Herald of the Force
Author Notes: I know some of you want this to be a Harem, but I'm mostly focusing on Harry and Padmé. If you guys want Harry to be with other females I'll do a poll to see if I should or not.
This chapter as been beta by LimerickChaos
Chapter 05: Race of Desire
"I expect my winnings the moment the race is over. I warn you, no funny business." Watto said to Harry and Qui-Gon as they walk in the hanger where all the pod racers were registering.
"Don't worry my blue friend. You'll have all your winnings before the sun sets, and we'll be far away from here."
"Maybe so, but not if I win. You'll barely have the credits to get off world."
"You don't think I can win do you." Harry said as he stops.
"I have no doubt you are highly skilled and talented. But Sebulba there is going to win."
"Why do you say that?" Qui-Gon asks.
"He always wins." Watto replies chuckling as he moves forward to inspect their pod. "I'm betting heavily on Sebulba."
Harry and Qui-Gon looks at each other. It was like fortune was striking at them.
"We'll take that bet." Qui-Gon said.
"What?"
"I wager my new racing pod and first place winnings say, the boy and his mother." Qui-Gon said as he looks at Watto.
"No way, not by a long shot." Watto said.
"How about this, if I win, you will free Shmi and Anakin Skywalker, plus we'll pay you a hundred thousand credits for them. If we lose, we have to pay you say… five hundred thousand credits." Harry said.
Watto eyes pop open wide. He started mumbling and pacing back and forth, beating his wings as he was trying to make a decision.
"We'll let fate decide shall we? I have a chance cube here. Blue I agree, Red is double or nothing." Watto said as Qui-Gon nods his head. Harry narrows his eyes seeing that four corners of the dice was red and only two were blue. Harry didn't have to do anything as Qui-Gon manipulate the force for the dice to land on the blue. Watto wasn't please.
"So you won the small toss outlander, but you won't win the race. So it makes little difference." Watto said before flying off.
"What did Watto mean by saying you two are betting?"
"We'll explain later. For now we need to set up." Harry said as he helps Padmé down before quickly pulling her aside.
"You remember the money we have."
"Yeah."
"I want you to take a million credits and bet that I will win the race."
"Can you win?"
"I've never lost before. Besides, we may need that money sometime soon."
Padmé nodded at his reasons and quickly left to go to the betting station.
"Welcome to the Boonta Eve Classic Podracing Event. This is one of the biggest turnouts from all corners of the outer rim territories. I can also see the contestants are making their way onto the starting grid…"
Harry tune out the announcers as they started introducing all the racers. Harry gave a slight wave when his name was introduce and he got a polite applause.
"… I see the flags are moving out onto the track. Now please welcome his excellency, Jabba the Hutt."
[Welcome and enjoy the race. Let the race begin.] Jabba said in a deep booming voice.
Harry fired up his engines and could feel the engine pulse through the handle bars he was holding onto.
The first light turn green and Harry took off speeding behind Sebulba and several others. Careful not to get caught in any unnecessary fights. Sebulba however was being aggressive and smashing his pod into others forcing them off course. Several of the leaders already crashed and the race just started.
Harry always loved the feel of the wind in his face. When he played Quidditch he would often race to the other side of the pitch just to feel the wind blow in his face. Podracing was a different feeling, but he could still feel the wind blowing and that seem to have set him free.
Harry knew he couldn't go all out, if he did Sebulba would just attack him or the other leaders would. He knew he had to wait till the second lap before he went on the attack. For now, he had to keep the leaders in his sight. Harry knew he had to wait till Selbuba created an opening, because he knew Selbuba would not give up his lead to others so gently. However, that also created an opportunity for Harry who was in eight place but keeping the leaders well in his sight.
It was after the fifth crash that Harry knew he couldn't remain behind and had to get out of the crossfire of flying derby. Harry pushes Anakin pod forward immediately gaining sixth place before he pass the driver around a corner earning fifth place. The three eyed goat crashed after Selbuba slammed his pod into the goat's and the debris caused another crashed. This allowed Harry to pass the four armed human who was blocking his way but was force to slow down to avoid crashing himself.
It wasn't long before they enter a cavern and Harry used the force to see his path. It wasn't hard but for many, it was dark and hard to see ahead. But Harry press forward. When the light came Harry immediately shot forward entering second place.
A shot hit his racer and Harry could hear the alien behind him crash as Harry and Selbuba were now neck to neck.
Harry however remain behind, knowing Selbuba would just ram him with is pod. So Harry stuck on Selbuba's tail waiting for his time to strike.
Exiting the canyon, Harry could see a drop ahead and sped up instead of slowing down like Selbuba.
Before Selbuba realized what happen, Harry took the lead and was speeding away while the others were now eating the dust Harry was leaving behind.
Harry stops his podracer to a stop after completing the third lap and stood up with his hand raised high. Padmé, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar and the Skywalkers were the first to reach him and they all look happy as Harry was hosted in the air by the enthusiastic crowd.
Harry was put down and to everyone's surprise and to Anakin's horror, Padmé embrace Harry and kiss him full on the lips as Harry embrace her, unsurprised by her action.
Harry and Qui-Gon stood before Watto who was handing out all of his credits.
"You, you two swindle me. I've lost everything."
"Whenever you gamble you will eventually lose my friend. I will bring the Skywalkers to your shop later so you can release them."
"You can't have them. It was a unfair bet."
Harry who was looking down at the crowd who were admiring Anakin's podracer and were surprise. He set three lap records besting Selbuba's best time by thirty seconds. Selbuba himself crashed his pod and was taken to a kolto tank to heal after he tried to mimic Harry's speed and crashed into a rock.
"Would you like to take this to the Hutts? I'm sure they can settle this."
Harry turns around to see Watto looking down and worried. It was no secret the Hutts would be ruthless if Watto was trying to cheat the new champion out of his winnings.
"Take them." He finally said in defeat.
Qui-Gon nods his head and left leaving Harry and Watto alone.
"Watto, I want to make you a new deal. I will give you my podracer in return I can take some things from your store. Don't worry, I just want a few things."
"Why should I accept?" Watto said.
"It would be good for you if you had the fastest pod and you could sponsors other to win races for you. I just want a couple of things from your store. Besides, I have no need of the pod anymore."
"Very well." Watto said as he finally agrees.
Two hours later, Harry walks out of Watto's store with new ship parts and two droids. As well as a new droid coverage for C-3PO so he wouldn't walk around in his parts.
Harry arrived at the Skywalkers to see everyone around the table.
"Is it true? Are we really free?!" Anakin said in an exciting voice.
"Yes, we used Watto's gambling addiction against him. I won the race and in doing so, I won your freedom. We are leaving tomorrow." Harry said.
"Does this mean we can go in your starship?"
"Anakin, life as a Jedi is tough and is not an easy life. If you do accept to become a Jedi, know that you will be challenge and tested to fail every day. It's not for everyone. It a very hard life. If you do decide to come and become a Jedi, it must be with your heart's consent." Qui-Gon said as he spoke gently to Anakin.
"I want to go. It's what I've always dreamed of doing." Anakin said.
"Then pack up. Be ready to leave at the first sign of light. Qui-Gon will come back here to bring you to our ship."
Harry and Qui-Gon left leaving behind a exciting Anakin and a thankful Shmi.
Harry and Qui-Gon return to the ship and Harry immediately got to work putting in the new hyperdrive, generator and some new parts needed to fix the Defender.
"Why don't we leave the moment the repairs are done?" Captain Panaka asks.
"Because it would look suspicious. If the Trade Federation has sent anyone to the planet, it's best to leave when other ships are leaving to hide our destination. It's why we stayed after I purchase the ship. Ships were coming in, but they weren't leaving. It's best to leave in the crowd than stick out and have everyone notice you."
Captain Panaka looked stun but nodded his head at Harry's logic. Harry could also tell he felt ashamed for not realizing this.
"Tomorrow we'll leave with the other frigates and merchant ships using their identification to hide ours. We'll also be bringing two people with us." Harry said as he put in the new generator.
Captain Panaka didn't question him as Padmé nods her head and began to help with the new repairs to the old ship.
"What will you do with all the money you won?" Padmé asks him.
"Don't know, but it could come in handy in the future if we need to attack the Federation. Plus we don't know who is our ally."
"Chancellor Valerom seems to be on our side. He's also a strong support to Naboo's cause."
"Then let us hope the Chancellor can help us." Harry said in a stern voice as the pair of them went to work in silence.
Author Notes: Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I'm skipping the Darth Maul attack on Qui-Gon. Same things happens and Harry and Anakin finally talk alone and I promise you all will learn why I gave Harry the title 'Thane' instead of 'Duke' or 'Count'.
Warning: I will be adding Old Republic Characters in the story and mixing it up to this story.