We are back with Chapter 2 of the Rule of More. From here on out, I am going to put reviews that guests have written in the authors notes.
Michael (Guest) – This is a great story so far and I love it and its awesome! I can't wait to read more chapters!
Response: Thanks Michael! I was very happy to hear that you are enjoying my story! You put a smile on my face with your review and I thank you for that! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Without further ado, let us begin the story!
Star Wars
The Rule of More
Chapter 2
Darth Maul sat on his throne in the Mandalorian palace that had at one time belonged to Duchess Satine Kryze. Oh how he relished the look of pain he had seen on Kenobi's face when he had killed the Duchess. Kenobi would only feel more pain from here on out.
Maul had established himself as the prime power of Mandalore. He had killed Pre Vizsla and the Duchess eliminating his political rivals, he had then started to purge the Death Watch of traitors. Maul was hoping that one day, he could be at the forefront of galactic affairs. Whether it be with Sidious or anybody, he didn't care, he needed his power back.
"Brother, I sense a disturbance in the force," Savage said in his deep and slow voice. Maul shook himself back into reality and felt a familiar presence. He felt his former master, his master had come to Mandalore for him. There was no doubt about it, Sidious was interested in his sudden resurface into the galaxy.
"Savage. You have sensed my old Master. He is the most powerful being in the galaxy, you will not say a single word to him. Let me do the talking," Maul said sternly trying to hide how nervous he was to see his old master after ten years. He didn't know whether his master was going to be hostile but he wasn't going to push it. Perhaps this was his way to get back into galactic affairs.
"I shall stay silent until I am asked to speak," Savage said trying to picture the amount of power his brother's former master had. He decided it was best to heed his brother's advice.
The doors of the palace swung open and in walked Darth Sidious, Maul's old master. Maul walked towards his former master and both Zabrak kneeled before the Dark Lord of the Sith.
"Maul, I see you survived your injuries," Sidious said with an evil smile. Maul winced noticing the hostile tone to Sidious' voice.
"Master, I have built up all this in the hopes of returning to your side."
"I am impressed Maul, you have done a great deal of work to establish yourself as the ruler of Mandalore," Sidious paused and when Maul didn't say anything he continued, "I have come to make you an offer. You and your brother will pledge your allegiances to me, in turn you will become full-fledged Sith Apprentices and you can get back into the business of Jedi slaying. Maul, I will finish your training and your brother will be trained by Count Dooku."
Maul thought for a moment. The potential to get back into galactic affairs really interested him. The only part he didn't like was having his brother be trained by the Count. It felt like they were being controlled, but Maul couldn't do or say anything about it, he and his brother would surely be killed if they declined the offer.
"I accept. I pledge myself to you and your teachings once again," Maul said as he bowed his head past his knee to show Sidious that he really meant it.
"And you Savage. Do you pledge yourself to the Sith?" Sidious asked the buff Zabrak who was still on his knees.
"I pledge myself, to the Sith Order," Savage said bowing his head like his brother had. Sidious motioned for them to rise and they stood up and faced the Dark Lord.
Sidious cackled in victory, "Good choice! Maul, it is vital the Sith control Mandalore but not under the Separatist symbol. You will continue to be the ruler of Mandalore but you will go off on 'frequent business trips'. Savage, you will immediately be sent to Count Dooku for training."
"Yes my master," Savage said to his new master.
"Savage, start walking to the shuttle. Maul and I have to talk."
Savage gave one last look at his brother before departing outside to look for the ship. He hadn't been told its location but he assumed Sidious was testing him to find the ship.
Sidious turned back to Maul once the doors of the palace had shut, "You do realize that if you try anything on Lord Tyranus or myself, it will only end up in both of your deaths."
"I don't intend to betray you. In fact, I have been waiting to get back into galactic affairs for a while. I want to make Obi-Wan Kenobi suffer! The Jedi will pay for what they did to me!"
"They shall! But first, I must complete your training and we must wait for the perfect time to strike at the Jedi."
"Yes, this time, the Jedi will be the ones who have to suffer for years."
Count Dooku stood on the bridge of the command ship, he was watching Grievous command the droids and making sure the General didn't destroy too many droids. He was expecting his new apprentice to arrive soon and was already planning lessons to teach him.
He would first show him a little taste of the punishment for failing. This would implant hatred and pain and would make him strive for victory for fear of punishment. He would then teach Savage lightsaber techniques by dueling with him and critiquing his form.
The doors to the bridge opened and everybody turned around to get a look at the new arrival. Savage Opress walked into the bridge, looking around as if expecting them to attack him. He approached Dooku and immediately kneeled.
"Savage Opress, ready to resume your training at my side?" Count Dooku asked as he looked at his apprentice for an answer.
"Yes master and this time I will not leave you," Savage answered as he recalled the last time he had seen the Count.
"Good," Dooku said. He then sent a torrent of lightning at Savage and watched as Savage yelled out in pain, behind him Grievous and the rest of the crew witnessed the scene the two were causing. Dooku smiled when he sensed fear coming out of Grievous and Savage.
Dooku ceased his lightning and looked at Savage who was very angry, he smiled at how easily his apprentice could be angered. This could be a weakness but if used correctly, could make Savage a powerful Sith.
"You have just been shown the punishments of failure. Use your hatred for me to best me in a duel," Dooku said as he led his apprentice outside. Savage ignited his lightsaber, adjusted his power level, and made the first move. Dooku ducked out of the way, having not even ignited his lightsaber yet. His apprentice struck at him several more times with the Count avoiding each attack.
"You are un-coordinated and sloppy. Focus! Use your hate but make sure it doesn't control you."
Savage struck and missed again which prompted Dooku to kick Savage in the Achilles. Savage let out a roar and swung his lightsaber around only for the Count to duck and kick the Zabrak's feet from under him. Dooku was not impressed, this Zabrak relied on pure strength alone.
Dooku ignited his lightsaber and engaged Savage, allowing him little time to stand up. He struck quickly at each side and dodged Savage's counter-strikes. He then force pushed Savage into the wall of the hallway and summoned Savage's lightsaber to his hand.
"You are very sloppy, you are lucky that I specialize in lightsaber combat," Dooku said as he tossed Savage's lightsaber back to Savage who begrudgingly got up and glared at Dooku.
"I would punish you right now but it is your first day and I don't expect much progress right now. You're lucky Darth Sidious didn't pick you, he would have killed you already," Dooku said as he walked Savage to his quarters on the ship.
"I am not worthy of your mercy my master," Savage said, embarrassed at how bad he had performed on his first day.
"I agree, Sidious doesn't want his new recruits leading a mutiny on the first day though."
Maul parried Sidious's strike but didn't see the second blade until it was too late. The blade made contact with his arm and it stung him. He growled and looked up at his master in defeat, his master cackled after beating Maul for the seventh time.
"Very good my apprentice. You lasted long enough for me to not electrocute you this time."
Maul stood up and dusted himself off, they were still on Mandalore and Sidious was dueling Maul so he could determine how much training was left. Sidious didn't think Maul needed much more training, he was already a formidable Sith and he would have been viewed in the same light Tyranus was if he had completed his mission on Naboo.
The only technique Sidious needed to teach Maul was force lightning. He led Maul into the palace and they walked into the prison area of the palace. They opened a prison cell that revealed a Rodian, Maul remembered this one had tried to assassinate Savage. They led him into the throne room and Sidious began to give his instructions.
"I am going to teach you how to use force lightning. In order to successfully use force lightning, you must let the hate flow through you and try to propel it from your fingertips," Sidious explained as he demonstrated on the Rodian prisoner. The prisoner screamed and Palpatine stopped so he could let Maul have the kill.
Maul focused on his hatred for Kenobi. He then raised his hands and tried to push the energy out, but nothing came out.
Palpatine frowned and shocked Maul, making his apprentice scream in agony, "Use your hatred for me to power your lightning!" Sidious ordered.
Maul was pissed and considered hitting his master with lightning but decided it wasn't a great idea. He focused on the Rodian and his hatred of his master and forced it to his fingertips. Lightning exploded from his hands and he hit the Rodian causing the Rodian a lot of pain. He paused and this time, focused on energy and not as much hate and successfully did it again.
"Good my apprentice! Now finish this insignificant lifeform!" Ordered Palpatine who was cackling at the sight of his apprentice killing the Rodian with lightning.
The Rodian stopped screaming and slouched over prompting Maul to stop his attacks. He turned to his master and noticed the evil grin. His master started to walk back towards the ship and Maul started to follow.
"No, you must stay here. Practice your force lightning and I will summon you when I am ready to teach you more. Worry not Lord Maul, you will be a Sith Lord and earn your Darth title back very soon."
"I look forward to it, for now, I will drill my soldiers as I sense the Jedi want to solve the situation on Mandalore," Maul said to his master hoping that his master had a plan to stop the Jedi.
"I will dissuade the Senate from authorizing Military force here. The Jedi would need evidence that you are on Mandalore, let the Prime Minister be the public face of Mandalore and you can rule from the shadows as I do with the Separatists."
"Thank you my master, I will not disappoint you," Maul promised as his master started to walk away. The palace doors closed and Maul walked back over to his throne and breathed a sigh of relief for the first time since his master arrived on the planet.
That is the end of chapter 2! Tell me what you thought of this chapter! If there is a flaw with some of my writing, please let me know! Constructive Criticism is accepted but please don't offend me. As always, follow my twitter thewookieesroar for updates and I hope you enjoyed the story! Thanks for reading!
