I started the final lap. Sebulba was still in first and right behind him was me in second. I stayed right behind him. I couldn't find an opening, so I was waiting patiently. As we entered the trench, I stayed close to him, but I backed off when he smashed the front of the pod. I couldn't figure out what the things were flying out of Sebulba's pod He's playing dirty. I moved to the right, trying to avoid the objects that came at me. I ended up on the service ramp and crashed through the gate and the pod started to slow down. "No no no! Come on!" I yelled at Anakin's pod as I zoomed up and over the cliff. I didn't even know how high I ended up, but I wasn't scared. I closed my eyes, once again hearing the wise words of the Jedi. Trust your instincts. I opened my eyes when I felt the pod going down. I flicked a few switches pulling back on the handlebars as I braced myself to touch the ground. Trusting my instincts, I waited until I felt I was just about to land, I pushed the handlebars forward, blasting full speed and I landed in front of Sebulba. "This one's for you Ani!" I fly off as I hear Sebulba's thumping engine right behind me.

Good things don't last, they seem. Sebulba was right behind me trying to make me crash but my attention was on the pod's screen. My left engine was on fire and I couldn't understand why, but I refused to slow down. As I sped up, the smoke was getting worse and I had no choice but to slow down which put Sebulba in the lead again. I saw the engine start to fail and I quickly pulled the lever toward me, putting the fire out. All the power was going into the right engine so I unplugged the wire, attaching it on the left side, and flicked the switch to even out the power in the engines. The blue line goes into the left engine halfway, which told me they were both even. I frantically flicked the switch up and down, trying to get the engine to start again. After a few seconds of frantic flicking, the engine roared and displayed the green light on my screen. I smiled big, and pushed forward, going full speed. I caught up to Sebulba at the second trench entrance and waited for an opening. I can do this! I maintained full speed staying on Sebulba's ass. I flipped the pod sideways as I exited the trench and came into the open field. Steering the pod to the right, I maintained full speed side by side with Sebulba trying to get around him. He crashed into the pod, but I didn't falter. He moved into me again, but this time, his pod engine was stuck to mine.

"Sebulba, you Slimeball! Get Off!" I didn't know if he could hear me, but I liked to think he could, just to make myself feel better. He tried to pull away from me but all he did was drag me with him. I didn't want to force it. I'd end up breaking the engine. I thought of an idea and waited for him to try and pull away again. Just as he pulled, I made the engine open up more, detaching him from me. Sebulba flew off, one of his engines detached and blew up next to me while behind me as he shouted more insults, most likely, as I flew off. I didn't look back as I crossed the finish line. I heard the crowds cheering loudly, and this time, they were cheering for me. I slowed the pod down and came to a stop. I turned it off, quickly took my helmet off, and stood on top of Anakin's pod. I turned around and saw a huge crowd of people coming my way. I smiled so big my cheeks hurt as I looked for my family. Qui-Gon ran up to me and lifted me out of the pod, followed by my mother, Anakin, Padme, and everyone else. Qui-Gon put me on top of his shoulder, and I was too happy to understand how he was able to carry me. I'm not skin and bones but I had a figure.

I smiled down at my brother, "This one's for you Ani!" My brother smiled just as big as me as my mom looked at me with relief and happiness. I put my fists in the air and yelled at the top of my lungs. My first win and it was all because of the Jedi. As the crowd started to settle down, we took the pod into the garage and Ani quickly looked it over to see the damage. I walked alongside the Jedi and my mother as I went over the race with them.

"The one turn I could have gone faster but I wasn't going to risk stalling the engine out again." I turned to my brother who was already filled with grease, "Ani we need to find out why it stalled in the beginning. I don't want that happening in the next race." Anakin saluted me as I jumped in excitement making my mother laugh. Padme suddenly hugged me.

"We owe you everything, Kida!" she smiled happily. "Thank you so much for helping us."

I waved her off, "It was no big deal. I won for everyone. But Ani gets this win." I pulled him over into a side hug. "Next time, have some faith in me."

My mother kissed the side of my head. "You have brought hope to those who have none."

I scrunched my face, "Mom, all I did was win a race. It won't be the only time. I plan on winning the next one too."

"Well," she pushed the hair out of my face. A few pieces were pulled from my ponytail from the race. "I'm so proud of you." She kissed me again and I rubbed my cheek.
"Mom, come on, cut it out." I rubbed my cheek, feeling more embarrassed.

I spotted Qui-Gon walking back to us, I didn't even realize he left. "Did Watto give you any trouble?"

He shook his head, "I'm waiting for him to give me the parts. A good threat to the Hutts and he gave me what I wanted."

I nodded my head, "Smart move."

Qui-Gon mounted an Eopie with Padme in tow telling us he would be back and rode off. Greedo came over and talked his mouth off saying I cheated. Before I could even do anything about it, Anakin tackled him to the group.

I groaned in annoyance as I tore Ani off of the trouble-making alien. "Anakin Skywalker, cut it out right now!" I shouted. I put my hand out to stop Greedo from walking back to hurt Anakin more, but he was pushed a few feet away from me. What did I just do? I felt myself getting angry, and it made me feel more in control. "I said knock it off! That included you Greedo. Come at my brother again and you will have me to deal with." The group of kids that surrounded us quickly left as I walked away with Anakin.

"He said you cheated." Anakin pouted sitting down next to our pod.

I sighed, "Did I?"

"No."

"You'll just have to tolerate his opinion, Ani. Fighting won't change it." I put my arm around him and kissed the top of his head. "I think that was very courageous to come to my defense, but as long as you and I know the truth, that's all that matters." Anakin looked up at me and smiled, giving me another hug. "I won this race for you Ani, fair and square."

I stayed late with Anakin while we waited for Qui-Gon to come back. I expected Watto to say something about my win but I haven't seen him at all. A part of me was worried but I pushed it aside.

"Ani, who didn't rub my win in our faces?" I sat on the ground handing Anakin tools.

"Watto." he said, "I noticed too. I wonder where he is." He didn't look away from the pod as he tightened the engine.

Qui-Gon returned shortly after. He dismounted the Eopie and walked over to us, handing me a bag full of paggets telling me they were mine. He sold the pod. I smiled bigger looking at the bag in my hand. They were going to go in the savings jar. I told him Mother was making dinner, inviting him to join us to celebrate and when he accepted, we all walked home together.

As soon as we walked through the door, Anakin ran to our mother and showed her the bag of money from his pod that Qui-Gon sold, but my smile disappeared when I saw her cleaning parts.

"Mom, what's going on?" I looked around at all the extra work she had. Was this what kept Watto away?

"You have been freed." Qui-Gon suddenly announced.

I turned to him, Ani gasped in surprise, "I'm what?" thinking I didn't hear him correctly.

"You are no longer a slave." he confirmed again with a gentle smile.

I looked at my mother, thinking it was all a joke. Ani ran to Mom giving her the biggest hug that we were both free now.

"Did you hear that? Kida and I are both free. Now we can free you!" he says happily to my mother. She hugged him tight and stood up walking over to me. She cupped my face in her hands, giving me a sad smile, "Now you can make your dreams come true. You are free." She kissed my forehead. Suddenly, I'm not thrilled about being free anymore. She turned to the Jedi, "Will you take them with you? Are they to become Jedis?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

My heart broke and I felt torn. I gave my mother a tight hug, refusing to let go. "I can't leave you, mom." I pulled away to look at her. "Who's going to take care of you if we leave? I can't just leave you!" The lights started to flicker which made my mom hug me again.

"Our meeting was not a coincidence." Qui-Gon interrupted, "Nothing happens by accident."

"You mean WE get to come with YOU on YOUR starship?" he bounced excitedly.

Qui-Gon knelt down to look at Ani and me. "Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge, and even if you succeed it's a hard life."

"But I want to go! It's what I always dreamed of doing." he turned to me and Mom, "Kida it's yours too. I always dreamed of doing this together!"

"Ani-" I tried but he interrupted me.

"Can I go Mom?" he begged.

"If you are sure this is what you want." our mother told him. He shouted running off to his room most likely to pack some of his things.

I crossed my arms, looking at her like she went insane. "You're letting him go off on his own? Who's going to watch him and help him stay out of trouble."

"Kida, you dreamed of this as well, don't you want to go?" She rubbed my arms.

I sighed, uncrossing my arms looking at Qui-Gon and my mother, "I read between the lines. I am free, but you're not. We will be leaving you. You have no one here to stay with you." I tried to keep my tears at bay but a few fell down my cheeks.

"Kida," my mom pulled me down to sit with her. I haven't sat on her lap since I was a child, yet here I was, curled in my mother's arms as she rocked me. I felt my whole world was about to fall apart and my heart broke a little more hearing the sadness in her voice. Her dream was to have us leave the planet together. How can we do that while she is still a slave here? "This path has been placed before you. The choice is yours alone.'' She looked at me with a small smile. I let her braid my hair for probably what was the last time.

I thought about the dreams Anakin and I had. I always wanted to be the best Jedi fighter and pilot the world had ever seen, with my little brother by my side, but I wanted my mom to be there with us. I knew Anakin wouldn't go without me and I knew I already made up my mind the moment I heard I was freed. What made me so upset was that I was so ready to leave this planet, even without my mother with us. I felt like a bad daughter. I looked at my mother, picturing her all alone in the house. She'd be lonely. Trust your instincts. I repeated the words in my head and I closed my eyes. What do I feel? I didn't feel like she'd be in danger if we left. When I opened them, I turned to Qui-Gon, and smiled at him. "I want to go. BUT," I turned to my mother, "I will be back to free you." I promised her. I hugged her tightly before I went to pack my bag.

Anakin and I returned to the kitchen, however, only I had a bag. I didn't know how to break the bad news to Anakin, but before I could even say anything, he must have figured out that our mom wasn't coming.

"What about mom?" he looked up at Qui-Gon, "Is she free too?"

"Ani." I began but I stopped. How did you tell your nine-year-old brother we were about to leave the only family we had behind?

Qui-Gon put a hand on my shoulder, taking the lead, "I tried to free your mother, Ani, but Watto wouldn't have it."

Anakin walked over asking her if she was coming. When she didn't answer he turned to me but I shook my head, letting him know it would be just the two of us. She motioned us both over and took our hands, telling us her place was here, and it was time for us to let go. Things started to rattle around us. Tears leaked into my eyes, but I wiped them away. I had to be strong for Anakin now, who, stubborn as always, refused to let things change, but we couldn't stop the change, she pulled us both in for a hug and kiss as we exchanged I love yous. Anakin ran off again to bring his bag out.

I looked over to Qui-Gon, "Thank you." I whispered. I never thanked him for the pod, and especially for freeing me. My mother came to thank him as well. Sensing my mother's unease, Qui-Gon reassured her he'd watch out for us, giving her his word. When he asked if she'd be alright, I squeezed her hand to give her strength.

We said our final goodbyes as Qui-Gon led us to his ship. Ani started to fall behind, making me stop as well. I turned and saw him run back to our mother, giving her one final hug. I turned to the Jedi, trying my hardest not to run as well. I said my goodbye to her, and now I had to listen to what she said to Ani to not turn back. He put his hand on my shoulder with a light squeeze. I know I'll see her again. I could feel it. As Anakin ran back to us, I ruffled his hair and waved one final time to our mother. Anakin and I ended up speed walking to keep up with the Qui-Gon. The guy can walk fast when he wanted to.

"We'll see her again. I know it." I held my brother's hand who was silently crying. He looked up and smiled at me as we approached the silver ship. It was very nice and expensive looking. "This was what he was betting on? He really is crazy." Anakin looked at me, a giggle escaped him to let me know he heard me. At least I could still get him to smile. I stopped in my tracks, suddenly feeling an ominous presence. "Qui-Gon, do you feel that?." yelling at the Jedi.

Qui-Gon stopped walking and looked back at us. I turned around as well and saw something or someone approaching us fast. I pushed Anakin out of the way, and when I heard Qui-Gon yell for me to drop, I obeyed instantly. I fell onto my stomach and a rush of hot wind passed me as I looked up and saw the black silhouette with a red lightsaber fighting Qui-Gon.

"Go! Tell them to take off!" He instructed us. I ran and grabbed Anakin, pulling him toward the silver ship. "Tell them to take off Ani, I have to help out Qui-Gon!" I pushed Anakin up the ramp, while I ran back to Qui-Gon to see if I could help. The person in the black hood looked at me and I stopped in my tracks. I was frozen, not believing my eyes. It's the man from my nightmare. This man was real. His face was black and red, yellow eyes, and his red lightsaber pointed at me.

"You." the man started to say. His voice was low and husky, if I wasn't paying attention I would have never heard him. Qui-Gon took the opportunity of the distraction and jumped with me in his arms and we landed on the ship's ramp. The man in black chased after us and jumped onto the ramp as well. I saw it start to close, and I was worried he would kill everyone on this ship. I had to protect Anakin, I made a promise. Praying that this worked, I moved my hands in front of me and the man was pushed off the ship just as it closed. "Holy shit that really worked!" A huge smile appeared on my face once again and I turned my head to look for my brother, but instead, I saw a man. He had a braid with short auburn hair with blue eyes piercing me.