A/N: Been putting this off for a while. Remember that part where I said this chapter should go a lot smoother since I had a better idea of how to start it? Yeah. It didn't do much for me. I was still stuck on this shit for the longest. But it's here now, so let's dive right back in.


Obi-Wan was a level headed Jedi. It was a quality that always stuck him. That, despite the situation, he could always keep cool, calm, and collected. This was one of the few moments where he couldn't shake his trepidation. And it was all because of the warning Anakin gave him, who he knew had an excellent Foresight.

"Not to mention I've seen the place in a vision. I remember burning... screaming... pain... hatred... I still haven't figured out what it meant..."

"Just make sure you don't let your guard down out there. Not for one second."

"Are you ok Master Kenobi?" Serra said as Obi-Wan opened his eyes.

"Attempting to calm my thoughts," he told the young woman.

"Is this about what Skywalker told you?" Serra questioned.

"Yes. And it's not just about Anakin's remarkable Foresight. Whoever's guarding Senator Amidala may prove a challenge," Obi-Wan said.

"Whoever he is, he won't stop us," Serra said, idly rotating one of her sabers with the Force. There was a hard expression on her face, bordering on anger.

"Do not go in with your anger clouding your judgement, young one. It will only cloud your judgement," Obi-Wan told her.

"How do you do it?" Serra asked, putting her saber down.

"Do what?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"Stay calm. Don't get angry. The Jedi Temple is ruins. Many of our fellow Jedi are dead. Our friends. Our family. All gone. I am livid. How are you not?" Serra questioned.

Serra was a good girl. An even better Jedi. But it seemed like the loss of the entire Temple was weighing on her, knowing she was one of the few survivors. So Obi-Wan would try and help her the best way he could.

"Honestly..." the Jedi Master trailed as he made eye contact with her. "My rage makes me weaker. It makes me sloppy, unfocused, and less decisive in my thinking. Other than the code the Jedi live by, it's bad for any lives that are at stake. It puts a lid on any anger that may grow."

"But to keep it from budding at all?" Serra asked. "Even I was never immune from getting angry. I just never let it grow."

"It is difficult, but not impossible. If what they say is true, Master Yoda has never been tempted by any Dark Side emotion once," Obi-Wan said. "Something that I failed at when I was around your age."

"Master Qui-Gon," Serra said. She wasn't part of the Jedi Order during that time, but she knew that story. Obi-Wan simply nodded before an image appeared on the ship's holocomm.

"Master Kenobi," Clovis greeted with a nod.

"We're approaching the Mustafar system, Senator Clovis. Where are you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Hanging back. I figured my presence would complicate matters more," Clovis said.

"I can see why you would think that. But your presence may go over better than ours," Obi-Wan said, making the Senator raise an eyebrow.

"You want to use me as bait?" he asked.

"Of a sort. It is less than likely our adversaries will act rashly if they find out their visitor is simply a Senator. Two Jedi appearing at their front door won't go over well," Obi-Wan suggested.

"And you think this would increase the chances of her getting out alive?" Clovis asked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan told him, making the Senator sigh.

"Then I will descend down to the planet. I will let you know when I begin to near Padme's location," he told the Jedi. Then he went silent.

Clovis knew it was fully within his rights to refuse what the Jedi requested of him. As far as the world was concerned, the Jedi were criminals who attempted to assassinate the Chancellor, who was now their Emperor. And the only reason he was getting involved was for one woman who didn't even want him. And because the idea of an Empire didn't sit right with him.

"I have a habit of making great decisions like these," Clovis thought sarcastically as he descended towards the planet surface. To his knowledge, the Mustafarian mining complex was bought out by the Separatists quite a while ago. It would be the best place to hold her. That is, if Skywalker's deduction of the situation was correct.

Descending to the mining complex, he stepped out only to see Darth Maul standing across from him. He could barely activate his comm behind his back before he felt an invisible force grip him by the throat, pinning him against his ship.

"How did you find this place? Why you are here?" Maul said, his voice a cold growl.

"I know a lot about the Separatist dealings, and I know they own the Mustafarian mining complex. As for why I'm here, I want to propose a trade," Clovis said.

"You have nothing I need," Maul said dismissively.

"Jedi. I know you want Jedi," Clovis said quickly, making Maul's yellow eyes suddenly light up with hatred. The hold tightened.

"What Jedi do you know of?" he asked.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi. From what I know, you're familiar with him," Clovis said. He didn't have to be a Jedi to know that even mentioning Obi-Wan's name made the Sith's anger grow.

"His location! Tell me!" Maul growled angrily.

"First... I want Senator Amidala's safety. I saw your troops nab her," Clovis said.

"His location, politician! My patience is very limited, and your life is on the line," Maul told him, knowing his neck would break if he tightened his hold any more.

"My death would serve you no purpose. You would forever know Obi-Wan Kenobi is out there somewhere. Alive, and you'd be unable to kill him and get your revenge on him. Jedi are crafty, and they would likely be able to hide as long as they need to," Clovis said, his voice now barely a whisper.

After a moment's hesitation, he felt the hold on him loosen. Then, he cut his wrist comm off, knowing the Jedi knew where to land when he purposefully said what building they were at. Now there was definitely no reason to keep it on, lest the Sith get suspicious.

"Inside. We will... discuss what you know," Maul said, his voice quieter as gestured for Clovis to follow him.

"I only have a limited amount of time to buy before he does away with me," Clovis thought, knowing Padme was a high priority prisoner. There was no way he was going to let her go. "Those Jedi better get here quickly."

Obi-Wan and Serra wasted no time getting to the mining facility. Thankfully, the Eclipse was as capable of a undetected landing as well as any other stealth ships. Perhaps even better.

"It's a good thing Anakin didn't become a bounty hunter similar to the likes of Cad Bane," Obi-Wan said as they landed the ship.

"Why?" Serra asked curiously, wondering why the Jedi Master brought up such an idea.

"Because catching him would be next to impossible if he had access to a ship like this," Obi-Wan said as they stepped off.

Serra couldn't argue with that. Their landing was so quiet, even they could barely hear it. Not to mention its cloaking functions, mobility, and weaponry... This ship would likely help even the worst of pilots do a professional's job, never mind Skywalker's famed piloting skills.

"R2, stay with the ship," the older Jedi said, causing the robot to beep in confirmation.

Obi-Wan and Serra walked into the facility while crouched, making sure they were making no noise at they entered. Padme needed to be found before Maul could be dealt with, so that was priority one. Once she was safe, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Master Yoda could confront the Emperor together. Even as powerful as the Sith was, it was doubtful he could beat all three of them. There was a high enough chance Anakin was powerful enough to take him alone.

Clovis made sure to stay a few paces behind Maul, knowing he was already walking on thin ice with the Sith as it was. Luckily, it seemed he had an intense hatred for Obi-Wan, so he could exploit that. He just hoped that he could buy enough time for the Jedi to get Padme out of here. Preferably before this Sith killed him and dumped his carcass in a lava river.

The Senator was lead into a room, which looked to be the main operating room. Littered across the floor were the bodies of all the Separatist leaders. He recognized nearly all of them, knowing they were all wanted by the Republic and the Jedi. Guess Clovis just found out why Padme was located here. It was convenient for them.

"Seat yourself in here," Maul said, gesturing towards a door. Clovis assumed he had to walk in first, given Maul was standing to the side while gesturing towards the door. When he walked in, he saw the very reason for his visit.

"Padme!" Clovis exclaimed, causing the young woman to look up. She was tied to a chair, scrapped droid parts and sections of rope being used as the restraints. But he didn't miss how her arms seemed to be bleeding. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing that she can't recover from. Which is more than I can see for you if you do not tell me what I wish to know," Maul said before forcing Clovis into a chair. "Where is Kenobi?!"

"What are you doing here Clovis?" Padme asked, now trying to get out of her restraints.

"What does it look like? I'm trying to bargain for your life," Clovis said before focusing on Maul again.

"For the life of someone else's?" Padme asked, looking angry at the very idea.

"Yes." Clovis said it so bluntly, that it left her speechless for a moment. "I came across Kenobi's location through Anakin Skywalker."

"He knows Kenobi is alive?" Maul questioned.

"It is likely that was the reason he survived in the first place. It's why he insists on wasting our time by holding his ex-wife hostage," Clovis said, sounding cool and confident. He may have not been a good person, but Clovis was one hell of a politician. The two weren't often mutually exclusive.

"How do you know of Kenobi's location? I doubt Skywalker simply gave it to you," Maul asked, his tone more suspicious.

"Of course not. He does not trust me. But, he does trust me of my willingness to keep Padme safe. I am, as you can see, rather fond of her. But I do not trust Skywalker's ability to keep her alive, so I took it upon myself. As well as score a few bonus points with our new Empire," Clovis said, noticing Padme was practically glaring daggers into the back of his head. But he kept his cool.

"Where is he?" Maul asked, his lightsaber now activated.

"Closer than you think," Obi-Wan said, catching the Sith's attention. Maul turned in time to see Kenobi jump at him and kick him into a wall. Serra was right behind him, and made a giant leap in the room. She slid across the table to Padme and cut her restraints with two separate, precise slices.

"Why you..." Maul growled before attempting to pursue after a retreating Clovis. But Obi-Wan stood in between them with his azure saber activated. "Kenobi..."

The word was spoken with so much venom and hatred, no one would've been surprised if Maul was frothing at the mouth.

"Maul," Obi-Wan said, looking at the once proud Sith Lord.

His appearance was even worse close up. Now he was more than positive the metal was grafted onto his skin. The scarring on his arms looked so big and twisted, they could've resembled a melted pile of putty slapped on his arm. His breathing was also somewhat labored; obviously suggesting Maul had some kind of internal surgery on his lungs. And who knew where else.

The thing that really threw Obi-Wan were his eyes. He was used to the look of pure rage that was almost always in Maul's eyes, but this look was different. It more like the look of a rabid animal; wild rage that had no medium. No focus. It was just always there. Constant pain converted into rage for anything and everyone. Except the person he was programmed to serve. And this would forever be his existence.

Obi-Wan knew Dooku was capable of some cold, cruel actions. But this... this was the definition of evil. And as much rage Obi-Wan knew Anakin was capable of, the Jedi Master knew that even he wouldn't condemn his worst enemy to a life such as this.

"This existence..." Obi-Wan trailed as he and Maul stared each other down.

"What? Do you feel pity for me Kenobi? Are you repulsed? Or do you feel vindicated?" Maul questioned, a twisted smile crossing his face. Out of all of his body parts, his face was the only spot untouched. Other than a few normal looking scars.

"This is no way for anyone to live," Obi-Wan said.

"This is a life of eternal pain and rage! A life of power!" Maul exclaimed, raising his saber to the sky.

"A life worse than death," Obi-Wan said in a disgusted tone. "Your master is a cruel monster."

"And you would not condemn me to this life? I would for you," Maul said with a sadistic purr in his voice. It sent chills down Padme's spine, and even unnerved Serra a bit.

"Every day, you would think of nothing but the pain. But you would never learn to use the pain to make you stronger," Maul continued.

"I thought about ending you once before. I wanted to hate you for what you've done to me," Obi-Wan said, tightening the hold on his lightsaber. "But I don't hate you. If anything, I pity you. So no. I would not condemn you to this life."

"I do not wish for your pity!" Maul snarled before lunging at his most hated foe. Obi-Wan raised his saber in front of him, his feet sliding as he was fighting against the strength of Maul's mechanical legs.

Directing their sabers upwards, Obi-Wan managed to land a quick kick to Maul's stomach that bent him over before Force Pushing the Sith back into the main room.

"Get out of here," Serra said to Padme before igniting her lightsabers. "We'll distract..."

"No. You will leave with Senator Amidala. I will handle Maul," Obi-Wan said in a serious tone, his saber at his side.

"Alone?" Serra questioned.

"One way or another, it's about time this feud died like it should've decades ago," Obi-Wan said before continuing forward. Serra looked to Padme, who looked at Obi-Wan with an expression of concern.

"Stay close to me. It's no good of a rescue mission if you're not in one piece when we leave," she said before leading the woman out of the room.

Maul shook his head from the force of hitting the console he was launched into before looking up at Kenobi. Another primal snarl broke free from his throat as launched himself at the Jedi Master, the both of them locking sabers. This time, Maul was the one to land a kick on Kenobi's chest to knock him down to the ground.

Before he could land on him with his metal foot, Obi-Wan quickly rolled to the side and was on his feet in an instant.

The two of them started to trade blows back and forth, Obi-Wan's Soresu easily able to deal with Maul's aggressive swings. It wasn't like the Sith's regular lightsaber style at all. It was more like he was battling Obi-Wan with pure instinct rather than his training.

"You are the reason I have become like this Kenobi," Maul said, hatred and venom dripping from every syllable.

"I would not take credit of doing something as disgustingly inhumane as that. I will, however, take credit for cutting you in half. That I meant to do," Obi-Wan said calmly.

With another roar of rage, Maul put everything he had into his swings. All of them were fully intent on taking Obi-Wan's head off. But the Jedi was still able to easily direct them away from him, landing the occasional blow on Maul in the process. Kicks and elbows that hardly gave the Sith pause.

"Before this, you were a Sith. You were proud to be one. You had a brother who fought beside you, and he was someone you actually cared for. Your family. Your ideals. All gone because of the man who holds your leash. The one you now call master," Obi-Wan said before directing his lightsaber far enough away from him to get a solid punch on Maul's face.

Letting out another roar of anger, Maul traded blows with Kenobi again. But this time, his roar of rage was accompanied by using the Force. It created a shockwave powerful enough to force Obi-Wan's back against the wall. Maul was on him in an instant; his saber an inch from his face as he tried to overpower the Jedi.

Obi-Wan, with no small amount of effort, managed to give his legs leverage in order to push Maul up off of him with a double kick. Though he immediately had to dodge to the side in order to dodge to the side to avoid the Sith's descending blade. The console next to him ended up fried along with the stability of the machinery outside.

Maul was quick enough to land a kick Obi-Wan that forced him to flip in order to avoid landing on his back. Maul attempted to Force Push him into the wall, but Obi-Wan held the Push and struggled against it before sending the Push back to him, launching him into the wall. Obi-Wan ran up to him and their sabers locked inches from their face.

"I will see you dead Kenobi," Maul growled.

"I'm not letting that happen," was Obi-Wan's only response.

Then, with a sudden pull of the lightsaber, the Jedi Master tilted the saber to where it was angled towards Maul's hands. The Sith Lord didn't notice the gesture until it was far too late, and lost a thumb because of it.

The Sith hissed in anger, but ignored the pain. Instead, he went for a swipe at Obi-Wan's head, and it was far too slow. Slow enough to where Maul froze in surprise when he felt an intense pain through his chest. Suddenly, all the feelings of pain and anger felt numb; almost like a distant memory. He was dying, and the thought in itself was peaceful.

Obi-Wan hesitated as he used the Force to toss Maul's lightsaber over to a distant corner, taking comfort in the fact that if he somehow managed to get the energy to pull it over to him, he would at least have time to react. His musings were cut off by a hollow, pained laugh. But it was an amused laugh all the same.

"My demise nears Kenobi. And quite honestly, I say farewell to this cursed existence," Maul said, raising the hand that was missing a thumb. In his final moments, the former Sith was glad for the ability to think for himself.

"Better death than that sort of existence," Obi-Wan said as Maul's entire body shuddered from a sudden spasm of pain.

"Skywalker was my purpose for being here. Because he would stop my old master. He will do what needs to be done?" he asked, his hand over his stab wound.

"He will," Obi-Wan said, knowing Anakin's ideology on people like Sidious. Chances were that he would die once word got back to him that Padme was no longer in danger. He just hoped Anakin would decide against it.

"Then... he will avenge us..." Maul trailed before his eyes rolled upward but did not close.

That made it official. Maul, formerly Darth Maul, was now dead. The fate that Obi-Wan thought he had suffered many years ago finally catching up to him. And the only peace he knew was knowing his fate would be avenged.

In some ways, him and Maul were dark reflections of each other. Though his life was tied to the Jedi, and Maul to the Sith. After many things he had done to Obi-Wan, he wanted to hate him. But in many aspects, he also empathized with him. With the suffering both of them suffered because of the Sith.

So, with some hesitation, he knelt down and closed his old enemy's eyes. Then he walked away to his ship, knowing that it was not over yet. Not until Darth Sidious was stopped. He just hoped Anakin had what it took to stop him. And that's when his eyes zeroed in on the holoprojector near him.


Anakin had a scowl on his face as he stared at the ground. He was staring at the ground because at this point, he had no choice but to kneel before Sidious. He knew the miserable old man was enjoying this; seeing Anakin at his best, yet kneeling to him submissively. One knee though. He wouldn't dare do both.

"This marks a new day for you," Sidious said, an unnatural breathing sound coming from the man. "The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you will be known as Darth..."

"He will not be known as anything," a voice interrupted, and Anakin knew that voice. Glancing upward, he saw that instead of Maul appearing on the holocomm Sidious had on the desk, it was Obi-Wan. That meant he made to where Padme was, and that meant...

In an instant, Anakin was on his feet with his saber drawn and the Sith in front of him reacted in time for both blades to cross paths. And the anger Anakin was holding back in an attempt to keep himself calm was now ready to be unleashed.


A/N: Insert Roundabout soundtrack here. That's the "To Be Continued" meme music, in case any of you are curious. Anyway, long overdue for this. I apologize. I'm thinking about one or two more chapters before I can end it off. I'll see you all the next time!