Star Wars: Second Chance

13: Meditation is like swimming!

A/N: I want to say thank you to all the readers. I'm really happy that someone likes the crazy stuff in my imagination. I want to say a special thank you to SilverMemor for the support. Enjoy this new chapter!

Luke awoke gasping and chocking. Obi-Wan put his hands on Luke's shoulders. "Breath, Luke, breath." Luke could barely hear him. His senses were clouded with burning pain. His chest felt like it was on fire. He remembered the fight with Sidious vaguely. He had held his own longer than he had expected thanks to Anakin's training. Still, he had been unprepared to deal with the Sith in his younger age.
When Luke had fought Vader and the Emperor, Sidious had been aged and Vader had been more machine than man. It was a disturbing thought. Was he ready to be the future of the Jedi Order? Could he handle it?
All these thoughts ran through Luke's mind as he chocked on his pain. Eventually, he managed to breathe and lay back against his pillows, exhausted. His chest still hurt more than he could describe, but he was able to breathe and think. He smiled at Obi-Wan in thanks then turned his head to see his father. Anakin was still comatose. His face was untroubled. Luke wondered what whether Anakin's mind was active as Luke had been. If so, what was he experiencing? Was he trapped? Luke sighed quietly. He was not strong enough to deal with Anakin yet. He needed to get well, then he would save his father. Luke closed his eyes and drifted off into a healing sleep.
-SW-
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. Luke was sleeping and Anakin was the same as he had been. How had he not noticed the connection between the men? How had he not realized that Anakin hadn't put aside his feelings for Padme? They were his friends! They had acted strange around each other but Obi-Wan had assumed that it was just...well, he didn't know exactly. He hadn't expected that they were close enough to have children!
He shook his head. It was not worth thinking about. It was done. All that mattered was helping Anakin and Luke get well.
Obi-Wan winced at a new thought. Did Padme know that Anakin and Luke were injured? Probably not. Did Padme know she had a son? It wasn't his place to tell if not. He should tell her that they were hurt, though. She'd kill him if not. Sighing, he took out his commlink and keyed for Padme.
-SW-
Padme stood looking at her husband and friend. She put a hand to her mouth and stifled a sob. Obi-Wan put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled weakly at him in thanks.
"I would have told you sooner but I only just returned from Utapau a few hours ago. Luke has woken up and is resting now. Anakin is..." Obi-Wan couldn't finished his sentence.
Padme sat down in the chair overwhelmed. Only once she sat did she realize that she had revealed her pregnancy. She noticed Obi Wan's eyes on her. He didn't look shocked. That surprised her.
"How long have you and Anakin been together?" He asked her simply.
"Since before the war." She responded.
"He was still my padawan then..." Obi-Wan realized. He nodded to her and walked out to give her privacy.
Padme sat in the silent room for five minuted before Luke groaned and opened his eyes. He turned his head and saw Padme.
"Hey." He smiled.
"Hi. How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Better, I guess... There's something I need to tell you." Luke said.
"What?" Padme asked.
"You know how I said I'm from the future? Well, um, my real name is Luke Skywalker and you and Anakin are my parents." Luke blurted.
Padme blinked. That explained why she had liked him instantly. And, he looked like Anakin. A lot. Wait...hadn't Luke said he was raised by his Aunt and Uncle on Tatooine? What happened to Anakin and her?
"Luke, what happens to us?" Padme asked.
Luke shifted uncomfortably. "You died giving birth to me and my sister and Anakin fell to the Dark Side." Before she could express her shock and disbelief, Luke cut her off. "I stopped that now. When we killed Sidious, it altered the Time Line. The future should change..."
"We have twins?!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah." Luke chuckled.
They sat in silence for a while after that.
"Does Anakin know?" She asked finally.
"Yeah. He found out right before we went to fight Sidious. He was going to tell you, but..." Luke didn't need to finish his sentence. Now Anakin couldn't tell her. He was injured and comatose.
A few minutes later, Padme got up, kissed Luke's forehead then left.
-SW-
The next day, Obi-Wan came to visit Luke and Anakin again. Luke noticed that he looked tired and sad. That was probably worry for Anakin. From what Luke knew, they were like brothers.
"Luke, do you think that we could get to Anakin like I got to you?" Obi-Wan asked.
Luke thought for a minute then extended his senses. There was a thick wall around Anakin's mind. It was impossible to break through.
Luke drew back and shook his head. "There's a shield around Anakin's mind. I can't get in."
A moment later, Obi-Wan nodded. "I can't either." Then, Obi-Wan stroked his beard in thought. "I can train you in meditation. Then, you may be able to get in."
Luke smiled. It was worth a shot. "Let's go."
-SW-
Luke and Obi-Wan were sitting in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, an ideal location for mediation. "Do you have any other experience with meditation?" Obi-Wan asked Luke.
Luke nodded. "Yeah. It's one of my better areas."
"Okay, then. We'll skip the basics. Let's go." Obi-Wan said.
Then sunk themselves into the Force and floated in its warmth. Obi-Wan was amazed at how naturally Luke took to meditation. Anakin despised it. He shook the thought off and followed the currents of the Force. Luke followed him.
Obi-Wan sank deeper, and pulled Luke down with him. Obi-Wan gave Luke a little push to aid him. They were very deep in the Force now, aware of everything and nothing.
A new current pulled them along, drawing them towards a specific location in the Force's eddies and flows. They stopped and the Force solidified around them.
Obi-Wan found himself in a white void with Luke standing next to him. In front of them was-
"Master Qui Gon?!" Obi-Wan gasped.
-SW-
Luke felt comfortable drifting in the Force. He was deeper than he had ever been before. Suddenly, he felt himself being tugged along somewhere. When he stopped, he found himself in a familiar white void. He felt Obi-Wan react with shock when he saw Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon smiled at Luke and Obi-Wan. "Hello, Obi-Wan. It's nice to see you."
Obi-Wan looked shocked and pale. "How?" He managed.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "There is a technique that allows one to preserve their consciousness after death. I shall teach you one day. Anyway, I have been aiding Luke here on his mission to alter the future. I felt that you could use some advise?" Qui-Gon cocked an eyebrow in question.
"Yes," Luke nodded, "Anakin is in a coma from our fight with Sidious. I was, but Obi-Wan got me out like Anakin did when I was poisoned." Qui-Gon nodded.
"Do you think that I could reach Anakin the same way?" Luke continued.
Qui-Gon rubbed his chin. "It's an interesting hypothesis. It may work. However, Anakin has one of the strongest mental shields I've ever encountered. It will be very difficult to break through, especially if he is trying to keep you out."
"What can I do?" Luke asked.
"Well, training with Obi-Wan will help you know the currents of the Force. If you can navigate soundly, then you may be able to find another route into Anakin's mind. Or, it may make you strong enough to break through, though that is unlikely. Be cautious. Muscling into someone's mind can cause serious damage. I suggest the first option." Qui-Gon offered.
Luke nodded, thinking about it. It sounded reasonable and it wasn't like he had anything better to do. He looked towards Obi-Wan who had recomposed himself. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Thank you, Qui-Gon." Luke and Obi-Wan bowed.
"Good luck." Qui Gon wished them.
After that, the Force released them and they were back in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.

*1457 words