Chapter Text
Naboo was over. Qui-Gon stood once again in the Jedi council chamber. Obi wan stood behind him – silent, worried, and focused on his master’s presence. He recognized the posture: defiant, unyielding. Qui-Gon was clashing with the council again, but this time he fought for Anakin Skywalker future.
The topic “what do we do with the boy”? was reopened. This time, things were different.
Anakin’s action during the space battle were remarkable. Even the non-force sensitive could recognize his strength, his connection to the Force. Every council member knew it could not be ignored.
“An apprentice you already have. Two you cannot train,” Yoda reminded Qui-Gon for a second time.
Obi-Wan stiffened. While Anakin had fought and won in the stars, Obi Wan had stood behind an energy field, watching his master fight Sith alone.
Once, he had thought his master would lose. But moments later, Darth Maul had been sliced in two, falling to the abys. Qu-Gon defeated him alone.
Obi-Wan felt ashamed. He had failed. He had stood there, helpless, unable to act. His master could have died. He wasn’t ready for the trials.
And yet, he heard the bargain transforming between Qui-Gon and the council. Anakin would become an initiate. He would have a time to settle down, to learn how the Temple worked, and with luck he would make friends his age.
Qui-Gon knew the council would scrutinize him. That thought unsettled him. He knew Anakin would make mistakes – and that each mistake would be judged twice as harshly.
And then there was Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon felt the tremor in their bond. Obi-Wans guilt still clung to him – for watching from behind the energy door, for being useless when it mattered most.
But then Qu-Gon lifted his chin, shoulders squared. He would not fail. He will mentor Anakin, and when the time comes, he will become his master.
But first, he would guide Obi-Wan to his trials. He saw Obi-Wan as a Jedi the galaxy needed: strong, selfless, brave.
It will be difficult, but he believed together they can make it.
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Qui-Gon hurried through the temple corridors. For the past few months, he had been constantly on move. Because of Anakin. Anakin was the also the reason he had nearly run this time, brushing sweat from his brow as he moved.
He thought back over past few months, when Anakin had been accepted as an initiate, and the council made it clear, that he would be watched closely. And Anakin made mistakes. Many of them.
He was no longer the slave boy from Tatooine, but he still carried fear and anger with him. And along with those, he had habits, bad habits actually.
Qui-Gons worry grew deeper in his chest. The boy was strong, attuned with the force, but he was walking a narrow path. The council watched him closely and strictly, but Qui-Gon watched with something heavier. With protectiveness he couldn’t always justify, and with fear Anakin will fail. The first real problem had surfaced when it became clear, that Anakin couldn’t read.
His teachers did their best to help him, they were patient and encouraging, but not everyone was kind. Some other initiates teased him about it. “A chosen one can’t read”, they laughed. And Anakin fought back, at first, he tried to defend himself with words, then he used his fists.
Qui-Gon remembered the shame on Anakin’s face after the first fight. He wasn’t really hurt, not physically, he was hurt by the laughter. The tall Jedi master understood, it wasn’t just anger that drove Anakin, it was the reminder that he was different and worst – he thought he was being less.
Then come the swimming lesson.
Anakin, eager to prove himself once again, had climbed the highest pier without hesitation. He jumped before anyone could stop him, only to freeze the moment he hit the water. The depth beneath his feet turned his confidence into panic. Mace Windu who returned to collect forgotten data pad saw it all. Without a word, the dark korun master dove in. Moment later, he surfaced with a sputtering, wide-eyed Anakin, clutched to his chest. Qui-Gon was called in, as always. When he arrived, he saw Mace dripping wet, and he looked like soaked tooka cat.
“You owe me for this, Jinn” Mace growled through clenched teeth. His glare made Qui-Gon laugh, and because too many younglings were watching, Mace cracked a smile. Then left.
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And now, Qui-Gon was hurrying to meet with Misstress Nema – for reasons still unclear to him. When he reached her office, he knocked softly, and without waiting for a response, he stepped inside.
“Master Jinn” Mistress Nema greeted him. Her tone was sharp, and her eyes pierced through Qui-Gon like a vibroblade.
Obviously, this wasn’t first time he had been called to her office, and she clearly wasn’t interested in pleasantries. She didn’t even offer him a chair, nor she stood up. She went straight to the point.
“We do not bet in this class”. She handed Qui-Gon small satchel, jingling with coins inside. “Anakin made a bet during sabre competition, she said, her voice flat. “On himself. And he won”.
Qui-Gon chuckled. “What”?
“I confiscated the money, the moment I found out” she continued. This is not a gambling ring master Jinn. This is a Jedi temple.
Then she gave him a look, one that could cut through durasteel. “Teach your future padawan, talent isn’t enough, not without discipline”.
“I understand Mistress Nema”, Qui-Gon almost whispered. “I will talk to Anakin”. Mistress Nema gave him a stare.
“I have spoken to him already, but master Jinn, it was for a last time, if it happens again, I will report him to the council, is that clear”.
Her tone left no room for negotiations. Qui-Gons shoulders slumped, the fight in him dimmed by something heavier, than frustration. “Thank you” he said to mistress Nema. It sounded pathetic. He felt miserable.
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He found Anakin in the canteen. Sitting alone, on one of the benches, scarfing down his spaghetti like he had gone a day without food. Qui-Gon saw other initiates.
He knew he can’t approach him there, not if others would listen, watched. Instead, he caught Anakin’s eyes from across the room and with a small nod he gave him a quiet summon.
They went to thousand fountains, where they sit under an ancient tree. Qui-Gon made sure, they were alone, and then finally spoken.
“Betting on yourself, huh”. He tried to hide amusement. It was serious.
Anakin shifted a little, staring at one of the orange fish swimming beneath the surface of the water.
“I didn’t think, it will be a big deal”, he muttered, eyes still fixed on the fish. He sighed heavily. “I just wanted to prove I’m not, less not a joke”, he explained his voice soft now. “I know, feel - they don’t say it to my face, but I know what they think of me”.
He met Qui-Gons eyes, guilt written visibly on his face. “I’m sorry Master Jinn”. “Are you mad at me”?
Qui-Gon exhaled slowly and gave him and encouraging smile.
“No Ani, I’m not mad at you. But remember this, strength is not about winning. Not for us Jedis. We listen to the force, it guides and navigates us, and sometimes, it tells us to be still.”
Anakin nodded in understanding. His face red.
“You wanted to prove yourself, I understand that. But the moment we let our pride choose our path we stop listening. Betting on yourself seems harmless, but its still ego reaching out, you know”? “Being powerful is not the some as being right, and we do not serve to ourselves, we serve others, and to the force”. Qui-Gon paused, and watched Anakin, before he added softly.
“I believe in you. But you must learn how to control your actions, you must stop and think before you act”.
The blond-haired boy nodded, his heart stopped pounding fast, and he felt calmer. He liked Qui-Gon, always calm, easy to read and ready to help him.
“I will try, master Qui-Gon, I mean it”.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on his shoulder briefly – a gesture of reassurance.
“Ok Ani, trying is enough. For now”.
They shared a quiet moment, but it was interrupted by a sharp chirp coming form the comm clipped to Qui-Gons belt. He exhaled heavily, already knowing who it could be. He checked it anyway.
Mace Windu – his voice dry as a sand on Tatooine.
“Master Qui-Gon Jinn, this is the third time I’ve called you, I know you like to ignore me, but you have a council meeting. It started 15 minutes ago”. “We would be honoured if you pay a visit”.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes. He ate nothing all day long, he run, explained and forgot about this damn meeting. “Kriff I forgot”.
Anakin smirked. “Now you are in trouble”. Qui-Gon stood up, narrowing his robe. “Yeah, probably, but unlike you, I wont bet on the outcome”.