Chapter 22: Explanations for Master Kenobi

Anakin and Padmé exchanged a glance. "What is going on?" Obi-Wan Kenobi demanded the instant the ship had entered hyperspace.

"You know how everyone thinks I'm the Chosen One?" Anakin began.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with what Dooku escaped with? What was it anyway?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"Dooku got away with the schematics of the Death Star I," Padmé explained. "This later, upon completion, will be tested on Alderaan."

"But Alderaan is a peaceful planet," Obi-Wan protested.

"That's what Leia said," Anakin replied.

"Who's Leia?" Obi-Wan asked.

"She's our daughter and I know I'm breaking the code here, but I have to, it's the only way the Jedi will continue if we fail," Anakin said quickly. "We're inviting you to our wedding."

"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked, really worried now.

"OK, you have to trust me, I know who the Sith Master is already," Anakin revealed. "We both do."

"Who is it?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Chancellor Palpatine," Padmé replied, growling. "The treacherous Huttspawn son of a blaster bastard!"

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, stunned by the multiple un-Padmé-like phrases leaving the Senator's mouth. "She really hates him," Anakin said calmly. "And I kind of agree with her. And I don't know if it's safe to leave her in the same room as him."

"Will you two stop jumping topics and just explain everything to me?" Obi-Wan demanded.

Anakin looked at Padmé, who nodded in agreement. "It all started ten years ago, when the Trade Federation invaded Naboo," she began. "When Master Qui-Gon suspected that the Sith were involved, he had been right, even though there was no proof that the mysterious warrior had been a Sith when the two fought on Tattooine. In fact, the only reason that the planet invaded was Naboo was because Palpatine knew that I would be more vulnerable and easily manipulated into helping him, which, I now hate myself for doing, I did. I now regret that decision to call for a vote of no confidence more than ever. Fast forward three years from now and there will only be a few Jedi alive, all of whom will be in hiding. Most of the survivors, excluding you and Master Yoda will be hunted by Darth Vader, Darth Sidious's third and final apprentice and killed. You fall into this depression like mood and in twenty years from now begin training our son, Luke Skywalker."

"How many kids do you two have?" Obi-Wan interrupted.

"Just the twins," Padmé replied.

"Anyway, for three years the two, along with their friends, fight the Empire, eventually defeating them at the Battle of Endor," Padmé replied.

"Wait, in three years there's going to be four Skywalkers?" Obi-Wan asked.

Padmé nodded. "Force help the galaxy," Obi-Wan muttered.

Anakin and Padmé both started laughing. "You know, Master, you reacted the exact same way in the future when you realized that you had to deal with all four of us," Anakin grinned.

Then Padmé took a deep breath. "Master Kenobi, you cannot say a word to anyone in the Jedi Order, especially not the Council, especially after the Loyalists and I have begun the Alliance to Restore the Republic," she said firmly. "And you and Anakin are among the first members."

Anakin took a deep breath and asked, "Do you remember how you felt when Master Qui-Gon died, Master?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Then why did you commit suicide in front of your Padawan?" Anakin demanded.

"You committed suicide in front of Luke," Padmé clarified.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I have no explanation," he replied. "But who is Darth Vader? Count Dooku is the second apprentice."

"Remember what I asked you about me being the Chosen One?" Anakin asked. "I'm the one who determines which side will win the war!"

"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked.

"The only reason why Palpatine has been pretending to be my friend is so he can eventually turn me to the Dark Side, and turn me to Darth Vader," Anakin said, clearly distressed.

Padmé rubbed Anakin's shoulder gently. "Padawan, what happened? How did you learn that you become Darth Vader?" Obi-Wan asked gently.

"Vader was fighting Luke and sliced off Luke's hand," Anakin began. "I went to help and Vader told me that Luke was his son. Since Luke was my son, I knew that I was also Vader."

Obi-Wan nodded, stroking his beard. "So, you two want me to turn a blind eye to your relationship," he began. "And make sure that no one knows of this information until you two tell me I can tell anyone. But how do you know all this?"

"We went to the future," Anakin replied. "And we're gonna stop Sidious and Dooku and the Separatists and the Empire and save the Jedi and the Republic."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement and said, "I will tell no one of what you have told me, I promise."

The two lovers smiled gratefully. Then Padmé murmured, "Thank you, Obi-Wan."

"Anakin, when, in this timeline, do you learn that Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord?" Obi-Wan asked suddenly.

"In three years, when you're not there to help me," Anakin said. "And there is no way I'm ready to fight him yet—you saw what happened against Dooku. What happened there just proves I'm not ready to take on the Sith Master, but when I do, I want you there to watch my back."

"In the prophecy, does it say that it has to be Anakin who kills off the Sith Master?" Padmé asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I see what you're saying, Angel," Anakin grinned. "I should pull a Luke."

"A what?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A Luke," Anakin replied. "I throw my lightsaber away, forget the stupid lecture, Master, say, 'You've failed, Your Highness. I'll never turn to the Dark Side. I am a Jedi like my brother before me.' You come in and kill him before Sidious can kill me."

"That's your plan?" Obi-Wan said.

Anakin nodded. "Hey, it worked for Luke," Anakin added.

Obi-Wan groaned. "Why me!" He begged. "Why did I have to get the crazy Padawan? Why Force? Why?"