Star Wars: Starkiller

After so long, Vader had found me. I knew it was only a matter of time, but I wasn't prepared for him to find me so soon, and certainly not under these circumstances.

Well, there's no point in regretting it now; only one thing remains to be done…

"It has been a long time, my apprentice." Vader said as he leaped from his ship, landing in front of us with unnerving precision.

"Galen, what does he mean? Who is he?" Kanan asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

'I guess there's no use hiding it anymore,' I thought with a sigh.

"He is Darth Vader, my former master—a Sith Lord." I admitted, causing Kanan and Ezra to look at me in shock.

"You—you're with the Sith? How could you? We trusted you." Ezra said, his tone quickly shifting to one of anger.

"I'm not with him, kid, but I owe you an apology for not telling you. I didn't because I wanted to build a bond of trust with you all, enough to stay long enough to recover and then leave. But for certain reasons, I chose not to, and I don't regret it. Being with your group, part of your crew, is one of the best things that's happened to me, and I won't let anyone harm you." I said, taking my Vaapad stance.

Kanan stayed silent for a moment, seemingly weighing my words and the situation. Then, to my surprise, he ignited his lightsaber and stepped to my side.

"You won't fight alone." Kanan said simply.

"We'll help, though you owe us an explanation later." Ezra added, surprisingly igniting his lightsaber and positioning himself on my other side.

"I see you've made allies among the Jedi, my apprentice. What a waste." Vader observed, his tone laced with disdain.

"Surrender, Vader. Even you must know you'll have trouble facing all three of us together." I said still in my Vaapad pose.

"Surrender is not the way of the Sith." He replied coldly. Almost as if on cue, one of the Imperial transports we had seen earlier hovered above us, lowering a ramp. From it descended a tall Pau'an male wielding a double-bladed crimson lightsaber, dressed in an Imperial uniform.

"Inquisitor, kill the Jedi Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger." Vader ordered in his mechanical voice.

"With pleasure, my Lord." The Inquisitor replied, charging at Kanan. Ezra immediately joined the fray, striking at the Inquisitor with a determined thrust, only for it to be effortlessly blocked.

Meanwhile, my eyes never left Darth Vader. His imposing figure seemed more like a living shadow than a man, and the only sound cutting through the tense air was the rhythmic echo of his mechanical breathing. The atmosphere between us felt charged, as though the very air held its breath.

"I see you've kept the lightsaber of Master Oppo Rancisis," Vader said, his deep, monotone voice resonating with unshakable authority. "Do your Jedi friends know about your past?"

I scowled at his words, sensing the provocation in every syllable.

"The past doesn't matter anymore, Vader. What matters is here and now. And today, I will finally kill you and have my revenge."

"Revenge is not the Jedi way." He said calmly, his words cutting deep, designed to unnerve me, to make me hesitate.

I smiled, but it wasn't one of joy. It was a grimace, heavy with defiance and suppressed fury. My entire body tensed, the muscles in my legs coiled as I felt the Force flowing through me like an unrelenting tide.

"I am no Jedi." I murmured coldly before launching myself at him with explosive speed, Oppo Rancisis's blue lightsaber blazing in my hand like a streak of lightning.

In an instant, I closed the distance between us, my blade aimed at his torso in a precise thrust. But Vader rotated his crimson lightsaber with impossible speed, deflecting my strike in a burst of sparks that lit up our faces.

The clash of lightsabers rang out like a thunderclap. Seizing the momentum, I twisted my wrist, following up with a lateral slash toward his shoulder. Vader blocked it with almost insulting ease, shoving me back with brutal force.

"Your anger gives you power, but it also blinds you." Vader said, advancing slowly, his presence engulfing me like an unstoppable tide.

"I don't need clarity to defeat you." I shot back, launching myself again with an acrobatic twist, aiming a low sweep at his side.

Vader stepped back lightly, evading the attack and countering with a downward strike that forced me to block with both hands. The sheer weight of his strength pressed down on me like an avalanche, driving me back step by step.

Seizing a brief opening, I called upon the Force, lifting a chunk of debris from the ground and hurling it at him with all my might. Vader extended his free hand, halting the projectile mid-air before sending it hurtling back toward me. I narrowly dodged, sliding beneath him and pivoting into an upward slash aimed at his mask.

Vader tilted his head aside, the blade passing dangerously close but missing its mark. Before I could recover, he raised his hand, and I felt the Force constricting around my throat, lifting me off the ground.

"You are still an apprentice." He said with disdain as I struggled to breathe.

Focusing my energy, I unleashed a Force blast toward him, breaking his grip and landing on one knee. Without hesitation, I spun my lightsaber in a wide arc, forcing him to retreat a step.

The battle raged on, a whirlwind of swift and lethal exchanges. Every strike was calculated, every maneuver designed to expose a weakness. But Vader had no visible weaknesses. He was an unyielding wall, a master of both technique and power.

As the fight intensified, I felt my body beginning to tire, but my resolve remained unshaken. This was my only chance to end him, to free myself from the chains of my past.

With a roar, I gathered all the Force I could muster and launched into a final assault, my saber blazing with renewed intensity as I slashed, spun, and dodged with a speed that even surprised me.

Vader, however, was unfazed, blocking and deflecting each strike with cold, calculated precision. Finally, with a swift motion, he disarmed me, sending my lightsaber clattering to the ground before using the Force to hurl me against a nearby wall.

"Your power is impressive," he said, advancing slowly, his figure casting an all-encompassing shadow. "But you lack control. And that will always be your downfall."

Despite the momentary defeat, I glared at him defiantly, my mind already calculating the next move. This fight was far from over.

---

"So, here they are—the fugitive Jedi," said the Inquisitor, his voice cold and controlled as he stepped forward. "Do you truly believe you can escape your destiny?"

Kanan ignited his blue saber, his expression serious. "We're not running from anything, Inquisitor. And today, it's you who will face your destiny."

Ezra, standing beside him, activated his saber with its built-in blaster. His confidence wavered slightly, but his determination was clear. "We'll stop you, no matter the cost!"

"How touching." the Inquisitor responded with a sarcastic smile before leaping toward them, his saber spinning in a deadly arc.

The Grand Inquisitor began a fierce assault, spinning his saber in a constant circle that kept Ezra and Kanan on the defensive. Kanan parried each blow with precision, while Ezra attempted to shoot with his saber-blaster, only for the Inquisitor to deflect every shot effortlessly.

"Is that all you've got?" he mocked, delivering a horizontal slash that forced both Jedi to retreat.

Kanan countered with a lateral strike aimed at the Inquisitor's torso, but the Pau'an dodged with an elegant twist and delivered a kick to Kanan's chest, knocking him down. Ezra seized the opportunity to attack from the side, trying to catch the Inquisitor off guard, but his strike was blocked, and he was pushed back with a Force shove.

"Two against one, and still no match. How disappointing."

Kanan quickly got back to his feet and called to Ezra. "Attack him from the flank! Make him focus on you!"

Ezra nodded and charged at the Inquisitor, delivering quick, erratic strikes that forced the enemy to concentrate on him. Meanwhile, Kanan moved stealthily behind, preparing a surprise attack.

The Inquisitor, however, wasn't easily fooled. In a fluid motion, he turned his saber toward Ezra, blocking an attack while using a Force push to send Kanan flying several meters backward. "Did you really think I'd be so predictable?"

Ezra attempted to use the Force to throw him off balance, but the Inquisitor countered, momentarily immobilizing Ezra with a Force choke that left him gasping for air.

Kanan, recovering from the blow, focused his energy into a powerful Force push that freed Ezra and staggered the Inquisitor. Taking advantage of the opening, the two Jedi attacked in unison, their sabers striking from opposite angles.

The Inquisitor was forced to retreat, his spinning blade working frantically to deflect their coordinated strikes. The air crackled with the sound of clashing sabers as the fight intensified. Now, the Inquisitor began to show signs of frustration; his movements, though still precise, lost some of their fluidity.

"Come on, Ezra! Keep up the pressure!" Kanan urged as he delivered a vertical slash that forced the Inquisitor to leap backward.

Ezra executed an acrobatic jump, attempting a downward strike that the Inquisitor blocked, though the impact made him stumble. "You're not as invincible as you think!" Ezra exclaimed, his confidence renewed.

Just when it seemed the Jedi were gaining the upper hand, the Inquisitor used a surprise maneuver. He extended his hand and unleashed a burst of Force push at the ground, impacting where Kanan and Ezra were and separating them. Kanan barely managed to maintain his footing while Ezra fell to his knees.

"Is that all you've got? Pathetic." The Inquisitor said as he advanced toward Ezra, his saber poised to deliver the final blow.

However, before he could strike, Kanan intervened, blocking the attack with all his strength. "Not while I'm here!" he growled, forcing the Inquisitor back with a shout of effort.

The battle intensified under the glow of the lightsabers and the elongated shadows cast by the surrounding flames. The Jedi, panting but resolute, regained their footing and attacked in unison, their movements synchronized in a ballet of blue and green light against the crimson glow of the Grand Inquisitor. The duel seemed endless until a fleeting moment of carelessness gave Kanan the opening he needed: with a precise strike, he deflected the Inquisitor's double-bladed saber, deactivating it and sending it flying out of reach.

The Grand Inquisitor fell to his knees, his breathing labored, his face a mixture of fury and resignation. Before he could move, Ezra, filled with determination, used the Force to pull the fallen saber into his hand. With a sharp snap, he activated the red blade, pointing it directly at the Inquisitor's neck.

"What are you waiting for, young Jedi?" the Inquisitor's voice resonated, cold and defiant even in his vulnerable state. His yellow eyes locked onto Ezra's, unflinching. "Finish it. Kill me. Strike me down."

Ezra stood motionless, his face tense, his jaw clenched as he considered the Inquisitor's words. The crimson glow illuminated his features, reflecting the inner turmoil consuming him.

"Ezra, no." Kanan's voice rose, urgent and filled with warning. "He's unarmed. This isn't what we do."

But Ezra didn't break eye contact with the Inquisitor, his gaze fixed on the enemy's piercing eyes. "He tried to kill us—more than once," he muttered, his words laced with restrained anger. "I should end this once and for all." His voice cracked slightly, but his resolve was evident.

Kanan stepped forward, raising a hand to stop him. "This isn't the way, Ezra. Don't do it."

"It's exactly what I'm going to do." Ezra's voice carried a chilling calm that even startled himself. Without hesitation, he moved the blade closer to the Inquisitor's neck.

"Ezra, no!" Kanan's shout came too late. The Grand Inquisitor's body slumped forward, his head severed from his torso, as the red lightsaber sputtered in Ezra's trembling hand.

For a moment, silence filled the air, broken only by the distant sound of blaster fire on the horizon.

Kanan stared at the scene, a mix of disbelief and disappointment on his face. "Why, Ezra? You know we don't strike down defenseless opponents. This isn't what Jedi do."

Ezra slowly lowered the saber, deactivating it. His face remained hardened, his gaze cold. "Maybe the Jedi are wrong." He replied in a low but firm voice, without looking at Kanan.

Kanan regarded him with a look of profound sorrow, but before he could respond, a barrage of blaster fire interrupted the moment. Imperial reinforcements had arrived, their blasters roaring in their direction and forcing them to act.

"Karabast!" Kanan ignited his blue saber, deflecting the shots with precise movements. "We'll deal with this later. Right now, we have to survive."

Ezra activated his saber without a word, joining Kanan as they fought off the new enemies. Yet the shadow of the act committed and the growing rift between master and apprentice lingered, even as they fought side by side for their lives.

---

Vader was relentless, though I knew what to expect. After all, we had clashed many times. I had learned to fight under the tutelage of the man in black, the man whose face had always been hidden from me. I knew the intricacies of his refined version of Djem So, a fighting style that blended elements of Ataru, Soresu, and Makashi. I had repelled many savage and powerful attacks that could have bested even an extraordinary Jedi Knight. I had endured the weight of countless psychological battles.

"You are weak." Vader said as he launched a second series of brutal strikes, each of which I blocked with elegant precision.

Vader fought brilliantly, using nothing but lethal blows. His intent was to kill. He only needed the smallest mistake, a tiny opening in my defense.

I swore I would not give him any.

I spun and danced around my master's defense, pushing it to the limit.

"You thought I was dead." I said, letting that small triumph build up and strengthen my resolve. Our lightsabers danced, intertwining, moving and sparking in a way that would have been beautiful if their purpose wasn't deadly.

"However, I survived and waited, preparing... preparing for this moment." I said as our lightsabers clashed, sparks flying, Vader's mask right in front of me.

Vader responded with a low grunt, his mechanical breathing marking the rhythm of the battle like a war drum. His movements, though methodical, had an unrelenting intensity, a weight that made every strike vibrate through my arm as I blocked it. It was like fighting a storm; every step, every twist, every charge seemed designed to wear down both my body and my spirit.

"Your preparation was not enough, apprentice," Vader said in a chilling tone, gliding toward me with a series of downward slashes that seemed to tear the very air. "Your obsession has only delayed the inevitable."

I avoided a lateral strike with a swift spin, using the Force to push myself backward and create distance. "Inevitable? Perhaps. But not tonight." My voice was firm, though I felt the burn in my muscles, the weight of years of training battling both myself and my creator.

With a roar, Vader raised his free hand, and a nearby cargo container detached from its position, flying toward me like a projectile. I raised my hand in response, halting it just a few meters away with the Force. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I redirected it to the side, where it crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

"You always underestimated my strength, Vader," I said, closing the distance between us with a burst of rapid strikes, pushing his defense to the limit. "You always thought you could control me."

Vader did not respond with words, but with an unexpected move: his saber moved in a low arc, and I had to retreat quickly to avoid it cutting my legs. He took advantage of my retreat to push me with the Force, throwing me into a nearby wall with such force that the impact left cracks in the metal.

I staggered to my feet, gasping, but still holding my lightsaber with determination. "You can't control me anymore, Vader. Your chains don't bind me."

"The chains were never for you," Vader replied, his voice resonating with a sinister echo as he slowly advanced toward me. "You are the one who cannot escape from yourself. You don't have enough passion, and your hatred for me has diminished. That is what makes you weak."

Before I could retort, Vader charged with brutal force, his strikes so fast and heavy that I could barely keep up. Sparks flew again as our blades crossed, illuminating our figures in a fierce duel of wills. I used my agility to dodge his most devastating attacks, launching precise counterstrikes at the openings in his defense, but every time I thought I had the advantage, he seemed to anticipate it, adjusting his stance with the cold efficiency of a predator.

"Your training was not to defeat me, apprentice," Vader said, his tone devoid of mockery. "It was to turn me into everything you cannot be. Into everything you fear."

My hands trembled from the effort of maintaining the block against a particularly strong blow, our sabers locked at a dead point. "I fear nothing, Vader. And certainly not you." I pushed with all my strength, managing to knock his saber aside and spinning to land a cut at his side. But Vader blocked it with a fluid twist, countering with a strike toward my head that I barely managed to dodge.

"Then show me." Vader responded. But before we could continue, an explosion shook the ground where we stood. One of the Imperial transports had fallen, and that's when I saw the majestic shape of the Ghost flying overhead, destroying the other Imperial transports. The sight made me smile.

"Looks like my reinforcements have arrived." I said in a mocking tone, to which Vader didn't respond, only delivering another thrust that I blocked.

---

The confrontation with the stormtroopers had come to an end, but the battle was far from over. Kanan and Ezra hurriedly advanced into the communications tower, where they found Sabine and Chopper working frantically at the controls. Sabine turned toward them, furrowing her brow and breathing heavily.

"What the hell is going on out there?" she asked urgently, her voice filled with concern.

"Let's just say we've got company, and not the good kind," Kanan replied, as Ezra quickly made his way to the control panel where the microphone awaited.

"Do you know what you're going to say?" Kanan asked, his tone calmer, though the tension was clear in his eyes.

"Yeah." Ezra replied with a certainty that left no room for doubt.

Sabine nodded as she made one last adjustment to the system. "Alright. You can speak... now." she said, gesturing with her hand.

Ezra took a deep breath and began:

"We have been called criminals, but we are not. We are rebels, fighting for the people, fighting for you. I'm not that old, but I remember a time when things were better on Lothal. Maybe not great, but never like this. See what the Empire has done to your lives, your families, and your freedom? It's only gonna get worse, unless we stand up and fight back. It won't be easy. There will be loss and sacrifice. But we can't back down just because we're afraid. That's when we need to stand the tallest. That's what my parents taught me. That's what my new family helped me remember. Stand up together. Because that's when we're strongest, as one. You do not know what it takes to win a war. But I do. So don't be afraid,because we are gonna make it. May the force be with you always."

The words resonated with a weight almost tangible in the air as Ezra turned off the microphone. He looked at Kanan, his face illuminated by a mix of hope and uncertainty.

"Was it worth it? Do you think anyone heard?" he asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.

"I have a feeling they did." Kanan replied with a slight nod. However, before they could process what they had just done, a deafening crash shook the entire structure.

"What's happening?" Sabine asked, alarmed.

"The Empire is trying to bring down the communications tower. They want to bury us here," Kanan replied, his tone grave.

"Then we better get out immediately," Ezra said, taking the lead. Without another word, the three of them ran toward the exit, Chopper following closely behind.

---

Outside, the battlefield remained a chaotic mess. The echo of blaster fire and the roar of engines filled the air. Every movement required my full concentration as I faced Vader. His mastery was still relentless, and my body was beginning to give way to exhaustion. Something inside me wasn't right; before, I could endure prolonged battles without blinking, but now... now my strength seemed to be fading quickly.

A flash in the distance caught my attention: Kanan, Ezra, Sabine, and Chopper emerged from the tower, narrowly avoiding an explosion that threatened to consume them. On the other side of the field, more Imperial troops were approaching, backed by heavy vehicles.

"There's no way they can escape without help," I thought as I blocked another of Vader's devastating attacks. My mind flooded with memories: the moments shared with the Ghost crew, Zeb's jokes, Hera's bravery, Sabine's creativity, Ezra's innocence, and Kanan's calm leadership. I couldn't let it all end here.

Making a decision, I pushed Vader back with a burst of the Force, creating enough space to act. Without explanation, I ran into the crossfire, stepping between the stormtroopers and my friends.

"Galen, what are you doing?!" Sabine shouted, her voice filled with concern. I briefly turned toward her, my gaze filled with determination.

"I'm sorry, Sabine," I said, almost in a whisper. Something in my tone made her stop, her eyes reflecting a fear I had never seen before. She knew what I was about to do, or at least had an idea.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I shouted with all my might. Without hesitation, they obeyed, running toward the Ghost, which had descended enough to allow them to board.

Confident that they were out of reach, I closed my eyes and let the Force flow through me. Gathering every last fragment of energy I had left, I levitated into the air. I felt the Force enveloping me, intensifying until I could no longer contain it. With a heart-wrenching scream, I released everything in a massive Force Repulse.

The explosion of energy was monumental, lighting up the battlefield with a blinding flash. The stormtroopers closest to me were instantly disintegrated, and the remaining vehicles and troops were sent flying in opposite directions, like leaves in a storm.

The last thing I saw before succumbing to exhaustion was the chaos I had created. My vision faded as I fell to the ground, but a small smile crossed my face, knowing at least they would be safe.

---

The atmosphere on the Ghost was charged with emotions. Kanan, Sabine, Ezra, and Chopper hurried up the loading ramp, while the sounds of combat and explosions still rang in their ears. The last image of Galen, enveloped in an explosion of pure Force, remained vivid in their minds. Sabine was torn between fear and anger, unable to accept what had just happened.

"What...? What was that, Kanan?" Ezra asked, his voice trembling as he searched for an explanation.

"Our way out." Kanan replied, though his tone was more somber than triumphant.

"What? No, I'm NOT LEAVING GALEN HERE!" Sabine shouted, taking a step toward the descent ramp.

"He sacrificed himself so we could escape," Kanan said, with an evident effort to stay calm. "We can't let his sacrifice be in vain."

"I don't care," Sabine retorted firmly, turning toward the hatch. "I'm going back down for him."

Kanan sighed, his gaze filled with regret. He knew there was no time for debate, but he couldn't allow Sabine to make a decision that could cost her life. He extended his hand, closing his eyes as he channeled the Force.

"I'm sorry, Sabine," he murmured before the Mandalorian collapsed, falling gently into his arms. Ezra and Chopper watched in silence, their faces reflecting the same mixture of sadness and resignation. Kanan lifted Sabine and boarded the ship, with Chopper rolling behind him and Ezra moving forward with his head bowed.

Upon reaching the cockpit, they were greeted by Hera and Zeb, who were already waiting for them. Hera's worried expression intensified upon seeing Sabine unconscious and noticing Galen's absence.

"What happened down there?" Hera asked, her voice laced with urgency as she looked at Kanan, waiting for answers.

"There's no time to explain. Get us out of here," Kanan said with a tone that brooked no argument.

Hera nodded, though the tension on her face didn't ease. With a swift movement, she adjusted the controls, and the Ghost ascended, leaving the atmosphere of Lothal behind. As the planet grew smaller in the distance, the silence in the cockpit became deafening.

---

On the surface, the communications tower was little more than a pile of rubble. The Imperial vehicles lay scattered like broken toys, and the ground was speckled with bodies. Some soldiers groaned in pain, others lay still, and the most unfortunate ones had been reduced to ashes at the epicenter of the explosion.

From one of the damaged transports, the door slammed open, and Agent Kallus emerged, stumbling slightly due to a leg wound. He leaned against a twisted piece of metal as he moved toward the area where the devastation was most evident. When he reached the center of the disaster, he saw two figures: the imposing Lord Vader, still standing amidst the wreckage, and a body lying on the ground, motionless but intact.

"Is he dead?" Kallus asked cautiously as he observed the man on the ground.

Vader didn't respond immediately. His mechanical breathing was the only sound in the midst of the tomb-like silence. After a few seconds, he tilted his head slightly toward his fallen apprentice. Through the Force, he could sense that he was still alive, though his energy was weak.

"Agent," Vader finally said, his voice echoing darkly, "gather the soldiers who can move. Secure the area. I don't want any witnesses. And bring a medical stretcher. Immediately."

Kallus hesitated for a moment. The order was peculiar, even by Vader's standards, but he knew questioning the Sith Lord wasn't an option. "As you command, my Lord," he responded with a slight nod before turning to organize the troops.

As the soldiers hurried to follow the orders, Vader remained beside Galen's body, his mask expressionless, concealing any emotion. But his thoughts were far from neutral.

'Perhaps you'll still be useful to me,' he thought, his mind already calculating the possibilities. When the troops arrived with medpacs and a stretcher, Vader watched as they placed his former apprentice onto one of the few transports that still functioned.

As the vehicle moved away from the site, Vader slowly turned his attention toward the horizon. The battle had ended, but the war continued, and now he had a new piece to move on the board.

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Well, did you like it? I hope so because it really was a torment to write the fight scenes. It cost me a lot to write them, so I hope I dis it good. Don't forget to comment and leave me your sweet, sweet stones my dear reader, and for those of you who already has, Thank you a lot, is your support the reason I keep doing this. Goodbye and see you next week.