After seeing the first official trailer for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, I became inspired to write several one-shots based on one of the greatest Jedi ever. Enjoy.

WARNING: the following one-shot contains several, spoilers for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

This one-shot I dedicate to a valued friend.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

There is No Death

"Hello there."

Those had been the first words said to R2-D2 by an old friend after so many years. That old friend was now gone. Died sacrificing his life to save the boy he'd been protecting for nineteen long years. A great warrior, a fantastic mentor, a reliable leader, a respectable hero, and a good friend; Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi was a man you couldn't forget nor would you want to.

Upon learning that Viceroy Bail Organa was sending his daughter, Princess Leia and her ship, the Tantive IV, the one that the little astromech served on, to Tatooine, the droid became excited, far more than it should've been expected, if at all. It puzzled many among the ship's crew including R2's best friend, the protocol droid C-3PO, as to why he was whistling excitedly about going to a backwater desert world filled with scum and villainy.

Though of course, none but Princess Leia, R2, and Captain Antilles truly knew what it was they were retrieving from that retched rock. If the rest of the crew knew, the astromech was sure they'd understand his excitement.

Obi-Wan Kenobi had been one of the greatest Jedi of the Republic's final decade. The first in over a thousand years to defeat a Dark Lord of the Sith; who went on to train the prophesized chosen one and become a leading member of the Jedi High Council during the first galactic-scale war fought in a millennium. R2 had known Obi-Wan since the Jedi was getting ready to complete his training. They worked together to liberate the peaceful world of Naboo, meeting up a decade later to protect that same world's former queen now leading representative in a time when the Republic was on the verge of being split in two by the treasonous, former Jedi Count Dooku.

Upon being given to Obi-Wan's former pupil, Anakin Skywalker, as a secret wedding present, the droid worked alongside Obi-Wan on countless missions against the Separatist Droid Army throughout the Clone Wars. He witnessed first-hand the Jedi Master's skills in diplomacy, combat, and leadership, using these abilities to win victory after victory for the Republic; all the while keeping his cool during almost every single mission, even in some of the direst of situations. When all seemed lost Kenobi never gave up; it was something he passed on to Anakin as the duo continued to forge a bond as strong as what R2 understood was the human's interpretation of brothers.

To be struck down by his brother, a student he'd trained from a small boy was something hard to imagine, especially given the moral values the Jedi held dear. Anakin had been Obi-Wan's most trusted companion, second only to his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn, if not equal to him. Yet after succumbing to the dark side, the little droid's former master had turned his back on everything he and the Jedi Order stood for.

"The Force will be with you, always."

The final words Obi-Wan had said to Luke Skywalker, Anakin's son, and the last hope for the Jedi Order. He said this not long after R2 had located the Jedi Master, who in turn recruited the boy, taking him on as an apprentice like his father before him. The three alongside C-3PO had gone off to find the rebellion, and as a result, got captured onboard the Empire's most dangerous weapon, the wretched Death Star.

They'd split up just as Obi-Wan said those last words before going to deactivate the tractor beam that kept their ship, the Millennium Falcon trapped, while Luke led a rescue mission to save Princess Leia. Even though both missions were a success, in the end, Luke and the others were forced to watch Obi-Wan face Darth Vader in a final duel, giving his life to distract the Sith Lord, allowing them enough time to escape the dreaded battle station.

In the corner of the Falcon's rec room, Luke sat on the curve couch, arms pressed against the holotable trying to comprehend what he'd just seen. Already having lost his aunt and uncle, the couple who raised him, the boy was well beyond devasted over having now lost a guardian figure and mentor. Despite only having just begun his training, R2 understood that Obi-Wan had become quite an important part of Luke's life. "I can't believe he's gone," Luke said.

R2 felt the same way. Obi-Wan had been a good man, and a good friend. True, the little droid and Obi-Wan hadn't been the best of friends at times, but they still learned to trust and respect each other. "Farewell old friend," R2 beeped in low series of beeps and warbles. "And may the Force be with you."

"Farewell to you my little friend, and may the Force be with you too," replied the voice of the man he'd just been thinking of.

Startled R2 looked around but neither his optic nor his sensors picked up any trace of Obi-Wan aboard the ship. Yet he swore he heard his voice. The droid wondered if perhaps he was short-circuiting as 3PO always claimed he was. Then again, if his adventures with the Jedi, especially that one time with Yoda a while back, had taught the little astromech anything, it was that there were just some things science and logic could not comprehend.

Whatever the case somehow, if Obi-Wan had come back from the dead to give his friend a final goodbye, then the droid would gladly accept it. At the same time, he promised to take up where the Jedi Master had left off and watch over Luke, making sure he fulfilled his father's legacy and restored freedom to the galaxy.

"You must learn the ways of the Force. If you are to come with me to Alderaan."

The offer for the life Luke had dreamed of for so long. The chance to leave behind the boredom of farming on Tatooine. To travel the stars, see different worlds, ones not covered in sand, and experience adventures of untold wonder. That was his dream and Ben Kenobi, Tatooine's local hermit, the man of mystery, had offered this to Luke on a rusted platter. He should've accepted the offer immediately without regret or a second thought. Instead, to both his and Ben's dismay, Luke declined, choosing to stay behind in fear of his uncle's disapproval. Despite not agreeing and after a minor argument, Ben accepted Luke's decision. Not pressing him any further.

Then Luke's aunt and uncle, the closest thing he had ever had to his parents, were murdered and suddenly his entire world was lost. In his darkest hour, Luke went back to Ben, not just because he had nowhere else to go, but because the boy had always felt a sense of comfort and acceptance whenever around the old hermit.

He'd always been such a kind man, especially towards Luke. Watching out for him, even when no one else knew he was there. Somehow, ever since Luke was little, he'd felt Ben's presence always watching him whether he was working outside on the family farm, hanging out in Anchorhead, or soaring through Beggar's Canon. It should've seemed weird or creepy, but Luke wasn't bothered by it. He had this strange feeling that told him Ben was only looking out for him, for good but unknown reasons that had remained a mystery to him until the hermit had saved him from Sand People and he in turn revealed the astromech droid bought by Luke's uncle who was searching for a man named Obi-Wan Kenobi, which happened to be Ben's old name.

"I haven't gone by Obi-Wan since oh before you were born."

He remembered catching glimpse of him throughout his childhood when he was younger. His uncle never seemed to like it when the hermit showed up and always tried to get the man back away. Even after the time, Ben had saved Luke and his friend Windy from both a vile krayt dragon and a wretched sandstorm Uncle Owen refused to even thank the hermit, treating him like a menacing threat. There was only one time when Owen seemed to welcome Ben, for reasons still unknown to Luke. On a random day, not too long after Tuskens had attacked the farm, Ben showed up on the farm.

"Hello there

The words the hermit had greeted Luke with, before presenting him with a very old and rare toy skyhopper. It had quickly become Luke's most prized possession throughout his childhood and he kept it as he grew older. Heck just as he'd been cleaning R2 and 3PO, the droids that changed his life forever, Luke had been playing with the toy. He always cleaned and made sure it was in top shape as if were a real skyhopper. It wasn't because it was his favourite vehicle on Tatooine, nor that it was rare and could have future value should he need extra credits, but because it was given to him by a man, who he barely knew yet who still possessed a firm place in his heart.

When Luke watched Darth Vader strike Ben down, he felt as if his heart was shattered a second time within the last day. He'd screamed and fought back against the vile imperial monster and his armoured minions only to retreat when he somehow heard the voice of Ben, even though he'd seen his body vanish into thin air less than a moment ago.

"Run Luke! Run!"

He'd done as instructed, retreating into the Millennium Falcon as the ship left the hanger of that monstrous battle station, the Death Star. But now what? He'd only begun training in the ways of the Force and probably the only man who could teach him was dead. How was he ever gonna become a Jedi like his father before him? How was he gonna become strong enough to stop Vader and the Empire without Ben? Heck, the Jedi training didn't matter so much as the fact that he'd never seen Ben again. Gone less than a minute and already Luke missed his mentor dearly. Even the attempts of comforting by Princess Leia failed; the girl who sent R2 and 3PO to Tatooine in the first place, and who indirectly brought him and Ben together.

What did divert Luke from his pain, however, was something a bit more urgent.

"Hey, kid, we're not out of this yet," Han Solo, captain of the flying garbage that was the ship they were in called out, referring to the imperials they'd just escaped from; who weren't gonna let them go so easily with their valuable cargo that was the Death Star plans hidden within R2.

"Stay here and watch over the droids. They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan."

Ben's final instructions before he'd gone to deactivate the tractor beam. It was Luke's mission, and he was determined to carry it out to the end. The time for grieving was over. With grave reluctance, Luke sat up from the Falcon's couch and made his way to the ship's turrets. He couldn't save Ben, he couldn't bring him back, nor would it help anyone to mope around over his death. What he could do was carry out Ben's request to complete his mission by delivering R2 and 3PO safely to the Rebellion where the stolen plans could be unlocked and used to prevent the Empire from destroying other worlds like they did Alderaan. But first, they had to stop these imperials tailing them. With the Force as his ally, Luke went off to defend his friends. It's what Ben would've done.

"I got your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben Kenobi."

Ben Kenobi. Also known as Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master, General in the Republic Grand army, and an old friend of her father's, Bail Organa, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan could not believe he was gone, for good this time. He'd been presumed dead several times throughout his life, but this time it was guaranteed. She watched him die with her own eyes. Witnessed his body being struck down by Darth Vader's crimson blade and vanishing into thin air.

She remembered first meeting him, a stranger claiming to be not only one of those legendary Jedi Knights that the Empire had wiped out but also a friend of her father's. There'd been doubts, which had gotten them into further trouble, but in time Leia came to see that Kenobi had been telling the truth about everything. Throughout their journey, she'd seen him put his life on the line numerous times, prepared to die for hers, and the lives of others in need like her. She even remembered how he restored Lola, her precious droid pal after she'd been damaged by pirates. He was a dedicated, brave man, filled with compassion and caring, just like the stories her father would tell her about the Jedi.

Additionally, Leia realized that Obi-Wan had known her parents, not just her adoptive ones, but her biological parents too. He didn't say so directly, but throughout their journey, he kept staring at her.

"Sometimes when I look at Luma, I see her mother's face."

He never mentioned who they were exactly, though he did reveal brief descriptions of their personalities to her and some of what she inherited from them.

"Princess Leia Organa, you are wise, discerning, kind-hearted. These are qualities that came from your mother. You are also compassionate, fearless, and forthright. And these are gifts from your father. Both were exceptional people."

He had revealed so much, yet so little about her birth parents. And whenever he spoke of them or looked at her, the princess saw strong emotions on his face. He'd been close with both of them at one point and during that time, something had happened between them that left painful, emotional scars within the Jedi's heart. Though again he would not say this directly, or what had caused his pain. He was somewhat distrusting at first, and grouchy. Always assuming people were liars who were only using others for selfish, or dishonourable reasons. He'd been half right: some of the people Leia talked him into trusting betrayed them; while at other times, however, they met reliable allies who helped them when they needed it most. It was those allies who opened Ben's heart, and made him less stressed, and more trusting of people. By the end of their journey, he was a loveable man, who Leia missed dearly.

She'd wanted to see him again. See his warm chuckle, his comforting smile, and most importantly, she wanted to hear his calm voice speak. There was so much she'd wanted to hear from him, so many questions she wanted to ask him, so many things she wanted to learn; mainly about her biological parents. Who were they? How'd they died? What connection did the Jedi Master have to them? She'd tried to ask him these things throughout their journey together and afterwards when he said goodbye to her on Alderaan but he wouldn't budge. He was hiding something about her birth parents, a secret she didn't know what, but wanted to so badly.

When she asked him if she'd ever see him again, the Jedi replied, "Maybe. Someday. If you ever need help from a tired old man."

Leia hoped a time would come when she'd need Ben Kenobi's help, if only just so that she could see him again and speak to him. When her father asked her to find and recruit Kenobi into the Rebel Alliance years later, Leia was thrilled. She'd hoped she would finally be able to learn what it was that the Jedi had been hiding from her during the journey.

Though this didn't end up being the case. Instead, she was captured upon reaching Tatooine, then rescued by a young boy in stormtrooper armour claiming to be with Kenobi. When she finally saw the Jedi Master, he was standing across from her on the other side of one of the Death Star's many hangers facing off against Darth Vader. There she watched the Sith Lord kill him in cold blood, while the boy who'd rescued her cried out. "NO!"

Once they escaped the hangar aboard the piece of junk that was "allegedly" a ship, the boy, Luke sat, his arms wrapped over a table as he cried. "Can't believe he's gone," he mourned.

Leia could relate. She'd lost her home. And, despite knowing nothing about this young man who'd rescued her, Leia knew Ben Kenobi had meant a great deal to him, and she suspected he'd meant something to the Jedi Master too. He'd entrusted him to protect the stolen Death Star plans after all; plans vital to the rebellion's survival. Sure, Kenobi had taken risks before, but he was always cautious, never doing something risky unless necessary. Whatever the case between them may be, he was someone in pain over Kenobi's death. If either of her parents or Kenobi were here, Leia knew what they'd do.

"There's nothing you could've done," She said, doing her best to comfort him, that was what Jedi did, comfort and heal those in need. It's what Ben would've wanted.

"The Council has granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi, I promise."

The words brought pain to what remained of Darth Vader's heart; which surprised the dark lord as he'd thought he'd purged himself of such a thing long, long ago. Regardless, the pain he felt was there, tearing at the heart like Jawas dismantling a droid down for spare parts. It puzzled Vader, even more so that the pain had emerged upon the dark lord's completion of a task he desired to accomplish for so long. After nearly twenty years he finally destroyed Obi-Wan Kenobi, once his Jedi mentor turned most hated enemy. Responsible for years of keeping him imprisoned in the chains of the Jedi ways, crippling his body, and, in turn, robbing him of the potential to unlock power beyond his wildest dreams. Because of Kenobi, Vader's wife had turned against him at a time when they should've been celebrating. Instead, he lost her, their child, and even his own body when the Jedi cut him to pieces, then left him to burn on the lava shores of Mustafar until being recovered and rebuilt in the form of a metal prison, bringing about an unimaginable, never-ending cycle of pain and suffering.

Kenobi did this to the man who once called him master, following a decade of constant criticism, over-restraint, and underappreciation; not to mention the countless lies and betrayals from him and the all-holy Jedi Order.

"We will do as the Council instructs of us Anakin. And you will learn your place."

"You are strong and wise Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy, and you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be."

"You were my brother Anakin! I loved you!"

Obi-Wan always claimed to be looking out for the boy Vader once was, caring for him like a son, and he, in turn, saw the Jedi as a father/older brother figure. It's what made everything he'd done to him hurt so much more, it was why Vader vowed to personally hunt down and destroy Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"I have failed you Anakin. I have failed you."

The only honest words Obi-Wan had ever said to his former apprentice. Vader had spent much time tracking the Jedi Master down, interrogating every captured Jedi the Empire brought in, every one of Kenobi's known associates, and investigating every lead he could muster up. All that for a decade before finally seeing his old master again in the flesh; twice to be exact. First on the planet Mapuzo then on the moon of Kaliya. Both times he faced the Jedi Master, both times he managed to escape his clutch. Following their fight on Kaliya, Obi-Wan vanished without a trace as he did after Mustafar. It wasn't until Alderaan's destruction and the capture of a ship believed to be linked to the disappearance of imperial plans that Vader finally felt the presence of Obi-Wan Kenobi again.

Locating him in the hallway outside the hangar where the captured ship rested, Vader was brought face to face with his old master after so long. Time had not done well for Kenobi, his entire body aged far more than any human should've; his face wrinkled as a dried-up jogan fruit, his beard, once shining auburn brown, now white as stormtrooper armour with bits of dirt and sand shattered around, as well the worn-out robes that covered his body. Besides his lightsaber that remained from his youth, the only other thing that Vader recognized was his cocky personality, as he showed when the dark lord claimed he was now the master.

"Only a master of evil Darth," his former master had taunted.

A duel broke out between the two, lightsabers clashing against each other as they once did many years ago when both duelists were much younger and somehow an equal match. Though this time Vader knew he had the advantage. Despite the damage done to his body by Kenobi, the Sith Lord's powers had grown over the years, while the Jedi Masters were weakened by age. Yes, he managed to block every single one of Vader's attacks, but just barely, putting every bit of strength he had into his defences. Not to mention his attacks were much slower, making it not as difficult for Vader to block his strikes. Despite Vader's claims that he was superior, Obi-Wan refused to back down.

Their duel led them closer and closer to the hanger until they were standing right outside, at the same time, the captured ship's crew, along with the missing droids believed to be carrying the Death Star plans, and the rebel princess of Alderaan had reached the ship. One of the crew members, a young boy, called out to Obi-Wan, saying "Ben" which got the old Jedi's attention. Kenobi then did something completely unexpected: moving his blade away from Vader, the old master placed himself in a position that left him exposed and vulnerable. Surprised by his master's actions, Vader still nonetheless took advantage of the situation, striking him down at the neck, an attack that should've resulted in his head coming off. Instead, the Jedi's entire body vanished into thin air, all that remained was his hooded brown cloak and lightsaber.

At first, Vader suspected some sort of Jedi trick, but after inspecting the remains, and a deep examination through the Force, the dark lord confirmed Obi-Wan Kenobi was dead. At last, justice was served; Vader had claimed the vengeance he desired for so long. So why did it hurt so much? Why was it so hard to enjoy what should've been a long-overdue victory? Why did he feel like he'd lost something so important?

"Because you have failed to let go of your attachments. That is why you are the monster you are now."

The voice startled Vader from his mediation. Looking around his secure chamber, the sith lord saw no signs of his former master, but still felt the same tremor of his presence surrounding him as before. How could this be?

"You can't win Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can imagine."

Obi-Wan had said this to Vader before being struck down. Was this true? Had his senses in the hanger been wrong? In the years he'd been hiding had his old master unlocked the power to live without a body? Was he now immortal?

No. The Jedi claimed to be masters of the Force, but it was from the dark side, which they chose to ignore, that true power came. Vader had gained the strength needed to cheat death and unlocked abilities through the dark side. Achieving a level of power, unlike anything the Jedi once taught in their precious temple.

"Your need to prove yourself is your undoing. Until you learn to overcome it, a padawan you will still be," Obi-Wan's voice called.

"Yet here I am alive while you along with the tens of thousands of Jedi lay dead, defeated by hands," Vader combated.

"Your arrogance blinds you. Just as it did on Mustafar when I defeated you. Because of this, you're now confined to a walking prison. Turned into a twisted, heartless minion of the Sith like Maul, Grievous, Dooku and Ventress were before you; destined to serve a master until you've outlived your purpose."

Before Vader could reply again, he wondered what he was doing. Was he arguing with his dead master, or was his mind playing tricks on him? Was the desire for a sense of triumph from his victory blinding him from reality.? He didn't know. For now, all he could do was end this "discussion" and get back to wiping out the Rebel Alliance once and for all.

"We shall see my former master. We shall see."

"I am ready to face the trials."

It was done. Obi-Wan Kenobi had taken the final steps that all beings of the Force took when they reached the end of their time in the mortal realm.

Even across the stars on a swamp world surrounded by darkness, cut off from modern galactic society, far from where the fighting was happening, Yoda, once Grand Master of the Jedi Order now an isolated hermit, felt his former student, fellow Jedi Council member, and close friend become one with the Force.

It was both sad and relieving knowing that his old comrade, one whom he'd watched since joining the Jedi Order grow into a great master, had passed onto the nether realm of the Force. At the same time, Yoda felt that his friend passed feeling at peace and accepting his fate, embodying everything taught to him by the Order; truly he joined the Force as a Jedi; certainly not the reckless youngling or the arrogant apprentice Yoda watched grow up under his tutelage then later Qui-Gon's. Neither was he the young knight struggling to train the most powerful being the Order had ever accepted, one who would change the universe in ways not seen in thousands of years.

Had only Qui-Gon not believed so hard in Skywalker, had he not used his dying breath to get his apprentice to take on the burden of teaching him in the ways of the Force? Despite their differences, Obi-Wan idolized his master and worshiped him as he saw the man as his father. It was a good assumption that one of the reasons Qui-Gon chose Obi-Wan to train Anakin, besides his death, was how he knew he wouldn't be able to turn down his last request.

"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the Council if I must."

Still, Obi-Wan impressed the council with how well he did with training such a dangerous and reckless student, especially given how late Skywalker had been brought into the Order. Then again, Obi-Wan was always determined not to fail since he was a youngling. He always found a way to complete his missions no matter the challenges he faced. Yoda doubted none, not even those on the council itself, could have taken on the task of training Skywalker to the rank of knight.

Throughout his time under the rebellious Qui-Gon's tutelage, Obi-Wan almost always acted as the voice of reason for the duo, preferring to listen to the council, even when he didn't quite understand their decisions. Sure, he would speak his mind at times and ask for further understanding, but that was typical for a young padawan like Obi-Wan, and he was nowhere near as bad as his master was. Besides, as he grew older, his mind became much clearer, allowing him to become less reckless and more obedient and trusting of the Force. It's what allowed him to forge himself into both a fine swordsman and negotiator; hence the reason for his later title. It went without saying, despite how it may have seemed at the time, the council was strongly considering Qui-Gon's recommendation to allow Obi-Wan to take the final trials to become a knight even before he went to face the mysterious sith lord.

Had he been the one to die instead of him, Yoda knew Obi-Wan could've succeeded in training the galaxy's last hope, reigniting the light in the galaxy, and bringing the Force back into balance.

"Yoda," the Jedi Master heard a voice call out to him, not through his pointed ears, but his mind.

"Yoda," the voice called again, it sounded familiar, yet different at the same time. Regardless, through his Jedi training, Yoda knew who this voice belonged to, welcoming the return of his old friend.

"Master Kenobi, glad to hear your voice I am," he said.

"As am I to hear yours, my old friend," the Jedi Master's spirit replied in a friendly voice before changing to that a more serious tone. "Though while I enjoy our reunion, we have much to discuss."

"Hmmm, yes. Of the current status of Skywalker's son, tell me you must."

I hope you enjoyed reading this fanfic. Please feel free to favourite, review, and let me know what you think.

FYI this was the first Kenobi one-shot I came up with but after the other ones came to me, I decided to post them in chronological order. I also had expected to post it sooner, before the first season ended so originally the parts mentioning what happened in the series weren't in it; only included after the finale.