The very next day…
The doors opened to the Jedi Temple and walked in the Padawan Dooku. There were only five members present, Master Jorus, Master Rancisis, Master Yaddle, Master Poof and Grand Master Yoda. Dooku kneeled onto one knee and remained quiet.
Master Yoda looked towards Master Jorus and he began to speak, "My team's records indicate that at exactly 11:13 p.m. the doors to your quarters were opened."
"What could you possibly be doing late that night?" added Master Rancisis.
Of course Dooku couldn't tell the truth. If he told them that he was skulking around the living quarters at night they would definitely construe that he did the delinquency.
"You don't fool me Dooku, I sense much uncertainty in you. You are the one that stole the Sith holocron and you shall be dealt with accordingly!" Master Jorus said accusingly.
"I also feel some confusion in you, it seems as if you are trying to conceal something, young Padawan, You must be honest with us, because…"
"Accusing young Dooku, helping this is not." Interrupted Master Yaddle. Master Yaddle was the same species as Yoda, but a female. She is 456 years old and was a former master to Master Rancisis. She has been on the council now for many years.
"Agree I do, with Master Yaddle…Answers we will not receive, if continued in this manner." Said Master Yoda. There was a moment of silence and Master Poof began to speak.
"Now Dooku what where you doing last night?"
Despite the nervousness of Dooku he felt as if he could tell the Master Quemian the truth.
"Well, I felt remorse about what happened to Lorian on Dantooine," I lied. "And I wanted to see how he was doing. So…I walked over to his room and the door was already opened so I walk in." Dooku paused. He wasn't sure if he should say anything about seeing the Holocron on Lorian's bed.
"Was Padawan Nod in his room?" asked Master Rancisis.
"He wasn't Master. I didn't know where he was." Spoke the young Padawan.
"Curious, this situation is…" Master Yoda looked towards Master Jorus, while raising his creased green eye-brow. "Nothing your team found, about young Nod's doors Master Jorus…Hmm?"
"No. Our records show that Lorian was in his quarters and his doors never opened. I was in fact talking to Lorian's Master at about that time and he said that Lorian was fatigued from the day's training that went straight to bed."
"Anything you have to say about this, young Dooku?"
What can I say it's a Master's words against mine. "I all I can say is that I am telling you the truth. Lor was not in his room."
"Well until this matter is elucidated, you will be confined to your quarters."
Dooku nodded hearing the decree given by Master Rancisis. Dooku was perplexed. He was being outcasted by the Jedi Council and he knew that Master Jorus was behind all of this. All that he could say was, "Yes Master." Dooku left the Jedi Temple and made his way towards his home when he came across his adversary, Lor.
"So they think that it was you huh?" Lor said sardonically.
"Yeah, but it wasn't me who did it. I know it was you Lor!"
"Yeah how so? It's not like you have any proof or anything. Master Jorus' records show that I was in my quarters the whole night."
"But I went to your room and you weren't there Lor…I am mean the freakin' holocron was on your bed!"
"What a likely story, friend! Look at you acting all arrogant and trying to impugn me for your theft. Is that what a Jedi does? No!"
"I know you aligned yourself with the Sith. I overheard you talking with Master Jorus about a Sith Lord named uh…Darth Plagueis."
"Darth Playgo? Who's that?" Lor said with a grin.
Not realizing it while they were both still walking and they ended up towards the back courtyard near the Jedi Temple.
"Don't play dumb with me Lor…I can feel the dark side in you." Dooku began to sweat a little not knowing what would happen next.
Lor began to chuckle. "Don't you realize friend, that you too have the dark side in you too?"
This statement from his former friend filled Dooku's heart with rage. "Why do you keep saying that?" Just because I am angry doesn't mean this is the dark side does it?
Placing his hand on his lightsaber hilt, Lor began to speak again while Dooku's eyes were resting on Lor's hand.
"I've seen your heart, and I know how empty it is. I've seen your anger, and I know how deep it is. I've seen your ambition, and I know how ruthless it is. And all of that will ultimately destroy you… I will never be a Jedi, it's true. But neither will you.!" Screamed Lor as he ignited his saber and swung towards Dooku.
Spinning to the left with such grace, Dooku was able to dodge his opposition's attack. With all of the Soresu training that he had done with his Master, Dooku noticed how effortless it was to dodge Lor's attacks. Trying to catch Dooku off guard, Lor attacked Dooku's right side during his spin, but Dooku managed to avert the saber attack with just one hand. My strength has improved…I might be able to master Makashi yet. As soon as their sabers met Dooku kicked Lor in the abdomen so unyielding that it flung Lor through a marble statue. Filled with fury and wrath, Dooku ran towards Lor and began to swing towards Lor's motionless body.
"PADAWAN!!!"
Dooku stopped his attack just moments from slicing through Lor's neck. As Dooku turned his head his Master saw the darkness in his eyes.
"What are you doing Dooku??" question Master Cerulian.
"I…uh.." Dooku turned off his green lightsaber and sheathed it. "It was Lor! He's the one who stole the holocron…you gotta believe me." Stammered Dooku as rain drops began to trickle on his face.
Master Cerulian pulled the hood to his robe over his head as the rain began to fall violently. "I know…Master Jorus said that his team was erroneous. They found the holocron in Lor's bedroom."
He double-crossed Lor!
"Come with me Padawan…Lor's Master should be here shortly." As he Pulled Dooku under his robe.
Dooku looked up towards his Master feeling for the first time a link. The connection that a Master and an apprentice should share. "What will become of Lor?"
"Well…that's a good question…He will probably be sent off to the Agricultural Corps, where he will spend the remainder of his adolescence and then he will be sent to work for a spice mine…maybe on Kessel."
Dooku had heard of Kessel in his studies. It was a planet in the Outer Rim Territories, very close to Hutt Space.
As they approached their quarters Dooku paused. "I just want you to know that I am sorry Master. I won't let my anger get the best of me anymore."
"Yes you are right…Dooku. I saw your form. It was executed brilliantly…I think you are ready to master Makashi."
Dooku's eyes lit up like a child on Christmas day. "Really Master Cerulian? When can we start?"
"How about now?"
Many years later…
Several years had passed and Dooku was now twenty years old. Not much had changed in those past six years except that Master Cerulian had been chosen to serve on the Jedi High Council. Dooku went on countless missions with his Master all which made Dooku's name heard all over the galaxy. During those times Dooku also made many friends like Eeth Koth, a Zabrak from the planet Nar Shaddaa, Tsui Choi, his former opponent in the Padawan lightsaber competition, and Sifo-Dyas. There was only one thing that bothered Dooku…it was the fact that he was the only Padawan amongst his three friends. Unfortunately for Dooku, some of the missions left him stranded with his master for 2 years or so and when Dooku returned, his friends all had achieved the rank of Jedi Knight. Dooku wasn't too miserable because he was only days away from taking apart of the Jedi Trials. The trials consisted of four parts: The Trial of Skill, Trial of Flesh, Trial of Courage, and the Trial of Spirit. Dooku wasn't as all concerned with the trial of the flesh, courage and skill, but the trial of the spirit was something that he wasn't looking forward to. Dooku was to meet with his Master to go over any questions that he will have.
Dooku found his master talking with the another council member the Wookiee Master Tyvokka. To this day it still surprised Dooku to see that a Wookiee could be a Master but also the fact that he spoke Basic. Both Masters turned to see the now more mature and older Padawan.
"Good day Dooku" said Master Tyvokka.
"Good day Master Tyvokka."
"Are you getting excited Dooku? I know you will please us all. Unfortunatey I won't be apart of your Trials since I am your master, it will not be allowed."
"Yes this will be a grand opportunity to exercise my skills. I have learned from the best."
Master Tyvokka put down his tea. "Yes you are probably the most skilled Padawan I have ever seen hold a lightsaber. I myself have trained many many years to master Makashi but it took you only six."
Dooku smiled. "Yes Makashi is a very remarkable but graceful form that I have become fond of."
It had made Master Thame Cerulian so proud to watch his Padawan become an exceptional Jedi.
"I have to ask you though…why this" asked Master Cerulian while to pointing to Dooku's face.
"Oh this…well I have always wanted a beard. I think it makes me look more sophisticated and refined."
Master Cerulian chuckled. "Well I will give you that. Oh…um Master Tyvokka please excuse us."
Master Tyvokka nodded and both Dooku and his Master began to walk.
"So Dooku have you any questions before you big day?"
"No…not really. I was wondering…What was your most difficult part of the trial?"
Master Cerulian smiled. "Fair enough. Well…as you know there are four parts all weren't too bad for me except for the Trial of Courage."
"What happened?"
"Well I had to face the man who killed my brother."
"Well did you defeat him?"
"That's the thing. I wasn't supposed to fight him. My test was to forgive him. You will find out that sometimes there are alternatives to fighting. As a Jedi Knight you have to have a since of Diplomacy because you represent all of what the Jedi Order stands for."
"Hmm…I understand that fully Mast.."
"You think you do…but in time you will with experience. Sometimes it isn't all just about remembering long passages from the Jedi Archives but to actually use what you have learned."
"Yes Master."
"You are a good Jedi, my friend and I have spent many years with you. There is nothing more I can teach you. I have faith in the Force that you will succeed."
"Thank you Master."
"Well I must be off…I have to get use to all of the meetings the Council has during the week. They sure love to talk." Master Cerulian said with a smile.
The two laughed a bit and Master Cerulian left for the Jedi Temple. Dooku wanted to get his mind off of the Trials so he decided to go see his friends.
Dooku was not expecting to see Sifo-Dyas near his home. He was standing upside down while floating large speeders with the Force. Dooku did not want to disturb him so he quietly walked towards his quarters.
One of Sifo-Dyas's eyes opened. "Hey Dook, What are you up too?
Startled Dooku turned his head. "I wasn't trying to disturb your meditation."
Sifo-Dyas slowly lowered the speeders and he became right side up again. "It's okay I just haven't done that in a while. So what's up Dook?"
"Not much I just wanted to see the gang and maybe go play a game of Sabacc."
"Like old times huh? I think that would be very fun, but unfortunately Eeth won't be able to join us."
"Oh?"
"Yeah he was sent on a mission to hold negations on Naboo, they are designing some new type of battle droid. He left very early this morning and he only had time to tell me. He said that it shouldn't take long only a few weeks."
A perplexed look came across the bearded face of Dooku. "Things aren't like they use to be…Ever since I got back from that mission on Thisspias it seems like we all grew apart."
"You worry too much Dook, We all have just been very occupied lately…that's all!" Sifo-dyas said with a smile.
"Yeah…I guess that I have been tense leading up to the Trials…It's the only thing that has been on my mind."
"Is that all? Dook. You will do great! I know…besides you have beaten Eeth, Tsui, and me all at lightsaber sparring."
The comment made Dooku smile.
"You see all you need is confidence and you will be fine. I know what you need…a good deep meditation. That always seemed to calm me down before a mission or what have you."
"Yes. Perhaps a long meditation will suffice. I shall you leave at once to prepare for my meditation."
"Sounds good. Have fun Dook." Sifo-Dyas waived.
Dooku continued the walk towards his quarters when he was crash into by a dark-skinned youngling.
"Ahh! I am so sorry mister. I didn't mean too…honest!"said the frightened boy.
Dooku got up and started to dust himself off. "It's quite alright. What were you running from?"
"Oh a sith lord! He was crazy and he started to attack me!"
Dooku raised his eyebrow with curiosity. " A sith lord? Are you sure?"
"Yeah here he comes!"
In the distance Dooku could see a long brown-haired youngling running towards them. Dooku started to laugh. "So that is your Sith lord? Ha ha! Looks more like a wound up kid!"
The youngling stopped running when he met up with Dooku and the child.
"So what is going on here?" asked Dooku.
The youngling was bent over with his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath. "Well…Mace and I….were playing…Sith…and Jedi…"
"Yeah we meant no trouble sir."
"Okay…well you two shouldn't be running around here all by yourself. You need supervision or you could get hurt. So what's your name's by the way?"
The darker skinned boy pointed to the other youngling. "He's Qui-Gon Jinn and I am Mace Windu. We are training to be Jedi and hopefully we will get Masters soon. That's our dream."
Dooku smiled. He couldn't help but remember his childhood and how he and Lor would say the same thing.
"I am Dooku I am going to take the Jedi Trials in order to become a Jedi Knight!" He said with confidence.
Both younglings dropped their jaws. "You mean you aren't a Knight yet? I mean at your age you should have taken on padwans already."
Dooku wasn't too fond of the remarks. Maybe the beard makes me look too old. What do they know? They are only children. "Well shouldn't you two be off to your studies. I think Old Republic History is about to start."
Both of the younglings looked at each other realizing that they were going to be late and ran off not even saying "bye" to Dooku.
Dooku spent most of the week in profound meditation until the day came to go to the Temple for his Trials. Dooku was taken aback to see his master standing near the front entrance of the Temple.
"Master?"
"It is tradition that a Master sees his Padawan into the temple. May the Force be with you Dooku. Whatever the outcome, I want you to know that I am proud of you and that I am very lucky to have you as my padwan."
Dooku blushed. He didn't know how to respond to such kind words and just nodded.
"Go and make me proud Dooku!"
Dooku swallowed and proceeded into the main chamber of the Temple.