Luke began to pounder his thoughts. Something that stranger had told him bounced around in his mind. "I can teach you the ways of the dark side." He had a dream just the night before that Vader had killed Leia and Han in front of him. Maybe that could happen, all because he wasin't strong enough. He kept looking down at Star Map in front of him.
"It is your destiny." A voice echoed in his mind. The decision wa made he was going to take the chance. He walked over to Leia's conference room. Leia and Lando sat on opposite sides drawing up what appeared to be some kind of blueprint or plan.
"Leia can I talk to you, privately?" Luke asked.
Leia nodded and got up.
"What's up Luke?
"I request to take a leave of absence till further notice. Is that ok?"
"um sure, how long do you need?"
"I don't know. A couple of weeks, possibly a couple of months. I don't want to hamper any efforts to save Han."
"Look, let us worry about Han. You do what you need to do. Just promise me one thing."
"Sure anything."
"Please be careful. I'm worried about you."
"I will I promise."
Luke followed the Star Map very closely the truth is he had never been this far from space with the exception of maybe Dagobah. Seeing the planet from a distance he only looked down at the planet in amazement. The Planet had an Oxygen mix, Type I atmosphere the map above read the word Dathomir.
"Dathomir, what kind of a planet is that?"
Luke landed the ship down to an open air as he rested with a loud hiss. The planet appeared to be a jungle type atmosphere with a dark blue sky. The area in truth felt cold, like there was some kind of strange presence. Similar to the presence that he felt in the cave in Dagobah. Was this what the Dark side was?"
"Good grief, Why do these areas have to be so out of way."
Luke let out a sigh as he unpacked his things, R2 let out a loud squeal.
"What's wrong buddy? You act as though we are being…"
WOOSH
An arrow sped passed his ears and smacked into a tree.
"…Watched?"
Luke turned around to see two women with bows aimed at him. Truth was these women looked strange to him. They dressed in primitive looking clothing. They had long black hair and chalky white skin and piercing golden eyes. Tattoos covered their eyes and mouth. In truth Luke gritted his teeth as he activated his lightsaber, trying to hide the fact that he was intimidated.
"What are you doing here Outlander?" One of the girls asked with a hiss in their voice.
"I'm looking for someone. Please get out of my way and stand aside."
"You do not belong here. Leave or pay the consequences."
"I won't run from my destiny, or from you."
"Then die."
The Women proceeded to pull the arrows back
"Wait!"
Everyone turned around to see a man in a black cloak and a mask. It was Maul
"This boy is with me. I asked him to come here.
He then walked over to Luke.
"Save your saber boy. We are all friends here."
Luke nodded and deactivated his lightsaber. The man then looked over at the women.
"My apologies dear sisters. I should have let you know that I was expecting an outlander to come."
One of the women smiled. "Warn us next time dear brother. We don't know who is empire and who is not. Allow us to prepare for our guest."
The women then disappeared like Shadows and in an instant, Luke and the stranger were alone.
"Who were those women? Luke asked.
"They are the Nightsisters of Dathomir a clan of witches capable of wielding Dark Magic."
"Dark Magic?"
"I told you there were sects of force wielders outside of just Jedi or Sith."
"Why do they call you Brother?"
I am a Dathmerian Nightbrother, Our kind was created when the Nightsisers would breed with force sensitive Zabrakian men that lived on the planet. At one time, we were subservient to the Nightsisters…and then Sidious came and razed the planet.
"Who is Sidious?"
"That is a story for another day."
"So let me guess? Once this Sidious character razed the planet, all prejudice had to be put aside to survive?"
"You're insightful young one."
Luke couldn't help but smile.
"So if you don't mind me asking, when does the first lesson start?"
The man stopped in his tracks. "Now"
Luke felt his back hit a tree with the loud THWAK as a mysterious force flew him backwards. He let out a small grunt as he got up.
"What the heck? What are you trying to do kill me?"
The man activated his lightsaber the blade gave off a bright crimson glow. Luke couldn't help but notice how the handle of the blade was almost pole like.
"Rule number one. Never lower your eyes to an enemy."
Luke Got up and activated his blade as Maul continued talking.
"Vader will not hesitate to strike you down. The Sith are like Rabid wolves. They are blood crazed animals that will kill you the moment they are able. The two warriors clashed their Sabers. Luke was barely able to doge the attacks that were being launched on him. This man Maul almost seemed to be the polar opposite of Vader. While Vader was Slow and mechanical during his fight, Maul seemed quick and agile his swordsmanship seemed less like Sword work and more a dance.
Still as much as he disliked old man Ben at the moment Luke couldn't deny the things that he taught him helped. Switching To the style that Ben had showed him allowed him to close some of the distance between him and Maul.
Maul began to smile as he realized the style Luke was using.
"I should have known.
What he didn't know however was that this brief distraction had allowed Luke to get the upper hand. Luke thrusted his hand ford causing Maul to fly onto his back. Luke ran up to him and put his saber to Maul's neck. Maul Began to laugh.
"So I'm beaten once again by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Luke deactivated his saber in confusion and offered a hand.
"How do you know old Ben?"
"see for yourself."
Maul removed his robe causing Luke to jump back in a bit of shock. The legs for all intents and purposes looked like standard mechanical boots. But the Man's abdomen looked to be covered by some sort of mechanical Corset …or body
"Are you saying Ben sliced you and half?"
"Humph, a mechanical arm is not so bad now is it?
Luke shook his head. "How did you survive? I mean I would have thought something like that would have been darn near impossible.
"The Dark Side allows for the imposable to happen.
"Can you teach me how to use that power.
"Eventually, but for now let's eat."