Obi-Wan gives the lizard a swift kick with the heel of his boot, and they take off down the vertical side of a sheer cliff. Darth Maul swerves toward them, his lightsaber ready. Their blades clash multiple times as they ride. Maul drives around a rock formation and Obi-Wan rides on tip of it and leaps off, landing at the base of the sinkhole. Maul swerves toward them once more and ignites the bottom portion of his saber and thrusts it into the ground, sending a shower of rocks. Obi-Wan swipes several rocks out of the air as he rides but one chunk of a boulder hits the lizard in the head, forcing it to stumble away. Up ahead is a landing platform with a small shuttle. Darth Maul leaps off his wheel bike, allowing it to crash behind him and close by. As Darth Maul reaches the landing platform, Obi-Wan drops onto the top of the starship with his lizard. Maul smirks and spins his saber around in preparation. Obi-Wan calmly steps off the lizard, allowing it to climb down form the platform. He leaps off the ship and ignites his saber. They begin to circle one another on the platform.

The sun is setting as the lights come on in the massive Senate Office Building. The sky is red. Palpatine sits behind his desk as Anakin enters.

"Anakin, so good to see you, again," Palaptine greets him.

"I hope I am not disturbing you, Chancellor."

"Not at all. Come in."

"I came to inform you that I will be stepping down as a Jedi Knight. I thought you should know before I went to the Jedi Council and resigned formally."

"Oh? You have been a celebrated war hero, worthy of Master Yoda himself. What caused this?"

"A few things, but... you should know that the Jedi sent me to ask you to step down once Darth Maul is captured. They claim you made that promise."

"I don't recall having that discussion. Bringing Darth Maul to justice would certainly be a triumph but the droid army is still at large. Meanwhile, the viceroy of the Trade Federation has gone into hiding."

"I do not wish to get in between you and the Jedi as I have a great deal of respect for both."

"You have respect for both but surely,... you must believe one of us is in the right."

"I... Do agree with you. You need to hold on to your emergency powers until we are sure there are no more threats."

"Unfortunately, the Jedi don't see things that way... Nor does the Senate."

"I suppose they have good intentions."

"Their sincerity is to be admired, although I sense they are plotting in secret."

"What do you mean?"

"They are not to be trusted."

"Surely Senator Amidala can be trusted . . ."

"These are unstable times for the Republic, Anakin. Some see instability as an opportunity. Senator Amidala is hiding something. I can see it in her eyes."

"I'm sure you're mistaken."

"I'm surprised your Jedi insights are not more sensitive to such things."

"I simply don't sense betrayal in Senator Amidala."

"I'm surprised to seeing you come to the defense of a Senator, Anakin. I recall you once saying you trust very few politicians. There is much conflict in you. The Senate and the Jedi... they don't trust you, Anakin. They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. Anakin, you must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force."

"How do you know the ways of the Force?"

"My mentor taught me everything about the Force . . . even the nature of the Darkside."

Anakin pauses, "... The Darkside? ... You sound like a Sithlord."

"Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, Anakin, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death."

"... What did you say?"

"Use my knowledge, I beg you . . . I know what has been troubling you . . . Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi . . . a life of significance, of conscience."

"You're wrong! I will not be a pawn in your game, whatever it may be."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"I would certainly like to."

"But you have given away your lightsaber, haven't you? I know you would kill me if you had it. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus, makes you stronger."

"I am going to turn you over to the Jedi Council."

"But you are not a Jedi any longer."

"I haven't resigned yet."

"You have great wisdom, Anakin," he sits behind his desk, "I am not going anywhere. You have time to decide my fate. Perhaps you'll reconsider and help me rule the galaxy for the good of all . . ."

Anakin quickly leaves.

Back at the landing platform, Obi-Wan and Maul continue to circle each other.

"After all this time, it finally ends," Maul begins, "Today, one of us will die."

"It doesn't have to end in death. Your army is nearly depleted and your master is dead. You can surrender."

"My master? He is very much alive... and very much in control of the Senate."

"Your lies have gotten worse."

"My master is a Sithlord named Darth Sidious. You know him better as Chancellor Palpatine."

"Palpatine has overstepped his bounds but he is no Sithlord. He has been fighting against your Seperatists for years now."

"What better way to assume control of the galaxy than to thrust it into war? Tell me, how many Senators were willing to give him emergency powers to stop the Seperatists? Even now, you wonder if Palpatine will relinquish control or keep it for himself. We are both puppets in this game."

"And yet you still choose to take part."

"I admit, I have been a fool. But no longer. I will kill Palpatine after I am finished with you."

"It seems we share an enemy. Perhaps an alliance is in order?"

"I killed your master! I have hunted you for years! Why would you seek an alliance with me?"

"I thought perhaps there could still be some good in you. You claim you are not a puppet any longer but you are still a slave to vengeance. I honestly pity you."

Maul roars with anger and lunges forward. The two sabers collide and they push each other back. Maul twirls his lightsaber overhead and around his torso and Obi-Wan is forced to step back. Maul brings the top-end down and the attack is blocked, so he pivots, using his bottom blade to take Obi-Wan's feet but he leaps over the attack and kicks Maul. Maul rolls onto his back and backflips to his feet. The two square off again.