"The boy is important. I can feel it," said Qui-Gon. "Discounting his truly unprecedented midichlorian count, he shines through the force like a beacon. If we do not take him in, someone else might."
"He is too old." Grand Master Yoda would not be swayed.
"He is too brash." Neither would Master Windu."
[Apologies, Qui Gon. If there were any chance of his success in the Jedi Order, I would support you. As it is, the best he can hope for is to be a farmer in the AgroCorps.]" Kit Fisto said.
He, at least, seemed sincerely sorry that there would not be a Jedi youngling accompanying the Great Arbitrator back to Coruscant.
Frustration bubbled in the back of Qui Gon's mind, and he released it into the force as easily as breathing. Only a second after the Council had relayed their verdict, he nodded in acceptance. "A pity. I feel he would have made a great Jedi, and I went to some lengths to free him from slavery besides."
"In another life, in another time, the boy may have been great," Yoda said, with great deliberation, "but in this life; become a Jedi, he will not."
"Thank you for your guidance, Masters."
"Be careful, Qui Gon, that you do not allow your mission to be impeded by unnecessary distractions."
"I will, Mace. See you soon."
Qui Gon closed the com link with a wave of his hand, and sighed. A pity, indeed.
-----
"But… you promised!"
"I am sorry, young Anakin. But I consulted the Council, and I cannot go against their wishes."
You stare at the bearded man in front of you, mouth agape, eyes wide, betrayal warring with shock. But a deep, profound confusion was felt most keenly. Jedi were good. They did all they could to make things right. He freed you from Watto, but if he leaves you here, there's no way you won't find yourself enslaved again sooner or later.
If you're lucky it'll be for your mechanical skill. If not… well, you hear the rumors of what happens to children on the slave market.
The cloaked bastard just stands there, with a fucking smile on his face.
You close your mouth. Open it again. Close it. You find your words. "Was it all just… a trick, then?" To your shame, your voice cracks, and tears have started falling.
His face morphs into an approximation of sorrow. He's probably laughing, on the inside. He's laughing at you. "Oh no, not at all. You are strong in the force, and I truly did intend to make you a Jedi." As if you would even consider it now. "But I must bend to the Council."
You can feel Mom watching from the door. You feel her worry. You can feel the Hutt slime in front of you. You can feel his utter lack of emotion, for all the sadness on his face.
You can't take this. You turn back, towards Mom, and walk away from the Jedi.
'I'll show them,' you think, 'I'll show them all. One day...'
What now?
[ ] Run away. You need to get away before the slavers find out you're unprotected. And Sebulba is still alive, and undoubtedly holds a grudge...
[ ] Go back to Watto. He's not such a bad master, and maybe you can take some of his mechanics to build stuff for when you finally get off this rock. Then again, he just lost everything, he might sell you...
[ ] Ask Mom. She's always been there for you, she'll know what to do.
[ ] Sneak onto the Jedi's ship. Sure, it'll be damn near impossible to sneak by a Jedi, and then you'll have to live in close quarters, but better that than be a slave. They could just bring you back if they find you though...
[ ] Write in