Chapter 43

"That was an interesting battle for sure," Qui-Gon speaks, his face wrinkling that amuses Dooku to no end.

In all honesty, Dooku wonders how Skywalker would have turned out under the lineage of his former Padawan. While their relationship is still strained, they still are plenty of respect between them. And Dooku knows that he won't be able to live with himself if Qui-Gon Jinn is killed. The man still protected his Apprentice, and while many of the Sith like Ky Narec has changed, Dooku hardly was impacted by allowing the dark side to flood him.

"I am worried about Kenobi. While Skywalker is stubborn and headstrong, your Padawan is darker than expected. Perhaps I should have a word with him." Dooku needs to take a more approaching manner concerning the boy or else Kenobi may fall to the dark side and become an untamed animal. He didn't want his lineage to end in a disaster.

Qui-Gon sits, grunting only slightly, as he allows his amusement to make itself known, placing his hand on his beard. "I'm trying to help him, but I'm fearing that he is becoming someone who seclude himself."

"Padawan, I mean little offense to your efforts, but your endeavors are a failure because you are afraid. He can feel it and doesn't want to make you ashamed of him," Dooku says in a gentle voice.

Jinn stares away for a long moment. "Not all of it, I know I made some impacts, but witnessing him just drawing onto the dark side and taunting others for their failures... It's difficult to see. Interacting with him for more than a few minutes can be... rough with his attitude due to the scars."

Dooku sighs. "Do not forget that Kenobi and Skywalker's bond is still strong, arguably more than the bond between the two of you. I don't think he would ever allow anything happen to Skywalker. I can sense Skywalker's attachment with Obi-Wan as well, and I cannot perceive anything else aside from those two. They are each other's anchors, binding one another together, and I feel as if the Force has plans to connect them together."

Qui-Gon sighs, though he still has his doubts unlike his Master. "Yes, Master."

"You have concerns for Obi-Wan, and truthfully I share them." Qui-Gon blinks several times and stares over to see Vader giving a stare at him as he walks into the room, it is strange to sense the concern for Obi-Wan when he sometimes seems immovable. Seconds later, Vader is sitting next to them, while a Droid goes to fest another cup of tea and passes it over towards him.

"Pardon?" Dooku queries.

"I am someone who has feelings, and while you both may doubt it, I do care for Obi-Wan's mental status just like everyone in the crew. It has not escape me that he has become unnaturally dark and it is my doing. I have not anticipated this." Vader pauses for a moment and closes his eyes. "I merely wished to show him a different output but Windu injuring Obi-Wan like he did put that plan on pause."

Dooku eyes Vader, having never imagined someone with as much power as his own would have been able to show such emotions. "Windu was always an arrogant company to be around but I can't believe he would attack you all like that."

Qui-Gon admits. "Master, I have to confess that even I want revenge against Windu for what he has done, and I'm scared about what to do with these feelings."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, my apprentice," Dooku replies, frowning subtly, giving Vader a considering look, "You are of course just feeling normal emotions I would feel if I was in your position. Do not believe feeling such things are wrong."

Dooku shakes his head before placing his hand on his beard, just as Qui-Gon's lips twitch in amusement. "Still giving me lectures."

Jinn says nothing else aside from that, beginning to think more and more. Everyone has their own inner demons, him, Dooku, Obi-Wan, and even Yoda. He cherished his Master, but he isn't blind to the man's faults any more than he is to failures of his own. One wouldn't normally believe that such an accomplished Jedi Master would have fallen to the dark side but look at him now. Yes, he is like the Master who Qui-Gon remembers but is also extremely different. Anyone could fall. Anyone could be changed and become so dark and twisted; the dark side is a benefactor to that.

The fact that Dooku is still passing off advice, even now that he is a Sith Lord, shows that he is still very compassionate and has morals. He obviously does care about Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and doesn't want any of them to become a monster. He still is drawn to the dark side, but the point is he is still trying to help not only them but the galaxy, in his own dark manner. That shouldn't be taken for granted.

"I believe that Obi-Wan being allowed to bond with Dooku might work," Vader offers, drinking yet another slip of coffee. "While he undoubtedly does need your involvement, Qui-Gon, Dooku is someone who is attuned to the dark side just like Kenobi is struggling. Perhaps allow him to give him some training."

"How so?" Jinn inquires. "Obi-Wan might feel just as quickly uncomfortable around Dooku. He never met him and only know about him in passing. I have only told him about my Master and vice versa."

Dooku smirks. "Much appreciated that you pass off my training to your Padawan, Qui-Gon." He then takes a more serious approach, his face morphing into a frown. "I fear that Vader may be correct, but there are hopes."

Qui-Gon closes his eyes and takes a single breath softly. "I do as the Force wills, Master. I acknowledge I can't help him with everything but I don't want to put him in a position that he shouldn't be in."

Dooku arches an eyebrow before shaking his head. "You've been making such excuses for so many years now, Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Not like I have always used it as an excuse." Qui-Gon says, his voice suggesting nothing but nostalgia, remembering the old times in the Jedi Temple with all of Dooku's lectures and such.

Dooku grins. "Impregnating a female companion of yours and allowing yourself engage into sexual intercourse was the will of the Force too?" Jinn stammers for a response. "No, never mind, I don't wish to ponder the answer."

Jinn replies. "That's never an excuse for something wrong or cold. It shames me that seems to be an explanation for everything, but I will always try to do as the Force wills me. The Force willed me to work alongside Vader and help him rebuild the new Order." He rubs his face tiredly, "I would probably have truly fallen had it not been for Vader. He managed to save me and Obi-Wan somehow, but I still don't know how."

Vader takes that as a moment to speak fairly quickly which makes Dooku suspicious. "As stated before, I assisted Obi-Wan in the time of conflict and motivated him to use the dark side to keep you shielded, but your fellow Jedi believed falsely that I have corrupted him and obviously wanted to bring him in front of a court for a trial, and the rest is history."

"You believe that, truly, they wanted to hurt him? Perhaps they wanted to help him." Dooku says. It isn't because he is a former Jedi, but the fact that the Order he believed would give up on someone who has been a diehard loyalist for their Order is something that he cannot ever think of.

"Master," Qui-Gon replies flatly, "you don't understand how conflicted Obi-Wan was on Naboo. I don't believe they would have executed him but they would have arrested. I was not going to take that risk. Looking back, I probably should have handled that situation better, but me allowing them to take him would only cause me to shame myself for years."

Vader responds. "Let that be a lesson on keeping your friends close but enemies closer."

"You always have to pass off a bit of advice just like my Master, do you? I have never interpreted you as my enemy." Qui-Gon replies.

"Keep your friends close so if you need help or support they are always near but your enemies closer because it is the best position to keep them under control. If your enemies are planning and you keep them close, you have a higher chance of getting wind of their plan and defend yourself against it. It also helps to expose some of their personalities and habits and perhaps thumbscrews which can be used to your advantage." Vader responds. "Besides, had you not kept me closer, I highly doubt that you would haven't got all touchy with Shmi Skywalker."

That causes a laugh from the room, easing out of the tense subject of Skywalker, Kenobi, and the Jedi. Dooku still couldn't shrug off the concern he has for his grand apprentice. Anakin Skywalker obviously is going about the same conflict, but he is hardly concerned with Young Skywalker. He can sense the devotion the man has to Vader even when angry, and he believes the older man understands his protege enough to keep him under control.

He scowls as his thoughts turned, as they always had as of late, to Kenobi. He wonders if the concept of lineage even still sustains meaning to him. Did it matter if it did? He was no longer going to ever be worthy of the title of the Jedi, and him being a Sith is honestly not an entertaining thought.

He blinks when he feels a shifting from the Force about that thought, a whisper of encouragement, a name in its currents he just couldn't quite grasp at. His face schools to disorientation, feeling something pushing him somewhere else. The future was always in motion, he'd seen enough of dreams or visions for his lifetime, but he can see two futures. He can see Obi-Wan Kenobi snapping and at last unleashing his might onto the galaxy like the Sith Lords of the past have. He can also see Anakin Skywalker standing alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi, both in a place of power and corruption, never to be stopped.

He stares down with weariness.

"Care to share what's on your thoughts, my Master?" Qui-Gon inquires.

The thought of Obi-Wan becoming worse than a Sith along with Skywalker is something that he didn't want to concern his student right now. "It's nothing..."

Jinn screws his eyes, a knowing expression on his face...

Before he can pester, the area shrouds with the dark side of the Force, as Plagueis walks inside of the room and merely eyes Dooku and Vader before staring at Jinn. "Darth Plagueis."

"Qui-Gon Jinn," the Muun replies, giving a small but amused smirk, "it is certainly interesting to have a Jedi and a being strong with the light side among our ranks without causing a conflict. Students are quite angsty to not lash out at the lone light sider among our Temple."

"Yes, the Sith here has been very welcoming," Qui-Gon responds, giving the Sith Lord a shit-eating grin, "neglecting the fact that their hands continue to go down to their weapons."

Plagueis sighs, sitting down on the chair, and motioning over to the droid. "I am having a casual conversation with the Jedi. Not to worry, I would tell my Apprentices to play nice so your head won't be collected as a trophy and hang in front of all the Sith here."

"I appreciate the gesture," Qui-Gon replies sarcastically.

The Droid retrieves a spare cup and pours it.

"You are different from Sith Lords I have heard of," Qui-Gon admits.

Plagueis scoffs. "We did have conversations before, Jinn. If you remember, I was a washed out banking clan member under the pose of Hego Damask."

Jinn smirks. "Thankfully for me, I'll have Vader around to protect me."

"Hmph," the Muun replies, consuming another sip before sighing again, "not every Sith are eager to rush into combat with the Jedi, you know. Tell me, what's so precious about the code?"

Jinn swallows hoarsely. "How unnaturally uncharacteristic. Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. That is the shadow of greed."

Plagueis scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Attachment is greedy? But were you not the one who left the Jedi Order for your Padawan? Were the Jedi not greedy in trying to force their views on all others. Sorry to burst your bubble, Jedi, but your Order contradicts itself. Interesting choice of words. You... want people to be happy when someone they care for dies?"

Qui-Gon gives Plagueis a cold look. "A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. If we ache from death, our dedication would weaken; fill us with mourning and chills, weakening our connection to the Force. A life that passes on prevents further suffering. We rejoice that their deeds are done, that they are able to rest in the arm of the Force. We are luminous beings, not this crude matter."

Disappointment seems to cross the Muun's face. "Tell that to the children who lose their parents at a young age, resulting in a trauma of some sort. Tell that to people who lose their loved ones. The Jedi lost their way for a long time."

"The Sith are not much better. Your type would rather rule with a tyrannical institution." Qui-Gon replies coldly.

Vader is finding himself having enough of having this pointless conversation. While both the Jedi and Sith are flawed and their overbearing beliefs on their sides are enough of a discussion that can be discussed all day, he didn't see it moot to talk about it currently when obviously Jinn is a Jedi to the core like Plagueis is a Sith to his. Changing their minds is not unlikely because Jinn had never given in to his violent urges and lashed out while Plagueis never showed any symbol of sympathy since the very day he met him.

"Tell me, what do you think of Skywalker's training session, Darth Plagueis?" Luckily, Dooku takes the hint and chooses to change the topic as it has been undoubtedly grating on his nerves as well.

"He's an amazing fighter but still have much to learn. His arrogance is something that honestly reminds me of Sidious. I do believe he gave all his hardest into it. He was allowing his power to cloud his vision and that is an unfortunate set-back." Plagueis's eyes become curious. "Luckily, Skywalker was raised outside of the Jedi Order. That potential that Vader is unleashing within him is going to perhaps be accomplished sooner rather than later given he is growing powerful every passing moment."

He sighs, choosing to take the topic. "I am just wondering what would you choose, Vader? In the war where the Jedi and Sith finally got against one another, surrounded by the Republic and Separatists, who would you choose?"

Vader scoffs. "I am loyal to no one. Being loyal to one side is too crippling but I have plans for both. Now that I have control over the Dark Lord of the Sith, perhaps I should try to gain control of Master Yoda."

"You are going to try to corrupt the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order?" Jinn looks at him as if he is a sea fish back on Naboo.

Vader replies, a smirk curved across his bearded lips. "No, but to at last spare this galaxy from any further suffering. Again, I cannot control everything. Manipulation only goes so far."

Qui-Gon can't tell if Vader is going to use the Jedi and Sith to his own means or is just buffing, trying to drive both Orders to destroy themselves. Then again, being around him as much as he did, the former is more likely.

Dooku scoffs. "You are not going to be able to hold the Jedi and Sith in a thin chain forever. Eventually, one of them would turn against you. Power has its limitations even for the likes of you, Vader. The Republic is too decay to be allowed any sort of change. I wonder when the time comes, is Skywalker going to be the one who leads the assault against the Jedi?"

"A very skilled Djem So practitioner would best and overwhelm the Jedi's defenses," Vader replies, still not telling him what he is going to do, "As would a more skilled user of Djem So such as myself, I can confirm that forms such as Juyo Users cannot defeat all. Of course, a more skilled and powerful master of the Force could defeat Skywalker when he reaches his full potential."

Vader gives a noise that sounds like a sigh. "But to the question if I'm going to use Skywalker against the Jedi, I admit I do not know. Skywalker can easily stand against the Jedi, but I don't want to cause him to commit genocide. I have committed several already, and it does things to a person."

"You aren't going to unleash your power?" Plagueis asks, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Power without attachments leave you broken," Vader replies with either disgust or disapproval. "I do not wish to unleash my power against children, Plagueis. I already have blood of innocent on my hands. I do not intend to make Skywalker as broken as me."

One can swear there is a note of distaste in his tone.

Dooku frowns. "So, you are suggesting that you are doing it for Skywalker's sake more than anything."

"Correct," Vader responds. "I'm not going to have Skywalker be labeled as a murderer and have to live with those choices for the rest of his life."

Dooku sneers. "I would do my best to never oversee or participate in murder, but if it has to be done..."

Jinn gives him a horrified stare. "You are willing to do it for what you would prefer to as the greater good?!"

Dooku's face turns solemn. "Sometimes, things have to be done for the greater good, Qui-Gon. If I see people in conflict, I would wish to be able to save them, but if I have to focus on a mission, I rather sacrifice a small number of children instead of risking - per say - a whole population of people."

Jinn sneers. "There's always a better way, my Master. What you are recommending is to sacrifice the lives of others when there is an opportune chance to save the lives of all."

Dooku snaps. "I would do anything to keep others safe but allowing a big population to die is not something I would entertain."

Plagueis places a hand on Dooku's shoulder. "Please do allow your former Padawan to explain himself."

Qui-Gon shakes his head as he speaks. "Placing yourself in danger is natural for the Jedi. Law, duty, compassion, logic, trust, and ability to let go benefits a Jedi and their mission. If you have to die just so others can be happy, then you have to do it. Allowing others to die when you could have kept them safe makes you just as guilty as their murderers."

"So, you would allow me to die or Madam Skywalker to die if we just so happen to be with you?" Dooku doesn't want to start a verbal argument with his former Padawan but he is still holding onto those past codes too much for his liking.

"Of course not, but if to save other lives..." Truth be told Qui-Gon Jinn doesn't know what he would do. He might be blinded by emotions toward his old Master and Shmi to save them in times of conflict. "I do not wish to be forced into such a position where I have to choose innocent people and people I care about, but I have to put others before myself and my own personal obligations."

Plagueis giggles like a child. "Oh, Jinn, why can't you just admit that you would choose the ones you are attached to over anybody? They are not that hard."

"Speaking of which, do you have any plans what are you going to do with the child?" Plagueis asks.

Jinn is shocked. "Ho-how?"

Plagueis scoffs. "Jinn, the link between you and Shmi Skywalker is painfully obvious. For me not to know, I would be a fool. So, what are you going to do? Turn it into a Jedi? Maybe give it over to me."

Now it is Jinn's turn to huff. "You must be joking because you would not be corrupting my child. This child would be given a choice."

Dooku pinches the edge of his nose and sighs. "For kriff sake, you two aren't even married, but you had to engage one another in wedlock when you don't even have a plan."

Qui-Gon's expression becomes sharp. "And where did I learn to become a Maverick at, my old Master?"

"I, for one, wouldn't have engaged in such things at that age without at least having a stable living condition," Dooku replies coldly. "Now he or she is going to be raised on a ship. I should have had "the talk" with you when you were a teenager."

Dooku has to admit feeling a slight twinge of amusement before rising to his full feet and beginning to walk out. "While you nice gentlemen entertain yourselves here, I would go speak to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hopefully he would actually listen."

Obi-Wan Kenobi could not take it anymore. He isn't going to be limited to this respirator for the rest of his days. No matter what that kriffing Polis Massans said, he would find a way to heal himself, and after stealing away technology from the Sith, the former Jedi is ready to finally allow himself to be opened up to vulnerability.

He remembers when Vader offered him a chance to rebuild his lungs but he had turned him away as he did with Anakin and even Qui-Gon.

'Obi-Wan, please I'm asking for you to please get replacement lungs. Wearing that mask for the rest of your days is something that-'

Obi-Wan rolls his eyes. 'I am use to this suit. I am not going to limit myself to you, Vader. You are after all the person who corrupted me to the bone and forced me to become this in the first place. I don't need you. And suffice to say, the galaxy doesn't either.'

Obi-Wan is quite certain there is remorse within Vader but he sighs and starts walking away. 'I am sorry. Perhaps you are right. I would not press the issue no further.'

That has been the first time Vader has ever apologized without some sort of taunt in it. Even in his training session with Anakin Skywalker, Vader's apologies were always some sort of taunt and mockery, healthily grating on Anakin's emotions, and allowing him to vent as well as learn.

Suffice to say, it suits the boy best and allowed him to open up more to his emotions ever since, but that has been the first time since Vader is never genuine. Perhaps, Obi-Wan should consider himself lucky that he was able to speak with Vader in such a manner without some sort of threat, not that Vader's kills have ever been without justification.

"Master Kenobi, are you ready to proceed with the procedure?" The Droid asks.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replies curtly.

"Are you aware that it could kill you?"

Obi-Wan grit his teeth. It is a sacrifice he is willing to take. He would never accomplish his full potential, but living his life functionally on surgical lungs is preferable to living his life with a respirator. Skywalker and Vader even offered to help him, but he doesn't want to put the one involved in his personal problems and the other he doesn't trust.

"Yes."

Whatever happens afterward is blurry to him, but when he wakes up, he feels pain but also feels as if a weight has been removed from his shoulders. The pain is worth it.

"Master Kenobi, are you alright?"

Kenobi breathes. "How long has it been?"

"Several hours. You have lost consciousness for a while and we'd thought you were dead, but you made a full recovery. Now we have to wait."

Obi-Wan glares at the bacta tank, challenging that thing that he has been using for survival whenever he slept, as he sits there and meditates, waiting. Time goes by fast.

Indeed, ten hours pass, and he feels happy for the first time in months that he can sleep properly, even if he would always has a cybernetic arm. He has grown quite used to prosthetics. In some way, Obi-Wan is grateful this happened or else his eyes wouldn't have been awakened to the Jedi. He managed to heal his chest enough to breathe...

Properly.

"You healed me," Kenobi says, the emotion within something that he hasn't felt for a long time. "Thanks." Obi-Wan feels tears going down his eyes even though the movement of any sort immediately throbs within his body.

"I am programmed to heal the injured, Master Kenobi."

Kenobi calls over the cursed mask he's been wearing for a long time and stares down at it as if it is the most hated thing in the galaxy. He ignites his crossguard lightsaber before slicing upwards, destroying the mask, deactivating his weapon, and placing it on his belt.

He doesn't need Vader nor his own Master to help him.

His face feels empty as if longing for that kriffing damn mask, but it would never be on him again. At least he knows to be less arrogant now and to not distract himself with any threat until they are done and down. The Jedi had betrayed him, even when he still protected them, despite not being among their Order.

He feels weary once more, black bags appearing underneath his eyes. "W-what's going on?"

The Droid looks up from his duties. "You are encountering a normal effect that is present in people who underwent a surgery. Suspect being under the wind for a while."

Obi-Wan nods and allows himself to be succumbed to sleep comforting embrace. When he slept, as he has done for months, the least Obi-Wan Kenobi ever expected is to awake to an elderly face.

"Hello, Obi-Wan Kenobi, my name is Dooku. I see that you are not as light as Qui-Gon described."

"Yes, Windu did this to me," Obi-Wan says sharply, his voice sounding poisoned as he sits up, allowing Dooku to sit down. "My Master continues to worry about me on a daily basis just because I'm angry with Dooku. It is overbearing and I take it that you are here because of him."

Dooku places a hand on his shoulder. "Emotions are hard to come by, Obi-Wan. You are right to be angry. Anger is natural as long as you don't allow it to consume you. Otherwise, you would become a monster who is fueled by nothing but desire for revenge. I know that these lectures won't be able to convince some part of you to not crave revenge, but if you engage into a second battle with Windu, you mustn't prolong his suffering or else you won't be no better than him."

Obi-Wan sneers. He isn't angry with the old man, but he hates that man to no end. "I don't know how I would react if I met Windu in battle. Part of me just wants to run him through, Master Dooku, but me getting my revenge is something that could help me."

"Revenge?" Dooku asks, his dissatisfaction palpable. "Obi-Wan, you are proving yourself who just can't accept what's done is done. I know it hurts, but the daily obsession of death is unhealthy. It doesn't serve any purpose aside from making you a bitter old man, feeding only onto that anger."

Something explodes from within Kenobi as he flips around and glares at him. "You don't understand bantha shit! How would you know?!"

Dooku keeps his jaw checked into place before speaking, quite tempted to force him over his knees. "I know more than you understand. When my sister begged the Jedi and the Republic for assistance, they refused, and she was killed because of their lack for foresight. I wanted nothing more but to get vengeance and seek galactic justice against all of those fools, but when I got it, I was left unsatisfied."

Kenobi's face is left with remorse. "I'm so sorry, Master, I didn't mean-"

Dooku walks forward and places a hand on his shoulder. "You remind me of Qui-Gon in his younger days. He was often very impatient, quick to rush to anger, and often viewed things in a darker light. You are like him in many ways, you know, many tales I wish to tell you. Had I been able to meet you when you were a Jedi, I would have been able to pass off training of my own and perhaps prevent you from becoming like this. Tell me, what troubles you? It's something more."

"I have been seeing visions," Obi-Wan admits, his voice coming out softly.

"I see, have you told your Master about this?" Dooku replies.

Obi-Wan shakes his head. "No, it is a sign of weakness to show him about my insecurities."

"It is most definitely not," Dooku responds, admonished. "Expressing yourself and unleashing your emotions are a normal thing for living people. The bigger weakness is to hide yourself from your Master."

Kenobi sighs and stares down, wishing that life could have been that simple. There are many things he truly wants to tell his Master, but he already failed him and his teachings, now that he is struggling actively with his loyalties.

Dooku refuses on the man, leaning forward to whisper conspiratorially. "Between you and I, I have turned to my Master for many things and still wish I could turn to the guidance of Master Yoda even though my last conversation with him haven't ended in good terms."

He shakes his head and sighs. "It is an unfortunate, and happens more than it should, that you are not feeling the urgency to turn to your elders. Elders are always supposed to be a mean of support and comfort for your younger people. Living several decades as long as I have let me know these things, even with me being on the opposite side of the spectrum these days."

"Is that really bad?" Obi-Wan asks, old Jedi teachings coming back. "The Masters in the Temple always use to say that with independence you would be able to grow."

"The Jedi are slavers, Obi-Wan, and they only seek to pass on knowledge so you could become another emotionless drone." And Obi-Wan didn't even argue with Dooku. "Slavery is supposed to be illegal within the Republic's law but the Jedi in itself are slavers because they teach you not to acknowledge normal feelings."

Obi-Wan's face becomes bleach, so much rage bubbling inside of him. It is saddening. Dooku has best treed carefully because he is tempted, so tempted, to lash out. "I am no slave! I broke those chains long ago!"

"That is the reason why I have joined the Sith to make change," Dooku says, a furious scowl on his face. "The last time the Republic and the Jedi undertook complete massive changes was roughly a thousand years ago after a devastating war."

Obi-Wan crosses his arms, his hand pressing over the hilt of the lightsaber. "It's stupid. Anakin suffered so much, and I see I was nothing but their ridiculous little pet, and they don't give an absolute bantha shit about anyone aside from seeking to brainwash and control them to their own use. The Hutts have been present a long time, maybe even longer than the Republic. They've owned slaves for what? Thirty-four? Thirty thousand. Thirty-five thousand years of slavery in Hutt Space. That's so long, that's so many people enslaved."

If it's one thing Dooku could respect about the Hutts, it is their capability of sustaining control despite the changing of their centuries, their forces only getting stronger and stronger every passing day. "But to the Republic, and the Jedi, if its outside their space, innocents like Skywalker are not their problem. We would be different. Better."

Obi-Wan arch one of his eyebrows. "The Jedi did defeat the Zygerrians at one point, but knowing those slaver scum, they probably risen to power once more. I am done with falling to Jedi's codes and always listening to those hypocrites. I want to make change in this blasted galaxy!" The man stares away. "According to Anakin, there were Zygerrians present at every slave auction he ever witnessed."

Dooku knows all too well about it. According to Plagueis, there were Jedi slaves who Sidious managed to purchase and played with, and it seems that Plagueis distasted the thought of slavery - that or the Sith Lord views it as underwhelming. "It is unfortunate that the Jedi and Republic doesn't try harder, Obi-Wan, and doesn't try to bring back peace in this galaxy."

Obi-Wan agrees. "I know and I wish I could just take back all those years of training. Something is still holding me back."

Dooku couldn't resist the urge to probe his shields. He can see a female blonde Jedi with a purple lightsaber. Perhaps a friend of Kenobi or something more.

"I'm finding myself question my past training," Obi-Wan says, obviously not feeling him pushing through his shields. That, or he just ignores it. More likely the latter. "The attachment rule namely?"

Dooku takes a moment to blink, not expecting the sudden change of topic. "The Jedi's?"

"Yeah," Kenobi replies. "They always say love is encouraged and attachment is dangerous but aren't they the same thing?"

Just another Jedi dogma. Dooku never understood the attachment rule to be honest. There are many problems with the Order's rule codes that go beyond words, but he isn't going to lecture his legacy for that right now. Dooku adopted a new prophecy from within himself, even though he has become a Sith, he would not be a bloodthirsty monster.

"Attachment, comfort, mutual respect, and friendship are more important than attraction, passion, or any sort of endorphin rush emotion." Dooku replies carefully, thinking over his words. "Know you can't change the past. Even if you think about it over and over again. Even if you punish yourself. Even if you refuse to accept it. It's done. The only way to relieve your pain about what happened is to give yourself relief. No one and nothing else can create peace in your head for you. Love instead of fearing. When you hold onto the past, it often has to do with fear: fear you messed up your chance at happiness, or fear you'll never know such happiness again. Focus on what you love and you'll create happiness instead of worrying about it. Make now count. Instead of thinking of what you did or didn't do, the type of person you were or weren't, do something worthwhile now. Be someone worthwhile now."

Obi-Wan looks over toward Dooku with a frown. "You wish to propose something?"

"Indeed," Dooku responds, smiling at his perception. "Obi-Wan, while I do believe Vader is helping you, you need someone whose you feel free to open up with. There are some things that you cannot even tell Vader, I sense, because you view him as a man who ripped you away from the Order. I promise that anything you disclose to me would not escape our interactions without permissions."

Obi-Wan frowns. "Promise are meant to be broken for the Sith."

"I know what it feels like keeping things private, Obi-Wan," Dooku responds, ignoring that snide comment. "Me telling your Master would cause you to go into a worse mental status. Having information about yourself told to someone else by an individual who you trust." Yet another sigh, before a slight smile. "I want to train you."

Obi-Wan is shocked, his eyes going wide. "You, of all people, are willing to teach me. Why?"

"This is one in a lifetime opportunity. I am willing to offer you a chance to receive training of my own, and the next time you meet the Jedi, you would be even more ready."

If Dooku trained Obi-Wan as a Jedi, chances are strong that Obi-Wan wouldn't have stayed in the Jedi Order. The only place of any inklings of Obi-Wan's individual is completely out of control of his emotions. If one compares him with Anakin, there were many similarities at this stage. There are a few times throughout Obi-Wan's youth where he debated whether to leave the Order, and the only reason he didn't was a mixture of Qui-Gon's patience and the affection Obi-Wan felt for his master.

With Dooku, ironically the person who trained Qui-Gon, compassion wasn't exactly important to him. Qui-Gon, despite possessing much of Dooku's morality, did not believe in Dooku's deep skepticism and distrust of others, which allowed him to work well with Obi-Wan. If Obi-Wan had been apprenticed to Dooku some time ago, then when he underwent his different existential crises Dooku would have seen it as weakness, and odds are strong that Obi-Wan would have finally walked away.

Now that Obi-Wan has broken away from his past and is a different individual now, the Count has many similarities with Kenobi. He can see the younger man becoming yet another him and he didn't want him to become as bitter, as colder, and he didn't want him to suffer self-isolation. He didn't want Kenobi's future apprentice or children to resent him and look to him like Qui-Gon did.

Obi-Wan looks to Count Dooku and gives his answer.

Siri Tachi sits down at Dex's Diner along with Adi Gallia. They haven't seen each other for quite some time but they are still very much like the Master and Apprentice that they have been a long time ago. Again, Tachi has been finding her heart twinge in pain at the thought of Obi-Wan. She misses him more than she can imagine.

"Do you have something you want to tell me, my former Apprentice?" Gallia asks, staring at Siri with wonder.

"I am thinking about Obi-Wan," Siri replies flatly, sensing the Jedi Master's displeasure about this topic.

Gallia thinks deeply before speaking her words carefully. "Siri, we have been through this. Both Kenobi and Jinn proven themselves as traitors. They have to be brought into custody to keep everyone safe. They are flight risks."

"Do you think it's that easy? While I may not know much about Qui-Gon Jinn, I did know Obi-Wan Kenobi. While he was often arrogant, he remained very loyal to the Jedi Code. Maybe that former Padawan that we all know is still in there." Siri replies, feeling something within her rising. Why is she angry with her Master?

"I know it was hard for you to take his fall given how close you were, but if you two ever enter battle with one another, you have to put the priority of the galaxy over what you two once have. That friendship is dead and everything that defined Obi-Wan Kenobi is too." Adi replies, her voice sounding sharper. "Siri, I'm afraid that your emotional attachment is beginning to make you doubt the code. Perhaps I should report this to the Council. I fear you are unable to train Ferus with a proper mind."

Siri glares at her Master. "What do you mean? You know that the Council would not take any sort of such thoughts well because of how many students are breaching the Jedi Code. We Jedi are meant to be keepers of the peace, and Obi-Wan did fulfill his duty by defeating a Sith-"

"He did it by using the dark side," Gallia responds sharply, "in itself creating a monster and another Dark Jedi. He became Vader's Apprentice - his slave. It came to my understanding that he has never understood the code and perhaps was this corrupt from the beginning."

Something cold snaps within Siri. The urge to protect Obi-Wan, the boy she grew up alongside. "Obi-Wan was never corrupt before his joining of Vader. With all due respect, my old Master, you'd barely knew him. Kenobi's loyalty to the Jedi Order even disgusted me at one point, but even now I cannot believe someone who always uphold the protocols of the Order would become such a dark individual."

"Your friendship with him blinds you," Gallia replies softly. "The attachments that you harbor to him still is powerful, and it's worrying me, my Apprentice, who would you choose if you had to choose between the Jedi and Kenobi?"

Siri doesn't respond. Fortunately, the servant Droid walks up with their trays before taking the credits offered by Gallia.

After finishing their refreshments and eating their burgers, Gallia sighs and says solemnly. "I'll have to tell the Jedi Council, Siri, the Code is not optional, and we can't risk any other fallen Jedi. You would have to answer to them."

Siri cannot believe it. How could someone she trusted to do this?! She is only expressing doubt about something that has been lingering in her mind for a long time?! How could someone who has forged a bond with her would report her behavior of doubt to the Jedi Council, knowing full well of what the consequences could be?!

"So, you are willing to betray me?" Siri's voice is dropped with no small amount of thunderous. She would have never imagined this. "After everything I have done for you, you are going to abandon me to the judgment of the Council. Qui-Gon perhaps left because the Jedi wanted to imprison him, and he is a better person than you would ever be!"

The attention of all others is on them.

Gallia's head goes low. "I'm sorry, Siri, but we can't have yet another Obi-Wan Kenobi or Qui-Gon Jinn. I have to ensure that the Jedi Council talk with you and hopefully everything would turn out okay."

Siri growls as she stands up and storms out. She knows that she is in trouble and would face the judgment of the Council, but the Jedi Knight finds herself unable to care. She'd only wanted to express herself and the doubts that she had but now she would get into trouble and possibly be sent into a meditative retreat if not to a punishment worse.

"Skywalker," a voice says from the darkness, sounding similar to Darth Plagueis, but this darkness this being is inhabiting is sucking the life out of him. It's loud. It's louder than the darkness that came from the Sith Academy, more aged than he has ever heard before. "I can see that you are wishing to learn more knowledge. Come before me. I would show you the true power that are denied to you by others."

Anakin ignites his lightsaber and flips around toward the being of the darkness, highlighting him in fragments of violet purple. "What can you give me?"

"Everything," the being replies, a crooked grin across its twisted face. "Obtain the powers of those who came before. Take your place and become the true Master of the Force. I could show you how. Your potential is wasted among others. I have lived for centuries and roamed in the shadows. No one would ever be able to challenge you."

Anakin scoffs. "I want to save this galaxy. I want to bring true peace."

"The Sith are unrepentant, remorseless. The Jedi lacks emotion, also remorseless in a different form of course. You are haunted by the past, your very existence. Sever the past or you would suffer the fate of those around my fortress. The Living Force is nourishment. The more one consumes the stronger one becomes. To take life is to cheat death."

Anakin Skywalker throws himself up, igniting his lightsaber in the silent corridors, feeling the shuddering darkness surrounding him. All that is whispered is one word...

That ancient being hunting him from his dreams. Surely, he couldn't have been real! It was over a thousand years old! He must be a fragment of his imagination, someone hunting him and trying to twist him over to the dark side completely!

"Vader."

And Anakin feels something click within his mind at that mere name.

That's when it hit him.

Events that already came to be.

Again, another surge of memory flash. A pale old man, scarred horribly and wrapped in nightmarish robes, smiling down at him in a way that is all malevolence and cunning, evil and ruthlessness. A voice, gravelly and heavy with power, reverberated in his mind.

I welcome thee to the Order of the Sith Lords, Lord…

"Vader."

And the truth hit him, crashing against Anakin Skywalker at that moment, and causing him to stagger back.

Memories of a past that had once been his life flood his mouth.

He sees himself as a boy, so familiar in all different ways.

He sees himself being trained as a Jedi by another form of Obi-Wan Kenobi, in contrast to how he is being trained by Vader.

He sees himself trying to prove himself time and time again with his father figure having limited experience and their abusive relationship.

He sees himself during the Clone Wars as a Jedi General. Fighting droids, multiple dark side users, and all the terrors he has witnessed in countless battles and engagements.

He sees himself kneeling before Darth Sidious...

He sees himself fighting his father figure with the intent to kill and the result causes him to be crippled and put in a life support suit.

He sees himself obeying all the commands from an Emperor, and carrying out countless monstrosities.

He sees himself attempting to destroy the Rebel Alliance, scattered remnants of the Jedi Order, and becoming a brute who couldn't think differently than Darth Maul.

He sees himself watching the creation of a space station. He sees its foreseeable destruction.

He sees himself cutting down that same-aged Obi-Wan.

He sees himself realizing he had a child, and it was his child who destroyed that cursed space station.

He sees himself become obsessed with finding the boy to turn him to the dark side. To one day gain galactic control and become the most powerful being in the galaxy.

He sees himself battling his son on a world among others, toying with him, and at last cuts off the boy's hand and reveals afterward that he is the boy's father. The boy is unable to accept that it was true.

He sees himself feeling pain from the rejection. He sees himself struggling to come to terms with the truth of his son's existence and his wife's last words before dying when bringing the child into the world.

He sees himself being tormented due to his cruel Sith Master wanting his apprentice to suffer by killing his wife's handmaidens but was unable to do so.

He sees himself having terrible intentions to overthrow his Master, the slime that manipulated him long ago. And eventually, he did, but not as the way he planned, but redeeming himself over the cries of his son, who have been so strong in the darkness.

And at that moment, he understands the truth. Vader tried to keep the truth from him.

Anakin Skywalker had become Darth Vader.

Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker.

Arthur's note: Perfect chance to establish the truth. Couldn't resist. XD

I know some dislike Anakin's portrayal, but this version of Anakin is going through his own hardships. He would be okay... eventually, but like all other characters, he would not get everything he wants in life. That's not my life so I won't write it in my story. Not everything is going to be sunflowers and rainbows, thank you very much.

May the Force be with you all always.