"Starlit Promises: A Pre-Race Vigil"

As everyone soon headed inside to rest, eager for the excitement of the next day's race, Cam decided to stay outside and watch the stars from the roof. The whirlwind of events, from the excitement on Naboo to the rush to Tatooine, had left him feeling both exhilarated and anxious. To calm himself and fine-tune his skills, Cam performed a unique Force exercise he had developed.

Sitting cross-legged, Cam closed his eyes and directed his focus toward the tiny pebbles scattered around him. Slowly, the pebbles began to levitate and spin around him, forming a single, perfect ring. As he gained control, he added more rings, creating a mesmerizing display of swirling sand and stones. The whistling sound produced by the rings cutting through the air was almost hypnotic.

He was deeply engrossed in his practice when a voice cut through the night's quietude. "...That's cool."

Startled, Cam opened his eyes to see Anakin standing nearby, his gaze fixed on the swirling display with wide-eyed wonder.

"Yeah, I'm pretty awesome like that," Cam said with a smile, allowing the pebbles to gently fall to the ground.

Anakin's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Are you a Jedi too?"

"No, though I can do some of the same things. I can even do the things they can't, but you're still too young to hear about that," Cam joked, playfully keeping the mysteries of the Force from the inquisitive nine-year-old.

"Master Qui-Gon said I have the qualities of a Jedi. Do you think I could be one? I've always wanted to travel the galaxy," Anakin asked, his eyes drifting back to the stars.

Cam hesitated for a moment, realizing the significance of the young boy before him. This was Anakin Skywalker, the future Chosen One who would rise to become Darth Vader. The weight of that future—one of darkness and tyranny—loomed over him. Yet, as he looked into Anakin's innocent blue eyes, all he saw was potential for greatness and a chance to bring balance to the galaxy.

"You would be the greatest Jedi the galaxy's ever seen," Cam said earnestly.

Anakin's face lit up with a hopeful smile as he sat beside Cam. They spent a quiet moment together, gazing at the stars, until Anakin's eyes grew heavy with sleep.

Noticing the late hour, Cam stood and stretched. "It's getting late, and your mom would kill me if she knew I let you stay up. Plus, you've got a race tomorrow. You need your rest."

Anakin yawned, his eyelids drooping. "Do you think I'll win tomorrow?"

Cam placed a reassuring hand on Anakin's shoulder. "You've got this race in the bag. Sebulba won't even know what hit him."

"...Thanks..." Anakin murmured, closing his eyes and falling asleep.

Cam carefully lifted the sleeping boy into his arms and carried him inside. As he approached Anakin's room, he found Shmi standing by the door, her face reflecting both gratitude and concern.

"Thank you. He seems to always sneak off to watch the stars," Shmi said, brushing Anakin's hair tenderly.

"He'll do fine in the race tomorrow, I promise. Nothing will happen to him," Cam reassured her.

"I know, but I'll never truly stop worrying about my baby," Shmi said softly, caressing Anakin's cheek.

After bidding Shmi goodnight and turning off the lights, Cam found an empty chair in the living room. He leaned back, trying to relax, when he heard a loud snoring. Looking around, he found the snoring Gungan sprawled on the floor, clutching a pillow.

Ignoring the noisy Gungan, Cam checked his notifications and saw his Force level had increased.

[Force Level: Padawan (83%)]

Pleased with his progress, Cam closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, eager for the excitement of the race the next day.

---

As the twin suns rose, the Skywalker household was abuzz with activity. Everyone was preparing for the big race. After double-checking and painting the racer, Cam, Qui-Gon, and Anakin transported it to the main hangar of the pod racing arena.

The hangar was a bustling hive of activity, filled with Podracers being readied by their respective crews. Cam took a moment to ensure everything was in order before leaving Anakin in Qui-Gon's care. He donned a large robe from his inventory to conceal his identity and ventured into the crowd, making his way to the betting booth.

Navigating through the throngs of people and dodging pickpockets, Cam finally reached the front of the line.

"Who would you like to bet on and the amount?" a banker droid asked.

"50,000 on Anakin Skywalker," Cam said, placing a hefty sum of credits on the table.

The droid paused, taken aback by the amount, but eventually accepted the bet and handed Cam a card for retrieving his winnings if Anakin won. The crowd around him fell silent, staring at Cam in disbelief. Cam ignored their stares and tucked the card securely away in his inventory.

As he walked back through the crowd, Cam noticed the greedy glances of many around him. He maneuvered through the throng, eventually encountering Watto, the fat Hutt.

Feeling a surge of vengeance, Cam unleashed a small Force blast, sending Watto tumbling to the ground. As Watto scrambled to get up, Cam continued on his way, feeling a grim satisfaction.

"...What did he mean by that?" Anakin asked Qui-Gon, watching the commotion.

"I'll tell you later," Qui-Gon replied, casting a sidelong glance at Cam and then back at Watto, who was still sprawled on the ground.

Cam shrugged nonchalantly and turned his attention back to Anakin. The young boy seemed excited and determined.

"This is so wizarded! I'm sure you'll do it this time, Annie," one of Anakin's friends said.

"Do what?" Padmé inquired, curious.

"Finish the race, of course!" the friend replied enthusiastically.

"You've never won a race?" Padmé asked, surprised.

"Well... not exactly..." Anakin admitted sheepishly.

"Not even finished?!" Padmé exclaimed in disbelief.

"...but Kitster's right, I will this time," Anakin said with unwavering confidence.

"Of course you will," Qui-Gon said with a broad smile.

"Don't worry so much, Padmé. He's guaranteed to win," Cam said confidently, placing a reassuring hand on Anakin's shoulder.

Padmé stared at them in disbelief, struggling to understand their blind faith.

---

As the racers lined up on the vast desert track, the stands were filled with thousands of spectators, eagerly awaiting the start of the race. Cam, Qui-Gon, and the others made their way to their designated spots, ensuring everything was ready for Anakin.

The hangar was a hive of activity, with crews making last-minute adjustments to their vehicles. Cam helped Qui-Gon hook up the power cables to Anakin's pod and double-checked the engine. As they stepped back to give Anakin space, Cam saw the Hutts arriving amidst cheers and roars from the crowd.

Cam looked at the enormous, slug-like creatures and felt a mixture of revulsion and disbelief. How could such grotesque beings command an empire of crime?

Turning his attention back to Anakin, Cam saw Shmi and Qui-Gon giving Anakin a final pep talk. Shmi kissed Anakin on the head, her eyes filled with maternal worry.

"Be safe," Shmi said softly.

"I will, Mom. I promise," Anakin assured her as he strapped on his goggles.

Cam smiled and prepared to offer Anakin his own words of encouragement when he noticed Sebulba sneaking around the back of Anakin's pod. Remembering the trouble Sebulba had caused in the movies, Cam's anger flared. He couldn't stand to see a child's safety compromised for the sake of a race.

Summoning the Force, Cam materialized in front of Sebulba, his presence menacing and commanding. The alien thug's eyes widened in surprise and fear.

"What do you think you're doing?" Cam demanded, his voice cold and unyielding.

"Nothin'," Sebulba scoffed, attempting to retreat.

Cam used the Force to hold Sebulba in place, his anger intensifying. He approached the thug, crouching down to meet his eyes.

"I don't care if you live or die. But if you try to sabotage Anakin, I'll ensure you don't walk off that track," Cam warned, his grip on Sebulba's shoulder tightening painfully.

Sebulba's face contorted in agony as he nodded rapidly, his resolve crumbling under Cam's unyielding gaze.

"Do. You. Understand?" Cam pressed, his tone icier with each word.

The thug could only quickly nod his head, his entire body feeling as though it was being crushed under an invisible weight. He tried to regain his composure, but the fear and pressure were overwhelming, nearly suffocating him.

Cam, having exerted his influence with a harsh, commanding presence, finally released his hold on Sebulba. With a rough shove, he sent the alien stumbling away, watching as Sebulba scrambled back toward his racer, his alien features contorted in a mix of fear and anger. It was a stark reminder of Cam's power and the effect of his sudden and menacing outburst.

As Sebulba disappeared into the distance, the world seemed to slow down for Cam. It was as if a thick mist had suddenly cleared, revealing the stark reality of what had just occurred. He stood there, stunned and shaken. The gravity of his actions hit him like a ton of bricks—he had threatened to murder someone without a moment's hesitation. The cold-bloodedness of it all was jarring, and Cam could feel his emotions running rampant, each one magnified to an extreme degree. His anger, once a simmering pot, now boiled over uncontrollably.

In the midst of his shock, Cam's mind flickered to a new understanding. He had just unlocked a new Force power.

[Force Power: Menacing Presence(D)Learned]

The notification, though brief, was a clear indication that he had tapped into a Dark side ability. He felt an unsettling sense of realization that his emotions and thoughts had become severely clouded and manipulated. It was as though the power had seized control of him, distorting his judgments and fueling his anger to a level he was not accustomed to.

Cam had always maintained that there was no true distinction between the Light and Dark sides—there was only the Force, an ever-present energy that could be harnessed in various ways. However, his recent experience made him reconsider. The Dark side abilities, while potent, seemed to come with significant risks. The intensity of his emotions had led him to make rash and potentially disastrous decisions, much like the events he had witnessed in the saga of *Revenge of the Sith*.

He dismissed the notification with a wave of his hand, acknowledging the practical uses of Dark side abilities despite their inherent dangers. *Menacing Presence*, for instance, had the power to instill fear and coerce others into submission without Cam having to physically confront them. It was a formidable tool, one that could bend others to his will with mere intimidation.

Cam glanced around, noticing that everyone had already taken their seats. Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Master, was engrossed in his own thoughts and clearly distracted. He hadn't noticed the confrontation or its aftermath, which gave Cam a moment to compose himself and refocus.

As he moved toward his seat, Cam observed Padmé Amidala giving Anakin Skywalker a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek before he leapt into his pod. Padmé's gesture was filled with warmth, and she then hurried to her own seat. Cam couldn't help but comment with a teasing tone, "Hmm... he's a little young for you. But I can see it working." His words were light, intended to lighten the mood.

Padmé's reaction was immediate and flustered. "What? No, I don't—we're not—" she stuttered, her face flushing a deep crimson. Her embarrassment was palpable, and she quickly fell silent, her discomfort evident.

Shmi Skywalker, Anakin's mother, then voiced her concern as she surveyed the massive crowd in the stands. "Will he be alright?"

Qui-Gon's response was nonchalant, though he maintained a focused gaze. "He's fine."

Padmé, clearly frustrated, tried to chasten Qui-Gon. "You Jedi are far too reckless. The Queen..."

Qui-Gon cut her off firmly. "The Queen trusts my judgment, young handmaiden. You should too." His tone left no room for further argument, effectively ending the discussion with a dismissive air.

Cam found himself stifling a laugh at the irony. He wondered how Qui-Gon would react if he knew that Padmé Amidala was, in fact, the true Queen. The thought amused him, a small, private joke at the expense of Qui-Gon's ignorance.

Just then, the arena was filled with the booming voice of an announcer, broadcasted through floating speakers that resonated throughout the space. The voice cut through the ambient noise, commanding attention and heightening the excitement of the crowd.

"Start your engines!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their collective excitement palpable as they prepared for the race to commence. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation and the promise of thrilling competition. Cam, though still somewhat distracted by his recent experience, couldn't help but be swept up in the fervor. The engines roared to life, and the podrace was about to begin.