Prologue

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CORUSCANT - JEDI TEMPLE: COUNCIL CHAMBER

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Y/N stood outside the grand ancient doors of the Jedi Council chamber, his hands clasped tightly behind his back as he took a slow, measured breath. Summoned by his master, Jedi Master Dooku, Y/N knew this could either be a good thing or a reprimand. With Dooku, it was easy to tell as he'd known his Master for most of his life, it was the rest of the Jedi Council he was unsure of.

The massive doors hissed open, revealing the chamber bathed in Coruscant's glow. The Jedi Masters sat in their circulator formation, their expressions unreadable. At the center stood his master, tall and commanding. The air was thick with expectation as Y/N stepped forward and bowed. 

Y/N: 'You called for me, Master?"

He briefly glanced at a few familiar faces among the Council. He was acquainted with some of the Padawan's under the teachings of the Jedi Masters. Master Plo Koon's Padawan was the most notable, Uma Serlor, a young Togruta training under Master Plo Koon's teachings whom he'd been friends with since he was first brought to the Jedi Temple at the age of four.

Yet now was not the time to be thinking of friendships as Y/N focused his mind and centered his thoughts on the present.

Mace Windu: "That's right, Padawan. The Council has a mission for you."

Y/N: "What is the mission, Master?"

Grand Master Yoda leaned forward on his cane, scrutinizing him with wise, ancient eyes.

Yoda: "Danger there will be. Be prepared you must."

A weight settled over Y/N, though he did not falter. Jedi missions were rarely simple. 

Yoda: "Join Master Qui-Gon, you will, along with Padawan Kenobi."

The mention of Qui-Gon Jinn piqued his interest. Qui-Gon, a Jedi who often strayed from the rigid doctrines of the Council, was an enigma. Obi-Wan, by contrast, was disciplined and deeply loyal to to the Order. This would be an intriguing dynamic.

Dooku: "You will assist in negotiating a peaceful resolution to the rising tensions between the Naboo and the Trade Federation."

Dooku's tone was measured but carried an underlying weight. This mission would be far from routine. 

Windu: "And if possible, you are to bring and end to their illegal blockade. Diplomatically, if you can."

Y/N absorbed the directive. A single misstep could ignite a larger conflict. 

Y/N: "Understood, Master. When do I depart?"

Windu: "Within the hour. Will that be sufficient?"

Y/N: "Yes, Master."

Windu: "Then may the force be with you."

Yoda tapped his cane lightly against the floor.

Yoda: "Go now. Delay, you must not."

Y/N bowed deeply. 

Y/N: "I will not fail you, Masters."

As he turned. Dooku's voice cut through the silence once more. 

Dooku: "And Padawan... do try to keep yourself out of trouble this time. I would rather not receive another grievance from Master Qui-Gon about your unconventional methods."

A smirk tugged at Dooku's lips, and Y/N, mirroring it, recalled their last mission - one that had caused considerable disruption. 

Y/N: "I will try, Master."

With that, he departed, the chamber doors sealing shut behind him. Silence lingered before Mace Windu exhaled, his brow furrowed. 

Plo Koon: "Something troubles you?"

Windu: "I wonder if we have placed too much faith in young L/N."

Dooku's sharp gaze met Windu's.

Dooku: "My Padawan is skilled warrior and an exceptional duelist. What doubts do you harbor?"

Windu: "There is darkness in him. I can feel it. And according to your report on Ryloth, he early tapped into the Dark Side while rescuing Senator Orn Free Taa's daughter." 

A heavy silence blanketed the chamber. Several Masters exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable. 

Dooku remained composed, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the seated Masters. 

Dooku: "It is true that Y/N can be... passionate. But passion does no equate to weakness. He is young. He will learn in time."

Then, with a measured smirk Dooku looked directly at Windu.

Dooku: "You, yourself, struggled with controlling your emotions as a Padawan, did you not Master Windu?"

A subtle murmur rippled through the Council, but Windu remained firm.

Yoda: "Right both of you are. Watch him, we will. Guide him, we must, should his path waver."

The Council chamber fell into silence. The meeting adjourned, yet unease remained. The Masters began to file out, their robes whispering against the floor, but Dooku lingered, his eyes narrowing in thought.

He moved to one of the large windows, gazing down at the endless sprawl of Coruscant. His fingers curled behind his back, his expression unreadable. Y/N was strong - stronger than most of his peers - yet strength alone was not what concerned the Council as their were many other strong in the force Jedi in the Order.

What the council truly feared was if Y/N like Windu was fearful of, fell to the Dark side. It had been over a millennia since the Jedi Order had encountered a Sith Lord yet throughout that millennia more than just a few Jedi had fallen and become Dark Jedi, a feat that the Council wanted to avoid with Y/N.

Dooku's thoughts swirled like a storm. He had trained Y/N well, shaping him into a warrior of skill and precision. But had he also unknowingly led him down a path the Jedi feared? The way of true power, beyond the restrictive teachings of the Order? 

The Council's paranoia was misguided, of course. Passion did not equate to darkness, but their rigid doctrines had always suppressed natural strength. I was that suppression, that denial of emotions, that made them blind. 

His lips curled into a thoughtful smirk as he realized that the time had finally come and the beginning of his secret Masters grand plan was finally upon them. A plan that Dooku many times wanted to share with Y/N and bring him into the fold. 

Perhaps it truly was time. Time to planet the first seed of darkness within his Padawan. 

Dooku turned from the window, his gaze sharp with newfound resolve. If Y/N was truly strong enough, he would see beond the dogma of the Jedi. He would understand that power was not something to be feared but embraced. 

And if he did... Dooku and Sidious would be there to guide him down a path far greater than the one the Jedi had set before him. To teach him to embrace his true potential and the use the Darkness to become the powerful Force Wielder he was destined to be.

To Be Continued...