Out in the front of the race, Sebulba was easily blowing past everyone. One of the racers, the three-eyed Mawhonic, managed to pull alongside him, prompting Sebulba to ram into him. Mawhonic shook his fist in irritation, with Sebulba only chuckling in response. He rammed into Mawhonic again, causing him to collide with the rock wall. This tore his pod apart, destroying it almost instantly as Sebulba pulled ahead.
-X-
Back with Anakin, he was quickly catching up with the racers. He was able to speed past most of the stragglers and entrenched himself within the ranks of the racers. As the racers continued moving along the desert plans, a canyon opening was swiftly approaching. This caused the racers to move behind one another, entering the canyon single-file and having absolutely no room to get in front ofeach other as they filed in.
As this was going on, Aurra Sing was watching from a nearby observation deck, looking at the racers through a scope and wondering how best to interfere with the event. She then looked up, seeing a camp of Tusken Raiders settled on the canyonside, prompting her to smile.
"That should do the job nicely," she remarked, lining up her shot.
She fired at the Tuskens, nailing one in the head, killing it. The Tuskens all roared in response, heading in the direction they believed the shot was coming from. Aurra just smirked as she moved from her vantage point, hoping she had efficiently stoked the flames.
-X-
The race led the pilots into a cave, prompting them to ready themselves for the challenges inside. It was dark and full of stalactites and stalagmites jetting out from the ground and ceiling of the cave. This would call on each of their individual skills and instincts in order to make it out alive. One racer failed to realize this in time as he collided with a stalactite and was caught in his pod's own explosion. Anakin quickly veered around the blast as he kept pace with the other racers. Eventually, they made it out of the cave and into a massive stretch of the canyon. Just as he started gaining confidence, however, a stray blaster bolt hit the back of his pod. Surprised, he looked up to see the Tusken Raiders Aurra had messed with were now shooting at the racers.
"Uh oh,"Fobe let out."Looks like we got some Tusken Raiders camped out on the canyon dune turn!"
One of the blaster bolts nailed a racer's engine, causing it to explode. The racer spun out of control before flying right into the canyon wall, exploding. Anakin didn't have time to dwell on it as he and the racers did their best to avoid the shots, trying to continue with the race.
-X-
Eventually, the racers arrived back at the arena, passing the cheering crowds as they proceeded to begin their next lap.
"And here comes Sebulba,"Beed announced."In record time!"
Sebulba waved to his adoring fans as he kept on racing. From the viewing platform, Qui Gon and the others searched for any sign of Anakin's arrival.
"Any sign of him?" Padme asked.
"Not that I…" Obi-Wan began to reply before seeing something in the distance. "There!"
The others turned to see Anakin's pod streaking down the track, leading the stragglers in the race as they passed through the arena and began their next lap.
"And here comes Skywalker," Fobe reported.
"Sixth place ain't bad, but he's still got some catching up to do,"Beed added.
From the pitstop, R2 and 3PO watched on, with R2 beeping to voice his concerns.
"He has to complete two more circuits?" 3PO extrapolated. "Oh dear."
-X-
Back with Anakin, he continued moving through the race track, serving and weaving through the various racers in hopes of moving toward the front. As he kept moving, one racer bumped into him, hoping to knock him out of the race. Thinking fast, Anakin put on the brakes, falling back as the racer tried to ram him again before jetting forward at top speed, blowing past him and leaving him irritated.
-X-
With Sebulba leading the track, he noticed one of the racers fast approaching him, so feeling like causing mayhem, he grabbed a piece of metal and tossed it back toward him. The metal piece fell into one of his engines, causing it to blow. The pod then proceeded to crash onto the ground, shattering into pieces that flew toward Anakin as he came up on the approach. Anakin kept his head down as the pieces collided with one of the cables connecting his pod to the engine. The cable became disconnected, and Anakin began spinning out of control, much to his dismay.
"Looks like Skywalker's spinning out of control,"Fode reported, getting an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
Anakin meanwhile did his best to keep calm as he flipped a switch on the console, which helped level out his pod. He then looked over and saw the stray cable flapping about in the air. Reaching into the pod, he pulled out a handheld magnet, which he aimed at the metal connecting device of the cable.
"Come on… come on…"
After a few moments, the magnet managed to pull the connecting device over, causing it to connect.
"Yes!"
Not wasting a moment, Anakin pulled the cable close enough to grab it, allowing him to plug it back into the pod. Once he was sure everything was connected, Anakin maxed out the controls, causing the pod to speed forward. Clocking it at top speed, Anakin managed to sail past various racers as they duked it out through the canyon. By the time they reached the cave, Anakin was far ahead of most of the racers, aside from Sebulba. As they emerged from the cave, they began making their track around the canyon dune turn, only to get fired upon by more Tusken Raiders. All Anakin could do was keep the speed up, hoping that he could be faster the the shots they were firing. A stray shot did take out another racer, causing his pod to crash spectacularly.
"Ooh! I don't care what universe you're from, that's gotta hurt!"
-X-
"Look!" Jar Jar cried out, pointing down the track. "Here he comes!"
The others looked to see Sebulba approaching the arena at breakneck speed, with Anakin following close behind.
"Starting the third and final lap," Fode announced. "Sebulba's in the lead, followed closely by Skywalker!"
Massive cheers rang out amidst the crowds for Anakin's success, particularly among those who knew him best. Watto meanwhile scratched his chin in surprise, not thinking Anakin would even make it this far.
-X-
As the racers made their way into the canyon, Anakin and Sebulba blazed down the track at top speed, with Anakin closing in on Sebulba's position. Eventually, Anakin managed to pull alongside Sebulba, leaving them neck and neck as they continued moving forward. Sebulba let out a growl of frustration toward Anakin's placement, while Anakin himself just turned toward Sebulba and gave him a smirk. Enraged, Sebulba rammed into Anakin, jerking him toward the side of the track. This caused him to run over several posts as he got closer and closer to a service ramp. Anakin braced himself as the people watching from there moved out of the way. Anakin crashed through the barrier to the service ramp, sailing right up it as Sebulba carried on, smirking happily at his handiwork.
At the speed he was going, Anakin launched off the service ramp and sailed into the air. Anakin looked down in surprise at what he had accomplished, getting a good view of the race track as he started descending to the ground. Thinking fast, Anakin flipped several switches before opening up the engines, allowing for a massive burst of speed that sent him jetting forward. This not only returned him to the ground safely but actually put him ahead of Sebulba, much to his surprise.
"Skywalker's back in the race,"Beed announced."And in front of Sebulba! What a move!"
Sebulba kept a tight pursuit of Anakin's pod as they cleared out of the canyon and made their way toward the finish line. As far as everyone else was concerned, none of the other racers mattered. It was all about Anakin and Sebulba now. Sebulba opened up the thrusters on his pod, catching up with Anakin so that his energy beam was nearly on top of him. Anakin looked back, seeing Sebulba closing in on him, and making sure he was able to keep his speed up. As he did so, the part Sebulba messed with was starting to fall off, something Anakin was quick to notice.
"Oh no…"
Finally, the part tore off, and the engine suddenly caught fire. Anakin went wide-eyed at the sight, forcing him to take power off the engine before serious damage could be done. Taking advantage, Sebulba maneuvered around Anakin and reclaimed his lead.
-X-
"Skywalker's in trouble," Fode reported. "Sebulba takes the lead!"
Shmi and Padme looked at the viewing screen with concern on their faces. Obi-Wan turned toward Qui Gon with similar worry, while Qui Gon just held fast that things would be alright.
-X-
Back with Anakin, his instruments were telling him that his engine, as well as the pod itself, was in serious trouble. Working fast, he cut power from the damaged engine, extinguishing the flames and allowing him to begin the work of switching it to auxiliary power, hoping that would mediate the troubles he was having. Once he made the necessary adjustments, he tried starting the engine again. At first, there seemed to be no effect, prompting him to keep flipping the ignition switch with a mix of worry and determination on his face. After a few more flips, the engine reactivated, allowing him to re-engage the controls so he could catch up with Sebulba before it was too late.
Anakin sailed through the track, spotting Sebulba's pod as they reached the cave.
-X-
"He's catching Sebulba!" Fobe let out in shock.
"Come on, Anakin," Padme pleaded. "Come on…"
-X-
As the two burst out of the canyon, Anakin managed to catch up with Sebulba, leaving the two neck and neck once more. Furious, Sebulba began ramming his pod into Anakin's, trying to make him crash. Anakin braced himself with each assault. As Sebulba bumped into him again, the two pods became tangled with each other. Both racers tried to pull themselves free, but neither was having any luck. Anakin then looked up, seeing a giant rock formation right in front of him and coming up fast. Anakin started to panic but then remembered what Qui Gon had told him before the race.
"Don't think… feel… trust my instincts…"
Anakin took a breath, allowing his mind to focus on the task at hand. He eased off the controls, allowing Sebulba to inadvertently pull him away from the rock formation a little. Once he was close enough though, he banked hard to the left on the controls. This allowed him to move to the side so he could slide up the side of the rock formation and actually spin over Sebulba's pod, tearing himself free from it in the process. Once he landed on the other side, he hit the accelerator, blowing past Sebulba's pod, which thanks to the disconnected cable, was beginning to fall apart. Both engines shattered on the ground as the pod itself slid across the sand, before coming to a stop and allowing Sebulba to watch as Anakin drove off to victory.
"Poodoo!" he cried out.
-X-
There was an eruption of cheers as Anakin crossed the finish line, causing him to give the biggest smile he ever had.
"Skywalker wins!" Fode declared. "And the crowd goes wild!"
From the viewing platform, Shmi and Padme hugged in jubilation. Jar Jar whooped as loud as he could while Obi-Wan looked on in astonishment. Qui Gon however had a dignified smile on his face, as if he knew the outcome even from the start. The viewing platform lowered, allowing them to go over and greet Anakin as he brought his pod to a stop. He climbed out of the pod, pulling off his helmet as he looked around at the cheering crowds, feeling prouder than he ever had. Padme ran over and gave him a massive hug, with Anakin only letting go in order to do the same to Shmi as she came up.
"Congratulations, Anakin," Qui Gon commended.
"Thank you…" Anakin replied, looking up at him. "I… I did what you said. I trusted my instincts… and it worked. I don't know how… but it worked."
"I might… and I would like to teach you sometime."
Anakin was surprised by the offer but smiled anyway. "Yes… thank you."
"Congratulations Master Anakin," 3PO commended as he and R2 came over.
Anakin chuckled in response. "Thanks, 3PO."
From the balcony, Jabba's aid, Biff Fortunate nudged the sluggish gangster, waking him from the sleep the race seemed to have put him in. He woke up, prepared to give some big speech, only to look down and see that the race was over.
All the while, Aurra Sing was watching the events of the race from the stands, knowing her Sith contact would not be happy with the outcome as she made her exit.
-X-
Later, everyone sans Qui Gon and Obi-Wan met up in the hanger, everyone congratulating Anakin on his victory.
"Way to go, Anakin!" Jar Jar declared, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks, Jar Jar," Anakin replied as Padme approached.
She wasted no time giving him a massive hug, which he was quick to return.
"Congratulations, Anakin," Padme told him as they pulled away. "I… we… owe you everything."
"I was happy to do it. And being able to win… to do what I did… it was worth it."
"It's amazing, Anakin," Shmi added as she came over, placing a hand to his face. "You have shown that what was considered impossible is possible. You've given hope to those who have none. I'm so proud of you."
Anakin couldn't help but smile as the two hugged.
-X-
Meanwhile, Qui Gon and Obi-Wan made their way toward the private box, where Watto was paying off those he owed money too. Spotting the two of them approaching, how brow furrowed.
"You!" he let out. "You tricked me! You knew the boy would win! Somehow, you knew! I lost everything!"
"That's the trick with gambling, my friend," Qui Gon remarked. "You play too long, eventually, you'll lose. Bring the parts to the main hanger. I'll stop by your shop later so you can release the boy."
"You can't have him! It wasn't a fair bet!"
"It is what you agreed to," Obi-Wan reminded. "And we expect you to honor it."
"Unless of course… you'd rather settle this with the Hutts?" Qui Gon challenged, causing Obi-Wan to smirk.
Watto grumbled, knowing there was no way he could win this. "Take him."
