Authors Note: This chapter is smaller than the last two. Note that all following chapters may be this size.
Chapter Three
New Threat
On Coruscant, a shadow lurked. It was not a Separatist leader. It was not Sidious's apprentice, Vader, nor was it Sidious himself. A man in black took his hood off, revealing his red and black painted face and the horns on his skull. He looked down at the half of his body that was not his. The half that had been cut from him violently by a Jedi years before on Naboo. Darth Maul was his name. He had come to Coruscant to find and kill Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In his office in the 500 Republica Senate District, Sidious sensed a disturbance in the Force. In fact, he sensed three. One, his new apprentice, Vader, was fighting against his poison. He also sensed a plot by Vader to destroy him and restore the Jedi and the Republic to power. But he also sensed something else. One of his previous apprentices was alive. After years of thinking he had vanished, he was alive.
"Guards, leave me. Wait outside. I must meditate." Sidious ordered. In part, that was true. Sidious meant to contact his old apprentice. He meant to send him after Skywalker, his Padawan, and at long last Kenobi, one of the three remaining Council members of the Jedi Order that had escaped Order 66. As he was about to do so, however, the doors to his office slid apart to reveal Lord Maul.
"What is thy bidding, my Master?" Maul asked.
"I am extremely pleased that you were able to escape death by Kenobi's hand, Lord Maul. However, I am not pleased with your lack in judgment in failing to contact me in these many years." Sidious said.
"I understand, My Lord. I was incapacitated for some time. I needed time also to get used to my appearance and to meditate. I have only now regained full control of my abilities."
"Then it is of no consequence. You actions are forgiven. Lord Maul, My new apprentice, Darth Vader, is planning to betray me. He is planning to destroy me and bring balance to the Light side of the Force. We have succeeded in our mission of nearly destroying the Jedi. If Skywalker succeeds, however, he will have destroyed the Sith and restored the Jedi version of peace to the galaxy. Our plans would fall apart in mere hours." Sidious divulged. Maul had known Sidious had taken on two apprentices after his supposed death. He had followed the Clone Wars closely in order to prepare himself for what must be done.
"What would you have me do, Master?" Maul inquired.
"You will travel to Mustafar. I have sent Skywalker, the so-called Chosen One, there to destroy the Separatist Council, which he has done. He was also instructed to remain and await further instruction. I have told him we are building a secret base there, and to wait for construction crews and troops that will not be arriving. You will go in their place. You will kill Skywalker, his pitiful Padawan, and then you may have your revenge on Kenobi " Sidious instructed him, and let out an evil laugh.
Jedi Master Yoda sensed a disturbance in the Force. An old adversary was alive. This adversary, a Darth Maul, was after Obi-Wan. Yoda decided he must try to stop Maul, or Kenobi's mission would be in jeopardy. He waited for the Sith lord at the Senate Building Landing Platform. When Maul arrived, his face twisted into an even grin.
"What a pleasant surprise. It would appear my Master failed to defeat you. Let me pass, Jedi. My quarrel is not with you. Not yet." Maul said.
"Allow you to continue, I cannot. Destroy you, I will. Complete your mission to destroy Master Kenobi, you will not." Yoda returned, drawing his lightsaber.
"You cannot stop me. I am more powerful then your pitiful Kenobi. I am even more powerful than you." Maul said as he activated his own lightsaber.
"Think not, I do, more powerful than I you are. Stop you, I must." Yoda replied, activating his lightsaber. They dueled for a time, both trying to get past the other's defenses, but neither of them succeeding. Maul made several strong sweeps at Yoda with his saber, but they were all blocked.
"Much to learn of the dark side, you still have. Continue, you will not." Yoda said, determined to defeat his foe.
"I think not. You have already lost." Maul replied, and force pushed Yoda into a wall. As Yoda recovered, Maul raced to his ship and escaped. Yoda contacted Kenobi.
"Master Kenobi. Warn you, I must. An old adversary, found you he has." Yoda said as Kenobi established a link.
"Who was it, Master?" Kenobi asked.
"Darth Maul. Survived death, he has. How, I know not. Intent on destroying you, he is. His intention to kill Skywalker, also I sensed. A suggestion, you have?" Yoda inquired as Kenobi and Ahsoka took in the news.
"I do, Master. I know it is not my place to question the Council or your instructions. However, Padawan Tano and myself believe Anakin did not join Sidious willingly. While I was on my way to retrieve Ahsoka to enlist her aid, I sensed his resistance to something. I am sure it must be something medical, but what I do not know. I sensed he is still on our side, but just barely. I would prefer not to have to kill him. My instinct tells me he can be saved. I suggest we do so." Obi-Wan offered.
"Hmmm. Agree with you and Padawan Tano I do. Revised, my instructions are. Skywalker, save you must. But watchful of yourselves, must you be. Maul, going to Mustafar also, he is. Stopped he must be. Padawan Tano, aid you Master you will. Master Obi-Wan, stop the Sith Lord, your task is." Yoda instructed, and both Ahsoka and Obi-Wan nodded.
