Seras little snippet thread

I smiled as Obi-Wan bustled around his little home, obviously a bit caught off guard with everything. He had plopped a bit of tea into my hands and then sort of disappeared into himself as he stared at not just the case, but the lightsabers.

Old lightsabers, they'd need new batteries for any hope of working again.

But I didn't really care. I wasn't planning on using them or anything.

He said nothing as he once more looked at what was inside the case. An ancient Holocron.

If it had been found before the Empire, it would have been the delight of the Jedi.

Instead… Well Obi-Wan was taking it a bit hard. The ancient Jedi still glowed, waiting a response, but…

"It's kind of a shame." I offered, and Obi-Wan blinked and smiled at me, gently as he always seemed to.

"Oh?"

"Well I mean… It's too late to really matter, but it's a big historical find. That thing is thousands of years old… The Jedi would have liked to record everything in it."

"Yes, we would. A shame indeed." He offered. The Holocron was old data, from a Jedi Pathfinder. Basically a Jedi that sought out new Hyperspace Lanes.

This Holocron was basically an entire Jedi's knowledge of secret Hypserspace lanes.

I had no idea how valuable it would be after so long, but…

The moment Obi-Wan had accessed it he had become very melancholic. Buzzing around his home making tea, all seemingly to give his hands something to do.

"Thank you Young Luke. This is… A fine find."

"It was an adventure." I offered, purposefully leaving out any hint of the Great Mother. People tended to react badly to the words 'Krayt Dragon' and 'Oldest Krayt Dragon alive, that's also force sensitive.'

"Indeed. I'm surprised your Uncle allowed it."

"Well, I told him I found an old ship and I was going to grab parts from it…"

"Ah, that explains it." Obi-Wan offered with a smirk hidden behind his beard.

"It surprises me that you know of the Jedi." Obi-Wan said after a moment of looking at the Holocron. "And that you know I am one."

"Of course I know. The wind and sand tell me. I've seen it. I see a lot of things really. You've come to Tatooine more than once. Just like my father." I added quietly.

"Yes. Your father… The best star pilot in the galaxy. You take after him." He added with a twinkle in his eyes that I couldn't help but duck my head as I flushed.

"You were friends… Family." I added before he could say anything else.

"We were. He was like my brother." He spoke the words calmly, no waver in his voice, no hitch in his little smile, but the light dimmed at the pain in him.

An old wound, one of many this man carried. One that would never truly heal.

"Then Uncle Ben." I said pointedly, changing how I called him. "Can you tell me about him? A story where he did something amazing? No! Better yet, a story where he messed up, or did something funny. Those are always more telling when you want to learn about someone."

My question caught him off guard and there was a deep chuckle from Obi-Wan at my words, one that rumbled deep from within his chest as he fought it down.

"Hmm. Perhaps. I have a few stories to tell." Obi-Wan teased me and my smile grew wide as I was about to get some fun stories out of him, but before we could settle in, I looked up and away.

"Schutta." I hissed as I realized that the suns were going down. Then I realized I had cursed right in front of Obi-Wan, and turned to look at him apologetically.

He sent me a look that he wasn't amused, but I rose.

"I'm sorry Uncle Ben. I have to get back before sundown."

"Yes, I would not want you to get in trouble with your Aunt and Uncle."

"Uncle Ben. I'll be back again soon." I said firmly, with no wiggle room then flashed him a bright smile, and took off. I could probably just make it back in time if I really put the pedal down.

—--

Days pass on the homestead steadily. Work needs to be done. Tasks completed, and life continues on.

But I hadn't forgotten.

How could I? The sand was being annoying.

Luke!

I am your-

You know it to be true!
I opened my eyes and groaned. "Okay! Fine!" I groaned as I sat up and threw off my blankets. The same vision every night for the last while.

I hurried around sleep long since fled at the pure irritation that flowed through me.

I rushed to get dressed and then out, I only had one morning chore I couldn't skip, and then I'd let Uncle Owen know I'd like to go out.

The vaporator was half taken apart in the mechanics room, so I settled in, and opened myself to the Force.

Deep and strong. This machine was damaged, but it wanted to be what it was meant to be.

The pain of the damage was evident, I was there, my blood was electricity, and my flesh duraloy casing. It was no great difficulty, in finding that which failed and restoring it, and I blinked as I realized suddenly what I had done.

I looked at the vaporator that was fully put back together. But…

There had been no replacement part. I had simply..

I grabbed my tools and popped open the casing and looked inside, at the compressor that had been failing constantly for a decade. I'd fixed it so many times it was a hodgepodge of different repairs, but right now it was whole.

Crap, had I just changed it with just the Force? I shook it off. The sun and sky was tittering at me, the sand still urgent. The wind brushed across my back. It was fine.

How couldn't it be?

I got up and stretched. Well good enough. Now to find Uncle Owen.

—--

"Uncle Ben!" I called out cheerfully as I stepped out of my T-16. He had come out waiting for me as I landed, and I felt his feelings through the wind how happy he was to see me.

"Young Luke. I'm glad you stopped by."

"Me too! Oh! Aunt Beru told me to give you this too!" I offered, holding out the package of pastries she had been baking. I'd told her who I was visiting, and she told me to bring this.

I had pointedly not told Uncle Owen.

He seemed touched at the gift and he popped it open with a pleased smile.

"Come inside."

"Sure!" I followed him in, and it was only once we settled in did I notice the missing case and lightsabers. I could feel… They were satisfied where they had ended up so I let it go at that.

But…

"I… Uncle Ben, I came because I need your help." I said, then looking at him, and he felt my seriousness and turned to me fully. "I've been having dreams. About my father. I fight him. Or rather I will fight him in the future… I need to learn how to fight." I said firmly, and Obi-Wan's eyes rose up.

Honestly I'd never had any intention of doing the whole Jedi training. It wasn't needed really. I wasn't the Chosen One.

I knew how to reach Anakin Skywalker, but…

Apparently my dreams told me that I would need that skill after all. The sand was sure of it, and the sand was always a bit prickly.

The sand got what it wanted, otherwise you end up with sand in places you didn't want.

I'd planned on just letting the force guide me through the future to Anakin defeating Palpatine, but…

I would need these skills, and I wasn't going to sit around and wait for Yoda to learn them. I had a few years, I was only fourteen after all. I had until I was nineteen before the Death Star was a thing.

"It is not a simple thing you ask for."

"I know. I'm older than I should be." Then I shrugged. "I'm not asking to be a Jedi. I'm just asking for my second favorite Uncle to teach me how to protect myself a bit."

There was a moment of silence and Obi-Wan, feigned offense.

"Second favorite?"

"Well Uncle Owen let's me fly my T-16…" I trailed off teasingly. And Obi-Wan actually barked out another laugh.

"Of course, I should have known it had to do with flying."

"Hey, I'm a Skywalker, we have our priorities."

"Indeed you do." Obi-Wan said back with a quiet pain. "Very well. I had been holding onto something for you. I'd intended to wait until you were older, but… Since you brought two Lightsabers to me without harm already."

The box opened and I flinched.

I could feel the saber from here. Feel the pain it had caused, and those it had saved. I felt the desperation of war, and the hope of gentle moments. I-

"Luke?"

"Yes! I'm here." I said, tearing my eyes away from the visions of what had been to look at the lightsaber.

Yes. This was how it should be. I reached out, and picked it up, and no horrors slipped up the cool metal into me. No, it hummed in a warm greeting.

This was my Fathers Kyber Crystal after all. It welcomed me like family.

I held it for a moment, and had to give in to the urge. I looked down the core.

Huh. So that's what it looks like from the emitter.

I pulled it away from my face and turned it on.

The sand and wind went quiet. The suns blazed.

Skywalker.

Skywalker!

The world called to me. A Lightsaber was a part of a Jedi. It strengthened and supported them…

Aw crap. Had I just connected myself even more with the Force?

I could hear the sand brush across the dunes leaving a faint rumbling chuckle.

This was all your doing wasn't it sand? Stupid sand. I hate sand.

At least I'd get some actual training now. I felt the power thrum through my hands.

Man… Lightsabers were so cool.

—--

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Melancholy struck him as he watched young Luke activate his fathers lightsaber.

Anakin. You would be so proud of this sight my old friend. Luke fumbled with it a bit, but at least no sense of danger came. The boy had enough talent to not cut himself with it.

Was this the right path Master? Was he destined to let Luke face his own father? To let one die at the other's hands?

The old hurt struck him, but he pushed it away. Anakin was gone. It was not Luke facing his father, but facing his fathers killer.

Luke was the Chosen One. It was his destiny, and he showed such talent.

He had seen Qui-Gon. It had taken years for Obi-Wan to achieve the same result, and Luke had done it naturally.

He was… Special. The boy sent him a smile as he held the blade and Obi-Wan saw Anakin's smile through it. That adventurous look that spoke of Anakin about to do something exciting. Best to cut that off.

"Come along Luke. I believe there is a better place than my living room for a bit of practice if you'd like."

"Yes please!" The boy chirped sweetly. He had his fathers smile, but it was Padme's gentleness that always seemed to flow through his actions.

Yes. He was certainly his fathers son, but it was tempered and polished with his mothers gentleness. He had little of the anger in Anakin, but more importantly, so little of the arrogance. More importantly… he was happy.

It tore at Obi-Wan, that he had allowed simple dreams to let Luke begin his training. He had promised Owen that Luke would get his childhood, and he had meant to let it but…

He worried, and wanted Luke trained for his own safety.

Luke chattered away as he followed Obi-Wan to a deeper part of the old cave. Now where was that blinder, and Remote? He knew he had them here somewhere.

And Obi-Wan, just hoped that Luke would only find happiness through the training he would give him…

He stopped for a moment and sent a plea into the Force. Let Luke keep his happiness no matter the trials ahead of him.

—--

"This isn't that hard." I mentioned, even with my eyes covered, I was blocking the Remote's little stingy blasts with ease.

"You have a natural talent for this." Obi-Wan said from the side, but I also heard a smile in his voice and so I readied myself as suddenly the remote started shooting really fast.

I almost yelped, but instead let my body move like it needed. Right side, down low on the left, front high.

Behind!

I only barely got the lightsaber in place to block that one.

Sneaky!

"You made it harder!" I called out smiling as I continued to block bolt after bolt, but very quickly I started falling behind. My breath was coming out harder and harder. Then I grew tired, and finally a shot got through and I did yelp, and then again!

"Schuuta! Hutt mother of a-" I cut off that particular curse, and pulled the blinder off. "That really hurts!" I whined at Obi-Wan chuckled at me.

"That is the case."

"Whew. That was tough." I admitted, lightsaber off, I stretched a bit my muscles burning. "I need more exercise."

"Indeed. A strong body is important for a Jedi."

I just nodded, but didn't correct him. I was no Jedi.

"Again?" I asked instead. I would have to get used to doing this tired if I was getting into lightsaber fights.

Obi-Wan looked surprised and then pleased.

"Very well."

—--

Sixteen.

My Sixteenth birthday came and went. I continued to live, visiting Obi-Wan whenever I could. Sometimes going out to the Dune Sea to see the Great Mother. Our bond was still strong, and she welcomed me whenever I flew by.

And…

My connection to the Force grew.

Obi-Wan had noticed, but we rarely spoke about power. Instead the training mostly focused on defense with a lightsaber, and just general Jedi force training.

I could lift a mean rock!

Yet time passed in a happy blur. Even Obi-Wan was soon more accepted around the Homestead, and showed up sometimes for dinner after a few tense conversations with Uncle Owen.

My family grew happier.

Now if only a few other places around the table were filled with missing relatives.

"Luke! Focus."

"Yes Uncle Ben." I confirmed, pushing away concerns of the future, or the past, and focusing on the here and now.

The moment Obi-Wan felt me ready he attacked. Today he was on the offense, which was rare for him, not that he didn't have the skill even with his focus on Soresu.

I was in the moment. The Force was with me.

It flowed through me, guided me, my lightsaber moved, gentle flowing swirls Soresu moves I'd picked up, pushing that angry beam of death away again and again.

It was… Really fun to do this.

The elation was no distraction, instead I was soon smiling as I felt my muscles stretch and move as they warmed up.

Three years of training that had picked up quite a lot had left me able to at least keep up, if never really beat Obi-Wan.

He had the Force too after all, and the skills and training to multiply that connection.

The rhythm changed, Obi-Wan was satisfied and let me switch over to the more fun part.

I went on the attack, and suddenly every blow with my lightsaber was a hurricane. Form V. The same form Anakin practiced was my preference too.

Combining powerful blows, and the force to try and overwhelm.

I hadn't intended to use it at first. I kinda liked Ataru Yoda's lightsaber style. With all its incredible movement. But…

I was strong in the force, and when it came down to it, playing to my strengths was the best thing I could do.

So I became a monster. Form V was also called the Way of the Krayt Dragon, much to my amusement. And even Obi-Wan grunted at times when he couldn't quite deflect my force enhanced blows.

I was striking with my saber while using the Force to push my blade forward.

Constant assaults, push and pins.

I was tiny, and yet I hit like a Krayt Dragon. Size Matters not after all!

"Okay Luke, okay." Obi-Wan begged off after hitting him with another of my favorite pushes.

It uh… Technically I stole it from Anakin. The saber lock into push combo that was overwhelming even to someone like Ahsoka. I'd practiced it like crazy to get it just right.

"Hehe! So what do you think? I practiced that a lot."

"You've improved well. I see your growth with every match." Obi-Wan offered, but that wasn't the first time I'd heard that.

Sometimes. Obi-Wan would forget I wasn't Anakin. Praise came often, and reassuring even when I was looking more for critique.

Obi-Wan… I loved the guy, but he tried too hard sometimes. But that was part of his old wounds, so I didn't push. Instead I gave him a nod, and then with a happy smile just repeated the question.

"But it wasn't perfect right? What could I do better?"

"Hmm. Your footing is still off."

"Aww." That was an issue neither of us could properly fix. It was a simple problem. My only sparring partner was Obi-Wan. So I'd gotten used to adapting myself to him and him alone, which was a bad habit, but not one I could easily break without another lightsaber wielder around.

I stretched my shoulders a bit as it was obvious our practice match was over.

"Hmm. Well Young Luke, I believe Owen wanted you home early?"
"Yeah, the Jawa's are coming by, he wants me to check things over to make sure that they aren't trying to sell us junk aga-"

"I don't fear you!"

"Then you will die, braver than most." Cold. I felt cold. Wind and sand brushed these words against me. It was happening.

"Luke?"

The clash of lightsabers, and then words. Mocking and almost amused despite their robotic tone.

"Perhaps I was wrong."

It was happening. Malachor. Ezra was facing Vader, and then...

"Ahsoka." I said, my voice coming through and I could feel Obi-Wan's surprise.

"Luke?"

"Ahsoka is confronting… I." I hesitated, I felt an urge to go, but if I did… Would Ezra still Save Ahsoka? Would things change? Would I mess it all up?

The question rocked me. I… Was I afraid?

I trusted the Force. I believed in the inherent good of the universe around me, and yet when the Force showed me, I felt fear? Fear not of death, or pain, that was life, but of failure?

Since when did I? It actually made me angry. Something I didn't really get to feel much. Since when did I feel fear on the path?

I breathed in.

And the twin giants of Tatooine exhaled.

"Obi-Wan." I said the first time I had ever spoken his real name. "I have to go."

"Whatever you just saw, Young Luke, it was just a vision. You-"

"It's happening right now. On Malachor." I said and the word gave it solidness. I opened my eyes. "I'm going. I'll be back soon. I still have to pick out the scrap for Uncle Owen." I said, and I turned. We were in the mountains next to Obi-Wans home, but not far out were the dunes.

I could hear it.

"Our long awaited meeting has come at last." Vader's rumble echoed through my mind.

"I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to." Ahsoka's stern voice belted out.

The dunes welcomed me.

Sand laughed, eager and pleased as I followed the path.

"Luke!" Obi-Wan's voice grew distant. I stepped onto the dunes, then through the dunes, and then past the dunes.

Size matters not. It's funny how often that concept is bandied around, and yet, they only relate it to lifting heavy things.

Size matters not. What is an inch? A foot? A mile? The distance between stars? When all things are connected, size doesn't matter. There is no distance.

"Perhaps this child will confess what you will not?"
"I was beginning to believe I knew who you were behind that mask! But it's impossible. My Master could never be as vile as you!" Ahsoka cursed.

I was almost there.

"Anakin Skywalker was weak! I destroyed him." Vader spoke firmly.

"Impossible. There is no Death. Only the Force." I spoke up, opening my eyes not to Tatooine's suns, but the burning darkness of Malachor. The sickening power of the Sith Holocron and the entire temple funneling power into it, was noxious.

But it was the way my arms prickled at just how cold the world was that was the most uncomfortable.

My sudden appearance stopped Ahsoka from her response and even Vader stopped to look at me.

At the scruffy teenager that had appeared in their midst.

"What?" Ezra reacted first, but it was Vader that spoke.

"Another Jedi?" I had to fight back a chuckle, because, while the modulator only revealed a simple question. I could feel Anakin exasperation at yet another random Jedi coming out of the woodworks.

"I am no Jedi." I said, repeating words Ahsoka would have spoken moments later, but where she said it with righteous anger. I was smiling. Despite the fact I was facing Vader himself. At the height of his power.

"Whoever you are, get out of here. Take Ezra, and leave!" Ahsoka called out hurriedly.

I shook my head. "I'm not going anywhere. I've been looking forward to this for a long time." I said, and my honest tone was definitely causing confusion in not just Ahsoka, but Vader.

Poor Ezra was just locked in place at Vader's feet, hoping he would be forgotten.

"You will not be the first Jedi that seeks my head. You will not be the last." Vader offered, as usual the drama llama wanted all the attention back on him, so I did the thing that would annoy him most.

"Ahsoka. It's nice to finally get to meet you. Obi-Wan told me a lot of stories about you." I explained, knowing exactly what would happen next.

The chill of Malachor dropped to sub arctic, and then it burned with how cold it was.

Darth Vader focused fully onto me.

"You are Obi-Wan's Padawan." He stated, and I guess I was… Sort of.

I still wasn't a Jedi though!

"We have something in common with that. Did he ever do the thing where he'd never actually admit to lying and just stroke his beard acting wise when you caught him in it, with you too?" I asked, and the non sequitur seemed to cause even Anakin a moment of…

Hmm. Nostalgia, a most insidious poison.

Then came the rage.

"You will suffer for his mistakes." He said simply, intent in every word to hurt me, so it would in turn hurt Obi-Wan.

"I already do. Just as I suffer from yours Anakin Skywalker." I said sadly. I could feel Ahsoka flinching as I spoke the name. Something she knew, but still wanted to refuse to accept.

But Vader seethed.

I could feel his irritation at once again being called Anakin, after just denying it from Ahsoka. So he did what all Sith do.

He lashed out. His hand thrust towards me.

It wasn't a grip, but the maw of a great beast. Hatred, pain, and fear. It was the same thing he had done when he lashed out at Padme.

"I am Luke Skywalker." I said simply cutting straight through all that emotion. Both with my words and without. The Force burst forth from me, smashed through the darkness, and his slathering maw vanished into smoke.

All the supposed strength of the dark side washed away by truth and hope.

The entire place froze.

Ahsoka and Vader both. Neither moved. Only the crackling of the entire place powering the Holocron and Vader's breathing remained.

Speaking of.

I pulled out my lightsaber, ignited it and threw.

The spinning blue blade flew true, and in a moment it struck through the center of the Sith Holocron.

The source of all the trouble here.

"No!" Funnily enough it was Ezra that cried out, but it was too late.

The Holocron exploded. The pedestal it was on surged.

My lightsaber returned to my hand slightly scorched, but safe, and I turned it off, and casually hooked it back on my belt.

The temple shifted, starting to close back down now that its purpose had been interrupted.

"Luke… Skywalker. Impossible" Vader hissed, emotions roiling and I nodded.

"Search your feelings. You know it to be true." I said, once more striking deep with the power of my words.
"Luke. You need to go! I'll hold him off!" Ahsoka roared and charged forward, surprising Vader and I both as she went fully aggressive.

I didn't move. Not yet, Kanan pulled Ezra away despite the man being blinded, and Ezra looked to me calling for me to follow, but I waved him off, instead I breathed in, and out.

Now.

I moved, faster than a blur and when Ahsoka's over aggressiveness would have caused her an issue, a blue blade was there, blocking an overwhelming strike.

Then I pushed back and suddenly Anakin's strength bent backwards.

"I am the son of Anakin Skywalker. I am strong in the Force! Like my father before me!" I called out a statement and promise, as I finished the move I had been practicing without realizing why I had need of it.

Our blades had been connected, but I pushed with the Force against my blade and Vader stumbled back despite his size and stature.

"I took that one from you, you know? How'd I do?" I asked him a moment later, and there was no counter attack. He stalled out, his anger at being pushed back washed away as I turned it into something else.

Pride.

Heh.

I sent Ahsoka a grin as well. "So should I call you Big Sis Ahsoka, or Auntie?" I asked her, and once more my happiness caused a confusion in this fight.

"Ahsoka! C'mon!" Ezra called out, from behind us. The walls of the temple were closing, and soon there would be no path to the shuttle Ezra and Kanan were standing at.

Before I could react, Ahsoka was there, pushing me. I blinked in surprise as I skidded back. Ezra had synced up and started grabbing me to tug me towards the ship, and I had to just roll my eyes.

I planted my feet.

I did not move again. Vader reached out to stop and then had to struggle against Ahsoka's blades. She was once more lashing out…

Wow, quickly jumping on the attack at every opportunity, I wonder who trained her?

But…

Fine. I had been planning on staying longer, but it was time to go. I opened myself and Ahsoka yelped as she was dragged towards me with all my strength, even Vader was shocked as he reached out, but it was too late. She had been thrown past me, and Ezra and Kanan both grabbed her.

I stopped. I had a moment, just one.

"We'll see eachother again soon… Father." I offered, and I could feel the emotion rising up in Vader's chest at that, before I turned and darted away. Joining everyone on the shuttle even sliding a bit as the ceiling was coming down. Leaving Vader alone inside. I rushed and jumped onto the shuttle, and that was all they needed.

We were already lifting off, the door to the shuttle closing, leaving everyone in cramped conditions.

"Wamp wam wamp!" Chopper, the droid that was piloting the ship complained, and I actually wasn't sure what he said.

"Leave it Chop!" Ezra called out, as he was already beside Kanan, but…

I turned. Ahsoka was there, standing beside me…

In her eyes was a thunderous rolling emotion and I felt myself offer her a gentle smile.

"Hi Aunt Ahsoka." I said, deciding what to call her. It just seemed right.