A MESSED UP DESTINY
A STAR WARS STORY
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything and I make no profit from this.
Hello there everyone and welcome to chapter 16 of A Messed up Destiny! Before we begin, a quick thank you to everyone who has been reviewing –Seeing the comments makes my day guys!-. Today's chapter takes place at the Jedi Temple and contains a healthy dose of Siriwan (Siri x Obi Wan). Now, you might ask why this is since the story says that Obi Wan is paired up with Satine, but I assure you, I have a good reason for this. For those who doubt me, search your feelings. You know it to be true.
Anyhow…if you guys remember Siri was unsettled when she saw Anakin use Force Lightning during the battle of Geonosis and her Padawan happens to hate Anakin. In short, this chapter deals with the reasons behind Siri's behavior and Obi Wan's plans for the future. Also, this chapter takes place a couple hours after chapter 15, just so you guys know. Now…without further ado…let's jump right into it!
Comfort between Jedi! With his apprentice away on Naboo and no one else to speak to, Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi approaches Knight Siri Tachi, wanting a conversation partner, but quickly realizes something is wrong with his friend. Realizing that he isn't the only one with problems, he decides to help her in any way he can, even if it means ignoring some lines of the Jedi Code…
Note: A small change of plans. Obi Wan won't be speaking to Qui Gon after all, but the chapter is far more interesting now than it would have been.
Jedi Temple, Training Room 5, Obi Wan's point of view:
Getting used to being around Jedi again isn't something I ever thought I'd have to do, but it became top priority after I received the first sideways glances from the Temple's other occupants. Some were simply shy when I was around –mostly younglings and Padawans due to my famous duel with Darth Maul a decade and a half ago-,but most looked my way with concern and some were even nervous or visibly worried when around me. This was because I was used to closing myself of from the Force when around others, having become accustomed to doing so while hiding from the Empire and…Vader. Anakin. My brother. The Fallen Knight. Yes, it was due to his actions that walking around the Temple felt so surreal, almost like a fever dream. During my five long years of exile on Tatooine I had had plenty of spare time on my hands, certainly enough to begin thinking about what Anakin's reasoning for joining Sidious was.
Having overheard part of their conversation on Mustafar, it had seemed all too likely that Anakin had been convinced that Padme was dying or would die from something, but I had been far more focused on his betrayal at the time than the reasons behind it. Looking back, he might have been right, considering the Senator had died of mysterious causes only two days later. While both Qui Gon and I had formed several theories of what really happened on the final day of the Clone Wars, they were of no use to us. The damage had been done long before I or anyone else realized what was happening. In all honestly, I've caught myself feeling grateful for sensing Darth Vader's presence in place of my brother's after I came back, even if I didn't know what it as at the time. At least he was a known threat, someone who preferred actions to words and wouldn't scheme behind my back, not that he was on my side.
Qui Gon may have confirmed that he hasn't hurt Padme, but that didn't mean he'd ever be anything but hostile towards me, not that I can blame him. After all, if it had been my skin burning off and melting against the rocks that day, I'd probably carry much hatred for the one responsible. Suddenly, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, so I turned around, fully prepared to handle any Stormtrooper or Hutt goon thrown my way. Only…it wasn't an Imperial. It was a Jedi Padawan, a little girl –barely fourteen- who hadn't tapped my shoulder, but bumped into me by accident.
Composing myself, I looked down at the youngling, who was mumbling seven different apologies at once. Kneeling down to her height, I asked what her name was. I could tell that I had startled her, but she quickly responded to my question.
"My na-name is Trilla. Padawan Trilla Suduri.", she told me.
"And what were you doing, running around the hallways like that?", I asked her, letting myself chuckle out of amusement. Trilla didn't seem to notice. She was far too busy mumbling apologies to me.
"I-I was he-headed to the Library, Master Kenobi.", she replied, mixing up her words once or twice during the sentence.
I smiled at her, trying to calm her down. I wasn't in the right state of mind to deal with a crying youngling right now. "Relax, Padawan. You aren't in trouble. Now, why don't you go to your Master? I'm sure he or she is expecting you.", I told the little girl.
Hearing that she wasn't in trouble was enough to prompt her to run off once more, this time in the opposite direction of the Library. Ah…younglings…how I've missed them. Deciding that someone else would redirect the Padawan eventually –probably after she bumped into them too-, I walked off in the direction of the training rooms. Seeing as I the duel with Dooku had proven that I still wasn't used to being in my prime again, I had more than a little training to do if I was going to have to fight Sidious one day, or –Force forbid- face off against Vader again. He would surely kill me this time, with five years of training in the Dark Side of the Force.
Leaving those morbid thoughts behind, I decided to enter training room five –the one with the pseudo Magna Guards-, only to see that it was already occupied by none other than Siri Tachi, my old friend and the ex-flame of my youth. Oh boy…this certainly isn't where the fun begins, as Anakin would say.
Truth be told, I wasn't in the mood for dealing with Siri right now. As rude as it may sound, it wasn't that I didn't want to talk to her. It was that I couldn't. So, instead of forcing myself deal with any feelings that might have survived the Purge, I opted to simply look at her while she trained, content with observing my old friend and seeing how good her combat skills were. I watched as Siri blocked and parried the attacks from the training droids and I watched as one of the droids managed to stab her side. She screamed in agony, but I could tell that it wasn't from the stab itself. Rushing to her aid, I used the Force to throw the droids across the room and pull the controller towards me, which I used to deactivate the machines. I then ran to and kneeled beside her fallen form, not knowing how to help her.
Siri's scream had been momentary, but it had lasted forever in my mind. Everything around us was moving in slow-motion and I could sense that some passing Jedi -a Knight and a few Padawans- had heard the scream and were scrambling to reach us. It took Siri forever to open her eyes again and every second of holding her body in my arms brought back the memories of her death during the first few months of the Clone Wars, something that I was going to prevent this time.
When Siri's eyes finally opened, she stared into mine, unmoving. "Obi Wan…", she murmured.
"Siri, are you alright?", I asked her, not caring about showing attachment at the moment.
"Yeah…I'm fine. Just fine…"
"I heard you scream.", I told her, wanting nothing more than to stay and comfort her, which is what I would do, Time Travel be damned.
"Obi Wan…I", she whispered, mostly to herself.
Seeing her like this, holding her up close, it awakened something in me. Back then -when she had died- I had forced myself to forget about my feelings, made myself ignore the pain I had felt when I was holding her lifeless body in my arms, all because of that Bounty Hunter.
Both of us knew that we had feelings for each other –and also had the teenage romance to prove it- and Siri had once inquired about the possibility of having a relationship once more, something I would have liked to have in another life. After the Purges Siri's death became meaningless compared to Anakin's betrayal, to the Order's destruction and the rise of the Empire.
It was something I hadn't thought about for years, but all those memories of times we spend together had come back to haunt me in this moment. All I had to do was close the distance between us, but I held myself back from going through with it. Perhaps it was the remnants of a Jedi lifestyle, my devotion to the Code, or even the thought that Satine was still out there, alive and well, holding Obi Wan Kenobi close to her heart.
Then again, Obi Wan had died with his brother, on the day Vader was born. For five years I had been Ben, a man who had few responsibilities other than watching over a growing Luke Skywalker. I had been thrust into this scenario without warning and would have started questioning whatever was left of my sanity if not for Qui Gon showing up at the last second and running me through his plan, though the hastily-put-together series of events was anything but, in my opinion.
Lost in thought, I didn't hear Siri call my name the first or second time, only registering her voice when she yelled my name inside my ear.
"Siri…I-I can't.", I said, putting her body down and moving away. "I'm sorry."
To her credit, Siri immediately caught on to the meaning behind my words. She stared at me with pleading eyes, but I knew I just couldn't give in. My mission was far too important for me to indulge in rekindling old flames, especially if I wanted to focus on keeping her alive first and foremost.
"Why not?", she asked me in a soft voice, the voice of an Angel. "The Republic is going into War. If not now, then when?", she questioned.
I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to confide in my oldest friend about the Purges, to tell her about Anakin, about Cody, about everything…but I couldn't. Qui Gon had stressed how important it was for this to not get back to Palpatine and it was my duty to ensure that it wouldn't. So I chose the mission over my feelings. Again. Qui Gon will surely have words with me about this later…
"I won't lie to you Siri. We are going to war. I'm terrified of losing you again and I don't know if I'll stop it or not. I don't want to feel that pain again, Siri. Don't ask this of me, I beg you.", I whispered in her ear, not wanting to show attachment in front of the other Jedi.
"Obi…you know I care about you and before you say anything, yes, we've talked about this. But we used to be…you know…and I want to have that with you again. I'll never speak of it again if you say no, but I had to tell you one last time.", Siri admitted, and it felt like an electrostaff had been shoved into my chest, right where the heart was.
If there was one thing I learned from training Anakin, it was that reckless decisions were his specialty and not mine. So I offered Siri an empty platitude like the good Jedi Master that I was, the one about 'needing to meditate' and bolted out of the room, running to my quarters and desperately calling out to Qui Gon through the Force. I got an answer, but not from the person I wanted to hear.
"Stop being so loud!", yelled the voice of Anakin, no, of Darth Vader.
"I was calling out to Qui Gon.", I told him coldly, not wanting to talk to him right now.
"Well, he's busy talking with the other Force Ghosts. Something about Ilum, I think.", Vader said.
Repressing my curiosity at the mention of other Force Ghosts, I ignored my feelings towards him, and spoke my mind to Vader. "I have to talk to him about something. It's personal.", I said, hoping he'd leave me alone.
"Let me guess.", he began. "Is it Siri?"
"I don't want to talk to you, Vader.", I told him, sending that exact feeling over our bond.
"Yeah, and I'd prefer cuddling with my girlfriend, but here we are.", he retorted. "So...does the great Negotiator have love problems?", Vader asked mockingly.
"What is it to you?", I questioned him. "Why are you even talking to me? Don't you hate me?"
"I do, but that's an easy fix. I'll just kick the living crap out of you when I get back as revenge. No maiming unless you try to cheat again.", Vader said, and I found myself terrified of the upcoming duel. "Anyways! What's troubling you?", he continued, as if the threat was to be ignored.
"Why do you want to help me?", I asked him, still unwilling to discuss anything with the Sith Lord.
"Because Qui Gon and Padme said I should be nice to you. Because Anakin Skywalker would help you with this. As insane as it sounds, I am trying to be that person again, or as close as I can get to it anyways, and I'm starting by doing something nice. Now…if you don't want my help, I'll find a better way to spend my time."
"Fine. But if you hurt Siri I won't stop until the job is done.", I warned him.
"Huh, and here I thought that the third time is the charm. Then again, you're bound to lose to me when I get back, so I guess the saying still stands."
"Why are you mocking me?", I asked him. "Didn't you say that you wanted to help?"
"I did, but you still aren't telling me what's wrong, and since the worst thing Anakin would do is annoy you half-to-death, it's the most I can do.", Vader said in a mocking tone once more.
"There was a…incident. I found myself in close proximity to Siri and some old feelings were…awoken at an inconvenient time. You know what happened to her last time and I don't want to break her heart, only to also lose her once more."
"So? Indulge her. I always knew that you liked her company and personally speaking, being with Padme helps me relax more than reciting your Code ever did. I say you tell her how you feel, explain the risks and let her decide.", Vader answered, and I had to give him credit. It wasn't terrible advice…for a Sith.
"Is that what you did with Padme? Did you tell about how you choked her to near-death, how you murdered little children for the sake of power? Does she know, or does she love the man Darth Vader killed?", I asked him, not daring for a second to believe that Padme would even love a man like Vader. Anakin, sure. But not Darth Vader.
"Darth Vader is dead!", the Sith Lord yelled. "And for your information, I did tell her! She knows everything, bar Sidious' real identity and only because she doesn't know how to shield her mind! I love Padme and she's the only one who accepts me for who I truly am!", Vader shouted, nearly causing me to fall over from the surprise. "I digress. The point is that you should make your decision while taking what you feel into consideration without letting it cloud your judgement. I failed the second task and Padme paid the price. Proceed with caution, but don't ignore your feelings, Kenobi."
"Don't tell me that you learned that on your own?", I questioned in disbelief.
I could feel Vader letting out a dry laugh on the other end of the bond. "Of course not! Qui Gon told me that, but I happen to be a fast learner, much like when I was still your Padawan!", he said with amusement. "Just do as I told you and let Siri decide. We both know you're terrible when it comes to matters of the heart, after all."
"I suppose…", I said, considering his words and finding no obvious wrong in them. "But if this is your attempt to turn me to the Dark Side, you've already failed.", I told him sternly.
Vader responded by sending feelings of amusement through the bond, so much so that he must have found my statement hysterical. "Sorry, sorry. It's just…Padme is laughing her ass off on the couch! Force, we really need to talk when I get back, Obi Wan. Anyways, I did say earlier that I'd prefer talking to Padme…and I am touch-starved, so if you'll excuse me…", he said as dramatically as possible before ending the connection.
Realizing that my body had successfully brought me to my quarters without bumping into a wall, I allowed myself to collapse on a bed and thinking Vader's words over, trying to determine if he was right, or even if I should try this in the first place. For better or worse, I got no such chance, as Siri practically rammed herself through my door a moment later -thinking it was locked- and tripped over herself, falling onto the bed…and accidentally bringing her face –and the rest of her body- directly above mine.
"Siri…uh…I…", I tried, but found myself unable to speak as I stared at her face, which was only inches away from mine.
"Obi Wan, I…sorry for busting in like that.", Siri said –embarrassed- as she moved herself off me and laid beside me on the bed.
"I suppose there are worse ways to get me out of bed.", I remarked, adding some comedy to this incredibly embarrassing situation.
"Very funny Obi. In all seriousness, I wanted to talk to you. Why'd you run off like that? A simple 'no' would have been fine.", she said, sounding defeated.
Vader did say I should tell her the truth. Well, here goes nothing… "I ran because I wasn't sure I wanted to say no, my dear. Siri…I care about you. The…compromising position we were put in earlier made me realize I still have feelings for you. It's just…you aren't the only one I feel strongly for.", I said, praying to the Force that she wouldn't slap me.
Siri's eyes softened at my words. "You mean the Mandalorian Duchess? Satine?", she questioned.
"…yes.", I admitted. "Siri, I'm not sure how to feel right now. I've recently found myself in a very strange situation.", I tried to explain without giving anything away.
"What situation?", Siri asked quietly. I could sense she wanted to help…but I couldn't let her know about the mission. Not without Qui Gon's approval.
"An old friend turned foe showed himself again. He contacted me, claiming that he has good intentions and wants to help the Jedi with the War. The Force rang true with every word, but I can't bring myself to trust him. And with so much happening in so little time, there will be many things, from the Separatists to even Sith Lords that would want to tear us apart. I'm not sure I'm ready for a relationship Siri. I've been away for far too long.", I explained, waiting for the answer.
"I know, but I can help you with your problems if you let me. And we can take things slow if you want. That's fine by me, Obi.", she answered, seeming to understand.
"Siri…call me Ben when we're alone. I like the name, and I'm not sure that Obi Wan Kenobi, 'perfect Jedi' is who I am anymore. I need time to get used to this new normal, and it just…feels normal, to me at least."
The bond between Siri and I –having stayed dormant on my side for seven years- suddenly exploded with peace, calm and most of all love, coming from Siri. She really does love me. I…I haven't felt this way in years…
"Obi, this may not be the best time for an identity crisis, but you've still got me. You still have Mace, Yoda and Anakin." No, I don't have him. Not anymore…"You'll get through this.", she told me.
I doubt that she heard my thoughts –she would have reacted if she had-, but nonetheless, I was grateful to have someone other than a ghost to watch my back and if Siri was okay with helping me, then Vader's advice may have paid off after all.
I watched as the closed her eyes and leaned towards my face and for once, I stopped caring about everything but her. I began leaning towards her, eager to rekindle this old flame, eager to have someone that understands and accepts me to confide in and closed the gap between us. Or…I tried to, at the very least. Siri and I were interrupted by the loudly yelled 'Master' that came out of her apprentice's mouth. I, for one, was frozen in surprise. Siri looked towards the door as Ferus Olin entered the room –something I desperately didn't want him to do- and the Padawan began yelling at the two of us, even going so far as to criticize Siri's decision. I was angry, but could do nothing as the Padawan continued to yell about his Master eloping with the person 'who trained that brat, Skywalker'. As if he isn't acting like one now…and as if he'd be able to breathe if Vader was here.
"Speak of the Devil and he shall appear!", shouted the voice of Vader, filling my head with noise.
"Anakin! Get out of my head!", I shouted back.
"Not before I pinpoint his presence in the Force. I'll shut that pathetic worm up for good this time!", Vader yelled.
"Anakin no! Think before you act! Don't just-", I tried, but Ferus was already choking.
"Obi Wan! What's happening?", Siri asked, suddenly afraid.
"I'm afraid this would be Anakin 'shutting him up'. It appears he has it out for Ferus, for whatever reason.", I replied.
"Anakin is…well make him stop it!", Siri shouted, concerned for her Padawan.
"Anakin! You're making this worse! Let Ferus go! Now!", I yelled through the bond.
I could practically feel Anakin sigh on the other end, but Ferus was slowly lowered to the ground once more and was immediately released from Vader's grip. Siri still looked at the Padawan in shock and the knowledge that Anakin could Force Choke people from across the galaxy unnerved me far more than I'd want to admit.
"Before you ask, I had his exact location and was able to pinpoint his presence in the Force. He also wasn't prepared for an attack, hence why it worked so well.", Anakin said, explaining the mechanics behind this –probably Sith- ability.
"Never do that again! You scared the heck out of Siri! Never do that again!", I shouted at him, though it was more fear of his powers than actual anger towards him.
"Fine…Inform Siri that I apologize and that I'll leave it to her to deal with her apprentice, so long as he doesn't insult the people I care for, because that undermines my status as well."
"Siri?", I asked, getting her attention. "Anakin apologizes for acting without thinking, but he didn't like Ferus' behavior, or the fact that he insulted someone Anakin cares for.", I explained to her, praying to the Force that this wouldn't go to Sith Hell.
Siri didn't respond verbally, her attention was still on Ferus. She did give me a slight nod to indicate that she heard me, but she was busy staring at –and probably talking to through Force Bond- her Padawan. After a few moments, in which my mind was burning with anxiety, Ferus turned around and left the room quietly –his head hanging low- as Siri turned to face me, her features betraying fear and concern.
"So…", I began, trying to fill the deafening silence. "I don't suppose you'd still want to…um…" Yep. Good job Kenobi. Not only have you broken the Jedi Code within mere weeks since returning to this time, you've also botched the one time a girl asks you out. Good job indeed.
"Not right now, no. But I'd like to spar, if you don't mind. Work some of this tension away.", Siri replied.
"As you wish.", I simply told her, getting up from the bed. I offered a hand to help her up, which she gladly took, and we chatted away while heading back to the training rooms, as if Siri's angry Padawan hadn't burst through my door only minutes ago, shouting at two Knights and hurling insults at me as if I had committed some unspeakable act.
We didn't talk for long, seeing as the training rooms weren't that far from my quarters, but I felt much more relaxed after catching up with my old friend. I could feel that Siri was more relaxed as well and it felt good knowing that she wasn't as distressed anymore. The two of us reached the training rooms reserved for Jedi Knights and Siri begun running ahead, headed for training room five. The Magna Guards. I have to stop her!
Panic settled in my mind as I ran faster and faster, thinking of nothing more than stopping her from re-entering the combat simulation, but I wasn't as careful as I should have been. I crashed into the wall with zero grace and by the time I had regained a sense of my surroundings, Siri was already fighting against not two, but four of the training droids. The scream she had let out the last time she got hit was all I could hear as I practically crashed through the door and ignited by blade, leaping towards the droids and hacking at them in a frenzy. The methods of Soresu all but forgotten, I fell back into a familiar Ataru stance the moment I landed behind them…and immediately realized that was overwhelmed…and overly screwed. So I did the only thing I could think off in a situation like this. Switching between forms in a mere second, I settled on Form III once more, getting ready to face down three of the machines at once. Well, if Ahsoka could do this at thirteen and survive, I'll be damned if I can't beat them just because I stayed in the desert for too long!
My nerves were still twitching after the flip, but I ignored them. I knew that my body could handle much worse than a couple of flips and tricks, Magna Guards included. Remembering all the times I faced off against Grievous and his bodyguards, I allowed the Force to flow through me, to control my actions as my mind fell into somewhat of a meditative state. I could still see and move, but I allowed the Force to control my body, to move through me as I faced off against the droids. With the Force as my ally, they would be no match for Obi Wan Kenobi.
The droids fell into position, surrounding me. One was to my left, another to the right, and the last one in the middle. The left one jabbed at me and I dodged the strike right before it made contact with my side, giving myself an opportunity to counter attack. Unfortunately, its metallic friends came to the rescue as they began advancing towards me, forcing me to give up some ground. The droids approached me and the middle one tried to jab at me with its electrostaff, but I dodged the attack with ease and cut off its head while its guard was down. The droid continued to move as the real model would have, just without the head. The droid that was on the right tried to swipe at my leg, but I used the Force to push it to the wall, making a dent where it landed. Needless to say, it wouldn't be getting back up anytime soon.
The Headless droid attacked once more, but the swipe to my stomach was easily parried and countered with a horizontal strike, which caused the droid to be split in two. It fell to the ground, dead, as its last friend took a step back, allowing it's programming to assess the situation. Thankfully for me, that opening was all I needed to Force Pull it straight into my saber, and the last Magna Guard fell to the ground, as dead as a droid can truly be. One glance at Siri and I could tell she wasn't doing well, having been pushed to the corner by the fourth and final Magna Guard, the one she had been facing. Racing to her side, I practically slammed by blade through the droid's chest and it, too, fell to the ground, now harmless.
Siri approached me and quickly wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. "Obi Wan, thank you. For a few moments it felt like I was back there, like he was there with them. Thank you thank you thank you!", Siri said excitedly while trying –and failing- to lift in off the floor.
"Darling, no need for others overhearing this. Should we go somewhere we can talk?", I asked her. She immediately said yes and we both sprinted off towards the Temple Gardens, the best place for mediation in the entire Jedi Temple.
After arriving at the location of our –her- choice, Siri and I sat down on the grass, as if meditating, in order to trick others into giving us privacy. Besides, it was obvious that we were clearly just meditating together and certainly weren't breaking the Jedi Code or anything like that…
"Sorry foracting like that earlier. Force, I'm such a mess…", Siri apologized.
"And you think I'm not?", I asked her sarcastically, waiting for a retort or clever remark like the ones she'd reply with when we still Padawans.
"Obi, I'm not in the mood for banter."
"Sorry…", I murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. "What's bothering you, then?", I asked her, deciding to be direct for once in my life.
"It's Dooku. He-he came to my cell on Geonosis. Gave me my saber, told me to fight my way out. The droids were waiting outside. Two of them, electrostaffs and all. I wanted to get out, to see that you and Ferus were okay, but they were blocking my path. I lost. They wouldn't stop, Obi. It hurt so much and they just didn't stop!"
"Siri…I'm here for you.", I told her, gently placing an arm on her shoulder, right before she buried her head in mine. Not knowing what else to do, I held her tightly, doing my best to comfort her. I sent positive emotions through our Force Bond and she melted into the hug, where she stayed for a few moments before letting and looking up to stare into my eyes.
"Obi Wan. Ben.", she whispered, and I understood where this was going. Still uncertain about my own feelings, I slowly nudged her away, not wanting to take advantage of her while she was vulnerable.
"Siri…I don't want to take advantage of you. Are you sure about this?", I asked her, a part of me desperately hoping that she'd say yes, while another was still clinging to the idea that I was about to break the Code. Ugh, who am I kidding? I've always been attached to people. Qui Gon, Tahl, Siri, Quinlan, Satine, Anakin…why shouldn't I? She clearly wants this…but am I doing something I'm going to regret? No! We both want this and if the possibility of losing her again is real, I don't want her to die without finding happiness. I may not deserve it, but she certainly does.
"I've never been more serious about anything. I want this Obi. Do you?", she asked, and my heart melted. I didn't respond verbally, but seeing her close her eyes and lean in like that, who was I to deny her what she wanted, especially when I wanted it too? Time seemed to freeze around us as I closed the distance between our faces and nothing but her mattered in this moment.
The kiss lasted for an eternity, but it still ended far too soon. Everything else seemed to drift away as she leaned back in, and I did the same, eager to experience what the rest of this stolen moment between us had to offer, and taking a moment to wonder what the next one may be like…
And…scene! By the Force this was hard to write! I honestly don't know if I did a post Order 66 Obi Wan justice, but I think it still makes sense if you squint hard enough. As you guys may have realized, I don't know how to write Obi Wan. I wanted to give his character this vision filter, where he's trying to look at things like Obi Wan Kenobi, Council Member and 'Perfect Jedi' would, but he just can't bring himself to do it, while also incorporating the feelings he has towards the overall situation and Siri. So…as I said, I'm not sure how good of a job I did. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but please don't yell at me for making mistakes. I just don't know Obi Wan's character as good as I do Anakin's. Also, I've stated that this fic will see a Satine x Obi Wan pairing, but Siriwan will be a thing for the about a third of the story (that doesn't that something happens to Siri, just that they won't stay together), for character development purposes.
Okay…I'll just go on with the epilogue now, since I feel like it's needed here more than other chapters.
Firstly, the first paragraphs. While self-explanatory, they say a lot about what Obi Wan is thinking in terms of the 'Darth Vader fiasco', as I like to call it. Obi Wan is still hurt by Anakin's betrayal and hasn't been given a chance to see that Anakin is changing, only interacting with him for a brief moment before he knew of his real identity and forcing himself to ignore that situation during the Battle of Geonosis, but even then he needed Padme to break the two out of their argument. Obi Wan still believes Anakin to be Darth Vader and compares his experiences at the Temple to a fever dream, stating that had Qui Gon not shown up he would have thought himself to have gone insane.
Secondly, Obi Wan's first interaction with Siri. After a brief cameo from the Second Sister (players of Jedi Fallen Order know who I'm referring to), Obi Wan finds Siri practicing alone in the Temple's training rooms. I had originally planned for another scene to be there where Siri explained that she wanted to see if she could beat them, but it was cut as that theme is something I want to explore later on in the story. It might not come up again for Siri, but others may face similar challenges.
Anyways, the point of this scene is to establish the fact that Obi Wan isn't in complete control of his feelings. This…isn't something we've ever seen his character struggle with. It's the sort of thing you'd associate with Anakin, right? Well…yes. But I want to see how a post-Order 66 Obi Wan who has been thrust into this situation with little warning and zero guidance would handle it and this was the result. It's what the phrase "For five years I had been Ben, a man who had few responsibilities other than watching over a growing Luke Skywalker" is meant to convey. A common element in many Obi Wan-centric fics is that he struggles with juggling his responsibilities. So I've taken that and added the fact that he's had none for half a decade, during which he's gotten used to making his own decisions since he has no Council to guide him. Obi Wan will still follow the Code and be a Jedi, but he's already experienced what a little leniency regarding the Code can offer and isn't ready to switch back to being the 'Perfect Jedi' just yet, if ever.
Thirdly, Obi Wan's conversation with Anakin. This –to me- is very interesting since we get to see them properly interact with each other for the first time (and I mean when not fighting a battle). What should grab your attention is that Obi Wan still trusts his brother enough to accept the offered advice, even when he believes that Anakin is still consumed by Darth Vader. He hesitates, but he does accept. And Anakin's advice here is him actually trying to help, with his 'threat' only being seen as one by Obi Wan because he doesn't know about Anakin changing. Sure, I wouldn't put it past Anakin to kick Obi Wan's butt in a saber duel just to prove that he can (what the 'threat' was really referring to), but the maiming part is just a good-natured, if somewhat dark joke. The type we've already seen Anakin make a bunch of times before.
I'm getting off-topic here. What I meant to say regarding Anakin's advice is that it comes from his experiences. He's telling Obi Wan to do the same he did with Padme, because Anakin knowns it worked. He also mentions that Obi Wan should take what he feels in consideration, something he's never really done before, but warns him to not let his feelings cloud his judgement. Anakin has learned –at least in theory- from his mistakes and he's trying to prevent Obi Wan from making the same ones. And Obi Wan listens to him! That's big news! He trusts Anakin and puts his faith in him, which eventually pays off. That's the important thing here, not their argument.
Fourthly, Obi Wan being honest with Siri and Ferus getting Force choked. Not only does this scene show that Obi Wan is going through with Anakin's advice, it also shows that Obi Wan cares a lot for Siri, seeing as the first thing he scolds Anakin for doing is scaring her and not for choking a 'fellow' Padawan to near-death. He also trusts Siri to handle the situation and says nothing to the boy, though that could have just been shock. Lastly, in classic Kenobi fashion, he hides behind his jokes, something we'll see more of as the story continues.
Fifthly, the fight with the Magna Guards. I feel like this fight is important because the first mistake Obi Wan makes is to not trust himself to use Soresu correctly, and falls back into a form he thinks his body would be used to, but he underestimates himself and makes a mistake. Also, notice that I use the phrase "I allowed the Force to flow through me, to control my actions…" specifically because Obi Wan allows the Force to control him. He is the Force's servant in this situation, letting it not only direct, but outright control his movements. Just pointing this out because it'll be important later. Another thing. Siri's emotional reaction is similar to the one Anakin had after waking in the Medical Bay. Both are grateful for being 'saved' by a loved one and proceed to have an emotional reaction to said loved one's presence. It isn't meant to be a parallel, but I'm just saying that this outburst of emotions might not be uncommon in situations similar to those going forwards.
Sixthly, the final scene. Here Obi Wan allows himself to indulge -as Anakin put it-, but he doesn't do it with selfish intentions. He understands that he might lose Siri again, but doesn't linger on the possibility and instead focuses on giving her what she wants and making her happy, not that he minds indulging her, that is. He also begins to understand what Anakin and Padme must have felt like when together, specifically describing the time he spends with her as a "stolen moment". It's interesting really, because we as the readers know that that's exactly what Anakin and Padme had in the original timeline, which leaves room for us to wonder about what will happen to Obi Wan and Siri, who suddenly find themselves in the same situation.
Next time: With Darth Vader returning to the Temple once again and confronting Obi Wan, challenging him to a duel, will the Jedi Master accept, and does he stand a chance against the mighty Sith Lord? Meanwhile, Siri wonders how to bring her news to her apprentice when she receives help from an unexpected source.
That's all for now guys! I'll see you the next chapter (or the review section), but until then, May the Force be with you!
