Flashback - Anakin POV
Anakin Skywalker, AKA the Dread Pirate Roberts, was pissed.
He had finally gained control of the pirate ship and crew, found his way back to this karking end of nowhere planet, and discovered that Obi-Wan was cosied up with the Prince of Florin.
He thought his Master was dead. He had to be, since Obi-Wan had never come for him.
But no, he had never left the planet.
Anakin actually had mixed feelings, when he allowed himself to think about it. He was happy Obi-Wan wasn't dead, but… he felt betrayed.
Keeping an eye on Prince Humperdinck's castle, Anakin was surprised to see Obi-Wan running out into the night. It didn't seem very smart and his Master generally didn't run away from anything (except his duty to his Padawan).
No one pursued him, so Anakin followed, his black clothes blending in with the dark trees.
The sound of a scuffle and men talking brought him up short.
Anakin slipped silently towards the sound and his heart leapt as he saw a giant carrying an unmoving Obi-Wan over his shoulder.
Obi-Wan's hands were bound, which calmed Anakin a bit. You didn't tie up a dead man.
Following them to the shoreline, Anakin stole a boat that was small enough to remain unseen and easy for one man to use.
Wondering where they were headed, Anakin followed the rather loud men to an intimidating cliff face.
Surely, they weren't going up there! With Obi-Wan's hands bound, and his obvious lack of the Force, there was no way they could all climb that.
Incredulously, Anakin watched as they strapped everyone to the giant who pulled them all up the rope.
With a great, put-upon sigh, Anakin started climbing.
-000-
Inigo was an honorable man. As they sparred, Anakin missed his lightsaber. It had been sold long ago by the pirates, and Anakin had trained with the sword. The weight was different, but his training had proved applicable.
Both men used their left hands to spar, and Inigo was very quick. But Anakin was strong, stronger than he had ever been.
Without the Force, he had to train harder to keep himself in top condition. He had learned a great deal about what life was like as a normal person. It was both horrible and freeing. The Force had always shouted in his mind, and the quiet was nice, now. It wasn't at first. He was miserable and helpless, lashing out at the pirates who had captured him and threatening to kill them all for putting the collar on him.
Anakin swung particularly hard as he remembered the first days of near-slavery.
He would never be a slave, and no matter what the pirates did to him he would not submit. Even when they took his prosthetic arm and beat him almost to death, he never gave in.
Later, the captain told him that was why they kept him alive and let him join their crew. His unbreakable spirit.
The captain had laughed when Anakin warned him that his Master would be coming for him. That Obi-Wan would call down the wrath of the Jedi Order.
Then years passed and no one came.
Gradually, Anakin acclimatized to life as a pirate. He was never allowed off the ship, of course, but life wasn't bad. He learned a lot, including how to control his temper. The officers did not tolerate disrespect, and without the Force, no one was intimidated by him.
His heart was heavy with the knowledge that Obi-Wan must be dead. He couldn't feel their bond because of the collar, and he had never come to rescue him.
Once Anakin had earned a place of responsibility on the ship, things improved.
They hunted beyond the outer rim, almost in wild space, where unusual ships and cargo could be found.
Unfortunately, nothing was acquired that could cut through Anakin's collar. The collar itself had been stolen long ago, but had never been sold because the key to unlock it was missing. No one wanted a collar you couldn't remove.
With a sigh, Anakin focused on the fight once again. This was the friendliest fight to the death he had ever experienced.
The swordsman pushed Anakin back, and Anakin almost cursed. His meandering thoughts might cost him after all. Regaining his focus, Anakin kept up blow for blow.
"I admit it, you are better than I am," Inigo said.
"Then why are you smiling?" Anakin grunted, using the brute strength he could bring to bear.
"Because I know something you don't know."
"And what is that?" Anakin asked curiously.
"I am not left-handed!"
Inigo switched hands and the fight abruptly picked up speed. Anakin could not keep up, at least not with his mechanical hand.
"There's something I ought to tell you," Anakin said, smirking. Two could play this game.
"Tell me!" Inigo said with a vigorous slash that Anakin dodged.
"I'm not left-handed either," Anakin cried, flipping the rapier to his flesh hand.
No longer trying to overpower his opponent, Anakin changed to an adapted Ataru style, flipping over Inigo's head. With a spin of his sword, Anakin disarmed his opponent, (not literally as he had come to like the honorable man) and watched as Inigo fell to his knees.
"Kill me quickly," Inigo said.
"I like you," Anakin said, "so I'm going to have to say no to that."
Inigo looked up in astonishment.
"However, I can't have you following me, so…"
Anakin punched him solidly and the other man was out.