As Anakin stops the Podracer, Padme turns up, and they embrace. Hundreds of spectators join them, including his mother and Obi-Wan. "You were right," Anakin tells Obi-Wan, "I felt the Force. It was moving through me." Obi-Wan pats him on the shoulder proudly. One of Darth Maul's probes moves through the crowd unseen.
"It's so wonderful, Annie," Shmi tells him as she kisses his cheeks, "I'm so very proud of you... We can send the winnings directly to the magistrate and free you."
"Then you and Cliegg can finally get married," he tells her gladly.
"We will... But I'm afraid you must go elsewhere."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother and I spoke last night," Obi-Wan tells him, "She wants you to come with me to the Jedi Temple in Coruscant. Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident."
"And then what? You want me to be a Jedi?"
"That is up to the Jedi Council to decide."
The idea weighs heavily on him, "I admit I've always wanted to leave this place, but... I can't leave you behind, mother."
"I have my place here with the Lars fmaily. We'll be happy together. In the meantime, I want what's best for you. You've always been special, Annie. You were meant for greater things."
"But..."
"Son, my place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go...to let go of me. I cannot go with you."
"I want to stay with you. I don't want things to change."
"You can't stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting. Listen to your feelings; Annie, you know what's right."
Obi-Wan adds, "If the Council rejects my offer, we can always bring you back."
"No,... No, I'll go. If this is what my mother wants for me."
"Anakin, just so you are aware, training to be a Jedi will not be an easy challenge. And if you succeed, it will be a hard life."
Padme puts an arm around him, "I think he'll be fine."
He smiles at her, "Let's do this."
That night, Anakin finishes packing his bag. He takes one last look at his quarters, then leaves. Outside, Shmi hugs him, then turns him around so he is facing Obi-Wan and Padme. He follows them back to the speeder, Anakin taking one last look before he goes. Cliegg and Owen step outside and join her. She waves tearfully and he waves back before joining the others. Soon, they are driving across the desert and before long, they park the speeder in front of the ship. The R2 unit inside the speeder turns it around and drives it back to the farm. As they approach, they notice Maul's probe fly past them.
"What is that?," Anakin asks.
"A probe droid. I'm not sure what it's doing out here," Obi-Wan answers, "Get inside the ship. Quickly!"
They run the rest of the way to the ship as it lowers the ramp. Anakin stays behind, making sure Padme gets on board first. Obi-Wan furrows his brow as he senses something and looks to the West in time to see Darth Maul coming up over the nearby dune on his speeder-bike. "Anakin, drop!," Obi-Wan shouts and he does so instinctively. Obi-Wan races forward with his lightsaber ignited and as Maul drives by, he flips off his bike, flashing his red saber. The blades collide in mid-air and Obi-Wan quickly shouts, "Get in the ship and tell them to take off!". Anakin follows his order and races up the ramp.
Inside the ship, R2-D2 looks out the window to see Maul and Obi-Wan in the distance. He beeps and chirps excitedly as they clash. The ship lifts off while Obi-Wan and Maul kick up a great deal of dust and sand. Saber blades and cloaks twirl about as they fight furiously but as the ramp begins to retract, Obi-Wan Force-leaps to the ship. Undaunted, Darth Maul leaps after him as it nearly closes. Once inside, Qui-Gon is there to meet him and Force-pushes him off the ramp and the blast door shuts behind him. The ship takes off and Darth Maul rises angrily from the sand.
In the ship, Obi-Wan rests on the floor, catching his breath as Qui-Gon and Anakin tend to him. "What was that thing?," Anakin asked.
"Whatever it was, it knew the ways of the Force," Obi-Wan looks up at Qui-Gon, "I think it may have been a Sithlord."
"Their kind has not been seen for thousands of years. Perhaps it's good we are going to the Jedi Temple. Master Yoda will want to know about this."
"Sorry," Anakin interrupts, "You are...?"
"This is my Master, Qui-Gon Jin."
"Nice to meet you, Anakin. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"So it seems."
Captain Panaka makes an announcement over the com-link, "Preparing for hyperspace."
The ship takes off in a flash and enters hyperspace. Panaka navigates it calmly while the two Jedi meditate in the queen's chambers. Anakin sits in the passenger section of the ship, shivering. Padme soon enters and hands him a blanket, "I thought you might be cold."
"This is the first time I've been in space. I'm not used to it. My planet is so hot," he takes the blanket, "Thank you."
"I just wanted to tell you, you've been very brave. I don't know what I would do if I were asked to be a Jedi."
"Can I tell you something?," a bittersweet smile crosses Anakin's face, "I first heard of the Jedi when I was small. I heard smugglers talking about them in the spaceport. They seemed larger than life. So heroic. There aren't many heroes from Tatoonie, so I imagined them coming to our planet to free the slaves," he grows more frustrated, "It was a silly little dream I held for far too long. They never came."
"There are many systems in the galaxy. The Jedi can't come to all of them. And they can't just declare the end of slavery. They are only peacekeepers. It is up to the Senate to change the laws."
"What has the Senate done for your people? The Trade Federation still has control of your planet."
"We will convince them to intervene."
"If I become a Jedi, I'll make sure justice will be served. With or without the approval of a Senate."
"The Senae works, Anakin. You'll see," she smiles sweetly and kisses him on the cheek.