Author's Note: I'm trying a new realm of fan fiction- Star Wars. I'm excited for it, because I've had this idea for a while, but have never been brave enough to try it.
WHAT READERS NEED TO KNOW: Qui-Gon did not die, and Obi-Wan is the same age as Anikin Skywalker. They were trained together by Qui-Gon, who is now about fifty seven standard years old. Anikin and Obi are about thirty one standard years old. Master Windu is alive, and about seven years after his turn to the dark, Anikin was redeemed and fled the Dark Side and Palpatine, but not before blowing up his star destroyers. Palpatine is out there somewhere, but hasn't done anything for the past four years, in which Anikin has been healing. He is still littered with faint white scars and his breathing does sometimes become difficult, but his hair has grown back and he is doing much better mentally. The death of Padme, and the (apparent) death of his child, still haunt him but he's slowly moving forward. Leia is not Luke's sister or Anikin's child whatsoever. She's not really involved right now. The story of how Anikin was redeemed isn't a main point in this story, but maybe I'll make a spin off of it.
Tatooine, The Home Of Skywalker
Luke Skywalker of Tatooine was nearly eleven, and ever so proud of that. His birthday was in two days, but that wasn't the only thrilling thing to happen in two days time.
In two days, Luke was going be piloting a real pod in a real pod race! Luke had always wanted to pod race, but the one time he had brought it up, his Uncle Owen firmly denied the request for permission. His Aunt and his Uncle always seemed to be busy on racing days, and he always was dragged into anything they were doing, as if they didn't want him to even attend the races. The last one Luke can remember going to was when he was a little over five.
He had loved it.
But see, now in two days Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru had to make a trip to Lothal. They were terribly sorry they could not afford to bring Luke and both their presences were necessary- neither could stay home. So Luke was to be left alone for two nights, while they were on business. Luke was ordinarily quite rule abiding ("no racing! Not safe, not healthy, you could get all sorts of dangerous ideas! No racing, understood?" Owen had firmly stated), but he had worked so hard on his pod, perfecting it over the years, and he so wanted to race. He wasn't hurting anyone, right?
With a shrug to himself to shake off any possible regrets about his plan, Luke continued swerving through the dusty crowds of people in the marketplace. Purchasing an apple from Gergoria, by far the nicest human stand owner, Luke munched away and read from the crumpled paper in his hand what he was to buy for his Aunt Beru this week.
Meanwhile, on the planet of Coruscant...
"This is not a bad idea, I must admit. I rather enjoy the ones they show in the entertainment centers." Adi Gallia exclaimed. "Besides, this could be considered a welcome back celebration. I consent to go." Qui-Gon Jin smiled ruefully.
"Of course- for you are a skilled pilot yourself. You would enjoy watching the pod races, wouldn't you?" He said with a friendly glint in his eyes. "Though you are correct, it would be a proper celebration for the return of Obi-Wan and Anikin. They have both been very busy working diligently on their latest mission, Anikin would be happily surprised with a visit to his home planet for a pod race like the ones he used to compete in." Master Windu watched the two talk with a plain expression on his face, and Master Yoda beside him had a brow furrowed.
"Safe it is not, into the Outer Rim to travel. Not recommended during time of turmoil, such activities of enjoyment." Yoda intoned in a gravelly voice.
"I disagree, this would be a great opportunity for some activities of enjoyment. The reason why is these times of turmoil." Qui-Gon sighed. "They need it, Master Yoda. It would be good for them."
"Good for whom?" A strong, clear voice filled the room suddenly.
"Ah, Anikin, you have returned!" Qui-Gon exclaimed. "Where is Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
"Greeting a couple of the senators, I believe. When the conversation truly bored me, I abandoned him to their merciless politics to come and greet all of you!" Anikin grinned ruefully. "You're much more interesting."
"Clearly." Adi Gallia said, with no sarcasm.
"Now, what was my favorite council chatting about?" Qui-Gon put his hands together and exclaimed,
"We must wait until Obi-Wan has joined us. It is only fair." Anikin shrugged, seating himself. "Though I must inquire what has you in such good spirits Anikin, you seem to be quite content."
"The mission went flawlessly. There were no appearances from the Dark Force. It seems our fears were unfounded."
"Careful, Anikin, for I find the Dark's lack of action far more worrisome. They are planning something of great momentum. But what plan of action, we must ask ourselves, would take so long to complete?" Master Windu pondered.
"Well, it is very possible that Palpatine is searching for an apprentice, or training one. Both take time and effort, and once training of a good apprentice is complete they could become a powerful enemy. Palpatine is strong, but he needs allies in the Dark with him." Adi stated, with an apologetic glance at the now-stiff form of a remembering guilt-ridden Anikin.
Obi-Wan then strode into the room, with a weary slump in his shoulders. He never was one for politics.
"Well now that everyone has arrived," Qui-Gon said, "I state my intention for us all to go on an excursion. In two day's time, we shall be attending an annual pod race on Tatooine." Anikin stiffened further, but his eyes did gleam with a wistful interest.
"A place with too many memories for me, old Master." Anikin grimaced.
"Perhaps exactly why you should go," Qui-Gon said with a piercing, knowing look. "It would be good for you- for all of us." Now Anikin sighed.
"Well, it would be nice. To watch the races that I once fervently participated in." Qui-Gon smiled.
"Thank you, all of you, for asking my opinion." Obi-Wan said drily. "But it does sound...fun."
"So we are agreed." Qui-Gon looked far too happy by Anikin's estimate.
Every minute seemed to stretch on endlessly. Every hour was a century. Luke was itching to race, and every second he could he snuck off to polish and further perfect his pod. His antsy behavior got to the point where his aunt and uncle were almost suspicious. Almost. But all the same, on the dawn of Luke's birthday, they waved a goodbye and his Aunt Beru tearfully warned him to stay on the farm and out of trouble.
"Who? Me? Don't worry for even a hypersecond!" Luke called back in response to the quickly fading figures of his only relatives. Beru said something but it was lost in the hot, dry wind and scorching rays of the suns of Tatooine's atmosphere. He stood there for awhile after the endless sand dunes of the landscape had swallowed them up. Then Luke grinned, and ran North, waiting for the telltale appearance of the craggy overhang that housed his pod. The dusty red of his secret fortress come up on the right and he swerved toward it, never losing speed.
"Artoo! Threepio!" Artoo and Threepio were a couple of droids that Luke had found nearly three years ago hiding out in this overhang. They had immediately taken a liking to him, and he rather enjoyed Threepio's sense of humour. Eventually he moved all of his tinkerings to the overhang and the droids often assisted him in working on whatever project he had currently.
"Master Luke, you have returned. I have noticed you have been around much more frequently. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah Threepio, everything is fine. I'm just gonna take the pod for a test run." The shiny droid turned toward him, and waved an arm with frustration.
"Master Luke, you know it is not safe!" Luke grinned.
"Well I gotta make sure my baby is ready for the race." R2-D2 made a disagreeing bleep. Luke huffed.
"Yes it's dangerous, mother. Jeez trust my piloting skills just a little, would you?" Tugging on the straps, Luke secured himself into the pod.
"Ahem, Master Luke. You'd perhaps like to wear a helmet?"
"Right! Knew I was forgetting something." With another grin, Luke shot out of the overhang in his pod, helmet securely on his head. As he flew across a deep ravine, he never noticed the pair of eyes following him from below with a look of curiosity- or the not yet ignited lightsaber in the cloaked man's hand.
Luke was too busy having the time of his life. Sure, he missed his relatives- but this was a dream come true! He kept on smiling to himself, and thought of how proud Uncle Owen would be when he won the race. Surely his Uncle would forgive him then for disobeying a rule?
Little did Luke know, he would see his aunt and uncle again only on their deathbeds.
But such tragedies were the furthest thing from the child's mind as he sped across the rough terrain. He ignored the foreboding feeling that was developing. How was he to know that feeling was the sickness of the Dark? How was he to know that Tatooine was about to become a slaughter house?
The cloaked man ignited his saber, and it glowed an ominous black.