(01-13-2018: I finally have a Beta for this series {THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!} so this chapter has been tweaked by both of us. I'll just put these edited chapters up a little at a time. It's the basic stuff, spelling mistakes, comma placement, etc)

REALLY LONG AUTHOR'S NOTE! (For me anyway)
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING! Though I wish I owned Anakin...oh Anakin...however, my OC Zelina Du'ahn, her father Dar'Shan Du'ahn, Shal'ma her slave owner, and Garth the other kitchen hand, are mine.
SOURCES: The Star Wars Movies and wonderful old Wookiepeedia!
QUICK PRONUNCIATION: Zelina Du'ahn (Zeh-lee-nah Dew-awn) Dar'Shan Du'ahn (Dar-Shawn Dew-awn) Shal'ma (Shall-mah)
Well, here's Dawn of a New Life! This ENTIRE story idea came into my head while I was watching The Phantom Menace with my little brother (his favorite character's Darth Maul), and I just had to start it up. I have plans all the way to Episode III, including a collection of adventure ideas forThe Clone Wars. Hope you guys will stay with me through it all. Anyway, without further ado, here's the first chapter! Sorry if it seems a little slow at first, gotta introduce the main character. Thing's will pick up though, don't worry! Please, please, PLEASE review, I absolutely love getting feedback from my readers, even if it's a simply good job or telling me what your favorite part was. :D Anyway, I'm getting off track again haha. Here's the chapter: Enjoy!


"Ani!"

Zelina Du'ahn was crouched behind some of the rusty droids in old Watto's shop, trying to keep out of the Toydarian's view. In her tiny hand she clutched a pod piece, taking great care to keep it more out of sight than even herself.

Anakin Skywalker's head swiveled in her direction, his attention pulled from the fan switches he was cleaning. A big grin danced across his face when he saw her, his eyes darting towards both doors to make sure the coast was clear before he made his way over to her.

"Zee! What're you doing here?" he asked, though the answer was obvious. Why else would she risk getting caught by Watto lurking in the shop again?

"I managed to swipe this," Zelina said, pulling the piece into Anakin's view. "I thought it might be something you could use on that secret project of yours."

Anakin smirked at her as he took the piece, examining it top to bottom. "An energy binder! I could use this. I'd tell you what for, but I know you won't know what I'm talking about."

She shook her head, now smiling herself. "No, no I wouldn't. I just thought this looked a little like that piece you were saying you needed."

"Where'd you get it?" Anakin asked, tucking it away safely where no one would notice.

"Oh, I was walking along and just happened across it…" Zelina said vaguely.

Anakin frowned. "I don't think that's what happened."

Suddenly she became very sheepish. "I…might have swiped it from Sebulba when he wasn't looking…"

"You what?" Anakin hissed. "Are you crazy? Sebulba's dangerous, why would you go asking for trouble with him!"

She shrugged before becoming defensive. "It's not like he needs it. Besides, he can afford to replace it. You need it more, Ani…" Zelina said quietly.

The two children heard Watto calling for Anakin, which immediately signaled the end of the conversation. "You better get out of here before Watto sees you. You know you won't get off easy like you did last time!" Anakin warned.

Zelina grinned. She had gained a reputation for swiping parts, and one day when she had been lurking in the store to try and talk to Anakin about something Watto had spotted her, thinking she was trying to steal parts. She'd been forbidden to ever walk in the store again, and what would happen if she did had been left to the imagination. Though she wasn't worried at all. Her own master was much scarier than Watto.

"You know me Ani, I'm too smart to get caught," she chuckled.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "See you!" he whispered before he scuttled away out of the room.

Zelina was going to slip out the back door, but something warned her otherwise. Frowning, she slipped behind one of the droids, her small, six year old frame being able to fit easily into the hiding spot. Just as she got situated, Watto came by, a man walking behind him. Zelina looked at him curiously, quickly coming to the conclusion he was an outlander. He had a kind face, long brown hair that went to his shoulders, a neat beard, and twinkling blue eyes. The man turned his head in her direction, and Zelina froze in fear when his eyes locked on her own. Would he tell Watto? If he did then there was no telling the trouble she would be in…

The man gave a small smile, but said nothing, continuing to follow the Toydarian as Watto rattled off something about Nubian Cruiser hyper drive pieces. Curious, despite how risky it was, Zelina stayed hidden but followed after the two to figure out what was going on.

They disappeared out the back, and it took a few moments for Zelina to make it to the doorway without attracting any attention. Straining her ears, Watto's words floated over to her as she peeked her head around the corner, taking a risk at being caught.

"Republic Credits? Republic Credits are no good out here, I need something more real!"

"I don't have anything else, but credits will do fine." The man waved his hand in a small semi-circle and Zelina frowned. What was the man trying to do?

"No, they won't!"

"Credits will do fine." Yet again, the man waved his hand.

"No, they won't," Watto said angrily. "What, do you think you're some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that? I'm a Toydarian, mind tricks don't work on me—only money!"

Zelina gave a start. A Jedi? Was the man a Jedi?

"No money, no parts, no deal!"

Watto's voice broke through Zelina's thoughts, and she looked at the man who was supposedly a Jedi. He simply flashed a smile before it quickly disappeared and he turned around to come back through the shop.

Frantically, Zelina scrambled backwards, panicking. Stupid! She needed to get out of the shop right now or she'd never slip past Watto! She zipped out of the room, coming to a halt when she saw Anakin sitting on the counter talking to a girl. She looked older than Anakin, but the way he was looking at her sent a pang of jealousy through Zelina. Anakin's head turned to Zelina, surprise filling his face when he realized she was still in the shop.

"Zee, you gotta get out of here! If Watto sees you—" he started.

"What are you talking about Ani, I'm not here!" she said as she threw him a grin, making too sharp of a turn and tripping on her way out the door. She cursed, but picked herself back up and slipped around the corner just in time. She could hear the man's voice.

"We're leaving. Jar Jar."

There was some crashing, and Zelina heard the girl speak. "I'm glad to have met you, Anakin."

"I was glad to meet you, too!" Anakin called the same time the party arrived around the corner. Zelina shrunk back from the doorway some, though once again found the man's eyes on her.

"And what were you doing lurking about in there, little one?" he asked.

The girl's eyes fell on Zelina, and she started for a moment. "Hey, weren't you the one who just…"

"Girl!" barked a familiar voice, cutting the girl off from whatever she'd been about to say. Zelina jumped and winced, turning and running towards her master without answering the two. The woman towered over her, glaring at Zelina and grabbing her arm in a strong grip. "Where have you been, you no good piece of—"

"I was just getting something to eat, ma'am, I swear!" Zelina protested, trying not to wince at the nails digging into her arm.

"Yeah, more like stealing! Where are you hiding whatever you took, scum? Hand it over now and I might give you some slack on your punishment."

"I didn't take anything, honestly, Shal'ma!"

"Bah!" the woman growled, shaking Zelina a little before dragging her along. "You're so much more trouble than you're worth, I might just sell you and be rid of you. I just have to find someone foolish enough to take you off my hands. Your father is so much more useful."

Zelina scowled, reluctantly letting Shal'ma lead her back to the dump of a cantina she was forced to work at.

Shal'ma dragged her into the back, practically throwing her towards the dirty dishes. "Get to work! And if you sneak away again girl, I'll make you regret it. You'll never be so foolish to slip away again!"

As Shal'ma walked out of the room, Zelina made a face at her retreating back, but still picked up the rag to start scrubbing at the nasty dishes piled high for her to take care of. Garth, the other servant who worked in the kitchens with Zelina, gave her a sympathetic look.

"You know, Zelina, she probably wouldn't be so rough if you would just follow her instructions and weren't always sneaking away," he said pointedly, ruffling Zelina's platinum blonde hair. She couldn't help but laugh a little, her bright blue-green eyes sparkling.

"I can't help it, Garth, you know I can't stand it here. Not for long, anyway. The first chance I get, I'm out of here!" Zelina stated firmly.

"You're starting to sound like that Skywalker kid you're always hanging around," Girth chided.

"And that's a bad thing?" Zelina asked with a grin, scrubbing absently at a cup that reeked of alcohol. "He's right to want off of this rock."

"Yes, but you two are far from getting away from here, let alone earning your freedom. Besides, could you really leave your father behind?"

Zelina hesitated. Why did Garth always have to bring her father into these discussions? After the loss of her mother, Zelina's father, Dar'shan, had been very protective. Zelina was all he had left. For a six year old, she was very well aware of their situation. She didn't think that she'd have the heart to leave if the opportunity really did present itself. Though at the same time, she couldn't stand to be here much longer…

"You know he needs you here," Garth said softly, turning to whatever he was doing. Zelina sighed but said nothing, not in the mood to argue with him today. Especially with a subject that would cause them to go around in circles conversationally for hours.

Zelina was content for a while, slowly working away at the pile of filth to make the dishes clean enough to be eaten off of. Slowly, though, unease started to settle in for some reason. She grew restless.

I need to get out of this cramped trash hole, Zelina thought with a twinge of bitterness. She squirmed.

"You're not thinking of bolting again, are you, Zelina? It won't be pretty if you do…" Garth warned her.

Zelina sighed, tossing the rag aside and turning with a sigh of exasperation. "I can't help it, I feel like I have to get out of here for air or something…its driving me crazy being stuck back here."

Garth sighed, looking away for a moment as he appeared to contemplate something. When he looked back at her, he was smiling slightly. "Alright…alright, go on, get your air; I'll finish these. If Shal'ma comes back here, I'll tell her you finished early."

Zelina smiled at him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek with a sweet smile. "Thank you, Garth!"

Garth chuckled, shaking his head. "Go on, before I change my mind."

Zelina grinning, rushing out of the cantina as inconspicuously as she possibly could and onto the street. She took a breath of fresh air, though her stomach still seemed to be doing flips. Walking as innocently and carefree as she possibly could, Zelina wandered aimlessly. After passing a few streets, she spotted Anakin.

He must have gotten off early today, Zelina thought cheerily as she waved at him to get his attention. He spotted her, starting to make his way over, but a scene a little ways down the road from them caught their attention.

Sebulba, the pod racing slimeball that kept causing Anakin to lose his races, had ahold of the third member of the strange party from Watto's shop earlier. Both Anakin and Zelina frowned, though Anakin was closer, so when they moved to approach them and help, he reached the pair first.

"Careful, Sebulba, he's a big time outlander. I'd hate to see you diced before we race again," Anakin jeered.

Zelina approached from behind. "Yeah, it'd be a shame. I've been looking forward to seeing Anakin cream you."

"Shut it, thief!" Sebulba growled at Zelina before turning to snarl at Anakin. "Next time we race, boy, it will be the end of you. If you two weren't slaves, I'd squash you now!"

"Yeah, it'd be a shame if you had to pay for us," Anakin said smarmily, and Zelina chuckled while Sebulba walked away. The man from earlier approached, and Zelina suddenly felt very sheepish.

"Hi," said Anakin in an upbeat voice. Zelina simply blushed, standing shyly by Anakin's side.

"Hi there," the man responded, glancing Zelina's way and eyeing the two of them curiously.

"Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug, an especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba."

Zelina nodded, and the third member spoke, though she couldn't make sense of a word he said. Thankfully, it appeared to be talking to Anakin, so she didn't have to respond.

"Nevertheless, the boy is right, you were headed into trouble. Thanks, my young friend," the man said, already turning to leave.

"But—but—but meesa doing nothing!" the creature squawked, and this time Zelina understood him.

"You could breathe wrong and Sebulba would pick a fight with you," Zelina told the creature. Anakin was following the group and Zelina couldn't help but follow them also, as Anakin was able to persuade the group to follow him to Jira's fruit stand. Zelina hung back, simply watching as Anakin bought everyone some pallies.

"Here, you'll like these pallies. Here," Anakin said, tapping the man a little to get his attention. What had him so distracted?

"Thank you," he said, taking the fruit from Anakin. Both Anakin and Zelina's eyes zeroed in on the laser sword strapped to his waist, though they didn't say anything, simply shared a glance.

"Oh, my bones are aching! Storm's coming up, Ani, Zelina, you better get home quick!" Jira said to them.

"Do you have shelter?" Anakin asked them as they all turned to leave. Zelina hurried her pace to keep up with the group, continuing to listen.

"We'll head back to our ship," the man reassured him.

"Is it far?" Anakin asked.

"It's on the outskirts," the girl said.

"You'll never make it to the outskirts before that sandstorm hits," Zelina piped up. Yet again, the man shot her a look, and she returned to her sheepish, quiet state.

"Sandstorms are very, very dangerous," Anakin continued. "Come on, I'll take you to my place!"

Zelina smiled a little, hurrying to walk next to Anakin. At least her place was next to Anakin's, so she wouldn't have to worry about getting home. "They seem nice," she said quietly to him.

Anakin grinned. "They do, don't they? Are you going to stay with us at my house or go to yours?"

Zelina shrugged. "I'll stay with you guys, and if my father gets worried I can just go next door to tell him where I am."

Anakin nodded, seeming happy with all the company. "That's great! It's been a while since you came over: I've gotten really far with 3PO since you last saw him," Anakin told her.

"That's cool, Ani, I'd love to see him," Zelina said, the two sharing a smile as they continued on their way.


Qui-Gon Jinn watched the two blonde children as they led them to shelter from the rapidly approaching sandstorm, a light of curiosity having been sparked in him. The two chattered away happily, though Qui-Gon wasn't paying any attention to what they were saying. Instead, he was prodding at their Force Presences.

It seemed both of them were very strong in the Force.

The boy was much stronger in the Force it seemed than the girl, though the girl had a rather strong presence as well. What were the chances that their small little band would end up stranded on this planet and stumble across two Force Sensitive children? Qui-Gon was sure that this was the will of the Force for him to find these two. The problem, though, was what he was supposed to do about it, and if he could do anything. Both of them, he knew, were slaves. That much was obvious.

Qui-Gon watched the two children, slowly coming to a decision. For now, he would watch and trust in the Force. Whatever its will was, it would provide a way. He would just have to remain open to the Force's promptings.

He was sure there was something very special about these two younglings.