Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars or any of the characters. Boy I wish I did! Then the Clone Wars would still be on air. Anyway, don't sue me please!

A/N: This story idea was from my friend, I am merely helping her write this and revising it, so all the credit goes to her. Let us know your thoughts! And please REVIEW! It makes us so happy to know people are reading our stories! The only way we know if we have views is if readers like you REVIEW! Enjoy! :P

~FangirlingHorserider

Chapter One:

The Slave Boy

Some people say my life story is one filled with adventure, craziness, sadness, pain, suffering, and confusion. That is true, but it's also filled with much is love and joy hidden amongst the turmoil. Here is my life story...

I had first started out as a slave boy, scared and timid. Well, maybe not so timid, but you get the idea. I had big dreams for myself and my mother. I was going to free us from this awful planet called Tatooine. I'll never forget when I met Jedi Master Qui-gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-wan Kenobi. I had no clue how much they would influence my life, or that they were my key to freedom. They were very interesting people, and I liked them right away. I remember when my eyes first landed on Padmè; I was in love! She was an angel, a beautiful, wonderful being. I had never felt this emotion before, and I liked it.

Qui-gon, Obi Wan, and Padme had needed shelter from the storm, so I invited them to come to our quarters. It wasn't much, since I was a slave, but I hoped it would be enough. My mother wasn't so sure about it, but she welcomed them into our section anyway. I found out their ship crashed and they were stuck on this dustball. The wheels in my head started turning... How can I be of help to these people? Then it hit me, the pod-race! The only problem was… It was the Boonta Eve Classic, one of the hardest races. It took what seemed like forever to convince everyone of my "brilliant" plan, but I succeeded. I was buzzing with excitement! But there was another problem, I had never won a race before, let alone finish one! My pod racer wasn't exactly in working condition either. "Hey, there's a first time for everything!" I thought.

I was so excited to be able to participate in the pod race. I knew for a fact I would not let the Jedi down. I would win, and I'd do it in style. Losing was definitely not an option. Winning this race meant freedom, and possibly Jedi training! No pressure, right?

The race was about to start; all the competitors lined up, adjusting last minute things on their pod-racers. I put on my helmet and goggles, turned my pod-racer on, and did some last-minute prep. I took deep, controlled breaths, waiting for the symbol to clang, signifying it was time to go. Then I heard a "clang!" and everyone was off in a flash. Wait, my pod wasn't moving! I frantically flipped switches and turned levers, trying to find the problem. Sweat started running down my forehead. I vaguely heard shouts, cheering, and booing in the background, but I was so engrossed in my podracer it didn't register. After what seemed like an eternity (it was probably only two minutes), the engines spluttered to life! I slammed my foot down on the pedal and flew after my competition, and my freedom. I silently cursed, "two minutes of lost time! I could be in the lead by now!". The sandy terrain flew past me in a blur as I weaved my way in and out of obstacles. I was solely focused on winning this race. "YES!" I thought; I could see the tail-end of a racer! I slowly drew ahead from him. I could see more podracers up ahead. I pushed my pod racer to its max speed. I dashed past another racer, who, by the way, was very ugly. I only had two more people to pass! I rounded a corner, and started the third lap. I only had one lap left to pull ahead! My stomach went churned with adrenaline. Determination coursed through my body; I wasn't aware of anything except winning this race. Again, I willed my pod to go just a little faster; I was gaining on them! The racer in second place suddenly crashed off the course. For a fleeting moment I felt sorry for him, but that emotion was quickly demolished when I pulled up next to the top racer. He apparently didn't like that very much and pushed me off the course. I went flying off a ramp and into the air. I unconsciously used the Force to steady my racer, and I landed right in front of him. I smirked, starting to get cocky. But my moment of triumph didn't last long when something fell off my podracer and it started to slow down. The engines spluttered and smoke spewed from the rear. I started to panic, my freedom was right there in front of me! I couldn't lose now. I frantically tried to fix the problem as the guy in second started gaining on me. When I fixed the engine problem, the ugly guy was right next to me! He kept trying to push me out of the way with his podracer. But as he was doing that, his racer got stuck on mine, I felt a nudge from what I would soon learn was the Force telling me to pull to the right. That dislodged his pod from mine, and he spiralled off track into a rock. I pulled ahead and crossed the finish line, in first place. "FREEDOM! YES!" I thought. That moment right there would change my life. I was now free! All I thought about was that I WON, I crossed the finish line first. It was shocking yet exhilarating!

Everyone broke out in thunderous applause. My mother, Qui-gon, and Padmè rushed to congratulate me. Padmè gave me a big hug, and I was pretty sure I was blushing and smiling like an idiot. My mom bent down to hug me also. Though I loved my mom, did she have to hug and kiss me in front of the beautiful girl and the Jedi? I made a face and gently leaned away. Qui-gon just smiled happily. I had won enough money for him to get a new ship! I hadn't let him down.

Qui-gon walked into our quarters. I looked up at him, wondering why in the world was he still here. I heard my mom sigh sadly. I looked back and forth between them wondering what was going on. Wait what, did I hear him right? Did he just say that I was no longer a slave? I was free? Pure excitement ran through me as I jumped up and down. Not only was I free but I was going to be trained as a Jedi! I remember thinking that dreams really do come true. I would learn the hard lesson later in life that even nightmares can come true. My mom smiled but I could tell there was sadness in her eyes. Why was she sad? Wasn't she free too?

I had wasted no time packing my things. Which didn't take very long, considering I didn't have much. All the while I was thinking of what it would be like to become a Jedi. I would be the best one of all time. I was bubbling just at the thought of it. My dream... Finally coming true. Then I wondered about my mother; Was she free too? Was she coming with me? Qui-gon didn't mention that detail, and let me tell you, It was a very important detail! My heart started to beat faster, I couldn't leave without my mother! I wouldn't!

I'll never forget the look on my mother's face when she told me she wasn't coming. I wanted to cry and hug her so tight, never letting go. My sweet mother was still a slave. Why couldn't the Jedi have done something to free her?! It was infuriating. I vowed to come back to free my mother once I became a powerful Jedi. I would not break that promise.

After a little while longer, I started to walk off with Qui-gon to the ship. I turned back around and ran to my mother, hugging her. I just couldn't go! I cried into her shoulder. How she did it, I'm still not sure. But she convinced me that she'd be alright and that we'd see each other again very soon.

Once on the ship, it was too late to change my mind. It was really happening. I was off to the Jedi temple. The whole ride I was thinking of my mother. Even when Padmè had come to visit me my thoughts were still on Mom. Obi-wan's reaction to me coming a long was quite amusing. He apparently thought Qui-gon had picked up "another stray" and that "he really needed to stop doing that!". I knew that I was going to be great friends with Kenobi, even though he wasn't thrilled about me coming. There was something about Obi-wan that intrigued me. I wanted to ask him a lot of questions about the Jedi life. But I was just too tired and worried to say anything. I fell asleep for the rest of the ride.

A/N: Ok, there's chapter one! Tell us what you think! ~FangirlingHorserider (editor)

Wow, chapter one was so much fun to write! I hope you guys enjoy it. Now at the beginning my friend said that all the credit would go to me because it was my idea. But, I think she needs at least half the credit! If it wasn't for her the story wouldn't be as good. She fixes my spelling and grammar mistakes and makes the whole story run smoother. Couldn't be doing this without her! Honestly, this is my first time writing a Star Wars story. Wish me luck! -Country Girl- (writer)