"Would it be improper of me to say that I told you so?"
"It would be." Qui-Gon replied calmly to his student, who maintained his expressionless psoture even after leaving the Council Chambers. Though refusing to meet his gaze, the Jedi Master knew without the slightest doubt that something was troubling his Padawan. There was clear emotions across their bond, such as distress and... jealously?
He shifted his gaze from the wall of the lift descending them to his straight-faced pupil. Had Qui-Gon said something back there to cause such turmoil in Obi-Wan? Was it about Anakin? Did he worry about the boy and his own future? Qui-Gon repressed a sigh. Clearly his constant lectures over keeping one's mind in the present weren't doing any wonders for the Padawan he thought of as a son.
As the elevator finally reached the bottom from the temple spire, Obi-Wan wasted no time in exiting through the opened doors. Oh no, he wasn't getting away that easily.
Qui-Gon called out, restraining the tone of amusement. "Padawan." Works like a charm. Obi-Wan immediately froze, waiting for his Master to catch up. Qui-Gon quickly obliged, raising a firm brow at his blank-faced student. "What troubles you?"
"Nothing Master." Was the quick, rather flippant response, as the student refuses to meet the gaze of the mentor.
This time Qui-Gon snorted. "That dismissive reassurance might work on the Healers - in the rare times it does - but even through the bond, it's clear something ails your thoughts, my young Padawan." He paused, waiting for any kind of response from his pupil. Qui-Gon sighed, hoping Obi-Wan would've trusted him enough to share his concerns. "Is this about Anakin?"
That did the trick. The young man's features cracked, flinching at how his Master saw right through him. "You seem eager to believe he's the Chosen One..." Obi-Wan muttered, inciting the aged Jedi Master to raise a brow.
"I am." There was no denying that. "The boy is exceptionally powerful. His connection to the Living Force is legendary. It is my firm belief he is indeed the Chosen One." Obi-Wan, again, said nothing to counteract. Strange. "Obi-Wan, why do you doubt my claims?"
For the life of him, Qui-Gon couldn't quite comprehend his pupil's reluctance to agree with him. Sure his Padawan sensed the connection between Anakin and the Force itself. There was no denying that power. So why was Obi-Wan hesitant in even talking about the boy? He didn't... feel threatened, did he?
"Whether you see it or not, the boy is the Chosen One. The Force tells me as much." Indeed, the bright power that surrounds Anakin, enabling him to emerge the victor in the Boonta Eve Classic, and help them secure the parts required to leave Tatooine and return to Coruscant. "It was by no simple coincidence that we stumbled upon him."
This time, Obi-Wan snorted. "It's always no coincidence that we happen to pick up strays wherever we go."
"I simply followed the whims of the Living Force." Qui-Gon replied calmly to the jab, sensing the slight anger in Obi-Wan's tone. Placing a gentle, yet firm hand on the boy's shoulder, the Jedi Master continued reassuringly. "Whatever it is that bothers you, young one, I'm certain will be put to ease, after we bring Anakin to the temple."
Again, the student said nothing. Qui-Gon waited for a moment before releasing him, sighing at the stubborness Obi-Wan had. Surely after the Council's evaluation of Anakin, his pupil's worries will be put to rest-
A surge in the Force, prompting Qui-Gon to still at the presence heading in their direction. Obi-Wan obviously sensed it as well, as his eyes widened in surpise. Slowly, the Jedi Master stepped forward, his eyes focused on the temple hallway. It was presence he was very familiar with, and with the old bond it didn't take long to identify the presence that was his old mentor.
But what he also sensed caused his own eyes to widen, gently pushing Obi-Wan backwards for precaution, as his own aged teacher appeared right around the corner.
As if the revelation of the Chosen One wasn't enough to surprise Qui-Gon today. Here approaches his old master, looking quite earnest, and completely stilled upon the sight of his old student, looking comically disbelieving. The Jedi Master raised a brow at the unorthodox manners of his usually composed old master. But the dishreveled look and frozen expression of Master Dooku wasn't what surprised Qui-Gon the most.
The old bond between the two was still there, and through it Qui-Gon could sense... darkness. Almost the same darkness he felt on Tatooine by that creature he believed to have been their enemy of old. And it was rolling off in waves by his old teacher. Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed, trying to comprehend the surrealness of it all.
The Dark Side was strong in Master Dooku, and yet... he sensed no malicious intent from his old mentor. Cautiously reaching through their bond, Qui-Gon reeled back in shock by the turbulance of emotions aimed towards him: shock, earnestness, relief and... gratefulness?
Hearing a gasp from behind, indicating Obi-Wan must have sensed the darkness as well, Qui-Gon glanced at his student, sending a look to tell him not to do anything. Obi-Wan slowly nodded obediently, to Qui-Gon's belief. Whatever was happening, the baffled Jedi Master needed answers.
Looking back to his former master, Qui-Gon slowly approached, as Dooku was doing so in turn, all focus from the man seemingly focused on Qui-Gon and not, thankfully, Obi-Wan. "Master?" He called out hesitantly, raising an inrigued, yet humoured brow as the old man stilled for a moment. He looked... conflicted, as though whether apporaching his former student was the best idea or not. Qui-Gon wasn't entirely certain what he was doing either. The Dark Side was palpable in his old mentor, and yet the Force pushed him to walk closer.
So Qui-Gon obliged. Cautiously, however.
Eventually, they were about two feet away from one another, blue inquisitive eyes meeting brown hesitant ones. What had happened to Dooku to cause such uncharacteristic behaviour, and why was the Dark Side flowing within him?
"Master?" He tried again, testing the waters. That seemed to cause another reaction, as the aged Jedi Master walked closer, Qui-Gon being calmed by the Force as two strong hands gripped his shoulders, Dooku behaving in the most unrealistic manner Qui-Gon had ever seen him in his entire life.
"Qui-Gon." Was the quiet name that exited the aged Jedi's mouth, and everything he knew about his former Master was thrown into question by the following gesture.
There were many things that seemed wrong these past few days. The discovery of the boy, the appearance of a Sith warrior, his master's belief over the child being the Chosen One of legend.
But this. This just put the cherry on the top.
He had never met Master Dooku. Obi-Wan only knew what he'd heard about him from his teacher and other Jedi. The man was a firm, composed and strict Jedi Master who involved himself in politics. An outspoken critic who firmly believed the Republic was slowly decaying unless change was done to it. According to others, Dooku also thought the system of the Jedi Order was just as corrupt as the Senate, convinced that the rules must evolve further in order for their survival, and stability of the Republic they fought for.
Everything that Obi-Wan heard about the man, was that Dooku was a political idealist who wasn't afraid to speak out against anyone to address his concerns, even Master Yoda. The fact that such a criticizing Master who was also considered on of the greatest swordsman to be produced from the Order, was the one who trained Master Qui-Gon came as a surprise to Obi-Wan.
But not anymore suprising than what was happening before his very eyes.
Everything he's heard about the man who trained his master was immediately disregarded by the fact Dooku was embracing Qui-Gon. To be fair, the older man looked as though he had no idea what he was doing; Jedi rarely hugged one another, Qui-Gon ocassionally being an exception to that, often embracing the embarrassed Obi-Wan from time to time. But this action by the older Jedi Master seemed to diminish every rumor the puzzled and wary Padawan had heard about the aged political Jedi.
That and the clear darkness radiating from the man.
Obi-Wan was tempted to draw his lightsaber and defend Qui-Gon from the man. But his master sent him a message through their bond, as though sensing his intentions: Let me handle this, Obi-Wan.
But Master, he's-!
Trust me.
A soothing gesture came from the bond, prompting Obi-Wan to, reluctantly, stand down. Whatever was going on, it was clear this was between his master and his master's master.
Finally, after Qui-Gon slowly returned the hug, to Obi-Wna's astonishment, the rather stiff awkward embrace ended, Dooku obviously composing himself. That brought some relief to Obi-Wan; but the darkness coming from the older Jedi continued to unnerve him.
Just what was happening?
"It is good to see you again, my son." Well, the warmness in the tone was a direct contrast to the clear darkness-
Wait... what did he just call Qui-Gon?
There was surprise from across the bond, as even his master didn't expect that. "The feeling is mutual... Master." Dooku didn't even seemed fazed by the hesitant response, in fact just talking with his old pupil seemed to make him... happy. "Though you must forgive my surprise. I didn't expect to see you after all these years."
Dooku nodded, seemingly in understanding. Obi-Wan wondered why his master wasn't inquiring about the palpable Dark Side surrounding the old Jedi. Was he stalling for time, waiting for the Council to sense the darkness also and join them below? It seemed to be working thus far.
Yet throught heir bond, Obi-Wan couldn't sense any such intent... something was clearly wrong here.
"Indeed." The older Jedi Master replied in that warm tone. "And hopefully that won't be the case this time." Obi-Wan raised a brow. 'This time'? He could sense the shared confusion from Qui-Gon. Yet before he could ask, a comlink seemed to beep from Dooku's robe, who, upon looking down, seemed quite surprised by the garments we wore.
What, was he expecting to wear something more suited for politicians?
Quickly recovering, the aged Jedi Master pulled out a comlink, staring at the device with a frown for a moment, as though remembering its importance. A dark expression passed his features, immediately inciting Obi-Wan's hand to clutch his cloaked weapon, in case the man tried anything, such as attack his master.
"Palpatine." Just saying the Senator's name seemed to inflict anger on the old man's features, the name carried out as a growl. Obi-Wan, hand cautiously hovering about his saber, raised a brow at the clear disdain, the dark side swirling around the angered Jedi.
Could he even be called a Jedi any longer?
"It seems we will have to talk another time." Dooku said flippantly, reluctantly, turning around before pausing, looking back at his old pupil. "I wise to converse with you as soon as you are able, my former apprentice."
"I share that sentiment." Qui-Gon replied slowly, clearly as baffled as Obi-Wan. "But Master Dooku-"
Dooku cut him off, sounding more composed and regal as was rumoured about him. "We will speak again shortly, Qui-Gon. We have much to discuss."
I bet you do, The young Padawan thought, as they observed the aged Jedi's abrupt departure. But quickly realizing the risk, Obi-Wan rushed towards his master, speaking urgently, "Master, what are you doing? You sensed the Dark Side in him. He can't be allowed to wander free-"
"Let him go, Padawan. He's of no threat to us." 'No threat'?! Obi-Wan felt his jaw drop, staring in ridicule at his serious - yet clearly instable - teacher. "The Force assures me he means no harm. The darkness my former Master holds... seems not to be directed at us."
"But he-"
"We must be cautious, however, Obi-Wan. Though," Qui-Gon continued, staring after the empty hallway thoughtfully, "I am curious as to what that was all about."
No kidding! But still, Obi-Wan was more certain than ever now, that this supposed Chosen One has clouded his Master's judgement more than he thought.
And within the Council Chambers above, the wise Master of the Grand Jedi Order snapped their contemplative eyes open, widened in shock as they exchanged uncertain glances. The clear presence of the Dark Side was directly below their feet, in their own sacred Temple! Their home!
Panicked and wary stares then shifted to a humming Master Yoda, who opened his own eyelids the last. "Yes, the Dark Side that is. Long has it been, since sensed it, I have." The aged Grand Master mused thoughtfully, keeping focus on the symbol on the floor of the room.
And yet, the Force wisphered ot him, suggesting they take no action to this new possible threat, Without openly expressing it, Yoda was puzzled by the messages the Force was sending him. Do not engage the hostile force in their own temple of light and order? He expressed his mental question to the Unifying Force, which imemdiately responded in pure calmness.
Let events fold without interference. All shall be revealed when the time approaches.
Sensing the following intentions of his fellow Jedi, the wise master held up a small green hand. "No, confront this presence we will not. Commands it, the Force does."
"But it might just be this very Sith threat Qui-Gon spoke of." Mace Windu was the first to object, of course.
Yoda nodded. "Yes, but our trust, the Force wishes of. And trust it, we must." The finality of his tone was adamantly clear, the fellow member of the Council reluctantly agreeing, those that have stood up to take action slowly returning to their seats. The apprehension was clearly choking the room, and Yoda closed his eyes, concentrating, the dark presence below so close to that of Qui-Gon and Padawan Kenobi's light presences.
A frown creased the aged Jedi's features. This presence felt... familiar... but who-?
Puzzled and shocked eyes snapped open as the presense's identity was quickly clear to Yoda. The Force soothing him while confirming what he was was sensing wasn't a trick on his own aged mind.
"Master Yoda?" Mace asked in clear worry and agitation. "What did you sense?"
Instead of answering, the small green Jedi Master bowed his head, a wave of shame and sadness coursing over his being, despite the Force's efforts to comfort. And from the memories of the past, Yoda recalled a vow he made to his most promising disciple decades ago.
When you fall, catch you I will.