Chapter 50 – The Phantom Apprentice
Author's Note: In which Ahsoka and Theseus find Maul. :)
To Guest: It's not really possible to break out of the prison cells in the Jedi Temple, since they're constructed to hold Force users. I'm not sure that Athea will even know what's happening, since she's in Force restraints of some sort. Thanks for reviewing! :D
~ Amina Gila
"He mentioned a name," Ahsoka says the next day, as they, Bo, and Rex stand in front of a hologram of Obi-Wan, giving up the update. "Darth Sidious."
"Who is this Sidious?" Bo inquires.
"I do not know much," Obi-Wan answers after a moment of hesitation, "But I will share with you what the Council suspects. Darth Sidious is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the Clone Wars and played both sides of it from the beginning. I first learned the name from Count Dooku though any chance of learning more about Sidious from Dooku has been lost."
"Why?" Theseus asks.
"Because Count Dooku is dead. Anakin killed him while rescuing the Chancellor."
Theseus blinks. Dooku's dead? And Anakin killed him? He's not sure which part is more shocking. With Dooku gone, it means they really are close to ending the war. He never would have expected Anakin to be able to defeat him.
He's relieved, though. Dooku is dead, and that means the war is one step – one very large step – closer to coming to an end. Plus, it's one less worry for Anakin. Theseus thinks of the times Anakin encountered the Sith, and he's grateful. He's been electrocuted himself once – Sith lightning is different from others – and it was bad. And to think Anakin has experienced that many times... yes. Theseus is glad, very glad, Dooku is gone.
"With Dooku gone," Obi-Wan continues, "We've lost a vital link to understanding the mystery of Dark Sidious."
"I doubt Dooku would have been forthcoming with any information," Theseus points out. "He wouldn't have left the Jedi and became a Sith if he was still capable of reason."
"Perhaps," Obi-Wan concedes, "But it matters little now. If you can capture Maul, he may be able to provide the missing pieces to this puzzle."
"I can't imagine he'd tell us anything that would help us, either, but we'll do the best we can," Theseus concedes.
"Then send us more men," Ahsoka requests.
"Unfortunately, I cannot. I'm being sent to hunt down General Grievous on Utapau." Seriously? Grievous is hanging out there again?
"Think you'll find him?" Theseus asks dryly, remembering the last time they encountered the cyborg. Fun times, though he wishes Ahsoka was there. They've been chasing after Grievous and Dooku for a long time to no avail.
"We can hope, though I have my doubts."
"What about Anakin?" Ahsoka inquires. "Maybe he can reinforce us?"
"May I speak to Ahsoka and Theseus alone for a moment?" Obi-Wan requests. This is a strange request, he thinks, as the others head off. Suddenly, he doesn't have a good feeling. "Anakin is on a special assignment by order of the Jedi Council."
No, he already does not like the sound of this.
"What kind of assignment?" Ahsoka asks, raising an eye marking. It's clear she's as wary as Theseus is.
"He has been instructed to observe the Chancellor and report his findings."
"Observe?!" Ahsoka exclaims.
"You mean spy," Theseus realizes. "That's treason!" A surge of icy horror rushes through him. "Why would they ever do something like that?!"
"They told him to spy on the Supreme Chancellor? Why?" Ahsoka feels as upset as he does, though she's far more capable of reigning in her temper.
His mind is whirling, unable to catch up with all the implications. Why would the Jedi Council ever, ever ask Anakin to commit treason?! Maul was right. Athea was right. Barriss was right. The Jedi are – they are losing their way. Treason is treason, no matter what the cause of it is. Even if they have a good reason, which Theseus would much like to know.
"The Senate has allowed the Supreme Chancellor to remain in office long after his term has expired. The Council wants to know what his true intentions are."
"The Chancellor has been a great friend and mentor to Anakin." Ahsoka replies, "I can't imagine he is happy about this."
"No. He is not," Obi-Wan confirms, "So perhaps it's best that you do speak with him."
"And?!" Theseus retaliates angrily. "Tell him that he should betray a friendship, one of the things that matters most to him? How do you think I would react if someone I trusted asked me to do the same to you?"
"That's not the same –"
"It's precisely the same! Master, if the Chancellor is as smart or dangerous as you're making him sound like, he'd know if Anakin was spying on him! He could be killed!"
"I understand how dangerous this is," Obi-Wan replies, "I was opposed to it from the start, and I know the Council isn't always right. That's why I'm asking you for help."
"To do what? Defend the Council's actions?" Ahsoka retaliates, "I hardly think I'm the best person for that." She turns away, crossing her arms.
"I'll call him," Theseus decides finally, because he will. If Anakin is in a precarious situation like this, he needs to say something to him about it, even if it's not what Obi-Wan is hoping he's going to say. Although he supposes he doesn't know what the Jedi Master wants them to say to Anakin, but still...
The door abruptly slides open again and Rex runs into the room. "Sorry to interrupt, but there's been an attack."
"You had best go," Obi-Wan advises.
Theseus nods. "I'll call Anakin when I have time," he replies, before they run out. There's more he wants to say, so much more, but he can do it later. Right now, he has a battle to focus on. (He regrets it, even a few days later.)
**w**
Only now that she's back here with Theseus and the clones, back here on the battlefield, does Ahsoka realize how much she's missed this. She's missed working with Theseus so much. Things aren't the same between them, and she doesn't know if they ever will be – as much as it hurts to think about – but it's good to be back here, fighting alongside him.
For a brief moment, she thinks about their conversation right after they'd informed Bo-Katan of Maul's escape. After she'd left the Order, she had to let go of him and everyone if she ever wanted to find any semblance of a new life all by herself. She may have once somewhat cared for Theseus like that, but now... Things are far too different. If he'll be happy with Bo – she doesn't know if he's actually planning to pursue such a relationship considering that he's a Jedi, but even if he does, she'll support him through that – then she's perfectly fine with that.
And then there's Anakin. She knows he misses her, every time she feels her lightsabers – the crystals are different now, and they feel like him. She misses him so much, the feel of his presence constantly, ceaselessly by her side. Her lightsabers now are a reminder. The more she's here, the more she thinks that – maybe – she wants to go back.
She's worried for him, though, for what the Council demanded of him. He will not be faring well, and she wants to talk to him again, to see how he is.
"I'm flattered that you could find the time to see me," Almec drawls as she, Bo-Katan, and Theseus enter his cell. They came here right after hearing that Maul attacked one of the groups of clones stationed by a tunnel exit, capturing Jesse alive. Clearly, he wants information about something.
"What's Maul's plan?" demands Bo, "How is he going to escape?"
"Maul is not trying to escape because he sees no point in doing so," Almec replies, standing.
"So, he believes he can defeat us?"
"No, that's not it. For weeks now, he's been consumed by a strange sense of dread." Strange. Unsettling, even, Ahsoka would say, because she's gotten the same feeling not long ago. Somehow, deep inside, she knows something is very wrong. She had looked up into the stars, many times, wondering if it was time for her to go back to Anakin, to go... home, but even that didn't feel right.
"Has he mentioned Sidious?" Ahsoka inquires.
"Not that I can recall."
"You said he wanted Kenobi here. Why?"
"Wasn't just Kenobi he wanted, no. there was someone else he was interested in," Almec replies.
Ahsoka does not like the sound of this, not one bit. "Who?" Theseus demands.
"If only I could remember the name..." Almec says in a sly tone very much implying he definitely remembers the name.
"Bo, help him remember," Ahsoka orders, stepping aside. She is perfectly willing to intimidate people like him, thank you very much. She knows too much about him. It's not as though she wasn't the one who uncovered his true side years ago, with Theseus.
"No, wait!" he protests. "It was –" He's cut off as someone – it wasn't Bo – shoots him twice through the chest.
Bo darts out of the cell instantly, pulling her helmet back on. "Saxon," she mutters, and she and Theseus take off.
"Rex!" Ahsoka yells, sprinting over to Almec, "Get a medic!" She crouches down beside the man, now slumped on the floor. She has her doubts as to whether he'll live, but it's worth a try.
"Maul had a vision, a dream." he continues, quietly. "The name came to him."
"What name?" she demands, urgently.
"Skywalker," he gasps out, finally going still.
What would Maul possibly want with Anakin? A prickle of unease runs down her spine, immediately accompanied with a surge of protectiveness. She will not let the Sith anywhere near Anakin, not if she can help it, even if she knows her... older brother is more than capable of taking care of himself most of the time.
**w**
It's still early in the morning, and Anakin has yet to leave Padme's apartment to head over to the Temple to see Obi-Wan off to Utapau when he receives the transmission from Theseus his master promised.
"Congratulations," Theseus says, cheerfully, "I heard Dooku was taken care of."
Anakin smiles faintly. He misses his little brother right now. He wishes Theseus could be here on Coruscant with him. Things would make so much more sense if he had someone to tell everything on his mind, someone who could help him, but no. "Thank you," he replies, trying to ignore the pang of guilt that shoots through him at the memory, "I'm just glad he's gone."
"I'm glad you're okay." There is a moment of silence before Theseus continues. "Obi-Wan told me about your mission."
Anakin tenses. "He told you?" How common knowledge is this? It's treason, he knows, and he assumed it was only the Council trying to be careful, but he doesn't really know. It's not like this is the first time the Council left him out of the loop on something of utmost importance.
"Yeah. I wanted to see how you were."
Truthfully, he feels lost, confused, and he hates it. He's torn between the Jedi who betrayed him, who he spent his life working for, and – and the Republic and his own principles. Those lines of right and wrong are blurred together. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what's what anymore. The Jedi wouldn't tell him to do something if it's wrong... right? "I don't understand how they could ask me to do this," he answers slowly, "But they wouldn't ask me to do it if it was wrong."
"This wouldn't be the first time they made a bad choice," Theseus points out. "They might be trying to do what's best for the greater good, but it's not always right. Right now, I'd say to do what you think best."
What is best? The Council is literally asking him to commit treason, to betray the only person other than Theseus who's always stood by him. "It's not that simple," he replies tiredly. He is tired, but he can't sleep. He wishes Theseus were here, because the padawan is the one person who wouldn't reprimand him for considering seeking help from a Sith to save his wife and child. He's the one person who might be able to help. "I don't know the bigger picture. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, what the Jedi aren't telling me. I don't know what's best, or what needs to be done."
And that, really, is the crux of the problem. Anakin is as famous as he is because of his willingness to do what needs to be done. He might be disobedient sometimes – he most assuredly is, and Obi-Wan is always nagging him to death about it – but he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a battle, if that's what the Council tells him to do. To put it simply, there's almost nothing he wouldn't do, if that's what they asked him to do. It only turns complicated, if it clashes with whatever few things – moral values, really – Anakin has been able to cling to, throughout his life.
"I can't tell you to disobey the Council, but I don't think your mission is a good choice. I think there's more going on on both sides than we realize."
"I think so, too." Suddenly, Anakin is again reminded of what the Chancellor had been telling him the previous night, about the Jedi trying to take over. He doesn't want to think about this anymore. It's too exhausting. This is why he hates politics. He'd much, much rather be out on the fronts fighting, thank you very much. In battle, everything makes sense.
"Is something else wrong?" Theseus queries hesitantly.
He shouldn't be surprised that the padawan noticed. "I... yes, there is something else," Anakin admits, after a moment. He doesn't know what to do about that either, but he can't sit back and do nothing when his wife and child could die. Theseus already knows about Padme anyway, and he might actually be able to help. Maybe. "I can tell you about it when you get back."
"Maul is proving a bit elusive right now, but I hope it won't be much longer," Theseus replies "Maybe you could talk to Obi-Wan about whatever's wrong? I don't know what it is, but I'm sure he could help, if I could."
Tell Obi-Wan? That's... he could hardly do that, could he? Obi-Wan never listened to him when he asked for help about his mother. But he doesn't know what else to do. Theseus is gone indefinitely – even if it probably won't be much longer – and he doesn't have long at all to figure out what to do. "I... I'll try," Anakin says finally.
"I wish I could help you," Theseus replies, "But with any luck, we'll take care of Maul soon, and we'll be back home."
"Of course," Anakin agrees, though somehow, something doesn't seem quite right about that. "May the Force be with you."
"And with you." They look at each other in silence for another long moment, before the hologram blinks off, leaving Anakin standing there alone.
Yes. He will talk to Obi-Wan. Somehow. Only, he can't do it face to face, and his master is leaving for Utapau, and Anakin isn't important enough to delay that. He can wait until afterwards. But just to make sure he can't change his mind, he'll pre-record the message asking if they can talk.
**w**
"This occupation cannot last much longer," Bo declares as they observe the clones escorting civilians out of the way of the fighting. It's clear none of them are happy about the Republic's presence.
"It won't," Theseus assures, "We just need to find Maul."
"The people will not stand for it," she continues, turning away and heading in the direction of the throne room, "I will not stand for it."
"You asked for our help," Ahsoka reminds.
"My men don't want to be acting as a police force," Rex adds.
"The Republic forces will depart once we capture Maul," Ahsoka promises, as they approach the door of the throne room, and it slides open in front of them, "Then, you will have your opportunity to lead."
"And your sister can come home," Theseus adds.
"I agree," a familiar voice calls from the throne, making all four freeze in their tracks. Maul is literally lounging there, perfectly at home.
Bo is the first to react, whipping out her blaster and running forwards, shooting. The Sith casually waves his hand, deflecting the shots into the walls, as if this is perfectly normal in his everyday life. "My lady, is that any way to treat your rightful ruler?" he asks mildly, lifting her in a Force-choke.
"Let go of her!" Theseus yells, furiously. He reaches for his own blaster, only for the Sith to throw him clear across the room. When he pushes himself up, Maul has released Bo, letting her fall unceremoniously to the floor. The others are already at her side when Theseus reaches her.
Bo immediately climbs back to her feet, glaring at the Sith, who continues to sit there casually watching them, with a fire burning in her eyes.
"And now, as a show of good faith, I return your comrade in arms to you," he adds, flicking his wrist again. Theseus's attention is instantly diverted to the other person in the room. Jesse. He's kneeling next to the throne and stands slowly. Outwardly, he seems fine, but Theseus can tell that he's exhausted and not in the best condition – why, he can guess.
Jesse approaches them unsteadily, and Theseus pointedly ignores Maul's rambling as he checks over the clone.
"Are you all right, Jesse?" Rex asks.
"I'm sorry, Commander. I couldn't help it. I told him everything," Theseus isn't sure what the Sith did to him, but it just makes him despise him even more.
"It's okay," Ahsoka assures, resting a hand briefly on Jesse's shoulder, "Rex, get him out of here." The commander nods, heading out of the room with Jesse close behind.
With them gone, Theseus turns his gaze back to Maul. There's the far-off sound of explosions, and brilliant flashes in the distance briefly illuminate the throne room. Looks like a battle is starting up again, somewhere.
"Uh, one of you might want to deal with that," the Sith comments casually, in a tone that really makes Theseus want to punch him. At this point, he doesn't even care if it would be a childish gesture.
More explosions ring out, and he can see figures streaking through the steadily darkening sky. "You should go, Bo," Theseus urges, turning to look at her, "Our people need you. There's nothing you can do here anyway." Except risk getting herself killed, and he's not willing to put her to risk like that, not if he can help it.
Bo hesitates for a moment, gaze darting between him, the intensifying battle outside, and the Sith.
"Don't stay on my account. We'll be fine," Maul says, standing and pacing across the room to the window overlooking the city.
"You should go," Ahsoka agrees, eyeing Bo. She finally nods, slipping on her helmet and sprinting out the door, leaving the three of them alone.
For a long moment, no one moves or speaks, the only sound in the room being that of the intensifying explosions lighting the evening outside. "If you wanted us in here to spectate the battle with you, I can assure you we're already bored," Theseus snaps. "And I think I'll leave."
He finally turns away from the window to look at them. "Look at them. So blissfully ignorant," Maul muses.
"Care to tell us what this is about?" Ahsoka demands. "Or would you rather save it for the Council?"
"Oh, no, no. You are the one I wish to speak with, Lady Tano."
"Why?" she asks suspiciously, voicing Theseus thoughts. Why would he care to talk to Ahsoka? What could he possibly want with her?
"Were you not cast out of your Order?" Maul inquires.
Her eyes narrow. "I left voluntarily."
"Yes, but you were motivated to leave, by the hypocrisy of the Jedi Council."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Theseus snaps, "We're here to bring you to justice, not discuss irrelevant things from the past."
The Sith scoffs. "Justice is merely the construct of the current power base. A base, which, according to my calculations, is about to change."
This again. The words unnerves Theseus more than he cares to admit because he senses the same thing.
"And Darth Sidious is behind it?" Ahsoka queries, looking wary again.
"He is behind everything in the shadows, always. But soon, very soon he will reveal himself."
"We can stop him," Theseus replies, trying to feign a certainty that he very much is lacking. "If you help us. If you help the Jedi find him, we can stop him."
"The time of the Jedi has passed," he retorts, "They cannot stop Sidious."
"If you tell us who he is, we can," Ahsoka replies with certainty. "It's not too late."
"Too late for what?!" the Sith snarls. "The Republic to fall? It already has, and you just can't see it! There is no justice, no law, no order, except for the one that will replace it! The Jedi can do nothing, but together, you and I can." He extends a hand towards them, and Theseus gives him a skeptical look. "Every choice you have made has led you to this moment."
The window shatters beside them, as he turns the offer over in his mind. It's outrageous, but Maul is offering them a chance to destroy Sidious, the one thing that matters most.
"I will help you," Ahsoka says finally, after a long moment. Theseus really doesn't want to do anything with Maul, but if this is literally the fate of the galaxy at stake, he can at least temporarily try to ignore his personal feelings on the matter. It's not as if they can't still arrest Maul once this is over. He'll probably betray them somewhere along the way, anyway, considering that that's what Sith do. Assuming he isn't already trying to lead them into a trap. He doesn't exactly think so, but he can't be certain. "But you must answer one question."
"You have but to ask."
"What do you want with Anakin Skywalker?"
"He is the key to everything."
Theseus narrows his eyes. "What do you mean?" He really doesn't think that the Sith is talking about the Chosen One prophecy. No, there's something else.
"He has long been groomed for his role as my master's new apprentice."
Groomed. Theseus has heard the word of course, a few times, just enough to know the essence of what it is, but never on a personal basis, never in such a personal manner. And – no. It's impossible. That couldn't have happened to Anakin, because it – it couldn't have, without them knowing. "That's impossible," he retaliates, fiercely.
"You lie," Ahsoka objects, eyes wide, voice faint.
"I'm afraid not. In fact, I was so certain of his fate that I orchestrated this war to lure him here with Kenobi to kill him. Thus, depriving Sidious of his prized pupil."
Theseus's anger flares, at the casual mention of killing Anakin. He will absolutely, absolutely not help a Sith with these intentions. Ever. He will not risk his brother's life, not now, not ever. He draws his lightsaber, positioning it in front of him.
"I know Anakin," Ahsoka retorts, withdrawing her own lightsabers, blue blades springing to life in her hands, "Your vision is flawed."
Maul's expression darkens. "I see the padawans need one last lesson."
"Bring it on, then," Theseus growls dangerously. "If you're going to hurt Anakin, you're going through us first."
With the snap-hiss of Maul's igniting lightsaber, their fate is sealed.
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