Chapter 4: Luke Lars

After his loss on Naboo, Maul had barely survived. His memory of that time in fragments, Maul did not recall how he kept himself alive. He concluded he must have lived in a near feral state, feeding off the little edible waste and food found in Naboo's underworld. He remembered waking up from his rogue state, forming his first real memory in over a decade, finding himself in the sewers with rudimentary but functional cybernetic legs from the waist down. He didn't know who had saved him from himself, but Maul didn't care. It was irrelevant to him; he was back, and that's all that mattered.

Maul left the sewers of Naboo and soon after found that the universe was not the same as he last knew it - a galactic war was in progress. The Clone Wars, it was called, named for the clone army the Republic used to fight against a group known as the Separatists. He learned the Separatists were led by Count Dooku - an individual whom Maul concluded must be a Sith - based on the way he felt the Force aura around the man. Maul instantly knew then that he had been replaced - as Dooku certainly was not the Master, and must be Sidious' new apprentice. Maul felt a tinge of anger, knowing he was replaced, wondering if Sidious even looked for him.

The thought was irrelevant, Maul quickly realized, as it allowed him freedom - freedom for revenge - Kenobi was still alive, he learned, and a hero of this war, no less. And his partner, someone named Skywalker, was a hero as well.

Maul knew his goal was to kill Kenobi, and set out to do so. However, his path was hindered - he had no lightsaber, no equipment, and was out of shape, both physically and with the Force. He put himself to work, obtaining a kyber crystal in order to build a new blade, stealing and retrofitting a stolen stealth fighter to suit his needs, and modifying his new legs in order to be more agile and capable. He spent countless hours retraining himself both physically and in the ways of the Force, in order to be a formidable threat once again.

Maul's hard work went without immediate usability - as soon after he felt ready, he heard the news of Dooku's death, at the hands of Kenobi and Skywalker, and realized an opportunity - Sidious would be in need of a new apprentice. Working with Sidious again wasn't ideal, but it afforded more opportunities and resources to further Maul's goals.

Maul travelled to Coruscant, to approach Sidious. Sidious lived a double life, both as Sidious and now as Chancellor Palpatine, a step up from Senator to Naboo. Maul felt safest approaching Sidious while he was acting as Palpatine; while it was more dangerous to approach him in a more public setting; Sidious wouldn't dare reveal himself as a Sith Lord while in public, and therefore, would not openly attack Maul.

Using mind tricks and stealth, he snuck into Palpatine's office. Security was tight - an attempt the Chancellor's life had just been attempted, but nevertheless, he got in undetected.

Once in, he hid himself behind the pillars in the rear of the office, and waited. Palpatine entered shortly after, surrounded by aids and officials. They discussed policy and the war before exiting, leaving Palpatine alone. Maul took his chance, and walked into view, using the Force to engage the door lock.

Palpatine was not surprised and did not immediately look up, focusing on the datapad on his desk.

"I've been expecting you, Lord Maul," Palpatine said, his voice no longer warm and welcoming, now cold and calculating, in contrast to how he spoke before with his staff.

Maul must have looked shocked, as Palpatine - now Sidious, looked up and smiled.

"I've felt you, Maul. I am one with the Dark Side, my friend, and you cannot use it's power without me knowing."

Maul regained his composure quickly, his wits returning. "If you knew I was alive, why did you abandon me on Naboo?"

"At the time, it was not obvious to me. The Jedi claimed you were dead, and I had no reason not to believe them. Jedi don't lie about killing Sith. They are too proud. Arrogant." Sidious paused, "It was only recently I learned you were alive."

"You didn't even look for me, did you?" Maul snarled. "You replaced me in an instant."

Sidious almost laughed, "Why do you think I would have any reason not to? You were as good as dead! I am not Jedi scum, Lord Maul, but the Dark Lord of the Sith! And I do not mourn, I continue. Time does not wait for anybody."

Maul paused before speaking again. "Would you take me back as your apprentice?"

Sidious cocked his head to the side, "And why would I do that? You've only returned to me now, only after you heard about the demise of Darth Tyrannus, which surely had nothing to do with your decision. You think you can return to me as if we never parted?" Sidious cackled a dry laugh, "Oh, my friend, you are mistaken."

"But why not? I'm ready to serve you, now."

Sidious did not waiver, "My friend, I've already got another apprentice in mind. I'm afraid to say, I don't need you."

Maul didn't say anything.

Sidious nodded, still smiling. "I sense, you have plans of your own design," Sidious' smile faded, replaced by a more sinister look. "Do not oppose my plans, Lord Maul, for you will find yourself in a position you do not wish to find yourself in. Remember, there can only be two and you are no longer under my tutelage. You should consider yourself fortunate, that I do not wish you dead."

"I do not wish to counter your work, Master. I only wish for revenge."

"Ahh, against Kenobi. Yes, your feelings betray you. I can offer you this: your revenge will come. For now, do not interfere with Kenobi, nor his partner, Skywalker. They are my pawns to play."

"Why not?" Maul hissed, feeling anger start to rise in his veins, "I am owed my revenge."

Any polite formality Sidious had offered was gone. "Do not go against me, Maul, or you will regret it. Stay out of my way." Sidious snarled. "I will allow you your revenge, when the time is right, if you do what I ask. But for now, do not disobey my wishes, or I will not be so merciful the next time we meet."

Sidious smiled once again, effortlessly transitioning from sinister to kind, back into Palpatine.

"It's time for you to go, my friend, before you are found in my office. I'm afraid my staff wouldn't take too kindly to a known Jedi killer in my office."

Maul nodded, and bowed, then departed.

Owen looked at the boy, still wrapped up in his blankets on the kitchen table, to Beru, still reeling from the shock of the newest member of the household.

"So, I guess we're parents now." Owen said, looking back to the boy.

"Yeah, looks that way," Beru said, looking at the infant, "Luke. I like his name. It suits him. He looks like a 'Luke'."

'Sure does. Luke Lars, I suppose…?" Owen said, nervously, looking over to Beru, not sure if his words were a statement or question and hoping Beru would confirm them.

"Lars? Shouldn't he be a Skywalker?" Beru said, a concerned look developing on her face.

"Well, I kinda thought since we were adopting him, he would take our name." Owen said, still with nervousness in his voice.

"But what about Luke's parents? Your step brother? Shouldn't we honour them? I mean, Luke's parents died fighting a war."

"We don't know how they died," Owen protested, "I mean, if we're gonna raise him-"

"Owen! What would your father think, dishonoring the boy's heritage? He's a Skywalker."

Realizing Beru's points, Owen conceded, "Alright, you're right. He should be a Skywalker." He looked at the boy, and touched his face, "Then we've gotta be his Aunt and Uncle, not Mom and Dad." he said, looking at Beru. "Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru."

"Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru." Beru repeated, "I like the sound of that." She smiled at Owen, and Owen smiled back.

"Yeah, that does sound good."

"What about Ben?"

The smile on Owen's face vanished instantly. "I don't want him around us or Luke." Owen turned to face Beru. "I really think he's dangerous, or at least unstable. I mean, he said the Jedi are hunted, what if they find him here? Or what if he loses his mind? He shouldn't hang around here."

Beru pursed her lips, "He seems harmless, I think it's fine." she said. "Sounds like he just wants to help."

Owen frowned, "Help or not, I don't think he's safe, Beru. I just got this gut feeling."

Beru rolled her eyes, and smiled, "Okay, Owen, if you say so."

Owen watched as Beru grabbed the boy, to take him to his room which had been fashioned overnight from a storage room. He had a feeling this wasn't the last time they would talk about Ben Kenobi.

Sorry for the delay in Chapter publishing. I hit a bit of wall with how I wanted a certain event to go in Chapter 7 and I've since rectified that, allowing me to publish Chapter 4 and 5, which have been complete for some time. But I like to be a few Chapters ahead, hence the delay. Chapter 7 is nearly done and I hope to have that out sooner then later!

Chapter 5 is called...Rage and Grace.