Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. I've always been a bit of a Star Wars fan, and I've always loved what if stories. So it's not a surprise I'm a fan of what if Star Wars stories. The reason I'm writing this story is that I have been inspired by several Star Wars what-ifs specifically "Here I Go Again" by Above The Winter Moonlight and "Return of the Jedi" by Transformers g1's-Prime. When I told them about my series they've given me ideas, and I would like to thank them personally for the inspiration and advice. As well as, help from other writers and bloggers. So without further ado, I present to you: Star Wars: The Catalyst.
"We think they may be splitting up. They may be on level five or six now, sir." A Stormtrooper told his commanding officer as he and his fellow troopers ran down one of the Death Star corridors.
Slipping out of one of the dark corridors was former Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He looked around as he unhooked his lightsaber. He lifted his hood over his head and began to walk down the corridor to where the hangar bay was.
With any luck, by now, Luke and Captain Solo must have rescued Princess Leia.
Suddenly, he felt a presence. A presence he had not felt since Mustafar. The sound of mechanical breathing pierced the air. Obi-Wan's thinned into a grim line and readied himself.
His hands tightened around his lightsaber. Then, he heard the familiar hum of an ignited lightsaber.
He came to a stop when he rounded the corner and saw him. He was taller, wearing a set of black armor, and wielded a red lightsaber shaped similar to his old one. The lightsaber's glow reflected off of his armor and the durasteel floor beneath them. He was no longer a man, but more of a battered machine fueled by only hatred. It was clear that he was no longer Anakin Skywalker. For the first time in nineteen years, Obi-Wan was face to face with Darth Vader.
Vader began to advance towards him and raised his lightsaber to attack. It was clear that there was no escape. Obi-Wan already knew this. Kenobi ignited his lightsaber and a blue blade came out.
"I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again at last." Vader boomed loudly. His voice was much deeper than before. No doubt it came from the suit he wore. "The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master." Vader arrogantly stated to assert his power.
Obi-Wan raised his blade towards his former apprentice. "Only a master of evil, Darth." He said mocking his former padawan's Sith title.
Obi-Wan struck at the Sith Lord with enough speed to surprise both duelists. Vader took the blow and riposted himself and forced Obi-Wan back. The old Jedi twirled and blocked a slash, waving a defensive pattern with his blade.
Obi-Wan could tell that Vader was surprised that he was still capable of such skill after nineteen years in exile. However, he could also tell that Vader knew he was out of practice. The duel he had with Maul on Tatooine two years ago notwithstanding. Still, Kenobi could tell that Vader was going to be cautious this time as the Sith Lord was fighting in a more defensive manner. Vader clearly did not want a repeat of what happened on Mustafar.
As their duel progressed, Obi-Wan found that he could still anticipate his former pupil's offense, but could not find any openings to strike back. All he could do was block Vader's cybernetically enhanced blows. Kenobi could feel his energy falter.
"Your powers are weak old man." Vader taunted as he sensed Obi-Wan's depleting energy.
"You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." Kenobi responded cryptically alluding to the power he had learned during his nineteen-year exile. Vader saw the statement as a taunt but was not going to be baited. Not like last time.
Obi-Wan lunged again, but Vader was ready, bringing them into a blade lock. Vader shoved hard breaking the lock and forcing Obi-Wan back.
"You should not have come back." Vader threatened grimly.
After another exchange, Obi-Wan saw the chance to redirect the duel elsewhere and began to back away. Kenobi had now drawn the duel into the open right into the entrance of the main hanger of Docking Bay 327. Vader attacked once more and began to chivvy Kenobi into a wall. Just as Vader was about to deliver the final blow, Kenobi unleashed a flurry of sudden attacks to force Vader back. As they circled each other, the stormtroopers who were guarding the Millennium Falcon were aware of the duel in front of them and began to cover the hangar door. However, this enabled a group of people to stealthfully board the cruiser… All except for one of the escapees that is.
"Ben?" came the voice of Luke Skywalker as he watched the man who took him under his wing after the deaths of his aunt and uncle. He looked on in horror as he noticed Obi-Wan take on the man who was his former apprentice and murderer of his father: Darth Vader.
Obi-Wan froze when he heard that voice. He shouldn't be here, he should've been on the ship by now and fly to wherever the Rebel base was. Not out in the open watching him dueling the man who was his actual father.
Kenobi risked a glance at the hangar, where he saw Luke's compatriots. The Wookie, Chewbacca, was in the falcon while Captain Solo and Princess Leia were on the ramp hollering Luke to get to the ship. Obi-Wan was struck in awe as he noticed how similar the Princess looked just like her mother. But all of his attention was centered towards Luke.
At this point, he knew it was over for him. He knew now that the only way to save the twins was to distract Vader from learning their paternal origin.
He turned to Vader and, to Vader's bemusement, smiled and raised his lightsaber so the tip would point up as a sign of surrender, deliberately lowered his guard.
Vader was taken aback by surprise. Trying to figure out if this was a trick or actually genuine. However, Vader quickly realized that even if it was some sort of a trick, he doubted Obi-Wan would be fast enough to deploy it. He swung towards Obi-Wan and once he struck his former master he disappeared into thin air.
The last sound that he heard was that of a young man crying "NO!"
In an instant, there was a bright light that flashed the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan opened his eyes and saw he was in an empty void of nothing. Save for a few windows he peered into it and to his amazement saw himself. Or rather what he had looked liked twenty-two years ago meditating.
The sight shocked him, he looked around for any means of an explanation until he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
"Hello, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon Jinn greeted him smiling.
Obi-Wan turned around and saw his old master alive as day. Looking like hadn't aged a day since that duel on Naboo.
"Master Qui-Gon? What is this place? Is this the cosmic force?" Kenobi asked shocked out of his wits.
Qui-Gon shook his head smiling because of nostalgia.
"Yes and no, Obi-Wan. You're in the void that connects the living and the dead. You have been given a second chance by the force itself it seems." Qui-Gon said.
"A second chance, what for?" Obi-Wan asked.
"One of the brightest masters of the Jedi order and you can't figure it out." Qui-Gon said with a smirk of amusement.
"You have been given a chance to avoid what has transpired for the past nineteen years since your exile." Qui-Gon said.
"Time travel? That's impossible." Obi-Wan said.
"Nothing is truly impossible my padawan. I thought just as you did as well." Qui-Gon said.
"You mean you have done it before?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.
"Yes. Time is like a river, my padawan. However, if one manages to go back they can create a new stream diverging off of it. I have done it before as well. I was given the option to do so when the Empire had arisen." Qui-Gon explained.
"Fascinating..." Obi-Wan had said the offer was tempting, but his duty towards Luke and the Rebellion lingered in his head. "But what about Luke, the boy and Rebellion will need my help." Obi-Wan said.
"I'm aware of Anakin's son and daughter. Do not worry, what will be three years for you will be only a matter of seconds to them." Qui-Gon assured Obi-Wan.
"Besides you will not be going alone. From a certain point of view." Qui-Gon said.
"You mean you're going to help guide me?" Obi-Wan said.
"Somewhat, but no. Once you travel back, you will share your body with your younger self." Qui-Gon explained again.
"At what point in time will I go return to?" Obi-Wan asked.
"After your mission in Ansion." Qui-Gon said.
"What makes you think he'll... I'll listen?" Obi-Wan asked then corrected himself. "By then I was too loyal to the Jedi codes."
"You're the negotiator after all. I'm sure he'll listen to you. Besides this isn't just about Anakin or the Republic. It's about everyone who will live from that time forward." Qui-Gon assured Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan began to think about it. He could save everyone. Anakin, Padmé, Ahsoka, the Republic, the entire order, and… Satine.
"I'll do it," Obi-Wan said. "Anything else I should be aware of?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, once you start to change the past new events will occur. New people will arise while some people will not. Some of these individuals having been around since before your arrival. Allegiances for those of the future will be different from what was supposed to happen. I would recommend that you keep your mission a secret not just from Sidious. Try to reveal, as much as you can to people you trust. Someone like Master Yoda would be preferable if he starts to question you. Once you complete your task you will return to the main timeline. Whatever happens to the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the new timeline will only be his. Finally, if either one of you is killed then the survivor will be alone. If you were to die then you would go back to our timeline. He'll still live, but your life will be sacrificed in his stead. He'll still remember your experiences, however." Qui-Gon explained.
Obi-Wan thought deeply. He finally came to a decision.
"I accept. No matter what happens with Luke at least I know that I stopped the empire in another timeline." Obi-Wan said determinedly.
"Very well. Good luck… master Kenobi." Qui-Gon said with a proud grin plastered on his face. Obi-Wan felt a surge of pride rush through him as Qui-Gon said those last two words.
Obi-Wan began to glow. He was determined to prevent whatever tragedy he could not stop before.
Twenty years in the past, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi was meditating in a room in a consular ship after a mission in Ansion. Suddenly he began to feel strange and collapsed.
"What has happened?" Obi-Wan mentally asked himself.
"Hello, old friend." An elderly voice greeted inside of his mind.
"Who are you?" Obi-Wan asked pulling out his lightsaber. "Where are you?" he asked as it ignited. He was surveying the room for the intruder.
"You." Ben Kenobi replied. "I am you and you are me. Or more specifically, you will be me if we do not act." Ben explained cryptically.
Obi-Wan was taken aback by this response.
"It's a long story, but I suppose I'll tell you." Ben Kenobi informed his younger self.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan's memories were flooded with memories. He saw a battle between armored figures and battle droids, the return of Darth Maul, the death of Duchess Satine Kryze, the trial of a Togrutan padawan and her walking away from the temple, thousands of dead Jedi in the temple, a duel with Anakin, and his death at the hands of a black armored figure. Obi-Wan fell to his knees in shock.
"What… What were those?" Obi-Wan mentally asked Ben. He was completely shaken by what he had just seen flash through his eyes.
"Experiences I have suffered from, but if you and I cooperate none of what you saw will transpire." Ben said.
"Alright." Obi-Wan mentally said.
This was going to be a strange experience for him.
And that's a wrap. I hope you all enjoyed that, if you have any criticisms please leave them in the comment section. Take care and may the force be with you.
