Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, or anything to do with Star Wars. All credit goes to George Lucas, creator of such a wonderful world. I'm just a huge fan, is all
A/N: I'm back! As I said on my profile, I've been away for a very long time, and I am deeply sorry to all my readers. However, I have returned with a re-write of The Dark Knight, one of my very first fan fictions, and peobably my favourite. There has been some major changes, so for anyone who remembers the series, things are going to be far different, and hopefully, a lot better. I sincerely hope I am forgiven for my absence, and that old and new readers will enjoy this re-buffed version of The Dark Knight :)
And so, without further ado, here is the first chapter of The Dark Knight....read, review, but most of all, enjoy!
A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away....
For fifteen years, the Galaxy has been wrought with turmoil. Once a respected senator and chancellor, the evil Lord Sidious, former Chancellor Palpatine of the Republic continues his vicious tyranny over the galaxy, seeking out those who oppose him and eliminating them in a desperate attempt to withhold his grip on domination over all.
The Jedi, former heroes and protectors of the Galaxy, are all but gone. Only few remain, seeking shelter and anonymity where they can. Each day, more and more fall to their doom at the hands of the Emperor's deadliest protégée, Darth Malice.
In turn, the handful of senators who know the truth continue to work effortlessly to find peace, resulting in the formation of a Rebellion to combat the Emperor's vicious regime.
But for now, all hope seems but a distant and improbable glimmer, quickly fading in a sea of darkness and despair. The galaxy needs a hero, someone to brighten the glimmer and stand up for the millions of voices desperate to be heard.
Hope is fading, but a prophecy made thousands of years ago, by the wisest of all to have ever graced the galaxy has returned. Myth and legend is becoming reality, and the one to restore balance and bring peace is ready to reveal himself...
Chapter 1 – Dreaming of the Stars
On a distant planet, far from the civilised, Empire ruled sectors of the galaxy, a young boy, no older than fifteen sat outside of his small home, dreaming of a life he longed to know.
"Ani!....ANI!"
The boy named 'Ani' rolled azure blue eyes and glanced towards the small arched doorway to his home. Chancing a few more minutes, he turned back to his source of interest.
"ANAKIN!"
Anakin sighed, as he heard his mother call him once more. Better to respond, rather than risk a good telling off. His mother could be quite a formidable woman, when need be.
"Ani come on, it's getting late", his mother, Shmi called.
Just a few more minutes...
Anakin ignored her, turning back to gaze longingly at the vast sea of stars above him twinkling down at him.
"Ani, dont make me ask you twice," scolded Shmi, as she entered the circular yard of their small home.
Shmi was a kind woman. Slight, with wispy brown hair and slightly wrinkled skin, she had an air of woman who had lived a hard life, but had never embraced the bitterness many in her position had before her. Wiping her hands on a dishcloth, she smiled sadly at the sight before her.
"Do you think anyone's ever been to them all, mom?" Anakin asked, continuing to stare at the blanket of shining stars.
"I doubt it", Shmi smiled, shaking her head at the never ending curiosity of her son, "Come on, bed young man".
'I wanna be the first one to see them all' announced Anakin proudly, once again ignoring his mother, though not ignorantly. He simply longed to fly amongst those inviting stars.
'"And im sure you will Ani, but just for now, do you think you could get some sleep," she grinned, "Even pilots need their rest, you know".
Anakin rolled his eyes, but allowed a small grin to play about his face, and jumped down from the ledge he was sitting on.
"Sure mom, but I mean it...someday...I'm gonna get off this rock", he announced resolutely, kissing his mother on the cheek. He bounded to his room, leaving Shmi alone in the darkened yard.
"I know you will Ani," Shmi sighed, glancing up at the stars herself, "You're destined for great things", she whispered, before turning in herself.
~*~
Life for Anakin Skywalker was good enough. He had a loving mother, a hard working step father and an annoying but endearing step brother. He had a roof over his head, food on the table and even a job of his own, doing something he loved.
Yet something was missing. His life lacked adventure, excitement....he was just a farm boy, with no hopes of ever leaving his dismal sand covered home planet. Many would think him lucky for the life he had, heck, even Anakin felt lucky, this life was far better from his time as a slave.
But in his dreams, Anakin was far away, soaring through the stars, fighting the Empire, making the galaxy a better place. Whispers of a rebellion had reached the ears of Tatooine, and Anakin longed to join them, and help rid the galaxy of the oppression of the Emperor. His father would say it was none of his business, his mother would fret and say it was too dangerous, and his brother? Well, Owen would most likely make a joke, but Anakin felt a strange hatred every time he heard a report of a family dying, or a Jedi killed because they did not adhere to the Empire's rules.
Besides, Anakin's birthday coincided with the birth of the Empire, a day he was not content with sharing with such an evil establishment. Maybe that was why he felt a longing to fight, to help out. To save.
But they were just dreams. And so far, in his short life, Anakin had learnt that dreams, no matter how real they seemed, or wonderful they felt, were just dreams, and almost never came true.
Almost.
~*~
Anakin yawned loudly as the first slivers of sunlight burst into his bedroom, the sound causing his older brother Owen to send a pillow his way.
"Shut up will ya....s'too early," groaned Owen, burying himself beneath his blankets until only a tuft of dark hair was visible. Anakin grinned, and jumped out of bed. As much as he hated early mornings, he figured life was too short to waste lying in bed.
"The suns are already out....how is that early?" Anakin smirked, tossing the pillow back. Owen let out a jumble of Hutesse curses, before finally dragging himself out of bed.
"That's better," smiled Anakin brightly, before dodging this time a wrench, and diving into the refresher.
"Hey dad?" sounded Anakin, fully dressed and ready for the day. His step-father turned his gaze from the holo-news, to his youngest son, setting down his fork on the kitchen table. Anakin wasn't his true son, but Cliegg wouldn't think any less of him, and loved him just as much as his biological son, Owen.
"Morning Ani," he smiled. Anakin grinned in response, and sat down opposite his step-father. He fidgeted with his breakfast for a moment, unaware of Klieg's amused expression.
"Is there something you want?"
Anakin smiled sheepishly, and nodded.
"Uhhh, I was in Mos Eisely cantina yesterday...and...apparently...well...I only overheard....but there was a guy in there talking of a rebellion," Anakin said rather hesitantly, his curiosity getting the better of him. He doubted Cliegg would approve of such a question, and he was right.
Cliegg narrowed his eyes, and turned back to the holo-news.
"Probably just a drunk," he muttered. Anakin frowned, chewing his lip.
"He was recruiting pilots," the light haired boy continued, "And I was wondering.....maybe I could....you know....go?' he proposed brightly, though inwardly bracing himself for what he knew was coming next.
"No, Anakin we've been through this," Cliegg said sternly, "Look, I need a farmhand who will pitch in, not a son with his head in the stars half the time, I need you here, to help with the harvest....does your family mean nothing to you?"
"That's not fair," Anakin replied through gritted teeth. Not that he wasn't surprised with his father's answer, though it still angered him.
"Life isn't fair son, get used to it," replied Cliegg sarcastically. Anakin jumped from his seat, and stormed from the kitchen, his hands balled into tight fists.
"Ani?" called Shmi, who had just entered the kitchen and was surprised to see her youngest son pushing past her angrily. He ignored her, and stalked off to the garage.
"Cliegg, do you have to be so harsh on him," sighed Shmi, instantly knowing what had most likely happened.
"He has to learn Shmi, he's just a moisture farmer, and moisture farmer's dont go gallivanting halfway across the galaxy, fighting in some unwinnable war," replied Cliegg simply.
"I know," Shmi replied sadly, "But at least try and break it to him a little more gently".
Cliegg watched his wife for a moment, then nodded, looking a little guilty now.
~*~
"It's not fair!" shouted Anakin, launching a wrench across the garage.
"Oh! Master Ani...what's wrong?" asked what appeared to be a half finished droid by the name of C3PO, shocked by his master suddenly bursting into the garage and hurling various objects across the room.
"This place....my life...I'm sick of it!' cried Anakin, kicking a nearby bucket, "Damn it!" He began hopping around the room, clutching his left foot.
C3PO backed away slightly from Anakin, alarmed at his behaviour.
"I'm sure it isn't that bad master Ani," 3PO tried to console him.
Anakin sighed, his faithful droid's attempts calming him, if only a little. For all 3PO could annoy him, the droid had a good heart...or a good programmed heart at any rate.
"I just....I know im meant for bigger things, you know....I just feel like my life is going nowhere," confessed Anakin, collapsing onto and overturned bucket and putting his chin in his hands.
"Well," started 3PO brightly, "You never know what may happen master Ani." The droid turned away from Anakin, sure his outburst was over, and resumed bustling about the garage.
Anakin sighed, but smiled, "Yeah....I guess you're right.....thanks 3PO!"
He raced from the garage, and back into the house, feeling slightly more uplifted than usual, and reminded himself to refrain from being too hard on 3PO...he was a wonderful droid, after all.
~*~
He stood before a great, monumental structure. Vast, perhaps a temple, with five large spires towering towards the stars. It looked both old and new, as if it had only just been restored to a former glory once lost. He turned to the thousands of beings of all races standing before him, screaming and cheering, their faces alight with a happiness he had never seen before. From nowhere, he was hit with a wave of pride, joy, and love, as if he could feel all that the crowd felt, as if he were channelling their joy. The crowd continued to cheer loudly, screaming and chanting something he couldn't quite make out.
"Knight......saviour......dark knight......chosen one....."
But these words meant nothing to him, for his attention was brought to a bright light gliding towards him. It was almost painful to look at, but something kept his eyes fixated upon it. The light grew closer, and brighter, almost within arm's reach.
He could just make out the outline of a woman, small and slender, and though he could not see her face, he knew she must be beautiful. Such radiance could only come from such beauty.
"An angel...." he breathed, reaching out a hand to meet the light.
"Ani.....Ani...." called a musical voice, a mere echo. He smiled, as his heart filled with overwhelming warmth and love.....
The light disappeared. The crowd of cheering beings died down, and was replaced by heart wrenching screams. Sobbing and shouting, the sounds of pleading, desperation and despair. All light was gone, shadows overwhelming, flashes of blue and crackles of electricity.
"Ani...Ani..." the echoing voice of the angel was desperate. He swung his arms blindly, searching for the angel. He had to save her.
"…And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a saviour, and he shall be known as The Son of the Suns".
Anakin sat up abruptly, his forehead beaded with sweat.
"What the...."