Prompt from Jedi_Bant: I wonder if you could do one where one of the council take Obi-wan on as their Padawan when Qui-Gon rejects Obi for Ani in front of the council. Watching Obi with another master makes Qui realise what he's lost because the idea of someone else finishing his Padawan's training is very different to Obi being knighted a bit too early. Jealous!Qui hurt/comfort type thing please.
...
"I take Anakin as my padawan learner."
Almost instantly, the atmosphere of the entire room changed as the council straightened up, eyes practically sharpening into flints as they glared at Qui-Gon… who started to shuffle from side to side nervously.
Yes, he'd often been on the wrong end of the council's scrutiny, but never to this extent.
"You already have a padawan learner." Mace almost growled, "Unless you received a severe hit to the head on Tatooine?"
"I-I believe that Obi-Wan is ready to take the Knighting Trials…. He is one of the best in his age group, and beyond!"
"Deny that, we do not." Master Yoda piped up, a stern look still on his face, "Physically ready, he is. Emotionally ready, he is not."
Before Obi-Wan could protest, Master Yoda held up a hand, "His fault, it is not. A rough start as a padawan, he had."
"Oh…" Qui-Gon frowned, "… So it's my fault."
"Yes."
At the blunt admission made by Mace, Qui-Gon found himself stunned, unconsciously taking a step back in shock.
"We had hoped that over ten years of working together, over ten years of bonding on missions, would strengthen your bond…" Mace sighed, "… evidently, this is not the case."
The Council all glanced at each other, almost seeming to silently communicate with one another, before they all turned their attention back to Qui-Gon and the others.
"Discuss this, we will." Master Yoda sighed, "Difficult, this decision is."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed lowley, before heading out of the room, the door shutting behind them.
For a moment, there was a tense silence, until Qui-Gon clapped his hands together. "I'm sure they'll see sense…" he stated, turning to Obi-Wan, "... You've been ready for the trials for quite some time now."
"I-if you're sure, but- "
"- The Council knows this. They've been asking to have you put through the trials for years now!"
Obi-Wan didn't need the bond to know that his Master was lying. "But… it was only a few days ago that you were saying that I wasn't ready!" He protested, "And now- "
"- now circumstances have changed." Qui-Gon gave his padawan a disappointed look, "I was hoping that you would understand that. Anakin needs to be trained."
"I know, but there's loads of Masters' who would be willing to train him!"
"It has to be me."
"Why?!"
Before Qui-Gon could answer, the Council room doors swung open again, silently ordering them to enter again. As they all walked inside, with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Anakin moving to the centre of the room, Obi-Wan couldn't help but tense up slightly at the looks on some of the Council-members faces.
"Come to a decision, we have." Master Yoda began, "Train the Chosen One, you believe you should?"
Knowing that the question was aimed at him, Qui-Gon nodded, clearly believing that he was going to get his way.
"Then train him, you will."
Obi-Wan felt like his heart was going to sink to his stomach. The familiar sensation of nausea started to rise up to his throat and he knew his face was pale… but he couldn't let his Master see that.
He had to be strong.
"Then, Obi-Wan will be knighted?" Qui-Gon glanced over at his soon to be ex-padawan with a smile on his face, clearly expecting the young man to be excited by the prospect, "That's wonder- "
"- No." Mace suddenly interrupted, sending an apologetic look over to Obi-Wan briefly before turning his attention back to Qui-Gon, "Padawan Kenobi… Obi-Wan won't be going through the trials. Not yet."
"What are you- "
"- A new Master, Obi-Wan will choose." Speaking over Qui-Gon's sputtering, Master Yoda turned to Obi-Wan, "Unfortunate circumstances, these are. Unfair to you, it has been,"
"Unfair, what are you- "
"- Cruel Master Jinn, has been." Master Yoda continued, ignoring the outburst, "Yours, the choice is."
Obi-Wan shook his head frantically, "Master Jinn only chose me under pressure! No offense Masters', but who would- "
"- We've all discussed it Padawan Kenobi." Mace quickly interrupted, "It is up to you, who will become your Master. No matter who you pick, they will take over your apprenticeship." He shrugged, "If it hadn't been for Dooku's estrangement from the Order, we would have given him a call."
"You can't do this!" Qui-Gon protested, "You can't give him a new Master!"
"You've made the decision to train Skywalker." Mace frowned, "We, as a Council, have decided that Obi-Wan is not quite ready to take the trials. Yes, he is one of our top students, but emotionally, he is not quite ready. Unless you are willing to let one of us train Skywalker, and continue training Padawan Kenobi?"
The silence was all the answer that they needed, as all eyes turned to Obi-Wan… including Qui-Gon's, who almost looked pleading.
/Please Padawan… \\ he begged over their bond, /… please don't do this.\\
And for a moment, Obi-Wan hesitated.
/Don't fail me Obi-Wan \\
…. Fail him?
With that, Obi-Wan knew what he had to do. Turning his attention back to the council, he took a deep breath. "Master Windu… would you do me the honour of taking over my apprenticeship?"
There was a gasp from over near Qui-Gon, but Obi-Wan chose not to look over, focusing on the small smile that had spread across Mace's face.
"It would be my honour Obi-Wan."
…
"Don't worry about getting your belongings from your rooms…" Mace stated in reassurance, as he gently led Obi-Wan out of the room, wanting to distract the young man away from Qui-Gon's loud protests, "... I'll have droids sent over to pick up your things whilst Qui-Gon is distracted."
"… Master Windu?"
When he glanced down, Mace frowned at the look on Obi-Wan's face.
"Are you… sure about this?"
"What do you mean?"
Obi-Wan shrugged, "It's just… I don't want you to feel pressured into this."
"I said yes didn't I? No pressure involved."
The younger man still didn't look too sure, prompting Mace to stop in the middle of the corridor and meet Obi-Wan in the eyes, "Obi-Wan… I am honoured to be your Master. I know that it might not be for long, but it is an honour, nonetheless."
"Besides…" he continued, straightening up, "… this will also be a good lesson for Qui-Gon I think. A lesson in humility."
….
"Qui-Gon? You're not even looking!"
Anakin's whine just sounded like a buzzing in his ears as he focused on the other pair training at the other end of the room.
He hadn't been allowed to attend Obi-Wan's ceremony that transferred his apprenticeship to Windu. Their bond had been broken by medical professionals and that was the last Qui-Gon heard of him.
He'd barely even seen his ex-padawan, up until now.
Obi-Wan looked so happy, happier than Qui-Gon had ever seen him, as he and Windu sparred…. Mace had started to teach him Form 7 by the looks of it.
Personally, Qui-Gon believed that that wasn't the right form for Obi-Wan, but he had been informed (multiple times) that he had no opinion on that.
"Master Jinn!"
With his attention broken, Qui-Gon finally turned to Anakin, who was pouting up at him.
"I finally perfected that split move!"
It was time for him to forget about Obi-Wan, he vowed to himself, forget about the fact that his ex-padawan's grades were higher now, the fact that he smiled more, the fact that his best friend treated him so coldly nowadays… the fact that all the council treated him coldly.
It was time for him to move on.
