Chapter 80 – Uniting Forces

Author's Note: Marr... plans and plots. :)

To Pjo crossovers: Hm. ;)

To Bvh: Thanks. :)

To Jayden: I think Obi-Wan saw Satine as more than just a friend when they first met in their teens, and he obviously still somewhat cared about her during the Clone Wars, but after it's been so many years when they really hardly knew each other, I think he would have mostly let go of her. He'd care that she's dead, but he's lost literally everyone he once knew, including the children he raised, so anything about Satine isn't as significant in the face of that.
Working with a terrorist and marrying, living with, and having children with one are kinda different things, tho. xD I also didn't see it as Obi-Wan having as much of a problem with their marriage as much as that he has the tendency to… just complain about things. Lol.
Thanks for reviewing! We all love hearing your thoughts so much. ^-^

To ElvenMatter: Actually, no, we don't dislike him. xD He's our second favorite character after Vaderkin, but it's just fun to make him a lowkey antagonist to give him Character Growth, since unless he actively ends up at odds with someone who doesn't give in to him like Anakin always did in canon, he'll never change. xD He's often a borderline-antagonist in our fics. Besides, Vaderkin-Obi-Wan drama is just waaay too fun to write. Lol.

Thank y'all so much for reviewing! :D:D:D 💖💖💖

~ Amina Gila

This conversation is messing with Marr's head more than anything else. Obi-Wan isn't making sense. He seems to be in denial for some reason, and while Marr can understand the urge – it's truly more useful and less painful to himself – it doesn't do Anakin, or anyone, any good in the long run. All it does is hurt him more, and he's been hurt enough. They all have been.

Marr can't deny that part of the reason he wants to kill Sidious is for vengeance, but more than that, it's for freedom. So the entire galaxy can be free and rid of him forever, so they will no longer continue to be haunted by him, so they can find peace. He knows the dangers caused by a lust for vengeance, and he will not fall into that.

What matters most to him is freedom for the galaxy. It's always been true, and that's what lead him into the Dark Side as a padawan. If only he had seen the signs on Anakin. Marr, of all people, should have realized what was happening. He knew the path to the Dark Side, and somehow, he failed to notice his own brother walking the same path. His vod. This is his chance to make that right, and to make up for everything Anakin did for him. If only it were as simple to make Obi-Wan see it.

"It's a vicious cycle," Marr continues. "Vengeance – I understand it. But there must be a place it ends, right? When Maul murdered my father, I wanted nothing more than vengeance. I told myself it was justice, but I was lying to myself. Maul has done unforgivable things, but killing one who killed another will only lead to more death. None of us are the same people we used to be, Obi-Wan. I thought – I thought you would jump at a chance to help him, like you did me."

He can't... fault his master for that, he reminds himself. Obi-Wan has been through a lot, too. It would be easier to justify his actions than to accept that he was wrong, which he'd have to do before trying to make things better. Marr wants to laugh and cry at once, because Vader is the exact same way. It's insane how they went down the same path while still being on opposite sides of everything.

"It doesn't matter," Marr sighs, finally. "I will find and help him. I simply thought it would be... easier if you helped. He would have done anything you asked him to, but that was years ago." It's in the past, and it hurts to know that, because of all the things from the past, the one thing Marr thought could never break was Anakin and Obi-Wan's bond.

Apparently, he was as wrong on that as he was on everything else.

"If you won't help us, can't you at least tell me why you chose to hide out here? I had a vision of... I don't know. I saw A – Vader and Leia, and I saw someone else. I wondered if he was here. He... reminded me of Anakin."

From the slight twitch in Obi-Wan's expression, Marr really has to wonder now. There's definitely a reason he's here. The question is what. "You refer to the galaxy's last hope," he answers, cryptically. He's dodging the question, and it's much the same way Senator Organa did when he asked about Leia. Idly, he wonders if there's some connection.

"What do you mean?" he asks instead of answering – because really, he doesn't know.

"The twins," he answers. "Luke and Leia. They are the only hope of destroying the Sith."

But not Anakin, of course. Because Obi-Wan has already let go of him (Has he, though?), because holding onto him is too painful. Marr did the same thing, but now that he knows Anakin is alive and breathing, he has to try, even if he fails. He won't give up on this any more than he has on anything.

Hearing that Leia has a twin is... a little less surprising than he thought it might be. "Are you training him?" Marr wonders.

"No," Obi-Wan replies, "His uncle didn't want him trained. I will, when the time is right."

Wait, uncle? Does Anakin have a brother he never heard about?

Truthfully, it would hardly be surprising. Marr didn't know all of his family when he was a Jedi, either. He can hardly fault Anakin for not telling him. It's not something they ever speak of. "Good," Marr says at last. "Caleb took on a padawan of his own. He's... dark, but they're working it out amazingly well. We need more Jedi, more fighters, if we are to destroy Sidious and his Empire."

"Yes," Obi-Wan agrees. "We do."

"I'm glad to see you again," he adds, honestly, because he really, really is, even if they spent most of the time yelling at each other. That was once normal, though, but Marr finds he still misses it, even if he doesn't like it. "I... assume you don't want me to tell anyone about this, but I think Ahsoka, and Kan – Caleb should know you're alive, at least." It's strange to think of Kanan as the name when he was young. That name belonged to a boy, and Marr doesn't know him as that child anymore. They've all changed and grown since.

"I should prefer it if you did not," he answers, and Marr nods.

"I won't then. And... thank you. For everything. You taught me so much. I can't say how grateful I am for that." Idly, Marr thinks the best he can do is bring Anakin back to him. It won't be the same, but it will help, regardless of what happened between them.

"Of course," Obi-Wan replies, "And I am grateful to know you are alive."

"You too," Marr tells him. "We all wondered, hoped, but we didn't know. These days... it's easier not to hope. It's easier to believe you're alone, but easy isn't always the answer."

"I know," Obi-Wan says, "I thought the same about you. If you ever need my help, you will know where to find me."

"We could always use the help of another Jedi Master, but I understand. Staying here is, in the long run, more important. We all miss you, but this – if this is what you need to do, I can understand that."

"For now, I must stay," he replies, "But Luke is older now. It may not be much longer."

"That's good. If he's anything like his parents and sister, we could do with him in our ranks." He should go. There's not really anything else to say, but he doesn't want to go. It's been so long. They have so many things to say and catch up on. They could talk for hours, but it still wouldn't be enough. It's pointless, unless... unless it's to stay. Unless Sidious is gone, and they have time to rebuild something together. "Until then... I suppose it's time for me to go. I was here tracking Maul. The others will be wondering what happened to me."

**w**

He doesn't want to leave Obi-Wan again, but for now, their paths are separate. Until Sidious is gone, it seems he'll never be with his family. No thanks to the Jawas, Marr doesn't have a ship anymore so he'll have to find a transport off world somewhere else. His mind is still elsewhere when he suddenly senses a much too familiar dark presence.

Wait, why is he still here? He'd better not be still planning to get revenge on Obi-Wan as soon as Marr is gone, but at least it makes it easier for him to find Maul. They do need to have a... chat.

"Maul," Marr greets, turning around to see the Sith standing behind him. "I'm surprised you're still here."

"You made an offer," Maul replies, eyes narrowed, "Live up to it."

"Why don't we go somewhere we can talk... privately?"

He doesn't trust Maul at all so he's going to tell him as little as he can, but he has to say enough that the Sith will agree to use his resources. "I know the Empire is making things difficult for your... business," Marr begins, "I imagine you want the Empire to fall as much as I do."

"Yes," the Sith agrees, suspiciously, "But a war with the Empire is hardly profitable."

"Not in the short run," Marr agrees. "But if you attacked the Empire and gave it problems the same time the Rebel Alliance will, it will... mitigate your losses." He knows it will put a serious strain on Maul's criminal Empire, and yes, he could definitely care less about that.

It's not as if Maul is actually going to gain anything in the long-run, because once the New Republic takes over – however long that will take – they'll crack down on his Empire. Maul probably knows as much, but Marr can only hope that he can be persuasive enough. He also expects Maul will try to betray him. It will only mean staying one step ahead of him. "And it will give you the revenge you want."

"It will not affect Sidious, unless his Empire begins to collapse," Maul argues.

"Then make it," Marr retorts, "You're good at toppling governments, aren't you? Go after the Empire. Leave the civilians alone. Sidious doesn't care about them."

Maul looks... thoughtful.

"With both of our forces, it will be easier for us both," he adds. He won't mention his attack on Coruscant, but this should be enough. "I'll give you a comm so we can discuss this more, if you are interested."

Maul is quiet for a little while, a glean settling in his eyes as he finally turns to him. "I will consider it."

Marr breathes out a quiet sigh of relief. He can only hope this will work.

They part ways at that, and he leaves a private comm with the Sith, before he goes on to find a pilot to get him off world.

Finding one isn't hard.

"Just get me there, and no questions asked," Marr requests, as a Wookie named Chewbacca takes him to the booth his pilot is waiting in.

"No questions asked?" Han Solo repeats, "Hey, are you that Mandalorian I hear the Empire is looking for?" Is he that well known among the galactic scum? Okay. Sure. He shouldn't even be surprised.

"I'd prefer to avoid any Imperial entanglements," Marr answers, lightly.

Han seems almost amused. "That's the trick, isn't it?" he replies, "Well, it will cost you something extra."

"Fine," he replies, "But I need to leave immediately."

Neither of them has any liking for the Empire, he realizes, throughout their trip. Han and Chewbacca don't have any interest in actually helping in the Rebellion, but he keeps them in mind for future if he ever needs them.

**w**

Marr meets with Bail and a couple other top members of the Alliance Council – including Ahsoka – on his plans as soon as he gets back to the Rebels. He can't plan all of this alone, but the fewer people who know, the better. The only ones who do know everything are the people he knows he can trust on a personal basis.

No one can find out that Maul's criminal Empire and the Alliance are working together, even if some people will probably start to suspect it. Maul does, in fact, contact Marr again, and they go over some of what would probably be most beneficial. Although for the most part, Maul is very uninterested in hearing much advice.

It's strange to be working with him again, and there's an obvious coldness between them now, even more obvious than when he was Maul's apprentice, but he can hope they'll be able to... keep the tentative peace between them for now.

Marr still doesn't trust him, though. If someone could infiltrate Crimson Dawn and make sure Maul actually keeps his word, it would help enormously.

As it turns out, Bail has the perfect idea.

There's a group of operatives who call themselves the Amidalans.

Marr never knew any of them personally, but he's certain if they have the chance to help defeat the Empire that Senator Amidala would never have supported, they'll take it. He needs all the allies he can find.

**w**

"So, what is it you so urgently wanted to talk to us about?" Ahsoka asks, taking a seat in the hold of Marr's ship alongside Kanan. She only just got back from another long intelligence mission for the Alliance, as reports of sudden increased criminal activity are spreading everywhere. She knows that part, of course. She was present at the meeting when Marr was explaining his plan with Maul – she can only hope this is a good idea – but she never had time to speak with him privately afterwards.

It's just like it was during the war, a lot of times. They want to talk and be together, but there's simply little time for it. And there won't be, until the war is over. It's disturbingly familiar, and sometimes, she really doesn't like it, but the Empire must fall, no matter what.

"I tracked Maul to Tatooine," Marr replies, "And while I was there, I... met someone."

"One of his criminal friends?" Kanan asks dryly.

"No." He hesitates a moment. "I know we wondered this for years, but... Obi-Wan is alive."

Ahsoka freezes. Obi-Wan is alive. He's alive. She wondered for years, but then she stopped wondering because it was easier not to. By the time she'd come back to the Order the first time, she'd already... let go of him, even if that didn't mean she didn't care anymore. She thinks the only reason she suddenly missed him so much after Order 66 was because she didn't think she would ever see him again, because she was afraid that he was probably dead.

"What?!" Kanan exclaims, beating her to a response.

"He's alive," Marr repeats, "He's been in hiding there."

Ahsoka frowns. "Why would he be hiding? If he's alive, why wouldn't he be helping us? He's not the kind of person to hide." That doesn't make any sense. In the end, that's why she'd finally given up hope of him being alive, because if he was alive, where was he?

"There's more going on than I can tell you," Marr replies, "But I thought you should know this much."

Sometimes, Ahsoka really hates how information needs to be classified, because she really wants some answers. She's only so curious because what could ever make Obi-Wan stay out of the fight for seventeen years? No one's heard from him that she knows of. Of course, some of that could be classified too, so maybe he's been doing more than she's aware of.

"At least you could tell us this much," Ahsoka says, finally. Part of her wants to see him, but she knows that's hardly practical right now. The person she really wants to see again is Anakin, though she doesn't know what to think of him. He's a Sith, but they can still help him. That also doesn't change all the terrible things he's undoubtedly done over the years, though. It's just... she still doesn't understand how he could have done everything he has, but Sidious obviously has enormous control over him, and it was sickening to see. They can try to sort all of that out, once the fighting is over. She wishes she could stop saying that.

Kanan nods. "It... helps a lot, to know that there are still Jedi Masters out there."

"I know," Marr replies.

Silence falls between them for many long moments, but Ahsoka can tell that Marr is thinking hard about something. "What is it?" she asks finally, reaching over to touch his arm.

"I can hardly believe he's alive," he admits, "I wondered for... years. But then I stopped wondering because it was easier not to."

"Yeah, I know," Kanan murmurs, looking down. She can only imagine he's thinking about everyone he lost, or thought he did.

"I think that was true for all of us," Ahsoka declares, quietly.

"It's like... we're all slowly coming back to together again," he continues.

Yes, she definitely noticed that. "That's a good thing, isn't it?" she asks, shooting him a smile.

He gives her a true, genuine smile, something that's become rarer these days with the amount of stress all of them are under. "Yeah. I find myself wondering if maybe once this is over, we'll all just be able to be together, but it's like..."

"Almost too good to be true?" she finishes. They used to know each other well enough to guess what the other was thinking all the time. It's different now that they're older and were apart for so long, but sometimes it's still undeniably there.

"It does," Kanan agrees, "But this is what we're fighting for, isn't it? We know everyone may not make it out, but if we don't fight, no one will, and then, we'll never have the chance at all."

Marr looks almost amused for a moment. "Sometimes it's still strange seeing how much you've grown up."

"You haven't known me as twelve or thirteen for years," Kanan says flatly. "I would have thought you'd get used to it by now."

Ahsoka smirks. "Me too."

"You would think," Marr agrees, "And you're right. We'll have a chance for peace when this is over. I thought I could have it once if I stayed out of the fight completely on Mandalore, but that didn't last very long."

"It was true for me too, at first," Kanan replies.

Is that why Obi-Wan started out hiding? But he wouldn't have stayed there that long, would he? Even Marr found his way back to the fight. "Does Obi-Wan know about... Vader?" Ahsoka asks.

Marr stills, an odd look on his face. "Yes, he does."

"What?" Ahsoka asks, frowning.

"I don't know what happened exactly, but I think his last meeting with Vader went... downhill far more than ours did."

What?! "They... fought?" she guesses. She can't even imagine it. She can't imagine Anakin and Obi-Wan fighting. She can't imagine Anakin Falling either, though.

"Yeah," he frowns, "Obi-Wan seems to think that he's too lost to save. I think he's just lying to himself because it's easier."

"He didn't try talking to him like you did?" Kanan queries.

"I don't know the details. ... I'm not sure I want to," he adds, as an afterthought.

She doesn't know that she does either. Back in the Clone Wars, she would never have imagined their family would come to... this. "This is a mess," Ahsoka says flatly.

"I know," Marr replies, "It's a good thing I think I know where we can start fixing it."

"With crime wars?"

"Hey, sometimes you need an original approach!"

She snorts. "True. Let's hope it works."

**w**

It's been a week since Marr left, and Obi-Wan finds that he can't stop thinking about it. He thought it would pass. It's happened before, that for days, all he can think about and agonize over is Vader, and how much he wishes Marr was right, but in truth, Anakin is gone. He is.

"How could you just give up on him? He needs our help. How can you deny him that?"

"There is still good in him."

"I love you."

But he can't stop wishing, no matter how many times he tells himself that dwelling on something in the past won't change it. There is nothing left of Anakin Skywalker anymore, save his children.

"Don't let Sidious find them."

Though for all that he tells himself it, he wonders.

He saw Vader's eyes fade back to blue on Mustafar. That was where Anakin died though.

"Anakin is dead. I destroyed him."

It wasn't Obi-Wan who did that. (Was it?)

It's been seventeen years. Anakin has been gone from his life for longer than he was in it, but still, no loss has hurt worse. There is nothing that he would rather undo more than that.

"How can you deny yourself a chance to have Anakin back?"

If there were a chance, he couldn't. It's the simple truth, but Anakin is gone. He has to be. Anakin would never do any of what Vader did. Anakin was good and light. He was –

"He was lost and too afraid to break away from Sidious."

"I wish I could say what Sidious has done to him, but I can't. He needs our help though. How can't you see it?"

But Vader never seemed scared, not in the time Obi-Wan saw him. (Not until he was calling for him, and he sometimes thinks he could hear Anakin in there. He tries to tell himself it's only that he sounded like Anakin.) Obi-Wan had the chance to kill him, but he couldn't do it. He looked his child in the eye as he was dying once, and he couldn't do it again, no matter if Vader only looked like him.

"He has only been accepted for war and death and violence..."

Obi-Wan can't keep sitting here. Years of solitude on Tatooine have taught him patience like nothing else, but it still remains. It has always been there. Obi-Wan was like that more as a child, and even if he largely grew out of it, some of it has remained. He doesn't know what to do. Even if he tries to tell himself that he doesn't need to do anything, that his duty is to stay here with Luke, he can't help wondering if there's more. It doesn't help to meditate. He tried, but it does little to get it all out of his head.

Would it really hurt to try? a traitorous part of his mind asks. He's already accepted Anakin is gone. If he tries to find him and fails, it couldn't hurt worse than it already does.

Except Vader was trying to turn him, to destroy everything that defined him. "That's the Dark Side way of showing affection," Marr had told him. "They honestly don't understand how badly they hurt their apprentices."

That doesn't make it right. Nothing can make it right.

"He's your padawan. How could you not fight to bring him back?"

Marr had said something about – about breaking the cycle of vengeance before it destroys everyone, but this isn't about vengeance. It's about justice. Vader is a Sith, and he must be destroyed. Obi-Wan... regrets being unable to do it himself, but it was all he could do at the time. He had to leave, because if he didn't, he knew Vader would get what he wanted one way or another. He refused to forsake the Jedi – to forsake Anakin – in that manner.

If there were truly a chance, yes, he would fight to bring Anakin back.

(What if there is a chance?)

There may be only one way to know. If he discovers that there really isn't a chance anymore... He already accepted that, right? It can't hurt worse than it already did, when he left Vader behind that second time.

His bond with Vader is still there, even if it's heavily shielded, and has been for years.

Cautiously Obi-Wan reaches out, touching the long-buried bond.

It's still there, though dimmed from separation and disuse. It's there in place of the one he once shared with Anakin.

He can feel him, Vader, from the other side of the galaxy. There's a heartbeat of stillness before he feels the Sith reach back, desperate, almost... hungry. He's looking for more, and Obi-Wan closes off their bond again before the Sith can glean any information, but it...

It was enough. He just needed to feel his presence again, to know if Marr was right.

And he doesn't know. (Maybe he just doesn't want to.)

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