The Junk Shop

The spaceship Qui-Gon Jinn had traveled on with his Padawan was unable to sustain its Hyperdrive and was forced to land on Tatooine. They were sent by Supreme Chancellor Valorum to try and negotiate with the Trade Federation leadership's blockade on the planet of Naboo. Traveling with him and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, were the Queen of Naboo, her handmaidens and guards, a gungan named Jar Jar, and R2-D2, the queen's droid.

The spaceship landed on the far outskirts of a spaceport. In the distance, he could see the famous twin suns that gave Tatooine its scorching heat. He had changed from his Jedi uniform into farmer outfit; a tunic, leggings, and a poncho. Qui-Gon walked into the main area where Obi-Wan was studying the hyperdrive.

"The Hyperdrive generator is gone. We will need a new one," Obi Wan informed him. Without the generator, the ship would be unable to function.

The Jedi Master knelt next to his Padawan, rubbing his temples. "That will complicate things. Be wary, Obi-Wan. I sense a disturbance in the Force." The moment he had landed on Tatooine, he felt the disturbance.

Obi-Wan's eyes lifted to find his. "I feel it also, Master."

Qui-Gon lowered his voice to a whisper, "Don't let them send any transmissions." He rose, gathered up Jar Jar and R2, and headed down the loading ramp. R2-D2 was the Queen's personal droid, and well Jar Jar was a whole other story. Obi-Wan and he saved Jar Jar from being killed by Nute Gunray.

Jar Jar glanced up at the sky, his face wrinkling in dismay. "This sun doen murder mesa skin," he muttered as he scratched his arms.

They started their way over toward the city of Mos Espa when a shout made them turn around. As they got closer, Qui-Gon could make out Captain Panaka and the Queen's handmaiden. "Wait! Wait. Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden, Padmé, with you."

"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain," Qui-Gon interrupted quickly, shaking his head in refusal. "This spaceport is not going to be pleasant— "

"—The Queen wishes it." Panaka interrupted him right back, his face angry and set. "She is curious about this planet."

The girl took a step forward. Her dark eyes found Qui-Gon's. "I've been trained in self-defense. I speak a number of languages. I am not afraid. I can take care of myself.

Captain Panaka sighed, looking over his shoulder toward the ship. "Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse.

Qui-Gon hesitated, prepared to exactly do that. Then he looked at Padmé, seeing the determination in her eyes, and changed his mind. "I don't have time to argue the matter Captain. I still think this isn't a good idea." He gave the handmaiden a warning look. "Stay close to me."

It was noon by the time the group reached Mos Espa and made their way toward the spaceport's center. Mos Espa was large and packed with creatures of every shape and size.

"Moisture farms for the most part. Some indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found," he explained to Padmé.

Padmé glanced at him. "Like us," she whispered.

Qui-Gon looked around for a junk shop when he felt the disturbance again. This time, it was much closer. He turned his head, seeing a young girl approaching him. The force is strong with her, she practically glows with it! He thought as she made her way over to him.

Amara felt terrified. You could do this Amara. She walked up to the man. "Hello, sorry to bother you but I'm lost and don't know where. What planet is this?"

Qui-Gon gave her a puzzled look. How could this girl not know where she is? "We're on Tatooine, one of the remote planets in our system. What is your name?"

Amara glanced around; she wasn't familiar with Tatooine. "My name is Amara. I was looking for some help when I felt a powerful force. I followed it and it came from you?" Her voice went up at the last part, making it sound like she was asking a question.

He looked at her, his face full of surprised. Something was off about the girl in front of him, but he couldn't quite put his tongue on it. "I see... My name is Qui-Gon Jinn. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking."

Amara smiled softly. "No, I don't mind." But then her expression changed. She looked down at her feet. "I-I don't know where I'm from. I woke up in the middle of the desert without any memories. All I know is my name."

Qui-Gon was shocked to say the least. He had only met her but could immediately sense the powerful force within her. There was no way he was going to let her stay on this crime infested planet. "So you have no memory of your life and don't know how you got here?"

Amara nodded.

"How strange. Come with me and my group, it's not safe for you to stay here all alone . We just need a part to our spaceship and once we get the part, I will help you." Qui-Gon assured.

"That would be amazing. Thank you, you don't know how confused I am about everything," Amara exclaimed, smiling.

They started walking; Qui-Gon was explaining to her that they need to look for a junk shop. After he finished, Amara wanted to ask him about what she felt. What's the worst that could happen? She took in a deep breath before talking. "It was the force I felt from you, wasn't it?"

Qui-Gon stopped and turned towards her. "You know of the force?"

"Well," Amara began, "I don't know it what it means but it sounds so familiar to me. It was the second thing I remembered when I woke up. What does it mean?"

"It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together," Qui-Gon explained to Amara. She thought about what he had just said. There something else about the force, I just know.

"Thanks for telling me." Amara's attention turned to the girl behind her. She stayed back while Qui-Gon kept walking so that she was beside the girl. The girl turned to Amara and gave her a smile.

"My name is Padmé Naberrie," the girl introduced herself to Amara, extending her hand out.

Amara smiled back and shook her hand. "My names Amara. I would tell you my last name but as you've heard, I don't exactly know," She said sheepishly.

Padmé gave Amara an apologetic look. "I heard your conversation with Qui-Gon. I'm sorry about what you're going through. I could help you out by teaching you about all the different planets and beings. This planet is also new to me." Padmé talked about how she was a handmaiden to the Queen of Naboo and the situation she and her people were in. Amara sympathized with Padme. Wanting to change the subject, She wanted to know what she looked like.

"How old do I look?" Amara questioned her out of curiosity.

Padmé examined her for a moment. "Hmm.. I say you look a little bit younger than me. I'm 14. You also have brown eyes, like me."

Amara gave a small nod before thinking to herself. At least I kind of know my age. She snapped out of her thoughts when Qui-Gon spoke up.

"We'll try one of the smaller dealers," he advised, nodding to the dome-like buildings in front of them. They made their way over to a little junk shop that had a huge pile of broken spaceships stacked up behind it. Once inside, they were greeted by a pudgy blue creature, his wings buzzing so fast that Amara could barely see them.

"A Toydarian," Qui-Gon whispered to Amara, noticing the confusion on her face.

"Hi chuba da naga?" (What do you want?) The creature snapped in a demanding, frizzy voice.

"I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian," Qui-Gon explained to him.

The Toydarian beamed with delight, his snout curling as he made odd smacking noises. "Ah yes, ah yes. Nubian. We have lots of that. What kinda junk?" He glanced over his shoulder, looking for something. "Peedenkel! Naba dee unko." (Boy, get in here! Now!)

A small, young boy raced in from the yard, no older than ten years old, coming to an uncertain stop in front of them. He was short, with blonde hair and blue eyes and very dirty. His clothes seemed to be made out of rags and were worn out. The Toydarian raised his hand at him and the boy flinched.

Amara looked at the creature in disgust, already starting to have a disliking to him.

"What took you so long?"

"Mel tassa cho-pas kee," the boy responded quickly, his blue eyes taking in the group with a quick glance. "I was cleaning out the bin like you-"

"Chut-Chut!" The Toydarian threw his hands up angrily. "Never mind the bin! Watch the store! I've got some selling to do!"

He turned back to Qui-Gon. "So, let me take- a thee out back, huh. Ni you'll find what you need." Amara started to make her way out back when Qui-Gon blocked her way.

"I need you to stay here and make sure Jar Jar stays out of trouble." Qui-Gon pointed to the tall creature that picked up an odd-looking bit of metal, intrigued by it. He then followed the Toydarian to the salvage yard.

Amara mentally groaned but agreed. Why do I have to watch him? She turned her back towards the exit and started to explore the shop, glancing at Jar Jar sharply, causing him to put down the part. Jar Jar st

There were bits and pieces of odd junk scattered all over the place. Amara stood on her tippy toes as she tried to grab an object from the top shelf, her curiosity getting the best of her. Her fingers couldn't quite reach the top shelf and she began muttering to herself, hoping no one would hear her.

While she was doing, Amara didn't notice the young boy's gaze at her. The young boy couldn't take his eyes off her. He noticed her the moment he entered Watto's shop, even before Watt said anything, and he hadn't been able to stop look at her since. He barely noticed the other girl watching him.

The boy hoisted himself up an open space on the counter, pretending to clean a part while watching Amara with fascination. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met.

Padmé, watching the boy staring at intensely at her new friend, walked up to her. She tapped Amara's shoulder, stifling a laugh as she whispered, "I think you've got an admirer."

Amara stopped what she was doing at looked at Padmé, wondering what she meant. Padmé's eyes darted behind her and she turned around, seeing the boy looking directly at her. She smiled at the boy, giving him a small wave.

"Are you an angel?" he asked quietly, his face turning a crimson color

She was taken aback by his comment and glanced at Padmé, who covered her mouth from smiling. "A what?"

"An angel." He straightened up a bit. "I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the moons of Iego, I think. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty they make even the most hardened spice pirate cry."

Amara thought she must have looked like a mess, but apparently the boy thought otherwise. Angel? She opened her mouth but her words seemed to freeze in her throat. After a few seconds, she gave the boy a confused look. "I've never heard of angels. Thank you but I'm pretty sure I'm not one."

"You must be one," the boy insisted as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Maybe you just don't know it."

Padmé walked over to the boy. "You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?"

The boy stared at both of them and shrugged. "I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot you know, and someday I'm gonna fly away from this place."

Amara looked at him skeptically. "You're a pilot?" How could a boy his age be a pilot?

"Mm-hmm. All my life."

The mental image of a baby flying made Amara smile. "How long have you been here?"

"Since I was very little. Three, I think. My mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us betting on the podraces with Watto. Watto's a lot better master than Gardulla, I think."

Sold? Master? Lost us? Amara's smile fell. She realized the boy and his mother were slaves.

"You're…a slave?" Padmé questioned.

The boy snapped his head up and stuck up his chin, glaring at her. "I am a person." Padmé looked away, feeling upset and embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I don't fully understand."

"This is a strange world to us," Amara stated quietly, glancing at Padmé.

Anakin nodded and studied Amara critically, thinking of things to say to her. "You are a strange girl to me." He said instead. He swung his legs out from the counter. "My name is Anakin Skywalker."

Amara smiled at Anakin. "Amara," she stated as she shook his hand.

"Padmé Naberrie," Padmé introduced herself.

A crash made them all jump. Amara turned to see Jar Jar messing with some sort of droid. The droid was marching, knocking over things over, with Jar Jar clinging onto it shrieking. Whoops, I was supposed to watch him. "Hey! Hit the nose!" Anakin called out. Jar Jar hit the nose and the droid folded together.

Amara couldn't contain herself and started to laugh at Jar Jar's expression. Anakin thought her laugh was angelic. After their laughter died down, Padmé went over to help Jar Jar, leaving Anakin and Amara to themselves. They both looked at each other. Amara, feeling self-conscious, started to play with her hands. "I'm going to marry you." Anakin spoke up. Amara eyes widened, before laughing again. This boy is a funny one.

"I mean it," Anakin insisted.

She saw the look on his face and knew that he wasn't joking. "You're a very odd little boy," Amara responded, her laughter dying away. "Why do you think you're going to marry me?"

Anakin hesitated. "I guess because it's what I believe..."

"I can't marry you Anakin, you're just boy," Amara replied, looking away. She was a little bit uncomfortable with what he just said.

Anakin looked at her, his blue eyes burning into her brown ones. "I won't always be." The way he had replied gave her the shivers. How could he so sure that he'll marry me?

Qui-Gon walked back into the shop, looking frustrated. "We're leaving," he announced to them. Jar Jar was the first to follow, anxious to finally leave. Padmé was next. Amara gave Anakin a gentle smile.

"It was nice to meet you, Anakin." Amara made her way over to the door.

"I'm glad to meet both of you," Anakin called out. Especially you.

Qui-Gon led the group back through the little plaza of junk shops toward the main avenue. The Jedi Master moved everyone into an alleyway, out of view from the people passing through. He brought out his comlink from inside of his poncho and sent a signal to his Padawan. Amara and Padmé stood a few feet away from him patiently, Amara kicking around the sand beneath her feet.

Obi-Wan quickly responded to the comlink's pulse, Qui-Gon filling him on the situation. "And you're sure there's nothing left on board?" he concluded.

There was a pause at the other end. "A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, maybe but not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about." Obi-Wan replied.

"All right," Qui-Gon responded. "I'm sure another solution will present itself. We also have another situation on our hands."

Obi-Wan was about to turn off the signal what he froze at his Master's words. "Okay. Wait what did you say? Another situation?"

"Yes. There is a girl that is force sensitive and very powerful, but she has no memory of how she ended up here or her past life. All she remembers about herself is her name."

"Do you think she is the one?"

Qui-Gon didn't reply at first. His mind wondered back to the boy in Watto's junkshop. "I'm not sure. There is another force sensitive. He is a young boy who is also as powerful. I'll check back later."

After he shut off his comlink, Qui-Gon signaled the rest to move back onto the street. They began walking back to the spaceship. Amara kept to herself when she noticed Jar Jar wasn't with them. She stopped walking and saw another creature attacking Jar Jar. Amara pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. The Gungan was starting to get on her nerves. When she opened her eyes, she saw Anakin talking to the creature. He had stopped assaulting Jar Jar and seemed to have started a heated conversation with Anakin.

Anakin was helping Jar Jar back to his feet when Amara and Qui-Gon moved hurriedly through the crowd forming around him. "Hi!" he greeted cheerfully, happy to see them again so soon. "Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba."

"Nosir, nosir!" the Gungan insisted, brushing off dust and sand. "Mesa hate crunchen. Dat's da last ting mesa want!"

"Nevertheless, the boy is right...you were heading for trouble." Qui-Gon said to Jar Jar, taking him by the arm. He then turned to Anakin. "Thank you, my young friend."

Amara gave Anakin a warm smile as well, and the boy felt himself blush with pride.

"Mesa doen nutten!" Jar Jar insisted again, still trying to defend himself.

"You were afraid. Fear attracts the fearful," Anakin told him. "He was trying to overcome his fear by squashing you...be less afraid."

Amara gave Anakin a skeptical look. "Does that work for you?"

"To a point," Anakin replied.

Qui-Gon gestured for them to continue walking. Amara didn't mind that Anakin was joining them, she was happy that she met another person around her age. Along the way, they had stopped at a fruit stand owned by an old lady named Jira. Boxes of colored fruit were arranged on a rack tilted on the street for viewing. As Anakin started talking to Jira, Amara eyed the fruits. When was the last time I ate? As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly. I guess not for a while...

"I'll take four pallies today." He turned to Amara eagerly. "You'll like these..." Amara saw that Anakin dropped one of his coins. She bent down to retrieve it when Qui-Gon beat her to it. As he crouched down, some sort of weapon fell from his belt. The word 'lightsaber' popped into her mind. Amara went to grab the saber, but as she did so, she was engulfed in darkness.

Amara got up from the ground and quickly realized that she wasn't on Tatooine anymore. She was in an outside temple that was built on the underside of a cliff. What is this place?

"Hello?" She called hopefully, but received no answer.

All of a sudden, a little girl no older than seven, wearing a red cloak, appeared in front of her, staring at her. Amara took a few steps forward when the girl ran away from her. "Wait, come back!" She ran after the girl, entering a hallway filled with statues.

Amara lost sight of the girl and continued walking through the hallway. Her heart pounded as she neared closer to the end, desperately wanting to get of the place.

"Leave!"

A wave of dizziness washed over her and Amara leaned against one of the statues, but for some reason the statue disappeared. She fell to the ground, her hands breaking her fall. Shakily, Amara stood up from the ground and noticed she was standing in the middle of a city. It was sunny at first, but then the sky darkened and clouded. Ash fell from the sky.

Amara had barely any time to register what was happening as a hooded figure grabbed her. She tried pulling her arm away from the person but they wouldn't budge. Her breathing intensified and she felt like she couldn't breathe. The person lifted up their head and Amara froze with fear. The person was red and covered in tattoos, horns sticking out his head. The only thing she focused on was his yellow eyes burring into hers. Giving one last tug, she finally pulled her arm away and ran away from him. Her vision started to blur, and in a blink of an eye, she was standing in a gigantic hut.

A crack of lightning echoed throughout the hut. Amara looked down and noticed she was much shorter, like a child's height. In front of her was a woman kneeling on the ground and a dark hooded figure like before standing over her. The woman locked eyes with Amara and spoke. Calm, kind, and eerily familiar. "Let her go and I'll give you the information you want."

The hooded figure turned around, yellow eyes narrowing down at Amara. "You heard her, get out of here!"

But Amara didn't move; she was still staring at the woman in front of her. She bared a resemblance to the young girl she had encountered earlier. Who is she?

The woman smiled softly at her, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll handle this, sweetie. Go find Opal."

Giving one last glance at the woman and the man, she ran back outside. Who was Opal? Amara didn't know but still wanted to find her. As she raced through the pouring rain, her surroundings became darker and darker until it was completely black.

She felt someone shaking her. Her eyes snapped opened and was greeted by a concerned Qui-Gon. He was speaking to her but Amara couldn't hear what he was saying. She was breathing heavily and sweating. What was….that?

"Are you alright!" Worry flashed across Qui-Gon's face as Amara stood up, shaky. She looked down to see that she still had his lightsaber and quickly gave it back to him.

Her head was spinning. She could barely get out the words. "I-I'm fine." Qui-Gon didn't seem to believe her but nodded anyway. He knew what she had just experienced; he had seen other Jedi have it. A force vision… Qui-Gon saw how scared Amara was and decided not to press it any further.

"Do you have shelter?" Anakin asked, glancing at the sky. Amara shrugged her shoulders and glanced at Qui-Gon, expecting him to answer.

"We'll head back to our ship," Qui-Gon told him.

"Is it far?"

"On the outskirts," Padmé replied, turning away from the gusts of sand.

Anakin grabbed Amara's hand quickly, tugging on it. "You'll never reach the outskirts in time…sandstorms are very, very dangerous. Come with me. You can wait it out at my home. It's not far. My mom won't mind. Hurry!"

A/N: We finally made it into the movie. How do you like the story so far? We learned something about Amara's past. What do you think it means? Leave a comment below!