Chapter 2

As Ben entered the darkened room that his parents shared, he looked around and suddenly was transported back to a simpler time—a lifetime ago when he was a small boy. Memories came unbidden as Ben moved into the room. He saw images of him running into this room to dive into the middle of the bed and between his slumbering parents as a small boy. He could hear this mother's clear laughter and see his father's gentle s mile. He remembered the wonderful stories that they would tell him—stories of his namesake, Obi-wan "Ben" Kenobi and of Yoda, and stories about themselves and of his aunt and uncle.

But with all the good memories came the bad ones. He mind was flooded with thoughts about his parents asking why he refused to go to the Academy and their concern while he was under the influence of the Dark Nest. And he remembered all the times he overheard their quiet words as they discussed his refusal to use the Force and his refusal to learn under anyone else but his cousin.

However, he felt his father's stare and sensed the spike in his emotions and it brought him out of his reverie. He took a deep breath and met Luke Skywalker's crystal blue eyes, eyes so si milar to his own.

"Ben," despite the fact the Grand Master looked much older than his seventy-six years, his voice still sounded as it did the last time Ben saw his father in person eight years before. "You've come," he added with a s mile.

Ben moved forward and swallowed, forcing a s mile, "Well, it's pretty hard to ignore the constant calling in the Force."

Luke chuckled, but it finished in a painful cough. Ben could feel his father's pain and somehow it hurt him to think he may have helped contribute to his father's discomfort. Luke eventually caught his breath and said lightly, "I can't help it that you inherited your mother's stubbornness."

Ben s miled again and finally sat down in the chair by the bed. "I'm sure she would say it was your stubbornness I inherited."

Luke made a motion that could have been a shrug. Finally, Ben asked, "Dad, what's going on?"

Luke looked away and his eyes got a far away look to them as he matter-of-factly said, "I'm dieing, Son."

"But you are the strongest. You are the Grand Master. Surely, something can be done. Can't the healers do something?" Ben's voice became a mix of pleading and indignation.

Luke looked at his son again and slowly shook his head. "No, Son. Everything that could be done has been. I should have died then. Even I can't cheat death forever."

Ben stared at Luke and again the guilt settled on him like a heavy wet cloak. Twelve years ago, an epic battle occurred in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. It truly was a thing of legendary proportions. Twelve years ago Darth Krayt and his apprentice Darth Blasen entered the Temple followed by a hundred GAG Troopers. The Sith force was met with a group of Jedi that fought with determination. Unlike the raid Darth Vader led on the original Jedi Temple, this time the Order knew they were being betrayed by two of its most promising Jedi, his grandsons: Jacen Solo and Ben Skywalker.

However, they were met by the Master's Council and two Knights. The battle was terrible and Ben relived it still in his nightmares. Ben as Darth Blasen faced and killed Kenth Hanmer, Saba Sebatyne and Octa Ramis. Corran Horn would have died too if the Jedi Master hadn't adsorbed most of the energy from Ben's lightsaber. Then Horn used that energy to hit Ben with a telekinetic blast that slammed him against a wall, knocking him unconscious. Jacen, who had become Darth Krayt fought and killed Kam Solusar, Kyle Katarn, his mother and injured Kyp Durron and Luke. Eventually, he came face to face with Jaina who injured him. She should have finished him off, but she was a Jedi and he was her twin brother, regardless of the fact that he had killed both of their parents and her Jedi partner and best friend Zekk in a previous battle. However, unlike Ben who would be redeemed, Krayt escaped despite his possible mortal injury and left Coruscant. Many thought that he must have died. Most beings would have with his injury, but Ben knew that Jacen wasn't like most.

Luke Skywalker wasn't like most either. His injury that damaged his lung and heart, but somehow Luke kept himself alive. Through a strength that never had been seen before, Luke was able to use the Force and healed the damage done. But that strength didn't come without cost. Luke aged at least ten years from the exertion and over the past year after contracting a disease that was still a mystery, the corrective measures he had taken to heal his wounds to his heart and lungs were weakening. His heart was failing and he was beginning to have difficultly breathing.

"Son," Luke smiled again and reached out toward Ben and Ben took the out stretched hand into his. The contact was like a spring rain on Ben. He nearly dropped the cool hand at the sensations and emotions his father's touch created in him. Luke must have sensed this and squeezed the hand he held, then he continued, gently, "Ben, you must stop blaming yourself."

Ben averted his eyes and slowly shook his head, "No, Dad, I can't. I helped Krayt do this to you. To the Jedi."

Luke coughed again and Ben quickly looked into his face. Luke finally said, "Ben, it is true that while the Sith lived, the Jedi suffered great losses. But you alone are not to blame. I should have realized just how dangerous Jacen was becoming. I now have such an understanding of the Old Jedi."

The old Master paused and Ben inquired, "The Old Jedi? As in the Old Order?"

Luke smiled, "Yes. I often wondered when I was a young man learning about the Jedi and building the Order, just how the Old Order could have been so blind. Especially, after I learned that the Emperor had been a Jedi supporting Naboo Senator and then Chancellor. I thought it odd that they wouldn't have felt his evil intent."

Ben sighed, "But he was an expert at hiding in the Force and projecting false emotions, just as Jacen had been or I had been."

"Yes. And after Jacen revealed himself to the Jedi, I understood. I no longer questioned why the Old Order hadn't figured it out because I hadn't been able too."

"And we were your own nephew and son," Ben murmured as he looked away from Luke's penetrating eyes.

Luke cleared his throat and squeezed Ben's hand, bringing his attention back to Luke. Then the Grand Master said, "However, I didn't call you here to rehash your mistakes or your past, Ben."

Ben nervous about where this was suddenly going pointedly inquired, "Then why did you call to me? Was it so that I would be here to watch you die? If that's the reason, I'd rather not be here."

"Ben, I called you here so that you could begin learning."

Ben snorted and released his father's hand as he stood up. "I've spent the past eight years learning, Dad. I really doubt there is much more I could learn here at the Academy."

Luke wasn't offended, quite the opposite he was amused. "You think you know everything, my young son?"

Ben glared at him, "I probably know as much as some of the Masters, possibly more."

"Careful of arrogance, Ben." Luke gently warned then he mused, "Oh, yes, I've heard all about your exploits out on the Outer Rim and in the Corporate Sector. I've even heard of things that you were able to accomplish with the Chiss and others in the Unknown Regions. You have made yourself quite the name: Ben Skywalker, Fighter for Justice and Freedom."

Ben stood there agape as his father revealed his self-appointed mission. "I didn't give myself that title. But I won't deny that I have righted a lot of wrongs and caught a lot of criminals over the past few years."

"Ben, I'm not questioning you or even your tactics." Ben narrowed his eyes and Luke went on before the younger man could question him, "You have become a very successful Jedi, Ben. Out of every report that the Council receives about you and your abilities—"

"You have spies watching me?" Ben glared.

Luke actually laughed, and again it ended in a cough, but he soon recovered and explained, "Of course not. Ben, you are acting as a Jedi Knight, who do you think would send reports back to us thanking the Jedi Council for sending such a wonderful Knight to them?"

Ben expression changed to one of surprise, "Those I've helped?" Luke nodded and grinned, and Ben went on, "I'm always honest and tell them that although, I'm a Jedi; I'm not part of the Order."

"But you can't escape the Order, Son. It is as much apart of the Jedi as the Force."

"Obviously," he responded dryly. Then he paced over to the window, as he looked out after adjusting the tinting some, he asked, "So, what is it that I'm supposed to learn?"

Luke didn't answer immediately and Ben looked back over at him. Once their eyes met, Luke quietly said, "How to lead the Jedi."

Ben's shock turned to laughter. "You have to be kidding?"

"No," Luke met his son's levity with steely seriousness, "I am not. It is your destiny and it is time that you stop running from it."

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