We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 4:
Chapter 8: Back To Tatooine
We then see Sam sneaking into the hangar bay.
He spotted an old shuttle his father never used anymore.
It was called; the Twilight.
Sam then snuck towards it.
But that's when he heard, "ahem…."
Sam slowly turned to see Alastor and Polly standing there with crossed arms.
Alastor was now dressed in a red pants and jacket with a black shirt and shoes.
Sam stuttered nervously, "uhhh…. What are you two doing there?"
Alastor said, "following you."
Polly asked, "where are you going?!"
"I'm…. Leaving", Sam said as he sighed.
Alastor said, "yeah, we figured. And we're going with you."
"NO! You two can't come! I have to do this alone", Sam said.
Alastor said, "no, you don't! Take it from me, Sam; it doesn't end well. I was a lone survivor of the Nightsister massacre. I was alone for years and years, having to fend for myself with no-one to rely on. But then…. I found you…. You, me and Polly. We're a family. And family sticks together until the end!"
"Alastor's right", Polly said.
Sam began to cry as he hugged Alastor and Polly and said, "I just don't wanna lose you two."
"You're never gonna lose us, my little imp", Alastor said.
Polly said, "we promise. So…. Family sticks together?"
Polly stuck her hand in the middle of the three of them.
Alastor placed his hand on top of her's and said as he looked at Sam, "family sticks together?"
Sam looked down in thought for a moment before he placed his hand on top of Alastor's and said, "'till the end!"
"Then let's get out of here", Polly said.
Sam nodded as he, Alastor and Polly boarded the Twilight.
As they began to take off, Alastor asked, "what's our destination?"
Sam said, "Tatooine. To find Obi Wan Kenobi."
Polly asked, "who's Obi Wan?"
Sam said, "a Jedi who managed to survive the purge. And he might be able to help me find my brother and sister."
Alastor said, "that's good to hear."
"So are you sure your Dad won't track us, since we did steal one of his ships", Polly asked.
Sam shook his head and said, "he hasn't used this ship in ages. And once we land on Tatooine, I'll use autopilot to send it back to the palace."
Polly nods her head in understanding.
Alastor said, "good idea, Sam."
Sam smiled a little.
….
We then see the Twilight arrive in Mos Espa.
The ship took off a few minutes after Sam, Alastor and Polly departed into town.
Sam said, "I wonder how my dad is going to react?"
Alastor said, "not well, I'd imagine."
"I can imagine that roar of his", Polly said.
Sam nodded.
….
Vader stood among the smashed remains of his office after seeing the message, tears streaming down his face.
His son had left him…. Again!
And all because of what he heard about the Death Star!
Vader roared in anger and pain.
Especially because…. He knew it was his fault.
He knew his son never supported the Empire.
He just couldn't accept it until now.
"Sam….", Vader whispered in sadness.
He…. He hoped his son would succeed in what he needed to do.
But he still hoped one day his son would return home.
And that hope…. It seemed to foreshadow a change that would one day overcome Vader….
….
Back on Tatooine….
Sam, Alastor and Polly were all currently in a bar.
The best place to learn information.
Polly whispered, "so how are we going to find Obi Wan?"
Sam said, "I spent enough time with my Aunt Eda to learn that bars are the best place to go for information. Listen and learn what the people are saying."
Alastor asked, "so we have to listen for any mention of Obi Wan?"
Sam nods his head.
And that's what they did.
They listened to various conversations around them.
"The Empire is really going to poodoo."
"And my dad shot her. It was weird."
"And then he said, E.T phone home over and over again."
"Turned himself into a Jogan Fruit. Funniest kriff I've ever seen!"
"So his name is Gordon Shumway, but they kept calling him ALF? Weird."
Until they heard….
"That old hermit was spotted at Mos Eisley."
"Yeah, I heard about him. What was his name? Ben Kenobi?"
"Yeah, I think so…. Lives out in the Jundland Wastes."
Sam looked at the others with wide eyes.
Polly whispered, "Ben Kenobi?"
Alastor said, "might be a relative of his?"
Sam said, "either way, that's our lead."
"How do we get there? It must be a long way there", Polly said.
Sam said, "I know someone who owes me a favor for hiding his location from my father."
Alastor asked, "who?"
Sam said, "an old junk dealer named Watto. He used to own my dad and grandma a long time ago. Dad told me he won his freedom in a Podrace, and my grandma was freed and married by a man named Owen Lars. Watto said he'd owe me a favor if I helped hide him from my Dad."
"Then let's go find Watto", Polly said.
Sam and Alastor nodded.
….
The group arrived at an old hut outside of Mos Espa.
Polly asked, "so he's here?"
Sam nodded as he went over to the hut and knocked on the door.
They heard someone yell, "ey! I told you kids to get off my property!"
Sam said, "Watto! It's me!"
The door then opened.
Hovering there with big wings was a blue bug-like alien with a big nose.
This was Watto, who said, "Sammy! It is you! Ha! What can I do ya for?"
Sam said, "I'm hoping to cash in on that favor you owe me."
Watto said, "oh right, that. What you need?"
"That old landspeeder you have. We need it", Sam said.
"Okay, I owe you big time for hiding me from your father", Watto said.
Sam nodded and said, "thanks Watto."
"Follow me", Watto said.
Watto led the group to behind his hut, where an old and slightly rusted landspeeder was.
Polly asked, "are you sure that old hunk of junk is going to work?"
"Polly", Sam scolded
Polly said, "sorry."
Watto said, "this hunk of junk should manage to get you through the wastes. But I'd watch out for them sand people, if I were you."
"We will, and thank you Watto", Sam said.
Watto nodded and said, "good luck, kid…."
….
We see the landspeeder a few minutes later, skimming across the desert.
"I sure hope we don't run into any of those sand people", Polly said.
Alastor said, "I've heard only a few of the tribes are civilized."
"Yes, but I sure hope we don't run into any of them…. My dad used to tell me stories about the sand people", Sam said.
Polly asked, "what kind of stories?"
Sam said, "he said a savage group of them killed my grandmother…."
Alastor and Polly both gave shocked and sympathetic looks.
"Dad killed the entire group in a fit of rage", Sam said.
Polly said, "oof. Your Dad has a growing list of issues."
Sam sighed sadly.
Alastor said, "let's change the subject, hmm? When do you think we'll find Ben Kenobi?"
Sam said, "hmmm…. Maybe I can try to sense his location with the force?"
Polly said, "good idea!"
Sam then tried to sense through the force for Ben Kenobi.
Slowly, he began to sense a strong presence in the force. Sam slowly turned the speeder in that direction.
"I think I felt Ben's presence", Sam said.
Alastor said, "well then, we're on the right track."
"You said it", Polly said.
And with that, the group continued on their path to find Ben Kenobi, which they hoped would lead them to Obi Wan….
….
It was now nighttime when they finally came across something.
"I think I see something", Sam said as he saw something in the distance.
The landspeeder soon stopped a few feet away from a makeshift campsite.
They saw a man with short white hair, a beard and old robes burying something and marking the spot with a spear and a tattered black cloak tied to it.
"It's an old man", Polly said.
The man turned to them and gave a kind smile as he said, "hello there."
Sam asked, "hello, are you Ben Kenobi?"
The old man nodded and said, "indeed I am."
Alastor asked, "what're you burying?"
Ben sighed and said, "an old…. Friend, I guess you could say. Someone who finally found peace before passing on into the living force…."
"Oh", Polly said in understanding.
Ben asked, "so, what brings you three out here in the middle of the Jundland Wastes?"
"We're searching for Obi Wan Kenobi", Sam said.
Ben suddenly gave a mystical look as he muttered, "Obi Wan Kenobi…. Obi Wan…. I haven't heard that name in…. A long time…."
"We were told by a friend of mine that we could find Obi Wan here on Tatooine", Sam said.
Alastor said, "we figured you might know where he is, since your name is Ben Kenobi."
Ben let out a smile on his face.
Polly asked, "so where can we find Obi Wan?"
Ben chuckled and said, "right in front of you."
The trio's eyes went wide in surprise.
Ben, or rather, Obi Wan, chuckled and said, "I haven't gone by Obi Wan since before you were born, Sam."
Sam asked, "how do you know my name?"
"I was there when your mother gave birth to you and your siblings, before she passed away", Obi Wan said sadly.
The others looked down sadly.
Obi Wan said, "you were supposed to go to Ahsoka when you were born…. But your father found you…. But it looks like the force has guided you here."
"Yes…. I need your help, Obi Wan", Sam said.
"Follow me", Obi Wan said.
Obi Wan led them from the makeshift fire to an old hut not too far away. Obi Wan led them all inside and offered them a seat. They each took a seat as Obi Wan sat before them.
"You have grown a lot since the last time I saw you, Sam", Obi Wan said.
Sam said, "I should hope so. I'm 19 now."
Obi Wan chuckled and said, "indeed you are. Just like your brother."
Sam asked with hope in his voice, "my brother? You know where he is?"
Obi Wan said, "he's here on Tatooine. I've been watching over him all these years. And I can sense that soon, we must help him on his own journey…."
Sam asked, "journey?"
Obi Wan nodded and said, "in a few weeks, events will lead him on a journey similar to the one I feel you are on. To save the galaxy…. And maybe even your father."
Sam felt sadness at the mention of his father.
Obi Wan said, "I sense your sadness, Sam. But take relief that your path will lead you to what you seek."
Sam asked, "Obi Wan? I need to ask you something…. What really happened on Mustafar?"
Obi Wan sighed and said, "it's a day I don't like to remember. After Padme…. Your father and I fought all throughout Mustafar…. A brutal lightsaber duel…. I won because I had the high ground…. I left your father there, but made sure he was not burned by the flames of the planet. I left with Padme and two droids that belonged to your parents: Artoo Deetoo and See Threepio. We met up with the surviving Jedi and clones who hadn't turned on us. We agreed that we needed to have you and your siblings separated in order to keep you from Belos or Vader. Belos wasn't a problem soon after, due to his death, but your father still was. Luke was sent here to Tatooine. Your sister was sent to be raised by Bail Organa, a close friend. And you were to be sent to Ahsoka, before your father found you."
Sam had tears in his eyes. Alastor and Polly hugged him close.
"I'm so sorry Sam", Obi Wan said sadly.
Sam sniffled and said, "thank you…. Whappened to the Jedi Order? How were they all killed?"
Polly asked, "and can the order be restored again?"
Obi Wan explained, "Belos had fooled the entire galaxy and used these biochips to control the clones and make them execute every Jedi, dubbing it, 'Order 66.' Most of the Jedi order was either killed or went into hiding. I feel as though the only way to restore the Jedi order would be to end the Empire."
Sam asked, "but can my father be turned back to the light side and become Anakin Skywalker again?"
Obi Wan said, "that, I am not sure of. The future is always changing."
Sam sighed.
Polly asked, "so now what?"
Sam closed his eyes as he heard Revan say, 'in a few weeks…. You must accompany Obi Wan as he goes out….'
'Okay Revan', Sam thought, and then said, "we should stay here for a while…. Until the time is right. If that's alright with you, Obi Wan?"
"It's no problem, you three can stay in a spare room", Obi Wan said.
Alastor said, "thank you, Master Kenobi."
Polly then yawned, and Sam picked her up.
He said, "it's been a long day. What say we hit the hay?"
Alastor nods his head.
Polly nods her head as well.
And with that, everyone began to retire for the night….
….
For the next few weeks….
Obi Wan would tell Sam stories about the Republic and the Jedi Order.
He also told him about the mistakes they made that led to the fall of the Order and the Republic.
All of this information seemed to stick with Sam.
He would make sure once the Empire is dealt with, the new Republic and Jedi Order would not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Sam also told Obi Wan that maybe the Jedi Code would need to change.
Obi Wan firmly agreed. The Jedi code's failure with its teachings is what caused a lot of problems to occur.
Also, Obi Wan would tell Sam more about the Jedi from the Clone Wars, including a few specific Jedi that were friends of his.
Such as Shaak Ti, Quinlin Vos, Aayla Secura, Plo Koon, etc.
Sam found the stories very interesting.
He wrote everything Obi Wan told him in a journal.
Even though most people thought written notes were useless with datapads, Holocrons and such being so common, Sam wanted physical evidence of these tales.
Sam also would write in his notes all about the Old Republic, The Empire and…. The Inquisitors. He wanted to keep future generations from repeating the mistakes of the past.
Sam would make sure of it.
And all of this note taking kept him occupied as he waited for the time that Revan spoke of.
And little did Sam know…. He would soon be reunited with…. Some old friends….
….
Some time later….
Sam was out with Kenobi. They both felt a strong presence in the force headed near their way.
Sam asked, "Obi Wan? Is what we sense in the force…. Is it...?"
"Yes, it is", Obi Wan said.
The two came up on a cliff to see several tusken raiders surrounding a young man the same age as Sam, with blonde hair and white clothes, laying on the ground.
They could also spot a golden protocol droid lying slightly broken and an astromech hiding behind some rocks.
"Sand people", Sam whispered.
"Don't worry, I know what will scare them off", Obi Wan said.
Obi Wan cupped his hands around his mouth and began making a high pitched wail!
The tusken raiders turned to the source of the noise and saw Obi Wan with his hood down, waving his arms around as he wailed!
The raiders ran off in fear as Sam and Obi Wan made their way over to Luke.
Obi Wan placed his hand on Luke's forehead.
The astromech peeked out and beeped.
Obi Wan turned to him and put his hood down.
He smiled and said, "hello there…. Artoo."
The droid, R2, beeped in curiosity.
Sam asked, "that's Artoo?"
Obi Wan nodded and said, "come here old friend. Don't be afraid."
R2 looked at Obi Wan, then Sam, then Luke.
They beeped in concern as Obi Wan said, "oh don't worry about him. He'll be alright."
Luke then groaned as he slowly woke up.
Obi Wan helped him sit up and said, "easy now, my boy. You've had a busy day."
Luke looked at Obi Wan and said, "Ben? Ben Kenobi? Boy, am I glad to see you."
Luke then noticed Sam.
Luke asked, "who are you?"
Sam smiled and said, "Sam. I'm a friend."
Obi Wan asked, "the Jundland Wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me, young Luke, what brings you out this far?"
Luke said, "oof, this little droid. He said he's looking for his former master. I've never seen such dedication in a droid before. He claims to be the property of an Obi Wan Kenobi. Do you know who he's talking about?"
Obi Wan gave a wistful look as Sam looked at the older Jedi.
He said, "Obi Wan Kenobi…. Obi Wan…. Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time…. A long time…."
"I think my uncle knows him. He said he was dead", Luke said.
"Oh, he's not dead. Not yet", Obi Wan said.
Luke asked, "you know him?"
"Well, of course I know him. He's me", Obi Wan said.
R2 beeped a few times as Sam smiled.
Obi Wan said, "I haven't gone by the name of Obi Wan since, oh, before you and Sam were born."
"Well, then the droid does belong to you", Luke said.
Obi Wan said, "well, not exactly. He wasn't mine, but he was a close friend."
That's when the group heard some screeching from far away.
"I think we better get indoors. The sand people are easily startled, but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers", Obi Wan said.
Sam said, "that would probably be our best course of action."
"Threepio", Luke said worriedly.
Luke and Obi Wan helped Threepio sit up.
"Come on, let's get out of here", Sam said.
Threepio asked, "where am I? G-General Kenobi? Is that you?"
Obi Wan said, "hello old friend."
Luke asked, "you know Obi Wan?"
Threepio said, "oh, certainly! Artoo and I encountered him many times during the days of the Republic. Oh, I'm sorry you have to see me in such disrepair, General Kenobi."
Obi Wan let out a small chuckle.
Luke said, "we better get you outta here, Threepio."
Obi Wan said, "quickly, we're on the move…."
….
We then see the group make it back to Obi Wan's hut.
Luke had now met Alastor and Polly.
Obi Wan had begun to explain things to Luke, who had just said, "no, my father didn't fight in the war. He was a navigator on a spice freighter."
"That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your father's ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved", Obi Wan said.
Luke asked, "you fought in the Clone Wars?"
Obi Wan said, "yes. I was once a Jedi knight, the same as your father….."
Luke looked down and said, "I wish I'd known him."
Sam sighed silently as Alastor hugged him.
Obi Wan said, "he was the best star pilot in the galaxy…. And a cunning warrior…. And he was a good friend…."
Sam smiled slightly when he heard that.
"I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself", Obi Wan said to Luke, who smiled, "which reminds me, I have something here for you."
Obi Wan stood up and began fishing through a box until he pulled out a certain item that made Sam gasp lightly.
A lightsaber.
"Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damn-fool idealistic crusade like your father did", Obi Wan said.
Luke asked, "what is it?"
"It's your father's lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi knight", Obi Wan explained.
He handed Luke the lightsaber and the boy looked it over.
Obi Wan said, "not as clumsy or random as a blaster."
Luke activated the lightsaber, marveling at the vibrant blue blade that sprung from it.
"An elegant weapon for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations, the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic, before the dark times, before the Empire….", Obi Wan said in sadness.
Luke deactivated the saber and asked, "how did my father die?"
Sam, Obi Wan, Alastor and Polly glanced at one another.
They couldn't bear to tell Luke the truth that Sam already knew.
Obi Wan said a half truth, "Darth Vader. The emperor. He was a pupil of mine, until Chancellor Belos turned him to evil. Helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi…. He betrayed and murdered your father…."
Sam thought, 'what he said was true…. From a certain point of view….'
"Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force", Obi Wan said.
Luke asked, "the Force?"
Sam was excited to hear Obi Wan explain the force, and to see Luke's reaction.
"Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together", Obi Wan said.
Luke was utterly entranced by what he heard.
Sam smiled at his brother.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
"Now, let's see if we can't figure out what you are, my little friend, and where you come from", Obi Wan said as he walked over to R2.
"I saw part of the message he was….", Luke said but is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess is projected from R2's face.
"I seem to have found it", Obi Wan said.
Sam gave a wide-eyed look.
When he saw the young woman, it was as if he instantly knew who she was!
Obi Wan held the same knowing look.
Polly said, "she looks so pretty."
"General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. And you saved my own life from the Empire years ago. Now we beg you to help us in our struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this Artoo unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."
The transmission shut off as Alastor asked, "who was that?"
Obi Wan said, "that was Princess Leia Organa of Alderann."
Sam thought, 'it IS her! My sister!'
Polly asked, "so what now?"
Obi Wan turned to Luke and said, "Luke, you must learn the ways of the force of you are to come with all of us to Alderann."
"Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan. I've got to go home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is", Luke said.
Alastor, Sam and Polly glanced at Obi Wan, hoping he could dissuade Luke.
"I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old for this sort of thing", Obi Wan said.
Luke asked, "well what about Sam and the others?"
"Well…. I am a Jedi…. But Obi Wan is right, we need your help Luke", Sam said.
Luke looked down in conflicted thoughts.
….
Meanwhile on the Death Star….
We see Leia Organa in a cell.
She looked very worried.
Then the door to her cell room opened.
Leia stood up and she saw two Imperial officers.
She asked, "what is going on?"
One of the officers said, "orders from Governor Tarkin. He told us to use any methods to make you talk."
Leia asked, "what kind of methods?"
That's when Leia got her answer.
She then sees a droid enter the cell. It looked like a floating black ball with a glowing red eye and antennas. It had some sort of syringe extending towards her!
Leia tried to back away from the droid.
But she only managed to back herself into the wall as it drew closer!
But then, before the droid could inject her with the syringe, the droid stopped and began to shudder before it seemingly crushed itself in midair and fell to the floor in a broken heep!
"What the kriff", one of the Imperial officers said in shock.
That's when a menacing voice said, "don't…. Touch…. Her…."
Leia then saw Emperor Vader. She tried to hide her fear.
"Emperor Vader", the two Imperial officers said as they bowed.
Vader said, "at ease, gentlemen."
"We were trying to get the princess to reveal the location of the Death Star plans and the Rebel base", one of the Imperial officers said.
Vader growled, "and whose authority was it to torture her?"
"It was Tarkin's orders", the Imperial officer stuttered.
Vader growled, "well, I'm ordering you to leave. As of right now, the princess is not to be harmed, understood?"
The two officers nodded their heads as they left.
Leia looked shocked and surprised.
She had never heard of Vader acting like this before!?
He was known for being cruel and ruthless.
So why was he acting like this? That's an answer Leia would like to know.
That's when Vader turned to look at her.
Leia looked scared.
To be alone with the emperor…. It was terrifying.
Leia was then shocked when Vader asked her….
"Are you alright?"
"I'm…. Alright", Leia said, a bit shocked.
Vader said, "good."
Leia wanted to ask why the Emperor was acting so off, but then Vader left.
She was left sitting there, utterly confused.
...
Back on Tatooine….
Sam watched as C3-P0 and R2 placed the bodies of Jawas into a pile, and then lit them on fire.
The group had found them earlier, massacred by what could have only been scouts, most likely searching for the droids.
Alastor held Polly close.
Luke had left to check on his uncle Owen and aunt Beru.
"I just can't believe how cruel those Scouts can be", Polly said in horror.
Alastor said, "many people join the Empire in order to have the power to do whatever they want."
"That is so true", Sam said.
Obi Wan said, "I shudder to think what they've done to Owen and Beru."
Luke then returns and gets off his speeder as he walks towards the group.
Sam asked, "Luke? Are Owen and Beru okay?"
Luke didn't even have to say a word.
The grim look on his face said everything.
Sam gave his little brother a hug.
Luke gladly accepted the hug, not fully realizing how much it meant to Sam to embrace his brother.
The two then broke off the hug, and Luke walked over to Obi Wan.
"There's nothing you could have done, Luke. Had you been there, you'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of the Empire", Obi Wan said as he comforted the boy.
Luke looked up at Obi Wan with a hopeful expression.
"I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father", Luke said.
Sam and Obi Wan both smiled at Luke after he said that….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: indeed.
….