Out of Nowhere's backstory

[Astrid]

Backstory to the situation in "Out of Nowhere"

Summary: Qui- Gon Jinn survived the fight with Maul. Six years later, he and Obi-Wan, now his Jedi knight partner, are stranded on Tatooine and meet an angst-ridden teenage boy named Anakin Skywalker. Anakin lives with his mother, Shmi, and his older brother, Owen, on the moisture farm. Owen is the son of Shmi's late husband, while Anakin is, as in TPM, fathered by the force. However, no one besides Shmi believes there was no human father, and wonders who the actual father is. Owen is very cruel to his half brother and taunts him for being a 'weirdo' because of his special powers. Anakin is experiencing the force but doessn't know what it is or how to harness and use it correctly.

The two Jedi happen by and meet the family. Qui-Gon is convinced Anakin is the Chosen One, but the boy shows no interest in joining the Jedi and living a life of solitude and sacrifice. He is deeply in love with a girl he's never met, Queen Amidala.

After Shmi is kidnapped and murdered by the Sand People and Owen blames Anakin for her death, he decides to go along with the Jedi just to get away from the moisture farm and Tatooine.

While he trains as a Jedi and does well, he is not happy with the rules and remains rebellious and headstrong, and lets this be known. On one of his missions, he meets and becomes very close to the retiring Queen. Anakin loses only a finger to Dooku, who presents it to Lord Sidious as a trophy. Anakin and Padme are secretly married.

The council is not happy with Anakin, or Qui-Gon. Eventually, a riff causes Qui-Gon to leave the order and become a hermit. He knows the order needs a lot of changes, and they were failing Anakin badly, leading him to the dark path. Qui-Gon hopes to return when the time is right, before things go too far...

(the much longer version follows, read it if you want, if not, I hope my summary is enough to fill you in. You can always consult it later if you need to. Thanks for reading, no matter where you start!)

Out of Nowhere backstory

The twin suns of Tatooine rose over the harsh desert landscape as Shmi Skwalker got up to tend her moisture farm. She was alone now, her husband was killed by the sand people many years before, leaving her alone with her son Owen. Strangely, a few years later, she became pregnant again and bore another son, a golden haired, blue eyed boy she called Anakin. His birth had been a mystery to her, and the gossips of the area wagged tongues over who the real father was. Shmi never even answered them, knowing they'd only laugh at her claim that no man was involved. Whatever happened, it was odd indeed. Perhaps in time, the truth would be revealed. She was happier here now than she'd ever been. Having been born a slave, her husband had bought her and given her freedom, though she knew that this legacy alone would be enough to taint the boys as the children of a slave. It didn't matter anymore, life was hard as it was. It was all they could do to survive.

Owen Skywalker was 24 years old, still at home, he had nowhere else to go. He might as well stay and take over the family farm, he had no ambitions beyond it. This life was fine for him, safe and comfortable. He hadn't even yet married his longtime girlfriend, Beru Whitesun, and others joked that she might give up on him if he didn't ask her soon. He awoke without being called for, but Anakin was still asleep as usual. His underground bedroom didn't offer benefit of windows, so the sunrise didn't enter his room and alert him the day had begun. Anakin was 16 years old, and very different from his brother. He didn't want to be a farmer, didn't even want to stay on Tatooine. He stared at the stars in the night sky, dreaming of flying away into them, to far distant places and adventures. He was fascinated by the Jedi order, and wanted to join, though his mother and brother only laughed at him when this was mentioned. A warrior priest of the force, who'd want to be that? The force was frightening to them, they didn't like to discuss it. Anakin not only wanted to talk about it, he wanted to touch it, to live it. He felt a close connection to it, and he could sense things they couldn't. This made Owen call his brother a 'weirdo' and belittle him for his dreams.

"Get up you worthless tub of bantha fodder!" Owen yelled, banging on the bedroom door of his younger half brother.

Anakin pulled his pillow over his head of golden curls and moaned, face down into the matress. "Go away. I don't feel good."

"You NEVER do! I'm getting tired of this. You're just plain lazy."

"Shut up, you don't even know me!"

"I know you lay here on your lazy butt all the time when Mother and I are doing all the work around here. I think she should toss you out, let you go into Mos Eisley and fend for yourself with all the other lowlife!"

A loud noise was heard from inside the room, and the door flew open. Anakin's blue eyes were full of rage, and something was flowing through him that Owen couldn't understand. He backed up, in fear of his younger, taller brother. "Get outa my face!" He screamed, and slammed the door.

Owen opened it again and barged in and found Anakin face down on the bed, ignoring him. He looked around the room. It was the same as it had been since Anakin was little. There were toy spacecraft and other flying machines dangling on strings from the ceiling. In the corner, a shabby droid he'd been working on for years still sat. It could talk now, but wasn't quite functional for any practical use. On the wall, there was an image of young Queen Amidala from Naboo, the girl Anakin had a crush on for years. Owen ripped it down and tossed it at him. "A Queen, what would she want with a bum like you?" Owen pulled the picture down and threw it on the bed. Anakin got up, turned around and pushed Owen across the room. "You're asking for it, punk!" Owen charged at him, but he was repelled even harder against the room. He hit the wall hard and fell to the ground. Anakin had never touched him. "Get OUT of here!" Anakin ordered again, his eyes filled with something Owen had never seen. He was completely stunned, and even frightened, at what had just happened. Anakin's rage alone had attacked him, without ever even lifting a finger. Not admitting his fear, Owen stood up and walked away. "Hurry up and come topside, WEIRDO!" He slammed the door, and Anakin hit it with both fists in disgust after it was closed. He lay back down on the bed and stared at the picture of the young Queen, then put her face down on the bedside table. He felt so stupid now for even daydreaming about her. Owen was right, she'd never like him. He stared up at the model flying machines that hung down from the ceiling and wished he was in one of a real one like them, far, far, far away from here.

Owen reported to his mother, who was away from the dwelling tending the moisture evaporators in the field. "I can't get Anakin to wake up, again."

"That's how he flunked out of school. I worry about him. He wasn't meant for this place, he's different than we are."

"Bantha fodder, mother! He can do anything he sets his mind to!"

"What if what he's setting his mind to has nothing to do with this moisture farm?"

"You would support that?"

"I"d be very sad to see him go, Owen, but we all must follow our own paths. He has to find out which one is the right one for him."

Just then, Anakin strode by, eyes focused straight ahead, not looking at them.

"Good morning, Anakin." Shmi said cheerfully.

"Hello mother. I'm going into town to check out some power converters. I'll see you later." He said without stopping or slowing down.

"What? Where are you going? I don't believe you, get back here!" Owen yelled. Anakin ignored him. Shmi just looked away. Her older son went back to working, her younger son soon disappeared on foot over the nearest dune.

Far above the planet, a wise Jedi master named Qui-Gon Jinn and his partner and former apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, realized they were having problems with their ship. "Will she make it, Master?"

The younger man asked. Master Jinn shook his head. "I feel we will not. We must set her down, now, or we may crash or become hopelessly lost in space." Young Obi-Wan tried not to show his fear, having fear was a bad trait for Jedi. He calmy nodded. "Tatooine, that's a desert planet, and one full of Tuskens and rogues of all types."

"Your memory and insight serves you well. Yes, that is true. Such an outpost is avoided by all if they have the choice. As of now, it is our only hope."

They stared out the viewport as they headed their ship into the atmosphere of Tatooine.

[Astrid]

"We're going to crash!" Obi-Wan yelled out as he noticed the disabled ship was falling too fast.

"It's going to be all right, the force will guide us."

"I hope so!"

Qui-Gon glanced back at him, then back at the view window. "Aaahh!" He grunted, as the ship flipped and went end over end in the sand. It came to a rest on its side. Qui-Gon got up and tried to steady himself. "Obi-Wan? Where are you?"

"Over here." He moaned, under some broken machinery. Qui-Gon lifted it off of him. "Are you all right?"

"I think yu just saved my life."

"Oh, come now, padawan..."

"I'm' not your padawan anymore, remember, I made knight several years ago, we're partners now."

"Yes, it is easy to slip up sometimes, you've been with me so long, you're like my son."

Obi-Wan had gained his Jedi Knighthood by killing the Sith Lord Darth Maul, just as he appeared about to kill Qui-Gon. The old master never forgot this. "Save your life, heh. This is nothing compared to what you did for me against Maul. Perhaps there will come a time when I can truly pay you back."

"I hope that time never comes, master, that such a situation would occur to make it necessary."

They both got up and shook off the dust and sand, ran their hands through their long hair and beards, and looked around.

"Most uncivilized." Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. "Of all the..."

"Yes, I know, but at least we were not lost in deep space. We must make the best of things until we can have our ship repaired."

They walked all around their ship, not holding out much hope for being able to fix it themselves. They heard a noise coming over the next dune. Their Jedi instincts warned them, and they both turned quickly with lightsabers in hand.

"Hey, get those things out of my face!" said the voice, the young golden haired boy who had been walking from his homestead. Both Jedi realized he was no danger and put their weapons away.

"You're Jedi, aren't you?" Anakin asked.

"Why, yes, we are." Qui-Gon told him.

Anakin smiled. "I have always been fascinated by the Jedi, I've always wanted to be one. I feel so close to you all somehow, much closer than to my own..brother." He rolled his eyes and the thought of his wicked half brother Owen and how he treated him.

"You want to be a Jedi, do you? What do you know of the force?"

"The force? That must be what I feel all the time."

The two Jedi looked interested. They were both beginning to sense his strong force presence. "Tell us what you feel."

"I feel like, there's this power in me, waiting to get out, so I could do great things! I can sense what people are feeling, and sometimes get into their minds even if I don't want to. I can make things move.."

"You can?"

"Yes, my brother calls me a freak for it."

Qui-Gon put his arm on the young man's shoulder. "You are no freak. You are someone very special." He stared intensely into Anakin's eyes. This made him feel uncomfortable. Qui-Gon had begun to sense he was the Chosen One, but wasn't ready to say it yet.

"What are you talking about?"

"You need to find out more about the force. It's dangerous a young man such as yourself being so strong with the force and not being trained."

"How can I get training?"

"You would have to come with us back to the temple, on Coruscant." Obi-Wan told him. "You must go before the council to see if they approve of your training."

"But I thought you just said, I had to be trained...?"

"You WILL be trained, if I have to buck the council myself!" Qui-Gon said boldly.

Obi-Wan was used to his master's ways, rebellious by the standards of the stoic Jedi council. "They're not going to take him, he's too old. And he came from, ouit of nowhere!"

Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan and stared at him. "Then we must convince them there is special purpose, because, there is."

"Huh?" Anakin didn't understand.

"Would you be able to leave this place, with only the clothes on your back, and never return, to devote your life to the order and its ways?" Obi-Wan asked him.

Anakin looked down and shuffled his feet in the sand. "I don't know. There's nothing I want more than to get off this dustball, and get away from that farm and Owen- but I could never just leave my Mom and not care if I ever saw her again. Who could do that to someone they love?"

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon. Attachment. He had this for his mother. It was against the code, Jedi could not let their personal feelings get in the way of their purposes and missions. Qui-Gon had never understood how it would hurt for a person to have a visit with their family, or have friends outside the order, but this was forbidden by the council no matter how much he tried to change it. Obi-Wan knew nothing of this, he'd been a Jedi since he was a toddler, and barely even remembered his family, who were dead now. Qui-Gon was like his father, and he did not deny he felt close to him and worried for him when he was in danger the way a child would their father. So he understood how Anakin must feel about his mother. Still, they knew this was going to be a problem in trying to get him trained. They didn't know what to say to him, and were relieved when he changed the subject.

"Looks like your ship is wasted, and you're stranded here. What are you going to do? Mind if I have a look at it, I'm pretty good with gadgets and fixing stuff."

"Okay!" the old master took him up on the offer. Anakin crawled up underneath the ship and came out with a soot stained, grim face.

"It doesn't look good, guys, This is nothing I can just rig up with a whippadiddle pole. You're going to need parts that have to be paid for. Got any money?"

"We have no money, Jedi are not allowed to have money, or any personal possessions."

"No kidding?" Anakin looked shocked. "No money, no possessions, can't have contact with people you care about? I don't think I want to be one after all."

This saddened Qui-Gon. "Don't make up your mind so easily. There is much advantage to being a Jedi."

"Like being able to use the force, so nobody can mess with you and you can kick anybody's butt who gives you trouble?"

Obi-Wan laughed at this teenager's raw enthusiasm, and knew once again it wasn't what the council would approve of. "Not exactly, like that, but.."

"So if you're stuck here and you got no credits, what are you going to do?"

"If we can contact our temple, perhaps the order will send a new ship for us, or advance us credits to have this one repaired. Do you have a holovid, ours died in the crash.' Obi-Wan told him.

"You could find one at a cantina or hologram cafe in town, but again it ain't free. We have one at home." He looked very apprehensive about taking two strange Jedi home,

yet it seemed there was no other option, for now. "Come on, start walking. Let's go back to my mom's, she'll let you use it."

"You said your brother thinks force users are freaks?"

Anakin grinned. "He's just jealous he don't have it. If he gives you any trouble let him have it! Follow me." He turned his back to them and started walking, waving his hand in the direction of the farm. Having no other recourse at the moment, they headed back to the Skywalker homestead.

Anakin led the two Jedi to his home, a rounded shaped dwelling that was designed mostly underground where it was cooler. "Well, this is it." He announced not at all proudly.

"Don't be ashamed, we have no home at all, other than the temple." Obi-Wan smiled. "This looks like a nice place to live."

Anakin turned and gave him an odd look with a raised eyebrow. "You might change your mind once you meet my brother."

Owen Skywalker came to the door, shaking his head negatively. "What have you drug home this time, idiot? Looks like those freaky Jedi types to me."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were apprehensive to enter, sensing his hosility toward Jedi.

"It's all right, come on in." Anakin invited, staring down Owen without a word. "Their ship is crashed and broken, they need to contact their home base. I told them you could use our hologram transmitter and receiver."

"Over my dead body will those- things enter this house!" Owen growled.

"It's all right, young Anakin, we can walk into Mos Espa to find some means of communication. I don't want any trouble." Master Jinn said calmly.

"No, don't go, it's my home and you're my guests. My Mom will say it's okay."

"IF she were here!" Owen grunted.

Anakin's curly head turned fast. "Where is she?"

"When I told her you were gone, she went out looking for you."

Anakin was distressed. "Alone? You let her go, alone? But you know the danger, you know what happened to Father.."

"MY father. I don't know WHAT your father was, probably one of those freaky Jedi the weird way you turned out. Makes me ill to think of Mom...being touched by one."

"Mom said I didn't have a father!"

Owen laughed. "Oh come on now how is that possible?"

Qui-Gon's ears perked up like a dog's at this. "What did you say, Anakin has no human father?"

Owen laughed again. "Or so Mom says, but nobody believes her. He's a worthless bastard, by little brother. Mom's only mistake."

Anakin mouthed rude words to Owen, then turned to his Jedi friends. "Mom said she got pregnant with me for no reason. She didn't go with anyone, it just happened and here I was."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan turned to stare at each other. They knew the prophecy said that the Chosen One would be born of the Force, and the older master had sensed this may be Anakin when they first met. Now that they had this information, it seemed more likely than ever. THIS must be what brought them here, it was for a reason! There was no way he was leaving without Anakin Skywalker. He took Obi-Wan aside and explained this to him, and a chill ran through both of them. At the very least, this boy must be tested to see how high his midichlorian count was. If it were very high, there was a good chance Qui-Gon's feeling might be true. He must be trained as a Jedi, before he had a chance to be found by the Sith. Since the death of Darth Maul at the hands of Obi-Wan, Sidious, the mysterious Sith Lord, had recruited lost Jedi Count Dooku for his new apprentice, but he was old. If he had a chance for a younger, more powerful apprentice, he would take him. He might find some way to trick him into joining the Sith even if he didn't want to. Though they appeared to be walking away, they weren't going anywhere.

"Hey, come back!" Anakin called and waved to them.

:"Those things ain't settin' foot in the same house I have to breathe in!" Owen yelled. Anakin shoved him, and when he tried to get back up, he was pushed again, this time by the force of Anakin's anger. The Jedi saw this and were amazed. He was using the force though he had never been trained. "FREAK!" Owen yelled as he got up again. Obi-Wan ran to Anakin's aid, and stood between him and his brother, folding his arms.

"Perhaps you'd like to take on a different 'freak' this time."

Owen backed down and waved them off. "Just get out of here."

Qui-Gon tried to settle things down. "Shouldn't we all be concentrating our efforts on finding your Mother? The suns will be setting soon, and she shoudn't be out there alone. Owen, did you see which way she went?"

He didn't speak but pointed to the southwest.

"Thank you." the master nodded to him kindly. "Anakin, I'm going to help you find her."

"I appreciate it." He said as he started walking away with the Jedi. "Aren't you coming too?" Anakin turned to ask Owen.

"Not a fat chance, not as long as you hang with scum like them!"

The Jedi didn't want trouble, they each put their hands on Anakin's shoulders and led him away. Owen kicked some rocks then went back inside and got a drink.

They had walked a long way across the sand, following her footprints until they faded where the dusty wind had blown them. There seemed to be evidence that someone other than her had been there, for after the spot where the sand was mussed, there were no more of her footprints, only bantha prints!

"Oh, no." Anakin looked very upset. "They got her. It's the sandpeople, they always ride single file."

Obi-Wan put his head down. "Oh, no. We can't stop now, let's keep going!"

"We have to find her! I sense danger!" Qui-Gon added.

"I have a very, very bad feeling about this!" Anakin almost cried as they all ran as fast as they could. It was twilight by the time they reached the Tusken camp, and barely enough light to see by. There were fires burning, flickering, that helped. They walked stealthily around its perimeter, trying to see, hear or sense something that might help. Suddenly, young Anakin's face became twisted with terror. "Oh, NO!" He declared.

"What is it?"

"You guys aren't gonna believe me, but a few nights ago, well more than just once, I had this nightmare where I saw this tent- that one, right here." He pointed. "I saw it as clearly as I see it right now. I didn't know why, but it came with this creepy feeling of impending doom- I knew, something terrible was going to happen and I couldn't stop it because I didn't know what it was! But now I do! Why, why did this happen?"

"You have dreams that foretell future events.?"

"It has happened before, but not with anything this bad."

The Jedi looked at each other, deep in thought. This was yet another trait of a strong force senstive person.

"You think your Mother is in there?" Obi-Wan asked, and Anakin whispered 'yes.' Carefully they advanced, the Jedi drawing but not igniting their lightsabers. There was a small slit in the back of the tent, and Anakin stuck his finger in it to make it big enough to peek through. His heart sank. "She's in there, they got her. She's all tied up."

In turn, the other two took looks and saw her.

"She's so beautiful, and so sad." Qui-Gon sighed. "I can tell she's a wonderful person."

"Yes, she is." Anakin said, fighting tears. "Let's bust in and save her!"

"We have to be careful, we don't want the Tuskens to attack, we are outnumbered to greatly."

Anakin peeked again and saw his mother gaap, moan and collapse to the ground, hanging by her shackles. All at once, he tore open the little hole in the tent and burst inside. Quietly, he walked over to her, and rolled her over. She opened her eyes.

"Ani? My little Ani, you're such a good boy."

"You're gonna be okay now, Mom, I brought help!"She smiled up at him as they all freed her from her bonds. She was unable to stand, she collapsed onto the ground. "I- can't, you- must go, save your-selves..."

"No, we're not leaving here without you!" Anakin cried, hushed by his companions.

"it's too late for me, son." She sighed, pulling down her dress to reveal a deep cut in her chest. Anakin's eyes were wide with fear and dread. The wound was so close to her heart, and she was bleeding badly. "I'm so glad I got to see you one more time...(cough)...I love you."

"Mom?" Anakin said as her eyes closed and her head turned. She couldn't be gone, not like this! He turned her head back around and tried to make her move, but she couldn't. She was unconscious, but not dead yet. The two Jedi tried to help, but realized her life force was fading too fast for them, and she'd be gone soon.

"We have to get her out of here! We must get help!" He cried, his tears falling on her head. He tried to pick her up, but she was so floppy, with no strength left at all.

"I"m sorry, Anakin." Qui-Gon tried to comfort him. Anakin got up in a rage and started thrashing around. "I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill them all!" He grabbed Obi-Wan's lightsaber from his belt and ran out of the tent. He was trying to figure out how to turn it on when Obi-Wan used the force to call it back to him. Anakin looked shocked as the weapon returned to the hands of its owner. Qui-Gon wrapped both arms around him and carried him back inside the tent.

"They will all converge on us, and we have no means of escape. You mustn't do this."

"I don't care! I am not afraid, if I had one of those lightsticks like yours I'd kill them all!"

Qui-Gon could sense Anakin's rage, and knew that he would do it, but he felt it best not to draw the entire camp into a fight. It was too late. Some of the creatures confronted the three with spears, and the Jedi were forced to defend themselves. Several raiders died in the fight. Soon, it appeared all the adult hunter males in the group had been killed, nothing left but women and children. The Jedi regretted the incident, knowing not all of those who had been killed had been responsible, though they surely were a dangerous group of hunters who would have hurt other innocents. As they looked around and noticed human skulls and bones used for decorations, they felt a little less question in what they had been forced to do. They were cold blooded killers, and a threat to all area farmers.Even so, the Jedi would never have attacked them without provocation.

"I'm glad you killed them. I'm only sorry it wasn't me. Gimme that lightsaber, I'm going to go finish the rest of those things off!"

"Anakin, NO!" Qui-Gon settled him with his hand, using the force to help. "Those women and children are just as innocent as your mother, and Owen's father were."

"I don't care, I want them all to DIE!"

The Jedi were stunned at the hatred in the young man's eyes. They knew, he not only had the force, but was prone to its dark side too. Even more reason to take him back to the temple for training, so he could use his power the right way. The remaining sandpeople at the camp did not challenge the Jedi as they picked up Shmi's body and carried it back to the Skywalker farm. Under the stars, Anakin cradled his mother's head in his lap, and cried. "I'm so sorry, I wish I could have saved you." His sobs turned to deep, long crying, which brought Owen out of the residence.

"She's dead? They killed her, and it's all your fault!"

"How could you say such a thing to me at a time like this?" Anakin cried, seeming more gentle than tough.

"She went looking for you, you know, so, because you got mad and ran off, and didn't do your work, she's dead, you killed her same as if you shot her with a blaster!"

Anakin got up and attacked Owen. "You take that back!"

"Why? It's true!"

"You know I loved her and I'd never have hurt her or brought her any pain on purpose. It's your fault too, you didn't go looking for her, if you had gone you could have found her before they did! So it's your fault too!"

"Don't try to blame me, you know it was you, freak!"

"I hate you!"

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon broke up the fight, and tried to calm the brothers, but nothing could heal their heartbreak and grief, or anger and contempt for each other. They dug a grave, next to her husband's, and covered her up as Anakin cried hard and couldn't stand to watch as the dirt covered her shrouded body. He fell to his knees on her grave, then layed his head on it, and cried again. Owen was sobbing too, but would not speak to or console his brother. Owen finally went back into the house, making it clear none of the others were welcome inside. They all slept on the ground.

The rising of the twin suns hurt their eyes, and woke them up. For Anakin, the pain of what had just happened sunk in again and he started crying.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon understood his attachment and let him cry it out. They looked at the house, realizing Owen wasn't going to let them ever use the hologram device anyway, so it was time to move on. "We're going, Anakin. We have to find a way to get our ship repaired."

"Don't go, not now."

They thought about their mission and how they needed to complete it, yet they knew, they sensed strongly, that their greatest mission was right here, to take this boy back with them for testing and training. "Anakin, would you like to come with us?"

"You mean, become a Jedi like you?"

They nodded.

"I don't know if I can. But, there's nothing for me here now. I might as well come with you and learn the ways of the force."

The Jedi smiled and clasped his hands. "We are most pleased to hear this. We must leave immediately."

"Let me get my things from inside."

"You won't be needing them."

:"Oh, yeah, Jedi can't have stuff, that's right. There's something in there I sure would like though, and it's not very big. I could carry it in my pocket." He was thinking of his picture of young Queen Amidala, who he had a huge crush on.

"Okay, be quick about it." Qui-Gon smiled as Anakin ran inside. They heard things crashing around, and ran to see through the doorway that the brothers were fighting once again, and Owen was refusing to allow him to enter his own room!

"You mean, I can't even have my own stuff?"

"Not if you're leaving with those freaks on some damn fool idealistic crusade instead of staying here to help me after you KILLED our mother?"

"Damn you, it's your fault, too! She never had anything good in her life and now it's too late! I'm not going to stay here and be your slave. Get that poor girl Beru to marry you if she's such a sucker to fall for a jerk like you, and raise a bunch of kids you can push around, poor things! I'm leaving! " Anakin turned sharply and ran back outside.

"Let's go." He said, tears still in his eyes, not looking back at the house or the grave. They walked away.

Over the next hill, Qui-Gon said something to him. "Anakin, I heard you say your mother never had any good in her life. You were wrong. She did. It was you."

This only made him cry again. They left him to his pain and didn't speak again until they reached town, where they were able to arrange to have the ship repaired. When it was finished, they flew away for Coruscant. Anakin took one last look out the viewport window, thinking how he'd never want to come back there, ever again.

[Astrid]

When they got back to Coruscant, the council was upset they had not completed the mission they had set out on. Even when Qui-Gon told them he had found the Chosen One they were skeptical. He explained the whole story to them and they agreed to listen and give Anakin Skywalker audience. He felt nervous when he first stepped before them and they could sense this.

"Too much fear this boy has." Yoda spoke.

"This is his first time away from home. He is wondering what you think of him. I know this, but I can also sense this. Why can you not?" Qui-Gon asked them.

"It's not only that, Master Jinn." Mace Windu addressed him. "This boy has much fear permeating from his very being, the kind of fear that could lead to the dark side."

Yoda nodded in agreement. "Fear, and anger. If channel his anger correctly he cannot, disaster will result."

Anakin stood silently, but was getting angrier and more offended by the moment as they all said the same things. Qui-Gon hand motioned him to calm down inside, but he was still in turmoil. He wanted to lash out at them but knew it was the worst thing for him. He and Qui-Gon exchanged glances, and he smiled at the council.

"Too old he is." Yoda pronounced. "No patience, no self control has he. Be trained he cannot."

"I second the motion that he not be trained. He's too dangerous."Windu agreed.

Anakin did not look happy. "Whatever, then. I don't want to be a Jedi anyway. No girlfriends, no stuff, no fun. I'm out of here!"

Obi-Wan, who had stood patiently and silently in the background, went after him. Qui-Gon tried one last time to convince the council. "You may be right about what you sense in him, and what he did only reinforces that opinion in you all, I know. But because he is this way, he is more dangerous not being trained! Would you want that kind of anger and power to fall into the hands of the Sith?"

Windu put his hand to his chin. "Good point. We don't even know who this Sidious is who was behind Maul and who is now behind Dooku. We can't afford to have an angry and powerful young man like that using the force in the wrong ways."

"Mmmm, right you are." Yoda said. "Trained he will be, Master Jinn, YOUR responsibility he is, yours and Kenobi. Together you must work."

"Wait" spoke Mundi. "We cannot lose them both to one padawan. They are too valuable, among our best and most experienced Jedi."

"Neither of them currently have padawans anyway." Fisto pointed out.

"That is because their missions have been too dangerous." Windu explained. "Now, they will take time to train this boy, and others will be transferred to their missions."

"As you see fit." Mundi said. "I am not in agreement. I say leave the boy here at the temple until his force power is evaluated."

At that time, a healer walked in with the test results and handed them to Yoda. Yoda's eyes bulged and he almost dropped the paper. "So high a midichlorian count has never been seen. The Chosen One of the force born he must be. With the Jedi he must remain. Important this is."

All of the others on the council nodded to the oldest master. Qui-Gon was given approval, and he thanked them all and went out to look for Anakin and Obi-Wan. He found them far down the street, where Anakin had run in his anger and was caught up to by Obi-Wan.

"Good news. The council has agreed you must be trained."

"What? How..."

"Do not question the force, this is the first lesson to learn. Come back with us to the temple, Padawan Anakin Skywalker."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan smiled at him and patted him across the back. Anakin seemed pleased he had been accepted, but not at all sure he wanted this commitment. "What if I don't like being a Jedi? I don't know if I can live by all those rules you have."

"It's not bad, it's a good life. You will do just fine. Now let's go." Qui-Gon assured him. Having no real choice alone and lost in a very strange and overwhelming city, the farm boy from Tatooine followed them back to the temple that would now be his only home.

Anakin stood in front of the small mirror, covering his face with his hands. He didn't like what he saw. All of his golden curls were gone, and his cropped hair made his ears, lips and nose look so much bigger. One piece of hair had been saved to become his padawan braid. It hung down to his shoulder, though he was told it must grow longer. A strange stumpy ponytail stuck out on the back of his head. He wanted to cry, and he knew if his mother could see him, she would- and Owen would laugh. What a ridiculous style this was, he thought.

Looking down at his clothing, he was no more pleased. He found the oversized sleeves awkward, who could fight like this? The long cloak which covered his entire body seemed even more cumbersome, and he couldn't get used to having to walk around with it on. He wanted his hair, and his lightweight, thin, better fitting desert clothes back. Then he looked at his utility belt. This was where he would carry all that he would ever call his own, and it wasn't much. There was a slot for his lightsaber, which he would have to build himself. He bowed his head and tried to keep from sobbing.

He glanced around the room and saw only a plain bed with a dull brown blanket. There was nothing else but a cushion on which to meditate. They told him he was supposed to think beyond worldly goods, to the greater reaches of the force. This was going to be a hard sell for Anakin. At least at home, he had things he could call his own. He had only one possession left, and he pulled it out to look at it. It was his picture of Queen Amidala he treasured so much. He knew he could never let anyone at the temple see it, or they would take it from him and lecture about how bad attachments were. He couldn't agree with that, but he knew better than to fight them over it. He must be humble, at least for now. Hearing a knock at the door, he quickly put it away down a pocket inside his pants. "Come in." He said when it was safe. It was Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. They looked at him and smiled.
"Well, congratulations, you're an official Jedi padawan now."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?"

"Don't you think so?"

Anakin shook his head. "I hate this stupid haircut! I didn't know they were going to do this to me! Why? You guys both got long hair, and beards too!"

Qui-Gon explained. "I wasn't any happier about it when I was young, either. Once you are a Jedi Knight, the braid will be cut off, and you will be permitted to grow your hair or have it in any style you choose."

"How long is that going to take?"

"That is up to you, young one. The harder and better you train, the sooner it can happen."

"But I'm starting so late, and they don't even like me."

"Then we shall show them." Qui-Gon winked, and Obi-Wan smiled.

Anakin flopped his arms around like a bird. "What's with these sleeves? They are not aerodynamic for fighting, how can you handle a lightsaber with them? And doesn't that cloak slow you down, or trip you? I am sorry but I think your Jedi styling stinks."

They both laughed.

"Do they by any chance come in other colors?"

They both shook their head at him. He sighed.

"The first thing you need to do is stop thinking about yourself, because the Jedi are selfless." Obi-Wan told him. Anakin's eyes looked perplexed.

"I'm not supposed to care about myself, what I like, what I want? I can't.."

"Don't say can't, there is no can't." Qui-Gon tried to reach him. "Look young Anakin, I am not completely satisfied with the rules of the order either, and I am called a rebel. But I manage to work within the system to help, and so can you. Give it a try?"

Anakin was glad to hear this. At least he had these two friends on his side. "Okay." He managed a smile. His companions were relieved at this, but not at all convinced he would always be so positive. They knew they had their work cut out for them, with Anakin, and the council. It would be a long hard road for all of them, but one that must be traveled. The Chosen One must not fall into the hands of the Sith!

Almost a year passed, and while Anakin never did fully accept the rules, he did very well with his training. His power and ability were very strong and he learned to use them the right way. He remembered when his temper alone could cause objects to fall, now he could direct it, and control it, and save it, the way he needed to. Though Master Windu had been against his training, he decided for awhile to train him as his own padawan, but the personality conflict was too strong. Windu hadn't had a padawan in years, and was beyond such training. He left him to Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan. They were very good with him, and had made much progress. Windu, Yoda and the other council members were very impressed. So impressed, in fact, that they sent the trio on a very important mission- guarding the Queen of Naboo as she descended from the throne and made her way back into ordinary life, planning on a run for the Galactic Senate. Of course, no one was more excited by this than Anakin, who had been secretly admiring her for years. He knew once he saw her in person, experienced her with his own senses, he would be intoxicated by her. He also knew it was against the code to become attached to anyone the way he wanted to be attached to her, but he wasn't going to let that get in the way. He kept these feelings to himself for the time being.

Finally the day came when he got to meet HER. He could not deny his heart's racing and his adrenaline flow and nothing could stop the smile on his face when he finally saw her with his own eyes! She was beautiful! Her makeup was off, and her face was more gorgeous than he even imagined! He had to lower his head in the awe of her beauty and presence. He could hardly speak, but when the others introduced him, he was obliged.

"Hello, Your Highness." He blushed with a smile.

She smiled back. "You needn't call me that, after today that will be all over."

He couldn't understand this. Why would a person willingly give up power? When Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan left them alone to go report to the council, he told her so.

"Queen Amidala.."

"Padme, please, call me Padme."

"Okay, P-Padme. I was wondering something, about, you."

"It is not proper to ask personal questions."

"Oh, forgive me, but it's not of a very intimate nature, very general really, it could be you or somebody else."

"What is it, you may proceed."

"Padme, you are the Queen.."

"Not for long. Today is my last day."

"Why?"

"Because that's the way it is. I rule for six years, and I must step down so a new queen can be elected."

"Says who?"

"Anakin! The rules, society, the planet, the galaxy..."

"I don't accept that! If you are the Queen, then you can change the rules. You can make them listen to you! You can stay in power!"

"What, after my term is up? That would be wrong!"

"Why would it be wrong? How can you let them take your power from you? If you choose to remain queen, I will stand behind you."

"What are you speaking of? An uprising?"

'Well, yes, sort of."

"That's not the diplomatic way."

"I don't care about diplomacy. I care about power!"

"You are surely different than the other Jedi I have met."

"Yes, I am. I can't understand how they can fight, yet remain so docile, how they can have so much power and not use it."

"What do you want to use your power for?"

"I want to rule the galaxy."

Padme laughed. "My, your goals are lofty, young man!"

"Yes, they are. With my power and your position and experience, we can rule the galaxy and make things the way we want them to be!"

Padme looked stunned. She didn't even know if he was serious. She had not even thought this way before. In a way, he was right, she was queen, why did she have to give up her power? But that's the way things were and she didn't want to cause any trouble. For a split second, it did cross her mind- to rule the galaxy. Yes, then all the injustice she had seen would be wiped away. Such power could be used for good as well as evil. She quickly put it out of her mind. She just couldn't be so bold. Could she?

Anakin stared at her once more, deeply. "If you want to hold onto your position, I will help you."

She giggled nervously. "Please, you shouldn't even say such things. What if someone was listening?"

He lowered his head, a little embarrassed, and a lot disappointed. Someone was listening, right outside the door. It was Chancellor Palpatine, from Padme's home planet of Naboo. He smiled to himself as he heard the young man's speech and intentions. This could be very useful, he thought, very useful indeed. He would file this down in his mind for future reference.

"Oh, Chancellor, you are here to see the queen one last time?" Said Qui-Gon as he and Obi-Wan approached.

"You Jedi have left her only in the company of a padawan?"

"We trust him. He knows his job very well." Obi-Wan told him.

The Chancellor smiled. "Yes, he does." The two Jedi got an eerie feeling from this, but said nothing. They only exchanged glances. Obi-Wan opened the door.

"Well, padawan, I see you have gotten over your shyness."

"Quite well." Padme laughed softly. Anakin turned his head down and closed his eyes. Obi-Wan chuckled.

"Shall we go?" She said at last.

"Of course. You first, m'lady." Qui-Gon bowed and motioned for her to take the lead. She did, followed by Palpatine and the three Jedi.

Anakin was very sorry to see Padme go through with the ceremony which ended her reign. Soon after it was over, they followed her home and protected her as she was resumed her life with her family, and began her quest for a senate seat. Anakin was watching her the whole time, and Palpatine was watching Anakin. This time on Naboo would be very instrumental to events to come.

The three Jedi stayed with Padme all throughout her campaign as Senator. She had an easy victory. For her celebration, she took some time in the lake country. The Jedi went with her, though after a few days Obi-Wan was sent briefly on another mission, and Qui-Gon went to visit the Chancellor while he was also visting his home planet of Naboo. This left Anakin, except for the servants, alone with Padme. They had an idyllic time in the beauty of the lake country, and Padme began to feel herself strangely drawn to the young Jedi. Anakin sensed this, but felt it was not going to actually happen, so he kept his distance. Finally one day, they kissed, and there would be no turning back. Inside by the fire that night, they admitted their love for each other, but realized it could destroy them. She was the ex queen, and a senator, he the son of a slave- and a Jedi. Jedi could not have these kinds of feelings, though he did. He'd always had a lot of feelings that weren't befitting a Jedi, his lust for power, his unconventional way of seeing things, his distaste for being trapped by rules he could see how to step outside of. While Padme did not share these views, she admired his spirit, and his intelligence. She felt drawn to his warmth and love, and she was, though she had tried to deny it, deeply physically attracted to him. Their sojourn in paradise would last only a few more days.

Qui-Gon was becoming suspicous of the chancellor. He could sense something was wrong. He could feel the dark side in him. He could see it in his eyes. Things he said to him made him wonder, until there was no more doubt. This man was a sith lord. The one the Jedi had feared for so long, and here he was, running the galaxy! Terrible things would happen if he didn't stop him now. He knew he may not survive if he tried to attack him alone, so he kept the news to himself until he got back to the temple. When he did, he reported to Master Yoda and Master Windu his suspicions.

"A Sith Lord!" Master Windu snapped back. "Have you finally lost your mind? You have been a bit of a rouge, but we put up with you because you are a fine Jedi. But now, accusing our esteemed Chancellor Palpatine of being a Sith Lord, this is too much!"

Qui-Gon tried to argue his case. "Just hear me out, we have to explore the possibility!"

Master Yoda flew close in his floating chair. "No chance there is right you are. Disgrace to order you have become. Association with your wild ideas we cannot risk."

Master Windu agreed. "Master Yoda is right. You are hearby stripped of the rank of Master!" Yoda nodded in aggreement. No one on the council disagreed.

Qui-Gon stood and stared. He couldn't believe it. "This is an outrage. This has never been done in the history of the Jedi! It's an insult!"

They all stared at him. "Be grateful we are only bumping you back to ordinary Jedi knight and not padawan!" Kit fisto growled.

"Padawan? You have damaged my honor. I am leaving the order all together."

"Be as were the lost twenty, you will to us." Yoda waved him off.

Qui-Gon looked back one last time. "It is not I who am lost. I hope you will all meditate on this and see the truth before it is too late!"

No statement was ever issued as to any of this, the council agreed the accusation against the Chancellor was so serious it must remain a secret. It was only told that Qui-Gon Jinn had disappeared. He was banished from Coruscant and any planet of the Galactic Republic, including Naboo. He didn't even get to explain to Obi-Wan and Anakin. He took up residence in a cave on Tatooine, and lived as a hermit. Disappear, he must, until the time was right.

The battle of Genoisis took place, and after it, Obi-Wan and Anakin faced Count Dooku. Anakin lost his little finger in the battle, and Dooku presented the prize to his Master. Soon after, Padme and Anakin were secretly married.