This is dedicated to the memory of Carrie Fisher's mother and a great actress and entertainer in her own right-Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016). She died today (one day after her daughter). I hope they are together and happy in Heaven.
So, here is another chapter.
Chapter 12
Detention Block AA 23. Aboard the Death Star.
It had all happened so fast. They had arrived on the Death Star. Then, Obi-Wan told her there was something he needed to do. It was something more than simply shutting down the tractor beam. There was something similar to his call, that impelled Leia Skywalker to save Luke Organa. No matter how reluctant that rogue Han Solo had been, she felt it was necessary to save this man. She quickly ran down the detention center's corridors as Han Solo shouted to her.
"Leia! Hurry up! I think we're going to have company." She made it to the blast door for Cell 2187. She opened it, and there, laying on the bare metallic bed was the High Prince himself. He gave her an odd look.
"Forgive me, but you seem a little short for a Stormtrooper." He smiled at her. She noticed what was wrong. Something about him struck her as familiar. They were connected somehow.
"Oh, the uniform!" She quickly removed her helmet and shook her long hair out for a second. It was a mess, but she didn't care. "I'm Leia Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you." His eyes widened. Clearly, he was not expecting any of this. Her last name seemed very familiar. Luke Organa had heard it from someplace. His adoptive father had told him to always remember that name…something about the senator who was responsible for laying the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance. He quickly pushed the thoughts aside as he asked the next logical question.
"You're who?" He asked. She breathed out exasperated. They had been through a lot already.
"I'm Leia Skywalker. I saw your message, I've brought R2 with me." The young prince who couldn't have been much older than her was beginning to understand. "Obi-Wan Kenobi's with me!"
"Where is he?"
"Come with me." She grabbed his hand and he followed her out to the alcove, before they stepped out further, Luke pulled her back.
"Who are you really? I feel like we've…" She finished his sentence for him.
"…we've met somewhere." There was something there. It wasn't the attraction she undeniably felt for Han Solo. It was something much deeper. "Your highness, we can figure things out later. Now we need to get you out of here."
"Right, lead the way." She smirked at him.
"I always do." No sooner had they gotten much further than they were met by Stormtrooper fire.
Level 6 Core Shaft Corridor.
Ben Kenobi quickly made his way back to the hallway after deactivating the tractor beam. He pulled out his weathered lightsaber. It had served him well for the better part of twenty-three years. It would serve him well one again for the confrontation he knew was coming. He stepped out and saw her in front of him. The hilt of her blade was in her hand, but not ignited just yet. She looked like a blackened machine, but she was definitely in there. Behind all the breathing apparatuses and electronics, she was there.
"You came back…" He raised his hood up.
"I did." He paused. Darth Vader moved closer to him. "I told you long ago, that I'd never leave you behind."
"You are late at keeping your promises. There were rumors you had died in exile."
"Largely overblown rumors Vader, of that I can assure you." Kenobi thought he felt her smile behind her mask, but he couldn't be sure.
"Pity…all that time safe and sound…only to come here and die by my hand." She paused as she ignited her blade. It was dark red. "I'm much stronger than the last time we met."
"We don't have to do this."
"Still with your same naivete, I see that you haven't all that much. You've only grown older."
"I still believe that there is something redeemable in you yet my old apprentice." She scoffed at him.
"Then you are a fool." He ignited his blade as she struck the first blow. He parried another one. They both moved much slower than they had done the last time. There was age and experience at play in this duel. "The circle is now complete Ben. When I left you, I was but the learner now I am the master." Kenobi gave her a wry smile.
"Only a master of evil Vader." He struck back hard and pushed her away from him, but she easily pushed him back and barely missed striking him.
"You should not have come back."
Across from Docking Bay 397.
Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie made it to a hallway right across from the Millennium Falcon.
"The ship's look's okay," said Leia. Han Solo winked at her.
"Let's hope Kenobi got that tractor beam out of commission." Luke Organa spoke up.
"Where is he anyway?"
"I don't know," said Leia with a worried look on her face. Suddenly, they saw the Stormtroopers guarding the ship move away quickly. Solo spoke up.
"Let's make our move now!" They ran out. That's when Leia Skywalker caught sight of Ben Kenobi and Darth Vader furiously dueling each other.
"Ben!" She gasped. The two men continued fighting, not noticing her.
"You can't win. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine," said Kenobi. He was almost taunting her. They exchanged blows again, but were still evenly matched. No one was going to get the upper hand in this fight. Then they both heard a voice calling out to them.
"Ben!" It was the farmgirl that Kenobi had brought with him. Vader could also see Prince Organa close by her. She almost did a double-take. They reminded her of herself and of someone close to her. Before she could contemplate their identities any further, Kenobi struck her again and gave her a sneaky smile. How often had she seen that face before? Suddenly, Kenobi stopped pressing his attack and closed his eyes. He raised his ignited blade for a salute and stood perfectly still. Vader didn't understand it. Why wasn't her master fighting?
She wasted no time and lunged for the killer blow. To her shock and amazement, she cut through his robe but his body disappeared completely. The lightsaber he had used on so many occasions dropped harmlessly to the floor. Where in the name of the Force did Kenobi go? What had he said to her…"I will become more powerful than you can possible imagine." Suddenly, there was shouting. Almost like someone was crying out. He turned and saw the girl with long brown hair screaming at him.
"NO!" She raised her blaster and fired widely. Who was she to be so reckless with her own life? It reminded Vader of herself. It was much like herself. She saw the High Prince grabbing her, almost as if he was a voice of reason.
"Blast the door kid!" Came another voice. Then an explosion, and before Vader knew it she was stuck behind the blast doors. She could hear the sound of the engines of the Millennium Falcon as it blasted out into space. She was still confused by what happened in the last five minutes. The Force was strong in those twins. She felt it. Then it occurred to her, Luke Organa had no siblings. So how could he have a twin? It can't be. It's impossible, they are dead. Anakin's dead. I killed them all!
