Author's Note: I heard that James Earl Jones has passed away. He shall be missed by all of us:(
I don't own Star Wars or its characters, but Nadia Aomori and my other OCs I own only.
Enjoy!
Fire of the Rebellion
Chapter 3: Visiting Tatooine
Obi-Wan was riding his eopie east across the desert.
He had acquired the eopie just after his arrival to Tatooine, when he needed a method of transport to deliver Luke to the Lars homestead and the beast had continued to prove itself useful.
It was while riding the eopie that he had found shelter for himself, a small hovel which had a secure door that had been carved out of a nearby canyon wall before it was abandoned by some unknown transient.
The eopie also allowed him to check on the Lars homestead twice daily, at sunrise and sun-set, which had become his routine.
Whenever he rode, the Jedi Master was always mindful of his surroundings and on the lookout for danger.
He had already seen various signs of Tusken Raiders and was fairly certain that at least one Tusken tribe had become aware of his presence.
Recently, while exploring the vast area around the Lars homestead, Obi-Wan had come upon what appeared to be the ruins of a camp in a canyon in the Jundland Wastes.
He had travelled close enough to the ruins to see a cluster of bantha-rib arches sticking in the sand, all that remained of several small huts, the kind used by the nomadic Tuskens.
Seeing the ruins, Obi-Wan had been suddenly overcome by a feeling of loneliness and despair which ended a moment later, when a distant blood-chilling howl echoed down from a nearby clifftop.
Suspecting that he may have strayed into an area that was somehow sacred to Tuskens, he had proceeded past the ruins quickly.
Sometimes while riding, the Jedi Master's thoughts would stray to Padmé on her deathbed.
Speaking of Anakin, Naboo's beloved Queen and Senator's last words had been, "There's still good in him."
And then he would think of how he had left Anakin to die on Mustafar.
He tried to suppress such thoughts.
The problem was Obi-Wan remembered so many good years with Anakin and really had loved him like a brother.
It was still so hard for him to believe that Anakin had turned to evil.
And even after all the unforgivable things he had done under the name of Darth Vader, Obi-Wan still found himself missing his friend Anakin Skywalker.
He also thought of Qui-Gon Jinn.
Master Yoda had explained to Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon's consciousness had survived as a spiritual entity and described his own exchanges with Qui-Gon's voice.
The Grand Jedi Master had also instructed Obi-Wan how to communicate with Qui-Gon, but so far, Obi-Wan had yet to hear from his late Master's spirit.
The suns had almost set as he approached the perimeter of the Lars homestead.
As usual, the security lights were already switched on and a few KPR servant droids were patrolling the area around the underground com-pound.
On previous evenings, Owen had emerged from the entrance dome to check the droids before returning below ground for the night.
Obi-Wan had come to inter-pret Owen's action as a signal that all was well, and that it was time for him to make his way back to his hovel.
But on this night, Obi-Wan found Owen standing several meters away from the entry dome, carrying a blaster rifle and waiting for him.
Owen held the blaster rifle so it was aimed at the ground.
Obi-Wan wasn't surprised to see the weapon as Owen always carried it when he stepped outside at nightfall.
But even without Jedi powers, Obi-Wan could see the man looked jittery.
"Hello, Owen."Obi-Wan said as he brought the eopie to a halt."Is something wrong?"
Owen nodded while a small glare was on his face.
Obi-Wan began to dismount, but Owen held up one hand to signal him not to come down.
"Don't bother."Owen retorted."What I have to say won't take long."
Obi-Wan kept his eyes on Owen as he shifted his weight back onto the eopie.
"I'm not sure how to put this."Owen continued."So I'm just going to say it. The way you come around my place…it bothers me. "
Obi-Wan let out a sigh.
"I'm sorry, Owen."Obi-Wan apologised."But as I told you, I need to make sure that the boy is -"
"Wait."Owen interrupted sternly."My wife and I are the ones raising Luke, right? That's what we agreed to? "
Obi-Wan nodded as he wondered where the conversation was going.
"Well, I didn't agree to you checking on us daily, let alone twice a day."Owen declared."I don't mean any disrespect, but I've been keeping Tuskens off my property for years, and well, I think you coming here so often is just a bad idea!"
Despite what he was hearing, Obi-Wan kept his voice calm.
"Owen, I assure you, I don't question your ability to handle the Tuskens."Obi-Wan stated."But as we've already discussed, it's not the Tuskens I'm worried about."
"Oh, right."Owen retorted while holding his blaster."It's the Empire. But then let me ask you something."
Owen swallowed hard before he continued.
"If you're so concerned about the child's well being, why don't you try staying away from us?"Owen questioned with a hint of annoyance."Didn't you ever think what would happen to Luke if the Empire tracked you down and found you living in my backyard?"
Owen's words left Obi-Wan momentarily dumb-struck.
Then the Jedi Master shook his head.
"Forgive me, Owen. You're absolutely right."Obi-Wan agreed."I'll be more careful. More discreet."
"That's a start."Owen said with a frown."Again, I don't mean any disrespect, but…my wife and I can't raise Luke in any ordinary way if we know you're always lurking about. Understand?"
"Yes."Obi-Wan responded, hoping Owen was going to say something more, but didn't."Good night, Owen."
Owen nodded once again, then turned and headed for the entry dome.
Obi-Wan turned his eopie around and guided the creature back across the desert.
Obi-Wan continued to monitor Luke, but from greater distances and without any obvious routine.
He had no reason to remain in the hovel near the Lars homestead, so like the transient who had lived there previously, Obi-Wan moved on.
He eventually found a slightly more spacious derelict structure in the Jundland Wastes, a small, domed-roofed hut that sat on a bluff at the southwestern edge of the Dune Sea. Like so many other buildings on Tatooine, it was made of synstone, a mixture of crushed local rock and dissolvants that could be cast into almost any shape.
The hut was approximately 136 kilometers from the Lars homestead and farther than Obi-Wan would have preferred, but probably still too close to satisfy Owen Lars.
From what Obi-Wan could see, no one had lived in the hut for a very long time. An old moisture vaporator stood beside it.
Obi-Wan checked to see if the vaporator worked.
It didn't.
To confirm whether the hut was indeed abandoned, Obi-Wan traveled to the property bureau in Tatooine's capital city, Bestine.
Inside the bureau, on the wall beside the information desk, there was a holographic map of Tatooine.
Obi-Wan's eyes happened to fall on a broad, flat-topped mountain that the map identified as Ben's Mesa.
"That sounds familiar."Obi-Wan thought.
Then he recalled the loudmouth Dug who had been on the same flight that had brought him to the sand planet.
An antique, oval-faced droid clerk wobbled up behind the information desk, looked at Obi-Wan through tarnished photoreceptors.
"May I help you, Mister-"the droid started.
"Ben."Obi-Wan replied flatly."I'm interested in a piece of property. The location coordinates are Alpha-1733-Mu-9033."
The droid clerk turned his photoreceptors to a data-bank monitor and entered the coordinates.
"There are no filed claims or liens for the property at Alpha-1733-Mu-9033, Mr. Ben."the droid admitted.
"In other words, the place is available?"Obi-Wan assumed.
"No one lives there."the droid answered curtly."No one wants to live in the Jundland Wastes. Do you want to file a claim, sir?"
Obi-Wan considered making a claim under an assumed name, but then decided against it, knowing that he had a better chance of maintaining a secret presence on Tatooine if he stayed off of any official records.
"No, thanks."Obi-Wan said as he moved toward the exit."I think the property should remain as it is."
"As you wish, sir."the droid replied, not really caring one way or the other.
Obi-Wan's next stop was a hardware shop, where he used most of his remaining credits to buy all the tools and supplies that he could afford and his eopie could carry.
Excluding the hovel he had lived in during his first weeks on Tatooine, Obi-Wan had never inhabited a place by himself for any great duration.
Like most Jedi, he had lived much of his life at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
Now, living in an area on a world where even the most basic supplies were difficult to obtain, he was hardly prepared for the work required to restore the abandoned hut.
But while he monitored Luke over the month that followed, he also threw himself into making the hut as liveable as possible.
He had no idea how long he might reside on Tatooine, but he wouldn't be a very useful Jedi if the roof over his head came crashing down on him.
There was a surprising amount of wildlife in the Jundland Wastes.
By watching various creatures, including his own eopie, Obi-Wan learned where to gather berries and vegetables.
By watching womp rats and other omnivores, he also determined which animals were edible.
His Jedi reflexes enabled him to catch the fast-running, two-legged rodents called scurriers as easily as most people could pull an amphibious gorg from its primal root puddle.
But if he had to choose, he preferred the taste of gorgs.
For all of Obi-Wan's self-sufficient achievements, there were some things he simply couldn't do on his own.
He required special tools and materials to fix and clean the moisture vaporator beside the hut, the stove in his living area and the water cistern in the cellar.
The Jedi Master was fortunate that a passing clan of Jawa traders took notice of him one day and parked their massive sandcrawler near his hut.
Evidently, the maroon-cloaked creatures had become aware of the strange man who had moved to the Jundland Wastes, and were impressed by the fact that he had survived as long as he had.
The Jawas were happy to share their tools and some spare supplies with Obi-Wan, especially after he offered to share some food with them.
Obi-Wan further gained favour with this clan after he noticed three young Jawas had taken a liking to his eopie which he encouraged them to take as a gift from him.
The Jawa leader responded by chittering and gesturing at the sandcrawler to convey that he would be happy to give Obi-Wan rides to the cities or settlements which was exactly what the Jedi Master had hoped he would do.
After all, Obi-Wan no longer required an eopie on a daily basis, and sandcrawlers traveled faster.
"Thank you, my friend."Obi-Wan answered the Jawa chief."I just might take you up on that offer. Please, call me Ben."
Not long after befriending the Jawas, Obi-Wan rode with them to Anchorhead, a wind-scoured settlement about twenty kilometers east of the Lars homestead.
Anchorhead was a small community and trading post, with about a dozen pourstone stores and two small cantinas.
One of the larger buildings was Tosche Station which supplied energy to most of the area moisture farms.
Obi-Wan had told the Jawas that he was in search of either parts or a replacement for his hut's moisture vaporator as he still hadn't managed to get it working properly, but he had another reason for making the journey.
Using the Force, he had anticipated that Luke was heading into Anchorhead with his aunt and uncle.
The first thing Nadia and Ferus did upon arriving to the city in Tatooine known as Anchorhead was making sure the Guardian was parked safely in the starport with RG-G1 guarding it and away from imperial sight.
Sure Tatooine was a place for criminals, scoundrels and hapless spacers of all species, but neither of the two Jedi Knights didn't want to take any chances of having Inquisitors arrive and hunt them down.
So laying low was just what both Nadia and Ferus intended to do.
Nadia wore a dark grey long sleeved shirt with a high collar with tight red trousers and maroon coloured boots. On hands were simple tactical gloves Her raven black hair was pulled back to keep it out of her face and done in a braided ponytail held in place by metal rings at various intervals.
Ferus wore a long ankle-length cream beige robe with a matching hood drawn over his head, a leather belt with two satchels attached to it, faded leather gloves and black boots.
"You look like some kind of scavenger."Nadia chuckled.
Ferus smirked. "And you look like a smuggler, Dia."
Nadia and Ferus then left the starport and began walking around Anchorhead.
Anchorhead was one of the first settlements on Tatooine and was part of the Great Chott salt flat region.
Abandoned and resettled many times, it lost significance until it was only a minor outpost for several nearby moisture farms.
"What gives you the idea that Obi-Wan is here?"Ferus questioned.
"A familiar feeling."Nadia responded simply and looked at her surroundings."But it seems to be populated now that the Empire has taken over."
The young couple went into one of the cantinas known as The Weary Traveler to drink some beverages.
The cantina had an old hyperwave repeater that was broadcasting intermittent HoloNet displays of recent news reports from across the galaxy.
Nadia ordered a gooey tasty drink known as ruby bliel while Ferus ordered a liquidised meal called the galaxy guzzler.
"I am surprised that Tatooine has tasty beverages."Nadia complemented.
Ferus took a few more sips of his galaxy guzzler before placing his bottle down.
"Yeah."Ferus agreed with a frown."But remember this was Anakin's home planet, Dia. This was also where he and his late mother were sold into slavery."
Nadia bit her lip at Ferus' declaration.
"Right."Nadia murmured.
Nadia glanced at the view nearby as she took a sip of her ruby bliel, only for her eyes to widen when something caught her attention.
"What is it, Dia?"Ferus questioned.
"Ferus, look."Nadia whispered.
Ferus followed Nadia's gaze, only to become stunned as well.
There at the provisions store across the street from the cantina were Owen and Beru Lars.
Beru was carrying Luke in a sling that she wore over her chest.
However, Nadia and Ferus had been careful to position themselves so the Lars family would not see him.
But the young couple was glad to see they all looked healthy and happy.
"I so wish I can hold Luke in my arms again."Nadia declared with a sad smile."He has Anakin's eyes."
Ferus frowned. "You do remember we're not here to see him, right?"
Nadia's small smile vanished and then nodded firmly, understanding the plan that she and Ferus agreed to follow.
She was giving Luke a small glance when she thought she heard a female HoloNet reporter say the word 'Jedi'.
"What was the HoloNet News saying?"Nadia demanded.
Ferus looked to the cantina's HoloNet display, but a sudden burst of static interrupted the broadcast.
He turned to human man seated two tables away.
"Excuse me, what was the reporter saying?"Ferus asked.
"Band of Jedi were killed on Kashyyyk."the man replied slightly.
A fearful look appeared on Nadia's face.
"Oh, no."Nadia thought with a nervous tone."Kento. Mallie."
The broadcast resumed.
The Empire claimed Kashyyyk had been plotting a rebellion.
Imperial forces not only killed the unidentified Jedi but also thousands of Wookiees.
Hundreds of thousands more Wookiees had been imprisoned.
Ferud's mind reeled as he thought of the slain Jedi.
"What were they thinking?"Ferus thought in disbelief."They should have gone into hiding, not drawn attention to themselves! Couldn't they foresee what would happen to the Wookiees?"
Nadia listened carefully at what the Holonet Reporter was saying
"At this moment, details remain sketchy, but reliable sources have stated that the Wookiees were allowing a band of rogue Jedi to use Kashyyyk as a base for rebel strikes against the Empire."the HoloNet Reporter informed."The police action is believed to have begun with a demand that the Jedi be surrendered. Instead, the Wookiees resisted and the result was a battle that left tens of thousands dead, including the Jedi insurgents and perhaps hundreds of thousands imprisoned."
Ferus and Nadia traded looks of shock.
"On Coruscant, Kashyyyk Senator Yarua and the members of his delegation were placed under house arrest before any statements could be issued."the Holonet Reporter continued."But, on the minds of many just now is the identity of this person, captured by holocam on a landing platform normally reserved for the Emperor himself."
The HoloNet display squawked and flickered again, then displayed an image of a dark figure, someone clad in black armour from head to toe.
Although the audio transmission was garbled, the images conveyed that this armoured being played a major role hunting down and executing the Jedi.
"HoloNet News has learned that he is known in the highest circles as Lord Vader."the Holonet Reporter admitted."Beyond that, almost nothing is known, save for the fact that he led the action on Kashyyyk."
Ferus slowly stood up from his seat with a complete stunned expression as he stared at the image of Darth Vader while Nadia covered her mouth at the monstrous form of her former close friend.
"Anakin."Nadia murmured with a hurtful look.
A few seconds later, the HoloNet news turned off.
"It really is him."Ferus whispered.
"Yes."Nadia agreed."That exactly how I saw him in the cave within the Ilum Temple."
Ferus and Nadia then went pay for their beverages to the cantina owner, who was a Rodian.
"You two look so pale."the cantina owner complemented."Would both of you like a second round for the same beverages?"
"No, thank you."Nadia remarked with an anxious smile."We're good."
"It's just that Vader person-"Ferus started.
This caused the cantina owner to adopted a conspiratorial voice.
"You and your sweetheart want to remain all right, you'll keep your voice down about Vader, understand?"the cantina owner instructed, making Ferus nod."You'll keep from asking questions about him too. Even in this Force-forsaken place."
Ferus nodded. "Alright. Sorry."
Nadia raised an eyebrow at the cantina owner.
"What do you know about him?"Nadia asked.
"Just this, doll. I have a friend, a trader in hardwoods, who was on Kashyyyk when the Imperials launched their attack on a place called Kachirho."the cantina owner exclaimed quietly."I guess he was lucky to get his ship raised and jumped. But he claims he got a glimpse of this guy Vader, ripping into Wookiees like they were stuffed toys, and going to lightsabers with the Jedi who were onworld."
The spaceport worker glanced furtively around the cantina.
"This Vader, he toasted Kashyyyk, my friends."the cantina owner added."From what my friend says, it'll be years before a piece of wroshyr goes up the well."
A disturbed look about on Nadia's face at what she and Ferus just heard.
"And the Wookiees?"Ferus questioned.
The cantina owner shrugged forlornly.
"Anyone's guess."the cantina owner admitted while Ferus placed a few credits on the table."Take care of yourselves. These desert wastes aren't as remote as you may think they are."
After paying for their beverages, the two disguised Jedi Knights left the cantina and left the cool shade of the veranda for the harsh light of Anchorhead's principal street.
"We are so screwed."Nadia retorted.
Ferus let out a heavy sigh upon learning the horrible discovery.
Somehow, Anakin had survived the duel on Mustafar and had resumed his Sith title of Darth Vader.
He couldn't believe it.
"Should we warn the Lars about Vader and take Luke away from them?"Nadia suggested."Hide him away on an even more remote world?"
Ferus shook his head.
"No, Nadia. The core of Anakin that resides in Vader grasps that Tatooine is the source of nearly everything that causes him pain. He will never set foot on Tatooine, if only out of fear of reawakening Anakin."Ferus declared with a stern look and then clenched his fist out of fear."But if he learned the discovery of his three children and their whereabouts, it's game over for us."
Nadia quietly placed her hand onto Ferus' fist and giving it a strong yet comforting squeeze.
"That won't happen, Ferus."Nadia assured sternly."I promise."
Ferus and Nadia then continued walking together and going to another side of the city while the Lars were heading off to an opposite side.
"I have a feeling that there were only a couple of Jedi in Kashyyyk."Nadia commented.
"But either way, Dia, I doubt that any of them could survive against Vader."Ferus responded.
Nadia looked down with a troubled expression.
"Nadia?"A familiar male voice questioned."Ferus?"
Both Ferus and Nadia's eyes widen and turned their heads to see Obi-Wan standing a couple of feet away from them.
"Master!"Nadia remarked.
Nadia tackled Obi-Wan in a hug while Ferus kept a neutral face at seeing the Jedi Master again.
"What are you two doing here?"Obi-Wan demanded."Aren't you supposed to be keeping an eye out on Lisa?"
Suddenly, Nadia's happy bubble burst and stopped hugging Obi-Wan upon remembering why she was angry with him.
"Actually, Master, we're here to see you."Nadia stated with a frown."And to warn you about the new development of the Empire."
After leaving Anchorhead, Obi-Wan brought Ferus and Nadia to the hut he was staying at.
Made out of synstone, Obi-Wan's hut comprised a large room that was divided into a living room and a raised kitchen and a bathroom as a separate room. A cellar contained a power generator and water, and could be entered via a trapdoor.
"So this is where you live?"Ferus assumed.
"It's not too grand, but it is better than nothing."Obi-Wan admitted as he went to the kitchen."Are you two hungry?"
A slight scowl escaped from Nadia's mouth.
"We're fine, Master."Nadia answered simply.
Obi-Wan then came forward revealing a tray that contained a delicious beige-coloured round pie.
"Are you sure, Nadia?"Obi-Wan questioned with a small smirk.
Nadia let out a fragile chuckle, feeling a little touched that her former master remembered that she always enjoyed eating desserts.
"Okay."Nadia admitted."I actually have room for dessert."
Ferus sweat dropped. "So do I."
Obi-Wan, Nadia and Ferus then sat down together, eating the Eopie cream pie.
Nadia ate a bit more of her pie slice, surprised to find it delicious.
"To think you learned to bake."Ferus chuckled.
A small smile appeared on Obi-Wan's face.
"I may have learned a few things due to now living here."Obi-Wan informed."How is Satine doing?"
"She's back in Mandalore and staying with Bo-Katan last time we checked."Ferus replied."But overall, she's fine."
Nadia frowned slightly after she finished eating her slice of pie.
"Say, Master."Nadia spoke up."Do you still have Anakin's lightsaber?"
Obi-Wan suddenly felt hurt at hearing Anakin's name.
"Yes."Obi-Wan answered."It's inside my storage box."
Obi-Wan went over to his storage box causing Ferus and Nadia to walk forward before he opened it and revealed Anakin's lightsaber inside it.
"It looks the same despite everything that has happened."Ferus murmured.
Nadia glanced at Obi-Wan.
"What do you intend to do with it?"Nadia asked.
"Give it to Luke."Obi-Wan declared."That is if his uncle allows me to train him in the future."
Ferus forced a small smile to grown on his face as Obi-Wan closed the storage box.
"That sounds good."Ferus agreed.
Nadia folded her arms.
"Then I guess you haven't heard the latest report from the HoloNet news."Nadia assumed.
Obi-Wan was confused beside concerned about the sudden sense of anger he felt from Nadia.
"Which is?"Obi-Wan questioned.
"That Kashyyyk was attacked by forces being led by Darth Vader."Nadia declared with a glare.
A stunned look appeared on Obi-Wan's face.
"What?"Obi-Wan asked.
"Anakin is still alive, Obi-Wan. He survived Mustafar."Ferus retorted."Now he is a rattled man having to live in a haunting armour and helping Darth Sidious terrorise the galaxy."
"How is it possible?"Obi-Wan demanded with a shocked look."I saw the lava flame devour him after I-"
SLAP!
Ferus became startled upon seeing Nadia slap Obi-Wan across the face.
Obi-Wan placed his hand on his slapped cheek as Nadia glared furiously at him.
"Do you realise what you have done?!"Nadia yelled out angrily as she began to beat Obi-Wan."What have you created?!"
"Nadia!"Ferus shouted in shock.
Obi-Wan didn't bother blocking Nadia's slaps and punches as his second former student beat him up.
"I don't give a damn if you apologise!"Nadia growled, ignoring that Obi-Wan wasn't defending himself."You first lied and faked your own death without realising the barrier that you and the Jedi Council were creating between Anakin and the rest of us! Then the traitor Barriss framed Ahsoka for the bombing of the Jedi Temple and the Council were ready to expel my best friend and have that Bantha filth Tarkin sentence her to death after everything she has done for the Order!"
Obi-Wan collapsed on his knees at the aching pain in his body as Nadia stopped beating him up before folding her arms and glared to her left side while Ferus looked on in silence.
"But I am not saying I or Ferus are any better since we were manipulated as everyone else were. Though I am ticked off that the Jedi really screwed Anakin and others without question. Even when they knew they were wrong."Nadia declared in a cruel tone."After Anakin and I cleared Ahsoka's name, I adore the part where all the Jedi Masters are just like "We're sorry. Now you have the privilege of coming back to our group." Never came off as genuine. Always gave off the vibe that they would turn on you in a heartbeat. And all Sidious had to do is pick up the pieces while the Council blindly continued doing what he wanted them to do. The harsh truth is the Sith didn't turn Anakin to the Dark Side, the Jedi pushed him away from the light."
Obi-Wan looked Nadia and then on the floor silently, ignoring the pain he gave her.
"So what now, Master?"Nadia demanded sarcastically, not making eye contact with Obi-Wan."Are you going to sentence me to death? I'm sure the Jedi Council members especially Windu will be dancing for joy if you did so since I just beaten up the truth onto you and they would celebrate the demise of Darth Nihilus' last living descendant."
"No. You're right, Nadia."Obi-Wan stated, his voiced mixed with guilt and shame."The Jedi pushed Anakin away although we were manipulated. We were hypocrites."
Nadia scoffed as she sent Obi-Wan a hateful expression.
"Is that so?"Nadia whispered in a cold tone."I hate you!"
Inside a Star Destroyer, Darth Vader continued onto the end of the bridge walkway as the imperial officers saluted to him.
"This is how I will be greeted from now on, wherever I set foot."Darth Vader thought sternly.
Standing at the forward viewports, the Sith Lord scanned the stars with his reconstructed eyes.
He had guardianship of all this or at least joint custody of it.
The Jedi in Kashyyyk no longer mattered.
They were no different from others who would interfere with his and Sidious's realm.
Their mission was to maintain order, so that the Dark Side could continue to reign supreme.
Anakin was gone.
A memory so deeply buried he might have dreamed rather than lived it.
The Force as Anakin knew it was interred with him and inseparable from him.
Just as Sidious promised, he was now connected to the order of the Sith and needed no other companion than the Dark Side of the Force.
Darth Vader embraced all that he had done to bring balance to the Force, by dismantling the corrupt Republic and toppling the Jedi, and he reviled in his power.
It could all be his, anything he wished.
He needed only the determination to take it, at whatever cost to those who stood in his way.
But he was also a pawn to Darth Sidious, who doled out precious bits of Sith technique as if merely lending them which was just enough to increase his apprentice's power without making him supremely powerful.
There would come a day, however, when they would be equals.
Darth Vader scanned the stars, looking forward to a time when he could find an apprentice of his own and, together with that one, topple Darth Sidious from his throne.
It gave him something to live for.
Back in Tatooine, Obi-Wan sat down by himself in his hut after Ferus and Nadia left him.
The Jedi Master carefully wiped his mouth that was a bit bruised from Nadia's punches.
However, upon discovering that Anakin was now living as the cyborg Darth Vader, he felt ashamed of himself.
The Jedi had pushed Anakin away, either directly or indirectly just as they did with Ahsoka.
All Sidious had to do was be there to offer a slight nudge and pick up the pieces.
Just like Nadia said.
"Did I drive Anakin deeper into the Dark Side by abandoning him on Mustafar?"Obi-Wan thought sadly, remembering Nadia's outburst."If I did, how am I better than the rest of the Council?"
Obi-Wan had been trained to be fearless.
But as he thought of Luke's safety, he was almost overwhelmed by the anxiety that swept over him.
And then, from out of nowhere, he heard a voice of someone close to him that sounded not through his ears, but directly into his thoughts.
"Obi-Wan."
Recognising the voice immediately, Obi-Wan lifted his head up.
"Master, is Darth Vader Anakin?"Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes."Qui-Gon answered with a hint of sadness."Although the Anakin you and I knew is imprisoned by the Dark Side."
"I was wrong to leave him on Mustafar."Obi-Wan retorted with a sad frown."I should have at least tried to save him."
"The Force will determine Anakin's future."Qui-Gon admitted."The Skywalkers must not be told that Vader is their father until the time is right."
"Should I take further steps to hide Luke?"Obi-Wan suggested.
"Vader will never come to Tatooine, Obi-Wan."Qui-Gon assured."This planet contains to much painful memories of himself as Anakin."
Obi-Wan became slightly relieved on hearing this.
"Then my obligation is unchanged."Obi-Wan responded and winced a little."But from what Yoda told me, I know that I have much to learn, Master."
"You were always that way, Obi-Wan."Qui-Gon informed.
Before Obi-Wan could say anything, Master Qui-Gon Jinn's words then unexpectedly faded out.
Though the Jedi Master wondered if he and Nadia would ever reconcile with each other in the future.
That is if that day actually exist.
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!