Title: A Marked Man

Author: AnakinsFavorite

Characters: Anakin, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, and other characters to come (see summary for more clues)

Summary: This is a fic inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. After the Rebel Alliance discovers that one of the Imperial Dreadnaughts has been abandoned, they send Luke to investigate this mystery. There, he finds only more secrets and a person who was supposed to be dead… Sacrifices are made and bonds formed as the Rebellion gains another member who will ultimately lead them to their victory… or doom.

Disclaimer: I still do not own Star Wars (believe me, if I did, I would be shoving it in all everyone's faces. Also, I do not own Pirates… but you all know that!

Chapter 1: Sure Could Use a Jar of Dirt

It was kind of eerie, walking without hinder through the Star Destroyer's corridors when having done so a mere week ago would have meant certain death. Luke's boots made low scraping sounds as he explored, each of the sounds making him jump.

Leia had begged him not to go- that sister-like quality did always stand out whenever she was being stubborn about something- which had not worked, and Han wisecracked that 'the kid' was going to his death. Lead by his curiosity, Luke nevertheless found himself in the bowls of the ship.

For reasons unexplained and in a way that could not be determined, the Star Destroyer's crew had abruptly abandoned it a week earlier. Since then, the vessel had floated through the emptiness of space, its captain and crew gone.

Luke was there to find out why.

Never before had something of this magnitude happened. There was no sign of a struggle- no blood stained the walls and empty rooms. No ship malfunctions or damage could be detected nor was noted in the ships logs.

Still, it was apparently abandoned. In the bridge, computers flashed, waiting for their users to return to their duties. The cabins were filled with the Imperial's belongings, nothing removed nor displaced.

Days of no sleep began to take its toll on Luke, and without even realizing it, he nodded off to sleep. Had he know that someone was watching him, Luke would probably not have done so…

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For some reason, Luke suddenly twitched and his eyes flew open. His right hand strayed to his lightsaber as the thudding of his heart increased.

No one was there. Only the sight of the flashing screens greeted him.

Sighing and running a shaky hand through his blond hair, Luke settled back into his seat but no longer felt like sleeping. He knew why he'd awoken.

Someone had been there.

There was no physical evidence of this. Nothing had changed in his surroundings, yet Luke had the uncanny feeling that someone was watching him as he slept, hidden somewhere in the darkness of his grim surroundings. Still, even with his meager Jedi skills, Luke knew that there was something going on that wasn't quite right.

With no sudden movements, Luke stood up and slowly walked out of the vast room with his lightsaber in hand. As he stepped out into the hallway, the young Rebel looked for the strong presence he had felt.

Obi-Wan had spoken of being able to feel others through the Force, and though he'd never tried to do so, Luke knew that this had been what he'd experienced and that the being he'd felt was familiar.

Through many an empty passage and rooms he stole, pausing here and there to check his exposed back.

No one.

A slight noise off in the hallway to Luke's right caused him to jump. Luke had been right- someone was one the ship with him, but who?

Cautiously and with more than a little trepidation, Luke slowly stepped towards the room, only too aware that his breathing seemed uncommonly loud in the darkness.

At first, he thought it was a trick of the darkness, but soon swore he saw something in the shadows. The presence he'd felt began to increase in strength until it began to nearly overwhelm Luke.

Silently cursing himself because of his seemingly unending clumsiness, Luke held up his lightsaber in a defensive position. "What are you?" he whispered.

Though Luke had hardly been expecting for a reply, Luke was nevertheless disappointed when he was only met with silence.

Everything became so still and quiet that he could have sworn that he heard breathing. Turning on his flashlight, he looked at the bed but saw that no one hid there, no in the closet.

Suddenly, a large shadow in the corner shifted, causing Luke to jump.

"Come out and show yourself!" Luke commanded though he was feeling rather terrified.

The shadows shifted again without warning, and the being concealed within revealed himself.

Luke found himself staring at a young man who seemed vaguely familiar and slightly resembled himself. His features were mostly hidden by a cloak whose hood was pulled up over his face.

Pulling his hood back, the man revealed that his face was framed with wavy blond hair. Blue eyes identical to Luke's blinked in the dim light.

"My name is Anakin Skywalker, and I am a human like yourself," the man whispered.

Then, without warning, his handsome visage disappeared. In the next moment, Luke resisted the urge to cry out as a corpse-like face covered Anakin's previously handsome one. Gone was the dark robes he'd worn- tattered one's hung off his gaunt and burned form.

"I just wanted to see you with my own eyes so I could tell her."

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Coming Next: Both father and son have odd requests to make of each other, but will they be able to sacrifice for the other?

Note: Don't worry- you will find out all about Anakin's past soon enough!

Yeah, I know I am insane for starting yet another fic, but my Fridays look awfully dull! Feel free to comment (welcome lurkers) - I love replies. I will be updating whenever I feel like it, but I am aiming for most Fridays!