I am the man who carries the fate of the Galaxy upon his shoulders.
To the Jedi, I am known as the ''Chosen One''…
To the Sith, I am known as the ''Sith'ari''…
To the People, I am the ''Hero With No Fear''…
My name is Anakin Skywalker, and this is my story.
XxX
Chapter 1
The beginning
Anakin Skywalker shook off the residual specks of sand from his tunic as best he could before entering Watto's shop for work. The place was now officially closed for the week by the Toydarian Master since he was out traveling to the Podracing circuit outside of Mos Espa. Knowing Watto's personality, he had most likely left a list of chores for the young Anakin to do for the week while he was out betting his credits on Sebulba's Podracer like usual.
The young boy let out a depressed sigh, wishing that he too could enter the race, but sadly his secret project for building his very own Podracer was not even halfway done, and Watto wouldn't let him anywhere near his after he had crashed it. Not my fault Sebulba cheated…
Entering the shop, Anakin walked over to the back and searched the counter that held various mechanical odds and ends, expecting a long list of tedious chores for him to do, but surprisingly there was no list whatsoever! The young boy looked all over the shop for quite some time, but in the end, it seemed Watto had forgotten to make one. Maybe he was in a hurry, well either that, or he couldn't think of anything to keep me occupied for the week.
Unexpectedly having nothing to do for the Toydarian, Anakin was at a loss for the first time in his life as to what he should do in the meantime. Before he could think up something to do, the chime that signaled a customer arriving rang out. Huh, that's weird. I shouldn't be expecting anyone right now, especially since the sign outside the shop says closed for the week. Maybe whoever it is can't read Huttese or Toydarian?
The person in question walked through the door before Anakin could muse any further. The customer wore a helmet that reminded the boy of the bounty hunters that would every so often be seen within the Mos Eisley Cantina, drinking away and telling stories. Aside from the helmet came the person's cloaked appearance, which gave off an aura of mystery and lethality to any curious onlooker.
Behind the counter, Anakin greeted who he assumed to be a customer looking for parts with Galactic Basic instead of the usual Huttese or Toydarian. ''Welcome to Watto's shop, how may I help you today?'' Asked Anakin. Watto had instructed him long ago on how to deal with customers who wanted to buy, along with how to haggle and negotiate to get the better end of the deal when he started working in the shop. Out here, everything was usually bartered for one thing or another, but credits did just fine if they came in a large abundance. Anakin was confident in himself that he could make a profit if he played his cards right.
The cloaked figure looked directly at Anakin, taking in the boy's appearance and nothing else as he approached leisurely. ''Tell me, what is your name boy?'' Asked the person as he slowly walked towards Anakin.
''Me? My name is Anakin…and you sir?'' He was starting to feel a little unnerved at how the person was only looking at him and nothing else. A tremendous pressure pressed down on Anakin, so much so that it almost felt physical, though he tried to look unaffected in front of the person he assumed to be a man due to the rough voice that sounded out from the helmet. Maybe he isn't a customer? Then why is he here? I'm honestly starting to feel a little scared of him...
The man didn't reply, a deafening silence slowly started to fill the room. Anakin slowly slid his fingers onto the crude blaster that Watto had hidden beneath the counter just in case someone wanted to cause trouble. Maybe this person is wanted with a bounty on his head. I've only had some practice, but at this range there's no chance I'll miss! I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that though. I don't want to hurt this person if I don't have to…
''My name isn't important right now…not yet at least.'' The tall figure raised his hands in a placating gesture. ''I'm not here to cause any harm or trouble boy, only to make a proposition, and to give something that belongs to you.'' The hooded figure slowly reached into his long dark robe and pulled out a necklace from within. The necklace was quite the eye-catcher, two crystals were used as the pendant, the dark cord that made the string securely wrapped around both. One crystal was blue in color, with white veins streaked across, while the other crystal was contradictory, a brother to the other, its color a malevolent red with black veins like lightning.
The man tossed the necklace to Anakin. ''Keep it with you at all times boy, it's yours to have.'' With that, he turned and went ahead to exit the shop as the young boy inspected the two crystals with awe, but before he exited the doorway, he stopped. Turning his head to the awe-struck Anakin, he made his proposition. With a serious tone, the man said, ''If you wish to know more about what it is that you hold in your hands, and of who you are and what your destiny is, meet me North of the Dune Sea. You have this week only to come to a decision, nothing more, nothing less. It was nice meeting you Anakin,'' said the man after a pause. He quickly left after that before Anakin could say anything.
Dumbfounded and unable to move, Anakin simply stood still for a long time, his eyes never leaving the necklace as a whirlwind of thoughts flew across his mind. I-I don't understand. Why would he suddenly give me this? Just who was he? What exactly did he mean when he said this belongs to me? Meet him North of the Dune Sea?! My destiny?! Who I am?!
He decided to put this unusual turn of events to the back of his mind, at least until he returned home. Looking at the necklace reflected across his eyes, he decided to keep it close to him like the mysterious person said. After some time adjusting the necklace to his preference around his neck, he found he rather liked it. He didn't know what it was, but something just felt right when it pressed against his chest, right above his ever-beating heart. Safely secured around his neck, Anakin hid it within his tunic, not wanting anyone to get any ideas of stealing it should they have an interest in it.
He decided to close the shop since there was no work to do. After locking the doors and securing everything, he finally left for home. It was quite late in the day, with the twin suns Tatoo I and Tatoo II were already setting on the horizon, leaving behind a beautiful hue within the sky as Anakin walked home, his twin shadows right behind him.
Looking around as he walked, Anakin saw that most of the popular shops and small stands were already starting to close, the people either heading for home within Slave Quarters Row or to the Cantina for a drink. Tatooine was a desert planet first and foremost, and as such, it would become increasingly cold at night as opposed to the day. Most people who lived around this area were poor and didn't have the means to protect themselves from the cold, or the Tusken Raiders that were often found within the arid region. Because of this, most stayed inside buildings that could give heat and some sense of security.
Despite wanting to put off the events that occurred till later when he got home, Anakin couldn't help but think of them, especially with what the tall masked man had said to him. Should I tell mom about what happened today? I don't like to keep secrets from her, and the man didn't say anything about keeping quiet either. I don't think he wants to harm me, he could've easily done so when we were alone inside the shop, and even then, why would he bother with a young slave? Ugh, all this thinking is starting to hurt my brain…
In the near distance to the horizon was Slave Quarters Row. It was an ancient relic left behind by the mining companies who had first colonized Tatooine. Situated on the outskirts of the spaceport that was Mos Espa, it was one of the poorer areas known to the planet that was Tatooine. The Row was lined with the cheapest of hovels, and true to its name, home to those who were unfortunate enough to be slaves. The hovels were powered by ancient bio-converter power generators, the kind that converted sludge from the underground pipelines into fuel for the hovels' limited power needs.
Despite the hard life he endured, Anakin found himself lucky that he and his mother lived within three hovels instead of one. This was not due to the generosity of Watto, but rather due to the Toydarian not being able to afford any more slaves. In fact, he did not buy Anakin or his mother at all, but rather won them in a bet against the Hutt, Gardula Besadii.
As a slave, Anakin and his mother were implanted with a transmitter, a device that would detonate should they try to escape within a certain range. Ever since he saw it in action, he despised it, and made a silent vow to find and destroy the one in his body along with his mother's. The only safe way to get it out without dying was through the deactivator wand, which terminated the transmitter permanently, afterwards you could get surgery to remove the chip, though optional, which would leave a small scar either above the heart or cranium, which were the most commonplace. In this regard though, he was out of luck. Anakin couldn't find out where his was located, nor did he have the knowledge or resources to create a deactivator wand.
Anakin detested being a slave, but more than that, he hated seeing his mother subjected to it. To him, his mother would always take priority over himself, despite what she might say, and it was with this mindset that he would do whatever was needed to free her. No matter the cost, I will free you mom…I will give you a better life…I promise.
The first thing that Anakin saw when returning home was his mother. Shmi Skywalker was currently preparing a simple dinner for two out of what she had.
''Hey mom, I'm home,'' said Anakin as he sat down and rested his head on the table, the day's events replaying in his mind as he closed his eyes.
Shmi took a quick glance at her son as she cooked, her brow furrowing I concern as she saw him. ''Is something wrong Ani? You seem somewhat troubled.''
Should I tell mom about what happened? It's not like anything really happened, all the man did was talk to me, even going so far as to giving me something pretty nice, and besides, I don't want to worry her over nothing…
Not wanting to trouble her, he decided to keep the day's events a secret, despite wanting to confide in his mother. I'm sorry mom, it's just that I feel this is somehow important to me, I don't know why, but it just is.
Anakin shook his head. ''No, nothing's wrong at all mom. It's just…I've been thinking lately…''
''Hmm, about?'' Shmi asked, her voice laced with worry only a mother could have.
Anakin raised his head. ''W-well, I was wondering if I could travel North of the Dune Sea later this week.''
''Now Ani, I know you like to explore and see new things, but we've had this talk about a dozen times already. You're far too young to be going to such dangerous places by yourself, and who knows what could happen to you? Besides, what's out North?''
''Well, I was thinking of trading and bartering with the Jawas for the parts I need for C-3PO. Once he's built, he'll be able to help you with whatever you need. And I'm sure I have enough Wupiupi saved for the parts. It wouldn't even take that long to get to the Market if I use the Sandskimmer mom. Come on mom, please?''
Shmi Skywalker shook her head and sighed when she heard her son's barely contained enthusiasm. ''Ok Ani, I'll allow it, but take care of yourself alright? There's dangerous people lurking about in this lawless world, and I don't want you getting into trouble if you can help it.''
Anakin gave her a toothy grin. ''No worries mother, I never get into trouble.''
Out upon the sea of sand stood a lone figure illuminated by three moons. Heavily cloaked and masked, he was neither dead nor alive. He was there with but one purpose, train the boy. The will of all things demanded it, and he would not refuse it's demand.
So, he is the one. A pure heart and a will to learn Anakin has. Two things that could very well be his downfall…
Author's Note: So, this Fanfiction is something I decided to do after watching the prequel Star Wars movies. This story is centered around Anakin and those close to him. My intention is to write about his life, from the beginning to the very end. This is AU, so keep that in mind when reading please. Expect many things to be different with some things staying the same. As the Author, I intend for this to be a very long story, with many long chapters for you to read and hopefully enjoy in the foreseeable future.
Now, I decided to try and change things up from how I would normally write a chapter. I'm still learning the ropes but do bear with me here. I'm only a year into writing, but I think I'm doing pretty decent if I do say so myself…
Anyways thanks for reading!