Prompt from Obi-Wan Fangirl: Id love to see more of this idea of Mace training Obi Wan! Maybe some hurt/comfort bits between them? Maybe a sequel to this episode where Dooku finds out that Mace is now training Qui Gon?

….

He'd had to hear the news through the grapevine… otherwise known as his spies that still loitered in the Jedi Temples and around them.

He should have been informed, even if only as a courtesy.

"Surprise visit, this is." Master Yoda, of course, was the first to greet him, probably having sensed him the moment he entered the atmosphere, "A good reason, you have?"

Meddling old toad.

"You know why I'm here." Dooku sighed, smirking as several of the younger knights watched the exchange with interest, "I hear my old padawan has ruined the one good thing he had left in this life."

"Hmmm." Whilst Master Yoda didn't expressively disagree with the statement, he didn't disagree either, "Trouble, there has been. Needed, you are."

It must have been serious if even Master Yoda was happy to see him.

"Where is Obi-Wan?" Dooku demanded to know, "We can discuss what happened along the way."

As they slowly made their way through the corridors, Dooku learnt about the 'Chosen One' and how quick Qui-Gon had been to throw one padawan to one side and replace him with another.

He had agreed with the Council's decision to allow Obi-Wan to choose a new Master for himself and was shocked to hear exactly what had happened afterwards.

"He chose Mace? And Mace accepted?"

"Hmmm, a surprise, it was not." Yoda sighed, "A kind man, Master Windu is."

"Anyone is kinder than my own ex-padawan." Dooku glanced around, fond memories coming back at the sight of where they were, "Has Mace been good to Obi-Wan?"

"Hmm" Yoda nodded his head, leading Dooku towards the training rooms… where someone could be heard whooping.

"I didn't realise initiates and padawans were permitted to whoop now?" Dooku commented, frowning at the weary look on his old master's face.

Uncharacteristically, Yoda remained silent as they entered the room.

Instantly, Dooku spotted Obi-Wan and Mace in the far right of the room… it looked like Mace was going through Form Seven with the younger man.

Personally, Dooku would have preferred the boy to try Form Two… but he hadn't been consulted on that matter.

No matter what Form it was, Obi-Wan had taken to it with his usual flair and skill, moving through the steps with ease and grace.

Mace would have been stupid to say no… so, what did that say about Qui-Gon.

Speaking of Qui-Gon….

"Master!"

All movement in the room stopped, as Dooku turned to the left, trying not to look disgusted as his old padawan and some… kid came rushing over. Qui-Gon didn't seem to even notice that anything was wrong, a warm smile on his face.

"I wasn't expecting you." Qui-Gon continued, "I wish you'd sent me a message beforehand and- "

"- I am not here to see you." Dooku interrupted, trying not to take a sick satisfaction in the way Qui-Gon's face dropped slightly, "I'm here to see my grand-padawan."

"Ah, Anakin!" Qui-Gon moved to one side, waving the child forwards, "Anakin, I would like you to meet Count Dooku, my old Master."

"Nice to meet you!"

"Hmmm." Dooku wasn't impressed.

Where was the discipline?

The control?

"Anakin is- "

"- Yes, yes, I heard." Dooku knew that if he dared speak this rudely as a padawan, Yoda's stick would hit him on the back of his legs before he could even think about apologising, "However, I didn't come to see him."

"Then- "

"- I came to see Obi-Wan." Dooku glanced over at the boy in question, who looked completely shocked at the statement.

"You- you did?" Obi-Wan asked, not moving any closer.

"Qui-Gon might have decided to renege on his role as Master, but I have better manners than that." Dooku smirked at the outraged noise that burst free from Qui-Gon's mouth, "Once my Grand-padawan, always my Grand-Padawan."

Mace gave him an approving nod behind Obi-Wan, as the young man brightened up at the comment.

Anakin however, was less than happy.

"Qui-Gon said I've already mastered more than Obi-Wan." He muttered under his breath, not missing Obi-Wan's hurt look, and the vicious looks Mace and Dooku sent towards Qui-Gon.

"Yes, it's amazing what a proper bond will do for a padawan." Dooku's voice was ice cold, as Yoda gently took Obi-Wan's hand and led him away from the upcoming fight, "You see Anakin, the only reason you're doing 'so well', is because Qui-Gon is devoting all of his time and effort into you."

"Master- "

"- He spoiled his first padawan to the point where he turned to the Dark Side, neglected the second and now the pattern seems to be repeating." Dooku ignored Yoda's glare, "Let me teach you an important lesson boy… learn some humility. You may be talented, but you are not above everyone else, and to make sure you are knocked down a peg or two, let me tell you this…."

He straightened up to his full height, and was gratified to notice how Anakin seemed a little uneasy at the sight.

"… Obi-Wan is a greater Jedi than you will ever be. He has the skills, the maturity and the determination to make it far in this life. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it onto the Council, and in fact, I hope he does." Dooku glanced at his old padawan, "Better than swanning about with zero ambition, collecting every stray that crosses his path."

This was the last straw for Qui-Gon, who stepped forwards. "That. Is. Enough!" He growled, "Don't you have something better to be doing, than making children cry?"

Anakin didn't particularly look like he was about to cry…. Have a tantrum and lash out maybe, but not cry.

"As a matter of fact, I do." Dooku turned to Obi-Wan, "I have some very nice reservations for us and Mace, if you wouldn't mind joining us?"

"You've only just arrived, haven't you?" Mace queried.

"Yes, but I'm a Count. I tend to get reservations very easily." He turned to leave, hearing Anakin whisper something unflattering behind his back (a problem for another time), closely followed by Obi-Wan rushing to catch up with him.

"Thank you, Grandmaster." The young man quietly whispered.

"Anytime Obi-Wan… Anytime."