Chapter 1 – Visitors
Plot: A simple mission during the Clone Wars becomes complicated when Ahsoka runs into a young version of her master and grandmaster. Except, this other Obi-Wan has yellow eyes, and he looks as if he'll murder anyone who dares look at his young charge wrong. Where did they come from? Why are they here? Getting answers from them will not be easy. Sith!Obi-Wan
Author's Note: This plot bunny struck me and it would. Not. Let. Go. Lol. So, I wrote it out. I really didn't expect how it turned out, but I love it anyways! If you want something that is very Anakin-Obi-Wan-centric and focuses on their father-son relationship and them finally sorting things out... this fic is for you.
I hope y'all enjoy it! :D
Updates, should be weekly. :)
~ Amina Gila
When Anakin was captured, held prisoner by Count Dooku, the Force had screamed. Never before in her entire life has Ahsoka Tano seen or felt anything like it. It was as if the Force itself was in agony. Even now, no one has any answers. After Anakin came back, after Senator Padme Amidala agreed to the prisoner exchange, after General Grievous was released, after Anakin went to the medbay for treatment, Ahsoka had talked to him. She'd asked him about it, but he had no answers either. Talking about it seemed to be physically painful for him, and not for the first time, Ahsoka found herself wondering what the Force feels like for him.
Ahsoka creeps through the trees as silent as any predator might be, carefully peering at the clearing up ahead. She has a squadron of clones with her; they're doing a sweep of the area to ensure that no Separatist forces are still on Naboo in the wake of the failed attack. So far, they've found nothing. Maybe they're fortunate and the Separatists have really withdrawn.
Or, so she'd hoped until she felt the Dark Side in the forest. They've been following her senses ever since. The presence is clouded, elusive, but unmistakably there. She's also begun to sense someone else, someone who is being shielded by this Dark Sider. All of them are braced for battle as she slips behind another tree trunk, cautiously scanning everything. Movement catches her eyes, and she turns, spying two figures leaning against a boulder.
She can't tell who they are from here, but they seem to be humans. Strange. This would be the first time Ahsoka has seen a wandering human on Naboo. This area is mainly home to the Gungans. The elder of the two is wrapped in a dark brown cloak, hood pulled up which makes any identification impossible. The younger is clothed in a light gray tunic of sorts, blonde hair shining gold in the sun.
No one made any noise, but the older suddenly jerks upright, revealing a similar tan tunic of sorts. It vaguely reminds her of Jedi robes for some reason. "Who are you?" calls the voice – it's so familiar, for some reason – coldly. "Show yourselves!"
The boy shifts, edging behind the elder man for protection, and Ahsoka feels bad for him, for both of them. Are they being hunted by somebody, by someone? For that matter, are they both Force sensitives? Are they dangerous? They probably are, or at least the older is. He was able to sense her, even though she was being careful and quiet, not to mention shielding herself as she always does.
Bracing herself, Ahsoka steps into the open, hands twitching towards her lightsabers as she prepares for possible violence. "I'm not here to harm you," she tells them.
"Jedi," snarls the man, pushing back his hood, eyes flashing yellow. His ginger hair is longish, and he has the beginning of a beard on his face. That's what clues her in.
Ahsoka stumbles back with a gasp of shock. No. This – this isn't possible! "Obi-Wan?" she squeaks, voice semi-hysterical. "I don't understand...!"
The man – Obi-Wan – stiffens, gold eyes narrowing. "Who are you?" he hisses, "And how do you know who I am?" In one swift motion, he's pulled a lightsaber from Force knows where, its red blade held defensively in front of himself.
"This can't be happening," Ahsoka mumbles to herself, shaking her head. Except it is. The Force is quite insistent on that fact. It's definitely him. It feels like him, only darker. But how? She's never heard of time travel or reality jumping or whatever happened here. And the child... Now that she focuses on him, she recognizes him. Anakin. Of course. He's being masked by Obi-Wan, but the essence of what makes him... him is still shining through. He's a child. Oh Force, this is her master as a child.
"My name is Ahsoka Tano," she tells Obi-Wan after taking a moment to regather her wits. She holds out her hands in a gesture meant to convey that she won't harm them. "I know this will sound crazy, but you're in the wrong universe. I don't know why you're here, but Obi-Wan is my grandmaster, and Anakin is my master."
The boy jerks, stepping to the side and studying her with wide, curious, blue eyes. Even now, when he's still so young, they're guarded. He can't be older than eleven. "Dad, she's telling the truth," Anakin says, and Ahsoka completely loses whatever is left of her sanity, because... what? She can't even begin to imagine Anakin – her master – calling Obi-Wan "Dad" so casually.
Obi-Wan holds out his left arm to keep the boy back, a gesture that nearly makes her choke, because she's seen that happen with her own master and grandmaster. "Ani, stay back," he orders sharply. "How can I know you're telling the truth?" he asks warily.
Ahsoka sighs, tapping on her wrist-comm to contact Obi-Wan. "Master Obi-Wan, there's a slight situation here," she tells him as the hologram appears. She turns, adjusting the setting so that he can see the other two standing there. "I found... them, and I know you probably won't believe me, but they're a... Dark Side version of you, and Anakin as a child. I don't know what's happening!" She can't help it if she sounds a bit freaked out.
"I'm not a Dark Sider. I'm a Sith!" hisses the man behind her. "My name is Darth Custos." Okay. Well then. She must be dead. That's it. She must be dead or having a horrible nightmare because it's impossible for Obi-Wan – any version of him – to have Fallen like that. His eyes are yellow, so he must be telling the truth, but it still doesn't make any sense.
"Wait there," Obi-Wan instructs, looking visibly unsettled. "I'll have a transport come pick you all up. We can sort this out in Theed."
"Yes, Master," she replies, as he disconnects the transmission. Ahsoka surveys them. "How did you end up here?" she wonders.
"It's none of your business," Custos bites out, finally extinguishing his lightsaber and clipping the hilt back to his belt, out of sight under his robe.
Ani – apparently that's what he's called; it must be his childhood nickname – tugs on the elder's sleeve. "Don't be mean. She's trying to help us." He manages to sound scolding which is far more adorable than it has any right to be. How will she ever manage to look at Anakin the same way after this?
The clones have emerged from the trees and are standing around, blasters lowered, though she knows that they'll raise them in an instant if they must. Hopefully this won't become a violent confrontation. Ahsoka has no desire to fight a Fallen version of her grandmaster.
"She's a Jedi," Custos replies a bit brusquely, though he rests a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "She cannot be trusted."
Ani frowns at him. "You were a Jedi," he mumbles petulantly.
"Before I saw the truth I was," he agrees, "But it's not something we speak of. You know that."
"Can you tell me anything?" Ahsoka queries.
Custos' expression shutters. "No." There's no mistaking the curtness in his voice or the underlying warning in his tone. Apparently, this is a closed topic, though likely not for long. Ahsoka very much doubts that the Council will simply let him walk free. This will be a rather lengthy wait if they'll be standing in silence.
It is.
**w**
If Obi-Wan knew what to feel or think, he wouldn't be as numb as he is. He's long known that he has a rather disturbing propensity for the Dark Side, but this is a whole other level. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that a young version of himself could Fall. While he doesn't know what will happen once Ahsoka returns with the two newcomers, he does know that it will be messy.
There's no way that the Council can permit a Sith to have any type of control over any version of Anakin. If the Chosen One falls into Sith hands, the galaxy itself will be doomed. Anakin is meant to destroy the Sith, not join them. He only hopes that this young Anakin hasn't already been tainted by the Dark Side. May the Force help them all if he has been. They do not need a young Skywalker bent on murder over some imagined slight.
Most of all, Obi-Wan is worried. He fears that this other... Sith version of himself will reveal ways in which he himself is lacking. Given the recent developments, Obi-Wan imagines that the Council will be watching him closely. It will be an awkward situation for everyone, honestly. Hopefully, they'll be able to resolve it as expeditiously as possible.
He senses Anakin's approach before he hears him. His former Padawan really ought not to be on his feet given the electrocution he recently suffered at Dooku's hands. He should still be resting in the medbay. "I heard the news," Anakin tells him by way of greeting.
Obi-Wan sighs lightly. Of course, he did. He would be shocked if he hadn't, given how stressed Ahsoka seemed to be about that which makes sense. He doesn't think he would like to meet a Sith version of – well, never mind. He's fought Dooku on many an occasion, so the point is null.
"It's weird isn't it," Anakin continues, an emotion flitting across his face which Obi-Wan can't quite name. "I can't quite imagine there being another version of myself out there, and let's not get into there being a Sith version of you."
"You'll be meeting them momentarily, so I'm sure that will help you believe it," Obi-Wan replies dryly. Talking about his Fallen counterpart makes him touchy. He'd much rather not discuss it.
"I... What do you think happened to them, Master?" Anakin asks.
Obi-Wan shrugs slightly. "Your guess is as good as mine. We should ask them. I imagine it will be the only way we'll get anything right."
The transport arrives not even a minute later, and they walk out to greet the arrivals together. He notices that Anakin is limping slightly, and he resists the instinctive urge to scold him back to bed. He really should, but he... does want Anakin to be here right now. It's surreal to be meeting himself, someone who may have shared many of the same experiences as he has. What could have made him so weak as to embrace the Dark Side like that? A slip up is one thing but calling himself a Sith?!
Ahsoka is the first to disembark, and her uneasiness is obvious, probably even to untrained Force sensitives. She immediately crosses the hanger floor to Anakin's side, a slight frown on her face. "Master, you should be resting," she informs him snippily.
"I'm resting on my feet," Anakin replies with a grin that's just a tad too sharp. It serves as proof that Anakin is as unsettled as everyone else is.
She rolls her eyes dramatically, turning to look back at the transport as two figures embark, the clones following them. Obi-Wan's eyes zero in on them, studying the features of the Sith Lord, realizing that he can't be more than twenty-seven or so. Anakin – the young Anakin – doesn't quite seem to be eleven. He definitely notices the way that the child is clinging to the elder's side, watching everyone with distrustful eyes.
Strange. Anakin was never like that when he was young. Are they from an entirely different reality altogether? Or is he missing something obvious?
Anakin hardly even seems to be breathing beside him, but Obi-Wan finds that he can't tear his gaze away from the two not-strangers. He steps forwards, pushing past the confusion and apprehension as he sums up the situation. He has to learn as much as possible from them, so he can give the Council a full update. They should be taken to Coruscant as well, probably as soon as the Republic Star Destroyers depart this evening.
"I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," he greets them. "Do you know how you came to be here?"
The Sith – Custos – narrows his eyes, a sheen of gold lurking within their blue-gray depths. "Even if we did, I wouldn't tell you," he snaps defiantly.
Oh. Wonderful. He's going to be a stubborn one. "Well, whyever not?"
Custos smirks, but it's not with humor. It's cold and mirthless, something dark dancing in his eyes. "Because you are asking, and you're a Jedi." He states it like it's a simple thing, like the Jedi are some dangerous opponents who would only seek their harm.
The child moves as if to say something, but Custos hushes him. "Remember what I said about staying quiet?" he reminds, voice oddly gentle and affectionate. It's nearly enough to give Obi-Wan whiplash. One moment he's hostile. The next, he's being caring. Strange for a Sith. The boy nods obediently, though it's obvious that he's unhappy. Custos keeps a protective hand on his shoulder, pressing him up against his side as if he's afraid someone might try to kidnap him.
"We only want to help," Obi-Wan argues.
Custos grins. "And what," he mocks, "Does your precious Order do with Sith? Ah, yes, they kill them. So, forgive me for not being overly eager to spill my secrets."
"This is weird," Anakin mutters under his breath. Obi-Wan can feel his uneasiness even more acutely than he could before. "He's arguing with himself. Force help us."
Ahsoka snorts.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan says warningly, very much not in the mood to deal with his former Padawan's antics. "We have a serious situation which needs attending." He turns his attention back to their unwanted guests, unable to prevent himself from studying the child for a moment. He's different from what Obi-Wan remembers Anakin being like. He doesn't remember Anakin ever looking so... vulnerable before.
"What are you willing to tell us then?" he asks calmly. He won't lose his temper because that would be very un-Jedi-like. His counterpart, his... lesser might have been willing to forsake everything which they've ever held dear for some unfathomable reason, but he will not do likewise. He's not that weak.
Custos seems mildly amused. "I'm willing to tell you that you I'll tell you nothing," he replies pleasantly, expression suddenly becoming dangerous as the Dark Side thickens and swirls around him, eyes going yellow. "And," he adds in a menacing whisper, "I will kill you if you dare lay one hand on Anakin."
Okay. Anakin's right. This is too weird of a conversation to continue. He'll just back out of it now before it goes any further. "Fine," he concedes, "Have it your way. We'll be returning to Coruscant this evening. Anakin and Ahsoka can escort you up to the Star Destroyer." He turns to leave, suddenly remembering that Anakin isn't even supposed to be there in the first place. "And Anakin, go back to the medical wing. Ahsoka, have Kix drug him if necessary. He needs to lay down."
"Hey!" Anakin splutters as he walks off. "That's –!" Obi-Wan doesn't hear the rest of the protest, tuning it out as he leaves. He doesn't know what to think about any of this. What he needs is to meditate and then contact the Council.
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