Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I only own Arianna and Gina.
Also... this chapter was 10 pages in Microsoft Word. Wow! Didn't realize that I'd typed that much...
Chapter 9 - Freedom
It was the day of the pod race. Anakin, Padmé, Shmi, Kitster, and Arianna rode in on Eopies. Watto flew up to them and spoke in Huttese.
"Bonapa keesa pateeso, o wanna meetee chobodd." Better stop your friends betting, or I'll end up owning him too.
Anakin frowned and glared at him, Arianna doing the same.
"What'd he mean by that?" Anakin asked Qui-Gon.
"I'll tell you later. Good morning." He said, helping Shmi down. They then walked over to Anakin's podracer.
"This is so wizard Ani. I'm sure you'll do it this time." Kitster said.
"Do what?" Padmé asked.
"Finish the race." Arianna answered.
"You've never won a race?"
"Well, not exactly." Anakin admitted.
"Not even finished?"
"Arianna and Kitster are right. I will this time."
"Of course you will." Qui-Gon remarked.
Race Time…
"And a big turnout here from all corners of the outer rim territories." The two-headed announcer said. "I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid. I see Ben Quadinaros from the Tund System. Two- time winner Boles Roor."
The other head spoke in Huttese, but one word was not.
And that was… "Sebulba!"
The crowd went crazy for him and Arianna scoffed.
"And in the front row, nearside pole position, Mawhonic! A hearty hello to Cleg Holdfast and his Voltec KT9 Wasp! And back again it's the mighty Dud Bolt with that incredible racing machine the Vulptereen 327. And hoping for a big win today Ody Mandrell, with his record-setting pit droid team. And a late entry, young Anakin Skywalker, a local boy. I see the flags are moving out onto the track."
While the flags were out, Shmi and Arianna walked over to Anakin.
"Be safe." Shmi said.
"Same here." Arianna agreed.
"I will guys. I promise."
Arianna walked away with Shmi and watched Qui-Gon go over to Ani. He helped him in his podracer and spoke to him. Her attention was brought from it when the announcers spoke the words, "Jabba the Hutt."
Jabba spoke in Huttese. He said, "Welcome. Begin the race!"
With that the racers powered up their pods.
"Hey it looks like they're clearing the grid." The announcer said. At that moment, Qui-Gon and Jar Jar showed up.
"Is he nervous?" Shmi asked.
"He's fine."
"You Jedi are far too reckless. The queen is not-" Padmé started.
"The queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too."
"You assume too much."
Arianna raised a brow at the statement.
Something strange is going on here…
The announcer spoke as their viewing platform rose up.
"Start your engines."
Arianna silently watched as they did so, praying Anakin could win.
"Oh, dissent gonna be messy. Me no watch'n!" Jar Jar said, covering his eyes. The gong was rung and the racers were off.
All except… Anakin…
"Wait. Little Skywalker has stalled."
The crowd laughed at his misfortune. Arianna glared in their general direction.
"Well, it looks like Quadinaros is having engine trouble also."
"Come one Ani!" Jar Jar said. Fate must have looked down on him, because Anakin's podracer started and he was off.
"And there goes Skywalker!"
"Go, Ani, go!" Jar Jar cheered. Padmé, Shmi and Arianna looked down at the screen Shmi held in her hands.
"He will be hard-pressed to catch up with the leaders."
They watched as Anakin tried catching up with the others. Shots rang out and Arianna's eyes narrowed.
"Looks like a few Tusken Raiders are camped out on the canyon dune turn."
She jumped when she heard an explosion.
"Ooh, there goes Quadinaros' power coupling."
Arianna paid no attention to him when the racers came by.
"Chubba ni chees Sebulba! Ody Mandrell coona wa wunda dungo!"
"Ooh…" Arianna muttered, when a droid got sucked in another competitor's engine. The engine got destroyed, the droid coming out the other side.
"Look. Here he comes." Padmé said.
"It looks like Skywalker is moving up in the field."
Arianna watched as Anakin started catching up. But her eyes widened when one of the nearby pods exploded. Anakin's pod got disconnected from one of his engines.
"Skywalker's spinning out of control!"
Jar Jar gasped and Shmi briefly looked away. Arianna breathed a sigh of relief when he managed to reconnect his engine, speeding up to catch the leaders. A racer behind him was shot down by a Tusken Raider.
"Oh, I don't care what universe you're from. That's gotta hurt!"
"Here he comes! Owoo!" Jar Jar cheered.
"At the start of the final lap, Sebulba's in the lead, followed closely by Skywalker!"
"Go Ani!" Arianna cheered. She watched as he managed to catch up to Sebulba. But Sebulba was up to his tricks again.
"Skywalker's been forced onto the service ramp!"
Arianna watched in awe as Anakin flew up and managed to land in front of Sebulba.
"It's Skywalker!"
"Sebulba!" some cheered, wanting him to win instead.
"Amazing! A quick control thrust, and he's back on course!"
Arianna smiled, but it faded when Sebulba got right behind Anakin. One of Anakin's engines went out and she held her breath.
"Skywalker's in trouble! Sebulba takes the lead!"
They anxiously and fearfully watched to see what would happen.
"Come on Anakin…" Arianna muttered. Anakin managed to get his engine going and steadily caught up to Sebulba.
"He's catching Sebulba!"
"Inkabunga!"
"Careful, Ani. Careful, Ani!" Jar Jar chanted. Anakin managed to get alongside Sebulba, but they somehow got hooked together.
"That little human being is out of his mind."
"Punda tah punda!"
"They're side by side!"
"Bangu du bangu!"
Shmi looked away, not wanting to see what might happen. Sebulba pulled away, but Anakin went faster. Sebulba's engines came apart and all that was left was him in his pod. Arianna gasped, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. She hurriedly went down to him, followed by the others.
Anakin had won.
"The crowds are going nuts!"
"Ooh! Ah! Ooh! Ah! Ooh! Ah! Ooh! Ah!" the crowd chanted.
"Yay, Ani!" Jar Jar cheered. Qui-Gon picked Anakin up and put him on his shoulder.
"Mom, Arianna, I did it! Yeah!"
Arianna smiled, happy for Anakin.
After the race…
"Good going, Ani!" Jar Jar said, picking Anakin up.
Padmé hugged him. "We owe you everything, Ani."
"Mmm!" Shmi kissed Anakin on the cheek.
"Aww." He whined.
"It's so wonderful, Ani. You have brought hope to those that have none. I'm so very proud of you."
"We both are." Arianna added, hugging him as well. Shmi kissed him once more and he whined again.
Later…
"Mom, Arianna, we sold the pod!" Anakin said, coming in with Qui-Gon. "Look at all the money we have!"
"My goodness!" Shmi exclaimed.
"That's wonderful!" Arianna commented.
"And he has been freed."
The three of them looked at Qui-Gon.
"What?" Anakin asked.
"You're no longer a slave."
He turned to Shmi and Arianna. "Did you hear that?"
"Now you can make your dreams come true Ani. You are free." Shmi said, smiling. She looked down then back up at Qui-Gon.
"Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Jedi?"
"Yes. Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident."
"You mean I get to come with you in your starship?"
"Anakin…" Qui-Gon began. "Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge, and even if you succeed, it's a hard life."
"But I wanna go. It's what I've always dreamed of doing. Can I go, Mom?"
"Anakin, this path has been placed before you. The choice is yours alone."
"I wanna do it."
"Then pack your things. We haven't much time."
"Yippee!" Anakin cheered. He suddenly stopped and turned around.
"What about Mom and Arianna?" he asked. "Are they free too?"
"I tried to free your mother, but Watto wouldn't have it. Arianna, on the other hand, is welcome to join us. I talked to Gina and she said Arianna is free to do what she wishes."
Arianna smiled sadly, thinking about how much she'd miss her friend. Yet, she was excited.
"You're coming with us, aren't you Mom?" Anakin asked, walking back to Shmi.
"My place is here. My future is here." She explained. "It is time for you to let go. As well as it is for Arianna."
"I don't want things to change." Anakin said.
"But you can't stop the change, any more than you can stop the suns from setting."
Arianna walked over to them, kneeling next to Anakin.
"Oh, I love you." Shmi said, hugging her children. "Now hurry."
Anakin ran to his room and Arianna went to hers. She didn't have much to pack, so she went to Anakin's room when she was done. 3PO was on and Anakin was talking to him.
"Well, 3PO, I've been freed and I'm going away in a starship."
"Master Anakin, you are my maker and I wish you well. However, I should prefer it if I were a little more completed."
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish you 3PO, give you coverings and all. I'm gonna miss working on you. You've been a great pal. I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you or anything."
"Sell me?" 3PO questioned, slight worry in his voice.
"Bye." Anakin said. Arianna put an arm around him and they walked out of his room. Shortly after, they followed Qui-Gon. Shmi stood outside, watching them go. Qui-Gon and Arianna kept walking, but Anakin had stopped. He ran back to Shmi. Arianna did the same a few seconds later. Shmi hugged her children.
"I can't go Mom. I just can't do it." Anakin said.
"Ani, Arianna…"
"Will we ever see you again?" Arianna asked, tears pricking at her lashes.
"What does your heart tell you?"
The two siblings glanced at each other. "I hope so." Anakin answered. "Yes… I guess."
Shmi smiled. "Then we will see each other again."
"I will come back and free you Mom. I promise."
Shmi smiled again, looking down at the ground before looking back up at her children. "Now… be brave, and don't look back… don't look back."
Shmi got up as Anakin started to walk away. Arianna gave her adopted mother one last hug.
"Take care of your brother. Protect him." Shmi whispered in her ear.
Arianna held back her tears. "I will… I promise."
She followed after Anakin, putting a hand on his shoulder. The two kept going, never looking back.
Outskirts…
Qui-Gon, Anakin and Arianna were running to the ship. Arianna didn't know why exactly, but she could tell something bad was about to happen.
"Qui-Gon, sir, wait! I'm tired!"
He turned to them and said, "Anakin, Arianna! Drop!"
Arianna quickly grabbed Anakin, shielding him with her body. They dropped to the ground as something flew over them. Someone jumped off a speeder and fought against Qui-Gon with a saber.
"Go! Tell them to take off!"
Anakin and Arianna ran to the ship, leaving Qui-Gon to fight. They were accompanied by Padmé and another man into the cockpit.
"Qui-Gon's in trouble." The man announced.
"Take off." A young man said. "Over there. Fly low."
As they passed overhead, Qui-Gon managed to jump aboard. They ran to make sure he was okay.
"Are you all right?" Anakin asked.
"I think so."
"What was it?"
"I'm not sure, but it was well-trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is it was after the queen."
"What are we gonna do about it?" Anakin asked.
"We shall be patient." Qui-Gon answered. "Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Hi." Anakin greeted, shaking his hand. "You're a Jedi too? Pleased to meet you."
Arianna let out a chuckle, standing next to R2. Qui-Gon let out a chuckle as well. Arianna held out a hand, helping him up.
"Ah yes. I'd also like you to meet-"
"Arianna. I'm Anakin's older sister." Arianna introduced herself, shaking hands with Obi-Wan. A tiny jolt went through her when their hands met, surprising Arianna.
The three of them went ahead while Arianna lingered behind a moment longer.
She looked down at her hand.
What was that? But more importantly… did he feel it too?