The Jedi temple was calm. The Force vibrated through every part of it, almost as if humming in a

steady rhythm. It was late and almost everyone was asleep. The only slight disturbance in the force was a ripple of discontent and boredom originating from a certain sleeping quarter. The quarters of Master Kenobi and the young Padawan Skywalker. Anakin couldn't sleep. They had been held off from missions far too long and he was getting bored out of his mind. All his master had been doing was meditating and researching galactic affairs that Anakin had no interest for. Really, how interesting could farming iron ore ever be?

The familiar thrill of visiting the underbelly of Coruscant was calling to Anakin. Watching the gambling, shady bars and establishments with interesting visitors from all around the galaxy and most of all pod racing was practically singing to Anakin's blood. It was only four years after he had been freed from slavery but Anakin had not yet gotten used to really being free. The temples lessons, grueling practice and meditations at times almost didn't taste like freedom. So, when he was feeling everything, something called for him. Maybe it was the living Force which works in mysterious ways, or possibly something else, but Anakin had no desire to stay and contemplate about it. The thrill of the forbidden world was calling to him and it made his blood practically sing. He grabbed his belt and started to sneak out. Obi-Wan's door was closed and even through it you could hear the slight snoring.

Sneaking out of the temple was definitely not a difficult thing to achieve, after all, Anakin had done so on multiple occasions. Most of the temples inhabitants were fast asleep due to the late hour, and the ones who were up weren't interested in a shadow creeping near the walls. Once Anakin managed out of the temple, he let out the breath he had been holding. The oppressive atmosphere of the temple had been weighing him down unconsciously and it was great being free for the time being, even if it was for only this night.

Anakin arrived at his favorite podracing track and he was happily greeted by Dex. "Anakin! My favorite Jedi! It has been too long since we last met." "Indeed, it has, hasn't it?" Anakin replied with twinges of mirth shining from his eyes. "I have come to make up for it though" He continued. "Are you going to race for me?" Dex replied excitedly, rubbing his hands together. It was never a dull evening with the young Skywalker racing in the game, and it certainly earned him a few credits. "No, I am going to win for you Dex!" Anakin declared hotly with such a look of power that it sent shivers down Dex's spine. Dex walked towards a podracer and declared about it proudly. "I was able to buy this new and better podracer after the last time you raced for me. It was practically a steal! The guy selling it was basically giving it away for free."

Anakin was barely listening to Dex's ramblings, since he was far too immersed in getting acquainted with his new racing craft. If he had been listening, he would have noticed the small tremor in the surrounding Force which was trying to send him a warning. Not long after, the race was beginning. Climbing into their podracers were all kinds of creatures from all around the galaxy. A particularly rough and cruel looking humanoid was in the podracer right next to Anakin's. The man's face was littered by scars of varying degrees and ages, as well as a peculiar looking burn that circled the right eye. An eye which was made of glass, Anakin noticed. It is always pertinent to not underestimate your rivals. A voice rang inside Anakin's head, sounding very much like the voice of his master Obi-Wan. Emotion swept Anakin away as he was carried to a memory.

9 MONTHS EARLIER

Obi-Wan was walked in the council room, pausing with Anakin by his side. They had just returned from a Mission involving the slave trader Krayn and his dealings in Nar Shadda. Once the report had been recounted to the council members, a silence had fallen upon the chamber. That silence was finally broken by Yoda's contemplative voice. "Concerning this new development is. Immune to his actions your padwan is not, Obi-Wan. Imperative to take Krayn's life, was it?" Yoda asked, voicing out loud the question to which Obi-Wan had been fearful to answer. "I was not there in time to see the fight. So unfortunately, I am unable to answer your question Master Yoda." Obi-Wan replied after some consideration. "I believe my padwan's words in the matter if I may add." He continued quickly afterwards.

Mace Windu turned his eyes to Anakin, giving him a look the seemed to scan the very foundation to Anakin's core. "You were not able to control your emotions once again. Training you is proving to be a mistake. Perhaps we should consider your place within the Jedi." He finally uttered towards Anakin, speaking mainly to his fellow council members. Contemplative silence clouded the room. Every fiber of Anakin's being was vibrating with fear, although he was trying his best to control his emotions. He was sensing nothing from his Master through their training bond. It was crushing. Ry Gaul was the first to open his mouth which surprised most members since he so rarely spoke. "A great Jedi this padwan will become and we should not underestimate the powers which he does hold due to our own limited thinking. His future is not yet clear, and a struggle can be seen within. If we fail this child now, he will fail us when we need him the most." Ry Gaul spoke to the members, and then turned to Anakin. "You must learn to let your feelings go. You are not asked to be devoid of emotion, rather to feel it and then let it go. Meditation will help you through this."

Turning once more to face the council he spoke; "I think that it would be a great thing to have Master Kenobi and his padwan staying at the temple for an extended stay with no missions. Learning to know each other better and to help young Skywalker reign in his temper and emotions.". At the end of the meeting, Obi-Wan and Anakin walked out and headed to their quarters. Shame, fear and disappointment coursed through the young Padwan. His master had not come to his rescue when he most needed it in front of the Jedi council members. His master truly did not care about him.

Anakin shook his head trying to literally clear it from the oppressing memory, and when he once again lifted his gaze, the rough looking pilot had disappeared into his racer and could no longer be studied. The racers began to line up in their starting positions and Anakin felt a familiar rush of excitement flow through him. He attuned into the Force and a calm washed over him. He was ready.

The racers flew off and it became clear that the race would be messy and everyone was certainly trying to cheat. After the third turn in the track Anakin realized a few things. He was being shot at, and his craft was starting to mysteriously break down. It had to have been tempered with! Weighing down his options made Anakin realize that he was quickly running out of time. Jumping out would have left him vulnerable the blaster fire he was under, and staying in the craft would lead to an inevitable crash. He scouted out the track and realized that he was approaching a water escape portion of it. Best thing was trying to hold onto the crashing podracer as long as possible and then dropping into the water. As the water wall approached faster and faster, Anakin was counting the moments to when he had to jump out. Once the right time came, he jumped to the right of the podracer, crashing straight into the water. Blinding pain exploded once Anakin hit the water. It was partially frozen, and far shallower than he anticipated. His vision was swimming and with his last effort he tried to reach the edge of the puddle on the track. Once he pulled himself over the edge of the ice, everything faded from view.