Dark Twists

"Is it tough and scary? Trying to help people as a Jedi, being hunted by the Empire?" Leia asked Cal as Tala readied for their departure.

"Well, it's hard, but I keep going because the fight had to be done. The Jedi may still be gone, but I have to honor what the Order stood for. I have to keep fighting until the day where hope has returned truly to the galaxy." Cal said honestly. It was true. The Empire had only grown stronger after everything he had done, and yet why did he still keep fighting. The answer was because he had to just as much as he wanted to.

"Holding the line is what I've been doing. Walking away is never an option to me. I really hope you don't have to understand what I mean, but-"

"I want to change things too when I'm older. Do I need to be a Jedi to do so?" Leia asked with a bit of fire in her eyes.

"Perhaps you'll be a great Jedi." Cal and Leia turned towards Kenobi as he approached them.

"Go and talk to Tala and Nari, Leia. I need to speak with Cal by myself." Cal noticed the usage of his first name by Kenobi, but did not comment on it, simply smiling and telling Leia to do as Kenobi said.

"Tala said that Leia will be a great fighter one day." Kenobi said with a wry smile.

"Well, she sure has the spirit." Cal affirmed with a chuckle.

"Tala said she couldn't imagine the great Obi-Wan Kenobi doing things wrong, but we both know that's a great false truth." Kenobi said with a bitter scoff as Cal shook his head.

"No. You made mistakes, but I think we both can agree there's always a second chance as long as we are alive and remain strong." Cal affirmed as Kenobi looked at Cal solemnly.

"I wonder if Master Cordova would still find me deserving of those words you spoke to me in that cave if he knew just how much I failed?"

"I think he would." Cal said firmly. "The fall of the Jedi is not just on your shoulder. The Order had it's own sort of flaws, as I've come to accept over the years. Perhaps when the Jedi returns, it could be a better, ever-lasting order that would ensure the eternal protection of the galaxy, and the Force needed the Jedi to go through all this so we would learn from our failures."

Kenobi eyed Cal with a look of admiration and respect. "You truly are among the greatest of the Jedi, Cal. You reminded me of the Jedi that I once was. Perhaps... Maybe... I could still be that person again."

Cal smiled. "I think you can. You just needed-"

Suddenly, there was a strong disturbance in the Force that shook Cal and Kenobi to their cores. They didn't take long to realize who it was.

"Vader." Cal said grimly as he turned towards Tala, Leia, and Nari.

"All right, as planned, I and Master Kenobi will keep Vader back and rejoin you later on. You three go on ahead, and take that droid with you. He could be useful for the worst case scenarios." Cal instructed as the three nodded anxiously.

"Stay strong. I'm here with you. We can face him together." Cal assured Kenobi as they were at the entrance of the safehouse.

Kenobi just nodded, looking resigned to the whole matter.

And with that, they opened the door.

As soon as they did, they didn't even need a second's notice to find the armored Fallen Jedi. He was already there at the center of the mining village, having clearly waited for the two of them to show up as soon as he arrived.

Vader stared ahead, whatever expression on his face concealed by his mask, as Cal walked forward with his lightsaber on hand, Kenobi following behind him.

"I see you have gotten much stronger during the years, Kestis." Vader said when they were a few feet apart as he had his lightsaber on him before he turned towards Kenobi. "You, on the other hand, seemed to have grown weaker, Obi-Wan." 

The sheer contempt on Vader's voice when he regarded his former master made Kenobi hesitate, but he kept his eyes on Vader, his lightsaber on hand.

"Does he know of how you failed, I wonder? Did he come to you so you could be his Master? We both know how much you failed your apprentice, Obi-Wan. Tell me, Kestis, has he spoken to you about how he saw the ways of the Jedi?" Vader asked, his tone never losing his contempt, although there was a slight degree of... twisted pity in his tone at his last words.

"Oh, I know who you are. What you've become. He told me about it." Cal said evenly as he ignited his lightsaber, seeing no point in just conversing any longer.

"Ah yes... After all, I am what you made me." Vader said scornfully as he too ignited his lightsaber and made to attack Kenobi, Cal parrying his attack in time just as Kenobi ignited his own lightsaber.

He strained under Vader's greater physical strength, but then Kenobi made to attack Vader, forcing Vader to disengage and block Kenobi's attack.

Screams from the back alerted Cal and Kenobi to the villagers presence. They didn't even need to discuss it as they combined their powers and pushed Vader with as much force as they could exert with the Force.

The subsequent telekinetic blast sent Vader back dozens of feet, and Cal took out his blaster and fired several quick shots at Vader, who easily blocked them all as Cal and Kenobi moved closer.

Cal threw his lightsaber at Vader while Kenobi threw several crates at the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord conjured a barrier made of the Force to repel those attacks simultaneously, with Cal summoning his lightsaber back to him without further ado and temporarily engaging Vader in a one-on-one bout of swordsmanship while Kenobi shouted at the villagers to run back to their houses.

As Vader pushed him back, Cal went on the defensive, managing to somewhat adequately parry Vader's blows while pragmatically throwing various objects from the village at Vader, who did not even bat an eye as he easily deflected those projectiles before calmly blocking the shots Cal attempted to launch with his lightsaber. He knew he wouldn't stand a chance if he went to the offensive immediately, considering Vader's superior physical strength and his mastery of the aggressive form of Djem So.

Eventually, Kenobi joined in, helping Cal repel an attack that was driving him to his knees by colliding his own blade against Vader beside Cal's and then forcing Vader back.

"You alright?" Kenobi asked as Cal nodded grimly.

"I still have been through worse." Cal said in a slight wry grin as Kenobi shook his head.

"Come on. We have to push him out of the village." Kenobi stated as the two of them eyed Vader as he simply stood still, watching them.

Cal and Kenobi didn't waste any time waiting for any move from the Sith Lord as they charged at him, Cal shifting into Ataru and unleashing a flurry of fast-paced blows on the Sith Lord while Kenobi worked to protect them both from Vader's attacks with the defensive techniques of Soresu.

Eventually, they managed to force Vader back a few inches out of the village after a minute of exchanging lightsaber techniques with the Sith Lord, but surprisingly he did not seem to bother to put in effort into remaining on the village.

"I am not here for whatever it was that drove you into this planet. I have come for the both of you, and I have no intention of losing my focus. The Third Sister and her squadron will take care of whatever it is you are planning here." Vader said coldly as though reading his mind, causing Kenobi and Cal to grimace, realizing while they were here holding him off, the others were also pursued by the Imperials.

"This way!" The spy on the Empire shouted as Nari guided Leia to follow her.

It hurt Nari that he couldn't do anything to help Master Kestis or Master Kenobi, but he had no choice. Master Kestis had made it clear he was not ready to fight a Sith Lord, and he would be needed in case an Inquisitorius were to also be on this planet. 

"Are you tired?" Nari asked the Princess of Alderaan gently as she stopped.

"What about those two?" Leia asked softly in concern as Nari sighed.

"I have faith in those two. They're some of the most powerful and capable Jedi in these times. Master Kestis even survived a duel with Vader once. He could do that again. If we're there, we'll just get in the way." Nari said softly as Leia reluctantly nodded and continued to go out of the tunnel.

"How far is the transport we're looking for!?" Nari asked the spy from the Hidden Path as they finally went out of the tunnel and began to march forth into the dessert.

"We just have to keep going north! They're-"

"Watch out!" Nari shouted and rushed forward, lightsaber on hand, as he deflected the blaster bolts fired by five Stormtroopers back at them, killing them all.

"There you are!" Nari gritted his teeth at seeing the Third Inquisitor as she marched forth with 5 Purge Troopers.

"I'll deal with the Jedi! You take that woman and that droid down, but keep the girl alive! She'll be useful!"

"Leave them alone!" Nari shouted as he fired a Force Push, which the Third Inquisitor blocked, although the Purge Troopers were still knocked back.

"Stay in the backlines! We'll take care of these goons!"

As Leia hastily fell back, Nari clashed his lightsaber with the Third Sister while Tala and the droid were fighting Purge Troopers.

"There is no escape." Vader said towards his two opponents, one being his hated former master and another being a potential apprentice, as the two processed the information he just delivered to them regarding his absolute focus on fighting them. Kenobi seemed to have lost his edge, though he was nonetheless able to keep up with Kestis, so he still retained a degree of mastery over the years, but Vader was torn between disgust at how far his master had fallen after he had been looking forward to their rematch as much as he was admittedly pleased that Kestis was proving to display the promising talent Vader had sought in him indeed.

Vader had to admit he had a few doubts despite the fact that he was able to dispatch two Inquisitors simultaneously and even incapacitate the Grand Inquisitor, as weak as they are compared to him, but now that he had gotten the chance to judge Kestis's abilities he had to admit it was in fact formidable, some challenge even to Vader. Previously, when he fought the man when he was just a Padawan, Kestis's abilities in lightsaber combat may have been formidable for Inquisitors, but to Vader, it was only a minor annoyance at best. He had only survived fighting Vader due to that woman master of his saving him and his own persistence.

However, as of this moment, even Vader had to admit Cal Kestis had long since surpassed the level of a Jedi Knight and was worthy to be acknowledged as a Jedi Master. His technique was now refined, honed from his many admittedly noteworthy missions against the Empire and what must have been years of training, and though not as thorough as Vader had did, implemented multiple forms of lightsaber combat, aside from Juyo. His Soresu actually reminded Vader fleetingly of Kenobi back at the early stages of the Clone Wars, and he did well with Shien's unorthodox reverse-grip whenever he made counters to gain some space.

He was at the level above a number of Jedi Masters Vader fought, definitely, and Vader could tell he still had much potential yet untapped. 

He has shown promise, but would it be enough?

Vader's thoughts were cut short as Kestis split his lightsaber into two, obviously attempting to use Jar'Kai against him, while Kenobi adopted his iconic Soresu stance. He gripped his lightsaber with both hands. If it was Kenobi alone, with how far his former master had fallen, he would not have much trouble, but right now, he was facing another Jedi of noteworthy skill. He would have to take this fight seriously.

Kestis charged first, obviously adapting the Form IV's version of Jar'Kai, as he leapt towards Vader and executed several spinning strikes. Vader blocked them aptly, recognizing this technique from having once learned it himself, before retaliating. He did after all make effort to hone his skills with dual-blades, despite how he rarely employed it, and he knew how to properly counter Kestis's approach, using various defense-to-offense techniques from multiple forms as he steadily began to push Kestis back, although admittedly Kestis was holding his ground better than expected, adapting his technique to blend in dual-blade techniques from Soresu and Niman to hold back Vader's assault.

His instincts alerted him to Kenobi's attack and he avoided it, attempting to stab his former master through the heart, which Kenobi managed to deflect, despite being knocked back by the force of the attack, a sight that had Vader sneer.

Weak. How foolish and complacent he must be, to not make an effort to hone his skills in private. I was expecting a challenge, but he provided only a meager of what I had thought.

Nevertheless, he had to admit Kenobi did know how to rely on his more in-shape ally as they coordinated their efforts together against Vader. The two made an astonishingly formidable pair, despite Kestis having most definitely not fought together with Kenobi for long. If Kenobi had Kestis as a sparring partner, then he would be at least better than the true shadow of his former self that he was now.

The two efficiently played the role of both attacker and defender, although Kenobi focused more on the latter, his formerly remarkable skills on the more aggressive Ataru having clearly rusted over the years even if he still retained a decent amount of mastery in Soresu. While Vader still had to put in a degree of effort against Kenobi, which he had to begrudgingly give his former master credit for, Kestis was proving to be the more troublesome duelist.

It was a display of his talent and astonishingly high levels of experience and skill for someone of his age and time that he managed to capitalize on Kenobi's assistance as efficiently as he did, giving Kenobi the space he needed to make his own efforts and skillfully adapt his technique between offense and defense, his defense no less effective than Kenobi's rusty state.

After a while, with the two beginning to put genuine pressure on him, Vader decided enough was enough. Individually, he would not have as much difficulty against them as he was now, but together, they were a formidable force. Vader began to focus more on Kenobi, the weaker duelist of the two, using a powerful Force Push to send Kestis back as he focused his attention on murdering his former master, aiming his lightsaber on Kenobi's limbs, wishing to give his former master a taste of his own medicine.

"How pathetic you've become, Kenobi. You're almost not worth killing, and to think you were once my master." Vader mocked as he pushed Kenobi to the ground, easily overpowering the pitiful shadow of the man that had once been one of the greatest warriors in the galaxy.

"Padme had... had faith in you to the end! Was she wrong to believe that? Did she die for a lie?" Kenobi rasped out as Vader paused at the mention of his wife before his rage doubled.

"How dare you talk about Padme? AFTER YOU WERE THE ONE THAT MADE ME KILL HER!?" Vader shouted as he unleashed his rage on Kenobi in the form of a particularly powerful blast of telekinetic energy, throwing the despicable man far back and seemingly knocking him out, even as Kestis recovered from his brutal attack and jumped at Vader, the brief lax of focus allowing Kestis to score two hits on him in the shoulder.

It didn't matter. Kenobi was either dead or severely injured. He would have his way with his former master, even if it was in a corpse, later. 

"So now it's just the two of us, Cal Kestis."

Kestis said nothing to that as he kept his grip on his lightsaber as firm as the look of bravery in his eyes, not even a single ounce of fear that was once in his eyes back when he first faced Vader present.

"You have overcome fear, I see." Vader nodded in approval as he eyed the commendable warrior before him.

"Well, everyone bleeds, feels pain, and can be afraid, even Jedi. But unlike you, I keep fighting for a good purpose, no matter what stands in my way and what I go through." Kestis said simply as Vader gave a small chuckle.

"We shall see."

Nari parried the Inquisitor's acrobatic strikes cautiously as he kept an eye on the spy from the Hidden Path and the droid.

Tala and the droid seemed to be holding their own, Tala taking on 2 Purge Troopers while the droid was fighting off 3, as Leia remained out of harm's way fortunately.

Nari had to admit that he didn't have much training in the Force and with a Lightsaber, as he was just a Padawan when Order 66 occurred, but fortunately he was able to receive guidance from Master Kestis, who quickly proved to be as great as the Empire feared him to be, and though he still had much left to learn, his skills were proving to be adequate enough to stand his ground against his opponent thanks to Master Kestis's training.

"For a Jedi with previously no training, I'll admit you acquired skills much faster than I expected. Was it Kenobi who taught you? No, he is but a shadow of his former self. It must have been Kestis who trained you with a lightsaber. Some of your techniques reminded me of him." The Inquisitor said as she attacked him again, this time faster and fiercer.

Nari held his ground, recalling his teacher's advice.

You're inexperienced compared to Inquisitors, and your training was incomplete. I was too back when I first returned to being a Jedi. Inexperience can still be covered up with skill and ingenuity, however. That is why I'm going to teach you certain styles that could expose the vulnerabilities in Inquisitors. The Inquisitors I know of use either Juyo, Djem So, or Ataru as their main form. For now, I'll teach you clever ways to use Soresu, Niman, and Shii-Cho that has helped me get the better of them various times. Fluid motion and steady technique is what techniques of the Jedi are best in, compared to the erratic techniques of the Sith.

Nari kept his lightsaber in his hand, yet his grip was flexible as he aptly fended off the Inquisitor's attacks. He had to lure her in first with subtle yet steady techniques.

Eventually, as he feigned she had pushed him back, Nari unleashed a surprise flurry of wild but somewhat accurate attacks on the Third Sister, taking her by surprise and pushing her into the defensive.

He managed to land a single slash to the shoulder, forcing her back, as he contemplated his next course of action.

"I see Kestis has taught you how to fight with cunning, eh? Not bad, but not nearly enough! I've been preparing myself for years, waiting for the right chance to get what I deserve."

Nari narrowed his eyes as the Third Sister charged again. She meant something more than just mere power-grab, but what was she truly aiming for?

Cal sent a powerful repulse of telekinetic energy through the grounds of the dessert, sending waves of sand rippling across along with the blast, to distract Vader as he checked on Kenobi, who lay still on the dessert, using his senses.

He was alive, just briefly knocked out. He would need some time to recover, and Cal didn't have the time to heal him with Vader as an opponent. He just had to hope he would be able to fight him off long enough for Kenobi to rejoin him.

Cal blocked with all his might as Vader pushed him with the Force in return, managing to remain on his feet and only being sent a few feet back, but had no time to breathe as Vader proceeded to engage him in swordplay again.

Cal fought with all that he had, managing to just keep up with the exceptionally deadly Fallen Jedi, as he called upon as much power as he could muster on the Force to gain the strength to fend off Vader's aggressive onslaught and retaliate with a few attacks of his own, their lightsabers clashing with enough force to cause collision voices that could be heard across much of the dessert. He was just managing to keep himself from being decisively overwhelmed using all the skills and strength in the Force he had acquired over the past 5 years.

"Such promising capabilities, I must confess." Vader commented as Cal avoided yet another strike and countered back with both his blades using just enough force to avoid having the attack shrugged off as though it was nothing, disengaging before Vader could retaliate with his overwhelming physical strength and aiming a few precise strokes at the center of Vader's suit.

However, it was clear that Vader was well-aware of the weaknesses of the armor that was keeping him alive from his injuries as he easily deflected those blows, forcing Kestis back. He almost lamented that BD wasn't with him, having decided to leave his faithful droid partner on Koboh at Senator Organa's behest as he didn't want the risk of droids being reprogrammed and hindering the mission, while Cal didn't want to entertain the idea of having BD turned against him either.

"Are you truly satisfied with being a Jedi, I wonder? Have you ever wondered, Kestis, if you could be so much more than just a merely uncommonly powerful Jedi Master?" Vader asked as they paused for a brief moment.

"The Dark Side is not the way." Cal responded simply as he grabbed several stones with the Force and threw them at Vader with the distance he had gained between them as Vader easily dismissed the attack with a swipe of his hand, while Cal threw his lightsaber at the Dark Lord next.

Vader repelled the lightsaber just as easily, but it gave Cal the opportunity to unleash a particularly strong slam of telekinetic energy, not at Vader personally of course, but at the sands above the grounds of the desert, causing the sand to fall down on Vader as Cal tried to rush to Kenobi's side.

But Vader's response surprised him as he unleashed such a powerful Force Wave that Cal was forced to cast his strongest barrier to prevent any damage, feeling some of his shirt tearing from the force even as he was pushed back somewhat harshly by the impact. Vader was on to him at that moment with a burst of the Force, Cal narrowly bringing his lightsabers to block the Sith Lord's.

"Is that so? Are you saying you are a traditional Jedi? You use a blaster as though you were a natural, and blasters were frowned upon by Jedi. I know from personal experience, having seen the lies of the Order." Vader said as Cal narrowed his eyes and began to shift to a more neutral stance, applying as much offense as he could rather than defense. He decided that focusing too much on defense won't do him any good, having came close to being beaten several times due to Vader exploiting weaknesses in his defensive techniques.

Fortunately, the years of practice and engaging in various combative situations had prepared Cal, and he knew which lightsaber form was best in such situations and the techniques that fitted the situation. For how he had more than twice a week pushed his body to it's limits by training even after he fought in battles in order to develop his stamina, it also had the benefit of helping him come up with the right ways to handle pressure, and Cal was grateful more than ever that he stuck to such practices even as he felt the strain at certain occasions.

He was doing better than he did before, managing to more efficiently launch offensive attacks while maintaining proper defense, as he remained nimble on his feet, using acrobatics whenever Vader came close to striking him, having realized that Vader's speed and reflexes, while still exceptionally fast, were not unaffected by his armor's weight.

He could still effectively parry Cal's attacks, having evidently learned from his previous engagement with Kenobi the importance of defense, but he had to put in more effort as Cal maneuvered through the terrain around them efficiently to deliver attacks from various angles and avoid attacks, mostly using Ataru's acrobatics or Soresu's defensive strategies.

"You turned your back against the Jedi Order because you believed you could save your wife, but in the end, you have nothing. You speak of the Jedi's "lies" while you were the one who was lied to by Darth Sidious!" Cal affirmed as he managed to score a hit to the shoulder, the first direct hit he landed on the Sith Lord, as he managed to bypass his guard just barely after deflecting his blade to the ground and slashing him with one of his blades while the other still held Vader's lightsaber at bay.

However, as though he had struck a nerve, Vader responded by viciously doubling his offense. "My wife died because of both Kenobi and Sidious! Kenobi didn't even have it in him to finish me off, the coward that he was, and instead he left me with this broken body. He will die, just as Sidious will die in the end, by my hands!" Cal's eyes widened at Vader's blunt honesty in his desire to kill both his former master and his Sith master, but he didn't have time to think about it as Vader began to push him back.

As though finally recognizing him as a serious opponent, Vader fought with the intent to seriously maim him, Cal just managing to defend himself while making sure to avoid damning blows. He realized as the fight continued on that Vader had held back during their one-on-one exchanges from how he now used both hands constantly whereas before he used one-handed techniques just as much as he did with two hands.

A particularly strong slash could not be entirely deflected, Vader's lightsaber slicing successfully at Cal's right hand and the Force throwing Cal into the ground. Fortunately, before he could be decisively beaten, a remarkably strong push of the Force send Vader back as Kenobi stood by his side again, surprisingly recovered, and they nodded in relief at each other as Kenobi healed him with the Force, Cal giving a few breaths at the strain of the fight.

"You alright?" Cal asked the Jedi Master.

"I'm fine. Master Qui-Gon came to me and helped heal my body with the Force. I cracked a few bones, but I'm restored now." Kenobi said, looking more determined than before as Cal nodded in approval.

"Hiding behind the skin of a Jedi several years your junior, Obi-Wan?" Vader said mockingly as the two turned their attention to him.

"Oh, he might be younger, but he is no Junior. He is a master of the Jedi way, and you will not have your way with either of us." Kenobi said with astonishing confidence as Cal gave a small smile.

Vader scoffed and Cal could tell even with his mask clouding his face that Vader was sneering.

"Do you have the strength for that?"

Leia watched with growing dread as her protectors kept fighting for her sake and were struggling.

She had never wanted this. She thought she could always have some time to herself and solve things without feeling too pressured, but now she realized just how much she had taken things for granted.

Was it all her fault? Her recklessness forced her father to contact Obi-Wan and Cal, two of the few remaining Jedi in the world, and put them at a risk. Now, an organization much nicer than the Empire were risking themselves for her.

She wasn't relaxed even as two of the guards that meanie Inquisitor brought were finally put down, Tala panting and having took a couple of bruises and scratches, while the droid was only slightly better, damage across his limbs and armor.

But the Jedi was now being pushed back by the Inquisitor, slowly but surely, as he began to be worn down by the dark woman who seemed absolutely determined to get her.

Tala gritted her teeth as she fired a few blaster shots at the Inquisitor, who easily deflected them all. It gave Nari the time he needed to push her down with the Force, but the Inquisitor did not go down as she choked Tala with the Force and threw her aside, knocking her out.

"Enough! I don't have time for this!" Leia watched with stunned horror as the Inquisitor charged at her, avoiding Nari's attack and jumping at her.

"Leia!" Before Nari could do anything, the Inquisitor had grabbed Leia and was dragging her away.

Leia struggled in her arms, which only prompted the Inquisitor to slam her head into the hilt of her lightsaber.

She was out instantly, the last thing she saw being a smoke bomb tossed to the ground.

Obi-Wan focused deeply as he worked to fight side-by-side with Cal against his former apprentice, beginning to put in greater efficiency in the synergy as he started to switch between both offense and defense efficiently.

He still recalled Master Qui-Gon's comforting presence and his power flowing through Obi-Wan as he told him of certain things he didn't understand, but he knew he had to fight on. 

More and more of his old mastery and strength began to return as he fought with all the concentration and determination he had, parrying Vader's attacks with less strain and supplementing his fellow Jedi's attacks with his own while managing to avoid being a burden to Cal by agilely avoiding Vader's attacks, giving Cal more space and room to attack Vader.

Just a little bit more, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon's voice spoke out to him as they slowly but surely began to push Vader back.

Eventually, Obi-Wan and Cal noticed an opening as Vader began to make increasingly more brutal attacks even as he still made sure to keep up his defense, his protective techniques showing gaps in it's ability to protect areas outside of the chest panel.

They both stared at one another for just the briefest of moments, conveying their thoughts and plans through the Force, and nodded.

The two allowed Vader to push them back a bit more, before they struck as one.

When Vader made to thrust his lightsaber through Obi-Wans chest, Cal intercepted, colliding his dual-blades with Vader's in a way that trapped it just enough for Kenobi to aim an accurate slash at Vader's midsection.

His attack struck true and Vader was left with a long slash as he fell back, but before he could celebrate, Obi-Wan felt himself forcefully gripped by the Force along with Cal as they were suspended into the air, Vader holding both his hands at them.

Obi-Wan struggled as he fought to overcome Vader's power along with his fellow Jedi, pushing through the pain of the grip and the energy of the Force influencing their bodies using their own powers.

Eventually, they did succeed, and aimed the strongest pushes they could muster with the Force, sending Vader flying far away into the air.

"Come on! Let's go!" Obi-Wan shouted at Cal, who hesitated.

"We didn't come here to kill him, but to rescue Leia. Master Qui-Gon told me they are in danger. We have to get there!"

Unfortunately, despite how fast they ran, even calling upon what remained of their Force energies, tired and battered as they were from fighting Vader, by the time they had regrouped with their allies, there was no Leia.

One look at Nari's expression of guilt as he was focusing the Force to heal Tala of her wounds, and Obi-Wan realized that Leia had been captured again.

"We... have to get to Jabiim. We can still save her, but we'll need to plan." Tala rasped out as she got up.

Vader sat on the throne of his castle pensively, contemplating his recent duel with both Kestis and Kenobi.

He had them on his grip, although they were resisting admittedly, but their ability to escape him was owned to Vader being distracted at thoughts he had read from Kestis.

While Vader did not succeed in entirely penetrating Kestis's mind, the names "Luke Skywalker" and "Leia Skywalker" were enough to stun Vader to where they had the ability to break out of his power and send him flying far enough for them to flee.

There were only three people in the world who had the name of Skywalker, Vader's foolish past self, Shimi Skywalker, and Padme. The fact that there existed two more individuals in the galaxy with that name could only hint at one thing.

My children... Have they survived?

Vader clenched his hand into fists. Who was responsible for this? Who had kept his children's survival and their existence a secret from all?

Vader needed not a minute to realize that Kenobi was responsible. He and most likely Yoda, as well. They must have feigned that Padme died while still pregnant, having had the time to tamper with his wife's corpse before sending it to be buried.

But why did Kestis knew of them? He and Kenobi had only known each other for what must have been a few days at best, and Vader was no fool to think Kenobi would trust such a secret with just anyone. They were most likely going to be raised to end the Sith, after all.

After a while, Vader decided that Kestis was just as important as killing Kenobi would be. Not only because Kestis had proven his worth to Vader after their previous battle, but also due to what Kestis knew of his children.

At the swamps of Dagobah, Grandmaster Yoda stared at Qui-Gon Jinn over the information he had just bought.

"Qui-Gon Jinn, this shift in the future, true it is?" Yoda asked his teacher in the ways of maintaining consciousness long after death. 

"Yes, Master Yoda. I have cause to believe that Cal Kestis will change the course of fate for the better."

"I do what must, then, to pass to ensure this better future comes?" Yoda asked as Qui-Gon Jinn nodded.

"Yes. I will instruct him and Obi-Wan to come to you after they have finished laying the framework for the better outcome to occur. Train him, Yoda. He will prove most crucial in ending the reign of the Emperor."