Quietly, Anakin entered the changing room. Obi-Wan was sitting in a corner, his knees pulled to his chest and his face buried in his arms. His shoulders were shaking a bit. Today was meant to be the happiest day of Anakin's life but how could you enjoy your day when someone else was so unhappy?

"Will they send you to the Agri Corps now?" Anakin asked cautiously.

Obi-Wan looked up, not bothering to hide the fact that he was crying. "What kind of a stupid question is that?" he snapped angrily at Anakin. "Of course they'll send me there!"

"That's unfair!" Anakin said sympathetically. "You fought so well today!"

"Stop that!" Obi-Wan glared furiously at him.

"Stop what?"

"Mocking me! I'm so sick of it! Wasn't it enough to defeat me like that?"

"Like what?!"

"Having me trip over my own feet again, making everyone laugh," Obi-Wan said bitterly.

Anakin shook his head in frustration. Obi-Wan was being so paranoid! "But no one laughed."

"Yeah, they felt probably pity for me. Or they were too caught up admiring you. What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you go out and sign autographs?"

Anakin flung his sweaty tunic, which he had just taken off, to the floor. Obi-Wan's words hurt. He tried to tell himself that Obi-Wan was just so devastated because he was sent off to the Agri Corps and did not really mean it. But Anakin was getting angry all the same. "You see, I understand if you're unhappy and angry because you have to go to the Agri Corps, I would be angry too. I don't want to go there either. Can you blame me for trying to win? Can you blame me for being happy because I was chosen as a Padawan? You would be happy too."

"Yes, I would be happy too," Obi-Wan said softly, "and you'd be angry too if you were sent to the Agri Corps. But the fact is: you're not sent there. You were chosen as his Padawan. And I was not."

"I wish you could be a Padawan too, Obi-Wan," Anakin said sincerely.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Because you could enjoy this day better if you didn't have to worry about your bad conscience?" He started undressing too and picked a towel to wipe his face, which was wet with sweat and tears.

Anakin gave up talking to Obi-Wan. It was pointless as Obi-Wan so badly wanted to blame Anakin for his misery. Anakin conscientiously brushed his hair and plaited his braid. He wanted to look like a good Padawan when he swore his oath. Suddenly, he realised he had still Obi-Wan's lightsaber with him. Without a word, he put it on top of the pile of Obi-Wan's clothes.

"I won't need this anymore," Obi-Wan said, trying to sound brave. "I'm leaving tonight."

Anakin gulped. "Already?" he asked, shocked.

"Well, the ship for Bandomeer leaves tonight..." Obi-Wan trailed off.

Anakin was finished with dressing now and there was no reason for him to stay longer in the changing rooms. Unsure what to do or what to say, he hovered next to he door. He helplessly watched Obi-Wan plait his braid with trembling fingers. Probably for the last time. Or maybe he's going to keep his haircut like this forever. Anakin saw an image of Obi-Wan planting some crippled vegetables, his long braid dangling loosely in the dirt, always reminding him of his dream which had never come true.

"May the Force be with you," Anakin said with a big lump in his throat.

"And with you too," Obi-Wan replied quietly.

There was really nothing Anakin could say to comfort him, so he just left.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan unexpectedly called him back.

Anakin stopped and turned around. "Yes?"

"I, um, forgot to congratulate you." Obi-Wan awkwardly looked at him. He was standing barefoot on the floor tiles, his tunic all disarranged. "Well... Congratulations."

"Thank you," Anakin replied, his mind already furiously working on a solution for this situation. He would not accept it to simply end like this. There had to be something he could do about it - he just had not found it yet.

"I hope Master Jinn is a good Master," Obi-Wan said politely.

"Yeah, he seems nice enough -" Anakin stopped. This was it. There was nothing he could do but he had a Master now. And hey, what were Masters for, right? Master Jinn certainly would find a solution. "I got an idea," Anakin confidently told Obi-Wan. "See you later." With that, he dashed off.

ooooooo

Qui-Gon was a bit startled when his new Padawan excitedly burst into his room. "Anakin? Is there something wrong?"

"No, um, yes, I mean!" Anakin panted. "Something's very wrong. I need your help, Master."

Qui-Gon smiled at him. Anakin had already got a place inside his heart. "Whatever it is, I hope I can help you, Padawan. Won't you sit down at first?"

Anakin dropped down in one of the big armchairs and faced Qui-Gon hopefully. "It's about Obi-Wan. You know, the boy who fought against me today. He'll be thirteen in a month and they want to send him off to Bandomeer. Already tonight!"

"Ah." Qui-Gon regretfully eyed his young apprentice. He thought the rule to ban the thirteen-year-old unchosen apprentices from the Order was cruel. And yes, it was banning. Of course, everyone would say working with the Agri Corps was a worthy task but for the young apprentices it meant that they were separated from their friends and from their home. "That's a hard decision. But the shuttles don't go to Bandomeer regularly and I'm afraid the next shuttle to Bandomeer is scheduled for after his birthday. It's hard to send him away so unprepared. Maybe I could convince the Council to let him stay just a little longer so he can at least say goodbye to everyone. It will hurt no one if a student stays two or three days longer in the Temple than he's normally allowed."

"That's not the point, Master," Anakin told him.

Surprised, Qui-Gon looked at him. "No? But what's the point?"

"He needs a Master," Anakin explained to him. "So he can become a Jedi Knight."

"Yes, of course, Anakin," Qui-Gon said soothingly. "But unfortunately it's too late now. There's no Master who's looking for a Padawan at the moment."

"I thought maybe you could do something to help him," Anakin said hopefully.

"Me!?" Qui-Gon said, thoroughly taken aback. "I'm sorry, Padawan, but there's nothing I -"

"But he's so sad!" Anakin argued. "He was crying, Master Jinn! He so much wants to become a Jedi! It's unfair, why can't he be trained?"

"Because no one -"

"Because no one chose him? That's unfair, you took him away from his family when he was a little child and you made him hopes of a life as a Jedi! And now you just dump him?! Because then you shouldn't have brought him here in the first place! Because now you've destroyed his life!"

"Anakin, please calm down," Qui-Gon tried again.

"No, I won't calm down!" Anakin said defiantly. "You haven't seen him, you haven't seen him cry and -"

"ANAKIN!"

Anakin jumped. "Yes, Master?" he asked timidly.

"I will see what I can do for him," Qui-Gon told him against his better judgement. He had made his decision in the blink of an eye but it seemed to be the right thing to do.

Anakin gaped. "You - you mean it?"

"Of course."

A broad smile spread on Anakin's face and Qui-Gon could not help but smile too. "Thank you!" Anakin said and he sounded just as blissful as when he had non-stop thanked Qui-Gon for taking him as his Padawan.

"I can't guarantee anything, of course," Qui-Gon quickly qualified.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Anakin assured him full of trust.

It felt good: having someone who trusted you like that. And still, when Qui-Gon was on his way to speak to someone about young Obi-Wan's fate, all he could think was: This is all very, very wrong. I shouldn't be doing this. I should have never agreed to ever take a Padawan again...

ooooooo

"No."

"He's very gifted," Qui-Gon tried to reason. "You saw him fight today. He could become a great swordsman."

"There's too much anger in him."

"I'm sure you could teach him how to control his anger," Qui-Gon said with a little smile.

"I'm not interested in ever taking a Padawan again."

"That's what I thought too - until today. But I think I have just forgotten how wonderfully rewarding it is to have a Padawan."

"Padawans just make a lot of trouble. They're the most annoying thing ever."

"Oho." Amused, Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows. "But you brought him here. You shouldn't have brought him to the Temple in the first place if he's just dumped now."

"No one could know how he would develop. He could have become a great Jedi."

"I think he still can become a great Jedi. If you train him."

"No."

"Then you've destroyed his life by bringing him here."

"Don't you try to appeal to my conscience!"

ooooooo

Obi-Wan was packing his things. He was leaving the place he had called home for twelve years. It seemed as if his life was over now. There was nothing which awaited him but mud, chemicals, vegetables, dirt, plants and other depressed former Jedi. All his training, his efforts – in vain. Choking back his tears again, he put down his spaceship models. They did not fit into the tiny suitcase he was allowed to take with him. No, he had to leave everything behind but the most essential things to survive. Someone knocked on his door. Probably Bant. He had not had the courage yet to say goodbye to her.

"Yes," he said morosely, quickly wiping his tears away. "What do you want?" he asked without turning away from the suitcase on his bed to look at the intruder.

Someone cleared his throat demonstratively. A very deep male human voice. Definitely not Bant. Obi-Wan turned around and was deeply shocked to find himself standing in front of no other than Master Dooku.

"M-Master Dooku," he stammered and bowed awkwardly.

"You are Obi-Wan Kenobi, right?"

Obi-Wan nodded. He was surprised Master Dooku knew his name. He had never before spoken to the great Master. Sometimes, in his childhood fantasies, he had pictured himself a great Master himself and an even better swordsman. And then he would challenge Master Dooku to a duel and they would fight for a very long time and no one would win because they were both so good. He had not wanted to meet Master Dooku like this: His eyes swollen, his room in disorder and in addition he was making a fool of himself, being impolite and stammering stupidly.

"Concerning your question what I want," Dooku continued, ignoring Obi-Wan's silly behaviour, "I want to ask you to become my Padawan."

Obi-Wan was sure he had misheard it. This could not be happening. He must have fallen asleep after the exhaustion of the duel and the whole horrible day, and now he was dreaming.

"Do you agree?" Dooku asked unperturbedly.

Obi-Wan must have looked like an idiot. He mentally slapped himself. He needed to say something, quickly, before this chance was over. "You - you want to take me as your Padawan?!"

"I would be honoured if you agreed," Master Dooku stated in his deep, dignified voice.

"Y-Y-Yes," Obi-Wan said in a small voice, feeling slightly dizzy.

"Very well. The ceremony takes place in half an hour. Don't be late, Padawan." Master Dooku slightly inclined his head and left Obi-Wan's room.

Obi-Wan automatically continued packing his things. Suddenly he stopped. Wait, what am I doing?! Had Master Dooku really come here to ask him if he wanted to become his Padawan? Had that really happened? Why would Master Dooku - Master Dooku, for Force's sake! - want him, clumsy Oafy-Wan, as his Padawan? No, there had to be something wrong...

Obi-Wan stormed out of his room and caught up with Master Dooku a few corridors further.

"A-Are you sure?" he panted.

Dooku paused and looked him up and down. "I think so," he said, not moving a muscle.

And very slowly, the wonderful truth started to sink in. Disbelievingly, Obi-Wan stared at his Master. He felt he needed to say something which was fitting for such a dignified Jedi Master. "I... I feel very honoured, Master Dooku," he said genuinely and bowed deeply.

Master Dooku nodded curtly. "Well, now that this is settled, you'd better hurry and put on proper clothes for the ceremony. In case you have not listened to me earlier, it starts in half an hour."

"Yes, Master, yes, I won't be late," Obi-Wan said eagerly and he hurried off.

ooooooo

"Dooku? You mean Master Dooku?" Anakin said incredulously.

"Yes, the one and only," Qui-Gon answered lightly.

"You mean Master Dooku is going to train Oafy - um, I mean Obi-Wan?!"

"Yes," Qui-Gon confirmed again.

"But that's..." Anakin disbelievingly shook his head. "That's absolutely crazy."

"Oh," Qui-Gon said, mildly amused. He had not expected Anakin to react like that. "I thought you wanted me to find him a Master."

"Why, yes! But Master Dooku! I mean, I never thought he'd..."

"Take a Padawan?" Qui-Gon finished for Anakin. "You must know, I was once Dooku's Padawan just as you are mine. Padawans sometimes can have much power over their Masters."

Suddenly Anakin giggled. "I just hope Obi-Wan doesn't get a heart attack when Dooku tells him he wants to train him."

"Oh, then maybe I shouldn't have done that," Qui-Gon joked. "I don't want to be responsible for your friend's death."

Anakin laughed. "Nonsense, I'm glad you did it. And I'm sure Obi-Wan will be thrilled. But he's not my friend."

"Wait a moment." Qui-Gon felt a bit left out. "He's not your friend?"

"No. He's okay most of the time and sometimes he's nice but sometimes he can be a big asshole too."

"Padawan, I don't want to hear such language again, is that understood?" Qui-Gon said, annoyed. Anakin had begged him to do all that and what for? - For someone Anakin considered a "big asshole". "And I just hope there will never be a time when a friend of yours needs help."

"Oh no!" Anakin slapped himself against his forehead and stared at Qui-Gon in shock. "Bruck! I've completely forgotten about him! Oh please, Master, you remember the other boy who fought against Siri, the girl? He doesn't have a Master yet either and they're going to send him to Bandomeer too. He's my friend. Please, you must help him." Anakin imploringly sought his gaze.

Qui-Gon grimaced. "What about the girl? She doesn't have a Master yet either," he said sourly. "Am I to get her a Master too?"

"Well, no." Anakin smiled sheepishly at him. "She's younger, she has still much time to be chosen. She'll get a new chance."

Anakin behaved as if the matter was already decided. Qui-Gon did not like that. What have I got myself into?

ooooooo

Master Windu was a tad surprised. He had not expected this. Never before had he taken the oaths from three Padawans and three Masters at a time. It was most unusual. And he had not expected his friend, erm, his fellow Jedi Master Dooku to take a Padawan. He had not expected Ki-Adi-Mundi to do it either. He just hoped no one was going to expect him to take a Padawan now as well.

Anakin did not really know how to feel. Bruck and Obi-Wan had both got a Master who was on the Council. Obi-Wan had got Master Dooku, Anakin's childhood hero, a legend. Bruck had got Ki-Adi-Mundi, one of the highest Council members. Whereas Anakin... was stuck with Qui-Gon Jinn. Anakin had won today, he was said to be the Chosen One but he had got only Master Jinn, who was only famous for being rebellious. He could not help but feel that he had got the short end of the stick. And he had wanted Master Jinn to get Obi-Wan and Bruck a Master. I should be happy now, he told himself. When he watched Bruck and Obi-Wan, who looked still rather dumbfound as if they could not believe their luck yet, he thought that, yes, he was maybe happy. Anakin smirked at Obi-Wan when the other boy was called forward by Mace Windu and almost stumbled in his nervousness. Master Jinn put a hand on Anakin's shoulder and it felt good. Master Jinn may not be famous but he was certainly the nicest Master ever. And, after all, he had been Master Dooku's Padawan. Maybe Dooku had shown him a few tricks, which he could pass on to Anakin. When it was Anakin's turn to swear the oath, he smiled widely at his Master. Today was definitely the happiest day of his life.