Parallel Timelines Part 1: The Rise of Emperor Marek

Prologue: Transcendent Echoes

A/N: This story will be partially inspired by the Force Unleashed I Dark side ending but Starkiller will avoid the injuries that would trap him into the suit from the Ultimate Sith Edition…the question is, what sort of interference will create the pathways that will lead this parallel timeline? Read to find out!

I don't own the Star Wars franchise.

Galen's POV

I deactivated my lightsaber as I looked down, feeling supremely satisfied as I smirked. Staring at the broken corpse of my old Master was definitely the most therapeutic experience of my life after all the pain and betrayal he put me through over the years.

"Serves him right," I thought as I clenched my fist.

But then, as my bloodlust lessened slightly, I finally registered the crackling sound of Force lightning close by. My eyes widened as I remembered my original reason for coming here and I Force jumped back to the throne room in a hurry. Right there, I was filled with a sinking sensation of dread when I saw the rebel senators lying dead on the floor, with Master Kota looking like he was not far from joining them.

"I…I am sorry," I said mutely, realizing in my single-minded anger I had failed them.

Then I stared at the Emperor and my rage pushed through my exhaustion. Gritting my teeth, marched towards the Dark Lord, gripping my lightsaber tight as I did so.

Darth Sidious saw me coming and gave Kota one last shock of lightning before he smirked, turning around as he did so to stare at his throne in contemplation.

"Excellent," He said, sounding most pleased before turning back to me. "Lord Vader was a broken shadow of his former self. I knew that one day, you would replace him. You have just one final test.

A shiver went down my spine, realizing what he meant in an instant before turning around to face my weakened ally.

"Destroy your ties to the Jedi, and at last you will be a Sith Lord!" The Emperor proclaimed.

I hesitated, unable to ignore the fact at the end of the day, I have seeking to truly earn that title for most of my life. Almost involuntarily, I ignited my blue lightsaber and stared down at the disoriented Kota.

"I can't do it…" I thought grimly.

But then, before I could even consider turning around to attack the Emperor in the hopes of catching him off-guard, I froze when I heard a whisper in mt mind.

"You really don't want to do that," Said a disembodied, female voice. "Let me show you why," She said confidently.

Abruptly, visions of the future bombarded my mind as I inhaled sharply...

My attack fails…

My potential is broken with my injuries…

I lose my one chance to become the Emperor's true successor…

I become trapped in a cybernetic suit like my old Master was…

And at some point, before being cast aside, I kill the real Obi-wan Kenobi in a desert planet with twin suns.

But none of it will be enough…

Suddenly, I come back to the present with a gasp. Somehow, I know that not even a second must have passed as my thoughts reeled.

"What in the Force's name…?" I shook my head, rattled. "Who are you?" I demanded.

I was meet with a mental silence and I couldn't help wondering if whoever the voice was from, she was showing illusions or the truth.

Then I shivered.

"I can't risk it," I thought in resignation. "I am sorry, Kota."

Taking a deep breath, I raised my blue blade and then remorseful but determined I moved to strike him down. The old Jedi turns to me, his dismay apparent despite his blindness. I cry out in anguish and finish the job I started long ago.

Sidious' POV

I cackled, feeling triumphant as the boy severed his last connection to the Jedi. For a moment, I strongly suspected he would try to attack me in his folly but for once, I was glad to be proven wrong.

"Good, good!" I clapped. "You have proven yourself to me. Come here, my boy."

I could sense Starkiller was a conflictive whirlpool of emotions at the moment, but it would pass, just as his predecessor got ahold of himself not long after betraying Mace Windu. I placed my hands on his shoulders and closed my eyes, reveling in his immense strength in the Force.

"Ah, you make me feel young," I acknowledged. "At long last, the Force has brought me a worthy successor and at a time with so few Jedi left, no less. It seems the time has finally come to secure the legacy of the Sith. Now, kneel, my mighty apprentice."

Starkiller took a deep breath and bowed. "As you wish."

And once the boy knelt and I smirked in satisfaction.

"My life greatest work has been the culmination of the Grand Plan. To that end, I trained 3 of your predecessors in the ways of the Sith throughout the decades so they could help me achieve its different stages."

"But in recent years," I went on, "I realized that strong as he was, Vader was too problematic a candidate for an heir to the Empire. I needed someone younger and more powerful who could have a fresh political start, and not someone with Vader's infamous reputation. As you can imagine, this dilemma has made me lose sleep at night," I admitted. "I am very old now, after all, and the idea that the Jedi could return after my death leaves a devastating power vacuum makes my blood boil. But now, I can make sure my Empire is left in capable hands and continues with my grand vision to the next generation. That should be long enough to wipe out any remaining Jedi."

I paused, pleased to be sensing the passion and anticipation growing in the boy. Then I stared at him firmly.

"You will still have to claim the mantel of Mastery the way it has been done since the Rule of Two was established," I stressed. "I won't have my most promising successor grow complacent. But you will have your chance to claim this galaxy as I did if you join me."

The boy took a deep breath and looked up without blinking.

"I pledge myself to the Order of the Sith Lords."

"Good," I said slowly, savoring the moment. "The Force is strong with you and the circumstances to groom you as my heir are better than with any of your predecessors. This is destiny. For the last time, I call you Starkiller," I declared. "Now, rise, my promising apprentice and join our ranks as Darth…Magnus."

Magnus' POV

"Thank you…my Master."

At long last, I have earned my place as a true Sith. Despite the cost, I found myself feeling victorious.

But, as my mental silence remain unbroken, I couldn't help but wonder…who was that woman? Her accent sounded upper-class imperial and yet...something told him it was more archaic than it seemed.

I suspected I would know the answer before long. And decide whether or not she should be rewarded once I learn more.

But for now, I stared at the void of space beyond the viewport as I contemplated my destiny.

A/N: And there you go. Just a short chapter to set the stage for the rest of the storyline for now, but I have big plans for the future. For now, any guesses as to who does the female disembodied voice belonged to?

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and if you did, please review.