Hello once more! I remembered to update - and am very proud of that fact :) Hope your weeks have gone well. Here's the next chapter; hope you enjoy it. Again, still need a beta 'cause I can't get a hold of the couple I've asked. Suggestions for betas or the story are welcome, and I love to hear any kind of feedback. Have a great week!
The years flew by for Obi-Wan Kenobi. He experienced things he never had before and lived through more that he could repeat word for word. There was loss and love, guilt and redemption, but most of all there was hope—hope for a better future. Too soon the time arrived that he had been awaiting for eight long years.
When he and his master received news of their mission to Naboo just months after his 23 Life Day, the copper haired man felt apprehension settle in his chest; he had been training for this mission, adding on to the skills he had already gained through his previous life up till his death for this purpose and this purpose alone. He would not fail.
It went exactly like he remembered it, up to the stop on Tatooine due to a failed engine. This is where the first change occurred.
"Obi-Wan, you stay with ship."
"No."
His master turned to face him, one eyebrow raising in surprise and mild agitation. "Excuse me?"
"Forgive me, Qui-Gon, but I must go with you." /This is a moment I must change.\
Qui-Gon heard the thought in his head, studied his apprentice—partner really, as Obi-Wan had had nothing to learn from him for years—and nodded. "Of course." Nothing more was said until arrival in the small village.
Obi-Wan led the way, walking the streets as if he had lived there all his life (20 years surely counted for something), stepping into Watto's shop and looking around with a certain fondness.
He did the talking, speaking in fluent Toydarian with the shop owner much to the alien's pleasure. When Anakin came running in at Watto's call, Obi-Wan's breath hitched and tears stung his eyes. He is just as I remember him... He felt Qui-Gon's concern through their bond but waved it away. He was steeling himself to face his unknowing former apprentice for the rest of his life when familiar sky-blue eyes landed on him and a sandy haired bundle of joyous enthusiasm threw himself into Obi's arms.
"Master Obi-Wan! You came, you came! I knew you would, I just knew it!"
Obi's heart stuttered, shock jolting through him like electricity; slowly he knelt down, hands settling on small shoulders and pulling the boy back so as to fully see his face. "You remember," he whispered. "Force, Ani, you remember." He pulled Anakin back into his arms, this time returning the embrace as tears fell freely down his face. When they pulled back once more it was to start laughing in belated relief, each wiping away the tears of the other, love pouring from their Force signatures so strongly that Qui-Gon had to step back. After many moments they stood, hand in hand. "Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan began, his smile the epitome of bright and liberated, "allow me to introduce you to Anakin Skywalker."
The older male was forced to stare in shock at the boy Obi-Wan had claimed to be the Chosen One, the boy of the Prophecy that Qui-Gon had secretly been searching for years.
Watto hovered to his slave's side, eyes wide in wonder. "This is him, Ani? Is this the man in your dreams?"
"Yep!" He looked up at Obi-Wan to explain. "Ever since I can remember I've had dreams about growing up and becoming a great Jedi with you as my master. I tell Watto about each one. And you believe, don't you Watto?"
The Toydarian turned to Kenobi. "Three years ago, I have Ani tested for your midichlorians, and his ees off the charts. I think he must be telling truth, like visions Jedi have. He ees good boy, and now that you are here, I know he ees right. I vill help you, Jedi Kenobi, and in turn you will take boy from here to fulfill his Destiny—to save galaxy."
Obi-Wan was still slightly in shock, but he managed to bow respectfully in thanks to the blue alien. "Thank you, Watto. I will ever be in your debt for this. If you ever require my services I will not hesitate to lend you my aid."
Watto smiled but immediately tried to cover it up good naturedly. "Pah! Just get ready for that pod race Ani tells me he will win. And thees time," he added, unable to conceal his smirk, "thees time I bet on Anakin."
The race also went just as Obi-Wan remembered, except this time he was the one to race out onto the track and lift Anakin onto his shoulders whooping and hollering with joy. When Ani received the reward money he immediately gave all of it to his mother, and then they all left for Watto's shop.
The Toydarian was waiting for them, a smug smile stretching his lips. "Good job, Ani!" he congratulated. "You won thee race, eh? And I won good money, hehe." He studied them for a moment. "How soon are you leaving?"
Obi glanced at Qui-Gon. "As soon as possible, preferably before the suns set."
Watto nodded. "Ees good plan." Silence, and then he regarded Obi-Wan sternly. "You veel take care of Ani, yes?"
"With my life," he swore solemnly.
"Good, good. He ees good boy; I veel be sad to lose him." He addressed the blond, "You just remember you can come back to veesit any time you wish, yeah?"
Ani threw his arms around his old master's waist. "Of course!"
Watto returned the embrace before pulling back and coughing to cover up his tears. "Go," he dismissed, waving his hand towards the door. "Engine ees already at ship. Go home, Ani, with Shmi, before you leave, eh? I leave present weeth your mother for your travel."
Tears shone in Anakin's eyes as he nodded, sparing one last glance for the blue Toydarian before moving to exit the shop for the last time, Obi's guiding hand on his shoulder.
"And Ani?"
Anakin turned back curiously and was met with a fond, sad, yet proud smile. "Remember an old Toydarian, yeah?"
Anakin's smile was honest and peaceful. "I'll never forget you, Watto. Don't worry."
Then they were gone.
The suns beat down on the five companions as they trudged across the sand towards the Nubian ship. Obi-Wan and Anakin walked side by side, slightly apart from the others, speaking in muted tones.
"So, you dreamt about your past life?"
"Yeah. That's the only way I remember it. The only things I know are the things I saw in my dreams—and you were in almost all of them! I remember you used to be my teacher, and I remember some of the things you taught me, like controlling my emotions and trusting the Force, and I remember that we were like brothers!"
Obi smiled, albeit somewhat sadly. "Yes, we were very good friends."
Qui-Gon watched them from where he walked beside Padme, his brow furrowed in thought. It was strange to see two people who should have been strangers converse so familiarly with one another. Their Force signatures also behaved strangely around each other, attracting and repulsing each other in equal parts as if they were complete opposites while still having their fates rest in the other's hands.
It also brought on an odd surge of jealousy from the Jedi Master. It hurt to see his Padawan so close with a boy they had barely even met, speaking in hushed voices as if confiding secrets he should not overhear. Had he not raised this young man? Had he not taught him and learned from him? Comforted him in his trials and stayed by him through the time travel fiasco? Was it not he who loved Obi-Wan as his own son? Was it not he who wanted and fought for the very best for his child?
Qui-Gon shook his head slightly and looked away, his heart aching. It hurt, but he was a Jedi first and foremost. If this was what Obi-Wan was going to choose then he would have to deal with it like he always had, by releasing his emotions into the Force like he had been trained—just not yet; he felt justified in holding on to his feelings for a little longer.
Obi-Wan listened to Anakin describe what he had seen his dreams. He was relieved that the boy did not seem to recall Falling or loving Padme, in fact the former slave didn't even recall anything after a few months right before Geonosis: the start of the Clone Wars. This was good. He did not want Ani to be plagued as he was with those memories and the accompanying guilt.
About half way to the ship Obi found his mind pondering the gift Watto had left for his former slave. Anakin had not told him what it was, preferring instead to wait until the Force said it was time. However, for all the secrecy, Obi-Wan could detect a faint humming in the Force around at least one of the objects wrapped in cloth (new clothes payed for by Watto), but he could not decipher quite what it—or maybe they—was. So deep in thought was he that he did not notice the Darkness drawing closer until it was almost upon them.
"Qui-Gon! Look out!"
He shoved Anakin to the ground right before a blaster bolt zoomed over the boy's head then immediately leapt with the Force over his master's head, blue 'saber drawn mid-air and held defensively before him just in time to catch another shot; he unconsciously scowled.
Maul drew up on his speeder, stopping 10 feet away and slowly dismounting, hand reaching back into black robes and procuring a dreadfully familiar lightsaber to the 23 (63) year old Jedi. Obi-Wan felt his master's surprise when the 'saber ended up being double bladed, but Obi-Wan was already yelling at them to retreat to the ship.
He held them off just long enough for the ship to pick him up much as it had done for Qui-Gon the first time. Just before he jumped back Maul commented, "I see the boy has already begun to inform you of events to come. Interesting that he has chosen to side with the Jedi; my master will be most pleased to learn he was right."
Obi-Wan shoved him back and Force jumped onto the extended ramp pf the ship, stumbling inside and leaning against the wall just as Anakin and Qui-Gon ran in to check on him. They tried to speak to him, but his mind was focused on only one thing:
Sidious remembered.