Star Wars Episode IX: Duel of the Fates

Chapter 17: A Prophecy That Misread, Could Have Been

"I thought that Jedi were forbidden to have romantic relationships. You were a master and on the council." Ren questioned the apparition in front of him. The new information was making his head spin; a Palpatine and a Kenobi. No wonder she was so strong in the Force. "You're right, it was forbidden. But after Palpatine and his clone executed the Jedi, the rules seemed to be a little more... optional." Obi-Wan explained. "After the war and the elimination of the Jedi, I went into hiding to protect myself and Luke from Vader and Palpatine in fear they would hunt us down. While in exile, I became a bit more reckless to deal with the turmoil. I cut myself off from the Force and tried to live a normal life.

I met a woman while on Tatooine. She and I fell blissfully in love and had our daughter. But we grew old and the Force called to me once again with your uncle. When I passed, my wife and child moved away. She died not long after me, leaving our daughter to survive on her own. We never once told her her true last name in fear she possessed a sensitivity to the Force. If she did and Palpatine found out her relation to me, he would have her executed immediately." Obi-Wan held a somber look on his face as he told his story. Kylo Ren watched intently as the man spoke, his forehead crinkled in concentration.

"Why did your master think my grandfather was the chosen one?" He asked. He was trying to understand every bit of information he could from the man. Not only did he want to understand his family, but he wanted to understand himself. "Qui-Gon always spoke of a prophecy. He said that there was one person who was to bring balance to the Force for good. To completely snuff out the Light side and the Dark. He was to bring peace to the galaxy. He believed in some way that Anakin was that person. But the prophecy was wrong." Obi-Wan paused for a moment before he looked back to the man in front of him.

No longer did Obi-Wan sense conflict in the man. Inside him he saw pain and anger and fear; he saw strength, courage, and love. Between it all, he saw balance. His eyes widened. "How could I have been so blind." He whispered to himself. Ren looked curiously at the man. "What do you mean?" He found himself asking. "Master Qui-Gonn and Master Yoda were both right," Obi-Wan began, his brows furrowed as he thought intensely, "Qui-Gonn believed Anakin would bring balance to the Force and Yoda believed the prophecy was misread. They were both right. Anakin would not bring true balance to the Force-- not directly. But it was because of his actions that his family would." Obi-Wan looked away from the man in front of him and to the still pool of water behind him.

"Anakin was the key to bringing balance. The prophecy would not have been able to be fulfilled without him. But it was not him the prophecy was referring to directly; it referred to his family. To you, Ben." Kylo Ren shook his head. "You must be mistaken. I am no Jedi. There is not enough power on the Light Side to redeem myself in such a way." He murmured, turning around to follow Kenobi's eyes to the handle of his lightsaber in the water. "No, you will never be a Jedi." Obi-Wan agreed. "But a Jedi is not needed to balance the Force. If a new Jedi rose, a new Sith would rise. The only thing to balance the Force is an individual with strong ties to both sides. The only thing is you."

Obi-Wan walked forward to stand beside Ben before he crouched and placed his hand in the pool of water. Ripples bounced from the center of the pool at a rapid pace. Kylo Ren watched in awe as a new power seemed to surround the cave. His heart hammered in his chest as he thought over the master's words. Could it be true? Was it all leading to me? He asked himself. The ripples died down to a stillness before Obi-Wan rose to his feet.

"Grab your weapon, Ben. Ignite it and see what you were meant to be." Obi-Wan gently placed a hand on Ben's shoulder. His hazel eyes reflected slight fear when they met Kenobi's but the apparition smiled gently at the man. Kylo Ren took a deep breath before he reached into the water and pulled out the weapon. He let his eyes shut as he flicked on the saber. A familiar harsh crack echoed in the cave but when he opened his eyes he did not see the familiar red plasma he expected. Instead in its place was a violet beam of crackling light. Sputters of both red and blue sparks traced the outside of the blade as they mixed in the center of the plasma to create a purple hue. When the saber ignited, Kylo Ren ceased to exist. In his place stood Ben Solo. A shocked breath of a chuckle escaped his lips as he admired his weapon.