The Unseen

Chapter 4 - Alternate Reality

The next thing Obi-Wan knows, he's falling down into the darkness, landing hard on the ground. He groans, opening his eyes and blinking as he takes in his surroundings. Ahsoka is beside him, pushing herself to her feet and brushing off her clothes. He follows her example, eyes scanning the lush fields and wildlife. The planet looks much like Naboo, and he can't help but wonder if that's where it is.

He looks at the house a distance away – the only one in the area, in fact. If Vader is here, this must be where he is. Neither he nor Ahsoka speak as they walk towards it silently. The last glimmer of sunlight disappears over the horizon as they stride through the tall grass, blowing softly in a breeze. This place is like heaven almost. Everything is completely perfect. A quiet, calm world, one of happiness, but it's one which he can't imagine a Sith ever choosing.

They walk around the corner, taking in the bushes of flowers near the back porch. Birds sing in the trees and insects buzz near the ground. Obi-Wan scans the gathered people, a sense of confusion setting in when he sees another version of himself and Ahsoka there along with Vader and two children. This was somehow not what he'd expected Vader to choose in his paradise. Why is he there anyways? Vader hates him.

The entire area is idyllic – picture perfect, in fact. Vader – Anakin, actually, since he looks like he did as a Jedi Knight – is wearing black Jedi robes as he sits on a bench next to fake-Obi-Wan staring out over the yard. Dusk has just begun to fall, and the entire area seems completely untouched by human civilization. Other than the one lone house, there's no one else in sight. Fake-Obi-Wan slips an arm around Vader, pulling him closer, and Vader lets him do it, shifting to rest his head on fake-Obi-Wan's shoulder, an aura of contentment surrounding him.

Fake-Ahsoka stands in the center of the yard, green lightsaber in her hand as she runs through the basic katas, teaching two young children, each of whom are holding a blue training lightsaber. Obi-Wan studies them, the darkness shrouding their faces. The elder child – a girl – seems to be around ten. Chestnut curls frame her face, reminding him eerily of Leia. She mimics fake-Ahsoka with precision. The younger child – a boy – looks around eight. His hair is blonde, much like Luke's – or the way Anakin's used to be.

"Rex called," Padme's melodic voice drifts across the yard as she comes to stand on the porch, looking over the scene. "He said to tell you that he has put Jabba's palace under siege, and he wants you to join him to finish liberating Tatooine."

Vader hums quietly, and fake-Obi-Wan glances back at Padme. "I'll let him know that we'll be coming," he replies.

Padme nods, looking towards the children. "Leia! Luke! You've done enough training for today. You should come instead to prepare for bed." Obi-Wan freezes in place, and for a moment, he can't breathe. Luke and Leia? Did Anakin pick their names?

"'Kay, Mommy," Leia calls, her lightsaber deactivating with a hiss. "Come on, Luke. We should hurry, so Daddy can tell us a story."

"Another exciting one," Luke adds, giving Vader a hopeful look.

"Of course," Vader agrees with a laugh. "As long as you don't give yourself nightmares again."

"Maybe I should tell the story then, Skyguy," suggests fake-Ahsoka with a mischievous grin.

"No," Vader answers immediately, giving her a severe look. "You are not going to be filling their heads with imaginary tales of you rescuing me, Snips." She erupts into laughter, and after a moment, fake-Obi-Wan joins in.

Vader glares at him. "Stop laughing on my behalf, Master," he scolds.

Padme rolls her eyes, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like, "Siblings." Luke and Leia look at one another and grin. The light-hearted atmosphere makes Obi-Wan's heart clench. How can he possibly ask Vader – Anakin – to let this go? It's his paradise. Is this really what he wanted, what he craved more than anything else? It actually fits in a horrible way. Anakin was always afraid of losing people, and he could have fallen – chosen the Dark Side – if he thought it was the only way to protect someone. Obi-Wan wonders how he couldn't have seen it earlier.