Preview #4: Saving You (subject to change) Plan: eventual multi-chapter fic

"Don't try it!" he yelled at the man below him, desperate pleading in his voice. He begged with his mind for him to stay down there, not to jump. He knew he couldn't do what Yoda sent him here to do. Killing his brother was not an option.

"You underestimate my power," the young man below him growled back.

No, only your common sense, he thought to himself, preparing for what he knew was coming. He raised his lightsaber as the man leapt through the air over him. He started to slice at him, knowing he could take off all three organic limbs if he wanted, but he hesitated.

And in that brief moment of hesitation, his former student stabbed him straight through the heart.

Obi-wan Kenobi froze, looking into his brother's eyes one last time before falling off the blade to the charred ground beneath them. He managed to whisper three more words before he finally let go, though the newly born Sith wouldn't hear him. "I forgive you."

~~OOO~~

"Would you like another chance, Obi-wan?"

The voice came from behind him and he whirled around and gasped. His former master stood behind him, smiling gently. "A second chance?" he finally asked.

"Anakin's son needs help. Luke needs a mentor, Obi-wan."

~~OOO~~

Chills ran down his spine as desperate cries for help echoed through the ancient hallways, permanently placed in the part of the Force that was present in the Temple. His mouth thinned to a grim line. As much as he wanted to deny it, he somehow knew that Anakin was the reason for those screams

If only he hadn't hesitated… no, he couldn't possibly have completed that killing stroke. That man was too much of a son and a brother to him. But now he suddenly felt responsible for all of the deaths that Anakin had caused, directly and indirectly. It was partly his fault, after all.

His tour of the ruins ended rather quickly. He couldn't take much more or he would break down in tears. Now he sat on the stone steps just outside the entrance surveying the rubble of the city formerly known as Coruscant. It had been the largest city in the galaxy and a center for business, politics, and entertainment.

Now it was a heap of rusting metal and piles of brick and stone.

Crumpled speeders could almost be recognized beneath the rubble and parts of billboards were strewn about, though the images that had once been visible on them had long ago faded away to a dull hue of gray. In all appearances, the bustling city of Coruscant was now just a desolate wasteland. And its population now consisted of one person: Obi-wan Kenobi. He was the sole occupant on a planet that had been reduced to scrap.

"Oh Anakin," Obi-wan muttered softly. He hoped every planet hadn't been subject to a similar fate.

He suddenly wondered how many years had passed since he and Anakin had fought on Mustafar. It had to have been at least a few decades, judging from the beginning signs of erosion on some of the rubble. That meant Anakin would be at least fifty now and Luke would be… thirty?

Obi-wan smirked, finding the slightest bit of humor in the dreary state of the universe he had been sent to. He was looking forward to seeing the look on Luke's face when he discovered that his father's former teacher was only a few years older than him.

Unfortunately that meeting would have to wait. Obi-wan was currently stuck on Coruscant with no way off the planet but a few broken pieces of metal that had once been speeders. It looked like this would be his home for a few days, possibly weeks. He sighed and slowly got to his feet, surveying the grim setting in front of him. He needed to find a place to sleep.

~~OOO~~

"You weren't supposed to get mixed up in this."

Luke blinked, almost not even registering the words, his eyes surveying the carnage surrounding them. As his eyes roamed over one body after the other, he felt bile start to rise in the back of his mouth and just managed to swallow it down. Vader and his clones had literally slaughtered the wookies, slaughtered them without remorse.

It was a gruesome image for anyone to see.

He had been planning for this moment for years now. He had known exactly what he was going to say and how he was going to say it. He even knew the look his words would receive in return. But that was all lost on him now, lost in the misery. Instead, shock filled the void. He could hardly believe that this monster in front of him was his father by blood. It made him sick and gave him the shivers.

All he could do was stare blankly until Vader spoke again. The words held no semblance of emotion, only an icy monotone that cut through the horrid scene like a vibroblade.

"I'll give you one chance to leave and never show your face again."

This time he did speak. He straightened his back and looked directly into those cold blue eyes, wondering at the yellowish hue that was intermixed. "I'm not leaving." It was barely a whisper, a stuttering mess, but at least it could be understood. He forced his shaking hands still and unclipped the lightsaber that hung on his belt, the one Ben had given him.

Okay, yeah... time travel fic. I'm not a huge fan of the idea, simply for the fact that it's been done so many times. But there are a few good ones out there so I thought I'd take a wack at it and see how it goes! Still not sure I'll continue with this one, though...

Suggestions are most definitely welcome with this one! )