“Vanish,” said Obi-Wan… and disappeared within the Force.
Following his lead, Anakin disappeared after him.
Oh, I remember this.
Childhood in the Temple. Playing hide-and-seek with his fellow
students because he was still too young to travel the Republic with
Obi-Wan. Vanishing was one of a youngling’s most important lessons—but
the Temple Masters hadn’t needed to teach him. He knew
that Jedi trick already. Much later, he realized he’d been doing it for
years. That slavery had given him this one, priceless gift: the ability
to disappear at will.
He’d used it to hide from Gardulla—eventually, not soon
enough—when she came ranting with her whip. From his mother
when he didn’t want to come in to bed. From Watto, when he was
tired of chores in the workshop. From Sebulba and Aldar Beedo and
Gasgano, when the Podraces’ most vicious pilots were out for blood
and fighting them wasn’t an option. He’d even used it twice while racing.
Had somehow managed to vanish not only himself but his Pod,
startling his targets so badly they’d both crashed out as he zoomed by,
laughing.
He hadn’t told anyone in the Temple that. Knew they’d never believe
him, because that depth of vanishing wasn’t meant to be possible.
Certainly not for a child of eight.