Jedi Temple

The following morning, Ahsoka knew she had to tell the Council about her new "pet". "Come on, come on, Max ! Little boys need to meet the Council !"

The bird followed her like a lost child, looking in every direction.

"That's right !" Ahsoka encouraged. "And you can say "Hi !" to everyone you meet !"

Max beat his wings and chirped a fair bit while he followed her around.

The Younglings Katooni and Petro were out and about. "Knight Tano ! Didn't know you had a bird ? Is he friendly ?" The young Tholothian asked.

Ahsoka knelt to the children. "A bit too friendly if you ask me. Come on, Maxie. Say "Hi" to Katooni."

Max happily complied. "Hi ! Hello ! How are you doing ?"

Katooni giggled. "Oh wow ! He actually talks ! Yes, I'm doing great ! Thank you for asking !" She slowly approached the Moluccan Cockatoo. "Can I pet him ?"

"I guess." She watched closely as Katooni petted him.

"He's so beautiful ! How did you get him ?"

Ahsoka let out a chuckle. "Believe it or not, he actually showed up on my window last night. He knocked his beak on my window… and I let him in my quarters. That's pretty much how it went." She explained.

Max then squealed as he ran further into the corridors, getting the attention of all passerby. Ahsoka quickly caught up to him. "You're excited, huh ? To tell you the truth, I'm terrified. I have no idea how the Council will react to your presence. Just a bit further, we're almost there !"

She and Max entered the turbolift, she punched the number to the Council Chambers. Once they arrived at the designated floor, she knelt to him. "Can you be on your best behaviour ? Don't throw a tantrum while you're in there, please ? Ok ! Let's go !"

She pressed the bell of the chamber. "Enter, you may." Yoda's voice rang out.

As she entered, she was shocked to see that every single Jedi Master was present this time around. "Hello, Masters. I've come to gain your approval…"

Yoda blinked. "Approval, you say ? For what ?"

Before she could speak, Max beat his wings and chirped. "Hi !"

"Him." She pointed. "He wound up in my quarters last night. I know that pets aren't usually allowed, but…"

Yoda chuckled. "Know of him, I do. Your Guardian Angel, this is. Strongly attached to the Light Side of the Force, he is."

She stared at Yoda with wide eyes. "Guardian Angel ?! What ?! I mean… I know it's…" She began.

"The Avatar of Light" Windu finished. "We have felt it the moment it entered the chambers. What an unexpected way to manifest itself." Windu peered at Max. "What's its mood ?"

"Friendly. A bit too friendly." Ahsoka answered. She knelt to Max. "Well, you're here. Aren't you going to say "Hi !" to everybody ?"

Max nodded and walked over to Mace Windu. "Hi ! What are you doing ?"

"We attempt to discover the mysteries of the Force. You, my feathered friend, are quite the enigma." He explained.

Max used his talons and beak to climb onto Windu's chair. He then proceeded to beat his wings and chirp in Windu's face.

Windu was about to say something when Max pooped on his pants. He looked at Ahsoka, shocked. "Tano ! What is the meaning of this ?!"

Ahsoka had trouble keeping her laughter. "That, Master Windu, would be a poopybutt ! It's not fun, but it happens !"

Max laughed it off. "I'm sowwy !"

Yoda chuckled. "A better sense of humor than Master Windu, this bird has. Strong in the Force, it is. Come here, my feathered friend. Wish to meet you, I do."

Max hopped off Windu's chair and ran over to Yoda's. "Hi !"

Yoda played along with him. "Hello ! Friendly, you are, yes ? Watch over the Chosen One, your task is ? A powerful pair you two will make. Very powerful."

Ahsoka scratched her montrals. "How will he actually help me, Master ? He's just a friendly and loud bird after all."

"Deceiving, appearances can be. Judge me by my size, do you ? Assist you in many missions, this bird will. A loyal friend, he will be."

"If you say so, Master." She pointed at Shaak Ti. "Look, Max. There's another Togruta here. Master Shaak Ti. Aren't you going to say 'Hi !" to her ?"

Max got off Yoda's chair and climbed on Shaak Ti's. "Hi !"

Ti petted him. "Hello there. You are a beautiful bird, aren't you ? I'm glad that you are watching over Ahsoka. You two will form a strong bond with each other."

Ahsoka called him back. "Well then… I guess I have your approval to keep him, then ?"

Ki-Adi Mundi nodded. "We will provide you a cage for him, along with the necessary food and toys to keep him occupied while you are away. It's going to be a pleasant distraction for us all."

"Thank you, Masters." She knelt onto the carpet, tapping her shoulder. "Well, you've met the Council. It's time to go back. Come on, Max."

Max quickly hopped off Ti's chair and climbed onto Ahsoka's shoulder. Only then did she really realize his size. "Gee, you're heavy !"

Max simply beat his wings and chirped in Ahsoka's sensitive montrals. She bowed before the Council members and left off.

Obi-Wan stroked his beard in thought. "It is without a doubt a manifestation of the Avatar of Light. Curious. So this is the Guardian Angel you alluded to a while back. Let us hope that it will fulfill its duty."

Yoda nodded. "Hmm. Help her and preserve her life, it will. Even in the most unexpected times. Trust in the Force, we must."

Before more could be said, the Council received a Holo-call from Delta Squad. "Generals…" Boss began. "We have unfortunate news. Jedi Knight Finn Ertay has been killed on an Outer-Rim spaceport. Witnessed say there were two Zabraks with red lightsabers."

Obi-Wan quickly guessed the killers. "Maul and his brother, without a doubt !"

"Hmm. A personal mission, this is for you, yes ?"

Obi-Wan considered his options. "I can't fight both of them on my own. I will need assistance."

Adi Gallia offered her services. "I can go."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Much appreciated, Master Gallia. But I would like to bring our newest Knight into this situation. It would be a good way to test and see her battle skills."

Mace Windu raised an eyebrow, while wiping Max's mess off his pants. "You would risk our Chosen One with these two savages ?"

"I will be there should she need help, Masters. And her bird may actually help in distracting Maul and his brother." Obi-Wan suggested.

"Approve of this, I do. Skilled, young Ahsoka is. Faith in her lightsaber techniques, I have. Jar'Kai, she has learned, yes ? With two lightsabers to wield, her odds increase in her favor. Go, Obi-Wan, and rid us of these two rogues."

Obi-Wan rose up from his chair and looked over at the remaining Council member. "We will do our best. There's no guarantee that we will actually defeat them, but we will try."

In Ahsoka's quarters, Max was enjoying some fresh Jogan fruit. She watched in fascination as he tore apart the fruit, bit by bit. "That beak surely helps you crack through some hard stuff, huh ?"

As Max finished his meal, Obi-Wan walked in her quarters. "Hello there."

She smiled at the sight of her grand-master. "Hello, Master Kenobi. What brings you here ?"

Obi-Wan sat on her bed. "Maul and his brother have been found. They've just killed Master Ertay on an Outer-Rim spaceport. I would like to enlist your help, Ahsoka. This will be a good way to observe and see how far you are in your lightsaber training. Will you come with me ?"

"To put some Ex-Sith in their rightful places ? Count me in !" She scoffed. "But… I haven't received my cage for him yet, so we'll have to bring him along."

"That's fine. He may actually provide a distraction for them."

She placed Max on her shoulder. "So, where are we heading ?"

"Their last known location. Cybloc System. They've raided a space station in the Meridian sector. We may have a clue on their current whereabouts." He answered.

"Good enough for me, let's go !"

Once they've arrived at the hangar, they chose an unoccupied Eta-class Shuttle. Upon embarking, Max made a beeline for the hyperdrive. "Hi !"

She knelt next to him. "I don't think the hyperdrive will answer you, little buddy. Come on, little boys need to come to the cockpit."

As they flew through hyperspace, Max made an imitation of a puppy. "Are you a puppy ? Puppybird !" Ahsoka joked.

Once Obi-Wan returned to normal space, they could see the recently attacked space station. "There it is ! Let us hope there are survivors that can clue us on their next destination."

Once they've boarded, they were greeted with a Snivvian. "Well, well, well. What brings you two Jedi here ?"

Obi-Wan began the talks. "We've heard that your station has been attacked."

"She sure was ! Come on over to see the carnage." He led them to where Maul and Savage had destroyed the security droids. "Only one of my security droids survived. What happened here has been done by the two crabbiest Zabraks I've ever seen ! They stole my credits and took my ship ! What's gotten into them ? Are they rogue Jedi or something ?"

Obi-Wan quickly corrected him. "Not Jedi. Sith. We're tracking them."

The Snivvian nodded. "Uh huh. For what it's worth, my surviving droid did hear them talking about going to the Sertar Sector."

Ahsoka quickly went over her lessons of the Outer-Rim Territories. "Sertar Sector ? Isn't that where Florrum is ?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "You know what that means, right ?"

She sighed. "Yep. Hondo."

"We thank you for your information. This won't cover the damage, but it should help a bit." Obi-Wan placed several credit chips in the Snivvian's hand.

Once aboard the shuttle, Ahsoka voiced her thoughts. "Why would those two go to Florrum ? Do you really think that Hondo would… ?"

Obi-Wan scoffed. "Form an alliance with Maul and his brother ? Not likely. I know that your last meeting with him wasn't exactly pleasant. Put the past aside and we may gain a much-needed ally."

"For your sake, Master. I will." She looked around and couldn't see Max. "I'm going to look for my bird, I have a feeling I know where he might be."

She found Max knocking his beak on the hyperdrive. "Get your bird lips off the hyperdrive ! Didn't we have a talk about that earlier ?"

Max muttered his complaints, but Ahsoka cut him off. "I don't care if you're a little boy ! You know you're not supposed to touch it ! Now come on back !"

Max made an imitation of a squeaking toy in an excessive manner. Ahsoka scratched her montrals. "I didn't hear you. Could you please speak up ?"

Max beat his wings and chirped.

"That's much better !" Ahsoka joked.

As she and Max entered the cockpit, Obi-Wan turned his gaze at her. "I must say, you are to be commended for your gained patience, young one. I'm not sure I would be able to deal with that bird on a daily basis."

She placed Max on the console. "Part of the deal, I guess. Honestly, I hardly know how to deal with him. Treating him like a toddler seems to work."

Max squealed his displeasure. "Poor baby ! Cry all you want, you're not going back to the hyperdrive. Ok ?"

Max muttered some more.

Ahsoka played along with him. "Did you say you're sorry ? Really ? What's your major malfunction, bird ? Are you a crazy bird ? Is that your problem ? I see ! You know, your craziness may come in handy. I know ! You feeling crazy ? Huh ? Crazy ! Crazy ! Crazy !"

Max was excited to the point that he decided to scream for a bit. Ahsoka felt her sore montrals. "That's what I get for encouraging him !"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "The loudness is excruciating ! My head hurts !" He flicked a few switches. "We're exiting hyperspace now. There we are ! It seems that Maul has picked up a pirate escort."

Ahsoka raised an eye marking. "And what are we going to do about it ?"

"First, I'm going to contact Hondo and warn him of what is coming. Remember, don't show your disdain for him."

Hondo's hologram soon came into view. "Greetings, Hondo."

"Greetings ?!" Hondo sneered. "What kind of menace have you brought to my planet this time ?! First, you lose this system. Then Grievous comes in and wrecks everything, leaving me to languish in the remains of my once great empire ! Now these horned men have threatened to attack my base my some of my men ! My own men ! Who are those horn-headed maniacs ?! They don't seem like normal Jedi !"

Ahsoka decided to have her voice heard. "They're not Jedi ! They're Sith ! We're been tracking them ! And they're going straight for you !"

Hondo flailed about for a moment. "More to the point, are you going to help me when they get here ?"

"We can do little about your men, but we can certainly do something about Maul and his brother !" Obi-Wan answered.

Hondo made his choice. "I'll deal with my men, you two deal with those tattooed crazies !"

On the surface of Florrum, some of Hondo's spaceships fired at his base. He stood up, cocking his blaster. "Well, that settles it ! Those traitors are no longer my men !"

The large cargo ship landed near the base, revealing Maul, Savage and a few pirates that sided with them. A shootout quickly began between Hondo's men and Maul's.

Hondo managed to shoot a few traitors down. "I want their tongues !"

As Maul and Savage descended from the ramp, the Eta-class shuttle landed on a cliff ledge. Savage recognized the vessel. "The Jedi, brother ! They've found us !"

Maul cursed his luck. "No ! It's too soon ! Too soon to make my plan work ! We must fight them off !"

The second Obi-Wan and Ahsoka descended, they were assaulted by the two Nightbrothers. Noticing Ahsoka, Maul grinned evilly. "So you've come, Kenobi ! And you've brought along the Republic's new poster girl ! As with your Master Qui-Gon Jinn, she will also die by my hand ! And you won't be able to do anything about it !"

Ahsoka quickly ignited her two lightsabers. "All I can say is good kriffing luck ! I was taught by Master Skywalker, one of the best duelists the Jedi ever had !"

Maul laughed at her boast. "And yet a mere virus took him, not so strong, is he ? Come forward, girl ! I'll make your death a quick and painless one !"

Obi-Wan stepped forward, igniting his lightsaber. "I'm the one you want ! You will not touch her, let alone harm her !"

Maul accepted the duel. "So be it, Kenobi ! Savage, kill the girl !"

As Maul and Obi-Wan traded blows, Savage and Ahsoka fought on the ground below. Thankfully for her, her expertise at Jar'Kai helped in keeping Savage from dealing a lethal blow.

Savage became more and more frustrated as Ahsoka kept dodging his attacks thanks to her small stature. "Grrr ! Stop moving around so much, you little brat !"

Ahsoka's speed kept her ahead of Savage's brute force. "Don't you know ? You need to work hard to gain anything !" She kept distancing herself away from Obi-Wan and Maul.

Eventually, Savage managed to break through her defense and cornered her into a cliff side. "Now, little girl, you're as good as dead !"

The blow would have killed her if Max hadn't suddenly intervened. He picked up a small stone with his beak and tossed it at Savage's head, breaking his focus. "Hi !"

With Savage momentarily distracted, Ahsoka caught him off guard and gained an opening, forcing him to back off. Soon, both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were standing back-to-back. "We're not going to last longer, Ahsoka ! We need to retreat !"

Hondo waved over to them, pointing to his hideout's entrance. "Kenobi ! Tano ! This way !"

The two Jedi focused on the Force to create a dust storm, covering their escape. As they ran inside, they were soon pursued by the Zabraks and the traitorous pirates. Hondo looked at the two Jedi in shock. "You can't even beat them ? What will you do ?"

Obi-Wan looked at the dark corridor. "We'll draw the brothers away from you, make sure to bring the path down so they'll come to us !"

Hondo blinked. "And leave you two alone with those tattooed crazies ?! Well… ok ! I will deal with my men in my own way !"

As the pirates ran after Hondo and his crew, he shot at the ceiling to bring down some debris, blocking further access. Maul and Savage went in the other direction, soon meeting with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka.

Ahsoka felt a little claustrophobic. "Is it me or is the fighting space a bit too tight here ?"

"This time, we won't be separated. Together, we can hold them off here !" Obi-Wan instructed.

As the Nightbrothers drew their lightsabers, Max clung to the ceiling and began to mutter. Beating his wings and chirping distracted the brothers for a second. Maul bared his teeth at him. "The bird is a nuisance ! We'll slaughter it after we kill these two !" Both brothers and Jedi began to trade blows. For an intense moment, it seemed as they had the advantage, but Max helped out by screaming, further aggravating the brothers.

Savage was distracted enough that Ahsoka was able to land a well-placed kick to his groin, incapacitating him. "Arg ! Ooooohhhhhh !"

The move gave Obi-Wan the opening he needed and cut off one of Savage's arms.

Seeing his brother in pain, Maul stopped his attack. "Apprentice !" He then Force-pushed Obi-Wan and Ahsoka into a corner. Picking up his wounded brother, he turned away from them. "Come Apprentice, we must flee !"

As they exited, they saw the pirates with weapons on them. "Jiro ! Ready the men ! We're leaving !" Maul commanded.

Hondo stepped forward from the others. "My men aren't going anywhere with you ! Look at them, how powerful can they be ? They're running away from Kenobi and Tano ! Once we deal with them, the ship and its valuables are as good as ours !"

Maul didn't take the betrayal well. "You will pay for your insolence !"

"Insolence ?!" Hondo mocked. "We are pirates ! We don't even know what that means ! Open fire !"

One of Hondo's pirates got a lucky shot and blasted off one of Maul's mechanical legs, leaving a green mist behind. On their path to the cargo ship, Maul used the Force to pull the Eta-class shuttle to crash onto the ground, destroying it. Quickly starting the ship, the brothers were slowly getting away, until one of Hondo's men shot a rocket into one of the propulsers, causing to crash to the ground. Before the crashing ship was visible, Maul and Savage escaped in an escape pod.

Following the crash, Hondo invited Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to inspect the wreckage. "Well, let us see what valuables there are for me… and for you two."

A quick speeder ride and they arrived at the wreckage site, Hondo gave a quick look. "Well, if the conditions of these goods is any indication, I believe your friends have been vaporized !"

Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "I wouldn't be so sure."

Ahsoka walked over to him, Max perched on her shoulder. "He's right, they wouldn't die so easily. I think they've probably used an escape pod and covered their tracks."

"We will have to report this turn of events to the Chancellor."

Hondo placed a hand on each of the Jedi's shoulder. "Well, ain't that interesting ? I guess you two will need a ride to the nearest Republic system, yes ?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "We kindly accept your offer. You might be able to get a few credits from the venture."

A few days later, at the Supreme Chancellor's Office

Chancellor Palpatine was discussing recent events with Obi-Wan, Mace, Yoda and Ahsoka.

"I believe we have closure on this, Master Kenobi."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I disagree, Chancellor. What I've learned is that the Sith are persistent. They will not die !"

"A personal matter for you, this is." Yoda added.

"Maul was trying to ally himself with pirates !" Obi-Wan still felt that it wasn't over.

The Chancellor didn't seem bothered by it. "So let him play with the rabble ! It does not seem that this "Darth Maul" is of any threat to the Republic. We must focus our forces at the matter at hand : Stopping Count Dooku and ending the Clone War. I believe this discussion is over. Good evening, all of you." He then retired to his desk.

"I don't like this. We should deal with him." Obi-Wan suggested.

Mace agreed to a point. "With the Clone Wars taking place, many of the crime families have had too much freedom. It could be a place in which Maul could flourish."

Yoda turned to Obi-Wan. "Clouded, your feelings on this matter are, Obi-Wan. Eventually, show himself again, Maul will. Act on it then, we will."

Ahsoka huddled herself. "Do you really think he would become a big influence in a criminal empire ?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "Anything is possible, I'm afraid. Something sinister is rising. Eventually, we will have to get involved."

As everyone left the Chancellor's office, Palpatine himself grinned at the new developments. "My former apprentice to have survived ? It will make a fitting distraction for those Jedi fools ! He may even take care of Kenobi and the girl for me ! Ha ha ha ha ha !"

The plot keeps thickening. I'm sure a lot of people enjoy the Maul/Death Watch arc, so it will feature to a certain point. Maul's control of the crime families will not be featured. Instead, we'll pick things up at "The Lawless". So over the next chapter, Obi-Wan is forced to go to Mandalore. Max will have a HUGE impact in the coming chapter. Does his presence feel jarring ? I know that having him portray the "resurrected" Daughter makes zero sense, but just go with it and enjoy the story. Max's interaction with the hyperdrive is based on his interaction with the heater in his room, which irks Dan a great deal. Those two never fail to get a laugh out of me. Those two really have great chemistry between them. Feel free to leave a review.