Prompt from Bronywn: Oh my gosh. Is it bad that I want more Anakin smack downs and Dooku being protective? Maybe an AU or the AU wherein Dooku takes on Obi-Wan or Freemor flips Qui Gon the middle finger? I love chapter 67 and all that has come from it.
Prompts are CLOSED
….
"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.\\
Before Obi-Wan could answer, the doors to the Council Room slammed open, as a familiar figure strode inside.
"You are lucky I was on my way anyway." Count Dooku stated, bowing towards the council, "I'm afraid I wasn't in the mood to decrypt your message Master, what appears to be the issue?"
"The Council aren't prepared to knight Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon blurted out, forgetting his manners for a moment, gulping as his old Master glanced over at him.
"Of course not." Dooku rolled his eyes, "I would think them completely incompetent." He didn't seem to mind how most of the Council frowned at this, not sure whether to take what he said as an insult or not, "With how rough the beginning of your partnership was, I would suggest Obi-Wan spend a few more years by your side."
"But he's ready!"
"Oh, I will admit, Obi-Wan has the skills to go far." Dooku waved his hand, "Emotionally though… not so much." He then paused and frowned, "Why the sudden desire to have him knighted? When I raised this matter in our conversation, you told me that there were still many things left to teach him?"
Qui-Gon glanced over to his left, prompting Dooku to glance in the same direction.
There, stood a small child, probably around ten.
"Oh please…" Dooku turned to the Council, "… Please tell me he doesn't believe that he's found- "
A short nod from Yoda cut him off, and it was clear that Dooku was trying to keep calm.
"So…" He began, eyes turning to Qui-Gon, "… You are pushing to end Obi-Wan's apprenticeship, all because you believe you have found the so-called Chosen One?"
He held up a hand before Qui-Gon could protest, "No, no, no…. I need to a second to proceed this." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Honestly, I had hoped that you'd grow out of these… fairy tales by now."
"Master, I- "
"- Enough!" The word reverberated off the walls like a whip crack, before he turned to the Council, focusing on his old Master, "I assume I'm not here to try and talk some sense into him?"
"Stubborn, our line is." Yoda admitted, "A worthless effort, it would be."
Before Qui-Gon could protest, Dooku spoke up again, "So, I assume this is an offer to re-join the order?"
"Yes." Windu was the one to answer this time, leaning forwards slightly in his seat, "We want to ask if you would consider finishing Padawan Kenobi's training."
"Masters!" Qui-Gon continued to protest behind him.
"It would be my honour." Dooku bowed low, waving Obi-Wan to stand by his side, "Form 2 will suit him perfectly."
Obi-Wan didn't seem as sure, but politely said nothing.
"You're already doing better than Qui-Gon." Dooku praised him with a smirk, "I assume some rooms have been set up for us?"
"They have." Windu nodded, "We'll have a droid fetch Obi-Wan's belongings from his rooms. The bonding ceremony will take place in a few days, to give you enough time to get to know one another."
Dooku and Obi-Wan bowed, but before they could move to leave, Qui-Gon spoke up again.
"Masters, I really must protest! Whilst I appreciate all that my old Master has done for me, Obi-Wan needs no further training!"
"Your arrogance is truly something to behold Qui-Gon." Dooku spun around on his heel, "Yes, I agree that Obi-Wan would make an excellent Knight on his skills alone, something that I do suppose you can be praised for, but you have neglected him in other ways."
"I- "
"- Listen to me closely boy." Dooku focused on Anakin, who moved to hide behind Qui-Gon slightly, a small glare on his face, "You are lucky. Qui-Gon has decided that you are special in some why… whilst I can't see that myself, know this." He leaned down slightly, ignoring how Qui-Gon tried to pull the child away, "No matter how skilled you became, the praises given to you by Qui-Gon… you will never measure up to Kenobi. Am I understood?"
He didn't wait for an answer, already pulling Obi-Wan out of the room.
He was looking forward to this.
