On a rise overlooking the spacecraft, hidden in the glare of the suns and the ripple of the dunes, the Sith probe droid hung motionless for a final transmission, then quickly sped away.
Anakin walked home with his mother and C-3PO, still wrapped in the euphoria of his victory, but wrestling as well with his sadness over the departure of Padme. He hadn't thought about what would happen to her if he won the Boonta Eve, that it would mean Qlli-Gon would secure the hyperdrive generator he needed to make their transport functional. So when she bent to kiss and hug him good- bye, it was the first time he had given the matter any serious thought since her arrival. He was stunned, caught in a mix of emotions, and all of a sudden he wanted to tell her to stay. But he couldn't bring himself to speak the words, knowing how foolish they would sound, realizing she couldn't do so in any case.
So he stood there like a droid without its vocoder, watching her ride away behind Qui-Gon, thinking it might well be the last time he would ever see her, and wondering how he was going to live with himself if it was.
Unable to sit still once he had walked his mother to their home, he placed C-3PO back in his bedroom, deactivated him, and went out again. Qui-Gon had told him he was relieved of any work today at Watto's, so he pretty much could do what he wanted until the Jedi returned. He gave no thought to what would happen then, wandering down toward Mos Espa Way, waving as his name was shouted out from every quarter on his journey, basking in the glow of his success. He still couldn't quite believe it, and yet it felt as if he had always known he would win this race. Kitster appeared, then Annie and Wald, and soon he was surrounded by a dozen others;
He was just approaching the connector to Mos Espa Way when a Rodian youngster, bigger than himself, blocked his way. Anakin had cheated, the Rodian sneered. He couldn't have won the Boonta Eve any other way. No slave could win anything. Anakin was on top of him so fast the bigger being barely had time to put up his arms in defense before he was on the ground.
Anakin was hitting him as hard and fast as he could, not thinking about anything but how angry he was, not even aware that the source of his anger had nothing to do with his victim and everything to do with losing Padme.
Then Qui-Gon, returned by now with the eopies, was looming over him. He pulled Anakin away, separating the two fighters, and demanded to know what this was all about. Somewhat sheepishly, but still angry, Anakin told him. Qui-Gon studied him carefully, disappointment registering on his broad features. He fixed the young Rodian with his gaze and asked him ifhe still believed Anakin had cheated. The youngster, glowering at Anakin, said he did.
Qui-Gon put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and steered him away from the crowd, not saying anything until they were out of hearing.
'You know, Annie,' he said then, his deep voice thoughtful, 'fighting didn't change his opinion. The opinions of others, whether you agree with them or not, are something you have to learn to tolerate.'
He walked the boy back toward his home, counseling him quietly about the way life worked, hand resting on his shoulder in a way that made Anakin feel comforted. As they neared the boy's home, the Jedi reached beneath his poncho and produced a leather pouch filled with credits.
'These are yours,' he announced. 'I sold the Pod.' He pursed his lips. 'To a particularly surly and rather insistent Dug.'
Anakin accepted the bag, grinning broadly, the fight and its cause forgotten.
He ran up the steps to his door and burst through, Qui-Gon following silently. 'Mom, Mom!' he cried out as she appeared to greet him. 'Guess what! Qui-Gon sold the Pod! Look at all the money we have!'
He produced the leather pouch and dropped it into her hands, enjoying the startled look on her face. 'Oh, my goodness!' she breathed softly, staring down at the bulging pouch. 'Annie, that's wonderful!'
Her eyes lifted quickly to meet Qui-Gon's. The Jedi stepped forward, holding her gaze.
'Annie has been freed,' he said.
The boy's eyes went wide. 'What?'
Qui-Gon glanced down at him. 'You are no longer a slave.'
Shmi Skywalker stared at the Jedi in disbelief, her worn face rigid, her eyes mirroring her shock and disbelief.
'Mom? Did you hear that, Mom?' Anakin let out a whoop and jumped as high as he could manage. It wasn't possible! But he knew it was true, knew that it really was!
He managed to collect himself. 'Was that part of the prize, or what?' he asked, grinning.
Qui-Gon grinned back. 'Let's just say Watto learned an important lesson about gambling.'
Shmi Skywalker was shaking her head, still stunned by the news, still working it through. But the sight of Anakin's face made everything come clear for her in an instant. She reached out to him and pressed him to her.
'Now you can make your dreams come true, Annie,' she whispered, her face radiant as she touched his cheek. 'You're free.'
She released him and turned to Qui-Gon, her eyes bright and expectant. 'Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Jedi?' Anakin beamed at the suggestion, wheeling quickly on Qui-Gon, waiting for his answer.
The Jedi Master hesitated. 'Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident. You are strong with the Force, Annie, but you may not be accepted by the Council.'
Anakin heard what he wanted to hear, blocking away everything else, seeing the possibilities that had fueled his hopes and dreams for so long come alive in a single moment.
'A Jedi!' he gasped. 'You mean I get to go with you in your starship and everything!'
And be with Padme again! The thought struck him like a thunderbolt, wrapping him in such expectancy that it was all he could do to listen to what the J edi Master said next.
Qui-Gon knelt before the boy, his face somber. 'Anakin, training to be a Jedi will not be easy. It will be a challenge. And if you succeed, it will be a hard life.'
