One of my favorite elements of the entire Star Wars saga was the Podracing. Two of my favorite video games in the world are Star Wars Episode 1 Racer, and Star Wars Racer Revenge. What got me thinking was "What if Anakan chose to stay on Tatooine to continue his podracing career instead of going with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi to become a Jedi." This is the saga of how a lone podracer, Anakin Skywalker, saves his friends and family, and in the end, the galaxy, and somewhere in there wins the heart of a certain Senator. Our story begins right after Anakin wins the Boonta Eve Classic in Episode 1.

PROLOG

Dax Gazaway: Little Anakin Skywalker has done it! He is the youngest winner in the history of the Classic! One thing is for sure, the future looks bright for this little guy! Until next time, keep your goggles clean, and your engines tuned. I'm Dax Gazaway!

Anakin Skywalker had won the biggest podrace of the season, and in turn, won his freedom.
No longer a slave, he wondered if he could really leave his mother behind to become a Jedi Knight. Anakin's heart ached. He couldn't bring himself to leave his mom behind.

Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padme', were preparing to return to their ship, to continue their journey to Coursant, after Anakin had won the race. Once the party had returned to Anakin's home he shared with his mother, Anakin felt it was time to reveal to his friends that he had no intentions of leaving his mother.

"Come Anakin, it is time to go." Qui-Gon didn't want to stay on Tatooine any longer, for fear of safety to the Queen of Naboo. Anakin chose this moment to state his inetentions.

"Master Qui-Gon, I have chosen to stay with my mom."

Qui-Gon stopped packing what few belonging he had brought with him from the ship. Then turned and looked at Anakin.

"Anakin, the Force is amazingly strong with you. You are more important than you realize."

"My mother is more important to me than being a Jedi Knight!"

Anakin's words hit Qui-Gon like a ton of bricks. He now understood why the Council never took older kids in for training, because they have already formed attachments to their parents, family and friend. While Qui-Gon knew that Anakin was special to the Force, he know it was better to leave Anakin behind, if he felt this way.

"Very well, my young friend. I trust the Force will allow our paths to cross again."

Obi-Wan thanked Shimi and Anakin for their hospitality during their stay in Mos Epas. Padme' hugged Anakin and whispered something to him before she left.

"Take care of your mother, Anakin. I'm sure you will win her freedom one day."

With that, the party left Mos Epos. Shimi looked at her little boy in amazement. He had his freedom, and yet, wanted to stay with her. Shimi smiled at her son.

"What will you do now that you have your freedom, Anakin?"

Anakin had his mind made up. If podracing could win his freedom, then it could win his mother's freedom.

"I'm going to tell Watto tomorrow that I will race his pod for the rest of the podracing season, Mom."

Shimi looked at Anakin with a shocked look on her face.

"Why would you want to do that, Anakin?"

"Because podracing won me my freedom, Mom. Maybe I can win your freedom as well."

Shimi couldn't believe it! Her son was willing to keep risking his life racing, in order to win her freedom!

"I don't like you racing, Anakin. I cring every time Watto makes you do it!"

"But Mom, I love it."

Shimi bowed her head, defeated. She knew in her heart, The Force would keep her son safe from harm.

"Just don't scare me again, like you did in the last race, Anakin!"

Anakin and Shimi hugged, Shimi happy she still had her son, and Anakin happy he was still with his mother.

MEANWHILE ON THE NABOO ROYAL CRUISER

Qui-Gon Jinn watched outside the windows of the ship, as stars passed by. He was sure Anakin was the 'Chosen One', the one that will bring balance to The Force, and destroy the Sith Lords, once and for all. Obi-Wan Kenobi tapped on Qui-Gon Jinn's shoulder.

"You are thinking about the boy, Master."

"He should have came with us, my padawan."

"Master, the boy loves his mother. You can not deny him feelings that he has felt since he was born. We all would feel that way if we grew up like Anakin has."

Qui-Gon nodded his head at his apprentice. Qui-Gon had said many times that Obi-Wan was a much better Jedi Knight that he had ever been.

"I believe you are ready to face the Jedi trials, my padawan. It is time that you become a full Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan was shocked! Was he really ready to face the trials?

"I am not ready, master."

"If I say you are ready, Obi-Wan, you are ready. Go continue your meditation. There is much to discuss when we meet the Council again."

Obi-Wan returned to his quarters, deep in thought that he could soon be a full Jedi Knight.
Meanwhile in the royal suite, Padme' was deep in thought as well. Would she ever meet the kind young man that had won the credits that fixed her ship, again? Padme changed into her nightdress, and went to sleep until they arrived at Coursant.

Meanwhile on Tatooine, Watto was buying back Anakin's homemade podracer. When Anakin told Watto that he wanted to keep racing, Watto knew he had the proverbal 'Goose That Laid The Golden Egg'. Anakin made a deal with Watto. If Anakin continued to race and won the Podracing Championship that season, Watto would have to give Shimi her freedom. Considering that the his commission on the prize money would be more than enough to pay for Shimi, Watto agreed to these terms.

Anakin smiled. All that stood between him and his mother's freedom, was doing the one thing that he loved.