I'd first like to give my regular apology for all the wait on this new chapter, and an even bigger apology to those who follow my other fanfic (I haven't forgotten about you guys, the next chapter is coming up, I promise).
My summer job at Disneyland took up most of my free time and right now I'm in Japan on a nice little 10-day adventure in Tokyo to unwind after this work-filled summer. I should be uploading more regularly as the new school year starts up, emphasis on 'should be'. Again, don't want to make false promises
To hopefully get back in your good graces, I've made this chapter an extra-long one where some slightly controversial stuff takes place (at least I felt some people might take issue with it).
I also want to reply to the comments I got on my last chapter. Big thanks to all of you who comment. I read them all and I really should have made time to reply to them sooner but I'm just a very lazy individual.
Ancalagon: I've always enjoyed the Force power of holding back blaster bolts (not technically a power but you get it). I think it's when I finally saw it on film in Force Awakens that the options really started to multiply in just how powerful the Force grab could be. The tricky part is also not to make it an insta-win technique. Obi-Wan is already pretty powerful to begin with so I'm always trying to find the balance between unstoppable Jedi master and still just an old human dude.
Negotiator fan: I have always been disappointed by the lack of old Ben Kenobi fanfics. There's a lot of focus on younger Obi-Wan, which I love, but an older, wiser, more Force attuned Obi-Wan is just as rife for good stories in my view. As stated before, the trick is always to find the right power balance so that it still feels like Obi-Wan could be defeated by someone and isn't just an unstoppable beast. And concerning that lightsabre stopping scene, you're absolutely right. It was a direct homage to the very first episodes of the Clone Wars series where we follow Master Yoda (there absolutely had to be more episodes with just Yoda but that's for another time. The final episodes that closed season 6 are godly). Obi-Wan actually quotes Yoda directly, albeit slightly rearranged since he doesn't talk like him ;) Well spotted, I'll make sure to fit in other references wherever I can.
Real Obi-Wan IV: Wow. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It means a lot to hear this much praise from the actual Obi-Wan Kenobi, or at least his 4th descendant. Obi-Wan is easily one of my favorite SW characters, which is key when trying to write a fanfiction. You have to be a fan of the character to start with and be willing to take him in new and interesting directions.
Thanks for all your comments and I will start replying to each comment from my last chapter from now on. I should have done this from the start but again: I am a very lazy individual ;)
Alright! I think that's about enough yacking from me. I'll leave you with this brand new chapter. If you enjoy please favorite and follow. As always, any comments are appreciated, as long as they're constructive or non-threatening ;)
What Obi-Wan saw when he entered the power room made his stomach curl. Ahsoka and Sabine were both sprawled on the ground, badly injured. The end of one of Ahsoka's lekkus was sliced off and Sabine had some painful looking dents in her armor, but overall, they didn't appear to be in any mortal danger.
Vader was standing motionless several meters away, red lightsaber ignited. Obi-Wan could hear his regular breaths from his mask which, paired with the emotionless lenses of his helmet, made his fallen apprentice look completely inhuman.
They were surrounded by gigantic energy pylons conducting large quantities of energy to all corners of the station. It reminded Obi-Wan of where he'd first battled Darth Maul on Naboo alongside Qui-Gon all those years ago. He just wished today's outcome wouldn't be the same as back then.
Obi-Wan took measured steps towards Ashoka and Sabine, never taking his eyes off Vader who remained unmoving. The lenses on his helmet followed the old Jedi like a hawk, his machine-assisted breaths not conveying a shred of remorse.
Once he'd reached the two women, Obi-Wan held out his hand to perform a very basic Force heal. Since he'd never studied the healing arts in great depth during his Jedi training, it had very little effect in regards to curing any ailments, but it proved just strong enough to wake Sabine from her unconsciousness.
"What…?" the Mandalorian girl looked up at Obi-Wan confused before her eyes went wide and shot towards the looming frame of Darth Vader a couple of meters away. She looked back to Obi-Wan but his gaze still hadn't strayed from his former apprentice.
"Take Ashoka back to the Ghost," his tone was deathly calm, leaving no room for argument. "Once everyone is on board, leave immediately. Aid the Rebels in any way you can. Make sure this infernal station is destroyed!"
His last words were spoken with such strength and barely repressed bitterness, Sabine could only nod before she loaded Ashoka onto her shoulders and slowly made her way towards the gaping hole Obi-Wan had made in the power room's blast-doors.
Right before Sabine disappeared from sight, Ashoka stirred on her shoulders, raising her head slightly to look at Vader, then Obi-Wan. Her voice was a croaked whisper:
"There is still good in him… master."
Ahsoka's head fell back limply against Sabine's back. The Mandalorian gave a brief nod towards Obi-Wan and disappeared from sight.
With only Obi-Wan and Vader left, the energy in the room shifted almost immediately. It was similar to a large thunder cloud invading a beautiful sunny day. They each tried to read the other's thoughts to know how to proceed.
Obi-Wan knew what his purpose here was. Ahsoka's last words had revealed to him how selfish and ignorant he'd been to reject the idea that Anakin could be returned to the light.
When did I lose faith in the goodness of man? Did Tattooine change me or was I always so prone to doubt humanity's virtue? Obi-Wan wondered in complete dismay. It's true that he'd seen some of the worse of human, and alien, behavior on the desert planet, but these were all things he'd seen at some point or another during his years as a Jedi.
Ultimately, Obi-Wan knew he'd always been the cautious sort. He made decisions methodically, based on sufficient evidence, without leaving anything to chance. "A chip off the old block" was how Qui-Gon had sometimes referred to him when he'd been his Apprentice. That was why Obi-Wan had initially been skeptical when Anakin had entered their lives, but also the reason he'd come to respect him and his unorthodox methods.
Anakin always trusted his gut over what was 'logical' or 'strategically sound'. He felt that planning and preparation could only take you so far and that sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. In that way, he was much wiser than Obi-Wan ever was.
It is the spontaneity he finds to easily, which others do not. That is what sets him apart. Obi-Wan remembered Yoda's words from long ago when they were discussing Anakin's role as the Chosen One.
Anakin had opened his eyes to the merit of improvisation and trusting one's gut. Perhaps when he'd fallen to the dark side, Obi-Wan had slowly started to regress to his more calculating and pessimistic self…
It's my turn to open your eyes, Anakin. I WILL bring you back to us, and together, we will restore balance to the Force.
This realization filled Obi-Wan with a strong sense of purpose. He cast his eyes over his old apprentice who still hadn't moved. If he'd wanted to kill him, he would have done it ages ago; and if he'd truly wanted to kill Ahsoka and Sabine, he would have done it before Obi-Wan could even reach them.
Something is holding him back. There is conflict within him, Obi-Wan realized. Well then, old friend, tell me what troubles you.
Obi-Wan disengaged his lightsaber. The blue blade vanished, and the hilt was returned to Obi-Wan's belt. Vader showed no reaction to this, but a couple seconds later, he disengaged his own red lightsaber.
Now that they seemed to be in a temporary truce, Obi-Wan felt comfortable to move a couple steps forwards so that they were both standing on the two-meter-wide bridge that connected the opposite ends of the generator room. Bellow them was a deadly drop straight to the center of the station. The place where, hopefully, a proton torpedo will land, though preferably not while they were still here.
"I was thinking about how this room reminds of where I fought Darth Maul alongside Qui-Gon on Naboo," Obi-Wan began, keeping his voice completely monotonic. "Remember Naboo, Anakin? Your first time piloting a Starfighter? The day I promised you you'd become a Jedi? I haven't forgotten that promise. I know there's still good in you."
Obi-Wan could sense the whirlwind of emotions inside his fallen apprentice's mind. The hatred against him he'd sensed so strongly during their first encounter was being replaced by something else, but Obi-Wan couldn't quite tell what.
"Anakin Skywalker has been dead for years," Vader replied, his mask making every word a pitch lower. "He naively believed the Jedi were fighting for justice, equality and freedom while in truth they were only the pawns of a corrupt and broken system."
"Yes, I suppose our current system is a significant improvement over the old one," Obi-Wan shot back. "Less corruption, more cruelty and injustice. The Old Republic may have had flaws but at least there where those who tried to fix them. Now, those flaws have become the founding principles of this so called Empire you serve."
"I don't expect you to understand," Vader said, bitterness creeping into his robotic voice. "My master showed me REAL power, and that in order to wield it best, one had to stand above all others."
"Ah yes, your master's great power," Obi-Wan snorted, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his words. "Do you feel that he's given you what he's promised? Are we living in the free and just system you always felt the Old Republic should be? Would your mother be proud of this new Empire of yours?"
Obi-Wan could feel his former apprentice's anger towards him brewing at the mention of his mother. His patience was waning, the dark side clouding his senses, but Obi-Wan had to keep pushing. Anakin HAD to confront his fears, by force if necessary.
So Obi-Wan used his ace in the hole:
"What would Padme think of all that you've done?"
As expected, this set Vader off. In a flash he'd ignited his lightsaber and swung it straight at Obi-Wan's face. The old master saw it coming and caught it with his own blade, leaving the two men locked in a struggle for dominance.
"Don't you EVER say her name!" Vader bellowed, Force pushing Obi-Wan which he countered with his own leaving them stuck as each tried to overpower his opponent.
"She believed in a brighter future for the Republic, Anakin," Obi-Wan continued, struggling to keep up with the growing power of the Dark Side inside his fallen apprentice. "She knew parts of it were flawed but she believed with all her heart they could be changed. She always saw the good in people, just like she did with you."
"LIAR!" Anakin's scream was followed by a surge in his power that proved too much for Obi-Wan and sent him flying several meters back.
Obi-Wan hit the ground hard. He desperately tried to catch his breath, sensing his fallen apprentice approaching to deliver the killing blow.
I suppose I'm out of options, Obi-Wan thought.
The old Jedi rose to his feet, removing a small device from his pocket. When Vader was a couple feet away he activated the small holo-projector which displayed a glowing blue image of a very familiar face for both of them: the face of Padme Amidala. Her face was contorted from physical pain but there were also traces of a deeper pain, something more painful than any wound or scar.
Obi-Wan… the silent plea in Padme's voice forced the old Jedi to hold back a tear as the memories of that day came flooding back. There's good in him. I know… I know there's… still…
As Padme's face slowly fell to the side as life slowly left her, the sharp scream of a baby made the recording shift over to Obi-Wan holding the two small forms of Luke and Leia. Vader dropped his ignited lightsaber and fell to his knees, sorrow replacing the hatred that had filed him earlier, but the recording wasn't finished. The younger Obi-Wan gently laid both infants in a crib, doing his best to keep up a stoic demeanor. He stroked his beard in the matter he had done thousands of times before, and turned towards whoever was filming him, his eyes coming to rest on Vader's kneeling frame:
I don't know if you'll ever see this Anakin. I assume all this facility's data will be erased to keep Palpatine from ever finding the children… Their names are Luke and Leia. They were born on Polis Massa, the year your new Empire was formed. I don't know if they will ever see their true father, but if they ever ask, I will tell them that he was the bravest, kindest, most selfless Jedi I've ever had the pleasure to fight alongside. One of the greatest Starpilots in the galaxy, and my dearest, most cherished friend. And if they do finally meet you face to face, that is the only person they will see, and that is the only person they will love… Goodbye, old friend. May the Force be with you, always.
On those final words, the recording cut off. The older Obi-Wan watched as Vader raised his head to look directly at him. His mind was a chasm of conflicting emotions battling for dominance, and within that struggle, Obi-Wan could sense, was a battle between the Darkness and the Light.
"You do not understand what I have suffered," Vader's voice sounded tortured and broken. "All the pain, loss, anguish… the responsibility of being called The Chosen One…"
Vader got to his feet and let out a burst of Force energy which Obi-Wan deflected. It was merely a venting of anger, not an attack.
"You could never understand my pain!" Vader's voice was laced with anger and reproach. For the first time, Obi-Wan could hear the words and voice of Anakin Skywalker.
His fallen apprentice was right in a sense. Obi-Wan had no way of knowing or understanding everything that had led Anakin down this path. All he had was his own experience with suffering and loss. All the times where Obi-Wan had let himself be tempted by the Dark Side. Thought about abandoning the Jedi way and revel in this power that seemed limitless, if only he chose to give in to his hatred. Chose to sacrifice his training, his morality, his soul…
"I understand, Anakin," the serenity and compassion in Obi-Wan's voice made Vader flinch, as if he'd just heard his real name for the first time in years. "I understand that I can never comprehend what you've endured, but do not assume to know what I have endured."
Obi-Wan shrugged off his long brown cloak, revealing his tan-colored Jedi tunic, starkly detaching itself from the metallic grey walls of the Death Star.
"I know I am no longer your Master, and you are no longer my Apprentice, but I feel this is a lesson I should have taught you a long time ago."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and cleared his mind of all errant thoughts, entering the same mental clarity as in a meditation. It was like he was sitting in front of a blank canvas with every conceivable color to paint with. If Obi-Wan were meditating, he'd paint an intricate tableau with as much detail and depth as possible, to merge this metaphysical construction with the real world he inhabited. By understanding one, he could understand the other.
However, today, Obi-Wan wasn't interested in painting. He broke his canvas into bits, threw his paintbrushes away and dumped out all the paint: today, he was creating chaos.
Obi-Wan searched deep within his memories, recalling all the times he'd flirted with the Dark Side: his jealousy when another Padawan succeeded at an exercise that he'd failed, his fear at failing Qui-Gon and the Jedi Order, his failure as a general when his Clone were killed in battle, his failure to be Anakin's Master… his anger. Anger when Qui-Gon and Satine were murdered by Maul, when Ashoka left the Jedi Order, when the entire Order was wiped out by its own troops, when Anakin fell into Palpatine's clutches. All this PAIN was rising to the surface and Obi-Wan did not suppress it.
The old Jedi felt like his entire body was rejuvenated. Every muscle in his body pulsated with newfound energy, all building up and needing to be discharged. Obi-Wan's vision began to change. All the shapes became clearer, and shadows more defined. He felt hyperaware of everything around him, and the entire world now had a sickly yellow tint to it.
Once Obi-Wan's senses were sharpened and he was no longer limited by his physical form, he started to feel the darkness encroaching on his mind. It told him he was now a near-godly being, no longer tethered by the same rules as the rest of the galaxy's rabble. He possessed all this power and now he needed to use it. Strike down those who would oppose him, and force the rest into submission.
Obi-Wan could hear his voice whispering in the back of his mind. A snake like whisper, so similar to Darth Sidious':
Do you feel this power? How liberating it is? We are so much stronger when we allow ourselves to transcend our humanity; to ascend to a greater plane of existence. You understand this. After so many years it seems you have grown wise to it.
Vader, now up on his feet, was looking at Obi-Wan with what could only be a stare of disbelief. Feeling the familiar and enduring Force signature of his former master suddenly become so erratic and aggressive was something that shook Anakin to his core. He felt a surge of raw fear and sadness overwhelm him after years spent detached from all emotion or compassion.
Lord Vader has grown weak, the voice in Obi-Wan's head was growing louder. He is no longer worthy. Strike him down! Strike with all your anger! Eliminate him and reshape the galaxy as you see fit, with no one to stand in your way.
Vader must have heard or deduced what the voice was saying to Obi-Wan because his entire frame seemed to slacken in silent resignation. As though he expected this moment would someday arrive, and he'd decided not to resist it, much like Obi-Wan had when they'd first fought on the Death Star.
The old Jedi took a deep breath of the Death Star's recycled air and addressed the voice in his mind:
You mistake my intentions, oh great sinister one. You have nothing to offer me that I could possibly want. I have found my purpose and it is freeing my apprentice from you!
The voice tried to respond but Obi-Wan tuned it out, focusing his power to gather the Force around him. He reached out towards the giant metal power conduits that stretched out for miles and were several yards wide. The metallic cylinders started to creak and groan, sparks flashing as they were ripped away from their housings. Five hunks of steel, each weighing several tons, were now hovering above Obi-Wan and Vader.
The old Jedi addressed his Padawan directly, his voice layered with his well-known calm and kindness:
"I understand your pain, Anakin. More than you know. And I know that the path you've chosen will not give you solace."
He lifted the hundreds of tons of steel high into the air, high above his fallen apprentice and then... he let his anger dissolve into the Force. All the pain and dark memories disappeared like dust in the wind. His eyes returned to their original striking grey-blue, displaying a wisdom and experience that managed to put everyone at ease. He was back to the light, and the pylons were still hovering over Anakin's head.
"I know pain, my old Padawan," Obi-Wan's voice sounded twenty years younger. "I've seen and lived through enough of it to last me several lifetimes. I've had every opportunity to let it consume me, to become the product of my fears and desires. But instead, I mastered them. Faced them, defeated them, and now I control them, not the other way around. THAT is the power of the Force, Anakin. It is what your master can never teach you because he is too weak to face his own mortality."
Before Vader could reply, Obi-Wan released his hold on the floating hunks of steel, sending them crashing over the length of bridge that separated them. The falling debris tore through the thin bridge with ease, leaving a several meters wide gap between the Jedi and Sith.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan's senses perked up as he felt Luke's presence through the Force growing stronger. Looking over to his former apprentice, he could see that he'd felt it too.
"Do you know what Luke told me when I told him about Anakin Skywalker," Obi-Wan asked. "He said he wanted to become a Jedi, just like his father. It isn't too late for you to make his words ring true. He needs a master to teach him, but more importantly, he needs a father to love him."
With that, Obi-Wan turned away from Vader and walked back the way he came, stopping at the entrance of the generator room to look back:
"The Force will be with you, Anakin. Always."
Obi-Wan thought he saw the barest sign of a nod from his old apprentice before the tall dark figure walked away and disappeared out of sight. After a couple seconds, Obi-Wan made his way as fast as possible towards the hangar bay.
Surely this is the way I came…
Obi-Wan couldn't believe he'd managed to forget the way back to the hangar. Normally he would just follow his companions' Force signature, but per his request, they had all left the station by now.
After rounding another identical looking corner, Obi-Wan was beginning to grow frustrated. He drew his lightsaber and ignited its blade.
If I just cut into a straight line, I'm bound to come across something eventually.
Before Obi-Wan could put his plan into effect, a group of Imperials rounded the corner, coming face to face with the armed Jedi master. Those at the front of the line jumped away in terror, while others dropped down and started to beg for their lives.
Before Obi-Wan could attempt to calm them down, a grey haired officer stepped forward, eying the Jedi calmly. He wore the insignias of a corporal alongside several medals. His dark brown eyes carried the same "wisdom of age shine" as Obi-Wan's.
The corporal unholstered the blaster hanging on his belt and threw it at the Jedi's feet. He then took a single step forward, hands placed high above his head.
"I surrender myself to you, Jedi," his voice was even, without fear. Every word he spoke felt precise and researched. "I implore you to let these men pass. They are mechanics, not fighters."
The men behind him all nodded in unison to his last statement. Obi-Wan was impressed by the man's courage. He sheathed his saber before replying:
"I don't know how things are done here but slaying defenseless men isn't really my cup of tea. I'm looking for a way off this station, same as you. If you know the way to the nearest hangar, I'd very much like to come with you."
The corporal nodded his head in understanding. He turned to the mechanics behind him and gestured for them to keep moving. They all got back on their feet and continued the way they were headed, leaving Obi-Wan and the corporal to bring up the rear.
After a couple seconds of silent running through the empty halls of the Death Star, the corporal asked:
"Do you believe in hell?"
Obi-Wan could only imagine why he was asking.
"No. I believe judgement for our actions takes place before death, not after."
A couple seconds passed before the corporal answered:
"I suppose that would make sense."
Obi-Wan didn't have time to ask what he meant since they were finally arriving to a large hangar, different from the one Obi-Wan had started from. It was mostly empty, aside from a few stragglers who were also looking for a ship.
The mechanics all headed towards a medium sized troop carrier while the corporal and Obi-Wan made their way towards the docked TIE Fighters. Obi-Wan pulled open the hatch to the cockpit and started flipping on the appropriate switches, or at least what he hoped were the appropriate switches. It had been a long time since he'd flown a Starfighter.
After a couple minutes of semi-accurate button presses and lever pulls, Obi-Wan had his TIE Fighter up and running. He looked outside to see if the corporal had taken off already and was stunned to see him standing motionless on the landing ground, staring through the transparent magnetic shield into the vast expanse of space.
Obi-Wan quickly got out of his TIE Fighter and ran over to the corporal. He took one look at his lifeless stare and rigid posture, and understood there was nothing he could say to change his mind.
The old master stood by the corporal's side, following his gaze towards the millions of stars and planets outside. When the corporal spoke, it sounded like every word was a struggle to pronounce:
"I suppose if we are all reunited… maybe I'll finally get to apologize. To all of them."
Obi-Wan didn't say anything. Through the Force he reached out to the other man, calming his mind and soul.
"Bruna… the kids," the corporal's voice was barely holding together. "I always told them how beautiful Alderaan was… how the galaxy was safe thanks to this weapon I'd helped build…"
The corporal crumbled to his knees, tears falling on the cold dark floor. His entire frame shook from the sobs as he ripped away the medals and honors on his vest, and desperately punched them into the ground. The medals stayed intact, but not the bones in his hands didn't, nor the pristine floor of the hangar bay.
Obi-Wan turned away from the vastness of space and, laying a hand on the corporal's head, said:
"You will forgive yourself and forget the pain."
Several seconds passed before the corporal gave his response:
"I will forgive myself and forget the pain."
Obi-Wan walked back briskly to his TIE-Fighter. Once inside he slowly took it out of the hangar and into space. From there, he could almost make out the smile on the corporal's face.
After a couple minutes of less than smooth flying, Obi-Wan was finally comfortable enough with the controls that he could keep his ship steady and flying in a straight line. He made a B-line towards where the main fight was taking place, opening up a communication channel to all nearby ships.
"To all Rebel Alliance ships in the area, this is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am onboard a stolen TIE Fighter, designation 74B-2, please do not engage. Over."
After a couple seconds of static, a voice came back over the comms:
"Good to see you made it back safe, general. This is Wedge Antilles of Red Squadron. I've relayed your ship designation to high command to avoid any friendly fire. I can send some of our guys to escort you back to Yavin if you'd like."
"That won't be necessary, Wedge," Obi-Wan replied as he dodged his ship out of the way of some laser bolts. "I'm not leaving this battle until it is won. What's the situation on the exhaust port?"
Obi-Wan could spot the long trench that lead straight to the opening where a torpedo was supposed to fit. It was lined with massive turrets and several dozen TIE Fighters swarming above it.
Before Wedge could answer, Luke's frantic voice crackled over the comms.
"Ben! It's good that you made it. Our squad leader wasn't able to deliver the payload and now he's gone. We need to do another run before the Empire reinforces its defenses."
In any other situation, Obi-Wan would have chided Luke for his headstrong attitude and told him to wait for them to form a more complete attack plan. However, this wasn't a situation where strategies could be meticulously planned out. Despite their drop in numbers because of Obi-Wan's false evacuation order, the Empire still outnumbered the Rebel ships. This entire operation had played on the element of surprise and every minute wasted not attacking the Death Star's weak point was increasing the chance that Yavin would be annihilated and the entire Rebellion with it.
"I agree, Luke. Go on, show these well-bred pilots what a valley boy can do. Wedge! You and I will protect Luke's rear as he makes his way for the exhaust port."
"Right with you, general!" Wedge's voice replied instantly, brimming with anticipation.
"Just make sure you can keep up!" Luke's cheeky tone brought a small smirk to Obi-Wan's lips.
He watched as Luke tilted his X-Wing to the side, dropping into dive straight for the trench. Immediately, the laser turrets sprang to life, sending green bolts of energy steaking past Luke's ship which the boy avoided with impressive skill and dexterity. Just as he neared the surface of the Death Star, he pulled up on the controls, transitioning smoothly into the trench and accelerating forward.
"Glad to see Imperial flight academy training is worth something." Wedge said jokingly.
"All I need is for him to start spinning to send me to an early grave. Tighten up formation, we're going in."
Obi-Wan followed Luke's approach, tilting his ship downward so that he was flying straight towards the surface of the Death Star. Unfortunately, he didn't share Luke's love and/or affinity for flying. Obi-Wan's relationship with being inside a Starfighter was one based on reluctance and relying on his droid navigator to do most of the hard work for him. Since he didn't have the latter, Obi-Wan's only choice was to boost his forward shields to maximum and do his best to not hit any lasers.
After several heart pounding seconds, Obi-Wan was able to skim the surface of the Death Star and make it into the trench with Wedge following closely behind.
"Any closer and I'd have thought this was a suicide run, general." Wedge's said sarcastically.
"Leave it to the droids, Wedge," Obi-Wan muttered as he shifted the power from the forward shields to the engines. "Just leave it to the droids."
As they both shared a good natured chuckle, they managed to catch up with Luke who was starting to accelerate towards the exhaust port.
"Ben, I'm picking up several enemy fighters coming in on the scanners. You see anything?"
I don't need to see to know who that is…
"We have two Inquisitors moving in on our six," Obi-Wan told Wedge and Luke. "Keep pushing full speed towards the exhaust port. They'll have to deactivate the turrets if they don't want to risk hitting their own ships. We'll do our best to draw them into the trench."
"No, Ben, I can help you…"
"There isn't time Luke!" Obi-Wan cut the young man. "If we fail here, the Rebel Alliance will never recover. We will do our part so you can do yours."
"We'll handle 'em Luke," Wedge chipped in. "Can't let you take all the glory."
Luke let out a soft chuckle before replying confidently:
"May the Force be with you."
Luke accelerate his ship down the trench, while Obi-Wan and Wedge decelerated and diverted extra power to their weapons and rear-shields. It took only a couple seconds for the Inquisitors to take the bait. They bore down on the two X-Wings, firing at them as they moved side by side into the trench.
In this configuration, there was very little Obi-Wan and Wedge could do to fight back. They had no rear cannons and attempting to flip over to get behind the Inquisitors would only leave Luke wide open for an attack. There only viable option was to dodge the oncoming fire until Luke could land his torpedoes into the Death Star's reactor.
Obi-Wan and Wedge managed to weave from side to side and around each other, effectively dodging the Inquisitors laser bolts. But of course, this strategy could only keep them untouched for so long. Eventually, an Inquisitor fired a lucky shot that managed to hit Wedge's right wing.
"I'm hit! I can't stay with you!" Wedge bit out in frustration.
"Get out of here, Wedge! I'll handle things from here."
"Sorry, general," Wedge replied, pulling his X-Wing out of the trench and away from the Death Star. "I'll try to rally some guys to get them off your back."
Obi-Wan was now alone. The two Inquisitors were closing in on him. Their shots passed closer and closer to his ship, until one finally struck metal. Red warning diodes flashed on Obi-Wan's control panel, indicating he'd lost power to his shields.
Not good, the old Jedi thoughts grimly.
Obi-Wan continued to dodge the lasers but he knew he could only hold out for so long. Eventually, they'd land the kill shot.
Well… these last couple hours made the years of pain worth it, the old master reflected. I suppose it's time to continue my mission in the next life.
"Ben!" Luke's panicked voice shook Obi-Wan out of his reverie. "I'm nearly at the exhaust port but my targeting computer is acting up, it won't turn on."
Obi-Wan smiled to himself. If these were to be his final moments, he would make sure he helped his last student just as much as he had his first. Loosening his hold on the controls of his TIE Fighter, Obi-Wan poured all his concentration into reaching out to Luke through the Force.
"Use the Force Luke." Obi-Wan's voice echoed in Luke's mind. The young man felt as though he was whispering directly into his ear. He watched the proximity dial on his control board move closer and closer to zero as he approached the exhaust port. He kept pressing the button for his targeting computer, desperately hoping it would suddenly start working.
"Let go Luke." he heard the familiar voice again. Luke felt his senses becoming sharper. His vision was focusing in on the incoming exhaust port, his hands perfectly steady over the trigger for the torpedoes. He felt as though all his tension and doubts had evaporated, to be replaced by a sense of serenity and clarity that permeated his mind and body.
Obi-Wan relaxed as he felt Luke give himself over to the Force, letting it guide his movements. He had done all he could. Now it was time for others to take his place. As he sensed the Inquisitor's lasers bearing down on him, seconds away from blowing his ship to pieces, he reached out to Luke with one final message:
"Remember. The Force will be with you. Always."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He heard a loud explosion, felt a sudden jolt and exhaled a final breath as he fell into unconsciousness and a blinding white light filled his vision.
DONE! Wow that was a lot of stuff.
So I don't know. Obi-Wan accepting the Dark Side for a little bit was that sacrilege for some people. I see it as a calculated move where he was in control the whole time and only did it to teach his fallen apprentice a valuable lesson but I can see how some people might see it as fundamentally betraying who Obi-Wan is. Tell me what you think.
Also, if you want to kill me because of that ending, I will exceptionally accept anger-filled comments for you to vent your frustration at me ;)
Please favorite, follow and comment, and remember: The Force will be with you. Always.