What Could Have Been Part III: The Destined Warriors

Letting Go

      Anakin

      "Master Yoda," Anakin awed. The last time he had felt the presence of the passed Jedi Grand Master, he had been on Felucia searching for Leia who had run away and been captured by Rett Lisban. How long ago that seemed. It had been nearly eight years.

      Spoken in some time, we have not, Master Skywalker...

      Yoda seemed to read his mind, causing Anakin to wonder the abilities of a Force being. Maybe it could tap into the inner thoughts of its fellow Jedi. It was difficult to comprehend the idea of his head being open to exploration but Anakin figured that it was pointless to ask Master Yoda at this particular moment.

      Anakin felt a shiver crawling over his skin. The crisp air cut into his cloak and seeped through his skin until it chilled his bones. He felt numb for more than one reason. Still knelt in the dirt, Anakin drew up a handful of dust in his fist and watched it spill over his palm and back on the ground. "Master Yoda," he said again, his voice trembled. "Why did this happen to me? Why did Obi-wan have to die? Why am I so alone?" He felt the questions tumble out of his mouth in what was a combination of anger and sorrow.

      These questions. Ask them, why do you? Ask why this has happened, you do because forgotten who you are, what you are meant for, you have. Accept the death of your master, you do not because accept first what he has died for, you have not. Feel alone, you do because lost hope in those around you, you have.

       Anakin stared at his hands in his lap. Master Yoda had always been the type to speak in riddles. Then again, perhaps all of the Jedi preferred ambiguous answers rather than going straight to the point. Anakin sure didn't. He studied the ground around him, half expecting to find a clue to Master Yoda's words in the dirt. "Master Yoda, forgive me, but I don't understand. What do I do now?" The Jedi Master chuckled faintly, the way he used to whenever someone could not solve his puzzling advice.

      As a young boy training in the Temple, ask these questions, you did not. Reckless you were, hmm. Yes. Impulsive. The spirit of one's true self, tamed it cannot be. Although matured you have, inside you still, remains the boy. His help now, you will need.

      The words made Anakin laugh. "Good to know that thirty years of learning self-discipline paid off," he snorted. Of all the things he had expected to hear from the wisest Jedi he had ever known, acting recklessly sure hadn't been one of them. How long ago it had been since he first arrived in front of the Council to be tested for Force sensitivity. How much older he was now, yet he still felt like that same little boy. Unsure of himself but determined to follow the path laid out for him. Somehow that path seemed to always be changing. Where was it leading him now?

      "Master Yoda," Anakin continued. His voice felt drowsy; the events of the day before finally catching up to him. "I know that a Jedi must let go of his attachments but I..." The words almost refused to come out of his mouth.

      "I miss him... I miss Obi-wan."

      It was then that Anakin felt the rest of his tears fall down his face. But unlike before, these tears were not anger and regret and guilt and sorrow. They were warm and salty and trickled softly down his cheeks and onto the fabric of his cloak. They weren't heavy or burdened by pain and loss like the tears that had stained his cheeks as he flew across the desert. All these tears carried in them was sadness in its purest meaning. Sadness not for himself, but sadness because he had simply lost a friend.

      You are not alone Anakin. I'm still here. I'm still with you.

      The words, this time, were not from Yoda but from Obi-wan. They were soft and comforting like the warm glow of a fire on a cold night and amidst the tears and his master's voice speaking to him from a place both distant and close by, Anakin felt the presence of Obi-wan still within him. Maybe that was what the Force really was. The spirit of loved ones continuing to live on within the people they left behind. Maybe it wasn't exactly right, but for Anakin, that was enough.

      The Force will be with you, Anakin. Always...

       Yo this was really short and sad, but I haven't written in forever and I just need to get this out and published. Hope you guys are still enjoying this story. And guess what! As of May 4th, this story turned one year old!!! Free cheers for me being too lazy to finish it! Anyways hopefully you guys haven't given up on reading it because I will not give up on writing it. Thanks for all your support. I love you guys!