Qui-Gon and his compatriots returned to the royal corvette with the Hyperion crystal and the crew set to work installing it. Padmé returned to the Queen's side to report what had happened over the last few days, while Jar Jar and Artu-Deetu made their way into the maintenance cabin where they had first met. Once Qui-Gon was satisfied that everything was in order, he boarded the jolly boat to return to shore.

"Master?" Obi-Wan came topside to find Qui-Gon, but was confused as to why he was heading back.

Qui-Gon smiled. "I have some unfinished business left on shore. I won't be long."

"Master, I... Why do I have the feeling we've picked up another pathetic creature?"

"It's the boy who's responsible for us having the crystal. He's far from pathetic, I assure you."

"Ahh, very well then. I'll see you when you return, Master."

After stopping by Watto's shop, Qui-Gon met back with Anakin outside the boy's home. Qui-Gon handed the boy a bag of shining Drakes and Talons. "Here you are, these are yours."

Anakin could hardly believe his eyes when he opened the bag. "Really?!"

Qui-Gon nodded.

"Yes!" Anakin rushed inside his home, clutching the bag tightly. "Mom! Mom! We sold the sailer! Look at how much we made!"

"Oh my! How wonderful, Ani!"

Qui-Gon pushed aside the swaying door cloth, holding up a cruciform key. "And he has been freed."

Anakin and Shmi looked at Qui-Gon, stunned. The coin bag slipped from Anakin's hand and hit the floor. "What?"

"You're no longer a slave."

For Shmi, this was bittersweet. Her son was now in charge of his own destiny, but it also meant she wouldn't be able to watch him grow up.

Anakin could hardly contain his excitement. "Mom, did you hear that?"

Shmi gave him a smile, but her eyes read of sadness. "Now you can make your dreams come true. You are free."

Qui-Gon crouched next to Anakin and inserted the key into the iron shackle's lock. It unlocked with a sharp click and clattered to the floor.

As he stood back up, Shmi looked to him, somewhat pleadingly. "Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Jedi?"

He smiled. "Yes. Our meeting was not a coincidence. It was undoubtedly the Will of the Force."

Anakin was ecstatic. "You mean I get to travel with you across the World Sea?"

"Anakin, training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge. Even if you're successful, it's a difficult life."

"But... I want to go... It's what I've always dreamed of doing." He turned to his mother. "Can I go, Mom?"

Shmi gave her son a loving look. "Anakin, this path has been placed before you. The choice is yours alone."

A moment of thought passed before Anakin gave his response. "I wanna do it."

Qui-Gon put his hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Then pack your things, we haven't much time."

Anakin ran off and was halfway to his room before he stopped and looked at Qui-Gon, a look of worry in his eyes. "What about Mom? Is... She free too?"

Qui-Gon sighed. "I'm sorry, Anakin. I tried to free her too, but Watto wouldn't have it."

"Y-you're coming with us too, right Mom?" Anakin ran back to Shmi.

She hugged him tightly. "My place is here. My future is here. It's time for you to let go."

"But... I don't want things to change." Tears welled in the corners of his eyes.

"But you can't stop the change. No more than you can stop the sun from setting."

Anakin sniffled against her shoulder.

"Oh, Anakin... Just remember that I will always love you." She hugged him just a bit tighter before letting him go. "Now, hurry."

Anakin nodded slowly and wiped his nose on his sleeve before running off to his room.

Shmi walked over to Qui-Gon. "Thank you."

"I'll watch after him. You have my word. Will you be all right?"

She took a deep stuttering breath. "Yeah."

Threepio was busy tidying up Anakin's room when Anakin himself ran in. "Oh, my. Hello, Master Anakin."

"Well, Threepio, I've been freed, and I'm going to be travelling across the World Sea." He began putting his most precious belongings in a bag.

"Master Anakin, you are my maker, and I wish you well. However, I would prefer it if I were a little more... Er... Completed."

"I'm sorry I want able to finish you, but at least all you need is your outer shell. I'm really going to miss working on you. You've been a great pal." Anakin closed the drawstring of his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you or anything."

"Sell me? Oh, my!"

"Bye, Threepio!"

Shmi watched as Anakin and Qui-Gon walked down the street. So many mixed feelings flowed through her, but ultimately she knew this was the best option for him.

The Jedi and the boy were about to turn a corner when Anakin stopped. Qui-Gon looked at him, sensing his hesitation. The boy looked back to his mother, then ran to her.

"I can't do it, Mom. I just can't..."

"Ani..."

Tears rolled down Anakin's cheeks. "Will I ever see you again?"

"What does your heart tell you?"

"I hope so... Yes..."

Shmi smiled. A single tear ran down her own cheek. "Then we will."

The two of them hugged for a good few seconds before they let go. "I will come back and free you, Mom. I promise."

Shmi put a hand to her son's face. "Now, be brave... And don't look back."

And off Anakin went, walking alongside the Jedi and away from the only home he could remember. His life's journey had only just begun.

A set of inhuman yellow eyes stared at the entrance to Watto's shop. The owner of the eyes sensed anguish from inside, but that's not what interested him. There was the lingering sense of a Jedi. His prey had been here, and recently. He needed only follow the trail.

The dark apprentice let his senses guide him and soon he was in the slave quarter. The presence was strong, he had missed the Jedi only by a few minutes. But... There was another presence with the Jedi. He had felt it on the market as well, but it was faint. This presence had the aura of the Force, but it was rough, as though its owner was untrained. A child, perhaps? What's more was the child, if indeed it was one, was afraid.

With this revelation, Darth Maul laughed. Tracking a Jedi was a challenge, even for the most talented of Sith, but finding a frightened child was easy. Once he know what to look for, the trail was obvious.

He closed his eyes and followed the beacon of fear. When he reopened his eyes some time later, he was on the edge of town. In the distance, up the shore, he could just make out two humanoid shapes, one big, one small. And there beyond them, shining in the sun, was a silver ship.

Darth Maul would never be able to reach them on foot in time, but nearby was a stable with a pair of black horses. The hooded Sith grinned fiendishly.

"Perfect."

Qui-Gon sensed a dark aura coming straight towards them. He wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't want to find out. "Anakin, we need to run."

They ran until the jolly boat was in sight. Just a little bit further and they'd be safe. From behind them, Qui-Gon heard the sound of hooves on hard-packed sand rapidly approaching. He turned and saw a black horse with eyes like glowing embers. Riding it was an imposing figure in billowing black robes.

Anakin still ran, but his pace was faltering. He seemed unaware of the dark figure bearing down on them. "Qui-Gon, sir, I'm getting tired!"

The rider drew a long dark grey object from his robe and held it aloft. Qui-Gon instantly knew it was a Lightblade. "Anakin! Drop!"

The boy hit the sand just in time to miss the freshly activated red blade and the rider passed him harmlessly. Qui-Gon drew his own Lightblade and readied himself just as the rider leapt from the horse and swung his blade at him.

Qui-Gon blocked the midair strike, but his assailant landed behind him. The Jedi spun quickly, just in time to block another strike. As the two swordsmen clashed, Anakin looked on dumbstruck. Each of Qui-Gon's movements were graceful and deliberate, almost as though it was a dance. Meanwhile, his opponent's motions lacked any finesse. Every swing of the blade hit with such force that Qui-Gon recoiled slightly.

"Anakin," Qui-Gon yelled, "get back to the ship! Tell them to set sail!"

Anakin scrambled to his feet and ran over to the jolly boat. He had never rowed before, but he had seen many sailors do so. He shoved the boat into the water and hopped in. His oar strokes were clumsy but he rowed until his arms burned. On and on he went, watching the duel grow further away.

A voice called from above and behind him. It was a sailor lowering the crane ropes to hoist the boat back up.

"Qui-Gon says to set sail," Anakin called up as he attached the hooks to the lift points.

One of the crane operators repeated this to the rest of the Crew and they sprang into action, raising the anchor and unfurling the sails.

Qui-Gon saw the sails drop from the corner of his eye. He ducked an overhead swing and channelled as much magic as he could into his legs. As far as he knew no one had ever tried making a jump this far before, but it was the only choice he had. He pushed off the ground as hard as he could and felt the Force lift him through the air. As gravity took back over, he saw he would land close to the ship, but a bit short.

Obi-Wan ran to the railing as his master plummeted towards the water. On instinct, he reached out with his own powers and pulled Qui-Gon towards the ship. Qui-Gon's chest hit the railing, knocking the wind out of him, but he wrapped his arms around it just in time to keep from falling into the sea.

Obi-Wan and one of the crew helped Qui-Gon onto the deck, where he collapsed. Between the fight and how much of his ability he had used, he was exhausted.

Anakin ran to him. "Are you all right?"

Qui-Gon panted for a bit before answering. "I think so."

Obi-Wan looked out at the beach. Both the assailant and the black horse were gone. "What was it?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I'm not sure, but it was well-trained in the Jedi Arts. My guess is it was after the Queen."

Anakin rubbed his sore arms. "What are we going to do about it?"

Qui-Gon gave a deep breath. "We shall be patient... Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The two smiled at one another and shook hands. "Hi," Anakin said. "You're a Jedi, too? Pleased to meet you."

"Now," said Qui-Gon rising on shaky legs. "Let's test out our crystal."

While the royal corvette made its journey through the Hyperion stream towards Coruscant, the shroud of night fell on Naboo. In the palace dungeon, the Viceroy visited with the imprisoned senior governor.

The Viceroy paced in front of the cell, gloating. "Your Queen is lost, your people are starving, and I'm afraid you, Governor, are going to die much sooner than your people."

The governor spat. "This invasion will gain you nothing. We are a democracy. The people have chosen Queen Amidala as the rightful ruler of Naboo. The people will never submit to your rule."

"Hmmph, we shall see about that."

The Viceroy left the dungeons and addressed the automaton captain of the guard. "Cut his rations. Let him starve along with his people."

"Yes, Viceroy."

A captain of the Federation army then approached the Viceroy. "Sir, my troops are in position to begin searching the swamps to investigate the claims of underwater cities. If they exist, they will not stay hidden for long."

"Excellent. Move them in. I don't want any surprises."

Well past midnight, while all but essential crew lay sleeping, Padmé snuck down into the maintenance room. It's where she felt the most alone, despite Jar Jar slumped and snoring against one of the walls. She had tried sleeping in the handmaidens' cabin, but thoughts of the governor's message filled her head.

She walked over to the far wall and slumped down resting her forehead on her knees. A sound came from one of the alcoves that once held nautical automata, but it wasn't mechanical. Padmé started slightly. "Who's there?"

Anakin's head poked out of the alcove. "Me."

"Oh! Anakin." Padmé noticed his eyes were red as though he had been crying. "Are you all right?"

Anakin wrapped himself tighter in the blankets he had. "It's really cold in here."

Padmé walked over and sat next to him. "You come from a warm place, Ani. A bit too warm for me. The sea is cold, though. Especially Hyperion streams."

Now that she was closer, Anakin could see Padmé's face. "You seem sad."

Padmé looked away. "The Queen is worried. Her people are suffering and dying. She has to convince the Senate to intervene, or..." A tear fell from her eye. "I- I'm not sure what will happen."

There was a long silence between them before Anakin pulled his hand out from under his blankets. "I made this for you." He held out a pendant made from a hard material resembling ivory. "So you'd remember me."

Padmé took it, turning it over in her hand, admiring the details.

"I made it from japor wood from back home. It's supposed to bring you good fortune."

"It's beautiful, thank you. But I don't need this to remember you," Padmé smiled at Anakin and he smiled back. "Many things are going to change when we get to the Capital, but my caring for you will remain."

"I care for you, too. Only, I..."

Padmé nodded. "Miss your mother."

Anakin's gaze fell and he nodded sheepishly.

For quite some time they sat there in silence. Before Padmé knew it, Anakin had fallen asleep. She smiled at him and moved a bit closer. Soon she had fallen asleep, too. The two of them slept peacefully through the night, calmed by one another's presence.