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Qui-Gon entered Master Dooku’s room without knocking, something only he was allowed to do. His Master was meditating on his bed-mat, the room smelling of burnt incense and pre-packaged meals. The room was tidy –his Master would have it no other way– but there was a growing pile of used dishes in the corner, and the hamper was nearly full. With all that had happened recently, his Master had been… stressed, to say the least, and a staple of Temple gossip. He’d likely been avoiding dining halls and washrooms.
Much had changed about the status of Qui-Gon’s master in the Order, but that didn’t mean their relationship needed to as well. He joined Dooku on the bed mat, waiting as he opened his eyes and came out of the meditation pose. “My apprentice. You’ve returned from Tatooine.”
“Yes, Master. I require your advice,” Qui-Gon said, “The boy, Anakin–”
“The Chosen One?” he said, raising an eyebrow, “While his Midichlorian levels are… impressive, prophetic assertions require strong evidence.”
“You’ve made baseless claims to the Council before.”
“And that is why I know how they respond,” he said, “About the boy–”
“ –He must be trained.”
“But the Council is reluctant, especially with how similar these circumstances are to Sifo Dyas’… mistaken younglings,” he paused, “And Kenobi is not yet ready for the Trials.”
“If he must take them early to ensure Anakin’s entry into the Temple, I will recommend it to the Council. Regardless of whether he is the Chosen One, he’s far too powerful, vulnerable, for us to ignore him.”
Dooku stood up sharply, having made a decision. “Do not recommend Kenobi for the Trials, that poor boy has been through enough already. Perhaps I can train Anakin, if only until you become available.”
“You believe the Council would let you?”
“My brief involvement with Darth Sidious should not preclude me, especially since I’m now helping the Council depose him,” he said. “If nothing else, Master Yaddle would support me.”
Recently, Master Dooku had revealed to the Council that a Sith Senator had courted him as an apprentice, promising him the power to right the ills of the galaxy. Dooku had come to his senses and revealed everything to the Council. Their response to the threat was still in the planning phase, but with the emergence of a new Sith on Tatooine, the situation had become more urgent.
“You’ve been very busy lately, and taking an apprentice is a great responsibility,” Qui-Gon said, “Thank you for offering.”
“Think nothing of it. We all have a duty towards the next generation. In the meantime, I must speak with the Council regarding your new Sith.”
“Of course, Master. May the Force be with you.”
“And you as well, Qui-Gon.”
The Council convened at sunset, and Dooku joined them for a discussion on recent events, mainly how the second Sith was related to the one Dooku had encountered. He was sure they were different individuals. Qui-Gon had reported a Dathomiri, while Darth Sidious was human. Which was the Master, and which was the apprentice? Darth Sidious had sought Dooku as an apprentice, and Sith only had one apprentice at a time, so some believed Qui-Gon’s attacker was the master, and Darth Sidious the apprentice. But the ages didn’t line up.
“Did Darth Sidious ever mention any other active Sith to you?” Master Gallia asked.
Dooku said, “No. I doubt there are more we’re unaware of, as this completes the traditional pairing. But two Sith is a very alarming prospect.”
“They were not extinct, as we had been led to believe,” Master Plo agreed, nodding gravely. If there was a Master and an Apprentice, then the Master, whichever one he was, had had a Master himself, and back and back and back.
“The Shadows have been mobilized to find information on their identities,” Master Yaddle said, “Knight Vos will extend his stay on Tatooine, and gather evidence there. One of us should bring our concerns to Chancellor Valorum. A Sith in the Senate is a very alarming prospect indeed. I believe you should contact him directly, Master Dooku.”
“On the contrary, Darth Sidious may attempt to silence me if I appear outside Temple grounds.”
“A good point. Yoda, Mace, Adi and I will contact Valorum, and you will remain anonymous,” Master Fisto said.
Dooku lowered his head in acquiescence. “I will provide the needed testimony.”
A silence came upon the room as the matter was resolved. Dooku looked around, waiting to see if anyone else had pertinent matters to speak on.
“More to say, have you?” Master Yoda asked, sensing his trepidation.
“If I may, Masters. My former apprentice has brought a Force Sensitive boy from Tatooine. I understand that you’re reluctant to initiate him. But it needn’t be Qui-Gon who trains him, and prophecies can be disregarded, and many Jedi, including some who sit on this Council, were taken in as older children. The Sith are once again moving against us. We cannot risk them using the boy as a pawn.”
“A proposal you have, for Skywalker’s future?”
He nodded. “I will teach him the ways of the Force, as I did with Qui-Gon.”
A ripple went through the Council as they considered his words. Master Mundi spoke first, “Quite a bold move for one so recently tempted by the Dark Side. Can you be trusted with a young mind?”
“Perhaps we should not view Dooku’s entanglement with the Sith in terms of the temptations he was offered, but through the fact that he rejected the Dark Side, reaffirming his Jedi values,” Master Billaba said.
“Are you aware the boy was a slave?” Master Rancissis asked, “He’ll be quite challenging to teach. A steady hand is needed.”
“As is an understanding that what he’s been through is wrong, and the Jedi have the power to do more,” Dooku said.
“I agree. When slavery is involved, we should not be stubborn about our initiation practices,” Master Yaddle said.
Master Windu considered for a moment, then said, “The choice is ultimately Anakin’s. Introduce yourself, and make your intentions known, then we can move forward.”
Dooku bowed. “Thank you, Masters.”
When the morning came, Anakin was once again brought to the Temple by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. But instead of going to the Council chambers, they brought him to one of the long hallways. Qui-Gon disappeared, saying he needed to retrieve someone, so Obi-Wan and Anakin sat down on a bench and waited for him to return. He passed the time by staring out one of the big windows, watching ships passing on the horizon. He had never seen so many in one place before.
Qui-Gon returned with another Jedi. This one was an older, very tall human with graying hair and dark robes. He wore a long cape with silver clips holding it in place. He didn’t look like anyone who lived on Tatooine; only Sandpeople wore clothes that dark, and no one that old would be that pale. His lightsaber was clipped to his belt, though unlike Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan’s, it was curved.
“This is Master Dooku,” Qui-Gon said, “He’s the Jedi who trained me when I was just around your age.”
“Welcome to the Jedi Temple, young Skywalker,” Dooku said in a deep voice, bowing low, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” Anakin said, “Why’s your lightsaber look like that?”
Dooku cocked his head curiously, and took out his lightsaber, flourishing it but not activating it. “The curved hilt allows a more stable grip, and therefore, more control.”
“Wow! Did you make it yourself?”
“All Jedi do.”
They talked for a little while after that, Dooku struggling to keep up with Anakin’s questions. It seemed the Jedi had a lightsaber expert that Anakin would meet one day, but Qui-Gon and Dooku wouldn’t say more, as it was meant to be a surprise.
After a bit more time discussing Coruscant and what Padmé was up to, Qui-Gon suddenly turned to Anakin, a worried look on his face. He gestured for Anakin to come close to him.
“Anakin, there’s something very important we must talk about. The reason I wanted you to meet my Master is because we have a problem. A Jedi can only have one apprentice at a time, and I already have Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said, “Master Dooku came to see us today because he wishes to become your Master.”
“You said you’d train me,” Anakin said.
“The constraints of the Temple make that impossible.”
At that, Anakin choked down a wave of disappointment as he realized that Qui-Gon had to’ve known back on Tatooine, even when he told him he’d be trained. He’d been lied to. But he seemed sad about it, like maybe he’d tried to figure out a solution, and it’d failed.
Dooku sighed. “Anakin, I understand your disappointment. Qui-Gon would make a fine Master. Perhaps if Obi-Wan finishes his training quickly, he’ll be able to take you as an apprentice as he said he would. But I promise, if you were to become my apprentice, you would still see and learn from Qui-Gon as much as possible.”
Obi-Wan was watching from a little farther down the hall, face shadowed by the Temple’s pillars. He didn’t look happy with the conversation. This affected him too, didn’t it? Qui-Gon had offered to take him, but that would mean losing his Master! He seemed alright with it, but not happy. Anakin didn’t want to hurt him like that, pull him from his Master, especially when he didn’t need to. This Dooku guy, he’d trained Qui-Gon, so if Qui-Gon trusted him, he was trustworthy. And he’d promised to let Qui-Gon help with his training, and being his apprentice meant Obi-Wan stayed with Qui-Gon. And, truth be told, Anakin really wanted to know how his curved lightsaber worked.
“Alright, Master Dooku,” he said after a long pause, “I’ll be your apprentice.”
Master Dooku smiled. “Thank you, Anakin. I promise to be a Master on the same level as Qui-Gon.”
Qui-Gon sighed happily. “Obi-Wan will be very happy about this. You’ve done him a great favor.”
“Will I still get to help Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with Naboo?”
“I believe that’s for the Council to decide. However, certain proceedings may allow me to sneak along with them,” Master Dooku said.
“Yippee!”
Qui-Gon smiled, and Dooku laughed a little.
Soon after that, they returned to Naboo with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, Queen Amidala having pulled some strings to let Dooku (and Anakin) come along. By accident, Anakin assisted in the destruction of the Trade Federation ship. Qui-Gon, Dooku, and Obi-Wan engaged the Sith in battle and killed him, though Qui-Gon was injured in the struggle. Naboo was freed. This trade dispute had been resolved. A new peace had been forged between the Gungans and the people of Naboo. All was well.
A celebration was thrown in the Capital city soon after their success. Qui-Gon couldn’t come, since he was recovering from his injuries. Master Dooku, Anakin, and Obi-Wan met with the guests from Coruscant as they arrived, greeting them and accepting the great praise for their actions. Many wished Anakin well in his teachings.
But as the newly-instated Chancellor Palpatine approached, Master Dooku placed a firm, protective hand on Anakin’s shoulder and pulled him close.
“And you, young Skywalker. We’ll watch your career with great interest,” Palpatine said, smiling.
He moved on, and Master Dooku watched him wade through the crowds, eyes narrowed. “This is a very difficult time for an apprentice such as yourself. Best not to throw politics into the mix. Palpatine may watch… from a great distance away.”
For the rest of the celebrations, Anakin never left Master Dooku’s sight, and it seemed that with him around, Chancellor Palpatine lost interest and did not approach him again.