Disclaimer: Star Wars and all associated characters, plotlines, and worlds (good and bad) are property and copyright © of George Lucas (aka The Richest Man in Hollywood). This is purely for fan entertainment only.
Also a warning… this fanfic is rated MA for adult themes. It is also "Obidala"… in other words, if you're offended or otherwise do not like the pairing between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, then please don't read further to spare yourself the irritation. Otherwise, enjoy!
Chapter 6 – The Chosen One
The sandy expanse of Tatooine seemed to go on forever in front of him as he made his way outside of Mos Eisley, towards the Skywalker homestead. Obi-Wan made the journey on foot, from his own home site he had prepared shortly after taking young Luke to greet Owen and Beru. He took the time to think, to try to sort out the feelings he had experienced in the past month.
Obi-Wan almost laughed aloud, in remembering his prior experience with the Sith Lord. He found it ironic- Anakin had found patience in the Dark Side, something that he had never been able to teach him. He had thought his impatience would have become worse, as he allowed himself to express his emotions and passions freely. Instead, he had become plotting and manipulating- just like his new Master.
His heart already ached to be away from Padmé. He knew his note was cryptic and that it would probably lead her in quite the opposite direction of what was going on, but he knew for her own safety that he could not let her have an inkling of an idea of where he was and what he was really doing. She had proven several times that she had her own mind and would do what she wanted, no matter what the danger.
It made him smile, remembering her tenacity. It had been one of the traits that he had first admired in her, one of the reasons he had fallen for her in the first place, so long ago, on Naboo. Her beauty had caught his eye and her intelligence and stubbornness had kept it there. But unfortunately, the more he dwelled on her, the more his problem was compounded.
It was the exact reason why he was considering Vader's proposal in the first place. Her smile, the light in her eyes, her wit, her compassion- they were all things that lit a fire within him to want to save her. He knew it was also the reason why he was not supposed to have formed an attachment to her, but it was too late for that. The fear of loss was already present.
And the fact that he almost saw Anakin in Vader's discussion with him gave him hope that he could bring his former Apprentice back out of the Dark Side, that he was not completely lost. Confusion had surrounded Anakin in their confrontation on Endor, and now he was offering to work with Obi-Wan, not against him.
The method of saving Padmé was what he was not sure of. He did know that the Jedi knew ways that were sanctioned of achieving immortality- his own Master, Qui-Gon, had achieved the method himself. If the method to keep Padmé alive was similar, then surely it was not necessary to give himself to the dark path. But he would have to gain more details before he knew anything further.
Obi-Wan finally found himself at the Skywalker homestead, and headed towards the main house. Owen came out to meet him, with Beru tagging shortly behind, the baby bundled close to her chest, protecting him from the harsh sun and sand. They stopped short of the house, and Obi-Wan could sense Owen's anger from the distance. The younger man was nearly running to get to the Jedi, malice in his step. "You- Obi-Wan!" he shouted.
The Jedi Master wracked his brain trying to think of the reason why Owen would be angry. He waited for more from the man, but was surprised when Owen swung a heavy fist at him. He barely had time to duck out of the way. Obi-Wan grasped the man's arm to his side. "What did I do to you?"
Owen's angry eyes stared right back at his, "You killed my step-brother, that's what." His glare was meant to cut right through the Jedi. "You killed him and then stole his woman." Obi-Wan paled- so they even watched the HoloNet News here on the remote planet of Tatooine. "That's why you're a wanted man, that's why the Jedi are all being exterminated. And that's why you'll never get to Luke."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, but Owen continued, did not let him. "You gave this child to us to protect, and that's what we're going to do. He'll be protected from the Empire, and from the Jedi alike. They all lead dangerous lives that I won't have my family be endangered with. We're not losing Luke like we lost his father." He turned away, dispassionately. Obi-Wan dropped the man's arm. "Now get off my property, we don't want to see the Jedi again." He said it softly, pain in his voice. Owen was still grieving the loss of his step-brother that he had grown to know through Shmi's stories.
And so the Jedi Master left, knowing that some battles were left alone. Luke would be safe, even if he was not trained as a Jedi from a young age. Perhaps in time, Owen would loosen up his views on the Force, after seeing the Empire destroy everything, after they take over even remote Tatooine.
He found himself back in the small hovel he had created for his home on Tatooine. He had training from Yoda to partake in- and perhaps a discussion with Qui-Gon would help clear his mind and help figure out what to do. He sat, cross legged, and finally did the meditating he had neglected for so long after the fight on Endor. He cleared his thoughts, leaving room for the Force to flow through him.
His thoughts filled of his old Master, and he thought of his Force signature. Qui-Gon appeared before him, nearly exactly as he remembered him from years ago. Relief flooded through him upon seeing his Master. "Master!" he cried, rising to his feet.
Qui-Gon smiled, his apparition going to sit beside Obi-Wan. "How you've grown in the Force, Obi-Wan." He smiled broader at the young man, "You've done well."
Obi-Wan frowned, shook his head. "No, I've failed you, Master." He sighed deeply. "I don't know if you know this, but Anakin has turned to the Dark Side and has killed nearly all of the Jedi." He paused, waiting for recognition from Qui-Gon, who remained silent. "Is he not the Chosen One, Master?"
Qui-Gon looked him in the eyes, his smile not gone from his face. "Obi-Wan, is Anakin dead?" he chuckled as Obi-Wan looked at him, confused. "Anakin is not dead, he still resides within his new façade of Lord Vader. I still sense good in him, he is not lost. He just needs the right guidance, the right motive."
The younger Jedi pondered this, saying slowly, "He has offered to join me once more, and in an unspoken way, I sensed he offered to help me overthrow Palpatine. But in return, he wants to teach me how to prolong life, save people from dying."
Qui-Gon nodded, rising slowly. "He wants you to save Padmé." Obi-Wan's face paled in recognition of what his Master knew from beyond. Qui-Gon chuckled again, "Yes, I knew you were in love with her even before I died, Obi-Wan. I could see it in your face, read it in your emotions in our training bond. But you have to remember, Obi-Wan, death is a natural part of life."
Obi-Wan nodded, "I know this… but it can't possibly be her time."
His Master shook his head, "Only the Force knows this. But if you can give Anakin guidance, this might could be a good thing."
Obi-Wan put his chin in his hand, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "But is this not a Dark skill, Master?"
Qui-Gon shook his head, "There is no Light or Dark, Obi-Wan, only intention. We call them Dark because they seek to destroy the lives of others for their own gain. You are skirting with this by determining the destiny of others, by postponing Padmé's death. Keep that in mind."
Obi-Wan remained silent on this, pondering his Master's words. "How will Anakin regain balance to the Force, if he remains a Sith?"
Qui-Gon looked towards the Tatooine sunset before answering, sighing deeply. "The Jedi would not be if it were not for the Sith. There must be night in order for there to be day. That is the way of balance. But it is not good if there is longer day, nor if there is longer night." He answered this carefully, then turned back to Obi-Wan. "I'll let you think on that yourself. Only you can make decisions for yourself and your path in life, though your decision now will affect others. I have faith in your judgment, you have not failed me." He smiled, then disappeared again.
Obi-Wan smiled softly, thinking on his Master's words. It felt as if a great burden had been lifted off his chest, in hearing Qui-Gon say that he had not failed him, even after Anakin's journey to the Dark Side. So perhaps there was hope. Perhaps he could join with Anakin and at least lead him to overthrow the Emperor, and to join him in recreating the Republic. Perhaps with the Council gone, Anakin would no longer have the bitter frustration towards gaining more power, and would be content with what he was given to him. And he would see the benefit of having a Republic once more if he were not under the influence of the powerful Sith Lord.
The only thing that he was worried about, and that nagged him in the back of his mind, was Padmé. Would he be so eager to let her go, to let her choose her own destiny? Or would Padmé rush back to Anakin's arms after seeing him return to the Light, with no Council decreeing that he keep away from her? Or would he lose her in another way altogether, and lose her to childbirth despite both their best efforts.
But it would have to be worth the gamble, if Anakin was to be the Chosen One and if they were to overthrow Palpatine and recreate the Republic.
I let this one be a little less emotionally charged after the last one, and the ones to come. Let me know what you think, as always : )