The Mark of a New Future

"Lord Vader, we should continue pursuing the insurgents. Now it's our chance to wipe out the entirety of this network. We should not prioritize two Jedi-"

"Those two are far beyond normal Jedi, Grand Inquisitor, or have you forgotten how Cal Kestis bested you in combat, and he did so without the Dark Side." Vader coldly interrupted the Grand Inquisitor's appeals, uncaring towards insulting the man who would most likely be replaced sooner or later.

Kestis was there, most definitely, and Obi-Wan. There was also another person aboard the ship called the Mantis, which might well be his daughter. Kestis and Kenobi wouldn't have entrusted his daughter to anyone but themselves. Of course, there was a chance there could also be another Jedi, as the pretender who was now disposed of had mentioned a Jedi of average skill, apparently trained by Kestis himself.

Nevertheless, Vader needed Kestis, not just as his potential key to overthrowing the Emperor, but also to find his son, Luke. He knew where Leia was even if she should escape him, but he did not know where Luke was hidden. Pursuing Kestis might as well be the key he needed to find his son.

"Prepare my ship. I will face them alone."

"So this is it? Am I going to fight Vader?" Nari asked a bit nervously as Cal shook his head.

"No. You're nowhere near ready, Nari. You still need a lot of training before you can take on someone like that. Stay in the ship." Cal said firmly as Nari looked reluctant.

"Listen to him, Nari. Your master knows well. He is a truly great Jedi, and you are lucky to have him as your Master. You too have the markings to be a potentially great Jedi one day." Obi-Wan said reassuringly as he walked forth and patted Nari in the shoulder. "You remained firm and dedicated to the Jedi way, where even the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't. You brought Cal to me, and helped me discover that despite everything, I can still be a Jedi. Thank you."

Nari smiled a bit at that. "Thank you, Master Kenobi. It's my pleasure too."

Obi-Wan smiled as he turned towards Cal. "Come on. It's time to settle this, and hopefully once and for all."

They walked out of the ship and walked forth where they sensed Vader's ship had landed.

It didn't take long, just a few minutes, and there he was, having just exited the ship upon seeing them.

"I assume you did not bring my daughter along with you, did you?" Cal and Obi-Wan's eyes widened at Vader's words. "That's surprising. You trusted my daughter to the Hidden Path?"

"How is this possible? How did you know?" Obi-Wan demanded, his composed expression giving way to shock and wariness at the implications.

"A brief moment of weakness, Obi-Wan, and I was able to peek into your mind and see the names of "Leia and Luke Skywalker". You didn't even notice? Pathetic." Vader said, his tone more angry than mocking. "And then I noticed the drop of blood that came from Leia, and from touching it, I had a vision of Padme naming my twins."

Cal and Obi-Wan stared at one another with dread, completely caught off-guard by this unexpected development. 

"And what will you do with them, then? Are you going to raise them into the same Inquisitors you could dispose at a whim!? Is this how far you have fallen, that you would not allow your children to live a normal life-"

Vader chuckled harshly at Obi-Wan's reproach, almost incredulous. "Normal? Don't fool me, Obi-Wan. I know you seek to use my children against me. I wonder why Padme trusted you, when you were so willing to use the children I had with her against their own father without a care for the world."

Obi-Wan flinched, but kept his ground. "Yes, I will train them to be Jedi and bring back balance to the Force, but I still want them to live as children for now."

"You want to use them to overthrow the Emperor." Cal said, everything suddenly coming back together, as Obi-Wan stared at him in surprise. 

"Back when we fought on Mapuzo, you talked all about how you wanted the Emperor dead for not saving Padme after all. That wasn't a lie, wasn't it? You're not powerful enough to defeat him alone the way you are now, but if another person with incredible strength in the Force were to help you, it could be possible."

Vader did not even deny it, and his strong desire to overthrow the Emperor was projected through the Force around them. Even Obi-Wan felt it, as he stared at Vader with torn eyes.

"I don't know if there's anything left in Anakin Skywalker, but is that what you want? To raise your children in such an environment? You still love your wife, so why-"

"You, Cal Kestis, are worth to me more than just knowing where my son is." Vader interjected ominously, causing Cal to stare at Vader with wariness.

"Enough!" Obi-Wan shouted as he ignited his lightsaber. "I will not let you corrupt your children. I failed you, but I will not fail them. Don't go into battle, yet, Cal. I'll handle him alone."

If I die, look after them for me.

Cal clenched his fists but nodded as Obi-Wan charged at Vader, the two of them clashing their lightsabers.

"You alone? Regained your confidence, have we?" Vader mocked as he parried Obi-Wan's aggressive attacks. However, he soon realized that this was Obi-Wan Kenobi back in the game, as the Force was channeled through Obi-Wan's lightsaber blows, pushing Vader back even as he parried the attacks when he was using a single hand.

Humming in approval, Vader used both hands and their duel began in earnest. It didn't take long before Vader had to admit he was impressed.

"This won't end like it did on Mustafar, Obi-Wan." Vader said calmly as he used all his training to retain his composure and focus on the fight while remaining mindful of any of Obi-Wan's tricks, deflecting Obi-Wan's counters and retaliating back in various unpredictable ways, calling all the time he spent finessing his lightsaber style into mixing all elements of the seven combat forms.

And yet, Vader would have to admit he respected Obi-Wan, even if it was begrudging and still driven by anger over Obi-Wan's recent deception.

Obi-Wan seemed to be a completely different man compared to how poorly he performed on Mapuzo, and even somewhat more formidable than he was back on Mustafar, fighting Vader with both defense and offense, not shying away from attempting various lethal techniques that actually managed to push Vader back for a few moments. He also noticed Vader's honed combat style, and adapted appropriately, mixing in elements of the other forms with more skill than Vader knew him. The wild swings of Shii-Cho, the inclination towards more mixing of Shien or Djem So with Soresu, it was familiar to Vader, but who-

And then it hit him. Vader almost laughed with irony. Obi-Wan must have learned a thing or two from Kestis. The great Obi-Wan Kenobi learning from a Jedi with several years less of experience over him, how laughable.

Regardless, Obi-Wan was proving to be quite the match for him as he rarely fell for Vader's efforts to lure him in, but neither could he lead Vader to the same mistakes as he made back then, making their duel fairly well-matched.

"I see you have regained your strength, old man." Vader said with some genuine respect. He would have to give Obi-Wan credit when it was due, especially as Obi-Wan had just pushed him back with a flurry of devastatingly quick and synchronized attacks.

"If what you want is to avenge Padme, then stop this madness! Would your children love the monster you had become? Would they be willing to accept you as your father the way you are now? You can still come back to the light for them!" Obi-Wan shouted as he focused his Force energy and blasted it at Vader, who noted the considerable strength as he just managed to absorb the impact and then redirect it at Obi-Wan, forcing him to jump high into the air to avoid the blast.

"What I am now? I am what you made me, Obi-Wan. You always forced me to go along with what the Jedi Council wanted, remember? You pretended to be like a brother to chain me to the Jedi, but I have broken that chain!" Vader shouted with a sneer on his masked face as he pushed the offense more, forcing Obi-Wan back for a while before he adapted his technique to match that of Vader's.

"It wasn't like that! Yes, I did agree with what the Council did, but did you know I always knew that you and Padme were married? I never told them, because I didn't want you to suffer the same heartbreak I did with Satine-"

"Excuses, excuses, and EXCUSES!" Vader cut Obi-Wan in his efforts to justify himself, focusing his rage by doubling the intensity of the fight.

"Why didn't you stop me when I was choking Padme, then? If you truly cared even a little, why didn't you save her? Why did you made me kill her? You could have attacked me, could have used the Force on me? You didn't even try to heal her at all! How was that saving!?" Vader shouted as Obi-Wan fell back. "Or was it Yoda? He, the most powerful Jedi Master, couldn't save Padme?"

Obi-Wan stared at him with an expression that only further infuriated Vader, full of what appeared to be pain and regret. "Because I was stunned. I never thought you would ever bring yourself to harm Padme. I failed to save Padme, yes, but that doesn't mean I have to truly fail you. Come back. You can still be forgiven."

"Shut up!" Vader shouted, and their duel continued.

Vader focused his rage as he called upon the Dark Side to strengthen him, each and every clash between him and Kenobi causing the sound similar to that of a small explosion from the sheer strength they put. For fleeting moments, it felt as though Vader didn't even have his cybernatics, as he moved and reacted at speeds similar and even surpassing that of his old self with how much of the Force he was using, even jumping into the air to match Kenobi's approach of Ataru, something that he rarely did.

"Enough!" Kenobi shouted as he gathered all his strength and managed to just push Vader back. Obi-Wan focused on the stone nearby, and Vader just managed to stop it from being thrown at him.

"It would seem you do not understand, Obi-Wan..." Vader said with cold fury as he crushed the stone and blasted Obi-Wan back into a nearby rock.

Vader levitated dozens upon dozens of stones like shrapnels at his former master, who wrapped himself in a barrier of Force energy to save himself and retaliated with consecutive telekinetic pushes that forced Vader back 10 steps.

Vader retaliated by slamming his palm to the ground, precisely breaking it apart and forcing his old master down as he gasped at the unexpected tactic.

"I am now the master of the Force! I would not fall for your old tricks again!" Vader shouted. One hand was used to break apart stone into makeshift projectiles and throw them at his master, while the other simultaneously flung pillars at the ground near Obi-Wan to collapse him further down, overwhelming even the great Jedi Master as he desperately tried to hold off the barrage of telekinetic attacks, using a Force Barrier to block the stone while just managing to hold his footing aloof with telekinesis.

Vader kept at it for more than a minute until he unleashed a blast strong enough to decisively bury Obi-Wan in the debris. Either he was knocked out, or he was hopefully dead.

Either way, it didn't matter.

Now, Vader turned his attention towards Kestis.

Cal gritted his teeth as he saw Vader calmly approach him, realizing Obi-Wan was temporarily out of commission.

"Now it's just the two of us." Vader said as Cal marched forward to meet the Sith Lord. 

Vader hummed in approval as their blades clashed, Cal holding his own noticeably better than before. He noticed that Vader was also not at his fullest strength.

Did fighting Obi-Wan somewhat exhaust him?

Cal didn't want to be wrong, however, and he certainly knew better than to not fight with all his skills, so he brought everything he had learned before and after this whole thing started, expertly shifting between single, dual-blade, and double-blade lightsaber form and wielding the appropriate techniques from each form using each shape of his lightsaber.

This time, they actually seem about matched, which was surprising, as Vader put in more genuine effort compared to before in defending himself and Cal was able to press the offense more efficiently.

"You have grown much since our last meeting, Kestis, yet I could sense your techniques were not inspired from Obi-Wan." Vader commented as he avoided an attempt from Cal to slash at his life-support system with ease after blocking a flurry of attacks. "You are much more inclined to engage in aggressive combat. Good."

"Well, I learned a few things or two from you, so credit where credit is due." Cal said calmly as he deflected and immediately retaliated against Vader using one of Djem So's counter techniques. 

Vader chuckled. "As I can see. You recalled the techniques I've applied in our previous duel, and applied it in your own way. Remarkably at that. How you have surpassed both your old and present master by a wide margin."

"Like they said, I'm a Jedi Master in all but official title now." Cal said wryly as he shifted to his double-bladed stance and held it with Shien's reverse grip, performing several sweeping attacks.

"Your unique lightsaber works efficiently for you, and you've learned to make all your forms work well, but back to your earlier statement. You seem to have accepted your skill and cast aside your humility." Vader asked tauntingly as he expertly blocked the attacks and pushed back. For someone who was alleged to dislike the use of Shien's reverse grip back then, Vader was surprisingly good at countering it.

"Well, at certain times, I can remind others there's a reason why I'm one of your Empire's most wanted, but most of the time, I just stick to being a good guy." Cal said in reply. 

"Let me ask you something, Cal Kestis, do you think everything that the Jedi did was right back then?" Vader asked suddenly as Cal retreated back nimbly with Ataru's acrobatics. "Tell me, did you ever doubt the rules of the Jedi? Did you agree with all of them?"

Cal frowned, but said nothing. "Yes. You have. I can feel it. I can sense your attachments to others despite the Jedi Code, attachments you've lost. I can read your doubts back then."

"What does it matter? The Jedi are flawed, and it's not unacceptable. Jedi are still human, and so are you!" Cal shouted as he shifted into Jar'Kai. 

"True." Vader acknowledged calmly as they exchanged powerful and swift blows with increasingly greater levels of Force augmentation being carried into their blows, Cal falling somewhat short to Vader and his cybernatic body in terms of strength but being more agile to compensate.

"And yet have you realized that over the years, the Jedi had been deified wrongly?" Vader asked, making Cal freeze. 

"Which brings me back to what I've been about to offer, Kestis. I want you to become my apprentice. Together, you and I could overthrow the Emperor and bring a better order for the galaxy. I shall be reunited with my children, and your name will go down in history as one of the greatest men to ever walk the face of the Galaxy."

Vader allowed Kestis to take in his proposal, the man's eyes narrowing.

"What makes you think I'll ever join you? You're a Sith-"

"Jedi? Sith? It doesn't matter. A new Force tradition could be founded, one without the flaws of the Jedi and the Sith. A tradition where children could become protectors of the Galaxy without having to go through the brainwashing of the Jedi and Sith alike. A Galaxy lead by people with strength, firm yet fair, and one where good things could happen, such as slavery being abolished."

Kestis gripped his lightsaber tighter, but it was clear he was rattled by Vader's offering, even as he kept his bladework formidable and sharp. While he was not quite at the level of Obi-Wan yet, he was surprisingly capable of holding his ground better.

Before, Vader had to restrain himself noticeably, even though Kestis still proved to be a challenge, but now he had to admit Kestis was capable of forcing him to fight seriously. His technique carried much of the aggression Vader had seen him butcher some of the Empire's most elite soldiers with, but tempered with caution and fluidity as he shifted from one stance to another, from Form V to Form III, from Form IV to Form VI, and from offense to defense with true mastery.

It was an astonishing instinctual growth, even if Obi-Wan probably did help him fine-tune his lightsaber skills to a degree. 

"Let's see what you're capable of with the Force." Vader said gaugingly as he unleashed a telekinetic repulse upon Kestis, who managed to block it with surprising comfort as he held out his hand and used his own Force energy to stop the attack. 

Vader lifted dozens of stone pillars and threw them at Kestis, who steadied himself and focused as he held out his hands at the barrage of telekinetically thrown objects.

He hummed as Kestis managed to stop all 7 pillars thrown at him and crush them into pieces, which he formed into small swords and threw at Vader. Vader reached out and used the Force to crush all the swords into the same dust they were formed from, as Kestis dashed forward with the Force.

Vader actually had to step back a bit from the impact of the Force-augmented attack, but he shrugged it off quickly. Without making any gestures, Vader telekinetically threw stones behind Kestis, but Kestis detected the move, disengaging and leaping to avoid the attack.

Kestis's blaster came out from the holster even as Kestis charged at him with dual blades, and only Vader's staunch senses saved him from receiving a gunshot to the chest when he locked blades with Kestis.

"Impressive." Vader admitted as Kestis continued to attack him while his blaster was telekinetically controlled to shoot at the same time, Vader responding by simply deflecting the bolts away from him with his gaze alone.

"Yet I confess I could still tell you're holding back." Vader stated as he blasted Force energy at Kestis while locking blades with him, sending him flying. "Unleash your truest power, Kestis. Embrace the Dark Side!"

Vader formed several bubbles of air using the power of the Dark Side and threw them at Kestis, who unleashed a powerful wave using pure Force energy in response, dispersing the balls as the wave marched towards Vader.

"Now that's more like it." Vader commented in approval as he noticed the slight reddening of Kestis's eyes, raising a barrier to block the attack.

Cal focused deeply, feeling the Dark Side starting to influence him again. He fought to control it, stabilizing the power of his inner darkness and harnessing it without succumbing, calling upon his bonds with the friends he still had and Obi-Wan.

He recalled one of the Force techniques he learned the theory of, but never really tried until now. That said, he was much stronger compared to back then.

Rather than utilizing abilities like Force Lightning, Cal decided to use the relatively safer but still more raw Pyrokinesis, forming balls of fire and throwing them at Vader.

"A valiant attempt, but we both know this isn't enough, Kestis." Vader said as he dispersed those balls of fire with a repulse of telekinetic energy.

"You haven't seen it all yet." Cal challenged as he focused on heating up the air molecules until he created a wave of fire that he sent at Vader.

While Vader was focused on the wave of fire, Cal moved to attack Vader, the two of them exchanging lightsaber techniques once again.

He couldn't beat Vader with the Force or lightsaber alone, so he had to find the right opportunity and decide based on the situation which approach was better.

"The Dark Side flows through you, strengthening your techniques, but you are still not truly embracing it!" Vader said after a few minutes of crossing lightsabers.

"Until you can do that, you have no hope to defeat me, Cal Kestis. Realize this!" With that, Vader began to double the intensity as Cal was slowly being pushed back.

He's still this powerful!?

At that moment, Cal realized he was wrong. Vader wasn't exactly weakened from fighting Obi-Wan, but just testing him out. He still hadn't been fighting to kill.

As the fight went on, it became more vicious, and though Cal was still keeping up pretty well, he knew things wouldn't end well for him if this kept going on. 

He had managed to injure Vader surprisingly, through 3 well-done acrobatic attacks and 2 shots from his blaster when Vader wasn't expecting it, but he was getting more injuries and slowly but surely tiring out more in process, and those injuries only seemed to enhance Vader's power further, as though the art of harnessing pain for greater darkness was simple for the Sith Lord.

But then again, Vader had suffered the pain of having his body crippled and then operated on. The pain of a few injuries was nothing to him.

"This is the true highest level of focusing one's rage, Kestis." Vader said as he began to slowly overwhelm him in a blade-lock. "Your injuries mean nothing as the pain it gives you makes you stronger." Vader said almost as though he was lecturing him, while the wounds he had dealt on Vader was starting to close.

Cal gritted his teeth as he focused deeply. 

Is there no way for me to overcome him? Will all that I have fought for, all my dedication to the Jedi Order be in vain? If I give in to the Dark Side, then I-

It's fine. Draw upon your darkness, but remain in the light still.

A voice spoke out gently to him through the Force and Cal felt as though his body was stronger as he began to push back.

Remember, my apprentice. Trust only in the Force. Listen, and let the Force guide you, no matter how impossible it might seem to follow.

At the voice of his old master, Jaro Tapal, Cal felt enlightened as he let out a roar and managed to push Vader back, even slashing him in the shoulder.

"Now that's truly more like it." Vader commented as Cal felt an aura of power flow through his body.

"Cal!" Obi-Wan's voice shouted, and Cal watched as Obi-Wan attacked Vader from behind, catching him off-guard and pushing him back before telekinetically throwing him through the air.

"You did well to hold on for as long as you did." Obi-Wan gave him a quick calming pat before he focused on Vader.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he telekinetically levitated several rocks while using the Force to ignite them, before he threw those blazing stones at Vader.

Vader roared as he created a barrier of Force energy to withstand the assault, but Cal and Obi-Wan pushed with the Force at the barrier, shattering it and throwing Vader further back.

However, as soon as the cloud caused by the attacks had settled, Vader had dashed forward, but Cal reached out with all his strength, stopping Vader from slashing at Obi-Wan.

Cal gritted his teeth as he summoned power beyond what he could have normally harnessed, levitating Vader with the Force as he disarmed him of his lightsaber. Vader's resistance and power was undeniable, however, as he swiftly fought to reverse Cal's telekinetic grip, but Cal held on.

Focusing deeply, to the point where he bit on his lips to where it bled, Cal blasted lightning at Vader just as Obi-Wan also pushed with the Force the combined attack sending the armored Sith Lord flying far through the air like a huge rag-doll.

"With me!" Obi-Wan said to Cal as Cal nodded.

They dashed towards Vader, who had recovered just enough along with pulling back his lightsaber to block their combined attacks, but he was steadily pushed back, the two flashes of blue quickly overwhelming the sole flash of red around as Cal and Obi-Wan fought together like men who had each other's backs for years.

It took only a minute before Cal delivered a harsh punch to the face with all the strength in the Force he could muster, staggering the Sith Lord, while Obi-Wan proceeded to deliver several brute blows on Vader's life-support system.

As Vader barely blocked Obi-Wan's slash to the head, Cal kicked out with another burst of Force augmentation, sending the Sith Lord back a few feet.

The next few seconds, and it was all over.

Cal fired a concentrated beam of lightning, pushing Vader back even as he blocked the attack with his lightsaber. It didn't take long before he lost his grip on his lightsaber as Cal focused more and more power, just barely avoiding the beam but leaving him open to Obi-Wan's attack as he jumped out and sliced at Vader's helmet.

Obi-Wan breathed deeply as he saw his attack connect with the twisted image of his former apprentice, backing away to stand by Cal's side. 

"You alright, Cal?" Obi-Wan asked as Cal nodded, looking exhausted but fine otherwise, the red eyes that signaled yet another dabbling of the Dark Side fading back to it's green eyes. 

But then Cal eyed Vader, and his eyes widened as horror and pity came across him. When Obi-Wan saw the same sight, it was not only pity, but shame and anguish that filled his own being.

There was his apprentice, with eyes of a broken man, his face burned to where it was almost unrecognizable. That strike had cut down part of his helmet and exposed what had become of the man that had once been Anakin Skywalker.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan called out softly.

"Anakin is gone. I'm what remains." The man spoke out, his tone containing not the hostility and hatred he once showed, but genuine sorrow. 

Then the man turned towards Cal. "This was how my apprenticeship to Obi-Wan ended, him leaving me to burn to death."

Cal said nothing, but there was a certain sadness in his eyes. It was nothing compared to what Obi-Wan was feeling right now.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Anakin, for all of it." Obi-Wan apologized with all his heart. He could not bear to see this, the man who should have brought balance to the Force brought this low and failed so much by who should have been his mentor.

A few tears fell from Obi-Wan's eyes at the sight.

"It's not too late to let it go. You were a failure, but you don't have to always be like that. Come back. Help us defeat the Emperor. Earn forgiveness from the galaxy and the love of your children." Cal appealed to Vader as Obi-Wan stared at his fallen apprentice, begging him to take the chance to redeem himself.

"A failure? I suppose I am your failure, but I guess... Not all of it was bad. Perhaps there was some of my own faults... That lead to the death of Anakin Skywalker." Vader spoke out, Obi-Wan feeling through the Force that the man was actually sincere to a degree. 

"In the end, you killed Anakin Skywalker just as much as I did... But it doesn't change the fact that Anakin is dead." The hope and light he had seen was slowly dimming, to Obi-Wan's despair, as he recognized the simple agonizing truth.

There was still some of Anakin Skywalker left, but not enough to make him whole again.

"The same way I will destroy you, and claim my rightful prize." Vader gritted out as Obi-Wan shook his head in sorrow.

"You can hide your true feelings beneath the darkness, Anakin... But the Force speaks true." Cal said suddenly as he turned towards Obi-Wan.

"Let's leave him. I saw a glimpse of the Force telling me to spare him. He still has a role to play. Right now, there are other things we must attend to." Cal said firmly, although his eyes were sad as they gazed at Obi-Wan's own, looking back at Vader with empathy.

"You can save your face for now, Obi-Wan, but we both know who you truly are!" Vader shouted as Obi-Wan reluctantly turned back and followed Cal.

"One day, you'll fail him, and when you do, I'll be there to claim him." 

Obi-Wan stopped, looking back at Vader.

"No...You won't. Perhaps even you will know salvation, in time."

With that, Obi-Wan did not turn back even as Vader screamed out his and Cal's name, and neither did Cal.

"You're back! Did you finish him off?" Nari said with relief as he hugged Cal.

"There are more important things than that." Cal said simply as he went down to the pilot seat. 

"We're going to Tatooine. Luke's in danger."

Vader snarled helplessly as he watched the Mantis flew off, leaving him alone.

He had been so close, but he had failed. Both Kenobi and Kestis got away. He had lost his clue to Luke-

Vader stopped at that thought, his rage somewhat abating, as he recalled the faint sight into Obi-Wan's mind before the man dealt the duel-ending blow.

It was a planet with twin suns and a dessert. A planet he knew and despised more than most.

But then it hit him just as his rage flared up even more.

So that was where Obi-Wan had left his son? 

Vader forced himself to calm down after a while. He was in no condition to go there now. He would have to recover first, and come up with a plan.

Everything was not lost. He now knew where both his children was. He just had to think this through, and make sure Palpatine did not know what would hit him.

In the end, it would all work out. Vader swore it would.

"I-I couldn't do it!" Cal eyed Reva with sympathy as she laid on the dessert, broken and finally realizing the flaws of her actions. "I failed them. He killed them all, and I couldn't do it-"

"No. You haven't failed them." Obi-Wan declared softly as he knelt near Reva. "By showing mercy, you have given them peace. You have honored them."

"That's right. You've proven yourself better than your demons, and chose to not sink into the same lows as the Sith did. By choosing that over simple revenge, you have freed yourself, and who you will become now is up to your own choices." Cal added as he proceeded to heal the wounds she still carried from the battle before.

"If you wish to join a noble cause, go to Koboh and reach Pyloon's Saloon. Tell the owner, Greez Dritus, that you're my associate. He'll understand. I'll come for you eventually." Cal said as the former Third Sister nodded softly and let go of her Inquisitor lightsaber, getting up with help from Obi-Wan.

As she walked away, Cal turned towards his fellow Jedi. "It's been a long ride, hasn't it?"

Obi-Wan gave a small smile. "Indeed it has. It's been an honor and a pleasure to go through this with you, Cal. You're one of the greatest of the Jedi now, and I have faith that you'll be even greater than I and Anakin ever was if you keep going at this path."

Cal nodded. Anakin... He still recalled that vision, where the Sith Lord was unmasked and operated on, with Cal who appeared to be older by 2 decades or more and who seemed to be a fully-grown Luke and Leia standing outside of the room.

"While your journey with me ends here, it's time for you to meet the greatest of all the Jedi. Grandmaster Yoda is in-"

"I don't think so, Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks at that voice as the apparition of what Cal could just recognize as Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

"Your journeys together have only just began. A new path for the future has been set. The single act of your involvement in the path of the Skywalkers have altered the course of fate, and the plans have changed." Master Qui-Gon said with a small smile.

"The future has changed? How?" Obi-Wan asked as Cal stared at the Jedi Master.

"Was it related to the vision I saw?" Cal asked as Qui-Gon nodded.

"Indeed. You see, you're not a Skywalker, but you're still a Jedi of immense potential. You were pushed to the bottom and your limits, but rose above and overcome them. People like you are quite rare, Master Kestis." Qui-Gon confirmed with a smile as Cal scratched his head a bit at that statement.

"When you got involved, it had changed everything. Anakin would have found out about his children, one way or another, but this course of events had began a better path for him, as he now knew not only that his children had survived, but also where he might find both of them."

Cal and Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "Wait- How? He only said he knew about Leia. How would he knew about Luke?" Obi-Wan said in alarm as Qui-Gon shook his head.

"You've become a Jedi Master, Obi-Wan, far greater than I ever was back when I was alive in terms of power and skill, but you still see at a spectrum lesser than that of mine. I cannot tell you everything, but I can tell you this. The time for Luke Skywalker's stay in Tatooine has ended. You must take him and the rest of the Lars with you to a safe place. Tanalorr will be what suits you, and will be the start of a new Jedi Order and the chapters of victory over the Empire. Master Yoda has been informed of this. Go to Dagobah and seek him. I shall be watching over you, and working to ensure your success from the Netherworld of the Force."

As Master Qui-Gon disappeared, Cal and Obi-Wan eyed each other. 

"Well, it would seem the Force has chosen another path for the two of us, my friend." Obi-Wan said with a small smile as Cal nodded.

"Yes, but we should wait until morning. It would be cruel to tear them apart after they just survived this."

"The probes are tracking every system within range. We will destroy everything in our path until he is found." Vader said with cold fury as he sat on his throne, communicating with his "master".

"You seem agitated, my friend." Palpatine stated, almost mocking him. 

"They will not evade me again. By the end of it, Kestis will serve us and Obi-Wan will die at my hands."

Palpatine hummed before he took on a more authoritive demeanor, causing Vader to shift up. "Lord Vader, there has been a strong disturbance in the Force. It would seem that whatever happened between you, Kestis, and Obi-Wan, it has changed the future in ways even I cannot entirely foresee now."

"The future has changed, my master?" Vader asked curiously, wondering if it had anything to do with his discovery of his children.

"Yes. It would seem that Cal Kestis shall continue to surprise us further. You are wise to wish to turn him, Lord Vader. In that regard, I agree. That said, I must insist..."

The voice of Palpatine alone seemed to carry power as Vader stiffened.

"Your thoughts are not entirely clear in the regards of Obi-Wan, Lord Vader. Remember that your past is the past for a reason. Keep overcoming it, or else you might find yourself failing in ways you can never undo. Or have you forgotten about Padme?"

With those words, Palpatine disconnected from the Holo-Net, causing Vader to seethe briefly.

How dare the man mock him about Padme?

Nevertheless, turning Kestis was something Vader had every intention to do now. He had knew where his son was, but Kestis was a more suitable alternative to training his children into overthrowing the Emperor.

He would not risk their lives unless absolutely necessary, after all. They were all he had left of Padme.

"WHAT!?" Owen shouted, looking furious, while Beru looked resigned, as Obi-Wan and Cal sat across the Lars Homestead.

"Yes, Owen. I'm afraid Luke can no longer stay on Tatooine, and neither can the two of you. Things have changed, and it's too dangerous. You must leave. There is no other way." Cal said calmly but soothingly.

"This must be because the two of you isn't it? You lead the Empire-"

"Yes, we are at fault, Owen, but you must realize that this would have happened, sooner or later. In the end, Luke's fate has been bound to that of the entire Galaxy in ways living on a dessert planet would never thwart. He is a Skywalker, just like his father was, and he and his sister can succeed where his father had failed. It was inevitable. Had you intervened with it, you would have failed, or worse, you and your wife would have died tragic deaths." Obi-Wan interjected firmly but without aggression.

"I've seen it. This way, you could still be with Luke. The boy will be trained, and you will come with us, for the greater good of all, both the Jedi and your family. I'm doing this because I had a vision where Luke grew up to adolescence without knowing anything about the Jedi, but then you died, and all your efforts would be in vain. I would not allow yet another Skywalker to fall to the darkness and lose loved ones while I could help it, so you would follow us, or else we would drag you and Luke with us if we have to."

Cal eyed Obi-Wan in surprise. Obi-Wan did mention this vision, which shook him, but to think it was about the Lars. He certainly didn't expect Obi-Wan to be firm about it, either.

Beru nodded solemnly while Owen, clearly not expecting such passion from Obi-Wan, looked torn between anger and approval.

Eventually, though, Owen took one look at the room where Luke was sleeping, and finally nodded. "Fine. You win, but where can we go?"

"Before we retrieve Leia, we will drop you off on a Planet named Koboh. Our associate there can accomodate you for a time until we can move you to the proper safe planet we've just recently discovered."

It didn't take long before the entire Lars Family was ready.

"Wow! So this is a Star Yacht? A Luxury Yacht?" Luke asked excitedly as Cal smiled at the young boy's enthusiasm. 

"Yes. This is a particularly rare vehicle, although it's been modified to be more like a Battleship."

"Wicked!" Luke said as he wandered around excitedly before Owen coughed.

"Before that, I think we should be taken to our quarters." Beru asked politely as Owen grunted.

"So be it. Nari!" Cal called out towards his apprentice, who went down from the quarters immediately.

"Ah! So this is the family that'll go to Koboh? Welcome aboard! Please, follow me!"

As the Lars left, Cal turned towards Obi-Wan.

"After dropping them off, we will leave for Alderaan soon."

"Hey, Cal! You alright?" Greez asked as Cal stepped into the Saloon with Obi-Wan and the Lars.

"Yo, Cal, you were off the grid for a while. Saw was getting concerned about what happened to you." Bode said as Cal frowned at the mention of Saw.

Now that he had heard that Saw had deliberately left an innocent family unable to reach him just because he couldn't lose Cal's Jedi skills as an asset, he had to admit he wasn't planning on returning under the Partisans service anytime soon. Besides, if they were going to rebuild the Jedi Order, then Cal would rather serve the Order rather than Saw. 

There was also the Hidden Path, which he was indebted to and definitely appealed to him more than the Partisans.

"Speaking of which, what was it with that woman you sent here. She said she was a former Inquisitor. She could be dangerous, man. What the hell were you thinking?" Bode asked in concern as Cal just shrugged.

"Well, she wants to atone, Bode, and I think she deserves that chance." Cal said with a small smile as Bode shook his head.

"I hope you know what you're doing. Speaking of which, who's that?"

"Look, Greez, I'm sorry to say this, but I'll need you to give these people here a home for now. They really need it, and we also need them." Cal said as Greez sighed.

"Well, there's still some room for 3 more, so I guess I can manage." Greez said, causing Luke to excitedly run towards Greez as Cal turned towards the Lars.

"This place is at the very least a lot better than Tatooine. I'll give you that. Alright, we'll stay here, but don't think for a second I won't be keeping an eye on you whenever you work your thing with Luke." Owen said, looking less hostile but still wary.

"He doesn't seem to like you." Bode said as Cal shook his head.

"Well, the father of his nephew was a Jedi who- I think you know." Cal said simply as Bode's expression turned into understanding.

"Oh... Alright."

"Thank you for this arrangement, Mister Kestis. And please do understand my husband, Mister-"

"Mister Bode. Miss?"

"Just call me Beru please. Thank you." 

With that, Beru went ahead, following Owen, Luke, and Greez.

"This Saloon seems quite well-managed, yet also not often frequented." Obi-Wan commented as he sat on the nearby chair.

"Well, it was briefly occupied for a while by a couple of people calling themselves the Hidden Path. They said they were alligned with you, and Greez wasn't exactly happy, but he kept them safe until they could jump out of hyperspace." Bode said as he sat down as well.

"We've been busy, yeah. What started out as just rescuing a Senator's child ended up with us coming across a secret organization who gets people out of the Empire's reach AND somehow managing to alter the future itself entirely." Cal said with a small dry chuckle.

"That's an understatement of the whole matter, yes." Obi-Wan commented as Bode eyed him.

"And who's this lad?"

"Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, back after a few years of exile." Cal introduced casually as Bode's eyes widened.

"The Kenobi? Wow, it's an honor, sir. I've heard many things about you." Bode said with a cordial smile as he shook Obi-Wan's hand.

Obi-Wan eyed Bode a bit suspiciously, before nodding. 

When Greez sat on the Saloon too, Cal decided to finally break out the news as soon as they were on the Mantis.

"So that's what you found back in the Forest Array? A High Republic Jedi who attacked you because he believed the Jedi betrayed him, and that Tanalorr was apparently hidden in the Koboh Abyss?" Bode said in summary as Cal nodded.

"Yes. It would appear that fate has other plans for the Jedi on Tanalorr. We'll rebuild the Jedi Order there, hopefully, and also use it as the headquarters for the Rebellion against the Empire. That way, the Empire won't see us coming. We'll need to plan things out a lot, but I think this is the ray of hope for every person in the galaxy." Obi-Wan said.

"Well, that does sound like a place people could call home." Greez said with a small smile.

"For now, we'll have to leave and get just one more person to drop here for a while, and then we'll come back after getting a legend from the Jedi Order. With him aboard, we can start planning things for real." Cal said.

"Well, good luck to you all, then-!"

"Greez, when we do come back, we sure could use a real pilot. No one knows the Mantis like you do, even after all the stuff I had Saw modify the ship with." Cal said appealingly as Greez looked thoughtful.

"You sure, Cal? My best days, I think, may be behind me. I can't even hold my cards steady-"

"I know things are different, now, but I don't think I can do this without you." Cal said as Greez sighed.

"Well, I guess I'll think about it."

As Greez left, Cal turned to Bode. 

"You in? There's not going to be much in the way of credits-"

"Cal? This is better than any score! A place where I could take my daughter to and make sure she's safe with an actual guarantee? I'll take that any time!" Bode said excitedly as Cal nodded.

"Well, be seeing you soon."

"So this is truly the only way, then?" Bail asked grimly as he and Breha looked at Cal and Obi-Wan.

"Yes. I'm sorry to say this, but now that Vader is aware of Luke and Leia, he'll stop at nothing to get them. His heart longs for them, but it still belongs to the Dark Side. If Leia stays here, she'll be in more danger than any of you could protect. We have to take her, Bail." Obi-Wan said remorsefully.

"And where would you go with her?" Breha asked softly, looking resigned. 

"That's something we can't tell you yet. You'll know about it eventually, but we can't risk anyone knowing about what we're trying to do to deal with this change in the future. I've seen hope, Senator, so I can assure you Leia will grow up to become a magnificent Jedi who will help bring balance back to the Froce. This I promise you." Cal said reassuringly as Bail gave a deep breath.

"Very well. To be truthful, I have also grown to fear that Alderaan is no longer a safe place for her. The Empire, even without Vader, is only growing stronger and bolder. If this is what must be done to secure our daughter's future, then we will put our faith in you." Bail said with a small sad smile.

"Take care of yourself, and do try not to make trouble for our Jedi friends here." Bail said as he hugged Leia, having escorted her all the way to a secret place for the Mantis to land and then leave.

"I won't, father." Leia said softly as she clung to him tighter. She turned towards Cal and Obi-Wan. "Can I visit-?"

Cal shook his head. "We'll do our best, but to be honest, the chances aren't looking good."

Leia sobbed as she went to hug her mother as Cal looked away.

"This is for the best." Obi-Wan said solemnly as he approached Bail.

"I know. Keep her safe, Obi-Wan. I have faith in both you and Cal."

And so it was that Cal and Obi-Wan left on the Mantis with Leia, taking her away from the home she was raised in for years before this.

"Will I ever see them again?" Leia asked softly as Cal smiled hopefully.

"Perhaps, Leia."

"Have faith. One day, the Force will guide you to a bright future. Princess Leia Organa, you are wise, discerning, kindhearted, yet also passionate, fearless, and forthright. Those qualities you have inherited from both your parents, exceptional people who bore an exceptional daughter. As long as you remain true to that, hope will survive." Obi-Wan said fondly as Cal smiled at him.

Leia gave a small tremulous smile before hugging Obi-Wan.

You're doing well, Obi-Wan. You won't fail them too.

I know.

"Good afternoon, Mister Bode." Bode jumped at an unexpected voice behind him as he turned around with a blaster on his arm.

It was a man who wore the traditional robes of a Jedi Master, with what seemed to be a spectral body.

"Thanks to the efforts of Master Kestis, your fate, as well as that of your daughter, can change for the better. However, you must also make a choice between what is easy and what is right, if the fate where you and your daughter can survive the war to come happens."

Grandmaster Yoda sat calmly at the hut that had became his home, waiting for the guests that would mark the end of his exile and begin a new age for the Jedi.

Cal Kestis... Yoda recalled having instructed him, as a Padawan who feared failure. He was the one who assigned him to Jaro Tapal in the hopes Tapal's personality would be what he needed to overcome his fears and misgivings about himself. Back then, Yoda sensed a considerable amount of latent power in the boy, but he never expected Kestis would grow into such a mighty Jedi, one of the greatest in history, no doubt.

Yoda meditated as he called on the Force to review certain parts of the past of the boy who was responsible for this positive change of the future. He saw visions of the boy's last moments with his master first, but then he saw as the boy met yet another Jedi survivor, a Jedi Knight named Cere Junda, who had experienced a moment of failure, yet was able to rise above it, encouraging Cal Kestis to do the same.

Yoda allowed a small smile to come across his face at that.

He also saw as the boy only continued to grow in strength, both physically and mentally, even as he separated from his old friends and gained new ones, only to lose them again. Yet he never once gave up. Even oppressed by the pall of the Dark Side, Cal Kestis's commitment to the Jedi remained strong.

"Welcome, Cal Kestis. Master Obi-Wan." Yoda said calmly as he stopped his meditation and turned back to see the two people he had been waiting for there.

"We have much to discuss, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan said as Yoda nodded simply.

"It's an honor to meet you, Master Yoda-"

"Met before, but we have, Haven't we? And throughout the years, preserved, you have, until here you are: A Jedi worthy of masterhood. Powerful in both the light and dark sides. Competent with a lightsaber." Yoda said as the young Jedi Knight nodded.

"With the power and authority of the Jedi High Council, I, Grandmaster Yoda, with the approval of the sole survivor of the Council, therefore declare you, Cal Kestis, a Jedi Master. You are truly ready now." Yoda declared as Kestis's eyes widened while Obi-Wan just smirked.

"Congratulations, Master Kestis. You've long had it coming." Obi-Wan said as Kestis scratched his back awkwardly before bowing.

"Thank you for such an honor and trust, Master Yoda."

Yoda hummed before he sat down on the sitting room.

"Sit, the two of you. We have much to discuss."