The sun shined brightly on the day of the pod race, Athena held on tightly as she and Anakin rode together to the arena where to race was being held, Padmè was riding with Shmi and the nice boy from the other day. Whose name Athena learned was Kitster.

Athena smiles wildly enjoying the ride and Anakin turned back to her and smiled as the creature lowered to the ground so everyone could get off.

Suddenly, Watto came and flying to Anakin and Athena, she couldn't tell what they were talking about but she could tell from the look on Anakin's face it's bad. Qui-Gon then walked up to the group.

" What'd he mean by that? " Anakin asked Qui-Gon, related to whatever Watto said to him.

" I'll tell you later " Qui-Gon simply answered, Anakin hopped off the creature before turning to Athena and helped her off.

" This is so wicked , Ani " Kitster says as he, Anakin, Padmè and Athena all went to Anakin's pod " I'm sure you'll do it, this time ".

" Do what? " Padmè asked.

" Finish the race, of course " Kitster says as Padmè and Athena share a look.

" You never won a race " Padmè says.

" Well, not exactly " Anakin says sheepishly.

" No even finished " Padmè says.

" Kitster's right, I will this time " Anakin says as he gave Kitster a side hug, Padmè looked at Athena worriedly and Athena grabbed Padmè's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

" Anakin will definitely win, this time " Athena says to Padmè as Qui-Gon walked up to them.

" Of course you will " Qui-Gon says as he gave a reassuring squeeze on Anakin's shoulder. He then looked at Padmè and Athena and then gives Athena a look saying ' not to worry '.

Padmè just looked at Athena and Qui-Gon still unsure about the race.

⎯

The group went out onto the track as the crowd roared with cheer, the announcer was introducing all of the racers. Athena was use to being in front of big crowds because of her royal duties but it was different to be in front of a crowd that wasn't meant for her.

Athena walked beside Anakin as he guided the pod that's was being pulled by one of the creatures that they rode on before to the designated starting position. Athena felt his nervousness so she reached down and kissed him on the cheek.

" You got this, Anakin I believe in you " Athena says with a smile and Anakin returned the smile while lightly touching his cheek.

" Thank you, Athena " Anakin says "I know I can always count on you ".

Athena and Kitster help Anakin set up as Shmi walked up to her son, she squatted down so she was Anakin's height.

" Be safe " Shmi says to him as she held Anakin's arms in her hands.

" I will Mom, I promise " Anakin says reassuringly to her, Shmi smiled at him before taking her leave.

Selbulba came up to Anakin and started to speak to him. from what Athena could tell, he was most likely talking crap about Anakin and Athena felt proud as she watched Anakin stand up for himself against the arrogant alien.

" You all set, Ani? " Qui-Gon asked as he walked up to Athena and Anakin.

" Yep " Anakin says.

Qui-Gon helped Anakin into the pod, Athena laughedas Anakin said ' whoa ' as he was lifted by Qui-Gon in. Qui-Gon took Anakin's helmet into his hands as he leaned down to speak to Anakin.

" Remember concentrate on the moment, feel don't think, use your instincts " Qui-Gon says to Anakin but also he looked at Athena and Athena nodded as he was also speaking to her.

" I will " Anakin says.

" May the force be with you " Qui-Gon says as he handed Anakin his helmet, Qui-Gon stepped away from the pod as Anakin turned to Athena.

" Show everyone what you're made of Ani, I'll be cheering you on " Athena says " But please, come back in one piece ".

Anakin laughed at her words and says " I promise to ".

Athena gave Anakin one last smile before walking away to stand next to Qui-Gon, who smiled at Anakin and Athena's interaction.

The announcers introduced someone named Jabba the Hutt, who Athena assumed was someone important given the fact that he had a whole balcony to himself for the race. From what Athena could make out, he most likely said the race could start. Because the racers started their pods.

" Come, young Athena " Qui-Gon says to her as Athena followed him to a little arena that was set aside for Anakin's friends and family to watch the race, Padmè and Shmi were already waiting for Qui-Gon and Athena to join them. Jar Jar also joined after them.

" Is he nervous? " Shmi asked Qui-Gon.

" He's fine " Qui-Gon says as Padmè quickly turned to the Jedi.

" You, Jedi are far too reckless. The Queen is not- " Padmè started to say.

" The Queen trusts my judgment, Young handmaiden " Qui-Gin says cutting her off " You should too " he finished before walking away to the other side of the arena to watch the race.

" You assume too much " Padmè says as he looked at Athena.

" You just have to trust this, sister " Athena says calmly to her " the Jedi know what they are doing and it's in our best interest ".

Padmè just nods at her sisters words as they walk to the other side of the arena before the race begins, Athena grows nervous as the aren rose so that they could get a better view of the race. Athena had to admit it was nice being high in the sky and away from the crowd.

Athena watched as Anakin started his pod and she prayed that it would work properly in his race, not because she wanted to win. But because she wanted Anakin to return safely.

" Oh, dissen gonna be messy, me no watch'n " Jar Jar says as he hopped nervously in place, Shmi held a device in her hand that would allow everyone to watch the race even when the racers were out of view.

Jabba sounded the bell and the racers took off, but Anakin's pod stalled and Athena heard the engine wind down.

" Wait, little Skywalker has stalled " one of the announcers say chuckling, the crowd laughed at this as another racer named Quadinaros was also stalled.

" Come on, Ani " Jar Jar cheered.

" Come on Ani....please " Athena says nervously as she watched Anakin press some buttons and flip a switch, suddenly his engine turned on and Anakin quickly took off to catch up with the other racers.

" And there goes, Skywalker " the announcer says as Athena watched Anakin turn the corner.

" Go, Ani " Jar Jar says as Athena, Shmi, Padmè and Qui-Gon turned to Shmi's device.

" You got this, Ani " Athena muttered under her breath as Anakin rushed to catch up.

⎯

" He will be hard-pressed to catch up with the leaders " one of the announcers says, Athena watches Anakin speed off on the device Shmi was holding.

Athena started feeling nervous and anxious and tries to stay calm, Padmè noticing her sisters distress grabbed Athena hand and gave it a squeeze.

Athena looks at Padmè and smiles at her squeezing her hand back.

Athena looks back at the device and noticed that Anakin had caught up with the other pods as he raced through the opening of a mountain range and zigzagged his way through the rocks. Anakin and the other racers exited out of the rock mountain range and were in a open area of dry land with a bunch of boulders scattered around.

Anakin easily passed a few racers and was getting close to the font when they entered a cave of sorts, it was dark but Anakin could still see. He was closing in on one of the racers, who got distracted by this and crashed into the roof of the cave. The explosion of the clash gave Anakin a push that made his pod go even faster as he exited the cave and went into another canyon area.

In the distance, Anakin hears some Tusken Raiders and they start to shoot at Anakin and the other racers. Anakin dodges each and every shot that was fired at him.

⎯

Athena stared at the screen as the announcers informed everyone that there were Tusken Raiders that are camped out at the canyon, Athena remained clam mostly as she watched Anakin dodge the Tusken Raiders attacks.

Athena watches as the racers come back to the starting line, Sebulba was in first place, But no Anakin.

" Look, here he comes " Padmè says, the announcers made a note that Anakin was quickly moving up the ranks in the ranks of the race.

Athena smiled as she watched Anakin speed by the group, he has a look of total concentration on his face. Anakin has two more circuits to complete, but Athena had full faith with him.

⎯

Anakin rushed through the crowd and was back in the dry lands, Anakin noticed some racers start to gang up on him and try to hit him or take out his engine. He dodges each and every attack and even flipped over on of the attackers.

Anakin sped up and eventually got to about eighth place when he entered the canyon, he wasn't to far behind Sebulba as they exited the canyon and into another dry lands with boulders. Anakin watched as Sebulba attacked the second place racer and caused him to crash by tossing something in his engine.

Anakin was close behind them and had to weave and dodge all of the crash debris, he started to spin out of control from this. He gained some control back, but his engine was still swinging all over the place and one of the connecting hoses came lose, he pulled out his magnetic tool and it attached itself to to the lose hose. Anakin quickly attached it back to the side and regained full control of his engine and pod again, right before entering the next canyon. Anakin took this opportunity to sped up and passed the other racers and before he knew it, he was in second place and gaining ground on Sebulba.

They passed through the cave and into the dangerous Tusken Raiders area again, before coming back to the starting area or begin the final part of the lap.

⎯

" Look, he's making his way back " Athena says as the group tore their gazes away from the screen and watched Anakin race in.

" This is the start of the final lap, Sebulba is in the lead with Skywalker closely behind " on of the announcers says as the crowd Roared, Anakin left the starting area and Athena returned her gaze to the screen.

Anakin was right on Sebulba's tail as they entered as they entered the first canyon area once again, Anakin was able to get right next to Sebulba. Anakin tries to pass him but Sebulba angrily started to hit Anakin's pod, this caused Anakin to lower to the ground and he took out a few of the posts that were stationed down there. Sebulba eventually forced Anakin to take to service ramp.

Athena gasped as she watched Anakin crashed through the gate of the ramp and flies up and out of the canyon.

⎯

Anakin Kew Sebulba was right behind him as they exited the canyon, Sebulba activated the magnetics on his pod and it started to pull and shake Anakin's pod.

A part flew off Anakin's pod and it started to beep like crazy, it caught on fire and started to smoke like crazy.

Sebulba laughed as he flew over Anakin and took the lead.

Anakin acted quickly as he shut down the busted engine and connected the power of the working engine to the broken one, it stopped the smoking of the broken engine. But it wasn't turning back on and Anakin was losing speed, after a few more clicks, the engine connected and the broken one started working again. Anakin pulled the handles and went as fast as he could, so he could catch up with Sebulba again. Anakin caught up to Sebulba as they went through the cave again.

When they got out of the cave, Anakin was right behind Sebulba, Anakin was then on the side of Sebulba as they went through the dry lands one last time. Sebulba started to hit Anakin's pod on the side again, their engines got tangled in the fighting. Anakin tries to fight off Sebulba as they kept pulling back and forth, Anakin quickly hit the boost and started to go faster than Sebulba. This causes Anakin to break away from him and tore off Sebulba's engine in the process, his pod started to explode as Sebulba crashed into a Boulder and then into the ground.

⎯

Athena smiled and cheered with the crowd as Anakin crossed the finish line, Anakin had won't the whole race for all of you. Padmè pulls her sister into a hug as she cheered, the group rushed down to Anakin as a crowd started to form around him. Qui-Gon picked up Anakin and puts him on his shoulder as Athena smiled brightly at her friend.

" Mom, I did it " Anakin cheered.