The Jedi Prince III: The Spark of Hope

The next day along the wastelands, the rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur. C-3PO piloted the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast wasteland. Spike and Flash piloted the Mantis from above while Cody and the girls went alongside Luke in a modified cargo skiff.

Look-it, there’s something on the scanner. Dead ahead,” Luke said, “It looks like our little R2 unit…Hit the accelerator!”

“Right with you, Luke!” Cody called out, then spoke into his comlink, “Spike, Flash, take the ship to Mos Eisley and wait for us there. Keep the ship cloaked until we’re off of the planet.”

“Right away, Cody,” Flash replied over the comlink.

From high along a rocky mesa, the landspeeder and the skiff could be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly, in the foreground, two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks peered over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally humanoid creatures raised a long ominous laser rifle, aiming at one of the speeders. But the second creature grabbed the gun before it can be fired.

The Sandpeople, or ‘Tusken Raiders’ as they’re also called, speak a coarse, barbaric language as they get into an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seemed to get in the final word and the nomads scurried over the rocky terrain. The Tusken approached a large bantha standing tied to a rock. The Tusken Raiders mount saddles strapped to the huge creature’s shaggy back and ride off down the rugged bluff.

The speeder and skiff were parked along the floor of a massive canyon. Luke, with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stood before R2 with Harmony Squad surrounding them.

“Hey, whoa, just where do you think you’re going?” Luke asked R2.

“Y’all had us worried to death, sugarcube,” Applejack added.

The little droid whistled a feeble reply, as C-3PO posed menacingly behind the little runaway.

“Master Luke is your rightful owner now. We’ll have no more of this Obi-Wan Kenobi gibberish… and don’t talk to me about your mission, either,” 3PO scolded, “You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million pieces right here.”

“No, it’s alright. But I think we better go,” Luke replied.

All of a sudden, R2 jumped to life with a mass of frantic whistles and screams.

“What’s wrong with him now?” Luke asked.

“There are several creatures approaching from the southeast,” 3PO replied.

Luke swung his rifle into position and turned toward the south.

“Sandpeople! Or worse! Come on, let’s go have a look,” Luke said, “Come on!”

“We’d better follow Luke just to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself,” Cody suggested, “Fluttershy, Pinkie, R5, maybe you should stay behind with R2 and keep yourselves hidden.”

“Good idea,” Fluttershy replied.

Once in position, Luke carefully made his way toward the rock ridge, scanning the canyon with his electro-binoculars. He spotted the riderless banthas. 3PO and most of Harmony Squad struggled just behind him. Cody observed with a pair of his own binoculars, while Sal, Bucky, and the girls stayed behind him.

“What are those things?” Rarity asked.

“Banthas, popular mode of transportation for the Tusken Raiders,” Cody replied, “If those beasts are there, then their riders aren’t too far… very territorial creatures, they consider any who step on their grounds as an enemy.”

“Are they really as bad as you say they are?” Rainbow asked.

“Let me put it in a way you can understand… when it comes to Sandpeople, they live by their name. They’re not very social creatures, they prefer to live off the land and as far from civilization as possible. But the worst part… they rarely take prisoners… alive,” Cody explained.

Rainbow’s eyes widened to the size of pinpricks, a bead of sweat dropped from her head.

“Noted…” Rainbow replied.

“We’ll, there are two banthas down there,” Luke said,” But I don’t see any… wait a second, they’re Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.”

“Only one of them?” Twilight questioned, “Now why would he be out in the open all by himself?”

“I reckon he’s a scout?” Applejack guessed.

“No… Sandpeople never travel alone,” Cody answered, “If that one’s guarding the Banthas, then the other one must be…”

Suddenly, while the group watched the distant Tuskan Raider through their electro-binoculars, something hugged moved in front of their field of view. Before either one could react, a large, gruesome Tusken Raider loomed over them. The girls screamed at the sight, while a startled 3PO backed away… right off the side of the cliff. Rarity turned and he could be heard for several moments, clanging, banging, and rattle down the side of the mountain.

“3PO!!!” Rarity shouted.

“Everyone, get behind me!” Cody said.

The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed gaderffii—the dreaded axe blade that struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. Luke managed to block the blow with his laser rifle, which smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambled backward till he’s forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The Raider stood over him with his weapon raised and released a horrible shrieking laugh.

R2-D2, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spike forced themselves into the small alcove within the rocks, as the vicious Sandpeople walked past carrying the inert Luke Skywalker, with Cody and the rest of Harmony Squad following discreetly behind. They were all dropped into a heap before their speeders. With Luke unconscious, the Sandpeople start ransacking the speeder and skiff, throwing parts and supplies in all directions. And then suddenly… they stopped.

Confused, the remainder of the group looked on timidly and nervously as all was quiet… for a moment or two. Just then, a great howling moan echoed throughout the canyon which sent the Sandpeople fleeing in terror.

“W-W-What’s out there?” Fluttershy whimped.

R2-D2 responded with a series of beeps, just as nervous as the others.

“It sounds like a g-g-g-ghost!” Pinkie chattered.

“That’s actually the call of the krayt dragon, the most dangerous predator on this planet. Even the Sand People are afraid of them,” Cody explained.

They moved as tightly into the shadows as they could, feeling crushed between each other and the cliffs on both sides. The slight swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grew ever closer, until a shabby old man appeared and leaned over the unconscious farm boy. R2 made a slight sound and the figure turned, looked right where the others were hidden, and removed the hood over his head. His ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates was set off by dark, penetrating eyes and a scraggly white beard. He squinted his eyes as he scrutinized the nervous looking group.

“Hello there!” The old man greeted, “Come here, my little friends. Don’t be afraid.”

R2 waddled over toward where the others crumbled in a heap, whistling and beeping his concern. The others slowly approached, as the old man placed a hand over Luke’s forehead.

“Obi-Wan?” Cody asked quietly.

R2 beeped in concern over Luke.

“Oh don’t worry, he’ll be all right,” The old man reassured.

The moaning and groaning from Luke confirmed the old man’s suspicions, as the young man starting coming to.

“Rest easy, son, you’ve had a busy day,” The old man replied, “You’re fortunate to be all in one piece.”

As he regained consciousness, Luke looked up toward the man and instantly recognized him.

“Ben? Ben Kenobi!” Luke gasped, “Boy, am I glad to see you!”

“The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly,” The old man spoke, “Tell me young Luke, what brings you and your friends out this far?”

“Oh, this little droid. I think he’s searching for his former master, but I’ve never seen such devotion in a droid before,” Luke added, kindly, “He claims to be the property of an ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he’s talkin’ about?”

Ben pondered this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard, “Obi-Wan Kenobi… Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time… a long time,” he said.

“I think my uncle knows him,” Luke guessed, “He said he was dead.”

“Oh, he’s not dead, not… not yet…” Ben corrected.

“You know him?” Luke asked curiously.

“Well of course, of course I know him,” Ben replied, pointing at himself, “He’s me! I haven’t gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh before you were born.”

“Well, then the droid does belong to you,” Luke concluded.

“Don’t seem to remember ever owning a droid,” Ben replied, looking at the droid, “Very interesting…”

“Good to see you again, Obi-Wan,” Cody greeted.

“Good to see you too, Cody,” Obi-Wan said.

“You two know each other?” Luke asked.

“Yes. I’m an old friend of Cody’s father, Blaze,” Obi-Wan replied.

“These are my wives, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, our friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sal, Bucky, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity,” Cody said.

“Pleasure to meet you all,” Obi-Wan greeted.

“Good to meet you too, Obi-Wan,” Twilight replied.

Suddenly, he looked up at the overhanging cliffs and the group looked in his direction.

“I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled but they’ll soon be back and in greater numbers,” Obi-Wan said.

Luke sat up and rubbed his head. R2 let out a pathetic beep causing Luke to remember something and look around, “3PO!” he exclaimed.

R2 stood at the edge of a large sand pit, chattering away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke, Ben, and the group stood over a very dented, very tangled 3PO lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms had broken off. Luke and Cody tried to revive the inert droid, the former shaking him while Cody flipped a hidden switch on his back several times. Until finally, the protocol droid’s systems rebooted.

“Where am I?” 3PO asked, “I must have taken a bad step…”

“Can you stand? We’ve got to get out of here before the Sandpeople return,” Luke said.

“I don’t think I can make it,” 3PO quivered, “You go on, Master Luke. There’s no sense in any of you risking yourself on my account. I’m done for.”

R2 made a beeping sound.

“No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?” Luke said.

“C’mon, we’ll carry you,” Cody added, “We’ll have you repaired once we get somewhere safe.”

Luke and Ben helped the battered droid to his feet, while R2 watched from the top pit. Ben glances around suspiciously.

“Quickly, they're on the move,” Obi-Wan said.

It wasn’t long before the group were at Obi-Wan’s house on a bluff overlooking the Dune Sea. Although cluttered with desert junk, it still somehow managed to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and security. Luke was in a corner repairing 3PO’s arm, while old Ben sat thinking.

“No, my father didn’t fight in the wars,” Luke said, “He was a navigator on a spice freighter.”

“That’s what your uncle told you,” Obi-Wan replied, “He didn’t hold with your father’s ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved.”

“You fought in the Clone Wars?” Luke asked.

“Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father,” Obi-Wan answered.

“I wish I'd known him,” Luke said.

“You know, Luke. My father is also a Jedi and he too fought in the Clone War,” Cody explained, “He in turn, trained me to be a Jedi Knight. When he was a boy, your father built C-3PO and R2 belonged to him during the war.”

“Interesting. You’re lucky to have known your father, Cody. Especially to have had him train you,” Luke replied.

“He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior, I understand you’ve become quite a good pilot yourself,” Obi-Wan said, “And he was a good friend. Which reminds me…”

Obi-Wan picked himself up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As Luke finished repairing 3P0 and started refitting the restraining bolt back on, 3PO looked at him nervously. Luke thought about the bolt for a moment, then put it on the table. Ben shuffled up and presented Luke a familiar lightsaber.

“I have something for you,” Ben offered Luke, “Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn’t allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did.”

“Sir, if you’ll not be needing me,” 3PO spoke up, “I’ll close down for a while.”

“Sure, go ahead,” Luke replied.

As 3PO shut himself down, Ben handed Luke the lightsaber.

“What is it?” Luke asked curiously.

“Your father’s lightsaber,” Obi-Wan answered, “This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster.”

Luke pushed a button on the handle. A long beam of light blue shot out about four feet and flickered there. The light played across the ceiling.

“An elegant weapon for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic,” Obi-Wan explained, “Before the dark times, before the Empire.”

But for whatever reason, Luke hadn’t been listening at all.

“How did my father die?” Luke asked.

“A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights,” Obi-Wan answered, “He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.”

“The Force?” Luke asked.

“Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power,” Obi-Wan explained, “It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”

“The magic of Equestria is an extension of our own connection to the Force,” Cody added, with the others nodding in agreement.

R2 made beeping sounds which drew the group’s attention, mostly Obi-Wan.

“Now, let’s see if we can’t figure out what you are, my little friend,” Obi-Wan said, “And where you come from.”

“I saw part of the message he was...” Luke replied.

The recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess, projected from R2’s face, cut Luke’s words short. The team looked toward the hologram of the fair maiden with awe.

“I seem to have found it,” Ben replied.

Luke gazed toward the lovely girl’s image, as it flicked before his eyes.

“General Kenobi,” She spoke, “Years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father’s request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I’m afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”

After some slight static, the transmission cut short. Obi-Wan leaned back and scratched his head. He silently puffed on a tarnished chrome water pipe, while Luke had stars in his eyes. The group turned toward one another.

“You must learn the ways of the Force if you’re to come with me to Alderaan,” Ben told Luke.

“Alderaan?” Luke chuckled. “I’m not going to Alderaan. I’ve got to go home. I’m late, I’m in for it as it is.”

“Luke, there are bigger things to worry about than being late for dinner or chores,” Rainbow remarked.

“Our new friends are right,” Obi-Wan added, “I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.”

“I can’t get involved!” Luke argued, “I’ve got work to do! It’s not that I like the Empire. I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now. It’s such a long way from here.”

“That’s your uncle talking,” Obi-Wan replied.

“Oh, my uncle,” Luke sighed. “How am I ever going to explain this?”

“Learn about the Force, Luke,” Ben advised.

“Obi-Wan is right. The war may not be coming to you now, but if Darth Vader was after this princess then he’s sure to come looking for the information inside R2,” Cody added, “Something tells me he’ll send his entire army down here and everyone on this planet will be in danger.”

“I’m all about family and responsibilities too Luke,” Applejack stepped up, “But if I thought like that back home and mah family were in peril for doin’ nothin’, I’d regret it fer the rest of mah life.”

“Besides, you said you wanted an adventure,” Twilight reminded, “This is the best chance you have.”

Luke Skywalker thought about it for a moment, as if deep down he was struggling between what he wanted to do and what he felt he needed to do. On one hand, he could spend another season content with his chores and dreaming about another opportunity he’ll miss out. But on the other, he’d get to have that adventure and perhaps play an important role in this rebellion like his friends, exploring the galaxy, seeing planets, and daring the odds… and yet to do all that, all of it, he’d leave his only family behind.

“Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead,” Luke compromised, “You can get a transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you’re going.”

“You must do what you feel is right, of course,” Obi-Wan nodded.

Later on, the speeder and skiff stopped before what remained of the huge Jawas’ Sandcrawler. Harmony Squad, Luke, and Ben walked amongst the smoldering rubble and scattered bodies.

“How dreadful!” Rarity gasped, disgusted.

“Ah’m feelin’ the same way as you, Rarity,” Applejack replied.

“It looks like the Sand People did this, all right,” Luke said, “Look, there’s Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It’s just… I never heard of them hitting anything this big before.”

Obi-Wan crouched along the sand studying the tracks.

“They didn’t,” he replied, “But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are side by side. Sand People always ride single file to hide their numbers.”

“These are the same Jawas that sold us R2 and 3PO!” Luke realized.

“And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople,” Ben continued, “Only Imperial stormtroopers are so precise.”

“I wouldn’t say they’re perfectly precise, but they’re definitely more accurate shots than Sand People,” Cody pointed out.

“Why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?” Luke asked.

“That’s why we came here, Luke. To recover R2 and 3PO, then get them off of Tatooine before the Empire can take them and the information they carry,” Cody replied.

Luke and Cody turned back toward the speeders, where R5, R2, and 3PO inspected the dead Jawas. It wasn’t long till they both put two-and-two together, their eyes turning toward one another.

“Something wrong, Luke?” Sal asked, approaching him.

“If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they sold them to. And that would lead them back… home!” Luke replied.

Reaching a sudden horrible realization, Luke raced for his speeder.

“Wait, Luke!” Ben called out, “It’s too dangerous!”

“Luke, wait for us!” Twilight shouted.

“Come on!” Cody called out, “We better follow Luke, quickly!”

As Cody and the others prepared their skiff, Luke hopped into his speeder and raced off. The skiff followed Luke’s speeder, thereby leaving Obi-Wan and the three droids alone with the smoldering Sandcrawler.

For some time, Luke raced across the wasteland in his battered landspeeder. Not far behind, the Harmony Squad skiff followed Luke while they sat inside hoping and praying they could reach the Lars Homestead soon. A look of heavy concentration remained locked upon Cody’s face, as he looked out toward the horizon as if he knows something was bound to happen.

Eventually, the speeders arrive at the homestead… only to find it burning severely. The skiff pulled to a stop and the group disembarked one at a time. They looked around at the horrifying sight before their eyes.

“What happened here?” Applejack asked, stunned.

“Exactly what I figured was gonna happen,” Cody replied.

Luke jumped out of his own speeder. Harmony Squad looked on as Luke raced toward the smoking holes that were once his home. As they observed, debris was scattered everywhere as if a battle had taken place in their absence.

“Uncle Owen!” Luke called out, “Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!”

Luke stumbled about in a daze, searching desperately for any sign of his aunt and uncle. When all of a sudden, he came upon a horrifying sight. All that remained of his family was now only smoldering corpses. Luke stood stunned, unable to speak of the horror he saw. Hate soon replaced fear, as if a new resolve washed over him. Twilight raced toward Luke, not knowing what happened.

“Luke! What’s going on?” Twilight called out, “Where’s your—”

Twilight stopped when her eyes spotted Owen and Beru’s burning forms. A gasp released from her lips, as her eyes widened while she clutched her mouth with her hands. She slowly turned toward Luke, who only looked toward the ground with a sigh. Twilight gazed toward him sadly as the rest of their friends approached.

“Twilight…?” Fluttershy asked worriedly, “Luke…?”

Twilight silently turned toward the others. The group could feel the sadness welling up within her. As for Luke, when he faced his friends, they could see the slight trace of fear amidst his anger.

“We were too late…” Rainbow Dash sighed.

“We should have warned Owen and Beru about this, then we could have taken them back home with us,” Sal replied.

Cody looked on silently, before turning his gaze back up toward the sky. Looking past the clouds hanging over the tragic landscape, it’s as if he were trying to concentrate and determine if the ones responsible for this terrible tragedy are looming above them somewhere… somehow…

Meanwhile, a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazed in front of the Sandcrawler. Obi-Wan and the droids were nearly finished burning the remains of the dead by the time the two speeders returned. Luke left his speeder, while the others left their skiff. As Obi-Wan walked over to them, he could see the look of gloom on their faces knowing that they had bear witness to a horrible tragedy… one he knew they’d take very hard.

“There’s nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there,” Obi-Wan said, “You’d have been killed, too, and the droids would now be in the hands of the Empire.”

“Those horrible monsters…” Sal grunted, gritting his teeth, “I ought to give those bucketheads the boot!”

“It’d be wise not to do anything rash,” Bucky advised.

Luke had been quiet up until their arrival back to the Sandcrawler. Now, the young man turned to Obi-Wan with a newfound resolve.

“I want to come with you to Alderaan. There’s nothing here for me now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father,” Luke said.

With that settled, they beckoned the group into their speeders as they made to leave the remains of the Sandcrawler, and much of what they’ve seen of Tatooine as far behind them as possible.