Dahlia held tightly to Rosaline as they rode an Eopie alongside Anakin and Padmé, towing an engine. Watto flew over, muttering something Dahlia didn't understand.

"What did he mean by that?" Anakin asked.

"I'll tell you later," Qui-Gon replied, moving to help Shmi off her Eopie. Rosaline dismounted and helped Dahlia slide off in turn.

"This is so wizard, Ani! You'll do it this time—I just know it!" Kitster cheered.

"Do what?" Dahlia asked, curious.

"Finish the race, of course," Kitster replied confidently.

Padmé's eyes widened. "You've never won a race?"

Anakin scratched his neck, looking a bit sheepish. "Well... not exactly."

Dahlia glanced at him in surprise. "Not even finished?"

Anakin looked back at her, determination in his gaze. "Kitster's right. This time, I will."

Qui-Gon placed his hands reassuringly on the boy's shoulders. "Of course you will."

Dahlia exchanged a worried look with Padmé as they took in Anakin's confidence.

From the viewing platform, Dahlia watched Anakin settle into his pod as Qui-Gon joined them. She nervously fidgeted with her hands, glancing toward Shmi as she spoke.

"Is he nervous?" Shmi asked.

"He's fine," Qui-Gon reassured her confidently.

Padmé folded her arms, her tone edged with concern. "You Jedi are far too reckless. The Queen does not—"

Qui-Gon cut her off calmly, "The Queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should as well."

Padmé arched a brow. "You assume too much."

"Start your engines!" boomed the announcer, and the roar of engines erupted across the arena. Jar Jar winced, covering his eyes. "Oh, dis gonna be messy. Mesa no watchen!"

On a bridge over the track, the green starting light flashed, and the podracers shot forward with a piercing scream. Dahlia watched in anxious silence as Anakin's engine suddenly flooded and sputtered, leaving him stalled while the other racers swerved around him and disappeared down the track. Her worry mounted as the boy struggled to get his pod moving.

"Oh... wait, Little Skywalker has stalled!" the announcer called, drawing laughter from the crowd. Dahlia clutched Rosaline's arm, her face tense with concern. The boy fumbled with buttons, his frustration apparent as the announcer added, "Looks like Quadrinaros is having engine trouble, too!"

Beside her, Jar Jar waved his hands frantically. "C'mon, Ani!"

Then, with a roar, Anakin's engine ignited, sending him speeding down the track. Dahlia let out a laugh of relief, watching him zoom forward at last.

"And there goes Skywalker!" the announcer called as Anakin disappeared down the course. Dahlia clasped her hands, nerves and excitement in her expression, while Jar Jar chanted, "Go, Ani, go!"

"He'll have a hard time catching up with the leaders," the announcer added. Dahlia's eyes shifted to the large screen, tracking Anakin's progress.

"Looks like some Tusken Raiders have set up camp near the canyon turn!" The remaining podracers zoomed through the turn as an unfortunate driver's engines exploded, sending debris in every direction. Dahlia and Rosaline flinched, stepping back as the screen showed the spectacular blast. "Ooo! There goes Quadrinaros' power coupling!" the announcer remarked.

Sebulba entered the arena, followed closely by the other racers, and Dahlia's eyes lit up as she spotted a familiar pod in the distance. "Is that...?" she asked.

"Look! Here he comes," Rosaline confirmed. Anakin was catching up, weaving through the pack as he powered around corners, over dunes, and cliffs, passing racers one by one. "It looks like Skywalker is moving up in the field," the announcer said, and Dahlia smiled as the boy crossed into the second lap.

As the racers roared past the crowd for lap two, the tension in the arena grew. Sebulba slowed slightly to tangle with another racer, who attempted to pass him. Sebulba opened a side vent, releasing a blast of exhaust that cut through the other racer's engine until it exploded in a burst of flames. "Oh, I don't care what universe you're from, that's gotta hurt!" the announcer quipped. Dahlia clutched Rosaline's arm as Anakin's pod shook violently over a jump, kicking up clouds of dust.

Amid the chaos, Tusken Raiders continued to take potshots at the racers. Dahlia and Rosaline gasped as one shot hit a nearby pod, making it explode. Jar Jar cheered, "Here he comes, yahoo!"

As the third and final lap began, the announcer's voice boomed, "Sebulba is in the lead, closely followed by Skywalker!" Anakin and Sebulba were neck-and-neck, racing fiercely across the rugged terrain. Sebulba opened his exhaust port again, trying to disable Anakin's engine. The boy skillfully avoided it, but the maneuver forced him off course. "Skywalker's been forced onto the service ramp!" the announcer reported. Dahlia covered her eyes in worry, only to hear the announcer shout, "It's Skywalker! With a quick, controlled thrust, he's back on course!"

She opened her eyes slightly, glancing at Rosaline. "Did he crash? Are we going to be stuck here forever?"

Rosaline grinned. "The opposite."

As they reached the final stretch, Sebulba grew more aggressive, banging his pod against Anakin's to make him lose control. "Careful, Ani! Careful, Ani!" Jar Jar called out nervously.

The two pods locked together, their steering rods hooked. "That little human being is out of his mind!" the announcer exclaimed. Anakin struggled to separate the pods, pulling his pod away just as the tension snapped. Sebulba's pod went spinning out of control, both engines exploding one after the other as Anakin shot past the finish line.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Dahlia shook Rosaline in excitement, both of them smiling with relief. Shmi's eyes were wide with amazement as she watched her son bask in his victory. Anakin jumped out of his pod, a grin lighting up his face as he called out, "Mom! I did it!" Spectators flooded around him, chanting in celebration.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Dahlia approached Anakin with a warm smile. "Thank you for winning. You were incredible out there," she said sincerely.

Anakin beamed with pride and, without hesitation, threw his arms around her in a hug. The gesture took the handmaiden by surprise, but after a brief moment, she gently returned the embrace, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Nearby, Shmi crouched down to meet her son at eye level, her voice filled with emotion. "It's so wonderful, Ani. You've brought hope to those who had none. I'm so very proud of you," she said, her eyes glistening with pride and love.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Rosaline slid off the back of the Eopie as the Naboo spacecraft came into view, then helped Dahlia dismount as well. "Come on, R2!" Dahlia called, leading the droid aboard.

Rosaline paused outside, her face lighting up as Obi-Wan stepped out to greet them. The two exchanged smiles. "I assume everything went smoothly?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I can't wait to tell you about it," Rosaline replied with a grin.

Nearby, Qui-Gon added, "I'm heading back—some unfinished business. I won't be long."

Obi-Wan gave his master a questioning look. "Why do I sense we've picked up another...pathetic lifeform?"

"It's the boy who got us the parts. Now, let's get this hyperdrive generator installed," Qui-Gon instructed.

"Yes, Master. That shouldn't take long," Obi-Wan said, turning to walk toward the ship with Rosaline beside him.

As they entered, Rosaline noted with a hint of amusement, "The boy seems to have taken a liking to one of the handmaidens."

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The door to the cockpit opened as Panaka entered with Dahlia, Padme, and Anakin close behind. "Qui-Gon's in trouble," he said urgently.

"Take off," Obi-Wan commanded. He pointed to a spot on the ground. "Over there. Fly low."

Rosaline glanced out the window, her expression hardening as she spotted the mysterious figure facing Qui-Gon. Moving over to stand by Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon as they rejoined the group, she gave the newcomer a nod.

"Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi," Qui-Gon introduced.

"Hi! You're a Jedi too? Pleased to meet you," Anakin said, shaking Obi-Wan's hand eagerly.

Obi-Wan shot Rosaline a bemused look, and she chuckled softly at the boy's enthusiasm.