Star Wars: This Is My Saga!

Chapter 4: Aspirations



The Tusken Raider eyed him suspiciously, his grip on the gaffi stick not loosening. Anakin felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back, but he held his ground, standing firm yet non aggressive.

Neither of the two fully spoke Huttese yet that was the only language both knew at all. "I mean no harm," Anakin repeated, laces with force persuasion, hoping his sincerity would translate through the alien tongue. The Tusken leader grunted something to his comrades, and they lowered their weapons slightly.

The tension remained thick as the Tusken leader took another step closer, scrutinizing him with eyes that gleamed with curiosity. Anakin knew that he had to act fast before they grew impatient. He took a risk and used the Force, a subtle push that sent one of the podracer parts floating towards the leader. The Tusken's eyes widened, and the air grew still as the part hovered in front of him.

"This is a gift," Anakin said, his voice steady despite his racing heart. "A token of my goodwill."

The leader snatched the podracer part out of the air, examining it with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. Anakin felt the force of their collective gazes upon him, the weight of their scrutiny like the pressure of a thousand suns. He held his breath, waiting for their reaction.

Finally, plans had began.

As Anakin approached the Tusken Raider camp, the air grew thick with the smell of roasting bantha meat and the crackle of a distant podracer engine. He had managed to trade the podracer parts for a few credits and some spare parts that he had convinced the buyer would be useful. It was a small victory, but it had bought him enough time to formulate a plan. He knew that he had to be cautious; any misstep could lead to disaster, but the thrill of the unknown was too great to ignore.

The journey back to Watto's shop was a blur of unbearable sand and heat. Anakin's mind raced with the potential consequences of his actions. Would the Tusken Raiders see him as a potential ally or a mere child playing games beyond his understanding? He had felt the power of the Force within him, a constant reminder of the destiny that awaited. Yet, he knew that destiny was not set in stone, and he had the power to shape it.

As he approached the bustling city of Mos Eisley, the sounds of the marketplace grew louder, a cacophony of alien languages and the haggle of merchants. The podracer engine grew distant, a fading echo of the adventure he had just undertaken. He clutched the bag of spare parts close to his chest, the weight a reminder of the responsibility that now lay upon him.

Anakin slipped into the shadowy alleyways, avoiding the prying eyes of those who might question his absence. He had learned the art of invisibility, a skill that would serve him well in the coming days. His heart raced as he approached the familiar sight of Watto's shop, the neon lights casting a garish glow on the worn exterior. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable scolding that awaited him for being late.

Once inside, he found Watto in his usual spot, haggling with a fellow Toydarian over the price of a droid. The moment the fat, jovial alien laid eyes on him, the argument ceased, and a look of irritation flashed across his face. "Where have you been, you little scrap of meat?" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the cluttered shop.

"I had to make a detour," Anakin replied, his voice calm and measured. "But I have what you need." He pulled out the bag of spare parts, placing it on the counter with a thud. Watto's eyes lit up at the sight of the goods, his annoyance momentarily forgotten. "Good, good," he grunted, his large, leathery hand reaching for the bag. "But you're still late, and that won't do. Do it again and no supper for you."

Anakin nodded obediently, his thoughts already racing ahead. He knew that the Tusken Raiders would be watching him, waiting for any sign of weakness or deceit. He had to be careful, to play his role as a simple slave boy while secretly forging a bond that could change the course of history. As he worked the rest of the night, he felt the Force pulsing through him, whispering of the challenges that lay ahead.

The days that followed were a blur of work and training, with Anakin squeezing in moments to refine his strategy for the Tusken Raiders. He watched them from afar, learning their movements and the subtle cues of their culture. Each night, under the cover of darkness, he and Arna would practice their lightsaber forms, their shadows playing across the dunes like a silent ballet of power.

One evening, as they concluded their training, Arna looked up at him with her big, blue eyes filled with hope. "Ani, do you think we can really change our destiny?"

Anakin paused, the weight of his promise heavy on his shoulders. "I don't know," he admitted. "But we can't ignore the path before us. We have to try."

Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, a silent pact to protect each other from the darkness that threatened to consume them. Anakin knew that their fates were intertwined, that Arna was the key to his survival and perhaps the survival of the galaxy itself.

He continued to train her, pushing her limits and testing her understanding of the Force. Each time she (somewhat) mastered a new technique, his heart swelled with pride. Yet, he was also acutely aware of the danger that lurked in the shadows, the whispers of a future where she might fall to the dark side.

One particularly hot day (Even by Tatooine syandards), Anakin and Arna had finished their training early, and the twins decided to explore the outskirts of Mos Espa. They stumbled upon a podracer junkyard, a place where the discarded remains of once-great machines were left to rust and decay in the unforgiving desert. Anakin's eyes lit up at the sight of the podracer engines scattered across the sand. "These could be useful," he murmured to Arna, his mind racing with ideas.

The siblings ventured deeper into the junkyard, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust beneath them. Arna's mechanical prowess allowed her to spot salvageable parts that could be repurposed for their future endeavors. Anakin, meanwhile, used the Force to lift and move heavy pieces of scrap, his control growing more precise with each passing moment.

As they worked, Anakin's thoughts turned to the Tusken Raiders. He knew that to gain their trust, he would need to offer something of value. The podracer engines, while not directly useful to them, could be bartered for supplies or information. His mind raced with the possibilities, his heart beating faster with the thrill of the potential alliance.

Their work was cut short, however, by the sudden appearance of a gang of scavengers, their eyes glinting with greed as they spotted the valuable podracer parts. The leader, a Rodian with a nasty scar running across one eye, stepped forward, his blaster aimed at the twins. "Hand 'em over, and maybe we'll let you live," he sneered.

"You don't want to do this," Anakin warned, his voice low and even. The Rodian barked a laugh, his companions following suit. But Anakin knew that fear could be a powerful weapon, time to mimic Darth Vader's most iconic move.

With a flick of his wrist, the Force coiled around the scar-faced Rodian's neck, lifting him off the ground. His companions froze, their laughter dying in their throats as they watched their leader's face turn blue. "You know what this is," Anakin said, his voice carrying the weight of his newfound power. "Now, how about you give me all of your credits, or I kill you."

The Rodian's eyes bulged as he struggled for breath, his hand reaching for the blaster at his side. Arna stepped forward, her makeshift lightsaber staff humming to life. The other scavengers took a step back, their bravado dissipating like a mirage in the desert heat.

The Rodian's grip on his weapon faltered, and he dropped it with a clatter. Anakin tightened his grip, the Force squeezing the air from his lungs. "Good choice," he murmured, and the pressure around the alien's neck released. The Rodian crumpled to the ground, coughing and wheezing.

The other scavengers didn't wait for a second invitation. They turned tail and ran, leaving their leader behind to face the wrath of the young Skywalker. Anakin watched them retreat, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never used the Force in such a way before, and the power thrumming through him was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.

He turned to Arna, his expression serious. "We can't let anyone see us like this," he said. "We have to be careful."

Arna nodded, her eyes wide with understanding. The Force was a double-edged sword, and they had to wield it wisely. Together, they gathered the podracer engines and made their way back to Watto's shop, the encounter with the scavengers serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that awaited them.


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