"Dead as dead can be" the doctor tells me
But I just can't believe him
Ever the optimistic one
I'm sure of you're ability
To become my perfect enemy

Obi-Wan stood, his arms crossed, as he watched the medical droid approach. "For reasons we can't understand, we're losing her," the droid said. "She's dying?" he demanded. He looked at the woman, his friend, laid out on the table. This could not be. He knew that his former apprentice was volatile, and had become a great threat. But, surely, he had not fallen so far as to kill his own wife! He had condemned himself in the eyes of all who knew him for her sake, how could he have turned on her? Obi-Wan shook his head. It was very good that the apprentice Sith had been destroyed, even if the master had not. He would have been a very powerful foe.

Wake up, and face me
Don't play dead because maybe
Someday I will walk away
And say "you disappoint me"
Maybe you're better off this way

Obi-Wan reflected on the boy's apprenticeship. He had been near unmanageable throughout. He was consumed by illusions in his head, put there by everyone's insistence that he was the Chosen One. Always, Obi-Wan had been pulling his head out of the clouds, to focus on the here and now. He remembered many times that he had threatened, only half in jest, that he might leave his apprentice to a more patient master. Perhaps that would have been best. Perhaps the young man would not have given in to his jealousy and insecurity. He may not have turned; he may have served the noble Jedi order instead of the cruel, selfish Sith emperor. Maybe I should have let him go, Obi-Wan thought. Maybe I would not have had to kill him. Or bury his wife and watch his son grow up amongst strangers.

Leaning over you here,
Cold and catatonic
I catch a brief reflection
Of what you could and might have been
It's your right and your ability
To become my perfect enemy

How pathetic the young man had looked, as he lay dangerously near the lava. "I hate you!" he had screamed. Only those who have no power scream this at their opponents. It made Obi-Wan sick to think about what he had done to his friend. He remembered his reply: "You were the Chosen One!" Were… he was no longer. He had become a cruel and unfeeling Sith lord, loyal only to the dark one who had fed him those lies. He believed that the Jedi were evil, and so he had to be destroyed. The Republic was gone, turned into an unjust Empire. Why? Well, certainly, Palpatine was to blame for that. He had orchestrated the downfall of a great Republic, only so that he might have power. But he could have been destroyed, if Anakin had remained loyal. Anakin had been their only hope. Instead, he had sided with their enemy! He had deserted. No, worse than deserted, he had turned traitor and killed every last one of his people. He deserved his fate, Obi-Wan thought, with a vehemence that frightened him.

Wake up, we'll catch you
And face me, come on now
Don't play dead,
Because maybe
Someday I will walk away
And say "you disappoint me"
Maybe you're better off this way

Try as he might, Obi-Wan had been unable to help his apprentice. The young man was too easily influenced by his friend. Why, then, did he no longer listen to his master? He didn't know. There was nothing he had done to make himself hated. So, he had accepted Yoda's order, not without hesitation, and gone to kill his former friend. His brother. Still, he had hoped that he may somehow be able to help him. If he would only realize the lies by which he was poisoned… but he would not even listen to his wife's pleas on the matter. He was controlled by Palpatine, who could not be destroyed. Who hadn't been destroyed, Obi-Wan amended. He needed to be defeated, before he could influence another poor soul, and make enemies off all who had cared for him. It was better that Anakin was free, now, Obi-Wan thought. He is dead, so therefore is free from the power of his former master. Both of his former masters, Obi-Wan added sadly. He did not realize his error in both respects.

Maybe you're better off this way
You're better of this; you're better off this;
Maybe you're better off!

ALIVE? Vader had survived his encounter with lava? This could not be, Obi-Wan thought. I have failed again. Only minutes ago, they had received word that a horrifying creature, clothed only in black, had taken his place at his master's side. Darth Vader, soon to be terror of the galaxy. Well, he had wanted power, and now he had it. He freed the slaves, but they were killed for their fear of him. It was only after this that he learned how much power fear could be. Obi-wan watched his apprentice journey farther down the path from which he could not return. He could not be redeemed, no matter how great a task he might do for good. The horrifying monster who had once been Anakin Skywalker did far worse than kill younglings. Entire planets were destroyed at his hands. Obi-Wan knew that the boy, Luke, could not know of his father. He needed something to fight for, and the memory of a slain Jedi was perfect. Had he known who his father really was… it would be disastrous. It was better that both father and son were ignorant of the other's presence. But how long could it stay that way?

Wake up, why can't you?
And face me, come on now
Don't play dead
Because maybe
Someday I will walk away
And say "you fucking disappoint me!"
Maybe you're better off this way

Obi-Wan walked down the ramp of the Millennium Falcon. He would see his former apprentice again. He knew that, even now, Vader could feel his presence. It was dangerous for him to be here, dangerous to Luke. But that mattered little; the boy would survive. Obi-Wan did not know if they both would, however. It was time, at last, to face his former apprentice. Many years had gone by. Obi-Wan felt old, and a small part of him feared meeting an apprentice who could not but be stronger. He had long since given up hope of the man's salvation. Anakin had gotten what he wanted, regardless of how he had done it. He would remain blind to all that his master did not wish him to see. Including his son. Obi-Wan hoped only to keep their secret weapon secret a little longer.

Go ahead and play dead
I know that you can hear me
Go ahead and play dead
Why can't you turn and face me?
Why can't you turn and face me?
You fucking disappoint me!

Obi-Wan stood before his former apprentice, a small part of him sad to hear the sounds each painful breath made. He quickly rebelled against this sympathy. He had killed younglings, caring nothing for the screams and gasps of all those he had killed in these twenty years. He didn't care if Vader remained under the control of the Emperor. He had chosen that path with his eyes open. He could turn now, if he chose. But he did not. He would rather kill, even while his unknown son watched in horror.