Sidious POV
"We have a problem," maul said
"What sort of problem?" Sidious responded
"A bunch of pirates attempted to assassinate Poggle the lesser. I was able to intercept the attack, but it was close. One of the pirates mentioned being sent by the Jedi" Maul spoke
"The Jedi" Sidious pondered, "I was told by the Jedi that they had hired the pirates for defense reasons, not as assassins. They could have ulterior motives that threaten our plans. I want you to investigate. Don't make me regret rescuing you" Sidious replied
The comm turned off.
"This must be Skywalkers doing. He must have something to do with this. I know he is powerful, and the disturbance in the force he has created is most concerning. I would have left maul for dead if I didn't feel this disturbance threatened my plans"
Authors note: Yes as Sidious confirms, he rescued maul following the disturbance in the force he felt from Anakin after he went back in time, so his return is not a timeline mistake on my part. More of his reasoning for rescuing him will be revealed later.
Anakin POV
Anakin had been rushed to the hospital wing after his collapse.
Once his breathing has stabilized he was able to let out one word:
"Maul"
Obi-Wan and Yoda both looked in confusion and were certain they had misheard him.
"What did you say?" Obi-wan asked
"Maul" Again let out again, " He's back"
"WHAT" Obi-wan shouted
"In my timeline, he also survived but he didn't emerge until the clone wars started. And even then it wasn't Sidious who saved him, it was the night sisters. This must be Sidious's work, it's far too early not to be. I don't know why though" Anakin tried to explain
"He killed Qui-Gon" Obi-wan spoke sadly
"And he's going to kill far more" Anakin replied grimly, "In my timeline, Hondo never died. Bad things are already starting to happen. Although he was a pirate he also had a heart. It's my fault he's dead, I convinced him to do the mission."
Both Jedi carried a great sorrow in their eyes at this recent news.
Council POV
The council gathered, and Obi-wan and Anakin stood at the center.
"Are you alright Skywalker?" Mace asked
Anakin was taken aback by this concern demonstrated by Windu. Windy took notice of this shock
"I'm fine. Thank you, master." Anakin replied
"There is some news you aren't going to like" Obi-Wan announced
The council now focused fully on Kenobi
"The monster who killed Qui-Gon, Darth Maul, has returned and wiped out Hondos pirate group"
The council murmured.
"But there's more" Obi-wan continued, "In Anakin's original timeline Maul survived, but it wasn't until the clone wars in around 8 years that he returned. And it wasn't even Sidious who rescued him in that timeline. Something about Anakin's return has prompted Sidious to rescue him"
"Are you sure it was Sidious who rescued him?" Plo asked
"Yes, Maul was defending Poggle the lesser. He would have no reason to do so unless Sidious was involved" Anakin answered
"Any why were the pirates targeting Poggle?" Mace asked
"I told them to. Poggle and the Geanosians are responsible for early templates of the Death Star - the space station you saw destroy Alderaan in the vision. He is also a major ally of Sidious who is key in the governance of the separatist council during the clone wars."
"You should have at least consulted us." Master Mundi commented
"I knew you wouldn't approve of such a stupid and rash decision. But I should have, perhaps this disaster could have been prevented" Anakin said
Anakin POV
After the meeting had ended Anakin returned to his room and rested. He let his eyes close and he drifted off.
"welcome lord vader, we have been expecting you.. " Gunray said
Vader ignited his blue blade to the shock of the separatists. They realized who it was. Anakin skywalker- the republic hero and the biggest threat to the separatists during the clone wars.
"wha-" San hill shouted before being grasped with the force and his neck snapped.
The separatists and battle droids opened fire but in vain. Their blaster shots were effortlessly deflected. Vader launched himself forward striking Rogwa Wodwata in his chest killing him instantly. He began moving rapidly whilst slashing and swinging decapitating Shu Mai and Tikkes in one blow. Cutting down passel argente. He moved around the room effortlessly slaying everyone he reached. Reaching Poggle the lesser and slicing him in half in a quick strike.
Anakin awakened and muttered a small whisper, "I'm going to kill him (Poggle)"
It was near morning when he woke up so he dressed into his padawan robes and went to the mess hall earlier than normal. Today he shared lessons with Dani and the other younglings from his former clan. Anakin sat with Dani.
Dani was still wary of Anakin after what happened on Illum, but he allowed Anakin to sit.
"How are you doing" Anakin spoke first
"Im fine. How is being a padawan?" Dani replied
"It's alright. Not much has changed, as I'm still forced to attend most of the same lessons as you due to me still being quite young for a padawan. (He is 12 and most padawans are 16 or above, though he was still quite old compared to the youngling clan he was placed in. There were other older youngling clans, but as he was new to the order he was initially placed with the most basic, Dani was also on the older end of the group. )
MAUL POV (1 day earlier)
Maul entered one of the pirate's ships. A couple of blaster shots emerged but were dodged by the sith assassin. Maul charged at the lone straggler and kicked him with his robotic legs impaling him. He proceeded to the cockpit and looked at the hyperspace logs, and found out the pirates had come from Florrum. He went back to his own starfighter and set course for Florrum.
A few hours later he exited hyperspace and headed for the planet's surface and landed. The remaining pirates had no idea what had happened to the others. The pirates surrounded the ship with their weapons raised.
Maul exited the ship to the view of 100 blasters. Once the pirates saw his lightsaber hilt they lowered their weapons.
"The Jedi have come to do more business?" A pirate asked
"Yes" Maul bluntly replied
"Do you know if Hondo's mission has worked? We haven't heard back yet" The pirate replied
"I don't know much about the mission, I haven't been fully informed. I came to continue our trade agreement (Sidious told him the Jedi had negotiated with the Pirates) Could you tell me more about the mission. I might be able to help." Maul replied
"Some Jedi came a few days ago. We captured them all, but some Jedi child who was able to escape held us all in their air and strangled us. Hondo decided to negotiate with him and agreed we would attack targets for the Jedi in exchange for all the profits and plunder. This morning the Jedi child contacted us again and gave us a mission to kill or capture some creep called Poggle the Lesser, and that's where they are now. Now, can you find out how Hondo is doing" The pirate said
"You will meet him soon" Maul replied callously before igniting his blade
"What?" The pirate asked shocked
Maul tossed his lightsaber at the pirate decapitating him. The other pirates all opened fire. Maul leaped onto the cliff that protected the pirate base (the pirate base is inside a mountain). The pirates continued their fire as Maul deflected and continued dodging shots. He reached out with the force and picked up a large bolder and then launched it as the swarm of pirates all blasting at him. The pirates all dispersed trying to avoid the bolder causing a stampede in which several were killed and the bolder crushed many more. With the Pirates in Chaos maul swooped into the crowd and started rapidly slicing through the pirates. Within minutes most of them were dead.
After killing all the pirates on the outside he entered the pirate compound and slew the survivors.
Maul opened his comm and contacted Sidious
"My master. I have the information you were seeking" Maul stated
"Gooood" Palpatine replied
"They confirmed that the Jedi had ordered the attack on Poggle the Lesser, they said a child Jedi was able to force choke an entire room of pirates simultaneously, in fact, they said it was the child who gave the orders to capture of kill Poggle. it would seem this child they speak of is no ordinary jedi. Perhaps it could be just a small Jedi such as Master Yoda?"
"That is most interesting. I know the Child they speak of. He goes by Skywalker. He was able to stop Cad Bane, and the Jedi mentioned his lightsaber skills were unheard of for someone so young. He also happens to be the chosen one. " Palpatine replied
"The Chosen One?" Maul asked
"It is said the chosen one will destroy the sith but I never expected him to be this powerful. He is a threat, but if he could be turned he would be a powerful ally" Sidious answered
"What about the rule of 2?" Maul asked
"That rule has gotten us to where we are, now we can disregard it and take ultimate power" Sidious replied (Maul doesn't know Dooku is also his apprentice)
"Very well," Maul said
"I will orchestrate a way for us to get ahold of the Jedi boy. until then protect Lesser" Sidious ordered
"Yes master," Maul said
The comm ended
Sidious POV
Sidious changed the comm channel
"Lord Tyrannus" Sdious spoke
"Yes master" Dooku answered
"The Skywalker boy has become a major threat"
To be continued...