Chapter One: A Planted Seed

Anakin Skywalker flexed his new prosthetic forearm in the recovery ward at the Jedi Temple. As he watched his fingers curl up to his palm and extend over and over again as the nurse instructed him to, he thought back to the battle that had taken place a little more than a day ago between himself, Count Dooku, and Obi-Wan.

He knew he shouldn't have tried to take on a Sith Lord alone, but when he saw what he had done to Obi-Wan he couldn't just stand there and let him get on his solar sailer once again. It was the same feeling he had gone in the Tusken village after he saw his mother die, only on a smaller scale. Anakin didn't know why this was happening so suddenly. He normally discussed such things with Obi-Wan, but something like this would only alarm the Jedi Master, and he couldn't afford that right now, especially since the Jedi Council was already wary of him due to his age and emotional attachments.

His thoughts were interrupted as his master awoke.

"Good morning, or should I say good afternoon Anakin," Obi-Wan greeted him as he sat up in his bed. The older Jedi always took a little longer to wake up from sedation than his Padawan, partly because he was more deliberate in his actions than Anakin.

"Good afternoon to you too, Obi-Wan," Anakin stated coolly, not wanting to give away his thoughts. Of course, that only caused Obi-Wan to notice he was hiding something.

"Is something troubling you?" Kenobi asked gently, knowing that prodding would only push Anakin further away.

"Of course not, just thinking over the mistakes I made on Geonosis."

Obi-Wan nodded, knowing better than to lecture him at such a delicate time.

"How is your arm?" he asked, smoothly changing the subject.

"It feels... different. You don't think it will affect my Force capabilities?" Anakin asked, a trace of worry in his voice.

"I doubt it, the Force goes beyond your anatomical structure-" Obi-Wan was going to explain the more technical aspects as Anakin preferred, but he was interrupted by a visitor entering their room.

"Anakin!" Senator Amidala exclaimed when she saw his metallic forearm. "What happened?" she asked, making a beeline for him.

"Dooku," Anakin said grimly, "but Padme, are you alright?" he asked, noticing she was not wearing hospital robes as they were.

"Oh me? I'm fine. Don't worry Anakin, the Republic will be sending out numerous ships to bring him to justice," the senator from Naboo said.

"Padme you fell out of a gunship and got clawed by one of those monsters, have you seen a doctor?"

"For the last time I'm alright, I only needed a few stitches."

"I'm glad to hear it, Senator," Obi-Wan said cordially from the other side of the small room.

"Oh Obi-Wan! Are you alright as well?"

"I'm quite fine Senator Amidala, thank you for asking."

"Please, call me Padme."

"Certainly, Padme," Obi-Wan said graciously, as yet another visitor entered the room.

"Master Kenobi, Senator Amidala, a surprise this is," the familiar little green Master said, "young Skywalker, alright are you?"

"I'm fine Master," Anakin respectfully replied.

"Interrupting something, hope I am not."

"Certainly not, Master Yoda, what brings you here?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Young Skywalker, ready for the Trials of Knighthood, the Council believes you are." Yoda stated simply. A look of surprise washed over Anakin's face, but he quickly composed himself.

"But Master, I've just lost part of my arm!" he exclaimed, "there is no way I can go through the trials now."

"Do or do not, there is no try," Yoda repeated his old adage. "Train harder you must, to become ready. Guide you, your master will."

"I look forward to it Master," Anakin stated, bowing his head.

"Go now I must. Train him well, I know you will," Yoda said to Obi-Wan before departing.

"Anakin! That's amazing!" Padme exclaimed after the door closed behind the oldest Jedi Master.

"It is a great opportunity Anakin, congratulations," Obi-Wan said.

"So when do we start training?" Anakin asked.