Of the Calm before the Storm

"I will tell you, but you must promise to tell no one. Do you understand?" Kenobi insisted warily after sitting down, looking at Cal wearily.

Cal nodded as he stared at Kenobi firmly. He could feel all the regret, remorse, and sadness from Kenobi, beyond what he sensed from him before, so he knew this was something serious.

"First, are you aware of Senator Padme Amidala?" Cal's eyes shot up at the mention of the deceased Senator of Naboo. 

"I am aware of her. She was always spoken highly of as a fair, righteous woman with a strong sense of responsibility and compassion. Saw once told me about her, and even he was quite fond of her, solemnly remembering her as another victim of the Empire. He believed she was killed due to her ties to the Jedi Order."

Not only from Saw, Cal himself also heard fond tales of her back when he was still a Jedi Padawan amongst the Jedi Knights and Masters. She was indeed one of the Jedi's staunchest allies. She was known for being particularly close to Anakin Skywalker, who was now Darth Vader-

"Wait... Is she Luke and Leia's mother?" Cal stated as Kenobi's eyes widened.

"Look, I think most Jedi know that Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker was close to one another. I suppose that means they were at the level of "romantic close"?" Cal said slowly, himself surprised by how easily he came to that conclusion, but then again, Cal had been through a lot and he had to become skilled at deducing things and finding the right way out. He supposed that was why, although he had to admit he was still a bit awkward that he had figured out what seemed to be a private thing so quickly.

Kenobi placed his hand on his head. "Yes. That was how I failed, Kestis. I failed to be there for Anakin and Padme when they needed me. I had always known, you know, that they were in a relationship, but I was loyal enough to them to not tell anyone."

"Well, I know for sure I won't be judging you about that. I- I never thought about romance for real, but I'm not exactly against it myself. I'm not hardcore about the Jedi Code of "No attachments", no offense." Cal said reassuringly.

He did think of Merrin at certain times, but Cal... wasn't sure their relationship should develop that way.

Kenobi suddenly gave a small hollow chuckle. "None taken. I too once was in love with the Duchess of Mandalore, Satine, and when she died in my arms, it was very painful. I understood what it felt, and I honestly hoped that Anakin would enjoy as much time as he could with her before they had to be separated inevitably. I couldn't bring myself to oppose their relationship, but in the end, it was as equally my fault as it was that of Anakin's that the Jedi fell."

Cal stared at Kenobi neutrally as Kenobi seemed to tremble, before composing himself enough to speak again.

"As you know, Chancellor Palpatine from the beginning was the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. He had been able to develop a friendship with Anakin throughout the Clone Wars, and according to Master Yoda, he had implanted visions on Anakin of Padme and his child dying. This further made Anakin desperate to protect her, and I would admit I wasn't there for him when he needed me for guidance, and Master Yoda himself confessed to have felt that he failed Anakin by not being more understanding towards his plight, but-"

Kenobi froze for a few moments as Cal's eyes softened and he grabbed a few drinks and gave them to Kenobi to compose himself.

After finishing them with surprising speed, Kenobi turned towards Cal.

"In the end, Chancellor Palpatine claimed he had the power to save Padme from her fate, and so Anakin, too desperate for a solution to save his wife, gave into the Dark Side and became Darth Vader. He killed the Jedi, and massacred the Separatist leaders on Mustafar. It was also on Mustafar that I was forced to face Anakin in combat."

Kenobi gave a deep breath as he looked at Cal and held out a hand. Cal took it cautiously, and realized Kenobi was showing him his memories through the Force.

The fierce duel between the two contenders for the greatest warrior amongst the Jedi outside of Masters Yoda and Mace Windu flashed in Cal's mind and eyes as Kenobi poured his memories into Cal.

It was unlike anything Cal could have expected. He had always heard rumors of how powerful and skilled Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi was, but he had never imagined it to be at such a high level. They were both absolute masters of their respective forms, the Fallen Jedi specializing in the infamously aggressive yet fluid Form V while the Jedi Master specialized in the highly esteemed defensive form of Soresu, and both had no qualms mixing in techniques from other forms as well, such as Ataru and Niman, as they fought over the planet of lava. 

The duel's end was something that made even Cal pity Darth Vader despite everything he was known to have done. Kenobi had, after proving himself to be still quite a match for his fallen apprentice, outsmarted him and amputated him of all his limbs. The screams of pain in Vader was quite horrific, and the sight of him being burned alive made even Cal look away, unable to look at how far the former "Hero of No Fear" had fallen. Even if he had never known him and had almost been killed by him, Cal could not deny Darth Vader deserved some pity.

However, while he did pity Vader, he pitied Kenobi even more. The screams of grief as he tearfully proclaimed how he loved Anakin Skywalker like a brother, the hesitation and confessions of failure, reminded him perfectly of the grief and failure he felt over Master Tapal, only Kenobi's failure had far more consequences.

But then the last flash of memory was Kenobi with two infants from who he could easily recognize as Senator Amidala. Her last words of faith that her lover still had good in him were definitely heart-rending and shaking to Kenobi, and even Cal came close to shedding a few tears at the tragedy before him. While he never knew either Anakin or Padme, they clearly did not deserve their fates.

Cal came out of the memory flashes with a gasp. Kenobi had invoked his Psychometry by having him hold his lightsaber and focusing on the memories he should see. 

"I suppose you are now aware of the story, Kestis. Being with you... It reminded me of how a Jedi actually should be. I truly was a shadow of my old self, but you had faith in me. Tell me, despite having seen my ultimate failure, have you lost faith?" Kenobi asked softly as Cal shook his head.

"It's not all your fault. Yes, you could have done more, but just because you failed once, doesn't mean you can never rise again. You were able to handle yourself back then, so have faith, Master Kenobi. I think you can still be a Jedi, even before Luke becomes of age, but I won't fault you for choosing to stay with Luke as long as you remain true to yourself." Cal said sincerely.

Kenobi had already suffered enough, and Cal saw no point in adding further to the Jedi Master's misery.

"We're here." Cal said simply after they arrived on Mapuzo, the ship remaining cloaked to ensure it would not be detected by the Empire.

"Ah! My contact has just recently told me that we should rest up on the ship for now. She will be there in the evening, and we should not be out in the open where the Empire can find us." Haja recommended from the backseat of the ship beside Kenobi, who seemed to be fixing a droid of Leia's.

"So we're here!? That was fast! Did you use the Force to make the ship faster?" Cal chuckled at Leia's question. Despite everything her father had become, she was clearly more on the side of her mother at least.

"Ah, no. The Force doesn't work like that. It's just that the ship is tailored to be quite fast, your highness." Cal explained calmly just as Kenobi finished fixing Lola.

"Lola! You fixed her!" Leia shouted excitedly at Kenobi. "Thank you!"

Kenobi simply gave her a soft smile that made Cal hum as a smile of approval came across him.

He just needed some time to adjust and learn how to be a Jedi again. I too had been through the same, so I can't blame him.

"By the way, can I ask you two Jedi how the Force works?" Leia asked curiously as Haja shot up, looking excited to hear the answer too.

"Like, Jedi can use it to do many things like? It's their power?"

Cal chuckled morosely. If only the Jedi could wield the Force, then things wouldn't be as chaotic as it was in the Galaxy right now.

"No, Leia. The Force isn't so much about powers as much as it is about the energy that binds the universe together. It exists everywhere and is in everything as the energy that makes life flow through the galaxy. It can create light and darkness in equal measure, Princess. It depends on how one uses the Force." Cal explained wisely as Kenobi nodded in approval.

"Have you ever been afraid of the dark? How does it feel when you turn on the light?" Kenobi asked, showing his suppressed wisdom towards the Alderaan Princess.

"I feel safe."

"Yes, it feels just like that." Kenobi said simply.

"The Force empowers us so we can stand strong against the darkness that threatens to take this galaxy apart, especially those who also possess the power of the Force on the side of the dark. In the end, the Force is all about balance, Leia." Cal said sagely as Leia hummed.

"Now, we still got a few hours. We should rest up. In the morning, I could spar with you again, Master Kenobi?" Cal offered up as Kenobi nodded appreciatively.

"I would like that. Thank you for all of this, Kestis."

Cal nodded and so they all went to bed, Haja sleeping in the seating area as the "guest member of the party", as he generously offered to.

"You're regaining your edge." Cal said with some strain as they sparred again, Kenobi's bladework now showing more of it's old legendarily formidable form.

Ever since his duel with the Third Sister, Kenobi had grown noticeably, making it clear he never lost his skills. He had after all honed his skills from experiencing numerous battles in the Clone Wars, and that experience remained with him even though the swordsmanship was blunted from a lack of practice. He could still regain full form if he continued to practice.

Kenobi was now able to aptly switch between offense and defense against a few droids, shifting between Ataru and Soresu with enough ease, and his technique had regained some of the Shii-Cho and Niman techniques.

Whereas before Cal pushed back Kenobi in 3 minutes while holding back, he found himself getting more serious and Kenobi lasting for 5 minutes before Cal finally disarmed him.

"That was good." Cal complimented the Jedi Master as he helped him up. "You're regaining your old extraordinary skills faster than I thought, Master Kenobi."

Kenobi gave a small smile, his confidence and more relaxed demeanor beginning to show. "Well, you are a truly remarkable Jedi Knight, Kestis. Why, your gifts at certain times remind me of Ahsoka Tano, who despite her young age was one of the most powerful commanders during the Clone Wars and Anakin's apprentice."

"You mean the Jedi Padawan who left the Order after she was framed by Barriss Offee for bombing the Jedi Temple hangar? I heard of her. She was said to be one of the most gifted of the year. Master Tapal spoke of her with respect for her skills, although he spoke more negatively towards her leaving."

Kenobi gave a bittersweet smile. "At times like this, I wonder if the Jedi Council was always right. Perhaps if things had been better- But we can't turn back time, unfortunately."

Cal noticed Kenobi's discomfort, and decided to end the sparring.

"It's nearly time. Let's go."

"Mapuzo has seen much better days, but at least it's not as hot as Tatooine." Cal said solemnly as he, Kenobi, and Nari walked through the dessert on foot.

"Are you sure we can trust that Jedi con, Master Kestis, with your ship?" Nari asked again as Cal sighed.

"He was sent by my own Jedi Master, and I can sense the truth in his intentions. He serves a good cause, even though we all frown on his methods as true Jedi. He'll take the Mantis to the Hidden Path's headquarters, and we'll rendezvous with him there." Cal affirmed. Haja had assured him he was quite capable of piloting a ship on his own, and once there, he would put in good word so he could meet with the leader, Kawlan Roken, and ask for his help to safely return Leia to Alderaan.

"Now, we're going further north, where our contact, named Tala Durith, is waiting." Cal stated firmly, but stopped when Kenobi froze.

"Master Kenobi?" Cal walked towards him and connected to his mind with the Force. With narrowed eyes, Cal watched at the manifestation of Kenobi's regret, an illusion of Anakin Skywalker, and focused on the Force to help his fellow Jedi dismiss it.

When they arrived at the spot, there was no Tala Durith, which made Kenobi anxious. 

"Patient, Master Kenobi. We should wait." Cal said calmly as Kenobi eyed him warily.

"Are you truly sure he can be trusted?" Kenobi asked him again.

"Yes. He also told me there might be delays, so we just have to wait for half an hour before we jump into conclusions." Cal said before he turned towards Leia.

"Now, we should come up with a cover story if anyone asks for us. Master Kenobi is Onden, while you, Leia, would be named Luma. I would say I am Jaero, while Nari, you will identify yourself as Rei. Tell them that "Onden" and "Luma" are father and daughter, while "Jaero" and "Rei" are brothers and relatives to "Onden" and "Luma". If anyone asks for another family members, Master Kenobi can say that "Leia" is the mother of "Luma" and she reminds him a lot of her-"

"You know my parents, don't you?" Cal stopped at his instructions at Leia's question.

"You two seem to be hiding something from me. Do you know my true parents?" Leia asked curiously as Cal looked at Kenobi.

What should we tell her? She's not going to let this go. Cal discussed with Kenobi mentally what to tell Leia about her parents, and eventually came to the agreement of telling her only a few things.

"Your parents... They were good people, Leia. You're still too young to know of their legacy and accept the burden, but I promise you that they loved you very much. You resemble your mother above all else, and I can assure you she would be proud to see the child you are." Cal said solemnly as Leia looked away into the sky.

"Sometimes I try to imagine what my parents are like, you know. I-I'm happy to be an Organa, but sometimes-"

"I understand that feeling. As Jedi, we're taken from our families when we're very young. I still have glimpses, flashes really, my mother's shawl, my father's hands. I remember a baby." Kenobi interjected.

"A baby?" Cal looked at Kenobi, a bit surprised.

"Yes, I think I had a brother. Really don't remember him. I wished I did. Then I joined the Jedi, and I got a new family just like you."

"I too at certain times remember the joyful laughter of a woman and a man who seemed to be my parents. I don't have a brother, but I remember my parents looking after me when I was just a baby." Cal said honestly. He didn't think too much about it, but there were times where he wondered-

"But in the end, I too found a new family. Be patient and strong, Leia. You will eventually understand what you truly are to the galaxy, but for now, you still have a childhood to look forward to."

With that, things fell into silence again as Cal, Kenobi, Leia, and Nari waited.

Eventually-

"Hey, you! You're that Jedi terrorist, Cal Kes-" Before Cal could kill off the stormtroopers, they were already gunned down by who seemed to be an Imperial Captain. She looked to be somewhat wary, with a few scratches on her person.

"We got to hurry. Darth Vader was adamant that he sent in some of his own personal men. I was able to dispatch a few of them, but they've gone and transmitted a message. He's coming himself. I'll take you to a nearby village, where one of the Path's safehouses are. Come on!"

Cal didn't say anything as he, Kenobi, Nari, and Leia, walked into the vehicle she commanded.

"Ever since you wounded the Grand Inquisitor, Vader seemed obsessed with the both of you, and surprisingly his interest in you is an astonishing close to that of his own interest in Obi-Wan Kenobi, from what the rumors tell me." Cal shook his head at the many imagination as to why Vader could be interested in him.

"He's coming here?" Cal said grimly as Tala nodded with a slight tremble around her body.

"Yes. The Empire has locked the whole planet down. He'll be here on night. We have to lay low until then. The pilot who agreed to take you out won't leave until night too." Tala informed as Cal narrowed his eyes.

"That means chances are we'll have to fight Vader here. Me and Master Kenobi." Cal guested correctly as Kenobi turned at him with a frown.

"Nari. Guard the girl along with Tala and make sure she gets to the port safely. If push comes to shove, which hopefully doesn't happen, we two will have to take on Vader."

"But I can help!" Nari insisted as Cal shook his head.

"You just had a few days of training, Nari. You may be able to hold your own against Inquisitors, but you're not ready to take on a Sith Lord. Leia is important, Nari. You'll have to take her with you. Trust me." Cal said firmly yet reasurringly as he placed his hand on his informal apprentice's shoulder.

Cal would not lead another Jedi, one who still should have room and time to grow, to death like this. He and Kenobi were the only ones among this group that could possibly fight Vader and live. 

"Are we in danger?" Leia asked softly as Cal reassuringly patted the girl in the head.

"Don't worry. We'll take care of it."

"I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't mean to run away. I used to do it all the time. I just... It was just for fun. I'm sorry that you had to come get me." Leia said apologetically, eyes and expression downcast.

"It wasn't your fault, Leia." Kenobi said reassuringly.

"Look, your highness, you shouldn't blame yourself for us being here. We're Jedi. We fight to make things better. Even if there might be those who have given up, we're still here to help people." Nari said encouragingly as Cal smiled at the young Jedi.

"I miss home."

"You'll be home soon, Leia." Cal said as he cast Force Cloak on himself, Kenobi, Nari, and Leia to make their way to the safehouse without being detected.

Normally, he would have collapsed from the strain, but since it was just for a few seconds, he wasn't particularly affected by such usage of the Force.

"Droid maintenance. It's all automated. No one ever comes in here." Tala said as she opened the door for them.

"The Path sure chose well." Cal said in approval.

"Oh, it's all right. He's on our side. Designation's NED-B." Tala said when Leia froze upon seeing a Droid.

"A Loader Droid? It seems more packed and capable than most Loader Droids I've met." Cal commented as Tala nodded.

"Well, for the worst case scenario, we prepared them with remarkable combat abilities, so they could help." Tala affirmed.

"Can't he speak?" Leia asked curiously as Cal shook his head.

"Actions speak louder than words, Leia." Cal said reasonably.

When they entered the passage the Droid unlocked for them, Cal gazed at the unexpected safehouse within in approval. Whoever was leading the Path clearly had a strong grasp for hiding their tracks well.

"The Path is a network composed of safehouses like this through the galaxy. Your mentor, Cere Junda, is the most powerful faction in the Path, no thanks to having a whole Jedi Archive and a series of well-capable Anchorites." Tala explained as Cal eyed the spy amongst the Imperials in pleasant surprise.

"A Jedi Archive? Anchorites? Wow, looks like Cere's been busy." Cal said with a small smile as he praised his mentor in his mind.

"By the way, she wants you to know she's proud of you. In fact, while you kept the Empire busy on you, the Path was able to built up the network until it's as strong and functionable as it is now. You did well." Tala said with a grateful nod as Cal merely shrugged and grinned.

"Just doing the job and keeping up the fight that had to be fought."

"It all leads to Jabiim. Any force-sensitive children, be it Jedi survivors, along with as much of the people persecuted by the Empire as we can find, get new identities or help fight the Empire. There's a lot of people good and willing to risk their lives to save others."

"Quinlan was here." Kenobi said in wonder as Cal turned towards him. The Jedi Master was staring at writings on the wall, with various names in it.

"Yeah, he helps now and again. Smuggling younglings." Cal chuckled at yet another prominent Jedi surviving. It would seem hope was still around after all.

"What does it say?" Leia asked Kenobi as he touched the wall tenderly.

"Only when the eyes are closed can you truly see."

"See what?"

"The Way." Cal replied simply as he smiled at her.

"Are you certain they're at Mapuzo?" Vader asked the Fifth Brother as he stood at the port of his castle, his ship ready to take off any time.

"Yes. We've shut down every space port, Lord Vader. Should we assemble battalions-"

"No. Prepare a single battalion of some of our elite soldiers. We should keep our force light and mobile. I'll deal with Kenobi and Kestis myself. The Third Sister would be sufficient to lead it. With the Grand Inquisitor incapacitated, there's no need to add any further unnecessary losses. Do you have anything to say to me regarding Kestis, Fifth Brother, considering your poor performance against him even working together with the Third Sister?" Vader declared profesionally as he entered his ship.

The Fifth Brother grumbled, but said nothing as he simply nodded and deactivated the holocall.

Cal Kestis... Vader wondered if he would perhaps be capable of being what Vader needed to slay the Emperor? Considering his rapid growth and impressive abilities, Vader would have to admit he was interested, but he would have to confirm for himself before he could be sure.

Back then, he had actually intended to destroy the Holocron and blame it on the Second Sister after killing the Jedi. He knew that such a Holocron would have the potential to allow the man who had made him his slave to replace Vader, and Vader had no intention of giving him any incentives to do so. No matter how many years he had served the Emperor, Vader could never forget that he had failed to fulfill his promise to save Padme and their children.

Had his body not been crippled, he could have overthrown Palpatine himself, but now such heights were currently not in his reach, all thanks to Kenobi. Not only had Kenobi took his wife from him, but he also condemned Vader to a life of slavery. 

Vader had to wonder if Kestis was looking for Kenobi to complete his training.

What a pitiful fool. Kenobi might have been a warrior worthy of acknowledgment even by him, but the fact that Anakin Skywalker, formerly one of the Jedi Order's champions, became as twisted as he was now, was proof of how much of a failure of a teacher Kenobi was.