Chapter 8: The return of Maul
Obi-Wan could feel it ever since the Third Sister said he was still alive…Darth Maul was out there…
"Master Qui-Gon…he's alive…he's coming Master…" Obi-Wan said.
Somewhere in another far away planet cybernetic legs were being reattached.
Darth Maul was indeed still alive, still seeking revenge on Obi-Wan after his defeat on Naboo all those years ago.
After telling Ahsoka Tano Anakin would fall to the Dark Side Maul went into hiding until Palpatine's death by Anakin himself.
Maul then took his old Master's place setting in motion to build the Galactic Empire in the Senate supported by Palpatine's vice chair which was how the Senate funded the Inquisitors Maul had been training them to hunt Jedi all decade.
Given Anakin was not Darth Vader in this series Maul took his role in it.
After his legs were attached Maul suited up in a Sith Robe…
Later the Third Sister was in contact with him.
"Where is Kenobi?" Maul said.
"We Probe Droids out covering everywhere. We're tracking every exit possible. He will answer for the Grand Inquisitor's-" Third Sister said.
"He will answer ME! The Grand Inquisitor is nothing to me. Kenobi's main concern is that clear…Third Sister?" Maul said.
The Third Sister felt uneasy the way he yelled at her.
"Yes Lord Maul." Third Sister said.
Everything was silent for a moment till Maul spoke.
"I have been watching your actions lately. And I learned what you really seek. Find Kenobi for me…and I will offer you the position of Grand Inquisitor." Maul said.
Silence again…
"But if you fail…you won't live long enough to plead for your life." Maul said.
The transmission cuts off leaving the Third Sister more uneasy.
Meanwhile by the time Anakin and Luke go to the Facility and Obi-Wan and Leia weren't there…
They did find the dead Grand Inquisitor on the floor and Anakin covered his eye just when Padme's ship arrived and ran to them…
"MOM!" Luke called.
"LUKE!" Padme called.
She embraced her son relieved and crying at the same time thankful he's alive Padme held him tight not wanting to let go.
"Thank you Stars you're alive." Padme said.
She then looks up at Anakin and embraces him too…
But it didn't take long for her to notice Obi-Wan and Leia were not with them.
"Where's Leia? Where's Obi-Wan?" Padme asked.
"I don't know. They were supposed to meet us here. And I think whatever happened to him…they had to flee." Anakin said.
Padme saw the dead Grand Inquisitor but didn't notice…his hand moved…
"But we can still track them with his transmitter. We can still have her Padme." Anakin said.
She nods still tearing up. They have their son back but their daughter was still out there but there was no one they trusted more than Obi-Wan with her.
But where they were was on a planet under the control of the Senate.
"Mom and Dad will never find us now." Leia said.
"They will. Just have to keep the transmitter on my belt on and they'll find us." Obi-Wan said.
"So we just wait?" Leia asked.
"Yes but not here. This place is surrounded by the Senate. We'll have to find shelter." Obi-Wan said.
They walked on, then Obi-Wan saw an image of Maul in his head at a distance like he saw Anakin in the original version…
Maul exactly like he did when he first saw him he was trembling that his past had returned till Leia called out to him…
"Uncle Obi-Wan?!" Leia said.
He snapped out of it and the image of Maul was gone.
"Uncle Obi-Wan? What's wrong?" Leia asked.
"Nothing. Listen until your parents get here. I need you to call me Ben." Obi-Wan said.
"Why? I like Obi-Wan better?" Leia asked.
"I know. But…those people that kidnapped you are looking for Obi-Wan so until your parents arrive just…call me Ben." Obi-Wan said.
"Uncle Ben?" Leia asked.
"Yes…" Obi-Wan said.
"So we're playing pretend? Luke and I play that all the time." Leia said.
"Yes…we'll go with that." Obi-Wan said.
So everything plays out as it did in the Obi-Wan series at this point.
They still get a ride from that alien driver.
With Stormtroopers later coming aboard searching for a Jedi.
The only changes in this timeline Obi-Wan and Leia posed as an Uncle and Niece and Leia was visiting him and was taking her back to her parents.
They still order him if they see any signs of a Jedi reporting it to them.
Later when they reach the checkpoint the alien river still reports them and everything plays out as it did in the original series.
Obi-Wan still fights them off after the Probe identifies him and they're still later saved by Tala.
And she leads them to the town they go to they went in the original series.
Meanwhile back in Padme's ship Luke was asleep in one of the benches.
Anakin tucked him in and then saw Padme was still sadden given her daughter was still missing for her…
Anakin came to her to comfort her.
"Hey." Anakin said.
"I want her back, Ani. I want her safe in my arms again." Padme said.
"I know. She's a strong Padme. Obi-Wan will protect her till we get there." Anakin said.
"I love her and Luke so much Ani I don't what I'd do if-" Padme said.
"I know and I do too and they know that. We'll get her back, Padme I promise." Anakin said.
They kissed.
To Be Continued…