Luke woke up to the sound of a tea kettle whistling.
"Ugh" He groaned. His head was throbbing. He rubbed the lump on the back of his head in annoyance.
So not what I was hoping for. I did get to meet Obi-wan though. I wonder who that Force ghost was. The one who told him about me. Obi-wan referred to him as both 'Qui-gon' and 'Master'. And the friend who told this Qui-gon person about me… I wonder who that was. Another Force ghost? Master Yoda, perhaps?
"That would be me." Luke jumped off the bed in shock. Next to where he had just been sitting was a white, misty figure, with vaguely human features that became more distinct by the second. He looked a bit father did, at least, fathers' Force ghost, though a bit less blue and with shoulder-length hair that hung loose. The only clothing he appeared to be wearing was a long tunic that ended at his ankles, exposing his bare feet. One of the oddest features about him were his eyes. They were bright blue, the same shade as Luke and his father's were. They had no pupil nor sclera, the eyes were entirely blue, almost glowing. Luke stood there gaping for a minute before asking the obvious question.
"Who are you?" The figures' features were still a bit hazy, but Luke got the impression he was grinning.
"Oh, Luke! You know who I am!" Luke frowned.
"Fairly certain I don't."
"Yes you do. Kinda."
"That's not very clear. Do I know you or not? Why can't you just tell me?"
"Well, no one really knows me. But we have kinda met. Come on, Luke. Think!" Luke was positive the figure was grinning now. He also seemed to be almost laughing at Luke, who glared back in response. Then Luke's eyes widened, a feeling of comprehension coming over him and a growing feeling of dread in his gut.
"Wait…"
"Yes?"
"You're not…" The figure was nodding excitedly.
"Grandpa Force?"
"Bingo! It's me, Kiddo!"
"You seem… different. "
"Different aspect of yours truly." Luke blinked in confusion and replied intelligently.
"Huh?"
"Kinda hard to explain Lukie. There's a few different sides of me."
"Like… the light and the dark side?" His grandfather laughed.
"No, no. Those aren't actually parts of me. Really common misconception. I have four aspects that make up me. Dark and light depends on the person who… uses me? I think that's the best way to phrase it? I mean, I'm a sentient energy field…" he mused. "Anyway! Four parts! The aspect of me you have already met was the Unifying Force. I'm the Living Force. There's also the Cosmic Force and the Physical Force. I'm the midichlorians within everything!"
"The midi- what?"
"Midichlorians. Now, as I was saying- whoop! I gotta go! Your new 'Uncle' is coming. Love you, my adorable grandson! I'll talk to you later!" Grandpa Force winked at him, before disappearing without a sound. Luke stared, more than a little startled.
"Luke! You're already up! I was just coming to wake you." Luke turned to look at Obi-wan, forcing a childish grin.
"Yup! I have to get up early a lot."
"Apparently. Sunrise was fifteen minutes ago. I'll see if I can find you something more to wear. You head to the kitchen. Your breakfast is on the counter." Obi-wan said with a small smile before walking away. Luke took one last look at where Grandpa Force had been sitting, before deciding to get breakfast.
Luke shoveled in another spoonful of the dry, undercooked porridge. It hadn't taken Luke long to decide that either Obi-wan no longer possessed taste buds or just simply could not cook. His tea, on the other hand, was phenomenal, though very different than what Luke was used to. Warm and fresh, with a hint of honey. He took another sip as Obi-wan entered the room. The man looked much happier than Luke had ever known him to be. He sat across the table from Luke, setting down a pile of clothing. Luke forced the last of his porridge down his throat. Obi-wan started to laugh.
"No, I'm afraid I'm not much of a cook. My master never taught me and after your father tried my food, he banned me from the kitchen with the exception of when I made tea. Now I only cook for myself. So I apologize that it doesn't taste all that great."
"S'alright. It's food and I'm hungry. Anyway! Did you decide? Will you train me to be a Jedi?" Obi-wan sighed and looked at his hands.
"Yes. I've decided."
"Sooo?"
"I will train you. Under a few conditions."
"Awesome! What conditions?"
"First of all, you must never, ever, tell anyone aside from your aunt and uncle about this."
"So… just my family? " Obi-wan looked up at Luke almost warily before replying.
"Yes. Second, you must follow my instructions exactly. Third, never speak about the Force, the jedi, lightsabers, or anything else along those lines that I may mention to anyone outside of training. Fourth, the Force and lightsabers are not toys. Do not treat them as such. Fifth, please please be careful. And finally, I may add new rules. Those are to be followed too. Do you understand, Luke?" Luke nodded. Obi-wan raised an eyebrow at him. The boy internally sighed. He didn't remember Obi-wan being this strict.
"Yes, Uncle Obi. I understand."
"Good. Now then! I have a tunic that I think we can get to fit you. It'll be a bit large, but we'll make it work. Come over here. You can just leave your dishes where they are."
The sandy haired boy walked over and stood in front of Obi-wan. The man smiled at him and brushed some sand and dust off his slim shoulders. Then the Jedi lifted up a cream colored tunic made for a boy who must have been nearly a decade older than Luke was currently. Next was a brown belt. Finally, there was a dark brown cloak.
Obi-wan gently placed the tunic on Luke, helping him push his arms through the sleeves. It hung to his ankles. There was a good six inches of sleeve hanging from where Luke's hands ended. Luke looked down at himself and stated rather matter-of-factly,
"It's too big." Obi-wan laughed.
"Yes, yes it is." The auburn then picked up the belt, and tightened it around Luke's waist. Obi-wan tugged gently on the tunic above the belt, letting it fold over until the tunic only reached the young boy's knees. The man then brushed down the tunic with a sad smile. Then he carefully helped Luke put on the cloak. Obi-wan sighed wistfully.
"You look so much like your father. Those clothes were his, back when I first took him as my padawan. He was about twice the age you are now. It was just about a month before his tenth birthday. Your birthday is in a few months, isn't it?"
"I- uh- yes?" Luke fumbled. I'd forgotten about that. I really need to get used to this time. I can't be messing up about my own birthday! That's definitely going to raise some concerns.
"Luke? I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Huh? No, no. I'm good. I was just… thinking about my birthday! I'm starting school, so my birthday will be during the school year. I wanna make lots of friends who will celebrate with me!" Obi-wan looked at Luke with an odd expression, stroking his beard, before shaking his head.
"Well Luke, my master always told me to be mindful of the future, but never at the expense of the moment. And in this moment, we need to worry about getting you home. Come along now." Obi-wan stood up and walked to the door and using the Force to call a chestnut brown cloak to his hand. Luke hopped over to the Jedi with a smile, and they hopped in Obi-wan's old landspeeder.
Luke sensed his aunt and uncle's panic and worry long before he heard or saw them.
"Luke! Lu-uke! Where are you? Luke!"
"Luke? Luke get back here now! Can you hear me? Luke?" The landspeeder slowed to a stop, parking right within the property limits. There were still a few Tuskens corpses' lying on the ground. Luke jumped out of the speeder and ran to his guardians. They looked so concerned, Luke couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru!" Luke allowed himself to cry. It was for dramatic effect, though the tears were easily coming. Here, in his aunt's embrace, was safe. It wasn't something he had felt in many years.
"Kenobi."
"Owen. May I come inside? We have much to talk about."
Uncle Owen stood facing Obi-wan, glaring and tense. After a moment he sighed and his shoulders slumped.
"Yeah. You gotta hell of a lot to explain though, Kenobi. Beru! Take Luke to his room and make sure he's alright!"
Aunt Beru nodded and stood up, wiping a few stray tears off her face. She paused, let out a long breath, and smoothed her skirt. She gave Luke a watery smile.
"Alright, my little Lukka. Let's go in, get you some fresh clothes and maybe some juice, then see how you're feeling then?"
Ten minutes later Luke found himself sitting in bed in a soft set of sleep clothes, and listening to his aunt fuss. She examined the wound Obi-wan had dressed earlier and sighed, petting his hair gently.
"Well, that crazy man does know his way with a medkit, I'll give him that." She muttered to herself. "I'll go get you some juice and bread. You just sit tight." She pressed a kiss to his forehead and hurried off. Luke smiled fondly at her retreating figure, before closing his eyes and attempting to listen to his uncles argue in the room above his.
"No."
"Owen, please be sensible."
"No. There is no way in the nine Corellian hells I'm going to let you train that boy. Haven't you damaged the Skywalker family enough? I'm grateful that you saved him from the Sand People, don't misunderstand, but I don't want you near Luke ever again."
"Owen, he wants to learn."
"Well, I wonder who put that idea in his head!"
"Had the Jedi not been wiped out, he would already have begun his training."
"Well, they were! My step-brother included! Shmi and her son may be dead, but I won't allow her grandson to suffer the same fate!"
"If he trains, he will learn to defend himself!" Luke slipped from his bed and gently padded up the hard stairs.
"Anakin trained! It didn't save him though!"
"What happened to An-" Luke burst into the room. Here's to hoping I can actually pull this off!
"I wanna train to be a Jedi! Like my father before me!" The two men stared at the blonde in surprise.
"Luke! What are you doing up? Go back to bed! "
"No! I wanna be a Jedi!"
"Luke, this is between your uncle and me. How about you go lay down?"
"No!" Luke stamped his foot in a show of anger. Let's see how good my control is!
Luke let out a breath, before tentatively reaching to the Force, causing the objects in the room to shake. Time to make this look really out of control!
Luke balled his fists, closed his eyes, called on the Force, and screamed.
"I wanna train to be a Jedi! Just like my dad!"
Slowly, the boy opened his eyes, allowing tears to flood them. Uncle Owen and Uncle Obi were staring at him. The Jedi Master uncertainly made his way over to Luke, kneeling down in front of him. Obi-wan seemed to search his eyes for… something, before placing his hands on Luke's shoulders.
"You will be a Jedi. I promise."
That. Something in the back of Luke's head said. In his mind, he saw two people, illuminated by firelight. One was a young man who wore a dark brown cloak. The other was a boy, who looked like a younger, or rather older, version of Luke. The man was speaking.
"-sion to train you. You will be a Jedi. I promise."
Luke blinked a few times. What was that? A vision? Who were those people? They seemed so… familiar. Never mind. Those are questions for another time. I need to focus on the here and now.
Luke brought himself back to the present and looked into the set of curious gray-blue eyes peering at him. In the most excited voice he could muster Luke exclaimed,
"You promise? Awesome! Yippee! Thanks Uncle Obi!" Then the boy threw his arms around Obi-wan's neck with gusto. Then he turned to face his other uncle, who was still staring, mouth half open in shock. Finally, he forced out incredulously,
"Uncle Obi ?" Luke nodded.
"Yup! Now I have two uncles! Uncle Obi and you, Uncle Owen!" Uncle Owen rubbed his hand over his face tiredly.
"Alright Luke. You can train as a Jedi. Your 'Uncle Obi' And I need to work some things out though. How about you go find your aunt and get something to eat?"
That's not very subtle. But I suppose he never was. Luke thought. Nevertheless, Luke nodded and ran to the kitchen where his aunt was preparing a tray of soup and rolls for him.
"Hi Aunt Beru! Is that for me?"
The caramel haired women whirled around in surprise, revealing bloodshot eyes. She looked down at the tray she had been preparing.
"I- oh. Oh. Yes. Yes, it is. Go sit at the table now. I'll be right there, alright?"
"Mm-kay!" Luke ran to the room, swinging his short legs as he stared up at the familiar painting on the ceiling. Following the stormtroopers' raid of the homestead, the black and white designs had been ruined from fire and ash.
"Here you go Luke." His aunt said softly. "Eat up."
Luke did so eagerly. He was never one to turn down food. He was about halfway done with his meal when Uncle Owen and Uncle Obi entered the room. He quickly swallowed the soup in his mouth and stared at the two men, who exchanged a knowing look before turning to face him again.
"Luke…" Obi-wan began, "Your Uncle has allowed me to begin your training. There are some conditions though, along with the ones I told you earlier. "
"Okay!" Luke replied, trying to sound young and eager.
"We will only train during weekends, at least for now. You have to be home by dark. All of your Jedi materials are to remain at my house. Your schoolwork and chores come first. Also… you won't begin your training until you are six standard years of age."
"Alright!" Luke smiled. Until he noticed the odds looks his aunt and uncles were giving him. What's wrong? I said yes to their conditions. It's not like they're being unreasonable. Only training on weekends, being home before dark, Jedi things stay with Uncle Obi, need to do chores and homework first, can't start training until my next birth- oh. Yeah. At five, I probably would've thrown a fit over that. Hell, I was throwing fits over things like that at nineteen.
"But I don't wanna wait till I'm six!" The odd looks continued. Yeah. Okay. That sounded bad, even to me. Luke stamped his foot.
"I wanna start now!" Both of the mens' faces took on the exasperated look that adults have when dealing with fussy children.
"It's this or nothing Luke." Uncle Owen stated firmly. Luke bit his lip.
"Fine! But I getta start ON my birthday!"
"Very well." With that, Luke drank the rest of the soup in the bowl, down the milk, grabbed the one remaining roll and left.
Luke laid on his bed, using the Force to fly the few model starships he owned above his head.
Well done, kiddo! Luke started suddenly, losing his control over the models.
"Whoa!" Luke stared. It was the other version of his Grandpa, the one he had met that morning. The ghostly figure was holding Luke's various models in his arms. He dropped them unto Luke's bed with gusto.
"Wouldn't want to break those!"
"I-uh- hi. Grandpa Force. Wait. The first version of you was speaking, and now you're speaking."
"Yes. As I told you earlier, Lukie. There are multiple aspects of yours truly. My personality changes slightly with each aspect. He would've let your toys break, depending on how he was feeling that instant. Which reminds me! One of my other aspects, Physical, wants to meetcha. Warning. He claims to be the reasonable one, but my Unifying aspect and this one think he's a stick in the mud."
"Ooooo-kay"
"Great! I'm switching back to Unifying!" With that, the ghostly man suddenly disappeared.
Hey kiddo! I'm back!
Hello Grandpa.
I just wanted to say good job on getting to resume your Jedi training! Later! The presence of Luke's sentient energy field grandfather faded from his mind.
"Seriously?! That's all you had to say?!"
