………………………………………………………

Written By Celeste Shinra

(EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace) please watch the movie first

CHAPTER ONE "I Remember ..."

There is no emotion …

There is peace …

There is no ignorance …

There is knowledge …

There is no passion …

There is serenity …

There is no death …

There is the Force …

I can remember the first time I heard that. It was from a Jedi Knight, an Obi-Wan Kenobi. His eyes were like hot chocolate that burned into your eyes, sending steady shivers down your throat and through your entire body. It was like he was sending the Force to me just by looking at me. I knew he was a Jedi Master from that moment and from that moment on my life was changed.

My name is Eagle WingRunner and I am an Eagle-human hybrid, one of the last or the only one, I suppose. Hybrids are treated worse than slaves but maybe that's just a Tatooine thing. I have lived here in this desert junkyard all my life. Abandoned at a small spaceport, I was immediately put into slavery. Of course, after my first owner discovered what I truly was, he sold me to a factory where I would no doubt spend the rest of my life working with machines.

I was only ten years old when I ran away from the factory and ever since then, I had been living off scraps and anything else I could find. I never complained about my life. I did not fully comprehend the injustice I had been dealt. A human knows it is a human because it is surrounded by others like, its own kind. So how do I figure out what I am? I know that I am a hybrid because of my odd appearance but am I something more or merely that.

Oh, but I am wandering off topic. What was I speaking of at first? Ah yes, my encounter with the Jedi Knight. The real first time I met him was when he was just a Padawan to Master Qui-Gon. Yet another fine Jedi to speak of. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were both stranded on Tatooine and were eager to continue on their 'secret mission'. I was to know nothing of it until hours later …

"Come back here, thief!"

"Someone, get that girl!"

Right, as if they could catch—Aaahhh!

"Aim higher! Haven't you ever shot a laser before!"

These soldiers are unfortunately improving.

A young girl swung sharply around a corner, her short brown braid whipping against the wall. She glanced up and grimaced. Dead end. Alright, no problem ... Crouching low, she sprang off her back legs and bounded off the walls. When she reached the top, she turned and looked down at the group of guards.

"Where did she go?" one said, kicking at the garbage in the alley.

"Hey, up there!" another shouted, aiming his laser at the girl.

The girl dodged to the right, narrowly missing the laser. Then, flipping back, she took off and leapt from one roof to the next. Soon, the guards were left behind, struggling to follow her through the buildings. Landing softly on the ground, she looked around cautiously before running across the street to a small fruit stand.

"Well gracious me, don't you look wonderful today, Wing?" Jira glanced up from her stand, smiling. She stretched out her hand and patted the girl's head gently. The girl, Wing, closed her eyes in satisfaction. "What kind of goods do you have for me, child?"

The most delicious fruit! Wing pulled out a small bag and shoved it into Jira's arms. With a smile, she put her hand in and pulled out two large pallies. They are enormous, aren't they?

"Oh my, they're almost as big as your fist, Wing! These will be sold in a blink." Jira set the bag down and started setting up the fruit. "How in the world did you get these, Wing?"

Found them in a tree and picked them. Wing pantomimed climbing a tree by climbing up the post next to Jira's stand. Then, she easily leaped down and landed on her feet. It was rather easy considering the guards, of course. She swung her head, gesturing to the rooftop.

"I bet it was easy for you, though." Jira gave the bag back to Wing, a big smile on her face. "You don't seem to have any trouble at all, Wing. You look like a sweet little angel with those things in your hair." Jira winked, messing with the white feathers in the young girl's tousled brown hair.

I am surprised you didn't name me Angel. It would have been very human of you. Wing grinned. Her ears began to twitch and she tossed her head behind her. Her golden eyes narrowed suddenly, trying to see ahead on the street. What an odd looking creature, flapping about with his long ears and funny accent. Sebulba doesn't look too happy with him either.

"What is it, child? Something wrong?" Jira settled back into her seat, waiting for the girl to answer.

It is nothing too serious, Wing watched as the froglike nonhuman, the odd looking creature, was pushed to the ground by Sebulba. The Dug was the biggest bully in Mos Espa. His four arms were his advantage in the fact that he could use them all interchangeably. One could never tell where the next blow would come from.

Little leech. Wing was about to bound over and help the amphibian when she saw a small boy approach Sebulba. There was a short conversation in Huttese with Sebulba snarling and turning away. That little kid had quite some courage, for a human, she admitted with a frown.

"Wing? What's drawn your interest?" Jira asked again, patient and kind.

Nothing, Jira. Just someone kicking up dust. Wing balanced on the end of the post and gave the human woman a small smile.

"Nothing, right? Well then, you better be on your way home. No telling when those guards will come and catch you." Jira waved her off and the girl slowly turned and made her way up the wall. When Jira watched her leap up onto the roof, she breathed a sad sigh. "I wish that girl would talk. The poor thing." Then, she went back to her seat and settled her fruits on the stand just as some new customers, and an old one, came over.

Wing rested on the roof, watching the group of humans approach Jira's fruit stand. There was the young boy and girl, then an older man and finally came the froglike thing. She was too far up to hear what they were saying clearly but that was okay. As long as she could see them, she might be able to sneak something off them. Her eyes dropped as her mind concentrated on the smallest of the group.

He had light brown hair and clear blue eyes. Turning her attention away from his face, she went to his pocket. Four truguts. A good meal could be bought with that, she smiled as she started climbing down the other side of the wall. When she reached the ground, her mind slowed and she forced her body to disappear. It was an old trick she had taught herself when she was little. It was a way to not only disappear from the eye but from the senses as well. There was no creature alive that could sense her. Inching forward, she weaved through the group, ignoring the others.

"I'll take four pallies today, Jira." The little boy said. He turned to a young girl with soft brown hair. Wing was quick and whipped her hand into his pocket but the boy was quicker and dug his own hand inside. There was only enough room to grab one of the truguts. Snorting quietly, she backed out of the group, keeping a wary eye on them.

"You'll like these." The boy told the girl. Then there was a slight look of worry on his face and he hastily pulled out the remaining coins. One dropped to the ground. He bent down to grab it at the same time that the older man bent down to retrieve it. As he did, his coat shifted, and Wing caught a glimpse of a laser sword stuck in his belt.

Jedi? Wing's eyes widened and she inspected the man once more. This time, with more scrutiny. He was tall for a human with long graying hair and a small, neat beard. His clothes seemed to match the ones slaves wore. How could a Jedi be a slave? She had heard stories of the Jedi and although most of them were vague and sometimes unbelievable, she was intrigued by them nonetheless.

"Promise me, you'll train the boy. He is the Chosen one. He will … bring balance … train him!"

Wing felt her mind twitch and an involuntary shiver ran through her body. One of her less helpful powers that still remained unnamed. Bits and pieces of the past and future would come to her at specific points in time but none of them ever made sense. Shaking her head of the fading voice, she turned her attention back to the present.

"Gracious, my bones are aching." Jira said as she handed the boy the pallies. The wind was rising and shopkeepers were taking down their awnings and putting up shutters. "Storm's coming, Annie. You'd better get home quick."

"Do you have shelter?" Annie, short for Anakin probably, asked the tall stranger. Wing watched the older man, curious. There were not a lot of places to hide in a storm and she hadn't prepared herself for it. She could feel her powers dwindling but would it be wise to join these humans?

"We'll head back to our ship," the older man replied.

"Is it far?" Anakin asked after hesitating.

"On the outskirts," the young girl told him.

So they aren't from around here? This is all so curious. Wing watched them and her gaze fell upon the froglike creature. That explained him then.

"You'll never reach the outskirts in time," Anakin stated. "Sandstorms are very, very dangerous. Come with me. Hurry!" The boy took off after he was sure they were following, unaware that he had invited one more than he intended.

The slave hovels of Mos Espa were little and stacked tightly. Wing had to duck to get through the doorway and creep along the wall to avoid any contact. One drawback to her power was even though they could not sense her, they would still be able to feel if they were too close. The boy Anakin was rushing toward a dark-haired woman of around forty, presumably his mother.

"Oh my! Annie, what's this?"

Anakin introduced the others. The older tall man was named Qui-Gon and the froglike creature was named Jar Jar Binks. Padme, the young girl, gestured to a droid next to her. "And our droid, Artoo-Detoo."

Hoping that there was somewhere to sleep, the hybrid moved her eyes around the small area. Wing inched around the table into another room. The walls were the same lumpy, sand-colored walls as any other building in Mos Espa but for some reason, Wing expected the room to be different. There were random odd bits and pieces around, just like a junkshop. Then, her mind clicked. Ah, that's where I've seen him before. Watto's slave boy that works in the junkshop. She let her hands run smoothly over a workbench, wondering what sort of inventions Anakin had completed.

"Isn't he great?" Anakin came in through the door, dragging Padme behind him. They both came forward to the workbench and stood in front of a partially completed android. Wing quickly dived to the bed, hoping the sound didn't alarm them. Padme briefly glanced in her direction but Anakin pulled her back. "He's not finished yet."

"He's wonderful!" Padme reassured him.

Wing tilted her head as Anakin turned the android on. It began to hum, then jerked several times, and finally stood up. It introduced itself as See-Threepio in a prim, precise voice. Wing was very impressed. There were many mechanics on Mos Espa who designed androids but she had never heard any of them start at such a young age. The other droid, R2-D2, wheeled itself into the room, beeping and whistling at the protocol droid.

That is one sassy droid. Wing grinned, tilting her head at the droid.

"I'm building a Podracer, too! When the storm is over, you can see it!" Anakin said enthusiastically. Wing brought herself back out of her thoughts and watched as Anakin showed Padme one incomprehensible gadget after another. Soon, his mother called them to dinner. The two humans left the room, Anakin in the front. Wing sighed and got off the bed, settling down in the corner near the door. From her position, she could watch them without them noticing her and hear the conversation as well. Letting her guard down, she became visible. With some sleep, she would be able to get some of her strength back.

"I … I was wondering – you're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?" She heard Anakin ask.

"What makes you think that?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I saw your laser sword," Anakin replied. "Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon."

Wing lifted her head, watching the tall stranger's response. He didn't seem disturbed by this at all. He leaned back, and with a slow smile, said, "Perhaps I killed a Jedi and stole it from him."

"I don't think so," Anakin said in a positive tone. "No one can kill a Jedi Knight."

"I wish that were so," Qui-Gon murmured, half to himself. A quick expression of sadness that crossed his face but a smile replaced it and Wing wondered if she had seen it at all. He moved his eyes to Anakin's room and for a second, Wing was sure she had been caught. She mentally scolded herself.

There was a better chance out in the storm that in here with humans. He would probably whip out his laser sword and slice her in two before she could blink.

Her body trembled as she waited for the Jedi to make his move but when none came, she tilted her head at him. He gave her a warm smile and she watched his hand wave slowly towards her. Her eyes felt heavy and her trembling body changed to a steady purr. Sleep soon overcame her and the last thing she saw was Qui-Gon's kind smile.

"That was an excellent dinner, Shmi." Padme complimented as she stood up to help carry the dishes. She gave a look to Jar Jar that said 'don't touch anything while I'm gone'. The Gungan frowned and walked into a different room, readying himself for a night of peaceful sleep. Padme sighed and turned to Anakin's mother. "Let me take those dishes for you."

"Why, thank you, Padme." Shmi smiled, letting the younger girl help. She turned around to Anakin. "And it's time for you to get to bed, Annie."

"Alright, Mom." Anakin got up from his seat and made his way to his room. He turned to Qui-Gon and gave a short wave. "Goodnight, Qui-Gon sir."

"Goodnight, Anakin." Qui-Gon smiled, waving back. He watched the boy walk through the door and pass the sleeping creature in the corner. Perhaps he was too tired to notice, Qui-Gon thought. Then, he saw Anakin stop and stare. He stood there for a second before looking over his shoulder at the Jedi Knight.

"Sir?" Anakin said quietly.

Qui-Gon raised a finger to his lips and gestured to the others in the kitchen. Anakin got the point and shut his mouth. Without another word, he took the blanket off his bed and draped it across the girl. Anakin then climbed into his own bed and snuggled as best as he could into the sheets.

"Qui-Gon, we should all get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day." Padme came back from the kitchen, her hair in a slight disarray. Qui-Gon nodded. Getting up, he made his way to the other room. Soon, it was dark in the house and the only sound was the howling of the wind outside.

END OF CHAPTER ONE: "I remember …"