Jedi Grandmaster Mace Windu sighed, disappointed yet again by yet another class of painfully average Jedi Younglings that his comrade Jedi Master Minch Yoda had been showing Windu in hopes that he would convince Windu to take on a new apprentice. Mace was only there one last time out of his sheer amount of respect for Yoda, who had been trained by the last remaining Jedi from the first Jedi Order, a Tall Jawa, named Junkier Talgauc, and since then, (900 years ago?) he had trained every Jedi Master that just so happened to have been appointed to the Jedi High Council, including Jedi Master Jorus C’baoth, and Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis. Yoda looked over to Windu, feeling confident that he had convinced his friend. Yoda’s smile immediately disappears when he sees Windu’s face. Windu shook his head in disapproval. Yoda was disappointed. He wanted to convince his powerful friend that he had to pass on his incredible prowess, knowledge of, and attunement with the Living Force, and that Jedi Masters Sephjet Josall and Depa Billaba were not enough to do that. But he promised Windu that if he let Yoda showcase another honor roll class of Jedi Younglings, that he would leave him alone on the topic. Yoda followed Mace out to the hall.

“Windu, know I do, what I promised, but take one last apprentice you must! Implore you I do.” Yoda pleaded. Windu contemplated for a few seconds.

“Those children in there would never make it as my apprentice.” Windu turns to walk away, but when he feels the immense disappointment of Yoda through the Force, he turns around. “Look, Yoda. If the Living Force wills it, I will soon have another apprentice. But these Younglings are not enough to withstand my teachings. I will trust in the Living Force, as you should too.” Windu says, slightly improving Yoda’s mood.

“Of course, Master Windu. Just afraid I am, that the Jedi’s connection to the Living Force will die with you.” Yoda said. Windu walks a bit, and Yoda says one last thing to Windu as he walks away. “Fear I do, the Jedi are losing their way. Archaic, much Masters think. A change there must be. But come quick enough will it, know I do not. Hope I do. Hope I do…”

Windu meditates in his private chambers, listening and opening his mind to the Living Force. Then, all at once, he feels it. A massive amount of the Force surrounding a random unknown individual in the galaxy. It is causing a disturbance in the Living Force. This is exactly what Windu was asking for. He listened more carefully, getting excited, as the voice of the Whills rung pleasantly through his mind. They chant a coordinate on the Galactic Map. Thanks to Windu’s eidetic memory, he memorized the numbers in seconds. He rushed into the Jedi Archives, amd entered in the coordinates into the Holocomputer. Tatooine. A desert planet on the edge of the Outer Rim. The inhabitants were so poor, that almost every single one resorted to selling scavenged goods, or to a life of crime, prostitution, or indentured servitude. There is no police force, and instead there is a posse of poorly armed individuals that take care of major crimes, and more importantly, crimes against that of the unofficial ruler of the planet, the criminal chief of the Hutt Clans, Jabba Desilijic Tiure, better known as Jabba the Hutt, in attempts to keep the infamous gangster away and out of the laughable joke that is the justice system. Unless there is blatant conclusive evidence, the posse does not investigate crimes, unless there is an outcry, and mostly just give the victims a proper burial. As stated before, Jabba the Hutt and his criminal empire unofficially run Tatooine, but leave the inhabitants for the most part alone, but offer those with no employment to be slaves, under the condition that the slaves are guaranteed to be fed and supplied with what they to be kept alive, and most of the time, healthy. Officially however, the planet is governed by the Dominion of Tatooine, a family of ultra rich, narcissistic, cruel and evil (even more than Jabba, because at least Jabba has honor) dictators that’s sole involvement with the inhabitants is taking and enslaving anyone they please. Obviously, the planet was not in the Galactic Republic. Mace Windu touched down on Tatooine. He lands his Jedi Shuttle in Mos Espa Spaceport. He let’s the Living Force guide his movements to a small hut, after converting a large amount of Republic Dataries to the Tatooinian currency. He theorized that the one he seeks might be a slave, and so he came prepared to barter. He enters, passing by two reprogrammed Trade Federation B1 Advanced Battle Droids that were… sleeping? He comes into the room, where a Kolzanian man was sitting behind a desk. Mace made sure that he was disguised as a wealthy offworlder, likely from the Galactic Republic looking to buy a slave and then smuggle them back to his planet. The man, with thick dark blue body parts (Kolzanian muscles) and 8 feet tall, stared down at Mace with pure red eyes, no nose, and spikes for teeth, standing up. Sensing the man felt threatened, Windu began speaking.

“Don’t be alarmed, denizen. I am merely here to check your wares. I would like to purchase a slave.” Windu said. The man thinks for a moment and accepts this, walking up to Windu, reaching a large hand out for Windu to shake. Mace accepts this and shakes the man’s hand.

“Name’s Terak Kolzon, Kingpin of the Kolzon Syndicate, the largest slave empire in the entire Kolzan System.” He said.

“Ajax Dooru, Galactic Entrepreneur.” Mace said. Just then, a young boy, maybe 7 or 9 at oldest, walks moodily into the room. There are bruises on his wrists, shoulders, legs and neck, and he has a black eye. The bruises stick out like a sore thumb, in contrast to his light skin. His brown hair flows down to his shoulders, and he wears tattered and ripped clothes, and wears a shock collar on his neck that includes a “legal” ownership status of the boy, which is required by Jabba to have slaves in his territory. The boy stops and stares disapprovingly at Windu, crossing his arms.

“Ah, Ani, have you finished reprogramming the latest batch of battle droids?” Terak asked. Anakin didn’t move his eyes from Windu, but continued eyeing Windu up and responded to his owner.

“Yes Master, you know I wouldn’t have walked away if I hadn’t.” For some reason, Windu sensed that Terak was pleased by his slave’s moodiness. Windu began connecting some pieces. Perhaps it has something to do with those bruises? Mace pondered.

“Ah, Mr. Dooru, this is Anakin Skywalker, my most prized possession.” Windu looked at Anakin. He instantly knew that Anakin was the one that the Living Force was guiding him to.

“How much?” Windu breathed. Terak looked over to Anakin, as if he was curious as to what his reaction would be. Anakin stared down at Terak, as if to say, ‘Don’t even think about it!’ Terak was convinced.

“Sorry pal, he’s not for sale. I could get you a better one-”

“Really? With how badly you treat him? I seriously doubt that Jabba would approve. Slave abuse is bad PR.” Mace threatens. Anakin rolls his eyes, as if the clear pain and abuse on his body was a normal thing of life and Windu was just overreacting. It wasn’t that Anakin didn’t want freedom. He had no reason to trust this new strange man. Anakin absolutely hates being Terak’s slave, but is content with that being his life. As long as he is obedient, Terak isn’t too horrible. He doesn’t want some stranger to buy him, in case that stranger turns out to be a lot less preferable than Terak himself. Terak clearly gets angered by Windu’s threat, but quickly puts on a fake smile.

“Whatever do you mean? I treat him as if he were my own.” Terak says, putting his hands on Anakin’s shoulders. Anakin smiles smugly at Windu, seemingly… pleased? Windu raises an eyebrow. “You’re doubtful I see. But before you prematurely report me to Jabba, might I show you how I treat him?” They walk into a club. A… strip club?! Who brings a 9 year old to a strip club?! Anakin ran up to the bar. Behind the bar was a middle aged woman.

“Mom, you won’t believe it. Someone tried to buy me. The nerve.” He said. The woman eyed Windu.

“Shmi Skywalker at your service.” They all sat down to watch a dancer, a green Twi’lek named Oola. Terak puts his arm around Anakin, and Shmi winces, as Windu senses something more going on. That Anakin’s strange technological knowhow is not the only reason that Terak treasures him… Then Mace excused himself to the bathroom. He gestured towards Shmi. She joins him in the bathroom, expecting to be violated, but was pleasantly surprised.

“Listen, Ms. Skywalker. Your son has a serious amount of Force surrounding him. I would like to train him to be a Jedi. Unrelated, where is his father?” Windu asked. Shmi was startled for a few moments. Then she got a serious look on her face.

“There wasn’t one. I can’t even begin to explain- it’s like a ghost went in… and 9 months later, Anakin came out. I had a dark past before we were slaves. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of. But Anakin… Terak does horrible things to him. The worst part, is that Ani thinks that this is normal… Maybe it is normal for Tatooine… I want him to live a life free from slavery. He’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” Shmi says. Windu nods. The two go back to Terak.

“I’d like to buy both of them.” Mace says. Terak scoffs and laughs.

“You know, I don’t quite understand one thing about you, Mr. Dooru.” Terak says.

“What part?” Windu asks.

“Why a Jedi is here, so far away from their beloved Galactic Republic.” Terak says, his smile being replaced with a stern look. Windu reaches for his saber.

“Relax, Jedi, I jest.” Terak says, telling the battle droids to stand down.

“I require these two. I shall leave after receiving them.” Windu said.

“We have a joker, huh? Problem is, you’re not joking.” Terak exclaimed, then signaled and the droids opened fire on Windu. He deflected all bolts back onto the battle droids, and then destroyed a bunch. He took the two slaves and leaving to the streets of Mos Eisley, when Terak gets into a tank, and threatens to kill Shmi if Anakin is not returned. Windu offers him a deal, and Terak is very intrigued, as to what Windu could possibly have as leverage.

“Terak Kolzon. I’m ready to make a deal.”

“You?! Make a deal?!”

“Yes.”

“Why should I?”

“Because if you do not accept it, I will have no other choice but to report your Syndicate’s aggression to the Jedi Council, who will not be too amused, and might just start paying attention to this dust ball.”

“... What is your proposal, Jedi?”

“A trade. I will send a Judicial Officer with a small fortune of the local currency of this planet, which should more than pay for repairs of your battle droids and in return, you will transfer ownership of young Skywalker and his mother to me.”

“How am I supposed to believe that you will go through with the payment, Jedi?” This makes Windu smile with satisfaction. For the longest time this man, Terak, had made Anakin and Shmi’s lives a living hell, especially Anakin’s. Even if it was for a few days, Windu was glad that this man would be looking over his shoulder for Jedi.

“Have faith in the Jedi Order.” Reluctantly and full of hatred, - but outweighed by fear, - Terak commanded a Battle Droid to escort Shmi to Mace and Anakin.

“Leave! Before I change my mind and blow you all to shreds.” Terak yelled, although Windu knew it was a bluff. The three venture back to the spaceport, but Shmi doesn’t get on the Shuttle.

“Mom! What are you doing? Do you want to get punished by our new owner?” Anakin yelled angrily, and Windu realized that Anakin was bawling in anger… and fear. Anakin was enraged at Windu for buying him and his mother, and terrified that this Jedi would be more cruel than Terak was.

“Skywalker. I’m a Jedi-” Windu said clearly, being interrupted by Anakin.

“Yeah? My mom was a super cool Mandalorian warrior! And look at her now! If I know anything, it’s that you can never trust anyone! Not even your heroes.” Anakin mumbled, and ran up to his mom. He tried pulling Shmi onto the ship, but she resisted.

“Ani, I belong here. I don’t belong in the Galactic Republic. It’s too late for this backwoods rat to be anything different.” Shmi said, kneeling to Anakin.

“Mom, even if, the Jedi hasn’t freed you-”

“Please Anakin. You must leave and find a better life in the Republic.”

“Do you truly feel this way, Ms. Skywalker?” Windu asked slightly irritated. He was not a stranger to this sort of philosophy, as him being from Haruun Kal, the people of the Haruun System fought each other in pointless wars, just because of tradition, and belief that they cannot change. Shmi nodded. “Alright, follow me, we must speak to Jabba.” Mace said. The three traveled to Jabba’s Palace, and thusly gained an almost immediate audience with Jabba the Hutt, - with blasters of course.

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“(Poodoo! What do the Jedi want?! They have no jurisdiction over the Dominion of Tatooine!)” Jabba yelled.

“Relax, Your Eminence. I simply wish to transfer ownership of these two slaves to myself.” Windu said. Jabba calms down, and has the Skywalkers escorted up closer to him so that he may examine them. Jabba verifies the genuineness of their collars, and then gets outraged at Anakin’s bruised and beaten body.

“(Slimo! This slave is in horrible condition! Bad condition is bad PR. Who dared do this?! Tell me Jedi, or no deal.)” Jabba exclaimed, whom secretly was disturbed by the status of the beaten child.

“You won’t like the answer. I have bought them from their master to save them from abuse. And the child from… advanced acts of scum and villainy.” Windu hinted, and Jabba picked it up, knowing what he meant. He got even angrier.

“(Tell me! Or talk to my Rancor!)” Jabba exclaimed.

“A Kolzan man named Terak Kolzon, your eminence.”

“(Dank farrik! I should of known. Him and his ‘syndicate’ are probably trying to usurp my power and influence! Terak will be dealt with. Fortuna! Get me Cad Bane.)”

“The slaves, your eminence?” Windu asked.

“(I suppose the safest place for any slave to be is on the upper levels of Coruscant. Very well. They’re yours.)” Jabba sighed, and had one of his protocol droids remove their collars.

“There is one more thing, your eminence. I would like to purchase a small dwelling in Hutt controlled Mos Espa for the mother. 25,000 Republic Datarians should be more than enough for one.” Jabba’s eyes sparkled at Windu’s extreme generosity, most likely as tribute for Jabba, to honor him.

“(Fine. Now take your slaves and be gone Jedi.)” The three go to the purchased dwelling.

“Mom, you aren’t really going to stay here, are you?” Anakin cried, and a softer, unseen version of himself was revealed. He’s just a boy who wants his mom.

“Anakin, I’m not a good role model for you. Master Windu here says he will take you to be trained as a Jedi.” Shmi said.

“But I don’t wanna be a Jedi! I wanna live here with you!”

“No, you will go with Windu. That is final.” Shmi firmly said. Anakin looked at the ground, and then back at his mother. Shmi convinces Mace to wait outside, as she believes she can convince Anakin to go willingly.

“Will I ever see you again?” He muttered.

“What does your heart say?” Shmi asked with a tired smile.

“I don’t know. Yes, I guess.” Anakin said, hoping it to be true.

“Then yes, we will. I love you Ani.” Shmi says, hugging Anakin goodbye.

“I love you more mommy,” Anakin says, turning into a crying, emotional mess in his mom’s arms. Then he ran out the door without looking back, and readopted his look of constant anger. Although it softened a bit when he walked up to Windu.

“So, ‘Windu’, my mom said you’re going to train me to be a Jedi?” Anakin asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Yes indeed.”

“Does that mean I’ll get one of those cool lazerswords?” Anakin smiled slightly.

“You bet Skywalker.” Windu says, chuckling a bit, as the two carry on to Windu’s Jedi Shuttle.

“I saw you throw Terak’s droids with your mind. Was that… The Force?” Anakin asked.

“Yes. Although the Force is an energy field which makes up the universe, not everyone has the honor of using it. Jedi are people with higher than average of a special cell that all living things have, called midichlorians. They allow a person to learn to use the Force, the more midichlorians one has, the more potential they have to become skilled in the Force. And you, my friend, have…” Windu tests Anakin’s midichlorian count. “Incredible. That’s unbelievable.”

“What, what is it? What’s wrong?” Anakin gasped.

“Oh, on the contrary, Skywalker. You have the highest midichlorian count ever recorded! You even have more than Jedi Master Minch Yoda himself.” Mace said. The two continued walking, and Anakin had a bit of swag, he was going to be a powerful Jedi.

Then out of nowhere, a group of Tusken Raiders, wearing… armor? And wielding more advanced blasters popped up.

“Windu. Stay back. Members of the Land of the Sand.” Anakin warned.

“The who?” Mace asked.

“Land of the Sand. A terrorist organization of Tusken Raiders who go around forcefully unifying their people, and also kidnap anyone not protected.”

“I see. Do you speak their tongue?”

“Yes, Terak often bought scrap parts and exotic meats and Tusken cuisine from them.”

“Tell them that you are under my protection, and that I am a Jedi.”

“(I am the property of this man, Mace Windu. He is a Jedi. And as I am his property, he will defend me from any threats.)” Anakin said. Mace Windu and the Tusken Chieftain stared at each other, Chieftain’s blaster raised at his hip, and Windu’s hand hovering over his lightsaber. Finally, the Tuskens concede, and separate onto either side of the two, to let them through. One Tusken spat at Windu and uttered something in his own tongue.

“What’d he say?” Windu asked.

“He called you a ‘sword warlock.’ That's what people whom are ignored by the Jedi call them.” Anakin said.

“Noted.” Windu said.

Finally, the two take off in the Shuttle, and Windu pulls out of orbit, and flies towards a hyperdrive ring to take him back to Coruscant. Just then, a Sith Infiltrator came out of hyperspace in front of the Jedi Shuttle. Sensing a disturbance in the Force, and a threat, Windu narrowly escapes the Infiltrator’s fire, as the bolts struck and destroyed the hyperdrive ring.

“What’s going on?!” Anakin yelled.

“I don’t know, Skywalker, but we are under attack.” Mace said, as he tried to maneuver an escape, not thinking a battle is worth the risk, and tried to contact the Jedi Order.

“They’ve jammed our communications. Don’t worry Skywalker, I’ll get us out of this in one piece.”

“Yeah, that’d be lovely!” Anakin quipped. However, the Infiltrator fired and struck the Shuttle’s emergency hyperdrive engine. Mace realized that due to the precision of the shot, that the intent was merely to prevent his escape, and not to kill. Mace wondered who this person was, and was forced to land back on Tatooine. The two got out quickly, and Anakin stood behind Windu, who had his purple lightsaber ignited. Anakin and Mace watched curiously as a single figure came out of the strange fighter. Mace instantly recognized the young woman as a member of the Night Sisterhood of Dathomir. He began wondering why she was here. He then quickly recognized this one as 16 year old Dathomiri as Asajj Ventress, a Jedi Padawan whom was separated from her Jedi Master Ky Narec after the 2 were attacked by several members of the Morgukai, a Nikto-led Jedi killer terrorist group, whom was thought to have been killed 2 years ago. He silently observed her. She smile devilishly at Anakin, as if he were a bounty that she would steal. Anakin stared back, trying to have an angry face, but was also a bit scared. She laughed.

“So. This is the Chosen One? Yes, I do think I will be taking it with me. He will be trained as a…” She ignited two lightsabers with curved hilts. Windu almost gasped when he saw that the lightsabers were red. “...Sith.” She finished, laughing, and lunging at Windu.

“How did you know I was investigating a potential Chosen One? I only told the Jedi High Council.” Mace questioned, while blocking her swings.

“You Jedi are foolish to think of yourselves so highly. There is always a rat, no matter how pristine the image is.” Ventress mocks. Mace thinks.

“Ventress, we thought you had perished. Ky Narec was distraught when he lost you. He hasn’t been on another mission since. Come back with me to the Jedi Order, and we will show you the light.” Windu pleaded. She gets angered, and deals a heavy strike, which Windu blocks.

“Jedi scum! Asajj Ventress is no more! I am Darth Vortex!” She screams. After several parries by Mace, he destroys one of her sabers, and knocks the other one out of her hands. Defeated, she surrenders. Mace turns around to face Anakin.

“Let this be an example, young Skywalker, that the Jedi do not kill unless we absolutely have to.” Mace said. Anakin picked up a rock, as Asajj silently got up and leapt at Windu with her remaining lightsaber. Right before Mace could be struck down, Anakin launched a sharp rock at Vortex’s face, the impact sending her backwards and causing her head to bleed. Wincing in pain, Vortex gripped her wound and ran to her ship.

“Damn you, Skywalker! Such a brat! Maybe I should invest in a helmet…” Vortex said, as she escaped in her Infiltrator.

“Great job Skywalker. You have begun your first steps in becoming a Jedi.”

“Cool. Now we just need to begin our first steps in getting off of this rock. Any ideas, Master Jedi?” Anakin cracked.

“Jabba seems to be our only hope. I’m out of credits.” Windu said.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t feed you to his Rancor for returning.” Anakin said.

“Indeed.” Windu said.

“(You again! What do you want now? I’m a very busy man!)” Jabba yelled. His protocol droid goes haywire and starts translating everything said in the room to Jawaese. “(Poodoo! Now look what you’ve done!)”

“We need emergency hyperdrive engine parts, and we will be on our way.” Windu said.

“(No! No deal! I’m losing enough profit already with these junky droids! I’m not going to gift you a hyperdrive!)” Jabba yelled.

“(What about a trade of goods and services?)” Anakin asks calmly in Huttese, surprising everyone in the room, who hadn’t thought he would have known the language. Jabba calms down, and seems to be intrigued. Anakin’s little stunt not only honored Jabba more than Mace had, but had made Jabba curious as to what this little barterer had in mind.

“(You may speak, Human.)” Jabba said.

“(My name is Anakin Skywalker, and I’m the smartest kid on this planet. I offer my services in fixing and reprogramming your faulty droids in exchange for the parts we need.)” Anakin says. Jabba raised an eyebrow.

“(Go ahead. I’m interested to see what a child can do.)” Anakin fixes and reprograms all of Jabba’s faulty droids, making them good as new. Jabba is impressed. He was in search of more competent Lieutenants as he was planning to expand his criminal empire.

“(Skywalker. Incredible. You’ve proven to be more competent and dignified than my subordinates. I offer you a place in the Hutt Clans, as a Lieutenant, where you will live a life of luxury and ease, and will never be separated from your mother.)” Anakin thinks for a few moments.

“(With all due respect, Mr. Jabba, I must follow the orders of my master. He does own me, after all.)” Anakin says reluctantly, wishing to accept the offer.

“(I understand Skywalker. No hard feelings. If you ever change your mind, just give me a call. We could work magic, you and me.)” Jabba said. With the needed parts in hand, the two return to their ship.

“That was selfless of you, Skywalker. I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be, the only reason I turned him down is because I now belong to you and the Jedi Order.” Anakin said, a bit quietly.

“I understand. But you shouldn’t want to join a criminal-” Windu says.

“In whose eyes? The Republic’s? At the very least Jabba keeps the peace. He offers gainful employment. He offers food, shelter, and medical treatment in exchange for work. If some human King or President or Chairman did the same on their planet, but replaced the spice trade with selling jacked up medicines and necessities, he would be a hero of the people.” Anakin bickers.

“You may be right, Skywalker, and that’s what scares me.”

“Master Skywalker! Master Skywalker! You must wait for me!” A robotic voice yelled, and a skeletal protocol droid came rushing towards the two. Finally he catches up, and stops, resting his overheating joints. “Oh, thank the maker,- that’s you, Master Skywalker. I thought you’d leave without me!”

“Threepio, what are you doing here?! You’re supposed to be with Terak!”

“Negative, Master Skywalker, he is not my creator. You are.” Threepio says.

“Threepio, go back before he notices that you left the club.”

“But Master Skywalker! I heard that Mr. Kolzon is planning to start a war with the Hutt Clan! If that’s so, then I’d be doomed! Melted down to liquid metal and scrapped for parts by the mighty Jabba! Used in a toaster-”

“Alright, alright, settle down Threepio.” Anakin said. Anakin looked to Windu for approval. Windu nodded. “Alright, get in Threepio.” Anakin opens up a cargo compartment on the back.

“A bit of a tight fit, Master Skywalker.” Threepio says.

“Well it wasn’t designed for 3 people.” Anakin said. Threepio liked it when his creator had called him a person. Anakin was the only one he had ever met who dared to respect a Droid as a living, sentient being. Suddenly, Threepio stops dead in his tracks after noticing Windu.

“Greetings! I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations! How are you-”

“Get in Threepio, we don’t need the whole speech.” Anakin says.

“Well, if we must leave in such a hurry.” Threepio says a bit sassy. Windu raises an eyebrow.

“A bit… emotional for a Droid, isn’t he?” Windu asked.

“Well, normally the longer you allow a Droid to keep their memory, the more personality and emotional intelligence they will develop. However, Threepio is kind of an oddball, as no matter how many times you wipe his memory, his personality will come back exactly the same as the last one. I found him in pieces in a Jawa junkyard for unusable stuff. I’m glad I found him. He deserves to live and exist, even if he can be a bit much at times.” Anakin tells Windu, as Threepio fusses with the compartment and finally gets situated. The two get into the cockpit.

The two exit the orbit of Tatooine, when Mace receives a call from Master Yoda. “Master Yoda. I’ve found whom I believe could be the Chosen One.”

“Good, that is. Bad news, I have for you. Qui-Gon and his Padawan, returned from Naboo they have not. Fear treachery from the Trade Federation, the Council does. Investigate it, you must.” Yoda tells him.

“Of course, Master Yoda.”

“May the Force be with you, Master Windu.”

“And you too.”