The Puppetmaster
Darth Sidious was watching the entirety of this madness unfold before him. In the grand, bustling city of Coruscant, the everyday routines of the skycars and transport systems were being interrupted by the chaos. The exchange of fire between the Jedi and their doomed Republic's army. The civilians running around aimlessly. The burning of buildings. The aftermath of it all would be expensive. To replace all that'd been lost in the battle would take a massive amount of time and credits. But it didn't matter to the soon-to-be emperor. Everything was exactly how he'd pictured it. All was falling into place.
Almost all. There was one thing he hadn't predicted when he'd imagined the downfall of the Jedi. His former apprentice beside the Padawan that once belonged to his new underling. A feigned alliance, perhaps. The Sith Lord expected nothing less from his inferior opponent. Sidious had been at risk of this ludicrous man overshadowing him. He had taught Maul well. Instilling hatred of the Jedi, the never-ending lust for power, and the perfectionist-level training made for the tool of war Sidious needed.
Too well. Sidious should have ended it when he was granted the chance.
He'd known the entire time that Maul was intending to finish the job. To kill his old master. In time, even if Maul had continued being his apprentice, only one of the two would have remained.
He pictured Darth Plagueis lying there before him, all trace of life having left the master's body. It was the only way Sidious would have risen to become all that he was. By eliminating the one who had taught him all aspects of his power and how to use it.
Maul didn't subject his master to the same fate because he believed that fortune and power awaited him. If he had continued to do the older man's bidding, eventually he would receive all he desired. And only now has Maul given into the will to fight against his own master. He could have succeeded.
But it was exactly like Maul to believe he could win every battle he fought. Ultimately, the all-powerful Sith Lord conquered his former apprentice. And he would do it again once Maul had arrived to Coruscant. The old man knew that's exactly where the two unlikely allies were headed. Sidious could feel the man's thirst for vengeance. Just like he always could. It resonated in the air everywhere he went. This ex-Jedi was still convinced that she could pull Skywalker further away from the Dark Side. The side Anakin truly belonged to after having his abilities and talents wasted by the Council.
And Sidious intended to use the former Sith Lord and the Padawan for his own gain. This Padawan had connections to Skywalker. She, too, could become a threat if she hadn't been properly dealt with fast enough. Both targets being brought to Sidious with as little effort on his part as possible. He grinned to himself. Today really was turning out to be a great day for him.
Anakin had rushed into the older man's quarters, panting and dropping to his knees.
"Chancellor..." he started. "We have to go. I don't know why, but the clones are attacking us now."
Sidious shook his head. "That won't be necessary. They are only interested in the Jedi."
Anakin looked at Palpatine, his eyes wide and his jaw hanging. "You turned the clones against them? But they haven't done anything to deserve that."
He only said it half-heartedly. Sidious knew Anakin was plagued with mixed feelings for his Jedi friends. The boy was starting to see that he had been no more than a tool used for the Council's liking. Courtesy of the Lord, himself.
"My boy," Sidious said, his voice low. "Have you not forgotten that these Jedi are the same people that do not trust your intentions? They have refused your status as a Jedi Master because they hold many secrets. Ones that could lead you to save the one you love." He turned to look at the astonished boy. "To save your wife."
Anakin stood up and grasped his saber. "How do you know about my wife?"
"Ripples in the Force," Sidious answered. "They can be felt from miles away." Anakin kept himself further away from the old man. "You are troubled about your inability to keep her safe from what is to come. It's no secret." Anakin kept his weapon lit and pointed towards his mentor. "You fear you may not keep her from her death because you refuse to see what powers lie within the Dark Side."
"It doesn't matter what I could do with the Dark Side," Anakin retorted. "Because it'll never be anything good. If people could protect the ones they love with that kind of power, why haven't they done it before?"
Sidious laughed. "Why, because the Council has ensured that they would be the only ones to know of these abilities. They have guarded these secrets for generations, because of their own fears of others overpowering them. The Jedi would do anything to keep that from happening. You've seen it through their actions against the Separatists. It isn't about maintaining the peace. It is about being the only ones with the capability to rule in this galaxy."
Anakin vigorously shook the idea out of his head. "I can't speak for every single Jedi out there. But I know the Council members. They've been like family to me and I know that they wouldn't let these secrets get out if they knew they were too dangerous." He continued to stand his ground. "The last thing they want is for these abilities to fall into the wrong hands. They're doing it to protect the galaxy. To protect me."
"They wish to keep you in line because they've seen your capabilities." Sidious continued. "They see you as a threat. They believe you are evil, Anakin." The younger male shifted his eyes to the ground. "They've used you and when you have served your purpose, they will discard you. You would be living in exile. Or worse."
Anakin said nothing but his saber deactivated.
"You wish to protect not just your wife," Sidious continued. "But your companions."
Sighing, Anakin nodded. "More than anything."
"In order to do so, you must let go of all you had been taught." The older man kept his black hood over his eyes. "Do not limit yourself to only the powers that the Jedi have allowed for you. Give into the Dark Side. Learn what it has to offer." He straightened his posture. "Stand beside me as we watch the Republic morph into something far greater."
Anakin lowered his head and knelt in place. "If it's to keep Padme safe... then I'll do what I must."
But Sidious wasn't convinced of Anakin's loyalty. There was still one loose end to take care of.
"I have an assignment for you," the old man stated. "It is crucial."
The boy listened close.
"Your Padawan. She travels alongside my former apprentice in pursuit of myself." Sidious gazed out the window once more. "They intend to kill me, Anakin."
"Ahsoka?" The anger that was slowly fading away at the morbid thought of his friends dying had come back. "Never would she even think about siding with that sick bastard." He didn't subdue his own hatred for Sidious's former underling. That was something the old man found amusing. "I know Ahsoka. She's no traitor and she would do anything to keep the people she cares about alive. The people most important to her, and that includes both you and me. We've been through hell and back together. I trust her with everything I have."
"I've seen it with my own eyes, Anakin." the old man insisted. "They are to arrive here very soon, determined to keep me from giving you the knowledge of these powers."
Anakin realized what Sidious wanted from him. "You want me to kill her?" The boy shook his head. "No. I won't do it. I'm doing what I can to keep the people I care about from dying. You can't ask that of me."
"She left you to carry the burden of your fate by yourself." Sidious reminded him. "She left you as the rest of the Council has. You may not see it now, but once she arrives here with Maul, you will."
Anakin's brows were furrowed and his hands were curled into fists.
"I can see that you are not in favor of this task." The old man thought for a moment. "However, her death is not my requirement of you. I understand she means a lot to you, my boy. But I am in need of your assistance to keep her from fulfilling her mission. Or that of my old apprentice."
Anakin looked as if he was about to question the old man's motives. But he didn't. Sidious was his master now. And the master knew all.
As he watched the young boy depart from his quarters, Sidious watched blissfully as the sky rained fire and explosives. The work and energy it had taken to shape the beloved city, home of the Jedi Temple, into a main base for his operations had paid off. Everyone hadn't realized the part they've played until it was too late. Sidious had been stealthy in executing his plan. Hiding in the shadows. Always watching from afar without anyone suspecting a thing.
And he had allowed the Jedi to live with the illusion that they had been in control this entire time.
Someone truly worthy of the title of "Sith Lord".
His name used to be feared throughout the galaxy. At least, that's what he liked to believe. Darth Maul, the shadow hunter. A phantom speeding through each planet, completely undetected by the average individual. He was a menace who couldn't be defeated by the Jedi. Or the Sith.
And when he had, it never stopped him from rising back to regain his position. He made use of his teachings well, maintaining his extreme hatred for the Jedi to keep his spirit intact. Sidious may have discarded him as an apprentice, but now he had an opportunity to receive even more. The fall of his master would mean more than settling this personal vendetta he had against Sidious. A chance to rule the galaxy. A more luxurious status than just one lone planet.
Merciless against the clones, Maul utilized both his hands and his weapon to take down as many of the soldiers as possible once he and Ahsoka separated. He knew Sidious wasn't only intending to rid the galaxy of the Jedi, but also his old apprentice and all remnants. The way Sidious mentioned that Maul had become his rival would have been more flattering if he wasn't then plastered to a window by his master's strong hand. Sidious had been afraid of Maul's capabilities. The thought brought a malicious smile upon Maul's face.
When he was sure he was alone, he contacted his loyal subject, Rook Kast. It had taken longer than favorable before her voice emitted from the device on his wrist.
"My lord, have you any news?" she asked. Maul had taken a moment to compose himself after the heated confrontation. Though the soldiers were on the lower end when it came to strength, dealing with them was a lot of work.
"There has been a... slight change in plans." he responded. "We need to direct our attention to Coruscant." He monitored the halls for a brief second. "It's time my syndicate and I pay the old man a visit. If we succeed, the galaxy will be for our taking."
"And what of Ahsoka Tano?" Kast enquired.
Maul lowered his eyes. "She can be of use to us. She is not to be harmed."
Kast made it known she received the message.
There was a one in a million chance that the Togruta would have joined him, and even less of a chance that she would rule beside him following the takedown of Sidious. It was a pity. One with her skills would have made a fine apprentice for himself.
He was well aware that the reason behind her willingness to cooperate with him was on account of Anakin Skywalker. Though Maul couldn't say that he fully understood why she wanted to save him. It would spare them time and energy to end Skywalker's meaningless existence. Maul knew too well of Sidious's influence. One does not just walk away from his master if Sidious had great interest in them. This factor remained true for Maul's entire life.
It was accurate what Kenobi said, that he did not choose the path of the Dark Side from the start. But after witnessing everything that was included in it, Maul could never come to terms with why anyone would choose otherwise. It was the path to unlimited power. With it, he was able to rise above his injuries after a fatal swipe of Kenobi's lightsaber, right across his waist. He emerged from the depths of the junk field with far more perseverance than before. To follow the Light Side was an unwise decision, Maul told himself. So many restrictions, so many squandered prospects.
And he was going to use all he'd known and all he'd trained for against his old master. The one he didn't think he would attempt to kill. Perhaps in the endgame as a test he would have. A test that would show he was worthy of being the last remaining Sith Lord.
His future had been unknown for a long time, but now he could see it. It was in the form of his dead master, writhing in pain on the ground as Maul delivered the final blow. The idea seemed too good to even be possible.
But he was becoming distracted. And he believed it was the Padawan to blame.
Her very presence reflected the Light Side at such high frequencies and it was starting to have an effect on him. He could see it when he kept himself from mortally wounding the named clone. Ahsoka had obstructed his wrath for only a second, but it was enough to catch his attention. He felt an actual pull in his mind from all his lessons of the Sith. If he was not careful, she might cause an even greater hinderance on his ability to reach his goals.
Perhaps even he was starting to wonder why he chose her to aid in Sidious's defeat. She may not have been on great terms with the Jedi Council, but her ideals didn't align with his. He could still sense her anger towards him.
There may have been a chance he could direct that anger to her old master, the one who had let her down when the Jedi turned against her.
"So they say you're a troubled boy
Just because you like to destroy
All the things that bring the idiots joy,
Well, what's wrong with a little destruction?"
- Franz Ferdinand
