Three Years later…
In the past three years Dooku and his Padawan had went on several missions, which made their names known throughout the galaxy. During this time, Dooku became known as an exceptional politician, handling a myriad of diplomatic situations across several systems. However, there were several times when he had to do some "aggressive negotiations". Qui-Gon was becoming a formidable Jedi just as Master Yoda predicted. As a result, he was even allowed to go on a mission by himself. Dooku's bond with his Padawan had strengthened so much since the first day they became Master and apprentice together. Dooku was a little distraught as he felt that Qui-Gon was soon ready to take on the Jedi Trials.
The two were dueling each other in a pristine training facility near the living quarters. Their sabers converged and a loud crackling sound was heard. Dooku smiled and turned off his saber as did his apprentice. Sweat began to cascade down Qui-Gon's forehead.
"You have done well my apprentice…You have mastered Soresu pretty well. I think you are ready for the Trials."
Qui-Gon put away his saber. "You really think so Master?"
Dooku motioned his Padawan to sit on the bench nearby. "I do. Of all the Jedi that I have seen in my twenty-seven years of life, I have never witnessed one that was so attuned to the Living Force as you."
Qui-Gon didn't know what to say so he just smirked.
"Your defensive saber skills are exceptional, but your offensive skills are mediocre. You will need to work on them if you are to enter the Padawan Lightsaber Competition in a few days." Dooku said as he sat up. "I can have a training program set up in the Jedi Hall, if you'd like?"
"Yes Master that would be great." Qui-Gon said as he followed his Master to the Jedi Hall.
Qui-Gon spent most of the day in the Jedi Hall practicing his lightsaber combat against a hologram of Master Yoda. Meanwhile Dooku was sent to the Jedi Council.
Jedi Council Room
"Ready you feel your Padawan is?" Spoke Master Yoda.
"Yes Master. He is a very fast learner and there is not much I have left to teach him."
Master Yoda paused. "Not Ready, the Council feels….your Padawan is…Far too young…far less experienced…"
Dooku's eyes widened. "You can't be serious Master…he-"
Master Poof interrupted Dooku's statement. "Never has an apprentice taken the Trials as the age of seventeen. You know the requirement is nineteen years."
"I understand that Master…but Qui-Gon has exceptional skills, even Master Yoda said that his bond with the Force is like no other…I."
"Enough Master Dooku…Decided the Council has. Remind you I do not, the oath that you have taken as a Jedi Master."
Dooku nodded.
"If so strongly you feel, than one last mission you will take with your Padawan….If succeed you do, than ready he will be to take the trials."
Dooku smiled. "Yes Master…We will not dishearten you…What's our assignment?"
It was Master Cerulian's duty to explain the mission. "It will take place a day after the Padawan Lightsaber Competition. You are to go to the Planet Kalee and make peace with the Kaleesh, as they are the only ones in the Outer Rim Territories that have not signed on to the Senate."
Dooku looked puzzled. "Why not?"
"They are a very primitive race, not fond of change. You must be cautious because any abrupt actions will result in your capture, which could consequence in extreme torture and possibly death. This is a very perilous mission but we feel that if you and Padawan Jinn succeed that he will be ready for the trials."
Dooku bowed. "I take this mission with one hundred percent importance." Dooku left the Council room.
The Jedi Hall.
Dooku met his apprentice who was still practicing his combat when he stopped as he saw his Master enter.
"Hello Master."
"How did the training go?
"Not bad…my stamina has improved."
"I would advise you my apprentice to practice vigorously the next two days. I just received word that you and I may have our last mission together."
"Our last mission? Where to?"
"I am not allowed to divulge it until after the competition is over. For the next two days I will be in deep meditation."
"Okay…I will keep practicing. I heard that the competition isn't on Dantooine this year."
"Yes that is correct. There wasn't enough time to prepare it this year….so it will be here on Coruscant, next to the new training facility."
"I am looking forward to making you proud Master."
Dooku smiled.
Two days later…
Dooku sat next to Master Tyvokka and Master Cerulian, all eagerly waiting to see their Padawan's in action. After an hour of competition, Cin Dralllig defeated Plo koon, now leaving the competition with three others: Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu and Ki-Adi-Mundi.
Dooku looked over to Master Tyvokka. "That's too bad about Plo Koon. He was an excellent fighter, but Padawan Drallig is a bit more polished."
"Yes. Maybe he should have spent more time training with Soresu. Padawan Drallig dominated him from the start." Said Master Tyvokka.
"Well, he finished five out of the twenty five Padawans, that's not too bad I'd say." Added Master Cerulian trying to comfort his fellow Master.
The Masters' conversation was interrupted by an announcement that was made on the loudspeaker. "Next round is between…Qui-Gon Jinn and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Padawans please take your places."
"Your Padawan has done very well today Dooku. You should be proud." Spoke Master Cerulian.
Dooku just smiled as his eyes were fixed on his Padawan.
"Go!!!!" said the announcer.
The black-eyed Cerean ignited his blue lightsaber and waited patiently for his opponent to do the same. Qui-Gon closed his eyes and seemed to be in deep meditation. Ki-Adi-Mundi took this opportunity and ran towards his opponent. As soon as the Cerean was about to swing, Qui-Gon quickly flipped behind him and swung with one hand, using Makashi. Fortunately, for Mundi his Soresu skills were very good as he was able to block the attack by Qui-Gon. The two then went through several motions where one would attack and then one would deflect.
"Those two seem about even. Master Yoda has taught Padawan Mundi very well." Master Poof said.
Dooku just nodded, still focused on his pupil.
After about twenty five more minutes of fighting, both Padawans began to tire as they started to sweat. Qui-Gon looked towards his Master and he nodded. Qui-Gon then became furious with his attacks, and his speed increased tremendously, which caught Ki-Adi-Mundi off guard. Qui-Gon's powerful attacks caused Ki-Adi-Mundi to become frantic with his Soresu. "I give up!!! Stop!!" said the exhausted Cerean.
"And the winner of this bout is Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn."
Qui-Gon was a good sport as he helped his friend to his feet and shook his hand.
"A very admirable Padawan you have Master Dooku." Spoke Master Yoda who was now joining his Masters.
The next round started immediately as Mace Windu began attacking his opponent Cin Drallig.
"This should be a good bout. These two were the top in their class. I can't wa…." Master Tyvokka's speech was cut off as Mace cut through Cin's lightsaber causing the pieces to fall to the floor.
The crowd became silent.
Most of the Masters were flabbergasted as this was the quickest bout in history.
"What kind of formation was that Master Poof?" asked Dooku.
"Yes…I had never seen that form either." Added Master Cerulian.
"Well…it's his own formation that he created called…Vaapad. Which he called it the 'ferocity' form. It's a combination of Forms four and five. It took him several years to master this form, as it takes much aggression to employ this form. So much meditation was done so as not to fall into the dark side." Explained Master Poof.
"That's most impressive…My boy is up against your's next."
"Will the final two combatants please step forward." Stated the announcer.
Qui-Gon stood there in the center of the arena staring at his opponent, Mace Windu. Qui-Gon felt a wave of nervousness come over him. His hands began to shake.
"GO!!!!" yelled the announcer and the two Padawans clashed sabers. As the green and blue sabers met, Qui-Gon was amazed that even though Mace was a few years younger he had awesome strength behind his swing. Mace didn't misuse his time as he instantaneously used Vaapad against his competitor. Qui-Gon was feeling engulfed as the rapid attacks already started to wear him out. Qui-Gon was getting frustrated as all he could do is use Soresu. Qui-Gon soon realized that he was outmatched in power and in speed.
Qui-Gon did an elevated backflip which stopped Mace's attacks momentarily. Qui-Gon decided to switch to Ataru, as he mimicked Master Yoda's style and started to flip violently into the air while attacking his opponent.
Dooku raised both of his eyebrows. What's he doing? I told him never to use that formation again. He is going to lose.
"I was not aware that your Padawan knew Ataru. He is doing it perfectly." Stated Master Rancisis.
As Qui-Gon flipped forward, time seemed to go in slow motion as he could see Mace swinging his saber towards his body. Qui-Gon mouthed the words "Oh no" as the saber cut into his right shoulder blade. Qui-Gon let out a loud scream as he hit the floor grabbing his right shoulder. Blood began to pour from the open wound.
Still clenching his right shoulder, Qui-Gon looked up seeing nothing but blue light in his eyes. "I give up!". There was nothing but a big grin on Mace's face as he lowered his weapon and switched it off.
"The winner of this competition is MACE WINDU!!!!" The crowed erupted as many "mace" chants ensued. Meanwhile a team of medical droids lifted Qui-Gon onto the stretcher and proceeded to take him to the hospital.
"You had better check on your Padawan." Said Master Cerulian.
Dooku said his goodbyes and left for the Medical ward.
Medical Ward, Room 1138
Dooku entered the room to find Mace talking with Qui-Gon. Mace looked towards Dooku. "I will leave you two Master Dooku. Great fight Qui-Gon. See you soon"
Qui-Gon was about to wave his right arm but the surge of pain stopped him causing him to wave with the opposite arm.
Qui-Gon's smile died as he saw the look on his Master's face. "Uh…hi Master."
"You know why you failed? Because you used that primitive form. You didn't know your opponent's fighting style. You expended too much energy and now you are injured."
"But Master it was just a competition between friends..I-"
Dooku interjected. "But what if this was a life and death situation? Your enemy would have waited for you to exhaust. You would have lost more than just blood…you would have lost your life."
"I am sorry Master, but to be honest I don't like Makashi…It's not for me."
Under normal circumstances those words would have made Dooku very angry, but he decided to remain calm. "We have a mission tomorrow to Kalee. It will be very dangerous and I need you at one-hundred percent."
"But Master…Look at my right shoulder…I-"
Dooku walked over towards his Padawan and placed his left hand over Qui-Gon's right shoulder. A small radiation of blue light was seen underneath Dooku's hand. Dooku moved his hand away.
"Master…What did you do? Heal me?" Qui-Gon began to smile and started to move his arm in a clockwise circle. Normally a Jedi would only use the Heal technique in dire situations as it would completely drain the Jedi of his energy. Dooku fell to one knee.
"Master! Are you okay?"
Dooku slowly got back on his own two feet. "I will be fine. Rest up. We have a big day tomorrow." Qui-Gon watched as his Master slowly walked away from his room.