CHAPTER 36 : Brothers and killers
Author Note : First, I'd like to thank all of you for the reviews:). And as always, I apologize for the time it took me to upload this chapter, I know it's been a month since last chapter but studies do take most of my time :/. So as promised, here comes the fight between Obi-wan, Maul, Savage and Ventress.
Coming out of hyperspace, the Jedi shuttle slowly entered the atmosphere of Redonia, the once beautiful planet which rich vegetation now all but destroyed and burnt by Darth Maul, previous apprentice of Darth Sidious. Like in his previous life, Obi-wan couldn't ignore the pain and despair of this world as he was flying over burning houses, and then landed at the same place than last time. Pulling his brown hood over his head, Obi-wan Kenobi sighed heavily thinking what would come in a moment but of course, this time, he would not let the two brothers capture him. He checked one last time that his lightsaber was indeed at his belt and then headed outside as the ramp of the ship went down. If all was looking similar compared to his past, the impression of deja-vu was quickly erased as a heavy rain started and extinguished the fire around the Jedi, and before the Member of the Jedi Council could thank the Force, dangerous lightnings showed up in the dark clouds : as always, the two aspects of the Force would fight during the battle …
Kenobi walked away from his shuttle and headed to a huge mass of rubble in front of him at the end of the street. Reaching his destination, the man waited for the Sith to come out the shadow : confrontation was now unavoidable. Then appeared the former Sith apprentice, Darth Maul, bare chest with mechanic legs, his yellow eyes dangerously observing him.
"Jedi !" yelled the Zabraack, "I've been waiting for you !"
"I believe presentations are in order," stated Obi-wan wryly.
"I'm surprised you could have forgotten me so easily while I killed your master and you left me dead on Naboo."
"Oh I wasn't talking about you, Darth Maul," explained Obi-wan pointing the house behind him with his thumb, "Perhaps your little friend can join us."
Shock but amusement was clearly read on Maul's face, "Alright. Savage, please."
The large monster appeared behind the Jedi Master, his saberstaff on his right hand, ready to attack. The other Sith had taken his weapon in his right hand, the battle would soon begin.
"I will now take my revenge, Kenobi," announced Maul, "and then, after killing all of my enemies, I will rule this galaxy !"
"And I will always be here to stop you," shot Obi-wan back, igniting his blue lightsaber.
The red Zabraack chuckled, "Don't be so certain."
It was the moment Savage was waiting for attacking the auburn human. In a mere second, the red blades came out of the silver hilt and confronted the blue weapon of the Jedi which surprisingly was strong enough to resist to Savage's strength. Noticing that his brother was jumping behind Kenobi, Savage continued to attack the man but the speed of his opponent was so incredible that he never touched the Jedi Master. Maul had now joined the fight and aimed for the blue weapon's hilt but never sliced it because Obi-wan managed to block his blade with the two red ones. Frustration and rage began to rise in the brothers' minds, and it was amplified by the impassive face, hidden under the hood, of the Jedi Master. Maul yelled in anger and unlock his lightsaber to attack the Jedi, he turned on himself and tried to behead Obi-wan, who had kneeled in the last moment, causing the red blade to clash on Savage's. A mistake against Obi-wan Kenobi could be fatal, Maul's body was the witness of the Jedi's power, and right now, the two Sith were full of openings. In the same time, Obi-wan grabbed the saberstaff in his left hand and did a backward somersault, sending his feet in Maul's face, and then by taking Savage in the air, crushed the yellow Zabraack on the ground.
"I'm disappointed, Maul," mocked Obi-wan, "But after all, I defeated you as a padawan ..."
Savage had not risen yet but Maul couldn't let the Jedi underestimate him, so he charged at him with brute strength, rage filling his movements. Even if the Mother Talzin had brought back the strength he once had in his youth, all of these years without a fight was clearly a disadvantage against the Jedi Master who had perfected all of his fighting forms, but Maul had noticed that Kenobi, unlike during their first duel, wasn't using an aggressive form but merely waiting for an opening : it was even more infuriating ! The blue blade was here to protect its wielder at every second, every blow, or any attempt to hurt the young Jedi : perhaps it had been a bad idea, perhaps he needed more time to take his revenge. One thing was sure, Kenobi was stronger than him. The mortal dance between the Jedi and the Sith continued and finally, Savage joined the fight, pressing Obi-wan's defense over and over. Darth Maul had to admit that the Jedi's moves were deadly beautiful, like a mortal dance that only the strongest had mastered. A curious thought crossed his mind at such moment, could this Jedi be more powerful than his previous master ? It was of course ridiculous, Darth Sidious was the strongest being in this galaxy, but doubt was remaining.
Suddenly, the Jedi's face became extremely serious, and anger was even slightly felt in his heart. Obi-wan stepped back and held his blade down, as an extension of his right arm. A powerful wind's blow made the sleeveless brown robe flapping furiously, and then, because of the lightnings, Maul could read on the Jedi something he would not have thought : he was determinate to kill them both. A second later, Obi-wan had jumped in the air at them, landing in front of Savage, he cut the saberstaff in two and sent Maul's brother crashing in a house by a strong Forcepush. The Jedi didn't wait a second and jumped at the last Sith standing, using a hybrid fighting form between Ataru Niman and Soresu, but it was clearly an aggressive form for domination. The blue blade was now deadly dancing around the head of the Zabraack, barely missing him because Maul had the reflex to dodge. He understood that Kenobi was only now fighting with his true strength. His opponent was so fast that he was attacking the previous Sith apprentice at every side : just after blocking a strike at his right, Maul had to turn back to dodge the fatal blow directed at his back. And when the Zabraack wanted to counter back, the red blade was only slicing the air between them. The revenge will have to wait, now Maul could only hope to survive this fight.
Then, for an unknown reason, Obi-wan put some distance between them, but the answers of Maul's questions were quick to come as a ship landed in front of him, hiding the Jedi Master who had still the same look. The vehicle was gross, damaged and negligee : its owner was probably one of those smugglers looking for the bounty on Savage Oppress.
A bald and very pale woman came out of the pitiful ship, and Maul immediately noticed the twin lightsabers at her belt. She was very thin, but her strength in the Force wasn't fooling him, that female Rattataki was very strong in the Force, and she seemed well trained...
"Well, good morning Kenobi," said the woman with a hint of humor in her pierce voice. Then she turned and looked at Maul, and to his brother. "There you are ! I've been looking for you. You have been really bad to me, you must be punished."
Savage came painfully next to Maul who simply asked, "Who is that, brother ?"
"A witch."
"She knows too much," ordered Maul. Savage nodded and ignited his now only simple lightsaber. Maul sighed thinking that it was the second time Kenobi cut a saberstaff...
"You shouldn't be here, Ventress" stated Obi-wan deadly serious.
"Savage had betrayed me, Kenobi. I have every rights to be here," shot back the former assassin of Count Dooku.
"Fine. Just let me stop that one," informed Obi-wan pointing Maul with his lightsaber.
Assajj hesitated for a second, as if she understood what the Jedi had implied. That was too uncommon for Obi-wan to think that way, but he was indeed about to kill the horned … thing. Did they know each other ? Of course. But what had the red Zabraack done to Kenobi to make him feel so much pain, sadness and, yes, anger. She never thought that Jedi would cross such line. Skywalker was that kind of man, but not her dear Obi-wan. He was the purest man in this galaxy, even right now, but somehow, it both pleased her and saddened her : Obi-wan was still human, he was not immune to those emotions, but how she wanted to erase it all from the pure heart. When this little reunion would be over, she would need to ask him everything.
Realising that he had caught her staring at her, she nodded and took her lightsabers, ready to punish Savage Oppress for his insolence.
Obi-wan sighed as he watched carefully the two brothers coming closer. He had hoped that the ex-dark acolyte would have come later in this life, but many things could not be change in this time, the Jedi had understood it months later. He took a deep breath and walked toward his opponents. The Force had once again brought him this test, and he realized only now that it could possibly be the most difficult fight in his entire live. Vader had been a terrible fighter but right now, he was not fighting against the Sith, he was fighting against himself : he had to forget the urging feeling to kill brutally Darth Maul for all he had done in his past. He had to act like a Jedi until the end.
"Deal with the witch Savage, I'll fight Kenobi," commanded Maul.
"Are you sure, brother ?"
"This moment is mine..."
With an powerful extension of his mechanics limbs, Maul had jumped right in front of his nemesis. The red blade went immediately down at the Jedi and clashed against the blue lightsaber forcing the two fighters to use all of their strength to push the other away. Fortunately for the previous Sith apprentice, his new legs were very powerful and they were giving him the advantage he needed at such time and he was now pushing Kenobi on his knees but the Jedi had already understood the next move of the Sith as he punched the red torso of the Zabraack before he could attack again. Maul could not believe how much powerful was that move ! Human were not known to have such strength so the only logical reason was that Kenobi had incorporated the power of the Force in his own punch. That was something the Zabraack had never thought a Jedi would do, a Sith yes, but a Jedi ?
Maul suddenly realised that thinking about how strong Obi-wan Kenobi had become was foolish and extremely dangerous because the blue blade had missed an eye from inch. The lightsabers were once again clashing against each other, but the Sith knew that only the Jedi decided where the fighting was going and that brought terrible fear in his dark heart. But fear was not something unknown, his master had taught him how useful it could, and how much he needed it to survive. Only a fool knew no fear, even Obi-wan Kenobi knew fear, he remembered it too well when he was fighting alone against Qui-Gon Jinn and the once young padawan watched them helplessly. How sweet was the fear of the man that day...
"STOP thinking !" yelled Maul in his head in order to make him focus.
Once again, at the last moment, the Zabraack had the reflex to jump to dodge a blow that would have cost his legs … again. Kenobi's accuracy was increasing very fast as the fight continued on, and that was surprising. Did that human only know fatigue ? But most of all, if Obi-wan was that precise, what would it be when he would actually look at him ? Yes, Maul had noticed, despite the brown hood over the head of the auburn human, that the Jedi was constantly watching the witch fighting his brother. It was so enraging, wasn't he a worthy opponent ? Was he simply playing with him ? He had thought that Obi-wan would be unbalanced because of his return but no, the man was only toying with him...
A high scream coming from Ventress seemed to worry a little too much the Jedi and Maul took the opportunity to kick Kenobi with his metallic claws. The painful scream of the Master filled the Sith's heart with delight and excitement. At last, he had armed his enemy. Now it would be much easier. Without wasting any time, the red creature ran at his opponent and tried to pierce the right shoulder but only missed miserably because Kenobi had crouched. And like a true predator, Obi-wan had sprung at Maul, the blue sword swirling all around and nearly cutting an arm of the Sith. But because of the brutal force of his previous attack, Maul noticed that the Jedi was grimacing as he landed and that brought a devilish smile on his black and red face.
"Need time to catch your breath, Kenobi ?" taunted Maul.
"We both know what happened when you let me regain my strength that day on Naboo," replied Obi-wan as the blue blade passed in front of his face, revealing a wry smile.
They stayed watching each other for many seconds, with the rain evaporating against the lightsaber as the only sound they could make.
Then Maul pointed Kenobi with his red weapon, "This time, you will suffer, Kenobi."
"Come at me, then, Darth Maul " shot back the Council member.
With this last sentence, hate and rage had reached their climax and Maul was now finding new strength in his whole body. He hadn't felt that way since years, but it was so good. That was a real fight, and he liked it. Somehow, Maul also knew that such feeling were due to the fact that the opponent was Obi-wan Kenobi, his oldest enemy... Would he ever feel that way when he would kill him ? Probably not, so Kenobi would die very slowly.
Usually, the Jedi temple was filled with happiness and delight as many Jedi came back to their true home. Ask any of them, no one would think that the Temple is depressing or a dark place. But it was indeed the case today, and it wasn't because of the very dark sky of Coruscant. You could think it was because of the new darkness that every Jedi could feel in the galaxy, because of this Darth Maul, but it wasn't the main reason. Of course, many fellow Knights were worried about the resurrection of this warrior who killed Qui-Gon Jinn. The first cause of such despair inside the Temple walls was that every one knew that Obi-wan went to fight the killer of his master. You could hear many whispers about how it would feel to discover such horrible event. Siri thanked the Force that Obi-wan would never know about how much he was affecting the whole Jedi, it would only make his burden even harder. She caught herself laughing when she realised that the mission to save the entire galaxy could never be easy, and she congratulated herself to be next to her husband to support him during his mission. How could he do such job alone ? Of course Obi-wan was the only one the Force could have chosen for such task, but every one needed help, including her husband.
Finishing her cup of tea like she always did every day, another thing that she was doing because of Obi-wan, she headed outside her apartment and arrived after five minutes to the hangar where she took a speeder. She didn't want to make Padmé wait. The Senator had called her very early this morning and had talked about Anakin very worried. She sighed, when would the boy grow up ? Probably never, even if Obi-wan would say otherwise. The faith that Obi-wan was given to Anakin had always disturbed Siri Tachi, as many others Jedi of course. After all, wasn't Anakin the one who would betray them all ? It was clear to her, Vader would rise again but that was something Obi-wan refused to admit. Or at least talk about it. She knew that her husband would go stop Vader once again but how much would it break his heart again... And would he win again ? That was why the faith in Anakin wasn't approved by the others. Anakin would disappoint Obi-wan Kenobi once more.
Finally reaching her destination, Siri landed the red and white speeder in the main hangar of Padmé Amidala's apartment. She noticed many other vehicles all very distinguish and rich : Padmé didn't mention that other senators would be there too. It was not like she disliked the politicians, she simply distrusted all of them. Well not all of them, of course, Padmé had become a real friend, and Bail Organa was a long time partisan of the Jedi Order. She soon realised that the only ones she trusted were the future leaders of the Rebellion against Palpatine, if things were to be repeated. A minute later, the doors of the elevator opened and the Council Member was greeting by the annoying golden droid C3PO. She didn't even listen to the endless sentence of the droid, she simply passed over him, and arrived in the main living room where senators of the Loyal Committee were talking about Palpatine's politics with Bail Organa standing in the opposite side of the room. The man seemed to grow older every time Siri saw him : war had that kind of effect of the most respectable men …
"Oh Master Tachi !" said Prestor Bail Organa, "I haven't heard you coming."
Padmé immediately rose from her couch and came to salute Siri in a very respectful way, as they always did when they were not alone, "I'm glad you could come Master Tachi. Please let me introdu-"
"I already know every one in this room Senator Amidala, thank you," stated Siri with a gentle smile.
"I guess it's time to go," informed Fang Zar to the others. Clearly the old senator didn't want any Jedi to hear what they were talking about. "Have a nice day, Master Jedi."
Every other member of the Loyal committee followed Senator Zar outside, but Organa stopped in front of the blonde Jedi. "I haven't seen you since months Siri. How are you doing ?"
"I'm fine, Bail. The Council session take most of my time when I'm not at war, I'm sorry. I wanted to come and say hello, but duty is first, right ?"
The man gently smiled, "I agree. But when I'll tell Breha that I have seen you, she will invit you for a dinner, at least. You know how she is."
"We had a great time, last time."
"Well, how couldn't we have ? The Negotiator and the Cold Queen at my table, it was an honour," added Bail.
"I'm sure Master Kenobi would be pleased to come with me again."
"I'm sure he will," the senator winked, "alright I must go. The others are waiting. And thank you for the tea, Padmé."
The brunette woman sighed heavily as she returned on the couch, "Sometimes, I have the impression that we are fighting for nothing..."
"What do you mean, Padmé ?" asked Siri, sitting in front of her.
"More and more systems are leaving the Republic and we only take them back with our armies. It's not the way I had imagined my carrier. I mean, I had to fight to take back my planet as a Queen, I thought such experience would have help me to maintain democracy and peace inside the Republic."
"Some planets are willingly leaving the Republic. We can't force them to stay," recalled the blonde Jedi Master.
"Then why are Jedi sent on those worlds ?"
"We are sent because the Senate ask us to." Siri didn't mean to criticize the Senate, but her words could be misunderstand.
"I know, Siri. We are running in circle. The Chancellor is increasing his reputation with the many victories, but the senators refuse to acknowledge the loss. We are hypocrite."
"That is why the Loyal Committee is important. You are probably the last fighting for democracy in this galaxy. You will always have the support of the Jedi, no matter what."
"But we are only a few. What will happen when the greatest will decide that we are no longer helped. Or that the Jedi are no longer needed ?" asked Padmé, playing with her thumbs.
"You already know the answer, Padmé," replied deadly serious Siri. "But you didn't call me for this matter, am I right ?"
The Senator nodded, "Is everything fine in the Jedi Order ? I mean... Anakin was very disturbed this morning, and I'm sure he was also worried, if not threatened."
"And angry ?" added the Jedi.
"Yes... He was very on edge," admitted Amidala.
"Anakin will always have issues about this kind of emotions, but today it is very understandable. Every Jedi is in the same state of mind than Anakin."
"What happened, Siri ?"
"Do you remember the Sith warrior that killed Qui-Gon Jinn on Naboo ?"
Padmé frowned, remember how too well the Zabraack dressed in black at the doors of the hangar on her palace. "How could I forget such monster ? But he was slained by Obi-wan, right ?"
"He was, indeed", confirmed Siri.
"But ?"
"But he managed to survive. Obi-wan went to face him early in the morning," Siri looked away for a moment, "that is why every one is worried."
"Obi-wan will come back, we all know that."
"I know, Padmé. But will he return the same as he was ?"
"Siri ?" The Senator had obviously not understood what Siri had implied.
"This Darth Maul had made my husband suffer so much. Many Jedi would act by revenge, and perhaps will Obi-wan."
"Obi-wan is the perfect Jedi. He will do as the Force commands, I'm sure."
The blonde woman looked at her belly for a moment, "You don't know all the thing Maul had done... Qui-Gon, Adi, Satine, and many others..." She then stared at the brunette woman in front of her, "If I was there, if I had to fight against that thing... I would kill him without mercy, Padmé. And as you probably figured, Anakin would do the same."
"You're saying that now but you will act differently during the fight."
"Believe me, Padmé, I would not let that Sith get away with a quick and easy death..."
The Senator thought she had misheard her friend. After all, how could a Jedi talk like that ? But actually, she wasn't talking with the Jedi master but the woman who had married Obi-wan. Then she understood Siri's feeling, and she realised that she would also feel the same if someone made Anakin suffer that much.
At this moment, she also noticed that her tea service was floating in the air, probably because of Siri's anger.
"Siri ? Could you please put the cups back on the table ?" asked Padmé because Siri had kept her eyes closed now.
"Mmh ?" Siri frowned when she watched all the things lifted by the Force. But the problem was that she was sure it was not her doing. Suddenly, the service started to shake and immediately fell, but Siri caught it with the Force and replaced it where it belonged.
"Are you alright ?"
"I wasn't doing that.." stated Siri.
"Is that th-"
"Yes, Padmé. It was Anteres..." Siri rose and headed to the balcony, "Something is wrong with Obi-wan..."
Darth Maul found himself on the muddy ground once again because of Obi-wan's strength. He had to do something or he would end up dead for good this time ! Then he saw it, inches from his left hand : the other piece of Savage's saberstaff. Maul sniggered as he watched the red blade emerging of the broken hilt. Now he would have the advantage.
"This is the end for you, Kenobi," warned the Zabraack slowly rising, with two lightsabers.
A new fight began where the opponent were now in a complete equality, but Maul would keep in mind that Obi-wan was only using one weapon. If Kenobi were the one leading the duel earlier, the Jedi had now the only choice to rely on Soresu to block every blow on his enemy, but the strategy was excellent considering that his defense was known to be unbreakable. The only problem was that he had to completely focus on his fight, he could no longer check on Assajj so he would have to end this quickly. The Jedi parried the two red blades, and in a very fast move, jumped at the right, carrying the blades with him and leaving the Sith without any protecting, and aimed the red torso. The move was simple and extremely efficient but Maul dodged and the blade only pierced the air behind his back : it was still too close. The Zabraack used his legs to send the Jedi away to counter attack but Kenobi seemed to have predicted the move and he had now switched in the stence of Ataru. The two warriors jumped at each other, the blades making a terrible and deadly noise and then clashed again, the blue sword between the red ones.
Obi-wan pressed with all he got against the red barrier until his own weapon came dangerously near Maul's horn who immediately lost focus : Kenobi kicked the Sith's abdomen. Maul would now die for good ! But before the Council Member could extend his right arm to pierce Maul's heart, something passed between them and crashed into a house's corner with a terrible sound. Because of the rain and the dark sky, Obi-wan didn't realise at first what happened so he took a look as well as Darth Maul who seemed surprised to be still breathing.
There it was, a shattered body laying senseless in a large muddy puddle : Assajj Ventress had been defeating by the other Zabraack monster... Obi-wan was speechless and terribly shocked : she didn't lose last time ! And now she was … dead.
The Jedi looked at the opposite direction only to watch Oppress with a sadistic smile, the same as Maul when Qui-Gon had been killed.
"Very good, brother," congratulated Maul, "now I will have my revenge."
"Yes, brother," replied the tall creature rising his lightsaber but after making a step forward, he froze realising that Kenobi had remained deadly silent : anger was rising too much for a Jedi.
Maul's smile widened even more, "Yes Kenobi, let your anger deepened your hatred and you will start your journey to the darkside !"
The Jedi Master's face darkened under the heavy brown hood, his grip on his lightsaber tightened and then, he strongly extended his left arm sending Maul against a wall, knocking him out. Obi-wan immediately jumped at Savage who had now to defend himself against the man who had stopped his brother years ago. Obi-wan was simply faster than him, he jumped at Savage's head and sent his foot in his left cheek. Oppress fell on the ground in a terrible way but quickly rose up : the Jedi was already at him, so he rose his left arm to slash the auburn man but noticed with horror that this arm was now on the ground, the lightsaber on the lifeless yellow hand. Savage yelled in pain as he found himself on the ground once again. Kenobi looked at him for a moment and then walked away, in the direction of Maul who had awaken and saw the scene.
"You will pay for this !" yelled Maul as he rushed at the Jedi.
But then, Kenobi used the Force to lift the former Sith apprentice and propelled him against a nearby wall, then another, and another, and finally on the ground. The pain was unbearable, and Maul was now sure that if he didn't attack, he would die. Even with now only one lightsaber, he would not give up ! He would not let Kenobi kill him, and he would take his revenge !.
Darth Maul pounced at the Jedi like an animal but he understood his mistake too late : Kenobi dodged his enemy like if the whole movement had been in slow motion, and then, Maul lost his two legs... again ! It was as painful as he remembered, perhaps lesser than last time because he had mechanic limbs, but he was screaming on the ground, without any weapon. He rolled back slowly to stare at Kenobi who had his lightsaber pointed at him.
"Ha- have," Maul tried to catch his breath, "have mercy ! You are a Jedi, you cannot kill me !"
Obi-wan stayed silent. Killing Darth Maul right now was a wise solution : if he let him live, he would kill again. And Obi-wan didn't want to see dead corpses in the Jedi Temple because of that Sith again ! He remembered them too well, Adi... Satine... How painful it had been to watch the woman he had loved dying in his arms, how impossible it had been to speak to her in her last moment because of the pain in his heart. And the killer was now defenseless in front of him, under his blade. How much easy it could be, a simple extension of his arms and everything would be over. In fact, he deeply wanted to end the miserable warrior.
"Do it, kill him... he is weak !" ordered a cold and deep voice in his mind. "He will kill again if you don't stop him... Remember your Master, the master of your wife, the Duchess … Kill him and you will save them all, Obi-wan".
The blue blade was now starting to slightly burn the red flesh, causing Maul to scream even more. After all, wouldn't the death of Darth Maul stop murders of Jedi ? What if Maul discovered Siri and his child ? He would hunt them for sure, and that could not happen. Darth Maul had to die.
"Remember your mission, my Knight," informed the Force in a sweet and calm voice, "Do not let the darkness overcome you too. I have faith in you, Obi-wan Kenobi..." the Force was right but his arm wasn't moving away from Darth Maul who had now a long scare on his chest, "Anteres should not have a murderer as a father. Remember Luke and Leia about Vader... Stop Obi-wan !"
The last words of the Force brought the Jedi Master to reason and he deactivated his lightsaber, sighing heavily. He was a Jedi, he would not fall to the darkside, he was strong enough to resist ! And furthermore, he had a mission, if he failed, everything would be over and he could not let the future repeat again ! Anteres would not live in a word of darkness, he had promised !
Pulling off his hood, Obi-wan let the rain refresh his hair and face and headed to where Assajj was laying. He couldn't hold the tears anymore, another one had died because of the two brothers who were escaping in Assajj's ship in the meantime. The man gently placed his arms under the lifeless body and put his head against the pale face of the former assassin. He never wanted her to die, he was supposed to save her too... Because of his sadness and his fatigue, Obi-wan thought he had heard her calling his name, but it wasn't impossible... After long minutes of sobbering, he decided it was time to leave this hell and rose, taking Assajj in his arms and headed to his shuttle to return to his home.
Night had already fallen on Coruscant when the ship of Obi-wan Kenobi could be seen in the sky of Coruscant, returning to the Jedi Temple. On the main landing platform, Master Yoda, Windu, and Siri were waiting for the Council member : tension and worries were easily read on their face. They knew Obi-wan would return, it was obvious, but the trial had been extremely terrible for Siri's husband, and somehow, Yoda felt guilty to have let Obi-wan go alone : perhaps he had been wrong, perhaps Kenobi had need comfort because his sadness was overwhelming, even from the platform. Why was that Jedi always the one who suffered ? That was something the Force would not answer, not yet, but it was clear that this young man had a important role for the Jedi Order, perhaps even greater that Yoda's.
As the ship landed, the robes of the wainting Jedi Master flapped, exposing their body to the cold rain that had darkened the sky since the departure of the auburn man. Obi-wan quickly came out of the ship, with the body of Assajj Ventress in his arms, and without saying a word nor salute his fellow Jedi, entered inside the Jedi Temple with a grave face. The three other followed him, with a certain distance, to the Healer Wing, where Kenobi laid Ventress on a bed, and called his old friend Bant Errin. Yoda, Mace and Siri didn't want to disturb the two of them, so they waited outside until Obi-wan would decide to come and talk to them, and they would stay here all night if they had to.
After ten long minutes, Siri's husband came out of Assajj's chamber, without his famous sleeveless brown robe, dress as a simple Jedi. He seemed so tired that the guilt in his friends' heart couldn't grow stronger...
"How are you feeling Obi-wan ?" asked Siri coming next to him, taking his left hand in hers.
"Exhausted," replied the man.
"How is she ?" Mace wanted to know if Ventress was indeed dead as he thought when he saw her body.
"Bant says she is in a terrible coma... She is not sure if Assajj could wake up..."
"Trust the Force, we shall now, Master Kenobi," counseled Yoda with a timid smile.
"I know Master."
"Feel guilty you shall not, Obi-wan. What had to be done, you did."
"I felt your pain and your anger from here, my love," said Siri gently, "Are you ok ?"
"I wanted to kill them, Siri..."
"Every one would have act the same, Obi-wan," commented Mace, "but you didn't give into your anger, you remained a Jedi until the end. There is no shame by doing so, you are not a coward at all."
"Thank you Mace. I hope I will not regret my actions."
"See those two again, we will Obi-wan. Capture them, we must," ordered the diminutive green Jedi.
"What if we can't ?" asked Siri, "I'm not sure I could do that, Master."
"Two Jedi shall go after them," stated Mace, "it is too important. With them, we could discover the true identity of the Sith and end this word."
"Careful we must be," added Yoda before leaving, "New enemies of the Jedi, we will discover..."
Author Note : Well, I guess this is it ! Do you really think I would kill Maul and Savage at such moment ? Haha no no, don't worry, they will go to Mandalore and they will fight against … you know who, of course. And as you can see, even Obi-wan is not immune to the darkside.
I'll be in holidays in a week, so chapters will come sooner. Next time, the chapter will focus about the reaction of the Jedi about Darth Maul, Assajj's health and Anakin will go to Palpatine. Siri will be there to support Obi-wan, and Ferus will be send in a dangerous planet by Darth Sidious, perhaps we will see Aayla or Darth Vectious, I'm not sure yet.
Anyway, I hope you liked that huge fight, if you think that Obi-wan had become too powerful, just tell me, but Maul will train Savage for a next fight. And Obi-wan is, after all, the Knight of the Force, the one supposed to fight Sidious ;)
Please read over and over, and review of course :D