This chapter was written with months in between them, so it is not one of the best chapters I have ever written. I had this chapter in my Doc Manager for over a year. Hope you enjoy though!
Beyond the Bounds
Chapter 9 – Reminiscent
Anakin walked alone through the gathering darkness. Night held the Jedi Temple and most of the Jedi were either sleeping or swarming through the city for night patrol, something he was glad not to be doing at this time of the hour. He wasn't ready, didn't trust himself to go outside nor did he dare leave his newfound son alone. Instead, he stepped into the kitchen and grabbed some food on a platter and moved back to his room.
The way back advanced with difficulty, his mind was swirling with dark thoughts. Something he knew he shouldn't be having, but his raging thoughts took over, growing fiercely and Anakin wanted to lash out at him.
How could he?
He'd trusted him!
Sadness. Frustration. Despair. Fear.
That is how he felt right at this moment; to be betrayed by one of his closest associates, a man he had known for nearly all of his life as a Jedi. it was pure betrayal. Aching pain swelled up deep inside of him, pushing, trying to get out. His free hand balled into a fist as his other hand clutched at the platter.
"Father–" A voice, Luke warned through their Force Bond: accounting for his fierce anger, attempting to nullify it with calm words, to douse the flames burning in his wild heart.
Anakin panicked slightly, "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that." he assured his son and strolled back through the hallways until he arrived in his room and looked at Luke, who lay flat on his back for the first time since waking up in the medical center hours earlier.
He put the platter on the nightstand next to Luke's bed and tossed him an apple, who caught it single-handedly before moaning and trying to get back up.
"Have you come to terms with the Sith Lord's identity?" Luke asked somewhat tiredly, munching on the fruit.
"The fact that Darth Sidious is the Supreme Chancellor? I don't know…" Anakin muttered, taking a seat on his own bed, "The things he's done to me over the past two decennia without me realizing it. I still have trouble believing him to be this dark and twisted Sith Lord who'll be the end of the Jedi, the Galactic Republic and of myself…" he trailed off, "I never thought him to be so cruel, I could always rely on him if something bothered me."
"What about Obi-Wan? Aren't you two friends?" Luke asked in high expectation.
"More than that, he's like the father I've never had… but I can't tell him. He wouldn't understand." Anakin pursed his lips and shook his head. He reached out and opened the drawer of the nightstand, snatching his datapad from the base plate and starting the device, "Maybe we can look up the Chancellor's schedule for the upcoming days and set up a plan."
"Good idea," Luke eyes drifted away in thought, and Anakin had a nagging feeling that perhaps… maybe… something in Luke's voice indicated that he knew Obi-Wan, and that's when he remembered his son back in Palpatine's office and soon afterward. He'd literally clung himself to his old Master. Could that mean Obi-Wan survived…? And were they still friends if he had? A Jedi and a Sith…
No wait, that couldn't be right, Luke had been surprised at Obi-Wan's existence, and he had said he was dead.
Anakin's lips set in a grim line, but he said nothing.
"Father, I think I have an idea," Luke said suddenly and Anakin blinked out of his thoughts, "you said the assassin meant to kidnap me survived and escaped. Knowing Sidious he'll have him do it again until he's finally got me, the guy's definitely not one to give up. Use me as a bait until we capture him."
Anakin crossed his arms and snorted, "What? That's a terrible idea, I am not going to use you as bait." he stated firmly.
Luke gave him a pleading look. "Who else do you want us to use as bait? You? The one he's after is me so it should be me."
Anakin shook his head as Luke's plea fell on deaf ears. "No one's going to be a bait. Just what do you hope to accomplish by having an assassin in our custody anyway?"
"Beside the fact I might finally go outside of the Jedi Temple without being shot down, we can use him to our advantage in the future. Have him detained and make him confess when necessary. I'm sure he knows his employee." Luke claimed profoundly.
"Why can't we just tell the Council? It's faster, much easier and more effective. You're risking your life right now." Anakin demanded painfully.
Luke's lips set in a grim line as Anakin shook his head in dejection. He didn't like Luke's idea at all. It was too dangerous.
"I told you before father: you don't know what the Jedi might be up to. I'm not saying they're not to be trusted, in fact, I'm sure they have good intentions at heart. But remember you have just one shot at this. Informing them will alert Sidious as well and who knows what'll happen! Just… Just be patient father. One thing at a time. The Force warned me and told me not to confront Sidious, we have to trust that."
As it began to sink in upon him, Anakin gradually allowed himself to understand that the long road was far more promising rather than taking the quick and easier one. Wasn't that the way of the Sith anyway? He took a slow, deep breath and relaxed. Patience Anakin, he heard the memory of his old Master whisper in his mind.
"I don't know how you manage to be so calm," Anakin replied eventually.
"I speak from experience," Luke let out a soft chuckle, "though trust me when I was younger I used to be reckless as well. Sometimes with friends, I got stubborn and told them I was the best star pilot out there who could beat everyone in a race." Luke said confidently, reminiscing about one particular event in the past. "It's true though, I did beat everyone." He added in amusement.
Pride swelled in Anakin's heart, and a sly smirk covered his face. "I see you inherited my love for flying, though, seeing as you're de-aging I must ask: what's your definition of 'younger'?"
"Oh, yeah, that." Luke stared at him sheepishly, "yeah I think it was around this age, maybe even younger… I remember going to Biggs' house with Tank hashing out plans on our future at the Imperial Flight Academy. We all got excited on the prospect of flying together, soaring through the skies…" he mumbled more to himself, and Anakin duly noted how his son's thoughts appeared to be wandering somewhere else.
"You have me lost there," Anakin said flatly, reawakening Luke's attention.
"Sorry," Luke replied instantly, his eyebrows rose staring at the apple core in his hands, "you know, it's funny really…"
"Funny?" Anakin repeated in awe.
There was a stiff nod.
"These… thoughts – or more specifically memories, feel like they'd happened just mere hours ago… or maybe days I'm not even sure myself," Anakin watched his son struggle for the right words, and dread realization began to creep into his mind.
"Does that mean you truly are forgetting the events from when you were older?" He automatically tossed his datapad aside and rose from his bed. Inching over to his son who glanced at him before shaking his head.
Luke shook his head. "No, all I'm saying is that these memories feel newer to me. More recent."
"Then what about the memories of your oldest self?" Anakin prodded uneasily.
Luke lowered his eyes and squeezed his hands tightly into the delicate material of the bed sheets. He sighed, "They feel… very distant. Like they happened some time ago, many, many years ago… Of course, I can still remember them, and they're easily comparable to an adult reminiscing bits and pieces of their childhood, but… I can't help but feel weird. Maybe it's the poison." he added against better judgment.
Anakin opened his mouth and then closed it, unable to speak. His mind was racing again, but this time they weren't flooded with strong dark emotions. Instead, he wondered what to do if Luke did forget just in case. He'd be stuck with an innocent young man that would regress in age by the day while also having to fight against a powerful Sith Lord. How could he ever combine that? After what happened four days ago, he didn't dare leave his son in anyone else's care other than himself, although his wife was a good option… or just maybe Obi-Wan…
Anakin sighed, his old Master was right.
Skywalkers did have a knack for getting themselves into trouble. Big trouble.
As if sensing his thoughts, Luke turned to him and spoke urgently, "It's not a big deal. I still remember and I always will. Like I said they only feel distant."
"I understand." He whispered gently, ruffling his son's sandy blonde hair in a very fatherly gesture, and it felt so right to be doing this. Luke blinked in surprise, stunned apparently, before looking up and meeting his gaze.
His pale-blue eyes spoke a thousand words to Anakin: Luke had never experienced the love of a father before, at least not from him. He had no idea of the things the other him had done to Luke in the future, but he doubted Sith Lords cared for their children. They were usually more concerned about themselves.
It made him think uneasily: just what had his son gone through in the future?
"Pass me a comlink." Luke began suddenly, reaching out his hand.
"What are you on about?" Anakin demanded incredulously, cautiously eying his son's outstretched palm.
Luke jumped to his feet and opened the nightstand drawer next to his bed hiding his lightsaber. With a nod, Luke hooked the weapon to his belt and turned to a perplexed Anakin. "It's time to get started and find the assassin. Obi-Wan will get suspicious if he sees us communicating through the Force too much, although I fear that might already be the case." Luke frowned, seemingly in thought about something.
"You think Obi-Wan knows?" Anakin muttered before blinking and scowling, "Wait a minute. I don't agree with this! And who said anything about involving Obi-Wan into this mess?"
Luke let out a sigh. "I know you don't, which is exactly why we should tell your old Master about the plan and have you both watch me. "
Anakin's brows knitted in a frown. "…I don't know about this. And you believe this is the only way?"
There was a momentary hesitation before his son shook his head and sighed. "We cannot go after Palpatine, the Force has specifically shown me that. So yes, I think this would be a good start. We need evidence." He reasoned.
"Fine then. But you better don't get yourself hurt." Anakin argued as he unhooked one of his comlinks and gave it to Luke, who attached it to his own belt before nodding.
"I won't."
"Good."
"Do you know any popular nightlife venues assassins like to hang around?" Luke asked and Anakin frowned.
"I do, but aren't you tired?"
There was a shrug, "I've slept for four days, I'm hardly tired."
Anakin tapped the soft sheets fervently with his right index finger as he sat thinking about Luke's safety. Force! Did his future son have a death wish? He couldn't have recovered from the poison so soon and neither was he likely to get past the security guard as the club only gave access to those above twenty. But then again, the Force was with his son. And there is no doubt in Anakin's mind that his son's sudden appearance is not without reason.
"…I suppose heading out right now might be a wise thing to do, considering your condition. I'll go get Obi-Wan. Wait here and collect your stuff." With a shake of the head, Anakin stood and rushed out of the room to find his old master.
