Hey guys, so after the very positive feedback I received from the prologue I have decided to continue this and make it a full blown fic! Thank you guys for the feedback and I hope this chapter is a good one. If its sluggish in anyway or has a few errors it is because I am very tired and have been doing a lot of homework for my higher educational studies. I will look it over ASAP to double check when I am not half asleep. ;) Once again I hope you enjoy! ;)
Darkness and the Council.
A blood curdling cry of rage bellowed throughout the throne room, reverberating off of the walls like a bells toll as Darth Maul clenched his fist and crushed the defenceless Death Watch member's throat and letting him flop to the floor in a colossal heap.
Savage Opress watched with wide, alarmed eyes and parted lips at his brother's rage as he hurled the other cowering member into the wall with a sickening crack that spread up its flat surface before his lifeless body crumpled to the ground also. His amber eyes swept from the dead man's body to his brother's heaving form. His whole body vibrated with unquenchable rage as his chest rose and fell rapidly, heart blackening further in anger.
"Do we pursue him, brother?" The yellow Zabrak asked tentatively.
Maul's head snapped around and liquid gold eyes locked onto his brother's own matching pair. His lips curled back, revealing sharp yellow teeth as he growled in rage. "Not now, brother. How dare he. How dare he claim to know me!" His heart constricted in his chest, fingers curling into tight fists as he grinded his teeth together, the air whistling between his teeth from his harsh breathing. The anger inside of him was like a reawakened dragon, now more ferocious than ever. "I chose to remain on the Dark Side!"
Maul stalked back to his now black throne and planted himself on it, swinging his right leg over the arm rest and leaning most of his back on the seat of the throne. His eyes now glowed a more brilliant amber than ever in the darkness, like a predator in the night that stalked its prey. "I will have my revenge…"
The silence between the siblings grew longer until a sharp gasp drew the younger brother's attention to his master. "What is it, brother?"
Maul's head fell heavily into his right hand and he slid his eyes shut as a frown of concentration fell over him. "I sense something. A presence I've not felt since…" his amber eyes snapped open in shock and anticipation. "Master!"
The two brothers raised their gazes to the entrance where the sound of a struggle caught their attention as two men, kicking and struggling against the invisible force that constricted their throats and a lone robed figure strode regally into the throne room. The figure tossed the two helpless men into the wall like a child fed up with a now unwanted toy and approached the now dumbfounded and faithful Sith Lord who stumbled towards his former mentor and fell to one knee in worship.
"You have done well, Lord Maul." Sidious smirked beneath his hood as he fed the foolish Zabrak false praise.
"Master, I have done all of this… for you." Maul raised his horned head to meet his fellow Sith's gaze in the hopes to read what his eyes would tell him would be belief, however his hope was quickly swept away like a wave and a cold sense of dread filled him like ice as he saw only a dark shadow mask the elder Sith's amber orbs. He lowered his voice so his new apprentice wouldn't hear his betrayal of him. "In the hopes of re-joining your side."
A flicker of rage ignited deep inside of Sidious, however he swiftly dampened it down with the calm patience he had developed ever since he began biding his time for his revenge against the Jedi. Did this ignorant fool before him actually believe that Sidious would fall for his feeble, weak lies!? He ominously turned his back to the young Zabrak.
"You have learnt the ways of the Sith well. So well that now you attempt to deceive me."
Sidious revelled in Maul's shock, so palpable in the Force, rippling along its currents like a disturbed pond. "Master! I'd – I'd never –"
The elder Sith spun around on his heel, a feral growl dominating his deep voice as his lips curled into a wicked grin. "You have become a rival!" Before the two brothers could react Sidious had unleashed the Force he had gathered around him from his palms as he launched the two shocked siblings into the windows. The sound of breaking glass filled the room as the two Sith smashed through the solid piece and onto the ground outside. Sidious leapt through the open gap as crystalline shards fell around him like hail as he landed like a cat on the ground before rising up and slipping two identical lightsabers from his sleeves and catching them in his open palms, thumbing the ignition sets and smiling fiendishly at the familiar snap hiss of the blood crimson blades coming to life.
Maul and Savage both drew their own weapons, Savage's saber staff and Maul's previous lightsaber and his new Darksaber as they both dropped into their defensive stances. Sidious lurched forwards with a dark shriek of bloodlust as he swung his two lightsabers at his two targets, a permanent smirk plastering across his face as his blades met the blood red blade of Opress and the pitch black of Maul's.
The three danced wildly, twirling, twisting, vaulting and swinging wildly with their weapons as they approached a lone balcony. Lightsaber slashes marred the walls dark orange as sparks flew off of the durasteel. Eventually the dance came to its climax as Savage and Maul both ducked beneath Sidious' deadly swing for their heads before somersaulting backwards off of the balcony to land on the level below. Both brothers shared a quick glance before Sidious dropped down between them and blocked both of the deadly swings with grace as he weaved between Maul's following strike and Savage causing Maul to nearly lacerate his brother.
Maul growled in growing rage as he pivoted to face the Sith, raising both sabers high for a tremendous blow, only to have the air knocked out of his lungs as Sidious produced a powerful kick to his gut, knocking the young Zabrak back.
Sidious smirked at his old apprentice's foolish and reckless nature before intercepting Savage's strike and pivoting around him to strike at his back. Sidious easily deflected the blow aimed to maim his midsection before spinning around, backing Savage's saber staff hilt into his face, stunning him, and finished the attack by thrusting both of his lightsabers in a reversed hold into Savage's midsection.
Savage choked in pain, eyes rolling to the back of his head. Maul felt his brothers pain ripple along their bond and gaped at his brothers murderer in shock and denial. Pain raked across his entire being. Was this how Kenobi felt when all hope seemed lost to him with the duchess' near death? NO! He would not dare feel how Kenobi felt out of pity for him. He wanted the Jedi Master to share his pain, not evade it, and as a result, feel even more pain himself.
Sidious smirked in triumph as he twisted and removed both blades from Savage. He then viciously kicked Savage in the gut and watched as his limp body plummeted and smacked into the ground with a sickening crack.
He watched with a sardonic smile as Maul leapt past him to land beside his brothers broken body.
Maul knelt down beside his dying brother, his pain-filled eyes searching his brothers face frantically for any strength though all he found was weakness and pain. He felt the life ebbing slowly out of Savage, and he too felt as if his strength was leaving him.
"I'm… sorry, brother. I'm not… like… you…" And for one tiny moment, Maul's eyes shone with another flicker of emotion other than anger and hatred. One moment Maul felt emotional pain and did not allow thoughts of the Dark Side to purge his mind. This was his brother dying before him because of his weakness. "I never was…" Maul watched, pain sweeping across him like a shock of icy water as his brother took his last breath before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his head hit the ground, body going limp.
mad cackle filled his ears, and his eyes widened as he listened to Sidious' lecture. "Remember the first visage of the Sith! There can only be two. And you are no longer my apprentice!"
The growling dragon in Maul's chest reared back and roared, the same roar emerging from Maul's voice as he pounced up to the same level as his former master stood as he ignited his crimson blade and black Darksaber before lunging forward towards the already prepared Sith Lord and swining for his legs.
Sidious parried the blow, expecting to knock Maul off balance, however, he was pleasantly surprised by Maul's regained flexibility as the Zabrak ducked and spun, sweeping a leg out in an attempt to trip the Sith Lord over only for the elder Sith to hop over the feeble attack as strike again at Maul who blocked the strike by crossing the two sabers together. Sidious pushed with further force until Maul's arms buckled and gave way, and he took the advantage to roll over Maul's back and kick him down onto the ground his sabers falling from his hands. He scrambled forward to grab them but Sidious was faster and struck out with the Force, further pushing the two sabers away from the now cowering Zabark and swiftly shocking him with Force Lightning.
Maul's body twitched with pain. Every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire as the blue volts coursed up and down his burning body. He gasped for breath and gazed up at the elder man with pleading eyes as he choked on his short breaths and the bitter scent of his burning flesh. "Please… have mercy!"
"Mercy?" Sidious mocked, tilting his head to one side. "The Sith show no such thing!" He sent another surge of Force Lightning at the defeated Sith Lord who cried out in pain once more. "I have other plans for you," he sneered before once again continuing his onslaught.
Maul's senses were blinded with white hot pain as the lightning struck his burning body once again. His screams echoed into the night, but no one heard.
The ship lurched upon its exit from hyperspace, the force of the sudden jump waking up both Obi-Wan and Satine, the former's senses immediately sound on alert. He was unaware that in his weariness he had wrapped his arm around Satine's waist and had pulled her close to him. Later he would blame it on his promise to keep her safe and not on any feelings that he may have felt for the woman beside him, despite the insatiable feeling of how close she was to him and what he knew lay dormant deep in his ever aching heart.
"We're here," Obi-Wan's lips brushed across her hair line as he disentangled himself from Satine and stood up, his hand blindly searching the wall behind him for support. Stumbling towards the ships cockpit he all but threw himself into the pilot's seat and grasped the controls with his stiff fingers guiding the somehow stable Twilight through Coruscant's atmosphere and onwards to the Temple hanger bay.
Anakin stood waiting, a smirk curling the edges of his lips upwards as he watched Obi-Wan disembark the ship as it spluttered oil, smoke and lose chunks of metal. His smirk disappeared however when he saw that his old master was carrying one former duchess Satine Kryze in his strong arms, hers wrapped around his neck and her blonde head resting on his shoulder.
The Chosen One dashed up to the Jedi Master who was still clad in the red Mandalorian armour, alarm flashing in his sapphire orbs as he approached the auburn man and turned as he fell into step beside him. "What happened?"
"Maul," Obi-Wan replied tersely. He said nothing else as he continued walking, his former apprentice understanding that he needed to think clearly along his way had left, as he made his way through the Temple halls to the med wing to check her out further for any more injuries she may have sustained.
"Bant! Bant! Where are you?" Obi-Wan called earnestly as he entered the halls of healing.
The Mon Calamarian practically leapt out from behind the curtain at the sound of her long-time friend's voice. "Obi-Wan!" She cried, approaching him quickly. She moved to embrace him until she saw the figure in his arms. "What's wrong?"
"I need you to run a scan over Satine for me, in case she has any further injuries that need attending to."
Bant nodded as she led the Jedi Master to a spare medical room. Once inside Bant motioned for Obi-Wan to lay the former duchess on the bed. He did as instructed, though he was reluctant to leave her side as Bant stepped in front of her and glided her hands along Satine's frame. Obi-Wan's chest constricted as he heard Satine's groan of pain on the left side of her waist and immediately he was beside Bant, gazing at Satine with worried eyes.
Bant's eyes remained closed as she informed Obi-Wan the extent of her injury. "She has a laceration on the left side of her waist."
'Blast!' Obi-Wan thought morosely. Despite pushing Maul away from Satine, he had flown and passed her in close vicinity. Obi-Wan deduced that Maul's Darksaber must have made small contact then. If only he had noticed…
"Is it serious?" It took all of his will not to allow the thick emotion of fear he felt for her to break through his voice. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat and to breathe deeply.
"No, Obi-Wan. It's only a minor cut. Nothing deep. She won't need to go in the bacta tank but she will need plenty of rest. Her bodies physicality has immensely been pushed over its limits."
Obi-Wan nodded, heart thundering inside of his chest. He would take her somewhere safe outside of the Temple. He could think of a few places, but he only trusted to settle her somewhere where someone he also trusted resided.
Without warning Bant's comlink rang, disturbing her from her examination. She sighed in agitation as he lifted her left arm to look at the device.
"The Council wants to see you, Obi-Wan."
Frustration flared within Obi-Wan. He already understood why they summoned him. "How soon?"
The Mon Calamarian turned to him with grave eyes. "Immediately."
Obi-Wan nodded curtly, giving his thanks before taking leave. He felt fingers wrap around his arm and turned to see Bant smiling gently at him. "I'll take care of her, Obi-Wan. Come back after you've seen the council. She'll be ready for leave by then, and she'll rest much more easily somewhere else than in the vicinity of many Jedi."
Obi-Wan only nodded once again, not being able to find the voice to speak. He knew as much as Bant and the council did that the former duchess disapproved of the Jedi being in this war and did not admire them as she once had. He managed to offer Bant a small crooked smile before turning and making his leave to the lift that would take him to the council chambers at the top of the centre spire.
"Good evening, Master Kenobi," a young Padawan that kept the councils appointments outside the doors before allowing them entry greeted politely, bowing to the council member.
Obi-Wan bowed in response. "Good evening, Zayn."
"The council will see you now," Zayn informed Obi-Wan as the doors slowly opened.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath as he slowly dragged himself into the circular chamber. He was much too physically exhausted for this right now, and he wanted nothing more than the solace of his own room and his head hitting a soft pillow.
The piercing stares of the council members were ominous, and Obi-Wan could feel their disapproval of his actions rippling off of them in waves.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi you have been summoned here for your reckless actions and for your unannounced departure to Mandalore." Mace Windu spoke firmly, piercing dark gaze penetrating Obi-Wan's weary mental defences. He really did not have the patience for this right now, but he would do what was requested of him.
Obi-Wan remained silent.
"Would you care to explain your actions, Master Kenobi?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked in the same tone as Mace.
Obi-Wan mentally sighed. "I did what I felt was right by the Force, Masters. I did not disobey you simply because I did not agree with you and Master Yoda's decision, but because I felt that what I was doing was being approved by the will of the Force."
Silence filled the council chambers as the master's mulled over this. Obi-Wan knew with every fibre of his being that what he did was right by the Force. The Force whispered to him in Qui-Gon's voice that he had nothing to fear from the council.
"While you did leave without our authorisation or of the Senates, we must condone that –"
"The Senates decision was irrelevant and now an invasion of Mandalore will have to be discussed," Obi-Wan snapped fervently, instantly ashamed of his attitude and impatience.
"Explain yourself, Master Kenobi," Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke firmly.
Obi-Wan's eyes downcast themselves to his feet for a few short moments before raising them to meet Ki's steady and unreadable gaze.
"Darth Maul and Savage Opress are present there."
The councillors shared pensive looks at each other before focusing their gaze back onto Obi-Wan.
Mace linked his fingers together. "Are you sure?"
'Of course I am!' Obi-Wan thought angrily. "Absolutely." He stated in a much further calm and collected manner.
"Grave news this is, Obi-Wan." Yoda murmured. "Take this to the Senate we must. The oppression of the Sith there is powerful I sense. Greater darkness fell on Mandalore recently."
Obi-Wan was shocked by this but did not reveal it externally. The darkness he had felt around him when he was on planet had been suffocating, though the blazing light within him kept it at bay, no matter how much Maul had taunted him.
"Obi-Wan, we need your report on what occurred on Mandalore," Mace stated.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes momentarily, breathing in deeply through his nose as he collected his jumbled thoughts. After a few moments of explanation to which he ended with how the former duchess of Mandalore was in Bant's care did Obi-Wan receive his next orders.
"Sense great exhaustion and much emotion within you," Yoda declared. Mace raised a single eyebrow towards Obi-Wan who levelled him with a calm stare. "Rest you will and protect the duchess in case the Sith follow you. Work on pleading a case to the senate we will."
Obi-Wan bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Master."
"You are dismissed, Master Kenobi. May the Force be with you."
"Masters, I ask that if we win this case with the Senate that after the threat has been destroyed we may assist the duchess in restoring her home world."
"We already have much to deal with that we simply cannot focus our attention on one planet," Ki scoffed.
Obi-Wan's breathing increased in depth and it took more of his self-control than he would have appreciated not to snap at his fellow councillor. "I understand that but I promised the duchess that the Jedi would assist her in any way possible, whenever possible. As Jedi it is our duty to help others, is it not?" He disliked the bold step he was taking here and understood that he may have just overstepped his boundaries but he knew it was necessary.
"Assist her in rebuilding Mandalore, we will try. Though guarantee this we cannot." Yoda answered, his green eyes sparkling.
"Thank you, Masters," Obi-Wan bowed before turning and striding out of the council chambers and towards the halls of healing, relieved to finally be free to rest. His worry for Satine has been palpabl the entire time he spent in the council chambers, despite his best efforts to dampen it, and he knew that the entire council could feel it as much as he did. His raw worry and agitation screamed through the Force at them. He knew others could feel it from the stares he received as he passed his fellow Jedi.
He was surprised at how fast he had arrived to the halls of healing as he stormed into Satine's room, his eyes wide as he settled his gaze on Bant and Satine. Satine was still unconscious, a blessing he would have very much enjoyed to have been rewarded the entire time since he had returned.
Bant stepped in front of him from the table she was at checking Satine's chart and looked intently at her long-time friend. He could feel her gaze strongly as if she was seeing into his very soul.
"You can take her now, Obi-Wan. And get some rest yourself, do you understand me?"
"Perfectly, Bant," Obi-Wan replied wryly. At least he still had some room for his dry humour.
He scooped Satine into his arms, and after giving Bant his second farewell of the evening, he strode out of the halls of healing, ignoring the further stares he received from his fellow Jedi at the woman he was carrying in his arms and gently placed her in the passenger seat of the ship he found in the hanger bay as he clambered in himself and left the Jedi Temple and into the Coruscanti skyline traffic for 500 Republica.
I hope it was satisfactory. Again, sorry if it is sluggish. I will delve deeper into the plot. Soseru, we will learn Maul's onjective. And I hope Sidious here was in his 'badass mode'. To you all, I am sorry that the figh twas really short and not as detailed; as I stated previously I am very tired and hard at work with my studies, but if possible I will return to edit this and make the fight last longer.
Once again, I hope this was an enjoyable read for you all. :)