Star Wars: Rise Of A Sith

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TATOOINE - MOS ESPA: SKYWALKER HOVEL 

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The Skywalker Hovel was dimly lit, the warm glow of the few overhanging lights casting shadows on the sand-worn walls. The air was thick with the scent of a simple, hope-cooked food, a stark contrast to the cold metal and luxurious interiors that most ships and cities of Coruscant. 

Around a well-worn wooden table, Qui-Gon, YN, Padme, Jar Jar, and young Anakin each sat in their respective seats as they waited whilst Shmi finished making dinner in the kitchen. 

Jar jar, ever oblivious to decorum and proper manners, noisily slurped at his bowl of soup, his elongated ears flapping slightly with each exaggerated gulp. As he tilted his head back, savoring the meal with little regard for manners, Shmi walked quietly around the table, a patient expression on her face as she carried a simple plastic pitcher, pouring a drink into the Gungans cup. The sounds of liquid filling the vessel momentarily caught Jar Jar's attention, his bulbous eye followed her movements as she continued around the table, refilling Y/N's cup before moving on to Padme's.

Padme: "Thank you."

Shmi nodded to the young handmaiden. 

From the corner of the room, R2 let out a soft series of beeps, the little astromech observing the scene with mechanical curiosity.

Shmi, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of sadness, spoke as she took a seat beside her son. 

Shmi: "All slaves have transmitters placed in their bodies somewhere."

Anakin, ever eager to contribute to the conversate, straightened up and added to his mothers words.

Anakin: "I've been working on a scanner to try and locate mine."

Shmi nodded at her son before her expression darkened.

Shmi: "Any attempt to escape..."

Anakin, always quick to interject, finished for her with a dramatic flair.

Anakin: "...and they blow you up... boom!"

to emphasize his point, he slapped his small hand against the back of Jar Jar's own hand. The Gungan, caught mid-gulp, choked slightly before turning to Anakin with a indignant frown.

Jar Jar: "How wude."

Across the table, Padme frowned, shaking her head at the reality she had just recently discovered in Watto's junk shop.

Padme: "I can't believe there is still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic's anti-slavery laws-"

Before she could finish, Shmi cut her off mid-sentence with a quick, firm shake of her head she the elder woman moved to speak.

Shmi: "The Republic doesn't exist out here... we must survive on our own."

Padme lowered her gaze, the weight of Shmi's words settling over her. This was a reality far removed from her own. Growing up on Naboo, a world unlike Tatooine with the jurisdiction of the Republic, they never had to deal with things like Slavery. It was not practiced nor was it talked of making this ordeal hard to come to terms with as she no matter how hard she tried couldn't bring herself to stop thinking of the countless slaves whom lived and died in chains, never knowing freedom.

The heavy silence was interrupted by the faint sounds of movement. Jar Jar, either unaware of the mood or simply unfazed, had turned his attention to the fruit bowl at the center of the table. His large, amphibious eyes gleaming with hunger as his long pink tongue flicked out, latching onto a ripe palli before in a swift motion, retracting back into his mouth and swallowing it whole with an audible gulp.

Padme, seated across from him, blinked in surprise at the display. A display Qui-Gon did not seemed to pleased of seeing as he shot the Gungan a look of disapproval.

Jar Jar: "Scuse me."

Seeking to shift the conversation to something lighter, Anakin's young voice piped up with excitement.

Anakin: "Has anybody every seen a Podrace?"

His eager gaze swept the table. Qui-Gon and Y/N nodded, while Padme and Jar Jar shook their heads unfamiliar with the sport.

Y/N leaning back, his fingers wrapping around his cup as he recalled the few times his Master Dooku had taken him to his birth planet - Corellia to see where he came from.

Y/N: "There are Podraces on my home planet - Corellia. I've only been to a few but I have to admit, it's quite an exhilarating sight to watch."

Anakin grinned, clearly proud of his own skill.

Anakin: "I'm the only human who can do it."

Qui-Gon regarded the boy with amused curiosity, 

Qui-Gon: "You must have Jedi reflexes to race Pods."

Anakin basked in the compliment, but before he could respond, another interruption occurred. Jar Jar, once again attempting to snatch another fruit from the bowl with his tongue, extended it across the table. Yet before it could reach its target, a hand shot out and caught it midair.

Y/N's fingers tightened around the Gungan's tongue in a firm grip. Jar Jar letting out a startled grunt as his yellow eyes widened while he began to struggle slightly as Y/N looked at the Gungan with a serious expression and his voice firm.

Y/N: "Don't do that again."

The room fell silent for a moment as Jar Jar continued to struggle until Y/N finally let go, Jar Jar's tongue shooting back into his mouth as the Gungan began rubbing his sore mouth. Seeing the severity of Y/N's expression, Jar Jar nodded quickly in submission to the young Jedi Padawans wishes.

Anakin however, had been watching closely. His eyes narrowing slightly as his suspicions continued to grow, his thoughts flashing back to Qui-Gon's mentioning of Jedi reflexes as he continued to study both Qui-Gon and now Y/N as well.

Anakin: "You're a Jedi, aren't you? You and Qui-Gon?"

Y/N's gaze flickered toward Qui-Gon who merely smiled in mild amusement, allowing his Padawan to answer. Turning to Anakin, Y/N remained calm. 

Y/N: :What makes you say that?"

Anakin, Confident in his conclusion, pressed on.

Anakin: "I saw Qui-Gon's laser sword when I gave him some pallies at Jira's fruit stand. Only a Jedi carries that kind of weapon.

Y/N smirked slightly, tilting his head.

Y/N: "And how do I tie into this, then? You haven't seen a lightsaber hanging from my waist, have you? If so that's news to me."

Anakin shook his head yet his conviction remained unwavering.

Anakin: "Jedi have very fast reflexes. Qui-Gon said it himself. You caught Jar Jar's tongue so fast, I could barely see it happening."

Y/N leaned back in his chair, a slow grin forming.

Y/N: "The secret is, Anakin, Qui-Gon killed a Jedi and took the lightsaber as a trophy."

Anakin frowned, clearly not buying it.

Anakin: "I don't think so... No one can kill a Jedi."

Qui-Gon's smile faded, his expression turning somber. A shadow crossing his face as his thoughts dwelling for a brief moment of master Sifo-Dyas' recent and unusual demise not so long ago.

Qui-Gon: "I wish thar were so..."

Anakin pressed on, his voice filled with conviction.

Anakin: "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I cam back here to free all the slaves... Have you come to free us?"

Qui-Gon shook his head.

Qui-Gon: "No, I'm afraid not..."

Anakin frowned yet still remained confident.

Anakin: "I think you have... why else would you be here?"

Qui-Gon studied the boy carefully. The Force was a will of its own, and it was no accident that they ended up on this dust ball of a planet where this intriguing boy lived.

He leaned forward slightly.

Qui-Gon: "I can see there's no fooling you..." 

Leaning forward Qui-Gon adjusted the way he was seated.

Qui-Gon: "We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission."

Anakin's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Anakin: "How did you end up here?"

Y/N: "Our ship was damaged, and we've been stranded here until we can find the means to repair it."

Anakin's face lit up.

Anakin: "I can help! I can fix anything."

Qui-Gon smiled with amusement at the boys eagerness to help.

Qui-Gon: "I believe you can, my young friend, but first we must acquire the parts we need..."

Jar Jar sighed dramatically.

Jar Jar: "Wit no-nutten mula to trade."

Padme turned to Shmi, curiosity on her face.

Padme: "These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind."

Shmi nodded knowingly.

Shmi: "Gambling. Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

Qui-Gon: "Podracing... Greed can be a powerful ally."

Anakin: "I've built a racer! It's the fastest ever... There's a big race tomorrow, on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod."

Shmi turned to her son with a scolding look.

Shmi: "Anakin! Watto won't let you..."

Anakin: "Watto doesn't know I've built it."

Shmi's scolding tone did little to deter Anakin's enthusiasm. He turned eagerly to Qui-Gon, his face practically glowing with excitement as the possibility of putting his pod to the test. The dim light of their small home reflected in his bright eyes making him appear even younger than he was.

Anakin: "You could make him think it's yours and get him to let me pilot it for you."

Qui-Gon leaned back slightly, rubbing his beard as he considered the boy's words. The idea wasn't without merit, that the Master Jedi had to admit, yet when his gaze turned towards Shmi, he noticed her rigid stance in her chair as he hands folded tightly in her lap. Concern etched into the line of her face, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Shmi's eyes darted between her son and the Jedi Master. She knew how dangerous Podracing was, had seen firsthand the horrors that could occur when a pilot's racer crashed at deadly speeds. She had already so much - she couldn't lose Anakin too. 

Shmi: "I don't want you to race. It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."

Anakin turned to her, his expression filled with urgency. 

Anakin: "But mom, I love it. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."

Shmi's heart clenched. Despite not wanting to, she knew he was right, that there was no other way, but it didn't make it any easier to accept.

Shmi: "Anakin!"

Qui-Gon, sensing the deep conflict with Shmi, spoke gently.

Qui-Gon: "Your mother's right."

The Jedi Master glanced around the room, searching for alternatives. This was not the ideal path - putting a child's life in danger was not something he wanted to do. Yet something told him this was the right course of action. 

Qui-Gon: "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who might help us?"

Shmi sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

Shmi: "No, there is no other way..." 

Her voice wavered slightly, but there was a quiet acceptance beneath it. One that Qui-Gon as well as Y/N noticed as they glanced at once another briefly. Shmi didn't like it, but she couldn't deny the truth of the situation. 

Padme's brows furrowed, her hands clenching in frustration. The idea of sending a child into such a dangerous sport for their benefit felt wrong to her.

Padme: "I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We'll have to find another way..."

Shmi, however, shook her head, silencing the young handmaiden.

Shmi: "No, there is no other way... I may not like it but... he can help you... he was meant to help you."

Her voice, though filled with uncertainty, held a sense of quiet conviction. It was as if something deep inside her knew - had always known - that Anakin's destiny lay beyond the walls of their home, beyond the dust covered streets of Mos Espa, within the far reaches of the galaxy fulfilling his dreams. 

Dreams that she hope maybe these Jedi would help bring to fruition. 

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TATOOINE - MOS ESPA - STREET

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The Twin suns of Tatooine hung high above the bustling streets of Mos Espa, their relentless heat baking the sand-covered ground below. The city was alive and once again full of activity as beings of all kinds once again moved through the winding alleyways and crowded marketplaces, some parting over trinkets, others tending to their beasts of burden. Large and clumsy Banthas plodded along, their massive feet kicking up small clouds of dust while land speeders zipped up and down the streets, their repulsorlifts humming softly. 

Many shopkeepers had already begun the tedious work of repairing their stalls which had suffered damage from the recent sandstorm as jagged scraps of fabric, metal, wood, and even piles of rocks littered the ground, evidence of nature's harsh cruelty on the mostly desolate planet. 

One thing was for sure, Anakin had not been exaggerating when he told them about the brutality of sandstorms on Tatooine.

Qui-Gon walked throughout the street, leading the small group through the marketplace toward Watto's junk shop. Beside him, Y/N walked with a relaxed posture, though his sharp gaze darted from one corner to another, ever watchful of all his blinds spots. Padme moved at Y/n's side, her expression thoughtful, while Jar Jar, ever clumsy, struggled to navigate the uneven ground as the heat poured down on his less than breathable skin. 

As for R2, he trailed closely behind them, his domed head swiveling as he processed the chaotic scene around him.

As they neared their destination, Padme cut Y/N off in his tracks as she walked over to Qui-Gon, reaching out as she lightly gripped Qui-Gon's arm to stop him. Her voice, although soft, carried an unmistakable edge of skepticism.

Padme: "Are you sure about this? Trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know. The Queen will not approve."

Qui-Gon, ever the calm and composed Jedi Master, barely hesitated before answering.

Qui-Gon: "The Queen does not need to know."

his words were final, leaving no room for argument. Padme frowned, folding her arms as she sat down on a nearby bench located outside Watto's junk shop as she muttered under her breath. 

Padme: "Well, I don't approve."

Y/N, who had been listening to their exchange, sat next to Padme as he turned to the young handmaiden with a soft smile. His presence alone seeming to ease the tension in the air.

Y/N: "Qui-Gon knows what he's doing. He's a skilled Jedi who was trained by one of the very best. He wouldn't gamble our fates with Anakin unless he truly believed the boy actually had a shot of winning."

Padme: "And what about you? Do you have faith in Anakin?"

Y/N: "To tell you the truth, I honestly don't know. Yet I have faith in Qui-Gon. I've known him for many years now and I trust him with my life."

Padme upon hearing this sighed, clearly still conflicted yet nodded in agreement as she too had come to realize, at least to some degree, that Qui-Gon had their best intentions at heart. 

Y/N, seeing Padme's look of conflict, tried to cheer the young handmaiden up as he nudged her shoulder with his own playfully , his grin widening.

Y/N: "Besides, what's life without a little danger and excitement?"

To his surprise, Padme chuckled, her expression softening. She met his gaze, a spark of admiration in her deep brown eyes. Almost without realizing it, she leaned her head against his should, seeking comfort in the moment. The simple act seemed to calm her nerves, and when she felt Y/N gently rest his head atop hers in response, her heart began to flutter as she was filled with new emotions she never experienced before. 

Padme tried her best to fight back the warmth rising in her cheeks, trying to contain the unexpected blush as she enjoyed the moment for as long as it would last.

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TATOOINE - MOS ESPA: WATTO'S JUNK SHOP

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Inside Watto's cluttered junk shop, the scent of grease, burnt metal, and old machinery once again filling Qui-Gon's nose as he walked into the junk shop once more, his eyes briefly flashing to the dangling wires from the ceiling, spare parts for speeders and ships, as well as the large variety of broken droids gathered. 

His eyes soon turned to focus on Watto however who unlike before was present and waiting for him, hovering lazily in the air as his wings buzzed as he inspected the Jedi with a skeptical smirk. Anakin stood nearby, looking both eager and slightly embarrassed as he shifted on his feet.

Watto's beady eyes glinted with amusement as he spoke, his gravelly voice filled with greedy skepticism. 

Watto: "The boy tells me you wanta sponsor him in a race. How can you do this? Not on Republic credits, I think, huh?"

The Toydarian let out a rough chuckle, shaking his head. Qui-Gon, however, was unfazed and he produced a small hologram projector from within his robes. With a press of a button, a shimmering blue image of the sleek and chrome J-type Nubian luxury cruiser appeared in midair. The ship's polished curves and elegant design stood in stark contrast to the grimy junk shop surrounding them.

Qui-Gon: "My ship will be the entry fee."

Watto studied the hologram, rubbing his stubby chin. His wings fluttering a little faster as he let out an appreciative grunt. 

Watto: "Oh, not bad... not bad... Ah, Nubian, ah."

Qui-Gon remained composed. 

Qui-Gon: "It's in good order, except the parts I need."

Watto's sharp gaze flickered to Anakin, then back to the hidden Jedi Master.

Watto: "... What would the boy ride? He smashed up my Pod in the last race. it will take some time to fix it."

Anakin, looking slightly embarrassed but eager to defend himself, took a step forward. 

Anakin: "It wasn't my fault, really. Sebulba flashed me with his vents. I actually saved the Pod... mostly."

Watto let out a gruff laugh, pointing a stubby partially-webbed finger at the boy. 

Watto: "That you did, huh? The boy is good, no doubts there, huh."

Qui-Gon took a step closer.

Qui-Gon: "Well, I have acquired a Pod in a game of chance. 'The fastest ever built.' "

Watto snorted in amusement.

Watto: "I hope you didn't kill anyone I know for it."

The Toydarian cackled again before considering the deal further. 

Watto: "So, you supply the Pod and the entry fee; I supply the boy. We split the winnings fifty-fifty, I think."

Qui-Gon, always one step ahead, countered smoothly. 

Qui-Gon: "If it's going to be fifty-fifty, I suggest you front the cash for the entry. If we win, you keep all the winnings minus the cost of the parts I need. And if we lose... you keep my ship. Either way, you win."

Watto hesitated, rubbing his chin again as he calculated his odds. After a long moment, his greedy nature won out.

Watto: "Deal!"

He extended his stubby hand, slapping it against Qui-Gon's in agreement. As the Jedi Master turned to leave, Watto chuckled to himself before muttering under his breath to Anakin.

Watto: "Yo bana pee ho-tah, meedee ya." (Your friend is a foolish one, methinks.)

Anakin, crossing his arms, didn't respond. He had faith in himself. He had faith in his Podracer. And most of all he had faith in the Jedi who believed in him.

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TATOOINE - QUEEN AMIDALA'S SPACECRAFT: LOUNGE

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Obi-Wan stood in a dimly lit lounge of the Queen's sleek Naboo starship, his posture tense with frustration. The ship's power was still offline, leaving the vessel a lifeless husk, stranded in the barren wastelands of Tatooine. The low humming of the emergency backup power continuing to power the ship... but unknown for how long it would last for. 

Lifting his commlink, he spoke with measured concern, his voice slightly edged with doubt. 

Obi-Wan: "What if this plan fails, Master? We could be stuck here for a long time."

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TATOOINE - SKYWALKER HOVEL: BALCONY

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The winds stirred the dry, dusty air outside the humble Skywalker home as Qui-Gon stood on the small balcony as he listened to his Padawan's concerns through the commlink. The Tatooine suns had begun to dip low, still providing plenty of light yet in time they would set more until nighttime came. Yet for now the use of light was taken advantage of as Qui-Gon stood on the small balcony watching as the group of allies worked tirelessly on Anakin's Podracer. 

The Jedi Master's face remained calm, but his piercing gaze was contemplative. He understood Obi-Wan's apprehension - after all, their mission was critical, and the boy's success was far from guaranteed. Yet, something about Anakin told Qui-Gon that this was the right course of action.

Qui-Gon: "It's too dangerous to call for help now. A ship without a power supply isn't going to get us anywhere, and... there's something about this boy."

With that, Qui-Gon ended the transmission, lowering his commlink. His focus returned to the courtyard below, where Y/N, Padme, Anakin, and the others continued their work on the Podracer. The Podracer, still in its final stages of assembly, gleamed under the fading light, its massive engines towering over Anakin. 

Y/N, crouched behind one of the repulsorlifts, demonstrated a technique he had learned to boost the power output from the couplings. Anakin watched with fascination, nodding eagerly as the Jedi Padawan explained the mechanics. Nearby, 3PO stood beside R2, monitoring the adjustments with his photoreceptors flashing. Even Jar Jar, despite his usual clumsiness, had made himself useful by securing parts and making minor adjustments under Anakin's direction.

Qui-Gon's sharp eyes caught movement beside him as Shmi stepped onto the balcony, her expression warm yet tinged with a quiet sadness of a mother watching her son take his first steps towards an uncertain future.

She stood beside the Jedi, both of them observing Anakin as he secured a thick hose to the right engine's magnetized port. His small hands worked with practiced skill, his face lit with determination. 

Qui-Gon allowed a small smile as he turned to Shmi.

Qui-Gon: "You should be proud of your son. He gives without any thought of reward."

Shmi's gaze lingered on Anakin, her lips curving into a gentle smile of her own.

Shmi: "Well, he knows nothing of greed. He has a..."

She hesitated, searching for the right words, but Qui-Gon finished the thought for her.

Qui-Gon: "He has special powers."

Shmi's eyes flickered toward him, uncertainty visible in her features. She knew what Qui-Gon was implying - something she had always sense but had never fully understood. She nodded, albeit hesitantly. 

Shmi: "Yes..."

Qui-Gon studied her reaction carefully before continuing, his voice calm yet full of certainty.

Qui-Gon: "He can see things before they happen. That's why he appears to have such quick reflexes. It is a Jedi trait."

Shmi's gaze fell slightly, her hands clasping in front of her. 

Shmi: "He deserves better than a slave's life."

Qui-Gon exhaled through his nose, nodding in agreement.

Qui-Gon: "Had he been born in the Republic, we would have identified his early. The Force is unusually strong with him, that much is clear."

He turned slightly, his piercing gaze searching her face.

Qui-Gon: "Who is his father?"

Shmi's expression didn't change, but there was a quiet weight behind her next words. 

Shmi: "There was no father. I carried him, I gave birth, I raised him... I can't explain what happened."

Qui-Gon studied her carefully, sensing the sincerity in her words. It was difficult to believe, but something within him told him she was telling the truth. The Force surrounded the boy in a mysterious way.

Shmi looked up at him with hope in her eyes.

Shmi: "Can you help him?"

Qui-Gon's expression softened slightly, but his reply was tinged with regret.

Qui-Gon: "I don't know. I didn't actually come here to free slaves."

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TATOOINE - SKYWALKER HOVEL: BACKYARD

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The laughter of children echoed through the open yard as Kitster and a group of Anakin's friends - Seek, Amee, Wald, and a little girl no older than six ran in, kicking up clouds of dust as they arrived. Seek clutching a ball under his arm, but his attention quickly shifting to the strange new droid standing before them.

R2 beeped in greeting, and Kitster's eyes widened in amazement.

Kitster: "Wow, a real astro droid... How'd you get so lucky?"

Anakin smirked, hands on his hips.

Anakin: "That isn't the half of it. I'm entered in the Boonta Race tomorrow!"

Kitster's brow arched as he glanced at the unfinished podracer. His disbelief quickly turning into amusement.

Kitster: "What? With this?"

Walk let out a laugh.

Wald: "Ona joka, Annie" (You are such a joker, Ani.)

Amee shook her head, looking at the unfinished podracer. 

Amee: "You've been working on that thing for years."

The little girl, her face scrunched in doubt, crossed her arms.

Little Girl: "It's never gonna run."

Seek, sensing an opportunity to mock Anakin, grinned smugly.

Seek: "Come on, let's go play ball. Keep racing, Ani. You're gonna be bug squash."

With that, Seek and the others ran off laughing, leaving Anakin standing alone with Kitster. Anakin forced a confident smile, but doubt flickered across his face as he wondered if Seek was right and if all the effort he put into building the pod was for nothing.

Whilst the other children left, Kitster stayed behind, intent on even though doubtful, supporting his best friend as his curiosity as to if the pod would actually work outweighed his skepticism. He studied the podracer with a mix of uncertainty and admiration.

Kitster: "You don't even know if this thing's gonna run."

Y/N, who had been kneeling beside the left engine tightening a panel, smirked as he stood up and dusted off his hands. 

Y/N: "Have faith, Kitster. Anakin did excellent work on constructing most of the ship by himself. Now all it needs is a little nudge in the right direction from us, and it'll be good to go."

Anakin's confidence returned at Y/N's words, and he shot him a grateful smile.

Just then, Qui-Gon stepped forward holding in his right hand a small power change. The Jedi Master had been observing quietly from a distance, but now it was time to see if the young Tatooine slave boy's work would hold up like the boy said it would.

Qui-Gon: "I guess it's time we find out. here, Anakin, use this power charge."

He turned his attention to Kitster his calm but firm presence demanding attention.

Qui-Gon: "Come on, Kitster. Let's move away."

A short distance away, Jar Jar had been struggling with one of the energy binders, fumbling with a tool that had slipped from his grasp. Unfortunately for him, his clumsiness caught up to him yet again. something which Anakin seemed to notice as he moved to inform the Gungan of the dangers. 

Anakin: "Hey! Jar Jar! Keep away from those energy binders... if your hand gets caught in that beam, it will go number for hours."

Jar Jar nodded in panic, fumbling and dropping the wrench he was holding, the tool landing directly below the energy binders. Jar Jar upon seeing this bent down to retrieve the fallen wrench, his head shot up right into the energy binders that Anakin just moments earlier had warned him of.

A crackling zap of electricity jolted through Jar Jar, sending him stumbling backward, his long ears twitching wildly. The Gungan yelped in surprise, rubbing his mouth in exaggerated pain.

Jar Jar: "Ouch! Muy tonge is fat! Muy tonge... oucho."

The group tried not to laugh as Jar Jar stumbled toward the podracer again, reaching for the tool that had somehow gotten stuck beteen the fins of the right engine. Unfortunately, as soon as he managed to grab it, his hand became wedged between the metal components.

Jar Jar: "Hey! Ou-oh. Ow, hey, I'm stuck."

3Po who stood next to R2 tilted his head slightly as he observed the Gungan's antics.

3PO: "You know, I find that Jar Jar creature very... odd."

R2 beeped in agreement.

Nearby, Padme and Y/N were watching this spectacle unfold.

Padme: "Should we help him?"

Padme arched an eyebrow, giving Y/N a playful look as Y/N smirked at her. 

Y/N:" I'm thinking about it. But the only way for him to learn is to fail."

Padme looked at Y/N with a playful smirk of her own.

Padme: "Are you always this mean to him, Y/N?"

Y/N: "I'm not mean. I'm actually quite generous if you ask me. Someone has to try and teach him."

Padme tilted her head, amusement glimmering in her brown eyes.

Padme: "And what exactly are you trying to teach him, oh slefless and generous Jed Padawan?"

Y/N: "How not to be stupid."

A grin spread across his face as Padme gasped in mock outrage before playfully slapping his shoulder.

Padme: "Y/N!"

Y/N: "What? I'm doing a good service. Simply imparting some of my wisdom to him."

Padme shook her head with an exasperated laugh.

Padme: "If only you had some wisdom to impart."

Nearby, R2 had been observing the exchange between Y/N and Padme with keen interest. The astromech let out a series of sharp beeps and whistles, his dome swiveling toward Y/N causing Y/N to stop what he was doing and turned towards the little astromech, eyes narrowing. Slowly he lifted the wire stripper in his hand and pointed it at R2 in a mock-threatening manner.

Y/N: "Watch it, R2. I may like you for saving our hides when we ran that Trade Federation blockade, but that doesn't mean I won't dismantle you."

Padme, intrigued as to what R2 had said, leaned in slightly to Y/N.

Padme: "What did he say?"

Y/N grinned as he shook his head in a no fashion.

Y/N: "I'd rather not say..."

Padme chuckled, giving him a teasing glance.

Padme: "What did he hurt your Jedi ego?"

Y/N rolled his eyes and returned to his work, fusing the last set of wires together before closing the access panel and securing it tightly, ensuring it wouldn't come loose during the race. 

Y/N: "Just go save the stupid Gungan before Anakin cuts his hand off when he starts the engines."

Padme smirked, nodding in agreement. She turned to leave yet hesitated for a brief moment. Without warning, she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Y/N's cheek. 

The unexpected gesture sent a rush of warmth to Y/N's face, his usual composure faltering as a light blush spread across his cheeks. He looked at her in shock, his brain struggling to catch up with what had just occurred. 

Padme, though also blushing but this time in a deep crimson, kept her expression playful as she straightened. 

Padme: "A small reward for your hard work and "generous" teachings toward Jar Jar."

Before Y/N could even fully process the response, Padme had already begun walking away both out of fear as to what Y/N would say but also because she'd noticed that Anakin was about to start the podracer which wasn't a good thing for Jar Jar's currently stuck hand. The ghost of her lips against his cheek, still fresh on his face as he watched Padme walk over to Jar Jar, couching beside the Gungan before effortlessly freeing his tapped hand.

Jar Jar, now rubbing his sore but thankfully to his free fingers, looking at Padme with gratitude. 

Jar Jar: "Ow, th... thank yous."

Jar Jar looked to Anakin, giving him a thumb-up before walking to the sidelines where everyone else, Padme and soon after Y/N as well, had mustered, waiting for the pods first ever test, their hopes and prayers that the pod would work as their ability to get off the sand covered planet infested with smugglers, bounty hunters, gangsters, and outlaws depended on it. 

Anakin, seeing that the coast was clear and everyone had backed away from the podracer began to flip a few switches before pressing the final ignition button causing the podracer to stall for a moment before to everyone's glee starting up, a deep and powerful roar erupting from the engines, sending a gust of hot air rippling through the backyard. The massive turbines spun to life, their hum rising in pitch as they reach full power. The ground trembling slightly from the sheer energy coursing though the podracer.

A wide grin broke across Anakin's face as he shouts over the noise of the engines.

Anakin: "It's working! It's working!"

A wave of relief and excitement swept over the group as they all knew that with the successful finishing of the podracer, they were now one step closer to getting off this dust-covered planet. Now, all that remained was for Anakin to win the Boonta Eve Classic. 

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TATOOINE - SKYWALKER HOVEL: BALCONY

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The night had fully settled over Tatooine, replacing the scoring heat of the twin suns with a gentle, dry breeze that rustled through the desolate landscape. The vast desert beyond the small hovel stretched into the darkness, its dunes barely illuminated by the countless stars overhead. The sky, now a deep and endless black, was speckled with brilliant pinpricks of light, each one a distant sun burning far away in the galaxy.

Anakin sat perched on the edge of the balcony railing, his small hands gripping the warm, sand-worn metal. His face, streaked with the grume of a long day's work, was alight with curiosity as he gazed up at the stars. His legs dangled over the edge, swinging slightly in time with the rhythmic pulse of the nighttime wind.

Qui-Gon sat next to him, carefully tending to a small yet still fresh cut on the boy's arm. The wound was shallow, just a scrape from an earlier mishap while working on the podracer, but the Jedi Master handled it with practiced care. He dabbed at it with a damp cloth, the faint scent of batca mixing with the ever-present dust in the air.

Qui-Gon: "Stay still, Annie. Let me clean this cut."

Anakin winced slightly but didn't protest. His eyes remained fixed on the heavens above, completely captivated by the endless expense of the cosmos.

Anakin: "There are so many! Do they all have a system of planets?"

Qui-Gon followed the boy's gaze, his expression thoughtful as he looked up at the familiar constellations. He had traveled the stars for many years, visiting countless worlds, yet the innocent wonder in Anakin's voice made him appreciate their beauty anew.

Qui-Gon: "Most of them."

Anakin's brow furrowed in thought. He shifted slightly on the railing, the excitement in his voice barely contained as he continued.

Anakin: "Has anyone been to them all?"

Qui-Gon chuckled softly, the deep timbre of his laugh blending with the faint whistling of the desert wind.

Qui-Gon: "Not likely."

Anakin's face lit up with determination. He sat up straighter, his small chest puffing out as though making a silent vow.

Anakin: "I want to be the first one to see them all..."

From inside the hovel, Shmi's voice carried through the open doorway, firm yet gentle.

Shmi: "Annie, bedtime!"

Anakin sighed, disappointment flickering in his blue eyes. Just as he opened his mouth to protest, he hissed sharply in pain.

Anakin: "...Ouch!"

Qui-Gon wiped away the last remnant of blood from the boy's arm, his touch steady and careful. He inspected his work, nodding in quiet satisfaction. 

Qui-Gon: "There we are, good as new."

Shmi's voice rang out again, this time with a hint of impatience.

Shmi: "Ani! I'm not going to tell you again!"

As Anakin hopped off the railing and rubbed at his arm, Qui-Gon discreetly pulled a small commlink chip from his belt. With a precise motion, he scraped a tiny smear of the boy's blood onto the device, his expression unreadable. 

Anakin caught the movement, his curiosity instantly piqued. He tilted his head, studying the Jedi Master's actions.

Anakin: "What are you doing?"

Qui-Gon met his inquisitive gaze with a calm smile.

Qui-Gon: "Checking your blood for infections."

A brief silence fell between them. Anakin eyes him for a moment longer before shrugging, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

Qui-Gon: "You have a big day tomorrow. Goodnight."

Anakin rolled his eyes slightly but grinned. Without another word, he turned and ran inside, his bare feet barely making a sound against the rough stone floor. The dim, flickering light from within the hovel cast long shadows as he disappeared into the warmth of his home.

Alone now, Qui-Gon took the blood-stained chip and inserted it into his commlink, activating the secure transmission to his Padawan. The quiet hum of the device filled the air, blending with the distant sounds of nocturnal creatures stirring in the cool desert night. 

Qui-Gon: "Obi-Wan..."

A few moments later, a faint crackle of static was followed by Obi-Wan's voice clear yet slightly distorted by the long-distance signal.

Obi-Wan: "Yes, Master?"

Qui-Gon's fingers hovered over the commlink as he carefully formulated his next words. 

Qui-Gon: "I need an analysis of this blood sample I'm sending you."

A short pause followed as Qui-Gon transmitted the data. The Jedi Master remained still, his piercing gaze fixed on the night sky as he wailed. The seconds stretched on, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of the wind through the dry, cracked earth. Then, the commlink crackled to life once more as Obi-Wan's voice sounded through it.

Obi-Wan: "Wait a minute..."

Qui-Gon's expression didn't change, though his grip on the device tightened slightly. More silence followed before Obi-Wan finally gave Qui-Gon his answer.

Obi-Wan: "The reading's off the chart... over twenty thousand. Even Master Yoda doesn't have a midi-chlorian count that high!"

Qui-Gon inhaled sharply, his usually composed demeanor shifting ever so slightly. He had anticipated a high count... but this... was well beyond his expectations.

Qui-Gon: "No Jedi has."

The weight of Obi-Wan's next question hung in the air.

Obi-Wan: "What does that mean?"

Qui-Gon's brow furrowed as he stared down at the device in his palm.

Qui-Gon: "I'm not sure."

A subtle movement in the corner of Qui-Gon's vision drew his attention. He turned his head slightly to see Shmi standing in the doorway, half-shrouded in shadows. Her expression was unreadable, though there was something in here eyes - a quiet knowing. As their gazes met, a flicker of hesitation passed over her face before she withdrew into the hovel, disappearing back into the warmth of her home.

Qui-Gon exhaled slowly, lowering the commlink. The desert wind whispered around him as he remained there, lost in thought. The stars above continued their silent watch, oblivious to the weight to the revelation that had just unfolded beneath them.

Undenounced to the Jedi Master, he was wrong. There was indeed a Jedi whose mid-chlorian count rivalled and even surpassed that of Anakin's. A Jedi who, at that very moment, lay asleep under the same roof. A Jedi whose existence had not only been discovered on Corellia when he was just a baby, yet also had later upon the taking of Y/N as his Padawan, carefully hidden by Dooku himself at the behest of none other than Darth Sidious.

But for now, Qui-Gon remained unaware, his mind consumed with thoughts of the boy who at least in his mind might be the Chosen One.

------

TATOOINE - OUSIDE MOS ESPA: DESERT MESA

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Whilst Qui-Gon continued to contemplate about Anakin's true reason for existence, little did he know that under the showers of the millions of stars in the sky, a sinister, wedge-shaped Sith infiltrator descended from the sky, its sleek, black hull slicing through the dusk like a predatory beast. As the engines roared against the silence of the wasteland, a herd of Banthas bellowed in alarm, their massive fur-covered bodies lumbered away from the disturbance, kicking up clouds of dust in their wake.

With a mechanical hiss, the landing ramp lowered, releasing a sharp gust of pressurized air. From the darkness within, two figures emerged - dark silhouettes against the snuffed light of the twin Tatooine suns.

Maul stepped forward first, his crimson and black tattooed skin barely visible beneath his dark robes. His piercing, golden-yellow eyes burning with intensity as they scanned the vast expanse before him. Each movement was precise, controlled, his predatory grace evident in the way he walked. Following closely behind him was his towering brother, Savage, the brute of a warrior breathing heavily with slight grunts being released as he followed his elder brothers lead.

Both Sith came to a halt at the very edge of the mesa, their boots grinding into the coarse rock. From his belt, Maul retrieved a pair of electro-binoculars, bringing them up to his eyes. The enhanced lenses zoomed in, scanning the desert horizon until he found what he was searching for - the distant lights of Mos Espa, flickering like embers against the darkening sky.

Maul lowered the binoculars and turned toward Savage. The unspoken command was clear. Savage gave a short nod, his thick fingers pressing a sequence of buttons on his electronic armband. 

With a soft whirring sound, three probe droids - each the size of a small sphere, hovered out from the Sith Infiltrator's cargo hold. Their red photoreceptors gleamed in the dimming light, their mechanical limbs adjusting as they aligned themselves in formation before their masters.

Savage turned his sharp gaze toward the droids and raised a hand, gesturing toward Mos Espa.

Savage: "Find the Jedi and the Queen. Leave nothing unseen."

The probe droids let out a series of beeps and clicks in acknowledgment before swiftly darting forward, disappearing into the night as they began their silent hunt. 

A deep silence settled over the mesa as the Sith brothers remained where they stood, watching the droids vanish into the distance. The desert wind howled around them, carrying the whispers of the coming storm - the inevitable clash that awaited. 

Savage crossed his massive arms over his chest, his golden-yellow eyes narrowing as he glanced toward maul.

Savage: "We could easily track the Jedi ourselves. Tear through the city and kill anyone who got in our way until we find them."

Maul, still gazing at the horizon, let out a quiet exhale through his nose, his expression unreadable. 

Maul: "Patience, brother. The hunt is not about reckless slaughter... its is about precision. We are Sith Lords, not mindless beasts."

Savage let out a low growl of frustration but said nothing. His instincts urged him toward action - to crush, to destroy - but he knew Maul was no fool. There was always a strategy in his brother's mind, a plan woven with the same cold calculation that made their Master, Dark Sidious, so formidable.

Maul finally turned his gaze toward Savage, his golden-yellow eyes burning with a quiet but deadly intensity.

Maul: "The Jedi have survived because they know they have to be cautious. They know they have no way off this planet and that the need to wait for help. But the Force is on our side, brother. They cannot hide forever."

He glanced back at the city lights in the distance, his lips curling into a faint smirk. 

Maul: "And soon, they will have nowhere left to hide. For once those droids locate them... we will strike."

Savage let out a slow breath through his nose, accepting the words without further protest. The two stood in silence once more, waiting. The stars overhead twinkled coldly, indifferent to the dark fate that was soon to unfold.

To Be Continued...