Chapter 4: Ben Kenobi and Revelations

Luke made his way back to the garage to finish working on Threepio and Artoo.

However, when he entered, it was to find the room empty of the two newcomers. Confused, he pulled out a remote similar to the one the sellers had used on Artoo and pushed a button.

"Oh!" Threepio said in surprise, jumping at the sudden shock.

"What are you doing hiding back there?" he asked as if to a guilty child.

"It wasn't my fault, sir, please don't deactivate me." He pleaded. "I told him not to go, but he's faulty. Malfunctioning. Kept going on about his mission."

"Geez, Threepio. You don't have to act like that.", Padmé commented to the protocol droid.

"Is there a time where he isn't"?, Anakin joked.

"Dammit." Luke cursed and ran from the room, Threepio following behind. He ran back out topside and searched the horizon with another pair of binoculars.

"That R2 unit has always been a problem." Threepio said, walking up beside him. "These astro droids are getting a bit out of hand. Even I can't understand their logic at times."

"I'm not saying he's wrong but R2 is kind off crafty sometimes.", Ahsoka stated for the little droid.

"Yet he has saved many lives throughout the war because of it. Perhaps he has something in his mind that is for the better.", Plo Koon supported her claim.

Master Mundi came next. "Remember he has the plans for the Rebels, and he is looking for Master Kenobi at that matter."

"How could I be so stupid?" Luke said as he put the macrobinoculars down, "He's nowhere in sight. Dammit!"

"Excuse me, sir, but couldn't we go after him?"

"It's too dangerous with all the sand people around. We'll have to wait until morning."

Anakin unconciously clenched his fist, remembering those Raiders taking his mother away from him. And the possibility of Luke running into them is unacceptable to him.

"Luke!" Owen called from within the house, "I'm shutting the power down!"

"Alright! I'll be right there!" he called back before groaning. "Boy am I gonna get it. You know, that droid is gonna cause me nothing but trouble. I can already tell."

"Oh, he excels at that, Master Skywalker.", Ahsoka humorously called out.

"That did seem to become a habit of his.", Kit Fisto pointed out.

The next day, Owen awoke to find Beru making breakfast and Luke nowhere to be found.

"Hey, you seen Luke yet today?" He asked his wife.

"Yeah, said he had some things to do, so he left early." She said as she work on their breakfast.

"He take those new droids with him?" he asked.

"Dunno." Beru said with a playful slap to the hand that held the bacon.

Owen sighed and bit off a chuck of the meat. "Well, he better have those units in the south range repaired by mid-day or there'll be hell to pay."

Instead, Luke and Threepio were zooming across the desert in a land speeder.

"Look, there's a droid on the scanner, dead ahead." He pointed at the screen. "Could be our little R2 unit, hit the accelerator."

As he moved through a canyon, a creature wrapped head to toe in cloth took aim at him with a sniper rifle. It was stopped by one of its' kin. They exchanged a series of grunts and growls before the second pulled the first back to their massive, shaggy, ram-horned mounts and they moved out as one.

"Tusken Raiders. This could be dangerous for Luke.", Shaak Ti said in worry for the boy.

Anakin glared at the sight of those animals, still remembering the day he slaughtered them all when they took his mother away from him. Since thay day, he vowed to be the strongest, just so he could save everyone he ever loved.

Especially Padmé.

Luke stopped the speeder a few feet away from Artoo, who was waddling over some rocks.

"Hey, hey, where do you think you're going?" he said. Artoo whistled in response.

"Master Luke is your Master now!" Threepio scolded "We don't want to hear anymore of this Obi-Wan Kenobi gibberish!"

Artoo whistled back in response. "And don't talk to me about your mission. You're lucky he doesn't blast you into a million pieces on the spot."

As Luke assured him there was no call for that, Artoo whistled again, with something akin to fear in the tone. "What's he saying?"

"There are several creatures approaching from the south-east." Threepio said, fear in his voice.

"Sand People. Or worse." Luke growled. He ran to his speeder and pulled out a rifle. "Come on, let's check it out."

"Kid, I'm telling you, get out of there now.", Anakin warned his son.

"You do know he can't hear you, Skywalker?", Mace asked, bewildered at the Jedi Knight's sudden change of tone.

"I know, but still..."

A few minutes later, Luke had taken a vantage point on the lip of the canyon and was looking at a possible campsite below him, Threepio standing behind him. "Well, there are a couple banthas down there, but I don't think- wait a minute…" a humanoid figure walked into view from behind a bantha, "They're Sand People alright, I can see one of them now."

His vision went dark and he looked up to see a Sand Person in front of him. It howled a war cry, shaking a bent club over its' head. Threepio screamed and fell backwards. Luke tried to bring his weapon to bear, but his assailant batted it away and struck him in the middle of the chest, throwing him on his back. It tried to bash his head in multiple times, but Luke dodged each time.

"Luke!", cried out Ahsoka and Caleb at the same time for the boy. The masters present were likewise worried for him now while Anakin resisted the urge to yell or go back to Tatooine and finish the job.

The scene cut to a cave nearby the abandoned speeder, the war cries of the Sand People echoing off the walls of the canyon. Artoo watched as the Sand People dragged an unconscious Luke back to it and began to ransack it. Artoo whistled a few times, trying to wake Luke up to no avail.

Suddenly, a haunting noise echoed off the walls. The Sand People turned to see a robed figure walking towards them, waving his arms about. The sound more than the source terrified the Sand People and they beat a hasty retreat, dropping everything except their stick-maces.

"What in the world just happened?" Luminara said, a little shaken.

"Scared them off, something or someone did. Good for Luke, this may be.", Yoda mused.

Artoo watched as the robed figure knelt beside Luke and checked his pulse. He looked up at his and lowered his hood, revealing a much older man. His face retained its tan and friendly features, but his hair became sandy grey.

'He kinda look like Obi-Wan, if not older.', thought Anakin. The rest present felt the same way, including Obi-Wan.

"Hello there." He greeted to Artoo. "Come here, my little friend. No need to fear." Artoo whistled, looking at Luke. "Oh, don't worry, he'll be alright."

As if on cue, Luke began to stir and opened his eyes. "Rest easy, son. You've had a busy day." the old man said said as he helped Luke into a sitting position. "You're fortunate to be all in one piece."

Luke shook the cobwebs loose and got a better look at him. "Ben? Ben Kenobi? Boy, am I glad to see you."

"The Jundland Wastes are not to be travelled lightly." Ben told him, as he stood and helped him to his feet and sat him down on a nearby rock. "Tell me, young Luke; what brings you out this far?"

"This little droid." He said, pointing to Artoo. "I think he's searching for his former master, but I've never seen such devotion in a droid before. He claims to be the property of a Obi-Wan Kenobi." At the name, Ben's eyes widened, as if sudden memories flashed before him, and he took a seat of his own. "Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he was talking about?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi?" he said, almost in shock. "Obi-Wan… now that's a name I've not heard in a long time. A long time."

"I think my uncle knows him. He said he was dead."

"Oh, he's not dead. Well, not yet."

"That's good to hear...", Obi-Wan said in relief.

"You know him?"

"Well, of course I knew him. He's me. I haven't gone by the name of Obi-Wan since before you were born."

The audience were surprised at this revelation as they glanced at Kenobi, who coughed at his worn-out appearance.

"Well, someone hasn't aged well...", Anakin joked, resulting of Ahsoka and Padmé snickering at his humor.

"It's a relief to know that Master Kenobi is all right. Hopefully, same can be said to the other Jedi.", Mace stated, after seeing what had become of their time.

"Well, then I guess Artoo does belong to you."

"Can't seem to recall ever owning a droid before." He said, scratching his chin.

"Why is he pretending not to know R2?", Ahsoka asked, bewildered..

"I don't know, but I didn't actually say I didn't know him" said Obi Wan.

"Huh?"

"Obi-Wan never really owned him" Anakin pointed. "So, he's not really lying about what he said."

The droid's coloring did seem somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite- his musing was cut off by the howling of Sand People echoing off the walls of the canyon. "We'd best get going. These Sand People are easily startled, but they will come back, and in greater numbers.

Artoo whistled as the two moved towards Luke's speeder. "Threepio!", Luke called out from his less-than-stellar hide. There, the two found the droid laying on his back, his left arm severed and lying a few feet away.

"Where are we?" Threepio, wondered, "I must have taken a bad step."

"Can you stand? We gotta get out of here before the Sand People come back." Luke asked him.

"I don't think I can make it. You go on, Master Luke. There's no sense in you risking yourself on my account, I'm done for."

"Don't lose hope, Threepio!", Ahsoka said out loud for the protocol droid.

"Quickly," Obi-Wan urged, grabbing Threepio under his arms, "They're on the move." Together, he and Luke lifted Threepio to his feet and made their way to Obi-Wan's place beyond the desert.

"So, anybody want to tell me why I'm living on Tatooine under a false name?", questioned Obi-Wan..

'I'd like to know why my son is there', thought Anakin .

Once there, they settled in and began chatting while Luke fixed up Threepio, cleaning him up and reattaching his arm.

After making himself comfortable in the old man's home, Luke immediately began asking about his father. Ben laughed and indulged the young boy about the tales of his old man, allowing him a little bit of happiness even if it raised more than a few of his own unpleasant memories.

"No, my father didn't fight in the wars." Luke laughed off Obi-Wan's statements as he tightened some bolts on Threepio's shoulder, "He was a navigator on a spice freighter."

"That's what your uncle told you." Ob-Wan said. It was a statement, not a question, so Luke knew he could read him somehow. "He didn't hold your father's ideals, thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved."

"You fought in the Clone Wars?" Luke asked.

"Yes." Obi-Wan chuckled, "I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father." He leaned back and stroked his chin pensively.

Windu paused the holovid as the people present looked at Skywalker, who was sweating bullets at the sudden revelation that Obi-Wan showed. He was done for.

"Skywalker...", Mace began with a dangerous but formal tone. "Would you mind explaining yourself?"

"Now, now.", Master Mundi intervened before any argument could be formed. "Before everyone would make a fuss about Skywalker breaking the Jedi Code, we must take note that if Obi-Wan is living at Tattooine rather at the Temple, he and Skywalker may have been forced to leave the Order as soon as the Empire rose to power. There would be nothing wrong with him having a family after he left".

"Thank you.", Anakin said to the old Jedi Master in relief. He didn't want to deal with any of that drama later on though he glanced at Padmé, who was uneasy at the moment.

Of course, by now Obi-Wan was sure Anakin had broken the code and had a relationship with Padmé, but he wouldn't say anything, because Anakin was like a brother to him, and he wouldn't betray the trust that he had by telling the Council of this. Then he wondered.

If Anakin had been a perfect Jedi and done as Obi Wan said he should, then this young, wide eyed, adventurous, hopeful boy named Luke whom he'd been watching on screen, would never have existed. For this life, breaking the code was worth it. Although, it felt strange to admit that he had to make an exception to the thing that had guided him for as long as he could remember.

Mace resumed the holovid and they continued watching.

"I wish I had known him." Luke said in a saddened tone.

Then all doubts about Skywalker vanished when they saw that Luke never even knew Anakin personally. The possibility or fact that Anakin had died at this time.

"He was the best starpilot in the galaxy."

Anakin smiled at the praise Obi-Wan gave him, who felt his chest being heavy of the revelations given to him by his future. Plo Koon and Saesee Tiin, though excellent starfighter pilots at their own right, wouldn't deny that Anakin indeed held the distinction of being the best pilot they had ever known.

"And a cunning warrior."

Ki-Adi Mundi, Ahsoka and Rex likewise felt the same for the Jedi Knight, having won countless seemingly impossible battles because of his skill in leadership.

Master Yoda closed his eyes in respect for the departed Jedi Knight. As did Mace Windu despite his reservations for him.

"I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself." Obi-Wan said making Luke stutter bashfully.

"And he was a good friend."

Obi-Wan allowed a small tear to drop from his eye at hearing himself say those words, not wanting to imagine how painful it was for him to lose Anakin. Ahsoka and Rex lowered their heads in both sadness and grief, wondering what would have happened to their general and their friend, and to how they weren't there when he died.

Padmé, however, resisted the urge to shed tears, knowing the man she loved was gone and their son not knowing who his parents were. What could have happened for this to happen?

"Which reminds me, I have something here for you." He stood up and walked over to a chest on the wall. "Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle would never allow it." he rummaged through the chest and pulled out a short metal tube.

"My lightsaber!", Anakin said out loud at seeing his weapon in Obi-Wan's possession.

"He was afraid you might follow Old Obi-Wan on some damn fool idealistic crusade like your father did."

"I resent that!", Obi-Wan called out.

"Sir, if you'll not be needing me, I'll close down for a while." Threepio said to Luke. When he given him the go ahead, he leaned forward, his eyes stopped glowing and he simply sat there like a statue.

"What is it?" Luke asked, taking the proffered tube. It was heavier than he'd expected, and assumed there were some internal workings to it.

"Your father's lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan. Luke pressed a button on the side and a two and a half foot beam of light burst from the tip. It hummed with every movement he made.

Luke's eyes widened when he saw the weapon. "Woah!" was all he could manage as his mind swarmed with too many questions to keep track of.

"Seen a Jedi, has he not?", Yoda questioned.

"Not as random or clumsy as blaster. An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations the Jedi were protectors of peace and justice in the Old Republic." He sat back down before a grim tone overtook him.

"Before the dark times. Before the Empire."

"Here we go...", Ahsoka quietly said, the truth coming out.

The lightsaber hissed when Luke deactivated it. He held the weapon in his hand, amazed by the technology. Then a question entered his mind. "How did my father die?" he asked, sitting down next to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan took a breath before answering. "A young Jedi by the name of Darth Vader- who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil- helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father."

Everyone present gasped at this, with them looking at the said master in the Council. While Anakin froze at the revelation Obi-Wan gave them. He likewise wanted to know who this was and stop all of this from happening.

"That's impossible. That Dark Lord was Master Kenobi's other apprentice?", Kit Fisto questioned in denial.

"He couldn't have. None of us even know who this Vader is.", Ahsoka added.

"Now, the Jedi are all but extinct."

Now all the Jedi were stunned at this, the Order that existed for several Millenia, had fallen at the hands of Darth Vader.

"Emerged victorious, the Sith has.", Yoda gravely said as he closed his eyes in deep thought.

"Where did we go wrong? Have we been blind this whole time?", Shaak Ti stated, not liking the truth presented to them.

"We have to apprehend this, Vader, as soon as we know the truth, if we are to save the Jedi Order from him and the Empire.", Mace suggested. Anakin was likewise eager to join him at this venture before all this could happen.

"Vader was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force."

"The Force?" Luke asked, confused.

Obi-Wan smiled, happy to move away from that topic. "The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together."

"Very astute answer, Master Kenobi", Yoda praised the Jedi master.

"Thank you, Master." Obi-Wan replied, though still shaken at the revelation.

Aroo whistled, interrupting the conversation. "Now, my little friend, let's see if we can't figure out what you are and where you come from."

"I saw a part of a message he was carrying- " Luke said.

"I seem to have found it." Obi-Wan said. Sure enough, Luke turned around and saw the same holo-message from before being projected in front of Obi-Wan.

"General Kenobi," The image of Princess Leia said with a bow, "Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to aid him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret I am unable to bring you this message in person, but my ship had fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope." The image faded away and Obi-Wan sat back, deep in thought. He looked at Luke.

"Looks like we got ourselves to a knew destination.", Anakin stated.

"You must learn the ways of the Force, if you're to come with me to Alderaan." He said with a small smile.

"Wouldn't it be too dangerous for him? I mean, Luke is still young.", Master Billaba said in worry.

"Alderaan?" Luke said incredulously and then laughed lightly, "I'm not going to Alderaan. I've gotta get home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is!"

"I need your help, Luke. She needs your help." Obi-Wan pleaded, "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."

"Thanks for stating the obvious, future me!", Obi-Wan called out in a deadpanned tone while the others let out a chuckle at this.

Luke knew he was right, and he wanted to help, but his ingrained sense of duty was overriding everything else. "I can't get involved. I've got work to do. It's not that I like the Empire, I hate it, but there's nothing I can do about it right now. Besides, it's such a long way from here."

"That's your uncle talking." Obi-Wan said matter-of-factly.

"He's not wrong..", Plo-Koon agreed with him.

"My uncle. Man, how am I gonna explain this?"

"Learn about the Force, Luke." Obi-Wan pressed.

Luke sighed, considering his reasonable options, the ones that both duty and his conscious allowed. "Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going."

"You must do what you think is right, of course."