A/N: Hey, guys. This chapter is probably going to be the most emotional ones in the story. So, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. Also, the racing scene is in here too and I don't anything when it come to mechanics. Please do not it hold that against me if I got anything wrong in that department. Anyways, enjoy! God bless you all!

Disclaimer: I don not own Star Wars. George Lucas and Disney have that honor.

Bold=another language being spoken

Italic=the twins mentally talking to each other

This was it. The day of the big Boonta Eve Race. A big crowd was already beginning to gather. And the racers were in the warehouse getting their pods ready for the big showdown. This is where we find Qui-Gon Jinn, who was tagged along by Jar Jar Binks, and Watto at that very moment. "I want to see your spaceship the moment that the race is over," the Toydarian told the Jedi.

"Patience, my good, blue friend. You shall receive your winnings before the suns set on this day. And we, in turn, will be far away from this place," Qui-Gon assured the junk dealer.

"Not if that ship of yours belongs to me, I think, huh?", Watto challenged. "I warn you though, no funny business"

"You don't think Anakin can win?"

"Do not get me wrong, no. I have great faith in the boy. He and his sister are good. But Sebulba there is gonna win I think," he said gesturing to the Dug.

"Oh, no," Jar Jar gasped upon seeing the guy who almost ripped him apart.

"Why do you think that?", the Knight inquired, remembering what the twins said about him.

"He always wins," Watto laughed, shrugging. "I'm betting heavily on Sabulba."

That's when an idea came to the wise Jedi Knight. "I'll take that bet."

"You'll what?", a startled Watto asked.

"I will bet you my new racing pod with, say," Qui-Gon shrugged, "the twins and their mother."

"No pod is worth three slaves, not by a long shot!"

"The children then."

"Two slaves are still not enough for one pod."

"Oh, I see, you are afraid that you'll lose them. And if that is the case then why bet at all, right?" the Jedi argued. Trying to trick the junk dealer, by playing off his ego. Jar Jar stood watching the whole thing from the sidelines.

Watto thought about this and then said, "Fine. But we'll fate decide, huh? I just happen to have a chance cube right here with me. Blue, it's the boy and the girl. Red, their mother." After the man nodded his head in agreement, he then tossed the cube onto the ground. As it rolled, Qui-Gon secretly used the Force to have the dice land on the desired color of blue. When that happened, Watto grumbled unhappily. The Jedi and Gungan just shrugged and smiled innocently. "You may have won this little toss, outsider, but you won't win the race!" He then flew off not see the smug look on Jinn's face. But as he came upon the Skywalkers along with Kitsher and the others, who had just arrived with the Podracer he said to them in Huttese, "You better stop your friend's betting, or I may end up owning him too." This caused the twins to give each other confused looks.

As he flew off, again, and Qui-Gon walked to them, Anakin asked, "What did he mean by that?"

"Yeah. He sounded way smugger than usual," Ariana noted, causing them to laugh a little.

"I will tell you all later," was all he said before he helped Shmi off the creature that she rode in on.

Over with the droids, R2-D2 and R3-QT who were attached to the pod, since they lugged it all the way to the warehouse, were telling C-3PO about their adventures in space.

"Oh, my," 3PO told them. "Space travel sounds rather dangerous."

"Oh, come on, 3PO," R2 chirped. "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

"He's right," R3 agreed. "After all, you won't know if do not like it until you try it."

"Well, I can assure you both that they'll never get me onto one of those terrifying starships," the protocol droid told them.

"This is so cool, Ani. I'm sure that you will be able to do it this time," Kitsher said.

"Yeah," Ari agreed. "And please, try not to blow it up again."

"Give me a break, Ari. It happened only one time," Ani sighed.

"Be able to do what without blowing up?", Padme asked, coming over to them.

Kitsher answered, "Finish the race, of course."

This caught the handmaiden off guard. "You've never won a race?"

"Well, not exactly," Ani said a bit embarrassed.

"Not even finished?", she questioned worriedly.

But before Anakin could say anything else, Ariana spoke up. "Nope. Not without crashing, anyways."

"Ari!", her brother cried out.

"What?", she demanded. "It's the truth!" Anakin just pouted.

"Well, what about you, Ari?", Padme inquired.

"What about me?"

"How many races of you ever finished?"

"Without any serious injury?" Padme nodded. "Five. But like I said, Ani here is the better pilot. Besides, I've got a good feeling that he will finish the race this time," she said swinging her arm around her brother's shoulders. "Sorry for hurting your feelings, big bro," she thought to him.

"Thanks, sis. You're forgiven," he smiled at her, hugging her back. Anakin then wrapped his other arm around Kitsher, becoming the middle in the chain, and said to Padme, "They're right, I will this time."

Qui-Gon came up behind them and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Of course, you will, Anakin," he said. While telling Padme to trust him with his eyes. But Padme was still beginning to have second thoughts.

Unbeknownst to anyone, there was a Sith sent probe scouring throughout the city in search of its wanted targets.

Meanwhile, back at the track, the race was about to begin. As they were introducing the racers, the Skywalkers' pod was being pulled out towards the starting point of the race.

Just as it was about to start, Ariana and Shmi went up to Anakin. "Be safe," was all their mom said as she knelt down and placed her hands on her son's shoulders.

"I will, mom. I promise," he swore to her. She then nodded, got up, and walked away. Ari stayed behind though.

She stared at her brother before speaking. "You watch your back out there, ok? I have a bad feeling that something is gonna happen," Ari warned, not wanting to anything bad to happen to her older twin brother.

"You got it, sis. Thanks for the warning," he told her.

"You're welcome, big bro," she replied. She then smiled and held her hand out for him to clap his own into.

Ani smiled back at her and did just that. "When a Skywalker flies...", he started.

"They can only go oh so high!" they finished together, laughing as they finished.

After they were done with their giggling fit, Ari thought to him, "Be careful."

"I will," He nodded. They hugged each other and Ariana then left to where Kitsher and their Rodian friend, as well as the droids, were on the side the track, serving as Anakin's pit crew. As he was finishing up getting his Podracer ready, the unlikeliest then happened, Sebulba approached him.

"You won't walk away from this one, you slave scum," he taunted in Huttese.

Anakin countered with, "I wouldn't count on it if I were you, slime ball."

"You are nothing but bantha fodder." The Dug then left, with the young Skywalker unaware of what he had just done.

"You all set, Ani?", Qui-Gon asked as he came up to the boy.

"Yep," was the response. Qui-Gon gave his acknowledgment and then lifted Ani into the pod. Not expecting this Anakin let out a, "Whoa!"

"Remember," he advised, "concentrate on the moment. Feel, don't think. Trust and use your instincts."

"I will," the soon racer promised.

"May the Force be with you," the Jedi said as he handed the boy his helmet. He then went off to join the others. It was almost time.

When he got to where the others were gathered, Shmi asked him, "Is he nervous?"

"He's fine," was the reply as he stepped onto the platform.

"You Jedi are far too reckless," Padme declared. "The queen would never-"

Qui-Gon interrupted, "The queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too."

"You assume too much," she said to herself.

The race was now underway. But Anakin's pod would not go like the others. "Ani, what's wrong?", Ari thought.

"The engine's stalled," he answered.

"Well, then, reset it!", she just about screamed into his head.

"I'm working on it!" As soon as he did that he was back in the game. Steadily, he managed to get past the track's obstacles and was slowly climbing up the ranks. When he went past the Tusken Raiders, he almost got shot down.

"You alright, big bro?"

"Yeah, but that was too close for comfort."

"You can say that again," Ari scoffed. When he came back around the stadium, the crowd cheered. "Way to go, Ani! You're still behind though and have two more laps. So, make them count!", she cheered him on.

"You got it, sis!"

As he was going through the flat plains, one of his cables that is attached to the jet engines came loose. Causing him to spin out of control. Trusting his instincts, he stabilized the pod as best as he could. As for the renegade cable, he used a magnetizing rod to retrieve it and reinstalled it, regaining control.

"What happened?"

"One of the cables got loose. Don't' worry I fixed it."

"Well, I figured as much. I'm watching the race."

"Ari, I would love to chat, but I'm a little busy here."

"Right, sorry," she replied sheepishly.

"Don't sweat it." He then focused all his of attention on the race ahead of him. Finishing up the second lap, he and Sebulba were last competitors in the race and were now neck and neck.

"Yes! You got this, Ani! Now beat that, slimo!" She mentally shouted as he passed by them.

"I plan on it," was all he thought to her.

It was the final lap; the race was almost to an end. When suddenly Ani's left engine was up in flames.

"I see smoke. Ani, why do I see smoke?!"

"The engine's overheating!"

"Selbulba must've sabotaged the fuel cell when we weren't looking!", she exclaimed silently scolding herself. "You need to hurry before you run out of gas."

"Don't worry. I've got this." And got it he did. Anakin was able to douse the fire and reestablish a connection with the engine before he ran out juice. He was still in this race.

But soon afterward, Sebulba trapped him and ended up getting both of their pods stuck to each other. They audience was tense watching this spectacle. However, Anakin was able to get himself free and the nasty Dug ended up crashing. In the end, Anakin was victorious! Everyone there roared with thunderous applause.

"He did it!", R2 whined.

"Yay to go, Ani!", R3 chirped.

"I cannot believe that actually did it," was all 3PO could say.

"Yeah, well, believe it," both asromechs told him, startling the poor droid a bit.

Back with Anakin, who was now covered in dirt, as he was getting out of his pod people were beginning to be crowd and cheer for him. His family and friends rushed to him, and Qui-Gon lifted him up unto his shoulders.

"Mom! Ari! I did it! Yeah!," he cried out.

Meanwhile, Watto was arguing with his friends about how he had just lost the biggest bet of his life.

Afterwards, back in the garage, all his friends and family congratulated Anakin personally.

"Good going, Ani," the Gungan told him.

Padme bent down and hugged him saying, "We owe you everything, Ani. Thank you."

His mother and twin sister then trapped him in a big group hug. "I knew you could do it!", Ari laughed.

Shmi kissed him on the cheek, making him feel embarrassed. "You were wonderful, Ani," she told him. "You've brought hope to those who have none. I am so very proud of you." She then kissed his cheek again.

This caused him to squeal, "Eww, mom!" She just smiled at him.

Ariana swung her arm over his shoulders and then jokingly said, "My twin brother, the hope bringer. Who would've thought?"

"Stop," he returned; smiling as he shrugged her arm off. This caused everyone to laugh.

Meanwhile back over in the stadium, Watto was giving away all the money that he had just lost to his competitors. When he turned around, he saw Qui-Gon standing in one of the entrances. "You," he accused. "You swindled me! You knew that the boy was going to win. You just knew it somehow! I've lost everything."

"Whenever you gamble, my friend, you eventually will lose," the Jedi told him. He then turned to the scenery. "Bring the promised parts to the main hanger. I will then come by your shop later so you can release the twins."

"You cannot have them. It wasn't a fair bet."

This had Qui-Gon turning around to stair him down, just as the Sith probe flew by. "Would you like to take this conversation to the Hutts? I am quite certain that they can settle this."

Watto averted his eyes to look down and then said, "Take them."

The Jedi bowed his head in gratitude and then left to take the parts and his compatriots back to the space shuttle.

After all the parts were unloaded, the master spoke to his Padawan. "Well, we now have all the essential parts that we need. I'm going back into town. There's some unfinished business there. I won't be long."

"Why do I sense that we have picked up some more pathetic life-forms?", Obi-Wan asked jokingly.

"They are the twins who were responsible for getting us these parts. Get the new hyper drive installed."

"Yes, Master. It shouldn't take that long." Qui-Gon nodded and directed the created that he sat upon back to the city of Mos Espa.

When he returned, he went to Watto's shop as promised to see the twins there, with Anakin now cleaned up. The Toydarian was there too. "As promised," Jinn said.

"As promised," Watto replied. This got the Skywalker twins curious.

"What do you think that's all about?", Ari thought to her brother. Ani just shrugged to her.

Qui-Gon got their attention by saying, "Well, come on, you two. Let's go." Directing them to the door.

But before the three of them could leave, Watto spoke up. "You know, I would be willing to take that pod off your hands. If you were wanted, of course."

The twins were speechless. Watto wanted to buy their racing pod. Probably to replace the one that he has, rather than having it fixed. They both turned to look at Qui-Gon Jinn.

Upon seeing the siblings' faces, he took that as his cue to speak. "That depends on the price that you have in mind." And that is how Qui-Gon Jinn ended up helping the twins sell their pod to their, unknowingly, former master.

When they almost reached Skywalkers' residence, Jinn handed them the money. "Here. This belongs to you."

"Yes!" and "Cool!" were said by the twins at the same time. Upon entering the house, they both ran to their mother excitedly.

"Mom, you won't believe it. We sold the pod," Ari announced.

"Yeah, mom, check out how much money we made," Ani boasted showing her.

"Oh, my goodness! That's wonderful, you two," she told them both.

The Jedi then suddenly said, "And they have both been freed."

The result was Ani and Ari truing to him and shouting together, "What?!"

"You two are no longer slaves," he told them. Shmi sighed as she realized what this meant.

The two looked at each other and then at their mother happily. "Now you two can make your dreams come true. Ani, Ari, you're free now." Shmi then asked Qui-Gon, "Will you take them with you? Are they to become Jedi Knights?"

"Yes," he answered. "My meeting them was no coincidence. Nothing ever happens by accident."

"You mean we get to come with you in your starship?", Ani asked astonished, while Ari stood shocked.

"Anakin. Ariana," he knelt to their height. "Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge, and even if you succeed, it is a hard life."

"But I want to go," Ani said.

"Yeah, it's all we've ever dreamed of doing," Ari admitted.

"Can we go, mom?", Ani asked her.

"Please, mom?", Ari begged.

She sighed and then told them, "Anakin, Ariana, this path has been placed before you two. It is up to the both of you to decide for yourselves."

Ani turned towards his younger sister, not sure of what to say. Sensing this she thought to him, "Ani, before all this happened, we promised that we would always be there for each other. So, whatever you decide, I'm right there with you."

Anakin nodded his head and said, "We wanna do it." Ari nodded her in agreement.

Shmi looked down at the ground knowing that this was for the best. At the same time the Jedi told them, "Then go pack your things. We don't have much time."

They both cheered as they started to their room but stopped when they realized something. "But what about mom?", Ari questioned.

"Yeah, isn't she free too?", Ani inquired.

The adults were silent until Qui-Gon said, "I am sorry, you two. I tried to free your mother, but Watto wouldn't allow it."

"You're coming with us, aren't you, mom?", Ani asked in denial, walking up to her. Ari just stood where she was.

The silence was his answer. "No, it's not fair," Ari cried as she ran into her mother's arms.

"Oh, my darling little girl," Shmi soothed as she hugged her only daughter. Seeing Anakin's head cast down, she pulled him towards her and released Ari to look at them. "Kids, my place is here. My future is here. It is time for you two to let go."

"I don't want things to change," Ani told her.

"But you can't stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting."

"But it's just not fair," Ari protested.

"I know it isn't, sweetie, but that is just how it must be. Oh, I love you both so much." Shmi then hugged them as much she could before letting go. "Now, you two hurry and go get your things." They then went to do as they were told. "Thank you," she told the Knight.

"I will watch over them. You have my word," he vowed. Which she nodded in gratitude for.

When the twins made it to their shared bedroom, Anakin turned C-3PO on as they were packing up their belongings. At first, he was startled, but when saw his creators he calmed right down. "Oh, hello there, Master Anakin and Mistress Ariana."

"Well, 3PO we've both been freed," Ari started.

"And now we are going away on a starship," Ani completed.

"Begging your pardon, Master Anakin. You and Mistress Ariana are my makers and I do wish you both well. However, I would've preferred it if I was a little more completed," the protocol droid said to them.

"Sorry we couldn't finish you, 3PO, give you coverings and all that," Ari replied as she zipped up her backpack.

"Yeah. We are going to miss working on you, though. You have been a great pal," Ani amended, grabbing his bookbag as well. "Bye, 3PO."

"We'll make sure that mom doesn't sell," Ariana declared as they left the room.

"Sell me?! Oh, my," he proclaimed, sounding frightened.

It was now time to leave. Anakin and Ariana followed behind Qui-Gon, as their mother stood by the door to their hut. But they stopped and looked back towards the only family, other than each other, that they've ever known. Sensing their hesitation, Qui-Gon stopped and waited for them. Seeing this, they ran back to Shmi. She knelt to the ground and gave them both one last hug and gave them each a kiss on their cheeks.

But when they let go Ani declared, "I can't do it, mom. I just can't do it."

"Me either, mom. We're just not strong enough," Ari whimpered.

"Oh, my darling Ari. My brave Ani. You two are so much stronger than you could ever know," she comforted.

After a brief pause, Anakin asked what was on all of their minds. "Will we ever see you again?"

"What does your heart say?"

"I hope so. Yes, I guess," he told her. Ari nodded in agreement.

"Then we will see each other again." Hoping that it might help, she took her brown leather and bronze studded bracelet off her left wrist. "But until then, could you hold on to this for me, Ari?" When her daughter sniffled and nodded, Shmi smiled and placed on her right arm.

"We'll come back for you, mom," Ari promised her.

"And we will free you. I promise," Ani added on.

She smiled at this and told them, touching their cheeks, "Now, be brave, you two, and look after each other, ok?" They both nodded their heads. "Now don't look back." She stood up and guided them back to Qui-Gon, hugging herself for comfort as they left.

When they reached the edge of the city, they stopped to look at what lied before them. An expanse of desert. "Anyone else have a bad feeling about going out there?", Ariana asked them uncertainly.

"Don't worry, sis. We'll get to the ship before the storm hits," Anakin assured, thinking that it was just another sandstorm.

"It's not a storm, Ani," she told him. "It's something much worse and way scarier."

Not liking the sound of that, Qui-Gon Jinn urged them on. "Well then, we best be on our way. Come on, kids."