Events that play out in time are not always what one would expect to happen. There are always deviations in the stories we read or hear about and that is what the Variant Timelines truly are. They are worlds and universes where their stories have deviated through small acts with profound impact.
However, there are versions of these realities where they have extremely deviated from their original path.
There is a version where the Battle of Hogwarts had been won by Voldemort's faction instead of by the Boy Who Lived and ones where the fabled Potter family had been fully wiped out by an alternate Dark Lord before anything could be done. There is also a version of the Galaxy itself where the Galactic Empire never truly fell and where the Skywalker twins never got the chance to live.
Within the Variant Timelines, there are many different variations of these worlds and it is also a place where many different fan fictions take place though not all of those fan writers knew they had been tapping into these alternate realities through their imaginations. It is in one these alternate realities where our story truly takes place.
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<~(Coruscant, 3643 BBY)~>
We open up upon the Senate Building where it is thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire. Various senators walk through the building's hallways and even debate on various topics behind closed doors in between senate gatherings, but today was different.
Two people-one who wields a lightsaber at their waist and one who appeared to be quite important to the Republic SIS-walked into a private room and began discussing something neither the Council nor the Republic High Command was willing to be let out into even the senators. Judging from how their eyes kept shifting around with suspicion before the silencing mechanisms engaged and all recording devices were deactivated with a controlled EMP (Electro-magnetic Pulse, fyi), they were dead serious on making sure this confidential information was not leaked.
Once they heard a soft "bzzt" flood the room, they both let out a collective exhale of relief-unaware they had been holding their breath. They looked into each other's eyes and they quickly got to work.
A hologram appeared between them and it showed a report of strange energy fluctuations over Coruscant and Dromund Kaas' upper atmospheres. Neither of them knew what type of energy it was, but as only one of the duo was Force-sensitive, they managed to understand from the Coruscant readings that whatever was causing these fluctuations was something beyond their understanding.
"Neither the SIS nor Jedi Council have any idea of what is causing these strange readings?" the agent inquired.
"None," the Jedi confirmed. "It is as if whatever is causing them simply is not known to us at all. Even the other members of the Council feel nervous about what this might signify."
"What about that one that is prophesied?" the agent again inquired. "Maybe these strange readings involve them?"
They were, of course, talking about Erebus in this inquiry although they didn't know his name yet.
The agent quickly shifted their attention towards the readings gathered from Dromund Kaas and said "From what our rivals in Imperial Intelligence have gathered, it seems like these readings are too similar to be a coincidence. We also know that they have readings from Coruscant as well, but nothing is yet known about what they plan to do."
The Jedi looked over the reports and, almost as if the Force itself was guiding them, felt that the agent's hypothesis was correct. They knew that whatever was causing these readings signified something or someone was indeed coming, but it was also plainly obvious that the two worlds are landing areas of some kind.
"It is probable," the Jedi nodded as they continued, "but there is an issue. Both worlds appear to be obvious landing areas and they are controlled by different factions. It is highly likely that they might land in either world."
It was true, but at the same time, not completely. What neither of them truly knew was that there were also similar energy fluctuations over Tython and Korriban as well. What was happening was Erebus' System put the man himself in a unique aperture to decide which faction he would join first.
<==+==>
(A/N: I just realized that in the previous chapter had Erebus selecting Coruscant as his destination instead of where he was going, but I won't change it because I find it a bit more interesting for him to find out these little loopholes in later chapters.)
<~(Location Selection)~>
[You have arrived in the year 3643 BBY and must now select a world to begin your adventure in. As you are capable of wielding both the Light and Dark sides of the Force, you have been given the chance to choose which of the four worlds currently owned by the two factions.] The System said to Erebus as the four worlds showed up on a list.
[Be warned! No matter where you choose, there is a potential probability of being sighted by a welcoming party by either faction!] the System finished.
Erebus became very cautious upon hearing what his System told him as his eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that no matter what he would do, his midi-chlorian count was far too high to not be sighted by other Force-sensitives. There was always going to be risks involved in wherever he goes, but he wanted to play it safe.
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Back on Terra-before the asteroid would wipe out most of the life there-he remembered playing those Star Wars video games with his siblings and parents. He always played the completionist route with every class offered-completing every quest and attempting to discover hidden lore wherever possible. It had gotten to the point where he even lost sleep some nights just to find some obscure item or lore dialogue in those games.
Those memories-even now as a Remnant Soul-were crystal clear to him.
'I promise,' he said to himself as he felt tears threatening to burst forth from his eyes from the memories of his family's bright joyous smiles. 'I'll come back. I'll do what I can to save you or save our world.'
He unknowingly unclenched his right hand as he felt determined to find a way to return to Terra-even if the path forward made him walk through Hell itself.
After a moment of self-reflection, he looked at the list of worlds once more. He knew that neither faction really had many pros or cons as the Imperials were psychopaths and the Republic were simply stuffy, but there were no other options available from he saw.
'Korriban,' Erebus pondered to himself. 'The ancient homeworld of the Sith and where many Lords and Darths are buried. Dark spirits haunt these their tombs and-judging from the time period-filled with K'lor slugs. Not exactly a favorite place to harness the Dark Side, but many of the Acolytes there are former slaves and those masters tend to favor their offspring while looking down on those they see as "impure" in the process. Considering that I am currently emotional from my own death and the Force feeds of emotions...'
He decided to hold off on choosing a world for now as he looked at the other worlds.
'Tython,' he pondered next. 'The ancient homeworld of the Jedi Order. In this time period, the Jedi trained on this world to nurture their padawans and help them discover the mysteries of the ancient ruins littered all around the planet's surface. It also has its fair share of problems considering the issues with the planet's native species and-if my guess is correct-rogue Jedi learners gone mad from their ancestors trying to spread their ancient knowledge. If I chose this world, it is likely I could be a Consular or Knight, but I wouldn't put it off on a whim.'
He then looked at Dromund Kaas next. It was roughly similar to what he thought about Korriban except for a few differences like slavery (which was illegal on Terra, so he has some concerns over that), forced confessions, and the overall feel of the world's lore from what he recalled.
Yes, the game Star Wars: The Old Republic existed on Terra too!
Finally, he took a look an Coruscant. His thoughts on it were also quite mixed as it is famous-even from the movies and animated shows too-as being the center of the Galactic Republic and where in the future Sheev Palpatine will command the Clone Wars and stage the rise of the Empire from. Erebus knew that if he really wanted to change the future on a massive scale, he could choose this world to go to first and begin planting preparations to overthrow Palpatine in the future and nip the bud of the Empire before giving it a chance to grow.
However, he got the feeling that he shouldn't make too many waves in the present time period to affect his future endeavors.
'There will be opportunities in the future to screw over Palpatine,' Erebus thought to himself as he decided to avoid Coruscant for now. 'What is MORE important at the moment is to mend my soul so I can be stronger when I encounter the Clone Wars and the many mistakes the Jedi will encounter in the future.'
[Location: Coruscant has been greyed out due to Host's choice,] the System responded and Erebus did see that it had been greyed out.
Turning our attention to Coruscant's upper atmosphere for a moment, the SIS had just issued a report to High Command that the energy fluctuations over the planet have vanished-alerting the Council there as well. Both the Jedi and SIS agent received the same notification and realized that their hypothesis is true.
Returning back to Erebus, he now had only three planets left to choose from. Korriban, Dromund Kaas, and Tython were left as possible landing areas.
Erebus quickly pondered a bit more about the three locations left and realized that these places gave him more opportunity to plan ahead for the events to transpire. Korriban allowed him to study the Dark Side of the Force, Tython for the Light Side, and Dromund Kaas to act as a sort of hub world in where he could adventure throughout the Galaxy. What Erebus wanted at the moment was a place to where he could traverse the wider Galaxy and he could always discover the secrets of both sides of the Force later on.
That and if he chose Tython as a starting place, he'd be forced to go to Coruscant too early. Thus, he tapped on "Dromund Kaas."
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[Location: Dromund Kaas]
Lore: [As the third planet in the Dromund system, it is the capital of the Sith Empire during the current period of time. It has little historical significance after 2000 BBY with little mentions following the Empire's dissolution, but remains a place of interest for both Sith and Jedi in the future. It is here where the Imperials call home for the next 1900 years.]
Factions: [Sith Empire], [Sith (Force Faction)]
You have chosen this planet to begin your adventures in the Galaxy. Are you sure?
Y/N?
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"Yes," Erebus confirmed.
As soon as he confirmed his choice, multiple things happened. First, the other locations were greyed out by the System. Second, a notification popped up telling Erebus that he will spawn in the jungle swamp nearby the Unfinished Colossus in roughly two minutes. Lastly-and unaware to Erebus-the sensors above Dromund Kaas registered an increased frequency of the strange energy readings centered around the jungle area. This alerted Imperial Intelligence-and by extension the Dark Council-of where Erebus will be spawning.
<==+==>
What neither Erebus nor the Dark Council knew at the time was there was another observer of the strange phenomena looming over the jungle. No, it wasn't Darth Baras nor Zash, but it was Valkorion himself. He-unlike Marr or Vowrawn-did not know about the plan involving Erebus, but did pay attention to the flow of the Force.
For the time being, he was content to see what was going on and enjoy the "game" ahead while building up his Eternal Empire.
"Let's see what will happen..." Valkorion muttered as his gaze on Zakuul turned int the rough direction of Dromund Kaas.
<==+==>
[While you wait, your first Campaign Quest has been automatically issued. Please check your log,] the System announced as the countdown timer began at 1:59.
Erebus quickly pulled up the log and saw the only entry there was. He tapped on it.
<=-+-=>
{Campaign Quest: Rise of the Outworlder I}
[You are the Outworlder-a person not meant to exist within the Variant Timelines, but does in defiance of known logic due to the extreme Providence around you. In this Campaign, you will make your name known across the chaotic realities in which you traverse while mending your remnant soul.]
[In this entry-level quest, you have chosen to arrive on Dromund Kaas to gain a foothold in this troublesome era far before the rise of Darth Vader. Now, you must complete the listed objectives before going even further.]
- Reach Level 20: 2/20
- Reach the peak of [Mortal Refinement]: 0/1
- Uncover the secrets of the Dark Side (Acolyte): 0/1
- Uncover the secrets of the Light Side (Padawan): 0/1
- {Campaign Story: Rise of the Outworlder II}
- +1000 Credits
- +1000 EXP
- +1 [Avatar Slot - Potterverse]
<=-+-=>
He had just finished reading the log for his quest when the System announced that there was only ten seconds left before he would spawn in the jungle. This made Erebus understand he only had so much time left and began to mentally prepare himself as the world went black once more.