aiming it at the direction of the sound. "Ah, 3pO, it's just you." The golden C-3PO let out a hmph before speaking to his rebel ally.

"Well, Master Luke, don't get to excited to see me." Luke smirked as C-3PO scuttled past, looking up to the sun with his artificial eyes. "I'm sorry, 3PO. I've probably been a bore for everyone in the Rebellion." The droid's next sentence caught Luke's attention. "I doubt it, sir: Princess Leia has been speaking of you several times."

Luke swirled around to face 3PO. "Leia? She was talking about me?!" 3PO nodded towards his new "master."

"Oh, yes, sir." The young Jedi trainee's mouth twitched to a smile. "What was that you were saying about being a bore, Master Luke?" Luke's eyes jumped to 3PO. "Oh, well, it's just that with Ben dying, I've kinda felt…alone." C-3PO didn't understand Luke's meaning. "Alone? But, sir, you've been around friends for days now. Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, myself, Princess Leia, Wedge Antilles. You know." Luke shrugged. "I dunno, 3PO. It's just that with Ben I had a special…feeling. You see, 3PO, Ben was training me to be a Jedi Knight like himself and my father…but now, both Ben and my dad have been killed by Darth Vader. I-I just wish I had the power to kill that evil traitor myself! If only there was someone else to train me in the ways of the Force!"

It seemed to Luke as if someone faintly said, "There is, Luke. There is someone else."

"Come now, Master Luke. I'm sure that if you can't find another person, then you will teach yourself." Luke snorted after 3PO's comment. "Yeah right." Starting to walk off, Luke stopped after 3PO called to him. "Master Luke! Where are you going?" The young rebel looked over his shoulder, covered by his yellow jacket. "I don't know 3PO. I just don't know."