Out of the Night
By Pinkmoon
Disclaimer: I do not own Stars Wars in any shape or form. So please don't sue me.
Summary: He didn't turn, but he couldn't save her either. So Anakin Skywalker runs from the Empire with his children. And now, Luke Skywalker is telling their story.
AN: I have never read anything about the Expanded Universe or any of the books or comics. I've only seen originals all the way through and bits and pieces of the prequels. That said, I'm sure there's a lot I don't know and that there will be mistakes in that regard. I'm also sure several characters will be out of character but hopefully it won't be too unbearable. If anyone wants to point something out or give some kind of advice, I'll appreciate it and try to follow it if the story permits me And to horrify everyone even more, this is my first Star Wars story, though not my first time with fanfiction.. Now after that long intro, here's the story.
Prologue
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul
-"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley
He wasn't going to turn. Mara Jade could see that even if the Emperor couldn't. No, Luke Skywalker was too immersed in the Light side to turn and the Emperor was wasting his and her time. Though if she were to ever dare tell him that─
"Are you just going to stare?" he mumbled, interrupting her thoughts. She glared at the black, Jedi clothed figure stretched out lazily on the metal slab the detention center called a bed. His feet hung off the edge and his arms cradled his blond head. His skin looked dark in the dim light of the room, most likely a tan from his years on Tatooine. His eyes were closed; his chest falling up and down in a slow rhythm. Unfazed, uncaring, unconcerned. His Jedi Master had taught him well.
"Tell me about your father," she demanded, stepping into the light. That man held the greatest sway over Luke Skywalker; everyone knew that much. They relationship was the stuff of legends ranging from romantic, being two force chosen avatars, to the ludicrous, being the innocent, hero-worshiping son and the overbearing, dominate father. If the stories she had heard were true, Luke Skywalker was anything but innocent and Anakin Skywalker was anything but overbearing. Overprotective was probably a better word to describe the man.
Skywalker's blue eyes opened and collided with her green ones. "What concern is he to you?"
"He is the so-called Chosen One. He was one of the most celebrated Jedi until the rise of the Empire. At some point during that time, his secret wife, the Senator Padme Amidala, dies giving birth to twins and he goes into hiding for fifteen years with his children. Later, he becomes one of the leading members of the Rebellion and then Jedi Grand Master on the death of the former Grand Master Yoda and reorganizes the entire Jedi Order. He is of great concern to me." Mara watched as Skywalker's mouth twitched. Finally, she was breaking though the barriers his Jedi training had created. Maybe he would turn after all.
"You already know so much. Why should I tell you anything?" he asked, a slight, almost unnoticeable edge in his voice. This was going splendidly. Now, time to push him a little.
"Well, if you don't want to, I'm sure you're sister would be delighted to tell me anything I want to know," she smiled sweetly at him, her green eyes flashing cruelly.
In an instant, his eyes became ice and he suddenly stood right in front of her. He towered over her, leaned down close to her face. His eyes narrowed; his face became like flint. She could sense the Force crackling around him, waiting to strike. He was close to falling, and she was almost intimidated.
"You touch her, and I'll kill you," he breathed dangerously, his warm breath rushing over her face. She was tempted to take a step back, a step away from the barely caged beast that waited behind his eyes, begging to be released. But that would be a sign of weakness and she refused to be weak in front of her prisoner.
"That's not very Jedi like of you," she murmured.
"I'm not your average Jedi." His voice was low, his face frozen.
"So I've heard."
They glared at each other, tension surrounding them. The Force seemed to swirl about them, as if anticipating something.
"You either start talking, Skywalker," she whispered, "or I'll go to your sister's cell right now. I wonder if your father will be able to hear her screams. Or if the child she carries will be able to survive an interrogation droid."
She smiled as she watched his hands clench and his breathing deepen. And waited. Waited for him to fall, to touch the part of the Force he had always shied away from. Waited for her mission to start falling into place.
"You're lucky I'm not my father, or you wouldn't be breathing right now," he mumbled and turned to sit back on his bed.
She contained her disappointment and restrained from sighing. More time wasted.
"Just what do you want to know?" he sighed as he stretched back out on the bed, tucking an arm under his head.
"Everything."
"Then sit down. You'll be here for awhile."
Well, thank you for reading this far. Please review and give me your opinions.
Pinkmoon