*** Author's note: Sorry the wait was so long again. I never intended for it to be, but I got swept up in this last year of work at college. Surprisingly, I am in finals week right now, yet have the time to write! Thanks to all my reviewers!
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The small shuttle had just cleared the upper atmosphere of Coruscant when a terrific rumble came from the planet's surface and a massive cloud of burning debris rose up. The two Jedi on the shuttle barely noticed it however, as their attention was instead focused on the empty air where Obi-Wan Kenobi had just been.
**__**
"Well, I can see that you've finally figured out you actually need to live to make the day worthwhile," Natira laughed as Obi-Wan materialized before her.
"Did I die again?" Obi-Wan questioned, confused by his sudden transition from the Imperial shuttle to Natira's realm.
"No, this time you actually managed to survive," she assured with a small smile. "However, as you managed to 'set right' that which you had repeated the day for, it is not necessary for you to continue living in that reality unless you choose to after you experience your third day."
"So, I would just return to the shuttle, but would have no idea how things would go from there?" Obi-Wan questioned softly. "How would I know that things couldn't go terribly wrong from that point?"
"All of life is a risk," Natira answered, her voice somewhat sorrowed. "However, because your situation is so different, and this is meant to be a reward, not a punishment, I can assure you that things will not go 'terribly wrong' as you put it."
"So things will be perfect?" he questioned as he finally rose to his feet from where he had landed kneeling.
"No," Natira replied, her laughter ringing clearly across the open plain, "if it was perfect, I imagine you would become bored quite quickly."
Smiling abashedly at what was clearly the truth, Obi-Wan didn't answer.
"Your life in that reality would continue to be an adventure, as the rebuilding process from the Empire's destruction would take a lot of time, energy and dedication. There are also a few surprises waiting in the wings, now that the Empire is no longer a threat. However, during your lifetime, you would never again have to face such a large scale war."
"But I don't have to choose that day, right?" Obi-Wan asked as his mind turned toward his former Master and his former apprentice, both of whom would be lost to him if he chose to continue in that life.
"You do not have to choose any day," Natira confirmed. "If you wish, you may remain here, or you may continue on to become one with the Force. This is merely an option for you Obi-Wan, it was not meant to be such a chore," she chastised.
"I understand that," he responded after a slight hesitation, "but I can't just allow the galaxy to fall apart like it did before. I can't stand by and allow such evil to grow and spread, destroying so many innocent lives."
"Your character would not allow you to," she confirmed. "However, did you ever consider the possibility that maybe your personal happiness could carry across the entire galaxy?"
Raising an eyebrow, Obi-Wan considered her response. "You are saying that somehow I'm enough of an important figure in the galaxy, that simply making myself happy would solve all the problems?" he asked, with a slight smirk.
"You won't know unless you try," Natira answered just as smugly, grinning when Obi-Wan's face reflected his shock at her answer. He had obviously assumed that she would take his response in the sarcastic manner it was given. "You've managed to rid the world of Sidious in both of your other attempts," she continued, "and yet, you were still not happy, and the galaxy was still in a state of upheaval. Perhaps you give yourself too little credit. After all, the Force did choose you for this honor."
"No one else has ever had this opportunity?" he questioned, his Jedi calm keeping him from too much shock at her words.
"You are the first, and the last," Natira replied, her eyes suddenly darkening and seeming to reflect a great sadness. Despite the fact that he was not actively sensing, Obi-Wan could feel the sudden shift in the atmosphere of the realm, as if a cloud had suddenly passed over the invisible sun.
Seemingly shaking off her sudden sorrow, Natira raised a hand and gently pressed it to the Jedi's cheek. "Obi-Wan, please, take this chance to achieve your own happiness. Sacrifice is important, but you cannot base your entire existence on it."
Raising his own hand to cover the slim one nestled against his cheek, Obi-Wan nodded. "I will."
