#but her wanting to have a future that doesn’t involve master Kenobi is just not realistic

[tennessoui]

I had missed the brown and white robes thing, oh em gee, Anakin, WHAT. Semi-related: in canon I am always like "But what was Padme's endgame re: her MARRIAGE etc with Anakin-the-Jedi?" so I reaaaaaaally hope the counseling fic gets into that :D

Oh I’ve been trying to set that up as something the fic will touch on—probably not through the counselor but from anakins pov outside of the sessions as he interacts with Padmé and Obi-Wan and as Padmé tries to save her marriage (which won’t work)

I can’t speak to canon Padmé much, but couples counseling Padmé is definitely thinking anakin will leave the order to be with her—she’s most content thinking of their future, a future where Anakin is in their bed when she falls asleep and when she wakes up. Maybe they’re on Naboo, maybe they’re still on Coruscant, but she’s thinking about Naboo at least as an option….

Which is totally fair! I mean they’re married! When there was a war, of course Anakin couldn’t leave—he had to fight! The galaxy needed him, and Padmé understands his need to serve. It’s similar to her own drive to serve in the Senate.

And in AOTC, it’s not like Anakin is showing his commitment to the Jedi Order or how much he loves being a Jedi…. I can see Padmé loosely thinking that Anakin would be amenable to leaving if she asked

I do think they love in a similar way—in this last chapter of couples counseling au, Anakin knows he can distract Padmé from her job if he tries hard enough because both of them put their marriage above their duties a lot of the time. I think Padmé believes Anakin would leave the Jedi for her based on the same reasoning

But what I dont think they really understand yet is that there’s no way couples counseling Anakin would leave obi-wan, which means he is a Jedi and he will always be a Jedi. His version of the future involves living with Obi-Wan, picking up his dirty mugs and seeing his shoes by the door. Padmé’s version of their future….does not include that.

That’s definitely going to be a conflict before all’s said and done

[phoenixyfriend]

The Future Assistant Dooku Didn’t Ask For

A mid-TCW or post-RotS member of the disaster lineage (there's pros and cons to each options) gets flung back to just after Dooku leaves the order, but before his fall... and joins him.

Mostly to keep him from doing something stupid or evil, but overall I think it would be a fascinating dynamic to explore, Dooku who's already LEFT but still has someone at his side who, despite all their suspicion, has this weird faith that he can stay in the light.

There's a solid decade of possible times he could have left, so it could be anywhere from just after TPM to a few years post-Galidraan.

I'm mostly juggling between

- Just barely post-66 Ahsoka, who ALSO left the order, but never finished her training, and is determined that she can fix things if she can get this one heavily-influential person on her side. He's weirdly invested in the idea of making her deadlier than she is, so why not.

- Post-Malachor Ahsoka who fell through a rip in time with Ezra, and approaches Dooku as... not quite an equal, because he's twice her age even with all the decades traveled, but someone he can respect, and someone who knows the things he's looking for. She isn't dark, but she's lived surrounded by it for so long, fought it for so many years, that she knows from experience what he's only glimpsed in books. Also, apparently people with questionable morals just love Ezra as student material.

- Mid-TCW Obi-Wan, who's about 80% stress hormones by volume and whose first instinct on seeing Dooku, even if he's got less lines in his face, is to punch the man, which is so reactive that Dooku doesn't get a warning from the Force to dodge; this option is probably the one that involves the most straightforward and truthful rundown of the future from traveler to Dooku.

- Pre-ANH Ben Kenobi, who's looking significantly older than Dooku despite being pretty close in age and probably younger (depending on where we timeline-drop), and angles the entire thing around being inexplicably frustrating and mysterious to a point where Dooku really wants to fight him except Ben Kenobi has so many weird tidbits of information about, like, everything, but especially Sith things.

Do I want Dooku acquiring a feral and incredibly traumatized war padawan who hates him but won’t leave? Do I want Dooku 'hiring' a highly competent black ops specialist who micromanages him while pretending he's in charge? Do I want Dooku dealing with the incredibly stressed former-future Jedi Council Master who looks at him with grief of all things? Do I want Dooku suffering through ambiguous and irritating navelgazing bullshit a la Yoda at all hours?

ALSO an option is like. Mid-TCW "somewhat recovered from the psychic trauma of the Tusken Massacre and Geonosis, and not yet barreling face-first into RotS-level mania" Anakin who's less 'keeping Dooku in the light' and more 'forcibly punting him away from the dark.'

But tbh that one's a lot more likely to end up with Dooku dead and Anakin going full Vader and waging an actual war against Palpatine after the Sidious thing is clear because That Bastard Tried To Assassinate Padme!

[thiefofstars16]

Right so I have a lot of Obi-Wan-centric ideas that will not leave me alone, but here's one that I wanted to write down the start of (and also Maz Kanata deserved more screen time):

Where Obi-Wan gets taught by Maz Kanata to deal with his overwhelming visions, questionably nice-ish Sith and frankly vicious Jedi holocrons, and somehow unexpectedly (or maybe predictably?) falls in love with Jango Fett, the future Mand'alor. Along the way, he royally fucks up the thousand-year-plan-to-rule-the-galaxy made by Darth Bane's idiots, saves the Haat Mando'ade and Mandalore as a whole, and gives the Jedi Order a collective kick in the ass to get their shit together.

----

Obi-Wan Falls while on Melida/Daan, and he's just...furious. Wants to rail at the injustice that he's suffered, at the injustice that the Young had faced, that he had faced on Bandomeer, on Phindar, at the Coruscant Temple itself, at his own Master who didn't even want him in the first place. But at his core, he's still the same even having Fallen, he knows this - he still wants to do good, still wants to help people. It's just...where does he go from here?

----

Obi-Wan Kenobi, cast out from the Order after the latest clusterfuck that was Melida/Daan, somehow ends up at Dex's Diner, alone, with no braid, no 'sabre, and honestly, no idea what to do next. He didn't even realize that he was in the diner that his Master - former Master - had taken him to in their brief time together.

Dex, though, sits across from this pint-sized former-Padawan, remembers that at one time the baby Jedi looked at him and decided that he'd save Dex because it was "the right thing to do " (the baby Jedi's words, not his). And Dex could not let this kid go out on his own, so he goes to his collection of interesting things - which was usually information - that included items which were supplied by a former pirate, who so happened to be quite knowledgeable in weird Force things.

Which is entirely the reason I'm entrusting Ol' Kanata with this kid, Dex thinks, a bit bemused, Though who's to say it's not Maz trusting me to lead Obi-Wan back to her? Considering she probably saw this coming in the first place.

So, he discreetly hands Obi-Wan the things he'd received from Maz for safe-keeping (who had given Dex a knowing look and said she'd be seeing these items again) - which, obviously, include a few holocrons (of slightly questionable nature), many spare credit chips, and (maybe not-so-suprisingly) two khyber and one adegan crystals that sing in the Force loudly enough to startle Obi-Wan from the daze he'd been in since he sat down.

"What's this?" Obi-Wan quietly asks, slightly wary, but intrigued at the hum of the crystals now in his hands.

Dex laughs. "Don't you worry, kid. I got all of this from a reputable source! In fact, that source could be your next stop, as from what I understand you ain't got no one to go back to?" Dex says, not unkindly.

A sharp sting of sorrow cuts Obi-Wan to the core, but he nods, somewhat confused.

"Well then, I can get you on a ship headed out to Takodana to stay with Ol' Kanata - she can get you settled real quick-like," he pauses, shrugs a little, "she'll also be able to help with any funny Force things that your kind get up to, Dark or Light."

The thing is, even only knowing Dex for a short while, Obi-Wan is one hundred percent sure that Dex knows an entirely illegal amount about what happened even if the larger populace remains unaware.

With this knowledge at the forefront of his mind, Obi-Wan is a bit wary. If he were a bit less numb, he'd probably be in tears at the suggestion that there might be someone actually able to help him deal with his recent trip into the well of the Dark. He knew that if someone were truly aware of how far he'd Fallen - because not even the Council knew the extent - then he would be in major karking shit.

But he counted Dex as a friend, and with a little questioning nudge to the Force, knew with certainty that Dex only wanted to help him, even if that meant skirting Republic law.

(He knew he Fell, he knew that he had killed people, though the memories of broken bodies and blood were so blurry that he couldn't remember their faces.

Their screams, on the other hand? Oh, he remembered those.

He couldn't stop remembering those.

A small part of him - the part that had raged at the Republic's refusal to get involved, at Master Jinn's own karking attachment to Master Tahl, at the Elders murdering each other, at the Elders killing their own damned children for the sake of war and death and blood - that part bared sharp teeth in savage triumph at the justice he had handed out and purred at the memory of those screams.)

Shaking himself from the direction his thoughts had taken, he looked at Dex and with a tremor in his voice, asked, "You think she could help me-help me get rid of my Darkness?"

The Besalisk sighed. "Kid, no one can ever truly get rid of their own Darkness. Hells, I know I'm not fully clean anymore and won't ever be," Obi-Wan slumped, and hastily wiped away the frustrated tears that had started to form; Dex leaned down to put one of his hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders, "But that doesn't mean she can't help you. Ol' Kanata knows a thing or two about Light and Dark, and she'll give you a space where you can sort things out for yourself, safely, and away from prying eyes. She knows quite a bit about staying off the Republic's radar, and she can give you a place where you can do all things you need to do. I know you, kid - I know that you won't want to stop helping people."

Dex paused, and said with warning, "It won't be easy, kid. There's all sorts hanging around her den - bounty hunters, smugglers, even Mandos - but she'll do right by you. And I have a sense that you need her. So. Whaddya say?"

The mention of those types of people, of Mandalorians, caused Obi-Wan to pale. But he frowned, opened himself up to the currents of the Force and tried to think this through, because really what choice did he have?

On some level he wanted to say no, to go crawling back to the Jedi Order and beg to be accepted again, to be a Jedi, he knew he was supposed to have been a Jedi Knight, he knew that war was on the horizon and that Darkness clouded the Force and that he needed to do something -

He stopped that thought in it's tracks. Because. Because...what was stopping him from doing something about what was coming? Truly? What was stopping him from being a Jedi? Yes, he wouldn't be a part of the Order, and maybe he wouldn't have a Master, but isn't the Code just a philosophy? Couldn't he strive to do good, to help others, to do as the Force willed on his own?

It was almost heretical. To be a Jedi that didn't bow to the Order. To be a Fallen Jedi that, that...that could work in the Dark to serve the Light.

He could do it, he mused. He could go to this 'Kanata', take the offer of shelter and learn from the artifacts given to him by Dex, learn from those who walked a different path. It would be dangerous, especially if there were Mandalorians involved. Though...if he did this, he wouldn't be a Jedi anymore, would he?

What else did he have to lose? He's already lost his chance at being part of the Order, at being a Padawan, at proving himself to the Masters that thought him too arrogant and brash and un-Jedi-like.

Well, Obi-Wan thought with a bit of self-reproach and no small amount of growing excitement, if I was already un-Jedi-like while actually being in the Jedi Order, then I suppose I really don't have anything to lose, do I?

With a nod of determination, a tight grip on the newly aquired items, and something of a new hope unfurling in is heart, he accepted Dex's offer of a haven with Maz Kanata and her possibly-not-so-legal den of wandering spacers.

Obi-Wan had no idea that in doing so, he changed the course of the galaxy.

(Somewhere, a bit later on, Palpatine feels a shiver of not-quite-unease crawl down his spine. But, he dismisses the absolute absurd idea that something had changed, that something had caused the galaxy to shift to the Light.

If he had looked into it, he would have found that one Maz Kanata, along with a former young Jedi by the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi, had a curious little run-in with the bounty hunter and Mand'alor Jaster Mereel.

Arrogance, as per usual, would be the downfall of the Sith of Bane's Line.)

[crispyjenkins]

A third part to the JangObi locked in a cell/ weapons courting if there isn’t one yet. Jango or Boba calling Obi Mandokar. At least I think that’s the word. A Mando’s wet dream basically.

(this one entirely got away from me and i didn't get to Boba actually using the word Mandokar, but both Obi-Wan and Satine know what he's getting at (ノ*゜▽゜*)

again, i do not hate Satine, but I also do not particularly like her! she's clearly got some stuff to work through here >.>

Thank you as always, Roxy!)

  When Jango had told Boba that he'd finally get to see the inside of the Senate Rotunda (legally, this time), Boba hadn't been particularly thrilled. Why should he care about the politics of a Republic neither he nor his buir are a part of?

  Well, Obi-Wan is a part of it, but he also clearly doesn't want to be.

  To put it shortly, Boba hadn't had high expectations for his afternoon, especially since it was preceded by Obi-Wan taking him to Dex's and letting Kote teach him how to use two vibroblades at once. Why couldn't they have just waited by the Slave I for Jango to finish his politicking? 

  He supposes Obi-Wan makes it bearable, taking him on a tour and telling him facts about the building itself, as well as stories from the Sacking of Coruscant, but Boba's good will ends rather abruptly when they run into Kryze and Padmé in one of the main corridors.

  Tense pleasantries are quickly exchanged, and Boba realises they haven't seen Kryze since Jango had helped Obi-Wan save her from Darth Maul; Boba still isn't sure of the details of what happened after, but his buir had been furious. 

  When it takes all of two minutes for Kryze to mockingly call Obi-Wan General Kenobi, Boba shares the kriffing sentiment. 

  Obi-Wan heaves a sigh, and Padmé looks wildly uncomfortable. "My lady, I do not know what you hope to achieve by reiterating your position on the Order’s involvement in the War; I am but one Jedi."

  "A Jedi on the High Council. You are just as implicit in its continuation as the rest," Kryze retorts, and Boba may be thirteen and a little out of his depth with the Politician Speak, but he knows this isn't about the Jedi, or the War. "Do not think you can absolve yourself from fault."

  Boba looks up at Obi-Wan, eager for his witty retort, but he just looks tired, and Boba has to remind himself that Obi-Wan had loved her, once. 

  Padmé smiles apologetically, trying to pull Kryze's focus. "The decisions of the High Council are not made by Obi-Wan alone," she says, even though they all know that isn't really the issue. 

  "You’re right," Kryze agrees, not sounding like she agrees at all, "individual Jedi have absolutely no control over their political participation in needless violence." Boba grinds his teeth as she gives up trying to hide her scowl.

  And Obi-Wan just stands there and takes it, like Boba hasn't seen him talk entire armies out of battle, or fight off both Savage and Maul at once. He hasn't seen Obi-Wan like this since Waxer's death on Cato Neimoidia.

  Obi-Wan sighs again, trying to offer Boba a little smile. "Individuals always have a choice," he says, more to Boba than Kryze. "But preventing the death of millions outweighs our personal beliefs, don't you think?"

  Boba nods firmly as Padmé shifts on her feet, but doesn't disagree; she's certainly seen more battle in this war than Kryze. 

  Kryze who scoffs to hide what must be genuine hurt. Anger is rarely about the thing you're angry with, Boba remembers Lama Su trying to teach him, and he reminds himself that Kryze had loved Obi-Wan once, too. That was the real problem, wasn't it?

  "Back then, you avoided conflict whenever you could," she says, flat and a little sad, "you would always rather go around than force your way through. It saddens me, Obi-Wan, to see what's left of your honor."

  "At least Obi-Wan hasn't murdered an entire half of his people!" Boba snarls, deciding he's quite done listening to this nonsense. 

  "Boba, it's alright," Obi-Wan says softly, but he's also keeping his left arm behind his back, keeping Jango's vambrace out of sight, and Boba is livid.

  "'Gar taldin ni jaonyc,'" he says, because he knows the "Duchess" still understands Mando'a, even if she pretends she doesn't.  Bloodline means nothing. "I don't care who your clan was, or what title you claim to have: until you are ready to die for your people, they are not yours."

  Kryze stares down at him, and Boba can feel Obi-Wan prodding at his mind in question, in an attempt to calm, but Boba shoves him back out. 

  "It's easy to call Obi-Wan a murderer when you're hiding in your glass palace, when you wouldn't know the first thing about defending it. Do not speak of honor until you even know what that is."

  There is a tense beat of silence before Kryze rounds a glare on Obi-Wan. "I would hope you could speak for yourself, if the Senate trusts a third of the Galactic Army in your hands."

  "Satine," Padmé murmurs, glancing at the passing senators who aren't even trying to hide their stares. 

  Obi-Wan’s eyes are colder than Boba has ever seen them, the hand behind him clenched into a fist, and Kryze had known him very well at one point, Boba knows she can read between the lines of Obi-Wan’s blank expression.

  "And I had hoped we had reached an understanding that there was nothing else for us to discuss, my lady. There are only so many times we can beat a dead bantha."

  Kryze sniffs. "You need not show me so much disdain, Obi-Wan: we are not sixteen and foolish anymore." Padmé tries to cut in, but Kryze waves for her silence. "But I agree, I do not think any new peace can be reached here, and you should be getting the child back to his progenitor, no?"

  "Jealous hag," Boba chirps, rocking on the balls of his feet and wondering if she had had dreams of having kids with Obi-Wan. "You didn't deserve Obi-Wan back then, and you certainly don't deserve him now. At the very least, he can separate his feelings from his politics."

  "Boba, please," Obi-Wan sighs, setting a gentle hand on the back of his neck, and Boba gets to watch with a vicious glee the exact moment Kryze sees Jango's vambrace, the only piece of armor Obi-Wan wears, and realises he is far past fraternising with her enemy.

  Padmé puts a hand on Kryze’s arm and gently starts to lead her away. "We should return to the committee, Duchess. And I'm sure Master Kenobi has his own business to attend to."

  "Of course," Kryze agrees icily, and actually returns Obi-Wan’s nod of farewell; she barely spares Boba a glance, though he smiles innocently up at her and mutters,

  "Demagulka," just loud enough for her to hear.

  Obi-Wan casts him a stern look, but luckily doesn't get the chance to scold him further, when Padmé quickly returns without Kryze and looks harried enough for all three of them. 

  "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," she says, hushed in the still rather busy hall, "You did not deserve that."

  "That's quite alright, my dear," Obi-Wan is quick to say, and smiles at his friend. "I'm afraid I'm quite used to such treatment, though perhaps not so... publicly."

  "I don't know if I've ever seen you in the Rotunda without the council, and I highly doubt you came all this way just to butt heads with the Duchess. What are you doing here?"

  "Ah, that would be this one's fault," he says, Boba yelping as Obi-Wan sticks his hand into his curls and tousles them roughly. He only smiles down at him when Boba growls and grabs onto his arm, and though he knows Obi-Wan could easily lift him like this, the Jedi would never do so here.

  "It was Boba, yes?" Padmé asks kindly, folding her hands in front of her. "What brings you to the Rotunda?'

  "Buir said he was meeting someone," he scrunches up his face. "But we're leaving right after so Obi-Wan was watching me and brought me over to meet him."

  Padmé’s smile only slips a little, looking back to Obi-Wan. "Fett's meeting someone?" she asks, even quieter, "Here?"

  "It is perhaps not my place to speak of it, we are still in the very early stages," he says mysteriously, tugging Boba around to lean against his front, arms draped over Boba's shoulders as if trying to make up for Jango’s resistance to public displays of affection. Grumbling, Boba still lets himself be held there, and meets every stare from passing politicians with a glare. "When we get a little further along, I would very much like to speak with the Delegation of 2,000."

  Bemused but not particularly surprised, Padmé shakes her head. "Of course, Obi-Wan. Are we to see you on Coruscant more often, then?"

  Obi-Wan winces and holds Boba a little closer. "The 212th is coming off leave at the end of the tenday, I'm afraid. And of course Jango and Boba will be returning to Mandalorian space."

  Padmé looks over Obi-Wan’s shoulder, smile becoming strained but not quite unfriendly. "Speak the name of the Dianoga," she sighs.

  Boba wriggles to look behind them and immediately perks up. "Buir!"

  Jango pauses on his path for the elevators, turning instead towards Boba's voice; the lines of his face soften at the sight of them, joining them after an encouraging finger-flick from Obi-Wan. 

  "Senator Amidala," he greets with a nod, and Boba thinks his buir actually likes Padmé, but won't admit it because Obi-Wan would never let him hear the end of it.

  "Mr. Fett," she returns, shaking his hand firmly like any good Mando. "Although, if my suspicions about your presence here are correct, I will be adjusting my term of address in the near future?"

  Letting Boba latch onto his side like a Corellian limpet, Jango raises a brow at Obi-Wan. "Haat'ade do not change their clan names at marriage," he says, Boba rolling his eyes at his buir's failed attempt at humor, and Obi-Wan rubs his eyes with one hand. 

  "Jango," he sighs, Padmé looking like Lifeday came early. 

  "Obi-Wan, you hadn't told me the Council had approved your request," she plays along, "When can I expect an invitation?"

  "After I'm done with him, never."

  "Now, cyar’ika," Jango chides, "it's best not to publicly threaten your–" 

  "Finish that sentence, and I'll have Anakin steal the Slave I," Obi-Wan says it into his hand, but Boba can see the edges of a smile. "Padmé, please don't encourage him, he'll be insufferable after this."

  Padmé casts a quick wink down to Boba. "You best tell Anakin next, if he's the last to know, he'll be whining for weeks."

  Jango brushes his fingers over Obi-Wan’s back like a sap, and his smile is even worse. Maker, Boba loves the both of them, but no one should look as smitten as his buir does any time Obi-Wan threatens him. "I don't know how we're going to fit your entire family on Concord Dawn, or all the kids." 

  "You mean the vode? Buir, I think Obi has more people on the Negotiator than have ever even lived on Concord Dawn."

  "Why in Corellian Hells would I agree to have it on Concord Dawn?" Obi-Wan wants to know. "Maker, but this entire conversation is ridiculous."

  Padmé tilts her head with a small hum, expression entirely too innocent. "Didn't you agree to marry Anakin on Tatooine for the one mission with the three-lekku Twi'lek and their five footed goa–"

  "Yes, THANK YOU, my dear, that's quite enough of that."

  Jango looks put-out, just short of an actual pout, and Boba wriggles against him in embarrassment. "You didn't tell me about that mission," Jango says, feigning hurt.

  Obi-Wan side-eyes him, and only gets a smile for his trouble. "You know," Obi-Wan starts casually, but with a mischievous twinkle in his eye that has only ever meant great deals of fun for Boba, "by Stewjoni rites, we're already married."

 Jango chokes on nothing, and Boba wonders if he'd even known where Obi-Wan was from. He should probably tell his buir he's already met Obi-Wan's grandparents.

Mando’a: buir — “parent”, gender neutral Demagulka — (from mandoa.org) “someone who commits atrocties, a real-life monster, a war criminal - from the notorious Mandalorian scientist of the Old Republic, Demagol, known for his experiments on children, and a figure of hate and dread in the Mando psyche” Haat’ade — slang for Haat Mando’ade, lit. “true children of Mandalore”, True Mandalorians cyar’ika — “darling”, “sweetheart”

*“Gar taldin ni jaonyc” from the full phrase “Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaas'la,” lit. “Bloodline is not important, but you as a [parent] [is] the most valuable thing”,  used in the context of not judging someone by their lineage (blood or not) but by their own actions as a parent. I’ve used it here as Boba both calling Satine “dar’manda” and calling out her hypocrisy in criticising Obi-Wan/the Jedi from her ivory tower when she is a Kalevalen imperialist ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[anakinisvaderisanakin]

Vader and Anakin are the same.

Time to repost my good old meta, cause apparently it’s still necessary and valid as a take.

Vader wants desperately to deny that him and Anakin are the same person, going to any length to separate himself from who he was and what he used to be. But, as the ROTS novelization also tells us and though it is no longer canon, I think it’s a valid way of putting it - Vader knows, somewhere deep down that he is Anakin. He knows he’s still the same man, but he doesn’t want to acknowledge it.

Because that would mean he’s still weak, in the eyes of himself and Palpatine. It would mean he destroyed himself, and what he wants to believe is that what he destroyed was someone else’s life. He wants to see Vader as superior, because glorifying the deprived state he’s currently in is the only way he can handle his own remorse, rectify what he’s done to get there.

If he admits he’s still Anakin, he admits that what he’s done wasn’t making anything better for him. That he himself hurt and scarred the people he loved. He wants to believe Anakin’s persona is separate from his own, that Anakin’s love is somebody else’s love. Even when he draws on his own - Anakin’s - emotions to plunge into the Dark Side, he denies that they’re his.

Still, when he thinks of Padmé or Obi Wan or Ahsoka or Shmi - he always thinks in first person before rectifying it. Because they were his - and even when, as Vader, it’s almost a compulsive thought to add on that “no, they were Anakin’s beloved, not mine,” he deep down knows that’s not true.

Vader hates himself, more than he could ever hate the part of himself he calls Anakin. Because he is Anakin, and the part of himself he refers to as Anakin is the young slave boy from Tatooine. The naive kid, who fell in love with Padmé Amidala and loved her enough to marry her in spite of the Jedi Code. Who shared the most intimate of Force bonds with his Jedi master Obi Wan Kenobi. Who taught Ahsoka Tano in Jedi arts with the care of an older sibling. Who loved his mother Shmi Skywalker so deeply, all he wanted was to free her from slavery.

To Vader, Anakin is the kid who has yet to commit genocide; who has yet to be at the beck and call of the most evil man in the Galaxy. Who has yet to sacrifice a perfectly good state of being - where he’s loved and secure - for a life of misery and agony. He won’t even admit that he’s literally put himself in the place of a slave by obeying Palpatine’s every word.

Because Anakin lost everyone he ever loved. Everyone who ever loved him. Vader wants to tell himself he doesn’t need them, he doesn’t care. But if Vader and Anakin weren’t one and the same, he wouldn’t be pained by Anakin’s memories. He wouldn’t be affected by the thoughts of Padmé, Shmi, Obi Wan or Ahsoka. He would feel nothing when faced with reality; when Ahsoka or Obi Wan are standing in front of him, ready to duel to the death. When the thought of resurrecting Padmé - as a shell of the person she was in life - becomes a possiblity. If Vader weren’t still Anakin, he’d brush it all off. He’d go about his day, with no attachments.

But he does feel. He feels pain, and sorrow, and rage. And if those were not his emotions, because of his connection to the people involved, he’d be empty and unfeeling and void of suffering. And he’s not. When Ahsoka addresses she’ll "won’t leave you, not this time”, he falters. Briefly, and not enough to return fully to the light or to admit to himself who he is and what he has done. But, he does falter and he does hesitate, if just for a moment.

When he strikes Obi Wan down, having told himself for decades he’d be delighted and thrilled to finally rid himself of Obi Wan’s memory - instead, he crumbles. The cry for help, of agony goes out into the Force; so strong that even Yoda can sense it on Dagobah at the other end of the Galaxy.

Even the first instance of this grief, when he’s informed of - and subsequently lied to about - Padmé’s death by Palpatine, he is crushed. If Vader did not care, he would have been unfazed by Padmé’s death. His first step as the man behind the mask is to grieve Anakin Skywalker’s dead wife. Of course, she was the reason he used to justify the heinous acts he committed, but it was never really about that in the end. It became an excuse to glorify his own new state of being.

Vader tells himself he is not Anakin Skywalker, but yet all of the things he feels, all of the things that ground him in his pain and thus in the Dark Side, are Anakin’s grievances; are Anakin’s misgivings. Are Anakin’s losses.

The same thing happens when he’s confronted by the truth that Anakin’s son lived, that Luke Skywalker exists. That there’s a possible future for him, as a father, and he immediately thinks of Luke as his son - despite always pressing the fact that he is Darth Vader, and that Anakin Skywalker is no more.

Subconsciously - and perhaps on some distant and faraway conscious level - despite all the things Vader wants to convince himself; he’s still Anakin. He knows he’s still Anakin. Anakin Skywalker, who’s done despicable, deplorable things. Anakin Skywalker, who has taken uncountable lives - murdered children - all in the name of a misguided sense of justice. A way to cheat himself out of guilt, because having a conscience is for the weak and Anakin does have one.

And to admit that he’s still the same man, would be to admit that Anakin was never a wholly good and pure person to begin with. That Anakin was always damaged, that Anakin was always flawed. To admit the insecurities that Anakin felt - that the thoughts of how he never deserved love, that he was never good enough, that he always wanted more than he had - are all his. That Anakin was never betrayed by anyone but himself.

That’s why it’s not until Luke redeems him, that Anakin can admit who he is.

That every vile thing he’s ever done was all on him, not somebody else named Vader. It is then that he accepts that he is Vader, and that Vader is Anakin, and there never was any real difference. And despite the horrible things Anakin has done, he saved his son and finally did the right thing. Finally did something good, and pure, and utterly selfless. Finally loved someone else enough to sacrifice himself, rather than toss them along the wayside to justify himself.

And that’s how he’s finally coming to terms with the fact that in spite of everything he’s done wrong, of all the mistakes he’s made, he could still do good. He may not be a good person, but he is capable of doing good deeds.

When Anakin stops separating himself into two different personas - who are ultimately one and the same - is when he finally finds peace. Because that’s where he finally admits that Anakin Skywalker ruined his own life by putting himself before everyone he ever cared for. It’s only by accepting that he is Anakin Skywalker and always has been, that he can forgive himself.

[ace-oreos]

Hey I got three prompt idea for your alpha fic (that I just finished reading, and I loved it): 1) Alpha, Fordo (and the rest of the ARCs of hypori, if you want, because a squad of ten arc have potentiel) and Satine meet while Kenobi are left in the middle of this. 2) Alpha and Fordo meet Ahsoka, Ahsoka fangirl, because Alpha ARC trooper, Fordo is puzzled and Alpha discover there is three of them now. 3) the Alpha ARC meet the newly promoted ARC, your choice if this goes good or bad

Ooh all of these were so fun, anon! Although I do have to admit I think the first one was my favorite to write - Alpha has no time for Kenobi's drama, but he's not above making Obi-Wan's life difficult. XD

And to no one's surprise, the ARC in the third little snippet is an OC! I haven't actually written much with him, but he's been taking up some space in my brain for a while now.

Taglist: @delta-the-mando @merspots @the-mandalorian-clone-lover @dudewhynotthis @a-lil-perspective @trashynishiki (because I know Obi-Wan amuses you to no end)

Alpha has been General Kenobi’s second long enough to know far more about the man’s various romantic pursuits than he ever wanted - there’s no way to avoid it, given the rate at which rumors whirl through the ranks and grow more ludicrous every day.

As for the second parties in question - Kenobi always becomes conveniently deaf at any mention, so Alpha has limited information for comparison - he is convinced that the Mandalorian duchess is the worst.

He very deliberately avoids catching Fordo’s eye; if his brother cracks, then it’s over for both of them. The clipped exhale picked up on his helmet audio confirms his suspicions.

Kenobi casts Alpha a look of warning. Alpha spreads his hands to indicate that he will not be acceptable for the aftermath when Fordo finally snaps and turns his attention to the duchess.

Her face is set with the same polite disinterest he’s seen on Coruscant politicians, although this time it’s accompanied by a distinct sense of disapproval. Alpha returns the look with interest. He doesn’t like her, and seeing as Kenobi is too busy trying to salvage his dignity, someone has to let her know.

Unfortunately, the Force tips him off, or maybe the general knows him too well by now; whatever the reason, Kenobi clears his throat before Alpha can think of a fitting comment for the situation.

Alpha plays innocent. Kenobi may know him, but Fordo is a wild card, and his brother certainly has a mouth -

“So,” Fordo says, and Alpha can hear the wicked grin in his voice, “I take it you and the general know each other?”

Kenobi’s face is a study in abject horror, the duchess’ somewhere between outrage and mortification, and Fordo looks duly pleased with himself. Alpha, for his part, is intensely grateful for his helmet. He certainly couldn’t care less about Kenobi’s private life, but he has a feeling that he and Fordo both will be getting an earful before the negotiations conclude.

_________________

Skywalker’s Padawan - General Skywalker - is a scrap of enthusiasm and curiosity wrapped up in an undeniably impulsive package.

She’s learned her lessons a little too well, Alpha decides, catching the look on her face. It’s somewhere between wary and inquisitive as she considers the ARCs with a thoughtful tilt of her head.

Suddenly she brightens. “You served with Master Skywalker.”

“It’s been a while,” Alpha says reluctantly. He’s acutely aware of how young she is; even the cadets on Kamino don’t give off the same sense of naivety. He’d rather not admit it, but he’s not at all sure how to handle her.

Fordo slings a companionable arm over his shoulder. “And I’m sure the general has taken your lessons to heart.”

Alpha glares - or he would, if Tano weren’t watching raptly.

“He’s told me about you,” the commander says, and Alpha knows in no uncertain terms that the grin spreading across Fordo’s face means trouble for him in the very near future.

Right on cue, his brother asks innocently, “Has he?”

Alpha jams his heel into his Fordo’s foot at the same time Tano starts rattling off every campaign and minor skirmish Alpha and Skywalker have ever been involved with. It’s almost impressive, her recall and her ability to list every planet and star system without pausing for breath in between. As it is, Alpha finds the attention uncomfortable.

When Tano’s recitation finally comes to a close, Alpha seizes the opportunity to put in, “Don’t forget Captain Fordo’s squad, ma’am.”

The dismay is written plainly across Fordo’s face as he tries to minimize the damage, saying, “It’s really not that exciting - ”

“Shabuir,” he hisses five minutes later, when Tano is hurling questions at both of them left and right. Alpha merely smirks in response.

They manage to escape within the hour, citing a briefing for a mission command is unaware they’ve assigned.

“Well,” Fordo says at last, “she’s Skywalker’s, alright.”

Alpha can’t help but make a face at that. Even Skywalker knew when to keep his mouth shut. Tano, on the other hand, has yet to absorb that particular lesson.

“Captain!”

The voice carries clearly through the hallway, and Alpha comes to a grudging halt. Tano catches up to them, twin lightsabers bouncing on her belt as she tries to maintain some measure of dignity.

“What can I do for you, Commander?” Alpha asks, wondering if she can sense his exasperation.

“I think my Master is supposed to accompany you on this next mission,” the commander explains. She smiles up at him with all the confidence in the world. “It only makes sense that I go too, don’t you think?”

“Well - ”

“D’you know, Master Kenobi was younger than I am now when he went on his first mission.”

“He might’ve mentioned it - ”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to have you on this one,” Tano continues cheerfully.

“I, uh, have a new assignment…”

“Oh, don’t worry, Alpha,” the commander says, patting his arm amiably. “Master Kenobi can pull some strings.”

Alpha, already intimately familiar with Kenobi’s methods, has to work to keep his dismay from showing on his face.

_________________

Alpha wakes abruptly after a particularly tiring training session to find Fordo waving a datapad perilously close to his face.

“What are you doing?” he demands, awake enough to be irritated.

“New ARC recruit,” Fordo announces, and the datapad whizzes by Alpha’s nose to land on his stomach.

Alpha smacks Fordo for good measure and picks up the datapad. As reluctant as he is to indulge his brother’s antics, he’s intrigued by the news. ARC recruits are few and far between these days.

It’s one of Skywalker’s di’kute, cross-trained from the infantry ranks.

“And you’re in luck,” Fordo continues, helping himself to the spot on the bed by Alpha’s feet. “He’s on planet now. You can give him the ARC speech.”

“ARC speech?”

“You know, do honor to your brothers and Jango, et cetera. The usual osik.”

“Shove off,” Alpha says. “I don’t give a - ”

“Whatever you say, ner vod.”

“I’m not - don’t look at me like that!”

“Like what?” Fordo asks innocently.

“You little - ”

Just as Alpha readies himself to throw something at Fordo - or tackle him head-on - the door slides open, followed by an uncertain, “Sir?”

Alpha straightens in time to see a trooper in full armor tuck his blue-striped helmet under one arm. His face is studiously blank, but there’s a smile playing on his lips.

“Four-one-oh-eight, sir,” the trooper says unprompted, apparently unbothered by the awkward silence. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“Not at all,” Alpha says, and takes care to step on Fordo’s foot as he approaches the trooper. He ignores the ensuing yelp and instead opts for, “What can I do for you?”

“The general referred me to you. Seemed to think I could pick up a few pointers.”

“That would be Skywalker?”

“Got it in one, sir.” Now the trooper gives a wry grin. “He recommended me for ARC training.”

“Got a name, kid?” Fordo asks, playing the steady ori’vod he absolutely is not.

“Ike, sir.”

“Well, Ike,” Fordo says, “glad to have you.”

“Don’t let Skywalker get in your head too much, yeah?” Alpha puts in.

Ike’s grin widens. “Yeah, I’ve heard stories.”

“If you’ve made it this far, you’ve already got more self-preservation than the general,” Alpha reassures him, offering a sardonic smile of his own.

“I’d like to think so, sir,” the trooper answers, almost sincere if not for the look of mischief in his eyes.

Yeah, Alpha likes this kid. If he’s careful, he may even make it past his first deployment.

Alpha claps him on the shoulder. “Welcome aboard, ner vod.”

[jasontoddiefor]

Summary: Statement of Shmi Skywalker regarding the conception of the entity known as Anakin Skywalker, former Research Assistant of the Jedi Order. Original statement given on March 15th, 7935 C.R.C. Audio recording by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Archivist of the Jedi Order, Coruscant. AN: I listened to The Magnus Archives for 5 hours straight at work. Read on AO3!

It has been three months since Sidious' full awakening and Anakin’s subsequent disappearance. There have been no signs of either and our research into their whereabouts turns up nothing. Ahsoka has been looking through Anakin’s old notes - his handwriting atrocious as ever - but... there is nothing to be found in his terror-stricken ramblings that would explain why he went with Sidious. Why didn’t he just talk to us? I thought he knew he could trust us, I told him I lo-

It doesn’t matter. This is not what this recording is about.

...

I believe I have found evidence as to why Sidious was so keen on keeping Anakin by his side. We have known for a while that Anakin is different, the Mortis files certainly pointed us in the right direction when it came to that but I had honestly given up on finding something more concrete, but what we dug out of the archive… It’s- I don’t know what I expected. Anakin made a joke once about his mother. It was the only time I heard him speak of his early childhood and her in a way that was not filled with adoration. But he was drunk at the time and we were... occupied with other things, later. In any case. I found a recording that sheds some light on it. So here we go.

Statement of Shmi Skywalker regarding the conception of the entity known as Anakin Skywalker, former Research Assistant of the Jedi Order. Original statement given on March 15th, 7935 C.R.C. Audio recording by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Archivist of the Jedi Order, Coruscant.

I apologize for my shaky handwriting but Anakin is teething - again - and is a little fussy because of it. I’m not quite sure as to the structure of this statements or where I should begin. In my childhood perhaps where I already felt the weight of what you, Master Jinn, told me is the Force. It was always there, whispering in my ear, telling me where to go or what to do. I always thought of it as instinct, that I was reassuring myself.

I never doubted this either until I got pregnant with Anakin.

The first thing you should know is that I am well aware of what state I was in when I noticed the pregnancy. I was a slave and I know there are several ways of wiping away entire years from my mind, but this wasn’t the case. My owner at the time didn’t have the kind of technology for it. Nobody messed with my mind and I know I didn’t sleep with anybody. I was just pregnant someday. I know how incredible it sounds, my Master certainly didn’t believe me, but she also didn’t care given she’d just get another slave out of it. I was shocked when I realized I was pregnant, terrified, but… It wasn’t for myself, not really. I knew I was safe. I don’t know how well you can emphasize, but you are never safe as a slave and yet I felt as if nothing could hurt me. After a series of events of which I don’t know whether the Force influenced them or not, I was made free. I was still stuck on Tatooine, still in the slave quarters because I couldn’t find any other housing, but I was free – and so was Anakin.

The pregnancy itself was quite easy on me actually. I had no health problems, if anything, I felt better than I had in years. No, the real change were my nights. I have always dreamed, but never like this. I felt like I was stuck in a memory that was not mine, forced to watch a fate I couldn’t understand. I saw so much fire and felt…

The statement becomes illegible here. It picks up again after a few paragraphs.

I am afraid of what it will mean for Anakin’s future. He is such a bright child, even if not entirely human as you must have noticed by now. I don’t mean that he is another species, I mean that he is not mortal, he doesn’t exist on the same plain as we do. I know this sounds like the ravings of a mad woman, but I promise you, it is the truth. I mentioned before that he is teething again. It is the fourth time already. His teeth are much too sharp, like that of a predatory species and yet I have never seen him really use them on others. He… doesn’t eat. It scared me at first, I thought my baby was starving, but Anakin just kept on growing. Sometimes I thought I could see him bite into… something. I don’t know how to describe it. It was just there in the corner of my eyes, flickering. It was massive, dark and twisted. I could hear it scream in agony, an awful sound like a pitiful dying thing. When I could see Anakin bite into it, it was as if he tore out bits of flesh, leaving behind a bleeding wound and yet, whenever I turned, I saw nothing. Just Anakin, playing. There was no blood on the ground, no guts. Nothing. He's teething right now, so he isn't biting into anything and I can't show you... Not that I really think it would show up on a recording.

I know it should probably concern me more than it did, but I learned to accept this as another characteristic of my son and moved on. It wasn’t like that was the only strange thing. Anakin sometimes has more eyes than he should. The two blue ones always stay, but there also more in different colors. Gold, red, green… Sometimes he stares into nothing, but his glare is so intense that it doesn’t even look cute on a toddler. I just know that whatever he is perceiving is more than any other mortal can see. I know we are-

Statement ends. The flimsi has been ripped off here. What concerns me the most is the fact that Anakin never talked about any of this. We have lived side by side for years and until we began investigating the Ilum disappearances, Anakin had never shown any such powers or anything. He mostly talked about how loud the Force was becoming now. And then there is also that my Master apparently took Shmi Skywalker’s statement. He hadn’t behaved like he had known Anakin before we picked him up on Tatooine, Anakin hadn’t known him either. How is he involved in all of this? I wish he would have left me more than just a few notes to solve this puzzle. I can’t-

Obi-Wan, I just- Oh, you’re recording?

Yes, Ahsoka. Is there anything I can do for you?

No- nothing really. Sorry, I was just… It’s weird doing all this research without Anakin helping or pointing me in the right direction. Especially because it’s research about him. Do you think- do you think we’ll find him soon?

I hope so. And don’t beat yourself up over it, we’re doing all we can. I will finish this recording, and then I will join you.

Okay. Want a cup of tea?

That would be lovely.

…

Where was I? Right, Qui-Gon. He’s been dead for over ten years now and I still don’t know all his secrets. Shmi’s statement, however, has certainly confirmed that Anakin’s condition, whatever it actually is, hasn’t developed recently. It is something he was born with. While usually I am more skeptical about statements of such a nature… I saw him tear through the very fabric of our dimension, forcing open a doorway to nowhere. I don’t think I can afford to disregard anything when it comes to Anakin. I will attempt to track down the remainder of this statement. This one was buried deep in old research of Qui-Gon. He must have left a hint somewhere. I will find it, and we will bring Anakin back home.

Recording ends.

[starwarsfic]

Gai'se bal Mande 1: Alpha-17

Originally posted September 4, 2020

Summary: There's one basic fact of the galaxy that lots of people agree on: Qui-Gon Jinn does not deserve to raise Obi-Wan.

Details: Alpha-17 & Obi-Wan. Time Travel AU. Mandalore Mission AU. For the Punch Qui-Gon and Adopt Obi-Wan challenge.

xxxxxx

Death came in battle, it was all that Alpha-17 could hope for.

That it was battle against the Vod'e, the younger siblings he'd raised and trained and who'd gone suddenly, horrifying blank-faced before turning on the Jedi around them, left something to be desired.

He thought of the ones off Kamino, legions of Vod'e that could very well be doing exactly the same thing. Trusted--some even loved--by the Jedi around them.

He thought of Kote. And how he'd entrusted him with Obi-Wan.

His heart ached.

And then he hit the water, the impact knocking him out, the current sucking him under, and stopped thinking.

***

Alpha-17 came awake with a gasp. He hadn't expected to come awake at all, so he did as he had been trained to and accessed the situation before allowing any signs of waking. He was lying on grass, somewhere with moderate temperature on the cold side. There were at least two people in the immediate vicinity, he could smell the faintest fumes of blaster fire but not hear any of the telltale sounds of armor.

"Hey, are you okay?" The voice was on the young side, the words were Mando'a, the accent familiar--achingly familiar, he realized.

He opened his eyes and a too-young version of Obi-Wan was leaning over him, staring down at him. Was this the afterlife? Were one of the religions that said there was some sort of 'heaven' after death right? But he'd think he'd be staring into Obi-Wan's face as he'd been when they first met, that those eyes would be alight with recognition.

This...this kid was younger than a shiny and definitely didn't recognize him. He had the telltale Padawan haircut, which looked somehow extra ridiculous and extra adorable on his fluffy red hair. He wasn't wearing robes, though, instead dressed like some sort of spacer.

Beside him was a girl, a little older than him, light colored hair and--oh.

Oh.

The Duchess. His General and the Duchess.

"What--what year is this?"

The two exchanged looks, clearly concerned for him. "You fell out of the sky, there aren't any ships around. Whatever happened to you--you're disoriented."

"I'm not," Alpha-17 insisted, sitting up and inspecting himself.

The blaster marks were there on his armor, but the wounds were gone. His bucket was missing, too, but that was probably for the best--the armor he might be able to pass off as Mandalorian style, but he couldn't do that with the helmet.

Neither of them recognized him--neither of them would have seen Jango Fett before, he didn't think. How old would Jango have been right now? Would they be too close in age and looks to risk showing his face?

He spared a moment to think about tracking him down, it wouldn't be hard to get a slip on him, he wouldn't be expecting anyone to know as much about his skillset as Alpha-17 did.

"It's 7938 CRC," Padawan Obi-Wan finally says, watching Alpha-17 for a reaction.

"Right, that scans," he stated, in acknowledgement, remembering his General liked that sort of thing. "I want you to reach out with your Force banthashit, and ask it if the next thing I say is true or not." Obi-Wan's eyes widen and, after another quick look at Kryze, he nods. "I'm from the future."

Kryze lets out a disbelieving noise. Obi-Wan, who'd been crouching beside him, falls flat on his ass, still staring. He believed him, then. That made things slightly easier.

"Duchess, you're dead. I'm dead, or was. You...Obi-Wan, you probably are, too. There was a war," before Kryze could say anything about how there was currently a war, he waved a hand, "a galactic wide war. Lots of people died. If I'm back here, now...it's so we can prepare for it."

All through his words, Obi-Wan's eyes hardened, his face chilling into the determined look Alpha-17 recognized from battle. He'd been in battle, he realized, now, and before now, even. He'd said as much when they'd talked about his past. Obi-Wan might be missing a few decades of experience, but he wasn't missing his earlier knowledge of warfare.

"You believe him?"

"The Force is--it's hard to explain, Sat'ika. It's ringing with truth all around him, screaming at me to believe him."

Kryze had the resigned look of someone who had worked with a Jedi for long enough to know they were all completely crazy and also actually did have mysterical powers.

"Fine." She stood up a little straighter, looking down at him with an air of authority at odds with her dirty spacer disguise. "What's the plan, then?"

***

He told them enough, Obi-Wan confirmed anything with the Force that Kryze thought was just too unbelievable. It wasn't hard, after that, to get their help tracking down Jango (Alpha-17 remembered just enough about his stories to have a good guess of where he might be) and, even though neither of them seemed too hot about it, killing him.

Taking his identity felt creepy, but they needed it--the Duchess of the New Mandalorians and the Mand'alor of the traditionalists working together? Yeah, they needed that.

And if anyone noticed the gaps in "Jango's" memory, well, there was a lot of trauma there. No surprise he'd repress most of his old life.

Eventually Jinn tracked them down, too, clearly not knowing what to make of the fact his charge had gone so far off the rails she'd allied with a missing political rival.

Definitely no one was surprised that "Jango" didn't want a Jedi involved in anything (Obi-Wan didn't count, of course, but there were lots of reasons people could give for that), and he blocked him out of their planning meetings.

Frustrated and petty, Jinn drew Obi-Wan away just a day after they all reached Sundari. "I...suppose our work here is done, then. Padawan, it's time to return to Coruscant."

"So you can send him off alone in another warzone?" Alpha-17 challenged and the people around them tensed in anticipation, knowing how much "Jango" liked the apprentice. "Let him starve for a few more months when he's supposed to be growing?"

Jinn's eyes flashed with anger, his expression reminding Alpha-17 of Anakin--who'd been nineteen, not some old man entrusted with raising multiple kids. It was impossible to believe this guy raised someone like Obi-Wan Kenobi, though he figured that was because Obi-Wan mostly raised himself.

"Obi-Wan is my Padawan learner, as his Master--"

"You're supposed to take care of him, not treat him like a neglected strill that will keep obedient because it doesn't know better."

"Jango," Obi-Wan tried to interrupt, but Alpha-17 shot him a look and he backed down and shuffled away, Satine gripping his arm, both seeming more curious than concerned.

Maybe it was Obi-Wan's easy obedience towards Alpha-17 or maybe it was the protective anger Jinn was feeling in the Force, but he stepped forward, looking down at Alpha-17 like his height was something to be intimidated by and not just a quirk of genetics.

Alpha-17 had spent too long dealing with the longnecks to give a shit about Qui-Gon Jinn being taller.

"Our mission is over, Mand'alor," the title was hissed in displeasure, "and it is time to return to our home."

Alpha-17 turned towards Obi-Wan, whose eyes were wide. They'd discussed this--the need to prepare Mandalore for what was to come, the fact that the Republic, the Jedi Order, couldn't be as ready. He took a breath, let it out steadily, as he did when he was releasing emotions in the Force. Then he nodded.

"Ni kar'tayl gai sa'ad," Alpha-17 stated, the room erupting into chaos as "Jango Fett" adopted a child.

Jinn clearly didn't know what that meant, but knew there was some significance. He strode forward and, instead of stopping in front of Obi-Wan to speak to him as Alpha-17 had been expecting, he grabbed Obi-Wan's arm.

"We're going, now, Padawan."

He didn't get more of a tug in before Alpha-17's fist landed cleanly in his kidney. Letting out a wheeze, the older Jedi stumbled away, Obi-Wan just managing to get out of his grip. Satine was whispering frantically to him, glaring at Jinn as she did, probably telling Obi-Wan how unacceptable Jinn's move had been even if Obi-Wan had been conditioned to think that was alright.

"You're leaving, Jinn. And you're not taking my son with you."

The Mandalorians around them weren't the Vod'e, would never be as close or know him as truly, but they were still Mando'ade, and quickly filled in the space to block Obi-Wan from Jinn's view as he turned his attention back to them.

The Jedi Order would protest the whole thing, probably fed some lies by Jinn about what actually had happened, but there were more than enough people here to know and spread the truth through the sector. There was nothing more Mandalorian than fighting the Jedi and with any luck this might even get Death Watch interested in "Jango's" rule.

xxxxxx

"gai bal manda" is the Mandalorian adoption rite, it means "name and soul." This is me doing my best to pluralize that into "names and souls"

[evabellasworld]

By the Stream

March Madness Challenge for @starwarsfandomfests

What happened, what’s wrong?

You’re sitting alone by the stream

The green grass is sprouting up

And the water splashes with the spring wind

I’m sure there was a promise

That even if you go, you won’t be gone forever

But every day you come to the stream

What are you thinking about?

Even if you go, you won’t be gone forever

Is that asking me not to forget you?

——————————————————————————————

Summary: Obi-Wan and Vanya were sitting beside the stream, not knowing what will become of the long-standing friendship that they built together.

——————————————————————————————

AO3 Link

Staring at the crystal-clear stream in front of her, Vanya was seated on a large rock, with stalks of yellow-orange daisies in her hands, with a smile on her face. Her surroundings were filled with wildflowers and polka-dotted mushrooms grown across the emerald field, along with the refreshing breeze in the air. The sun was shining on the blue sky as the puffy cloud above her glided, giving a sense of serenity inside her.

For months, the battles across the Outer Rims were bloodthirsty. Many of her troops were sacrificed in the battlefield as a price to pay for the Republic's victory. The fields that she was admiring were once soaked in blood and rotting corpses that painted across the bare valleys.

Trenches were dug deep and barbed wires were set up, marking each territory for both the Republic and the Separatists forces. Anyone who trespasses was either shot on sight or disappeared, never to be seen again. Vanya recalled assigning 35 clone troopers to gather intel from their enemies and so far, only 5 had survived.

Her heart aches as she laid on her bunk every single night, wondering whether the rest of her soldiers were still out there. It would be easier to think that the remaining 28 men and women were all dead, probably buried somewhere in the area. On the other hand, Vanya could not help but think that maybe, just maybe, they would return home to their brother’s and sister’s embrace.

Why did I even bother fighting this war in the first place? she thought, sniffing through the sweet scent of the flower. It’s not like we were protecting innocent people of the Republic in the first place.

She glanced at the stream again, only to notice the fishes that were swimming along together. For three years, she had been fighting a war that doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. Though her friends informed her that the Separatist were losing their grip on the Outer Rim, Vanya cannot be too sure about their statement.

In truth, nobody, including herself, had any idea when the Clone Wars would end. She was sure that the war would be over in a few months, but that few months became a year, before it turned into three excruciating years. If another year has passed, then she would be a forty-year-old woman, along with her longtime friends, Cinta Kaarim and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Her former apprentice, on the other hand, would be a fourteen-year-old girl, the same age that Ahsoka became a commander of the 501st Legion. How time flies so fast, she laughed to herself. Just yesterday, Lira was the little girl who was always asking a lot of questions and talking endlessly and now, she’s blossoming into a teenager and soon, she’ll grow into a strong and brave woman.

The thought of her Padawan growing up made her shiver, realising the uncertain future for her and her twin sister, Eva. Will the girls have to grow up to finish the war for us? Vanya bit her fingernails. Will they survive, or will they die young?

That was the question that bounced around her head the moment they were assigned as Jedi Generals for the 101st Battalion, much to both her and Obi-Wan’s distress. As she watches an Eden green butterfly land on top of the flower, her lips curve downwards when it flees in fright, prompting her to turn around and figure out what startled the fragile creature.

Rather, she found Obi-Wan pacing towards her the entire time, making her cross her arms and gave him an icy glare. “You know, your tactics of scaring other people is starting to bore me,” Vanya remarked, as he let out an amusing chuckle.

“Well, in that case, I’ll have to find another way to grab your attention,” he teased, as he sat beside her and grinned, hoping to crack his stone-faced friend. “Besides, you seem to always be in your head all the time. Should I be worried or should I stay out of your internal conflicts?”

“What do you want?” she breathed, her lips stiffened.

“Well, you’ve been sitting alone by the stream,” he answered, his voice laced with concern. “What’s happened? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing really,” Vanya shook her head. “It’s just the thought of us not seeing each other again just pains me too much.”

“But even if you go, you won’t be gone forever,” Obi-Wan assured, placing his hands on her shoulder. “Besides, we promised that we would always have each other’s back, no matter what.”

“But what if I didn’t make it alive?” she pined. “The Outer Rim is currently in siege and right now, I can’t even guarantee if I’m able to make it back to the Jedi Temple.”

“Vanya, don’t say that. You will come back to the Temple once everything is over, and you will see Lira and Eva again, I promise.”

“How can you even be optimistic right now, when you’ve been seeing your own men die under your command? You’ve even lost Satine on Mandalore, and you lose sleep worrying about Anakin and Eva’s strained relationship with each other.”

Obi-Wan bobbed his head, his eyebrows drooped. “You’re right. It’s difficult to think positively, especially when both your apprentices are fighting with each other too frequently. It’s hard when Eva kept crying on how Anakin was saying nasty things to her and how he felt unfair when I called him out on his behaviour. But what can I do? Eva has been depressed for years, and I have to stay strong just for her sake. I can’t afford to break down in front of her, since she’s already been through a lot.”

“I’m sorry, Obi-Wan,” Vanya apologised profusely, her head hung low. “I didn’t mean to provoke you like that.”

“No, Vanya, there’s nothing to apologise for,” he let out a weak smile. “It’s just that I’ve been keeping to myself for too long, and I thought that it would be better if I just let it all out, you know.”

She nodded as she squeezed her nose and wiped her hands on her dress, shifting her focus to the gentle stream. “So, how’s Anakin?”

“The usual,” shrugged Obi-Wan. “You know, flying recklessly, almost getting himself for a billion times, yeah, those are the things that I have to deal with for more than ten years.”

“That bad, eh?” her nose crinkled.

“Well, he had a rough upbringing when he was around Eva’s age. He was enslaved until my master, Eva’s father, rescued him and made me his master as his death wish. Then, he had to watch his own mother die a decade later, and even till today, he blamed himself for not being able to save her from those Tusken Raiders.”

“That was sad,” Vanya sympathised. “But that doesn’t excuse him for hurting other people’s feelings, especially Eva. The girl’s only thirteen, and she’s already in a fragile state of mind.”

“That is true,” he acknowledged. “Ever since Ahsoka left, Anakin is back to his destructive behaviour. His possessiveness towards Padmé, his anger issues, says it all. I’ve tried talking to him, but you know him. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

“The apple doesn’t seem to fall far from the tree,” she commented. “You were just as stubborn as him when you were still an apprentice to Master Qui-Gon Jinn.”

He snorted, before clearing his throat. “I could say the same for you and Master Plo Koon. You always insisted on flying, even if it was too dangerous.”

“Yup, and now, the cycle repeats with Lira. I have to admit, as jumpy as Lira is, she is one hell of a pilot.”

“It’s like you said, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Obi-Wan repeated her words. “Master Plo was a pilot, you are a pilot, and now, Lira is following your footsteps into becoming a star pilot like the both of you.”

“And Anakin and Eva also have your piloting skills, though you hated flying so much.”

“Yeah, I had a bad experience with them,” he rubbed behind his neck, plucking a small, white daisy beside him. “You know the incident on Pijal. Even to this day, it still haunts me in my dreams.”

“I know, and I’m sorry that you had to go through that, really. No child should experience these kinds of horrors.”

“And we let a fourteen-year-old and two 10-year-olds fight in a barbaric war,” he exhaled. “I just hope that this war will end sooner. I miss the days when the only thing we had to worry about was maintaining peace in the Galactic Republic.”

She groaned in frustration. “God, I hate politics so much. It’s just too many red strings that prevent us from taking further action, you know. I don’t even know why the Jedi Council had to get involved in the first place.”

“I see where you’re coming from. Too many politicians, with a few exceptions, are corrupted. They would rather fill their pockets with credits than caring about the citizens instead. Honestly, I have a feeling that the Republic will crumble eventually. It’s too fragile to maintain its pillars.”

“True,” she relented as she got up from her seat, holding a bouquet with both hands. “Well, I should get going. The Council assigned me to another battle and I have to depart as soon as possible.”

He nodded and bowed. “Is that asking me not to forget you?”

“I guess so,” Vanya lifted her shoulders. “But like you said, I won’t be gone forever, and so will you.”

“Goodbye Vanya,” Obi-Wan gave his last wave at her. “I hope we’ll see each other again once the war is over.”

“I will, Obi-Wan,” she promised, before leaving him by the stream, where the grasses were sprouting up and the water splashes with the spring wind. Little did they know, this was their last conversation with each other before the end of the era.

[the-fanciful-fangirl]

In Which Qui-Gon Lives

So I saw this lovely piece of art by the super talented @suja-janee (like seriously check out her fanarts they’re great) and my muse kind of went way too far with trying to figure out a scenario where baby Rex would have been at the Jedi Temple with tiny Anakin and little Ahsoka. And poof I think I created a new AU verse. 

This was also inspired by Dave Filoni’s recent Duel of the Fates discussion where he talked about Qui-Gon’s importance in the saga as a whole and how he was this tragic father figure to Anakin. So that’s in here too.  

Without further ado:

Nine year-old Anakin Skywalker was dissimilar to a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in almost every way. Where Obi-Wan had been excited to attend medication classes and patiently practice his lightsaber katas, Anakin was a ball of eternal energy that rarely wanted to be still for anything. 

When Master Qui-Gon Jinn, finally woke up after weeks of being unconscious from his near fatal duel on Naboo, he had not expected to return and find his shared quarters with Obi-Wan in such disarray. The couch in the sitting room had a haphazard sheet strewn across it and had clearly been slept on. A small pile of clothes sat under a low table in a poor attempt to hide them. Qui-Gon had been looking forward to checking in on his Pada- on Obi-Wan, who was a knight now. Stars above Qui-Gon felt old, and it wasn’t just from the presence of the cane the Healers had insisted he use for the time being. He felt considerably old when the main door to his apartments slid open and a wall of two-sided bickering pushed into the room. 

“All Jedi have to meditate Anakin. It keeps us centered.” 

“Well, I don’t like it, it’s-” The boy’s words stopped the moment he noticed Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan’s subsequent smile was tired at best despite the happiness Qui-Gon could feel bleeding across their still intact bond.

“Master, I didn’t know you were up and about.” Obi-Wan said, even as Qui-Gon noticed Anakin flinch at the word Master.

“Neither do the Head Healers, so we best keep the news to ourselves.” The look of relief that passed over Anakin’s face brought far more comfort to Qui-Gon’s soul than his time in the Halls of Healing, even though he’d spent three weeks of that time unconscious. The other weeks he’d spent arguing with the Healers and trying to wrap his mind around Obi-Wan not only being given the rank of Knight but being assigned Anakin as a Padawan as well. At first Qui-Gon had meant to protest, he’d even planned an imaginary argument to have with Yoda and Mace but then he’d actually reached out through the Force. And the Force was thrumming happily around the pair of boys (Obi-Wan might have been almost twenty-five standard but the term still felt right). Qui-Gon was never one to ignore the whims of the Force and he’d make no exceptions, especially where Anakin was concerned.  

The boy might have by now looked like any other Initiate in the Temple but Qui-Gon could plainly sense that Obi-Wan was going to have his work cut out for him.

“Perhaps, Anakin we could mediate together this evening. Obi-Wan if you recall, you often mediated with Master Yoda when we first started together. Working together as a Master and a Padawn does not always mean you will learn the same way.” 

Obi-Wan nodded in relief and Anakin’s face brightened.

---

“Qui-Gon?” Anakin’s voice outside his door was becoming something of a daily occurrence and the aging Jedi Master could only smile. It had been nearly six months since Anakin and Obi-Wan had moved into their own set of Master and Padawan apartments and had left Qui-Gon to feel lonely in his quieter quarters. A lively Padawan to brighten his spirits however, was not what awaited Qui-Gon when he padded the door release. It wasn’t that anything looked wrong with Anakin, it was that… well his presence in the Force was utterly a mess. 

“You seem a little worse for wear young one.” Qui-Gon said. Anakin’s eyes fell to the floor.

“Sorry Mast-”

“Now what did I saw about that word?” 

“That, I don’t have to use it when other people aren’t around.” Anakin said, a little happier.  

“Yes.” Qui-Gon placed a broad hand on Anakin’s too skinny shoulder. “You are not like the other initiates or padawans Anakin.” The boy’s face fell and Qui-Gon shook his head. “I don’t mean that in a bad way.”

“Well the other kids seem to think so.” Anakin said sheepishly, kicking the floor absently with his booted foot.

“The other younglings have lived their entire lives in this temple and have not and likely will never suffer the hardships you have already endured.” Qui-Gon placed a careful finger on Anakin’s chin and rised his head so thier eyes met. “We Jedi are not perfect beings, we make mistakes, our young and even some of our elders can be as judgemental as children.” 

Anakin laughed a little at that. 

“We use the word Master as a term of respect.” Qui-Gon said carefully. “It’s meant to mean teacher or respected one more than anything. But that word means something very different to you, and that is perfectly alright. It is alright to feel bothered.”

“But,” Anakin said, a flare of frustration overcoming his small form, “ Obi-Wan and all my teachers say I have to release my feelings. I don- I don’t know how to do that!” The boy was shaking now. “I feel angry about the word master, I feel frustrated at the other kids, I feel, I-”

“You feel everything.” Qui-Gon provided. Anakin took a deep breath and appeared on the verge of tears. Qui-Gon pulled him into an embrace and the boy clung to him desperately, tears finally flowing freely. 

“The Force is a part of everything in the universe and your connection to it is strong, stronger than any Jedi I have every known.”

“That’s why you think I’m this Chosen One person?” Anakin said skeptically, pulling away slightly. 

“It is. But that title doesn’t define you Annie. I think perhaps I was wrong to saddle you with it.” Anakin’s head turned a little at that and his nose scrunched up. “What?” 

“I didn’t know grown ups could admit when they were wrong.”

Qui-Gon laughed heartily at that and Anakin smiled.

“Very few grown ups do Annie. Now, I think that I have taken us off track somewhat. I assume you came here with a question for me.” 

“Oh, yeah. I um, needed to ask you about… dreams.” Anakin said, his timidityreturning.

“What sort of dreams?” Qui-Gon said. 

“Well, I’ve always had them, sometimes, and I think sometimes my dreams happen. The night…” a sorrowful look fell voer the boy’s features, “the night before mom and I got sold I dreamed about it a bit, I saw pieces and then it happened. Is that a thing the Force does?” 

It was not entirely unheard of for Jedi to dream of the future. Master Yoda himself could sometimes see visions that helped inform his decisions in leading the Order. It wasn’t Qui-Gon’s style, as a philosophical adherent to the concept of the Living Force, to dwell on the future but he felt a rightness in guiding Anakin’s steps. 

“What dreams are you having now?” The Jedi Master asked tentatively. 

“Well there’s this one about a girl and me, but I’m bigger. I think we were working together or something. I didn’t think about it much but then I saw her!”

“In the Temple?” Qui-Gon questioned.

“Yes!” Anakin said excitedly. “She’s a little Togruta girl in the creche. She smiled at me too when Obi-Wan was showing me around.” 

“Then we should give you two a proper introduction, it’s never bad to have more friends here. Perhaps that will also help you understand these dreams better.” Qui-Gon said. Anakin’s face fell a little.

“Well, that’s not the only dream. That’s just the good one.” 

“So there’s a bad one then?” Qui-Gon motioned for Anakin to continue when the boy hesitated. 

The boy spoke slowly, “There’s this man, and I think he knows you, I think the Force is telling me that he knows you. But he’s not very nice, maybe he used to be if he knows you. And then I get this feeling that there are all these kids, who feel like my friends, who are in danger. And there’s a lot of them and I think they’re.. that someone owns them like I was. I think we need to help them or else something bad is going to happen.” 

--- 

“Clones?” It had been a long time since Qui-Gon had experienced the pleasure of hearing Mace Windu sound so shocked. He sensed Obi-Wan’s own attempts to hide a smile creeping into his features. It was late in the evening, especially for a meeting of the whole High Council and it seemed that Mace was not the only Master who was a little taken aback. The entire council seemed to bristle after hearing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan’s report of their most recent mission. Not that Qui-Gon was surprised, it certainly was an insane story and if he had not seen his findings with his own eyes, he might not have believed it either.

“I simply cannot understand why Master Sifo-Dias would have been involved in something like this before he died.” Master Mundi said in his clipped Coruscanti accent.

“Strange it is that go so far as to order the creation of an army Sifo-Dias would. Plagued though he was by his so-called visions of the future.” 

“That’s what you’re worried about?” Anakin’s cry of frustration brought all eyes on the chamber to bear and the boy shrunk back towards his masters. It had been his first official mision with Obi-Wan as Master and Padawan and it had all been carried out because of his dreams. He felt quite a bit of ownership over the whole affair. The boy, perhaps emboldened by a very subtle mental encouragement from Qui-Gon, stepped forward. 

“We should be more concerned about the all the kids! That army is a bunch of babies that they’re gonna force to become soldiers!” 

“Knight Kenobi, perhaps you and your padawan need to have a conversation about respect in these chambers.” This time, Qui-Gon was unable to stop his head from shaking disapprovingly. However, Obi-Wan seemed unmoved.

“But Anakin is right Master Windu. These clones have been bred for combat. The Kaminoians weren’t shy about their process of genetic modifications. These children have been forced to grow at an accellerated rate much father than normal humans and have been-” Obi-Wan had to keep himself from shuddering at the word, “manufactured to be docile and loyal only to the Republic.”

“Yeah, they can’t make any choices.” Anakin added, folding his arms over his chest. “How is that fair?” 

The Council was silent for a long moment and all eyes eventually settled on Grandmaster Yoda who thoughtfully rubbed the top of his walking stick. 

“Up to the Senate, the clone’s fate may be. Ordered for them they were. Master Qui-Gon, Knight Kenobi, advocate for a just fate for them you shall.” 

----

As it turned out, the Senate was soon preoccupied with multiple attacks across the Core and Mid-Rim Worlds from an unknown source. Though Qui-Gon Jinn suspected the Sith master of the Zabrak who had nearly run him through might have been involved. Exiting a session of the Senate alongside Obi-Wan and Anakin, who had insisted to tag along, Qui-Gon had to marvel at the young man’s spirit. 

“I can’t believe they voted to keep the army! Those clones are kids and they want to use them as soldiers and they don’t even get a say.” 

“The Senate is worried about safety after all these attacks. Sometimes being a Jedi is frustrating Anakin,” Obi-Wan explained. “We serve the Senate and democracy, but that doesn’t mean we always get our way.”

“Obi-Wan is right young one, we should be thankful that the Senate is allowing some of the clones to grow up on Coruscant,” said Qui-Gon. Anakin still looked displeased.

“But they’re only doing that so they can study them. It’s weird and I feel like I’m supposed to help them.” The boy was stubborn, Qui-Gon had to give him that. The trio made their way through the massive Senate building, passing beings of all kinds. The Jedi continued to head towards the exit until they heard a voice call out Master Jinn’s name. 

“Chancellor Palpatine,” Qui-Gon said in greeting. The three Jedi bowed as the man walked over. 

“It is good to see you up and about Master Jinn.” Palpatine said cheerfully. “Knight Kenobi and young Skywalker, a pleasure as always. “I assume the Senate’s decision was not quite what the Jedi had in mind when they brought this matter to our attention.” 

“We are servants of the Republic, Chancellor.” Obi-Wan said. 

“Of course.” Palpatine agreed. He turned to face Anakin directly. “I hope you are adjusting to our lovely planet young one. My home planet owes a great debt to your heroics.”

“Th-thank you Chancellor Sir. I like it here.” 

“Good, good. Well you are always welcome to visit when your studies allow. Master Jinn, I thought I would discuss your request in person, if you have a moment.”

“Request?” Obi-Wan questioned. 

“Yes,” the Chancellor said in a way that seemed to Anakin far less than enthused. “Master Jinn has requested than some of the young clones that come to Coruscant live at the Jedi Temple.” 

“Really, Master?” Anakin asked, his eyes practically bulging out of his head. 

“Yes, I did. The army may have been commissioned for the Republic but it was Jedi Master Sifo-Dias who made the order. The Council members, and I as well, think having a few under Jedi observation may be helpful in their development. I do hope your office has considered our request Chancellor.” 

“That’s so wizard!” Anakin said out of turn, earning him a nudge from Obi-Wan. “Um, I mean, that’s great. Chancellor?”

“Well, I think I agree with Master Jinn’s logic. Moving forward it would be a fine idea to have a contingent of these troops integrated so closely with the Jedi at the Temple .” 

Anakin could barely hold himself back from cheering in excitement. 

-----

Obi-Wan Kenobi had always known his Master was considered something of a maverick Jedi. In his early years as a Padawan, his Qui-Gon’s way of doing things had always seemed strange to him. The young man had always tried to be a model Jedi, follow the rules and such. He’d spend many of his years as initiate learning directly from Master Yoda himself. But then Qui-Gon had come along and messed all of that order and protocol up. 

So Obi-Wan was unsurprised when his Master offered to spend much of his time in the creche caring for the clone children who come to live in the Temple. He practically became a creche Master in all but name, doting on both clone and Jedi younglings alike in a way that felt far too familial for Obi-Wan’s tastes. There were even children who started secretly calling Master Jinn ‘grandfather’ in their various native tongues. And of course Qui-Gon’s presence, as well as that of a particular Torgruta youngling, meant Anakin was almost always somewhere about the creche when he wasn’t in his training classes. It also meant that Obi-Wan spent a similar amount of time searching said creche for his errant Padawan. After a while and a great deal of incidents, Obi-Wan started telling himself to prepare for anything when he got near the creche.   

“Forward younglings!”

“Annie, I don’t think he can walk yet!!” Anakin stopped marginally and turned to face little Ahsoka who was being pulled haphazardly between holding Anakin’s hand and keeping a grip on the ankle of one of the clone younglings. The little blonde looked no worse for wear, save a mildly surprised stare on his face.

“Whoops, sorry Snips.” Anakin moved to pick up the clone and carefully cradle him in one arm before reaching back out for Ahsoka. 

“Why do you call me that?” Ahsoka asked, planting her hands on her hips. 

“Cause you’re snippy.” Anakin said smiling.

“I don’t know what that means Skyguy.” 

It’s then that Obi-Wan decided to interject in the little scene.

“Anakin, you were supposed to meet me for lightsaber training after you left your civics class.” Obi-Wan admonished. The boy’s face sank a little.

“Sorry Master.” His dolorous expressed didn’t last long, however. “It’s just that Ahsoka wanted to come watch us, so I had to come get her. But she said we had to bring Rex.” 

“Mhmm.” Ahsoka said with an assured smile. 

“Rex?” Obi-Wan asked. Anakin held up the clone youngling and the baby looked owlishly up at the young knight. 

“I had another dream with Soka in it and Rex was there too.” Anakin explained.

“But he was bigger ‘en me.” Ahsoka added. 

“Yeah, cause the clones grow double. But he was in my dream so he has to be our friend when we’re all older. Might as well start being friends now.” Anakin explained. Ahsoka nodded definitively, in the way that only a four year old can. Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. 

“Do you have permission to leave the creche little one?” He asked of Ahsoka.

“Mister Jinn says I can always leave if Annie takes me.” Ahsoka explained. Obi-Wan mentally wondered if he should keep a tally of how many times he sighed in one day.

“Come on then… all of you.” 

The sight of the four of them all together brought a smile to Qui-Gon’s face. He turned when he felt a small tug on his robes. 

“Youngling Dume.” Qui-Gon said warmly.

“Master, why are you hiding in the dororway?” Qui-Gon laughed warmly and reached down to pick the boy up.

“Because, young one, it is far more entertaining this way.”

---

Thanks for reading! I really had fun with this one and also tons of love to @suja-janee for making the art that inspired this.

Send me a prompt for something in this new budding universe and I’ll gladly continue the story. I may end up housing this on my Ao3.  

Also, I love reviews and comments!

[reynesofcastamere]

Splintered Perspective [β]

(A/N: For reference, any fics I write that aren’t related to my main series will be marked with [ β ] in the title. I may just have to make a masterpost to organize these at some point. Anyway,the prompt for this was: ‘How Rex or some other person from Ahsoka’s past would react to her being enemies with benefits or in a relationship with Maul.’ I decided to go with multiple POVs for the fun of it. And so I didn’t break myself with The Sad. Poor Rex T_T. Perspectives are not in chronological order. Mentions of past Ahsoka/Barriss. Warnings for dehumanization, mentions of torture, death, violence, some ableism and possible misogyny.(Maybe? Your mileage may vary.) Unbeta’d.  ) Being one with the Force is...not exactly what she had been taught to expect. Barriss Offee is part of everything, all at once. Those in the Light, living and dead, she is all of them, and yet still herself, in a manner of speaking . Time is no longer such a rigid concept, nor is there any particular sense of urgency. What has happened was meant to be, and the future...Is forever shifting, ripples overlapping in a still pool. Which is why it comes as such a surprise when she can feel Master Plo’s disapproval like a storm on the edge of breaking. At first, she cannot determine what has woken his ire, but slowly the images come into focus. Ahsoka.

Barriss no longer possesses a heart, and yet she cannot deny the lance of bittersweet pain through her chest. There is relief that her friend is still alive, but also regret and something bordering on envy. A feeling that only sharpens when she notices the tattooed Zabrak that Ahsoka currently has pinned down. Wait. She knows him. Not personally, but...He is a Sith, a murderer, a monster. Why is Ahsoka-brash, kind, clever person that she is- smiling at him?  It is possible that she is misinterpreting this. Both of them appear rather bruised and a touch bloody, and the lack of lightsabres doesn’t mean-She misses the words exchanged between the pair of them, but...The kiss is unmistakeably passionate, bordering on obscene as the Force crackles around them. Somehow, this is not the worst of it. When they part for air, there is a...look, shared between their eyes, and Barriss experiences true dread. Long ago, she and Ahsoka had-been close. Intimately so. As much as anyone could be, following the Order’s mandate that attachment was forbidden. She’d harboured dreams then, of maybe and one day...But no. Too much had happened, and her rosy illusions had been cruelly shattered. Somehow, watching this unfold hurts worse. Because there is something genuine beneath the crude physical attraction on display. Master Plo does not say a word, but his righteous indignation is so strong that it is a miracle he does not physically manifest in front of them.

Her dearest companion does not belong in the Dark, with this...creature trapping her in his coils, dripping venom into her thoughts. Barriss can only hope Ahsoka will extricate herself before it is too late.

=====

The failed apprentice. A wretched vermin who simply refuses to die. Not for much longer. Darth Vader’s gaze narrows as he reviews the incident reports. A decade of nothing but the occasional annoyance and whispers from the dregs of the galaxy, and only now does Maul scurry out from beneath whatever rock he has been sheltering under. Why? There is no grand plan, no great advantage in breaking into an Imperial prison. Especially one that contains such...unimportant occupants. Then again...The swathe of carnage and destruction left behind had been almost a direct path between the Dathomirian’s entry point and the interrogation chambers. Not a calculated assault, but an act of rage and desperation. Vader had felt it at the time, how the Dark Side had howled and torn at itself like a half-crazed beast. And then there was the fate of the interrogator: Hands cut off, abdominal perforation, shattered jaw,and eyes torn from their sockets. He had suffered a great deal, however briefly. As for the prisoner with him- Records list a female Togruta, mid-to-late twenties, with blue eyes and orange skin. Possibly Force sensitive, but difficult to determine due to her physical state upon capture. The prisoner hadn’t been in possession of anything resembling lightsabres, but had been carrying a wealth of assorted small armaments. It couldn’t be. She died back when...We found her sabres among the graves. Anakin Skywalker is long dead, but sometimes his ghost is loud enough to be heard over the multitudes that inhabit Vader’s hulking, monstrous shell.

Graves required someone to dig them first. Which meant that either some unknown individuals had come along and taken pity on a multitude of strangers...Or that the survivours had done the work themselves. Yet, if Ahsoka Tano lives, and was temporarily imprisoned, it still does not explain the identity or methods of her unlikely rescuer. She was sent to capture him on Mandalore, why would Snips-? Why did she leave us? We needed her when Padme- The room around him warps and buckles in a single, furious moment of clarity. She chose that...animal. That thing, Oh, but she’d been richly rewarded, hadn’t she? One only had to look at the risks her...protector had taken just to secure her freedom. Approval and utter disgust war within him as he rises. So be it. Sentiment has already destroyed them, and it will be his pleasure to finish a task that should have been resolved long ago. Traitors to the Empire must all be purged.

===== Rex should probably be angry. Ahsoka is certainly looking at him like a shiny expecting a stern lecture for breaking regs. Instead he just feels...tired. He can’t be mad at her, not really. Maybe if he’d stuck around longer or managed to make contact more often, this wouldn’t have happened. Or maybe it would have. Maker knows his trio of Jedi could never stay out of trouble for long, and that war makes for strange alliances and even stranger...pairings.  Still, he has to ask, because he knows her, knows the depths of love and compassion that make her who she is, beneath the layers of soldier and spy.

“Is it serious?” Ahsoka fidgets with her lekku a bit. “I don’t know.” A long pause as she inhales. “It keeps happening, and...I want to murder him half the time, Rex. The problem is that he likes it.” The expression on her face perfectly sums up her opinion on that little tidbit of info. He might have laughed, under different circumstances. Instead, he takes her hands in his. “We’ve known each other for a long time. I might not understand why you’re doing this, or how it works-” He absolutely does not need to know the mechanics, as there are not enough drugs or alcohol in the galaxy to purge the associated mental images. “-but I trust your judgement. And your ability to slice his horns off and hang him from his ears over a pit of rathtars if he pushes you too far.” Rex grins, silently offering to be her backup should that ever happen. Kind of a surprise it hasn’t already, since Maul never karking shuts up and Ahsoka’s patience has a set limit for windbags. Her eyes are wet when she hugs him tightly. “You’ll be the first person I call, Captain. And I’m sorry.” He knows she’s not just apologizing for this, not with their history. “I’m sorry too, Commander.” Rex murmurs, hugging her back. They can stay like this for a while longer. Her superiors are just going to have to wait. He might not be such a ‘good’ soldier anymore, but he knows damned well how to be a good friend. And that’s what they both need, more than anything. People that will survive the disaster long enough to see it end, and come out smiling.

=====

“When I warned that you might be tempted by the Dark Side, I did not expect it to be quite so literal.”

“Master.” “Then again, I suppose there is a certain appeal. Ventress was certainly a...passionate opponent. Lovely sense of humour, too. I suppose you don’t get much of that with your-No, I suppose you are the better half in this equation.” “Master Kenobi.” “Come now, we haven’t spoken in ages, surely you can indulge your grand-master’s curiousity.” “You did not break comm silence after years of letting everyone think you were dead just to call me about my sex life.” “Well, no, but it is an unexpected bonus. How does that work, exactly?” “It sounds like you’re angling for a demonstration.” “Oh Maker, no. I’m not that eager to find out.” “Good, because I don’t particularly feel like dealing with him if he decides to drop everything just to hunt you down.” “Ah. He’s...still upset about that, is he?” “You have no idea.” “Well then. To business. And Ahsoka?” “Yes, Master?” “It is good to hear your voice again. Do take care of yourselves.” “You too, Master Kenobi. And don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

“One last question: When should I expect great-grand-padawans?”

“OBI-WAN!!!!” (A/N: Yes, I had to end with levity. Especially considering the characters involved. To clarify, Anakin isn’t upset because he has any sort of romantic inclination towards Ahsoka. It’s general Darksider possessiveness/jealousy mixed in with a lot of anger and some guilt. Looking after Ahsoka’s wellbeing was ‘his’ job, so far as he’s concerned. And now it’s apparently been usurped by That One Asshole. Also, if anyone’s going to recognize that level of...obsessive regard, it’s gonna be the OG Skywalker Drama King. Many thanks to the anonymous person who requested this, both for the prompt and your compliments. Cheers!) 

[tennessoui]

🥺🥺 could you please do a snippet of the soulmate/daemon au from Anakin’s POV? It was so cute!

yes!!!! if you haven't read the first part, it's here! and this is a relationship negotiation from Anakin's POV (basically how they get together)

(2k)

Anakin has been dreaming about this moment for years.

His master will cut his braid. And then he, Anakin, will kiss him.

Because he has been waiting to kiss him, Obi-Wan, for years.

His master is his soulmate. This is one of the basic facts of the universe.

His master is his other half. His master may flirt with other people, his master may linger behind when certain damsels are in a certain type of distress, but before all that: his master is his soulmate.

His master is also a Jedi, but that is secondary. Avarie told him so.

Avarie has been with Anakin since he was born. His first word was her name. Everyone in the slave quarters knew about her, about what she meant, but no one could use her to trace his own animal.

(In the slave quarters, having access to a slave’s Animal was akin to having access to the slave’s very soul.)

But Avarie bit and scratched at everyone who tried to touch her and her ice-like pelt. Ice was rare on Tatooine. From a distance, she looked like the rarest sort of treasure.

Anakin grew up knowing his soulmate’s animal was special. Anakin grew up defending her tooth and nail. Avarie defended herself, of course, but even as a slave, Anakin overstepped his boundaries to fend off interested parties.

Avarie was his.

He could not tell his mother how he knew. He could not even tell himself. Avarie was not his own soul. She was a reflection of his soul. She was his soul made foggier. Made distant. Made different.

He’d heard about soulmates on Tatooine. Everyone had. Everyone, even the lowliest slave, knew what a soulmate meant. But he had never expected to meet his on a regular work day, when he was only nine years old and his master was in the backroom behind him.

He had never thought that his soulmate could be Obi-Wan Kenobi; he had never thought about what it would mean if he ever left Tatooine. If Avarie, a creature from a planet so obviously not from his desert world, would ever be called home.

What it means is, obviously, convoluted and complicated.

Anakin thinks that without Avarie by his side through every moment, he would think that his soulmate--his master--did not like him at all.

But she is a reflection of his master’s--his soulmate’s--soul and she never shies away from the touches he gives her. He lives by his chances to pet her once he’s reached the Temple. His master is his soulmate, but his master seems so distant and out of reach. Surely his soulmate would know better. Surely his soulmate would know not to rely on their animal to bring comfort to Anakin.

And yet.

He spends years wanting Obi-Wan’s arms around him. The want sustains him for a standard decade.

There is never a moment Anakin does not know where he is heading. What he is doing. Everything he does, always, is for his soulmate. For his master. For Obi-Wan.

He’s dreamed about his knighting ceremony for years. He’s dreamed about Obi-Wan cutting his Padawan braid so that in the next second he can turn around and kiss him with his lightsaber still lit, held useless in one hand.

After all, hasn’t Anakin waited long enough?

But.

But.

Obi-Wan’s blade makes the cut.

Any second now, Anakin will rise up, turn, and kiss him because there will be nothing formal standing in their way. As soon as Obi-Wan cuts his braid, they will be two Jedi Knights. They will be equals.They will be free by the Jedi Code and standard to leave behind master and padawan. They will just be Obi-Wan and Anakin, soulmates. And yet, still--

Anakin does not kiss him.

He cannot understand why.

There are too many emotions in his chest.

Odyna, his own Force animal, comes to lick at his forehead, as if that’ll make him rise.

He’s paralyzed by indecision. There are such things as platonic soulmates. There are soulmates who find each other and spend their lives with someone else.

There are soulmates who never, ever, ever want to kiss their Jedi master.

And then there’s Anakin.

And Anakin realizes he doesn’t want to do this--whatever this will be--in front of anyone else, so Anakin doesn't press his mouth against Obi-Wan’s.

Instead, he rises from his position and bows to his master. He gives his braid to his master because who else would he give it to?

He waits until he’s dismissed. He walks to their quarters.

He sits at their table.

Avarie jumps up into his lap and settles under his hand with a contented chirp.

Either Obi-Wan has been held up with the Council, discussing future missions that will no longer involve Anakin, or he’s dawdling. What if he doesn’t want to be alone with Anakin? What if he knows what Anakin wants from him and is trying to think of a polite way to turn him down?

Will he be asked to leave these quarters? Sure, soulmates often share rooms, but what if Obi-Wan doesn’t want that from him? Obi-Wan never chose to take him as his Padawan and he certainly never chose him as a soulmate.

Anakin buries his head in his hands. The possibilities are all so awful.

Avarie licks delicately at his chin. Anakin wants to cry. Anakin wants his master. Anakin wants his soulmate.

It feels like ages before his master comes in. Anakin shoots straight up in his chair the second he hears the door slide open. Avarie hisses at him and flounces to greet Obi-Wan, and probably more specifically, Odyna, who flops to the ground as soon as she’s fully through the door.

“Oh,” Obi-Wan says when he catches sight of his vulptex and then Anakin in the doorway. “Hello. I thought you’d be out celebrating with your friends.”

Anakin scowls. All he can think about is the possibility that his master is thinking of the best way to ask him to leave.

“Anakin?” his master looks confused and then concerned. “Are you alright?”

“No,” he says and it’s supposed to come out firm but it comes out sounding like a whisper.

“What do you need?” Obi-Wan asks immediately, mind already trying to come up with a solution for a pain Anakin is content to wallow in for a while longer.

You to love me, he wants to say, but even he’s not that dramatic.

“What’s going to happen to us now?” Anakin reaches up to fiddle with his braid only to remember at the last second that it’s gone now.

“Well, I suppose you’ll grow your hair out for starters,” his master smiles kindly at him. “It’s sort of a rite of passage for any new knight.”

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin crosses his arms and tries to convey just how unimpressed he is. “I’m serious. I’m a Knight now. Do we...do we keep sharing quarters? Missions? Should I put in for...for quarter reassignment?”

Obi-Wan blinks and something that looks like pain flashes across his face for a second before he releases whatever he’s feeling into the Force on his next exhale. His master has always been very good at that. Everything Anakin has ever tried to release into the Force just sinks down inside of him to fester.

“I see,” Obi-Wan murmurs, looking away at where Avarie has managed to climb up on top of Odyna’s back and curl into a tight ball for a nap. “I hadn’t...I suppose I must confess that I haven’t really given it that much consideration yet. But. Of course you can leave if that’s what you want.”

“What if it’s not what I want?” Anakin drops his arms and strides closer. This isn’t the sort of conversation one should have on opposite sides of the room. “What if I want to stay with you?”

Obi-Wan looks more confused, but at least he doesn’t look particularly sad or put off or disgusted with him. “Then of course you can--”

“What if I want to stay with you. As your soulmate. What if I want to stay with you as soulmates do?”

Obi-Wan rubs at his beard. It’s what he does when he’s shocked and trying to get ahold of himself. He’s managed to rattle him, but Anakin doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or not.

“Anakin,” his soulmate finally says slowly. “You’re...you’re very young.”

“I’m nineteen years old!”

Obi-Wan cuts his hand through the air to silence him. “You’re very young. Nineteen is young, dear one. I would hate for you to think that you have to...to settle down with me now, before you have a chance to explore...other avenues...of...romance or sexual...pleasure ....”

“Do you want me to?” Anakin furrows his brows. “Do you need me to go out and sleep with other people before you take me seriously? How many? Ten? Twenty?”

Obi-Wan is starting to look a little pained. “I don’t...it’s not about what I want, Anakin. I...I am trying to say that...that I don’t want you to feel pressured or like if something doesn’t happen between us in the next few days it never will. You’re young, Anakin. And I’m...older.” He sighs and shakes his head. “I’m much older than you, Anakin.”

“I find that attractive,” Anakin declares boldly. Obi-Wan sucks in a breath as if he’s just been punched in the stomach. “No, listen,” he continues when his master opens his mouth. “It is about what you want. It’s about what we both want. We’re soulmates, Obi-Wan. Of course I care about what you want.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes look a little wet, but Anakin isn’t going to say anything that could ruin the moment. His master clears his throat a few times before he speaks. “Of course I want to be in love with my soulmate,” he finally says. Anakin’s eyes widen and he can feel his heart beating faster. Obi-Wan wants him.

But he isn’t in love with him yet. He doesn’t feel the way Anakin feels yet.

Yet.

Anakin can work with that. He can be lovable. He can be endearing. It’s not like Obi-Wan has any other soulmates around.

“You have to understand,” Obi-Wan murmurs, reaching out to place a gentle hand on Anakin’s shoulder. “Until today I was in a position of authority over you. Two years ago, you were a child. Five years ago, I was making sure you made your bed and ate a decent breakfast.”

“You need time to learn how to think of me as your soulmate instead of your padawan,” Anakin nods easily. He supposes he understands. For him, Obi-Wan has always been his master and his soulmate. His best friend who one day would love him above all else. But he can understand Obi-Wan’s point of view. “Alright.”

Obi-Wan looks thrown for a loop. “...alright?” he says, clearly having expected more of an argument from Anakin.

“Yeah, of course. I just told you what you want matters. You waited for me for twenty-five years. I can wait for two.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes are getting a little misty.

“Not that I think it’ll take that long,” Anakin muses mostly to himself. “I’m really attractive. We can spar without shirts on again. That always got me interested.”

“Anakin!” Obi-Wan’s outraged squawk is almost loud enough to drown out his own laugh. Yeah. Anakin can wait for Obi-Wan to love him. He thinks it’ll definitely be worth it. On the floor a little ways away, Avarie has started licking over the fluffed up fur of Odyna’s back, soothing it down with slow strokes of her tongue.

[phoenixyfriend]

"you can hold my hand" but it's Anakin and he means the prosthetic ?

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Ahsoka... frets.

Frequently.

It's not that she's a naturally anxious person. A lot of people would say that she's unrealistically optimistic, actually, and overconfident about her chances in any given situation. She's used to being told to hold back, hang back, hover in the back.

But that was before she got herself involved in a war and spent her days dodging bombs and begging the Force to keep her men alive.

Nowadays... well.

She frets.

"Snips, it's fine, it's just--"

"You got electrocuted! Again!"

"I'm fine!" her Master insists.

"And shot!"

"I get shot all the time."

"That doesn't mean it's okay, Master!" Ahsoka whines. She doesn't wail, because she's not a civilian, but she maybe gets a little shrill. Rex moves to pull her away from the bed, and Kix is giving her the stink-eye, and she just... she's worried.

"Commander, I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside," Kix tells her.

She fidgets, because she really, really doesn't want to leave Anakin after everything that's just happened, but also Kix is... kind of in charge, here. Medics outrank everyone when it's about health.

"Here," Anakin says, fiddling with the anchor point of his prosthetic arm. "I'm going to need to fix this anyway, and it might interfere with Kix's work, so while I'm getting fixed up... you can hold my hand!"

She looks at the lump of metal he's just plopped into her hands, and then back up at his forced grin, the one he wears when he's trying to get her to be a kid and have fun even though they're in a war.

Ahsoka's stress levels are sky high right now, and the battle is over, and her master just tossed his prosthesis into her hands as a failed joke after getting wounded in multiple life-threatening ways.

Quite against her will, Ahsoka bursts into tears.

"Oh, kriff, Snips I didn't mean to make you cry!" Oh, Master's panicking, that's worse and it's all her fault, and-- "Snips, no, come on, it was just a bad joke to make you smile, I'm sorry, I can avoid making those in the future, is that--would that--"

"Okay," Rex sighs, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her towards the door. "I'm going to get you some tea and we'll call your grandmaster and he can tell you about all the stupid ways General Skywalker got himself arrested as a padawan, yeah? And by the time that's over, Kix will be done, and General Kenobi can lecture your master himself."

"Okay," Ahsoka sniffles.

Crying's the worst. She's not a crecheling, anymore.

Tea would be nice, though.

[stonefreeak]

Here we go! Things are starting to ramp up a bit ;)

When the first arrests happen, there is chaos in the Senate.

Members of the Coruscant Security Force, flanked by members of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Senate, entered the chamber and called for several senators to hand themselves over for interviews and to allow the investigation proceedings to continue.

Several had tried to escape in the pandemonium that erupted, but the Jedi had been quick to stop any escape attempts.

Regardless of how many times Obi-Wan called for order, the Senate would not settle down.

He tries, again and again, but ultimately it is no use, and he is forced to instead end the day's session. Acting Vice-Chancellor Ha'han-ash makes eye-contact with him, and he can sense both her frustration, her elation, and her indignation.

He wonders if she hoped that the investigation would come up empty; that there was nothing to be found, that while the Senate is slow to act, there is no corruption happening. He's quite certain that there's more than one Senator who is of that mind—see no evil, hear no evil, thus there is no evil.

Thinking of the changed missions found by the of the off-the-books investigation currently underway... Obi-Wan wonders if anything regarding Jedi missions will come up for the hearings of these Senators as well. Will there be something regarding the Jedi, and how they've been impacted by Senate control in recent years?

Perhaps Palpatine is not the only one who's gotten involved in changing and altering Jedi missions as he sees fit.

Perhaps there are more of them out there, all of them...

All of them what? Under the thumb of the Sith Lord?

It seems almost ridiculous. One Senator falling under the Sith Lord's thumb certainly makes sense... But several? It seems... unlikely. At the very least it seems unlikely that the Sith Lord would split their attention between multiple Senators, rather than focus on a single one—the one in the best position to make their plans, whatever they may be—happen.

Still, something about the thought niggles him, and he feels himself trying to follow the logic through. If there are multiple Senators under the Sith lord's thumb... The Sith Lord would need to be influential, somehow. They have to be able to blend in within the Senate, they cannot go unnoticed unless they're hiding in plain sight. They can hardly be walking around with a dark hood over heir head and cackling maniacally. Even with their senses dulled and their ability to reach the Force lessened in these dark times, the Jedi would have noticed something like that. Obi-Wan is sure of it.

Still... Hiding in plain sight within the Senate... Could be a Senator's aide, certainly, but they're hardly influential enough. Could be some rich and famous person known for rubbing elbows with politicians, that too wouldn't stand out too much and would certainly mean a larger sphere of influence than that of an aide.

Another possibility... A senator. If a senator was the Sith Lord... Well then... that would be an entirely different ball game, wouldn't it? Obi-Wan strokes his beard and considers it. Palpatine himself would be a candidate for such a thing, certainly, but... Well, wouldn't it be more likely for the Sith Lord to pick a more influential planet than Naboo? After all, before Palpatine was elected, it was just another small mid-rim system, bordering on the outer rim.

It was the Battle of Naboo that gave Palpatine enough sympathy votes to get elected in the first place, wasn't it? Everything Obi-Wan has read on the topic since seem to suggest as much, though most sources agree that Palpatine then proceeded to prove himself a very capable Chancellor...

Until Senator Mandai had enough, that is.

Obi-Wan fights a smile, forcing his face to remain neutral. Well, it's certainly an interesting line of thought, isn't it? Though while it's entirely possible that Palpatine could fit the profile of who the Sith Lord could be... Well, Obi-Wan has never been able to sense nor catch the slightest of hints of any particular Force sensitivity in the man.

If he were a Sith Lord, he would need to be very adept at hiding that fact.

Which is, indeed, a quite frightening thought in and of itself.

Still, Obi-Wan will need to think more on this later. Right now he has other work to do.

With the session suspended, Obi-Wan heads back to his office, Ha'han-ash at his heels. If they cannot get any work done in the Senate today, then they will have to do so in the office instead.

They both have much to catch up on, after all, and duty never waits.

~~~~

The holonet is ablaze with the news of the senatorial arrests. Speculation abounds—are they being arrested in connection with the Amedda-Palpatine investigation? Is this a separate investigation into corruption? What consequences will this have going forward?

There is, of course, no way to keep the news out of Separatist hands, and soon the Separatist Senate too is discussing the news. Whispers begin among them, that perhaps not all of the corrupted Senate members stayed with the Republic... Perhaps the Republic is truly working on mending its ways, of becoming something worthy to be a part of—for every member world, not just the core.

Dooku watches and listens, but remains silent, as more and more of the senators of the Separatist Senate whisper about the Republic finally starting to root out the corruption.

More and more have already returned to the Republic, with negotiation deals that leave them with better terms now than before they left, rather than the other way around.

He clenches his teeth.

Kenobi is far too good at reining in the idiots of the Senate, and if he can get rid of the most corrupt ones... Perhaps he can create change in the Republic after all. Perhaps he truly can change the galaxy.

Dooku has believed it impossible for too long to have any true hope, but even so...

There's an ache in his chest, suddenly, one he doesn't understand. And he would swear he hears the briefest of whispers from the Force, so different from the type he's gotten used to since he Fell—rather than an aching hunger, and ever deepening need for more... This whisper is soft and gentle... and somehow familiar.

It almost reminds him of...

He frowns.

It's useless sentimentality to ponder and meditate on the nature of the Force and the things it would like to show him. It's merely remnants of what he once was, before he made his choice to enact change properly, to ensure the galaxy could be recreated into something better than it was. He made the choice, knowing the people who had been his community for almost all of his life would never understand it.

It was a sacrifice worth making, for the outcome he strives for.

What is a few dead Jedi against the peace and prosperity of the whole galaxy? A few dead Jedi against the prosperity of the Temple as a whole? Against a future for their children?

Even the Council itself would admit that the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. That Yan himself may benefit more than most others, well, that wasn't his primary goal.

He has power, and he will gain more of it. He will reshape the galaxy. He knows what it needs.

If his fellow Jedi had only seen what he saw, or at least listened when he spoke of it... perhaps he could have gone about it differently.

But no, that is not how it is, and as a Sith it's no longer something he can change.

Nor does he want to.

After all, he's a Jedi no longer, so the affairs of the Jedi no longer concern him.

Still... The whispers in the Separatist Senate are worrying and he cannot allow it to go on unchecked... But at the same time, he cannot simply do away with everyone who whispers. Too many dead senators will lead to nothing but a weakened Separatist movement and a lot of headaches for Yan himself.

He'll figure something out, sooner or later.

In the meantime, he can at least enjoy his former master's plans continuously blowing up in his face.

Perhaps Dooku won't even have to be the one to get rid of the man after all, perhaps someone will simply do it for him.

Wouldn't that just be grand?

—

(Supreme Chancellor Obi-Wan Kenobi masterpost)

[agent-barnes40]

Watching The Empire Strikes back

The old sounding theme

Didn’t Mark Hamill get into an accident before filming this one?

What is up with the Dalek looking probes?

Mark Hamill looks so young.

He sounds so young.

Bruh, Luke wtf?

Y’all I fucking see it! I paused it at 4:27 and for a moment thought that Han was being played by Adam Driver. I definitely see the resemblance now.

Rip Chewie’s original actor

Wheretf is Leia?

There she is.

SPACE MOM LOOKS SO YOUNG

Rip Carrie Fisher while we’re here

Damn, Carrie talks so quietly during this scene.

Damn, Leia’s sass is amazing.

Leia hiding her feelings. Are we positive that Leia wouldn’t be an awesome Gen-Z?

Everyone walking in-between Leia and Han as they fight, iconic!

The angry “YOU COULD USE A GOOD KISS!” Sounds so much like Ben/Kylo. It’s nuts.

Above scene is at 6:27.

3P0! R2!

“OH SWITCH OFF!”

Han looks feral, that’s all I’m saying.

Han’s concern for Luke and Leia warms my heart.

“Between ourselves, I think Master Luke is in conciderable danger.”

“That’s right. My friends right out in it.”

Han, admit it, you’re attached to Luke.

“Then I’ll see you in hell.”

Damn Han.

Ya’ll I forgot that most of the “cgi” was stop motion in these first three.

The old force theme.

Rancor? Thingy is cool.

R2 willing to freeze for his Skywalker master makes me want to cry.

R2 DONT SOUND SAD!

Are we close to shoving Luke into a tauntaun yet?

The rebellion people being concerned for Leia’s worry over Luke and Han while C3P0 just walks up.

Leia closing the doors to the base and Chewie looks so sad.

I’m legit about to cry. They mimicked Chewies cry from this to put into TROS when they tell Poe, Finn and Chewie that Leia’s dead.

Shelby is joining me in my watch of Star Wars.

We’re shoving Luke into a tauntaun now!

Obi-Wan absolutely dissing Qui-Gon.

Glad to know the Tauntaun died of the cold,

Han wielding the lightsaber!

They’re so happy to have found Luke and Han

The bacta tank

Luke is like, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO GET EATEN!?

The iconic Laserbrain scene.

Chewie laughing and Han looks so betrayed.

NERF HERDER!

Have I mentioned I love Leia?

The sad look on Han’s face when Leia calls him scruffy.

Luke’s like PLEASE DONT GET ME IN THIS!

I forgot Luke and Leia kiss!

3P0 casually mentioning that it isn’t a rebellion signal

Oop, here comes Anakin “So, do you like my plan?” Vader Skywalker.

The Falcon absolutely wreaking Han.

Han and Luke silently communicating.

Vader’s egg.

Vader casually killing someone while talking.

Have I mentioned I love Leia?

The stop motion is amazing.

THE AT-AT!

3P0 casually reminding R2 to be safe.

Luke trying to save his friend

Han running back for Leia.

Han catching 3P0.

Anthony Daniel’s autotune.

The very old sounding theme.

Luke gets his dumbass traits from Anakin.

Carries scream.

Where in the hell is the scene where 3P0 rips the warning on a door?

R2 being worried about Luke.

“Take Evasive action!” Almost dies.

The scene where Han is on the pole and his ass is on display, thank god Harrison Ford got paid for that.

Leia trying to fly falcon shows that she’s a Skywalker and has that natural ability to fly.

Had to switch over to my computer.

“Never tell me the odds!”

Oof, Dagobah.

Here comes the green dwarf who drinks coke every day.

Luke’s X-wing.

R2 falling into the water

R2 scream

Yoda should show up soon.

Vader’s egg.

Anakin’s crusty head.

Han catching Leia

Leia getting pissed

Han flirting

Here comes Yoda, the coke drinker.

Yoda’s so damn high. I’m meaning weed type of high

R2 getting beat by Yoda.

You know for a fact Yoda was beating R2 because he remembers Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker’s way too damn modified Astromech.

How the fuck is Frank Oz still alive?

3P0 wants his husband.

Oop, here comes the kiss scene with Han and Leia.

Han calling Leia by her first name for the first time.

“Scoundrel?”

“I happen to like nice men.”

Finally!

Fucking 3P0!

Han looks so vulnerable.

Oop Palpatine.

Vader’s egg.

Ian McDiarmid has been playing Palpatine since 1980.

Anakin learning that Luke Skywalker is his son and having to pick between killing him and wanting to finish raising Luke. It’s quite sad actually.

R2 getting drenched scares me.

Luke hiding his distaste for Yoda’s food.

Yoda and Obi-Wan talking.

I’m gonna be honest, I hate Yoda. He’s an old man who is doesn’t want change until literally episode 8. He may have taught Luke something but Luke had to learn the way of the force by himself.

Also, Yoda scares me.

Have I mentioned that I love Leia?

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

C3P0 yelling at the Mynock.

Leia faceplanting into the Falcon.

“I am not a committee!”

I don’t like the Luke/Yoda training scene.

The only thing that I believe that Yoda taught look was to absolutely fear his connection with the force.

The whole under the tree Luke/Vader “fight” was to allude to “hey, Vader is this Anakin guy we keep talking about.”

Is that Boba I see?

The light speed fail x2.

“Shut up!”

I don’t like this Luke/Yoda training scene either.

“No! Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”

Unpopular opinion: Palpatine should’ve killed Yoda.

The soft flute force theme.

Bruh, I forgot Han landed the Falcon on Vader’s ship.

Leia turning 3P0 off.

“He’s a card player, gambler, scoundrel. You’d like him.

“Thanks.”

You can see Anthony Daniels or his stand in breathing in the 3P0 outfit.

Boba following them.

Again, I hate each and every single Yoda/Luke training scene.

“Han. Leia!”

Yoda constantly belittling Luke’s compassion for his friends that he sees as his family. This is why I don’t like Yoda.

The landing on cloud city.

I forgot how much Cloud city looks like Corucant.

Lando Calrissian

Han pointing to himself, *me?*

Lando Calrissian.

“What have you done to my ship?”

“Your ship? Hey, remember, you lost her to me fair and square.”

They are literal children and I love it.

Lando immediately flirting.

Also, what the fuck was George Lucas thinking on letting 5ft something men get chest to chest with Carrie and try to intimidate her with their height whilst trying to flirt with her?

Wtf was he thinking! Carrie Fisher is 4ft something and I feel bad for her.

“She’s the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.”

Chewie going to look for C3P0.

The soft force theme.

The force theme turning to the imperial march.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, you let 12-year old Ahsoka Tano on a battlefield with Anakin fucking Skywalker, the man who stared General Grevious in the face and basically told him to fuck off, and you’re not letting Anakin’s literal son go save his sister and future brother in law! So shut the fuck up dead guy and let Luke save his friends.

Yoda can go die for all I care. I forgot how much of an asshole he is.

God, I fucking hate Yoda.

Leia’s Bespin outfit.

Leia worried over 3P0 is the sweetest thing. This shows just how great of a mom she’ll be.

“I don’t trust Lando.”

Have I said that I appreciate how pretty Harrison Ford is?

Yo! Mandalorian!

Also, chewie finding C3P0!

Leia covering her body when she realizes Lando is watching her is something I thought I’d never relate to but whelp, here we are.

Lando Calrissian is very creepy actually in how he treats Leia every chance he can get.

Han’s ready to punch him.

“Would you join me for a refreshment?”

“No!” I never realized how protective Chewie is of Leia until this scene. Chewbacca immediately is ready to rip Lando apart.

“Having a problem with your droid?”

Han immediately realizes how vulnerable Leia can get when C3P0 is involved and when people she’s intimidated by. Han drew away Lando’s attention on 3P0 to him.

Han drank his appreciating women juice.

Is Boba wearing a death watch thingy on his shoulder?

Leia looks so damn scared.

Han grabbing Leia’s hand tighter to protect her.

Chewie trying to work on C3P0.

The imperial march.

Han’s super pale. “I feel terrible.”

Leia’s vulnerable and even though Han’s hurting he jumps in to protect her and how angry Leia gets, that’s when everyone knows that Leia’s feeling and anger is her protection emotion.

Honestly, I’m ready to skip the rest of Lando’s scenes.

Carbonite.

Okay so when Vader tells the Troopers to put Han into the carbon freezer, Chewbacca attacks, if you notice, Vader just lets him. It’s not because, “hey let’s not anger the Wookiee more.” It’s because according to a scene in The Clone Wars animated TV show, Chewbacca saved Anakin’s padawan, Ahsoka. I like to think Vader was finally paying his debt to the Shriwook for saving Ahsoka.

Han calming down Chewie by telling him to look after Leia.

Han and Leia’s second kiss

“I love you.”

“I know.”

Leia looks so damn sad and scared.

Chewie literally pulling Leia into his body to try and lessen the pain she was in.

The fact that Luke doesn’t realize that it’s Han.

Luke slowly realizing that he didn’t see Han with Leia and Chewie.

The only lightsaber fight between Luke and a Vader that I remember.

I’m not gonna comment on Chewie chocking Lando.

That force jump.

The biggest plot twist in cinematic history, according to the Internet, is about to happen.

R2 getting electrocuted

R2 going to fix his husband.

Oop, Luke’s hands about to get cut off.

Mark Hamill’s scream.

“Luke, there is no escape. Don’t make me destroy you. Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.”

“I’ll never join you!”

“If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.”

“He told me enough. He told me you killed him.”

“No. I am your father.”

“No, no, that’s not true. That’s impossible!”

“Search your feelings. You know it to be true.”

The iconic “Noooo.”

“Luke. You can destroy the emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son. Come with me. It is the only way.”

Skywalker men are such idiots and always are so dramatic.

The poor film editor, having to make it look like Luke is falling and is just playing with the footage they got of Mark Hamill writhing around.

And here we see just how powerful Leia and Luke are.

“Leia. Hear me. Leia”

“Luke.”

Luke’s just swinging his legs.

Light speed fail x3

“Luke.”

“Father.”

“Come with me.”

“Ben. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Luke, it’s your destiny.”

Mark Hamill is such a talented actor

Welp, Anakin’s gonna kill everyone.

“May the Force be with you.”

Luke’s fake hand.

The chills I get during the ending music.

And that was The Empire Strikes Back. All in all a good classic.

[bi-naesala]

Meeting the commander

In the wake of the beginning of the war, Obi-Wan meets his commander.

((Part of the Sith Obi-Wan AU))

Can also be read on AO3

Clones.

So this is what his Master had in mind. Obi-Wan can’t help but to be impressed.

Convincing the Republic to use a certain weapon and then turning that weapon against it is a bold tactic, but it may work: the Jedi have accepted their new role as soldiers without much of a doubt, blinded by their complacency and arrogance. And to think that he used to respect them.

It’s a shame that they had to kill the original template, Jango Fett, but it’s for the best. Bounty hunters are unpredictable, even the “supposed” honourable ones.

Money can turn around even the most virtuous sentient, Obi-Wan knows it.

 Today he’s supposed to meet his commander. He’s been assigned to the 212th battalion and, like any general, he’ll have to work with a clone commander.

He has no idea whether this clone is in on the plot or not, but he supposes he won’t have to wait long before finding out. Having to go around your own commander for his sinister deeds might be difficult, but Obi-Wan’s confident in his abilities. He’ll find a way if he must.

 A tapping sound distracts him, and he turns around to see Anakin, arms crossed to his chest, tapping his foot against the cold floor of Kamino’s cloning facility. That boy has no patience at all.

Obi-Wan shakes his head slightly, though he can’t help but to smile, although thinly. He’s grown a lot already since they first met, though in some ways he’s still a child, like when he so adamantly refuses to listen to him, opting to do things his own way instead. Not that independent thinking is such a bad thing, but he fears that as things proceed they might not be on the same side even just because he never agrees with him on principle.

He hopes things will not end up that way. Things would be easier if he was honest with him, but at this point he’s too afraid he’d ruin the plan he’s carefully concocted over the years because of his moody teenager tendencies. Maybe in a few years he might, after all he’d lie if he said that he hasn’t grown attached to him; besides, he knows of his and Padmé’s arrangement - even if in Anakin’s mind they are keeping it secret - and he wouldn’t want to deprive his dear friend of her lover. He just hopes that when he does it won’t be too late. He’s seen the way Master looks at Anakin, how he speaks to him; it’s not hard to understand what he wants.

Still, he’s confident that, if it comes down to it, Anakin will choose wisely - he looks at Padmé like he’d hang the starts and the moon for her, he doesn’t think he would ever betray her, at least not willingly.

At least he can appreciate his defiance towards the Jedi teachings. That will surely be useful in the future, but in the meantime he’ll keep subtly encourage him to keep it up this way, while being close enough to him that he’ll consider him a friend.

 The sound of steps approaching them interrupts this train of thought, and Obi-Wan resumes his mask of placate calmness.

Here it comes Nala Se, followed by what he presumes will be his new commander officer. There isn’t much else that Obi-Wan can discern since he’s wearing his full armor, helmet included, so he can’t see his face, though he picks up a strong force signature.

“Master Kenobi,” Nala Se greets him once she’s close enough, “It’s always a pleasure having you.”

Words of circumstance. It doesn’t take lot for Kenobi to sense the falseness of what she said.

“Likewise, it is always a pleasure to come visit,” he replies, keeping his voice and expression polite. He hears Anakin snort at the obvious lie he just said, but he ignores him, attention focusing completely on the clone, who takes a step ahead after Nala Se gestures him to do so.

He stands at attention, stance firm, but Obi-Wan doesn’t doubt not even for a second that, if something happened, he’d be the first to act.

 “Master Kenobi, I present you CC-2224--”

“You can call me Cody.”

 The glare Nala Se sends his way is enough to almost make Obi-Wan crack, but he manages not to laugh nor smile. The same can’t be said for Anakin, who chuckles on the side.

He can sense a wave of smugness coming from the commander, and he can already tell that the two of them are going to get along just fine; he just hopes this defiant attitude will be reserved only to the Kaminoans and not also him.

“As you must already know, I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I’ll be your general,” he says after clearing his throat in order to defuse the situation. He sends Cody a smile. “I’m looking forward working together.”

The clone’s posture seems to relax, though it’s such a subtle change that Obi-Wan almost misses it. His politeness is paying already.

“Me too.”

  They don’t stay long - they never do. Can you blame them? That place could irritate even the calmest of souls.

 As soon as Obi-Wan and Cody are alone, Obi-Wan turns towards the clone.

“There’s no need to keep your helmet on, commander. We’re all friends here,” he says. If they’re going to work together, they best get acquainted with each other, and Obi-Wan would much rather look at his face rather than feeling a blank stare coming from the helmet. It makes him feel more like he’s talking to a thing rather than a person.

Cody nods, and he removes his helmet without any objections. If it’s because he actually wants to take it off too or if it’s because he’s taken it as an order, Obi-Wan doesn’t know.

Unsurprisingly, he looks exactly like Jango Fett, though he does look younger. Obi-Wan gets the sense immediately that this is a serious, dedicated man, which is something he appreciates. Besides, he’s not bad to look at, not bad at all; Jango was quite the looker after all, so it’s not surprising.

He must be blatantly staring, because Cody clears his throat.

“Something’s wrong, sir?” he asks. Obi-Wan shakes his head.

“I’m sorry commander. It was a long journey,” he justifies himself, not wanting to make Cody privy of his actual inner thoughts. It seems to be working, because the clone nods, taking what he said as the truth.

 Silence.

Obi-Wan notices Cody looking around in a way that’s making it very clear that he’s making sure nobody’s around to hear him. Oh, does the commander have something important to tell him? Obi-Wan has a hunch, but he’ll wait until he says something before jumping to conclusions.

After seeing that yes, they are alone, Cody leans closer in fact, whispering something to him.

“Chancellor Palpatine sent me under… special orders, sir” he says. Obi-Wan understands immediately what he means: it appears that he and the commander are indeed on the same side.

That’s good news. It means that Obi-Wan will have someone else he can count on, someone close to him, someone that is well involved in this war as well. Nobody suspects Obi-Wan already, and they will suspect Cody even less: why should a clone be involved in any kind of conspiracy? He’s perfect for this job.

 “If that’s the case, I can say for certain now that I’m truly eager to begin working with you,” he says, not just for politeness this time, but actually meaning it, and he stretches one hand towards Cody, who takes it without hesitation, shaking it with a strong grip.

“Me too, sir.”