Star Wars: Edge of Hope

Chapter Firfty-Eight: Hard Truths & Lesson's of Hope

"What's that face for?"

Obi-Wan was looking off towards where Ben Solo stood stooped his wreck of a saber in his hands. He could sense Anakin & Rey, like two ends of a line halting just before they converged, & he could feel Ben.

"That boy is..."

"He bothers you doesn't he? Is it...because he's a reflection of Anakin? Or is it because he's Rey's choice?"

"It's not that simple, Ahsoka."

"Nothing ever was..Master Kenobi."

"Don't call me that...please."

Ahsoka tosses her robe on the ground & latches her saber on her hip before she moves in front of Obi-Wan.

"You're afraid of it, aren't you? Afraid of failing again...or afraid of losing him again? Why is it the teacher never remembers his own lessons? You know why you're here Obi-Wan. It's not to guide Anakin or to watch over Rey...that boy is why you're here. You have to finish what you started. He needs a teacher..."

"I cannot. I left that path a long time ago, Ahsoka, & now...the boy needs more than the scant memories & ramblings of a time long gone."

"The boy? Obi-Wan, you were given two children to watch over...you helped mold them into the men they became. You were like a father to Anakin & to Luke, but Ben Solo is different...He needs a teacher. Someone who sees him for who he is now. Not the lost pupil, the fallen son, or the monster Snoke twisted him into...He NEEDS a TEACHER."

"And what am I supposed to teach HIM? The more knowledge he's given the more dangerous he becomes! I cannot...I will not make THAT mistake again!"

Without thinking Ahsoka pulls her saber out & begins to swing it at Obi-Wan. She dashes it against the stones at his feet & cleaves hairs as she misses the top of his head with each ballet type strike. Finally, they reach the edge of the landing platform overlooking the churning water before, & she holds him there the white blade of the ancient weapon singing in front of his face.

"We all have our parts in this story, Master Kenobi. We've all made...mistakes...& we all have something to atone for. All of us. You have taught two generations of Skywalkers, do you think that happened on accident? You can try to deny it, but deep down you know...just as you've always known...it was this moment you were preparing for. You are the only hope that boy has at surviving what's ahead of him. You may have been able to save Anakin. And I have some blame to share in that, but not this time. You are a MASTER JEDI...& that boy, is your student...& I will not allow him to suffer as Anakin has. It is time to set aside your FEAR, Master Kenobi, & finish the task the FORCE has placed in front of you!"

As the blade receded from his view Obi-Wan felt his balance returning as his feet settled on the stone. He looked at Ahsoka who with fiery glistening tears filling her terria shaded eyes. He could see her looking at him now with those eyes which had known their own hardships. The eyes who'd not looked back when they turned towards a future outside the JEDI. Those eyes which had widened in fear of the things she'd seen, the horrors she'd learned & lived through, & the secrets of all the unknowns beyond the gates of time. Obi-Wan could see the woman standing tall & strong in front of him, & for the first time in a long time he could see the ehoces of Anakin there without it breaking his heart.

"I don't even know where to begin..."

Obi-Wan's voice trailed off as he turned to walk past Ahsoka stopping short his hands nervously & contemplatively stroking his beard. He watched Ben Solo turn the worn saber over & toss it into the air. Each time deftly catching it by the long black hilt like it were something he did routinely. Then before he knew it Obi-Wan began walking towards Ben as he abscent mindedly tossed the saber yet again, his eyes down as if he were focusing on something too small to see. But as the hefty weapon should have landed there was silence & nothing which caused him to look up his eyes meeting those of Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"You know, you really should have more care with this..."

"I know every inch of it...I've never dropped it..Well, except for.."

"Except for when Umbra used it against you. I think perhaps I can help you with that...if you'd like?"

Ben's eyes grew wide. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the greatest JEDI to live, General of the Clones was mentor to his grandfather & his uncle Luke...was offering to teach him? With only a momentary glance over to where Ahsoka stood talking with Chewie as they looked over the aging skin of the Falcon, Ben understood.

"I've often wondered...I grew up hearing stories about you & my grandfather during the Clone Wars. Luke told us, at the temple, how you helped him connect to the FORCE for the first time in the trench. I've heard your name whispered in reverence my entire life. So I have to ask?"

"What?"

"What made you so different than the rest of them? The JEDI, I mean...why did you survive when others didn't? What kept you from giving up? From giving in?"

Obi-Wan's hands dropped from his beard tugging & fell across his chest when he felt the thunk of the kyber crystal still tied around it. He could feel the warmth from the stone, even now there was still life tied to it, & as he looked down at it he remembered the ones it had belonged to. Taking it out he held it out to Ben Solo...

"Kyber? Was this yours?"

"It belonged to someone who taught me a great deal, both about life & about the Force. And then later, to someone I loved...I still love."

"What were their names?"

"I'll tell you all about them...after I show you the proper technique for..."